THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” FRIDAY OCTOBER 20, 2023

“THE SCOREBOARD”

SECTIONAL FOOTBALL FRIDAY OCTOBER 14, 2023

SECTIONAL 17

HOBART (7-2) AT NEW PRAIRIE (7-2)

GARY WEST (6-3) AT KANKAKEE VALLEY (4-5)

EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL (1-8) AT HIGHLAND (3-6)

CULVER ACADEMY (3-6) AT LOWELL (4-5)

SECTIONAL 18

SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (2-7) AT PLYMOUTH (2-7)

NORTHWOOD (7-2) AT SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (4-5)

SOUTH BEND RILEY (8-1) AT WAWASEE (1-8)

NORTHRIDGE (7-2) AT LOGANSPORT (4-5)

SECTIONAL 19

FORT WAYNE WAYNE (5-4) AT FORT WAYNE DWENGER (4-5)

DEKALB (5-4) AT ANGOLA (2-7)

EAST NOBLE (7-2) AT NEW HAVEN (8-1)

LEO (7-2) AT FORT WAYNE SOUTH (1-8)

SECTIONAL 20

MISSISSINEWA (9-0) AT WESTERN (4-5)

COLUMBIA CITY (5-4) AT HUNTINGTON NORTH (1-8)

FRANKFORT (1-8) AT MARION (2-7)

KOKOMO (7-2) AT JAY COUNTY (4-5)

SECTIONAL 21

INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (8-1) AT LEBANON (4-5)

BREBEUF JESUIT (4-4) AT NORTHVIEW (6-3)

INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE (3-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI (3-6)

INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON (5-4) AT MOORESVILLE (4-5)

SECTIONAL 22

PENDLETON HEIGHTS (7-2) AT GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (8-1)

NEW CASTLE (1-8) AT NEW PALESTINE (7-2)

BEECH GROVE (4-5) AT MUNCIE CENTRAL (4-5)

MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) (5-4) AT RICHMOND (1-8)

SECTIONAL 23

EDGEWOOD (2-7) AT JENNINGS COUNTY (4-5)

GREENWOOD (4-5) AT CONNERSVILLE (2-7)

SHELBYVILLE (3-6) AT EAST CENTRAL (9-0)

MARTINSVILLE (6-3) AT SILVER CREEK (6-3)

SECTIONAL 24

BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (6-3) AT EVANSVILLE HARRISON (1-8)

BOONVILLE (5-4) AT EVANSVILLE REITZ (9-0)

EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (6-3) AT EVANSVILLE CENTRAL (0-9)…INDIANA SRN BROADCAST

JASPER (6-3) AT EVANSVILLE BOSSE (3-6)

SECTIONAL 25

TWIN LAKES (5-4) AT BOONE GROVE (7-2)

CALUMET (3-6) AT HANOVER CENTRAL (9-0)

RIVER FOREST (6-3) AT WEST LAFAYETTE (6-3)

RENSSELAER CENTRAL (5-4) AT GRIFFITH (3-6)

SECTIONAL 26

JIMTOWN (4-5) AT FAIRFIELD (5-4)

SOUTH BEND CLAY (3-6) AT JOHN GLENN (5-4)

KNOX (9-0) AT LAKELAND (6-3)

MISHAWAKA MARIAN (5-4) AT WEST NOBLE (9-0)

SECTIONAL 27

YORKTOWN (4-5) AT FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA (0-9)

DELTA (5-4) AT NORWELL (3-6)

BELLMONT (0-9) AT GARRETT (4-5)

HERITAGE (8-1) AT WOODLAN (2-7)

SECTIONAL 28

GUERIN CATHOLIC (7-2) AT PERU (9-0)…..INDIANA SRN BROADCAST

TIPPECANOE VALLEY (9-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (9-0)….INDIANA SRN BROADCAST

NORTHWESTERN (3-6) AT MACONAQUAH (6-3)

HAMILTON HEIGHTS (9-0) AT OAK HILL (5-4)

SECTIONAL 29

DANVILLE (7-2) AT TRI-WEST (8-1)

WESTERN BOONE (6-3) AT NORTH MONTGOMERY (5-4)

PURDUE POLYTECHNIC (3-6) AT MONROVIA (7-2)

CRAWFORDSVILLE (1-8) AT SPEEDWAY (2-7)

SECTIONAL 30

PIKE CENTRAL (1-8) AT PRINCETON (1-8)

VINCENNES LINCOLN (6-3) AT OWEN VALLEY (3-6)

MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) (5-4) AT GIBSON SOUTHERN (7-2)

WEST VIGO (2-7) AT WASHINGTON (2-7)

SECTIONAL 31

LAWRENCEBURG (7-2) AT CENTERVILLE (9-0)

BATESVILLE (8-1) AT RUSHVILLE (3-6)

FRANKLIN COUNTY (3-6) AT SOUTH DEARBORN (5-4)

GREENSBURG (0-9) AT INDIAN CREEK (6-3)

SECTIONAL 32

SCOTTSBURG (5-4) AT NORTH HARRISON (6-3)

SALEM (2-7) AT MADISON (1-8)

CHARLESTOWN (6-3) AT HERITAGE HILLS (8-1)

CORYDON CENTRAL (0-9) AT SOUTHRIDGE (6-3)

SECTIONAL 33

BREMEN (4-5) AT HAMMOND NOLL (2-7)

ANDREAN (3-6) AT LAVILLE (8-1)

LAKE STATION (2-7) AT WHITING (3-6)

SECTIONAL 34

WINAMAC (3-6) AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (6-3)

BENTON CENTRAL (2-7) AT SEEGER (6-3)

DELPHI (4-5) AT LEWIS CASS (5-4)

SECTIONAL 35

WABASH (2-7) AT EASTSIDE (6-3)

FORT WAYNE LUERS (6-3) AT CHURUBUSCO (2-7)

PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (0-9) AT CENTRAL NOBLE (3-6)

MANCHESTER (3-6) AT WHITKO (1-8)

SECTIONAL 36

BLACKFORD (0-9) AT TIPTON (1-8)

ELWOOD (1-8) AT EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (7-2)

EASTBROOK (6-3) AT FRANKTON (4-5)

BLUFFTON (7-2) AT ALEXANDRIA (8-1)

SECTIONAL 37

GREENCASTLE (7-2) AT NORTH PUTNAM (3-6)

LINTON-STOCKTON (7-1) AT NORTH KNOX (5-4)

SOUTH VERMILLION (8-1) AT CASCADE (5-4)

SULLIVAN (5-4) AT SOUTHMONT (4-5)

SECTIONAL 38

LAPEL (5-4) AT EASTERN HANCOCK (5-4)

INDIANAPOLIS RITTER (3-6) AT UNION COUNTY (0-9)

SHENANDOAH (1-8) AT HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (6-3)

NORTHEASTERN (7-2) AT WINCHESTER (6-2)

SECTIONAL 39

TRITON CENTRAL (8-1) AT CLARKSVILLE (1-8)

INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (5-4) AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (8-1)

BROWN COUNTY (1-8) AT SWITZERLAND COUNTY (5-4)

EASTERN (PEKIN) (3-6) AT CHRISTEL HOUSE MANUAL (3-5)

SECTIONAL 40

NORTH POSEY (8-1) AT PERRY CENTRAL (5-4)

EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (2-7) AT TELL CITY (6-3)

MITCHELL (2-7) AT FOREST PARK (5-4)

CRAWFORD COUNTY (0-9) AT PAOLI (8-1)

SECTIONAL 41

BOWMAN ACADEMY (1-5) AT SOUTH NEWTON (3-6)

PIONEER (5-4) AT NORTH JUDSON (5-4)

TRITON (6-3) AT NORTH NEWTON (0-9)

CULVER (0-9) AT SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) (3-6)

SECTIONAL 42

FOUNTAIN CENTRAL (5-3) AT PARK TUDOR (9-0)

CLINTON PRAIRIE (5-4) AT COVINGTON (4-5)

NORTH VERMILLION (6-3) AT ATTICA (0-9)

SECTIONAL 43

CASTON (1-8) AT NORTH WHITE (9-0)

CARROLL (FLORA) (9-0) AT TRI-COUNTY (5-3)

WEST CENTRAL (7-2) AT TAYLOR (1-8)

TRI-CENTRAL (3-6) AT FRONTIER (5-4)

SECTIONAL 44

MADISON-GRANT (6-3) AT NORTHFIELD (4-5)

NORTH MIAMI (1-8) AT SOUTHERN WELLS (1-8)

SOUTH ADAMS (6-3) AT ADAMS CENTRAL (9-0)

FREMONT (3-6) AT SOUTHWOOD (4-5)

SECTIONAL 45

MONROE CENTRAL (4-5) AT UNION CITY (2-7)

HAGERSTOWN (6-3) AT SHERIDAN (6-3)

SECTIONAL 46

SOUTH DECATUR (7-2) AT NORTH DECATUR (6-3)

KNIGHTSTOWN (3-6) AT TRI (6-3)

MILAN (6-3) AT CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (1-6)

SECTIONAL 47

NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) (2-7) AT SOUTH PUTNAM (8-1)

PARKE HERITAGE (2-6) AT COVENANT CHRISTIAN (5-3)….INDIANA SRN BROADCAST

RIVERTON PARKE (4-5) AT CLOVERDALE (2-7)

SECTIONAL 48

SPRINGS VALLEY (8-1) AT SOUTH SPENCER (3-6)

PROVIDENCE (9-0) AT EASTERN GREENE (5-4)

NORTH DAVIESS (4-5) AT TECUMSEH (1-8)

INDIANA VOLLEYBALL REGIONAL MATCH-UPS

HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN – HARRISON

FORT WAYNE CARROLL – HOMESTEAD

MUNSTER – CROWN POINT

WARSAW – LAPORTE

CASTLE – FRANKLIN

FLOYD CENTRAL – CENTER GROVE

YORKTOWN – CATHEDRAL

RONCALLI- AVON

ANGOLA – BELLMONT

BENTON CENTRAL – NEW CASTLE

NORTHWOOD – CULVER ACADEMIES

MISHAWAKA MARIAN – HAMMOND NOLL

PROVIDENCE – EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL

BARR REEVE – LAWRENCEBURG

HAMILTON HEIGHTS – NORTHVIEW

TRI-WEST – SPEEDWAY

ADAMS CENTRAL – LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC

MADISON GRANT – MUNCIE BURRIS

CHRUBUSCO- ILLIANA CHRISTIAN

SOUTH-CENTRAL – PIONEER

NORTH POSEY – LINTON STOCKTON

BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL – NORTH DECATUR

SCECINA – NORTHEASTERN

GREENCASTLE – CASCADE

FAITH CHRISTIAN – DALEVILLE

SOUTHWOOD – BLUE RIVER

FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK – MARQUETTE CATHOLIC

TRI-COUNTY – KOUTS

TRINITY LUTHERAN – LOOGOOTEE

TECUMSEH – LANESVILLE

SHAKAMAK-INDIANA DEAF

GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN – OLDENBURG ACADEMY

Class 4A Bracket | Class 3A Bracket | Class 2A Bracket | Class 1A Bracket

INDIANA BOYS SOCCER REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

SATURDAY SEMI-STATE NOBLESVILLE VS. LAKE CENTRAL

SATURDAY SEMI-STATE COLUMBUS NORTH VS. CATHEDRAL

SATURDAY SEMI-STATE LEO VS. MISHAWAKA MARIAN

SATURDAY SEMI-STATE EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL VS. BREBEUF

SATURDAY SEMI-STATE PARK TUDOR VS. BETHANY CHRISTIAN

SATURDAY SEMI-STATE FOREST PARK VS. GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN

INDIANA GIRLS SOCCER REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

SATURDAY SEMI-STATE CROWN POINT VS. NOBLESVILLE

SATURDAY SEMI-STATE CATHEDRAL VS. BLOOMINGTON SOUTH

SATURDAY SEMI-STATE LEO VS. MISHAWAKA MARIAN

SATURDAY SEMI-STATE EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL VS. GUERIN CATHOLIC

SATURDAY SEMI-STATE WESTVIEW VS. FW CANTERBURY

SATURDAY SEMI-STATE EVANSVILLE MATER DEI VS. PARK TUDOR

INDIANA CROSS COUNTRY: HTTPS://IN.MILESPLIT.COM/

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

WEEK 8

THURSDAY, OCT. 19

JAMES MADISON 20 MARSHALL 9

RICE 42 TULSA 10

FRIDAY, OCT. 20

SMU AT TEMPLE | 7 P.M. | ESPN2

SATURDAY, OCT. 21

NO. 7 PENN STATE AT NO. 3 OHIO STATE | 12 P.M. | FOX

UCF AT NO. 6 OKLAHOMA | 12 P.M. | ABC

MISSISSIPPI STATE AT ARKANSAS | 12 P.M. | ESPN

RUTGERS AT INDIANA | 12 P.M. | BTN

BOSTON COLLEGE AT GEORGIA TECH | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK

BAYLOR AT CINCINNATI | 12 P.M. | ESPN+

MEMPHIS AT UAB | 12 P.M. | ESPN2

NO. 22 AIR FORCE AT NAVY | 12 P.M. | CBS

WESTERN MICHIGAN AT OHIO | 12 P.M. | CBS SPORTS

NORFOLK STATE AT HOWARD | 12 P.M. | ESPNU

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE AT DELAWARE STATE | 12 P.M. | ESPN+

PENN AT YALE | 12 P.M. | ESPN+

LEHIGH AT BUCKNELL | 1 P.M. | ESPN+

LAFAYETTE AT HOLY CROSS | 1 P.M. | ESPN+

BROWN AT CORNELL | 1 P.M. | ESPN+

SOUTH DAKOTA AT INDIANA STATE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+

HARVARD AT PRINCETON | 1 P.M. | ESPN+

MARIST AT PRESBYTERIAN | 1 P.M. | ESPN+

ST. THOMAS (MINN.) AT STETSON | 1 P.M. | ESPN+

SAMFORD AT VMI | 1 P.M. | ESPN+

COLUMBIA AT DARTMOUTH | 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+

EAST TENNESSEE STATE AT CHATTANOOGA | 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+

CHARLOTTE AT EAST CAROLINA | 2 P.M. | ESPN+

UL MONROE AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN | 2 P.M. | ESPN+

AKRON AT BOWLING GREEN | 2 P.M. | ESPN+

ILLINOIS STATE AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE AT TENNESSEE TECH | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN+

FURMAN AT WESTERN CAROLINA | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN+

COLGATE AT GEORGETOWN | 3 P.M. | ESPN+

MURRAY STATE AT MISSOURI STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+

BRYANT AT EASTERN ILLINOIS | 3 P.M. | ESPN+

SE LOUISIANA AT NORTHWESTERN STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | 3 P.M. | ESPN+

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN AT UT MARTIN | 3 P.M. | ESPN+

LINCOLN (CA) AT TENNESSEE STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+

NO. 17 TENNESSEE AT NO. 11 ALABAMA | 3:30 P.M. | CBS

WASHINGTON STATE AT NO. 9 OREGON | 3:30 P.M. | ABC

SOUTH CAROLINA AT NO. 20 MISSOURI | 3:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK

MINNESOTA AT NO. 24 IOWA | 3:30 P.M. | NBC

NORTHWESTERN AT NEBRASKA | 3:30 P.M. | FS1

WISCONSIN AT ILLINOIS | 3:30 P.M. | FS1

SOUTH FLORIDA AT UCONN | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN

PITT AT WAKE FOREST | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK

OKLAHOMA STATE AT WEST VIRGINIA | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN

NORTH TEXAS AT TULANE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN2

CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT BALL STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+

EASTERN MICHIGAN AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+

BUFFALO AT KENT STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+

WESTERN ILLINOIS AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+

NO. 9 TEXAS AT HOUSTON | 4 P.M. | FOX

TOLEDO AT MIAMI (OHIO) | 4 P.M. | ESPNU

IDAHO STATE AT PORTLAND STATE | 4 P.M. | ESPN+

WOFFORD AT MERCER | 4 P.M. | ESPN+

JACKSON STATE AT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE | 5 P.M. | ESPN+

NORTH DAKOTA AT UNI | 5 P.M. | ESPN+

NICHOLLS AT TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE | 5 P.M. | ESPN+

DRAKE AT SAN DIEGO | 5 P.M. | ESPN+

ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | 5 P.M. | ESPN+

UTSA AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC | 6 P.M. | ESPN+

EASTERN KENTUCKY AT GARDNER-WEBB | 6 P.M. | ESPN+

VIRGINIA AT NO. 10 NORTH CAROLINA | 6:30 P.M. | CW NETWORK

NO. 13 OLE MISS AT AUBURN | 7 P.M. | ESPN

TEXAS TECH AT BYU | 7 P.M. | FS1

TCU AT KANSAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN2

COASTAL CAROLINA AT ARKANSAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+

COLORADO STATE AT UNLV | 7 P.M. | MOUNTAIN WEST NETWORK

UTAH STATE AT SAN JOSE STATE | 7 P.M. | CBSSN

APPALACHIAN STATE AT OLD DOMINION | 7 P.M. | NFL NETWORK

UTAH TECH AT NORTH ALABAMA | 7 P.M. | ESPN+

MOREHEAD STATE AT TARLETON STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+

WEBER STATE AT EASTERN WASHINGTON | 7 P.M. | ESPN+

NO. 2 MICHIGAN AT MICHIGAN STATE | 7:30 P.M. | NBC

NO. 16 DUKE AT NO. 4 FLORIDA STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ABC

ARMY AT NO. 19 LSU | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK

NO. 14 UTAH AT NO. 18 USC | 8 P.M. | FOX

CLEMSON AT MIAMI (FLA.) | 8 P.M. | ACC NETWORK

GEORGIA STATE AT LOUISIANA | 8 P.M. | ESPNU

FLORIDA A&M AT TEXAS SOUTHERN | 8 P.M. | ESPN+

AUSTIN PEAY AT SOUTHERN UTAH | 8 P.M. | ESPN+

NORTHERN COLORADO AT CAL POLY | 8 P.M. | ESPN+

UIW AT MCNEESE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+

NEVADA AT SAN DIEGO STATE | 9 P.M. | FS2

NO. 25 UCLA AT STANFORD | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN

MONTANA STATE AT SACRAMENTO STATE | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN2

ARIZONA STATE AT NO. 5 WASHINGTON | 10:30 P.M. | FS1

NFL WEEK 7 SCHEDULE

THURSDAY

JACKSONVILLE 31 NEW ORLEANS 24

DETROIT LIONS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT CHICAGO BEARS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P FOX

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS

BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT NEW YORK GIANTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS

ATLANTA FALCONS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS 1:05P (PT) 4:05P FOX

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 1:05P (PT) 4:05P FOX

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT DENVER BRONCOS 2:25P (MT) 4:25P CBS

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 3:25P (CT) 4:25P CBS

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 8:20P (ET) 8:20P NBC*

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (MON) 7:15P (CT) 8:15P ESPN

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

FULL SCHEDULE FOR 2023 MLB POSTSEASON

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

THURSDAY, OCT. 19
HOUSTON 10 TEXAS 3 (SERIES TIED 2-2)

ARIZONA 2 PHILADELPHIA 1 (PHILADELPHIA LEADS SERIES 2-1)

FRIDAY, OCT. 20
PHI @ AZ, GAME 4, TBS
HOU @ TEX, GAME 5, FOX/FS1

SATURDAY, OCT. 21
PHI @ AZ, GAME 5 , TBS

SUNDAY, OCT. 22
TEX @ HOU, GAME 6 , FOX/FS1

MONDAY, OCT. 23
AZ @ PHI, GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
TEX @ HOU, GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1

TUESDAY, OCT. 24
AZ @ PHI, GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY), TBS

WORLD SERIES

PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE

FRIDAY, OCT. 27
GAME 1 (AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX

SATURDAY, OCT. 28
GAME 2 (AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX

MONDAY, OCT. 30
GAME 3, FOX

TUESDAY, OCT. 31
GAME 4, FOX

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1
GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), FOX

FRIDAY, NOV. 3
GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY, AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX

SATURDAY, NOV. 4
GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY, AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX

NBA PRE-SEASON

BOSTON 127 CHARLOTTE 99

MINNESOTA 114 CHICAGO 105

DETROIT 118 OKLAHOMA CITY 116

DENVER 103 LA CLIPPERS 90

PHOENIX 123 LA LAKERS 100

SACRAMENTO 116 UTAH 113

NHL SCOREBOARD

FLORIDA 3 TORONTO 1

NASHVILLE 4 NY RANGERS 1

TAMPA BAY 4 VANCOUVER 3

PHILADELPHIA 4 EDMONTON 1

LOS ANGELES 7 MINNESOTA 3

ARIZONA 6 ST. LOUIS 2

VEGAS 5 WINNIPEG 3

DALLAS 3 ANAHEIM 2

SEATTLE 7 CAROLINA 4

COLORADO 4 CHICAGO 0

BOSTON 3 SAN JOSE 1

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

NO GAMES SCHEDULED

TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS/NEWS

ABREU, ALVAREZ AND ALTUVE HELP ASTROS PULL EVEN IN ALCS WITH 10-3 WIN OVER RANGERS IN GAME 4

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Houston manager Dusty Baker and third baseman Alex Bregman really have no explanation for why the Astros have been so good in that other retractable-roof stadium in Texas.

“I have no clue, to be honest with you,” Bregman said. “But I think the focus has been really good in that clubhouse.”

They do know the 250-mile trip north and another big-scoring road game against the Rangers has pulled Houston even in the AL Championship Series.

José Abreu hit a three-run homer right after Yordan Alvarez’s go-ahead sacrifice fly, and the Astros rolled to a 10-3 victory in Game 4 on Thursday night. They led 3-0 only four batters into the game, and responded immediately after Texas tied it on Corey Seager’s opposite-field homer in the third inning.

Adolis García also homered for the wild-card Rangers, who have dropped two games in a row at home after starting this postseason with seven consecutive wins – six on the road. That included sweeps of the AL’s two winningest teams, Baltimore and Tampa Bay.

“Nobody thought it was going to be easy,” Texas manager Bruce Bochy said. “(The Astros) have played very well in this ballpark. We need to change that.”

Game 5 is Friday afternoon at Globe Life Field, where the defending World Series champion Astros are 8-1 this season. The home team has yet to lead in this ALCS, which switches back to Houston for Game 6 on Sunday night.

“They keep asking me that same question,” Baker said about his team’s success in Arlington. “I’ve got the same answer: I don’t know.”

Jose Altuve had three hits in his 100th career postseason game and scored three runs for a record sixth time. Alvarez drove in three, giving him 13 RBIs already this postseason, and Chas McCormick added a two-run homer.

“It makes it even more special because we won,” said Altuve, the seventh big leaguer to play in 100 postseason games. “Nothing’s done yet, but to be able to get the opportunity to come back and tie the series … it’s really important for us.”

The Astros have outscored Texas 74-32 in winning their last seven games at Globe Life. They won 8-5 in Game 3 of the first postseason series between the instate AL West rivals.

“They crush the ball here, man. I don’t have an answer other than that,” Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe said. “Maybe it’s too nice in the visiting clubhouse and we need to maybe switch up the spread, leave something uncooked a little bit.”

AL West champion Houston has won 18 of its past 21 road games overall, including a three-game sweep during the first week of September when the Astros homered 16 times and outscored the Rangers 39-10.

Dane Dunning, who entered in relief for Texas in the first inning, had an 0-2 count against No. 9 batter Martin Maldonado to open the fourth with the game tied before walking him and then Altuve. Mauricio Dubón followed with his second soft single of the game before Bregman struck out with the bases loaded.

Rookie lefty Cody Bradford came on and Alvarez hit his ninth pitch 401 feet to the warning track in center field for a sac fly. Abreu’s fourth homer this postseason made it 7-3.

“I went up there, I needed a great swing (and) thankfully the pitch was where I wanted it to be,” Abreu said through a translator.

Ryne Stanek got the win, throwing only one pitch after replacing starter José Urquidy in the third. Stanek threw a slider to induce Mitch Garver’s inning-ending double-play grounder.

“Wild,” Stanek said. “It’s something that you only even notice it way after. … You’re just going to go out and do my job and by circumstance I happen to get a win.”

QUICK START

Altuve opened the game with a double and Dubón, after three hits in Game 3, followed with a bloop single off Andrew Heaney. Bregman drove both home with a triple into the right-center gap, and the Rangers already had Dunning up in the bullpen before Alvarez singled to make it 3-0.

THAT CLOSE

The Rangers were still down 7-3, but had two on with no outs in the fifth when a finger of Marcus Semien’s batting glove was the difference between a lineout and a crucial double play. The Rangers baserunner was sliding back to first base after Abreu snagged Seager’s 108.6 mph liner, lunging to tag Semien just as his hand reached the bag, and first base umpire Jordan Baker signaled safe. The Astros challenged and the call was overturned.

UP NEXT

Game 5 will be a rematch of the trade-deadline acquisitions who started the series opener. Rangers left-hander Jordan Montgomery threw 6 1/3 innings in Game 1 as Texas won 2-0. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander, who allowed both runs over six innings, will make his 21st career postseason start for the Astros. They got him back from the Mets on Aug. 1.

BIG PRODUCTION

Alvarez and Abreu are the first teammates in postseason history with at least four homers and 10 RBIs in a team’s first eight playoff games.

SEAGER DINGERS

Seager became the first shortstop to homer in both the NLCS and ALCS with his 401-foot solo drive to left-center in the third. He was with the Los Angeles Dodgers when they played 16 neutral-site postseason games at Globe Life Field while winning the World Series title in 2020. Seager was MVP in both the NLCS and World Series. He hit five homers in that seven-game NLCS.

FOR STARTERS

It was the first time in Heaney’s 156 career starts (154 regular season and two postseason) that he didn’t make it out of the first inning. … Urquidy, who allowed three runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings, entered 5-0 with a 2.82 ERA in seven career starts against the Rangers.

OPEN ROOF

A game was played at Globe Life Field with the roof open for the first time in nearly five months. It was 78 degrees under clear skies when the game began. Texas was 7-4 during the regular season with the roof open, the last game being May 21.

MARTE HITS WALK-OFF SINGLE IN NINTH, D-BACKS BEAT PHILLIES 2-1 AND CLOSE TO 2-1 IN NLCS

PHOENIX (AP) More than 15 minutes after the game, Ketel Marte stood at his clubhouse locker, gulping water while trying to finally catch his breath after delivering the Arizona Diamondbacks’ latest clutch postseason moment.

“After my hit, I sprinted so hard,” Marte said, shaking his head.

Marte capped a three-hit afternoon with a walk-off single in the ninth, rookie Brandon Pfaadt pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings and the Diamondbacks closed to 2-1 in the NL Championship Series by rallying to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 on Thursday.

On the verge of falling behind 3-0 in the best-of-seven matchup, Arizona tied the score on Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s RBI double in the seventh.

Gurriel opened the ninth with a leadoff walk against Craig Kimbrel, stole second and took third on Pavin Smith’s infield single.

Gurriel was thrown out at the plate by shortstop Trea Turner on Emmanuel Rivera’s hard-hit grounder as the Phillies played the infield in. Geraldo Perdomo walked after falling behind 1-2 in the count and Marte – one of the few Diamondbacks who has looked comfortable at the plate this series – hit a liner that fell in front of center fielder Johan Rojas, sending the D-backs onto the field in celebration.

“I felt like I could make some pitches to get us out of it,” Kimbrel said. “Sometimes you get them. Some days you don’t. Today just wasn’t that day.”

Marte said he wasn’t nervous during his at-bat. The 30-year-old is hitting .382 with four doubles, two homers and five RBIs in eight postseason games this year and has a 12-game postseason hitting streak.

“I’m not a pressure guy,” Marte said. “I know what kind of hitter I am.”

It was the third postseason walk-off win for the Diamondbacks after series-winning hits by Tony Womack’s in the 2001 Division Series and Luis Gonzalez in 2001 World Series.

Defending NL champion Philadelphia had opened the postseason 7-1 and outscored the Diamondbacks 15-3 over two games at Citizens Bank Park, hitting six homers.

Bryce Harper put the Phillies ahead in the seventh when he scored on Ryan Thompson’s wild pitch.

“We are here at their place,” Harper said. “They played a really good game today. I thought both sides had good defense, good pitching. Just got to move on as soon as possible.”

After throwing 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS clincher, Pfaadt struck out nine and allowed two hits against the Phillies with a mid-90s fastball and a nifty sweeper that had hitters chasing. The 25-year-old right-hander became the first pitcher in postseason history to have two straight outings giving up no runs and no walks.

“It was fun – I had a lot of things working,” Pfaadt said. “I was able to hone in on a few things, execute the way I wanted and get some big outs.”

Pfaadt combined with Andrew Saalfrank, Thompson, Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald on a three-hitter. Sewald, who got the win, stranded Harper on second in the ninth when Alec Bohm took a called third strike.

Philadelphia’s Ranger Suárez gave up three hits and struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings, leaving after Marte’s leadoff double in the sixth. Suarez’s 0.94 ERA is the lowest in a pitcher’s first eight career postseason appearances.

“I was locating my pitches really well today,” Suárez said through an interpreter. “That helped me a lot.”

Harper walked against Saalfrank starting the seventh and Bohm followed with an infield single against Thompson. Bryson Stott grounded into a double play as Harper took third, and Thompson yanked an 0-1 slider that swerved over the left-handed batter’s box and bounced to the backstop. The ball rebounded to catcher Gabriel Montero, whose throw sailed past the pitcher covering the plate as Harper slid headfirst.

Arizona had been scoreless for 17 innings until the seventh. Tommy Pham singled off Orion Kerkering and Gurriel doubled down the left-field line. Smith singled to put runners at the corners but José Alvarado got Rivera to ground into a double play and Perdomo grounded out.

After nearly taking a 3-0 series lead, the Phillies planned to regroup.

“It could have gone either way, you know,” manager Rob Thomson said. “What are you going to do? I’m not going to think about it that way. I’m going to think about coming in here tomorrow and getting ready and getting ready to compete.”

LATE ARRIVALS

The first two games of the NLCS were a hot ticket in Philadelphia, with fans paying hundreds of bucks just to get in the door.

Game 3 at Chase Field was much more affordable. Less than an hour before the game, seats were available on SeatGeek for as low as $18 and on StubHub for as low as $14. Prices were so low that Phillies fans claimed they bought tickets just to keep potential D-backs fans out of the stadium.

The D-backs announced a sellout crowd of 47,075 and the seats looked 99% full for a game that started at 2:07 p.m.

D-BACKS CHANGES

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo shuffled his lineup significantly for Game 3 against the left-handed Suárez, flipping Marte and Corbin Carroll at the top of the order. He also batted Moreno third, dropped Pham to fifth and played the right-handed hitting Rivera at third base. Thomas – a left-handed hitter – wasn’t in the starting lineup after going 0 for 5 in the first two games.

UP NEXT

Game 4 is on Friday night at 5:07 p.m. local time (8:07 p.m. EDT). The Phillies start LHP Cristopher Sánchez, who hasn’t pitched in the postseason. The D-backs counter with LHP Joe Mantiply (2-0, 9.00 ERA), normally a reliever.

CUBS EXPECT RIGHT-HANDER MICHAEL FULMER TO MISS 2024 SEASON FOLLOWING ELBOW SURGERY

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs expect right-hander Michael Fulmer to miss the 2024 season after the reliever had surgery on his pitching elbow.

The Cubs said Fulmer underwent UCL revision surgery, a procedure that has a recovery projection similar to that of Tommy John surgery, on Wednesday. He missed the 2019 season with Detroit because of Tommy John surgery.

The 30-year-old Fulmer was 3-5 with a 4.42 ERA in 58 games last season after signing a $4 million, one-year contract. He was the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year with Detroit, going 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA.

The Cubs also said reliever Codi Heuer has completed the initial healing and range of motion phase and plans to start throwing in mid-November. Heuer had surgery in June to repair a fractured elbow. The injury occurred as he was nearing a return from Tommy John surgery.

Reliever Brad Boxberger (strained right forearm) is set to begin a strength program in the next few weeks and start throwing in mid-November.

The Cubs said pitchers Nick Burdi (appendectomy), Brandon Hughes (left knee inflammation) and Ethan Roberts (Tommy John surgery), and infielder Nick Madrigal (strained right hamstring) are expected to go through normal offseason routines.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS

NCAA INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF SIGN-STEALING BY NO. 2 MICHIGAN. THE SCHOOL SAYS IT IS COOPERATING

No. 2 Michigan said Thursday it has been notified by the NCAA that the football program is being investigated for allegedly stealing signs.

“The university is fully cooperating with the Big Ten and NCAA. The investigation is ongoing and will not impact Saturday’s game,” the university said in a statement. “At the University of Michigan, we are committed to the highest ethical and integrity standards for all members of our community.”

The Wolverines (7-0) play at Michigan State on Saturday.

The Big Ten also announced the investigation, but provided no further details, only to say that it had notified Michigan’s upcoming opponents about the investigation.

“The Big Ten Conference considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation,” the Big Ten said in a statement.

The NCAA does not have rules specifically against stealing signs but does prohibit in-person advanced scouting of opponents and also does have bylaws prohibiting unsportsmanlike activities.

Michigan has been crossing path with the NCAA on a regular basis over the last year.

An NCAA investigation into impermissible contact with recruits by Jim Harbaugh led Michigan to self-impose a three-game suspension on the Wolverines’ head coach earlier this year. Harbaugh missed Michigan’s first three games.

That case has not yet been resolved as the NCAA’s committee on infractions rejected a potential negotiated settlement regarding Harbaugh’s involvement in the case based on his cooperation with investigators.

NCAA INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF SIGN-STEALING BY MICHIGAN. HARBAUGH DENIES KNOWLEDGE, INVOLVEMENT

(AP) — Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh denied any knowledge or involvement in plotting to steal opponents’ play-calling signals by sending representatives to their games and said he would fully cooperate with an NCAA investigation into the allegations against his program.

“I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment,” Harbaugh said Thursday in a statement. “I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action.”

The Big Ten also announced it had been informed of the investigation. But the conference provided no further details, only to say that it had notified Michigan’s upcoming opponents.

The second-ranked Wolverines (7-0), who started their season with Harbaugh serving a university-imposed three-game suspension for a still unresolved NCAA infractions case, play at Michigan State on Saturday.

“I want to personally assure you that U-M Athletics will offer its complete cooperation to the NCAA in this matter,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said Thursday. “At the University of Michigan, all of us are committed to the highest standards of ethics and integrity for all members of our community. This is the same expectation I have of all coaches, staff, and student-athletes.”

Michigan is coming off two straight playoff appearances under Harbaugh and is currently tied with No. 1 Georgia as the odds-on favorite to win the national title, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

The NCAA does not have rules specifically against stealing signs, but it does prohibit in-person advanced scouting of opponents and using electronic equipment to record an opponents’ signals. There are also bylaws prohibiting unsportsmanlike or unethical activities.

The NCAA had no comment, and the conference offered little more.

“The Big Ten Conference considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation,” the league said in a statement.

Michigan has been tied up in an infractions case involving impermissible contact with high school prospects during the pandemic recruiting dead period for more than a year. Trying to get out in front of any possible NCAA punishment, the school hit Harbaugh with a three-game suspension in August, and he missed Michigan’s first three games.

It hardly mattered. The Wolverines have plowed through their opposition, winning by an average of 33 points per game.

That case has not yet been resolved as the NCAA’s committee on infractions rejected a potential negotiated resolution regarding Harbaugh’s involvement in the case based on his lack of cooperation with investigators.

“I do not condone or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against NCAA rules,” Harbaugh said. “No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules.”

Complaints about possible sign-stealing have become somewhat common among college football coaches.

College football does not use the radio technology in helmets used by the NFL to allow coaches to communicate with players on the field. Hand signals and even large, elaborate play cards are often used on the sideline during games to call in plays for both offense and defense.

Coaches typically take steps to ensure play signals do not show up on game film that teams are given to scout opponents.

“I think it’s ridiculous what goes on,” said Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi, who was formerly the Michigan State defensive coordinator but has not faced Michigan in nine seasons leading the Panthers. “That doesn’t shock me if it happened. I’m not accusing anybody, but to me that’s been happening for a while.”

TOP 25 PREVIEWS

NO. 22 AIR FORCE BACK IN RANKINGS, BATTLES RIVAL NAVY

If a rivalry game with Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy implications wasn’t enough to get Air Force fired up, perhaps a spot in the national rankings will do the trick.

The No. 22 Falcons find themselves among the top 25 teams in the country for the first time since 2019, and they will look to keep climbing on Saturday when they face Navy in Annapolis, Md.

Air Force (6-0) moved into the rankings thanks to a 34-27 victory over Wyoming last weekend. The Falcons leaned on their rushing attack, amassing 356 yards on the ground, including a team-high 111 from quarterback Zac Larrier.

Larrier, however, injured his knee late in the game and was ruled out for the Navy game. Backup Jensen Jones will take over at quarterback.

Although the win pushed Air Force into the national spotlight, coach Troy Calhoun knows his team can’t concern itself with the extra attention it’s about to receive.

“We’re on to the next practice — to learn from a game and to move forward,” Calhoun said following the victory over Wyoming. “What’s (outside noise) mean? What’s it really mean?”

The Falcons were able to erase an early 14-point deficit against the Cowboys, and that type of resiliency is something that Air Force hopes to carry into the back half of its season.

“We just know who we are. We’re going to kick you in the teeth and we’re going to go at you, every play,” Falcons running back Owen Burk said. “Good things are going to happen, bad things are going to happen, but we’re going to keep moving forward and we’re never going to quit.

“I think that’s what we’re going to do the rest of the season.”

Air Force has won its first six games for the first time since 2002.

The Midshipmen’s spirits are also high after beating Charlotte 14-0 last Saturday. Although the 49ers ran 68 plays, Navy (3-3) held them to 265 yards while snagging a pair of interceptions.

Senior quarterback Tai Lavatai lasted just one offensive drive before exiting with a rib injury, forcing freshman Braxton Woodson to step in under center.

Woodson completed 5 of 14 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 58 yards on 18 carries.

With their 27-24 win over North Texas on Oct. 7, the Midshipmen have strung together back-to-back victories for the first time this season, but coach Brian Newberry understands there is plenty of work to be done if his team is going to hand Air Force its first loss.

“It’s awesome to win two consecutive league games. We got to find a way to be more consistent offensively,” Newberry said. “We’re going to have to score points to beat a team like Air Force. Everybody knows that.

“We got to go out and get better (and) put together a great plan.”

Saturday marks the 56th meeting, with the Falcons leading the all-time series 33-22. However, Air Force has struggled in Annapolis, going 9-12.

The Falcons are riding an 11-game winning streak dating back to last season, tied for the fourth-longest active streak in the country among FBS teams. It also matches the second-longest winning streak in program history.

ELITE DEFENSES CLASH AS NO. 7 PENN STATE VISITS NO. 3 OHIO STATE

Forget scouting reports. The outcome of Saturday’s game between No. 7 Penn State and No. 3 Ohio State may be impacted by the availability report released by the host Buckeyes hours before the Big Ten battle in Columbus.

Attention will focus on the injury status of three running backs and standout receiver Emeka Egbuka for the Buckeyes (6-0, 3-0) when they try to take down the Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0) and their defense that ranks in the top five nationally in several categories.

The Buckeyes finished their 41-7 win over Purdue last Saturday without their top three runners — TreVeyon Henderson, Chip Trayanum and Miyan Williams. Also, cornerback Denzel Burke left the game with an injury.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day was tight-lipped when asked Tuesday about his quartet of injured players.

“I’m not going to get into all those guys, but hopefully we’ll have those guys back for Saturday,” Day said.

Henderson has missed the past two games. Williams sat against Purdue, and Trayanum was injured late in the first quarter against the Boilermakers.

Dallan Hayden, who was considered for a redshirt season, came off the bench to rush for 76 of the Buckeyes’ 152 yards, with a long run of 19 and a 1-yard touchdown.

“You do have to get creative,” Day said. “You have to figure out ways to kind of make it work because ultimately nobody cares (about the injuries). You’ve got to figure out a way to get it done.”

Egbuka sat out the Purdue game, and his return would divert some of the focus off Marvin Harrison Jr., who hauled in six throws for 105 yards and a score against Purdue.

“It is another top-10 opponent,” Penn State defensive end Adisa Isaac said. “Obviously we’ve been battling these guys for years and years, so this is a great test for us.”

The Buckeyes will need to be as healthy as possible against a defense that ranks first in the nation in pass defense (121.2 yards per game) and total yards (193.7) and second in points (8.0) and rushing yards allowed (72.5). The Nittany Lions have held opponents under 100 rushing yards in five straight games.

Ohio State is no slouch either on defense and will be a challenge for Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar, a native of Medina, Ohio, who has thrown 12 touchdowns without an interception this season through 181 passes.

The Buckeyes’ pass defense is fourth (154.3) in the nation. The defense also is third in average points allowed (9.7) and seventh in total defense (263.5).

“I feel like we’ve definitely been battle-tested; we’ve played some really good opponents,” Allar said. “Offensively, we’ve gotten better each week, gotten more consistent each week, and we just need to keep building on that. We can’t change our routine based on the opponent.”

With each team still having to play No. 2 Michigan, the winner will have the inside track to the Big Ten East Division and further down the road a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State has won six straight in the series and 10 of the past 11. Penn State coach James Franklin is 1-8 vs. the Buckeyes and has lost all four games in Ohio Stadium. Penn State has not won in Columbus since 2011.

NO. 6 OKLAHOMA’S DILLON GABRIEL REUNITES FOR UCF GAME

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel acknowledges it’ll be unusual going against UCF on Saturday when his No. 6 Sooners host the Knights in Big 12 Conference play in Norman, Okla.

“I think now I’m just kind of settling into (the fact) college football is what it is,” said Gabriel, who played his first three seasons for UCF from 2019-21. “Once you think one thing, it’ll turn into a whole ‘nother.”

Gabriel is one of the biggest reasons why the Sooners (6-0, 3-0) are in the position they’re in. He has completed 72.3 percent of his throws with 16 touchdown passes and just two interceptions this season.

“When we had him, every day in practice, he would make a throw that you’d go, ‘Wow,'” Knights coach Gus Malzahn said. “His accuracy. He’s a veteran guy now, too. Think about all the snaps he’s played. You can see when you watch him on film. He’s got really good command. He knows when to throw the ball away. He’s got great courage. He’ll wait until the last second, get the ball out.”

Gabriel was hours away from transferring to UCLA from UCF two years ago before flipping to Oklahoma, where he’s reunited with Jeff Lebby, his offensive coordinator with the Knights in his freshman season of 2019.

But while Gabriel knew Lebby was going to be calling the plays, the rest of the roster was less certain.

“I told him I couldn’t make any promises about who was going to be here or who wasn’t,” Sooners coach Brent Venables said. “I was going to try to keep the roster as-is, so he’d have to come knowing that. I wasn’t going to be misleading or things of that nature. I wanted him to come here and feel good about his opportunity. He bet on himself, when it was all said and done … and it worked out really well for all of us.”

While Gabriel has fueled the Sooners’ hot start, quarterback play also has been a deciding factor for the Knights (3-3, 0-3).

John Rhys Plumlee has missed most of the last four games with a leg injury, contributing to UCF’s rough initiation to Big 12 play.

Plumlee played briefly at Kansas on Oct. 7 before leaving the game having thrown just seven passes.

Malzahn said Plumlee would start against the Sooners after he made significant progress during the Knights’ bye week.

“I’d say he’s close to 100 percent, so don’t expect any issues moving forward,” Malzahn said.

Saturday’s matchup will feature the top two offenses in the Big 12, with UCF averaging 516.7 yards per game and the Sooners 506.

The two teams have done it in a much different way, though, with the Knights’ biggest strength being their ground game — averaging 246.3 rushing yards — and the Sooners’ being their passing attack, which has averaged 341.2 yards per game.

The meeting will be the first between the programs and their only meeting in the Big 12 before the Sooners make the leap to the SEC next season.

NO. 11 ALABAMA SEARCHES FOR TOP GEAR VS. NO. 17 TENNESSEE

Alabama may not be the power program it usually is, but the No. 11 Crimson Tide still have plenty to play for this season.

Alabama (6-1, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) takes aim at its sixth consecutive victory when it battles No. 17 Tennessee on Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The Crimson Tide lead the SEC West by a half-game over No. 19 LSU (4-1 SEC). A victory over the Volunteers (5-1, 2-1) would assure Alabama of being in the division lead when it hosts the Tigers on Nov. 4.

The winner of that contest likely will be the West representative in the SEC title game on Dec. 2.

Of course, the Crimson Tide are still seeking the form they have shown in previous seasons. The latest example of Alabama staggering through a game came last weekend in a 24-21 home win over Arkansas, a squad that dropped to 0-4 in SEC play.

“We should be dominating games rather than just winning games, and there’s a difference,” Crimson Tide guard Tyler Booker said.

The victory was Nick Saban’s 200th as Alabama’s coach but certainly not one of the most memorable.

“Hopefully we can learn how to beat the other team, not just win the game but beat the other team,” Saban said.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe connected on a season-low 47.6 percent of his passes but did have 238 yards on just 10 completions. The big throw was a 79-yard touchdown to Kobe Prentice.

Milroe accounted for three TDs (two passing, one rushing). He has thrown for 1,397 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions while tacking on a team-high five rushing scores.

Linebacker Dallas Turner has seven sacks to lead the Alabama defense, which allows 16 points per game.

The Crimson Tide will look to avenge last season’s 52-49 road loss to Tennessee. Chase McGrath booted a 40-yard field goal as time expired, allowing the Volunteers to snap a 15-game losing streak against the Crimson Tide.

Tennessee had a big-time star quarterback, Hendon Hooker, leading the way in that game. Current quarterback Joe Milton III is nowhere near as lethal, even though the Volunteers own a three-game winning streak.

Milton passed for a season-low 100 yards as Tennessee beat Texas A&M 20-13 last weekend for its 13th consecutive home victory. He has thrown for 1,264 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.

“There’s a few things fundamentally that Joe did that caused a couple of passes to be a little bit off target,” Volunteers coach Josh Heupel said of Milton’s 11-of-22 performance. “Joe has been really mature in how he has prepared. We’ve got to be a little bit better in the pass game. That’s him, that’s the wideouts, that’s everybody.”

The big play in the victory over the Aggies was a 39-yard punt return for touchdown by Dee Williams, his second career punt-return score.

Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright also stood out with a season-high 136 rushing yards. Wright, who has 571 yards on the ground, has topped the century mark four times this season.

Tennessee tight end Jacob Warren said the Crimson Tide game might be won in the trenches.

“Alabama has an extremely good defensive front,” Warren said. “As long as we are able to control the line of scrimmage and we’re able to move the ball, whether it is through the air or on the ground, that’s really the end goal — to be able to move the ball down the field and put the ball in the end zone.”

The Volunteers have dropped nine straight games in Tuscaloosa. The last victory was the memorable 51-43, five-overtime game on Oct. 25, 2003.

MINUS TE ERICK ALL, NO. 24 IOWA TAKES ON MINNESOTA

Big Ten West-leading Iowa absorbed more tough injury news ahead of Saturday’s visit from conference rival Minnesota.

Hawkeyes tight end Erick All will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a right knee injury — reportedly a torn ACL — during last week’s victory at Wisconsin.

The No. 24 Hawkeyes (6-1, 3-1) have struggled to move the ball as it is, so losing a reliable weapon presents a significant roadblock.

“Just really unfortunate. He’s done a great job as a newcomer to the team,” Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz said of All, who has 21 catches for 299 yards and three touchdowns this season. “Just a great addition. Such a positive guy, hard-working, great personality.”

Iowa has won three straight games and has returned to the Top 25 for the first time since suffering a demoralizing 31-0 shutout at No. 7 Penn State on Sept. 23.

The Hawkeyes turned in arguably their most defensively dominant victory during their streak in the contest at Wisconsin, prevailing 15-6 despite getting outgained 332-237.

All caught two passes for 19 yards and finished as the team’s leading receiver. Leshon Williams rushed for 174 yards — including an 82-yard touchdown — as Iowa continued to squeeze whatever it can from a banged-up attack.

Quarterback Cade McNamara tore his left ACL in a Sept. 30 win against Michigan State and is out for the season.

Offensive struggles notwithstanding, the Hawkeyes are 5-0 this season in games decided by 10 points or fewer.

Minnesota (3-3, 1-2) has lost three of four games following a 2-0 start but looks to be well-rested for its second straight test against a ranked foe.

The Golden Gophers haven’t played since suffering a 52-10 home rout to No. 2 Michigan on Oct. 7. Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis threw for a touchdown to Daniel Jackson but also had a pair of interceptions returned for scores.

Minnesota amassed just 169 yards of total offense, with 35 coming on the touchdown connection between Kaliakmanis and Jackson in the final minute of the first half.

Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said he feels Kaliakmanis, a sophomore, is “maturing with every game” in his first full season as a starter and compared his development to growing a bank account.

“He’s just putting more deposits in there by the game mentally, physically and emotionally,” Fleck said. “I think we all see he’s got every physical skill, but it’s going through different environments, going through different situations, having the ebbs and flow of a game, the response mechanisms, the leadership, influence and everybody on the football team based on your body language and everything that goes into lay with that learning.”

Efficient, smart play will be imperative as the Golden Gophers aim to snap an eight-game losing streak in the Floyd of Rosedale trophy series. The Hawkeyes, who trail 62-52-2 in the series, have won three of the past four meetings by five points or less.

“We know how good they are,” Fleck said. “The game has been really close the last few years, as a rivalry should be. I think both teams really respect the rivalry, and the fan base really [does], too. Obviously, Iowa’s had the upper hand over the years, but we’re prepared to do everything we can to be 1-0.”

NO. 20 MISSOURI AIMS TO KEEP ROLLING VS. SOUTH CAROLINA

After scoring an upset at Kentucky, No. 20 Missouri is positioned to deliver a breakthrough season for fourth-year coach Eli Drinkwitz.

The Tigers (6-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) will continue that quest when they host South Carolina (2-4, 1-3) in their homecoming game Saturday in Columbia, Mo.

Missouri finished 5-5, 6-7 and 6-7 during Drinkwitz’s first three seasons.

“We got an opportunity to be 7-1,” Missouri defensive end Darius Robinson said. “My whole career has been one-and-this, two-and-this, three-and-this, and the opportunity to be 7-1 is a blessing.”

Missouri has gained bowl eligibility and moved into contention for a New Year’s Six bowl berth.

“This is good,” Drinkwitz said. “We’ll see how it plays out. We’re not really worried about bowls right now.”

Missouri rallied from a 14-0 deficit to defeat then-No. 24 Kentucky 38-21. The Tigers scored a touchdown off a fake punt to start their rally, then they secured the victory with three strong defensive quarters.

“We were able to limit the run game and force them into some pass opportunities,” Drinkwitz said.

Until the Kentucky game, Missouri’s offense had performed much better than the team’s defense. Quarterback Brady Cook has passed for 2,046 yards and 14 touchdowns with a 71.0 percent completion rate.

Cody Schrader has rushed for 648 yards and seven touchdowns, and Luther Burden III (56 catches, 808 yards, five touchdowns) and Theo Wease Jr. (34 catches, 394 yards, five TDs) are Cook’s top targets.

South Carolina is coming off a 41-39 home loss to Florida on Saturday. The Gamecocks rushed for 152 yards and piled up 465 offensive yards.

“Proud of the offensive line,” Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer said Sunday. “Thought they played really well. They gave us a chance. We were able to get the run game going and opened up the passing game and a lot to build on.”

Missouri’s defense applied significant pressure at Kentucky, so offensive line play will be critical for South Carolina. The Gamecocks shuffled the personnel on that unit going into the Florida game.

Center Vershon Lee moved to right tackle and was replaced at center by guard Nick Gargiulo, Beamer also plugged true freshmen Trovon Baugh (right guard) and Tree Babalade (left tackle) into the starting lineup and started Trai Jones at left guard.

When Lee suffered a knee injury in the third quarter, Sidney Fugar replaced him. Lee’s status for the Missouri game is unclear.

“As far as the moves, it was something that we had talked about moving Vershon to tackle a couple of weeks ago,” Beamer said. “It was one of those, ‘Do you want to make that change?’ because that is pretty radical to move your starting center to right tackle. We said, ‘Let’s just keep trying to get these guys a little bit better and see how we can evolve.’

“Certainly, coming out of the Tennessee game (a 41-20 loss), that didn’t happen. Felt like we needed to do something.”

South Carolina’s offense is led by quarterback Spencer Rattler, who has passed for 1,724 yards and 11 touchdowns with a 73.6 percent completion rate. Mario Anderson has rushed for 328 yards on 64 carries and Xavier Legette has caught 37 passes for 716 yards and three TDs.

NO. 9 OREGON SEEKS BETTER EXECUTION VS. WASHINGTON ST.

Washington State and No. 9 Oregon will both try to rebound from difficult losses when they meet in Eugene, Ore., on Saturday afternoon.

Which defeat was more devastating remains to be seen.

The Ducks fell 36-33 at then-No. 7 Washington last Saturday as Camden Lewis’ last-second, 43-yard field-goal attempt sailed just wide of the right upright.

Meanwhile, Washington State was blown out 44-6 by Arizona the same day in Pullman, Wash. It was the second consecutive defeat for the Cougars (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12), who dropped out of the Top 25 after being ranked No. 13 before a 25-17 loss at UCLA on Oct. 7.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning’s play-calling came into question after the Ducks (5-1, 2-1) thrice failed to convert on fourth-and-3, twice in the red zone and once near midfield with 2:11 left in the game. The Huskies needed just two plays to score the go-ahead touchdown, as Heisman Trophy hopeful Michael Penix Jr. threw an 18-yard scoring strike to Rome Odunze.

“At the end of the day, they made a couple of more plays than we did,” Lanning said. “We made some decisions we probably could have made differently throughout that game, but our guys battled to the end (and) I thought they showed some resiliency.

“This game’s 100 percent on me. I don’t think you guys have to look anywhere else but me.”

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, whose Heisman hopes took a shot in the showdown with Penix, defended his coach and teammates in the wake of the defeat.

“A lot of people, they want to see how we respond, and I’m excited for that,” said Nix, who produced 337 yards and two touchdowns on 33-of-44 passing against the Huskies. “I think that’s the challenge that I can’t wait for, and this group is going to be able to write its own story, write its own journey. And I think if it was easy, everybody would do it.

“If there was no failures, then everybody would be playing football, you know? So, I think that’s part of it. You win and lose. You go out there and play your best. You go out there and enjoy the process. Even though I hated the outcome of (Saturday), it was one heck of a football game that I loved playing.”

The Cougars scored on their opening drive against Arizona, their homecoming opponent, but failed to score again.

Quarterback Cameron Ward was 22 of 30 for 192 yards with one interception and a lost fumble. The Cougars gained just 35 yards on 22 rushing attempts.

“I think the biggest thing is we gotta get back to getting the ball out decisively — and quickly,” Washington State coach Jake Dickert said. “I think you see a little bit of hesitation in Cam (Ward) sometimes. But like I said, coverage-wise, we did get what we expected to get. So make the correct play.”

Last year in Pullman, the Cougars had a 12-point lead with just under seven minutes remaining before Oregon scored three consecutive touchdowns for a 44-41 victory.

NO. 23 TULANE LOOKS TO KEEP ROLLING VS. NORTH TEXAS

Willie Fritz will become Tulane’s all-time leader in games coached when the 23rd-ranked Green Wave play North Texas on Saturday afternoon in New Orleans.

It will be the 95th game on the sidelines for Fritz, breaking a tie with Chris Scelfo (1998-2006).

It also will be an opportunity for Tulane (5-1, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) — which has won 17 of its last 20 games — to continue to show it is one of the premier Group of 5 programs in the country.

But Fritz said his team still can perform much better than it has this season.

“We don’t believe we’ve played our best game yet,” he said. “I don’t know if we’ve been even close to playing our best game yet. We’ve played really well in spurts. We haven’t put a complete game together yet, and we’d love to do that. Perfection is our goal. Excellence will be tolerated.”

Nonetheless, the Green Wave are coming off a significant victory. They won at Memphis for the first time in 25 years when they beat the Tigers 31-21 in an AAC showdown on Oct. 13.

The victory led to Tulane ending a five-week absence from the AP poll. It was ranked No. 24 to start the season and stayed there until after losing to then-No. 20 Ole Miss 37-20 on Sept. 9.

The Green Wave started fast against Memphis, taking a 10-0 lead after one quarter before falling behind 21-10 in the third quarter and scoring the final 21 points.

“From the middle of the third quarter on we played well,” Fritz said.

Tulane’s defense is No. 6 nationally in fewest rushing yards allowed (77.7 per game) and is eighth in sacks (3.33 per game).

The Green Wave will be tested by a versatile Mean Green offense that has gained more than 500 yards in four games this season.

Former Washington State offensive coordinator Eric Morris is in his first season as head coach at North Texas (3-3, 1-1).

“I think this will probably be the best football team we have played to this point,” Morris said of the Green Wave.

Morris is in the first stage of trying to build the Mean Green into the type of program that Fritz has built. Tulane won the AAC last season, defeated Southern California in the Cotton Bowl and was picked in the preseason to repeat as conference champion.

North Texas is coming off its first conference victory as a new member of the American, defeating visiting Temple 45-14 last week.

The Mean Green made three interceptions and didn’t allow a point in the second half. Chandler Rogers tied a career high with four touchdown passes and extended his streak of passes without an interception to 165 while Ja’Mori Maclin caught two touchdown passes to increase his season total to eight.

But Morris said the key for his team could be its ability to run against the stingy Green Wave defense.

“Nobody’s really been able to establish a run game against them,” Morris said. “I think it would be important for us to continue to build on what we’ve been able to do in the run game.”

NO. 8 TEXAS LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK AGAINST HIGH-FLYING HOUSTON

No. 8 Texas looks to get back on the winning track when it travels to battle Houston on Saturday as the teams renew their rivalry and square off for the only time as members of the Big 12 Conference.

It’s the 26th all-time meeting between the programs, the first since 2002 and the first time as conference opponents since the Southwest Conference dissolved after the 1995 season. Texas leads the all-time series 16-7-2 and has won the past seven contests with the Cougars, including the past three played in Houston.

The Longhorns (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) head to the Bayou City after a bye week following a wild 34-30 loss to now-No. 6 Oklahoma on Oct. 7 in Dallas. Texas surrendered the deciding score on a touchdown pass with 15 seconds to play after taking the lead on a 47-yard field goal from Burt Auburn with 1:17 left.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers passed for 346 yards and a touchdown in the loss but threw two interceptions, lost a fumble and endured five sacks.

Jonathon Brooks reeled off 129 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries for the Longhorns, his fourth straight 100-plus-yard game. Jordan Whittington (career-high 10 catches for 115 yards) and Xavier Worthy (eight receptions for 108 yards) topped the 100-yard receiving mark in the setback.

However, it was Texas’ turnovers as well as nine penalties for 70 yards and the failure to score and stop Oklahoma from scoring in the red zone that doomed the Longhorns.

The Longhorns expect Houston to give them all they can handle. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said his team needs to make sure it gets its mental intensity correct.

“We’re at our best when we do play with an edge, when we do play with a chip on our shoulder and when we do have something to prove,” Sarkisian said Monday. “We do have something to prove in the second half of the season. I think (my team) has improved each game. If we want to be the team we’re capable of being, we have to execute at a high level.”

Houston (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) has plenty of momentum after a thrilling 41-39 win over West Virginia on Oct. 12. That victory — the Cougars’ first as a member of the Big 12 after two losses to begin their inaugural season in the conference — was sealed when quarterback Donovan Smith hit Stephon Johnson with a 49-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass on the game’s final play.

The deciding touchdown occurred after West Virginia took the lead on a 50-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 12 seconds to play. Smith finished 21 of 27 for 253 yards and four touchdowns.

Houston coach Dana Holgorsen, echoing the sentiments heard by other Big 12 coaches this season, said the Cougars’ fan base is rabid for a win over the Longhorns.

“I’ve got a lot of comments: ‘Just beat Texas. Don’t care if you win any of them, but you’ve got to win that one. You can go 1-11 and it’s OK if you beat Texas,'” Holgorsen said Monday.

The problem is that Holgorsen understands that demand will be a tough one.

“There’s not enough time in this press conference to explain all the challenges that Texas brings,” he said. “They’ve been dominant all season, but to have two weeks coming off that (loss), I’m sure they’re going to be about as motivated as anyone in college football coming into Houston on Saturday afternoon.”

NO. 10 NORTH CAROLINA WARY OF SCUFFLING VIRGINIA

For the first time since 1997 — when Mack Brown was in his first stint as North Carolina’s head coach — the Tar Heels are 6-0 to start a season.

Quarterback Drake Maye and the rest of No. 10 UNC will attempt to keep their hot start rolling on Saturday when they welcome Virginia to Chapel Hill, N.C.

North Carolina (6-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) is one of just 11 undefeated teams remaining in the FBS, and one of just two in the ACC — the other being No. 4 Florida State (6-0, 4-0). Meanwhile, Virginia (1-5, 0-2) is one of five Power Five teams with five or more losses on the season.

The final score between the Tar Heels and Cavaliers is expected to be lopsided in favor of North Carolina, but Brown is trying to make sure his team doesn’t overlook Virginia.

“I’ve great respect for (Cavaliers coach) Tony Elliott. His life story is unbelievable,” Brown said. “He sits with me at the ACC meetings. … They’re going to play hard. They’re going to play great. Their record is not near indicative of how good their team is, because they’ve had a chance every week to win.

“And we’ve got to handle success. That’s something that we haven’t done very well around here.”

Indeed, the last time the Tar Heels were ranked inside the top 10 of the AP Top 25 poll was in the 2021 preseason. UNC then lost its season opener to Virginia Tech and limped to a 6-7 finish.

Because of their hot start this season, the Tar Heels control their destiny. An ACC championship is possible, as is a berth in the College Football Playoff. The only ranked opponent left on UNC’s schedule is rival Duke, which is No. 16 this week.

North Carolina is coming off a 41-31 home win over Miami in which Maye played spectacularly again, passing for 273 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. He continued to build chemistry with wideout Tez Walker, as the receiver hauled in six catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns in just his second game as a Tar Heel.

The offense was also boosted by the play of Omarion Hampton, who racked up 217 yards of total offense (197 rushing, 20 receiving) and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving). He was named ACC Running Back of the Week for the second time this season.

“He’s just a dog, straightforward,” UNC defensive back Alijah Huzzie said of Hampton. “Runs hard. Probably one of the hardest backs to tackle from my point of view. I’ve tried to tackle him before, so I know what (other defenses) go through.”

While Maye and Walker get much of the attention, Hampton has nine touchdowns — eight of which have come on the ground — and 756 yards of total offense (658 rushing, 98 receiving) on the season.

Virginia is coming off a bye week, having last played on Oct. 7 when it beat FCS William & Mary 27-13 at home. Tony Muskett threw for 232 yards and two scores in the first victory of the season for the Cavaliers, while Perris Jones rushed for 134 yards.

“What it does is it allows you to take a little bit of time to scout yourselves. You’re going to create some tendencies,” Elliott said. “This is what you want as a competitor. That was my message to the guys. … It’s primetime, it’s on the road, top-10 team — this is what you dream about.”

Commonly known as the South’s Oldest Rivalry, Virginia and UNC first played each other in football in 1892. The Tar Heels have won the last two meetings.

NO. 13 OLE MISS HAS HEALTHY RESPECT FOR AUBURN

The oddsmakers say No. 13 Ole Miss is a 6 1/2-point favorite Saturday night at Auburn for their Southeastern Conference matchup.

Rebels coach Lane Kiffin is wary.

“I think we’ve, as a program, won once there in 20 years,” he said. “New challenge to go try win on the road there. This year, like a lot of years, they’re a different team at home.”

The numbers back Kiffin up. The Tigers (3-3, 0-3) are 2-1 in Jordan-Hare Stadium this year, with the loss a 27-20 squeaker to No. 1 Georgia, which required a late touchdown to escape with a win.

Conversely, Auburn is 1-2 on the road, with the only win a 14-10 nailbiter at Cal. Last week, the Tigers were routed 48-18 at then-No. 22 LSU, falling behind 17-0 in the first quarter and allowing 563 total yards for the game.

Auburn came within 3 rushing yards by LSU’s Logan Diggs of permitting a 300-yard passer, a 100-yard rusher and a 100-yard receiver. LSU gained an average of more than 8 1/2 yards every snap in administering its second-most lopsided beatdown of Auburn since the series began 122 years ago.

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said a slow start really affected the game’s texture.

“We looked like zombies a bit on the sideline after that, and it kind of snowballed,” he said. “I didn’t think we showed up with the right energy and drive and competitive spirit. And that lies in my lap. And that’s disappointing.”

The Tigers’ problems went beyond defense in Baton Rouge. They managed just 18 points and 293 total yards against an LSU defense that has been torched for big numbers by Florida State, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Missouri. Auburn has only managed to top 100 passing yards against a Power 5 opponent once.

But Freeze said not to expect major changes on offense and also said that both Payton Thorne and Robby Ashford would get action at quarterback on Saturday.

“We consider everything and everybody,” Freeze said.

The Rebels (5-1, 2-1) have no such problems under center, where Jaxson Dart is completing 64.1 percent of his passes through six games for 1,638 yards with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He’s also on pace to rush for more than 600 yards.

Dart’s contributions to a 27-20 win two weeks ago over Arkansas were modest — 153 yards, one touchdown and 33 rushing yards — but he committed no turnovers. That was crucial because the defense came up with two big interceptions that helped secure a win.

But Dart might have to play minus his leading receiver this week. Jordan Watkins, who has 36 catches for 536 yards in six games, was injured in practice during the bye week last week. The specific injury has not been disclosed, and Kiffin didn’t have much to say about it on Monday.

“We anticipate him playing,” the coach said. “That’s all I got.”

Auburn holds a 35-12 lead in the all-time series, including a 17-3 mark at home. Ole Miss took a 48-34 win last year in Oxford.

NO. 16 DUKE SHOOTS FOR FIRST-EVER WIN OVER NO. 4 FLORIDA ST.

On the way to returning to prominence — and hoping to stay there — Florida State is bound to encounter hurdles.

Duke could be one of those roadblocks, as the fourth-ranked Seminoles oppose the 16th-ranked Blue Devils on Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

The belief is growing at Florida State (6-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference).

“You can feel the energy and the sense of urgency,” Seminoles coach Mike Norvell said. “It’s a team that’s excited to get better.”

Duke (5-1, 2-0) is one of the surprise teams in the country. The Blue Devils have split prime-time matchups this season, beating Clemson and falling to Notre Dame, and now they get a chance to spoil Florida State’s homecoming.

The Blue Devils have never defeated Florida State in 21 previous meetings, but the contest still looms huge for the Seminoles.

“These are the games you love to be a part of,” Norvell said.

Florida State rolled past Virginia Tech and Syracuse after an overtime escape at Clemson on Sept. 23. Duke recovered from a last-minute loss to the Fighting Irish to deck North Carolina State 24-3 last week.

“They’re one play away from being undefeated,” Norvell said of the Blue Devils. “You see the mindset of how they play and what they do, it’s impressive. They done a great job with what they’re doing.”

The big question facing Duke is the status of quarterback Riley Leonard, who missed the NC State game because of a high ankle sprain sustained two weeks earlier vs. Notre Dame. Coach Mike Elko gave no hints whether Leonard would be ready to return this week.

Redshirt freshman Henry Belin IV filled in for Leonard against the Wolfpack, and he completed only 4 of 12 passes in his first career start.

“I think getting that composure and getting that under his belt, now he’s one game further along from a maturity standpoint, which will pay huge dividends I think for him moving forward,” Elko said.

Norvell said quarterback Jordan Travis was fine after sustaining a hand injury in the first half against Syracuse. That should be a relief to the Seminoles, who have racked up at least 30 points in 12 consecutive games — all wins — dating back to last year.

Travis is second all-time at Florida State with 9,218 yards of total offense, just 255 yards behind former quarterback Chris Weinke’s record.

“You can see him have complete command of the offense not only as a quarterback but also as a leader,” Elko said. “It’s really impressive to see. They’ve got skill players all over the place.”

The Seminoles also could receive boosts on offense from the returns of receiver Johnny Wilson, who didn’t play against Syracuse, and tackle Bless Harris, who missed the past two games with an injury.

Florida State’s defense shouldn’t be overlooked.

“Our guys have really grown in their confidence,” Norvell said. “They’ve really taken some positive strides through their ownership.”

Florida State holds a top-five national ranking for the seventh week in a row. That’s the longest streak for the Seminoles in nearly a decade.

Duke is set to face a third nationally ranked opponent within its first seven games for the first time since 2016.

“Anytime you get on a stage again, it’s better. And then this stage again presents a different type of challenge, right?” Elko said. “There’s a challenge of being on the road that creates a whole different type of atmosphere and environment and level of emotions that you’ve got to push through.”

NO. 19 LSU NOT PEEKING PAST ARMY AHEAD OF BYE WEEK

LSU is nearing its open date, and a Southeastern Conference West showdown against Alabama looms on the first Saturday in November.

But first the No. 19 Tigers (5-2) have a nonconference game against Army (2-4) on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.

LSU coach Brian Kelly is focused on keeping his players focused on the task at hand.

“It’ll be important for our guys to think about what’s important right now,” Kelly said. “The bye week’s not important right now. We need to focus on Army. This week we need to focus on our development and our process. If we focus on anything else, we’ll get beat.”

The Tigers, who were ranked No. 5 in the AP preseason poll, lost to Florida State (45-24) in the season opener and to Ole Miss (55-49) three weeks ago. But they have shown improvement the last two weeks, going on the road to hand Missouri its only loss of the season with a 49-39 win before routing Auburn 48-18 at home last Saturday in what Kelly called “a complete game.”

“We were tackling much better,” Kelly said. “The little things we’re looking for we’re starting to see. (But) this is not a team that can play with the dimmer. We’re either on or off so we need to be on. If we’re locked in and doing our thing the right way, we’re going to have a good Saturday.”

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels went 20-for-27 for 325 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 93 yards against Auburn.

The LSU defense has played much better the last six quarters after giving up 706 yards against Ole Miss and 25 first-half points against Missouri.

“We’re playing more consistent defense,” Kelly said. “It’s not just one. It’s 11 guys knowing their roles. When the structure of the defense is in place and everybody knows their role within the defense, you start to get complementary defense.”

The defense will face a Black Knights offense that is struggling. Army has scored a total of just 40 points during a three-game losing streak, the most recent setback coming 19-0 at the hands of visiting Troy last Saturday.

The Black Knights totaled just 255 yards, including 78 passing. They converted 2 of 13 third downs and 1 of 5 fourth downs, lost three fumbles, and gave up six sacks.

“We’ve got to find an identity on offense and we’ve got to score more points,” Army coach Jeff Monken said.

The Black Knights have turned the ball over 13 times this season, among the worst totals in FBS, but Monken said the offense isn’t the only area in need of improvement.

“We’ve got to improve in every phase,” Monken said. “Just because we’re stalling on offense a little bit doesn’t make it a rule that the other team has to hit a big play and score themselves. We’ve got to play a team game.”

Monken called the Tigers “a blue blood” of college football.

“They are tremendously talented and it will take a monumental effort for us to challenge these guys and have an opportunity to be in the football game,” he said.

Army’s leading passer and rusher, Bryson Daily, suffered a leg injury against Troy but Monken said he is hopeful Daily will play against LSU. Champ Harris is the Black Knights’ No. 2 quarterback.

MICHIGAN STATE SKIDS INTO MATCHUP WITH NO. 2 MICHIGAN

The Michigan State football program appears to be in disarray, yet the Spartans can salvage their season by defeating their heated rival in East Lansing on Saturday night.

The Spartans have lost their past four games heading into their annual showdown with No. 2 Michigan.

The skid includes a fourth-quarter collapse against Rutgers last week in which Michigan State squandered an 18-point lead. The Spartans haven’t won a game since head coach Mel Tucker was suspended on Sept. 10 and subsequently fired amid sexual harassment allegations. Some players have transferred out and high school prospects have decommitted.

An unlikely upset would give Spartans players and fans something to brag about amid the chaos. Michigan State enters the contest as more than a three-touchdown underdog.

“You always are just trying to get better no matter, rivalry game or not,” interim coach Harlon Barnett said. “Definitely, it can bring some more focus to it. And we talk about having great attention to detail. But as far as if it’s Michigan or not Michigan or what have you, we just need to start playing better, and now it’s about finishing. That’s our next step.”

Spartans redshirt freshman quarterback Katin Houser threw two touchdown passes in his first career start, but a pair of special teams gaffes allowed the Scarlet Knights to rally. Houser replaced Noah Kim, as Barnett felt the need to shake things up.

“We just thought it was a chance to change it up a little bit — not that it was all Noah’s fault or anything like that,” he said. “But we thought it was an opportunity to change it up and give (Houser) an opportunity to show what he could do.”

Top running back Nathan Carter was held to 52 yards on 20 carries. The Spartans (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) will have to get their running game going to help out their new quarterback and stick with the powerful Wolverines.

Michigan won last year’s meeting 29-7, a contest that is mainly remembered for some Spartans players scuffling with their counterparts in the Michigan Stadium tunnel, including a helmet-swinging incident.

“That seems like a long time ago,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said.

The Wolverines (7-0, 4-0) are more concerned with protecting their perfect record heading into a difficult November schedule that includes No. 7 Penn State, Maryland and No. 3 Ohio State.

In Harbaugh’s mind, next month is already here.

“These are huge games every single week, and there’s definitely a November mentality,” he said. “That’s when you’re in a chase for the championship, you’re in a run for the championship. They’re decided in November if you’ve put yourself in position. … When all the leaves are brown and the skies are gray, that’s when the championships get decided.”

The Wolverines have looked more dominant every week. They have won their four conference games by an average of 37.3 points.

They overcame a shaky first quarter and pounded Indiana 52-7 last week. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw three touchdown passes before taking the fourth quarter off.

Blake Corum added two rushing touchdowns, giving him 12 for the season. Corum ran for 177 yards and scored two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) against the Spartans last season.

“We treat the game like the rivalry it is. We’re not really focused on what happened last year,” Corum said. “First, we’re going to handle business during the week. We’re going to watch a lot of film. Saturday, we’ll go in there and just handle business like always, like we have the past couple games. We’re not going to hold a grudge on what happened last year.”

NO. 14 UTAH AIMS TO EXTEND WIN STREAK OVER NO. 18 USC

No. 14 Utah visits Los Angeles on Saturday night seeking its fourth straight win over No. 18 Southern California in Pac-12 Conference action.

Utah (5-1, 2-1) handed USC its only loss of the 2022 regular season — a 43-42 nail-biter in Salt Lake City — then denied the Trojans both a conference title and possible berth in the College Football Playoff with a 47-24 rout in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

Throughout the 2023 season, the Utes have been without a star from both of those games, however. Quarterback Cameron Rising continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered in January’s Rose Bowl loss to Penn State.

“It’s a situation where we’re just waiting, week after week, for a thumbs-up,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said in his Monday press conference of both Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe, who also has yet to play this season.

Rising threw for a combined 725 yards and five touchdowns in the two wins against the Trojans last season.

In Utah’s most recent game, a 34-14 victory last Saturday against Cal, Bryson Barnes put up modest passing stats –15 of 21 for 128 yards — to improve his overall numbers this season to 38 of 66 for 398 yards and one touchdown, with two interceptions. His 50 yards rushing on eight carries with a touchdown contributed to a 317-yard onslaught for Utah on the ground, however, with Sione Vaki’s 158 yards and two scores leading the way.

The Utah defense held an opponent to 14 or fewer points for the fifth time this season, all wins.

Southern Cal (6-1, 4-0) has been a mirror-opposite of Utah, with one of the nation’s most prolific offenses at 47.3 points per game but a defense that has given up an average of 30 points per contest.

The Trojans gave up at least 41 points in each of their last three games. One of those, a 43-41 defeat of Arizona on Oct. 7, went to three overtimes. Last week, though, USC surrendered a season-high 48 points while scoring just 20 points in a blowout loss at Notre Dame.

“The Notre Dame game is very applicable,” Whittingham said of referencing how the Fighting Irish slowed the Trojans’ offense last week in preparation for Saturday. “We’ll also go back and look at our two games last year. We do as much research and homework as you can.”

Notre Dame forced Southern Cal into five turnovers, including picking off reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams three times in the first half.

After throwing just five interceptions in 14 games a season ago, Williams has thrown four this season. The Utes have intercepted seven passes this season.

“Especially against good teams and good defenses like we faced last week, and like we’re getting ready to face again this week, you’ve got to have all 11 (players) clicking,” Trojans coach Lincoln Riley said on his radio show on Monday night. “And when we do, we can play. But we’ve got to do it more often.”

STANFORD CARRIES MOMENTUM INTO CLASH WITH NO. 25 UCLA

Stanford tries to build off the largest comeback victory in program history when it hosts No. 25 UCLA in a Pac-12 Conference game Saturday night.

The Cardinal (2-4, 1-3) rallied from a 29-0 deficit to stun Colorado 46-43 in double overtime last Friday in Boulder, Colo.

The victory ended a seven-game conference losing streak for Stanford and instilled a level of confidence that first-year coach Troy Taylor has been hoping to see.

“We’re going to get it done here, there’s no question,” Taylor said. “I think we got a chance to see a little bit of what we can do here. We have a long way to go, there’s no question about that. The things that are really important: the resolve, the tenacity, the courage, the willingness, and the need to be great at something we have, we have all that now. We just have to continue to improve and get better.”

UCLA (4-2, 1-2) is looking to get back on track after facing three straight ranked teams and going 1-2.

The Bruins most recently lost 36-24 at then-No. 15 Oregon State last Saturday. UCLA coach Chip Kelly blamed the defeat on his team’s three turnovers, which led to 13 points.

“With a 12-point game, we have to do a better job offensively, in all phases, especially in the turnover deal,” Kelly said. “You can’t lose the turnover battle on the road in this conference and expect to win the football game.”

Cleaning up the turnovers will require better pass protection, crisper route running and greater accuracy from freshman quarterback Dante Moore, who has completed just 45.5 percent of his passes in the past three games.

Kelly said Moore has the resiliency and maturity to quickly put poor performances behind him.

“He has the ability to live in the present,” Kelly said. “He doesn’t live in the past. He doesn’t live in the future. He lives in the present, and that’s a real special quality for people to have. I think in every situation he learns, and he’ll grow from it.”

Taylor has witnessed that quality in his team as well.

The Cardinal lost four straight games earlier this season, including 30-23 to Sacramento State, and then fell behind 29-0 in the first half against Colorado.

“I’m really happy for our guys; they’ve been through a lot,” Taylor said. “Early in the year, we had a couple of tough games and we had a couple of losses where we could have won easily. I was really worried about how demoralized it gets, so I spent a lot of time meeting and talking with them, but after about three or four weeks, I realized that these guys are never going to quit. They’re never going to stop preparing and competing.”

Ashton Daniels showed he’s the person to lead Stanford after passing for 396 yards and four touchdowns against Colorado. Daniels completed 27 of 45 passes in the win after combining to go 23-for-44 in the previous four games.

“This is an inspiring group,” Taylor said. “I’ve never been around this quality of a group of men that just give everything they got regardless of what they’re going against.”

NFL NEWS

TREVOR LAWRENCE COMES THROUGH LATE AND THE JAGUARS HOLD OFF THE SAINTS, 31-24

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence was playing with a sprained left knee, and the visiting Jaguars hurt their own cause with turnovers and penalties.

They were still good enough to overcome that and pull out a dramatic victory that extended their winning streak to four games.

Travis Etienne ran for two touchdowns, Foyesade Oluokun returned an interception for a score, and Christian Kirk’s late 44-yard touchdown after a short catch over the middle lifted the Jaguars to a 31-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night.

“I don’t think I’ve run that fast since college,” said Kirk, a former Texas A&M star, whose late score made up for his lost fumble in the first half. “That was some vintage stuff. I’m glad I was able to do it in that moment.”

Lawrence returned from the knee injury that forced him out of the final minutes of a victory over Indianapolis on Sunday and wound up leading Jacksonville (5-2) with 59 yards rushing.

“It’s crazy how you have something like that going on and don’t plan on moving a lot, and you end up running the ball more than you usually do,” Lawrence said. “It felt pretty good. It didn’t bother me too much and definitely didn’t set it back. That was the goal, to play, find a way to win the game and not set it back.”

Lawrence also completed 20 of 29 passes for 204 yards and one TD to help the Jags secure their best start since opening 5-2 in 2007.

After Kirk’s touchdown broke a 24-all tie with 3:08 left, the Saints (3-4) were in position to answer when they drove inside the Jacksonville 10 in the final minute, but stalled out with four straight incomplete passes.

Derek Carr’s third-down pass bounced off of tight end Foster Moreau’s hands in the back of the end zone and a fourth-down timing throw to Chris Olave along the left sideline fell incomplete.

“We’re finding it hard to start fast, finding it hard to maintain, to execute sometimes and we’re finding it hard to finish,” said Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who gained 153 yards from scrimmage on a mix of runs and catches. “That’s kind of the glaring and recurring theme.”

As time ran out, Moreau, a New Orleans native in his first season back home, looked disconsolate on the bench with his head in his hands. Teammates consoled him and later said there were too many other missed opportunities throughout the game to pin the loss on his drop.

“It doesn’t come down to one play,” Carr said. “There’s so many things that we could have done.”

Jacksonville gave the Saints numerous chances to stay in the game, losing two fumbles in the first half and committing untimely penalties throughout the game.

It almost came back to haunt them.

The Saints rallied from 24-9 down to tie the game on touchdowns by Taysom Hill on a 1-yard, fourth-down run and Michael Thomas on a 17-yard reception – the latter followed by Carr’s pass to Kamara for a 2-point conversion.

Carr finished 33 of 55 for 301 yards, and New Orleans outgained Jacksonville 407 yards to 330, but the Saints again struggled to finish promising drives in the end zone after losing in a similar fashion in Week 6 at Houston.

After practicing on a limited basis this week and being listed as questionable, Lawrence completed five of his first six passes for 60 yards and even scrambled for 9 yards during a game-opening touchdown drive that ended with Etienne’s 2-yard run.

“We have to do a better job of not letting the freakin’ quarterback scramble,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said, calling Lawrence’s improvised runs a “black eye on the whole thing.”

New Orleans’ first drive ended wit Blake Grupe’s missed 51-yard field goal. But the Saints got the ball right back when Kirk was stripped by cornerback Paulson Adebo after a 19-yard catch and defensive end Carl Granderson recovered.

When New Orleans punted soon after, Jacksonville turned it over again when Tevaughn Campbell, who was trying to block, collided hard with returner Jamal Agnew as Lou Hedley’s punt descended and hit Campbell’s back.

Lonnie Johnson recovered for New Orleans, which stalled on the Jaguars 5 and settled for Grupe’s field goal.

Etienne became the first player in Jaguars history to rush for two touchdowns in three consecutive games when he ran around the left end for a 17-yard score that made it 14-3.

After their seventh third-down failure of the first half, the Saints settled for another Grupe field goal.

In the final minutes of the half, Jacksonville converted a fake punt with punter Logan Cooke completing a 13-yard pass to Tim Jones on fourth and 2, setting up Brandon McManus’ 43-yard field goal for a 17-6 halftime lead.

INJURIES

Jaguars: Safety Andre Cisco received attention on the field late in the third quarter but was able to walk off on his own.

Saints: Carr appeared to finish the game in pain, but it was not immediately clear what was ailing him. … Alontae Taylor left the game briefly in the first quarter with an apparent cut on his nose and returned for the next series.

UP NEXT

Jaguars: Travel to Pittsburgh on Oct. 29.

Saints: Visit Indianapolis on Oct. 29.

MCCAFFREY, SAMUEL AND WILLIAMS ALL MISS PRACTICE FOR THE 49ERS AND ARE DAY TO DAY

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams all missed practice for the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday and their status for this week’s game against Minnesota is in doubt.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said all three players are day to day after getting hurt in last week’s loss at Cleveland. San Francisco (5-1) visits Minnesota on Monday night and will have two more practice days this week before the game.

Samuel injured his shoulder in the first snap of the game and played only nine snaps in the game. Williams sprained his ankle in the first half and returned after missing two plays but was hindered the rest of the way. McCaffrey hurt his oblique in the first half and was unable to finish the game.

But in all, the news was relatively good with none of the players having suffered a significant injury.

“I thought it was,” Shanahan said if he was encouraged after getting results of McCaffrey’s MRI. “Anyone who’s day to day means they have a chance.”

Losing McCaffrey would be particularly harmful for the Niners, whose offense was transformed a year ago when he was acquired in a mid-season trade from Carolina.

Friday is the one-year anniversary of the deal and San Francisco has not lost a regular-season game since that McCaffrey has been able to start and finish.

McCaffrey has averaged 114.1 yards from scrimmage with 19 TDs in 17 games since joining the 49ers. San Francisco won 15 of those games, losing only the first game to Kansas City when McCaffrey came off the bench days after being acquired and on Sunday in Cleveland when he got hurt.

McCaffrey is second in the NFL with 133 touches from scrimmage – the most for any 49ers player in the first six games of the season since 2010. But Shanahan said he’s not concerned about the heavy workload.

“We treat him as our starting running back,” Shanahan said. “I don’t really think of how many touches we want to get somebody in a year, that’s week to week and how the game goes. But he gets a lot more extra because he gets thrown to so much in the passing game. But I’m happy with how he’s being used. I’m happy with how he’s been playing and we’ll see how the rest of the year goes.”

While the injuries on offense are the biggest concern, linebacker Dre Greenlaw also missed practice Thursday with a hamstring injury and is day to day.

Greenlaw missed the game last week, dealing a blow to San Francisco’s defense. The Niners allowed a season-high 160 yards rushing with Oren Burks and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles unable to make up for his absence.

“Dre’s an amazing player. We’re obviously a better defense when he’s out there. That being said, we obviously expect the standard to be the standard regardless of who’s out there. OB and Flan are very capable of being out there and doing exactly what we need them to do. That being said, Dre is obviously a key part of what we do as well.”

NOTES: LG Aaron Banks (ankle) didn’t practice and CB Isaiah Oliver (knee) was limited.

NFL GAME CAPSULES WEEK 7

CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-2) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-3)

DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023

GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET

CBS: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Aditi Kinkhabwala

SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) CLE: 158 or 383 IND: 109 or 227

ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY

REG. SEASON: Series tied, 15-15 (IND won 3 of past 4)

POSTSEASON: Series tied, 2-2

THE LAST TIME …

REG. SEASON: 10/11/20: IND 23 at CLE 32

POSTSEASON: 1/9/88 AFC-DIV: IND 21 at CLE 38

BROWNS NOTES:

BROWNS have allowed 1,002 yards this season, 3rd-fewest by a team through their 1st 6 games of a season since 1970. • QB DESHAUN WATSON completed 33 of 41 atts. (80.5 pct.) for 373 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 120.8 rating in his last start at Ind. (12/20/20 w/ Hou.). Has 100 rating in 8 career starts vs. Ind., with 300+ pass yards in all 3 starts at Ind. • QB P.J. WALKER passed for 192 yards in 1st start of season last week. Has 5-3 record in 8 career starts. • RB JEROME FORD led team with 84 rush yards in Week 6. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 3 of past 4. • RB KAREEM HUNT had season-high 71 scrimmage yards (47 rush, 24 rec.) & 1st rush TD of season last week. Had 93 scrimmage yards (72 rush, 21 rec.) & rec. TD in last meeting. • WR AMARI COOPER had 108 rec. yards in Week 6, his 2nd 100- yard game this season. Has 90+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. • WR ELIJAH MOORE has 4+ catches in 2 of past 3. Had 7 catches for 84 yards & 2 TDs in only career game vs. Ind. (11/4/21 w/ NYJ). • TE DAVID NJOKU has 4+ catches in 3 of past 4. Had TD catch in last road meeting. • DE MYLES GARRETT has 4.5 sacks in his past 3. Has sack in 3 of his past 4 on road. Had sack in last meeting. Needs sack to surpass HOFer Reggie White (80 sacks) for most sacks by player prior to 28th birthday since 1982. • DE ZA’DARIUS SMITH had half sack & career-high 2 FFs in his last game vs. Ind. (12/17/22 w/ Min.). • LB JEREMIAH OWUSU-KORAMOAH had career-high 3 TFL, sack & PD last week. Has 8 TFL in his past 4, with 2+ TFL in 3 of 4. • CB MARTIN EMERSON had 6 tackles, 2 PD & 1st INT of season in Week 6. Aims for 5th in row with PD.

COLTS NOTES:

QB GARDNER MINSHEW completed career-high 33 of 55 atts. (60 pct.) for 329 yards last week, his 7th-career 300-yard game. Aims for his 5th start in row with 225+ pass yards. • RB ZACK MOSS has 55+ scrimmage yards in each of his 5 games this season, with TD in 4 of 5. Aims for 3rd in row with rush TD. Has 100+ rush yards & rush TD in 2 of past 3 at home. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 466 rush yards this season. • RB JONATHAN TAYLOR had 65 scrimmage yards (46 rec., 19 rush) & 5 catches last week. Had 74 scrimmage yards (57 rush, 17 rec.) & rush TD in last meeting. • WR MICHAEL PITTMAN led team with 9 catches for seasonhigh 109 yards in Week 6, his 6th-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 5 of 6 games this season. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. AFC North. Ranks 5th in AFC with 40 catches this season. • WR JOSH DOWNS (rookie) had 1st-career TD catch last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 5+ catches. Ranks 4th among rookies with 28 catches this season. • TE KYLEN GRANSON had career-high 67 rec. yards last week. • LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN has 8+ tackles in all 6 games this season & leads NFL with 77 tackles in 2023. Has PD in 2 of past 3 at home. • LB SHAQUILLE LEONARD had 7 tackles & TFL in Week 6. • DT DEFOREST BUCKNER had 3rd sack of season last week. • DE SAMSON EBUKAM has sack in 4 of past 5 & each of past 2. • DE TYQUAN LEWIS had 1st sack of season in Week 6. • CB KENNY MOORE had 6 tackles & career-best 3 TFL last week. Aims for 4th in row with 6+ tackles. • CB JUJU BRENTS (rookie) had 7 tackles, 2 PD & 1st-career INT in Week 6. Aims for 3rd in row with PD.

DETROIT LIONS (5-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (4-2)

DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023

GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET

FOX: Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi

SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) DET: 134 or 385 BAL: 82 or 228

ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY

REG. SEASON: BAL leads series, 5-1 (won past 4)

POSTSEASON: —

THE LAST TIME …

REG. SEASON: 9/26/21: BAL 19 at DET 17

POSTSEASON: —

LIONS NOTES:

DETROIT has won 5 of 1st 6 games for 1st time since 2011 & has won each of past 4 by 14+ points. • QB JARED GOFF completed 30 of 44 atts. (68.2 pct.) for seasonhigh 353 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 107.5 rating in Week 6. Has 17 games with 350+ pass yards, tied 4th-most ever by QB in 1st 8 seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row with 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating. • RB JAHMYR GIBBS (rookie) has 50+ scrimmage yards in each of his 1st 4 career games. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN led team with career-high 12 receptions for 124 yards & had 3rd rec. TD of season last week, his 9th-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Overall, aims for his 3rd in row with TD catch, 6th in row with 50+ rec. yards & 7th in row with 5+ catches. Aims for his 4th in row on road with TD catch. • WR JAMESON WILLIAMS had 2nd-career rec. TD last week. • WR JOSH REYNOLDS aims for his 4th in row with 50+ rec. yards. • TE SAM LAPORTA had 4th-most receptions (29) by rookie TE in 1st 6 career games in NFL history. Ranks tied-1st among TEs in rec. TDs (3) & 2nd in rec. yards (325) in 2023. • DL AIDAN HUTCHINSON has sack in 3 of his past 4. Is 1 of 3 (A.J. Epenesa & T.J. Watt) with 4+ sacks (4.5), 4+ TFL (4) & 4+ PD (4) in 2023. • LB ALEX ANZALONE led team with 9 tackles & had 2 PD & TFL last week, his 4th-career game with 2 PD. Has 5+ tackles in 23 straight games, tied 4th-longest active streak in NFL. • LB JACK CAMPBELL (rookie) had career-high 7 tackles in Week 6. • LB JULIAN OKWARA had 8th-career sack in Week 6. • S KERBY JOSEPH had season-high 2 PD last week. • CB WILL HARRIS had 2nd-career INT last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD.

RAVENS NOTES:

QB LAMAR JACKSON completed 21 of 30 atts. (70 pct.) for 223 yards with TD vs. INT & rushed for 62 yards last week, his 50thcareer game with 50+ rush yards, joining Michael Vick (54 games) as the only QBs all-time with 50 such games. Has 70+ comp. pct. in 5 games this season, most in NFL. Had 345 yards (287 pass, 58 rush) in last meeting. Leads QBs with 327 rush yards in 2023. • RB GUS EDWARDS had 53 scrimmage yards (41 rush, 12 rec.) last week. Aims for 6th in row with 45+ scrimmage yards. • TE MARK ANDREWS led team with 69 rec. yards in Week 6, his 3rd-straight game with 65+ rec. yards. Had 5 catches for 109 yards in last meeting. Ranks 2nd among TEs since 2018 with 37 rec. TDs. • WR ZAY FLOWERS (rookie) led team with 6 catches for 50 yards & had 1st-career TD catch last week. Aims for 4th in row with 50+ rec. yards & 3rd in row with 5+ catches. Ranks 2nd among rookies this season with 35 catches & 367 rec. yards. • WR NELSON AGHOLOR aims for 3rd in row with 40+ rec. yards. • WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. has 10 catches for 100 yards (50 per game) & TD in 2 career games vs. Det. • LB ROQUAN SMITH aims for 5th in row with 9+ tackles. Has PD in 3 of past 4. Has 5 sacks in 8 career games vs. Det. • LB PATRICK QUEEN had 9 tackles & sack last week. Aims for his 16th in row with 5+ tackles & 4th in row with 0.5+ sacks. • LB JADEVEON CLOWNEY had 2 sacks last week, his 9thcareer game with 2 sacks & 1st this season. • LB KYLE VAN NOY had 1st sack of season & PD last week. Played 1st 30 games of career with Det. (2014-16). • DT JUSTIN MADUBUIKE had career-high 2 sacks in Week 6. Aims for 4th in row with 0.5+ sacks. • S GENO STONE had INT last week & has INT in 2 of past 3.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (3-3) AT CHICAGO BEARS (1-5)

DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023

GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET

FOX: Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, Laura Okmin

SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) LV: 133 or 384 CHI: 85 or 225

ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY

REG. SEASON: Series tied, 8-8 (Home team won 3 of past 4)

POSTSEASON: –

THE LAST TIME …

REG. SEASON: 10/10/21: CHI 20 at LV 9

POSTSEASON: —

RAIDERS NOTES:

QB JIMMY GAROPPOLO is 2-0 in 2 career starts vs. Chi., with 615 pass yards (307.5 per game) & 90.2 rating. • QB BRIAN HOYER completed 6 of 10 atts. (60 pct.) last week. Has 40 career starts & can make 1st start with LV. • QB AIDAN O’CONNELL (rookie) completed 24 of 39 atts. (61.5 pct.) for 238 yards in only career start (Week 4). • RB JOSH JACOBS led team with 93 scrimmage yards (season high 77 rush, 16 rec.) last week. Aims for 5th in row with 80+ scrimmage yards. Has rush TD in 2 of past 3. Has 210 scrimmage yards (105 per game) & 3 rush TDs in 2 career games vs. Chi. Aims for his 5th in row vs. NFC with rush TD. • WR DAVANTE ADAMS has 6+ catches & 65+ rec. yards in each of 3 road games this season. Had 10 catches for 121 yards & 2 TDs in his last game vs. Chi. (12/12/21 w/ GB) & has rec. TD in 4 of his past 5 vs. Chi. • WR JAKOBI MEYERS aims for 3rd in row with 5+ catches, 60+ rec. yards & rec. TD. Had TD catch in only career game vs. Chi. (10/24/22 w/ NE). • TE MICHAEL MAYER (rookie) set season highs in catches (5) & rec. yards (75) in Week 6. • DE MAXX CROSBY had 7 tackles, half sack, PD & 1st-career safety last week. Aims for 5th in row with 0.5+ sacks. Ranks tied4th in NFL with 8 TFL this season. • DT JOHN JENKINS had 1st sack of season last week. • LB DIVINE DEABLO has 7+ tackles in 5 of 6 games this season. • CB MARCUS PETERS had INT in his last game vs. Chi. (12/9/18 w/ LAR) & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Chi. with PD. • CB AMIK ROBERTSON had 1st sack of season in Week 6. • S TRE’VON MOEHRIG had INT last week & has INT in 2 of past 3.

BEARS NOTES:

QB JUSTIN FIELDS has TD pass in 4 of his past 5 home starts. Has 25+ rush yards in 11 of his past 12 starts & aims for his 4th in row at home with 25+ rush yards. Is 1 of 3 QBs (Jalen Hurts & Lamar Jackson) with 200+ rush yards (237) in 2023. Had 1stcareer TD pass in last meeting. • QB TYSON BAGENT (rookie) completed 10 of 14 atts. (71.4 pct.) for 83 yards & had 1st-career rush TD last week. Can make 1st career start in Week 7. • RB D’ONTA FOREMAN rushed for 65 yards last week. • WR DJ MOORE led team with 5 catches & 51 rec. yards last week & aims for his 4th in row with 5+ receptions & 50+ rec. yards. Ranks tied-2nd in rec. TDs (5) & 5th in rec. yards (582) this season. • WR DARNELL MOONEY has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4 home games & aims for his 7th in row at home with 40+ rec. yards. • TE COLE KMET has 5+ catches & rec. TD in 2 of his past 3. Ranks 5th among NFC TEs with 25 receptions this season. • LB YANNICK NGAKOUE aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Had 10 sacks & 2 FFs in 2021 with LV. • LB T.J. EDWARDS had 7 tackles, sack & 2nd-career FF last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with sack & his 11th in row with 7+ tackles. Leads NFC & ranks 2nd in NFL with 68 tackles in 2023. • LB TREMAINE EDMUNDS had PD & 1st-career FR in Week 6. Has 36 PD since 2018, tied 3rd-most among LBs. Had 13 tackles in his only career game vs. LV (10/4/20 w/ Buf.). • LB JACK SANBORN had 1st TFL of season last week & aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles. • DB JAQUAN BRISKER had 1st half sack of season & 2nd-career FF last week. Has 5+ tackles in 11 of his past 12.

BUFFALO BILLS (4-2) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-5)

DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023

GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET

CBS: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn

SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) BUF: 132 or 387 NE: 113 or 229

ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY

REG. SEASON: NE leads series, 76-48-1 (BUF won past 3)

POSTSEASON: Series tied 1-1

THE LAST TIME …

REG. SEASON: 1/8/23: NE 23 at BUF 35

POSTSEASON: 1/15/22 AFC-WC: NE 17 at BUF 47

BILLS NOTES:

BILLS tie for NFL lead with 24 sacks, most by Buf. in 1st 6 games of season in team history. • QB JOSH ALLEN completed 19 of 30 atts. (63.3 pct.) with 2 TDs last week, his 3rd-straight game with 2+ TD passes. Has rush TD in 3 of past 4 & 315+ pass yards in 2 of past 3. Has 18 TDs vs. INT & 117.3 rating in his past 6 starts vs. NE, incl. playoffs, with 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating in each of past 4. Has 11 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 113.1 rating in his past 4 starts at NE. Has 151 career TD passes & became 5th-fastest player ever (83 games) to reach 150 TD passes. • RB JAMES COOK led team with 71 rush yards last week. Has 70+ scrimmage yards in 4 of past 5. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 on road. Had 105 scrimmage yards (64 rush, 41 rec.) in last road meeting. • WR STEFON DIGGS had 10 catches for 100 yards last week, his 4th-straight game with 100+ rec. yards & 21st since joining Buf. in 2020, tied 3rd-most in NFL. Is 1st Buf. player ever with 100+ rec. yards in 4 straight games. Aims for 4th in row vs. NE in reg. season with 7+ catches, 85+ rec. yards & rec. TD. Ties 2nd in NFL with 5 rec. TDs & ranks 3rd with 620 rec. yards in 2023. • WR GABE DAVIS has rec. TD in 4 of past 5 overall & 3 of his past 4 vs. NE, incl. playoffs. • WR DEONTE HARTY & TE QUINTIN MORRIS each had 1st TD catch of season in Week 6. • LB VON MILLER has 4 sacks & 2 FFs in 3 career games at NE. • LB TERREL BERNARD had 12 tackles & career-high 3 TFL last week. Aims foir 3rd in row with 12+ tackles. • DE A.J. EPENESA aims for 3rd in row with sack. Had 2 TFL & sack in last road meeting. Has sack in 3 of his past 4 on road. • DE LEONARD FLOYD aims for 3rd in row with sack.

PATRIOTS NOTES:

HC BILL BELICHICK can become 3rd coach in NFL history to win 300+ reg. season games, joining HOFers Don Shula (328) & George Halas (318). • QB MAC JONES completed 24 of 33 atts. (72.7 pct.) for 200 yards last week, his 2nd game this season with 70+ comp. pct. Passed for 243 yards & 3 TDs in last meeting. Has 90.7 rating in 19 career home starts. • RB RHAMONDRE STEVENSON had 70 scrimmage yards (46 rush, 24 rec.) & 2nd rush TD of season last week. Has 60+ scrimmage yards in 2 of 3 home games this season. Has 75+ scrimmage yards in each of 3 career reg. season games vs. Buf. • RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT rushed for 1st TD of season in Week 6. Had 137 scrimmage yards (71 rush, 66 rec.) & 7 catches in only career game vs. Buf. (11/28/19 w/ Dal.). • WR KENDRICK BOURNE led team with career-high 10 catches for 89 yards last week, 1st NE player with 10+ catches in a game since 2020. Had 4 catches for 45 yards in last meeting. • WR DEVANTE PARKER had 6 catches for 79 yards & 2 TDs in last meeting. Has 5+ catches in 7 of his past 8 vs. Buf. • WR JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER has 50+ rec. yards in each of 3 career games vs. Buf., with rec. TD in 2 of 3. • LB JOSH UCHE had 2 sacks & FF in last home meeting. • LB JA’WHUAN BENTLEY has 5+ tackles in 5 of 6 games this season. Had 7 tackles & FR in last meeting. • LB JAHLANI TAVAI had 7 tackles & 1st INT of season in Week 6. Aims for 6th in row with 5+ tackles. Has PD in 2 of past 3. • S KYLE DUGGER had 2 PD in last home meeting. • S JABRILL PEPPERS had 7 tackles & season-high 2 PD last week. Has 7+ tackles in 3 of past 4.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-3) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1-5)

DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023

GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET

CBS: Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan, AJ Ross

SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) WAS: 121 or 388 NYG: 111 or 230

ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY

REG. SEASON: NYG leads series, 105-70-5 (won 6 of past 9)

POSTSEASON: Series tied, 1-1

THE LAST TIME …

REG. SEASON: 12/18/22: NYG 20 at WAS 12

POSTSEASON: 1/11/87 NFC-C: WAS 0 at NYG 17

COMMANDERS NOTES:

QB SAM HOWELL set career-highs with 3 TD passes & 119.7 rating in Week 6. Has 6 TD passes vs. 0 INTs for 108.1 rating in 3 career road starts. Has 290+ pass yards in 2 of his 3 road starts. • RB BRIAN ROBINSON had 56 scrimmage yards (31 rush, 25 rec.) & 2nd rec. TD of season last week, his 3rd-career TD catch. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 12 of his past 13 games. Aims for his 4th in row on road with TD & 8th in row on road with 50+ scrimmage yards. Has 218 scrimmage yards (109 per game) in 2 career games vs. NYG & aims for his 3rd in row vs. NYG with 100+ scrimmage yards. • WR TERRY MCLAURIN led team with 6 catches & 81 rec. yards last week. Has 50 catches for 650 yards (92.9 per game) & 3 rec. TDs in 7 career games vs. NYG, incl. 6+ catches in 6 of 7 & 70+ rec. yards in all 7 vs. NYG. Aims for his 10th in row on road with 50+ rec. yards. • WR CURTIS SAMUEL had 20th-career rec. TD last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TD catch & 4th in row overall with TD. • DT DARON PAYNE has PD in 2 of 3 road games this season. Had 2 sacks in last road meeting. • DT JONATHAN ALLEN has 5 TFL in his past 4 vs. NYG. Has 0.5+ sacks in 4 of his past 5 vs. NYG. • DE CHASE YOUNG has sack in 2 of 3 road games this season. Has TFL in 2 of his 3 career games vs. NYG. • DE MONTEZ SWEAT aims for his 3rd in row at NYG with TFL. Has TFL in 2 of 3 road games this season. • LB JAMIN DAVIS had 6th-career sack & 1st-career INT last week. Aims for his 4th in row vs. NYG with 8+ tackles. • CB KENDALL FULLER had 16th-career INT in Week 6. • CB BENJAMIN ST-JUSTE had 1st-career INT last week.

GIANTS NOTES:

QB DANIEL JONES has 40+ rush yards in 5 of his past 6 home starts & aims for his 4th in row at home with 40+ rush yards. Completed 25 of 31 atts. (80.6 pct). & had TD pass vs. 0 INTs for 104.3 rating in last home meeting (12/4/22). Has 11 TDs (10 pass, 1 rush) vs. 3 INTs for 98 rating in 7 career starts vs. Was. • QB TYROD TAYLOR completed 24 of 36 atts. (66.7 pct.) for 200 yards in 1st start of season last week. Had 2 TD passes vs. 0 INTs for 112.4 rating in his only career start vs. Was. (12/20/15 w/ Buf.). • RB SAQUON BARKLEY rushed for 93 yards last week & aims for his 3rd in row with 90+ scrimmage yards. Has 906 scrimmage yards (129.4 per game) & 5 TDs (4 rush, 1 rec.) in 7 career games vs. Was. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Was. with rush TD. Is 1 of 5 active players with career average of 100+ scrimmage yards per game (100.3), min. 25 games played. • WR DARIUS SLAYTON led team with 69 rec. yards in Week 6. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Was. with 5+ receptions. • WR WAN’DALE ROBINSON had team-high 8 catches for 62 yards last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ receptions. • TE DARREN WALLER had 5 receptions last week & aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ catches. • LB BOBBY OKEREKE led team with 11 tackles, 2 TFL & 2 PD & had 4th-career INT in Week 6. Aims for his 4th in row with PD. Is 1 of 2 (Quincy Williams) with 50+ tackles (53), 5+ TFL (5) & 5+ PD (5) in 2023. • LB MICAH MCFADDEN had 7 tackles, 1st-career INT & 1stcareer FR in Week 6. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. Had 9 tackles & FF in last home meeting. • LB KAYVON THIBODEAUX had 12 tackles, 3 TFL, sack, FF & FR-TD in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Was. with sack.

ATLANTA FALCONS (3-3) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-2)

DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023

GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET

FOX: Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth, Kristina Pink

SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) ATL: 135 or 386 TB: 83 or 226

ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY

REG. SEASON: TB leads series, 30-29 (won 5 of past 6)

POSTSEASON: —

THE LAST TIME …

REG. SEASON: 1/8/23: TB 17 at ATL 30

POSTSEASON: —

FALCONS NOTES:

QB DESMOND RIDDER passed for 307 yards & 2 TDs in Week 6, his 2nd straight game with 300+ pass yards & 2nd-career start with 2 TD passes. Passed for 224 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 108.2 rating in last meeting. • RB BIJAN ROBINSON (rookie) had 5 catches & 80 scrimmage yards (43 rec., 37 rush) in Week 6. Leads all RBs in receptions (26), ranks 2nd in rec. yards (189) & 3rd in scrimmage yards (590) in 2023. Is 1 of 6 RBs with 6 games of 50+ scrimmage yards this season. • RB TYLER ALLGEIER rushed for 51 yards last week. Rushed for 135 yards in last meeting. • WR DRAKE LONDON set career highs with 9 receptions & 125 rec. yards in Week 6, his 2nd-career 100-yard game. Aims for his 3rd in row with 6+ catches & 75+ rec. yards. Had 6 catches for 120 yards in last meeting. • TE KYLE PITTS had 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 4thcareer TD catch. Had 5 catches for 73 yards in his only career game at TB (9/19/21). • TE JONNU SMITH had 1st rec. TD of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. TB with TD catch. • DL CALAIS CAMPBELL had 1st sack of season last week, his 100th-career sack, 1 of 5 active players with 100+ career sacks. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. TB with PD. • DL GRADY JARRETT had 1st sack of season last week. • LB BUD DUPREE had 1.5 sacks last week, his 6th-career game with 1.5+ sacks. Had sack & INT-TD in his only career game vs. TB (9/24/18 w/ Pit.) • LB ARNOLD EBIKETIE had career-high 1.5 sacks last week.

BUCS NOTES:

QB BAKER MAYFIELD can make 75th-career start in Week 7. Completed 17 of 20 atts. (85 pct.) for 216 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for career-high 151.3 rating in his only career start vs. Atl. (11/11/18 w/ Cle.). • RB RACHAAD WHITE has 60+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3 at home & 3 of his past 4 overall. • WR MIKE EVANS has 5+ catches in 4 of his past 5 home games & 50+ rec. yards in 6 of his past 7 at home. Has 46 catches for 723 yards (90.4 per game) & 9 rec. TDs in 8 career home games vs. Atl., incl. TD catch in 6 of 8 games. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Atl. with 75+ rec. yards. • WR CHRIS GODWIN led team with 6 catches & 77 rec. yards last week. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 12 of his past 13 games. Has 9 rec. TDs in 11 career games vs. Atl. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Atl. with 6+ catches. • LB LAVONTE DAVID led team with 12 tackles & had 2 TFL, sack & PD in Week 6. Has 5 TFL in 2023 & has 5+ TFL in each of his 12 career seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with 10+ tackles & sack. • LB DEVIN WHITE has 5+ tackles in 4 of his past 5. Has 5 sacks & 7 TFL in 7 career games vs. Atl. • LB JOE TRYON-SHOYINKA had 3rd sack of season in Week 6. Aims for his 4th in row at home with TFL. • NT VITA VEA aims for his 3rd in row with TFL & FF. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5. Has 5 sacks & 3 PD in his past 5 vs. Atl. • S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR. has PD in 5 of 6 career games vs. Atl. Had sack & FF in last home meeting. • CB CARLTON DAVIS has 13 PD in 7 career games vs. Atl. & aims for his 8th in row vs. Atl. with PD.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (3-2) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-3)

DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023

GAME TIME: 4:05 PM ET

FOX: Adam Amin, Daryl Johnston, Pam Oliver

SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) PIT: 135 or 386 LAR: 83 or 226

ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY

REG. SEASON: LAR leads series, 15-9-2 (PIT won past 4)

POSTSEASON: PIT leads series, 1-0

THE LAST TIME …

REG. SEASON: 11/10/19: LAR 12 at PIT 17

POSTSEASON: 1/20/80 SB XIV: LAN 19 at PIT 31

STEELERS NOTES:

QB KENNY PICKETT passed for 224 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs in Week 5. Has 0 INTs in 2 of past 3 overall & 4 of his past 5 road starts. • RB NAJEE HARRIS aims for his 6th in row on road with 65+ rush yards. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3 on road. Has 85+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 vs. NFC. • RB JAYLEN WARREN had 79 scrimmage yards (40 rush, 39 rec.) in Week 5, 2nd game this season with 75+ scrimmage yards. Aims for 5th in row with 50+ scrimmage yards. • WR GEORGE PICKENS had season-high 6 catches for career high 130 yards & 2nd TD of season in Week 5. Has 75+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. Is 4th different player in franchise history with 125+ rec. yards in 2 of team’s 1st 5 games of a season, joining Antonio Brown, HOFer John Stallworth & Mike Wallace. • WR ALLEN ROBINSON had 5 catches in Week 5. Has 4+ catches in each of 4 career games vs. LAR. Had 33 catches for 339 yards & 3 TDs with LAR in 2022. • LB T.J. WATT had 2 sacks, 2 PD & FR in Week 5. Has sack in 4 of 5 games this season & is only player in NFL with 2+ sacks in 3 games. Had 2 sacks & FF in last meeting. Has 2+ sacks & FF in 3 of his past 4 vs. NFC West. Ties for NFL lead with 8 sacks in 2023. • LB ALEX HIGHSMITH had sack & FF in Week 5, 2nd game this season with sack & FF. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5 vs. NFC. • LB COLE HOLCOMB aims for his 18th in row with 5+ tackles. • S MINKAH FITZPATRICK aims for 4th in row with 9+ tackles. Had 2 PD, INT & FR in last meeting. • CB PATRICK PETERSON aims for his 7th in row with PD. Has 5+ tackles in 2 of past 3. Leads active players with 35 career INTs. • CB JOEY PORTER JR. (rookie) had 1st-career INT in Week 5.

RAMS NOTES:

QB MATTHEW STAFFORD had TD pass vs. 0 INTs for season high 107.3 rating last week. Has 90+ rating in 4 of his past 5 home starts. Has 785 pass yards (392.5 per game) in 2 career games vs. Pit. Has 53,759 pass yards in 197 games, 3rd-most by player in 1st 200 games in NFL history. • RB KYREN WILLIAMS had career-high 158 rush yards & 6th rush TD of season last week. Has 50+ rush yards in 5 of 6 games this season. Ranks tied-3rd with 7 scrimmage TDs this season. • WR COOPER KUPP had 7 catches for 148 yards & 1st rec. TD of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row in 2023 with 7+ catches & 115+ rec. yards. Has 26 games with 100+ rec. yards since 2019, tied 3rd-most in NFL. Has 7+ catches in 12 of his past 13 home games. • WR PUKA NACUA leads all rookies with 50 catches (most by rookie in 1st 6 games ever) & 598 rec. yards, most by rookie in 1st 6 games in SB era. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 5 of his 1st 6 career games. • DL AARON DONALD had 3 TFL in Week 6 & has 2+ TFL in 3 of his past 4 games. Needs 2 TFL for 10th-straight season with 10+ TFL. Leads all active players with 168 TFL. Has sack & 3 TFL in each of his 2 career games vs. Pit. • LB ERNEST JONES led team with 10 tackles last week & is only player with 6 games of 9+ tackles in 2023. Ranks tied-4th in both tackles (63) & TFL (8) this season. • LB BYRON YOUNG (rookie) had 6 tackles, 3rd sack of season & 1st-career FF last week, 2nd-most sacks among rookies in 2023. • CB AHKELLO WITHERSPOON had 2 PD last week & aims for his 5th in row with PD. Had 11 PD & 4 INTs in 13 games (2021-22) with Pit.

ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-5) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-2)

DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023

GAME TIME: 4:05 PM ET

FOX: Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Shannon Spake

SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) ARI: 133 or 384 SEA: 85 or 225

ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY

REG. SEASON: SEA leads series, 25-22-1 (won past 3)

POSTSEASON: —

THE LAST TIME …

REG. SEASON: 11/6/22: SEA 31 at ARI 21

POSTSEASON: –

CARDINALS NOTES:

QB JOSH DOBBS had 282 yards (235 pass, team-high 47 rush) in Week 6. Ranks 5th among QBs with 189 rush yards & has 40+ rush yards in 4 of his past 5. Aims for his 3rd in row on road vs. division with 225+ pass yards & 45+ rush yards. • RB KEAONTAY INGRAM had career-high 51 scrimmage yards (40 rush, 11 rec.) in Week 6. • TE ZACH ERTZ has 6+ catches in 2 of 3 road games this season. Had 5 catches & rec. TD in last meeting. Has 5+ catches in 6 of his past 7 vs. Sea. & aims for his 6th in row vs. Sea. with 5+ catches. Has 6 rec. TDs in 8 career games vs. Sea. • TE TREY MCBRIDE had 4 catches for team-high 62 rec. yards in Week 6. • WR MARQUISE BROWN has 50+ rec yards in 4 of his past 5 & aims for his 6th in row with 4+ catches. Had 5 catches for 68 yards in his only career game at Sea. (10/16/22). • WR MICHAEL WILSON (rookie) had 62 rec. yards last week & has 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 60+ rec. yards. Ranks 5th among rookies with 317 rec. yards. • LB KYZIR WHITE led team with 8 tackles & had 2nd sack of season last week. Has TFL in 6 of his past 7 & aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Is 1 of 3 in NFC (Ernest Jones & Bobby Okereke) with 50+ tackles (55) & 5+ TFL (5) in 2023. • LB ZAVEN COLLINS had INT-TD in last meeting & 2 sacks in last road meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Sea. with TFL & PD. LB DENNIS GARDECK has TFL in 5 of 6 games this season & aims for his 5th in row on road with TFL. • S JALEN THOMPSON has 4 PD in his past 4 vs. Sea. & aims for his 5th in row vs. Sea. with 6+ tackles. • S K’VON WALLACE has 7+ tackles in 5 of 6 games this season.

SEAHAWKS NOTES:

QB GENO SMITH passed for 323 yards last week, his 9th-career 300-yard game & 2nd this season (Week 2). Aims for his 9th in row at home with TD pass. Passed for 275 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT for 106.9 rating in last meeting. • RB KENNETH WALKER had 89 scrimmage yards (62 rush, 27 rec.) & 6th rush TD of season last week. Has 15 rush TDs in 20 career games. Aims for his 5th in row with rush TD. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. with 110+ scrimmage yards & rush TD. • WR TYLER LOCKETT led team with 6 catches & 94 rec. yards in Week 6. Has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4. Has 7 rec. TDs in his past 6 vs. Ari. • WR DK METCALF had 69 rec. yards last week & has 65+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4. Had TD catch in last meeting. • TE NOAH FANT had 5 catches for 96 rec. yards in last meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. with 5+ receptions. • LB BOBBY WAGNER has 180 tackles (9 per game) in 20 career games vs. Ari. & aims for his 9th in row vs. Ari. with 9+ tackles. Had sack in his last game vs. Ari. (11/13/22 w/ LAR). • LB JORDYN BROOKS has 23 games with 10+ tackles since 2020, tied 3rd-most in NFL. Aims for his 4th in row at home with TFL. Has 58 tackles (14.5 per game) & 3 TFL in his past 4 vs. Ari. & aims for his 5th in row vs. Ari. with 10+ tackles. • LB UCHENNA NWOSU has 5 TFL in his past 4 at home. Had 3 sacks in 2 games vs. Ari. in 2022. • LB BOYE MAFE aims for his 4th in row with sack & 5th in row with TFL. • CB DEVON WITHERSPOON had career-high 3 PD last week & leads all rookies with 7 PD. Aims for his 5th in row with PD. • S QUANDRE DIGGS led team with 8 tackles last week.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-3) AT DENVER BRONCOS (1-5)

DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023

GAME TIME: 4:25 PM ET

FOX: Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, Laura Okmin

SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) GB: 158 or 383 DEN: 109 or 227

ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY

REG. SEASON: GB leads series, 7-6-1 (won 4 of past 5)

POSTSEASON: DEN leads series, 1-0

THE LAST TIME …

REG. SEASON: 9/22/19: DEN 16 at GB 27

POSTSEASON: 1/25/98 SB XXXII: DEN 31 vs. GB 24

PACKERS NOTES:

QB JORDAN LOVE has 3+ TD passes & 100+ rating in 2 of 3 road starts this season & has TD pass in 5 of 6 career starts. • RB AARON JONES had 2 rush TDs in his only road game this season (Week 1 at Chi.). Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4. Had 2 rush TDs in last meeting. • RB A.J. DILLON rushed for season-high 76 yards & had 1st rush TD of season in Week 5, his 15th-career rush TD. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 50+ rush yards. • WR CHRISTIAN WATSON had 3 catches for team-high 91 rec. yards in Week 5. Has 3 rec. TDs in his past 4 road games. • WR ROMEO DOUBS has 5+ catches & 70+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3. • TE LUKE MUSGRAVE (rookie) led team with 6 catches in Week 5 & has 6+ catches in 2 of his past 3. • LB RASHAN GARY had sack in Week 5 & leads team with 4.5 sacks in 2023. Has 0.5+ sacks in 3 of his past 4. Had 1st-career sack & 1st-career FR in last meeting. • LB PRESTON SMITH had 1st sack of season in Week 5. Had 3 sacks & FF in last meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Den. with 2+ sacks & FF. • LB QUAY WALKER aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Has PD in 3 of his past 4 on road. • DT KENNY CLARK had 3rd sack of season in Week 5 & has 0.5+ sacks in each of his 1st 3 road games this season. • CB JAIRE ALEXANDER has PD in 7 of his past 8 on road. Had 2 PD, FF & FR in last meeting. • CB RASUL DOUGLAS had 2 PD in Week 5. Has 2+ PD in 3 of his past 4 on road & aims for his 5th in row on road with PD. • S RUDY FORD had 6th-career INT in Week 5 & aims for his 3rd in row with INT. Aims for his 5th in row with 7+ tackles.

BRONCOS NOTES:

QB RUSSELL WILSON has 13 TDs vs. 3 INTs & 107.5 rating in his past 5 home starts, with 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating in each game. Has 0 INTs & 105+ rating in 2 of his past 3 starts vs. GB, incl. playoffs. Has 100.6 rating in 23 career reg. season starts vs. NFC North. Aims for his 3rd in row with NFC with 3+ TD passes. • RB JAVONTE WILLIAMS led team with 52 rush yards last week. Has 40+ rush yards in 4 of his 5 games this season. Aims for his 9th in row at home with 50+ scrimmage yards. • RB JALEEL MCLAUGHLIN (rookie) has 85+ scrimmage yards & rec. TD in 2 of past 3. Aims for 3rd in row at home with TD. Is 1 of 3 rookie RBs (De’Von Achane & Bijan Robinson) with 2 rec. TDs this season. • RB SAMAJE PERINE had 83 scrimmage yards (59 rush, 24 rec.) & rec. TD in only career game vs. GB (1010/21 w/ Cin.). Has 75+ scrimmage yards in 2 of 3 home games this season. • WR COURTLAND SUTTON led team with 4 catches for 46 yards & had 4th rec. TD of season last week. Has TD catch in 3 of past 4. Had 5 catches for 87 yards in last meeting. • WR JERRY JEUDY has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4 overall & 6 of his past 7 at home. • S JUSTIN SIMMONS had 5 tackles & 28th-career INT last week, 4thmost among active safeties. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles. • S KAREEM JACKSON aims for 5th in row with 5+ tackles. • CB PAT SURTAIN III had season-high 7 tackles in Week 6. Aims for 3rd in row with 5+ tackles. Has PD in 2 of past 3. • LB NIK BONITTO aims for 6th in row with TFL & has 2 TFL in 4 of past 5. Has 2+ sacks in 2 of past 3. • DE ZACH ALLEN aims for 3rd in row with sack & 4th in row with 0.5+ sacks. Had sack in only career game vs. GB (10/28/21 w/ Ari.).

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-3) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-1)

DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023

GAME TIME: 4:25 PM ET

CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson

SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) LAC: 134 or 385 KC: 82 or 228

ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY

REG. SEASON: KC leads series, 67-57-1 (won past 3)

POSTSEASON: LAC leads series, 1-0

THE LAST TIME … REG. SEASON: 11/20/22: KC 30 at LAC 27 POSTSEASON: 1/2/93 AFC-WC: KC 0 at SD 17

CHARGERS NOTES:

QB JUSTIN HERBERT passed for 227 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT last week. Has 2+ TD passes in 3 of past 4. Has 710 pass yards (355 per game) & 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 118.1 rating in 2 road games this season. Has 15 TDs vs. 4 INTs with 107.3 rating in 6 career starts vs. KC, with 2+ TD passes in each of past 5 & 100+ rating in 4 of past 5. Has 3+ TD passes & 100+ rating in each of 3 career starts at KC. • RB AUSTIN EKELER had 62 scrimmage yards (35 rec., 27 rush) last week. Rushed for 83 yards & TD in last meeting & has TD in 4 of his past 5 vs. KC. Needs 3 catches to become 4th-fastest RB ever (92 games) to reach 400 career receptions. • WR KEENAN ALLEN led team with 7 catches for 85 yards & had rec. TD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with rec. TD. Has 75+ rec. yards in 4 of 5 games this season. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 100 rec. yards. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in each of his past 6 vs. KC. Aims for his 3rd in row at KC with rec. TD. • WR JOSHUA PALMER aims for 4th in row with 60+ rec. yards. Had 8 catches for 106 yards & career-high 2 TDs in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. KC with TD catch. • TE GERALD EVERETT had 1st rec. TD of season in Week 6. Had 6 catches for 71 yards in last road meeting. • LB JOEY BOSA has sack in 2 of past 3. Aims for his 4th in row on road with sack. Has 0.5+ sacks in 3 of his past 4 vs. KC. • LB KHALIL MACK has 7 sacks in his past 2 & aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Has 0.5+ sacks in 6 of his past 7 vs. KC. Ranks tied-3rd in NFL with 7 sacks, his 8th-career season with 7+ sacks. • DE MORGAN FOX had season-high 2 sacks last week & aims for his 5th in row with sack. Had TFL in last meeting. • CB MICHAEL DAVIS had 2 PD in Week 6 & has PD in 2 of past 3. • S DERWIN JAMES had 7 tackles & sack in last meeting.

CHIEFS NOTES:

QB PATRICK MAHOMES completed 30 of 40 atts. (75 pct.) for season-high 306 yards & TD vs. INT with 94.4 rating last week, his 43rd-career 300-yard game, most in NFL since 2017. Can become 1st player in NFL history with 40+ atts. & 75+ comp. pct. in 3 straight games. Had 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 113.4 rating in 2 games vs. LAC last season. Aims for his 6th in row vs. LAC with 2+ TD passes & 4th in row with 105+ rating. • RB ISIAH PACHECO had 98 scrimmage yards (62 rush, 36 rec.) & career-high 6 catches last week. Has rush TD in 3 of past 4 & 95+ scrimmage yards in 2 of past 3. • RB JERICK MCKINNON has 5 rec. TDs in his past 5 at home. • TE TRAVIS KELCE led team with 9 catches for season-high 124 yards in Week 6, his 36th-career game with 100+ rec. yards, most-ever by TE. Aims for 5th in row with 6+ catches & 60+ rec. yards & 3rd in row with 9+ catches. Has rec. TD in 3 of his past 4 at home, incl. playoffs. Aims for his 6th in row vs. LAC with 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards, with 100+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. • WR RASHEE RICE (rookie) had season-best 72 rec. yards last week. • WR KADARIUS TONEY had 1st TD catch of season last week. • DT CHRIS JONES has sack in each of his 5 games this season & in each of his past 8 overall in reg. season. Aims for 3rd in row with PD. • DE MIKE DANNA has sack in 2 of 3 home games this season. • DE GEORGE KARLAFTIS had 2 PD & half sack in Week 6. • LB DRUE TRANQUILL had 1st full sack of season last week. Has 8+ tackles in 3 of past 4. • CB L’JARIUS SNEED aims for 3rd in row with 5+ tackles. Had 5 tackles, 2 PD & TFL in last meeting. Has TFL in 2 of past 3 vs. LAC. • S JUSTIN REID had 1st sack & 1st INT of season in Week 6. Aims for 3rd in row with 5+ tackles & PD.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-1) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-1)

DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2023 GAME TIME: 8:20 PM ET

NBC: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark

Westwood One: Ryan Radtke, Mike Golic

SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) MIA: 83 or 226 PHI: 85 or 225 National: 88

ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY

REG. SEASON: MIA leads series, 9-6 (won past 2)

POSTSEASON: —

THE LAST TIME …

REG. SEASON: 12/1/19: PHI 31 at MIA 37

POSTSEASON:

DOLPHINS NOTES:

DOLPHINS lead NFL with 2,992 total yards of offense, 2nd-most ever by team in 1st 6 games of a season, & 223 points scored, 5th-most by team in 1st 6 games in SB era. • QB TUA TAGOVAILOA passed for 262 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 126 rating last week, his 3rd game this season with 3+ TD passes, most in NFL. Is only QB with 90+ rating in 6 games in 2023. Has 90+ rating in 2 of 3 career starts on SNF. Leads NFL with 1,876 pass yards & 114.1 rating this season & ties for lead with 14 TD passes. • RB RAHEEM MOSTERT had 132 scrimmage yards (115 rush, 17 rec.) & 3 TDs (2 rush, 1 rec.) last week, his 3rd game this season with 2+ TDs & 2nd with 3+. Has TD in 5 of 6 games in 2023. Leads NFL with 11 TDs & 9 rush TDs, becoming 6th different player since 1970 with 11+ TDs through his team’s 1st 6 games of a season. Has 100+ scrimmage yards & TD in 2 of his past 3 in primetime. • RB SALVON AHMED rushed for 1st TD of season in Week 6. • WR TYREEK HILL had 6 catches for 163 yards & TD last week & became 1st player ever with 150+ rec. yards in 4 of team’s 1st 6 games of season. Had 11 catches for 186 yards & 3 TDs in his last game vs. Phi. (10/3/21 w/ KC). Aims for his 4th in row in primetime with rec. TD. Leads NFL with 814 rec. yards, most by player in team’s 1st 6 games of a season in SB era. • WR JAYLEN WADDLE aims for 3rd in row with TD catch. • LB BRADLEY CHUBB had 2nd sack of season last week. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 on SNF. • LB DAVID LONG led team with season-high 11 tackles last week. • DT CHRISTIAN WILKINS had 5 tackles & career-high 2 sacks in Week 6. Aims for 3rd in row with 0.5+ sacks. Had PD in last meeting. • DT ZACH SIELER aims for 4th in row with TFL & 3rd in row with sack. • CB XAVIEN HOWARD had 5 tackles last week. Has PD in 2 of past 3.

EAGLES NOTES:

QB JALEN HURTS had 31st-career rush TD last week, tied with Josh Allen for 2nd-most ever by QB in 1st 4 career seasons (Cam Newton – 33). Has 24 TDs (17 pass, 7 rush) vs 5 INTs for 104.6 rating in his past 10 home starts. Had career-high 157 rush yards in his last start on SNF (11/27/22 vs. GB). Aims for his 3rd in row on SNF with 2+ TD passes & 0 INTs. • RB D’ANDRE SWIFT had 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 8th-career TD catch. Aims for his 6th in row with 50+ scrimmage yards. Ranks 5th in NFL with 452 rush yards this season. Aims for his 3rd in row at home in 2023 with rush TD. Had TD catch in his only career game vs. Mia. (10/30/22 w/ Det.). Has 319 scrimmage yards (159.5 per game) in 2 primetime games this season & aims for his 3rd in row in primetime with 125+ scrimmage yards. • WR A.J. BROWN had 7 catches for team-high 131 rec. yards in Week 6 & became 5th player since 2000 with 125+ rec. yards in 4 straight games. Has 14 games with 125+ rec. yards since 2019, 4th-most in NFL. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 672 rec. yards in 2023. • WR DEVONTA SMITH has 5+ catches in 4 of his past 5 home games & aims for his 7th in row at home with 50+ rec. yards. • TE DALLAS GOEDERT has 5+ catches in 4 of his past 5. • LB HAASON REDDICK had season-high 2.5 sacks in Week 6 & aims for his 4th in row with sack. Has 6 games with 2+ sacks since 2022, 2nd-most in NFL. • DE JOSH SWEAT had sack & 2 TFL last week. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 overall & 5 of his past 6 at home. Has sack in 3 of his past 4 primetime games. • CB JAMES BRADBERRY had 2 PD last week. Bradberry (103 PD) & CB DARIUS SLAY (102) are only players with 100+ PD since 2016.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-1) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-4)

DATE: Monday, October 23, 2023 GAME TIME: 8:15 PM ET

ESPN: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters

Westwood One: Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner

SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) SF: 83 or 226 MIN: 83 or 225 National: 88

ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY

REG. SEASON: MIN leads series, 22-20-1 (Home team won past 5)

POSTSEASON: SF leads series, 5-1

THE LAST TIME …

REG. SEASON: 11/28/21: MIN 26 at SF 34

POSTSEASON: 1/11/20 NFC-DIV: MIN 10 at SF 27

49ERS NOTES:

QB BROCK PURDY has 100+ rating in 3 of his past 4 starts & ranks 2nd in NFL with 111.9 rating in 2023. Is only QB with 10+ TD passes (10) & 1-or-fewer INTs (1) this season. Has 8 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 126.6 rating in 3 career primetime starts. • RB CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY has scrimmage TD in 15 straight games, incl. playoffs, tied longest such streak in NFL history. Aims for his 4th in row in primetime with rush TD & 6th in row in primetime with 75+ scrimmage yards. Leads NFL with 553 rush yards & ranks 2nd with 730 scrimmage yards in 2023. • RB ELIJAH MITCHELL had career-high 168 scrimmage yards (133 rush, 35 rec.) & rush TD in last meeting. • TE GEORGE KITTLE had 5 catches for 90 yards in last road meeting. Has 2+ rec. TDs in 3 of his past 4 primetime games & aims for his 3rd in row on road in primetime with 2+ rec. TDs. • WR BRANDON AIYUK had 76 rec. yards last week & has 50+ rec. yards in 7 of his past 8. Had 91 rec. yards in last meeting. • WR DEEBO SAMUEL has 50+ scrimmage yards in 16 of his past 17 primetime games & aims for his 13th in row in primetime with 50+ scrimmage yards. Had 2 rush TDs in last meeting. • DL NICK BOSA had sack in Week 6 & aims for his 6th in row with TFL. Had sack in last meeting. Has 8.5 sacks & 12 TFL in his past 9 primetime games, incl. 6 sacks in 5 games on MNF. Aims for his 10th in row in primetime with TFL. • DL RANDY GREGORY had sack in SF debut last week. • DL JAVON HARGAVE has TFL in 3 of his past 4. • LB FRED WARNER had 6th-career INT last week & aims for his 3rd in row with INT. Aims for his 4th in row on road with PD. Had 12 tackles & FF in last road meeting. • DB DEOMMODORE LENOIR had 3rd-career INT in Week 6.

VIKINGS NOTES:

QB KIRK COUSINS ranks tied-1st in TD passes (14) & 2nd in pass yards (1,679) in 2023. Has 995 pass yards (331.7 per game) & 7 TDs vs. 2 INTs for 97.7 rating in 3 home starts this season. Has 7 TDs (6 pass, 1 rush) vs. 2 INTs for 97 rating in 3 career starts vs. SF. Aims for his 4th in row vs. SF & 6th in row at home with 2+ TD passes & 90+ rating. • RB ALEXANDER MATTISON had 4 catches & 72 scrimmage yards (44 rush, 28 rec.) last week. Has 70+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4. Had rush TD in last meeting. • TE T.J. HOCKENSON led team with 6 catches & 50 rec. yards last week. Had 8 catches for 97 yards & rec. TD in his only career game vs. SF (9/12/21 w/ Det.). Ranks tied-1st among TEs in receptions (36) & 3rd in rec. yards (304) this season. • WR JORDAN ADDISON had 4th rec. TD of season last week, most among rookies. Has TD catch in 2 of 3 career home games. Aims for his 4th in row at home with 50+ rec. yards. • LB DANIELLE HUNTER had 2 sacks & PD last week, his 13thcareer game with 2+ sacks. Leads NFL with 11 TFL & is tied-1st with 8 sacks in 2023. Is only player with TFL in 6 games & is 1 of 2 (Chris Jones) with sack in 5 games this season. • LB JORDAN HICKS led team with 10 tackles & had 13th-career INT & 42-yard FR-TD in Week 6, his 2nd-career defensive TD. Had 2 FR in his last game vs. SF (11/7/21 w/ Ari.). Is 1 of 2 active LBs (Lavonte David) with 10+ sacks (13.5), 10+ FRs (11) & 10+ INTs (13). Aims for his 4th in row with 10+ tackles. • CB BYRON MURPHY tied his career high with 3 PD & had 6thcareer INT & 6th-career FR last week. Has 7 PD in 6 games in 2023. • S CAMRYN BYNUM leads all DBs with 60 tackles this season. • S HARRISON SMITH aims for his 3rd in row vs. SF with INT.

BROWNS QB DESHAUN WATSON PRACTICING AFTER MISSING 2 GAMES WITH A SHOULDER INJURY; COULD FACE COLTS

BEREA, Ohio (AP) Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is practicing Thursday for the first time in nearly three weeks and after missing two games with an injured right shoulder.

Watson, who has made just nine starts in two seasons with the Browns, has been dealing with a bruise and strain in the rotator cuff of his throwing arm. He got injured while running the ball on Sept. 24 against Tennessee.

Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Watson “is scheduled to get out there and make some throws. It’ll be good to get him out there with the guys.”

Unable to throw with enough velocity, Watson sat out last week’s win over San Francisco and his return to practice increases the chances he’ll play this Sunday at Indianapolis.

Watson also missed Cleveland’s Oct. 1 game against Baltimore.

The 28-year-old Watson said Wednesday that he’s treating his injury on a day-to-day basis, but he could not provide a timetable on when he would play again.

Watson hasn’t had a chance to build off his best game since coming to Cleveland. Against the Titans, he passed for 289 yards and two touchdowns in the Browns’ 27-3 win.

P.J. Walker started for Watson last week and made enough plays to help the Browns hand the 49ers their first loss. Walker will start against the Colts (3-3) if Watson can’t play.

JADEVEON CLOWNEY IS MAKING AN IMPACT FOR A BALTIMORE PASS RUSH THAT SHARES THE NFL LEAD IN SACKS

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — In six games with the Baltimore Ravens, Jadeveon Clowney has already surpassed his sack total for all of last season — and defeated three of his former teams.

Not bad for a guy who came on board in mid-August.

“Me coming here, being a part of this group, man, they’re just bringing the best out of me,” the 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick said. “The work comes easy when you’re enjoying it.”

The Ravens have been a sack-happy bunch this season, tying for the NFL lead in that category going into Week 7, and Clowney is one of the reasons why.

The 30-year-old pass rusher had a pair of sacks in the fourth quarter of last weekend’s win over Tennessee. He now has 3 1/2 on the season after managing only two in 2022 with Cleveland.

Baltimore enters this weekend’s game against Detroit ranked No. 2 in the NFL against the pass. That’s after finishing 26th last season and last in 2021. The Ravens have improved in that area despite injuries to cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Marcus Williams.

One caveat is that Baltimore hasn’t been facing elite quarterbacks — aside from Joe Burrow, who has had his own injury concerns. But the Ravens can be awfully encouraged by a pass rush that was a bit of a question mark before the season.

When Baltimore signed Clowney shortly before the season, it seemed as if it was almost an insurance policy — a veteran who might be able to provide some help if younger pass-rushing options such as Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo didn’t pan out. Since then, Ojabo (ankle, knee) has gone on injured reserve and Oweh (ankle) hasn’t played since Week 2. Ojabo has one sack and Oweh has none.

And yet, the Ravens as a team have 24, by 11 different players. Justin Madubuike (4 1/2) and Patrick Queen (3 1/2) are among the team leaders along with Clowney. Safety Kyle Hamilton had three in one half against Indianapolis in Week 3.

Clowney said joining the Ravens has been rejuvenating.

“I told them today, ‘This is the best D-tackle group I’ve played with,’ and it makes my life a lot easier when you’ve got three guys that can go in there and just push the pocket and knock everybody back and shut the run down,” he said Wednesday. “It makes our lives easier on the edge.”

Clowney also says Baltimore’s Mike Macdonald might be the smartest defensive coordinator he’s had.

“He puts everybody in position to make plays,” Clowney said. “The stuff he draws, I’ll be like, ‘Mike, keep dialing it up. Keep dialing it up.’ I enjoy playing for him. Like I said, he makes sure he puts the game plan together, we try to go out there and execute.”

Clowney spent his first five seasons with the Houston Texans after they drafted him in 2014. Then he was with Seattle and Tennessee for a year each before two in Cleveland. The Ravens already have wins over the Texans, Titans and Browns, and Clowney can try for a sweep of his former teams when Baltimore takes on the Seahawks next month.

What’s important now, however, is how well he’s fitting in with Baltimore.

“First of all, he’s a really good player. He’s very talented. Talent travels well,” coach John Harbaugh said. “Also, I would say his attitude and work ethic are just top notch. He has a great mindset. He comes out here every day, gives you everything he’s got.”

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

KANSAS COACH SELF SAYS REPUTATION ‘TARNISHED IMMENSELY’ FOLLOWING PROBE

Bill Self says he’s still been affected by an NCAA investigation completed last week that resulted in no further penalties for the Kansas men’s basketball coach or program.

“I think my reputation has been tarnished immensely,” Self said at the Big 12 media day in Kansas City, according to ESPN’s Myron Medcalf.

“But the whole thing is we knew right from the jump what we had done and what we had not done. The bottom line is I’m proud of how we conducted our business. At the end of the day, it was a long blip, but it was still a blip in the big scheme of things.”

Self and Kansas were the subjects of an investigation launched in 2017 over allegations that the long-serving Jayhawks coach used the school’s relationship with Adidas, its apparel sponsor, to recruit players.

The NCAA initially imposed five Level I violations on Kansas in 2019 as part of the FBI’s bribery investigation into collegiate hoops. Those penalties were subsequently downgraded by the Independent Accountability Review Process (IARP) last week. Kansas ultimately received three years probation and no postseason ban.

The school did self-impose multiple recruiting restrictions and four-game bans for Self and assistant Kurtis Townsend last campaign, among other penalties.

The Jayhawks were also forced to vacate their Final Four appearance in 2018, as well as victories from that campaign, due to Silvio De Sousa’s inclusion in the team, per the IARP ruling. De Sousa’s legal guardian was accused of accepting money from a person working in cooperation with Adidas.

“I think it’s been so frustrating because we haven’t been able to speak out or speak up or to have comment or even defend ourselves in many ways,” Self added.

“But looking back now? Frustrating, taxing, a lot of different things. But (I’m) so glad that it’s behind us. That’s a lot of stress to put on a lot of people for that many years. Of course, the narrative wasn’t exactly what the end result ended up being. And, certainly, the end result is exactly what we expected all along.”

Kansas enters this season ranked No. 1 in the Associated Top 25 Poll after earning 46 of 63 first-place votes. The Jayhawks have been ranked first overall to start a campaign on three occasions since Self’s arrival in Lawrence in 2003.

Self is expected to miss the start of the season after breaking two ribs while playing with his grandchildren earlier this month. He was also absent from last season’s NCAA Tournament because of medical issues.

BIG 10 BASKETBALL PREVIEW: IOWA HAWKEYES

2022-23:	19-14, 11-9 (T-5th, Big Ten)
2022-23:	NCAA Tournament – First Round
Location:	Iowa City, IA
Coach:	FRAN McCAFFERY (14th Season)
Homecourt:	CARVER HAWKEYE ARENA (15,056)
Key Departures:	KRIS MURRAY (20.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.2 bpg)
	FILIP REBRACA (14.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 apg)
	CONNOR McCAFFERY (6.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.7 apg)
	AHRON ULIS (6.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2.1 apg)
Key Newcomers:	BEN KRIKKE (transfer, Valparaiso)
	EVEN BRAUNS (transfer, Belmont)
	PRYCE SANDFORT (freshman, Waukee Northwest)
	LADJI DEMBELE (freshman, St. Benedict’s Prep)
	OWEN FREEMAN (freshman, Moline HS)

ROSTER

#	Player	Pos.		Listed		Year		MPG		PPG		RPG		APG		SPG		BPG		FG%		3PT%

5	Dasonte Bowen		G		6-2		So.		9.3		3.1		0.9		1.0		0.3		0.0		47.5		36.4
11	Tony Perkins		G		6-4		Sr.		29.7		12.3		4.1		2.8		1.4		0.4		44.0		33.3
20	Payton Sandfort		G		6-7		Jr.		20.8		10.3		4.1		1.5		0.6		0.2		40.4		34.3
22	Patrick McCaffery		F		6-9		R-Sr.		22.4		9.8		3.5		1.0		0.8		0.4		40.9		34.3
23	Ben Krikke*		F		6-9		Gr.		35.7		19.4		5.9		2.1		0.5		0.9		55.2		27.9

4	Josh Dix		G		6-5		So.		9.2		2.0		0.9		0.9		0.2		0.1		40.4		40.0
32	Owen Freeman		F		6-10		Fr.		–		–		–		–		–		–		–		–
0	Even Brauns*		C		6-9		Sr.		21.3		7.0		5.3		1.2		0.5		1.4		58.3		0.0
24	Pryce Sandfort		F		6-6		Fr.		–		–		–		–		–		–		–		–
13	Ladji Dembele		F		6-8		Fr.		–		–		–		–		–		–		–		–
2	Brock Harding		G		6-0		Fr.		–		–		–		–		–		–		–		–
44	Riley Mulvey		F		6-11		Jr.		4.2		0.9		0.9		0.2		0.1		0.4		50.0		0.0

FROM THE COACH

“We have a deep backcourt, multiple 3-point shooters and bigs who can rebound. We’re a little more inexperienced than we’ve been the last few years but still have some older guys.”

—Fran McCaffery

THE SCOOP

Three years ago, Fran McCaffery lost National Player of the Year winner Luka Garza and still managed to win 26 games and get back to the NCAA Tournament. Two years ago, he lost lottery pick Keegan Murray and the Hawkeyes still went dancing this past season. Now, Iowa will lose a 20-point scorer for the third-consecutive season with Kris Murray departing, and the team will hope to get back to the tourney for a fourth straight year.

The knock on McCaffery is that he hasn’t been able to get past the first weekend, but he has gone to the NCAA Tournament seven times since 2013. He’s finished below .500 just once since his first season in Iowa City.

Looking ahead to 2023-24, Iowa lost its top two scorers and rebounders, but it returns three seasoned veterans to go with a pair of experienced transfers and four high schoolers. McCaffery is excited about this team, which should be deep and balanced.

ROAD TO SUCCESS

If Iowa gets back to the NCAA Tournament, it’ll be largely due to its depth and improved point guard play.

The Hawkeyes lost a combined 46-plus points per game between Kris Murray, big man Filip Rebraca, veteran wing Connor McCaffery and starting point guard Ahron Ulis, but there’s more than enough experience back. The return of senior combo guard Tony Perkins, sophomore shooter Payton Sandfort and fifth-year forward Patrick McCaffery gives Iowa a solid trio to build around.

Perkins will play both guard spots, and he does most of his damage getting downhill. Sandfort struggled making shots early last season but made at least three 3-pointers in seven of the final 18 games of the year, shooting 43% over that span. McCaffery struggled through mental health issues last season, but he’s in a good spot now both physically and emotionally and gives the Hawkeyes a veteran wing with size who averaged nearly 10 points per game a year ago.

Iowa brought in a pair of transfers who should provide significant frontcourt help, although they are vastly different players.

Ben Krikke, a 6-9 forward from Valparaiso, led the Missouri Valley in scoring (19.4 ppg) last season, and the versatile and athletic forward has played 122 college games over four years. Even Brauns, an Iowa native who played high school ball with Patrick McCaffery, spent the past three years at Belmont. Brauns gives the Hawkeyes a big-time athlete at 6-9 250 pounds who can run the floor, block shots and finish around the rim.

A pair of freshmen bigs could also figure into the equation this season: 6-10, 230-pound Owen Freeman, a terrific rebounder and sneaky athlete who can run the court and block shots; and 6-8, 250-pound Ladji Dembele, a big, strong forward from St. Benedict’s (NJ) who can step out and shoot it from deep.

“Last year’s team wasn’t very deep on the frontline,” Fran McCaffery said. “That won’t be an issue this year. We have a bunch of bigs who can play.”

The point guard spot will be interesting to watch because McCaffery has multiple options: Perkins, sophomores Josh Dix and Dasonte Bowen, and freshman Brock Harding.

Dix is 6-5, can shoot it, and takes care of the ball. Bowen has more shake and bake to his game, but needs to work on his decision-making. Harding is small at 6-0 and 160 pounds, but he’s fun to watch because of his ability to create and make something happen in the lane. One more name to watch is 6-6 freshman forward Pryce Sandfort, Payton’s younger brother who is another long-distance shooter — but also has guard skills after playing both the point and the 2 in high school and AAU ball.

POTENTIAL POTHOLES

Defense has been Iowa’s Achilles heel for a while now. In fact, it’s been since 2016 that Iowa ranked in the top 50 of defensive efficiency.

The good news is that the Hawkeyes can shoot and score with just about anyone in the country, despite losing another offensive star. The bad? They just haven’t been stingy enough on the other end of the court. The past two seasons, they have ranked fourth nationally in offensive efficiency. Two years ago, they were a respectable 80^th in defensive efficiency — but that number fell to 168^th last season.

“We play in high-possession games, so we’re going to give up points. But we have to be good on the glass and make sure we don’t give up second-shot opportunities,” McCaffery said.

McCaffery is also hopeful that the defense will be improved due to the depth, that now players won’t be quite as tired and worn down at the end of games after logging so many minutes.

“Our activity level with a deeper team will be better,” he said. “That and our rebounding.”

Even with losing Rebraca and Murray, this team should be improved on the glass.

There’s also the question of who, if anyone, becomes the go-to guy. That hasn’t been a concern of McCaffery’s for a few years now with Garza and the Murray twins, but this group may not have someone who is wired to go for 20 on most nights, or someone who can just go get a bucket with the game on the line. Can Perkins develop into that guy? Krikke did it, but for a losing Valpo team in a mid-major conference.

“We’re not as reliant on one guy, but that can also be an advantage for us,” McCaffery said. “We can have a different guy every night.”

Along those same lines, because of the balance — and due to the fact there won’t be a bona fide star — McCaffery will have to figure out roles and playing time.

THE X-FACTOR

McCaffery has no shortage of point guards, but none have proven it yet.

Perkins is more of a combo guard, and Iowa will likely need him to score more than run the team — especially with a trio of other options that the head coach deems fully capable of playing the position.

In fact, Dix might enter the season as the frontrunner because of his size and his ability to shoot 3s and defend at a high level. Most importantly, McCaffery loves his calming presence and quality decision-making abilities.

“He’s so underrated,” McCaffery said of Dix. “Nothing rattles him. He’s just a no-nonsense guy that I probably should have played more last season.”

Bowen has high upside, and he could certainly earn the bulk of the minutes at the position. To do so, he’ll have to prove he can take care of the ball, play with pace and make the correct decisions. As for the freshman Harding, he can get into the lane with his quickness and make things happen for himself and others — but he’ll likely need a year in college to adjust to the physical aspect of the game.

McCaffery doesn’t know how it’ll shake out minutes-wise, but he’s confident that this group can either do it collectively or that someone will step up and become The Guy.

“I love our point guard group,” he said. “I think all of them can play it, and the great thing is they are all different. We’ll have a lot of competition at that spot.”

THE OUTLOOK

For the first time in a while, Iowa doesn’t have a National Player of the Year superstar like Garza, nor do the Hawkeyes have someone who can average 20 a game like the Murray twins.
Regardless, Fran McCaffery has enough overall talent, enough experience and certainly enough offensive firepower to make another NCAA Tournament. There are plenty of options at the point guard spot, and there’s enough size on the frontline. A well-balanced roster should end up with at least four guys (Tony Perkins, Payton Sandfort, Patrick McCaffery and Ben Krikke) scoring in double figures.

Defense will be a question once again, but the Hawkeyes can outscore opposing teams. Iowa may not be able to compete for one of the top spots in the Big Ten, but this team should be able to finish somewhere in the top half of the league. That should be enough to get back to the Big Dance.

MAC PREVIEW: AKRON

2022-23:	22-11, 13-5 (3rd, MAC)
2022-23:	No Postseason
Location:	Akron, OH
Coach:	JOHN GROCE (7th Season)
Homecourt:	RHODES ARENA (5,500)
Key Departures:	XAVIER CASTANEDA (21.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.9 apg)
Key Departures:	TRENDON HANKERSON (9.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.2 apg)
Key Newcomers:	ALI ALI (transfer, Butler)
	KALEB THORNTON (transfer, Northern Illinois)
	SHAMMAH SCOTT (transfer, Wichita State)

ROSTER

#	Player	Pos.	Listed	Year	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG%	3PT%

3	Kaleb Thornton*	G	6-0	5th	29.0	8.8	2.8	5.3	1.7	0.1	41.8	36.6
2	Greg Tribble	G	6-3	Sr.	28.8	6.3	2.8	2.3	0.8	0.3	39.7	8.3
22	Mikal Dawson**	G/F	6-5	Sr.	24.3	5.9	3.4	0.8	1.0	0.1	38.8	36.0
24	Ali Ali*	F	6-8	Sr.	27.4	6.5	2.7	1.6	0.6	0.3	38.1	25.5
25	Enrique Freeman	F	6-7	Sr.	31.2	16.8	11.2	1.9	0.6	1.2	61.6	33.3

11	Sammy Hunter	F	6-9	Sr.	20.8	8.2	2.7	0.5	0.2	0.1	41.5	32.9
1	Shammah Scott*	G	6-2	Jr.	11.8	2.6	1.2	0.8	0.4	0.0	33.3	35.7
34	Nate Johnson	G	6-3	R-So.	20.0	4.5	2.9	0.9	1.0	0.0	50.4	42.0
5	Tavari Johnson	G	5-11	So.	14.6	4.6	1.8	1.7	0.8	0.1	40.7	34.9
0	Amani Lyles	F	6-7	So.	4.6	2.0	0.9	0.1	0.3	0.3	51.3	–
4	Darrion Baker	F	6-8	Fr.	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
10	Ryan Prather Jr.	G	6-5	R-Fr.	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
23	Marvin Musiime-Kamali	G/F	6-6	Fr.	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

FROM THE COACH

“These guys are so old. They’re used to winning and sacrificing and doing what it takes. I may never coach a team this old again. I got 6 guys that are 23 years and above.”

—John Groce

THE SCOOP

Congratulations to John Groce on notching his 10^th season as a MAC head coach.

While there’s no formal Ambassador’s Club membership that comes with such a milestone, Groce is synonymous with the MAC, now on his second stint as a head honcho in the league (Ohio from 2008-12). Of the league’s 11 other head coaches, only two outrank Groce in experience: Toledo’s Tod Kowalczyk and Kent State’s Rob Senderoff.

Naturally, it’s those two other guys who keep standing in the way of Groce’s regular-season title pursuit. Last year, it was another photo finish, but the Zips’ 13-5 mark fell two spots shy of Kent State and three below MAC champion Toledo. The same outcome applied in 2022, except with Kent State and Toledo flipped. That year, however, Groce got the last laugh when it mattered most: the MAC Tournament.

The 2022 NCAA Tournament appearance is still fresh in the minds of Zip nation. Usually, it’s a stretch to draw parallels between teams two years apart. However, there are some déjà vu vibes brewing with this 2024 rendition.

ROAD TO SUCCESS

As a coach, it’s not always wise to look backwards and fixate on what worked in the past. Today, competitors adapt, players change and the game itself continuously evolves. For John Groce, however, a stroll down the 2022 memory lane may illuminate a proven path back to the NCAA Tournament in 2024.

The boomerang transfer return of Ali Ali will light the way, as will the impending return of Mikal Dawson, a quasi-starter on the 2022 squad who missed last season with injury. The reunion of Ali and Dawson is a storybook backdrop to what could be a special season for the Zips.

Dawson and Ali were instrumental in the Zips’ near-upset over UCLA back in 2022. Last year, Dawson was on the mend while Ali dealt with his own health problems during a frustrating season at Butler. The former’s defensive flexibility and reliable shooting make him one of the best ‘role players’ in the league, while the latter’s passing and shooting ability is versatility personified on offense.

As exciting as these returns are, this is still Enrique Freeman’s kingdom. The multi-year All-MAC cornerstone and dexterous interior defender teamed with Ali to create a formidable tandem back in 2022, with Ali carrying the freight on offense while Freeman held down the defense. Freeman took on Ali’s centerfold position on offense last year, expanding his scoring and passing repertoire out of the post.

With the pair back together, the Zips could boast two interior hubs to play through. Better yet, integrating Ali alongside Freeman should be a breeze given the existing chemistry.

Don’t let Sammy Hunter get lost in the frontline shuffle, especially after his coming-out party in March. Hunter had a relatively quiet month of February, but he unleashed back-to-back 25-point performances against Ball State and Kent State to close out the regular season. Akin to Dawson’s 3-and-D value, Hunter is a two-way threat stretched into a forward’s frame.

Rookie Darrion Baker is a man-child in the middle and may be plugged in to bigger bully lineups. If he played anywhere else in the league, Baker could be a fringe starter.

In short, Akron’s combination of depth, talent and experience is second to none in this league, a fact best exemplified by the frontcourt gems.

In the team’s foreign tour this summer, Freeman displayed a newfound comfort zone along the perimeter, including shooting 3s off movement. That’s a scary proposition for the rest of the league, assuming he can convert at a high clip. The same goes for Dawson, who must regain his shooting stroke and shake off a year’s worth of rust.

POTENTIAL POTHOLES

Groce remembers those who doubted Xavier Castaneda before he suited up last fall. Those skeptics were quickly silenced and made to look foolish by season’s end.

The point is: Don’t dismiss this perimeter nucleus. There are question marks, sure, but Groce’s hit rate with freshmen and transfers deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Groce has young guns capable of stepping in, but he senses the moment of this year’s window. Thus, he took no chances on inexperience. Rather, he inked Kaleb Thornton from Northern Illinois and Shammah Scott from Wichita State to amp up the perimeter electricity. Groce must sort out who starts and who pairs best with other lineups, but both are worthy of the starter tag.

Rising sophomores Nate Johnson and Tavari Johnson are well-regarded returners expected to push Thornton and Scott for their spot in the pecking order. Both were highly regarded recruits coming in last summer and are set for takeoff this fall.

The bedrock of the backcourt is Greg Tribble, a defensive specialist who sets the tone for Akron’s coverage. Tribble’s offensive limitations can be frustrating, but his defensive value more than outweighs those flaws. He’ll be asked to run point in spurts this year, though his upside as a lead creator is limited by his rim-or-bust shot diet.

Another guard on deck is Ryan Prather Jr., a former three-star recruit who redshirted last season. It’s not often three-star prospects are slapped with the redshirt tag in this conference, further proof of Akron’s depth and robust internal competition. Groce said Prather was still nursing an injury over the summer, so he may not be cleared to play until fall.

There is a palpable and justified excitement about all the potential goldmines on the perimeter. However, it’s foolish to assume replacing Castaneda’s production is a quick fix. After missing the first two league games last year, he turned into a human blowtorch on offense.

THE X-FACTOR

Groce is gushing over his team’s depth, which was on full display in the Zips’ trip to Puerto Rico this summer. The sheer size across the frontline may push Ali to play some on wing, and even 2-guard in certain lineups. For reference, he operated predominantly as a 4-man next to Freeman back in 2022.

Now, the rocketship that is Hunter, coupled with the return of Dawson, gives Groce an endless supply of wings and forwards to play with.

The roster imbalance, however, portrays the perimeter as the Zips’ weakness. Whether that’s actually true or just a misnomer, comes down to Thornton, Scott, Tribble, Nate Johnson and Tavari Johnson. Collectively, this quintet runs the gamut of prototypes — but none is a bona fide scorer.

“Guys like Xavier Castaneda, and (Loren) Cristian Jackson — those guys were scorers,” Groce said. “Our scoring this year will be carried from the frontline. We need the point guards to make open shots, but their primary job will be facilitating for others and defending.”

On that note, role acceptance will also be pivotal this season. It’s possible that either Thornton or Tribble, or both, could come off the bench at times this season. It’s not about who starts, but who finishes — and who best optimizes Akron’s matchups on a night-to-night basis.

THE OUTLOOK

On paper, the Zips are primed for a re-run of that hit movie they produced back in 2022. From a roster makeup lens, the script is already written.

Ali and Dawson, two starters in 2022, will reunite for one last stand in hopes of recreating — or adding to — the 2022 NCAA Tournament magic. Now that Groce has these key cast members back, look for the Zips to get right to work in producing a satisfying sequel.

The foreign trip to Puerto Rico this summer was another feather in Akron’s cap. This team brings back a hearty portion of last year’s production but must insert new faces at key positions seamlessly. The trip abroad gave Groce a sneak preview of his lineup options and a head start for the 2024 campaign.

It’s easy to crown the Zips in the preseason with the intimidating frontcourt they’ll bring to bear. Guard play will be the key domino to track, though, and whichever way it falls could decide the fate of Akron’s 2024 campaign.

NBA NEWS

CAVALIERS PICK UP FOURTH-YEAR OPTION FOR C EVAN MOBLEY

The Cleveland Cavaliers exercised their fourth-year contract option on center Evan Mobley for the 2024-25 season.

Mobley signed a four-year, $36.7 million rookie deal after being selected third overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.

The 7-footer is set to earn $8.9 million this season and will take home $11.2 million in 2024-25, per Spotrac.

Mobley, 22, averaged 16.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 blocks in 79 games (all starts) last season.

He finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year voting and made the NBA All-Defensive first team.

Mobley and the Cavaliers open the 2023-24 regular season next Wednesday against the Nets in Brooklyn.

REPORT: BUCKS ASSISTANT TERRY STOTTS STEPS DOWN

Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Terry Stotts has stepped down, ESPN reported Thursday.

Stotts, 65, joined new Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin’s staff in June after two years out of the league.

Stotts was the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers for nine seasons from 2012-21, reaching the playoffs in each of his last eight seasons.

His best player in Portland was guard Damian Lillard, who is entering his first season with Milwaukee.

Stotts previously was the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks (2002-04) and the Bucks (2005-07) for two seasons each.

Stotts has an overall record of 517-486 in the regular season and 23-44 in the postseason as a head coach.

Griffin, Lillard and the Bucks open the regular season on Oct. 26 at home against the Philadelphia 76ers.

HARDEN SKIPS 76ERS PRACTICE FOR SECOND DAY. NURSE SAYS ‘UNLIKELY’ HE’LL PLAY IN PRESEASON FINALE

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden skipped practice Thursday for the second straight day, with the team officially saying the disgruntled player is away because of a personal matter.

“I think the organization has made it clear what’s going on,” coach Nick Nurse said at the 76ers’ New Jersey complex. “They’re working on stuff, as we say, day by day. We had a really good practice today. Very energetic. The guys that were here, that’s what we’re focused on.”

Harden has yet to play in the preseason. He did attend training camp and continued to practice with the 76ers in the wake of his offseason trade demand. Harden said last week his fractured relationship with team president Daryl Morey could not be repaired – comparing it to a broken marriage – and said over the summer that he could not play for the 76ers.

Part of Harden’s complaint stems from his belief he should have earned a long-term contract with the Sixers after last season. It never came, thus the trade demand.

Harden, who was evasive last week about the status of his trade demand, said he could try to play in the Sixers’ preseason finale on Friday against Atlanta. Nurse, in his first season, said Harden playing in the finale now seems “unlikely.”

“It’s been ongoing for a long time now,” Nurse said. “I’ve got a job to do with the guys that are here and we just go to work. If that changes, we’ll adjust. That’s what we do.”

Harden has been one of the league’s top players for the past decade, winning three scoring titles and the 2018 league MVP award. He led the league in assists last season.

NHL NEWS

NHL ROUNDUP: KNIGHTS OPEN 5-0-0 AFTER GROUNDING JETS

Jack Eichel scored the go-ahead goal on a power play with 4:36 remaining as the visiting Vegas Golden Knights set a franchise record with their fifth straight win to begin a season, beating the Winnipeg Jets 5-3 on Thursday night.

Vegas’ Jonathan Marchessault, Brett Howden, Alec Martinez and Nicolas Roy also scored.

Shea Theodore had three assists, Mark Stone added two assists and Logan Thompson finished with 36 saves for the Golden Knights, who tied the NHL record for best start to a season for a reigning Stanley Cup champion. Vegas joined the 1985-86 Edmonton Oilers and the 1920-21 Ottawa Senators with their 5-0-0 start.

Alex Iafallo scored twice, Nikolaj Ehlers had two assists and Cole Perfetti also scored for Winnipeg. Laurent Brossoit, who was in goal when the Golden Knights eliminated the Jets in five games in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs last season, made 22 saves in his Jets debut.

Coyotes 6, Blues 2

Clayton Keller got the better of his hometown team by recording a goal and an assist to fuel visiting Arizona past St. Louis.

Born in the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield, Mo., Keller collected his second goal of the season early in the second period. He also set up Nick Schmaltz’s tally later in the period for his 26th career point (11 goals, 15 assists) in 25 games against his hometown team.

Schmaltz and defenseman Sean Durzi each had a goal and an assist, and Jason Zucker, Nick Bjugstad and defenseman Sean Durzi each scored on the power play. Michael Carcone also scored, Matias Maccelli and Juuso Valimaki each notched two assists, and Connor Ingram made 24 saves as the Coyotes concluded their season-opening road trip with a 2-2-0 record. Jakub Vrana collected a goal and an assist, Sammy Blais also scored and Joel Hofer turned aside 36 shots in his season debut for the Blues.

Predators 4, Rangers 1

Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg scored power-play goals in the second period as visiting Nashville earned a dominating victory over New York.

Nashville’s Cole Smith produced his first career two-goal game by scoring twice in less than five minutes during the opening period. Tyson Barrie contributed two assists as the Predators improved to 2-3-0 under new coach Andrew Brunette.

Adam Fox scored a power-play goal for New York, which also saw a goal by Vincent Trocheck disallowed in the third period because of an offside call.

Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 1

Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Kevin Stenlund each scored their first goals with Florida, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves as the Panthers won their home opener, defeating Toronto.
Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews, who entered the night leading the NHL with six goals, was held without a point.

Florida, which went 0-for-4 on its power play, won its second straight game. Sam Reinhart tallied an empty-net goal just before the game ended, and he and Aleksander Barkov had assists for Florida, which won its home opener for the fifth straight season.

Flames 4, Sabres 3

Adam Ruzicka broke a deadlock early in the third period and visiting Calgary snapped a two-game skid with a win over struggling Buffalo.

Jonathan Huberdeau, Walker Duehr and Blake Coleman also scored for the Flames, who had dropped the first two affairs of a five-game road trip. Goaltender Dan Vladar stopped 24 shots to net the victory in his first start of the season. Calgary has won six consecutive games in Buffalo.

Erik Johnson, Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka replied for the Sabres, who have lost three of four games to start the season. Goalie Devon Levi made 32 saves.

Flyers 4, Oilers 1

Cam Atkinson scored two goals to lift host Philadelphia over Edmonton.

Sean Walker and Joel Farabee added one goal apiece for the Flyers, who won their second game in a row and for the third time in four games.

Zach Hyman scored the lone goal for the Oilers, who have lost three of four games to open the season. Star forward Connor McDavid was held without a shot on goal.

Kings 7, Wild 3

Pierre-Luc Dubois scored two first-period goals in 12 seconds, and Los Angeles pulled away against Minnesota in Saint Paul, Minn.

Carl Grundstrom, Vladislav Gavrikov, Trevor Moore, Adrian Kempe and Blake Lizotte also scored for the Kings, who posted back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Connor Dewar, Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek scored for Minnesota.

Lightning 4, Canucks 3

Nikita Kucherov had two goals, including one of two power-play tallies, as Tampa Bay beat visiting Vancouver for the seventh straight time.

Nicholas Paul scored on the power play and had an assist, and Michael Eyssimont found the net for the Lightning, who won for the first time in four games. In the lineup for the first time in three games after a lower-body injury, team captain Steven Stamkos notched an assist.

J.T. Miller had a goal and an assist, and Brock Boeser and Tyler Myers had goals for the Canucks. Thatcher Demko (1-2-0) made 32 saves.

NASCAR NEWS

WEEKEND PREVIEW: HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY

With Kyle Larson’s victory last week at Las Vegas, one member of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 is set and three positions remain up for grabs as the series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway for Sunday’s 4EVER 400 Presented by Mobil 1 (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) — the race named in honor of 2014 series champion Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, who is retiring at the end of the season.

The Playoff picture looks highly competitive as teams show up in South Florida for the annual 400-miler around the 1.5-mile track just outside the Florida Keys.

Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron, who held more than a 20-point margin on the Playoff cutoff line earlier in the Playoffs, now tops the standings by a slight nine points. Regular Season Champion Martin Truex Jr. and his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin are tied only two-points to the good.

Sitting just below — two points back — is their JGR teammate Christopher Bell in fifth place. Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing is 16 points behind, followed by Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, who is 17 points back. RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher is only 23 points behind Hamlin with two Playoff races remaining to decide which four drivers will compete for the sport’s biggest trophy on Nov. 5 at Phoenix Raceway.

All four highest-ranked drivers arrive in Homestead-Miami with confidence and a solid track record. The 2021 series champion Larson is the defending race winner. Byron won in 2021. Truex won in 2017 to claim that season title and Hamlin leads the entire series with three Homestead victories — 2009, 2013, 2020 — which ties the all-time record held by both Greg Biffle and NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart.

For Byron, a third victory at the track (also including his 2016 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win) would put him into the championship finale for the first time in his six-year career in the elite NASCAR Cup Series. His six wins in 2023 has tripled his previous single season output. His 13 top-fives are the most in his career as well, and his 19 top-10 finishes are one shy of equaling a career-high mark.

Since Hamlin was paired with crew chief Chris Gabehart in 2019, the 42-year-old has won races at eight of the 10 Playoff tracks. And Hamlin’s career average finish at Homestead of 9.833 is second best among the Playoff contenders.

“We’re looking forward to this weekend,” said Hamlin, who has finished fourth or better in the championship six times including a best showing of runner-up in 2010.

“Obviously, we would have liked to have finished last week a little better to be in a better spot in the points, but we feel good about Homestead. It’s a track we’ve had some success at and feel like we can run up front and score points.

“That’s the name of the game right now to just qualify up front, score points in the stages and finish as good as we can. It’d be awesome to win the race and lock ourselves in, but if we can’t do that, we need to maximize our day.”

His teammate Truex is currently tied for most Championship 4 appearances (five) since the elimination format started in 2014. Although he won three races and his second Regular Season Championship this year, Truex only scored his first top-10 of this year’s Playoffs last week at Las Vegas.

“That’s the kind of track I really like,” Truex said of Homestead. “You can run all over and it’s really low-grip and it wears tires out. You really have to manage your car and your tires throughout runs. Be able to move around the track and find lines that work for you.

“It’s a big challenge and I enjoy tracks like that. I love South Florida and love going down there. A lot of great fans.”

On the flip side, three of the drivers ranked in the bottom half of the Playoff eight have never advanced to the Championship 4 previously. Bell, who scored a walk-off home run of sorts, winning at Martinsville, Va., a week before the 2022 Phoenix finale, is the only one.

And Bell’s average finish of 13.0 at Homestead is best among those four drivers below the cutoff line, though Reddick won back-to-back NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Homestead-Miami to earn championships in 2018-19.

Practice followed by Busch Light Pole Qualifying will begin at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday and can be viewed on the NBC Sports App.

–Four spots still up for grabs in NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs’ Championship 4

The second race in the Round of 8 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series takes place Saturday in the back half of a NASCAR doubleheader at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Contender Boats 300 (3 p.m. ET on USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) marks the 29th series race at the 1.5-mile track — most of any NASCAR series there — and there have been 22 different race winners.

Last weekend Las Vegas native Riley Herbst — who is not in Playoff contention — scored his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in front of his hometown crowd. The 14-second win was the largest margin of victory this season for the series and that win means the Championship 4 picture remains wide open this weekend for the eight title-eligible drivers.

Joe Gibbs Racing’s John Hunter Nemechek leads the championship standings coming to a track where his father Joe holds multiple Xfinity Series records from wins (three) to laps completed (3,514). The 26-year-old Nemechek — a career best seven-race winner this season — holds a healthy 47-point edge on the four-driver Playoff cutoff line.

JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier, a three-time winner this season, sits second in points with a 21-point cushion among the top-4, followed by Regular Season Champion, Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill (+19) and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer (+15).

Kaulig Racing’s Chandler Smith is 15 points below the cutoff, followed by JR Motorsports Sam Mayer (-16), Joe Gibbs Racing’s Sammy Smith (-35) and RCR’s Sheldon Creed (-41).

Only two previous Homestead winners are entered this weekend — Custer (2017) and Myatt Snider (2021). Noah Gragson is the defending race winner.

Much to the pleasure of NASCAR fans, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be making his second start of the season, driving the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. A two-time Xfinity Series champion, the NASCAR Hall of Famer has four top-10s in six career Homestead races. Earnhardt led 47 laps in the Bristol, Tenn., Xfinity Series race two weeks ago before a fire in the car left him to a 30th-place finish.

Practice and then qualifying sessions for the Contender Boats 300 are scheduled to begin at 6:05 p.m. ET on Friday and will be televised on the USA Network and streamed on the NBC Sports App.

–Last chance for NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series drivers to make the Championship 4 Round

After a two-week break, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs continue with Saturday’s Baptist Health Cancer Care 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Noon, ET on FS1, MRN SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) — the first of an afternoon NASCAR doubleheader.

This race will formally set the Championship 4 drivers who will compete for the 2023 title on Nov. 3 at Phoenix Raceway.

With a win at Bristol, Tenn., TRICON Garage’s Corey Heim is the only Playoff driver to have formally secured his position to race for the championship, meaning three spots are still to be decided.

Niece Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar tops the standings below Heim and holds a healthy 22-point advantage over fifth place, GMS Racing’s Grant Enfinger. Christian Eckes, who just re-signed with the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing team this week and Rev Racing’s Nick Sanchez round out the top-4 heading into Homestead-Miami — nine-points and three-points ahead of the cutoff, respectively.

Former series champion Ben Rhodes of ThorSport Racing is sixth in the standings, only five points behind Sanchez. His ThorSport teammate Ty Majeski is 19 points off the top four and defending series champion, Front Row Motorsports’ Zane Smith is 36 points off the pace.

Majeski is the defending Homestead-Miami race winner, leading 67 of the 134 laps last year to clinch his first Championship 4 appearance — finishing nearly five-seconds ahead of the runner-up Smith. Veteran Matt Crafton, who is no longer championship-eligible, is the only other previous Homestead winner in the field, claiming the trophy in 2015.

Of the championship contenders, Enfinger and Rhodes have the most starts (six). Enfinger has three top 10s — most among the Playoff drivers — and an 11.8 average finish. Majeski is 2-for-2 in top-10 finishes and boasts the best average finish (5.5) among those with multiple starts.

This will mark Miami native Sanchez’s season debut at his home track.

Of note, IndyCar standout Marco Andretti is entered at both Homestead and the Phoenix season finale. He’ll be driving the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet. He made his series debut at Mid-Ohio SportsCar Course this summer, finishing 19th.

Practice and qualifying sessions begin at 4:05 p.m. ET on Friday.

WOMEN’S GOLF

ASHLEIGH BUHAI FIRES 62 FOR BMW LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD

South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai made a rousing return to the LPGA Tour with a 10-under-par 62 to grab a one-shot lead after Thursday’s opening round of the BMW Ladies Championship in Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.

Sidelined for five weeks with a back injury, the 34-year-old Buhai reached her career-best score with 10 birdies in a bogey-free round at the 6,647-yard Seowon Hills at Seowon Valley Country Club.

“My wedge play was really solid today. I mean, I hit every time and just about had a wedge in my hand, I hit it to a couple feet. So I didn’t have to think too hard on those putts. But then I rolled the ball really well too,” said Buhai, who won the ShopRite LPGA Classic in June.

“When I didn’t hit it too close, the ones that didn’t go in burnt the edges. So I felt all round of my game is in a good place at the moment.”

Buhai said she is still recovering from the back injury but felt refreshed coming into the event.

“I’ve had one week of practice coming into here. And my goal for this week was to play with no expectations, and that’s often when you try to play well in a game,” Buhai said. “My coach came into Florida last week, we worked on three things, and I’ve just tried to stick to doing those three things.”

Alison Lee matched her career-best 18-hole score with a 9-under 63 to sit one shot back, finishing a clean round with four birdies on the front and five on the back.

Lee has two previous top-10 finishes at the BMW Ladies Championship.

“I feel like my game is in a really good place. I’m striking the ball really well. I feel really good about my swing. Just something that’s been lacking over the last year has been the putting,” Lee said. “And so today I was just making the putts I wanted to make. And it was a lot of fun for me out there, being able to shoot 9-under. I think that’s tying my record for lowest round out here in tournament play on tour. So I’m really happy with that.”

Japan’s Ayaka Furue and Australia’s Minjee Lee are tied for third at 8-under. Another shot back are England’s Jody Ewart Shadoff, Sweden’s Maja Stark, South Korea’s Hae Ran Ryu and China’s Ruoning Yin.

Defending champion Lydia Ko of Australia is tied for 11th at 5-under.

MEN’S GOLF

COLLIN MORIKAWA SEIZES 1-SHOT LEAD AT ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP

Collin Morikawa carded a 6-under-par 64 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Zozo Championship on Thursday in Chiba, Japan.

Morikawa highlighted his bogey-free round with five birdies over his first eight holes. He resides one shot ahead of Robby Shelton, Mikumu Horikawa of Japan, PGA Tour rookie Eric Cole, Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark and Emiliano Grillo of Argentina at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club.

“There’s obviously a little bit more meaning to this tournament for me,” said Morikawa, who has Japanese heritage on his father’s side.

“But look, a win’s a win. I’ll take a win anywhere, right. I’m doing everything I can the next three days and kind of tonight to make sure I give myself the best opportunity to do that.”

Morikawa recorded his third opening round of 64 or better this season. He is seeking his sixth career title and first since winning the 2021 Open Championship.

Shelton collected six birdies against one bogey to post his lowest first-round score on the PGA Tour since he shot a 63 at the 2022 Bermuda Championship. He missed the cut in nine of his last 11 starts on the tour.

“(I) just got off to a good start with the putter,” Shelton said. “I hit a few greens early and the putts fell. Kind of got me a little calmer out there and just kind of rode it. Played well on the back and had the birdie on 18 to finish it off.”

Zac Blair sits at 4-under, one shot ahead of a nine-man contingent that includes Xander Schauffele and defending champion Keegan Bradley.

“Birdied all the par 5s, which is always a good thing, and played them — was able to hit the green in two on two out of three. Pretty happy,” Schauffele said. “Got a little windy through certain parts of the round and I wasn’t able to hit sort — the times I hit the fairway, I wasn’t able to sort of capitalize on a good wedge shot, so probably going to go try and clean that up right now.”

Bradley, who birdied his final two holes on Thursday, broke out of a four-year winless slump when he captured last year’s Zozo title. He went on to win again during the summer at the Travelers Championship and rose to No. 16 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan went 3-under over his final five holes to finish at 1-under 69.

INDIANA RELEASES/TOP HEADLINES

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL-THE BIGGEST GAMES TO WATCH

#14 COACHES POLL..HOBART (7-2) AT # 10 COACHES POLL..NEW PRAIRIE (7-2)…HOBART IS AVERGING ALMOST 39 PPG. QB JONNY SORENSON HAS THROWN FOR 1,447 YARDS AND 16TD’S. THE RUNNING GAME IS AVERAGING 200.7 YPG. THE COUGARS DEFENSE GIVES UP ONLY 13 PER GAME AND HAS ALLOWED ONLY 20 POINTS IN THEIR LAST THREE GAMES. SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE EITHER WAY.

#7 COACHES POLL…EAST NOBLE (7-2) AT #6 COACHES POLL NEW HAVEN (8-1)…EAST NOBLE HAS A POWERFUL SCORING MACHINE (39 PPG). QB ZANDER BRAZEL HAS THROWN FOR 1,438 YARDS AND 17 TD’S. THE RUNNING ATTACK AVERAGES 247 YPG. THE BULLDOGS ALSO HAVE A POWERFUL SCORING MACHINE AT 37 PPG. BY THE WAY, EAST NOBLE BEAT NEW HAVEN IN WEEK 8 31-21. NEW HAVEN QB DONOVAN WILLIAMS IS HAVING A BANNER YEAR COMPLETING 64% OF HIS PASSES WITH 1,704 YARDS AND 21 TD’S.

BREBEUF JESUIT (4-4) AT NORTHVIEW (6-3)….BREBEUF QB MAVERICK GESKE HAS 2,380 PASSING YARDS AND 27 TD’S. NORTHVIEW CAN RUN THE FOOTBALL WITH THE BEST OF THEM AT 333 YARDS PER GAME. TYLER LEE HAS 1,350 YARDS AND 19 SCORES AND QB KYLE COTTEE HAS 1,148 PASSING YARDS AND 16 SCORES.

# 12 COACHES POLL…PENDLETON HEIGHTS (7-2) AT #4 COACHES POLL…GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (8-1)…GREENFIELD HASN’T WON A SECTIONAL TITLE SINCE 1975. THE COUGARS HAVE A RUNNING ATTACK TO GO ALONG WITH A LETHAL AIR ATTACK. GC IS AVERAGING 273 YARDS RUSHING AND QB DALLAS FREEMAN HAS OVER 1,300 PASSING YARDS AND 19 TD’S. PENDLETON WILL LOOK TO AVENGE A WEEK 4 LOSS TO GC 44-38.

#13 COACHES POLL..MARTINSVILLE (6-3) AT SILVER CREEK (6-3)…THE ARTISIANS HAVE WON THREE STRAIGHT. QB AJ REYNOLDS HAS THROWN FOR 1,362 YARDS AND 14TD. RB BRAYDEN SHRAKE IS SOLID ON THE GROUND WITH 1,376 YARDS AND 10 TD’S. SILVER CREEK HAS WON 5 OF 6. THE DRAGONS AVERAGE 211.4 YARDS PER GAME RUSHING.

RIVER FOREST (6-3) AT #12 IN COACHES POLL..WEST LAFAYETTE (6-3)…THE INGOTS HEAD INTO THE PLAYOFFS ON A THREE GAME WINNING STREAK, ALLOWING ONLY 14 TOTAL POINTS. THEY HAVE A STRONG RUNNING ATTACK AT 202.8 YARDS PER GAME. MEANWHILE, WEST LAFAYETTE HAS LOST 2 OF THEIR LAST 3. QB CARSON KITCHEL HAS THROWN FOR 1,849 YARDS WITH 17 TD’S.

#11 IN COACHES POLL..KNOX (9-0) AT LAKELAND (6-3)…KNOX IS AVERAGING 40 POINTS PER GAME WHILE ALLOWING ONLY 11. LAKELAND IS NO SLOUCH ON OFFENSE AT 38 POINTS PER GAME. LAKELAND FEATURES THE ONE TWO PUNCH IN QB BRYADEN HOLBROOK (1,530 YARDS) AND RB SEAN CONLEY (1,154 YARDS).

MISHAWAKA MARIAN (5-4) AT #11 IN AP POLL…WEST NOBLE (9-0)…MISHAWAKA MARIAN HAS WON 4 OF 5 HEADING INTO THE TOURNAMENT. WEST NOBLE IS ON A ROLL AFTER BEATING LAKELAND IN OT IN WEEK 7. THE CHARGERS AVERAGE 39 PPG.

#2 IN COACHES POLL..GUERIN CATHOLIC (7-2) AT #13 IN COACHES POLL..PERU (9-0)…PERU IS RANKED 9^TH. GUERIN IS HOPING TO GET ANOTHER SHOT AT BISHOP CHATARD. PERU RUNS THE BALL AT 345 YARDS PER GAME.

#6 IN COACHES POLL…TIPPECANOE VALLEY (9-0) AT #1 IN COACHES POLL..INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (9-0)..THE DEFENDING 3A CHAMPS WILL GET A CHALLENGE AGAINST T-VALLEY. VALLEY LIKES TO RUN THE FOOTBALL BUT ARE WITHOUT THEIR BEST RB. CHATARD HAS PLAYED ANOTHER VERY TOUGH SCHEDULE.

#13 IN COACHES POLL…DANVILLE (7-2) AT #8 IN COACHES POLL.. TRI-WEST (8-1)….DANVILLE IS LOOKING FOR REDEMPTION AFTER LOSING TO TRI-WEST IN WEEK FIVE. TRI-WEST QB MALACHI WALDEN WILL BE A TEST FOR DANVILLE. WALDEN HGAS RUSHED FOR ALMOST 1,200 YARDS AND HAS 13 TD’S.

WESTERN BOONE (6-3) AT NORTH MONTGOMERY (5-4)…ANOTHER WEEK 5 RE-MATCH. NORTH MONTGOMERY BEAT WEBO 20-17. CAN WEBO TAKE GAME 2?

#9 IN COACHES POLL…LAWRENCEBURG (7-2) AT CENTERVILLE (9-0)…THE TIGERS HAVE A BALANCED ATTACK AT 148 PASSING YARDS PER GAME AND 158 YARDS ON THE GROUND. MEANWHILE THE BULLDOGS ARE ROLLING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FOOTBALL (42PPG)…DEFENSE (9.7). QB JAKE TINKLE HAS 1,781 PASSING YARDS AND 20 TD’S.

CHARLESTOWN (6-3) AT #5 IN COACHES POLL..HERITAGE HILLS (8-1)…THE PIRATES HAVE WON FOUR STRAIGHT OUTSCORING THEIR OPPONENTS 201-44. WATCH FOR QB CLAY MCCLELLAND 1,181 PASSING YARDS AND 13 TD’S. HERTIAGE HILLS IS 8-1 FOR A REASON. THE PATRIOTS AVERAGE 41PPG AND ALLOW ONLY 9.7. THEY WILL RUN THE FOOTBALL AVERAGING 286.7 YARDS PER GAME.

#7 IN COACHES POLL..BLUFFTON (7-2) AT #6 IN COACHES POLL..ALEXANDRIA (8-1)….BLUFFTON HAS LOST TWO OF THEIR LAST THREE. THE TIGERS WILL COUNT ON THE RUN AT 172 YARDS PER GAME. ALEXANDRIA HAS A HIGH POWERED OFFENSE (39PPG). QB BRADY GAST HAS 1,476 YARDS AND 16 TD’S AND ONLY 2 INT’S. RB CARSON CUENO HAS RUSHED FOR 1,033 YARDS AND 18TD’S.

NORTHEASTERN (7-2) AT WINCHESTER (6-2)…NORTHEASTERN CAN SCORE (39PPG). QB BLAKE WATERS HAS 1,606 YARDS AND 21 TD’S. THE KNIGHTS ALSO RUN THE FOOTBALL AT 196 YARDS PER GAME. WINCHESTER LOST TO THE KNIGHTS IN WEEK THREE 19-7. THE FALCONS HAVE WON FOUR STRAIGHT OUTSCORING THEIR OPPONENTS 177-13.

#15 IN COACHES POLL..FOUNTAIN CENTRAL (6-3) AT #5 IN COACHES POLL..PARK TUDOR (9-0)…THE MUSTANGS HAVE LOST TWO OF THEIR LAST FOUR. FRESHMAN QB ELI FOXWORTHY HAS THROWN FOR 1,667 YARDS AND 22 TD’S. THE GROUND GAME AVERAGES 194 YARDS PER GAME. THE PANTHERS A HAVE ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL OFFENSES IN THE STATE. THEY AVERAGE 52.6 PPG. THE DEFENSE ISN’T BAD EITHER (10.8). PARK TUDOR HAS HAD JUST ONE CLOSE GAME THIS SEASON (44-38 WIN OVER SHORTRIDGE). QB DJ GORDON IS A ONE MAN SHOW WITH 1,840 PASSING YARDS AND 21 TD’S AND 1,171 RUSHING YARDS AND ANOTHER 23 TD’S.

#3 IN COACHES POLL..CARROLL (FLORA) (9-0) AT TRI-COUNTY (5-3)…WANT A SHUT DOWN DEFENSE? LOOK AT THE COUGARS. THEY HAVE ALLOWED ONLY 27 (3.0PPG) TOTAL POINTS THIS SEASON WHILE OUTSCORING THEIR OPPONENTS WITH 442 (49.1). NOT ONE OPPONENT HAS SCORED MORE THAN SEVEN IN ANY ONE GAME. THE CAVALIERS HAVE WON FOUR STRAIGHT. THEY WANT TO RUN THE FOOTBALL (243 YARDS PER GAME.

SOUTH ADAMS (6-3) AT #2 IN COACHES POLL…ADAMS CENTRAL (9-0)…THE STARFIRES HAVE WON FOUR OF THEIR LAST FIVE. THEY HAVE A BALANCED ATTACK WITH 128 PASSING YARDS AND 143 RUSHING YARDS PER GAME. SOUTH ADAMS LOST TO ADAMS CENTRAL IN WEEK SIX 48-0. THE FLYING JETS ARE ANOTHER DEFENSIVE JUGGERNAUT ALLOWING ONLY 5.0 PPG. ONLY ONE TEAM HAS SCORE IN DOUBLE DIGITS (FW BLACKHAWK 10).

HAGERSTOWN (6-3) AT SHERIDAN (6-3)…SHERIDAN DESTROYED THE TIGERS IN LAST YEAR’S SECTIONAL TITLE GAME 75-36. SHERIDAN IS THE FAVORITE TO WIN THIS SECTIONAL.

SOUTH DECATUR (7-2) AT #15 IN COACHES POLL..NORTH DECATUR (6-3)…THE COUGARS AVERAGE 217 RUSHING YARDS PER GAME WITH 35 TD’S. CORBIN JOHNSON LEADS THE WAY WITH 1,268 YARDS AND 19 SCORES. SOUTH DECATUR HAS PITCHED THREE STRAIGHT SHUTOUTS AND HAVE OUTSCORED THEM 154-0. QB MASON MORRIS LEADS THE PASSING ATTACK WITH 1,091 YARDS AND 15 TD’S. THE GROUND GAME AVERAGES 200 PER GAME.

INDIANA PACERS

GAME PREVIEW: PACERS VS CAVALIERS (PRESEASON)

One last tune-up game remains for the Indiana Pacers before the 2023-2024 regular season tips off, as the Blue & Gold conclude exhibition play Friday when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Indiana enters its final preseason game riding a 116-12 Monday victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Against Atlanta, Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton returned to the hardwood after sitting out the first two preseason contests. Haliburton had an active summer, playing for Team USA in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Haliburton’s presence made an immediate impact, as the Pacers climbed to a 27-point halftime lead after the Blue & Gold dropped 43 points in the second quarter. From there, the team never looked back. Haliburton finished with 15 points and eight assists in just over 23 minutes of play, while Aaron Nesmith (15 points), Myles Turner (13 points), and Buddy Hield (11 points) all also finished in double-digit scoring.

With Haliburton returning to the starting five, T.J. McConnell returned to the bench. First-year Pacers Bruce Brown and Obi Toppin, second-year guard Bennedict Mathurin, and veteran center Myles Turner completed the first unit.

While Indiana and Atlanta each shot 48 percent overall, the Pacers made 18 3-pointers to the Hawks’ 12 treys and had 12 turnovers to the visitors’ 17 giveaways. Fourteen different players logged minutes for the Pacers.

The Pacers will likely have second-year guard Andrew Nembhard make his preseason debut on Friday, who is set to return after missing time due to a kidney stone.

Cleveland enters their final preseason game without a win against an NBA team. In a 108-105 loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday, the Cavs trailed by 12 at halftime and couldn’t complete a late comeback despite posting 29 points in the final frame.

Cavs All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell logged 29 minutes in the game, finishing with nine points, four rebounds and three assists, while speedy point guard Darius Garland led the team with 19 points.

The Cavaliers did win against Maccabi Ra’anana of the Israeli National League in their third preseason game on Monday.

Last regular season, Cleveland finished 3-1 against the Pacers, but each game was decided by seven or fewer points.

For the Pacers, Haliburton averaged 20.3 points, 11.3 assists and two rebounds against the Cavs in three games played, Mathurin averaged 18.3 points and 5.3 rebounds.

Mitchell proved a handful for the Pacers last season, averaging 32 points, 4.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals over the four games. Garland also gave the Pacers difficulties, averaging 20.5 points, 7.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds versus the Blue & Gold.

The Cavs are anchored by 6-foot-9 forward Jarrett Allen and 6-11 center Evan Mobley in the frontcourt, which helped the team establish the No. 1 defensive rating in the NBA last season at 109.9 by giving up a league-best 106.88 points per game.

In the offseason, the Cavs notably added shooting guard Max Strus and small forward Georges Niang, and drafted Eastern Michigan’s Emoni Bates with the 49th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

After hosting the Cavs, the Pacers will have four days rest before opening their season – for the second straight year – at home against the Washington Wizards on Oct. 25.

Projected Starters

Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Bruce Brown, F – Bennedict Mathurin, F – Obi Toppin, C – Myles Turner

Cavaliers: G – Darius Garland, G – Donovan Mitchell , F – Damian Jones, F – Max Strug, C – Evan Mobley

Injury Report

Pacers: TBA

Cavaliers: TBA

Last Meeting

April 2, 2023: Behind a 40-point effort from Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs defeated the Pacers 115-105 at Rocket Mortgage Arena. With the loss, the Blue & Gold were officially eliminated from postseason contention.

The two teams went blow-for-blow through the first three quarters, with neither team leading by more than two points after each quarter, before the Cavs held the Pacers to just 18 points – forcing eight turnovers – in the final frame to come out with the win.

Bennedict Mathurin topped the Pacers with 19 points to go along with nine rebounds, and Jordan Nwora secured a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double. Off the bench, T.J. McConnell.

Also for the Cavs, Darius Garland added 20 points and six assists and center Evan Mobley tallied 14 points while collecting 16 rebounds.

Both teams shot 9-for-24 from 3-point range (37.5 percent), but the Cavs shot 48.9 percent from the field overall, while the Pacers made 43.4 percent of their attempts.

Noteworthy

Former Pacers forward Caris LeVert is entering his second full (third overall) season with the Cavs since being traded in February 2022 from Indiana. One of the picks the Pacers acquired in the trade turned into this year’s 26th overall pick (Belmont’s Ben Sheppard).

Tyrese Haliburton and Georges Niang both played college basketball at Iowa State. While the two are good friends, they were never on the same Cyclones team.

Darius Garland is a Gary, Ind. native.

Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)

TV: Bally Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)

INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER

NO. 19 HOOSIERS FALL TO UNDEFEATED NO. 4 PENN STATE

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 19 Indiana (11-2-4, 5-2-2 B1G) fell to No. 4 Penn State, 2-0, at Jeffery Field on Thursday evening.

KEY MOMENTS

• Junior midfielder Olivia Rush saw Indiana’s first chance on goal in the 18th minute as she received a pass inside the center of the field, taking a strike just outside the 18-yard box before the Nittany Lions’ graduate goalkeeper Katherine Asman made the save.

• Penn State (12-0-4, 6-0-3 B1G) found the back of the net first with a goal in the 20th minute after earning a free kick off an Indiana yellow card just outside the 18-yard box.

• Freshman midfielder Elle Britt opened the half with another dangerous strike in the 47th minute. She fired one at the top center of the net, but Asman would another grab.

• PSU extended the lead as they found the back of the net again in the 81st minute to seal it.

HOOSIER POINTS

GOALS: None.

ASSISTS: None.

NOTABLES

• The Hoosiers recorded eight shots with two on goal.

• Graduate forward Paige Webber led the team with three shots.

• Junior goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg picked up three saves reaching 130 on her career.

UP NEXT

Indiana will conclude the regular season on Sunday afternoon at Maryland. The match is set for 1 p.m. ET on B1G+.

INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER

IU MEN’S SOCCER TAKES MOMENTUM TO MARYLAND

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana men’s soccer (6-3-4, 2-1-2 B1G) owns a three-game winning streak coming into a Big Ten road match at Maryland (3-6-3, 0-4-2 B1G) – a meeting that’s pivotal for both teams, per usual.

IU’s recent form has put them in contention for the conference regular season crown going into the final two weeks of play. Maryland, traditionally a league power like IU, is trying to keep its Big Ten Tournament hopes alive after going winless from its first six conference matches.

Fans can watch the match on the Big Ten Network. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET.

KICKING OFF

• Friday’s matchup features the Big Ten’s two winningest active head coaches, by percentage. Maryland’s Sasho Cirovski owns a .694 mark, which ranks No. 2 all-time behind legendary former IU head coach Jerry Yeagley (.821). Current IU head coach Todd Yeagley sits third all-time, right on Cirovski’s heels, at .687.

• Indiana is among the country’s elite in two key statistical categories: The Hoosiers rank No. 9 in goals against average (.615) and No. 15 in shots per game (15.2).

• Senior defender Joey Maher was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Indiana allowed just one shot on goal in two wins last week, including a shutout of Evansville.

• Junior forward Samuel Sarver has provided four goal contributions (two goals and two assists) during IU’s three-match winning streak.

• Senior forward Karsen Henderlong has scored three goals in IU’s last four matches.

ABOUT THE TERRAPINS

• Maryland is 3-6-3, 0-4-2 in Big Ten matches and 3-3-2 at home. The Terrapins are undefeated in their last three but tied Michigan State 2-2 their last time out.

• Maryland is led by head coach Sasho Cirovski, who owns a 428-170-67 record over 31 seasons in College Park and a 454-182-73 career mark over 33 seasons as a head coach.

• Freshman forward Luke van Heukelum was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after amassing two goals and three assists over two matches last week.

• Senior forward Stefan Copetti leads the Terps with four goals. Freshman forward Kimani Stewart-Baynes has a team-high 11 points from three goals and five assists.

SERIES HISTORY

• Indiana has the better of the all-time series, owning a 7-5-8 record all-time against the Terps.

• Last year’s meetings were full of drama. The teams met in the final match of the regular season for the fourth straight season. IU led 1-0 from a 25th minute goal and held the Terrapins scoreless into the 87th minute before they equalized. In that moment, the Hoosiers flipped from Big Ten co-Champions to the No. 4 seed in the tournament as the match ended in a 1-1 draw. The teams met again in the Big Ten Tournament, and the Hoosiers earned a statement 2-1 win to advance to the championship match.

• The two teams have met six times in the Big Ten Tournament, with IU advancing in four of those instances.

INDIANA FOOTBALL: IU COACH TOM ALLEN

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– Indiana football head coach Tom Allen talked to the media one last time in front of a meeting with Rutgers at Memorial Stadium for a noon kickoff on Big Ten Network this Saturday (October 21).

Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.

Tom Allen | Head Coach

On his approach with the team after a game like last weekend…

TA: That is a great point. I think you have to look at the big picture. You got to understand what your goals are and the fact that they are all still in front of you and are all still available to you is a great motivator, without question. But you can also get caught up in the discouragement of not having recent success your last couple of weeks. Bottom line is you have to remind them of what we are, what we do have in front of us and to be able to focus on the daily process and the consistency of your preparation: the little things every day to create the change you are looking for on game, which is obviously what the objective is as a football team.

I just think it is keeping them grounded, meeting with some guys one-on-one, meet with your leaders and having them go out and impact the team. Then you have your 10 position groups and those coaches all doing the same thing with consistent messaging of, it is about us and focusing on what we control, which is our effort every day, how we prepare every day to be able to understand that, yes, these are our goals for the season, they are laid out here in front of us and gotta do everything we can do to keep bringing energy, to have that grit to you that allows you to have that perseverance and passion towards those goals. You just do not get discouraged, you don’t doubt yourself, you just stay the course. Is that hard to do, absolutely, which is why you have to spend so much time individually addressing it. But you bring the energy, you bring the focus, and you let the guys follow that lead.

On if there is anything that Dexter Williams II needs to show in order to earn his way back onto the field after last season’s injury…

TA: That is an accurate way to assess this. To progress this, he has gone from physically getting himself back, you get cleared from the doctors and now it’s like, okay, the mental side of it and where you are at in his preparation. Like we have said before, he went from dressing during warmups and doing that whole activity, to then he would come out not in uniform to help us signal and do different things on game day and be a part of the process. Then, this past week, he was the emergency guy for us, and we did get him some more reps and did some things in practice to continue to bring him along.

It is a step-by-step process we are going through, because I want to make sure he feels really good about himself and his ability to be able to be out there. And, you are right, this is one of those things that a year ago we thought we may lose him for the whole season. That has obviously gradually changed, because he is way further ahead than any of us thought [he would be]. We want to be sure he is fully ready to go, so definitely building through that, going through that, and growing through that. I think you can just see each week he gets more and more confidence in both his knee and ability to get out there and play.

On what he sees on film from Rutgers…

TA: They have good in the core of their [defense], they are big and strong. They have length at linebacker. They are really disciplined in their fits. They are pretty simple. They play really hard. They are good tacklers. I think that they just kind of keep things in front of them, try not to give up big plays, and make you earn everything that you are going to get. I think that has really worked well for them and they have been able to have good success defensively and setting up their offense in a good way with some takeaways, as well as some key stops. I think it is just the fundamentals and just playing together, [they have] a lot of seasoned guys that have been there with them in the system that they have played in. There are several guys that have played in that system for many years, and you can just see the benefits of that. In the secondary they are good tacklers on the perimeter and touch physical guys. I think there is a toughness to them that coach [Greg] Schiano has brought there and that is evident. I think they take a lot of pride in that, which is something you respect as a coach and as a team. I just think it is good fundamentals, don’t make a lot of mistakes and make you have to earn everything and try to force you into a mistake.

INDIANA FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. RUTGERS

INDIANA NOTES

SETTING THE SCENE

• Indiana returns home for a Homecoming matchup with Rutgers on Saturday (Oct. 21) at Memorial Stadium. The game will be

televised on Big Ten Network with a noon kick time.

• Saturday will mark the 10th meeting between the two programs, with all of them as members of the Big Ten Conference.

The two program’s first met in Piscataway, New Jersey, in 2014 – Rutgers first season in the Big Ten – and the first meeting in

Bloomington, Indiana, followed in 2015.

• Rutgers’ addition to the Big Ten Conference prompted the Big Ten’s East/West Division format and the two teams have played

every season since 2014. Overall, Indiana leads the series, 5-4, with each team winning twice in Bloomington.

• It has been a series of streaks, with Rutgers winning the first two meetings, before Indiana reeled off five straight victories from

2016-2020. The Scarlet Knights have won last two meetings, including a 2021 win in Bloomington.

• It marks the 110th Homecoming Game for the Hoosiers. Indiana owns a 45-58-6 record in front of the Homecoming crowd.

NEWS & NOTES

• Per Pro Football Focus, redshirt senior Andre Carter ranks No. 5 in the Big Ten with 22 total pressures (sacks, QB hits or

hurries), a total that sits tied for No. 29 in the Power 5 and No. 45 in the FBS.

• With 2.0 tackles for loss in each of the first two games of the season, Carter’s 4.0 TFLs were the most by a Hoosier in the first

two games of a season since 2004 when Kyle Killion posted 5.5 tackles for loss.

• With 50 tackles, redshirt senior Aaron Casey ranks No. 6 in the Big Ten and his 8.3 tackles per game are No. 43 nationally entering

Week 8. His 8.0 tackles for loss lead the conference and includes 3.0 sacks.

• Sophomore Jaylin Lucas produced the first multi-touchdown game of his career in Week 2 versus Indiana State with a pair of rushing

scores. He has eight career touchdowns (four rush, two receiving, two KR) after a 44-yard receiving score at Michigan in Week 7.

• Senior Louis Moore grabbed his first career interception in the second quarter versus Akron and followed that with his first

defensive touchdown in the third quarter on a 22-yard interception return for a score versus the Zips.

• With three interceptions on the season, sophomore Phillip Dunnam continues to sit near the top of the Big Ten leader board

and tied for No. 12 in the FBS. One of two true freshman not to redshirt in 2022, Dunnam has takeaways versus No. 3/4 Ohio

State, Louisville and Akron.

• The Indiana special teams units blocked its first kick of the 2023 season at Maryland to move its streak to 12 straight seasons

with at least one blocked kick. Special teams coordinator Kasey Teegardin’s crew has blocked at least one kick in each of his

four seasons as the corps leader.

• With its successful onside kick to start the second half versus Louisville at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indiana snapped a streak of eight

straight unsuccessful onside kick attempts and recovered its first onside kick since the 2017 game at Purdue.

BY THE NUMBERS

4: Overtimes against Akron to mark the longest game in program

history. Previous long was two overtimes on six occasions.

20: Quarterback hurries by Andre Carter per Pro Football Focus

over the first seven weeks to rank No. 3 in the Big Ten and tied for

No. 12 nationally.

3: Takeaways against Akron for the 16th game for Indiana’s defense

with 3+ takeaways under head coach Tom Allen .

19: Of the 23 scholarship transfer student-athletes made their Indiana

debut on the season. Of those, 18 appeared in the season opener

and 10 have made at least one start in 2023.

INDIANA 2023 STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Tayven Jackson . . . . 78-of-128, 914 yds, 2 TD/5 INT

Brendan Sorsby . . . . . 30-of-58, 294 yds, 2 TD/0 INT

Rushing Jaylin Lucas . . . . . . . 51 for 218 yds, 2 TD

Christian Turner . . . . . . . . . . 48 for 204 yds, 2 TD

Receiving Jaylin Lucas . . . . . . 24 for 196 yds, 2 TD

Donaven McCulley . . . . . . . . . 20 for 224 yds, 1 TD

Cam Camper . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 for 278 yds, 1 TD

Tackles Aaron Casey, LB . . . . 50 tkls, 8.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks

Phillip Dunnam, DB . . . . . . . 38 tkls, 0.5 TFL, 3 INT

Andre Carter, DL . . . . . . . 22 tkls, 6.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks

Sacks Aaron Casey, LB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0

Lanell Carr Jr., OLB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0

Interceptions Phillip Dunnam, DB . . . . . . 3

Louis Moore, DB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Scoring Chris Freeman, K . . . . . . . . . . 26 pts

Jaylin Lucas, RB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 pts

Josh Henderson, RB . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .12 pts

Christian Turner, RB . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 pts

Five Tied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 pts

RUTGERS NOTES

NOTABLE • Rutgers is in action for the eighth consecutive week with a trip to Memorial Stadium to face Indiana. • Rutgers is 5-2 for the first time since 2014 and seeks to start 6-2, last achieved when beginning 7-1 in 2012. • Rutgers looks for its third win in Big Ten play to match the program high set in 2014, 2017 and 2020. The Scarlet Knights have never been 3-2 to start a Big Ten schedule. • Rutgers is outscoring opponents in the fourth quarter by a mark of 79-34. • Rutgers is 11-1 since 2020 when not committing a turnover in a game. • Rutgers leads the nation in kickoff returns (36.7), ranks fifth in passing defense (160.6), eighth in total defense (277.3), eighth in fumbles recovered (6), 12th in fewest sacks allowed (0.86), 12th in scoring defense (16.0), 14th in fewest penalties (4.29), 15th in red zone defense (0.70), 16th in fourth down conversions (0.73) and 26th in turnover margin (0.57, +4).

VERSUS INDIANA • Saturday will mark the 10th meeting on the gridiron between Rutgers and Indiana since first playing in 2014. It will be the fifth game in Bloomington. The Scarlet Knights won the first two meetings, the Hoosiers won the next five and RU has claimed the last two. • In 2022 at SHI Stadium, Rutgers rallied from a 14-0 deficit to score 24 unanswered points in a 24-17 win on Homecoming. It marked the second-best scoring run for the Scarlet Knights in a Big Ten game after the 28 consecutive to finish the 2015 win at Indiana. The defense allowed 91 yards on the first Indiana drive, but permitted just 181 on the last 12 drives with only three points against. The Scarlet Knights limited the Hoosiers to 2-for-12 on third down. Rutgers held the ball for 38:53, its highest time of possession in a Big Ten game since entering the league. That included holding the ball for 13:45 in the third quarter compared to 1:15 by Indiana. RB Samuel Brown V rushed for 101 yards on 28 carries to set career highs. It was the most rushing attempts by a Scarlet Knight in a Big Ten game since entering the league. Brown scored his third touchdown of the season to put Rutgers ahead in the third quarter. DB Christian Braswell recorded an interception on four passes defended. He returned the pick 12 yards for a touchdown. • In 2021 in Bloomington, Rutgers rushed for five touchdowns and recorded six takeaways to top Indiana on the road, 38-3. The 35-point win was the largest margin of victory for the Scarlet Knights in a Big Ten game. It was also the largest margin of victory in program history in a conference road contest. Rutgers allowed a team-low three points in a Big Ten game, making it the first time not permitting a touchdown in such game. LB Mohamed Toure recovered a fumble on the first snap of the game, with Ifeanyi Maijeh, Billy Taylor and Rashawn Battle (on a force by DB Robert Longerbeam) also jumping on loose balls. Both LB Tyreem Powell and DB Max Melton hauled in interceptions. Isiah Pacheco punched in touchdowns on two of the first three drives. RB Aaron Young and Noah Vedral ran over the goal line, with Raiqwon O’Neal crossing as an offensive lineman. • Rutgers won the first game of the series in 2014 by the score of 45-23. • In the 2015 meeting in Bloomington, Rutgers tied its school record with a 25-point comeback in a 55-52 victory that featured 1,223 combined yards of total offense. The 55 points are the most scored by Rutgers in a Big Ten game since joining the conference. Rutgers rallied for 28 unanswered points to end the game, as Kyle Federico hit a 26-yard field as time expired. • Rutgers game highs versus Indiana: Rushing Yards: Robert Martin, 124 (2015) Passing Yards: Chris Laviano, 386 (2015) Receiving Yards: Leonte Carroo, 157 (2015).

LAST TIME OUT • Rutgers scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to erase an 18-point deficit and defeat Michigan State, 27-24. It was the largest comeback for a win in Big Ten play since rallying from 25 points down at Indiana in 2015 and largest overall since erasing a 21-point deficit in 2016 versus New Mexico. • Rutgers won for the 15th time under head coach Greg Schiano when trailing in the fourth quarter. The 18 points overcome matched the largest deficit to win in the Schiano era, tying the 34-16 deficit at Vanderbilt to win 37-34 in 2004. • Rutgers outgained Michigan State by 140 yards, 120 to minus 20, in the fourth quarter. • RB Kyle Monangai recorded 148 rushing yards (107 in the fourth quarter) on 24 carries. He scored his seventh rushing touchdown of the season to put RU ahead with 8:21 remaining. • The go-ahead score was setup by a recovered sky kick by DB Thomas Amankwaa. • RB Aaron Young recovered a fumble in the end zone and QB Gavin Wimsatt found WR Isaiah Washington for a four-yard touchdown pass as part of the comeback. • DB Desmond Igbinosun recorded a career-high four tackles-for-loss and DB Robert Longerbeam forced two fumbles on defense. • Rutgers won on Homecoming for the second-straight year, improving to 55-33-1 all-time in the game. The attendance of 52,879 marked the highest for a Homecoming game.

RUTGERS 2023 STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Gavin Wimsatt . . . . 86-of-169, 1,095 yds, 7 TD/4 INT

Evan Simon . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-of-3, 30 yds, 1 TD

Rushing Kyle Monangai . . . . 120 for 635 yds, 7 TD

Gavin Wimsatt . . . . . . . . . . . 57 for 219 yds, 4 TD

Receiving Christian Dremel . . 21 for 280 yds, 3 TD

JaQuae Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 for 282 yds

Isaiah Washington . . . . . . . . . 15 for 179 yds, 1 TD

Tackles Tyreem Powell, LB . . . 50 tkls, 2.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks

Deion Jennings, LB . . . . . . . 45 tkls, 0.5 TFL, 4 PBU

Mohamed Toure, LB . . . . . 42 tkls, 3.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks

Sacks Aaron Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0

Wesley Bailey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0

Interceptions Five Tied . . . . . .. . . . . . 1

Scoring Kyle Monangai, RB . . .. . . . 42 pts

Jai Patel, K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 pts

Gavin Wimsatt, !B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 pts

Christian Dremel, WR . . . . . . . .. . . .20 pts

Aaron Young, RB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 pts

AARON CASEY NOMINATED FOR WUERFFEL TROPHY

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Wuerffel Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to inspire greater service and unity in our communities, announced The Wuerffel Trophy nomination list for the 2023 season on Thursday (Oct. 19) and Indiana football’s Aaron Casey was among the FBS student-athletes on the nominated for the prestigious award.

Through seven weeks in 2023, Casey leads the Big Ten in tackles for loss at 8.0 and is tied for No. 7 in sacks with 3.0. His 50 tackles are No. 6 in the conference and includes three double-digit tackle games, so far. He piled up 13 stops versus Akron, 11 versus Ohio State and 10 versus Louisville in Lucas Oil Stadium. He has at least one TFL five of six games in 2023, with 3.0 of those coming versus Louisville and 2.0 at Michigan.

Along with his play on the field, Casey is a part of Hoosiers For Good, a non-profit that partners charitable organizations with student athletes who use their influence and leadership to help Indiana communities thrive. Casey works with RecycleForce, an organization that is committed to reducing crime through employment and job training, while improving the environment through electronics recycling.

College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service, and one of the most meaningful awards in collegiate sports, The Wuerffel Trophy is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida who parlayed his success on the football field into a lifetime of service. The Wuerffel Trophy embodies Danny’s commitment to being a humanitarian, while honoring a student-athlete who is inspired to serve others and make a positive impact on society.

Nominations for the award were made by the respective universities’ and semifinalists for the award will be announced on November 2. The finalists will be announced on November 28 and the formal announcement of the 2023 recipient is scheduled to be made on December 7 during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. The presentation of the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy will take place February 17, 2024 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.

INDIANA WRESTLING

JACOB MORAN TO COMPETE IN U23 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– Indiana Wrestling senior Jacob Moran is set to compete in the 2023 U23 United World Wrestling (UWW) World Championships next week in Tirana, Albania.

Moran will wrestle at 57 kg, the lightest weight class of the Men’s Freestyle Division for Team Puerto Rico.

“Competing in an international tournament is always fun because you get to test your skills against some of the best guys in the world,” Moran said of the challenge. “I know that I’ve prepared well, so I’m going to go out there and wrestle like I do every day. Being consistent with who I am and who I strive to be in my daily habits gives me confidence to compete freely.”

Entrants in the 57 kg weight class will compete from Tuesday, Oct. 24 to Wednesday, Oct. 25. There are 21 other wrestlers competing at 57 kg in Men’s Freestyle in Albania.

The entire field of competitors across all divisions includes 587 wrestlers from 58 countries.

Moran most recently competed for Puerto Rico in the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games in July when he earned a bronze medal.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to compete in my first world championships,” Moran said. “It takes a village, and this team and university truly are my family. I couldn’t be happier to represent Puerto Rico and Indiana University.”

PURDUE SWIMMING

PURDUE TO COMPETE FRIDAY & SATURDAY AT HOME-OPENING WEEKEND

MEET INFORMATION

Purdue Men & Women host UIndy & Divers from Kenyon College

Friday, Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. ET

Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center / West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue Men & Women host the Dan Ross Indiana Intercollegiate

Saturday, Oct. 21 at Noon ET

Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center / West Lafayette, Indiana

The Field: Ball State, Butler, IUPUI, Southern Indiana, Anderson, Bethel, Franklin, Indiana Wesleyan, Rose-Hulman, Wabash

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue swimming & diving teams open their home schedules with consecutive days of competition, hosting UIndy and the Kenyon divers for a traditional dual meet Friday plus teams from around the state for the annual Dan Ross Indiana Intercollegiate showcase Saturday.

Action is set for Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at noon. Admission is free for all regular-season meets at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center this season. Fans planning to attend Saturday should be aware of the road closures related to the Purdue Half Marathon and 5K races that morning. The half marathon features road closures on Stadium Avenue and the 5K course takes runners down Martin Jischke Drive and Third Street.

The Boilermakers’ home-heavy schedule this season features five weekends of co-ed meets at the Burke Aquatic Center. The women also host the Big Ten Championships from Feb. 21-24.

UIndy is the opponent for the home opener again. The Greyhound men won the NCAA Division II national title and the women finished second nationally last season. They are currently ranked first and third in the initial CSCAA DII polls. Kenyon College is located in Gambier, Ohio, about 50 miles northeast of Columbus. In the CSCAA DIII preseason poll, the Owls are the No. 1-ranked women’s team and No. 2 on the men’s side. They both finished top three at nationals last year. Kenyon’s Israel Zavaleta is a four-time NCAA champion, sweeping the springboard events the last two years, and is expected to be in attendance Friday.

A notable name has been added to Purdue’s first large meet of the season. The in-state showcase Saturday will be known as the Dan Ross Indiana Intercollegiate going forward, with the moniker recognizing the longtime head coach of the Boilermakers who retired in June after 42 years as a staff member. Ross introduced the Indiana Intercollegiates meet for the 2001-02 season as the Boilermakers moved into the Burke Aquatic Center. For more than 20 years, Ross’ inclusive philosophy has led to the meet annually featuring a bevy of Indiana-based teams of all sizes and divisions (NCAA and NAIA) – all competing alongside each other on an October Saturday at one of the state’s premier facilities.

Former Purdue men’s assistant coach J. Agnew (2008-18) as well as Purdue alumni Deb Thompson (1980-83) and Dave Mehrbrodt (1980-83) all return to campus Saturday. Agnew is in his sixth season as the head coach at Ball State. Thompson helped start the men’s and women’s programs at Bethel in time for the 2019-20 school year and has served as a professor at Bethel. Mehrbrodt is assistant coach at Bethel. Meanwhile, Keith Gill is also an assistant at Wabash after beginning his college career at Purdue in 2017-18.

Ball State, Bethel and Wabash are among the 10 visiting teams from around the state set to compete alongside the Boilermakers on Saturday. Southern Indiana is the new addition to the meet this season. Since its debut in October 2001, the Dan Ross Indiana Intercollegiate has been held every fall except 2020. It annually serves as the largest single-day home meet of the season for the Boilermakers.

PURDUE WOMEN’S SOCCER

PURDUE DROPS MATCHUP AT NO. 25 NEBRASKA

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Purdue soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss at No. 25 Nebraska on Thursday night at Hibner Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

On a clear and relatively warm mid-October evening, the Huskers took a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute and made it 2-0 in the 81st. The Boilermakers earned several good chances throughout the match, including a shot that went off the crossbar in the 25th minute and a pair of corner kicks just before NU’s second goal, but the visitors could not find the back of the net.

Purdue faced its sixth top-25 foe of the season, and Nebraska is the 11th opponent that is or has been nationally ranked for at least one week during the 2023 campaign. NU, which is tied for second place in the Big Ten with one game remaining, extended its win streak to five.

The Boilermakers (3-12-2, 0-7-2 Big Ten) had 12 shots, three on goal, and the Huskers (12-2-3, 6-1-2 Big Ten) had 19 shots and 10 shots on target. NU held a 7-6 advantage in corner kicks and Purdue was called for 15 fouls to Nebraska’s 13.

Three Boilermakers had two shots in the contest, including sophomore forward Kayla Budish and freshman defender Zoe Cuneio whose two shots included one on goal. Senior goalkeeper Charlotte Cyr recorded eight saves and her NU counterpart made three.

Cyr made her first two saves in the opening eight minutes before the Huskers took a 1-0 lead at 12:08. Eleanor Dale scored, assisted by Gwen Lane and Sadie Waite.

Budish set up a pair of Boilermaker chances with crosses in from the right side. The first, in the 18th minute, was to sophomore forward Brooke Haarala, and her shot went just wide. The second, two minutes later, was to freshman forward Lauren Omholt, and her shot was saved.

Meanwhile, Cyr’s third save of the day came in the 20th minute, less than 30 seconds before Omholt’s chance, and her fourth save was in the 22nd minute.

Senior midfielder Nicole Kevdzija almost tied the game in the 25th minute. With a strike from the top of the penalty area, her shot ricocheted off the crossbar. The ball bounced down but did not cross the goal line and NU was able to clear it before an attempt could be made on the rebound.

Another nice save by Cyr came 30 seconds later. The Huskers had a chance to add to their lead in the 31st minute with a free kick that was awarded at the edge of the six-yard box. However, with all eleven Boilermakers on the goal line, NU’s shot was blocked and cleared away.

In the final five-plus minutes, senior forward Zoie Allen and sophomore forward Naomi Splittorff each notched shots that were off target, and Cyr added another save.

Purdue was out-shot 9-6 in the first half, and the Huskers held a 7-1 advantage in shots on goal.

The home side opened the second half with four shots in the opening 11 minutes, but the defense didn’t allow any to be on goal.

Budish registered a pair of chances in the 56th and 58th minutes, with the first going wide and the second going on target but was saved.

Cyr notched her eighth save of the night in the 61st minute to keep it a one-goal game. Seven minutes later, the defense again came up with a blocked shot and did not allow another NU shot before Cyr grabbed a cross into the six to end Nebraska’s chances in the final third.

The eighth save for Cyr came in the 72nd minute on a long ball from 30 yards away.

The Boilermakers created opportunities in the 80th minute thanks to a pair of corner kicks. The first corner in from Budish resulted in a header by Cuneio that was just tipped out and over the crossbar by the Husker keeper for another corner.

Following that second corner kick, NU had a breakaway and converted to extend its lead to 2-0. At 80:37, Sadie Waite scored from Florence Belzile.

The visitor’s final chance was a shot blocked by Mathews in the 86th minute.

Nebraska had 10 shots, three on goal, in the final 45 minutes, and the Boilermakers notched six shots, two on target.

Purdue returns home to play its final game of the season on Sunday, October 22, against Minnesota. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET at Folk Field, and admission is free for all fans to the contest.

BUTLER VOLLEYBALL

BUTLERVB RETURNS HOME TO FACE MARQUETTE AND DEPAUL

INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler volleyball team heads home inside for two matches inside Hinkle Fieldhouse against the Midwest foes. The Bulldogs will host Marquette, who is receiving votes in the AVCA Top 25 rankings, on Friday, Oct. 20 at 6 PM. The weekend will come to a close with a match on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 5 PM against DePaul.

Bulldog Bits

-For the third week in a row, the Bulldogs finished the weekend with a 1-1 record against BIG EAST foes to move to a record an 9-10 overall

-The Bulldogs are tied for fifth in the conference with a 3-5 record, but currently sit eighth in the BIG EAST

-Butler finished their second conference road trip by sweeping Providence before falling in four sets to UConn

-As a team, the Bulldogs hold the second highest average for kills per set (13.09 k/s) and assists per set (12.24 a/s) in the conference this season

-BU jumped to fourth in the country with an average of 38.29 attacks per set

-Jaymeson Kinley owns an average of 5.09 digs per set which is 16th in the NCAA

-Cora Taylor boosted her season average to 10.51 assists per set, which leads the BIG EAST and ranks 23rd in the nation.

-Marquette leads the all-time series against Butler with a 3-19 overall record. The last time the Bulldogs topped the Golden Eagles was during the 2020-2021 season where they won in a five set thriller

-BU has played better against DePaul holding an all-time record of 15-6. Butler has won six of the last 10 matches with their last meeting ending in a 3-2 Bulldog victory.

-Elise Ward tallied 29 digs (4.14 digs per set) in both matches last weekend including a 16-dig performance with 11 kills to earn her fourth career double-double against UConn

-Ward has now reached the double figures for digs in four of the last five matches and is tied for the conference lead in double-doubles by a freshman hitter.

-In her first conference appearances last weekend, Laiya Ebo collected 24 kills (3.43 kills per set) and four blocks against Providence and UConn

-Ebo’s mark of .475 was the highest weekend hitting percentage of any BIG EAST freshman this season

-Taylor and Ward became the first Bulldogs this season to have more than two serving aces in a match with each of them totaling four aces.

SCOUTING MARQUETTE: The Golden Eagles sit next to St. John’s atop the BIG EAST standings with a 7-1 conference record and an overall record of 11-8. Marquette struggled out of the gate finishing with a 4-7 non-conference record. However, all seven of Marquette’s losses came against nationally ranked opponents, including No. 1 Wisconsin in which they took the Badgers to four sets. The conference play has been a whole different story as the Golden Eagles have dominated the BIG EAST foes winning the first seven matches and losing just two sets. Last Saturday, Marquette was upset by St. John’s falling in a five-set thriller in Queens.

Marquette leads the BIG EAST with a .290 hitting percentage during conference matches this season. Carsen Murray is someone to keep an eye on as she currently leads the BIG EAST with a .359 hitting percentage this season.

SCOUTING DEPAUL: The Blue Demons have been on one wild roller coaster ride this season with records of 3-5 in the conference and 10-9 overall. They began the non-conference season by being swept in their first three matches before then turning it around and winning seven of their next eight matches with wins over Montana (3-1) and Loyola Chicago (3-0). The start of BIG EAST action continued to show promise as they would begin 3-1. However, the Blue Demons would then lose the next four matches including a 3-2 loss to Seton Hall last Saturday.

Outside hitter, Jill Pressly holds an average of 4.49 kills per set, which leads the BIG EAST and ranks 11th in the country, while libero Rachel Krasowski owns the conference-best average of 5.17 digs per set, which ranks 14th in the NCAA.

SURPRISE STAR: In her first collegiate appearances during BIG EAST play, Laiya Ebo led Butler with a .475 hitting percentage against Providence and UConn last weekend. The right-side hitter also added 24 kills (3.43 kills per set) and four blocks across seven sets. Ebo played a big role in Butler’s 3-0 sweep over the Friars collecting 10 kills and a match-high .412 hitting percentage before topping that performance the next day hitting for .512 with a new career-high 14 kills and two blocks in the four-set loss against the Huskies.

Ebo’s mark of .475 was the highest weekend-hitting percentage of any BIG EAST freshman this season.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WARD: Elise Ward continued to display her versatility not only on offense but also on defense after at the outside hitter position playing opposite Mariah Grunze last weekend. The freshman outside hitter tallied 18 kills and 29 digs (4.14 digs per set) in both matches against Providence and UConn last weekend. including a 16-dig performance with 11 kills against UConn to earn her fourth double-double this season.

Ward has now reached the double figures for digs in four of the last five matches. She is also tied for the conference lead in double-doubles by a freshman hitter with four this season.

CAN’T STOP CORA: Setter Cora Taylor has continued to make a name for herself as the top setter in the BIG EAST. The former BIG EAST All-Freshman Team selection leads the conference with 736 assists (10.51 assists per set) while pacing the Bulldog offense that ranks second with 13.09 assists per set.

Taylor padded the stat sheet last weekend against Providence and UConn totaling 83 assists and 16 digs. She set new career highs with six blocks and four serving aces in a match against the Huskies Saturday night.

ATTACKS GALORE: The Bulldog offense has shown no issues getting the ball into the hands of the hitters this season. Butler currently ranks fourth in the nation with a stellar average of 38.29 attacks per set while their 2680 attacks sit at 67th in the country. Junior Mariah Grunze was targeted for an average of 10.97 attacks per set, which ranks 29th in the country, while the Georgia transfer Abby Maesch is just behind with an average of 9.80 attacks per set, which ranks 103rd in the NCAA

Grunze recorded 54 total attempts on offense against UConn, which was the most by any Bulldog in a four-set match this season. She collected a team-high 14 kills and nine digs in the match.

NUMBERS WATCH: Elise Ward is nine kills away and seven digs away from reaching the 150 career mark. Mariah Grunze remains four digs away from 700 career digs and 15 kills from 250 total kills this season.

Cora Taylor also sits at 14 assists away from reaching 750 total assists this season.

UP NEXT: The Bulldogs will hit the road towards the east coast for the final time this season to face St. John’s and Seton Hall.

The Bulldogs will face Marquette on Oct. 20 at 6 PM followed by another match the next day against DePaul on Oct. 21 at 5 PM.

BUTLER CROSS COUNTRY

BUTLER CROSS COUNTRY HOSTS STAN LYONS INVITATIONAL FRIDAY

Butler will host the Stan Lyons Bulldog Invitational Friday in Carmel, Ind., in the final tune-up in advance of next week’s BIG EAST Cross Country Championships.

The Stan Lyons Bulldog Invitational is named after the Butler hall of fame coach who led Butler’s cross country and track programs for 30 years before retiring in 1995.

The Northview Church Course will be utilized for the event.

It is expected that a majority of Butler’s line-ups from last weekend’s Nuttycombe Invitational in Wisconsin will continue training in advance of the BIG EAST event and sit out Friday’s event. The Bulldog Invitational offers the opportunity for a number of Butler’s younger runners to gain race experience.

The Bulldogs will be joined in the Stan Lyons field by Bradley, Illinois State, and IUPUI.

The event begins at 4:15 p.m. with the women’s 5k race; the men’s 8k will follow at approximately 5 p.m.

The Butler men are ranked No. 30 in this week’s USTFCCCA national poll.

The 2023 BIG EAST Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Wayne Dannehl Course in Kenosha, Wis.

BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER

BULLDOGS BATTER GOAL IN DRAW WITH SETON HALL

INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler women’s soccer team created a season-high 26 shots in its match with Seton Hall which ended in a 2-2 draw. The Bulldogs (5-6-6, 1-2-5 BIG EAST) put 11 of their shots on frame, compared to eight total shots for the visiting Pirates (6-6-5, 2-3-4 BIG EAST) with six on goal. Seton Hall scored first, 23 minutes into the contest, but Butler answered within a couple of minutes. The Bulldogs added another in the 36th minute, taking a 2-1 lead into the break. In the second half, the Pirates leveled the score in the 64th minute, and neither side could find the back of the net in the final 26 minutes of play.

Key Moments

23′ | Seton Hall steals the ball in Butler’s defensive end. A quick pass finds Natalie Tavan who turns and strikes a left-footed shot, from 22 yards out, into the upper right 90.

25′ | Talia Sommer makes a steal a midfield and immediately finds Arianna Jalics. Jalics carries and then slots the ball back to Sommer, whose 19-yard shot finds the upper left corner. The score is level at one.

36′ | Aliya Diagne carries through traffic in the middle of the field and lays the ball off to Sommer. Sommer sends it right back, and this time Diagne finds Amelie Darey open in the right side of the box. Darey makes one move to the left, 12 yards out, and uses her left boot to put the ball just inside the right post.

**HALFTIME**

64′ | Seton Hall draws a foul in its defensive end. A 40-yard service from Chiara Pucci is knocked into the air off the foot of Maille McDermott. Rachel Gerrie taps the ball forward and arches a shot from the left side of the area. Anna Pierce leaps and gets a fingertip on the ball, but it is not enough to keep it from going under the crossbar. The score is tied again, 2-2.

86′ | Diagne draws a foul, giving Sommer a free kick opportunity from 22 yards out. Sommer launches a shot just over the wall but inches outside the left post.

Butler Points Summary

GOALS: Talia Sommer, Amelie Darey

ASSISTS: Arianna Jalics, Aliya Diagne, Talia Sommer

Bulldog Bits

Talia Sommer’s goal was her fifth of the season and the tenth of her career. Her assist was her sixth of the season and also the tenth of her career.

Amelie Darey’s goal was her first of the season and the second of her career.

Arianna Jalics’ assist was her first of the season and the fourth of her career.

Aliya Diagne’s assist was her second of the season and the sixth of her career.

Anna Pierce made four saves in the contest to preserve the draw.

Butler produced season highs in shots and shots on goal in the match, outshooting Seton Hall in total shots, 26-8, and on frame, 11-6.

Up Next

Butler travels to Georgetown on Sunday, Oct. 22. The following Thursday, Creighton visits the Sellick Bowl for the Bulldogs’ final regular-season match.

BUTLER WOMEN’S TENNIS

BUTLER WOMEN’S TENNIS FINISHES FIRST DAY OF PLAY AT THE ITA REGIONALS

In the first day of play at the ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) Ohio Valley Regionals in Knoxville, Tenn., the Butler women’s tennis team competed in the Round of 64 doubles, Round 128 singles, and Round of 32 B flight singles.

In singles play, junior Norah Balthazor defeated Sophia Baranov from Austin Peay, 6-2, 6-1. She will play Valeria Ray from Vanderbilt in the Round of 64 tomorrow.

Chase Metcalf, Katie Beavin, and Natalie Boesing, who earned a No. 9 seed in the tournament, will finish singles play in the consolation round.

In B flight singles play, freshman Elle Martin beat Mariia Triska from Eastern Kentucky, 6-4, 6-2. She is set to compete against Valeria Chaikovskaia from Murray State in the Round of 16 tomorrow.

Freshman Lauren Cook defeated Jacey Wilson from Eastern Kentucky, 3-6, 6-2, 10-6. She will play Hrudaya Shah from Middle Tennessee State in the Round of 16 tomorrow.

Emma Beavin, Elle Martin, and Cook will compete in the Round of 16 B flight singles tomorrow. Jordan Schildcrout will finish play in the consolation round.

In doubles play, Emma Beavin/Martin, Schildcrout/Balthazor, Katie Beavin/Cook, and Boesing/Metcalf will compete in the consolation round.

Round of 64 singles, Round of 16 B flight singles and consolation match times are TBA.

NOTRE DAME MEN’S SOCCER

MATCH 15 PREVIEW: #3 WAKE FOREST

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 6 Irish head travel to Winston-Salem for one of the highest anticipated matches of the regular season, as they will face No. 3 Wake Forest at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 20. The game will air on ACCN.

No. 6 NOTRE DAME vs. No. 3 WAKE FOREST

Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Spry Stadium

TV: ACCN

THE WAKE FOREST SERIES

• The Irish and Demon Deacons will meet on the pitch for the 15th time in program history on Friday evening.

• Notre Dame trails in the all-time series with a record of 5-7-2, however, the Irish have won two of the last three meetings.

• The last time the two sides faced each other came in the 2021 NCAA Tournament Round of 16, as the Irish defeated the Demon Deacons by a score of 2-0 at Alumni Stadium.

• Matthew Roou and Mohammed Omar each scored in the win and Bryan Dowd recorded the clean sheet.

LAST TIME OUT

• Notre Dame turned in a complete performance in a 3-0 win at Michigan.

• The Irish recorded their eighth clean sheet of the year and fourth straight shutout.

• Eno Nto, KK Baffour and Matthew Roou each scored in the victory.

• The three-goal win over Michigan marked the larges Notre Dame win in the series since defeating the Wolverines 3-0 during the 2013 season.

DOWD DELIVERS

•Bryan Dowd has been masterful in goal this season for the Irish, making a claim as one of the top goalies in the country despite playing some of the best attacking units in the nation.

• The senior ranks second in the country in shutouts (7), third in save percentage (.863) and sixth in goals against average (.538).

• The shot stopper has 54 career starts while appearing in 55 matches over his previous three seasons in South Bend.

• Dowd has amassed 144 career saves and has recorded 20 clean sheets over his time in South Bend.

•The senior produced his best performance of his career in the 0-0 draw at Akron, making a career-high 12 saves to keep the clean sheet intact.

• The 12 saves are the most by an ACC goalkeeper this season and the third most of any goalie at the DI level.

TOP OF THE TABLE

• The Irish are off to its best start in ACC play in program history through six games, totaling 16 points with a record of 5-0-1 to lead the league.

• Notre Dame has scored 12 goals in its six matches, which are the most of any league team.

• The Irish have a +7 goal differential through six ACC matches, which is the best in the conference.

• With the win over Virginia Tech and Virginia’s win over Pitt on Friday, Oct. 13, the Irish clinched a top-2 seed in the ACC Tournament and at least a share of the ACC Coastal division regular season title.

ROOU’S RUN OF FORM

• Junior Matthew Roou leads the Irish attack through 14 matches this season, producing 21 points off nine goals and three assists.

• The junior ranks second in the ACC in both goals per game (.69) and points per game (1.62).

• Roou’s hat trick in the win over IUPUI was the first of his career and the first of the season for the Irish.

• The junior forward finished with seven points off three goals and an assist, becoming the first Notre Dame player to record seven or more points in a match since Dave Donohue also had seven points against Marquette on Sept. 11, 2008.

• Roou currently has 20 career goals to go along with 10 career assists, totaling 50 career points for the forward.

STRONG STARTS

• Notre Dame has made it a habit of jumping out to an early lead this season, as the Irish have scored the opening goal in 10 of 14 matches in 2023.

• Nine of the 10 opening goals have come in the first 45 minutes of play.

•The quickest goal to start a match came from Matthew Roou in the 4th minute in the win over Clemson.

• The Fighting Irish are unbeaten when scoring the opening goal over the last 30 occurrences, posting a record of 29-0-1 spanning back to the early stages of the 2021 season.

FIGHT TO THE FINISH

• As good as the Irish have been at the beginning of matches, they have been even better in the final 45 minutes of play.

• Notre Dame has outscored its opponents by a combined score of 15-1 in second halves this season.

• The lone goal allowed came via a deflected own goal in the win over Virginia.

SET-PIECE SUCCESS

• ND has excelled on both ends of the field on set pieces during the 2023 season.

•The Irish defense has allowed just one goal off a set piece all season while in attack 11 of the team’s 29 goals have come via a set piece.

• Notre Dame has scored off three free kicks, three corners, three penalty kicks and two from throw-ins.

DOMINATING DEFENSE

• The Fighting Irish have allowed just seven goals through 14 matches during the 2023 campaign.

• The 0.5 goals against average ranks first in the ACC and fourth in the country.

• With eight shutouts over 14 matches, the Irish are eighth in the country in shutout percentage with a mark 57.1.

• Notre Dame has given up just one or no goals in 13 of 14 matches this season.

• With three straight shutouts coming into Friday, Notre Dame hasn’t allowed a goal over the last 415:37 of play.

NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S SOCCER

#12 IRISH EARN PIVOTAL POINT AT #3 NORTH CAROLINA WITH 1-1 DRAW

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 12 Notre Dame women’s soccer squad battled hard for 90 minutes and earned a pivotal point at No. 3 North Carolina on Thursday Night at Dorrance Field. The Fighting Irish (9-2-4, 5-1-2) snap a six-match losing streak against the Tar Heels (9-0-7, 4-0-4) in the overall series and earn their first point in Chapel Hill since 2017.

As a result, the Irish are now in sole third place in the ACC standings, just two points behind future opponent No. 8 Clemson.

Tonight’s goal was scored by freshman forward Charlie Codd, her third on the season. She has now scored three times over the past four games. It was assisted by fellow freshman Meg Mrowicki, who jumps her points total to 11 on the year.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Defending the corner has been a concern for the Irish this season and it bit them again in the first half at North Carolina. In the 18th minute, UNC hit a corner to the far corner of the six. It was headed down and Tessa Dellarose found a way to poke it throught a ND defender and in.

The Irish played in their half of the field for the majority of the first half. In fact, Notre Dame keeper Atlee Olofson made a tremendous diving save to her left in the 35th minute to keep the Irish at striking distance.

Notre Dame only registered one shot in the first half, yet, they sure made the most of it because it found the back of the net.

In the 42nd minute, Klenke worked her way through a few UNC defenders in the middle of the field and found Audrey Weiss out wide to the right. Weiss then crossed to the middle of the six to Meg Mrowicki, who had a slick touch to Charlie Codd on the far post who finished it off.

As a result, the Irish took a 1-1 tie into the locker room at the half.

A few minutes into the second half, it appeared that the Irish jumped on the Tar Heels and secured a 2-1 lead. Maddie Mercado challenged the UNC goalie on a 50-50 ball and the deflection found Roy who put it in. However, the ref called a fall on Mercado and disallowed the goal.

From there it was a chippy back-and-forth battle, which saw the Irish possess the ball more in the Tar Heels side of the field. After 90 minutes, the Irish earned a hard-earned point inside the house of the No. 3 team in the country.

UP NEXT

The road gauntlet rolls on as the Irish stays in North Carolina and travels down the road to NC State. Notre Dame will take on the Wolfpack on Sunday. Oct. 22, at 1 p.m. ET on ACCNX.

NOTRE DAME SWIMMING

NOTRE DAME WELCOMES PITT, PENN STATE FOR TRI-MEET

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — After sweeping the Panthers and Nittany Lions in the Steel City last year, Notre Dame welcomes Pittsburgh and Penn State to the Rolfs Aquatics Center for a Friday and Saturday tri-meet.

Men’s Preview —

No. 17 Notre Dame (2-0) is coming off of back-to-back wins over two Big Ten teams, Wisconsin and Purdue. Sophomore Tommy Janton has won all eight events in which he has participated this year, and he currently boasts the nation’s 10th-fastest 100 back time (46.74) and sixth-fastest 200 back time (1:43.26).

U.S. National Team member Chris Guiliano was a quadruple winner against the Boilermakers last Friday. His 50 free time against Purdue of 19.64 is the fifth-fastest in the country this season, and his 100 time of 42.86 ranks fourth.

This will be Penn State’s fourth meet of the season, as the Nittany Lions have already downed St. Bonaventure, Navy and West Virginia to move to 3-0. Penn State won eight individual events against the Mountaineers, with team record holder Victor Baganha taking the 50 and 100 freestyle.

In addition to the sprint free wins, the Nittany Lions swept the 100s; Cooper Morley won the 100 back, Ben Doyle won the 100 breast, and Matthew Bittner won the 100 fly.

Pittsburgh is coming off of losses to both Stanford and Cal, but the Panthers had multiple impressive individual performances against two of the nation’s best programs. Fifth-year Jerry Chen is the reigning ACC Swimmer of the Week after dominant performances against the Cardinal and Golden Bears. He won four events, twice winning both the 100 and 200 breaststroke. In total, the Pittsburgh men have posted six top-20 times nationally this season.

On the springboard, diver Dylan Reed won both the 1-meter and the 3-meter against Cal. Reed won both events against the Irish last year as well.

Women’s Preview —

The Irish women are coming off a close loss at the hands of Purdue last week, and the group is seeking its first win of the year this weekend.

Notre Dame won both relays (200 medley and 400 free) against the Boilermakers and won four individual events. Madelyn Christman has been a highlight for the Irish to date. She won the 100 free against Purdue and the 200 back against Wisconsin.

Like the Penn State men, the women are also 3-0 with wins over St. Bonaventure, Navy and West Virginia. Last weekend against the Mountaineers, the Nittany Lions won eight swimming events. The Meisner sisters, Julia and Catherine, were responsible for three of those. Julia won the 200 free and 400 IM, and Catherine took gold in the 500 free.

Diver Abigail Ekstrom swept both springboard events. She has been a consistent top-three presence for the Nittany Lions through three competitions.

Pitt fell to Stanford and Cal last weekend as well. Claire Jansen is one of Pitt’s top contributors, and she took second in the 100 back and third in the 200 back against the Golden Bears. The sophomore from outside of Chicago was an NCAA qualifier in both of those events last year. Freshman breastroker Jessica Strong is also one to watch, as the rookie won the 100 breaststroke against Stanford last weekend.

Friday’s meet begins at 3 p.m., while Saturday’s session will start at 10 a.m.

BALL STATE VOLLEYBALL

VOLLEYBALL VISITS MAC EAST LEADER BUFFALO THIS WEEKEND

THIS WEEK IN BALL STATE VOLLEYBALL: The Ball State women’s volleyball team embarks on a key road trip this weekend as it travels to Buffalo for a pair of matches against the Mid-American Conference East Division leader … The Cardinals, who are tied atop the overall league standings with Western Michigan, and Bulls will square off at 6 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday in UB’s Alumni Arena.

FOLLOW THE ACTION: Fans unable to make their way to Alumni Arena can still watch the action live, as both contests will be broadcast on ESPN+ … In addition, live stats will be provided by host Buffalo … Updates from the matches will also be provided on the team’s X feed and Instagram story: @BallStateWVB.

BALL STATE ALL-TIME: After running its winning streak to 10 matches, Ball State enters Friday’s match at Buffalo with a 1,007-641-2 (.611) all-time record in women’s volleyball … Thanks to its 3-0 sweep of Central Michigan on Sept. 22, Ball State became just the 44th program in NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball history to reach 1,000 wins … All-time, the Cardinals have captured 12 MAC West Division Championships, 10 MAC Regular Season Championships and eight MAC Volleyball Championship titles … Ball State has made 11 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including three of the last four seasons … BSU has also earned one bid into the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).

IN #MACTION: With a 9-0 MAC record so far this season, Ball State maintains its status as the winningest program in league play with a 442-215 (.673) all-time Mid-American Conference mark … Western Michigan is second on the list, seven matches behind the Cardinals at 435-222 (.662) … Buffalo enters the week ranked 12th based on winning percentage at 111-318 (.259).

THE WORTHEN FACTOR: The Cardinals own an even better record when playing at home, boasting a 314-96 (.766) all-time mark inside Worthen Arena … Looking at just opponents from the MAC, Ball State is 231-58 (.799) when battling in Worthen Arena … Overall, no MAC opponent owns a winning record inside Worthen Arena, as the Cardinals have at least a .632 winning percentage against all league schools on its current home floor.

MORE FROM THE HOME FRONT: With Tuesday’s sweep over Toledo, Ball State improved to 33-3 in Worthen Arena over the past three seasons (Fall 2021-2023) … BSU has won its last 23 MAC regular season home matches, with its last regular season MAC home loss coming to Central Michigan on March 20, 2021.

THE ALL-TIME SERIES VS BUFFALO: Ball State holds a commanding 28-1 lead in the all-time series versus Buffalo, including a string of 14 straight wins … Last season, the Cardinals earned a 3-1 (26-24, 19-25, 25-11, 25-21) home victory over the Bulls on Oct. 8, 2022 … UB’s lone win in the series was a 3-2 (28-26, 20-25, 25-19, 19-25, 15-13) victory on its home court Oct. 9, 2010 … Ball State is 12-1 all-time in Buffalo, including seven straight wins in Alumni Arena.

SCOUTING BALL STATE:

• Ball State has opened league play with nine consecutive wins, raising its overall record to 12-8 (9-0 MAC) … The Cardinals started the year with a tough pre-conference slate which ended with a 3-0 sweep of East Tennessee State (Sept. 16) to set up the program’s current 10-match winning streak … The win over the Bucs snapped a seven-match losing streak in which the Cardinals battled some of the nation’s top teams, including three programs (No. 16 Creighton, No. 16 Dayton and No. 25 Western Kentucky) currently inside the Top 25 of the AVCA/Taraflex Coaches Poll.

• Ball State enters the weekend as one of the nation’s top blocking programs, ranking first in the MAC and 45th nationally with a 2.49 blocks-per-set average … Freshman middle Camryn Wise has played a large role in those numbers over the last five weeks, averaging a league-best 1.49 blocks per set … Wise, who has played in 50% (35 of 70) of Ball State’s sets this season, would rank fifth nationally were she to reach the 66.7% of sets played threshold required to be included in the NCAA rankings … Sophomore opposite Madison Buckley has also helped, ranking fourth in the MAC and 238th nationally with a 0.97 blocks-per-set average.

• On the attacking front, redshirt freshman outside Aniya Kennedy leads the squad, is third in the league and ranks 48th nationally with a 3.84 kills-per-set average … Fifth-year middle Marie Plitt is BSU’s top attacker by percentage, boasting a .384 hitting percentage which is second in the league and 40th nationally.

SCOUTING BUFFALO:

• The Bulls enter the weekend atop the MAC East Division with a 17-4 (7-2 MAC) record … Buffalo split last weekend’s two-match set at Toledo with each team picking up a 3-2 win … UB went on to sweep Akron Tuesday to take sole possession of the division’s top spot.

• Buffalo is one of the nation’s top attacking teams by percentage, ranking second in the MAC and 30th among all NCAA Division I programs with a .263 hitting mark … Leading the way is Courtney Okwara who is second nationally with a .473 mark … Abby Leigh is not far behind, ranking third in the MAC and 63rd nationally at .365.

• UB is also a strong serving team, ranking 31st nationally at 1.85 aces per set … Katrin Trebichavska leads the Bulls and is second nationally with 46 aces, while Abby Leigh is 95th nationally with 29.

BALL STATE QUICK HITS:

• Marie Plitt currently leads the squad and ranks 40th nationally with a .384 (171-23-385) attack percentage this season … Her best effort came in the win over Purdue Fort Wayne (Aug. 26) when she smashed 10 kills on 12 swings with one error for a .750 attacking mark … Plitt also hit .688 in the Sept. 21 win over Central Michigan and has hit .500-or-better in 33 career matches … In BSU’s first nine MAC matches this season, Plitt is hitting .468 (88-7-173) and averaging 2.93 kills per set.

• Marie Plitt enters Friday’s match at Buffalo ranked third on Ball State’s all-time list with a .357 career hitting percentage … Plitt has steadily improved each year, hitting .295 as a freshman, .316 as a sophomore, .360 as a junior and a Ball State single season record .404 last year … She is the first player in program history to hit .400-or-above in a single season … Ball State’s career record for attack percentage is .360 set by Julie Zilka (1998-2001), while Susie Meshberger (1999-2001) is second at .358.

• Marie Plitt, who became Ball State’s all-time leader in sets played at Eastern Michigan (Sept. 30), became the 13th player in program history to reach 1,000 career kills with her first of 10 markers in last season’s NCAA Tournament opening round match at No. 16 Marquette … With 1180 career kills, Plitt currently ranks 10th in program history and needs 20 more to pass Julie Zylka’s (1998-2001) total of 1,199 for ninth.

• Marie Plitt has also made her presence felt at the net over her career, ranking fifth in program history with 397 career blocks … She is fifth on Ball State’s all-time charts with 320 career block assists, while ranking ninth with 77 solo blocks … Plitt’s average of 0.89 blocks-per-set so far this season is her best since averaging 1.05 during the 2021 spring COVID season.

• Fifth-year defensive specialist Havyn Gates has served as starting libero in 19 of Ball State’s 20 matches this season, and has now started in the off-colored jersey 24 times in her Ball State career … She was credited with a season-high 26 digs in the near upset at then-No. 20 Creighton (Sept. 1) and followed with 22 versus UNI (Sept. 2), giving her 26 career matches with 20-or-more digs … Gates’ Ball State career-high is 33 digs in the five-set thriller at Central Michigan (Sept. 24, 2022) … Gates, who registered 42 digs in a match as a freshman at Indiana Wesleyan in 2019, has 2,031 career digs including 907 in her three seasons at BSU and 1,124 over her two-year career at IWU.

• Megan Wielonski, who currently ranks seventh in program history with 3,455 career assists, has proven to be one of the nation’s elite setters … In fact, her 3,455 career assists currently rank 18th among all active NCAA Division I players … As a freshman, she finished the 2021 season ranked second nationally with 1,394 total assists … Her sophomore campaign ended with her ranked fourth nationally with 1,358 total assists in 2022 … 20 matches into the 2023 season and Wielonski is 44th nationally with 702 total assists.

• In addition to being one of the nation’s top setters, Megan Wielonski is one of the country’s top servers with 129 career aces … The total currently ties for seventh in program history … As a freshman, she ranked eighth among all NCAA Division I players with 58 aces, including a career-high seven vs. Ohio (Sept. 30, 2021) … Her 58 aces in 2021 tied as the sixth most in a single season in Ball State history and were a single season record for a BSU setter, topping Amber Seaman’s total of 51 in 2018 … Last season, she ranked 55th nationally with 46 service aces, while she has a team-leading 25 aces so far this season.

• Aniya Kennedy enters Friday’s match at Buffalo ranked third in the MAC with her team-leading 3.84 kills-per-set average, while her 4.60 kills-per-set average in league play is tops in the conference … She has smashed double-digit kills in 14 matches, while leading the team in kills in 13 outings … In last Friday’s four-set win over Akron (Oct. 13), Kennedy was credited with a career-high 25 kills, marking the third time in four matches she set a new career standard for kills.

• In fact, Aniya Kennedy’s 25 kills versus Akron (Oct. 13) were the most for a Ball State player in a match since Kia Holder logged 27 at Eastern Michigan on March 27, 2021 … In addition, the total ties as the fourth-most by a MAC player in a match this season and is the second-best total by a league attacker in a four-set match … Kennedy also owns the third-best total in a four-set match with her 21 kills at Bowling Green (Oct. 7) … Kennedy is the first Ball State player to register multiple 20+ kill matches in the same season since Natalie Risi (2019-22) had two as a freshman in 2019.

• Madison Buckley has also made a big impact, ranking second on the squad with a 2.44 kills-per-set average … Her biggest match came at then-No. 20 Creighton (Sept. 1) when she smashed a career-high 14 kills, a mark she tied versus UIC (Sept. 9) … Buckley has also made her presence felt at the net, ranking fourth in the MAC with a 0.97 blocks-per-set average … She has a team-best 68 total blocks this season, including five solo blocks and 63 block assists.

• Freshman Camryn Wise has found a home in the middle of the court over the last five weeks, boasting a team and MAC-leading 1.49 blocks-per-set average … She has registered at least two blocks in all 11 matches she has played, while tallying a career-high nine total blocks in the Oct. 14 four-set win over Akron … Wise has also aided from the attack line, with 31 kills and a .292 hitting percentage.

• Ball State currently ranks third in the MAC and 75th nationally with a 15.31 digs-per-set average … Havyn Gates leads the squad and is seventh in the MAC with her 4.09 digs-per-set average … Megan Wielonski is not far behind, ranking second on the team at 2.67 digs per set.

• Also aiding in Ball State’s backcourt play has been sophomore defensive specialist Paige Busick who registered a career-high 21 digs in the four-set win over Akron (Oct. 13) … She currently ranks third on the team with a 2.12 digs-per-set average and became the third Cardinal to register 20+ digs in a match this season, joining Havyn Gates and Megan Wielonski.

• Both Megan Wielonski and Havyn Gates are approaching 1,000 career digs as Cardinals, with Wielonski entering the weekend with 912 and Gates right behind at 907 … Only 19 players in program history have reached 1,000 career digs, with the program record being 2,273 set by Stephanie Keller (2001-04).

BALL STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER

SOCCER DROPS HEARTBREAKER AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS

DEKALB, Ill. – – The Ball State soccer team suffered its first Mid-American Conference loss of the season Thursday afternoon as Northern Illinois struck for a 90th-minute goal to earn a 1-0 victory at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex.

The Cardinals (7-6-3; 5-1-3 MAC), who entered the day as the league’s top scoring team, struggled to find its offensive footing against a Huskies (7-6-3; 5-3-1 MAC) squad looking to climb up the league standings.

Ball State tallied just one shot in the opening 45 minutes but was able to pick up the pace in the second half and produced one of the matches’ most dangerous chances in the 59th minute when a header by senior forward Avery Fenchel was denied by the NIU keeper.

The Cardinals would also test NIU’s Sadie McGill in the 76th minute with back-to-back blasts from outside the penalty box by graduate defender Maya Turner and junior forward Lexi Fraley, both of which were saved.

On the other side of the pitch, redshirt junior Bethany Moser was nearly flawless despite facing a barrage of shots from the Huskies. For the third consecutive match, Moser set a career high for saves, this time collecting 14.

Two of her biggest saves came late in the contest, including a high blast from just inside the attacking third in the 73rd minute she was able to punch over the cross bar. The second was an 86th-minute rocket from near the penalty spot which Moser was able to collect.

Unfortunately, the Huskies drew a late corner and were able to battle for a loose ball in front of the goal, sneaking the match-winner past the Cardinals’ defense with just 50 seconds left on the clock.

The Ball State soccer team will look to rebound Sunday when it welcomes Bowling Green to the Briner Sports Complex for a 2 p.m. kickoff.

BALL STATE FIELD HOCKEY

FIELD HOCKEY HOSTS APP STATE FRIDAY FOR SENIOR DAY; PLAYS QUEENS IN LOUISVILLE SUNDAY

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State field hockey team is set to host App State in its last home game of the season in Mid-American Conference action Friday afternoon at the Briner Sports Complex. The game is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET. The Cardinals will also play a neutral site game Sunday in Louisville, Ky., against Queens University of Charlotte at 3:30 pm ET.

Prior to Friday’s contest, the Cardinals will pay tribute to their seven seniors Hannah Johnston, Rachel Bohn, Elyse Horner, Michaela Graney, Paloma Gomez Rengifo, Maureen Donegan and Emma Hilton. Also being recognized will be Ball State’s fifth year seniors as well, Libby Kraus and Kerrianne McClay.

The last time App State and Ball State met was last season on Oct. 21. The Cardinals suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 double overtime loss to the Mountaineers in Boone, N.C.

The Mountaineers come into Friday’s game with Ball State on a five-game winning streak and are outscoring their opponents 17-3 over those five games.

The Cardinals bring a 6-8 overall record and a 2-3 MAC ledger to Friday’s contest while the Mountaineers own a 10-4 record and are 4-1 in league play. Ball State is coming off a big win over Indiana Sunday after Hilton scored the 3-2 game-winner in a sudden death shootout in Muncie.

On Sunday, Ball State will face Queens University of Charlotte in Louisville, Ky., at Trager Stadium for the first time in program history. Currently, Queens University of Charlotte brings an 0-14 overall record to the contest.

After this weekend, the Ball State field hockey team will wrap up its regular season at Miami on Oct. 27 in Oxford, Ohio at 3 pm ET and then at Michigan State on Oct. 29 in East Lansing, Mich., at 1 pm ET.

BALL STATE MEN’S SWIMMING

NEXT UP FOR MEN’S S&D; DAN ROSS INDIANA INTERCOLLEGIATE ON SATURDAY

MUNCIE, Ind. – – After a successful opening weekend which saw the Ball State men’s swimming & diving program earn a 187-113 victory at UIC, the Cardinals will look to build momentum Saturday when it travels to the Boilermaker Aquatic Center for the Dan Ross Indiana Intercollegiate hosted by Purdue.

In addition to the Cardinals and host Boilermakers, the 10-team men’s field features Anderson, Bethel, Franklin, Indiana Wesleyan, IUPUI, Rose-Hulman, Southern Indiana and Wabash.

Last season, the Ball State men’s squad placed third among eight teams at the event, with Joey Garberick taking home the team’s lone event win in the 100 IM.

SATURDAY’S EVENT LINEUP:

200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle, 50 Freestyle, 100 Individual Medley, 100 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, 500 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Freestyle Relay, 1M Diving and 3M Diving

Fans unable to attend the Don Ross Indiana Intercollegiate can follow the action with: LIVE RESULTS

IN THE MAC RANKINGS:

In the latest NCAA Division I Top Time Rankings as compiled by CollegeSwimming.com, the Cardinals have 15 student-athletes ranked in scoring position in their respective events after the win at UIC (Oct. 14).

Three-time defending MAC 100 breaststroke champion Joey Garberick is Ball State’s top-ranked swimmer, holding the top spot in the 200 breaststroke (2:04.28) and the third spot in the 100 breaststroke (55.75).

Men’s Swimmers Currently Ranked in the MAC Top 16

50 Freestyle: 8th – Owen Chaye (21.09)

100 Freestyle: 8th – Owen Chaye (46.08) / 11th – Jacob Siewers (46.42) / 14th – Ethan Pheifer (46.77)

200 Freestyle: 11th – Jacob Siewers (1:44.12)

500 Freestyle: 3rd – Malcolm Slater (4:41.78) / 12th – Tommy Brunner (4:51.10)

1000 Freestyle: 6th – Alexander Eddy (9:55.10) / 10th – Tommy Brunner (9:57.44)

100 Backstroke: 7th – Ethan Pheifer (51.68)

200 Backstroke: 8th – Logan Ayres (1:54.68) / 13th – Max Kruglov (1:56.48)

100 Breaststroke: 3rd – Joey Garberick (55.75) / 9th – Michael Burns (57.43) / 13th – Aidan Biddle (59.06)

200 Breaststroke: 1st – Joey Garberick (2:04.28) / 14th – Michael Burns (2:10.78)

100 Butterfly: 7th – Bryce Handshoe (50.63) / 14th – Reeve Ferber (51.98)

200 Butterfly: 4th – Malcolm Slater (1:52.57) / 8th – Bryce Handshoe (1:53.76) / 15th – Reeve Ferber (1:57.31)

400 IM: 6th – Malcolm Slater (4:09.05) / 13th – Max Kruglov (4:15.42) / 14th – Zach Zishka (4:17.00)

400 Freestyle Relay: 4th (3:05.87)

200 Medley Relay: 4th (1:31.68)

FROM THE DIVING BOARDS:

Sophomore Porter Brovont leads the Cardinals on both diving boards after the opening meet of the season with a 1M score of 276.98 and a 3M score of 275.25.

Ball State Divers Top Results in 2023-24

Porter Brovont (So.) – 276.98 on 1M / 275.25 on 3M

Wyatt Blake (5th Sr.) – 237.08 on 1M / 236.78 on 3M

Isaac Hunter (Sr.) – 181.43 on 1M / 249.15 on 3M

MAC AWARD WINNERS:

One week in and Ball State has already claimed one Mid-American Conference weekly award with senior Joey Garberick earning the first 2023-24 MAC Swimmer of the Week honor after winning both the 100 and 200 breaststroke events in the team’s 187-113 victory at UIC (Oct. 14).

Award Winners:

10/18/2023 – Joey Garberick MAC Swimmer of the Week

EVENT WINNERS:

As a squad, the Cardinals have chalked up 10 individual event wins and two relay victories so far this season. Ball State has three student-athletes tied for the team lead with two event wins each, while four others have one event victory.

2023-24 Men’s Individual Event Winners (10 Total)

2 – Owen Chaye (5th Sr.)

Oct. 14 at UIC – 50 Freestyle (21.09) / 100 Freestyle (46.08)

2 – Joey Garberick (Sr.)

Oct. 14 at UIC – 100 Breaststroke (55.75) / 200 Breaststroke (2:04.28)

2 – Malcolm Slater (Fr.)

Oct. 14 at UIC – 200 Butterfly (1:52.57) / 500 Freestyle (4:41.78)

1 – Logan Ayres (So.)

Oct. 14 at UIC – 200 Backstroke (1:54.68)

1 – Alexander Eddy (Jr.)

Oct. 14 at UIC – 1000 Freestyle (9:55.10)

1 – Bryce Handshoe (5th Sr.)

Oct. 14 at UIC – 100 Butterfly (50.63)

1 – Ethan Pheifer (Jr.)

Oct. 14 at UIC – 100 Backstroke (51.68)

2023-24 Men’s Relay Event Winners (2 Total)

1 – 200 Medley Relay

Oct. 14 at UIC – Ethan Pheifer, Joey Garberick, Bryce Handshoe, Owen Chaye – 1:31.68

1 – 400 Freestyle Relay

Oct. 14 at UIC – Jacob Siewers, Joey Garberick, Ethan Pheifer, Owen Chaye – 3:05.87

BALL STATE WOMEN’S SWIMMING

WOMEN’S S&D OPENS 2023-24 SEASON SATURDAY AT INDIANA INTERCOLLEGIATE

MUNCIE, Ind. – – The Ball State women’s swimming & diving program opens its 2023-24 season Saturday when it travels to the Boilermaker Aquatic Center for the Dan Ross Indiana Intercollegiate hosted by Purdue.

In addition to the Cardinals and host Boilermakers, the 10-team women’s field features Anderson, Bethel, Butler, Franklin, Indiana Wesleyan, IUPUI, Rose-Hulman and Southern Indiana.

Last season, the Ball State women’s squad placed second among eight teams at the meet, winning five of the 12 events contested.

SATURDAY’S EVENT LINEUP:

200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle, 50 Freestyle, 100 Individual Medley, 100 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, 500 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Freestyle Relay, 1M Diving and 3M Diving

Fans unable to attend the Don Ross Indiana Intercollegiate can follow the action with: LIVE RESULTS

Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Cardinals return a plethora of talent, including sophomore Payton Kelly who is the defending Indiana Intercollegiate champion in both the 50 and 100 freestyle.

Kelly is one of three individual program record holders returning for the Cardinals this season, owning BSU’s all-time mark in the 50 freestyle at 22.51. She is also second in the Ball State record book in the 100 freestyle at 49.81.

Senior Marcella Ribeiro, who holds the individual program records in the 200 freestyle (1:48.13), 500 freestyle (4:48.37), 1000 freestyle (10:01.21) and 1650 freestyle (16:32.61), returns as the defending meet champion in the 200 freestyle.

Also returning as a defending event champion is junior Hannah Jones who has captured top billing in the 100 backstroke at each of the past two Indiana Intercollegiate meets. Jones is also Ball State’s program record holder in the event at 54.44.

Kelly, Ribeiro and Jones also combined with then-senior Apsara Sakbun to win the 200 freestyle relay at last season’s Indiana Intercollege meet.

On the relay side, Kelly is a member of all three freestyle relay program records, while Jones has had a hand in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay records. Ribeiro is a member of the 400 freestyle and 800 freestyle relay records.

Other relay record holders returning for the season include junior Gracey Payne (200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay, 800 freestyle relay), senior Laura Wright (200 medley relay) and sophomore Kiran Stauffer (800 freestyle relay).

Saturday’s meet will be the first of three straight weekends of action for the Ball State women’s squad which travels to Buffalo (Oct. 28), hosts IUPUI (Nov. 3) and hosts Eastern Michigan (Nov. 4).

INDIANA STATE FOOTBALL

SYCAMORES WELCOME NO. 16/6 SOUTH DAKOTA FOR HOMECOMING GAME

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State welcomes No. 16/6 South Dakota to Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the Sycamores host the Coyotes on Saturday, October 21. Kickoff between the Sycamores and the Yotes is set for 1 p.m. and will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.

Quick Hits

Indiana State trails the all-time series, 5-2, against South Dakota dating back to the inaugural contest in 2012. ISU won the opening contest in the series at Memorial Stadium, 45-14, with both Sycamore wins coming at home against the Coyotes. ISU last won a triple overtime contest against USD back in 2018, 51-48.

The Sycamores enter the season with an 0-6 record, 0-3 in Valley play. It marks just the seventh time Indiana State has started off the season falling in their first six games since the 2000 season. Indiana State faces one of the toughest schedules in the nation this season including four ranked in the top-25 in FCS over their final five games of the season.

Dakota Caton is closing in on 1,000 career receiving yards during his time with the Sycamores. The redshirt senior enters the weekend with 84 receptions for 964 yards. Maddix Blackwell has posted three double-digit tackling efforts in the 2023 season including 10 this past weekend at Illinois State.

About South Dakota

South Dakota enters the weekend with a 5-1 record, 3-0 in Missouri Valley Football play. The Coyotes sit ranked in both the major FCS polls moving as high as No. 6 in the STATS PERFORM list, while moving to No. 16 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. South Dakota has posted two wins against ranked opponents this season including topping then-No. 2 North Dakota State in Fargo, 24-19, while topping then-No. 23-20 Youngstown State this past weekend in Vermillion, 34-31.

The Coyotes were picked ninth overall in the MVFC Preseason poll as voted on by the league’s head coaches, media members, and SIDs. South Dakota running back Travis Theis leads the MVFC in total rushing attempts with 95 carries for 462 yards, while averaging 77.0 yards per game. Quarterback Aidan Bouman has not been afraid to throw the ball downfield this season sitting second in the MVFC in pass yards per attempt at 9.36, while sitting third in completion percentage (70.6%). Linebacker Brock Mogensen is back among the Valley leaders this season in tackles (49) and tackles per game (7.5).

On This Date

Indiana State is back home on October 21 for Homecoming as the Sycamores host South Dakota at Memorial Stadium. It marks the fifth time all-time ISU has hosted a Homecoming Game on the date and first since 2017 when the Sycamores fell to Southern Illinois, 45-24. ISU is 3-2 all-time on Homecoming Games on October 21 and 6-4 all-time on the date dating back to 1950.

1950 – vs. Indiana Central (HC) – W, 27-7

1961 – at Ball State – W, 41-0

1967 – at Evansville – W, 15-14

1972 – vs. Butler – W, 49-21

1978 – vs. West Texas A&M – L, 36-7

1989 – at Illinois State – L, 15-13

1995 – vs. Western Kentucky (HC) – W, 27-6

2000 – vs. Northern Iowa (HC) – L, 49-17

2006 – vs. Missouri State (HC) – W, 28-22

2017 – vs. Southern Illinois (HC) – L, 45-24

Tough Slate Ahead

The Missouri Valley Football Conference features eight teams currently either ranked or receiving votes to date so far in the 2023 season. Six of those teams remain on Indiana State’s schedule this season including this weekend’s opponent in South Dakota.

No. 1/1 South Dakota State – Do not play

No. 12/12 at Southern Illinois – Nov. 18, 2023

No. 15/14 North Dakota State – Do not play

No. 9/11 at North Dakota – Oct. 28, 2023

No. 16/6 South Dakota – Oct. 21, 2023

No. 25/RV at Illinois State – L, 44-7

RV/RV Northern Iowa – L, 27-20

RV/25 Youngstown State – Nov. 4, 2023

The six ranked/receiving votes teams on the conference slate mark the most on the Indiana State schedule since the 2017 season when ISU took on six ranked FCS opponents on the year.

Last Time at South Dakota

Indiana State was unable to keep pace with a strong South Dakota second quarter as the Sycamores fell to the host Coyotes 38-10 inside the DakotaDome.

Indiana State surrendered a trio of Coyote touchdowns in the second quarter to give host South Dakota a 21-point halftime lead. The Sycamores battled back in the third quarter, but the comeback fell short as Indiana State was unable to fight all the way back in the conference loss.

The Sycamores were paced by Anthony Thompson’s 16-of-24 performance through the air for 135 yards and a touchdown. Thompson added a 30-yard reception, while five different Indiana State receivers hauled in multiple catches on the day paced by Zach Larkin’s five catches for a career-high 48 yards

Defensively, Michael Thomas led the Sycamores efforts with nine tackles and his first sack of the 2021 season. Geoffrey Brown and Gavin Dineen finished with seven tackles apiece, while four different Sycamores recorded sacks in the loss.

ISU’s Last Win in the Series

Facing 3rd-and-3 on the 3-yard line, Ryan Boyle threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Dante Hendrix in the third overtime period as the Sycamores claimed their third-straight win with a 51-48 victory over South Dakota Saturday afternoon in front of 5,816 fans at Memorial Stadium.

Boyle accounted for a school record seven touchdowns in the game while tying the single game record for touchdown passes with five that was set in 1985 by Jeff Miller.

It marked the fourth ever triple overtime game in program history and just the second triple overtime win after Indiana State defeated Western Illinois (Oct. 23) in 1999. The victory also marked the first overtime win for the Sycamores since 2014 when ISU defeated Youngstown State.

The game-winning touchdown, a pass to a wide-open Hendrix who was running to the left, came from across the field as Boyle was bootlegging right to avoid a sack. It was one of five touchdown passes for Boyle, who was 20-for-27 for 193 yards while also rushing for a career-high 187 yards on 18 carries and scoring twice himself.

INDIANA STATE SWIMMING

SYCAMORES HOST QUAD MEET AS A PART OF 2023 HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State returns to the Vigo County Aquatic Center this weekend as the Sycamores host a quad meet featuring UIC, Southern Indiana, and Evansville on Friday night. First event is slated to begin at 5 p.m. ET.

The Sycamores head into the week following a successful road trip to both Milwaukee and Green Bay. Indiana State topped the Panthers on Friday night, 225.5.-74.5, before traveling to Green Bay and completing the weekend sweep with a 239-61 against the Phoenix.

For their efforts over the weekend, ISU swimmers Chloe Farro (Swimmer) and Claire Parsons (Freshman) claimed Missouri Valley Conference weekly honors as announced by the conference office. Farro topped the field winning 50-and 100-yard Freestyle against Milwaukee, while adding a win in the 100-yard Freestyle against Green Bay. Parsons took home four event wins on the week including winning the 500- and 1000-yard Freestyle against Milwaukee and the 200-yard Free and 200-yard Backstroke against Green Bay.

“We always enjoy competing at home, so we’re looking forward to the meet on Friday,” head coach Josh Christensen said. “It’s Homecoming weekend, we’ll have a group of alumnae back for the weekend, and I expect a solid crowd in the stands. It should make for some great energy and a fun meet environment. Our main goal for the evening will be to use this meet to take a step forward from where we’ve been to this point. We have intrasquad and our Wisconsin trip under our belt. Those were both learning opportunities. Friday should show progression.”

ISU won 31 of the 32 events over the weekend to open the 2023-24 fall regular season. The Sycamores opened the year with Chloe Farro (50- and 100-Free), Zoe Smith (1M and 3M Diving), and Claire Parsons (500- and 1000-Free) sweeping their respective events. Both Smith and Bailey Betzer hit NCAA Zone qualifying standards in the season opener in the 1M diving event.

In the follow-up against Green Bay, the Sycamores set the tone early sweeping the top two spots in the 200-yard Medley Relay and had the top three finishers in both the 1000-yard and 200-yard Freestyles. Claire Parsons (200-yard Free & 200-yard Back), Zoe Smith (1M & 3M Diving), Kaimi Matsumoto (50-yard Free & 100-yard Fly), and Alexandria Cotter (100-yard Back, 200-yard Breast) all won multiple events on the day.

Farro boasts the Valley’s top 100-yard Freestyle time on the season going at 51.95 in the opener at Milwaukee, while Parsons is the conference leader in the 1000-yard Freestyle at 10:20.41. Smith is the conference leader in the 1M diving with a 278.93 mark.

Friday marks ISU’s first meet against Missouri Valley competition as the Sycamores take on both UIC and Evansville. Indiana State was selected second overall in the conference’s annual preseason poll, while UIC was sixth and Evansville eighth as voted on by the league’s head coaches.

INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER

HUNTER, WOLFE SCORE AS SYCAMORES RECORD 2-2 DRAW AT EVANSVILLE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Indiana State rallied back late on Adelaide Wolfe’s goal in the final eight minutes of the match as the Sycamores recorded the 2-2 draw on the road in Missouri Valley action at Evansville on Thursday night.

In a battle between two teams that were leading the nation in draws, ISU (2-6-9, 1-4-4) and Evansville (1-5-9, 1-2-6) both recorded their NCAA-leading ninth draws of the year. Isabella Hunter and Wolfe both scored in the conference match as Indiana State scored multiple goals for the second consecutive match.

ISU struck first in the 17th minute as Hunter collected a loose ball inside the box. The senior midfielder fired past the keeper from seven yards out for her first collegiate goal over her ISU career to put the Sycamores ahead early.

Indiana State’s lead would remain through the first half as Maddie Alexander recorded three saves over seven early Evansville shots to keep it a 1-0 margin after the first 45 minutes of play.

The Purple Aces evened the score in the 70th minute as Taylor Johnson scored off the assist from Rachel Rosborough to make it a 1-1 match. Chrysta Vasquez added a second UE goal in the 81st minute off the assist from Hailey Autenrieb to put the Purple Aces ahead 2-1 heading into the final 10 minutes.

Indiana State tied the match back up in the 83rd minute as Wolfe scored her second goal of the season off a set piece on a corner kick. Audrey Stephens launched the ball into the box toward an open gap just past the net. Wolfe caught the ball on the fly and redirected the shot with the header into the upper right corner to knot the match back up at 2-2.

Evansville posted two final shot attempts in the match with both Vasquez and Autenrieb’s attempts off target as the teams settled for the draw at Arad McCutchan Field.

Mackenzie Kent lead Indiana State with three shots in the contest including one on goal, while Hunter and Wolfe’s goals highlighted the match.

Maddie Alexander finished the match with eight saves, one shy of her season-high on the year. The senior goalkeeper has 242 career saves heading into the final regular season match on Sunday afternoon moving into fourth all-time in the Sycamore record book moving past Emily Lahay (235, 2008-11).

Evansville outshot the Sycamores 17-5 in the contest, while ISU held the 8-3 edge in corner kicks in the match.

Autenrieb and Nicole Benati finished with three shots apiece to pace the Purple Aces’ offense leading six players recording multiple shots in the match. Myia Danek went the distance in the net posting one save over 90 minutes.

Up Next

Indiana State returns home to Memorial Stadium as ISU hosts Murray State on Sunday, October 22, as the Sycamores take on the Racers in the final regular season match of 2023. Kickoff between the Sycamores and the Racers is set for 1 p.m.

INDIANA STATE VOLLEYBALL

BRAVES, ‘BIRDS ON DECK FOR INDIANA STATE

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – After playing four of its last five matches at home, Indiana State heads back on the road for a pair of matches in central Illinois. The Sycamores face Bradley on Friday and Illinois State on Saturday.

Friday’s match against Bradley starts at 7 p.m., with first serve in Saturday’s match against Illinois State set for 6 p.m. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.

Last Time Out

Indiana State picked up its first conference win of the season in its last match, defeating UIC in four sets at ISU Arena. Kira Holland led all players with 16 kills, while Avery Hales notched her first career double-double with 37 assists and 11 digs. Holland also led Indiana State with 13 kills against both Evansville and Valparaiso.

Overcoming Adversity

Despite playing without multiple starters last weekend, Indiana State showed resilience in picking up its first conference win of the season Saturday over UIC. Kira Holland’s match-high 16 kills and Avery Hales’ 37 assists led the way for the Sycamores, who snapped a 16-match losing streak and a 21-match MVC losing streak in the process.

Indiana State got a balanced effort from all fronts despite being shorthanded, as three Sycamores had double-digit digs and four had six or more kills in the four-set win.

History Maker

Indiana State outside hitter Kira Holland has earned MVC Freshman of the Week honors in each of the last three weeks, becoming the first player in program history to earn multiple Freshman of the Week honors in the same season and the first player in the conference to earn three straight MVC Freshman of the Week honors since Evansville’s Giulia Cardona in 2021.

Indiana State’s four MVC Freshman of the Week honors this season are also the most of any MVC school in 2023 and the represent the most weekly awards for the Sycamores in a season in program history. The Sycamores have earned half of the conference’s Freshman of the Week honors handed out this season.

Growing The Game

Indiana State’s crowds this season have been among the best in program history, with the Sycamores drawing crowds at or near capacity in each of their first four home matches.

The announced attendance of 651 against IUPUI was the largest crowd to witness an Indiana State volleyball match in the facility it its current configuration.

Through its first five home matches, Indiana State has averaged 501 fans per match, which is more than the listed capacity of ISU Arena.

Topping the Charts

Kira Holland has been the standout performer for the Sycamores since the calendar turned to conference play. Holland has accounted for nearly 30 percent of Indiana State’s kills in conference play, while her 3.59 kills per set against conference foes ranks eighth in the MVC and first among freshmen.

Holland has earned each of the last three MVC Freshman of the Week honors, becoming the first player in program history to accomplish the feat. She ranks in the top 25 in the conference in kills (eighth), digs (24th) and service aces (21st).

Fab Freshmen

Indiana State’s freshman class continues to make a significant impact in the Sycamore rotation, with all five freshmen who have been active for Indiana State making significant contributions.

Macy Lengacher and Kira Holland have both earned MVC Freshman of the Wek honors this season, with Holland leading MVC freshmen in kills and Ella Scott leading conference freshmen in hitting percentage. Lengacher has been the Sycamores’ libero since day one, while Avery Hales has led Indiana State in assists since the start of conference play with 7.50 per set. Jadyn Smith has averaged 1.55 kills per set as part of the Sycamore outside rotation.

The Sycamores boast the conference’s freshman leader in kills per set (Kira Holland), assists per set (Avery Hales) and hitting percentage (Ella Scott), while also having two of the top three freshmen in digs per set (Holland and Macy Lengacher). Indiana State’s starting lineup last weekend included four freshmen, while all five who were active factored into the Sycamore rotation.

Opponents At A Glance

Bradley enters the weekend at 7-15 overall and 0-9 in conference play. Each of the Braves’ last four losses have come in five sets, with a Monday defeat at Illinois State being the most recent setback. Jasmine Green leads the Bradley attack with 195 kills, with Kendall Minta (160), Karagan Coggin (146) and Abby Johnson (100) all surpassing 100 kills. Minta averages one block per set, while Dru Kuck ranks seventh in the MVC in digs (4.43/set).

Winners of seven straight, Illinois State enters the weekend at 9-12 overall and 7-2 in conference play. The Redbirds defeated Bradley in five sets in their last match. Aida Shadewald (265 kills) and Hannah Reichensperger (201) headline the Redbird attack, with Emily Weber (653 assists) handling the setting duties. Mari Hinkle is third in the MVC in digs, while Reichensperger is seventh in blocks.

Series History

Bradley has a 46-34 advantage in the all-time series, including a 30-9 lead in matches played in Peoria. The Braves and Sycamores split the season series last year, with each team winning on its home floor.

Illinois State has a 67-10 lead in the all-time series and has won each of the last three meetings between the teams. The last match in Normal between the Redbirds and Sycamores went five sets.

Up Next

Indiana State returns home to face Southern Illinois (Oct. 27) and Missouri State (Oct. 28).

PURDUE FT. WAYNE VOLLEYBALL

‘DONS HOST MILWAUKEE FRIDAY, GREEN BAY SATURDAY FOR PINK OUT GAME

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne will play a pair of Horizon League matches this weekend, welcoming Milwaukee and Green Bay to the Gates Sports Center. Saturday’s match against Green Bay will be the Mastodons’ annual Pink Out.

Game Day Information (Friday)

Who: Milwaukee Panthers

When: Friday, October 20 | 6 PM

Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Gates Sports Center

Game Day Information (Saturday)

Who: Green Bay Phoenix

When: Saturday, October 21 | 4 PM

Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Gates Sports Center

Know Your Foes

• Milwaukee has won three of their last four matches in Horizon League play and lead the conference with a 7-2 record so far. Overall, the Panthers are 15-8 and 5-3 away from home.

• Green Bay is 6-3 in Horizon League matches this season and have lost three of their last four. The Phoenix hold a 8-13 overall record and are 3-5 on the road.

Series Histories

• Purdue Fort Wayne is 2-9 against Milwaukee in the programs respective histories. The ‘Dons last win came in 2010 in the final of the IPFW Invitational.

• The ‘Dons are 6-9 all-time against Green Bay. The Phoenix have won the last three against Purdue Fort Wayne, but the ‘Dons are 3-2 against Green Bay at home.

Recognizing 1,000

Between sets two and three of Saturday’s match, the Mastodons will honor any Mastodon alumni and former coaches in attendance to celebrate the program’s 1,000 win mark. Among others, head coaches Arnie Ball, Lisa Sheehan, Tim Heffron, Kelley Hartley Hutton and Steve Florio will be recognized.

Think Pink

Saturday’s match with Green Bay will be Purdue Fort Wayne’s annual Pink Out match. The ‘Dons will wear pink to honor breast cancer survivors and increase awareness.

Fabulous Freshman

Panna Ratkai stands out among the Horizon League’s best freshmen. Ratkai is the only freshman in the country with more than 300 kills this season. She is one of just 18 players nationally with more than 300 kills and the only one in the Horizon League. Ratkai is also one of two players in the Horizon League with more than 30 aces. Nationally, she has the highest kills per set rate among freshmen at 4.16.

Last Time Out

Panna Ratkai recorded 22 kills in a three-set loss at Northern Kentucky on Friday night (Oct. 13), which ties the fifth-most in a three-set match in Purdue Fort Wayne’s women’s volleyball history. On Saturday (Oct. 14), Taya Haffner recorded a double-double against the Wright State with 22 assists and 12 digs.

Coming Up

Purdue Fort Wayne hits the road and will face Oakland on Tuesday (Oct. 24) for a 6 p.m. match.

PURDUE FT. WAYNE CROSS COUNTRY

MASTODON XC TO RACE AT WILD BILL INVITE FRIDAY

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Mastodon cross country will run in one final race ahead of next week’s Horizon League Championships. The team will compete at the Wild Bill Invite on Friday (Oct. 20), hosted by Wright State.

Meet: Wild Bill Invite (6K/8K)

When: Friday, October 20 | 4 p.m. (Women’s 6K) | 4:45 p.m. (Men’s 8K)

Where: Fairborn Community Park, Fairiborn, OH.

Men’s Preview

A six-man team heads to Ohio this Friday for Purdue Fort Wayne. The six runners competed in the White race last week at the Bradley Pink Classic. Colten Gasson finished 92nd with a time of 27:27.0 while JT Hodges (27:51.8) represented the 4th runner for Purdue Fort Wayne as the team took ninth overall in the White Race. Jack Mills ran his new personal best 8K time of 28:08.2 and Andrew Arnos, Cory Waldron, and Noah Shook all finished under 30 minutes in last week’s race.

Men’s Entries:Andrew Arnos, Colten Gasson, JT Hodges, Jack Mills, Noah Shook, Cory Waldron

Women’s Preview

Purdue Fort Wayne will send five women to Wright State on Friday. Four of those five ran in the White race last week at the Bradley Pink Classic. Hailey Whiteleather led the team in that race with a time of 28:36.9. Emma Collison was the next ‘Don across the line at 28:59.6. Grace Auckley ran her first collegiate 6K and finished in 29:00.4 while Madeleine Wisniewski ran a time of 29:45.6.

Women’s Entries:Faith Allen, Hailey Whiteleather, Madeleine Wisniewski, Emma Collison, Haylee Hile

Up Next

The ‘Dons are in action on Saturday, Oct. 28th for the Horizon League Championships.

EVANSVILLE VOLLEYBALL

BUSY WEEKEND AHEAD FOR UE VOLLEYBALL

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Another busy weekend is upcoming for the University of Evansville volleyball team with three road matches in four days. The Purple Aces open at Illinois State on Friday, Bradley on Saturday and complete the trip with a Monday evening match at Chicago State. ESPN+ will have the coverage of the two MVC matches while the CSU contest will be carried on YouTube.

NCAA’S Longest Match

– On October 13, Evansville and UIC squared off in what was the longest match in the history of the NCAA

– The 5-set contest took 3 hours and 44 minutes to complete, surpassing the previous record of 3 hours and 38 minutes, which took place between Hawaii and BYU in 1998

National Accolade

– Giulia Cardona became just the second player in Missouri Valley Conference history to earn AVCA Division I National Player of the Week honors when she earned the accolade on Oct. 17

– Lily Johnson of Missouri State was the first league player to do so in 2017

– The recognition came on the heels of a 40-kill performance versus the Flames as Cardona tied the MVC single-match record while setting the UE program record

On a Roll

– Giulia Cardona earned her third MVC Player of the Week honor on Oct. 16 as she averaged 6.62 kills in matches versus Indiana State, UIC and Valparaiso

– Highlighting the week was her 40-kill performance versus UIC that tied the league’s single-match record that was set by UNI’s Bobbi (Becker) Petersen in 1989

– Along with her 40 kills, Cardona had 94 attempts, tying for the second-highest total in league history; teammate Melanie Feliciano holds the MVC record with 95 in 2019

– Cardona remains the national leader in kills (5.58/set), points (6.28/set) and attacks (14.81/set)

– The 3-time MVC Player of the Week honoree in 2023 earned the honor on Aug. 28, Sept. 25 and Oct. 16

– The 40-kill match by Cardona was the first that the NCAA had seen since the fall of 2019 when it happened on three occasions

– She currently holds the NCAA lead for kills this season in a 3-set (26), 4-set (36) and 5-set (40) match

Scouting the Opposition

– While they are 9-12 overall, Illinois State sits at 7-2 in MVC matches and has won seven in a row entering the weekend

– Aida Shadewald paces the team with 3.53 kills/set, which is 6th in the Valley

– After going 7-6 in non-conference play, Bradley has dropped its opening nine MVC matches to fall to 7-15

– Kendall Minta has proven to be one of the top defensive players in the MVC as she ranks 4th in the conference with 1.00 blocks per set

– Chicago State will be the third opponent of the weekend and stands at 10-5 with two wins coming over the Purple Aces

– Yanlis Feliz paces the Cougars with an average of 4.37 kills

Running the Offense

– Just four days after totaling 57 assists against Indiana State, Kora Ruff reset her career mark with 64 in the victory over UIC

– Ruff has been on an absolute roll over the last few matches, averaging 12.6 assists per set while improving her season mark to 10.58, which is second in the league

– It marked the first 60-assist performance of Ruff’s UE career surpassing her previous high of 58, which came as a freshman

– Her average is 20th in the nation while her total of 751 assists is 23rd nationally

– Over the course of the season, Ruff has posted 2.66 digs per set but has seen that rise to 2.85/frame in MVC contests

First Over 30

– With 32 digs against UIC, Ainoah Cruz put forth the top performance of her young career; her previous high of 27 digs came in the road win at Samford

– Cruz checks in with an average of 4.19 digs per set, which is 9th in the MVC

– Her numbers in MVC matches is even better at 4.45/frame.

EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S SOCCER

UE WOMEN INCH CLOSER TO MVC TOURNAMENT WITH DRAW AGAINST INDIANA STATE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s soccer team rallied for second-half goals from freshman Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) and sophomore Chrysta Vasquez (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) on Thursday night to earn a 2-2 tie against visiting Indiana State at Arad McCutchan Stadium in Evansville. With the draw, Evansville moved closer to clinching a spot in the 2023 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament field.

After Indiana State struck in the first half for a goal off a corner kick by Isabella Hunter in the 17th minute, Evansville rallied in the second half behind an offensive onslaught which saw UE out-shoot the Sycamores, 10-4, after halftime. The Purple Aces would finally earn the equalizer in the 70th minute on a strike by Johnson, who trapped down a cross from senior defender Rachel Rosborough (Mt. Brydges, Ontario) inside the penalty area and blasted a ball off the underside of the crossbar that just barely finished bouncing over the goal line for Johnson’s first career goal.

UE would then take a lead in the 81st minute after a tremendous run by junior midfielder Hailey Autenrieb, who battled numerous Indiana State defenders down the left-side before making it into the six-yard box and slotting a ball to a wide-open Vasquez at the penalty spot, who buried a shot to the lower-right corner for her second goal of the season.

Indiana State would answer back with another goal off of a corner kick just minutes later to knot the game at 2-2. The match would remain tied, despite UE out-shooting Indiana State 17-5 overall in the match, including holding a 10-3 edge in shots on goal.

With the draw, Evansville improved to nine points in the MVC standings with a 1-2-6 conference record to remain in eighth place in the Valley. Indiana State, meanwhile, moved to seven points with a 1-4-4 conference mark. Only the top eight teams make the MVC Tournament field, and Evansville can punch its ticket to the conference tournament with either a win or a draw against Missouri State on Sunday afternoon at McCutchan Stadium on “Senior Day” at UE. UE can also qualify for the tournament with a loss, as long as Indiana State does not defeat Murray State on Sunday. All five matches around the MVC will kick-off at noon on Sunday, and every match can be seen live on ESPN+.

SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S GOLF

DAY NAMED OVC GOLFER OF THE WEEK

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana senior Jace Day (Bloomington, Indiana) was named the Ohio Valley Conference Golfer of the Week after his performance in The Buddy (hosted by Murray State University) this week at the Miller Memorial Golf Course in Murray, Kentucky. Day claimed the medalist honor after posting a school record seven-under 206 (70-66-70) over the 54-hole tournament.

Day’s 206 broke the 54-hole record set by teammate, Jason Bannister (Laguna Niguel, CA), who posted a 208 two weeks earlier at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Derek Dolenc Invitational. The second-round 66 was a career-best for Day and tied for the third-best single round in the history of the program.

As a team, Day and the Screaming Eagles won The Buddy team championship by 12 shots.

The Eagles complete the fall tournament schedule October 28-29 when they play in the Kentucky Wesleyan Invitational, hosted by KWC at the The Pearl Club in Owensboro, Kentucky.

SOUTHERN INDIANA SWIMMING

USI SWIM AND DIVE TRAVEL TO PURDUE AND INDIANA STATE IN AN INDIANA SHOWDOWN

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving embark on an Indiana road trip this weekend. The Screaming Eagles take on the University of Illinois at Chicago and Indiana State University in a Tri-Meet. The Tri-Meet is hosted by Indiana State and will take place at the Vigo County Aquatic Center at 4 p.m CT.

On Saturday at 11 p.m. CT, the Eagles travel to Purdue University to compete in the Dan Ross Indiana Intercollegiate meet. The meet features 11 different schools from Indiana looking to make their mark. The schools include Anderson University, Ball State University, Bethel University, Butler University (Women), Franklin College, Indiana Wesleyan, IUPUI, Purdue University, USI, Rose-Hulman, and Wabash College (Men).

USI Women

USI Women’s Swim and Dive went 1-1 last weekend in the Evansville Tri-Meet, beating Valparaiso University 143-88, and coming up just short against the University of Evansville, 126-110. Freshman Maranda Uttke (Grafton, Wisconsin) shattered a school record in the 1-meter dive event with a score of 199.65.

Freshman Caiya Cooper (LaPorte, Indiana) had a massive weekend sweeping her individual events and her relay. Cooper recorded first place times in the 200 yard freestyle (1:57.46), 500 yard freestyle (5:17.62), and the 400 yard freestyle relay (3:39.33).

USI Men

The Screaming Eagles Men’s Swimming and Diving team also split the Tri-Meet last Saturday. The Eagles beat Valparaiso University 127-110 but fell to the University of Evansville 162-78.

Freshman Camden Richardson (Spring Hill, Tennessee) had a special weekend breaking the 200 yard backstroke school record (1:56.91). Sophomore Garrett Crist (Bargersville, Indiana) followed right behind Richardson with an impressive time (1:59.61).

Freshman Sam Smith (Trafalgar, Indiana) earned a crucial first place victory in the 200 yard butterfly (1:56.97).

Live stats will be available for both events on MeetMobile.

SOUTHERN INDIANA VOLLEYBALL

USI ENDS ROAD SWING THIS WEEKEND AGAINST WESTERN ILLINOIS

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (9-12, 5-5 OVC) looks to snap its three-match winless streak this weekend when the Screaming Eagles travel to Macomb, Illinois to face Ohio Valley Conference newcomer, Western Illinois University (6-13, 5-3 OVC), at Western Hall with matches slated for Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. After the weekend matchup, USI will have to wait an extra week before their next match due to the bye week.

Game Coverage

Information about USI Volleyball, including live stats, video, and audio broadcasts, is available on USIScreamingEagles.com.

Tickets

Admission to the USI Volleyball matches this weekend is free.

Screaming Eagles Headlines:

Eagles Falter On The Road. The Screaming Eagles dropped two matches against Morehead State last weekend, moving their winless streak to three games. On the bright side, after USI went on their last three-match skid, they won five of their next six matches.

You Have To #OVCit. USI continues the road swing with a bout against newly-added OVC opponent, Western Illinois. The Leathernecks, formerly a Summit League school, are currently fourth in the OVC standings and will face the Eagles for the first time in program history.

Anderson On The Rise. Senior Leah Anderson is the fourth Screaming Eagle to rank in the top five in three categories in USI Volleyball history. She currently ranks second in aces and kills while being fifth in digs all-time at USI. Anderson joins an elite group that includes Leeanne Gross, Sheri Kaiser, and Shannon Wells.

Best of the Best. Senior Leah Anderson has earned a conference-leading 283 kills and 343.5 points with the second-most aces (34). Junior Carly Sobieralski leads the OVC with 718 assists and has nabbed seven 40+ assist matches with one 50-assist performance. Junior Paris Downing has excelled at the net, securing a league-leading 87 blocks.

Nationally Acclaimed. Due to USI being in the DI reclassification period, the Eagles are not ranked in the NCAA statistical rankings. However, USI would rank 12th in total attacks (2,860) and 45th in aces (134). Senior Leah Anderson would stand 20th in total points (343.5), 30th in total aces (34), 32nd in total kills (283), and 33rd in total attacks (846) while junior Carly Sobieralski ranks 33rd in total assists (718) and junior Paris Downing is 42nd in total blocks (87). (as of 10/17)

OVC Leaderboard. USI ranks third in service aces per set (1.68) and blocks per set (2.15) while being fourth in opponent hitting percentage (.189) and opponent aces per set (1.40). The Eagles are sixth in the OVC standings going into the week.

OVC Leaders. Senior Leah Anderson has her name in three categories, nabbing second in points per set (4.29), third in kills per set (3.54), and fourth in aces per set (0.43). Senior Abby Bednar sits fourth in points per set (3.91), sixth in aces per set (0.39), and seventh in kills per set (3.14). Junior Carly Sobieralski ranks fourth in assists per set (8.98) while junior Paris Downing and sophomore Keira Moore round out the leaders with Downing being second in blocks per set (1.09) and Moore in eighth in digs per set (3.74).

About Western Illinois. The Leathernecks go into the weekend 6-13 overall and 5-3 within the conference. WIU’s last contest was a 3-0 loss to non-conference foe, Chicago State. The Leathernecks have earned big conference wins over Morehead State, Little Rock, UT Martin, and SIUE. The Leathernecks rank first in the OVC and 15th in the nation in total digs (1,283) while standing third in the conference and ninth in the nation in digs per set (17.11).

Leading the Leathernecks. Keyana Cruse ranks first in the OVC in attacks per set (10.59) and total attacks (720) while holding the fifth-most kills per set (3.34). Brittany Wulf stands tall in attacks per set with 9.94 to rank third in the conference. Julianna Schmidt sits fifth in total blocks (71) and seventh in blocks per set (1.01) within the OVC. Karli Wenzel rounds out the leaders with 323 digs and 4.36 digs per set which is fifth best in the conference.

More Information. For more information about USI Volleyball and Athletics, go to USIScreamingEagles.com or follow USI Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER

WOMEN’S SOCCER EXTENDS UNBEATEN STREAK WITH 0-0 TIE AGAINST SEMO

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Continuing the march toward the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer posted its third straight draw with a 0-0 tie against Southeast Missouri State University Thursday night at Strassweg Field.

Both teams came out of the gates looking to gain control of the match. USI redshirt goalkeeper Anna Markland (Hoover, Alabama) got her gloves on the ball early with a pair of easy saves. The Screaming Eagles’ first shot came in the 12th minute off the foot of sophomore midfielder Emma Thurston (Leawood, Kansas).

Southern Indiana generated a pair of chances in the 26th minute from senior defender Alexis Schone (Galena, Ohio) and sophomore midfielder

Peyton Murphy

Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana), tracking down a loose ball in the attacking penalty box. Each team produced three shots on goal in the first half.

The back-and-forth stalemate continued into the second half. Despite attacking opportunities for both teams, neither budged on the scoreboard. Markland saw a couple of shots come her way in the early portion of the second half, but she collected saves on both.

USI had a few opportunistic looks late in the match. With under 10 minutes remaining, Southern Indiana moved down the field and was rewarded with several tries in the attacking third. Following a throw-in pass, freshman midfielder Pilar Torres (Chula Vista, California) had the ball come to her feet inside the top of the penalty box, but her shot was knocked away by the Redhawks’ goalkeeper Sophia Elfrink. A couple of minutes later, Thurston had a shot that was off the mark before Alexis Schone had a header off a free kick blocked away.

In the contest, the Eagles tallied 11 shots and the Redhawks had nine. Both teams put five shots on target. Alexis Schone had a game-high four shots, Murphy had three with two on frame, and Thurston had two shot attempts. Markland recorded five saves in goal, claiming her sixth shutout of the season.

The Screaming Eagles moved to 4-6-7 this season with a 3-1-4 conference record, extending the team’s season-best unbeaten streak to six matches. Southeast Missouri moved to 6-5-4 on the year with a 2-3-3 mark in OVC play. With Morehead State University’s win over Tennessee Tech University on Thursday to solidify those two schools as the top two teams and the double-bye, Southern Indiana now knows it will be playing next week in the OVC Tournament. USI remained tied with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at 13 points. The third through eighth seeds and who will be hosting the first two rounds of the OVC Tournament will be determined following this Sunday’s games.

On Sunday, USI will close out the regular season on the road at Eastern Illinois University. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. from Charleston, Illinois. The match can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.

SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER

EAGLES GROUNDED IN HOMESTAND FINALE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer could not overcome a two-goal first half by Eastern Illinois University and stumbled, 2-0, Thursday afternoon at Strassweg Field. The Eagles go to 1-10-3 overall and 0-4-3 in the OVC, while the Panthers are 3-8-3, 2-4-1 OVC.

USI allowed the eventual game-winner 12:32 into the match when EIU took a 1-0 lead. The Panther increased the margin to 2-0 just under 12 minutes later when EIU found the back of the net at 24:20 to seal the match.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair with neither team gaining the upper hand offensively. USI junior defender Sam Benoist (Foristell, Missouri) had a shot on-goal at 71:50 as the Eagles tried to get into gear offensively, but USI could not take the command of the match.

Overall, EIU had the advantage in shots, 16-10, while USI had a slim advantage in corners, 3-2.

NEXT UP FOR USI:

The Eagles begin the final week of the 2023 regular season Sunday when start a two-match road swing with a visit to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Match time Sunday is set for 5 p.m. in Edwardsville, Illinois

SIUE, who visits Chicago State University tonight for a 7:30 p.m. matchup, leads the OVC with a 5-0-1 conference record, 10-0-3 overall. The Cougars won the first matchup with USI in September, 6-0, at Strassweg Field.

SIUE leads the all-time series with USI, 14-3-1, and in conference play, 13-1-1 (GLVC and OVC). Two of USI’s three victories over SIUE came during the Eagles’ first move to Division I in 1993 (4-2 at Strassweg Field) and 1994 (4-0 at SIUE).

USI finishes the road trip October 26 at 4 p.m. with a visit to EIU in Charleston, Illinois, before finishing the 2023 regular season at Strassweg Field October 29 versus Lindenwood University. Game time for USI-Lindenwood may be subject to change due to the OVC Women’s Soccer Championship.

VALPO WOMEN’S SOCCER

SOCCER QUALIFIES FOR MVC TOURNAMENT WITH WIN OVER UNI

The Valpo soccer team secured its berth in the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday evening, scoring a pair of second-half goals on a rainy night at Brown Field to defeat UNI, 2-0. Fifth-year center back Nicole Norfolk (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels) had a dream night, setting program records for career matches played and matches started and then eventually scoring the match-winning goal.

How It Happened

There wasn’t much in the first half for either side in terms of strong chances. The two squads combined for 10 first-half shots, with each goalie making a pair of easy stops to keep the scoreline 0-0 at halftime.

It took Valpo less than seven minutes into the second half to take the lead over the Panthers. Senior Lindsey DuSatko (Plainfield, Ill./North) won the Beacons a corner kick on the near side, and junior Addy Joiner (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) served a beautiful ball into the center of the box. On the other end, it was Norfolk out-leaping a pair of UNI defenders to power a header into the back of the net and give Valpo the 1-0 lead.

Valpo nearly doubled its advantage less than 90 seconds later on an effort from distance from the right flank by DuSatko, which floated in towards goal before eventually caroming back into play off the crossbar.

Senior Nikki Coryell (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) made her best save of the night in the 58th minute. UNI’s Olivia Bohl had a pretty clean look in the box after a Panther corner, but Coryell was able to palm her shot up and over the bar to keep the lead.

DuSatko had another great shot at Valpo’s second goal of the evening in the 65th minute, as she hit a ball from 20 yards out on the right around a defender. This effort was going to come in under the crossbar, but UNI goalkeeper Caitlin Richards made the leaping stop to push it over the bar.

DuSatko was finally rewarded for her work with a 69th-minute goal. The senior started the sequence which led to the insurance tally by again winning Valpo a corner kick. Joiner took another good corner into the mixer, where the ball bounced around before finding the foot of Norfolk. Her shot from six yards out was saved by Richards, but DuSatko was on the spot to poke home the rebound and double the Beacons’ lead.

Valpo was able to see the game out from there, as UNI had just one shot attempt over the final 20+ minutes.

Inside the Match

Valpo locked up a spot in the MVC Tournament field on Thursday evening. The Beacons enter the final match day in a tie for fifth place, but could move up into the top-four — earning a first-round bye and the right to host their second-round match — with a win over UIC Sunday, combined with UNI dropping points to Illinois State and/or Murray State dropping points to Indiana State.

When the whistle blew to kick off Thursday’s fixture, Norfolk officially moved alone atop the program’s career matches played and matches started charts, as she played and started for the 83rd time in the Valpo uniform.

It was apropos that, on her record-setting night, it was Norfolk who came up with the eventual match-winning goal. The goal was her third of the season — two of which have been match-winners — and the fifth of her career.

Norfolk was also credited with an assist on DuSatko’s insurance tally, her fourth assist of the season and the sixth of her career. It is the first time in Norfolk’s collegiate career she has been involved in multiple goals in the same match.

Joiner’s assist on Norfolk’s match-winner was her first helper this season and the third assist of her career. With 39 career points, Joiner moves into a tie for eighth place in program history alongside Rachel Hoaglin.

DuSatko’s goal was her third of the season and moves her into double figures with 10 for her career.

Coryell made four saves to keep the clean sheet Thursday, her fifth of the season. She moves into a tie for third place in MVC history with 24 career shutouts.

Valpo ended the match with a 13-10 edge in shots and put eight efforts on goal to UNI’s four. The Beacons also earned six of the match’s nine corner kicks.

Thoughts From Coach Marovich

“I thought tonight was a very quality performance by the team. We executed our tactical plan really, really well. I’m really impressed by the amount of possession and the amount of build we had against a diamond midfield — ultimately, our patience and discipline were outstanding.”

“In the first half, we won lots of balls but didn’t generate a lot of great scoring chances. We talked at halftime about that next step, coming up with ideas how to create those chances. In the second half, we were able to exploit the wide spaces well, which created space centrally for us to work, and in the end, set pieces got us across the finish line.”

“What more can you say about Nicole? If you’re going to have your 83rd career start and set records, on that night to come in and have a goal which turns out to be a match-winner — no better script to write than that. She has just been so consistent for us throughout her career, and it’s truly been a privilege to work with her.”

“I thought our entire midfield did an excellent job tonight. Allie and Chase were great in front of the back line, winning a lot of balls and really keeping disciplined in not letting passes get to UNI’s front runners. That work made it a lot easier for Cass, Molly and our front runners to continue into the next line. It was an awesome job from our 9s — Addy and Kelsie — as well being disciplined, being able to keep the holding shape that we asked them to play.”

“I’ve got nothing but unbelievable things to say about the entire squad tonight — I’m just very proud of the way we came out and performed.”

Next Up

Valpo (7-4-6, 3-2-4 MVC) closes the regular season on Sunday at noon at UIC. The match can be seen live on ESPN+.

UINDY FOOTBALL

HOUNDS FACE HAWKS IN GLVC ROAD TILT SATURDAY

GAME 7

at Quincy Hawks (5-2, 2-1 GLVC)

Saturday | October 21 | 2 p.m. ET

The No. 11 Greyhounds cap a string of four road games in five weeks with a trip to western Illinois this weekend to battle the Hawks of Quincy University. The 5-2 Hawks are hungry for their first six-win season since 1994.

UIndy has won 10 of the 11 all-time meetings with Quincy, including each of the last six. Last October, the Greyhounds held off a late charge from the Hawks to pull out a 52-38 win at Key Stadium.

DID YOU KNOW?

The unbeaten Hounds have yet to allow more than 20 points in a game this season. UIndy is averaging an even 14.0 points allowed per game, good for first in the GLVC and ninth in Division II.

ABOUT QUINCY The Hawks have five wins to their credit this season, already matching the highest total in Head Coach Gary Bass’ six previous years at the helm. The program has not won more than six wins in a season since 1994. Side note: two of Quincy’s wins—Madonna (NAIA) and Fort Lauderdale (NCCAA)—came against non-NCAA institutions. Quincy tops all Division II teams in two often-critical statistics: turnovers gained and turnover margin. The Hawks have forced 21 turnovers through seven games, twice three times as many as they’ve surrendered. Last week, they managed four takeaways and zero giveaways in a 41-28 win at William Jewell. HOUNDS vs. HAWKS UIndy has won 10 of the 11 all-time meetings with the Hawks, including each of the last six. The average final score of those five games? UIndy 52, Quincy 14. See bottom left for a snapshot of the series history. Last October, the Greyhounds held off a late charge from the Hawks to pull out a 52-38 win at Key Stadium. Quincy authored a fourth quarter comeback to nearly erase a substantial UIndy halftime lead. Down 42-10 at the break, Quincy clawed back to make it 45-38 midway through the fourth quarter. With the Hawks threatening with a 1st-&-goal situation from the seven-yard line, UIndy safety Michael Brown came up huge, earning a game-changing interception followed by a big return to set up running back JaQuan Buchanan’s fourth and final touchdown of the night. LAST TIME OUT UIndy earned a signature win last week, taking down 19th-ranked Truman on its home field, 38-17. The win kept the Greyhounds’ perfect record intact while also securing sole possession of the conference lead. UIndy has now started 6-0 in two of the last four complete seasons.

PLAY OF THE YEAR? The Truman win featured one of the biggest plays of the season when, inside of six minutes left in the half, the UIndy special teams delivered the go-ahead touchdown with a blocked field goal and lengthy touchdown return. Redshirt-junior Aaron Barnett swatted the Bulldogs’ 36-yard attempt, before sixth-year senior Landry Mavungu corralled the carom and took it 82 yards to the house. Mavungu, who also had six tackles and an interception, earned the Hounds’ first return TD on a blocked field goal since the 2009 season opener and the longest sych play since at least 1983*. He went on to garner GLVC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. *first season game-by-game stats are readily available GETTING DEFENSIVE The Hounds maintained their streak of allowing 20 points or less in every game this season, a streak that grows to nine regular-season contests dating back to last fall. UIndy is averaging an even 14.0 points allowed per game this season, good for first in the GLVC and ninth in Division II. SR3 UPDATE Truman was one of three Super Region 3 contenders to fall last week, as both defending-national champ Ferris State (at Grand Valley) and GAC-power Ouachita Baptist (at Harding) also lost their first DII games of the season. Nevertheless, all three aforementioned squads remained in the latest AFCA DII Coaches Poll , as 10 SR3 teams appear in the top 25. No. 24 Emporia State at 16th-ranked Central Missouri is the lone top-25 matchup in the region this week.

The initial regional rankings are set to be released this Monday, Oct. 23. The first set will only include an alphabetical list of the 10 teams “under consideration”, while the following two weeks will have the team’s ranked one through 10. Only the top seven from each of the nation’s four regions will advance to postseason play when the championship field is announced on Sunday, November 12. LET IT REIGN Now alone atop the league standings (see top left), the Greyhounds are looking to extend their dominant stretch in conference play. The reigning champs have grabbed eight of the 11 GLVC championship trophies handed out since the league’s inaugural season in 2012, and own an impressive 71-7 (.910) mark versus GLVC opponents. The only other teams to win a GLVC football championship include 2016 co-champs Truman and Southwest Baptist as well as now-DI-institution Lindenwood (2019, 2021).

UINDY WOMEN’S GOLF

HAINES TABBED GLVC WOMEN’S GOLF PLAYER OF THE WEEK

INDIANAPOLIS – UIndy freshman Jess Haines was voted the GLVC Women’s Golf Player of the Week, it was announced by the league office Thursday.

WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jess Haines, #8 Indianapolis

Fr. | Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, England

Major: Sport Management

Team Results: 1st/11 Teams (284-292-297–873) at Flyer Invitational (10/16-17)

Finished tied for second in 72-golfer field, landing one stroke behind individual medalist from Ohio State

Carded scores of 68-74-73 for total score of 215 (+5)

Led the Greyhounds to team win amongst field that included nine Division I teams

Improved her leaderboard position each tournament this fall, including back-to-back top-10 finishes

Earns first career Player of the Week Award

Last Greyhounds’ Player of the Week: Alice Webb (10/5/23)

UINDY SWIMMING

HIGHLY-RANKED HOUNDS OPEN SEASON AT PURDUE, GRAND VALLEY

INDIANAPOLIS—The UIndy swimming & diving teams kick off its 2023-24 season this weekend with a pair of dual meets versus top competition. Ranked No. 1 in the preseason CSCAA DII poll on the men’s side and No. 3 on the women’s, the Greyhounds dive back in at Big Ten Purdue on Friday evening and again at national-ranked Grand Valley on Saturday.

UIndy looks to continue the most-successful stretch in program history. The Hounds won the 2023 men’s national title last March, while earning runner-up honors from the women. The Greyhounds combined for 76 All-America performances at the national meet, including a school-record eight event championships.

A number of top performers return on both teams. Notables including Cedric Buessing (5x All-American in 2023, 1000 free champ) and Leticia Vaselli (4x AA, anchored 200 FR championship), as well as the entire men’s 200 free relay championship team of Jeron Thompson, Aqeel Joseph, Joao Silva and Diego Mas.

Julio Osuna and Jason Lenzo headline the diving group. Osuna is the reigning national champion on both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards, while Lenzo was the runner-up on both boards.

MARIAN FOOTBALL

GAMEDAY GUIDE: FRANCISCAN BOWL MATCHUP TAKES PLACE AT ST. VINCENT FIELD SATURDAY AFTERNOON

INDIANAPOLIS – Coming off a top-10 win against No. 10 Concordia, the Marian football team returns to defend their home turf as they take on St. Francis in the Franciscan Bowl. The 19th meeting all-time between the two schools kicks off Saturday from St. Vincent Field at 1:05 p.m.

THE SERIES

The Franciscan Bowl is back as Marian enters the rivalry game as winners of seven of the last eight matchups, dating back to the 2015 NAIA FCS Semifinals. Marian has won each of the last five meetings, which is the longest win streak in the history between the two sides for either team. Marian’s 37-10 win last year was the fifth-largest margin of victory for the Knights, and the second-largest road win.

In the last matchup at St. Vincent Field, Marian ran wild on the Cougars amounting for over 300 rushing yards as a team, with Baron Huebler and Daylen Taylor each rushing for three touchdowns. Ben Stevens also caught two touchdown passes from Zach Bundalo in the lopsided 56-10 victory in 2021. Last year’s 37-10 win featured a similar attack with Marian rushing for over 150 yards, with Huebler and Christian Hunter pacing the backfield. Jake Reichard scored a pair of wildcat touchdown runs last season, and CJ Young caught a touchdown pass.

Marian leads the all-time series 11-7. The last St. Francis win between the two sides came in 2017.

The Cougars (4-2, 3-0), are winners of four straight games entering Saturday afternoon. Marian (6-0, 3-0), is off to their best record through six games since the start of the 2019 season.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Marian has an opportunity this weekend to get to even ground with No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan, who is idle from action this week. A win would give the Knights and Wildcats identical 7-0 overall records while moving to 4-0 in the MSFA Mideast, heating up the action for the conference champion.

WATCH AND FOLLOW ALONG

Those fans unable to attend Saturday night’s game can watch live on the ISC Sports Network. This season, all Marian home games on the ISC Sports Network will be pay per view, and single game and season passes can be purchased now. The pay per view cost for Saturday’s game on the ISC Sports Network is $9.99, and revenue generated from the live stream will go directly back into the athletics department to support Marian student-athletes. Fans can also find live statistics at marianstats.com. Live updates of the game will be posted on the official Marian Athletics Twitter and Instagram pages @MUKnights.

SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETICS

INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/

EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/

WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/

FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/

ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/

ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index

TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index

BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/

DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/

HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/

MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/

HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/

OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx

ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index

IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/

IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/

IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/

PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/

INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx

GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/

ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/

GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/

HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php

TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/

VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index

NFL STANDINGS

American Football Conference

East Division

Pct

Home

Road

vs. Conf

vs. Div

Streak

Miami Dolphins

.833

0.0

223

156

3-0-0

2-1-0

3-1-0

1-1-0

2 W

Buffalo Bills

.667

1.0

173

3-1-0

1-1-0

2-2-0

1-1-0

1 W

New York Jets

.500

2.0

113

119

2-2-0

1-1-0

2-2-0

1-1-0

2 W

New England Patriots

.167

4.0

152

0-3-0

1-2-0

1-1-0

3 L

West Division

Pct

Home

Road

vs. Conf

vs. Div

Streak

Kansas City Chiefs

.833

0.0

147

2-1-0

3-0-0

1-0-0

5 W

Las Vegas Raiders

.500

2.0

100

131

2-1-0

1-2-0

2-3-0

1-1-0

2 W

Los Angeles Chargers

.400

2.5

127

124

1-2-0

1-1-0

1-2-0

1-0-0

1 L

Denver Broncos

.167

4.0

129

200

0-3-0

1-2-0

0-4-0

0-2-0

2 L

North Division

Pct

Home

Road

vs. Conf

vs. Div

Streak

Baltimore Ravens

.667

0.0

133

1-1-0

3-1-0

4-2-0

2-1-0

1 W

Pittsburgh Steelers

.600

0.5

110

2-1-0

1-1-0

3-1-0

2-0-0

1 W

Cleveland Browns

.600

0.5

3-1-0

0-1-0

2-2-0

1-2-0

1 W

Cincinnati Bengals

.500

1.0

100

127

2-1-0

1-2-0

0-3-0

0-2-0

2 W

South Division

Pct

Home

Road

vs. Conf

vs. Div

Streak

Jacksonville Jaguars

.714

0.0

173

146

2-2-0

3-0-0

3-2-0

2-1-0

4 W

Indianapolis Colts

.500

1.5

140

152

1-2-0

2-1-0

3-2-0

2-2-0

1 L

Houston Texans

.500

1.5

135

113

2-1-0

1-2-0

2-2-0

1-1-0

1 W

Tennessee Titans

.333

2.5

104

117

2-1-0

0-3-0

2-3-0

0-1-0

2 L

National Football Conference

East Division

Pct

Home

Road

vs. Conf

vs. Div

Streak

Philadelphia Eagles

.833

0.0

155

124

2-0-0

3-1-0

4-0-0

1-0-0

1 L

Dallas Cowboys

.667

1.0

154

100

2-0-0

2-2-0

1-2-0

1-0-0

1 W

Washington Commanders

.500

2.0

133

176

1-2-0

2-1-0

2-2-0

0-1-0

1 W

New York Giants

.167

4.0

167

0-2-0

1-3-0

0-1-0

4 L

West Division

Pct

Home

Road

vs. Conf

vs. Div

Streak

San Francisco 49ers

.833

0.0

184

3-0-0

2-1-0

4-0-0

2-0-0

1 L

Seattle Seahawks

.600

1.5

124

108

1-1-0

2-1-0

3-1-0

0-1-0

1 L

Los Angeles Rams

.500

2.0

138

117

1-2-0

2-1-0

2-2-0

2-1-0

1 W

Arizona Cardinals

.167

4.0

117

162

1-2-0

0-3-0

1-4-0

0-2-0

3 L

North Division

Pct

Home

Road

vs. Conf

vs. Div

Streak

Detroit Lions

.833

0.0

168

113

2-1-0

3-0-0

4-1-0

1-0-0

4 W

Green Bay Packers

.400

2.5

113

1-1-0

1-2-0

2-2-0

1-1-0

2 L

Minnesota Vikings

.333

3.0

129

135

0-3-0

2-1-0

2-2-0

1-0-0

1 W

Chicago Bears

.167

4.0

128

176

0-3-0

1-2-0

1-3-0

0-2-0

1 L

South Division

Pct

Home

Road

vs. Conf

vs. Div

Streak

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

.600

0.0

1-2-0

2-0-0

3-2-0

1-0-0

1 L

Atlanta Falcons

.500

0.5

120

3-1-0

0-2-0

2-2-0

1-0-0

1 L

New Orleans Saints

.429

1.0

133

127

1-2-0

2-2-0

1-2-0

1-1-0

2 L

Carolina Panthers

.000

3.5

112

186

0-2-0

0-4-0

0-5-0

0-2-0

6 L

NHL STANDINGS

Eastern Conference
	GP	W	L	OTL	Pts	ROW	GF	GA	Home	Road	L10
1 Boston Bruins	3	3	0	0	6	3	9	4	2-0-0	1-0-0	3-0-0
2 Philadelphia Flyers	4	3	1	0	6	3	12	8	2-0-0	1-1-0	3-1-0
3 Ottawa Senators	4	3	1	0	6	3	19	10	3-0-0	0-1-0	3-1-0
4 Detroit Red Wings	4	3	1	0	6	3	19	11	2-0-0	1-1-0	3-1-0
5 Carolina Hurricanes	5	3	2	0	6	2	24	24	1-0-0	2-2-0	3-2-0
6 New York Islanders	2	2	0	0	4	2	4	2	2-0-0	—	2-0-0
7 Tampa Bay Lightning	5	2	2	1	5	2	17	20	2-0-0	0-2-1	2-2-1
8 Pittsburgh Penguins	4	2	2	0	4	2	14	12	1-1-0	1-1-0	2-2-0

9 New York Rangers	4	2	2	0	4	2	11	11	1-1-0	1-1-0	2-2-0
10 Florida Panthers	4	2	2	0	4	2	11	12	1-0-0	1-2-0	2-2-0
11 Toronto Maple Leafs	4	2	2	0	4	1	15	16	2-1-0	0-1-0	2-2-0
12 New Jersey Devils	3	1	1	1	3	1	10	11	1-1-1	—	1-1-1
13 Montreal Canadiens	3	1	1	1	3	1	10	13	1-1-0	0-0-1	1-1-1
14 Columbus Blue Jackets	3	1	2	0	2	1	7	11	1-2-0	—	1-2-0
15 Washington Capitals	3	1	2	0	2	0	4	12	1-1-0	0-1-0	1-2-0
16 Buffalo Sabres	4	1	3	0	2	1	9	14	1-2-0	0-1-0	1-3-0

Western Conference
	GP	W	L	OTL	Pts	ROW	GF	GA	Home	Road	L10
1 Vegas Golden Knights	5	5	0	0	10	4	20	8	3-0-0	2-0-0	5-0-0
2 Colorado Avalanche	4	4	0	0	8	3	15	4	1-0-0	3-0-0	4-0-0
3 Dallas Stars	3	2	0	1	5	1	7	6	1-0-0	1-0-1	2-0-1
4 Los Angeles Kings	4	2	1	1	5	2	19	15	0-1-1	2-0-0	2-1-1
5 Calgary Flames	4	2	1	1	5	2	13	14	1-0-0	1-1-1	2-1-1
6 Minnesota Wild	4	2	2	0	4	2	14	16	1-1-0	1-1-0	2-2-0
7 Vancouver Canucks	4	2	2	0	4	2	15	10	1-0-0	1-2-0	2-2-0
8 Arizona Coyotes	4	2	2	0	4	1	11	8	—	2-2-0	2-2-0

9 Nashville Predators	5	2	3	0	4	2	13	15	1-1-0	1-2-0	2-3-0
10 Chicago Blackhawks	5	2	3	0	4	2	11	13	—	2-3-0	2-3-0
11 St. Louis Blues	3	1	1	1	3	0	5	9	1-1-0	0-0-1	1-1-1
12 Seattle Kraken	5	1	3	1	3	1	10	17	1-1-0	0-2-1	1-3-1
13 Anaheim Ducks	3	1	2	0	2	1	9	10	1-1-0	0-1-0	1-2-0
14 Winnipeg Jets	4	1	3	0	2	1	13	19	1-2-0	0-1-0	1-3-0
15 Edmonton Oilers	4	1	3	0	2	1	11	17	0-1-0	1-2-0	1-3-0
16 San Jose Sharks	4	0	3	1	1	0	6	15	0-3-1	—	0-3-1

TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

1910 A’s starter Jack Coombs, pitching with one day of rest, throws a six-hit complete game, beating the Cubs, 12-5, to give Philadelphia a commanding 3-0 lead in the World Series. ‘Colby Jack’ also collects three hits and drives in three runs in the West Side Park contest.

1931 Frankie Frisch, known as the Fordham Flash, is selected as the National League’s Most Valuable Player. The Cardinals’ second baseman (.311, 4, 82) is considered the World Champion Redbirds’ on-field leader.

1931 Mickey Mantle, the ‘Commerce Comet’, is born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. The newborn’s dad, a lead miner known as Mutt, names his son after Mickey Cochrane, not realizing the major league catcher’s real name is not Mickey but Gordon. The future Yankee outfielder is glad his father was unaware of this fact.

1964 Johnny Keane, three days after resigning as manager of the World Champion Cardinals, replaces Yogi Berra as the Yankees’ field boss. The new skipper of the Bronx Bombers will not fare well next year, leading the aging team to their first losing season since 1925.

1964 Red Schoendienst, a favorite former player, is named the Cardinals’ new manager, replacing Johnny Keane, who resigned the day following the team’s Game 7 Fall Classic victory over New York. Albert will compile a 1,041-955 record for the Redbirds during 12 full seasons and two stints in 1980 and 1990 as interim skipper, capturing a World Championship in 1967 and an NL pennant in 1968.

1969 Joining the AFL’s New York Jets and the Apollo 11 astronauts, the Mets become the third group this year honored with a ticker-tape parade on Broadway. The World Champions attend three rallies throughout the Big Apple, with hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers enjoying the day-long festivities.

1972 After hitting only five home runs in the regular season, Gene Tenace goes deep for the fourth time in the World Series, hitting a three-run homer off Jim McGlothlin in the second inning of the A’s 5-4 loss to the Reds in Game 5. The Oakland catcher, who will be named the MVP of the series, ties the major league mark for round-trippers in a Fall Classic shared by Babe Ruth (Yankees, 1926), Lou Gehrig (Yankees, 1928), Duke Snider (Dodgers, 1952), and Hank Bauer (Yankees, 1958).

1982 On his 29th birthday, Keith Hernandez hits a game-tying two-run sixth-inning single off Bob McClure, helping the Cardinals capture their ninth world championship in franchise history and the first since 1967, beating Milwaukee at Busch Stadium, 6-3. The Brewers, playing in their first World Series, cannot hold on to a Game 7 lead, giving up five unanswered runs.

1987 🇻🇪 Twins right-hander starter Les Straker becomes the first Venezuelan to pitch in the World Series. At Busch Stadium, the Ciudad Bolivar native blanks the Cardinals for six innings on four hits before being removed for a pinch-hitter.

1988 The Dodgers become World Champions when Orel Hershiser limits the opposition to four singles in Game 5 of the World Series and beats the A’s, 5-1. The right-hander, who also won Game 2, is named the Most Valuable Player of the Fall Classic.

1990 The Reds complete their World Series sweep, beating the heavily favored A’s at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, 2-1. With ninth-inning help from Randy Myers, Jose Rijo earns his second win of the four-game series, going 8.1 innings.

1992 In Game 3 of the Fall Classic, the Blue Jays would have turned the second triple play in World Series history if not for a missed call. Braves’ batter Terry Pendleton makes an out for passing Reggie Sanders on the bases after Devon White makes an outstanding grab in center field, and Sanders is tagged on the foot by third basemen Kelly Gruber trying to return second, although a video of the play clearly shows the third out should have been called, umpire Bob Davidson sees it differently.

1993 Calling balls and strikes during Game 4 at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium, Charlie Williams becomes the first black umpire to work home plate during a World Series. The game becomes memorable as the Blue Jays win the 15-14 marathon, which takes a record four hours and 14 minutes to complete.

1994 Receiving all 28 first-place votes, Raul Mondesi (.306, 16, 56) is named the National League’s Rookie of the Year. The Los Angeles right fielder, who easily outdistanced Astros’ hurler John Hudek and Braves’ outfielder Ryan Klesko, is the third consecutive Dodger to win the award.

1996 Andruw Jones becomes the fourth rookie in baseball history to hit two home runs in the same World Series game when he goes deep twice in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium. The Braves’ center fielder joins Charlie Keller (1939 – Yankees), Tony Kubek (1957 – Yankees), and Willie McGee (1982 – Cardinals) in accomplishing the feat.

2000 Major league play-by-play broadcasters and color commentators select Carlos Delgado and Todd Helton as the recipients of the Hank Aaron Award. The honor, established last year, recognizes the Blue Jay and Rockies’ first baseman as the best overall hitters in each league.

2000 The Blue Jays and Carlos Delgado agree to a record four-year $68 million contract. The Toronto first baseman’s average salary of $17 million is the richest in major league history.

2002 Twenty-year-old Venezuelan right-hander Francisco Rodriguez becomes the youngest pitcher to win a World Series game. With just 15 days of major league experience, K-Rod throws 37 pitches, retiring nine consecutive batters in three innings to pick up the victory when the Angels outslug the Giants in Game 2 of the Fall Classic, 11-10.

2004 After dropping the first three decisions, the Red Sox win their fourth consecutive ALCS game to win the American League pennant, beating the Yankees in the Bronx, 10-3. Johnny Damon’s two home runs, including a grand slam and Derek Lowe’s solid pitching performance, help Boston join the 1942 Maple Leafs and the 1975 Islanders as the only teams in the history of professional sports to overcome a 3-0 series deficit to win a seven-game series.

2008 The Cubs and Jim Hendry agreed to a four-year contract extension. The deal, which will expire in 2012 and extend into the club’s new ownership tenure, is the general manager’s reward for the team’s best regular-season showing in more than sixty years en route to its second consecutive National League Central title.

2008 Two storied franchises, the NFL Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees, form a partnership to handle concession and merchandise sales at the clubs’ new stadiums. The company, known as Legends Hospitality Management, LLC, founded in cooperation with Goldman Sachs and CIC Partners, envisions expanding its services to other professional franchises and college programs.

2009 The Brewers hire Rick Peterson as their pitching coach to improve the club’s woeful starting pitching, which posted a 5.37 ERA last season. The 54-year-old pitching guru, known for his focus on motion analysis, is reunited with bench coach Willie Randolph and skipper Ken Macha, his former managers with the Mets and the A’s, teams he toiled for in a similar role.

2010 Ted Lilly signs a three-year, $33 million deal to remain with the Dodgers. The 34-year-old southpaw, obtained from the Cubs in early August, compiled a 7-4 record with a 3.52 ERA in 12 starts for LA, including victories in the first five starts for his new team.

2012 The Red Sox select John Farrell as their new manager to replace the fired Bobby Valentine, who let go the day after the season ended after piloting the club to a last-place finish in his only year in the Boston dugout. The team’s new skipper, who spent the previous two seasons managing the Blue Jays, is obtained from Toronto by sending infielder Mike Aviles north of the border as compensation for the opportunity to hire their former pitching coach.

2012 After agreeing to pay $8 million of the remaining $21 million owed to Heath Bell, the Marlins deal their disappointing closer to the Diamondbacks in a three-team trade in which Miami obtains 22-year-old minor league shortstop Yordy Cabrera, acquired by Arizona along with Cliff Pennington from the A’s for outfielder Chris Young. The D-Backs plan to use the 35-year-old right-handed reliever to set up closer J. J. Putz, who had his $6.5 million option picked up by the team earlier in the day.

2020 Rays’ skipper Kevin Cash becomes the first to play in the Little League World Series and manage a major league team in the Fall Classic. Playing for Tampa’s Northside team, the former big-league catcher went 2-for-7, with a double and two runs scored in the 1989 Williamsport tournament.

WORLD SERIES HISTORY

1921

If the 1920 season had left Boston wondering if they had made a mistake, then the 1921 season surely removed any doubt. Babe Ruth was in New York and busy breaking his own records for the second consecutive season. As the Red Sox were struggling to stay competitive, the Yankees were still getting used to winning after coming off of a third place American League finish during the Babe’s “rookie” season in a pinstriped uniform. Nothing changed in 1921 as their new acquisition raised his homerun record to a staggering fifty-nine, his RBI total to one-hundred seventy-one and his batting average to .378 on the way to their first American League pennant and World Series appearance. The Babe wasn’t alone though as teammate Bob Meusel contributed twenty-four homers and one-hundred thirty-five RBIs and the rest of the Yankees batted .288 or higher. Two other “ex-Red Sox”, Carl Mays (a twenty-seven game winner) and Waite Hoyt (with nineteen) added insult to injury while Bob Shawkey added eighteen more victories.

The National League’s Giants were veterans to the Fall Classic and had plenty to smile about themselves. With a line-up of lumberjacks including Frankie Frisch, Ross Youngs, George Kelly and Irish Meusel and a solid pitching staff known as the “fearsome foursome” (Art Nehf, Fred Toney, Jesse Barnes and Phil Douglas), they promised to give Babe Ruth and his re-born Yankees a run for their money. In the first World Series to be played entirely in one ballpark (the Polo Grounds), the Big Apple’s “rival roommates” squared off in the first official Subway Series. Despite rumors of Ruth on the mound, Miller Huggins gave the Game 1 start to Carl Mays while John McGraw selected Phil Douglas. The Yankee’s pitchers quickly set the tone for the Series with an opening 3-0 victory that was repeated the following day with a two hit, 3-0 triumph by Waite Hoyt.

Down but not out, the Giants managed to come back in Game 3 after trailing four runs in the fourth. After tying it up in the bottom the inning, McGraw’s team rallied for eight runs in the seventh thanks to Ross Youngs’ bases-loaded triple. In the end, the Yankees had blinked and were taken for twenty hits and a 13-5 victory that turned the momentum back to the veterans. The Giants continued as Douglas returned the following day and vindicated himself with a 4-2 win that tied the Series at two games apiece. Game 5 was even more dramatic as an injured Babe Ruth shocked everyone with a key bunt in the fourth inning, setting up the winning run off a Bob Meusel double. The Yankees had regained their composure and walked away with a 3-1, Series leading victory, but at a terrible cost as their most valuable player would be unable to continue due to arm and knee ailments.

Despite the absence of the Babe, the Yankees still felt confident with their remaining line-up. That was until they lost Game 6, 8-5 and Game 7, 2-1. Great performances at the plate by Irish Meusel and Frank Snyder as well as a solid outing on the mound by Phil Douglas had put the Giants out in front. Game 8 evolved into a classic pitcher’s duel between Waite Hoyt and Art Nehf, who led the standoff 1-0 going into the bottom of the ninth. In a last chance effort, the desperate Yankee skipper went to his bench and replaced the struggling Wally Pipp (who had batted a miserable .154) with the still injured Babe Ruth who grounded out to first. Two plays later, the Series was over with the Giants winning five games to three.

Although they had fallen short in their first World Series appearance, the Yankees had shown a glimpse of what would become a dynasty. Waite Hoyt had not allowed a single earned run in twenty-seven innings and Carl Mays had been just as effective with an ERA of 1.73 over twenty-six. Ruth batted an impressive .313 and added his first World Series home run and four RBIs. After four straight losses, the Giants had finally reclaimed the championship title for the first time since 1905.

FOOTBALL HISTORY

Long Return for Seno

October 20, 1946 – Polo Grounds, New York City – Frank Seno returns kickoff 105 yards for the Chicago Cards vs NY Giants. T.J. Troupe wrote a nice piece on Frank Seno on the Pro Football Researchers website in which he writes: “The 1946 Cardinals were a team on the upswing, and on October 20 in the Polo Grounds against the contending Giants in one of the most thrilling contests of the year Frank Seno set an NFL record with his 105-yard kick-off return for a touchdown. His coast-to-coast return gave the Cardinals a short lived 24 to 21 lead.” Short lived indeed as the Giants stormed back with a Howie Livingston 5 yard scamper for a score to lift the New York squad to a 28-24 win over the Cards.

Jim Brown sets record!

October 20, 1963 -Philadelphia. Pennsylvania – Per an NFLFILMS.com article from 2012, Cleveland Browns’ running back Jim Brown became the all-time leading career rusher in the NFL. “First Down” Jim Brown – as many would call him – accomplished the historic feat on an 8-yard run in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles, propelling his way over Joe “The Jet” Perry’s record of 8,378 yards. The Browns won the game over the Eagles 37-7.

Jim Thorpe Day proclaimed by POTUS

October 20, 1973 – The White House. Washington D.C.- Proclamation 4209 was announced as declaring a Jim Thorpe Day across the nation.
President Nixon proclaimed Jim Thorpe greatest athlete of the 1st -half of the Twentieth century in a written proclamation to the country as read here – Proclamation 4209.

Hall of Fame Birthday for October 20

Rosey Brown

October 20, 1932 – Charlottesville, Virginia – Roosevelt “Rosey” Brown is born. Rosey was an offensive tackle from Morgan State College in Baltimore who earned the Black All-American honors. Rosey was selected in the 27th round of the 1953 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. The Giants like that Brown was 6-3, 255-pound and possessed powerful arms and a willingness to work hard while learning per the Pro Football Hall‘s write up on him. Rosey played in the NFL for 13 seasons and earned a spot on 9 Pro Bowl rosters while being selected as an All-NFL player 8 times. Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Roosevelt Brown in 1975.

Don Trull

October 20, 1941 – Don Trull a former quarterback from Baylor University was born. Don was an All-American and twice won the Sammy Baugh Trophy as the nation’s top passer. Trull threw for more than 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns in his career with the Baylor Bears. The website footballfoundation.org points out that he was good in his studies too as Trull was Baylor’s first-ever NFF National Scholar-Athlete. The National Football Foundation selected Don Trull to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 2013

Lee Roy Selmon

October 20, 1954 – Eufaula, Oklahoma – Lee Roy Selmon was born as the youngest of nine children in the Selmon home. Lee Roy was a great student as he became a National Honor Society member while at Eufaula High School. After high school Selmon followed his two older brothers and played football at the University of Oklahoma. Lee Roy Selmon was a Defensive Tackle for the Sooners and a pretty good one at that. The NFF’s website provides that Lee Roy won the Outland and Lombardi Awards as the nation’s best lineman. In his three years as a starter, Oklahoma went 32- 1-1 and won two national championships. He was also selected to possess the NFF Scholar-Athlete in 1975. The National Football Foundation selected Lee Roy to enter into its College Football Hall of Fame in 1988. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers used their very first ever Draft pick to select Lee Roy Selmon to play for their new team. He played 9 seasons in the NFL. For his career he registered 78 1/2 sacks, 380 QB pressures, forced 28 1/2 loose balls and he recovered 10 of these fumbles. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined him in 1995.

Ray Childress

October 20, 1962 – Richardson, Texas – Ray Childress a defensive end from Texas A&M came into this world. Ray played with the Aggies from 1981 through 1984 and per the NFF had the most tackles of any lineman in the storied history of Texas A&M tallying 360 in his brilliant college career. Childress alo added 25 sacks to his college resume, dropping QBs behind the line 15 times in 1983 alone. The NFF elected Ray Chidress into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Ray played in the NFL for 12 seasons, 11 of them with the Houston Oilers and finished his final pro year with the Dallas Cowboys. He was named first-team All-Pro five times and made five Pro Bowl appearances

Chad Hennings

October 20, 1965 -Elberton, Iowa – Chad Hennings a Defensive Tackle from the Air Force Academy was born. Chad played his first season at Air Force as a tight end, but he switched over to the defensive side of the ball as a sophomore. In 1985 the Falcons had their best season ever, as they finished ranked fifth in the nation and sported a 12-1 record. The NFF reports that as a senior Chad led the nation with 24 sacks and won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman he was also a unanimous All-America selection and repeated as an Academic All-America. Chad Hennings entered into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Dexter Coakley

October 20, 1972 – Mt. Pleasant, SC – Dexter Coakley the linebacker from Appalachian State was born on that day. The standout linebacker starred at App State from 1993 through the 1996 seasons. Boasting 616 career tackles, Coakley was per the National Football Foundation’s website a three-time First Team All-America and the first two-time winner of the Buck Buchanan Award as Football Championship Subdivision’s top defender and was the first three-time Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Dexter Coakley was the first Hall of Fame inductee for Appalachian State when he entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Dexter was picked in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1997 NFL Draft, and enjoyed a 10-year career with the Cowboys and the St. Louis Rams.

NUMBERS IN SPORTS

10 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 12 – 11 – 17 – 54 – 32 – 16 – 15 – 55 – 27 – 25

October 20, 1934 – All-Star team led by Connie Mack and including Babe Ruth (Yankees Number 3), Jimmie Foxx (Athletics Number 3) and Lou Gehrig (Yankees Number 4) sailed to Japan for 18-game series against Big-Six University League

October 20, 1935 – Detroit Tigers future Baseball Hall of Fame first baseman Hank Greenberg, Number 5 was named AL MVP by the Baseball Writer of America Association. Boston Red Sox pitcher Number 12, Wes Ferrell is runner-up

October 20, 1936 – Carl Hubbell, Detroit Tigers Number 11 who as a pitcher had a season record of 26-6, edged out Dizzy Dean, Number 17 of the Cardinals and his stellar 24-13, for MVP honors in National League

October 20, 1946 – Frank Seno, Number 54 of the Chicago Cardinals returned a kickoff 105 yd, against the New York Giants

October 20, 1963 – Jim Brown, Number 32 of the Cleveland Browns set an NFL single-season rushing record, 1,863 yds

October 20, 1965 – 19th NHL All-Star Game, Montreal Forum, Montreal, QC: All-Stars beat Montreal Canadiens, 5-2; MVP: Henri Richard, Number 16, the center of the Montreal Canadiens.

October 20, 1976 – NY Nets sold the rights to a player named Julius Erving also known as “Dr J” to the Philadelphia 76ers. Dr J wore Number 32 for the Nets and then switched to Number 6 on the Sixers.

October 20, 1982 – World Series: St. Louis Cardinals beat Milwaukee Brewers, 6-3 at Busch Stadium for 4 games to 3 series triumph; MVP: St. Louis catcher Darrell Porter, Number 15

October 20, 1984 – New York Islander’s Number 22, Mike Bossy‘s 30th career hat trick-4 goals

October 20, 1988 – World Series: LA Dodgers beat Oakland A’s, 5-2 at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum to clinch 4-1 series win: MVP: LA pitcher Orel Hershiser, Number 55

October 20, 1990 – World Series: Cincinnati beats A’s, 2-1 at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum to sweep Oakland and win Reds’ 5th title; MVP: Reds’ pitcher José Rijo, Number 27

October 20, 1996 – Braves Andruw Jones, Number 25 became the youngest player to homer in World Series

TV SPORTS

FRIDAY, 10-20-23

COLLEGE FOOTBALL	TIME ET	TV
SMU at Temple	7:00pm	ESPN2
GOLF	TIME ET	TV
DP World Tour: Andalucia Masters	8:00am	GOLF
Champions: Dominion Energy Charity Classic	2:00pm	GOLF
LPGA: BMW Ladies Championship	5:30pm	GOLF
PGA Tour: The ZOZO Championship	11:00pm	GOLF
MLB PLAYOFFS	TIME ET	TV
ALCS Game 5: Houston at Texas	5:07pm	FS1
NLCS Game 4: Philadelphia at Arizona	8:07pm	TBS
NBA PRESEASON	TIME ET	TV
Atlanta at Philadelphia	7:00pm	NBATV
San Antonio at Golden State	10:00pm	NBATV
NHL REGULAR SEASON	TIME ET	TV
Calgary at Columbus	7:00pm	Bally Sports Sportsnet
New Jersey at NY Islanders	7:30pm	MSGSN
SOCCER	TIME ET	TV
Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen	2:30pm	ESPN+
La Liga: Osasuna vs Granada	3:00pm	ESPN+
Ligue 1: Le Havre vs Lens	3:00pm	beIN Sports
Argentina Primera División: Tigre vs Newell’s Old Boys	3:45pm	Paramount+
Argentina Primera División: Talleres Córdoba vs Arsenal	6:00pm	Paramount+
Argentina Primera División: Huracán vs Instituto	6:00pm	Paramount+
Argentina Primera División: Boca Juniors vs Unión Santa Fe	8:30pm	Paramount+
WNBA PLAYOFFS	TIME ET	TV
Finals Game 5: New York at Vegas	9:00pm	ESPN

What to Watch: Friday, 10/20/23

COLLEGE FOOTBALL	TIME ET	TV
SMU at Temple	7:00pm	ESPN2

SMU Mustangs leads all time series 3-2 versus Temple Owls. Last time SMU and Temple met was in 2020 which the SMU won 47-23 on the road versus Temple. The Owls last win versus the Mustangs was in 2016 at home. SMU is 2-1 all time on the road versus Temple.

MLB PLAYOFFS	TIME ET	TV
ALCS Game 5: Houston at Texas	5:07pm	FS1

The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros game 5 of the American League Championship Series will be played if necessary. The Houston are 6-1 on the road versus the Texas Rangers and are 2-0 on the road in the 2023 playoffs. Since 2017 the Astros are 4-2 in the American Leage Championship Series. The Rangers have only won two American League Championships which were in 2010 and 2011.

NLCS Game 4: Philadelphia at Arizona

8:03pm

TBS

The Diamondbacks are 3-4 overall and 1-3 at home versus the Phillies during 2023 regular season. Since 1915 the Phillies are 8-4 in the National Championships Series and 3-1 since 2008. The Diamondbacks are 2-1 in the National Championships Series since 2001.

NHL	TIME ET	TV
New Jersey at NY Islanders	7:30pm	MSGSN

The New Jersey Devils finished third in the Eastern Conference last season with a 52-30 record. The New York Islanders finished seventh in the Eastern Conference in the 2022-23 regular season with a 42-40 record. Last season the Islanders were 2-1 versus the Devils during the regular season.