“THE SCOREBOARD”
SECTIONAL FOOTBALL FRIDAY OCTOBER 14, 2023
SECTIONAL 17
HOBART (7-2) AT NEW PRAIRIE (7-2)
GARY WEST (6-3) AT KANKAKEE VALLEY (4-5)
EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL (1-8) AT HIGHLAND (3-6)
CULVER ACADEMY (3-6) AT LOWELL (4-5)
SECTIONAL 18
SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (2-7) AT PLYMOUTH (2-7)
NORTHWOOD (7-2) AT SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (4-5)
SOUTH BEND RILEY (8-1) AT WAWASEE (1-8)
NORTHRIDGE (7-2) AT LOGANSPORT (4-5)
SECTIONAL 19
FORT WAYNE WAYNE (5-4) AT FORT WAYNE DWENGER (4-5)
DEKALB (5-4) AT ANGOLA (2-7)
EAST NOBLE (7-2) AT NEW HAVEN (8-1)
LEO (7-2) AT FORT WAYNE SOUTH (1-8)
SECTIONAL 20
MISSISSINEWA (9-0) AT WESTERN (4-5)
COLUMBIA CITY (5-4) AT HUNTINGTON NORTH (1-8)
FRANKFORT (1-8) AT MARION (2-7)
KOKOMO (7-2) AT JAY COUNTY (4-5)
SECTIONAL 21
INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (8-1) AT LEBANON (4-5)
BREBEUF JESUIT (4-4) AT NORTHVIEW (6-3)
INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE (3-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI (3-6)
INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON (5-4) AT MOORESVILLE (4-5)
SECTIONAL 22
PENDLETON HEIGHTS (7-2) AT GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (8-1)
NEW CASTLE (1-8) AT NEW PALESTINE (7-2)
BEECH GROVE (4-5) AT MUNCIE CENTRAL (4-5)
MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) (5-4) AT RICHMOND (1-8)
SECTIONAL 23
EDGEWOOD (2-7) AT JENNINGS COUNTY (4-5)
GREENWOOD (4-5) AT CONNERSVILLE (2-7)
SHELBYVILLE (3-6) AT EAST CENTRAL (9-0)
MARTINSVILLE (6-3) AT SILVER CREEK (6-3)
SECTIONAL 24
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (6-3) AT EVANSVILLE HARRISON (1-8)
BOONVILLE (5-4) AT EVANSVILLE REITZ (9-0)
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (6-3) AT EVANSVILLE CENTRAL (0-9)…INDIANA SRN BROADCAST
JASPER (6-3) AT EVANSVILLE BOSSE (3-6)
SECTIONAL 25
TWIN LAKES (5-4) AT BOONE GROVE (7-2)
CALUMET (3-6) AT HANOVER CENTRAL (9-0)
RIVER FOREST (6-3) AT WEST LAFAYETTE (6-3)
RENSSELAER CENTRAL (5-4) AT GRIFFITH (3-6)
SECTIONAL 26
JIMTOWN (4-5) AT FAIRFIELD (5-4)
SOUTH BEND CLAY (3-6) AT JOHN GLENN (5-4)
KNOX (9-0) AT LAKELAND (6-3)
MISHAWAKA MARIAN (5-4) AT WEST NOBLE (9-0)
SECTIONAL 27
YORKTOWN (4-5) AT FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA (0-9)
DELTA (5-4) AT NORWELL (3-6)
BELLMONT (0-9) AT GARRETT (4-5)
HERITAGE (8-1) AT WOODLAN (2-7)
SECTIONAL 28
GUERIN CATHOLIC (7-2) AT PERU (9-0)…..INDIANA SRN BROADCAST
TIPPECANOE VALLEY (9-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (9-0)….INDIANA SRN BROADCAST
NORTHWESTERN (3-6) AT MACONAQUAH (6-3)
HAMILTON HEIGHTS (9-0) AT OAK HILL (5-4)
SECTIONAL 29
DANVILLE (7-2) AT TRI-WEST (8-1)
WESTERN BOONE (6-3) AT NORTH MONTGOMERY (5-4)
PURDUE POLYTECHNIC (3-6) AT MONROVIA (7-2)
CRAWFORDSVILLE (1-8) AT SPEEDWAY (2-7)
SECTIONAL 30
PIKE CENTRAL (1-8) AT PRINCETON (1-8)
VINCENNES LINCOLN (6-3) AT OWEN VALLEY (3-6)
MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) (5-4) AT GIBSON SOUTHERN (7-2)
WEST VIGO (2-7) AT WASHINGTON (2-7)
SECTIONAL 31
LAWRENCEBURG (7-2) AT CENTERVILLE (9-0)
BATESVILLE (8-1) AT RUSHVILLE (3-6)
FRANKLIN COUNTY (3-6) AT SOUTH DEARBORN (5-4)
GREENSBURG (0-9) AT INDIAN CREEK (6-3)
SECTIONAL 32
SCOTTSBURG (5-4) AT NORTH HARRISON (6-3)
SALEM (2-7) AT MADISON (1-8)
CHARLESTOWN (6-3) AT HERITAGE HILLS (8-1)
CORYDON CENTRAL (0-9) AT SOUTHRIDGE (6-3)
SECTIONAL 33
BREMEN (4-5) AT HAMMOND NOLL (2-7)
ANDREAN (3-6) AT LAVILLE (8-1)
LAKE STATION (2-7) AT WHITING (3-6)
SECTIONAL 34
WINAMAC (3-6) AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (6-3)
BENTON CENTRAL (2-7) AT SEEGER (6-3)
DELPHI (4-5) AT LEWIS CASS (5-4)
SECTIONAL 35
WABASH (2-7) AT EASTSIDE (6-3)
FORT WAYNE LUERS (6-3) AT CHURUBUSCO (2-7)
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (0-9) AT CENTRAL NOBLE (3-6)
MANCHESTER (3-6) AT WHITKO (1-8)
SECTIONAL 36
BLACKFORD (0-9) AT TIPTON (1-8)
ELWOOD (1-8) AT EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (7-2)
EASTBROOK (6-3) AT FRANKTON (4-5)
BLUFFTON (7-2) AT ALEXANDRIA (8-1)
SECTIONAL 37
GREENCASTLE (7-2) AT NORTH PUTNAM (3-6)
LINTON-STOCKTON (7-1) AT NORTH KNOX (5-4)
SOUTH VERMILLION (8-1) AT CASCADE (5-4)
SULLIVAN (5-4) AT SOUTHMONT (4-5)
SECTIONAL 38
LAPEL (5-4) AT EASTERN HANCOCK (5-4)
INDIANAPOLIS RITTER (3-6) AT UNION COUNTY (0-9)
SHENANDOAH (1-8) AT HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (6-3)
NORTHEASTERN (7-2) AT WINCHESTER (6-2)
SECTIONAL 39
TRITON CENTRAL (8-1) AT CLARKSVILLE (1-8)
INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (5-4) AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (8-1)
BROWN COUNTY (1-8) AT SWITZERLAND COUNTY (5-4)
EASTERN (PEKIN) (3-6) AT CHRISTEL HOUSE MANUAL (3-5)
SECTIONAL 40
NORTH POSEY (8-1) AT PERRY CENTRAL (5-4)
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (2-7) AT TELL CITY (6-3)
MITCHELL (2-7) AT FOREST PARK (5-4)
CRAWFORD COUNTY (0-9) AT PAOLI (8-1)
SECTIONAL 41
BOWMAN ACADEMY (1-5) AT SOUTH NEWTON (3-6)
PIONEER (5-4) AT NORTH JUDSON (5-4)
TRITON (6-3) AT NORTH NEWTON (0-9)
CULVER (0-9) AT SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) (3-6)
SECTIONAL 42
FOUNTAIN CENTRAL (5-3) AT PARK TUDOR (9-0)
CLINTON PRAIRIE (5-4) AT COVINGTON (4-5)
NORTH VERMILLION (6-3) AT ATTICA (0-9)
SECTIONAL 43
CASTON (1-8) AT NORTH WHITE (9-0)
CARROLL (FLORA) (9-0) AT TRI-COUNTY (5-3)
WEST CENTRAL (7-2) AT TAYLOR (1-8)
TRI-CENTRAL (3-6) AT FRONTIER (5-4)
SECTIONAL 44
MADISON-GRANT (6-3) AT NORTHFIELD (4-5)
NORTH MIAMI (1-8) AT SOUTHERN WELLS (1-8)
SOUTH ADAMS (6-3) AT ADAMS CENTRAL (9-0)
FREMONT (3-6) AT SOUTHWOOD (4-5)
SECTIONAL 45
MONROE CENTRAL (4-5) AT UNION CITY (2-7)
HAGERSTOWN (6-3) AT SHERIDAN (6-3)
SECTIONAL 46
SOUTH DECATUR (7-2) AT NORTH DECATUR (6-3)
KNIGHTSTOWN (3-6) AT TRI (6-3)
MILAN (6-3) AT CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (1-6)
SECTIONAL 47
NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) (2-7) AT SOUTH PUTNAM (8-1)
PARKE HERITAGE (2-6) AT COVENANT CHRISTIAN (5-3)….INDIANA SRN BROADCAST
RIVERTON PARKE (4-5) AT CLOVERDALE (2-7)
SECTIONAL 48
SPRINGS VALLEY (8-1) AT SOUTH SPENCER (3-6)
PROVIDENCE (9-0) AT EASTERN GREENE (5-4)
NORTH DAVIESS (4-5) AT TECUMSEH (1-8)
SECTIONAL BRACKETS: 6A Bracket | 5A Bracket | 4A Bracket | 3A Bracket | 2A Bracket | 1A Bracket
INDIANA VOLLEYBALL REGIONAL MATCH-UPS
4A
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN – HARRISON
FORT WAYNE CARROLL – HOMESTEAD
MUNSTER – CROWN POINT
WARSAW – LAPORTE
CASTLE – FRANKLIN
FLOYD CENTRAL – CENTER GROVE
YORKTOWN – CATHEDRAL
RONCALLI- AVON
3A
ANGOLA – BELLMONT
BENTON CENTRAL – NEW CASTLE
NORTHWOOD – CULVER ACADEMIES
MISHAWAKA MARIAN – HAMMOND NOLL
PROVIDENCE – EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL
BARR REEVE – LAWRENCEBURG
HAMILTON HEIGHTS – NORTHVIEW
TRI-WEST – SPEEDWAY
2A
ADAMS CENTRAL – LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC
MADISON GRANT – MUNCIE BURRIS
CHRUBUSCO- ILLIANA CHRISTIAN
SOUTH-CENTRAL – PIONEER
NORTH POSEY – LINTON STOCKTON
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL – NORTH DECATUR
SCECINA – NORTHEASTERN
GREENCASTLE – CASCADE
1A
FAITH CHRISTIAN – DALEVILLE
SOUTHWOOD – BLUE RIVER
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK – MARQUETTE CATHOLIC
TRI-COUNTY – KOUTS
TRINITY LUTHERAN – LOOGOOTEE
TECUMSEH – LANESVILLE
SHAKAMAK-INDIANA DEAF
GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN – OLDENBURG ACADEMY
Class 4A Bracket | Class 3A Bracket | Class 2A Bracket | Class 1A Bracket
INDIANA BOYS SOCCER REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
3A
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE NOBLESVILLE VS. LAKE CENTRAL
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE COLUMBUS NORTH VS. CATHEDRAL
2A
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE LEO VS. MISHAWAKA MARIAN
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL VS. BREBEUF
1A
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE PARK TUDOR VS. BETHANY CHRISTIAN
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE FOREST PARK VS. GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN
INDIANA GIRLS SOCCER REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
3A
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE CROWN POINT VS. NOBLESVILLE
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE CATHEDRAL VS. BLOOMINGTON SOUTH
2A
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE LEO VS. MISHAWAKA MARIAN
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL VS. GUERIN CATHOLIC
1A
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE WESTVIEW VS. FW CANTERBURY
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE EVANSVILLE MATER DEI VS. PARK TUDOR
INDIANA CROSS COUNTRY: HTTPS://IN.MILESPLIT.COM/
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK 8
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 33 SAM HOUSTON 27 2OT
NEW MEXICO STATE 28 UTEP 7
THURSDAY, OCT. 19
RICE AT TULSA | 7 P.M. | ESPN2
JAMES MADISON AT MARSHALL | 7 P.M. | ESPN
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL AT MORGAN STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPNU
FRIDAY, OCT. 20
SMU AT TEMPLE | 7 P.M. | ESPN2
SATURDAY, OCT. 21
PENN STATE AT OHIO STATE | 12 P.M. | FOX
UCF AT OKLAHOMA | 12 P.M. | ABC
MISSISSIPPI STATE AT ARKANSAS | 12 P.M. | ESPN
RUTGERS AT INDIANA
BOSTON COLLEGE AT GEORGIA TECH | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
BAYLOR AT CINCINNATI | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
MEMPHIS AT UAB | 12 P.M. | ESPN2
AIR FORCE AT NAVY | 12 P.M. | CBS
NORFOLK STATE AT HOWARD | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE AT DELAWARE STATE | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
PENN AT YALE | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
LEHIGH AT BUCKNELL | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
LAFAYETTE AT HOLY CROSS | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
BROWN AT CORNELL | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTH DAKOTA AT INDIANA STATE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
HARVARD AT PRINCETON | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
MARIST AT PRESBYTERIAN | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
ST. THOMAS (MINN.) AT STETSON | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
SAMFORD AT VMI | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
COLUMBIA AT DARTMOUTH | 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
EAST TENNESSEE STATE AT CHATTANOOGA | 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
CHARLOTTE AT EAST CAROLINA | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
UL MONROE AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
AKRON AT BOWLING GREEN | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
ILLINOIS STATE AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE AT TENNESSEE TECH | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN+
FURMAN AT WESTERN CAROLINA | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN+
COLGATE AT GEORGETOWN | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
MURRAY STATE AT MISSOURI STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
BRYANT AT EASTERN ILLINOIS | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
SE LOUISIANA AT NORTHWESTERN STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN AT UT MARTIN | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
LINCOLN (CA) AT TENNESSEE STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
WASHINGTON STATE AT OREGON | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
SOUTH CAROLINA AT MISSOURI | 3:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
SOUTH FLORIDA AT UCONN | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
PITT AT WAKE FOREST | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
OKLAHOMA STATE AT WEST VIRGINIA | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
NORTH TEXAS AT TULANE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN2
CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT BALL STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
EASTERN MICHIGAN AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
BUFFALO AT KENT STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
WESTERN ILLINOIS AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
TEXAS AT HOUSTON | 4 P.M. | FOX
TOLEDO AT MIAMI (OHIO) | 4 P.M. | ESPNU
IDAHO STATE AT PORTLAND STATE | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
WOFFORD AT MERCER | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
JACKSON STATE AT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTH DAKOTA AT UNI | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
NICHOLLS AT TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
DRAKE AT SAN DIEGO | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
UTSA AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
EASTERN KENTUCKY AT GARDNER-WEBB | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
OLE MISS AT AUBURN | 7 P.M. | ESPN
TCU AT KANSAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN2
COASTAL CAROLINA AT ARKANSAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
COLORADO STATE AT UNLV | 7 P.M. | MOUNTAIN WEST NETWORK
UTAH STATE AT SAN JOSE STATE | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
UTAH TECH AT NORTH ALABAMA | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
MOREHEAD STATE AT TARLETON STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
WEBER STATE AT EASTERN WASHINGTON | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
ARMY AT LSU | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
GEORGIA STATE AT LOUISIANA | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
FLORIDA A&M AT TEXAS SOUTHERN | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
AUSTIN PEAY AT SOUTHERN UTAH | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTHERN COLORADO AT CAL POLY | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
UIW AT MCNEESE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
UCLA AT STANFORD | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
MONTANA STATE AT SACRAMENTO STATE | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN2
MICHIGAN AT MICHIGAN STATE
DUKE AT FLORIDA STATE
ARIZONA STATE AT WASHINGTON
UTAH AT USC
TENNESSEE AT ALABAMA
VIRGINIA AT NORTH CAROLINA
CLEMSON AT MIAMI (FLA.)
WISCONSIN AT ILLINOIS
MINNESOTA AT IOWA
NORTHWESTERN AT NEBRASKA
TEXAS TECH AT BYU
APPALACHIAN STATE AT OLD DOMINION
WESTERN MICHIGAN AT OHIO
NEVADA AT SAN DIEGO STATE
NFL WEEK 7 SCHEDULE
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (THU) 7:15P (CT) 8:15P PRIME VIDEO
DETROIT LIONS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT CHICAGO BEARS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P FOX
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT NEW YORK GIANTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
ATLANTA FALCONS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS 1:05P (PT) 4:05P FOX
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 1:05P (PT) 4:05P FOX
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT DENVER BRONCOS 2:25P (MT) 4:25P CBS
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 3:25P (CT) 4:25P CBS
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 8:20P (ET) 8:20P NBC*
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (MON) 7:15P (CT) 8:15P ESPN
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
FULL SCHEDULE FOR 2023 MLB POSTSEASON
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18
HOUSTON 8 TEXAS 5
THURSDAY, OCT. 19
PHI @ AZ, GAME 3, TBS
HOU @ TEX, GAME 4, FOX/FS1
FRIDAY, OCT. 20
PHI @ AZ, GAME 4, TBS
HOU @ TEX, GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
SATURDAY, OCT. 21
PHI @ AZ, GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
SUNDAY, OCT. 22
TEX @ HOU, GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
MONDAY, OCT. 23
AZ @ PHI, GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
TEX @ HOU, GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
TUESDAY, OCT. 24
AZ @ PHI, GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
WORLD SERIES
PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE
FRIDAY, OCT. 27
GAME 1 (AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
SATURDAY, OCT. 28
GAME 2 (AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
MONDAY, OCT. 30
GAME 3, FOX
TUESDAY, OCT. 31
GAME 4, FOX
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1
GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), FOX
FRIDAY, NOV. 3
GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY, AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
SATURDAY, NOV. 4
GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY, AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
NBA PRE-SEASON
BROOKLYN 107 MIAMI 104
WASHINGTON 131 NEW YORK 106
SAN ANTONIO 117 HOUSTON 103
GOLDEN STATE 116 SACRAMENTO 115
NHL SCOREBOARD
OTTAWA 6 WASHINGTON 1
DETROIT 6 PITTSBURGH 3
WNBA SCORES
LAS VEGAS 70 NEW YORK 69 (ACES WIN SERIES 3-1)
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
MIAMI 2 CHARLOTTE 2
TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS/NEWS
ALTUVE AND JAVIER LEAD ASTROS TO 8-5 WIN AT RANGERS AS HOUSTON CLOSES TO 2-1 IN ALCS
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Cristian Javier knew right away his fastball was working in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series. Then again, it’s October, when he always seems to be at his best for the Houston Astros.
“There’s not a better feeling than knowing that your teammates instill their confidence in you,” Javier said through his translator. “They expect good things in you and put their trust in you.”
The 26-year-old Dominican right-hander known as “El Reptil” delivered again, working into the sixth inning of another solid postseason start, and the Astros beat the Texas Rangers 8-5 on Wednesday night to close to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
“He was good. He was very good,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said.
Javier held Texas to two runs and three hits over 5 2/3 innings. He threw 51 of 85 pitches for strikes and walked only one batter.
“These moments are extremely special for me,” said Javier, who won for the second time these playoffs, and is 4-0 in his four career postseason starts while allowing only five total hits.
Texas lost for the first time this postseason after a 7-0 start. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was gone after four innings in his first outing in more than a month after recovering from a strained shoulder muscle.
Javier set a franchise record for the defending champion Astros by extending his postseason scoreless streak to 20 1/3 innings until the fifth, when rookie All-Star starting third baseman Josh Jung hit the first of his pair of two-run homers.
“He’s got that fastball, his rises a little bit, and hitters have a tough time,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “He’s been throwing well in the postseason. We knew that coming in, we had our hands full.”
After going 7-1 in his first 14 starts this year, Javier had a 7.27 ERA over a 13-game stretch. He went more than a month without a win before six scoreless innings in the regular-season finale Oct. 1 at Arizona, an 8-1 victory that clinched the AL West title.
Ryan Pressly, the third reliever, worked the ninth and induced Jung’s game-ending, double-play grounder for his third save this postseason.
Jose Altuve homered while Martín Maldonado, the catcher wearing reptile-skin spikes as a nod to his pitcher’s nickname, and Yordan Alvarez both had two-run singles for the Astros. They scored five runs with two outs.
Jung hit his second two-run homer in the seventh for the wild-card Rangers, who played only their second home game this postseason. They swept Tampa Bay and Baltimore – the AL’s top two teams in the regular season – to get to their first ALCS since 2011 and their first postseason series against their instate division rival.
Game 4 is Thursday night, when José Urquidy pitches for Houston and Andrew Heaney starts for the Rangers. Game 5 will be Friday afternoon.
The Astros are 40-45 at home this year, losing three of four in the playoffs. But they have won 17 of their last 20 road games, including both at Minnesota in the AL Division Series and three during a record-setting sweep at Globe Life Field in early September, when they homered 16 times and outscored Texas 39-10.
“It’s the strangest thing I’ve ever seen because usually you want to be .500 on the road and way over .500 at home,” Baker said. “I asked the team in spring training to be the best road team. Maybe I should have asked them to be the best road and home team. They usually give me what I ask for.”
The Rangers had trailed after only one of the previous 64 innings this postseason until a three-run second that put Houston ahead to stay.
Alvarez was hit by a 89 mph cutter on his left foot to start that frame, struggling Kyle Tucker walked and Mauricio Dubón loaded the bases with a single. Alvarez came home as Scherzer bounced a wild pitch off Jonah Heim’s mitt and Maldonado, the No. 9 batter, followed with his big hit
Altuve, who went deep five times in that September series, homered leading off the third. José Abreu doubled on the first pitch in the fourth and made it 5-0 when he scored on a single by Dubón, who had three hits.
The 39-year-old Scherzer, a trade-deadline acquisition from the Mets, gave up five runs and five hits in taking the loss.
Scherzer was dealing with forearm tightness six weeks ago when he allowed seven runs – all on three homers – over three innings in the Astros’ 12-3 win that wrapped up that September series. He threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings six days later, on Sept. 12 at Toronto, before going on the injured list because of the shoulder strain.
The last batter Javier faced was rookie Evan Carter, whose hard two-out liner to right sailed over Tucker’s head to the wall after being misplayed into a double by the Gold Glove finalist. Hector Neris then replaced Javier, and the inning ended with a defensive gem.
Left-fielder Michael Brantley, a 36-year-old five-time All-Star who returned in August after missing 14 months with a shoulder injury, sprinted more than 80 feet to make a diving catch in the gap and take an extra-base hit away from Adolis García.
That still might not have been the best defensive play of the night.
Alvarez got robbed of what would have been his seventh homer this postseason on a 416-foot drive to straightaway center leading off the sixth. Leody Taveras made a leaping catch with his arm extended beyond the wall.
SHORT HOPS
Javier’s 20 1/3 innings passed Joe Niekro’s 18 innings for the longest scoreless streak in Astros history, for starters or relievers. It is the second-longest MLB scoreless streak for a starter in his first postseason starts, behind Christy Mathewson’s 28 innings from 1905-11. … Scherzer became the second pitcher to start for five teams in the postseason following appearances for Detroit, Washington, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets. David Wells started for Cincinnati, Baltimore, the Yankees, Boston and San Diego from 1989-2006.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
WASHINGTON QB MICHAEL PENIX JR. HIGHLIGHTS AP MIDSEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM LOADED WITH EXPERIENCE
Washington sixth-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. highlights The Associated Press midseason All-America team, one of 19 players honored who have been in school at least five years.
Penix is among the many players in college football who have extended their careers by taking advantage of the NCAA’s decision to give an extra year of eligibility because of the disruptions of the 2020-21 pandemic year.
Penix, who transferred to Washington in 2022 after four injury-plagued seasons at Indiana, is leading the nation with 383 yards passing per game for the Huskies (6-0), who are ranked fifth in the AP Top 25.
“The production, the talent, all that, that’s one thing. The heart that he’s got. The guts he’s got and the willingness to just grind through it. Grit. There’s not enough words to describe how I feel about him,” Washington coach Kalen DeBoer said after Penix led the Huskies to a 36-33 victory against No. 9 Oregon last week.
Penix is one of five sixth-year players who made AP’s midseason All-America teams, which were selected by a panel of media members who vote each week in the Top 25.
North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson joined Penix on the first team, and UConn guard Christian Haynes, Missouri tackle Javon Foster and Vanderbilt punter Matthew Hayball were the sixth-year players selected to the second team.
LSU’s Jayden Daniels is the second-team quarterback and one of 14 fifth-year players to receive midseason All-America honors.
Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe, Alabama kicker Will Reichard, UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu, Notre Dame defensive tackle Howard Cross III and Auburn safety Jaylin Simpson were the fifth-year players selected to the first team.
Notre Dame and Alabama led all teams with three players selected to the first team. Joining Cross were Fighting Irish teammates tackle Joe Alt and running back Audric Estime. Edge rusher Dallas Turner and cornerback Kool-aid McKinstry from Alabama joined Reichard on the first team.
FIRST TEAM – OFFENSE
Quarterback — Michael Penix Jr., sixth-year, Washington.
Running backs — Jonathon Brooks, third-year, Texas; Audric Estime, third-year, Notre Dame.
Tackles — Joe Alt, third-year, Notre Dame; Taliese Fuaga, third-year, Oregon State.
Guards — Cooper Beebe, fifth-year, Kansas State; Zak Zinter, fourth-year, Michigan.
Center — Jackson Powers-Johnson, third-year, Oregon.
Tight end — Brock Bowers, third-year, Georgia.
Wide receivers — Malik Nabers, third-year, LSU; Luther Burden III, second-year, Missouri; Rome Odunze, fourth-year, Washington.
All-purpose player — Ashton Jeanty, second-year, Boise State.
Kicker — Will Reichard, fifth-year, Alabama.
FIRST TEAM – DEFENSE
Edge rushers — Laiatu Latu, fifth-year, UCLA; Dallas Turner, third-year, Alabama.
Interior linemen — Howard Cross III, fifth-year, Notre Dame; Jer’Zhan Netwon, fourth-year, Illinois.
Linebackers — Payton Wilson, sixth-year, North Carolina State; Jason Henderson, third-year, Old Dominion; Edgerrin Cooper, third-year, Texas A&M.
Cornerbacks — Kool-aid McKinstry, third-year, Alabama; Kris Abrams-Draine, fourth-year, Missouri.
Safeties — Malaki Starks, second-year, Georgia; Jaylin Simpson, fifth-year, Auburn.
Defensive back — Cooper DeJean, third-year, Iowa.
Punter — Tory Taylor, fourth-year, Iowa.
SECOND TEAM – OFFENSE
Quarterback — Jayden Daniels, fifth-year, LSU.
Running backs — Ray Davis, fifth-year, Kentucky; Blake Corum, fourth-year, Michigan.
Tackles — Olu Fashanu, fourth-year, Penn State; Javon Foster, sixth-year, Missouri.
Guards — Christian Haynes, sixth-year, UConn; Tanner Miller, fifth-year, Oregon State.
Center — Sedrick Van Pran, fourth-year, Georgia.
Wide receivers — Marvin Harrison, Jr, third-year, Ohio State; Troy Franklin, third-year, Oregon; Xavier Legette, fifth-year, South Carolina.
Tight end — Cade Stover, fifth-year, Ohio State.
All-purpose player — Keon Coleman, third-year, Florida State.
Kicker — Graham Nicholson, third-year, Miami (Ohio).
SECOND TEAM – DEFENSE
Edge rushers — Jonah Elliss, third-year, Utah; Mohamed Kamara, fifth-year, Colorado State.
Interior linemen — T’Vondre Sweat, fifth-year, Texas; Byron Murphy II, fourth-year, Texas.
Linebackers — Danny Stutsman, third-year, Oklahoma; Jay Higgins, fourth-year, Iowa; Power Echols, third-year, North Carolina.
Cornerbacks — Denzel Burke, third-year, Ohio State; Maxwell Hairston, third-year, Kentucky.
Safeties — Tyler Nubin, fifth-year, Minnesota; Calen Bullock, third-year, Southern California.
Defensive back — Sebastian Castro, fifth-year, Iowa.
Punter — Matthew Hayball, sixth-year, Vanderbilt.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS: NO. 7 PENN ST AND NO. 3 OHIO ST BEGIN BEASTS OF BIG TEN EAST ROUND-ROBIN
The Big Ten feels more like the Big Three this season, and in that case the season finally starts Saturday with No. 7 Penn State going to No. 3 Ohio State.
The round-robin matchups of the Nittany Lions, Buckeyes and No. 2 Michigan over the the next month and a half will likely decide the Big Ten East, the conference title and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Upsets happen, but the rest of the Big Ten looks to be way behind the top three. So far, the Beasts of the East have outscored their conference competition 383-84. That includes Penn State’s 31-0 victory against Iowa, which is in first place in the Big Ten West.
The Buckeyes are 8-1 against the Nittany Lions since James Franklin became Penn State coach, though the games are almost always close into the fourth quarter.
“When you’re in games like this, it can come down to one play,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “The consequences are higher, the stakes are higher.”
The first of three potential monster matchups in the Big Ten is easily the most intriguing game of Week 8.
No. 7 Penn State (plus 4 1/2) at No. 3 Ohio State
Both quarterbacks are first-year starters, but for Penn State sophomore Drew Allar this will be his first big road test. The Ohio native has yet to throw an interception in an offense that has been efficient but not explosive.
Ohio State’s Kyle McCord, in his third season, has already had a bright-lights moment, leading the Buckeyes on a game-winning drive at Notre Dame.
Each will face multiple future NFL pass rushers who anchor the Nos. 1 (Penn State) and 2 (Ohio State) defenses in the country.
PICK: Ohio State 23-20.
No. 17 Tennessee (plus 8 1/2) at No. 11 Alabama
Last year’s Third Saturday in October duel between Hendon Hooker and Bryce Young in Knoxville was maybe the game of the year. The Volunteers broke a 15-game losing streak to the Tide in spectacular fashion.
This is not likely to play out like that. The Vols are not nearly as explosive with QB Joe Milton and the Crimson Tide are finding ways to be successful while seemingly figuring it out on the fly.
PICK: Alabama 26-20.
No. 16 Duke (plus 13 1/2) at No. 4 Florida State
The Seminoles are 21-0 against the Blue Devils, average margin 39 points.
This, though, looks like Duke’s best team in years and coach Mike Elko said QB Riley Leonard (ankle) might be ready to go this weekend. If he’s not, can the Blue Devils muck it up enough to make this a four-quarter game?
PICK: Florida State 31-21.
No. 14 Utah (plus 6 1/2) at No. 18 Southern California
Things could get dicey quickly for the Trojans, who are coming off a loss at Notre Dame with No. 9 Oregon and No. 5 Washington looming. If they can’t take care of a Utah team that is piecing together an offense devastated by injuries, what chance do they have to stay in the Pac-12 hunt?
The Utes were too tough for USC twice last year and it won them the conference.
PICK: USC 28-23.
Clemson at Miami (plus 3 1/2)
One of these teams will have three ACC losses by Sunday and neither of these fan bases signed up for that.
PICK: Miami 23-21.
The rest of Saturday’s games involving ranked teams and FBS foes, with lines by FanDuel Sportsbook:
No. 2 Michigan (minus 24 1/2) at Michigan State
This rivalry often brings the best out in the Spartans, but what does that even mean with a team that seems to be spiraling? … MICHIGAN 38-10.
Arizona State at No. 5 Washington (minus 26 1/2)
Sun Devils have won three of the last four meetings, including a stunner last year in the desert … WASHINGTON 49-20.
UCF at No. 6 Oklahoma (minus 18 1/2)
Sooners QB Dillon Gabriel faces his former team, which has allowed 127 points in its first three Big 12 games… OKLAHOMA 45-23.
No. 8 Texas (minus 22 1/2) at Houston
Cougars have been waiting a long time to get a crack at the Longhorns as conference-mates, but it doesn’t look like they’re ready for it … TEXAS 48-20.
Washington State at No. 9 Oregon (minus 18 1/2)
Ducks try to bounce back against the other half of the Apple Cup rivalry teams … OREGON 38-17.
Virginia at No. 10 North Carolina (minus 23 1/2)
Tar Heels begin manageable stretch (Virginia, Georgia Tech and Campbell) that could get them to mid-November unbeaten … NORTH CAROLINA 35-10.
No. 13 Mississippi (minus 6 1/2) at Auburn
New Auburn coach Hugh Freeze faces his old school, where he went 39-25 in five seasons before being fired amid scandal … OLE MISS 28-20.
Army (plus 29 1/2) at No. 19 LSU
The only meeting was in 1931 and Army won 20-0 at West Point, New York … LSU 35-10.
South Carolina at No. 20 Missouri (minus 7)
Tigers midseason All-America WR Luther Burden takes aim at a Gamecocks defense allowing 321.7 yards passing per game, worst in the nation … MISSOURI 34-23.
No. 22 Air Force (minus 10 1/2) at Navy
Falcons play their first game as a ranked team since 2019 without injured QB Zac Larrier … AIR FORCE 28-14.
North Texas at No. 23 Tulane (minus 20 1/2)
Mean Green vs. Green Wave in a game that should be sponsored by The Nature Conservancy … TULANE 45-20.
Minnesota at No. 24 Iowa (minus 3 1/2)
To add injury to insult, the struggling Hawkeyes offense has lost its quarterback and leading receiver in the past two weeks … IOWA 16-11.
No. 25 UCLA (minus 17) at Stanford
Bruins should be able to take the pressure off freshman QB Dante Moore against the Cardinal’s wonky run defense … UCLA 34-14.
X REQUESTS
Pitt (plus 1 1/2) at Wake Forest (@MV_41): Panthers maybe have stabilized their offense with QB Christian Veilleux … PITT 23-20.
TCU (plus 6 1/2) at Kansas State (@_BobaFrog_): Wildcats unleashed blue-chip freshman QB Avery Johnson last week and he ran for five touchdowns … KANSAS STATE 28-24.
James Madison (minus 3 1/2) at Marshall (@BradTBuchanan): Dukes average 4.3 sacks per game, second in the country to Penn State … JMU 27-20.
SEC COACHES ARE MORE ACCEPTING OF YOUTHFUL MISTAKES AMID ROSTER ENGAGEMENT IN THE PORTAL ERA
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Billy Napier didn’t want to risk keeping receiver Eugene Wilson on the bench.
A four-star recruit from nearby Tampa and the shiftiest player on the Gators’ roster, Napier had seen enough of Wilson during fall camp to realize the true freshman could help right away.
So Napier and his staff summoned Wilson to the field for an early punt return in Florida’s opener at then-No. 7 Utah. What happened next was a strange and costly error: Wilson forgot to switch jerseys and was penalized for wearing the same number as defensive teammate Jason Marshall. Utah retained possession and scored a few plays later, a significant swing in a 24-11 victory.
It’s the kind of youthful mistake Southeastern Conference coaches are enduring on a regular basis in hopes of keeping newcomers involved and out of the transfer portal.
“The more players that you can keep engaged the better,” Napier said.
The SEC agreed and increased travel rosters from 70 to 74 players for league games this season, a change coaches pushed for at the league’s annual spring meetings in May.
Although some argue the expansion was designed simply to reward more guys for working hard in practice or the classroom, there’s little doubt it also helps retain youngsters who might be contemplating more playing time elsewhere.
To combat that, coaches have ended up slotting freshmen in specialty roles — maybe a special teams unit, nickel or dime defense, or off the bench for a series here and there. The moves could — and often do — backfire.
Substitution violations? Too many men on the field? Too few? Delay-of-game penalties? Timeouts? Mental errors? Misalignments? Miscommunications?
“You can blame some of this on the portal, philosophically,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “You want to play more guys because you want to keep them in your program, so you create roles for guys. Well, you’ve got to sub them.
“Fifty years ago, you played 11 players and that was all you played. Defensively, we’re playing 30 and 40 guys. That creates confusion. I’m talking about within your own group. Offensively, too. More than ever this year, it’s been a concern for me because of burning timeouts and organizational things that you can’t afford to do.”
The Gators have routinely played with 10 men on special teams and were flagged for having 13 defenders on the field for a goal-line play against Kentucky. The violators are often inexperienced guys Napier is working to get on the field. He’s hardly alone.
Alabama had a kickoff return for a touchdown called back last month at South Florida because of a holding penalty on redshirt freshman Jeremiah Alexander. LSU redshirt freshman Aaron Anderson muffed a punt in the Tigers’ season-opening loss to Florida State in Orlando. The list goes on and on, some more egregious than others.
“You want to be strategic in how you use your players,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said, adding that you have to take into consideration whether you want to play a freshman in four games and still redshirt them. “Maybe you play them early in a key game, maybe you don’t play them for four or five weeks but you keep them ready and engaged.
“You keep them up in your two-deep so they’re getting coached every day. They’re not on the scout team. Maybe a couple of other crucial games in the middle of the season and then you finish off the season with them.”
The recently modified NCAA transfer portal opens in early December for 30 days. A second, smaller window opens in late April. So how much guys play in November might have more of an impact on transfer decisions than how often they saw the field in August, September and October.
“I want to take people on trips who have the opportunity to play,” South Carolina coach Shane Beamer said. “I want to be able to reward people who’ve earned the opportunity to go on the trip.
“Certainly, if there’s a guy who’s a big-time player and you want to keep him engaged, kind of like teams in the past … Michael Vick, for example. When I was a junior at Virginia Tech, Michael Vick was going to redshirt his freshman year no matter what. But he went on all the away games because my dad and everybody at Virginia Tech knew he was the future.”
Redshirting big-time players nowadays is rare, maybe even risky.
In Gainesville, Wilson arrived on campus in time for fall camp and quickly proved he deserved to be on the field. Despite that season-opening hiccup, he’s been solid. He’s second on the team in catches (26) and receiving yards (251) despite missing two games because of an injury.
Napier worries little about Wilson sticking around now. Other freshmen could be another story.
“If they don’t want to be here, they don’t want to be here,” Napier said after praising his program’s player experience. “Will we have attrition? Absolutely. They’ll be some attrition. But I think that’s just reality. Some of it’s healthy.
“When you think about it, if a guy’s on the fence, he doesn’t need to be here. Right now, I can tell you this group of players, they’re in. They’ll be some attrition when we get to the winter. In the meantime, I think we have a pretty good product to offer.”
NO. 7 PENN STATE’S ROAD GAME AGAINST NO. 3 BUCKEYES IS CRUCIAL TO FRANKLIN’S BID FOR A BREAKTHROUGH
Each of the Power Five conferences except the Big 12 features a head-to-head matchup of Top 25 teams on Saturday.
The biggest takes place in the Big Ten, where No. 3 Ohio State hosts No. 7 Penn State. Both are in the top 10 at the time of their meeting for the fourth time since 2017. Both are 6-0 overall and 3-0 in league play.
Ohio State and Michigan have been the Nittany Lions’ biggest hurdles under 10th-year coach James Franklin. He’s 1-8 against the Buckeyes and 3-6 against the Wolverines, who visit Happy Valley on Nov. 11.
Franklin has never beaten both in the same season and — barring an upset in one of their other four games — that’s probably what it will take for his Lions to break through for a first College Football Playoff berth.
The Atlantic Coast Conference’s top matchup has No. 16 Duke (5-1, 2-0) at No. 4 Florida State (6-0, 4-0). This begins the teeth of the schedule for Duke, which has road games against Louisville and North Carolina on the horizon. The Blue Devils are the last ranked opponent on the Seminoles’ regular-season schedule.
No. 11 Alabama (6-1, 4-0) hosts No. 17 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1) in a Southeastern Conference crossover game. The Volunteers outscored Alabama 52-49 on a walkoff fieled goal in Knoxville last year for their first win over the Crimson Tide since 2006.
No. 14 Utah (5-1, 2-1) and its Pac-12-leading defense play at No. 18 Southern California (6-1, 4-0). The Utes cranked up their ground game against California last week and will be going against a USC defense that’s allowed a conference-worst 36 runs of at least 10 yards. Caleb Williams and the Trojans will be looking to bounce back from their five-turnover disaster at Notre Dame.
BEST GAME
No. 7 Penn State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) at No. 3 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0), noon ET (Fox)
The Nittany Lions haven’t won in the Horseshoe since 2011, and they’re 4 1/2-point underdogs Saturday, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Ohio State and Penn State are 1-2 in offense in the conference. The Buckeyes have had injury issues at running back and have leaned heavily on Big Ten passing leader Kyle McCord.
Penn State has recorded 27 sacks, most in the conference and second nationally, and is the only FBS team to have surrendered just one touchdown through the air and given up fewer than 200 total yards per game.
HEISMAN WATCH
Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel comes off an open date with a home game against UCF, his former team. Gabriel was the nation’s leading passer in 2020 for the Golden Knights and threw for 61 touchdowns over the 2019-20 seasons. He sat out most of 2021 with an injury before transferring to OU.
The fifth-year senior is throwing for 313 yards per game with 16 TDs against two interceptions. He’s become a factor in the Heisman Trophy race since leading a late scoring drive to beat Texas in his first major test of the season.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
3 — SMU is Temple’s third consecutive opponent from the state of Texas.
10.3 — Utah two-way star Sione Vaki’s yards per carry on 16 attempts this season.
28 — Days since San Diego State’s last home game when it hosts Nevada. The Aztecs played four home games in 27 days to start the season.
32 1/2 — The over-under point total set for Minnesota-Iowa, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Iowa won 13-10 last year when the over-under was 31 1/2, the lowest for an FBS game since at least 1995, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
500 — Texas enters its visit to Houston with over 500 yards of total offense in a school record-tying three straight games.
UNDER THE RADAR
Clemson (4-2, 2-2 ACC) at Miami (4-2, 0-2), 8 p.m. ET (ACC Network)
Clemson had two losses in September for the second time in three years and is now playing for a best possible bowl destination. The Hurricanes face the prospect of an 0-3 start in league play for the first time since they dropped their independent status and joined the old Big East in 1991.
The ‘Canes have lost five straight at home in ACC play, including that 23-20 game they gave to Georgia Tech with the late play-calling gaffe Oct. 7. A third-quarter meltdown led to their 41-31 loss at North Carolina last week. Tyler Van Dyke has thrown five interceptions the past two games.
HOT SEAT
The situation is getting dire for Arkansas’ Sam Pittman, who is 21-22 overall and 13-20 in SEC play over four seasons.
The Razorbacks (2-5, 0-4) have lost five straight with one of the worst offenses in the conference. They’re averaging 150 yards less per game than they did last season and Pittman, a former offensive line coach, has seen his quarterback sacked 24 times over the last five games.
Arkansas enters Saturday’s home game against Mississippi State (3-3, 0-3) as a 6 1/2-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. A loss here would only ratchet up the heat on Pittman.
NFL NEWS
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-2) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-3)
DATE: Thursday, October 19, 2023 GAME TIME: 8:15 PM EST
Prime Video: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung
Westwood One: Kevin Kugler, Mike Mayock
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) JAX: 158 or 226 NO: 83 or 225 National: 88
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: NO leads series, 5-2 (won past 4)
POSTSEASON: —
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 10/13/19: NO 13 at JAX 6
POSTSEASON: —
JAGS NOTES:
QB TREVOR LAWRENCE completed 20 of 30 atts. (66.7 pct.) for 181 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT with 91.1 rating last week. Aims for 4th in row with 90+ rating. Has rush TD in each of 2 career starts on TNF. Has 0 INTs & 91.4 rating in 3 career starts in primetime. • RB TRAVIS ETIENNE led team with 83 scrimmage yards (55 rush, 28 rec.) last week & had 2 rush TDs for 2nd-straight game. Can become 1st player in franchise history with 2 rush TDs in 3 straight games. Aims for 5th in row on road with 100+ scrimmage yards & 4th in row on road with rush TD. • WR CALVIN RIDLEY aims for 3rd in row on road with 7+ catches & 100+ rec. yards. Has 556 rec. yards (92.7 per game) in 6 career games vs. NO, most rec. yards vs. any opponent, with 90+ rec. yards in 5 of 6 games. Has 90+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 on TNF. • WR CHRISTIAN KIRK had 2nd TD catch of season last week. Has 50+ rec. yards in 4 of past 5. • TE EVAN ENGRAM has 7 catches in 3 of past 4. Ties for lead among TEs with 36 catches this season. • TE BRENTON STRANGE (rookie) had 1st-career rec. TD last week. • LB JOSH ALLEN had sack & FF last week & has sack & FF in 2 of past 3. Had sack in last meeting. Has 5 TFL & 3 sacks in 4 career games on TNF. Ranks tied-3rd in NFL with 7 sacks in 2023. • LB FOYESADE OLUOKUN set season highs in tackles (15) & PD (2) & had TFL in Week 6. Has 10+ tackles in 4 of 6 games this season. Has 66 tackles (8.3 per game) in 8 career games vs. NO. • CB DARIOUS WILLIAMS can become 1st player in franchise history with INT in 4 straight games. Has PD in all 6 games this season. • S RAYSHAWN JENKINS had 8 tackles & 1st INT of season last week. Aims for 3rd in row with PD. • S ANDRE CISCO had INT last week & has INT in 2 of past 3.
SAINTS NOTES:
QB DEREK CARR passed for season-high 353 yards in Week 6, his 35th-career 300-yard game & 2nd this season (Week 1). Has 95+ rating in 5 of his past 6 starts on Thursday. Had 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 99.2 rating in his last start vs. Jax. (11/6/22 w/ LV). • RB ALVIN KAMARA had 7 receptions & 104 scrimmage yards (68 rush, 36 rec.) in Week 6, his 46th-career game with 5+ catches. Has 44 games with 100+ scrimmage yards, 3rd-most in NFL since 2017. Aims for his 8th in row with 80+ scrimmage yards. • WR CHRIS OLAVE had 7 receptions & team-high 96 rec. yards last week & has 4 games with both 6+ catches & 80+ rec. yards this season, tied 2nd-most in NFL. Had 7 catches for 106 yards in his only career Thursday game (10/20/22 at Ari.). • WR MICHAEL THOMAS has 5 catches in Week 6. Aims for his 5th in row at home with 50+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches in 4 of his 5 career games on Thursday. Had 8 catches for 89 yards in last meeting. • WR RASHID SHAHEED had 103 scrimmage yards (85 rec., 18 rush) & 4th-career TD catch in Week 6. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 18.6 yards per reception this season. • DE CAMERON JORDAN has 16.5 sacks & 20 TFL in 13 career games on Thursday. Had 2 sacks in last meeting. • LB DEMARIO DAVIS had 2nd sack of season & 2 TFL last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. Has 8 TFL in his past 9 Thursday games. • DE CARL GRANDERSON had sack & 2 TFL last week & aims for his 3rd in row with sack & 2+ TFL. • S TYRANN MATHIEU had PD in 3 of his past 4 & aims for his 3rd in row with PD. Has 4 PD, 3 TFL & 2 INTs in his past 4 vs. Jax. • CB MARSHON LATTIMORE had INT in last meeting. • CB ALONTAE TAYLOR & CB ISAAC YIADOM each have 7 PD in 2023, tied 2nd-most in NFL.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) The Jacksonville Jaguars have looked like one of the hottest teams in the NFL during the past three weeks.
But that was with a healthy franchise quarterback.
Now Trevor Lawrence aims to play through a sprained left knee as the Jaguars (4-2) visit the New Orleans Saints (3-3) on Thursday night.
Lawrence’s injury occurred in the final minutes of a 37-20 victory over Indianapolis on Sunday, leaving him little more than three full days to recover before Jacksonville’s offense goes up against one of the top-performing defenses in the NFL.
The Saints rank fifth in the NFL in total defense and fifth against the pass. Their eight interceptions puts them in a six-way tie for second most in the NFL (a group that also includes the Jaguars).
“We just got to hit on all cylinders when you play a defense like this,” Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson said.
Lawrence has completed 67% of his passes for 1,439 yards, with seven touchdowns and three interceptions this season. But he also has been sacked 16 times. If he doesn’t play in New Orleans, backup C.J. Beathard could make his first start in more than two seasons.
Since stumbling to a 1-2 start, the Jaguars have played considerably better in consecutive victories over Atlanta and Buffalo in England, and over Indianapolis at home in Week 6.
“Their confidence is extremely high right now,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said. “We’re beginning to eliminate some of those mistakes that happened early in the season. … This team is really beginning to mature and come together.”
Saints coach Dennis Allen might like to speak similarly about his own team. But for now, he can’t.
Last week, New Orleans’ defense held Houston to 20 points and fewer than 300 yards – only to see its offense stumble in a 20-13 loss.
The Saints’ offense – now led by four-time Pro Bowl QB Derek Carr – gained more than 400 yards in that game, but was held to one or fewer touchdowns for the fourth time this season.
“We’re not doing enough things the right way all the time,” Carr said as he tried to explain New Orleans’ red zone woes.
STAKES AND STANDINGS
So far, the Saints have had plenty of margin for error in the weak NFC South. They’re just a half game behind Tampa Bay for first place with 11 games to play. Two of their losses were by a touchdown or less, including an 18-17 setback at Green Bay in which New Orleans blew a 17-0 lead and missed a field goal for the lead in the final minute.
“That’s the parity in this league,” Saints linebacker Demario Davis said. “Week in and week out, you’ve got to be on your stuff.”
Davis will get no argument from Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, whose team entered Week 7 with a one-game lead in the AFC South.
“It’s a week-to-week business,” he said. “Whatever we did last week is really pointless going forward.”
BANGED-UP BLOCKERS
Both clubs’ offensive lines are missing starters.
Jacksonville could be without both guards. Walker Little (knee) was ruled out and and Brandon Scherff (ankle) was listed as questionable.
The Saints are without both starting tackles from Week 6: Ryan Ramczyk (concussion) and James Hurst (ankle).
Second-year left tackle Trevor Penning, who was benched in favor of Hurst last week, is likely to start against the Jaguars. Veteran backup guard Andrus Peat, who’s been limited by a groin injury, could have to play guard or tackle. Or the Saints could call up veteran tackle Cameron Erving – a 2015 first-round draft pick by Cleveland – from the practice squad.
NOT-SO-SUPER DOME
New Orleans is one of five NFL cities in which Jacksonville has never won. The Jaguars are 0-3 in the Big Easy, having lost the past two games by a combined 28 points. They also are winless in New England (0-9), Seattle (0-4), Washington (0-4) and San Francisco (0-2).
The Superdome has been equally unkind to quarterback Trevor Lawrence, whose only two college losses came there. Lawrence and Clemson lost 42-25 to LSU in the 2019 championship game in New Orleans and 49-28 to Ohio State the following year in a College Football Playoff semifinal game.
RIDLEY VS LATTIMORE
Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley and Saints cornerback Marcus Lattimore will be facing off for the seventh time in their NFL careers. They used to play twice annually when Ridley was with Atlanta in the NFC South.
Ridley has 36 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns against the Saints, including seven catches for 146 yards and three scores in his third game as a pro in 2018.
“It’s been a really good matchup,” Ridley said. “Lattimore is definitely one of the best cornerbacks in the league. He plays man. He follows good receivers. He plays at the line. Just a guy that goes out there and follows the good receivers and tries his best to lock them down.”
CHANDLER JONES ARRESTED FOR 2ND TIME IN LAST MONTH
Former Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones was arrested for the second time in a month, police records show, according to David Ferrara of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The 33-year-old was
The 33-year-old was arrested Tuesday for violating a domestic violence temporary protection order, Ferrara adds.
Jones was arrested on two counts of the same charge on Sept. 29 before being released on bond. He had allegedly taken a woman’s belongings from her backyard and burned them, violating the protection order. The Raiders cut him on Sept. 30.
Jones published a series of bizarre posts on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, prior to his first arrest. In one of the posts, he alleged that he was taken to a mental health facility against his will.
In other posts, Jones was critical of the Raiders organization, owner Mark Davis, and head coach Josh McDaniels.
The 6-foot-5 defender signed a three-year, $51-million deal with Las Vegas ahead of the 2022 NFL campaign. He didn’t appear in a game for the team in 2023 prior to his release.
QB1 STILL DOUBTFUL, BEARS PREPARE TYSON BAGENT FOR FIRST START
Tyson Bagent operated the starting offense for the Chicago Bears at practice on Wednesday with the expectation he’ll be in that role Sunday when the Las Vegas Raiders visit Soldier Field.
Starter Justin Fields left last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter with a dislocated thumb on his right hand. Swelling is slowly subsiding but compromises Fields’ grip strength.
Head coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday there is no change to Fields’ status for Week 7: He’s doubtful and surgery remains a possibility. Eberflus said “clarity” on a long-term plan is expected sometime this week.
“Again, nothing’s off the table. Nothing’s on the table — right now. We’ve still got to see where it is,” Eberflus said.
Bagent was one of the remarkable stories of the preseason for the Bears. The undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd University beat out PJ Walker, the former XFL QB who started for the Cleveland Browns last week, to back up Fields. Bagent scored a rushing touchdown but lost a fumble and threw a game-ending interception in the 19-13 loss to Minnesota.
“This is only going to be beneficial to him to get all these reps this week,” Eberflus said. “I’m excited to see where he is. I know the guys have a lot of confidence in him. He’s a very confident guy.”
Nathan Peterman is the third quarterback on the roster and would be active Sunday if Fields is out. Peterman, 29, has 13 interceptions in 13 career games, including five starts. He entered the NFL in 2017 with the Buffalo Bills and also played for the Raiders.
BROWNS QB DESHAUN WATSON STILL OUT WITH RIGHT SHOULDER INJURY, CAN’T PUT TIMELINE ON RETURN TO FIELD
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson still can’t practice with a bruised rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder, an injury that has kept him out of two games and potentially more.
Watson spoke for the first time since Sept. 27 on Wednesday. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback confirmed he’s dealing with a “tricky” injury to his right shoulder and said it’s impossible to gauge when he’ll be back on the field.
“I mean it can be any day,” Watson said. “It can be tomorrow, it could be Sunday, it can be two weeks from now. I’m not even sure. It’s day to day and I’m following the steps of the medical team and when that time is ready, then I’m going to go out there.
“I can’t put a timeline on anything right now.”
Watson sat out Cleveland’s games before and after the team’s bye week with the injury sustained on a running play in a Sept. 24 game against Tennessee.
If he can’t play this week at Indianapolis, P.J. Walker will start against the Colts (3-3).
Coach Kevin Stefanski said he’s not ready to rule out Watson this week.
The Browns are 1-1 without Watson as rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson started a 28-3 loss to Baltimore on Oct. 1, and Walker, who was on the practice squad until a few days ago, helped the Browns shock the previously unbeaten San Francisco 49ers 19-17 on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Watson had been expected to play against the Ravens, but couldn’t make any passes beyond a few yards during a pregame workout session. The decision for him to sit led to some confusion as to whether it was Watson or the Browns who made that call.
“It’s a tricky deal,” Watson said. “You gotta kind of take that baseball approach and talk to some people that deal with rotator cuffs more often. So that’s what we’ve been doing and just really trying to strengthen that muscle and everything around it so we can get back comfortable.”
Last week, Watson stayed inside the facility to rehab his bruised rotator cuff.
Before he got hurt, Watson had his best game since signing a $230 million contract with Cleveland last year. He completed 27 of 33 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns in the Browns’ 27-3 win over the Titans.
CARDINALS DESIGNATE KYLER MURRAY (ACL) FOR RETURN
Kyler Murray finally is set to play football, at least on the practice field.
The Arizona Cardinals designated their $230.5 million quarterback for return from the PUP list, activating his 21-day practice window. The club has three weeks to activate Murray or it must shut him down for the rest of the season.
The Cardinals also designated star safety Budda Baker for a return to practice. He’s been on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon announced that both would be practicing Wednesday.
“Excited to see those guys get out there and practice and look forward to a great day prepping for Seattle,” Gannon said.
The Cardinals (1-5) visit the Seahawks (3-2) on Sunday.
It’s unclear when Murray will return to game action. The Cardinals acquired Josh Dobbs on Aug. 25 to be QB1 in Murray’s stead.
The Cardinals lost Murray to a torn ACL in his right knee on Dec. 12. He waited until after the new year to have surgery.
Murray, 26, signed a five-year, $230.5 million deal before the 2022 season. He is 25-31-1 as a starter, having thrown for 13,848 yards and 84 touchdowns against 41 interceptions.
Baker, 27, sustained a severe hamstring injury in the Cardinals’ season opener against Washington. The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro had missed just five games since being drafted by the Cardinals in 2017, including the final two games of the 2022 season with a shoulder injury.
DOLPHINS CB JALEN RAMSEY TO BEGIN PRACTICING
Miami Dolphins All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey will return to practice on Wednesday for the first time since sustaining a torn meniscus in his knee during training camp.
Coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Ramsey’s return. However, he said the three-time All-Pro would not play for the Dolphins (5-1) in Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles (5-1).
Ramsey, who turns 29 next week, underwent surgery on his left knee on July 28 and was not expected back until December.
The non-contact injury occurred in training camp while he was covering wideout Tyreek Hill in an 11-on-11 drill.
“He literally called his shot,” McDaniel said of Ramsey. “… He told us before his surgery that he was going to (be back). He kept telling me he was an alien, and I’m starting to believe him.”
The six-time Pro Bowl selection joined Miami in a March 12 trade with the Los Angeles Rams.
Ramsey has 19 interceptions in 108 career games (107 starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-19) and Rams (2019-22).
GIANTS ADD OL JUSTIN PUGH TO ROSTER
The New York Giants signed offensive lineman Justin Pugh to the active roster on Wednesday and waived tight end Lawrence Cager.
Pugh was added to the practice squad on Oct. 3, one day after the Giants allowed 11 sacks for 67 yards in a 24-3 setback to the Seattle Seahawks. He was elevated to the active roster last Saturday for the Giants’ game against the Buffalo Bills the following day, only to be assigned back to the practice squad on Monday.
Pugh, 33, spent his first five seasons with New York after the Giants selected him with the 19th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He then spent the next five campaigns with the Arizona Cardinals, although his 2022 season came to an end after five games following a torn ACL.
Cager, 26, had two catches for 17 yards in five games this season. He has 17 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown in 15 career games with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Giants.
The departure of Cager leaves the Giants (1-5) with just two tight ends on the 53-man roster: Darren Waller and Daniel Bellinger.
VIKINGS PUT LB MARCUS DAVENPORT (ANKLE) ON IR
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Marcus Davenport was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.
Davenport sprained his
Davenport sprained his left ankle during the Vikings’ 19-13 victory over the Chicago Bears last Sunday.
Davenport will miss the team’s next four games. He is eligible to return for Minnesota’s contest against the host Denver Broncos on Nov. 19.
Signed to a one-year, $13 million deal in the offseason, Davenport sustained a right ankle injury just prior to the start of this season. He has seven tackles and two sacks in four games (three starts) in 2023.
Davenport, 27, has totaled 149 tackles, 23.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 67 career games (35 starts) with the Saints and Vikings. He was selected by New Orleans with the 14th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Also on Wednesday, the Vikings activated running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu (back) from injured reserve and designated wide receiver Jalen Nailor (hamstring) to return to practice. Nailor has been on injured reserve since Sept. 21.
REPORT: PANTHERS S JEREMY CHINN (QUAD) OUT 6 WEEKS
Carolina Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn will be sidelined up to six weeks with a significant quad injury, ESPN reported Wednesday.
Chinn, who is in the final year of his contract, does not need surgery, according to the report.
The injury will likely affect his trade value, however, as the Philadelphia Eagles had reportedly shown interest.
Chinn, 25, started the first six games for the winless Panthers and recorded 23 tackles and one sack.
He played only 26 defensive snaps in Sunday’s 42-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
A second-round pick in 2020, Chinn has 317 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and two fumbles returned for touchdowns in 48 career games (all starts).
JETS TRADING MECOLE HARDMAN BACK TO THE CHIEFS IN A DEAL THAT INCLUDES DRAFT PICKS, AP SOURCE SAYS
NEW YORK (AP) The New York Jets are trading seldom-used wide receiver Mecole Hardman back to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The Jets also are sending a seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft to the Chiefs and getting a sixth-rounder that year in return, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the teams had not announced the trade, which was first reported by ESPN.
The Chiefs selected the 25-year-old Hardman in the second round of the 2019 draft, and he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie as a return specialist. Hardman gradually became a bigger part of the Kansas City offense, taking advantage of prolific passer Patrick Mahomes, and wound up making 151 catches for 2,088 yards and 16 touchdowns over four seasons with the Chiefs.
He became a free agent last offseason and signed a $4 million contract with the Jets, who hoped that he could incorporate his speed and versatility into their offense. The deal included a $2.5 million signing bonus and $3.6 million in guarantees.
Hardman had a quiet training camp, and undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson eventually surpassed him on the depth chart as a returner and wide receiver. Gipson had the winning punt return in overtime in New York’s season-opening win over Buffalo and has become more involved in the offense, including running the ball out of the backfield on reverses and end-arounds.
Meanwhile, Hardman played only 28 snaps on offense – with one 6-yard catch – and two snaps on special teams. He was a healthy inactive in Week 5 at Denver when the Jets instead elevated wide receiver Irvin Charles from the practice squad because of his special teams skills.
Hardman acknowledged last week that his lack of playing time has been “hard sometimes mentally,” but said he was focused on contributing however he could.
“As of now, I guess there’s just maybe better options,” he said. “Or they just haven’t called my number yet.”
Trade speculation centering around Hardman began circulating during the past few weeks.
“I just want to play,” Hardman said. “Whether it’s here or somewhere else, I don’t make that call.”
When asked if he’d welcome a trade, Hardman said: “It depends. If it works out for both sides, I guess, I don’t know. I’ve never been part of this, so I don’t know.”
Kansas City became a natural fit given his background with the Chiefs and their own problems at wide receiver.
They allowed Hardman and veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster to sign elsewhere in free agency, and they were confident that a young and untested group of wide receivers would be able to step up. But while rookie Rashee Rice has started to make more plays, the Chiefs have still gotten little from second-year pro Skyy Moore or oft-injured Kadarius Toney.
Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who is making more than the rest of their receivers combined, has failed to make an impact, and the Chiefs lost Justin Watson for the short term after he bruised an elbow last week against Denver.
Watson did not practice Wednesday and is unlikely to play Sunday against the Chargers.
The Chiefs have won five straight heading into their AFC West matchup with Los Angeles, while the Jets handed the Eagles their first loss last week and are carrying back-to-back wins into their off week.
Hardman should immediately help a Chiefs offense in need of playmakers around Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce.
In his four seasons in Kansas City, Hardman ran the ball 20 times for 125 yards and two scores. He also regularly served as the Chiefs’ primary returner and scored a touchdown on a kickoff return and a punt.
Last year, Hardman was the first wide receiver in the Super Bowl era to score on two runs and have a TD catch in the same game. He missed several games with an abdominal injury and returned for the AFC championship game before he reinjured himself and couldn’t play in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win over Philadelphia.
NBA NEWS
ANTETOKOUNMPO, LILLARD PAIRING GIVES MILWAUKEE ONE OF THE BEST DUOS IN NBA — IF NOT THE BEST
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to make one thing clear about his partnership with new Milwaukee Bucks teammate Damian Lillard.
Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, says there’s no debate about which of the superstars will have the ball in his hands more. Antetokounmpo has no trouble handing that responsibility to Lillard. After all, he is a seven-time all-NBA player in his own right.
“This is in no shape or form any competition with me and him, who’s going to have the ball more,” Antetokounmpo said. “He will have the ball more. And I trust, I believe he’s going to find me. And not just me, he’s going to find our teammates and put us in the right positions.”
Milwaukee’s acquisition of Lillard just before the start of training camp gives the Bucks two members of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team as they try to bounce back from a stunning first-round playoff exit.
Antetokounmpo had said he wanted the Bucks to show their commitment to winning another championship as he ponders whether to sign a contract extension. Lillard sought a trade to a contender after advancing beyond the second round of the playoffs just once in 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.
This move satisfied both their requests. Now it’s up to the two of them to help deliver on the Bucks’ championship expectations.
First, they must figure out how to play together.
“I think when you’re putting winning first — and that’s the reason I’m here, is to have opportunity to win — I think you’ve got to come into it open-minded and understanding that it might take some sacrifice,” Lillard said. “It usually does if you want to attain anything. I think you’ve got to come in willing to sacrifice.
“And I also know that I’m joining his team, where he’s been and he’s done things a certain way. And I’m also here to enhance it, to bring what I bring so it can be better, so we give ourselves a chance to win.”
Antetokounmpo and Lillard give Milwaukee one of the league’s best tandems — if not the best tandem.
The 28-year-old Antetokounmpo won back-to-back MVP awards in 2019 and 2020 before leading the 2021 Bucks to the franchise’s first title in half a century. Lillard, 33, has averaged at least 24 points each of the last eight seasons and had a career-high 32.2 points per game last year, though a calf strain limited him to 58 games.
They took the floor as teammates for the first time during Sunday’s preseason game at Los Angeles in the Bucks’ 108-97 victory over the Lakers. Antetokounmpo said the impact of Lillard’s presence on the floor was immediately apparent.
“I’ve never seen from the first play of the game, somebody being double-teamed,” Antetokounmpo said. “It was a surprise. It’s a preseason game. It’s not a playoff game. It’s not a regular-season game. It’s not the in-season tournament game. Or a play-in game. It’s a preseason game, you know, and he was double-teamed. It’s insane, man.”
The Bucks paid a heavy price to make this combination a reality.
Part of the package they gave up included two-time All-Star guard Jrue Holiday, who ended up with one of their top Eastern Conference rivals after Portland sent him to the Boston Celtics in a separate trade. The Bucks don’t have control over any of their first-round draft picks until 2031.
That prospect could have the Bucks facing serious issues down the road. But for now, it’s every other team in the league facing a dilemma as it tries to figure out how to play defense when Antetokounmpo and Lillard are on the floor together.
“Which one are you going to do?” Lillard asked rhetorically. “Are you going to clog up the paint? Or are you going to allow me to make nine 3’s? I’m not looking at it as much like he’s going to have the ball or I’m going to have the ball. It’s how can we come together and be able to make it work for both of us. Because if we want to win big, then it has to work for both of us to do what we do.”
Antetokounmpo has said repeatedly that he doesn’t want Lillard to have to change his approach now that he’s on a new team.
“We’re going to let Dame be Dame,” Antetokounmpo said. “At the end of the day, if that means we have to play more defense, get more rebounds, I have to set 50 screens for Dame to get an open shot, he knows, I know and I think the team knows I’m going to set those 50 screens.”
The Bucks understand it’s going to take time to build chemistry. Not only did they shake up their roster, they also have a new coaching staff with Adrian Griffin taking over for Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after the Bucks’ 4-1 playoff loss to the Miami Heat.
“It’s no different than you come to school, the first day of school you see somebody and you all might be cool that day, but over time you really get to know each other,” Lillard said. “You get to know who they really are as a person when something doesn’t go their way, when they’re having success and you have some storms, you have some trials and time spent and you really learn each other. And I think that’s when you really come together, and you can really form a bond and start to connect.”
That building process might prevent the Bucks from posting the NBA’s best regular-season record for a second straight year. They don’t really care, as long as this season has a better ending.
“It might take a month,” Antetokounmpo said. “It might take two months. It might take six months. It doesn’t matter. We might figure it out the last game of the regular season. But the goal is to figure it out and be where we want to be when it matters the most.”
JAMES HARDEN SKIPS 76ERS PRACTICE, LEAVING COACH NICK NURSE UNSURE OF WHAT COMES NEXT
CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse said he had no explanation for why James Harden skipped practice on Wednesday but planned to proceed as if the disgruntled guard will play in the preseason finale.
“If he’s here, we go; if he’s not here, we go,” Nurse told reporters at the 76ers’ New Jersey complex.
Harden has yet to play in the preseason. He did attend training camp and continued to practice with the 76ers in the wake of his offseason trade demand. Harden said last week his fractured relationship with team president Daryl Morey could not be repaired — comparing it to a broken marriage — and said over the summer that he could not play for the 76ers.
Part of Harden’s complaint stems from his belief he should have earned a long-term contract with the Sixers after last season. It never came, thus the trade demand.
Harden, who was evasive last week about the status of his trade demand, said he could try to play in the Sixers’ preseason finale on Friday against Atlanta. But he skipped practice, and the 76ers are unsure of what comes next.
Nurse, in his first season as Philadelphia’s coach, said he had expected Harden to both practice on Wednesday and play on Friday.
“From the last discussions I’ve had with him and from everybody, yeah,” Nurse said. “I’m still going on what he said the last time I talked him, that he was going to ramp up and get ready to play Friday. We’ll see how it goes.”
Harden has been one of the league’s top players for the past decade, winning three scoring titles and the 2018 league MVP award. He led the league in assists last season.
WNBA NEWS
LAS VEGAS ACES BECOME FIRST REPEAT WNBA CHAMPS IN 21 YEARS, BEATING NEW YORK LIBERTY 70-69 IN GAME 4
NEW YORK (AP) A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces secured their place as one of the greatest teams in WNBA history.
The Aces became the first team to repeat as champions in 21 years, getting 24 points and 16 rebounds from Wilson and a defensive stop in the closing seconds to beat the New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4 of the Finals on Wednesday night.
“It’s not easy, as you know. This is what it’s all about,” Wilson said. “Not a lot of people get to do it. To be short-handed and win is amazing. It makes the win that much better. It’s hard to get back to the Finals to win again.”
The Aces joined the Los Angeles Sparks (2001-02) and the Houston Comets (1997-2000) as the only teams in league history to win consecutive titles.
Las Vegas did it without starters Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes, who were both sidelined with foot injuries suffered in Game 3. Gray, the 2022 WNBA Finals MVP, was constantly in the ear of her teammates during timeouts and shouting encouragement from the sideline. Las Vegas was also still missing veteran Candace Parker, who had foot surgery in late July.
“We’ve been facing adversity all season, playing without different players. … We have some professional fighters,” said Alysha Clark, who was pressed into the starting lineup Wednesday. “To weather the storm of everything we went through, to show up every single day. To be in this moment right now and do it together, it speaks volumes about us, our chemistry.”
Coach Becky Hammon said this was the closest team she has ever been around. The entire team attended the postgame news conference and cheered every answer, especially those by Wilson, the Finals MVP, who finished third in the regular-season MVP balloting.
With the game tied at 64, Las Vegas scored six straight points, including the first four by Jackie Young, to go ahead 70-64 with 1:26 left.
Courtney Vandersloot hit a 3-pointer on New York’s next possession, then stole the ball from Kelsey Plum, which led to Sabrina Ionescu’s foul-line jumper to get the Liberty within one with 41.7 seconds left.
On the ensuing possession, Las Vegas worked the shot clock down before Hammon called timeout with 3 seconds left on the shot clock. The Aces got the ball to Wilson on a lob, but Breanna Stewart blocked the shot, giving New York one last chance.
After a timeout with 8.8 seconds left, the Liberty got the ball to Stewart, who was double-teamed. The ball swung over to Vandersloot in the corner, but her shot missed badly, setting off a wild celebration by the Aces at midcourt.
“It’s a play we’ve ran before, get the ball to Stewie’s hand,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. “Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. We got it where we wanted to, but didn’t make it.”
Vandersloot finished with 19 points and Betnijah Laney added 15 for New York.
Hammon said before the game she would be “throwing the kitchen sink at (the Liberty), see what sticks, see what works.”
The Aces rotated defenses, which stymied New York after the Liberty scored 23 points in the first quarter.
“I think they were throwing whatever defense they had at us and make sure it’s ugly,” Stewart said. “Sometimes we lost our flow and ball movement.”
Hammon started WNBA sixth woman of the year Clark and Cayla George in place of Gray and Stokes. Clark did a stellar job on her former Seattle Storm teammate Stewart, holding her to 10 points on 3-of-17 shooting. George had 11 points.
“Just knowing what she likes to do. And just locking in and making sure that I don’t give that to her,” Clark said of guarding Stewart. “I’m so proud of this team.”
This was the first close game of the season between these teams. The four regular-season matchups were all blowouts with the closest contest being a nine-point win by New York on Aug. 28. The first three games of the WNBA Finals were also routs, with New York winning Game 3 87-73 to stave off elimination.
Game 4 was so tense that Ionescu was seen vomiting into a trash can during a timeout midway through the fourth quarter, shortly after she hit a 3-pointer to get the Liberty within 60-58. Ionescu stayed in the game after the timeout.
New York’s record fell to 2-10 all-time in the WNBA Finals. Teams that fall behind 0-2 in the best-of-five series Finals have lost all nine of those series.
STAR-STUDDED CROWD
Once again, New York drew dozens of celebrities to the game, including basketball royalty Sue Bird and Dawn Staley – the South Carolina coach who loudly cheered on her former star player, Wilson. The two embraced in a long hug after the game. Also in attendance were Liberty Ring of Honor members Vickie Johnson and Sue Wicks, and actors Jennifer Connelly, Issa Rae and Jason Sudeikis.
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
BIGGER, DEEPER AND STRONGER: BIG 12 WELCOMES 4 NEW SCHOOLS TO COLLEGE BASKETBALL’S BEST LEAGUE
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Mike Boynton remembers vividly his first season leading Oklahoma State.
He was just 35 at the time. Never been a head coach at any level, much less at a Power Five program. And with just one year on the Cowboys’ bench as an assistant, Boynton was picked to replace Brad Underwood and guide Oklahoma State through the Big 12, which has historically been one of the toughest conferences in college basketball.
“The competition is a real thing,” Boynton said with a shake of his head. “It’s been baptism by fire for me.”
Reminiscing about his own start in the Big 12 — the Cowboys were eighth in what was then a 10-team league in 2016-17 — got Boynton to thinking about the four coaches entering the league, and what BYU’s Mark Pope, Cincinnati coach Wes Miller, UCF’s Johnny Dawkins and Houston coach Kelvin Sampson are about to experience in the coming months.
“The new teams, all four this year and the ones we add moving forward, will just continue to elevate this conference above what I ever imagined would be one conference’s strength,” Boynton said during Big 12 media day Wednesday.
Sampson is actually returning to the Big 12 after a dozen years at Oklahoma, a stint that began when it was still the Big 8. The league he returns to is markedly different after the departure of Colorado, Texas A&M, Nebraska and Missouri in past years, and the addition of West Virginia and TCU along with the four newcomers this season.
Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado will further alter the Big 12 landscape when the Pac-12 schools arrive next year, and when longtime members Oklahoma and Texas depart for the SEC.
One thing has remained constant amid all the change: The Big 12’s standing as the nation’s dominant basketball league.
Other conferences have staked a claim over the years, including the ACC and Big East, but none can match the recent body of work the Big 12 has put together. Kansas and Baylor have won national championships two of the past three years, and Houston went to the Final Four when it was played in a COVID-19 bubble in Indianapolis.
Last year, seven of the top 25 teams and eight of the top 30 in the final KenPom rankings came from the Big 12.
“This is the best college basketball league in America. It’s undisputed in recent history,” Miller said. “It’s neat and exciting to be a part of that. We haven’t experienced it yet. Will there be some adjustment? Absolutely. But we talk about it all the time, just like freshmen have adjustments to college basketball, there is no way around it.”
It’s not as if the programs joining the Big 12 will struggle to compete in basketball, unlike what’s happening now in football.
If anything, they are making the rich even richer.
Houston has made the last five NCAA tournaments, gone to the Sweet 16 each of the past four and, along with its Final Four run, made the Elite Eight two years ago. The Cougars bring plenty of college hoops history, going back to the days of coach Guy Lewis, stars Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, and the rest of Phi Slama Jama.
The Bearcats have two national titles from the 1960s to their credit, but they have been good in recent years, too. They had a run of nine straight NCAA tourney appearances end in 2020, but they are coming off an NIT quarterfinal last season.
UCF and BYU both have made the NCAA Tournament within the past five years.
“You think of the Big 12, you just think of unbelievable basketball,” Knights coach Johnny Dawkins said. “Last year, I believe that every game that was played was a Quad 1 game, which is unheard of.”
Baylor coach Scott Drew envisions a year when the Big 12 gets three and maybe all four teams to the Final Four, perhaps even this season. Kansas is the preseason No. 1 in the AP Top 25, thanks in part to the arrival of prized Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson, while Houston was seventh, Texas at No. 18 and Baylor rounding out the top 20.
Kansas State, which made a surprising Elite Eight run last season, and TCU also received votes.
“We have been the best basketball league in the country for a while now,” Wildcats coach Jerome Tang said. “Every kid out there wants to compete against the best, so they’re going to want to play in the Big 12. We have the best coaches, best environments, the best players and the results speak for themselves.”
Not everyone agrees. UConn coach Dan Hurley, fresh off leading the Huskies to the national championship, said Monday on the College Hoops Today Podcast that the Big East was “going to be the best conference in the country and it’s not particularly close.”
The league has a claim: Fifth-ranked Marquette, the sixth-ranked Huskies and No. 8 Creighton give the Big East three of the top eight in the AP preseason poll, while Villanova is No. 22.
Along with a few elite teams, though, the Big 12 offers greater depth and longevity than the Big East or any other league.
“Excited about the new teams coming in, the great venues. I’m excited being part of our growth,” Tang said. “When you can walk around knowing you’re the very best at what you do, it gives you some extra confidence.
MUST-SEE COLLEGE HOOPS GAMES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
College basketball arrives in full force with more than 180 Division I games scheduled for opening night, Monday, Nov. 6.
A few preseason “scrimmages” with high-profile matchups, headlined by the Oct. 29 return of Bill Self to Illinois with No. 1 Kansas in a Maui fundraiser, are worth monitoring from a get-to-know-you sense.
There are no games matching ranked teams head-to-head out of the gate, but feverish hoops fanatics won’t have to wait long for a bunch of headliners.
Here are five men’s college basketball games you need to see in November:
–Kentucky vs. Kansas, Nov. 14 (Champions Classic in Chicago)
Kansas is No. 1 and every year, Kentucky strolls into the Champions Classic bluebloods reunion with a fresh crop of newbies capable of cutting down nets. The No. 16 Wildcats missed the mark last year, and with key bigs injured out of the gate, we’re hoping UK is close to full strength to face Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson. How deep was the Jayhawks’ need for a dominant paint presence? Twelve of 16 players on the preseason roster are guards.
–Duke vs. Michigan State, Nov. 14 (Champions Classic in Chicago)
Duke is ranked behind only Kansas in the preseason poll and Michigan State checked in at No. 4 behind Purdue. Jon Scheyer pulled more top-ranked recruits to Durham in his second season at Duke and early returns on the likes of point guard Caleb Foster plus returning ACC Rookie of the Year Kyle Filipowski signal bright days ahead. The Blue Devils went 27-9 in their first full year without Coach K since 1979-80. Michigan State has experience and Tom Izzo on the bench, a great place to start for a returning Sweet Sixteen squad. How the Spartans utilize sophomores Jaxon Kohler or Carson Cooper will be critical, but we’re most excited to see freshman guard Jeremy Fears paired with Tyson Walker, Jaden Akins and A.J. Hoggard.
–Saint Mary’s vs. San Diego State, Nov. 17 (Continental Tire Main Event in Las Vegas)
Las Vegas is the landing spot for the two teams in the initial Top 25 poll this season without power conference credentials. The so-called mid-majors do have major resumes. No. 17 San Diego State was the national runner-up in the 2023 NCAA Tournament and No. 23 Saint Mary’s is viewed as the power team in the WCC — not Gonzaga — this season. Worth noting, San Diego State visits Gonzaga on Dec. 29.
–Purdue vs. Gonzaga, Nov. 20 (Maui Invitational first round)
Purdue is No. 3 in the preseason poll on the energy of Player of the Year Zach Edey’s return and the Boilermakers are geared up to put another NCAA Tournament disappointment behind them. Gonzaga (ranked 11th) was second in the nation in scoring last season with 86.2 points per game but are these Bulldogs ready for a stern test in Hawaii without Drew Timme or considerable experience atop the rotation? The winner gets a new-look Syracuse team with stellar scoring potential.
–Marquette vs. UCLA, Nov. 20 (Maui Invitational first round)
Make plans to be up late on Nov. 20 for Marquette-UCLA. The Golden Eagles are ranked fifth to start the season after emerging as a Big East surprise under Shaka Smart. UCLA lost leadership and grit in four-year standout Jaime Jaquez Jr. but these Bruins eschewed the transfer portal rebuild for a reset featuring seven freshmen and a front line featuring 7-foot-3 Aday Mara and 6-10 sophomore Adem Bona.
–What’s next (month) on the marquee?
There are numerous marquee matchups to catch in December, when some of the freshman-laden clubs or top programs with new coaches — looking at you, Syracuse and Notre Dame — are ready to be tested on a grand stage.
Here are a few of the games we’ll be checking on this holiday season:
No. 3 Purdue vs. No. 24 Alabama, Dec. 9 (Toronto)
No. 9 Tennessee vs. No. 25 Illinois, Dec. 9 (Toronto)
No. 22 Villanova vs. UCLA, Dec. 9 (Philadelphia)
No. 20 Baylor vs. No. 4 Michigan State, Dec. 16 (Detroit)
No. 3 Purdue vs. No. 12 Arizona, Dec. 16 (Indianapolis)
No. 10 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 12 Arizona, Dec. 23 (Las Vegas)
BIG 10 BASKETBALL: OHIO STATE PREVIEW
| 2022-23: | 16-19, 5-15 (13th, Big Ten) |
| No Postseason | |
| Location: | Columbus, OH |
| Coach: | CHRIS HOLTMANN (6th Season) |
| Homecourt: | VALUE CITY ARENA (19,049) |
| Key Departures: | BRICE SENSABAUGH (16.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.2 apg) |
| JUSTICE SUEING (12.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.8 apg) | |
| SEAN McNEIL (9.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.3 apg) | |
| ISAAC LIKEKELE (3.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.8 apg) | |
| Key Newcomers: | JAMISON BATTLE (transfer, Minnesota) |
| DALE BONNER (transfer, Baylor) | |
| SCOTTY MIDDLETON (freshman, Sunrise Christian) | |
| TAISON CHATMAN (freshman, Totino-Grace) | |
| DEVIN ROYAL (freshman, Pickerington Central) | |
| EVAN MAHAFFEY (transfer, Penn St.) |
ROSTER
| # | Player | Pos. | Listed | Year | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3PT% | |
| 2 | Bruce Thornton | G | 6-2 | So. | 30.5 | 10.6 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 45.6 | 37.5 | |
| 4 | Dale Bonner* | G | 6-2 | 5th | 19.4 | 4.7 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 44.1 | 37.2 | |
| 1 | Roddy Gayle Jr. | G | 6-4 | So. | 16.3 | 4.6 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 44.0 | 42.9 | |
| 10 | Jamison Battle* | F | 6-7 | 5th | 35.6 | 12.4 | 3.8 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 37.1 | 31.1 | |
| 34 | Felix Okpara | C | 6-11 | So. | 15.5 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 58.7 | 20.0 | |
| 23 | Zed Key | F | 6-8 | Sr. | 24.8 | 10.8 | 7.5 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 55.0 | 29.2 | |
| 0 | Scotty Middleton | G | 6-7 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 3 | Taison Chatman | G | 6-4 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 21 | Devin Royal | F | 6-6 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 12 | Evan Mahaffey* | G | 6-6 | So. | 9.4 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 56.9 | 33.3 | |
| 25 | Austin Parks | C | 6-10 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 24 | Kalen Etzler | F | 6-8 | R-So. | 3.3 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 37.5 | 20.0 | |
| 44 | Owen Spencer | F | 6-9 | Jr. | 2.7 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 16.7 | ||
| 15 | Bowen Hardman | G | 6-3 | R-Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
FROM THE COACH
“You know what you are going to get from Bruce (Thornton) every single day. He’s as consistent of a player in his preparation as we’ve had since I’ve been here.”
—Chris Holtmann
THE SCOOP
There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Last season was a complete disaster in Columbus.
The expectations are always to go to the NCAA Tourney, but this was the first time Chris Holtmann was unable to do it since taking over in 2017. The Buckeyes lost nine consecutive games in a month-stretch starting at the end of January, and finished 16-19 overall and 5-15 in the Big Ten. But Holtmann was encouraged by a Big Ten Tournament run that included three wins over Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan State before losing to Purdue in the semifinals.
Freshman Brice Sensabaugh (16.3 ppg) left after one season. Veterans Justice Sueing, Sean McNeil, Isaac Likekele, Tanner Holden and Eugene Brown are also gone. However, Holtmann brings back four key pieces from last year’s team, adds three guys from the portal and welcomes in three top-75 freshmen.
Now, he hopes that’s enough to get Ohio State back on track.
ROAD TO SUCCESS
It’s going to start with the sophomore class of point guard Bruce Thornton, big man Felix Okpara and wing Roddy Gayle Jr.
“Those guys are really going to have a huge impact on how good we are this season,” Holtmann said.
Thornton may not have a high ceiling, but the 6-2 floor leader has a consistent approach that should help in turning things around. Thornton can score when necessary, whether it’s getting to the basket or shooting the 3 — but he’s just a solid, all-around guard who should make a jump and become one of the better point guards in the league.
Okpara should battle veteran big man Zed Key for minutes in the post and could win the starting spot. The duo can also play together, but look for the long and athletic 6-11 Okpara to get more minutes because of his ability to run the court, be a lob threat and also give the Buckeyes some much-needed rim protection. Key (10.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg) is completely different, a 6-8, 250-pound veteran who is a tremendous offensive rebounder. He doesn’t provide much in terms of shot-blocking, though, and also has trouble scoring over length.
That duo should be solid up front, whether or not they are on the court together.
Gayle Jr. finished strong last season with a terrific Big Ten tourney, but there are questions. Can the sophomore wing can pick up where he left off and be one of the key scorers on this team? Or will he revert back to being a role player, which he was for the majority of his freshman campaign?
Holtmann and his staff brought in three transfers, two of which come with no shortage of experience.
Minnesota forward Jamison Battle saw his production drop off last season from 17.5 to 12.4 points per game. He can still provide a boost offensively, but will need to step it up defensively. Dale Bonner, a quick 6-2 guard, started his career at Division III Fairmont State but spent the past two seasons at Baylor and shot 37% from 3 last season. The final transfer is Evan Mahaffey, a 6-6 wing who averaged 2.6 points at Penn State last season as a freshman. He’s long and can rebound, but Mahaffey needs to improve his shot and will likely be an impact guy in future years.
Holtmann brings in another heralded freshman class. Point guard Taison Chatman (No. 32) is the highest-rated, but he has Thornton in front of him and needs to develop physically. Devin Royal (No. 49) is a 6-6, 220-pound athletic forward who should be able to help this season. Meanwhile, Scotty Middleton (No. 57) may make the biggest impact of the frosh as a long 6-7 wing who knows how to play and can shoot it.
POTENTIAL POTHOLES
An improved defense will be imperative if the Buckeyes are to be a factor nationally this season and a Top 25 team — which has been the case for much of Holtmann’s tenure in Columbus.
“We have the potential to be better defensively,” Holtmann said. “I’m not sure we’ll be a top-10 defense nationally, but we also won’t be what we were last year.”
Ohio State was ranked 106th last year in KenPom’s defensive efficiency. Losing Sensabaugh will honestly be addition by subtraction on that end of the floor, and increased playing time for Okpara should help because he’s capable of being one of the best shot-blockers in the Big Ten, maybe even the country. He gives Ohio State a completely different dimension than Key. Gayle is a plus-defender, and Thornton is also solid in that department — especially with both of them having a year in the program.
Last year’s transfer class, which was highly regarded entering the season, wound up being disappointing. Holtmann was dealing with the departure of EJ Liddell and Malaki Branham, and brought in McNeil, Likekele and Holden. McNeil was solid, but the offensively challenged Likekele (3.8 ppg) and Holden (3.6 ppg) were disappointing.
Battle needs to come in and buy into the fact that he can be a significant piece on a winning team, and Key might need to accept the fact that Okpara needs to get more minutes — which likely means a decrease in his own role.
As for the ‘winning team’ part of the equation, Battle is 39-71 in four seasons between his time at George Washington and Minnesota, but he has put up big scoring numbers in his career. Bonner is looking for an expanded role but comes from a winning Baylor program where he was a nice piece off the bench. Those two, along with the freshman class, will need to not just help on the court but also help provide quality chemistry off the court as well.
Chatman will likely have to wait his turn, and one of Royal or Middleton could wind up playing sparingly with Gayle, Battle and Bonner ahead of them at the wings.
THE X-FACTOR
Gayle picking up where he left off last season is absolutely critical for Ohio State. He became a go-to guy, someone who can make a play and manufacture a bucket.
The 6-4 sophomore was a virtual non-factor for the majority of the season, averaging 3.2 points while shooting 36% from the field and 29% from 3 in Big Ten play. In six of his 35 games, Gayle failed to get in the scoring column.
But then he was terrific when given the opportunity in the Big Ten tourney, especially in the final two contests against Michigan State and Purdue. Gayle needed time to develop his offensive game, with his defense being ahead of his offense, but he carried the Buckeyes for those final two games, going for 15 points in the win against the Spartans and following it up with 20 in the loss to the Boilermakers.
Gayle was 7-of-14 from 3 in the Big Ten tourney, and he showed his ability to get to the bucket and finish in the paint. He looked like a completely different player, and a big aspect of that was his confidence and also being able to play through mistakes.
The key will be whether Holtmann can count on him to be a consistent double-digit scorer this season — especially now that opposing teams will have him on their scouting report.
“We need him to be assertive like he was at the end of last season,” Holtmann said. “If he can do that, we’re a different team.”
THE OUTLOOK
Holtmann had gone to all four NCAA Tournaments that have been held since he arrived in Columbus, but the Buckeye fans don’t care. They want a second-weekend appearance, and that’s something Holtmann has been unable to provide — and they certainly don’t want another losing season like 2022-23, when OSU posted its worst winning percentage in 25 years.
This season, Holtmann has enough between the returners coming back and the veterans and talented freshmen that he added; the Buckeyes should make another tourney appearance. Including Holtmann’s three campaigns at Butler, he’s been to the Big Dance seven of the past eight years, with last season being the lone exception.
But Holtmann can ill afford to have a repeat performance of 2022-23 if he wants to get the fan base back. And it won’t just be regular-season success. It’s more about what this program does come March.
NHL NEWS
JOSH NORRIS SCORES TWICE IN RETURN FROM INJURY, SENATORS BEAT CAPITALS 6-1
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) Josh Norris scored a pair of goals in his season debut Wednesday night, leading the Ottawa Senators to a 6-1 win over the Washington Capitals.
Norris had missed the first three games of the regular season and didn’t play in the preseason, but looked solid in his return.
The road back to the game has been a difficult one for the 24-year-old Norris. He played just eight games last season because of shoulder problems that started early in the season and eventually underwent surgery in January.
“Obviously, it’s been a long road and some long days and we’re finally here now,” said Norris. “So, I think it’s kind of one of those moments. It’s weird, like, I think God’s pretty amazing and I don’t want to get like too philosophical here, but yeah, it’s just a great night and happy we won.”
As excited as Norris was to be back, his teammates were equally thrilled.
“He did what he gets paid for and put it right in the back of the net,” said linemate Drake Batherson, who set Norris up for both goals. “Super pumped for him and his family. For him to get back out there tonight, I know how excited he was. He was just happy to play, let alone get two.”
Vladimir Tarasenko, Artem Zub, Claude Giroux and Jake Sanderson also scored for the Senators (3-1-0), who picked up their third straight win. Anton Forsberg made 23 saves.
The Capitals (1-2-0), playing their first road game of the season, started off strong in the first period, but some poor defensive coverage in the remaining 40 minutes proved too much to overcome.
“In the first period, I liked our game a lot,” said Capitals coach Spencer Carbery. “I thought it was probably our best 20 minutes of the season thus far. We’re down 2-1, but I didn’t think that was an issue from a score standpoint, being able to come back in the game.
“Then the second period, sort of a microcosm of how the year is going for this group right now. Every mistake we make is ending up in the back of the net.”
John Carlson scored the Capitals’ lone goal. Darcy Kuemper stopped 23 shots.
Trailing 5-1 in the third, the Capitals managed just three shots on goal while Ottawa extended its lead on a laser of a shot from Sanderson.
Tarasenko opened the scoring four minutes in after taking a pass from Ridly Greig to beat Kuemper, but it was Norris’ power-play goal midway through the period that brought the crowd to its feet.
“He went through a lot and, you know, a lot of bad days,” said Senators coach D.J. Smith. “I know how emotional he was when he got hurt. To get to this point and get a couple goals here tonight, he just wanted to contribute. It was great.”
MILESTONE FOR BACKSTROM
Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom skated in his 1,100th career NHL game Wednesday. Backstrom made his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2007, against the Thrashers in Atlanta. Backstrom scored his first NHL goal against the Senators that season, beating the late Ray Emery for what would prove to be the game-winning goal in a 4-1 Caps victory.
UP NEXT
Capitals: At the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
Senators: Host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
ANDREW COPP, ALEX DEBRINCAT EACH SCORE TWICE, RED WINGS BEAT PENGUINS 6-3
DETROIT (AP) Andrew Copp and Alex DeBrincat each scored twice, Ville Husso made 30 saves and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Wednesday night.
“We have a lot of depth here and you can see that every line can score,” said DeBrincat, one of the many players acquired by Detroit desperately hoping to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. “We just have so many options that it is hard for anyone to cover all of them.”
Copp scored in a three-goal second period to give Detroit a 4-1 lead, but Pittsburgh pulled within a goal midway through the third.
“I loved the pushback,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said.
Copp sealed the win with an empty-net goal with 1:32 to go. DeBrincat also took advantage of the Penguins pulling their goaltender to add an extra skater, restoring the Red Wings’ three-goal lead 21 seconds later.
DeBrincat has five goals and eight in his first four games with the franchise he grew up rooting for in suburban Detroit.
“I have to give a lot of credit to my teammates,” DeBrincat said.
Evgeni Malkin gave the Penguins their only lead in the opening minute, when he extended his goals streak to three games. Tristan Jarry stopped 23 shots.
Ben Chiarot, David Perron and Copp scored in the second period.
“We just lost ourselves for 6 or 7 minutes,” Sullivan said.
Erik Karlsson cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to two goals early in the third period. Shortly thereafter, Copp was given a penalty shot and he couldn’t get it past Jarry.
Husso kept the two-goal lead midway through the third by stopping shots by Rickard Rakell and Karlsson.
The Red Wings needed the cushion because Bryan Rust redirected a shot to make it 4-3 with 6:57 left.
“They got two easy shots through traffic, and after that we were back on our heels,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said.
Detroit has won three in a row since losing the opener by a goal at New Jersey, showing some promising signs after general manager Steve Yzerman made a series of signings and trades to bolster the team’s chances.
“I think they’ve got a good team,” Sullivan said. “Some of their young players are starting to emerge and they’ve added some veteran guys that are impactful players, like DeBrincat. They’re a tough opponent. They’ve got a lot of speed in their lineup.”
Pittsburgh had won two straight games since dropping its opening game by two goals against Chicago.
MALKIN MOVES UP
Malkin scored his 474th goal, breaking a third-place tie with Alexander Mogilny for the most NHL goals by Russian-born players. The 37-year-old center trails Washington superstar Alex Ovechkin (822) and former Red Wings great Sergei Fedorov (483) on the list.
Malkin, though, lamented defensive breakdowns that led to the loss.
“We need to block shots more,” he said. “We need to play harder in front of the net because every forward tries to screen the goalie and play for rebounds.”
THAT’S A FIRST
Jeff Petry had his first point with his hometown Red Wings, assisting on Copp’s first goal. The 35-year-old defenseman had 31 points in 66 games with the Penguins last season.
UP NEXT
Penguins: At St. Louis on Saturday night.
Red Wings: At Ottawa on Saturday night.
AUTO RACING
LARSON THE NEW FAVORITE IN NASCAR CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE?
NASCAR CUP SERIES
4EVER 400 presented by Mobil 1
Site: Homestead, Florida.
Schedule: Saturday, practice, 9:05 a.m., and qualifying, 9:50 a.m.; Sunday, race, 2:30 p.m. (NBC).
Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Race distance: 267 laps, 400.5 miles.
Last year: Kyle Larson won after starting fifth.
Last race: Larson became the first driver locked into NASCAR’s title-deciding finale in the opening playoff race of the round of eight, winning at Las Vegas and keeping him in contention for a second Cup title in three years.
Fast facts: Larson, the 2021 champ, moved to the top of the playoff standings, followed by William Byron, 2017 champ Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin. The four on the outside looking in with two races left to jumble things are Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney and Chris Buescher. … Blaney was disqualified after the race for an illegal front shock, but the penalty was later overturned. He finished sixth. … Truex won the regular-season title but has had a terrible playoffs and is barely hanging on to a shot to win a second Cup title. His ninth-place finish Sunday was his best through seven playoff races.
Next race: Oct. 29, Martinsville, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
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NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
Contender Boats 300
Site: Homestead. Florida.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 6:05 p.m., and qualifying, 6:35 p.m.; Saturday, race, 3 p.m. (USA).
Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Race distance: 200 laps, 300 miles.
Last year: Noah Gragson won after starting second.
Last race: Riley Herbst raced his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory, a dominating 14.9-second win at Las Vegas,
Fast facts: Herbst led 103 of the 201 laps. It was the most significant margin of victory in the series this season and nearly seven seconds better than the previous best margin of victory for an Xfinity Series race at the track in his hometown. … Championship points leader John Hunter Nemechek was second, followed by Herbst’s Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Cole Custer, Chandler Smith and Sam Mayer. … Justin Allgaier was sixth, followed by Austin Hill. … Allgaier and Hill stand second and third in the playoffs with Hill four points ahead of Custer.
Next race: Oct. 28, Martinsville, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
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NASCAR TRUCK SERIES
Baptist Health Cancer Care 200
Site: Homestead. Florida.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 4:05 p.m., and qualifying, 4:35 p.m.; Saturday, race, noon, (FS1).
Track: Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Race distance: 134 laps, 201 miles.
Last year: Ty Majeski won after starting 18th.
Last race: 2018 series champion Brett Moffitt turned his first race of the season in the series into his first superspeedway victory, prevailing in a three-wide overtime battle to win at Talladega.
Fast facts: Corey Heim is the only driver to have secured a spot in the championship finale with one race remaining for the seven other contenders. … Carson Hocevar, Christian Eckes and Nicholas Sanchez hold the next three spots heading into the final race before the championship finale, with Grant Enfinger three points back, 2021 champion Ben Rhodes five back, Majeski 19 back and defending champion Zane Smith 36 behind.
Next race: Nov. 3, Avondale, Arizona.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
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FORMULA ONE
United States Grand Prix
Site: Austin, Texas.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:30 p.m., and qualifying, 5 p.m.; Saturday, Sprint shootout, 1:30 p.m., and Sprint, 6 p.m.; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (ESPN).
Track: Circuit of The Americas
Race distance: 56 laps, 191.634 miles.
Last year: Max Verstappen won after starting second.
Last race: Verstappen clinched his third consecutive season championship with a second-place finish in the sprint race, then won in Qatar for his 14th victory in 17 races this season.
Fast facts: Verstappen and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez have combined to win 16 of the 17 races; the only other winner was Carlos Sainz Jr. … Perez trails Verstappen by 209 points in the standings, but is 30 points ahead of third place Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time series champion. Hamilton is 11 points ahead of fourth-place Fernando Alonso. Sainz is fifth, another 30 points back.
Next race: Oct. 29, Mexico City.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
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INDYCAR
Last race: Scott Dixon won at Laguna Seca, his third win of the season, all in the last four races. The six-time champion gave Chip Ganassi Racing a 1-2 finish in the standings. A week earlier, teammate Alex Palou became the first driver in 18 years to clinch the title before the final race of the season.
Next race: 2024 season opener at St. Petersburg, Florida.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
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NHRA DRAG RACING
Last event: Leah Pruett won in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan won in Funny Car in Texas.
Next event: Oct. 26-29, Las Vegas.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
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WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Next events: Friday-Saturday, Mesquite, Texas.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars
INDIANA RELEASES/TOP HEADLINES
COLTS QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON OPTS FOR SEASON-ENDING SURGERY ON INJURED THROWING SHOULDER
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson has taken the final snap of his rookie season, opting for season-ending surgery on his injured throwing shoulder.
Coach Shane Steichen confirmed the decision before Wednesday’s practice.
Steichen said the team consulted multiple medical officials, weighed the long-term health of Richardson and his future with the franchise before everyone agreed surgery was the best option. Steichen did not say when the surgery would take place.
“I thought when he played, he was explosive and he was electric,” Steichen said. “He gives us an opportunity every time he steps on the field — just his big-play ability, throwing the ball downfield, the runs he had, the touchdown runs. There is tremendous opportunity going forward.”
Those runs also made him susceptible to injuries, though.
The 6-foot-4, 244-pound Richardson suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder at the end of a short run Oct. 8 against Tennessee. He hit the ground awkwardly, stayed down several minutes as medical staff treated him before he walked slowly to the team’s medical tent, his shoulder drooped.
Last week, Indy put Richardson on injured reserve as the debate over treatment continued.
Richardson also sat out the final minute of the season opener with a bruised knee and sore ankle and missed six more quarters after entering the concussion protocol during the first half of a Week 2 game at Houston. He only finished one of four starts.
Veteran Gardner Minshew replaced Richardson all three times and will now make his third start with the Colts (3-3) on Sunday against Cleveland. Minshew is coming off his worst performance of the season, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble, in a 37-20 loss at Jacksonville.
Minshew’s presence, Steichen acknowledges, will force some changes in game planning, but Steichen believes Minshew will rebound this week. The two worked together each of the past two seasons in Philadelphia.
Still, this isn’t the way Minshew wanted to get the starting job.
“That’s not the news that any of us want to hear, especially when he was doing so well, playing well, everybody’s feeling good about it,” he said of Richardson, “To be kind of shut down, we’ve got to kind rally around him and support him and keep him involved.”
Initially, the plan was to pair Richardson in the backfield with 2021 NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor. But Taylor missed all of the team’s offseason workouts and training camp, the entire preseason and the first four regular-season games as he recovered from offseason ankle surgery.
The result: They played together for one snap before Richardson got hurt.
“I think I saw someone who was very poised,” Taylor said when asked about his observations of Richardson.
“You guys saw the Rams game, to be down 23 and see guys rally around him, that’s what you want out of a leader.”
The bigger question moving forward is how Richardson’s absence could impact his progression?
He started only 13 games with the Florida Gators and some scouts thought he was more of a project than a plug-and-play starter because of his limited college experience. And after taking Richardson with the fourth overall pick in April’s NFL draft, Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard talked about the need to get Richardson as many snaps as possible this season.
Steichen announced Richardson was the starter after the Colts preseason opener, and he was off to a promising start.
Richardson threw for 577 yards, three TDs and one interception while completing 59.5% of his throws. He also rushed 25 times for 136 yards and four TDs, becoming the first quarterback of the Super Bowl era with TD runs in each of his first three NFL games.
Now Richardson will be relegated to watching, listening, learning and cheering on his teammates as he rehabs from surgery.
“Tremendous competitor, great player but longevity in him needs to be at a premium,” Steichen said. “Moving forward, he’ll be engaged, he’ll be in the meetings, he’ll be there at practice, and he’ll learn from this year, sitting back and watching it, learning it.”
INDIANA PACERS
GAME PREVIEW: PACERS VS CAVALIERS (PRESEASON)
Game Preview
One last tune-up game remains for the Indiana Pacers before the 2023-2024 regular season tips off, as the Blue & Gold conclude exhibition play Friday when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Indiana enters its final preseason game riding a 116-12 Monday victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Against Atlanta, Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton returned to the hardwood after sitting out the first two preseason contests. Haliburton had an active summer, playing for Team USA in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Haliburton’s presence made an immediate impact, as the Pacers climbed to a 27-point halftime lead after the Blue & Gold dropped 43 points in the second quarter. From there, the team never looked back. Haliburton finished with 15 points and eight assists in just over 23 minutes of play, while Aaron Nesmith (15 points), Myles Turner (13 points), and Buddy Hield (11 points) all also finished in double-digit scoring.
With Haliburton returning to the starting five, T.J. McConnell returned to the bench. First-year Pacers Bruce Brown and Obi Toppin, second-year guard Bennedict Mathurin, and veteran center Myles Turner completed the first unit.
While Indiana and Atlanta each shot 48 percent overall, the Pacers made 18 3-pointers to the Hawks’ 12 treys and had 12 turnovers to the visitors’ 17 giveaways. Fourteen different players logged minutes for the Pacers.
The Pacers will likely have second-year guard Andrew Nembhard make his preseason debut on Friday, who is set to return after missing time due to a kidney stone.
Cleveland enters their final preseason game without a win against an NBA team. In a 108-105 loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday, the Cavs trailed by 12 at halftime and couldn’t complete a late comeback despite posting 29 points in the final frame.
Cavs All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell logged 29 minutes in the game, finishing with nine points, four rebounds and three assists, while speedy point guard Darius Garland led the team with 19 points.
The Cavaliers did win against Maccabi Ra’anana of the Israeli National League in their third preseason game on Monday.
Last regular season, Cleveland finished 3-1 against the Pacers, but each game was decided by seven or fewer points.
For the Pacers, Haliburton averaged 20.3 points, 11.3 assists and two rebounds against the Cavs in three games played, Mathurin averaged 18.3 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Mitchell proved a handful for the Pacers last season, averaging 32 points, 4.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals over the four games. Garland also gave the Pacers difficulties, averaging 20.5 points, 7.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds versus the Blue & Gold.
The Cavs are anchored by 6-foot-9 forward Jarrett Allen and 6-11 center Evan Mobley in the frontcourt, which helped the team establish the No. 1 defensive rating in the NBA last season at 109.9 by giving up a league-best 106.88 points per game.
In the offseason, the Cavs notably added shooting guard Max Strus and small forward Georges Niang, and drafted Eastern Michigan’s Emoni Bates with the 49th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
After hosting the Cavs, the Pacers will have four days rest before opening their season – for the second straight year – at home against the Washington Wizards on Oct. 25.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Bruce Brown, F – Bennedict Mathurin, F – Obi Toppin, C – Myles Turner
Cavaliers: G – Darius Garland, G – Donovan Mitchell , F – Damian Jones, F – Max Strug, C – Evan Mobley
Injury Report
Pacers: TBA
Cavaliers: TBA
Last Meeting
April 2, 2023: Behind a 40-point effort from Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs defeated the Pacers 115-105 at Rocket Mortgage Arena. With the loss, the Blue & Gold were officially eliminated from postseason contention.
The two teams went blow-for-blow through the first three quarters, with neither team leading by more than two points after each quarter, before the Cavs held the Pacers to just 18 points – forcing eight turnovers – in the final frame to come out with the win.
Bennedict Mathurin topped the Pacers with 19 points to go along with nine rebounds, and Jordan Nwora secured a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double. Off the bench, T.J. McConnell.
Also for the Cavs, Darius Garland added 20 points and six assists and center Evan Mobley tallied 14 points while collecting 16 rebounds.
Both teams shot 9-for-24 from 3-point range (37.5 percent), but the Cavs shot 48.9 percent from the field overall, while the Pacers made 43.4 percent of their attempts.
Noteworthy
Former Pacers forward Caris LeVert is entering his second full (third overall) season with the Cavs since being traded in February 2022 from Indiana. One of the picks the Pacers acquired in the trade turned into this year’s 26th overall pick (Belmont’s Ben Sheppard).
Tyrese Haliburton and Georges Niang both played college basketball at Iowa State. While the two are good friends, they were never on the same Cyclones team.
Darius Garland is a Gary, Ind. native.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
TV: Bally Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
The Pacers tip off the 2023-24 regular season on Opening Night presented by Kroger against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 7:00 PM ET.
INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
INDIANA SETTLES FOR SEASON SPLIT WITH NO. 19 PURDUE
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A three-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of in-state foe and No. 19 Purdue on Wednesday night (Oct. 18) at Holloway Gymnasium.
Three close sets early on gave way to a dominant fourth set for the hosts as the Indiana Volleyball team (15-7, 5-4) dropped a 3-1 contest (22-25, 22-25, 25-21, 13-25) in West Lafayette. The two teams split the season series for the first time since 2012.
Junior setter Camryn Haworth dished out 43 assists and dug 10 balls for her sixth double-double of the season. Freshman libero Ramsey Gary was all over the court, digging 21 balls for the Hoosiers. Sophomore outside Candela Alonso-Corcelles supplied a team-best 15 kills.
IU turns its attention to a Saturday night matchup with (RV) Ohio State at Wilkinson Hall on homecoming evening. With 11 contests remaining in the regular season, the Hoosiers have a shot at their best finish to a campaign since 2010 (21 regular season wins).
Stats and Notes
Team
• IU had 68 digs on the night, out digging Purdue by 13. Four Hoosiers had over 10 digs including Gary with a game-high 21.
• Purdue out blocked IU by ten and outhit the Hoosiers .270-.135 with 17 fewer attacking errors on the evening.
• Of IU’s four losses in Big Ten play, all have come against top-20 opponents including three on the road at No. 1 Wisconsin, No. 14 Penn State and No. 19 Purdue.
#10 Haworth, Camryn
• The junior had her sixth double-double of the season, dishing out 43 assists and recording 10 digs. Three Hoosiers had 10+ kills on the night.
• With a service ace in the third set, she hit the 50-ace mark on the season. She moves just two away from breaking the program’s single-season record (51) in the rally era.
#32 Gary, Ramsey
• IU’s freshman was brilliant once again, recording 21 digs in four sets, the most by any player in the match.
• She had an amazing up on a swing by Purdue outside hitter Eva Hudson in the third set, leading to an IU point and a set victory.
• Gary has 20+ digs in three-straight matches and has hit the 20-dig plateau on five occasions in conference play.
#3 Alonso-Corcelles, Candela
• The Spaniard carried a heavy load in the match, producing her third double-double in Big Ten play with 15 kills and 11 digs.
Scoring Recap
Set 1: Purdue 25, Indiana 22
• Both teams were outstanding offensively in the first set with just eight errors combined compared to 32 kills. IU hit .275 but Purdue was more efficient at .351.
• Alonso-Corcelles and graduate student middle blocker Kaley Rammelsberg were fantastic with 12 kills on a combined 16 swings, but Purdue weathered a late IU run to win the first set.
• IU saved three set points, including an ace from Gary that forced a timeout from Purdue at 22-24. Hudson was clinical out of the timeout, terminating on set-point four to give the Boilermakers an advantage.
Set 2: Purdue 25, Indiana 22
• The Boilermakers dominated the set from an offensive standpoint, outhitting IU by 160 points (.231-.056). The Hoosiers stayed in the set thanks to three aces including two from redshirt freshman Natalia Hagopian.
• Haworth aced Purdue libero Maddie Schermerhorn out of a timeout to close within two points but a trio of IU errors pushed the lead back to four.
• Purdue opposite hitter Grace Heaney closed out the set with a kill to put Purdue up 2-0 in the match.
Set 3: Indiana 25, Purdue 21
• The Hoosiers kept the match alive with a tough third set that featured 17 digs, three aces and a brilliant performance off the bench from freshman middle blocker Ava Vickers and junior outside hitter Mady Saris.
• Saris had five kills in the frame with three digs and combined on a block to spark IU back to life. The Hoosiers won the third set 25-21.
• With Purdue back within two points, IU went to Rammelsberg out of the middle following the timeout. Saris provided an ace off the tape after that to immediately go back up 23-19.
Set 4: Purdue 25, Indiana 13
• The Boilermakers stormed to an early lead and never relinquished it, cruising to a 25-13 win in the fourth and final set.
• IU hit negative and was blocked five times. Senior defensive specialist Isa Lopez had seven digs with Gary supplying four but it wasn’t enough to keep the match alive.
INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
INDIANA CONCLUDES REGULAR SEASON WITH TRIP TO NO. 4 PENN STATE, MARYLAND
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – No. 19 Indiana Hoosiers (11-1-4, 5-1-2 B1G) travels to the east coast for another ranked match up against No. 4 Penn State in University Park, Pa. on Thursday evening at Jeffery Field with their last game of the regular season at Maryland on Sunday afternoon
STREAMING
• Thursday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and will air live on B1G+.
• The Hoosiers will take the pitch at 1 p.m. ET in College Park, MD, on Sunday.
ABOUT THE NO. 4 NITTANY LIONS
• No. 4 Penn State (11-0-4, 5-0-3 B1G) tied Northwestern 2-2 in Evanston on Sunday evening.
• The Nittany Lions are undefeated through 15 matches and have held the top spot in the conference all season long. They are coming off a 2-2 draw against Northwestern on Sunday, Oct. 15.
• Despite a brace from sophomore midfielder Olivia Borgen and a career high 11 saves from graduate goalkeeper Katherine Asman, the Wildcats put on the pressure against the ranked squad taking an early 2-1 lead in the first half. Borgen found the equalizer in the 51st minute to tie the match.
• Asman leads the conference in saves with 54 on the season (.885 save percentage) and goals against average (.506). As a team, Penn State leads the conference with a .871 save percentage on the year.
• Borgen leads the offense with six goals with 12 points alongside Payton Linnehan who has five goals and three assists on the season for 13 points.
• As a team, PSU has scored 34 goals on 31 assists and have totaled 99 points this year. Between the posts, the ranked squad leads the conference with a .871 save percentage on the year also holding a .437 shots on goal percentage with 11 game winning goals.
ABOUT THE TERPS
• Maryland (3-8-5, 0-7-1 B1G) is looking for their first Big Ten win of the season. They face the No. 21 ranked Badgers on Thursday in their final midweek match of the regular season.
• The Terrapins have given up 23 goals in the conference and have yet to find the back of the net in league play this season. They battled Purdue to a 0-0 draw at home on Sept. 21.
• UMD went on a three-game win streak, tying four matches in their non-conference part of the season with victories against Towson, George Mason and Binghamton.
SERIES HISTORY
• Indiana last defeated the Nittany Lions on Nov. 8, 1996, in the Big Ten Tournament.
• IU battled PSU to a 0-0 decision in Bloomington last season on Sept. 18, 2022.
• Against the Terrapins, Indiana is 3-2-4 all-time. Indiana fell 1-0 at home in their last meeting.
LAST TIME OUT
• The Hoosiers (11-1-4, 5-1-2 B1G) and the Wolverines were even going into the half each with five shots. Junior midfielder Sydney Masur and senior midfielder Anna Bennett provided Indiana with two chances in the half as they IU defense held Michigan (7-5-3, 3-4-1 B1G) to just one.
• Indiana picked up the pace in the second half. In the 46th minute, Paige Webber had a great opportunity on a feed from midfielder Sofia Black, but it hit off the right side post going just wide of the net.
• Bennett fired a shot on goal in the 52nd minute followed by another chance from junior defender Camille Hamm in the 54th minute but couldn’t get anything past U-M’s keeper.
• Coffield converted on a penalty kick in the 61st minute after Michigan was called for a handball in the box.
• The defenses would battle it out, but Gerstenberg and Indiana backline held off the Wolverines attack holding them to zero shots on goal in the last 29 minutes of play.
HOOSIERS IN THE POLLS
• Indiana rose to No. 19, moving up seven spots in week nine of the United Soccer Coaches national poll. The Hoosiers also received a nod from TDS ranking No. 19 and College Soccer News as they came in at No. 23 in the Women’s National Top-30 poll.
• The Hoosiers received votes in week seven and earned their highest ranking at No. 16 in week six. Additionally, IU was also recognized in TopDrawerSoccers’ national poll for the first time coming in at No. 17 and most recently No. 19.
• Prior to this season, IU last appeared in the polls in March 2021 when they were ranked No. 24.
B1G STANDINGS
• Indiana is second in the Big Ten standings behind No. 4 Penn State (11-0-4, 5-0-3 B1G) who holds an undefeated record through 15 matches.
•The Hoosiers are eyeing their first tournament appearance since 2019 where they were the No. 7 seed. IU fell 1-0 in the Quarterfinal match against No. 2 seed Rutgers in Piscataway.
NCAA RPI
• IU ranks No. 33 in the RPI standings and will another top-25 matchup on deck in No. 4 Penn State who holds the top RPI in the country.
‘PIP, PIP’ HOORAY
• Freshman Piper Coffield collected her third Big Ten weekly award and her first Defensive Player of the Week accolade on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
• She made her 15th career start, playing 180 minutes on the pitch last week against No. 20 Michigan State in a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 shutout win over RV Michigan.
•The Mars, Penn., native helped hold the Wolverines to only two shots on goal in the Hoosiers’ 10th cleansheet of the season.
•She is the third player to win Defensive Player of the Week and the third freshman to win two Freshmen of the Week awards in the same season. She last won the award on Aug. 29 after two shutout wins over Morehead State and Evansville and on Oct. 10 against Purdue.
24 CAREER CLEANSHEETS FOR GERSTENBERG
• Junior goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg shattered the career shutout record with 24 cleansheets in three seasons. She passed former teammate Bethany Kopel’s record of 23 after shutting out Michigan on Oct. 15.
• She leads the Big Ten in shutouts (9) and ranks fifth in the nation in cleansheets.
RANKED OPPONENTS
• Indiana has seven teams that are ranked second edition of the United Soccer Coaches rankings, highlighted by three top-20 Big Ten opponents in No. 10 Penn State, No. 17 Michigan State, No. 18 Northwestern and RV Virginia Tech and Rutgers.
• In the non-conference slate, Indiana will face Virginia Tech who is currently receiving votes as well as Big Ten foe Rutgers.
• Since rankings were tracked during the 2001 season, Indiana has not played more than five ranked opponents in a single season. The Hoosiers took on five ranked foes in 2007, 2009 and 2015.
• No. 4 Penn State will be the Hoosiers fourth ranked opponent this season.
• The Hoosiers have faced three ranked opponents so far this season in No. 25 Tennessee, #18 Northwestern, No. 20 Michigan State with record of 1-0-2.
•Indiana defeated their first ranked opponent in No. 18 Northwestern since Sept. 8, 2017, when they defeated No. 23 SMU in Dallas.
INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
GARZON EARNS SPOT ON CHERYL MILLER PRESEASON AWARD WATCH LIST
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore guard Yarden Garzon has been named one of 20 players to the 2024 Cheryl Miller Award watch list, announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) on Wednesday.
Garzon is coming off an impressive freshman campaign where she was named to the All-Big Ten second team and All-Big Ten freshman team. The Ra’anana, Israel native averaged 11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assist and shot 45.8 percent from the 3-point line in her rookie campaign. Her performances earned her three Big Ten freshman of the week honors and was also named the USWBA Tamika Catchings national freshman of the week, the program’s first, last season.
She led the Big Ten form the 3-point line in 3-point field goal percentage while setting and IU record for 3-pointers made (70) in a freshman season and fourth in a single season. Additionally, she finished second in a single season in 3-point percentage. She scored in double figures 19 times in 2022-23 Garzon also had two double-doubles while finishing in the top 10 in five IU freshman records.
The Hoosiers have placed a player on the Cheryl Miller award preseason watch list for the fourth-consecutive season as Grace Berger appeared on the list from 2021-23.
For more information on the 2024 Cheryl Miller Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com
and follow @hoophall and #MillerAward on X and Instagram.
INDIANA FIELD HOCKEY
INDIANA FIELD HOCKEY TO PLAY AT NO. 4 RUTGERS AND NO. 9 MARYLAND
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ––––– After a tough weekend, Indiana Field Hockey heads out on the road for two top-ten ranked conference opponents. On Friday, Oct. 20, Indiana will play against No. 4 Rutgers at Bauer Field Hockey Complex. Then, on Oct. 22, Indiana will finish the trip in College Park, Md. to take on No. 9 Maryland.
WEEKEND REWIND:
-Last weekend the Hoosiers came up short in both games.
-Indiana lost in Bloomington against No. 6 Iowa, 2-0, on Friday, and came up just short at Ball State, losing 3-2, in penalty shootouts.
-With the weekend’s results, the Hoosiers’ record now stands at 5-10 on the season and 0-5 in Big Ten play.
-Against Iowa, the Hoosiers were pressured early with the Hawkeyes taking 13 shots in the first half.
-Iowa would score two goals in the second quarter to put them in front going into halftime.
-Indiana had opportunities in the second half to get one in the cage but could not capitalize. Each team had four penalty corners, with all of Indiana’s coming in the second half.
-Indiana junior goalkeeper Arabella Loveridge recorded eight saves on the afternoon.
-Against Ball State, Indiana recorded a season high 27 shots for the game.
-Indiana built a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth quarter on goals from Inés Garcia Prado and Sarah Charley. Ball State tied the game in the 54th minute on a goal from Maureen Donegan.
-Neither team was able to score through the overtime periods, resulting in a penalty shootout.
-Ball State edged Indiana in the shootout, converting on three of their attempts compared to Indiana’s two.
LOOKING AHEAD:
-Indiana has a challenging slate remaining in their final four regular season games.
-Of the four teams, three of them are ranked in the top 20 of the NFHCA Coaches Poll.
-Of Indiana’s final four games, two are on the road and two are at home to close out the regular season.
QUICK STATS:
-Nine different Hoosiers have scored a goal this season: Sarah Charley, Inés Garcia Prado, Jemima Cookson, Yip van Wonderen, Maggie Carter, Meghan Dillon, Anna Mozeleski, Meredith Lee and Ava Winner.
-Charley leads the way with five goals while Garcia Prado is the team’s second leading goal scorer with three. Dillon and van Wonderen each have two goals, while the rest have one.
-Charley also leads the team in shots taken with 29. Twenty-one of those have been on goal. Yip van Wonderen has taken 26 shots this season with 11 of them being on goal.
-As a team, 17 Hoosiers have recorded a shot taken. Ninety-five of the team’s 153 total shots (62.1%) have been on goal.
-Charley also leads the team in assists with four. Garcia Prado follows with three assists. Sofia Arrebola Garcia, Cookson and Keld each have two assists, as well.
-Shannon McNally and Arabella Loveridge have split time in the cage this season. Loveridge has made eleven appearances this season and has 49 saves. McNally has played in nine games and has recorded 24 saves.
-Kennedy Reardon and Sarah Charley are the most experienced players on the team with each player appearing in 86 career games. Reardon has been a Hoosier her whole career while this is Charley’s first season at IU.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION:
-Indiana opens the weekend with a trip at No. 4 Rutgers. The Scarlet knights own a 14-0 record on the year with a 5-0 Big Ten mark.
-The Scarlet Knights are also the only undefeated team in the country for NCAA Division I Field Hockey.
-The Scarlet Knights boast wins over No. 15 UConn, No. 8 Maryland and No. 9 Ohio State, among others. Rutgers has not lost since Nov. 3, 2022 in the Big Ten Tournament to No. 4 Northwestern.
-Rutgers’ Junior Guillermina Causarano currently leads the team with 11 goals on the season.
-Causarano and Paulina Niklaus are the team’s leading distributors with six and four assists, respectively.
-Rutgers leads the all-time series with Indiana, 10-3. Indiana won the most recent edition of the series, winning last season, 2-0, at home.
-Maryland owns a 12-3 record while going 4-1 in the Big Ten.
-The Terrapins hold wins over No. 17 Boston College, No. 6 Virginia and No. 16 Penn State, among others. Their only losses were to No. 20 Duke, Princeton and No. 6 Rutgers.
-Maryland junior Hope Rose currently leads the team in goals with 12 for the season.
-Maryland leads the all-time series with Indiana 10-0.
OVERTIME TIDBITS:
-Both games this weekend will feature homecomings for multiple Indiana players. Friday’s game at Rutgers will mark a return home for New Jersey natives Kylie Dawson and Amanda Frank. Dawson is from Audubon while Frank is originally from Medford. Then, on Sunday, Ava Winner will be back in her home state. Winner hails from Lutherville.
-Indiana’s 2022 team captains of Sydney Keld and Kennedy Reardon are both team captains again in 2023. Senior Jemima Cookson was voted in as a team captain in the spring, as well.
-Indiana’s roster features three pairs of former high school teammates who are now playing together again. Maggie Carter and Javi Baeza played together at Shaker Heights High School (Ohio), Meredith Lee and Hannah Riddle played together at Assumption High School (Kentucky) and Anna Mozeleski and Maddie Olshemski played at Wyoming Seminary Prep (Pennsylvania).
PURDUE VOLLEYBALL
16 BLOCKS LEAD PURDUE TO 3-1 VICTORY VS INDIANA
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A season-high 16 total blocks fueled No. 19 Purdue to a 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 21-25, 25-13) victory over Indiana on Wednesday night.
The Boilermakers had the final word after falling to Indiana a week ago, 1-3 at Wilkinson Hall. With the win, Purdue earned its second straight victory as it improves to 12-6 (6-3 Big Ten). Meanwhile, the Boilermakers snapped Indiana’s three match winning streak as the Hoosiers fall to 15-7 (5-4 Big Ten).
Four Boilermakers accounted for five season-highs in the match, including middle blocker Raven Colvin’s 11 total blocks.
The Boilermakers continue its toughest stretch of the season. Up next, the team travels to No. 11 Penn State for a 1 p.m. ET showdown on Sunday on FS1.
Quick Hits
With the win over Indiana, a team receiving votes in the AVCA/Taraflex Coaches’ Poll, Purdue is now 6-3 vs. teams receiving a nod in the poll.
Purdue has won 14 consecutive home matches vs. Indiana.
Purdue got out to early leads in Set 1 (9-3 lead), Set 2 (11-3 lead) and Set 4 (11-4 lead).
Four Boilermakers secured season-highs or better: Lourdès Myers career-high 11 kills, Raven Colvin’s season-high 11 blocks and Big Ten season-high .500 attack %, Grace Heaney’s career-high six blocks and Chloe Chicoine’s career-high-tying three blocks.
As a team, the Boilermakers produced a season-high 16 blocks, the most since the 2022 Big Ten season-finale at Penn State (17, 11/25/22).
Purdue held Indiana, a team averaging a .245 hitting % to .135 in the match, including a negative hitting % in the final set. Meanwhile, the Boilermakers ended the night with a .270 hitting %, which included two sets hitting .300 or better.
Colvin produced the seventh errorless match of her career, including first of the season, with her seven kills on 14 attacks, in addition to a season-high 11 total blocks (1-10). Meanwhile, her .500 attack % was her most efficient performance of Big Ten play this year.
Eva Hudson paced the team for the second consecutive match with 19 kills. The sophomore went errorless in Set 3 with seven kills and a .467 hitting %.
Libero Maddie Schermerhorn totaled 15 digs to lead the team, 10 of which were recorded in the final set.
Ali Hornung totaled 10 digs, the most in five matches and two shy of her season-best.
PURDUE WOMEN’S SOCCER
ROAD SLATE CONCLUDES AT NO. 25 NEBRASKA
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Purdue soccer team will play its final road game of the 2023 season at No. 25 Nebraska on Thursday, October 18, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT, at Hibner Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The matchup will be the Boilermakers’ sixth against a top-25 opponent this season.
The game will be broadcast live on B1G+, and live stats are available at Nebraska.Statbroadcast.com. Updates from Lincoln also can be found by following and connecting with @PurdueSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, while direct links to follow along are available on the schedule page at PurdueSports.com/Soccer.
With two games remaining in the regular season, Purdue is 3-11-2 and 0-6-2 in Big Ten play. The Boilermakers are 0-5-1 away from home. They have played six top-25 opponents this year, another two past foes are currently ranked and three more have spent time ranked nationally this season. In total, 11 of the team’s 18 opponents are or have been in the top-25 for at least one week during the 2023 campaign.
The Boilermakers have scored 17 goals with 20 assists for 54 points on 176 shots and 70 shots on target. Nine of Purdue’s 17 goals have come from different players, and five of those are first career goals. The Old Gold and Black have given up 25 goals on 192 shots, 95 on goal. The defense has allowed two or fewer goals in all but three games for a 1.56 goals-against average.
Junior forward Gracie Dunaway and sophomore forward Kayla Budish each have scored a team-high-tying three goals, and another four Boilermakers have two goals. Budish has eight points, and senior midfielder Emily Mathews has seven. Dunaway has a squad-best 31 shots and freshman forward Lauren Omholt boasts a team-best 14 shots on goal. Mathews has five assists to pace the team. In goal, senior Charlotte Cyr has made 62 saves for a .721 save percentage and a 1.67 goals-against average in nearly 1,300 minutes.
In the record books, Mathews’ 21 career assists are fourth-most in program history and the most since Maddy Williams had a record 26 assists from 2013-17. With an assist on Sunday, she passed Kellie Phillips, who had 20 from 2008-11. Next on the list is 2023 Purdue Athletics Hall of Famer Lauren Sesselmann’s 22 from 2001-05.
SCOUTING NEBRASKA
Nebraska is 11-2-3 on the year with a 5-1-2 mark at home. The Huskers are 5-1-2 in Big Ten play and are in a three-way tie for second place in the league with 17 points, just one point out of first. NU has won four in a row, a streak that came after a 1-2-2 record in a five-game stretch. In their current win streak, the Huskers have scored at least three goals in all but the most recent contest, which was a 2-0 shutout at Minnesota on October 15.
The Huskers are ranked nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Poll for the second time this season at No. 25. They also are No. 16 in this week’s Top Drawer Soccer rankings.
Statistically, Nebraska is No. 4 nationally with 140 points and 50 assists and fifth with 45 goals, all Big Ten-best marks. NU has 208 shots, 103 on goal. The Huskers have allowed 10 goals on 117 shots. Eleanor Dale leads the country with 21 goals and is second with 46 points. Florence Belzille ranks No. 4 in the NCAA with 11 assists. In goal, Samantha Hauk has started all 16 games and has made 61 saves for a .782 save percentage and a 1.09 goals-against average.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE HUSKERS
Purdue owns a 5-8-1 all-time record against Nebraska with a 2-5-0 mark in Lincoln. The series began in 2000 before the two teams squared off as Big Ten foes for the first time in 2011. The Boilermakers will play at Hibner Stadium for the fourth time in the last six seasons, with the most recent visit a 3-1 win in 2021.
A year ago at Folk Field, Purdue and Nebraska played to a 1-1 draw on September 29, 2022. Dunaway found the back of the net in the 73rd minute, and NU answered to level the game two minutes later. Budish led the team with three shots. A complete recap of the game is available here.
The Boilermakers’ last visit to Lincoln was a memorable one thanks to a hat trick by Mathews, then a sophomore, in a 3-1 win in the team’s Big Ten opener on September 19, 2021. It was the seventh hat trick in team history. Purdue took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute, but Nebraska quickly answered to even the match less than two minutes later. Mathews gave her team the lead back in the 71st minute, and a breakaway goal in the 90th minute completed the hat trick. Recap the contest here.
LAST TIME OUT: NARROW ROAD LOSS
Purdue lost a 2-1 contest at Illinois on October 15 in Champaign, Illinois. On a cool afternoon that featured periods of sunshine and light rain, the Fighting Illini took a 1-0 lead in the third minute, but the Boilermakers answered right back with the equalizing goal in the 16th minute. U of I scored again in the 53rd minute and the visitors could not find the tying goal a second time.
Purdue’s goal was scored by sophomore forward Brooke Haarala, the first of her career. Mathews picked up the assist and led the team with three shots, all on goal. Cyr stopped a season-best nine shots, and her Illinois counterpart made five saves.
The Boilermakers had 12 shots, six on goal, and the Fighting Illini recorded 18 shots and 11 on target. U of I held a 7-5 advantage in corner kicks and both teams were called for eight fouls.
A complete recap from the game is available at PurdueSports.com/Soccer.
UP NEXT: SEASON FINALE AT FOLK FIELD
Purdue returns home to play its final game of the season on Sunday, October 22, against Minnesota. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET at Folk Field, and admission is free for all fans to the contest.
BUTLER MEN’S SOCCER
BUTLER MEN’S SOCCER DRAWS WITH DIVISION-LEADING XAVIER
CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Butler men’s soccer team scored early and held a one-goal lead through 88 minutes against BIG EAST Midwest Division leader Xavier, but the match ultimately ended in a draw. Palmer Ault tallied a goal in the tenth minute for the Bulldogs (2-6-5, 1-2-3 BIG EAST), but the Musketeers (6-3-4, 3-1-2 BIG EAST) converted a PK in the 89th minute to level the score at one.
Key Moments
10′ | Palmer Ault takes advantage of a defensive miscue by the Musketeers and gives Butler an early, 1-0, lead.
**HALFTIME**
89′ | A Butler foul in the penalty area gives Xavier a chance to level the score with a PK, and Guilherme Vivaldini converts.
Butler Points Summary
Butler Points Summary
GOALS: Palmer Ault
ASSISTS: (none)
Bulldog Bits
Palmer Ault’s goal was his sixth of the season and the 16th of his career.
Ault led Butler’s offense with five shots and two on goal. In the last two matches, he tallied 14 shots with seven on frame.
Caleb Norris made eight saves to preserve the draw.
Up Next
Butler finishes the regular season with a pair of home matches: Providence, on Saturday, Oct. 21, and then No. 3 Akron, on Saturday Oct. 28.
BUTLER SWIMMING
BUTLER SWIMMING PREPS FOR DAN ROSS INDIANA INTERCOLLEGIATE MEET
INDIANAPOLIS — The Butler women’s swim team will head to West Lafayette to compete in the Dan Ross Indiana Intercollegiate Meet hosted by Purdue on Saturday, Oct. 21. Action begins at noon on Saturday at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center. Live scoring will be available by clicking here.
The Bulldogs will compete against Anderson, Ball State, Bethel, Franklin, Indiana Wesleyan, IUPUI, Purdue, Rose-Hulman, and Southern Indiana. Each athlete is allowed three swims, with a maximum of two individual events.
Order of Events
200 Medley Relay
200 Free
50 Free
100 IM
100 Fly
100 Free
100 Back
500 Free
100 Breast
200 Free Relay
Scoring
All events will be timed finals
NCAA Championship scoring to 16 places will be used
Relays will count double
The Bulldogs aim to have another strong performance after last week’s meet at UIC where Emily Landwehr, Gianna Leffler, Kate Schilling, and Ava McGonigle set BIG EAST qualifying times.
BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER
BULLDOGS WORKING TOWARD POSTSEASON BERTH WITH SETON HALL IN TOWN
Matchday Information – Butler vs. Seton Hall
DATE: Thursday, October 19 / 7PM
LOCATION: Indianapolis / Sellick Bowl
LIVE VIDEO: FloSports/BEDN
LIVE STATS: StatBroadcast
TICKETS: butlersports.com
Full Notes
With three regular-season games remaining, the Butler women’s soccer team currently sits two points behind Seton Hall in the BIG EAST standings, and both sides will be fighting on Thursday for three points and a more secure position. The Bulldogs (5-6-5, 1-2-4 BIG EAST), coming off a 0-0 draw with UConn, are in the eighth spot at this time and need to rise to the sixth spot for a postseason berth. The Pirates (6-6-4, 2-3-3 BIG EAST), who most recently tied DePaul, 0-0, occupy the sixth position but are only one point ahead of Marquette and two points ahead of Butler.
Bulldog Bits
(as of 10/15/23)
With seven goals, Norah Jacomen ranks fourth in the BIG EAST and 82nd nationally and her 15 offensive points rank fifth in the conference.
Talia Sommer’s five assists rank second in the BIG EAST and 93rd nationally, and her two game-winning goals rank third.
vs. UConn
Anna Pierce made six saves in the contest, matching her career high. The shutout was her third solo clean sheet of the season and the sixth of her career.
Talia Sommer (3) and Abigail Isger (2) each had multiple shots in the match. Six additional Bulldogs produced a shot, with Isger and Becky Dean each having one on goal.
The physical contest included 29 fouls combined, though no player was cautioned.
The Matchup
SERIES RECORD: Butler leads, 6-1-2
PREVIOUS MEETING: Oct. 20, 2022 – South Orange, N.J. – Butler 2, Seton Hall 2
Butler has the most recent win in the series (3-1) in Indianapolis in 2021.
Seton Hall’s only win in the series was a 3-1 result in 2013.
In addition to last season’s draw, the team’s battled to a 0-0 (2OT) tie in 2017.
Scouting Seton Hall
Previous match: vs. DePaul T, 0-0
Seton Hall has notable wins against Marquette (1-0) and St. John’s (1-0) and also tied No. 24 Xavier (1-1) and No. 12 Georgetown (1-1). The Pirates lost to Creighton (0-2), Villanova (1-2), and Providence (1-3).
Individual Statistics
Offensive standouts for Seton Hall include:
#21 Natalie Tavana (11g, 2a)
#7 Phoebe Hampson (2g, 2a)
#14 Sophie Liston (1g, 4a)
#20 Skyler Matusz (1g, 4a)
#99 Morgan Fedosiewich (4-5-1) and #1 Anna Prawer (2-1-3) have shared goalkeeping responsibilities for the Pirates this season. In 10 starts, Fedosiewich has allowed 16 goals (1.78 GAA) and made 27 saves (.628 SV%), earning two solo shutouts. In six starts, Prawer has allowed four goals (.57 GAA) and made 22 saves (.846 GAA), earning three shutouts. The pair combined for one additional clean sheet.
IUPUI WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
TURNER VOTED #HLWBB PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE FIRST TEAM
INDIANAPOLIS – IUPUI graduate student Jazmyn Turner was voted to the #HLWBB Preseason All-League First Team according to the Horizon League’s preseason poll. The Jaguars were picked to finish ninth of 11 teams in the conference, according to the league’s coaches. Green Bay collected a unanimous 11 first-place votes to earn the top spot while Cleveland State and Youngstown State were picked to finish second and third, respectively. Cleveland State’s Destiny Leo was pegged #HLWBB Preseason Player of the Year while Bailey Butler (Green Bay), Brooke Quarles-Daniels (Oakland) and Amellia Bromenschenkel (Purdue Fort Wayne) joins Leo and IUPUI’s Turner on the Preseason All-League First Team.
The second team includes Irene Murua (Detroit Mercy), Kendall Nead (Milwaukee), Kailee Davis (Northern Kentucky), Shayla Sellers (Purdue Fort Wayne) and Malia Magestro (Youngstown State).
Turner earned All-League Second Team honors in her first season with the Jaguars this past year averaging a team-high 14.9 points with a second-best 5.8 rebounds per game. As a team, the Jaguars return Jaci Jones, Logan Lewis, Turner and Abby Wolterman.
Head coach Kate Bruce, in her second season, added a strong recruiting class with freshman Kace Urlacher, Alexa Hocevar, Azyah Newson-Cole, Kaylin Moorehead and Brooklyn Stubblefield. The Jags added several from the transfer portal as well including sophomore Faith Stinson, juniors Camron Blank and Katie Davidson and graduates Tahlia Walton and Jaela Johnson.
IUPUI will kick off the season on November 6 when they host Eastern Illinois in the Jungle with tipoff set for 7:00 PM.
The full results of the #HLWBB Preseason Poll are listed below.
2023-24 Under Armour #HLWBB Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. Green Bay (11) – 121
2. Cleveland State – 107
3. Youngstown State – 95
4. Purdue Fort Wayne – 90
5. Northern Kentucky – 63
6. Milwaukee – 59
7. Wright State – 54
8. Oakland – 53
9. IUPUI – 49
10. Detroit Mercy – 21
11. RMU – 14
#HLWBB Preseason Player of the Year
Destiny Leo, Cleveland State
Preseason All-League First Team (alphabetical order by school)
Destiny Leo, Cleveland State
Bailey Butler, Green Bay
Jazmyn Turner, IUPUI
Brooke Quarles-Daniels, Oakland
Amellia Bromenschenkel, PFW
Preseason All-League Second Team (alphabetical order by school)
Irene Murua, Detroit Mercy
Kendall Nead, Milwaukee
Kailee Davis, Northern Kentucky
Shayla Sellers, Purdue Fort Wayne
Malia Magestro, Youngstown State
NOTRE DAME HOCKEY
HOCKEY HOSTS BU
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame hockey team returns home for a two-game non-conference series against No. 6/6 Boston University this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20-21.
Friday’s puck drop is set for 7:35 p.m. Friday night followed by a 6:05 p.m. start on Saturday. Prior to Saturday’s tilt, fans are invited to the annual Hocktoberfest, hosted on the lawn outside Compton Family Ice Arena from 4-6 p.m. Food, drinks and games will be available.
New this season, fans can view line charts online at fightingirish.com/HKYLineCharts. Lines will be posted online approximately 90 minutes before puck drop (timing subject to change).
SERIES OVERVIEW
Opponent: Boston University Terriers
Location: South Bend, Ind.| Compton Family Ice Arena
Schedule: 7:35 p.m. (Fri.) | 6:05 p.m. (Sat.)
TV: Peacock
Live Stats: FightingIrish.com
Radio: fightingirish.com/radioaffiliates/
Game Notes: Notre Dame | Boston University
QUICK HITS
Notre Dame traveled North for their first road trip of the season where they faced RIT in the Brick City Game at Blue Cross Arena.
The game was played at the home of the American Hockey League’s Rochester Americans, the AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres.
The last time they were home, the Irish opened their season with a split against Clarkson inside Compton Family Ice Arena.
The first line chart of the season featured nine new faces while all 10 appeared on the ice at some point last weekend.
The new talent made an immediate impact on the Irish team with five 2023-24 additions recording their first points in an Irish sweater over the weekend.
Two Irish rookies net their first collegite goals on the weekend with Jayden Davis and Danny Nelson each finding the back of the net in Sunday night’s win.
Davis’ goal came off his first shot on goal in his NCAA debut. The goal in the second period proved to be the eventual game-winner.
With his first win of the season, Ryan Bischel picked up his eighth career shutout behind the 3-0 victory. He stopped all 22 shots faced in the contest to improve his season save percentage to .957 through two games played.
The Irish return 19 letterwinners from the 2022-23 season this year, including 2023 Big Ten Conference Goaltender of the Year, Ryan Bischel.
Classmate Trevor Janicke also returned for his fifth season with the Irish, serving as alternate captain for the second time in 2023-24.
Of those letterwinners returning, 17 saw game action last season while five appeared in all 37 games played for the Irish a season ago.
The veteran leadership consists of four graduate seniors, including new additions to the team in Patrick Moynihan (forward; Providence) and Ryan Siedem (defenseman; Harvard), and eight seniors
Ten new faces join the team this season, including eight freshmen. The new contributors consist of seven forwards and three defensemen.
The Irish are set to play nine of their 10 non-conference games inside Compton Family Ice Arena, while hosting an additional 12 conference games for a total of 21 home games this season.
The Irish concluded the 2022-23 season with a 16-16-5 record, and a fourth place finish in the Big Ten Conference regular season.
Notre Dame hosted a conference playoffs series for the third consecutive season when they hosted Michigan State in the Big Ten quarterfinals for a best-of-three series.
NOTRE DAME vs. BU
The two teams have met 16 times previously, most recently over Thanksgiving weekend in 2022.
Notre Dame traveled to Boston for a one-game series last season where they ultimately fell, 5-2.
In 16 all-time meetings between the two squads, the Irish hold the slight advantage with an 8-6-2 record overall.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams in Indiana since the 2015-16 season in which the teams split the weekend series.
Last season, three current Irish skaters highlighted the box score with the team’s current leader in goals, Landon Slaggert, finding the back of the net in the contest while Hunter Strand and Justin Janicke each tallied assists.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
The 2022-23 Big Ten Goaltender of the Year was one of two unanimous selections for 2023-24 Preseason All-Big Ten Teams. He was selected to the All-Big Ten First Team ahead of the coming season.
Bischel was also a Mike Richter Award semifinalist and a Hobey Baker nominee a season ago.
Drew Bavaro made an immediate impact at the blueline last season after joining the Irish and will look to continue that success this season as a senior. He was selected to the All-Big Ten Second Team for the preseason.
Landon Slaggert also picked up preseason honors from the Big Ten when he was named an Honorable Mention heading into the season.
FAMILY TIES
The 2023-24 Notre Dame roster features quite a few family connections to the program and hockey world.
Three sets of brothers are currently on the roster, including Justin and Trevor Janicke, Landon and Carter Slaggert, and Henry and Danny Nelson.
With the addition of the Nelsons this season, the Irish have had 17 sets of brothers lace up their skates together for the Irish.
Carter Slaggert also joins the Irish in 2023-24, becoming the third Slaggert brother to appear in a game for the Irish and joins his older brother Landon, who is a senior. Oldest brother Graham currently plays in the Buffalo Sabres organization and skated two years alongside Landon before graduating.
Senior forward Brady Bjork is the younger brother of former Irish All-American and current Chicago Blackhawk Anders Bjork.
Brady’s father, Kirt, played for the Irish from 1979-83 where he appeared in 141 and tallied 161 career points (76-85). When older brother Anders played for the Irish, they became the fourth set of father-son combinations within Notre Dame hockey.
The Slaggerts are part of the fifth set of father-son combinations to suit up for the Irish, joining their father and associate head coach Andy Slaggert.
Justin and Trevor Janicke are the sons of Curtis Janicke, who played for the Irish from 1989-93, appearing in 125 games while scoring 46 goals and adding 98 assists for 144 points.
Justin, Trevor and Curtis represent the sixth father-son duo to play for the Irish.
Freshman Paul Fischer is the nephew of Mike Gearan, a member of the first varsity hockey team at Notre Dame. Fischer will honor his uncle by wearing his number during his career with the Irish, No. 16.
Freshman forward Cole Knuble is the son of former NHLer Mike Knuble, who spent 16 seasons in the NHL, including stints with Detroit, New York Rangers, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington. Cole was recently drafted by the Flyers’ organization where his father played during his early childhood. He will wear No. 22 with the Irish to honor his father.
Four current Irish skaters have siblings playing at the collegiate level, away from South Bend.
Cole Knuble’s brother, Cam, is a senior at Western Michigan University.
Ryan Siedem’s brother is a freshman at the University of New Hampshire.
Jayden Davis’ brother Matthew is a junior on the Denver Pioneers’ hockey team.
Maddox Fleming’s sister Delaney is a freshman on the Ohio State University women’s hockey team.
CURRENT IRISH AND THE NHL DRAFT
The 2023-24 roster features nine NHL draftees, including Jake Boltmann (CGY ‘20), Justin Janicke (SEA ‘21), Danny Nelson (NYI ‘23), Brennan Ali (DET ‘22), Paul Fischer (STL ‘23), Patrick Moynihan (NJD ‘19), Landon Slaggert (CHI ‘20), Cole Knuble (PHI ‘23) and Trevor Janicke (ANA ‘19).
The 2023 NHL draft saw three Irish rookies selected, the most since 2020, and 15th time in program history that at least three Irish icers were selected in a single draft class.
The trio of skaters selected in 2023, Danny Nelson (2nd Rd., 49 overall), Cole Knuble (4th Rd., 103 overall) and Paul Fischer (5th Rd., 138 overall) join fellow rookie Brennan Ali (DET ‘22) as draftees in the ND freshmen class.
When D. Nelson was selected in the second round of this year’s Draft, Notre Dame extended its streak of players drafted to 21 years (2004-present).
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S SOCCER
15. ROAD SWING CONTINUES AT #3 NORTH CAROLINA
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 12 Notre Dame women’s soccer squad knew this final four-match swing to end the regular season would be tough. The Fighting Irish have had a week to stew on that 4-1 loss to No. 1 Florida State and they’ll now look to bounce back and make a statement against No. 3 North Carolina. The Irish and Tar Heels will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on the ACC Network.
MATCH STORYLINES
First and foremost – this match is pivotal for that straight ticket to Cary, North Carolina, in the ACC Tournament and obtaining a top-two seed. It’s also about building that NCAA Tournament resume. Despite not earning a result at FSU, the Irish still have two more opportunities against top-10 ranked teams in UNC and Clemson.
And if the Irish didn’t already have a sour taste in their mouth from the Florida State loss, this match is a reminder of the team who knocked them out of the 2022 NCAA Tournament, one win shy of a College Cup appearance. In that Quarterfinal matchup, the Irish lost to the Tar Heels, 2-0, after not allowing a goal in the NCAA Tournament up to that point.
The Irish are trying to snap a six-match losing streak in the series. They haven’t defeated UNC since a 1-0 victory in South Bend on 10/14/16. The last win in Chapel Hill occurred on 9/15/13 in a 1-0 victory as well.
ANOTHER ACC BATTLE AT THE TOP
Notre Dame is currently in second place in the ACC standings with a 5-1-1 league record. The Irish are tied with Pitt and future opponent Clemson with 16 points with the Tar Heels right behind with 15.
GOAL SCORERS FROM ALL OVER
This season’s stats allude to the depth and balanced attack Coach Norman has at his disposal. Currently, six players boast four goals or more. All-in-all there have been 11 different goal scorers for the Irish — four of which have been freshmen.
It is three grad players who lead the way –> Mercado, Van Zanten and Lynch all have six goals. Ellie Ospeck, Meg Mrowicki and All-American defender Eva Gaetino follow right behind them with four goals.
ASSIST LEADER – LEAH KLENKE
Klenke has been an absolute sparkplug and the main cog that runs the Notre Dame offense. Klenke leads the team with nine assists, which ranks 8th nationally and first in the ACC. Her 0.64 assists per game also ranks 8th in the country and first in the league.
Get this, Klenke has registered points in eight of the last 10 matches. She has six assists in conference play.
Klenke now has a career-best 11 points on the season.
TRENDING
Leah Klenke has recorded a point in four consecutive matches. As previously stated, she has notched one point in eight of the last 10 matches.
Behind the efforts of Klenke and Ellie Ospeck, the Irish rank 22nd in assists per game, 4th in the ACC, at 2.4.
Kristina Lynch has scored in back-to-back games. She also has scored three times in the past five matches. In addition, she’s recorded a point in three consecutive matches.
Van Zanten has recorded two braces over the last five matches. Against Louisville on Sept. 30, she recorded a five-point night behind two goals and one assist. It marked the second most points of her career, only behind a hat trick she achieved back in 2020 against Miami. As a result, she was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Week.
Notre Dame ranks 12th in the country and 3rd in the ACC in shots per game with 18.2. Both Mercado and Van Zanten lead the Irish in this category with 3.2 and 3.3 shots per game, respectively.
Heading into this week’s game, seven players now boast 10 points or more– Mercado, Ospeck, Mrowicki, Van Zanten, Lynch, Gaetino, Klenke.
The key to victory – the Irish have scored multiple goals in every game they’ve won this season. Notre Dame has outscored its ACC opponents 20-10 thus far.
Notre Dame’s scoring offense of 2.57 ranks 14th nationally and 4th in the ACC. Their 7.5 points per game ranks 15th in the country.
CUE THE CRAZY FROG
If you see the frog emoji in the comments section of any Ellie Ospeck post on social, it’s because her goal song is Crazy Frog and the team has rallied behind it.
Ospeck has turned up the heat in October and has achieved a lot of firsts: First career ACC POTW honor, first four-point performance of her career in the win over BC on Oct. 5, and first three-assist performance of her career in the win over Miami on Oct. 8.
She now co-leads the team in total points with 15 – for reference, her point total last year was four.
She now ranks second on the team in assists with seven, which also ranks fourth in the ACC and 25th nationally.
RECENT MOVES PAYING DIVIDENDS
Around the start of ACC play, Coach Norman changed several positions in his lineup and the moves have paid dividends.
First off, Maddie Mercado was moved from forward to center mid. She now co-leads the team in scoring.
Second one was moving Kristina Lynch from right back in the midfield to forward. Lynch also co-leads the team in scoring with six goals – which marks a career best for the graduate.
The next was starting Meg Mrowicki up top and bringing the speed of Ospeck off the bench. Mrowicki has been a great freshman breakout story for the 2023 season. She got the game-winner against Louisville on Sept. 30, which marked her fourth goal of the season. Then there’s Ospeck who co-leads the team in points with a career best 15.
Another has been the switch t
o Atlee Olofson in goal. She’s played in five ACC contests. Olofson earned her second shutout in the 3-0 win over Louisville, then made a career high eight saves in the 3-1 win over BC.
BALL STATE FOOTBALL
CARDINALS TAKE ON CENTRAL MICHIGAN IN BALL STATE’S 96TH HOMECOMING GAME
MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State welcomes Central Michigan to Scheumann Stadium this Saturday to conduct its 96th annual Homecoming Game. The Cardinals have won two of their past three homecoming tilts, including last year’s 25-21 win over Connecticut. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. This week’s game sponsor is IU Health.
** Central Michigan takes part in Ball State’s annual homecoming affair for the sixth time. The Cardinals have hosted the Chippewas during homecoming festivities in 1940, 1941, 1994, 1997 and 2017.
** The Cardinals hope to collect their first Mid-American Conference win while stalling the Chippewas’ ascent in the MAC West Division standings. Central Michigan beat Akron last week and is one of three 2-1 squads trailing 3-0 Toledo in the West Division.
** Ball State fell to MAC West-leading Toledo last week, 13-6, in a rain-soaked field goal battle which ended with the Rockets scoring the game’s only touchdown just 90 seconds before the final horn. Redshirt-sophomore Kiael Kelly made his first career start at quarterback and could assume top signal-calling duties going forward.
** For the second week in-a-row, Ball State’s defense put the Cardinals in position for a victory. Toledo came into last week’s game with Red Zone scores in 29 of 30 trips beyond the 20-yard line. Against the Cardinals though, Toledo was turned back twice in its five Red Zone trips, including a first-quarter fumble at the eight-yard line.
** Officially two-thirds of the season complete after this week’s game, the Cardinals hit the road for a pair of #MAC-tion contests at Bowling Green and Northern Illinois before the closing the regular season with home games against Kent State and Miami.
BALL STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
SOCCER TRAVELS TO NIU THURSDAY, HOSTS BOWLING GREEN SUNDAY
MUNCIE, Ind. – – The Ball State soccer team will face a pair of key tests this week, starting Thursday when its closes the road portion of its 2023 regular season slate with a 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT kickoff at Northern Illinois. The Cardinals return home Sunday to take on Bowling Green in another 2 p.m. start.
Ball State holds a 16-6-5 lead in the all-time series versus Northern Illinois, including seven straight wins. Last season, the Cardinals topped the Huskies by a 4-1 margin at the Briner Sports Complex on Sept. 29. BSU is 7-2-2 all-time in matches played in DeKalb, Illinois, having won its last five trips to NIU’s home pitch.
Ball State also holds a 16-6-5 edge in the all-time series versus Bowling Green after playing to a 1-1 draw in last season’s MAC Championship Semifinals (Nov. 3) in which BSU ultimately advanced to the championship match on penalty kicks (4-2). The Cardinals hold a 7-3-3 advantage in matches played on its home pitch despite suffering a 2-0 setback to BGSU in the last home meeting played Oct. 7, 2021.
SEASON TO DATE:
Ball State enters the week with a 7-5-3 (5-0-3 MAC) record after scoring a 2-1 win at Akron last Thursday before battling Ohio to a 2-2 draw at home Sunday.
The Cardinals opened the year with a 5-1 win over Mercyhurst (Aug. 17), before facing a gauntlet which included losses at No. 3 Notre Dame (Aug. 20), at Texas Tech (Aug. 24), at Loyola (Sept. 3) and at Vanderbilt (Sept. 7). After a 3-0 home win over Austin Peay (Sept. 10), the Cardinals faced another tough opponent in Butler (Sept. 14) on the road.
Ball State opening league play with a 3-1 home victory over Miami (Sept. 21), while battling Eastern Michigan (Sept. 24) to a 1-1 draw on the road. The following week, the Cardinals scored a 2-1 home win over Toledo (Sept. 28), while battling Western Michigan (Oct. 1) to a 2-2 draw on the road. Ball State then earned a 3-1 home win over Kent State (Oct. 5) and tallied its first road win of the season in the form of a 5-0 victory at Buffalo (Oct. 8).
BALL STATE SOCCER QUICK HITS:
– With three matches remaining in the regular season, the Cardinals enter a crucial stretch of the schedule tied with Western Michigan for first in the league standings with a 5-0-3 league record … Bowling Green (5-1-2) is right behind in third, while Northern Illinois (4-3-1) is tied with Toledo (4-3-1) for fifth in the race to make the six-team MAC Championship which starts with quarterfinal action Sunday, Oct. 29.
– Ball State has made the most of its six home matches this season, owning a 5-0-1 record at the Briner Sports Complex … In fact, the Cardinals are out-scoring opponents 18-6 on its home pitch … Ball State’s 18 goals at home are more than seven league teams have scored all season.
– Tack on 12 road goals and the Cardinals rank first in the MAC and 51st nationally with 30 total goals … Ball State has netted at least one goal in 12 of its 15 matches, with its five goals in wins over Mercyhurst (Aug. 17) and at Buffalo (Oct. 8) being the most scored by a MAC team in a match this season … BSU is also 51th nationally in scoring offense at 2.00 goals per game.
– Senior forward Avery Fenchel enters Thursday’s match at Northern Illinois leading the team and ranked second in the MAC in both goals scored (11) and points (23) this season … She started the year with her first career hat trick in the season-opener versus Mercyhurst (Aug. 17) and added her first career assist at Loyola (Sept. 3) … Fenchel has gone on to collect the final goal in the win over Austin Peay (Sept. 10), open the scoring with her goal versus Miami (Sept. 21), net the match-winning goal versus Toledo (Sept. 28), add another match winner at Buffalo (Oct. 8) with the first of her brace in the contest, stun Akron (Oct. 12) with an 87th-minute tally for the second of her brace and provide the opening goal in the draw versus Ohio (Oct. 15).
– With 11 goals this season, Avery Fenchel remains fourth in program history with 24 career goals … Her 11 goals scored in each of the last two campaigns are the second-most goals in a single season in the BSU record book, while she scored her first two career goals as a sophomore … Fenchel is currently fifth in program history with 49 career points (24 goals / 1 assist).
– After scoring her second consecutive brace in the win at Akron (Oct. 12) and adding a goal in the draw versus Ohio (Oct. 15), Avery Fenchel was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career Tuesday.
– After scoring a pair of braces wins over Kent State (Oct. 5) and at Buffalo (Oct. 8), junior forward Lexi Fraley was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week and to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week as a forward … Throw in a goal in last Sunday’s draw versus Ohio (Oct. 15) and Fraley ranks third in the MAC in both goals scored (8) and points (19) this season … Fraley, who ranks second among active Ball State players with 17 career goals, scored her first goal of the season at Loyola (Sept. 3), added another in the 1-1 draw at Eastern Michigan (Sept. 24) and tallied her third in the 2-2 draw at Western Michigan (Oct. 1) … Fraley has also dished out three assists on the season and ranks first in the MAC in both shots (51) and shots on goal (24).
– Entering Thursday’s match at Northern Illinois, the Ball State offense features two of the nation’s top 50 goal scorers, with Avery Fenchel ranking 13th nationally with her 11 goals and Lexi Fraley is 49th with her eight … Ball State is one of 11 programs nationally to feature two individual goal scorers ranked in the Top 50 among all NCAA Division I players … In addition, Fenchel is 12th nationally with her four match-winning goals.
– Sophomore forward Emily Roper also notched goals versus Kent State (Oct. 5) and at Buffalo (Oct. 8), raising her season total to five which is tied for seventh in the MAC … Roper, who scored her first career brace in the win over Austin Peay (Sept. 10) and opened the year with a goal against Mercyhurst (Aug. 17), is also eighth in the MAC with 17 shots on goal.
– Overall, seven different players have scored at least one goal for the Cardinals this season, including sophomore forward Delaney Caldwell and junior forward Kaitlyn Fraser with two goals apiece … Caldwell has scored five goals over her Ball State career, while Fraser’s goals are the first two of her career … In addition, senior defender Ryann Locante (vs. Mercyhurst on Aug. 17) and freshman forward Annika Klauss (vs. Miami on Sept. 21) have each scored their first career goals this season.
– Ball State’s student-athletes have dished out a total of 22 assists so far this season, including four each from sophomore midfielder Tori Monaco and Delaney Caldwell which ties as the sixth-most in the MAC this season … Junior defender Maya Millis and Lexi Fraley have three assists apiece, while Emily Roper and graduate defender Maya Turner have two … Rounding out the list are Avery Fenchel, Kaitlyn Fraser, junior defender Alex McPhee and freshman forward Kaelyn Valleau with one helper each … Ball State’s 22 assists currently rank second in the MAC.
– Goalkeeper Bethany Moser was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 12 after leading the league in goals against average (0.56) and save percentage (.875) for the previous week … She allowed just one goal over 160:49, with it being an 88th-minute tally by Vanderbilt (Sept. 7) … Moser also combined for the shutout win over Austin Peay (Sept. 10), playing the first 70:19 of the match and stopping all three shots she faced.
– For the season, Bethany Moser ranks second in the MAC with 5.20 saves per match, having collected 78 total saves which leads all MAC goalkeepers … Her average ranks 44th nationally, while her total saves are 29th.
SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS:
The Huskies are currently 6-6-3 (4-3-1 MAC) after a 2-0 home loss to Buffalo Thursday and a 2-1 road win at Kent State Sunday.
Northern Illinois is eighth in the MAC with 15 goals this season, with eight coming in league play … Ten different players have scored goals for NIU, with four tied for the team lead with two apiece … Add a pair of assists and Lea Gruennagel leads the squad with six points.
Sadie McGill has played 1330:30 of the team’s 1350:00 minutes in goal, registering 50 saves and a 1.01 goals against average … McGill’s .769 save percentage is seventh in the MAC, right behind the .772 mark from Ball State’s Bethany Moser.
SCOUTING BOWLING GREEN:
The Falcons enter a Thursday showdown at Central Michigan with a 7-5-2 (5-1-2 MAC) record after suffering a 2-0 setback at home to Kent State Thursday, while battling to a 0-0 draw at Buffalo Sunday.
Bowling Green is sixth in the MAC with 17 goals scored this season, with 11 coming in league play … Brynn Gardner and Ellie Pool are tied for the team lead with four goals apiece, while Gardner has three assists to give her a team-high 11 points.
Lili Berg and Madison Vukas have split the goalkeeper duties for the Falcons, each starting seven matches and both playing in all 14 games for 630:00 minutes each … Vukas has 33 saves and a 1.14 goals against average while Berg has 27 saves and a 1.57 goals against average.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
MASTODON WOMEN’S HOOPS SELECTED FOURTH IN #HLWBB PRESEASON POLL
INDIANAPOLIS – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball team was selected to finish fourth in the Horizon League Preseason Poll and Mastodon student-athletes Amellia Bromenschenkel and Shayla Sellers were named to the Preseason All-League First and Second Teams, respectively.
After a sixth-place finish in the 2022-23 regular season, the Mastodons made a trip to Indianapolis for the Horizon League Championship semifinal. The Mastodons return six players that started in at least 15 games from the team that went 9-11 in the Horizon League regular season.
Bromenschenkel was named to the All-Horizon League Third Team a year ago after averaging a team-high 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. She shot 45.1 percent from the floor and 33.9 percent from 3-point range. She scored 18 points in the Horizon League Championship quarterfinal matchup at IUPUI.
Sellers was a Third Team All-League pick in 2021-22 and was an All-Defensive Team honoree last season. She has played 110 games in her career and has averaged over 10 points per game in her last two seasons. She scored 21 points against top-seeded Green Bay in the Horizon League Championship semifinal.
2023-24 Under Armour #HLWBB Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. Green Bay (11) – 121
2. Cleveland State – 107
3. Youngstown State – 95
4. Purdue Fort Wayne – 90
5. Northern Kentucky – 63
6. Milwaukee – 59
7. Wright State – 54
8. Oakland – 53
9. IUPUI – 49
10. Detroit Mercy – 21
11. Robert Morris – 14
EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S SOCCER
WOMEN’S SOCCER CAN CLINCH MVC TOURNAMENT SPOT THURSDAY VS. INDIANA STATE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Only eight teams will advance on to the 2023 Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Soccer Tournament next week. The University of Evansville women’s soccer team can punch its ticket to the conference tournament Thursday night at home when UE hosts Indiana State at Arad McCutchan Stadium. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m.
Evansville currently sits in eighth place in the MVC standings with eight points, based off a 1-2-5 conference record. UE is currently two points ahead of both Indiana State (2-6-8, 1-4-3 MVC) and Illinois State (3-7-4, 1-4-3 MVC) for the eighth and final spot in the MVC Tournament field with two matches remaining. A UE victory on Thursday night against Indiana State and a loss or tie by Illinois State in its match against UIC on Thursday would guarantee a spot for the Purple Aces in the MVC Tournament field.
Seeding is so tight in the MVC that UE can finish as high as fourth in the league standings and potentially host opening-round and second-round matches, but in order to do so, Evansville would need two victories this week and some things to fall its way around the league. Thursday’s match features a pair of sides that rely on defense, but whose offenses have picked things up of late.
Evansville saw a seven-match unbeaten streak snapped last week with a 3-2 loss at UNI in which sixth-year midfielder Nicole Benati and freshman forward Brooklyn Robinson both recorded their first goals of the year. UE also dropped a 1-0 decision at league-leading Drake on Sunday, but the Purple Aces had multiple chances to equalize in the second half only to come up empty. Evansville has scored in six of its eight MVC matches so far this year, while also ranking third overall in the MVC in fewest goals allowed at 14.
Indiana State, meanwhile, enters Thursday’s match off of its best performance of the year with a 2-0 win over Illinois State. Like Evansville, Indiana State relies on its defense, which has allowed just 15 goals this season. Both teams have played to eight ties overall this year, which equals an MVC single-season record and are tied for the most in NCAA Division I women’s soccer this season. The NCAA record for ties in a single-season is 10, set by two schools last year.
All-time, Evansville leads the series over Indiana State, 14-11-3, including holding a 10-2-0 advantage at home. Thursday’s match can be seen live on ESPN+.
EVANSVILLE MEN’S SOCCER
MEN’S SOCCER ALMOST STEALS A POINT FROM NO. 10 MISSOURI STATE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The University of Evansville men’s soccer team ended up just shy of a point in a 2-1 loss to the No. 10 Missouri State Bears.
Senior forward Kai Phillip put together a Herculean effort in the final minute of the Purple Aces match against the Missouri Valley Conference leaders on Wednesday night. It was another slow start for UE as Missouri State scored early on broken coverage in only the third minute of the match. Evansville was able to take the ball back and get a shot off but the Bears quickly found their way back into the attacking fourth. Missouri State scored it’s second and final goal of the game in the 21st minute on a long shot to the top right corner of the net.
The team’s played keep away for the first 15 minutes of the second half. The Bears offense picked up where it left off in the 60th minute but the tide soon turned the Aces way for the final 20 minutes of action. UE took five of its six shots during the final 20, including two major chances from Phillip. In the final 10 minutes of the match Evansville peppered Missouri State goalkeeper Harry Townsend with shot after shot.
The Aces broke through with 46 seconds left on the clock as midfielder Ola Arntsen booted the ball down the center of the field following a throw in. The ball found Phillip just outside the penalty arc and with a high right-footed kick, Phillip scored his ninth goal of the season as it sailed over Townsend’s head into the net. And Phillip wasn’t done yet. Looking for his third brace of the season, the senior forward got another cross from Arntsen, this time right in front of the goal area. Phillip used his head to redirect the ball towards the net, but Townsend was able to make the save on the right side with two seconds left on the clock ending UE’s offensive onslaught.
Evansville gets nine days off before its next match on Friday, Oct. 27. The Aces will host the Bradley Braves for Senior Night at Arad McCutchan Stadium following their bye week. Kick-off for Senior Night is set for 7 p.m. on the 27th.
SOUTHERN INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
USI ENDS ROAD SWING THIS WEEKEND AGAINST WESTERN ILLINOIS
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (9-12, 5-5 OVC) looks to snap its three-match winless streak this weekend when the Screaming Eagles travel to Macomb, Illinois to face Ohio Valley Conference newcomer, Western Illinois University (6-13, 5-3 OVC), at Western Hall with matches slated for Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. After the weekend matchup, USI will have to wait an extra week before their next match due to the bye week.
Game Coverage
Information about USI Volleyball, including live stats, video, and audio broadcasts, is available on USIScreamingEagles.com.
Tickets
Admission to the USI Volleyball matches this weekend is free.
Screaming Eagles Headlines:
Eagles Falter On The Road. The Screaming Eagles dropped two matches against Morehead State last weekend, moving their winless streak to three games. On the bright side, after USI went on their last three-match skid, they won five of their next six matches.
You Have To #OVCit. USI continues the road swing with a bout against newly-added OVC opponent, Western Illinois. The Leathernecks, formerly a Summit League school, are currently fourth in the OVC standings and will face the Eagles for the first time in program history.
Anderson On The Rise. Senior Leah Anderson is the fourth Screaming Eagle to rank in the top five in three categories in USI Volleyball history. She currently ranks second in aces and kills while being fifth in digs all-time at USI. Anderson joins an elite group that includes Leeanne Gross, Sheri Kaiser, and Shannon Wells.
Best of the Best. Senior Leah Anderson has earned a conference-leading 283 kills and 343.5 points with the second-most aces (34). Junior Carly Sobieralski leads the OVC with 718 assists and has nabbed seven 40+ assist matches with one 50-assist performance. Junior Paris Downing has excelled at the net, securing a league-leading 87 blocks.
Nationally Acclaimed. Due to USI being in the DI reclassification period, the Eagles are not ranked in the NCAA statistical rankings. However, USI would rank 12th in total attacks (2,860) and 45th in aces (134). Senior Leah Anderson would stand 20th in total points (343.5), 30th in total aces (34), 32nd in total kills (283), and 33rd in total attacks (846) while junior Carly Sobieralski ranks 33rd in total assists (718) and junior Paris Downing is 42nd in total blocks (87). (as of 10/17)
OVC Leaderboard. USI ranks third in service aces per set (1.68) and blocks per set (2.15) while being fourth in opponent hitting percentage (.189) and opponent aces per set (1.40). The Eagles are sixth in the OVC standings going into the week.
OVC Leaders. Senior Leah Anderson has her name in three categories, nabbing second in points per set (4.29), third in kills per set (3.54), and fourth in aces per set (0.43). Senior Abby Bednar sits fourth in points per set (3.91), sixth in aces per set (0.39), and seventh in kills per set (3.14). Junior Carly Sobieralski ranks fourth in assists per set (8.98) while junior Paris Downing and sophomore Keira Moore round out the leaders with Downing being second in blocks per set (1.09) and Moore in eighth in digs per set (3.74).
About Western Illinois. The Leathernecks go into the weekend 6-13 overall and 5-3 within the conference. WIU’s last contest was a 3-0 loss to non-conference foe, Chicago State. The Leathernecks have earned big conference wins over Morehead State, Little Rock, UT Martin, and SIUE. The Leathernecks rank first in the OVC and 15th in the nation in total digs (1,283) while standing third in the conference and ninth in the nation in digs per set (17.11).
Leading the Leathernecks. Keyana Cruse ranks first in the OVC in attacks per set (10.59) and total attacks (720) while holding the fifth-most kills per set (3.34). Brittany Wulf stands tall in attacks per set with 9.94 to rank third in the conference. Julianna Schmidt sits fifth in total blocks (71) and seventh in blocks per set (1.01) within the OVC. Karli Wenzel rounds out the leaders with 323 digs and 4.36 digs per set which is fifth best in the conference.
More Information. For more information about USI Volleyball and Athletics, go to USIScreamingEagles.com or follow USI Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER
EAGLES CONCLUDE HOMESTAND WITH EIU
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer concludes its three-match homestand Thursday at 3 p.m. when it hosts Eastern Illinois University for an Ohio Valley Conference showdown at Strassweg Field.
The Eagles (1-9-3, 0-3-3 OVC) are unbeaten through the first two matches of the homestand, tying Chicago State University, 3-3, and Liberty University, 1-1, last week. With the ties, the Eagles are still in the hunt for a berth in the OVC Championship with is scheduled for November 5-11 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
EIU (2-8-3 overall, 1-4-1 OVC) was 0-1-1 last week in the OVC, falling to Liberty, 4-0, and tying Chicago State, 0-0. EIU is 0-4-1 in its last five matches.
USI trails the all-time series with EIU, 8-2-0, but won last year’s meeting in Summit League action, 3-2, in Charleston, Illinois. Sophomore forward Ednilson Voiles had the first goal in the victory, while junior defender Sam Benoist had goals two and three for the victory.
Following the match with EIU at Strassweg, USI is on the road for the next two matches.
The Eagles start the road swing with a visit to SIUE Sunday at 5 p.m. in Edwardsville, Illinois. SIUE leads the OVC with a league-best 5-0-1 conference record and is unbeaten overall with a 10-0-3 mark.
SIUE leads the all-time series with USI, 14-3-1, and in conference play, 13-1-1 (GLVC and OVC). Two of USI’s three victories over SIUE came during the Eagles’ first move to Division I in 1993 (4-2 at Strassweg Field) and 1994 (4-0 at SIUE). The Cougars won the first meeting of the season, 6-0, at Strassweg Field.
The Eagles conclude the road swing with the regular-season road-finale at EIU on September 26. Match time in Charleston is set for 4 p.m. The last regular season match and home match of 2023 is October 29 at 3 p.m. versus Lindenwood University.
SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
WOMEN’S SOCCER CONCLUDES REGULAR SEASON HOME SLATE THURSDAY
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer wraps up its regular season home schedule Thursday when the Screaming Eagles battle Southeast Missouri State University at 7 p.m. from Strassweg Field.
Southern Indiana is 4-6-6 this season and 3-1-3 in Ohio Valley Conference action. USI is riding a season-best five-match unbeaten streak, going 3-0-2. USI has also earned a result in nine of the last 10 matches, going 4-1-5 during that stretch. Plus, the Eagles have taken care of business at home recently, going 3-0-2 in the last five contests at Strassweg Field.
The Screaming Eagles are coming off back-to-back ties, including a 1-1 draw last time out on Sunday on the road at the University of Tennessee at Martin. In a high-shooting game, USI outshot UT Martin 21-20. The 21 shots were a season-high for Southern Indiana. Additionally, after Sunday’s tie along with other results around the OVC, USI clinched its berth into the OVC Tournament for the second consecutive season.
The Skyhawks struck first with a goal in the 10th minute. Prior to that goal, Southern Indiana’s defense had not been scored on in the previous three full matches and 290 minutes. The Screaming Eagles tied the match early in the second half when freshman midfielder
Greta Ohlwein
Greta Ohlwein (Chicago, Illinois) scored her first career goal, becoming the sixth different USI player to score a career first this season.
In the final five minutes, the Eagles ripped four shots looking for the potential go-ahead goal. Freshman midfielder Lydia Bordfeld (Evansville, Indiana) had two good looks out of the final four shots for USI, getting one blocked and the other saved by the Skyhawks’ goalkeeper.
Ohlwein and sophomore midfielder Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana) had four shots each. Senior midfielder Paige Vanek (St. Charles, Missouri) had three attempts and two on goal. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Anna Markland (Hoover, Alabama) totaled five saves between the posts.
On the season, freshman midfielder Pilar Torres (Chula Vista, California) leads Southern Indiana with three goals. Murphy has two goals and paces the team with 27 shots, which is tied for eighth in the Ohio Valley Conference. In goal, Markland has been sensational in the net. Markland is tied for second in the OVC with five shutouts. She is also third in the league with a 1.12 GAA and fourth with 62 saves.
Earlier this week, Markland and sophomore defender Charli Grafton (Sunriver, Oregon) were named OVC Goalkeeper of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively. For Markland, it is her third weekly accolade of the season while it is the second for Grafton.
Southeast Missouri is 6-5-3 this season with a 2-3-2 conference record. The Redhawks have dropped two straight 1-0 matches, including a home defeat on Sunday to league-leading Tennessee Tech University. After a scoreless first half, Tennessee Tech struck in the 56th minute and held on the rest of the way.
SEMO is led this season by sophomore Cayla Koerner with four goals, three assists, and 11 points. Koerner is the reigning Forward of the Year and Freshman of the Year in the OVC. Following her All-OVC campaign in 2022 with another strong showing in 2023, Koerner is the top shot-taker for the Redhawks with 24 attempts this season. In goal, sophomore goalkeeper Sophia Elfrink has made 13 starts, posting a 1.01 GAA with 54 saves and six shutouts.
Sunday will be the second all-time meeting between USI and SEMO, as Southern Indiana will be looking for revenge after last season’s first matchup in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The two programs went back and forth scoreless for nearly the entire match until SEMO scored the game-winning goal with 14 seconds left.
Entering Thursday, the Screaming Eagles sit in a tie with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for third in the Ohio Valley Conference standings at 12 points. An opportunity to host during the first weekend of the OVC Tournament or earn a double-bye into the semifinals is a possibility for USI. The Redhawks are sixth with eight points.
Thursday’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 CONTINUES ROAD SWING THIS WEEKEND
Valparaiso (13-9, 5-4 MVC)
Friday, Oct. 20 – at Southern Illinois (12-8, 4-5 MVC) – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 21 – at Missouri State (9-12, 3-6 MVC) – 5 p.m.
Next Up For Valpo Volleyball: Fresh off of one weekend road sweep, the Valpo volleyball team goes after a second straight winning weekend away from home, as the Beacons make the trek to take on Southern Illinois Friday night and Missouri State Saturday evening.
Previously: Valpo took care of business last weekend on the road against its fellow Hoosier State Valley programs, sweeping Indiana State and taking down Evansville in four sets.
Looking Ahead: After back-to-back weekends away from home, the Beacons return to the ARC next weekend to host Belmont Friday, Oct. 27 and Murray State Saturday, Oct. 28.
Following the Beacons: Neither of this weekend’s matches will have video broadcasts. Links for live stats are available via ValpoAthletics.com.
Head Coach Carin Avery: In her 22nd season as head coach at Valparaiso, Carin Avery is the all-time winningest head coach across all sports in the history of Valpo Athletics. She has won 484 matches (484-237, .671) at the helm of the program and has led Valpo to three league regular season and tournament titles. The program has made six postseason appearances under Avery, including three NCAA Tournament appearances, and advanced to the championship match of the 2021 NIVC. Avery has coached 60 All-League recipients over her tenure at Valpo, which has spanned three different conferences. She is Valpo’s all-time leader in both victories and winning percentage, and owns a 539-261 (.674) record overall as a head coach.
Series History: Southern Illinois – Valpo is 10-5 all-time against the Salukis, including a commanding 10-2 series lead since joining the Valley. The Beacons have won the last five in the series, most recently a three-set sweep at the ARC earlier this season. Valpo’s middles dominated in that matchup, with Mallory Januski posting 15 kills on .522 hitting and Miranda Strongman tallying 11 kills on .556 hitting.
Missouri State – The Bears hold a 10-5 advantage in the all-time series, including an 8-5 mark since Valpo joined the Valley. At the ARC in September, however, it was the Beacons who emerged victorious in a five-set battle. Mallory Januski set her career high in that win with 19 kills on .417 hitting, while Miranda Strongman added 13 kills and six blocks. Emma Hickey picked up 34 digs as well.
Scouting the Opposition: Southern Illinois – The Salukis come into Friday’s match at 12-8 overall and 4-5 in MVC play, but they have dropped their last four matches. Nataly Garcia leads the SIU attack, averaging 3.47 kills/set, while Cecilia Bulmahn – sister of current Beacon Victoria and former Valpo player Jaclyn – paces the Saluki back row with 3.29 digs/set.
Missouri State – The Bears come into the weekend on a three-match losing streak, with a 9-12 overall record and a 3-6 mark in Valley play. Teagan Polcovich averages a team-best 4.94 digs/set, while Azyah Green posts 0.98 blocks/set.
Valpo Picked Sixth in Preseason Poll: Valpo has been picked to finish in sixth place in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2023, according to preseason polling of the conference’s head coaches. The Beacons accumulated 73 points in the polling to come in at sixth position, outpacing Illinois State by two points. UNI claimed seven of 12 first-place votes and nipped Drake by two points for the top spot in the poll.
Looking Back at Last Season: The Beacons enjoyed another successful season in 2022, finishing the campaign with a 22-11 overall record. Valpo posted a 9-9 mark in MVC play to finish in sixth place in the newly-expanded 12-team conference and won a match at the MVC Tournament for its fourth straight appearance. The Beacons earned an at-large bid to the 2022 NIVC, their third showing in the tournament in the last five seasons. After a record-setting rookie campaign, freshman libero Emma Hickey was named a Second Team All-MVC and MVC All-Freshman Team honoree.
What’s Back: Valpo returns plenty of experience from last year’s squad, as 11 letterwinners are back this year, including four starters plus the libero. In all, 98% of the assists, 89.3% of the digs, 62.7% of the blocks and 60.9% of the kills from last season are back in 2023.
Who’s New: Joining the 11 returnees on this year’s team are six players looking to make an impact in their first season as Valpo. The sextet includes four true freshmen and two transfers – one fifth-year grad transfer and one sophomore.
Top of the Charts: With Valpo’s win over Purdue Fort Wayne to close out nonconference action, head coach Carin Avery surpassed Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame member Emory Bauer for the most wins by a Valpo head coach across all sports in department history.
Bauer amassed his victories over three different sports, collecting 361 wins in 28 seasons as head coach of the baseball program, 109 victories in 22 years guiding the football team and eight wins in one season as men’s basketball head coach.
Avery’s record total, meanwhile, has obviously come all at the helm of the Valpo volleyball program. In her 22nd season as head coach, Avery’s teams have averaged better than 22 wins per year in her first 21 years guiding the program. Valpo has finished with a winning record 19 times and has posted 20 or more victories 17 times. Under Avery, Valpo has posted the six winningest seasons in program history, including a program-best 29 wins in 2004.
Locking Down the Block: Valpo’s defensive performance at the net was a big part of the reason the Beacons were able to come away with a pair of wins last weekend. Against Indiana State on Friday, Valpo matched its season high with 13 rejections – tied for the program’s second-most blocks in a three-set match in the 25-point era and the team’s best effort in a sweep since 2017. The Beacons followed on Saturday with 10 blocks in the win at Evansville – the seventh time this season Valpo has posted 10 or more blocks in a match, including each of the last three contests.
Turning Away Attacks: Leading Valpo in the blocks department in both matches last weekend was senior middle Mallory Januski with her two highest outputs of the season. Januski was especially impressive against Indiana State, as she was in on nine of Valpo’s 13 rejections against the Sycamores – matching the program’s individual single-match high in a three-set match in the 25-point era. She was the first to post nine blocks in a sweep since Ellen Vanden Berg at Loyola in 2011. Januski followed with seven more blocks Saturday evening in the win at Evansville, bumping her blocks/set average this year to 0.96, good for seventh in the Valley.
The Strongman Line: You could call a .500 hitting percentage the Strongman Line this season with how frequently fifth-year middle Miranda Strongman has hit it. Strongman has posted a hitting percentage of .500 or better seven times this year, including in both of last weekend’s victories. She opened the weekend with six kills on just 11 swings, hitting .545 in the sweep at Indiana State. Strongman followed by matching her career high with a team-best 15 kills on .500 hitting in the win at Evansville. Strongman is hitting at a .331 clip overall this year, sixth-best among MVC players.
Balance on the Attack: While the overall numbers were higher Saturday at Evansville, both of last weekend’s matches featured the Beacons’ trademark balance on the attack. Against Indiana State, four different players finished with between six and nine kills – led by Maddie Moan’s nine terminations. It was the fourth time this season Valpo has won a match where no player has reached double digits in kills. Then, against Evansville, Strongman’s 15 kills led the way as four players posted at least 10 kills.
Climbing the Digs Chart: Both fifth-year outside Bella Ravotto and sophomore libero Emma Hickey continue to climb the program’s career digs chart. Ravotto, who moved into the top-10 in program history for career digs two weekends ago, enters this weekend with 1,519 career digs, just eight away from ninth place and 18 away from eighth place on Valpo’s all-time chart. Meanwhile, Hickey – who became the fastest player in program history and MVC history to 1,000 career digs earlier this season – now owns 1,127 career digs and is just 10 away from already cracking the top-20 in program history in just her second season.
All-Tournament Team Honorees: Six different Valpo players combined for nine All-Tournament Team selections in the season’s first four weekends:
Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational – Emma Hickey, Mallory Januski
Stacheville Challenge – Januski, Miranda Strongman
Popcorn Classic – Bella Ravotto (MVP), Olivia Blackketter, Januski
EIU Volleyball Invitational – Strongman, Sam Warren
Three Times the Fun: Parse the previous list and you’ll see senior middle Mallory Januski picking up a trio of All-Tournament Team honors this season. It is the first time a Valpo player has earned spots on three All-Tournament teams in the same season since Allison Ketcham did so in 2018. But, one of Ketcham’s honors came in the postseason at the MVC Tournament – Januski is the first Valpo player in the Carin Avery era to receive three All-Tournament Team spots from solely early-season, preconference tournaments.
A Balanced Attack: Last year’s Valpo team was notable for its balance on the attack, and this year’s squad has been no different. Mallory Januski’s 2.42 kills/set leads the Beacons, but ranks just 23rd overall among Valley players. Five regulars are averaging between 1.85 and 2.42 kills/set.
Capturing Crowns: The Beacons’ triumph in the Popcorn Classic added yet another crown to the program’s trophy case. Valpo has now won 34 in-season tournament titles in head coach Carin Avery’s time at the helm of the program. The team has won at least one tournament in 17 of her seasons, and multiple tournaments 11 times. Those tournament titles have come in 14 different states.
Another 20-Win Campaign: It’s a milestone that has become routine for the program, yet still impressive in its totality – Valpo finished with 22 wins in 2022 and has now won 20 or more matches in 17 of Carin Avery’s 21 seasons as head coach. Even more remarkably, one of the four seasons Valpo didn’t reach 20 wins was the shortened spring 2021 campaign, when the program played just 20 matches total. The Beacons also secured their 19th winning season in Avery’s 21 seasons at the helm.
Top Half Finishes: In addition to the 20-win season, the Beacons also secured a top-half finish in the MVC standings as they finished in sixth place in the 12-team conference. Valpo has now finished in the top-half of the Valley standings in each of its six years in the conference, the only MVC program to accomplish that feat – Illinois State had finished top-half each of the last five years, but dropped out of the top-six in 2022. Going back further, Valpo has posted top-half conference finishes in 20 of Avery’s 21 seasons – as well as qualifying for the conference tournament in each of her 21 seasons – and 29 of the last 30 years overall.
Digging Deep: Valpo continued its long tradition of strong back row play last fall, finishing 10th nationally and leading the MVC with 17.27 digs/set. The program has ranked among the top-30 nationally in digs/set in each of the last 12 seasons, highlighted by the 2017 campaign in which it led the nation with 20.03 digs/set. Other top finishes include third nationally in the spring 2021 season (20.37/set), a fourth-place rank in 2010 and a sixth-place finish in 2015. Since the move to 25-point scoring, only seven teams have averaged more than 20 digs/set over the course of a season, and Valpo is the only program to have done it twice. 2018 saw Valpo lead the nation with 2,613 total digs – a mark which set a program single-season record and a Division I record in the 25-point era.
Hickey Sets New Standards: Emma Hickey made an immediate impact on Valpo’s backcourt and the record books in her rookie season. She set Valpo and MVC freshman record for digs in a season, finishing with 735 total digs, and led the Valley and ranked fourth nationally with 5.70 digs/set. No D-I freshman was within 200 digs of her season total, while it was tied for the second-most digs by a D-I freshman in the last 12 seasons. Her 735 digs are tied for fourth overall on Valpo’s single-season chart and rank sixth in MVC history as well.
Januski Runs the Middle: Senior middle Mallory Januski bided her time behind a pair of All-Conference middles in her first two seasons at Valpo, but given the opportunity in 2022 to run with a starting role, Januski took full advantage. She led Valpo and ranked fourth in the Valley with a .353 hitting percentage, a mark which smashed the program’s single-season record. Januski also ranked seventh in the Valley with 0.98 blocks/set, tallying 122 total blocks — seventh-most by a Valpo player in the 25-point era. That total includes a monster 13-block performance at Murray State, a program record for the 25-point era.
MARIAN VOLLEYBALL
MARIAN VOLLEYBALL COMPLETES SEASON SWEEP OF GOSHEN COLLEGE
INDIANAPOLIS – The Marian volleyball team finished their eighth consecutive season sweep of Goshen College on Wednesday night, as the Knights landed a 3-1 victory on their home court. Marian’s record improves to 16-7 overall on the season and 10-3 in Crossroads League play following the win.
The Knights posted 13 kills in the first set, starting the night with a 5-0 lead. Goshen would claw back and overtake Marian briefly 6-5, but blocks from Madison Brooks and Averi Lanman helped the home team get back in a rhythm. The Maple Leafs did not back down and kept within five of the Knights, eventually pulling within two points at 17-15. Mikayla Christiansen scored three unanswered points with a pair of service aces to gain a firm lead, with a bad set by Goshen leading to a Marian 25-19 set one win.
Things did not go Marian’s way in the second set, as Goshen posted 15 kills and a .344 hitting percentage in their 25-23 win. The Knights led 5-2 early as they changed up pieces in their lineup, and continued to lead as they won the race to 10 points. Goshen continued to stick with the Knights as errors plagued Marian, with the Maple Leafs eventually tying the set at 17-17. Goshen would then go on a 3-0 run after kills from Sarah Bennett and Avery Toole, taking control as they went on to tie the match.
Marian would start strong in the third set as they pulled in front 7-2, scoring seven unanswered points after allowing the first two to the Maple Leafs. The Knights took advantage of Maple Leaf errors early as their lead grew to nine points with a 12-3 lead, however attack and reception errors allowed Goshen to recover from their deficit. The Maple Leaf charge started with Marian on top 16-6, as the visitors used two runs to get within a pair, but a duo of kills by Khori Dryden helped keep Marian in the lead. Marian would go on to finish the third set with a 25-18 win as Emma Lyons delivered a service ace, pushing Marian in front 2-1.
Goshen responded in the fourth set by scoring four of the first five points to take a quick lead, but couldn’t keep up with Dryden and Christiansen as the pair of hitters pulled the Knights back in front. An 8-1 run for the Knights paced by Jaymison Summers allowed Marian to take a 16-10 lead, putting them in good position to seal the win. Goshen would inch within four points of Marian’s lead, but could not overtake them as the Knights closed the evening on a 3-0 run, hitting .310 in the final set as they won 25-18.
Christiansen led the Knights in kills with 14 while posting a .333 hitting percentage, and Madison Brooks had 12 kills on 36 attacks. Dryden finished with seven kills, while Summers had the same total in addition to five block assists in just two sets. Averi Lanman had five block assists on the evening, and Brooks had four. Emma Lyons led the back row with 17 digs, and Logan Smith posted a double-double with 26 assists and 10 digs. Ainsley Neighbors had 15 assists in three sets.
The Knights finished the match with 11 service aces, with four belonging to Lyons and three to Christiansen.
Marian will go on the road on Friday night before returning home on Saturday afternoon for senior day, as they take on Grace College in Winona Lake. First serve on Friday night is set for 7:00 p.m.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETICS
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
NFL STANDINGS
| American Football Conference | |||||||||||||
| East Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Miami Dolphins | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 | 0.0 | 223 | 156 | 3-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 W | |
| Buffalo Bills | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 | 1.0 | 173 | 89 | 3-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| New York Jets | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 2.0 | 113 | 119 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 W | |
| New England Patriots | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 4.0 | 72 | 152 | 0-3-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 3 L | |
| West Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 | 0.0 | 147 | 88 | 2-1-0 | 3-0-0 | 3-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 5 W | |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 2.0 | 100 | 131 | 2-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 W | |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 2.5 | 127 | 124 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 L | |
| Denver Broncos | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 4.0 | 129 | 200 | 0-3-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-4-0 | 0-2-0 | 2 L | |
| North Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Baltimore Ravens | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 | 0.0 | 133 | 91 | 1-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 4-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.5 | 79 | 110 | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Cleveland Browns | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.5 | 95 | 77 | 3-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1 W | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 1.0 | 100 | 127 | 2-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-3-0 | 0-2-0 | 2 W | |
| South Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 | 0.0 | 142 | 122 | 2-2-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 3 W | |
| Indianapolis Colts | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 1.0 | 140 | 152 | 1-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 2-2-0 | 1 L | |
| Houston Texans | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 1.0 | 135 | 113 | 2-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Tennessee Titans | 2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 2.0 | 104 | 117 | 2-1-0 | 0-3-0 | 2-3-0 | 0-1-0 | 2 L | |
| National Football Conference | |||||||||||||
| East Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 | 0.0 | 155 | 124 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 4-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 L | |
| Dallas Cowboys | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 | 1.0 | 154 | 100 | 2-0-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Washington Commanders | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 2.0 | 133 | 176 | 1-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 0-1-0 | 1 W | |
| New York Giants | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 4.0 | 71 | 167 | 0-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 1-3-0 | 0-1-0 | 4 L | |
| West Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| San Francisco 49ers | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 | 0.0 | 184 | 87 | 3-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 4-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 1 L | |
| Seattle Seahawks | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 1.5 | 124 | 108 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Los Angeles Rams | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 2.0 | 138 | 117 | 1-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 4.0 | 117 | 162 | 1-2-0 | 0-3-0 | 1-4-0 | 0-2-0 | 3 L | |
| North Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Detroit Lions | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 | 0.0 | 168 | 113 | 2-1-0 | 3-0-0 | 4-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 4 W | |
| Green Bay Packers | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 2.5 | 113 | 113 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 L | |
| Minnesota Vikings | 2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 3.0 | 129 | 135 | 0-3-0 | 2-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Chicago Bears | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 4.0 | 128 | 176 | 0-3-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 0-2-0 | 1 L | |
| South Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.0 | 90 | 88 | 1-2-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 L | |
| Atlanta Falcons | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 0.5 | 99 | 120 | 3-1-0 | 0-2-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 L | |
| New Orleans Saints | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 0.5 | 109 | 96 | 1-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 3.5 | 112 | 186 | 0-2-0 | 0-4-0 | 0-5-0 | 0-2-0 | 6 L | |
NHL STANDINGS
| Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| 1 Ottawa Senators | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 19 | 10 | 3-0-0 | 0-1-0 | 3-1-0 | |
| 2 Carolina Hurricanes | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 20 | 17 | 1-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | |
| 3 Detroit Red Wings | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 19 | 11 | 2-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 3-1-0 | |
| 4 Boston Bruins | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2-0-0 | — | 2-0-0 | |
| 5 New York Islanders | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2-0-0 | — | 2-0-0 | |
| 6 New York Rangers | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 1-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | |
| 7 Philadelphia Flyers | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 1-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | |
| 8 Toronto Maple Leafs | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 13 | 2-1-0 | — | 2-1-0 | |
| 9 Pittsburgh Penguins | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 12 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-2-0 | |
| 10 New Jersey Devils | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 1-1-1 | — | 1-1-1 | |
| 11 Montreal Canadiens | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 13 | 1-1-0 | 0-0-1 | 1-1-1 | |
| 12 Tampa Bay Lightning | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 17 | 1-0-0 | 0-2-1 | 1-2-1 | |
| 13 Florida Panthers | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 11 | — | 1-2-0 | 1-2-0 | |
| 14 Columbus Blue Jackets | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 1-2-0 | — | 1-2-0 | |
| 15 Buffalo Sabres | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 1-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 1-2-0 | |
| 16 Washington Capitals | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 1-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 1-2-0 | |
| Western Conference | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| 1 Vegas Golden Knights | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 15 | 5 | 3-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 4-0-0 | |
| 2 Colorado Avalanche | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 4 | — | 3-0-0 | 3-0-0 | |
| 3 Vancouver Canucks | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 1-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | |
| 4 Minnesota Wild | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 1-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | |
| 5 Chicago Blackhawks | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 9 | — | 2-2-0 | 2-2-0 | |
| 6 Los Angeles Kings | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 0-1-1 | 1-0-0 | 1-1-1 | |
| 7 Dallas Stars | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 1-0-0 | 0-0-1 | 1-0-1 | |
| 8 St. Louis Blues | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1-0-0 | 0-0-1 | 1-0-1 | |
| 9 Calgary Flames | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 11 | 1-0-0 | 0-1-1 | 1-1-1 | |
| 10 Anaheim Ducks | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 1-0-0 | 0-1-0 | 1-1-0 | |
| 11 Edmonton Oilers | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 13 | 0-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | |
| 12 Winnipeg Jets | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 14 | 1-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 1-2-0 | |
| 13 Arizona Coyotes | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 6 | — | 1-2-0 | 1-2-0 | |
| 14 Nashville Predators | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 14 | 1-1-0 | 0-2-0 | 1-3-0 | |
| 15 San Jose Sharks | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 0-2-1 | — | 0-2-1 | |
| 16 Seattle Kraken | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 0-1-0 | 0-2-1 | 0-3-1 | |
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1932 Chuck Klein (.348, 38, 137), receiving all six first-place votes, is named the National League’s Most Valuable Player. The 27-year outfielder, who is the first Phillies player to win the award, led the Senior Circuit in hits (226), runs (152), home runs (38), and stolen bases (20).
1949 In one of their best trades in franchise history, the White Sox obtain future Hall of Famer Nellie Fox from the A’s in exchange for catcher Joe Tipton. The hard-nosed second baseman will lead the league in hits four times, winning the 1959 American League MVP during his 14-year tenure with the team.
1964 Two days after manager Johnny Keane announces he is joining the Yankees, Cardinals GM Bob Howsam makes public the resignation of Branch Rickey, stating he had no explanation for why the 83-year-old team consultant decided to leave the club. The move appears to continue the front office shakeup for the World Champs, including Eddie Stanky’s resignation as the director of player development and the dismissal of former general manager Bing Devine.
1964 Fred Hutchinson, who compiled a 443-372 (.544) record and won the 1961 National League pennant during his six seasons with the team, resigns as the Reds manager. The 44-year-old much-respected skipper, after a courageous battle against lung cancer, will die three weeks later in Bradenton, Florida.
1964 Harry Walker becomes the Pirates’ skipper replacing Danny Murtaugh, who will return to the field as an interim manager during the 1967 season, replacing his fired successor. During his two-plus years in the Pittsburgh dugout, ‘Harry the Hat’ compiles a respectable 224-184 (.549) record but is let go after his team plays .500 ball after competing for the National League flag the previous two seasons.
1969 Three days after capturing the world championship, the Mets appear on The Ed Sullivan Show and sing “You Gotta Have Heart ,” an inspiring song from the Broadway play Damn Yankees. The show’s host, concerned that some of the ball players imbibed too many mai tais following rehearsals at a nearby Chinese restaurant, brings in a choir to back up the performers, out of sight from the audience.
1972 The A’s score two runs in the bottom ninth to win Game 4 of the World Series, stunning the Reds at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, 3-2. Four straight singles, three delivered by pinch-hitters Gonzalo Marquez, Don Mincher, and Angel Manual, who provides the walk-off hit, fuel the comeback victory that gives Oakland a commanding 3-1 lead in the Fall Classic.
1976 Jim Mason’s solo home run in the seventh inning of Game 3 proves to be the Yankees’ only round-tripper in the World Series en route to being swept by the Reds. Cincinnati designated hitter Dan Driessen has a single, double, and homer in the team’s 6-2 victory at the Bronx ballpark.
1978 The White Sox fire Larry Doby, who posted a 37-50 record for the fifth-place team as a midseason replacement for skipper Bob Lemon. Owner Bill Veeck names 35-year-old shortstop Don Kessinger, obtained from St. Louis at the end of the 1977 campaign, as the club’s player-manager for next season.
1981 Dodger outfielder Rick Monday dashes the first Canadian pennant hopes with a ninth-inning two-out dramatic home run to beat the Expos, 2-1, in the NLCS’s deciding game. The series marks the first and last time in franchise history Montreal makes it into the postseason until 2012, when the Washington Nationals, the team’s new name and home for the past seven seasons, finishes first in the National League East Division.
1986 In Game 2 of the World Series, Steve Crawford gets the win in the Red Sox’s 9-3 victory over the Mets at Shea Stadium. The right-handed reliever, 0-2 before the postseason, becomes the first hurler to win a Fall Classic contest after being winless during the regular season.
1987 The Yankees name Billy Martin as their manager for the fifth and final time. The fiery skipper will stay at the helm until June 23 of next year, finishing his tumultuous tenure with the Bronx Bombers with a 556-385 (.591) record that produces two pennants and a World championship during his eight seasons with the team.
1991 At the Metrodome, Lonnie Smith becomes the first player in baseball history to play in the World Series with four different teams when he leads off for the Braves in Game 1. The DH, scoring a run in the team’s 5-2 loss to the Twins, also appeared in the Fall Classic with the Phillies (1980), Cardinals (1982), and Royals (1985).
1993 The Dodgers trade future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez to the Expos for second baseman Delino DeShields, who will hit .241 during his three seasons with Los Angeles. The 21-year-old Dominican right-hander will win 55 of 88 decisions in his four-year tenure with Montreal before being dealt to Boston before the 1998 campaign.
1999 The Braves stroll into a World Series berth with their 10-9 walk-off victory against the Mets at Turner Field in Game 6 of the NLCS. Atlanta has their ticket punched to the Fall Classic when Kenny Rogers issues a base on balls to Andruw Jones with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 11th inning to force Gerald Williams in with the winning run.
2000 Dusty Baker, who led the Giants to a National League West flag with baseball’s best record (97-65), reaches an agreement with the Giants on a two-year contract extension. The pact makes the two-time National League Manager of the Year the second-highest-paid skipper in the majors.
2002 Giants’ designated hitter Tsuyoshi Shinjo becomes the first Japanese-born player to appear in the World Series. The Osaka native gets a hit in his three trips to the plate in the team’s 4-3 victory over the Angels in Game 1 of the Fall Classic.
2002 At Edison International Field of Anaheim, the Giants edge the Angels in Game 1 of the Fall Classic, 4-3. The contest marks the first time two wild-card teams have faced one another in the World Series.
2004 In a pivotal play of Game 6 of the ALCS, the umpires rule Alex Rodriguez out for interference after slapping the ball from Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo’s glove. As a result, Derek Jeter, who had scored, is ordered back to first with two outs rather than one, killing a potential rally in New York’s eventual 4-2 loss to Boston at Yankee Stadium.
2004 In a contest that features two reversed calls by the umpires, the Red Sox, three outs from being swept in Game 4, become the first team in baseball history after trailing the series 0-3 to force a Game 7. Playing with a dislocated ankle tendon, Curt Schilling turns in an outstanding pitching performance in Boston’s 4-2 victory over the Bombers in the Bronx ballpark, 4-2.
2005 The Astros, one of six teams to have never played in the World Series, break the franchise’s 43-year drought, advancing to the Fall Classic when they beat the Cardinals in the NLCS, 5-1. Houston had been close before, coming up short five times in their history in a game with the NL flag on the line, including being a strike away in Game 5 when Albert Pujols hit a two-out three-run ninth-inning homer, forcing a Game 6 in St. Louis.
2006 Nicole Sherry becomes the second woman to be named the head groundskeeper of a major league team when the Orioles ask her to lead the crew taking care of Camden Yards. The Wilmington, Delaware native joins Heather Nabozny, who has been in the same position with the Tigers since 1999.
2006 In Game 7 of the NLCS at Shea Stadium, Adam Wainwright, on three pitches, strikes out Carlos Beltran looking with the bases loaded, giving the Cardinals a 3-1 victory over the Mets, their 17th pennant in franchise history, and a trip to the World Series to face the Tigers. The New York outfielder, with the best HR ratio (11/81) in postseason history, is frozen by the rookie right-hander’s two-out, two-strike incredible curveball.
2006 For a new generation, the term “the Catch” may conjure up memories of Endy Chavez’s NLCS Game 7 leaping catch when he grabs a ball with his outstretched glove destined to be a Scott Rolen two-run home run and starting an unbelievable double play. The Shea Stadium heroics are overshadowed in the ninth inning when Yadier Molina hits a two-run homer and Carlos Beltran, with the best HR ratio (11/81) in postseason history, looks at a third strike with the bases loaded with Mets, giving the Cardinals a 3-1 victory and the pennant.
2007 After 12 seasons and 12 playoff appearances, including 10 AL East titles, six pennants, and four world championships, manager Joe Torre rejects the Yankees’ overture, which calls for a pay cut. The non-negotiable offer – a one-year, $5 million deal with $1 million incentives per playoff round and an $8 million option for 2009 if the Yankees reached next year’s World Series – was considered by many to be insulting and a ploy to oust the popular manager without upsetting the team’s fans.
2007 The Royals hire Trey Hillman, a successful skipper in the minors and Japan, to be the team’s manager. The 44-year-old current Nippon Ham Fighters pilot, who has never played, coached, or managed in the big leagues, spent 13 years in the dugout in the Yankees’ minor leagues and was named manager of the year three times.
2008 Behind the solid start of Matt Garza and the stellar relief work of rookie David Price to finish the game, including a bases-loaded strikeout to end the eighth, the Rays beat the Red Sox, 3-1, in Game 7 of the ALCS, winning their first American League pennant. After posting the worst record in baseball last season, the Rays advance to the World Series, hosting the Phillies in Game 1 of the Fall Classic at Tropicana Field.
2009 Kenji Johjima, the first Japanese catcher in major league history, surprises the Mariners by opting out of the final two seasons of his three-year deal. Unhappy about being benched, the 33-year-old struggling backstop walks away from $15.8 million to finish his career in Japan.
2010 The Yankees honor Freddy Schuman, a fan known for his rhythmic banging of a spoon against a skillet, displaying some of his memorabilia inside Gate 4. After a moment of silence for the fan-favorite sign-man before Game 4 of the ALCS, the fans continue to show their appreciation of 85-year-old iconic “Freddy Sez” when they photographed friends banging his pan, chanting “Fred-dy! Fred-dy!” during the contest against the Rangers at the Stadium.
2010 The Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo signs a five-year contract extension, receiving a promotion to be the executive vice president of baseball operations. The new position, made available when team president Stan Kasten resigned, gives the 48-year-old more control over the franchise and a direct line to the team’s ownership, including principal owner Ted Lerner.
2010 The Cubs select Mike Quade, Lou Piniella’s interim replacement who guided the team to a 24-13 record during the last six weeks of the season, as the franchise’s newest manager. Triple-A Iowa skipper and a Hall of Fame icon Ryne Sandberg, a finalist in the selection process, was thought to be the front-runner for the position.
2012 Rays closer Fernando Rodney is named the AL Comeback Player of the Year after the reliever establishes the all-time MLB mark with a 0.60 ERA and sets the franchise record with 48 saves. Before playing for Tampa Bay, the 35-year-old right-hander struggled for two seasons with the Angels, saving just 17 games during his tenure with the Halos.
2019 In front of a sellout crowd at Minute Maid Park, the Astros win the American League pennant when Jose Altuve takes Aroldis Chapman deep in the bottom of the ninth, giving the team a 6-4 walk-off victory over the Yankees in Game 6 of the ALCS. Houston had blown a 4-2 lead in the top of the frame when Roberto Osuna allowed DJ LeMahieu’s two-run homer to tie the game.
WORLD SERIES HISTORY
1920
Cleveland Indians (5) vs Brooklyn Robins (2)
As America was welcoming in a new and promising decade, baseball was longing for days gone by. The 1919 World Series had sparked a major controversy amid rumors of a gambling fix. Eight members of the participating Chicago White Sox were all charged with conspiring to throw the Fall Classic against the Cincinnati Reds. After a lengthy investigation and highly publicized trial (lasting until 1921), the Black Sox were acquitted despite their own confessions (which were recanted later). However, all of the players involved were later banned from baseball because of their undeniable link to gamblers.
Throughout the 1920 season, the league offices were constantly denying accusations from the press that professional baseball itself was in on the take and made every effort to assure the fans that the 1919 scandal was an isolated incident. In an effort to win back the fan’s approval, the commissioner decided on another best-of-nine series and went to great lengths to promote the integrity of baseball in the papers. Still, many wondered if the fan’s trust in baseball and more specifically, the World Series would ever fully recover. Only time would tell as the National League’s Brooklyn Robins (who would later become the Dodgers) returned for their second series appearance against the American’s Cleveland Indians.
In Game 1, Cleveland’s starting right-hander, Stan Coveleski, stifled Brooklyn’s line-up in a five hit, 3-1 opening winner, but the Robins answered back quickly in Game 2 with a fantastic performance by Burleigh Grimes, who tossed a seven hit, shutout that ended in a 3-0 series-tying victory.
Brooklyn maintained their momentum over the Indians in Game 3 on the arm of Series veteran Sherri Smith, who threw a 2-1, three hitter to take the early lead. Coveleski returned for Game 4 against Leon Cadore, who had gone the distance in one of the longest games in baseball history just five months earlier, a twenty-six inning 1-1 tie with Boston. Surprisingly, the Brooklyn workhorse only lasted one inning (in his only Series start) which ended in a 5-1 Cleveland decision.
With the Series tied at two games apiece, Brooklyn’s Burleigh Grimes, returned to rematch Cleveland’s Jim Bagby. This time, the Indians line-up came out swinging and promptly loaded the bases in the bottom of the first. Elmer Smith, a twenty-eight year-old outfielder, stepped up to the plate and into the record books by smashing the first grand slam in World Series history. The historic blast scored Charlie Jamieson, Bill Wambsganss, Tris Speaker (as well as Smith) sending the home team crowd into a deafening frenzy that set the tone for the rest of the game. The score remained 4-0 until the fourth when Bagby homered off of his rival with two men on base. Now with a 7-0 lead, the Indians looked to have the advantage, although their pitcher had already given up Series high eight hits in 4+ innings. Brooklyn had yet to score, but was headed in the right direction with Pete Kilduff and Otto Miller on base and in scoring position. Relief pitcher Clarence Mitchell, who had entered the game in the fourth, was Brooklyn’s next batter. The versatile Robin, who was used as a pinch-hitter, outfielder and utility infielder hit a sharp line drive to second baseman Bill Wambsganss who caught the ball, stepped on the bag and tagged out a returning Miller to complete the first triple play (completely unassisted) in World Series history. After managing to score a run in the ninth, Brooklyn fell to the Indians in an 8-1 loss.
Cleveland remained in control and went on to shutout the Robins in both Games 6 and 7. Brooklyn’s recently acquired Waiter Mails threw a superb three hit, 1-0 winner and Coveleski returned for his third five hitter of the Series in a 3-0 masterpiece. Amazingly, the Indian’s pitching staff had held the Robins to just two runs in the final forty-three innings of the Series on their way to their first World Championship.
The victory was bittersweet though as the team was still recovering from the loss of one of it’s own. Ray Chapman, a twenty-nine year-old shortstop known for excellent defense and leadership, died after being struck by a pitch on August 16 in New York. His teammates had persevered, gone the distance and went on to dedicate their win in his memory. For the second consecutive season, a “first-timer” had won the championship, but this time… it was legit.
The 1920 season will also be remembered as the year that witnessed the birth of one of sports greatest dynasties and the death of another. The New York Yankees, previously known as the laughable Highlanders, purchased an outfielder/pitcher named George Herman Ruth from the financially strapped Boston Red Sox. Ruth, who had hammered twenty-nine home runs (a Major League record for Boston in 1919), brought the game into a new era in 1920 by knocking out fifty-four. He also set attendance records at the Polo Grounds as he and the Yankees, playing their home games in the Giants’ park, outdrew John McGraw’s team by more than 350,000.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
Football first organizes
October 19, 1873 – Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York City – American College football first organizes. The very first rule change in American football history occurred in preparation for the season that would start in November. According to football historian Parke H. Davis, Princeton University members started an organization of intercollegiate football league rules, a predecessor of the NCAA, and this was the group’s initial meeting. Representatives from Princeton, Columbia, Harvard, Rutgers and Yale were invited, only Harvard declined the invite. The group decided to reduce players from 25 to 20 men per side and play on a specific size field 400 feet long x 250 feet wide, goal posts set at 25 feet apart and a coin toss would decide who would possess the ball first.
Kicks for everyone!
October 19, 1975 – Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado – Cleveland Browns’ Don Cockroft kicks a club record 5 field goals (later to be broken by Phil Dawson). The game was a defensive struggle as the 2-2 Broncos hosted the winless Browns. Late in the fourth quarter according to fs64sports.blogspot.com the Browns were holding a lead 15-13. Denver moved the ball into Cleveland territory and it all came down to the last play. 34 year old Bronco’s kicker Jim Turner trotted out onto the field and kicked a 53 yard field goal lifting the Broncos to a dramatic 16-15 victory.
Longest game
October 19, 1991 – The longest NCAA football game (up to that time) ever took place. The game was between Rhode Island University and Maine University. The teams went into six overtimes, with Rhode Island edging out Maine. The game ended after 3 hours and 52 minutes of playing. according to a post by Zachary Kaye on the website thedeclarationatcoloniahigh.com. This record was broken a couple of times since then with the new record on September 26, 1998 season when Bethune-Cookman vs. Virginia State football game went to a new record 8 overtime sessions to decide a winner as B-CC pulled it out 63-57.
CFL owner
October 19, 1991 – Lonnie Glieberman purchased Ottawa Rough Riders from CFL for the price of $1.00. The other part of the equation was that he had to absorb more that $1 million in franchise debt. Glieberman was both a football savior and a franchise killer. Lonnie and his father Bernie owned teams in Ottawa in 1992-93 and 2005 when they created the Renegades, but bailed for Shreveport, La., in 1994 and folded the Renegades franchise in 2006. An October 13, 2012 post on the Ottawa Sun’s website interviewing Glieberman, tells us that his biggest regrets and probably items that upset the apple cart of the CFL franchises was his decision to bring banished a NFL star Dexter Manley to Ottawa and the much-ridiculed Mardi Gras promotion that stated it would give cash to the lady that would expose herself and collect the most beaded necklaces. Not a great combination to win the fans over.
Hall of Fame Birthdays for October 19
How can we celebrate a football day without remembering these great Hall of Famers and legends on the anniversary of their birth?
Max Starcevich
October 19, 1911 – Duluth, Minnesota – University of Washington guard Max Starcevich is born. Max’ bio on the National Football Foundation’s website reveals that he worked in a steel mill and attended a Junior college in Duluth , Minnesota before enrolling at Washington. The Huskies tried him at fullback, tackle as a guard. At that position he made the All-American team 1936 and led the University of Washington to the Rose Bowl. He played in the 1937 College All-Star Game and helped the college All-Stars team upset the NFL Champion Green Bay Packers 6-0. The National Football Foundation voted to send Max Starcevich to enter into their College football Hall of Fame in 1990.
Jim Dombrowski
October 19, 1963 – Jim Dombrowski entered into the world. Jim was an offensive tackle that played for the Virginia Cavaliers. Jim was an excellent student, as he won numerous awards as one of the finest student-athletes in the history of the University of Virginia. As a player he unanimous First Team All-America pick in 1985 and received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in back-to-back years in 1984 & 85 as the best offensive lineman in his conference per the footballfoundation.org’s bio on him. The National Football Foundation voted to send Jim Dombrowski to enter into their College football Hall of Fame in 1990.
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
3 – 6 – 18 – 15 – 9 – 4 – 24 – 15
October 19, 1932 – Jimmie Foxx, Number 3 of the Philadelphia Athletics won the American League MVP and Philadelphia Phillies Number 3, Chuck Klein won the National League MVP
October 19, 1943 – New York Yankee 2nd baseman Joe Gordon, Number 6 announced his retirement. The future Hall of Famer would come out of that retirement and play off and on through the 1950 season with both the Yankees and the Cleveland Indians.
October 19, 1949 – The A’s traded 2nd baseman Number 18, Nellie Fox to White Sox for Number 15, Joe Tipton
October 19, 1957 – Montreal Canadien Number 9, Maurice Richard, became the first NHL player to score 500 goals, Known as the “Rocket” he enjoyed a very fruitful career.
October 19, 1966 – Bobby Orr, made his NHL regular-season debut for the Boston Bruins wearing Number 4 against the Detroit Red Wings
October 19, 1974 – Detroit Red Wing Number 24, Mickey Redmond scored the first hat trick against Wash Capitals franchise
October 19, 1975 – Cleveland Browns’ Number 12, Don Cockroft kicked a club record 5 field goals in a single game
October 19, 1997 – It was th 700th recorded home run hit in the World Series when Cleveland Indians slugger Number 15, Sandy Alomar smashed a shot over the wall.
TV SPORTS
THURSDAY, 10-19-23
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Rice at Tulsa | 7:00pm | ESPN/2 |
| James Madison at Marshall | 7:00pm | ESPN/2 |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| DP World Tour: Andalucia Masters | 8:00am | GOLF |
| LPGA: BMW Ladies Championship | 5:30pm | GOLF |
| PGA Tour: The ZOZO Championship | 11:00pm | GOLF |
| MLB PLAYOFFS | TIME ET | TV |
| NLCS Game 3: Philadelphia at Arizona | 5:07pm | TBS |
| ALCS Game 4: Houston at Texas | 8:03pm | FS1 |
| NBA PRESEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Boston at Charlotte | 7:00pm | NBATV |
| Phoenix at LA Lakers | 10:00pm | NBATV |
| NFL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Jacksonville at New Orleans | 8:15pm | AMZN |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Calgary at Buffalo | 7:00pm | MSG-BUF Sportsnet |
| Toronto at Florida | 7:00pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| Nashville at NY Rangers | 7:00pm | Bally Sports MSG |
| Edmonton at Philadelphia | 7:00pm | ESPN+ Hulu |
| Vancouver at Tampa Bay | 7:00pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| Los Angeles at Minnesota | 8:00pm | Bally Sports |
| Arizona at St. Louis | 8:00pm | Bally Sports |
| Vegas at Winnipeg | 8:00pm | ATTSN-RM Sportsnet |
| Dallas at Anaheim | 10:00pm | Bally Sports |
| Carolina at Seattle | 10:00pm | Bally Sports Root Sports |
| Boston at San Jose | 10:30pm | NESN NBCS-CA |
| Chicago at Colorado | 10:30pm | ESPN NBCS-CHI ALT |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| Argentina Primera División: Godoy Cruz vs San Lorenzo | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Gimnasia La Plata vs Argentinos Juniors | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Colón vs River Plate | 5:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Palmeiras vs Atlético Mineiro | 6:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Cruzeiro vs Flamengo | 6:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Santos vs RB Bragantino | 7:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Rosario Central vs Vélez Sarsfield | 7:45pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Sarmiento vs Racing Club | 8:00pm | Paramount+ |
What to Watch: Thursday, 10/19/23
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Rice at Tulsa | 10:00pm | ESPN2 |
Tulsa Golden Hurricane leads all time series 10-8 versus Rice Owls. Last time both teams met was in 2013 which Rice won 30-27 at home versus Tulsa. Since 2007 The Golden Hurricane are 6-1 overall and 3-0 at home. The Owls last win at Tulsa was in 2006.
| MLB PLAYOFFS | TIME ET | TV |
| NLCS Game 3: Philadelphia at Arizona | 5:07pm | TBS |
The Phillies lead the regular season series 4-3 overall and 3-1 on the road versus the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks last home win versus the Phillies was in June. Philadelphia has won the last three games on the road versus the Arizona. The Diamondnacks have won five straight playoff games with four games on the road and one game at home. The Phillies are 1-1 on the road and 4-0 at home in the 2023 playoffs.
| ALCS Game 4: Houston at Texas | 8:03pm | FS1 |
The Houston Astros lead the regular season series 9-4 overall and 6-1 on the road versus the Texas Rangers. The Astros are 2-0 on the road in the 2023 playoffs and they won their last four games on the road during the regualr season. The Rangers have won five straight playoff games with four games on the road and one game at home.
| NFL | TIME ET | TV |
| Jacksonville at New Orleans | 8:15pm | AMZN |
The New Orleans Saints leads all time series 5-2 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Saints and Jaguars last met in 2019 which the Saints won 13-6 on the road versus the Jaguars. The Saints are 3-0 at home against the Jaguars. The last time Jaguars won versus the Saints was in 2003 at Jacksonville.
| NHL | TIME ET | TV |
| Los Angeles at Minnesota | 8:00pm | Bally Sports |
The Los Angeles Kings finished fifth in the Western Conference last season with a 47-35 record. The Minnesota Wild finished sixth in the Western Conference in the 2022-23 regular season with a 46-36 record. Last season the Kings were 2-1 versus the Wild during the regular season.
| Vegas at Winnipeg | 8:00pm | ATTSN-RM Sportsnet |
The Vegas Golden Knights finished first in the Western Conference last season with a 51-31 record. The Winnipeg Jets finished eighth in the Western Conference in the 2022-23 regular season with a 46-36 record. Last season the Golden Knights were 3-0 versus the Jets during the regular season.
| Chicago at Colorado | 10:00pm | ESPN NBCS-CHI ALT |
The Chicago Blackhawks finished last in the Central division last season with a 26-56 record. The Colorado Avalanche finished first in the Central division in the 2022-23 regular season with a 51-31 record. Last season the Avalanche were 2-1 versus the Blackhawks during the regular season.
FRIDAY, 10-20-23
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| SMU at Temple | 7:00pm | ESPN2 |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| DP World Tour: Andalucia Masters | 8:00am | GOLF |
| Champions: Dominion Energy Charity Classic | 2:00pm | GOLF |
| LPGA: BMW Ladies Championship | 5:30pm | GOLF |
| PGA Tour: The ZOZO Championship | 11:00pm | GOLF |
| MLB PLAYOFFS | TIME ET | TV |
| ALCS Game 5: Houston at Texas | 5:07pm | FS1 |
| NLCS Game 4: Philadelphia at Arizona | 8:07pm | TBS |
| NBA PRESEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Atlanta at Philadelphia | 7:00pm | NBATV |
| San Antonio at Golden State | 10:00pm | NBATV |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Calgary at Columbus | 7:00pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| New Jersey at NY Islanders | 7:30pm | MSGSN |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen | 2:30pm | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Osasuna vs Granada | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Ligue 1: Le Havre vs Lens | 3:00pm | beIN Sports |
| Argentina Primera División: Tigre vs Newell’s Old Boys | 3:45pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Talleres Córdoba vs Arsenal | 6:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Huracán vs Instituto | 6:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Boca Juniors vs Unión Santa Fe | 8:30pm | Paramount+ |
| WNBA PLAYOFFS | TIME ET | TV |
| Finals Game 5: New York at Vegas | 9:00pm | ESPN |
What to Watch: Friday, 10/20/23
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| SMU at Temple | 7:00pm | ESPN2 |
SMU Mustangs leads all time series 3-2 versus Temple Owls. Last time SMU and Temple met was in 2020 which the SMU won 47-23 on the road versus Temple. The Owls last win versus the Mustangs was in 2016 at home. SMU is 2-1 all time on the road versus Temple.
| MLB PLAYOFFS | TIME ET | TV |
| ALCS Game 5: Houston at Texas | 5:07pm | FS1 |
The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros game 5 of the American League Championship Series will be played if necessary. The Houston are 6-1 on the road versus the Texas Rangers and are 2-0 on the road in the 2023 playoffs. Since 2017 the Astros are 4-2 in the American Leage Championship Series. The Rangers have only won two Amercian League Championships which were in 2010 and 2011.
| NLCS Game 4: Philadelphia at Arizona | 8:03pm | TBS |
The Diamondbacks are 3-4 overall and 1-3 at home versus the Phillies during 2023 regular season. Since 1915 the Phillies are 8-4 in the National Champhionships Series and 3-1 since 2008. The Diamondbacks are 2-1 in the National Champhionships Series since 2001.
| NHL | TIME ET | TV |
| New Jersey at NY Islanders | 7:30pm | MSGSN |
The New Jersey Devils finished third in the Eastern Conference last season with a 52-30 record. The New York Islanders finished seventh in the Eastern Conference in the 2022-23 regular season with a 42-40 record. Last season the Islanders were 2-1 versus the Devils during the regular season.