“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 2 SCORES
ADAMS CENTRAL 43, EASTSIDE 0
ALEXANDRIA 39, WABASH 6
BATESVILLE 27, MILAN 26
BEECH GROVE 46, JENNINGS COUNTY 10
BISHOP CHATARD 28, HANOVER CENTRAL 7
BLACKFORD 18, FREMONT 0
BLOOMINGTON NORTH 45, BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE 0
BREBEUF JESUIT 27, TRI-WEST 7
BREMEN 21, TRITON 3
BOONE GROVE 30, SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) 6
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL 55, CHARLESTOWN 0
CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN 45, UNION COUNTY 0
CHESTERTON 36, HAMMOND NORTON 23
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (KY.) 35, HERITAGE HILLS 7
CLOVERDALE 62, EDINBURGH 0
COLUMBIA CITY 42, PLYMOUTH 13
COLUMBUS NORTH 42, COLUMBUS EAST 20
CONCORD 49, JIMTOWN 28
CROWN POINT 42, ARIZONA COLLEGE PREP 7
DANVILLE 27, PURDUE POLY 0
DELTA 35, NORWELL 0
EATON OH 42 RICHMOND 6
EDWARDSBURG (MICH.) 48, JOHN GLENN 8
ELKHART 21, NORTHRIDGE 6
EVANSVILLE CENTRAL 15, EVANSVILLE BOSSE 14
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 28, CASTLE 24
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 35, EVANSVILLE NORTH 14
EVANSVILLE REITZ 30, VINCENNES LINCOLN 6
FOREST PARK 42, PERRY CENTRAL 0
FW CONCORDIA 35, EASTBROOK 14
GARRETT 33, DEKALB 30, OT
GIBSON SOUTHERN 42, MT. CARMEL (ILL.) 6
GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC (MICH.) 17, LAKE CENTRAL 10
GREENFIELD-CENTRAL 35, GREENSBURG 0
GRIFFITH 49, MUNSTER 0
HARRISON (OHIO) 35, EAST CENTRAL 28
HERITAGE 21, FAIRFIELD 0
HIGHLAND 22, WHITING 21
JASPER 41, EVANSVILLE HARRISON 33
JEFFERSONVILLE 14, SEYMOUR 12
KANKAKEE VALLEY 35, WHEELER 21
KNOX 57, PIONEER 6
LAFAYETTE JEFF 17, MICHIGAN CITY 13
LAWRENCE NORTH 35, FW NORTH 13
LEO 28, ANGOLA 13
LINTON 22, MONROVIA 20
LOGANSPORT 35, SOUTH BEND ADAMS 6
LOWELL 28, LAPORTE 6
MADISON-GRANT 58, SOUTHERN WELLS 0
MERRILLVILLE 36, HOBART 0
MISHAWAKA 27, PENN 7
MISSISSINEWA 35, MARION 0
MONROE CENTRAL 57, UNION CITY 25
MT. VERNON (POSEY) 56, SOUTH SPENCER 28
NEW CASTLE 20, JAY COUNTY 0
NEW PRAIRIE 56, GOSHEN 0
NORTH DAVIESS 49, NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) 6
NORTH HARRISON 29, SCOTTSBURG 14
NORTH JUDSON 32, LAVILLE 8
NORTH KNOX 40, EASTERN GREENE 21
NORTH POSEY 48, PRINCETON 7
NORTH WHITE 14, CASTON 6
PAOLI 49, CORYDON CENTRAL 24
PERRY MERIDIAN 42, SOUTHPORT 7
PIKE CENTRAL 49, TECUMSEH 20
PORTAGE 19, NORTHWOOD 16
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS 24, BRONSON (MICH.) 0
RIVER FOREST 35, CALUMET 0
RUSHVILLE 28, SHELBYVILLE 7
SOUTH ADAMS 49, BELLMONT 7
SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH 21, FW SOUTH SIDE 9
SOUTH DEARBORN 20, MADISON 0
SOUTH VERMILLION 34, SULLIVAN 25
SOUTHRIDGE 41, BOONVILLE 20
SPEEDWAY 47, OWEN VALLEY 0
SPRINGS VALLEY 75, MITCHELL 12
SWITZERLAND COUNTY 55, GALLATIN COUNTY (KY.) 6
TAYLOR 20, FW BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN 14
TELL CITY 49, EASTERN (PEKIN) 0
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 22, ROCHESTER 12
TIPTON 49, ELWOOD 0
VALPARAISO 28, ANDREAN 21
WARREN CENTRAL 34, WARSAW 0
WEST CENTRAL 28, CULVER 16
WEST WASHINGTON 39, CLARKSVILLE 0
AVON 7, BEN DAVIS 0, HALFTIME, PPD. 6 P.M., SATURDAY
BROWNSBURG 17, CATHEDRAL 7, 2Q, PPD. TO 12:30 P.M., SATURDAY
CARDINAL RITTER AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC, PPD., TBD
CARROLL (FLORA) AT RIVERTON PARKE, PPD. TO 6 P.M., SATURDAY
CARMEL 10, WESTFIELD 0, 2Q, PPD. TO 6 P.M., SATURDAY
CASCADE 21, NORTH MONTGOMERY 0, 2Q, PPD. TO 10 A.M., SATURDAY
EAST NOBLE AT FW SNIDER, PPD. TO SATURDAY, TBD
FLOYD CENTRAL AT TERRE HAUTE SOUTH, PPD. TBD
FRANKFORT AT CLINTON PRAIRIE, PPD. TO 6 P.M., SATURDAY
FRANKLIN 21, MT. VERNON 14, 4Q, PPD. TO NOON, SATURDAY
FW BISHOP LUERS AT NEW HAVEN, PPD. TO 10 A.M., SATURDAY
FW CARROLL AT CENTER GROVE, 7:30 P.M., PPD. TO SATURDAY, TBD
FW NORTHROP AT HUNTINGTON NORTH, PPD. TO 3 P.M., SATURDAY
GUERIN CATHOLIC AT LEBANON, PPD. TO NOON, SATURDAY
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 21, NORTH CENTRAL 7, 2Q, PPD. TO NOON, SATURDAY
INDIAN CREEK 35, GREENWOOD 20, 4Q, PPD. TO 10 A.M., SATURDAY
KOKOMO 14, WHITELAND 14, HALFTIME, PPD. TO 1 P.M., SATURDAY
LAPEL AT FRANKTON, PPD. TO 2 P.M., SATURDAY
LAWRENCE CENTRAL 6, ZIONSVILLE 3, 2Q, PPD. TO 2 P.M., SATURDAY
LEWIS CASS AT NORTHFIELD, PPD. TO 11 A.M., SATURDAY
LUTHERAN AT SOUTH PUTNAM, PPD. TO SATURDAY, TBD
MARTINSVILLE 27, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 14, 2Q, PPD. TO 11 A.M., SATURDAY
MISHAWAKA MARIAN AT CULVER ACADEMY, PPD. TO 11:30 A.M., SATURDAY
MUNCIE CENTRAL AT YORKTOWN, PPD. TO 9 A.M., SATURDAY
NEW PALESTINE 21, DECATUR CENTRAL 21, HALFTIME, PPD. TO 10 A.M., SATURDAY
NOBLESVILLE 21, HOMESTEAD 6, 2Q, PPD. TO 2 P.M., SATURDAY
NORTH PUTNAM AT SOUTHMONT, PPD. TO 5 P.M., SATURDAY
NORTHVIEW AT GREENCASTLE, PPD. TO 10 A.M., SATURDAY
OAK HILL AT SOUTHWOOD, PPD. TO 10:30 A.M., SATURDAY
PENDLETON HEIGHTS 30, ANDERSON 0, 2Q, PPD. TO 10 A.M., SATURDAY
PHALEN ACADEMY 22, CHRISTEL HOUSE 19, 2Q, PPD. TO 5 P.M., SATURDAY
PIKE 14, FISHERS 0, 2Q, PPD. TO NOON, SATURDAY
PLAINFIELD AT HARRISON (W.L.), PPD. TO 11 A.M., SATURDAY
RONCALLI 13, FRANKLIN CENTRAL 10, HALFTIME, PPD. TO 3 P.M., SATURDAY
SCECINA AT HERITAGE CHRISTIAN, PPD. TO 3 P.M., SATURDAY
SHERIDAN 14, NORTH MIAMI 7, HALFTIME, PPD., TBD
SHORTRIDGE AT MACONAQUAH, PPD., TBD
SOUTH DECATUR AT SHENANDOAH, PPD. TO 3 P.M., SATURDAY
SPEEDWAY AT OWEN VALLEY, PPD., TBD
TRITON CENTRAL 7, HAMILTON HEIGHTS 7, 2Q, PPD. TO 2 P.M., SATURDAY
WES-DEL AT TRI-CENTRAL, PPD. TO NOON, SATURDAY
WEST NOBLE AT WAWASEE, PPD. TO 10 A.M., SATURDAY
WEST VIGO AT PARKE HERITAGE, PPD. 6 P.M., SATURDAY
WESTERN AT WESTERN BOONE, PPD. TO 10 A.M., SATURDAY
WOODLAN AT CENTRAL NOBLE, PPD. TO 10 A.M., SATURDAY
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL REPORTED SCORES
SHOALS 3 DUGGER UNION 0
HERITAGE HALL CHRISTIAN 3 CALVARY CHRISTIAN 2
SOUTHWESTERN 3 SOUTH CENTRAL 0
BORDON 3 LANESVILLE 0
HEARTLAND CHRISTIAN 3 TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN 0
ELKHART CHRISTIAN 3 SOUTH BEND CAREER 0
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER REPORTED SCORES
HAMMOND BAPTIST 5 STATELINE CHRISTIAN 0
SOUTHWESTERN 11 JAC CEN DEL 2
HORIZON CHRISTIAN 5 SEVEN OAK 3
HAST 1 VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 1
KOUTS 5 MICHIGAN CITY 1
SOUTHWESTERN 10 AUSTIN 0
SUBURBAN CHRISTIAN 2 INDIANA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 1
LOWELL 2 HEBRON 0
ROCK CREEK ACADEMY 3 PORTLAND CHRISTIAN 2
INDIANA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER REPORTED SCORES
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 3 DUPONT MANUAL 0
WASHINGTON 5 MARTINSVILLE 2
CASTLE 1 LEXINGTON CATHOLIC 1
WESTFIELD 1 HIGHLANDS 1
OLDENBURG ACADEMY 2 WESTVIEW 0
CENTER GROVE 3 EVANSVILLE NORTH 0
TERRE HAUTE SOUTH 7 SEYMOUR 0
EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN 6 MOUNT VERNON 0
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 9 INDY GENESIS 0
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES
MILWAUKEE 5 CINCINNATI 4 (10)
MILWAUKEE 14 CINCINNATI 0
ATLANTA 7 PHILADELPHIA 2
BOSTON 7 DETROIT 5 (10)
CHICAGO CUBS 7 WASHINGTON 6
SAN DIEGO 13 TAMPA BAY 5
NY YANKEES 6 ST. LOUIS 3
CLEVELAND 10 PITTSBURGH 8
OAKLAND 9 TEXAS 2
HOUSTON 3 KANSAS CITY 2
NY METS 5 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 1
MINNESOTA 2 TORONTO 0
BALTIMORE 5 COLORADO 3
SEATTLE 9 LA ANGELS 5
LA DODGERS 10 ARIZONA 9
SAN FRANCISCO 3 MIAMI 1
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES
INDIANAPOLIS 5 LOUISVILLE 5 (SUSPENDED TOP 10)
SOUTH BEND 4 GREAT LAKES 1
FT. WAYNE 10 LANSING 6
WNBA SCORES
INDIANA 100 CHICAGO 81
DALLAS 94 MINNESOTA 76
LAS VEGAS 83 ATLANTA 72
NEW YORK 98 SEATTLE 85
COLTS SCHEDULE
SEPT. 8: VS. HOUSTON, 1 P.M., CBS
SEPT. 15: AT GREEN BAY, 1 P.M., FOX
SEPT. 22: VS. CHICAGO, 1 P.M., CBS
SEPT. 29: VS. PITTSBURGH, 1 P.M., CBS
OCT. 6: AT JACKSONVILLE, 1 P.M., CBS
OCT. 13: AT TENNESSEE, 1 P.M., CBS
OCT. 20: VS. MIAMI, 1 P.M., FOX
OCT. 27: AT HOUSTON, 1 P.M., CBS
NOV. 3: AT MINNESOTA, 1 P.M., CBS
NOV. 10: VS. BUFFALO, 1 P.M., CBS
NOV. 17: AT N.Y. JETS, 8:20 P.M., NBC PEACOCK
NOV. 24: VS. DETROIT, 1 P.M., FOX
DEC. 1: AT NEW ENGLAND, 1 P.M., CBS
DEC. 15: AT DENVER, 4:25 P.M., CBS
DEC. 22: VS. TENNESSEE, 1 P.M., CBS
DEC. 29: AT N.Y. GIANTS, TBD
JAN. 5: VS. JACKSONVILLE, TBD
NFL WEEK ONE SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, SEPT. 5
- BALTIMORE RAVENS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, 8:20 P.M. ET (NBC)
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6
- GREEN BAY PACKERS VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL), 8:15 P.M. ET (PEACOCK)
SUNDAY, SEPT. 8
- PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS, 1 P.M. ET (FOX)
- ARIZONA CARDINALS AT BUFFALO BILLS, 1 P.M. ET (CBS)
- TENNESSEE TITANS AT CHICAGO BEARS, 1 P.M. ET (FOX)
- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS, 1 P.M. ET (CBS)
- HOUSTON TEXANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, 1 P.M. ET (CBS)
- JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS, 1 P.M. ET (CBS)
- CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, 1 P.M. ET (FOX)
- MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT NEW YORK GIANTS, 1 P.M. ET (FOX)
- LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, 4:05 P.M. ET (CBS)
- DENVER BRONCOS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, 4:05 P.M. ET (CBS)
- DALLAS COWBOYS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS, 4:25 P.M. ET (CBS)
- WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, 4:25 P.M. ET (FOX)
- LOS ANGELES RAMS AT DETROIT LIONS, 8:20 P.M. ET (NBC)
MONDAY, SEPT. 9
- NEW YORK JETS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS, 8:15 P.M. ET (ESPN/ABC)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCORES/SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, AUG. 30
OKLAHOMA 51 TEMPLE 3
MICHIGAN STATE 16 FLORIDA ATLANTIC 10
WISCONSIN 28 WESTERN MICHIGAN 14
DUKE 26 ELON 3
TCU 34 STANFORD 27
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
NO. 14 CLEMSON VS. NO. 1 GEORGIA (IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA) | 12 P.M. | ABC
VIRGINIA TECH VS. VANDERBILT (IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE) | 12 P.M. | ESPN
ILLINOIS STATE AT NO. 25 IOWA | 12 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
AUSTIN PEAY AT LOUISVILLE | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
INDIANA STATE AT PURDUE | 12 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
KENT STATE AT PITT | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
BUCKNELL AT NAVY | 12 P.M. | CBSSN
UCONN AT MARYLAND | 12 P.M. | FS1
NO. 8 PENN STATE AT WEST VIRGINIA | 12 P.M. | FOX
DAVIDSON AT GEORGETOWN | 12:30 P.M. | ESPN+
CHATTANOOGA AT NO. 15 TENNESSEE | 12:45 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
UPPER IOWA AT BUTLER | 1 P.M. | FLOSPORTS
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT NO. 17 OKLAHOMA STATE | 2 P.M. | BIG 12/ESPN+
TOWSON AT CINCINNATI | 2:30 P.M. | BIG 12/ESPN+
PORTLAND STATE AT WASHINGTON STATE | 3 P.M. | CW NETWORK
NO. 19 MIAMI (FLA.) AT FLORIDA | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
COLORADO STATE AT NO. 4 TEXAS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
EASTERN MICHIGAN AT UMASS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT INDIANA | 3:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
EAST TENNESSEE STATE AT APPALACHIAN STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTH DAKOTA AT IOWA STATE | 3:30 P.M. | FS1
OHIO AT SYRACUSE | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
KENNESAW STATE AT UTSA | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
MERRIMACK AT AIR FORCE | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
UTEP AT NEBRASKA | 3:30 P.M. | FOX
WESTERN ILLINOIS AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
AKRON AT NO. 2 OHIO STATE | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
MIAMI (OHIO) AT NORTHWESTERN | 3:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
BOISE STATE AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN | 4 P.M. | ESPNU
LINCOLN (CA) AT NORTHERN ARIZONA | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
OLD DOMINION AT SOUTH CAROLINA | 4:15 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
STONY BROOK AT MARSHALL | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
UC DAVIS AT CAL | 5 P.M. | ESPN+/ACCNX
NORTH TEXAS AT SOUTH ALABAMA | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
VALPARAISO AT UNI | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
EASTERN KENTUCKY AT MISSISSIPPI STATE | 6 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
CAMPBELL AT LIBERTY | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
RICHMOND AT VIRGINIA | 6 P.M. | ESPN+/ACCNX
NORFOLK STATE AT EAST CAROLINA | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
SAMFORD AT WEST GEORGIA | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE AT FLORIDA A&M | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
DELAWARE STATE AT SACRED HEART | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE AT TENNESSEE STATE | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
THE CITADEL AT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY AT STETSON | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
IDAHO STATE AT OREGON STATE | 6:30 P.M. | CW NETWORK
WESTERN KENTUCKY AT NO. 5 ALABAMA | 7 P.M. | ESPN
FURMAN AT NO. 6 OLE MISS | 7 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
CENTRAL ARKANSAS AT ARKANSAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
BETHUNE-COOKMAN AT SOUTH FLORIDA | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
TARLETON STATE AT BAYLOR | 7 P.M. | BIG 12/ESPN+
UNLV AT HOUSTON | 7 P.M. | FS1
UT MARTIN AT NO. 18 KANSAS STATE | 7 P.M. | BIG 12/ESPN+
TENNESSEE TECH AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
SAM HOUSTON AT RICE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
NEVADA AT TROY | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTH ALABAMA AT MEMPHIS | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
HOLY CROSS AT RHODE ISLAND | 7 P.M. | FLOSPORTS
NORTHERN COLORADO AT UIW | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
TEXAS SOUTHERN AT PRAIRIE VIEW A&M | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
ALABAMA A&M AT AUBURN | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
NO. 7 NOTRE DAME AT NO. 20 TEXAS A&M | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
FRESNO STATE AT NO. 9 MICHIGAN | 7:30 P.M. | NBC
IDAHO AT NO. 3 OREGON | 7:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
UCLA AT HAWAI’I | 7:30 P.M. | CBS
ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT TEXAS TECH | 7:30 P.M. | BIG 12/ESPN+
SOUTHERN MISS AT KENTUCKY | 7:45 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AT BYU | 8 P.M. | BIG 12/ESPN+
GEORGIA STATE AT GEORGIA TECH | 8 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN AT SMU | 8 P.M. | ESPN+/ACCNX
GRAMBLING AT LOUISIANA | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
NICHOLLS AT LOUISIANA TECH | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
JAMES MADISON AT CHARLOTTE | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
LAMAR AT TEXAS STATE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE AT SAN DIEGO STATE | 8 P.M. | TRUTV
SOUTHERN AT MCNEESE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE AT NEW MEXICO STATE | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
MISSOURI STATE AT MONTANA | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
NEW MEXICO AT NO. 21 ARIZONA | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
MONTANA STATE AT UTAH TECH | 10 P.M. | ESPN+
WYOMING AT ARIZONA STATE | 10:30 P.M. | FS1
WEBER STATE AT WASHINGTON | 11 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SUNDAY, SEPT. 1
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL VS. ALABAMA STATE (IN MIAMI GARDENS, FLA.) | 3 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 23 USC VS. NO. 13 LSU (IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
MONDAY, SEPT. 2
BOSTON COLLEGE AT NO. 10 FLORIDA STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
INDIANA HOOSIERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
AUGUST 31 VS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 3:30
SEPTEMBER 6 VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS 7:00
SEPTEMBER 14 AT UCLA 7:30
SEPTEMBER 21 VS. CHARLOTTE TBA
SEPTEMBER 28 VS. MARYLAND TBA
OCTOBER 5 AT NORTHWESTERN TBA
OCTOBER 19 VS. NEBRASKA TBA
OCTOBER 26 VS. WASHINGTON TBA
NOVEMBER 2 AT MICHIGAN STATE TBA
NOVEMBER 9 VS. MICHIGAN TBA
NOVEMBER 23 AT OHIO STATE TBA
NOVEMBER 30 VS. PURDUE TBA
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
AUGUST 31 VS. INDIANA STATE 12:00
SEPTEMBER 14 VS. NOTRE DAME 3:30
SEPTEMBER 21 AT OREGON STATE 8:30
SEPTEMBER 28 VS. NEBRASKA 12:00
OCTOBER 5 AT WISCONSIN TBA
OCTOBER 12 AT ILLINOIS TBA
OCTOBER 18 VS. OREGON 8:00
NOVEMBER 2 VS. NORTHWESTERN TBA
NOVEMBER 9 AT OHIO STATE TBA
NOVEMBER 16 VS. PENN STATE TBA
NOVEMBER 22 AT MICHIGAN STATE 8:00
NOVEMBER 30 AT INDIANA TBA
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
AUGUST 21 AT TEXAS A&M 7:30
SEPTEMBER 7 VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS 3:30
SEPTEMBER 14 AT PURDUE 3:30
SEPTEMBER 21 VS. MIAMI (OH) 3:30
SEPTEMBER 28 VS. LOUISVILLE 3:30
OCTOBER 12 VS. STANFORD 3:30
OCTOBER 19 AT GEORGIA TECH TBA
OCTOBER 26 AT NAVY 12:00
NOVEMBER 9 VS. FLORIDA STATE 7:30
NOVEMBER 16 VS. VIRGINIA 3:30
NOVEMBER 23 AT ARMY 7:00 (YANKEE STADIUM)
NOVEMBER 30 AT USC TBA
BUTLER BULLDOGS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
AUGUST 31 VS. UPPER IOWA 1:00
SEPTEMBER 7 AT MURRAY STATE 6:00 CT
SEPTEMBER 14 VS. HANOVER 6:00
SEPTEMBER 28 VS. VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY-LYNCHBURG 1:00
OCTOBER 5 VS. MOREHEAD STATE 1:00
OCTOBER 12 AT DRAKE 1:00 CT
OCTOBER 19 VS. DAYTON 1:00
OCTOBER 26 AT DAVIDSON 1:00
NOVEMBER 2 VS. STETSON 1:00
NOVEMBER 9 AT VALPO 1:00 CT
NOVEMBER 16 VS. ST. THOMAS 1:00
NOVEMBER 23 AT PRESBYTERIAN 1:00
BALL STATE CARDINALS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
SEPTEMBER 7 VS. MISSOURI STATE 2:00
SEPTEMBER 14 AT MIAMI FL 3:30
SEPTEMBER 21 AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN TBA
SEPTEMBER 28 AT JAMES MADISON TBA
OCTOBER 5 VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN TBA
OCTOBER 12 AT KENT STATE TBA
OCTOBER 19 AT VANDERBILT TBA
OCTOBER 26 VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS TBA
NOVEMBER 5 VS. MIAMI OH TBA
NOVEMBER 12 AT BUFFALO 7:00
NOVEMBER 23 VS. BOWLING GREEN TBA
NOVEMBER 29 AT OHIO TBA
INDIANA STATE SYCAMORES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
AUGUST 31 AT PURDUE 12:00
SEPTEMBER 7 AT EASTERN ILLINOIS 7:00
SEPTEMBER 14 VS. DAYTON 6:00
SEPTEMBER 28 VS. HOUSTON CHRISTIAN 1:00
OCTOBER 5 AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE 2:00
OCTOBER 12 VS. MURRAY STATE 1:00
OCTOBER 19 AT MISSOURI STATE 3:00
OCTOBER 26 VS. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 1:00
NOVEMBER 2 VS. NORTH DAKOTA 1:00
NOVEMBER 9 AT SOUTH DAKOTA 2:00
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER SCORES
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
GAME OF THE WEEK: #14 CLEMSON VS. #1 GEORGIA (SATURDAY)
CLEMSON GAME NOTES:
CLEMSON TO FACE TOP-RANKED GEORGIA IN AFLAC KICKOFF GAME: Clemson will open its 2024 season in the national spotlight on Saturday, Aug. 31, when the No. 14 Tigers face the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs in Atlanta. Kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is scheduled for noon ET in the weekend’s only matchup featuring two AP Top 15 squads. Saturday’s contest represents a matchup of two of the only three active head coaches to have won an FBS national championship, as Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and Georgia’s Kirby Smart enter 2024 as part of that trio alongside North Carolina’s Mack Brown. Swinney and Smart are the only active coaches in the country that have won multiple FBS national championships, and they are the only coaches to have won a national championship with their current programs. A Clemson upset win on Saturday would mark only the sixth time in the history of the AP Poll (which dates to 1936) that a team has defeated the preseason (and active) AP No. 1 in the top-ranked team’s season opener.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS SEASON – Clemson (798-472-45) needing two more wins to become the first ACC program to record 800 all-time victories. Across all conferences, 12 teams have reached that all-time mark, and Clemson (798) and Auburn (799) can reach 800 early this season. – Clemson attempting to become the first program to win 22 ACC titles. Since helping form the conference in 1953, Clemson leads the ACC with 21 titles all-time, including 20 outright. – Clemson (six) attempting to become only the second team to earn seven College Football Playoff berths since the institution of the postseason format in 2014 (Alabama, 8). – Clemson attempting to extend its school record by winning nine games for a 14th consecutive season. Clemson’s active streak of 13 straight nine-win seasons is the nation’s second-longest active streak, and a 14th consecutive season with nine-plus wins would tie Clemson with the 1987-2000 Florida State Seminoles for the third-longest in FBS history. – Clemson (19) attempting to win 10 games to become the 13th program among current power conference programs to record at least 20 seasons alltime with 10 or more wins. Clemson would join Alabama (44), Oklahoma (42), Michigan (32), Ohio State (31), Georgia (28), USC (28), Nebraska (28), Florida State (26), Penn State (26), Texas (25), Notre Dame (23) and Tennessee (20). – Clemson attempting to win a postseason game (conference championship, bowl game and/or national championship game) for a 14th consecutive season. Clemson’s current 13-year streak is the longest streak on record in major college football history. – Clemson’s senior class (30-10 since 2021) needing 10 wins to become the 12th Clemson senior class to average at least 10 wins a year over a four-year span, joining the 1990, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 senior groups. – Clemson’s senior class (2022 ACC Champions) attempting to become the 31st senior class in Clemson history to earn multiple conference championships in a four-year span. – Clemson’s senior class (18-2 at home since 2021) needing a 7-0 home record to become the 10th senior class in school history to win 25 games at home in a four-year span, joining every senior class from 2014- 22. – Clemson attempting to win at least six home games to add to its active 13-year streak of winning at least six games at Memorial Stadium. The next longest streak of six-plus home wins in the country entering 2024 is three years, shared by six teams. – Clemson facing 10 power conference opponents in regular season play. During Clemson’s active 13-year streak of nine-win seasons, Clemson has played 153 games against power conference foes — the most in the country — and is tied with Alabama for the most wins against power conference teams in that span (126). The 2024 season will be Clemson’s 23rd consecutive season facing at least 10 power conference opponents. – Clemson attempting to finish .500 or better in regular season conference play for the 26th consecutive season. Clemson and Boise State’s 25-year active streaks are the longest in the nation and tied for the fourth-longest in the FBS since 1966. – Clemson entering the season having won its most recent meeting with eight of the 12 teams on its regular season schedule. Clemson has active winning streaks against The Citadel (18), Wake Forest (15), Louisville (eight), Virginia Tech (six), Virginia (five), Appalachian State (five), Stanford (one) and South Carolina – Clemson attempting to respond to losses in its most recent meeting with four of its 2024 opponents: Georgia (2021), Pitt (2021), Florida State (2023) and NC State (2023). Clemson is 21-9 under Dabo Swinney when it faces opponents against which it lost its most recent meeting in the series. – Clemson entering 2024 having not lost to the same team in back-to-back years since 2014, the final year of a three-game series winning streak by Florida State. – Clemson (497) needing three more appearances in the AP Top 25 to become the 18th program ever to be ranked in 500 AP Polls all-time. – Clemson (13 straight Top 25 finishes from 2011- 23) attempting to finish in the AP Top 25 in a 14th consecutive season to tie the 1946-59 Oklahoma Sooners, 1968-81 Michigan Wolverines and 1983-96 Miami Hurricanes (14 each) for the sixth-longest streak in poll history. – Head Coach Dabo Swinney (170-43) entering the season as one of nine active FBS head coaches to be the winningest coach in the history of their current programs. – Swinney entering the season as the nation’s leader among active coaches in College Football Playoff berths (six) and CFP wins (six). He is also the national leader in career win percentage among coaches with at least 10 years of head coaching experience (.798). – Swinney entering the year as one of only three active coaches with an FBS national championship to his credit (Swinney, Kirby Smart and Mack Brown) and one of only two with multiple FBS national championships (Swinney and Smart). Swinney and Smart are also the lone active coaches to win a national championship with their current programs, as Brown earned his at Texas prior to his current tenure at North Carolina. – Swinney (170) needing four victories to pass Bobby Bowden for the most career head coaching wins leading an ACC program. Bowden recorded 173 of his 377 career wins during Florida State’s membership in the ACC. – Swinney (103-23 in regular season conference play) chasing Bowden’s ACC record for regular season conference wins (117). Swinney and Bowden are the only two coaches in ACC history to record 100 career regular season conference wins. – Swinney entering the season as the ACC’s all-time recordholder in bowl appearances (20) and bowl victories (12) by a head coach. – Swinney serving as head coach in a 17th season to match UNC/Wake Forest’s Bill Dooley, NC State’s Earle Edwards and Clemson’s Frank Howard for the third-most seasons at the helm of an ACC program. – Swinney (213) chasing No. 2 George Welsh (223) and No. 1 Bobby Bowden (227) for the most games coached as head of an ACC program. – Swinney (97-9 at home) needing three home victories to become the first Clemson coach ever to win 100 games at home. – Swinney facing all four ACC teams against which he is undefeated in his head coaching career (excluding new additions he has not yet faced): Wake Forest (15-0), Louisville (8-0), Virginia Tech (6-0) and Virginia (5-0). – Swinney attempting to win his ninth ACC championship. His eight current ACC titles (all outright) are second only to Florida State’s Bobby Bowden (12, including 10 outright). – Swinney attempting to win his ninth conference championship to pass Frank Howard for sole possession of the most in Clemson history. Howard won two Southern Conference titles (1940,48) and six ACC titles (1956,58,59,65,66,67) in his 30-year run with the Tigers. – Clemson opening its season away from home for the fifth consecutive year. It will match Clemson’s longest (one). streak of season openers away from home all-time (1959- 63). – Clemson playing at least two games in NFL stadiums in 2024, including ones at the homes of the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers. Clemson has won 18 of its last 26 games in NFL stadiums. Clemson has played multiple games in NFL stadiums every year since 2015. – Clemson facing multiple SEC opponents in a season for the 18th time in the last 19 years, dating to 2006. The lone exception came in 2020 when the SEC opted out of non-conference play amid the COVID-19 pandemic. – Clemson entering the season having scored multiple defensive touchdowns in 14 straight seasons. The last time Clemson had fewer than two defensive touchdowns in a season was 2009, Dabo Swinney’s first full season as head coach, when the Tigers supplemented a single defensive touchdown with six special teams touchdowns. – Clemson entering the season having defeated at least one AP Top 25 opponent at home in nine consecutive seasons, the nation’s longest active streak. – Clemson having multiple open dates for the fifth time since 2013, joining the 2013, 2014, 2019 and 2020 seasons. – Clemson facing six head coaches for the first time: Appalachian State’s Shawn Clark, Stanford’s Troy Taylor, Virginia’s Tony Elliott, Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, Virginia Tech’s Brent Pry and The Citadel’s Maurice Drayton. Clemson is 163-73-3 all-time — and 46-7 since 2011 — against head coaches who are facing Clemson for the first time. – Clemson — by virtue of opening the first five weeks with a neutral-site game, three home games and an open date — playing its true road opener at Florida State on Oct. 5, representing Clemson’s latest road opener since Oct. 9, 2008, when Clemson’s 12-7 loss at Wake Forest in its road opener led to Clemson elevating Dabo Swinney to interim head coach the following week. – Stanford traveling roughly 2,200 miles as the crow flies to Death Valley in September, which will represent the farthest distance an opponent has traveled to face the Tigers in Clemson, surpassing the roughly 2,000 miles traveled by Long Beach State in 1990. – Clemson playing all 12 regular season games on Saturdays. It will be Clemson’s first time playing all Saturday games in a regular season since 2020 and its first time doing so in a non-pandemic-impacted year since 2018. It will be Clemson’s seventh Saturday-only regular season since 2000 (2000, 2001, 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2020). – Clemson entering the year having produced a player with 10-plus rushing touchdowns in nine consecutive seasons. Clemson’s nine consecutive seasons with at least one player with double-digit rushing touchdowns represent the longest active streak in the country. – Clemson playing five games in the month of November. Clemson went undefeated in four of its last five months with five games (5-0 in October 2015, September 2017, September 2018 and October 2020; 3-2 in September 2023). – Tight end Jake Briningstool (10) needing eight touchdowns to tie or nine touchdowns to pass Jordan Leggett (18 from 2013-16) for the most career touchdown receptions by a tight end in Clemson history. He needs three touchdown catches to stand alone in second place. – Briningstool (850) needing 150 receiving yards to become the sixth tight end in school history to record 1,000 career receiving yards. He is 748 yards shy of the Clemson record by a tight end (1,598, Jordan Leggett from 2013-16). – Briningstool (78) needing 22 receptions to become the second Clemson tight end ever to catch 100 career receptions (Jordan Leggett, 112). Entering 2024, only 17 tight ends in ACC history have recorded 100 career catches. – Briningstool (78) needing 35 receptions to break Leggett’s Clemson record for receptions by a tight end (112 from 2013-16). – Quarterback Cade Klubnik (351) needing 167 pass completions to enter the Top 5 in Clemson history in career completions.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK – Clemson attempting to improve to 96-25-8 all-time in season openers and give the Tigers victories in 13 of their last 16 season debuts. – Clemson opening its season away from home for the fifth consecutive year. It will match Clemson’s longest streak of season openers away from home all-time (1959-63). Clemson last opened a season at home in 2019. – Clemson attempting to earn its third all-time win against a team ranking No. 1 in the AP Poll, joining national championship game victories against No. 1 Alabama to end the 2016 and 2018 seasons. – Clemson attempting to improve to 3-6 all-time against AP No. 1 teams. – Clemson attempting to earn its first all-time regular season victory against an AP No. 1 team. – Clemson attempting to become the 23rd program ever to record three or more all-time victories against AP No. 1 teams. With a third such win, Clemson (two) would tie Alabama (three) for the most such victories since 2016. – Clemson playing its 56th all-time matchup between two teams ranked inside the AP Top 15. A win would improve Clemson to 33-23 in games in which both teams rank among the top 15 teams in the AP Poll. – Clemson attempting to improve to 24-11 under Dabo Swinney in games between AP Top 15 teams. – Clemson attempting to improve to 9-7 against AP Top 5 teams since 2015. Clemson (eight) trails only Alabama (16) and Georgia (nine) for the most wins nationally against AP Top 5 teams since 2015. – Clemson attempting to become the sixth team ever to defeat the preseason (and active) AP No. 1 team in the top-ranked team’s season opener. Previous instances included 1972 (UCLA over No. 1 Nebraska), 1981 (Wisconsin over No. 1 Michigan), 1984 (Miami over No. 1 Auburn), 1988 (Miami over No. 1 Florida State) and 1990 (BYU over No. 1 Miami). (Additional historical quirk: In 1989, Michigan was the preseason No. 1 but fell to No. 2 before losing to active No. 1 Notre Dame in Michigan’s opener.) – Clemson and Georgia meeting with both teams ranked in the AP Top 25 for the sixth time in series history. Georgia leads 3-2 in games in which both teams are ranked. – Clemson playing a third straight game against an SEC opponent including Clemson’s regular season finale against South Carolina and its 2023 Gator Bowl win against Kentucky. According to Stats Perform, there have been 18 previous instances since 1980 in which a non-SEC team has played SEC opponents in three consecutive games; with a win, Clemson would be the first non-conference program in that span to play three consecutive games against SEC teams and win all three. – Clemson attempting to improve to 15-6 against SEC opponents since 2015. A Clemson win would make Georgia the sixth different SEC opponent defeated by Clemson in that span, joining Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, South Carolina and Texas A&M. – Clemson attempting to improve to 13-2 in its last 15 regular season games against SEC opponents. – Clemson attempting to improve to 4-0 in NFL stadiums in Atlanta under Dabo Swinney. Swinney’s Tiger teams were 2-0 in the Georgia Dome and are 1-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. – Clemson attempting to improve to 22-12 in games at NFL stadiums under Dabo Swinney. A win would improve Clemson to 19-8 at NFL stadiums since 2015. – Clemson attempting to improve to 95-12 in regular season play since the start of the 2015 season. Ten of Clemson’s 12 regular season losses in that span have been decided by a final margin of 10 or fewer points. – Clemson attempting to improve to 43-7 in regular season non-conference games since 2011. – Clemson playing its eighth August game all-time. Clemson is 2-1 in August games under Dabo Swinney, all of which have come against Peach State squads (1-1 vs. Georgia, 1-0 vs. Georgia Tech). – Clemson playing its fourth neutral-site season opener in school history (Alabama in Atlanta in 2008; Auburn in Atlanta in 2012; Georgia in Charlotte in 2021). It is Clemson’s sixth off-site season opener all-time, including one against Alabama in Birmingham in 1904 and a road game against Georgia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2022. – Clemson (20-7, .741) entering the game with the third-best neutral-site winning percentage among power conference teams since 2011 behind Tennessee (11-2, .846) and Alabama (30-6, .833). for the sixth time under Head Coach Dabo Swinney. Clemson is 3-2 in season openers against SEC foes in his tenure. – Head coaches Dabo Swinney and Kirby Smart meeting in a matchup of the only two active coaches with multiple FBS national championships to their credit. Swinney and Smart represent two of only three active coaches with at least one FBS national championship and have combined for four of the five national championships won by that group (Mack Brown, one). – Swinney attempting to improve to 22-15 all-time against coaches with an FBS national championship to their credit (regardless of if the national title preceded or followed each matchup). – Swinney attempting to improve to 22-9 in games against teams that defeated Clemson in their most recent meeting. – Swinney (170) attempting to earn his 171st career win to match the career win totals of College Football Hall of Famers Wallace Wade (171-49-10) and Mark Richt (171–64). – Clemson entering the game having scored at least one rushing touchdown in a national-best 78 of its 82 games since the start of the 2018 season. Clemson has also rushed for multiple touchdowns in a national-best 65 games in that span. – Clemson attempting to win the turnover margin for a sixth consecutive game for the first time since a ninegame streak in 2019. – Clemson attempting to record multiple takeaways in six consecutive games for the first time since the first six games of 2013. – Quarterback Cade Klubnik (21) chasing Steve Fuller (22 from 1975-78) for 13th on Clemson’s alltime leaderboard for career passing touchdowns. He is three touchdowns shy of 11th place, shared by Bobby Gage (24 from 1945-48) and Tommy Kendrick (24 from 1969-71). – Klubnik (21) needing four more touchdown passes to become the 11th player in Clemson history to throw 25 career touchdown passes. – Klubnik attempting to tie his former offensive coordinator and current UGA analyst Brandon Streeter (four) for the fifth-most career 300-yard passing games in Clemson history. – Klubnik (351) needing 49 more completions to become the 10th player in Clemson history to complete 400 career passes. – Klubnik (3,541) chasing No. 13 Homer Jordan (3,643 from 1979-82) and No. 12 Tommy Kendrick (3,893 from 1969-71) on Clemson’s all-time leaderboard for career passing yardage. – Running back Phil Mafah (1,772) needing 228 more rushing yards to become the 22nd player in school history to record 2,000 career rushing yards. – Mafah attempting to rush for multiple touchdowns in consecutive games for the second time in his career (2023 against NC State and Notre Dame). – Mafah attempting to become the first Clemson player to rush for three or more touchdowns in consecutive games since Travis Etienne’s school-record three-game streak in 2018.
GEORGIA GAME NOTES:
- Kickoff: Saturday, August 31 – 12:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, Ga.
- 2023 Records: GEORGIA (13-1, 8-0 SEC), Clemson (9-4, 4-4 ACC)
- 2024 Rankings: Georgia #1/1, Clemson #14/14
- TV: ABC – Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy & Molly McGrath
- Video Stream: ESPN+
- Radio: 95.5 FM WSB – Bulldog Network | Affiliates | Scott Howard (PxP), Eric Zeier (Color), DJ Shockley (sideline)
- Audio Stream: georgiadogs.com
- Satellite: SiriusXM (81): National SiriusXM (381)
- Touchdown Radio (Brett Dolan, Gino Toretta)
- Web Stats: georgiadogs.com
- Twitter: #UGAvsCU
- SECN ReBroadcast: 9/3 – 5-8 a.m.; 9/4 – 12-3 p.m.
- History: Georgia vs. Clemson All-Time Series Results: UGA 43-18-4
- Last Meeting: W, 10-3 in Charlotte, N.C. (2021)
Let’s Get It Started With A Ranked Matchup
For the 13th time in school history, Georgia opens a season with a top 25 matchup. Top-ranked Georgia faces No. 14 Clemson on Aug. 31 in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Georgia great and College Football Hall of Fame kicker Kevin Butler will serve as an honorary captain for the game.
The Bulldogs are 9-3 in ranked matchups to start a campaign including winning their past four (2014, ’16, ’21 & ’22). This span includes a 10-3 win over No. 3 Clemson in Charlotte in 2021 when Georgia was No. 5. The last defeat came in 2013 when No. 8 Clemson upset No. 5 Georgia 38-35 in Clemson. The Bulldogs are 3-1 against the Tigers in these matchups.
Season Openers
Georgia is 100-27-3 in season openers including 8-0 in the Kirby Smart era. The Bulldogs have won 10 straight openers, the last defeat coming in the aformentioned road game with Clemson in 2013.
Aiming To Be Elite On All Fronts Again
The Bulldogs open the season ranked No. 1 in the AP and US LBM Coaches poll for the third time in school history (2008, 2023). Georgia has the longest active streak of being ranked in the AP top 10 (50 straight polls). Georgia is the only team to have finished in the top seven of the final AP poll in each of the past seven seasons. The last team to begin and finish a season at No. 1 in the AP poll was Alabama in 2017.
Head coach Kirby Smart is unbeaten against all active head coaches over the past five years.
The Bulldogs face five teams preseason ranked in the top 15 including three of those on the road in No. 4 Texas, No. 5 Alabama and No. 6 Ole Miss.
The Bulldogs were the only FBS team to finish the 2023 season nationally ranked in the top five in both Scoring Offense (40.1 ppg/5th) and Scoring Defense (15.6 ppg/5th). Also the Bulldogs were the first FBS team since 2020 to not allow a punt return all season.
In the Smart era, the Georgia defense has ranked in the top five nationally in Scoring Defense five times including leading the nation twice (2019 at 12.6 ppg & 2021 at 10.2 ppg). Georgia has been ranked in the top 10 in Scoring Offense the past three seasons.
Experienced Signal Caller Returns
Senior Carson Beck returns after posting a 13-1 record in his first year as the Bulldogs’ starting QB in 2023. He ranked third in all of FBS with 3,941 passing yards. A Manning Award finalist, he finished 5-1 versus top-20 opponents. Against ranked teams, he posted 73.9 Completion Percentage (125-169) for 1,693 yards, 13 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
The offense is bolstered by four starting linemen returning in LT Earnest Greene III, LG Dylan Fairchild, RG Tate Ratledge and RT Xavier Truss. The 2023 offense set a school record by averaging 7.26 yards per play and led the country with a 3rd Down Conversion of 55.2%. The veteran receivers back from the 2023 squad include Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell and Arian Smith.
Defense Respects The Standard
Seven of 11 starters return from Georgia’s defense that ranked fifth nationally in Scoring Defense (15.6 ppg) and led the nation in 3rd Down Conversion (25.7%). The second-leading tackler headlines the group in Smael Mondon who had 68 stops in 2023. The Bulldogs will need to replace three starters from the secondary as Javon Bullard, Kamari Lassiter and Tykee Smith are in the NFL.
In the defensive backfield, there’s All-American safety Malaki Starks and cornerback Daylen Everette, who each started all 14 games last year. With linemen Zion Logue and Tramel Walthour now in the NFL, Mykel Williams, Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson are the veterans up front. Starks and Williams have been listed among the projected premium picks for the next NFL Draft while Stackhouse would’ve heard his named called last year before opting to return. Georgia has the most familiar faces returning at linebacker. Joining Mondon, the Bulldogs will feature the versatile Jalon Walker, CJ Allen, Raylen Wilson and Chaz Chambliss. A few freshmen expected to contribute early include Ellis Robinson IV, KJ Bolden and Demello Jones in the secondary, Justin Williams and Chris Cole at linebacker, Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Jordan Thomas and Nasir Johnson on the line.
The Streaks Entering 2024
Georgia is 46-2 in last 48 games with a school record streak of 39 consecutive regular season victories
The 2024 Senior Class is 42-2 including 36-0 in the regular season. The 2023 senior class set the school record with a 50-4 mark, two national titles, an SEC crown plus went 6-0 in bowl/CFP games.
An SEC and school record streak of 27 consecutive SEC regular season wins
A school record 25-game home winning streak, which leads in FBS
A 15-game winning streak in an opponent’s home stadium, which leads in FBS
The nation’s longest active bowl streak at 27 seasons including winning its last seven bowl/CFP games
Georgia begins a new streak as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press (AP) poll. The Bulldogs had an SEC and school record streak of 24 consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the Associated Press rankings (10/9/22 to 11/26/23), which ranked second all-time in the CFP era.
Beck Returns To Lead The Offense
Fifth-year senior Carson Beck, a 6-4, 220-pound native of Jacksonville, Fla., posted a 13-1 record in his first year as the Bulldogs’ starting QB in 2023.
Beck is on the 2024 watch list for numerous national awards. He was a 2023 Manning Award finalist and a Maxwell Award / Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist.
Had a school record 72.4 Completion% (5th nationally) in 2023.
Beck’s 302 completions last year ranked 2nd in UGA single season history, trailing only Stetson Bennett, who had 310 in 2022 when the Bulldogs went 15-0 and won the national championship.
His 3,941 passing yards last year ranked 2nd in school history, trailing only Bennett, who had 4,127 in 2022.
Beck was 5-1 versus top-20 opponents last season with a 73.9 Completion Percentage (125-169) for 1,693 yards, 13 TDs, 2 INTs in those contests.
Became the first Bulldog QB since 2013 (Aaron Murray) to have three straight games of at least 300 yards passing (UAB, @ Auburn, Kentucky).
Along with Beck, Georgia’s quarterback room includes redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton, freshman Ryan Puglisi and redshirt freshman transfer Jaden Rashada (Arizona State). Stockton saw action in four games last year and completed 63% of his passes (12-for-19) for 148 yards and two TDs.
Seasoned Offensive Line Returns
The Bulldogs return four starters on the line in Earnest Greene III, Dylan Fairchild, Tate Ratledge and Xavier Truss, along with veterans Micah Morris and Jared Wilson. Amarius Mims was selected 18th overall in the NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals while C Sedrick Van Pran was picked in the fifth round by the Buffalo Bills.
During preseason camp, Ratledge, normally a guard, saw time at center along with Drew Bobo while Wilson was dealing with achilles tendonitis.
The unit was a Joe Moore Award finalist for the third season in a row in 2023.
The 2023 Georgia offense set a school record averaging 7.26 Yards Per Play while the 496.5 Yards Per Game average ranked second all-time.
Opportunities Abound For Running Backs
Georgia’s running back room features Florida transfer Trevor Etienne, Roderick Robinson II, Branson Robinson, who was sidelined in 2023 due to an ACL injury, Cash Jones plus a host of freshmen in Chauncey Bowens, Nate Frazier and Dwight Phillips Jr.
Etienne will be vying for a spot in the rotation after rushing for 249 times for 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns in his two seasons with the Gators. Also, he tallied 30 receptions for 238 yards and one touchdown plus returned 28 kicks for 671 yards.
Robinson II had 24 carries for 196 yards (8.2 avg.) and two scores in just five games to be the third-leading rusher last season.
Georgia’s top two running backs from 2023 (Daijun Edwards, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Kendall Milton, Seattle Seahawks) are now in the NFL. This duo combined for 1,670 yards and 27 TDs.
An Array Of Targets
Twenty-two Bulldogs had a reception last year and the top returnees include Dominic Lovett (54 for 613 yards and 4 TDs in his first year at Georgia), Arian Smith (8 for 153 yards, 2 TDs) and Dillon Bell (29 for 355 yards and 2 TDs). The versatile Bell also had 25 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns in 2023 and threw an 18-yard touchdown in the 38-10 road win over No. 18 Tennessee.
London Humphreys (Vanderbilt), Michael Jackson III (USC) and Colbie Young (Miami) transferred to UGA in January and are expected to contribute.
Sophomore Anthony Evans III will be in the rotation while freshman Sacovie White and Nitro Tuggle will vie for playing time too. Junior Cole Speer, who has contributed on special teams, could see more action at receiver too.
Three of the top four receivers from 2023 are now in the NFL in tight end Brock Bowers (1st Round, Las Vegas Raiders, No. 13 overall), Ladd McConkey (2nd Round, by L.A. Chargers) and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (Washington Commanders).
The tight end room features veterans Oscar Delp (24 for 284 yards and 3 TDs), sophomore Lawson Luckie and Stanford graduate transfer Ben Yurosek (108 career rec., 1,342 yards, 5 TDs) plus a pair of freshmen in Jaden Reddell and Colton Heinrich who have been on campus since January.
Defensive Playmakers At Each Level
Georgia has had 42 players drafted over the past four seasons, including 23 on defense and eight of those defenders have gone in the first round.
The 2023 unit ranked fifth nationally in Scoring Defense (15.6 ppg).
Allowed only 93 points in the second half in 2023 for a 6.6 average and allowed a touchdown or less in the second half in eight of 14 contests.
5-1 versus ranked opponents and allowed just 15.2 ppg in those contests.
Seven of 11 starters return from Georgia’s defense including second-leading tackler Smael Mondon, Jr. who had 68 stops after a team-high 76 in 2022.
The Bulldogs will need to replace three starters from the secondary as Javon Bullard, Kamari Lassiter and Tykee Smith are in the NFL. This trio all ranked in the top six tacklers last season, tallying a combined 163 stops, six interceptions and 13 tackles for loss.
The defensive backfield returns All-America safety Malaki Starks and Daylen Everette, who each started all 14 games last year. Starks completed his second season with 52 tackles and three interceptions. Starks is on the watch list for several national awards. In 2023, he was a Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award finalist and a Chuck Bednarik Award semifinalist.
Mykel Williams, Nazir Stackhouse, Warren Brinson and Tyrion Ingram- Dawkins will be leaned on up front. Williams finished with 4.5 sacks in 10 starts in 2023. Ingram-Dawkins and Brinson can be a force when healthy.
Stackhouse collected his first career interception against No. 12 Missouri in the fourth quarter last season that led to a field goal.
The linebacker room features veterans Jalon Walker, CJ Allen, Raylen Wilson and Chaz Chambliss. Chambliss started all 14 games last year and had 20 stops. Allen made his way into the starting lineup for five games and finished fifth on the team with 41 stops while Wilson had 15 tackles.
Walker, a 6-2, 245-pounder is a self-described “hybrid linebacker” for his ability to play on the edge and in the box. He led the team with five sacks last year including a pair in the SEC Championship Game.
Experienced Special Teams
Georgia welcomes back a two-year starter in P Brett Thorson and sophomore PK Peyton Woodring after both shined in 2023.
Thorson, a native of Melbourne, Australia, had a 43.8 average on 32 punts in 2023 including 21 that resulted in fair catches and just two touchbacks. Thorson is known for his comedic slant on social media about his lack of playing time as the Bulldogs punted a record low 32 times in 2023 (14 games) after just 36 punts in 2022 (15 games), the two lowest totals dating back to at least 1948.
Thanks in part to Thorson’s punts and to the entire punt coverage team including gunners Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett, Georgia was the only team in the FBS that did not allow a punt return in 2023, the first school to do that since 2020.
Woodring, who hails from Lafayette, La., was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist as a freshman. He scored a team-high 134 points, going 21-for-25 on field goals and 71-for-71 on PATs. He ranked sixth nationally in Scoring and third among kickers and his 134 points ranked third best in school history for a kicker and most for a Bulldog freshman kicker. Woodring was the first true freshman Bulldog PK to start a season since Marshall Morgan in 2012.
One of the candidates to be the starting snapper is Beau Gardner, a graduate transfer from UCLA who is from San Francisco.
At kicker, graduate transfer Charlie Ham, a native of Atlanta, Ga., is back the Peach State after a successful undergraduate career at Duke (2019-23). He appeared in 46 games, going 36-for-50 on field goals (LG-50), 91-for-93 on PATs and tallied 193 kickoffs with a 61.2 average and 98 touchbacks.
Drew Miller, a native of Mediapolis, Iowa, was the nation’s top-ranked prep punter, and he has been on campus since June.
The leading candidate for punt returner is sophomore Anthony Evans III as he had four for 55 yards last year including a 28-yarder in the SEC Championship Game. In the kickoff return game, Evans along with Dillon Bell and Travis Etienne are options. Bell had six returns for 160 yards (26.7 avg.) including a 39-yarder at Ga. Tech last year. In two seasons at Florida, Etienne tallied 26 kickoff returns for 645 yards (24.8 avg.).
Block That Punt…Block That Kick
Currently, four Bulldogs have blocked a kick or punt in their career: DB Joenel Aguero blocked a Florida punt in 2023 that resulted in a safety. In 2022, DL Nazir Stackhouse blocked a field goal that was returned 96 yards for a touchdown by teammate Chris Smith in the opening quarter of the SEC Championship Game versus No. 14 LSU. OLB Jalon Walker blocked a punt that resulted in a safety versus Kent State in 2022. S Dan Jackson blocked a punt against No. 8 Arkansas in 2021.
New Faces On Coaching Staff
The Bulldogs welcome back James Coley (wide receivers), who is in his second stint at UGA (first was 2016-19) during the Kirby Smart era. Also, Josh Crawford (run game coordinator/running backs), Travaris Johnson (co-defensive coordinator, safeties) and Donte Williams (defensive backs) are fresh additions.
Also, Kirk Benedict has been promoted from special teams quality control to special teams coordinator. Meanwhile, former co-defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has transitioned into an off-field analyst to spend more time with family. Muschamp’s youngest son, Whit, is a freshman quarterback at Vanderbilt while his oldest son, Jackson, was a quarterback at Georgia, finishing in 2023.
Trifecta Of Undefeated SEC Regular Seasons
Georgia enters the 2024 campaign on an SEC and school record streak of 27 consecutive regular season wins in league play. The Bulldogs first SEC game will be in week three at Kentucky with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC.
In the all-SEC 2020 schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bulldogs won their final three SEC regular season games and have since run the table.
In 2021, Georgia posted its first perfect 8-0 mark in league play in school history. The SEC went to eight games when it split into divisions in 1992.
The 2022 Bulldogs followed it up with another 8-0 SEC mark, and the average margin of victory in those games was 25.5.
The 2023 Bulldogs made it three straight 8-0 league seasons (the only SEC school ever to accomplish that feat).
In school history, Georgia has gone undefeated in league play 10 times.
The 2024 SEC slate for the Bulldogs features roadtrips to Kentucky, No. 5 Alabama, No. 4 Texas and No. 6 Ole Miss plus the neutral site game with Florida. Georgia’s SEC home games will be with Auburn, Miss. State and No. 15 Tennessee.
Georgia’s Overtime Record (8-7)
Home: 1-2; Away: 4-2; Neutral: 3-3 {Bowl Game/CFP: 3-2}
(*SEC games: 3-4; *Includes CFP National Championship)
The Bulldogs are 1-2 in overtime games under Kirby Smart.
Jan. 1, 2018: #3 Georgia beat #2 Oklahoma 54-48 (2OT) in Pasadena, Calif. (CFP Semifinal: Rose Bowl Game)
Jan. 8. 2018: #4 Alabama beat #3 Georgia 26-23 in Atlanta, Ga. (CFP National Championship, Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Oct. 12, 2019: South Carolina beat #3 Georgia 20-17 (2OT) in Athens, Ga.
Series History With Clemson
The Clemson series dates to 1897, and the Bulldogs hold a 43-18-4 edge. The Bulldogs are 7-1-1 against the Tigers at a neutral site. The most recent meeting came in Charlotte, N.C, in 2021 as the Bulldogs won 10-3.
The Old Leather Helmet Trophy is at stake this year as it goes to the winner of the Aflac Kickoff Game. Traditonally, the winners don the helmet on the field as part of the postgame celebration.
Georgia is 2-1 in this kickoff event, beating #11 Oregon 49-3 in 2022, #22 North Carolina 33-23 in 2016 (Kirby Smart’s first season as head coach) and falling 35-21 to No. 5 Boise State in 2011.
NFL Talent All Over The Field In 2021
In the 2021 matchup versus the Tigers, 20 of Georgia’s 22 starters from the offense and defense made the NFL. The two exceptions were guard Tate Ratledge, who is slated to start this year’s opener against Clemson, and quarterback JT Daniels, who retired from football last year.
Georgia’s starting defensive unit that day that would eventual help the team to their first national championship since 1980 featured SIX future First Round draft picks: Travon Walker (Jacksonville, DE), Jordan Davis (Philadelphia, DT), Nolan Smith (Philadelphia, LB), Quay Walker (Green Bay, LB) Devonte Wyatt (Green Bay, DT), and Lewis Cine (Minnesota, CB).
The other five starters against Clemson in 2021 were Nakobe Dean (3rd Round, LB), Christopher Smith (5th Round, DB), Derion Kendrick (6th Round, DB), Ameer Speed (6th Round, DB) and Latavious Brini (DB, undrafted free agent).
The 2021 starters on offense included eventual first round pick Brock Bowers (TE) and a pair of second round selections in James Cook (TB) and Ladd McConkey (WR).
Along with Ratledge, other current Bulldogs who saw action against the Tigers in 2021 were Warren Brinson, Chaz Chambliss, Dan Jackson, Smael Mondon, Arian Smith, Nazir Stackhouse and Xavier Truss.
2024 Bulldogs On National Award Watch Lists
Chuck Bednarik Award: Smael Mondon, LB; Malaki Starks, DB, Mykel Williams, DE
Dick Butkus Award: Smael Mondon, LB
Walter Camp Award:Carson Beck, RB; Malaki Starks, DB
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award:Dillon Bell, WR
Comeback Player of the Year:Branson Robinson, RB
Lou Groza Award:Peyton Woodring, PK
Ray Guy Award:Brett Thorson, P
Paul Hornung Award:Trevor Etienne, RB
Lott IMPACT Trophy: Malki Starks, DB, Jalon Walker, LB
John Mackey Award:Oscar Delp, TE; Ben Yurosek, TE
Patrick Mannelly Award:Beau Gardner, SN
Manning Award:Carson Beck, QB
Maxwell Award:Carson Beck, QB; Trevor Etienne, RB
Bronko Nagurski Trophy: Smael Mondon, LB; Malaki Starks, DB; Mykel Williams, DL
Davey O’Brien Award:Carson Beck, QB
Outland Trophy:Dylan Fairchild, OL; Tate Ratledge, OL; Nazir Stackhouse, DL; Xavier Truss, OL
Rimington Trophy:Jared Wilson, OL
Jim Thorpe Award:Malaki Starks, DB; Daylen Everette, DB
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award:Carson Beck, QB
Doak Walker Award:Trevor Etienne, RB
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy/Good Works Team Nominee:Malaki Starks, DB
Season Two For Uga XI, a.k.a “Boom”
Following the retirement of Uga X, 10-month old puppy Boom assumed the vaunted role of Georgia’s on-field mascot in 2023. He enters the 2024 season with a 13-1 mark. During a pregame ceremony at the annual “G Day” game, University of Georgia president Jere W. Morehead joined J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks and his son, Davis, in the ceremonial collaring of Boom. Boom is the 11th solid white English Bulldog to serve as Georgia’s mascot since the line began in 1956 courtesy of the Seiler family of Savannah. In his first season, Boom saw the Bulldogs post their third-consecutive undefeated regular season, followed by a record-breaking 63-3 victory over Florida State in the Orange Bowl. In the offseason, Boom resides with his family in Savannah.
On Deck: Home Opener Versus Tenn. Tech
Georgia plays host to Tennessee Tech Saturday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. (SECN+) for its home opener Between The Hedges. Following the two-phase renovation in 2023-24, capacity has increased slightly to 93,033. Georgia remains ninth among the top 10 largest on-campus stadiums.
The Bulldogs have won 12 straight home openers. Tennessee Tech, under new coach Bobby Wilder, opens its season on the road against Middle Tennessee. Georgia holds a 2-0 advantage in the series with the Golden Eagles, winning 67-0 in 1943 and 38-0 in 2009, posting both shutouts in Athens.
One part of the latest renovation is a new press box now located on levels 4 and 5 at the west end of the Sky Suites on the south side of the stadium. This replaced the Dan Magill Press Box which was built in 1967. There is no change to the field level Frank Lumpkin Media Center, which serves as the photographer work and hospitality area as well as the head coach’s interview room.
Points Off Turnovers In 2023
Georgia is +3 in turnover margin.
The Bulldogs have 63 points (does not include the PATs) off 17 turnovers.
Opponents have 51 points off 14 turnovers.
UTM: UGA got 6 pts. off 1 TOs; UGA had no TOs
BSU: UGA 18 pts. off 3 TOs; BSU no pts. off 1 TO
USC: UGA got nxo points off 2 TOs; UGA had no TOs
UAB: UGA 6 pts. off 1 TO; UAB 6 points off 3 TOs
AU: UGA no points off 1 TO; AU 12 points off 2 TOs
#20 UK: UK had no TOs; UK 6 points off 1 TO
VU: UGA 6 pts. off 1 TO; VU 6 pts. off 2 TOs
UF: UGA 6 pts. off 1 TO; UGA had no TOs
#12 MIZ: UGA 3 pts. off 2 TOs; UGA had no TOs
#9 OM: UGA no pts. off 1 TO; OM no pts. off 1 TO
#18 UT: UT had no TOs; UT no pts. off 1 TO
GT: GT had no TOs; GT 12 pts. off 2 TOs
SECCG – #8 UA: UA had no TOs; UA got 3 pts. off 1 TO
ORANGE – #5 FSU: UGA got 18 pts. off 4 TOs; UGA had no TOs
Putting Points on the Board
Georgia ranks third in NCAA history for consecutive games scoring and third among schools with active streaks:
Team – Games
Florida 448 (1988-present)
TCU 391 (1991-present)
Georgia 373 (1995-present)
Big Plays In 2023
UGA has 53 plays of 25 yards or more while its opponents have 25.
GAME 1 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 9 (56-yd pass, Vandagriff to Thomas)
UTM: 1 (26-yd rush, Dent)
GAME 2 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 5 (69-yd PR-TD, Mews)
BSU: 1 (45-yd INT Ret., Malory)
GAME 3 (Longest):
UGA: 2 (36-yd pass, Beck to Thomas)
SC: 2 (41-yd pass, Rattler to Blake)
GAME 4 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 5 (50-yd pass Beck to Rosemy-Jacksaint)
UAB: 3 (32-yd pass Zeno to Farrier)
GAME 5 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 6 (41-yd KOR Mews)
AUB: 3 (61-yd run Thorne)
GAME 6 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 4 (49-yd pass Beck to Bowers)
#20 UK: 3 (48-yd INT Ret., Hairston)
GAME 7 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 6 (62-yd rush Edwards)
VAN: 2 (49-yd TD pass Seals to Humphreys)
GAME 8 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 3 (55-yd pass Beck to Lovett)
UF: 4 (48-yd rush Johnson)
GAME 9 (Longest):
#2 UGA: #2 UGA: 4 (33-yd Beck to McConkey)
#12 MIZZOU: 3 (39-yd TD Cook to Burden)MIZZOU:
GAME 10 (Longest):
#2 UGA: 7 (51-yd rush Milton)
#9 OM: 2 (33-yd pass, 2x)
GAME 11 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 3 (35-yd pass Beck to Rosemy-Jacksaint)
#18 UT: 1 (75-yd TD Jaylen Wright)
GAME 12 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 6 (39-yd KOR Bell)
GT: 2 (57-yd Pass King to Singleton)
GAME 13 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 2 (51-yd pass Beck to Smith)
#8 UA: 2 (30-yd rush Milroe)
GAME 14 (Longest):
#6 UGA: 7 (43-yd rush Milton)
#5 FSU – 3 (55-yd pass Glenn to Poitier)
HEAD COACH KIRBY SMART QUICK FACTS
Ninth season as Georgia coach • 94-16 Career Record • 2021 & 2022 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
2017 CFP national runner-up
Unbeaten against all active coaches over the past five years and one of just two active coaches with multiple national titles (Dabo Swinney-Clemson, ’16 & ’18)
Best record & winning percentage (85-15, .850) after his first 100 games of any coach in SEC history
2017, 2022 SEC Champions • SEC Eastern Division Champs 2017-19 & 21-23
Georgia defense has been ranked in the top five nationally in Scoring Defense five ties including leading the nation in 2019 & 2021; Been ranked in the top 10 in Scoring Offense the past three seasons (2021-23)
2017 George Munger award (National Coach of the Year by Maxwell Club)
Three-Time SEC Coach of the Year, 2017, 2021-22
Bulldogs have won two Butkus Awards and two Mackey Awards, One Outland Trophy, Bednarik Award, Thorpe Award, Groza Award, Manning Award & Burlsworth Trophy; Two NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards, One Heisman Trophy finalist
20 1st-team All-Americans
17 First Round NFL Draft picks
63 NFL Draft Picks
242 players on SEC Academic Honor Rolls, including a high of 43 on the 2023 team
COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK #2: USC VS. LSU (SUNDAY)
USC GAME NOTES:
THE BEACH VERSUS THE BAYOU • USC begins the 2024 season with an electric start as the Trojans challenge the LSU Tigers in the Vegas Kickoff Classic on Sunday, Sept. 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. • The game, featuring two powerhouse programs, will be shown live nationally on ABC. • USC is ranked No. 23 in the AP Poll, while LSU holds the No. 13 ranking. HEISMAN LEGACIES • USC QB Miller Moss and LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier are both stepping into roles held by the last two Heisman Trophy winners (LSU’s Jayden Daniels, 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and USC’s Caleb Williams, 2022 Heisman Trophy winner). LSU SCOUTING REPORT • Head coach Brian Kelly enters his third season at LSU with a 20-7 record. • Last season, the Tigers went 10-3 (6-2 in SEC play) and defeated Wisconsin 35-31 in the ReliaQuest Bowl. • LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker is in his first season in the role after coming from Missouri. It’s Baker second stint with the Tigers as he previously served as LSU’s linebackers coach in 2021. • Baker’s 2023 Missouri defense played an important role in the Tigers going 11-2 overall and capping the season with a 14-3 win over No. 7 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. • QB Garrett Nussmeier was 48-of-78 for 591 yards (18.6 avg.) with 4 TDs and 1 INT while backing up 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. WR Kyren Lacy (30 rec. for 558 yards and 7 TDs in 2023) looks to be the top receiver. • Liberty transfer WR CJ Daniels looks to also make an impact. At Liberty, Daniels caught 55 passes for 1,067 yards (19.4 avg.) and 10 TDs. • TE Mason Taylor (36 receptions for 348 yards and 1 TD in 2023). When Nussmeier was QB in the ReliaQuest bowl, he caught 7 passes for 88 yards. • RB Josh Williams (55 carries for 284 yards [5.2 avg.) and 5 TDs in 2023) and RB Kaleb Jackson (31 carries for 165 yards [5.3 avg.] and 4 TDs) look to split time out of the backfield. • The Tiger offensive line, a finalist for the 2023 Joe Moore Award, will most likely be comprised of LT Will Campbell, LG Garrett Dellinger, C DJ Chester (the lone new starter on the O-Line), RG Miles Frazier and RT Emery Jones Jr. • The defensive line should feature DE Sai’vion Jones (33 tackles in 2023), DT Jacobian Guillory (27 tackles in 2023), DT Gio Paez (22 tackles at Wisconsin in 2023), DE Bradyn Swinson (25 tackles in 2023). While they’re all seniors, they lack game experience with 21 career starts total. • LBs Greg Penn III (89 tackles in 2023) and Harold Perkins Jr. (75 tackles in 2023, leading the team with 13 TFLs for minus 54 yards) look to be the starters. • CBs Sage Ryan (42 tackles in 2023) and Ashton Stamps (23 tackles in 2023) both reportedly had a strong fall camp. Ryan switched positions from safety to corner this preseason. • S Major Burns (LSU’s 2023 tackling leader with 93) will be LSU’s top safety. • K Damian Ramos went 12-of-15 (80.0%) in FGs in 2023 with a long of 47. He was perfect in PATs RANKINGS • USC is ranked No. 23 in the latest AP Poll and in the USA Today Coaches Poll. • LSU is ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll and 12th in the USA Today Coaches Poll. SERIES • USC is 1-1 all-time against LSU, with one game each home and away.
• The most recent encounter with the Tigers occurred in the fall of 1984, where the Trojans lost 3-23 in the Coliseum. VERSUS THE SEC • USC is 31-15-2 (.667) all-time against SEC schools (does not include 2 wins and 1 loss vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 33-16-2, .667). • The last time USC played a team from the SEC was the 2016 season opener when the Trojans lost 6-52 to Alabama in AT&T Stadium. IN SEPTEMBER • USC has a 196-55-8 (.772) all-time record while playing in the month of September (does not include 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 199-55-8, .775). OPENERS • USC’s record in all season openers is 98-24-8 (.785), with 36 shutout victories. In season openers at home, the Trojans are 70-16-7 (.790), while their record in season openers on the road is 28-8-1 (.770). (Does not include 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 99-24-8, .786 overall and 29-8-1 on the road, .776.)• In road openers, USC is 86-31-8 (.720). (Does not include 1 home and 1 road win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 87-31-8, .722 on the road.) SUNDAY • USC has played only 5 games on a Sunday, going 3-2: 1993 opener versus North Carolina in the Disneyland Pigskin Classic (USC lost, 31-9), 1996 opener against Penn State in the Kickoff Classic (USC lost, 24-7), 1998 opener versus Purdue in the Pigskin Classic (USC won, 27-17), 2000 opener versus Penn State in the Kickoff Classic (USC won 29-5) and in 2020 versus Washington State at home (USC won 38-13). NFL STADIUMS • Since 2014, USC has played 7 games in a current NFL stadium besides the Los Angeles Coliseum (temporary home of the Los Angeles Rams). It beat Nebraska, 45-42, in the 2014 Holiday Bowl in Qualcomm Stadium, lost to Stanford, 41-22, in the 2015 Pac-12 Championship Game in Levi’s Stadium and to Wisconsin, 23-21, in the 2015 Holiday Bowl in Qualcomm Stadium, lost to Alabama, 52-6, in AT&T Stadium in the 2016 season opener, beat Stanford, 31-28, in the 2017 Pac-12 Championship Game in Levi’s Stadium and lost to Ohio State, 24-7, in the 2017 Cotton Bowl in AT&T Stadium and lost to Utah, 24-47 in the 2022 Pac-12 Championship Game in Allegiant Stadium. DOMES • USC is 3-4 in domed (or closed roof) stadiums, beating Washington State in the Kingdome in 1976, Texas A&M in the 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl in the Astrodome and Houston in the Astrodome in 1996, but losing in AT&T Stadium to Alabama in 2016, Ohio State in the 2017 Cotton Bowl and Tulane in the 2023 Cotton Bowl and in Allegiant Stadium to Utah in the 2022 Pac-12 Championship. OLYMPIC RECORD • USC is 203-70-10 (.734) in seasons that the Summer Olympics have been held. The Trojans won 4 national titles (1928, 1932, 1972, 2004) and played in 11 bowls (winning 8) during those Olympic seasons. (Does not include 2 wins–including 1 bowl appearance and 1 bowl win–vacated by NCAA penalty; original record: 205-70-10, .737.) PRESIDENTIAL RECORD • USC is 221-70-14 (.748) during presidential election years. The Trojans are 127-29-5 (.804) in years when Republicans won the White House and 94-41-9 (.684) when Democrats won. (Does not include 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty; revised record: 222-70-14, .748 overall and 128-29-5, .806 with Republicans.) USC has won 4 national championships (1928-32-72-2004) during presidential election years. TURNAROUNDS • In USC’s 135 seasons, the Trojans have lost 4 or more games 45 times. Following 9 of those 4-plus loss seasons, USC “turned it around” to win the Rose Bowl the next year (1938-43-62-67-72-76-78-84-16). ARTIFICIAL TURF • USC is 50-36-1 in its last 87 games on artificial turf (not including 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 53-36-1). HOME JERSEYS • USC will wear its traditional cardinal home jerseys while LSU will wear their traditional white home jerseys. USC wore its home cardinal jerseys for the 2000 Kickoff Classic against Penn State (even though Troy was the visiting team) and for its 1999 game at Hawaii (at the request of UH). USC-LSU CONNECTIONS • LSU has 2 Californians on its roster: DT Gio Perez (Los Angeles, Calif.) and SNP Jonathan Ferguson (Sacramento, Calif.). • LSU WR Zavion Thomas previously played at Mississippi State with Trojans RB Woody Marks and CB DeCarlos Nicholson. • LSU CB JK Johnson previously played at Ohio State with Trojan S Bryson Shaw. • LSU QB AJ Swann previously played at Vanderbilt with Trojan DT Nate Clifton. • LSU S Austin Ausberry previously played at Auburn with Trojan WR Jay Fair. • USC CB Greedy Vance Jr. and LSU CB Michael Turner Jr. are both from Kenner, La. • USC RB Woody Marks and LSU DE CJ Jackson are both from Atlanta, Ga. • USC OL Makai Saina and LSU CB Javien Toviano both played at Martin HS in Arlington, Texas • USC P Eddie Czaplicki and LSU SNP Slade Roy are both from Charlotte, N.C. • USC TE Lake McRee and LSU SNP Jake Davis are both from Austin, Texas. • USC CB Prophet Brown, USC OL Alani Noa and LSU SNP Jonathan Ferguson are all from Sacramento, Calif. • USC Offensive Line Coach / Offensive Coordinator Josh Henson was LSU’s tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator for 4 seasons (2005-08), including with the Tigers’ 2007 national championship squad. He helped assemble Top 10 recruiting classes in 2006 and 2007 when he was named one of college football’s Top 25 recruiters by Rivals.com. LSU played in the 2005 Peach Bowl, 2007 Sugar Bowl, 2008 BCS National Championship Game and 2008 Chick-Fil-A Bowl. • USC’s Associate Director of Operations and Student Services for Football Cheryl Taplin boasts an impressive athletic career, having been a 16-time All-American sprinter at Louisiana State University (LSU) and inducted into the LSU Hall of Fame in 2006. • USC Senior Associate Athletic Director (Strategic Communication and Brand Advancement) Cody Worsham previously held a similar role at LSU. 2024 SCHEDULE • A new era begins for the Trojans as USC enters the Big Ten Conference — new opponents, new stadiums and a Rose Bowl worthy matchup every weekend. • The Trojans will play six home games in 2024. Troy will welcome league opponents Wisconsin, Penn State, Rutgers and Nebraska to the Coliseum as well as non-conference foes Utah State and Notre Dame. USC will visit Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, Washington and UCLA on the road. The Trojans will open the 2024 season with a neutral site game against LSU at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. •USC will have byes on Sept 14 and Nov. 9. •Coming out with a bang, the Trojans face traditional powerhouse LSU in the Vegas Kickoff Classic on Sept 1. It will be just the third meeting between LSU and USC in football. USC won the first meeting between the teams in what is considered one of the greatest games ever played in Tiger Stadium by a 17-12 count in 1979. LSU won the rematch in Los Angeles at the Coliseum in 1984 by a 23-3 margin. •USC returns to Los Angeles for its home opener against Utah State on Sept. 7. The Trojans’ inaugural Big Ten matchup will be in the Big House – a stage worthy of such a debut. USC travels to Michigan (with new head coach Sherrone Moore) on Sept. 21 for this iconic game to kick off a new era of Trojan football. The Trojans are 6-4 against the Wolverines, last facing them in a 32-18 victory in the 2007 Rose Bowl. The Trojans then return home to the Coliseum to host Wisconsin on Sept. 28. USC holds a 6-1 record against the Badgers, last falling to them 21-23 in the 2015 Holiday Bowl. •Another road game awaits the following week as USC visits Minnesota on Oct. 5. The Trojans are 6-1-1 against the Gophers, last playing them in 2011, where they earned a 19-17 victory in the Coliseum. Back at home on Oct. 12, USC challenges a familiar opponent, the Penn State Nittany Lions. USC is 6-4 versus Penn State, last defeating them 52-49 in 2017 in arguably one of the most iconic Rose Bowl games of all-time. The Trojans then travel back east for a first-time match up versus Maryland on Oct. 19. Wrapping up October, USC welcomes Rutgers, another new opponent, to the Coliseum on Oct. 25. •USC travels to Washington (with new head coach Jedd Fisch) on Nov. 2 for a familiar match up. USC currently holds a 51-31-4 series record over Washington, not including Troy’s 2005 victory which was vacated due to NCAA penalty (original record: 52-30-4). On Nov. 16, the Trojans host Nebraska in the Coliseum. USC is 4-0-1 versus the Cornhuskers, last facing them in 2014, in a 45-42 victory in the Holiday Bowl. Finally, USC travels to the Rose Bowl to challenge crosstown rival UCLA (with new head coach DeShaun Foster) to wrap up Big Ten Conference play on Nov. 23. USC leads its series with UCLA 50-34-7, not including Troy’s 2004 and 2005 victories that were vacated due to NCAA penalty (original record: 52-34-7). USC returns back to the Coliseum for its final home game of the 2024 season against Notre Dame. The greatest intersectional rivalry in college football will be played on Nov. 30. •The 2024 season will conclude with the annual Big Ten Football Championship Game on Dec. 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which will feature the top two teams in the overall conference standings at the end of the regular season, with the winner earning the Big Ten Championship.
LSU GAME NOTES
LSU Opens Third Season Under Brian Kelly Against USC in Las Vegas LSU (10-3, 6-2 SEC in 2023) opens its third season under head coach Brian Kelly on Sunday, Sept. 1 when the Tigers travel to face No. 23 USC (8-5 in 2023) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The game will be televised on ABC. It’s LSU’s first game in Las Vegas and the third consecutive neutral site opener for the Tigers. LSU opened 2022 in New Orleans and 2023 in Orlando – both games against Florida State. LSU will be looking for its first season-opening win since 2019 when the Tigers beat Georgia Southern, 55-3, in Tiger Stadium. LSU enters the game ranked No. 12 in the Coaches Poll and No. 13 in the AP Poll. LSU closed the 2023 season with four straight victories, and wins in seven of its last eight games, capped with a 35-31 victory over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl. This marks only the third meeting between LSU and USC with the series tied at 1-1. USC, with a pair of Heisman Trophy winners in Charles White and Marcus Allen in its backfield and ranked No. 1 scored 14 fourth quarter points to beat LSU, 17-12, in Tiger Stadium on Sept. 29, 1979. LSU evened the series with a 23-3 win over the Trojans in Los Angeles on Sept. 29, 1984. LSU and USC shared the 2003 national championship – the Tigers winning the BCS and the Trojans winning the AP. LSU’s roster features 35 players who have started a FBS game with 25 of those having at least one start for the Tigers. QB Garrett Nussmeier, the ReliaQuest Bowl MVP in his first career start, takes over for Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels in 2024. Nussmeier has 18 career appearances, completing 129-of-219 passes for 1,720 yards, 11 TDs and 7 interceptions. LSU’s top returning running backs are both 1,000-yard career rushers in sixth-year players Josh Williams (1,012 yards, 11 TDs) and John Emery (1,062 yards, 14 TDs). WRs Kyren Lacy (54 rec., 826 yards, 7 TDs at LSU), Chris Hilton (22 rec., 415 yards, 3 TDs) along with TE Mason Taylor (74 rec., 762 yards, 4 TDs) are the top returning receivers. Liberty transfer CJ Daniels joins the Tigers after catching 106 passes for 1,954 yards and 21 TDs in four years with the Flames. Defensive leaders for LSU include a pair of LBs Harold Perkins (147 tackles, 26 TFL, 13 sacks) and Greg Penn (178 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 4 sacks), DE Sai’vion Jones (59 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 7 sacks) and S Major Burns (156 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 7 PBUs). LSU Coach Brian Kelly: Winningest Active Coach In NCAA Football Brian Kelly, in his third with the Tigers, has guided LSU to a 20-7 overall mark through 27 games. He enters 2024 riding a streak of seven straight 10-win seasons. Kelly is the winningest active coach in NCAA football (no matter division) with an on-field record of 304-103-2. After inheriting a roster with only 39 scholarship players, Kelly quickly turned LSU into a 10-win team in his first season in 2022 as the Tigers went 10-4 overall, beat Top 10 teams in Ole Miss and Alabama and won the SEC Western Division. Kelly, the most accomplished hire in LSU football history when he was named to the position in December of 2021, took over the program after 12 years and 113 wins at Notre Dame. His coaching resume includes 12 10-win seasons at the FBS level (7 at Notre Dame, 3 at Cincinnati, 2 at LSU), along with 15 bowl/CFP playoff appearances and 3 National Coach of the Year honors.
• LSU returns 4 starters on the offensive line, a unit that was 1 of 3 finalists for the Joe Moore Award in 2023. • LSU’s starting offensive line has combined for 98 career starts at LSU. LT Will Campbell, a preseason All-America, leads the way with 26, followed by RG Miles Frazier (25), RT Emery Jones (24) and LG Garrett Dellinger (23). Redshirt freshman C DJ Chester is expected to make his first career start against USC. • LSU coach Brian Kelly is 8-3 vs. USC. Kelly’s Notre Dame team played USC every year from 2010-2019 and then again in 2021. Kelly brings a 4-game winning streak against the Trojans into Sunday’s contest. This will serve as Kelly’s first head-to-head matchup against USC coach Lincoln Riley. • LT Will Campbell and LB Harold Perkins will wear No. 7 for LSU in 2024. The number 7 is given to the best playmaker on the team who calls Louisiana home. It’s also designated for a player who brings up others around him. Campbell will continue to wear the No. 66 jersey accompanied by a No. 7 patch. • RB Josh Williams and LB Greg Penn will wear No. 18 in 2024. The No. 18 tradition started with QB Matt Mauck in 2003 when he led the Tigers to the national championship that season. It’s presented to a team leader who has all of the traits of a champion. • LSU has faced a Lincoln Riley-coached team one time, that coming in the 2019 CFP Semifinals in Atlanta when the Tigers posted a 63-28 win over Oklahoma. • LT Will Campbell and LB Harold Perkins have been named first-team preseason All-America by the Associated Press and ESPN.com. Campbell is a first teamer on the Walter Camp preseason team, while Perkins made the second-team. RT Emery Jones is listed as a second-team preseason All-America by ESPN.com. • TE Mason Taylor enters 2024 ranked No. 4 in school history in receptions by a tight end with 74. Taylor has 2 of the top 3 receiving seasons in terms of receptions in school history with 38 in 2022 (No. 2) and 36 in 2023 (No. 3). Taylor had career-highs for receptions (7) and yards (88) in LSU’s bowl win over Wisconsin. • In his first career start against Wisconsin in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl, LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier set school marks for most completions (31) and passing yards (395) for a player in his first career start. • LSU enters the season ranked in the Top 25 for the 23rd time in the past 24 years – a streak that dates back to 2001. The only exception during that span came in 2022, a year that saw the Tigers capture the SEC Western Division title and finish the season ranked as high as No. 15 (Coaches). • LSU enters 2024 riding back-to-back 10-win seasons, the first for LSU since going 10-3 in 2018 followed by a 15-0 mark and the national championship in 2019. • LSU will play 5 games during the month of September for the second straight year, and for just the eighth time in school history. Years in which the Tigers have played 5 games in September include 2023, 2018, 2017, 2012, 2006, 2000, and 1995).
LSU Opens 2024 Season vs. USC in Top-25 Matchup at the Vegas Kickoff Classic LSU will face USC for the third time when the teams meet on Sunday, Sept. 1 at the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT (6:30 p.m. CT). ABC will televise the game with Rece Davis (pxp), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline reporter) on the call. The game will serve as the only college football contest on Sunday. LSU is 1-1 all-time against USC, dropping a 17-12 decision to the then-No. 1 Trojans on Sept. 29 in Tiger Stadium followed by a 23-3 victory in Los Angeles on Sept. 29, 1984. Sunday’s contest will mark LSU’s first appearance in Las Vegas for a football game. LSU Coming Off Back-to-Back 10-Win Seasons LSU enters 2024 coming off back-to-back 10-win season as third-year head coach Brian Kelly has re-energized a program that was down to 39 scholarship players when he took over in December of 2021. Since then, Kelly has led LSU to the 2022 SEC Western Division title along with a pair of bowl wins. LSU’s Won 4 Straight and 6-of-Last 7 LSU enters the USC game riding a 4-game winning streak as the Tigers closed the 2023 season with consecutive victories over Florida, Georgia State, Texas A&M and Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Dating back to an Oct. 7 win over Missouri, LSU has won six of its last seven games with the only setback during that span coming at Alabama. 35 Players on LSU Roster Have a FBS Start; 26 With Starts in LSU Uniform LSU’s 2024 roster features 35 players who have at least one FBS start. Of the 35, 26 have a start for LSU. Senior LB Greg Penn leads all Tigers with 27 career starts, followed by LT Will Campbell with 26. Other players with at least 20 LSU starts to their credit include: S Major Burns (23), OG Garrett Dellinger (23), OG Miles Frazier (24), RT Emery Jones (24), LB Harold Perkins (21) and TE Mason Taylor (25). Newcomers to the LSU roster with at least 10 career FBS starts include: WR CJ Daniels (20 at Liberty), QB AJ Swann (15 at Vanderbilt), and S Jardin Gilbert (12 at Texas A&M). BK Is 8-3 vs. USC LSU head coach Brian Kelly is 8-3 all-time against USC with all 11 games coming as head coach at Notre Dame. Kelly won his final four games against USC, capped with a 31-23 win over the Trojans on Sept. 23, 2021 in South Bend. Kelly faced USC in all but the 2020 season during his 12-year stint with the Irish. The 2020 game was canceled due to Covid and Notre Dame playing an all-ACC schedule that season. LSU vs. USC: Series Tied 1-1 LSU and USC will meet on the gridiron for just the third time and the first since 1984 when the Tigers beat the Trojans, 23-3, in Los Angeles. The first meeting between the teams came in 1979 when 20th-ranked LSU surrendered 14 unanswered fourth quarter points to fall, 17-12, to then-No. 1 USC in Tiger Stadium. The 1979 LSU-USC game is still considered one of the best ever played in Death Valley. That year’s USC team featured two players who would go on to win the Heisman Trophy in Charles White and Marcus Allen along with future NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott.
JOSH HOOVER, TCU PASS STANFORD IN FOURTH QUARTER
Josh Hoover completed 28 of 42 passes for 353 yards and two touchdowns to lead visiting TCU to a 34-27 victory against Stanford in the season opener for both teams on Friday.
Horned Frogs receiver Jack Bech caught six passes for 139 yards and the go-ahead touchdown with 3:13 left. JP Richardson finished with six catches for 107 yards, and Savion Williams had 11 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Ashton Daniels took most of the snaps at quarterback for Stanford, and he completed 17 of 35 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown with one interception. Daniels also rushed for a team-high 87 yards on 17 carries.
Justin Lamson completed his only pass for a touchdown and also scored on a 1-yard run with 6:57 left in the fourth quarter to give Stanford a 24-20 lead.
Bech subsequently caught a 4-yard scoring pass from Hoover to move the Horned Frogs back in front 27-24.
After the Cardinal were stopped on downs deep in their own territory, Cam Cook scored on a 7-yard touchdown run with 1:51 remaining to make it 34-24.
Cook finished with 81 yards on 20 carries.
Emmet Kenney kicked a 45-yard field goal with 36 seconds left to cut the Cardinal’s deficit to 34-27, but the Horned Frogs recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the win.
Stanford scored on its opening drive with help from three personal fouls on TCU, which committed seven penalties for 100 yards.
Daniels capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Harris for a 7-0 lead with 7:57 left in the first quarter.
TCU scored on its opening drive as well, marching 75 yards on 13 plays and tying the score 7-7 on a 5-yard touchdown strike from Hoover to Williams with 1:16 left in the first quarter.
Mitch Leigber forced a fumble for the Cardinal and teammate Jay Green recovered at the Stanford 30 before returning it 10 yards, giving the Cardinal prime field position early in the second quarter.
Lamson took over at quarterback for Stanford with the short field and hit Ismael Cisse with a 2-yard touchdown pass to move the Cardinal in front 14-7 with 9:19 left in the opening half.
TCU’s Kyle Lemmermann booted a 22-yard field goal to cut the margin to 14-10 with 4:09 left in the half.
Kenney answered with a 35-yard field goal, stretching the lead to 17-10 with 1:36 left in the second quarter.
Lemmermann booted a 42-yarder with 9:11 left in the third quarter.
Hoover scored on a 1-yard sneak with 2:22 left in the third quarter to give TCU its first lead at 20-17.
–Field Level Media
WISCONSIN LEAVES IT LATE BEFORE TOPPING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Tawee Walker scored the go-ahead touchdown following a muffed punt as Wisconsin rallied in the fourth quarter for a 28-14 victory over Western Michigan on Friday in the season opener for both teams in Madison, Wis.
With the Broncos ahead 14-13 early in the fourth quarter, Wisconsin recovered the muffed punt at the Western Michigan 20-yard line. Four plays later, Walker ran 6 yards up the middle to put the Badgers on top. Tyler Van Dyke hit Trech Kekahuna with the two-point conversion to put the Badgers up 21-14 with 10:35 left.
The Badgers’ defense then stopped Jalen Buckley on fourth-and-1 on the next series. Wisconsin subsequently went 50 yards, capped by Van Dyke’s 6-yard keeper to make it 28-14 with 3:17 remaining.
Western Michigan took a 14-13 lead with the aid of a fake field goal. The Broncos failed to get a first down after recovering a fumble at the Wisconsin 34. On the final play of the third quarter, kicker Palmer Domschke took a pitch and skirted around right end for 26 yards to the 4-yard line. Buckley scored on 1-yard run with 14:15 remaining.
Van Dyke, a redshirt senior transfer from Miami (Fla.), completed 21 of 36 passes for 192 yards without a touchdown or interception. Wisconsin’s Chez Mellusi ran for 74 yards and a touchdown. Walker, a senior transfer from Oklahoma, added 66 yards on the ground for the Badgers, had a 388-261 advantage in total yards.
Wisconsin had drives of 16, 16, 14 and 14 plays on its first four possessions but managed just one touchdown.
The Badgers opened the second half with a 59-yard drive that stalled at the 6-yard line, settling for Nathanial Vakos’ 23-yard field goal that extended their lead to 13-7.
Vakos’ 33-yarder on the final play of the first half put Wisconsin up 10-7.
Mellusi gave the Badgers a 7-0 lead in the second quarter, capping a 16-play, 93-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run. Broncos linebacker Jacob Wahlberg was ejected for targeting on Van Dyke, giving Wisconsin a first-and-goal at the 9.
Western Michigan responded with a drive from their 22 to a first down at the Wisconsin 1. The Broncos were stopped three times before Buckley plunged over to tie it with 3:02 remaining in the half.
–Field Level Media
MICHIGAN STATE TOPS FAU IN JONATHAN SMITH’S DEBUT AS COACH
Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams scored on a 63-yard run and Michigan State gave new head coach Jonathan Smith a victory in his debut as the Spartans topped Florida Atlantic, 16-10, in East Lansing, Mich., on Friday night.
Lynch-Adams finished with 101 yards on nine carries. Aidan Chiles, who followed Smith from Oregon State, was held to 114 passing yards and threw two interceptions. Chiles had a rushing touchdown, and the Spartans defense notched two turnovers and seven sacks.
Owls quarterback Cam Fancher passed for 116 yards and a touchdown but threw two interceptions. He led FAU in rushing with 67 yards on 25 carries.
The Spartans led 16-3 at halftime.
They scored their first points of the season on a safety in the first quarter. Fancher was sacked in the end zone by D’Quan Douse.
Nikai Martinez’s 41-yard interception set up the Spartans’ first touchdown in the second quarter. Chiles scored three plays later on an 11-yard run.
After a three-and-out series from the Owls, Michigan State made it 16-0 on Lynch-Adams’ 63-yard scamper. The Massachusetts transfer took advantage of a big hole up the middle and outraced the defense.
Florida Atlantic got on the board when Morgan Suarez made a 43-yard field goal.
The Spartans were on the verge of scoring with three minutes left in the third quarter. They drove to the Owls’ 5-yard line but Chiles’ pass was picked off by Phillip Dunnam. He returned the interception 58 yards to the Michigan State 40
The Owls cashed in seven plays later on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Fancher to Jayshon Platt with seven seconds remaining in the quarter.
Michigan State drove inside the Florida Atlantic 10 on its next possession. This time, the Spartans turned the ball over on downs as Lynch-Adams was thrown for a 2-yard loss on fourth-and-1.
Florida Atlantic also turned it over on downs after driving to the Spartans’ 37. Anthony Jones sacked Fancher on fourth down.
After the Spartans were forced to punt, Fancher came up short on a fourth-and-1.
Fancher was sacked twice on the Owls’ final possession.
–Field Level Media
DUKE’S DEFENSE DOMINATES IN WIN OVER FCS ELON
Duke’s defense controlled most of the game and Maalik Murphy threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns in his Blue Devils debut during a 26-3 victory against Elon on Friday night at Durham, N.C.
The season opener for both teams started the tenure of Duke head coach Manny Diaz.
Duke’s defense racked up 16 tackles for loss, including eight sacks. Elon had 140 yards of total offense, only 60 in the second half — 54 of those coming on its final drive for Jack Berkowitz’s 39-yard field goal with 18 seconds left.
Murphy, a transfer from Texas, was 26-for-40 with an interception.
Diaz, a former Miami head coach and most recently Penn State’s defensive coordinator, replaced Mike Elko, who took the Texas A&M job following the 2023 regular season.
Elon starting quarterback Matthew Downing went 11-for-17 for 72 yards. Phoenix safety Caleb Curtain, the Preseason Player of the Year in the Coastal Athletic Association, picked off a pass.
Duke had only 62 rushing yards.
The Blue Devils, up 10-0 at halftime, opened a gap in the third quarter. Todd Pelino kicked a 42-yard field goal, and Jeremiah Hasley’s 1-yard reception on a pass from Murphy created a 19-0 advantage.
Duke tacked on Murphy’s 7-yard pass to Eli Pancol with 4:11 to play.
The Blue Devils struggles before halftime against the Football Championship Subdivision opponent from about 35 miles away.
Duke had four sacks and forced three Elon punts in the first quarter but led only 3-0 on Pelino’s 32-yard field goal.
The Blue Devils didn’t convert on fourth-and-6 from the Elon 28 in the second quarter.
The Phoenix responded with a 10-play drive, but Berkowitz’s 49-yard field-goal attempt bounced back off the crossbar.
Three snaps later, the Blue Devils were in the end zone on Jaquez Moore’s 7-yard touchdown run. Murphy’s 55-yard pass play to Pancol was the big gainer on the sequence.
–Field Level Media
NFL NEWS
THE CHIEFS’ PURSUIT OF A 3-PEAT IS THE HOT TOPIC AMONG MANY STORYLINES ENTERING 2024 NFL SEASON
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs chasing history will be the hottest topic throughout the NFL season.
Kansas City’s three-peat quest is only one of many interesting storylines.
Aaron Rodgers is back in New York after his first season with the Jets lasted only four plays. The 40-year-old four-time NFL MVP is returning from a torn Achilles tendon and aiming to help the Jets end the league’s longest active playoff drought.
No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams takes over for the Bears, looking to end Chicago’s lengthy search for a franchise quarterback.
Fellow rookie QB Jayden Daniels leads the Commanders, who begin their second season under a new ownership group that saved Washington from Dan Snyder.
Russell Wilson tries to revive his career in Pittsburgh, becoming the third different QB the Steelers turn to since Ben Roethlisberger last played three years ago.
Jim Harbaugh returned to the NFL to coach the Los Angeles Chargers after winning a national title at Michigan. With Justin Herbert under center, Harbaugh doesn’t have to start from scratch.
His brother, John Harbaugh, and the Baltimore Ravens have unfinished business. Two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson led the Ravens to the league’s best record, but they couldn’t beat Mahomes and the Chiefs in the playoffs.
The pressure is on Josh Allen to deliver in Buffalo after the Bills lost in the divisional round for the third straight season.
The San Francisco 49ers’ bid to return to the Super Bowl after falling just short against the Chiefs could be derailed by contract disputes. All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams and standout wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk still haven’t resolved their issues.
Nick Sirianni stayed put in Philadelphia despite a late-season collapse that had the Eagles go from 10-1 to blown out by Tampa Bay in a wild-card game. Jalen Hurts is learning a new offensive system again but another playmaker, Saquon Barkley, joined a star-studded cast that surrounds him.
The Cowboys didn’t do much in the offseason after another playoff failure. Coach Mike McCarthy enters the final season of his contract and Dak Prescott is planning to play out the last year of his deal unless he gets an extension. Jerry Jones did open up his checkbook for All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, ending a long holdout.
Dan Campbell’s Lions are a popular pick to make their first trip to the Super Bowl after his fourth-down gambles cost Detroit a shot last season.
Jordan Love got paid in Green Bay and looks to build off his successful first season leading the Packers.
Trevor Lawrence also joined the $55 million club (average annual salary) in Jacksonville. The Jaguars have to rebound from a disappointing finish after failing to reach the playoffs despite an 8-3 start.
C.J. Stroud took the Houston Texans from worst to first and now they seek to take another step in a packed AFC.
Deshaun Watson watched Joe Flacco lead the Browns to the playoffs and fans in Cleveland are running out of patience waiting for him to live up to expectations.
A healthy and blonde Joe Burrow is back in Cincinnati, giving the Bengals reason for optimism.
Kirk Cousins joined the Falcons along with new coach Raheem Morris, taking aim at dethroning the Buccaneers in the NFC South.
Tampa Bay is running it back after re-signing Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and several key players from a team that far exceeded expectations last year.
The Dolphins made Tua Tagovailoa a $53 million a year QB, putting faith in him to lead Miami to its first playoff win in 24 years.
Bill Belichick moved onto a television career with Jerod Mayo starting a new era in New England. The Patriots hope Drake Maye brings a fraction of Tom Brady’s success.
The Broncos turn to rookie Bo Nix, who seems like a fit for Sean Payton’s offense.
Antonio Pierce gets a full season in charge in Las Vegas to show what he can do with the Raiders.
The Colts are counting on Anthony Richardson to stay healthy and put them in playoff contention.
Brian Callahan takes over in Tennessee as the rebuilding Titans give Will Levis a shot to be their quarterback of the future.
Daniel Jones and Brian Daboll have plenty to prove with the New York Giants.
The Vikings lost J.J. McCarthy for the season, assuring Sam Darnold gets yet another chance to be a No. 1 QB. He’s got Justin Jefferson and more talent than he had with the Jets and Panthers.
As for Carolina, new coach Dave Canales is tasked with getting the best out of Bryce Young. He already did it for Mayfield and Geno Smith.
The Saints haven’t been to the playoffs since Payton and Drew Brees left. Dennis Allen and Derek Carr may not get anymore chances in New Orleans if they don’t get it done this season.
Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. team up, making the Cardinals a sneaky team in the NFC.
Matthew Stafford remains with the Rams but Los Angeles must replace defensive superstar Aaron Donald. Sean McVay is coming off perhaps his best coaching season and nobody is doubting his ability to keep the team in the playoff mix.
The Seahawks begin a new era without Pete Carroll. Mike Macdonald leads a Seattle team that needed a new defensive approach.
Eighteen weeks and 272 games to determine the teams that’ll play in January to figure out which two face off in February for the Vince Lombardi trophy.
All of it kicks off with the Ravens-Chiefs facing off in a rematch of the AFC championship game. Then it’s the Eagles-Packers playing on a Friday night in the first NFL game in Brazil.
REPORT: DOLPHINS EXTEND MCDANIEL THROUGH 2028 SEASON
The Miami Dolphins are signing head coach Mike McDaniel to a contract extension through the 2028 season, sources told Jeff Darlington of ESPN.
Miami is 20-14 since hiring McDaniel in 2022. Under his watch, the team built one of the NFL’s strongest offensive units led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
The Dolphins ranked first in total yards and second in points last year, and they looked like Super Bowl contenders for most of the regular season. McDaniel’s outfit claimed a historic 70-20 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 3 in which Miami became the first team in the Super Bowl era to score at least 70 points and set an NFL record with 726 yards on offense.
McDaniel has a strong working relationship with Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, CEO Tom Garfinkel, and Brandon Shore, the team’s senior vice president of football and business administration, notes Darlington.
The 41-year-old sideline boss helped the Dolphins reach the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. However, he’s 0-2 in the postseason. Miami hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2000 campaign.
SUPER BOWL PREDICTIONS: WHO REPRESENTS AFC, NFC IN NEW ORLEANS? WHICH TEAM WINS LOMBARDI TROPHY?
(NFL.COM)
With the 2024 NFL season just around the corner, our analysts predict which teams will compete for — and capture — the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans.
NOTE: All odds — listed alongside each team — are courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook & Casino and are current as of 9:30 a.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 30.
Keegan Abdoo: Chiefs over Packers. Patrick Mahomes cements his status on the Mount Rushmore of signal-callers, leading the Chiefs to the first-ever Super Bowl three-peat.
Judy Battista: Chiefs over Lions. Even Cinderella can’t stop an unprecedented Chiefs three-peat. Patrick Mahomes will lead the offense to another last-minute score to prevail in a thrilling, high-scoring game that anoints the Lions as the champs-in-waiting and the Chiefs as the current dynasty that poses a legitimate threat to match the Belichick-Brady Patriots’ six titles.
Ali Bhanpuri: Chiefs over Packers. Some folks are tired of Kansas City. Bored with the Chiefs’ relentless success. Desperate for something different. Not me. I love watching greatness. And we’re in the midst of one of the finest runs the sports world has ever seen. Nothing to do but sit back and enjoy the show (and another “L” on the Packers’ ledger).
Brooke Cersosimo: Chiefs over Eagles. Just as I said last year at this time: I’m not going to pick against the Chiefs until they give me a reason to. The three-peat is on the line, and I expect Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes to do everything in their power — personally, I’m ready for all the trick plays — to secure the trophy.
Michael F. Florio: Chiefs over Eagles. History suggests to not pick a team to three-peat. But who knocks off Mahomes and the Chiefs head-to-head? It is so hard to pick against them. They win a rematch from two years ago, breaking the Eagles’ hearts late in the game once again.
Christian Gonzales: Chiefs over Packers. Patrick Mahomes’ experience in the fourth quarter pays off as he leads Kansas City to a three-peat over Jordan Love’s Packers.
Bobby Kownack: Chiefs over Lions. Kansas City fully embraces its Big Bad status by achieving a historic three-peat at the expense of Dan Campbell’s lovable group of kneecap-biters.
Dan Parr: Chiefs over Lions. The Lions make it to their first Super Bowl! Unfortunately for them, Patrick Mahomes has made a heckuva living dashing the hopes of longtime underdogs. I’m not picking against the three-peat.
Chad Reuter: Chiefs over 49ers. I’m not picking against the Chiefs as long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are running the show in Kansas City. The Niners come up just short of a title yet again, with Mahomes’ offense back to its usual form in 2024.
Mike Band: 49ers over Chiefs. The two most complete teams in the NFL clash in the Big Game for the third time in six seasons. Coach Kyle Shanahan exorcises his demons in this one, delivering San Francisco its first Lombardi Trophy in 30 years.
Jeffri Chadiha: 49ers over Bengals. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan finally enjoys a Super Bowl win after watching quarterback Brock Purdy and a feisty defense outlast Cincinnati.
Marcas Grant: 49ers over Bengals. Cincinnati slays the Mahomes dragon to reach the Super Bowl, but ultimately, Kyle Shanahan buries his own postseason demon thanks to Brock Purdy and a sound defense.
Michelle Magdziuk: 49ers over Bengals. Kyle Shanahan finally gets over the hump in his third try as the 49ers head coach, and brings San Francisco its first Lombardi Trophy since the 1994 season.
Steve Mariucci: 49ers over Chiefs. Meeting in this game for the third time in the last six seasons, the 49ers finally get it done by leaning on their veterans and executing in all three phases. A more experienced Brock Purdy shows poise and sets himself up for a big payday when he leads the Niners to the mountaintop for the first time in three decades.
Michael Baca: Packers over Chiefs. With the table set for Kansas City to capture the first-ever Super Bowl three-peat, Green Bay wrecks the party thanks to a high-powered offense led by Jordan Love and a retooled defense fueled by Rashan Gary. Love always wins, and the Packers QB will be hoisting a Super Bowl MVP trophy as a result.
Jeremy Bergman: Packers over Jets. The Aaron Rodgers Bowl will pit the first two franchises to win a Super Bowl against each other. A low-scoring affair will see the ex-Packers QB fall just short in his revenge game and come to his latest spiritual epiphany: Love conquers all.
Kevin Patra: Packers over Texans. It took Brett Favre five years as the starter in Green Bay to win a Super Bowl ring. Three for Aaron Rodgers. Jordan Love bests both legends, lifting the Lombardi Trophy in his second year at the helm as he outduels C.J. Stroud in a Super Bowl shootout.
Tom Blair: Ravens over Lions. Detroit rolls in on a playoff hot streak, while Baltimore makes it via a series of nail-biters — only for Lamar Jackson to pull the rug out from under the Lions with a dramatic come-from-behind win.
Marc Ross: Ravens over Packers. Lamar Jackson finally silences his critics, overcoming his previous playoff failures by first ending the Patrick Mahomes/Chiefs three-peat bid in the AFC Championship Game and then holding off a future Super Bowl champ in Jordan Love.
Eric Edholm: Bengals over Lions. No guts, no glory. The ultimate “underdog” Super Bowl between two zero-time winners would be a blast. There are no overwhelming favorites this year, but the Bengals’ defense must improve if they’re to beat the fearless Lions — or even reach the Super Bowl, for that matter.
Gennaro Filice: Bengals over Rams. With this Super Bowl taking place in New Orleans, LSU legend Joe Burrow returns to the state where he became a Heisman Trophy-winning national champion and nabs the Bengals’ first Lombardi Trophy.
Matt Okada: Lions over Ravens. Lamar Jackson ends Kansas City’s bid at a three-peat in the AFC title game but falls to America’s New Team, the Detroit Lions, on an overtime TD pass to Jameson Williams.
Nick Shook: Lions over Texans. Two teams reach their first-ever Super Bowl, but only one can emerge victorious. Detroit finishes what it started a year ago, capping an incredible turnaround by bringing the Motor City its first Lombardi Trophy.
Gregg Rosenthal: Bills over Lions. In a battle of franchises that have never won the big one, Josh Allen bowls over Levi Onwuzurike at the goal line with 17 seconds left for his MVP moment.
Adam Rank: Bears over Jets. Everything has worked out so perfectly for the Bears since Lovie Smith and the Houston Texans “gifted” them the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which they used to acquire big-time talents like DJ Moore and Caleb Williams, among others. The perfect ending would be beating Aaron Rodgers in the Super Bowl.
Maurice Jones-Drew: Jaguars over Rams. These two teams may be flying a bit under the radar heading into Week 1, but they’ll be the ones to beat come February. Trevor Lawrence — fresh off getting the bag this offseason — proves no stage is too big when he outduels Super Bowl champion Matthew Stafford to lead the Jags to their first title.
Lance Zierlein: Jets over Lions. On a team loaded with defensive talent, Aaron Rodgers caps off his Comeback Player of the Year campaign with a run through the playoffs. It culminates in a win over Detroit, which continues inching forward.
Brendan Walker: Eagles over Chiefs. Seeking revenge for the Lombardi lost two seasons ago, Philadelphia upends Kansas City’s three-peat pursuit while securing the second Super Bowl win in franchise history.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
MLB ROUNDUP: SHOHEI OHTANI (HR, SB) HELPS DODGERS EDGE D-BACKS
Will Smith hit a three-run homer, Freddie Freeman belted a two-run shot and Shohei Ohtani hit a solo blast to help the Los Angeles Dodgers record a wild 10-9 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night in Phoenix.
Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw departed in the second inning due to pain in his left big toe. Kershaw allowed three runs, three hits and one walk while recording three outs. After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw has been dealing with a bone spur in his toe and that the club is preparing for a possible move to the injured list.
Ohtani’s blast was his 43rd of the season. He also stole his 43rd base as he bids to become the first 50-50 man in major league history.
Corbin Carroll and Eugenio Suarez homered for the Diamondbacks, who have lost three of their past four games. Arizona fell into a virtual tie with the Padres for the NL’s top wild-card berth.
Brewers 5, Reds 4 (Game 1, 10 innings)
Sal Frelick grounded into a double play to score automatic runner Eric Haase with the go-ahead run as visiting Milwaukee edged Cincinnati in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.
Trevor McGill (1-3) allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth to earn the win for the Brewers while Devin Williams pitched a scoreless 10th for his seventh save in eight chances.
Nick Martinez allowed four runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings with one walk and three strikeouts for the Reds.
Brewers 14, Reds 0 (Game 2)
Left-hander DL Hall tossed seven shutout innings as an emergency starter and Milwaukee belted four homers in a victory over host Cincinnati, completing a sweep of the day-night doubleheader.
William Contreras and Willy Adames homered in a 10-run ninth to blow open the game and lead the Brewers to their fourth straight win. Position player Luke Maile was called on in the ninth to record the final two outs and surrendered six runs on six hits. With the doubleheader sweep, Milwaukee has claimed eight of the teams’ 11 meetings.
With three starters on the injured list, Cincinnati turned to its top pitching prospect, right-hander Rhett Lowder, to make his MLB debut. Lowder struggled with command and control, but showed tenacity while allowing just one run on two hits in four innings, walking four and striking out six.
Red Sox 7, Tigers 5 (10 innings)
Ceddanne Rafaela blasted a two-run homer in the 10th inning as Boston beat host Detroit.
Jarren Duran doubled twice and added a solo homer in the 10th for the Red Sox, and Connor Wong supplied a double and a homer while driving in two runs.
Kerry Carpenter homered and drove in four runs for the Tigers, who erased a four-run deficit. Jake Rogers had a game-tying double off Jansen in the ninth.
Cubs 7, Nationals 6
Cody Bellinger’s two-run homer capped a seven-run second inning, Keegan Thompson struck out Dylan Crews with the potential tying and winning runs on base in the ninth and visiting Chicago held on to beat Washington.
Michael Busch and Ian Happ each had two hits and an RBI and Pete Crow-Armstrong smacked a two-run double for the Cubs, who have won four straight and seven of their past eight as they chase a National League wild-card spot.
Chicago’s Shota Imanaga (11-3) allowed three runs on four hits over six innings. He walked one, struck out eight and retired 11 straight in one stretch. Crews, who made his debut on Monday, hit his second homer in four games for Washington.
Braves 7, Phillies 2
Reynaldo Lopez threw six quality innings and Orlando Arcia hit a pair of home runs, helping Atlanta beat host Philadelphia.
Lopez (8-4) allowed just one run on four hits while striking out six and walking one, guiding the Braves to their 10th win in 13 games. Sean Murphy also homered as the Braves evened the four-game series and cut the Phillies’ National League East lead to five games.
Bryce Harper finished 3-for-4 for the Phillies, while Bryson Stott and J.T. Realmuto each had solo homers. Starter Ranger Suarez (11-6) was replaced after four innings of four-run, five-hit ball.
Athletics 9, Rangers 2
JJ Bleday hit a three-run home run and drove in four runs, Brent Rooker added a pair of solo homers and Oakland opened a three-game series against Texas with a win in Arlington, Texas.
Shea Langeliers also homered for the Athletics, who have won four of their past five games. JP Sears (11-9) tossed seven strong innings, allowing one run on five hits.
Nathaniel Lowe homered for Texas, which had its three-game win streak snapped. Carson Kelly had two of the Rangers’ seven hits.
Guardians 10, Pirates 8
Josh Naylor had three hits and four RBIs before leaving late with an injury, Jhonkensy Noel and Andres Gimenez hit back-to-back homers in the fifth inning and Cleveland defeated visiting Pittsburgh.
Emmanuel Clase allowed a run in the ninth inning but still recorded his 40th save of the season, and record 150th for Cleveland. Cody Allen had 149 saves for the franchise from 2012-18.
Rowdy Tellez hit a two-run homer, Andrew McCutchen also went deep and Oneil Cruz and McCutchen each had three RBIs for the Pirates, who have allowed 51 runs during their four-game losing streak.
Orioles 5, Rockies 3
Emmanuel Rivera homered, singled and finished with three RBIs as Baltimore beat Colorado in Denver.
Albert Suarez (7-4) scattered eight hits and allowed two runs in seven innings. Seranthony Dominguez got the final three outs for his eighth save for the Orioles, who snapped a two-game skid.
Brendan Rodgers had two hits, including a homer, and Ryan McMahon also contributed two hits for the Rockies, who have dropped two straight and three of their past four.
Astros 3, Royals 2
Jose Altuve hit a walk-off double with two outs in the ninth inning as Houston recovered from a gut punch in the top of that frame to beat visiting Kansas City.
Astros left-hander Framber Valdez threw seven no-hit innings and nearly tossed his second no-hitter for the second time this season. He logged 8 2/3 no-hit innings against the Texas Rangers on Aug. 6 and tossed his first career no-hitter against the Cleveland Guardians on Aug. 1, 2023.
Paul DeJong drove in both runs and had one of the two hits for the Royals, who have lost three in a row.
Yankees 6, Cardinals 3
Austin Wells homered twice and Marcus Stroman pitched seven innings for his third straight win as host New York topped St. Louis.
Wells hit a tiebreaking two-run homer with two outs in the third inning for the Yankees, then belted another two-run drive in the eighth. Meanwhile, Stroman allowed two runs and survived tying a season high by allowing nine hits while completing seven innings for the first time since May 31. The right-hander struck out five, walked none and got seven groundouts.
Paul Goldschmidt had three hits off Stroman, and his RBI single put St. Louis ahead 2-1 in the third. Brendan Donovan also had a run-scoring single for the Cardinals, who are 0-7 all-time in the regular season against the Yankees in New York.
Padres 13, Rays 5
Manny Machado homered among his three hits and drove in four runs, fueling San Diego to a victory over Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla.
David Peralta belted a two-run homer, Xander Bogaerts also went deep and Donovan Solano had a two-run single and drove in three to highlight San Diego’s 13-hit attack. Starter Martin Perez (4-5) overcame a rocky beginning to pick up the win after allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out four.
Tampa Bay’s Yandy Diaz belted a two-run homer among his two hits before exiting due to left knee patellar tendinitis. Taylor Walls had a two-run single for the Rays, who fell for the sixth time in their past eight. Taj Bradley (6-9) permitted eight runs on as many hits in 2 1/3 innings to fall to 0-5 in his past six starts.
Mets 5, White Sox 1
Tylor Megill pitched 5 1/3 strong innings in his return to the rotation, J.D. Martinez homered and Jesse Winker had three hits to lift visiting New York to a win against Chicago.
New York won for the third time in four games to remain three games behind the Braves for the third National League wild-card spot. Recalled from Triple-A Syracuse before the contest, Megill (3-5) yielded one run and five hits in his first major league action since July 31.
Chicago managed just five hits en route to its eighth straight defeat. The White Sox took their 105th loss and are one shy of tying the franchise record set in 1970. They must win 12 of their remaining 26 games to avoid matching the 1962 Mets for the most losses in modern major league history (120).
Giants 3, Marlins 1
Matt Chapman lined a two-out, two-strike, bases-clearing double in the eighth inning, rallying San Francisco over visiting Miami in the opener of a three-game series.
The Giants, who began a six-game homestand, snapped a two-game losing streak, reached .500 at 68-68 and remained 6 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the race for the final National League wild-card playoff spot.
Marlins starter Adam Oller allowed two hits and two walks, striking out eight in six shutout innings.
Twins 2, Blue Jays 0
Pablo Lopez pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings to lead Minnesota to a win over Toronto in Minneapolis.
Lopez (13-8) scattered six hits, walked none and struck out three. Carlos Santana and Willi Castro drove in one run apiece for Minnesota, which snapped a four-game losing streak. The Twins entered the series opener with eight losses in their past 10 games.
Leo Jimenez and Spencer Horwitz had two hits apiece to lead the Blue Jays at the plate. All seven of Toronto’s hits were singles. Right-hander Kevin Gausman (12-10) gave up two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked four and struck out four.
Mariners 9, Angels 5
Seattle benefited from an error that led to five unearned runs in the first inning and cruised to a victory over Los Angeles in Anaheim, Calif.
Julio Rodriguez reached base four times with a home run and three walks, and Victor Robles had three hits from the No. 9 spot, but an error by Angels shortstop Zach Neto in the first sparked the Mariners’ win. George Kirby (10-10) gave up five runs in 5 2/3 innings but picked up the victory.
Angels starter Samuel Aldegheri made history when he threw the first pitch of the game in the top of the first inning, becoming the first pitcher born and raised in Italy to pitch in a major league game. Aldegheri (0-1) gave up seven runs (two earned) in five innings.
–Field Level Media
NHL NEWS
BLUE JACKETS’ JOHNNY GAUDREAU DIES AT 31
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother, Matthew, died in an “unimaginable tragedy,” the team confirmed Friday.
Johnny and Matthew were killed after being hit by a car Thursday evening while riding bicycles, New Jersey State Police confirmed to the Associated Press. Police said a car hit the brothers from behind when the driver attempted to pass two other vehicles.
Police added that the driver was suspected of being under the influence and charged with two counts of death by auto.
“Johnny was not only a great hockey player but, more significantly, a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family, and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew,” the Blue Jackets said in a statement.
“Johnny played the game with great joy, which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.”
Johnny turned 31 earlier in August. He played 11 NHL seasons and joined the Blue Jackets as a free agent prior to the 2022-23 season following a prolific stint with the Flames. The New Jersey native notched 743 points in 764 career games and earned a first-team All-Star nod in 2022 and the 2017 Lady Byng Trophy as the league’s most gentlemanly player.
Matthew was 29. He played four seasons at Boston College – Johnny’s alma mater – followed by stints in the AHL and ECHL.
“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons- and brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends, but truly two amazing humans,” Johnny and Matthew’s uncle, Jim, wrote in a statement.
“We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support, and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult period of grief.”
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement that he’s “shocked and saddened” by the Gaudreau brothers’ deaths and highlighted Johnny’s attributes on and off the ice.
“While Johnny’s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey,’ he was more than just a dazzling hockey player,” Bettman said. “He was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother, and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path.”
GOLF NEWS
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER STILL ON TOP AS STORMS HIT TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
ATLANTA — Scottie Scheffler held a four-stroke lead at the Tour Championship when the end of the second round was interrupted by lightning in the area Friday afternoon.
Eight players were still on the course when thunderstorms arrived, including Scheffler, who had just teed off at the 16th hole at East Lake Golf Club.
Scheffler, who began the tournament with a two-shot lead and leapt ahead by seven after the first round, was at 3 under par for the day and 19 under for the tournament when the horns blared. Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa had chipped into Scheffler’s massive cushion; they each stood 6 under for their rounds and 15 under for the week.
Sahith Theegala, Wyndham Clark and Australia’s Adam Scott were tied for fourth at 12 under. Theegala had just finished his round, a 5-under 66 that vaulted him into contention.
It was unknown if the eight players would be able to return to the course after the lightning delay, or if they will finish their rounds Saturday morning.
The tournament began with Scheffler at 10 under par and Schauffele in second place at 8 under, as the staggered scoring start based on the season-long points race will help determine the FedEx Cup at week’s end. The winner will take home the FedEx Cup and a $25 million prize.
–Adam Zielonka, Field Level Media
HAERAN RYU SHOOTS 62, TAKES COMMANDING LEAD IN FM CHAMPIONSHIP
South Korean Haeran Ryu shot a 10-under 62 on Friday to take a commanding lead into the clubhouse at the inaugural FM Championship on Friday at TPC Boston in Norton, Mass.
Ryu recorded a 69 on Thursday, leaving her at 13-under after two rounds. First-round leader Marina Alex finished play Friday with an even-par 72 after an opening round of 68. She was at 4-under, well behind Ryu and in a tie for sixth.
Japan’s Yuri Yoshida and Lauren Coughlin, second after rounds of 69 on Thursday, teed off later in the day.
Ryu stood at 7-under after four consecutive birdies on Nos. 4-7 on Friday, and she added birdies on Nos. 10 and 12 before reeling off another four in a row beginning at No. 14. On the day, she hit all 18 greens in regulation and required just 26 putts.
In her second season on the tour, the 23-year-old Ryu has one career win.
Australian Robyn Choi (68 Friday) and American Yealimi Noh (69) stood at 7-under 137 for the tournament but were six shots off the lead after the morning wave of players.
Choi rebounded from two bogeys in the first five holes and answered with six birdies the rest of the round, and Noh was bogey-free.
South Korean Jin Young Ko’s 67 moved her to 5-under, and Celine Borge of Norway (68) was one shot back and alone in fifth place.
In the afternoon wave, Jennifer Kupcho and Rose Zhang will try to move above the cut line. The pair, both members of the U.S. Solheim Cup team, opened with 75s on Thursday. France’s Celine Boutier, who will play in the event next month for Team Europe, also faces missing the cut after a 77 in the first round.
–Field Level Media
NASCAR NEWS
PLAYOFF BERTHS AT STAKE IN REGULAR-SEASON FINALE AT DARLINGTON
And then there was one.
Race, that is.
The NASCAR Cup Series’ 26-race regular season wraps up at Darlington Raceway with Sunday night’s Cook Out Southern 500, the crowning jewel event’s first appearance on the cutoff line before the 10-race title chase begins next Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Thirteen of the 14 winners have qualified for the postseason run that ends at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 10, with Austin Dillon’s Richmond rowdiness rendering him ineligible by NASCAR for a title run.
Three others — Martin Truex Jr., Ty Gibbs and Chris Buescher — grid high enough in the standings to make the 16-driver championship field, but a first-time winner behind them Sunday would knock out one of them.
The 31-year-old Buescher ripped it up last season in his No. 17 RFK Racing Ford with three wins in five races, an incredibly torrid run in late July and all of August.
Ironically, Darlington’s 400-miler this season, a wild May 12 affair with leader Buescher getting taken out by the No. 45 of pole winner Tyler Reddick with nine laps left, allowed RFK team owner Brad Keselowski to break a 110-race winless streak and hand Ford its first win in 13 starts.
At Kansas Speedway a week earlier, Buescher lost to winner Kyle Larson by 0.001 seconds in officially the closest finish in the sport’s history.
That combination leaves Buescher in a dicey situation: If he doesn’t have a winning car, he has to run well, maintain his 21-point lead and hope a first-time winner doesn’t find Victory Lane — someone like two-time Southern 500 winner Erik Jones or anyone else capable of victory who hasn’t done so through 25 races.
Bubba Wallace is in that category.
Wallace trails the Prosper, Texas, native by those 21 points and has had a fast No. 23 Toyota this summer, posting top-10 finishes in four of the past five races.
The 23XI Racing driver said he doesn’t feel any more stress than usual but would just like to win again.
“I think from a bigger picture, I’m stressed about being winless in damn near two seasons,” Wallace said. “Let’s say this was Daytona last year or (the) Bristol (elimination) race. I have no stress compared to those last year, and I think that’s for the better.”
Running strong in the race’s final third section would be helpful, he added.
“Obviously, you get down to crunch time and say we have a great first, second stage, and things start to get tighter, you have to keep the emotions in check,” said Wallace, Reddick’s teammate at the stable owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. “And so I think I’ve learned that over the last couple years is the races aren’t over until the checkered flag falls … you’ve got to keep pushing.”
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell called Darlington “the most unique track on the schedule, just from the way that you drive the track, how narrow it is, how the risk vs. reward is.”
But for drivers like Buescher, Wallace and probably almost 10 others, there is little risk and only reward at a track that must be tamed for a title shot.
–Field Level Media
TOP INDIANA SPORTS/NEWS RELEASES
INDIANA PACERS
PACERS G T.J. MCCONNELL AGREES TO 4-YEAR, $45M DEAL
Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension through 2028-29, his representation Priority Sports told ESPN on Friday.
McConnell had been under contract for $9.3 million for the 2024-25 season. He is now linked to the Pacers for the next five seasons at $54 million.
McConnell, 32, recorded a career-best average with 10.2 points game last season. He also chipped in 5.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 71 games (four starts) in 2023-24.
He has averaged 7.5 points, 5.1 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 627 career games (96 starts) with the Philadelphia 76ers (2015-19) and Pacers.
–Field Level Media
INDIANA FEVER
GAME RECAP: FEVER SCORE SEASON-HIGH IN DOMINANT WIN AT SKY
CHICAGO – The Indiana Fever (16-16) closed its regular-season series with the Chicago Sky in a dominant 100-81 victory at Wintrust Arena on Friday night. Indiana scored a season-high 100 points and improved its record to .500 or better in the month of August or later for the first time since the 2016 season.
Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark scored a career-high 31 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 5-of-9 from 3-point range and went 10-of-11 from the free throw line in the third win of the season against the Sky. Clark also dished out 12 assists for her 11th double-double of the season and passed Ticha Penicheiro for the most games by a rookie in WNBA history to record at least 10 assists with nine. Clark enters Sunday needing only six points to secure the most points ever scored by a Fever rookie trailing only Tamika Catchings’ 594 points.
Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell followed with 23 points on 9-of-13 field goal shooting and 3-of-5 shooting from 3-point range. Friday extended Mitchell’s franchise record to six-consecutive games scoring at least 20 points and also moved her to a tie with Renee Montgomery for 15th on the WNBA all-time 3-point field goals made list with 532.
Fever forward NaLyssa Smith added 14 points, 11 of which came in the third quarter alone, to go along with seven rebounds in the win, which moved her past Teaira McCowan for fifth on the Fever all-time rebounds list with 777. Fever guard Lexie Hull earned her third start of the season Friday night as she recorded 11 points, which included three made 3-point field goals. Fever reserve forward Damiris Dantas and center Aliyah Boston combined for 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks in the win as well.
Indiana led the entire second half and built the advantage to as much as 27 points toward the end of the game. Chicago started the game on a 21-9 run, sparked by Lindsay Allen’s back-to-back 3-point field goals. Indiana responded with a 12-2 run of its own to end the quarter and cut the early deficit down to three going into the second quarter. Clark opened up the second quarter with back-to-back 3-point field goals and Indiana ended the first half leading, 47-42. The Fever scored 31 points in the third quarter, which was the highest scoring third quarter for the Fever this season, to begin pulling away from Chicago.
Chicago’s (11-20) losing streak extended to five games on Friday, which marks its longest losing streak of the season. Sky forward Michaela Onyenwere led Chicago with a season-high 20 points and six rebounds and Allen trailed with a season-high 19 points, six assists and four rebounds. Sky guard Rachel Banham tallied 14 points, four rebounds and four assists. Sky rookie forward Angel Reese ended with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Fever will play at the Dallas Wings on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. Sunday’s game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Indiana.
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
INDIANS AND BATS SUSPENDED AFTER NINE INNINGS OF PLAY
INDIANAPOLIS – Mother Nature put a halt to a back-and-forth contest between the Louisville Bats and Indianapolis Indians on Friday night, with heavy rain suspending the game as it headed into extra innings with the score tied 5-5. The game will be resumed on Saturday at 6:05 PM, with the regularly scheduled game beginning no earlier than 7:05 PM. Gates open at 5:30 PM, and only one ticket is needed to attend both games.
Riding a 10-game win streak at Victory Field, the longest in the ballpark’s 28-year history, the Indians (30-23, 63-63) tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning thanks to consecutive doubles by Seth Beer and Nick Yorke and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Malcom Nuñez.
P.J. Higgins moved the Bats (57-71, 19-35) back in front momentarily with a run-scoring single in the fourth, but Indy snagged its first lead of the night in the sixth on a fielder’s choice by Yorke that plated Matt Gorski and two-run single by Liover Peguero that followed.
Louisville leveled the score before the stretch behind a two-out, two-run home run to right field by Ivan Johnson.
Peguero, Gorski and Beer each collected two knocks before the thunderstorm.
RHP Luis Cessa (4-5, 4.58) is scheduled to start for Indianapolis against RHP David Buchanan (9-3, 4.82) in the game following the completion of the suspended contest.
INDY ELEVEN
PREVIEW #INDVPIT
Indy Eleven vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Saturday, August 31, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis
Follow Live
Stream: ESPN+ (click to subscribe)
In-game updates: IndyElevenLive
Stats: #INDvPIT MatchCenter at USLChampionship.com
2024 Records
Indy Eleven: 10-9-5 (-4), 35 pts; 5th in Eastern Conference
Pittsburgh Riverhounds: 7-9-10 (-8), 31 pts; 9th in Eastern Conference
| IND | PIT | |
| 24 | Games | 26 |
| 35 | Goals | 26 |
| 39 | Goals Conceded | 24 |
| 23 | Assists | 15 |
| 105 | SOT | 103 |
| 106 | Shots Faced | 90 |
| 5 | Clean Sheets | 12 |
SERIES VS. PITTSBURGH
Saturday marks the 15th meeting between the two teams, with Indy trailing 5-6-3. The Boys in Blue are unbeaten in the last three contests, winning 2-1 on June 1 and 3-1 on the road in 2023, and drawing at home, 1-1.
The 2-1 victory at Pittsburgh was the 10th match in the Eleven’s 12-match unbeaten streak from April 17 to June 15.
Indy Eleven went on the road to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Saturday and came away with a 2-1 victory. Defender Josh O’Brien recorded his first goal as one of the Boys in Blue in the 23rd minute off an assist from defender Aedan Stanley. Forward Sebastian Guenzatti doubled the lead in the 46th minute on an assist from Augi Williams.
Pittsburgh got one back from Danny Griffin in the 57th minute, but the visiting Eleven earned the three points. Goalie Hunter Sulte registered five saves in the match.
Pittsburgh Leads 6-5-3 | GF 14, GA 17
Recent Meetings
June 1, 2024 | W, 2-1 | Away
July 26, 2023 | W, 3-1 | Away
April 19, 2023 | D, 1-1 | Home
STRETCH RUN
Indy Eleven finishes the regular season with nine of its 10 matches against Eastern Conference opponents. Just six points separate teams in fourth through ninth place in the conference. The top eight teams will make the playoffs, with the top four hosting first-round games the first weekend in November.
USL Championship Race to the Playoffs
SIX-PACKS FOR BLAKE
Midfielder Jack Blake led all players with six shots and three shots on target in the U.S. Open Cup Semifinal at Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday. Indy Eleven registered eight of its 10 shots in the second half of the match.
Blake generated five scoring chances in the second half. His first came in the 52nd minute on a shot from the central position outside the box saved by Tim Melia. Just five minutes later, his strike outside the box just missed wide left. In the 71st minute, Blake had another strong chance that was saved by Melia. Three minutes later, his shot from the center of the box just missed to the right. In the 81st minute, Blake delivered another blast from outside the box that Melia stopped. The rebound went directly to Augi Williams, whose shot from the right side of the box struck the right post
Prior to the match Tuesday, Blake earned USL Championship Team of the Week honors for Week 26, his team-high sixth selection this season. The Nottingham, England native recorded two assists in the first half in his first start since an injury on June 22 in the Eleven’s last USLC match at Las Vegas last Saturday. He completed 15 of 20 passes overall, winning 2 of 3 ground duels. Blake leads Indy with eight goals this season.
SULTE STOPS PK, THE SEQUEL
Goalie Hunter Sulte made his second penalty kick save this season in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time at Kansas City, diving to his right to deflect Alan Pulido’s strike outside the post. The 22-year-old Sulte finished with five saves. On June 15 in a 1-0 shutout of San Antonio, Sulte stopped a penalty kick to earn USL Championship Team of the Week and Save of the Week accolades.
HAYDEN WHITE SIGNS
Indy Eleven signed defender Hayden White on Thursday. The 29-year-old White brings more than a decade of professional experience in England to the Boys in Blue. White will wear #33. Most recently, White saw more than 1,400 minutes of action in 19 matches with National League-side Ebbsfleet United.
LAST TIME OUT
Kansas City, Kansas – Indy Eleven’s magical run to its first-ever Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semi-final ended at Sporting Kansas City with a 2-0 setback. The Boys in Blue were the only USL Championship side to advance to the final four of the 109th annual event. SKC extended its home winning streak in US Open Cup matches to 16 dating back to 2015.
The start of the match was delayed for more than 2 1/2 hours with kickoff pushed back to 10:44 pm ET. Trailing 1-0, the Eleven had a good chance for an equalizer in the 27th minute on Augi Williams’ strike from the center of the box off a feed from Logan Neidlinger that was saved by Tim Melia.
Down 2-0, the Boys in Blue got the attack going in the second half, registering eight of their 10 shots in the final 45 minutes.
Boys in Blue midfielder Jack Blake continued his fine play, generating five scoring chances in the second half. His first came in the 52nd minute on a shot from the central position outside the box saved by Melia. Just five minutes later,
his strike outside the box just missed wide left. In the 71st minute, Blake had another strong chance that was saved by Melia. Three minutes later, his shot from the center of the box just missed to the right. In the 81st minute, Blake delivered another blast from outside the box that Melia stopped. The rebound went directly to Augi Williams, whose shot from the right side of the box struck the right post.
Forward Douglas Martinez had a good opportunity on a header in the 61st minute that missed to the left, while defender Aedan Stanley’s had a strong scoring chance in the 70th minute that just missed right.
Goalie Hunter Sulte made his second penalty kick save this season in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, diving to his right to deflect Alan Pulido’s strike outside the post. Sulte finished with five saves.
Sporting Kansas City 2:0 Indy Eleven
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 – 10:44 p.m. ET
Children’s Mercy Park | Kansas City, Kansas
2024 US Open Cup Records
Indy Eleven: 4-1
Sporting Kansas City: 4-0
| Score | 1 | 2 | F |
| Indy Eleven | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sporting Kansas City | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Scoring Summary
SKC – Johnny Russell (Jake Davis, Erik Thommy) 14’
SKC – Dany Rosero (Remi Walter, Jake Davis) 35’
Discipline Summary
IND – Aodhan Quinn (caution) 19’
SKC – Daniel Salloi (caution) 69’
Indy Eleven line-up: Hunter Sulte, Josh O’Brien (Sebastian Guenzatti 88’), Aedan Stanley, Callum Chapman-Page (James Musa 17’), Cam Lindley (Laurence Wootton 77’), Jack Blake, Augi Williams (Elliot Collier 89’), Aodhan Quinn (captain), Benjamin Ofeimu, Logan Neidlinger (Maalique Foster 77’), Douglas Martinez
Indy Eleven Subs Not Used: Yannik Oettl, Ben Mines
Match Statistics
| Stat | SKC | IND |
| Shots | 18 | 10 |
| Shots on Goal | 7 | 5 |
| Saves | 5 | 5 |
| Fouls | 9 | 11 |
| Offsides | 3 | 4 |
| Corner Kicks | 5 | 4 |
INDIANA FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
SETTING THE SCENE • Indiana is set to open the 2024 season under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti with a home date against FIU on Saturday (Aug. 31) at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. • The matchup marks the first time the two programs have faced one another since 2018, when the Hoosiers defeated FIU, 38-28, in a road contest in Miami. This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the teams. Indiana leads the all-time series, 3-0. • The home contest marks the first of eight home games for the Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium this season, tied for its most in program history with the 2013 and 2008 seasons. • Indiana will open a season with a home non-conference game for the first time since 2015. Overall in non-conference home season openers, Indiana owns a 25-3 overall mark since 1953 – the first year the Big Ten fielded 10 teams in the conference. • The Hoosiers have won 11 straight non-conference home season openers dating back to a 41-38 loss against NC State to start the 2000 season.
NEWS & NOTES • Indiana overhauled its roster in 2024, as head coach Curt Cignetti brought in 54 newcomers, which includes 30 transfers. Thirteen of those transfers arrived from James Madison. • Indiana is tied for the ninth-fewest returning players in the FBS along and tied for third-fewest returning scholarship players. • Of Indiana’s 30 transfers, the list includes 13 defensive players, 15 offensive players and two specialists. There are 29 players from Division I (28 FBS, 1 FCS) and one from the Division III level. • Nine of Indiana’s 10 on-field assistant coaches are new for the 2024 season, with offensive line coach/run game coordinator Bob Bostad the only holdover. Bryant Haines (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) and Mike Shanahan (Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers) will lead the Hoosier defense and offense, respectively. • The 10 on-field assistants for the Hoosiers rank No. 4 in the FBS and No. 2 in the Power 4 in average age at 38.2 years old. Only Georgia Tech (33.2) has a younger group of assistant coaches. • Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt arrives in Bloomington for his junior season after a breakout 2022 campaign at James Madison. In his sophomore showing during the 2023 season, Sarratt totaled 1,191 yards receiving on 82 receptions with eight touchdowns to earn All-Sun Belt first team. • Senior Donaven McCulley enjoyed a breakout junior year in 2023 – only his second season at wide receiver after transitioning in 2022 from quarterback. The Indianapolis native charted six touchdown receptions and 644 yards receiving to garner honorable mention All-Big Ten from the conference’s coaches and media panel. • Indiana’s defensive line picked up transfers Mikail Kamara (James Madison) and CJ West (Kent State) to bolster its unit. The duo combined for 31.5 tackles for loss in 2023, with Kamara a second-team All-Sun Belt pick and West an All-Mid-American selection per PFF. • Senior punter James Evans enters the 2024 season as Indiana’s career leader in punting average at 43.9 yards per punt. That total sits more than a full yard in front of Alan Sutkowski’s 42.5 yard average from 1995-97.
PRODUCTION OVER POTENTIAL Since Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti took over the head coaching position in December 2023, he has been hard at work at retooling the roster to its maximum capability for 2024. Even with the transfer portal as active as ever, Cignetti has remained selective in who he brings to Bloomington, preaching one message multiple times in pursuit of finding the best fits for the Indiana program and his philosophy: “Production over Potential.” Cignetti seeks out players who have valuable experience and have proven they can contribute, no matter what level of college football they have played at. Cignetti has stuck true to his word with 23 of his 31 transfers having three or more years of experience playing college football. Of that group, 14 have earned all-conference or all-conference honorable mention at their previous institutions: Shawn Asbury II, James Carpenter, Mile Cross, Justice Ellison, Zach Horton, Terry Jones Jr., Mikail Kamara, Nick Kidwell, Nahji Logan, Myles Price, Kurtis Rourke, Tyler Stephens, Jailin Walker and CJ West.
NEW-LOOK SCHEDULE With a fresh slate of non-conference opponents and no Big Ten divisions to determine conference opponents, Indiana sports its most different-looking schedule in some time. Seven of the 12 regular season opponents offer a unique specialty to the 2024 slate, whether it be the first time playing against one another in years, a first-ever matchup between the programs, or the first time playing in a location in some time. Indiana’s week one matchup against FIU will be the first time the two programs have met since 2018. From week two through four, Indiana will face off against programs who it has never played before in its history: Western Illinois, UCLA and Charlotte. The week six game at Northwestern will be Indiana’s first trip to Evanston since 2016. In week eight, Nebraska will play in Bloomington for the first time since 2016 and only the second time since 1978. The week nine game against Washington will mark the first meeting between the two programs since 2003.
ONE-SCORE SQUAD Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has compiled an impressive 119-35 record across his 13 years as a head coach, including stops at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2011-16), Elon (2017-18) or James Madison (2019-23). No matter if he was coaching in the Division II ranks, the FCS level or in the FBS, winning close games is a difference-making part of Cignetti’s success with a 26-18 record in games decided by one score. After going 6-9 in one-score games at IUP, Cignetti has a combined 20-9 record in one-score contests from 2017-23. He went 10-2 in such games at Elon and 10-7 while at James Madison. In Cignetti’s 13 seasons as a head coach, he has never had a losing season.
FRESH FACES With the overhaul of the roster, Indiana will enter the 2024 season with very few returners from 2023 and plenty of new names who joined the team from either the transfer portal or high school. In a list compiled by Troy University’s athletic communications office, Indiana was tied for the ninth-fewest returning players in the FBS along with a tie for third-fewest returning scholarship players.
INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
BALANCED ATTACK LEADS HOOSIER SWEEP
KENNESAW, Ga. – Led by the electric right arm of junior opposite hitter Avry Tatum, the Indiana Volleyball team (1-0, 0-0) rolled to a straight-sets victory (25-18, 25-22, 25-16) against Kennesaw State on Friday (Aug. 30) night.
The Hoosiers hit .420 as a collective team (47-13-81), the seventh-best team hitting percentage in the rally era and the best since hitting .500 against Radford in August of 2023. Tatum led the way with 16 kills (.778) with senior outside hitter Mady Saris (11-3-22, .364) and junior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles (10-3-18, .389) each supplying double-digit kills
Senior setter Camryn Haworth ran an efficient offense with 39 kills in just three sets. Six different players had kills including junior middle blocker Madi Sell (five kills) and freshman middle blocker Ella Boersema (three kills).
IU struggled to find consistency at the service line until the final set. The Hoosiers tallied eight aces but also committed 14 errors from the end line. Alonso-Corcelles, Tatum and sophomore libero Ramsey Gary each had two-or-more aces. 13 of the 14 service errors came in the first two sets with the team settling down by the final frame.
The Hoosiers fell victim to eight reception errors on the night as passing became a problem in the middle of the match. IU settled in as the match went on with just one error in serve-receive in the final set. Gary and freshman defensive specialist Emma Segal were each served 11 times.
It will be a quick turnaround for IU as it attempts to finish the weekend in Kennesaw with a 2-0 record. It will meet Wichita State at 11:00 AM on Saturday morning to close out the stay down south.
Set Breakdown
Set 1: Indiana 25, Kennesaw State 18
Despite a bit of a struggle at the service line, the Hoosiers rolled in the opening set. IU made just one attacking error and hit .538 in the first frame. Mady Saris had six kills and Candela Alonso-Corcelles provided four while Camryn Haworth dished out 12 assists. IU had four aces but committed seven service errors.
• Alonso-Corcelles provided a good run of serve to open up a big lead. Three service errors in six-straight attempts gave the Hoosiers a comfortable 12-5 lead.
• Kennesaw State closed the gap with a pair of aces while serving Saris in the back row. Head coach Steve Aird took a timeout to talk things over. IU responded well with the lead never getting lower than two points for the visitors the rest of the way.
Set 2: Indiana 25, Kennesaw State 22
IU fell behind in a big hole early as the serve-receive game continued to be a problem. It committed six service errors and was aced five times in the second set, conceding 11 points on errors from the end line. A strong run late, led by Ramsey Gary, gave IU a victory in the middle frame.
• Kennesaw State’s Kourtney Brown opened the frame up with some pressure in front of Gary and Emma Segal. The Owls went up by four before Aird took his first timeout of the frame.
• Kennesaw State closed the gap with a pair of aces while serving Saris in the back row. Head coach Steve Aird took a timeout to talk things over. IU responded well with the lead never getting lower than two points for the visitors the rest of the way.
• IU went down by four again after an unsuccessful challenge. The Hoosiers responded nicely with a pair of kills from Alonso-Corcelles and Saris to even the scoring. Down 19-21, Gary served IU back into it with four-straight points. Tatum finished off things with a pair of kills down the stretch.
Set 3: Indiana 25, Kennesaw State 16
The Hoosiers found some rhythm in the third set, cruising to a comfortable 25-16 win. The offense hit at a .462 clip while the defense dug 10 balls and committed just one reception error. Kennesaw State was kept out of system, limited to just nine kills at a .148 clip. Avry Tatum had eight kills in the third set.
• The Owls kept things close before Sade Ilawole opened up the gap at the service line. She extended the lead out to five points as IU began to find its groove.
• IU closed the set on an 11-6 run with Tatum becoming a strong force down the stretch. She finished the night with 16 kills including eight in the third frame.
Top Hoosier Performers
#10 Haworth, Camryn
39 assists, 2 kills, 3 digs
#13 Tatum, Avry
16 kills, 2 aces
#3 Alonso-Corcelles, Candela
10 kills, 3 aces, 5 digs
Notes to Know
• The Hoosiers hit .420 (47-13-81) as a team, the seventh-best single game team hitting percentage in the rally era at IU. It was the best that IU hit in a single match since a contest with Radford (.500) in August of 2023.
• Avry Tatum provided a match-high 16 kills on 18 swings. She hit .778 for the match, the highest individual hitting percentage (min. 12 kills) by an IU player in a season opener since 2010. Her 16 kills were her most since she had 17 in a win at Miami (Fla.) last September.
• IU has won four-consecutive season openers, last losing to No. 5 Nebraska in the spring COVID-19 season of 2021. The Hoosiers have won in straight sets to open the last four years, beating UIC (2021), Indiana State (2022), New Hampshire (2023) and Kennesaw State (2024) along the way.
• Haworth had 39 assists (13.0 p/s) to lead the Hoosiers on an effective offensive night. She’s now got 2,901 for her career as she closes in on 3,000 as an IU player. Saris added 11 kills to move to 876 for her career as she closes in on 1,000 putaways.
INDIANA XC
IUXC POSTS SOLID START AT SAM BELL INVITATIONAL
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The men’s and women’s cross country teams posted a solid start at the Sam Bell Invitational in their first race of the season on a hot and humid Friday evening.
The women ran a 4K on the Sam Bell Cross Country Course led my sophomore Katelyn Winton. She finished in fifth with a time of 14:23.7. Senior Elka McFarland finished close behind her in sixth with a time of 14:35.7.
Freshmen Mary Eubank, Michaela Quinn, Ellia Hayes, Maddie Rocchio, Sophie Wray and Catie McCabe all saw their first collegiate race. Eubank earned a top-10 finish with a time of 14:40.4.
On the men’s side, freshman Nate Killeen was the top finisher in the men’s 6K race. In his first collegiate race, Killeen posted a time of 18:44.5.
Returners Brayden Henkle, Aaron Lord and Garrett Hicks filed through the finish line in a pack finishing 12th-14th. Henkle led with a time of 19:06.59.
This is the first women’s 4K and men’s 6K at the Sam Bell Cross Country Course with each Hoosier posting a collegiate personal best in the times were all collegiate personal bests.
UP NEXT
Indiana will train for two weeks before heading to the Fighting Illini Big Ten Preview on Sept. 13th in Savoy, Ill.
INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
MATCH CENTRAL: INDIANA AT BROWN
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana women’s soccer heads to Providence, R.I., for their first match with an Ivy League opponent and the Brown Bears on Sunday evening.
Kickoff against the Bears is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
ABOUT THE BEARS
The Brown Bears have dominated the Ivy League in recent years winning three titles in the last five years (2019, ’21, ’22). They are 0-1-1 through two matches this season and are looking for their first win of the season. The Bears tied Hofstra 1-1 on Thursday evening. Brown trailed 1-0 at the half, but forward Kira McGuire found the equalizer in the 88th minute. As a team, the bears are averaging 10.5 shots a game with a .429 shots on goal percentage.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hoosiers are coming off a dominating 6-0 win against Wright State on Thursday evening. The hoosiers shared the success as 10 different athletes recorded their first points with six goals and four assists in the win. IU went to their bench as they saw a total of 26 athletes on the pitch in this match. Three goals and two assists in the win came from the Hoosier bench with goals from Marisa Grzesiak, Krista Murphy and Hope Paredes with assists from Bella Haggerty and Natasha Kim.
SHARING THE SUCCESS
As a team, IU has scored nine goals on seven assists this season, averaging three goals per game with 13.7 shots a game. On the defensive side, the Hoosiers picked up their second shutout this season and has only allowed one goal in three matches. They are currently holding their opponents to 5.7 shots a game with an goals scored average of 0.33.
SIRDAH SHINES
Freshman forward Layla Sirdah has been an offensive facilitator for the Hoosiers this season. She has assisted on the first three goals of the season and scored her first career goal against Wright State. Sirdah leads the team with five points, six shots with a .667 shots on goal percentage. She has started in all three matches this season with 130 minutes played on the pitch.
NEIGHBORS FINDS THE NET
Sophomore midfielder Kennedy Neighbors has scored two goals for the Hoosiers this season in back-to-back games against Ball State and the gamewinner against Tennessee. She currently holds a .667 shots on goal percentage.
GERSTENBERG IN GOAL
Senior goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg is on pace to break the Indiana women’s soccer career victories. She is currently ranked third with 25 career victories in goal. She trails former teammate Bethany Kopel (30) and Merit Elzey with 35 victories.
PURDUE FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. INDIANA STATE
Purdue opens its 137th season of football, including the 101st at Ross-Ade Stadium, hosting Indiana State in an instate matchup. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on BTN. • The Boilermakers are 6-0 against the Sycamores, including a 56-0 win two years ago. • Making his Purdue debut, Devin Mockobee recorded a team-high 78 rushing yards with one touchdown in the 2022 victory over Indiana State. • Purdue begins the second season under head coach Ryan Walters; during Walters’ first season in West Lafayette, the Boilermakers tied for fourth in the Big Ten West and captured both rivalry games (Indiana – Old Oaken Bucket), Illinois – Cannon Trophy) for the third straight season. • Walters’ defense recorded 35 sacks last year, the third most in program history and the highest since 2004. • Dillon Thieneman, the 50th All-American in program history, is a consensus Preseason All-American; setting program freshman records for interceptions (6) and solo tackles (74), Thieneman was tabbed the FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season. • Purdue has produced four All-Americans over the past three seasons (Thieneman – 2023, Charlie Jones – 2022, David Bell – 2021, George Karlaftis – 2021), the most in a three-year stretch since 1967-69. • Behind Mockobee and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (New York Giants), Purdue led the Big Ten in rushing in conference games (184.6 ypg); Purdue was the only team in the Big Ten with two running backs to rush for more than 500 yards in league contests (Mockobee – 625, Tracy – 624). • Kydran Jenkins recorded 15.5 TFLs a season ago, ranking third in the Big Ten and 18th nationally, the most by a Boilermaker since George Karlaftis (Kansas City Chiefs) in 2019 and the first Boilermaker to lead the team in back-to-back seasons since Jake Replogle (2014-15). • Purdue added 23 players in the transfer portal, including 14 from Power 4 schools; the group was a consensus Top 10 class in the transfer rankings when 14 of the transfers joined the team for the spring semester. • One year after recorded the highest total and average attendance since 2007, Purdue Football sold out its season ticket allotment (42,000) for the 2024 campaign; the Notre Dame game (Sept. 14) sold out one day after going on sale to the public. All tickets for the Purdue student section, the Ross-Ade Brigade, are also sold out for the year. • Boilermaker legend and College Football Hall of Famer Mark Herrmann is the new color analyst for Purdue football games on the Boilermaker Sports Network, taking over following the retirement of Purdue Football alum Pete Quinn, who spent 32 seasons in the announcing chair calling Boilermaker games on the gridiron. • Purdue will debut new jerseys for the 2024 season. • Thirteen Boilermakers have already earned their undergraduate degrees, six from Purdue and seven from other schools before transferring to Purdue.
PURDUE FOOTBALL IS BACK • The Boilermakers kick off their 137th season of football in 2024. • Purdue holds a 78-52-6 mark in season openers, while going 92-39-4 in home openers. The Boilermakers have won 22 of their last 26 home openers. • Ross-Ade Stadium has been Purdue’s home for 100 seasons, marking the 2024 campaign as the 101st full season; Ross-Ade will turn 100 years old on November 22 when the Boilermakers play at Michigan State. • Purdue closed out the 1924 season with its first game at Ross Ade, a 26-7 Homecoming win over Indiana (Nov. 22, 1924).
YEAR 2 OF THE WALTERS ERA • Purdue begins its second season under the guidance of head coach Ryan Walters. • The three pillars of Walters’ program: Competitive, Tough, Disciplined. • Known as a players’ coach, Walters has established a culture in which everyone in the program feels like family. • Hired at age 36 after being named the 2022 , On3 Coordinator of the Year Walters, now 38, is one of the youngest coaches in college football – the fourth youngest among the Power 4 conferences (Kenny Dillingham – 34, Dan Lanning – 38, Sherrone Moore – 38). • Despite the record not being what Walters and Purdue wanted, facing one of the toughest schedules in the country, there were several positives the Boilermakers could take away from Walters’ first year in West Lafayette to build off of heading into the 2024 season.
IN-STATE OPPOSITION • A schedule rarity, Purdue will play three opponents from the state of Indiana this season. • After beginning the season against Indiana State, the Boilermakers have a bye week before facing Notre Dame for the Shillelagh Trophy (Sept. 14). • Sticking with tradition, Purdue closes out the regular season by battling Indiana with the Old Oaken Bucket up for grabs. • The last time three in-state opponents were on Purdue’s schedule occurred during the 2013 season, with four such seasons this century.
ROSS-ADE PACKED ALL SEASON LONG • With three of Purdue’s six home games coming against preseason Top 10 teams, Ross-Ade Stadium is expected to be packed all season long. • The 2023 season featured Purdue’s highest home attendance, both average and total, since the 2007 campaign, but those marks might be broken this season. • With more than 42,000 season ticket holders, including more than 5,000 new season ticket holders, season tickets sold out for the 2024 season. • Student season tickets also sold out five hours after going on sale, a record-breaking time. • Purdue’s in-state matchup against Notre Dame sold out one day after going on sale to the public.
PURDUE VS. THE FCS • Purdue will face an FCS opponent for just the second time since 2016 when it won 45-24 over Eastern Kentucky in the season opener. • Indiana State was the last FCS team to battle the Boilermakers, and Purdue cruised to a 56-0 victory (Sept. 10, 2022). • From 2006 to 2016, the Boilermakers faced an FCS opponent every season except for 2009. Four of those games were against the Sycamores.
PURDUE VOLLEYBALL
BOILERMAKERS POST 17 BLOCKS IN SEASON-OPENING VICTORY
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In its sold-out season-opener, the No. 8 Purdue Boilermakers took down the Kansas State Wildcats, 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-22, 25-23), behind 17 team blocks, the most by the program since 2022.
It was a battle throughout the match, with 41 tied scores over the four-setter, including 15 tied scores in Set 1 alone and six lead changes in Set 4. The Boilermakers rallied for each set win, which included ending Set 1 with a 4-0 run and coming back to take Set 3 with a 4-1 run.
Chloe Chicoine led the attack with 17 kills to go alongside six digs and a block assist. Meanwhile, Eva Hudson notched her first double-double of the year behind 16 kills, 12 digs and a career-high-tying five blocks (1-4), which were the most since her freshman season.
Middle blocker Raven Colvin led the blocking effort with her 10-block performance (1-9).
Kenna Wollard posted a career-high eight kills and a .300 hitting % in the outing, a performance which included remaining errorless through two and a half sets.
Setter Taylor Anderson knocked on the door of a triple double, dishing out 43 assists, a career-high eight blocks and seven digs.
Libero Ali Hornung led the back row with 17 digs and six assists. Meanwhile, in her first collegiate match, defensive specialist Ryan McAleer posted 11 digs.
With the Boilermakers’ first win, Purdue will go on to play UMBC tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET for Day 2 of the Stacey Clark Classic. The match, and the entire tournament, will be streamed on B1G+.
PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL
PAINTER RECEIVES PURDUE UNIVERSITY’S HIGHEST AWARD
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue President Mung Chiang presented men’s basketball head coach Matt Painter with “The Order of the Griffin” – the highest honor bestowed upon a university employee.
The Order of the Griffin recognizes outstanding service to Purdue by men and women whose commitment has gone beyond the call of duty and greatly benefited the university.
“I am delighted to recognize Matt Painter with the Order of the Griffin, Purdue’s highest honors for faculty and staff employees. Not only did he do a masterful job this past year coaching our Boilermakers to their winningest season in program history with 34 victories and their first National Championship appearance in 55 years, but he has also built a program consistently reflecting the Boilermaker values and character in integrity, humility, sportsmanship, grit and excellence in both academics and athletics among the student-athletes,” Chiang said.
Entering his 20th season as the head coach at Purdue University, Painter has taken the Boilermakers to new heights. Purdue reached the National Championship last season for the first time in 55 years, guiding the Boilermakers to a 34-5 overall record, the Big Ten regular-season title for the second straight year and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
Considered one of the top coaches in America, Painter has averaged almost 24 wins a season in his 19 years at Purdue. If you don’t include the first transitional year, the average balloons to 24.3 wins per year over the last 18 seasons, and 25.6 wins over the last eight seasons. His 236 wins over the last nine seasons are the fourth most in America.
Painter’s five Big Ten Coach of the Year honors are tied for the second most in league history behind only his successor, Gene Keady’s seven honors.
Painter’s 447 overall wins are the fourth most by an individual in Big Ten history. His 226 Big Ten wins are the fifth most, and he has averaged 11.9 wins per year in conference play, the third-best average in Big Ten Conference history (Bo Ryan – 12.3; Bob Knight – 12.2).
Painter’s 15 NCAA Tournaments in the last 17 tournaments are the fifth most in the country behind Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan State and Duke. Purdue’s nine straight tournament appearances is the fourth-longest streak nationally. Coach Painter’s 16 NCAA Tournaments are the most for a coach nationally under the age of 55 (as of April 1, 2025 — Painter is just 54 years old).
Since his first season at Purdue, the Boilermakers have finished in the top four of the Big Ten standings in 14 of the last 18 seasons, and in the top three in eight of the last 10 seasons. Painter’s five Big Ten regular-season titles are the seventh most in Big Ten history and the fifth most since 1950 (Knight, Izzo, Taylor, Keady, Matta).
In addition, Painter’s players succeed in the classroom. The past academic year, the team boasted a 3.12 grade-point-average, including a 3.26 during the spring semester to earn distinction on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court – the only Final Four team to be mentioned. Seven returnees on the 2024-25 roster own a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better. During his 19 years at Purdue, 44 players have been named Academic All-Big Ten a total of 86 teams, including a program-record 10 players during the 2023-24 season.
PURDUE XC
MEN WIN, WOMEN SECOND AT VALPO SEASON OPENER
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The men were victorious and the women were second as the Purdue cross country team began the season at the Winrow Valparaiso Open in Valparaiso, Indiana, on Friday morning.
With rain looming at Sunset Hill Farm County Park, both the Boilermaker men’s and women’s teams placed seven individuals in the top 20. The men won the team event for the second consecutive year and the women were runners-up for the second year in a row.
“This was a great start to the season, we competed and fought hard and ran as a team,” Purdue head coach Tony Miller said. “Under the conditions we had, they really did well. To see our top seven runners all finish in the top 20 in both races was awesome. The men all ran extremely well up front and together as a pack to win as a team. Our women were second as a team, and they looked so much better than they did last year, which is really encouraging. I enjoyed watching our freshmen and younger runners go out and compete hard with an idea to win, and it shows how bright our future is. I have high expectations for what this team can do, and we are excited to see them build from today’s start.”
Senior Nathan Walker led the men’s team with a runner-up finish on the 6k course, while graduate student Payne Turney was third to pace the women’s team in the 5k competition.
As the men’s and women’s teams each had seven top-20 finishers, the men placed five in the top 11, and two in the top five, and the women recorded three top-10 finishers.
Purdue won the men’s team title with 35 points, ahead of Notre Dame (44 points) and UIC (60). The women were second with 48 points, just behind Notre Dame (43) and ahead of Butler (65). The Winrow Open field also included Ball State, Western Michigan, IU Indianapolis and Goshen College.
Friday was the 35th running of Valparaiso’s season-opening meet. Since it resumed in 2021 after a one-year hiatus, both Boilermaker squads have placed in the top three every year. The women were victorious in 2021 and the men won in 2023 before this season’s repeat.
Walker was second with a 6k time of 18:03.9. He finished 0.4 seconds ahead of the third-place finisher. Sophomore Nerius White was fifth in 18:10.2 as he made his Boilermaker debut, while junior Kiefer Bell was eighth in 18:18.3. Junior Douglas Buckeridge was just behind him in ninth in 18:27.0 and senior Jason Polydoris was 11th in 18:32.8 to round out Purdue’s point scorers.
Turney crossed the finish line third overall with a 5k mark of 17:56.9. Senior Jaelyn Burgos was seventh in 18:14.9, followed by freshman Lauren Pegher in 10th. As she made her collegiate debut, Pegher finished in 18:27.8 to claim a top-10 finish by just 0.7 seconds. Fellow freshman Sophia Yon also donned the Old Gold and Black for the first time and was 12th in 18:30.5. Purdue’s fifth finisher was graduate student Meredith Bloss, 16th overall in 18:38.3.
Four runners made their Boilermaker or collegiate debuts on Friday. Joining Pegher, White and Yon was sophomore Matthew Helton, who was 28th in 19:34.0 at his first collegiate meet.
Following a weekend off, the Boilermakers travel to Savoy, Illinois, for the Fighting Illini Big Ten Preview on September 13. The meet is hosted by Illinois at the site of the 2024 Big Ten Cross Country Championships, and will give Purdue an early look at the postseason course.
PURDUE MEN’S GOLF
BOILERMAKERS HEAD TO MICHIGAN TO SWING INTO FALL CAMPAIGN
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue men’s golf team begins its 105th season of play this weekend, when it travels to Michigan for the Island Resort Intercollegiate at Sage Run Golf Club in Bark River, Michigan.
The Boilermakers are coming off an outstanding 2023-24 season and look to continue their momentum under first-year head coach Andrew Sapp, who takes over after 11 seasons under Rob Bradley. Sapp welcomes back three regulars from last season’s team and looks to lead Purdue back to the National Championships for the second straight season.
Purdue won a pair of events last fall, finished second at the NCAA Regionals and advanced to the National Championships for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
Purdue is the only team in the field that reached the NCAA Championships last spring, but traditional powers Georgia and UCF will be in the field.
THE FIELD (Final 2024 Clippd Rankings)
22 Georgia
32 Purdue
38 VCU
75 Saint Mary’s
87 Michigan
89 Illinois State
107 North Texas
119 Northern Illinois
125 Miami, Ohio
148 UCF
169 South Dakota State
176 Boise State
TEAM NOTES
This will be the first event under first-year head coach Andrew Sapp. Sapp was an assistant coach during the last two seasons. Purdue finished those years ranked No. 47 and No. 32 in the final national rankings and won three team tournaments.
Purdue finished last year with the second-best stroke average in school history (287.57). It recorded 14 team rounds of even- or under-par, the fourth-highest total in school history.
The Boilermakers posted three of their 10 lowest, 18-hole team scores in school history a year ago. They posted three of their 11 lowest, 54-hole scores, including a school-record 814 at the Windon Memorial Classic.
Purdue is looking for its first tournament win in a season-opening event since the 2010-11 season when it won the Turning Stone Invitational in New York.
PURDUE LINEUP
Kent Hsiao – Senior; Taipei, Taiwan
Hsiao is coming off a strong junior season, placing 34th through three rounds at the NCAA Championships.
Also held the 18-hole lead at the NCAA West Lafayette Regional and placed T-11 at the Big Ten Championships.
Owns two top-10 finishes for career and five top-20 showings.
Reached the round of 32 at The Amateur Championship and tied for 40th at the European Amateur Championships.
Nels Surtani – Senior; Indianapolis, Indiana
2024 Second-Team All-Big Ten selection.
Owns a 73.12 career stroke average (5th in school history).
Won the 2024 Puerto Rico Classic (only collegiate win).
Has 36 career rounds (out of 77) of par or lower; 14 rounds in the 60s.
Sam Easterbrook – Sophomore; Tomworth, England
Posted the fourth-best scoring average by a Purdue freshman in school history (73.36).
Recorded back-to-back top-5 finishes in April last year (Calusa Cup, Robert Kepler).
Fourteen of his 33 rounds last season were even- or under-par.
Finished eighth at the Canadian Amateur in early August.
Kentaro Nanayama – Junior; Jakarta, Indonesia
Will play on the counting team for the first time in his career.
Only counting round came in the 2023 NCAA Regionals (subbed in 3rd round – shot 68).
Has the best career scoring average on the team (72.44 / 27 rounds).
Won a pair of tournaments this summer – including the 2nd Bali International Amateur.
Supapon Amornchaichan – Freshman; Bangkok, Thailand
A highly-regarded recruit, Amornchaichan was an AJGA Honorable Mention All-America honoree.
Won four titles during the 2022-23 season, including a pair of AJGA events.
Was fourth at the Western Junior Championship in 2023.
Has an older brother, Supakorn, who plays at Southern Mississippi.
PREVIOUSLY AT THE ISLAND RESORT INTERCOLLEGIATE
This will mark Purdue’s second appearance in the Island Resort Intercollegiate, previously finishing second to open the 2019-20 season. The Boilermakers missed the title by just one shot as Liberty won the event at 9-under par 855, while Purdue was second at 8-under par 856. Freshman Nick Dentino and Joe Weiler placed tied for second at 6-under par 210.
THE COURSE
Sage Run, ranked among Golf Digest’s America’s Best New Courses, meanders through beautiful Upper Peninsula hardwoods and open vistas with very dramatic views. A natural drumlin, or elongated hill or ridge formed by glacial ice long ago, is the primary feature on Sage Run. A variety of golf holes meander off of and around the hill offering a scenic variety of shots creating a fun thrill ride for golfers. The challenging combination of long holes with creative short par fours lined with fescue grasses and strategic bunkering will challenge golfers of all abilities.
WEATHER FORECAST
Sunday: Sunny, 70 degrees; NNW wind 10-20 MPH
Monday: Sunny, 71 degrees; WNW wind 5-10 MPH
LIVE SCORING
Will be available on scoreboard.clippd.com.
NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. TEXAS A&M
IRISH ITEMS – BY THE NUMBERS 2nd Leading the nation in interceptions with seven in 2023 and earning national defensive player of the week honors twice, Xavier Watts became the second Notre Dame player to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s best defensive player (Manti Te’o won the award in 2012). 2 Notre Dame is one of just two FBS programs (Auburn) that have three or more receivers who were the leading receiver (either in yards or receptions) on an FBS roster in 2023: Tight end Mitchell Evans (led Notre Dame with 29 receptions); wide receiver Jayden Harrison (led Marshall with 410 receiving yards); and wide receiver Kris Mitchell (led FIU in both receptions and yards – 64 receptions for 1,118 yards). 3rd Xavier Watts became just the third Notre Dame player to lead the nation in interceptions in 2023, picking off seven passes. He is the first Irish player to pace the country since Mike Townsend intercepted 10 passes in 1972. Tony Carey (eight) also led the country in interceptions in 1964. 5th Notre Dame finished the 2023 season ranked fifth in FBS for total defense (276.3), the program’s best effort since 1980 (4th). The Irish also led the nation in pass efficiency defense (97.09). 7 The 40-8 Sun Bowl victory over No. 21 Oregon State not only earned second-year Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Marcus Freeman his first campaign with 10 victories, it also was his team’s seventh victory over an Associated Press-ranked team in his first two years leading the program – breaking Terry Brennan’s previous program record of six in 1954 and 55. 8 The Irish gave up just eight touchdowns to visiting teams in Notre Dame Stadium in 2023, the least amount since the 2012 team held their opponents to six touchdowns. 10 Notre Dame finished the 2023 season ranked seventh in both scoring defense (15.9 ppg) and offense (39.2) – joining Georgia (5th, 5th) and Oregon (9th, 2nd) as the only FBS programs to rank among the top 10 in both statistical categories. The joint top-10 finishes in both statistics mark the first time Notre Dame has achieved that feat since 1973 when the Irish were eighth in scoring offense (35.8) and third in scoring defense (6.6). 10 Including 2024, Notre Dame has started the season ranked in the Top 10 of the AP poll 27 times. Of the 26 prior seasons that began in the Top 10, the Irish have also completed the season still ranked in the Top 10 18 times. 14th The Irish finished the 2023 season ranked 14th in the Associated Press poll, marking the seventh-straight campaign and 10 of the last 12 Notre Dame has appeared in the final AP ranking. That seven-season final AP ranking streak is the best run for the Notre Dame program since the Irish finished in the AP Top 25 11 consecutive seasons from 1964-74. 66 Notre Dame scored 66 touchdowns in 2023, which is the most in the history of the program, surpassing the previous record of 61 in 2019.
NOTRE DAME – TEXAS A&M SERIES HISTORY • Notre Dame and Texas A&M will be meeting for the sixth time overall and the second time with the Aggies as the host. Notre Dame leads the series 3-2, with the Irish 1-0 at home, 0-1 on the road and 2-1 at neutral sites (all three neutral site meetings were at the Cotton Bowl – 1987, 1992 and 1993) • Texas A&M won the most recent meeting of the two teams back in 2001 (24-3) • Of the five previous matchups between the two teams, three of those meetings saw both teams ranked in the top 15. This meeting will mark the fourth of six meetings in which both teams are ranked in the top 25.
NOTRE DAME SEASON OPENERS • All-time: 110-18-5 (.846) • Notre Dame has won six of its last seven season openers. • In the 110 seasons Notre Dame has won its opener, the Irish have gone on to post a winning record 93.6 percent of those campaigns (103 of 110). • In 12 of the last 14 seasons, the Irish have scored the first points in the season’s opening game. Since 1958, Notre Dame is 39-5 (.886) in the season opener when scoring first, while they are 14-6 when the opponent registers the first score. • With the No.7 vs. No. 20 matchup at Texas A&M, Notre Dame has played a season-opening matchup in which both teams are ranked in two of the past three seasons. Overall, Notre Dame’s record in season openers when both teams are ranked is 14-3-1. Notre Dame’s record in those games when playing as the visitor is 4-2-1. • 2024 marks the fourth-straight season the Irish will start a season away from Notre Dame Stadium (2021 at Florida State, 2022 at Ohio State, 2023 vs. Navy at Aviva Stadium in Dublin). It is the first time in program history that the Irish have started four-straight seasons away from Notre Dame Stadium.
TWO-DEEP TIDBITS – OFFENSE • Jayden Thomas entered 2023 season as Notre Dame’s leading returning receiver and served in that role in the first four games of the year, catching 12 passes for over 180 yards and a touchdown. • Beaux Collins recorded 91 receptions for 1,290 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1,578 offensive snaps over 32 games (27 starts) at Clemson from 2021-23. He broke out late in his true freshman season with 31 catches for 407 yards and three touchdowns • Jaden Greathouse was the first Irish true freshman wideout to catch two touchdown passes in his first-career game (against Navy). His five touchdown catches during a rookie campaign are the most for a Notre Dame true freshman since 2016 • Jayden Harrison was a first-team All-American as a kick returner at Marshall last season, tying for the FBS lead with two kick return touchdowns in 2023. In 2023, Harrison played in all 13 games for Marshall (started four), totaling 28 receptions for 410 yards (14.6 yards per reception) and a touchdown. • Kris Mitchell, a transfer from FIU, led CUSA and ranked in the Top 20 nationally in receiving yards in 2023 (1,118 – 18th nationally) and receiving yads per game (93.2 – 13th nationally). Mitchell owns 100 career receptions for 1,663 yards and 11 touchdowns. • Jordan Faison joined the Notre Dame football team as a walk on and made his collegiate athletics debut at No. 25 Louisville in 2023, and was put on football scholarship. He would end the season with 19 catches for 322 yards and four touchdowns, capping the year by earning Sun Bowl MVP honors with five catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. • Notre Dame’s offensive line presents some new faces in 2024 with the departures of NFL Draftees Joe Alt and Blake Fisher. Pat Coogan, Ashton Craig, Billy Schrauth, Tosh Baker, Rocco Spindler and Charles Jagusah own starting experience. Jagusah will miss 2024 with a torn right pectoralis muscle. Irish linemen Aamil Wagner, Sam Pendleton and Anthonie Knapp will look to see action with a group of returners with 34 starts among them • Mitchell Evans had a breakout season in 2023 before being sidelined with an injury. He played in eight games as a junior, starting seven, and ended the season as the team’s top receiving target, averaging 52.8 yards per game. Through those eight games, Evans totaled 29 receptions for 422 yards and a touchdown during the season, averaging 14.6 yards per catch. With Evans’ injury, Cooper Flanagan and Eli Raridon saw action in 2023, each scoring a touchdown, and will look to have an increased role in 2024. • Riley Leonard enters his senior season and first with Notre Dame coming off a Duke career as one of the ACC’s premier quarterbacks. In 2023, Leonard started all seven games in which he played for Duke, going 95-for-165 and 1,102 yards (57.5 percent completion rate) and three touchdowns. He rushed 58 times for 352 yards (44-yard long) and four touchdowns on the season. In 2022 as a sophomore, he was one of three FBS quarterbacks to amass more than 2,900 passing yards and 695 rushing yards, joining LSU’s Jayden Daniels and North Carolina’s Drake Maye. • Steve Angeli made the most of his first-career start in the 2023 Sun Bowl completing 15 of 19 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns. Prior to that game, he went 19-for-25 passing with four touchdowns in seven relief appearances. • With the departure of NFL Draft pick Audric Estimé, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are poised to lead the Irish running backs in 2024. In his true freshman season, Love rushed for 385 yards on 71 carries, seeing at least three carries in all 13 games. Sideline for his true freshman campaign in 2022 with an injury, Price flashed his big-play potential throughout the 2023 season. That potential included a touchdown run on his first career carry, a touchdown reception on his second career catch and a 99-yard kickoff return against No. 10 Southern Cal on his fifth career return opportunity.
TWO-DEEP TIDBITS – DEFENSE • Jordan Botelho recorded 32 tackles and four sacks in his first full season as Notre Dame’s starting Vyper defensive end, He was named the Sun Bowl Lineman of the Game. Boubacar Traore posted his first career sack in the victory over No. 10 Southern Cal in 2023. Junior Tuihalamaka appeared in all 13 games in 2023 while posting 10 tackles. • Rylie Mills was named a 2024 team captain and was a distruptive force on the Irish defensive line in 2023. See page 13 for more information on Mills. Jason Onye emerged as a dependable reserve defensive lineman for the Irish in 2023. He also blocked two field goal attempts during the season, one of which came during his five-tackle performance against Tennessee State. • Howard Cross III established himself as one of the top playmaking interior defensive lineman in the country during the 2023 season. See page 12 for more information on Cross. Donovan Hinish appeared in nine games in 2023 and posting a career-best four stops in the win over Central Michigan. • RJ Oben transferred from Duke in the offseason with 34 career starts and 50 games played. He has posted 67 tackles on his career, with 14.5 sacks (loss of 91 yards), five forced fumbles, two passes defended and an interception. Joshua Burnham finished the 2023 season with 18 tackles, four tackles-for-loss and a sack. Bryce Young is a four-star true freshman and was an Adidas All-American as a high school senior. • Jack Kiser leads a linebacker room with young talent. A team captain, Kiser will make a run for the Notre Dame career games played record. See page 13 for more information on Kiser. Jaiden Ausberry appeared in four regular-season games in 2023, preserving his eligibility. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa is a highly touted five-star linebacker who was a finalist for the high school Butkus Award in 2023. Drayk Bowen appeared in 12 games in 2023 (missing one contest with an injury) and recorded 14 stops and a forced fumble. Jaylen Sneed appeared in all 13 games in 2023, totaling 14 tackles, five QB hurries and two PBU • Jordan Clark joins the Irish from Arizona State with 22 career starts and 39 games played. Throughout his college career, he has snagged three interceptions (one for a touchdown) and 139 tackles (101 solo) with 6.5 TFL and 20 passes defended. • Benjamin Morrison followed up his freshman All-America campaign in 2022 with an impressive 2023, intercepting three passes while making 31 tackles and breaking up 10 passes. See page 13 for more on Morrison. • Adon Shuler retained a year of eligibility in 2023 while appearing in four regular-season games and the Sun Bowl. He showed his playmaking ability late in the season, posting all six career tackles in the final three games of the year. A preferred walk-on, Luke Talich quickly established himself as a special teams mainstay during his freshman season in 2023. • True freshmen Karson Hobbs, Leonard Moore and Kennedy Urlacher have impressed in preseason camp. Moore and Urlacher both garnered one four-star ranking through recruitment. They will look to see playing time in their true freshman seasons. • Christian Gray saw action in 12 games, made 11 tackles and flashed his potential to push for a starting job in 2024. He intercepted his first career pass against Pittsburgh and finished the year with a career-best three tackles in the Sun Bowl victory over Oregon State. Jaden Mickey saw action in all 13 games in 2023 and started in the Sun Bowl. His season highlight was a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown against Pittsburgh. • Xavier Watts was the first Notre Dame player to intercept multiple passes in back-to-back games in 2023. Watts won the Bednarik Award and was a unanimous All-American. See page 12 for more on Watts. Rod Heard II spent his prior career at Northwestern, where he amassed 31 starts and 46 games played with 182 tackles, 11 for loss, two sacks and two interceptions, as well as 10 passes defended, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
NOTRE DAME XC
IRISH START SEASON AT WINROW VALPARAISO OPEN
VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Notre Dame cross country teams began their 2024 campaigns at the 35th Winrow Valparaiso Open on Friday morning. The No. 3 ranked women’s side claimed first place at the race while the No. 6 ranked men’s squad placed second.
WOMEN’S RACE
The Irish claimed first place with a team score of 43, edging out second place Purdue by five points.
Reagan Riley led the way for Notre Dame with a 17:39.8 at the 5k race while taking second place individually. Kaleigh Gunsiorowski outlasted a runner from Butler down the stretch to place fourth with an 18:07.2 and put the Irish in prime position for the team title. Paige Grant was a top-ten finisher with an 18:26.2 for ninth place, and Molly Grant and Charlotte Turesson were both in the top 15 to capture the team victory.
It is the third consecutive team title at the Winrow Valparaiso Open for the Notre Dame women’s cross country team.
Women’s Race Results
Reagan Riley – 2nd (17:39.8)
Kaleigh Gunsiorowski – 4th (18:07.2)
Paige Grant – 9th (18:26.2)
Molly Grant – 13th (18:32.5)
Charlotte Turesson – 15th (18:36.5)
Women’s Team Standings
1. Notre Dame – 43
2. Purdue – 48
3. Butler – 65
4. Western Michigan – 105
5. Ball State – 165
6. Illinois-Chicago – 167
7. IU-Indianapolis – 183
8. Valparaiso – 219
9. Goshen – 245
MEN’S RACE
The No. 6 ranked Notre Dame men’s cross country team finished second with a team score of 44. Brody Hartley claimed first place individually after posting a 17:58.8 at the 6k race. Sam Rich placed third with an 18:04.3 in a nail-biting finish at the line. Izaiah Steury placed sixth in a time of 18:11.2, and Ryan Schumacher added a fourth top-ten finish for the Irish (18:28.6). Luke Schildmeyer capped of the team score on the day (19:52.4).
Men’s Race Results
Brody Hartley – 1st (17:58.8)
Sam Rich – 3rd (18:04.3)
Izaiah Steury – 6th (18:11.2)
Ryan Schumacher – 10th (18:28.6)
Luke Schildmeyer – 24th (19:52.4)
Drake Prince – 25th (19:52.9)
Eli Meder – 31st (20:12.1)
Men’s Team Standings
1. Purdue – 35
2. Notre Dame – 44
3. Illinois-Chicago – 60
4. Valparaiso – 129
5. Goshen – 130
The Irish are back in action on Friday, September 20 when they host the National Catholic Invitational. The first race begins at 3:30 p.m.
NOTRE DAME VOLLEYBALL
PREVIEW: IRISH OPEN UP 2024 SEASON AT SANTA CLARA
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – It’s that time of year again as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish volleyball team opens up their 2024 season on the road in Santa Clara, CA. The Irish will compete in the Catholic Challenge, playing Villanova and host Santa Clara on Saturday, Aug. 31. Last season, the same event was hosted in Pennsylvania by the Wildcats where the Irish swept Villanova in the first match and fell 2-3 in a close five-set battle to the Broncos. Sydney Palazzolo led the offensive charge for Notre Dame with 12 kills and a .333 hitting percentage in the win over Villanova and 23 kills and five service aces against Santa Clara.
NOTRE DAME vs. VILLANOVA – Saturday, August 31 at 4 PM ET (1 PM PT)
Location: Santa Clara, Calif. | Leavey Center
WATCH | LIVE STATS | SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES
NOTRE DAME vs. SANTA CLARA – Saturday, August 31 at 10 PM ET (7 PM PT)
Location: Santa Clara, Calif. | Leavey Center
WATCH ON ESPN+ | LIVE STATS | SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES
HISTORY VS. VILLANOVA
This will be the 25th meeting between the Irish and the Wildcats with Notre Dame leading the overall series 20-4.
Prior to last season’s Catholic Challenge, the last match up between the two squads was September 12, 2021 on the road as the Irish fell in five (16-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-23, 9-15).
Notre Dame won the previous match up before the loss in 2021 as the two faced off almost ten years prior on October 21, 2012.
The Irish took home the road sweep 25-15, 25-18, 25-13 in their last game together as BIG EAST opponents.
HISTORY VS. SANTA CLARA
This is just the seventh time in program history that the Irish and Broncos have faced off. Santa Clara leads the series 5-1.
Prior to last season’s Catholic Challenge, it had been 13 years since the last game between the two programs.Notre Dame fell in three (18-25, 19-25, 24-26) in the last match up on September 18, 2010 at home in the Notre Dame Invitational.
FRESH FACES
Notre Dame’s incoming freshman class ranked 13th in the nation according to Prep Dig.
The Irish welcome six freshman to the team, bringing the Irish to a roster size of 22 – Rockwell’s largest roster since starting in 2022.
The freshman class consists of Grace Langer (MB), Anna Bjork (MB), Kailyn Greene- Gordon (OPP), Mia Radeff (OH), Morgan Gaerte (OH), and Mallory Bohl (MB).
Gaerte was the number one recruit coming out of Indiana, hailing from Angola High School, just a little over an hour from South Bend.
Notre Dame also welcomes setter Ella Sandt to the 2024 squad, a graduate transfer from Saint Mary’s.
KEY RETURNERS
The Irish return five rising sophomores, six rising juniors, a pair of rising seniors, and a pair of graduate students.
Notre Dame’s two graduate students, Hattie Monson and Lauren Tarnoff, are each using their fifth and final seasons to finish their careers at ND. Monson led the Irish with 397 digs last season, while Tarnoff was second on the team last season in blocks (84).
Senior Phyona Schrader is also back for another season with the Irish. Schrader led the conference last season with the only triple double recorded in the ACC. She tallied 14 kills, 22 assists, and 13 digs in the win over Wake Forest at home on November 17, 2023.
Outside hitter Lucy Trump returns for her junior season as she tallied 135 kills and was second on the team with 22 aces. She led the Irish offensively her freshman year with 252 kills.
POINT LEADING PALAZZOLO
Sydney Palazzolo joined the Irish last season after spending her first two seasons as an all-conference standout at High Point.
Palazzolo was named Second Team All-ACC and was a top-5 leader in the ACC in eight different categories last year:
– Total attacks (1,092) – Ranked 1st
– Attacks per set (10.81) – Ranked 1st
– Aces per set (.50) – Ranked 2nd
– Kills per set (3.85) – Ranked 2nd
– Points (461.5) – Ranked 2nd
– Points per set (4.57) – Ranked 3rd
– Service Aces (50) – Ranked 3rd
– Total Kills (389) – Ranked 5th
BUTLER VOLLEYBALL
BUTLER FALLS TO NO. 17 ARIZONA STATE IN THE SEASON OPENER
NASHVILLE, TENN. — The Bulldogs kicked off their 2024 campaign falling in four sets (25-23, 7-25, 20-25, 17-25) to No. 17 Arizona State at the Lipscomb Invitational. Abby Maesch led the way with a game-high 17 kills while Cora Taylor tallied 33 assists.
Butler 25-23
The Sun Devils began the match on fire using a 6-0 run to take an early 8-1. Butler responded right back with consecutive 3-0 spurts led by kills from Abby Maesch. The Bulldogs would then knot the score up at 11 apiece before using a block from Grace Boggess to take their first lead of the set 17-16. Arizona State would regain the lead at 22-23, but Elise Ward led another rally with back-to-back serving aces to cap off the set 25-23. Maesch led the set with six kills while Ward totaled three serving aces.
Arizona State 25-7
The second set was all Arizona State after they took another early lead 8-2. They continued the pressure scoring 11 straight points to take a 24-5 lead eventually closing out the set 25-7.
Arizona State 25-20
Butler began the third set on top after a solo block from Boggess. The Sun Devils would regain the lead at 10-6. Kills from Maesch and Ward helped bring the Bulldogs back, cutting the lead to 19-20. However, a 4-0 spurt by Arizona State would help close out the set 25-20. Cora Taylor combined for 13 assists in the set.
Arizona State 25-17
The Bulldogs started the fourth set behind 8-2 but a solo block by Boggess and more kills from Maesch brought the score back to within four points. Arizona State then found another gear extending their lead to 19-11 and eventually 25-17 to secure the match.
Stat of the Match: Cora Taylor earned her first double-double of the season tying the game-high of 33 assists while adding 10 digs. Taylor led the team last season with 12 double-doubles.
Inside the Box Score
Taylor earned her first double-double of the season with 33 assists and 10 digs
Maesch hit for .324 generating 17 kills and six digs
Ward added 11 kills and three serving aces
Lauren Evans made her debut with 11 digs and three assists
Up Next
The Bulldogs will play another match Saturday against Belmont tonight at 12:30 pm ET
BUTLER XC
BULLDOGS CLAIM TOP-THREE FINISH AT WINROW-VALPARAISO OPEN IN 2024 DEBUT
Hannah Moore ran to a fifth-place finish in her Butler debut, leading the Bulldog charge at the season-opening Winrow Valparaiso Open Friday morning.
Moore posted a time of 18:08.8 on the 5K course at Sunset Hill Farm County Park in Valparaiso.
Moore’s effort led the Bulldogs to a top-three finish in the team standings, trailing only Notre Dame and Purdue. There were nine teams in the field.
Lexi Affolter was the second Bulldog to cross the line as her time of 18:28.5 was good for 11th. She was followed closely by a trio of Bulldogs who completed the team scoring: Renate Toldo (18:36.0; 14th), Mckenna Mazeski (18:39.2; 17th) and Ashlyn Minton (18:41.2; 18th).
Butler’s team score of 65 came in just behind Notre Dame (43) and Purdue (48). The Bulldogs held a 40-point cushion over fourth-place Western Michigan (105).
Notre Dame’s Addison Knoblauch, running unattached, won the race in a time of 17:34.6. She was five seconds ahead of Reagan Riley, also of Notre Dame.
The Bulldogs are scheduled to return to action Sept. 13 on the University of Illinois campus for the BIG Preview Meet. That will also serve as the first competition on the men’s schedule for the 2024 season.
BUTLER FOOTBALL
BUTLER FOOTBALL OPENS 2024 SEASON AT HOME VS. UPPER IOWA
Week 1 of the 2024 college football season is finally here as the Butler Bulldogs play host to the Upper Iowa Peacocks on Saturday at the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl. The 1 p.m. kickoff will stream live on FloSports.com.
Game Day
Date: Saturday, August 31
Time: 1 PM
Location: Indianapolis, Ind. / Sellick Bowl
Live Stats: ButlerSports.com (Statbroadcast)
Watch: FloSports.com
Bulldog Bits
– Butler is receiving votes in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.
– Mike Uremovich is the first coach in Butler Football history (134 Years) to win at least seven games in his first two seasons at the helm.
– Butler was picked fourth in the 2024 Pioneer Football League Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
– Adam Dolan, Nick Bafia, and Joey Suchy represent Butler on the 2024 Preseason All-PFL Team.
– Bafia needs six solo tackles to reach 100 in his career.
– Bafia made a career-high 12 tackles in last year’s season opener at Montana.
– Butler’s linebacker trio of Adam Sturtz, Jeremiah Jackson and Tyson Garrett combine for 252 career tackles and 23 tackles for loss.
– Will Mason needs seven tackles on Saturday to reach 100 in his career (22 games).
– A year ago, Butler led the PFL and ranked second in the FCS in red zone defense.
– BU also ranked seventh in the nation in scoring defense (17.5).
– Butler led the PFL and ranked sixth among all FCS teams in fewest penalties during 2023.
– BU averaged 28.9 points per game a year ago, posting the second-highest average in the PFL.
– Ethan Loss ranked ninth in the PFL in receptions (55) last year and 10th in yards (515).
– Luke Wooten needs five receptions to reach 100 in his BU career.
– Wooten has 1,021 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns over 22 games.
– QB transfer Nick Howard rushed for 1,917 yards at Dartmouth and passed for 1,158.
– WR transfer Derek Allen Jr. caught 105 passes for 2,495 yards at Wabash.
– Allen Jr. averaged 86.7 yards per game and scored 27 touchdowns in 30 games.
– TE transfer Penn Stoller caught 75 passes for 1,151 yards over three years at Wabash.
– Butler added 45 newcomers to the 2024 roster, including transfers from Ball State, Dartmouth, Elon, Georgetown, Illinois State, Mercer, Missouri Southern State, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois, and Wabash.
– The FCS already has a win against the FBS this season, with Montana State topping New Mexico in Week Zero action.
– The 2024 NCAA Division I Football Championship will see the top 16 teams seeded for the first time. Previously, the committee only seeded the top eight teams.
PFL Schedule – Week 1
Saint Francis at Dayton 12 PM
Davidson at Georgetown 12:30 PM
Upper Iowa at Butler 1 PM
Valparaiso at Northern Iowa 5 PM
Central State at Morehead State 6 PM
Ave Maria at Stetson 6 PM
Sioux Falls at St. Thomas 7 PM
Presbyterian at Mercer 7 PM
Quincy at Drake 7:30 PM
Cal Poly at San Diego 8 PM
SCOUTING UPPER IOWA: The Peacocks will head to Indianapolis from Fayette, Iowa a city located roughly an hour and a half north of Cedar Rapids. A Division II program out of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, Upper Iowa went 3-8 last year with a 1-6 mark against conference opponents. They scored 24 points per game, rushing for just over 100 yards per contest and throwing for nearly 250 yards. Head Coach Jason Hoskins returns four talented players to his offensive huddle in 2024. QB Darryl Overstreet Jr. is back after starting under center for the Peacocks in 2023. He threw for 1,926 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago, ranking second in the GLVC in passing yards. His top two targets are back in the mix in WR Mante Morrow and TE Eddie Burgess. Morrow scored seven touchdowns over 11 games and led the team in both receptions (58) and yards (827). Burgess caught a team-high eight touchdowns while averaging 56 receiving yards per game. On the ground, Upper Iowa welcomes back Jayden Mitchell in the backfield. The grad student led the team with six touchdowns and 462 yards in 2023.
Upper Iowa blocked six kicks in 2023, ranking 11th in the nation among all Division II teams. They also blocked two punts.
ALL-TIME SERIES: Saturday’s game is the first-ever meeting between Butler and Upper Iowa.
Upper Iowa opened the 2023 season on August 31, taking a 43-20 setback to Concordia University (St. Paul). Their last win over opening weekend came in 2017 on August 31 (Minnesota Crookston).
SEASON OPENERS: Butler won their 2022 season opener against St. Thomas (Fla.) in Coach Uremovich’s BU debut. The victory was Butler’s third to open the season over the last decade and just the second opener to be played at the Sellick Bowl since 2012.
Butler played at #14 Montana (2023 National Champion Runner-Up) last year and kicked-off the 2019 campaign against the National Champion North Dakota State Bison at Target Field on Aug. 31, which happens to be the last time BU opened a season in August. The 2018 season opener was also noteworthy with Butler traveling to #24 Youngstown State and handing the Penguins a 23-21 loss. BU hit a 44-yard field goal with just four seconds remaining in the game to pull off the upset.
BULLDOGS AT THE BUD AND JACKIE SELLICK BOWL: Butler is 9-3 when playing at home over the last two seasons with Mike Uremovich at the helm. They went 4-2 in 2023 and 5-1 in 2022.
The Bulldogs have seven home games on the 2024 schedule. BU hasn’t played that many home games during the regular season since 2006.
SIDELINE SHAKEUP: Mike Uremovich made some changes to the coaching staff prior to the start of the 2024 season. Defensive line coach Adam Siwicki was promoted to defensive coordinator, Rory Mannering will serve as the program’s assistant head coach while working with the linebacker position group, and former student-athlete Eddie Schott will remain on campus as the team’s quarterback’s coach.
Former Butler defensive lineman Sam Urbanski will also remain with the team as a defensive analyst in 2024.
TURN THE PAGE: Butler has had the PFL Offensive Player of the Year on their roster over the last two seasons, but will head into 2024 looking for someone new to lead the offense. QB Bret Bushka earned the league honor in 2022 and Jyran Mitchell won the award in 2023.
K/P Luka Zurak was the PFL Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022. Zurak handled all kicking and punting responsibilities for BU over the last two years.
KEEP CLIMBING: Butler’s three PFL losses last season came to the top three teams in the league standings by a combined 13 points.
Butler will host St. Thomas on Senior Day this year. The ‘Dawgs will be on the road against both Drake and Davidson.
WELCOME BACK BULLDOGS: Butler returns five players that were selected to Phil Steele’s postseason All-PFL Teams. OL Adam Dolan, FB Joey Suchy and DB Nick Bafia were First Team selections in 2023. WR Ethan Loss, and LB Jeremiah Jackson were on the fourth team.
Bafia, Jackson and Tyson Garrett were the top three tacklers on the BU defense in 2023. Every member of that trio came up with at least 60 tackles last year.
HAPPY ANIVERSARY: The Butler Bulldogs won their first Pioneer Football League Championship 30 years ago in 1994 with a 7-3 overall record that included a 4-1 mark against league foes. Head Coach Ken LaRose guided the Bulldogs to the top of the league standings with wins over Drake, Dayton, San Diego and Evansville.
Butler won and Indiana Collegiate Conference Championship 50 years ago in 1974 by posting an 8-2 record under the direction of Billy Sylvester. They also won an ICC Championship in 1964 with Tony Hinkle at the helm.
UP NEXT: Butler will travel to Murray State next weekend to play the Racers on Saturday night. Opening kick-off is slated for 7 PM ET/ 6 PM CT at Roy Stewart Stadium.
The game on Sept. 7 will be the first meeting between the two programs. Murray State will host the action after playing at Missouri in Week 1. They defeated Presbyterian in their 2023 season opener and will be celebrating 100 years of Racer Football in 2024.
BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER
BULLDOGS NET THREE, SHUT OUT BALL STATE
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler women’s soccer team scored one before the half and added two before the final buzzer for a 3-0 shutout of Ball State. In a match delayed 60 minutes by lightning, the Bulldogs’ (3-0-1) defensive line held the visiting Cardinals (1-2-0) to only three shots on goal.
Key Moments
40′ | At midfield, Abigail Isger sends a ball to the left side and finds Alana Wood. Wood touches once and then serves past her defender, to the six-yard line. Alexie Whittaker slides for the ball, attracting the Ball State keeper, but the ball bounces past both. Sara Trandji is there and is able to redirect the ball into the goal. Dawgs lead, 1-0.
HALFTIME
54′ | Sara Trandji takes a pass in the middle of the field and sends the ball to the right side to Norah Jacomen. Jacomen sends it back in, just above the six-yard line, and Léa Larouche taps it in. Butler takes a two-goal lead.
87′ | On the right side, Sydney Longo one-touches a pass forward to Emily O’Malley, and O’Malley passes it forward to Talia Sommer. Sommer carries toward the center and splits two defenders with a left-footed shot. The keeper leans right but the ball goes the other way, just inside the near post, for Butler’s final tally.
Butler Points Summary
GOALS: Sara Trandji, Léa Larouche, Talia Sommer
ASSISTS: Abigail Isger, Alana Wood, Norah Jacomen, Sara Trandji, Sydney Longo, Emily O’Malley
Bulldog Bits
· Sara Trandji’s goal was her first of the season and the third of her career. Her assist was her first of the season and the second of her career.
· Léa Larouche’s goal was the first of her career.
· Talia Sommer’s goal was her third of the season and the 14th of her career.
· Abigail Isger’s assist was her first of the season and the 19th of her career.
· Alana Wood’s assist was her first of the season and the sixth of her career.
· Norah Jacomen’s assist was her first of the season and the second of her career.
· Sydney Longo’s assist was a career first.
· Emily O’Malley’s assist was her second of the season and the fourth of her career.
· Anna Pierce made three saves to preserve her second shutout of the season. It was the ninth of her career.
Up Next
Butler hosts No. 9 Notre Dame on Sunday, September 1. Scheduled kickoff is 7 p.m.
IU-INDY VOLLEYBALL
JAGUARS DROP FIVE SET THRILLER TO EAGLES, 3-2
INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indy Jaguars dropped their season opener in a thrilling five set battle against Eastern Michigan, 3-2. The Jags opened the regular season in the Jungle on the first day of the Hampton Inn Invite. Elle Patterson led the offense with 19 kills.
IU Indy started with a lot of momentum, taking a back-and-forth first set. The Jags hit .244 with a total of 19 kills to take set one, 28-26. After Eastern Michigan tied the game at 26, Maia Long slammed a kill with an assist from Grace Purichia to give IU Indy the lead 27-26. Purichia then recorded her own kill to seal the set at 28-26.
The Eagles evened the match by taking set two, 27-25 despite the Jags recording their highest hitting percentage of the night at .250.
The Jags got behind early in the third set, 10-9 but quickly took the lead after a seven point run. Long recorded four service aces during the run, helping the Jags to a 16-10 lead. Once IU Indy held a 21-17 lead then finished out the match with kills from Purichia and Elle Patterson to earn the third set victory, 25-17.
Eastern Michigan stole the energy in the fourth set which ultimately led to the Jags downfall. The Eagles took set four, 25-12 then closed out the match with a 15-11 fifth set victory.
Patterson led the Jags’ offense with 19 kills, followed by Long with 12 and Morgan Ostrowksi with nine. Purichia totaled 39 assists and five aces while Addie Evans led the defense with 21 digs.
IU Indy will now face SIUE on Saturday, August 31 when they continue the Hampton Inn Invitational at 4:00 PM.
IU-INDY XC
FOUR JAGUARS MAKE CROSS COUNTRY DEBUTS AT QUEEN CITY INVITATIONAL
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Four members of the IU Indianapolis men’s cross country team made their collegiate cross country debuts on Friday (Aug. 30) at the Queen City Invitational at Valhalla. Redshirt freshman Noah Price was the Jaguars top finisher, placing fifth overall, completing the 5,000m race in a time of 15:46.9.
NKU took the team title with 32 points, fending off second-place Bellarmine by 15 points. The Jaguars didn’t factor in the team scoring as head coach Justin Roeder’s team had just four finishers. NKU’s Natnael Weldemichael took the individual tape in a time of 14:59.4, cruising past the field by 22 seconds.
Price trailed a pair of NKU and Miami (Ohio) runners in a fifth-place finish.
CATES, PROVENZANO LEAD JAGUARS AT SEASON OPENING WINROW-VALPO OPEN
VALPARAISO, Ind. – Head coach Antonio McDaniel got a first look at his women’s cross country squad on Friday morning (Aug 30) as the Jaguars competed at the Winrow-Valpo Open at Sunset Hills Farm. The Jaguars placed seventh overall with 183 points as fifth-year senior Ellie Cates paced the team in the 5,000m race.
Cates spun a time of 18:54.8 to place 31st of 73 runners as the strong field included teams from Butler, Notre Dame and Purdue, among others.
Senior Laci Provenzano crossed in 37th place overall at 19:23.4 and rookie Ella Colclesser made her collegiate debut with a time of 19:33.3. Purdue Northwest-transfer Carina Alanis placed 43rd with a personal best time of 19:41.6 as she had never broke 20 minutes in her collegiate career previously.
“It felt great to run with the team for the first time,” Colclesser said. “My goal was to stay close with everyone and use them to push me and that definitely helped make a difference with my race.”
Sophomore Grace Bragg rounded out the scoring five in 45th place at 20:00.9 and Hannah Robbins was next at 20:15.0, taking 24 seconds off her previous best.
Three others – Mary Fritch (20:32.5), Julianna Crow (20:37.5) and Julynne Spidell (21:26.4) – also set new personal bests in the opener.
Notre Dame’s Addison Knoblauch took the individual tape in a time of 17:34.6 while the Fighting Irish edged Purdue for the team title, finishing with 43 points. Purdue was second with 48 and Butler was third with 65.
IU Indy will return to action on Friday, Sept. 20 when they host the Jaguars Invitational in Shelbyville, Ind.
BALL STATE VOLLEYBALL
HOW SWEEP IT IS: WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL NEAR PERFECT ON OPENING DAY
BOCA RATON, FL – – The Ball State women’s volleyball team opened the 2024 season in style Friday, earning sweeps of Seton Hall and Bryant on day one of the Florida Atlantic Invitational.
“I was super impressed with our depth across the board,” head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said after the wins. “We stayed consistent with a large variety of lineups and got a lot of our younger players some great experience. Overall, it was a good start for day one. There was a lot of good to take from today and lots to still work on moving forward.”
The Cardinals (2-0) started its 53rd season of play with a solid 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-19) victory over the Pirates (0-1). While stats from the opening match still being finalized, it was sophomore middle Camryn Wise who appears to have made the biggest impact on offense.
She connected for a match-high nine kills over the final two sets, while hitting a career-best .818 (9-0-11). If it stands after updates, her mark will tie as the fourth-best hitting percentage in a match, with between 10 and 14 attempts, in program history.
Senior setter Megan Wielonski also set the tone from the service line against Seton Hall and is currently credited with seven of BSU’s 15 aces in the sweep. If the total stands, it would tie her career high.
Overall, 14 different Cardinals saw action in the win, with nine being credited with at least one kill and 11 earning at least one block.
Ball State was even more dominating in the nightcap, limiting Bryant to a -.020 hitting percentage in a 3-0 (25-15, 25-17. 25-12) sweep. On the offensive front, the Cardinals connected for a .333 clip, led by nine kills and a .533 (9-1-15) attack percentage from graduate transfer middle Aayinde Smith.
Smith was not the only newcomer to shine in the nightcap, however, as freshman libero Sophie Ledbetter collected 20 digs for her first collegiate match at-or-above 20 digs. After currently being credited with 11 digs in the season-opener, Ledbetter corralled 10 in the opening set versus the Bulldogs (1-1).
“We put together a complete defensive game versus Bryant,” Phillips said. “It started at the service line and then our block scheme was working well. Sophie also started out with several big digs in a row and that set the tone for the rest of the match. Overall, our freshman ball control was a huge factor in our success today. It allowed us to get a ton of people involved and kept the pressure on our opponents all day.”
Meanwhile, Wielsonski would add three more aces from the service line to raise her career total to 154. The total ranks third in program history and is just 37 shy of the program record of 191 set by Stacy Jordan (1982-85). She is also currently credited with 59 assists over the two matches.
“Megan was strong from the service line all day, and especially versus Bryant, set the tone with consistent pressure that fed down to the rest of the team and was a huge factor in our defense against the Bulldogs.”
Like the opener, the win over Bryant was another team effort with 15 different Cardinals seeing action. Nine players earned at least one kill, while 10 had at least one dig.
Other key contributors on the day were junior opposite Madison Buckley with 13 kills and a .500 (13-1-24) hitting mark and freshman defensive specialist Elizabeth Tabeling with 19 digs, including her first double-digit match with 10 against Bryant.
The Ball State women’s volleyball team closes play in the Florida Atlantic Invitational Saturday afternoon with a 1 p.m. first serve versus the host Owls.
BALL STATE FIELD HOCKEY
FIELD HOCKEY OPENS SEASON WITH HEARTBREAKING DOUBLE OT LOSS AGAINST SFU
MUNCIE, Ind. — The Ball State field hockey team fell in double overtime in hot conditions Friday afternoon at the Briner Sports Complex to Saint Francis. The Cardinals (0-1) put up a good fight but fell by a score of 3-2 to the Red Flashes (1-0).
The Cardinals were denied a possible shootout victory, as a late corner call was made as time expired in double OT. SFU took advantage of the opportunity with Madi Waldspurger finding her teammate Dolores Zavaleta for the game-winner.
Ball State was the first to get on the board after Emma van Hal scored her first collegiate goal off a penalty stroke at the 10:04 mark in the opening quarter. With about two minutes left in the first period, Saint Francis answered when Consu de Castro found the back of the cage to knot the game at 1-1.
The second 15 minutes was a defensive battle, and despite both teams drawing corners, neither could capitalize on the opportunities which kept the scoreboard tied at intermission.
After the break, the Cardinals drew a fast corner and were able to get two shots off, both of which were saved. Ball State continued to control the offensive tempo and scored once again as van Hall registered her second goal of the contest off an assist from Rachel Bohn. The goal helped the Cardinals head into the final quarter with 2-1 advantage.
The fourth quarter saw Ball State draw 12 of 13 corners in the frame. Unfortunately, BSU could not capitalize with a goal, while Saint Francis scored with a little less then five minutes remaining to tie the game for a second time.
Ball State’s Jessica Rochat would have one last opportunity with a shot as time was winding down, but could not find the back of the cage, sending the game into overtime.
Both squads played tremendous defense in the first OT, with Ball State keeper Hannah Johnston stopping the lone shot in the frame. She would finish the day with six saves.
Overall, the Cardinals held a 24-12 edge in shots and a 17-7 advantage in corners.
The Ball State field hockey team returns to Briner Sports Complex on Sunday when it welcomes Stanford to Muncie for the first time since 2001. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
BALL STATE XC
CARDINALS PERFORM WELL AT CROSS COUNTRY SEASON OPENER
VALPARAISO, Ind. — Ball State cross country opened its season at the Winrow-Valparaiso Open 5k on Friday morning.
Overall, the team finished fifth of nine teams with 165 points. Carly Spletzer led the team, finishing 21st overall and crossed the finish line with a time of 18:44.5. Close behind, Sarah Mahnensmith finished 30th with a time of 18:54.4. Coming in third for the Cardinals was Jessica Velez who finished 38th overall with a time of 19:30.3.
In her first meet as a Ball State Cardinal, Tori Jackson finished 42nd overall and ran in a time of 19:36.7. The next finisher for the Cardinals was Autumn Spence who finished 44th with a time of 19:51.4. Rounding out the Ball State team was Jenna Schifferer, coming in 51st overall and running 20:18.7.
“It was great to see the young ladies compete this morning,” said head coach Adrian Wheatley. “We use competition to guide our training direction. Coach Nichwitz had a race plan that the ladies executed. It was a solid season opener for our young athletes. We are excited to return home and compete at our home meet in a couple of weeks.”
Up next, the Cardinals will prepare to host the We Fly Challenge Preview on Saturday, September 14. The women’s race is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. on the new Ball State Cross Country Course.
INDIANA STATE VOLLEYBALL
SYCAMORES EARN DOUBLEHEADER SPLIT TO OPEN 2024 SEASON
ATLANTA – Indiana State split a pair of matches at the GSU Invitational to kick off its 2024 season, as the Sycamores defeated host school Georgia State in five sets (19-25, 25-18, 26-24, 12-25, 15-12) before falling to Florida A&M in three sets (25-22, 25-20, 25-18) inside the GSU Sports Arena.
Emma Kaelin (14) and Jadyn Smith (11) both notched career-highs in kills in the opener against Georgia State, while Smith and Curry Kendall led the Sycamores with eight kills each against Florida A&M. Emilly Weber dished out 61 assists between the two matches, while Chloe Gilley was tied for the team lead in digs against both Georgia State (15) and Florida A&M (eight).
Match One: Indiana State 3, Georgia State 2
Kills from Smith and Kaelin got things started for the Sycamores in a back-and-forth first set. A pair of kills from Smith, paired with two service aces from Cadence Gilley, kept the Trees on level footing midway through before Georgia State pulled away. Kills from Kaelin and Kendall late in the set couldn’t help the Sycamores overcome the deficit, as Georgia State won the opener 25-19.
Indiana State got off to a slow start in the second set, before consecutive kills by Kaelin gave the Trees life. Georgia State led past the midway point of the set before the Sycamores came roaring back with a 14-3 run to close the set. Two kills each from Ella Scott and Kaelin, followed by back-to-back service aces from Kaelin, put the Trees ahead for good in the set. Kills from Kendall and Weber were followed by an ace from Scott to seal a 25-18 set win for the Sycamores.
Early kills from Smith and Lily Mueller put the Trees in front to begin the third set, another frame which went down to the wire. Georgia State led for a majority of the early portion, but a pair of Emmy Sher service aces helped the Blue and White claim a 15-14 lead at the media timeout. Two more service aces from Scott, along with kills from Kendall and Mueller, had the Trees in prime position to take the set before Georgia State rallied late to tie it up. Indiana State prevailed, though, as a pair of GSU service errors and a block assist from Weber and Scott gave the Trees a 26-24 win in the third set.
Georgia State took nine of the first 10 points to begin the fourth set, a deficit Indiana State never recovered from in the frame. Kendall, Mueller and Smith recorded two points apiece in the set, but the slow starte proved costly. The home side forced a deciding set by taking the fourth 25-12.
Indiana State recovered from its poor fourth set, as back-to-back blocks to start the fifth set the tone for the Trees. Consecutive kills from Scott and Mueller put the Trees ahead 6-5, and Indiana State never trailed from that point forward. Service aces from Kaelin and Cadence Gilley, along with a trio of late kills from Kaelin, put the Sycamores on the brink of a season-opening win. Weber sealed the win for Indiana State with a kill off a setter dump to help the Sycamores take the deciding set 15-12.
Match Two: Florida A&M 3, Indiana State 0
Facing the daunting task of having to play a match just 30 minutes after a grueling five-setter, Indiana State found itself in an early 8-3 deficit. Kills from Kaelin, Scott and Weber helped pull the Sycamores back even, and consecutive kills from Kendall gave the Trees a 12-11 lead. Aces from Weber and Cadence Gilley pushed the lead up to 16-14, but a late run from the Rattlers proved costly for the Trees. Despite late kills from Kendall and Weber, Florida A&M took the opener 25-22.
Indiana State found itself in another hole early in the second set, as Florida A&M jumped out to a 9-4 lead. The Rattlers maintained control of their lead, but kills by Kaelin and Scott helped Indiana State cut its deficit down to 15-13. A pair of kills from Smith kept the Trees within two late, but Florida A&M used another late scoring run to clinch the second set 25-20.
Kills from Kendall and Scott got the third set started for the Sycamores, as the duo combined for four kills within the first 10 points. The set remained close until an eight-point run for the Rattlers broke things open. Smith, Scott and Kendall notched kills following the run, and Scott also added an ace, but the damage was already done by that point. Indiana State fended off one set point courtesy of a kill from Smith, but the Rattlers took the third set 25-18 to seal the match.
News and Notes
Indiana State won its season opener for the first time since the 2018 season.
Emma Kaelin (14) and Jadyn Smith (11) both recorded their first career matches with double-digit kills.
Indiana State had 12 aces in its win over Georgia State, continuing a trend from last season. The Sycamores had 145 aces in 2023, a 55-ace increase from 2022.
Emily Weber surpassed 1500 assists for her collegiate career during Friday’s doubleheader.
Indiana State hit above .300 in two of its three set wins against Georgia State (.360 in the second set, .435 in the fifth set).
Despite the loss, Indiana State hit .357 in the third set against Florida A&M.
Indiana State won a true road match for the first time since November 2021 with its win over Georgia State.
Friday’s meeting was the first-ever between Indiana State and Florida A&M. Indiana State improved to 2-0 against Georgia State.
Up Next
Indiana State closes play at the GSU Invitational Saturday at 11 a.m. against South Dakota State.
INDIANA STATE XC
GRESHAM BREAKS 4K RECORD, SYCAMORE WOMEN PLACE FIRST AT SAM BELL INVITATIONAL
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Emma Gresham shattered Indiana State’s school record in the women’s 4k Friday evening, pacing the Sycamores to a first-place finish on the women’s side at the Sam Bell Invitational.
Gresham ran a time of 14:14.8., breaking a program record which had stood since 2003 by three seconds and placing second overall. Erica Barker was right behind in third at 14:19.0, a time that also ranks third in program history. Brittney Burak (14:36.6) and Peyton Smith (14:38.7) also cracked the top 10 in program history in their Sycamore debuts Friday, with their times ranking seventh and eighth all-time, respectively. Morgan Dyer rounded out Indiana State’s scorers at 14:43.7, as all of Indiana State’s top five recorded top-10 program marks.
Gnister Grant (14:49.3) and Hadley Gradolf (14:57.1), also etched their names into the top 20 4k times in program history, while Halle Miller finished in the top 25 in the field with a time of 15:08.8. Indiana State finished with 33 points, as the entire Sycamore top five placed in the top 13 of the field.
Emerson Fayman and Jocqael Thorpe earned top-10 finishes to lead the way for the Trees on the men’s side, with Fayman (18:58.8) placing ninth and Thorpe (19:02.1) finishing 10th in the 6k race. Ryan York (19:22.6) and Layton Hall (19:26.0) both finished in the top 20, while Will Kozlowski (19:38.5) cracked the top 25 to round out the scoring in his Indiana State debut.
Indiana State also got strong debuts from both Jcim Grant (19:41.3) and Xander Fackler (19:51.1), giving the Sycamores three freshmen in the top 35 in the field. The Trees finished third on the men’s side with 73 points.
Indiana State Results (Men’s 6K/Women’s 4K)
MEN: 3rd of teams (9-10-16-17-21-(24)-(27)) – 73 points
9. Emerson Fayman – 18:58.8
10. Jocqael Thorpe – 19:02.1
16. Ryan York – 19:22.6
17. Layton Hall – 19:26.0
24. Will Kozlowski – 19:38.5
27. Jcim Grant – 19:41.3
31. Xander Fackler – 19:51.1
35. Isaac Bryant – 19:59.4
37. Brandon Mueller – 20:05.7
39. Ian Gadberry – 20:15.9
40. Ryan Handy – 20:16.2
43. Parker Mimbela – 20:44.8
44. Jason Dworak – 20:44.8
WOMEN: 1st of 4 teams (2-3-7-8-13-(17)-(22)) – 33 points
2. Emma Gresham – 14:14.8 (school record)
3. Erica Barker – 14:19.0
7. Brittney Burak – 14:36.6
8. Peyton Smith – 14:38.7
13. Morgan Dyer – 14:43.7
17. Gnister Grant – 14:49.3
22. Hadley Gradolf – 14:57.1
25. Halle Miller – 15:08.8
29. Robyn Schemel – 15:20.7
32. Sara Skaff – 15:30.4
38. Kamilla Gibson – 15:54.7
39. Alli Steffey – 15:57.3
42. Cami Farmer – 16:12.3
43. Emersyn Bland – 16:26.4
49. Ada Sabo – 17:17.8
Up Next
Indiana State plays host to the John McNichols Invitational September 21 at LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
SYCAMORES BACK ON ROAD WITH SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONTEST AT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State continues the road trip this week as ISU heads to Cape Girardeau, Mo. on Sunday afternoon where they will compete in a non-conference matchup against SEMO. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m ET. and will have live stats available as well as live streamed on ESPN+.
The last matchup between these two teams was in 2009, when Southeast Missouri State defeated Indiana State with a score of 1-0.
Indiana State started the 2024 season off with a three game winning streak at Memorial Stadium before they fell on a road opening match at UT Martin with a score of 2-1. The Sycamores (3-1-0) lead the Missouri Valley Conference in rankings after four games of play, with the most wins under their belt. The Sycamores are 49-83 for shots on goal attempts, giving them a .590 shot on goal percentage.
Sycamore Standouts:
Senior Mackenzie Kent records back-to-back goal games for the Sycamores. Kent’s goal in Thursday’s contest against UT Martin tied up the game 1-1 before the Skyhawks regained the lead to secure the 2-1 victory and record the Sycamores first loss.
Brooklyn Woods has been one of ISU’s primary threats on the offensive side of the ball pacing the Sycamores with seven shots, six on goal with 2 goals scored this season.
Alexa Mackey set the tone early for the Sycamores this season, with a record breaking home opening performance and her three goals are the most in the Missouri Valley Conference. Mackey is a perfect six for six with shots on target.
Maddie Alexander continues to set the pace for Indiana State, with 22 saves in the 2024 season, where she hit a game high of 11 saves in the 2-1 loss against UT Martin on Thursday. Alexander leads the MVC in save percentage with a .917 and has the fewest goals scored on her in the valley, with two.
Wimberley Wright has been a difference maker in the Sycamores 2024 lineup where she has played a total of 236 minutes this season, starting in all four contests and has continued to make plays and feed the ball to her teammates. The Denton, Texas native leads the MVC in assists, with 5, and points, with 7.
17 goals have been scored for the Sycamores in just four games which is fifth most goals scored in the 2024 season according to NCAA rankings.
Goals this season have come from Alexa Mackey (3), Alex Lehnert (2), Brooklyn Woods (2), Mackenzie Kent (2), Wimberley Wright, Emma Famulak, Grace Quinn, Audrey Roberts, Ella Roesch, Lina Fasquelle, and Caitlin Mullen.
Scouting SEMO:
The Redhawks were picked seventh in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason polls for the 2024 season.
Southeast Missouri State enters Sunday’s contest with a 0-2-0 record in the 2024 season, where they have fallen to Murray State with a score of 2-1, and Southern Illinois with a score of 1-0.
Heather Nelson enters her 26th season at the helm for SEMO soccer. In 25 years, the Redhawks have posted 19 winning seasons and compiled a 227-160-66 record under Nelson.
Elizabeth Rater records the lone goal scored this season for the Redhawks. Rater’s goal came in the 84th minute of the 2-1 loss against Murray State to tie up the game, but the Racers took back the lead just 11 seconds later to secure the win.
Up Next: The Sycamores continue on the road next week as they head to Louisville, Ky. with a matchup against Bellarmine, on Thursday, September 5 at 7 p.m ET.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE VOLLEYBALL
OFFENSE ROLLS MASTODON WVB PAST STONEHILL 3-0
EASTON, Mass. – Purdue Fort Wayne women’s volleyball hit .330 to move past Stonehill on Friday (Aug. 30) to start 2024 with a 1-0 mark.
Taya Haffner started her senior season off strong, pacing the offense from the setter spot. She finished with 34 assists, two kills and two digs.
Purdue Fort Wayne trailed just once in the opening set at 14-13. The Mastodons went up 23-20 after Panna Ratkai and Jena Medearis combined for a block, but Stonehill responded with a 3-0 run to even the set at 23. Ratkai got the feed from Haffner to give the ‘Dons set point, then Haffner capitalized on her trip to the service line with an ace to go up 1-0.
The second set followed a similar pattern of back-and-forth until late. After a 16-all tie, the Mastodons went on a 7-2 run to go up 23-18. Stonehill started a comeback, but faltered twice in a row to give the Mastodons set two as well. LonDynn Betts had five of her 11 digs in the second set, helping hold the home team to .175 hitting.
In set three, the best player on the floor took over as Ratkai had eight of her 15 kills come in the third. She registered those eight on just 12 swings. After an 11-10 lead for Purdue Fort Wayne, the Mastodons ran through a 5-0 run, which included three Stonehill miscues. The Skyhawks never got any closer than four after that, then the ‘Dons closed the match on a 4-0 run.
Abby Stratford finished with eight kills on 16 attempts from the right side. Medearis and Iris Riegel both totaled seven terminations behind Ratkai’s match-high 15.
The Mastodons held Stonehill to .160 hitting thanks to 8.0 blocks and 38 digs.
Purdue Fort Wayne moves to 1-0 and Stonehill falls to 0-1. The Mastodons will take the floor again on Saturday (Aug. 31) at 11 a.m. when they play Siena.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S SOCCER
MASTODONS LOOK TO START HOME STRETCH WITH A WIN
FORT WAYNE, IND. – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s soccer team (2-2-1) begins their five game homestand against SIUE (1-0-2) on Sunday (Sept. 1) at 1 p.m.
Game Day Information
Who: SIUE Cougars
When: Sunday, September 1 | 1:00 PM
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Hefner Soccer Complex
Live Stats: Link
Tickets: Free admission
Know Your Foe
SIUE has started their season 1-0-2, beating Chicago State. Savannah DeFini has taken a scoring leap at the beginning of her junior season, scoring three of the Cougar’s seven goals and assisting on another, after only scoring one last season. Abby Haskell has started in goal for all three games this season, after playing in only one last year.
Series History
SIUE leads the series history 4-1. Last year’s meeting resulted in a 2-1 loss in Edwardsville.
Mastodon Masterclass
Morgan Gallager and Allison Adams swept the second week of Horizon League Player of the Week Rewards. Gallagher earned HL Offensive Player of the Week following a victory against Tiffin (Aug. 22), posting a career-high three points off the bench, an assist and scoring the last goal of the game. Adams played 143 of the 180 available minutes on the defensive line that gave up just one goal. Both players earned their first Horizon League Player of the Week, respectfully.
Freshman Contributors
Three key freshmen carried the Mastodons to a win over Eastern Illinois (Aug. 25). Hailey Hoskins scored the game winning goal on her first shot collegiate shot attempt, Sam Christle earned a shutout in her collegiate debut and finished the match with eight saves. Maci Toporcer took back-to-back shots on goal in the first half.
Mastodon Starters
Five Mastodons have started every game this season: Chloe Mariotti, Allison Adams, Zoe Greenhalge, Lizzie Haub and Bella Reitano.
Freshman Starters
Purdue Fort Wayne freshmen Sam Christle, Maci Toporcer and Maddy Kopala have recorded starts for the Mastodons this season.
Touching Up The Record Book
Bella Reitano sits in 10th place for career goals per game in the Purdue Fort Wayne record book. Reitano is just two goals and two assists away from placing top 10 in both career record books.
‘Dons Wear Prada
Gigi Ricciardi did a fashion industry internship based in Florence, Italy this summer.
#OneHL Member
Gigi Ricciardi represents the athletic department on the Horizon League’s #OneHL group. #OneHL is a subset of the Horizon League Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and seeks to bring about meaningful change and action to social issues across the League. #OneHL initiatives include the annual Coach John McLendon Celebration, a partnership with Athlete Ally and civic engagement. #OneHL meets throughout the 2024-25 academic year via video conference.
Coming Up
Purdue Fort Wayne hosts Southern Indiana on Thursday (Sep. 5) at the Hefner Soccer Complex at 5:30 p.m. for their second game in the Mastodons’ home stretch.
EVANSVILLE VOLLEYBALL
ACES DROP SEASON OPENER TO AKRON
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Angelica Gonzalez Maltes tallied a team-high 13 kills as the University of Evansville volleyball team fell to Akron by a 3-0 final at Coliseu Mario Morales.
Melanie Feliciano posted 11 kills while Giulia Cardona added seven. Feliciano added eight digs to lead UE while Kora Ruff finished with 30 assists. Emanouela Christodoulou had a match-best 15 kills to lead Akron in the win as the Zips finished the night hitting .409.
Game 1 – Akron 25, UE 19
After Akron opened an early 4-1 edge, Angelica Gonzalez Maltes recorded a pair of kills to cut the deficit to 6-4 before a Giulia Cardona kill made it a 1-point game at 7-6. The Zips quickly regrouped to go up 15-7 before UE cut into the deficit once again.
Krystell Pappas notched an ace to get her squad back within five at 19-14, but a late surge by the Zips saw them open the evening with a 25-19 decision.
Game 2 – Akron 25, UE 17
Evansville faced another early deficit with the Zips jumping out to a 5-2 lead. UE quickly made its way back, tying the game at 5-5, but another run by Akron set them up with an 11-8 lead before extending it to 15-9, forcing the Aces to use their second time out of the set. From there, Akron held strong, cruising to a 25-17 win and a 2-0 match lead.
Game 3 – Akron 25, UE 21
It was the Aces with the big start in the third set, picking up the opening four points of the game. Gonzalez Maltes added a pair of kills that made it a 7-2 game while Lexi Owen added a kill on the ensuing rally to force Akron to use a time out. The stoppage worked to the Zips advantage as they posted the next five before extending the run to take their first advantage at 10-9.
UE posted the next tally to tie it up as the squads battled to a 16-16 score. The Zips registered the ensuing seven points to retake control, but the Aces staged a furious late rally. Melanie Feliciano notched her 11th kill of the evening to cap a 5-1 stretch that made it a 24-21 game. The rally came up just short with Akron taking the frame by a 25-21 score to clinch the match.
On Saturday, the Aces face the University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras at 6 p.m. CT.
EVANSVILLE XC
ACES CROSS COUNTRY MEN TAKE SECOND AT EIU WALT CRAWFORD OPEN
CHARLESTON, Ill. — At the first meet of the 2024 season, the men’s cross country team finished as a whole on the podium while the women’s cross country team had runners place in the Top 20 on Friday afternoon.
The Purple Aces had two top-10 finishes in their first meet of the year out at Eastern Illinois. Sophomore runners Samuel Lea (Worchester, England) and Tommaso Losma (Lombardia, Italy) led the UE men to a second-place team finish as both set 5K personal bests. Lea finished second among all runners with a time of 15:16.0 while Losma placed seventh with a time of 15:46.0.
Evansville’s had seven other runners compete on the men’s side with the top five finishes contributing to the team score. Sophomores Owen Cuplin (Hampshire, Ill./ Hampshire HS) and Woody Burrell (Cedarburg, Wis. / Cedarburg HS) finished one after the other with times of 17:01.1 and 17:03.7 respectively The Aces’ last men’s runner that contributed to the team score was sophomore Cedrik Flipo (Beloeil, Quebec, Canada) with a time of 17:11.1. Freshman runners Andrew Potter (Warsaw, Ind. / Warsaw Community HS), Kaiden McAllister (Lilburn, Ga. Parkview HS), Vincent Filipek (Northville, Mich. Northville HS), and Oliver Wilgock (Chesterton, Ind. Chesteron HS) all ran their first collegiate race on Friday.
On the women’s side, UE had four runners complete Friday’s 5K with sophomore Avery Stephens (Newburg, Ind. / Reitz HS) having the fastest finish at 20:34.8. Sophomore Kyndall Anthis (Pakota, Ind. / Princeton Community HS) finished less than a minute behind Stephens with a time of 21:17.6. In her first collegiate 5K freshman Lauren Bradley (Russiaville, Ind. Western HS) ran a 21.38.4 race. Senior Hannah Bryan (Evansville, Ind. Reitz HS) returned to the team after a year away to compete in her first 5K since 2022 with a time of 22:35.1.
It will be almost a month before Evansville competes again. The Aces cross country teams will return to action on September 21st at Indiana State for the John McNichols Invitational hosted by Indiana State. It will be UE’s fourth straight year participating in the John McNichols Invitational.
MEN: 2nd of 5 teams (2, 6, 13, 14, 15, (17) (18)) – 50 points
2 Samuel Lea – 15:16.0
7 Tommaso Losma – 15:46.0
24 Owen Cuplin – 17:01.1
25 Woody Burrell – 17:03.7
27 Cedrik Flipo – 17:11.1
(29) Andrew Potter – 17:15.4
(30) Kaiden McAllister – 17:17.0
(38) Vincent Filipek – 17:56.8
(39) Oliver Wilgock – 17:57.5
WOMEN: No Team Score
14 Avery Stephens – 20:34.8
20 Kyndall Anthis – 21:17.6
22 Lauren Bradley – 21:38.4
26 Hannah Bryan – 22:35.1
SOUTHERN INDIANA XC
NOLAN’S TOP-FIVE FINISH LEADS USI MEN IN OPENER
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—Sophomore Alex Nolan (Evansville, Indiana) opened the 2024 season with a fifth-place finish out of 54 competitors to lead University of Southern Indiana Men’s Cross Country at the Sam Bell Invitational Friday evening.
Nolan finished the six-kilometer race in 18 minutes, 44.3 seconds, just over a second back of fourth place.
As a team, the Screaming Eagles were fourth in the four-team field with 92 points. The University of Cincinnati won the event as the Bearcats sent the first four runners across the finish line for a team score of 17 points. Host Indiana University was second with 61 points, while Indiana State University had 73 points for a third-place finish.
Sophomores Tyler Zimmerman (Evansville, Indiana) and Landen Swiney (Du Quoin, Illinois) aided the Eagles with respective placements of 20th and 22nd. Senior Brady Terry (Philpot, Kentucky) was 23rd, though his finish didn’t factor into the team scoring due to technical issues, while sophomore Jackson Collman (Bethalto, Illinois) was 26th.
USI’s top seven was rounded out by sophomore Cole Hess (Cannelton, Indiana) and freshman Andrew Smith (Fishers, Indiana), where were 30th and 32nd, respectively. Sophomore Isaac Stanford (Flora, Illinois) was 33rd and saw his finish factor into the Eagles’ scoring despite being the eight USI runner to cross the finish line.
The Eagles return to action Saturday, September 14 when they compete at the UT Martin XC OVC Preview in Union, Tennessee. The women’s 6k will starts at 9 a.m., while the men’s 8k follows at 10 a.m.
COMASTRI FINISHES FOURTH TO LEAD USI WOMEN AT IU
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—Senior Audrey Comastri (Indianapolis, Indiana) raced to a fourth-place finish out of 52 competitors to lead University of Southern Indiana Women’s Cross Country at the 2024 season-opening Sam Bell Invitational.
Comastri finished the four-kilometer race with a time of 14 minutes, 23.6 seconds and an average mile pace of 5:47. She finished less than three seconds behind the third-place finisher and a little more than 20 seconds behind the University of Cincinnati’s Claire Curtsinger, who won the race in 14:02.7.
As a team, the Screaming Eagles were fourth of four teams with 86 points. Indiana State University was first with a team score of 33 points, while Cincinnati and host Indiana University were second and third, respectively, with 48 and 58 points.
Aiding the Eagles’ efforts was freshman Hadessah Austin (Attica, Indiana), who was 15th with a time of 14:45.4, while sophomore Zoe Seward (Rochesster, Indiana) was 16th with a time of 14:45.8.
Senior Katie Winkler (Santa Claus, Indiana) and freshman Addison Applegate (Corydon, Indiana) ran to respective finishes of 30th and 31st to round out USI’s top five scorers, while senior Emma Thompson (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) and sophomore Sara Livingston (Jasper, Indiana) wrapped up the Eagles’ top seven with respective finishes of 33rd and 34th.
USI returns to action Saturday, September 14 when it competes at the UT Martin XC OVC Preview in Union, Tennessee. The women’s 6k will starts at 9 a.m., while the men’s 8k follows at 10 a.m.
SOUTHERN INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
EAGLES EARN A SPLIT IN CEFCU DOUBLE-HEADER
PEORIA, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (1-1) kicked off the 2024 campaign in style at the Renaissance Coliseum on Friday morning winning three-straight sets (19-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-23) against the University of St. Thomas, 3-1. The Screaming Eagles finished the day with a narrow loss to a high-powered Depaul University, 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 15-25, 25-22, 10-15) to open the season at the CEFCU Invitational, hosted by Bradley University.
USI vs. St. Thomas
The Eagles fell behind early as the Tommies landed the first blow, winning set one 25-19. Both teams went back and forth as senior Jasmine Green (Rockwall, Texas) tied it at 14-14. The Tommies erupted with an 11-5 late run to win the set and gain an early lead. USI made nine costly attacking errors. Sophomore Leah Coleman (Hoover, Alabama) led the Eagles with four kills.
USI found their rhythm in set two, tying the match at one with a riveting 25-23 victory. The Eagles used a variety of attackers as six different players contributed a kill. The match was knotted at 21, before sophomore Ashby Willis (Mount Carmel, Illinois) smashed two kills and a service ace to clinch the match. USI collected a set-high 19 kills.
The Eagles found themselves down 14-20 in set three, before rattling off 11 straight points to win 25-20. The rally was sparked by forcing multiple attacking errors and two huge blocks from senior Paris Downing (Avon, Indiana).
USI won another close set to secure their first 2024 victory in four sets, winning 25-23. Green fired home six clutch kills in her return to the Renaissance Coliseum, coming to USI as a graduate senior from Bradley University. She had six kills in set four, finishing with a career-high 18 kills along with a stellar .517 hitting percentage in her USI debut. Coleman also played a huge role spiking a career-high 13 kills.
Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indina) started 2024 strong with a team-leading 49 assists. Junior Keira Moore (Newburgh, Indiana) (28 digs) and Willis (22 digs) held down the fort defensively. Downing added five pivotal blocks as the team leader.
As a team, the Eagles tallied 61 kills off 58 assists along with 101 digs and 14 blocks. St. Thomas finished with 47 kills, 46 assists, 84 digs, and 18 blocks.
USI vs. Depaul
The Blue Demons took the early lead with a ferocious .205 attacking percentage, winning set one 25-23. USI started strong leading 8-3 off seven kills from Green and Willis. Depaul roared back taking advantage of nine USI errors.
USI earned the final three points of set two, tying the match at one, 25-21. Junior Jordan Troutman (Henderson, Kentucky) and Sobieralski combined for nine assists. Green emphatically finished two of her career-best 19 kills to clinch it. Depaul adjusted in set three holding the Eagles to six kills, winning 25-15. After three sets, Moore led USI defensively with 19 digs.
USI used another balanced attack as senior Lauren O’Neill (Covington, Indiana), sophomore Mariah Minor (Indianapolis, Indiana), Green, Anderson, Coleman, and Sobieralski all collected kills forcing a fifth match, 25-22. The Eagles ran out of steam in set five, dropping the final match 15-10.
Green was the offensive leader with another career-high performance of 19 kills. Sobieralski recorded a double-double with 24 assists and 18 digs, while Troutman came off the bench adding 18 assists and four service aces. Willis’ 22 digs marked a career-high for the sophomore, along with Anderson leading the team in blocks with five.
Both teams statistical totals were nearly identical as USI recorded 54 kills, 53 assists, 88 digs, and 14 blocks. The Blue Demons finished with 53 kills, 53 assists, 90 digs, and 16 blocks.
NEXT UP FOR THE EAGLES
USI is back in action tomorrow night against the host squad, Bradley University Braves at 4:30 p.m. No live broadcast will be available, but stay tuned to live stats at usiscreamingeagles.com.
SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER
USI AND UE SQUARE OFF IN MAYOR’S CUP SUNDAY
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer starts the second half of a five-game season-opening road swing in the Mayor’s Cup Sunday when it travels across the city to play the University of Evansville at Arad McCutchan Stadium. Kick off Sunday is set for 7 p.m. and will air on ESPN+.
Following the visit to Evansville, USI will conclude the season-opening road swing with a visit to Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. The game is an early 10 a.m. (CDT) kick off and also will air on ESPN+.
Game coverage for 2024, including links to live stats and/or video streams, can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com.
The Eagles open the 2024 home slate September 14 when they host Bellarmine University at Strassweg Field for a 7 p.m. USI fans are able to attend Men’s Soccer 2024 home matches for free courtesy of a sponsorship from ProRehab.
USI Men’s Soccer Mayor’s Cup Notes:
USI falls in heartbreaker at Green Bay. The Screaming Eagles lost a heartbreaker Thursday, falling in the final four seconds, 3-2, to the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. USI freshman midfielder Ahiro Nakamae provided all of the offense for the Eagles with a pair of first half goals.
Eagles fall to Belmont in 2nd Half: The Eagles could not hold off Belmont University in the second half, losing 3-0. USI and Belmont battled to a 0-0 draw through the first 45 minutes, but the Bruins exploded for three goals midway through the final half to pick up the victory.
USI loses opener at Butler: The Eagles opened the 2024 season with a 2-1 loss at Butler University. USI freshman midfielder Ahiro Nakamae scored the Eagles’ lone goal and his first collegiate tally.
Nakamae had three goals in three matches: Freshman midfielder Ahiro Nakamae is the first USI freshman to have three goals in his first three matches since Eric Ramirez had three goals in three matches in 2016. Ramirez would go on to score at least a goal in six of his first eight matches and would lead USI in scoring with 21 points on 10 goals and one assist as a freshman in 2016.
Evansville in 2024: The University of Evansville is off to a 2-0-0 start to the 2024 campaign. The Purple Aces started the year with a 2-1 win at Bellarmine University and a 3-0 win at the University of Memphis.
Evansville in 2023: Evansville was 4-8-4 in 2023, 2-4-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
USI vs. Evansville: USI trails the all-time series with Evansville, 1-0-1. The Aces took the 2023 match at Strassweg Field, 4-0.
Mercer’s start to 2024: Mercer University is 1-1-1 to begin 2024. The Bears began the season with a loss to the University of Central Florida, 3-1; tied the University of South Florida, 0-0; and defeated Jacksonville University, 1-0.
Mercer in 2023: The Bears were 7-6-8 last season, 1-2-2 in the Southern Conference.
USI vs. Mercer: USI lost the first ever meeting with Mercer last year at USI, 1-0.
SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
WOMEN’S SOCCER FACES WRIGHT STATE SUNDAY AT STRASSWEG FIELD
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer returns to Strassweg Field for the first time in 10 days on Sunday when the Screaming Eagles host Wright State University for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
Southern Indiana (0-3-1) is coming off back-to-back road matches. The Screaming Eagles are seeking to add another result to their record as they did in their last home contest, a 2-2 draw in the home opener on August 22 against Robert Morris University.
USI is eager to return to the friendly confines of Strassweg Field, as the road has not been kind to the Eagles so far this season. Last time out, USI suffered a 6-1 setback at Northern Illinois University on Thursday. In a tale of two halves, the Screaming Eagles and Huskies were 1-1 at halftime before Northern Illinois scored five goals in the second half.
USI’s lone goal in the match came right before halftime off a right-footed strike from junior midfielder Emerson Grafton (Camas, Washington), her first in a USI uniform. Southern Indiana did produce its fair share of opportunities Thursday, including 10 corner kicks, the most for USI in a single game in its D-I era.
As the calendar flips toward September, Southern Indiana is led offensively by Grafton and junior forward Payton Seymour (Louisville, Kentucky) with three points each off a goal and assist. Seymour tops the squad with nine shots after taking only four shots all of last season. Freshman forward Eva Boer (St. Charles, Illinois) also has a goal this season. Freshman midfielder Josie Pochocki (LaGrange Park, Illinois) has impressed lately with a shot on goal in three straight matches alongside junior defender Brynn Quick (Cottage Grove, Minnesota). USI has put 24 of 46 shots (52.2 percent) on goal through four matches.
Wright State comes to Southern Indiana with a 0-3-0 record after a difficult schedule to start the season. The Raiders have been dealt two 6-0 defeats at the University of Illinois and at Indiana University and a 1-0 loss at the University of Akron. Wright State was picked fourth in the 2024 Horizon League Preseason Poll after a 6-7-5 overall mark in 2023.
While still seeking their first goal of the season, the Raiders are also looking to create more shooting chances. Wright State has only 13 shots this season and only had one shot attempt last time out against Indiana. Sophomore midfielder Caitlin Burger has a team-high three shots while senior forward Ainsley Terada has two of the team’s five shots on goal this season.
Sunday is only the second all-time meeting between Southern Indiana and Wright State. The Raiders won 2-1 on their home field in Dayton, Ohio last season. Sophomore midfielder Pilar Torres (Chula Vista, California) scored her first career goal for USI in that matchup.
Sunday’s match can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+. Additional coverage links are available on the USI Women’s Soccer schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.
VALPO VOLLEYBALL
VOLLEYBALL OUT-DUELS SIUE IN FIVE-SET SEASON OPENER
The Valpo volleyball program entered the 2024 season knowing it was going to have to meld a group of veterans with a talented class of newcomers, and Friday night’s season opener — including the final two points — was a perfect microcosm of what to expect, as the Beacons got big performances up and down the lineup to outduel SIUE 3-2 (23-25, 26-24, 25-22, 23-25, 16-14) at IU Indy’s Hampton Inn Invitational. A pair of freshmen posted new program standards for collegiate debuts, as Ava Helming (Johnston, Iowa/Johnston) reeled off a match-high 20 kills and Jessica Pickett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) shut the door on nine blocks.
How It Happened
Starting off the decisive fifth set, it was the Beacons on the front foot, jumping out to a 5-1 lead. SIUE rallied to within 8-7 before Valpo scored four in a row to lead 12-7.
It was still advantage Valpo, earning match point at 14-11, but the Cougars came with three points in a row to send the decisive set to extra points.
With the score knotted at 14-14, junior Addy Kois (Osceola, Ind./Penn) set up freshman Kadence Brumitt (Niles, Mich./Brandywine) for a kill to give the Beacons a fourth match point chance. This time, the Brown and Gold finished it off, as junior Sam Warren (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) combined with rookie Lilly Merk (Terre Haute, Ind./Terre Haute South Vigo) on the match-clinching block.
It looked like Valpo was going to be able to potentially finish the match in four sets, as a three-point spurt late in set four set the Beacons up with a 20-17 edge. Later, it was still 23-21 Valpo before SIUE scored four in a row to force the final frame.
Valpo withstood an 8-0 SIUE run in the opening set and actually came back to briefly take the lead at 15-14. The Beacons were tied with the Cougars as late as 19-19, but SIUE scored five of the next seven points to earn set point and converted on their third opportunity to take the early 1-0 advantage.
The Beacons pulled out ahead late in a back-and-forth battle in the second set, with three kills from Merk giving them a 23-20 lead. The Cougars came right back with three points in a row and the frame was eventually tied at 24 apiece. An SIUE attack error gave Valpo a second set point, and this time it came through, as a kill from Brumitt gave the Beacons their first set of the season.
As was the case all night, the third set was tight as well, heading towards the wire tied at 21-21. Merk tallied a kill to give Valpo the lead for good, followed by a successful setter dump from sophomore Mara Thomas (Bogart, Ga./Athens Academy). The Beacons answered an SIUE kill with another termination from Merk, and Warren came through with a kill on the first set point chance to give Valpo a 2-1 lead and set up the final two sets.
Inside the Match
Friday’s win marks the fourth straight season that Valpo has won its season opener.
With no set decided by more than three points, you would expect lots of back and forth, and that’s what happened Friday. The five sets featured 45 tie scores and 15 lead changes, but notably, there were no lead changes in the decisive fifth set.
With so many performances to highlight, the kills column is the easiest to start with, as the Beacons held a 71-53 advantage in that department over SIUE.
Valpo was paced by Helming and her 20 kills, three of which came in the final set, on .282 hitting.
It is a program record for kills by a freshman in her debut, and also is the high-water mark for any Valpo player in a season opener.
Helming is the first Valpo player with a 20-kill match since Maddy Boyer racked up 20 kills in a Nov. 11, 2022 win over Bradley.
With three newcomers among the team’s top four in kills, it was the stalwart senior Elise Swistek (LaPorte, Ind./New Prairie) who provided the veteran presence on the attack. Swistek matched her career high with 17 kills and added 12 digs, four blocks and three service aces.
Merk finished the night with 11 kills and five blocks, while fellow rookie Brumitt got to double figures as well with 10 kills.
It is the first time in program history three freshmen have debuted with double-digit kills in the same match.
On the flip side, it was a big performance from Pickett. After redshirting in 2023, Pickett made her presence felt on the block, racking up a match-best nine rejections.
Not only is the nine blocks a new program standard for a rookie in her first collegiate match, it is the highest total by any Valpo player in a season opener in program history.
Warren’s block on the match’s deciding point was her fifth of the evening, matching her career best in the category.
As a team, the Beacons racked up 14 total blocks on Friday, their highest team total since a 17-block performance at Murray State Nov. 5, 2022.
Even running a 6-2, it’s rare to see three players in double digits in the assists column, but the Beacons achieved that on Friday thanks to junior libero Emma Hickey (Granger, Ind./Penn). Hickey supplemented her match-best 34 digs with a career-high 11 assists.
It was the eighth time in Hickey’s career she has racked up at least 30 digs and the third time she has posted a double-double.
Hickey bumped her career total to 1,397 digs, already 13th-most in program history.
Kois finished with a double-double as well, handing out 33 assists and tallying 10 digs. Valpo is 8-1 in Kois’ three seasons when she registers a double-double.
Thomas dished out a career-best 22 assists as well in the win.
In all, five Valpo players made their collegiate debuts on Friday, as Jordyn Gove (Amarillo, Texas/Randall) saw action in a pair of sets as well.
Next Up
Valpo (1-0) continues play from the Hampton Inn Invitational on Saturday when it faces Eastern Michigan at 1 p.m. No video stream will be available, but there will be live stats via ValpoAthletics.com.
VALPO XC
RAOULT’S STRONG DEBUT LEADS BEACONS IN SEASON-OPENING HOME MEET
The Valparaiso University cross country team began the 2024 season with the program’s annual home meet, the Winrow Valparaiso Open, on Friday morning at Sunset Hill Farm County Park in Valparaiso. Laetitia Raoult (Guingamp, France / Florida International) made a strong first impression in her Valpo debut, leading the way for the Beacons.
How It Happened
Raoult was the first Valpo woman to cross the finish line in the 5K race, clocking a time of 18:20.6 that narrowly missed a spot in the program’s all-time top five. Her favorable first impression was good for eighth overall in a competitive 73-runner, nine-team field. The seven that finished in front of her featured three from Notre Dame, two from Purdue, one from Butler and one from Western Michigan.
The next-best Beacon in the women’s race was Vivian Rahmel (Springfield, Ill. / Sacred Heart-Griffin), whose time of 20:11.80 was 48th in the field. Freshman Ally Higbee (Oconomowoc, Wis. / Oconomowoc) rounded out the team’s top three at 20:29.5.
In the men’s 6K, junior Joseph Scheele (Mahomet, Ill. / Mahomet-Seymour) paced the team and finished inside the top 20, placing 19th with a time of 18:53.4, a nice improvement from his time of 19:17.9 in this same race last season.
Sophomore Karson Hollander (Crystal Lake, Ill. / Crystal Lake) followed Scheele, finishing 22nd at 19:05.6.
Newcomers Tyler Swartz (Warsaw, Ind. / Warsaw Community) and Brooks Julian (Olney, Ill. / Richland County [Southeastern]) finished third and fourth on the team, respectively. Swartz went under 20 minutes in his first collegiate race at 19:58.4, while Julian was just over at 20:01.9.
Up Next
The Beacons will hit the road for the first time this season by visiting Illinois State for the Redbird Invite on Sept. 13 in Normal, Ill.
MARIAN VOLLEYBALL
KNIGHTS SCORE PAIR OF NATIONALLY-RANKED WINS OVER NO. 7 COLUMBIA AND (RV) XAVIER
New Orleans, La. – Riding into Friday off of their fourth consecutive win, the Marian volleyball team played a pair of thrilling matches in the Big Easy Blastoff, completing a reverse sweep of No. 7 Columbia, while earning a three-set win over host Xavier in the night cap. Marian’s two wins extend their season-best streak to six consecutive, as they improve to 8-1 on the season.
Marian 3-2 No. 7 Xavier
The Knights battled in both of the first two sets against the seventh-ranked Cougars, putting up balanced offensive numbers leading the Cougars in kills in both sets, while holding an edge in hitting percentage in the first set. To Marian’s chagrin, Columbia used runs in both sets, taking advantage of errors from the visitors on the scoreboard to build firm leads. In set one Marian rallied back behind Gabby Fish and Khori Dryden, but came up shot falling 25-22.
The second set remained equally competitive after runs were allowed, with Marian fighting back from an early 9-6 deficit. Columbia never led by more than four points in the final half of the set, due to the efforts of Sydney Schaffer and Madison Brooks. Marian would eventually lead 20-19, but saw their edge slip away after yielding a 4-0 run, going on to lose the set 25-23.
Trailing in the match 0-2, the Knights came out with a vengeance in the third set, getting a block from Mikayla Christiansen and Dart on the first rally, sparking an 8-3 run to open play. The Cougars would fight back to tie the set on four different occasions, as the two sides exchanged two and three point swings. With the score evened 15-15, Gabby Fish and Khori Dryden made the push to keep Marian in the lead, establishing a lead before a spike from Christiansen halted the difference in runs. Marian would go on to win the race to 20 points, and finished the set strong with kills from their senior outside hitters Fish and Christiansen to win the game 25-22. The Knights posted a .356 hitting percentage in the set win, landing 19 kills.
Marian made an early impression in the fourth set as the rally was on, opening the game with a 3-0 run to resulted in an early 10-7 lead. A 7-1 stretch paced by Evie Dart blocks gave the Knights breathing room from the Cougars, which was needed as Columbia began to fight back. The Cougars would get within three points on as many opportunities in the final 15 rallies, but were unable to inch the gap thanks to Marian’s strong defense, as the Knights willed their way to a 25-18 win. Fish and Christiansen put the set away scoring the final points in the set.
With the match tied 2-2, Marian aimed to secure an early-season reverse sweep, doing so with gusto as they willed a quick 4-0 run to start the fifth set. Marian continued to fight as their lead grew to a 6-3 margin, going on a 6-0 run through a pair of Columbia timeouts to take a commanding 12-3 lead. Sarah Bennett played a key part in the run earning a pair of kills and a block, fueling the finishing touches. Sydney Schaffer and Madison Brooks keyed the winning 3-0 run, as Marian cruised in the final set, winning 15-4 to secure the 3-2 win.
Marian scored 84 points in the win and recorded 65 kills, out-scoring the seventh-ranked team in the NAIA by 21 points. Marian held an 11-5 lead in total blocks, and earned a two more service aces than the Cougars. The balanced offensive attack was led by Christiansen, who landed 16 kills to go with 17 digs, putting away her second double-double of the season. Fish and Dryden each finished the match with 14 kills, and Brooks had nine in the win. Emma Lyons had 28 digs and recorded six assists, while Logan Smith recorded 31 assists and 13 digs for a double-double. Sami Luttel had 21 assists in the match, and Evie Dart led Marian in total blocks with seven, all assists.
(RV) Marian 3-0 (RV) Xavier
After a gap between their lengthy win over Columbia, Marian returned to the court to play the host team Xavier, matching up in New Orleans for the second time in the series history. The Knights faced little challenges in the first set, as the offense came out firing on all cylinders with hitters Madison Brooks, Mikayla Christiansen, and Khori Dryden establishing a 12-6 lead. Xavier would inch within three after Marian’s hot start, but a service error slowed the home team, as the Knights used a 7-0 run to take a commanding double-figure lead. Holding a 19-9 edge, Marian went on a 6-4 finishing run, getting kills from Sarah Bennett and Nicole Wilkinson in the spurt to close the 25-13 win.
Fatigue began to settle in for the Knights in the second and third sets, as Xavier was able to fight at an even pace with Marian throughout the two games. Neither team was able to grab a firm hold on the lead, as the score teetered between two points through the opening 22 rallies, with a 3-0 Marian run benefiting their early 12-10 lead. Xavier would pull in front 18-16 after going on a 5-1 swing, but the Knights were able to calm the Gold Nuggets offense with a pair of swings from Christiansen. The Gold Nuggets would push ahead 22-20, but after a timeout by Marian, Gabby Fish and Emma Hirchak helped push the Knights in front, as the lead shifted to a 25-24 advantage for the guests. Xavier would briefly tie the match, but back to back kills from Christiansen pushed Marian to the finish, giving them a 27-25 win.
Leading 2-0, Marian got off to a shaky start in the third set, falling behind 13-4 early in the game. A timeout calmed Marian as they rattled off three consecutive points in two different runs, forcing a timeout as they rallied within four. Xavier built their lead back to six with a 17-11 edge, but were unable to hold off the strong-minded Knights, as Fish and Emma Lyons helped ignite a 6-0 run to tie the game 17-17. A series of back and forth plays held the score in check, with Marian gaining a one-point led twice before the score locked into a 23-23 affair. Logan Smith scored a go-ahead kill to get Marian to set point, but Xavier denied the finish to extend the match. A swing from Gabby Fish saw Marian once again push in front by one and force match point, which would go to the Knights on the next rally on an attack error, closing the marathon day with a 26-24 third set win.
Marian’s sweep is their fifth win in three sets this season. The offense of Marian was led by Christiansen, who scored 13 kills and 10 digs for her second consecutive double-double, while the senior posted a .257 hitting percentage. Fish hit .368 and recorded eight kills, and Hirchak had six of the team’s 44 kills. Lyons led the team in digs with 12, and Sydney Schaffer and Logan Smith each had nine. Smith recorded 19 assists, while Sami Luttle had 18. Wilkinson led the team in block assists with three.
The Knights will look to grab their fourth win of the week on Saturday, facing an early turnaround as they play MidAmerica Nazarene at 10:30 a.m. ET.
WABASH GOLF
WABASH GOLFERS READY TO ROLL AT TRANSYLVANIA FALL INVITE
A veteran group of golfers takes the course this weekend to begin the Wabash College golf team’s 2024-2025 season. The Little Giants compete at the Transylvania Fall Invitational on Saturday and Sunday to begin fall action.
Senior Lewis Dellinger averaged 77.56 strokes over 18 rounds last season while posting a 21st-place finish at the North Coast Athletic Conference Championships. Fellow senior Robert Pruzin played 16 rounds last season and averaged 81.31 for 18 holes for the year. Senior Matthew Lesniak played in seven rounds, averaging 78.86 strokes per round. He tied for 15th place out of 84 golfers competing at the 2024 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Tournament.
Junior Sean Bledsoe finished second among Wabash golfers last season in scoring average at 75.79 strokes over 25 rounds. He recorded a fifth-place finish at the DePauw Spring Clash and a seventh-place finish at the Great Lakes Tournament. Bledsoe enters the season ranked second in all-time scoring average at 75.79 strokes in 48 career rounds. Junior Dylan Barkley will participate in this weekend’s tournament at the University Club of Kentucky in Lexington. He played in two matches last season, averaging 79 strokes over 18 holes. Fellow juniors Liam McAllister, Lucas Ranard, and Landon Timmons, as well as sophomores Seth Hooe and Dakota Stacy, will also have opportunities to earn spots in the lineup in the remaining three fall tournaments.
Seven freshmen make up the 2024-25 roster, including players from Argentina and the Czech Republic.
Wabash is scheduled to compete at the Midwest Region Classic in Kansasville, Wisconsin, in late September, followed by the DePauw Fall Invitational the next week. The Little Giants will host their annual fall invitational at Broadmoor Country Club in Indianapolis October 7-8 to close out fall competition.
INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEBSITES
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/
HOY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
24 – 14 – 18 – 32 – 17 – 22 – 43 – 30 – 7 – 23 – 27
August 31, 1894 – Philadelphia’s Billy Hamilton stole 7 bases in a single game
August 31, 1900 – Brooklyn Dodgers’ pitcher, Brickyard Kennedy walked 6 straight Phillies
August 31, 1903 – New York Giants future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Joe McGinnity won his 3rd doubleheader of month, beating the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-1 and 9-2 at the Polo Grounds
August 31, 1909 – A. J. Reach Co. patented a cork-centered baseball
August 31, 1915 – Chicago White Sox hurler Jimmy Lavender threw a masterpiece no-hitter versus the NY Giants line-up, aiding in a 2-0 victory
August 31, 1935 – Chicago White Sox veteran pitcher Vern Kennedy, who wore Number 24 that season, tossed a whale of a game as he no-hit the Cleveland Indians, resulting in a 5-0 win for the Chisox.
August 31, 1950 – Brooklyn Dodger Gil Hodges, Number 14 smacked 4 home runs and then added a single in a game vs the Braves
August 31, 1954 – Cincinnati Reds 1st baseman Number 18, Ted Kluszewski hit two home runs in a 9-3 loss v Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium, Philadelphia; 1st Redleg to ever hit 40 MLB HRs, en route to season total 49
August 31, 1959 – Sandy Koufax (Number 32) of the Los Angeles Dodgers broke Dizzy Dean’s (Number 17 with the Cardinals and Number 22 of the Cubs) National League mark of 18 strikeouts in a game.
August 31, 1990 – Dennis Eckersley, Number 43 saved his 40th game of the season
August 31, 1990 – Like father, like son. Baseball outfielders Ken Griffey (Number 30) and Ken Griffey Jr. (Number 24) became the first father and son to play on same team (Seattle Mariners) in the same game. The pair hit back-to-back singles in the first inning and both scored in an impressive MLB family reunion.
August 31, 1991 – University of Houston Quarterback, David Klingler wearing Number 7, set an NCAA record with 6 touchdown passes in the 2nd quarter as the Cougars clobbered Louisiana Tech 73-3
August 31, 1997 – Don Mattingly’s Number 23 was retired by New York Yankees
August 31, 1997 – Number 27, Eddie George rushed for 216 yards on 35 carries and scores a touchdown as the Oilers, playing their first NFL game in Tennessee, beat Oakland 24-21 in overtime at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis
FOOTBALL HISTORY
August 31, 1934 – The very first Chicago Charities College All-Star Game is played in the city of Chicago, Illinois. Over 79,000 fans watched on as the Chicago Bears and the All-Stars tied in a scoreless game! This would set a tradition of an annual game that would last for over four decades!
August 31, 1938 – The College All-Stars win over the Washington Redskins in the 5th Annual Chicago Charities All-Star Game by the score of 28-16 with a paid attendance of 74,250 looking on. Cecil Isbell the running back from Purdue becomes the very first crowned MVP of the exhibition series for the collegians.
August 31, 1997 – The NFL’s Oilers play their very first game in Tennessee after leaving the city of Houston. The teams running back Eddie George rushed for 216 yards and a TD as the Oilers overcame the Oakland Raiders in overtime 24-21 at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.
Hall of Fame Birthdays for August 31
August 31, 1906 – Bill Spears was a former Vanderbilt University Commodore quarterback that played from 1925 through 1927. His nickname was “Bounding Bill Spears”. The speedster threw very few interceptions and was said that he would have been a shoe-in to win the Heisman Trophy had the award been given back in 1927. Spears was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1962.
August 31, 1918 – Kenny Washington was a tailback hailing from UCLA. Washington has the distinction of being the first African American player to sign a contract in the NFL in the common era (after World War II) with the L.A. Rams after playing in the Pacific Coast League with the Hollywood Bears. As a collegian Kenny Washington rushed for 9,975 yards which was a Bruin record for over 56 years! He was also UCLA’s very first ever consensus All-American in 1939. Mr. Washington was enshrined in the College Football hall of Fame in 1956.
August 31, 1927 – Jim Finks was a former defensive back and quarterback that played for the University of Tulsa. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 12th round of the 1949 NFL Draft. He played in Pittsburgh until 1955 when he retired. His big contribution to football came as an exceutive. He served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame and then moved into the CFL as the Calgary Stampeders General Manager where he helped turn the team around into winning ways. In 1964 he returned to the NFL as the GM of the Minnesota Vikings and helped ignite the franchise to appear in 4 Super Bowls in 14 seasons as he put together the “Purple People Eaters”. He later spent time with the Bears and Saints front offices. The Pro Football Hall of Fame recognized his talents and placed him in their museum of legends in Canton.
August 31, 1946 – Dennis Byrd was a former defensive tackle at North Carolina State. Byrd was a consensus 1st team All-American in 1967. He was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010’s class of entries. Dennis Byrd was drafted by the Boston Patriots in 1968 but due to an injury in his senior year at NC State he only was able to play one year in the league.
August 31, 1952 – Gary Johnson was a former defensive tackle from Grambling State University. The College Football Hall of Fame selected him to enter the confines of collegiate gridiron legends in 2010’s class if entrants. In the 1975 NFL Draft the San Diego Chargers drafted him 8th overall and he played with the for most of his career. He was able to play on the San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XIX winning team and gave Miami QB Dan Marino fits all game which prompted Sports Illustrated to dub him the ‘unofficial defensive MVP” of the game.
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1915 In the first game of a doubleheader at the Polo Grounds, Cubs’ right-hander Jimmy Lavender no-hits the hometown Giants, 2-0. Next season, the 31-year-old knuckleballer will stymie New York again, tossing a one-hitter, allowing only an infield safety to Benny Kauff.
1935 Besides stroking a three-run triple, 28-year-old White Sox Vern Kennedy becomes the sixth rookie to throw a no-hitter. The right-hander’s 5-0 gem against the Indians is the first hitless game thrown in Comiskey Park.
1937 Rudy York belts his 17th and 18th homers of the month, establishing a major league record that lasts until 1998 when Sammy Sosa hits 19 in June. The rookie catcher’s round-trippers help the Tigers maul the Senators at Navin Field, 12-3.
1946 With two singles in the Red Sox’ 4-2 victory over Philadelphia, Johnny Pesky collects 53 hits in August, the highest monthly total in franchise history. In 1950, Dom DiMaggio, a close friend of the shortstop, will tie the mark, also accomplishing the feat in August.
1950 In front of 14,226 fans, Gil Hodges becomes the fourth major leaguer in the century to hit four home runs in one game, en route to tying the major league record of 17 total bases. The Dodger first baseman’s quartet of round-trippers, off different Boston pitchers and Carl Furillo aboard each time, contributes to Brooklyn’s 19-3 rout of the Braves at Ebbets Field.
1954 Closing in on the professional home run record of 69, established by Joe Hauser (Minneapolis-1938) and equaled by Bob Crues (Amarillo-1948), 32-year-old first baseman Joe Bauman blasts four home runs in the Roswell Rockets’ 15-9 victory over the Wichita Falls/Sweetwater Spudders to bring his total to 68. Ponderous Bob finishes the season with 72 homers, a record that will last until Barry Bonds surpasses the mark by one round-tripper in 2001.
(Ed. Note: Ron Skrabacz, born on this date, inspired this entry. His dad was a teammate of Joe’s on the 1949 Elk City Elks.)
1957 Gus Triandos, considered one of the slowest baserunners in baseball history, hits an inside-the-park home run in the Orioles’ 4-1 victory against Boston at Memorial Stadium. The Baltimore backstop circles the bases when his vicious line drive off the outfield wall caroms 100 feet past left fielder Ted Williams, allowing the 27-year-old catcher to complete his improbable round-tripper standing up.
1957 Oriole minor league fireballer Steve Dalkowski strikes out 24 Bluefield players but issues 18 walks, plunks four batters, and uncorks six wild pitches. The New Britain, Connecticut native’s wildness costs him the game when Kingsport loses in an Appalachian League contest, 9-8.
1959 Sandy Koufax fans 18 batters to establish a new National League record for a nine-inning game in the Dodgers’ 5-2 win over San Francisco at the LA Memorial Coliseum. The left-hander’s performance equals the major league mark established in 1938 by Indians fireballer Bob Feller during a 4-1 loss to Detroit.
1963 With two outs in the bottom of the ninth at Wrigley Field, Ellis Burton hits an ultimate grand slam (a walk-off bases-loaded homer when a team is down three runs) off Houston hurler Hal Woodeshick, giving the Cubs a dramatic 6-5 victory. Chicago had been trailing 5-2 before the switch-hitting center fielder hit his Sayonara Slam, the most memorable of his 17 career round-trippers.
1965 Boston’s backstop Russ Nixon ties a major league mark when he hits three run-scoring sacrifice flies. The catcher’s three fly-ball outs are the difference in the Red Sox’s 8-5 victory over the Senators at D.C. Stadium.
1968 Elroy Face ties Senators’ Walter Johnson’s mark for appearances with one team when he enters a game for the 802nd time for the Pirates, replacing Steve Blass, who remains in the game in left field and returns to the mound after the reliever retires one batter to equal the record. Before the final out in Pittsburgh’s 8-0 victory over the Braves, an announcement informs the crowd that Detroit has bought the Bucs’ veteran right-handed record-breaker.
1969 Morganna, a well-endowed fan dressed in a mini dress, jumps onto the Atlanta Stadium field and kisses Clete Boyer on the cheek while standing in the batter’s box. The Braves third baseman then promptly ends a 1-for-17 slump with an RBI single and goes on an 8-for-15 tear.
1974 In a Class A minor league contest, Mavericks’ manager Frank Peters rotates his starting nine, allowing each player to take a different position on the field for every inning. The innovative strategy works as Portland posts an 8-7 victory over the Tri-Cities Ports, their Northwest League opponents.
1984 Trailing by five runs in the bottom of the ninth, the Rangers score six times to beat the Brewers, 7-6. With two runs in and two out, Milwaukee shortstop Robin Yount’s error on Gary Ward’s ground ball loads the bases, setting the stage for Buddy Bell’s ‘sayonara slam’ over the left-field wall off Pete Ladd.
1985 After completing the first frame in a 6-0 loss to the Mariners at Memorial Stadium, Cal Ripken, Jr. plays his 5,153rd consecutive inning, one more than George Pinkney, who set the previous mark over six seasons from 1885 to 1890, playing mostly in American Association contests. After being replaced for a pinch-hitter on June 4, 1982, the Baltimore shortstop played every inning to finish the season and will continue to play every inning until September 14, 1987, extending the record to 8,264.
1990 On the final day of the season, reliever Mariano Rivera starts a game of a doubleheader for the Gulf Coast Yankees, giving him enough innings to qualify for GCL’s ERA title, an accomplishment that carries a contractual bonus. The Sandman responds by hurling a seven-inning no-hitter against Bradenton to finish the season with a 0.17 ERA, 0.46 WHIP, 58 strikeouts in 52 innings, and $500 richer.
1990 Ken Griffey and Ken Griffey Jr. become the first father and son to appear in the same major league lineup. The 40-year-old left fielder and his 20-year-old offspring score a run in the Mariners’ 5-2 victory over the Royals at the Kingdome.
1990 Refusing to part with Triple-A third baseman Scott Cooper to get Larry Andersen from the Astros for the stretch run, Red Sox general manager Lou Gorman trades the Eastern League’s MVP Jeff Bagwell for the right-handed relief pitcher. The University of Hartford standout will win the National League Rookie of the Year Award (1991), becoming the league’s MVP in the same year Andersen, who hurled only 21 innings in 15 games during his time in Boston, retires from the Phillies (1994).
1992 The A’s trade Jose Canseco to the Rangers for Ruben Sierra, Bobby Witt, and Jeff Russell and an undisclosed amount of money. Baseball’s bad boy will hit 45 home runs and bat .269 during his three-year tenure in Texas.
1995 Albert Belle hits an extra-inning walk-off home run in two consecutive games when he goes deep off Jimmy Rogers in the tenth, giving the Indians a 6-4 victory over the Blue Jays at Jacobs Field. The Cleveland left fielder ended yesterday’s contest in the 14th frame with a round-tripper to deep left-center field off Toronto’s Tony Castillo for a 4-3 win.
1997 Braves outfielder Andruw Jones hits the club’s tenth grand slam this year, breaking the National League mark for four-run round-trippers in a single season. Ironically, the team sets the record in an American League park when Atlanta defeats the Red Sox at Fenway, 7-3.
1997 In front of a crowd of 55,707, the Yankees add Don Mattingly’s uniform number 23 to the list of retired numbers on the wall at Monument Park. The former Bronx Bomber first baseman, who served as team captain from 1991 to 1995, is the first Yankee to have his uniform number retired without playing in a World Series.
2000 The Red Sox trade two minor league pitchers, prospect John Curtice and their 1996 first-round pick (34th overall) Chris Reitsma, to the Reds for Dante Bichette. The 36-year-old veteran outfielder will be Boston’s designated hitter, batting .287 for his new team before retiring at the end of next season.
2001 Upon learning Danny Almonte, star pitcher of the LLWS, is 14 years old, not 12 as required by the organization’s rules, the Little League strips the Rolando Paulino All-Stars of all its wins. The team, which had captured the heart of the community, finished third in Williamsport, was given a parade in New York, and a pregame ceremony honored the squad at Yankee Stadium.
2001 Former major league catcher Crash Davis, 82, whose name was the inspiration for the main character of the 1988 hit movie Bull Durham, dies after a yearlong bout with cancer. In the film, which was ranked #1 as the greatest sports film of all time by Sports Illustrated, Kevin Costner portrays “Crash” as the veteran backstop of the Durham Bulls brought in to help a rookie pitcher reach the big leagues by sharing his experiences on and off the field.
2002 Losing their 13th consecutive game at Shea Stadium, the Mets complete the worst month at home in National League history. With the 1-0 loss to Randy Wolf and the Phillies, the Amazins’ join the Seattle Pilots (August-1969) and the Tigers (September-1996) as teams that have not won a home game in a calendar month with at least ten games.
2004 Omar Vizquel becomes the first player in the 81-year history of Yankee Stadium to collect six hits in a game. The Indians shortstop’s 6-for-7 performance, which includes four singles and two doubles, helps pace the Tribe’s 22-0 dismantling of the Bronx Bombers.
2004 Equaling the largest shutout margin of victory in baseball history, the Indians rout the Yankees, 22-0. The biggest defeat in the Bronx Bombers’ 101-year history matches the 1975 Pirates’ record-setting performance against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
2005 On the third pitch he sees in the bigs, Jeremy Hermida becomes only the second player to hit a grand slam in his first major league at-bat. The Marlin rookie pinch-hitter joins Phillies hurler Bill Duggleby, who accomplished the same feat in 1898.
2006 With his major league-leading 49th home run, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard establishes a new club record for home runs in a single season. Last year’s Rookie of the Year’s fourth-inning long ball at RFK Stadium puts him ahead of Hall Famer Michael Schmidt, who hit 48 dingers in 1980.
2006 A.J. Pierzynski’s sixth-inning blast makes the White Sox the first club in major league history to hit at least 200 home runs for seven consecutive seasons. The catcher’s two-run homer isn’t enough as Chicago loses to the Devil Rays at Comiskey Park, 5-3.
2007 Tony La Russa becomes the winningest manager in franchise history when the Cardinals defeat Cincinnati at Busch Stadium, 8-5. The Redbird skipper surpasses Red Schoendienst, who compiled a 1,041-955 managerial record with St. Louis.
2007 After walking the leadoff hitter John Buck in the ninth to spoil his perfect game, Scott Baker retires a batter, then yields a single to pinch-hitter Mike Sweeney two outs shy of a no-hitter. The Twins’ 25-year-old right-hander from Shreveport settles for a one-hitter, blanking the Royals at the Metrodome, 5-0.
2008 Greg Dobbs breaks the Phillies’ 95-year-old club record for pinch hits in a season. The Californian’s seventh-inning pinch-hit game-tying double, his 21st hit off the bench, breaks the mark established by Doc Miller in 1913.
2008 The Blue Jays trade David Eckstein to the Diamondbacks for minor-league pitching prospect Chad Beck. The 33-year-old infielder, who played a pivotal role for the 2002 World Champions Angels and was named the 2006 World Series MVP playing for the Cardinals, is obtained by Arizona to provide postseason leadership and experience.
2010 Jeff Francoeur is traded to the Rangers by the Mets in exchange for infielder Joaquin Arias. The rifle-armed right fielder will be a right-handed bat off the bench and a defensive replacement for the playoff-bound Texas team.
2010 At Great American Ball Park, Aroldis Chapman makes his much-anticipated major league debut, tossing a perfect eighth inning in the Reds’ 8-4 victory over Milwaukee. The 22-year-old Cuban defector lives up to the hype, throwing four pitches at 100 mph or better.
2010 The Dodgers swap a player to be named (infielder Tony Abreu) to the Diamondbacks for starter Jon Garland. The 31-year-old right-hander will post a 3-2 record with a 2.72 ERA in his six late-season starts with the team before signing as a free agent with San Diego.
2011 Craig Kimbrel sets a rookie record with his 41st save when he retires the side in order in the Braves’ 3-1 victory over Washington at Turner Field. The 23-year-old Atlanta closer, who will finish the season with 46, surpasses Neftali Feliz’s saves record established last season with the Rangers.
2011 In a stretch-run trade with Pittsburgh, the Braves acquired Matt Diaz for a player to be named and cash considerations. The 33-year-old outfielder, who played with Atlanta for five years, left the organization after the 2010 season when he inked a two-year, $4.25 million free-agent deal with the Pirates.
2011 The Diamondbacks set a team record with their 12th consecutive victory at home when they beat Colorado at Chase Field, 4-2. The streak surpasses the mark established by the 2000 and 2003 clubs.
2012 Bob Uecker, known for his humor on and off the diamond, is honored by the Brewers in a light-hearted dedication ceremony outside Miller Park that unveils a seven-foot bronze statue of the team’s popular broadcaster. The sculpture, depicting the smiling “Mr. Baseball” with his hands in his pockets, joins the likenesses of Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Robin Yount, and Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig in front of the ballpark.
2014 In the Japanese National High School Rubber Baseball Tournament semifinals, Chukyo finally breaks the scoreless tie that had captured the nation’s attention, tallying three runs in the 50th inning to beat Sotoku High School. Both starting pitchers, Chukyo’s Taiga Matsui and Jukiya Ishioka of Sotoku, go the distance, throwing 709 and 689 pitches in the contest that takes four days to complete and avoiding the winner being decided with a random drawing if the tie remains after 54 innings.
(Ed. Note- A rubber ball is a softer baseball that does not rebound off the bat as quickly as a hardball, making the game safer for the players. -LP)
2014 At the waiver deadline, the White Sox trade Adam Dunn to the A’s for 23-year-old minor-league pitcher Nolan Sanburn, who is 3-1 with a 3.28 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 71.1 innings hurling for Class A Stockton. Oakland hopes their new slugger, a 34-year-old two-time All-Star with 460 career homers, can provide some offensive punch for the contending team, which recently has been slumping.
2019 The Rangers retire seven-time All-Star infielder Michael Young’s uniform #10. During his 12 years in the Texas lineup, the second baseman turned shortstop becomes the franchise’s career leader in runs, hits, doubles, triples, and total bases.
2022 With Timmy Trumpet playing his entrance song, Narco, a five-year-old tune by the Aussie horn player and the Dutch EDM duo Blasterjaxx, Edwin Díaz jogs to the mound for the Mets, creating one of the most memorable moments in franchise history. The New York closer lives up to the hype, retiring the side in order on nine pitches to earn the save in the team’s 2-1 victory over the Dodgers at Citi Field.
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
Aug. 31
1881 — The first U.S. men’s single tennis championships begin at the Newport Casino, in Newport, Rhode Island.
1895 — The first professional football game is played at Latrobe, Pa., between Latrobe and Jeannette, Pa. Latrobe pays $10 to quarterback John Brallier for expenses.
1934 — The Chicago Bears and the College All-Stars played to a 0-0 tie before 79,432 in the first game of this series.
1950 — Brooklyn’s Gil Hodges ties a major league record by hitting Boston Brave pitching for four homers in the Dodgers’ 19-3 rout. Hodges also added a single for 17 total bases.
1955 — Nashua, ridden by Eddie Arcaro, goes wire-to-wire to defeat Swaps, ridden by Bill Shoemaker in a match race at Washington Park. Nashua’s victory avenges his second-place finish, behind Swaps, in the 1955 Kentucky Derby.
1972 — American super swimmer Mark Spitz wraps up the Olympic butterfly double with a world record 54.27 in the 100m in Munich, having already won the 200m in world record time 2:00.70.
1977 — John McEnroe plays his first U.S. Open match and receives his first Open code of conduct penalty in a 6-1, 6-3 first-round win over fellow 18-year-old Eliot Teltscher.
1979 — Sixteen-year-old Tracy Austin defeats 14-year-old Andrea Jaeger, 6-2, 6-2, in the second round of the U.S. Open Earlier in the day, John Lloyd defeats Paul McNamee, 5-7, 6-7, 7-5, 7-6, 7-6, in the longest match by games at the Open since the introduction of the tie-break. The two play 63 of a maximum 65 games in three hours and 56 minutes.
1984 — Pinklon Thomas wins a 12-round decision over Tim Witherspoon in Las Vegas to win the WBC heavyweight title.
1985 — Angel Cordero Jr., 42, becomes the third rider in history behind Bill Shoemaker and Laffit Pincay Jr. to have his mounts earn $100 million, while riding at Belmont Park.
1990 — Baseball outfielders Ken Griffey and Ken Griffey Jr. become the 1st father and son to play on same team (Seattle Mariners), the pair hit back-to-back singles in the first inning and both scored.
1991 — Houston quarterback David Klingler sets an NCAA record with six touchdown passes in the second quarter as the Cougars pound Louisiana Tech 73-3.
1996 — Oklahoma State becomes the first Division I-A team to win a regular-season overtime game, avoiding an embarrassing loss to Division I-AA Southwest Missouri State, when David Thompson’s 13-yard touchdown run gives the Cowboys a 23-20 win.
1997 — Eddie George rushes for 216 yards, the second best opening-day NFL performance, in helping Tennessee past Oakland 24-21 in overtime.
1999 — The U.S. Open loses two-time defending champion Patrick Rafter because of injury. Rafter, bothered by a right shoulder injury, retires after Cedric Pioline breaks his serve in the opening game of the fifth set. It’s the first time a defending champion — man or woman — loses in the first round in the history of this Grand Slam tournament going back to 1881.
2001 — Pitcher Danny Almonte who dominated the Little League World Series with his 70 mph fastballs is ruled ineligible after government records experts determine he actually is 14, and that birth certificates showing he was two years younger are false. The finding nullifies all the victories by his Bronx, N.Y., team, the Rolando Paulino Little League All-Stars.
2007 — Jeremy Wariner leads an American sweep of the medals in the 400 meters at the track and field world championships. Wariner wins in a personal best 43.45 seconds, with LaShawn Merritt taking silver and Angelo Taylor getting bronze. It’s the first medal sweep for any country in the men’s 400 at the world championships.
2007 — Exactly 28 years to the day, No. 3 Novak Djokovic and Radek Stepanek tie the U.S. Open record for most games played (63 of a maximum 65) in a match. Djokovic outlasts Stepanek 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (2), in the four-hour, 44-minute match.
2018 — Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams becomes the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player. The All-Pro defensive tackle agrees to a six-year, $135 million deal, which surpasses Von Miller’s contract in Denver as the new benchmark for defenders.
_____
Sept. 1
1923 — The United States wins its fourth consecutive Davis Cup by beating Australia four matches to one.
1946 — Patty Berg wins the U.S. Women’s Open golf title by beating Betty Jameson in the final round.
1971 — John Newcombe becomes the first top-seeded man to lose in the first round of the U.S. Open when he loses to Jan Kodes, 2-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-3.
1972 — American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer beats Russian champion Boris Spassky 12.5-8.5 in Reykjavik, Iceland; most publicized world title match ever played; Fischer 1st American to win title.
1973 — George Foreman knocks out Jose Roman at 2:00 of the first round in Tokyo to retain the heavyweight title.
1977 — Renee Richards, the 43-year-old transsexual who fought for more than a year for the right to play in the women’s singles of a major tennis championship, is beaten in the first round by Virginia Wade, 6-1, 6-4. Tracy Austin, at the age of 14 years, eight months, 20 days, becomes the youngest player to play in the U.S. Open, defeating Heidi Eisterlehner, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, in the first round. Austin’s mark is broken in 1979 by 14-year-old Kathy Horvath.
1984 — Willie Totten of Mississippi Valley State passes for a Division I-AA record 536 yards and nine touchdowns in a 86-0 rout of Kentucky State. Jerry Rice catches 17 passes for 294 yards and five touchdowns and breaks his own Division I-AA record for receiving yards.
1987 — Fifteen-year-old Michael Chang beats Paul McNamee, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, to become the youngest man to win a match at the U.S. Open.
1989 — Chris Evert becomes the first 100-match winner in 108 years of U.S. tennis championships. Evert, playing her final U.S. Open, beat Patricia Tarabini 6-2, 6-4.
1993 — Goran Ivanisevic and Daniel Nestor play the longest tie-break in the history of the U.S. Open (38 points). Ivanisevic wins the first-round match 6-4, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (18).
1998 — Mark McGwire breaks Hack Wilson’s 68-year-old National League record for home runs in a season, hitting his 56th and 57th in the St. Louis Cardinals’ victory over the Florida Marlins.
2004 — Sexual assault charge against LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant is dropped by the Eagle County District Attorney’s offices in Colorado after the victim decides not to participate.
2007 — Appalachian State 34, No. 5 Michigan 32. Julian Rauch’s 24-yard field goal with 26 seconds left puts the Mountaineers ahead of the Wolverines and Corey Lynch blocks a field goal in the final seconds to seal one of college football’s biggest upsets.
2012 — Eureka (Ill.) College quarterback Sam Durley passes for 736 yards in a 62-55 victory over Knox to break the NCAA single-game passing record. Durley completes 34 of 52 passes and throws for five touchdowns, including two in the final two minutes as the Red Devils close the Division III game with 17 unanswered points.
2014 — Kei Nishikori outlasts Milos Raonic in a five-set marathon that ends a 2:26 a.m., tying the latest finish in U.S. Open history.
2015 — Indiana’s Tamika Catchings scores 13 points, and the Fever beat the Connecticut Sun 81-51 to reach the playoffs for a WNBA-record 11th straight season.
2019 — Justin Verlander, Houston Astros, strikes out 14 batters as he throws his third career no-hitter in a 2-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
2021 — Christiano Renaldo breaks the world record for goals scores in men’s international football with his 110th and 111th goals for Portugal in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over the Republic of Ireland.
_____
Sept. 2
1901 — Seven-year-old Ogden wins two races in a single day at Sheepshead Bay race track in Coney Island, New York. Ogden edges Cameron by a head in the second race on the card, a six furlong sprint on the main track. In the sixth race, a 1 1-16 mile distance on the turf, Ogden beats Monarka by a length.
1908 — Tommy Burns knocks out Bill Lang in the sixth round in Melbourne for his last successful defense of his heavyweight title.
1924 — Bill Tilden wins his fifth straight U.S. men’s singles title with a 6-1, 9-7, 6-2 victory over Bill Johnston.
1940 — Byron Nelson wins the PGA by beating Sam Snead 1-up at the Hershey Country Club in Pennsylvania.
1945 — Frank Parker wins the men’s singles title in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships by beating Bill Talbert. Sarah Palfrey Cooke beats Pauline Betz for the women’s title.
1965 — Cubs slugger Ernie Banks hits his MLB 400th career HR (off Curt Simmons) in Chicago’s 5-3 win v St. Louis at Wrigley Field; Simmons also gave up Willie Mays’ 400th HR in 1963.
1970 — The tie-break debuts in Grand Slam tennis at the U.S. Open. A total of 26 tie-breaks (the nine-point sudden death tie-break) are played on the first day of the tournament. Bob McKinley and Ray Ruffels both win matches in fifth-set tie-breaks.
1971 — Sixteen-year-old Chris Evert wins the first of her record 101 U.S. Open matches, defeating Edda Buding, 6-1, 6-0, in 42 minutes. Jimmy Connors, playing on 19th birthday, comes back from a two-set deficit to beat Alex Olmedo for his first U.S. Open victory.
1984 — In his first NFL start, Atlanta’s Gerald Riggs rushes for 202 yards and scores two touchdowns as the Falcons beat New Orleans 36-28.
1991 — Jimmy Connors turns 39 years old and rallies from a 2-5 fifth-set deficit to defeat 24-year-old Aaron Krickstein, 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6. The fourth-round Labor Day match lasts 4 hours and 41 minutes.
1995 — Frank Bruno wins a heavyweight championship in his fourth attempt registering a unanimous decision over Oliver McCall to take his WBC title in Wembley, England.
2001 — Michael Schumacher becomes the winningest driver in Formula One history, winning the Belgian Grand Prix for his 52nd career victory. Schumacher breaks the mark shared with Alain Prost and clinches his fourth world championship.
2004 — In a second-round match, Sargis Sargsian defeats Nicolas Massu, 6-7 (8), 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4, in five hours and nine minutes. It’s the second-longest match on record at the U.S. Open and falls 18 minutes shy of breaking the record for longest match, set in 1992 when Stefan Edberg defeated Michael Chang in 5:26 in the semifinals.
2007 — Clay Buchholz throws a no-hitter in his second career start against the Baltimore Orioles.
2008 — Adrian Beltre goes 5 for 6 and hits for the cycle in a 12-6 Seattle Mariners win over the Texas Rangers.
TV SPORTS SATURDAY
| MLB REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| St. Louis at New York | 1:05pm | MLBN YES Bally Sports Midwest |
| Chi. Cubs at Washington | 4:05pm | MLBN MARQ MASN |
| San Diego at Tampa Bay | 4:10pm | MLBN Padres.TV Bally Sports Sun |
| Boston at Detroit | 6:10pm | NESN Bally Sports Detroit |
| Pittsburgh at Cleveland | 6:10pm | ATTSN-PIT Bally Sports Great Lakes |
| Oakland at Texas | 7:05pm | NBC Sports California Bally Sports Southwest |
| Kansas City at Houston | 7:10pm | Bally Sports Kansas City SCHN |
| NY Mets at Chi. White Sox | 7:10pm | WPIX NBC Sports Chicago |
| Toronto at Minnesota | 7:10pm | Bally Sports North Sportsnet |
| Atlanta at Philadelphia | 7:15pm | FOX |
| Milwaukee at Cincinnati | 7:15pm | FOX |
| Baltimore at Colorado | 8:10pm | MASN2 Rockies.TV |
| LA Dodgers at Arizona | 8:10pm | SNLA YurView |
| Miami at San Francisco | 9:05pm | MLBN Bally Sports Florida NBC Sports Bay |
| Seattle at LA Angels | 9:38pm | MLBN ROOT Bally Sports West |
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| 14 Clemson vs 1 Georgia | 12:00pm | ABC ESPN3 |
| Illinois State at 25 Iowa | 12:00pm | BTN |
| 8 Penn State at West Virginia | 12:00pm | FOX |
| UConn at Maryland | 12:00pm | FS1 |
| Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt | 12:00pm | ESPN |
| Bucknell at Navy | 12:00pm | CBSSN |
| Kent State at Pitt | 12:00pm | ESPNU |
| Austin Peay at Louisville | 12:00pm | ACCN |
| Indiana State at Purdue | 12:00pm | BTN |
| Chattanooga at 15 Tennessee | 12:45pm | SECN |
| South Dakota State at 17 Oklahoma State | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Towson at Cincinnati | 2:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Portland State at Washington State | 3:00pm | CW |
| Kennesaw State at UTSA | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Akron at 2 Ohio State | 3:30pm | CBS Paramount+ |
| Merrimack at Air Force | 3:30pm | CBSSN |
| Colorado State at 4 Texas | 3:30pm | ESPN |
| Eastern Michigan at UMass | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| ETSU at Appalachian State | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| FIU at Indiana | 3:30pm | BTN |
| Miami (OH) at Northwestern | 3:30pm | BTN |
| North Dakota at Iowa State | 3:30pm | FS1 |
| Ohio at Syracuse | 3:30pm | ACCN |
| 19 Miami (FL) at Florida | 3:30pm | ABC ESPN3 |
| UTEP at Nebraska | 3:30pm | FOX |
| Western Illinois at NIU | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Boise State at Georgia Southern | 4:00pm | ESPNU |
| Old Dominion at South Carolina | 4:15pm | SECN |
| UC Davis at California | 5:00pm | ACCNX |
| Stony Brook at Marshall | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| North Texas at South Alabama | 5:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Eastern Kentucky at Mississippi State | 6:00pm | SECN+ ESPN+ |
| Richmond at Virginia | 6:00pm | ACCNX |
| Norfolk State at East Carolina | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Campbell at Liberty | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Idaho State at Oregon State | 6:30pm | CW |
| Nevada at Troy | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Tarleton State at Baylor | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Tennessee Tech at Middle Tennessee | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Bethune-Cookman at USF | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| North Alabama at Memphis | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Central Arkansas at Arkansas State | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UNLV at Houston | 7:00pm | FS1 |
| Sam Houston at Rice | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| UT Martin at 18 Kansas State | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| WKU at 5 Alabama | 7:00pm | ESPN |
| Furman at 6 Ole Miss | 7:00pm | SECN+ ESPN+ |
| Abilene Christian at Texas Tech | 7:30pm | ESPN+ |
| 7 Notre Dame at 20 Texas A&M | 7:30pm | ABC ESPN3 |
| Fresno State at 9 Michigan | 7:30pm | NBC Peacock |
| UCLA at Hawaii | 7:30pm | CBS Paramount+ |
| Idaho at 3 Oregon | 7:30pm | BTN |
| Alabama A&M at Auburn | 7:30pm | SECN+ ESPN+ |
| Southern Miss at Kentucky | 7:45pm | SECN |
| James Madison at Charlotte | 8:00pm | ESPNU |
| Grambling State at Louisiana | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| HCU at SMU | 8:00pm | ACCNX |
| Robert Morris at Utah State | 8:00pm | MWN |
| Nicholls at Louisiana Tech | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Georgia State at Georgia Tech | 8:00pm | ACCN |
| Lamar at Texas State | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Texas A&M-Commerce at San Diego State | 8:00pm | truTV Max |
| Southern Illinois at BYU | 8:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Southeast Missouri at New Mexico State | 9:00pm | ESPN+ |
| New Mexico at 21 Arizona | 10:30pm | ESPN |
| Wyoming at Arizona State | 10:30pm | FS1 |
| Weber State at Washington | 11:00pm | BTN |
| WNBA | TIME ET | TV |
| Connecticut at Washington | 7:00pm | NBC Sports Boston MNMT |
| Indiana at Minnesota | 8:00pm | Bally Sports North Extra Bally Sports Indiana |
| MOTORSPORTS | TIME ET | TV |
| Xfinity: Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 | 3:30pm | USA |
| IndyCar: Milwaukee Mile Race 1 | 6:00pm | Peacock |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| Curtis Cup | 8:00am | GOLF |
| PGA: Tour Championship | 1:00pm | GOLF |
| PGA: Tour Championship | 2:30pm | NBC |
| LPGA: FM Championship | 2:30pm | GOLF |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| EPL: Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion | 7:30am | USA Peacock |
| Bundesliga: Bochum vs Borussia M’gladbach | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Bundesliga: Eintracht Frankfurt vs Hoffenheim | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Bundesliga: Stuttgart vs Mainz 05 | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Bundesliga:Werder Bremen vs Borussia Dortmund | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Bundesliga: Hoffenheim vs Holstein Kiel | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| Bundesliga: Holstein Kiel vs Wolfsburg | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| EPL: Everton vs AFC Bournemouth | 10:00am | USA Peacock |
| EPL: Brentford vs Southampton | 10:00am | Peacock |
| EPL: Ipswich Town vs Fulham | 10:00am | Peacock |
| EPL: Leicester City vs Aston Villa | 10:00am | Peacock |
| EPL: Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers | 10:00am | Peacock |
| Ligue 1: Brest vs Saint-Étienne | 11:00am | Fanatiz USA beIN Sports |
| La Liga: Barcelona vs Real Valladolid | 11:00am | ESPN+ |
| EPL: West Ham United vs Manchester City | 12:30pm | NBC Peacock |
| Serie A: Bologna vs Empoli | 12:30pm | CBS Paramount+ |
| Serie A: Lecce vs Cagliari | 12:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Bundesliga: Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig | 12:30pm | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Ligue 1: Montpellier vs Nantes | 1:00pm | Fanatiz USA beIN Sports |
| La Liga: Espanyol vs Rayo Vallecano | 1:15pm | ESPN+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Defensa y Justicia vs Barracas Central | 2:00pm | Fanatiz USA |
| Argentina Primera División: Newell’s Old Boys vs Belgrano | 2:00pm | Fanatiz USA |
| Serie A: Lazio vs Milan | 2:45pm | Paramount+ |
| Serie A: Napoli vs Parma | 2:45pm | Paramount+ |
| Ligue 1: Toulouse vs Olympique Marseille | 3:00pm | Fanatiz USA beIN Sports |
| La Liga: Leganés vs Mallorca | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Valencia vs Villarreal | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Vélez Sarsfield vs Independiente Rivadavia | 5:00pm | Fanatiz USA |
| Argentina Primera División: Talleres Córdoba vs Estudiantes | 5:00pm | Fanatiz USA |
| MLS: Minnesota United vs Seattle Sounders FC | 6:30pm | FOX MLS Season Pass |
| Liga MX: Pachuca vs Querétaro | 7:00pm | VIX |
| Canadian Premier League: Atlético Ottawa vs Vancouver FC | 7:00pm | FOX Soccer Plus Fubo |
| Liga MX: Guadalajara vs Juárez | 7:05pm | Prime |
| MLS: Charlotte vs Atlanta United | 7:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| MLS: Cincinnati vs CF Montréal | 7:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| MLS: Columbus Crew vs New York City | 7:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| MLS: New York RB vs Philadelphia Union | 7:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| MLS: Toronto FC vs DC United | 7:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| MLS: Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC | 7:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| NWSL: Racing Louisville FC vs Seattle Reign | 7:30pm | ION |
| Argentina Primera División: Boca Juniors vs Rosario Central | 8:00pm | Fanatiz USA |
| MLS: Austin vs Vancouver Whitecaps | 8:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| MLS: Chicago Fire vs Inter Miami | 8:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| MLS: Dallas vs Colorado Rapids | 8:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| Liga MX: Monterrey vs Toluca | 9:00pm | TUDN |
| MLS: Real Salt Lake vs New England | 9:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| NWSL: Houston Dash vs Utah Royals | 9:30pm | ION |
| MLS: Los Angeles FC vs Houston Dynamo | 10:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| MLS: Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders FC | 10:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| MLS: SJ Earthquakes vs Minnesota United | 10:30pm | MLS Season Pass |
| Liga MX: Cruz Azul vs América | 11:10pm | VIX TUDN |
| TENNIS | TIME ET | TV |
| US Open | 11:00am | ESPN2 ESPN+ |
| US Open | 7:00pm | ESPN2 |
| PARALYMPICS | TIME ET | TV |
| Swimming, Goalball, Basketball | 7:15am | CNBC |
TV SPORTS SUNDAY
| MLB REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Milwaukee at Cincinnati | 12:10pm | Bally Sports Wisconsin Bally Sports Ohio |
| Chi. Cubs at Washington | 1:35pm | MARQ MASN |
| St. Louis at NY Yankees | 1:35pm | MLBN YES Bally Sports Midwest |
| San Diego at Tampa Bay | 1:40pm | Roku SNLA YurView |
| Boston at Detroit | 1:40pm | MLBN NESN Bally Sports Detroit |
| Pittsburgh at Cleveland | 1:40pm | ATTSN-PIT Bally Sports Great Lakes |
| Kansas City at Houston | 2:10pm | Bally Sports Kansas City SCHN |
| NY Mets at Chi. White Sox | 2:10pm | SNY NBC Sports Chicago |
| Toronto at Minnesota | 2:10pm | Bally Sports North Sportsnet |
| Oakland at Texas | 2:35pm | NBC Sports California Bally Sports Southwest |
| Baltimore at Colorado | 3:10pm | MASN2 Rockies.TV |
| Miami at San Francisco | 4:05pm | MLBN Bally Sports Florida NBC Sports Bay |
| Seattle at LA Angels | 4:07pm | MLBN ROOT Bally Sports West |
| LA Dodgers at Arizona | 4:10pm | Roku SNLA YurView |
| Atlanta at Philadelphia | 7:00pm | ESPN |
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| 13 LSU vs 23 USC | 7:30pm | ABC ESPN+ |
| WNBA | TIME ET | TV |
| Seattle vs Connecticut | 1:00pm | NBCS-BOS Prime-Seattle |
| Chicago vs Minnesota | 3:00pm | CW 26 Bally Sports North Extra |
| Indiana vs Dallas | 4:00pm | Bally Sports Indiana Bally Sports SW Extra |
| Las Vegas vs Phoenix | 4:00pm | AFSN SSSEN |
| Atlanta vs Los Angeles | 7:00pm | PeachtreeTV Spectrum |
| MOTORSPORTS | TIME ET | TV |
| FIM: Aragón Grand Prix | 7:30am | TruTV |
| Formula One: Italian Grand Prix | 9:00am | ESPN |
| IndyCar: Milwaukee Mile Race 2 | 2:30pm | USA |
| NASCAR Cup: Cook Out Southern 500 | 6:00pm | USA |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| Curtis Cup | 5:00am | GOLF |
| PGA: Tour Championship | 12:00pm | GOLF |
| PGA: Tour Championship | 1:30pm | NBC |
| LPGA: FM Championship | 1:30pm | GOLF |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| Scottish Premiership: Celtic vs Rangers | 7:30am | CBSSN Paramount+ Fubo |
| Belgium Pro League: Club Brugge vs Cercle Brugge | 7:30am | ESPN+ |
| EPL: Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur | 8:30am | USA Peacock Fubo |
| EPL: Chelsea vs Crystal Palace | 8:30am | Peacock Fubo |
| Ligue 1: Monaco vs Lens | 9:00am | Fanatiz beIN Sports Fubo |
| Bundesliga: Heidenheim vs Augsburg | 9:30am | ESPN+ Fubo |
| La Liga: Deportivo Alavés vs Las Palmas | 11:00am | ESPN+ Fubo |
| La Liga: Osasuna vs Celta de Vigo | 11:00am | ESPN+ Fubo |
| Ligue 1: Angers SCO vs Nice | 11:00am | Fanatiz beIN Sports Fubo |
| Ligue 1: Le Havre vs Auxerre | 11:00am | Fanatiz beIN Sports Fubo |
| Ligue 1: Reims vs Rennes | 11:00am | Fanatiz beIN Sports Fubo |
| EPL: Manchester United vs Liverpool | 11:00am | Peacock Fubo |
| Bundesliga: Bayern München vs Freiburg | 11:30am | ESPN+ Fubo |
| Serie A: Genoa vs Hellas Verona | 12:30pm | CBSSN Paramount+ Fubo |
| Serie A: Fiorentina vs Monza | 12:30pm | Paramount+ Fubo |
| Belgium Pro League: Union Saint-Gilloise vs Anderlecht | 12:30pm | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Sevilla vs Girona | 1:00pm | ESPN+ Fubo |
| La Liga: Getafe vs Real Sociedad | 1:15pm | ESPN+ Fubo |
| Argentina Primera División: Huracán vs Tigre | 1:30pm | Fanatiz Fubo |
| Argentina Primera División: Platense vs San Lorenzo | 1:30pm | Fanatiz Fubo |
| NWSL: North Carolina Courage vs Kansas City Current | 2:00pm | Paramount+ |
| MLS: St. Louis City vs LA Galaxy | 2:45pm | FOX MLS Season Pass Fubo |
| Serie A: Juventus vs Roma | 2:45pm | CBSSN Paramount+ Fubo |
| Serie A: Udinese vs Como | 2:45pm | Paramount+ Fubo |
| Ligue 1: Lille vs PSG | 2:45pm | Fanatiz beIN Sports Fubo |
| Canadian Premier League: Valour vs Vancouver FC | 3:00pm | FOX Soccer Plus Fubo |
| La Liga: Real Madrid vs Real Betis | 3:30pm | ESPN+ Fubo |
| NWSL: Angel City vs Chicago Red Stars | 4:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Independiente vs River Plate | 4:00pm | Fanatiz Paramount+ Fubo |
| Argentina Primera División: Atlético Tucumán vs Racing Club | 6:00pm | Fanatiz Paramount+ Fubo |
| NWSL: Orlando Pride vs NJ/NY Gotham FC | 6:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Liga MX: Pumas UNAM vs Tigres UANL | 7:00pm | VIX TUDN Fubo |
| Argentina Primera División: Banfield vs Instituto | 8:00pm | Fanatiz Paramount+ Fubo |
| NWSL: San Diego Wave vs Washington Spirit | 8:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Liga MX: Santos Laguna vs Necaxa | 9:00pm | VIX TUDN Fubo |
| TENNIS | TIME ET | TV |
| US Open | 11:00am | ESPN ESPN+ |
| US Open | 3:00pm | ABC |
| US Open | 6:00pm | ESPN2 |
| PARALYMPICS | TIME ET | TV |
| Rugby, Goalball, Basketball, Track | 7:15am | CNBC |