“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SECTIONAL SCHEDULE
SECTIONAL 1
PORTAGE (0-9) AT LAKE CENTRAL (4-5)
LAFAYETTE JEFF (5-4) AT CROWN POINT (9-0)
SECTIONAL 2
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) (7-2) AT WARSAW (8-1)
ELKHART (3-6) AT PENN (8-1)
SECTIONAL 3
FISHERS (6-3) AT HOMESTEAD (5-4)
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN (7-2) AT FORT WAYNE NORTHROP (1-8)
SECTIONAL 4
WESTFIELD (8-1) AT CARMEL (5-4)
NOBLESVILLE (3-6) AT ZIONSVILLE (3-6)
SECTIONAL 5
BROWNSBURG (9-0) AT BEN DAVIS (8-1)
AVON (2-7) AT PIKE (2-7)
SECTIONAL 6
NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) (0-9) AT INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (6-3)
LAWRENCE CENTRAL (4-5) AT LAWRENCE NORTH (6-3)
SECTIONAL 7
PERRY MERIDIAN (2-7) AT WARREN CENTRAL (3-6)
SOUTHPORT (1-8) AT INDIANAPOLIS TECH (0-9)
SECTIONAL 8
FRANKLIN CENTRAL (4-5) AT CENTER GROVE (8-1)
JEFFERSONVILLE (0-9) AT COLUMBUS NORTH (4-5)
SECTIONAL 9
MUNSTER (3-6) AT MERRILLVILLE (7-2)
HAMMOND MORTON (4-4) AT HAMMOND CENTRAL (5-4)
SECTIONAL 10
MICHIGAN CITY (5-4) AT LAPORTE (2-7)
VALPARAISO (7-2) AT CHESTERTON (2-7)
SECTIONAL 11
MISHAWAKA (7-2) AT GOSHEN (1-8)
CONCORD (5-4) AT SOUTH BEND ADAMS (1-8)
SECTIONAL 12
ANDERSON (2-7) AT FORT WAYNE SNIDER (8-1)
SECTIONAL 13
PLAINFIELD (6-3) AT HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) (8-1)
DECATUR CENTRAL (7-2) AT MCCUTCHEON (6-3)
SECTIONAL 14
WHITELAND (5-4) AT TERRE HAUTE NORTH (0-9)
FRANKLIN (5-4) AT TERRE HAUTE SOUTH (4-5)
SECTIONAL 15
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (8-1) AT BLOOMINGTON NORTH (9-0)
SEYMOUR (5-4) AT COLUMBUS EAST (3-6)
SECTIONAL 16
EVANSVILLE NORTH (6-3) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (8-1)
CASTLE (6-3) AT NEW ALBANY (2-7)
SECTIONAL 17
NEW PRAIRIE (8-2) AT KANKAKEE VALLEY (5-5)
HIGHLAND (4-6) AT CULVER ACADEMY (4-6)
SECTIONAL 18
SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (3-7) AT NORTHWOOD (8-2)
WAWASEE (2-8) AT NORTHRIDGE (8-2)
SECTIONAL 19
FORT WAYNE DWENGER (5-5) AT DEKALB (6-4)
EAST NOBLE (8-2) AT LEO (8-2)
SECTIONAL 20
MISSISSINEWA (10-0) AT COLUMBIA CITY (6-4)
MARION (3-7) AT KOKOMO (8-2)
SECTIONAL 21
LEBANON (5-5) AT BREBEUF JESUIT (5-4)
INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI (4-6) AT MOORESVILLE (5-5)
SECTIONAL 22
GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (9-1) AT NEW PALESTINE (8-2)
BEECH GROVE (5-5) AT MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) (6-4)
SECTIONAL 23
JENNINGS COUNTY (5-5) AT GREENWOOD (5-5)
EAST CENTRAL (10-0) AT MARTINSVILLE (7-3)
SECTIONAL 24
EVANSVILLE REITZ (10-0) AT BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (7-3)
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (7-3) AT JASPER (7-3)
SECTIONAL 25
BOONE GROVE (8-2) AT HANOVER CENTRAL (10-0)
WEST LAFAYETTE (7-3) AT RENSSELAER CENTRAL (6-4)
SECTIONAL 26
FAIRFIELD (6-4) AT JOHN GLENN (6-4)
WEST NOBLE (10-0) AT KNOX (10-0)
SECTIONAL 27
YORKTOWN (5-5) AT DELTA (6-4)
GARRETT (5-5) AT HERITAGE (9-1)
SECTIONAL 28
INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (10-0) AT GUERIN CATHOLIC (8-2)
MACONAQUAH (7-3) AT HAMILTON HEIGHTS (10-0)
SECTIONAL 29
TRI-WEST (9-1) AT NORTH MONTGOMERY (6-4)
MONROVIA (8-2) AT SPEEDWAY (3-7)
SECTIONAL 30
PIKE CENTRAL (2-8) AT VINCENNES LINCOLN (7-3)
GIBSON SOUTHERN (8-2) AT WASHINGTON (3-7)
SECTIONAL 31
LAWRENCEBURG (8-2) AT BATESVILLE (9-1)
INDIAN CREEK (7-3) AT FRANKLIN COUNTY (4-6)
SECTIONAL 32
SCOTTSBURG (6-4) AT SALEM (3-7)
HERITAGE HILLS (9-1) AT SOUTHRIDGE (7-3)
SECTIONAL 33
WHEELER (6-3) AT BREMEN (5-5)
LAVILLE (9-1) AT WHITING (4-6)
SECTIONAL 34
ROCHESTER (7-2) AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (7-3)
SEEGER (7-3) AT LEWIS CASS (6-4)
SECTIONAL 35
EASTSIDE (7-3) AT FORT WAYNE LUERS (7-3)
CENTRAL NOBLE (4-6) AT MANCHESTER (4-6)
SECTIONAL 36
TIPTON (2-8) AT EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (8-2)
EASTBROOK (7-3) AT BLUFFTON (8-2)
SECTIONAL 37
GREENCASTLE (8-2) AT LINTON-STOCKTON (9-1)
CASCADE (6-4) AT SOUTHMONT (5-5)
SECTIONAL 38
EASTERN HANCOCK (6-4) AT INDIANAPOLIS RITTER (4-6)
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (7-3) AT WINCHESTER (7-2)
SECTIONAL 39
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (9-1) AT TRITON CENTRAL (9-1)
SWITZERLAND COUNTY (6-4) AT EASTERN (PEKIN) (4-6)
SECTIONAL 40
NORTH POSEY (9-1) AT EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (3-7)
FOREST PARK (6-4) AT PAOLI (9-1)
SECTIONAL 41
SOUTH NEWTON (4-6) AT NORTH JUDSON (6-4)
TRITON (7-3) AT CULVER (1-9)
SECTIONAL 42
CLINTON CENTRAL (1-7) AT PARK TUDOR (10-0)
CLINTON PRAIRIE (6-4) AT NORTH VERMILLION (7-3)
SECTIONAL 43
CASTON (2-8) AT CARROLL (FLORA) (10-0)
WEST CENTRAL (8-2) AT TRI-CENTRAL (4-6)
SECTIONAL 44
MADISON-GRANT (7-3) AT NORTH MIAMI (2-8)
ADAMS CENTRAL (10-0) AT SOUTHWOOD (5-5)
SECTIONAL 45
WES-DEL (4-5) AT MONROE CENTRAL (5-5)
INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY (4-5) AT SHERIDAN (7-3)
SECTIONAL 46
EDINBURGH (1-8) AT NORTH DECATUR (7-3)
TRI (7-3) AT MILAN (7-3)
SECTIONAL 47
INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN (8-0) AT SOUTH PUTNAM (9-1)
COVENANT CHRISTIAN (6-3) AT RIVERTON PARKE (5-5)
SECTIONAL 48
WEST WASHINGTON (5-4) AT SPRINGS VALLEY (9-1)
PROVIDENCE (10-0) AT NORTH DAVIESS (5-5)
BRACKETS: 6A Bracket | 5A Bracket | 4A Bracket | 3A Bracket | 2A Bracket | 1A Bracket
INDIANA BOYS AND GIRLS STATE SOCCER FINALS
FRIDAY, OCT. 27
6 PM ET | CLASS 2A GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
LEO (15-2-3) VS. GUERIN CATHOLIC (15-4-1)
8:30 PM ET | CLASS 1A GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY (12-8) VS. PARK TUDOR (15-4-1)
SATURDAY, OCT. 28
11 AM ET | CLASS 1A BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
BETHANY CHRISTIAN (15-4-2) VS. FOREST PARK (15-7)
1:30 PM ET | CLASS 2A BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
MISHAWAKA MARIAN (19-2) VS. EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (13-7-1)
4 PM ET | CLASS 3A BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
NOBLESVILLE (17-0-5) VS. INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (17-4-2)
6:30 PM ET | CLASS 3A GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
NOBLESVILLE (16-1-3) VS. BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (18-2-1)
INDIANA VOLLEYBALL SEMI-STATE MATCH-UPS
NORTH
1. HUNTINGTON NORTH
CLASS 1A | FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN (28-8) VS. SOUTHWOOD (30-4) | 1 PM ET
CLASS 3A | NORTHWOOD (32-4) VS. BELLMONT (33-2) | APPROX. 2:30 PM ET
2. FRANKFORT
CLASS 2A | PIONEER (24-13) VS. MUNCIE BURRIS (29-4) | 4 PM ET
CLASS 4A | LAPORTE (32-4) VS. HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN (31-0) | APPROX. 5:30 PM ET / 4:30 CT
SOUTH
3. COLUMBUS EAST
CLASS 2A | INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (25-11) VS. BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (24-13) | 1 PM ET
CLASS 3A | TRI-WEST HENDRICKS (25-9) VS. PROVIDENCE (29-5) | APPROX. 2:30 PM ET
4. JASPER
CLASS 1A | GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN (24-13) VS. TECUMSEH (31-4) | 4 PM ET
CLASS 4A | RONCALLI (30-3) VS. CASTLE (33-3) | APPROX. 5:30 PM ET
INDIANA CROSS COUNTRY STATE FINALS-SATURDAY
SITE: LAVERN GIBSON CHAMPIONSHIP CROSS COUNTRY COURSE, WABASH VALLEY SPORTS CENTER, 599 S. TABORTOWN ROAD, TERRE HAUTE, IN 47803.
TIMES: BOYS AT 12 PM ET FOLLOWED BY THEIR AWARDS CEREMONY; GIRLS AT 2:30 PM ET FOLLOWED BY THEIR AWARDS CEREMONY.
GATES OPEN: 9:30 AM ET / 8:30 AM CT
INDIANA CROSS COUNTRY: HTTPS://IN.MILESPLIT.COM/
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK 9
TUESDAY
NEW MEXICO STATE 27 LOUISIANA TECH 24
LIBERTY 42 WESTERN KENTUCKY 29
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 25
JACKSONVILLE STATE AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
UTEP AT SAM HOUSTON | 8 P.M. | ESPN2
THURSDAY, OCT. 26
SYRACUSE AT VIRGINIA TECH | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
GEORGIA STATE AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN2
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL | 7:30 P.M. | ESPNU
FRIDAY, OCT. 27
BROWN AT PENN | 7 P.M. | ESPNU
FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT CHARLOTTE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN2
SATURDAY, OCT. 28
OKLAHOMA AT KANSAS | 12 P.M. | FOX
INDIANA AT PENN STATE | 12 P.M. | CBS
UMASS AT ARMY | 12 P.M. | CBSSN
UCONN AT BOSTON COLLEGE | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
MARYLAND AT NORTHWESTERN | 12 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SOUTH CAROLINA AT TEXAS A&M | 12 P.M. | ESPN
HOUSTON AT KANSAS STATE | 12 P.M. | ESPN2
WEST VIRGINIA AT UCF | 12 P.M. | FS1
TULSA AT SMU | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
HOWARD AT DELAWARE STATE | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
DUQUESNE AT SACRED HEART | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
TENNESSEE TECH AT ROBERT MORRIS | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
COLUMBIA AT YALE | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
LAFAYETTE AT GEORGETOWN | 12:30 P.M. | ESPN+
WESTERN MICHIGAN AT EASTERN MICHIGAN | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
BUCKNELL AT COLGATE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
HOLY CROSS AT FORDHAM | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
UNI AT ILLINOIS STATE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
PRINCETON AT CORNELL | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
STETSON AT DRAKE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
UT MARTIN AT GARDNER-WEBB | 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
CHATTANOOGA AT VMI | 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
MORGAN STATE AT NORFOLK STATE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
INDIANA STATE AT NORTH DAKOTA | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
MISSOURI STATE AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT SOUTH DAKOTA | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
EAST TENNESSEE STATE AT FURMAN | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
MERCER AT WESTERN CAROLINA | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN+
JACKSON STATE AT ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT SOUTHERN UTAH | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTHERN COLORADO AT MONTANA | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE AT HOUSTON CHRISTIAN | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
LINDENWOOD AT TENNESSEE STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE AT NICHOLLS | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
LINCOLN (CA) AT KENNESAW STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
THE CITADEL AT SAMFORD | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
MEMPHIS AT NORTH TEXAS | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
GEORGIA VS. FLORIDA (IN JACKSONVILLE, FLA.) | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
BYU AT TEXAS | 3:30 P.M.
OREGON AT UTAH | 3:30 P.M. | FOX
PITT AT NOTRE DAME | 3:30 P.M. | NBC
MISSISSIPPI STATE AT AUBURN | 3:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
MICHIGAN STATE AT MINNESOTA | 3:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
PURDUE AT NEBRASKA | 3:30 P.M. | FS1
IOWA STATE AT BAYLOR | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
EAST CAROLINA AT UTSA | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHERN MISS AT APPALACHIAN STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
MIAMI (OHIO) AT OHIO | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
ALABAMA A&M VS. ALABAMA STATE (IN BIRMINGHAM, ALA.) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
MURRAY STATE AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
USC AT CAL | 4 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
TULANE AT RICE | 4 P.M. | ESPN2
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M AT FLORIDA A&M | 4 P.M. | ESPNU
NORTH ALABAMA AT AUSTIN PEAY | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
EASTERN WASHINGTON AT PORTLAND STATE | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
MONTANA STATE AT IDAHO | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
UC DAVIS AT NORTHERN ARIZONA | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
DARTMOUTH AT HARVARD | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
UIW AT LAMAR | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
BRYANT AT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AT WESTERN ILLINOIS | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
ARKANSAS STATE AT UL MONROE | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
LOUISIANA AT SOUTH ALABAMA | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
TARLETON STATE AT CENTRAL ARKANSAS | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
MOREHEAD STATE AT SAN DIEGO | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
WYOMING AT BOISE STATE | 5:30 P.M. | FS2
MARSHALL AT COASTAL CAROLINA | 6 P.M. | NFL NETWORK
WASHINGTON AT STANFORD | 7 P.M. | FS1
TENNESSEE AT KENTUCKY | 7 P.M. | ESPN
AIR FORCE AT COLORADO STATE | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
TROY AT TEXAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
OHIO STATE AT WISCONSIN | 7:30 P.M. | NBC
VANDERBILT AT OLE MISS | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
COLORADO AT UCLA | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
WASHINGTON STATE AT ARIZONA STATE | 8 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
CINCINNATI AT OKLAHOMA STATE | 8 P.M. | ESPN2
OLD DOMINION AT JAMES MADISON | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
EASTERN KENTUCKY AT UTAH TECH | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTHWESTERN STATE AT MCNEESE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
IDAHO STATE AT SACRAMENTO STATE | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
OREGON STATE AT ARIZONA | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
NEW MEXICO AT NEVADA | 10:30 P.M. | CBSSN
UNLV AT FRESNO STATE | 10:30 P.M. | FS1
SAN JOSE STATE AT HAWAI’I | 12 A.M. SUNDAY | SPECTRUM SPORTS PPV
FLORIDA STATE AT WAKE FOREST
NORTH CAROLINA AT GEORGIA TECH
DUKE AT LOUISVILLE
CLEMSON AT NC STATE
VIRGINIA AT MIAMI (FLA.)
NFL WEEK 8 SCHEDULE
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT BUFFALO BILLS (THU) 8:15P (ET) 8:15P PRIME VIDEO
HOUSTON TEXANS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT DALLAS COWBOYS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P FOX
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P FOX
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
NEW YORK JETS AT NEW YORK GIANTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
ATLANTA FALCONS AT TENNESSEE TITANS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P CBS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 1:05P (PT) 4:05P FOX
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS 1:25P (MST) 4:25P CBS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT DENVER BRONCOS 2:25P (MT) 4:25P CBS
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 1:25P (PT) 4:25P CBS
CHICAGO BEARS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 5:20P (PT) 8:20P NBC*
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT DETROIT LIONS (MON) 8:15P (ET) 8:15P ESPN
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
TUESDAY
ARIZONA 4 PHILADELPHIA 2 (ARIZONA WINS SERIES 4-3)
WORLD SERIES
FRIDAY, OCT. 27
AZ @ TEX, GAME 1, 8 P.M. (FOX)
SATURDAY, OCT. 28
AZ @ TEX, GAME 2, 8 P.M. (FOX)
MONDAY, OCT. 30
TEX @ AZ, GAME 3, 8 P.M. (FOX)
TUESDAY, OCT. 31
TEX @ AZ, GAME 4, 8 P.M. (FOX)
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1
TEX @ AZ, GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), 8 P.M. (FOX)
FRIDAY, NOV. 3
AZ @ TEX, GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY), 8 P.M. (FOX)
SATURDAY, NOV. 4
AZ @ TEX, GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY), 8 P.M. (FOX)
NBA SCOREBOARD
DENVER 119 LA LAKERS 107
PHOENIX 108 GOLDEN STATE 104
NHL SCOREBOARD
TORONTO 4 WASHINGTON 1
BUFFALO 6 OTTAWA 4
TAMPA BAY 3 CAROLINA 0
NEW JERSEY 5 MONTRÉAL 2
DALLAS 4 PITTSBURGH 1
FLORIDA 3 SAN JOSE 1
COLORADO 7 NY ISLANDERS 4
SEATTLE 5 DETROIT 4 OT
BOSTON 3 CHICAGO 0
ANAHEIM 3 COLUMBUS 2 OT
WINNIPEG 4 ST. LOUIS 2
MINNESOTA 7 EDMONTON 4
VANCOUVER 3 NASHVILLE 2
NY RANGERS 3 CALGARY 1
LOS ANGELES 6 ARIZONA 3
VEGAS 3 PHILADELPHIA 2
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS/NEWS
DIAMONDBACKS STUN PHILLIES 4-2 IN GAME 7 OF NLCS TO REACH FIRST WORLD SERIES IN 22 YEARS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Corbin Carroll ducked late into the Arizona Diamondbacks’ clubhouse with his uniform pants stained in dirt – two stolen bases will get a player dirty – but was otherwise clean when he was spotted by the rest of his bubbly-bathed teammates.
“Have yourself a Game 7!” jubilant teammates shouted as they chased down the breakout postseason star. “Why are you dry?”
Carroll had little room to escape inside a cramped visitors’ locker room – not that he wanted to – and was soon doused with beer before a victory cigar followed.
World Series trips don’t come often for this franchise that plays in the desert. So when it was time to celebrate, the Diamondbacks did it with the same vigor they used to knock off last year’s NL champs.
Carroll went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, and Arizona advanced to the World Series for the first time in 22 years Tuesday night by stunning the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series.
“We did it! That’s all I can say,” said Carroll, the frontrunner for NL Rookie of the Year. “Just believe in each other, believe in our guys. We know what we have in that clubhouse, and it’s special. We’ve known it all year.”
Arizona will play the Texas Rangers in an all-wild card World Series no one saw coming, with Game 1 set for Friday night at Globe Life Field.
In their only other trip to the Fall Classic, the Diamondbacks won a seven-game thriller against the New York Yankees in 2001.
The young Diamondbacks, who at 84-78 squeezed into the playoffs as the final NL wild card, completed their comeback from an 0-2 hole in the NLCS. They won Games 6 and 7 in Philadelphia, where the defending National League champions had been 12-2 over the past two postseasons – including 11-0 in NL playoff games.
“I’ve said it a million times, and I’ll say it again: A connected team is a very dangerous team,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “No matter what happened in those times of crisis, these guys stuck together.”
Rookie starter Brandon Pfaadt struck out seven, and five relievers combined on five scoreless innings of one-hit ball for the surprising NL pennant winners.
“They played great baseball,” Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber said. “There’s no way around it. Everyone’s got a sick feeling in their stomach. It’s not the way we pictured this thing ending.”
Bryce Harper and the rest of the Phillies are forced to ponder this offseason how they let a second straight World Series trip slip away. Philadelphia returned home one win from another pennant but couldn’t close it out, falling behind early in Game 6 and then losing the first Game 7 in the 141-year history of the franchise.
“It’s very disappointing. It really is,” manager Rob Thomson said. “I told the club if you asked me two days ago, two weeks ago, two months ago if we would be going home tonight, I would have said no. So that’s how much belief I have in this club.”
Kevin Ginkel, the fourth reliever for Arizona, showed his mettle with an absolutely gutsy performance in the seventh. After left-hander Andrew Saalfrank walked consecutive batters with one out, Ginkel entered and retired Trea Turner and Harper on flyouts to center field.
Ginkel then struck out all three hitters in the eighth, and Paul Sewald pitched a perfect ninth for his sixth save this postseason.
With that, Arizona’s bullpen slammed the door on Philadelphia’s powerful lineup – and shushed Phillies fans who were left weeping on their own.
“That’s a good club, and they really played well. You come into this building and beat us twice in this type of atmosphere, you’re doing some things right,” Thomson said. “They pitched well. They really did.”
Again, the Diamondbacks struck first when Christian Walker grounded into a fielder’s choice against Phillies starter Ranger Suárez in the first inning for a 1-0 lead. It may have seemed like a rather innocuous run. But Arizona was already 5-0 this postseason when it scored first and the run – much as the Diamondbacks did with a three-run second in Game 6 – deflated a boisterous crowd that came prepped for a clinch.
Well, Phillies fans did see one.
Just not the pennant winner they paid to watch at Citizens Bank Park.
Pfaadt, who struck out nine in Game 3, allowed Alec Bohm’s tying solo homer in the second that put a jolt in the crowd a needed one into the offense. Bohm pointed to his ring finger – symbolizing the World Series bling he wanted to win.
Bohm was at it again in the fourth when he walked and scored on Bryson Stott’s double for a 2-1 lead.
But the free-swinging Phillies let prime opportunities go to waste. With runners on the corners, Nick Castellanos struck out – at that point, 0 for 21 with 11 strikeouts since a Game 1 homer – and, after a walk to Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas struck out to end the fourth.
Thomson had few pinch-hitting options for Rojas, so he let the light-hitting center fielder take his cuts and promptly fall to 3 for 22 in the NLCS.
Pfaadt’s strikeout let the Diamondbacks exhale.
Suárez fanned Ketel Marte for the third straight time in the fifth to make it two outs and a runner on second. Carroll – just 3 for 23 in the first six games of the series – grounded an RBI single up the middle for his third hit of Game 7. Suárez was replaced by Jeff Hoffman, and Carroll stole second before 23-year-old catcher Gabriel Moreno made it 3-2 with another single.
“The performance hasn’t been there for me, for whatever reason,” Carroll said. “I kind of chalked it up to it just being baseball and I kind of stuck to my approach.”
Pfaadt had done his part and the rookie righty who went just 3-9 this year kept Arizona – which swept the division champion Brewers and Dodgers to reach the NLCS – in position for one of its biggest wins in team history.
“He knows when he is the center of the moment,” Lovullo said ahead of Game 7. “I think he’s used to that.”
Carroll tacked on a sacrifice fly in the seventh for a 4-2 lead, and the Diamondbacks never looked back.
“They started to run a little bit, started to put pressure on us. They started playing their game,” Thomson said about the momentum shift when the series returned to Philly.
By the time Philadelphia broke the in-case-of-emergency on ace Zack Wheeler in the seventh, it was too late. The Phillies team that bashed homers at a record pace against Miami and Atlanta never cashed in back home, finishing 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position in Game 7.
“We had some people on base tonight. We couldn’t get the big hit,” Thomson said.
MVP MARTE
Marte batted .387 with 12 hits, four doubles, a triple and a stolen base in the series to earn NLCS honors. His 19 hits in a single postseason are a club record.
“There was times this year where it was, like, how do you even pitch this guy? He is kind of back in that mode right now. It’s special to watch,” Carroll said.
Marte has hit safely in all 16 career postseason games, the longest streak in NL history and second in major league annals to Derek Jeter’s 17-game postseason hitting streak for the Yankees.
LAST LAUGH
Arizona ace Zac Gallen was raised in South Jersey and considers himself a diehard fan of Philly sports teams.
Except the Phillies.
He actually grew up a St. Louis Cardinals fan because he loved Mark McGwire. It was his mother, Stacey, who considered herself a diehard Phillies fan and took Gallen and his brother to games at Citizens Bank Park.
“I have a lot of text messages that I’m going to have to send out after this game,” Gallen said. “A lot of people showed their true colors, asking me for tickets back in May when we played the Phillies. This feels sweeter to the 11-year-old kid who used to be a Cardinals fan.”
HOME COOKED
After winning their first six home playoff games this year, the Phillies dropped the last two and fell to 28-13 in the postseason at Citizens Bank Park.
REPORT: GIANTS HIRE BOB MELVIN AS NEW MANAGER
The San Francisco Giants are hiring former San Diego Padres skipper Bob Melvin as their next manager, sources told The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly.
The Padres granted Melvin permission to interview for the Giants job on Sunday.
The Giants fired manager Gabe Kapler on Sept. 29 after he posted a 295-248 record over parts of four seasons.
Melvin joined the
Melvin joined the Padres on a three-year contract ahead of the 2022 season. The three-time Manager of the Year led San Diego to an 89-73 record and a berth in the NLCS in his first season at the helm. The Padres failed to build off last season’s success despite a roster littered with All-Star talent. San Diego finished the 2023 campaign with a disappointing 82-80 record and missed the postseason despite a late-season surge.
The Padres are expected to hire a new manager from within the organization, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Former St. Louis Cardinals manager and current Padres senior adviser to player development Mike Shildt is considered the leading candidate for the job, per Acee.
REPORT: ASTROS MANAGER DUSTY BAKER LEANING TOWARD RETIREMENT
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker could have managed his final game.
Baker said after the Astros lost Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night that he “cheated family” to win another ring.
“I haven’t even been home since February 10th,” Baker said.
The Athletic reported the 74-year-old Baker has told “multiple people inside and outside” the organization that his managerial career would end this season, but he hopes to stay close to the game in some capacity.
Baker led Houston to the World Series championship in 2022.
Baker had been mostly silent about his plans for 2024 because he didn’t want a farewell tour, and decided to leave the door open in case he changed his mind about retirement, per The Athletic.
“When he is done managing, I know he has a lot of knowledge to offer an organization,” Baker’s wife, Melissa, told The Athletic. “I know he can help to build a winner. My husband just wants to win and is a winner.”
Baker took the helm of the Astros before the 2020 season as the organization sought to rebound from the sign-stealing scandal that cost manager A.J. Hinch his job. He has a 320-226 record in Houston, which includes both the World Series victory and two American League pennants in four seasons.
Overall, Baker’s career regular-season record is 2,183-1,862 with the San Francisco Giants (1993-2002), Chicago Cubs (2003-06), Washington Nationals (2016-17) and Astros.
After Monday night’s loss, Baker make any definitive statements regarding returning or retiring.
“I don’t know, I haven’t had time to evaluate and think about my future because I’m down the list as far as, like, I’m not that kind of dude. I don’t want to steal the spotlight or anything from these guys,” he said. “You got to savor what we did, think about how we can get better and then I’ll evaluate my situation in my life. And so, we will see.”
Baker has spent 55 years affiliated with the major leagues. He made his playing debut at age 19 in September 1968 with the Atlanta Braves.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
K-STATE’S AVERY JOHNSON, CYCLONES’ ROCCO BECHT ARE AMONG THE FRESHMEN THRIVING IN THE BIG 12
Just like his nickname, freshman Avery Johnson is shining in Kansas State’s offense.
The dual-threat quarterback dubbed “Sunshine” matched a school record with five rushing touchdowns two weeks ago against Texas Tech, then had a TD pass and another impressive showing on the ground in a blowout win over TCU.
Johnson is among four freshmen quarterbacks in the Big 12 getting significant snaps this season. He and Iowa State’s Rocco Becht have their teams in a second-place logjam with No. 7 Texas and Oklahoma State at 3-1, behind No. 6 Oklahoma (4-0).
Johnson’s long, golden locks, his infectious personality and solid play earned him that nickname after Kip Pardue’s quarterback character in the 2000 film “Remember The Titans.” Johnson welcomes the moniker with a sheepish smile as well as his significant role in K-State’s offense alongside veteran Will Howard.
“At the end of the day, I don’t really care how it gets done, as long as we come out with the win when the clocks hit zero,” Johnson said.
Coach Chris Klieman has made it clear that while Howard is Kansas State’s unquestioned leader on offense, the speedy Johnson is a valuable addition. Kansas State has won two straight after starting the season 3-2 that included a loss at Oklahoma State.
“We’re going to need both of those guys as we still have a lot of football left,” Klieman said.
Johnson carried 16 times for 73 yards against TCU as Kansas State amassed 343 rushing yards. Johnson connected on long passes with fellow freshman Jayce Brown on separate drives to set up scores, and Brown later had his first career touchdown catch from Howard.
“That’s my brother,” Johnson said. “We came in here at the same time. He’s a shy guy at first. Once he came out of his shell, we kind of got to bond on and off the field. Credit to him. He’s putting in all the work.”
Becht, a redshirt freshman who saw limited action in three games a year ago, was thrust into the starting role at Iowa State after incumbent Hunter Dekkers, who has not played this season, pleaded guilty to underage gambling in September. Following a 2-3 start, the Cyclones have consecutive wins over TCU and Cincinnati and are coming off a bye week.
“It’s just staying the course and staying consistent,” said Becht, whose father Anthony Becht, played 12 NFL seasons at tight end out of West Virginia. “We’ll be prepared and we’re ready for the competition that’s coming to us.”
Becht is averaging 209 passing yards per game and has thrown 12 TD passes along with five interceptions. He already has the second-most TD passes in a season for an Iowa State freshman and is on pace to exceed the freshman record for yards (2,250) and TDs (16) set by Brock Purdy in 2018.
“Rocco’s growing a lot for a redshirt freshman and a guy that’s seeing all these things for the first time,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “I think his maturity is showing. How his preparation (is), how he handles in-game adjustments, he’s really doing a great job for us.”
Big 12 youngsters are excelling in other positions, too. Three of them will be taking their talents to the Southeastern Conference next season.
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Nic Anderson of Oklahoma has eight receiving touchdowns, the most for a freshman in the Bowl Subdivision. Teammate Peyton Bowen, a freshman strong safety, has blocked two punts — one for a safety — and leads the Sooners with four pass breakups. Texas freshman linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is tied for the team high with three sacks.
Texas Tech redshirt freshman linebacker Ben Roberts is fourth in the Big 12 with 66 tackles and has two forced fumbles. Oklahoma State redshirt freshman safety Cameron Epps had two interceptions earlier this month against Kansas State, returning one for a touchdown.
West Virginia redshirt freshman Hudson Clement had 177 receiving yards and three TDs in a breakout debut against FCS Duquesne last month, then had a 50-yard TD catch two weeks ago against Houston.
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover had quite the first start Oct. 14 after an injury to Chandler Morris, throwing for 439 yards and four TDs in a win over BYU. Coach Sonny Dykes said at the time that Hoover “set the bar pretty high” and that “it’s going to be hard to replicate what he did.”
Dykes was right. Hoover, a redshirt freshman, was limited to 187 yards against Kansas State.
“It was a rough game across-the-board offensively,” Dykes said Saturday.
At Texas Tech, freshman Jake Strong was put in a difficult situation.
The Red Raiders’ third quarterback this season, Strong made his debut Oct. 14 against Kansas State after Behren Morton was injured. Strong had a 54-yard run to set up his 8-yard TD pass that gave Texas Tech the lead. But he threw three interceptions late in the loss and had three more picks in his first start in a loss to BYU.
“It’s tough. Whenever you turn the ball over, I know you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “I thought he stayed pretty composed.”
HEISMAN RANKINGS: JAYDEN DANIELS SHINES AHEAD OF CRUCIAL STRETCH
(THE SCORE)
The college football season has crossed the halfway mark, so it’s only fitting that there’s been a significant shakeup in theScore’s Heisman Rankings following several pivotal matchups. With conference play in full swing, we examine the playmakers who’ve stood out over the past month.
Honorable Mentions: Caleb Williams, J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, Drake Maye
THE TOP 5 IN REVERSE ORDER:
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
42 receptions, 766 receiving yards, 6 touchdown receptions
Following a sluggish start to his junior campaign, Harrison has caught fire over the past few weeks. Ohio State’s star wideout has posted three straight games with over 100 receiving yards, along with three touchdowns. It’s no coincidence the 6-foot-4, 205-pounder’s production has coincided with the Buckeyes hitting their stride with conference play underway.
Projected as the top receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, Harrison posted a career-high 11 receptions for 162 yards and one touchdown in a marquee contest against Penn State last weekend. Despite inconsistency in Ohio State’s backfield, Harrison consistently shines with every target. We expect the Buckeyes to feature No. 18 heavily over a stretch culminating on the big stage versus rival Michigan to end the regular season.
Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
1,750 passing yards, 65.1% completion, 20 total touchdowns, 2 INT
Travis remains a constant for Florida State and within our rankings. The 23-year-old has met every challenge placed in his path since a season-opening win over LSU. He also displayed grit over the last few weeks while dealing with multiple bumps and bruises.
Yes, having a Biletnikoff Award candidate in Keon Coleman is a tremendous help for Travis’ cause. Yet, the sixth-year senior has put on his superhero cape when called upon. The Seminoles have tallied an ACC-leading 42.2 points per game. Travis’ steady hand has largely pushed Florida State’s 13-game win streak that dates back to last season. Following a victory over a scrappy Duke squad last weekend, FSU remains the front-runner to represent the ACC in the College Football Playoff.
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma
2,131 passing yards, 71.2% completion, 24 total touchdowns, 3 INT
Gabriel lurked outside our rankings but debuts after posting absurd statistics to begin the campaign. The Hawaiian has become emblematic of the “Boomer Sooner” mantra following a monumental win over bitter rival Texas earlier in October. Gabriel racked up 285 passing yards and rushed for 113 yards to brand the Longhorns with their first loss of 2023.
Gabriel sat idle for a week and then continued building his Heisman case by throwing for 253 yards and three touchdowns in a victory last weekend over UCF, his former team. The Sooners star is averaging a robust 304.4 passing yards per game. Oklahoma’s remaining slate has no imposing challenges entering the season’s final month, leaving little room for Gabriel to add to his resume prior to a potential Big 12 title game.
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
2,573 passing yards, 73.1% completion, 30 total touchdowns, 3 INT
Daniels has caught fire since a humbling season-opening loss to Florida State. LSU’s star signal-caller is on pace to record over 1,000 rushing yards and 5,000 passing yards in his senior campaign. Daniels sports an impressive 92.1 PFF grade and leads the country with an absurd 204.32 quarterback rating.
The former Arizona State standout’s prolific stats and dynamic receiving options, like Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers, continue to place him in the spotlight. Daniels threw for 279 yards and accounted for four scores in a rout of Army last weekend. LSU’s slate is set to intensify following a bye, starting with a showdown on the road against Alabama on Nov. 4. If Daniels can lead the Tigers to an undefeated November, he could very well punch his ticket to the Heisman ceremony in December.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
2,576 passing yards, 70.8% completion, 20 total touchdowns, 5 INT
Penix climbed into the top spot of our rankings after compelling performances in big matchups over the past few weeks. The 23-year-old may have submitted his Heisman moment during what many consider a Game of the Year candidate in Washington’s win over Oregon. Penix threw for 302 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception to lead the Huskies to a thrilling 36-33 win.
The Indiana transfer
The Indiana transfer had an off game versus Arizona State the following week. Penix recorded 275 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions in a narrow 15-7 victory against the Sun Devils. Despite a less-than-stellar showing, Penix still owns the sixth-highest grade (91.5) among quarterbacks in the country, according to PFF. The Huskies star still has plenty of opportunities to redeem himself entering the regular season’s final month. An upcoming matchup against Stanford this weekend precludes a trio of games against USC, Utah, and Oregon State that could present a redemption arc for Penix.
NO. 8 OREGON, NO. 13 UTAH CLASH IN LIKELY ELIMINATION MATCH
It is a virtual elimination game Saturday when No. 8 Oregon faces No. 13 Utah in Salt Lake City.
Both teams are 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Pac-12. The team that loses falls out of national championship consideration.
“Big game in the conference picture,” Utes coach Kyle Whittingham said his Monday news conference. “They’re a one-loss team, as are we. Both our backs are to the wall. Hopefully it will be a great football game.”
Utah’s lone blemish is a 21-7 defeat at then-No. 19 Oregon State on Sept. 29. The Ducks lost 36-33 at then-No. 7 Washington in a battle of unbeatens on Oct. 14.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning shares Whittingham’s view that it’s a must-win game.
“This is gonna be a fun opponent,” Lanning said at his Monday news conference. “A really good team, extremely well coached. They’ve done a phenomenal job of utilizing their personnel and have some really talented players on their team.”
The Ducks have more firepower with an offense that ranks second nationally in scoring (47 points per game) and total offense (551.6 yards per game).
Oregon also features standout quarterback Bo Nix, who made his NCAA-record 54th career start at quarterback last week in the Ducks’ 38-24 home win over Washington State. Five other quarterbacks shared the record at 53 (though current Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman is in that group.)
Nix has passed for 2,089 yards, 19 touchdowns and one interception this season. That pick is the lone turnover committed by the Ducks, who have the fewest in the nation. Utah is tied for third with just four turnovers.
The Utes rank 96th in scoring (23.4 ppg) and 98th in total offense (345.0 ypg), but the attack has been spruced up by having standout safety Sione Vaki (tied for the team lead with 35 tackles) play on both sides of the ball.
Vaki caught two touchdown passes and had 217 offensive yards last week in Utah’s 34-32 road victory over then-No. 18 Southern California. He caught five passes for 149 yards and rushed nine times for 68 more.
“It’s been a big plus for our offense to say the least to have him over there,” Whittington said. “The impact he makes on offense is actually bigger than the impact he has on defense. And he’s one of the best safeties in the country, so that tells you how valuable he has been for us.”
Utes quarterback Bryson Barnes had career bests of 235 yards and three touchdowns against USC but also threw an interception that was returned for a score. He also rushed for a touchdown.
Barnes will continue to run the show after the weekend news that standout Cam Rising won’t play this season. Rising sustained a serious knee injury in the Rose Bowl against Penn State on Jan. 2.
Utah ranks 11th in scoring defense (15.0 ppg) and 14th in total defense (295.4 ypg) but can’t just worry about stopping Nix.
The fifth-ranked run defense (78.0 ypg) will look to lasso Ducks running back Bucky Irving (649 rushing yards) for the second straight season. Irving had just 20 yards on 10 carries in Oregon’s 20-17 home win over the Utes last season.
Irving accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) and ran for a season-best 129 yards against Washington State. One week earlier, he rushed for 127 yards against Washington.
“I would say his heart is pounding out of his chest. This dude is so passionate, he cares so much for his teammates and never goes down on first contact,” Lanning said of Irving’s running style. “Really selfless player, and I think that really shows up when you see this guy play on the field.”
Oregon has won 10 of the past 15 meetings with the Utes.
NFL NEWS
THE DOLPHINS’ UTILIZATION OF ‘CHEAT MOTION’ TAKES THE NFL BY STORM
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Coach Kyle Shanahan saw the new wrinkle his former assistant Mike McDaniel added to the Miami offense by putting speedster Tyreek Hill in short motion at the snap and immediately added it to the San Francisco offense.
The opportunity to give a playmaker a running start was just the type of addition Shanahan wanted for Deebo Samuel and other playmakers on the 49ers offense so he added it his own playbook with the name “cheat motion.”
Why that name?
“I don’t know. It looks hard to stop people like Tyreek and Deebo and stuff with a running start,” Shanahan said. “That’s usually only in the CFL. So it’s cool to get them running sideways and still find a way to hit it vertically.”
The use of pre-snap motion has been on the rise throughout the NFL over the past decade, going from a usage rate of just 37.5% of plays in 2014 to 54.6% so far this season, according to Sportradar.
Some of the most proficient and innovative offenses are using it an even higher rate, with McDaniel’s Dolphins running motion on a league-high 86.3% of plays, followed by the 78.4% for Shanahan’s 49ers, 71.6% for Andy Reid’s defending-champion Chiefs and 70.1% for Sean McVay’s Rams.
“It’s like a copycat league man,” Denver cornerback Patrick Surtain II said. “Offenses, they run the same type of concepts in different ways, though. So I just say communication is key, being on the same page. Because you know, once you are not on the same page, things get out of sorts and that’s when things start to break away and explosives come.”
That’s exactly what the Dolphins have done, best evidenced by the 70 points they scored against Surtain’s Broncos in Week 3 when they gained 726 yards on 71 plays.
Miami has been unbelievably effective. The Dolphins average 8.1 yards per play when using pre-snap motion as it has helped Tua Tagovailoa get the ball to his playmakers with more space to operate.
“I love the diversification of the motions, how it can set up so many different things,” fullback Alec Ingold said. “All of us are in motion pretty much all the time, so I love being a part of that. … I think it’s a big part of our offense and I love the fact that we can do that and execute while you’re moving full speed, side to side and then stretch a team vertically as well.”
McDaniel said it took time to get his players used to the system as last year the team was plagued by 38 pre-snap penalties on offense in part because of all the moving parts.
This season, the rate has been cut down with only 10 pre-snap penalties in their first seven games, with four coming in a loss on Sunday at Philadelphia.
“When it becomes your norm, guys kind of get uncomfortable now when there isn’t a motion on a play,” McDaniel said. “They’re like, ‘where’s the rest of the play?’ But that takes a total commitment of everyone, including the offensive line, because you have to get used to the different types of snap counts that Tua uses to not only execute some of those motions, but then make sure that the defensive line can’t tee off on snap points, and then have variations of cadence on that, too. So everybody plays a part in it and it’s something that takes a village to execute.”
Teams have long used motion to help the quarterback determine whether the defense is in man or zone coverage based on whether a defender follows the player across the formation.
The motion players often re-set in those plays but the Dolphins prefer to snap with the motion player on the move, often with the “cheat” motion. Instead of sending a fast player like Tyreek Hill sprinting across the field before the snap, the Dolphins have him moving a much shorter distance on one side of the field.
While NFL rules don’t allow a player to be moving forward at the snap like in the Canadian Football League, even that short motion allows a player like Hill to hit his top speed even sooner and race past defenders who are more flat-footed.
Miami has run a league-high 77% of its plays with a player in motion at the snap, according to data from TruMedia and PFF. The Dolphins have scored 27 of their 31 offensive touchdowns with a player moving at the snap.
Shanahan said that as soon as the Dolphins had success with it early in the season, he saw more teams add it each week — especially on offenses similar to the ones in Miami and San Francisco.
“As a football nerd, it’s fun to see,” 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey said. “It’s exciting to see motion like that — motions and shifts and different things that are just trying to put guys in space easier.”
But not every team has adapted motion at such a high rate.
Some of those offenses are more traditional — and often have been less successful — but there are also teams like the Eagles, who have the lowest rate of motion but remain one of the best offenses in the league.
One reason the Eagles don’t use it at as high a rate as other teams is they like to push the tempo and sending players in motion slows down that process. Philadelphia has run the most plays this season with a no-huddle before the fourth quarter, when some teams are forced to hurry because they are in catch-up mode.
“It’s our philosophy not to motion to motion,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “We can come out this week and motion all over the place, and we’ll do that. I guess I think of it this way: If the best thing to do is to pass it 50 times to win, we’ll do that. If the best thing is to run it 50 times to win, we’ll do that. If the best thing is to motion on every single play — that is a little extreme — but we’ll do that as well.”
JERRY JONES: COWBOYS WON’T INITIATE TRADE TALKS BEFORE DEADLINE
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones says the team won’t initiate trade conversations with other clubs before the Oct. 31 deadline.
“It’ll have to come our way. I don’t want to preclude it in any way, but it always does,” Jones said, according to Logan Mullen of 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.
“The initiation of an opportunity to make a trade at this time that would help us principally has to start on the other end. That’s not showing a lack of aggressiveness, it’s just that’s where it starts.”
He added: “I like where we are with our personnel today, so I’m not thinking in any way that we need to upgrade our roster.”
Dallas is currently sitting at 4-2 through seven games. The team is one game behind the Philadelphia Eagles, who acquired safety Kevin Byard from the Tennessee Titans on Monday.
The Cowboys rank in the top five in points per game and points per game allowed. They’ve battled injuries at key spots, as cornerback Trevon Diggs is done for the year with a torn ACL while linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is currently on injured reserve with a neck ailment.
“I would really extend to improve our team right now, so that gives you an idea because I think we’ve got a team that is a contender,” Jones said, per Mullen. “So … would I do something that would take away from this team so that it can help us in the future? Probably not.”
The Cowboys will take on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8.
VRABEL: LEVIS, WILLIS COULD BOTH PLAY IF TANNEHILL IS OUT VS. FALCONS
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel indicated the team could go with a two-quarterback system if Ryan Tannehill can’t play on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
“I would imagine that if Ryan can’t play, I would anticipate both of those quarterbacks (Malik Willis and Will Levis) playing in the football game,” Vrabel said, per NFL writer Paul Kuharsky.
Vrabel added that Tannehill isn’t using a walker for his injured ankle, and they will monitor his situation as the week progresses.
Tannehill suffered the injury in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens. After taking Tannehill’s place, Willis was sacked four times in that contest, throwing for 74 yards on five attempts.
Willis has failed to provide Tennessee with competent quarterback play when called upon. He has zero passing touchdowns with only 234 yards and three interceptions in three career starts.
The Titans selected Levis with the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Kentucky product was a highly touted prospect, throwing for 5,252 yards with 43 touchdowns in his last two years with the Wildcats.
Levis hasn’t been active for a game this season, as Willis remained the backup quarterback through six games.
The 2-4 Titans will face off against the 4-3 Falcons on Sunday.
REPORT: CARDINALS TE ZACH ERTZ (QUAD) HEADED TO IR
The Arizona Cardinals are putting tight end Zach Ertz on injured reserve, NFL Network reported Tuesday.
Ertz will miss a minimum of four games because of a quad strain, but the plan is for him to return this season, per the report.
He suffered the injury in Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The earliest Ertz could return is Nov. 26 against the Los Angeles Rams.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ertz has 27 catches for 187 yards and a touchdown on the season.
This is the second straight season that Ertz has landed on IR. Last season, Ertz tore his ACL and MCL in Week 10 during a game against the Rams on Nov. 13.
Ertz, 32, had 47 receptions for 406 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games, all starts, in 2022.
In 11 NFL campaigns, he has caught 709 passes for 7,434 yards and 46 touchdowns.
The Cardinals (1-6) host the Baltimore Ravens (5-2) on Sunday.
RAMS RELEASE K BRETT MAHER
The Los Angeles Rams released Brett Maher on Tuesday, two days after the kicker missed two field goals and an extra-point attempt in a 24-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Rams do not have another kicker on their roster.
Maher, 33, is 17-for-23 on field goal attempts this season, with four of the six misfires coming from over 50 yards. His missed field goal tries against the Steelers were from 51 and 53 yards.
Maher connected on 29 of 32 field goal attempts for the Dallas Cowboys last season, but it was the four missed extra points in the wild-card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that sealed his fate in Dallas.
He has made 111 of 139 field goal attempts and 140 of 147 extra-point tries in his career with the New Orleans Saints, Cowboys and Rams.
BILLS TE DAWSON KNOX COULD HIT IR AFTER WRIST SURGERY
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox could be headed for injured reserve following wrist surgery.
The team plans to establish a timeframe for his potential return following the procedure. Head coach Sean McDemott said Tuesday the team would know more about Knox’s status in the coming days, but it’s possible he is headed toward injured reserve.
“I wish I could tell you, too early right now,” McDermott said.
Knox injured his wrist Week 5 in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. He was a limited participant in practice all week leading up to Week 6 but was cleared to play and caught three passes for 17 yards in the 14-9 win over the New York Giants.
First-round pick Dalton Kincaid will step into a more prominent role immediately, beginning Thursday night when the Bills (4-3) and quarterback Josh Allen host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3). He had a team-high eight receptions for 75 yards last week against the New England Patriots.
“It’s good to see him getting going and getting a rapport with Josh,” McDermott said. “I think that can help us as we move forward.”
Kincaid is second on the team in receptions, catching 25 of the 27 passes intended for him.
Knox had one reception for 10 yards in Sunday’s loss at New England and has 15 catches for 102 yards and one touchdown through Buffalo’s first seven games this season.
NBA NEWS
NUGGETS CELEBRATE FIRST NBA CHAMPIONSHIP WITH BANNER, RINGS AND 119-107 WIN OVER THE LAKERS
DENVER (AP) The bling and the banner were nice. What the Denver Nuggets really relished, though, was opening defense of the franchise’s first NBA title with a 119-107 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
“We can’t think about last year too much,” Jamal Murray said after the Nuggets followed the raising of their championship banner by dropping the hammer on the Lakers in the NBA’s season opener, which featured Nikola Jokic’s triple-double and LeBron James taking a few more breathers than normal.
Jokic said the Nuggets fed off the emotion from the pregame ceremony to jump out to an early 18-point lead, which held up even after the Lakers got within three points in the fourth quarter.
“I think we controlled the game the whole time,” said Jokic, who had 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
Murray added 21 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 20, Aaron Gordon had 15 and Michael Porter Jr. had 12.
All of LA’s starters also scored in double figures, led by James’ 21 points in 29 minutes – his playing time is being monitored at the start of his 21st season.
“It helps,” Murray said with a smile.
James ended up playing about five fewer minutes than he’s used to.
“I mean, I always want to be on the floor,” James said, “especially when you got an opportunity to win a game or feel like you can make an impact. But I guess there’s a system in place and I’ll follow it.”
James, the league’s oldest player at age 38, stressed, “I’m not surprised or upset” about the Lakers monitoring his minutes as the season gets going.
Taurean Prince scored 18 points his his debut for the Lakers, his fifth team in nine seasons. Anthony Davis had 17 points, Austin Reaves 14 and D’Angelo Russell 11.
The Lakers trailed by 18 early but trimmed that deficit to 63-54 at halftime and used a 13-0 run spanning the third and fourth quarters to pull within 87-84 before Aaron Gordon stopped the run with a 3-pointer.
The Lakers never got closer.
After James’ basket got Los Angeles within 103-96 with just over five minutes remaining, the Nuggets called timeout and came out of it with a 10-3 run featuring 3-pointers by Murray and Porter to put the Lakers away.
“We were trending in the right direction for a while there,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “Each quarter we had given up less and less and then they just kind of blew the game open.”
The Nuggets received their gold, diamond-encrusted championship rings – featuring a mini championship banner that rolls out from one side – in a pregame ceremony. Murray, wearing a microphone, told teammate Gordon, “I might play the first quarter with it!”
Nuggets coach Michael Malone relished one last hurrah over last season’s breakthrough before turning his attention entirely to this season.
“Jason of Beverly Hills, I want to thank them for some really nice hardware. And then at that point, I was like, ‘Let’s get the game going,'” Malone said of watching the banner rise to rafters at sold-out, shaking Ball Arena.
“And I was also thinking about my father, just wish he was here.”
Brendan Malone, the longtime coach and driving force behind the Detroit Pistons “Bad Boys” defenses in the late 1980s and early ’90s, died earlier this month at age 81.
“So, a lot of emotions tonight but all really positive,” Malone said, “and to end it with a win is a great way to start the season off.”
The Nuggets went 16-4 in the playoffs – including a sweep of the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals – and finished things off by closing out Miami in five games to start a summer of celebrations from Denver’s delirious downtown to Jokic’s hometown of Sombor, Serbia.
JOKIC SNUBBED AND PRAISED
Jokic may have followed up back-to-back MVP seasons by leading the Nuggets to their first NBA title, but TNT left him off its graphic promoting its opening-night doubleheader featuring the Lakers-Nuggets and Suns-Warriors games.
The graphic featured LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum – the last an odd choice given that the Celtics don’t play until Wednesday night. The slight upset Charles Barkley, the co-host of TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” who apologized to the Nuggets and their fans for the omission.
That said, Barkley opined in a pregame interview that he thinks the Nuggets will have a tough time repeating.
“I think they’re in the mix. I’m a big Bruce Brown fan,” Barkley said of the starting small forward who signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Indiana Pacers following Denver’s title run. “They gotta replace him and the young guys gotta come on, and they’re going to have to adjust to being the hunted.”
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host Phoenix on Thursday night.
Nuggets: At Memphis on Friday night.
BOOKER, DURANT LEAD SUNS PAST CURRY AND WARRIORS 108-104 IN SEASON OPENER
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Kevin Durant greeted many of the people he knew so well during three sensational seasons with the Warriors then hardly showed off his best shooting performance on a night the Golden State fans finally got to cheer him all these years later.
He still spoiled the home team’s opening night as the Phoenix Suns won the first matchup between the Pacific Division powerhouses.
“It’s always good to be recognized for the work you put in so it was exciting to see people I hadn’t seen in a while, some familiar faces,” Durant said. “I feel like the fan base here got nothing but love and respect for me as an individual player and as a person. That’s all I can ask for.”
Devin Booker scored a go-ahead layup with 4:51 remaining followed by a 3-pointer on the way to 32 points in a 108-104 Phoenix victory on Tuesday night in a back-and-forth finish.
Stephen Curry scored 27 points to former shooting partner Durant’s 18 on a night the Warriors welcomed KD back for his first game in front of Bay Area fans since he left after the 2019 NBA Finals.
Curry scored seven straight points early in the third to pull the Warriors within 64-61 at the 8:21 mark and Phoenix called a timeout. Golden State opened the third on a 27-5 burst while the Suns went 2 for 14.
Jusuf Nurkic had 14 points and 14 rebounds with a driving layup in the closing seconds in his Suns debut. Josh Okogie knocked down a baseline 3 with 1:09 to play and Eric Gordon connected from long range with 45 seconds left before Curry hit from deep.
Booker started and also had eight assists and six rebounds after coming into the game questionable with soreness in his left big toe. He made his first three shots and scored eight of the Suns’ initial 13 points.
Durant was greeted with warm applause from the fans in their first time seeing him since he led the Warriors to a pair of championships with two NBA Finals MVP awards and three straight Finals berths from 2017-19.
The Warriors played video highlights on the big screen during pregame introductions. Durant patted his heart and raised his arm in the air to acknowledge the love then shot 7 for 22 with 10 rebounds.
“A lot of good moments in the video. We was able to relive some of those memories real quick,” Durant said. “But it was good to come in here and get the season started off right with a W.”
Durant played at Chase Center in February 2021 with Brooklyn when no fans were allowed in the building because of the pandemic then was injured this past March when the Suns last visited.
Chris Paul contributed 14 points, nine assists and six rebounds in his Warriors debut facing his most recent team. Golden State acquired him on draft night from the Wizards – he never played in Washington – for Jordan Poole.
Paul missed his first six shots and all six of his 3-point tries but had three early assists.
“He’s a rhythm player so he’s really good at getting you the ball in spots you want it,” guard Moses Moody said.
TIP-INS
Suns: G Bradley Beal missed the game with low back tightness but first-year coach Frank Vogel is optimistic he will play Thursday at the Lakers. “He is trying to loosen up the back and he just isn’t ready yet,” Vogel said. … Phoenix had lost 18 of the previous 22 on Golden State’s home floor.
Warriors: The Warriors have lost only five of their last 12 openers and are 44-34 playing their first home game of a season. … F Draymond Green, out the entire preseason with a sprained left ankle, missed the season opener for the second time in his career after a sore foot kept him out for the pandemic-delayed 2020-21 season
PASTOR RETURNS
Longtime Warriors and 49ers team chaplain Earl Smith returned to the arena after he missed the end of last season following an accident at All-Star weekend in Utah when an Uber driver started to go when he had only one leg in the vehicle.
UP NEXT
Suns: Visit the Lakers on Thursday night having lost the last two matchups on the road.
Warriors: At Sacramento on Friday night in a rematch of the first round of the playoffs won by Golden State in Game 7.
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
BIG TEN RACE LOOKS AS IF IT WILL COME DOWN TO PURDUE AND SPARTANS. AFTER THAT, IT’S ANYBODY’S GUESS
Handicapping the Big Ten race comes down to this: Purdue, Michigan State, everybody else.
The Boilermakers, with reigning national player of the year Zach Edey and his strong supporting cast, are the prohibitive favorites to win a second straight regular-season championship. Michigan State is a possible challenger.
“I think other than maybe Purdue, because of Zach, you could probably throw them all in a hat and pull them out and say, ‘Hey, they could finish here’ and not be shocked,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said.
Purdue, unranked in the preseason a year ago, enters this season No. 3 and followed by No. 4 Michigan State. The Big Ten’s only other ranked team is No. 25 Illinois. The Big Ten hasn’t had so few teams in the preseason Top 25 since 2018-19.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said player movement through the transfer portal makes it difficult to predict how a team will come together.
“I think you’re going to find this league is so much better than what I’ve seen in preseason rankings,” Izzo said.
The Big Ten traditionally has older players, and that’s been accentuated because of the NCAA pandemic policy that allows athletes to have a sixth year of eligibility. The Boilermakers and Spartans have six players who are in their fourth or fifth seasons.
“We have maybe the biggest age discrepancy ever — 23-, 24-year-olds playing against 17-, 18-year-olds sometimes,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “Last year I think it played out a little bit that we saw some very old teams be very successful. We had one of those in our league, Penn State. I think that can be something that separates.”
WHO’S BACK
C Zach Edey, Purdue, 7-4, 300, Sr.: Big Ten preseason player of the year is the returning consensus national player of the year. He was first Big Ten player since 1964 to lead conference in scoring (22.3 ppg), rebounding (12.9 rpg) and field-goal shooting (60.7%).
G Boo Buie, Northwestern, 6-2, 180, Sr.: Has played 115 games and is coming off his best season with 17.3 ppg, 4.5 apg and 1.9-to-1 assist-turnover ratio.
G Terrence Shannon, Illinois, 6-6, 225, Sr.: The prolific dunk artist averaged 17.2 ppg and is among four fifth-year players on the Illini roster.
C Clifford Omoruyi, Rutgers, 6-11, 240, Sr.: Do-it-all man was program’s first player since 1991 to lead team in scoring (13.2 ppg), rebounding (9.6 rpg) and blocks (2.1 bpg).
G Jahmir Young, Maryland, 6-1, 185, Sr.: Career 16.5-point scorer has started all 120 games in which he’s played for Charlotte and Maryland combined.
TOP TRANSFERS
G Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn State, 6-1, 190, Sr.: Atlantic 10 player of the year and defensive player of the year accompanied new coach Mike Rhoades from VCU.
G Brice Williams, Nebraska, 6-7, 213, Jr.: Led Charlotte with 13.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg and shot just under 40% on 3-pointers.
F Olivier Nkamhoua, Michigan, 6-8, 225, Sr.: His stock rose rapidly when he scored 27 points for Tennessee in an NCAA second-round win over Duke.
F Jamison Battle, Ohio State, 6-7, 220, Sr.: Buckeyes are coming off a losing season and need the experience (103 games, 101 starts) and scoring (12.4 ppg) that Battle can provide.
C Ben Krikke, Iowa, 6-9, 230, Sr.: His 19.4 ppg for Valparaiso led the Missouri Valley Conference.
TOP FRESHMEN
F Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana, 6-8, 217: Ranked as high as the No. 8 national recruit, he gives the Hoosiers the top freshman for the second straight year. The Gladstone, New Jersey, native was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass and resisting law enforcement in connection with an incident at a Bloomington restaurant early Sunday.
F Xavier Booker, Michigan State, 6-11, 220: Rated the No. 1 national recruit at his position. At No. 11 overall, the Indianapolis co-player of the year is the highest-ranked recruit ever to sign with Izzo, according to 247Sports.
G DeShawn Harris-Smith, Maryland, 6-5, 215: Heralded as a tough-minded and fearless player, the stat-sheet stuffer from Woodbridge, Virginia, led his team to the state title last season.
G Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State, 6-2, 190: The Joliet native was player of the year in Illinois after averaging 18.8 ppg and 5.3 apg.
G Taison Chatman, Ohio State, 6-4, 175: The Minnesota player of the year led his Minneapolis school to two straight state titles, finishing strong after an injury slowed him to start his senior season.
ON THE COACHING FRONT
Micah Shrewsberry parlayed Penn State’s 23-win season and first NCAA Tournament since 2011 into the job to Notre Dame.
Enter Mike Rhoades, who led VCU to 27 wins, the Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament titles and the Rams’ third NCAA appearance in six years. Rhoads also had a successful three-year run at Rice.
The Pennsylvania native has a strong track record as a recruiter and is basically starting over with the Lions. He brought A-10 player of the year Ace Baldwin Jr. and Nick Kern with him from VCU and signed seven other transfers.
GAVITT TIPOFF GAMES
ESPN’s exclusion from the conference’s new television contract caused the demise of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge after 24 years.
That leaves the Gavitt Tipoff Games as the Big Ten’s premier early season event. Eight games against Big East opponents will be played in mid-November. All games will be televised on FS1. The annual series honors Gavitt, who founded the Big East.
Nov. 13: Xavier at Purdue; Michigan vs. St. John’s, at Madison Square Garden.
Nov. 14: Wisconsin at Providence; Marquette at Illinois; Iowa at Creighton.
Nov. 15: Georgetown at Rutgers.
Nov. 17: Maryland at Villanova; Butler at Michigan State.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL BIG 10 PREVIEW: NEBRASKA
| 2022-23: | 16-16, 9-11 (T-11th, Big Ten) |
| No Postseason | |
| Location: | Lincoln, NE |
| Coach: | FRED HOIBERG (5th Season) |
| Homecourt: | PINNACLE BANK ARENA (15,000) |
| Key Departures: | SAM GRIESEL (12.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.8 apg) |
| DERRICK WALKER (13.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.9 apg) | |
| EMMANUEL BANDOUMEL (8.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.3 apg) | |
| Key Newcomers: | JARRON COLEMAN (transfer, Ball St.) |
| RIENK MAST (transfer, Bradley) | |
| BRICE WILLIAMS (transfer, Charlotte) | |
| JOSIAH ALLICK (transfer, New Mexico) | |
| ELI RICE (freshman, IMG Academy) | |
| AHRON ULIS (transfer, Iowa) |
ROSTER
| # | Player | Pos. | Listed | Year | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3PT% | |
| 10 | Jamarques Lawrence | G | 6-3 | So. | 18.1 | 5.0 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 40.7 | 37.3 | |
| 30 | Keisei Tominaga | G | 6-2 | Sr. | 25.1 | 13.1 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 50.3 | 40.0 | |
| 3 | Brice Williams* | G | 6-7 | Jr. | 27.1 | 13.8 | 5.3 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 47.9 | 39.7 | |
| 53 | Josiah Allick* | F | 6-8 | Sr. | 31.9 | 8.4 | 7.3 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 55.7 | 15.8 | |
| 51 | Rienk Mast* | F | 6-10 | Sr. | 28.8 | 13.8 | 8.0 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 51.8 | 35.3 | |
| 0 | C.J. Wilcher | G | 6-5 | Sr. | 27.2 | 8.0 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 39.9 | 31.3 | |
| 4 | Juwan Gary | F | 6-6 | Sr. | 29.5 | 9.5 | 6.5 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 43.5 | 26.3 | |
| 9 | Jarron Coleman* | G | 6-5 | Sr. | 34.2 | 14.3 | 4.9 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 37.6 | 35.2 | |
| 15 | Blaise Keita | F | 6-11 | Jr. | 10.1 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 51.4 | – | |
| 11 | Eli Rice | G | 6-8 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 2 | Ramel Lloyd Jr. | G | 6-6 | R-Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 21 | Matar Diop | F | 6-10 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 1 | Sam Hoiberg | G | 5-11 | So. | 12.7 | 4.1 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 55.1 | 40.9 | |
| 5 | Ahron Ulis*** | G | 6-3 | Jr. | 22.6 | 6.1 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 39.6 | 31.9 | |
FROM THE COACH
“The biggest difference is we’re older and very mature. We’ve got a cerebral team. The old guys know how to work.”
—Fred Hoiberg
THE SCOOP
Fred Hoiberg needed some momentum after entering last season with a 24-67 record in his three years since taking over in Lincoln. The Cornhuskers got off to a 2-6 start in Big Ten play but wound up going 9-11 and finished the season winning five of their last seven games.
Hoiberg and Cornhusker fans finally had something to cheer about heading into the offseason, but they also lost three starters in leading scorer and rebounder Derrick Walker (13.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and guards Sam Griesel (12.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.8 apg) and Emmanuel Bandoumel (8.4 ppg).
Nebraska does bring back an emerging guard and a veteran forward, and Hoiberg added four experienced guys from the portal that he hopes can keep the Huskers competitive. The program is looking to pick up where it left off instead of reverting back to what it had been for the first three-plus seasons of the Hoiberg Era.
ROAD TO SUCCESS
One of the reasons why Nebraska came on so strong towards the end of last season was the emergence of 6-2 guard Keisei Tominaga, who averaged 13.1 points last season while shooting 40% from 3.
“We’re going to rely heavily on him,” Hoiberg said of Tominaga, who represented Japan in the FIBA World Cup this summer. “He opens the floor up for everybody and moves so well without the ball.”
Hoiberg also brings back two more players who started more than half the Huskers’ games last season. Juwan Gary started all 17 games prior to season-ending shoulder surgery, and he gives Nebraska a junkyard dog type of forward. Before the injury, Gary averaged 9.5 points and 6.5 boards a year ago.
C.J. Wilcher started 24 games in 2022-23, and while the 6-5 junior isn’t a big-time offensive option, he is a nice piece. Wilcher averaged 8.0 points per game last season, but he will need to shoot it better from the perimeter after making just 31% of his 124 attempts last year.
Bradley transfer Rienk Mast will replace Walker in the middle. The 6-9, 240-pound Dutchman should be able to fill Walker’s work on the glass, but he’s different in that he can step out and make shots from beyond the arc. Mast will fit perfectly in Hoiberg’s 5-out, spread offense where he can open up driving lanes for his teammates.
Charlotte transfer Brice Williams, who averaged 13.8 points and 5.3 boards last season, should start at the small forward spot due to his ability to score from all three levels. He’s a multi-dimensional forward who also brings athleticism to the court. Josiah Allick comes back to his home state after spending three years at Kansas City and putting up 8.4 points and 7.3 boards last year at New Mexico. The Lincoln native could battle Gary for a starting spot next to Mast. The 6-11, 240-pound Blaise Keita (2.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg) will provide some depth on the frontline.
The point guard spot will likely be shared by Jamarques Lawrence and Ball State transfer Jarron ‘Boogie’ Coleman. Lawrence is a 6-3 sophomore who started a dozen games as a freshman, and he gives Hoiberg a guy who can really defend and make shots from deep — but he needs to cut down on his turnovers. As for Coleman, Hoiberg has been impressed with his basketball IQ and feel for the game, but the key for him is being more efficient instead of being a high-volume guy.
Nebraska also brought in 6-8 freshman Eli Rice, who played extremely well in the preseason trip to Spain and should get minutes off the bench this season. Rice is a lefty small forward who is one of the best athletes on the team and can also shoot the ball.
POTENTIAL POTHOLES
Let’s start with just overall talent: Nebraska just doesn’t have enough of it compared to most of the teams in the Big Ten.
But let’s be honest — Nebraska isn’t competing with Purdue, Michigan State or even Illinois or Indiana. Hoiberg just needs to find a way to get to the middle of the pack. The way for the Huskers to compete and have a chance to get to the middle of the Big Ten hinges heavily on two elements: continuity and experience.
“We’ve added a lot of experience,” Hoiberg said. “We’re one of the older teams. Not just in the Big Ten, but in the entire country. That’s very important in today’s game.”
The continuity part is up for debate. Sure, he has a few key pieces back with Tominaga, Gary, Wilcher and Lawrence — but he’s going to rely heavily on four transfers who all came from the mid-major ranks and a freshman.
Then there’s the question mark whether Lawrence can emerge as a guy who can play 30 minutes at the point and make others around him better. He was solid last season, but he’ll need to be better than solid; he’ll have to make quality decisions and set up guys for easy shots. Lawrence won’t be alone in that task, though. Hoiberg envisions Mast also being able to make plays for others, similar to how Georges Niang did it for him when they were at Iowa State together.
Hoiberg will need Tominaga to show that he’s an all-league caliber guard. He did it down the stretch last season, and he’ll need to pick up where he left off — with his swagger and difficult shot-making. Mast doesn’t necessarily need to be an all-league guy, but he’s got to be consistent and show that he can handle the level jump from the Missouri Valley to the Big Ten.
“We’re as deep as we’ve been,” Hoiberg said. “And we’re really versatile. We can play small, we can play big. I’m excited when I think about the different combinations we can put on the floor.”
THE X-FACTOR
Point guard play. Hoiberg brought in Iowa transfer Ahron Ulis to be his likely starter, or at least play major minutes — but then Ulis was charged in a gambling scandal after allegedly placing in excess of 2,000 illegal sports wagers.
Now, Ulis is no longer part of Nebraska’s plans, which made Hoiberg and his staff adjust their strategy in the middle of the summer.
For a while, it looked like Lawrence was going to have to handle the bulk of the duties by default. But Coleman went in the portal late, and the Huskers were fortunate to add an experienced guard who can share the minutes. Coleman isn’t a pure point by any means, but he can definitely help and having him in the building is better than the alternative.
Regardless, this is still an unproven point guard situation. Lawrence is going to have a ton on his plate as he learns to balance scoring and distributing. He will have to rely heavily on the shot-making abilities of Tominaga and the extremely versatile Mast, who can take pressure off Lawrence with his ability to pass the ball at a high level for a big man.
“You don’t necessarily need a pure point guard anymore,” Hoiberg said. “Our bigs can help initiate the offense. Last year, Derrick Walker was second on our team in assists.”
But for Nebraska to have a chance to get to the postseason, they will need the duo of Lawrence and Coleman to be a strength and not a weakness.
THE OUTLOOK
Sure, Nebraska got some much-needed momentum towards the end of last season — but it’s still hard to fathom a team that has struggled mightily for three-and-a-half years of the Hoiberg Era to put it all together and get to the NCAA Tournament.
Hoiberg may not need a tourney berth to get another year in Lincoln — he’s extremely well-liked, and he’s a good, low-maintenance coach. But it’s difficult to win at Nebraska no matter how likable the coach is, and this team has a ton of new faces. This isn’t exactly the same group that came on strong a year ago to close out the season.
History suggests that the Cornhuskers will be on the outside looking in once again come March, and history will probably repeat itself.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW MAC: TOLEDO
| 2022-23: | 27-8, 16-2 (1st, MAC) |
| NIT – First Round | |
| Location: | Toledo, OH |
| Coach: | TOD KOWALCZYK (14th Season) |
| Homecourt: | SAVAGE ARENA (7,300) |
| Key Departures: | RAYJ DENNIS (19.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 5.8 apg) |
| SETRIC MILLNER (16.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.8 apg) | |
| JT SHUMATE (16.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.3 apg) | |
| Key Newcomers: | SONNY WILSON (freshman, Detroit Jesuit) |
| BEN WIGHT (transfer, William & Mary) |
ROSTER
| # | Player | Pos. | Listed | Year | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3PT% | |
| 3 | Sonny Wilson | G | 6-1 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 21 | Dante Maddox | G | 6-2 | Jr. | 29.4 | 11.1 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 48.4 | 44.8 | |
| 23 | Tyler Cochran | G | 6-2 | Sr. | 23.1 | 9.6 | 4.4 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 54.4 | 42.9 | |
| 0 | Ra’Heim Moss | G | 6-4 | R-Jr. | 30.2 | 8.5 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 47.9 | 33.0 | |
| 35 | Ben Wight* | F | 6-9 | R-Sr. | 26.3 | 10.9 | 5.2 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 51.1 | – | |
| 13 | Andre Lorentsson | F | 6-8 | Jr. | 7.6 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 37.9 | 36.4 | |
| 1 | Javan Simmons | F | 6-7 | R-Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 2 | Bryce Ford | G | 6-2 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 4 | Xavier Thomas | F | 6-5 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 11 | Sam Lewis | G | 6-6 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| 24 | Grgur Brcic | F | 6-10 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Marko Maletic* | G | 6-6 | Jr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
FROM THE COACH
“I like our team, I like our culture. Obviously we lost three pro-caliber players. This is a different type of team. Offensively, we’ll play similarly, but we trust our process there.”
—Tod Kowalczyk
THE SCOOP
For a three-year stretch, 74 wins and three regular-season MAC titles is downright silly.
That type of conference dominance is reserved for Colgates and Vermonts of the world. The MAC, however, does its champion zero favors in the postseason format: an all neutral site venue, zero first-round byes for top seeds. Tod Kowalczyk probably wishes his league adopted the America East or Patriot League format, which heavily stacks the tournament deck in favor of its regular-season champion.
Alas, it was ‘close but no cigar’ yet again last season for Toledo. The Rockets simply couldn’t solve their archnemesis, Kent State, which handed Toledo two of its three MAC defeats — none more gut-wrenching than in the conference tournament title game.
Postseason pitfalls aside, the facts are as follows: Kowalczyk wins more and produces more pros than half the power conference teams in America.
It’s only a matter of time before he hears his team’s name called on Selection Sunday. When that happens, it’ll be a sweet sound ringing through Toledo, as the Rockets haven’t gone dancing since 1980.
ROAD TO SUCCESS
Toledo’s 2023 campaign was both a tale of two seasons, and a tale of two sides of the ball.
On offense, it was a basketball romantic’s dream. Perpetual movement. Pinpoint passing. Precision cutting. This is, however, the usual course of business for Kowalczyk lately. On the national level, Toledo has finished 19th, 40th and fifth over the last three years in KenPom adjusted offensive efficiency.
The defense, however, didn’t hold up its end of the bargain. Juxtaposed next to a top-five offense, the Rockets’ 295th ranked defense looks like an eyesore. However, double-click into the conference vs. nonconference splits. Toledo’s adjusted defensive efficiency against MAC foes was categorically better — fifth, in fact, out of the league’s 12 participants.
Kowalczyk posited an interesting hypothesis to explain that phenomenon.
“We were such a talented team offensively, we just thought we could outscore people,” said the coach. “We started to get more buy-in during the conference season. We bounced back and responded fairly well.”
This year, the defensive emphasis must start now. The new-look Rockets lose three dynamite players: RayJ Dennis, Seth Millner and JT Shumate. Filling those shoes is nearly impossible.
“We’re going to have to be better defensively this year because I’m not sure we can be any better on offense,” acknowledged Kowalczyk. “Those numbers we put up last year, honestly, it’d be unrealistic to come back and do the same thing.”
So, how does Kowalczyk restore equilibrium to both ends of the floor without over-sacrificing the secret sauce? It’s a delicate balance, and the answer lies largely in the hands of an experienced trio — Dante Maddox, Tyler Cochran and Ra’Heim Moss — and a freakishly talented freshman, Jamarion ‘Sonny’ Wilson.
Maddox could emerge as the quasi-alpha this year on offense. He does everything on the floor well, excelling at both shooting and slashing from anywhere.
“Don’t be surprised if Dante Maddox does what RayJ Dennis did last year,” said Kowalczyk confidently.
From there, Cochran is the major wild card this season after missing most of last year with turf toe. At 6-2 and 225 pounds, he’s built like a linebacker but possesses guard skills and instincts. Cochran is one of the best two-way players in the conference when at full strength.
Moss stepped up in Cochran’s absence, especially in conference play. He has proved his worth as a plus defender while still chipping in on the offensive end. A full season with Cochran and Moss together could do wonders for Toledo’s perimeter defense.
Setting the table and bringing it all together is Wilson, a top-150 recruit who’s already turning heads in summer workouts.
“We had high expectations coming in and he’s better than we thought,” said Kowalcyzk of his prized rookie recruit. “He’s as good of a freshman point guard as I’ve had here.”
POTENTIAL POTHOLES
Yes, there’s a lot of white space on the roster page once you get past the projected starting lineup. The offseason personnel turnover parted the seas for a massive recruiting haul this summer.
On one hand, throwing inexperienced first-years into high-leverage situations sounds risky. But this is not your average recruiting class. Kowalczyk called it the best recruiting class he’s had in a while, so there won’t be any restrictor plates put on these rookies.
Wilson is the obvious headliner, but the Rockets will need major contributions from the others, too. There are five true freshmen and one redshirt freshman, Javan Simmons, who Kowalczyk believes could’ve been in the thick of last year’s depth chart.
“By Christmas, I regretted redshirting him,” Kowalczyk said of Simmons. “He could’ve helped us, and I’m sure he would’ve been a fixture in our rotation.”
Simmons’ length and positional versatility could be indispensable on this guard-heavy roster. Behind him, all five true freshmen will get a big bite of the apple right away.
Bryce Ford is a heady combo guard from the Phoenix area. Kowalczyk says his savvy IQ and polished skill set will earn him serious run right out of the gate. Xavier Thomas is a prototypical undersized tweener forward with tons of positional optionality, much like Simmons. Sam Lewis may actually possess the most raw talent of the group. The Simeon High School product is long, athletic, and plays hard on every possession.
The final puzzle piece comes from Croatia: Grgur Brcic. He’s older for his class, and he both looks and plays like a grizzled veteran. That ready-made physique should translate immediately at the D1 level and help smooth any of the turbulence that many international prospects endure when coming to the States.
THE X-FACTOR
Up front, Kowalczyk has big expectations for William & Mary transfer Ben Wight, who will play a major role in the wake of Shumate and Millner’s departure.
“I’ve been super impressed with his consistency,” said Kowalczyk. “He’s terrific on defense and could be an elite offensive rebounder. He’s more of a 5, but he can play some 4 for us.”
The real X-factor could be incumbent Andre Lorentsson, a tantalizing talent with a world of potential. The key for him is consistency and confidence. Lorentsson hasn’t shown it in large stretches, but he’s a true multi-level scorer with far more mobility than meets the eye. If the mental makeup catches up with the raw ability, the Rockets may boast a stout frontline tandem.
Another storyline is Cochran’s road to recovery after a frustrating battle with turf toe all year. Kowalczyk said he had surgery in February and was on track to start going full 5-on-5 by August. Kowalczyk reiterated how impactful Cochran is at full strength.
“He was arguably our second-best player last year, when healthy,” Kowalczyk said plainly.
Cochran can be a shutdown defender at multiple positions, while serving as a jack-of-all-trades in this electric offense.
In the end, Toledo’s upside this year may come back to Wilson and how quickly his game translates. Despite Kowalczyk’s unabashed confidence in his freshman phenom, playing point guard at a championship level in the MAC is a high bar to hurdle.
THE OUTLOOK
Many will discount the Rockets in this year’s cycle of preseason prognostications, and understandably so. Kowalczyk gets it, too, but he sees what the outsiders don’t: a young bedrock of talent bubbling with upside.
After three years of being circled on everyone’s MAC schedule, Toledo may revel in a relatively fresh role as a subtle dark horse or underdog. Last season’s team was on autopilot thanks to the continuity of returners. This time around, Kowalczyk will push more buttons in the preseason to see what works.
Given his resume, it’s not a matter of if this retooled retention is going to be good — it’s when. Toledo fans would prefer their Rockets peak in March, and ideally, at Rocket Mortgage Center in Cleveland.
If that happens, this team could finally snap its 43-year NCAA Tournament drought.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW TOP 25: #22 ST. MARY’S
| 2022-23: | 27-8, 14-2 (T-1st, WCC) |
| NCAA Tournament – Round of 32 | |
| Location: | Moraga, CA |
| Coach: | RANDY BENNETT (23th Season) |
| Homecourt: | UNIVERSITY CREDIT UNION PAVILION (19000) |
| Key Departures: | KYLE BOWEN (5.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.7 apg) |
| LOGAN JOHNSON (14.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.6 apg) | |
| Key Newcomers: | Jordan Ross (freshman, AZ Compass Prep) |
ROSTER
| # | Player | Pos. | Listed | Year | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3PT% | |
| 20 | Aidan Mahaney | G | 6-3 | So. | 30.5 | 13.9 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 42.8 | 40.0 | |
| 3 | Augustas Marciulionis | G | 6-4 | Jr. | 15.5 | 5.9 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 41.4 | 25.0 | |
| 44 | Alex Ducas | G/F | 6-7 | 5th | 31.3 | 12.5 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 43.3 | 41.4 | |
| 5 | Joshua Jefferson | F | 6-8 | So. | 8.1 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 43.4 | 31.0 | |
| 11 | Mitchell Saxen | C | 6-10 | Sr. | 31.2 | 11.6 | 7.6 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 55.7 | – | |
| Mason Forbes** | F | 6-8 | R-Sr. | 26.6 | 8.0 | 5.3 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 59.7 | – | ||
| Jordan Ross | G | 6-1 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| 1 | Harry Wessels | C | 7-1 | So. | 6.9 | 2.6 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 59.6 | – | |
| 33 | Luke Barrett | G | 6-6 | R-Jr. | 9.6 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 46.8 | 36.0 | |
| 15 | Chris Howell | G | 6-6 | R-So. | 4.1 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 26.1 | 11.1 | |
| Andrew McKeever | F | 7-0 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Jensen Bradtke | F | 6-10 | Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Rory Hawke | G | 6-5 | R-Fr. | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
FROM THE COACH
“We had a great group of guys the last two years, the leadership was intact. Now, the question is how do we replace what Logan Johnson and Kyle Bowen brought to the table. Those were two special seniors.”
—Randy Bennett
THE SCOOP
Randy Bennett. That’s the intro.
The greats transcend eras, they say. Bennett’s success over a two-decade period puts him in that airspace. The longtime captain of the Saint Mary’s ship isn’t slowing down either. Rather, he’s still full steam ahead.
Another outstanding season earned the Gaels a second straight 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament last year. They prevailed in their opening round tilt against VCU before running into a buzzsaw in the form of eventual national champion UConn Huskies. Despite defeat, the Gaels proved they could punch in that weight class, keeping the Huskies within striking distance until late in the game. Who knows how the tides may have shifted had Alex Ducas not suffered a back injury.
It used to be Gonzaga first, Saint Mary’s second, and everybody else after that — no questions asked. Now, the Gaels will share the target on their back with their Spokane-based WCC brethren.
ROAD TO SUCCESS
There’s plenty of ink to come on Aidan Mahaney, the wunderkind wizard of the Gaels’ backcourt, but this must be established imminently: Saint Mary’s backbone is its defense.
The foundations of its suffocating defense were laid back in 2021, a frustrating COVID-disrupted season that saw the Gaels fall to 4-6 in league play. Three years removed from that 2021 campaign, it’s safe to call that finish an outlier. Yet, the struggles that year were entirely offensive. It’s easy to overlook the fact that the Gaels boasted a top-15 defense that season, per KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency metrics.
The year after, the Gaels ticked up from 13th to 12th in that same metric. Last year? 10th.
The beauty in this beast is its schematic structure, but the personnel are pivotal as well. Mitchell Saxen is the eraser inside. As an underclassmen, Saxen’s defensive prowess earned him early playing time. His offensive game really opened up last season, but he never wavered on his inherent forte — walling off the rim.
Behind Saxen, 7-1 Harry Wessels is a supersized shot-blocker off the pine. Wessels was called into action against UConn’s monstrous frontline in the NCAA Tournament, and he performed admirably. His per minute production was excellent last season, and it should translate into real production with a boost in playing time this season.
The next layer of this impenetrable defense are the wings. Led by Ducas, the unflappable fifth-year veteran, the Gaels house one of the deepest stables of wings, forwards, and hybrids — whatever positional label floats your boat — in all of college basketball. From newly greenlit Mason Forbes, the former Harvard transfer who redshirted last season, to returners Joshua Jefferson, Luke Barrett and Chris Howell, all will be fixtures in the rotation once again.
All are capable at defending at a high level, but the loss of Kyle Bowen’s defensive impact in particular must be noted. Pivot Analysis charted Saint Mary’s defense as 16 points per 100 possessions better with Bowen on the floor than it was when he sat. For reference, Saxen’s net defensive impact is 8 points per 100 possessions.
“Losing Logan Johnson and Kyle Bowen, man, they were so good on defense,” said Bennett. “They made themselves into good offensive players but their defense was special.”
Bowen often stuck to the shadows on offense but he drained 38% of his triples last year. All in all, he’s a major two-way loss. The remedy is the institutional success of player development, particularly with Jefferson, Barrett and Howell. Collectively, this group should lessen the blow of losing Bowen.
POTENTIAL POTHOLES
Logan Johnson’s athleticism, strength and gritty toughness made him the spear of the Gaels’ perimeter defense last year. Akin to Bowen’s two-way impact, Johnson was an asset on both ends of the floor. Few can replace Johnson’s defensive disruptiveness, but Mahaney is more than ready to take the reins on offense.
The rookie sensation became a household name last season on February 4, when he put on a dazzling display of heroics against Gonzaga. Mahaney made one clutch play after another, showcasing how much confidence Bennett and the team had in their young freshman. Mahaney’s secret sauce is his unassuming, unpredictable pace. He can pull or shift direction at a moment’s notice, and he doesn’t need much airspace to get off his jumper or find an open crease.
That said, the second-year standout wasn’t entirely invincible last year. In bouts against cream of the crop competition, Mahaney struggled against the superior strength and footspeed of elite defenses. In the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, VCU and UConn were able to keep Mahaney in check. This season, a year older, stronger and more experienced, Mahaney could pop the top off of his limitless potential.
Alongside Mahaney, keep an eye on two other skilled guards. The first is Augustas Marciulionis, a Lithuanian product who is still scratching the surface of his potential. Bennett noted that this is the first time he’s been with Saint Mary’s for an entire offseason, and he’s starting to see the lightbulb flicker on. Marciulionis’ unselfishness is both a blessing and a curse, as he sometimes balks at hunting his own shot. However, he pounced on those opportunities late last season, especially in the NCAA Tournament against VCU and UConn. Bennett believes that’s a launching pad for Marciulionis to take another leap in 2024.
Bennett also tagged another premier recruit this cycle, Jordan Ross, a fringe top-100 prospect. The son of former Utah State great Ronnie Ross, Jordan has played against the best of the best on the elite grassroots circuits. He played for the esteemed Mokan Elite AAU program last summer before suiting up for his senior season at Compass Prep in Chandler, AZ. He figures to be another wizard-in-training in Bennett’s guard-led scheme.
THE X-FACTOR
Bennett’s quite keen on the intangibles this season. There isn’t much to gripe about in terms of basketball talent. The roster on paper is loaded. Depth, skill and experience are evident at multiple positions. Even without Johnson and Bowen back in the fold, all the components are there for Saint Mary’s to repeat as a top-25 team.
That said, Johnson and Bowen’s innate toughness was at the heart of the Gaels’ identity. That aura set the tone for one of the nation’s most impenetrable defenses. Assuming that impact can be easily replicated is shortsighted, but Bennett is confident in this group. They’ve ‘been there, done that.’
“Every year you have to recreate that leadership, even when you have guys coming back. But, I’m super confident in this group,” said Bennett. “That’s what I’ve learned over the years. In my experience, when you bring back guys who have reached the NCAA Tournament the year prior, they know what it takes.”
Saxen and Ducas are the two elder statesmen in the room now. They’ve served for multiple years under Bennett, and they understand the path forward. It all starts with defense, and that’s where Saxen especially separates himself.
THE OUTLOOK
It’s been two straight 5 seeds for the tiny institution in Moraga. Frankly, a third at-large invitation looks signed, sealed and delivered with the roster returning for the 2023-24 rodeo.
All that’s lost in Johnson’s departure is negated by all that’s possible with a full season of ‘seasoned’ Aidan Mahaney. His confidence and moxie are special, and they will shine through at the game’s key moments. There’s plenty of help around him, but how will Mahaney respond to being the bullseye of opposing scouting reports?
Don’t worry. Even through the ebbs and flows, you can count on the safety-blanket defensive curtain being there night in and night out. Though, we’ll soon find out how important Johnson’s ballhawking presence was on that end of the floor, too.
Overall, it’s hard to find a glaring hole on the roster. It’s just a matter of how high the ceiling can be for Saint Mary’s to make a potentially deep tournament run next March.
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
AP PRE-SEASON ALL-AMERICAN TEAM
Caitlin Clark of Iowa is a unanimous pick for The Associated Press preseason women’s basketball All-America team for the second consecutive season.
The star guard was on all 36 ballots from the national media panel that selects the AP Top 25 each week. She led the Hawkeyes to the NCAA championship game for the first time in school history where they lost to Angel Reese and LSU. Reese was also selected as a preseason All-America, appearing on 35 ballots.
Elizabeth Kitley of Virginia Tech, Cameron Brink of Stanford, Paige Bueckers of UConn and Mackenzie Holmes of Indiana were also selected for the team. Kitley and Holmes tied in the voting for the fifth spot.
Clark is now a three-time preseason All-American and is set to have another record year. Last season’s AP player of the year averaged 27.8 points, 8.6 assists and 7.1 rebounds. The senior, who has one more season left of eligibility after this year if she wants it, is 810 points behind Kelsey Plum’s NCAA record of 3,527 points.
“Caitlin has grown the most this year in her leadership skills. As the point guard, she holds herself and everyone accountable around her,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said. “She has also learned this summer to become more effective coming off ball screens. She means a ton to our program and it’s hard to put it into words. She helped break the NCAA record for attendance, and she’s growing the sport as a whole not just for Iowa.”
Like Clark, Reese has helped the sport grow. The pair faced off in the NCAA title game last year and nearly 10 million people tuned in. The LSU senior helped the Tigers win their first national championship while leading the SEC in scoring (23 points per game) and rebounding (15.4 per game) and setting an NCAA record with 34 double-doubles in a season.
She’s ready for an encore.
“She‘s a competitor. I think she wants to be a good leader. Last year she was thrown into a leadership role and she probably was learning as she went along.,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said. “Now, because of that experience, maybe she’ll be a better leader both in the locker room and on the floor. She’s a special talent.”
Bueckers is back and healthy for the first time in two seasons. She missed all of last year with a torn ACL in her left knee. That came after she missed most of her sophomore year with a lateral meniscus tear and a tibial plateau fracture.
“I’m feeling much stronger. I feel more confident in my body than I ever have,” said Bueckers, who was the AP player of the year as a freshman in 2021. “When I step on the court, I feel like I’m ready for whatever the defense is going to throw at me and I know people this year are going to test me, push me around, make sure I’m really healthy, make sure my knee’s really good and use physicality as a weapon against me, so I’m ready for that.”
Holmes is the first preseason All-American in Indiana history. She helped Indiana to one of the best seasons in school history, winning the Big Ten regular-season title as she averaged 22.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and shot 68.8% from the field.
“She’s healthy, feels really confident about her knee and her body and her mind,” Indiana coach Teri Moren said. “I think all of that is really good and has her in a positive place.”
It’s the second consecutive year that Kitley has been honored as a preseason All-American. She helped Virginia Tech reach the Final Four last season for the first time in school history, averaging 18.2 points and 10.7 rebounds. Kitley decided to come back instead of enter the WNBA draft.
“She’s a generational player,” Virginia Tech coach Kenny Brooks said. “I can argue she’s the best player in school history.”
Brink averaged 15.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.5 blocks for the Cardinal last season. She is one of two players left from Stanford’s 2021 title team and more will be expected of her with the graduation of Haley Jones.
“She has great hands, great touch, and is passing really well. Cam is very competitive,” Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said. “She’s being aggressive and understands how important she is for our team to be out there. I think she should be in the running for player of the year. She’s that good.”
All six players have been honored as AP All-Americans in the spring the past few years. Clark, Reese and Holmes were on the first team while Kitley and Brink were on the second team. Bueckers was a unanimous first-team selection her first year.
The AP started choosing a preseason All-America team before the 1994-95 season.
NHL NEWS
NHL ROUNDUP: KNIGHTS EXTEND FRANCHISE-RECORD PERFECT START
Shea Theodore scored the game-winner with 32.5 seconds remaining as the Vegas Golden Knights extended their franchise record for the best start to a season with their seventh straight win, a 3-2 decision over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Vegas extended its NHL record for most wins to begin a season by a reigning Stanley Cup champion.
Paul Cotter and Ivan Barbashev also scored goals, Jack Eichel had two assists and Logan Thompson finished with 26 saves for the Golden Knights.
Noah Cates and Cam Atkinson found the net and Carter Hart made 26 saves for Philadelphia.
Bruins 3, Blackhawks 0
Three players scored and Jeremy Swayman pitched a 23-save shutout to lead Boston over host Chicago.
Pavel Zacha, Matthew Poitras and Trent Frederic all lit the lamp for Boston, which finished off a four-game road trip and improved to 6-0-0 for only the second time in the franchise’s 100-year history. The shutout was the 10th of Swayman’s career in only 91 regular-season games.
Petr Mrazek stopped 40 shots for the Blackhawks, who have been shut out twice during their current three-game skid.
Kings 6, Coyotes 3
Anze Kopitar, Trevor Lewis and Trevor Moore scored first-period goals as Los Angeles rebounded from an early deficit to take down visiting Arizona.
Blake Lizotte, Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kempe and Kopitar each had a goal and an assist for Los Angeles. Pheonix Copley made 24 saves in his second start as the Kings won for the third time in four games.
Jack McBain, Nick Bjugstad and Clayton Keller scored for the Coyotes, who fell to 3-3-0, having played five of their six games on the road.
Canucks 3, Predators 2
Phillip Di Giuseppe and Nils Hoglander scored just 2:49 apart in the second period and Thatcher Demko made 15 saves as visiting Vancouver defeated Nashville.
Ilya Mikheyev also scored for the Canucks, who won their second straight game.
Colton Sissons and Kiefer Sherwood scored, while workhorse Juuse Saros stopped 21 shots as Nashville had its two-game winning streak come to an end.
Kraken 5, Red Wings 4 (OT)
Jordan Eberle scored the winning goal with 4.9 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Seattle over host Detroit.
Eberle took a pass in front of the Detroit goal from Jared McCann and one-timed a shot into a half-open net. Jaden Schwartz added two goals for Seattle, and Tye Kartye and McCann also scored.
Dylan Larkin had a goal and two assists for Detroit, which saw a five-game winning streak end. The Red Wings also got goals from Joe Veleno, Shayne Gostisbehere and Alex DeBrincat.
Avalanche 7, Islanders 4
Goals from Nathan Mackinnon and Bowen Byram in the final 30 seconds of the second period proved critical for Colorado in a win at New York.
Mikko Rantanen scored the tiebreaking goal 7:47 into the third period as the Avalanche improved to 6-0-0 on the season and won its 15th straight regular-season road game, an NHL record. Ryan Johansen scored twice, Rantanen had a goal and three assists and Cale Makar added a goal and two assists. Ross Colton also scored and Alexandar Georgiev stopped 27 shots for the Avalanche.
Cal Clutterbuck led the Islanders with a goal and an assist, while Simon Holmstrom, Kyle Palmieri and Anders Lee also scored. Noah Dobson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau each notched two assists for New York, and Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves.
Panthers 3, Sharks 1
Backup goalie Anthony Stolarz made 27 saves in his debut, leading Florida over San Jose in Sunrise, Fla.
The Panthers got goals from Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart and Kevin Stenlund. It was Reinhart’s team-high seventh goal of the season.
The Sharks, who have lost all six of their games this season (0-5-1), got a goal from Fabian Zetterlund and 32 saves from Mackenzie Blackwood. San Jose is the last NHL team without a win.
Lightning 3, Hurricanes 0
Goaltender Jonas Johansson recorded his second career shutout, Brayden Point broke a season-long goalless drought and Tampa Bay shut out visiting Carolina.
Johansson stopped all 32 shots he faced in running his record to 3-1-2 in his first season with the Lightning. Point, a 51-goal scorer last season but scoreless through this season’s first six games, hit the net in the first period on the power play. He added an assist for the only multi-point effort of the game.
Alex Barre-Boulet scored for the second straight game, and Nick Paul added a marker. Nikita Kucherov assisted on Point’s goal, marking the 41st time the right wing has made the score sheet in the past 45 home games.
Sabres 6, Senators 4
Tage Thompson had two goals and an assist to help visiting Buffalo beat Ottawa.
Jeff Skinner scored twice, Alex Tuch had a goal and an assist and Casey Mittelstadt added two assists for the Sabres, who have won three of five since losing their first two games of the season. Zemgus Girgensons added a goal for Buffalo, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 34 saves in his first start of the season.
Mathieu Joseph and Vladimir Tarasenko each had a goal and an assist for the Senators, who have lost two in a row after a three-game winning streak. Ottawa’s Jakob Chychrun and Josh Norris also scored. Anton Forsberg allowed five goals on 18 shots before being replaced by Joonas Korpisalo (five saves) at the start of the third period.
Wild 7, Oilers 4
Ryan Hartman had three goals and two assists to help Minnesota to a win against visiting Edmonton.
Mats Zuccarello and Joel Eriksson Ek each had a goal and assist, Jake Middleton and Kirill Kaprizov each had three assists and Filip Gustavsson made 24 saves for the Wild, who have won nine of the past 10 against Edmonton.
Warren Foegele scored two goals, Evan Bouchard had a goal and two assists, Evander Kane had a goal and an assist and Jack Campbell made 24 saves for the Oilers, who played without star center Connor McDavid because of an upper-body injury.
Maple Leafs 4, Capitals 1
Morgan Rielly and Auston Matthews each had a goal and an assist as visiting Toronto defeated Washington.
John Tavares and William Nylander also scored for the Maple Leafs, who have won two games in a row. Joseph Woll made 36 saves for Toronto in a strong effort.
Alex Ovechkin scored for the Capitals, who have lost four of their first five games. Washington lost despite outshooting Toronto 37-17. Darcy Kuemper stopped 13 shots for the Capitals.
Ducks 3, Blue Jackets 2 (OT)
Frank Vatrano scored on a breakaway 2:20 into overtime to fuel visiting Anaheim to a victory over Columbus.
Anaheim’s Ryan Strome scored in the second period and fourth-liner Brett Leason tallied in the third. Lukas Dostal made 35 saves for the Ducks, who have won five in a row against Columbus and five consecutive encounters in the series at Nationwide Arena.
Blue Jackets rookie Adam Fantilli had an assist on Emil Bemstrom’s power-play tally in the first period before scoring a goal in his second straight game. Columbus native Jack Roslovic started a rush by Fantilli, who skated up the left wing before wiring a shot from the left circle that beat Dostal to give Columbus a 2-1 lead at 9:13 of the third period.
Devils 5, Canadiens 2
Jack Hughes continued his hot start with four more assists and set up each of Tyler Toffoli’s three goals as visiting New Jersey beat Montreal.
Hughes has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) through New Jersey’s first five games. That surpassed the 13 by San Jose’s Patrick Marleau (2012-13) and Joe Thornton (2012-13) along with Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (2021-22) for the most points in the opening five games since 2010-11.
Justin Barron and Mike Matheson scored for the Canadiens, who were unable to win their third straight game. Montreal goalie Cayden Primeau allowed four goals on 33 shots in his season debut.
Jets 4, Blues 2
Connor Hellebuyck made 18 saves as Winnipeg defeated visiting St. Louis.
Kyle Connor, Mason Appleton, David Gustafsson and Morgan Barron scored for the Jets, who have won two straight games after losing three of their first four.
Pavel Buchnevich had a goal and an assist for the Blues after missing two games with an upper-body injury. Robert Thomas also scored for St. Louis and Jordan Binnington stopped 26 of 29 shots.
Rangers 3, Flames 1
Erik Gustafsson collected one goal and one assist and goaltender Igor Shesterkin regrouped to reach his top form after surrendering an early goal as visiting New York claimed a victory over slumping Calgary.
Alexis Lafreniere and Chris Kreider also scored in the win, while Filip Chytil collected a pair of assists for the Rangers, who won consecutive games for the first time this season. Shesterkin made 24 saves.
Blake Coleman scored for the Flames, who have lost three straight games. Goalie Jacob Markstrom stopped 17 shots.
Stars 4, Penguins 1
Jason Robertson and Thomas Harley each had a goal and an assist to help visiting Dallas down Pittsburgh for its third straight win.
Evgenii Dadonov and Wyatt Johnston also scored for the Stars. Jake Oettinger made 38 saves.
Bryan Rust scored
Bryan Rust scored for the Penguins, who lost their third in a row. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 30 shots.
INDIANA RELEASES/TOP HEADLINES
COLTS FOOTBALL
COLTS RELEASE UNOFFICIAL DEPTH CHART FOR WEEK 8 GAME VS. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
OFFENSE
» WR: Michael Pittman Jr.
» LT: Bernhard Raimann
» LG: Quenton Nelson, Arlington Hambright
» C: Ryan Kelly, Wesley French, Ike Boettger
» RG: Will Fries, Josh Sills
» RT: Braden Smith, Blake Freeland
» TE: Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree
» TE: Kylen Granson, Will Mallory
» WR: Josh Downs, Isaiah McKenzie
» WR: Alec Pierce, Juwann Winfree
» QB: Gardner Minshew II, Sam Ehlinger
» RB: Jonathan Taylor, Zack Moss, Trey Sermon
- Last Wednesday, it was announced by Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay that rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson would undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
- Last Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, Taylor scored his first touchdown of the season. That play highlighted a game in which he had 120 yards from scrimmage.
DEFENSE
» DE: Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, Jake Martin
» DT: DeForest Buckner, Adetomiwa Adebawore
» NT: Taven Bryan, Eric Johnson II
» DE: Samson Ebukam, Dayo Odeyingbo, Isaiah Land
» WLB: Shaquille Leonard, Grant Stuard
» MLB: Zaire Franklin, Segun Olubi
» SAM: E.J. Speed, Cameron McGrone
» CB: JuJu Brents, Ameer Speed
» FS: Rodney Thomas II, Trevor Denbow
» SS: Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross
» N: Kenny Moore II, Tony Brown
» CB: Jaylon Jones, Darrell Baker Jr.
- The Colts claimed Ameer Speed off waivers (from New England) last Friday. He played in five games with the Patriots and registered two tackles and one special teams stop.
- Against the Browns, Moore II had 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. This was his second straight game with three tackles for loss.
SPECIALISTS
» P: Rigoberto Sanchez
» PK: Matt Gay
» H: Rigoberto Sanchez
» LS: Luke Rhodes
» KR: Isaiah McKenzie, Josh Downs
» PR: Isaiah McKenzie, Josh Downs
INDY FUEL
- INDY FUEL WEEK ONE RESULTS 1-1-0
- INDY FUEL OVERALL RECORD 1-1-0 (3rd in Central Division)
GAME 1 – FRIDAY OCTOBER 20 VS. FORT WAYNE – 4-1 L
The Indy Fuel hosted the Fort Wayne Komets for Opening Night on Friday in front of a sellout crowd of 6,370 fans. The Fuel ultimately fell 4-1 to their Central division rivals in the teams’ 99th all-time meeting.
GAME 2 – SATURDAY OCTOBER 21 AT FORT WAYNE – 3-1 W
The Indy Fuel headed to Fort Wayne for their second game of the season and first on the road. Despite being outshot by the Komets for the second night in a row, it was the Fuel who pulled away with a 3-1 win to even the weekend series.
OIL DROPS
- In his first two games with the Indy Fuel, forward Jon Martin scored a goal in each contest against the Komets.
- Returning goalie Zach Driscoll is ranked third among goaltender leaders across the league. His save percentage was .970 in Saturday’s game at Fort Wayne. He is ranked second in saves with 32 saves out of 33 shots.
- Westfield, Indiana native Sam Ruffin earned his first professional point with an assist on Matus Spodniak’s goal on Saturday.
- In his first professional game, forward Ryan Gagnier scored his first professional goal on Saturday. He scored in the second period and netted the Fuel’s third goal of the night.
TEAM NOTES
- The Fuel racked up 19 penalty minutes against Fort Wayne this weekend, while the Komets had 32 penalty minutes across both games.
- The Fuel is ranked fifth in the league for overall power play percentage, with a power play goal percentage of 33.3%.
INDY FUEL WEEK 2 SCHEDULE
- GAME 3 – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25 AT KALAMAZOO
- GAME 4 – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28 VS. KALAMAZOO
BROADCAST
Don’t miss a moment of the action! Get your tickets to an Indy Fuel game or tune in live!
UPCOMING FAN EXPERIENCES AND EVENTS
Get ready for lots of fun at Indiana Farmers Coliseum in 2023-24! Check out some of our upcoming promotions and special fan experiences!
- Saturday, October 28 – Woof Woof = Let’s Go Fuel! Bring your furry friends to watch the Indy Fuel live against Kalamazoo! It’s Pucks and Paws & Halloween! Come dressed up in your Halloween costume to support the Fuel. Enjoy a fun night out on Halloweekend with the Indy Fuel and dogs! Don’t forget to stick around after the game for a postgame specialty jersey auction!
INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL
MIKE WOODSON HOPING TO RE-ESTABLISH CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATIONS AT INDIANA BEHIND JOHNSON, GALLOWAY
Indiana coach Mike Woodson returned to his alma mater for one reason — to win championships.
Now entering his third season, Woodson and his team are still trying to earn their first major title and they think its time to end their drought.
“My goal is nothing individually,” point guard Xavier Johnson said as he begins his sixth college season. “I want to win. That’s the last thing on my list to do in college is to win.”
Woodson understands. His four-year college career fit neatly between Bob Knight’s first two national championship runs and Woodson had to overcome an injury during his senior season to earn the title of league champ.
But things in Bloomington haven’t been the same over the past three days. Since claiming 12 conference crowns between 1972-73 and 1992-93, Indiana has captured three league titles — a shared championship in 2001-02 and outright titles in 2012-13 and 2015-16.
The Hoosiers also are one of seven conference teams that haven’t won the conference tourney, and next season it will lose the distinction of being the Big Ten’s leader in national titles (five) to newcomer UCLA (11). Indiana’s last one came in 1986-87.
And if this is going to be the year, Woodson will have to rebuild quickly. Three starters — All-American forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, forward Race Thompson and guard Miller Kopp — graduated and a fourth, guard Jalen Hood-Schifino also is in the NBA. So Woodson is leaning heavily on Johnson and third-year guard Trey Galloway to help 10 new players get acclimated.
While it may not happen overnight, Woodson a title run is realistic.
“I thought we put ourselves in pretty good position the last two years. In the tournament we were right there,” he said. “I just didn’t get them over the hump, and that’s something I live with every day of my life. Somehow, I’ve got to get them over the hump. That’s all I think about.”
DYNAMIC DUO?
Two new players — 7-foot-2 center Kel’el Ware and 6-8 forward Mackenzie Mgbako — stand apart from the other newcomers. Both have McDonald’s All-American credentials and something to prove.
Mgbako was arrested on two misdemeanor charges last weekend after refusing to leave a fast-food restaurant at 2:15 a.m. Ware is looking for a new start after one, underachieving season at Oregon.
“I told him (Ware), the word is out,” Woodson said. “They knocked you and said, ‘Hey, you’re lazy, you don’t work hard. If you make a commitment to me, that’s got to change.’”
STILL AROUND
The presence of Johnson and Galloway, a top defender who doubled as a point guard following Johson’s season-ending injury last season, should help smooth the transition. Both are valuable ball-handlers and leaders who can help push sophomores Malik Reneau, Kaleb Banks and C.J. Gunn to become more established players.
“We’ve done a great job this off-season of holding guys accountable and getting guys in the gym and getting a lot of shots up,” Galloway said. “I think it’s going to carry over into the season for us, and it’s going to be huge for us to stick with it and shoot the ball with confidence.”
WHO ELSE?
Indiana’s other newcomers include 6-10 forward Payton Sparks, a two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection; 6-8 forward Anthony Walker, who played on Miami’s Final Four team; 6-3 guard Jackson Creel, a junior college transfer; 6-5 guard Jordan Rayford, who spent last season at Air Force and 6-3 guard Gabe Cupps, Ohio’s 2022 Mr. Basketball.
THE SCHEDULE
Woodson has adopted Knight’s philosophy of playing challenging nonconference teams. After opening with 2013 NCAA Tournament darling Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 6 and Army, Knight’s former school, the Hoosiers face No. 6 UConn, the defending national champs, and either Louisville or No. 18 Texas in New York. December’s dates include back-to-back games against Auburn and No. 1 Kansas.
INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
HOLMES NAMED AP PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
NEW YORK – Graduate student forward Mackenzie Holmes has been named an Associated Press preseason All-American, announced by the outlet on Tuesday.
Holmes is the first Hoosier to earn preseason All-American honors from the organization, having been a two-time postseason All-American in 2022 (honorable mention) and 2023 (first team).
A three-time first team All-American last season, she is a unanimous preseason all-Big Ten honoree from the coaches and was also selected by the media vote, enters her fifth and final season with the Hoosiers in 2023-24. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous selection for All-Big Ten first teams as a senior, the Gorham, Maine native averaged 22.3 points (second in B1G), a team-high 7.8 rebounds and shot a NCAA second-best 68.0 percent from the floor. She also appears as one of 20 preseason candidates for the 2024 Lisa Leslie award, which honors the nation’s top center.
Holmes led the Hoosiers in scoring on 25 occasions as a senior while posting double figures in 31 games, scoring 20 points 19 times and three 30-point scoring efforts. Her nine double-doubles led the team, as six of her double-doubles occurred in conference play which ranks eighth all-time in a single season. She also led the league in blocks (58) and blocks per game (1.9) and averages 1.1 steals (35) per game. Holmes is now in the top five in scoring in school history (1,897) and second in all-time blocks (208).
INDIANA BASKETBALL TO HONOR BILL GARRETT
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana men’s basketball program will celebrate Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame member and Big Ten Trailblazer Bill Garrett at its regular season opener against Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
The contest will be celebrated officially as the ‘Bill Garrett Game’ to recognize the 75th anniversary of the season when Garrett broke Big Ten Basketball’s unofficial color barrier. That landmark moment came during IU’s Dec. 4, 1948, season opener when Garrett became the first Black player to start for a Big Ten team.
In a salute to that momentous event, IU will provide specialty game programs to replicate those used during Garrett’s debut varsity game and season in 1948-49.
In his three seasons of varsity basketball, Garrett helped guide the Hoosiers to a record of 50-13, including a 19-3 mark in 1950-51, a season that culminated with the No. 7 ranking in the final Associated Press Poll.
Garrett was voted the most valuable player of the season by his teammates, named All-Big Ten first team, and recognized as a consensus All-American following the 1950-51 campaign. The NCAA coaches also elected him as a write-in for the college all-star team after his name was left off the ballot.
At the time of his graduation, Garrett held the Indiana men’s basketball scoring record at 792 points after leading IU in total scoring each of his three varsity seasons.
Garrett became the third black player ever drafted in the NBA after Boston selected him in the second round of the 1951 Draft. He graduated in June of 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education.
The 1947 Indiana Mr. Basketball led Shelbyville to its first high school basketball state championship with a then-tournament record 91 points. He also led the Indiana All-Stars to victory over Kentucky before enrolling at Indiana University.
INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
VOLLEYBALL CENTRAL: AT ILLINOIS
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana Volleyball team (16-7, 6-4) begins a four-game road swing with a trip to Champaign to face Illinois in Huff Hall on Wednesday night (8:00 PM ET). The match will be broadcasted nationally on the Big Ten Network with Connor Onion and Liz Nelson on the call.
IU matched its best 10-game start to conference play after beating Ohio State in a five-set marathon last Saturday night. The Hoosiers have 10 games remaining in the regular season as they hunt for a NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since 2010.
The Hoosiers haven’t won both contests over the Fighting Illini in the same season since 2000 and haven’t won in Champaign since 2007. A win would hand IU its most wins in a season since 2016 (17).
Match Info
Wednesday, October 25th, 2023 | at Illinois | 8:00 PM ET
TV: Big Ten Network
Watch
Live Stats
Hoosier News and Notes
Team Breakdown
• The Hoosiers sit at 16-7 (6-4) heading into the weekend’s competition. On the season, IU has quality wins at Miami (FL) and Maryland as well as beating No. 15 Purdue and (RV) Ohio State at home. All seven losses have come to teams who have top-60 RPI’s including six of those matches away from home.
• IU tested itself early in the season with a trip to the Long Beach Invitational. A tough weekend at The Beach, which featured three defeats and eight of nine set loss by four of fewer points, was a strong litmus test for the Hoosiers in the early going of the season.
• With a straight sweep of opponents at the Stacheville Challenge and four wins at the 305 Challenge, IU won seven-straight contests heading into Big Ten play.
• The Hoosiers’ only losses in the Big Ten have come at No. 1 Wisconsin, vs. No. 2 Nebraska, at No. 14 Penn State and at No. 19 Purdue. Those are currently the top four teams in the Big Ten.
• A victory over No. 15 Purdue (Oct. 11) was the fourth top-15 win of the Steve Aird era and the first in Wilkinson Hall (opened in 2019). IU’s 6-4 start to conference play matched the program’s best 10-game start to the Big Ten in school history.
The Hoosiers
• IU opened the season with its best 20-game start to a season (14-6) since beginning 15-5 in the 2010 campaign. The Hoosiers also began conference play 6-4 for the first time since 1985.
• The Hoosiers possess six conference wins already this season including sweeps of Iowa and Maryland and a four-set victory over Illinois and No. 15 Purdue.
• A perfect weekend in Miami at the end of the non-conference schedule ensured the Hoosiers 10 wins in the preseason for the first time since 2019. It is the fourth season since the turn of the century the program brought 10+ wins and at least one power five victory home out of the preseason.
• Head coach Steve Aird became the first coach in program history with multiple seasons of 10+ wins in non-conference with at least one true road win over Power Five team (2019 and 2023). IU’s nine victories by sweep in the non-conference were the most since winning nine during the 2010 preseason.
• To follow up a strong end to the preseason slate, IU beat Illinois 3-1 at Wilkinson Hall to kick off the Big Ten season. The Hoosiers blocked the Illini 18 times with a career-high 12 stuffs from senior middle blocker Savannah Kjolhede. The victory was the final in a run of eight-straight wins, IU’s longest winning streak since 2017.
• As a team, the Hoosiers are 1st in the Big Ten and 21st nationally with 1.91 aces per set. In total, IU has 155 aces on the season including 53 from Haworth (No. 1 in Big Ten and NCAA).
• The Hoosiers are 37th in the NCAA and 2nd in the Big Ten in total team blocks, racking up 200.0 stuffs across the first 23 matches of the season. They average 2.47 per set.
• IU is holding opponents to just .179 hitting offensively which ranks fifth in the Big Ten and top-70 nationally among team defenses. As a team, IU is hitting .234 which is on pace to be one of the best marks in program history for a single season.
• The Hoosiers sold out matches vs. No. 2 Nebraska and No. 15 Purdue with the latter setting a new Wilkinson Hall Attendance Record of 2,725. IU is averaging 1,730 fans per game across nine home matches this season.
What’s At Stake?
• The Hoosiers have never won three-straight contests in the series history.
• IU hasn’t won in Champaign since 2007 (lost 14-straight road contests).
• The Hoosiers last swept the season series in 2000 against the Fighting Illini.
Player Watch
#10 Haworth, Camryn
• Haworth has built on an impressive 2022 season, continuing her fine form into 2023 as a junior and a team captain. She leads the conference in aces (53) and assists (794).
• Among setters in the conference, she’s top-three in total aces (53), assists (794), assists per set (9.80) and kills (69). She’s also fifth in digs (169) and sixth in blocks (41.0).
• The Fishers, Ind. native became the 11th player in program history to record 2,000 assists, crossing the mark in a 33-assist effort against Jacksonville on September 16th. She is now No. 10 in program history with 2,409 assists.
• She is one of just 19 players in program history with 100 career aces and broke the program’s rally-era record (in place since 2001) with aces 131 and 132 of her career against Nebraska. She is No. 4 all-time in program history and will challenge for the all-time mark of 197 in the next year.
• In her time at IU, she has three of the best five single-season aces performances in the rally-scoring era. She’s got 53 aces on the season which broke IU’s rally-era single season record of 51 set in both 2005 and 2014. She is No. 14 in Big Ten history during the rally era in service aces with 144.
#15 Kjolhede, Savannah
• The Colleyville, Texas native was one of the Big Ten’s best blockers last year and is 7th among active Big Ten players in blocks (334). She is now 10th all-time in blocks at IU and is the 14th athlete with 300+ blocks in an IU uniform.
• The veteran middle has played in 103 games of her college career and has started 99 of those including all 18 during her freshman campaign which was shortened by COVID-19. The only games she missed was against Radford and Lindenwood in which she was a healthy, unused sub.
• Against Illinois on Sept. 20, she blocked a career-high 12 shots, becoming just the seventh player in program history with 12-or-more blocks in a single game. She passed 300 career blocks during the match and helped lead IU to 18 total team blocks in the dominant victory.
• She (.292) and graduate student middle blocker Kaley Rammelsberg (.321) are both among IU’s all-time top five best hitters (with at least 1,000 career attempts). Only two athletes in program history have ever finished their careers with a hitting percentage of .300 or better. Both are on pace for some of the most efficient single-season hitting percentages in program history.
#32 Gary, Ramsey
• One of the top-rated prep liberos in the 2023 class, Gary has lived up to the billing early in her college career. She has 351 digs across 23 matches including six 20+ dig efforts in Big Ten play.
• Her 351 digs are most in the Big Ten and top five among freshmen nationally. She is averaging 4.33 digs per set on the season which leads the Big Ten and has 4.82 digs per set through 10 conference games.
• Her 26 digs in a win over Ohio State matched the single-game freshman digs record in program history. Her four-straight matches with 20+ digs matches the most by a single player at IU in the last 15 years.
• She will challenge both the freshman single-season digs record (402) and the all-time single season digs record (525) over the remaining regular season matches.
Opponent Breakdown: Illinois
Series History: 19-74-1 (Illinois leads) | Last Meeting: 9/20/23 (W, 3-1)
• The Hoosiers and Fighting Illini meet for the second time this season after IU won the conference opener 3-1 in September.
• Illinois has won three-straight matches with a pair of wins over Rutgers and one over Maryland.
• Raina Terry leads Illinois and the Big Ten with 355 kills including 4.80 per set.
• Brooke Mosher runs the offense and has dished out 670 assists on the season.
INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER
IU FALLS AT NO. 22 NORTHWESTERN
EVANSTON, Ill. — Indiana men’s soccer (7-4-4, 3-2-2 B1G) outshot Northwestern (10-2-3, 4-2-1 B1G) 21-4 but came away with a 1-0 defeat Tuesday (Oct. 24) at Lanny and Sharon Martin Field.
With the result, the Hoosiers still have a chance at a Big Ten regular season title with a win Sunday against Rutgers, but they need both Northwestern and Penn State to lose or tie. Both teams sit at 13 points, and IU has 11 going into the decisive final day.
KEY MOMENTS
• 12′ – After junior forward Samuel Sarver played him in, senior forward Karsen Henderlong had two threatening shots – one blocked, one saved.
• 14′ – Great combination play at the top of the box between Henderlong, Sarver and junior forward Tommy Mihalic put Mihalic on goal inside his mark, but he put his shot wide.
• 21′ – Northwestern’s first shot came in the 21st minute after IU had already fired seven.
• 25′ – Northwestern’s second shot was enough to put them ahead. Sophomore defender Nigel Prince headed home the breakthrough from a throw-in.
• 75′ – Sophomore Luka Bezerra dribbled around the top of the box and shot across his body, forcing a save from the Wildcat keeper. The Hoosiers tallied 13 shots in the second half but were kept out by Northwestern’s low block.
NOTABLES
• Indiana fell to 37-4-7 against Northwestern all-time.
• Senior forward Maouloune Goumballe earned his 99th career appearance. The fifth-year Hoosier is the NCAA’s active leader in games played.
UP NEXT
Before the Big Ten regular season is decided on Sunday, Indiana will host Division-III Trine on Friday (Oct. 27) in the buildup. Rutgers will be IU’s final conference opponent on Sunday (Oct. 29). That match will kick off at 12:30 p.m. ET in line with the three other Big Ten matches.
INDIANA SWIMMING
HAYDEN NAMED NCAA WOMAN OF THE YEAR TOP 30 CANDIDATE
BLOOMINGTON — The Woman of the Year Selection Committee has announced the national Top 30 honorees for the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year Award, featuring former Indiana diver Kristen Hayden.
Established in 1991, the award is rooted in Title IX and recognizes female student-athletes who have completed their undergraduate studies and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college careers.
Kristen Hayden earned second place in the 3-meter springboard at the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships. In addition to one first-team College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America All-America award, she earned five second-team All-America honors during her career, including three while competing for Michigan and Minnesota. She also was a 2022 All-Big Ten second-team selection. In 2022, Hayden broke Indiana’s 3-meter dual meet record.
She made history as the first African American female diver to win a U.S. senior championship after her mixed synchronized 3-meter dive title at the 2021 USA Diving Winter National Championships and was the first African American to qualify for the FINA World Championships.
A summa cum laude graduate, Hayden was a three-time CSCAA Scholar All-American and earned the 2022 Big Ten Medal of Honor for academic and athletic excellence. The Academic All-Big Ten selection was recognized as a 2023 Indiana University Founders Scholar.
A founding member and president of the USA Diving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, she helps create initiatives to make diving more inclusive. During the pandemic, Hayden facilitated virtual diving and strength workouts for youth divers. She is a contributing author to the book “Dear Rebel,” written to inspire young girls to pursue their dreams. She actively shares her story of overcoming obstacles related to her auditory processing disorder, including as a keynote speaker at the 2022 Disability:IN global conference.
Selected from a record-breaking 619 nominees submitted by member schools — a group that was then narrowed to 164 nominees at the conference level — the Top 30 honorees include 10 from each of the three NCAA divisions. Each honoree has demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. The honorees represent 15 sports, including two student-athletes representing NCAA Emerging Sports for Women. They have a variety of majors, including national security and intelligence, neuroscience, economics, civil engineering, education, nursing, computer science and business management.
The selection committee will determine three honorees from each NCAA division, for a total of nine finalists. From those finalists, the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics will choose the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year.
IUSD TRAVELS TO FACE MISSOURI, AUBURN
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Indiana swimming and diving’s first road meet of the season features two SEC opponents, as the Hoosiers will take on host Missouri and Auburn Wednesday (Oct. 25) in Columbia, Missouri. The meet will kick off at 10 a.m. ET inside the Mizzou Aquatic Center.
MEET INFO
Wednesday, October 25 • 10 a.m. ET
Mizzou Aquatic Center • Columbia, Mo.
Opponent: Missouri/Auburn
Live Results (Swimming): Meet Mobile App
Live Results (Diving): https://bit.ly/3jWYeCQ
Live Stream: https://bit.ly/46Xizus (Watch ESPN)
OF NOTE…
INDIANA BEATS KENTUCKY IN OPENING MEET
Indiana swimming and diving pulled off an emphatic win over Kentucky in its season-opening meet on October 4 inside the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center. The two programs raced long course meters, and IU won all but two events after a strong summer in the 50-meter pool. Nine Hoosiers won multiple events, and Indiana swept the diving competitions.
LIU NAMED BIG TEN DIVER OF THE WEEK (OCT. 11)
Junior Skyler Liu swept the springboard events in Indiana swimming and diving’s emphatic win over Kentucky and was named the Big Ten Diver of the Week for the first time in her career. Liu, an All-American on 3-meter and platform last year in her first season as a collegiate diver, recorded NCAA Zone Qualifying scores in both the 1-meter and 3-meter competitions during IU’s season-opening meet. The Hoosier women beat the Wildcats by a score of 218-82, in part thanks to Liu’s dominance on the boards.
Liu started the meet by winning the 1-meter event with a score of 301.88 after executing four dives worth at least 50 points to lead a 1-2-3 finish for the Hoosiers. In the 3-meter event, Liu showed composure to hold off Kentucky’s Abby Devereaux by 6.45 points with a winning total 303.30 points.
PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL
LOYER NAMED TO JERRY WEST AWARD WATCH LIST
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has announced that Fletcher Loyer is one of 20 players named to the initial Jerry West Award watch list, the organization released today.
The sophomore shooting guard is one of three Big Ten shooting guards named, joining Illinois’ Terrance Shannon Jr., and Michigan State’s Tyson Walker on the list.
Loyer, a 6-foot, 4-inch sophomore from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is coming off a strong season in which he was Purdue’s second-leading scorer and assist man at 11.0 points per game and 2.4 assists per game. He led Purdue with 59, 3-pointers as a freshman – the third most by a freshman in school history.
Loyer was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times, tying a school record set by the late Caleb Swanigan, and was Big Ten Player of the Week following a career-best 27-point performance against Nebraska in mid-January.
He scored in double-figures 19 times as a rookie in 2022-23, and ranked fourth on the Purdue freshman single-season scoring list with 384 points, while his 11.0 scoring average was seventh.
The No. 3-ranked Boilermakers will face No. 14-ranked Arkansas next Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas, beginning at 4 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on SEC+.
The Boilermakers then begin the regular-season Nov. 6, in Mackey Arena against Samford, following an exhibition game with Grace College on Nov. 1, in Mackey Arena.
Purdue returns six of its top seven scorers from last year’s team that went 29-6 and won the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles and spent seven weeks a year ago ranked No. 1.
The 2023-24 Purdue men’s basketball season is presented by Purdue Global, Purdue University’s online educational solution for working adults.
BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BUTLER PICKED EIGHTH IN BIG EAST PRESEASON POLL
NEW YORK – The BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll was announced at Media Day on Tuesday, Oct. 24 inside Madison Square Garden. The Bulldogs were picked to finish eighth in the conference standings finishing ahead of Providence, Georgetown, and Xavier.
UConn Creighton and Marquette were the top three teams in the preseason poll with the Golden Eagles edging Villanova for the third spot. Seton Hall, St. John’s and DePaul were also listed before Butler.
The Bulldogs enter year two under the guidance of head coach Austin Parkinson. In 2022-23, Parkinson led Butler to an 11-19 overall record. BU won six of their nine games inside Hinkle Fieldhouse and put together a four-game winning streak in late February.
Eight student-athletes return from last year’s roster and the coaching staff added talent over the off-season with the addition of three transfers and three freshmen. Ari Wiggins (Michigan), Lilly Stoddard (Purdue), and Rachel Kent (IUPUI) all transferred to campus while three Indiana All-Stars make up the 2023 freshman class (Karsyn Norman, Riley Makalusky, Cristen Carter).
Sydney Jaynes, Anna Mortag, Caroline Strande and Jordan Meulemans all return to the program after starting in games last season. Jaynes is the returning scoring and rebounding leader for BU after averaging 9.8 points and 4.1 boards per game last year.
Preseason BIG EAST Coaches’ Poll
1) UConn (10) 100
2) Creighton (1) 90
3) Marquette 79
4) Villanova 76
5) Seton Hall 58
6) St. John’s 52
7) DePaul 49
8) Butler 37
9) Providence 32
10) Georgetown 20
11) Xavier 12
Preseason Player of the Year
Paige Bueckers, UConn
Preseason Freshman of the Year
KK Arnold, UConn
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Aaliyah Edwards, UConn*
Azzi Fudd, UConn*
Nika Muhl, UConn
Lauren Jensen, Creighton*
Morgan Maly, Creighton*
Emma Ronsiek, Creighton
Anaya Peoples, DePaul
Kelsey Ransom, Georgetown
Jordan King, Marquette*
Lucy Olsen, Villanova*
*unanimous selection
*unanimous selection
Honorable Mention
Liza Karlen, Marquette
Unique Drake, St. John’s
Azana Baines, Seton Hall
BUTLER VOLLEYBALL
BUTLERVB SET FOR TRIP TO SETON HALL AND ST. JOHN’S
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler volleyball team will hit the road towards the East coast for the final time this season. The Bulldogs will first stop in South Orange, N.J. to face Seton Hall, on Friday, Oct. 27 at 6 PM. The weekend will come to a close with a match in Queens, N.Y. on Saturday, Oct. 28 against St. John’s with the first serve slated for 5 PM.
Bulldog Bits
-For the fourth week in a row, the Bulldogs finished with a 1-1 record against the BIG EAST opponents to move to a 4-6 record in conference 10-11 overall record.
-Butler hosted Marquette and DePaul last weekend losing in three sets to the Golden Eagles before then surviving against the Blue Demons in a five-set thriller.
-The Bulldogs completed a reverse sweep against DePaul Saturday night for the first time since BU won the last three sets against Seton Hall in Nov. 2019.
-As a team, Butler ranks second in the conference with 12.97 kills per set while also sitting in third with 12.17 assists per set and 15.99 digs per set.
-The Bulldogs jumped to second in the country with an average 38.50 attacks per set.
-Jaymeson Kinley holds an average of 5.03 digs per set, which ranks second in the BIG EAST and 22nd in the nation.
-Butler owns a 14-6 all-time record against Seton Hall. The Bulldogs have won 10 of the last 11 matches against the Pirates including a 3-1 victory over them at Hinkle three weeks ago.
-On the other hand, St. John’s leads the all-time series against the Bulldogs with an 11-8 record. Butler has also been swept in the last three meetings including a 3-0 loss at home earlier this month.
-Cora Taylor was selected to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday.
-Taylor collected 50 assists and 17 digs Saturday night against DePaul to earn her seventh double-double of the season.
-Elise Ward played a huge factor in Saturday’s comeback win over the Blue Demons after she racked up a match-high 17 kills along with 17 digs.
-Ward leads all BIG EAST freshman hitters with five double-doubles this season.
-Grace Boggess set a new career-high with 12 kills in the match against DePaul.
SCOUTING SETON HALL: The Pirates and Bulldogs have gone through pretty similar seasons as both teams sit at 4-6 in the conference and 10-11 overall. Seton Hall finished the non-conference schedule with a 6-5 record that included a notable four-set loss against No. 13 Penn State. In BIG EAST conference play, the Pirates began 2-0 after sweeping Providence and UConn but then lost the next five matches including a 3-1 loss against Butler. Seton Hall has since won two of their last three matches with their last win on Saturday in a five-set thriller against Georgetown.
The Pirates rank in the middle of the pack this season in all the statistical categories except for blocks where the team sits at third with 2.09 blocks per set. Asli Subasili is their top weapon at the net as she ranks fifth in the conference with 1.00 blocks per set.
SCOUTING ST. JOHN’S: The Red Storm head into the match with the third-best record in the BIG EAST at 8-2 along with a 16-6 overall record. St. John’s started the season 8-4 during the non-conference schedule headlined by a 3-1 victory over Ole Miss. The Johnnies continued their success during the conference action jumping out to a 3-0 record before falling to No. 16 Creighton. They soon got back on track winning the next five matches including a 3-2 win over Marquette to give them the first and only loss in the conference this season. However, the Red Storm most recently fell short Saturday night in a four-set loss at Villanova.
St. John’s has posted the top average with 14.15 kills per set and 13.12 assists per set in the BIG EAST matches this season. Erin Jones holds the third-best average in the conference with 3.62 kills per set.
SETON HALL AT BUTLER (Oct. 6): Butler earned the first conference win of the season against Seton Hall in a four-set victory (24-26 25-16, 25-18, 25-18) at Hinkle Fieldhouse during their first meeting of the season. After losing the first set, the Bulldogs hit .366 as a team in the final three sets to secure the victory.
Abby Maesch led the team with 19 kills while Jaymeson Kinley added a match-high 23 digs. Elise Ward also set her career-high with 18 digs in the match.
ST. JOHN’S AT BUTLER (Oct. 7): St. John’s swept Butler (29-27 25-13, 25-21) in a grueling three-set match. Both teams struggled to keep the ball in play with each team hitting for under .200, but the Red Storm finished with 44 kills compared to Butler’s 29 kills.
The Bulldogs outdueled the Johnnies at the net tallying 14 blocks to the Johnnies 12 blocks. Destiny Cherry led the match with four blocks Cora Taylor and Grace Boggess each had three blocks
CORA EARNS BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS: Sophomore setter Cora Taylor was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday after registering double-doubles in both matches against Marquette and DePaul last weekend. Taylor totaled 76 assists (9.50 per set) and 27 digs across the eight sets. She collected 50 assists and 17 digs Saturday night against the Blue Demons to earn her seventh double-double of the season.
Taylor leads the conference with 812 assists (10.41 assists per set) while pacing the Bulldog offense that ranks third with 12.17 assists per set.
ATTACKS GALORE: The Bulldog offense currently ranks second in the NCAA with an average of 38.50 attacks per set while their total attacks cracked the 3K mark at 3,003, which is 56th in the country. Butler moved up two spots from last week and they now only sit behind Tulsa who holds an average of 39.38.
Mariah Grunze leads the team with an average of 11.16 attacks per set ranking second in the BIG EAST and 23rd in the nation.
GRACEFUL PRECISION: Grace Boggess has continued to make the most of her opportunities this season. She leads the team with a hitting percentage of .320 that ranks sixth in the BIG EAST and an average of 1.05 blocks per set, which ranks fourth in the conference.
Boggess set a new career-high with 12 kills in Saturday’s match against DePaul. She has also recorded at least one block in her last nine matches moving her season total to 69 blocks.
QUEEN OF THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Elise Ward earned her fifth double-double of the season after racking up a match-high 17 kills along with 17 digs against DePaul.
Her mark of five double-doubles leads all BIG EAST freshman hitters this season.
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs will travel back to Indianapolis for the final homestand of the season beginning with matches against Villanova and Georgetown.
The Bulldogs will face Villanova on Nov. 3 at 6 PM followed by another match the next day against Georgetown on Nov. 5 at noon.
IUPUI CROSS COUNTRY
AMBURGY, KING SWEEP #HLXC WEEKLY AWARDS
INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI men’s cross country duo of Justin Amburgy and Nolan King swept the final #HLXC Athlete of the Week Awards of the season, as announced by the league office on Tuesday (Oct. 24), based on their performances at the recent Butler Stan Lyons Invitational in Carmel. Amburgy was named Runner of the Week while King was selected as Freshman of the Week.
It marked the first weekly award for each of the duo.
Running against competition from Bradley, Butler and Illinois State, Amburgy was the team’s top performer, placing 16th overall. He clocked a time of 23:58.4 at Northview Church in Carmel on Friday.
King was IUPUI’s top freshman finisher in a time of 23:59.0, placing 17th overall.
The Jaguars will compete in the Horizon League Cross Country Championships this Saturday (Oct. 28).
IUPUI WOMEN’S SOCCER
JAGUARS TO HOST PURDUE FORT WAYNE IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE
INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI women’s soccer team will host Purdue Fort Wayne to the on-campus Michael A. Carroll Stadium on Wednesday night (Oct. 25) for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff in both sides regular season finale. The Jaguars have already secured a spot in the upcoming Horizon League Tournament and are hoping to secure an opening round bye and the No. 2 seed with a victory, while PFW has been eliminated from postseason contention.
IUPUI (10-3-4-, 4-1-4 HL) is coming off an impressive 1-0 road win at Robert Morris over the weekend as sophomore goalkeeper Cailynn Junk blanked the high scoring Colonials on the road. Junk recorded four saves in the win and was later named #HLWSOC Defensive Player of the Week. Freshman Caroline Kelley provided the game’s only goal on a header early in the contest for her team-high seventh score of the season. Sophomore Kailyn Smith contributed the assist on the goal for her second helper of the year.
It was the Jaguars’ eighth shutout of the season while Junk collected her first solo shutout of the season and second of her collegiate career. Smith and Emily Tobin have continued to anchor the IUPUI back line as they lead the team in minutes played.
IUPUI’s attack has been a decidedly three-pronged attack behind Kelley (7g, 2a), senior Emma Antoine (5g, 8a) and senior Sam Slimak (5g, 2 a). The trio has combined on seven of the team’s 10 game-winners while the Jags have outscored foes by a 30-17 margin. Shannon Ott (3 goals), Lindsey Castillo (2), Avery Bangert (2) and Jessica Jacobs (2) all have multiple goals this season.
QUOTABLE
“It was a great team effort today. It was a win we needed to get on the road and we were able to dig it out. Being able to get the clean sheet was a job that needed to be done and we couldn’t have done it without the help of the defense, who stayed organized and connected,” Junk said following the win at RMU.
AGAINST PURDUE FORT WAYNE
IUPUI is 7-7-5 all-time against Purdue Fort Wayne and 4-4-2 in the 10 meetings in Indianapolis. Last season, the two sides played to a 2-2 draw in Fort Wayne as Abbie Schad and Carlie Werner tallied the Jaguar goals.
UP NEXT
IUPUI will move into the Horizon League Tournament with a full breakdown of matchups and brackets released later this week.
IUPUI VOLLEYBALL
VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO VIKINGS IN TUESDAY #HLVB MATCHUP, 3-0
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The IUPUI volleyball team fell to the Cleveland State Vikings in three sets on the road on Tuesday night. Emily Alan and Maia Long each had eight kills to lead the Jaguars’ attack.
Hitting miscues and defensive misses cost the Jags, starting in the opening set. The Vikings only committed one attack error in the first set with a hitting percentage of .370 while the Jags hit just .121 with seven errors. Allowing for Cleveland State to edge out the Jags, 25-16.
In the second set, the Jags and Vikings were tied up at 9-9 before IUPUI’s hitting dipped. The Jags recorded a hitting percentage of just .031 with 11 errors while the Vikings committed just one attack error. Cleveland State took the 2-0 lead with a 25-16 final score for set two.
IUPUI took an early lead in the third set with kills from Alan, Morgan Ostrowski, Ava Harris and Long before the Vikings tied the match at 16-16. Attack errors once again hurt the Jags, giving Cleveland State the lead. Harris collected a couple kills late in the set to try to extend the match but the Jags couldn’t hold on as the Vikings sealed the match at 25-21.
Alan and Long each collected eight kills while Sidney Veatch totaled six kills and Harris added five. Grace Purichia collected 23 assists and four digs while Brooke Phillips led the defense with eight digs.
The Jaguars are now 8-15 overall and 2-10 in Horizon League play. They return to the Jungle on Saturday, October 28 when they host Purdue Fort Wayne at 4:00 PM.
IUPUI WOMEN’S GOLF
BUSKER CLIMBS THE LEADERBOARD ON FINAL DAY OF TERRIER INTERCOLLEGIATE
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The IUPUI women’s golf team registered a final round 305 at the Terrier Intercollegiate on Tuesday and finished seventh among the 14-team field at 922 (303-314-305) for the week. Senior Shelby Busker closed with a 1-over 73 on Tuesday, mixing three bogeys with a pair of birdies over her final 18. Annaliese Fox shot 4-over 76 and Nerea Lancho shot 5-over 77.
For the second consecutive day, a rough finish hindered an otherwise solid effort from being spectacular. Through nine holes, IUPUI was 2-over as a team as Fox was 1-under at the turn and Busker was at even par 36. Sophomore Yanah Rolston was 1-over and Lancho sat at 2-over. Hole No. 14 saw three Jaguars make double or worse while Busker and Lancho each got out with birdies. Holes 16 and 17 were equally challenging before Fox and Rolston closed with birdies on their final hole of the tournament.
Busker finished 15th overall at 227 (74-80-73), moving up 13 spots on the final day, while Lancho tied for 18th at 229 (74-78-77). Rolston closed at 232 (76-77-79) for the week and finished with a team-high nine birdies.
Elon won the team title at 894, edging second-place Samford by three shots. Western Carolina’s Brielle Mapanao earned medalist honors at 4-under 212 (76-66-70) and Winthrop’s Constanca Mendonca was runner-up at 1-under 215.
NOTRE DAME MEN’S BASKETBALL
MICAH SHREWSBERRY BEGINS QUEST TO TURN AROUND NOTRE DAME PROGRAM AS HE DID AT PENN STATE
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame freshman Carey Booth hears the whispers about this season’s low expectations.
He, like the other Fighting Irish players, simply tunes it out.
“But it’s always kind of there to motivate us,” said Booth, the highest-rated recruit of this year’s four freshmen. “It doesn’t matter to us what other people think we’re going to do. As a team, we want to win now.”
It won’t be easy.
The roster under new coach Micah Shrewsberry, hired away from Penn State in March, has the nation’s third-lowest percentage of returning scorers, 1.6%. Then again, Notre Dame needed a change after going 11-21 last season and posting a school-worst 3-17 mark in ACC play.
Shrewsberry’s influence already is showing. Booth, Logan Imes and Shrewsberry’s son, Braeden, all decommitted from Penn State and followed Shrewsberry to South Bend. Shrewsberry also managed to keep Markus Burton, Indiana’s reigning Mr. Basketball who originally committed to former coach Mike Brey. Burton could end up starting.
The 6-foot-10 Booth comes with a higher scouting grade, a deft shooting touch and a legacy. His father, Calvin, was the Big Ten’s 1989 Defensive Player of the Year and the highest-drafted player in Penn State history.
Shrewsberry also added three transfers, though none scored more than guard Julian Roper II (4.4 points per game) at Northwestern.
Still, the Irish could get help from Tae Davis, a versatile defender who last played at Seton Hall, and sophomore forward Kebba Njie, who already knows the system since he also followed Shrewsberry.
“I haven’t even thought about that,” Shrewsberry said when asked about what he needs the Irish to be in his first season. “I want to set the culture of how this program’s going to look in the future.”
What Shrewsberry does expect, though is a team that prepares for each game like “it’s the national championship,” and players who don’t need to be coached on effort.
Last season, he presided over one of the most surprising turnarounds in the nation as the Nittany Lions went from 14-17 to 23-14 and a runner-up finish in the Big Ten Tournament. Notre Dame is about to find out if he can produce a similar result this season.
FAMILY TIES
Shrewsberry will be coaching his son for the first time ever.
“He probably gets treated worse than everybody else,” he said, referring to what he expects from his son. “If you know me, I’ve got a very short fuse. The fuse goes off a little bit quicker on him than others. … So, he’s earning his way, and it’s a process every single day, but it’s fun. He’s just like me. He loves basketball.”
Booth’s background also is steeped in basketball. Not only was his father Penn State’s shot-blocking king, he’s in his fourth season as an NBA general manager and helped construct last year’s world champion Denver Nuggets.
INDIANA IRISH
Notre Dame carries a national profile but this year’s roster has the strongest Indiana flavor since at least 2015-16.
Burton played at nearby Penn High School. He’s the third Indiana Mr. Basketball to play for the Irish, joining Chris Thomas in 2001 and Luke Zeller in 2005.
Notre Dame has three other Indiana high school graduates — junior forward JR Konieczny (South Bend St. Joseph), Davis (Warren Central) and Imes (Zionsville). Braeden Shrewsberry played his first two prep seasons at West Lafayette before moving to State College, Pennsylvania.
“It’s kind of neat,” Burton said. “We have a lot of mixture of talent. When we get going, it’s going to be really good.”
THE SCHEDULE
Shrewsberry makes his debut Nov. 6 against Niagara then gets a quick immersion into Irish basketball when they travel to New York for mid-November games against Auburn and either Oklahoma State or St. Bonaventure. Notre Dame visits No. 5 Marquette on Dec. 9 in what could be its only non-conference game against a Top 25 opponent.
IRISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2024 RADY CHILDREN’S INVITATIONAL
SAN DIEGO – The 2023-24 Notre Dame men’s basketball season may not have tipped off yet, but the program is excited to announce a tournament they’ll be competing in for the 2024-25 season.
Sports San Diego announced the field for the 2024 Rady Children’s Invitational which will feature the Irish alongside Purdue, Arkansas and BYU. The two-day tournament will take place on November 28-29 at LionTree Arena on the campus of UC San Diego.
“We are fired up to have these premier college basketball programs and institutions with amazing traditions and fan bases set to play in San Diego next year,” said Mark Neville, CEO of Sports San Diego, the organization that produces the tournament. “Together with Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, FOX Sports, UC San Diego Athletics, and Global Sports & Events, we endeavor to produce one of the best early-season college basketball tournaments in the country. Part of that means securing top basketball programs year after year. We are extremely proud of this 2024 field.”
Notre Dame leads the overall series against Purdue 23-22. They last squared off on the hardwood in December of 2020 in Indianapolis.
Notre Dame and Arkansas have only squared off once – A 71-69 loss in St. Louis back on March 27, 1978. Meanwhile, the Irish lead BYU in the series 5-3. The last encounter – a 78-68 victory inside the Barclays Center in November of 2012.
The inaugural Rady Children’s Invitational tips off on November 23, 2023. The 2023 field includes the Iowa Hawkeyes (Big Ten), USC Trojans (Pac-12), Seton Hall Pirates (Big East) and the Oklahoma Sooners (Big 12).
The Irish kick off their 2023-24 campaign officially on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. ET against Niagara.
NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL
NO. 14 NOTRE DAME, FRESH AFTER BYE, AIMS TO STAY HOT VS. PITT
Coming off a bye, No. 14 Notre Dame is feeling rested and refreshed as it prepares to host Pitt on Saturday afternoon in South Bend, Ind.
Notre Dame (6-2) has not played since Oct. 14, when it rolled to a 48-20 win on its home field over then-No. 10 Southern California. The Fighting Irish held a 24-6 lead by halftime and never relented.
Then came a break, which Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman described as “much needed” for his team as it gears up for its final four games before bowl season.
“For our players, mentally and physically, they needed it,” Freeman said. “You think about, we started this season the last week of June (when) we started training camp, and we had gone straight until last week. It was a great chance for them to have a bye week.”
Now, the Fighting Irish turn their attention to Pitt (2-5). After winning their season opener against FCS foe Wofford, the Panthers lost four straight. However, they showed improvement in the past two weeks with a 38-21 win over then-No. 14 Louisville and then a narrow 21-17 loss to Wake Forest on Saturday.
Part of Pitt’s progress has come thanks to running back C’Bo Flemister, a Notre Dame transfer who will go up against his friends and former teammates. Flemister leads the Panthers with 282 rushing yards to go along with two touchdowns, and he has 92 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Pitt also has found some success under new quarterback Christian Veilleux, who is set to make his third career start. He threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns last weekend.
“It’s a team that I see that is continuously getting better,” Freeman said. “This team has gotten better from what they were at the beginning of the year, so we’ve got to understand the challenge that will be presented on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman will face a defense that he opposed in the 2021 Atlantic Coast Conference championship game while he was at Wake Forest. Through his first eight games for the Fighting Irish, Hartman has completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 1,838 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said Hartman’s scouting report changed this season compared to his time with the Demon Deacons.
“Obviously, a totally different offense,” Narduzzi said. “He’s in a pro-style offense. He’s huddling up and taking snaps under center. If he’s going to play in the NFL, it’s going to be in that type of offense, not what they were doing at Wake Forest.
“I think he’s probably enjoying it. I think it’s every childhood kid’s dream to play in the National Football League, and he’s going to have an opportunity just by being able to make run checks, sit underneath the center and do all the things that they ask him to do there.”
Notre Dame also showcases a potent ground game led by running back Audric Estime, who enters this weekend averaging 6.2 yards a carry. He has rushed for 787 yards and nine scores.
Safety Xavier Watts leads the Fighting Irish’s defense with four interceptions. Three players are tied for the lead in sacks with two apiece.
Pitt’s defense features three players with three sacks apiece. Defensive back M.J. Devonshire has two interceptions and eight passes defended.
The Saturday game will be the 73rd meeting between the programs. Notre Dame leads the all-time series 50-21-1, with wins in the past three matchups.
NOTRE DAME SWIMMING
GUILIANO NAMED ACC SWIMMER OF THE WEEK
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After winning a total of seven events and posting the fastest 100 free time in the NCAA this year, Chris Guiliano has been named the ACC Swimmer of the Week. It is his first weekly conference honor.
Last week, Guiliano swam the 50 free (19.35), 100 free (42.16), 200 free (1:33.75), 200 medley relay (18.58 free split), 400 medley relay (41.00 free split), 200 free relay (19.40 leadoff split) and 400 free relay (41.63 leadoff split) over the course of a two-day meet against Pittsburgh and Penn State.
Last year’s 200 free ACC champion currently ranks third or better in the nation in all three of those individual events: 50 free (third), 100 free (first) and 200 free (second). All of the marks are the best in the conference. To date this season, the junior captain has won 13 of his 15 events.
Notre Dame (4-0) is off this weekend but will resume its dual meet schedule with a Nov. 3 date at Louisville. The Irish are currently No. 17 in the country according to the CSCAA Top 25, while the Cardinals are No. 12.
NOTRE DAME MEN’S TENNIS
DOMINKO MAKES SEMIFINAL RUN IN LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS – Sophomore Sebastian Dominko had a very strong showing at the M15 Las Vegas professional event last week. He began his campaign when the tournament began on Monday and played six matches in six days against elite competition en route to his second career professional semifinal appearance.
Dominko’s campaign opened up in qualifying where he defeated junior wildcard recipient, Meecah Begun, in straight sets by a 6-3, 6-4 score. He then took out the #4 seed in qualifying, Jordan Hasson, who is currently a junior at the University of Oklahoma. Dominko would take the contest 7-6(3), 6-3 to advance through qualifying and into the main draw.
Main draw play began on Wednesday where he drew #5 Nathan Ponwith, who finished his collegiate career for Arizona State. Dominko would take the first set 6-3 and follow it with a tiebreak win 7-6 to take out the world #473.
In the second round, he would play fellow qualifier and fellow lefty, Alex Petrov. Petrov is a senior for the University of Illinois who is ranked 54th in the ITA singles rankings to start the year and who Dominko lost to last year in the dual match in a third set. He would get off to a great start with a quick 6-2 first set win but would drop the second 6-3 and head to a full third set. Dominko would find himself down 2-4, 15-40 before mounting the comeback and securing four-straight games to take the match.
The quarterfinal matchup would be against another lefty in Alex Razeghi, who has been the #1 player in the senior class in the United States. Dominko would have a very slow start and find himself down 1-5 in the first set. But showing fight and resilience, he would win six-straight games to stay in the set and ultimately win the first in a tiebreak. The second set would be less of a rollercoaster and Dominko would win a 6-4 set to close out the match and move to the semifinals.
Saturday’s semifinal match came against 2016 NCAA Champion and former ATP #181 Thai-Son Kwiatkowski, the #3 seed in the tournament. Dominko had a hot start to the match, playing his highest level tennis of the week to capture the opening set 6-3. That momentum would continue as he broke early and found himself up 4-2 in the second. But the 28-year old veteran would hang around and even up the set with a break and hold. The second set would extend but go the way of the former Virginia Cavalier and he would run away with the third 6-1 one to end the phenomenal week from the Notre Dame sophomore.
Thoughts from Coach Sachire:
“It was a great week for Seb to win five matches against high quality completion in a professional event. It is obviously a big confidence booster for him seeing the success he had. He learned a lot about himself and his game and will benefit greatly from that in the future.”
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S SOCCER
17. #8 CLEMSON COMES TO TOWN WITH TOP-2 SEED ON THE LINE
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – It all comes down to the regular-season finale in South Bend between two teams vying for a top-two seed in the ACC Tournament and a straight shot to Cary, North Carolina. On Thursday, Oct. 26, the 11th nationally ranked Notre Dame women’s soccer squad will host No. 8 Clemson. It’ll mark the third top-10-ranked team the Irish have faced over the past four games. First touch is set for 8 p.m. ET, live on the ACC Network.
ANOTHER ACC BATTLE AT THE TOP
Notre Dame’s path to a second-place finish and an ACC Tournament bye (straight shot to Cary, NC) is to win on Thursday. Beat No. 8 Clemson and jump into the semifinal round. A tie or loss would most likely shoot Notre Dame down to a No. 4 seed and hosting Pitt in the Quarterfinal round.
Notre Dame is currently in third place in the ACC standings with 20 points and a 6-1-2 league record. Clemson is in second with 22 points with UNC right behind with 19.
LOOK AHEAD TO ACC TOURNAMENT
Notre Dame joined the league back in 2013 and are searching for its first appearance in the ACC Tournament Championship game.
The Irish are 1-8-1 all-time in the ACC Tournament. They’ve appeared in the semis three times (2014, 2016, 2022) and its lone win was a quarterfinal matchup in 2016.
GOAL SCORERS FROM ALL OVER
Last season, 47 of the team’s 56 goals came from Korbin Albert, Olivia Wingate, Mercado and Van Zanten.
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.
POINTS SPREAD
Heading into this week’s game, seven players now boast 11 points or more– Mercado, Ospeck, Mrowicki, Van Zanten, Lynch, Gaetino, Klenke. It marks a career high for everyone except Mercado and Van Zanten.
No other team in the ACC has seven players with double-digit points. In terms of ranked teams, only BYU has more with nine players with double-digit points.
ASSIST LEADER – LEAH KLENKE
Klenke leads the team with nine assists, which ranks 13th nationally and second in the ACC. Her 0.6 assists per game ranks 16th in the country and second in the league. Get this, Klenke has registered points in nine of the last 12 matches. She has six assists in conference play.
In ACC play thus far – she recorded her first multi-assist performance of her career in the win over Wake; scored the game-winner against No. 16 Duke; notched assists in four straight contests – Louisville, BC, Miami and Florida State.
Klenke now has a career best 13 points on the season.
TRENDING
Notre Dame boasts an RPI of No. 11 with Clemson right in front of them at No. 10. In the first NCAA top-16 seeding announcement, the committee had the Irish at No. 9.
As previously stated, Leah Klenke has notched at least one point in nine of the last 12 matches.
Kristina Lynch has recorded a point in three of the last five matches.
Charlie Codd has scored all three of her goals over the past five matches.
The key to victory – the Irish have scored multiple goals in every game they’ve won this season except the 1-0 win at NC State. Irish are 9-0-2 when scoring two goals or more.
Notre Dame has outscored its ACC opponents 22-11 thus far.
TURNED A “CORNER” THIS SEASON
You can say the Irish have turned a corner in 2023 in terms of scoring off of set pieces, specifically corner kicks. Last season, the Irish ranked 1st in the ACC in corners per game (6.4), but only had three goals to show for the 146 total corners taken.
This year has been quite the different story. Out of 94 corners taken, the Irish have scored six goals — three from Gaetino, one from Fisher, one from Ospeck and one from Klenke.
Now add in a goal scored off of a free kick from Mercado and the Irish have scored seven set-piece goals out of their 38 total goals on the year.
MULTIPLE FRESHMEN STEPPING UP
First let’s look at Meg Mrowicki, who has been a great breakout story for the 2023 season. She’s played in all 16 games with seven starts. She’s tied for third in the team in goals with four.
Next, there’s 5-8 center midfielder Morgan Roy. The Michigan native has started every game in the midfield minus Senior Day and ranks third on the team in shots with 30.
Charlie Codd has made two starts and seen significant time in the midfield in all 16 games as well. She boasts three goals on the year – all in October.
Freshman Atlee Olofson battled Naylor for the GK role in preseason. Olofson, who was ranked 35th in her class, is a 5-8 goalkeeper out of Austin, Texas. She was First Team All-State as a senior and set a school record with no goals against in a season. Olofson, now 5-1-2 on the year, has three shutouts and a 1.00 GAA. She has 34 saves with a save percentage of .810.
BALL STATE WOMEN’S GOLF
RECORDS FALL AS WOMEN’S GOLF CLOSES DIAMANTE INTERCOLLEGIATE
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, Arkansas – – The Ball State women’s golf team ended the fall portion of the 2023-24 season in a high note, turning in a program-record round of 285 (-3) to close out play at the Diamante Intercollegiate Tuesday afternoon at the Diamante Country Club.
“What a great finish to the fall,” head coach Cameron Andry exclaimed. “We are making progress both collectively and individually, but sometimes results those results are delayed. This week was especially satisfying because we got to see results that tangibly show our progress.”
Throw in a strong opening two rounds and the Cardinals also finished the three-day event with a program record 54-hole score of 865 (+1), shaving 10 strokes off the previous record of 875 set earlier this season at the Brittany Kelly Classic (Sept. 18-19).
Ball State’s tournament score of 865 was good enough to tie for sixth overall among the 17-team field, as the Cardinals climbed three spots up the chart on the final day of competition.
Once again, senior Kiah Parrott led the charge for the Cardinals, following yesterday’s 69 (-3) with a season-low round of 68 (-4). The effort ties as the lowest round for a Ball State golfer this fall and is the third time in her career Parrott has shot a 68-or-lower. Overall, Parrott finished tied for sixth among the 96-golfer field at 209 (-7). Georgia State’s Pariya Sanpanawat won the event at 204 (-12).
“Kiah played some excellent golf this week, especially during the final two rounds,” Andry added. “We had some other very good individual performances as well!”
Parrott also registered four birdies on the day, including one on BSU’s final hole of the competition to help the Cardinals undercut the program’s 18-hole scoring record of 286 which was accomplished in the second round of the Spring Break Shootout on March 15, 2021, at the Lake Jovita Country Club in Dade City, Florida.
Sophomore Sarah Gallagher also closed with her best round of the tournament, tying her Ball State career-low round at 71 (-1). The effort, which included three birdies, helped her climb 16 spots and into a tie for 46th over the tournament at 220 (+4).
Sophomore Jasmine Driscoll and junior Payton Bennett each finished the final round at 1-under (73). Driscoll tallied four birdies, while Bennett added two birdies to go along with a pair of eagles. Throw in a final-round eagle from freshman JJ Gregston and the Cardinals finished the day with three.
Overall, the Cardinals boasted a tournament-high four eagles as Driscoll also registered one on the opening day. Both Driscoll and Gregston eagled the 518-yard, par-5 11th, while Bennett carded hers on the 505-yard, par-5 third and 492-yard, par-5 18th.
Driscoll finished tied four 25th overall at even par (216), while Gregston tied for 68th at 225 (+9) and Bennett tied for 71st at 226 (+10).
After posting a career-low 69 (-3) in the opening round to set the tone for the Cardinals over the three-day Diamante Intercollegiate, sophomore Madelin Boyd also tied for 71st at 226 (+10) playing as an individual.
The Ball State women’s golf team will have a few months to train at the state-of-the-art Earl Yestingsmeier Golf Center, with the next competition slated for Feb. 13-14 when the Cardinals travel to the Wigman Golf Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona, for the BGSU Spring Invitational.
“It’s always good to have some momentum heading into the offseason,” Andry said. “Now we’ll get to work on the areas where we need to improve with our eyes set on having a great spring.”
BALL STATE INDIVIDUAL SCORES
T-6th – Kiah Parrott – 209 (-7): 72-69-68
T-25th – Jasmine Driscoll – 216 (E): 71-72-73
T-46th – Sarah Gallagher – 220 (+4): 76-73-71
T-68th – JJ Gregston – 225 (+9): 72-76-77
T-71st – Payton Bennett – 226 (+10): 78-75-73
T-71st – Madelin Boyd (Individual) – 226 (+10): 69-78-79
TEAM RANKINGS
1st – California Baptist – 838 (-26): 281-281-276
2nd – Boston College – 841 (-23): 282-273-286
3rd – Central Arkansas – 850 (-14): 285-283-282
4th – Little Rock – 863 (-1): 290-284-289
5th – Arkansas State – 864 (E): 290-281-293
6th – Ball State – 865 (+1): 291-289-285
Missouri State – 865 (+1): 293-282-290
8th – Memphis – 875 (+11): 289-283-303
9th – Tarleton State – 877 (+13): 298-293-286
10th – Houston Christian – 878 (+14): 291-287-300
11th – Wichita State – 879 (+15): 297-291-291
Georgia State – 879 (+15): 292-291-296
13th – Stephen F. Austin – 880 (+16): 294-296-290
14th – UT Arlington – 882 (+18): 293-291-298
15th – Bradley – 884 (+20): 295-293-296
16th – Texas A&M – Commerce – 889 (+25): 298-289-302
17th – Southern Illinois – 899 (+35): 304-295-300
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S GOLF
SYCAMORES TOP UNI IN PLAYOFF TO WIN THE BRAUN INTERCOLLEGIATE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Indiana State’s Team A defeated Northern Iowa in a playoff as the Sycamores topped the field at the Braun Intercollegiate on Tuesday afternoon held at the Oak Meadow Country Club.
The Sycamores Team A consisting of Molly Lee, Kristen Hobbs, Iyoun Chew, Briana LeMaire, and Yang Tai carded a second-round 310 to finish tied with UNI over the two-day, two-round event with a 619 (+43). The two teams went into a playoff hole with Yang Tai birdieing the first hole to highlight ISU winning the hole by two strokes in downing the Panthers in the field.
The B Team consisting of Sophia Florek, Chelsea Morrow, Eliza Baker, Rosalie DiNunzio, and Grace Welty finished fifth overall in the field with a final-round 321 to wrap up their second round of the week. The Sycamores posted a two-round score 639 (+63) to finish ahead of tournament host Evansville (+70) in the team standings.
“It was great for the seniors to win and the underclassmen to experience it today,” head coach Greg Towne said. “The course setup made today feel like one of those 6-3 NFC games back in the day. It came down to who could take the punches the best. We had some good performances today. Molly (Lee) was in position to win but didn’t quite have it go her way at the end. Having both teams finish high spoke well for our depth and future.”
The Sycamores put five in the top-15 overall in the field with Molly Lee (+6) finishing on stroke behind Alabama’s Teresa Diez Dorta (+5) for the individual title to place second in the field. Chew (+9) and Florek (+9) both tied for seventh overall, while Hobbs (+12) and Morrow (+13) finished 13th and 14th overall on Tuesday afternoon.
A Team Results
Lee tied with Chew for the low round of the day as the Sycamore senior duo both finished with matching 76s (+4) on the afternoon. Lee (+6) birdied the 11th, fifth, and eighth holes to highlight her final round of the tournament in placing second overall. Chew birdied the first and fifth holes to finish tied for seventh overall in the field.
Hobbs carded a final-round 80 to finish the two-round event in 156 (+12), while LeMaire (+16) cut four strokes off her first-round 82 to turn in a final-round 78 highlighted by a trio of birdies on the 18th, fourth, and seventh holes.
Tai (+19) finished tied for 32nd overall in the field after cutting her first-round 82 down by a stroke. The sophomore carded an 81 with birdies on the 10th and 13th holes, prior to her playoff hole that led to the ISU win.
B Team Results
Florek was Indiana State’s top finisher on Team B on the afternoon as the freshman turned in a final-round 78 to post the top-10 finish. The Belleville, Ill. native went one-over on the back-nine of the course on her way to finishing tied for seventh in the field with a two-round score 153 (+9).
Morrow was second on the team and 14th overall in the field following her final-round 79. The senior finished with a two-round 157 (+13) to highlight her weekend.
Eliza Baker (+20) cut two strokes off her first-round 83 to wrap up the weekend tied for 34th overall in the field. The sophomore birdied the 16th hole to move up on the final day following her final 164.
DiNunzio (+21) and Welty (+28) rounded out the Sycamores on the course on Tuesday afternoon. DiNunzio was tied for 38th in the field following her two-round 165 that featured a birdie on the 16th, while Welty cut six strokes off her first-round score to turn in an 83 (+11) featuring a birdie on the 18th.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S GOLF
ADRIENNE ROHWEDDER TAKES RUNNER-UP AT BRAUN INTERCOLLEGIATE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Adrienne Rohwedder of the Purdue Fort Wayne women’s golf team took runner-up at the Braun Intercollegiate on Tuesday (Oct. 24) after a 75-75-150 effort.
Rohwedder’s second-place finish is the second-best ever in Mastodon women’s golf history. She had a pair of birdies on the back nine for an even nine. She birdied 11 and 15.
As a team, Purdue Fort Wayne was just one shot away from a three-team playoff with Northern Iowa and Indiana State. The Mastodons shot 313-307-620 to finish third. It is their second third-place finish in as many tournaments.
Anna Olafsdottir joined Rohwedder in the top-10. Olafsdottir shot 77-76-153 to tie for seventh. In her final round, she birdied hole seven and had a stretch of seven pars on the back nine.
Six shots better in round two, Olivia Jang tied for 15th with an 82-76-158. She had birdies on holes seven, 10 and 12. She had a stretch of five holes on the front nine with five pars.
Hunar Mittal shot 80-80-160 to tie for 21st. In round two she had nine pars and a birdie on 17. Natalie Papa tied for 38th with an 81-84-165. Her round featured a birdie on hole seven to go with eight pars.
Lillie Cone played as an individual and tied for 28th with an 82-80-162. She had birdies on holes 11 and 16 to pair with eight pars.
The Mastodons’ fall season has come to a close. The spring season opens on February 12 with the Oyster Chuck Match Play.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE VOLLEYBALL
MASTODONS FALL TO OAKLAND IN FIVE SET MATCH AS RATKAI ADDS 26 KILLS
ROCHESTER, Mich. – Purdue Fort Wayne women’s volleyball fell on the road at Oakland in a drama filled five-set match (22-25, 25-22, 24-26, 25-9, 15-11) on Tuesday night (Oct. 24).
After averaging 7.00 kills per set last weekend, Panna Ratkai started her week on Tuesday by averaging better than five kills per frame. She led the Mastodons with 26 kills, tied for second most in a match by a Horizon League student-athlete this season.
Ashby Willis posted a double-double with 14 kills and 12 digs.
Purdue Fort Wayne won the first set by three points. Ratkai won the set with her team-leading fifth kill of the first set.
Willis and Ratkai would combine for 11 kills in the second set, but Oakland prevailed to flip the score and win the set by three points.
The ‘Dons rallied in the third set to come from four points down to tie the score before Oakland took the lead again. Facing set point, the kills from Ratkai and Willis preceded an attacking error by Oakland as the ‘Dons scored three points in a row to take a 25-24 lead. LonDynn Betts served an ace in the next point to win the third set for Purdue Fort Wayne.
Ratkai added five kills to her total in the fifth set, including three of the final five points, but it wasn’t enough to stop Oakland from taking the fifth set and the match.
Gentry Brown and Libby Gentile tied for the Oakland team lead of 18 kills.
The ‘Dons fall to 8-16 and 3-9 in Horizon League play. Oakland improves to 14-10 and 8-4 in conference. Purdue Fort Wayne travels to IUPUI on Saturday (Oct. 28) to renew their rivalry with the Jaguars.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE CROSS COUNTRY
FAITH ALLEN NAMED WOMEN’S #HLXC RUNNER AND FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne’s Faith Allen has been named the Horizon League Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week and the Freshman of the Week.
The freshman from Crawfordsville, Indiana was the collegiate champion in the Wild Bill Invite hosted by Wright State. She was the first collegiate runner across the line with a time of 24:25.97 in the 6K race to help win both awards from the league office.
This is Allen’s first career award. This is Purdue Fort Wayne’s third Runner of the Week this season. Madison King owns a pair of honors to her name this year.
The ‘Dons travel to the Horizon League Championships this Saturday.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S SOCCER
‘DONS AND JAGUARS MEET FOR SEASON FINALE IN INDY
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne and IUPUI women’s soccer will meet on Wednesday (Oct. 25) for the regular season finale of the 2023 campaign.
Game Day Information
Who: IUPUI Jaguars
When: Wednesday, October 25 | 6 PM
Where: Indianapolis, Ind. | Michael A. Carroll Stadium
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Match Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | IUPUI
Know Your Foe
IUPUI is second in the Horizon League with a 4-1-4 record in league play and a 10-3-4 mark overall. The Jaguars are coming off a 1-0 win at Robert Morris after a 2-2 draw at league-leading Milwaukee. IUPUI’s leading point-earner is Emma Antoine, who had 18 points with five goals and eight assists. Caroline Kelley has a team-high seven goals this season. Ashton Kudlo has a Horizon League-best 12 goals against and .840 save percentage.
Series History
IUPUI and Purdue Fort Wayne are dead even in the series history, all square at 7-7-5. The two teams are .500 at each other’s venue, 4-4-2 in Indianapolis. Last season, the Mastodons came back from down 2-0 in the first half to tie the Jaguars. Zoe Greenhalge converted a penalty kick and Rylee Vruggink scored the equalizer with two seconds left.
New Record Holder Soon
With two more saves, Samantha Castaneda will become the program’s all-time leader in saves. She owns 293 and will likely pass Shannon Lynn (2004-06) who had 294 saves in her time as a Mastodon.
In The Horizon League Record Book
Samantha Castaneda’s five Player of the Week awards ties for the fourth-most of any Horizon League player in league history.
15 – Sam Hagen, Milwaukee, 2008-11
9 – Elaina LaMacchia – 9, Milwaukee, 2018-21
6- Erin Kane, Milwaukee, 2005-08
5 – Samantha Castaneda, Purdue Fort Wayne, 2020-23
Give Me Some Mo
Morgan Reitano is a top-10 goal scorer in program history.
1. Kristin Macdonald – 25 (2000-03)
2. Lisa Underwood – 23 (2009-11)
3. Shacina Hersey – 21 (2000-03)
4. Anika Apar – 18 (2004-06)
5. Tara O’Toole – 16 (2008-11)
6. Morgan Reitano – 15 (2019-23)
Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne picked up a 1-1 draw in the home season finale against Wright State. Kelsey Gallagher scored less than eight minutes into the contest. The Mastodons celebrated Senior Day prior to the contest.
EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S GOLF
JANE GRANKINA LEADS WOMEN’S GOLF IN FINAL DAY AT OAK MEADOW
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Jane Grankina posted the low round of the day for the University of Evansville women’s golf team while Kate Petrova earned the top finish for UE at the Braun Intercollegiate.
Grankina completed the second round at Oak Meadow Country Club with a 5-over 77. Combined with her opening round score of 90, she wrapped up the tournament tied for 46th with a 167. Earning the top finish for the Purple Aces was Kate Petrova. After sitting in a tie for the lead following the first round, Petrova carded a 78 on Tuesday to earn a tie for 5th place with a 152.
Second for UE was Allison Enchelmayer. Her rounds finished at 83 and 82 as she tied for 38th place. Enchelmayer was followed by Grankina and Magdalena Borisova. Grankina finished with a 167 with Borisova one spot behind her in a tie for 50th. Borisova made a nice improvement, lowering her score from an 88 on Monday to an 80 in the final 18 holes.
Destynie Sheridan checked in with a 171. Her scores finished at 84 and 87. Two behind her was Trinity Dubbs. Rounds of 83 and 90 gave her a final tally of 173. Adeline Wittmer and Carly Frazier completed the tournament with scores of 186 and 187, respectively.
Evansville finished in sixth place with a score of 646. Northern Iowa and Indiana State tied for the top spot and advanced to a playoff immediately following the completion of the second round. The Sycamores came out victorious following one playoff hole.
Top individual honors went to Teresa Diez Dorta of Alabama State. An even 72 on Tuesday gave her a 149, one better than her nearest competition. Molly Lee (Indiana State) and Adrianne Rohwedder (PFW) tied for second with scores of 150.
SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER
EAGLES CONCLUDE 2023 REGULAR SEASON THIS WEEK
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer finishes the 2023 regular season this week by visiting Eastern Illinois University Thursday and hosting Lindenwood University Sunday. Match time Thursday at EIU in Charleston, Illinois, is 4 p.m., while kickoff for Sunday’s regular-season finale versus Lindenwood at Strassweg Field is set for a new time of 5 p.m.
The start time for the USI-Lindenwood match was changed due to USI hosting the second round of the OVC Women’s Soccer Championship.
The Eagles (1-11-3, 0-5-3 OVC) enter this week’s action with the hope of securing a bid to the OVC Men’s Soccer Championship. To earn a berth to the league’s post-season tournament, USI needs to win its final two matches and for EIU and Chicago State University to stumble in their final two contests.
The OVC Men’s Soccer Championship is set for November 5-11 at Ralph Korte Stadium on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
EIU (3-8-4 overall, 2-4-2 OVC), who visits SIUE Sunday after hosting USI, was 1-0-1 last week. The Panthers defeated USI at Strassweg Field, 2-0, before tying Lindenwood University, 1-1. USI trails the all-time series with EIU, 9-2-0, after last week’s match.
Lindenwood (6-4-6, 3-1-4 OVC), who has clinched a spot in the post-season and is fighting for a first-round bye, hosts SIUE Thursday before visiting USI. The Lions are unbeaten in their last seven matches (3-0-4), beginning with a home win over USI October 1.
Lindenwood took over the lead in the all-time series with USI, 3-2-0, after posting a 1-0 win over the Eagles October 1 in St. Charles, Missouri.
Links to follow the Screaming Eagles in during the final week of the regular season and possible post-season run, including live stats and video streams, can be found at USIScreamingEagles.com.
SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S GOLF
WOMEN’S GOLF COMPLETES PLAY AT BRAUN INTERCOLLEGIATE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf concluded its fall season Tuesday by placing two individuals in the top 30 at the Braun Intercollegiate. As a team, USI placed 11th with a two-round 667 (340-327).
The tournament was a two-round event by the University of Evansville at Oak Meadow Country Club on Evansville’s north side. The University of Northern Iowa and Indiana State University tied for the top spot and advanced to a playoff immediately following the completion of the second round. The Sycamores came out victorious following one playoff hole.
Senior Katelyn Sayyalinh (Rockford, Illinois) and senior Halle Gutwein (DeMotte, Indiana) put together two consistent rounds over the two days of competition to finish t-21 and t-28, respectively. Sayyalinh shot a 36-hole 160 (80-80) while Gutwein put together back-to-back rounds of 81 toward a 162. The two Eagles’ second rounds highlighted the final day, especially on the back nine. Going into the clubhouse on Tuesday, Gutwein shot a two-over 38 on the backside and Sayyalinh carded a one-over 37 on the back nine holes. The two combined with five birdies during the tournament.
Junior Baileigh Schneider (Huntingburg, Indiana) improved in the final 18 holes, shooting five strokes better on Tuesday than in Monday’s opening round. Freshman Alexis Wymer (Bridgeport, Illinois) also made a jump up on Tuesday, lowering her score by eight strokes in the last 18 holes. Wymer finished t-59 and Schneider placed t-61.
Concluding the fall season, the Screaming Eagles will return to action in the spring at the Huntsville Intercollegiate in early March in Huntsville, Alabama. The spring championship season finishes with the Ohio Valley Conference Championship in mid-April.
VALPO WOMEN’S GOLF
VALPO WOMEN WRAP UP FALL SEASON
The Valparaiso University women’s golf team wrapped up the fall slate on Tuesday by playing the final round of the Braun Intercollegiate, hosted by Evansville at the par-72, 6195-yard Oak Meadow Country Club in Evansville, Ind. The Beacons were led once again by junior Katie Schreiner (Fenton, Mo. / Summit), who continued her recent surge.
How It Happened
Schreiner paced the squad for the second straight day, posting a 77 to finish the 36-hole event at 155. She was one stroke away from a top-10 finish, instead checking in at t-11 in a 76-player field.
The second-best score by a Beacon in Tuesday’s round came courtesy of freshman Bella Campos (Honolulu, Hawaii / IMG Academy) with an 81. She finished the event at t-43 with a 36-hole score of 166.
The team’s second best showing this week in terms of 36-hole score was notched by Anna Fay (Ada, Mich. / Forest Hills), whose 165 over two rounds put her at t-38 and behind only Schreiner on the team.
As a team, Valpo improved by one stroke on Tuesday with a team score of 329, finishing the event at 659, ahead of Southern Indiana and Tennessee State on the team leaderboard.
Indiana State defeated UNI on the first playoff hole for the team title, while Alabama State’s Teresa Diez Dorta took home medalist honors.
Up Next
The spring season will begin on Monday, Feb. 19 with the first day of the Islander Classic at Corpus Christi CC in Corpus Christi, Texas.
VALPO FOOTBALL
HOOSIER HELMET UP FOR GRABS ON SATURDAY
Valparaiso (1-6, 0-4 PFL)
at Butler (5-3, 3-2 PFL)
Game #8 Saturday, Oct. 28, Noon CT
Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl (5,647) – Indianapolis, Ind.
This Week in Valpo Football: There’s every other game, and then there’s this one for the Valparaiso University football team. Every game means a lot, but this game means the most as the Pioneer Football League’s oldest rivalry takes center stage on Saturday in Indianapolis. Valpo will seek to regain control of the Hoosier Helmet trophy in the latest clash with arch nemesis Butler.
Previously: An offense that ranks among the FCS leaders in most statistical categories put on another strong showing on Saturday in North Carolina as host Davidson stayed perfect in PFL play by taking a 21-0 halftime lead en route to a 42-21 victory over Valpo. Redshirt freshman quarterback Rowan Keefe was a major bright spot after entering the game at the start of the second half. He completed nine of his 12 pass attempts for 187 yards, tossing three touchdowns and no interceptions. Chris Gundy’s 60-yard touchdown grab was the longest of the day, while Brian Thomas (five yards) and Brandon Jimenez (nine yards) were also on the receiving end of Keefe scores. Mohamed Kamara and Evan Annis had 10 tackles apiece to lead the defense, while Jashon Butler had a 68-yard kickoff return and Onye Nwosisi had a fumble recovery to account for two other Valpo highlights.
Series Notes: Butler holds a 52-30 edge in an all-time series that began way back in 1927, but Valpo has come away victorious in five of the last seven matchups between these two teams. The Beacons enjoyed a three-game head-to-head winning streak prior to a 26-25 setback last season at Brown Field. Valpo’s most recent trip to Indianapolis saw the Beacons pound the Bulldogs 47-3 in 2021, notching the most lopsided victory over a Division-I opponent in program history. Valpo is 3-2 against Butler under Landon Fox with both losses coming by three points or fewer, the first of which saw Butler hit a 38-yard field goal with all zeros on the clock for a 24-21 win in 2019 after Valpo had scored a game-tying touchdown with 19 seconds remaining. A win on Saturday would allow Valpo to win its third straight trip to Butler, which would mark the program’s first three-game road winning streak against a specific PFL opponent since wins at Butler in 1995, 1997 and 1999.
Following the Beacons: A video feed of Saturday’s game will be available on FloFootball. In addition, the radio commentary will air on 95.1 FM WVUR, The TuneIn Radio App and ValpoAthletics.com with Todd Ickow (play-by-play) and Brandon Vickrey (analyst) on the call. For in-game updates, follow @valpoufootball on Twitter. Links to live video, audio and stats will be available on ValpoAthletics.com.
Head Coach Landon Fox: Landon Fox (15-33) is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Valparaiso University football program in 2023. Over the last three seasons, Fox has led Valpo to 12 Pioneer Football League victories, the most in a three-year period in program history. The program finished with a PFL record of .500 or better for a third consecutive season in 2022, the first time that has occurred since 1998-2000. Prior to that, Valpo had not had a stretch of three straight years with a league record of .500 or better since 1961-1964. The program won four PFL games in the same season just once in the 26 seasons prior to Fox’s arrival. Now, the program has reached that threshold in three straight seasons and three of the first four years under his direction (Spring 2021, Fall 2021, 2022). During his four years in charge of the program, Valpo has boasted 43 All-PFL honorees and 22 academic all-PFL selections. During his second season at the helm in Spring 2021, Fox was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award – which is presented annually to the FCS National Coach of the Year – after guiding Valpo to its best winning percentage since 2003 and tying for the squad’s best winning percentage since 1999. He led his team to Pioneer Football League runner-up honors, the program’s highest finish in the league standings since the PFL championship season of 2003. Fox’s defensive roots paid dividends on that side of the football in his second year at the helm, as the team enjoyed its best defensive season in four decades. Valpo held opponents to 283.3 yards per game, the program’s best total defense in the last 40 years. In Year 1 of the Fox Era in 2019, Valpo ranked in the Top 5 in the PFL in scoring defense (32.0, fifth), total defense (381.6, fourth), rushing defense (184.2, fourth) and passing defense (197.3, fifth). After spending the previous 11 seasons as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at the University of Dayton, Fox was named the head football coach at Valpo prior to the 2019 season. He helped the Flyers finish with 10 winning seasons in his 11 years on staff and guided a defensive backfield that produced one All-American, four Academic All-Americans, two PFL Special Teams Players of the Year and three corners who were invited to NFL Rookie Minicamp. Prior to joining Dayton’s staff, Fox served as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Wayne State University in Detroit from 2005-2007. He also spent time as a defensive graduate assistant at Ball State University (2004), Dayton (2002-2003) and Lakeland College (2001). Fox began his coaching career as an assistant varsity coach at Preble Shawnee High School in Camden, Ohio during the 2000 season. During his playing days, Fox was a team captain and all-conference performer at Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio from 1995-1999 and graduated with a degree in physical education and health in May 2000 before earning his master’s degree in education from Lakeland in May 2002.
Strength of Schedule
The Pioneer Football League schedule has proven to be a difficult one as the four teams that Valpo has faced in league play hold a combined 14-3 league mark.
Three of Valpo’s four conference defeats have come to Davidson (4-0), Drake (4-0) and Marist (4-1), who are combined 12-1 in PFL play.
It gets no easier this week as the Beacons face off with a Butler team that stands at 3-2 with a seven-point road loss to preseason favorite St. Thomas and a two-point setback to first-place Davidson, the team picked second in the preseason poll.
Entering this week, there are six PFL teams that are .500 or better and five that are below .500 in league play. After this week, Valpo will have played five of the six teams with winning records in league play and none of the other four teams with sub-.500 marks.
The two teams in the league that Valpo does not play this season, Presbyterian (1-3) and San Diego (1-3), are both below .500 in league play.
A Dandy Debut
Redshirt freshman quarterback Rowan Keefe was inserted into the game at halftime on Oct. 21 at Davidson with his team down 21-0. He helped the Beacons play even in the second half of a 42-21 loss to the first-place Wildcats.
Keefe went 9-of-12 passing for 187 yards and three touchdowns while tossing no interceptions.
Keefe became the first Valpo quarterback to throw three touchdown passes with no interceptions in a game since Ben Nimz on Nov. 13, 2021 at Butler.
Keefe completed a 68-yard pass to Brandon Jimenez, Valpo’s longest play from scrimmage this season and the team’s longest passing play since Griffin Norberg’s 75-yard reception from Chris Duncan on Nov. 10, 2018.
The Keefe to Jimenez play surpassed Solomon Davis’ 67-yard catch from last season against Dayton for Valpo’s longest passing play of the Landon Fox Era.
Prior to Keefe’s entrance, Valpo had just one passing play of 60+ yards in the program’s previous 44 games. The rookie completed two passes of 60+ yards in his first half of collegiate football, adding a 60-yard touchdown pass to Chris Gundy that came just 2:48 of game time after his connection with Jimenez.
Keefe became the first Valpo quarterback to complete two passes of 60+ yards in the same season (let alone, same game) since Chris Duncan had three such heaves in 2018 – all to Griffin Norberg.
Keefe became the first Valpo quarterback to complete two passes of 60+ yards in the same game since Eric Hoffman on Nov. 16, 2013 vs. Dayton. Hoffman found Tanner Kuramata (78 yards) and Tony Taibi (70 yards) in that one.
The Only Butler We’re Talking About
You may hear those close to the Valpo program avoid saying the name of the opponent leading into this week’s rivalry game, but there’s one context where Valpo personnel will not hesitate to say the word Butler this week.
That would be in reference to return specialist Jashon Butler, who had his longest kickoff return of the season with a 68 yarder on Oct. 21 at Davidson.
This marked Butler’s third return of 60+ yards this year, as he had two such returns vs. Southwest Minnesota State (61 and 60).
This was his fourth kickoff return of more than 50 yards including a 58 yarder at Indiana Wesleyan.
The 68-yard return against the Wildcats was the longest by a Valpo player since Chuck Maxwell had a 76 yarder on Oct. 23, 2021 vs. Dayton.
In the game against Southwest Minnesota State, Butler became the first Valpo player with a pair of 50+ yard kickoff returns in the same game since John Popper in 2009 vs. Concordia (Wis.).
Butler is the first Valpo player with four kickoff returns of over 50 yards in a single season in over two decades.
Ain’t Nothing But a Heart Ache
Four of Valpo’s six losses this season were one-score games, coming by a total margin of defeat of 17 points over those four showings.
Valpo’s four losses by seven points or fewer have come against Indiana Wesleyan, Marist, Drake and Morehead State.
The Beacons have endured as much heartache as anyone in the country this season, as they are tied for the FCS lead in most losses by seven points or fewer.
Kennesaw State, Southern Utah, Stephen F. Austin and Valpo are the only four FCS teams nationally with four one-score setbacks.
More on the Close Calls
In Landon Fox’s 48 games as Valpo head coach, 23 (47.9 percent) have been decided by seven points or fewer, most recently a 24-21 loss to Morehead State on Oct. 14 of this season.
Valpo is 8-15 in those one-score games. Since Fox took over the program, 58.3 percent of the team’s games have been either victories or defeats by seven points or fewer.
Just seven games into his fifth season and with one of those first four seasons being shortened to six games, Fox has already coached more one-score games at Valpo than the program’s previous two head coaches – Dave Cecchini (13 in five full seasons) and Dale Carlson (six in four seasons) – combined.
In 48 games under Fox, Valpo has played more one-score games than it did in 110 games from 2007-2018.
The Week 7 game vs. Morehead State was Valpo’s fifth straight game decided by fewer than seven points. This was the first time Valpo has had a streak of five or more one-score games consecutively since six straight during the PFL championship season of 2003 – at Jacksonville, vs. Morehead State, at Dayton, vs. San Diego, vs. Drake and at Butler.
Since the start of last season, seven of the nine games played at Brown Field have been one-score affairs, including all three this year.
Other Notes Wrapping Up Davidson: Davidson 42, Valpo 21
Brandon Jimenez had two catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, while Chris Gundy had two grabs for 73 yards and a score. Solomon Davis made a team-high four catches.
Jimenez’s TD catch was his second of the season, while Gundy’s represented the first of his collegiate career. Thomas also recorded his first collegiate score.
Jashon Butler had two kickoff returns for 90 yards including a long of 68, his third of 60+ yards this season.
Evan Annis and Mohamed Kamara led the Valpo defense by accruing 10 tackles apiece. This marked the first time this season that a Valpo player racked up 10 or more tackles.
Davidson improved to 16-1 in its last 17 home games and 4-0 in PFL play this season. The Wildcats are among the national leaders in most offensive categories. They have made three straight FCS Playoff appearances.
Among PFL and National Leaders
Valpo leads the league and ranks 13th nationally in kickoff return average at 24.47.
The team ranks second in the league and 29th nationally in rushing defense at 124.1.
Jashon Butler ranks
Jashon Butler ranks second in the PFL and fourth nationally in combined kickoff return yards at 517. He is first in the league and fourth in the nation in kickoff return average at 32.3.
Tyler Geiman leads the league and ranks second nationally in passes defended per game at 2.0.
Evan Matthes leads the league and ranks 21st in the nation in punting average at 43.0.
Scouting the Bulldogs
Hold a 5-3 record with the three losses coming to No. 14 Montana and the two teams picked to finish 1-2 in the Pioneer Football League preseason poll, St. Thomas (17-10) and Davidson (35-33).
Picked to finish fifth in the PFL preseason poll, one spot ahead of Valpo.
Surged to 7-4 and 5-3 in the PFL last season during Mike Uremovich’s first season as head coach. That came after the Bulldogs went 1-7 in league play during the 2021 campaign.
VALPO WOMEN’S SOCCER
SOCCER KICKS OFF MVC TOURNAMENT THURSDAY
Valparaiso (7-5-6, 3-3-4 MVC)
2023 MVC Tournament – First/Second Rounds – Cedar Falls, Iowa
Thursday, Oct. 26 – vs. Belmont (3-8-7, 2-3-5 MVC) – 2 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 29 – at UNI (13-4-1, 6-4-0 MVC) – 1 p.m.
Next Up in Valpo Soccer: The postseason begins for the Valpo soccer team in the Hawkeye State this week, as the sixth-seeded Beacons take on seventh-seeded Belmont in first-round action in the MVC Tournament Thursday afternoon in Cedar Falls, Iowa. With a win on Thursday, Valpo would advance to a second-round matchup against third-seeded UNI Sunday afternoon.
Previously: Valpo won its home finale last Thursday night over UNI, 2-0, before falling 1-0 at UIC in the regular season finale.
Looking Ahead: If Valpo advances to the MVC Tournament semifinal, the Beacons would face second-seeded Missouri State at Drake next Thursday afternoon.
Following the Beacons: All of the MVC Tournament matches will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Links for the live video and live stats can be found at ValpoAthletics.com.
Head Coach John Marovich: In his 16th season at the helm of the Valpo program, John Marovich holds a 128-117-48 (.519) record both overall and at Valpo as a head coach. The 2014 Horizon League Coach of the Year and the head of the 2022 MVC Coaching Staff of the Year, Marovich holds Valpo’s all-time records for both victories and winning percentage.
Series Notes: Belmont – Valpo owns a 5-3-0 edge in the series over the Bruins, with each side winning one matchup since Belmont joined the Valley. In this year’s regular season matchup, Belmont used goals in the 33rd and 37th minutes to come away with a 2-0 victory on Brown Field.
UNI – Valpo holds a 6-4-2 edge in the series with the Panthers, and the two squads have split eight matchups (3-3-2) since Valpo joined the Valley. The regular season meeting between the two teams was just last Thursday, a 2-0 victory for the Beacons behind goals from Nicole Norfolk and Lindsey DuSatko. Nikki Coryell made four saves to keep the clean sheet in goal.
Scouting the Opposition: Belmont – The Bruins finished the regular season at 3-8-7 overall and 2-3-5 in MVC action, with a 3-2 loss against regular season Drake their final regular season match. Maci Pekmezian scored six of Belmont’s 12 goals, while Sarah Doyle played nearly every minute in goal with a 1.24 GAA and an .825 save percentage.
UNI – The Panthers come into the tournament with a 13-4-1 overall record and completed MVC play at 6-4-0, closing the season out with an 8-1 win over Illinois State. Olivia Knoepfle led all Valley players in the regular season with nine goals and also registered six assists, while Lauren Heinsch and Macy Smith each scored seven goals as well. Caitlin Richards saw the vast majority of time in goal and owns a 0.99 GAA and a .746 save percentage.
Quartet of Preseason Honorees: Plenty of individual standouts have helped Valpo get to the point where it is regarded as one of the Valley’s top programs, and four of them were honored with preseason All-MVC accolades. Fifth-year Nicole Norfolk joined seniors Lindsey DuSatko and Nikki Coryell as preseason First Team All-MVC selections, while junior Addy Joiner picked up Honorable Mention accolades.
Looking Back at Last Season: Valpo’s journey up the MVC table over the last few years culminated last season with a dramatic final day of the regular season which saw the Beacons emerge with the MVC regular season championship – Valpo’s first team title in any sport since joining the Valley. The Beacons finished the season with an 8-7-4 overall record, including a 7-1-2 mark in MVC action to claim the regular season crown. Nikki Coryell was named MVC Goalkeeper of the Year for a third straight season, while John Marovich, Brianne Barnes and Noah Smith were honored as the Valley Coaching Staff of the Year. Nicole Norfolk was named a Third Team All-Region honoree as well.
Who’s Back and Who’s New: Valpo returns 18 letterwinners, including nine starters, from last year’s squad which claimed the MVC regular season title. The returnees accounted for 16 of the Beacon’s 19 goals and 17 of their 18 assists in Valley play last season. 11 newcomers round out the 2023 roster – nine incoming freshmen, one transfer and one redshirt.
Valpo in the MVC Tournament: This year’s Valpo side is looking to improve upon the program’s track record all-time in the MVC Tournament. Valpo dropped all three of its conference tournament matches when it was an affiliate Valley member in the late 1990s, and is 1-5-1 in the tournament since joining the Valley as a full member in the summer of 2017.
Strong Nonconference Record: The Beacons finished nonconference play with a 4-2-2 record. This year’s side is the first Valpo team to finish above .500 in nonconference action since the 2017 squad went 6-5-0 outside of Valley play. It is the program’s best nonconference record since going 4-1-4 in 2014.
Notable Streaks This Season: This year’s Valpo side had a number of notable streaks that came to an end:
Home Success – Started season 3-0-3 through six home matches before falling to Belmont; second time in program history going unbeaten through first six home matches (2005)
Unbeaten Streak – Seven matches without a loss (2-0-5) Sept. 8-Oct. 5; sixth unbeaten streak of at least seven matches in program history
MVC Play – 11-match unbeaten streak in Valley action (5-0-6) Oct. 6, 2022-Oct. 5, 2023
Strong Defense – 15 consecutive MVC matches surrendering one goal or fewer Sept. 17, 2022-Oct. 5, 2023
Perhaps the most impressive item which was snapped in Valpo’s Oct. 8 loss at Drake was the fact that the Beacons lost a match in which they held a lead. The last time prior to Drake Valpo had the lead in a match and didn’t come away with at least a draw was way back on Sept. 28, 2019 at Missouri State. Valpo had won or tied 34 consecutive matches in which it held a lead before falling to the Bulldogs.
Fit to Be Tied: This season has featured a record number of ties for the Beacons. Valpo drew four times in MVC play and six times overall, both the highest single-season marks in program history. The 2010, 2011 and spring 2021 seasons all featured five deadlocks overall, while the 2003 and spring 2021 squads tied three times in conference action.
Starting Every Time Out: Four players started every match this season for Valpo: goalkeeper Nikki Coryell, center backs Nicole Norfolk and Anna Cup and right back Aubrey Ramey. Coryell and Norfolk both played all 1,620 minutes in the regular season, while Cup nearly did so, ending the regular season with 1,607 minutes played.
Dream Night For Norfolk: For a player who has been a stalwart in the back for Valpo since stepping on campus in 2019, the evening of Oct. 19 was the perfect way to send Nicole Norfolk off in the final home match of her career. When the whistle blew to kick off the match versus UNI, Norfolk officially moved alone atop the program’s career matches played and matches started charts, as she played and started for the 83rd time in the Valpo uniform – a mark she extended to 84 on Sunday at UIC.
Norfolk then came up with the eventual match-winning goal, her fifth career goal, in the 52nd minute and picked up an assist, the sixth of her career, on the later insurance tally. It marked the first time in Norfolk’s collegiate career she has been involved in multiple goals in the same match.
Just Another Clean Sheet: In the final home match of the season, Valpo blanked the highest-scoring attack in the Valley, with senior goalkeeper Nikki Coryell making four saves to earn the shutout. It was Coryell’s fifth clean sheet of the year and the 24th of her career, tied for third in MVC history. Coryell finished MVC play with a 0.90 GAA, the third time in her four seasons she has posted a GAA under one in conference action.
10 By 10: Senior forward Lindsey DuSatko found the back of the net for the insurance goal in Valpo’s win over UNI, her third goal of the season. She has tallied 10 career goals and also owns 10 career assists, one of just eight players in program history to reach double figures in both categories – current teammate Kelsie James is one of the others who has accomplished the feat.
Joiner Just Keeps Scoring: One season after pacing Valpo in the goal-scoring department, junior Addy Joiner has continued her prolificacy in 2023. She netted just the eighth hat trick in program history on August 31 against Chicago State, while most recently, she scored what proved to be the match-winner in the Beacons’ 2-1 win at Southern Illinois. Joiner has scored a team-high eight goals this year, tied for ninth-most in a single season in program history and just one off the MVC lead. Joiner has 18 career goals, tied for sixth-most in program history, and is tied for eighth in program history with 39 career points.
A Sudden Nose for Goal: Senior Chase Ray went the first 56 minutes of her collegiate career without a goal, but the midfielder has found the scoring touch in Valley play, scoring in three of the Beacons’ 10 MVC fixtures. Ray opened her collegiate account with the tying goal at Evansville, scored the early match-winner in the second minute at Indiana State and most recently opened the scoring in Valpo’s win at Southern Illinois.
Three-Time Goalkeeper of the Year: Senior goalkeeper Nikki Coryell has quite simply been the Valley’s top goalkeeper throughout her career, as she has been honored as the MVC Goalkeeper of the Year in each of her first three seasons. In 2022, Coryell posted an 8-5-4 record with a 0.91 GAA and an .800 save percentage, posting seven clean sheets. Coryell and the Valpo defense surrendered just five goals in 10 MVC matches last season and posted five shutouts – matching the program record for the most clean sheets within conference play in a single season. In her three Goalkeeper of the Year campaigns, Coryell has posted a cumulative GAA of 0.59 and a save percentage of .878 in conference play.
Running Up Top: Senior forward Lindsey DuSatko entered the 2023 campaign having earned All-Conference honors in each of the last two seasons, as she was a Second Team honoree in 2021 and a First Team choice last season. The pacey forward was tied for second among Valley players with four assists in MVC-only play in 2022, picking up a helper apiece in four of Valpo’s regular season conference wins, and scored a goal as well.
Locking Down the Back Line: Fifth-year center back Nicole Norfolk has been the linchpin in the Valpo defense ever since stepping onto campus prior to the 2019 season. The stalwart in the back was a First Team All-MVC honoree in 2022 after earning Second Team recognition the previous year. Valpo’s record holder for consecutive minutes played by a field player, Norfolk played all but 14 minutes of Valpo’s first 15 matches of the 2022 season before suffering an injury in mid-October. With Norfolk on the field during Valley regular season play, Valpo surrendered just one goal in 544 minutes of play in 2022. Norfolk added Third Team All-Midwest Region honors to her resume as well last season.
She Scores, We Win: Junior forward Addy Joiner was more than just a spark off the bench in 2022 – she was an assassin in front of goal. A First Team All-MVC honoree, Joiner finished the regular season with a Valley-high seven goals on the year and eventually concluded the season in second place with her seven tallies. The two-time MVC Offensive Player of the Week scored six of her seven goals in Valley play, one apiece in six of Valpo’s seven MVC victories. Her six goals in conference play were the most by a Valpo player in league action since Jackie Kondratko netted six goals in Horizon League matches in 2009.
Wait, There’s More!: The aforementioned four First Team All-MVC honorees from a season ago represent just over half of the total number of honorees from last season’s regular season champions. Fifth-year midfielder Allie Anderson picked up Second Team All-MVC recognition in 2022, while junior left back Abby White was a Third Team All-MVC choice. Sophomore Molly O’Rear rounds out last year’s award winners, as she claimed a spot on the MVC All-Freshman Team.
Even More on Last Year’s Awards: Valpo’s four First Team honorees in 2022 set a program record for postseason honors, as the program previously boasted three First Team All-League recipients on three occasions. The Beacons have had multiple First Team All-MVC honorees each of the last three seasons, and also have had at least one representative on the MVC All-Freshman Team in each of their six seasons in the conference.
UINDY WOMEN’S GOLF
UINDY GOLF SWEEPS TEAM TITLES AT FALL FINALE
FARMINGTON, Pa.—The UIndy men’s and women’s golf teams capped their fall schedules with a number of impressive performances at the inaugural Nemacolin Intercollegiate, held Monday and Tuesday at Nemacolin’s Mystic Rock Course in Farmington, Pa.
Making to 400-mile trip together, the Greyhounds are coming come with both team trophies, four all-tournament honors and one individual medal.
“This was a special day for our entire program,” shared Head Coach Brent Nicoson. “I think both teams winning on the same golf course on the same day is one of the most memorable moments I’ve had as a coach.”
The event featured nine women’s teams and nine men’s teams, with six schools sending both of their golf squads. Three UIndy women finished in the top five in a 16-stroke team win, while freshman Maverick Conaway secured medalist honors to lead the UIndy men to an 18-stroke victory.
Said Nicoson: “It’s an incredible way to end the fall season with the women getting their third tournament win in a row and the men getting their first, especially with one sophomore and four freshmen in the lineup this week.”
WOMEN’S DETAILS
In a field that featured six teams ranked in latest DII coaches’ polls, including four national quarterfinalists from last year, all five Greyhounds finished at T-16 or better.
“It was a total team effort for the women,” Nicoson added, “as we had three on the all-tournament team this week.”
Sophomore Ava Ray and senior Matilda Cederholm led the way at +5 to share third place. Both Hounds went under par in the third round. Ray capped her week by carding a five-under 31 on the final back nine, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 16th.
Right behind at +6 was sophomore Alice Webb, who went 73-75-74 to take fifth and round out the all-tournament trio.
Freshman Jess Haines (+12) finished at T-14 and junior Anci Dy (+13) at T-16.
MEN’S DETAILS
The UIndy men had a tremendous week as well, especially during Tuesday’s final round. Four Hounds shot par or better over the final 18 holes, combining for a six-under 282 to pull away from the field.
Conaway (-5) was particularly impressive Tuesday, firing a four-under 68—the lowest round of the tournament—to secure the individual crown. The freshman from Tipton, Ind., already has three rounds in the 60s in his young collegiate career.
“We had some great individual performances this week, highlighted by Maverick’s first collegiate win,” noted Nicoson. “He’s worked incredibly hard this fall and I’m extremely proud of him.”
Two more UIndy freshmen settled in the top 10. Simon Engman (+2) vaulted seven spots into sixth place with a final-round 70, while Cameron Young (+3) finished T-8 after an even-par 72 in the final round.
Freshman Ben Keil (+11) moved up to 21st place, while sophomore Drew Rowen (+14) finished in 28th.
UP NEXT
Both teams return to the course next semester. The spring schedule on UIndyAthletics.com will be updated when available.
UINDY FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL APPEARS IN INITIAL NCAA REGIONAL RANKINGS
INDIANAPOLIS—The season’s first set of NCAA Division II Regional Rankings dropped on Monday, with the UIndy football team listed among those receiving postseason consideration. The Greyhounds were one of 10 Super Region 3 team’s on the initial list.
The first regional rankings included teams in alphabetical order only, with actual rankings set to be included in next week’s release. Selection Sunday comes on Nov. 12 when the 28-team NCAA DII Championship field—seven from each region—will be announced on NCAA.com.
The undefeated Greyhounds are looking to make their eighth playoff appearance since 2012.
SUPER REGION 3 CONTENDERS
| TEAM | vs. DII | IN-REGION |
| Central Missouri | 7-1 | 7-1 |
| Davenport | 7-0 | 5-0 |
| Ferris State | 5-1 | 4-1 |
| Grand Valley State | 6-1 | 4-0 |
| Harding | 8-0 | 8-0 |
| Misosuri Western | 6-2 | 6-2 |
| Ouachita Baptist | 7-1 | 7-1 |
| Pittsburg State | 8-0 | 8-0 |
| Truman | 7-1 | 7-1 |
| UIndy | 7-0 | 7-0 |
FOOTBALL CRACKS TOP 10 IN LATEST COACHES POLL
WACO, Texas—The undefeated UIndy football team moved up one spot in the latest AFCA DII Coaches Poll, coming in at No. 10 this week. Coming off a 24-14 win at Quincy over the weekend, the Greyhounds earned a top-10 spot for the first time this season.
Nine Super Region 3 teams appear in the latest rankings, including six of top 11. Four of those teams—Pittsburg State, Harding, UIndy and Davenport—are still unbeaten.
AFCA DIVISION II COACHES POLL
| RK | SCHOOL (1st-place votes) | REC | PTS | PREV |
| 1. | Colorado School of Mines (28) | 8-0 | 724 | 1 |
| 2. | Pittsburg St. (Kan.) | 8-0 | 693 | 2 |
| 3. | Grand Valley St. (Mich.) | 6-1 | 652 | 4 |
| 4. | Harding (Ark.) | 8-0 | 635 | 6 |
| 5. | Benedict (S.C.) | 8-0 | 567 | 8 |
| 6. | Slippery Rock (Pa.) (1) | 8-0 | 552 | 7 |
| 7. | Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) | 8-0 | 520 | 10 |
| 8. | Ferris St. (Mich.) | 5-2 | 505 | 9 |
| 9. | Western Colorado | 8-0 | 475 | 12 |
| 10. | Indianapolis (Ind.) | 7-0 | 459 | 11 |
| 11. | Davenport (Mich.) | 7-0 | 408 | 13 |
| 12. | Augustana (S.D.) | 8-0 | 397 | 17 |
| 13. | Minnesota St. | 7-1 | 333 | 3 |
| 14. | Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) | 7-1 | 329 | 14 |
| 15. | Central Missouri | 7-1 | 321 | 16 |
| T16. | Bemidji St. (Minn.) | 6-1 | 295 | 15 |
| T16. | Delta St. (Miss.) | 7-1 | 295 | 5 |
| 18. | West Florida | 6-2 | 292 | 18 |
| 19. | Tiffin (Ohio) | 8-0 | 196 | 23 |
| 20. | Shepherd (W.Va.) | 7-1 | 192 | 22 |
| 21. | Truman St. (Mo.) | 7-1 | 133 | 25 |
| 22. | Texas-Permian Basin | 7-1 | 115 | NR |
| 23. | Virginia Union | 7-1 | 113 | NR |
| 24. | Valdosta St. (Ga.) | 7-1 | 81 | NR |
| 25. | Minnesota-Duluth | 7-1 | 56 | NR |
Others Receiving Votes: Virginia St., 28; Missouri Western St., 20; Central Washington, 11; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 10; Assumption (Mass.), 9; Henderson St. (Ark.), 4; Mars Hill (N.C.), 2; Angelo St. (Tex.), 1; Colorado St.-Pueblo, 1; Southern Arkansas, 1.
UINDY MEN’S SOCCER
UINDY RANKED 14TH IN NEW NATIONAL POLL
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The UIndy men’s soccer team was ranked 14th in new United Soccer Coaches poll, released Tuesday.
The Greyhounds gained their first loss during the 2023 season versus Upper Iowa on Oct. 20th. On the 22nd the Hounds bounced backed with an explosive 5-0 win over Truman.
UIndy heads into the final weekend of regular season play at 9-1-4 (7-1-3 GLVC). The Greyhounds will celebrate their seniors before their match on Friday versus Quincy at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday the Hounds will battle no. 10 Illinois-Springfield at 2:30 p.m. Both games will take place inside Key stadium and streamed on the GLVCSN.
United Soccer Coaches DII Poll
| Rank | School | Prev | W-L-T |
| 1 | Franklin Pierce University | 1 | 12-0-0 |
| 2 | Midwestern State University | 2 | 14-0-1 |
| 3 | University of Charleston | 4 | 13-1-0 |
| 4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 8 | 12-1-1 |
| 5 | California State University Chico | 3 | 10-1-4 |
| 6 | Colorado State University-Pueblo | 5 | 11-3-2 |
| 7 | Gannon University | 10 | 13-0-2 |
| 8 | Florida Tech | 25 | 9-1-3 |
| 9 | Post University | 11 | 9-1-4 |
| 10 | University of Illinois-Springfield | 14 | 10-1-4 |
| 11 | Cal Poly Pomona | 12 | 9-1-4 |
| 12 | Wingate University | 20 | 8-3-2 |
| 13 | Mississippi College | RV | 11-1-2 |
| 14 | University of Indianapolis | 7 | 9-1-4 |
| 15 | Auburn University Montgomery | 6 | 7-1-5 |
| 16 | Southern Nazarene University | 17 | 9-3-2 |
| 17 | Colorado Mesa University | 18 | 9-2-5 |
| 18 | Lincoln Memorial University | RV | 9-2-3 |
| 19 | Limestone University | 9 | 9-2-2 |
| 20 | Mercyhurst University | 19 | 11-2-1 |
| 21 | California State University Monterey Bay | 22 | 9-3-3 |
| 22 | Maryville University of St. Louis | 23 | 9-2-4 |
| 23 | Fort Lewis College | NR | 9-3-3 |
| 24 | Northeastern State University | RV | 6-4-3 |
MARIAN MEN’S GOLF
POTTER LEADS KNIGHTS IN FALL FINALE
Richmond, Ky. – The Marian men’s golf team finished their 2023 fall schedule on Tuesday afternoon, competing at the Gibson Bay Invitational, hosted by Lindsey Wilson College. The Knights finished fifth overall in the field of eight teams, and were led by Nolan Potter who made the all-tournament team with a top-five finish.
Campbellsville and host Lindsey Wilson tied for first in the invitational, as both squads finished with a total score of 874. Cumberland University placed third with an 884 score, while the University of the Cumberlands scored an 885 to finish in front of Marian. The Knights posted a team score of 888, rebounding from a sluggish round one score of 302 to finish with a 290 in the second round and 296 in the third. Marian’s score allowed the team to finish ahead of the Talladega College ‘A’ and ‘B’ squads, along with Midway.
Nolan Potter led the Knights as he finished fifth overall to earn all-tournament team honors. Potter carded a 218 for the three rounds, firing a 75 in round one, 70 in round two, and 73 in the final round. Weston Ogden and Augie Mann would finish in ties for 16th and 18th, as Ogden finished seven over par for the three rounds and Mann finished eight over. Ogden carded a 73+74 through the first two rounds, and finished with a 76 in the final round. Mann shot a 77 in round one, trimming down to a score of 73 and 74 in the final rounds.
Lane Zedrick finished 22nd overall in the field, shooting a 226. Zedrick’s scorecard had a 79 in round one, but the freshman finished strong with a 73 and 74. Brandon Heffner tied for 25th with his 77+76+75 score of 225, and Seth Kestranek, who played as an individual, shot a 234 (77+79+78), finishing 36th overall.
Marian’s final tournament of the fall will set the stage for the spring season, which will be announced at a later date when tournament schedules are finalized. The first NAIA rankings of the spring will take place on February 1.
MARIAN WOMEN’S GOLF
MARIAN WRAPS UP FALL SEASON WITH RUNNER-UP FINISH AT GIBSON BAY INVITE
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Marian women’s golf team wrapped up the fall season on Monday and Tuesday, finishing as the runner-up in the Gibson Bay Invite, hosted by Lindsay Wilson at Gibson Bay Golf Course. The Knights carded an overall team score of 925, 16 strokes behind Dalton State’s first place finish. MacKendzie Dresbaugh and Sidney Parmer both finished in the top-10 for Marian to lead the way.
MacKendzie Dresbaugh paced Marian after day one, as she was in a tie for fifth place with her 79 and 75 scores. Dresbaugh gained some ground on day two, firing off a 74 to finish in a three-way tie for fourth and earn All-Tournament team honors. Sidney Parmer was the next top finisher for the Knights, as she placed in the top-10 with her seventh place finish. Parmer carded a 79 and 74 in her first two rounds before finishing the tournament with a 76 on the final day to finish with a 229.
Emma Weiler was next for Marian with her 235 (78-79-78) to finish 11th, while Keara Eder and Hailey Kirkland each tied for 12th. Eder finished with a 78-79-79 and Kirkland carded a 81-77-78, both golfing their way to a 236 final score. Ava Hedrick rounded out the Marian lineup with her top-20 finish, placing 17th after finishing with a 237 (81-76-80).
Marian finishes the fall season winning one tournament, two runner-up finishes, and two top-15 finishes. The Knights will be back in action in 2024, when they compete in their spring season in hopes of making a trip to the NAIA National Championships.
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 | 2 | 0 | .714 | 0.0 | 240 | 187 | 3-0-0 | 2-2-0 | 3-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Buffalo Bills | 4 | 3 | 0 | .571 | 1.0 | 198 | 118 | 3-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-3-0 | 1-2-0 | 1 L | |
| New York Jets | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 1.5 | 113 | 119 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 W | |
| New England Patriots | 2 | 5 | 0 | .286 | 3.0 | 101 | 177 | 1-3-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 1 W | |
| West Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 6 | 1 | 0 | .857 | 0.0 | 178 | 105 | 3-1-0 | 3-0-0 | 4-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 6 W | |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 3 | 4 | 0 | .429 | 3.0 | 112 | 161 | 2-1-0 | 1-3-0 | 2-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 3.5 | 144 | 155 | 1-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 L | |
| Denver Broncos | 2 | 5 | 0 | .286 | 4.0 | 148 | 217 | 1-3-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-4-0 | 0-2-0 | 1 W | |
| North Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Baltimore Ravens | 5 | 2 | 0 | .714 | 0.0 | 171 | 97 | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 4-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 2 W | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 | 0.5 | 103 | 127 | 2-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 2 W | |
| Cleveland Browns | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 | 0.5 | 134 | 115 | 3-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 2 W | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 1.5 | 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 | 5 | 2 | 0 | .714 | 0.0 | 173 | 146 | 2-2-0 | 3-0-0 | 3-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 4 W | |
| Houston Texans | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 1.5 | 135 | 113 | 2-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Indianapolis Colts | 3 | 4 | 0 | .429 | 2.0 | 178 | 191 | 1-3-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-3-0 | 2-2-0 | 2 L | |
| Tennessee Titans | 2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 2.5 | 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 | 6 | 1 | 0 | .857 | 0.0 | 186 | 141 | 3-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 4-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Dallas Cowboys | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 | 1.5 | 154 | 100 | 2-0-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Washington Commanders | 3 | 4 | 0 | .429 | 3.0 | 140 | 190 | 1-2-0 | 2-2-0 | 2-3-0 | 0-2-0 | 1 L | |
| New York Giants | 2 | 5 | 0 | .286 | 4.0 | 85 | 174 | 1-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 2-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| West Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| San Francisco 49ers | 5 | 2 | 0 | .714 | 0.0 | 201 | 109 | 3-0-0 | 2-2-0 | 4-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 2 L | |
| Seattle Seahawks | 4 | 2 | 0 | .667 | 0.5 | 144 | 118 | 2-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 4-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Los Angeles Rams | 3 | 4 | 0 | .429 | 2.0 | 155 | 141 | 1-3-0 | 2-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 6 | 0 | .143 | 4.0 | 127 | 182 | 1-2-0 | 0-4-0 | 1-5-0 | 0-3-0 | 4 L | |
| North Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Detroit Lions | 5 | 2 | 0 | .714 | 0.0 | 174 | 151 | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 4-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 L | |
| Minnesota Vikings | 3 | 4 | 0 | .429 | 2.0 | 151 | 152 | 1-3-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 2 W | |
| Green Bay Packers | 2 | 4 | 0 | .333 | 2.5 | 130 | 132 | 1-1-0 | 1-3-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 3 L | |
| Chicago Bears | 2 | 5 | 0 | .286 | 3.0 | 158 | 188 | 1-3-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 0-2-0 | 1 W | |
| South Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Atlanta Falcons | 4 | 3 | 0 | .571 | 0.0 | 115 | 133 | 3-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 3-2-0 | 2-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 0.5 | 103 | 104 | 1-3-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 L | |
| New Orleans Saints | 3 | 4 | 0 | .429 | 1.0 | 133 | 127 | 1-2-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 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 | |
NBA STANDINGS
| Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||
| Atlantic Division | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| Boston | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Brooklyn | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| New York | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Philadelphia | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Toronto | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Central Divison | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| Chicago | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Cleveland | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Detroit | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Indiana | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Milwaukee | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Southeast Division | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| Atlanta | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Charlotte | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Miami | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Orlando | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Washington | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Western Conference | ||||||||||||
| Northwest Division | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| Denver | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | — | 1-0 | – | – | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1 W | ||
| Minnesota | 0 | 0 | – | 0.5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Oklahoma City | 0 | 0 | – | 0.5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Portland | 0 | 0 | – | 0.5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Utah | 0 | 0 | – | 0.5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Pacific Division | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| Phoenix | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | — | – | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1 W | ||
| LA Clippers | 0 | 0 | – | 0.5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Sacramento | 0 | 0 | – | 0.5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| LA Lakers | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1.0 | – | 0-1 | – | 0-1 | 0-1 | 1 L | ||
| Golden State | 0 | 1 | .000 | 1.0 | 0-1 | – | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 1 L | ||
| Southwest Division | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| Dallas | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Houston | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Memphis | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| New Orleans | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| San Antonio | 0 | 0 | – | — | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
NHL STANDINGS
| Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||
| Atlantic Division | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| Boston Bruins | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 19 | 7 | 2-0-0 | 4-0-0 | 6-0-0 | |
| Detroit Red Wings | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 34 | 20 | 3-0-1 | 2-1-0 | 5-1-1 | |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 23 | 20 | 2-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 4-2-0 | |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 23 | 24 | 3-0-1 | 0-2-1 | 3-2-2 | |
| Montreal Canadiens | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 21 | 2-2-0 | 1-0-1 | 3-2-1 | |
| Ottawa Senators | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 25 | 21 | 3-2-0 | 0-1-0 | 3-3-0 | |
| Florida Panthers | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 17 | 18 | 2-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 3-3-0 | |
| Buffalo Sabres | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 19 | 22 | 2-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 3-4-0 | |
| Metropolitan Division | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| New York Rangers | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 18 | 13 | 1-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 4-2-0 | |
| New Jersey Devils | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 20 | 17 | 1-1-1 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-1 | |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 16 | 2-0-0 | 1-2-1 | 3-2-1 | |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 17 | 19 | 2-2-1 | 1-0-0 | 3-2-1 | |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 28 | 33 | 1-0-0 | 2-4-0 | 3-4-0 | |
| New York Islanders | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 17 | 2-1-1 | 0-1-0 | 2-2-1 | |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 20 | 1-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-4-0 | |
| Washington Capitals | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 19 | 1-2-0 | 0-1-1 | 1-3-1 | |
| Western Conference | ||||||||||||
| Central Division | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| Colorado Avalanche | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 5 | 28 | 12 | 2-0-0 | 4-0-0 | 6-0-0 | |
| Dallas Stars | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 16 | 11 | 2-0-0 | 2-0-1 | 4-0-1 | |
| Minnesota Wild | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 25 | 25 | 2-1-1 | 1-1-0 | 3-2-1 | |
| Winnipeg Jets | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 20 | 23 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 3-3-0 | |
| Arizona Coyotes | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 16 | 15 | 1-0-0 | 2-3-0 | 3-3-0 | |
| Nashville Predators | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 20 | 19 | 2-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 3-4-0 | |
| St. Louis Blues | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 15 | 2-1-0 | 0-1-1 | 2-2-1 | |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 21 | 0-2-0 | 2-3-0 | 2-5-0 | |
| Pacific Division | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| Vegas Golden Knights | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 28 | 13 | 4-0-0 | 3-0-0 | 7-0-0 | |
| Vancouver Canucks | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 23 | 15 | 1-0-0 | 3-2-0 | 4-2-0 | |
| Los Angeles Kings | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 27 | 22 | 1-2-1 | 2-0-0 | 3-2-1 | |
| Calgary Flames | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 17 | 26 | 1-1-0 | 1-3-1 | 2-4-1 | |
| Seattle Kraken | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 25 | 1-2-0 | 1-2-1 | 2-4-1 | |
| Anaheim Ducks | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 17 | 1-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-4-0 | |
| Edmonton Oilers | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 27 | 0-1-1 | 1-3-0 | 1-4-1 | |
| San Jose Sharks | 6 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 23 | 0-3-1 | 0-2-0 | 0-5-1 | |
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1911 Larry Doyle scores on a sacrifice fly in Game 5 of the World Series at the Polo Grounds to give the Giants a 4-3 victory over the A’s. According to home plate umpire Bill Klem, commenting after the game, the Giants’ second baseman, in his jubilation about scoring the winning run, really never touched home, with the A’s not appealing, failing to notice the gaffe.
1927 Garry Herrmann, citing poor health and deafness, resigns as the Reds’ president and will be replaced by C.J. McDiarmid, the club’s secretary. During the 68-year-old baseball executive’s 25-year tenure, Cincinnati won only one pennant and World Series (1919) but finished in the first division 13 times.
1939 With 15 of the 24 first-place votes cast by the writers, Yankee outfielder Joe DiMaggio wins his first American League MVP award, easily out-distancing runners-up Jimmie Foxx and Bob Feller. The 24-year-old All-Star, who posted a major-league-leading .381 batting average, will also capture the prestigious prize in 1941 and 1947.
1955 Joe L. Brown replaces Branch Rickey, who stepped down as the Pirates’ general manager. During the five-year tenure of ‘Mahatma,’ Pittsburgh endured three 100-loss seasons, but his contributions helped lead the team to a World Championship in 1960.
1955 The Indians trade Larry Doby, the first black to play in the American League, to the White Sox for Chico Carrasquel and Jim Busby. The future Hall of Fame outfielder, who will hit .275 during his two seasons in Chicago, will return to the Tribe in 1958.
1956 Al Lopez replaces Marty Marion, who recently resigned as the manager of the White Sox. Chicago’s new skipper will pilot the Pale Hose to an 840-650 (.564) record and an American League pennant during his 11-year Hall of Fame tenure in the Windy City.
1960 Gabe Paul announces his decision to leave the Reds to become the general manager of the Colt .45s, an expansion team scheduled to begin play in 1962. After clashing with majority owner Roy Hofheinz, the experienced baseball executive will leave Houston nearly a year before the team plays an official game.
1961 The Mets sign their first player with major league experience when the team inks free-agent Ted Lepcio. During spring training, the expansion team will cut the 32-year-old middle infielder, who compiled a .245 batting average playing with five teams during his ten-year career.
1965 The Cubs end their college of coaches experiment by hiring Leo Durocher, who signs a three-year deal and is given complete authority on the field. The Lip’s assessment that Chicago is “not an eighth-place ball club” will prove to be correct when his team finishes tenth next season.
1973 The Cubs trade six-time 20-game winner Ferguson Jenkins to the Rangers for utility player Vic Harris and rookie third baseman Bill Madlock, who will win two batting titles during his three-year tenure in Chicago. Fergie will continue his winning ways with Texas, posting a 25-12 (.676) record in the first year with Texas, averaging 15.5 victories a season in his six-year stay in the Lone Star State.
1978 The BBWAA selects Gaylord Perry (21-6, 2.72) as the National League Cy Young Award recipient. The Padres right-hander, who copped the honor with the Indians in 1972, becomes the first hurler to win the prestigious pitching prize in each league.
1981 In Game 5 at Dodger Stadium, Pedro Guerrero’s and Steve Yeager’s back-to-back solo home runs in the seventh inning off Yankee southpaw Ron Guidry give Los Angeles a 2-1 win, their third victory in the Fall Classic. Guerrero and Yeager, along with teammate Ron Cey, will be named the World Series MVP award co-recipients.
1986 “If one picture is worth a thousand words, you have seen about a million words, but more than that, you have seen an absolutely bizarre finish to Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.” – Vin Scully, describing the aftermath of the play after a long silence. One strike from defeat, the Mets tie the game on a wild pitch and then, thanks to Bill Buckner’s error, win Game 6, knotting the World Series at three games apiece. The hobbled first baseman, who graciously handles the fallout from one of the most memorable moments in baseball history, becomes the scapegoat for the frustrated Fenway Faithful, who wrongly believed his play alone was responsible for Boston’s demise in the Fall Classic.
1987 In a series in which each team never loses a game in its home park, the Twins win the World Championship when they beat the Cards, 4-2, in Game 7. The franchise’s last championship came in 1924 as the Washington Senators.
2000 Mike Piazza becomes the first player to hit a World Series home run at Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium. The backstop’s third-inning homer off Denny Neagle will account for the only two runs the Mets will score in a 3-2 Game 4 defeat to their crosstown rivals.
2003 In Game 6, the Marlins, behind Josh Beckett’s five-hit complete-game shutout, win their second World Series in six seasons, defeating New York at Yankee Stadium, 2-0. Florida becomes the first opposing team to capture the Fall Classic at the Bronx ballpark since the Dodgers accomplished the feat in 1981.
2005 The first World Series game in Texas proves to be memorable when Geoff Blum’s 14th-inning solo home run (30th MLer to hit an HR in first WS AB) becomes the beginning of the end of the longest Fall Classic contest ever played. The 7-5 victory, which gives the White Sox a commanding 3-0 advantage over the Astros, takes 5 hours and 41 minutes to complete, with the 14 frames equaling the number of innings the Red Sox needed to beat the Dodgers in Game 2 of the 1916 series.
2005 Mark Buehrle becomes the first pitcher to start and save consecutive World Series contests. After receiving a no-decision starting Game 2, the 26-year-old southpaw gets the final out in the 14th inning of Game 3 to record a save as the White Sox beat the Astros, 7-5.
2007 Hideki Okajima becomes the first Japanese-born player to pitch in the World Series. The former Nippon Ham Fighters hurler comes out of the bullpen in relief of Curt Schilling and retires seven straight Rockies, including Kazuo Matsui, making it the first time Japanese natives have faced one another in the Fall Classic.
2009 The Indians sign 40-year-old Manny Acta to a three-year deal as their 40th manager in franchise history. The former Nationals’ field boss, fired in July, is the first Cleveland skipper to be hired outside the organization since John McNamara piloted the club in 1990.
2009 🇯🇵 Yusei Kikuchi, who had interested scouts from the Yankees and nine other clubs, decides not to entertain offers from American major league teams, opting to start his professional career in his native Japan. The 18-year-old left-handed flamethrower would have been the first Japanese high school student to travel directly to the United States to play pro ball.
2009 With a 5-2 victory over the Angels at Yankee Stadium, New York wins its 40th American League pennant. The Bronx Bombers, after a six-year absence from the Fall Classic, will play the Phillies in quest of their 27th World Championship and the first since they beat the Mets in 2000.
2010 John Farrell emerges from the 18 candidates interviewed by Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos to replace recently retired manager Cito Gaston. The former Boston pitching coach’s reputation of working well with youthful hurlers is considered a real asset for the team’s new skipper, given Toronto’s talented young rotation.
2011 🇨🇦 Canada wins its first major baseball tournament when Team Canada defeats the United States, 2-1, at the Pan American Games in Lagos de Moreno, Mexico. Jimmy Van Ostrand’s sixth-inning double, driving in Chris Robinson and Tim Smith, who both had two-out singles to start the rally, proves to be the difference in the gold medal game.
2014 Mo’ne Davis throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Giants’ 11-4 victory in Game 4 of the Fall Classic against the Royals at AT&T Park. The 13-year-old pitching phenom, the first girl to hurl a shutout in the Little League World Series, continues her mastery on the mound, firing a strike right down the middle of the plate.
2016 Corey Kluber became the first pitcher in World Series history to record eight strikeouts in the first three innings of a game, surpassing the mark by one previously shared by Bob Gibson, Randy Johnson, and Orlando Hernandez. The Indians’ ace, who throws six scoreless innings, accomplishes the feat in the team’s Game 1 victory, a 6-0 win over the Cubs, at Progressive Field.
2016 The Mets announce that Mike Piazza, considered by many to be the best offensive backstop in baseball history, will have his number 31 retired during the season. The Cooperstown-bound catcher’s digits will join Tom Seaver (41), Casey Stengel (37), and Gil Hodges (14) above the left-field wall at Citi Field.
WORLD SERIES HISTORY
1926
Chicago White Sox (4) vs New York Giants (2)
Once again, the New York Yankees had risen to the top of the American League with solid pitching and spectacular hitting by the soon to be penned “Murderer’s”. Babe Ruth was joined in the spotlight by two young up-and-coming sluggers named Lou Gehrig and Earle Combs who hit .348 and .357 during the regular season. Their opponents, the National League’s St. Louis Cardinals, had similar success with Rogers Hornsby, a .317 hitter, and pitchers Flint Rhem and Bill Sherdel who had won twenty and sixteen games respectively.
Both teams looked to be strong on both sides of the plate, but the Yankees remained heavy favorites after dethroning the Giants’ dynasty in the 1923 World Series. Rookie Lou Gehrig had a fantastic debut in Game 1 driving in the winning run for a 6-3 opening victory. New York was not as fortunate in Game 2 as the Cardinals returned with a vengeance for a 6-2 payback. Grover Alexander went the distance against three Yankees pitchers including Urban Shocker, Bob Shawkey, who came on in the eighth, and Sam Jones who finished the ninth. Things didn’t get any better for the favorites in Game 3 as once again, a Cardinal pitcher (Jesse Haines) lasted all nine against three of New York’s finest (Dutch Ruether, Bob Shawkey and Myles Thomas). Haines also contributed the only home run in the 4-0 shutout. The underdog Cards’ were now on top two games to one.
Down, but not out, “Murderer’s Row” came back in Game 4 with a new resolve. This time it was St. Louis exhausting their bullpen as Yankee vet Waite Hoyt stood tall against five Cardinal pitchers including Flint Rhem, Art Reinhart, Hi Bell, Bill Hallahan and finally Vic Keen. The Bambino was back to his old self too, knocking out three homers to the Cardinals none. Serious damage had been done in the 10-5 debacle and New York was clearly not giving up without a fight. Both teams dug in as Game 5 resulted in a ten inning pitcher’s duel between the Yank’s Herb Pennock and Card’s Bill Sherdel. The Yankees managed to win it 3-2 and led the Series by one game with two to go. Game 6 offered a replay of Game 2 as Grover Alexander once again, went the distance in a crucial 10-2 triumph that left Bob Shawkey a loser and Urban Shocker and Myles Thomas unavailable for the final showdown.
Game 7 was a real nail-biter as Jesse Haines and Grover Alexander went head-to-head with Waite Hoyt and Herb Pennock. Both teams managed eight hits apiece and Babe Ruth contributed the only homer in the contest. Down 3-2 in the ninth, the Yankees were still in good shape as baseball’s greatest slugger stepped up to the plate. The Babe worked the count to three and two, then drew his eleventh walk of the Series. Clean-up man Bob Meusel prepared to put the winning run on base, but was denied when the anxious Bambino attempted to steal second. Although he had successfully stolen against the Cardinals in Game 6, he was slow off the start and catcher Bob O’Farrell’s throw to Rogers Hornsby nailed the Yankees’ slugger ending the Fall Classic. Many fans were furious with Ruth and believed that his mistake had clearly cost the Series.
St. Louis had managed to beat the mighty Babe Ruth and his defending world champion Yankees despite mediocre performances from their standout players. Hornsby hit a meager .250 against New York and both Rhem and Sherdel had failed to win a game.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
Yale Dominates
October 25, 1884 – Yale University entered into the 1884 season riding a 17 game winning streak and had won multiple National Championships in the past few years. The powerhouse Bulldog squad really flexed their muscles against the Dartmouth team that season. It marked the first game where over 100 points were scored as Yale toppled Dartmouth 113-0.
Crab Bowl Classic
October 25, 1905 – Annapolis , Maryland – The very first College Football Crab Bowl Classic is played. The U.S. Naval Academy and the University are less than 30 miles away from each other, so it is no surprise that these two would clash regularly on the gridiron. The series ended temporarily in 1934 after Maryland protested a controversial play. Apparently according to a Wikipedia account, Navy’s go ahead touchdown play in the 1934 edition of the series was deemed illegal by the Maryland brass after a film review. A very interesting development in football history for 1934. The series resurfaced in the 1950’s a couple of times and then after a 1964 contest where a Terrapin player flashed his middle finger towards Navy fans. It occurred after a punt return by Navy, where an angry Terp Jerry Fishman was penalized for an unnecessary hard hit that injured receiver Skip Orr directly in front of the Navy faithful. The jeers from the Navy stands increased above normal and were directed at Fishman. In response, Fishman approached the Brigade of Midshipmen section and flipped them off.. Later Fishman was penalized again for a late hit on Heisman Trophy winning Navy quarterback Roger Staubach and again the heckling from the Navy crowd prompted Fishman to give the obscene gesture for a second time. High-ranking Navy officers noticed Fishman’s middle finger and were outraged by the disrespectful nature. The always taking the high road Staubach later told the press that Fishman “told the fans he thought Maryland was number one and got his fingers wrong.” Navy brass suspended the series for a period of time which lasted until the 2005 season. The result of this first matchup of the schools came with Navy defeating Maryland 17-0.
The Browns were Mudders
October 25, 1953 – The Polo Grounds, New York City, New York – It was a sloppy track to say the least at the famed Polo Grounds on this day in late October 1953. The Cleveland Browns were well into their 4th season in the NFL after dominating the now defunct All American Football Conference. The Giants were a mid-level team at best in ‘53 but being at home in the mud could be a great equalizer in the game and it was! Cleveland Browns’ QB Otto Graham sets club record with 4 fumbles as the Giants defense did everything they could claw the ball away from the Browns. A story on Cleveland.com’s website recounts how the only scoring sequence occurred. The long count paid off for the Cleveland Browns on that day. The long count was a strategic maneuver designed to draw Giants rookie defensive lineman, Joe Ramona, offside as the Browns lined up for a field goal attempt in the second period. Center Frank Gatski of the Browns had noticed that the youngster was a little jumpy, so as the Browns line up to try a field goal from the 18-yard line, Gatski suggested to Otto Graham that he delay snapping the ball a few counts.
It worked, Ramona jumped the count and the Giants were penalized five yards and a first and goal on the six-yard line. Two plays later Graham carried the ball through the left side of the line for the only score of the game. It is a rare occasion where one player could turn the ball over four times in a game and escape the hero, the Browns won 7-to-0 against the New York Giants in the mudfest.
Wrong Way!
October 25, 1964 – Possibly the most well-known sports blooper in American Sports History could be “The Wrong Way Run” by Viking Jim Marshall. On the play the defensive standout for Minnesota , Jim Marshall who was having his way with the San Francisco 49ers on that day. Even on the play in question, Marshall got his paws on Niners QB George Mira and caused Mira to lose control of the ball. Marshall promptly picked the ball up and proceeded to run 66 yards to what he presumed was an extremely easy scoop and score. Unfortunately for Jim and the Vikes, Marshall had run in the wrong direction for a safety. Marshall was a fantastic player in fact he was a dominant player in his era of football. Unfortunately all of his fantastic plays are somewhat put aside in place of this embarrassing moment of confusion.
Holy War Recaps
October 25, 1997 – South Bend -The 9th College Football Holy War had the Notre Dame Fighting Irish beating the Boston College Eagles 52-20.
October 25, 2003 – Chestnut Hill – In the 15th College Football Holy War it was the Boston College squad knocking off Notre Dame 27-25 in a thriller.
HALL OF FAME BIRTHDAYS FOR OCTOBER 25
Harvard Player/Coach Reid
October 25, 1878 – Bill Reid a fullback from Harvard University was born. Bill played during the very brutal period of American football just at the end of the 19th century. He was a good player for Harvard though as he became the first Harvard player to score two TDs in a game against Yale. After his playing days he became the Head Coach of the Crimson. It was in the early 1900’s as a coach where Reid truly made his biggest contributions to football. The NFF’s website states that Reid and fellow coaches from Yale, Princeton and Dartmouth were called to Washington, D.C. President Theodore Roosevelt was incensed over the violence in the game and was threatening to ban the sport. Reid convinced Roosevelt not to end the game he loved and he coerced all present to sign a contract stating that they would adhere to the rules of football and promote change to make the game safer for players. Teddy R. was satisfied with this and let football stay in American sports. As a coach Reid’s record was 30-3-1. The National Football Foundation selected Bill Reid to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1970.
Goldberg the running sensation
October 25, 1917 – Elkins, West Virginia – Former University of Pittsburgh fullback Marshall Goldberg arrived on the scene. Goldberg played for the Panthers from 1936 through 1938 and the school sported a record of 25-3-2 when he was on the team. In his first game with the Panthers he rushed for 208 yards against Ohio Wesleyan and led the nation in yards on the ground with 886. The National Football Foundation goes on to tell us that his 1936 team won the Rose Bowl, the 1937 team was national champion, the 1938 team lost two games when Goldberg was out with injuries. Goldberg was All-America in 1937 and 1938. In the Heisman Trophy voting he was third behind Clint Frank of Yale and Whizzer White of Colorado in 1937, second behind Davey O’Brien of Texas Christian in 1938. The National Football Foundation selected Marshall Goldberg to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1958.
Bob Steuber, a Missouri Legend
October 25, 1921 – Wenonah, New Jersey – Bob Steuber arrived via stork delivery. Bob was a former halfback from Missouri. He set records a plenty at the school including most points in a season and a career as well as the most touchdowns in a game and career TDs. During the war years he played for Depauw. The NFF says Steuber was third in the nation in rushing yardage in 1941, second in 1942. He was at DePauw in 1943 as a Navy V-6 trainee. DePauw had a 5-0-1 season and Steuber led the nation in scoring with 129 points. The National Football Foundation selected Bob Steuber to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Nielsen Slings BYU to Victories
October 25, 1954 – Provo, Utah – Gifford Nielsen a quarterback from BYU was born. He made his mark in his sophomore season when Brigham Young started out 0-2 and were down late in the third game. Nielsen led BYU on an offensive surge and the team scored twice and pulled out a 16-15 victory over New Mexico. They went 6-2 the rest of the season and the next year improved to a 7-3 overall record. The National Football Foundation selected Gifford Nielsen to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1994. Nielsen played professionally with the Houston Oilers 1978- 83
Pat Swilling an LB on a Mission
October 25, 1964 – Toccoa, Georgia – Pat Swilling a linebacker from Georgia Tech celebrated his arrival into the world. An article on si.com on the football great tells how Swilling was a pass rushing standout at Georgia Tech setting an NCAA record 7 sacks against NC State as he went on his way to become a first team All- American. The National Football Foundation selected Pat Swilling to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 2009. The New Orleans Saints picked Pat Swilling in the third round of the 1986 NFL Draft and he ended up having a brilliant 12 year career in the League. In 1992 Swilling along with fellow Saint backers Vaughn Johnson, Sam Mills and Ricky Jackson all made the same Pro Bowl roster, the first and only time that has occurred in NFL history!
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
70 – 31 – 18 – 4 – 44 – 23 – 36 – 6 – 16
October 25, 1964 – What many consider the biggest mistake in NFL history, “The Wrong Way Run”, of Minnesota Viking legend Jim Marshall occurred. The defensive star wearing Number 70 ran 66 yards in wrong direction for a safety errantly when he got turned around on what he thought was a scoop and score
October 25, 1973 – The Chicago Cubs traded Number 31, Ferguson Jenkins to the Texas Rangers for third baseman Number 18, Bill Madlock and Number 4, Vic Harris
October 25, 1973 – San Francisco Giants traded Willie McCovey, Number 44 to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Mike Caldwell, Number 23
October 25, 1978 – San Digo Padres pitcher Number 36, Gaylord Perry is 1st to win Cy Young in both leagues (NL)
October 25, 1986 – Did the “Curse of the Bambino” strike again? Trailing 5-3 with 2 out and no one on in bottom of 10th, New York rallied to win Game 6 of the World Series, 6-5, after Number 6, Bill Buckner misplayed a ball
October 25, 1987 – In World Series action the Minnesota Twins beat St Louis Cardinals, 4-2 at Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome for 4-3 series win and franchise first in Minneapolis; MVP: Twins pitcher Number 16, Frank Viola
TV SPORTS
WEDNESDAY
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Jacksonville State at FIU | 7:00pm | CBSSN |
| UTEP at Sam Houston | 8:00pm | ESPN2 |
| NBA REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Boston at New York | 7:00pm | ESPN |
| Atlanta at Charlotte | 7:00pm | Bally Sports |
| Houston at Orlando | 7:00pm | Bally Sports |
| Washington at Indiana | 7:00pm | NBCS-WSH Bally Sports |
| Cleveland at Brooklyn | 7:30pm | YES Bally Sports |
| Detroit at Miami | 7:30pm | Bally Sports |
| Minnesota at Toronto | 7:30pm | Sportsnet Bally Sports |
| Oklahoma City at Chicago | 8:00pm | NBCS-CHI Bally Sports |
| New Orleans at Memphis | 8:00pm | Bally Sports |
| Sacramento at Utah | 9:00pm | NBCS-CA Bally Sports |
| Dallas at San Antonio | 9:30pm | ESPN |
| Portland at LA Clippers | 10:30pm | Bally Sports ROOT Sports |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Washington at New Jersey | 7:30pm | TNT |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| UEFA Champions League: Barcelona vs Shakhtar Donetsk | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: Feyenoord vs Lazio | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: PSG vs Milan | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: Young Boys vs Manchester City | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: Celtic vs Atlético Madrid | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: Antwerp vs Porto | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: Newcastle United vs Borussia Dortmund | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: RB Leipzig vs Crvena Zvezda | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Barracas Central vs Gimnasia La Plata | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Arsenal vs Colón | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Atlético Tucumán vs Talleres Córdoba | 5:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Belgrano vs Central Córdoba SdE | 5:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Athletico-PR vs América Mineiro | 6:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Vasco da Gama vs Internacional | 6:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Cruzeiro vs Bahia | 7:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Santos vs Coritiba | 7:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: River Plate vs Independiente | 8:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Grêmio vs Flamengo | 8:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Palmeiras vs São Paulo | 8:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Liga MX: Monterrey vs Tijuana | 9:00pm | FS2 |
| Liga MX: Juárez vs Atlético San Luis | 11:06pm | FS1 |
WHAT TO WATCH: WEDNESDAY, 10/25/23
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| UTEP at Sam Houston | 8:00pm | ESPn2 |
UTEP Miners leads all time series 2-0 versus Sam Houston Bearkats. Last time both teams met was in 2003 which the Miners won 59-14 at home versus the Bearkats. Sam Houston is playing UTEP for the first time at home. The first matchup between the Miners and Bearkats was in 1990 which the Miners won 17-10.
| NBA | TIME ET | TV |
| Boston at New York | 7:00pm | ESPN |
The Boston Celtics finished second in the Eastern Conference last season with a record of 57-25. The New York Knicks finished fifth in the Eastern Conference in the 2022-23 season with a record of 47-35. The Knicks were 23-18 at home last season and the Celtics were 25-16 on the road. New York was 4-2 overall and 2-1 at home versus Boston during the 2022-23 regular season.
| New Orleans at Memphis | 8:00pm | Bally Sports |
The New Orleans Pelicans finished tenth in the Western Conference last season with a record of 42-40. The Memphis Grizzlies finished second in the Western Conference in the 2022-23 season with a record of 51-31. The Grizzlies were 35-6 at home last season and the Pelicans were 15-26 on the road. New Orleans and Memphis 2022-23 regular season series was tied 2-2 which both teams were 2-0 at home.
| NHL | TIME ET | TV |
| Washington at New Jersey | 7:30pm | TNT |
The Washington Capitals leads all time series 131-102-13 versus the New Jersey Devils. Last season the Devils were 3-1 versus the Capitals during the regular season. The Capitals are 71-41-6 at home all time versus the Devils.
THURSDAY, 10-26-23
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Syracuse at Virginia Tech | 7:30pm | ESPN |
| Georgia State at Georgia Southern | 7:30pm | ESPN2 |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| DP World: Commercial Bank Qatar Masters | 4:00am | GOLF |
| LPGA: Maybank Championship | 10:00pm | GOLF |
| NBA REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Philadelphia at Milwaukee | 7:30pm | TNT |
| Phoenix at LA Lakers | 10:00pm | TNT |
| NFL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Tampa Bay at Buffalo | 8:15pm | AMZN |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Anaheim at Boston | 7:00pm | NESN Bally Sports |
| Seattle at Carolina | 7:00pm | Bally Sports Root Sports |
| Winnipeg at Detroit | 7:00pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| Columbus at Montréal | 7:00pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| Minnesota at Philadelphia | 7:00pm | ESPN+ Hulu |
| Colorado at Pittsburgh | 7:00pm | ATTSN-PIT ALT |
| San Jose at Tampa Bay | 7:00pm | NBCS-CA Bally Sports |
| Ottawa at NY Islanders | 7:30pm | MSGSN Sportsnet |
| Toronto at Dallas | 8:00pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| St. Louis at Calgary | 9:00pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| NY Rangers at Edmonton | 9:00pm | MSG Sportsnet |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| UEFA Europa League: Olympiakos Piraeus vs West Ham United | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Molde vs Häcken | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Bačka Topola vs Freiburg | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Sparta Praha vs Rangers | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Raków Częstochowa vs Sporting CP | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Aris vs Real Betis | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Sturm Graz vs Atalanta | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Lille vs Slovan Bratislava | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: KÍ vs Olimpija | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Gent vs Breidablik | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Zorya | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Lille vs Slovan Bratislava | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Ballkani vs Astana | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Fenerbahçe vs Ludogorets | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: AZ vs Aston Villa | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Lugano vs Club Brugge | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Liverpool vs Toulouse | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Union Saint-Gilloise vs LASK Linz | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Ajax | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Villarreal vs Maccabi Haifa | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Panathinaikos vs Rennes | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Bayer Leverkusen vs Qarabağ | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Sheriff vs Servette | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa League: Roma vs Slavia Praha | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Dinamo Zagreb vs Viktoria Plzeň | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Bodø / Glimt vs Beşiktaş | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Zrinjski vs Legia Warszawa | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Genk vs Ferencváros | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Fiorentina vs Čukarički | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Aberdeen vs PAOK | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Eintracht Frankfurt vs HJK | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Europa Conference League: Spartak Trnava vs Nordsjælland | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: San Lorenzo vs Platense | 5:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Vasco da Gama vs Internacional | 6:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Newell’s Old Boys vs Godoy Cruz | 8:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Lanús vs Tigre | 8:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Santos vs Coritiba | 8:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Friendly: USA vs Colombia | 9:00pm | Peacock |
WHAT TO WATCH: THURSDAY, 10/26/23
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Syracuse at Virginia Tech | 7:30pm | ESPN |
Syracuse Orange leads all time series 11-8 versus Virginia Tech Hokies. Last time both teams met was in 2021 which the Orange won 41-36 on the road versus the Hokies. Virginia Tech is 6-3 at home all time versus Syracuse. The first matchup between the Orange and Hokies was in 1964 which the Syracuse won at home 20-15.
| NBA | TIME ET | TV |
| Philadelphia at Milwaukee | 7:30pm | TNT |
The Philadelphia 76ers finished third in the Eastern Conference last season with a record of 54-28. The Milwaukee Bucks finished first in the Eastern Conference in the 2022-23 season with a record of 58-24. The Bucks were 32-9 at home last season and the 76ers were 25-16 on the road. Milwaukee and Philadelphia 2022-23 regular season series was tied 2-2.
| Phoenix at LA Lakers | 10:00pm | TNT |
The Phoenix Suns finished fourth in the Western Conference last season with a record of 45-37. The Los Angeles Lakers finished sixth in the Western Conference in the 2022-23 season with a record of 43-39. The Lakers were 23-18 at home last season and the Suns were 17-24 on the road. Los Angeles and Phoenix 2022-23 regular season series was tied 2-2 which both teams were 2-0 at home.
| Tampa Bay at Buffalo | 8:15pm | AMZN |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers leads all time series 8-4 versus the Buffalo Bills. The Buccaneers and Bills last met in 2021 which the Buccaneers won 33-27 at home versus the Bills. The Buccaneers only played at Buffalo twice in NFL history which Tampa Bay lost both times. The last time Bills won versus the Buccaneers was in 2017 at Buffalo.
| NHL | TIME ET | TV |
| Seattle at Carolina | 7:00pm | Root Sports Bally Sports |
The Seattle Kraken finished fourth in the Pacific divsion last season with 100 points. The Carolina Hurricanes finished first in the Mertropolitan divsion in the 2022-23 season with 113 points. The Carolina Hurricanes leads all time series 3-1 versus the Seattle Kraken. Last season the Hurricanes were 2-0 versus the Kraken during the regular season.
| Toronto at Dallas | 8:00pm | Sportsnet Bally Sports |
The Toronto Maple Leafs finished second in the Atlantic divsion last season with 111 points. The Dallas Stars finished second in the Central division in the 2022-23 season with 108 points.The Toronto Maple Leafs leads all time series 102-99-28 versus the Dallas Stars. Last season the Maple Leafs were 2-0 versus the Satrs during the regular season.
| NY Rangers at Edmonton | 9:00pm | Sportsnet MSG |
The New York Rangers finished third in the Metropolitan division last season with 107 points. The Edmonton Oilers finished second in the Pacific divsion in the 2022-23 season with 109 points. The Edmonton Oilers leads all time series 38-35-9 versus the New York Rangers. Last season the Rangers and Oilers 2022-23 regular season series was tied 1-1.