“THE SCOREBOARD”
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
TEXAS 9 MIAMI 8
PHILADELPHIA 9 KANSAS CITY 6
BALTIMORE 7 NY METS 3
OAKLAND 2 SAN FRANCISCO 1
MINNESOTA 12 ARIZONA 1
NY YANKEES 3 HOUSTON 1
DETROIT 4 TAMPA BAY 2
TORONTO 5 BOSTON 4
CHICAGO WHITE SOX 7 CLEVELAND 4
SEATTLE 3 LA ANGELS 2
CHICAGO CUBS 8 ATLANTA 6
WASHINGTON 7 CINCINNATI 3
MILWAUKEE 3 PITTSBURGH 2 (10)
ST. LOUIS 6 COLORADO 2
SAN DIEGO 8 LA DODGERS 3
BOX SCORES: http://hosted.stats.com/mlb/scoreboard.asp
STATS: http://hosted.stats.com/mlb/index.asp
PLAYER NEWS: http://hosted.stats.com/mlb/news.asp
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
GWINNETT 5 INDIANAPOLIS 1
FORT WAYNE 10 GREAT LAKES 1
WISCONSIN AT SOUTH BEND POSTPONED
WNBA
SEATTLE 97 PHOENIX 91
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
SATURDAY TRANSACTIONS
BASEBALL
Major League Baseball
American League
BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Sent CF Cedric Mullins to Bowie (IL) on a rehab assignment.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Selected the contract of RHP Lane Ramsey from Charlotte (IL). Claimed RHP Brent Honeywell of waivers from San Diego. Placed RHP Gregory Santos on the bereavement list.
DETROIT TIGERS — Activated LHP Andrew Vasquez from Philadelphia waivers. Optioned RHP Trey Wingenter to Toledo (IL).
KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Optioned RHP Joe Barlow to Omaha (IL).
NEW YORK YANKEES — Reinstated LHP Nestor Cortes from the 60-day IL and his rehab assignment. Optioned LHP Nick Ramirez to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL).
OAKLAND ATHLETICS — Reinstated RHP Dany Jimenez from the 60-day IL and OF Esteury Ruiz from the 10-day IL. Designated OF Ramon Laureano for assignment. Assigned INF/OF Tyler Wade outright to Las Vegas (PCL). Released C Manny Pina.
TAMPA BAY RAYS — Claimed RHP Cole Sulser off waivers from Arizona.
National League
ATLANTA BRAVES — Sent LHP Dylan Lee to Gwinnett (IL) on a rehab assignment.
CINCINNATI REDS — Placed CB Jake Fraley on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Aug. 4. Sent RHPs Vladimir Gutierrez and Hunter Greene to Louisville (IL) on rehab assignments. Recalled CF T.J. Hopkins from Louisville.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Sent RHP Shelby Miller to the Atlantic Coast League (ACL) Dodgers on a rehab assignment.
MIAMI MARLINS — Designated LHP Devin Smeltzer for assignment. Placed RHP J.T. Chargois on the 15- day IL, retroactive to Aug. 4. Recalled LHP Ryan Weathers and RHP Huascar Brazoban from Jacksonville (IL).
MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Recalled LHP Clayton Andrews from Nashville (IL). Optioned RHP Colin Rea to Nashville.
NEW YORK METS — Sent LF Tim Locastro to St. Lucie (FSL) on a rehab assignment. Recalled RHP Tylor Megill from Syracuse (IL). Selected the contract of RHP Jimmy Yacabonis from Syracuse. Optioned RHPs John Curtiss and Reed Garrett to Syracuse.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Recalled LHP Bailey Falter from Indianapolis (IL). Optioned INF Vinny Capra to Indianapolis.
SAN DIEGO PADRES — Sent RHP Michael Wacha and 3B Brandon Dixon to El Paso (PCL) on rehab assignments.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Reinstated IF Thairo Estrada from his rehab assignment and 10-day IL. Optioned IF Isan Diaz to Sacramento (PCL).
WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Recalled RHP Joan Adon from Rochester (IL). Placed RHP Mason Thompson on the 15-day IL.
BASKETBALL
National Basketball Association
CHARLOTTE HORNETS — Signed G Frank Ntilikina.
Women’s National Basketball Association
PHOENIX MERCURY — Released F Liz Dixon.
FOOTBALL
National Football League
CHICAGO BEARS — Waived TE Chase Allen with an injury designation. Signed TE Marcedes Lewis.
CINCINNATI BENGALS — Signed LB Logan Wilson to a four-year contract extension.
CLEVELAND BROWNS — Signed CB Gavin Heslop and T Derrick Kelly II.
DENVER BRONCOS — Signed DL Forrest Merrill. Waived G Yasir Durant.
DETROIT LIONS — Signed CB Tae Hayes and WR Avery Davis. Waived LB Zach Morton.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Signed TEs Nick Eubanks and Michael Jacobson. Placed OT Jake Witt on injured reserve. Waived RB Toriano Clinton.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Signed LB Daelin Hayes. Placed DL Darryl Johnson on the injured reserve list.
TENNESSEE TITANS — Signed OL Justin Murray.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS — Signed CB Jace Whittaker. Released G Keaton Sutherland.
HOCKEY
National Hockey League
ARIZONA COYOTES — Placed C Jean-Sebastien Dea on unconditional waivers.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS — Signed G Samuel Ersson to a two-year contract extension.
FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGES
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN AT BISHOP CHATARD, 7 P.M.
BEN DAVIS AND CARMEL AT WESTFIELD (THREE-TEAM JAMBOREE), 7 P.M.
CATHEDRAL AT FRANKLIN CENTRAL, 7 P.M.
BROWNSBURG AT CENTER GROVE, 6 P.M.
PERRY MERIDIAN AT MT. VERNON, 7 P.M.
NOBLESVILLE AT NORTH CENTRAL, 7 P.M.
KOKOMO AT ZIONSVILLE, 7 P.M.
LAWRENCE CENTRAL AT BLOOMINGTON SOUTH, 7 P.M.
MOORESVILLE AT PENDLETON HEIGHTS, 7:30 P.M.
AVON AT WARREN CENTRAL, 7 P.M.
LAWRENCE NORTH AT FISHERS, 7 P.M.
SCECINA AT NEW PALESTINE, 7 P.M.
COLUMBUS EAST AT MARTINSVILLE, 7 P.M.
WESTERN BOONE AT SPEEDWAY, 7 P.M.
BEECH GROVE AT INDIAN CREEK, 7 P.M.
PARK TUDOR AT HERITAGE CHRISTIAN, 7 P.M.
LAFAYETTE JEFF AT PIKE, 7 P.M.
PLAINFIELD AT TRI-WEST, 6 P.M.
HAMILTON HEIGHTS AT ALEXANDRIA, 7 P.M.
DECATUR CENTRAL AT SOUTHPORT, 7 P.M.
MUNCIE CENTRAL AT GREENFIELD-CENTRAL, 7 P.M.
RONCALLI AT FRANKLIN, 7 P.M.
COLUMBUS NORTH AT GREENWOOD, 7 P.M.
WEST LAFAYETTE AT DANVILLE, 7 P.M.
LEBANON AT BREBEUF JESUIT, 7 P.M.
LUTHERAN AT GUERIN CATHOLIC, 7 P.M.
COVENANT CHRISTIAN AT CARDINAL RITTER, 7:30 P.M.
SHELBYVILLE AND SALEM AT MADISON (THREE-TEAM JAMBOREE), 6:30 P.M.
EASTERN HANCOCK HOSTING JAMBOREE WITH SHENANDOAH, MONROE CENTRAL AND NORTH DECATUR, 7 P.M.
CASCADE AT PARKE HERITAGE, 7 P.M.
HOMESCHOOL CRIMSON KNIGHTS AT EDINBURGH, 7 P.M.
LAPEL AT HAGERSTOWN, 7 P.M.
MONROVIA AT BROWN COUNTY, 7 P.M.
MILAN AT TRITON CENTRAL, 7 P.M.
COVINGTON AT SHORTRIDGE, 7 P.M.
WASHINGTON AT PHALEN ACADEMY, 7 P.M.
IRVINGTON PREP VS. PURDUE POLY, AT HOWE, 7 P.M.
TINDLEY VS. TECH, AT BROAD RIPPLE, 7 P.M.
CHRISTEL HOUSE MANUAL AT TRI, 7 P.M.
CRAWFORDSVILLE AT SHERIDAN, 7 P.M.
INDIANA SRN FOOTBALL WATCH LIST 2023
QB DANNY O’NEIL CATHEDRAL 6-1 180
QB MASON REYNOLDS AVON 6-2 210
QB BRADY FISHER MISHAWAKA 6-3 205
QB MARSHALL KMIECIK NEW PRAIRIE 6-0 170
QB XANDER HUNT VINCENNES LINCOLN 5-10 170
QB JACE STUCKEY TRITON CENTRAL 6-3 180
QB JACKSON WILLIS INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN 6-2 175
QB BRAXTON BIRNER MACONAQUAH 5-10 160
QB THOMAS GOTKOWSKI BEN DAVIS 6-1 185
QB OWEN WANNER SOUTH ADAMS 6-1 180
QB TYLER CHERRY CENTER GROVE 6-5 210
QB DJ GORDON PARK TUDOR 6-0 200
QB AUSTIN KUNKEL SOUTH DEARBORN 6-0 180
QB ELI EDWARDS EASTERN 6-4 215
QB BRET PERRY SEYMOUR 6-2 190
QB IZAAK WRIGHT WABASH 6-2 160
QB MONTEZ JONES LAWRENCE NORTH 5-11 175
QB LUKE ERTEL MT. VERNON 6-1 170
QB BO POLSTON DECATUR CENTRAL 6-2 185
ATH DAMARION JACKSON LAFAYETTE JEFF 5-9 168
ATH DASH KING BLOOMINGTON NORTH 6-2 188
ATH RYAN BROTHERTON EAST CENTRAL 6-4 195
ATH ROLAND VERA FJ REITZ 5-9 170
ATH TANNER BOYD GIBSON SOUTHERN 6-0 175
ATH SAMUEL LOCKHART FLOYD CENTRAL 5-11 208
ATH BRADEN WALTERS LINTON-STOCKTON 6-0 180
ATH WYATT WOODALL SOUTHMONT 6-0 215
ATH ZACH BALES SHERIDAN 5-9 175
RB GLENN PATTERSON LAFAYETTE JEFF 6-0 175
RB GARRETT SHERRELL BROWNSBURG 5-8 185
RB KHOBIE MARTIN FISHERS 6-1 200
RB XAVIER WILLIAMS LAKE CENTRAL 5-11 215
RB JADEN HART MICHIGAN CITY 6-0 215
RB ANTONIO HARRIS CASTLE 6-1 183
RB JOSH RINGER EAST CENTRAL 6-2 195
RB DARRIAN STORY KOKOMO 5-11 205
RB TEAGAN BENNETT LAWRENCEBURG 5-9 180
RB BRAYTON BELCHER MONROVIA 6-2 190
RB ALEX DEMING ROCHESTER 5-10 200
RB SAWYER GUILLAUME PERRY CENTRAL 5-10 170
RB KEEGAN ELLIS CARROLL (FLORA) 6-3 215
RB ANTHONY SCHUH TRITON 6-1 215
RB TREY ROMINGER PAOLI 6-0 190
RB JALEN ALEXANDER HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 6-0 190
RB GRAYSON THOMAS NEW PALESTINE 6-0 187
RB LANCE MOSER BREMAN 5-11 170
RB NATHAN PARKER TIPPECANOE VALLEY 5-10 165
RB LOGAN SHOFFNER NOBLESVILLE 5-6 150
RB JAYDEN EAGLE EASTERN 5-9 190
RB JALEN THOMAS YORKTOWN 5-9 172
RB BRAYDEN SHRAKE MARTINSVILLE 5-10 175
RB GAGE ENGLE EASTBROOK 6-0 220
RB JAMES LEWIS EASTERN GREENE 5-10 165
RB DONTRELLE HARRIS HAMMOND MORTON 5-9 177
RB ALIJAH PRICE BEN DAVIS 5-7 165
WR BRAUNTAE JOHNSON FORT WAYNE NORTH SIDE 6-3 180
WR MYLAN GRAHAM NEW HAVEN 6-2 180
WR NOAH COY CENTER GROVE 5-10 175
WR AHMAD DUFF LAWRENCE CENTRAL 5-5 155
WR DREW CRUM-HIEFTJE BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 6-0 175
WR JACK PENNINGTON SEYMOUR 6-2 180
WR NITAREON TUGGLE NORTHWOOD 6-3 181
WR HAYDEN SUMMERS FJ REITZ 6-3 170
WR SEAN DELONG GIBSON SOUTHERN 5-11 180
WR TY’RON LARKIN JOHN GLENN 5-9 165
WR NICK WITTE LAPEL 6-3 210
WR PATRICK CLACKS III ANDREAN 6-1 185
WR KADEN MUCHERHEIDE NORTH DECATUR 5-10 145
WR COLTON POLLARD TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN 6-0 145
WR TERRELL CALDWELL CALUMET TECH 5-9 145
WR PAT CLACKS ANDREAN 6-1 185
WR LIAM BURTON WEST LAFAYETTE 5-10 150
WR CORBIN COOLEY BENTON CENTRAL 5-11 155
WR DONOVAN HAMILTON HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 6-4 190
WR COREY SMITH BROWNSBURG 6-2 160
WR AJANI WASHINGTON FW CONCORDIA 6-2 164
WR LANCE BUTLER INDIAN CREEK 5-11 160
WR JACK PENNINGTON SEYMOUR 6-3-175
WR TREY JONES MT. VERNON 5-11 162
WR COLIN GUY BISHOP CHATARD 6-0 160
TE AIDAN STEINFELDT BLOOMINGTON NORTH 6-4 234
TE ZACK MEEKS CATHEDRAL 6-6 220
TE BROCK SCHOTT LEO 6-3 205
TE NATHAN DICKENSON CENTERVILLE 6-2 210
TE KAYDEN RUBLE EASTERN HANCOCK 6-2 225
TE ETHAN PIERCE MILAN 6-0 183
OL ZACH BANDY AVON 6-5 290
OL JACKSON BELL HOMESTEAD 6-2 300
OL AUDEN JONES PENN 6-1 335
OL JEFFERY MESCHEDE CROWN POINT 5-9 260
OL HARRISON STOFER WARSAW 6-1.5 255
OL IAN MOORE NEW PALESTINE 6-6 290
OL COOPER (CJ) ZELTWANGER WEST LAFAYETTE HARRISON 6-5 300
OL STYLES PRESCOD HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 6-6 270
OL LANDON ROBERTS SOUTH BEND ADAMS 6-1 260
OL JORDAN KING FORT WAYNE NORTH SIDE 6-5 315
OL MATT HOFER VALPARAISO 6-5 275
OL MAX WYNALDA BLOOMINGTON NORTH 5-11 262
OL TIMOTHY DIXON EVANSVILLE NORTH 5-11 280
OL NOAH SCHNEIDER EAST CENTRAL 6-6 290
OL HARLEN SUMMERS FJ REITZ 6-3 255
OL BRAYDEN FLENER GREENFIELD CENTRAL 6-2 300
OL ZACK LEIGHTY EAST NOBLE 6-3 270
OL JOEL YAGER COLUMBIA CITY 6-0 225
OL BEN BECKER FRANKLIN COUNTY 5-11 250
OL JOSH HOLBA GUERIN CATHOLIC 6-3 250
OL ISAIAH JONES KNOX 6-5 315
OL DANIEL NASH VINCENNES LINCOLN 6-0 260
OL BEN BURGETT WEST LAFAYETTE 6-4 202
OL JJ BAXTER LAPEL 5-10 265
OL ERIK BEDOCK LAVILLE 6-3 260
OL JAKE BREEDLOVE LINTON-STOCKTON 6-6 285
OL BRADY BECK ROCHESTER 6-0 230
OL DANE SEBERT EASTSIDE 6-3 285
OL ZAC WURM ADAMS CENTRAL 6-4 280
OL LOGAN PARRISH HAGERSTOWN 6-4 265
OL COLE KOZECAR NORTH JUDSON-SAN PIERRE 6-3 255
OL NICK BARTELS TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN 6-4 275
OL KOLSON CLEMENS UNION CITY 6-5 270
DL MICHAEL THACKER NEW PALESTINE 6-1 270
DL ASHTON PESETSKI CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) 6’2 220
DL ARTEMIS BRYANT CARMEL 6-2 235
DL DANTU GARDNER JR LAWRENCE NORTH 6-5 220
DL WILLIAM GOODVINE WESTFIELD 6-2 235
DL BRADY WOLF FISHERS 6-2 205
DL TYSEN SMITH BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 6-3 220
DL ROSHAUN MCGEE MERRILLVILLE 6-1 270
DL TERRELLE ELMORE MERRILLVILLE 6-2 220
DL MARVIN CAMPBELL JR. DECATUR CENTRAL 6-1 235
DL STIHL SCOTT BOONEVILLE 6-5 250
DL LEVI OXELY FJ RIETZ 6-0 225
DL SETH RINDFUSS LOWELL 6-0 220
DL ELI BRIDGES LEBANON 6-3 315
DL COLLIN FOY HANOVER CENTRAL 6-3 285
DL TRAY ROSS DANVILLE 6-5 235
DL JULIAN MCMAHAN JOHN GLENN 6-4 215
DL BRODY KLEM GIBSON SOUTHERN 6-0 205
DL JOHNNY CRUZ BLUFFTON 5-11 295
DL ZACH HESS SOUTH VERMILLION 6-3 290
DL ELI EDWARDS EASTERN GREENTOWN 6-4 221
DL HUNTER WRIGHT EASTBROOK 6-2 200
DL TREVOR CURRIE ADAMS CENTRAL 6-2 195
DL ANDRE HERNANDEZ CARROLL (FLORA) 6-1 260
DL LEVI OSTLER CLINTON PRAIRIE 6-3 235
DL VANCE DISHMAN TRI 5-11 245
LB JUSTIN ANDERSON CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) 6-2 200
LB WILL CLARK CROWN POINT 6-4 230
LB CARTER MCKINSTRY LAWRENCE NORTH 5-10 220
LB MATAIO RUSSELL LAWRENCE CENTRAL 5-9 200
LB NYLAN BROWN BEN DAVIS 6’0 230
LB OWEN BRIGHT CENTER GROVE 6’0 220
LB LUKAS ROHRBACHER SNIDER 6-0 190
LB JACKSON SNYDER MISHAWAKA 5-11 185
LB RALPH ROGERS BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 6-0 180
LB LANDON DRENNAN PLAINFIELD 6-2 200
LB NICK JOHNSON HIGHLAND 6-4 220
LB BROCK THOMPSON NORTHRIDGE 6-3 195
LB ALEX BROSHEARS REITZ MEMORIAL 5-10 170
LB LANDON CLEMENTS MOORESVILLE 5-10 185
LB CANNON BRUNES WESTERN BOONE 6-0 225
LB LUKE PURRICHIA BISHOP CHATARD 6-0 194
LB BRAYDON DURHAM HERITAGE HILLS 6-0 190
LB ZAMARION JACKSON FORT WAYNE BISHOP LUERS 5-9 205
LB GAGE ENGLE EASTBROOK 6-0 200
LB TREY ROMINGER PAOLI 6-0 190
LB SPENCER TURNER EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 5-10 185
LB KEEGAN BLUHM ADAMS CENTRAL 6-2 195
LB JONNY HALL INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN 5-11 165
LB WILL HARRIS PARK TUDOR 6-0 200
LB AIDEN BEADLES SOUTH PUTNAM 6-3 215
LB SAM FEENEY BISHOP CHATARD 6-2 175
DB JOZIAH EDMOND WARREN CENTRAL 6-1 187
DB JAYON HARVEY FRANKLIN CENTRAL 5-10 175
DB BRADEN STEELY CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) 5-11 185
DB MICAH LILLARD LAFAYETTE JEFF 6-2 172
DB BRANDON LOGAN SNIDER 6-1 175
DB TYLER VERSCHURE VALPARAISO 5-8 160
DB NYRIUS MOORE-SMITH WHITELAND 5-10 152
DB TRE’VON STEPHENS MERRILLVILLE 6-1 205
DB STRATTON FULLER COLUMBIA CITY 5-11 165
DB REIS BEARD KOKOMO 5-7 145
DB KIRK KNECHT GREENFIELD CENTRAL 6-1 175
DB NOLAN SOUDERS PENDLETON HEIGHTS 5-10 170
DB WADE JONES TIPPECANOE VALLEY 6-5 198
DB CADE SHELTON NORWELL 6-3 180
DB AJANI WASHINGTON CONCORDIA LUTHERAN 6-2 180
DB JAKE CONROY KNOX 5-9 175
DB JIMMY FINLEY ANDREAN 6-0 155
DB WYATT STRATMAN EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 5-11 180
DB CALEB BOTTUM NORTH KNOX 5-11 170
DB BRINN ROBBINS LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 6-0 190
DB JACK HAMILTON ADAMS CENTRAL 5-10 160
DB GRIFFIN VINEY CARROLL (FLORA) 6-2 175
DB BRIAN WALL PROVIDENCE 6-1 170
DB COLE SHIVELY TRITON 6-1 175
K ZACH NAESSENS FRANKLIN CENTRAL 6-1 170
K DOMINIC DE FREITAS NORTHWOOD 6-0 155
K AUSTIN DELEON NORWELL 5-8 155
K GRAHAM FREUND BLOOMINGTON NORTH 5-11 165
K LEVI DEWEY TRITON CENTRAL 5-9 150
K LUKE MUNOZ COVENANT CHRISTIAN 5-8 142
P CLAY PINNICK FRANKLIN COMMUNITY 5-9 176
P JAKOB GUMP FORT WAYNE NORTHROP 6-1 210
P KADEN LARK LEBANON 5-10 165
P OWEN PELLE NORTHWESTERN 5-10 160
P LUCAS PLUMMER LAVILLE 6-2 180
P ZACHARY WEST EASTERN GREENE 5-6 145
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 1
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
| BOYLE COUNTY (KY.) | AT | GIBSON SOUTHERN | 6:00 PM | ||
| CENTER GROVE | VS. | ST. EDWARD (OHIO) | 12:05 AM | ||
| SOUTHSIDE HOMESCHOOL | AT | PHALEN ACADEMY | 5:00 PM |
INDIANA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER WATCH LIST
(STATS FROM LAST SEASON)
TOP SCORERS
TEAGUE MISNER, WESTVIEW 96 PTS, 40G, 16ASST
MAURICE REIMER, WEST LAFAYETTE 92PTS, 35G, 22ASST
MICAH FOSS, GREENCASTLE 91PTS, 33G, 25ASST
PATRICK CORADO, CRAWFORDSVILLE 87PTS, 39G, 9ASST
COOPER TODD, SWITZERLAND COUNTY 82PTS, 34G, 14ASST
MATT POLK, NORTHWESTERN 76PTS, 30G, 16 ASST
DALTON FULFORD, WHITE RIVER VALLEY 75PTS, 30G, 15ASST
ELI FALKENBERG, CARROLL FLORA, 74PTS, 26G, 22ASST
HUDSON FOX, BREMEN 72PTS, 27G, 18ASST
GIO ARRIAGA, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 64PTS, 26G, 12ASST
KERVENS SAINT PAUL, SPEEDWAY 61PTS, 27G, 7ASST
JASPER MARTIN, CONNERSVILLE 59PTS, 25G, 9ASST
GRANT DOHERTY, MT. VERNON 57PTS, 25G, 7ASST
ELIJAH BRACE, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 55PTS, 19G, 17ASST
KYLE CLAYTON, FISHERS 54PTS, 22G, 10ASST
JACOB HERTZ, SHAWE MEMORIAL 53PTS, 22G, 9ASST
OSCAR CANO, CULVER ACADEMIES 53PTS, 23G, 7ASST
ASHER DONAHUE, MUNCIE BURRIS 53PTS, 20G, 13ASST
FINN GRUVER, MUNCIE CENTRAL 52PTS, 19G, 14ASST
GRANT PORATH, BROWNSBURG 52PTS, 20G, 12ASST
RYOTARO NISHINA, CRAWFORDSVILLE 51PTS, 19G, 13ASST
PORTER PLEW, INDIANA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 51PTS, 24G, 3ASST
BRAYDEN STANLEY, DELTA 51PTS, 23G, 5ASST
NOAH WIKE, FWBC 51PTS, 24G, 3ASST
TYLER MCLAIN, MANCHESTER 50PTS, 22G, 6 ASST
ELLIOTT ZIMMERMAN, FWBC 48PTS, 18G, 12ASST
LUKE TERPSTRA, DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN 47PTS, 19G, 9ASST
MASON REEL, MISSISSINEWA 47PTS, 14G, 19ASST
NAMIK MEHIC, FORT WAYNE NORTHROP 47PTS, 20G, 7ASST
MAURO CASANOVA, BOONVILLE 47PTS, 23G, 1ASST
BRIAR ENGLISH,WHITE RIVER VALLEY 46PTS, 17G, 12ASST
IMANOL HERNANDEZ, DEKALB 46PTS, 18G, 10ASST
CALVIN KURZAWA, CATHEDRAL 45PTS, 17G, 11ASST
QUENTIN HESSE, PROVIDENCE 44PTS,18G, 8ASST
JOSH SEXTON, MUNCIE CENTRAL 42PTS, 18G, 6ASST
GIOVANNI GRANDA, HAMMOND NOLL 42PTS, 16G, 10ASST
RIJKARD UPCHRUCH, ROCK CREEK ACADEMY 41PTS, 17G, 7ASST
OWEN GILBERT, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP 41PTS, 17G, 7ASST
DOLAN BLAKELY, NORTH MIAMI 41PTS, 15G, 11ASST
CALEB WHITE, JAC-CEN-DEL 41PTS, 18G, 5ASST
CAM MARX, EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 41PTS, 20G, 1ASST
LIAM HANNON, MUNCIE BURRIS 41PTS, 14G , 13ASST
BRAYDON LOUDERMILK, SOUTH KNOX 41PTS, 17G, 7ASST
BRODIE TEKE, SOUTH DEARBORN 41PTS, 16G, 9ASST
NICO COCHS, WESTVIEW 40PTS, 13G, 14ASST
ANES DERVISEVIC, FORT WAYNE NORTHROP 40PTS, 16G, 8ASST
TANNER BEST, SCOTTSBURG 40PTS, 19G, 2ASST
KYLE OTWOROWSKI, HANOVER CENTRAL 40PTS, 18G, 4 ASST
ALEX JENNINGS, PORTAGE 39PTS, 14G, 11ASST
CAYDEN HARDEBECK, BENTON CENTRAL 39PTS, 17G, 5ASST
ELLIOT SCOTTEN, PARK TUDOR 39PTS, 13G, 13ASST
TOP GOALKEEPERS
(MIN. 15 GAMES PLAYED)
GAA
GENE KLUSMEIER, LANESVILLE 0.000
WESTON MCCLINTIN, WAWASEE 0.000
BLAKE FRALEY, CHARLESTOWN 0.000
BROCK HOOK, CASTON 0.000
TIMOTHY RODDY, OWEN VALLEY 0.000
PARKER MALLOW, NORTH MIAMI 0.155
JORDIN JONES, GREENFIELD-CENTRAL 0.412
ZEKIEL ZUKLEY, HAMMOND NOLL 0.412
EVAN MEYER, VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 0.448
VALENTINO CEVESE WESTVIEW 0.487
AIDEN FURNISH, SWITZERLAND COUNTY 0.517
BOBBY STYCK, NORTHVIEW 0.522
ADAM KELEHER, CARMEL 0.530
ZACH FLEMING, NEW ALBANY 0.693
ANGELO BADALOW, ZIONSVILLE 0.727
ADRIAN CAMARENA, FORT WAYNE LUERS 0.714
ALEXIS GARCIA ALVAREZ, BEN DAVIS 0.772
CAM JONIEC, HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 0.742
MICAH SYLTE, MISSISSINEWA 0.795
COLE THOMPSON, NOBLESVILLE 0.821
NOAH BALYEAT, MISHAWAKA MARIAN 0.850
TOMAS HERNANDEZ, GOSHEN 0.869
CHASE SPEARS, JASPER 0.879
BRANDON LOZA, CASTLE 0.879
BRADY SEATON, EVANSVILLE NORTH 0.886
NICK BOES, EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 0.966
ISAIAH WAGGONER, OLDENBURG ACADEMY 0.981
SAVES
NATE ROBERTSON, MITCHELL 300
LUCAS TOPPE, SCOTTSBURG 273
SCOTTY ERIKS, HEBRON 261
BRYLAN HEDDEN, BENTON CENTRAL 255
DYLAN ALTIC, WAPAHANI 204
GENE KLUSMEIER, LANESVILLE 202
ANGELO ANDERS, TAYLOR 195
BRAYLON HAHN, GREENSBURG 187
BRAYDON KENNEDY, GARRETT 186
LAYTON DOLVIN, COLONIAL CHRISTIAN 182
BRAYDEN BORDERS, WHITE RIVER VALLEY 177
CARTER WICKER, LIBERTY CHRISTIAN 177
LUKE CANNON, LA PORTE 175
MATTHEW CARTER, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 174
JORDIN JONES, GREENFIELD-CENTRAL 169
PORTER MISKE, INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN 162
GAGE GILBERT, SHOALS 160
ANDREW CHRISTMAN, NEW CASTLE 158
AIDEN WHITE, RISING SUN 152
EVAN MEYER, VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 150
DAKOTA C, BEECH GROVE 146
BRYCE GERLACH, CORYDON CENTRAL 145
TUCKER LOWE, MUNCIE CENTRAL 142
ALEC HUMMEL, MARION 142
SAM ZOLMAN, PRAIRIE HEIGHTS 140
BIG 10 WEEKLY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
MINNESOTA VS. NEBRASKA
THURSDAY, AUG. 31
WISCONSIN VS. BUFFALO
MICHIGAN STATE VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN VS. EAST CAROLINA
PURDUE VS. FRESNO STATE
RUTGERS VS. NORTHWESTERN
INDIANA VS. OHIO STATE
ILLINOIS VS. TOLEDO
MARYLAND VS. TOWSON
IOWA VS. UTAH STATE
PENN STATE VS. WEST VIRGINIA
WEEK 2
MARYLAND VS. CHARLOTTE
PENN STATE VS. DELAWARE
MINNESOTA VS. EASTERN MICHIGAN
ILLINOIS AT KANSAS
INDIANA VS. INDIANA STATE
IOWA AT IOWA STATE
NEBRASKA AT COLORADO
PURDUE AT VIRGINIA TECH
MICHIGAN STATE VS. RICHMOND
RUTGERS VS. TEMPLE
MICHIGAN VS. UNLV
NORTHWESTERN VS. UTEP
WISCONSIN AT WASHINGTON STATE
OHIO STATE VS. YOUNGSTOWN STATE
WEEK 3
MICHIGAN VS. BOWLING GREEN
WISCONSIN VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN
INDIANA VS. LOUISVILLE (IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN)
MINNESOTA AT NORTH CAROLINA
NEBRASKA VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS
NORTHWESTERN AT DUKE
ILLINOIS VS. PENN STATE
PURDUE VS. SYRACUSE
MARYLAND VS. VIRGINIA
RUTGERS VS. VIRGINIA TECH
MICHIGAN STATE VS. WASHINGTON
IOWA VS. WESTERN MICHIGAN
OHIO STATE VS. WESTERN KENTUCKY
WEEK 4
INDIANA VS. AKRON
ILLINOIS VS. FLORIDA ATLANTIC
PENN STATE VS. IOWA
NEBRASKA VS. LOUISIANA TECH
MICHIGAN STATE VS. MARYLAND
NORTHWESTERN VS. MINNESOTA
OHIO STATE AT NOTRE DAME
MICHIGAN VS. RUTGERS
PURDUE VS. WISCONSIN
WEEK 5
PURDUE VS. ILLINOIS
MARYLAND VS. INDIANA
MINNESOTA VS. LOUISIANA
NEBRASKA VS. MICHIGAN
IOWA VS. MICHIGAN STATE
NORTHWESTERN VS. PENN STATE
RUTGERS VS. WAGNER
WEEK 6
NORTHWESTERN VS. HOWARD
OHIO STATE VS. MARYLAND
MINNESOTA VS. MICHIGAN
ILLINOIS VS. NEBRASKA
IOWA VS. PURDUE
WISCONSIN VS. RUTGERS
WEEK 7
MARYLAND VS. ILLINOIS
MICHIGAN VS. INDIANA
WISCONSIN VS. IOWA
RUTGERS VS. MICHIGAN STATE
PURDUE VS. OHIO STATE
PENN STATE VS. UMASS
WEEK 8
MICHIGAN STATE VS. MICHIGAN
IOWA VS. MINNESOTA
NEBRASKA VS. NORTHWESTERN
OHIO STATE VS. PENN STATE
INDIANA VS. RUTGERS
ILLINOIS VS. WISCONSIN
WEEK 9
PENN STATE VS. INDIANA
NORTHWESTERN VS. MARYLAND
MINNESOTA VS. MICHIGAN STATE
WISCONSIN VS. OHIO STATE
NEBRASKA VS. PURDUE
WEEK 10
MINNESOTA VS. ILLINOIS
NORTHWESTERN VS. IOWA (IN CHICAGO, IL)
MICHIGAN STATE VS. NEBRASKA
RUTGERS VS. OHIO STATE
MARYLAND VS. PENN STATE
MICHIGAN VS. PURDUE
INDIANA VS. WISCONSIN
WEEK 11
ILLINOIS VS. INDIANA
NEBRASKA VS. MARYLAND
PENN STATE VS. MICHIGAN
OHIO STATE VS. MICHIGAN STATE
PURDUE VS. MINNESOTA
WISCONSIN VS. NORTHWESTERN
IOWA VS. RUTGERS
WEEK 12
IOWA VS. ILLINOIS
MARYLAND VS. MICHIGAN
INDIANA VS. MICHIGAN STATE
OHIO STATE VS. MINNESOTA
WISCONSIN VS. NEBRASKA
NORTHWESTERN VS. PURDUE
PENN STATE VS. RUTGERS
WEEK 13
NEBRASKA VS. IOWA
FRIDAY, NOV. 24
PURDUE VS. INDIANA
RUTGERS VS. MARYLAND
ILLINOIS VS. NORTHWESTERN
MICHIGAN VS. OHIO STATE
MICHIGAN STATE VS. PENN STATE
MINNESOTA VS. WISCONSIN
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK 0
SATURDAY, AUG. 26
NOTRE DAME VS. NAVY (DUBLIN, IRELAND) | 2:30 P.M. | NBC
MERCER VS. NORTH ALABAMA (MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
JACKSONVILLE STATE VS. UTEP | 5:30 P.M. | CBSSN
NEW MEXICO STATE VS. UMASS | 7 P.M. | ESPN
SAN DIEGO STATE VS. OHIO | 7 P.M. | FS1
VANDERBILT VS. HAWAI’I | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
JACKSON STATE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (ATLANTA, GEORGIA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
USC VS. SAN JOSE STATE | 8 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
LOUISIANA TECH VS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL | 9 P.M. | CBSSN
WEEK 1
THURSDAY, AUG. 31
WAKE FOREST VS. ELON | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
UCF VS. KENT STATE | 7 P.M. | FS1
GEORGIA STATE VS. RHODE ISLAND | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
WESTERN MICHIGAN VS. ST. FRANCIS (PA) | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
UCONN VS. NC STATE | 7:30 P.M. | CBSSN
MINNESOTA VS. NEBRASKA | 8 P.M. | FOX
MISSOURI VS. SOUTH DAKOTA | 8 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
UTAH VS. FLORIDA | 8 P.M. | ESPN
TULSA VS. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
UAB VS. NORTH CAROLINA A&T | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
ARIZONA STATE VS. SOUTHERN UTAH | 10 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
FRIDAY, SEPT. 1
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. HOWARD | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
MICHIGAN STATE VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN | 7 P.M. | FS1
MIAMI (FLA.) VS. MIAMI (OHIO) | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
GEORGIA TECH VS. LOUISVILLE (MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM IN ATLANTA) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
KANSAS VS. MISSOURI STATE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
HAWAI’I VS. STANFORD | 11 P.M. | CBSSN
SATURDAY, SEPT. 2
IOWA VS. UTAH STATE | 12 P.M. | FS1
KENTUCKY VS. BALL STATE | 12 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
LIBERTY VS. BOWLING GREEN | 12 P.M. | CBSSN
MICHIGAN VS. EAST CAROLINA | 12 P.M. | PEACOCK
PURDUE VS. FRESNO STATE | 12 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SMU VS. LOUISIANA TECH | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
TENNESSEE VS. VIRGINIA (NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE) | 12 P.M. | ABC
TCU VS. COLORADO | 12 P.M. | FOX
BOSTON COLLEGE VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
OKLAHOMA VS. ARKANSAS STATE | 12 P.M. | ESPN
OLE MISS VS. MERCER | 2 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
IOWA STATE VS. UNI | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
TEMPLE VS. AKRON | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
OHIO VS. LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
AIR FORCE VS. ROBERT MORRIS | 2 P.M. | ALTITUDE SPORTS
OREGON VS. PORTLAND STATE | 3 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
INDIANA VS. OHIO STATE | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
AUBURN VS. UMASS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
MARYLAND VS. TOWSON | 3:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
WISCONSIN VS. BUFFALO | 3:30 P.M. | FS1
WESTERN KENTUCKY VS. SOUTH FLORIDA | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
WASHINGTON VS. BOISE STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
NOTRE DAME VS. TENNESSEE STATE | 3:30 P.M. | NBC
PITT VS. WOFFORD | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
CINCINNATI VS. EASTERN KENTUCKY | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
TEXAS VS. RICE | 3:30 P.M. | FOX
APPALACHIAN STATE VS. GARDNER-WEBB | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
ARKANSAS VS. WESTERN CAROLINA | 4 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
MISSISSIPPI STATE VS. SE LOUISIANA | 4 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
NORTH TEXAS VS. CAL | 4 P.M. | ESPNU
SYRACUSE VS. COLGATE | 4 P.M. | ESPN+/ACCNX
GEORGIA VS. UT MARTIN | 6 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
CHARLOTTE VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA ATLANTIC VS. MONMOUTH | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
GEORGIA SOUTHERN VS. THE CITADEL | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
JAMES MADISON VS. BUCKNELL | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
MARSHALL VS. ALBANY | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL VS. MAINE | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
USC VS. NEVADA | 6:30 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
TEXAS A&M VS. NEW MEXICO | 7 P.M. | ESPN
UL MONROE VS. ARMY | 7 P.M. | NFL NETWORK
VANDERBILT VS. ALABAMA A&M | 7 P.M. | ESPN+/SECN+
COLORADO STATE VS. WASHINGTON STATE | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
BAYLOR VS. TEXAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
HOUSTON VS. UTSA | 7 P.M. | FS1
KANSAS STATE VS. SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
OKLAHOMA STATE VS. CENTRAL ARKANSAS | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
MEMPHIS VS. BETHUNE-COOKMAN | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHERN MISS VS. ALCORN STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
TROY VS. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
ALABAMA VS. MIDDLE TENNESSEE | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
ILLINOIS VS. TOLEDO | 7:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. NORTH CAROLINA (CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
PENN STATE VS. WEST VIRGINIA | 7:30 P.M. | NBC
WYOMING VS. TEXAS TECH | 7:30 P.M. | CBS
LOUISIANA VS. NORTHWESTERN STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN+
VIRGINIA TECH VS. OLD DOMINION | 8 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
TULANE VS. SOUTH ALABAMA | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
NEW MEXICO STATE VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
UTEP VS. UIW | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
ARIZONA VS. NORTHERN ARIZONA | 10 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
BYU VS. SAM HOUSTON | 10:15 P.M. | FS1
UCLA VS. COASTAL CAROLINA | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
SAN DIEGO STATE VS. IDAHO STATE | 10:30 P.M. | CBSSN
SUNDAY, SEPT. 3
RUTGERS VS. NORTHWESTERN | 12 P.M. | CBS
SAN JOSE STATE VS. OREGON STATE | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
FLORIDA STATE VS. LSU (ORLANDO, FLORIDA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
MONDAY, SEPT. 4
DUKE VS. CLEMSON | 8 P.M. | ESPN
NFL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10
HOUSTON AT NEW ENGLAND, 7:00
MINNESOTA AT SEATTLE, 10:00
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11
N.Y. GIANTS AT DETROIT, 7:00
GREEN BAY AT CINCINNATI, 7:00
ATLANTA AT MIAMI, 7:00
PITTSBURGH AT TAMPA BAY, 7:00
WASHINGTON AT CLEVELAND, 7:30
DENVER AT ARIZONA, 10:00
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12
INDIANAPOLIS AT BUFFALO, 1:00
TENNESSEE AT CHICAGO, 1:00
N.Y. JETS AT CAROLINA, 4:00
JACKSONVILLE AT DALLAS, 5:00
PHILADELPHIA AT BALTIMORE, 7:00
L.A. CHARGERS AT L.A. RAMS, 9:00
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13
KANSAS CITY AT NEW ORLEANS, 1:00
SAN FRANCISCO AT LAS VEGAS, 4:00
WEEK 2
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17
CLEVELAND AT PHILADELPHIA, 7:30
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18
CAROLINA AT N.Y. GIANTS, 7:00
CINCINNATI AT ATLANTA, 7:30
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19
JACKSONVILLE AT DETROIT, 1:00
MIAMI AT HOUSTON, 4:00
BUFFALO AT PITTSBURGH, 6:30
CHICAGO AT INDIANAPOLIS, 7:00
TAMPA BAY AT N.Y. JETS, 7:30
KANSAS CITY AT ARIZONA, 8:00
NEW ENGLAND AT GREEN BAY, 8:00
TENNESSEE AT MINNESOTA, 8:00
DENVER AT SAN FRANCISCO, 8:30
LAS VEGAS AT L.A. RAMS, 9:00
DALLAS AT SEATTLE, 10:00
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20
NEW ORLEANS AT L.A. CHARGERS, 7:05
MONDAY, AUGUST 21
BALTIMORE AT WASHINGTON (ESPN), 8:00
WEEK 3
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24
PITTSBURGH AT ATLANTA, 7:30
INDIANAPOLIS AT PHILADELPHIA (PRIME VIDEO), 8:00
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
DETROIT AT CAROLINA (CBS), 8:00
NEW ENGLAND AT TENNESSEE, 8:15
L.A. CHARGERS AT SAN FRANCISCO, 10:00
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
BUFFALO AT CHICAGO, 1:00
SEATTLE AT GREEN BAY, 1:00
CLEVELAND AT KANSAS CITY, 1:00
ARIZONA AT MINNESOTA, 1:00
N.Y. JETS AT N.Y. GIANTS, 6:00
CINCINNATI AT WASHINGTON, 6:05
MIAMI AT JACKSONVILLE, 7:00
BALTIMORE AT TAMPA BAY, 7:00
LAS VEGAS AT DALLAS, 8:00
L.A. RAMS AT DENVER, 9:00
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27
HOUSTON AT NEW ORLEANS (FOX), 8:00
WEEK 1 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
DETROIT LIONS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (THU) 7:20P (CT) 8:20P NBC
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
HOUSTON TEXANS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P CBS
TENNESSEE TITANS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 12:00P (CT) 1:00P CBS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT CHICAGO BEARS 3:25P (CT) 4:25P FOX
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT DENVER BRONCOS 2:25P (MT) 4:25P CBS
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 1:25P (PT) 4:25P CBS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 4:25P (ET) 4:25P CBS
LOS ANGELES RAMS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 1:25P (PT) 4:25P FOX
DALLAS COWBOYS AT NEW YORK GIANTS 8:20P (ET) 8:20P NBC
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW YORK JETS (MON) 8:15P (ET) 8:15P ESPN/ABC
TOP NATIONAL RELEASES/HEADLINES
NFL NEWS
The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted nine new members during Saturday’s enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
The Class of 2023 features DeMarcus Ware, Darrelle Revis, Zach Thomas, Joe Thomas, and Ronde Barber, as well as Joe Klecko, Ken Riley, and Chuck Howley in the seniors category and Don Coryell in the coaching category.
Revis, Ware, Zach Thomas, and Joe Thomas all donned their gold jackets before revealing their busts that will be immortalized inside the Hall of Fame. Here are some highlights from Saturday’s event:
Joe Thomas
Offensive tackle; Cleveland Browns; 2007-17
Thomas poked fun at the 20 quarterbacks he blocked for over the course of his illustrious NFL career.
Darrelle Revis
Cornerback; New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs; 2007-17
Jets fans showered Revis with cheers and chants, emphasizing the home-crowd environment.
Zach Thomas
Linebacker; Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys; 1996-2007
Thomas delivered an emotional tribute to former teammate and fellow Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau during his enshrinement speech.
DeMarcus Ware
Linebacker/defensive end; Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos; 2005-2016
In one of the more emotional moments during the enshrinement ceremony, Ware said he reserved seats for his former teammates Demaryius Thomas, Ronnie Hillman, and Marion Barber, all of whom died in the last two years.
Ken Riley
Cornerback; Cincinnati Bengals; 1969-1983
Ronde Barber
Cornerback/safety; Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 1997-2012
Joe Klecko
Defensive end/defensive tackle; New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts; 1977-1988
Klecko delivered one of the funnier moments of Saturday’s ceremony when he shared his wish to continue playing today – but only for the money.
Chuck Howley
Linebacker; Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys; 1958-1973
Don Coryell
Coach; St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Chargers; 1973-1986
COWBOYS AND SAFETY MALIK HOOKER AGREE ON A $24 MILLION, 3-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION
OXNARD, Calif. (AP) The Dallas Cowboys and safety Malik Hooker agreed Saturday on a $24 million, three-year contract extension.
Hooker was entering the final year of a two-year contract he signed with the Cowboys after a disappointing four-year career with Indianapolis, which drafted him 15th overall in 2017.
Hooker’s time with the Colts was marred by injuries, but he has stayed healthy since joining Dallas. Hooker has played 31 games over the past two seasons after being limited to 36 games with the Colts.
The 27-year-old tied Trevon Diggs for second on the club with three interceptions last season. Diggs, who led the NFL and tied a team record with 11 interceptions in 2021, just signed a $97 million extension.
Hooker, Donovan Wilson and Jayron Kearse have teamed to give the Cowboys their best group of safeties in years. Wilson is expected to miss most of training camp after straining a calf in the first practice.
FALCONS EXPECT CORNERBACK JEFF OKUDAH TO RETURN FROM ANKLE INJURY EARLY IN SEASON
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah is expected to return early this season after suffering a right ankle injury in Friday’s practice.
Falcons coach Arthur Smith said Saturday the team received “very positive news” on Okudah.
“We think he has a great chance to be back in the early part of the season,” Smith said. “We feel really good for Jeff, all things considered.”
The report from Smith was good news after Okudah had to be carted off the field on Friday, unable to put weight on his foot.
The Falcons acquired Okudah, the No. 3 overall NFL draft pick in 2020, from Detroit for a fifth-round draft pick as part of their offseason overhaul of the defense.
Injuries have hindered Okudah early in his career. He was limited by hamstring and shoulder injuries to nine games as a rookie with Detroit. The former Ohio State standout suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury one game into his second season.
Okudah started 15 games for the Lions in 2022 and had an interception, which he returned 20 yards for a touchdown, and a forced fumble with 73 tackles.
Okudah was working with A.J. Terrell as Atlanta’s first-team cornerbacks. Smith expressed confidence in the team’s depth at the position on Friday. Among candidates to fill in for Okudah are Tre Flowers, Mike Hughes, rookie Clark Phillips III, Dee Alford and Darren Hall.
BEARS SIGN 39-YEAR-OLD TIGHT END MARCEDES LEWIS TO 1-YEAR CONTRACT
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) The Chicago Bears signed veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis to a one-year contract on Saturday.
The 39-year-old Lewis – entering his 18th season – gives the Bears a blocking tight end to complement Cole Kmet and help protect quarterback Justin Fields. He spent the past five years with Green Bay after playing his first 12 with Jacksonville.
The 6-foot-6, 267-pound Lewis has 432 receptions for 5,084 yards and 39 touchdowns over 251 games and 221 starts. He is one of three tight ends, along with Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten, with at least 200 regular-season starts and 400 receptions.
JAGUARS OL TYLER SHATLEY RETURNS TO PRACTICE DAYS AFTER DEALING WITH AN IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Tyler Shatley is back at practice three days after dealing with an irregular heartbeat.
Coach Doug Pederson said Saturday that Shatley went into atrial fibrillation — a rapid heartbeat — following a hot and humid practice Wednesday.
“We got him right away, got him treated,” Pederson said. “He’s fine. He’s OK. He’s with the team. Everything’s calmed down. He’ll be out there today. He’ll be in uniform, but until he’s cleared, he’ll just work on the side and all that.”
Shatley was in full pads Saturday and doing some light work with the second-team offense. He sat out 11-on-11 drills.
The 32-year-old Shatley is Jacksonville’s longest-tenured player. He’s played in 128 games, with 45 starts, since making the roster as an undrafted rookie from Clemson in 2014.
SAINTS RB ENO BENJAMIN RUPTURES ACHILLES
New Orleans Saints running back Eno Benjamin ruptured his Achilles during Saturday’s training camp practice, coach Dennis Allen said.
Benjamin, who had to leave the field on a cart, will have surgery to repair the injury.
The news involving Benjamin comes one day after fellow Saints running back Alvin Kamara received a three-game suspension for his role in a nightclub altercation at Las Vegas in February 2022 that left a man injured. Offseason acquisition Jamaal Williams and third-round draft pick Kendre Miller are expected to pick up the slack in Kamara’s absence.
“Any time you lose one of your better players for any period of time, it’s disappointing, but I think a three-game suspension is a pretty good outcome for us,” Allen said of Kamara. “We’ll adjust accordingly and move forward.
“… The great thing about it is we know what it is and we know we’re going to have Alvin for 14 games and he’ll still be a big part of what we’re doing.”
Unfortunately for the Saints, the same cannot be said for Benjamin. He likely will miss the upcoming season.
Benjamin, 24, rushed for 313 yards and two touchdowns and had 25 catches for 193 yards while playing in 15 games last season split between the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans and Saints.
He has totaled 431 rushing yards and three touchdowns and 31 catches for 235 yards in 24 career games (three starts) with the Cardinals, Texans and Saints.
RANKING THE TOP NFL RUNNINGBACKS
Tier 1: Elite Fantasy RB1s
1. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey was second among running backs with 108 targets and 85 receptions last season. McCaffrey also carried the ball 244 times — no other running back with 75 or more receptions carried even 205 times in 2022.
In short, McCaffrey has the most unique and fantasy-relevant role in the NFL on one of the league’s most efficient offenses. Assuming the 49ers’ starting quarterback is Brock Purdy or Sam Darnold, both of whom will check the ball down frequently, McCaffrey is the running back to select at the top of fantasy drafts.
Because he was traded from Carolina to the 49ers midseason, there’s a chance McCaffrey will be even more integrated into this offense’s playbook in 2023. While Austin Ekeler’s reception uptick occurred due to injuries to the entire Chargers’ receiving core, McCaffrey always played with at least two of WRs Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and TE George Kittle.
Still, he averaged more than five receptions per game in the nine games played with at least a 50 percent snap share. That includes removing his partial performance from his first game with the 49ers (29 percent snap share) and his brief appearance in Week 18 when the 49ers demolished the Cardinals.
2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
After being selected at Pick No. 8 in the 2023 NFL Draft, it’s hard to see Atlanta doing anything other than giving Bijan Robinson a similar workload to rookie year Najee Harris (381 total touches).
Unlike Harris, Robinson is explosive, shifty and an excellent pass-catcher. The Falcons have a premium offensive line and should keep defenses honest with WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts in the receiving game. However, QB Desmond Ridder is not the archetype to check the ball down frequently to running backs. This team is unlikely to be near the top of the league in total touchdowns.
Additionally, Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson are competent enough that there’s a chance Robinson gets only 250-300 efficient touches as a rookie and finishes as a mid-to-low-end RB1.
Still, the floor is a top 10 RB, and the ceiling is RB1 overall. He’s the safest running back pick in fantasy football. He is arguably the best talent at the position in an above-average situation.
3. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Ekeler is the only running back to post at least 21 PPR points per game in each of the past two seasons. Part of the reason is that his 38 total touchdowns since 2021 rank first at the position by a margin of 12. James Conner is second with 26 in that span.
There are a few concerns with Ekeler, keeping him as my RB3. He’s 28 years old, with a smaller frame (5-foot-10, 200 pounds), and is coming off back-to-back seasons with at least 204 carries and 94 targets. That workload catches up to most running backs, particularly smaller ones like Ekeler.
New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore comes from Dallas, where they routinely employed a running back committee. Whether that’s Joshua Kelley, Isaiah Spiller or bringing in a veteran like Dalvin Cook or Ezekiel Elliott, there’s a moderately high chance Ekeler is splitting some of those valuable goal-line opportunities.
Finally, while Ekeler’s league-leading 107 receptions from last season demonstrate his elite receiving ceiling, it occurred due to multiple receiver injuries. The Chargers drafted Quentin Johnston in Round 1 to provide additional depth and play-making ability, so Ekeler’s receiving upside should be lower than in 2022.
Despite those concerns, Ekeler is a pass-catching back with a decent run game role, playing on one of the NFL’s best and fastest-paced offenses, which keeps him near the top of these rankings.
4. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Saquon Barkley has a better role than nearly every running back in fantasy football, with last year’s 295 carries and 76 targets reaffirming he’s one of the NFL’s last true bellcow backs.
While Barkley had the third most touches per game among backs, his 10 total touchdowns last season ranked 10th at the position. The Giants offense should be better in Year 2 of the Daniel Jones-Brian Daboll era, so we could see improvement from Barkley’s 17.8 PPR points per game last season, which ranked fifth.
5. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Nick Chubb has averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry in all five seasons. Now he has mobile QB Deshaun Watson, a replenished offensive line, and no Kareem Hunt to share the backfield with.
Chubb has two seasons with around 1,500 rushing yards and three seasons with double-digit touchdowns. He’s in for a strong season, with last year’s 1,764 total yards and 13 TDs as a nice expectation if he plays 17 games again.
While Chubb will never be a strong pass-catcher for fantasy football, he’s in a good spot to put up his first season above 300 receiving yards to complement his elite rushing profile. A realistic stat line that could cement Chubb as the RB1 overall is 1,600 rushing yards, 45 receptions for 300 receiving yards and 12-15 total touchdowns.
6. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry has at least 1,500 rushing yards in three of the past four seasons, an unreal rushing stretch. He’s reached double-digit rushing touchdowns each of the past four seasons, too.
Henry even emerged as a surprising pass-catching option in 2022. His 398 receiving yards were nearly double his previous career-high. Superstar receiver DeAndre Hopkins will help keep defenses honest, providing Henry with more favorable running lanes.
However, the already patchwork offensive line suffered another blow when starting right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended for the season’s first six games due to gambling. Henry will turn 30 before the season ends and plays behind one of the league’s worst blocking units.
Fortunately, he has made a career out of proving skeptics wrong, and based on his contract, this looks like the last time the Titans will employ Henry as their starting runner. He should comfortably average more total touches per game than every other back in 2023. He has a soft fantasy playoff schedule, too.
In Weeks 15-17, he faces the Texans twice, along with the Seahawks. Both units were top-four in fantasy points allowed to running backs last season.
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Tier 2: Low-End RB1 Types
7. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Tony Pollard has never reached 200 carries in a season, dating back through college. He’s an explosive runner and slick pass-catcher, but it’s an uphill battle for him to see the volume that the surrounding running backs in these rankings are likely to see.
While Dallas’ depth chart is currently barren, it’s almost a certainty the Cowboys will sign a veteran to take some of the workload off Pollard. Pollard was the RB8 per game last year, averaging 15.6 PPR points despite only running 12 times per game and catching 2.4 receptions per game.
Those numbers likely tick up in 2023 now that Ezekiel Elliott is gone and Pollard is on the franchise tag. Pollard should be one of the NFL’s most efficient backs, and the Cowboys had the No. 1 and No. 4 scoring offenses during the past two seasons, so the touchdown upside is evident. However, unless he sees pass-game usage on par with Ekeler, it’s incredibly difficult to imagine Pollard as a top-3 fantasy running back.
8. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
While Jonathan Taylor has demanded a trade, it’s hard to picture which team would take on the final year of his rookie contract and give up draft capital. For now, the assumption remains Taylor will stay with the Indianapolis Colts.
All Taylor analysis should start with new quarterback Anthony Richardson rather than the back’s injury-riddled 2022 campaign. Taylor is not unique; most backs have injury concerns when they’re getting 20 touches per game.
With Richardson, a highly mobile quarterback, there will be far fewer checkdowns to running backs because he’ll scramble for 5 yards instead.
Think of 2022 Miles Sanders as the parallel. He was given 15 highly efficient carries per game, with almost nothing in the receiving game. Sanders finished with 11 rushing TDs, and averaged just 12.2 half-PPR points per game, finishing as the RB16.
Taylor should get closer to 18-20 carries, which makes it difficult to project anything more than 15-16 points per game. With minimal pass-game usage and Richardson vulturing a few at the goal line, Taylor does not look like a first-round pick in fantasy football.
9. Breece Hall, New York Jets
If we knew Breece Hall would be healthy for Week 1 and that Dalvin Cook wasn’t signing with the Jets, Hall would have a good case to be in the Robinson range of these rankings.
Hall’s ACL recovery is ahead of schedule, according to every major media outlet. Even if he’s eased in to start the season, Hall still put up 16.4 PPR points per game last year despite averaging only seven carries per game through September.
In fact, Hall only reached a 60 percent snap share in three of his seven games and was below a 30 percent snap share in two of them. Hall has plenty of margin for error with his workload and recovery for fantasy football.
A healthy Hall with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback should result in top-three fantasy numbers by the fantasy playoffs, where all the money is won.
The injury adds risk to his profile, but we are trying to finish first out of 12 teams rather than fifth or sixth, so we want to chase the ceiling outcomes with these players rather than the most likely.
10. Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Etienne is the workhorse back in one of the NFL’s best offenses, and he carries premium Round 1 draft capital with him. Once James Robinson was off the team after Week 6, Etienne reached a 70 percent or higher snap share in eight of 11 games.
He topped 100 rushing yards in five of those contests, and despite having a smaller-than-expected receiving role, still finished the season with a respectable 316 yards through the air.
He’s a home run hitter with the ball in his hands, yet he only scored five total touchdowns on 255 touches. There’s serious untapped touchdown upside.
While third-round pick Tank Bigsby is joining this backfield, Etienne is better in every way. Bigsby most likely will be relegated to a breather-back role.
Advanced metrics also back up Etienne’s rushing prowess. Next Gen Stats had Etienne as the fourth-best runner in rushing yards over expected per attempt in 2022. He was only the RB19 per game from Week 7 onward — when he took over as the starter — but that was mainly due to his lack of touchdowns. Bet on the Jaguars offense and Etienne’s talent this season.
11. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon is the clear workhorse on an elite Bengals offense. He set career-highs in targets (75), receptions (60) and receiving yards (441) in 2022. He averaged at least 15 carries per game in the past five seasons.
Yet, he was out-snapped in two of the Bengals’ three playoff games last season by Samaje Perine. Mixon restructured his contract to remain with the Bengals, and he’s surrounded by three largely unproven backfield mates.
There is still a chance the Bengals sign another back to ease Mixon’s workload. He lacked a consistent ceiling in 2022, with only two games above 19 fantasy points. Yet, he had five games below 12 PPR points.
Mixon has put up back-to-back seasons with at least 17 fantasy points per game, is coming off career-high receiving usage and remains on a Joe Burrow offense. Mixon’s talent is concerning, but he should not be faded due to the situation.
12. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Josh Jacobs had a borderline historic 2022 season. His 393 total touches were the fifth most of the past decade, and his 2,053 scrimmage yards were the ninth most through the past 10 seasons.
Unfortunately, there are red flags with Jacobs for 2023 that prevent me from sliding him in as my RB3, despite his RB3 per game finish in 2022 (19.3 PPR points per game).
To begin, Jacobs isn’t practicing with the team and is threatening to hold out and miss games due to his lack of a longterm contract. New Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is mediocre and will be playing behind the worst offensive line of his career. He’s struggled with injuries throughout his career, and facing constant pressure in 2023 will not do him any favors.
Non-elite running back talents like Jacobs usually struggle in the season after a massive workload, and his league-leading 393 touches certainly qualify.
13. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Our own Ryan Reynolds has labeled Harris as “this year’s Josh Jacobs.” Harris often is passed over in fantasy drafts due to a lack of upside, yet he has most of the pieces in place for an elite fantasy season.
He has Round 1 draft capital to insulate him, a much improved Steelers offensive line and a quarterback in Kenny Pickett who could make a leap forward entering Year 2.
Harris led the NFL with 381 touches as a rookie with 74 of those coming through the passing game. Last year, he struggled with a foot injury before the season, which could have hampered him early on. Harris rounded into form down the stretch. He reached 80 rushing yards in six of his final nine games.
We’ve seen him put it together as both a runner and receiver before, but it’s looking increasingly likely Jaylen Warren will cut into his workload enough to prevent an elite fantasy outcome. The Steelers offense should be better than last year, but it’s almost certainly not a top unit yet.
Harris likely will put together a 2023 season somewhere behind his stellar rookie season (RB7 per game) and his disappointing 2022 campaign (RB18 per game).
14. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson was given 210 carries last season behind one of the NFL’s better offensive lines. Because Mac Jones is a stationary quarterback surrounded by below-average receiving talent, many pass plays ended in dump-offs to Stevenson.
His 17.3 percent target share ranked fourth among running backs last year. The Patriots once again have among the league’s worst receiving corps, so a high target share is likely once again.
While there is currently minimal competition for touches in this backfield, the Patriots have been bringing in veterans for tryouts. I’d expect someone like Leonard Fournette or Ezekiel Elliott to sign here.
Stevenson had 279 touches but only managed six total touchdowns, a number that should rise due to more competent coaching — Matt Patricia was severely underqualified to lead this offense as a play-caller last season. The overall workload should decrease from last season, but a few more touchdowns should mostly balance it out.
15. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
The Lions selected Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th pick in this spring’s draft. He will be playing behind a top offensive line alongside a statuesque quarterback in Jared Goff, who has a penchant for checking the ball down.
While Gibbs is undersized (roughly 199 pounds), he put up strong counting stats in college. He was second at Georgia Tech in total receiving yards as a freshman and came just 24 receiving yards behind the team’s leader in his sophomore season. He transferred to Alabama as a junior and immediately led the team in rushing yards and receptions while ranking third in receiving yards.
Think of him as a slightly smaller Alvin Kamara with better long speed. Or, a faster Ekeler. Either way, Gibbs should be highly fantasy-relevant in Detroit, even if he cedes the majority of the goal line carries to the much bigger David Montgomery.
The Lions had the most PPR fantasy points per game among all NFL backfields in 2022 despite D’Andre Swift missing significant time.
McCaffrey’s rookie season saw him command 117 carries and 113 targets (RB10 finish). I’d anticipate Gibbs’ rookie year to be similar but slanted more toward rushing work. An efficient 125-175 carries, 55-75 receptions and several long touchdowns should propel Gibbs to a low-end RB1-type fantasy finish.
Tier 3: One Red Flag Holding Them Back
16. D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles
While many view Swift changing teams as a positive because he’s on the Eagles — the team that led the NFL in rushing touchdowns by a considerable margin — I’m concerned the Lions gave up on him.
Talented players changing teams isn’t usually a positive for their fantasy outlook. Detroit was clearly tired of Swift’s injuries and inconsistent play. Still, Swift delivered spike weeks with three games above 21 PPR fantasy points in 2022.
Turning back toward the trade, there’s a lot to like for Swift in Philadelphia. Running back competition is minimal. The oft-injured Rashaad Penny, pass-catching backup Kenneth Gainwell, undersized Boston Scott, and 49ers flameout Trey Sermon comprise the remainder of this backfield.
Jalen Hurts has never targeted running backs at a high rate, but someone with Swift’s talent likely will shift that calculus, at least slightly. Swift always mixed in for goal-line carries and red zone targets in Detroit, so there’s significant scoring upside for him in an Eagles offense that scored 32 rushing touchdowns in 2022 — eight more than any other team. The Eagles have a great offensive line, allowing Swift to remain efficient on the ground and demonstrate his big-play abilities.
Swift is tough to project, as he could find himself in a timeshare that lacks target volume. There’s also a real possibility he gets 200 carries and 45 receptions on the NFL’s top-scoring offense. He’s a risky but tantalizing pick in the middle rounds.
17. Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker began his rookie season behind Penny and took off once Penny missed time due to injury. As the starter from Week 5 onward, Walker paced for 302 carries, 1,405 rushing yards and 30 receptions in a 17-game season.
He has home run speed and above-average vision while playing in a surprisingly strong Seahawks offense. The line is a strength, helmed by two offensive tackles who performed well as rookies, for Walker.
The massive thorn in his side is new Round 2 rookie Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet is the better pass-catcher and is a threat to Walker’s goal-line role. This is one of the more frustrating situations for fantasy, and Walker almost certainly needs a Charbonnet injury to have true fantasy upside.
While Walker’s groin injury and Charbonnet’s shoulder are concerning, until more information with a concrete timetable is released, I’ll assume both will be ready for Week 1.
To learn more about why Walker’s archetype often struggles in fantasy football, this research piece provides context into the fantasy points scored by non-pass-catching workhorse backs.
18. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
This is likely the highest you’ve seen Montgomery in fantasy rankings. His track record is stellar. Through four seasons, he’s averaged 229 carries, 39 receptions, 1,212 total yards and 7.5 touchdowns.
He’s never had fewer than 235 touches in a season, showcasing his durability. The Lions signed him to a three-year deal with $11 million in guarantees, a true investment in him.
While Gibbs is the better player, Montgomery has 25 pounds on him and is the favorite for goal-line work. Gibbs weighing 199 pounds will also cap his total volume, so Montgomery projects for around 250 touches heading into this season.
The Lions have a top offensive line, and the immobile Goff should target Montgomery often whenever he’s on the field. Montgomery likely provides low-end RB2 production each week, but should anything happen to Gibbs, Montgomery would be a locked-in top-8 fantasy option.
19. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
There is a stat floating around showing James Conner averages 22 fantasy points per game in non-Kyler Murray starts. Please don’t use that tiny sample to reach on Conner in fantasy drafts.
The Cardinals have a problematic offensive line, and Murray won’t return until midseason at the earliest. This offense will struggle to score touchdowns and matriculate the ball downfield.
Fortunately for Conner, he should see ample opportunities in the passing game, and his pure usage could very well be top-10 at the position. Conner might not be a starting option early in the season, but when Murray returns, I’ll be interested in this fast-paced offense that will be routinely playing from behind.
Conner’s career-high 55 receptions from 2018 are within play for 2023, and he managed 46 receptions through 13 games last season.
Conner is 28, and there will be injury concerns each season, but he could surge late in the season and become a key piece for those winning fantasy championships. He is also one of the few running backs where I’m comfortable projecting heavy volume, hence his inclusion in the top 20.
20. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
There is uncertainty with Kamara’s suspension, though most indications are it will happen sometime during the season. At times last season, Kamara had one of the best roles in all of fantasy.
He averaged 15 carries and nearly four receptions per game. However, he’s 28, and the Saints brought in veteran Jamaal Williams and drafted Kendre Miller in Round 3 of the draft.
New quarterback Derek Carr could elevate this offense, and the offensive line still looks strong on paper. The Saints also have the easiest schedule according to our own internal metric, so they could blow out many of their opponents, leading to Kamara touchdown spikes.
If you’re worried about his suspension and the enhanced backfield competition, I wouldn’t fault any low-volume drafter for avoiding him in their main home league. However, he’s the latest running back in fantasy drafts with a clear top-12 upside.
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
PREVIEW: USC
2022 Record: 11-3 overall, 8-2 in Pac-12
Head Coach: Lincoln Riley, 2nd year: 11-3, 7th year overall: 66-13
All things considered, what Lincoln Riley has done is come up with one of the best head coaching starts in the history of college football.
Except for the not winning anything massive thing.
It’s easy to forget that Riley is still so young – he’s going to turn 40 just as the season starts – and yet he already has five double-digit win seasons in his first six – and it would’ve been 6-for-6 but for 2020 going 2020 in a 9-2 campaign.
He has four Big 12 Championships, three College Football Playoff appearances, and there was an outside chance he could’ve had a fifth conference title and another CFP trip if his Heisman-winning superstar quarterback didn’t have to play on one leg in last year’s Pac-12 Championship.
No, really. Find the coach in the modern era with this kind of a consistent six-year run to start a career.
Barry Switzer. His first eight years were legendary, and there’s Chris Petersen at a slightly lower level, and Ryan Day is on his way after walking into a powerhouse. Other than that, when it comes to double-digit win seasons … Joe Paterno? 5-5 in 1966. Nick Saban? Michigan State. Bobby Bowden? No. Dabo? John Robinson? Phil Fulmer? Urban? Close, but not quite. Bob Stoops? Yeah, but after a 7-5 first season.
We can keep going – there are more – but you get the idea. Even without a national title, Lincoln Riley has been a fantastic so far with as much pressure as anyone could walk into at two separate places.
All he did was take over for Stoops – who’s still among the most underappreciated head coaches of all-time – and make Oklahoma stronger. All he did was walk into USC – no expectations there – and take the program from meh to amazing in a snap.
And people complained about the 2022 USC defense?
This wasn’t a given. It wasn’t obvious that just anyone could’ve stepped into the job and restored the glory. And what’s most amazing is how it all actually worked according to plan.
There’s no school – even Notre Dame or Alabama or Michigan – with the mixture of history, expectations, media market, national recognition, money, facilities, weather, bright lights, coolness, EVERYTHING that better fits the modern era of the sport.
Coaching staff, top-flight college, transfer portal, NIL, palm trees, and next year, a seat at the table in the biggest conference going business-wise- USC has a perfectly crafted college football program.
All that’s missing are the national championships.
USC Trojans Preview: Offense
Well thatworked. In came Lincoln Riley, in came offensive coordinator Josh Henson, and in came a college football all-star team of transfers that meshed together better than anyone could’ve dreamed of – seriously, don’t take for granted that there was zero continuity from 2021 – and KABOOM. If that wasn’t enough, now the attack has Kliff Kingsbury hanging around as a quarterbacks coach and offensive analyst.
No. 3 in the nation in total and scoring offense and passing. No. 1 in fewest turnovers. No. 2 in third down conversions, and it all came together by having the No. 1 player in college football.
Caleb Williams stepped into the Oklahoma offense in the middle of the Texas game two years ago, and that was it. He’s been brilliant ever since with a fascinating mixture of athleticism, smarts, cockiness, drive, and ultra-efficient passing that could make him Riley’s best quarterback ever.
Now the almost certain No. 1 pick in the 2024 – collapse for Caleb – he has to stay healthy after throwing for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns and five picks with ten touchdown runs. Star recruit Malachi Nelson and sophomore Miller Moss will battle it out for the No. 2 gig.
Yeah, there’s a chance the the USC receiving corps could be even better despite losing Jordan Addison to the Minnesota Vikings. Kyle Ford defected to UCLA, but four of the top six wideouts are back to go along Arizona transfer Dorian Singer – he isn’t Addison talent-wise, but he’s not terribly far off.
Veterans Tahj Washington, Mario Williams, Brendan Rice, and Michael Jackson are still in place, terrific prospect Duce Robinson is in the tight end mix with Lake McRee, and they all have a guy who should be starting for the Carolina Panthers pitching to them.
It’s hard to keep running the ball when 13 has a shot to make things happen, but the Trojans need to keep on getting their backs consistent work. Travis Dye is done, but Austin Jones and South Carolina transfer MarShawn Lloyd should provide a killer 1-2 punch. Williams will add at least 300 rushing yards, but the less he has to take off, the better.
The big overall stats for the offensive line are a bit off. With a playmaker like Williams there will be more sacks and more tackles for loss, but there were times when the line did its job by lining up and blasting away. Now it needs to do that a bit more, even with a ton of turnover up front.
Jarrett Kingston (Washington State) and Emmanuel Pregnon (Wyoming) are ready-to-roll guards coming in, and the pressure is on Michael Tarquin (Florida) to step in and protect the Heisman quarterback’s blind side.
USC Trojans Preview: Defense
Here was the task. Go out into the transfer portal and find the defensive parts to do for that side what all the new guys did last year for the offensive side.
It’s not like the D didn’t get its share of transfers last year, but that was more of a mish-mosh of guys than collection of killers like the offense had.
However, for all of the problems against the run, and the melt down against Tulane, and the major issues on third downs, the USC defense did two things really, really well: get to the quarterback, and take the ball away. It might have allowed a bazillion yards, but the defense was fifth in the nation in takeaways.
Now the big plays have to keep coming while becoming more than a speed bump for opposing ground attacks, so …
Welcome to the transfer portal. The defensive front isn’t totally starting over, but for all intents and purposes, it is. The overall production could change instantly if the tackle combination of Kyon Barrs (Arizona), Jack Sullivan (Purdue) and Bear Alexander (Georgia) does what it’s supposed to.
Barrs and Sullivan would’ve been the best players on their respective lines, and now they’re Trojans. The ends aren’t quite as good, but the scheme – and the work done but the terrific new tackles – should get Jamil Muhammad (Georgia State), Anthony Lucas (Texas A&M), and Solomon Tuliaupupu into the backfield.
The line should be better, but the biggest overall production improvement should come from the linebacking corps. Shane Lee was second on the team with 78 stops, Eric Gentry was third with 71, and coming in to eat up everything is Oklahoma State’s Mason Cobb. Flip a coin between Barrs and Cobb for who’s going to be the guy who takes over and becomes the new star of the Trojan D.
Outside of Arizona CB Christian Roland-Wallace, the USC secondary is mostly full of in-house talent from last year. S Max Williams led the team with 79 stops, and the combination of Bryson Shaw and Calen Bullock will be among the best in the Pac-12.
The corners are hardly a concern, but Roland-Wallace has to be the terrific four-year playmaker he was for the Wildcats, Tre’Quon Fegans (Alabama) is a big-time talent, and there are a ton of young corners on the other side led by sophomore Ceyair Wright.
USC Preview 2023: Keys To The Season, Top Players, What Will Happen
Stop the run, stop the run, stop the run. You don’t think defensive coordinator Alex Grinch is making sure everyone in the room feels haunted daily by the Cotton Bowl? The Trojans gave up over 300 rushing yards on nine yards per carry in the loss to Tulane, and that was after the D couldn’t help out the O and its injured quarterback by getting steamrolled by Utah for 223 yards in the Pac-12 Championship.
The Stanford game was a bit tougher than it should’ve been, and the UCLA game was a 48-45 fight. Those were the two other times the run defense allowed over 200 yards.
Overall, the Trojans allowed 4.9 yards or more per pop eight times. This year the stats will be there early – there’s no one on the slate who’ll be able to run at a high level over the first seven games – and then comes Notre Dame and Utah. Everything has to be working by mid-October.
USC Trojans Top Transfer, Biggest Loss
LB Mason Cobb in from Oklahoma State, OT Courtland Ford gone to Kentucky. USC is winning the transfer portal game so hard that it can all but pick and choose two good prospects for every one that leaves, but it’s still not a plus to lose a left tackle with high-end NFL upside who’s about to start for an SEC team. The 6-6, 305-pound Ford can play inside or out, and now he’s trying to come back after a star-crossed 2022 after a slew of health issues kept him on the sidelines.
Cobb might not be the most talented new Trojan, but he’s a terror. After two years of being a small part of the Oklahoma State rotation, 96 tackles, two sacks, 13 tackles for loss – he’s a big-time all-around producer in the middle who’ll hit everything and get behind the line when needed. He’s big for the improvement of the run D, but not quite as vital as …
USC Trojans Key Player
Kyon Barrs, DT Sr. Several transfers are about to make a big impact – seriously, get ready for a whole lot of Cobb – but the most important might be Barrs. For a run defense that has to be night-and-day better, a fifth-year guy who came up with over 100 tackles with five sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss at a high level at Arizona is exactly what the Trojan D needs.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: OREGON DUCKS
2022 Record: 10-3 overall, 7-2 in Pac-12
Head Coach: Dan Lanning, 2nd year: 10-3
Well this all changed in a hurry.
Just when it seemed like Oregon was going to settle in and get ready to make a big run in the Pac-12 season, the Big Ten swooped in and changed the narrative. The national focus will be on the conference move in 2024, but this year’s team will make a whole lot of noise, too. So, before leaving …
How does Oregon take that one extra step?
The program was seven points away from playing for the Pac-12 Championship for the fourth straight season, and with a shot at the College Football Playoff – and yes, had Oregon somehow pushed past both Washington and Oregon State, and then USC in the title game, at 12-1 with a Power Five title it would’ve been in over Ohio State and/or TCU despite the 49-3 loss to Georgia to open the season, and …
Ask 2022 Alabama, Clemson, and USC about the what a close call loss or two gets you in the College Football Playoff chase.
Oregon won ten games or more in three of the last four years, and it won the 2020 Pac-12 title despite finishing 4-3 in the outlier year. It won ten games or more in ten of the last 15 seasons, nine in two other seasons, played in two national title games, six conference championships, played in another, and yet it still seems like the program is taken for granted.
Part of it is location. Part of it is the annual biff-the-national-title-hopes-away-against-a-mediocre-team confounding loss. And part of it is because the team tapped out of the CFP chase well before the finish line in every season since losing to Ohio State for the national title in 2014.
The talent has been there, the recruiting has been great, and the coaching has been more than good enough. And then there’s an odd performance at Stanford in 2021 – all but neutralizing the win at Ohio State earlier in the year – and the misfire at Arizona State in 2019, and the way it loses when people are watching like 49-3 to Georgia, like the 2019 collapse to Auburn, like the problems against Utah in 2021.
So what does Oregon need to do to go from amazing to that other unrealistic level reserved for the Georgia and Alabamas and Ohio States of the world? Besides wait until 2024 when it has an easier path to win the Pac-12 title and get into an expanded CFP, it has to keep growing with its rising star head coach and do what it did last year, only with a little more defense.
Dan Lanning was nine years old when Rich Brooks took Oregon to the Rose Bowl in the 1994 season. He was working as a position coach at a Missouri high school when Chip Kelly almost pulled off a BCS Championship against Cam Newton and Auburn, and he was a secondary coach at Sam Houston when Zeke Elliott and the Buckeyes were running and rolling in the first College Football Playoff National Championship.
He’s still a very young coach – he’ll be 38 this October – going into his second season ever as a head man. He and his staff figured out the transfer portal in a hurry, he’s at a school with what should be a built-in NIL pipeline, and he won ten games last season with an offense that finished sixth in the nation and a D that … let’s just say could use some improving.
However, the offense has one big issue …
Oregon Ducks Preview: Offense
The Duck attack was amazing last year – sixth in the nation overall, fifth in passing efficiency, tenth in scoring offense, and No. 1 in sacks allowed. Now the production has to be repeated even with a slew of replacements on the offensive front.
The experience might not be there on the line, but some of the decent 2s – like Steven Jones and Jackson Powers-Johnson for the inside – will be great with former Texas star recruit Junior Angilau taking over one guard spot. The tackles, though, should be the real stars. 6-4, 300-pound Josh Conerly was a huge get for the program last year and now should shine at left tackle, and 6-5, 310-pound Rhode Island transfer Ajani Cornelius could’ve gone to any team in America.
The running backs didn’t get to see much of the spotlight with everything the passing game did, but Bucky Irving, Noah Whittingham, and Jordan James combined for over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in a rotation, and all of them can catch. Irving is the best of the bunch – four 100-yard games in the last seven outings – but the most dangerous runner is …
Bo Nix. Seriously, last year at this time you couldn’t get any SEC snob to stop snickering at the idea of Nix – who was good in three years at Auburn, but nothing amazing – being a legitimate Heisman candidate and NFL Draft prospect. That’s exactly what he is now after hitting 72% of his passes for 3,593 yards and 29 touchdowns to go along with 510 rushing yards and 14 scores. The receiving parts are there to do even more.
Troy Franklin has first round draft pick upside coming off a breakthrough 61-catch season for 891 yards and nine scores, TE Terrance Ferguson has All-Pac-12 upside after making 32 grabs with five scores, and ready to roll are a slew of high end transfers. Tez Johnson (Troy), Traeshon Holden (Alabama), and Gary Bryant Jr. (USC) will all make a whole lot of noise.
Oregon Ducks Preview: Defense
The defense should’ve been a whole lot better with the talent it had – no pass rush, the third round stops weren’t there, a few disastrous meltdowns – and now it’ll give it another shot thanks to the transfer portal. Oregon lost a ton through the portal, but it’s bringing in some fantastic new parts for what should be an overall upgrade.
It starts with a secondary that lost CB Christian Gonzalez to the New England Patriots, but Trikweze Bridges is back after making 49 tackles with three picks at one corner spot. The transfers will take care of the rest. Kyhree Jackson (Alabama) and Nikko Reed (Colorado) will fill in at corner, and safeties Evan Williams (Fresno State) and Tysheem Johnson (Ole Miss) are going to be statistical stars.
The line couldn’t do much of anything in the backfield. This year there’s no excuse with All-Pac-12 performer Brandon Dorlus on one side and South Carolina transfer Jordan Burch about to be a terror on the other. Popo Aumavae and Taki Taimani will hold their own on the nose, and Casey Rogers is a big veteran who’ll be great again returning to his tackle spot.
The linebacking corps loses Noah Sewell to the Chicago Bears, but it gets back Jeffrey Bassa on the inside and Mase Fun on the outside. Now it’s up to Iowa transfer Justin Jacobs to be another Sewell – the NFL talent is there, but he wasn’t able to stay healthy for the Hawkeyes last season.
Oregon Preview 2023: Keys To The Season, Top Players, What Will Happen
Oregon Ducks Key to the Season
Get the pass rush going again. It’s been a few years since Oregon was great at getting into the backfield. With Kayvon Thibodeaux leading the way, the Ducks generated 41 sacks in 2019, and that’s part of the reason why the defense allowed offenses to convert just 33% of their third down chances. The 2020 pass rush struggled – averaging 1.7 sacks per game – and the third down stops slowed. The same went for 2021 when the D averaged a mere 1.64 sacks per game.
In 2022, Oregon averaged just 1.39 sacks per game, came up with a mere 18 on the year, and shock of shocks, the defense allowed teams to convert a whopping 46% of their third down tries. And that’s why …
Oregon Ducks Top Transfer, Biggest Loss
DE Jordan Burch in from South Carolina, LB Justin Flowe gone to Arizona. Burch is more of a big end than a pure pass rusher, but for a team that needs both, he might be exactly what the D needs. He made 105 stops with 12.5 sacks in his three years at South Carolina, and now it’s his job to shine on the other side of Brandon Dorlus.
A whole lot of former Ducks are about to play big roles on a whole lot of other teams, but none of them have the intriguing upside of Flowe. The one-time super-recruit had injury problems early on and was never able to put it together, making 50 tackles in three seasons. There’s a shot it doesn’t work at Arizona, but if he’s healthy and finds his game, he could be an All-Pac-12 star with a limitless ceiling.
Oregon Ducks Key Player
Ajani Cornelius, OT Jr. The great offensive production last year started with a veteran line that was supposed to be among the best in college football, and it was. Stars Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Alex Forsyth, and TJ Bass are gone, but talent-wise there’s a shot the Ducks just upgraded up front. Josh Conerly has every tool in the bag at one tackle, and getting Cornelius for the other side was massive.
The 6-5, 310-pounder over of New York City started his football career late in high school life, but the late bloomer still received offers from a slew of HBCUs and FCS schools. He ended up at Rhode Island, needed a year to get his feet wet, and turned into a whale of a pass blocker over his next two seasons. Oregon needs him to be ready for prime time right away at right tackle to help fill out the reworked line.
ALL-AAC PRE-SEASON TEAM
FIRST TEAM
QB Frank Harris, UTSA
RB Jermaine Brown Jr., UAB
RB Larry McCammon III, FAU
WR De’Corian Clark, UTSA
WR Joshua Cephus, UTSA
WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice
TE Oscar Cardenas, UTSA
T Marcus Bryant, SMU
T Donovan Jennings, USF
G Gabe Blair, North Texas
G Justin Osborne, SMU
C Sincere Haynesworth, Tulane
DI Roderick Brown, North Texas
DI Fish McWilliams, UAB
Edge Trey Moore, UTSA
Edge Eyabi Okie, Charlotte
LB Jordan Magee, Temple
LB Kobe Wilson, SMU
CB Mac McWilliams, UAB
CB Nicktroy Fortune, UTSA
S Kam Pedescleaux, Tulane
S Kendarin Roy, Tulsa
Flex Keondre Swoopes, UAB
K Collin Rogers, SMU
P Joe Doyle, Memphis
RS Lawrence Keys III, Tulane
SECOND TEAM
QB Michael Pratt, Tulane
RB Blake Watson, Memphis
RB Kevorian Barnes, UTSA
WR Jha’Quan Jackson, Tulane
WR Roderic Burns, North Texas
TE David Martin-Robinson, Temple
T Makai Hart, UTSA
T Rashad Green, Tulane
G Davion Carter, Memphis
G Prince Pines, Tulane
C Branson Hickman, SMU
DI Nick Booker-Brown, UTSA
DI Patrick Jenkins, Tulane
Edge Mazin Richards, North Texas
Edge Darius Hodges, Tulane
LB Colin Ramos, Navy
LB Myron Morrison, Rice
CB Charles Woods, SMU
CB Jarius Monroe, Tulane
S Armani-Eli Adams, FAU
S Rashad Wisdom, UTSA
Flex Gabriel Taylor, Rice
K Valentino Ambrosio, Tulane
P Lucas Dean, UTSA
RS Kaylon Horton, North Texas
THIRD TEAM
QB Seth Henigan, Memphis
RB Ayo Adeyi, North Texas
RB Ikaika Ragsdale, North Texas
WR LaJohntay Wester, FAU
WR Jordan Kerley, SMU
WR Amad Anderson Jr., Temple
TE Jordan Smith, Temple
T Kaci Moreka, North Texas
T Clay Servin, Rice
G Febechi Nwaiwu, North Texas
G Terrell Haynes, UTSA
C Brady Wilson, UAB
DI Elijah Chatman, SMU
DI Evan Anderson, FAU
Edge Drew Tuazama, UAB
Edge Jaylon Allen, Memphis
LB Jamal Ligon, UTSA
LB Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, Memphis
CB Ridge Texada, North Texas
CB Jalen McMurray, Temple
S Kelechi Nwachuku, UTSA
S Jonathan McGill, SMU
Flex Jarron Morris, FAU
K Seth Morgan, Memphis
P Ryan Bujcevski, SMU
RS Chris Carpenter, UTSA
ALL-CONFERENCE USA PRE-SEASON TEAM
FIRST TEAM
QB Austin Reed, Western Kentucky
RB Anwar Lewis, Jacksonville State
RB Marquis Crosby, Louisiana Tech
WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
WR Smoke Harris, Louisiana Tech
WR Tyrin Smith, UTEP
TE Sean Brown, Jacksonville State
T Steven Hubbard, UTEP
T X’Zauvea Gadlin, Liberty
G Elijah Klein, UTEP
G Justin Mayers, UTEP
C Andrew Meyer, UTEP
DI Marley Cook, Middle Tennessee
DI Keenan Stewart, UTEP
Edge Praise Amaewhule, UTEP
Edge JaQues Evans, Western Kentucky
LB Tyrice Knight, UTEP
LB Devyn Curtis, Middle Tennessee
CB Willie Roberts, Louisiana Tech
CB Upton Stout, Western Kentucky
S Rome Weber, Western Kentucky
S Tra Fluellen, Middle Tennessee
Flex Jamal Potts, FIU
K Jacob Barnes, Louisiana Tech
P Joshua Sloan, UTEP
RS Smoke Harris, Louisiana Tech
SECOND TEAM
QB Hank Bachmeier, Lousiana Tech
RB Lexington Joseph, FIU
RB Ron Wiggins, Jacksonville State
WR Ife Adeyi, Sam Houston
WR Michael Mathison, Western Kentucky
WR Cyrus Allen, Louisiana Tech
TE Josiah Miamen, FIU
T Mark Goode, Western Kentucky
T Zuri Henry, UTEP
G Clay Webb, Jacksonville State
G Quantavious Leslie, Western Kentucky
C Abraham Delfin, Louisiana Tech
DI Jordan Guerad, FIU
DI Kendy Charles, Liberty
Edge Jaylen Swain, Jacksonville State
Edge Chris Hardie, Jacksonville State
LB Donovan Manuel, FIU
LB Kolbi Fuqua, Jacksonville State
CB Teldrick Ross, Middle Tennessee
CB Daijahn Anthony, Liberty
S JoJo Evans, FIU
S Jakobe Thomas, Middle Tennessee
Flex Cecil Singleton Jr., Louisiana Tech
K Zeke Rankin, Middle Tennessee
P Daton Montiel, FIU
RS Shedro Louis, Liberty
THIRD TEAM
QB Gavin Hardison, UTEP
RB Deion Hankins, UTEP
RB Frank Peasant, Middle Tennessee
WR Sterling Galban, Jacksonville State
WR C.J. Daniels, Liberty
WR Noah Frith, Liberty
TE Jacob Jenkins, Liberty
T Carson Bruno, Louisiana Tech
T Shiyazh Pete, New Mexico State
G Vincent Murphy, Western Kentucky
G Brendan Schlitter, Liberty
C Canaan Yarro, New Mexico State
DI Terrion Thompson, Western Kentucky
DI Sterling Webb, New Mexico State
Edge Zaylin Wood, Middle Tennessee
Edge Aakil Washington, Liberty
LB Kavian Gaither, Sam Houston
LB Drew Francis, Middle Tennessee
CB Kobe Singleton, Liberty
CB Hezekiah Masses, FIU
S Jeremiah Harris, Jacksonville State
S D’Verick Daniel, FIU
Flex Brandon Bishop, Liberty
K Ethan Albertson, New Mexico State
P Tom Ellard, Western Kentucky
RS Lexington Joseph, FIU
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
MLB ROUNDUP: WHITE SOX OVERCOME BRAWL, DISPATCH GUARDIANS
Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Vaughn, Oscar Colas and Elvis Andrus homered for the visiting Chicago White Sox before their 7-4 win against the Cleveland Guardians was marred by a bench-clearing brawl in the sixth inning on Saturday evening.
Jose Ramirez slid head-first into second base between the legs of Chicago shortstop Tim Anderson after delivering an RBI double. Both players exchanged words before throwing punches, the last of which knocked Anderson on his back.
Both dugouts and bullpens emptied and multiple skirmishes continued for several minutes before Ramirez, Anderson, both managers, Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase and Cleveland third-base coach Mike Sarbaugh were ejected.
Chicago starter Michael Kopech (5-10) limited the Guardians to two runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings. Guardians starter Noah Syndergaard (1-5) allowed all four home runs in his second start since he was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Will Brennan had two hits and two RBIs for Cleveland, which ended a three-game losing streak with a 4-2 win against the White Sox in the opener of the three-game series on Friday night.
Brewers 3, Pirates 2 (10 innings)
Rookie Blake Perkins ripped an RBI single in the 10th inning to give Milwaukee a win over visiting Pittsburgh.
Milwaukee tied it in the ninth, and Victor Caratini opened the 10th as the automatic runner on second. Pirates left-hander Angel Perdomo (2-2) struck out Brian Anderson and intentionally walked Mark Canha. Christian Yelich’s groundout moved the runners up. William Contreras was intentionally walked to load the bases ahead of Perkins’ hit.
Sal Frelick’s RBI single tied the game in the ninth for the Brewers, who have won three of their last five games. Jason Delay hit a two-run double for the Pirates, who have lost three of four.
Yankees 3, Astros 1
Jake Bauers hit a tiebreaking homer with one out in the fifth inning off Justin Verlander and host New York got a win against Houston.
Rookie Anthony Volpe hit a sacrifice fly in the second off Verlander, and Gleyber Torres opened the eighth with a homer off Kendall Graveman. It was Torres’ 17th blast of the season.
Nestor Cortes returned from a rotator cuff strain and went the first four innings since he was on a pitch count following two rehab starts. In his first start since May 30 in Seattle, the left-hander allowed only one run, Jose Altuve’s 200th career homer, with two outs in the third.
Tigers 4, Rays 2
Jake Rogers drove in three runs and host Detroit spoiled Aaron Civale’s debut with Tampa Bay.
Akil Baddoo hit a solo home run and scored two runs for Detroit. Left-hander Tarik Skubal (2-1) collected the victory while giving up one unearned run in 5 1/3 innings. Beau Brieske got the last out to record his first career save.
Civale (5-3), acquired from the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline, allowed three runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings with no walks and four strikeouts. He had a 7-0 record in 10 previous starts against the Tigers.
Cubs 8, Braves 6
Home runs by Dansby Swanson and Jeimer Candelario capped a five-run first inning and host Chicago went on to beat Atlanta.
Ian Happ also homered and Cody Bellinger had two hits, two runs and an RBI. Candelario also finished with two hits and two runs. Cubs reliever Michael Fulmer (3-5) picked up the win after working 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Matt Olson hit his 38th homer and Ozzie Albies smacked his 25th for the Braves. Starter Bryce Elder (8-3) took the loss, giving up seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks. He struck out three.
Rangers 9, Marlins 8
Robbie Grossman clubbed a three-run homer to help Texas overcome a five-run deficit en route to a victory over Miami in Arlington, Texas.
The Rangers trailed 5-0 before Grossman ripped his eighth homer of the year in the fourth. Texas starter Jon Gray (7-5) earned the win, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out six.
Jake Burger pulled Miami within a run with his two-run shot in the ninth, but Will Smith retired the next two batters he faced to pick up his 20th save of the season.
Blue Jays 5, Red Sox 4
Brandon Belt had a solo homer and added a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth as visiting Toronto defeated Boston.
Toronto has won the first two games of the three-game series after losing the first seven games between the teams this season.
Rafael Devers hit a three-run home run for Boston. Toronto right-hander Jose Berrios (9-7) allowed three runs and six hits with six strikeouts and no walks in 5 2/3 innings.
Nationals 7, Reds 3
Spot starter Joan Adon was perfect over five innings and retired the first 17 batters he faced to lead Washington to its second win in two games over host Cincinnati.
Lane Thomas, who bashed two homers Friday night, got two more hits and two RBIs on Saturday. Keibert Ruiz doubled twice and walked for the Nationals.
TJ Friedl hit a three-run homer for the slumping Reds, who dropped their fifth straight game. They committed four errors for the second time in four games and fell to 9-13 since the All-Star break. Cincinnati has been outscored 54-24 during the five-game slide.
Phillies 9, Royals 6
Trea Turner, Philadelphia’s struggling $300 million shortstop, hit a go-ahead homer, doubled and drove in four runs, leading the Phillies to a comeback win against visiting Kansas City.
The teams leveled a three-game series as the Phillies kept pace in the National League wild-card race, while the Royals had their season-high, seven-game winning streak come to an end.
Neither starting pitcher figured in the decision. Matt Strahm (7-3) got the win with two scoreless innings of relief, while Angel Zerpa (0-1) took the loss. Craig Kimbrel earned his 19th save with a scoreless ninth.
Orioles 7, Mets 3
Gunnar Henderson and Anthony Santander homered and Baltimore won for the sixth time in seven games by defeating visiting New York.
Kyle Gibson struck out nine in seven innings to become the Orioles’ first 11-game winner of the season. Baltimore racked up 12 hits, including seven for extra bases, and led the rest of the way after the second batter in the bottom of the first inning.
Gibson (11-6) walked one while allowing three runs on four hits. Danny Coulombe and Yennier Cano each worked an inning in relief. Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor joined Jeff McNeil with two hits for the Mets, who have dropped their last six road games.
Athletics 2, Giants 1
Seth Brown delivered a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth inning for host Oakland, which edged San Francisco in the opener of a two-game interleague series between the Bay Area rivals.
Jordan Diaz hit a solo homer for the Athletics, who ended a four-game losing streak. Joc Pederson lofted a sacrifice fly for the Giants, who entered Saturday atop the National League wild-card standings but had their three-game winning streak snapped.
The Giants scored the game-tying run in the top of the eighth against Angel Felipe and Trevor May (3-4) before the Athletics answered in the bottom half of the inning against Ryan Walker (4-1) and Scott Alexander.
Twins 12, Diamondbacks 1
Ryan Jeffers went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double and four RBIs as Minnesota cruised to its third consecutive victory, rolling past Arizona in Minneapolis.
Max Kepler went 3-for-4, including a tape-measure homer, and Michael A. Taylor homered for the third straight game for Minnesota, which increased its American League Central lead to 3 1/2 games over Cleveland while pounding out 17 hits.
Kenta Maeda (3-6) picked up the win, allowing one run on two hits over six innings. He struck out seven and retired the final 14 batters he faced. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homered for Arizona, which lost its fifth straight game. Ryne Nelson (6-6) suffered the loss, allowing six runs on eight hits over three innings.
Cardinals 6, Rockies 2
Willson Contreras and Tommy Edman each drove in two runs as St. Louis defeated visiting Colorado.
Tyler O’Neill hit a homer for the Cardinals, who won for just the third time in their last nine games. Ryan McMahon hit his 100th career home run for the Rockies, who lost for the third time in four games.
Cardinals starting pitcher Steven Matz (3-7) held the Rockies to one run on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six. Rockies starter Ty Blach (1-1) allowed four runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out two.
REPORT: METS OWNER STEVE COHEN PROMISES TRADES WILL PAY OFF
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen is looking forward to better days ahead.
The New York Post reported that Cohen sent a letter to season ticket holders on Saturday to assure them the front office’s recent spate of trades has set up the Mets for a bright future.
In a separate text message to the Post, Cohen promised the Mets would field a strong team in 2024, even though the real fruits of the trade haul might not be seen for a few years.
“We will be competitive in ’24 but I think 25-26 is when our young talent makes an impact,” Cohen wrote. “Lots of pitching in free agency in ’24. More payroll flexibility in ’25. Got a lot of dead money in ’24.”
In the letter, obtained by the Post, Cohen said how disappointed he was by the 2023 season, in which the Mets had a payroll north of $350 million.
The Mets enter their road game Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles with a 50-59 mark and in fourth place in the National League East. Before the trade deadline, the Mets dispatched Cy Young Award winners Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, outfielders Tommy Pham and Mark Canha, and closer David Robinson in trades.
“We added several key pieces to our team, but things have not turned out how we planned,” Cohen said in the letter. “You are rightfully disappointed and so are we.
“This is not where we wanted to be in 2023. Our goal is to be a consistent contender. The only way to do this in a sustainable way is to build a pipeline of high caliber talent in our farm system that will fuel our major league team for years to come.”
Among the players the Mets received in the trades were Double-A infielder Luisangel Acuna, the brother of Atlanta Braves MVP candidate Ronald Acuna, who is ranked in the top 50 prospects in baseball.
“Our front office was able to acquire young, exciting athletes who excel in multiple facets of the game. These include top prospects, infielders Luisangel Acuna, Marco Vargas, Jeremy Rodriguez, Jeremiah Jackson, outfielders Drew Gilbert, Ryan Clifford, catcher Ronald Hernandez and right-handed pitchers Justin Jarvis, Coleman Crow and Landon Marceaux,” he said.
“It’s going to be fun watching them rise through our system as they develop and learn to win together.”
A’S DESIGNATE LAUREANO FOR ASSIGNMENT
The Oakland Athletics designated struggling outfielder Ramon Laureano for assignment, the club announced Saturday.
The A’s also released veteran catcher Manny Pina and reinstated speedy outfielder Esteury Ruiz from the 10-day injured list amid a flurry of roster moves.
Laureano has spent his entire six-year career with the Athletics. The 29-year-old has struggled this season to the tune of a .213 average with six home runs and 21 RBIs across 64 games.
Laureano is under team control for an additional two campaigns beyond 2023. His best season came in 2019 when he posted a 127 wRC+ with 24 home runs, 13 stolen bases, and 67 RBIs in 123 games.
Ruiz has been sidelined since early July with a right shoulder subluxation. The 24-year-old still leads the American League with 43 stolen bases despite missing more than one month of action.
NBA NEWS
CAVS’ RICKY RUBIO STEPS AWAY FROM BASKETBALL, CITES MENTAL HEALTH
Veteran Cleveland Cavaliers and Spain national team point guard Ricky Rubio is taking a pause from basketball to concentrate on his mental health, he announced Saturday.
“I have decided to stop my professional activity to take care of my mental health. I want to thank all the support I have received from the [Spanish national] team to understand my decision,” Rubio said in a statement issued by the Spanish Basketball Federation.
“Today #family makes more sense than ever. Thank you. I would ask that my privacy be respected so that I can face these moments and be able to give more information when the time is right.”
He was scheduled to play for defending champion Spain at the 2023 FIBA World Cup later this month. He left the team’s training camp in Madrid earlier this week.
Rubio, 32, has been in the public eye since he became a household name in Spain at 15, thanks to his flashy style of play.
The Timberwolves selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2009 draft, but he played two more seasons in Spain before heading to the NBA. He has 698 career appearances (603 starts) with Minnesota (2011-17, 2020-21), Utah Jazz (2017-19), Phoenix Suns (2019-20) and Cleveland.
He has career averages of 10.8 points, 7.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds over 29.6 minutes per game.
In July 2022, Rubio signed a three-year, $18.44 million contract with $16.25 million in guarantees to stay with Cleveland.
But a torn ACL sustained in his first season in Cleveland limited him to 33 games (two starts) after rejoining the team in the middle of the team in the 2022-23 season. He averaged 5.2 points, 3.5 assists and 2.1 rebounds over 17.2 minutes per game.
REPORT: NUGGETS F VLATKO CANCAR TEARS ACL IN EXHIBITION GAME
Nuggets forward Vlatko Cancar sustained a torn ACL in his left knee while playing in an exhibition game for Slovenia, The Denver Post reported Saturday.
Cancar landed awkwardly on his knee after executing a dunk during the fourth quarter of Slovenia’s 88-77 loss to Greece on Friday. Slovenia is preparing to participate in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup later this month.
Hunter Tyson and Peyton Watson likely will receive a larger workload off the bench for Denver in the upcoming season in place of Cancar.
THe 6-foot-8 Cancar, 26, averaged 5.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 60 games (nine starts) last season with the NBA champion Nuggets.
He has contributed 3.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 130 career games (11 starts) since being selected by Denver in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft.
GOLF NEWS
HORSCHEL, GLOVER TIED FOR THE LEAD AT WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) Lucas Glover and Billy Horschel started the Wyndham Championship as long shots to advance to the PGA Tour postseason. Now they have reason to think about winning.
Glover had great control Saturday, hitting every fairway and missing only one green, on his way to an 8-under 62. That gave him a share of the lead with Horschel, who fought his swing toward the end and still managed a 63.
They were at 18-under 192, one shot ahead of 36-hole leader Russell Henley. He rolled in a sweeping birdie putt from just inside 30 feet on the last hole for a 65.
The Wyndham Championship is the final PGA Tour event before the lucrative postseason, and only the top 70 advance to the FedEx Cup playoffs next week in Memphis, Tennessee. That’s a change from previous years, when the top 125 made the postseason.
Glover came into Sedgefield Country Club at No. 112 and without a win in more than two years. But he has been building to this point, with three finishes of sixth or better in his last four tournaments, and he put it together on a warm, sunny day that began to dry out the course.
He finished with birdies on his last two holes, a wedge that landed near the pin and settled 2 feet away on the 17th, and a 6-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole.
Horschel, who is No. 119 in the standings, began his day under a tree right of the first fairway. He chopped out across the fairway into rough, used the contour of the green to run a wedge into 8 feet and escaped with par.
He went on to a bogey-free round and scores of 62-63 that give him a chance to extend his season, having already booked a trip to the Bahamas with his family next week.
Justin Thomas also stayed in the mix, at least for his season. He posted a 66 that moved him into a tie for 11th, and while the nine-shot deficit is likely too much ground to make up, he is on the verge of sneaking into the top 70 to extend his season.
Thomas has never missed the postseason since his rookie season in 2015. Even more is at stake this year. He is under consideration as a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup, and it would make such a choice more difficult if he doesn’t have a place to play the next three weeks.
“It’s a different kind of nerves,” Thomas said. “It’s a lot harder than trying to win a golf tournament, in my opinion. I think when you’re trying to win a tournament you’re there and if you don’t win it’s a bummer, but you still had a great week. If I just don’t get it done for what I need to get done this week, then it sucks and my year’s over.”
Byeong Hun An, already a lock for the postseason, had a 65 and was three shots behind. Stephen Jaeger (64) was at 13-under 197, the only other player within five of the co-leaders.
Horschel and Glover are dealing with setbacks of different varieties. Glover had been working through a spell of the yips when he switched to a long putter at the Memorial, the version that has worked well for Adam Scott.
He missed a 2-foot putt in a playoff with a U.S. Open spot at stake in a qualifier, but he has been finding his groove in recent weeks.
“It’s nice to feel you can make all your tap-ins for a change,” Glover said with a laugh. “I was down to two options, the long one or left-handed. … This seemed to work. It’s been streaky, but I like the freedom it’s given me mentally.”
Horschel has been struggling with his swing all year, and it reached a low point when he shot an 84 at the Memorial and held back tears speaking to the media about the state of his game. Horschel has yet to register a top 10 in stroke play this year.
Suddenly, he feels as though he knows where the ball is going, and his confidence was growing even after a few loose swings took him out of birdie chances toward the end.
“I had really good control, really good tempo until the last two holes,” Horschel said.
Horschel and Glover each could advance to the postseason with a runner-up finish, though both have a bigger goal they are chasing.
Scoring has been so good that Henley shot 65 and could barely keep up. Even so, he’s right there at a tournament that he felt got away from him two years ago.
“You’re going to get lapped if you’re just playing for par out here,” Henley said.
WOLFF GOES AFTER FIRST LIV WIN. HE’S TIED WITH PUIG AT THE GREENBRIER
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) Matthew Wolff made enough birdies to offset a few mistakes Saturday for a 3-under 67 that gave him a share of the lead with David Puig at LIV Golf-Greenbrier.
The third and final round is wide open on the Old White course at Greenbrier Resort, with nine players separated by only two shots.
That includes former U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, one of the marquee signings for the Saudi-funded league who has yet to win in LIV Golf.
DeChambeau had a 61 and joined Richard Bland (63) and Talor Gooch (64) just one shot behind. Gooch already has three wins on LIV this year.
Puig made up a two-shot deficit on Wolff and briefly took the lead with three straight birdies on the back nine until he dropped a shot on the 13th, and Wolff birdied the 14th.
Wolff had the 54-hole lead over DeChambeau at Winged Foot in the 2020 U.S. Open until DeChambeau shot 67 on the final day to win by six shots. Wolff took time off the following year for mental health issues and says his goal Sunday is to commit to shots and accept the outcome. At stake is a $4 million payoff to the winner.
The group at 10-under 130 featured Mito Pereira (62), Brendan Steele (63), Branden Grace (64) and Harold Varner III (67).
In the team competition, Puig and Pereira led Torque to a four-shot lead over Stinger, the team of South African players.
BOUTIER TAKES 3-SHOT LEAD AT THE WOMEN’S SCOTTISH OPEN
IRVINE, Scotland (AP) Celine Boutier took a three-shot lead at the Women’s Scottish Open after posting a 6-under 66 in the third round on Saturday.
Boutier, who won the Évian Championship last Sunday, had eight birdies and two bogeys in her round. The 29-year-old Frenchwoman is 13 under overall.
“I feel like my expectations have definitely been higher,” Boutier said. “Like even when I miss a good shot or I make a bogey, I definitely get more annoyed. So I definitely have to keep my expectations kind of like level and not get too far ahead of myself.”
Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit (66) is tied for second with Swede Maja Stark (72).
“You learn every day when you play golf. You learn every single round, after every single shot,” Tavatanakit said. “So I’m just really having fun learning so far. And it’s links, so anything could happen. I feel like if you play good, you also need a little bit of luck, and it’s been helping me so far.”
Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom (68), is a further shot back in fourth.
Overnight leader Hinako Shibuno, who won the Women’s British Open in 2019, is in a three-way tie for sixth after a 5-over 77.
WNBA NEWS
JEWELL LOYD POURS IN 32 POINTS AS STORM TOP MERCURY
WNBA scoring leader Jewell Loyd scored 17 of her 32 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Seattle Storm to a 97-91 victory over the host Phoenix Mercury on Saturday night.
Ezi Magbegor had 19 points and seven rebounds as the Storm (7-20) improved to 3-0 against the Mercury this season. Gabby Williams added 14 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals and Sami Whitcomb made four 3-pointers while also scoring 14 points.
Diana Taurasi scored 28 points and Brittney Griner added 22 for Phoenix (7-20), which has dropped five of its last six games. Griner returned from a three-game absence tied to her mental health.
Sophie Cunningham and Megan Gustafson added 13 points apiece for the Mercury, who shot 50.7 percent from the field, including 6 of 23 from 3-point range. Phoenix reserve Shey Peddy sustained a head injury in the second quarter and was taken off the court via stretcher and transported to a hospital.
Seattle made 47.2 percent of its attempts and was 8 of 22 from behind the arc.
Loyd scored four points during a 7-0 push that gave the Storm an 85-79 lead with four minutes remaining.
Phoenix moved within 89-87 on Griner’s three-point play with 2:31 left. Neither team scored again until Loyd banked in a trey to make it a five-point margin with 1:03 remaining.
Taurasi’s basket with 51.1 seconds left moved the Mercury within three. But Whitcomb had the ball with the shot clock running down and rapidly tossed a shot up that swished through the hoop to make it 95-89 with 27 seconds left as Seattle closed it out.
Peddy was hurt with 1:34 left in the first half. Phoenix said at halftime that Peddy had movement in her limbs.
Peddy was hit in the right side of her head by an elbow from Seattle rookie Jordan Horston. The initial foul call was upgraded to a flagrant foul.
After Peddy was hurt, Phoenix scored the final seven points of the first half to hold a 50-41 lead at the break.
The Storm trailed by eight early in the third quarter before scoring 22 of the next 29 points to take a 68-61 lead. The Mercury scored the final four to trail by three entering the final stanza.
NHL NEWS
FLYERS G SAMUEL ERSSON SIGNS 2-YEAR EXTENSION
The Philadelphia Flyers signed goaltender Samuel Ersson to a two-year, $2.9 million contract extension Saturday that spans through the 2025-26 season.
Ersson, 23, split last season between the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League and Flyers. He posted a 24-17-1 record with one shutout, a 2.84 goals-against average and .900 save percentage in 42 games with Lehigh Valley and a 6-3-0 mark with one shutout, 3.07 GAA and .899 save percentage in 12 games (10 starts) with Philadelphia.
Prior to his time in North America, Ersson spent three seasons with Byrnas IF Gavle of the Swedish Hockey League.
AUTO RACING NEWS
NASCAR CUP SERIES POINTS LEADER MARTIN TRUEX JR. RE-SIGNS WITH JOE GIBBS RACING FOR 2024
BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) — Martin Truex Jr. is returning for another run with Joe Gibbs Racing, signing a deal to compete in NASCAR races again next year.
The Cup Series points leader made the announcement after he qualified fifth for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
“I don’t know if all the guys know yet,” Truex said.
Truex’s teammate, Christopher Bell, won the pole and didn’t hear the news until earlier Saturday.
“He’s got a couple more wins in him,” Bell said. “I was not expecting him to retire this year.”
The 43-year-old Truex certainly has not shown signs of slowing down this season, winning three times. Like Truex did last year, though, he took his time making a decision about his future after publicly pondered retirement.
“It didn’t feel right to not come back and keep doing what we are doing,” he said. “Excited to get that out of the way and continue to work on this year and excited for next year as well, too.”
The 82-year-old Gibbs playfully nudged Truex to make the call earlier this summer.
“He tells me the same thing every year, that I’m right in the middle of trying to make this decision,” Gibbs said last month. “I go, come on, what are you talking about, man? You’re making money, you’re having fun, you’re driving race cars. Come on.”
KEVIN HARVICK MAKES A LAST RUN AT MICHIGAN, AIMING TO SECURE SPOT IN NASCAR PLAYOFFS
BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) Kevin Harvick has fond memories of Michigan International Speedway, where he won for the sixth time last summer.
Harvick is just not real interested in waxing poetically about the track before making one last run on it Sunday in the FireKeepers Casino 400.
“Michigan has been a great place for us, but when we leave it’s over,” he said. “I’m not coming back.”
It’s not personal. It’s business.
While the 47-year-old Harvick may return to the Irish Hills region of southern Michigan as a TV analyst and potentially for his managing and marketing company, he has no plans to race on the two-mile oval again in the future.
The 2014 Cup champion announced in January he’s retiring after this year.
“If I would’ve had it my way, I would’ve just been done last year,” he said.
Harvick came back because he knows it’s not just about him, considering the people on his team that count on him for their careers and the many fans who have helped him become rich and famous.
On Friday night, Harvick signed autographs for several hundred people who lined up to meet and greet him at FireKeepers Casino about 50 miles west of MIS.
“That’s what this year is for,” he said. “Obviously, you want to end it well and win and be competitive.”
Harvick is No. 6 in the Cup standings, but he hasn’t finished first in a race since his 60th and last Cup victory at Michigan last year ended a 65-race winless drought.
He may need to win once more – with four races remaining in the regular season – in the No. 4 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing to end his career in the playoffs for the 14th straight year.
“I don’t feel any pressure,” said Harvick, who was 22nd in qualifying.
At the start of his career, he had plenty of pressure at the start of his career as Dale Earnhardt’s replacement just days after his fatal crash in 2001.
Harvick, who is from Bakersfield, California, made the most of his opportunity two-plus decades ago when he won his third start. He had much more success over the years with signature wins at the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Brickyard 400 and Southern 500.
“He’s left a great legacy in our sport,” driver and team owner Brad Keselowski said. “He’s won a lot of races, a Cup championship, Xfinity titles, truck titles as an driver and owner. That’s a pretty good mark that I don’t know anyone else can lay claim to, let alone taking over an iconic ride with Earnhardt’s car and all the pressures that came with that.
“With time, we’ll recognize him for the icon he is and was in our sport.”
THE GRID
Christopher Bell won his second pole of the season, and the sixth of his career. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, in the No. 20 Toyota, turned a lap at 193.382 mph for the fastest qualifying performance since the Daytona 500 in 2020.
Bell is hoping his fast car can help him finish well after placing 18th or lower in four of his last five races.
Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing will start second followed by rookie Ty Gibbs, who drives for his grandfather’s team, Joe Gibbs racing.
Chris Buescher of RFK Racing qualified fourth, coming off a win at Richmond that gave him the 12th of 16 spots in the postseason. Points leader Martin Truex Jr. will start the 200-lap race fifth in the 37-car field.
SUSPENDED
Legacy Motor Club driver Noah Gragson was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR and his team for liking an insensitive meme with a photo of George Floyd’s face on social media. Josh Berry will be in the No. 42 Chevrolet in Gragson’s place.
COMING BACK
Truex is returning for another run, signing a deal to continue competing for Joe Gibbs Racing next year.
The 43-year-old Truex has not shown signs of slowing down, winning three times. Like Truex did last year, though, he took his time making a decision about his future after publicly pondered retirement.
FORD TOUGH
Ford Motor Co. has won eight straight races at Michigan since Kyle Larson won a third straight race in a Chevrolet at the tack in 2017.
ODDS AND ENDS
Truex is the betting favorite Sunday, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
JOSEF NEWGARDEN CHASING 1ST INDYCAR WIN AT HIS HOMETOWN RACE IN NASHVILLE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Josef Newgarden can cap a week that started with Tennessee naming a day after him by taking a big step closer to a third IndyCar Series championship.
Standing in his way is the Music City Grand Prix on Sunday. This is his home race, which has proven quite a challenge the past two years.
“It’s a unique opportunity in that I only get one shot of that every year,” Newgarden said. “Kind of like the Indy 500.”
Newgarden won the Indianapolis 500 in May, and he’s tied with points leader Alex Palou with four wins this season by sweeping the doubleheader in Iowa for Team Penske in the series’ last stop.
The issue for the Tennessee native is all his wins, pushing his career total to 29, have come on ovals while Nashville is a long road course.
Newgarden’s best finish here came last year when he started and finished sixth. This 2.1-mile race with 11 turns around the downtown streets of Nashville has proven very challenging for all drivers with seemingly more crashes than green flag racing over the first two years.
He said street courses can always be a little chaotic. Nashville features the IndyCar Series’ longest street race with 80 laps and 168 miles over the 2.1-mile course, and it’s a bumpy, 11-turn layout highlighted by drivers going back and forth the bridge over the Cumberland River.
“Surviving the chaos is always important,” Newgarden said. “It’s exciting when it’s chaotic. But for us, it’s very stressful. and you got to keep a cool head so that if something changes mid-race you got to be OK with that and you got to be very flexible. So I think that’s what Nashville demands of everybody.”
Swede Marcus Ericsson won Nashville’s debut, and Scott Dixon of New Zealand, who comes here third in the points race, won last year for Chip Ganassi Racing. Neither Ericsson nor Dixon went on to win the series championship that season.
Palou is chasing his second series championship in three years with the Ganassi team before moving to Arrow McLaren next season. Since 2008, the points leader with five races left has won the series championship eight times, and Palou was the last to do that in 2021.
The Spaniard has led this season’s points standings after eight of the first 12 races.
Newgarden won his second series title in 2019, and he’s among the 13 drivers still mathematically eligible for this season’s title.
A win in Nashville would certainly help Newgarden. He enters Sunday’s race trailing Palou by 80 points, the second-largest point difference since the IndyCar series was unified in 2008 and nearly twice the average 41.4-point lead with five races left in that span.
It’s why Newgarden cut back some of his commitments this week, including his celebrity ping-pong event. He said he was all over the place in 2021 trying to support his hometown race as much as possible, and he still wants to do his part for an event that will cap the IndyCar season starting in 2024.
“But I’m laser focused on what is it going to take for me to to win the race?” Newgarden said. “And I want to give my team the best opportunity to do that.”
RAINY NASHVILLE
Drivers had no issues getting their first practice in Friday. Rain limited Saturday’s second practice to just 30 minutes before qualifying. Ryan Hunter-Reay managed to save his car during the shortened session after some slipping and sliding.
FINALLY TAKING HIS SHOT
Linus Lundqvist of Sweden will make his IndyCar debut Sunday with the reigning Indy Lights champ filling in for Simon Pagenaud in the No. 60 of Meyer Shank Racing. Pagenaud still is recovering from a July 1 crash in practice at Mid-Ohio.
Lundqvist came into this season without a ride despite winning both the title in IndyCar’s ladder system along with the $500,000 bonus to spend on an IndyCar ride. Now 24, Lundqvist has been coming to races with his helmet ready to fill in if needed only to head home without a ride.
He got this call last weekend. Lundqvist was helped by having some experience on the streets of Nashville and Detroit, and this is the only race he’s got a commitment for at the moment.
“It’s been something I’ve been waiting for and working towards for a very long time, so that it’s actually here right now is a little unbelievable,” Lundqvist said.
JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK WINS AT MICHIGAN FOR 5TH NASCAR XFINITY SERIES VICTORY OF THE YEAR
BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) John Hunter Nemechek raced to his fifth NASCAR Xfinity Series victory this year, pulling away over the last seven laps after making contact with a teammate early in the competition Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.
Josh Berry was second, followed by Brandon Jones and Ty Gibbs, who was bumped from behind by Nemechek, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, on Lap 12.
“I take full accountability for the incident,” Nemechek said.
Nemechek, in the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, led 65 of the 125 laps on the two-mile oval and went ahead for the second and final time on Lap 103. Following a seventh caution, he stayed up front with little resistance from the field.
Nemechek pulled into a first-place tie in the standings with Richard Childress Racing’s Justin Hill, who was 11th at Michigan and lost a 14-point lead.
“It’s nice to rebound and put ourselves back in position,” Nemechek said.
With all the success Nemechek has had this year and with seven career wins in the Xfinity Series, there is growing interest in what his plans are next year perhaps as a Cup driver.
“I’m 100% focused on this year and trying to win the Xfinity championship,” he said. “I don’t know what my plans are for ’24. I have no clue.” —
GYMNSATICS
SIMONE BILES DAZZLES IN HER RETURN FROM A 2-YEAR LAYOFF TO DOMINATE THE US CLASSIC
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (AP) Simone Biles spent two years trying to distance herself from those strange days in Tokyo and all the outside noise that came along with it.
She dove into therapy and slowly – very slowly – returned to training even though she wavered on whether she was really up for a third Olympics and all of the pressure and expectations that come with it when you’re considered the greatest of all time.
It wasn’t until mid-spring that she committed to training seriously after talking about it over margaritas with her coaches. It wasn’t until late June that she committed to Saturday night’s U.S. Classic. And it wasn’t until she stepped onto the podium and heard the shrieks of support and the sea of handmade signs that the noise she’d been grappling with for 732 days finally fell silent.
She was back in her safe space. Back in front of a crowd. Back in control. Back to being the Simone Biles – albeit a more mature, married, 26-year-old version – who has spent a decade redefining her sport.
Confidence growing with every rotation, Biles soared to victory in her first meet since the Tokyo Games. Her all-around score of 59.100 was five points better than runner-up Leann Wong. And made all the more remarkable by the fact she didn’t really pour herself into preparing until after her wedding to Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens in late April.
“I feel really good about where I am right now, mentally and physically,” Biles said. “I still think there are some things to work on in my routines, but for the first meet back, I would say it went pretty well. I’m very shocked. Surprised.”
She posted the best score on three of four events, turning what is typically a tune-up meet for the U.S. Championships into a showcase that she remains – when she’s at or near her best – a singular force in her sport.
The only time she seemed out of place at the NOW Arena was when she was introduced. She scrambled from one side of the floor to the other, unsure of where she was supposed to go.
The moment passed. Minutes later she raised her hands and saluted the judges. Then it was the same as it ever was for the most decorated female gymnast in history.
Rocking a black-and-white bedazzled leotard and a silicone wedding band she bought from Amazon to wear while she competes, Biles electrified a packed house that roared with every spin, every flip, and yes, twist.
While she admitted she is still a little nervous while doing the twisting elements in her routines, she certainly looked comfortable during two hours that offered a taste of what could come in the run-up to Paris next summer.
Wearing No. 231 and sporting – at least before she began competing – a necklace bearing “Owens” in tribute to her husband, she seemed equal parts relaxed and energized.
She began on uneven bars, not far from a sign featuring a goat (a symbol for “Greatest of All Time”) that read “Simone Freaking Biles.” She wasn’t perfect, nearly stalling near the end of her routine. She muscled up and stayed on and when she hit her dismount, she cut her eyes off to the side as if to say “sheesh.”
Her score of 14.000 was the third best of the competition and a signal of things to come. She was as solid and steady as ever on balance beam, where she won a bronze in Tokyo after a week of uncertainty, a medal she’s described as one of the sweetest of her career.
While never officially closed the door on Paris, at one point she was convinced her career was over. She’s spent most of the last 24 months preparing for her wedding and planning the rest of her life.
Still, the lure of the gym tugged at her, though she’s taking a more muted approach to her comeback than in 2018 or in the run-up to Tokyo in 2021.
At the moment, she’s letting her gymnastics do most of the talking. And it spoke loud and clear.
She was dynamic on floor exercise, where her tumbling passes have long been showstoppers. While she and her coaches have tweaked her routines a bit to better take advantage of the sport’s updated Code of Points, she still does some of the most challenging gymnastics in the sport typically with seemingly effortless ease.
Biles kept all three of her tumbling passes on the floor inbounds, something that was a problem at times in 2021. Her score of 14.900 included a start value of 6.8, a massive amount of difficult. No other athlete, many of whom grew up idolizing her, had a start value higher than 5.9.
She finished with a Yurchenko double-pike vault, a roundoff onto the table followed by two back flips with her hands clasped behind her knees. It’s a vault she toyed with in 2021 hoping to pull off in Tokyo.
It never happened. It still might in Paris. She hopped a little bit after landing as the arena exploded, her 15.400 more than a full point better than any of the other 30+ athletes managed.
The Classic is considered a warm-up of sorts. The U.S. Championships are later this month, with the world championships coming in October and the Olympics less than a year out.
She’s trying not to get too far ahead. Making it a point to enjoy what she called the “little wins.”
“I knew I could come back and hopefully have a shot,” she said. “It’s just about really taking care of my body right now. So that’s what we’re to. It’s working.”
There is plenty of time to refine things. To expand. To build. Biles’ all-around score Saturday was higher than what she posted at the same meet in 2018. What followed back then was two years of historic dominance.
More may be on the way.
WORLD CUP SOCCER
NETHERLANDS BEATS SOUTH AFRICA 2-0 TO ADVANCE TO THE QUARTERFINALS OF THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP.
SYDNEY (AP) Netherlands advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup on Sunday with a 2-0 win over South Africa.
Jill Roord and Lineth Beerensteyn scored in each half at the Sydney Football Stadium to secure the 2019 runners-up a place in the last eight.
But South Africa, one of the surprise teams of the tournament, gave the Dutch some nervous moments, forcing goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar into a string of saves to keep Thembi Kgatlana at bay.
Netherlands lost to the U.S. team in the World Cup final four years ago and look like contenders again after finishing above the Americans in Group E.
South Africa had already exceeded expectations by advancing to the knockout stage for the first time after its dramatic 3-2 win over Italy in its final group game.
But goals from Roord in the ninth minute and Beerensteyn in the 68th, after an error from keeper Kaylin Swart, ended its unlikely run.
Netherlands went close to taking the lead just before Roord’s goal when Esmee Brugts swung in a curling shot that Swart had to push over the bar.
Roord struck from the resulting corner.
Sherida Spitse’s cross was headed toward goal by Lieke Martens, which forced Swart into action again. But from her save, the ball looped in the air and Roord headed over the line from close range to score her fourth goal of the tournament.
Danielle van de Donk was close to extending the lead but was denied by the feet of Swart from inside the box, and Kgatlana tested Van Domselaar as South Africa showed its threat on the break.
Kgatlana came closer still when through on goal just before the halftime, but couldn’t find a way past Van Domselaar.
South Africa ended the half the stronger as Kgatlana repeatedly burst beyond the Netherlands defense.
Its response to going behind was even more impressive, considering it had to contend with injuries to Jermaine Seoposenwe and Bambanani Mbane in the first half.
Netherlands regained control after the restart and the Dutch thought they’d doubled their lead when Martens turned and converted in the 54th. But their celebrations were cut short when it was ruled out on VAR review for offside.
South Africa offered little threat as it struggled to get possession and Netherlands scored its second after an error from Swart.
Beerensteyn’s weak shot should have been easily caught by Swart, but she allowed it to squirm out of her control and over the line.
Just as in the first half, Netherlands’ goal sparked a reaction from the South African players and Linda Motlhalo was denied when Van Domselaar pushed her low effort round the post.
The only negative for Netherlands was a yellow card for Van de Donk, who will now miss the quarterfinal match against Spain.
TOP INDIANA NEWS/RELEASES FROM ORGANIZATIONS
COLTS NEWS
COLTS SIGN TES NICK EUBANKS, MICHAEL JACOBSON, PLACE OT JAKE WITT ON INJURED RESERVE, WAIVE RB TORIANO CLINTON
Westfield, Ind. – The Indianapolis Colts today signed free agent tight ends Nick Eubanks and Michael Jacobson. The team also placed tackle Jake Witt on the Injured Reserve list and waived running back Toriano Clinton.
Eubanks, 6-4, 256 pounds, has spent time with the Houston Texans (2022), Cincinnati Bengals (2022), Detroit Lions (2021), Philadelphia Eagles (2021) and Dallas Cowboys (2021). He originally signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on May 14, 2021. In 2022, Eubanks spent time on the Texans’ practice squad after participating in the Bengals’ offseason program and training camp.
Collegiately, he appeared in 36 games (19 starts) at Michigan (2016-20) and compiled 45 receptions for 578 yards and six touchdowns. Eubanks earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition in 2019.
Jacobson, 6-7, 244 pounds, re-joins Indianapolis after spending time with the team the last two years. He participated in the team’s 2022 offseason program and training camp. Jacobson spent time on the practice squads of the Colts and Seattle Seahawks in 2021. He originally signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on August 6, 2021.
Collegiately, he played basketball at Iowa State and Nebraska. From 2018-20, Jacobson started all 67 games as a Cyclone and averaged 9.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game after sitting out the 2017-18 season due to NCAA transfer rules. He played in 65 games (56 starts) for the Cornhuskers from 2015-17 and averaged 5.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Witt, 6-7, 302 pounds, was selected by Indianapolis in the seventh round (236th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started all 22 games over his two seasons (2021-22) at Northern Michigan. In 2022, Witt earned Second Team All-GLIAC honors after starting 11 games at left tackle. He joined the Northern Michigan football team in spring 2020, but the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to Northern Michigan, Witt played basketball for one season (2018) at Michigan Tech and averaged 6.4 points per game as a freshman.
Clinton, 5-8, 191 pounds, was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent on August 1, 2023. He played in 43 games at the University of Indianapolis (2018-22) and compiled 593 carries for 4,538 yards (7.7 avg.) and 48 touchdowns. Clinton also totaled 39 receptions for 322 yards and four touchdowns in addition to 32 kickoff returns for 990 yards (30.9 avg.) and three touchdowns.
INDIANS BASEBALL
INDIANS STYMIED BY STRIPERS, WINANS’ CAREER-HIGH TYING 10 STRIKEOUTS
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Ji Hwan Bae belted a game-tying solo home run in the sixth inning, but Jesús Aguilar grounded a go-ahead single in the bottom half to back a career-high tying 10-strikeout performance by Allan Winans as the Gwinnett Stripers topped the Indianapolis Indians 5-1 on Saturday night.
Scoreless at the midway point, Gwinnett (48-58, 15-16) grabbed its first lead in the fifth on a 435-foot solo home run by Daniel Robertson, his first of the season. Indianapolis (50-56, 17-15) leveled the score in its next at bat on a first-pitch, 426-foot home run by Bae, but Aguilar followed a pair of singles in the Stripers’ sixth with one of his own to put the home team in front for good.
The Stripers added three insurance runs with two outs in the eighth off Yohan Ramirez. Braden Shewmake laced a two-run single after a bases-loaded wild pitch to put away the Indians.
Playing in just his second career Triple-A game, Francisco Acuña nearly put Indy in front in the fifth with a two-out double into the left-field corner, but Grant Koch was cut down at the plate on a relay throw by shortstop Vaughn Grissom.
Winans (W, 8-3) improved to 5-0 in his last 10 appearances (eight starts) with 7.0 innings of one-run ball. He scattered four hits and two walks, and his 10 punchouts marked a season high by a Stripers’ pitcher. Cam Alldred (L, 7-4) posted a quality start in defeat, yielding two earned runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
Miguel Andújar recorded an infield single in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to nine games.
The Indians and Stripers conclude their six-game series on Sunday at 1:05 PM ET. RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (1-2, 4.44), currently ranked as Atlanta’s No. 1 prospect by MLB.com, is scheduled to take the bump for Gwinnett while Indy has yet to name its starter.
INDY ELEVEN SOCCER
QUINN SCORES TEAM-LEADING EIGHTH GOAL, ASANTE GRABS 49TH CAREER USLC ASSIST
INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, August 5, 2023) – Aodhan Quinn scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season, but the strike was not enough as Memphis 901 FC earned the 2-1 win at Caroll Stadium on Saturday night. With the win, Memphis improved to 9-6-7, while Indy fell to 6-9-7.
Memphis took the lead in the 38th minute as a corner from Memphis captain Aaron Molloy found the head of Lucas Turci to break the deadlock.
Indy put together its fair share of solid chances in the first frame, outshooting the visitors 7-3 and earning the narrow advantage in possession at 53%-48%. Six Boys in Blue accounted for the team’s seven shots, including a pair from Sebastian Velasquez, who collected Indy’s one shot on frame.
The Eleven evened the score off a team-high eighth goal from Quinn in the 57th minute. Velasquez found himself alone on the end line and dropped a pass back to Solomon Asante, who connected with Quinn for the goal. The assist was the 49th career for Asante tying him with Quinn at third on the USL Championship’s all-time list. In addition to Asante’s USLC assist milestone, the appearance was the 150th career for the Boy in Blue.
An 81st-minute goal from Akeem Ward off an assist from Laurent Kissiedou proved to be the match winner for Memphis.
The Eleven finished with the 11-8 advantage in shots, putting four on target. Younes Boudadi, Dougals Martinez and Velasquez led the way with a pair. Tim Trilk had three saves in goal.
Next up, the Boys in Blue host Birmingham Legion FC Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. ET. Single-game tickets for all home games at IUPUI Carroll Stadium and specially-priced group tickets and an increased portfolio of hospitality options are available for purchase now via indyeleven.com/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100 during regular business hours (Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.).
USL Championship Regular Season
Indy Eleven 1:2 Memphis 901 FC
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis
2023 USL Championship Records
Indy Eleven: 6W-9L-7D (-2); 25pts
Memphis 901 FC: 9W-6L-7D (2); 34pts
Scoring Summary
MEM – Lucas Turci (Aaron Molloy) 38’
IND – Aodhan Quinn (Solomon Asante) 57’
MEM – Akeem Ward (Laurent Kissiedou)
Discipline Summary
IND – Younes Boudadi (caution) 49’
MEM – Memphis Bench (caution) 74’
MEM – Carson Vom Steeg (caution) 90+1’
Indy Eleven line-up (4-2-3-1): Tim Trilk, Younes Boudadi (Robby Dambrot 58’), Adrian Diz Pe, Callum Chapman-Page (Roberto Molina 88’), Douglas Martinez, Aodhan Quinn, Cam Lindley (captain), Solomon Asante, Jack Blake (Macauley King 58’), Sebastian Velasquez (Harrison Robledo 74’), Stefano Pinho (Sebastian Guenzatti 58’)
Indy Subs: Cayden Crawford, Mechack Jerome
Memphis 901 FC line-up (4-2-3-1): Drew Roming, Akeem Ward, Lucas Tucci, Graham Smith, Rece Buckmaster (Carson Vom Steeg 78’), Aaron Malloy, Jeremy Kelly, Dylan Borczak (Laurent Kissiedou 68’), Amerson Hyndman (Bruno Lapa 61’), Luiz Fernando, Rodrigo da Costa (Nighte Pickering 68’)
Memphis Subs: Leston Paul, Jelani Peters, Aren Seeger
PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL
BLACK TOPS GOLD IN PURDUE INTRASQUAD SCRIMMAGE
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In front of over 6,000 fans, the Purdue Black squad topped the Purdue Gold squad in an intrasquad scrimmage 49-33, in the squad’s final tune-up before its European trip that starts Monday.
The Boilermakers were led by sophomore Fletcher Loyer, who tallied 14 points with five assists and three rebounds, while going 3-of-4 from long distance. Trey Kaufman-Renn totaled 13 points with five rebounds and two assists, while Lance Jones had 13 points, four rebounds and two assists, while going 3-of-6 from long distance.
Camden Heide led Purdue with 11 rebounds and Braden Smith led the team with three steals.
The Boilermakers were 12-of-32 (.375) from long distance and had 23 assists to 14 turnovers.
Purdue played the scrimmage without Zach Edey, who is with Canada’s National Team, and Ethan Morton (injury), while also playing international rules with a 24-second shot clock.
Purdue departs for its 11-day European trip on Monday.
BUTLER WOMEN’S TENNIS
BUTLER HIRES STEPHANIE WOOTEN-QUIJADA TO LEAD WOMEN’S TENNIS PROGRAM
Stephanie Wooten-Quijada, who has led winning programs at four different universities, has been hired as the head coach of the Butler women’s tennis program.
“Stephanie has delivered a strong student-athlete experience leading multiple programs, and we are confident she will do the same here at Butler,” said Barry Collier, Vice President and Director of Athletics. “Among a strong applicant pool, Stephanie’s enthusiasm for the opportunities at Butler and her vision for how to continue our program on its current upward trajectory really stood out. We are excited to welcome her, Andres and Charli to the Butler Family.”
Since 2019, Wooten has served as a tennis coach and the assistant to the director of racquets at Brookhaven Country Club in Texas. The club’s Junior Tennis Academy features nationally- and internationally-ranked players.
“I appreciate the confidence that Butler is placing in me to lead this program and these young women,” said Wooten. “This is an awesome opportunity at a great university, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Prior to returning to Texas, she served as the head coach at the University of New Mexico for two seasons (in the springs of 2017 and 2018), mentoring three All-Mountain West Conference players. Her 2017 recruiting class was ranked eighth nationally among mid-major universities.
In her single season as head coach at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (2015-16), Wooten led the program to the WAC Tournament title, the first WAC championship in any sport for the university. That NCAA Tournament team featured three all-conference selections and the WAC Freshman of the Year.
In two seasons at Stephen F. Austin (2011-13), beginning as an assistant before taking over the program as the head coach, Wooten led the team to a combined record of 33-18 overall and 15-6 in the Southland Conference. SFA won the first conference championship in program history and received its highest national ranking (No. 35). Eight players earned all-conference honors in her two seasons.
Wooten’s coaching career began as the interim head coach at Lee College in Bayton, Texas during the 2010-11 season. She led the team to a runner-up finish in the NJCAA national tournament, finishing second in the final NJCAA national rankings. She developed seven players who earned NJCAA All-American Awards, coaching NJCAA national champions in both singles and doubles.
As an assistant at Houston during the 2013-14 season, she helped the Cougars to the highest national ranking in program history (No. 21). Houston recorded five wins over nationally-ranked teams, which helped to earn an at-large NCAA Tournament berth for the first time since 1998. The Cougars finished 21-6 on the season, finishing as the runner-up at the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
As a student-athlete, Wooten starred at Purdue, earning Team MVP honors in both her junior and senior seasons. She ranked eighth in Purdue history with 65 doubles wins. A two-time team captain, Wooten graduated in 2009 with her degree in organizational leadership and supervision.
She and her husband, Andres, have a young daughter, Charli.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S SOCCER
MASTODON WOMEN’S SOCCER OPENS 2023 WITH EXHIBITION AGAINST ILLINOIS STATE
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s soccer team will kick off the 2023 season with an exhibition contest against Illinois State on Sunday (Aug. 6) at the Hefner Soccer Complex at 1 p.m.
Game Day Information
Who: Illinois State Redbirds
When: Sunday, August 6 | 1 PM
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Hefner Soccer Complex
Live Stats: None
Watch: None
Know Your Foe
Illinois State was 3-14-1 and 1-8-1 in the Missouri Valley last season. The Redbirds return their top point-scorer from a year ago, Haley Glover, who scored four goals and assisted on three. Audrey Brown and Dani Grgas return as the entirety of the goalkeeping staff from 2022. The Redbirds finished 2022 on a positive note, picking up their only MVC win of the season with a 4-2 victory over Missouri State.
Series History
The Mastodons have never topped the Redbirds in four tries, but the two teams have not played in a decade. Illinois State won the last matchup 4-0. ISU has not been to the Hefner Soccer Complex since 2006.
All Eyes on Sam
Samantha Castaneda was selected to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch List in early August. She was one of nine goalkeepers in the country on the list.
Touching Up The Record Book
The following Mastodons are ranked in the top-10 in the Purdue Fort Wayne career record book.
Rylee Vruggink – Points Per Game, Assists, Assists Per Game
Morgan Reitano – Goals, Game-Winning Goals
Bella Reitano – Goals Per Game
Kelsey Gallagher – Game-Winning Goals, Assists, Assists Per Game
Samantha Castaneda – Saves, Saves Per Game, Goals Against Average, Shutouts
What Happened Last Year?
The Mastodons finished second in the Horizon League in 2022, their best finish in program history. Samantha Castaneda was named Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year and Jason Burr was Coach of the Year.
Coming Up
The Mastodons will play a road exhibition against Kent State on Saturday (Aug. 12) before opening the regular season on August 17 at Chicago State.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETIC SITES:
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
“SPORTS EXTRA”
MLB STANDINGS
| American League | |||||||||||
| East | |||||||||||
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | East | Central | West | Last 10 | Streak |
| BALTIMORE | 69 | 42 | .622 | – | 34 – 21 | 35 – 21 | 24 – 14 | 18 – 7 | 10 – 7 | 7 – 3 | W 3 |
| TAMPA BAY | 67 | 46 | .593 | 3 | 37 – 19 | 30 – 27 | 20 – 14 | 17 – 5 | 11 – 11 | 6 – 4 | L 1 |
| TORONTO | 62 | 50 | .554 | 7.5 | 30 – 24 | 32 – 26 | 10 – 23 | 16 – 6 | 14 – 11 | 6 – 4 | W 2 |
| NY YANKEES | 58 | 53 | .523 | 11 | 35 – 27 | 23 – 26 | 15 – 21 | 11 – 8 | 16 – 12 | 5 – 5 | W 1 |
| BOSTON | 57 | 53 | .518 | 11.5 | 30 – 25 | 27 – 28 | 16 – 13 | 11 – 8 | 12 – 10 | 4 – 6 | L 3 |
| CENTRAL | |||||||||||
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | HOME | ROAD | EAST | CENTRAL | WEST | LAST 10 | STREAK |
| MINNESOTA | 58 | 54 | .518 | – | 32 – 24 | 26 – 30 | 12 – 17 | 21 – 15 | 11 – 8 | 4 – 6 | W 3 |
| CLEVELAND | 54 | 57 | .486 | 3.5 | 29 – 25 | 25 – 32 | 7 – 8 | 18 – 17 | 13 – 12 | 4 – 6 | L 1 |
| DETROIT | 49 | 61 | .445 | 8 | 23 – 31 | 26 – 30 | 4 – 17 | 18 – 12 | 9 – 13 | 3 – 7 | W 1 |
| CHI WHITE SOX | 44 | 68 | .393 | 14 | 23 – 29 | 21 – 39 | 6 – 16 | 18 – 17 | 9 – 17 | 3 – 7 | W 1 |
| KANSAS CITY | 36 | 76 | .321 | 22 | 21 – 36 | 15 – 40 | 5 – 15 | 13 – 27 | 4 – 11 | 7 – 3 | L 1 |
| WEST | |||||||||||
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | HOME | ROAD | EAST | CENTRAL | WEST | LAST 10 | STREAK |
| TEXAS | 65 | 46 | .586 | – | 39 – 20 | 26 – 26 | 14 – 11 | 17 – 5 | 17 – 13 | 6 – 4 | W 5 |
| HOUSTON | 63 | 49 | .563 | 2.5 | 31 – 25 | 32 – 24 | 7 – 9 | 11 – 11 | 24 – 13 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| SEATTLE | 59 | 52 | .532 | 6 | 31 – 26 | 28 – 26 | 11 – 13 | 12 – 11 | 18 – 11 | 8 – 2 | W 4 |
| LA ANGELS | 56 | 56 | .500 | 9.5 | 29 – 26 | 27 – 30 | 12 – 11 | 14 – 8 | 16 – 17 | 3 – 7 | L 5 |
| OAKLAND | 31 | 80 | .279 | 34 | 16 – 39 | 15 – 41 | 7 – 19 | 7 – 11 | 5 – 26 | 3 – 7 | W 1 |
| NATIONAL LEAGUE | |||||||||||
| EAST | |||||||||||
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | HOME | ROAD | EAST | CENTRAL | WEST | LAST 10 | STREAK |
| ATLANTA | 70 | 38 | .648 | – | 37 – 20 | 33 – 18 | 22 – 6 | 14 – 3 | 11 – 9 | 6 – 4 | L 1 |
| PHILADELPHIA | 60 | 51 | .541 | 11.5 | 29 – 21 | 31 – 30 | 12 – 16 | 11 – 8 | 14 – 13 | 6 – 4 | W 1 |
| MIAMI | 58 | 54 | .518 | 14 | 34 – 24 | 24 – 30 | 14 – 19 | 11 – 9 | 10 – 12 | 4 – 6 | L 3 |
| NY METS | 50 | 60 | .455 | 21 | 26 – 23 | 24 – 37 | 16 – 14 | 5 – 14 | 15 – 13 | 3 – 7 | L 5 |
| WASHINGTON | 48 | 63 | .432 | 23.5 | 22 – 34 | 26 – 29 | 10 – 19 | 11 – 14 | 14 – 14 | 6 – 4 | W 3 |
| CENTRAL | |||||||||||
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | HOME | ROAD | EAST | CENTRAL | WEST | LAST 10 | STREAK |
| MILWAUKEE | 60 | 52 | .536 | – | 31 – 25 | 29 – 27 | 10 – 9 | 24 – 11 | 8 – 15 | 4 – 6 | W 1 |
| CINCINNATI | 59 | 54 | .522 | 1.5 | 28 – 28 | 31 – 26 | 12 – 13 | 14 – 22 | 16 – 9 | 3 – 7 | L 5 |
| CHI CUBS | 57 | 54 | .514 | 2.5 | 31 – 28 | 26 – 26 | 9 – 15 | 21 – 14 | 9 – 8 | 7 – 3 | W 1 |
| PITTSBURGH | 49 | 61 | .445 | 10 | 26 – 28 | 23 – 33 | 7 – 6 | 12 – 17 | 16 – 15 | 5 – 5 | L 1 |
| ST. LOUIS | 49 | 63 | .438 | 11 | 25 – 32 | 24 – 31 | 10 – 9 | 13 – 20 | 10 – 15 | 4 – 6 | W 1 |
| WEST | |||||||||||
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | HOME | ROAD | EAST | CENTRAL | WEST | LAST 10 | STREAK |
| LA DODGERS | 63 | 46 | .578 | – | 34 – 20 | 29 – 26 | 11 – 7 | 16 – 14 | 15 – 12 | 6 – 4 | L 1 |
| SAN FRANCISCO | 61 | 50 | .550 | 3 | 33 – 24 | 28 – 26 | 10 – 12 | 18 – 9 | 18 – 11 | 7 – 3 | L 1 |
| ARIZONA | 57 | 55 | .509 | 7.5 | 28 – 28 | 29 – 27 | 13 – 15 | 11 – 10 | 18 – 14 | 2 – 8 | L 5 |
| SAN DIEGO | 55 | 56 | .495 | 9 | 30 – 26 | 25 – 30 | 13 – 13 | 8 – 15 | 15 – 15 | 7 – 3 | W 1 |
| COLORADO | 43 | 67 | .391 | 20.5 | 25 – 30 | 18 – 37 | 14 – 17 | 9 – 11 | 7 – 21 | 3 – 7 | L 1 |
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1890 John Reilly becomes the first major leaguer to hit for the cycle in different leagues when the Reds, who moved to the National League this season, beat Pittsburgh at League Park, 16-3. The Cincinnati first baseman hit for two cycles in 1883, also a first, when the team played in the American Association and were known as the Red Stockings.
1890 Making his major league debut, Cy Young is credited with the win when the Cleveland Spiders beat the Colts in Chicago’s West Side Park, 8-1. During his 22-year career, the 23-year-old right-hander will average more than 23 victories per season en route to a major league record of 511, a mark believed by many to be unbreakable.
1906 At Cleveland’s League Park, the Boston Americans are shut out for the fourth consecutive time, bowing to the Indians, 4-0. Combined with a scoreless three-game sweep by the White Sox, the team establishes a new American League record.
1908 Detroit outfielder Ty Cobb gets married, having departed the Tigers three days ago to attend the ceremony without the team’s permission. Club co-owner Frank Navin considers the 21-year-old Georgia Peach’s six-day defection during a pennant race the most arrogant act he had ever heard of in baseball.
1930 Gene Rye hits three homers in one inning, blasting a solo homer, a three-run shot, and a grand slam in the Waco Cubs’ 18-run eight-inning eruption in their eventual 20-7 Texas League victory over the visiting Beaumont Exporters at Katy Park. The 24-year-old diminutive southpaw-swinging outfielder, called Half Pint by his teammates, will be signed by the Red Sox, spending the first two months of next season with the team before being released, hitting just .179 in 17 games.
1937 The Braves become the first National League team to lead off a game with back-to-back homers. At Wrigley Field, Roy Johnson and Rabbit Warstler go deep to start the first inning off Tex Carleton, but Boston’s quick start isn’t enough when Chicago wins the contest, 12-6.
1939 The West wins the first of two Negro League East-West All-Star Games this season, defeating the East 4-2 behind a strong outing by Ted ‘Doubleduty’ Radcliffe in the Comiskey Park. The estimated crowd of 40,000 is more than double the 18,198 fans at Wrigley Field, watching the Cubs lose to the Bees, 9-8.
1941 Al Benton becomes the first major leaguer to have two sacrifice bunts in one inning. The Tiger right-hander accomplishes the feat in the top of the third inning, a frame that features 17 batters coming to bat, in an 11-2 rout of the Indians at Cleveland’s League Park.
1947 Skeeter Webb is inserted into the game to run for Fred Hutchinson and scores a run in the Tigers’ nine-run eighth inning in Detroit’s 13-6 victory over Cleveland. Later in the frame, he comes to the plate and delivers an RBI sac fly, an unusual accomplishment for a pinch-runner.
1952 At approximately 46, Satchel Paige becomes the oldest pitcher in major league history to hurl a complete-game shutout, beating Virgil ‘Fire’ Trucks and the Tigers, 1-0, when Bobby Young scores the game’s only run in the 12th inning. The Browns’ hurler will extend his record at 46 years and 75 days by throwing another scoreless complete game against the White Sox next month.
1962 For the fifth time, a team record, Willie Mays collects five hits in a game. In the Giants’ 9-2 victory over Philadelphia at Candlestick Park, the ‘Say Hey Kid’ hits a pair of two-run homers in the first and second innings and follows up with singles in the fourth, fifth, and eighth.
1967 Orioles’ third baseman Brooks Robinson hits into his fourth career triple play, setting a major league record. The fifth-inning around-the-horn triple killing (5-4-3) doesn’t hurt the club when the Birds beat the White Sox at Memorial Stadium, 4-0, to complete a twin bill sweep.
1969 In an alley behind a Detroit bar, Twins’ manager Billy Martin intervenes in a scuffle between his starting pitcher Dave Boswell and outfielder Bob Allison, which leaves the right-hander unconscious and in need of 20 stitches after being pummeled by his skipper. Although he will miss several starts because of the incident, the 24-year-old Maryland native will finish the season 20-12 for the first-place Minnesota club.
1972 The postponement of the second game of the Midland Cubs and Amarillo Giants doubleheader becomes necessary when thousands of grasshoppers invade Christensen Stadium. The massive clusters of insects, swarming from their nests behind the center-field wall after the ballpark’s lights were turned on, made play impossible when infielders couldn’t see their outfielders through the hordes of fluttering invaders.
1972 With his 660th and 661st career homers, Hank Aaron breaks Yankee legend Babe Ruth’s record for hitting the most home runs with one team. Hammerin’ Hank’s second round-tripper of the day, a 10th inning blast, enables the Braves to beat Cincinnati at Riverfront Stadium, 4-3.
1973 Roberto Clemente becomes the first Latin-born player inducted into the Hall of Fame when baseball waives the mandatory five-year waiting period. The late Pirates outfielder, who died tragically on New Year’s Eve in a crash carrying relief supplies to the earthquake victims in Nicaragua, was elected posthumously
1979 After delivering the eulogy at Thurman Munson’s funeral in Ohio, Bobby Murcer, a teammate and close friend of the deceased Yankee catcher, drives in all the runs in the Yankee 5-4 comeback victory over the Orioles at Yankee Stadium. With a bat he will never use again, the New York outfielder hits a three-run home run and wins the game with a two-run single in the ninth inning.
1981 The players approved a split-season format necessitated by the seven-week strike. The Yankees, A’s, Phillies, and Dodgers are declared the first-half champions, automatically qualifying for the divisional series.
1983 Eric Rasmussen throws a 4-0 shutout against the Red Sox in his first American League outing. The Royals starter, who also blanked the Padres as a Cardinal in his first-ever major league game in 1975, becomes the first pitcher to toss a shutout in his National League and American League debuts.
1985 As announced three weeks ago, the Players’ Association follows through on its threat to strike. The second midseason baseball work stoppage lasts only two days, with the owners abandoning their plan for a salary cap, a concept also vehemently opposed by baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth.
1986 In the game that establishes a new record for bases-full homers in one game, Texas beats Baltimore, 13-11. Rangers’ infielder Toby Harrah hits a second-inning grand slam, and Larry Sheets and Jim Dwyer go deep with the bases loaded in the Orioles’ nine-run fourth frame.
1988 Jim Gott balks three times in the eighth inning, two of which allow a runner to score from third base. The Pirates’ relief pitcher’s poor form on the mound proves to be the difference in the Mets’ 5-3 victory over the Bucs at Three Rivers Stadium.
1988 Goose Gossage becomes the second player in major league history to record 300 career saves when he faces one batter and gets the final out in the Cubs’ 7-4 victory over Philadelphia at Wrigley Field. The future Hall of Fame right-handed reliever joins Rollie Fingers, who reached the milestone in 1982.
1988 Jose Canseco became the 11th player in major league history to hit 30 homers and steal 30 bases in a season. The A’s outfielder, with 31 homers, joins the 30-30 club, taking second base with one out in the ninth inning for his 30th as Oakland beat the Mariners, 5-4.
1988 The dedication of a plaque takes place behind the home plate of the former Braves Field in remembrance of the departed National League team and the many historical events occurring in the ballpark. The historical marker, made possible through the efforts of Boston University, the Society for American Baseball Research, and the New England Sports Museum, includes references to the three World Series and one All-Star Game played there, as well as the longest game ever to take place in major league history.
1989 In a pregame ceremony at Fenway Park, the Red Sox retire Carl Yastrzemski’s #8. ‘Yaz,’ recently inducted into the Hall of Fame, becomes only the fourth player in franchise history, joining Joe Cronin (4), Bobby Doerr (1), and Ted Williams (9), to be honored by having his uniform number retired by the club.
1992 Following a brief shouting match with Willie Wilson in the previous frame after the Oakland outfielder had tripled off him, Rangers right-hander Nolan Ryan hits him on the leg with a pitch with two outs eighth inning. The incident causes a ten-minute delay with benches emptying and fans littering the field with paper, resulting in the future Hall of Famer being ejected from a game for the first and only time during his 27-year major league career.
1993 Raising his average to .348, San Diego outfielder Tony Gwynn collects his 2000th career base hit, a single off Colorado hurler Bruce Ruffin in the team’s 6-2 victory at Jack Murphy Stadium. Mr. Padre will reach the 3,000 hit milestone on the same date in 1999.
1998 Kevin McClatchy’s vision of a baseball-only stadium in Pittsburgh becomes more of a reality when PNC Bank strikes a deal with the Pirates, naming the Bucs’ new home PNC Park. The highly-touted new ballpark will host its first game in 2001.
1999 After Tony Gwynn singles off Expos’ Dan Smith in the first inning to get his 3000th hit, ump Kerwin Danley, a college teammate, Vendella Gwynn, his mom on her 64th birthday, and 13,540 Olympic Stadium fans celebrate the milestone. The Padres outfielder finishes the night 4-for-5, passing Roberto Clemente into 21st place on the all-time career hit list.
2001 Boston’s backstop Scott Hatteberg hits into a triple play, but the catcher redeems himself in his next at-bat by hitting a grand slam, putting the Red Sox ahead in a 10-7 win over the Rangers. The triple killing, the third in Texas history, occurs when Hatteberg lines to shortstop Alex Rodriguez, who flips to second base, doubling up the runner on second, with second baseman Randy Velarde tagging the runner arriving from first.
2001 A group made up of the Hall of Famers (61), recipients of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award for writers (13), Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasters (13), and Veterans Committee members (3) replaces the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee. The new members will select players every two years and executives, umpires, and managers only once every four years.
2002 In his major league debut, former NBA player Mark Hendrickson allows five runs and three hits in one-third of an inning, appearing in relief of Roy Halladay in the Blue Jays’ 14-12 victory over the Mariners at the SkyDome. The 28-year-old southpaw played for the Nets, 76ers, Kings, and Cavaliers, leaving the hardwood in 2000 to play baseball after a lackluster season with Cleveland.
2002 Robb Nen becomes the 16th major leaguer to record his 300th career save when he closes the Giants’ 11-10 win over the Cubs at Pacific Bell Park. The 32-year-old reliever, who will not pitch again after this season due to multiple surgeries for a torn rotator cuff, is the youngest closer to reach the milestone.
2003 Three weeks after trading for Armando Benitez with the crosstown Mets, the Yankees trade the much-maligned reliever to the Mariners. In return, the Bronx Bombers get back 36-year-old Jeff Nelson for his second tour with the team.
2005 The Rangers posthumously retire jersey #26 in honor of their former skipper Johnny Oates, who led the team to its first three division titles in 1996 and 1998-99. The 1996 Manager of the Year (an award shared with Joe Torres of the Yankees) compiled a 506-476 (.515) record, stepping down 28 games into the 2001 season after 6+ seasons with Kansas City.
2006 The Mets continue to commit to their young players, signing 23-year-old David Wright to a $55 million, six-year contract extension. The third baseman joins shortstop Jose Reyes, also 23, who inked a long-term contract extension deal with the club three days ago worth $23.25 million over four years.
2007 Batting eighth in Tony La Russa’s batting order, Cardinals’ starting pitcher Braden Looper collects two hits in the fifth inning when St. Louis ties a big-league record with ten straight hits. The Redbirds use the consecutive safeties to score all their runs when they beat the visiting Padres, 10-5.
2010 In a 15-minute pregame ceremony delayed by rain at Turner Field, the Braves retire Tom Glavine’s uniform number 47. The southpaw, who won 244 of his 305 career victories with the organization, including five seasons with 20 or more wins, was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame at a luncheon earlier in the day.
2013 Ryan Lavarnway ties a major league record, shared by Ray Katt (1954 Giants) and Gino Petralli (1987 Rangers) when he allows four passed balls in the first inning of the Red Sox’s 15-10 victory over the Astros at Minute Maid Park. The Boston backstop, whose woes in corralling Steven Wright’s knuckleballer allows three runs, makes up for his first-frame failings with a two-out double in the fifth, putting the team ahead for keeps, 8-7.
2016 The Mariners retire jersey #24 worn by Ken Griffey Jr., who spent 13 of his 22 seasons with Seattle, earning 10 of his 13 All-Star berths and all 10 of his Gold Glove Awards while with the team. The Kid, elected to the Hall of Fame in a landslide this year, becomes the first player to have his digits immortalized by the club.
2016 Giancarlo Stanton drives a pitch thrown by Rockies starter Chad Bettis deep into the Rockpile seats, a 504-foot blast that becomes the longest round-tripper in the 21-year-old history of Coors Field. The Miami Marlins slugger’s fifth-inning solo shot in the team’s 12-6 loss surpasses the 496-footer hit in 1997 by Dodger catcher Mike Piazza off current Colorado bullpen coach Darren Holmes.
2019 Blue Jays’ shortstop Bo Bichette becomes the first player to collect ten extra-base hits in his first nine major league games when he doubles off Ryan Yarbrough in the team’s 7-6 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field. Tomorrow, the 21-year-old rookie shortstop will hit another two-bagger, becoming the only major leaguer to stroke a double in eight-straight contests, breaking the mark established in 2000 by former Toronto first baseman Carlos Delgado.
BASEBALL HALL OF FAME
RON SANTO
3rd Baseman
He personified the Chicago Cubs for more than 50 years as a player, a broadcaster and an icon. His legend remains vibrant, a living monument to his love for the game.
Ron Santo played 14 years for the Cubs and one for the White Sox, defining third base play in the 1960s.
Born in Seattle, Wash., Santo grew up to be a talented multi-sport amateur athlete. He began to attract the attention of big league scouts in 1958 as a catcher, and he signed with the Cubs in 1959.
Santo was moved to third base and immediately made an impact in the minors, hitting .327 with 87 RBI for Double-A San Antonio in 1959. The next season, Santo had 32 RBI in 71 games with Triple-A Houston before getting the call to the majors.
In his June 26, 1960 debut against the Pirates, Santo had three hits and five RBI in a doubleheader sweep. He never appeared in another minor league game.
Santo finished fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year vote that season despite appearing in only 95 games. The next season, Santo firmly entrenched himself at third base by hitting 23 home runs and driving in 83 runs.
But all the while, Santo was harboring a secret. During a routine physical just before his minor league career began, doctors diagnosed Santo with Type 1 juvenile diabetes. At the time, the life expectancy of a juvenile diabetic was thought to be about 25 years.
Santo was 18. But he educated himself about the disease and taught himself how to administer insulin injections. He kept his secret until 1971, by which time he was a seven-time All-Star.
On the field, Santo developed into a star at the plate and with the glove. He was named to his first All-Star Game in 1963, and won the first of five straight Gold Glove Awards in 1964. From 1963-70, Santo averaged almost 29 homers and 106 RBI per season. He also led the NL in walks four times between 1964 and 1968, and paced the league in on-base percentage twice in that same span.
Santo was a part of a core group of players – including Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Ferguson Jenkins and Billy Williams – who led the Cubs back into contention in the late 1960s. In 1969, the Cubs paced the newly created NL East for most of the season before fading in September as the Miracle Mets clinched the title.
Santo made the All-Star team from 1971-73 – giving him nine All-Star berths for his career – but by 1973, the 33-year-old Santo was entering the twilight of his career, with the Cubs slowly dismantling the great core of their 1960s teams. Following the 1973 season – where he hit 20 home runs and drove in 77 runs – Santo became the first player to invoke the new 10-and-5 rule, designed to allow players with 10 years in the big leagues and the last five with the same team to veto trades. The Cubs tried to trade Santo to the Angels, but Santo rejected it. He later accepted a deal to the crosstown White Sox.
Santo entered the business world after retiring following the 1974 season, but returned to the Cubs in 1990 as a radio broadcaster – quickly winning over a new generation of fans with his unabashed support of the team. Despite numerous illnesses – including heart bypass surgery and bladder cancer – Santo rarely missed work, even after having both legs amputated due to his diabetic condition.
He finished his career with a .277 average, 342 home runs, 1,331 RBI, 1,108 walks and 1,138 runs scored. Defensively, Santo led all NL third basemen in putouts seven times, assists seven times and total chances nine times – and retired with NL records for most assists in a season by a third baseman, most double plays by a third baseman in a career and most chances accepted at third base.
Santo passed away on Dec. 2, 2010. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
August 6, 1965- The 35th Chicago College All-Stars game is played before 68,000 fans as the Cleveland Browns defeated the college players 24-16 at the Windy City’s famed Soldier Field. The MVP award, always given to the college player team, happened to be John Huarte the quarterback from the University of Notre Dame.
August 6, 1983- The first ever NFL exhibition game in Europe is played as the Minnesota Vikings defeated the then St. Louis Cardinals in Wembley Stadium in London by the score of 28-10.
August 6, 1989 – The Los Angeles Rams played the San Francisco 49ers in an exhibition game played at the Tokyo Dome, the second time in history that an NFL game was played in Japan. For the final score it was the Rams edging the Niners eleven by the tune of 16-13 according to a Yahoo.com article.
August 6, 1995 – For the first time ever, the city of Cleveland sees its NFL Browns team play an exhibition at home while its MLB Indians team also hosts a game on the same day.
August 6, 2020 – The NFL and NFLPA established this day as the final “Opt Out” deadline for player to choose not to play the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns for them or a loved one. In the agreement the players who opt out would receive either a one-time $350,000 stipend or a $150,000 2021 pay advance to help them through a season without pay. There were provisions for later opt outs pending approval for conditions that might spring up during the season. All together 69 players chose this option not to play in 2020 prior to the deadline.
Birthdays of Hall of Fame Players for August 6
August 6, 1902 – Harry Wilson was a star halfback from Penn State and Army teams during the 1920s. This great athlete in not only enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame but his bust can also be found in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame as well. He even lettered 12 times for the U.S. Military Academy in football, basketball and lacrosse.
August 6, 1906 – West Haven, Connecticut – Halfback/placekicker Elmer Kenneth “Ken” Strong was born. Besides playing with the New York Giants from 1933 through 1935, Ken also signed with Staten Island Stapletons in 1929 through 1932, the AFL’s New York Yankees for the seasons of 1936-37.
August 6, 1906 – Jerry Dalrymple was a College Football Hall of Fame end for Tulane’s Green Wave football squad. In 1931 Mr. Dalrymple was the only unanimous All- American in the nation and to this day is the only Tulane player to achieve the unanimous distinction.
August 6, 1920 – Steve Lach was a Duke University halfback that entered the College Football Hall of Fame in the selection class of 1980. Mr. Lach was a first round draft pick of the Chicago Cardinals in the 1942 NFL draft. He also was sworn into the Navy at the same time and due contractual obligations with a military football team he was unable to play as a College All Star in the 1943 edition of the Chicago College All Star game against the champ Washington Redskins team. During the 1943 season he played for the Navy’s Great Lakes Blue Jackets and after his obligation of serving in the Navy expired he played for the AAFS’s NY Yankees and later returned to play ball in the NFL for the Steelers.
August 6, 1947, in Bartow, Florida, was Pro Football Hall of Fame Corner Back, Ken Riley.
FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
EARL BANKS
Position: Coach
Years: 1960-1973
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, PA
Date of Birth: Jun 11, 1924
Place of Death: Baltimore, MD
Date of Death: Oct 27, 1993
Earl Banks was head coach at Morgan State 1960-73 and never had a losing season. His 1965-68 teams won 31 straight, the seventh longest winning streak in college football history. Morgan State won the Orange Blossom Classic in 1965 and the Tangerine Bowl in 1966. His record, 95-30-2, translates to a .756 percentage. Before Morgan State, Banks was assistant coach for nine years at Maryland State-Eastern Shore. Forty-one of his players went to the pros; among them were stars like Willie Lanier, Leroy Kelly, John Fuqua, Raymond Chester, Roger Brown and Sherman Plunkett. He was Morgan State athletic director through 1987. Banks was chairman of a fund drive that raised $1 million for Lafayette Square Community Center. He was a board member for HUB (Help Unite Baltimore), League for Crippled Children, Heart Association, Diabetes Association, Prisoner’s Aid, Boy Scouts and Salvation Army. As the coach at Morgan State, he said, “The players are going to be scholars first. They come for an education, and 90 percent get degrees – not just physical education but in pre-medicine, pre-law and business. Two days a week I talk life, not football. College football is great for today’s life. The world is looking for leadership and discipline. Football offers that experience.” Banks played football for Wendell Phillips High School, Chicago, and was all-state in 1943. He was a stocky, 5-8, 210 pound all-star guard for Iowa 1946-49, and played one year professionally with the New York Yankees of the NFL in 1950. He died October 27, 1993, at age 69.
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
19 – 4 – 29 – 32 – 5 – 44 – 8 – 21 – 20 – 14 – 11 – 18 – 9 – 22
August 6, 1890 – Future Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young throws 3-hit ball in his MLB debut for the Cleveland Spiders in 8-1 win vs Chicago Colts
August 6, 1908 – St Louis Cardinals Johnny Lush pitches 2nd career no-hitter vs Brooklyn Superbas; wins, 2-0 (1st no-hitter 1906)
August 6, 1941 – Detroit Tigers pitcher Al Benton, Number 19 collects 2 sacrifices in an inning, a MLB record; wins 11-2 vs Cleveland Indians
August 6, 1949 – Future Hall of Famer Number 4, Luke Appling appears in a MLB record 2,154th (en route to 2,218) game at shortstop for the Chicago White Sox
August 6, 1952 – Somethings get better with age, a fine wine, a good story a professional baseball pitcher. A PITCHER WHAT?? Yes, St. Louis Browns veteran pitcher Satchel Paige, Number 29, at the ripe age of 46 years old, became the oldest pitcher to win a complete shutout, in 1-0 tilt versus the Detroit Tigers in 12 innings mind you!
August 6, 1963 – Philadelphia NBA franchise changes name from ‘Nationals’ to the ’76ers’, based on US Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776
August 6, 1967 – Minnesota Twins pitcher Dean Chance, wearing Number 32 throws a perfect no-hit game against the Boston Red Sox. Final score in the contest was 2-0 in 5 innings before game is called because of weather
August 6, 1967 – Future Baseball Hall of Fame 3rd baseman Brooks Robinson, Number 5 of the Baltimore Orioles hit into a baseball record fourth career triple play. Bad timing, time and time again for a great player.
August 6, 1972 – Hank Aaron, wearing Number 44 hits 660th & 661st HRs for the Atlanta Braves, breaking Babe Ruth’s MLB record of homers for one team
August 6, 1973 – Roberto Clemente (Number 21), Warren Spahn (Number 21), Billy Evans, Monte Irvin (Number 20), Mickey Welch and Number 14, George “High Pockets” Kelly are inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY
August 6, 1986 – Baltimore’s Jim Dwyer (Number 9) along with teammate Larry Sheets (Number 18), and the opposition Rangers Toby Harrah (Number 11) hit MLB single game record of 3 grand slams in Texas’ 13-11 win
August 6, 1988 – Rich Gossage, Number 54 became only the second player in MLB history to record 300 career saves when he and the Chicago Cubs knocked off Phillies, 7-4
August 6, 1989 – Boston Red Sox retire Baseball Hall of Fame left fielder, 1st baseman Carl Yastrezemski’s Number 8 jersey digit
August 6, 1990 – Jim Palmer (Number 22) and Joe Morgan (Number 8) were inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY
TV SPORTS SUNDAY
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| LPGA: Scottish Open | 8:00am | GOLF |
| LIV: Old White at The Greenbrier | 1:00pm | CW |
| PGA: Wyndham Championship | 1:00pm | GOLF |
| PGA: Wyndham Championship | 3:00pm | CBS |
| LACROSSE | TIME ET | TV |
| PLL: Redwoods vs. Chaos | 3:00pm | ABC |
| MLB REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Chi. White Sox at Cleveland | 12:05pm | Peacock Bally Sports NBCS-CHI |
| Kansas City at Philadelphia | 1:35pm | MLBN NBCS-PHI Bally Sports |
| Houston at NY Yankees | 1:35pm | ATTSN-SW YES |
| Toronto at Boston | 1:35pm | Sportsnet NESN |
| NY Mets at Baltimore | 1:35pm | MLBN MASN/2 SNY |
| Washington at Cincinnati | 1:40pm | MASN/2 Bally Sports |
| Tampa Bay at Detroit | 1:40pm | Bally Sports |
| Arizona at Minnesota | 2:10pm | Bally Sports |
| Pittsburgh at Milwaukee | 2:10pm | ATTSN-PIT Bally Sports |
| Colorado at St. Louis | 2:15pm | ATTSN-RM Bally Sports |
| Atlanta at Chi. Cubs | 2:20pm | Bally Sports MARQ |
| Miami at Texas | 2:35pm | Bally Sports |
| San Francisco at Oakland | 4:07pm | MLBN NBCS-BAY NBCS-CA |
| Seattle at LA Angels | 4:07pm | MLBN Root Sports Bally Sports |
| LA Dodgers at San Diego | 4:10pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| MOTORSPORTS | TIME ET | TV |
| IMSA: SportsCar Weekend | 11:00am | USA |
| IndyCar: Music City Grand Prix | 12:00pm | NBC |
| NASCAR Cup: FireKeepers Casino 400 | 2:30pm | USA |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| Women’s World Cup: Sweden vs USA | 5:00am | FOX |
| Brasileirão: Coritiba vs RB Bragantino | 10:00am | Paramount+ |
| FA Community Shield: Manchester City vs Arsenal | 11:00am | ESPN+ |
| Brasileirão: São Paulo vs Atlético Mineiro | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Goiás vs Fortaleza | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Vasco da Gama vs Grêmio | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Cruzeiro vs Botafogo | 5:30pm | Paramount+ |
| NWSL Challenge Cup: OL Reign vs Portland Thorns | 6:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Brasileirão: Cuiabá vs Flamengo | 7:00pm | Paramount+ |
| VOLLEYBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| AVP: Gold Series, Atlanta | 12:00pm | ESPN2 |
| WNBA | TIME ET | TV |
| Las Vegas vs New York | 3:00pm | ABC |
| Los Angeles vs Washington | 3:00pm | ESPN3 |
| Indiana vs Atlanta | 3:00pm | ESPN3 |
| Chicago vs Dallas | 4:00pm | ESPN3 |