“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 9 SCHEDULE
ANDERSON (2-6) AT LOGANSPORT (3-5)
ANDREAN (3-5) AT LOWELL (3-5)
ANGOLA (1-7) AT EASTSIDE (6-2)
ATTICA (0-8) AT SOUTH VERMILLION (7-1)
BATESVILLE (7-1) AT CONNERSVILLE (2-6)
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (5-3) AT COLUMBUS EAST (3-5)
BEECH GROVE (3-5) AT FRANKLIN COUNTY (3-5)
BELLMONT (0-8) AT EAST NOBLE (6-2)
BLOOMINGTON NORTH (8-0) AT SOUTHPORT (1-7)
BLUFFTON (6-2) AT LAKELAND (6-2)
BOONVILLE (5-3) AT GIBSON SOUTHERN (6-2)
BREMEN (4-4) AT TIPPECANOE VALLEY (8-0)
BROWN COUNTY (1-7) AT EDGEWOOD (1-7)
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (7-1) AT SCOTTSBURG (5-3)
CALUMET (3-5) AT GARY WEST (5-3)
CARMEL (5-3) AT LAWRENCE CENTRAL (3-5)
CARROLL (FLORA) (8-0) AT SHERIDAN (6-2)
CENTER GROVE (7-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (6-2)
CHARLESTOWN (5-3) AT EASTERN (PEKIN) (3-5)
CHESTERTON (2-6) AT MERRILLVILLE (6-2)
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS (MO.) AT WARREN CENTRAL (3-5)
CHURUBUSCO (2-6) AT FAIRFIELD (4-4)
CINCINNATI ELDER (OHIO) AT INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (8-0)
CLOVERDALE (2-6) AT OWEN VALLEY (2-6)
CORYDON CENTRAL (0-8) AT SILVER CREEK (5-3)
COVENANT CHRISTIAN (4-3) AT INDIANAPOLIS RITTER (3-5)
COVINGTON (4-4) AT RIVERTON PARKE (3-5)
CRAWFORD COUNTY (0-8) AT CLARKSVILLE (0-8)
CULVER (0-8) AT LAVILLE (7-1)
DANVILLE (6-2) AT NORTH MONTGOMERY (5-3)
EAST CENTRAL (8-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI (3-5)
EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (6-2) AT CLINTON PRAIRIE (5-3)
EASTERN HANCOCK (5-3) AT LAPEL (4-4)
ELWOOD (1-7) AT OAK HILL (4-4)
EVANSVILLE CENTRAL (0-8) AT EVANSVILLE NORTH (5-3)
EVANSVILLE HARRISON (1-7) AT EVANSVILLE BOSSE (2-6)
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (2-6) AT EVANSVILLE REITZ (8-0)
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (6-2) AT CASTLE (5-3)
FLOYD CENTRAL (7-1) AT NEW ALBANY (2-6)
FOREST PARK (5-3) AT SOUTHRIDGE (5-3)
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK (0-8) AT FREMONT (2-6)
FORT WAYNE DWENGER (3-5) AT FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA (0-8)
FORT WAYNE LUERS (6-2) AT HOMESTEAD (4-4)
FORT WAYNE NORTH (3-5) AT CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) (6-2)
FORT WAYNE NORTHROP (0-8) AT FORT WAYNE SOUTH (1-7)
FORT WAYNE WAYNE (5-3) AT FORT WAYNE SNIDER (7-1)
FRANKFORT (1-7) AT CRAWFORDSVILLE (0-8)
FRANKLIN (5-3) AT DECATUR CENTRAL (6-2)
FRANKTON (3-5) AT BLACKFORD (0-8)
FRONTIER (4-4) AT SOUTH NEWTON (3-5)
GARRETT (3-5) AT CENTRAL NOBLE (3-5)
GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (7-1) AT NEW CASTLE (1-7)
GRIFFITH (3-5) AT WHEELER (5-3)
GUERIN CATHOLIC (6-2) AT CULVER ACADEMY (3-5)
HAGERSTOWN (5-3) AT NORTHEASTERN (7-1)
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN (7-1) AT BROWNSBURG (8-0)
HAMMOND CENTRAL (5-3) AT HANOVER CENTRAL (8-0)
HAMMOND MORTON (3-4) AT EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL (1-7)
HAMMOND NOLL (2-6) AT BOONE GROVE (6-2)
HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) (7-1) AT RICHMOND (1-7)
HERITAGE (7-1) AT JAY COUNTY (4-4)
HIGHLAND (3-5) AT HOBART (6-2)
HUNTINGTON NORTH (1-7) AT NEW HAVEN (7-1)
INDIANAPOLIS TECH (0-8) AT MUNCIE CENTRAL (3-5)
INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY (4-4) AT INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON (4-4)
IRVINGTON PREP ACADEMY (0-8) AT CHRISTEL HOUSE MANUAL (2-5)
JASPER (5-3) AT VINCENNES LINCOLN (6-2)
JENNINGS COUNTY (3-5) AT JEFFERSONVILLE (0-8)
JIMTOWN (4-4) AT SOUTH BEND RILEY (7-1)
JOHN GLENN (4-4) AT SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (2-6)
KNIGHTSTOWN (3-5) AT CENTERVILLE (8-0)
KNOX (8-0) AT CASTON (1-7)
LAFAYETTE JEFF (4-4) AT KOKOMO (7-1)
LAKE CENTRAL (4-4) AT VALPARAISO (6-2)
LAKE STATION (2-6) AT RIVER FOREST (5-3)
LEBANON (4-4) AT WESTERN BOONE (5-3)
LEO (6-2) AT DEKALB (5-3)
MACONAQUAH (6-2) AT ROCHESTER (6-2)
MADISON-GRANT (6-2) AT ALEXANDRIA (7-1)
MARTINSVILLE (5-3) AT PLAINFIELD (6-2)
MCCUTCHEON (5-3) AT MARION (2-6)
MICHIGAN CITY (5-3) AT CROWN POINT (8-0)
MILAN (5-3) AT MADISON (1-7)
MISHAWAKA MARIAN (4-4) AT SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (4-4)
MISSISSINEWA (8-0) AT EASTBROOK (6-2)
MITCHELL (2-6) AT PERRY CENTRAL (4-4)
MONROE CENTRAL (3-5) AT SHENANDOAH (1-7)
MONROVIA (6-2) AT INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (5-3)
MOORESVILLE (3-5) AT PERRY MERIDIAN (2-6)
MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) (4-4) AT PRINCETON (1-7)
MUNSTER (2-6) AT KANKAKEE VALLEY (4-4)
NEW PALESTINE (6-2) AT DELTA (5-3)
NEW PRAIRIE (6-2) AT ELKHART (3-5)
NOBLESVILLE (3-5) AT AVON (1-7)
NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) (2-6) AT EASTERN GREENE (4-4)
NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) (0-8) AT BEN DAVIS (7-1)
NORTH DECATUR (5-3) AT SWITZERLAND COUNTY (5-3)
NORTH HARRISON (6-2) AT PROVIDENCE (8-0)
NORTH KNOX (5-3) AT PAOLI (7-1)
NORTH MIAMI (1-7) AT NORTHFIELD (3-5)
NORTH POSEY (7-1) AT PIKE CENTRAL (1-7)
NORTH PUTNAM (3-5) AT GREENCASTLE (6-2)
NORTH WHITE (8-0) AT WEST CENTRAL (7-1)
NORTHRIDGE (7-1) AT WARSAW (7-1)
NORTHVIEW (6-2) AT INDIAN CREEK (5-3)
NORTHWOOD (6-2) AT GOSHEN (1-7)
NORWELL (2-6) AT COLUMBIA CITY (5-3)
PARK TUDOR (8-0) AT EDINBURGH (1-7)
PERU (8-0) AT MANCHESTER (3-5)
PHALEN ACADEMY (1-6) AT LINTON-STOCKTON (7-1)
PIKE (2-6) AT LAWRENCE NORTH (5-3)
PLYMOUTH (2-6) AT CONCORD (4-4)
PORTAGE (0-8) AT LAPORTE (1-7)
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (0-8) AT WEST NOBLE (8-0)
PURDUE POLYTECHNIC (3-5) AT HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (5-3)
RUSHVILLE (2-6) AT GREENSBURG (0-8)
SALEM (1-7) AT WEST WASHINGTON (5-3)
SEEGER (6-2) AT NORTH VERMILLION (5-3)
SEYMOUR (5-3) AT BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (7-1)
SHELBYVILLE (3-5) AT PENDLETON HEIGHTS (6-2)
SOUTH BEND ADAMS (1-7) AT PENN (7-1)
SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) (3-5) AT WHITING (2-6)
SOUTH DEARBORN (5-3) AT LAWRENCEBURG (6-2)
SOUTH DECATUR (6-2) AT DAYTON CHRISTIAN (OHIO)
SOUTH PUTNAM (7-1) AT CASCADE (5-3)
SOUTH SPENCER (3-5) AT TELL CITY (5-3)
SOUTHERN WELLS (1-7) AT SOUTH ADAMS (5-3)
SOUTHSIDE HOMESCHOOL AT INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (7-1)
SOUTHWOOD (4-4) AT LEWIS CASS (4-4)
SPRINGS VALLEY (7-1) AT NORTH DAVIESS (4-4)
SULLIVAN (4-4) AT WEST VIGO (2-6)
TAYLOR (1-7) AT DELPHI (3-5)
TECUMSEH (0-8) AT OBLONG-PALESTINE-HUTSONVILLE (ILL.)
TERRE HAUTE NORTH (0-8) AT BREBEUF JESUIT (3-4)
TERRE HAUTE SOUTH (4-4) AT COLUMBUS NORTH (3-5)
TRI-CENTRAL (2-6) AT CLINTON CENTRAL (1-6)
TRI-COUNTY (4-3) AT NORTH NEWTON (0-8)
TRITON (5-3) AT WINAMAC (3-5)
TRITON CENTRAL (7-1) AT SPEEDWAY (2-6)
TRI-WEST (7-1) AT SOUTHMONT (4-4)
UNION COUNTY (0-8) AT TRI (5-3)
WABASH (1-7) AT WHITKO (1-7)
WASHINGTON (2-6) AT HERITAGE HILLS (7-1)
WAWASEE (1-7) AT MISHAWAKA (6-2)
WES-DEL (3-5) AT CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (1-5)
WESTFIELD (7-1) AT FRANKLIN CENTRAL (4-4)
WHITELAND (4-4) AT GREENWOOD (4-4)
WINCHESTER (5-2) AT UNION CITY (2-6)
WOODLAN (2-6) AT ADAMS CENTRAL (8-0)
YORKTOWN (4-4) AT MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) (4-4)
ZIONSVILLE (3-5) AT FISHERS (5-3)
BOWMAN ACADEMY (1-4) AT BENTON CENTRAL (1-7)
TIPTON (1-7) AT RENSSELAER CENTRAL (4-4)
NORTHWESTERN (3-5) AT TWIN LAKES (4-4)
WESTERN (4-4) AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (5-3)
HAMILTON HEIGHTS (8-0) AT WEST LAFAYETTE (6-2)
SECTIONAL BRACKETS: 6A Bracket | 5A Bracket | 4A Bracket | 3A Bracket | 2A Bracket | 1A Bracket
INDIANA VOLLEYBALL SECTIONAL SCORES:
https://www.maxpreps.com/in/volleyball/scores/?date=10/12/2023
Class 4A Brackets | Class 3A Brackets | Class 2A Brackets | Class 1A Brackets
INDIANA BOYS SOCCER SECTIONAL MATCH-UPS:
Class 3A Bracket | Class 2A Bracket | Class 1A Bracket
INDIANA GIRLS SOCCER -THURSDAY SCORES:
https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer/girls/scores/?date=10/12/2023
Class 3A Bracket | Class 2A Bracket | Class 1A Bracket
INDIANA BOYS TENNIS STATE FINALS OCTOBER 13 AND 14
FRIDAY QUARTERFINALS
CULVER ACADEMIES VS. HOMESTEAD
CARMEL VS. NORTH CENTRAL
NOBLESVILLE VS. JASPER
FLOYD CENTRAL VS. COLUMBUS NORTH
SATURDAY FINALS @ NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
CROSS COUNTRY SECTIONAL-SATURDAY OCTOBER 14
1. Highland (16) | Boys 10 am CT; Girls 10:45 am CT | Results
Calumet, Crown Point, East Chicago Central, Gary West Side, Griffith, Hanover Central, Hammond Bishop Noll, Hammond Central, Hammond Morton, Highland, Illiana Christian, Lake Central, Lighthouse CPA, Lowell, Munster, Whiting
2. Chesterton (14) | Boys 10:30 am CT; Girls 11:15 am CT | Results
Andrean, Boone Grove, Chesterton, Hebron, Hobart, Kouts, Lake Station Edison, Merrillville, Morgan Township, Portage, River Forest, Valparaiso, Washington Township, Wheeler
3. New Prairie (17) | Boys 10 am CT; Girls 10:45 am CT | Results
Glenn, LaPorte, Marquette Catholic, Michigan City, Mishawaka, Mishawaka Marian, New Prairie, Penn, South Bend Adams, South Bend Career Academy, South Bend Riley, South Bend Saint Joseph, South Bend Washington, South Central (Union Mills), Trinity Greenlawn, Tri-Township, Westville
4. Elkhart (Oxbow Park) (13) | Boys 10 am ET; Girls 10:30 am ET | Results
Bethany Christian, Bremen, Concord, Elkhart Christian Academy, Elkhart, Fairfield, Goshen, Jimtown, LaVille, Northridge, NorthWood, Wawasee, Westview
5. Rensselaer Central (14) | Boys 10:30 am CT; Girls 11:15 am CT | Results
Benton Central, DeMotte Christian, Frontier, Kankakee Valley, Knox, North Judson-San Pierre, North Newton, North White, Rensselaer Central, South Newton, Tri-County, Twin Lakes, West Central, Winamac
6. Manchester (16) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Argos, Columbia City, Culver Academies, Culver Community, Huntington North, Lakeland Christian Academy, Manchester, North Miami, Northfield, Plymouth, Rochester Community, Tippecanoe Valley, Triton, Wabash, Warsaw, Whitko
7. West Noble (15) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Angola, Carroll (Fort Wayne), Central Noble, Churubusco, DeKalb, East Noble, Eastside, Fremont, Garrett, Hamilton, Lakeland, Lakewood Park Christian, Leo, Prairie Heights, West Noble
8. Woodlan (The Plex) (14) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian, Fort Wayne Canterbury, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran, Fort Wayne Northrop, Fort Wayne Northside, Fort Wayne Snider, Fort Wayne South Side, Fort Wayne Wayne, Heritage, Homestead, New Haven, Woodlan
9. Delta (Taylor University) (16) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Adams Central, Bellmont, Blackford, Bluffton, Delta, Eastbrook, Jay County, Monroe Central, Norwell, Randolph Southern, South Adams, Southern Wells, Union (Modoc), Union City, Wapahani, Winchester Community
10. Marion (Indiana Wesleyan University) (15) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Alexandria Monroe, Blue River Valley, Cowan, Daleville, Elwood Community, Frankton, Madison-Grant, Marion, Mississinewa, Muncie Burris, Muncie Central, Oak Hill, Southwood, West-Del, Yorktown
11. Logansport (16) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Carroll (Flora), Caston, Clinton Central, Clinton Prairie, Eastern (Greentown), Frankfort, Kokomo, Lewis Cass, Logansport, Maconaquah, Northwestern, Peru, Pioneer, Rossville, Taylor, Western
12. Harrison (West Lafayette) (14) | Boys 10 am ET; Girls 10:30 am ET | Results
Attica, Covington, Crawfordsville, Delphi, Faith Christian, Fountain Central, Harrison (West Lafayette), Lafayette Central Catholic, Lafayette Jefferson, McCutcheon, North Montgomery, Seeger, Southmont, West Lafayette
13. North Central (Indianapolis) (18) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Carmel, Heritage Christian, Herron, Indiana School for the Deaf, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, Indianapolis Crispus Attucks, Indianapolis George Washington, Indianapolis Metropolitan, Indianapolis Shortridge, International School of Indiana, North Central (Indianapolis), Park Tudor, Riverside, Tindley, Traders Point Christian, University, Western Boone, Zionsville
14. Terre Haute North Vigo (17) | Boys 10 am ET; Girls 10:45 am ET | Results
Clay City, Cloverdale, Dugger Union, Greencastle, North Central (Farmersburg), North Vermillion, Northview, Owen Valley, Park Heritage, Riverton Parke, Shakamak, South Putnam, South Vermillion, Sullivan, Terre Haute North Vigo, Terre Haute South Vigo, West Vigo
15. Ben Davis (15) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Avon, Ben Davis, Bethesda Christian, Brebeuf Jesuit, Brownsburg, Cascade, Covenant Christian, Danville Community, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter, North Putnam, Pike, Plainfield, Providence Cristo Rey, Speedway, Tri-West Hendricks
16. Noblesville (15) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Anderson, Anderson Preparatory Academy, Fishers, Guerin Catholic, Hamilton Heights, Hamilton Southeastern, Lapel, Lebanon, Liberty Christian, Noblesville, Pendleton Heights, Shenandoah, Tipton, Tri-Central, Westfield
17. Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (17) | Boys 9:45 am ET; Girls 10:30 am ET | Results
Beech Grove, Eastern Hancock, Franklin Central, Greenfield-Central, Indianapolis Arsenal Tech, Indianapolis Cathedral, Indianapolis Lutheran, Indianapolis Scecina Memorial, Irvington Preparatory Academy, Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, Morristown, Mt. Vernon (Fortville), New Palestine, Purdue Polytechnic, Victory College Prep, Warren Central
18. Connersville (15) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Batesville, Cambridge City Lincoln, Centerville, Connersville, East Central, Franklin County, Hagerstown, New Castle, Northeastern, Oldenburg Academy, Richmond, Rushville Consolidated, Seton Catholic, Tri, Union County
19. Shelbyville (Blue River Park) (16) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Center Grove, Decatur Central, Edinburgh, Franklin Community, Greenwood Christian Academy, Greenwood Community, Indian Creek, Mooresville, Perry Meridian, Roncalli, Shelbyville, Southport, Southwestern (Shelby), Triton Central, Waldron, Whiteland Community
20. Southwestern (Hanover) (Hanover College) (16) Boys 9 am ET; Girls 9:45 am ET | Results
Austin, Charlestown, Crothersville, Henryville, Jac-Cen-Del, Lawrenceburg, Madison Consolidated, Milan, New Washington, Rising Sun, Scottsburg, Shawe Memorial, Southwestern Hanover, Switzerland County, South Dearborn, South Ripley
21. Brown County (14) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Brown County, Columbus East, Columbus North, Edgewood, Eminence, Greensburg, Hauser, Jennings County, Martinsville, Monrovia, North Decatur, Seymour, South Decatur, Trinity Lutheran
22. Bedford North Lawrence (17) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Bedford North Lawrence, Bloomfield, Bloomington North, Bloomington South, Brownstown Central, Eastern (Pekin), Eastern Greene, Lighthouse Christian Academy, Linton-Stockton, Loogootee, Mitchell, North Daviess, Orleans, Salem, Shoals, West Washington, White River Valley
23. Crawford County (15) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Borden, Christian Academy of Indiana, Clarksville, Corydon Central, Crawford County, Floyd Central, Jeffersonville, Lanesville, New Albany, North Harrison, Paoli, Providence, Silver Creek, South Central (Elizabeth), Springs Valley
24. Jasper (14) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Barr-Reeve, Cannelton, Forest Park, Jasper, North Knox, Northeast Dubois, Perry Central, Pike Central, South Knox, Southridge, Tell City, Vincennes Lincoln, Washington, Washington Catholic
25. Evansville Mater Dei (Angel Mounds) (19) Boys 10 am CT; Girls 10:30 am CT | Results
Boonville, Castle, Evansville Bosse, Evansville Central, Evansville Christian, Evansville Day, Evansville F.J. Reitz, Evansville Harrison, Evansville Mater Dei, Evansville North, Evansville Reitz Memorial, Gibson Southern, Heritage Hills, Mt. Vernon, North Posey, Princeton Community, Signature, South Spencer, Tecumseh
INDIANA CROSS COUNTRY: HTTPS://IN.MILESPLIT.COM/
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 7 SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, OCT. 12
HOUSTON 41 WEST VIRGINIA 39
SMU 31 EAST CAROLINA 10
FRIDAY, OCT. 13
TULANE AT MEMPHIS | 7 P.M. | ESPN
FRESNO STATE AT UTAH STATE | 8 P.M. | CBSSN
STANFORD AT COLORADO | 10 P.M. | ESPN
SATURDAY, OCT. 14
NO. 1 GEORGIA AT VANDERBILT | 12 P.M. | CBS
INDIANA AT NO. 2 MICHIGAN | 12 P.M. | FOX
NO. 3 OHIO STATE AT PURDUE | 12 P.M. | PEACOCK
SYRACUSE AT NO. 4 FLORIDA STATE | 12 P.M.
ARKANSAS AT NO. 11 ALABAMA | 12 P.M. | ESPN
MICHIGAN STATE AT RUTGERS | 12 P.M.
TEMPLE AT NORTH TEXAS | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
GEORGIA SOUTHERN AT JAMES MADISON | 12 P.M. | ESPN2
KENT STATE AT EASTERN MICHIGAN | 12 P.M. | CBSSN
SACRED HEART AT YALE | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
PRINCETON AT BROWN | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
SAN DIEGO AT MARIST | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
HOWARD AT HARVARD | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
BUCKNELL AT CORNELL | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
DARTMOUTH AT COLGATE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
GEORGETOWN AT LEHIGH | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
ST. THOMAS (MINN.) AT DRAKE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
FURMAN AT SAMFORD | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
TENNESSEE TECH AT SOUTH CAROLINA STATE | 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
PENN AT COLUMBIA | 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
NAVY AT CHARLOTTE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
VMI AT THE CITADEL | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
TOLEDO AT BALL STATE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
GARDNER-WEBB AT AUSTIN PEAY | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTH DAKOTA STATE AT NORTH DAKOTA | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
YOUNGSTOWN STATE AT SOUTH DAKOTA | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
MOREHEAD STATE AT VALPARAISO | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
CAL AT NO. 16 UTAH | 3 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
INDIANA STATE AT ILLINOIS STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
ALABAMA A&M AT GRAMBLING | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
ALABAMA STATE AT JACKSON STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
TARLETON STATE AT EASTERN KENTUCKY | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
SACRAMENTO STATE AT NORTHERN COLORADO | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AT MURRAY STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
UNI AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
EASTERN ILLINOIS AT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
UMASS AT NO. 6 PENN STATE | 3:30 P.M.
NO. 8 OREGON AT NO. 7 WASHINGTON | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
TEXAS A&M AT NO. 19 TENNESSEE | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
NO. 23 KANSAS AT OKLAHOMA STATE | 3:30 P.M. | FS1
TROY AT ARMY | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
FLORIDA AT SOUTH CAROLINA | 3:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
WAKE FOREST AT VIRGINIA TECH | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
BYU AT TCU | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT SOUTH FLORIDA | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN2
AKRON AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
BOWLING GREEN AT BUFFALO | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
MIAMI (OHIO) AT WESTERN MICHIGAN | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
WOFFORD AT EAST TENNESSEE STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
OHIO AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS | 4 P.M. | ESPNU
NORTH ALABAMA AT ABILENE CHRISTIAN | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
PORTLAND STATE AT NORTHERN ARIZONA | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
MISSOURI STATE AT WESTERN ILLINOIS | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
LAMAR AT SE LOUISIANA | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
ROBERT MORRIS AT BRYANT | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTHWESTERN STATE AT NICHOLLS | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
LINDENWOOD AT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
CHATTANOOGA AT MERCER | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
UNLV AT NEVADA | 5 P.M. | MOUNTAIN WEST NETWORK
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN AT CENTRAL ARKANSAS | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE AT UIW | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
NORFOLK STATE AT TENNESSEE STATE | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
EASTERN WASHINGTON AT IDAHO STATE | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
NO. 14 LOUISVILLE AT PITT | 6:30 P.M. | CW NETWORK
MARSHALL AT GEORGIA STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN2
UL MONROE AT TEXAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
WYOMING AT AIR FORCE | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M AT HOUSTON CHRISTIAN | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
ARIZONA AT NO. 19 WASHINGTON STATE | 7 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORKS
AUBURN AT NO. 22 LSU | 7 P.M. | ESPN
NO. 10 USC AT NO. 21 NOTRE DAME | 7:30 P.M. | NBC/PEACOCK
NO. 25 MIAMI (FLA.) AT NO. 12 NORTH CAROLINA | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
MISSOURI AT NO. 24 KENTUCKY | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
NO. 18 UCLA AT NO. 15 OREGON STATE | 8 P.M. | FOX
NC STATE AT NO. 17 DUKE | 8 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
UAB AT UTSA | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
CAL POLY AT MONTANA STATE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
UC DAVIS AT WEBER STATE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
MONTANA AT IDAHO | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN2
SAN DIEGO STATE AT HAWAI’I | 11 P.M. | CBSSN
ILLINOIS AT MARYLAND
IOWA AT WISCONSIN
IOWA STATE AT CINCINNATI
KANSAS STATE AT TEXAS TECH
BOISE STATE AT COLORADO STATE
WEEK 6 SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
KANSAS CITY 19 DENVER 8
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
BALTIMORE RAVENS VS TENNESSEE TITANS (TOTTENHAM) 9:30A NFLN
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS 1:00P CBS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS 1:00P FOX
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS 1:00P CBS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:00P FOX
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT HOUSTON TEXANS 1:00P FOX
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 1:00P CBS
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS 1:00P CBS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS 4:05P CBS
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS 4:25P FOX
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT NEW YORK JETS 4:25P FOX
DETROIT LIONS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 4:25P FOX
NEW YORK GIANTS AT BUFFALO BILLS 8:20P NBC
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023
DALLAS COWBOYS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 8:15P ESPN/ABC
WEEK 6 BYES: GREEN BAY PACKERS, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
FULL SCHEDULE FOR 2023 MLB POSTSEASON
THURSDAY, OCT. 12
PHILADELPHIA 3 ATLANTA 1 (PHILLIES WIN SERIES 3-1)
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
PRESENTED BY LOANDEPOT
SUNDAY, OCT. 15
TEX @ HOU, GAME 1, FOX/FS1
MONDAY, OCT. 16
AZ @ PHI, GAME 1, TBS
TEX @ HOU, GAME 2, FOX/FS1
TUESDAY, OCT. 17
AZ @ PHI, GAME 2, TBS
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18
HOU @ TEX, GAME 3, FOX/FS1
THURSDAY, OCT. 19
PHI @ AZ, GAME 3, TBS
HOU @ TEX, GAME 4, FOX/FS1
FRIDAY, OCT. 20
PHI @ AZ, GAME 4, TBS
HOU @ TEX, GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
SATURDAY, OCT. 21
PHI @ AZ, GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
SUNDAY, OCT. 22
TEX @ HOU, GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
MONDAY, OCT. 23
AZ @ PHI, GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
TEX @ HOU, GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
TUESDAY, OCT. 24
AZ @ PHI, GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
WORLD SERIES
PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE
FRIDAY, OCT. 27
GAME 1 (AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
SATURDAY, OCT. 28
GAME 2 (AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
MONDAY, OCT. 30
GAME 3, FOX
TUESDAY, OCT. 31
GAME 4, FOX
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1
GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), FOX
FRIDAY, NOV. 3
GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY, AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
SATURDAY, NOV. 4
GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY, AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
NBA PRE-SEASON
ORLANDO 108 CLEVELAND 105
WASHINGTON 98 CHARLOTTE 92
ATLANTA 103 MEMPHIS 102
HOUSTON 120 NEW ORLEANS 87
CHICAGO 133 DENVER 124 2OT
PHOENIX 122 PORTLAND 111
NHL SCOREBOARD
PHILADELPHIA 4 COLUMBUS 2
NEW JERSEY 4 DETROIT 3
DALLAS 2 ST. LOUIS 1
MINNESOTA 2 FLORIDA 0
NASHVILLE 3 SEATTLE 0
VEGAS 4 SAN JOSE 1
WNBA SCORES
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
CASTELLANOS HITS 2 HOMERS AGAIN, POWERS PHILLIES PAST BRAVES 3-1 AND INTO 2ND STRAIGHT NLCS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Bryce Harper’s funny bone – the one he clutched on his right elbow before the Philadelphia Phillies clinched another berth in the NL Championship Series – gave the team, the franchise, even a city, a fleeting scare.
The most valuable of all the Phillies, Harper insisted he was fine. Honest.
The slugger soon stripped off his jersey and soaked in one more postseason bubbly bash inside the clubhouse, where his teammates had a T-shirt waiting he could wear for the ride home.
On the front, “ Atta Boy Harper.”
On the back, “He wasn’t supposed to hear it.”
First, the Phillies delivered a second straight KO of the Atlanta Braves in the Division Series. Then they hit ’em with a punchline on the way out of town.
Nick Castellanos became the first player to hit multiple homers in consecutive postseason games, leading Philadelphia to a 3-1 victory in Game 4 on Thursday night that ushered Atlanta out of the playoffs for the second straight year.
“I just think there are so many guys that have been in these situations, not just now, but their whole lives,” Harper said. “We’ve got some really good players. I think we just kind of vibe together. We vibe well here. It’s a lot of fun.”
Matt Strahm struck out pinch-hitter Vaughn Grissom with runners at the corners to clinch the series and send the Phillies rushing the field in wild celebration. Fireworks went off at a frenzied Citizens Bank Park and the reigning National League champions were set to sing “ Dancing On My Own ” and uncork the Broad Street Bubbly.
Harper grabbed his surgically repaired right elbow after a collision with Matt Olson in the eighth. Olson’s left knee clipped Harper’s elbow on a play at first base that ended the inning. The two-time NL MVP flexed his elbow after a quick examination and finished the game.
Trea Turner singled twice, doubled and hit a solo homer in the fifth for a 2-1 lead as the Phillies make another run at their first World Series title since 2008.
They head next week to an all-wild card NLCS and will play the Arizona Diamondbacks, making their first trip since 2007. Game 1 is Monday in Philadelphia.
The Phillies were thrilled to return home after a Game 2 collapse in Atlanta ended with Harper getting doubled up on the bases to end a 5-4 loss. In the jubilant Braves clubhouse after the win, shortstop Orlando Arcia cracked, “ attaboy, Harper,” a wisecrack he later acknowledged he never intended for the Phillies to hear.
Harper hit two homers in Game 3 and stared down Arcia each time as he trotted around second base.
After Game 4, the Phillies had their fun, spraying Harper with beer and gleefully yelling, “Attaboy, Harper! Attaboy!”
“Watching when they celebrated when they doubled off Harper, and seeing everybody jump around and dance on the field,” Castellanos said, “that was a good feeling to get coming back and playing baseball here.”
The Phillies withstood a pair of scares in once again closing out the NL East champion Braves, who had the best record in baseball this season at 104-58. Philadelphia went 90-72, finishing 14 games back of Atlanta for the second year in a row.
Before the collision involving Harper, rookie center fielder Johan Rojas made a huge defensive play with the bases loaded to end the seventh, running down a deep drive to left-center and denying Ronald Acuña Jr. an extra-base hit that could have put Atlanta ahead.
“It takes a while to get over something like this after the year we had, the expectation we have here,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “We got beat by a really good club that has a penchant for this time of year.”
Wearing throwback powder blue jerseys and maroon hats as they do every Thursday at home, the Phillies took the same path as a year ago to reach another NLCS: first a Wild Card Series sweep; then they won Game 1 in Atlanta and lost Game 2. Like last season, the Phillies returned home and scored six runs in the third inning of a Game 3 rout.
Then a repeat of a barrage of homers that signaled a knockout victory over their NL East rival, a year after the Braves won 101 regular-season games only to get handed an early playoff exit by Philadelphia.
“The only thing that I can say is that I’m learning that the season and the postseason are completely different,” Castellanos said.
Atlanta will surely find little consolation in not being the only regular-season heavyweight already out of these playoffs. The teams with the five best regular-season records – the Braves, Orioles (101 wins), Dodgers (100), Rays (99) and Brewers (92) – all failed to reach the LCS.
But this night belonged to Castellanos, the All-Star right fielder whose production tailed off in the second half only to rally with his son sitting in the front row for the postseason.
A night after he hit two homers in Game 3, Castellanos became the first Phillies slugger, heck, any slugger in baseball history, to drill multiple homers in consecutive playoff games.
His second one ended the night for Braves starter and 20-game winner Spencer Strider. Castellanos chased Strider in the sixth with a 415-foot moonshot to left that sent 45,831 fans at Citizens Bank Park into a towel-waving frenzy. Castellanos soaked in the cheers during the pitching change; he poked his head out of the dugout and raised his arms as Phillies fans grew louder.
Castellanos continued to wave his arms toward the crowd as he headed to right field in the seventh with the Phillies up 3-1.
“Whenever you see that many people giving you an acknowledgment in a positive favor, I mean, there’s not really a lot of words that are going to be able to capture that feeling. But it’s special,” he said.
Manager Rob Thomson again turned to starter Ranger Suárez to keep the Phillies in the game until turning it over to a parade of hard-throwers in the bullpen. The plan worked once this series already. Suárez allowed just one hit through 3 2/3 innings in his Game 1 start before Thomson handed the ball to six relievers in a 3-0 win. The plan in this one, get Suárez at least twice through the lineup – and the pitcher often overshadowed by Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola succeeded.
The hard-throwing lefty buzzed through three hitless innings – hitting 95.3 mph when he caught Sean Murphy looking to end the second – before Austin Riley homered in the fourth for a 1-0 Braves lead.
The early homer, the early deficit, rarely troubles these Phillies. They wait for their long-ball heavy lineup to deliver and – for the second straight game – it was Castellanos who tied it 1-all on a solo shot. Castellanos socked one inside the left-field foul pole, flipped his bat, and pointed to his young son, Liam, as he crossed the plate.
“I think when you’re hitting two homers every day, you can do whatever the hell you want,” Turner said.
Liam was a fixture at the ballpark for most of the summer and tagged along with Castellanos from the clubhouse to the All-Star Game. Liam had been absent from the ballpark once school resumed, but his dad has gushed about his presence this postseason.
Father, son – and all of Philadelphia – get at least one more round together.
UP NEXT
The Phillies stay home and get three days off before the NLCS opener.
The Braves have lost 10 of their last 11 elimination games and will ponder what went wrong after another empty postseason.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
JALEN MILROE, NO. 11 ALABAMA LOOK TO STAY HOT VS. ARKANSAS
Jalen Milroe no longer has to look over his shoulder and is firmly entrenched as Alabama’s starting quarterback.
Benched earlier this season, Milroe has since displayed he is the top signal-caller on the roster, and he will look to help the No. 11 Crimson Tide win their fifth straight game when they face Arkansas on Saturday in Southeastern Conference play at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Milroe further stamped his name atop the depth chart by throwing three touchdown passes and compiling a career-high 321 yards through the air in last Saturday’s 26-20 road win over Texas A&M.
He lost the starting gig after throwing two interceptions in a 34-24 home loss to then-No. 11 Texas on Sept. 9.
The next week, he never got into the game as Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson handled the QB duties against South Florida. The Alabama offense was lethargic throughout that 17-3 victory, and it was a one-score game until the Crimson Tide scored a touchdown with 33 seconds left.
That contest made it clear to Saban that there was no longer a quarterback dilemma. The focus now is on helping Milroe improve.
“You cannot allow one play to affect the next play,” Saban said of Milroe. “And that’s something he’s learned and is doing a lot better, staying much more positive on the sidelines, communicating well with his teammates and coaches in terms of what he saw, what he didn’t see, what he needs to do to get it corrected.
“So that’s something that comes a little bit with experience. But I also think it comes with awareness, and I think we’re making good progress in both areas.”
Milroe has completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 1,159 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions.
Wideout Jermaine Burton had a big day against the Aggies. He made a career-best nine receptions, matched his career high of 197 yards and caught two touchdown passes.
The Crimson Tide (5-1, 3-0) moved into first place in the SEC West by beating Texas A&M. Now they will face Arkansas (2-4, 0-3), which has dropped four straight games and has allowed an average of 33.3 points during the skid.
Saban is doing all he can to make the Razorbacks sound like a dangerous opponent, even though Alabama has won the past 16 matchups. The Crimson Tide lead the series 25-8.
“Arkansas is really a good team,” Saban said. “They’ve had some really tough games, some really close losses. But they’ve scored a lot of points.
“KJ Jefferson is a really good, big-time quarterback — big guy, hard to sack, can run, very talented arm.”
Jefferson has completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 1,300 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. In last Saturday’s 27-20 loss at Ole Miss, he passed for 250 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
“He’s just like everybody else on the team,” Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman said. “He’s got to continue to get better as well. I know he played extremely hard.”
Jefferson said his club needs to regroup entering the clash with Alabama.
“Just having faith in each other,” he said. “I mean just each and every day at practice and in the locker room as well, just make sure we’re still bonded together, we’re still having fun, we’re still in the moment and we’re still passionate about the team and this sport and the state.”
Jefferson has been sacked 12 times over the past two games, so Alabama defensive stalwarts Dallas Turner (6.5 sacks) and Chris Braswell (4.5) will look to pad their totals.
NO. 4 FLORIDA STATE LOOKS TO SMASH SYRACUSE AGAIN
No. 4 Florida State is one of four Atlantic Coast Conference teams that are undefeated in league play.
The Seminoles (5-0, 3-0) may be the best of the bunch, but in order to support that claim, they’ll need to defeat visiting Syracuse (4-2, 0-2) on Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla.
Florida State is in the midst of a three-game homestand that began last weekend with a 39-17 victory over Virginia Tech. The Seminoles have tallied at least 31 points in every game this season and rank sixth in the nation in scoring (42.4).
Jordan Travis is the engine driving the Seminoles, as he’s passed for 12 touchdowns with only one interception. He has thrown two TDs with no picks in each of the last four games and completed a season-high 75 percent of his passes against the Hokies.
“I’m not going to enjoy watching him play,” quipped Syracuse coach Dino Babers, “but when you get done, he’s one of those guys that you do turn on the TV to watch because he plays at an extremely high level.”
Travis lit up the Orange last season, completing 21 of 23 passes for 155 yards and three TDs in a 38-3 shellacking. The Seminoles lead the all-time series 13-2 and are 7-0 at home against Syracuse.
Babers knows the challenge that awaits his team, which has been outscored 71-21 over the last two weeks and is in the midst of a 34-day stretch without a home game.
“We’ve beaten a team in the top five before, but it’s very, very difficult to do, and it’s extremely difficult to do when you’re at their place,” Babers said.
If they have any hopes of pulling the upset, the Orange will need a big day out of Garrett Shrader. The senior signal-caller has been held under 200 yards passing in three of the last four games and has thrown at least one interception in four straight contests.
He also has rushed for a total of 102 yards in the last three games after erupting for 195 rushing yards and four scores in last month’s win over Purdue.
“Obviously you look at the course of work that he’s done over the last couple years, he’s a very talented player and can do a lot of great things with his arm,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “If you account for everybody in the passing game and don’t have eyes and a body on him, he’ll definitely make you pay as a runner.”
On the other side of the ball, Syracuse leans on a dangerous defensive line that has helped the Orange lead the ACC in tackles for loss (7.8 per game). Linebacker Marlowe Wax is a major factor as well, having registered a team-high 45 tackles, three forced fumbles, two sacks and an interception.
“You’re not going to see a team that brings more variations of pressures,” Norvell said. “Just the different looks from three down to four down to — they can blitz everybody on the field at some point. You have to be great with your eyes. You have to be great with your technique. We had a couple slow reactions where we gave up pressures there the other day.”
INDIANA LOOKING FOR ‘A CHANCE’ AT NO. 2 MICHIGAN
Indiana coach Tom Allen doesn’t see any weaknesses when he evaluates No. 2 Michigan.
The Hoosiers have the unenviable task of trying to slow down the Wolverines, who have cruised to victories in their first six games, when they play Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor, Mich.
“I think had Georgia maybe not played the way they did, (the Wolverines) could be No. 1 in the poll this week. They’ve definitely earned that discussion, for sure,” Allen said.
“So, a lot of respect for them in how they’re playing right now and very well-coached at all positions. But up front, their D-line and O-line, is where they’ve really established themselves. … We’ve just got to find a way to slow down this offense and give ourselves a chance.”
Michigan (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) is returning home after two impressive conference road wins. The Wolverines disposed of Nebraska 45-7, then pounded Minnesota 52-10.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has completed 77.6 percent of his passes, including 11 touchdowns. He also has rushed for three touchdowns in the past two weeks. The offensive line has given McCarthy a clean pocket this season, as he has been sacked only three times.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh believes McCarthy belongs in the discussion with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, quarterback Caleb Williams of Southern California.
“I made the comment after (the Minnesota game) that I thought J.J. was the best quarterback in the country,” Harbaugh said. “After the game, I had a chance to watch USC on the flight home. (Williams) is really good, too. I would say now you’re in the world of talking about, who’s better, Kobe (Bryant) or Michael (Jordan)? Or Peyton Manning (or) Tom Brady. They’re both really great.”
The Wolverines’ defense has been dominant, holding opponents to 40 total points, the fewest allowed by a Division I team this season. That unit ranks third nationally in yards allowed per game (233.3).
The Hoosiers (2-3, 0-2) are coming off a bye week. All but one of their losses came against ranked teams (Ohio State, Louisville), but they had their worst outing of the season in their last game, getting blown out 44-17 by unranked Maryland.
Allen decided to make a coaching change afterward, as Rod Carey replaced Walt Bell as the offensive coordinator.
“Obviously, needed a new voice in that room and that’s the change we made,” Allen said.
Tayven Jackson, who has been limited to two touchdown passes this season, has started at quarterback, but his hold on the job is precarious. Dexter Williams II, who suffered a serious knee injury late last season, is close to returning.
“Every passing week, even this past week, was another chance to continue to get closer and closer to be able to allow him to play,” Allen said. “That will be a good discussion for us as a staff and to kind of make that opportunity. So, I’d like to be able to ease him into that opportunity as well. So, we’ll see how that plays itself out.”
Michigan has historically dominated the series 61-10, winning 26 of the last 27 meetings. The Wolverines have yet to face a ranked opponent this season and that won’t change until next month, but Harbaugh (7-1 vs. Indiana) brushes aside critics of the team’s schedule.
“Whatever is being said, all that kind of thing, we’re just trying to get good at football,” Harbaugh said. “Don’t really pay too much attention to what’s been said, good or bad.”
NO. 3 OHIO STATE SEEKS ‘INDIANA SWEEP’ AT PURDUE
Ohio State wants its third trip to the state of Indiana this season to be as successful as the first two when the No. 3 Buckeyes visit West Lafayette to play upset-minded Purdue on Saturday.
In a quirk of the schedule for the Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten), the matchup against the Boilermakers (2-4, 1-2) means they will have played as many games in their neighboring state as in Columbus so far this season.
Ohio State already owns victories in Bloomington against Indiana and South Bend against Notre Dame.
Logic suggests the Buckeyes will make it a sweep against a Purdue team still trying to find traction under first-year coach Ryan Walters, who replaced Jeff Brohm when he left for his alma mater, Louisville, after six seasons with the Boilermakers.
Purdue is coming off a 20-14 loss at Iowa in which quarterback Hudson Card was sacked six times and threw two interceptions. Walters said he and his staff need to put Card in better positions to succeed.
“We can also help him out in that area and give him better answers and put him in scenarios where the ball is designed to get out quick,” Walters said. “That’s one of the things that we’ve looked at, that we need to adapt and adjust to give our quarterback the best chance to be successful on Saturdays.”
Meanwhile, Ohio State’s once-dynamic offense failed to score a first-half touchdown for the second straight game and needed a pick-six by safety Josh Proctor to rally for a 10-10 halftime score before the Buckeyes prevailed 37-17 against Maryland last Saturday.
The Buckeyes totaled 142 yards in the first half. For the game, they rushed for only 62 yards while averaging 1.9 yards per carry.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day said the running game is not up to the Buckeyes’ standards.
“This is the expectation. I get it,” he said. “Nobody wants to run the ball more than me. We’ve just got to execute it better. We have to coach it better, and that starts with me.”
Team leading rusher TreVeyon Henderson missed the game due to an undisclosed injury, but Day said Tuesday that he expects him to be available Saturday.
Ohio State is nearly a three-touchdown favorite, but history says don’t count out the Boilermakers.
The last time Ohio State visited, in 2018, the unranked Boilermakers humiliated then-coach Urban Meyer’s second-ranked team 49-20. The lone loss of the season for the Buckeyes kept them out of the College Football Playoff.
Walters is embracing that upset and said it was addressed at a team meeting Tuesday.
“We’ve got some creative ways to just kind of give the history of this game and what it meant the last time they were here,” he said. “So they’ll definitely be aware.”
Proctor, Xavier Johnson and Matthew Jones are the only current Ohio State players who were on the 2018 team.
“It means a lot,” Proctor said of returning to Purdue. “I haven’t been back since, so I’m definitely looking forward to that one.”
The Boilermakers have won five of eight at home against the Buckeyes since 2000.
NO. 1 GEORGIA READY TO ROLL AGAIN AT VANDERBILT
Top-ranked Georgia will set out to extend a 23-game winning streak when it visits Eastern Division rival Vanderbilt on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn.
The Bulldogs (6-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) haven’t always performed up to the standard that comes with being two-time defending national champions.
Two weeks ago, Georgia beat unranked Auburn, 27-20. Two weeks before that, it needed 21 unanswered second-half points in a 24-14 win over unranked South Carolina.
Last Saturday, Georgia looked more like the team that demolished TCU in last year’s national title game, scoring the first 21 points in a 51-13 rout of then-No. 20 Kentucky.
Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart was pleased with the discipline his team showed against the Wildcats.
“Our team had great discipline tonight to not get cheap penalties,” Smart said after the game. “We told them. We said, ‘Hey, look, Kentucky is going to have some penalties. They’ll have guys push you or shove you.’ I just said, ‘Don’t respond.’ I thought our guys were really good.”
More important factors were the play of quarterback Carson Beck (28-of-35 passing, 389 yards, four touchdowns, one interception) and tight end Brock Bowers (seven catches, 132 yards, one score). That was part of a 608-yard outburst against a Kentucky defense that, before Saturday, was allowing 297 yards a game.
The Bulldogs’ defense also finds itself in a familiar position, ranking first in the SEC in scoring defense (13.0) and second in total defense (270 yards), while leading the SEC in fewest yards allowed per play (4.32).
Georgia is getting the job done through depth. The Bulldogs don’t have a player ranked in the top 40 of the SEC’s tackle leaders. Safety Malaki Starks has a pair of interceptions, while defensive back Tykee Smith has three picks.
“There aren’t a lot of holes on this team,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said of the Bulldogs on Tuesday.
Vandy (2-5, 0-3), meanwhile, looks to stop a string of five consecutive losses, the latest coming in Saturday’s 38-14 defeat at Florida. But Georgia has won the past five in the annual series, including the past two by a combined 117-0.
“I think our frustration — and there is frustration — is based off what our expectations were,” Lea said, “and so right now we’re shifting the focus back to improving our team and identifying the areas where we can push forward and build to a better performance on Saturday.”
Interceptions — Vanderbilt has thrown an SEC-worst eight while adding a league-worst five fumbles lost — helped lead to quarterback Ken Seals unseating AJ Swann.
Seals has thrown for 539 yards, four touchdowns and one pick while starting the Commodores’ past two games.
Vandy will need to get wide receiver Will Sheppard (35 catches, 550 yards, eight touchdowns) more involved. The senior reeled in an 85-yard touchdown catch against Florida last week, but caught just two balls for 22 yards otherwise.
The team’s biggest problem may be pass defense. Vandy ranks 12th in the SEC in pass efficiency defense, allowing 7.6 yards per attempt and a league-worst 15 touchdowns (tied with LSU).
That could get worse on Saturday. On Tuesday, Lea said Vandy will be without a pair of starters, safety De’Rickey Wright and cornerback BJ Anderson, and termed starting corner Martel Hight “questionable.”
The Commodores will need punter Matt Hayball (an SEC-leading 50.1 yards per punt, 11 punts inside the 20) to help with field position.
AMID QB WOES, NO. 16 UTAH HOSTS CAL
The availability of Utah quarterback Cameron Rising remains the burning question as the No. 16 Utes prepare to host Cal in a Pac-12 Conference game Saturday in Salt Lake City.
Rising was the MVP of the Pac-12 title game last season but then suffered a significant knee injury against Penn State during the Rose Bowl and needed surgery to repair a torn ACL, meniscus and MCL.
He has seemed to be on the cusp of returning since early in the season, but the senior has yet to play.
“It was a big surgery, and it’s not an easy comeback,” Rising said last week. “I’ve been working my tail off.”
Rising has been doing drills with the Utes in recent weeks, and Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has deemed him questionable before games, but each time the quarterback has remained in street clothes.
Whittingham plans to make a decision on Rising earlier than normal leading up to the visit from Cal, but he said he doesn’t intend to reveal his decision.
“If someone can give me one reason why it would help us win more to announce it, then I’ll tell you,” Whittingham said. “I can’t think of one thing.”
If Rising is unable to play, freshman Nate Johnson likely will get another opportunity. He struggled two weeks ago in Utah’s most recent game, a 21-7 loss to Oregon State, completing just 8 of 23 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. He also carried the ball nine times for just 3 yards.
Johnson was replaced by Bryson Barnes after starting the game 3-for-12 for 35 yards, but Barnes absorbed a big hit in the fourth quarter and was briefly hospitalized with an undisclosed injury after finishing 5-for-8 for 40 yards.
Another freshman, Brandon Rose, was expected to battle for the backup spot this season, but he suffered an undisclosed injury during a scrimmage before the season and remains unavailable.
Utah (4-1, 1-1) won its first four games of the season before falling to Oregon State. The 21 points surrendered were the most allowed by the Utes this season and the fewest scored by Oregon State.
Cal (3-3, 1-2) has alternated wins and losses this season. The Golden Bears also are coming off a loss to Oregon State, but they made things interesting in the 52-40 defeat in Berkeley, Calif., last week.
Cal trailed by just three points at the start of the fourth quarter before surrendering 17 consecutive points.
“We’ll find out where the defenders are come next week, because boy — and this is not taking anything away from Oregon State because I really do think those guys do a great job coaching — but, man, ooh, that was bad defense right there by us,” Cal coach Justin Wilcox said.
Cal has used three starting quarterbacks this season but is expected to come back with freshman Fernando Mendoza, who completed 21 of 32 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception, in his first college start last weekend.
“He was not perfect but brought energy to the game. You could tell the tempo on offense was different,” Wilcox said. “He threw the ball pretty well, he made some plays with his feet. Overall, I’m very pleased with what Fernando did for his first start in that environment against that defense.”
NO. 23 KANSAS SOLID ON DEFENSE, TOO, AS OKLAHOMA STATE AWAITS
Oklahoma State will face a ranked opponent for the first time this season when No. 23 Kansas travels to Stillwater for a Big 12 contest on Saturday.
The Jayhawks (5-1, 2-1) bounced back from a 26-point loss at then-No. 3 Texas on Sept. 30 with a 51-22 defeat of conference newcomer UCF last Saturday in Lawrence, Kan.
Kansas rushed for a whopping 399 yards and five touchdowns against UCF. Devin Neal ran for 154 yards and a score, Daniel Hishaw Jr. added 134 yards and two TDs, and Dylan McDuffie rushed for 91 yards and two TDs.
The Jayhawks averaged 7.8 yards per carry and posted their highest rushing total since gaining 400 against Rutgers in 2018. However, Kansas coach Lance Leipold said he was just as pleased with his defense, which kept the Knights off the scoreboard until the third quarter.
“I think our defense is playing at a level that I’m — I don’t know surprised — but to a level that I’m pleased with,” he said Monday. “Some of the depth I was anticipating that could come is starting to come, especially at the second level at our linebacker position. I can’t really say surprised, though. I think that’s underselling those guys.”
Kansas played without starting quarterback Jalon Daniels for the second straight week and third time this season. Daniels did not practice Monday and likely will be a game-time decision Saturday. Backup Jason Bean was 8-of-12 passing for 91 yards and one touchdown against the Knights.
The Jayhawks rank second in the Big 12 in both scoring (36 points per game) and rushing (232.3 yards per game). They will face a Cowboys defense that ranks 11th in the league against the run, allowing 154 yards per game.
Kansas defeated Oklahoma State 37-16 last season to halt a 12-game losing streak in the series; however, the Jayhawks have not won in Stillwater since 2007.
The Cowboys (3-2, 1-1) are coming off a 29-21 victory at home last Friday night against Kansas State. That ended a two-game skid for coach Mike Gundy’s squad.
Ollie Gordon II rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown and Alex Hale booted five field goals for Oklahoma State. The defense came up with three interceptions, including a 35-yard pick-six by Cameron Epps just before halftime.
In last season’s loss to Kansas in Lawrence, the Cowboys had no answers for Neal. The Jayhawks’ workhorse rushed 32 times for 224 yards and a touchdown and caught six passes for 110 yards.
“They’ve got a good package. They are smart and know what they are doing,” Gundy said Monday about the Kansas running game. “Those backs have gained confidence. They like running the ball because they are running for 3 to 4 yards past the line of scrimmage and not getting touched.”
The Cowboys lost wideout De’Zhaun Stribling for the season to a hand injury sustained in practice last week. The Washington State transfer caught 14 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown in four games.
NO. 6 PENN STATE TAKES BIG TEN BREAK TO FACE UMASS
After rolling to three straight Big Ten victories by a combined 76 points, No. 6 Penn State will take a break from conference play when it hosts Massachusetts on Saturday in State College, Pa.
Another lopsided win appears likely for the Nittany Lions (5-0) despite coach James Franklin insisting that the Minutemen (1-6) are “maybe the most explosive team we’ve played this year.”
Penn State is healthy and eager to get back on the field following a bye week. The Nittany Lions haven’t played since rolling past host Northwestern 41-13 on Sept. 30 on the heels of a 31-0 rout of then-No. 24 Iowa.
A sturdy defense and balanced offense have helped steer the Nittany Lions to their unbeaten start.
In the Northwestern game, the Nittany Lions passed for 219 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 134 yards and three scores.
Quarterback Drew Allar passed and rushed for touchdowns behind an offensive line anchored by savvy center Hunter Nourzad, who has been especially impressive to Franklin of late.
“His approach, his maturity; gosh, he’s getting an MBA right now from Penn State. … He’s just one of those guys who’s a really great example of the importance of maturity on your football team,” Franklin said.
UMass enters Saturday’s game on a six-game losing streak. The program’s lone victory this season came on the road as quarterback Taisun Phommachanh contributed 288 yards of total offense and a rushing touchdown in a season-opening, 41-30 win at New Mexico State.
The Minutemen are coming off a 41-24 home loss to Toledo in which they were outscored 24-3 after halftime. Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams had 20 carries for a career-best 157 yards and a score, while Phommachanh passed for 272 yards and two TDs.
UMass coach Don Brown stressed that his team will need to sustain a notable effort throughout the afternoon if it expects to tread water at raucous Beaver Stadium.
“The place is going to be packed,” Brown said. “Going to be over 100,000 people there. And got to be a big boy and put your big-boy pants on and go to work. It’s real simple. Focus your attention on the task at hand and just stay in the fight for 60 minutes. And that’s kind of the deal. That’s the approach you got to take. It’s not rocket science.”
Penn State cruised past visiting UMass 48-7 in the lone previous meeting between the schools, on Sept. 20, 2014.
Smith and Franklin coached together at Maryland in 2009, with Brown serving as the Terrapins’ defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach and Franklin fulfilling duties as offensive coordinator/assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach.
Minutemen safety Tyler Rudolph transferred to the school after playing in 11 games for Penn State from 2019-21.
The Nittany Lions will close the regular season with six straight Big Ten games, beginning with an Oct. 21 visit to No. 3 Ohio State.
TEXAS A&M BRINGS DYNAMIC DEFENSE TO NO. 19 TENNESSEE
Texas A&M brings dynamic defense to No. 19 Tennessee
As Week 7 arrives for Southeastern Conference teams, Texas A&M and No. 19 Tennessee have reached the must-win portion of their schedules.
Meeting for the first time since 2020 and only the fifth time overall, the Aggies (4-2, 2-1) will visit the Volunteers (4-1, 1-1) on Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.
Coming off a bye week following a 41-20 home blowout of South Carolina on Sept. 30, Tennessee has little margin for error as Texas A&M makes just its second trip to Rocky Top.
The win over the Gamecocks was tainted by the season-ending loss of reliable receiver Bru McCoy, who made a crucial catch before the last-second, game-winning field goal in last year’s 52-49 win over No. 3 Alabama.
However, Volunteers coach Josh Heupel said defense will be the key against the Aggies.
Tennessee and Texas A&M rank 1-2 in the country in average sacks per game, with the Vols topping the stat with 22 in five outings (4.4 per game) while the Aggies have 26 in six (4.3).
“Guys are playing violent, they’re disruptive, they’re jumping the football and winning one-on-one battles,” Heupel, the third-year Vols coach, said Monday. “We’re going to continue to need that. All offseason a point of emphasis for us was the ability to apply pressure to the quarterback, not just with (blitz) pressure, and our guys have done a good job.”
Texas A&M brings the nation’s 10th-ranked defense to Neyland Stadium, allowing just 268.8 yards per contest.
In its final two September games, the Aggies posted 30 tackles for loss — 15 each against Auburn and Arkansas in season-high-tying performances.
However, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe torched the Aggies for 321 yards and three touchdown passes in the Crimson Tide’s 26-20 win last Saturday at College Station.
Also of note is coach Jimbo Fisher’s dismal record in true road games since his 2018 arrival at Texas A&M: 7-14, with his best away campaign coming in COVID-affected 2020 when the Aggies won four of five.
One of those was a 34-13 triumph in Knoxville in front of just 22,645 fans in the teams’ regular-season finale.
Still, Fisher said he has not changed his approach in hitting the road in the competitive conference.
“What you approach is your maturity and how you practice,” Fisher said Monday. “Mature teams play well on the road. Mature teams that are confident and trust in things and believe in themselves. When you’re on the road in this league, it’s hard. Tennessee is one of those hard places, but hopefully your maturity will help.”
With each team already owning one SEC loss, no wiggle room likely exists for dropping games in the hunt for an SEC division title.
Tennessee still has back-to-back road games starting next week at No. 11 Alabama and No. 24 Kentucky, plus a Nov. 18 home matchup with top-ranked Georgia.
Meanwhile, Texas A&M still has tough road tests at No. 13 Ole Miss and No. 22 LSU on its slate to shape its fate.
NO. 7 WASHINGTON, NO. 8 OREGON PREPARED FOR MARQUEE MATCHUP
So just how big is Saturday’s matchup between No. 7 Washington and No. 8 Oregon?
It’s the first time both programs have been ranked in the Top 10 when meeting in the rivalry’s 123-year history.
ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be on hand in Seattle.
And the matchup features a pair of quarterbacks who are Heisman Trophy candidates: Oregon’s Bo Nix and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.
“This is what we tell young people: This is why you come to UW, for games just like this,” Huskies co-defensive coordinator William Inge said.
Both the Ducks (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) and Huskies (5-0, 2-0) are coming off bye weeks that helped them get healthy.
Huskies wide receiver Jalen McMillan is expected to return after missing the past two games with a leg injury suffered at Michigan State. Fellow receiver Rome Odunze appeared to injure his midsection while recovering an onside kick Sept. 30 at Arizona, but UW offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said Odunze is “ready to go.”
Two starters in Oregon’s secondary, cornerback Khyree Jackson and safety Bryan Addison, are also expected back after getting banged up Sept. 30 at Stanford.
The Huskies defeated the Ducks 37-34 last season in Eugene, Ore., on a 43-yard field goal with 51 seconds remaining.
Penix threw for 408 yards and two touchdowns, including a 62-yarder with 3:07 to go that tied the score. Nix passed for 280 yards and two TDs and rushed for 55 yards and another score.
Penix is the current Heisman frontrunner at +200, while Nix is the No. 3 betting favorite at +600, according to the latest odds from BetMGM.
Penix is averaging 399.8 yards per game with 16 touchdowns; Nix has an 80.4 completion percentage with 15 TDs.
Ducks coach Dan Lanning, previously the defensive coordinator at Georgia when the Bulldogs won a national title, said he’s never seen a conference with the quarterback talent the Pac-12 has this season.
“I think it’s really impressive. There’s great quarterback play in this league right now,” Lanning said. “And we’re going to see all of them. So this is certainly, I think, one of the best, if not the best, that we’ve seen so far.”
This will be Lanning’s first trip as a head coach to Husky Stadium, one of the loudest venues in the country.
“Hostile can be fun,” he said. “I think this one will be one of those environments where there’s gonna be a lot of distractions, a lot of pieces going on outside the puzzle, but we’re really focused on being the eye of the storm, the calm within the storm. And I think our guys will handle that well.”
Huskies coach Kalen DeBoer, like Lanning in his second season, also learned a lot about the rivalry last year.
“It’s fun, and it’s special,” DeBoer said. “It was big going on the road at that time, getting a win there. … You get so caught up just preparing, and you live in your own little world just as far as what the game plan is going to be.
“You learn a lot just so far as the excitement and the passion … Obviously, (Nos.) 7 and 8 in the country. So, a lot of great football is going to be played on (Saturday) for sure.”
NO. 14 LOUISVILLE AIMS TO EXTEND PITT’S LOSING STREAK
Minutes after Louisville finished a 33-20 upset of then-No. 10 Notre Dame last weekend, first-year Cardinals coach Jeff Brohm sounded a warning.
“Once you win a game like that, the bar goes from here up to here,” he said. “Every week in college football, if you don’t come ready to play, you are not going to win.”
Complacency might pose a bigger danger for the 14th-ranked Cardinals than host Pitt for Saturday’s Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.
While Louisville (6-0, 3-0) is undefeated and jumped 11 spots in the AP poll this week, the Panthers (1-4, 0-2) are licking a plethora of wounds that come with a four-game losing streak and the benching of a quarterback.
Former Boston College starter Phil Jurkovec, who threw for 5,184 yards and 35 touchdowns in three years with the Eagles, completed just 50.9 percent of his passes before Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi pulled the plug days after a 38-21 loss on Sept. 30 at Virginia Tech.
Penn State transfer Christian Veilleux, who’s completed 12 of 27 passes for 145 yards in two games this year, will get the call against Louisville. Narduzzi hopes Veilleux can provide a spark for an offense that has been held under 300 yards in three of the last four games.
“Christian will be the guy lined up there,” Narduzzi said, “and we expect to have a good week this week. Nobody in our program is happy with where we are right now. It goes to everybody that sits in this room on a normal day here to get it done. Coaches coach and players play. So nobody’s happy.”
Not that lack of production on offense is the sole reason for Pitt’s skid. The Panthers allowed 79 points in ACC losses to North Carolina and Virginia Tech.
“We’ve got to play championship defense,” Narduzzi said. “We’ve got to get better. We’ve got to make more plays. We need to get off the field and give the ball back to our offense.”
That might be easier said than done against the Cardinals. Brohm has put together a balanced offense that pairs the passing of Cal transfer Jack Plummer with the explosive running of Jawhar Jordan.
In the win over Notre Dame, Jordan rushed 21 times for 143 yards, scoring on 45- and 21-yard runs in the second half after Louisville fell behind 10-7. Plummer was an efficient 17 of 24 for 145 yards and a 9-yard touchdown to Jamari Thrash in the first quarter.
Thrash has 30 catches for 519 yards and six scores, while Jordan has rushed for 653 yards and eight touchdowns. Plummer has 1,551 yards in the air with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. In other words, the Cardinals are on pace to have a 1,000-yard receiver, 1,000-yard rusher and 3,000-yard passer halfway through the season.
The Panthers own a 10-9 edge in the all-time series, although Louisville won last year’s matchup 24-10 at home.
JAYDEN DANIELS LOOKS TO STAY HOT AS NO. 22 LSU, AUBURN CLASH
No. 22 LSU’s high-scoring offense has been more balanced over the last two weeks.
Auburn’s offense is trying to do the same as these two sets of Tigers prepare to meet in a Southeastern Conference game on Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.
Jayden Daniels has been one of the most productive offensive players in the country for LSU (4-2, 3-1 SEC). He has been named SEC Offensive Player of the Week three times this season and leads a unit that ranks third best in the FBS in total offense (548.3 yards per game).
“The offense continues to do some great things,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said. “The offense is playing at an incredible level.”
So is Daniels, who also is the team’s No. 2 rusher. He completed 15 of 21 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns while adding 130 yards and a score on the ground in last Saturday’s 49-39 victory over Missouri.
“I see those little things that he’s doing under duress or under pressure or getting hit after he throws a very accurate ball are starting to separate him from good to great,” Kelly said of Daniels.
The offense was pass-heavy in the first few games of the season, but running back Logan Diggs has had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games to provide Daniels with some support.
But slowing other teams down has started to become an issue, as LSU is allowing opponents to put up 445.7 yards per game, ranking 121st in total defense in the FBS.
Kelly remains optimistic, though.
“We feel there’s some light there at the end of the tunnel for our defense,” Kelly said after Missouri scored just 14 second-half points last Saturday.
After playing four of its first six games away from home, facing ranked opponents in three of those contests, LSU will play five of its last six games at home.
“We’re right in the hunt and the season is in front of us,” Kelly said.
Unlike LSU, Auburn (3-2, 0-2) has leaned on its running game on offense, which ranks 13th in total yards per game (358.2) in the 14-team SEC.
“I do think you need to be balanced to win big games,” Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. “That’s been a challenge for us to this point. We got to shorten this game (against LSU).”
Auburn is coming off a bye week after a hard-fought 27-20 home loss to No. 1 Georgia on Sept. 30.
Freeze said he and his staff spent time during the open week “trying to make sure our identity — particularly in the passing game — matches our personnel.
“Whatever we feel strongly in that,” Freeze continued, “then let’s do it over and over and over and over and over again until we are really, really confident and are really, really good at that.”
Freeze noted that Ole Miss’ and Missouri’s approach was to let their high-powered offenses try to outscore LSU in a shootout.
“But I think their makeup is a little different offensively,” Freeze said. “I’m not sure that is the plan for us.”
As evidence of that, Auburn’s Payton Thorne is ranked last among SEC starting quarterbacks in passer rating.
NO. 19 WASHINGTON STATE READY FOR DETERMINED ARIZONA
Arizona has competed well against top 10 teams in back-to-back weeks, with the Wildcats’ task not getting any easier in a matchup against No. 19 Washington State on Saturday at Pullman, Wash.
Arizona (3-3, 1-2 Pac-12) lost to then-No. 7 Washington 31-24 at home on Sept. 30 before falling 43-41 in three overtimes at then-No. 9 Southern California on Saturday night. The Wildcats outgained the Trojans 506-351.
“When you watch how our team played, what our team did in that game, it was really a fantastic football game with a disappointing outcome,” said Arizona coach Jedd Fisch, whose team was about a three-touchdown underdog in each of the past two weeks.
In those games, the Wildcats limited Michael Penix Jr. and Caleb Williams — arguably the top two Heisman Trophy candidates at the midpoint of the season — to a combined one touchdown pass.
Arizona will face another prolific passer this week in Cameron Ward, who is sixth nationally in passing yards per game (317.2). He has thrown 14 touchdown passes with two interceptions for the Cougars (4-1, 1-1), who were dealt their first loss of the season Saturday in a 25-17 decision at UCLA.
Washington State rushed for only 12 yards on 19 attempts.
“Let’s be honest, we got humbled. It happens. Back to the work,” said Cougars coach Jake Dickert. “There’s a toughness aspect that our team needs to play with, and UCLA beat us in that realm. We’ve got to respond to that and get back to who we are.”
The identity of the Arizona quarterback figures to be a key storyline. Jayden de Laura has missed the past two games with an ankle injury, which has allowed redshirt freshman Noah Fifita the opportunity to impress. Fifita completed 25 of 35 passes for 303 yards, with five touchdowns (two in overtime) and one interception against USC. He has quickly become a fan favorite.
The health status of de Laura remains something of a mystery, but Fisch said Monday: “If he is 100 percent healthy, he will start on Saturday.”
That would set up a rematch against de Laura’s old team. While at Washington State, he was the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2021, but he transferred to Arizona after the season when the Cougars added Ward from Incarnate Word.
When Washington State defeated host Arizona 31-20 last season, de Laura threw for 357 yards but was intercepted four times.
“My message to Jayden is always the same,” Fisch said. “When you play with poise, and when you play with confidence, you’re one of the best quarterbacks in the country. You’ve proven that.”
Washington State already has posted key home victories over then-No. 19 Wisconsin 31-22, and then-No. 14 Oregon State 38-35. Ward is spreading the ball to Josh Kelly (26 catches, 376 yards, five touchdowns), Lincoln Victor (24-337-3) and Kyle Williams (24-387-4), among others.
The Cougars are second nationally in passing (365.4 yards per game) but 117th in rushing (103.6).
Dickert called Arizona “the most improved team in the league.”
“The last two results against top 10 teams are no fluke,” Dickert said. “I think the challenge is real. I think they’re an explosive team. The best part is now this one’s back here at home.”
MISSOURI, NO. 24 KENTUCKY LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK
No. 24 Kentucky will look for quarterback Devin Leary to get back on target when the Wildcats host Missouri on Saturday in Southeastern Conference action in Lexington.
Leary completed just 10 of 26 passes for 128 yards as the Wildcats (5-1, 2-1) fell 51-13 last weekend at No. 1 Georgia.
“Usually, I don’t say a whole lot during games to a quarterback … but there’s no excuse to not hit some of those passes,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. “I mean, we had some guys wide open, you know? We missed some open plays to keep it close early.”
After reviewing the game video, Stoops identified some fixes Leary will need to make before the Wildcats take on Missouri (5-1, 1-1).
“Sometimes it is his feet or his footwork and sometimes him maybe expecting a receiver to run out at a different angle,” Stoops said. “There’s some little things and there’s some that (you) just have to make. He doesn’t need me to sit here and make an excuse for him. He’s a big boy and he owns it. Just like everybody else on our team, you have to have the courage to see the areas that you need to improve on and you have to own it.”
Leary has completed 54.8 percent of his passes for 1,257 yards and 12 touchdowns, with five interceptions, this season.
His inconsistency has led the Wildcats to rely more heavily on Ray Davis, who has rushed for 653 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 7.2 yards per carry.
“Really good vision and burst, I think he’s running this year better than maybe he did last year,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said. “But he’s now playing behind a really good offensive line that has a variety of run schemes.”
Kentucky will catch Missouri coming off a 49-39 home loss to then-No. 23 LSU. Missouri raced to a 22-7 lead before fading.
“I think we were all disappointed in the outcome, but we were not devastated,” Drinkwitz said. “That’s the thing about this league, every week you’re going to go out there and you’re going to compete, you’ve got to lay it on the line — and that doesn’t guarantee you the result you want.”
Missouri’s Brady Cook completed 30 of 47 passes for 411 yards and two touchdowns, but he also had his first two interceptions of the season.
Overall, Cook has thrown for 1,879 yards, 13 touchdowns and a 71.8 percent completion rate while demonstrating good mobility. He has three rushing touchdowns.
Cook’s top targets are Luther Burden III (54 catches, 793 yards, five touchdowns) and Theo Wease Jr. (28-334-4).
Cody Schrader (577 yards, six touchdowns) and Nathaniel Peat (266 and two) alternate at running back for the Tigers. Schrader ran for 114 yards and three touchdowns against LSU despite playing with a strained quadriceps muscle. Drinkwitz listed him as “questionable at best” for Saturday’s game.
Missouri defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (groin) will be sidelined, but the Tigers hope to get wide receiver Mekhi Miller (undisclosed) back.
Kentucky guard Kenneth Horsey (leg) is questionable for Saturday, and safety Jalen Geiger (elbow) will be sidelined for “a few weeks,” Stoops said.
TEZ WALKER, NO. 12 UNC TRY TO STAY PERFECT VS. NO. 25 MIAMI
No. 12 North Carolina aims to keep its unbeaten record intact on Saturday when it opposes No. 25 Miami in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The Hurricanes (4-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) are still licking the wounds from their first loss of the season, an arguably self-inflicted defeat at home to Georgia Tech.
Miami led 20-17 and could have knelt on the ball to end the game on a third-and-10 play, as there was just 33 seconds left and the Yellow Jackets had no timeouts remaining, but instead the Hurricanes ran the ball and fumbled it. Moments later, Georgia Tech’s Haynes King tossed the game-winning touchdown pass.
Second-year Miami coach Mario Cristobal took the blame for the blunder during a press conference this week.
“I made the wrong call,” Cristobal said. “I take full ownership in not taking a knee and giving them the opportunity to have a couple extra plays and preventing us from sealing the win.”
He added: “The guys are very eager to get back to work and prepare for this weekend’s opportunity.”
What awaits Miami is its toughest on-paper opponent yet, with the Tar Heels (5-0, 2-0 ACC) led by a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback.
North Carolina’s Drake Maye showed off his talent again last weekend in a 40-7 home victory over Syracuse, completing 33 of 47 passes for 442 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 55 yards and a score. Maye is the conductor of an offense that scores an average of 36.6 points per game, tied for 18th best in the FBS.
And Maye and the Tar Heels offense just got stronger, as Devontez “Tez” Walker finally made his North Carolina debut last weekend after receiving an eligibility waiver from the NCAA. Maye and Walker seemingly had chemistry right away as the wideout hauled in six catches for 43 yards. Last season at Kent State, Walker tied for the Mid-American Conference lead in receiving touchdowns with 11.
Walker, a native of Charlotte, transferred to North Carolina to be closer to his ailing grandmother.
“It’s heartwarming that she finally got to see me play,” Walker said. “I just felt blessed to be out there.”
As for Miami, despite an inconsistent offensive performance last week, the unit can be potent behind a quarterback who is a proven playmaker. Tyler Van Dyke leads the ACC in completion percentage with 72.6 percent of his throws landing in the mitts of his receivers. Van Dyke also has more passing touchdowns than Maye (12 to eight).
Before the loss to Georgia Tech, Miami scored at least 38 points in each of its first four games.
“They’re the most talented team that we’ve played to this point,” North Carolina coach Mack Brown said. “They’ve got speed all over the place, and we’ll have our hands full this weekend.”
North Carolina is 13-11 against Miami and has won four straight games in the series. The Hurricanes haven’t won in Chapel Hill since 2017.
NO BREAK FOR NO. 21 NOTRE DAME WITH NO. 10 USC IN TOWN
Although Notre Dame has played seven consecutive weeks, coach Marcus Freeman insists his team isn’t tired.
It’s starting to look that way, though, as the 21st-ranked Fighting Irish have dropped two of their last three games heading into Saturday’s marquee meeting with No. 10 Southern California in South Bend, Ind.
But for Freeman, the tumultuous schedule is no excuse, and a meeting with another ranked opponent presents a perfect opportunity to get back on track.
“We’re not tired. You play Saturday night. You’ve got all day to rest. That’s what a part of being at Notre Dame is about,” Freeman said. “We’re fortunate. We get four prime-time games, and that’s how we’ve got to look at it.
“We get another prime-time game versus USC at Notre Dame Stadium. And if you don’t have the bubbles in your stomach, then you’re not the elite competitor that we need you to be.”
Notre Dame (5-2) is coming off last weekend’s 33-20 loss at then-No. 25 Louisville. Irish quarterback Sam Hartman completed 22 of 38 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw his first three interceptions of the season.
The Irish went into the break tied 7-7, but their defense faltered in the second half, allowing 26 points.
Things won’t get any easier on Saturday with the Trojans (6-0) coming to town.
USC leads the FBS in average points per game (51.8) and ranks fourth in total offense (523.3 yards per game). Its success on that side of the ball has been fueled by star quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, who already has thrown for 1,822 yards and 22 TDs against just one interception.
Williams also has rushed for six scores.
“He is very elite with arm talent, with decision-making, with the ability to extend plays. He is a well-rounded, very talented football player,” Freeman said of Williams. “Our defense will have its work cut out for it, for sure.”
The Trojans’ spirits are high after beating Arizona 43-41 in triple overtime last Saturday. USC escaped with the victory despite being outgained 506-365, and coach Lincoln Riley knows his high-octane offense will face another challenge this week against an experienced Notre Dame defense.
“They’ve obviously (been) playing at a high level defensively again, like they did last season — return a lot of familiar faces,” Riley told Trojans Live. “They’re one of the older defenses that we’ll play, seniors all over the place.”
Saturday will mark the 94th meeting between the programs, and the Irish hold a 50-38-5 advantage in the all-time series. USC won 38-27 last season in Los Angeles.
Riley wants his players to understand the history of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry, but he doesn’t want them to be consumed by it.
“We did a little bit last year before the game, we’ll do a little bit this year, just to give them a taste of the history,” Riley said. “I don’t want us to focus on that, but I don’t want us to just completely miss it and not understand it either.
“This is an important game to college football.”
NO. 17 DUKE HOPES TO HAVE RILEY LEONARD VS. NC STATE
The quarterback topic is running hot when it comes to Saturday night’s Atlantic Coast Conference game between visiting North Carolina State and No. 17 Duke in Durham, N.C.
The Wolfpack (4-2, 1-1) have broken in a new starter, while the Blue Devils (4-1, 1-0) are hoping for a clean bill of health for their QB1.
Duke has been off since a devastating Sept. 30 loss to Notre Dame, with Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard hurt in the final minute and his status in question because of a high ankle sprain.
“We have to prepare for him, first of all, until we find out he’s not playing,” North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren said. “We’ve heard a lot of different things.”
Duke coach Mike Elko said Leonard is day-to-day and made good strides in recovering during the team’s open week. But certainly the Blue Devils are preparing backup Henry Belin IV to be ready for action.
By Monday, Leonard was “moving around and throwing the ball,” Elko said. “We’ll see what happens this weekend. I do think the outlook for him is really positive for the rest of the season. We’ll see when we can get him back.”
This will be the first meeting between the teams since 2020 and the Wolfpack’s first visit to Duke’s campus since 2013.
“Haven’t been to Duke in a long time so look forward to playing them in their stadium,” Doeren said. “I know our guys are excited. They’re coming off a bye week, so we expect them to be pretty rested compared to us.”
The Blue Devils should be full of energy.
“When you get that (open) week after Week 5, you get healthy and kind of head into this backstretch of the season with a fresh team, and I think we were able to accomplish that,” Elko said.
North Carolina State’s MJ Morris made his first start of the season in last week’s 48-41 win against visiting Marshall, throwing for 265 yards and four touchdowns, with three interceptions.
“You don’t win a lot of games with three turnovers,” Doeren said. “Something we have to do better, particularly getting ready for this next game this week. I do expect him to grow and improve each week. The challenge changes each week as well, but the game does slow down the more you play it.”
Morris replaced graduate transfer Brennan Armstrong in the first-string spot, but the Wolfpack are still working to smooth out inconsistencies.
Duke’s defense has been solid, with its first-string unit not allowing a second-half touchdown until the Notre Dame game.
Doeren said the Blue Devils won’t be easy to push around.
“We have to do a great job of taking care of the football,” he said. “Protecting it, protecting the runners with blocking and the quarterback with protection. It’s going to be a great challenge. Their front does a really good job, their line stunts with their four-man rush packages, and different things that they do.”
The Wolfpack will be without safety Rakeim Ashford, who is out for the season after suffering a knee injury in the win against Marshall.
NO. 18 UCLA CONTINUES TOUGH STRETCH AT NO. 15 OREGON STATE
No. 18 UCLA will face its third consecutive top-15 opponent when the Bruins visit No. 15 Oregon State on Saturday in Pac-12 Conference action in Corvallis, Ore.
UCLA (4-1, 1-1) opened that stretch with a 14-7 setback at then-No. 11 Utah on Sept. 23. The Bruins returned from a bye week to beat then-No. 13 Washington State last Saturday, 25-17.
Despite the diverging results, UCLA allowed only one offensive touchdown to both the Utes and Cougars.
The Cougars came in averaging 45.8 points per game and had not scored less than 31 points in any of their four previous contests. Meanwhile, the 17 points Washington State finished with were the most the Bruins have allowed this season.
“Our defense played outstanding. The effort that whole group played the entire game, and it was at all levels,” UCLA coach Chip Kelly said Monday. “Our guys did a great job containing a very mobile quarterback.”
The Bruins allowed just 216 total yards of offense, including 12 rushing yards.
UCLA heads into Saturday’s matchup ranked third nationally against the run at 64.6 yards allowed a game, and eighth in points given up at 12.2 a contest — though the latter statistic is skewed by both Utah and Washington State scoring touchdowns off of interceptions by Bruins freshman quarterback Dante Moore.
Oregon State (5-1, 2-1) will counter UCLA’s standout defense with an offense scoring an average of 38.5 points per game.
The Beavers rebounded from a 38-35 loss at Washington State on Sept. 23 by winning their lowest-scoring game of the season thus far, a 21-7 grinder Sept. 29 at Utah, then held off Cal 52-40 last weekend.
Oregon State ran for 203 yards against Cal with the running-back tandem of Damien Martinez and Deshaun Fenwick combining for 165. The Beavers average 205 rushing yards per game, good for No. 16 in the country.
However, D.J. Uiagalelei set the pace last week with his best passing performance of the campaign. He completed 19 of 25 attempts for 275 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions against the Golden Bears.
“Not just completing the pass, but hitting them in stride. You see some of the catches and the yards gained after it — thinking about the two third-down throws to Anthony Gould, how accurate down the field those were,” Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith said Monday.
Protecting Uiagalelei against a UCLA defense that Smith described as “long, athletic” with “as good of pass-rushers as we’ve seen” should prove crucial in this conference matchup, the last between the programs before the Bruins join the Big Ten next season.
UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu has five sacks this season, with linebacker Darius Muasau boasting four. The Bruins rank No. 14 nationally in total team sacks with 18, and No. 12 in tackles for loss with 44.
Oregon State has allowed only six sacks in six games but has given up 30 tackles for loss.
NFL NEWS
MAHOMES THROWS TD PASS, KELCE HAS BIG GAME WITH SWIFT WATCHING AGAIN AS CHIEFS BEAT BRONCOS 19-8
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Patrick Mahomes knows the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense is still trying to put everything together.
It was evident in the way they struggled against Denver on third down Thursday night. The way they kept getting bottled up in short-yardage situations. And in how they failed time after time to turn red-zone trips into touchdowns.
“Luckily for us,” Mahomes said, “our defense is playing great.”
So great that Mahomes’ lone touchdown pass and Harrison Butker’s four field goals were enough to squeak out a 19-8 victory over the Broncos, whose own woeful offense could only manage 197 yards behind a shaky performance from Russell Wilson.
“We have guys that are starters on other teams that are trying to find a way on the football field, and when they get on the field, they’re making plays,” Mahomes said of the Kansas City defense. “And they’re playing with confidence.”
Mahomes finished with 306 yards passing and an interception, and a big chunk of his production went to Travis Kelce, who had nine catches for 124 yards with Taylor Swift again cheering him on from an Arrowhead Stadium suite.
Still, the inability of the Chiefs (5-1) to score touchdowns rather than field goals nearly proved costly.
Butker’s first three field goals helped them to a 16-0 lead, but Wilson’s touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton – ruled incomplete but overturned upon review – with about six minutes remaining kept the Broncos (1-5) alive. And when Javonte Williams bulled into the end zone for the 2-point conversion, what had been a one-sided shutout was a one-possession game.
The Broncos’ league-worst defense couldn’t make a stop, though. Mahomes converted third-and-2 with a 28-yard pass to Rashee Rice, and that put Butker in position for a 52-yard field goal with 1:55 left that put the game away.
“Our defense was incredible tonight, as it has been,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “But we have to take care of business in the red zone. We had a lot of yards, positive yards, but you can’t stall down there.”
The Broncos have not beaten the Chiefs since Sept. 17, 2015, the year Peyton Manning led Denver to the Super Bowl. That was six head and interim coaches ago, and nothing changed with Sean Payton leading them Thursday night. In a league built for parity, their losing streak is the fourth-longest for any team against another in NFL history.
“I’m disappointed but I’m not discouraged,” Payton said. “Offensively we struggled throwing the ball. Our third-down numbers were poor. The turnovers, against a team like this, it’s going to be tough to win the game, and yet we were still in it going into the fourth quarter. Sometimes you don’t know how a game is going to unfold.”
As bad as the Broncos’ defense has been this season, it was Wilson and their offense that kept dragging them down. He had 37 yards passing in the first half, and the only drive Wilson led past midfield ended on fourth down.
The Chiefs weren’t doing a whole lot better.
Their first three forays into the red zone netted three points, thanks to an interception by Justin Simmons and a failed tush push out of a field-goal lineup on fourth down. Mahomes, who has struggled by his standards all season, only found his rhythm once in the first half, when he ended a 62-yard drive with a short touchdown pass to Kadarius Toney.
Butker made it 13-0 at the break when he drilled a 60-yard field goal as time expired.
The Chiefs’ red-zone woes continued in the second half. They began by swiftly marching downfield and setting up first-and-goal at the Denver 8, but that soon turned into fourth-and-goal at the 7-yard line and Butker had to kick another field goal.
That was all Kansas City could muster until his clinching kick in the final minutes.
Thanks to the defense, that was all the Chiefs needed.
“I thought we did a lot of good things, just obviously red zone and some third downs we didn’t execute at a high enough level,” Mahomes said. “I still think there were a lot of good things we can take from it.”
SWIFT IN THE HOUSE
Swift watched Kelce and the Chiefs for the third time Thursday night. The two began a relationship a few weeks ago, when he invited Swift to a Chiefs game after failing to meet her during her Eras Tour. Swift flew in from Los Angeles, where she walked the red carpet on Wednesday night for the premiere of her concert film.
SACK SITUATION
Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones had a sack in his eighth straight regular-season game, which trails only his own 11-game streak in 2018 for the longest in franchise history. With at least one in his first five this season, Jones broke the club record to start the season held by Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas.
INJURIES
Broncos: TE Greg Dulcich, who had just come off injured reserve, left in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. It’s the same injury that landed Dulcich on IR after hurting it in Week 1 against the Raiders.
Chiefs: S Justin Reid, who had an interception earlier in the game, briefly left in the second half. WR Justin Watson left in the fourth quarter with an elbow injury sustained while trying to make a diving catch.
UP NEXT
Broncos: Host Green Bay on Oct. 22.
Chiefs: Host the Los Angeles Chargers the same day.
NFL WEEK 6 CAPSULES
COLTS PREVIEW VS. JACKSONVILLE
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-2)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
CBS: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Amanda Renner
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) IND: 108 or 388 JAX: 113 or 230
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: IND leads series, 27 -18 (JAX won 3 of past 4)
POSTSEASON: —
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 9/10/23: JAX 31 at IND 21
POSTSEASON: —
COLTS NOTES:
Shane Steichen vs. Opponent (incl. postseason): 0-1 Reg. Season: 3-2 (.600) Postseason: 0-0
WEEK DATE Opponent ET TV/RESULT RECORD
1 Sep. 10 Jacksonville Jaguars 1:00 PM L, 31-20 0-1
2 Sep. 17 at Houston Texans 1:00 PM W, 31-20 1-1
3 Sep. 24 at Baltimore Ravens 1:00 PM W, 22-19 (OT) 2-1
4 Oct. 1 Los Angeles Rams 1:00 PM L, 29-23 (OT) 2-2
5 Oct. 8 Tennessee Titans 1:00 PM W, 23-16 3-2
QB GARDNER MINSHEW completed 11 of 14 atts. (78.6 pct.) for 155 yards with season-high 112.8 rating last week. Started 20 games for Jax. over 2 seasons (2019-20) with 34 TDs (33 pass, 1 rush) vs. 9 INTs & 92.9 rating. • RB JONATHAN TAYLOR made season debut last week. Has 627 scrimmage yards (125.4 per game) & 3 rush TDs in 5 career games vs. Jax. • RB ZACK MOSS had career-high 195 scrimmage yards (career high 165 rush, 30 rec.) & 2 rush TDs last week. Has 100+ scrimmage yards & TD in 4 of his past 5 overall & each of his past 3 vs. division. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 445 rush yards this season. • WR MICHAEL PITTMAN has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 4 of 5 games this season. Has 21 catches for 231 yards (115.5 per game) & TD in his past 2 vs. Jax. • WR JOSH DOWNS (rookie) led team 6 catches for season-high 97 yards last week. Has 6+ catches & 55+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. Ranks 4th among rookies with 23 catches this season. • LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN had 12 tackles & PD last week & joins Zach Thomas (2005) as only players since 2000 with 12+ tackles in each of team’s 1st 5 games of a season. Has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of past 3. Had career-high 17 tackles, FF & PD in Week 1 meeting. Leads NFL with 69 tackles this season. • DT DEFOREST BUCKNER had 6 tackles in Week 5. Had 7 tackles, sack, FF & FR in Week 1 meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Jax. with sack. • DE SAMSON EBUKAM had sack last week & has sack in 3 of past 4. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Jax. with TFL. • S JULIAN BLACKMON had 1st INT of season in Week 5. Aims for his 7th in row with 5+ tackles.
JAGS NOTES:
Doug Pederson vs. Opponent (incl. postseason): 3-1 Reg. Season: 54-47-1 (.534) Postseason: 5-3 (.625)
JAGUARS won back-to-back games in London & are 1st team ever to win 2 international games in a season. • QB TREVOR LAWRENCE completed 25 of 37 atts. (67.6 pct.) for season-high 315 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 102.9 rating last week, his 7th-career game with 300+ pass yards & 1st in 2023. Aims for 3rd in row with 0 INTs & 100+ rating. Has 9 TDs (7 pass, 2 rush) vs. INT & 102.7 rating in 5 career starts vs. Ind., with 100+ rating in each of past 4. • RB TRAVIS ETIENNE had career-high 184 scrimmage yards (136 rush, 48 rec.) & 2 rush TDs last week, 3rd-most scrimmage yards ever in an international game. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 3 of 5 games this season, with 135+ in 2 of past 3. Ranks 2nd among RBs with 540 scrimmage yards this season. • WR CALVIN RIDLEY had 7 catches for season-high 122 yards in Week 5. Had 8 catches for 101 yards & TD in Week 1 meeting. • WR CHRISTIAN KIRK aims for 5th in row with 50+ rec. yards & 3rd in row with 6+ catches & 75+ rec. yards. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. Ind. • WR ZAY JONES has TD catch in 2 of 3 games this season. Had 5 catches for 55 yards & TD in Week 1 meeting. • TE EVAN ENGRAM is only TE with 4+ catches in 5 games this season. Has 5+ catches in each of 4 career games vs. Ind. • LB JOSH ALLEN had 3 sacks in Week 1 meeting & has 2+ sacks in 3 of his past 4 vs. Ind. Has 6 sacks in his past 5 vs. division. • LB FOYESADE OLUOKUN aims for his 8th in row with 7+ tackles. Had 13 tackles & PD in Week 1 meeting. • LB TRAVON WALKER had 1st-career FR in Week 5. • CB DARIOUS WILLIAMS had INT & FF last week. Aims for 3rd in row with INT. Is 1 of 2 in NFL with PD in 5 games this season.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-2) VS. TENNESSEE TITANS (2-3)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023 GAME TIME: 9:30 AM ET
NFL Network: Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner, Jamie Erdahl
Westwood One: John Sadak, Derek Rackley
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) BAL: 134 or 383 TEN: 81 or 226 National: 109 or 225
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: TEN leads series, 11-10 (won 2 of past 3)
POSTSEASON: BAL leads series, 3-2
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 11/22/20: TEN 30 at BAL 24
POSTSEASON: 1/10/21 AFC-WC: BAL 20 at TEN 13
RAVENS NOTES:
RAVENS will be playing in 2nd reg. season international game in franchise history (2017 vs. Jax. in London). • QB LAMAR JACKSON totaled 281 yards (236 pass, 45 rush) last week. Has 330 rush yards (110 per game) in 3 career starts vs. Ten., incl. playoffs. Leads QBs with 265 rush yards this season & ties for lead with 4 rush TDs. • RB GUS EDWARDS aims for 5th in row with 45+ rush yards. • RB JUSTICE HILL rushed for 3rd TD of season last week. • TE MARK ANDREWS aims for 3rd in row with 5+ catches & 65+ rec. yards. Had 5 catches for 96 yards & TD in last reg. season meeting. Tied for lead among TEs with 3 rec. TDs this season. • WR ZAY FLOWERS (rookie) had 5 catches for team-high 73 yards in Week 5. Has 55+ rec. yards in 4 of 5 games this season. Ranks 2nd among rookies with 29 catches & 3rd with 317 rec. yards. • WR NELSON AGHOLOR had 4 catches for season-high 64 yards last week. Has 4+ catches in 3 of past 4. • WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. has 18 catches for 201 yards (100.5 per game) & TD in 2 career games vs. Ten. • LB ROQUAN SMITH led team with 11 tackles & had PD last week. Aims for 4th in row with 10+ tackles & PD. Had 11 tackles, 2 PD & sack in only career game vs. Ten. (11/8/20 w/ Chi.). Ranks 3rd in NFL with 54 tackles this season. • LB PATRICK QUEEN had 7 tackles, PD & half sack in Week 5. Aims for his 15th in row with 5+ tackles. • CB MARLON HUMPHREY made season debut last week. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ten. with 5+ tackles, incl. playoffs. • CB ARTHUR MAULET had season-high 2 PD & 1st sack of season in Week 5. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • S KYLE HAMILTON had 2 TFL last week & has 2 TFL in 2 of past 3.
JAGS NOTES:
TITANS will play in 2nd reg. season international game in franchise history (2018 vs. LAC in London). • QB RYAN TANNEHILL completed 23 of 34 atts. (67.6 pct.) for season-high 264 yards last week. Has 65+ comp. pct. in 3 of past 4. Completed 22 of 31 atts. (71 pct.) for 259 yards & 2 TDs with 104.1 rating in last reg. season meeting. Has 2 TD passes in both career starts in London. • RB DERRICK HENRY has 60+ scrimmage yards in 4 of 5 games this season. Has 368 rush yards (122.7 per game) in his past 3 vs. Bal., incl. playoffs. Had rush TD in only career game in London. Has 10,008 career scrimmage yards, joining Eddie George (12,153) as only players in franchise history with 10,000+ career scrimmage yards. • RB TYJAE SPEARS (rookie) had season-high 69 scrimmage yards (35 rec., 34 rush) & rushed for 1st-career TD last week. Has 55+ scrimmage yards in 3 of past 4. • WR DEANDRE HOPKINS led team with season highs in catches (8) & rec. yards (140) in Week 5, his 150th-career game, becoming 4th player ever with a catch in each of 1st 150 games. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Bal. with 7+ catches & 80+ rec. yards. • TE CHIG OKONKWO had season-high 5 catches last week. • S KEVIN BYARD had 9 tackles last week & has 6+ tackles in 4 of 5 games this season. Has 4 INTs in 5 career games vs. Bal., incl. playoffs, with PD in each game. • CB ROGER MCCREARY had 8 tackles, sack & 1st-career FF last week. Has sack in 2 of past 3. • LB AZEEZ AL-SHAAIR tied career high with 15 tackles in Week 5. Aims for 4th in row with 9+ tackles. Has TFL in 2 of past 3. • DE DENICO AUTRY has 0.5+ sacks in 4 of 5 games this season.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-3) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (3-2)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
CBS: Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan, AJ Ross
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) WAS: 83 or 386 ATL: 85 or 227
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: WAS leads series, 16-10-1 (won past 2)
POSTSEASON: WAS leads series, 1-0
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 11/27/22: ATL 13 at WAS 19
POSTSEASON: 1/4/92 NFC-DIV: ATL 7 at WAS 24
COMMANDERS NOTES:
QB SAM HOWELL set career highs in completions (37), atts. (51), comp. pct. (72.5) & pass yards (388) last week, his 1stcareer 300-yard game. Has 25+ completions & 95+ rating in 3 of his past 4 starts. • RB BRIAN ROBINSON has 50+ scrimmage yards in 7 of his 8 career road games. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with rush TD & 7th in row on road with 50+ scrimmage yards. Had career-high 125 scrimmage yards (105 rush, 20 rec.) & 1st-career TD catch in last meeting. • RB ANTONIO GIBSON had season-high 64 rec. yards last week. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Atl. with 50+ scrimmage yards. • WR TERRY MCLAURIN had 6 catches for 123 yards & 2 rec. TDs in last road meeting. Aims for his 8th in row on road with 50+ rec. yards. • WR CURTIS SAMUEL had 6 catches for 65 yards & 1st rec. TD of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TD. • TE LOGAN THOMAS led team with 9 receptions & 77 rec. yards & had 2nd rec. TD of season last week, his 14th-career TD catch. • DT JONATHAN ALLEN had 3rd sack of season last week & aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • DT DARON PAYNE had 5th-career FF last week. Had 2 TFL & PD in last meeting. Has PD in 3 of his past 4. • DE MONTEZ SWEAT had 1.5 sacks & PD last week. Is 1 of 5 players in past 5 seasons with 1.5+ sacks in 3 of his team’s 1st 5 games. Has 6 TFL in 5 games this season & aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • DE CHASE YOUNG has 3 sacks & 4 TFL in his past 4 & aims for his 3rd in row on road with sack. • S KAMREN CURL aims for his 15th in row with 5+ tackles.
FALCONS NOTES:
QB DESMOND RIDDER had career-high 25 comps. on 37 atts. (75.7 pct.) for career-high 329 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs for 111.2 rating & had 2nd-career rush TD last week. Is 5-0 with 7 TDs (5 pass, 2 rush) vs. INT for 100.4 rating in 5 career home starts. • RB BIJAN ROBINSON (rookie) had 58 scrimmage yards (46 rush, 12 rec.) & 2nd-career rec. TD in Week 5. Is 1 of 3 rookies (Zay Flowers & Puka Nacua) with 50+ scrimmage yards in 5 games this season. Ranks tied-2nd among RBs with 21 receptions. • RB TYLER ALLGEIER rushed for 54 yards in last meeting. • WR DRAKE LONDON had 6 catches for season-high 78 yards last week. Has 5+ catches in 5 of his past 6 at home & aims for his 3rd in row at home with 65+ rec. yards. • TE KYLE PITTS had season-highs in receptions (7) & rec. yards (87) last week. Had 50 rec. yards in last home meeting. • TE JONNU SMITH had 6 catches for 67 yards last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ catches. • S JESSIE BATES had 4th PD of season last week. Had INT in his last game vs. Was. (11/22/20 w/ Cin.). • S RICHIE GRANT had 1st TFL of season in Week 5. • DL GRADY JARRETT had 5th-career PD in Week 5. • DL CALAIS CAMPBELL has 2 sacks, 3 PD & FF in his past 4 games vs. Was. Needs 1 sack to become 5th active player with 100+ career sacks. • DL DAVID ONYEMATA has PD in 2 of 3 home games this season. • LB NATE LANDMAN led team with 7 tackles in Week 5 & aims for his 3rd in row with 7+ tackles. • LB LORENZO CARTER has TFL in 3 of his past 4 at home. • CB DEE ALFORD had 2nd-career game with 2 PD & TFL last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-4) AT CHICAGO BEARS (1-4)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
FOX: Brandin Gaudin, Robert Smith, Jen Hale
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) MIN: 134 or 383 CHI: 81 or 226
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: MIN leads series, 65-56-2 (won past 4)
POSTSEASON: CHI leads series, 1-0
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 1/8/23: MIN 29 at CHI 13
POSTSEASON: 1/1/95 NFC-WC: CHI 35 at MIN 18
VIKINGS NOTES:
QB KIRK COUSINS completed 29 of 47 atts. (61.7 pct.) for 284 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 92.9 rating last week. Leads NFL in TD passes (13) & completions (137) & ranks 2nd in pass yards (1,498) in 2023. Has 20 TDs (16 pass, 4 rush) & 97.2 rating in 11 career starts vs. Chi. Had TD pass vs. 0 INTs & 130.2 rating in last meeting. • RB ALEXANDER MATTISON had 2nd rec. TD of season last week, his 5th-career TD catch. Had 2 rush TDs in last meeting. • WR K.J. OSBORN had season-high 5 receptions in Week 5. Had 5 receptions for 117 yards in last meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Chi. with 5+ catches. • WR JORDAN ADDISON led team with 6 catches for 64 yards & had his 3rd rec. TD of season last week, tied-most among rookies. Has 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his 1st 5 career games. • TE T.J. HOCKENSON had 5 catches for 51 yards last week. Leads TEs with 30 receptions & ranks 3rd with 254 rec. yards this season. • LB DANIELLE HUNTER had NFC-leading 6th sack of season last week & has 6+ sacks in 8 of his 9 career seasons (missed 2020 season). Ranks tied-1st with 9 TFL & is 1 of 2 (Ed Oliver) with TFL in 5 games in 2023. Has 10 TFL in 12 career games vs. Chi. • LB JORDAN HICKS had 10 tackles & 1st PD of season last week. Has 10+ tackles in 3 of his past 4. • LB MARCUS DAVENPORT had 2nd sack of season last week & aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • S CAMRYN BYNUM had 8 tackles & PD in Week 5. Leads all DBs with 51 tackles in 2023. • S HARRISON SMITH had 10 tackles last week & aims for his 3rd in row with 10+ tackles.
BEARS NOTES:
QB JUSTIN FIELDS passed for 282 yards & 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 125.3 rating & had 57 rush yards in Week 5. Became 4th QB since 1970 with 5,000+ pass yards (5,255) & 1,500+ rush yards (1,754) in 1st 30 career starts. Is 1st player since 2021 (Joe Burrow) with 4+ TD passes & 125+ rating in consecutive games. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Min. with TD pass vs. 0 INTs. • RB KHALIL HERBERT rushed for 76 yards last week & aims for his 3rd in row with 75+ rush yards. Is 1 of 4 RBs with 5+ yards per rush average (5.1) since 2021, min. 250 rush atts. • WR DJ MOORE had 8 receptions & set career highs with 230 rec. yards & 3 rec. TDs in Week 5, 1st Chi. WR with 200+ rec. yards & 3 rec. TDs in game since 1954 (Harlon Hill). Has 100+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4. Aims for his 3rd in row with 100+ rec. yards & 4th in row with TD catch. • TE COLE KMET had 5 catches & 3rd rec. TD of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ receptions & TD catch. Had rec. TD in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row at home vs. Min. with 50+ rec. yards. • DL YANNICK NGAKOUE had 1st sack of season last week. Had sack in his last game vs. Min. (12/17/22 w/ Ind.). • LB T.J. EDWARDS had 10 tackles & 1st sack of season in Week 5. Has 9+ tackles in each of his past 9. Had 10 tackles, TFL & PD in his last game vs. Min. (9/19/22 w/ Phi.). • LB TREMAINE EDMUNDS has 8+ tackles in each of his 5 games this season. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Min. with PD. • DB GREG STROMAN had 1st-career sack & 3rd-career INT last week. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4. Had INT in last meeting. • DB TERELL SMITH (rookie) had 1st-career FF & 1st-career FR last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-1) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-3)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
CBS: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) SEA: 158 or 384 CIN: 109 or 225
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: Series tied, 10-10 (CIN won 2 of past 3)
POSTSEASON: CIN leads series, 1-0
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 9/8/19: CIN 20 at SEA 21
POSTSEASON: 12/31/88 AFC-D: SEA 13 at CIN 21
SEAHAWKS NOTES:
SEATTLE tied franchise-record with 11 sacks in Week 4 & became 1st team since 2018 with 11 sacks in single game. • QB GENO SMITH had TD pass & 95.8 rating in Week 4. Has 19 TDs (18 pass, 1 rush) vs. 5 INTs for 107.9 rating in his past 10 road starts. Has 95+ rating in 8 of his past 9 starts on road. • RB KENNETH WALKER rushed for 79 yards & had his 5th rush TD of season in Week 4. Aims for his 3rd in row on road & 4th in row overall with rush TD. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in each of his past 8 games. • WR TYLER LOCKETT has 5 rec. TDs in his past 5 on road. Aims for his 4th in row on road with 50+ rec. yards. Had TD catch in last meeting. • WR DK METCALF had 2nd rec. TD of season in Week 4. Has 70+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 road games. Had 89 rec. yards in last meeting, his NFL debut. • LB BOBBY WAGNER led team with 17 tackles & had 4th-career game with 2 sacks in Week 4. Has 8 career games with 15+ tackles, most among active players. Had FR-TD in his only career game at Cin. (10/11/15). • LB JORDYN BROOKS had 10 tackles, career-high 2 sacks & 3rd-career FR in Week 4. Has 10+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 & TFL in 4 of his past 5. • LB UCHENNA NWOSU had 1st 2 sacks of season & 8th-career FF in Week 4, his 5th-career 2-sack game. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with FF. Has 7 TFL in his past 6. Had 2 sacks, FF & FR in his last game at Cin. (12/5/21 w/ LAC) & aims for his 4th in row vs. Cin. with sack. • CB DEVON WITHERSPOON became 1st rookie since 2000 with 2 sacks & INT-TD in single game in Week 4. Aims for his 4th in row with PD.
BENGALS NOTES:
QB JOE BURROW set season highs in completions (36), comp. pct. (78.3), pass yards (317), TD passes (3) & rating (108.1) last week, his 15th-career game with 3+ TD passes. Has 2+ TD passes & 105+ rating in 2 of 3 career starts vs. NFC West. Has 23 TDs (20 pass, 3 rush) vs. 4 INTs with 107.5 rating in his past 9 starts vs. NFC. • RB JOE MIXON had 94 scrimmage yards (season-high 81 rush, 13 rec.) last week. Is 1 of 2 RBs (Christian McCaffrey) with 70+ scrimmage yards in 5 games this season. Has rush TD in 2 of past 3 at home. • WR JA’MARR CHASE had career-high 15 catches (franchise record) for 192 yards & 3 TDs last week, becoming 1st player in NFL history with 10+ catches, 150+ rec. yards & 3+ rec. TDs in multiple games within 1st 3 seasons (Week 17, 2021). Aims for 4th in row with 7+ catches & 70+ rec. yards. Has 80+ rec. yards in 9 of his past 10 at home. Is 1 of 3 in NFL with 5+ catches in 5 games this season. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 44 catches. • WR TEE HIGGINS has 5+ catches in 6 of his past 7 vs. NFC. • WR TYLER BOYD had 6 catches in Week 5 & has 5+ catches in 3 of past 4. Had 8 catches for 60 yards in last meeting. • WR TRENTON IRWIN set career highs in catches (8) & rec. yards (60) last week. • DE TREY HENDRICKSON led team with season-high 2.5 sacks & had PD & 1st FF of season in Week 5. Has 5 sacks in his past 3. Is 1 of 5 in NFL with 6+ sacks this season. • DE SAM HUBBARD had 1st FR of season last week. Has sack in 2 of past 3. Had 10 tackles & 2 sacks in last meeting. • LB GERMAINE PRATT led team with 10 tackles & had 2 TFL & 1st INT of season last week. Has 7+ tackles in 4 of 5 games this season. • CB CAM TAYLOR-BRITT had 2 PD & 11-yard INT-TD last week.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-0) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-2)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
FOX: Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) SF: 133 or 385 CLE: 82 or 228
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: CLE leads series, 12-8 (Home team has won past 4)
POSTSEASON: —
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 10/7/19: CLE 3 at SF 31
POSTSEASON: —
49ERS NOTES:
49ERS improved to 5-0 for 5th time in franchise history & 1st time since 2019. Have won 15 consecutive reg.-season games. Have 30+ points in 8 straight reg.-season games, 5th-longest streak ever. • QB BROCK PURDY had career highs in TD passes (4) & rating (144.4) in Week 5 & became 3rd QB since 1970 to win each of his 1st 10 career reg.-season starts. Has highest passer rating (121.1) & 2nd-highest comp. pct. (70.4) by QB in 1st 10 career starts ever. Leads NFL with 123.1 rating in 2023. • RB CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY has TD in 14 consecutive games, incl. postseason, tied 4th-longest such streak in NFL history. Leads NFL in scrimmage yards (678), rush yards (510) & ranks tied-1st in scrimmage TDs (8). Has 3 rush TDs in 2 career games vs. Cle. • TE GEORGE KITTLE had career-high 3 rec. TDs in Week 5, 1st SF TE with 3 rec. TDs in game since 2009 (Vernon Davis). Has 34 career rec. TDs & surpassed Brent Jones (33) for 2nd-most by TE in franchise history. Had rec. TD in last meeting. • WR DEEBO SAMUEL has 85+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 overall & 90+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 road games. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 5+ receptions. • WR BRANDON AIYUK has 50+ rec. yards in 6 of his past 7. Has 8+ catches, 100+ rec. yards & rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 on road. • DL NICK BOSA aims for his 5th in row with TFL. Had 2 sacks, FF & FR in last meeting. • DL JAVON HARGRAVE aims for his 4th in row with TFL. • LB FRED WARNER had sack, FF & 5th-career INT in Week 5. • LB DRE GREENLAW had 2 TFL & 3rd-career sack last week. • S TASHAUN GIPSON had 1st INT of season, his 33rd-career INT, 3rd-most among active players. Had 14 INTs in 4 seasons (2012-15) with Cle.
BROWNS NOTES:
QB DESHAUN WATSON is 3-1 as starter at home since joining Cle. Has rush TD in 2 of his past 3 at home. Has 0 INTs & 100+ rating in 5 of his past 6 starts vs. NFC. • QB DORIAN THOMPSON-ROBINSON completed 19 of 36 atts. (52.8 pct.) in 1st-career start in Week 4. • RB JEROME FORD had career-high 5 catches in Week 4. Has 50+ scrimmage yards & TD in 2 of past 3. • RB PIERRE STRONG lead team with season-high 49 rush yards in Week 4. • RB KAREEM HUNT rushed for 2 TDs in only career game vs. SF (9/23/18 w/ KC). • WR AMARI COOPER has 7 catches & 90+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 vs. NFC West. • TE DAVID NJOKU led team with season-high 6 catches for 46 yards in Week 4. Aims for 4th in row with 4+ catches. • DE MYLES GARRETT has sack in 3 of 4 games this season. Had sack in last meeting & has sack in each of 4 career games vs. NFC West. Has 12 sacks in his past 8 at home, with sack in each of past 3. Has 80 career sacks & tied T.J. Watt (88 games) as 2nd-fastest player to reach 80 sacks since 1982. • DE ZA’DARIUS SMITH had sack, FF & FR in his last game vs. SF (11/5/20 w/ GB). Aims for his 3rd in row vs. SF with sack. • DE OGBO OKORONKWO had season-high 2 TFL & sack in Week 4. Has 0.5+ sacks in 3 of 4 games this season. • LB ANTHONY WALKER led team with season-high 8 tackles in Week 4. Aims for 4th in row with 4+ tackles. • CB DENZEL WARD has PD in 3 of 4 games this season, with 2 PD in 2 of past 3. • S GRANT DELPIT has 5+ tackles in 3 of 4 games this season.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-2) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (2-3)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
FOX: Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth, Kristina Pink
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) NO: 121 or 387 HOU: 135 or 229
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: N0 leads series, 3-2 (Home team won all 5)
POSTSEASON: —
THE LAST TIME … REG. SEASON: 9/9/19: HOU 28 at NO 30 POSTSEASON: –
SAINTS NOTES:
QB DEREK CARR had 2 TD passes vs. 0 INTs for season-high 114.7 rating last week. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with TD pass vs. 0 INTs. Has 1,084 pass yards (271 per game) & 8 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 103.5 rating in 4 career starts vs. Hou. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Hou. with 115+ rating. • RB ALVIN KAMARA rushed for 80 yards & TD last week. Has 73 career TDs & surpassed Marques Colston (72) for most TDs in franchise history. Had 7 catches & 169 scrimmage yards (97 rush, 72 rec.) in last meeting. Aims for his 7th in row with 80+ scrimmage yards. • RB KENDRE MILLER (rookie) had 90 scrimmage yards (53 rec., 37 rush) in Week 5. • WR CHRIS OLAVE had 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 5thcareer TD catch. Has 85+ rec. yards in 2 of 3 road games this season. • WR MICHAEL THOMAS had 4 catches for team-high 65 rec. yards last week. Is 1 of 3 (Stefon Diggs & Puka Nacua) with 50+ rec. yards in 5 games in 2023. Has 5+ catches in 6 of his past 7 road games. Had 10 catches for 123 yards in last meeting. • TE FOSTER MOREAU had 13th-career rec. TD last week. • DE CAMERON JORDAN had half sack & 11th-career FR in Week 5. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Hou. with sack. • DE CARL GRANDERSON had sack & tied his career high with 3 TFL in Week 5. Has sack in 4 of his past 5 on road. • LB DEMARIO DAVIS had 1st PD of season last week. • LB PETE WERNER had 1st-career INT in Week 5. • CB MARSHON LATTIMORE has PD in 2 of 3 road games this season. Aims for his 5th in row with 5+ tackles. • S TYRANN MATHIEU had 4th-career INT-TD last week, his 30thcareer INT. Had 89 tackles, 3 sacks & 2 INTs in 2018 with Hou.
TEXANS NOTES:
QB C.J. STROUD (rookie) completed 20 of 35 atts. (57.1 pct.) for 249 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs last week. Is 1st QB in NFL history with 0 INTs in 1st 5 career starts (min. 30 atts. in each start) & his 186 atts. this season without an INT are most-ever to begin a career. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 1,461 pass yards & is 4th QB in NFL history with 1,400+ pass yards & 0 INTs in team’s 1st 5 games of season. Has 2 TD passes & 100+ rating in 3 of past 4. • RB DAMEON PIERCE aims for 3rd in row with 80+ scrimmage yards. Has 75+ scrimmage yards in 5 of 6 career games vs. NFC. • RB DEVIN SINGLETARY has 95+ scrimmage yards & rush TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. NFC South. • WR NICO COLLINS has 14 catches for 314 yards (157 per game) & 3 rec. TDs in 2 home games this season. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with rec. TD. Ranks 4th in AFC with 467 rec. yards this season. • WR TANK DELL (rookie) had 57 rec. yards last week & has 55+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. Ranks 2nd among rookies with 324 rec. yards. • TE DALTON SCHULTZ led team with season-high 7 catches for 65 yards & TD in Week 5. Aims for 3rd in row with rec. TD. Had 5 catches in his last game vs. NO (12/2/21 w/ Dal.). • LB HENRY TO’OTO’O (rookie) led team with season-high 12 tackles last week. Aims for 5th in row with 7+ tackles. Has PD in 2 of past 3. Leads rookies with 39 tackles this season. • LB BLAKE CASHMAN set career highs in tackles (9) & TFL (2) last week. Has 5+ tackles in 2 of past 3. • DE JERRY HUGHES aims for 4th in row with TFL. • DE JONATHAN GREENARD aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • S JALEN PITRE had season-high 11 tackles, PD & 1st FR of season in Week 5. Has 13+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 at home.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-5) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-1)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
CBS: Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, Melanie Collins
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) CAR: 98 or 289 MIA: 111 or 231
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: MIA leads series, 5-2 (CAR won 2 of past 3)
POSTSEASON: —
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 11/28/21: CAR 10 at MIA 33
POSTSEASON: –
PANTHERS NOTES:
QB BRYCE YOUNG (rookie) completed 25 of 41 atts. (61 pct.) for 247 yards & career-high 3 TD passes last week. Aims for his 5th start in row with 20+ completions. • RB MILES SANDERS has 60+ scrimmage yards in 2 of 3 road games this season. Had 105 scrimmage yards (83 rush, 22 rec.) & TD catch in his only career game vs. Mia. (12/1/19 w/ Phi.). • RB CHUBA HUBBARD has 50+ scrimmage yards in 9 of his past 11. • WR ADAM THIELEN had 11 receptions for 107 yards & had his 58th-career rec. TD last week, his 7th-career game with 10+ catches & his 23rd-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Is 1 of 3 (Ja’Marr Chase & Puka Nacua) with 2 games of 10+ catches & 100+ rec. yards in 2023. Ranks 4th in NFL with 38 receptions. Had rec. TD in his last game at Mia. (10/16/22 w/ Min.). • WR JONATHAN MINGO (rookie) had career-highs in catches (5) & rec. yards (48) last week. • WR DJ CHARK had 20th-career rec. TD last week & aims for his 3rd in row on road with TD catch. • LB BRIAN BURNS had 4th sack of season last week. Aims for his 4th in row on road with sack & 5th in row on road with TFL. Had sack, 2 TFL & FF in last meeting. • LB FRANKIE LUVU has 5+ tackles in 8 of his past 9. Has 9 TFL in his past 7 road games. Had FR in last meeting. • DT DERRICK BROWN has 5+ tackles in 4 of 5 games this season. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 5+ tackles. Ranks 2nd among DL with 29 tackles in 2023. • CB C.J. HENDERSON had 1st-career sack in Week 5. • S SAM FRANKLIN had career-high 8 tackles last week. • S VONN BELL led team with season-high 9 tackles in Week 5. Had career-high 2 INTs in his last game vs. Mia. (9/29/22 w/ Cin.).
DOLPHINS NOTES:
DOLPHINS lead NFL with 2,568 total yards of offense this season, most by a team in their 1st 5 games of a season in NFL history. • QB TUA TAGOVAILOA completed 22 of 30 atts. (73.3 pct.) for 308 yards & 2 TDs with 100.4 rating last week. Is 1 of 2 QBs (Brock Purdy) with 90+ rating in 5 games this season. Completed 27 of 31 atts. (87.1 pct.) for 230 yards & TD with 108.3 rating in last meeting. Leads NFL with 1,614 pass yards this season. • RB DE’VON ACHANE (rookie) rushed for 151 yards & TD last week, his 3rd-straight game with 100+ rush yards & rush TD. Is 3rd player ever with 100+ rush yards & rush TD in 3 of 1st 4 career games. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 7 TDs (5 rush, 2 rec.), 2ndmost ever by player in 1st 4 career games. • RB RAHEEM MOSTERT rushed for 65 yards & TD in Week 5. Ties for NFL lead with 8 TDs & 7 rush TDs. Had rush TD in his last game vs. Car. (10/27/19 w/ SF). Achane & Mostert are 3rd pair of teammates ever each with 7+ TD in team’s 1st 5 games of season. • WR TYREEK HILL had 8 catches for 181 yards & TD last week, 11th-career game with 150+ rec. yards & rec. TD, tied 4th-most ever by player in 1st 8 seasons. Joined Wes Welker (2011) as only players ever with 150+ rec. yards & rec. TD in 3 of team’s 1st 5 games of season. Has 19 catches for 202 yards (101 per game) & 2 TDs in 2 career games vs. Car. Leads NFL with 651 rec. yards in 2023. • WR JAYLEN WADDLE had 1st TD catch of season in Week 5. Had 9 catches for 137 yards & TD in last meeting. • DT ZACH SIELER had 7 tackles, 3 TFL & career-high 2 sacks last week. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. Had PD in last meeting. • DE EMMANUEL OGBAH had season-best 1.5 sacks last week & has sack in 2 of past 3. Had sack & PD in last meeting. • CB XAVIEN HOWARD had PD last week. Had INT in last meeting.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-4) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-3)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 4:05 PM ET
CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) NE: 158 or 384 LV: 109 or 225
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: NE leads series, 18-15-1 (won 6 of past 7)
POSTSEASON: NE leads series, 2-1
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 12/18/22: NE 24 at LV 30
POSTSEASON: 1/19/02 AFC-DIV: OAK 13 at NE 16
PATRIOTS NOTES:
HC BILL BELICHICK can become 3rd coach in NFL history to win 300+ reg. season games, joining HOFers Don Shula (328) & George Halas (318). • QB MAC JONES aims for his 3rd in row vs. AFC West with 0 INTs. • RB RHAMONDRE STEVENSON had career-high 172 rush yards & rush TD in last meeting. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 40+ scrimmage yards. • RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT had rush TD in only career game vs. LV (11/25/21 w/ Dal.). Has rush TD in 3 of his past 5 vs. AFC West. • WR KENDRICK BOURNE has 40+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. • WR JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER has 6+ catches in 2 of 4 career games vs. Raiders. • WR DEVANTE PARKER aims for his 4th in row vs. Raiders with 40+ rec. yards. • TE HUNTER HENRY has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of 5 games this season. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 at Raiders. • TE MIKE GESICKI had career-high 10 catches for 86 yards in his last game vs. LV (9/26/21 w/ Mia.). Aims for his 3rd in row vs. LV with 50+ rec. yards. • LB JOSH UCHE had half sack & FF in last meeting. • LB JA’WHUAN BENTLEY led team with season-high 11 tackles & had 1st sack of season last week. Aims for his 15th in row with 5+ tackles. Has TFL in 2 of past 3. Had 10 tackles & sack in last meeting. • DE DEATRICH WISE tied career high with 7 tackles in Week 5. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 on road. • S KYLE DUGGER aims for 4th in row with 6+ tackles. Has TFL in 3 of past 4. Had 16-yard INT-TD in last meeting. • CB MYLES BRYANT had 5 tackles & 1st sack of season in Week 5. Has 5+ tackles in 4 of 5 games this season.
RAIDERS NOTES:
QB JIMMY GAROPPOLO completed 22 of 31 atts. (71 pct.) for 208 yards & TD vs. INT last week. Completed 20 of 25 atts. (80 pct.) for 277 yards in only career start vs. NE (10/25/20 w/ SF). Was selected by NE in 2nd round of 2014 NFL Draft & spent 3 seasons with team (2014-16), appearing in 17 games (2 starts). • RB JOSH JACOBS led team with 89 scrimmage yards (season-high 69 rush, 20 rec.) & had rush TD last week. Aims for 4th in row with 80+ scrimmage yards & 3rd in row with rush TD. Had 110 scrimmage yards (93 rush, 17 rec.) in last meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. NE with 80+ scrimmage yards. Needs 25 rush yards to become 4th player in franchise history with 5,000+ career rush yards. • WR DAVANTE ADAMS has 75+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. Has 6+ catches in 4 of 5 games this season. Has 6+ catches in 2 of 3 career games vs. NE. Has 982 rec. yards (98.2 per game) in 10 home games since joining LV. • WR JAKOBI MEYERS led team with 7 catches for 75 yards & TD last week & has 7+ catches & 75+ rec. yards in 3 of his 4 games this season. Spent 1st 4 seasons of career (2019-22) with NE. • DE MAXX CROSBY had sack & tied career high with 4 TFL in Week 5. Aims for 4th in row with sack & 3rd in row with 2+ TFL. Ranks tied-3rd in NFL with 8 TFL this season. • LB ROBERT SPILLANE had 9 tackles & career-high 2 INTs last week. Aims for his 10th in row with 5+ tackles. • LB DIVINE DEABLO had 10 tackles & TFL in Week 5. • CB MARCUS PETERS aims for 3rd in row with PD. Has 5+ tackles in 2 of past 3. Had INT, FF & FR in his last game vs. NE (9/25/22 w/ Bal.). Has PD in 2 of his past 3 vs. NE. • CB AMIK ROBERTSON had game-sealing INT in 4th qtr. last week, 1st INT of season. Had career-high 3 PD in last meeting.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-4) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-3)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 4:25 PM ET
FOX: Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Shannon Spake
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) ARI: 83 of 386 LAR: 85 of 227
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: LAR leads series, 46-40-2 (won 2 of past 3)
POSTSEASON: LAR leads series, 2-0
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 11/13/22: ARI 27 at LAR 17
POSTSEASON: 1/17/22 NFC-WC: ARI 11 at LAR 34
CARDS NOTES:
QB JOSH DOBBS aims for his 3rd in row with 2+ TD passes & aims for his 3rd in row on road with 0 INTs. Has 40+ rush yards in 3 of his past 4 starts. • RB EMARI DEMERCADO (rookie) had 57 scrimmage yards (45 rush, 12 rec.) & 1st-career rush TD last week. • TE ZACH ERTZ had 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 46thcareer TD catch. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 6+ receptions. • WR MARQUISE BROWN led team with 4 catches for 61 yards & had 3rd rec. TD of season last week. Has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 & aims for his 5th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Had career-high 14 receptions for 140 yards in his last game vs. LAR (9/25/22) & had 2 rec. TDs in his only career game at LAR (11/25/19 w/ Bal.). • WR RONDALE MOORE had season-high 76 scrimmage yards (50 rush, 26 rec.) in Week 5. • WR MICHAEL WILSON ranked tied-5th among rookies with 255 rec. yards. • LB DENNIS GARDECK has TFL in 4 of 5 games this season & aims for his 3rd in row on road with sack. • LB ZAVEN COLLINS had sack in Week 5 & has 0.5+ sacks in 3 of his past 4. Had TFL & PD in last meeting. • LB KYZIR WHITE had 11 tackles & TFL last week & has TFL in 5 of his past 6 games. Aims for his 8th in row with 7+ tackles. • DT DANTE STILLS (rookie) had 2 TFL & 1st-career sack in Week 5. • CB MARCO WILSON had career-high 11 tackles last week. • S K’VON WALLACE had career-high 10 tackles & 1st-career INT in Week 5. Has 4 PD in 5 games this season. • S JALEN THOMPSON had 1st-career FF last week. Has 5+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 road games & has 5+ tackles in 3 of his 4 career games at LAR.
RAMS NOTES:
QB MATTHEW STAFFORD passed for 222 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 92.4 rating in Week 5. Ranks 4th in NFL with 1,451 pass yards & 124 completions in 2023. Has 31 TD passes & 96.1 rating in 15 home starts with LAR. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. with 100+ rating. • RB KYREN WILLIAMS rushed for 53 yards last week & aims for his 6th in row with 50+ scrimmage yards. Aims for his 3rd in row in 2023 vs. NFC West with 2 rush TDs. • WR COOPER KUPP had 8 receptions for 118 yards in his season debut last week, his 28th-career game with 100+ rec. yards, tied3rd most such games since 2017. Had TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. Ari. Has 5+ catches & 75+ rec. yards in 11 of his past 12 home games. • WR PUKA NACUA (rookie) had 7 catches for 71 yards & his 2ndcareer rec. TD last week. Became 3rd player ever with 5+ catches in each of 1st 5 career games & 6th player ever with 50+ rec. yards in each of 1st 5 career games. Leads NFL with 46 receptions & ranks 2nd with 572 rec. yards. • WR TUTU ATWELL had 2nd rec. TD of season last week. • TE TYLER HIGBEE had 8 catches for 73 yards in last meeting. • DT AARON DONALD has 16 sacks & 23 TFL in 18 career games vs. Ari. Has sack & 2+ TFL in 2 of his past 3. • LB ERNEST JONES had career-high 15 tackles & tied his career high with 3 TFL in Week 5, his 7th-career game with 10+ tackles. Is 1 of 3 (T.J. Edwards & Zaire Franklin) with 9+ tackles in each of 1st 5 weeks. Had 10 tackles in last home meeting. • CB AHKELLO WITHERSPOON had 2nd INT of season last week, his 10th-career INT. Aims for his 4th in row with PD. • DB JORDAN FULLER had career-high 12 tackles last week.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-0) AT NEW YORK JETS (2-3)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 4:25 PM ET
FOX: Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, Laura Okmin
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) PHI: 133 or 385 NYJ: 82 or 228
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: PHI leads series, 12-0
POSTSEASON: —
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 12/5/21: PHI 33 at NYJ 18
POSTSEASON: —
EAGLES NOTES:
PHILADELPHIA improved to 5-0 for 4th time in franchise history (1981, 2004, 2022 & 2023). • QB JALEN HURTS had 5th-career game with 300+ pass yards & 50+ rush yards in Week 5, tied 3rd-most such games all-time & became 3rd QB (Josh Allen & Cam Newton) with 30+ rush TDs (30) in 1st 4 career seasons. Phi. has won 22 of past 23 games started by Hurts. Aims for his 3rd in row with 300+ pass yards. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with rush TD. • RB D’ANDRE SWIFT had 6 catches & 108 scrimmage yards (70 rush, 38 rec.) in Week 5. Aims for his 5th in row with 75+ scrimmage yards. Ranks 4th in NFL with 434 rush yards in 2023. • WR A.J. BROWN had 6 catches for 127 yards last week & has 100+ rec. yards in 3 straight games for 1st time in career. Has 13 games with 125+ rec. yards since 2019, 4th-most in NFL. Ranks 4th in NFL with 541 rec. yards in 2023. • TE DALLAS GOEDERT led team with 8 receptions & had 117 rec. yards & 20th-career TD catch in Week 5, his 5th-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Had 6 catches for 105 yards & career-high 2 rec. TDs in last meeting. • LB HAASON REDDICK had 2 sacks in Week 5 & has 5 games with 2 sacks since 2022, tied-2nd most in NFL. Aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Had 1.5 sacks in his last game vs. NYJ (9/12/21 w/ Car.). • DT JALEN CARTER (rookie) had 2 sacks in Week 5, 1st. Phi. rookie with 2 sacks in game since 2017 (Derek Barnett). Leads team & all NFL rookies with 3.5 sacks in 2023. • DE JOSH SWEAT had 2nd FF of season last week. Had 1.5 sacks in last meeting. • S REED BLANKENSHIP led team with 7 tackles last week & aims for his 5th in row with 7+ tackles. Has PD in 3 of his past 4.
JETS NOTES:
QB ZACH WILSON completed 19 of 26 atts. (career-high 73.1 pct.) & totaled 225 yards (199 pass, 26 rush) last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 70+ comp. pct. Has 0 INTs in 2 of past 3. Completed 23 of 38 atts. (60.5 pct.) for 226 yards & 2 TDs & rushed for TD in last meeting. • RB BREECE HALL had season-high 194 scrimmage yards (career-high 177 rush, 17 rec.) & rush TD last week, his 2ndcareer game with 175+ scrimmage yards, becoming 1st NYJ player ever with 2 games with 175+ scrimmage yards within 1st 2 seasons. Aims for 3rd in row with 65+ scrimmage yards. Has 593 scrimmage yards (98.8 per game) in 6 career home games. • RB DALVIN COOK has 55+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 vs. NFC East. • WR GARRETT WILSON aims for 3rd in row with 50+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches in each of 1st 3 home games this season. • TE TYLER CONKLIN led team with 4 catches for season-high 67 yards last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 55+ rec. yards. • LB QUINCY WILLIAMS had 9 tackles, career-high 2 sacks & 1st FF of season in Week 5. Aims for 4th in row with 9+ tackles & TFL. Aims for his 10th in row at home with TFL. Had 13 tackles in last meeting. • LB C.J. MOSLEY led team with season-high 13 tackles & had PD last week. Aims for 4th in row with 10+ tackles & 3rd in row with PD. Has 13 tackles in both career games vs. Phi. • DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS aims for 3rd in row vs. Phi. with 5+ tackles. • CB SAUCE GARDNER had 5 tackles & season-high 2 PD in Week 5. Has 6 PD in his past 4 vs. NFC. • CB BRYCE HALL had 39-yard FR-TD in 4th qtr. last week, 1stcareer TD. Had 6 tackles & PD in last meeting.
DETROIT LIONS (4-1) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-1)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 4:25 PM ET
FOX: Adam Amin, Daryl Johnston, Pam Oliver
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) DET: 121 or 387 TB: 135 or 229
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: DET leads series, 31-28 (TB has won past 2)
POSTSEASON: TB leads series, 1-0
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 12/26/20: TB 47 at DET 7
POSTSEASON: 12/28/97 NFC-WC: DET 10 at TB 20
LIONS NOTES:
QB JARED GOFF completed 20 of 28 atts. (71.4 pct.) for 236 yards & had 4 TDs (3 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 132.4 rating in Week 5, his 2nd-career game with 3+ pass TDs & rush TD. Ranks 2nd among NFC QBs in rating (104.4) & comp. pct. (69.8) in 2023. Has 893 pass yards (446.5 per game) & 5 TD passes in 2 career games vs. TB, incl. career-high 517 pass yards vs. TB on 9/29/19 w/ LAR. • RB DAVID MONTGOMERY had 129 scrimmage yards (109 rush, 20 rec.) & 6th rush TD of season last week, 2nd-most rush TDs among NFC RBs. Aims for his 5th in row with 70+ scrimmage yards & rush TD. Had rush TD in his only career game vs. TB (10/8/20 w/ Chi.). • RB JAHMYR GIBBS (rookie) has 50+ scrimmage yards in each of his 1st 4 career games. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in each of his 1st 4 games this season. Has 5+ catches in 12 of his past 13 games. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with rec. TD. • TE SAM LAPORTA became 3rd rookie TE in NFL history with 25+ catches (25) in 1st 5 career games. Leads all TEs with 289 rec. yards in 2023. • DL AIDAN HUTCHINSON had sack & INT in Week 5. Became 3rd player (Shaquille Leonard & HOFer Brian Urlacher) since 1982 with 10+ sacks (14) & 4+ INTs (4) in 1st 2 career seasons. Is 1 of 2 (T.J. Watt) with 4+ sacks (4.5) & 4+ PD (4) in 2023. Aims for his 4th in row with sack. • LB ALEX ANZALONE led team & tied his career high with 11 tackles in Week 5, his 4th-career game with 10+ tackles. Has 5+ tackles in 22 straight games, tied-4th longest active streak in NFL. • CB JERRY JACOBS had 3rd INT of season last week & aims for his 3rd in row with INT. • CB WILL HARRIS had 1st-career FR in Week 5.
BUCS NOTES:
QB BAKER MAYFIELD completed 25 of 32 atts. (78.1 pct.) for 246 yards & 3 TDs vs. INT for 116.9 rating in Week 4, his 9thcareer game with 3+ TD passes. Has 90+ rating in 3 of 4 starts in 2023. • RB RACHAAD WHITE had 78 scrimmage yards (56 rush, 22 rec.) in Week 4. Aims for his 3rd in row at home & 4th in row overall with 50+ scrimmage yards. • WR MIKE EVANS aims for his 4th in row at home with rec. TD, 5th in row at home with 5+ catches & 7th in row at home with 50+ rec. yards. Had 10 catches for 181 yards & 2 rec. TDs in last meeting & has 2 rec. TDs in 2 of his 3 career games vs. Det. • WR CHRIS GODWIN had season highs in receptions (8) & rec. yards (114) in Week 4, his 19th-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 11 of his past 12 games. Had rec. TD in last meeting & aims for his 4th in row vs. Det. with 5+ catches & 65+ rec. yards. • TE CADE OTTON had 1st rec. TD of season in Week 4. • LB LAVONTE DAVID has TFL in 2 of his past 3 at home & 8+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 home games. Has FF in 4 of his 5 career games vs. Det. • LB DEVIN WHITE had 10 tackles, 2 TFL & sack in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with PD. • LB SHAQUIL BARRETT has 2 sacks, 2 TFL & FF in 3 career games vs. Det. • DL VITA VEA had 3rd career game with 2 sacks & had 2ndcareer FF in Week 4. Has TFL in 3 of 4 games this season. • S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR. led team with 9 tackles & had 2 TFL, sack, FF & FR in Week 4. Became 4th DB since 1982 with 2+ sacks in each of 1st 4 career seasons.
NEW YORK GIANTS (1-4) AT BUFFALO BILLS (3-2)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023 GAME TIME: 8:20 PM ET
NBC: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark
Westwood One: Ryan Radtke, Ross Tucker
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) NYG: 81 or 226 BUF: 85 or 227 National: 88
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: BUF leads series, 7-6 (won 3 of past 4)
POSTSEASON: NYG leads series, 1-0
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 9/15/19: BUF 28 at NYG 14
POSTSEASON: 1/27/91 SB XXV: BUF 19 at NYG 20
GIANTS NOTES:
QB DANIEL JONES completed 14 of 20 atts. (70 pct.) in Week 5. Is only NFC QB with 3 games of 70+ comp. pct. • QB TYROD TAYLOR completed 9 of 12 atts. (75 pct.) last week. Started 43 games in 3 seasons (2015-17) with Buf. & had 8,857 pass yards & 51 TD passes with 1,575 rush yards & 14 rush TDs. • RB SAQUON BARKLEY has 155 scrimmage yards (77.5 per game) & 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.) in 2 games this season. Had 135 scrimmage yards (107 rush, 28 rec.) & rush TD in last meeting. • RB MATT BREIDA had 3 TDs (2 rec., 1 rush) with Buf. in 2021. • TE DARREN WALLER led team with 8 catches & 86 rec. yards in Week 5, both season highs. Has 6+ catches & 75+ rec. yards in 2 of 3 road games this season. • WR WAN’DALE ROBINSON aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ receptions. • LB KAYVON THIBODEAUX had 4th sack of season & 3rd-career FR in Week 5. Aim for his 3rd in row on road & 4th in row overall with sack. Had 12 tackles, 3 TFL, sack, FF & FR-TD in his only career road SNF game (12/18/22 at Was.). • LB BOBBY OKEREKE led team with 10 tackles & had 1st INT of season last week, his 4th-career INT. Aims for his 3rd in row with 10+ tackles & PD. Has 5+ tackles in each of his past 13 games. • S/LB ISAIAH SIMMONS had season-high 9 tackles in Week 5. • S JASON PINNOCK had 1st FF of season & 102-yard INT-TD in Week 5, his 1st-career INT & TD, longest INT-TD since 2017 (Aqib Talib – 103 yards in Week 2). • S XAVIER MCKINNEY had season-high 8 tackles, PD & 2ndcareer FF last week. Aims for his 4th in row on road with 7+ tackles. Has 4 PD in 5 games this season. • CB DEONTE BANKS ranks tied-2nd among rookies with 4 PD.
BILLS NOTES:
BILLS lead NFL with 21 sacks, most by Buf. in 1st 5 games of a season in team history. • QB JOSH ALLEN completed 27 of 40 atts. (67.5 pct.) for season high 359 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT for 102 rating & rushed for 41stcareer TD, surpassing Jack Kemp for 3rd-most rush TDs by QB in NFL history. Aims for 3rd in row with 300+ pass yards, 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating & 4th in row with rush TD. Passed for 253 yards & had 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs in last meeting. Is 4-0 in 4 career starts on SNF, with 2+ TDs in each game. • RB JAMES COOK has 75+ scrimmage yards in 3 of past 4. • WR STEFON DIGGS led team with 8 catches for 121 yards & TD last week, his 3rd-straight game with 6+ catches & 100+ rec. yards & 2nd-straight with rec. TD. Is only player in NFL with 100+ rec. yards in 4 games this season. Has 887 rec. yards (88.7 per game) in 10 career games on SNF, with rec. TD in 2 of past 3. Tied for NFL lead with 5 rec. TDs & ranks 3rd with 39 catches. • WR GABE DAVIS had 6 catches for season-high 100 yards & TD last week, his 4th-straight game with rec. TD, longest active streak in NFL. Can become 4th Buf. player ever with rec. TD in 5 straight. • TE DAWSON KNOX has rec. TD in 4 of his past 5 in Buf. • LB VON MILLER made season debut last week. Has 4 TFL & 3 sacks in 2 career games vs. NYG. Has 15 sacks in 17 career games on SNF, 1 of 6 players with 15+ sacks on SNF since 1982. • DE LEONARD FLOYD had 2 sacks & 1st FF of season in Week 5. Has 2 sacks in 2 of past 3. Had 1.5 sacks, FF & FR in his last game vs. NYG (10/17/21 w/ LAR). • DE A.J. EPENESA set career highs in PD (3) & sacks (2) last week & had 1st FF and FR of season. Aims for 5th in row with PD. Has sack in 2 of past 3.
DALLAS COWBOYS (3-2) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-2)
DATE: Monday, October 16, 2023 GAME TIME: 8:15 PM ET
ESPN: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters
Westwood One: Kevin Harlan, Mike Golic
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) DAL: 81 or 226 LAC: 83 or 225 National: 88
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: DAL leads series, 7-5 (LAC won 3 of past 4)
POSTSEASON:–
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 9/19/21: DAL 20 at LAC 17
POSTSEASON: —
COWBOYS NOTES:
QB DAK PRESCOTT has completed 43 of 54 atts. (79.6 pct.) in 2 career games vs. LAC. Is 4-1 with 14 TDs (13 pass, 1 rush) vs 2 INTs for 124.3 rating in 5 career MNF starts, incl. 2+ TD passes & 95+ rating in each of his 5 starts. • RB TONY POLLARD had 64 scrimmage yards (35 rec., 29 rush) in Week 5) & is 1 of 3 RBs (Christian McCaffrey & Joe Mixon) wth 60+ scrimmage yards in each of 1st 5 games this season. Aims for his 6th in row in primetime with 50+ scrimmage yards. Had 140 scrimmage yards (109 rush, 31 rec.) & rush TD in last meeting. • WR CEEDEE LAMB had 8 receptions for 81 yards in last meeting. Has 60+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 primetime games & aims for his 4th in row on Monday with 60+ rec. yards. • WR BRANDIN COOKS had 7 catches for 57 yards & rec. TD in his last game vs. LAC (10/2/22 w/ Hou.). Aims for his 4th in row vs. LAC with 5+ catches. • LB MICAH PARSONS has sack in 2 of 3 road games this season. Had sack in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row on Monday with TFL. Has 12 TFL in 12 career primetime games. • DE DEMARCUS LAWRENCE has sack in 2 of 3 road games this season. Has 10 sacks in 6 career Monday games, incl. 2 of his 3 career games with 3 sacks. • CB STEPHON GILMORE has 5 PD in 3 road games this season & aims for his 4th in row on road with PD. • CB DARON BLAND aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • CB JOURDAN LEWIS had 2nd-career FF & 7th-career FR in Week 5. • S JAYRON KEARSE had 1st sack of season & 2 TFL last week. Has 18 TFL since 2021, most among DBs. Had TFL & PD in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row on Monday with PD.
CHARGERS NOTES:
QB JUSTIN HERBERT has 0 INTs & 95+ rating in 3 of 4 games this season. Rushed for career-high 2 TDs in Week 4. Completed 31 of 41 atts. (75.6 pct.) for 338 yards in last meeting. Is 3-1 with 7 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 91.6 rating in 4 career starts on MNF. • RB AUSTIN EKELER can make 1st appearance since totaling 164 scrimmage yards (117 rush, 47 rec.) & rush TD in Week 1. Had 115 scrimmage yards (61 rec., 54 rush) & 9 catches in last meeting. Aims for his 4th in row on MNF with 75+ scrimmage yards & TD. Has 4 rush TDs in his past 3 in primetime. Has 393 catches in 90 career games & can become 4th-fastest RB ever to reach 400 catches. • WR KEENAN ALLEN has 6+ catches & 75+ rec. yards in 3 of 4 games this season. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Dal. with 100+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches & 60+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 at home. Has 53 catches (6.6 per game) in 8 career games on MNF. • WR JOSHUA PALMER had season-high 77 rec. yards in Week 4. Aims for 3rd in row with 65+ rec. yards. • LB JOEY BOSA has sack in 2 of his 3 games this season. Has sack in 3 of 4 career games on MNF. • LB KHALIL MACK had career-high 6 sacks with 2 FFs in Week 4, tied for 2nd-most sacks in a single game in 1982. Joined HOFer Derrick Thomas as only players since 1982 with 5+ sacks in multiple career games. Has PD in 2 of past 3. Has 3 sacks in 2 career games vs. Dal. Has sack in 5 of his past 6 on MNF. • DE MORGAN FOX aims for 4th in row with sack. Had career high 2 sacks in his last game on MNF (12/26/22 at Ind.). • CB ASANTE SAMUEL JR. had 1st INT of season in Week 4. Aims for 3rd in row with PD. Had career-high 3 PD & INT in last meeting. Has PD in each of 3 career games on MNF.
REPORT: BRONCOS, PASS RUSHER FRANK CLARK TO PART WAYS
The Denver Broncos plan to either trade or release defensive end Frank Clark, ESPN reported Thursday.
The news comes a day after Clark restructured his contract, which ESPN said could make the veteran easier to trade.
Off to a 1-4 start, the Broncos already have moved on from fellow pass rusher Randy Gregory, trading him to the San Francisco 49ers last week.
The Broncos signed Clark, 30, to a one-year contract in June. The contract was worth a guaranteed $5.5 million base salary with an additional $2 million eligible to be earned through incentives.
Clark has appeared in just two games for the Broncos and already has been ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, his former team, due to illness.
The Chiefs released him in March amid a contract stalemate.
A three-time Pro Bowl player (2019-21), Clark won Super Bowl titles with the Chiefs in 2019 and last season, when he had five sacks and 39 tackles in 15 regular-season games (all starts). He began his career with the Seattle Seahawks, who selected him in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.
For his career, Clark has 58.5 sacks, 265 tackles, two interceptions, 14 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries in 122 regular-season games (88 starts). He also has 13.5 sacks in 17 postseason games, the most among all players since entering the NFL in 2015.
He has just two tackles this season.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEWS
THE ALMANAC’S TOP 25 FRESHMEN TO WATCH FOR 2023-24
Before we get to the countdown, a quick caveat: these are not necessarily the 25 best freshmen in the country. You can look at recruiting rankings for that. Instead, this list attempts to identify the most important rookies to watch this season. That means playing a big role on a nationally relevant team. Some players are ruled out by injuries (Kentucky’s Aaron Bradshaw), others by facing tough paths to major responsibilities (Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears).
It is, of course, an inexact science — which means we will surely underrate your favorite freshman. With that in mind, dig in:
1. Isaiah Collier, G, USC
A contender for the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Collier is a dynamite PG with size who can score or distribute with equal aplomb. He’ll pair well with rainmaking bucket-getter Boogie Ellis to give USC one of the country’s best 1-2 punches on the backcourt. The hope is that Bronny James can get healthy and make it a terrifying trio.
2. Justin Edwards, G/F, Kentucky
Arguably the gem of Kentucky’s top-rated recruiting class, Edwards is versatility incarnate on the basketball court. He can score from all over the court, and should immediately be a plus defender capable of locking down a variety of foes. UK only has a couple veterans, so it will lean on rookies like Edwards for major production.
3. Mackenzie Mgbako, F, Indiana
Trayce Jackson-Davis is gone, but Indiana still boasts a star-studded frontcourt with Malik Reneau, Kel’el Ware, and the five-star Mgbako. Mgbako is a highly capable scorer with the versatility to bury trifectas and win post-up battles. How he performs when playing at the 3 — he is a natural 4 — will be instrumental in determining IU’s performance.
4. Aden Holloway, G, Auburn
Bruce Pearl has made a (pretty terrific) living developing scoring guards. Next in line is Aden Holloway, arguably the best shot-maker in this rookie class. Stepping into Wendell Green’s role, Holloway will also have to create for one of the country’s best frontcourts, but his off-the-bounce flamethrowing will be Auburn’s bellwether.
5. DJ Wagner, G, Kentucky
Wagner and classmate Rob Dillingham will likely get 99% of the ball-handling reps for Kentucky. Both are talented, but we’re placing Wagner on the list instead based on his pedigree and volcanic scoring arsenal. He will be streaky as a first-year — and possibly turnover-prone — but when he erupts, defenses are in serious trouble.
6. Cody Williams, F, Colorado
Unlike other top-rated freshmen, Williams will not be tasked with immediately filling a go-to role. Colorado already returns Tristan da Silva and KJ Simpson to run the show. With Williams in a tertiary role, he can be the connective piece in Colorado’s attempt to make a splash in its final Pac-12 season. Williams is an excellent defender with a well-rounded offensive game.
7. Ja’Kobe Walter, G, Baylor
Baylor has developed scoring guards as well as any program over the past few seasons, and Walter has a chance to be the best of the bunch. He has a long frame that makes him a tough cover in college hoops, and his off-the-bounce repertoire seems to fit perfectly in Scott Drew’s scheme.
8. Elliot Cadeau, G, North Carolina
RJ Davis might get confused playing with a backcourt mate in Cadeau who vastly prefers to set up his teammates rather than launch 28-footers, a la Caleb Love. Cadeau has to swim upstream against the “reclassified point guard” current, but the jet-quick lightning bolt lives in the paint and will make his fair share of highlight reel passes to his Tar Heel teammates.
9. Jared McCain, G, Duke
Surprise — Duke has an incredibly highly rated freshman class! Logjammed behind a surprisingly veteran core, the Blue Devil rookies might man complementary roles, but McCain’s explosive perimeter scoring should get him on the court quickly. His elite shooting stroke will generate plenty of space for All-American candidates Kyle Filipowski and Tyrese Proctor, putting defenses in an unenviable conundrum of deciding who to guard.
10. Stephon Castle, G, UConn
Donovan Clingan is set to slide into Adama Sanogo’s role. Cam Spencer will hopefully help offset the loss of Jordan Hawkins. As for the swiss-army role of Andre Jackson, five-star freshman Castle enters the mix. Castle brings an enticing combination of size (6-7), court vision, and body control. He should be a high-level attacker and creator for the defending champs.
11. DaShawn Harris-Smith, G, Maryland
Highly rated freshmen set to fill connective roles are underrated players to watch. Harris-Smith fits that mold as he joins a roster already returning Jahmir Young, Julian Reese and Donta Scott. Harris-Smith is a physical guard with tremendous feel and good size (6-4). He is a strong playmaker and could be the Big Ten Freshman of the Year if his shot falls consistently.
12. Jackson Shelstad, G, Oregon
Oregon’s rookie class is loaded with three top-30 prospects. Shelstad might be the most college-ready of the bunch: a dynamic lead guard who can create for others or himself. Sure, he excels at spraying the ball around to other scorers, but he can also get to the rim or pull up for his own smooth jumper. He could end up being the Ducks’ table-setter from Day 1.
13. Elmarko Jackson, G, Kansas
What kind of impact will Jackson have in Year 1 in Lawrence? Will he force his way into the starting lineup and the NBA Draft lottery, like Gradey Dick? Or will he end up waiting his turn behind other options, similar to MJ Rice? Jackson might have the highest upside of KU’s wing options, and the Jayhawks need perimeter scoring to complement Hunter Dickinson inside.
14. Jan Vide, G, UCLA
It’s a hard reset in Westwood, with the Bruins losing nearly their entire rotation. Mick Cronin & Co. dove into international waters for some key pieces, and Vide, a big playmaking guard from Slovenia (heard of any of those before?), might be the most important given UCLA’s backcourt needs.
15. Scotty Middleton, G, Ohio State
For two straight years, the Buckeyes have sent a top-50ish recruit into the NBA Draft’s first round. Unlike Malaki Branham and Brice Sensabaugh, though, Middleton has earned a reputation as a wrecking-ball defender, rather than a prolific bucket-getter. Ohio State needs defense, so Middleton could quickly ascend into a key role.
16. Milan Momcilovic, F, Iowa State
Iowa State has had tremendous success with Wisconsin natives over the years, and Momcilovic is the latest in the pipeline. He can play at either forward spot and is a great shooter with a knack for scoring at all three levels. Iowa State was eighth nationally in adjusted defense last season, but it lacked offense. Momcilovic is a shot in the arm from a scoring perspective.
17. Andrej Stojakovic, G, Stanford
Unsurprisingly given his family heritage, Stojakovic can light it up from anywhere on the court. The scoring talent is obvious, and he plays with a captivating smoothness that underscores his basketball upbringing. But, unlike other recent touted Stanford recruits, can he drag the Cardinal to national relevance?
18. Aday Mara, C, UCLA
Mara is enormous. That’s the most obvious attribute. He will be a game-changing shot-blocker simply by existing, but it is his shockingly refined passing game that makes him so intriguing. Will his vision allow him to coexist alongside Adem Bona? Or will spacing concerns force UCLA to platoon the two NBA prospects?
19. Omaha Biliew, F, Iowa State
While Momcilovic brings the offense for Iowa State’s freshman class, five-star Biliew is the defensive stud. The 6-8 forward oozes defensive versatility with the ability to defend 1-through-5 on certain occasions. Iowa State has posted back-to-back top-10 adjusted defensive efficiency rankings under TJ Otzelberger, and Biliew will aid in the quest to do so again. He should also prove to be a steady finisher and elite rebounder.
20. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, G, Illinois
Illinois has a logjam in the backcourt thanks to multiple transfer additions and the return of several rotation pieces. What it lacks, though, is a proven playmaker — an area where Gibbs-Lawhorn could assert himself immediately. Though truly a bit more “combo” than “pure point,” Gibbs-Lawhorn brings seismic athleticism and great feel for the game.
21. Garwey Dual, G, Providence
Kim English told The Almanac that his first priority once hired by Providence was to secure a recommitment from Garwey Dual. He managed it, and the four-star freshman appears poised to play big minutes for the youngest high-major coach in America. Dual is a long and athletic 6-5 guard with tantalizing defensive skills. His versatility on that end should lead to an immediate role, while strong offensive showings could lead to the selection committee naming Providence in March — or perhaps even Adam Silver announcing Dual’s name in June.
22. Coen Carr, G/F, Michigan State
One of the best vertical athletes to enter the sport in recent memory, Carr should have a permanent reservation in all highlight reels. While he is a dunk contest legend, Carr has more juice to his game than just his ruthless rim-rattling. He will be a transition terror, and Tom Izzo could mold him into a devastating defender.
23. Xavier Booker, F, Michigan State
Michigan State is loaded for 2023-24, and a preseason top-five ranking is surely in the future. But while returners are the headliners, Booker also arrives as a five-star big man. He is long and skilled, but might need some time to develop into a true star. Plus, he must prove to Tom Izzo that his motor is always running. If he takes those steps quickly and blossoms into a big rotation piece for the Spartans, it will up their national title odds. He will be a change-of-pace relative to veteran Mady Sissoko.
24. Dusty Stromer, G, Gonzaga
Gonzaga’s starting lineup looks set. But the Bulldogs desperately need bench production, which means Stromer should make an impact immediately in Mark Few’s up-and-down system. A two-way wing with size, Stromer does not need to be a star, but he can make shots and give the Zags a bigger body on the perimeter.
25. Myles Colvin, G, Purdue
Purdue brings back a ton of pieces this season, but its loss to Fairleigh Dickinson will weigh heavily. Colvin will be critical in smashing the March stereotype as he provides much-needed athleticism and shooting. Purdue ranked just 276th in 3-point percentage last season. If Colvin can help space the floor around Zach Edey, it will go a long way.
Honorable Mention: Simeon Wilcher, G, St. John’s; Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky; Eric Dailey Jr., F, Oklahoma State; Bronny James, G, USC; Jeremy Fears, G, Michigan St.; Sean Stewart, F, Duke; Baye Fall, F, Arkansas; Aaron Bradshaw, C, Kentucky; Kwame Evans Jr., F, Oregon
THE ALMANAC’S TOP EARLY-SEASON EVENTS & TOURNAMENTS TO WATCH
From opening tip in November through the end of December, the first two months of the season are some of the most exciting on the college basketball schedule.
Here is a look at some of the premier early-season multi-team events (MTEs) that you should circle on your calendar.
MUST-SEE TV
CHAMPIONS CLASSIC
- Who: Kansas vs. Kentucky; Duke vs. Michigan State
- When: Nov. 14
- Where: United Center; Chicago, Illinois
MAUI INVITATIONAL
- Who: Gonzaga, Kansas, Marquette, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee, UCLA, Chaminade
- When: Nov. 20-22
- Where: Lahaina Civic Center; Maui, Hawaii
BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS
- Who: Arkansas, Memphis, Michigan, North Carolina, Northern Iowa, Stanford, Texas Tech, Villanova
- When: Nov. 22-24
- Where: Imperial Arena at Atlantis; Paradise Island, Bahamas
JIMMY V CLASSIC
- Who: UConn vs. North Carolina; Illinois vs. FAU
- When: Dec. 5
- Where: Madison Square Garden; New York City
CBS SPORTS CLASSIC
- Who: Kentucky vs. North Carolina; Ohio State vs. UCLA
- When: Dec. 16
- Where: State Farm Arena; Atlanta, Georgia
BEST OF THE REST
CHARLESTON CLASSIC
- Who: Dayton, Houston, LSU, North Texas, St. John’s, Towson, Utah, Wake Forest
- When: Nov. 16, 17, 19
- Where: TD Arena, Charleston; South Carolina
BAHA MAR HOOPS BAHAMAS CHAMPIONSHIP
- Who: Kansas State, Miami, Providence, Georgia
- When: Nov. 17, 19
- Where: Baha Mar Convention Center; Nassau, Bahamas
CONTINENTAL TIRE MAIN EVENT
- Who: San Diego State, Washington, Xavier, Saint Mary’s
- When:Nov. 17, 19
- Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
EMPIRE CLASSIC
- Who: Indiana, Louisville, Texas, UConn
- When: Nov. 19-20
- Where: Madison Square Garden; New York City
FORT MYERS TIP-OFF
- Who: SMU, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin (Beach Division); UNC Wilmington, Appalachian State, Murray State (Second Division)
- When:Nov. 20-22
- Where: Suncoast Credit Union Arena; Fort Myers, Florida
HALL OF FAME CLASSIC
- Who: Boston College, Colorado State, Creighton, Loyola Chicago
- When: Nov. 22-23
- Where: T-Mobile Center; Kansas City, Missouri
NIT SEASON TIP-OFF
- Who: Baylor, Florida, Oregon State, Pittsburgh
- When: Nov. 22, 24
- Where: Barclays Center; Brooklyn, New York
ESPN EVENTS INVITATIONAL
- Who: Boise State, Butler, FAU, Iowa State, Penn State, Texas A&M, VCU, Virginia Tech
- When: Nov. 23, 24, 26
- Where: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Kissimmee, Florida
RADY CHILDREN’S INVITATIONAL
- Who: Iowa, Oklahoma, Seton Hall, USC
- When: Nov. 23-24
- Where: LionTree Arena, San Diego, California
EMERALD COAST CLASSIC
- Who: Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, Santa Clara (Bracket 1); Mercer, Southeastern Louisiana, Tennessee State, Western Michigan (Bracket 2)
- When: Nov. 24-25
- Where: Raider Arena at Northwest Florida State College; Niceville, Florida
NASCAR NEWS
WEEKEND PREVIEW: LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
The opening two rounds of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are complete, with the eight advancing drivers and teams now poised to race for their position in the Championship 4. The opening race of the final three-race Round of 8 — Sunday’s South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) — could decide the first driver to earn his place among those four drivers who will race for the sport’s biggest crown Nov. 5 in Phoenix.
Will it be the season’s most successful racer — and current championship leader – six-race winner Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron? Or perhaps one of the former series champs, Byron’s teammate Kyle Larson or Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr.? Or will the veteran of the group, Truex’s teammate Denny Hamlin, at last hoist the big trophy for the first time in his career?
Four talented new generation competitors — RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher, JGR’s Christopher Bell, 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick and Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney — linger just below in points and have all well-earned their championship chances in 2023 as well.
The past two seasons, the winner of the seventh race of the Playoffs has gone on to claim the title — Larson in 2021 at Texas and Joey Logano in 2022 at Las Vegas. In addition, no non-Playoff driver has ever won the Playoff race at Las Vegas.
This round of competition will feature a pair of 1.5-mile ovals — Las Vegas Motor Speedway this Sunday and next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway — with the Martinsville (Va.) Speedway half-mile short track formally setting the four-driver championship-eligible field.
While last year’s Las Vegas winner Logano has been eliminated from 2023 championship contention, several of the remaining title-eligible drivers can make good cases for claiming “race favorite” status on the Vegas high banks.
The 25-year-old Byron is in the midst of a career year, already earning six trophies after never claiming more than two in a season previously. The driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet won at Vegas in the March regular-season event there and has four top-10s in 11 starts at the track. As importantly, the Charlotte native brings plenty of momentum to the weekend, scoring a victory (Texas) and two runner-up finishes in the previous round to move atop the championship standings and boast the top Driving Rating (98.1) in the sport. And he holds a 20-point advantage over the cutoff line to start this penultimate three-race Playoff round.
Byron can expect stiff competition from both former series champs this week. Truex — this year’s regular-season champion and the 2017 series champion — is particularly good at Las Vegas. His two wins there make him the only multi-time winner at the track among the Playoff competitors, and he’s earned 14 top-10 finishes in 23 starts, including a remarkable 11 of the last 12 races. A three-time winner this season in the No. 19 JGR Toyota, Truex is still racing for his first top-10 in this year’s Playoffs. He is second in points and holds a 15-point edge atop the cutoff line.
Hamlin, 42, driver of the No. 11 JGR Toyota, shows up in Las Vegas with plenty to show. He’s got an 11-point cushion inside the Playoff top-4 and has the second-best driving rating (96.9) of the season. He’s a three-race winner in 2023, a former Las Vegas Playoff race winner (2021) and has an impressive 11 top-10s in 23 starts at the 1.5-mile track, including five of the past six races there.
“I’m looking forward to Vegas,” Hamlin said. “I don’t always practice well there and don’t always qualify well there, but I always race well. That’s my Kansas 2.0. I don’t know what it is about those tracks, but it seems like it takes me a day to get up to speed.
“I think we’ll be good though. The mile-and-a-halves have been great for us this year, so I feel good about this weekend and these next three races.”
Larson, driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, is three-points up on the Championship 4 Round cutoff line and joins the other three top-ranked racers with a past win at Las Vegas. The three-race winner in 2023 has led a series’ best 898 laps this year, and his career average finish in Las Vegas is 10.5 for fourth best. He’s finished in the top 10 in six of the past seven races, including runner-up showings in the past two spring races at the track.
Buescher, driver of the No. 17 RFK Ford, is another driver enjoying a “career year,” becoming a multi-time race winner in a single season for the first time in his career. And it’s been good enough to advance to this all-important round, where he trails Larson by only three points. Las Vegas has been a challenge for him historically — he has only one top-10 finish (ninth in 2020) and is averaging a 17.7 finish. He finished 21st in March.
Bell, driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, is hoping to make it back-to-back Championship 4 appearances. He and Reddick are both eight points below the cutoff line. He has one win this year and a series-best five pole positions. He has three top-10 finishes in seven previous Vegas starts with his best work — fifth place — coming this past spring.
Reddick has NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series victories at the track but is racing for his first Cup win there in a strong maiden season driving the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota. He’s won twice this year, including the Kansas Playoff win. He has top-10s in three of the past four Vegas races with a career-best finish of sixth in the past two Playoff races at the track.
Blaney, driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford, is a two-race winner this season, most recently earning a clutch victory at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in this most recent Playoff round. He has eight top-10 finishes in 14 Las Vegas starts, however has not placed in the top 10 there since the 2021 Playoff race. He sits 10 points off the Playoff cutoff line but has an encouraging seventh-best driving eating (96.5) at Vegas. Plus, his teammate Logano is the defending race winner.
This Saturday, NASCAR Cup Series practice, followed by Busch Light Pole Qualifying, will begin at 12:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network.
–Xfinity Playoff contenders prepare for the Round of 8 opener at Las Vegas
The NASCAR Xfinity Series begins its all-important push to the 2023 championship, as well, with Saturday afternoon’s Alsco Uniforms 302 (3:30 p.m. ET on the USA Network, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) — the first race in this final three-race round to set the Championship 4.
JR Motorsports driver Sam Mayer closed out the last round with one of the most clutch performances of the season. The 20-year-old led 50 of 67 laps to claim victory in what was a “must-win” race for him at the Charlotte ROVAL and earned him a position in this vital next round of competition. Not only did it send him to the penultimate Playoff round, it vaulted him into that fourth place — the cutoff position — atop the championship standings. He is two points up on Stewart-Haas Racing driver Cole Custer in fifth.
Only two drivers in Saturday’s field have won an Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas: Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill, who is ranked second in the Playoff standings — 21 points above the cutoff line — and JR Motorsports’ Josh Berry, who was officially eliminated from the Playoffs last week at the ROVAL.
Hill won at Vegas this past spring, and a repeat performance would place the Georgia-native in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship 4 for the first time in his career. The driver of the No. 21 RCR Chevrolet also could become only the second driver in track history to win back-to-back races, matching a mark by Chase Briscoe, who swept the 2020 season races there.
As has been the case all season, Hill can expect stiff competition from Joe Gibbs Racing’s John Hunter Nemechek. The driver of the No. 20 JGR Toyota has a notable history in Round of 8 opening races wherever they may be, winning that race on the schedule twice — when he was not Playoff-eligible.
Nemechek shows up in Vegas with a series-best and single-season career-high seven victories and 22 top-10 finishes through the opening 29 races. His 956 laps led is nearly three times that of any other driver. He has three top-10s in five series starts at Las Vegas with a best showing in his first series race there, a runner-up in 2019.
JR Motorsports veteran Justin Allgaier is ranked third in the championship. He’s also a multi-time winner in 2023, claiming three victories and holding a reasonable 17-point cushion inside the top-4 standings. He has yet to win at Vegas, but has four runner-up showings, including this March.
Also, championship eligible this weekend are Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer, Kaulig Racing rookie Chandler Smith, RCR’s Sheldon Creed and JGR rookie Sammy Smith. Chandler Smith, in particular among those four, boasts a promising Vegas resume. He won the pole position and had a leading 118 of the 200 laps to claim a third-place finish in his March debut there.
Practice for the Alsco Uniforms 302 is slated for 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, followed by qualifying at 7:35 p.m. ET — both televised on the USA Network.
INDIANA RELEASES/TOP HEADLINES
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL….THE BIGGEST GAMES
BLUFFTON (6-2) AT LAKELAND (6-2)
BOONVILLE (5-3) AT GIBSON SOUTHERN (6-2)
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (7-1) AT SCOTTSBURG (5-3)
CARMEL (5-3) AT LAWRENCE CENTRAL (3-5)…It’s Carmel’s defense against an LC offense averaging almost 33 points per game.
CARROLL (FLORA) (8-0) AT SHERIDAN (6-2)…Sheridan is hurting after a tough loss last week to Eastern. Carroll is ranked third for a reason in 1A.
CENTER GROVE (7-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (6-2)….Cathedral is hoping for a repeat from last year with a 40-29 win with a fourth quarter rally. Yes, Center Grove won the game that counted beating the Irish at semi-state 33-10. Trojans QB Tyler Cherry is having a monster season with 1,775 passing yards and 18 TDs on 73.5% pass completions. WR Noah Coy is also having a great season with 57 receptions for 827 yards and 10TD’s. Cathedral will continue to count on QB Danny O’Neil with1,372 passing yards, 23 TDs; 548 rushing yards, eight TDs.
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS (MO.) (5-2) AT WARREN CENTRAL (3-5)…Christian beat WC last season 52-25. They beat Carmel this year 55-28 gaining 585 yards of total offense.
CINCINNATI ELDER (OHIO) AT INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (8-0)…Elder beat Chatard last season 21-16. Elder loves to run the football. Chatard is allowing only 9.1 points per game.
DANVILLE (6-2) AT NORTH MONTGOMERY (5-3)….Danville is flying high after a win over Western Boone last week. NM QB Ross Dyson is clicking with 1,171 passing yards and 11 TDs and 494 rushing yards and eight TDs.
EAST CENTRAL (8-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI (3-5)…These two split last season, but this isn’t the same Roncalli team. Can they stop Josh Ringer? Ringer may close in on 2,000 yards by the time it’s over for the Trojans.
EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (6-2) AT CLINTON PRAIRIE (5-3)
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (6-2) AT CASTLE (5-3)
FOREST PARK (5-3) AT SOUTHRIDGE (5-3)
FORT WAYNE WAYNE (5-3) AT FORT WAYNE SNIDER (7-1)
FRANKLIN (5-3) AT DECATUR CENTRAL (6-2)…A huge Mid-State Conference match-up. DC is on a four game winning streak and will be looking to avenge a loss last year to the Flashes snapping a 12 game winning streak.
HAGERSTOWN (5-3) AT NORTHEASTERN (7-1)
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN (7-1) AT BROWNSBURG (8-0)….This is the biggie!!! The HCC outright title is on the line for the Bulldogs. Brownsburg will count on QB Jake Dunn 66.4% pass completion percentage for 1,461 yards and 17 TDs and RB Garrett Sherrell who has 1,725 yards, 20 TDs. HSE will look to QB Chandler Weston who has completed 62% of his passes for 1,078 yards and 13TD’s. RB Jalen Alexander has 984 yards on the ground and 11 TD’s.
JASPER (5-3) AT VINCENNES LINCOLN (6-2)
LEO (6-2) AT DEKALB (5-3)
MACONAQUAH (6-2) AT ROCHESTER (6-2)
MADISON-GRANT (6-2) AT ALEXANDRIA (7-1)
MARTINSVILLE (5-3) AT PLAINFIELD (6-2)…Another huge Mid-State Conference match-up. Plainfield has won 4 straight against Martinsville.
MICHIGAN CITY (5-3) AT CROWN POINT (8-0)
MISSISSINEWA (8-0) AT EASTBROOK (6-2)
MONROVIA (6-2) AT INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (5-3)…Monrovia has a ground attack (573 rushing yards last week vs. Cascade). RB’s Brayton Belcher and Asher Clements each had over 200 yards in that win. Scecina will count on RB Eric Montgomery who had 186 yards last week in the win over Ritter.
NEW PALESTINE (6-2) AT DELTA (5-3)….The Dragons have won six straight after an 0-2 start. RB Grayson Thomas is the key with 1,476 rushing yards, 20 TDs. It’s been a while since Delta has beaten New Pal (2012).
NORTH DECATUR (5-3) AT SWITZERLAND COUNTY (5-3)
NORTH HARRISON (6-2) AT PROVIDENCE (8-0)
NORTH KNOX (5-3) AT PAOLI (7-1)
NORTH WHITE (8-0) AT WEST CENTRAL (7-1)
NORTHRIDGE (7-1) AT WARSAW (7-1)
NORTHVIEW (6-2) AT INDIAN CREEK (5-3)…Northview averages 332 rushing yards per game.
SEEGER (6-2) AT NORTH VERMILLION (5-3)
SEYMOUR (5-3) AT BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (7-1)
SOUTH DEARBORN (5-3) AT LAWRENCEBURG (6-2)
SOUTH PUTNAM (7-1) AT CASCADE (5-3)…South Putnam QB Wyatt Mullin is having a banner season with 1,666 yards and 19 scores.
HAMILTON HEIGHTS (8-0) AT WEST LAFAYETTE (6-2)….The winner wins the Hoosier Conference title. Hamilton Heights is giving up only 4.0 points per game. West Lafayette plays a tough schedule and is led by QB Carson Kitchel with 1,693 passing yards and 16TD’s
WESTFIELD (7-1) AT FRANKLIN CENTRAL (4-4)….Westfield Coach Jake Gilbert is shooting for his 100th win at Westfield. He will have to watch for FC QB Nevan Tutterow who has 1,525 passing yards and 12 TDs.
INDIANA FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. MICHIGAN
INDIANA NOTES:
SETTING THE SCENE
• Indiana travels to Michigan for its second straight road contest of the season on Saturday (Oct. 14) at Michigan Stadium. The
game will be aired on FOX and kickoff at Noon as part of FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff.
• In the all-time series, Michigan owns a 61-10 edge with Indiana’s last win coming during the 2020 season in Bloomington.
• The first meeting in the series came in Bloomington during the 1900 season and the two teams have played each season since
2013, which includes all 10 seasons of the Big Ten’s East/West Division format.
• Michigan has won two straight in the series since Indiana’s 38-21 victory at Memorial Stadium during the 2020 season, which
includes a win at Michigan State in 2021.
NEWS & NOTES
• Per Pro Football Focus, redshirt senior Andre Carter ranks No. 5 in the Big Ten with 20 total pressures (sacks, QB hits or
hurries), a total that sits No. 28 in the Power 5 and tied for No. 41 in the FBS.
• With 2.0 tackles for loss in each of the first two games of the season, Carter’s 4.0 TFLs were the most by a Hoosier in the first
two games of a season since 2004 when Kyle Killion posted 5.5 tackles for loss.
• With 43 tackles, redshirt senior Aaron Casey ranks No. 7 in the Big Ten and his 8.6 tackles per game are No. 46 nationally entering
Week 7. His his 6. 0 tackles for loss are tied for No. 2 in the conference and includes 2.0 sacks.
• Sophomore Jaylin Lucas produced the first multi-touchdown game of his career in Week 2 versus Indiana State with a pair of
rushing scores. He has seven career touchdowns with four rushing, one receiving and two kickoff return scores.
• Senior Louis Moore grabbed his first career interception in the second quarter versus Akron and followed that with his first
defensive touchdown in the third quarter on a 22-yard interception return for a score versus the Zips.
• With three interceptions on the season, sophomore Phillip Dunnam continues to sit near the top Big Ten leader board and
tied for No. 7 in the FBS. One of two true freshman not to redshirt in 2022, Dunnam has takeaways versus No. 3/4 Ohio State,
Louisville and Akron.
• With its successful onside kick to start the second half versus Louisville at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indiana snapped a streak of eight
straight unsuccessful onside kick attempts and recovered its first onside kick since the 2017 game at Purdue.
• Head coach Tom Allen won his 32nd career game over Akron in Week 4 and is just one win shy of joining the top five winningest
coaches in program history. Of the 32 wins, 13 have come in one possession games, including a 5-1 mark in overtime.
• The Indiana special teams units blocked its first kick of the 2023 season at Maryland to move its streak to 12 straight seasons
with at least one blocked kick. Special teams coordinator Kasey Teegardin’s crew has blocked at least one kick in each of his
four seasons as the corps leader.
MICHIGAN GAME NOTES:
What You Need to Know
• Michigan and Indiana will play for the 72nd time on Saturday.
• U-M is 6-0 for the three straight seasons for the first time since 1972- 74; won the first 10 games in each of those seasons.
• The Wolverines have won 31 of their last 34 games, including 18 straight Big Ten games which is one shy of the school record (1990-92).
• U-M has won 22 consecutive regular season games, tied for the seventh-longest streak in conference history.
• The U-M defense ranks top 12 nationally in eight statistical categories.
U-M Ranks Top 20 in Scoring Offense and Defense
• The Wolverines head into this weekend’s match-up with Indiana ranked among the top teams nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense.
• U-M leads the NCAA in scoring defense, allowing just 6.7 points per game, while listing 17th in scoring offense (37.3 avg.).
• The Maize and Blue has scored 30-plus points in all six games this fall and in a school-record nine consecutive contests dating back to last season.
Wolverines and Hoosiers
• This will be the 72nd meeting in the all-time series with Indiana.
• Michigan’s .859 winning percentage against Indiana is the program’s highest versus any conference school.
• The Wolverines lead the series, 61-10, and have won 26 of the past 27 games against the Hoosiers.
• Michigan has won 41 of the previous 43 games played between the two schools.
• Coach Jim Harbaugh has a 7-1 record against Indiana.
Series vs. IU: Michigan leads 61-10
Series Streak: Michigan won 2
Last Meeting: 2022 (#4 U-M 31, IU 10)
Last Michigan Win: 2022
Michigan When Ranked vs. Indiana
• This will be the 48th time that Michigan enters a match-up with Indiana ranked in the top 25 of the Associated Press national poll.
• The Wolverines have compiled a 44-3 record in those contests, with their only setbacks coming in 1954, 1987 and 2020.
• Michigan is a perfect 26-0 against Indiana when ranked in the top 10 of the national polls.
• The two programs have played four times when both teams were ranked in the top 25 of the polls.
• U-M has compiled a 2-2 record against the Hoosiers when both teams enter the game listed in the top 25 of the AP poll, winning games in 1968 and 1988 and suffering losses in 1987 and 2020.
• U-M has been ranked in the national polls for all 23 games against Indiana at Memorial Stadium.
Game Notes Nuggets
• The Maize and Blue are in the midst of an 18-game conference winning streak, one shy of matching the program record (19) set from 1990-92. The current streak is the fifth-longest in Big Ten history.
• U-M has won 22 consecutive regular season games, tied for the seventh-longest streak in Big Ten history (Ohio State, 2018-21).
• The Wolverines return home this weekend, where they have won 19 straight games at Michigan Stadium dating back to 2021, the program’s longest streak since 1998-2001 under Lloyd Carr (21).
• U-M has scored 30-plus points in nine straight games, the longest streak in program history. The 1976 squad (eight straight games) previously held the record.
• The 52 points scored at Minnesota were the most in a road game in the series’ 105 meetings and tied for the sixth-most scored in series history. The U-M defense (two interceptions returned for touchdowns) outscored Minnesota’s 10 points on offense.
• The Wolverines are averaging a scoring margin of +30.7 across their six wins this season, the third-highest figure in the country and the best in the Big Ten. U-M ranks 17th in scoring offense (37.3 points per game), second in the Big Ten (Penn State, 40.6).
• U-M’s 0.620 points per play on offense is the best rate in the Big Ten and sixth overall. The Wolverine defense allows 0.122 points per play against, the lowest rate in the nation. U-M’s rate of 0.4 punts per score is the third-lowest rate nationally and best in the Big Ten.
• Ten (10) players have made their first starts as Wolverines this season, including four on offense (AJ Barner, LaDarius Henderson, Myles Hinton, Drake Nugent) and six on defense (Rayshaun Benny, Kenneth Grant, Keshaun Harris, Quinten Johnson, Keon Sabb, Josh Wallace).
• Michigan holds top-10 PFF grades and ranks in eight of 13 major team categories: overall team, No. 1 (97.0), offense, No. 4 (92.4), receiving, tied-No. 4 (85.2), run-blocking, No. 3 (79.7), defense, No. 4 (92.7), run defense, No. 3 (91.6), tackling, No. 6 (87.0), and pass rush, No. 4 (84.0).
• In J.J. McCarthy’s 19 career starts, U-M is 18-1. In that span, the offense has registered 182 drives in which the quarterback starts and finishes the possession (excludes kneel-downs). The Wolverines have points on 109 of those drives (59.9 percent) with 80 touchdowns (43.9 percent of all drives) and 29 field goals.
• Through six games in 2023, McCarthy has completed 97-of-125 pass attempts for a completion percentage of 77.6, third-best in the country. He also ranks fourth in pass efficiency (189.5) and sixth in yards per pass attempt (five-spot jump from last week; 10.44) and leads the Big Ten in all three categories.
• McCarthy’s 77.6 percent completion rate is not just on easy throws. It comes paired with an average depth of target (ADOT) of 10.7 yards downfield, tied for the third-deepest average in the Big Ten.
• McCarthy’s season-long YPA is buoyed by a 13.5 YPA figure on play-action concepts (31-of-37 for 563 yards).
• McCarthy is up to 38 career passing touchdowns, four shy of Steve Smith (1980-83) for eighth-most all-time. He is one of two Big Ten quarterbacks with double-digit passing touchdowns through five weeks this season (Tagovailoa, Maryland). McCarthy’s 7.5 career touchdown percentage ranks fourth-best all-time at Michigan.
• Running back Kalel Mullings has set career highs in rushing yards in three consecutive weeks (40 yards, 43 yards, 47 yards) averaging 6.89 yards per carry in that span (19 carries, 131 yards) with long runs of 20-plus yards in two of three games.
• Blake Corum is up to 2,986 rushing yards, good for 10th all-time at Michigan and 86 yards shy of passing Billy Taylor for ninth. In eighth place is Rob Lytle (3,317 career rushing yards). Corum’s 41 career rushing touchdowns place him tied-fourth all-time at U-M.
• Corum is one of five players in Michigan history with at least 40 career rushing touchdowns, along with: Hart (41), Denard Robinson (42), Tyrone Wheatley (47), and Anthony Thomas (55).
• Corum is tied as the national leader in rushing touchdowns (10) while wide receiver Roman Wilson is third in receiving touchdowns (eight). Corum ranks fourth in total points scored (60).
• Wilson’s eight receiving touchdowns are the most by a Wolverine since Donovan Peoples-Jones in 2018. Jehu Chesson (nine, 2015) has the most among Harbaugh-era wide receivers.
• Cornelius Johnson has had at least 71 receiving yards in four of six contests including a season-best 86 yards against Minnesota. Johnson has at least one catch of 20-plus yards in five of six contests.
• Three Wolverine pass catchers are among the Big Ten’s leaders in yards per route run: Wilson (3.78) ranks 14th in the country and first in the conference, Johnson (3.05) ranks 45th nationally and fourth in the league, and Colston Loveland (2.16) is 14th among players with at least 12 targets. Among tight ends only, Loveland’s figure ranks No. 9 across the country (minimum 12 targets).
• Efficient offensive play has led to one of the country’s best conversion rates on third down (55.6 percent, fourth) and team pass efficiency ratings (180.83, seventh).
• Through five weeks, Michigan averages 55.44 percent of second-half possession time. The only Big Ten school with a higher rate is Penn State (58.99). Last weekend’s opponent, Minnesota, averaged 55.95 percent but was limited to a 46.89 percent share against the Wolverines.
• Michigan’s offensive line has allowed only three sacks on the season, the second-fewest nationally. With that unit as the engine, no team permits fewer negative plays per game (2.17) than the Wolverines.
• The Wolverine defense ranks among the nation’s best in interceptions (19th, seven) rushing defense (12th, 90.8 yards per game), pass efficiency defense (eighth, 101.75), fourth down conversion rate against (sixth, .250), third down conversion rate against (fourth, 55.6 percent) total defense (third, 233.3), first down defense (third, 67), passing yards allowed (second, 142.5); the unit leads the nation in red zone defense (first, 0.375), defensive touchdowns (tied-first, three), and scoring defense (first, 6.7 points per game).
• U-M has allowed 40 points across five games for an NCAA-leading 6.7 points allowed per game, the lowest average scoring against through five weeks since 2015 (6.3). Opponents are averaging 0.129 points per possession against U-M (eight scores on 62 possessions).
• Prior to this one, the last season in which U-M held each of its first six opponents to seven points or fewer was 1973, when the season-high for points against was 13 in week eight and only two teams reached double-digit scoring (10 points allowed in week 11).
• On the season, U-M has allowed 67 first downs, an average of 11.2 per game which is the lowest rate nationally. On average, teams reach a first down by passing 5.8 times per game, the second-lowest rate in the country (Marshall).
• The Wolverines have three interceptions returned for touchdowns this season (Sainristil, W. Johnson, Sabb), one shy of matching the program record (four) set in 1998 and matched in 2018. On the season, U-M has allowed two passing touchdowns to seven interceptions.
• U-M is dominant out of the locker room. Opponents have accumulated seven total first downs in six third quarters played. No team has reached 70 yards of offense in the quarter and three teams have been held under 10 yards of total offense.
• Opponents are averaging 5.0 rushing first downs per game against the Wolverines, tied for the seventh-fewest in the country. U-M is one of two Big Ten programs allowing fewer than six per game (Penn State, 5.3).
• Mason Graham (90.8, 10th, No. 1 Big Ten) and Kris Jenkins (88.0, 21st) are both top-25-graded run defenders among front-seven FBS players.
• When considering only the Big Ten, U-M has four players in the top 16: Jenkins, Derrick Moore (ninth), Braiden McGregor (13th), and Jaylen Harrell (16th). Only U-M and Northwestern are represented with multiple players in the top 10.
• The 12.7 completions per game U-M’s pass defense is permitting are the fewest in the country.
• Opponents average 0.5 red zone trips per game against the Wolverines, the fewest in the country by 0.7 and the best rate in the Big Ten by a factor of more than three (Ohio State, 1.8).
• The NCAA-leading 2.8 points per half that U-M is allowing across first halves so far this season are a full 0.7 points less than the next-closest team (UCLA, 3.5) and 1.5 points clear of the next Big Ten team (Penn State, 4.3).
• Ten (10) different players have recorded at least a share of a sack so far this season, led by Harrell (2.5). Josaiah Stewart (22.9 percent) has the best pass rush win rate in the Big Ten (minimum six pass rush snaps per game) and 11th-best nationally while Moore (21.2) ranks second in the league and 22nd in the nation and Harrell (20.8) ranks fourth and 24th. U-M is the only team with more than one player ranked in the top 25 of pass rush win rate — and they have three such players.
• Punter Tommy Doman is averaging 4.49 seconds of hangtime per attempt, the best average of any punter in the country (minimum one punt per game). U-M’s net punting (42.62 yards per attempt) ranks 15th nationally.
• The Wolverines are also among the best kickoff return defense units in the country, allowing 12 yards per return attempt (third, NCAA). Doman has delivered 27 touchbacks on 39 kickoffs this season.
INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
NO. 25 INDIANA BATTLES NO. 20 MICHIGAN STATE TO A 1-1 DRAW
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – No. 25 Indiana battles No. 20 Michigan State to a 1-1 draw under the lights at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Thursday evening.
KEY MOMENTS
• The Hoosiers went up, 1-0, before the end of the first half on an own goal from the Spartans in the 42nd minute. Junior defender Camille Hamm threw it into the 18-yard box on an own goal from the Spartans.
• Michigan State (9-3-3, 4-1-2) found the equalizer early in the second half in the 48th minute after earning a pair of corner kicks.
• Freshmen defender Piper Coffield had an opportunity in the 49th minute off an Indiana corner but couldn’t get the header to fall as it went out for a goal kick.
• The teams continued to attack as they exchanged shots back-and-forth.
• In the 68th minute, graduate forward Paige Webber saw another chance on a breakaway as she fired one at the top-left corner, but her attempt would go just high of the net.
• MSU had one final attempt in the 77th minute, but IU’s backline held strong as they blocked the shot.
HOOSIER POINTS
GOALS: Own Goal (42′)
ASSISTS: None.
NOTABLES
• Indiana outshot MSU 12-8, tying 2-2 in shots on goal. Coffield led the team with three shots.
• Eight Hoosiers recorded a shot against the ranked opponent.
• This is Indiana’s second draw against a top-25 opponent this season. They battled No. 25 Tennessee to a 2-2 draw on Sept. 1.
• Gerstenberg tallied one save on the evening for her 125th career save. She holds a .804 save percentage on the season.
QUOTEABLES
Indiana head coach Erwin van Bennekom
“They [Michigan State] are a really well coached team. They are a good attacking team that send so many numbers. I thought we did a really good job in the first half. We had the momentum, and probably more of the chances. In the second half, they dominated even though we had a couple little breakaways late. I thought we did well hanging on. We say, “if you can’t win the game, let’s not lose it.” I think we did that and showed enough mentality. If you see last year’s game and how we played against them versus how we played them today, you can see the development of our program and where we are. I think at the end, it’s a decent tie. After the first half, I think we wanted a little bit more. But in the end, seeing how the second half went, a tie is a fair result.”
UP NEXT
Indiana will host Michigan in their final home game of the regular season at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET on B1G+.
PURDUE FOOTBALL NOTES VS. OHIO STATE
PURDUE NOTES:
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Football returns home to host No. 3 Ohio State in a cross-divisional matchup. It will be a blackout in Ross-Ade Stadium with all fans encouraged to wear black to cheer on the Boilermakers. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on Peacock.
The contest will also be the team’s annual Hammer Down Cancer game, raising money for the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research. The last time Purdue hosted Ohio State (Oct. 20, 2018), the Boilermakers rolled past the No. 2 Buckeyes 49-20 behind inspiration from superfan Tyler Trent.
Purdue is the only team to have three wide receivers ranked in the B1G’s Top 10 for receptions. Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen ranks third with 25, while Deion Burks and TJ Sheffield are tied for sixth with 24 catches apiece. The Boilermakers are one of only two teams (Maryland) in the Big Ten to average at least 240 passing yards per game and at least 140 yards rushing yards per game. Purdue leads the Big Ten in first downs (140), including 76 passing first downs which also tops the conference.
HONORARY CAPTAIN
• Seth Morales (2000-02) will serve as the honorary captain for Saturday’s game.
• The former Boilermaker wide receiver is remembered for one of the most famous plays in Purdue Football history, catching the game-winning 64-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees to beat Ohio State (Oct. 28, 2000).
• Morales’ big catch, as well as his 35 receptions for 556 yards throughout the 2000 season, helped the Boilermakers win the Big Ten and go to the Rose Bowl.
OPPONENT SNAPSHOT
• No. 3 Ohio State enters Saturday’s matchup with a perfect 5-0 (2-0 B1G) record following a 37-17 victory over Maryland.
• The Buckeyes are one of six teams in the country to score three defensive touchdowns, while only allowing 10.2 ppg to rank third nationally.
• Ohio State paces the Big Ten in passing offense, averaging 302.8 yards per game led by starting quarterback Kyle McCord (1,375 yards).
• Marvin Harrison Jr. averages 99.8 receiving yards per game to top the conference.
• Ryan Day is in his fifth season as OSU’s head coach, promoted in 2019 following two seasons as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
WINS OVER TOP-5 BUCKEYES
• Purdue is no stranger to upsetting Ohio State.
• The Boilermakers have defeated a ranked OSU team eight times throughout history, including four times when the Buckeyes were ranked in the Top 5.
LAST MATCHUP IN ROSS-ADE
• The last time the Boilermakers welcomed the Buckeyes to Ross-Ade Stadium (Oct. 20, 2018), it was a night Purdue fans will never forget.
• Inspired by Purdue superfan Tyler Trent’s fight against cancer, the Boilermakers blew out No. 2 Ohio State 49-20.
• Ethan Trent, Tyler’s brother, is a freshman offensive lineman for the 2023 Boilermakers.
• David Blough went 25-of-43 for 378 yards and three touchdowns.
• D.J. Knox rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns.
• Markus Bailey (Cincinnati Bengals) sealed the victory with a 41-yard pick-six.
THIENEMAN NAMED B1G FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK, AGAIN
• For the second time this season, defensive back Dillon Thieneman has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced Monday morning (Oct. 9).
• Thieneman earned the accolade after hauling in his team-leading third interception of the season to go along with eight tackles (seven solo) against Iowa.
• The Westfield, Indiana, native led a secondary that held the Hawkeyes to just 6-of-21 (28.6%) for 110 yards through the air, the lowest completion percentage allowed since limiting Illinois to 27.6% 17 years ago (Nov. 11, 2006).
• With his third interception of the season, Thieneman became the nation’s only freshman with three INTs.
• Thieneman joined Devin Mockobee (2022), David Bell (2019) and Rondale Moore (2018) as Boilermakers to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Week multiple times throughout the past six seasons.
• Thieneman joins Frankie Williams as the only Boilermaker defenders to win the Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice.
OHIO STATE NOTES:
FIRST AND TEN: Ohio State, 5-0 and 2-0 in the Big Ten East, returns to Ross-Ade Stadium, where it has only a .590 winning pct. (13 wins; 9 losses), for a noon game Saturday against the Purdue Boilermakers (2-4 and 1-1 in the Big Ten West). The game will be streamed exclusively on NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service. Since the 2000 season, Ohio State is just 3-5 at Ross-Ade, including an upsetting, 49-20, loss in its last visit, in 2018, that was the only blemish on a 13-1 season that included a Big Ten championship game win over Northwestern and a Rose Bowl win over Washington. The initial CFP Playoff poll debuted 10 days after the 2018 Purdue loss. Ohio State was 10th and could only climb to sixth in the poll and missed the playoff s in Urban Meyer’s final season. f Ohio State has since been to three of the last four CFP Playoffs under Ryan Day, the only team in the country to do so. Day’s teams are 33-0 vs. unranked opponents with his program’s six losses to teams ranked Nos. 3, 1, 12, 5, 3 and 1, respectively. Day’s teams were the 2019 and 2020 Big Ten champions and are 33-2 vs. Big Ten competition.
Numbers to Know
50: Head coach Ryan Day has reached 50 career victories in 56 games. He is the second-fastest to 50 wins in Ohio State coaching history, trailing only Urban Meyer, who won 50 times in his first 54 games.
71-6: Ohio State has the best conference record – 71-6 – nationally since 2014, the first year of the current Big Ten divisional format. Purdue handed Ohio State one of those losses, 49-20, in 2018 in West Lafayette.
1:36: Brent Musburger’s memorable “Holy Buckeye” call occurred Nov. 9, 2002, at Ross-Ade after Craig Krenzel and Michael Jenkins saved the championship season with a 37-yard TD hookup with 1:36 left to play.
315: The game will be Ohio State’s first exclusively “streamed” broadcast and the first not to be televised live via a traditional network in 315 games, or since the 1996 tape-delayed (CBS) game at Minnesota.
Let’s Peacock!
- NBCUniversal’s Peacock is a part of the Big Ten Conference’s media rights agreement through the 2029-30 season.
- The agreement calls for eight regular season Big Ten football games annually and Big Ten regular season men’s (47) and women’s (30) basketball games.
Buckeye and Boilermaker History
- While Ohio State holds a 40-15-2 edge in the all-time series vs. Purdue, trips to West Lafayette have been anything but easy in the Buckeyes’ recent history.
- Ohio State is 1-3 in its last four trips to Ross-Ade Stadium with losses in 2018, 2011 and 2009.
- The two teams did not play last season; in their last meeting two seasons ago, Ohio State jumped out to a 45-17 halftime lead and won 59-31 at Ohio Stadium.
- Ohio State and Purdue will play again next year in Columbus.
Scouting Purdue
Purdue comes into Saturday’s game with a 2-4 record and 1-2 mark in Big Ten play following a 20-14 setback last Saturday at Iowa.
The Boilermakers are under first-year head coach Ryan Walters, who served as Illinois’ defensive coordinator last season.
Purdue’s offense is directed by quarterback Hudson Card, who spent three seasons at Texas before transferring to Purdue this offseason. His 1,491 passing yards through six games ranks second in the Big Ten behind only Taulia Tagovailoa of Maryland.
Defensive back Dillon Thieneman is the Big Ten leader in solo tackles with 41 and was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Monday after a seven-tackle, one-interception showing at Iowa last weekend.
Thieneman is the only freshman in the country with three or more interceptions this season.
Team Defense
Ohio State is eighth nationally in total defense allowing 264.8 yards per game. Penn State and Michigan are also outstanding defensively: ranking Nos. 1 and 3, respectively.
Ohio State is allowing just 158.4 passing yards per game (6th nationally) and just 10.2 points (3rd).
PURDUE WOMEN’S SOCCER
BOILERMAKERS PLAY TO HARD-EARNED DRAW VS. NO. 4 PENN STATE
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue soccer team battled to a 0-0 draw against No. 4 Penn State on Thursday night at Folk Field in West Lafayette, Indiana.
The result is Purdue’s best against a top-10 foe since a 1-0 win at No. 7 Wisconsin in the 2019 Big Ten Tournament. It is the squad’s second-ever win or draw against a top-five opponent, along with a 1-0 win over top-ranked Portland in 2007 in Seattle. Tonight is the Boilermakers’ first game against a top-five-ranked team since a 2-0 loss at No. 4 West Virginia in 2016.
Penn State is the fifth top-25 foe the Boilermakers have faced this year. In total, 11 of Purdue’s first 15 opponents are or have been ranked nationally for at least one week during the 2023 campaign.
The Boilermakers shut out the Nittany Lions for the first time in program history, and PSU was held without a goal for just the second time this season, along with a 0-0 contest against No. 2 North Carolina in the season opener on August 17. Penn State was shut out in Big Ten play for the first time since October 2, 2022, which also was the last time an unranked foe held them without a goal before Purdue did it tonight.
Along with its first-ever shutout, Purdue earned a draw for the third time in the series history against Penn State. The first two ties were in 2001 at home, 1-1, and in 2017 on the road, 2-2. PSU was ranked in those two matches as well, at No. 7 in 2001 and No. 9 in 2017. The Boilermakers are now 1-18-3 all-time against the Nittany Lions, and Penn State has been in the top-25 in all but three of those 22 meetings. Thursday night was the fifth time that PSU was in the top-five nationally.
Thursday was Purdue’s annual Hammer Down Cancer game. The team wore special uniforms, and the jerseys are being auctioned now through Friday, October 13, at 11:59 a.m. at https://boile.rs/SocHDC23. All proceeds benefit the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research.
The Boilermakers (3-10-2, 0-5-2 Big Ten) had eight shots and four shots on goal in the contest. The Nittany Lions (11-0-3, 5-0-2 Big Ten) had 22 shots, eight on target. PSU held an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks and the visitors were called for four fouls and Purdue had 12. Three yellow cards were issued, two to Purdue and one to Penn State.
Senior goalkeeper Charlotte Cyr made a season-best seven saves to earn her first shutout in her inaugural campaign with the Old Gold and Black. Another ball was cleared off the line to help preserve the shutout, the second of the season for the Boilermakers. The Purdue defense has allowed two or fewer goals in all but three games in 2023, with a pair of clean sheets.
Senior midfielder Emily Mathews led the team with two shots and was one of four Boilermakers with a shot on goal. Six other players registered one shot.
PSU’s goalkeeper stopped all four shots she faced to counter Cyr’s seven saves.
Freshman forward Lauren Omholt had a great chance just four minutes in, as a centering ball into the penalty area from redshirt junior Victoria Kevdzija resulted in a shot from eight yards out. However, the Penn State keeper made a diving save to prevent the goal.
Two minutes later, Mathews had a shot blocked. That came shortly after a Purdue corner kick and set up another corner.
The defense then forced a pair of shots off target, with one blocked shot. Senior forward Zoie Allen followed with an opportunity high in the 10th minute.
Cyr’s first save was a great one in the 14th minute, as she jumped up to poke the ball out and over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner kick, the visitors could not get a shot off.
Two more saves by Cyr came in the 20th and 26th minutes, on long shots in from the right side on the edge of the penalty area. Both shots went right to Cyr, and she made the stops.
A Penn State free kick resulted in a header that went high in the 30th minute, and another shot was blocked by the defense four minutes later.
Junior forward Megan Hutchinson had a big impact in the final five minutes of the first half. First it was a shot that was saved in the 43rd minute, and then it was when she cleared the ball off the line with 40 seconds left in the half. A short Penn State corner kick just into the six-yard box was headed on goal past Cyr, who was on the near post. However, Hutchinson was there to head the ball out and off the line to prevent the goal.
Penn State held a 10-4 advantage in shots and a 4-2 edge in shots on goal in the first 45 minutes of play.
Purdue had the first chance of the second half, as junior defender Sydney Boudreau had a shot off target in the 51st minute after a pair of throw-ins.
A blocked shot set up a corner kick in the 56th minute, which then led to Cyr making her first save of the half and fifth of the day. Mathews then registered a chance that was saved two minutes later, and Kevdzija had a shot wide less than a minute after that.
Omholt applied pressure on Penn State’s keeper in the 60th minute that almost resulted in a shot off the turnover, but the visitors held possession.
Another blocked shot for the Boilermaker back line came in the 61st minute, followed by Cyr’s sixth save. The Nittany Lions continued to apply pressure in the final third, with a chance blocked and a shot wide that kept the game goalless after 68 minutes.
One of Penn State’s best chances came in the 73rd minute, with a pair of shots from within the six-yard box off a corner kick. However, the two shots PSU got off were within traffic, and both were blocked before they found Cyr and the goal line.
Cyr’s seventh save came in the 81st minute after another blocked shot.
Two more shots occurred in the final 70 seconds, one by each team. The first was saved by Cyr, and the second came off the foot of senior midfielder Nicole Kevdzija that also was saved.
The visiting side out-shot Purdue 12-4 in the second half, with a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal.
Up next, Purdue begins its final roadtrip of the 2023 regular season with a short trip west to face Illinois on Sunday, October 15. Kickoff in Champaign is at 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT. Following a contest at Nebraska on October 19, the Boilermakers are back home for the regular-season finale on Sunday, October 22, against Minnesota. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET at Folk Field, and admission is free for all fans to the contest.
PURDUE MEN’S TENNIS
PUROHIT ADVANCES TO ITA DAY 2
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – In just his second collegiate outing, Soham Purohit won his way into the round of 64 at the 2023 ITA Ohio Valley Regional.
After a 3-1 weekend at the Notre Dame Invitational, the freshman quickly picked up where he left off. Purohit made quick work of Walker Valentine in a straight set victory where he allowed no more than five total games.
Purohit moves to the round of 64 tomorrow, Oct. 13 against Bellarmine’s Jack Batchelor at 11 a.m. Batchelor dominated his first round opponent from Xavier 6-1, 6-0.
Henrik Villanger, the other Boilermaker competing, dropped his opening match after being narrowly edged 7-6(4), 6-3. Villager moves to the qualifying round of 64 in the consolation bracket where he faces East Tennessee State’s Peter Kalocsai at 3:30 p.m.
Both Purohit and Villanger were pushed out of the main doubles draw after an 8-3 loss to Fransisco Lamas/Dimitri Badra. The pair will face Louisville’s Will Mayew/Andre Steinbach in the consolation bracket tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.
ITA MAIN SINGLES DRAW
Round of 128
Soham Purohit (PUR) def. Walker Valentine (UTCHAT) – 6-3, 6-2
Karim Al-Amin (MTSU) def. Henrik Villanger (PUR) – 7-6(4), 6-3
ITA MAIN DOUBLES DRAW
Round of 64
Fransisco Lamas/Dimitri Badra (ETSU) def. Soham Purohit/Henrik Villanger (PUR) – 8-3
BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER
BULLDOGS FALL AT ST. JOHN’S
QUEENS, N.Y. – The Butler women’s soccer team dominated possession and produced the majority of shots taken, but St. John’s made the best of fewer opportunities and came out victorious with a final score of 3-1. The Bulldogs (5-6-4, 1-2-3 BIG EAST) and the Red Storm (8-4-3, 3-3-1 BIG EAST) were scoreless at the half. After two St. John’s goals within a three-minute span, Butler scored to draw to within one. The home team then added one late goal to produce the final margin.
Key Moments
12′ | An Alli Leonard shot from outside the area forces the Red Storm keeper to leap and punch the ball over the crossbar. A series of three Butler corner kicks follows, but none result in a shot.
16′ | A St. John’s yellow card gives Abigail Isger a free kick from 25 yards. The shot forces a diving save from the Red Storm keeper, but the threat is neutralized.
**HALFTIME**
64′ | A service from the St. John’s defensive end finds Jordyn Levy who is able to beat her defender and give the Red Storm the lead, 1-0.
67′ | A St. John’s free kick is sent into the area. The ball is knocked around until it lands at the feet of Ava Collins, who knocks it in. Red Storm leads by two.
68′ | Amelie Darey gets a pair of shots off in the box. The first is blocked and the second is saved.
71″ | Lucia England carries left and creates an opportunity. Her left-footed shot from 20 yards out is just inside the far post and draws the Bulldogs to within one, at 2-1.
86′ | Butler draws a foul in the penalty area, but the attempt goes just outside the left post.
87′ | Jessica Garziano travels to the right, horizontally through the area and strikes across her body back to the left post. The goal puts the Red Storm back up by two, 3-1.
Butler Points Summary
GOALS: Lucia Englund
ASSISTS: (none)
Bulldog Bits
Lucia Englund’s goal was her career-first. The match also represented her first career start.
Abigail Isger led Butler’s offensive attack with three shots, one on goal. Emily O’Malley and Amelie Darey each had a pair of shots with one on goal.
Butler outshot St. John’s, 13-5, and had a 5-4 edge in shots on goal.
The Bulldogs also had an 8-5 advantage on corner kicks.
Up Next
Butler hosts UConn for a Sunday, Oct. 15, match at the Sellick Bowl. Four days later, Seton Hall comes to Indianapolis for a Thursday evening match.
BUTLER FOOTBALL
BUTLER TO HOST DAVIDSON SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE SELLICK BOWL
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler football team returns to Indianapolis for a 1 PM kickoff against Davidson this weekend. The Bulldogs are 3-0 at home and will look to stay undefeated against the visiting Wildcats. Fans can stream the action on FloFootball.com. Jon Cupo and Jared Thomas will be on the call.
GameDay
Date: Saturday, October 14
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Indianapolis, Ind. / Sellick Bowl
Live Stats: ButlerSports.com (Statbroadcast)
Watch: FloFootball.com
Bulldog Bits
– Davidson (45.2) and Butler (28.8) are the highest scoring teams in the PFL heading into Week 7.
– Davidson and Butler rank 1-2 in the league in total offense, rushing yards, rushing TDs, yards per rush, and completion percentage.
– Jyran Mitchell ranks sixth among all FCS running backs in rushing yards per game (114.8).
– Mitchell leads the PFL in all-purpose yards (127.0), touchdowns (9), rushing yards (689), yards per rush (6.4) and rushing attempts (107).
– Butler has scored a rushing touchdown and has recorded 10 or more rushing first downs in five-straight games.
– Butler had six more first downs than St. Thomas at O’Shaughnessy Stadium (18-12).
– Joey Audia had a 35-yard kickoff return in St. Paul, his longest of the season.
– The Bulldogs lead the PFL in scoring defense, allowing just 20.1 points per game this year.
– Nick Bafia led BU with 10 tackles at St. Thomas and forced a fumble that was recovered by Jack Burch.
– Tyson Garrett and Carson Gulgin shared a sack against the Tommies. Garrett led BU with 1.5 tackles for loss.
– Luka Zurak is 8-for-9 on field goal attempts this season and has not missed since Week 1.
PFL Standings
St. Thomas 3-0, 4-2
Davidson 2-0, 3-2
Drake 2-0, 2-3
Butler 2-1, 4-2
Marist 2-1, 2-3
San Diego 1-1, 1-4
Stetson 1-2, 3-3
Morehead State 1-2, 2-3
Presbyterian 0-2, 2-3
Valparaiso 0-2, 1-4
Dayton 0-3, 2-4
PFL Schedule – Week 7
San Diego at Marist 12:00 p.m.
Davidson at Butler 1:00 p.m.
Presbyterian at Dayton 1:00 p.m.
St. Thomas at Drake 1:00 p.m.
Morehead State at Valparaiso 2:00 p.m.
SCOUTING DAVIDSON: The Wildcats have won three-straight games and are 2-0 in the PFL after claiming victories over Marist and San Diego. They lost their first two games of the season (12-7 at VMI / 33-31 vs. Barton) and wrapped up their non-conference slate with a huge win over St. Andrews (84-6). The Wildcats are a run-first offense that are averaging 45.2 points per game. They have rushed the ball 238 times this season and have only passed 89 times. Mari Adams and Mason Sheron are tied for the team lead with six rushing touchdowns. QB Coulter Cleland is a dual threat that throws for 136 yards per game and rushes for 35. Davidson had two offensive linemen selected to the Preseason All-PFL team and the stout Wildcat defense is led by Daniel Carter and Jonathan Hammond.
Sophomore RB Mari Adams was tabbed PFL Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 1. Adams rushed for four touchdowns in a 55-33 win over San Diego. Adams led a Davison rushing attack that finished the game with 449 yards and seven touchdowns.
ALL-TIME SERIES: Davidson leads the all-time series over Butler 9-6. Four-straight Wildcat wins gave Davidson the advantage in a rivalry that began in 2003.
Davidson won the first five meetings vs. Butler, but the Bulldogs rebounded by winning the next six. Butler’s last win vs. Davidson came in 2016 (20-17).
TWO WEEK PREP: The Bulldogs are facing another opponent after that team’s bye week.
Butler has played Wabash, Presbyterian and now Davidson after the team’s bye week.
RUN IT BACK BURCH: Jack Burch set career-high totals at Davidson last year with five tackles against the Wildcats, including one tackle for loss and his first collegiate sack.
Will Mason also had a great day at Davidson last year, tying his career-high tackle total with eight stops vs. the Wildcats. Mason is coming off a season-high seven-tackle game at St. Thomas.
BIG DAY FOR BELSKIS: Jack Belskis came up with a season-high five tackles at St. Thomas.
Belskis has a tackle for loss in four-straight games.
HOME GROWN TALENT: Jeremiah Jackson ranks third on the team with 29 tackles and needs just three stops vs. Davidson to reach 50 career tackles. The BU linebacker is also second on the team in tackles for loss (5.5).
Jackson recorded a career-high seven tackles at St. Thomas last weekend.
FULL STRENGTH: Adam Sturtz was inactive for two weeks during the non-conference slate, but came back for PFL play and recently recorded a career-high nine tackles at St. Thomas.
Sturtz started in 10 games last year and ranked fifth on the team with 37 tackles. He’s averaging nearly six tackles per game in 2023.
ZERO ISSUES WITH ZURAK: K/P Luka Zurak hit his eighth field goal of the season at St. Thomas to bring his career total to 20.
Zurak holds the best career punting average in program history (39.8 yards per punt).
MITCHELL KEEPS IT MOVING: Jyran Mitchell found the end zone again last Saturday, giving him a rushing TD in five-straight games.
Mitchell has a 10+ yard rush in five-straight games. He only carried the ball 13 times at St. Thomas after averaging 28 carries per game over Butler’s first two PFL games.
BUSHKA IN BULLDOG HISTORY: Bushka topped 5,000 career passing yards at St. Thomas (5,093) and is now one of just six quarterbacks in program history to reach the milestone.
Bushka is one of 35 FCS players to make the Preseason Watch List for the Walter Payton Award. He needs 41 passing yards vs. Davidson to reach 1,000 for the season.
DUAL THREAT: Bret Bushka led Butler in rushing yards for the first time this season at St. Thomas (63). Bushka led the BU rushing attack eight times in 2022 (11 games).
Bushka ran for a career-high 102 yards at Davidson last year on just six carries. The longest rush of his career (36) also came on that day (10/1/22).
STRETCH THE FIELD: Seven different Bulldogs are averaging over 10 yards per catch this season.
Ryan Lezon leads this group with his 14.6 average. Lezon is also tied with Wooten with two receiving touchdowns.
UP NEXT: Butler will play at Dayton next weekend, facing the Flyers at 1 PM.
Butler snapped a seven-game losing streak vs. Dayton last year by shutting out the Flyers at the Sellick Bowl 31-0.
BUTLER VOLLEYBALL
BUTLERVB HEADS TO THE EAST COAST TO FACE PROVIDENCE AND UCONN
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler volleyball team will look to bounce back on their second conference road trip of the season on the East Coast. The Bulldogs will head to Providence on Friday, Oct. 13 at 6 PM to face the Friars. The weekend will come to a close with a match on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 6 PM against UConn.
Bulldog Bits
-For the second week in the row, the Bulldogs went 1-1 against Seton Hall and St. John’s to move to a record of 2-4 in conference and 8-9 overall on the season.
-Butler earned their first conference win at home in a four-set victory over the Pirates before then losing in three sets against the Red Storm.
-This season, Butler ranks second in the BIG EAST with 13.03 kills per set and 12.21 assist pet set while they sit in third with 15.78 digs per set
-BU moved up to sixth in the country with an average of 38.02 attacks per set
-Jaymeson Kinley sits at second in the conference this season with an average of 5.08 digs per set, which ranks 18th in the country.
-Kinley moved to second on Butler’s all-time career dig list last week after her total reached 1774 digs
-Cora Taylor leads the BIG EAST this season with 10.37 assists per set, which also ranks 29th in the nation.
-Butler has never lost to Providence holding an all-time record of 17-0. The Bulldogs have only dropped a total of four sets in those matches with their last meeting in Providence resulting in a 3-1 BU victory.
-UConn and Butler hold a split all-time series of 2-2. The Bulldogs knocked off the Huskies during their last meeting in a five-set thriller last season
-Elise Ward set a new personal best against Seton Hall last week with 18 digs while adding 11 kills en route to her third career double-double.
-Abby Maesch just missed her seventh double-double of the season after tallying 19 kills and nine digs against Seton Hall last Friday
-Maesch ranks fourth in the BIG EAST with 4.10 points per match during conference play
-Grace Boggess hit for an average of .414 with 16 kills to just four errors against Seton Hall and St. John’s last weekend
-Boggess is nine kills shy of reaching 100 kills this season for the first time in her collegiate career.
SCOUTING PROVIDENCE: The Friars have been on a roller coaster this season filled with plenty of ups and downs. Providence holds a 2-4 record in conference and an 8-10 overall record. The season began on a four-game losing streak before winning the next six matches including victories over Saint Peter’s and Bryant. The Friars then went cold, losing six of their next seven matches. This losing streak extended into conference action where the team was swept in their first four matches against Seton Hall, St. John’s, DePaul, and Marquette. Last weekend, the Friars bounced back with thrilling five-set victories over Georgetown and Villanova.
Providence has struggled on offense during conference play, ranking last in four different categories, including kills per set, assists per set, digs per set, and serving aces per set. The Bulldogs have to watch out for Lyric Berry whose 1.15 blocks per set is second in the BIG EAST play this season.
SCOUTING UCONN: The Huskies sit at the bottom of the BIG EAST standings and are the last remaining team without a win in the conference this season. UConn began the season with a 5-7 record with wins over Merrimack and Rhode Island along with challenges against Michigan State and Florida State losing both matches 3-0. Their last win dates back to Sept. 16 where they beat Binghampton in five sets. The Huskies then hit conference play where they have lost six straight matches. Last weekend, UConn fell to Villanova 3-0 and Georgetown 3-1.
Emma Werkminster has been one of the few bright spots for UConn totaling a team-high 204 kills (3.04 kills per set) this season. Werkminster ranks sixth in conference matches with an average of 3.50 kills per set.
PROMINENT PINS: Mariah Grunze and Abby Maesch have been the Butler’s top two weapons on offense this season. The pin-hitting duo are the only group of student-athletes in the BIG EAST to each have been set the ball over 580 times this season. Grunze holds the second-highest average in the conference with 10.77 attacks per set, which ranks 39th in the country, while Maesch sits fourth in the conference at 9.80 attacks per set.
Butler’s outside hitters have also been able to capitalize on the attacks. Grunze’s average of 3.44 kills per set is fifth in the conference while Maesch is right behind her in sixth with an average of 3.36 kills per set.
ON THE BRINK OF HISTORY: The two-time BIG EAST Libero of the Year Jaymeson Kinley moved to second on Butler’s all-time career digs list after her total reached 1774 career digs. Kinley is now just 235 digs away from passing Katie Daprile’s record of 2009 career digs to become Butler’s all-time leader in career digs. She currently sits second in the BIG EAST with 5.04 digs per set, which ranks 21st in the NCAA.
Kinley has led the match in digs during 11 of Butler’s 16 matches this season. She currently sits second in the BIG EAST with 5.04 digs per set, which ranks 21st in the NCAA.
GRACEFUL PRECISION: Grace Boggess has been one of Butler’s most reliable hitters on offense this season. The standout middle blocker has notched 91 kills while limiting her mistakes to just 24 errors. She currently ranks sixth in the BIG EAST after boosting her season-hitting percentage to .319.
Boggess hit .414 percent in the matches against Seton Hall and St. John’s last weekend. She registered 16 kills to just four errors including the match against the Pirates where she hit for a .500 hitting percentage.
A TALE OF TWO MATCHES: Last week, Butler had one of their best and worst matches of the season. The Bulldogs dominated the match against Seton Hall last Friday posting the highest hitting percentage (.331) and most number of digs (78) this season. The following day against St. John’s was the complete opposite as Butler then had their lowest hitting percentage (.051) and number of digs (40) in a match.
Three Bulldogs collected digs in the double figures in Butler’s 78 dig performance against Seton Hall, including Jaymeson Kinley (23), Elise Ward (18), and Cora Taylor (12). This mark was the first time Butler reached 78 or more digs in a four-set match since they had 89 digs against Georgetown 369 days ago.
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs will return home to Hinkle Fieldhouse to host Marquette, who is undefeated in conference play, and DePaul.
The Bulldogs will face Marquette on Oct. 20 at 6 PM followed by another match the next day against DePaul on Oct. 21 at 5 PM.
IUPUI WOMEN’S SOCCER
JAGUARS’ UNBEATEN STREAK SNAPPED AT NINE WITH 2-1 LOSS TO OAKLAND
INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI women’s soccer team saw its nine-game unbeaten streak come to a halt on Thursday night (Oct. 12) as the Jaguars suffered a 2-1 setback to Oakland at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. IUPUI built a 1-0 first half lead on an Emma Antoine strike, but yielded back-to-back goals in just more than five minutes in the second half as the Golden Grizzlies tilted the outcome in short order.
“Honestly, we came out really strong in the first half and got one goal, and we needed to hold on in the second half,” Leah Shumate said. “(We) probably should’ve played more defensively, but we were eager to score another one.”
Coming into Thursday’s matchup, IUPUI had won nine consecutive games dating back to August 31, and now the Jaguars fall to 9-3-3 on the season.
“We should have come out with a little bit more energy,” Shumate said, referencing the second half. “The first half, we did have a lot of energy, and I think in the locker room, we talked about bringing that energy again. They (Oakland) could’ve changed something in their formation. They were just finding pockets and unfortunately getting in.”
A win would have been significant in terms of the Jaguars qualifying for Horizon League play. Head coach Chris Johnson was pleased with many of the things he saw from IUPUI and hopes to be able to carry over the positives into their final three-game stretch.
“I thought we came out in the first half (and) put some opportunities together, scored a goal,” Johnson said. “(We) got to halftime in a good place and came out in the second half and, for the first five minutes, we’re in their end of the field until they got the one break that led to the goal they scored right there.”
Johnson, like Shumate, credited Oakland’s halftime adjustments and pointed out that specifically as part of the reason they were able to come out on top.
“We have to be a little more intense about putting opportunities away when we’re creating those situations,” Johnson said. “They made a nice adjustment at halftime. It took us a few minutes to kind of adjust to that, and in that space of time, they got into two situations where they got a person wide open on the near side of the box, played a ball back and got two goals on the far post there.”
IUPUI’s last loss came at Butler on August 31, and now the team looks to bounce back as they attempt to qualify for the Horizon League Tournament. One of the more impressive and noteworthy stats of the evening was that of the Jaguars’ defensive play coming into Thursday’s matchup. In fact, prior to Thursday’s matchup, IUPUI had only allowed four total goals in Horizon League play.
The timely win for the Grizzlies came thanks to, in part, two timely, second-half goals from forwards Anuhea Aluli and Frankie Mudd. Additionally, both goals came within the first ten minutes of the second half, with Mudd’s goal ultimately being the difference in a one-goal victory.
Oakland, now 5-5-5 on the season, secures 12 total points, tying them with IUPUI as both team’s head into the home stretch of three games to go. The Jaguars’ final three games are against Milwaukee (9-3-3), Robert Morris (9-2-3) and Purdue Fort Wayne (5-6-6).
The message from Johnson echoed that of Shumate’s. IUPUI knows it has the pieces to win close games like the one on Thursday. They’ve done it all season, and with their first defeat in nearly two months, Johnson emphasized the importance of protecting a lead, regardless of the score itself.
“I think we’ve got to up our intensity when we get a lead and not think it’s going to be okay and just take care of itself,” Johnson said. “What do we learn from this game here going forward? One of the seniors said, ‘hey, we’ve got to be more intense about finishing opportunities in their box, which we had some and just didn’t put them away.’ We can’t think it’s going to go our way just because we’re up 1-0. We’ve got to make it go our way.”
As untimely of a loss as this may have been for the Jaguars, the team is confident that, with three games left to go, they’ll be ready to take on the rest of their competition in hopes of finishing the season on a strong note.
“As much as I think this loss is hurting us now, I think it’s going to be good for us going into the game on Sunday. We’ll be ready,” Shumate said.
NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAME NOTES VS. USC
USC NOTES:
THE GREATEST INTERSECTIONAL RIVALRY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL • USC and Notre Dame…two renowned brands…two iconic football programs…it doesn’t get any better. • USC travels to South Bend to challenge the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 94th meeting of the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football. It will be shown live nationally on NBC. • The game is a battle between schools with glorious gridiron heritages. The winner gets year-long possession of the jeweled Shillelagh. • In its last 11 games against the Irish, USC is 4-7. • USC is ranked No. 10 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. •Last year, both teams were also ranked for this match up. USC was No. 5 and Notre Dame was No. 13. ARIZONA RECAP • Defending Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams led the Trojans to defeat Arizona 43-41 in a thrilling 3OT game. • Williams was 14-of-25 with 1 TD. He also rushed for 41 yards and 3 TDs and the game-winning 2 point conversion in triple overtime. • Williams’ 3 rushing TDs tied his single-game career-high. • USC’s comeback against Arizona was the biggest in the Lincoln Riley era at USC – the previous best being a comeback from 14 points down vs. UCLA last season. • USC has scored at least 42 points in every game this season, the first time in school history that it has scored 40 or more points in each of its first 6 games of the season. • The 43 points that USC scored were the most Arizona has allowed in a game this season (31 twice before). USC entered the game with a 53.6 scoring average, top in the country. USC currently still sits at No. 1 in the nation in scoring offense (51.8). Arizona was allowing its opponents to score 19.0 points per game in its first 5 games. • RB MarShawn Lloyd had 15 carries for 86 yards and a rushing TD. It was his fourth rushing TD of the season. • WR Kyron Hudson caught a 5-yard touchdown pass with 2 seconds remaining in the first half to bring USC within 3 points making it 17-14 at the break. He finished the game with 2 catches for 12 yards. • WR Brenden Rice led USC with 96 receiving yards on 4 catches. • S Jaylin Smith led the Trojans with 10 tackles. • RUSH Jamil Muhammad had 2 sacks in the second quarter and now has a team-leading 6 sacks this season. • In CB Jacobe Covington’s first start of the season, his critical INT of Arizona QB Noah Fifita in the second quarter allowed the Trojans to have a short field and set up USC QB Caleb Williams to score his first rushing TD of the night and put the first points on the board for USC. • It was Covington’s first INT of his career. • QB Caleb Williams and RB Austin Jones each rushed for TDs in the first and second overtimes, respectively. Williams then rushed for a successful 2-point conversion to push the Trojans ahead 43-41. Then the USC defense stopped Arizona’s attempt to win the game. • The last 3OT game for the Trojans was against Stanford in 2011, when USC lost 56-48. • Saturday’s game was the first 3OT win in program history. • It’s its history, USC has only played in 12 overtime games. • USC improved to 6-0 – back-to-back 6-0 starts for first time since doing so 3 straight years in 2004- 05-06. CALEB BY THE NUMBERS • This season, Williams is 119-of-166 for 1,808 yards with 22 TDs and 1 INT. He has also rushed for 124 yards this season with 6 TDs – all within 20 quarters of football throughout 6 games, including 3OTs against Arizona. • Compared to his first 6 games of his Heisman winning season in 2022 (122-of-188 for 1,590 yards with 14 TDs and 1 INT and 178 rushing yards with 3 TDs – playing 23 quarters of football), Williams has thrown 8 more TDs through 6 games this year. • He is currently No. 1 in the nation in passing efficiency (206.4), points responsible for (172), points responsible for per game (28.7) and passing TDs (22), No. 2 in the nation in yards per pass attempt (10.98), No. 7 in the nation in total offense (324.3), No. 8 in the nation in passing yards (1,808) and No. 9 in the nation in passing yards per completion (15.31). • He is the first FBS player in the last 25 years to throw for 6 passing TDs in a game for multiple schools. COUNT WITH CALEB Last 6 games Total Yards Passing TDs Rushing TDs vs. SJSU* 276 4 0 vs. Nevada * 361 5 0 vs. Stanford# 302 3 1 at Arizona State 332 3 2 at Colorado 415 6 0 vs. UofA 260 1 3 *played 3 quarters #played 2 quarters RILEY’S ELECTRIC OFFENSE • The Trojan offense is No. 1 in the nation for scoring offense (51.8), No. 3 in the nation for team passing efficiency (196.97), No. 3 in the nation for passing offense (355.2) and No. 4 in the nation in total offense (523.3). BREATHTAKING BRANCH • WR Zachariah Branch continues to impress the college football world with his shifty moves and electric returns. Against Stanford, he returned a punt for a 75-yard TD in the second quarter . He had a 96- yard kickoff return for a TD vs. San Jose State on Aug. 26. • He also has 2 TD receptions this season and is the first Trojan since Adoree’ Jackson in 2016 to have a punt return and kickoff return for a TD, as well as at least one receiving TD in the same season. Jackson had 2 punt returns and 2 kickoff returns for TDs and 1 TD reception during the 2016 season. • Since 1971 (when records are available) Branch is one of just 3 USC players to accomplish the feat, joining Jackson and Curtis Conway (1992 – 1 kickoff return TD, 1 punt return TD, 5 rec TD). He also had 4 receptions for 30 yards and 1 carry for 2 rushing yards against Stanford. • Branch is currently tied for No. 1 in the nation in kickoff return TDs (1) and punt return TDs (1). MORE NATIONAL RANKINGS • USC is No. 1 in the nation in tackles for loss with 57.0 and is tied for No. 3 in the nation in sacks with 22.0.
NOTRE DAME SCOUTING REPORT • The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are 5-2 overall. • They are coming off a 20-33 loss to Louisville on the road. • After starting the season 4-0, the Irish have lost 2 of their last 3 games. • QB Sam Hartman leads the Fighting Irish and is 118-of-183 for 16 TDs and 3 INTs. • RB Audric Estime (105 carries for 692 yards for 7 TDs) is Notre Dame’s top back. • TE Mitchell Evans is Notre Dame’s top pass catcher with 22 receptions for 343 yards and 1 TD. • TE Holden Staes has scored 4 receiving TDs for the Irish, the most on the team. • In addition to Evans and Staes, 10 other receivers have caught TDs for the Irish this season. • S Xavier Watts has intercepted 2 passes this season, while S DJ Brown, S Ramon Henderson, CB Clarence Lewis and CB Benjamin Morrison have each collected 1. • DL Howard Cross III leads the team with 42 tackles. He also leads the team in TFLs with 5 for minus 10 yards. • DL Jordan Botelho is the top sack man for the Irish with 2 sacks for minus 14 yards. • K Spencer Shrader is 7-of-12 in FGs this season with his long being 54 yards. RANKINGS • USC is ranked No. 10 in the latest AP Poll and 9th in the USA Today Coaches Poll. • Notre Dame is ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll and 21st in the USA Today Coaches Poll. SERIES • Notre Dame leads the series with USC, which began in 1926, 50-37-5 (not including Troy’s 2005 victory that was later vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 50-38-5). Including that 2005 vacated game, USC has won 12 of the last 20 meetings and 15 of the last 26 (including 8 in a row from 2002 to 2009), but ND has won 7 of the last 11. Since 1967, USC has gone 26-25-3 (not including the 2005 vacated game; original record: 27-25-3). • In South Bend, USC is 13-28-1 (not including the 2005 vacated game; original record: 14-28-1), with 2 other USC losses in Chicago. USC has lost in its last 5 trips to South Bend (its longest streak since dropping 7 consecutive there from 1983 to 1995), but Troy had won the previous 5 times there and 6 of the previous 8. USC AND NOTRE DAME BOTH RANKED • In USC-Notre Dame games in which both teams are ranked by AP, Notre Dame holds a 17-14-2 edge (not including 1 USC win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 17-15-2). When USC is the higher ranked team in such games, the Trojans hold an 12-6-2 advantage (not including 1 USC win vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 13-6-2). IN OCTOBER • USC has a 317-125-19 (.708) all-time record while playing in the month of October (not including 5 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 322-125-19, .711). UNDEFEATED GOING INTO SOUTH BEND • When USC is undefeated (wins and ties) going in to South Bend to play Notre Dame, the Trojans are 5-2-1.
UNDEFEATED GOING INTO SOUTH BEND • This year’s USC-Notre Dame game is just the seventh Trojan night game ever at Notre Dame Stadium (2011 was the first and it also happened in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021). It also ties with those games as the latest USC-ND game ever (7:30 p.m. kickoff), as all 12 such night encounters in Los Angeles were 5 p.m. starts. ARTICIFIAL TURF • USC is 49-35-1 in its last 85 games on artificial turf (not including 3 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty; original record: 52-35-1). SHILLELAGH • The winner of the USC-Notre Dame game gets year-long possession of the jeweled Shillelagh. The foot-long shillelagh—a Gaelic war club made of oak or blackthorn saplings from Ireland—has ruby-adorned Trojan heads with the year and game score representing USC victories, while emerald-studded shamrocks stand for Notre Dame wins. For tie games, a combined Trojan head/shamrock medallion was used. The first Shillelagh was retired after the 1989 game when it ran out of space for the medallions and a second one is now in use. There are now 50 shamrocks, 38 Trojan heads and 5 combined medallions on the shillelaghs (1 USC win was later vacated due to NCAA penalty). WINNING TRADITIONS • USC and Notre Dame have 2 of the top gridiron heritages in the country. The schools have both won 11 national titles (USC in 1928-31-32-39-62-67-72-74-78-2003-04 and Notre Dame in 1924-29-30-43-46-47- 49-66-73-77-88). Notre Dame is fourth in all-time victories among Division I-A schools (943, not including 21 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty) and USC is ninth (873, not including 14 wins vacated due to NCAA penalty). USC has played in 54 bowls (with 34 wins, not including 1 win and 2 appearances vacated due to NCAA penalty), while Notre Dame has been in 41 bowls (with 20 wins). Fourteen players from both schools have won Heisman Trophies (USC’s Mike Garrett, O.J. Simpson, Charles White, Marcus Allen, Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Caleb Williams and Notre Dame’s Angelo Bertelli, John Lujack, Leon Hart, John Lattner, Paul Hornung, John Huarte, Tim Brown). Notre Dame has had 201 All-American first teamers, while USC claims 175. USC has 35 players in the College Football Hall of Fame and Notre Dame has 49. Both schools have had 5 players selected first in the NFL draft and both are well-represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (a record 14 from USC and 13 from Notre Dame). Both programs have had legendary coaches (USC’s Gloomy Gus Henderson, Howard Jones, John McKay, John Robinson and Pete Carroll, and Notre Dame’s Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy and Ara Parseghian). A WIVES TALE • If it had not been for the persuasiveness of a young bride in 1925, the Trojan-Irish series may never have been established. The series came about because of a discussion between two wives. USC’s graduate manager, Gwynn Wilson was a forerunner to the modern-day athletic director. He and his bride, Marion, got on the Sunset Limited train to Lincoln, Nebraska where Notre Dame was going to play the Cornhuskers. Mission: a USC-Notre Dame home-and-home series. Wilson didn’t get to meet with Rockne though, until after the game when they all got on a train to Chicago. “He told me that he couldn’t meet USC because Notre Dame was traveling too much,” Wilson said. “I thought the whole thing was off but as Rock and I talked, Marion was with Mrs. Rockne, Bonnie, in her compartment. Marion told Bonnie how nice Southern California was and how hospitable the people were.” “Well, when Rock went back to the compartment, Bonnie talked him into the game. But if it hadn’t been for Mrs. Wilson talking to Mrs. Rockne, there wouldn’t have been a series.” USC-NOTRE DAME CONNECTIONS • USC has no players from Indiana, while Notre Dame has 13 Californians on its roster. • USC ILB Mason Cobb and Notre Dame S Thomas Harper previously played together at Oklahoma State. • USC S Bryson Shaw and Notre Dame DL Javonte Jean-Baptiste previously played together at Ohio State. • USC DL Korey Foreman and Notre Dame CB Jaden Mickey were teammates at Centennial High School. • USC TE Jude Wolfe, RB Matt Colombo, P Will Rose, DL Kobe Pepe and Notre Dame DL Cole Aubrey all prepped at St. John Bosco. • USC QB Miller Moss, S Jaylin Smith and Notre Dame DL Junior Tuihalamaka all prepped at Bishop Alemany High School. • Notre Dame running backs coach Deland McCullough previously served as USC’s run game coordinator/running backs coach in 2017. • USC ILB Raesjon Davis, WR Kyron Hudson, WR Josiah Zamora, RUSH Solomon Tuliaupupu, CB Domani Jackson, WR Corey Nerhus and WR Raleek Brown were high school teammates with Notre Dame CB Clarence Lewis at Mater Dei. • The athletic departments and business schools at USC and Notre Dame, along with those at North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan and Texas, conduct the Sports Management Institute for mid- and upper-level sports administrators who aspire to be athletic directors, executive directors or general managers in college, amateur or pro sports.
NOTRE DAME NOTES:
IRISH ITEMS – BY THE NUMBERS
1
Fox Sports Big Noon Kickoff Show will appear outside Notre Dame
Stadium for the first time this weekend. Former Irish quarterback
Brady Quinn (‘06) is part of the broadcast crew that will preview the
Notre Dame – Southern Cal game (and all of the Saturday college football slate) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET in the Library Quad, just north of
Notre Dame Stadium.
2
Mitchell Evans led Notre Dame with a career-best 134 receiving yards
against No. 17 Duke on Sept. 30, while Holden Staes paced the Irish
with 115 receiving yards at NC State. Notre Dame is the only FBS team
in the country with two different tight ends posting 100-yard receiving performances this season.
3
The Notre Dame defense ranks among the nation’s top 15 in three
crucial defensive statistics. The Irish defense is 12th in total defense
(279.4), third in pass efficiency defense (96.98) and 15th in scoring
defense (15.9).
4
This weekend’s prime time game is the fourth of an unprecedented four-straight night games for the Irish. The team has only played
three night games in a row four times previously. See page 10 for
more.
6
Notre Dame is facing its fourth-consecutive ranked opponent for the
sixth time in school history and first time since 2000. See page 10
for more.
14
Notre Dame and Southern Cal have combined to produce 14 Heisman
Trophy winners, seven from each program, which includes current
SC quarterback Caleb Williams. See page 9 for a look back at Notre Dame’s previous four meetings with a reigning Heisman Trophy
winner.
42
Senior defensive tackle Howard Cross III leads all FBS linemen with
42 tackles this season and is the only front-four defensive player in
the country with 40-or-more tackles. See page 7 for more.
50
Spencer Shrader became the first Notre Dame kicker to connect
from 50-or-more yards twice in a game last weekend at Louisville.
Shrader started with a 53-yard kick early in the third quarter, then
matched his own school record with a 54-yard field goal with 1:06
remaining in the same period. Shrader is now tied with Kyle Brindza
(2011-14) and Jonathan Doerer (2017-21) for the most 50-yard kicks in
a Notre Dame career with four.
Shrader leads all FBS kickers this year with four successful 50-yard
field goals.
126
Sam Hartman has thrown 126 passes in his career and has eclipsed
the 14,500-yard barrier in career passing yards. He is just the sixth
FBS quarterback to ever throw for 125 touchdowns with 14,500 passing yards. See page 6 for a full breakdown of Hartman’s prolific career.
NOTRE DAME – SOUTHERN CAL SERIES HISTORY • Notre Dame and Southern Cal will be meeting for the 94th time Saturday night with the Irish leading the all-time series 59-38-5. Notre Dame has won four straight over SC in Notre Dame Stadium dating back to 2015. All-time Notre Dame is 28-14-1 (.663) against Southern Cal in ‘The House That Rockne Built.’ • Saturday marks the eighth consecutive time ND and SC will meet with at least one team ranked in the AP top 25 (dating back to 2015) – Notre Dame is 5-2 in those contests. • Saturday night is the 35th time both ND and SC are meeting ranked among the AP top 25. The Irish are 17-15-2 (.529) in those meetings, but just one-for-the-last-five dating back to 2002. Before 2002, the Irish had won five consecutive games with both Notre Dame and Southern Cal ranked in the top 25. • Notre Dame has only met a 10th-ranked SC team once – in 1966 the Irish secured their claim to a national title with a 51-0 victory in Los Angeles. • Notre Dame and Southern Cal have spoiled each other’s run to a national title 14 times in the series history. The Irish handed the Trojans their first loss in 1927, 1947, 1952, 1973, 1988 and 1995. Notre Dame also tied SC in 1968 and 1969 providing the only blemish on the Trojan record that season. Southern Cal played the spoiler role in 1931, 1938, 1964, 1970, 1971 and 1980. • Two former participants of the Notre Dame – Southern Cal series will be a part of Fox Sports Big Noon Kickoff show, which will take place on Notre Dame’s campus for the first-time ever on Saturday: Brady Quinn (‘06) and Matt Leinart. • For a full list of the Notre Dame – Southern Cal series, including a box score from the most recent meeting, see page 13. GAME FACTS • Notre Dame is 14-3-0 all-time on October 14. That includes a 1-1 record against Southern Cal – a 30-0 win 1961 and a 24-7 loss to top-ranked SC in 1967. • Notre Dame is 7-2-0 all-time on October 14 at home and 4-1 in Notre Dame Stadium. • Notre Dame is 9-3-0 against the Associated Press 10th-ranked team all-time. The first victory was a 21-0 win by the 18th-ranked Irish over No. 10 Georgia Tech on Nov. 25, 1944. The most recent was 20th-ranked Notre Dame’s 20-3 outcome over No. 10 Michigan State in East Lansing on Sept. 15, 2012. • The Irish have played five games all-time as the AP No. 21-ranked team. The most recent was a 45-38 victory over No. 19 South Carolina in the 2022 Gator Bowl. • Notre Dame is 407-100-8 (.798) all-time in the month of October.
TWO-DEEP TIDBITS – OFFENSE Jayden Thomas is the leading returning receiver for the Irish in 2023. He leads all wide outs on the team this season with 15 catches for 228 yards. He returned to the starting lineup at Louisville after missing the Duke game with an injury. Chris Tyree has shifted to wide receiver after three years as a running back with the Irish. Tyree has made a key play in each of Notre Dame’s five victories this season, which includes a career-best 76-yard touchdown reception against Central Michigan. True freshman Jaden Greathouse nabbed a 35-yard touchdown pass on his first career touch against Navy. He followed up with a 20-yard scoring catch later in the game. He missed the game at Duke and was limited at Louisville last weekend with a leg injury. Joe Alt, the son of former NFL All-Pro John Alt, is one of four team captains for the Irish this season, has been selected as a consensus preseason All-American and is on the Outland, Lombardi and Walter Camp Award watch lists. See page 7 for more on Alt. Pat Coogan made his first career start in just his second game played against Navy. He has started all seven games for the Irish at left guard this season. Zeke Correll has played guard and center during his career and now enters the season as one of the top snappers in the nation. He will make his 30th-career start on the Irish offensive line against Southern Cal and is on the Rimington Award watch list. Rocco Spindler joined Coogan in making his first career start, at right guard, for the Irish against Navy. He has started all seven games at the same position this season. Blake Fisher is one of the more athletic right tackles in the nation, Fisher combines with Joe Alt to provide Notre Dame one of the best offensive tackle bookends in the nation. Mitchell Evans leads the Irish in receiving with 22 catches for 343. He peaked with a career-best 134 receiving yards in the victory at No. 17 Duke. He also plays a key role in some of Notre Dame’s short yardage packages by taking direct snaps. He rushed for five first downs and a touchdown from under center last season. Holden Staes capped the scoring against Central Michigan with a four-yard catch which followed up his career-best game at NC State which included four catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Both of those touchdowns came from more than 30 yards (30, 45). Staes and Evans combine as the only two TEs, from the same team, to post two 100-yard receiving performances this season. Rico Flores Jr. earned his first career start against Central Michigan and responded with early career-highs of three catches and 60 receiving yards. His first career touchdown reception against Ohio State provided the Irish their first lead of the game. Flores also nabbed a crucial two-point conversion in the game’s final minutes at No. 17 Duke. Sam Hartman continues his ascent up the FBS career passing touchdown and yardage lists this season. See page 6 for much more on Hartman. Audric Estimé owns three 100-yard performances in the first seven games of the year, while rushing for 95 yards vs. Navy and 81 at Duke. Jadarian Price’s first career carry against Navy was a 19-yard touchdown. His second career catch was a 40-yard touchdown reception vs. Tennessee State. Spencer Shrader has quickly established himself as the best long-distance kicker in Notre Dame history. The USF transfer has kicked a school-record 54-yard field goal twice this season –at NC State and at Louisville. He shares the Notre Dame record for career kicks of 50 yards or more (four) with Kyle Brindza and Jonathan Doerer. Bryce McFerson has a booming leg showed that off against NC State. He punted six times in the game, averaging 50.7 yards per attempt. He also posted a career-best 59- yard punt against the Wolfpack. He also uncorked a 57-yard effort at Duke. Michael Vinson is in his sixth year at Notre Dame and is one of the top long snappers in the nation. He has developed into a clear leader not only for the Irish special teams, but the entire roster.
TWO-DEEP TIDBITS – DEFENSE Jordan Botelho missed the first half of the Louisville game after being called for targeting late in the game at Duke. Botelho leads the team with two sacks this season and has 19 total tackles. Joshua Burnham posted his first career start in place of Botelho last weekend and finished the game with two tackles. Overall, Burnham has been disruptive in limited snaps, with 2.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack and two quarterback hurries. Rylie Mills is No. 10 on The Athletics Freak List for his work in the weight room and has been disruptive on the defensive line so far in 2023. Mills posted a career-best seven tackles in the victory at No. 17 Duke and followed up with five more stops at Louisville last weekend. Jason Onye posted an early-career-best game with five tackles against Tennessee State. He also blocked his first career field goal, preventing TSU points after the Irish fumbled a kick return and gifted the Tigers the ball at the ND 12-yard line. Howard Cross III is the only Power 5 defensive lineman with double-digit tackles in a game this season after his dominating 13-tackle, two-forced fumble performance at Duke. He was named the Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week, the Bednarik Award Player of the Week and the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week. Javontae Jean-Baptiste played perhaps the best game of his career against Ohio State, posting a career-high eight tackles. JJB has been consistent across the Irish defensive line all season and is fourth on the team in tackles (31) and leads the Irish with six quarterback hurries. Nana Osafo-Mensah is a leader in the defensive line group and a steady force against the run. He had two key plays against Louisville last weekend, which included a tackle for-loss followed up by his first sack of the season. Marist Liufau enters his second full season as a starter in 2023 and has been all over the field through the first seven games of the year. He has 29 tackles on the season, two quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. JD Bertrand missed the CMU game in concussion protocol and has returned to the line up in top form over the past three games. He has 28 tackles in the last three outings, which includes 11 at No. 17 Duke and nine tackles, one sack and a shared tackle-for-loss at No. 25 Louisville last weekend. Jack Kiser does a little bit of everything for the Irish defense and can appear on the line or even as a spot safety if necessary. He is third on the team with 36 tackles after piling up a career-best 10 while starting at Mike linebacker for JD Bertrand against Central Michigan. Cam Hart was voted a captain by his teammates this season, and looks poised for a highly productive final season with the Irish. Hart began the second half at No. 25 Louisville with a forced fumble and recovery. DJ Brown returned for a fifth year and is the ‘quarterback’ of the back seven for Notre Dame’s defense. Brown picked off his fourth career pass against NC State, missed the CMU game with a leg injury but returned against Ohio State to finish with three tackles and two PBUs. He also finished with a career-high matching nine tackles at No. 25 Louisville. Xavier Watts has grown from a rookie wide receiver into one of Notre Dame’s starting safeties. Both of his interceptions this season (at NC State, at Duke) have set Notre Dame up in the red zone and directly led to 10 points (seven at NC State, three at Duke). Benjamin Morrison was a Freshman All-American last season, and is focused on taking his game to an even higher level in 2023. He intercepted his first pass of the season at NC State. See page 7 for more on Morrison. Clarence Lewis has played in 44 games at Notre Dame and scored his first career touchdown on a 33-yard interception return against Tennessee State. He started at nickle in place of Thomas Harpe at Louisville, who missed the game in concussion protocol. Thomas Harper, a transfer from Oklahoma State, made his first start in an Irish uniform against TSU and followed up with a team-high seven tackles at NC State. He continued his playmaking moments with his first career sack against Central Michigan. Harper missed the game at Louisville but is hopeful to return to the lineup against Southern Cal this weekend.
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S SOCCER
#11 IRISH SUCCUMB TO WAVE OF MOMENTUM FROM #1 FSU IN 4-1 LOSS
TALLAHASSEE – Soccer can be a game of momentum. It can feature swings and it can feature teams claiming it for large portions of a time. On Thursday night in Tallahassee, the No. 11 Notre Dame women’s soccer team had a tall task in trying to tople No. Florida State. In the end, the Fighting Irish (9-2-3, 5-1-1) received their first ACC loss when the Seminoles (11-0-1, 6-0-1) won 4-1. Florida State improved to 28-0-0 at home when ranked No. 1.
FSU scored the opening 10 minutes, but then the Irish fought back to equalize it at 1-1. The Irish were less than a minute away from going into half tied, but the Seminoles surprised ND with a last second goal. That coveted momentum we talked about was the game-changer, and FSU never looked back after that, moving on to the final score.
Kristina Lynch scored the lone Irish goal tonight, marking her sixth of the team. She is now tied for the team lead in goals.
Leah Klenke registered the assist, which marked her ninth of the season. She continues to lead the ACC in that department.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was momentum shift after momentum shift where it saw each time dominate for lengthy periods of time.
Florida State struck first in the eighth minute and it’s one that Notre Dame wished they had back. The Irish had the numbers back in the box but the Seminoles’ cross found Onyi Echegini who snuck loose from her marking.
After the Irish weathered the early goal and the early pressure, they began to turn the tide. Then just like that, the equalizer was had in the 29th minute. No other than the ACC assist leader Leah Klenke, doing what she does best, which was working the ball into the left side of the box and hitting a perfect cross. This time it found Kristina Lynch’s head for the goal.
With the momentum shifted, it looked like the Irish would get the go ahead goal in the final 20 minutes of the half. Both Kiki Van Zanten and Ellie Ospeck had some close opportunities. Yet, soccer can be cruel, and just when it looked like it was going to be a tie going into half, Echegini struck again from just outside the box – sneaking one by Atlee Olofson on the near post.
With momentum and the home fans on their side, the Seminoles tacked on two more in the second half – in the 69th and 78th minute.
UP NEXT
The road gauntlet continues for Notre Dame. They’ll get a week off before hitting the road once more, this time to No. 3 North Carlina on Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
NOTRE DAME VOLLEYBALL
PREVIEW: IRISH HOST VIRGINIA AND NO. 8 PITT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Irish (9-5, 3-3 ACC) are set to host this weekend as they take on Virginia (8-8, 1-5 ACC) in their Dig Pink match on Friday, Oct. 13 and the No. 8 Pitt Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 15. The second poster of our poster series giveaway will take place on Sunday and an autograph session will follow after the match.
NOTRE DAME vs. VIRGINIA
Location: South Bend, IN | Purcell Pavilion
Time: 6:30 PM
TV: ACCNX
Live Stats: Click here
Twitter Updates: @NDvolleyball
NOTRE DAME vs. #8 PITT
Location: South Bend, IN | Purcell Pavilion
Time: 1 PM
TV: ACCNX
Live Stats: Click here
Twitter Updates: @NDvolleyball
Game Notes
A WEEK IN REVIEW
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish finished 1-1 on the weekend after falling to Duke at Cameron Indoor on Friday, Oct. 6 and taking down the North Carolina Tar Heels in a five-set thriller on Sunday, Oct. 8.
Falling in four to the Blue Devils, the Irish were led by Sydney Palazzolo with 17 kills and four service aces. She was followed by Avery Ross with nine kills and Lucy Trump with seven kills.
On Sunday, the Irish trailed 2-0 against the Tar Heels, but rallied back to take home the final three sets.
Nicole Drewnick and Palazzolo each recorded a double-double in the five set win. Palazzolo finished with 19 kills, 10 digs, four service aces, and three blocks. Drewnick dished out 37 assists and tallied 14 digs for the Irish.
HISTORY VS. VIRGINIA
This will be the 13th meeting between the Irish and the Cavaliers as the overall series is tied at 6-6.
The Irish fell on the road in three last season and were led by Trump with eight kills. Phyona Schrader and Paris Thompson also chipped in five kills a piece.
Prior to last season’s loss, Notre Dame had won the last five matchups against Virginia and were on a winning streak from 2017-2021 as the last Cavalier win against the Irish was Nov. 13, 2016 in Purcell Pavilion.
HISTORY VS. PITT
This will be the 42nd meeting between the Irish and the Panthers with Notre Dame leading the overall series 25-16.
The Irish have lost the last three matchups with the most recent being last year (10.21.22), where the Irish fell in three sets on the road.
The last Notre Dame win was on Oct. 16, 2020 as the Irish defeated the Panthers at home in five sets (22-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-20, 17-15).
The longest ND winning streak was from 1992-2002 where the Irish won 15 straight matches against the Panthers.
MEET THE TRANSFERS
Two transfers join the Irish for the 2023 season. Sydney Palazzolo enters into her junior season after spending freshman and sophomore year at High Point. Nicole Drewnick is a graduate transfer hailing from Georgia Tech.
Palazzolo had a decorated two seasons in North Carolina, earning a plethora of awards at High Point.
Last season, Palazzolo earned Big South Player of the Year and Big South First Team All-Conference honors and was named the Big South All-Tournament MVP. She was recognized as an AVCA Honorable Mention All-Region player and an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American. She was also tabbed as the Big South Player of the Week three times.
Palazzolo finished her sophomore season with a team-best 443 kills, 321 digs, 27 blocks, and led the conference with 42 service aces.
Not only was she recognized as the Big South Freshman of the Year in 2021, but she was also named to the Big South All-Conference Second Team and All-Freshman Team.
While Drewnick spent her freshman season at Nebraska, she most recently has spent the last two seasons with Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Drewnick appeared in 20 matches and 43 sets last season with the Yellow Jackets and finished the season with 99 assists and 16 digs.
MEET THE FRESHMEN
Five freshmen join the Irish for the 2023 season. Freshmen additions include Alyssa Manitzas, Lily Fenton, Logan Brannan, Olivia Maulding, and Ava Lange.
Manitzas was a part of the Under Armour All-American game and was also named the 2021 Prep Dig Top Libero in Texas. The San Antonio, TX native is the all-time dig leader at Cornerstone Christian High School.
Fenton was a First Team All-Conference and All-District player out of Latrobe, PA. Fenton was a three-year captain and was the Greater Latrobe High School program all-time assist leader.
Brannan hails from Lake Travis High School in Austin, TX and was a First Team All-District and TGCA All-State honoree.
A gradute of La Salle Prep, Maulding was named the 2022 Northwest Oregon Co-player of the Year, while also being named to the 2022 Oregon State Championship All-Tournament Team. Maulding was recognized as the 2022 Volleyball Magazine Top Performer in Oregon.
Lange was a nationally recognized four star player out of Playa Del Rey, CA, who was named to the AVCA All-America Watch List and played in the 2022 USAV Girls 17’s Junior National Championship.
RETURNERS
The Irish return six rising sophomore, a pair of rising juniors, and a trio of rising seniors.
Sophomores Lucy Trump and Avery Ross were offensive power houses for the Irish last season as both outside hitters led Notre Dame in their first years in an Irish uniform. Trump led the way with 252 kills, followed by Ross with 227 kills.
Juniors Phyona Schrader and Paris Thompson return for their third seasons at Notre Dame. Thompson returns after tallying 148 kills and 71 digs across 63 sets last season.
Schrader led the Irish last season with 877 assists and was second on the team with 333 digs. The setter also led the ACC with two triple-doubles and finished second in the conference with 17 double-doubles.
Hattie Monson, Lauren Tarnoff, and Charity McDowell are rising seniors for the Irish after playing in a combined 259 sets as a class last season.
Monson played in all 108 sets for the Irish as the libero recorded 453 digs in her junior campaign, while also surpassing the 1,000 career digs mark. She heads into her senior season with 1,163 career digs.
Both Tarnoff and McDowell return as middle blockers for the Irish as the duo finished with 141 combined blocks; Tarnoff was second on the team with 80 blocks and McDowell was third with 61. Tarnoff also led the Irish with a team-best 15 solo blocks.
NOTRE DAME MEN’S SOCCER
MATCH 13 PREVIEW: VIRGINIA TECH
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 8 Irish kickoff a three-match road swing with an ACC matchup against Virginia Tech at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 13 at Thompson Field. The match will air on ACCN.
No. 8 NOTRE DAME vs. VIRGINIA TECH
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia | Thompson Field
TV: ACCN
Live Stats: Click Here
Twitter Updates: @NDMenSoccer
Game Notes: vs. Virginia Tech
THE VIRGINIA TECH SERIES
• The Irish and Hokies will meet on the pitch for the 15th time on Friday evening.
• Notre Dame holds a narrow lead in the series with a record of 7-6-1.
• The Irish claimed a victory in the most recent matchup, winning by a score of 1-0 in South Bend last season on October 21, 2022.
• Paddy Burns converted from the spot in the 59th minute in the match to deliver the Irish the win.
LAST TIME OUT
• Notre Dame won its fourth straight match with a midweek win over Oberlin by a score of 6-0.
• The Irish recorded their sixth clean sheet of the year and held the Yeomen to just one shot on target.
• Notre Dame scored three goals in each half, coming from Michael Rossi, Eno Nto, Matthew McLaughlin, Nicholas Legendre, Alex Salvino and Nate Zimmermann.
TOP OF THE TABLE
• The Irish are off to its best start in ACC play in program history through five games, totaling 13 points with a record of 4-0-1 to lead the league.
• Notre Dame has scored 11 goals in its five matches, which are the most of any team.
• The Irish have a +6 goal differential through five ACC matches, which is the best in the conference.
• Notre Dame has scored three goals in three of five outings.
STRONG STARTS
• Notre Dame has made it a habit of jumping out to an early lead this season, as the Irish have scored the opening goal in eight of 12 matches in 2023.
• All eight opening goals have come in the first 25 minutes of play.
•The quickest goal to start a match came from Matthew Roou in the 4th minute in the win over Clemson.
• The Fighting Irish are unbeaten when scoring the opening goal over the last 28 occurrences, posting a record of 27-0-1 spanning back to the early stages of the 2021 season.
FIGHT TO THE FINISH
• As good as the Irish have been at the beginning of matches, they have been even better in the final 45 minutes of play.
• Notre Dame has outscored its opponents by a combined score of 12-1 in second halves this season.
• The lone goal allowed came via a deflected own goal in the win over Virginia.
SET-PIECE SUCCESS
• ND has excelled on both ends of the field on set pieces during the 2023 season.
•The Irish defense has allowed just one goal off a set piece all season while in attack 10 of the team’s 25 goals have come via a set piece.
• Notre Dame has scored off three free kicks, three corners, three penalty kicks and a throw in.
DOWD DELIVERS
• Bryan Dowd is back for his senior season after being the team’s primary goalie for each of the last two seasons.
• Dowd leads the ACC in save percentage (.854), clean sheets (5) and saves per game (3.73). He also ranks in the top 10 in the country in both goals against average (.636) and save percentage.
• The shot stopper has 52 career starts while appearing in 53 matches over his previous three seasons in South Bend.
• Dowd has amassed 141 career saves and has recorded 18 clean sheets over his time in South Bend.
•The senior produced his best performance of his career in the 0-0 draw at Akron, making a career-high 12 saves to keep the clean sheet intact.
• The 12 saves are the most by an ACC goalkeeper this season and the third most of any goalie at the DI level.
DOMINATING DEFENSE
• The Fighting Irish have allowed just seven goals through 12 matches during the 2023 campaign.
• The 0.58 goals against average ranks first in the ACC and seventh in the country.
• Notre Dame has given up just one or no goals in 11 of 12 matches this season.
• After allowing a goal to No. 2 Indiana in the 28th minute in the season opener, the Irish went 376 minutes without allowing a score before giving up a score to Clemson in the 44th minute.
ROOU’S RUN OF FORM
• Junior Matthew Roou leads the Irish attack through 12 matches this season, producing 17 points off seven goals and two assists.
• Roou’s hat trick in the win over IUPUI was the first of his career and the first of the season for the Irish.
• The junior forward finished with seven points off three goals and an assist, becoming the first Notre Dame player to record seven or more points in a match since Dave Donohue also had seven points against Marquette on Sept. 11, 2008.
• Roou currently has 18 career goals to go along with nine career assists, totaling 45 career points for the forward.
BALL STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
SOCCER CLIMBS INTO FIRST WITH 2-1 WIN AT AKRON
AKRON, Ohio – – In a down-to-the-wire finish, the Ball State soccer team used an 87th-minute goal from senior forward Avery Fenchel to earn a pivotal 2-1 Mid-American Conference victory at Akron Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The result, coupled with a 2-0 loss by Bowling Green at Kent State, helped the Cardinals (7-5-2; 5-0-2 MAC) climb into first place in the league standings.
Despite still searching for its first league win, the Zips (2-12-0; 0-7-0) gave Ball State another tough road test, but one the entire squad battled through to pass.
“We turned in a great team effort,” head coach Josh Rife said. “The subs who came on gave us a lift tonight and were huge. We know it’s going to take everyone to contribute to get us where we want to go, and tonight we saw that. I’m proud of Alex McPhee, Kaelyn Valleau and Ryann Locante who all gave us great minutes.”
Fenchel, who also opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a tally assisted by graduate defender Maya Turner and junior defender Maya Millis, raised her season goal total to 10 and her career total to 23 with her second consecutive brace.
Akron, which amassed 17 shots in the opening 45 minutes and finished the match with 25, would get the equalizer in the 32nd minute to set up the thrilling finish.
However, that was the lone shot which would get past Ball State redshirt junior goalkeeper Bethany Moser, as she racked up a career-high 10 saves. Moser currently leads all MAC keepers with 66 saves, making an average of 4.71 saves per match.
McPhee led Ball State’s reserves with 48 minutes of solid action, while Valleau and Locante played 31 minutes apiece to help limit Akron to the one goal.
All that defensive effort paid off in the end, as a battle in the Akron penalty area helped the ball find junior midfielder Kaitlyn Fraser just outside the box, who in turn passed the ball into Fenchel just in front of the penalty spot for the match-winner.
Fenchel led Ball State with four total shots, three of which were on goal and two of which scored.
The Ball State soccer team will return home Sunday, October 15 to take on the Ohio Bobcats. They are set for a 1 p.m. start time at the Briner Sports Complex.
BALL STATE VOLLEYBALL
EIGHT STRAIGHT; VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS AKRON IN THURSDAY #MACTION
MUNCIE, Ind. – – The Ball State women’s volleyball team used a furious third-set comeback to improve to 7-0 in Mid-American Conference play with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 26-24) victory over Akron Thursday night in Worthen Arena.
“I thought we had a very focused defensive energy about us the entire match,” head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. “Even if we had lulls, I didn’t feel like they were defensive lulls. We stayed on course, were making hustle plays and that is something I feel is a step up from what we’ve been doing. I was proud to see that.”
After a pair of solid opening sets, the Cardinals (10-8; 7-0 MAC) found themselves trailing 19-10 late into the third against a strong Zips (10-8; 5-2 MAC) squad which entered the day tied atop the MAC East Division.
Cue freshman outside Kendall Barnes who came off the bench to score kills on three of the next five rallies to give Ball State a much-needed spark. Moments later, an ace from sophomore defensive specialist Paige Busick forced Akron’s first timeout at 20-15.
Barnes, who finished the match with a career-high five kills and a .714 (5-0-7) hitting percentage, added another marker to cut the lead to four (21-17), while a Ball State block and back-to-back blasts from freshman outside Aniya Kennedy cut the lead to two (22-20). An Akron attack error followed, leading to a second Zips timeout, while junior setter Megan Wielonski and freshman middle Camryn Wise tied the score at 22 with another block.
Kennedy followed with another big kill, giving the Cardinals a brief edge at 23-22, but a kill and an ace from the Zips gave the guests set point. Ball State’s comeback would not be denied, however, as a kill from Wielonski and a bad set by the Zips gave BSU match point. Kennedy would then end it with her match-leading 13th kill of the night to up the Cardinals’ winning streak to eight matches.
It was a solid effort by the Ball State’s passers which help setup the victory, as they held one of the nation’s top serving teams to just two aces. Akron entered the night ranked fifth nationally with a 2.30 aces-per-set average and had 159 aces on the year.
Not only that, but the Cardinals finished the night with the advantage from the service line with six aces of its own, including two from fifth-year libero Havyn Gates who also led all players with 18 digs.
“I’m really proud of our service effort, which gave us some points with service aces which really allowed us to build confidence,” Phillips added. “It’s easy to build momentum when you get points off the serve like that. I credit our servers a lot for starting the charge.”
Ball State also continued its solid play at the net, throwing up 9.0 total blocks with five coming from fifth-year middle Marie Plitt, four from sophomore opposite Madison Buckley and three from Wise. Plitt also smashed nine kills and hit .412 (9-2-17), while Wise tied her career high with six kills.
Wielonski led the Ball State offense to a .228 (42-16-114) hitting percentage, dishing out 32 assists to go along with six digs, two kills, two blocks and a service ace.
Faith Johnson led the Akron attack with 10 kills, while Vanessa Del Real collected a team-high 13 digs.
“Our group is continuing to grow and understand that’s how the game is played,” Phillips concluded. “It’s a game of momentum and you have to work to sustain that yourself. It’s not going to be given by the crowd or by the opponent. We are slowly but surely getting a little bit better each time out.”
Ball State and Akron will battle again Friday night at 6 p.m. for Dig Pink night inside Worthen Arena.
BALL STATE FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL RETURNS TO SCHEUMANN STADIUM WITH STREAK-BUSTING IN MIND AGAINST TOLEDO
MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State returns to Scheumann Stadium this week with sights set on its first conference win in 2023. The Cardinals aim to bust a three-game losing streak while halting a five-game win streak by Toledo which leads the MAC West Division.
** The Cardinals absorbed back-to-back road defeats to open the MAC campaign, falling at Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan the past two weeks. Now, Ball State hopes to even its MAC record with a pair of home games, this week and next.
** At Eastern Michigan, the Cardinals got a standout defensive performance, but couldn’t muster any second-half scoring in a 24-10 setback. Ball State managed 10 tackles for loss and five sacks, and limited EMU to 61 rushing yards. After trading field goals in the first period, the Eagles got a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter thanks to a Ball State fumble. The only scoring the rest of the game came on EMU’s 50-yard aerial in the third quarter.
** LB Cole Pearce has posted a season-high 10 tackles in each of the past two games. He had a pair of sacks at EMU and boasts three sacks among four TFL in those two games.
** The Cardinals are trying to get back on track in the MAC, three years removed from a conference title in 2020. After its 5-1 campaign in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and a win in the Arizona Bowl, Ball State finished 4-4 in the league in 2021 and 3-5 in 2022. Behind veteran-laden offensive and defensive lines leading play at the line of scrimmage, Ball State has high hopes of returning among MAC contenders in 2023.
WHAT A WIN MEANS:
** The Cardinals will run their record to 2-5 and win their first conference game of the season.
** Ball State would snap a three-game skid and avoid a four-game losing streak.
** Mike Neu will capture his 35th victory as head coach of his alma mater, passing Brady Hoke’s win total from 2003-08 with the seventh-most career coaching wins at Ball State.
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
SYCAMORES FALL TO MISSOURI STATE IN MIDWEEK CONFERENCE ACTION
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Missouri State scored an early goal and held Indiana State off the scoreboard despite late chances as the Sycamores fell at home on Thursday afternoon to the visiting Bears, 1-0.
The Sycamores (1-6-8, 0-4-3) fired their first shot of the game 69 seconds into the match as Indiana State come out on the attack early. ISU added chances by Anna Chor and Emma Elliott in the second half with Elliott’s offering in the 89th minute corralled by MSU keeper Camielle Day in front of the net to keep the Bears’ shutout intact.
Gracie English put home Missouri State’s (9-1-5, 4-0-3) lone goal in the contest in the 23rd minute to give the Bears the 1-0 lead in the first half. The Bear forward took the pass from Iraia Arrue on a cross into the box that cleared two ISU defenders. Her shot deflected into the right side of the net for her sixth goal of the season for the go-ahead goal.
The Sycamores combined for five shots in the contest with Elliott and Chor’s attempts the lone on target. Alexa Mackey, Maddie Helling, and Kent also fired shots in the contest.
Maddie Alexander finished with eight saves on 19 Missouri State shots in the contest. The Sycamore goalkeeper has 66 saves in 2023 and 232 on her career. She sits three behind Sycamore alum Emily Lahay (235, 4th) for fifth all-time with three matches remaining on the year.
English and Ana Paula Fraiz posted three shots apiece in the match, while English, Arrue, and Julia Kristensen posted two shots on goal each. The Bears held the 7-3 edge in corner kicks as well on Thursday afternoon.
Day finished with two saves in posting her eighth shutout of the season.
Up Next
Indiana State remains at home this weekend as the Sycamores welcome Illinois State to Memorial Stadium on Sunday, October 15. ISU will celebrate Senior Day in a brief ceremony approximately 30 minutes prior to kickoff as the Sycamores recognize Maddie Alexander, Katie Yankey, Carly Hudnall, Carlie Jensen, Isabella Hunter, Audrey Stephens, Kloe Pettigrew, and Sasha Thompson prior to the match against the Redbirds.
INDIANA STATE FOOTBALL
SYCAMORES CONTINUE 2023 SEASON ON ROAD AT ILLINOIS STATE
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State hits the road in Valley play again this weekend as the Sycamores travel to Normal, Ill. to take on Illinois State on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff between the Sycamores and the Redbirds at Hancock Stadium is set for 3 p.m. and will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
Quick Hits
The Sycamores won the last contest in Normal in the 2021 season finale as Indiana State rallied back to top Illinois State, 15-10. It marked ISU’s first win in Normal since 1997 when ISU topped the Redbirds, 16-13 … Indiana State enters the weekend still searching for its first win of 2023. It marks just the second time the Sycamores started the year with an 0-5 record since 2010 and first since 2017 … Wide receiver Harry Van Dyne has posted 15 catches for 216 yards and a touchdown over the first two MVFC games this season. The redshirt senior has posted at least 80 yards in each of his last three games … Indiana State has had players earn MVFC weekly honors in each of the last two weeks. Plez Lawrence (Newcomer) took home honors following his 203-rushing, 3-TD game against Murray State, while Jake Andjelic (Special Teams) connected on a pair of field goals in the Sycamores’ home conference opener against Northern Iowa.
About Illinois State
Illinois State enters the Saturday afternoon game with a 3-2 overall record and a 1-1 mark in Missouri Valley Football play. The Redbirds picked up wins over Dayton, Western Illinois, and Lindenwood, while falling at Eastern Illinois and South Dakota State on the year. Points have not been an issue for the Illinois State offense with the Redbirds scoring at least 34 points in all three wins.
Running back Mason Blakemore is the MVFC leader averaging 8.78 yards per carry and 87.75 yards per game through the first five games of the season. Three Illinois State wide receivers sit among the Valley’s top-10 in receptions, while Daniel Sobkowicz is among the conference leaders at 85.0 yards per game. Defensive back Keondre Jackson is tied for fifth in the MVFC in tackles per game, while linebacker Amir Abdullah is the conference leader with 6.5 sacks on the year. Illinois State is one of eight MVFC schools receiving votes on the year.
Sycamores on This Date
Indiana State has played 10 games all-time on October 14 dating back to their first contest against St. Joseph’s back in 1950. Indiana State won three consecutive games on October 14 spanning the 1967, 1972, and 1978 seasons includig a 1972 win at Illinois State (32-8). ISU is 1-1 all-time against the Redbirds on the date.
1950 – at St. Joseph’s – L, 7-0
1961 – vs. Evansville – L, 15-14
1967 – vs. Valparaiso – W, 47-12
1972 – at Illinois State – W, 32-8
1978 – vs. Drake – W, 13-0
1989 – vs. Northern Iowa – L, 24-21
1995 – at Northern Iowa – L, 27-10
2000 – vs. Illinois State – L, 21-0
2006 – vs. Northern Iowa – L, 34-14
2017 – at South Dakota – L, 56-6
Van Dyne Goes for 300 over 3
Harry Van Dyne continues one of the top stretches by an Indiana State wide receiver in recent history as the redshirt senior wide receiver has posted at least 80 yards in each of the last three games. His 296 receiving yards over 18 catches are the most by an Indiana State wide receiver since Dante Hendrix posted 333 yards in a trio of games in 2022 against North Dakota State, Youngstown State, and Illinois State.
Van Dyne is one game removed from his first 100-yard receiving effort against Murray State after hauling in 10 catches for 122 yards and adding a three-yard touchdown reception with 3:27 remaining in the game that pulled Indiana State back to within two points in the MVFC opener against Murray State.
Van Dyne became the first ISU receiver to post double-digit receptions since Dante Hendrix posted a 10-catch, 83-yard, two-touchdown game back on Nov. 13, 2021, against Southern Illinois. Hendrix had the last three double-digit reception games for the Sycamores dating back to the 2018 season when he hauled in 11 passes for 111 yards and two scores on November 3, 2018. The Sycamore wideout posted a season-long 54-yard reception on the first play of the second half against Northern Iowa.
Geoffrey Brown Milestone Watch
Indiana State junior linebacker Geoffrey Brown continues his pursuit to hit the 200-tackle mark as the Fishers, Ind. native enters the weekend sitting with 172 total tackles during his time with the Sycamores. Brown is second on the team with 27 stops through the first five games of the year including an eight-tackle performance at Indiana and seven against Murray State.
Brown is coming off a career-year with 84 total tackles as a sophomore in the middle of the field on his way to earning All-Conference recognition. His first season on the field in 2021 featured his first double-digit tackling contest in the season finale with 12 stops at Illinois State. He followed up with five double-digit tackling efforts in 2022 including a 15-tackle effort in the opener against North Alabama and 10 solo stops in the season finale against Missouri State. He remains the closest Sycamore on the roster to join the exclusive 300-career tackle club which currently sits at 18 members, last by Jonas Griffith (382 tackles, 2016-19).
Caton Receiving Watch
One of the longest tenured players on the Indiana State roster is back for his sixth season with the Sycamores this season as Dakota Caton returned to the roster in 2023. The Sullivan, Ind. native is closing in on 1,000 career receiving yards entering the Murray State week with 925 total yards over 80 receptions. He’s averaging a career-high 37.2 yards per game over the first five games of the season.
Caton built up an impressive reception streak over his career hauling in at least one catch in 20 consecutive games from 2018 to 2022. The streak started with a five-catch performance on October 13, 2018, against Missouri State and included his first collegiate touchdown on November 3 against South Dakota. The redshirt senior’s streak came to an end last year on October 22, 2022, against Illinois State, but he has since rebounded to haul in passes in each of his last five games including both contests in 2023. He enters the contest as the Sycamores’ current receiving leader, as well as one of ISU’s all-time returner leaders over his career.
Time of Possession
Indiana State put together one of the more dominant statistical lines in program history this past Saturday against Northern Iowa as the Sycamores held onto the ball for 39:58 in the contest. The time of possession edge 39:58-20:02 marks the largest in the Curt Mallory coaching era, surpassing the program’s previous single-game high 38:25 set last season against Western Illinois.
The Sycamores held onto the ball at least 10 minutes in three of the four quarters on Saturday night against Northern Iowa, including at least 11 minutes in the second quarter against the Panthers. Indiana State converted 8-of-14 third-down conversions and posted two double-digit play drives in the contest with both leading to field goals.
INDIANA STATE VOLLEYBALL
SYCAMORES PLAY HOST TO BEACONS, FLAMES
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State plays at home for the second consecutive weekend when it welcomes Valparaiso and UIC to ISU Arena for Friday and Saturday evening matches.
Friday’s match against Valparaiso starts at 6 p.m., with first serve in Saturday’s match against UIC set for 5 p.m. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
Matchday Promotions
Friday’s match has been designated as Mental Health Awareness Night. Indiana State will be wearing green ribbons to promote mental health awareness amongst student-athletes. The Indiana State volleyball Instagram has been cross-promoting mental health awareness this week along with Sycamore Solace and student-athletes from both the Indiana State and Valparaiso volleyball programs. In partnership with Sycamore Solace, SGA and campus partners, t-shirts will be given away while supplies last.
Saturday’s match has been designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Night. Indiana State will wear pink ribbons on Saturday night, while Sycamore Athletics has partnered with the Susan G. Komen Foundation of the Wabash Valley to raise awareness at the match.
Last Time Out
The Sycamores are in search of their first conference win of the season, having dropped a four-set match to Evansville in their most recent match. Kira Holland and Ella Scott led Indiana State with 13 kills each against the Purple Aces, while Hannah Baudin recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 21 assists and 11 digs.
Back To Back
Indiana State outside hitter Kira Holland was named MVC Freshman of the Week for the second straight week after posting her fourth double-double of the season against Drake. Holland is the first Sycamore in program history to earn multiple MVC Freshman of the Week honors, while Indiana State leads all MVC programs with three MVC Freshman of the Week selections in 2023.
Holland leads all MVC freshmen with 3.18 kills per set, while her 2.58 digs are third among freshmen in the conference. Her numbers jump to 3.44 kills per set and 2.92 digs per set against conference foes.
Growing The Game
Indiana State’s crowds this season have been among the best in program history, with the Sycamores drawing crowds at or near capacity in each of their first three home matches.
The announced attendance of 651 against IUPUI was the largest crowd to witness an Indiana State volleyball match in the facility it its current configuration. Indiana State has averaged 507 fans per match for its home contests, equating to 101.5 percent capacity in the 500-seat ISU Arena.
Topping the Charts
Kira Holland has been the standout performer for the Sycamores since the calendar turned to conference play. Holland has accounted for nearly 30 percent of Indiana State’s kills in conference play, while her 3.44 kills per set against conference foes ranks eighth in the MVC and first among freshmen.
Holland is the only athlete in the conference to rank in the top 20 in kills (eighth, 3.44 per set), digs (20th, 2.92 per set) and service aces (14th, 0.28 per set) against conference foes. She has double-digit kills in six conference matches and double-digit digs in four.
The Kids Are Alright
Indiana State has relied heavily on its newcomers since the calendar turned to conference play. Kira Holland leads the Sycamores in kills and digs, Avery Hales leads the team in assists and Ella Scott leads the team in blocks, hitting percentage and aces during conference play, while Macy Lengacher has been the Sycamore libero in every match.
In addition, newcomers Jadyn Smith and Madisen Perry both average more than one kill per set against conference foes. Overall, all seven newcomers who have been active for a match this season have played in at least six matches, while five newcomers have appeared in double-digit matches for the Trees.
Opponents At A Glance
Valparaiso enters the weekend at 11-9 overall and 3-4 in conference play. The Beacons earned a split at home last weekend, defeating Bradley in five sets and falling to Illinois State in three sets. Five Beacons have topped 100 kills this season, with Mallory Januski (176) and Elise Swistek (165) leading the way. Emma Hickey has a team-high 369 digs (5.13 per set), while Januski also leads the team with 57 blocks.
UIC enters the weekend at 13-7 overall and 4-3 in MVC play. The Flames defeated Bradley and fell to Illinois State last week, both in three sets. Martina Delucchi (269) and Ayat Amin (242) lead the Flames in kills, with Francesca Venturini dishing out 555 assists this season. Zahria Woodard has a team-high 101 blocks, while Jaclyn Oblena has 234 digs.
Series History
Indiana State has a 17-16 lead in the all-time series and has won nine of the 14 previous matches in Terre Haute. The Sycamores and Beacons have split the last four meetings in the series.
UIC has a 6-2 in the all-time series, with last year’s match in Chicago being the first between the programs since 2000 and the first since UIC joined the MVC. Indiana State’s last win in the series came in 1984, and UIC has won both previous meetings in Terre Haute.
Up Next
Indiana State heads on the road to face Bradley (Oct. 20) and Illinois State (Oct. 21).
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S SOCCER
‘DONS AND PHOENIX BATTLE TO DRAW
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Purdue Fort Wayne and Green Bay women’s soccer teams split the points on Thursday (Oct. 12) as the two teams tied 1-1 in Horizon League action.
The Mastodons were put behind the proverbial eight-ball early as Green Bay out-shot them 8-3 in the opening half. None were too dangerous as Samantha Castaneda made the three saves necessary to keep the Phoenix off the board for the time being.
Shortly into the second half though, Green Bay broke the scoring seal with a goal from Lanie Weikert. The Mastodons dominated the next few minutes, however, registering three shots and two corner kicks in the seven minutes following the goal.
Morgan Reitano found the back of the net for the equalizer thanks to a set piece opportunity outside the 18. Zoe Greenhalge fed a worm-burner into the box for Reitano to score.
Reitano’s goal is her sixth of the season, which puts her into the program’s all-time top-10 in single-season goals for the second time in her career. The 15 goals in her career mark as the sixth-most in program history.
Purdue Fort Wayne had a corner kick with less than a minute left on the clock and had a decent look at the net with all 11 players into the attacking third, but the ‘Dons were called for a foul and the game came to an end.
Reitano finished with a team-high four shots. The ‘Dons had a 6-3 edge in corner kicks.
The Mastodons move to 5-6-5 and 2-3-3 in Horizon League play while holding Green Bay winless at 0-9-4, 0-5-2. Purdue Fort Wayne will return home for a game against Wright State on Sunday (Oct. 15). That game will be the Mastodons’ last home game of the regular season and the Senior Day celebration for Allison Adams, Lizzie Haub, Rylee Vruggink, Greenhalge and Alyssa Weisbrodt.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE VOLLEYBALL
MASTODONS TRAVEL TO NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND WRIGHT STATE FOR #HLVB WEEKEND
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s volleyball team will head to neighboring states this weekend for Horizon League matches at Northern Kentucky and Wright State.
Game Day Information (Friday)
Who: Northern Kentucky
When: Friday, October 13 | 6 PM
Where: Highland Heights, Ky. | Regents Hall
Live Stats:Link
Game Day Information (Saturday)
Who: Wright State
When: Saturday, October 14 | 4 PM
Where: Dayton, Ohio | C.J. McLin Gymnasium
Live Stats:Link
Know Your Foes
Northern Kentucky is 9-9 this season and 4-3 in the Horizon League. The Norse lost their last two matches in a row at Green Bay and Milwaukee, but prior to that, had won three in a row. The Raiders of Wright State come into the weekend winning two of their last three matches and have a 9-9 overall record. They are tied for third with a 5-2 conference record.
Series Histories
Purdue Fort Wayne is 6-3 all-time against Youngstown State. The two teams first met in 2001, but didn’t meet again until 2016. The Penguins won both of the matches in 2022. The Dons are 8-1 all-time against Robert Morris including a perfect 5-0 record when the Colonials visit Gates Sports Center.
Fabulous Freshmen
Panna Ratkai stands out among the Horizon League’s best freshmen. Ratkai is one of just two freshmen with more than 200 kills this season, and her 295 kills are more than the second-highest total of 216 from Natalie Stepanovic of Robert Morris. Ratkai is also one of two players with more than 30 aces and has the highest total (32) of any freshman. Finally, her 341 points are a conference-best and 88.5 more than Stepanovic, who has the second-most.
Hitting Percentage
The Mastodons attacking front was impressive in their three set win over Robert Morris. The ‘Dons hit .419 with 46 kills to just seven errors. The hitting percentage is the team’s best since 2012.
Double-Doubles
Taya Haffner and Panna Ratkai each posted a double-double in last weekend’s match against Youngstown State. Haffner totaled 46 assists with 11 digs while Ratkai hit 16 kills and 11 digs.
Preseason Polls
Wright State was the preseason favorite in the 2023 Under Armour #HLVB preseason poll. Northern Kentucky was the runner up in the same poll. So far this year, Wright State is fourth in the conference standings while Northern Kentucky is one match back in fifth.
Digging It
Sophomore Libero LonDynn Betts has reached double-digit digs all but two matches this season. She ranks sixth in the Horizon League and 37th nationally with 320 total digs this season.
Horizon Leader
Panna Ratkai currently leads the conference in points and kills. Ratkai has 341 points this season, the 8th best total in the country. She’s also totaled 295 kills, also the 7th highest total in the country. Additionally, she’s second in the Horizon League in service aces with 32.
Balanced Attack
Three Mastodons enter the weekend in the Horizon League’s top 40 for kills per set. Panna Ratkai is the league leader with 4.04 kills per set, Ashby Willis ranks 15th at 2.69 kills per set. Jena Medearis ranks 38th in the conference with her average of 1.63.
Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne hit .419 and Panna Ratkai led the team with 20 kills as the Mastodons defeated Robert Morris in three sets. The ‘Dons hit over .300 in each set including a percentage of .531 with just one error in the first set.
Coming Up
Purdue Fort Wayne hosts Milwaukee and Green Bay next Friday (Oct. 20) and Saturday (Oct. 21) at Gates Sports Center.
EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S SOCCER
UNI RALLIES PAST WOMEN’S SOCCER, 3-2
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa women’s soccer team scored a goal with just seven seconds remaining in the first half Thursday to tie the match and rallied for a second-half goal to top the visiting University of Evansville Purple Aces, 3-2, on a windy and rain-soaked day at the UNI Soccer Complex in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
The Panthers struck first in the opening minutes of the match, as UNI forward Lauren Heinsch took advantage of a howling wind to score on a cross that snuck inside the far post in the second minute to give UNI a 1-0 lead.
Going into the wind in the first half, the Purple Aces were able to answer back just over 20 minutes later, as sixth-year midfielder Nicole Benati curled a shot underneath the crossbar from 17 yards out to tie the match at 1-1 in the 24th minute. Freshman forward Brooklyn Robinson then buried a beautiful cross from fellow freshman Taylor Johnson into the upper-right corner in the 42nd minute to give UE a 2-1 advantage.
It looked like UE would take a 2-1 lead into the halftime locker room, but a failed clearance by UE got caught in the wind and blew back towards goal, and UNI’s Ashley Harrington was able to score with seven seconds left in the half to tie the match at 2-2.
In the second half, UE maintained a majority of the possession with the wind at its back, but the Panthers were able to strike in the 62nd minute on a well-crafted shot by midfielder Olivia Knoepfle to grab a 3-2 lead. Evansville would out-shoot UNI, 6-2, in the second half, with freshman midfielder Ella Hamner nearly tying the match in the 76th minute on a shot off the underside of the crossbar, but the Panthers would hold on to remain undefeated at 9-0-0 on their home field this year.
UNI out-shot Evansville for the match, 17-10, with 15 of those coming in the first half in a driving rain. UE senior goalkeeper Myia Danek recorded big save after big save in the match to keep Evansville within striking distance, as she equaled a career-high with 10 saves.
With the victory, UNI remains near the top in the Missouri Valley Conference standings, as they improve to 12-2-1 overall and 5-2 in the Valley. Evansville, meanwhile, sees its seven-match unbeaten streak snapped while falling to 1-4-8 and 1-1-5 in the Valley with the loss. Evansville will continue on its two-match road trip through Iowa on Sunday, as the Purple Aces will travel to Des Moines to battle the Drake Bulldogs (8-3-3, 4-1-1 MVC). The match will be the first-ever women’s soccer match at Drake’s new Mediacom Stadium, with kick-off set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
EVANSVILLE VOLLEYBALL
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS UE VOLLEYBALL WEEKEND
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A 5-match homestand comes to a close for the University of Evansville volleyball team this weekend when the Purple Aces play host to UIC and Valparaiso. UE welcome the Flames on Friday at 6 p.m. before facing the Beacons on Saturday at 5 p.m. inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse. Both matches will be carried by ESPN+.
To celebrate the final days of Hispanic Heritage Month, the University of Evansville athletic department and UE Volleyball are hosting a Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Celebration for Saturday’s volleyball match.
The celebration begins at 3 PM in front of the Carson Center with a block party, featuring Hispanic/Latinx music, food truck, and a photo booth. At 5 PM, the party will move inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse for the Aces match with Valparaiso. The first 100 fans inside the fieldhouse will receive a Vamos Aces t-shirt.
Last Time Out
– Hitting .372 as a team, the Aces overcame a 1-0 deficit on Monday to defeat Indiana State by a 3-1 final at Meeks Family Fieldhouse
– Giulia Cardona led all players with 27 kills while Melanie Feliciano added 20 and Brooke Springer set her career high with 7
– Kora Ruff picked up 57 assists, just one short of her top collegiate tally
Putting it all Together
– Brooke Springer had what may have been the top match of her Purple Aces career against Indiana State
– Springer set her career mark with 7 kills while adding two solo blocks and four block assists
– She continues to pace the team with 1.02 blocks/set and is third in the MVC
– Springer opened the DePaul Invite with a solo block and three block assists versus St. Thomas before adding five block assists in the triumph over NIU
– Aside from her 28 block assists, Springer has contributed 9 solo blocks in 2023
Efficient Operation
– Kora Ruff’s efficiency on the offensive side was pivotal in Evansville’s home win over Indiana State where she registered a season-high 57 helpers
– The total was just one shy of her top collegiate mark of 58, which came in 2022
– Ruff stands third in the MVC with her average of 10.39 assists and is 27th nationally
– While her season average of 2.66 digs is 18th in the league, that average has risen to 2.92/set through seven MVC matches
She’s #1
– Giulia Cardona’s impressive season continues as she paces the NCAA in three of the top offensive categories
– Cardona leads the nation in kills (5.44/set), points (6.13/set) and attacks (14.59/set)
– After completing the opening MVC weekend with a mark of 8.86 kills, she earned her second MVC Player of the Week award of 2023
– She finished with 26 at Murray State before resetting her career high with 36 at Belmont on Sept. 23
– Her 36 kills was the most in the NCAA in a 4-set match this season and tied for the highest tally in any match of the 2023 season while her 26-kill performance against the Racers was the most this season by any NCAA player in a 3-set contest
Scouting the Opposition
– UIC comes into Friday’s weekend opener sporting a 13-7 record and a 4-3 mark through their opening seven conference contests
– Martina Delucchi is 4th in the conference with 3.74 kills per set while Becca Oldendorf is the league’s most accurate hitter at .433
– Valparaiso is currently 11-9 overall and 3-4 in Valley play
– Emma Hickey is stellar on the defensive side, ranking 4th in the conference with 5.13 digs per frame
SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
USI BATTLES RIVAL SIUE TO SCORELESS TIE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer went toe-to-toe against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Thursday night, battling to a 0-0 tie at Strassweg Field. The Screaming Eagles matched a season-best unbeaten streak of four matches with Thursday’s scoreless draw.
With USI coming into Thursday’s match against its longtime rival on a three-match winning streak, the contest quickly escalated to a high-intensity battle. SIUE is also the three-time reigning Ohio Valley Conference Tournament champions going back to the Spring 2020-21 season. The match’s quick pace and physical nature became evident as both sides fought for possession.
Midway into the first half, Southern Indiana had solid chances at goal. In the 21st minute, sophomore defender Charli Grafton (Sunriver, Oregon) stepped into the box on a USI corner kick. On a good service inside the six-yard box by sophomore midfielder Emma Thurston (Leawood, Kansas), Grafton headed the ball inches above the crossbar. Just a few minutes later, sophomore midfielder Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana) took a right-footed shot that was blocked away by the Cougars’ redshirt junior goalkeeper Taylor Spiller.
With the match still scoreless in the 59th minute, the Eagles nearly found a breakthrough. Off a throw-in, freshman midfielder Pilar Torres (Chula Vista, California) booted a ball up into the air inside the box. With Spiller coming off the goal line, freshman midfielder Lydia Bordfeld (Evansville, Indiana) headed the ball down toward the corner of the goal, but the ball nicked off the post and stayed out. Southern Indiana had another quality chance nearly six minutes later off a free kick. With a look just outside the top of the box, Murphy snuck the free kick past SIUE’s defensive wall but went just past the right post. Then as both teams sought a go-ahead goal coming down the stretch, USI redshirt freshman goalkeeper Anna Markland (Hoover, Alabama) made four big saves within a minute after quick shots by the Cougars.
Markland finished the match with five saves, recording the fifth shutout of the season for USI. Offensively, the Screaming Eagles spread out six shots with one on goal late by senior midfielder Avery Schone (Galena, Ohio). The Cougars placed five of eight shot attempts on target.
With Thursday’s tie, Southern Indiana moved to 4-6-5 overall and 3-1-2 in OVC play. The Eagles have now earned a result in eight of the last nine matches, going 4-1-4 during that stretch. Plus, USI has now gone 3-0-2 in the last five home matches. SIUE moved to a 4-5-3 mark this season with a 2-1-3 conference record. In the conference standings, Southern Indiana moved into a tie for second with Morehead State University at 11 points. The Cougars are now fourth entering the weekend with nine points.
Up next, the Screaming Eagles head back on the road Sunday at 1 p.m., taking on the University of Tennessee at Martin. Sunday’s match can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.
SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER
EAGLES, COUGARS BATTLE TO 3-3 DRAW
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer and Chicago State University battle to a 3-3 draw Thursday afternoon at Strassweg Field. The Screaming Eagles go to 1-9-2 overall and 0-3-2 in the OVC, while Chicago State is 3-8-2, 1-3-1 OVC.
USI exploded offensively following the the kickoff, scoring a pair of goals in the first five minutes. Junior forward Robert Schoenstein (Evansville, Indiana) put the Eagles in front, 1-0, with his first goal of the season at 1:16.
Schoenstein was assisted on the goal by senior midfielder Nick Faddis (St. Louis, Missouri) and junior midfielder Elmer Garcia (Indianapolis, Indiana).
Garcia increased the USI advantage to 2-0 three minutes later when he recorded his first tally of the season at 3:55. He had a clear shot from five yards out, after receiving assisting passes from Schoenstein and Faddis.
The Eagles saw their lead grow to 3-0 after Faddis convert his second penalty kick of the season at 22:35 for his second goal of the year. USI was awarded the penalty kick after Schoenstein was fouled inside the box.
The Cougars chipped away at the Eagles’ lead late in the first half, scoring their first of the match at 29:05. The 3-1 USI lead would hold through the end of halftime.
Cougars would own the second half with a pair of goals in the final 21 minutes and outshoot the Eagles, 11-2. Chicago State narrowed USI’s lead to 3-2 with a tally at 69:24 before putting a flurry of shots on the Eagles’ goal in the final minutes to get the equalizer at 88:26 for a 3-3 final.
NEXT UP FOR USI:
The Eagles reach the middle of the three-game homestand Sunday when it hosts Liberty University for Senior Day at 1 p.m. USI will honor its 10 seniors in a pregame ceremony at 12:15 p.m.
Liberty began this week’s action with a 4-0 win at Eastern Illinois University and watched it record go to 8-4-0 overall mark, 3-2-0 OVC. The Flames broke a two-match losing skid with the win and are 3-3-0 in the last six matches.
The homestand wraps up October 19 when Eastern Illinois University comes to Strassweg Field for a 3 p.m. contest.
VALPO WOMEN’S SOCCER
SOCCER PICKS UP KEY WIN AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
The Valpo soccer team earned a big three points to move up the Missouri Valley Conference standings Thursday evening, as the Beacons came away with a 2-1 victory at Southern Illinois.
How It Happened
The team has emphasized starting out on the front foot since the start of Valley play, and the Beacons did that once again on Thursday, opening the scoring in the 16th minute. Some nice combination action got the ball to junior Sam Gountounas (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) on the right flank. Gountounas was able to drive up the end line and serve the ball back towards the penalty spot. Junior Addy Joiner (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) looked to go back post but then ran at the near post, dragging defenders with her and creating an opening for senior Chase Ray (Bellevue, Ohio/Bellevue), who crashed into the box on the end of Gountounas’ service and drove it home for the 1-0 lead.
Valpo carried the 1-0 lead into the halftime break, but it took the Beacons less than eight minutes into the second half to double their lead. Following a cross into the box, sophomore Molly O’Rear (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) had her shot stopped by SIU goalkeeper Chantelle Symes. But the rebound fell to Joiner, who put it away to make it 2-0 Valpo.
The Salukis sliced the lead in half when Kaitlin DuCharme found the back of the net in the 76th minute. But Valpo kept SIU at bay the rest of the way to see the game out and earn the victory.
Inside the Match
By picking up three points on Thursday, Valpo jumped from a tie for seventh to a tie for fifth in the MVC standings. The Beacons also have a match in hand on the UIC side one point ahead of them in fourth place.
Ray has scored three goals in Valpo’s last seven matches after not tallying a goal in the first 56 matches of her career.
Seven of Valpo’s 21 goals this season have come within the match’s first 20 minutes.
Gountounas’ assist on Ray’s goal was her first career helper.
Joiner pulled into first place all alone among Valley players with her eighth goal of the season Thursday with what became her sixth career match-winner.
Joiner has matched Ray with three goals within MVC action this year.
Joiner’s eight goals on the season are tied for ninth-most in a single season in program history, while her 18 career goals are tied for sixth and her 38 career points are tied for ninth.
Joiner has scored in nine of Valpo’s last 16 MVC fixtures dating back to last season. Also dating back to last year, 14 of Joiner’s last 28 shots on goal have found the back of the net.
O’Rear picked up her first assist of the season and third of her career on Joiner’s match-winner.
Senior goalkeeper Nikki Coryell (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) made five saves in goal in the winning effort.
Fifth-year center back Nicole Norfolk (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels) made her 81st career appearance and career start Thursday, leaving her one shy of Beth Muskovich for the most in program history in both categories.
Thoughts From Coach Marovich
“I’m just proud of this group again tonight. I felt like we came out again on the front foot and were rewarded with an early goal for our work.”
“What I really liked about our performance was a lot of intentional movement that carried over from our training sessions into the match. And then as Southern Illinois started to adjust and try to take away what we were trying to do with that movement, we made adjustments of our own and continued to make really good tactical decisions in those spaces.”
“It became a battle — you score two goals, and then give away a goal on a set piece that you want to do better on. But we grinded it out to get a win on the road — hats off to our players, because in conference matches late in the season, road wins are gold. Our performance was good, our quality was good and our intentional work in all thirds of the field was good.”
Next Up
Valpo (6-3-6, 2-1-4 MVC) comes home to Brown Field for its final two home matches of the season, starting on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Belmont. The match against the Bruins, which can be seen live on ESPN+, will be the program’s Senior Day, with the six members of the Beacons’ senior class honored prior to the match.
VALPO WOMEN’S TENNIS
FERNANDES WINS FIRST-ROUND QUALIFYING MATCH ON THURSDAY; CZERWONKA TO COMPETE IN FRIDAY’S MAIN DRAW
The Valparaiso University tennis team began play at the ITA Midwest Regional, hosted by Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. starting on Thursday. Jolene Fernandes (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) earned a victory in the first round of the singles qualifying draw.
How It Happened
Fernandes topped Bowling Green’s Ionna Tsadari 6-1, 7-5 in the first round of qualifying. The straight-set victory came over a 2022 First Team All-Mid-American Conference selection and three-time Academic All-MAC choice.
Fernandes moved on to the second round of qualifying later in the day and fell to Kiley Rabjohns of Northwestern 6-2, 6-2.
Elsewhere in the first round of singles qualifying, Elizabeth Sobieski (Muskego, Wis. / Muskego) fell 6-2, 6-1 to Matilde Morais of Michigan State. In addition, Mia Bertino (Lockport, Ill. / Joliet Catholic) dropped her match to Violeta Martinez of Illinois 6-1, 6-3 as both Beacons squared off with Big Ten competition.
Up Next
The ITA Midwest Regional will continue on Friday. The doubles main draw first and second rounds will take place in addition to the first round of the singles main draw. Olivia Czerwonka earned a direct berth into the singles main draw. She will face Rosie Garcia Gross of Wisconsin on Friday. In addition, the doubles tandems of Sobieski/Czerwonka (vs. Illinois), Fernandes/Stone (vs. Illinois State) and Bertino/Kelly (vs. Ohio State) will all be in action on Friday.
UINDY FOOTBALL
GLVC LEADERS SQUARE OFF IN BATTLE OF UNBEATENS
GAME 6
at 19 Truman State Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0 GLVC)
Saturday | October 14 | 1 p.m. ET
Two GLVC heavyweights go toe-to-toe this weekend when ranked unbeatens UIndy and Truman duke it out for the conference lead. The matchup marks the second straight season the conference rivals have met as top-20 opponents. UIndy owns a six-game winning streak in the series, including a 28-14 comeback win in last year’s regular season finale.
DID YOU KNOW?
Two of the stingiest defenses in the nation will be on display this weekend, as both UIndy (7th, 13.7 ppg) and Truman (21st, 16.5 ppg) rank highly in Division II in points allowed per game. No other GLVC team ranks in the nation’s top 50.
GAME NOTES: https://athletics.uindy.edu/documents/2023/10/12/GAME_6_at_Truman.pdf
UINDY VOLLEYBALL
UINDY SET FOR BATTLE AT 15TH ANNUAL MIDWEST REGION CROSSOVER
INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy volleyball team enters the 15th annual Midwest Region Crossover this weekend in Hammond, Ind., with three regional opponents on tap. The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) is hosting this year’s event, with members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) and Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) also competing.
The Greyhounds are scheduled to face No. 19 Ferris State (GLIAC) in a rematch from opening weekend Friday at 10 a.m. ET and Findlay (G-MAC) later that evening at 8 p.m. ET. Currently the Crimson and Grey are 14-4 this fall.
Sophia Parlanti led all players with 13 kills in the match against Ferris State back on Sept. 1 in Big Rapids, Mich., on the home floor of the Bulldogs.
The team’s third and final contest of the weekend will take place at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday with an opponent to be determined. The results from Friday’s slate for the top nine in each conference will determine the pairings.
Ferris State and Findlay both hold the all-time edge against UIndy; the Bulldogs lead, 8-6, while the Oilers have won seven of the 13 meetings.
Middle blocker Hannah Sabotin paces the Greyhound offense with a .460 hitting percentage and 2.78 kills/set, with Parlanti averaging 3.42 kills/set. Setter Claire Morris sits just one assist from 1,000 in her young career, where she will become the 14th Greyhound to ever reach the milestone mark.
MARIAN FOOTBALL
GAMEDAY GUIDE: NO. 5 MARIAN TRAVELS TO NO. 10 CONCORDIA
INDIANAPOLIS – After going on the road for the first time in a month last week, the Marian football team is ready to return to Michigan this Saturday, as they travel to No. 10 Concordia. The top-10 showdown is the first ranked matchup in MSFA Mideast play, and Marian’s second ranked contest of the season.
THE GAME
Although holding a one-sided 10-2 advantage all-time against Concordia, the series for Marian has been tightly contested for five of the last six meetings, with the five matchups staying within two scores for much of the game. Last year Marian snapped a two-game losing streak at Concordia and ended the Cardinals 27-home game winning streak, as they won 24-7.
Zach Bundalo threw for a pair of touchdowns last season with both going to Marian alum Ben Stevens, as the quarterback capped off two 90 yard drives with touchdowns. Former Knight Logan Blake led the team with 10 tackles in the win, while returners Deon Pettiford and Tyler Bukur each made key tackles for loss in last seasons win.
The Cardinals and Knights both enter the game undefeated, with both sides holding similar 5-0 overall records and 2-0 MSFA Mideast League marks. The Cardinals return 12 starters (6 offense, 6 defense) from last year’s matchup, while the Knights have 13 starters (7 offense, 6 defense) back from a year ago.
WATCH AND FOLLOW ALONG
Those fans unable to attend Saturday’s game can watch live through the Concordia Athletics Network, listed above. The Knights broadcast duo of Scott McCauley and Zach Graves will also be calling the game from Ann Arbor, with the audio-only broadcast of the game streamed through the ISC Sports Network. Fans can also find live statistics at marianstats.com. Live updates of the game will be posted on the official Marian Athletics Twitter/X page, @MUKnights.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase tickets online now at the link above. All tickets are general admission and cost $10 per ticket. Children age five and under are admitted for free.
TAILGATING
Tailgating spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Visiting fans can pay $10 for a parking pass at the entrance to the lot. Parking will be in the north lot of the stadium until full, and will then be moved to the adjacent grass area.
RAINY SATURDAY
For the first time this year, the Knights will have to overcome the weather, as Saturday’s game is forecasted to be a wet one. Rain is in the forecast for the entire day on Saturday, with high temperatures hovering around 48 degrees. Marian’s last rain game was the 2021 season opener against Tiffin.
Concordia does have an umbrella policy, and fans are only allowed to utilize them in the top rows of the grand stands (not in front of the press box) or at field level by the end zones.
RANKED SHOWCASE
This will be Marian’s second ranked battle of the year, as they travel north to play the 10th ranked Cardinals. Marian’s first ranked matchup of the season was a 28-21 win over then No. 13 St. Xavier in a game played at St. Vincent Field.
The last time Marian and Concordia matched up with the Cardinals as a ranked team came in 2021, when Marian scored a 25-7 home victory against the fifth-ranked team in the NAIA.
Kickoff from Ann Arbor on Saturday is scheduled for 1 p.m.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETICS
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
NFL STANDINGS
| American Football Conference | |||||||||||||
| East Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Miami Dolphins | 4 | 1 | 0 | .800 | 0.0 | 181 | 135 | 2-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 1.0 | 159 | 80 | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| New York Jets | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 2.0 | 93 | 105 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| New England Patriots | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 3.0 | 55 | 131 | 0-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 L | |
| West Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 | 0.0 | 147 | 88 | 2-1-0 | 3-0-0 | 3-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 5 W | |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 2.0 | 110 | 104 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 2 W | |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 2.5 | 79 | 114 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Denver Broncos | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 4.0 | 129 | 200 | 0-3-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-4-0 | 0-2-0 | 2 L | |
| North Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.0 | 79 | 110 | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Baltimore Ravens | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.0 | 109 | 75 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Cleveland Browns | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 0.5 | 76 | 60 | 2-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1 L | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 1.0 | 83 | 114 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-3-0 | 0-2-0 | 1 W | |
| South Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.0 | 105 | 102 | 1-2-0 | 2-0-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 W | |
| Indianapolis Colts | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.0 | 120 | 115 | 1-2-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Houston Texans | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 1.0 | 115 | 100 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Tennessee Titans | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 1.0 | 88 | 93 | 2-0-0 | 0-3-0 | 2-2-0 | 0-1-0 | 1 L | |
| National Football Conference | |||||||||||||
| East Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 0.0 | 141 | 104 | 2-0-0 | 3-0-0 | 4-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 5 W | |
| Dallas Cowboys | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 2.0 | 134 | 83 | 2-0-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 L | |
| Washington Commanders | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 3.0 | 109 | 160 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-1-0 | 3 L | |
| New York Giants | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 4.0 | 62 | 153 | 0-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 0-1-0 | 3 L | |
| West Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| San Francisco 49ers | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 0.0 | 167 | 68 | 3-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 4-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 5 W | |
| Seattle Seahawks | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 1.5 | 111 | 91 | 1-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 3 W | |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 3.0 | 112 | 108 | 0-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 4.0 | 108 | 136 | 1-2-0 | 0-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 0-1-0 | 2 L | |
| North Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Detroit Lions | 4 | 1 | 0 | .800 | 0.0 | 148 | 107 | 2-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 3 W | |
| Green Bay Packers | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 2.0 | 113 | 113 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 L | |
| Minnesota Vikings | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 3.0 | 110 | 122 | 0-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-0-0 | 1 L | |
| Chicago Bears | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 3.0 | 115 | 157 | 0-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-1-0 | 1 W | |
| South Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 0.0 | 84 | 68 | 1-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Atlanta Falcons | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.5 | 83 | 96 | 3-0-0 | 0-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 W | |
| New Orleans Saints | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.5 | 96 | 76 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 5 | 0 | .000 | 3.5 | 91 | 144 | 0-2-0 | 0-3-0 | 0-5-0 | 0-2-0 | 5 L | |
NHL STANDINGS
| Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| 1 New York Rangers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | |
| 2 Tampa Bay Lightning | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1-0-0 | — | 1-0-0 | |
| 3 Carolina Hurricanes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1-0-0 | — | 1-0-0 | |
| 4 Philadelphia Flyers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | |
| 5 Boston Bruins | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1-0-0 | — | 1-0-0 | |
| 6 Toronto Maple Leafs | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 1-0-0 | — | 1-0-0 | |
| 7 New Jersey Devils | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1-0-0 | — | 1-0-0 | |
| 8 Montreal Canadiens | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | — | 0-0-1 | 0-0-1 | |
| 9 New York Islanders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | |
| 10 Washington Capitals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | |
| 11 Detroit Red Wings | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | — | 0-1-0 | 0-1-0 | |
| 12 Ottawa Senators | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | — | 0-1-0 | 0-1-0 | |
| 13 Columbus Blue Jackets | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0-1-0 | — | 0-1-0 | |
| 14 Pittsburgh Penguins | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0-1-0 | — | 0-1-0 | |
| 15 Florida Panthers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 0-1-0 | 0-1-0 | |
| 16 Buffalo Sabres | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0-1-0 | — | 0-1-0 | |
| Western Conference | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| 1 Vegas Golden Knights | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-0-0 | |
| 2 Colorado Avalanche | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | — | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | |
| 3 Vancouver Canucks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1-0-0 | — | 1-0-0 | |
| 4 Calgary Flames | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1-0-0 | — | 1-0-0 | |
| 5 Minnesota Wild | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1-0-0 | — | 1-0-0 | |
| 6 Dallas Stars | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1-0-0 | — | 1-0-0 | |
| 7 Nashville Predators | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1-0-0 | 0-1-0 | 1-1-0 | |
| 8 Chicago Blackhawks | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | — | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | |
| 9 St. Louis Blues | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | — | 0-0-1 | 0-0-1 | |
| 10 Anaheim Ducks | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | |
| 11 Arizona Coyotes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | |
| 12 Winnipeg Jets | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | — | 0-1-0 | 0-1-0 | |
| 13 Los Angeles Kings | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0-1-0 | — | 0-1-0 | |
| 14 San Jose Sharks | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0-1-0 | — | 0-1-0 | |
| 15 Edmonton Oilers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | — | 0-1-0 | 0-1-0 | |
| 16 Seattle Kraken | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | — | 0-2-0 | 0-2-0 | |
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1862 In a game against the Unions of Morrisania, Jim Creighton of the Excelsiors hits a sixth-inning home run after doubling each of his first four times to the plate. When he crosses home, the 21-year-old superstar complains of having broken his belt, more likely a suspected fatal ruptured inguinal hernia caused by the torque created by his all-upper-body hard swing with the bat.
1903 In Game 8 of the series, the Boston Pilgrims (Red Sox) defeat the Pirates, 3-0, to take baseball’s first-ever world championship, five games to 3. In the 95-minute contest, Bill Dinneen beats Pittsburgh’s Deacon Phillippe in front of a Huntington Avenue Baseball Grounds crowd of 7,455 fans.
1914 Boston becomes the first team to complete a four-game World Series sweep as the Miracle Braves beat the American League’s heavily favored A’s behind the solid pitching of Dick Rudolph, who bests Philadelphia, 3-1. In mid-July, the Braves were in last place but won the National League pennant by 10½ games.
1921 In the first all-New York World Series, the Giants beat the Yankees at the Polo Grounds (home for both NY teams), 1-0, to win the Fall Classic in eight games. Art Nehf, the loser in Games 2 and 5, throws a complete-game four-hitter to get the victory, with the lone run of the game tallied in the top of the first inning thanks to an error.
1960 At Forbes Field, Bill Mazeroski’s dramatic walk-off home run off Yankee hurler Ralph Terry breaks up a 9-9 tie, ending one of the most exciting seven-game World Series ever played. Maz’s round-tripper remains the only walk-off home run to win a World Series Game 7.
1968 Recent World Series foes Bob Gibson and Denny McLain meet again on the CBS variety program The Ed Sullivan Show. After Tiger ace McLain plays The Girl From Ipanema on the organ with his quartet, he is joined by future Cardinal Hall of Famer Gibson on the guitar performing a brief improvised piece together.
1970 In Game 3 of the Fall Classic played at Memorial Stadium, Dave McNally goes deep with the bases loaded off Reds’ right-hander Wayne Granger in the bottom of the sixth inning, becoming the first pitcher in World Series history to hit a grand slam. The Orioles’ hurler’s offensive output contributes to the Birds’ 9-3 victory over Cincinnati and gives Baltimore a commanding 3-0 game advantage in the seven-game series.
1971 In the first World Series played at night, the Pirates defeat the Orioles at Three Rivers Stadium, 4-3, overcoming the Birds’ three-run first inning thanks to the Bucs’ bullpen holding Baltimore scoreless for 8⅔ innings. All Fall Classic contests will be evening tilts, beginning with Game 6 of the 1987 Series.
1972 The day after Oakland wins the ALCS, Bowie Kuhn announces that A’s shortstop Burt Campaneris, suspended for the rest of the division playoff for throwing his bat at Tiger hurler Lerrin LaGrow in Game 2, will be allowed to participate in the World Series. The Commissioner cites the precedent of Yankee shortstop Frank Crosetti, suspended for 30 days due to an incident with an ump, but was permitted to play in the Fall Classic by AL president Will Harridge, who delayed the penalty rather than diminish his circuit’s chance of winning a World Championship.
1973 “No, I don’t think my presence will cause an increase in black attendance at Cleveland. People come out to see the players. When do you see a manager anyway? When he’s out on the field arguing with the umpires, making a fool of himself and you know you can’t win, and when he brings out the line-up card.” – FRANK ROBINSON, commenting on his historical hiring. Frank Robinson, newly-hired Indians manager, appears on CBS’s long-running Sunday news program Face the Nation. The first African-American manager in baseball history tells host George Herman that no baseball executive considered blacks for skipper jobs before hiring him in Cleveland.
1974 Herb Washington, representing the tying run in the top of the ninth, is picked off first base by Dodger closer Mike Marshall for the second out of Game 2, the only contest the A’s will lose in the Fall Classic. Oakland owner Charlie Finley selected the world-class sprinter, who will never have a plate appearance in his brief 105-game career, to become the team’s “designated runner,” a position that doesn’t exist with any other major league club.
1983 “I would like to thank Frank Cashen for being smart enough to hire me.” – DAVEY JOHNSON, speaking to the press about the Mets GM’s decision to name him as the team’s manager. The Mets’ Triple-A Tidewater pilot, Davey Johnson, signs a two-year deal to become the 11th manager in franchise history, replacing Frank Howard, promptly hired as the team’s first-base coach. The 40-year-old Floridian will compile a 595-417 (.588) record during his six-plus seasons in the dugout, including a World Championship in 1986.
1985 Vince Coleman becomes entangled in Busch Stadium’s automatic tarpaulin while stretching before the Cardinals’ 12-2 rout of LA in Game 4 of the NLCS. The freak accident, which traps his left leg for about thirty seconds, will end the season for the 23-year-old outfielder, who established the rookie record for stolen bases with 110.
1989 In a nationwide poll of sportswriters and broadcasters, Orioles’ skipper Frank Robinson is named the Associated Press Manager of the Year, easily outdistancing the runner-up, Don Zimmer of the Cubs. The Hall of Famer guided a young group of players in one of the greatest comeback seasons in the game’s history, finishing the campaign 32½ games better than the club’s last-place finish the previous year.
1993 At Veterans Stadium, the Phillies win the National League pennant by beating the Braves in Game 6 of the NLCS, 6-3. With Tommy Greene out-dueling Greg Maddux and the timely hitting of Darren Daulton, Dave Hollins, and Mickey Morandini, Philadelphia wins its third consecutive game to dethrone the defending champs.
2000 Mariano Rivera, extending his streak to 33.1 innings, breaks the 38-year-old record of Whitey Ford for consecutive scoreless frames in postseason play when the Yankees defeat the Mariners, 8-2, in Game 3 of the ALCS. The Yankees’ Hall of Fame lefty had established the record from 1960 to 1962 with 33 innings as a World Series starter.
2001 The Yankees, being down 2-0 in the best-of-five series, stave off elimination, beating the A’s and Barry Zito, 1-0, thanks to the shutout pitching by Mike Mussina and Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada’s fifth-inning home run. Shortstop Derek Jeter catches an errant relay throw down the first baseline and flips the ball home to cut down Jeremy Giambi as the potential tying run becomes one of the most memorable defensive plays in postseason history.
2002 Joining George Brett (Royals: 1978 ALCS Game 3), Reggie Jackson (Yankees: 1977 World Series Game 6), Bob Robertson (Pirates: 1971 NLCS Game 2), and Babe Ruth (Yankees: 1928 World Series Game 4 and 1926 World Series Game 4), light-hitting second baseman Adam Kennedy becomes the fifth player to hit three homers in a postseason game, helping the Angels to secure their first World Series berth in the team’s 42-year-old history. Anaheim uses a ten-run seventh inning to beat the Twins 13-5, capturing the ALCS in five games.
2003 A tearful 72-year-old Don Zimmer apologizes for his part in yesterday’s brawl during Game 3 of the ALCS between the Yankees and Red Sox. During the fourth-inning matinee melee at Fenway, the Yankees’ assistant to the manager is thrown to the ground by Pedro Martinez after charging the right-hander.
2006 Mark Kiger becomes the first player in history to make his big league debut during the postseason. The second baseman enters Game 3 as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the eighth inning for D’Angelo Jimenez, who has been filling in for the injured starter Mark Ellis.
WORLD SERIES HISTORY
1915 WORLD SERIES
Boston Red Sox (4) vs Philadelphia Phillies (1)
The 1915 Fall Classic was notable mostly for the debut of a young twenty year old lefty named George Herman Ruth. “The Babe” and five others from Boston’s pitching staff had won fourteen or more games for Manager Bill Carrigan on their way to a 101-50 record and were able to edge out the Detroit Tigers for the American League pennant. Another great pitcher, Grover Cleveland Alexander, a thirty-one game winner, and his Phillies had just won their first National League title and were ready to take their shot at the big one. Philadelphia was also stacked at the plate with Gavvy Cravath, who had led the league with twenty-four home runs and one-hundred fifteen runs batted in.
Alexander was given the opening start against Ernie Shore and later emerged as both a 3-1 winner and the first World Series pitcher to shut down baseball’s biggest legend. Ruth, who despite his eighteen victories was limited to this one appearance (as a pinch-hitter for Shore) grounded out in the ninth. Little was said at the time as no one could have possibly predicted what the future held for this promising pitcher from Baltimore. Boston turned the tables in Game 2 riding on the back of pitcher Rube Foster who held the Phillies to three hits and drove in the winning run in the ninth inning. Foster’s one man show was witnessed by Woodrow Wilson, who was the first president ever to attend a Fall Classic. A true fan of the game, his appearance validated baseball as America’s national pastime and many future chief executives would follow his lead.
With the contest now tied at a game apiece, both teams traveled to Boston for Game 3. The cross-town Braves returned the favor from last year’s championship by allowing the use of their yard in place of Fenway Park. Although the home of the Red Sox was considered a more attractive facility, Braves Field was much larger and could handle the capacity crowd of over 42,000. Philly ace, Grover Alexander returned for a second appearance against the left-handed Hubert “Dutch” Leonard. In spectacular fashion, the Red Sox pitcher retired the last twenty batters on the way to a 2-1 victory. Duffy Lewis drove home Harry Hooper in the ninth for the Series leading win. It was more of the same the following day when Philadelphia suffered it’s three consecutive loss due to the outstanding performance on the mound by Game 1’s loser Ernie Shore who only allowed seven hits in another 2-1 triumph. Boston had rolled over the City of Brotherly Love and wasn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
Despite the valiant efforts of first baseman Fred Luderus and reliever Eppa Rixey, Philadelphia was unable to hang on in Game 5. Offensively, Luderus had driven in a two run double and added a homer in the fourth giving his mates a 4-2 lead. Defensively, Rixey, who had taken over for Erskine Mayer in the third, shut out Boston through the seventh. However, the Phillies ran out of luck in the eighth inning after Duffy Lewis launched a game-tying, two run blast. Later in the ninth, Hooper added his second homerun for a 5-4 victory and the Red Sox’ third World Championship.
In a strange twist, the two other teams from Boston and Philadelphia, who were previous World Series contenders, experienced a very different story in 1915. Boston’s Miracle Braves had run out of divine intervention and barely finished second in the National League and the Philadelphia Athletics, a Fall Classic mainstay, had completely disbanded and ended up in last place 58½ games behind the American League leading Red Sox. Babe Ruth’s modest contribution went unnoticed although he would soon become the focal point of a World Series controversy that would haunt the Boston franchise for many years to come.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
October 13, 1996 – NY Jets Nick Lowrey breaks Jan Stenerud NFL field goal record at 374. If you refer to our October 6 History Headlines you see that Lowery tied Stenerud’s record on that day and had to wait one week to claim the crown.
October 13, 2007 – 17th College Football Holy War: Boston College beats Notre Dame 27-14 in South Bend
October 13, 2019 – It was week six in the 2019 season and there were a handful of very interesting and close games played. The Seahawks and the Browns traded points all day with the Seahawks getting the better of the exchange in a 32-28 final as Chris Carson rushed for 124 yards for the Hawks while his Browns counterpart Nick Chubb put up 122 yards on the ground himself in the close game. The Washington Redskins overcame a late Dolphins charge by the score of 17-16. Adrian Peterson ran for 118 yards to help Washington seal the victory. The Atlanta Falcons put on a late charge but fell to the upstart Cardinals of Arizona 33-34. Matt Ryan was 30 of 36 passing and threw for 356 yards and 4 scores but the Cardinals young gun Kyler Murray was 27 of 37 in attempts himself tossing 340 yards and 3 TD passes and rushing for another 32 yards on the ground!
Jerry Jones
October 13, 1942 – Los Angeles, California – Jerral Wayne “Jerry” Jones is born. When Jerry was about three, the Jones family moved back to North Little Rock, Arkansas and opened up a couple of grocery stores called Pat’s Super Markets, aptly named for Jerry’s father J. W. Pat Jones. After Jerry’s graduation Pat moved the family to Springfield, Missouri as he took a position with the Modern Security Life Insurance Co. Meanwhile Jerry attended the University of Arkansas and played football for the Razorbacks. He was pretty good too as he was a co-captain of the 1964 National Championship team. Also on that top in the nation Razorback team was a man by the name of Jimmy Johnson. After college Jerry took a position with the Life Insurance company his father had basically taken over and was listed as the executive vice-president. Jerry soon took over full ownership of the insurance company and ended up selling it in the early 1970’s and took up a hobby of oil wildcatting, really making a name for himself and a boatload of money according to forbes.com. On February 25, 1989 Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys for 150 million dollars and according to a recent Forbes report, the Cowboys franchise is worth $5.5 billion while Jerry himself has a net worth of $8.6 billion. Jones’ first action was to release the only coach the Cowboys had ever known in Tom Landry and hired his college buddy Jimmy Johnson as well as firing long time GM Tex Schramm. The team struggled at first but then after the monster trade for Hershel Walker, noted in our October 12th post, the Cowboys enjoyed glory days in the 1990’s including 3 Super Bowl wins. Jerry has been outspoken, often criticized as he has held onto most of the player personnel decisions with the Dallas franchise, but no one can deny that he has kept the Cowboys in the news no matter what their record reflects in the standings. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Jerry Jones in 2017.
Jerry Rice
October 13, 1962 – Starkville, Mississippi. Jerry Rice was a wide receiver from Mississippi Valley State. An article on biography.com informs the reader that Jerry Rice earned All-America honors and set 18 Division I-AA records while at Mississippi Valley State. The profootballhof.com states that the San Francisco 49ers drafted Rice in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft. The website jerryricefootball.com claims that the prolific receiver holds 36 NFL records as he wears the rings of 3 Super Bowl Championships. You can read about one of those records in our September 29th post of the Football History Headlines. Jerry was not the fastest receiver on the field but his work on the practice field was seldom matched by anyone as well as his film study and those combined with his natural athletic abilities translated into a big problem for opposing defenses. One of his biggest attributes was his yards after catch statistics where he would often turn a short slant pattern catch into a long TD reception. Rice near the end of his career played with another Hall of Fame player in Tim Brown on the Oakland Raiders. Jerry Rice entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006 & the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Brian Dawkins
October 13, 1973 – Brian Dawkins a safety out of Clemson University was born. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Dawkins as the 61st overall pick in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. In 16 NFL seasons he played 13 with the Philadelphia Eagles and made nine Pro Bowls including being an All-Pro 5 times. He played out the remaining years of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos according to the Pro Football Hall of Fames website bio on him. Dawkins served the Eagles as an executive of football operations for player development from 2016 to 2018 and was with the organization when they won Super Bowl LII. The Pro Football Hall of Fame invited Brian Dawkins into their exclusive Gold Jacket Club in 2018.
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
9 – 1 – 23 – 49 – 14 – 29
October 13, 1960 – Some still say it was the greatest game of baseball ever played. The World Series between the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates was epic. World Series action had a very memorable moment when Pirates second baseman Number 9, Bill Mazeroski’s bottom of 9th lead off homerun was walked off to dramatically defeat the NY Yankees, 10-9 at Forbes Field in series deciding Game 7. The Series MVP was somehow given to a player on the losing side, as Yankees 2B Bobby Richardson, Number 1 took home the award.
October 13, 1970 – Two future Basketball Hall of Famer players made their debuts.Guard Number 23, Calvin Murphy for San Diego Rockets in 111-96 loss in Chicago, Meanwhile in the Big Apple,forward Dave Cowens for Boston Celtics in 114-107 loss.
October 13, 1978 – While Yankees 3rd baseman Number 9, Graig Nettles was making many spectacular plays in Game 3 of the World Series to help Ron Guidry, Number 49 defeat the LA Dodgers, after trailing 2 games to 0 Yankees did end up winning the Series though with four straight victories.
October 13, 1984 – Chicago Blackhawk Number 14, Bill Gardner scored on 10th penalty shot against Islanders
October 13, 1985 – Horrible incident during NLCS, Cardinals Rookie of the Year Number 29, Vince Coleman was injured stretching before game as his left leg is caught in Busch Stadium’s automated tarpaulin
October 13, 2002 – Michael Schumacher won the season ending Japanese F1 Grand Prix for his record 11th victory of the year & 3rd straight World Drivers Championship; title margin: 67 points from Ferrari teammate Rubens Barrichello
TV FRIDAY
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Tulane at Memphis | 7:00pm | ESPN |
| Fresno State at Utah State | 8:00pm | CBSSN |
| Stanford at Colorado | 10:00pm | ESPN |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| DP World Tour: Spanish Open | 8:00am | GOLF |
| PGA Tour: Shriners Children’s Open | 5:00pm | GOLF |
| Buick LPGA Shanghai | 11:00pm | GOLF |
| MLB PLAYOFFS | TIME ET | TV |
| ALDS Game 5: Minnesota at Houston | 4:07pm | FS1 |
| ALDS Game 5: Texas at Baltimore | 8:03pm | FS1 |
| NBA PRESEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Miami vs San Antonio | 7:30pm | TNT |
| Golden State vs LA Lakers | 10:00pm | ESPN2 |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Arizona at New Jersey | 7:00pm | MSGSN Bally Sports |
| Pittsburgh at Washington | 7:00pm | ESPN+ Hulu |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| UEFA Euro Qualifying: Netherlands vs France | 2:45pm | FS2 |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Montserrat vs Nicaragua | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines vs French Guiana | 3:30pm | Paramount+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Curaçao vs Panama | 5:00pm | Paramount+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Martinique vs El Salvador | 7:00pm | Paramount+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Barbados vs Dominican Republic | 7:00pm | Paramount+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Trinidad and Tobago vs Guatemala | 9:00pm | Paramount+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Belize vs Bermuda | 10:00pm | Paramount+ |
TV SATURDAY
| BOXING | TIME ET | TV |
| Middleweights: Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Vincenzo Gualtieri | 10:30pm | ESPN |
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Syracuse at Florida State | 12:00pm | ABC |
| Temple at North Texas | 12:00pm | ESPNU |
| Iowa State at Cincinnati | 12:00pm | FS1 |
| Kent State at Eastern Michigan | 12:00pm | CBSSN |
| Georgia Southern at James Madison | 12:00pm | ESPN2 |
| Ohio State at Purdue | 12:00pm | Peacock |
| Michigan State at Rutgers | 12:00pm | BTN |
| Indiana at Michigan | 12:00pm | FOX |
| Georgia at Vanderbilt | 12:00pm | CBS |
| Arkansas at Alabama | 12:00pm | ESPN |
| Navy at Charlotte | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Toledo at Ball State | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| California at Utah | 3:00pm | PAC12N |
| Akron at Central Michigan | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Florida Atlantic at USF | 3:30pm | ESPN2 |
| BYU at TCU | 3:30pm | ESPN |
| Bowling Green at Buffalo | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Miami (OH) at Western Michigan | 3:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Kansas at Oklahoma State | 3:30pm | FS1 |
| Wake Forest at Virginia Tech | 3:30pm | ACCN |
| Illinois at Maryland | 3:30pm | NBC |
| Oregon at Washington | 3:30pm | ABC |
| UMass at 6 Penn State | 3:30pm | BTN |
| Troy at Army | 3:30pm | CBSSN |
| Texas A&M at Tennessee | 3:30pm | CBS |
| Florida at South Carolina | 3:30pm | SECN |
| Iowa at Wisconsin | 4:00pm | FOX |
| Ohio at NIU | 4:00pm | ESPNU |
| UNLV at Nevada | 5:00pm | MWN |
| San Jose State at New Mexico | 6:00pm | MWN |
| Louisville at Pitt | 6:30pm | CW |
| Auburn at LSU | 7:00pm | ESPN |
| Arizona at Washington State | 7:00pm | PAC12N |
| Kansas State at Texas Tech | 7:00pm | FS1 |
| Marshall at Georgia State | 7:00pm | ESPN2 |
| ULM at Texas State | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Wyoming at Air Force | 7:00pm | CBSSN |
| USC at Notre Dame | 7:30pm | NBC |
| Missouri at Kentucky | 7:30pm | SECN |
| Miami at North Carolina | 7:30pm | ABC |
| UAB at UTSA | 8:00pm | ESPNU |
| UCLA at Oregon State | 8:00pm | FOX |
| NC State at Duke | 8:00pm | ACCN |
| Boise State at Colorado State | 9:45pm | FS1 |
| San Diego State at Hawaii | 11:00pm | CBSSN |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| DP World Tour: Spanish Open | 7:30am | GOLF |
| PGA Tour: Shriners Children’s Open | 5:00pm | GOLF |
| Buick LPGA Shanghai | 11:00pm | GOLF |
| MLB PLAYOFFS | TIME ET | TV |
| NLDS Game 5: Philadelphia at Atlanta | 6:07pm | TBS |
| NLDS Game 5: Arizona at LA Dodgers | 9:20pm | TBS |
| MOTORSPORTS | TIME ET | TV |
| Xfinity: Alsco Uniforms 302 | 3:30pm | USA |
| NBA PRESEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| New Orleans at Atlanta | 3:30pm | NBATV |
| Minnesota at New York | 7:30pm | NBATV |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Philadelphia at Ottawa | 1:00pm | NBCS-PHI Sportsnet |
| Florida at Winnipeg | 4:00pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| Nashville at Boston | 7:00pm | Bally Sports NESN |
| NY Rangers at Columbus | 7:00pm | Bally Sports MSG |
| Tampa Bay at Detroit | 7:00pm | Bally Sports |
| Chicago at Montréal | 7:00pm | NBCS-CHI Sportsnet |
| Calgary at Pittsburgh | 7:00pm | ATTSN-PIT Sportsnet |
| Minnesota at Toronto | 7:00pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| Buffalo at NY Islanders | 7:30pm | MSG-BUF MSGSN |
| Seattle at St. Louis | 8:00pm | Root Sports Bally Sports |
| Colorado at San Jose | 10:00pm | ALT NBCS-CA |
| Anaheim at Vegas | 10:00pm | ATTSN-RM Bally Sports |
| Vancouver at Edmonton | 10:00pm | Sportsnet |
| Carolina at Los Angeles | 10:30pm | Bally Sports |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| UEFA Euro Qualifying: Ukraine vs North Macedonia | 9:00am | FS2 |
| UEFA Euro Qualifying: Slovenia vs Finland | 12:00pm | FS2 |
| Women’s Super League: Chelsea FC vs West Ham United | 12:30pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Euro Qualifying: Hungary vs Serbia | 2:45pm | FS2 |
| Friendly: USA vs Germany | 3:00pm | Peacock |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Aruba vs U.S. Virgin Islands | 3:00pm | Paramonut+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Puerto Rico vs Guyana | 3:00pm | Paramonut+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Bahamas vs Antigua and Barbuda | 6:00pm | Paramonut+ |
| Brasileirão: Cuiabá vs Cruzeiro | 8:00pm | Paramonut+ |
| MLS: Nashville SC vs New England | 8:30pm | MLS Pass |
| MLS: LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake | 10:30pm | MLS Pass |