“THE SCOREBOARD”
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL SCORES
PROVIDENCE 3 SEYMOUR 0
NEW PRAIRIE 3 MICHIGAN CITY 1
CHESTERTON 3 LOWELL 0
PORTAGE 3 HAMMOND MORTON 0
LAWRENCEBURG 3 N. DECATUR 0
COLONIAL CHRISTIAN 3 MOORESVILLE CHRISTIAN 0
LAVILLE 3 BETHANY CHRISTIAN 0
BLOOMINGTON NORTH 3 BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL 0
EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN 3 S. SPENCER 0
EASTERN HANCOCK 3 LINCOLN 1
CRISPUS ATTUCKS 3 CHRISTEL HOUSE 0
TRITON CENTRAL 3 GREENSBURG 1
LOOGOOTEE 3 NORTHEAST DUBOIS 1
MADISON 3 SALEM 0
WEST WASHINGTON 3 MEDORA 2
HAUSER 3 JAC CEN DEL 1
FRONTIER 3 W. CENTRAL 0
COWAN 3 TRI 2
NORTHVIEW 3 TERRE HAUTE NORTH 0
SOUTH ADAMS 3 WINCHESTER 0
PENDLETON HEIGHTS 3 MADISON GRANT 0
NORTHFIELD 3 SOUTHERN WELLS 0
LAKE CENTRAL 3 ANDREAN 2
ILLIANA CHRISTIAN 3 MARQUETTE CATHOLIC 1
BLUE RIVER 3 ANDERSON PREP 0
EVANSVILLE NORTH 3 NEW ALBANY 0
FAITH CHRISTIAN 3 CLINTON CENTRAL 0
COVINGTON 3 SEEGER 0
LINTON STOCKTON 3 BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 1
OLDENBURG ACADEMY 3 SOUTHWESTERN 2
BARR REEVE 3 SHOALS 0
NEW CASTLE 3 CENTERVILLE 0
JEFFERSONVILLE 3 CHARLESTOWN 2
RISING SUN 3 SWITZERLAND COUNTY 0
NORTHEASTERN 3 UNION CITY 0
SHERIDAN 3 PARK TUDOR 0
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE 3 BROWN COUNTY 0
HAGERSTOWN 3 MORRISTOWN 2
VINCENNES RIVET 3 WOOD MEMORIAL 0
SOUTH-CENTRAL 3 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP 0
WESTERN BOONE 3 N. PUTNAM 0
GIBSON SOUTHERN 3 BOONVILLE 1
RENSSELAER CENTRAL 3 WINAMAC 0
INDIANA DEAF 3 EMINENCE 0
WHITING 3 RIVER FOREST 1
CENTER GROVE 3 MARTINSVILLE 0
YORKTOWN 3 BREBEUF 1
CARROLL 3 DEKALB 0
GREENCASTLE 3 CRAWFORDSVILLE 0
MOUNT VERNON 3 HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 0
GOSHEN HOMESCHOOL 3 FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY 0
NORTH POSEY 3 EVANSVILLE METER DEI 1
BENTON CENTRAL 3 N. WHITE 1
FRANKLIN 3 COLUMBUS EAST 0
NORTHWOOD 3 MISHAWAKA MARIAN 0
LAPORTE 3 MUNSTER 0
RIVERTON PARKE 3 PARKE HERITAGE 0
HARRISON 3 LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 2
FRANKLIN CENTRAL 3 WARREN CENTRAL 0
WARSAW 3 HUNTINGTON NORTH 0
OAK HILL 3 MANCHESTER 2
HEBRON 3 N. NEWTON 0
BELLMONT 3 FORT WAYNE LUERS 0
CASTLE 3 EVANSVILLE HARRISON 0
LAWRENCE NORTH 3 LAWRENCE CENTRAL 0
SULLIVAN 3 VINCENNES LINCOLN 2
LAKEWOOD PARK CHRISTIAN 3 LAKELAND ACADEMY 2
ROSSVILLE 3 CARROLL 0
CENTRAL NOBLE 3 BREMEN 0
ELKHART CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 3 W. NOBLE 2
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS 3 FORT WAYNE NORTH 0
ANGOLA 3 E. NOBLE 0
MUNCIE BURRIS 3 MONROE CENTRAL 0
DELTA 3 JAY COUNTY 1
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER
WINAMAC 4 OREGON DAVIS 3
MORGAN TWP. 3 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP 2
DELTA 9 BLACKFORD 0
SOUTHRIDGE 5 HERITAGE HILLS 4
ROCHESTER 5 CASTON 1
MUNCIE CENTRAL 10 WAPAHANI 1
TERRE HAUTE NORTH 4 NORTHVIEW 0
KOUTS 1 DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN 1
COVENANT CHRISTIAN 1 AVON 0
ASSUMPTION ACADEMY 4 SHAWE MEMORIAL 3
FORT WAYNE WAYNE 3 FORT WAYNE SNIDER 2
SPEEDWAY 2 W. LAFAYETTE 1
SCECINA 5 BEECH GROVE 0
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 7 CENTRAL NOBLE 0
INDIAN CREEK 3 EDGEWOOD 1
BATESVILLE 9 RUSHVILLE 0
WHITE RIVER VALLEY 6 WASHINGTON CATHOLIC 0
ELKHART CHRISTIAN 6 PRAIRIE HEIGHTS 1
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE 5 MITCHELL 1
PARK TUDOR 4 INTERNATIONAL 2
HERITAGE 1 NEW HAVEN 0
GEO NEXT GENERATION 3 CROSSPOINT CHRISTIAN 2
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 7 N. MONTGOMERY 0
TRITON CENTRAL 2 MORRISTOWN 0
CASCADE 10 S. VERMILLION 1
CARROLL 10 TIPTON 1
NORTHWESTERN 3 N. WHITE 1
SOUTH DEARBORN 6 GREENSBURG 3
LAFAYETTE JEFF 4 BENTON CENTRAL 0
MANCHESTER 9 PERU 0
DEKALB 7 LAKEWOOD PARK CHRISTIAN 0
TRI-CENTRAL 2 LIBERTY CHRISTIAN 0
MUNCIE BURRIS 3 RICHMOND 1
PRINCETON 3 S. KNOX 0
NORTHWOOD 1 BETHANY CHRISTIAN 1
MOUNT VERNON 5 S. SPENCER 0
LAWRENCEBURG 1 SWITZERLAND COUNTY 0
BREBEUF 8 RITTER 1
HANOVER CENTRAL 3 GRIFFITH 0
MISHAWAKA MARIAN 2 CONCORD 1
PLAINFIELD 1 WHITELAND 1
MARTINSVILLE 5 MOORESVILLE 1
HAMILTON HEIGHTS 1 PENDLETON HEIGHTS 1
HARRISON 3 LOGANSPORT 0
NEW PALESTINE 5 YORKTOWN 1
WESTVIEW 5 ANGOLA 1
ZIONSVILLE 2 MCCUTCHEON 0
CATHEDRAL 8 GREENFIELD CENTRAL 0
ZIONSVILLE 2 MCCUTCHEON 0
NEW ALBANY 9 EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN 0
MOUNT VERNON 5 WARREN CENTRAL 1
LEBANON 1 UNIVERSITY 1
UNIVERSITY 1 LEBANON 1
CARMEL 2 NOBLESVILLE 2
WARSAW 5 SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH 1
WEST VIGO 2 SULLIVAN 0
FORT WAYNE NORTHRUP 5 HOMESTEAD 1
FORT WAYNE NORTH 2 FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA 1
CENTER GROVE 2 BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 0
NORTHRIDGE 1 ELKHART 1
BUTLER 1 FLOYD CENTRAL 0
GARRETT 4 LAKELAND 0
FRANKLIN COUNTY 1 RISING SUN 1
FRANKLIN 6 GREENWOOD 1
COLUMBUS NORTH 2 BLOOMINGTON NORTH 0
OAK HILL 2 HUNTINGTON NORTH 0
COLUMBIA CITY 3 EASTBROOK 0
JASPER 2 EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 0
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER
ARGOS 5 PLYMOUTH 0
TRINITY 8 NEW PRAIRIE 0
HUNTINGTON NORTH 2 FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY 1
WEST VIGO 8 SULLIVAN 1
SOUTH ADAMS 1 FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK 1
ROSSVILLE 1 TWIN LAKES 1
NORTH MIAMI 2 EASTERN 0 SOUTHMONT 4 WESTERN BOONE 0
SPEEDWAY 7 SCECINA 0
FORT WAYNE SNIDER 6 FORT WAYNE WAYNE 2
SHELBYVILLE 5 FRANKLIN 4
FRANKLIN COUNTY 3 RISING SUN 1
PIKE 2 HAMILTON HEIGHTS 2
PROVIDENCE 3 SILVER CREEK 0
CORYDON CENTRAL 7 SCOTTSBURG 0
DEKALB 3 ANGOLA 0
HERITAGE 1 JAY COUNTY 0
OWENSBORO CATHOLIC 3 EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 2
MOUNT VERNON 4 TIPTON 0
JEFFERSONVILLE 2 N. HARRISON 1
CRAWFORDSVILLE 4 BENTON CENTRAL 2
NORTHWOOD 3 COLUMBIA CITY 0
WABASH 4 TIPPECANOE VALLEY 1
WOODLAN 4 FORT WAYNE LUERS 1
KANKAKEE VALLEY 7 LAPORTE 0
FLOYD CENTRAL 3 HERITAGE HILLS 1
COLUMBUS NORTH 4 SEYMOUR 0
ILLIANA CHRISTIAN 1 LOWELL 1
CONCORD 2 MISHAWAKA 0
KOUTS 0 DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN 0
GOSHEN 6 ELKHART 0
NORTH CENTRAL 2 LAWRENCE NORTH 1
TAYLOR 4 S. DEARBORN 2
BATESVILLE 13 RUSHVILLE 0
PRINCETON 5 S. KNOX 3
EAST CENTRAL 5 LAWRENCEBURG 2
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
WASHINGTON 10 BOSTON 7
SEATTLE 6 KANSAS CITY 4
DETROIT AT CLEVELAND POSTPONED
NY METS 4 ST. LOUIS 2
ARIZONA 3 SAN DIEGO 1
LA DODGERS 1 MILWAUKEE 0
BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/MLB/SCOREBOARD.ASP
STATS: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/MLB/INDEX.ASP
PLAYER NEWS: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/MLB/NEWS.ASP
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
ST. PAUL 4 INDIANAPOLIS 1
WEST MICHIGAN 3 SOUTH BEND 2
FORT WAYNE 9 DAYTON 8
WNBA
LAS VEGAS 88 NEW YORK 75
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
THURSDAY’S TRANSACTIONS
BASEBALL
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
AMERICAN LEAGUE
KANSAS CITY ROYALS — SENT 1B NICK PRATTO TO OMAHA (IL) ON A REHAB ASSIGNMENT. OPTIONED RHP JAMES MCARTHUR TO OMAHA. RECALLED RHP JACKSON KOWAR FROM OMAHA.
NEW YORK YANKEES — OPTIONED RHP RANDY VASQUEZ TO SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE (IL).
SEATTLE MARINERS — RECALLED RHP EDUARD BAZARDO FROM TACOMA (PCL). OPTIONED RHP RYDER RYAN TO TACOMA.
TAMPA BAY RAYS — REINSTATED RHP ANDREW KITTREDGE FROM THE 60-DAY IL. DESIGNATED RHP HECTOR PEREZ FOR ASSIGNMENT.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — RECALLED RHP JUSTIN MARTINEZ FROM RENO (PCL). OPTIONED RHP LUIS FRIAS TO RENO.
NEW YORK METS — PLACED SS MARK VIENTOS ON THE 10-DAY IL, RETROACTIVE TO AUGUST 16. SELECTED THE CONTRACT OF CF ABRAHAM ALMONTE FROM SYRACUSE (IL). TRANSFERRED LHP JOSH WALKER FROM THE 15-DAY IL TO THE 60-DAY IL.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — SENT OF BRANDON MARSH TO LEHIGH VALLEY (IL) ON A REHAB ASSIGNMENT.
ST. LOUIS CARDNALS — PLACED 3B NOLAN GORMAN ON THE 10-DAY IL, RETROACTIVE TO AUGUST 14. RECALLED SS RICHIE PALACIOS FROM MEMPHIS (IL).
SAN DIEGO PADRES — OPTIONED LHP ADRIAN MOREJON TO EL PASO (PCL).
WASHINGTON NATIONALS — SENT RHP MASON THOMPSON TO HARRISBURG (EL) ON A REHAB ASSIGNMENT.
BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
INDIANA FEVER — AGREED TO TERMS WITH G ERICA WHEELER ON A CONTRACT AMENDMENT – TIME OFF BONUS.
PHOENIX MERCURY — SIGNED F LIZ DIXON TO A 7-DAY CONTRACT.
WASHINGTON MYSTICS — RELEASED G JENNIE SIMMS.
FOOTBALL
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
ATLANTA FALCONS — SIGNED OT TREVOR REID.
BALTIMORE RAVENS — SIGNED CB RONALD DARBY TO A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT.
CHICAGO BEARS — WAIVED LB BUDDY JOHNSON WITH AN INJURY DESIGNATION. SIGNED LB DAVION TAYLOR. WAIVED TE JAKE TONGES FROM INJURED RESERVE WITH A SETTLEMENT.
CLEVELAND BROWNS — WAIVED S BUBBA BOLDEN FROM INJURED RESERVE WITH A SETTLEMENT.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — PLACED WR ASHTON DULIN ON INJURED RESERVE. SIGNED WR TYLER ADAMS. WAIVED TE LA’MICHAEL PETTWAY AND DB MICHAEL TUTSIE FROM INJURED RESERVE WITH SETTLEMENTS.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS — WAIVED WR D.J. TURNER FROM INJURED RESERVE WITH A SETTLEMENT.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS — ACTIVATED DL AUSTIN JOHNSON FROM THE ACTIVE/PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM (PUP) LIST.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS — WAIVED K JACK PODLESNY. SIGNED RB AARON DYKES.
NEW YORK JETS — SIGNED CB NEHEMIAH SHELTON. WAIVED RB DAMAREA CROCKETT. WAIVED OT YODNY CAJUSTE FROM INJURED RESERVE WITH A SETTLEMENT.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS — WAIVED WR JA’MARCUS BRADLEY FROM INJURED RESERVE WITH A SETTLEMENT.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — RELEASED CB ANTHONY AVERETT FROM INJURED RESERVE WITH A SETTLEMENT.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — SIGNED CB MONTRAE BRASWELL, DT MATTHEW GOTEL AND WR JUSTIN MARSHALL. WAIVED RB WAYNE TAULAPAPA AND TE NOAH GINDORFF. WAIVED WR RA’SHAUN HENRY WITH AN INJURY DESIGNATION.
SOCCER
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
REAL SALT LAKE — ACQUIRED D/M KEVON LAMBERT VIA PERMANENT TRANSFER FROM PHOENIX (USL CHAMPIONSHIP) PENDING LEAGUE AND FEDERATION APPROVAL.
LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 1:
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE AT MARTINSVILLE
BEECH GROVE AT LUTHERAN
BEN DAVIS AT CINCINNATI MOELLER
BREBEUF JESUIT AT BISHOP CHATARD (INDIANA SRN BROADCAST)
BROWNSBURG AT FW BISHOP DWENGER
CARMEL AT HOMESTEAD
CARDINAL RITTER AT MONROVIA
COVENANT CHRISTIAN AT SPEEDWAY (INDIANA SRN BROADCAST)
CRISPUS ATTUCKS AT FW WAYNE
DANVILLE AT GREENCASTLE
DECATUR CENTRAL AT COLUMBUS NORTH
EASTERN HANCOCK AT FRANKTON
FW CARROLL AT HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN
FW CONCORIDA VS. SCECINA
FW SNIDER AT WARREN CENTRAL
FRANKLIN CENTRAL AT PERRY MERIDIAN
GREENWOOD AT SEYMOUR
GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN AT PARK TUDOR
INDIAN CREEK AT BATESVILLE
LAFAYETTE JEFF VS. CATHEDRAL, 6 P.M. (AT LUCAS OIL)
LAPEL AT HAMILTON HEIGHTS
LAWRENCE CENTRAL AT TECH
LAWRENCE NORTH AT AVON
LEBANON AT PENDLETON HEIGHTS, 7:30PM
MADISON AT GREENFIELD-CENTRAL, 8PM
MOORESVILLE AT BLOOMINGTON NORTH
NEW ALBANY AT FRANKLIN
NEW LEBANON DIXIE (OHIO) AT IRVINGTON PREP
NEW PALESTINE AT WESTFIELD
NOBLESVILLE VS. MT. VERNON, 8:30PM (AT LUCAS OIL STADIUM)
NOBLESVILLE HOMESCHOOL AT CHRISTEL HOUSE MANUAL
NORTH CENTRAL AT FISHERS
PIKE AT ZIONSVILLE, 7:30PM
PLAINFIELD AT TERRE HAUTE SOUTH
SHERIDAN AT WESTERN BOONE
SHORTRIDGE AT PURDUE POLY
SOUTHPORT AT RONCALLI
TINDLEY AT EDINBURGH
TRITON CENTRAL AT CASCADE
WASHINGTON AT PROVIDENCE
WHITELAND AT JEFFERSONVILLE
STATE: INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 1
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
| BOYLE COUNTY (KY.) | AT | GIBSON SOUTHERN | 6:00 PM | ||
| CENTER GROVE | VS. | ST. EDWARD (OHIO) | 12:05 AM | ||
| SOUTHSIDE HOMESCHOOL | AT | PHALEN ACADEMY | 5:00 PM |
BIG 10 WEEKLY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
MINNESOTA VS. NEBRASKA
THURSDAY, AUG. 31
WISCONSIN VS. BUFFALO
MICHIGAN STATE VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN VS. EAST CAROLINA
PURDUE VS. FRESNO STATE
RUTGERS VS. NORTHWESTERN
INDIANA VS. OHIO STATE
ILLINOIS VS. TOLEDO
MARYLAND VS. TOWSON
IOWA VS. UTAH STATE
PENN STATE VS. WEST VIRGINIA
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK 0
SATURDAY, AUG. 26
NOTRE DAME VS. NAVY (DUBLIN, IRELAND) | 2:30 P.M. | NBC
MERCER VS. NORTH ALABAMA (MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
JACKSONVILLE STATE VS. UTEP | 5:30 P.M. | CBSSN
NEW MEXICO STATE VS. UMASS | 7 P.M. | ESPN
SAN DIEGO STATE VS. OHIO | 7 P.M. | FS1
VANDERBILT VS. HAWAI’I | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
JACKSON STATE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (ATLANTA, GEORGIA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
USC VS. SAN JOSE STATE | 8 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
LOUISIANA TECH VS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL | 9 P.M. | CBSSN
WEEK 1
THURSDAY, AUG. 31
WAKE FOREST VS. ELON | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
UCF VS. KENT STATE | 7 P.M. | FS1
GEORGIA STATE VS. RHODE ISLAND | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
WESTERN MICHIGAN VS. ST. FRANCIS (PA) | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
UCONN VS. NC STATE | 7:30 P.M. | CBSSN
MINNESOTA VS. NEBRASKA | 8 P.M. | FOX
MISSOURI VS. SOUTH DAKOTA | 8 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
UTAH VS. FLORIDA | 8 P.M. | ESPN
TULSA VS. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
UAB VS. NORTH CAROLINA A&T | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
ARIZONA STATE VS. SOUTHERN UTAH | 10 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
FRIDAY, SEPT. 1
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. HOWARD | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
MICHIGAN STATE VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN | 7 P.M. | FS1
MIAMI (FLA.) VS. MIAMI (OHIO) | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
GEORGIA TECH VS. LOUISVILLE (MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM IN ATLANTA) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
KANSAS VS. MISSOURI STATE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
HAWAI’I VS. STANFORD | 11 P.M. | CBSSN
SATURDAY, SEPT. 2
IOWA VS. UTAH STATE | 12 P.M. | FS1
KENTUCKY VS. BALL STATE | 12 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
LIBERTY VS. BOWLING GREEN | 12 P.M. | CBSSN
MICHIGAN VS. EAST CAROLINA | 12 P.M. | PEACOCK
PURDUE VS. FRESNO STATE | 12 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SMU VS. LOUISIANA TECH | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
TENNESSEE VS. VIRGINIA (NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE) | 12 P.M. | ABC
TCU VS. COLORADO | 12 P.M. | FOX
BOSTON COLLEGE VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
OKLAHOMA VS. ARKANSAS STATE | 12 P.M. | ESPN
OLE MISS VS. MERCER | 2 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
IOWA STATE VS. UNI | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
TEMPLE VS. AKRON | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
OHIO VS. LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
AIR FORCE VS. ROBERT MORRIS | 2 P.M. | ALTITUDE SPORTS
OREGON VS. PORTLAND STATE | 3 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
INDIANA VS. OHIO STATE | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
AUBURN VS. UMASS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
MARYLAND VS. TOWSON | 3:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
WISCONSIN VS. BUFFALO | 3:30 P.M. | FS1
WESTERN KENTUCKY VS. SOUTH FLORIDA | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
WASHINGTON VS. BOISE STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
NOTRE DAME VS. TENNESSEE STATE | 3:30 P.M. | NBC
PITT VS. WOFFORD | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
CINCINNATI VS. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
TEXAS VS. RICE | 3:30 P.M. | FOX
APPALACHIAN STATE VS. GARDNER-WEBB | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
ARKANSAS VS. WESTERN CAROLINA | 4 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
MISSISSIPPI STATE VS. SE LOUISIANA | 4 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
NORTH TEXAS VS. CAL | 4 P.M. | ESPNU
SYRACUSE VS. COLGATE | 4 P.M. | ESPN+/ACCNX
GEORGIA VS. UT MARTIN | 6 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
CHARLOTTE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA ATLANTIC VS. MONMOUTH | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
GEORGIA SOUTHERN VS. THE CITADEL | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
JAMES MADISON VS. BUCKNELL | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
MARSHALL VS. ALBANY | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL VS. MAINE | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
USC VS. NEVADA | 6:30 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
TEXAS A&M VS. NEW MEXICO | 7 P.M. | ESPN
UL MONROE VS. ARMY | 7 P.M. | NFL NETWORK
VANDERBILT VS. ALABAMA A&M | 7 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
COLORADO STATE VS. WASHINGTON STATE | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
BAYLOR VS. TEXAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
HOUSTON VS. UTSA | 7 P.M. | FS1
KANSAS STATE VS. SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
OKLAHOMA STATE VS. CENTRAL ARKANSAS | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
MEMPHIS VS. BETHUNE-COOKMAN | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHERN MISS VS. ALCORN STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
TROY VS. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
ALABAMA VS. MIDDLE TENNESSEE | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
ILLINOIS VS. TOLEDO | 7:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. NORTH CAROLINA (CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
PENN STATE VS. WEST VIRGINIA | 7:30 P.M. | NBC
WYOMING VS. TEXAS TECH | 7:30 P.M. | CBS
LOUISIANA VS. NORTHWESTERN STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN+
VIRGINIA TECH VS. OLD DOMINION | 8 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
TULANE VS. SOUTH ALABAMA | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
NEW MEXICO STATE VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
UTEP VS. UIW | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
ARIZONA VS. NORTHERN ARIZONA | 10 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
BYU VS. SAM HOUSTON | 10:15 P.M. | FS1
UCLA VS. COASTAL CAROLINA | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
SAN DIEGO STATE VS. IDAHO STATE | 10:30 P.M. | CBSSN
SUNDAY, SEPT. 3
RUTGERS VS. NORTHWESTERN | 12 P.M. | CBS
SAN JOSE STATE VS. OREGON STATE | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
FLORIDA STATE VS. LSU (ORLANDO, FLORIDA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
MONDAY, SEPT. 4
DUKE VS. CLEMSON | 8 P.M. | ESPN
NFL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
WEEK 2
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17
CLEVELAND 18 PHILADELPHIA 18
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18
CAROLINA AT N.Y. GIANTS, 7:00
CINCINNATI AT ATLANTA, 7:30
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19
JACKSONVILLE AT DETROIT, 1:00
MIAMI AT HOUSTON, 4:00
BUFFALO AT PITTSBURGH, 6:30
CHICAGO AT INDIANAPOLIS, 7:00
TAMPA BAY AT N.Y. JETS, 7:30
KANSAS CITY AT ARIZONA, 8:00
NEW ENGLAND AT GREEN BAY, 8:00
TENNESSEE AT MINNESOTA, 8:00
DENVER AT SAN FRANCISCO, 8:30
LAS VEGAS AT L.A. RAMS, 9:00
DALLAS AT SEATTLE, 10:00
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20
NEW ORLEANS AT L.A. CHARGERS, 7:05
MONDAY, AUGUST 21
BALTIMORE AT WASHINGTON (ESPN), 8:00
WEEK 3
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24
PITTSBURGH AT ATLANTA, 7:30
INDIANAPOLIS AT PHILADELPHIA (PRIME VIDEO), 8:00
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
DETROIT AT CAROLINA (CBS), 8:00
NEW ENGLAND AT TENNESSEE, 8:15
L.A. CHARGERS AT SAN FRANCISCO, 10:00
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
BUFFALO AT CHICAGO, 1:00
SEATTLE AT GREEN BAY, 1:00
CLEVELAND AT KANSAS CITY, 1:00
ARIZONA AT MINNESOTA, 1:00
N.Y. JETS AT N.Y. GIANTS, 6:00
CINCINNATI AT WASHINGTON, 6:05
MIAMI AT JACKSONVILLE, 7:00
BALTIMORE AT TAMPA BAY, 7:00
LAS VEGAS AT DALLAS, 8:00
L.A. RAMS AT DENVER, 9:00
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27
HOUSTON AT NEW ORLEANS (FOX), 8:00
WEEK 1 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
DETROIT LIONS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (THU) 7:20P (CT) 8:20P NBC
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
HOUSTON TEXANS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P CBS
TENNESSEE TITANS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P CBS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT CHICAGO BEARS 3:25P (CT) 4:25P FOX
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT DENVER BRONCOS 2:25P (MT) 4:25P CBS
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 1:25P (PT) 4:25P CBS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 4:25P (ET) 4:25P CBS
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 1:25P (PT) 4:25P FOX
DALLAS COWBOYS AT NEW YORK GIANTS 8:20P (ET) 8:20P NBC
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW YORK JETS (MON) 8:15P (ET) 8:15P ESPN/ABC
TOP NATIONAL RELEASES/HEADLINES
COLLEGE ATHLETICS
FORMER NORTHWESTERN ATHLETES SEND LETTER DEFENDING SCHOOL’S ATHLETIC CULTURE
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Approximately 1,000 former Northwestern University athletes sent a letter condemning hazing while defending the school’s culture, saying allegations of abuse within the football program and other men’s and women’s teams do not reflect their experiences.
“We strongly condemn hazing in any form and firmly believe it has no place in collegiate sports or, for that matter, in university life, period,” the letter obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday reads. “The allegations being made are troubling and we support the University’s efforts to fully investigate these claims. However, these allegations do not represent or define the overall athletics culture at Northwestern.”
Northwestern is facing more than a dozen lawsuits across multiple sports with allegations including sexual abuse of players by teammates as well as racist comments by coaches and race-based assaults.
Football coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired last month after 17 seasons. Baseball coach Jim Foster was also let go after one year amid allegations that he created a toxic environment.
The letter was signed by 1,004 people, including 277 football players and four football managers, two student trainers and three mascots.
“The level of competitiveness required in college athletics is formidable and the same is required in the classroom at NU,” the letter read. “The opportunity to compete at this level in both the classroom and in our respective sports is unique and deeply valued. These experiences were the building blocks for each of our lives after graduation. This is the Northwestern we proudly came to know and appreciate, and for which we are immensely grateful.” ___
REPORTS: EX-NORTHWESTERN COACH PAT FITZGERALD TO BECOME HS ASSISTANT
Former Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald is set to become a volunteer assistant coach at a Chicago-area private high school, The Record North Shore reported.
Fitzgerald, who was fired at Northwestern on July 10 following allegations of hazing within his football program, now will spend his time working within the football program at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Ill., a mere 6 miles from the Northwestern campus.
Two of Fitzgerald’s children attend Loyola Academy, while a third child, son Jack, graduated from the school and became a walk-on tight end for the Wildcats.
Fitzgerald’s Northwestern teams went 110-101 in 18 seasons as he became the winningest coach in the program’s history.
The 48-year-old reportedly went through sensitivity training and a background check and signed a code of conduct as is required of all Loyola Academy parent volunteers.
A Northwestern investigation ruled that there was not enough evidence to determine that Fitzgerald was aware of hazing within the program. The university hired Loretta Lynch, the former U.S. attorney general, to conduct an independent review of its athletics programs and culture.
The Ramblers of Loyola Academy are the reigning state Class 8A champions, the top division in Illinois.
NBA NEWS
NBA RELEASES ITS SCHEDULE FOR THE COMING SEASON, WITH AN EYE ON PLAYER REST AND TRAVEL
Maximizing player rest and limiting travel demands were again part of the NBA’s formula for the upcoming regular season, the league indicated Thursday when announcing the schedule for 2023-24.
Teams have an average of 14 instances of back-to-back games this season, up slightly from last year’s rate of 13.3 per team. But back-to-backs involving travel are down to 9.0 on average; the rate of those last season was 9.6 per team.
No team will play the day before or after high-profile national television games, such as Christmas matchups and all ABC weekend matchups. No In-Season Tournament games will be on the second night of a back-to-back, either.
Teams have gotten an 80-game schedule for the coming season for now. The other two games will be based on how they fare in the new tournament that starts Nov. 3.
RING NIGHT
Denver will commemorate its championship and get a visit from Commissioner Adam Silver on opening night, Oct. 24, when it plays host to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first of 1,230 games this regular season.
The second game of the opening-night doubleheader is Phoenix at Golden State, meaning Chris Paul’s former team will play his new team.
Assuming Paul appears in that game, it’ll be the 1,215th regular-season game and 1,364th game overall of his career — and he’s never come off the bench. The last time Paul didn’t start a game that counted was Dec. 13, 2004, when he was slightly late for the team bus and benched for the first 4 minutes of Wake Forest’s game against Temple.
WEMBY’S DEBUT
The debut of No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama comes on the second night of the season, when San Antonio plays host to Dallas on Oct. 25.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Christmas in New York remains an NBA tradition.
The Knicks will play on Dec. 25 for the 56th time, and they will open the traditional Christmas quintupleheader by playing host to the Milwaukee Bucks in the noon slot.
The rest of the Christmas games: Golden State at Denver (2:30 p.m. Eastern), Boston at the Los Angeles Lakers (5 p.m. Eastern), Philadelphia at Miami (8 p.m. Eastern) and Dallas at Phoenix (10:30 p.m. Eastern).
The Lakers’ LeBron James will get another chance to become the Christmas all-time wins leader among players; he’s played in 17 games and his teams have gone 10-7. The only other player with 10 wins on Christmas is newly enshrined Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, whose teams went 10-3 on the holiday.
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra puts his perfect record on the line; he’s 8-0 as a head coach on Dec. 25. Only Jack Ramsay (11-3), Phil Jackson (11-7), Gene Shue (9-4) and Red Auerbach (9-6) have more Christmas wins than Spoelstra.
MLK DAY
There are 11 games set for Jan. 15, the annual celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. — including the traditional NBA games on that holiday in Atlanta and Memphis.
San Antonio visits the Hawks that day, while Golden State visits the Grizzlies.
The other games: Houston at Philadelphia, New Orleans at Dallas, Orlando at New York, Detroit at Washington, Chicago at Cleveland, Miami at Brooklyn, Boston at Toronto, Indiana at Utah and Oklahoma City at the Los Angeles Lakers.
RIVALS WEEK
NBA Rivals Week returns with 11 nationally televised games across four networks from Jan. 23 through Jan. 27.
Those matchups:
— Jan. 23: New York at Brooklyn, LA Lakers at LA Clippers (TNT)
— Jan. 24: Oklahoma City at San Antonio, Phoenix at Dallas (ESPN)
— Jan. 25: Boston at Miami, Sacramento at Golden State (TNT)
— Jan. 26: Dallas at Atlanta, Portland at San Antonio (NBA TV)
— Jan. 27: Miami at New York, Philadelphia at Denver, LA Lakers at Golden State (ABC)
ALL-STAR BREAK
There are no games between Feb. 16 and Feb. 21 because of the All-Star break. This season’s All-Star Game is in Indianapolis. There are two games on Feb. 15, and 12 games when play resumes on Feb. 22.
LEAP YEAR REMATCH
For the first time, there will be an NBA Finals rematch from the previous season on Feb. 29 — Miami to Denver to celebrate Leap Year this season.
The other leap-year games: Milwaukee at Charlotte, Utah at Orlando, Atlanta at Brooklyn, Golden State at New York, Oklahoma City at San Antonio, Houston at Phoenix and Washington at the Lakers.
OFF DAYS
For the second consecutive season, no NBA games will be played on Election Day. It falls this year on Nov. 7.
A pair of Sundays — Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 — are also expected to be off days as well, given how the new in-season tournament is being scheduled.
Other off days: Nov. 23 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 for Christmas Eve, April 8 for the NCAA men’s Division I basketball championship game and April 13 — the next-to-last day of the regular season.
OUT OF MARKET GAMES
As previously announced, Atlanta will play Orlando (a Magic home game) in Mexico City on Nov. 9, and Brooklyn will play Cleveland (a Cavaliers home game) in Paris on Jan. 11.
San Antonio will return to Austin, Texas, for two home games again this season, just as it did last season. The Spurs will host Denver there on March 15 and Brooklyn on March 17.
THE END
Not only will all 30 teams play at either 1 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. Eastern on the final day of the season, April 14, but this season, all 30 teams will also play on April 12 as well.
The play-in tournament would start April 16, and the 2024 NBA playoffs will begin April 20.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
MLB ROUNDUP: DODGERS BLANK BREWERS FOR 11TH STRAIGHT WIN
Austin Barnes hit a home run in the eighth inning to break a scoreless tie and the Los Angeles Dodgers posted a 1-0 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday to extend their winning streak to a season-best 11 games.
Barnes had two of the Dodgers’ four hits, with one of them his first home run of the season, off Joel Payamps (4-3). Barnes, a steady defensive backup catcher, entered the game with a .123 batting average and a .345 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. It was also his first multi-hit game of the season.
After seven scoreless innings from Lance Lynn, Dodgers left-hander Caleb Ferguson (7-3) pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Evan Phillips pitched the ninth inning to earn his 18th save.
Brewers starter Corbin Burnes gave up two hits over seven scoreless innings while walking two and striking out nine. As good as the outing was, it could not prevent Milwaukee from getting swept in the three-game series. Tyrone Taylor had two of the Brewers’ five hits.
Nationals 10, Red Sox 7
Joey Meneses had two hits and drove in five runs, Patrick Corbin pitched six strong innings and host Washington held on to beat Boston in the rubber game of a three-game series.
Keibert Ruiz had three hits and Stone Garrett had two hits and three RBIs for the Nationals, who are 5-1 on their homestand and have won 10 of 14. Corbin (8-11) allowed one run on four hits. Kyle Finnegan allowed a single and a double to open the ninth but escaped for his 19th save.
Luis Urias hit a grand slam and Rafael Devers hit a two-run homer for the Red Sox in a six-run seventh inning that cut a 9-1 deficit to 9-7. Triston Casas smacked a solo shot in the third to open the scoring.
Mariners 6, Royals 4
Julio Rodriguez went 5-for-5 with a home run and five RBIs, leading Seattle’s come-from-behind win at Kansas City.
In the eighth inning, Rodriguez blasted reliever Carlos Hernandez’s (1-8) first pitch 438 feet beyond the left field bullpen for a three-run home run, his 20th, giving the Mariners a 5-4 lead.
Rodriguez opened the scoring with a two-out RBI hit in the second inning, and he also broke a 1-all tie with a sixth-inning double. His five hits set a career high and his five RBIs matched another career best. Rodriguez went 12-for-21 with 11 RBIs during the four games in Kansas City.
Mets 4, Cardinals 2
Pete Alonso hit a two-run homer as the visiting New York edged St. Louis.
Tim Locastro also hit a home run for the Mets, who earned their fourth victory in five games. New York starting pitcher Jose Quintana (1-4) allowed two runs on three hits in six-plus innings. Trevor Gott earned his first save since 2020.
Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (3-8) allowed three runs on four hits in six innings. Tyler O’Neill hit a homer for St. Louis, which took just its third loss in eight games.
Diamondbacks 3, Padres 1
Zac Gallen continued his mastery of San Diego and former Padre Tommy Pham hit a decisive two-run homer as visiting Arizona secured a victory in the opener of a four-game series.
Gallen (13-5) held the Padres to one run on three hits over 6 1/3 innings to beat the Padres for the third time this season. The victory was the Diamondbacks’ third straight over the Padres and their fifth in six games since a nine-game losing streak. Each team had only three hits.
Padres starter Rich Hill (7-13) gave up three runs on two hits, both home runs, in five innings.
COLUMN: THE YANKEES ARE IN LAST PLACE WITH A LOSING RECORD. WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO?
The franchise of Ruth and Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle, Jeter and Rivera is a pinstriped mess.
The only recognizable thing about this storied club is the “New York” stitched across its uniforms.
These are the Damned Yankees.
“We’re not showing up,” Aaron Judge conceded. “No one’s happy about it.”
Speak for yourself, Mr. Judge.
Much of the baseball world is gloating about the misfortune of America’s most famous sports team, the one that always receives out-of-proportion media coverage and excessive slots in the national television lineup, the one that has hoarded 27 World Series titles — more than twice as many as any other team.
But, here’s the thing: It’s much more fun to pile on the haughty Yankees when they’re piling up pennants.
This group is hardly worthy of the jealous vitriol.
New York sits last in the AL East, 14 games in arrears to the up-and-coming Baltimore Orioles. While there is still irrational banter about making a playoff run, it seems downright laughable at this point. A more feasible target is avoiding the team’s first losing season since 1992.
How rare is it to find the Yankees under .500 as the the calendar speeds toward September?
You must go all the way back to 1995 — Sept. 5, to be exact — to find the last time the Yankees were saddled with a losing mark (60-61) at least 120 games into the season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Their amazing run of 30 straight winning seasons, the third-longest in the history of the four major U.S. sports leagues, is in serious jeopardy.
Only the Ruthian-inspired Yankees, who ripped off 39 consecutive winning seasons from 1926-64, and the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens, with a string of 32 in a row from 1952-83, have longer streaks than this New York team.
Yet here we are, New York hobbling along at 60-61 after a lost series in Atlanta, where the gap between the Yankees and baseball’s best team couldn’t have been more glaring.
The MLB-leading Braves, cruising along at 78-42, swept all three games by a cumulative score of 18-3. If this had been a heavyweight fight, the ref would’ve stepped in to stop it about midway through Game 1.
Over the final 25 innings of the series, the mighty Yankees scored a grand total of one run.
One.
A lineup featuring Judge and Giancarlo Stanton scraped out just 12 hits — all but two of them singles — in their final 79 at-bats against the Braves, which translates to a .152 average. New York was held to a single hit in a 5-0 loss Tuesday and managed just four feeble one-baggers in a 2-0 defeat Wednesday.
Anthony Volpe had the only extra-base hits of the entire series for the New Yorkers, including the most meaningless run-scoring triple you’ll ever see. It came with two outs in the ninth inning on Monday, leaving the Yankees with a loss that read 11-3 instead of 11-2.
In those rare times when the Yankees put runners on base, many of them were wiped out by double plays. The Braves turned seven of those. And, in a boneheaded move that epitomized a season lost, Harrison Bader was picked off first with his team trailing by six runs in the series opener.
In Atlanta, the Yankees got a first-hand look at the team they want to be and just how far away they are from that goal.
“I’ve gotta give love to the Braves,” acclaimed director Spike Lee, a Yankees fan who was at Truist Park for the beatdown, told Bally Sports South in an interview from his seat. “They’re the best team in baseball. They’re kicking our butts.”
Throw in a dismal season by the neighboring New York Mets, and it’s truly been a lost year for the national pastime in the Big Apple.
The Yankees have certainly dealt with more than their share of injuries, most notably a toe issue that sidelined Judge, the reigning AL MVP, for nearly two months and is still thwarting him from being at his best. Stanton also missed significant time with a hamstring issue and has struggled mightily since returning, his average (.201) hovering around the Mendoza Line.
Then there’s Anthony Rizzo, who’s out with concussion-related symptoms that won’t seem to go away, and 37-year-old Josh Donaldson, who’s been hurt most of the season and barely played at all.
A year ago, when the Yankees claimed 99 wins and the AL East title, that quartet combined for 140 homers (including a league-record 62 by Judge ) and 346 RBIs. This season, they’ve totaled 62 dingers and 146 RBIs.
The pitching hasn’t been much better outside of Gerrit Cole. Two-time All-Star Luis Severino can’t seem to get anyone out in the first inning, leaving him with just two wins and an ERA hovering around 8.00. Domingo German checked into alcohol rehab and won’t pitch again this season.
Embattled manager Aaron Boone, whose job security seems more precarious by the day, insists that the Yankees aren’t throwing in the towel on the season.
“A quarter of a season left. We’ve got to keep working to try to figure it out,” he said. “It doesn’t always go the way you script it or hope, but you’ve got to keep fighting.”
Brave words from the skipper, but there’s nothing to suggest a stunning turnaround is imminent.
Since the end of June, the Yankees are 15-25 and have just one series victory out of 13 tries, that being a sweep of the lowly Kansas City Royals nearly a month ago.
“The game is still littered with examples of teams going on unlikely runs,” Boone insisted. “I get it. It looks bleak and I don’t want to even suggest that we’re in a position to even talk about a streak like that. We’ve got to fix our own house and get going. But there’s a lot of season left, too, and we’ve got to look at it that way.”
Now, back to reality.
This season is over for the Yankees, at least as far as making the playoffs for the seventh year in row.
The only goals within reach are extending the streak of winning seasons and building some positive vibes heading into 2024.
And, yes, we’re pulling for them to turn things around.
Frankly, the Yankees are much more fun to hate when they’re winning.
This bunch isn’t worth the trouble.
WHITE SOX SS TIM ANDERSON HAS SUSPENSION REDUCED TO 5 GAMES
Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson had his six-game suspension reduced by a game after a settlement with MLB, and he will begin serving his discipline Friday when he sits out of a road contest against the Colorado Rockies.
Anderson, 30, continued to play on appeal of the punishment, but the settlement negates the need for a hearing with the league office. He will miss the three games in Denver and also the first two games of a home series next week against the Seattle Mariners.
Anderson’s suspension was the result of a fight on Aug. 5 with the Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez. An original three-game suspension for Ramirez also was reduced by one game, and he served that two-game ban this past weekend.
Ramirez said he objected to a hard tag by Anderson and the two began to argue in a confrontation that came to blows. Ramirez threw a wild right hand that connected on Anderson’s chin, knocking him to the ground. Anderson did not play the following day at Cleveland.
Guardians manager Terry Francona, third base coach Mike Sarbaugh and closer Emmanuel Clase all were suspended one game. White Sox manager Pedro Grifol also was banned for one game.
An All-Star in each of the previous two seasons, Anderson has struggled this season, batting .238 with one home run and 21 RBIs in 92 games. He had double-digit home runs every season from 2017-21 and won the American League batting title in 2019.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
AUBURN’S FREEZE NAMES MICHIGAN STATE TRANSFER PAYTON THORNE STARTING QB
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Transfer Payton Thorne has won Auburn’s starting quarterback job.
Coach Hugh Freeze said Thursday that the Michigan State transfer is set to start for the Tigers in their opener Sept. 2 against Massachusetts. Thorne, who signed with Auburn in May, has been competing with returning starter Robby Ashford and redshirt freshman Holden Geriner.
“The reason Payton is getting the nod is just the leadership ability and understanding of the offense,” Freeze said. “He’s been in some really good battles, and it just seems like he was more efficient in the decision-making to this point. Not that the others were terrible by any means. It was not just a slam-dunk.”
Freeze and Thorne are trying to improve a passing game that ranked 119th in yards per game last season, averaging just 173. Ashford proved dangerous as a runner and completed only 49% of his passes while Tigers quarterbacks combined for just nine passing touchdowns.
Inconsistent quarterback play has plagued Auburn in recent seasons and contributed to the Tigers’ sixth-place finishes in the Southeastern Conference Western Division in the past two years.
Freeze emphasized that Ashford would have a role in the offense and said he hoped he continues to compete.
“My gut is saying it’s the time to do this, to get us best prepared for the opening of the season,” Freeze said. “I’m hoping that all three will handle that news extremely well and continue to work.
“I believe with all my heart Robby Ashford gives us an absolute better chance to win the game if he accepts this news and continues to work and develops himself, because he might be the most freakish athlete I’ve ever had at quarterback.”
Thorne was a two-time team captain for the Spartans, going 16-10 as a starter. He left ranking fourth in career touchdown passes at Michigan State, fifth in completion percentage and sixth in passing yards.
Thorne started all 12 games last season, passing for 2,679 yards with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The fifth-year senior, who has two years of eligibility remaining, led Michigan State to a Peach Bowl victory.
Spartans coach Mel Tucker had said the two-year starter was part of an open competition during the spring.
QUARTERBACK UNCERTAINTY COMPLICATES NO. 14 UTAH’S QUEST FOR THIRD STRAIGHT PAC-12 TITLE
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Entering its final Pac-12 season, Utah has a shot to make a little history before leaving for the Big 12.
The 14th-ranked Utes will try to become the first team to earn three straight Pac-12 championships since the conference added them and Colorado in 2011. Oregon was the last to pull that off, winning titles from 2009 to 2011.
“Three-peat would be great,” coach Kyle Whittingham said. “No one has ever done that in the Pac-12. We haven’t been to the (College Football Playoff) yet. There’s a lot of things we have not accomplished that would be a big step for our program and those two are right at the forefront.”
Uncertainly at quarterback potentially stands in the way of a third championship. Starter Cam Rising is still recovering after tearing an ACL during the third quarter of Utah’s 35-21 loss to Penn State in the Rose Bowl.
OTHER NEWS
The Utes were judicious with Rising in training camp. He worked on his throwing mechanics and footwork but was careful to avoid sudden movements and change in direction.
Whether Rising will be healthy enough to start before the Utes’ season opener Aug. 31 against Florida is unknown. Rising sounded optimistic at Pac-12 media day last month that he would be back in time but was much more guarded when asked recently.
“There’s no timetable,” Rising said. “Talk to the doc and go from there.”
If Rising can’t go, Bryson Barnes would start. Brandon Rose won the backup job in the spring but he is out indefinitely after suffering an undisclosed injury during a team scrimmage.
This isn’t the first time Rising has entered a season rehabbing a major injury. He also missed much of the 2020 season after suffering a shoulder injury against USC.
“It just gets rigorous and it’s kind of tedious because it’s the same thing over and over,” Rising said. “I just got to go attack it each and every day.”
When at full strength, Rising gives Utah’s offense a reliable and dynamic playmaker. Over three seasons, he has passed for 5,572 yards and 46 touchdowns while totaling 953 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
RUNNING STRONG
Ja’Quinden Jackson made a strong first impression after a late-season move to running back a year ago. Now he enters his first full season at the position as Utah’s lead back.
Jackson switched from quarterback to shore up a backfield depleted by injury and off-the-field turmoil. He immediately flourished in his new role. Over his final six games, Jackson ran for 466 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 7.5 yards per carry.
“He’s got the skill set and physical tools that you look for in a running back,” Whittingham said. “We all know what he did for us last year. He was a saving grace in the run game for us last year and he is determined to be even better this year.”
Utah has extensive depth and experience to complement Jackson. Micah Bernard is poised to share the backfield load again. Bernard has rushed for 1,132 career yards with the Utes.
COMING HOME
The Utes grew even stronger at linebacker this season by adding Stanford transfer Levani Damuni. He racked up 207 tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks in 31 career games with the Cardinal.
The Utah native wanted to return home to play his final college season in front of his mom. She sold her engagement ring when he was a child so he and his brothers could afford to play youth football.
“Money was tight and my mom just did that for us kids because she knows we love the game,” Damuni said. “Just sacrificing something that means a lot to her to help her kids is something I’ll always remember and never take for granted every time I step on this field and strap it up.”
Damuni joins a linebacker group that returns Karene Reid and Lander Barton. Reid was named to the preseason All-Pac-12 first team while Barton was a second-team selection. The duo combined for 118 tackles, 17.5 for loss, and 9.5 sacks in 2022.
SEASON OPENER
Utah opens its season against Florida on Aug. 31. The Utes lost to the Gators 29-26 on the road to open their 2022 season.
QUARTERBACK COMPETITION REMAINS AT FOREFRONT AS UCLA PREPARES FOR FINAL SEASON IN PAC-12
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chip Kelly has faced nearly every scenario since becoming UCLA’s coach in 2018. The one thing he didn’t have to worry about, though, was who would play quarterback.
After Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s graduation, Kelly enters his sixth season in Westwood with a quarterback competition between four players.
Even though Kelly has not named a starter for the Sept. 2 opener against Coastal Carolina, he isn’t overly stressed about it.
“Someone has to take a snap on the first drive and tell everyone who that will be,” Kelly said when asked if he was getting closer to a decision.
Ethan Garbers and Dante Moore remain among the favorites to win the job. Garbers is in his third season with the program after transferring from Washington in 2021.
The redshirt junior has seen action in 11 games over the past two years. Garbers came in late during last year’s Sun Bowl against Pitt and led the Bruins on an eight-play, 70-yard TD drive that gave the Bruins a 35-34 lead with 34 seconds remaining. The Panthers, however, won on a field goal on the final play.
“Dorian was a starter for five years, and him leaving, there’s a gap that needed to be filled,” Garbers said. “Everyone wants to step up. Whether that’s just saying little things here and there or being a vocal leader all the way around, it’s just a role you’ve got to fill.”
While Garbers has the experience, Moore carries the most expectations. The 18-year-old freshman — and first five-star recruit at UCLA in the Kelly era — was an early enrollee and participated in spring drills.
Moore continues to impress coaches and teammates with his athleticism and confidence.
Wide receiver Kyle Ford said he has seen Moore make a throw and turn away before it is caught, drawing comparisons to Steph Curry after baskets.
“A lot of times, when you have great receivers, you put it in a spot that you feel you release at, you don’t have to watch the play because you know the receiver is going to come down with it,” Moore said. “A lot of times, it’s like that. Sometimes, if I feel a little bit odd, I’m going to stare it down.”
Collin Schlee, who made 11 starts for Kent State last season, and redshirt freshman Justyn Martin have also taken snaps with the first team.
Whoever wins the starting spot, Kelly said he would not have a short leash if that person struggles.
“If you’re a quarterback, you don’t need to be looking over your shoulder. You have to go play,” Kelly said.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
UCLA is up to its full allotment of 85 scholarship players, which is quite a change from Kelly’s first season when he had just 57.
“I do want to say it, but I don’t want to jinx it,” Kelly said when asked if this is his best roster depth at UCLA. “There’s not as much experience, but the depth is better. Now it is trying to raise the maturity level.”
PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS
The Bruins were ranked 21st in last season’s final Associated Press poll but did not make the Top 25 in the preseason poll. They were picked to finish sixth in their final season in the Pac-12 in the conference’s preseason poll.
UCLA was 10-21 during Kelly’s first three seasons but has gone 17-8 the past two years.
MAN OF STEELE
The Bruins are counting on Ball State transfer Carson Steele to come in at running back after Zach Charbonnet left early for the NFL. Charbonnet led the nation last season in all-purpose yards, averaging 168 yards per game.
Steele, who owns a pet alligator named Crocky-J, had nine 100-yard games last season.
LYNN TAKES CHARGE
D’Anton Lynn, who spent nine seasons as an NFL assistant, takes over as defensive coordinator. The Bruins were 87th in the nation in total defense last season, and their best finish in the past five seasons was 69th in 2020.
Lynn has an experienced unit, led by defensive lineman Laiatu Latu and linebacker Darius Muasau. UCLA and Utah were the only teams with multiple players on the Pac-12’s preseason first-team defense.
ON TAP
After their opener, the Bruins travel to San Diego State on Sept. 9. UCLA opens conference play at No. 14 Utah on Sept. 23. Other notable games include an Oct. 14 trip to No. 18 Oregon State, an Oct. 28 home date against Colorado and at No. 6 USC on Nov. 18. The Bruins bid farewell to Pac-12 play on Nov. 25 when they host California.
QB-COORDINATOR REUNIONS COULD SPARK OFFENSES AT SCHOOLS LIKE NO. 4 ALABAMA, NC STATE IN ’23
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Brennan Armstrong arrived at North Carolina State trying to get a feel for new teammates as a graduate transfer from Virginia.
As for the offense? No problem.
That’s because Armstrong thrived under first-year coordinator Robert Anae at his previous stop, making this one of multiple passer-playcaller reunions nationally — including at schools like No. 4 Alabama, Pittsburgh and Louisville — with the potential for productive returns.
“I’m just trying to be that bridge to connect all the pieces together,” Armstrong said.
Last year illustrated how valuable these reunions can be. Look west to a pair of Big Ten-bound programs, where Caleb Williams won last year’s Heisman Trophy at USC after leaving Oklahoma with head coach Lincoln Riley.
And at Washington, Michael Penix Jr. was a star after transferring from Indiana, where Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer was Penix’s coordinator in 2019.
This year’s teams would love anything approaching that production.
At Alabama, Tommy Rees left Notre Dame to shape an offense replacing former Heisman winner and No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Bryce Young. Neither backup Jalen Milroe nor former five-star recruit Ty Simpson seized control in the spring, so the Crimson Tide landed Tyler Buchner from Notre Dame.
He began last year as the Fighting Irish’s starter before going down with a shoulder injury in Week 2. He returned to lead Notre Dame past South Carolina in the Gator Bowl.
“Ty’s a guy I recruited at a young age, obviously spent two seasons with him,” Rees said. “He provides a little bit of veteran presence in the room and adds competition. I think he’s hit the ground running with the rest of the guys on the team, especially with the rest of the quarterbacks, and it’s been really a healthy transition.”
Pittsburgh had multiple appeals for Phil Jurkovec as he left Boston College as a graduate transfer. One was being in his hometown. The other was offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr., who coached Jurkovec at BC in 2020 and 2021 before taking over Pitt’s offense last season.
“Being able to come home is huge,” Jurkovec said, “but Coach Cignetti was probably the key to it all.”
Jurkovec’s most productive BC season came in 2020, when he threw for 2,558 yards and 17 touchdowns.
“Phil knows these plays,” Cignetti said. “He knows what they look like, he knows what is expected. So if a quarterback has more reps in certain things, he’s going to play faster. He’s going to make more decisive decisions. That’s the beauty of some of these pro-football quarterbacks that have played in the same system their whole career.”
New Louisville coach Jeff Brohm, with his brother Brian as the offensive coordinator, hope for similar in their Cardinals homecoming. They have two transfers who played for them at Purdue: senior Jack Plummer, who spent four years there before playing last season at California; and redshirt freshman Brady Allen, who appeared in one game last year.
Brian Brohm pointed to Plummer’s experience as an asset in everything down to knowing how the staff runs practices.
“I think we definitely can do more,” Brohm said.
“When you have a new quarterback and a new system, you’ve got to slowly put it in and install it, and see how much they can handle and see how fast you can go based upon the quarterback. … Now it’s trying to get all the other players up to speed because we know at the quarterback spot, he knows what we’re looking for. He’s helped everyone else move along a lot faster as well.”
There was also a package-deal of Deion Sanders taking over at Colorado while bringing along his son Shedeur, though that will be under a different coordinator than at Jackson State.
Back at N.C. State, Armstrong offers intriguing upside.
He ranked second nationally in passing (404.5) to go with 31 touchdowns in 2021, a season that included the three biggest single-game performances in school history —- notably 554 yards against North Carolina. But things changed when Tony Elliott took over as head coach and Anae headed to Syracuse.
By season’s end, Virginia’s career leader in passing and total offense had thrown for seven TDs with 12 interceptions in 10 games. He mulled moves to Oklahoma State and Wisconsin before choosing N.C. State once Anae was hired to replace current Coastal Carolina head coach Tim Beck.
“I think anywhere I’ve been, if your quarterback earns trust and confidence in the weight room and in the training aspect, the strength-and-conditioning world, that means a lot to the team,” Anae said. “You’re not just playing quarterback, you’re leading the team. … I do believe Brennan has earned their respect with how hard he works.”
That includes Armstrong having his own open-door policy to discussing an offense still new to his new teammates.
“With what we were doing last year at Virginia, it just didn’t fit me,” Armstrong said. “It was just hard for me to start clicking. And I think this year I’m able to ease up, figure out what I’ve got to do.
“I’m so familiar with it that it’s super easy for me. I’m able to play free and just try to go out there and put the offense in the best position to score.”
CALEB WILLIAMS RETURNS TO TAKE A SECOND SHOT AT NATIONAL TITLE CONTENTION WITH NO. 6 USC
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Caleb Williams’ first season at Southern California was a massive individual success, as evidenced by his Heisman Trophy and his status as the consensus top prospect in the next NFL draft.
But Williams has some decidedly unhappy memories of last season, simply because the Trojans fell short of their team goals during their exciting debut under Lincoln Riley.
As a quarterback who stands out both for his talents and for his embrace of a leadership role over his entire team, Williams is determined to lead No. 6 USC into national championship contention when he gets a second chance this fall.
“We’ve got a lot to go get this year,” Williams said. “Everyone has the same goal and mindset this year. A whatever-it-takes kind of mindset to get all of what we want. It’s going to be a good year. Can’t wait.”
The Trojans have taken on another wave of talent as they begin their second season under Riley, whose remarkable rebuilding project still needs plenty of work despite that impressive 11-3 record last year. Riley’s first team stumbled only against Utah, which beat the Trojans twice to win the Pac-12 title, and in the Cotton Bowl, when Tulane rallied from a 15-point deficit in the final five minutes for a stunner.
“We knew that it was going to be a little bit of a journey, right?” Riley said. “This day and age, it’s been talked about a lot, you can build rosters faster than you could before, but you still can’t do everything in one year. It can’t happen. You can make dramatic changes, but not everything. We were proud of what we did in Year One, but certainly very focused on what we felt like Year Two could be.”
The Trojans didn’t have to play Oregon or Washington last season, but both powerhouses (and future Big Ten opponents) are on this year’s schedule. The challenges are bigger, but so are the rewards for a program confident it’s ready to join the College Football Playoff for the first time.
FOND FAREWELL
As the world knows, this season is the Trojans’ last in the Pac-12. Their decision in June 2022 to leave for the Big Ten in 2024 precipitated the apparent destruction of the West Coast’s premier conference, putting a melancholy mood on every Pac-12 event in the meantime. USC won seven consecutive Pac-10 titles under Pete Carroll in the 2000s, but has won the league only once in the ensuing 13 years. USC is the consensus preseason pick to wear what’s likely to be the final Pac-12 crown.
HEISMAN REPEAT?
Williams is the 12th player to have a chance to win back-to-back Heismans since Archie Griffin accomplished the feat in 1975. Only one of the previous 11 winners even finished as high as second in the voting the following year. Williams is a betting favorite to repeat, but past Heisman winners are typically held to a lofty standard by voters in their repeat attempts, so it’ll probably take a spectacular 12-game run for an injury-free Williams to make history.
STINGIER GRINCH?
USC’s obvious weakness in Riley’s debut was a defense that yielded a whopping 423.9 yards per game and got shredded in big games despite its impressive knack for takeaways. Riley ignored calls for the dismissal of his longtime defensive coordinator, Alex Grinch, and restocked the roster instead.
The Trojans added a wealth of talent in the transfer window, including defensive tackles Bear Alexander (Georgia), Kyon Barrs (Arizona) and Jack Sullivan (Purdue), defensive end Anthony Lucas (Texas A&M) and linebacker Mason Cobb (Oklahoma State). The secondary also was bolstered by Tre’Quon Fegans (Alabama) and Christian Roland-Wallace (Arizona). The pressure is now squarely on Grinch to turn this talent into stops.
BIGGER NUMBERS
Riley’s offense was uniformly outstanding last season while finishing third in the FBS with 506.6 yards per game, and this group appears to be even more talented. Williams is throwing to four of last season’s top six receivers along with vaunted Arizona transfer Dorian Singer and tight end prospect Duce Robinson. South Carolina transfer running back MarShawn Lloyd joined the backfield alongside Austin Jones. The offensive line could have a new look, but should still be anchored by Justin Dedich and Jonah Monheim.
SCHEDULE
The second half of the Trojans’ schedule is exponentially tougher than the first. The gauntlet starts with their trip to No. 13 Notre Dame in mid-October, followed by a visit from 14th-ranked Utah. The Trojans then face No. 10 Washington, No. 15 Oregon and UCLA in consecutive weekends in November. The biggest flaw in their slate is the second bye, which falls on Thanksgiving weekend after they’ve already played their entire regular season. That’s only a good thing if USC makes the Pac-12 title game the following week — but the season will be a disappointment anyway if the Trojans don’t earn that spot.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: LSU TIGERS
2022 Record: 10-4 overall, 6-3 in SEC
Head Coach: Brian Kelly, 2nd year: 10-4; 20th year overall: 179-76
That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do if you’re LSU.
Okay, so it didn’t win the national title. That’s life in the SEC – it’s always going to be someone’s big year or two – but after the 11-12 two-year hangover following, possibly, the greatest season in the history of college football, LSU is at least back in the mix under Brian Kelly.
He might be a fish out of water, and too many parts of his game are cringeworthy, but the man is one whale of a head coach who has the program perfectly set up for the 2023 and beyond.
Remember, the game is about to change. It takes a whole lot of things to go right to finish in the top four and get into the College Football Playoff, but next year the thing expands to 12 – realistically, with a Group of Five champ getting a bid, you need to be in the top 11 – and there’s absolutely no reason why LSU can’t and shouldn’t be in the tournament each and every year.
But first, don’t take for granted just how amazing last season was and what this season could be.
The epic 15-0 run in 2019 sort of made everything else okay, but LSU – this supposed power program among power programs – had just two double-digit win seasons from 2014 until last year. Kentucky and Ole Miss did that, too. And then, in what was expected to be a bit of a reloading campaign, LSU beat Alabama, got to the SEC Championship, and the offense gave Georgia a bit of a ride in a 50-30 loss.
There was the brain cramp at the end of the opener against Florida State – THEY ALREADY BLOCKED A KICK … GO FOR 2!!! – and the team inexplicably didn’t show up in double-digit losses to Tennessee and Texas A&M, but if you told LSU fans last year at this time that the team would win ten games, play for the SEC title, knock Bama out of the CFP picture, and crank the Big Ten runner-up 63-7 in the Citrus Bowl, yeah, they would’ve been fired up.
And with that, grace period over.
LSU is beyond loaded with NFL talent and experience, and it has a head coach coming off his sixth straight double-digit win season and with seven in the last eight years.
It’s LSU. Double-digit win seasons are nice, but 14 and 15 win campaigns are better.
Those appear to be coming again soon.
LSU Tigers Preview: Offense
The offense wasn’t always consistent, and the losses came when the running game didn’t rock, but considering how many young parts were thrown to the wolves – especially on the line – averaging 453 yards and 35 points per game was terrific. And now just about everyone is back.
The line did a surprisingly great job considering it was so, so young and the depth was just okay, but there wasn’t anything happening in pass protection – LSU was the second-worst in the SEC in sacks allowed. The group will be better with four starters back including true sophomores LT Will Campbell – he’ll be on every top pro prospect list next year – and 6-6, 325 RT Emery Jones. Now it has to keep 5 from getting popped.
Jayden Daniels bulked up to 205 pounds on his 6-4 frame and he’s still wiry. The former Arizona State star stepped in and was brilliant, throwing for over 2,900 yards with 17 touchdowns and just three picks. Slippery, he led the team with 885 rushing yards and 11 scores, but the less he takes off, the better. He’s a fifth-year starter who might just be the SEC’s best quarterback – he has to stay in one piece, and that’s why …
The running backs have to take over. LSU has them, and now they need the ball more. Daniels ran 186 times, no one else got to 100. Josh Williams and Noah Cain are solid backs who each averaged 5.4 yards per carry, and transfer Logan Diggs (Notre Dame) is added to the mix after running for 822 yards and four scores last season for the Irish.
It’s LSU. It’s always going to have great defensive tackles, amazing cornerbacks, and elite wide receivers. Kayshon Boutte is gone, but Malik Nabers is soon to be NFL bound – he led the team with 72 catches for 1,017 yards and three scores – and TE Mason Taylor is coming off a whopper of a true freshman season with 38 catches and three scores.
Former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun Kyren Lacy added 24 catches for the Tigers will take over a bigger role on the outside, and 6-4 Brian Thomas – who finished second on the team with five touchdowns on 31 grabs – will once again be one of the team’s biggest targets.
LSU Tigers Preview: Defense
The defense didn’t get into the backfield enough, the run defense was spotty, and overall it allowed 31 points or more in five of its last seven games of the SEC season. Now it’s about to be a whole lot better as long as everyone up front is healthy and ready to go.
6-6, 310-pound Maason Smith is the team’s best player and a future NFL franchise anchor of a defensive tackle, but he missed most of last season with a torn ACL. On the plus side, it happened right away, he’s going to have almost a full year to heal, and if he’s right, he’s the difference-maker up front who can raise the entire D. Combined with veteran Mekhi Wingo – a 6-1, 295-pound interior pass rusher – and West Virginia transfer Jordan Jefferson, the Tigers have the tackles, but now …
They need the ends to come through with BJ Ojulari and Ali Gaye done, and that’s where the transfer portal kicks in. Sai’vion Jones will be one of the new top pass rushers on one side, and Ovie Oghoufo (Texas), Bradyn Swinson (Oregon), and Paris Shand (Arizona) will all factor into the rotation.
How do you know Harold Perkins might be the best linebacker in college football? Because so many seem to go out of their way trying to make the case that he’s not the best linebacker in college football – at least if you spend time in the social media space.
The 6-1, 220-pound isn’t huge, but the true sophomore is explosive with 73 tackles with 8.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hurries, and 14 tackles for loss. He was relatively steady as a tackler, and then he wore Arkansas as a hat – eight tackles, four sacks – and became a national name.
Perkins can work inside or out, and Oregon State transfer Omar Speights will get to whatever 4 doesn’t. The veteran made over 300 tackles and 25 tackles for loss as a Beaver. Throw in second-leading tackler Greg Penn, and the Tigers are loaded at linebacker.
There’s work to be done in the secondary, but it’s LSU. It’s going to be okay, but it’s counting on former superstar Texas A&M recruit Denver Harris and the terrific transfer Zy Alexander (SE Louisiana) to become immediate factors along with sophomore Laterrance Welch and Ohio State transfer JK Johnson.
The corners will be fine in time, and the safeties will be wonderful with Syracuse transfer Duce Chestnut in to go along with big tackling Greg Brooks and the versatile Major Burns.
LSU Tigers Key To The Season
Run well, and make sure someone other than the star quarterback is carrying the mail.
Jayden Daniels is way too dangerous not to let him do his thing, but he’s also way too valuable to the LSU national title hopes to have him run as much as he did. However, as long as O runs effectively, all will be fine.
It was 10-1 last season when running for 140 yards or more and 0-3 when it didn’t. Brian Kelly’s 2021 Notre Dame team went 9-0 when running for 120 yards or more, and 2-2 when it didn’t.
The 2020 Irish went 9-0 when getting to 140 yards on the ground, and 1-2 when it didn’t. It keeps going – Kelly’s 2019 team went 11-0 when running for 105 yards or more, 0-2 when it didn’t.
You get the idea. If LSU can run the ball, it’ll win.
LSU Tigers Top Transfer, Biggest Loss
LB Omar Speights in from Oregon State, QB Walker Howard gone to Ole Miss. Jayden Daniels is locked in as the No. 1 QB, and Garrett Nussmeier is in at the 2, but Howard was a 5-star talent who would’ve been a good option to keep in the mix in case something happened to the main man. Now he’s being thrown on the pile of 439 other quarterbacks Lane Kiffin is collecting in Oxford.
Speights might not be the flashiest of LSU’s transfers, but he’ll be a rock-solid stat-sheet filler next to Harold Perkins. Great in each of his four seasons at Oregon State, he came up with 304 tackles with 25 tackles for loss, five sacks, and now he should be all over the place for the Tiger defense.
LSU Tigers Key Player
Damian Ramos, PK Soph. He had a nice true freshman season hitting ten of his 14 field goal tries and 55-of-57 extra points, but … one of those two missed PATs was blocked in the 24-23 loss to Florida State, and that came after getting a second quarter field goal batted down. That wasn’t his fault, but that’s the fine line LSU will be walking at times this season.
The other misses didn’t matter, but LSU will be in its share of tight games. Last season four of its first ten games last year were decided by four points or fewer. He might be the difference between LSU being nine-win good and 11-win amazing.
NFL NEWS
EAGLES RALLY FOR PRESEASON TIE WITH BROWNS
Tanner McKee threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Brady Russell and connected with Johnny King on the subsequent two-point conversion, lifting the host Philadelphia Eagles to an 18-18 tie with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday.
NFL preseason games do not go to overtime.
The Browns had a chance to win in the last two minutes. Cade York missed a 47-yard field-goal attempt, then got another opportunity due to a Philadelphia penalty but missed from 41 yards. York had been 3-for-3 on field-goal tries earlier in the game.
The regular quarterbacks for both teams, Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, sat out.
McKee completed 10 of 18 passes for 147 yards, while teammate Marcus Mariota was 9 of 17 for 86 yards and an interception for the Eagles (0-1-1).
The Browns (1-1-1) split quarterback duties between Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who went 13 of 25 for 164 yards, and Kellen Mond, 12 of 24 for 126 yards and a touchdown. Cleveland’s Austin Watkins Jr. had seven receptions for 139 yards, including a 32-yard scoring grab.
Eagles wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland sustained a neck injury and was carted off the field in the third quarter. The team later announced that Cleveland retained movement in all of his extremities.
CHIEFS TO PLAY PATRICK MAHOMES AND OTHER STARTERS FOR FIRST HALF AGAINST ARIZONA
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs plan to play Patrick Mahomes and the rest of their starters for the first half of their preseason game in Arizona, where they were last seen walking off the field hoisting their second Lombardi Trophy in four years.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said upon wrapping up training camp at Missouri Western on Thursday that the starters would get the first half and backups would split the second half. That’s in line with what Reid has done since the league trimmed the preseason to three games and is designed to help Mahomes and the rest of his guys get ready for the speed of the regular season.
“They have to get ready for the game,” Reid said ahead of Saturday night’s game against the Cardinals, “and at the same time, I think it’s tough going into the first game — the first regular-season game. It’s going to be fast, much faster than you can present in practice. So this is at least another step up from that, another kick up speed-wise to the game.”
Mahomes and the starters played only one series in their preseason opener in New Orleans, putting together a promising drive that ultimately stalled near midfield on a failed fourth-and-short conversion attempt. The second preseason game is closer to a dress rehearsal for their Sept. 7 opener against Detroit, which is why Mahomes will play into the second quarter.
Nevertheless, Reid acknowledged a balancing act between preparing for the season and the risk of injury in a preseason game.
“That’s all part of the game,” he said.
The Chiefs need look no further than last season’s playoffs for proof that injuries can happen suddenly.
Mahomes was twisted to the turf in the divisional round against Jacksonville, sustaining a high ankle sprain that he had to manage the rest of their Super Bowl run; he even aggravated it in the championship win over Philadelphia, limping through most of the second half.
Even if Mahomes doesn’t necessarily need the preseason reps, the rest of the Chiefs offense probably does.
They allowed both of their starting offensive tackles to leave in free agency, and Jawaan Taylor and Donovan Smith are still getting comfortable as the replacements. They also lost veteran wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman, which means the Chiefs could lean heavily on two players yet to take a regular-season snap in Rashee Rice and Justyn Ross.
“I thought those guys got better and better (in camp),” Mahomes said of his wide receivers Thursday. “They learned how to finish and keep that mentality throughout practice. They have a lot of talent but you have to learn how to be consistent every day, and I thought they got better and better at that as they went.”
Mahomes also was pleased with the way Taylor and Smith have worked with perhaps the league’s best interior offensive line, anchored by Pro Bowl center Creed Humphrey with guards Joe Thuney and Trey Smith on either side of him.
“The offensive line did a great job throughout camp just battling,” Mahomes said.
Mahomes was asked Thursday how he would feel stepping on the field in Arizona, where the Chiefs rallied to beat the Eagles in February. But in typical fashion, Mahomes preferred to talk about what the Chiefs must do to get back to the Super Bowl, rather than look back on winning his second championship ring.
“We have a lot of stuff we have to continue to work on,” Mahomes said. “I said it after the ring ceremony, ‘That’s it.’ We’re going to go back and try to get another one.”
NOTES: Reid said the Chiefs have checked on the playing surface in Arizona, which has a history of problems, and were told that “it’s gripping well.” Chiefs DB Trent McDuffie and K Harrison Butker were hurt playing their regular-season opener on the same field last season. … Chiefs DT Chris Jones continued his holdout through the entire portion of camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, getting fined $50,000 for each day he has missed. “When he gets in,” Reid said, “he’s going to have to get caught up.” … CB Nic Jones (hand), WR Nikko Remigio (shoulder), CB L’Jarius Sneed (knee), WR Kadarius Toney (knee), DT Turk Wharton (knee) and OL Nick Allegretti (shoulder) did not participate in practice Thursday.
SPREAD THE NEWS: CHIEFS TRUE FAVORITES IN 2023
Reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes is among the favorites for the award again in 2023, and the Kansas City Chiefs are tops in the AFC in projected wins while also checking in as the frontrunners to win the Super Bowl.
A check of preseason odds for the NFL’s top prizes comes up Kansas City.
BetMGM projects the defending AFC champions to lead the conference in wins with an over-under of 11.5, which is even with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Chiefs beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl in February and at +600 are the leader in that futures market at DraftKings and FanDuel.
A rigorous schedule awaits the Chiefs, starting with the NFC North betting favorite Detroit Lions (+140) visiting in the NFL opener on Sept. 7.
But Kansas City is favored to win all 17 regular-season games with odds forecast for the entire season by multiple sportsbooks.
DraftKings has the Chiefs favored by more than a touchdown three times.
Kansas City was heavily bet in 2022 and posted a 14-3 record. But the Chiefs were 7-10-1 against the spread according to Vegas.com.
When it comes to close games, the tightest spread the Chiefs face entering the season is Week 4 at the Jets. Kansas City is a two-point favorite. The Chiefs are 3.5-point favorites when the Eagles visit Arrowhead Stadium in Week 11.
The Eagles and San Francisco 49ers are favored in 16 of their 17 regular-season games using preseason lines from DraftKings. The Eagles are favored over the 49ers in their head-to-head meeting Dec. 3 in Philadelphia.
TITANS QB WILL LEVIS QUESTIONABLE FOR SATURDAY’S GAME VS. VIKINGS
Rookie quarterback Will Levis left Tennessee Titans practice early with an injury, coach Mike Vrabel said Thursday, and his status for Saturday’s preseason game at the Minnesota Vikings is up in the air.
The Titans did not disclose the extent of the injury other than to say it was a lower-body issue. Vrabel said Levis headed to the locker room with trainers late in Thursday’s practice.
The second-round pick (No. 33 overall) is battling Malik Willis for the No. 2 quarterback role behind starter Ryan Tannehill.
In the preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, Willis got the start and went 16-for-25 passing for 189 yards and an interception. Levis followed with a 9-of-14 performance for 85 yards and a pick.
Levis was a popular quarterback prospect coming out of Kentucky, with many analysts projecting him to be selected in the top 10. Instead, he slid out of the first round, allowing Tennessee to draft a player general manager Ran Carthon said they’d targeted.
In 24 games over the past two seasons at Kentucky, Levis racked up 5,233 passing yards with a 65.7 completion percentage, 43 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.
BENGALS RB JOE MIXON FOUND NOT GUILTY OF AGGRAVATED MENACING DURING TRAFFIC DISPUTE
CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was found not guilty Thursday of aggravated menacing in a January traffic dispute.
Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Gwen Bender acquitted Mixon of the misdemeanor charge after a four-day bench trial.
A woman had accused the 27-year-old of pointing a gun at her as their cars were stopped next to each other at a traffic light. Mixon’s attorneys argued it couldn’t be proven that he ever had a gun in the car.
The woman involved, whose name wasn’t disclosed in court, said she and Mixon yelled at each other angrily after he cut her off in traffic. Mixon contended the woman started the confrontation by flipping him off.
She said Mixon then pointed the gun at her as their cars were stopped.
“This is a classic case of ‘he said, she said,’” defense attorney Scott Croswell said.
If Mixon had been convicted, he could have faced up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
“Joe has been a top level running back with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and he has been an even better teammate enjoying real popularity among his peers,” the Bengals said in a statement later Thursday.
“During the past seven years, Joe has been active with the community, and his constant smile and energy have made him a favorite among thousands of fans. The organization is pleased that this matter is now behind everyone, and we look forward to an exciting season with Joe being an important part of the football team,” the statement said.
A second-round draft pick by the Bengals in 2017, Mixon’s best year was the Super Bowl season of 2021 when he rushed for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Before this season, Mixon agreed to restructure his contract to take a pay cut so he could stay with the Bengals.
Mixon may be facing another legal issue. In March, Mixon’s sister and her boyfriend were indicted after shots were fired from Mixon’s property at some neighborhood teenagers. Mixon was named in a lawsuit filed by the parents of a 16-year-old who was shot in the foot. The civil action accuses Mixon of being negligent.
While in college at Oklahoma, Mixon was suspended for the 2014 season after punching a woman at a restaurant. He apologized publicly and reached an out-of-court settlement with the victim.
BILLS QB ALLEN BASKS IN CELEBRITY AND FOOTBALL, WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN SOME SEMBLANCE OF PRIVACY
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — In the five years since arriving in Buffalo, where his celebrity status shows no sign of cresting, Josh Allen has become accustomed to having most every step of his public life picked over and documented.
It’s not as if the Bills quarterback has much to hide by happily embracing his newly minted public stature and seemingly being everywhere at once. There are Allen’s many commercial appearances, he’s pictured on cereal boxes, the time he was mobbed at the PGA Championship in Rochester, New York in May, and weeks later celebrated landing on the Madden video game cover by attending a bash at a downtown Buffalo bar with hundreds of “Josh!”-screaming fans.
“Who cares about the prize,” one middle-aged man yelled into the microphone when invited to answer a quiz question from the quarterback. “I’m on stage with Josh Allen, baby!”
And yet, there remain those few instances when Allen will draw the line on what he prefers revealing, as happened following a recent interview with The Associated Press. He made one simple request, asking to not publish the name of the actress he’s been linked to recently.
It makes no difference that her name appears instantly in an internet search for “Josh Allen dating,” and pictures of the two having dinner together went viral on social media. And though Allen won’t deny being friendly with the 2011 Oscar nominee, he reacts in mock defiance by saying: “I can’t go to dinner?”
At stake is Allen maintaining one last grip on his private life, however futile that might be for the 27-year-old, who still cherishes growing up in rural Firebaugh, California, and the times he could live in near anonymity.
“I’m from a small town. It’s just not how I operate. It’s not how I was born and raised,” Allen said. “I just kind of want to be in my own world when I can be because every time I step outside, it’s putting on the face and the mask and, you know what I’m saying. So I’m just trying to save that for myself. There’s some instances where it feels nice when I can do that.”
No one was clamoring for Allen when he was forced to open his college career at Division II Reedley or finally attracted a scholarship offer to play at Wyoming. And Allen was still regarded a raw prospect with accuracy issues upon arriving in Buffalo, before he began rewriting the Bills’ passing and scoring records and leading the team to three consecutive AFC East titles.
“The whole focus on the private life is so weird,” Allen said. “I play football. I’m a football player. That’s not what I do. It’s who I am.”
Smiling, Allen proudly revealed he borrowed that line from the movie “Top Gun,” which shouldn’t come as a surprise for a self-proclaimed nerd who often cites movie lines, enjoys spending his downtime playing the board game Catan and whose preferred jokes fall firmly in the groan-inducing teenage bathroom humor category.
Allen, however, is not joking about his passion for football in reemphasizing how his job defines him.
“I know it’s a weird quote, and some people might say the opposite. But I’m a football player,” he said.
For all that’s changed for Allen, Bills center Mitch Morse said the core of his quarterback’s focus hasn’t wavered.
“Nothing has been more important in Josh’s life — of course, excluding faith or family — than football,” Morse said. “When push comes to shove out here, he’s still the ultimate competitor that is looking to get something out of every day. And that’s refreshing.”
Since his rookie season in 2018, Allen has made a point to wander the hallways of the Bills’ headquarters and peek into most every open doorway and say: “Super Bowl.” And his approach to this season is no different by saying: “Every year we step on the field it’s Super Bowl or bust.”
If anything, the passing of time and each painful playoff loss have elevated the sense of urgency to succeed.
In April, Allen notably acknowledged there is a window of opportunity that will one day close. He wasn’t referring to himself as much as he was to his veteran teammates — players such as Morse and safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, who have been in Buffalo since or before Allen was selected in the first round of the 2018 draft.
Allen says he wants to win for them as much as anyone else.
Hyde smiled upon hearing of Allen’s comments.
“I love Josh. I love him — everything that he brings to the table,” Hyde said. “Josh is going to play another, who knows, 15 years hopefully. So for him to be saying that, understanding the urgency for the older guys, that’s a wise move on his part, just understanding the game, understanding and being older than he really is.”
If there is a mask Allen said he puts on in public, it doesn’t hide much.
Allen still makes a point to sign as many autographs at training camp as time allows, because he is still burned by that time growing up when one of his baseball idols turned down his request. His charitable work in the community has increased. As for the Madden cover, Allen reveled in the moment knowing what it meant to him, his family and Bills fans.
Ultimately, Allen finds himself awestruck by having begun to realize his boyhood dreams.
“I’m exactly the person that I wanted to be as a kid,” Allen said. “Just trying to do it the right way, treating people the right way, and ultimately winning as many games and as many Super Bowls as I can.”
LIONS WR JAMESON WILLIAMS HAS ANOTHER SETBACK, LIKELY OUT FOR PRESEASON WITH HAMSTRING INJURY
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that receiver Jameson Williams will likely miss the rest of the preseason with a hamstring injury.
Williams’ injury is another setback for the former Alabama star, who was injured for much of his rookie season and will be suspended for the first six games this year for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.
He grabbed his right hamstring while running a pass route Wednesday, left the field for treatment and did not return. He hurt his left leg earlier in training camp and missed four practices.
Amon-Ra St. Brown was also hurt Wednesday, but Campbell said the standout is expected to be back next week after injuring his right ankle in a 7-on-7 drill.
BUCCANEERS WIDE RECEIVER RUSSELL GAGE OUT FOR THE SEASON WITH KNEE INJURY
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage will miss the entire season after tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee during a joint practice session with the New York Jets on Wednesday.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles confirmed Gage’s injury Thursday after the team practiced on its own at the Giants’ training facility.
The news was expected after Gage went down early in 7-on-7 drills with a non-contact injury that Bowles said Wednesday appeared “pretty serious.” Gage appeared to be in tears as he was carted off and tests revealed what he and the Buccaneers feared.
Gage, who had 51 catches for 426 yards and a career-high five touchdowns last season in his first year with Tampa Bay, was expected to be the Buccaneers’ No. 3 wide receiver behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Second-year receiver Deven Thompkins and sixth-rounder Trey Palmer are among those who could compete for Gage’s spot, along with veteran David Moore and undrafted rookies Rakim Jarrett, Kade Warner and Ryan Miller.
“I think someone has to step up fairly earlier than probably normal, but we still have our top two guys, and we have Thompkins who’s played a lot,” Bowles told reporters Thursday. “We’d like to see somebody emerge pretty soon.”
The 27-year-old Gage spent his first four NFL seasons with Atlanta before signing a three-year, $30 million deal with Tampa Bay in March 2022. He missed four games last season while dealing with hamstring issues, and then suffered a concussion during Tampa Bay’s wild-card round loss to Dallas in the playoffs.
Tampa Bay was originally scheduled to have two joint sessions with New York leading into the teams’ game Saturday night, but the Jets earlier this week asked instead to make it just one practice. Jets coach Robert Saleh cited player safety as being a primary reason, saying injuries and fights usually ramp up during the second session of joint practices.
So the Buccaneers called an audible and were able to use the Giants’ facility – across from MetLife Stadium – to practice Thursday. The Giants were off from practice because they play the Carolina Panthers at home Friday night.
“The Giants were very generous and we’re thankful they let us use their facility,” Bowles said.
NOTES: S Antoine Winfield Jr. sat out practice with what Bowles said was a calf injury.
RAVENS AGREE TO DEAL WITH CORNERBACK RONALD DARBY, AP SOURCE SAYS
The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to a contract with cornerback Ronald Darby, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the agreement had not been announced.
The Ravens needed help at cornerback because of Marlon Humphrey’s foot issue. Several other Baltimore defensive backs have been dealing with health concerns as well.
The 29-year-old Darby is coming off his own major injury — to his ACL. That ended his 2022 season in early October after he’d started five games for Denver. He started 11 games for the Broncos in 2021 and 16 for Washington the season before that.
Baltimore coach John Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday that Humphrey needed surgery, but he said it wouldn’t be a long-term injury. On Thursday, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald talked about the injuries at cornerback.
“We do have good players in our back end, and the expectation is to come in and to produce and execute and play the way that we play,” he said. “I’m sure there’ll be pieces moving from here — between now and when we get kicked off — and see where we’re at.”
The Lions planned to play Williams a lot in preseason games because of his regular season suspension and lack of on-field experience. The explosive receiver’s rookie season was mostly lost as he recovered from an ACL injury sustained while playing in the 2022 national championship.
While Williams is suspended, Campbell said he technically can’t get treatment from the team.
“We’re looking into that,” Campbell said.
In what is expected to be his only preseason game this year, Williams was targeted seven times and made two catches for 18 yards.
Detroit traded up to draft Williams No. 12 overall last year, knowing he would miss much of his rookie season. After sitting out the first 11 games, he had one catch for 41 yards and ran once for 40 yards.
The Lions have had discussions about potentially signing another receiver to add depth to a receiving corps led by St. Brown, Marvin Jones, Kalif Raymond and Josh Reynolds.
“We’re thinking about it,’’ Campbell said.
In the meantime, young receivers Chase Cota, Dylan Drummond, Avery Davis, Antoine Green and Maurice Alexander will have more opportunities this week during joint practices against the Jacksonville Jaguars and in a preseason game against them Saturday.
“We have a spot, potentially two, wide open,’’ Campbell said. “Cota, you want it? Go get it. Drummond, you want it? Go get it.”
Cota, Drummond and Davis were signed as undrafted free agents and Green was drafted in the seventh round this year. Alexander, who returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown in last week’s preseason win over the New York Giants, was an All-USFL kick returner last year.
“Our eyes are wide open,” Campbell said. “We’re looking for guys.”
COOK SAYS HIS ROLE IN THE JETS’ TALENTED BACKFIELD IS SIMPLE: ‘JUST BE DALVIN’
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Dalvin Cook joined the Jets knowing they already were stacked at running back.
The former Minnesota Vikings star intends to make New York’s backfield even better — no matter what his role might be.
“Just be Dalvin,” Cook said Thursday, a day after signing a one-year deal with the Jets. “Just be me. My number gets called, go be explosive.”
That’s exactly what New York expects from Cook, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who was released by the Vikings on June 8 for salary cap savings.
The 28-year-old running back joins a backfield that includes Breece Hall, who was a frontrunner for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors until he tore a knee ligament in Week 7 last season. The versatile and shifty Michael Carter, the powerful Zonovan Knight, fifth-round draft pick Israel Abanikanda and undrafted free agent Travis Dye are also on the roster.
“I’m the older guy in the room,” Cook said. “Just share the knowledge. I’ve got a lot of experience in this game. Every little thing I can drop on those guys, that I can help them to be successful in this league, I’m going to give it to them. Just be me and help those guys grow, that’s it.”
Cook will likely be playing for another contract next offseason after agreeing with the Jets on a deal worth up to $8.6 million, including incentives. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will have to figure out how to split those carries and try to help quarterback Aaron Rodgers move the ball consistently and put up points.
“I think it’s just another man that, he’s done so much in his career,” said Hackett, who saw plenty of Cook when he was an assistant in Green Bay. “Going against him for those three years, those six times watching him win a lot of games and beat us — glad, he’s on our team now.”
Cook, who’s third on Minnesota’s career rushing list with 5,993 yards after six seasons with the Vikings, visited with the Jets last month and watched a training camp practice. He left without a deal and was weighing his options, but had seen enough to know where he wanted to go.
Especially given the opportunity to play with Rodgers.
“Being on the other side of that the last six years, I couldn’t be on the other side no more,” a smiling Cook said. “I got the chance to go join him and help him win — that was a big thing to come over here.”
Cook, who had shoulder surgery in February, spent Thursday in the trainers area at the start of practice and then watched from the sideline where he chatted with his teammates. He said he’s “right on schedule” with his shoulder and should begin practicing “within the next few days.”
He’ll head home for the birth of his baby Saturday, when the Jets play Tampa Bay in their third preseason game. Cook will then rejoin his new teammates and get to work after staying in shape during the offseason.
“I’ve been working out, I’ve been grinding,” Cook said. “I’ve been sticking to my script.”
Cook’s legal situation remains a bit uncertain as he’s facing a pending domestic violence lawsuit by an ex-girlfriend. He has no concerns, though, he could face a suspension from the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
“None,” Cook said. “None whatsoever.”
Coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday the team thoroughly looked into the situation and felt comfortable with bringing in Cook.
On the field, Cook wants to win a Super Bowl after some playoff disappointments in Minnesota and believes he can help Rodgers and the Jets deliver another to their frustrated fan base.
“Me being in Year Seven, I kind of know that getting to playoff games and losing, getting to championship games and losing, you’ve kind of got that small window of kind of figuring things out and winning,” Cook said. “And I won’t say I could be a missing piece, but I know I can come help a team win.
“I know what I could do on the football field. I know what I could bring to the team. So that’s what I’m here to do. I’m just here to be Dalvin Cook and be explosive and be a great teammate.”
NOTES: Tony Oden, the Jets’ cornerbacks coach and senior defensive assistant, was back on the field coaching but with his left arm in a sling after he was injured during one of the several skirmishes Wednesday between players at New York’s joint practice with Tampa Bay. Oden, who was carted off the field and taken to a hospital for evaluation, wouldn’t disclose the nature of his injury. “Got a little war wound,” he joked. “I’ll be all right.” … Hall participated in team drills for the first time since being activated from the physically unable to perform list Tuesday. … The Jets signed CB Nehemiah Shelton and released RB Damarea Crockett.
NHL NEWS
LONGTIME BLACKHAWKS LEADER TOEWS SAYS HE’S STEPPING AWAY FOR HEALTH — BUT NOT RETIRING
CHICAGO (AP) — Former Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, a free agent after 16 years in Chicago, says he is stepping away from hockey to get healthy after playing in just 53 games last season.
“I’d like to announce that I am not fully retiring, but I am taking time away from the game again this season,” Toews, who also missed all of the 2020-21 season with symptoms of long COVID and chronic immune response syndrome, posted on social media. “I cannot deny my love for the game of hockey and still feel the passion for competing at my highest level. However, these last few seasons have been very difficult considering my health challenges.”
A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Toews had 15 goals and 16 assists last season, the final year of an eight-year, $84 million contract. Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson said at the end of the season that the team would not re-sign him.
“The thought of playing for another team right now is so far in the back of my mind right now, especially after that moment,” Toews said after receiving an emotional sendoff from the Chicago fans in the April 13 finale. “I always thought I’d retire a Blackhawk and part of me still believes in that, so we’ll see.”
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 draft, Toews was 20 years old when he was named Blackhawks captain. He scored 372 goals and 511 assists — all with Chicago — winning the 2010 Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, the Selke Trophy in ’13, the Messier Leadership Award in ’15 and in 2018 was named one of the 100 greatest players in NHL history.
“My focus is to give myself the time and space to fully heal and enjoy life to the fullest once again,” he posted on Instagram. “Along the way I have met several people who have struggled with health issues pertaining to long COVID, chronic immune response syndrome, and other similar cases that are quite complex. I now recognize the importance of one day sharing the details of my health journey with you all.”
COLLEGE SPORTS
COMMISH: BIG 12 HAD EXPANSION TALKS WITH UCONN, GONZAGA
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said Wednesday that he had expansion talks around basketball with Gonzaga and UConn before the league opted to go in a different direction — landing its “dream scenario.”
Yormark made the comments as a guest on the “Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast.”
The Big 12 recently brought in Pac-12 programs Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado.
“Unfortunately, things didn’t work out only because the dream scenario unfolded for us, so those conversations are no longer,” Yormark told podcast hosts Andrew Marchand and John Ourand. “I’m a big admirer of both of those programs. They’re fantastic for all the right reasons but I’m focused on the transition of those four (new schools) right now.”
The already deep Big 12 adds perennial top 10 hoops programs in Arizona as well as Houston, one of four schools the conference added last year (Cincinnati, UCF and BYU).
“We are the deepest conference, I think, in America when it comes to football but arguably, we are the No. 1 conference in basketball and I’m excited about that,” Yormark said.
GOLF NEWS
MCILROY, HARMAN SHARE BMW CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD ON A SOFT OLYMPIA FIELDS
OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. (AP) Rory McIlroy didn’t mind being in the rough at rain-soaked Olympia Fields, except for having trees and a bunker between him and the 17th green. And even that didn’t matter Thursday in the BMW Championship.
McIlroy found the short grass only six times with 18 tee shots – three of them on par 3s – and no one would have guessed that looking at his card. He played bogey-free for a 5-under 65, giving him a share of the lead with British Open champion Brian Harman in the second FedEx Cup playoff event.
“Only hitting three fairways today and coming up with 65 is a bit of a bonus,” McIlroy said.
The greens were so soft from a two-hour rain delay in the morning that McIlroy realized trying to get at pins was easier coming from the rough, because the ball wouldn’t have as much spin.
“I’m not saying I was trying to aim for the rough,” he said with a smile.
And certainly the spot he found himself in at the par-4 17th wasn’t ideal. He only had 116 yards left on the 456-yard hole, but he had a stand of trees blocking his path to the green, a big bunker in front of the putting surface.
He punched 7-iron through a gap in the branches, just over the bunker, just over the green and then chipped in for birdie. It was that kind of day.
“There was a couple of branches above the window I was looking at, and I was like, `If it hits those, it’s just going to drop down near that front left bunker and I’ll have a decent angle down the green and have a 10-footer or less to save par,” he said. “It was a bit of a hit-and-a-hope. Just trying to thread that needle. It was either chip it out or take it on. And it’s only Thursday.
“I thought, `What the heck? I’ll take it on and see what happens.’”
Harman, who returned from his British Open title last week at the FedEx Cup playoff opener with some rust, delivered his excitement toward the end of the round. He holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th, and then chipped in for birdie on the 17th.
They were were one shot clear of a large group at 66 that included Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick, Sahith Theegala and Rickie Fowler, a good start for different reasons.
Scheffler had one nine months without finishing worse than 12th, and then has gone consecutive weeks outside the top 20 as his putting has been a struggle. It was nice to see them go in for a chance. Fowler has a chance to earn one of the six automatic spots on the U.S. Ryder Cup team by winning.
As for Fitzpatrick and Theegala, it’s all about being among the top 30 in the FedEx Cup after this week to advance to the FedEx Cup finale at East Lake.
Fitzpatrick is No. 40 and needs a good finish to reach the Tour Championship and salvage a disappointing year. Last year’s U.S. Open champion beat Jordan Spieth in a playoff at Hilton Head, but he has one top 10 in his last nine starts that has seen his FedEx Cup standing drop.
“Really pleased,” Fitzpatrick said, adding “really” six more times, equaling the number of birdies he made in the opening round.
Theegala is at No. 31 going into the BMW Championship and jumped into the mix by holing out with a 9-iron from the 14th fairway for an eagle.
“I think it’s impossible to ignore,” Theegala said of the FedEx Cup standings. “I think everyone would be lying if they didn’t know exactly where they stood – not exactly but somewhat of an idea what it’s going to take to get to next week.”
Collin Morikawa and Cameron Young were among those at 67, both trying to improve their Ryder Cup stock. Jon Rahm, two-time defending champion Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth were at 68.
Lucas Glover, going for his third straight victory in as many weeks, shot 70.
Rahm won at Olympia Fields in 2020 on a course so dry and firm that 4-under par got him into a playoff he won over Dustin Johnson. This was green, lush and soaked by heavy rain in the morning that led to a two-hour delay.
The rough was long and wet. The greens were so soft it made it a challenge to hit it the right distance – especially with a back pin – knowing the ball would zip back. That’s why McIlroy didn’t mind if the ball was in the rough. This was a time to blast away, and the game’s most artistic driver put on a show.
“A lot of the tee shots I was just being super aggressive because I knew in the back of my mind I wasn’t really being penalized for it,” McIlroy said. “The golf course is certainly not playing the way it played in 2020. That was not my approach a few years ago here.
“But hopefully with the wind and the sun, the golf course starts to firm up a little bit and starts to play a little bit more like how I think it should play.”
LEXI THOMPSON IS IN A SLUMP THAT COULD COST HER LPGA TOUR STATUS, BUT NOT A SOLHEIM CUP SPOT
OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. (AP) Rickie Fowler missed the PGA Tour postseason two years ago. Justin Thomas narrowly missed this year. It’s an example of slumps that can happen to anyone. And it’s nothing compared with Lexi Thompson.
It’s one thing that Thompson hasn’t won on the LPGA Tour since June 2019. Thompson is at No. 157 in the Race to the CME Globe.
Only the top 60 make it to the CME Group Tour Championship. The top 80 have full a full card. The top 100 still have cards and get in most tournaments. But there’s no indication Thompson is capable of even that right now.
She missed her third cut in a major last week at the Women’s British Open. Her only cut in a major was a tie for 47th in the Women’s PGA Championship. But last week was only her eighth LPGA Tour start of the year.
“You shouldn’t read too much into that,” Thompson told Golf Digest last week. “I’ve just been trying to enjoy my life and take some more time for myself. This is my 13th year out here, so it’s my choice to play when I want, and when I don’t want to. I was dealing with a little bit of an injury. But I’m fully healthy now. I want to be sure I’m fully ready when I do tee it up.”
Thompson, as high as No. 6 in the women’s world ranking this year, has slipped to No. 21. She still would be in line for the Solheim Cup. The top seven in points make the U.S. team, followed by the leading two players from the world ranking. Thompson would be first in line for that, followed by Rose Zhang.
As for her playing privileges next year, she could always use a one-time exemption for being among the top 20 in career money. But she’d be relatively young to use that at age 28.
Jon Rahm is five months away from defending his title at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and golf at Kapalua is the least of his concerns. While the resort was not damaged by the devastating fire that has killed at least 99 people, Rahm was heartbroken by images and horrifying tales from Lahaina.
“I’m hoping they can rebuild Lahaina as quickly as possible,” he said. “It’s really sad that it happened over there, especially for a culture that cares about their native land as much as the Hawaiians do. If we do go and play, I’m hoping through the tournament we can help the community as much as we can.”
Wisconsin-based Sentry, which has formed a community relationship in Maui since becoming title sponsor in 2018, has pledged $250,000 toward Maui United Way and Hawaii Community Foundation. The PGA Tour is working with its three Hawaii-based events – on Maui, Oahu and the Big Island – to support those two charities, along with raising awareness through its telecasts and social media channels to encourage donations.
Players are pinning hibiscus flowers to their bags this week at the BMW Championship to bring attention to the disaster.
Last week, Collin Morikawa pledged $1,000 for every birdie during the postseason and encouraged others to pitch in. Xander Schauffele, who has ties to Kauai, is supporting a “Help Maui Rise” program in which his foundation will match every dollar up to $400,000.
This is the final week for Americans to earn one of six automatic spots for the Ryder Cup, and possibilities are abundant.
Ten players at the BMW Championship have a mathematical chance to move into the top six, some chances remote. Three players to consider are Max Homa, Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth, at Nos. 6, 7 and 8 in the standings. All of them contending this week could be enough to bump PGA champion Brooks Koepka out of the automatic qualifiers.
Scottie Scheffler and U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark already have clinched spots, while Patrick Cantlay and British Open champion Brian Harman are all but certain to stay among the top six. Lucas Glover would have to win for a third straight week to have any chance of going from No. 16 to an automatic berth.
And then it falls to Zach Johnson and his six captain’s picks, which is getting more difficult by the tournament. He makes those choices after the Tour Championship, one last chance for players not on the team to make an impression.
At least for one year, the BMW Championship is taking over what the PGA Tour left behind. The Western Golf Association announced Tuesday the 2027 BMW Championship will go to Liberty National in New Jersey.
Liberty National, across the Hudson River from Manhattan, has a history of hosting events. It had the FedEx Cup opener four times, the Presidents Cup in 2017 and most recently a new LPGA Tour event that Rose Zhang won in her professional debut.
But when a former title sponsor didn’t renew, the PGA Tour moved its postseason opener to Memphis, Tennessee, meaning it was out of the New York metropolitan area.
The BMW Championship now moves around to the WGA’s affiliate states, and the WGA strengthened its relationship with New Jersey by sending 10 of its Evans Scholars to Rutgers.
The move also means Chicago golf will be held sparingly. The BMW is going to Denver (Castle Pines) next year, followed by Caves Valley outside Baltimore and Bellerive in St. Louis in 2026. The Chicago market will get the Presidents Cup at Medinah in 2026, and Medinah is likely to get another BMW Championship, though likely not until the end of the decade.
The LIV Golf League is off for a month. Nearly half of the players in the 48-man league are not.
Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Abraham Ancer are among 22 players from LIV Golf who are scheduled to play this week in the International Series-England on the Asian Tour, an event that offers $2 million in prize money (one-tenth of a LIV purse).
That includes Andy Ogletree, who has played LIV as a reserve. And it includes Hudson Swafford, who had hip surgery that ended his LIV season. Swafford is now a reserve on LIV for the rest of the season. Patrick Reed was signed up until withdrawing for personal reasons.
Most notably, the field includes Luke Poulter, a redshirt freshman at the University of Florida and the son of Ian Poulter. Also playing is Sam Westwood, the son of Lee Westwood, who has competed before on a professional tour.
Lilia Vu ended the LPGA Tour season last year at No. 41 in the world and still looking for her first title. Now she’s No. 1 in the world.
Vu became the 17th player to reach No. 1 – and the fourth American – since the women’s world ranking began in 2006 by winning the Women’s British Open. It was her third win of the year, and second major.
Vu replaced Nelly Korda, and there’s a little history there. This is the first time Americans have occupied the top two spots since the ranking began.
“Being the best in the world, that’s just crazy to me,” Vu said.
Justin Thomas has added another tournament to his schedule, just not before the Ryder Cup. He will be playing the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa on Nov. 9-12. … Gabriela Ruffels is the first player to secure a spot on the LPGA Tour next year through the Epson Tour. She has won three times this year. … Lilia Vu’s three wins on the LPGA Tour this year have come on three continents – Asia (Honda LPGA Thailand), North America (Chevron Championship) and Europe (AIG Women’s British Open).
Eric Cole was the only PGA Tour rookie to reach the BMW Championship.
“As much as money has been the topic of the discussion, a lot of guys out here even when they win they couldn’t tell you within a margin of error how much they won that week.” – Brian Harman.
“I have no idea.” – Jon Rahm, asked how much money he won at the Masters.
AUTO RACING NEWS
NASCAR INDEFINITELY SUSPENDS 3, INCLUDING PAIR OF PART-TIME DRIVERS ARRESTED ON DWI CHARGES
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR indefinitely suspended part-time drivers Chris Hacker and Jason White on Thursday following their recent arrests for allegedly driving while impaired.
The sanctioning body also indefinitely suspended Joel Courage, who was arrested last week on charges he failed to register as a sex offender in North Carolina. The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office said Courage, 44, was operating E33 Motorsports & Development in Mooresville. The business promotes itself as helping find and develop young drivers for NASCAR and other series.
Courage was convicted in California in 2008 on 14 sex offenses, the sheriff’s office said.
White, 44, was arrested in Huntersville on Aug. 3 and charged with driving while impaired, according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. White has made 157 career starts in NASCAR’s Truck Series, 55 in the Xfinity Series and two in the Cup Series.
Hacker, 23, was arrested in Huntersville on Tuesday and charged with driving while impaired. He has competed in 14 Truck races and two Xfinity races.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL
NASCAR Cup Series racing on road courses consistently features some of the most skilled, high stakes competition of the season.
This week’s Go Bowling at The Glen (3 p.m. ET on the USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) includes all that plus the extra pressure of impacting the 2023 Playoff picture with only two races remaining to formally set the 16-driver field.
Finding a compelling storyline to follow this weekend will not be a problem.
Current NASCAR Cup Series championship leader, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. arrives in upstate New York with a 60-point lead on his JGR teammate Denny Hamlin in second place. If he can pick up a point and hold a 61-point edge over the field by Sunday’s checkered flag, the Regular Season Championship — and the all-important 15-point bonus — will be his.
The 2017 series champion would match Richard Childress Racing driver Kyle Busch (2018 and 2019) as the only two drivers to win multiple regular season titles. Truex is one of eight former Watkins Glen winners in the field, claiming the 2017 trophy en route to his season championship.
While the top of the standings could well be wrapped up this weekend, it’s a vastly different story at the 16th-place Playoff cutline. Front Row Motorsports’ driver Michael McDowell claimed another automatic bid with his popular victory last weekend on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.
With the trophy, McDowell becomes the 13th driver to secure a Playoff position with a win, joining Truex, Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
And this is where things get super interesting. Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick, who is retiring at the end of this season, is tops among the points standings after the race winners with a 145-point advantage on 16th place. Just below him in points is RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski, 143 points to the good. A new winner, however, could certainly complicate their situations.
With two races to go, that 16th place position is most vulnerable. 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace holds a 28-point advantage over Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez. Wallace, who is competing to earn his first NASCAR Cup Series Playoff appearance, will need to step up his game at the 2.45-mile Watkins Glen International. His average finish in four starts is 27.8 and his best finish is 23rd in 2021. Wallace has never won on a NASCAR Cup Series road course.
Suarez, the driver of the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, won on the Sonoma, Calif. road course last year. He has three top-five finishes in five starts at Watkins Glen and his average finish there is 12.0.
“We just need to keep doing what we are doing,” Suarez said. “That’s qualify well and earn stage points and get a good finish. There is still a lot of racing left and we know we can do this. If we have as good a car at Watkins Glen as we had at Indianapolis, we know we can win there. That’s true about Daytona as well.”
Just behind them in the standings is rookie Ty Gibbs – 49 points behind Wallace. A win at Watkins Glen this week or Daytona International Speedway in next week’s regular season finale would make Gibbs only the sixth rookie to land a Playoff position.
The driver of the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota — the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion — earned four road course wins in his Xfinity Series career — including a 2021 trophy at Watkins Glen. Gibbs, Busch, Chastain and Alex Bowman will get a head-start on competition this weekend, competing in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race.
One of the biggest stories heading to The Glen involves the two-time race winner there, Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion has valiantly worked his way up the standings after missing six total races — five with injury and a one-race NASCAR suspension. But 80-points behind Wallace, Elliott will most likely need a victory to ensure his eighth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series Playoff bid at this point.
The good news for the sport’s Most Popular Driver is that he is not only good at Watkins Glen but boasts the top average finish (5.667) in the field. Elliott earned his first career series victory on the road course in 2018 and the driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet backed it up the next year — one of only three active drivers (Larson and Busch) to have multiple wins at Watkins Glen.
In six starts at the road course, Elliott has won two races, two pole positions and scored four top fives on the 2.54-mile course. His Hendrick teammate Larson is the two-time defending race winner, and a victory Sunday would make him only the third driver in history to win three straight at Watkins Glen — joining NASCAR Hall of Famers Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon.
Practice is Saturday followed by Busch Light Pole Qualifying at 12:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.
–NASCAR Xfinity Series is still painting the Playoff picture with four races to go
The NASCAR Xfinity Series is closing in on its own Playoff scenario with the Shriner’s Childrens 200 at Watkins Glen (3:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) and the Regular Season Championship is anything but decided with four races remaining.
Current leader, Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill takes an 11-point advantage over Joe Gibbs Racing driver John Hunter Nemechek into Watkins Glen. One or the other has led the championship every week of the season — and they have dueled it out directly, exchanging the lead for the last 15 weeks.
Hill finished 30th in his only previous start at Watkins Glen but has improved his road course record this season with top-10 finishes in five of the first six road course races of 2023 — including a fourth-place showing last week at Indianapolis. Nemechek has only a pair of top-10 finishes in road courses this season, with a best of runner-up at the Chicago Street Race.
When it comes to road course racing in the Xfinity Series, veteran Justin Allgaier and his young JR Motorsports teammate Sam Mayer have been setting the pace in 2023.
Allgaier has four top-five finishes on the road courses this season, including a runner-up at Portland, Ore. and in 11 starts at Watkins Glen, Allgaier has finished inside the top-10 seven times.
The 20-year old Mayer earned his first career Xfinity Series win on a road course last month at his “home track,” Wisconsin’s Road America and was runner-up last weekend at Indianapolis.
Eight drivers have secured positions in the 12-driver Playoff field with wins this season, including Hill, Nemechek, Allgaier, Cole Custer, Mayer, Chandler Smith, Sammy Smith and Jeb Burton. JRM’s Josh Berry is ranked highest in points among those without a trophy.
The 12th and final points position is held by Hill’s teammate Sheldon Creed. He’s up 17 points on Big Machine Racing’s Parker Kligerman — both well-regarded road course racers.
It’s a busy Saturday for the drivers. Practice is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday followed by qualifying at 11 a.m. — both streamed on the NBC Sports App. The race follows at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Qualifying has been especially important at Watkins Glen with the front row easily producing the most race winners (17 time in 28 races). Nine times a driver has won from pole position, seven times the outside pole-sitter has won.
Larson is the defending Xfinity Series race winner — sweeping the NASCAR weekend in 2022.
TOP INDIANA NEWS/RELEASES FROM ORGANIZATIONS
COLTS NEWS
REPORTS: COLTS WR ASHTON DULIN TEARS ACL IN PRACTICE
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin is out for the season with a torn ACL, multiple outlets reported Thursday.
The injury reportedly occurred during Wednesday night’s practice.
The speedy Dulin, 26, had been listed as the backup to Michael Pittman Jr. on the Colts’ official depth chart.
Dulin caught 15 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown in 16 games (12 starts) with Indianapolis in 2022.
Since joining the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2019, he has tallied 33 catches for 450 yards and three TDs in 55 games (three starts).
INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
HOOSIERS SCORE THREE GOALS IN WIN OVER ILLINOIS STATE ON OPENING NIGHT
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana women’s soccer team (1-0) defeated Illinois State (0-1), 3-1, behind goals from senior midfielder Anna Bennett, graduate forward Paige Webber and junior defender Lauren Costello in the season opener at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Thursday night.
KEY MOMENTS
• A cross from Costello found its way inside the box near the 12-yard line before Webber would head it over to Bennett before she made a diving play to head it into the back right of the net to take the lead in the 20th minute.
• Webber netted the Hoosiers second goal in the 54th minute on a crosser from Costello. The striker received the ball just above the goalie box before taking a slow, high-kick strike that flips it past the Redbirds’ keeper to extend the lead.
• Illinois State scored in the 60th minute after a cross inside the six-yard box would give the Redbird’s an opportunity as it slipped past the goalie and the far-right goal post.
• In the 74th minute, the Hoosiers earned a corner and another chance as Bennett sent a cross inside the 18-yard box that found the foot of freshman defender Piper Coffield before finding the open leg of teammate and fellow defender Costello gave the Hoosiers a, 3-1, lead as she sent it into the back of the net.
HOOSIER POINTS
GOALS: Anna Bennett (20′), Paige Webber (60′), Lauren Costello (74′)
ASSISTS: Anna Bennett, Lauren Costello (2), Piper Coffield, Paige Webber
NOTABLES
• The Hoosiers outshot the Redbirds 18-10 with 10 shots on goal.
• Indiana holds a mark of 18-9-4 in season openers.
• Coffield earned her first career start, playing a full 90 minutes on the pitch and added her first career assist.
• Freshmen Elle Britt, Kennedy Neighbors, Mary Kate Sullivan and Paige Droner also made their first collegiate debuts. Alongside the freshman, junior transfer Hope Paredes and Costello also saw their first minutes on the pitch for the Hoosiers.
• Bennett scored her eighth career goal and her sixth assist and set a single-game high of seven shots while Webber netted her seventh of her career as a Hoosier.
• Costello scored her first career goal on the Hoosier squad and tallied two assists in the season opener.
QUOTABLES
Indiana head coach Erwin van Bennekom
“First of all, I am happy with the win. I am happy with the goals that we scored and the chances we created. Obviously not happy with the goal we gave away to get them a little back in the game, but first full credit to them. They definitely caused us some problems with their positioning, and how they played. I think our group handled it well and that we were controlled for the most part. We scored the goals at the right times, and I think a really good win. After a season like last year and scoring those goals and creating those chances is what we needed. I am very happy with the result.”
UP NEXT
The Hoosiers will conclude the first week of the regular season with a match against the Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday. First kick is slated for noon on the B1G+.
INDIANA FOOTBALL
CAMPER ON EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list will include Indiana football’s Cam Camper for the second straight season the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler announced on Thursday (Aug. 17).
Camper finished as the leading Hoosiers receiver in 2022, despite missing the final four games of the season. He paced the receiving corps with 46 receptions, 569 yards and 81.3 yards per game. He was one of four IU pass catchers with multiple touchdown grabs and his 12.4 yards per reception paced all IU receivers with 20-plus catches in 2022.
In his Indiana debut, Camper logged 156 yards receiving, the most by a Hoosier in a debut in program history. His 156-yard debut earned him honorable mention Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Player of the Week accolades. He logged multiple double-digit reception games in 2022 and is one of eight Hoosiers all-time (10 occurrences) with multiple double-digit catch games in a career. He enters 2023 just one double-digit reception game shy of Whop Philyor (3; 2019) and Damarlo Belcher (3; 2010).
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community, and tenacity; specifically, tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals. In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas high school and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or currently playing at Division I Texas four-year college.
The Watch List announced today will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists in November and then to five finalists in December. They will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans, and previous winners. The finalists will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet in January.
PURDUE WOMEN’S SOCCER
BOILERMAKERS EDGED BY NO. 24 UCF IN FRONT OF RECORD CROWD
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue soccer team opened the 2023 season with a 1-0 loss to No. 24 UCF in front of a record crowd at Folk Field on Thursday night in West Lafayette, Indiana.
As 4,096 fans packed Folk Field, the program attendance record was broken for the third year in a row at the annual Boiler Gold Rush season-opening kickoff game. The 2023 record topped last year’s mark of 3,296, which bested 2021’s then-record of 2,125 fans that encircled Purdue’s home pitch. Prior to 2021, the Purdue attendance record was 1,712, set in 2016, a number that now ranks No. 4 all-time.
In an evenly played contest with numerous good scoring opportunities for both teams, the Boilermakers (0-1-0) played right with the 24th-ranked Knights (1-0-0). Purdue had several chances to tie the game late, but a goal by the visitors in the 49th minute proved to be the difference.
Opening the year against a top-25 opponent under the lights at Folk Field for the second consecutive year, the Boilermakers had 14 shots, four on target. The Knights, coming off an NCAA Tournament Second Round appearance and regular-season conference title, recorded 16 shots, six on goal. Both teams earned five corner kicks and UCF had 11 fouls, with two yellow cards, while Purdue had eight fouls.
Senior midfielder Emily Mathews logged a team-best four shots and freshman midfielder Lauren Omholt had three shots and a team-high two shots on goal as she made her collegiate debut. Sophomore forward Kayla Budish also posted three shots. In her first game as a Boilermaker senior Charlotte Cyr made five saves, while her UCF counterpart stopped four shots.
With the result, the Boilermakers are 8-5-2 in opening-weekend games in head coach Drew Roff’s nine-year tenure. Thursday night is just Purdue’s second season-opening defeat under Roff, as his side now is 6-2-1 in such games and 7-1-1 in home-openers.
Cyr made the game’s first save in the third minute, and Omholt had her first shot, which was saved, in the 10th. Three more off-target chances for the Knights followed before Cyr made a nice stop in the 17th minute. A diving save in the 26th gave Cyr her third of the night.
Purdue had several good opportunities to finish the half, which began with two chances for Mathews, the first wide and the second blocked. Budish then sent a shot wide in the 36th minute that followed Purdue’s first corner. After a free kick two minutes later, senior midfielder Zoie Allen sent a shot in that was blocked.
UCF had nine shots to Purdue’s five in the first half, though Cyr’s three saves kept the game goalless. The visitors held a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.
Cyr made a nice save less than a minute into the second half before the Knights claimed the game’s only goal. At 48:09, Dayana Martin scored from Chloe Netzel.
The visitors had the next three shots, one blocked, one wide and another a great save by Cyr, before Purdue answered with nine of the final 11 chances in the game.
The first was a shot wide by Omholt in the 61st minute, and two more shots wide followed within three minutes. Great chances by Budish, then Mathews, nearly leveled the game. Junior midfielder Sydney Boudreau then had a nice shot of her own that was saved in the 71st, and, after three earned throw-ins, Mathews had an opportunity blocked.
A corner kick set up a great chance for Budish, but it was just wide in the 83rd minute. The Boilermakers closed the second half with shots that were saved by junior forward Gracie Dunaway in the 88th minute and by Omholt in the final seconds.
Purdue out-shot UCF 9-7 in the final 45 minutes, though both clubs had three shots on goal. The home side had a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks in the second half.
Up next, Purdue’s opening weekend concludes against Iona on Sunday, August 20. Kickoff at Folk Field is at noon ET, and admission is free for all fans.
BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER
AFTER SCORELESS FIRST HALF, BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER FALLS TO VIRGINIA TECH
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler women’s soccer team and (rv) Virginia Tech were scoreless at halftime of the season opener for both teams. In the 54th minute, the Hokies broke the tie, and the ACC side added two more to shut out the Bulldogs by the final score of 3-0.
Key Moments
31′ | Talia Sommer gathers the ball and hits a straight-on shot from 15 yards. A Virginia Tech defender blocks the shot, but Becky Dean one-times the deflection towards the goal. This shot is blocked by a second defender and the ball is cleared. Butler holds a 3-2 advantage in shots at this point.
—HALFTIME—
54′ | A Virginia Tech corner kick is headed in the net at the far post, giving the Hokies a 1-0 lead.
66′ | A Virginia Tech cross from the right side is volleyed into the net for a two-goal advantage.
70′ | A second yellow card on a Bulldog defender forces Butler to proceed with only 10 players.
75′ | A Virginia Tech shot is blocked at the line by a Bulldog defender, but the deflection is tapped in, putting the Hokies up, 3-0.
Butler Points Summary
GOALS: (none)
ASSISTS: (none)
Bulldog Bits
Butler hit a total of eight shots in the match. Alexei Whittaker, Talia Sommer, and Becky Dean led the Bulldogs with each producing a pair. Each of the three had one shot on goal.
Lucia Englund registered the first shot of her collegiate career.
The Bulldogs utilized two goalkeepers in the match. Anna Pierce made two saves in the first half, while Emma Martin was credited for two saves in the second.
IUPUI WOMEN’S SOCCER
FRESHMEN FUEL SEASON OPENING 2-0 WIN OVER SOUTHERN INDIANA
INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI women’s soccer team opened the 2023 campaign with a solid 2-0 win over Southern Indiana at Michael A. Carroll Stadium on Thursday night (Aug. 17), powered by goals from a pair of rookies. Shannon Ott delivered the game-winner in the 17th minute and classmate Caroline Kelley found paydirt in the 55th minute to supply the offense. Junior Ashton Kudlo recorded three saves to earn her eighth career clean sheet.
“It feels pretty good, but it’s a team effort,” Ott said of the season opening win. “I’m just proud that we all worked together and got a dub.”
Ott snuck a right-footed shot just inside the near post for her first collegiate score early in the first half, setup by Kailyn Smith’s long diagonal ball for the assist.
“They switched the ball and they played me and I was dribbling down the line. And I made a move around the girl and I was going to cross it, but then I saw the goalie shift to the right and I took my chance and I hit it and it went in,” Ott said of her score.
IUPUI continued to apply pressure, largely behind Emma Antoine’s speed in the attack, but were unable to get anything additional past USI’s Anna Markland before intermission.
Kelley doubled the margin in the 55th minute with a rocket from the right side, thanks to an assist from Antoine. Antoine led Kelley into a gorgeous turn and the rookie striker capitalized with an insurance tally.
Moments later, the skies opened up as sheets of rain blanketed Carroll Stadium for much of the second half, making connecting passes nearly impossible. After the rain subsided, Kudlo preserved her clean sheet with her best stop of the night coming in the 82nd minute when she snared an attempt by Reese Frericks from point blank range.
IUPUI (1-0) finished with a 12-8 shot advantage and limited USI to just three attempts on target. Senior Sam Slimak paced the IUPUI attack with three attempts.
“I thought it was kind of a very gritty, gutsy performance,” head coach Chris Johnson said. “(Southern Indiana) came out and really kind of brought the energy in the first half. We were able to match that energy and kind of exceed it a little bit.
“I’m very happy to have two freshmen come out and get two goals in our first game of the year. It was a good all around team performance.”
BALL STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
FENCHEL, CARDINALS START 2023 ON FIRE
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State soccer team began the 2023 season at the Briner Sports Complex on Thursday against Mercyhurst. Avery Fenchel recorded a hat trick and moved into sixth all-time in goals scored as the Cardinals defeated the Lakers 5-1.
The Cardinals got on the board first off a set play on a throw in. A beautiful throw-in from Maya Millis and a first touch from Lexi Fraley set up Fenchel for her first goal of the match just 1:21 into the season.
In the fourth minute, Tori Monaco sent a ball into the box where Fenchel was waiting and beat the keeper low, far post.
The Monaco, Fenchel connection worked again as Monaco found Fenchel inside the box, which led to a chip shot over the keeper for Fenchel. The Cardinals took a 3-0 lead into the half.
Delaney Caldwell sent a beautiful cross to a wide-open Emily Roper, who placed it into the back of the net. Ball State extended its lead to 4-0 in the 50th minute.
After the Lakers misplayed a ball in the box, Ryann Locante beat the defenders to the ball and ripped to the low, far post. BSU took a 5-0 lead into the 71st minute.
Mercyhurst got on the board as Emily Mijares converted on a penalty kick.
Ball State returns to action on Sunday, August 20, for a road matchup with Notre Dame. First touch is slated for noon in South Bend, Indiana.
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S SOCCER
IRISH DRAW MILWAUKEE 2-2 IN OPENER
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – It was a classic tale of soccer where you can dominate possession, record 25 shots to their seven, but not get the final result you wanted. The No. 3 ranked Notre Dame women’s soccer squad scored two goals in the 2nd half and had a lead with 32 seconds left; however, the Milwaukee Panthers tied it on a one-time ball off a clearance that bounced over the keeper’s hands and in. As a result, the Irish had to settle for the 2-2 tie to kick off the 2023 campaign.
Graduate student Maddie Mercado scored the first goal for Notre Dame. It marked the 18th of her career. Freshman Morgan Roy earned her first collegiate start and had the go-ahead goal at the time. Ellie Ospeck and Kiki Van Zanten respectively had the assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half witnessed the Irish outshoot the Panthers 10-2, but trailed at the break 1-0. Maddie Mercado and Leah Klenke led with three shots each, but the Irish couldn’t connect on a clean shot as Milwaukee defenders collected block after block.
The Panthers lone shot on goal and lone goal of the half occurred in the 26th minute. Taking advantage of a Notre Dame turnover in their own half, Kan Van Booven launched a left-footed shot from deep that soared over the keeper’s hands and in.
Also important to note that senior captain and Eva Gaetino did not play in the first half, but started the second. The Irish came out with new energy and it resulted in them scoring a goal in one minute and 10 seconds.
Mercado had a great give-and-go sequence around midfield with Ospeck as they worked the ball deep into Milwaukee’s defensive third. Mercado then hit a left-footed liner from just outside the top of the box, tying the game.
In the 66th minute, the Irish got the go-ahead goal. Kiki Van Vanzen, fresh from her venture with Team Jamaica in the World Cup, made an instant impact. Van Zanten stripped a Milwaukee player from the ball at the top right side of the box, then soared past three defenders. Driving the baseline now, she found Morgan Roy dashing through the six-yard box who slid and delivered her first career goal.
What transpired in the final 10 minutes will certainly haunt the Irish. They recorded five near goal-scoring opportunities in that stretch. Mercado had two near chancees in the 80th and 81st minute. Roy nearly notched a brace in the 82nd. Ospeck sent one over the goal in a near miss in the 83rd. Lastly, freshman Charlie Codd nearly tucked one away inside the box in the 87th.
With under a minute remaining, it seemed like the Irish were walking away with a 2-1 victory. With the ball near the ND baseline, the Irish cleared the ball right down the middle of the field. That’s when Milwaukee’s Clara Broecker one-timed the ball back into the Irish box. The ball one-hopped and then went perfectly over a stretched Ashley Naylor in net with 32 seconds left.
Up next, the Irish will host Ball State on Sunday, Aug. 20, at Noon ET.
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
SYCAMORES BATTLE LOUISVILLE TO 0-0 TIE TO OPEN 2023 SEASON
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Maddie Alexander posted nine saves over 23 shots on Thursday night as Indiana State and Louisville battled to a 0-0 tie in the 2023 regular season opener at Dr. Mark & Cindy Lynn Stadium.
Alexander posted her 11th career shutout at ISU (0-0-1) as the Sycamores held off a pressing Louisville (0-0-1) attack throughout the match in the opening contest for both teams. Louisville posted nine shots in the first half and 14 in the second half, but the Sycamore defense and Alexander held the Cardinals off the board in the second all-time matchup between the programs.
Louisville held possession throughout a majority of the contest and nearly scored midway through the first half as a ball deflected off Alexander and off the left post before remaining in play. The Sycamore defense was relentless through the first 45 minutes with the Battle Creek, Mich. native posting a trio of saves to keep the Cardinals off the board.
The second half saw Louisville continue to press the attack as UL attempted 14 shots with six on target over the final 45 minutes. Alexander proved up to the task saving all shots on goal including a punch-out in the 77th minute of the contest to keep the score intact at 0-0.
Indiana State pressed possession late in the contest, but the Sycamores were unable to get a shot attempt off in the closing minutes as the teams settled for the scoreless tie.
Thursday’s game featured Louisville holding the 23-0 edge in shots and 9-0 advantage in shots on goal. The Cardinals also posted eight corner kicks while the teams posted an even 11-11 mark in fouls.
News & Notes
Maddie Alexander posted her 11th collegiate shutout and first since Sept. 25, 2022, when the Sycamore goalkeeper blanked Illinois State in the 1-0 win in Normal, Ill.
Alexander’s nine saves were one off a career-high 10 set back on Oct. 22, 2021, also against Illinois State.
Head Coach Paul Lawrence made his regular season sideline debut for Indiana State after assuming the helm of the program back in April.
Anna Chor and Emma Elliott both made their Sycamore starting debuts in the lineup as the transfers both made their first appearance in the Blue & White on Thursday.
Freshmen Trystyn Divich and Isabel Garcia made their collegiate debuts off the bench, while transfer Lina Fasquelle also made her first ISU appearance in the contest.
Six ISU players made it through all 90 minutes on the pitch including Alexander, Alexa Mackey, Adelaide Wolfe, Kloe Pettigrew, Maddie Helling, and Elliott.
Wolfe was ISU’s minutes leader in the 2022 season with 1,381 on the field.
ISU’s tie against Louisville moved the Sycamores to 0-1-1 all-time against the Cardinals. Louisville remains the only ACC school Indiana State has lined up against in program history.
Indiana State was held without a shot for the first time since Northwestern kept the Sycamores out of the column back on Sept. 1, 2016.
Up Next
Indiana State remains on the road on Sunday evening as the Sycamores make the trip to Oxford, Ohio to take on the Miami Redhawks at Bobby Kramig Field. Kickoff between the teams is set for 6 p.m.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S SOCCER
CHICAGO STATE TAKES SEASON OPENER FROM ‘DONS
CHICAGO – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s soccer team dropped its season opener at Chicago State on Thursday night (Aug. 17) 1-0.
Chicago State scored in the opening 10 minutes after slipping past a Mastodon defender and winning a one-on-one. Despite the 1-0 deficit, the Mastodons controlled possession for most of the contest.
Purdue Fort Wayne had two corner kicks in the first half that threatened an equalizer, but neither found the back of the net.
About 10 minutes into the second half, the ‘Dons had the best opportunity of the game to that point, finding a through ball in the six-yard box. Moments later, they took another shot from inside the 18 that Chicago State’s keeper managed to save while falling backwards.
The ‘Dons managed to find the back of the net with less than 20 minutes left, but it was waved off after an offsides call.
Purdue Fort Wayne falls to 0-1 and Chicago State improves to 1-0. The Mastodons will host Saint Francis (Ind.) on Sunday at the Hefner Soccer Complex at 1 p.m.
EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S SOCCER
WOMEN’S SOCCER EARNS DRAW AT MERCER TO OPEN 2023 SEASON
MACON, Ga. – Buoyed by a career-high 10 saves from senior goalkeeper Myia Danek (Laingsburg, Mich./Laingsburg), the University of Evansville women’s soccer team was able to earn a 0-0 draw against the Mercer Bears on Thursday night at Mercer’s Betts Stadium in Macon, Georgia to open the 2023 regular-season.
Danek opened the match turning away six shots in the opening half, as the Bears, who were undefeated at Betts Stadium a year ago, came out firing to begin the match. Mercer would take the first seven shots of the match, before UE freshman forward Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) was able to change the complexion of the match as a sub in the 25th minute. Johnson would record a shot just two minutes into her Evansville career, and she tallied a pair of shots in the half’s final 20 minutes as UE played even with the Bears to close out the first half of play.
Mercer once again came out firing to start the second half, but Danek recorded a pair of saves in the first 15 minutes of the second half to keep the match scoreless. Johnson would record her third shot of the match on goal in the 67th minute, but was turned away by Mercer goalkeeper Lindsay Bell. It would be the final shot on goal for either side in the match, as both teams had chances late, but neither team could get a shot on target.
Johnson’s three shots led Evansville, with fifth-year midfielder Nicole Benati firing off two shots as well. Senior defender Emily Wiebe and freshman forward A’Liyah Warrick also recorded shots for UE. Midfielder Chandler Lewis-Jenkins led Mercer with six shots on the night. The Bears were 9-4-7 a year ago, including going 7-0-3 at home last season.
Evansville will now return home for a week of training, before returning to the road next Thursday to take on Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. central, and the match can be seen live on ESPN+.
EVANSVILLE MEN’S BASKETBALL
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE UNVEILED FOR UE MEN’S BASKETBALL
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Featuring a unique balance that will provide important experience heading into the Missouri Valley Conference portion of the schedule, the University of Evansville men’s basketball program unveiled its 2023 non-conference slate.
One exhibition contest will take place when UE welcomes Wabash College on Oct. 28. Just as they did last season, the Purple Aces open up regular-season play against Miami Ohio. The opener is set for Monday, Nov. 6 at the Ford Center. Head coach David Ragland opened his UE tenure with a 78-74 road win over the RedHawks in 2022. Another home game is on tap on Nov. 9 when Evansville plays host to a non-Division I opponent to be named.
Southeast Missouri State will mark the first road game of the year. UE makes the trek to Cape Girardeau on Nov. 15. The Aces have won nine of the last 12 games against SEMO. On the 18th, the Aces are back home to face Ball State. The Cardinals have not win a road game at Evansville since 1954, dropping 20-consecutive games.
With the cancellation of the Las Vegas Holiday Classic, UE will now take part in a multi-team event (MTE) hosted by Chattanooga. Friday, Nov. 24 will see the Aces face the Mocs before the final game of the weekend pits UE against SEMO on the 25th.
For the first time in program history, Evansville will take on Brigham Young University. The road game in Provo, Utah is set for Dec. 5. The Cougars have won at least 19 games every year since the 2016-17 campaign. BYU is set for its first season with the Big 12 Conference. December 16 will see the Aces travel to Louisville to face Bellarmine. The squads met at the Ford Center last season with UE taking a 73-61 victory on Dec. 21.
Pre-Christmas action wraps up with a pair of home games. On the 18th, Evansville hosts UT Martin before welcoming Tennessee Tech two days later. UE has combined to go 23-5 against the two programs. The month of December comes to a close when the Aces travel to Cincinnati on the 30th. The Bearcats mark the second Big 12 team that UE will face in 2023 and is the second time in three years that Evansville treks to UC. The squads met on Nov. 9, 2021 for the first duel between the programs in 31 years.
EVANSVILLE MEN’S SOCCER
UE’S DIAZ BARRAGAN NAMED TO MVC PRESEASON TEAM; PURPLE ACES SELECTED FOURTH IN PRESEASON POLL
ST LOUIS – University of Evansville junior Nacho Diaz Barragan (Almeria, Spain/University of Almeria) has earned Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Preseason honors ahead of the 2023 campaign.
The 2022 MVC Freshman of the Year, who led the Purple Aces in goals (9) and points (21), was one of 12 players selected to the preseason team. Diaz Barragan was Evansville’s only representative on the MVC Preseason All-Conference Team.
Missouri State was picked to repeat as league champions by Valley Head Coaches with six first place votes. The Purple Aces were picked to finish fourth among nine teams in the preseason poll with 50 points.
Evansville returns almost all of its goal scoring from the team’s 8-5-6 (3-2-3 MVC) 2022 campaign. The Aces made the championship game of the MVC Tournament for the second season in a row to end their 2022 season.
The Purple Aces enter a new era of men’s soccer as Robbe Tarver takes over the reigns as interim head coach. Tarver spent three seasons as an Assistant Coach and an Associate Head Coach for Evansville under former Head Coach Marshall Ray. Tarver was named to the interim position after Ray announced he was stepping away from collegiate soccer coaching in March.
UE opens the regular season next week on Aug. 24 against the ASUN Bellarmine Knights. Evansville faced Bellarmine in the 2022 season resulting in a 2-2 draw following some late match drama.
SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
USI FALLS TO IUPUI IN QUICK-CHANGING CONDITIONS
INDIANAPOLIS – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer opened the 2023 season on the road in the state capital Thursday evening, falling 2-0 at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
The first half started with early looks for the Screaming Eagles (0-1-0). USI fired away three shots within the first five minutes of the match. IUPUI (1-0-0) took hold of the first-half momentum, scoring in the 17th minute to take a 1-0 lead. The host Jaguars played a long pass to the far side of the box, and after a cutback move, a deflected shot snuck inside the post for the IUPUI goal.
IUPUI doubled its advantage in the 55th minute right before the skies opened with a downpour. After a race to the ball, IUPUI grabbed a 2-0 lead on a goal in the top-right corner of the net. The Screaming Eagles nearly answered with a goal of their own about 10 minutes later when the rainfall lightened. Sophomore midfielder Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana) sent a free kick into the box where senior defender Alexis Schone (Galena, Ohio) headed the ball just inches above the crossbar.
In the 82nd minute, USI threatened in the attacking third. Junior midfielder Adriana Berruti (Berwyn, Illinois) crossed a ball in that was headed first time by freshman forward Greta Ohlwein (Chicago, Illinois) and a second time toward goal by freshman midfielder Reese Frericks (Spring Grove, Illinois). However, IUPUI junior goalkeeper Ashton Kudlo was able to get a glove tip on the header and haul it in.
Statistically, USI was led by Murphy and junior midfielder Maggie Duggan (Defiance, Missouri) with two shots and one on goal each. USI totaled eight shots. Sophomore goalkeeper Anna Markland (Hoover, Alabama) tallied three saves on 12 shots faced in her first career start.
Southern Indiana will host its home opener from Strassweg Field Sunday at 1 p.m. against the University of North Alabama. Sunday’s match can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.
VALPO WOMEN’S SOCCER
VALPO SOCCER EARNS SEASON-OPENING WIN OVER EASTERN ILLINOIS
The Valpo soccer team put together a dominating performance on Brown Field Thursday evening in its season-opening matchup with Eastern Illinois, with goals by Sam Gountounas (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) and Allie Anderson (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South [Xavier]) helping to give the Beacons a 2-1 victory over the visiting Panthers.
How It Happened
Valpo was on the front foot from the opening whistle on Thursday, and a barrage of shots just past the 10-minute mark nearly led to the Beacons’ first goal. Gountounas had a shot from distance which EIU goalkeeper Ella Kratochvil came well off her line to save, and the rebound found Anderson, whose attempt to give Valpo the lead was thwarted only by a Panther defender on the back line.
The aforementioned duo eventually teamed up to put Valpo on top 10 minutes shy of halftime. Anderson gained possession about 45 yards from goal and started a dribble, going around one defender before feeding Gountounas in the center of the field. The junior touched it back first-time to Anderson on her continued run, and Anderson carried it inside the 18-yard box before slotting it back to the middle for Gountounas, who put a sliding effort with her right foot inside the left post for the game’s first goal.
Junior Dana Fish (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan North) nearly made it 2-0 just two minutes before the halftime whistle with a nice strike from the top of the box towards the left post, but Kratochvil made a full-out diving save to keep it a one-goal game.
Coming out of intermission, it took Valpo less than four minutes to double its lead. The Beacons won an EIU goal kick in the attacking third, getting the ball to senior Aubrey Ramey (Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School [DePaul]) on the right side of the field. Ramey fed it over to junior Peyton Evans (Parker, Colo./Legend) running down the touchline, and Evans proceeded to deliver a well-struck cross to the middle of the box. Anderson was on the receiving end and took the header well, catching the EIU keeper flat-footed as the ball went inside the right post.
EIU got one goal back in the 61st minute on a header from Abby Reinl, but the Beacons’ lead was not threatened in the final 29 minutes as they closed out the season-opening win.
Inside the Game
Thursday’s win was Valpo’s first in a season opener since the spring 2021 season (2-1 over Chicago State) and the first in a fall season opener since 2018 (2-1 at Green Bay).
Thursday’s match date of August 17 matched the earliest season opener in program history. The aforementioned 2018 match also took place on August 17, as well as a 1-0 win over IUPUI on August 17, 2012.
Thursday’s victory evened the all-time series between Valpo and EIU at 7-7-3. The Panthers opened the series with a 7-0-1 record from 1995 through 2002, but Valpo has enjoyed the 7-0-2 advantage from 2003 through the present day.
Valpo dominated the stat sheet, out-shooting EIU 22-3 and putting eight shots on goal to the Panthers’ one. The Beacons also held an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.
The goal by Anderson, which eventually stood as the match-winner, was a long time coming for the fifth-year midfielder. In her 57th career match and her 35th in the Valpo uniform, Anderson found the back of the net for the first time.
Anderson also picked up the assist on the opening goal, her eighth helper at Valpo and ninth career assist overall. She comes off a 2022 season where she tied for team-high honors with five assists.
Gountounas’ goal was the second of her collegiate career, joining an insurance tally last season in Valpo’s win over UIC.
Evans picked up the primary assist on Anderson’s header for her second career assist, as she previously tallied an assist in a win at Chicago State as a freshman.
Making her Valpo debut on Thursday, Ramey notched the first point of her collegiate career with the secondary assist on the match-winner. She had previously appeared in 23 matches over three seasons at DePaul.
Ramey started in her Beacon debut and went the full 90 minutes, as did freshman Anna Cup (Bartlett, Ill./South Elgin). Freshman Daisy Boardman (Warrington, England) also made her collegiate debut on Thursday, playing 55 minutes off the bench.
Thoughts From Head Coach John Marovich
“It’s always a big deal to kick off a new season and get that first win. What I really liked tonight is that we came out and had very good energy, which showed in the success of our press. I felt like we won the ball back higher up the park, which created chances for more possession in our attacking third. Overall, our team effort was good — we showed good willingness to get into tackles to win the ball back quick.”
“I thought Sam stepped into the starting 9 role and put together an excellent performance, including a nice goal. It was great to see Allie, who’s put in so much hard work, get her first goal tonight and have it be a quality goal on a beautiful header off a good service from Peyton. I felt like our young players who came in today for the first time really put in a good shift and showed some quality as well.”
Next Up
Valpo (1-0-0) will go for its first 2-0-0 start since 2017 on Sunday afternoon at Brown Field when the Beacons take on Northern Illinois at 1 p.m. The match can be seen live on ESPN+.
U OF INDY MEN’S BASKETBALL
MEN’S BASKETBALL CONCLUDES FOREIGN TOUR BY GIVING BACK TO NORTH PRESTON COMMUNITY
NORTH PRESTON, N.S. – The UIndy men’s basketball concluded its 2023 NCAA foreign tour on Thursday afternoon, hosting a free kids clinic at the North Preston Community Centre in Nova Scotia. North Preston is the largest Black community in Nova Scotia and has the highest concentration of African Canadians in all of Canada.
Senior Josiah Tynes, who grew up in the North Preston community, recaps this experience returning home and what it means to give back to the place he calls home.
“This morning the team and I returned to my community to host a skills clinic. First of all, the city of North Preston doesn’t get opportunities like this that often so for me to see this come to fruition meant a great deal to me. North Preston has a huge impact on my upbringing and helped shape me to be the person I am today. The camp was great, we had a great turnout and it was so fun seeing my teammates interact with the kids from my community! It was so special to see and I know the kids will cherish those moments forever.
“This week has been so heartwarming for me from the guys asking me a bunch of questions about the city to all of our excursions we did. The excursions we did were great team bonding opportunities and brought us closer as group. The guys were so interested in where I came from which also meant a lot to me because it takes a lot of courage to step out their comfort zone. When it comes to the games we played I thought we played in great environments and got better as a team. All in all this trip has been everything and more than I was expecting and I am so grateful to have a team, staff, and program to support me in this fashion.
“Love you, Greyhound nation!”
MARIAN MEN’S BASKETBALL
MARIAN MEN’S BASKETBALL INKS 6 IN 2023 SIGNING CLASS
INDIANAPOLIS – As the Marian men’s basketball team returns to campus next week with the start of classes, it’s time to take a look at the new faces for coach Scott Heady for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Marian has brought in six players in the 2023 class, welcoming two transfers and four freshman to the roster. The six players in the 2023 signing class mark the largest newcomers in a single season for Coach Heady since his first season leading the Knights in 2017.
“We’re very excited about our 2023 recruiting class,” said Heady. “All four freshman come from successful programs and had tremendous high school careers. The two transfers in the group will make an immediate impact on our team. We look forward to this group along with our returning players working together and continuing the success of Marian basketball both on and off the court.”
Below is a breakdown on the class in alphabetical order, beginning with the transfers, followed by the true freshman.
Gus Etchison | Jr. | 5’11 | 150 | G | Cicero, Ind. | Hamilton Heights HS | Western Michigan
Western Michigan: Appeared in 36 games in two seasons for the Broncos, making 25 appearances as a freshman … Was limited to 11 games as a sophomore with injuries plaguing his season … Shot 30 percent from three at Western Michigan in his two seasons, and as a sophomore shot 48 percent from the field in limited action … Totaled 55 assists in two seasons and averaged 3.7 points per game … As a freshman averaged 12.8 minutes off the bench in his 25 games, netting double digit scoring twice.
High School: Finished high school career with eight school records, including career points (2,076) … Averaged 22.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game for career … During career, shot 36 percent from the field, 58 percent from three-point range and 78 percent from the foul line … Four-time All-Hoosier Conference and All-Hamilton County selection … 2020 Hamilton County MVP … 2020 IBCA Large School All-State … 2020 Indy Star Third Team Super Team.
Joe Rush | Jr. | 6’0 | 180 | G | Indianapolis, Ind. | Warren Central HS | Cabrillo College
Cabrillo College: Saw action in 34 games in two seasons for the Cabrillo Seahawks … In his sophomore season had a breakout year, averaging 13.9 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field … Averaged 3.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in the 2022-23 season … Put up a career-high 31 points as a sophomore … Was twice named an all-conference selection and earned all-conference defensive team honors as a sophomore.
High School: Was a member of the 2018 undefeated state champion Warren Central basketball team … Member of the Warren Central football team, where he was an All-State defensive back … Led all Indiana players in interceptions as a high school senior in 2017
Elhadj Diallo | Fr. | 6’3 | 180 | G | Brownsburg, Ind. | Brownsburg HS
High School: Three-year varsity starter for the Bulldogs … Scored 843 career points … Led Brownsburg to a 22-6 record and regional championship as a senior … Averaged 15.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game as a senior while shooting 56 percent from the field … Named a first team all-conference player and was the Brownsburg MVP
Aidan Franks | Fr. | 6’2 | 170 | Muncie, Ind. | Wapahani HS
High School: Three-year varsity starter … Led Wapahani to a 62-15 record in three seasons while winning three sectional championships … Scored 1309 career points for Wapahani … Averaged 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game as a senior … Three-time all conference honoree and two-time Small School All-State honoree … Selected to the IBCA Top-60 Workout.
Ben Henderson | Fr. | 6’4 | 200 | G | Lafayette, Ind. | Harrison HS
High School: Three-year varsity letter winner and all-conference honoree … Scored 1182 career points … Averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game as a senior … Named the Lafayette Journal-Courier Player of the Year … 2023 Harrison Athlete of the Year … First Team Academic All-State member in 2023 … Also a member of the Harrison football team and was the starting quarterback … Twice earned all-conference honors in football and as a senior was a member of the All-State team.
Dylan Moles | Fr. | 6’3 | 175 | F | Greenfield, Ind. | Greenfield Central HS
High School: Scored 1460 career points for Greenfield Central … Was a three-time all-conference honoree … Named the 2023 Hancock County Player of the Year … Helped lead his team to a 21-2 record as a senior … Averaged 20.5 points and 5.2 assists per game as a senior … Set the GC record for career three-point makes with 194 … Selected to the IBCA Top-60 Workout.
MARIAN MEN’S GOLF
MARIAN MEN’S GOLF RELEASES 2023 FALL SCHEDULE
INDIANAPOLIS – The Marian men’s golf team has announced their upcoming schedule for the fall 2023 season, as released by head coach Steve Simmons on Thursday morning. The Knights will play in four invitationals this fall, with two happening in the month of September and the other two in the month of October.
Marian will open their fall schedule in Muncie, Ind., competing in the Player’s Club Invitational on September 11 and 12. The event is hosted by Taylor University and will be played at the Player’s Club at Woodland Trails. The Knights second event of the season will take place two weeks later, when Marian travels to Silvis, Ill. on September 25 and 26 to play in the NAIA Midwest Invitational, hosted by Saint Ambrose (Iowa). The Knights finished as the runner-up in the last fall’s event as the team carded a team score of 601, eight strokes behind first place. Weston Ogden led Marian with his third place finish, giving him all-tournament team honors.
The Knights will open their October slate in the south, traveling to Memphis, Tenn. on October 9 and 10 to play in the Memphis Shootout at TPC Southwind. The two day event will be hosted by Sterling College. Marian will end their fall with the Gibson Bay Match Play in Richmond, Ky. The event will be hosted by Cumberlands and Lindsey Wilson on October 23 and 24 at the Gibson Bay Golf Course.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETIC SITES:
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
“SPORTS EXTRA”
MLB STANDINGS
| American League | |||||||||||
| East | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Baltimore | 74 | 47 | .612 | – | 36 – 23 | 38 – 24 | 24 – 14 | 18 – 7 | 13 – 10 | 5 – 5 | L 2 |
| Tampa Bay | 73 | 50 | .593 | 2 | 40 – 22 | 33 – 28 | 20 – 14 | 20 – 6 | 11 – 11 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| Toronto | 67 | 55 | .549 | 7.5 | 32 – 27 | 35 – 28 | 11 – 23 | 18 – 8 | 14 – 11 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| Boston | 63 | 58 | .521 | 11 | 35 – 28 | 28 – 30 | 16 – 14 | 16 – 10 | 12 – 10 | 6 – 4 | L 2 |
| NY Yankees | 60 | 61 | .496 | 14 | 35 – 28 | 25 – 33 | 15 – 21 | 12 – 10 | 16 – 13 | 2 – 8 | L 5 |
| Central | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Minnesota | 63 | 59 | .516 | – | 34 – 25 | 29 – 34 | 12 – 17 | 23 – 19 | 11 – 8 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| Cleveland | 58 | 63 | .479 | 4.5 | 31 – 28 | 27 – 35 | 10 – 12 | 18 – 18 | 13 – 12 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| Detroit | 54 | 66 | .450 | 8 | 26 – 33 | 28 – 33 | 5 – 20 | 22 – 14 | 9 – 13 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| Chi White Sox | 48 | 73 | .397 | 14.5 | 25 – 33 | 23 – 40 | 8 – 17 | 19 – 17 | 9 – 17 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| Kansas City | 39 | 84 | .317 | 24.5 | 23 – 40 | 16 – 44 | 6 – 18 | 13 – 27 | 5 – 14 | 3 – 7 | L 3 |
| West | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Texas | 72 | 49 | .595 | – | 42 – 21 | 30 – 28 | 14 – 11 | 17 – 5 | 21 – 15 | 7 – 3 | L 1 |
| Houston | 70 | 52 | .574 | 2.5 | 33 – 26 | 37 – 26 | 10 – 10 | 11 – 11 | 26 – 14 | 7 – 3 | W 2 |
| Seattle | 66 | 55 | .545 | 6 | 34 – 28 | 32 – 27 | 12 – 15 | 15 – 12 | 19 – 11 | 7 – 3 | W 3 |
| LA Angels | 60 | 62 | .492 | 12.5 | 31 – 28 | 29 – 34 | 12 – 11 | 14 – 8 | 18 – 22 | 4 – 6 | W 1 |
| Oakland | 34 | 87 | .281 | 38 | 18 – 41 | 16 – 46 | 7 – 19 | 7 – 11 | 6 – 28 | 3 – 7 | W 1 |
| National League | |||||||||||
| East | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Atlanta | 78 | 42 | .650 | – | 40 – 20 | 38 – 22 | 25 – 7 | 16 – 6 | 11 – 9 | 8 – 2 | W 3 |
| Philadelphia | 66 | 55 | .545 | 12.5 | 34 – 24 | 32 – 31 | 15 – 17 | 11 – 8 | 14 – 13 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| Miami | 63 | 59 | .516 | 16 | 37 – 27 | 26 – 32 | 14 – 19 | 13 – 10 | 10 – 12 | 5 – 5 | L 2 |
| NY Mets | 56 | 66 | .459 | 23 | 31 – 28 | 25 – 38 | 17 – 17 | 10 – 16 | 15 – 13 | 5 – 5 | W 2 |
| Washington | 55 | 67 | .451 | 24 | 27 – 35 | 28 – 32 | 11 – 22 | 12 – 14 | 14 – 14 | 6 – 4 | W 2 |
| Central | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| Milwaukee | 65 | 57 | .533 | – | 33 – 27 | 32 – 30 | 10 – 9 | 24 – 12 | 10 – 19 | 5 – 5 | L 3 |
| Chi Cubs | 62 | 58 | .517 | 2 | 33 – 29 | 29 – 29 | 11 – 17 | 21 – 14 | 9 – 8 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| Cincinnati | 63 | 59 | .516 | 2 | 30 – 32 | 33 – 27 | 13 – 16 | 16 – 23 | 16 – 9 | 4 – 6 | W 1 |
| Pittsburgh | 54 | 67 | .446 | 10.5 | 29 – 32 | 25 – 35 | 10 – 10 | 14 – 19 | 16 – 15 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| St. Louis | 54 | 68 | .443 | 11 | 27 – 35 | 27 – 33 | 10 – 10 | 13 – 20 | 10 – 16 | 5 – 5 | L 2 |
| West | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| LA Dodgers | 74 | 46 | .617 | – | 41 – 20 | 33 – 26 | 11 – 7 | 19 – 14 | 23 – 12 | 10 – 0 | W 11 |
| San Francisco | 64 | 57 | .529 | 10.5 | 35 – 28 | 29 – 29 | 10 – 12 | 18 – 9 | 18 – 11 | 3 – 7 | L 1 |
| Arizona | 62 | 60 | .508 | 13 | 30 – 31 | 32 – 29 | 13 – 15 | 11 – 10 | 23 – 18 | 5 – 5 | W 3 |
| San Diego | 58 | 64 | .475 | 17 | 32 – 30 | 26 – 34 | 13 – 13 | 8 – 15 | 16 – 20 | 3 – 7 | L 1 |
| Colorado | 46 | 75 | .380 | 28.5 | 26 – 32 | 20 – 43 | 14 – 17 | 11 – 13 | 8 – 27 | 2 – 8 | L 2 |
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1910 Rickwood Field, the first concrete-and-steel ballpark in the minor leagues, opens in Birmingham, with the hometown Barons scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth in their exciting 3-2 walk-off victory over Montgomery. The Alabamian landmark, which will become the country’s oldest surviving professional baseball park, is well attended by the citizens of the booming iron-and-steel town, often drawing standing-room-only crowds of over 10,000 fans in the first decade of its existence.
1913 In the top of the ninth inning at the Baker Bowl, the Cubs stroke nine straight hits, including six singles, two doubles, and a home run, off reliever Erskine Mayer. Chicago’s late offensive barrage produces six runs, helping the team coast to an easy 10-4 victory over the Phillies.
1915 Boston defeats the Cardinals in their debut at Braves Field, 3-1. The concrete and steel facility, which took only five months to construct, becomes the first ballpark to seat more than 40,000 fans.
1940 Jimmy Powers, the Sunday New York Daily News sports editor, causes a flap when he suggests the Yankees’ poor play this season to “a mass polio epidemic” caused by Lou Gehrig. The former Yankee first baseman and his roommate, Bill Dickey, filed suit, resulting in the newspaper apologizing and retracting its story at the end of next month.
1948 The Indians’ streak of not giving up a run is extended to 30 innings when Sam Zoldak tosses a nine-hit shutout against St. Louis. Cleveland right-fielder Allie Clark scores all of the Tribe’s runs in the 3-0 victory played at Cleveland Stadium.
1951 Hank Borowy, giving up five hits and walking four batters, becomes the first pitcher in major league history to surrender nine runs without recording an out when he appears in relief in the Tigers’ 20-9 loss to the Browns at Sportsman’s Park. In 2014, the Detroit right-hander’s dubious feat will be matched in an exhibition game when the nine batters White Sox starter Jose Quintana faces reach base and eventually score in the team’s 16-6 loss to the A’s at Camelback Ranch.
1956 In their 13-4 victory at Crosley Field, the Reds hit eight home runs (Bob Thurman [3], Ted Kluszewski [2], Frank Robinson [2], and Wally Post [1]) to tie a major league mark. The Braves added two more to set a National League mark for total homers for a nine-inning game.
1959 Longtime baseball executive Branch Rickey is named the president of the newly formed Continental League. The 77-year-old former Dodger general manager is an advisor to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1960 In a Midwest League contest, Bob Sprout throws a seven-inning no-hitter, striking out 22 batters as the Decatur Commodores defeat the Waterloo Hawks, 3-0. The 18-year-old minor league southpaw will pitch in just one big-league game, appearing with the Angels in 1961.
1960 Lew Burdette pitches a no-hitter, beating Gene Conley and the Phillies at County Stadium, 1-0. The Braves right-hander hits Tony Gonzalez with a one-out, fifth-inning pitch, preventing perfection, but still faces the minimum 27 batters by getting Lee Walls to ground into a double play.
1962 After the umpiring crew asks Indians’ starting pitcher Pedro Ramos to change his uniform, the right-hander complies by changing his shirt, then returns to the Memorial Stadium locker room for a different jersey and hat. The request, prompted by the ump’s suspicion that the Cleveland right-hander may be doctoring the baseball, causes two delays in the game against Baltimore.
1965 Home plate umpire Chris Pelekoudas denies Braves outfielder Hank Aaron a homer calling him out after the ball lands on top of the pavilion at Sportsman’s Park. Cardinal catcher Tim McCarver, jumping up and down, insisting the eventual home champion had stepped out of the batter’s box, appears to influence the arbitrator’s decision.
1967 A Jack Hamilton fastball shatters Tony Conigliaro’s left cheekbone. The 22-year-old Red Sox slugger will miss the rest of 1967 and all next year, never coming close to the Hall of Fame potential displayed during his first three seasons.
1972 After playing 414 games and accumulating over 1500 career at-bats, Larry Bowa hits his first major league home run, an inside-the-park round-tripper at Veterans Stadium. It will take another two years before the 26-year-old shortstop, who will go deep only 15 times in his 16-year career, puts a ball over the fence for a homer.
1975 The Hall of Fame inducts Ralph Kiner after being named on 75.4% of the ballots cast by BBWAA. The slugger, who hit 369 home runs in his brief ten-year career and was best known for playing with Pirates, is joined by the Veterans Committee’s selection of Earl Averill, Bucky Harris, Billy Herman, and Negro League player ‘Judy’ Johnson.
1982 In the franchise’s second-longest game in terms of innings, the Cubs lose to the Dodgers, 2-1. The six-hour and 10-minute Wrigley Field contest played over two days, ends with Dusty Baker’s sacrifice fly that plates Steve Sax and 21 innings to complete.
1982 At the Astrodome, Pete Rose becomes the all-time leader in plate appearances when he steps up to the plate for the 13,941st time. The Phillies’ first baseman surpasses Cardinal legend Stan Musial, who had established the mark in 1963.
1989 With his third-inning single off Jim Clancy, Jerome Walton extends his consecutive-game hitting streak to 28 games in a 6-5 loss to Houston at the Astrodome. The 24-year-old freshman outfielder ties a modern Cubs record established by Ron Santo in 1966.
1989 Bucky Dent replaces Dallas Green (5th place, 56-65) as the Yankee manager. The turnover marks the 17th time the team has changed skippers during George Steinbrenner’s 17-year tenure as the club’s owner.
1989 The Orioles’ Cal Ripken passes Steve Garvey, the National League leader, for the third-longest major league consecutive-game streak when he plays in his 1,208th straight contest, an 11-6 victory over the Blue Jays at Memorial Stadium. The 28-year-old shortstop trails only Everett Scott (1,307 games – Red Sox, 1916-25) and Lou Gehrig (2,130 games – Yankees, 1925-1939).
1995 Despite a Braves’ rally in the ninth, right-handed reliever Tom Henke, issuing three walks and a hit, records his 300th career save when the Cardinals edge Atlanta at Busch Stadium, 4-3. The 37-year-old Kansas City native, earning his 25th save of the season, becomes the seventh pitcher in major league history to reach this milestone.
1996 After arriving at the ballpark feeling ill, Padres’ third baseman Ken Caminiti, refusing to be taken out of the lineup, goes on to hit two home runs, driving in four runs in the team’s 8–0 win over the Mets at Mexico’s Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey. The eventual National League MVP, a food poisoning and dehydration victim, recovers when he receives two liters of fluids and eats a Snickers bar before the game starts.
1998 Braves right-hander Greg Maddux wins his 200th career game, beating the Giants at Turner Field, 8-4, in a contest where all of Atlanta’s nine hits are doubles. The 33-year-old All-Star hurler will finish his 23-year Hall of Fame career with a 355-227 (.610) won-loss record.
2000 After beating out a potential double-play ball to prolong a five-run ninth-inning rally, which ties the game, Angel flycatcher Darin Erstad makes a 10th-inning game-saving catch and follows it with a game-winning homer in the 11th to beat the Yankees, 9-8.
2000 Tim Salmon becomes the franchise leader in home runs with his fourth-inning solo shot off Roger Clemens in the Angels’ eventual 9-8 extra-inning victory over New York at Yankee Stadium. The Anaheim DH’s 223rd career round-tripper surpasses the total of Brian Downing, who had established the Halo mark in 1990.
2002 In a pregame ceremony, Tommie Agee is inducted posthumously into the Mets Hall of Fame. The Mets’ center fielder, best remembered for his two great catches in Game 3 of the 1969 World Series, played five seasons for the team, beginning in 1968.
2004 The Spokane Indians (Texas Rangers) edge the Tri-City Dust Devils (Colorado Rockies) 2-1 in 23 innings. The six-hour and 37-minute Northwest League game was scoreless for 19 innings and then suspended in a 1-1 tie in the 21st inning the previous night.
2006 Alfonso Soriano becomes the third player in big-league history to compile four seasons of 30 homers and 30 stolen bases. With his second-inning swipe of second base in a 6-4 victory over the Phillies, the Nationals outfielder joins Barry and Bobby Bonds in accomplishing the feat for the fourth time.
2006 At Fenway Park, the Yankees beat the Red Sox in the nightcap to complete a day-night doubleheader sweep. The 14-11 slugfest, in which the Al East Division rivals bang out 34 hits, takes 4 hours and 45 minutes to play, making it the longest nine-inning game in big-league history.
2006 Mike Lieberthal passes Red Dooin, who caught 1,124 games from 1902-14, to become the Phillies’ all-time leader as a catcher. The former backstop, credited as the first major leaguer to wear shinguards (1906), tried but failed in 1914 as the team’s player-manager to convince owner William Barker to buy three promising players from Baltimore’s International League franchise, which included a pitcher named Babe Ruth.
2006 Jered Weaver, blanking the Mariners for seven innings at Angel Stadium, joins Whitey Ford (Yankees, 1950) to become only the second American League rookie to begin a career with nine straight victories as a starter. The 23-year-old Angel hurler must win his next four games to match the mark established by Hooks Wiltse, who started his freshman season in 1904 with 13 consecutive wins.
2006 Before the second game of a day-night doubleheader against the Yankees, reality TV show host and future U.S. president Donald Trump throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park. During his four years in office, the 45th Commander-in-Chief will decline the Nationals’ invitation to throw out the Opening Day CFP, a tradition every President has participated in since William Taft’s toss in 1910, except for Jimmy Carter, who threw one before Game 7 of the 1979 World Series.
2007 Micah Owings, with two home runs, a double, and a single, compiles 11 total bases in the Diamondbacks’ 12-6 victory over the Braves, the most for a hurler since Braves right-hander Jim Tobin had 12 with his three homers in 1942. In addition to driving in six runs and scoring four times, the Arizona rookie tosses seven innings of three-hit ball to win his sixth game of the season.
2010 The front-running Braves acquire slugger Derrek Lee from the Cubs for three minor league pitchers. As a ten-year veteran, who had played at least five years with the same team, the 34-year-old first baseman rejected a trade to the Angels last month because he thought LA had too much of a deficit to make up in the AL West race.
2011 Mike Jacobs becomes the first professional baseball player suspended for testing positive for human growth hormone. The 30-year-old Rockies minor league first baseman, a former Mets, Marlins, and Royals player, receives a 50-game suspension for using HGH.
2012 Adam Dunn becomes the 50th major leaguer to hit 400 career runs when he goes deep in the eighth inning with a two-run blast off Tim Collins in a White Sox loss to Kansas City at Kauffman Stadium. The 32-year-old Chicago first baseman joins Paul Konerko in reaching the milestone this season, making them the first teammates in baseball history to hit their 400th round-tripper in the same year playing for the same team.
2015 The Red Sox hire Dave Dombrowski, who was replaced as the president and general manager of the Tigers earlier this month, to run the organization’s baseball operations. After leading Boston to the World Series two seasons ago, Ben Cherington declines to continue as the GM of the last-place team but will assist during the club’s transition.
2017 Orioles’ third baseman Manny Machado goes deep three times, including a walk-off grand slam off Keynan Middleton in the team’s 9 -7 victory over the Angels. The 25-year-old infielder’s trio of round-trippers accounts for seven RBIs and three runs in the Camden Yards contest.
2021 First baseman Freddie Freeman becomes the seventh player in franchise history to hit for the cycle and the first to do so more than once in a Braves’ uniform when he connects for a two-run home run in the top of the sixth at Miami’s loanDepot Park. The 2020 National League Most Valuable Player also doubled in the first inning, tripled in the fourth, and singled in the fifth in the team’s 11-9 win over the Marlins.
BASEBALL HALL OF FAME
GEORGE SISLER
1st Baseman
A five-tool player before the term came into vogue, George Sisler began his career as a pitcher before becoming one of the game’s greatest hitters.
After graduating with a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Michigan in 1915, Sisler moved right onto the roster of the St. Louis Browns. Starting his career as a pitcher, he eventually became a first baseman in order to get his powerful left-handed bat in the lineup every day.
Peerless defensively at first, Sisler also excelled with his 42-ounce bat in hand. In a big league career that lasted 15 seasons, Sisler batted better than .300 13 times, including league-leading averages of .407 in 1920 and .420 in 1922. His 257 hits during the 1920 campaign remained a modern major league record until Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki broke it in 2004. A skilled base runner as well, Sisler led the league in stolen bases four times.
Ty Cobb, an American League rival for many years, once called Sisler “the nearest thing to a perfect ballplayer” he had ever seen.
Sisler claimed that the fact he was once a pitcher helped make him a better hitter. “I used to stand on the mound myself, study the batter and wonder how I could fool him,” he said. “Now when I am at the plate, I can the more easily place myself in the pitcher’s position and figure what is passing through his mind.”
At the height of his success as a player, Sisler missed the entire 1923 season due to a sinus infection that produced double vision. He would come back to play another seven seasons, hitting .320 during that span, but he would acknowledge that he was never quite the same hitter.
Ending his career with 2,812 hits and a .340 batting average, Sisler was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.
Sisler passed away on March 26, 1973.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
August 18, 1981 – University of Georgia running back Herschel Walker takes out a $1 million insurance policy through Lloyd’s of London, for compensation in the event he would get injured prior to a big pay day as a professional. The great rusher would eventually start his career in the USFL before later playing in the NFL.
August 18, 1986 – Former USFL and University of Miami star quarterback, Jim Kelly signs a five-year NFL contract with the Buffalo Bills for $75 million. Kelly would end up leading the Bills to four straight Super Bowl appearances.
August 18, 1987 – Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell formerly of the Houston Oilers announced his retirement. The Tyler Rose played his college ball at the University of Texas.
August 18, 1989 – Arena Bowl III is played as the Detroit Drive knocks off the Pittsburgh Gladiators 39-26 at Detroit’s home track, Joe Louis Arena.
Hall of Fame Birthdays
August 18, 1890 – Everett Bacon was a quarterback from Wesleyan College that became enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966. Bacon was voted as an All-American after the 1910 and 1912 seasons. He was also a star athlete on the baseball diamond, basketball court and excelled at tennis and golf too! Starting in 1936 Wesleyan has awarded the C. Everett Bacon Award to the school’s Most Valuable Football Player.
August 18, 1943 – Cosmo Iacavazzi was a fullback from Princeton who entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. Though he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1965 NFL Draft, Cosmo ended up playing in the AFL for the New York Jets for two games. He later played in the Atlantic Coast Football League for the Scranton Miners and the Seattle Rangers of the Continental Football League.
August 18, 1946 – Bob Johnson was a center from the University of Tennesse who entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989. He was voted as an All-American in both 1966 and 1967 for the Vols. He was also an Academic All-American in 1967. Johnson went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals both the in AFL and the NFL and in fact he was the second overall draft pick in the 1967 AFL Draft. At the time of this writing his number 54 jersey is the only Bengal number to be retired.
August 18, 1951 – Greg Pruitt was a running back from Oklahoma who entered the College Football hall of Fame as part of the induction class of 1999. Pruitt played in the NFL for 11 seasons most notably with the Cleveland Browns but also with the LA Raiders. He was selected to 5 Pro Bowls during his career. In Cleveland he made quite the one two punch with another Pruitt in the backfield, Mike, no relation.
THOSE NOT YET IN THE HALL OF FAME
August 18, 1941 – Garfield, Georgia – Former Ohio State running back Matt Snell was born. Snell was selected as the third overall pick by the New York Jets in the 1964 AFL Draft as well as being taken 49th overall by the New York Giants in the 1964 NFL Draft. He chose the Jets offer and plyed his entire career with the franchise. Yahoo.com says that for his career Matt posted 1,057 carries for 4,285 yards and 24 TDs; 193 receptions for 1,375 yards and seven touchdowns. Snell was a three-time AFL All-Star (1964, 1966, 1969). He was instrumental in the Jets’ ball control game plan that helped them win Super Bowl III.
August 18, 1968 – Fort Polk, Pennsylvania – Return specialist Brian Mitchell the former player at Louisiana-Lafayette from 1986-89 arrived into this life. Mr. Mitchell according to Yahoo.com was selected as the 130th overall player taken in the 1990 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He also played with the Eagles and Giants. His amazing career saw him record 463 punt returns for 4,999 yards and nine touchdowns, 607 kick returns for 14,014 yards and four touchdowns; 388 carries for 1,967 yards and 12 touchdowns, and 255 receptions for 2,336 yards and four touchdowns.
August 18, 1980 – Ada, Oklahoma – Former University of Miami Florida tight end Jeremy Shockey was born. Shockey was selected as the 14th overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He also spent time with the Saints and the Panthers organizations as he caught 547 receptions for 6,143 yards and 37 touchdowns per Yahoo.com.
FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
KIRK BAUMGARTNER
Position: Quarterback
Years: 1986-1989
Place of Birth: Colby, WI
Date of Birth: Nov 03, 1967
Jersey Number: 12
Height: 6-4
Weight: 190
High School: Colby, WI (Colby HS)
Arguably one of the best quarterbacks in NAIA history, Kirk Baumgartner rewrote the record books while leading the Wisconsin Stevens Point Pointers to three play-off berths. A two-time NAIA National Player of the Year and three-time NAIA First Team All-America selection, Baumgartner still ranks among the all-time greatest college quarterbacks with 14,847 career passing yards and 122 career touchdown passes. As a junior and senior he led the nation in total offense. Baumgartner was also a three-time First Team All-Conference selection and was twice named conference Player of the Year. Drafted in the ninth round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, Baumgartner is also enshrined at the Wisconsin Stevens Point Athletic Hall of Fame.
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
4 – 33 – 44 – 20 – 34 – 17
August 18, 1931 – Lou Gehrig, Number 4 hitless in Detroit, his 1,000th consecutively played game
August 18, 1943 – New York Giants future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Carl Hubbell, Number 11 won his 253rd and final game as New York defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-2 at the Polo Grounds, NYC
August 18, 1960 – Milwaukee Braves pitcher Lew Burdette, Number 33 no-hits Philadelphia Phillies, 1-0 at County Stadium, Milwaukee
August 18, 1965 – Hank Aaron, Number 44 lost a HR, because he hit it out of batter’s box
August 18, 1973 – Speaking of Number 44…, Hank Aaron’s record 1,378 extra base hit surpassed ole Number 6 Stan Musial’s previous record
August 18, 1977 – Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton, Number 20 threw a National League record tying 5th one-hitter
August 18, 1981 – University of Georgia football running back, Number 34, Herschel Walker, took out a Lloyd’s of London insurance policy for $1 million
August 18, 1982 – Pete Rose, Number 14 set a record with his 13,941st plate appearance
August 18, 1986 – Former USFL and Miami Hurricanes QB Jim Kelly, Number 12 signed a lucrative contract with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills at $75 million for 5 years.
August 18, 1987 – Houston Oiler Earl Campbell, Number 34 retired from NFL
August 18, 2021 – The Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani, Number 17 became fastest player in team history to reach 40 home runs in a season, also pitches 8 innings in 3-1 win at Detroit
TV FRIDAY
Friday, August 18
AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL
5:30 a.m.
FS2 — AFL: Brisbane at Collingwood
12 a.m. (Saturday)
FS2 — AFL: Carlton at Gold Coast
5 a.m. (Saturday)
FS2 — AFL: Geelong at St. Kilda
AUTO RACING
6 p.m.
FS1 — NASCAR ARCA Menards Series: The General Tire 100 At The Glen, Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, N.Y.
8 p.m.
FS1 — NHRA: Qualifying, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn. (Taped)
FIBA BASKETBALL (MEN’S)
12 p.m.
FS1 — Exhibition: U.S. vs. Greece, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
GOLF
8 a.m.
GOLF — DP World/LPGA Tour: The ISPS Handa World Invitational, Second Round, Galgorm Castle Golf Club/Castlerock Golf Club, Antrim, Northern Ireland
2 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: The BMW Championship, Second Round, Olympia Fields North Course, Olympia Fields, Ill.
6 p.m.
GOLF — USGA U.S Men’s Amateur: Quarterfinals, The Ridgewood Country Club, Paramus, N.J.
9 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: The Shaw Charity Classic, First Round, Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club, Calgary, Alberta (Taped)
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
6 p.m.
ESPN2 — Langston Hughes (Ga.) at Carrollton (Ga.)
HORSE RACING
1 p.m.
FS2 — Saratoga Live: From Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
2 p.m.
FS1 — Saratoga Live: From Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
4:30 p.m.
FS2 — Saratoga Live: From Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
LACROSSE (MEN’S)
9 p.m.
ESPN2 — PLL: Archers vs. Whipsnakes, Tacoma, Wash.
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL
1 p.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: Maracaibo, Venezuela vs. Santiago de Veraguas, Panama, Williamsport, Pa.
3 p.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: Nolensville, Tenn. vs. Smithfield, R.I., Williamsport, Pa.
5 p.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: Tokyo, Japan vs. Tijuana, Mexico, Williamsport, Pa.
7 p.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: Fargo, N.D. vs. Needville, Texas, Williamsport, Pa.
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
9 p.m.
ESPN — PFL Playoffs Main Card: Heavyweights & Women’s Featherweights, New York
MLB BASEBALL
2 p.m.
MLBN — Kansas City at Chicago Cubs
6:40 p.m.
APPLETV+ — Toronto at Cincinnati
7:05 p.m.
APPLETV+ — Boston at NY Yankees
9:30 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Tampa Bay at LA Angels OR Baltimore at Oakland
NFL FOOTBALL
7 p.m.
NFLN — Preseason: Carolina at NY Giants
SOCCER (MEN’S)
1:45 p.m.
FS2 — Saudi Pro League: Al-Taawoun at Al-Nassr
2:45 p.m.
USA — Premier League: Sheffield United at Nottingham Forest
8 p.m.
FS2 — CPL: Atletico Ottawa at Valour FC
SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
4 a.m. (Saturday)
FOX — FIFA World Cup: Sweden vs. Australia, Third-Place Match, Brisbane, Australia
SOFTBALL
7 p.m.
ESPNU — Athletes Unlimited: Team Alexander vs. Team Davidson, Rosemont, Ill.
TENNIS
11 a.m.
TENNIS — Cincinnati-ATP/WTA Quarterfinals
7 p.m.
TENNIS — Cincinnati-ATP/WTA Quarterfinals
TRACK AND FIELD
4:30 a.m. (Saturday)
CNBC — World Championships: Day 1, Budapest, Hungary
5 a.m. (Saturday)
CNBC — World Championships: Day 1, Budapest, Hungary
6 a.m. (Saturday)
CNBC — World Championships: Day 1, Budapest, Hungary
WNBA BASKETBALL
7:30 p.m.
ION — Chicago at Atlanta
10 p.m.
ION — New York at Phoenix