“THE SCOREBOARD”
SECTIONAL FOOTBALL FRIDAY OCTOBER 14, 2023
SECTIONAL 17
HOBART (7-2) AT NEW PRAIRIE (7-2)
GARY WEST (6-3) AT KANKAKEE VALLEY (4-5)
EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL (1-8) AT HIGHLAND (3-6)
CULVER ACADEMY (3-6) AT LOWELL (4-5)
SECTIONAL 18
SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (2-7) AT PLYMOUTH (2-7)
NORTHWOOD (7-2) AT SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (4-5)
SOUTH BEND RILEY (8-1) AT WAWASEE (1-8)
NORTHRIDGE (7-2) AT LOGANSPORT (4-5)
SECTIONAL 19
FORT WAYNE WAYNE (5-4) AT FORT WAYNE DWENGER (4-5)
DEKALB (5-4) AT ANGOLA (2-7)
EAST NOBLE (7-2) AT NEW HAVEN (8-1)
LEO (7-2) AT FORT WAYNE SOUTH (1-8)
SECTIONAL 20
MISSISSINEWA (9-0) AT WESTERN (4-5)
COLUMBIA CITY (5-4) AT HUNTINGTON NORTH (1-8)
FRANKFORT (1-8) AT MARION (2-7)
KOKOMO (7-2) AT JAY COUNTY (4-5)
SECTIONAL 21
INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (8-1) AT LEBANON (4-5)
BREBEUF JESUIT (4-4) AT NORTHVIEW (6-3)
INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE (3-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI (3-6)
INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON (5-4) AT MOORESVILLE (4-5)
SECTIONAL 22
PENDLETON HEIGHTS (7-2) AT GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (8-1)
NEW CASTLE (1-8) AT NEW PALESTINE (7-2)
BEECH GROVE (4-5) AT MUNCIE CENTRAL (4-5)
MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) (5-4) AT RICHMOND (1-8)
SECTIONAL 23
EDGEWOOD (2-7) AT JENNINGS COUNTY (4-5)
GREENWOOD (4-5) AT CONNERSVILLE (2-7)
SHELBYVILLE (3-6) AT EAST CENTRAL (9-0)
MARTINSVILLE (6-3) AT SILVER CREEK (6-3)
SECTIONAL 24
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (6-3) AT EVANSVILLE HARRISON (1-8)
BOONVILLE (5-4) AT EVANSVILLE REITZ (9-0)
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (6-3) AT EVANSVILLE CENTRAL (0-9)
JASPER (6-3) AT EVANSVILLE BOSSE (3-6)
SECTIONAL 25
TWIN LAKES (5-4) AT BOONE GROVE (7-2)
CALUMET (3-6) AT HANOVER CENTRAL (9-0)
RIVER FOREST (6-3) AT WEST LAFAYETTE (6-3)
RENSSELAER CENTRAL (5-4) AT GRIFFITH (3-6)
SECTIONAL 26
JIMTOWN (4-5) AT FAIRFIELD (5-4)
SOUTH BEND CLAY (3-6) AT JOHN GLENN (5-4)
KNOX (9-0) AT LAKELAND (6-3)
MISHAWAKA MARIAN (5-4) AT WEST NOBLE (9-0)
SECTIONAL 27
YORKTOWN (4-5) AT FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA (0-9)
DELTA (5-4) AT NORWELL (3-6)
BELLMONT (0-9) AT GARRETT (4-5)
HERITAGE (8-1) AT WOODLAN (2-7)
SECTIONAL 28
GUERIN CATHOLIC (7-2) AT PERU (9-0)
TIPPECANOE VALLEY (9-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (9-0)
NORTHWESTERN (3-6) AT MACONAQUAH (6-3)
HAMILTON HEIGHTS (9-0) AT OAK HILL (5-4)
SECTIONAL 29
DANVILLE (7-2) AT TRI-WEST (8-1)
WESTERN BOONE (6-3) AT NORTH MONTGOMERY (5-4)
PURDUE POLYTECHNIC (3-6) AT MONROVIA (7-2)
CRAWFORDSVILLE (1-8) AT SPEEDWAY (2-7)
SECTIONAL 30
PIKE CENTRAL (1-8) AT PRINCETON (1-8)
VINCENNES LINCOLN (6-3) AT OWEN VALLEY (3-6)
MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) (5-4) AT GIBSON SOUTHERN (7-2)
WEST VIGO (2-7) AT WASHINGTON (2-7)
SECTIONAL 31
LAWRENCEBURG (7-2) AT CENTERVILLE (9-0)
BATESVILLE (8-1) AT RUSHVILLE (3-6)
FRANKLIN COUNTY (3-6) AT SOUTH DEARBORN (5-4)
GREENSBURG (0-9) AT INDIAN CREEK (6-3)
SECTIONAL 32
SCOTTSBURG (5-4) AT NORTH HARRISON (6-3)
SALEM (2-7) AT MADISON (1-8)
CHARLESTOWN (6-3) AT HERITAGE HILLS (8-1)
CORYDON CENTRAL (0-9) AT SOUTHRIDGE (6-3)
SECTIONAL 33
BREMEN (4-5) AT HAMMOND NOLL (2-7)
ANDREAN (3-6) AT LAVILLE (8-1)
LAKE STATION (2-7) AT WHITING (3-6)
SECTIONAL 34
WINAMAC (3-6) AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (6-3)
BENTON CENTRAL (2-7) AT SEEGER (6-3)
DELPHI (4-5) AT LEWIS CASS (5-4)
SECTIONAL 35
WABASH (2-7) AT EASTSIDE (6-3)
FORT WAYNE LUERS (6-3) AT CHURUBUSCO (2-7)
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (0-9) AT CENTRAL NOBLE (3-6)
MANCHESTER (3-6) AT WHITKO (1-8)
SECTIONAL 36
BLACKFORD (0-9) AT TIPTON (1-8)
ELWOOD (1-8) AT EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (7-2)
EASTBROOK (6-3) AT FRANKTON (4-5)
BLUFFTON (7-2) AT ALEXANDRIA (8-1)
SECTIONAL 37
GREENCASTLE (7-2) AT NORTH PUTNAM (3-6)
LINTON-STOCKTON (7-1) AT NORTH KNOX (5-4)
SOUTH VERMILLION (8-1) AT CASCADE (5-4)
SULLIVAN (5-4) AT SOUTHMONT (4-5)
SECTIONAL 38
LAPEL (5-4) AT EASTERN HANCOCK (5-4)
INDIANAPOLIS RITTER (3-6) AT UNION COUNTY (0-9)
SHENANDOAH (1-8) AT HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (6-3)
NORTHEASTERN (7-2) AT WINCHESTER (6-2)
SECTIONAL 39
TRITON CENTRAL (8-1) AT CLARKSVILLE (1-8)
INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (5-4) AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (8-1)
BROWN COUNTY (1-8) AT SWITZERLAND COUNTY (5-4)
EASTERN (PEKIN) (3-6) AT CHRISTEL HOUSE MANUAL (3-5)
SECTIONAL 40
NORTH POSEY (8-1) AT PERRY CENTRAL (5-4)
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (2-7) AT TELL CITY (6-3)
MITCHELL (2-7) AT FOREST PARK (5-4)
CRAWFORD COUNTY (0-9) AT PAOLI (8-1)
SECTIONAL 41
BOWMAN ACADEMY (1-5) AT SOUTH NEWTON (3-6)
PIONEER (5-4) AT NORTH JUDSON (5-4)
TRITON (6-3) AT NORTH NEWTON (0-9)
CULVER (0-9) AT SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) (3-6)
SECTIONAL 42
FOUNTAIN CENTRAL (5-3) AT PARK TUDOR (9-0)
CLINTON PRAIRIE (5-4) AT COVINGTON (4-5)
NORTH VERMILLION (6-3) AT ATTICA (0-9)
SECTIONAL 43
CASTON (1-8) AT NORTH WHITE (9-0)
CARROLL (FLORA) (9-0) AT TRI-COUNTY (5-3)
WEST CENTRAL (7-2) AT TAYLOR (1-8)
TRI-CENTRAL (3-6) AT FRONTIER (5-4)
SECTIONAL 44
MADISON-GRANT (6-3) AT NORTHFIELD (4-5)
NORTH MIAMI (1-8) AT SOUTHERN WELLS (1-8)
SOUTH ADAMS (6-3) AT ADAMS CENTRAL (9-0)
FREMONT (3-6) AT SOUTHWOOD (4-5)
SECTIONAL 45
MONROE CENTRAL (4-5) AT UNION CITY (2-7)
HAGERSTOWN (6-3) AT SHERIDAN (6-3)
SECTIONAL 46
SOUTH DECATUR (7-2) AT NORTH DECATUR (6-3)
KNIGHTSTOWN (3-6) AT TRI (6-3)
MILAN (6-3) AT CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (1-6)
SECTIONAL 47
NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) (2-7) AT SOUTH PUTNAM (8-1)
PARKE HERITAGE (2-6) AT COVENANT CHRISTIAN (5-3)
RIVERTON PARKE (4-5) AT CLOVERDALE (2-7)
SECTIONAL 48
SPRINGS VALLEY (8-1) AT SOUTH SPENCER (3-6)
PROVIDENCE (9-0) AT EASTERN GREENE (5-4)
NORTH DAVIESS (4-5) AT TECUMSEH (1-8)
SECTIONAL BRACKETS: 6A Bracket | 5A Bracket | 4A Bracket | 3A Bracket | 2A Bracket | 1A Bracket
INDIANA VOLLEYBALL SECTIONAL SCORES:
https://www.maxpreps.com/in/volleyball/scores/?date=10/14/2023
INDIANA BOYS SOCCER REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
3A
NOBLESVILLE 0 FW CARROLL 0 (NOBLESVILLE WINS SHOOTOUT 5-3)
LAKE CENTRAL 1 CONCORD 0
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE NOBLESVILLE VS. LAKE CENTRAL
COLUMBUS NORTH 2 FLOYD CENTRAL 0
CATHEDRAL 2 CARMEL 1
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE COLUMBUS NORTH VS. CATHEDRAL
2A
LEO 2 FW CONCORDIA 1
MISHAWAKA MARIAN 2 WEST LAFAYETTE 1
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE LEO VS. MISHAWAKA MARIAN
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 4 PROVIDENCE 0
BREBEUF 4 SPEEDWAY 1
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL VS. BREBEUF
1A
PARK TUDOR 2 ARGOS 0
BETHANY CHRISTIAN 1 WHEELER 0
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE PARK TUDOR VS. BETHANY CHRISTIAN
FOREST PARK 1 SOUTHWESTERN 0
GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN 1 COVENANT CHRISTIAN 1 (GREENWOOD WINS SHOOTOUT 4-1)
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE FOREST PARK VS. GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN
INDIANA GIRLS SOCCER REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
3A
CROWN POINT 2 NORTHRIDGE 0
NOBLESVILLE 0 CARROLL 0 (NOBLESVILLE WINS SHOOTOUT 3-2)
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE CROWN POINT VS. NOBLESVILLE
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 1 CASTLE 0
CATHEDRAL 2 CARMEL 1
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE CATHEDRAL VS. BLOOMINGTON SOUTH
2A
LEO 1 BELLMONT 0
MISHAWAKA MARIAN 2 WEST LAFAYETTE 1
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE LEO VS. MISHAWAKA MARIAN
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 2 JASPER 0
GUERIN CATHOLIC 2 LAWRENCEBURG 0
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL VS. GUERIN CATHOLIC
1A
FW CANTERBURY 1 SHERIDAN 0
WESTVIEW 6 WHEELER 0
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE WESTVIEW VS. FW CANTERBURY
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 3 PROVIDENCE 0
PARK TUDOR 5 BETHESDA CHRISTIAN 0
SATURDAY SEMI-STATE EVANSVILLE MATER DEI VS. PARK TUDOR
INDIANA BOYS TENNIS STATE FINALS
Quarterfinals | Carmel HS, 12 pm ET |
M1: Culver Academies 4, Homestead 1 Homestead ends 18-3
Singles
1. Tyler Li (11) Culver Academies def. Stephen Meier (12) Homestead 6-1, 6-1
2. William Tullis (11) Culver Academies def. Ben Garrean (10) Homestead 4-6, 7-5 retired
3. Peter Allen (11) Culver Academies def. Connor Cook (10) Homestead 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1. Alex Graber (12) | Eric Ji (10) Homestead def.def. Samuel Meares (12) | Fredrik Morsches (11) Culver Academies 6-0, 6-1
2. Peter Bilicic (11) | Matas Latvys (9) Culver Academies def. Matthew Otten (12) | Devesh Vamadevan (11) Homestead 6-1, 6-2
M2: Carmel 4, North Central (Indianapolis) 1 North Central ends 16-5
Singles
1. Alex Antonopoulos (12) North Central def. Jonathan Yang (12) Carmel 6-1, 6-2
2. Rocky Li (11) Carmel def. Reginald Perry (12) North Central 6-2, 6-1
3. Wesley Worobel (10) Carmel def. Nathan Strachota (12) North Central 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
1. Michael Bao (11) | Braedon McIntyre (12) Carmel def. Akshay Guttikonda (12) | Owen Larrimer (12) North Central 6-2, 6-3
2. David Liu (9) | Grant Mu (9) Carmel def. Tyler Dooley(12) | Aiden Khoury (12) North Central 6-0, 6-0
Quarterfinals | Center Grove HS, 12 pm ET
M3: Jasper 5, Noblesville 0 Noblesville ends 11-8
Singles
1. Trey Gutgsell (12) Jasper def. Ethan Feliciano (11) Noblesville 6-0, 6-1
2. Joel Levy (10) Jasper def. Coleman Kratz (12) Noblesville 6-0, 6-1
3. Elliott Rolwing (9) Jasper def. Zane Panning (11) Noblesville 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
1. Eli Flick (11) | Caleb Schnarr (11) Jasper def. Rory Bushong (12) | Liam Shepard (12) Noblesville 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4
2. Reece Fischer (11) | Cole Lampert (10) Jasper def. Jack Brenneman (11) | Dane Campbell (10) Noblesville 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
M4: Columbus North 3, Floyd Central 2 Floyd Central ends 19-6
Singles
1. Hank Lin (11) Columbus North def. Ben Lammert (12) Floyd Central 6-3, 6-2
2. Riley Doddridge (11) Floyd Central def. Parth Shah (11) Columbus North 6-4, 6-2
3. Preston Bickel (11) Floyd Central def. Austin Clark (12) Columbus North 6-2, 6-4
Doubles
1. Anvay Atram (12) | Amrit Kar (12) Columbus North def. Alex Eichenberger (11) | Joseph Howell (11) Floyd Central 7-5, 6-2
2. Michael Crossman (11) | Yoki Murabayashi (11) Columbus North def. Luke Allen (12) | Brady Bilsland (12) Floyd Central 6-2, 6-0
Saturday, Oct. 14
Semifinals | moved to DePauw University | Delayed to 12:30 pm ET
M5: Carmel 4, Culver Academies 1 Culver Academies ends 23-2
Singles
1. Tyler Li (11) Culver Academies def. Jonathan Yang (12) Carmel 6-4, 6-1
2. Rocky Li (11) Carmel def. William Tullis (11) Culver Academies 6-2, 6-2
3. Wesley Worobel (10) Carmel def. Peter Allen (11) Culver Academies 6-0, 6-2
Doubles
1. Michael Bao (11) | Braedon McIntyre (12) Carmel def. Samuel Meares (12) | Fredrik Morsches (11) Culver Academies 6-1, 6-2
2. David Liu (9) | Grant Mu (9) Carmel def. Peter Bilicic (11) | Matas Latvys (9) Culver Academies 6-2, 6-3
M6: Columbus North 3, Jasper 2 Jasper ends 17-6
Singles
1. Hank Lin (11) Columbus North def. Trey Gutgsell (12) Jasper 6-0, 6-1
2. Parth Shah (11) Columbus North def. Joel Levy (10) Jasper 6-1, 6-1
3. Elliott Rolwing (9) Jasper def. Austin Clark (12) Columbus North 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2)
Doubles
1. Anvay Atram (12) | Amrit Kar (12) Columbus North def. Eli Flick (11) | Caleb Schnarr (11) Jasper 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
2. Reece Fischer (11) | Cole Lampert (10) Jasper def. Michael Crossman (11) | Yoki Murabayashi (11) Columbus North 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)
State Championship | moved to DePauw University | 6:15 pm ET
M7: Carmel (26-0) vs. Columbus North (24-1)
M7: Carmel 3, Columbus North 2 Carmel ends 27-0; Columbus North ends 24-2
Singles
1. Hank Lin (11) Columbus North def. Jonathan Yang (12) Carmel 6-0, 6-1
2. Rocky Li (11) Carmel def. Parth Shah (11) Columbus North 6-3, 6-1
3. Wesley Worobel (10) Carmel def. Austin Clark (12) Columbus North 6-0, 6-2
Doubles
1. Anvay Atram (12) | Amrit Kar (12) Columbus North def. Michael Bao (11) | Braedon McIntyre (12) Carmel 6-3, 7-5
2.
David Liu (9) | Grant Mu (9) Carmel def. Michael Crossman (11) | Yoki Murabayashi (11) Columbus North 6-2, 6-1
CROSS COUNTRY SECTIONAL-SATURDAY OCTOBER 14
1. Highland (16) | Boys 10 am CT; Girls 10:45 am CT | Results
Calumet, Crown Point, East Chicago Central, Gary West Side, Griffith, Hanover Central, Hammond Bishop Noll, Hammond Central, Hammond Morton, Highland, Illiana Christian, Lake Central, Lighthouse CPA, Lowell, Munster, Whiting
2. Chesterton (Sunset Hill Farms) (14) | Boys 10:30 am CT; Girls 11:15 am CT | Results
Andrean, Boone Grove, Chesterton, Hebron, Hobart, Kouts, Lake Station Edison, Merrillville, Morgan Township, Portage, River Forest, Valparaiso, Washington Township, Wheeler
3. New Prairie (17) | Boys 10 am CT; Girls 10:45 am CT | Results
Glenn, LaPorte, Marquette Catholic, Michigan City, Mishawaka, Mishawaka Marian, New Prairie, Penn, South Bend Adams, South Bend Career Academy, South Bend Riley, South Bend Saint Joseph, South Bend Washington, South Central (Union Mills), Trinity Greenlawn, Tri-Township, Westville
4. Elkhart (Oxbow Park) (13) | Boys 10 am ET; Girls 10:30 am ET | Results
Bethany Christian, Bremen, Concord, Elkhart Christian Academy, Elkhart, Fairfield, Goshen, Jimtown, LaVille, Northridge, NorthWood, Wawasee, Westview
5. Rensselaer Central (14) | Boys 10:30 am CT; Girls 11:15 am CT | Results
Benton Central, DeMotte Christian, Frontier, Kankakee Valley, Knox, North Judson-San Pierre, North Newton, North White, Rensselaer Central, South Newton, Tri-County, Twin Lakes, West Central, Winamac
6. Manchester (16) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Argos, Columbia City, Culver Academies, Culver Community, Huntington North, Lakeland Christian Academy, Manchester, North Miami, Northfield, Plymouth, Rochester Community, Tippecanoe Valley, Triton, Wabash, Warsaw, Whitko
7. West Noble (15) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Angola, Carroll (Fort Wayne), Central Noble, Churubusco, DeKalb, East Noble, Eastside, Fremont, Garrett, Hamilton, Lakeland, Lakewood Park Christian, Leo, Prairie Heights, West Noble
8. Woodlan (The Plex) (14) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian, Fort Wayne Canterbury, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran, Fort Wayne Northrop, Fort Wayne Northside, Fort Wayne Snider, Fort Wayne South Side, Fort Wayne Wayne, Heritage, Homestead, New Haven, Woodlan
9. Delta (Taylor University) (16) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Adams Central, Bellmont, Blackford, Bluffton, Delta, Eastbrook, Jay County, Monroe Central, Norwell, Randolph Southern, South Adams, Southern Wells, Union (Modoc), Union City, Wapahani, Winchester Community
10. Marion (Indiana Wesleyan University) (15) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Alexandria Monroe, Blue River Valley, Cowan, Daleville, Elwood Community, Frankton, Madison-Grant, Marion, Mississinewa, Muncie Burris, Muncie Central, Oak Hill, Southwood, West-Del, Yorktown
11. Logansport (16) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Carroll (Flora), Caston, Clinton Central, Clinton Prairie, Eastern (Greentown), Frankfort, Kokomo, Lewis Cass, Logansport, Maconaquah, Northwestern, Peru, Pioneer, Rossville, Taylor, Western
12. Harrison (West Lafayette) (14) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Attica, Covington, Crawfordsville, Delphi, Faith Christian, Fountain Central, Harrison (West Lafayette), Lafayette Central Catholic, Lafayette Jefferson, McCutcheon, North Montgomery, Seeger, Southmont, West Lafayette
13. North Central (Indianapolis) (18) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Carmel, Heritage Christian, Herron, Indiana School for the Deaf, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, Indianapolis Crispus Attucks, Indianapolis George Washington, Indianapolis Metropolitan, Indianapolis Shortridge, International School of Indiana, North Central (Indianapolis), Park Tudor, Riverside, Tindley, Traders Point Christian, University, Western Boone, Zionsville
14. Terre Haute North Vigo (17) | Boys 10 am ET; Girls 10:45 am ET | Results
Clay City, Cloverdale, Dugger Union, Greencastle, North Central (Farmersburg), North Vermillion, Northview, Owen Valley, Parke Heritage, Riverton Parke, Shakamak, South Putnam, South Vermillion, Sullivan, Terre Haute North Vigo, Terre Haute South Vigo, West Vigo
15. Ben Davis (15) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Avon, Ben Davis, Bethesda Christian, Brebeuf Jesuit, Brownsburg, Cascade, Covenant Christian, Danville Community, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter, North Putnam, Pike, Plainfield, Providence Cristo Rey, Speedway, Tri-West Hendricks
16. Noblesville (15) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Anderson, Anderson Preparatory Academy, Fishers, Guerin Catholic, Hamilton Heights, Hamilton Southeastern, Lapel, Lebanon, Liberty Christian, Noblesville, Pendleton Heights, Shenandoah, Tipton, Tri-Central, Westfield
17. Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (17) | Boys 9:45 am ET; Girls 10:30 am ET | Results
Beech Grove, Eastern Hancock, Franklin Central, Greenfield-Central, Indianapolis Arsenal Tech, Indianapolis Cathedral, Indianapolis Lutheran, Indianapolis Scecina Memorial, Irvington Preparatory Academy, Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, Morristown, Mt. Vernon (Fortville), New Palestine, Purdue Polytechnic, Victory College Prep, Warren Central
18. Connersville (15) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Batesville, Cambridge City Lincoln, Centerville, Connersville, East Central, Franklin County, Hagerstown, New Castle, Northeastern, Oldenburg Academy, Richmond, Rushville Consolidated, Seton Catholic, Tri, Union County
19. Shelbyville (Blue River Park) (16) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Center Grove, Decatur Central, Edinburgh, Franklin Community, Greenwood Christian Academy, Greenwood Community, Indian Creek, Mooresville, Perry Meridian, Roncalli, Shelbyville, Southport, Southwestern (Shelby), Triton Central, Waldron, Whiteland Community
20. Southwestern (Hanover) (Hanover College) (16) Boys 9:30 am ET; Girls 10:15 am ET | Results
Austin, Charlestown, Crothersville, Henryville, Jac-Cen-Del, Lawrenceburg, Madison Consolidated, Milan, New Washington, Rising Sun, Scottsburg, Shawe Memorial, Southwestern Hanover, Switzerland County, South Dearborn, South Ripley
21. Brown County (14) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Brown County, Columbus East, Columbus North, Edgewood, Eminence, Greensburg, Hauser, Jennings County, Martinsville, Monrovia, North Decatur, Seymour, South Decatur, Trinity Lutheran
22. Bedford North Lawrence (17) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Bedford North Lawrence, Bloomfield, Bloomington North, Bloomington South, Brownstown Central, Eastern (Pekin), Eastern Greene, Lighthouse Christian Academy, Linton-Stockton, Loogootee, Mitchell, North Daviess, Orleans, Salem, Shoals, West Washington, White River Valley
23. Crawford County (15) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Borden, Christian Academy of Indiana, Clarksville, Corydon Central, Crawford County, Floyd Central, Jeffersonville, Lanesville, New Albany, North Harrison, Paoli, Providence, Silver Creek, South Central (Elizabeth), Springs Valley
24. Jasper (Jasper Youth Sports Complex) (14) | Boys 10:30 am ET; Girls 11:15 am ET | Results
Barr-Reeve, Cannelton, Forest Park, Jasper, North Knox, Northeast Dubois, Perry Central, Pike Central, South Knox, Southridge, Tell City, Vincennes Lincoln, Washington, Washington Catholic
25. Evansville Mater Dei (Angel Mounds) (19) Boys 10 am CT; Girls 10:30 am CT | Results
Boonville, Castle, Evansville Bosse, Evansville Central, Evansville Christian, Evansville Day, Evansville F.J. Reitz, Evansville Harrison, Evansville Mater Dei, Evansville North, Evansville Reitz Memorial, Gibson Southern, Heritage Hills, Mt. Vernon, North Posey, Princeton Community, Signature, South Spencer, Tecumseh
INDIANA CROSS COUNTRY: HTTPS://IN.MILESPLIT.COM/
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 7 SCOREBOARD
INDIANA SCORES
MICHIGAN 52 INDIANA 7
OHIO STATE 41 PURDUE 7
NOTRE DAME 48 USC 20
DAVIDSON 35 BUTLER 33
TOLEDO 13 BALL STATE 6
INDIANAPOLIS 38 TRUMAN STATE 17
MARIAN 14 CONCORDIA 7
INDIANA WESLEYAN 26 MADONNA 0
DENNISON 28 WABASH 24
FRANKLIN COLLEGE 35 DEFIANCE 21
ROSE HULMAN 52 BLUFFTON 28
MOUNT ST. JOSEPH 77 ANDERSON 14
TRINE 28 OLIVET 14
DEPAUW 53 WESTERN 7
HANOVER 34 MANCHESTER 0
ST. FRANCIS 56 LAWRENCE TECH 7
MOREHEAD STATE 24 VALPO 21
NATIONAL SCOREBOARD
NO. 1 GEORGIA 37, VANDERBILT 20
NO. 2 MICHIGAN 52, INDIANA 7
NO. 3 OHIO STATE 41, PURDUE 7
NO. 4 FLORIDA STATE 41, SYRACUSE 3
NO. 11 ALABAMA 24, ARKANSAS 21
RUTGERS 27, MICHIGAN STATE 24
IOWA STATE 30, CINCINNATI 10
NORTH TEXAS 45, TEMPLE 14
JAMES MADISON 41, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 13
EASTERN MICHIGAN 28, KENT STATE 14
YALE 31, SACRED HEART 3
BROWN 28, PRINCETON 27 (OT)
MARIST 30, SAN DIEGO 16
HARVARD 48, HOWARD 7
BUCKNELL 21, CORNELL 13
COLGATE 27, DARTMOUTH 24 (OT)
GEORGETOWN 17, LEHIGH 7
DRAKE 52, ST. THOMAS (MINN.) 21
FURMAN 27, SAMFORD 21
TENNESSEE TECH 28, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE 7
PENN 20, COLUMBIA 17
NAVY 14, CHARLOTTE 0
VMI 17, THE CITADEL 13
TOLEDO 13, BALL STATE 6
AUSTIN PEAY 41, GARDNER-WEBB 14
NORTH DAKOTA 49, NORTH DAKOTA STATE 24
SOUTH DAKOTA 34, YOUNGSTOWN STATE 31
MOREHEAD STATE 24, VALPARAISO 21
NO. 16 UTAH 34, CAL 14
ILLINOIS STATE 44, INDIANA STATE 7
ALABAMA A&M 45, GRAMBLING 24
ALABAMA STATE 24, JACKSON STATE 19
EASTERN KENTUCKY 41, TARLETON STATE 35
SACRAMENTO STATE 21, NORTHERN COLORADO 13
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 27, MURRAY STATE 6
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 41, UNI 6
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE 35, EASTERN ILLINOIS 28
NO. 6 PENN STATE 63, UMASS 0
NO. 7 WASHINGTON 36, NO. 8 OREGON 33
NO. 19 TENNESSEE 20, TEXAS A&M 13
OKLAHOMA STATE 39, NO. 23 KANSAS 32
TROY 19, ARMY 0
FLORIDA 41, SOUTH CAROLINA 39
VIRGINIA TECH 30, WAKE FOREST 13
TCU 44, BYU 11
FLORIDA ATLANTIC 56, SOUTH FLORIDA 14
CENTRAL MICHIGAN 17, AKRON 10
BOWLING GREEN 24, BUFFALO 14
ILLINOIS 27, MARYLAND 24
MIAMI (OHIO) 34, WESTERN MICHIGAN 21
EAST TENNESSEE STATE 41, WOFFORD 10
IOWA 15, WISCONSIN 6
NORTHERN ILLINOIS 23, OHIO 13
ABILENE CHRISTIAN 30, NORTH ALABAMA 13
PORTLAND STATE 45, NORTHERN ARIZONA 21
MISSOURI STATE 48, WESTERN ILLINOIS 7
LAMAR 30, SE LOUISIANA 24
BRYANT 43, ROBERT MORRIS 24
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 24, LINDENWOOD 10
CHATTANOOGA 22, MERCER 10
UNLV 45, NEVADA 27
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 24, STEPHEN F. AUSTIN 21
UIW 28, TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE 11
TENNESSEE STATE 24, NORFOLK STATE 17
IDAHO STATE 42, EASTERN WASHINGTON 41
PITT 38, NO. 14 LOUISVILLE 21
GEORGIA STATE 41, MARSHALL 24
TEXAS STATE 21, UL MONROE 20
AIR FORCE 34, WYOMING 27
KANSAS STATE 38, TEXAS TECH 21
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN 30, PRAIRIE VIEW A&M 0
ARIZONA 44, NO. 19 WASHINGTON STATE 6
NO. 22 LSU 48, AUBURN 18
NO. 21 NOTRE DAME 48, NO. 10 USC 20
NO. 12 NORTH CAROLINA 41, NO. 25 MIAMI (FLA.) 31
MISSOURI 38, NO. 24 KENTUCKY 21
NO. 15 OREGON STATE 36, NO. 18 UCLA 24
NO. 17 DUKE 24, NC STATE 3
UTSA 41, UAB 20
MONTANA STATE 59, CAL POLY 19
UC DAVIS 17, WEBER STATE 16
COLORADO STATE 31 BOISE STATE 30
SAN DIEGO STATE 41 HAWAII 34
WEEK 8
TUESDAY, OCT. 17
MIDDLE TENNESSEE AT LIBERTY | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
WESTERN KENTUCKY AT JACKSONVILLE STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPNU
SOUTHERN MISS AT SOUTH ALABAMA | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN2
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT SAM HOUSTON | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
NEW MEXICO STATE AT UTEP | 9 P.M. | ESPN2
THURSDAY, OCT. 19
RICE AT TULSA | 7 P.M. | ESPN2
JAMES MADISON AT MARSHALL | 7 P.M. | ESPN
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL AT MORGAN STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPNU
FRIDAY, OCT. 20
SMU AT TEMPLE | 7 P.M. | ESPN2
SATURDAY, OCT. 21
PENN STATE AT OHIO STATE | 12 P.M. | FOX
UCF AT OKLAHOMA | 12 P.M. | ABC
MISSISSIPPI STATE AT ARKANSAS | 12 P.M. | ESPN
RUTGERS AT INDIANA
BOSTON COLLEGE AT GEORGIA TECH | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
BAYLOR AT CINCINNATI | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
MEMPHIS AT UAB | 12 P.M. | ESPN2
AIR FORCE AT NAVY | 12 P.M. | CBS
NORFOLK STATE AT HOWARD | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE AT DELAWARE STATE | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
PENN AT YALE | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
LEHIGH AT BUCKNELL | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
LAFAYETTE AT HOLY CROSS | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
BROWN AT CORNELL | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTH DAKOTA AT INDIANA STATE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
HARVARD AT PRINCETON | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
MARIST AT PRESBYTERIAN | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
ST. THOMAS (MINN.) AT STETSON | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
SAMFORD AT VMI | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
COLUMBIA AT DARTMOUTH | 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
EAST TENNESSEE STATE AT CHATTANOOGA | 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
CHARLOTTE AT EAST CAROLINA | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
UL MONROE AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
AKRON AT BOWLING GREEN | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
ILLINOIS STATE AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE AT TENNESSEE TECH | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN+
FURMAN AT WESTERN CAROLINA | 2:30 P.M. | ESPN+
COLGATE AT GEORGETOWN | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
MURRAY STATE AT MISSOURI STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
BRYANT AT EASTERN ILLINOIS | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
SE LOUISIANA AT NORTHWESTERN STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN AT UT MARTIN | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
LINCOLN (CA) AT TENNESSEE STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
WASHINGTON STATE AT OREGON | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
SOUTH CAROLINA AT MISSOURI | 3:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
SOUTH FLORIDA AT UCONN | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
PITT AT WAKE FOREST | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
OKLAHOMA STATE AT WEST VIRGINIA | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
NORTH TEXAS AT TULANE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN2
CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT BALL STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
EASTERN MICHIGAN AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
BUFFALO AT KENT STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
WESTERN ILLINOIS AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
TEXAS AT HOUSTON | 4 P.M. | FOX
TOLEDO AT MIAMI (OHIO) | 4 P.M. | ESPNU
IDAHO STATE AT PORTLAND STATE | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
WOFFORD AT MERCER | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
JACKSON STATE AT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTH DAKOTA AT UNI | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
NICHOLLS AT TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
DRAKE AT SAN DIEGO | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
UTSA AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
EASTERN KENTUCKY AT GARDNER-WEBB | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
OLE MISS AT AUBURN | 7 P.M. | ESPN
TCU AT KANSAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN2
COASTAL CAROLINA AT ARKANSAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
COLORADO STATE AT UNLV | 7 P.M. | MOUNTAIN WEST NETWORK
UTAH STATE AT SAN JOSE STATE | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
UTAH TECH AT NORTH ALABAMA | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
MOREHEAD STATE AT TARLETON STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
WEBER STATE AT EASTERN WASHINGTON | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
ARMY AT LSU | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
GEORGIA STATE AT LOUISIANA | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
FLORIDA A&M AT TEXAS SOUTHERN | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
AUSTIN PEAY AT SOUTHERN UTAH | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTHERN COLORADO AT CAL POLY | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
UIW AT MCNEESE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
UCLA AT STANFORD | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
MONTANA STATE AT SACRAMENTO STATE | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN2
MICHIGAN AT MICHIGAN STATE
DUKE AT FLORIDA STATE
ARIZONA STATE AT WASHINGTON
UTAH AT USC
TENNESSEE AT ALABAMA
VIRGINIA AT NORTH CAROLINA
CLEMSON AT MIAMI (FLA.)
WISCONSIN AT ILLINOIS
MINNESOTA AT IOWA
NORTHWESTERN AT NEBRASKA
TEXAS TECH AT BYU
APPALACHIAN STATE AT OLD DOMINION
WESTERN MICHIGAN AT OHIO
NEVADA AT SAN DIEGO STATE
NFL WEEK 6 SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
BALTIMORE RAVENS VS TENNESSEE TITANS (TOTTENHAM) 9:30A NFLN
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS 1:00P CBS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS 1:00P FOX
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS 1:00P CBS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:00P FOX
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT HOUSTON TEXANS 1:00P FOX
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 1:00P CBS
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS 1:00P CBS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS 4:05P CBS
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS 4:25P FOX
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT NEW YORK JETS 4:25P FOX
DETROIT LIONS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 4:25P FOX
NEW YORK GIANTS AT BUFFALO BILLS 8:20P NBC
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023
DALLAS COWBOYS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 8:15P ESPN/ABC
WEEK 6 BYES: GREEN BAY PACKERS, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
FULL SCHEDULE FOR 2023 MLB POSTSEASON
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
PRESENTED BY LOANDEPOT
SUNDAY, OCT. 15
TEX @ HOU, GAME 1, FOX/FS1
MONDAY, OCT. 16
AZ @ PHI, GAME 1, TBS
TEX @ HOU, GAME 2, FOX/FS1
TUESDAY, OCT. 17
AZ @ PHI, GAME 2, TBS
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18
HOU @ TEX, GAME 3, FOX/FS1
THURSDAY, OCT. 19
PHI @ AZ, GAME 3, TBS
HOU @ TEX, GAME 4, FOX/FS1
FRIDAY, OCT. 20
PHI @ AZ, GAME 4, TBS
HOU @ TEX, GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
SATURDAY, OCT. 21
PHI @ AZ, GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
SUNDAY, OCT. 22
TEX @ HOU, GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
MONDAY, OCT. 23
AZ @ PHI, GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
TEX @ HOU, GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
TUESDAY, OCT. 24
AZ @ PHI, GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
WORLD SERIES
PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE
FRIDAY, OCT. 27
GAME 1 (AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
SATURDAY, OCT. 28
GAME 2 (AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
MONDAY, OCT. 30
GAME 3, FOX
TUESDAY, OCT. 31
GAME 4, FOX
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1
GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), FOX
FRIDAY, NOV. 3
GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY, AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
SATURDAY, NOV. 4
GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY, AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
NBA PRE-SEASON
ATLANTA 110 NEW ORLEANS 105
MINNESOTA 121 NEW YORK 112
UTAH 138 PORTLAND 133
NHL SCOREBOARD
OTTAWA 5 PHILADELPHIA 2
WINNIPEG 6 FLORIDA 4
BOSTON 3 NASHVILLE 2
COLUMBUS 5 NY RANGERS 3
DETROIT 6 TAMPA BAY 4
MONTRÉAL 3 CHICAGO 2
PITTSBURGH 5 CALGARY 2
TORONTO 7 MINNESOTA 4
NY ISLANDERS 3 BUFFALO 2
ST. LOUIS 2 SEATTLE 1
VANCOUVER 4 EDMONTON 3
COLORADO 2 SAN JOSE 1
VEGAS 4 ANAHEIM 1
CAROLINA 6 LOS ANGELES 5
WNBA SCORES
GAME 3 TODAY: LAS VEGAS AT NEW YORK (VEGAS LEADS SERIES 2-0)
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
DALLAS 1 COLORAOD 1
NASHVILLE 3 NEW ENGLAND 2
LA 2 SALT LAKE 2
TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP 25
TOP 25 ROUNDUP: NO. 21 NOTRE DAME SHUTS DOWN CALEB WILLIAMS, NO. 10 USC
Xavier Watts had two interceptions and returned a late fumble for a touchdown to help No. 21 Notre Dame to a 48-20 victory against No. 10 Southern Cal on Saturday night in South Bend, Ind.
Notre Dame turned three first-half interceptions into touchdowns, sacked USC quarterback Caleb Williams six times, and held the reigning Heisman Trophy winner to 191 total yards and a late touchdown pass.
Sam Hartman completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns, and running back Audric Estime rushed for 95 yards on 22 carries and scored two touchdowns for the Fighting Irish (6-2).
After trailing 24-3 late in the first half, the Trojans (6-1) twice cut the deficit to 11 in the second half, but Notre Dame quickly answered each time.
No. 1 Georgia 37, Vanderbilt 20
Quarterback Carson Beck threw for 261 yards and a touchdown while leading the Bulldogs to a victory over host Vanderbilt at Nashville, Tenn.
Beck was 29-of-39 passing with an interception for the Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0 SEC), while connecting with 10 different receivers, including Dominic Lovett, who had nine catches for 72 yards and a TD. Georgia’s Daijun Edwards ran 20 times for 146 yards, while the Bulldogs’ defense held Vandy (2-6, 0-4) to 18 rushing yards on 15 carries.
Georgia gained 542 yards of total offense to Vandy’s 219, ran 78 plays to the Commodores’ 44, converted 11 of 16 third downs compared to Vandy’s 2 of 9 and did not punt. Georgia All-American tight end Brock Bowers left in the second quarter with a sprained left ankle and did not return.
No. 2 Michigan 52, Indiana 7
J.J. McCarthy passed for 222 yards and three touchdowns and the Wolverines pounded the Hoosiers in soggy Ann Arbor, Mich., for their 27th victory in the teams’ last 28 meetings.
McCarthy completed 14 of 17 passes for Michigan (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten), while Blake Corum gained 52 rushing yards on 13 carries and scored twice. Colston Loveland caught three passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Jaylin Lucas caught five passes for 56 yards and a touchdown for Indiana (2-4, 0-3).
No. 3 Ohio State 41, Purdue 7
Kyle McCord passed for 276 yards and three touchdowns and Marvin Harrison Jr. had 105 receiving yards and a score as the Buckeyes downed the Boilermakers in West Lafayette, Ind.
McCord completed 16 of 28 passes, with wide receiver Harrison making six catches while tight end Cade Stover caught TDs of 4 and 14 yards for the Buckeyes (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten).
Hudson Card was 13-for-32 for 126 yards and a TD, and Devin Mockobee ran for 110 yards on 18 carries for the Boilermakers (2-5, 1-3).
No. 4 Florida State 41, Syracuse 3
Jordan Travis ran for two scores and threw for another as the Seminoles smashed the Orange in Tallahassee, Fla.
The dual-threat quarterback was 23-of-37 passing for 284 yards on a day when the Seminoles (6-0, 4-0 ACC) rolled up 535 yards and handed the Orange (4-3, 0-3) their third loss in a row. Travis was shaken up in the final minute of the first half, absorbing a blindside hit from defensive lineman Kevin Jobity Jr. as he dropped back.
Travis was taken to the locker room just before halftime to have his injured non-throwing hand examined. Travis returned to the game, rushing for a 2-yard score to give the Seminoles a 24-3 cushion at the 9:11 mark of the third quarter. Syracuse, playing its second consecutive top-15 opponent and winless (0-8) all-time at FSU’s Doak Campbell Stadium, churned out 261 yards of offense.
No. 6 Penn State 63, Massachusetts 0
Daequan Hardy became the first player in Nittany Lions’ history to score two punt return touchdowns in a single game as they trounced the Minutemen in a nonconference mismatch in University Park, Pa.
Penn State (6-0) took a 28-0 halftime lead and more than doubled it in the second half, outgaining the visitors 408-109 in total thanks in large part to quarterback Drew Allar’s 16-of-23, 162-yard, three-touchdown effort.
Tight end Theo Johnson registered his second career multi-score game, catching a pair of third-quarter passes from Allar while totaling a team-high 66 receiving yards. Hardy finished with 129 all-purpose yards, all on returns.
No. 7 Washington 36, No. 8 Oregon 33
Michael Penix Jr. threw four touchdown passes, including an 18-yarder to Rome Odunze with 1:38 remaining, as the Huskies edged the Ducks in a Pac-12 Conference showdown in Seattle.
Oregon’s Camden Lewis just missed a 43-yard field-goal attempt wide right on the final play that would have forced overtime. The Huskies (6-0, 3-0 Pac-12) stopped Oregon (5-1, 2-1) three times on fourth-and-3. Two of those were in the red zone and the other came with 2:11 left in the game as the Ducks went for it from Washington’s 47-yard line.
Penix was 22-of-37 passing for 302 yards, while his counterpart, Oregon’s Bo Nix, was 33 of 44 for 337 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 11 Alabama 24, Arkansas 21
Jalen Milroe passed for two touchdowns and ran for another to lead the Crimson Tide to a victory over the Razorbacks in Southeastern Conference at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Kobe Prentice and Amari Niblack caught scoring passes as the Crimson Tide (6-1, 4-0 SEC) won their fifth straight. Alabama’s Will Reichard booted his 26th consecutive field goal and also became the SEC’s all-time leading scorer. The Crimson Tide beat the Razorbacks (2-5, 0-4) for the 17th straight time. The victory was the 200th at Alabama for Nick Saban in his 17 seasons as coach.
KJ Jefferson completed 14 of 24 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns for Arkansas, which lost its fifth straight game. Isaiah Sategna and Rashod Dubinion caught scoring passes for the Razorbacks.
No. 12 North Carolina 41, No. 25 Miami 31
Drake Maye overcame a lackluster first half to spark the Tar Heels over the Hurricanes in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Maye was only 8-of-19 passing for 105 yards and a touchdown in the first two quarters but was 6-of-11 for 137 yards and three scores in the critical third quarter when North Carolina (6-0, 3-0 ACC) broke the game open. Maye finished the game 17-of-33 passing for 273 yards and four touchdowns.
Miami (4-2, 0-2) outgained the Tar Heels 273 yards to 218 in the first half but managed only 32 yards in the third quarter and went into the final period down 35-17.
Pittsburgh 38, No. 14 Louisville 21
C’Bo Flemister rushed for two touchdowns and the host Panthers’ defense shut out the Cardinals in the second half to earn an Atlantic Coast Conference win.
Pitt scored 24 unanswered points in the second half.
Jack Plummer hit 29 of 52 passes for 350 yards and one touchdown but tossed a pair of interceptions for Arizona (6-1, 3-1). Jamari Thrash caught nine passes for 120 yards, but leading rusher Jawhar Jordan carried the ball just twice for 8 yards before leaving the game in the first quarter with an injury and not returning.
No. 15 Oregon State 36, No. 18 UCLA 24
The defense came away with three interceptions and the Beavers held the Bruins at bay en route to a win in Corvallis, Ore.
Among the pickoffs of UCLA quarterback Dante Moore was Ryan Cooper Jr.’s 67-yard return for a touchdown just before halftime, a momentum-swing that turned a possible Bruins lead into Oregon State (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) leading by double digits, as it did for much of the second half. It was also the third time Moore, a freshman, surrendered a pick-six, one in each of UCLA’s Pac-12 Conference games.
UCLA (4-2, 1-2), rushed for 284 yards on 50 carries. Quarterback Collin Schlee gained 80 yards on six carries out of designed-run packages, and running back Carson Steele gained 110 yards on 22 carries, including a 7-yard score in the fourth quarter. Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei went 14-of-24 passing for 266 yards with the two scores and powered the Beavers’ offense against a stout UCLA defense.
No. 16 Utah 34, Cal 14
Sione Vaki rushed for 158 yards on 15 carries and scored two touchdowns while also totaling four tackles on defense to help the Utes to a win against the visiting Bears in a Pac-12 game.
Vaki, a safety who had one carry on the season coming into the game, sealed the win with a 72-yard touchdown with 6:51 remaining. Ja’Quinden Jackson added 94 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown for Utah (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12), which finished with 317 rushing yards. Bryson Barnes completed 15 of 21 passes for 128 yards and rushed for another 50 yards and a touchdown.
Fernando Mendoza completed 10 of 17 passes for 149 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Cal (3-4, 1-3). Taj Davis had seven catches for 93 yards and a touchdown, while Jaydn Ott also caught a TD.
No. 17 Duke 24, NC State 3
Henry Belin IV completed only four passes in his first career start but two of those went for touchdowns and the Blue Devils’ defense was up to the task in a victory against the visiting Wolfpack in Durham, N.C.
Jordan Waters had an 83-yard touchdown run among his 123 rushing yards for Duke (5-1, 2-0 ACC).
NC State (4-3, 1-2) struggled on offense in quarterback MJ Morris’ second start of the season. Morris went 24-for-40 for 193 yards and an interception.
Arizona 44, No. 19 Washington State 6
Noah Fifita passed for 342 yards and the Wildcats’ defense forced three turnovers in their breakthrough victory over the Cougars in Pullman, Wash.
Washington State (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12) scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, but Arizona (4-3, 2-2) was in control after that. Fifita finished 34-of-43 passing with no interceptions while the defense clamped down on Cameron Ward, who finished with 192 yards on 22 of 30 passing.
Jonah Coleman rushed for three touchdowns and also had a 69-yard reception to the Washington State 1 that set up Arizona’s first touchdown. The Wildcats, who had close calls against then-No. 7 Washington (31-24) and then-No. 9 Southern California (43-41 in triple overtime) during the past two weeks, outgained the Cougars 516-234.
No. 19 Tennessee 20, Texas A&M 13
Dee Williams posted the go-ahead score on a punt return, and Gabe Jeudy-Lally and Kamal Hadden snatched fourth-quarter interceptions as the Volunteers held off the Aggies in Knoxville, Tenn.
The Volunteers (5-1, 2-1 SEC) saw Joe Milton III go just 11-for-22 for 100 yards with a touchdown pass to Jacob Warren. Jaylen Wright produced 136 yards on 19 carries for the conference’s top rushing team, which had 232 yards on 49 attempts.
Quarterback Max Johnson was 16-for-34 for 223 yards and rushed for a score but was picked off twice as Texas A&M (4-3, 2-2) lost for the second straight week.
No. 22 LSU 48, Auburn 18
Jayden Daniels passed for 325 yards and three touchdowns and LSU blew out Auburn in an SEC game in Baton Rouge, La.
Daniels completed 20 of 27 passes and added 93 rushing yards. He led LSU (5-2, 4-1 SEC) to a 17-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, and Auburn (3-3, 0-3) never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
Robby Ashford replaced Payton Thorne at quarterback for Auburn to start the second half and led a drive that made it to the LSU 18 before stalling. Alex McPherson kicked a 38-yard field goal to pull Auburn within 20-10.
Oklahoma State 39, No. 23 Kansas 32
Brennan Presley’s 6-yard touchdown run with 2:33 left lifted the host Cowboys past the Jayhawks in Stillwater, Okla.
The Cowboys (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) defeated the Jayhawks for the seventh straight time in Stillwater. Ollie Gordon became the first OSU player since 1989 to have 100 yards rushing (168) and receiving (116) in the same game.
Kansas (5-2, 2-2) again played without QB Jalon Daniels. Jason Bean started and threw for career highs in yards (410) and touchdowns (five), but he had two second-half turnovers that changed the momentum.
Missouri 38, No. 24 Kentucky 21
Punter Luke Bauer’s touchdown pass awoke Missouri from an early slumber as the Tigers recovered from a 14-point deficit to post a victory over the Wildcats in Southeastern Conference play at Lexington, Ky.
Brady Cook passed for one touchdown and rushed for another as Missouri (6-1, 2-1 SEC) continued its strong start. Cody Schrader rushed for a touchdown while Marquis Johnson and Theo Wease Jr. had scoring receptions.
Kentucky star Ray Davis gained 128 yards on 20 carries for his third outing of at least 100 rushing yards this season. Devin Leary was 14-of-27 passing for 120 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Wildcats (5-2, 2-2), who lost their second consecutive contest.
BIG 10 FOOTBALL RE-CAPS
SATURDAY, OCT. 14
MICHIGAN def. INDIANA, 52-7: J.J. McCarthy threw a tiebreaking, 2-yard touchdown pass to Roman Wilson late in the first half and No. 2 Michigan pulled away to pummel Indiana 52-7 Saturday. The Wolverines started slow, punting after losing 8 yards on their first two possessions and giving up the game’s first touchdown. They closed strong, scoring 52 straight points to win another lopsided game against an overmatched opponent. [FULL RECAP]
OHIO STATE def. PURDUE, 41-7: Kyle McCord threw three touchdown passes and Dallan Hayden rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown in relief of an injury depleted running backs room, helping No. 3 Ohio State rout Purdue 41-7 on Saturday. The Buckeyes won their first road game in the series since 2013 and earned their second victory at Ross-Ade Stadium since 2007. [FULL RECAP]
RUTGERS def. MICHIGAN STATE, 27-24: Kyle Monangai ran for 148 yards and had a go-ahead 21-yard touchdown run as Rutgers rallied from an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun Michigan State 27—24 Saturday, denying interim Spartans head coach Harlon Barnett his first win. Rutgers got two big plays on special teams and two scores in a nine-second span in getting off to its best start since 2014 and handing Michigan State its fourth straight loss under Barnett. [FULL RECAP]
ILLINOIS def. MARYLAND, 27-24: Caleb Griffin kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired to give Illinois its first Big Ten victory of the season, a 27-24 upset of Maryland on Saturday. Luke Altmyer threw two touchdown passes and then guided the Illini (3-4, 1-3) into field-goal range after Maryland’s Jack Howes tied it with a 48-yard kick with 1:31 remaining in regulation. After connecting on the winning field goal, Griffin took off running toward the other end of the field and slid on his stomach in celebration. Seth Coleman had three sacks for Illinois. [FULL RECAP]
PENN STATE def. UMass, 63-0: Drew Allar threw for three touchdowns and ran for another to lead No. 6 Penn State past UMass 63-0 on Saturday. Theo Johnson caught two touchdowns, Tyler Warren, Kaytron Allen, Trey Potts and Beau Pribula scored and Daequan Hardy returned two punts for touchdowns to lead the Nittany Lions to their 11th-straight win dating to last season. [FULL RECAP]
IOWA def. WISCONSIN, 15-6: Leshon Williams scored the game’s lone touchdown on an 82-yard breakaway and finished with 174 yards rushing Saturday to lead Iowa to a 15-6 victory over Wisconsin, which lost quarterback Tanner Mordecai to a hand injury. Iowa has beaten Wisconsin in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2008-09 and gets to maintain possession of the Heartland Trophy, the 72-pound brass bull that goes to the winner of this annual matchup. [FULL RECAP]
BYE: MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTHWESTERN
MAC FOOTBALL
Saturday’s Football Results
*Eastern Michigan 28, Kent State 14
*Toledo 13, Ball State 6
*Central Michigan 17, Akron 10
*Bowling Green 24, Buffalo 14
*Miami 34, Western Michigan 21
*Northern Illinois 23, Ohio 13
Stories Courtesy of the Associated Press and MAC Athletic Communications Departments
*Eastern Michigan 28, Kent State 14
Box Score
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team got on the scoreboard first and never looked back on its way to a 28-14 victory over Kent State University inside ‘The Factory’ at Rynearson Stadium, Oct. 14.
The Eagles improved to 4-3 on the year and 2-1 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play while the Golden Flashes fell to 1-6 and 0-3.
Samson Evans (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge/Iowa) paced the Eagles rushing attack by accumulating 47 yards and two touchdowns over the course of the game. Evans’ 47 yards brought him past the 2,000-yard mark for his career as the graduate student now stands with 2,015 yards in his career. Jaylon Jackson (Burleson, Texas/Centennial/Lamar) also added 43 yards on the ground.
Austin Smith’s (Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove) most prolific target in the ballgame was Tanner Knue (Mason, Ohio, Mason), who caught five passes for 85 yards and one score. Knue’s 85 yards are the most by any Eagles receiver in a single game in 2023.
The duo of Chase Kline (Chardon, Ohio/Chardon/Michigan State) and Joe Sparacio (Naples, Fla./First Baptist Academy/Boston College) led the defensive charge as they recorded 13 and 12 tackles, respectively, with Sparacio, who tallied eight solo tackles, adding a forced fumble. Peyton Price (Lafayette, Ind./Jefferson) added seven tackles and one recovered fumble while Adrian Gonzalez (Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico/Liceo Cancún) and Elijah Williams (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) each recovered one fumble in the win.
The Eagles won the turnover battle, doing so for the 43rd time in its previous 45 victories as it forced three turnovers while coughing the ball up one time. Defensively, Eastern Michigan held up fairly well against the Kent State offensive attack, holding the Golden Flashes to 343 total yards, 14 points, and 4.34 yards per carry.
Eastern Michigan’s offense made the most of its visits to the red zone, scoring on all three of its trips, with all of those scores being touchdowns.
*Toledo 13, Ball State 6
Box Score
MUNCIE, Ind. – Junior Peny Boone’s three-yard touchdown run with 1:31 remaining lifted Toledo to a 13-6 Mid-American Conference win over Ball State at a rain-soaked Scheumann Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The victory moved the Rockets’ record to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in league play and extended their winning streak to six games. Toledo also earned bowl eligibility for the 14th consecutive season, the eighth-longest streak in the country.
With both teams bogged down by inclement weather, Toledo won the battle in trenches, outgaining Ball State 376-205. Boone rushed for 148 yards, his fifth consecutive 100-yard game, 91 yards of which came in the decisive fourth quarter. Toledo held the Cardinals to just 38 yards in the air on 4-of-16 passing. Safety Maxen Hook, a native of nearby New Palestine, Ind., put the game on ice with an interception with 54 seconds to play.
“Tough day, tough weather. Not a great environment,” said Head Coach Jason Candle. “So to just to be able to get some gritty tough yards, tough defensive plays and third-down stops was really key. I was impressed by our defense. We held them without a touchdown. We weren’t as efficient or rhythmic in our offense as we have been in weeks past, but we still gained a lot of rushing yards on a defense that hasn’t given up a lot of rushing yards.”
The game was tied 3-3 headed into the fourth quarter before the teams exchanged field goals, setting up Toledo’s game-winning drive. Dequan Finn completed a 32-yard pass to Jerjuan Newton to the BSU 40-yard line, and Boone took it from there, rushing four times in the next five plays, the last one for a three-yard score.
After Hook’s interception, Boone snuffed out any hope for a Ball State comeback by racing 39 yards to the BSU six-yard line. Toledo ran the clock out from there to claim its sixth-straight victory.
*Central Michigan 17, Akron 10
Box Score
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) — Jase Bauer and Myles Bailey ran for third-quarter touchdowns to snap a halftime tie and Central Michigan held on to beat Akron 17-10 on Saturday.
Marcus Badgett’s interception set up a four-play, 30-yard drive capped by Bauer’s TD run for a 10-3 lead early in the third quarter. With a minute left in the third, Bailey scored to finish the Chippewas’ 18-play, 76-yard drive that took 9:36, their longest this season in number of plays and time of possession.
Jeff Undercuffler threw a 14-yard scoring pass to Alex Adams to cut the lead to seven early in the fourth quarter, but the Zips’ final three drives went for a total of only 43 yards.
Bauer threw for 181 yards but was intercepted twice. He was the leading ground gainer for CMU (4-3, 2-1 Mid-American Conference) with 61 yards. Tristan Mattson was only 1 of 3 on field-goal attempts but his make was from 58 yards.
Two Zips quarterbacks combined for 123 yards passing. Tahj Bullock threw two picks. Akron had just 193 yards offense to 298 for CMU. Akron (1-6, 0-3) has lost five straight.
*Bowling Green 24, Buffalo 14
Box Score
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Camden Orth threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score, PaSean Wimberly scored off a blocked punt and Bowling Green held off Buffalo for a 24-14 victory on Saturday.
Wimberly’s 18-yard run to the end zone capped a 24-point run for Bowling Green (3-4, 1-2 Mid-American Conference), which led 24-7 at halftime. Buffalo cut the deficit to 10 with CJ Ogbonna’s 24-yard touchdown pass to Darrell Harding Jr. with 3:02 remaining in the third quarter. But the Bills would then turn the ball over on downs twice, and have an 11-play drive stall with an Ogbonna interception.
Orth threw for just 77 yards on 9-of-16 passing and had a 3-yard TD toss to Ta’Ron Keith with two interceptions. Orth added 72 yards rushing that included a 1-yard touchdown plunge.
Ogbonna and Cole Snyder were a combined 9-of-29 passing for 71 yards and each threw a pair of interceptions for Buffalo (2-5, 0-1).
*Miami 34, Western Michigan 21
Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich., — Brett Gabbert threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns and added a career-best two rushing scores as the Miami University football team captured its sixth-straight win of the season, downing Western Michigan 34-21 on Saturday. Miami (6-1, 3-0 MAC) is off to their best start since 2003, while the Broncos fall to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
How it Happened:
- A failed fake punt attempt to begin the game set up Miami’s offense at the Bronco’s 46-yard line. Six plays later, Gabbert connected on a nine-yard touchdown to Gage Larvadain to spot the Red and White an early 7-0 advantage.
- On the ensuing drive, WMU drove inside the Miami redzone, but a third-down tackle from Matt Salopek forced the Broncos to settle for a 30-yard field goal with under four minutes left in the first quarter.
- Following the WMU score, Kevin Davis gave Miami outstanding field position, returning the kick to the Miami 46. Gabbert and Cade McDonald connected on a 42-yard reception and three plays later Gabbert hit Larvadain for a 5-yard score for a 14-3 lead late in the opening quarter.
- A Gabbert interception spotted the Broncos inside Miami’s 30. On a fourth-and-1, WMU rushed for a 19-yard touchdown. Miami led 14-10 with 11:39 remaining in the half.
- Gabbert’s four-yard touchdown run with 1:27 left in the first half spotted Miami a 21-10 advantage.
- After Miami punted to begin the third quarter, WMU used 6:55 of game clock on a 15-play, 56-yard drive that ended with a 49-yard field. Miami led 21-13 with 4:50 left in the third quarter.
- Miami answered with a 12-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a nine-yard touchdown run by Gabbert. The 5:03 drive put Miami up 28-13 early in the fourth.
- Less than four minutes later, a five-yard WMU touchdown run (including a two-point conversion) made it 28-21.
- Graham Nicholson made it a two-score game, connecting on a 39-yard field goal with six minutes left in the contest. Moments later, Brain Ugwu recorded his second sack of the game, forcing a turnover on downs. Nicholson extended the Miami advantage to 34-21 with a 40-yard field goal with 4:54 to go.
*Northern Illinois 23, Ohio 13
Box Score
DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — Grayson Barnes turned a short pass into a 58-yard touchdown early in the third quarter and Kanon Woodill kicked three field goals in the second half to lift North Illinois to a 23-13 win over Ohio on Saturday.
The Huskies’ defenseThe Huskies’ defense held the Bobcats, who were averaging 24.5 points a game, scoreless in the second half. UNI held Ohio 14 yards short of their rushing average and 31 shy of their passing average. They also picked off Kurtis Rourke three times, ending the Bobcats’ last three drives.
Northern Illinois (3-4, 2-1 Mid-American Conference) opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Gavin Williams raced 53 yards through the left side for a touchdown.
Rourke sandwiched a 1-yard scoring plunge between a pair of Woodill field goals, the last with 7 seconds to go, to give the Bobcats (5-2, 2-1) a 13-7 lead at the half.
Rocky Lombardi was 15-of-23 passing for 172 yards for the Huskies, who had 302 yards of offense.
Rourke was 22 of 36 but only had 159 yards as his longest completion was 14 yards. The Bobcats’ longest run was 15 yards.
NFL PREVIEWS
RAVENS-TITANS PREVIEW
The Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans hope a change can do them good in the NFL’s final game in London this season.
The Ravens flew over Monday, eager to put a 17-10 loss at Pittsburgh behind them quickly and adapt to the time change. They’ve dissected the issues that have Baltimore (3-2) second in the AFC North instead of atop the division.
“We should be 5-0, I believe,” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said. “We just have to put up the points on the board (and) protect the ball. … Every week, we’ve now had a turnover, whether it’s me or somebody else.”
The Titans (2-3) are 0-3 on the road after a 23-16 loss at Indianapolis and technically are the home team Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Their biggest issue is scoring more touchdowns than field goals, and fixing that against one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses won’t be easy.
Tennessee then returns home for its bye. With the Titans sitting at the bottom of the AFC South, they might be the more desperate team. Derrick Henry said returning home 3-3 will be much better than a second straight loss.
“That’s the goal to hopefully go into the bye week with a win and have some momentum,” Henry said.
HEISMAN HOUSE
Henry won the 2015 Heisman Trophy playing at Alabama, while Jackson won a year later at Louisville. They’ve split the four games they’ve played against each other in the NFL with each winning once in the regular season and once in the playoffs.
The three-time Pro Bowl running back currently ranks third among all Heisman winners with 80 career rushing TDs and eighth with 8,663 yards rushing. Jackson, the 2019 AP NFL MVP, trails only Cam Newton among Heisman-winning quarterbacks with 4,702 yards rushing and 28 TDs.
Jackson currently has as many rushing TDs (four) as the Titans combined. Henry has 285 yards rushing compared to Jackson (265), though the Ravens quarterback has a much better average per rush.
IN GOOD HANDS?
The Ravens dropped seven passes last weekend, according to Pro Football Focus, and some were in crucial spots. Coach John Harbaugh said he’s not too worried about a repeat performance after a 45-minute meeting Wednesday – as long as they take care of business.
“That’s below the line, and that’s what receivers do. They catch the ball,” Harbaugh said. “Our guys are going to catch those balls 99 out of 100 times. We have a lot of catches in front of us then, if that’s the case.”
HURT PRIDE
The Titans have been the NFL’s best defense against the run since the start of the 2021 season and wound up gashed in their loss to the Colts. They gave up 193 yards rushing, including 165 to Zack Moss to snap a pair of streaks.
Baltimore is fourth in the league averaging 146 yards. The Titans are well aware they need to rebound to their usual standard. Two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said: “We’ve got to be better.”
REGROUPING
The Ravens could easily be undefeated, but a mistake in managing the clock hurt them in an overtime loss to Indianapolis, and then turnovers and those drops cost them at Pittsburgh last weekend.
Harbaugh said the message in that Wednesday meeting was to work on the little details so the Ravens can take that next step to being all they can be.
“It’s a fine line between good and great, and breaking bad,” Harbaugh said. “That’s the difference in terms of any kind of competition. The idea is, we’re a good football team. We’re capable of being great. Let’s go to work and do the things we need to do – every little detail – to take that next step.”
LONDON EXPERIENCE
This is the second game in London for both the Ravens and the Titans, with each looking for their first win there. The Ravens got to enjoy a bit of being tourists along with the chance for team bonding.
“I love just being in different places where some people are out of their comfort zone,” Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith said. “It makes you grow as a person, as well as a team.”
The Titans stayed in Tennessee until Thursday afternoon before flying to London, preferring the comforts of home at the team facility. They ruled out starting wide receiver Treylon Burks, who will miss his third straight game with an injured left knee.
“The main objective is go out there, try to get a win,” two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard said of the Titans. “It’s a business trip at the end of the day.”
BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-2) VS. TENNESSEE TITANS (2-3)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023 GAME TIME: 9:30 AM ET
NFL Network: Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner, Jamie Erdahl
Westwood One: John Sadak, Derek Rackley
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) BAL: 134 or 383 TEN: 81 or 226 National: 109 or 225
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: TEN leads series, 11-10 (won 2 of past 3)
POSTSEASON: BAL leads series, 3-2
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 11/22/20: TEN 30 at BAL 24
POSTSEASON: 1/10/21 AFC-WC: BAL 20 at TEN 13
RAVENS NOTES:
RAVENS will be playing in 2nd reg. season international game in franchise history (2017 vs. Jax. in London). • QB LAMAR JACKSON totaled 281 yards (236 pass, 45 rush) last week. Has 330 rush yards (110 per game) in 3 career starts vs. Ten., incl. playoffs. Leads QBs with 265 rush yards this season & ties for lead with 4 rush TDs. • RB GUS EDWARDS aims for 5th in row with 45+ rush yards. • RB JUSTICE HILL rushed for 3rd TD of season last week. • TE MARK ANDREWS aims for 3rd in row with 5+ catches & 65+ rec. yards. Had 5 catches for 96 yards & TD in last reg. season meeting. Tied for lead among TEs with 3 rec. TDs this season. • WR ZAY FLOWERS (rookie) had 5 catches for team-high 73 yards in Week 5. Has 55+ rec. yards in 4 of 5 games this season. Ranks 2nd among rookies with 29 catches & 3rd with 317 rec. yards. • WR NELSON AGHOLOR had 4 catches for season-high 64 yards last week. Has 4+ catches in 3 of past 4. • WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. has 18 catches for 201 yards (100.5 per game) & TD in 2 career games vs. Ten. • LB ROQUAN SMITH led team with 11 tackles & had PD last week. Aims for 4th in row with 10+ tackles & PD. Had 11 tackles, 2 PD & sack in only career game vs. Ten. (11/8/20 w/ Chi.). Ranks 3rd in NFL with 54 tackles this season. • LB PATRICK QUEEN had 7 tackles, PD & half sack in Week 5. Aims for his 15th in row with 5+ tackles. • CB MARLON HUMPHREY made season debut last week. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ten. with 5+ tackles, incl. playoffs. • CB ARTHUR MAULET had season-high 2 PD & 1st sack of season in Week 5. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • S KYLE HAMILTON had 2 TFL last week & has 2 TFL in 2 of past 3.
JAGS NOTES:
TITANS will play in 2nd reg. season international game in franchise history (2018 vs. LAC in London). • QB RYAN TANNEHILL completed 23 of 34 atts. (67.6 pct.) for season-high 264 yards last week. Has 65+ comp. pct. in 3 of past 4. Completed 22 of 31 atts. (71 pct.) for 259 yards & 2 TDs with 104.1 rating in last reg. season meeting. Has 2 TD passes in both career starts in London. • RB DERRICK HENRY has 60+ scrimmage yards in 4 of 5 games this season. Has 368 rush yards (122.7 per game) in his past 3 vs. Bal., incl. playoffs. Had rush TD in only career game in London. Has 10,008 career scrimmage yards, joining Eddie George (12,153) as only players in franchise history with 10,000+ career scrimmage yards. • RB TYJAE SPEARS (rookie) had season-high 69 scrimmage yards (35 rec., 34 rush) & rushed for 1st-career TD last week. Has 55+ scrimmage yards in 3 of past 4. • WR DEANDRE HOPKINS led team with season highs in catches (8) & rec. yards (140) in Week 5, his 150th-career game, becoming 4th player ever with a catch in each of 1st 150 games. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Bal. with 7+ catches & 80+ rec. yards. • TE CHIG OKONKWO had season-high 5 catches last week. • S KEVIN BYARD had 9 tackles last week & has 6+ tackles in 4 of 5 games this season. Has 4 INTs in 5 career games vs. Bal., incl. playoffs, with PD in each game. • CB ROGER MCCREARY had 8 tackles, sack & 1st-career FF last week. Has sack in 2 of past 3. • LB AZEEZ AL-SHAAIR tied career high with 15 tackles in Week 5. Aims for 4th in row with 9+ tackles. Has TFL in 2 of past 3. • DE DENICO AUTRY has 0.5+ sacks in 4 of 5 games this season.
COMMANDERS-FALCONS PREVIEW
ATLANTA (AP) Atlanta’s Desmond Ridder and Washington’s Sam Howell are coming off career-best passing games as they prepare to face each other Sunday in a matchup of second-year quarterbacks.
The Commanders (2-3) will try to snap a three-game losing streak. Washington has allowed 33 or more points in four consecutive games, including last week’s 40-20 home loss to Chicago. The poor defensive showing overshadowed Howell’s career-high 37 completions and 388 yards.
Ridder, meanwhile, posted his first 300-yard game, setting career highs with 28 completions and 329 yards in the Falcons’ 21-19 win over the Houston Texans. Ridder passed and ran for touchdowns and led a last-minute drive to set up Younghoe Koo’s 37-yard field goal as time expired.
It was a rebound performance by Ridder one week after his three turnovers in a loss to Jacksonville led to questions about his hold on the starting job. The Falcons (3-2) have an opportunity to move two games over .500 for the first time since 2017, their last winning season.
Ridder said good protection from Atlanta’s offensive line put him in position to flourish against Houston and will be the key against Washington’s pass rush led by Montez Sweat. Ridder was sacked 16 times in the first four games and was not dropped behind the line by the Texans.
“First, with everything we do, it starts up front,” Ridder said Wednesday. “Those guys gave me a great amount of time back there to sit back, make my reads, and deliver a ball. The challenge this week is their front four, front five, or some good dudes up there rushing the passer.”
The Commanders’ offense was one-dimensional against Chicago. Washington dropped back to pass on its final 55 snaps, starting at the midpoint of the second quarter.
“Obviously, I think we’ve been in some situations where we’ve been down more than we’d like to be down,” Howell said. “We got to do a better job of starting faster and not putting ourselves in those situations.”
SECONDARY CONCERNS
The Commanders lost one of their starting safeties, Darrick Forrest, for at least the next four games with a fractured shoulder. It was a blow to the NFL’s 21st-ranked defense.
It also doesn’t help that reserve safety and All-Pro special teams player Jeremy Reaves also landed on injured reserve with a partially torn ACL. Forrest’s spot will fall to rookie Quan Martin and second-year pro Percy Butler.
“Let’s get ready to roll and we don’t have time to worry about those things,” Washington coach Ron Rivera said. “But we drafted Percy for a reason. We got Quan for a reason, and this is why.”
Washington arguably has a bigger worry at cornerback. Rookie Emmanuel Forbes has been picked on by opponents so much it led to the first-round pick getting benched in the Bears game.
NEW TARGET FOR RIDDER
Ridder’s success in finding wide receiver Drake London and tight ends Jonnu Smith and Kyle Pitts provided balance in Atlanta’s offense, which had relied heavily on running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.
Ridder completed passes to 10 players and now has another target after the Falcons acquired wide receiver Van Jefferson from the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday. Jefferson joined practice on Wednesday, though it’s not clear whether he’ll be active against Washington.
HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE
The Falcons’ average of 69,436 tickets distributed for their first three home games ranks 16th in the NFL, slightly lower than their 2022 average of 69,583. Even so, Ridder says fans are making a bigger impact.
The Falcons are 3-0 at home and Ridder credits crowd noise at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“Oh, 100 percent, it is way louder than last year,” Ridder said.
SACK SHOWDOWN
Howell was sacked five times last week to raise his total this season to a league-high 29. The Falcons have only five sacks in five games, tied for last in the league with the New York Giants, including no sacks last week against Houston.
‘DO YOUR JOB’
There was a new sign on the door to the locker room at the Commanders practice facility that read, “Do your job.” That came after Rivera looked at video and studied some numbers about his team’s three-game skid.
“There’s a sense and a feel that we’re not doing the things we need to do,” Rivera said. “We’re not doing enough. We got to do everything that’s involved with your job, and that’s kind of the emphasis.”
What’s not going right? A little bit of everything.
Rivera said after that defeat he wasn’t considering making any changes to his coaching staff, and players accepted responsibility for some of the shortcomings.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-3) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (3-2)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
CBS: Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan, AJ Ross
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) WAS: 83 or 386 ATL: 85 or 227
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: WAS leads series, 16-10-1 (won past 2)
POSTSEASON: WAS leads series, 1-0
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 11/27/22: ATL 13 at WAS 19
POSTSEASON: 1/4/92 NFC-DIV: ATL 7 at WAS 24
COMMANDERS NOTES:
QB SAM HOWELL set career highs in completions (37), atts. (51), comp. pct. (72.5) & pass yards (388) last week, his 1stcareer 300-yard game. Has 25+ completions & 95+ rating in 3 of his past 4 starts. • RB BRIAN ROBINSON has 50+ scrimmage yards in 7 of his 8 career road games. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with rush TD & 7th in row on road with 50+ scrimmage yards. Had career-high 125 scrimmage yards (105 rush, 20 rec.) & 1st-career TD catch in last meeting. • RB ANTONIO GIBSON had season-high 64 rec. yards last week. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Atl. with 50+ scrimmage yards. • WR TERRY MCLAURIN had 6 catches for 123 yards & 2 rec. TDs in last road meeting. Aims for his 8th in row on road with 50+ rec. yards. • WR CURTIS SAMUEL had 6 catches for 65 yards & 1st rec. TD of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TD. • TE LOGAN THOMAS led team with 9 receptions & 77 rec. yards & had 2nd rec. TD of season last week, his 14th-career TD catch. • DT JONATHAN ALLEN had 3rd sack of season last week & aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • DT DARON PAYNE had 5th-career FF last week. Had 2 TFL & PD in last meeting. Has PD in 3 of his past 4. • DE MONTEZ SWEAT had 1.5 sacks & PD last week. Is 1 of 5 players in past 5 seasons with 1.5+ sacks in 3 of his team’s 1st 5 games. Has 6 TFL in 5 games this season & aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • DE CHASE YOUNG has 3 sacks & 4 TFL in his past 4 & aims for his 3rd in row on road with sack. • S KAMREN CURL aims for his 15th in row with 5+ tackles.
FALCONS NOTES:
QB DESMOND RIDDER had career-high 25 comps. on 37 atts. (75.7 pct.) for career-high 329 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs for 111.2 rating & had 2nd-career rush TD last week. Is 5-0 with 7 TDs (5 pass, 2 rush) vs. INT for 100.4 rating in 5 career home starts. • RB BIJAN ROBINSON (rookie) had 58 scrimmage yards (46 rush, 12 rec.) & 2nd-career rec. TD in Week 5. Is 1 of 3 rookies (Zay Flowers & Puka Nacua) with 50+ scrimmage yards in 5 games this season. Ranks tied-2nd among RBs with 21 receptions. • RB TYLER ALLGEIER rushed for 54 yards in last meeting. • WR DRAKE LONDON had 6 catches for season-high 78 yards last week. Has 5+ catches in 5 of his past 6 at home & aims for his 3rd in row at home with 65+ rec. yards. • TE KYLE PITTS had season-highs in receptions (7) & rec. yards (87) last week. Had 50 rec. yards in last home meeting. • TE JONNU SMITH had 6 catches for 67 yards last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ catches. • S JESSIE BATES had 4th PD of season last week. Had INT in his last game vs. Was. (11/22/20 w/ Cin.). • S RICHIE GRANT had 1st TFL of season in Week 5. • DL GRADY JARRETT had 5th-career PD in Week 5. • DL CALAIS CAMPBELL has 2 sacks, 3 PD & FF in his past 4 games vs. Was. Needs 1 sack to become 5th active player with 100+ career sacks. • DL DAVID ONYEMATA has PD in 2 of 3 home games this season. • LB NATE LANDMAN led team with 7 tackles in Week 5 & aims for his 3rd in row with 7+ tackles. • LB LORENZO CARTER has TFL in 3 of his past 4 at home. • CB DEE ALFORD had 2nd-career game with 2 PD & TFL last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL.
VIKINGS-BEARS PREVIEW
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) Now that their 14-game slide is over, it sure seems like a good time for the Chicago Bears to start a different kind of streak.
After all, they won’t have to worry about containing one of the NFL’s most electrifying players when they host Minnesota on Sunday. That’s because Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is out with a hamstring injury.
“It would suck to get that one win and come out here and not let it continue over and roll over,” Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. “Just for us, we want to build it. If we don’t start a win streak, that would be more of a letdown than anything.”
The Bears (1-4) won 40-20 at Washington behind another solid performance by the offense to stop a skid that dated to a Week 7 victory at New England last year.
They haven’t won two in a row since Weeks 16 and 17 of the 2021 season, when they beat Seattle and the New York Giants. They went 3-14 last year, the worst record in the NFL.
The Bears’ chance of putting together back-to-back wins seems significantly better with Jefferson on injured reserve. The 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year slipped on the U.S. Bank Stadium turf last week while trying to make a cut on his route during a third-down pass deep in Kansas City territory. He grabbed the back of his right leg and limped slowly to the sideline in the fourth quarter of a 27-20 loss.
Jefferson hasn’t missed a game since the Vikings (1-4) drafted him with the No. 22 overall pick in 2020. He has 36 catches for 571 yards and three touchdowns this season, and his absence for at least the next four games figures to have a profound impact.
The Vikings always knew which receiver they were featuring, no matter the opponent.
“That’s meant some opportunities sometimes for other guys,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “That’s meant some growth from him, beating double-teams consistently over the past 20, however many games or so, but I think it’s a great opportunity.”
BLINDERS ON
All four of Minnesota’s losses have come by one score, with a league-high 12 turnovers all but sealing its fate for the season. The injury to Jefferson has intensified speculation around the future of quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is on track to become a free agent next spring.
Cousins has a no-trade clause in his contract that he’d have to waive in order for the Vikings to deal him before the Oct. 31 deadline. The veteran QB insisted he’s been oblivious to the weekly churn of NFL hot takes and said he keeps all the news-related and social media apps off his phone.
“I’ve been insulated at times to the point of being naïve and a little stupid, but I’d rather err on that side than consuming everything,” Cousins said. “It takes your focus away from what is important and what will help you play well.”
ON THE MOVE
Chicago’s Justin Fields is coming off two of his best games as a passer, and the offense as a whole appears to be on the rise.
The Bears had 451 yards against the Commanders after setting a season high with 471 the previous week against Denver. The offense has jumped from 29th overall to 14th in that span.
Fields has thrown for 617 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception in that stretch, compared to three TDs and and four INTs in the first three weeks.
RISING ROOKIE
Vikings first-round draft pick Jordan Addison, who has three touchdown catches in five games, could see his role elevated in Jefferson’s absence.
“Gets open, catches the ball, yards after catch, and I think he’s been a real positive knowing our hopes,” O’Connell said. “Shoot, he was one of the favorite players I evaluated in the draft.”
MOORE OF THAT, PLEASE
While Fields has been putting up bigger numbers the past two games, so has receiver DJ Moore. No coincidence there.
The two seem to be developing the connection the Bears envisioned when they traded the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft to Carolina for Moore and other draft picks. Moore has 16 catches for 361 yards and four TDs the past two games.
Moore’s 230 yards receiving against Washington was the second-most by a Bears player in a game. Alshon Jeffery had 249 yards in an overtime loss at Minnesota on Dec. 1, 2013.
UNDER PRESSURE
The Bears are bracing for blitzes. No team does it as often as Minnesota.
The Vikings have blitzed 113 times and on 56.2% of opponents’ drop-backs. New England is second in both attempts (81) and percentage (45.3).
The good news for the Bears is that their offensive line is coming off arguably its best game.
“I think it was because of the way we kept stepping each other up and challenging each other,” guard Teven Jenkins said.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-4) AT CHICAGO BEARS (1-4)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
FOX: Brandin Gaudin, Robert Smith, Jen Hale
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) MIN: 134 or 383 CHI: 81 or 226
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: MIN leads series, 65-56-2 (won past 4)
POSTSEASON: CHI leads series, 1-0
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 1/8/23: MIN 29 at CHI 13
POSTSEASON: 1/1/95 NFC-WC: CHI 35 at MIN 18
VIKINGS NOTES:
QB KIRK COUSINS completed 29 of 47 atts. (61.7 pct.) for 284 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 92.9 rating last week. Leads NFL in TD passes (13) & completions (137) & ranks 2nd in pass yards (1,498) in 2023. Has 20 TDs (16 pass, 4 rush) & 97.2 rating in 11 career starts vs. Chi. Had TD pass vs. 0 INTs & 130.2 rating in last meeting. • RB ALEXANDER MATTISON had 2nd rec. TD of season last week, his 5th-career TD catch. Had 2 rush TDs in last meeting. • WR K.J. OSBORN had season-high 5 receptions in Week 5. Had 5 receptions for 117 yards in last meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Chi. with 5+ catches. • WR JORDAN ADDISON led team with 6 catches for 64 yards & had his 3rd rec. TD of season last week, tied-most among rookies. Has 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his 1st 5 career games. • TE T.J. HOCKENSON had 5 catches for 51 yards last week. Leads TEs with 30 receptions & ranks 3rd with 254 rec. yards this season. • LB DANIELLE HUNTER had NFC-leading 6th sack of season last week & has 6+ sacks in 8 of his 9 career seasons (missed 2020 season). Ranks tied-1st with 9 TFL & is 1 of 2 (Ed Oliver) with TFL in 5 games in 2023. Has 10 TFL in 12 career games vs. Chi. • LB JORDAN HICKS had 10 tackles & 1st PD of season last week. Has 10+ tackles in 3 of his past 4. • LB MARCUS DAVENPORT had 2nd sack of season last week & aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • S CAMRYN BYNUM had 8 tackles & PD in Week 5. Leads all DBs with 51 tackles in 2023. • S HARRISON SMITH had 10 tackles last week & aims for his 3rd in row with 10+ tackles.
BEARS NOTES:
QB JUSTIN FIELDS passed for 282 yards & 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 125.3 rating & had 57 rush yards in Week 5. Became 4th QB since 1970 with 5,000+ pass yards (5,255) & 1,500+ rush yards (1,754) in 1st 30 career starts. Is 1st player since 2021 (Joe Burrow) with 4+ TD passes & 125+ rating in consecutive games. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Min. with TD pass vs. 0 INTs. • RB KHALIL HERBERT rushed for 76 yards last week & aims for his 3rd in row with 75+ rush yards. Is 1 of 4 RBs with 5+ yards per rush average (5.1) since 2021, min. 250 rush atts. • WR DJ MOORE had 8 receptions & set career highs with 230 rec. yards & 3 rec. TDs in Week 5, 1st Chi. WR with 200+ rec. yards & 3 rec. TDs in game since 1954 (Harlon Hill). Has 100+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4. Aims for his 3rd in row with 100+ rec. yards & 4th in row with TD catch. • TE COLE KMET had 5 catches & 3rd rec. TD of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ receptions & TD catch. Had rec. TD in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row at home vs. Min. with 50+ rec. yards. • DL YANNICK NGAKOUE had 1st sack of season last week. Had sack in his last game vs. Min. (12/17/22 w/ Ind.). • LB T.J. EDWARDS had 10 tackles & 1st sack of season in Week 5. Has 9+ tackles in each of his past 9. Had 10 tackles, TFL & PD in his last game vs. Min. (9/19/22 w/ Phi.). • LB TREMAINE EDMUNDS has 8+ tackles in each of his 5 games this season. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Min. with PD. • DB GREG STROMAN had 1st-career sack & 3rd-career INT last week. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4. Had INT in last meeting. • DB TERELL SMITH (rookie) had 1st-career FF & 1st-career FR last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles.
SEAHAWKS-BENGALS PREVIEW
CINCINNATI (AP) Ja’Marr Chase says he’s been getting open all season.
Even during the first three games, as injured quarterback Joe Burrow struggled to get the Bengals’ pass game on track, Chase claimed to be like the 7-Eleven convenience store – always open.
The Burrow-to-Chase connection – it’s been a thing since they played together at LSU and won a national championship in the 2019 season – produced three touchdowns and reignited the Bengals last week in a 34-20 confidence-building win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Burrow looked far more comfortable scrambling and throwing. His lack of mobility had been a struggle all season with the lingering effects of a strained calf muscle. He said Wednesday that it’s “pretty close” to being 100% healed.
Now the Bengals have a chance to win two in a row, go into the bye week at .500 and try to keep building momentum on the other side. Cincinnati hosts the well-rested Seattle Seahawks (3-1) on Sunday.
After a loss in the season opener at home against the Los Angeles Rams, the Seahawks have won three straight before their bye week behind some first- and second-year players making major contributions as well as 33-year-old quarterback Geno Smith.
“It was a great break. Hopefully we can maximize the opportunity coming out of it,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “I’m concerned about that. We have to do a really good job about being on the details and the discipline that it takes to make sure that we get back on track because it’s just not automatic that everything is exactly the same as when you left it.”
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
Last season, Cincinnati lost the first two and was 4-4 before winning the next 10 games and the AFC North title.
“We’ll worry about the standings later in the year,” Burrow said Wednesday. “It’s Week 6. The standings after Week 6 mean absolutely nothing. I think we’ve proven that the last couple of years, and so we’ve just got to focus on being 1-0 this week and getting better every day in practice. We’ll go from there.”
GETTING HEALTHY
Most teams don’t like having a bye early in the season, but for Seattle it fell at a terrific time for getting some players healthy.
Left tackle Charles Cross (toe) and right guard Phil Haynes (calf) both have a chance of returning. Cross has been out since getting hurt in the third quarter of Seattle’s Week 1 loss and injuries to the offensive line have left the Seahawks scrambling to fill spots at times.
It will also help on defense. Safety Jamal Adams and cornerback Tre Brown have both been cleared to return from concussions. Defensive tackle Jarran Reed left the Week 4 win with a shin injury but is expected to play.
The only two defensive players that remain a question for Seattle are reserve defensive backs Coby Bryant (toe) and Artie Burns (hamstring), while left guard Damien Lewis (ankle) is uncertain on offense.
CHASING CHASE
Chase’s 15 catches last week broke a single-game team record that stood since 1998. He became just the fifth player in NFL history to have at least 15 catches, 150 receiving yards and three receiving TDs in a single game. At 23, he became the fourth player in league history under age 24 to have 15 receptions in a game. Chase’s first TD last week was his 200th reception.
Seattle receiver DK Metcalf was duly impressed, but he likes the chances of rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon to keep Chase in check. Witherspoon is one of the top rookies in the NFL. He had a 97-yard pick-6 in the win over the Giants and also has four pass breakups and two sacks.
“ Just the long ball that Burrow threw to (Chase) on like a 70-yard bomb, just how effortlessly he caught the ball,” Metcalf said. “He’s just a great receiver, tip my hat off to him with what he has done his first three years in the league. It’ll be fun to watch Sunday, but I think (Witherspoon) will get the best of him.”
HIGGINS, AWUZIE QUESTIONABLE
Receiver Tee Higgins (ribs) and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (back) are day to day. Both missed the game last week. Trenton Irwin took Higgins’ place in the starting lineup and had the best game of his career with eight catches for 60 yards.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-1) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-3)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
CBS: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) SEA: 158 or 384 CIN: 109 or 225
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: Series tied, 10-10 (CIN won 2 of past 3)
POSTSEASON: CIN leads series, 1-0
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 9/8/19: CIN 20 at SEA 21
POSTSEASON: 12/31/88 AFC-D: SEA 13 at CIN 21
SEAHAWKS NOTES:
SEATTLE tied franchise-record with 11 sacks in Week 4 & became 1st team since 2018 with 11 sacks in single game. • QB GENO SMITH had TD pass & 95.8 rating in Week 4. Has 19 TDs (18 pass, 1 rush) vs. 5 INTs for 107.9 rating in his past 10 road starts. Has 95+ rating in 8 of his past 9 starts on road. • RB KENNETH WALKER rushed for 79 yards & had his 5th rush TD of season in Week 4. Aims for his 3rd in row on road & 4th in row overall with rush TD. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in each of his past 8 games. • WR TYLER LOCKETT has 5 rec. TDs in his past 5 on road. Aims for his 4th in row on road with 50+ rec. yards. Had TD catch in last meeting. • WR DK METCALF had 2nd rec. TD of season in Week 4. Has 70+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 road games. Had 89 rec. yards in last meeting, his NFL debut. • LB BOBBY WAGNER led team with 17 tackles & had 4th-career game with 2 sacks in Week 4. Has 8 career games with 15+ tackles, most among active players. Had FR-TD in his only career game at Cin. (10/11/15). • LB JORDYN BROOKS had 10 tackles, career-high 2 sacks & 3rd-career FR in Week 4. Has 10+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 & TFL in 4 of his past 5. • LB UCHENNA NWOSU had 1st 2 sacks of season & 8th-career FF in Week 4, his 5th-career 2-sack game. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with FF. Has 7 TFL in his past 6. Had 2 sacks, FF & FR in his last game at Cin. (12/5/21 w/ LAC) & aims for his 4th in row vs. Cin. with sack. • CB DEVON WITHERSPOON became 1st rookie since 2000 with 2 sacks & INT-TD in single game in Week 4. Aims for his 4th in row with PD.
BENGALS NOTES:
QB JOE BURROW set season highs in completions (36), comp. pct. (78.3), pass yards (317), TD passes (3) & rating (108.1) last week, his 15th-career game with 3+ TD passes. Has 2+ TD passes & 105+ rating in 2 of 3 career starts vs. NFC West. Has 23 TDs (20 pass, 3 rush) vs. 4 INTs with 107.5 rating in his past 9 starts vs. NFC. • RB JOE MIXON had 94 scrimmage yards (season-high 81 rush, 13 rec.) last week. Is 1 of 2 RBs (Christian McCaffrey) with 70+ scrimmage yards in 5 games this season. Has rush TD in 2 of past 3 at home. • WR JA’MARR CHASE had career-high 15 catches (franchise record) for 192 yards & 3 TDs last week, becoming 1st player in NFL history with 10+ catches, 150+ rec. yards & 3+ rec. TDs in multiple games within 1st 3 seasons (Week 17, 2021). Aims for 4th in row with 7+ catches & 70+ rec. yards. Has 80+ rec. yards in 9 of his past 10 at home. Is 1 of 3 in NFL with 5+ catches in 5 games this season. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 44 catches. • WR TEE HIGGINS has 5+ catches in 6 of his past 7 vs. NFC. • WR TYLER BOYD had 6 catches in Week 5 & has 5+ catches in 3 of past 4. Had 8 catches for 60 yards in last meeting. • WR TRENTON IRWIN set career highs in catches (8) & rec. yards (60) last week. • DE TREY HENDRICKSON led team with season-high 2.5 sacks & had PD & 1st FF of season in Week 5. Has 5 sacks in his past 3. Is 1 of 5 in NFL with 6+ sacks this season. • DE SAM HUBBARD had 1st FR of season last week. Has sack in 2 of past 3. Had 10 tackles & 2 sacks in last meeting. • LB GERMAINE PRATT led team with 10 tackles & had 2 TFL & 1st INT of season last week. Has 7+ tackles in 4 of 5 games this season. • CB CAM TAYLOR-BRITT had 2 PD & 11-yard INT-TD last week.
49ERS-BROWNS PREVIEW
CLEVELAND (AP) Brock Purdy has been labeled a game manager and system quarterback. He has been described as robotic, savvy and consistent. Most famously, he has been called Mr. Irrelevant.
However, there’s one word that perhaps best sums up the startling start to his professional career: Perfect.
In less than two seasons, San Francisco’s 23-year-old QB has risen from being the final pick in the NFL draft (hence Mr. Irrelevant) to being in the conversation as one of the early frontrunners for MVP this season.
Going into Sunday’s game against Cleveland’s top-ranked defense, Purdy leads the league in passer rating (123.1) while completing 72.1% of his passes. He has thrown nine touchdown passes, zero interceptions and allowed fans in the Bay Area to turn the page on Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance.
And in case anyone was still wondering if his start was a flash or fluke, Purdy threw four TD passes last week as the 49ers (5-0) demolished Dallas 42-10 on national TV – the most lopsided outcome in the storied rivalry.
Purdy is 10-0 in 10 career regular-season starts, and he’s unbeaten in the 13 games in which he’s played at least three quarters. No. 13, 13-0. Brock perfect.
As they geared up to face Purdy and his plethora of offensive playmakers, the Browns (2-2) have been impressed with the young QB’s skillset.
“He’s been great for their team,” said cornerback Denzel Ward. “Able to get the ball out quick, put the ball where it needs to be, goes through his progressions. Accurate quarterback, able to make every throw on the field and just leading those guys over there.
“He’s definitely coming up in this league and definitely going to have a challenge ahead of us.”
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan staunchly defended Purdy earlier this season against those critics who argued he was merely a product of San Francisco’s innovative schemes. Purdy has changed some of the narrative by showing he create when a play breaks down.
There isn’t much Purdy does that shocks Shanahan anymore, but he is surprised by his steadiness at such a young age,
“He does it all the time, but just to continue doing it at such a high rate has been pretty unbelievable,” Shanahan said. “Just how good he’s been, how many plays he’s made and how many plays he hasn’t made for the other team. The consistency of that has been what’s been impressive the most.”
Although he hasn’t faced Purdy, Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has had great success in matchups against Shanahan, going 7-1.
Schwartz has transformed Cleveland’s defense from problematic to powerful in his first season. The Browns lead the league in fewest yards allowed (196.8) and passing yards (125.0). Cleveland is tied for second in points (15.0) and fourth against the run (71.8).
They played poorly two weeks ago in a 28-3 loss to Baltimore, and the 49ers will be by far the unit’s toughest test.
“We’re going to have to play our game and accentuate our guys,” Schwartz said. “We have some multipurpose players that can do a lot of things. It’s going to be a great matchup. This is NFL football at its finest. This is an outstanding offense, a good defense.”
And at the moment, a perfect QB.
NEXT, NEXT MAN UP
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will miss his second straight game with a bruised right shoulder – an injury that has grown from minor to mysterious.
The team’s mixed messaging prompted speculation about the severity of the injury to Watson’s toughness.
Unlike two weeks ago, when the Browns started rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who had a forgettable NFL debut against Baltimore, Cleveland will elevate P.J. Walker from the practice squad to either start or back up Watson.
Walker made seven starts over three seasons with Carolina, and that experience should give the Browns some comfort.
“He throws the ball really well,” said Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. “I liked him coming out when I was in Green Bay. I always thought he was a really good quarterback, so I followed him through my time of evaluating him in college and through his career. He does a nice job.”
ON THE EDGE
Once again, San Francisco’s offensive line has its hands full.
The Niners have faced some of the league’s best outside rushers so far this season with mixed results.
Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt had three sacks and two forced fumbles in the opener. San Francisco had better results slowing down Dallas’ Micah Parsons, holding him to a season-low two pressures, including none in eight pass rushes against All-Pro tackle Trent Williams.
Now the Niners have to deal with Myles Garrett, who has 5 1/2 sacks already this season.
“Our job never stops. You go from Micah Parsons to 95 over in Cleveland,” Williams said, referring to Garrett’s number. “It doesn’t get too much better than that. There’s not any time to rest on our laurels.”
PASS RUSH REINFORCEMENT
San Francisco’s defensive front should get a boost this week with the expected debut of Randy Gregory.
The Niners acquired Gregory late last week from Denver to give them another pass-rushing threat opposite Nick Bosa. Gregory struggled with injuries and production in his two seasons with the Broncos, but should fit better in San Francisco’s aggressive system.
“I think he just needs to get the scheme down, which will take hopefully a couple of days,” Bosa said. “It’s not too complicated, but just getting the nuances of it down. I think he’ll be able to set the edge as good as anybody we have. We obviously have him here because he can rush.”
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-0) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-2)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
FOX: Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) SF: 133 or 385 CLE: 82 or 228
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: CLE leads series, 12-8 (Home team has won past 4)
POSTSEASON: —
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 10/7/19: CLE 3 at SF 31
POSTSEASON: —
49ERS NOTES:
49ERS improved to 5-0 for 5th time in franchise history & 1st time since 2019. Have won 15 consecutive reg.-season games. Have 30+ points in 8 straight reg.-season games, 5th-longest streak ever. • QB BROCK PURDY had career highs in TD passes (4) & rating (144.4) in Week 5 & became 3rd QB since 1970 to win each of his 1st 10 career reg.-season starts. Has highest passer rating (121.1) & 2nd-highest comp. pct. (70.4) by QB in 1st 10 career starts ever. Leads NFL with 123.1 rating in 2023. • RB CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY has TD in 14 consecutive games, incl. postseason, tied 4th-longest such streak in NFL history. Leads NFL in scrimmage yards (678), rush yards (510) & ranks tied-1st in scrimmage TDs (8). Has 3 rush TDs in 2 career games vs. Cle. • TE GEORGE KITTLE had career-high 3 rec. TDs in Week 5, 1st SF TE with 3 rec. TDs in game since 2009 (Vernon Davis). Has 34 career rec. TDs & surpassed Brent Jones (33) for 2nd-most by TE in franchise history. Had rec. TD in last meeting. • WR DEEBO SAMUEL has 85+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 overall & 90+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 road games. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 5+ receptions. • WR BRANDON AIYUK has 50+ rec. yards in 6 of his past 7. Has 8+ catches, 100+ rec. yards & rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 on road. • DL NICK BOSA aims for his 5th in row with TFL. Had 2 sacks, FF & FR in last meeting. • DL JAVON HARGRAVE aims for his 4th in row with TFL. • LB FRED WARNER had sack, FF & 5th-career INT in Week 5. • LB DRE GREENLAW had 2 TFL & 3rd-career sack last week. • S TASHAUN GIPSON had 1st INT of season, his 33rd-career INT, 3rd-most among active players. Had 14 INTs in 4 seasons (2012-15) with Cle.
BROWNS NOTES:
QB DESHAUN WATSON is 3-1 as starter at home since joining Cle. Has rush TD in 2 of his past 3 at home. Has 0 INTs & 100+ rating in 5 of his past 6 starts vs. NFC. • QB DORIAN THOMPSON-ROBINSON completed 19 of 36 atts. (52.8 pct.) in 1st-career start in Week 4. • RB JEROME FORD had career-high 5 catches in Week 4. Has 50+ scrimmage yards & TD in 2 of past 3. • RB PIERRE STRONG lead team with season-high 49 rush yards in Week 4. • RB KAREEM HUNT rushed for 2 TDs in only career game vs. SF (9/23/18 w/ KC). • WR AMARI COOPER has 7 catches & 90+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 vs. NFC West. • TE DAVID NJOKU led team with season-high 6 catches for 46 yards in Week 4. Aims for 4th in row with 4+ catches. • DE MYLES GARRETT has sack in 3 of 4 games this season. Had sack in last meeting & has sack in each of 4 career games vs. NFC West. Has 12 sacks in his past 8 at home, with sack in each of past 3. Has 80 career sacks & tied T.J. Watt (88 games) as 2nd-fastest player to reach 80 sacks since 1982. • DE ZA’DARIUS SMITH had sack, FF & FR in his last game vs. SF (11/5/20 w/ GB). Aims for his 3rd in row vs. SF with sack. • DE OGBO OKORONKWO had season-high 2 TFL & sack in Week 4. Has 0.5+ sacks in 3 of 4 games this season. • LB ANTHONY WALKER led team with season-high 8 tackles in Week 4. Aims for 4th in row with 4+ tackles. • CB DENZEL WARD has PD in 3 of 4 games this season, with 2 PD in 2 of past 3. • S GRANT DELPIT has 5+ tackles in 3 of 4 games this season.
SAINTS-TEXANS PREVIEW
HOUSTON (AP) C.J. Stroud has tried to stop being so hard on himself, but he simply can’t help it.
“It’s hard to live like that,” he said. “I just put pressure on myself and just try to be as best prepared as I can, so yeah, I would say I’m a perfectionist … but I’m trying to be more accepting of my flaws and plays I don’t make.”
So far, that perfectionism has paid off for the Houston Texans as the rookie quarterback has transformed their passing game. He’ll get a big test Sunday when he faces a New Orleans secondary that is among the best in the NFL.
Houston had one of the worst passing attacks in the league over the last two seasons with Davis Mills at quarterback. Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft, has the Texans ranked third in the NFL with an average of 274.8 yards per game.
His performance has turned heads across the league.
“C.J.’s doing a great job and I’m happy for him, but … our defense makes it tough on anybody – a rookie or not a rookie, they make it hard on you,” New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr said. “Hopefully, they can do that this week for us.”
Since second-year Saints coach Dennis Allen began running New Orleans’ defense as a coordinator during the 2015 season, the Saints have won 11 of 14 games against rookie QBs. In 10 of those, the Saints’ opposing signal caller finished with a rating of 87.1 or worse.
The three Saints losses came against Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett in 2022, Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts in 2020 and Carolina’s Kyle Allen in 2018. But the Saints rested numerous starters in the loss to Allen, having already clinched a No. 1 playoff seeding.
In Week 2 of this season, Panthers rookie Bryce Young completed 22 of 33 passes for 153 yards and one touchdown in a loss to the Saints. He was sacked four times and lost a fumble.
Allen said New Orleans’ past success against rookie quarterbacks has no bearing on Sunday’s game. He’s been impressed with Stroud.
“The one thing that you do see sometimes out of rookie quarterbacks is you see them not always processing the information as quickly as they need to and getting the ball to the right spots all the time, which presents some challenges for the offense – and that’s not what I see out of this player,” he said.
The Saints enter Week 6 having allowed the fourth-fewest yards passing in the NFL. Their seven interceptions are just shy of the league high of eight by both San Francisco and Buffalo.
Stroud is one of only two quarterbacks to have started every game this season and not thrown an interception. He has an NFL record 186 passing attempts without an interception to start a career.
“I just want to keep building trust and keep putting it on the field and keep playing well because I know I can and I have that confidence in myself,” he said.
TAKE IT AWAY
Led by Marshon Lattimore, the Saints’ secondary was among the best in the NFL last season. New Orleans allowed 184.4 yards passing per game in 2022, second fewest in the league. But one area in which the unit struggled was in intercepting the ball. The Saints ranked 30th with seven picks all season.
Five games into this season, the Saints already have picked off opposing quarterbacks seven times. And it’s been a shared effort. Seven players each have one: Marshon Lattimore, Tryann Mathieu, Marcus Maye, Isaac Yiadom, Paulson Adebo, Lonnie Johnson and Pete Werner.
Maye and Werner made their interceptions after deflections caused by teammates making plays on the ball.
“Everybody’s just attacking the ball. We’re being in the right place at the right time and so we’re just making plays on the ball,” defensive back Alontae Taylor said.
Taylor has nearly intercepted a couple of passes himself.
“Everybody can say it’s the coaching, it’s this and that,” he said. “I think it’s the mindset and it’s a challenge that we have in our DB room right now. … We’re up for the challenge and we’re having fun. So, I think that’s the most important part.”
GROUNDED
The Texans enter Sunday’s game ranked 27th in the league in rushing, averaging 82.6 yards per game. They managed just 64 yards rushing Sunday after running for a season-high 139 yards against Pittsburgh.
Dameon Pierce is averaging 2.9 yards per carry after averaging 4.3 as a rookie last season when he finished with 939 yards.
Houston coach DeMeco Ryans is confident that Pierce will get going.
“Dameon is steady. He takes what he can get, and he continues to work at it,” Ryans said. “Dameon is a hard worker. He’s dialed into the process of continuing to get better with what we’re asking him to do with the football and he keeps after it. Stay after it, stay after it, stay after it and those runs will come – explosive runs.”
GAINING GROUND
Saints running back Kendre Miller, a rookie from TCU and a third-round draft pick, is coming off his best game. He had 90 yards from scrimmage on 12 carries and four receptions, highlighted by a short catch that he turned into a 33-yard gain.
“It takes some time to kind of get your feet under you and to understand why and when and where,” said Alvin Kamara, New Orleans’ primary running back. “But he’s figuring it out, putting the pieces together. He has the ability.”
Although Kamara was the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year in 2017, with 1,554 yards and 13 TDs from scrimmage, he estimated that it took him nearly 14 games before he always knew where to line up without former QB Drew Brees or another teammate pointing him in the right direction after the huddle broke.
“I made it look easier than it was for me,” Kamara said.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-2) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (2-3)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
FOX: Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth, Kristina Pink
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) NO: 121 or 387 HOU: 135 or 229
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: N0 leads series, 3-2 (Home team won all 5)
POSTSEASON: —
THE LAST TIME … REG. SEASON: 9/9/19: HOU 28 at NO 30 POSTSEASON: –
SAINTS NOTES:
QB DEREK CARR had 2 TD passes vs. 0 INTs for season-high 114.7 rating last week. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with TD pass vs. 0 INTs. Has 1,084 pass yards (271 per game) & 8 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 103.5 rating in 4 career starts vs. Hou. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Hou. with 115+ rating. • RB ALVIN KAMARA rushed for 80 yards & TD last week. Has 73 career TDs & surpassed Marques Colston (72) for most TDs in franchise history. Had 7 catches & 169 scrimmage yards (97 rush, 72 rec.) in last meeting. Aims for his 7th in row with 80+ scrimmage yards. • RB KENDRE MILLER (rookie) had 90 scrimmage yards (53 rec., 37 rush) in Week 5. • WR CHRIS OLAVE had 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 5thcareer TD catch. Has 85+ rec. yards in 2 of 3 road games this season. • WR MICHAEL THOMAS had 4 catches for team-high 65 rec. yards last week. Is 1 of 3 (Stefon Diggs & Puka Nacua) with 50+ rec. yards in 5 games in 2023. Has 5+ catches in 6 of his past 7 road games. Had 10 catches for 123 yards in last meeting. • TE FOSTER MOREAU had 13th-career rec. TD last week. • DE CAMERON JORDAN had half sack & 11th-career FR in Week 5. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Hou. with sack. • DE CARL GRANDERSON had sack & tied his career high with 3 TFL in Week 5. Has sack in 4 of his past 5 on road. • LB DEMARIO DAVIS had 1st PD of season last week. • LB PETE WERNER had 1st-career INT in Week 5. • CB MARSHON LATTIMORE has PD in 2 of 3 road games this season. Aims for his 5th in row with 5+ tackles. • S TYRANN MATHIEU had 4th-career INT-TD last week, his 30thcareer INT. Had 89 tackles, 3 sacks & 2 INTs in 2018 with Hou.
TEXANS NOTES:
QB C.J. STROUD (rookie) completed 20 of 35 atts. (57.1 pct.) for 249 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs last week. Is 1st QB in NFL history with 0 INTs in 1st 5 career starts (min. 30 atts. in each start) & his 186 atts. this season without an INT are most-ever to begin a career. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 1,461 pass yards & is 4th QB in NFL history with 1,400+ pass yards & 0 INTs in team’s 1st 5 games of season. Has 2 TD passes & 100+ rating in 3 of past 4. • RB DAMEON PIERCE aims for 3rd in row with 80+ scrimmage yards. Has 75+ scrimmage yards in 5 of 6 career games vs. NFC. • RB DEVIN SINGLETARY has 95+ scrimmage yards & rush TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. NFC South. • WR NICO COLLINS has 14 catches for 314 yards (157 per game) & 3 rec. TDs in 2 home games this season. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with rec. TD. Ranks 4th in AFC with 467 rec. yards this season. • WR TANK DELL (rookie) had 57 rec. yards last week & has 55+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. Ranks 2nd among rookies with 324 rec. yards. • TE DALTON SCHULTZ led team with season-high 7 catches for 65 yards & TD in Week 5. Aims for 3rd in row with rec. TD. Had 5 catches in his last game vs. NO (12/2/21 w/ Dal.). • LB HENRY TO’OTO’O (rookie) led team with season-high 12 tackles last week. Aims for 5th in row with 7+ tackles. Has PD in 2 of past 3. Leads rookies with 39 tackles this season. • LB BLAKE CASHMAN set career highs in tackles (9) & TFL (2) last week. Has 5+ tackles in 2 of past 3. • DE JERRY HUGHES aims for 4th in row with TFL. • DE JONATHAN GREENARD aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • S JALEN PITRE had season-high 11 tackles, PD & 1st FR of season in Week 5. Has 13+ tackles in 3 of his past 4 at home.
COLTS-JAGUARS PREVIEW
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) The Indianapolis Colts are perfect on the road this season, having already notched wins at Houston and Baltimore.
Albeit a small sample size, that success away from home gives players and coaches a little extra confidence heading into what’s become the team’s toughest place to play.
The Colts (3-2) will turn to backup quarterback Gardner Minshew as they try to end an eight-game road skid to Jacksonville and take sole possession of first place in the AFC South.
The Jaguars haven’t dropped a home game in the series since 2014, winning seven in a row at EverBank Stadium and winning another at Wembley Stadium in London.
“It’s a new week, new situation, new team,” Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin said. “I don’t care about what it was. I only care about what it is.”
It is a chance for Indianapolis to catch the Jaguars (3-2) in a fog after spending 10 days in London and then several nights trying to recover from an overseas trip that rearranged body clocks and left coach Doug Pederson searching for ways to refresh his team.
Pederson and his players are admittedly weary about a “London hangover.” They played a home game after playing in London in 2022 and found themselves trailing 17-0 in the first 20 minutes to the Las Vegas Raiders. They stormed back to win, but the game has been a reminder – and a rallying point – this week.
“We can’t lose what we gained over in London,” receiver Christian Kirk said. “We have some momentum now.”
Jacksonville beat Atlanta 23-7 at Wembley and then moved across town and stunned red-hot Buffalo 25-20 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“Going away for 10 days was good for us, but we’ve got to bring that energy back,” Pederson said. “We can’t leave it in London. That’s a big part of this week but playing a divisional opponent can help that.”
The Colts, who put Anthony Richardson (shoulder) on injured reserve this week, expect to get running back Jonathan Taylor more involved after he carried just six times in his season debut last week. Taylor could help alleviate some pressure on Minshew, who is facing the team that drafted him for the first time.
He also could be key in ending one of the oddest current skids in the NFL. Indy has lost in Jacksonville in close games and blowouts, in warm weather and cold, in shootouts and low-scoring matchups.
The Jaguars have beaten quarterbacks Matt Hasselbeck, Andrew Luck (twice), Jacoby Brissett (twice), Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan along the way.
Heck, Minshew has two wins and six TD passes in the series. They also shut out the Colts twice during the slide – Indy’s only goose eggs on the road since 1993 – and won as favorites and underdogs.
The Jaguars are 4 1/2-point favorites this week, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
“I think you have to treat every week as a new week, and you’ve got to have the same preparation and the same mindset going into every week,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. “No matter what’s happened in the past, it’s a new year, it’s a new game and we’ve got to be ready to go.”
BALANCING ACT
Steichen intends to give Taylor a heavier workload than he did in his season debut (6 carries for 18 yards). But with Zack Moss ranked No. 3 among NFL rushers with 445 yards, the Colts might try a tag-team approach.
“You’ve got two really good backs,” Steichen said. “Obviously, Zack is running at a high level and getting JT back with his explosive ability – to use both those guys in the backfield will be good.”
STOUT DEFENSE
Jacksonville might not be easy to run against even with Taylor back. The Jaguars rank fifth in the league in run defense, having allowed 408 yards on the ground in five games. Those numbers would be even better without long runs from Kansas City’s Isiah Pacheco (31 yards) in Week 2 and Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson (38 yards) in Week 4.
“We’re tackling better on the perimeter; there’s a sense of urgency there,” Pederson said. “Guys are flying around and making plays. … I just think there’s a confidence level with the defense right now that they pride themselves on that.”
QB CAROUSEL
With Richardson out and Minshew taking over, former Texas standout Sam Ehlinger becomes Indy’s backup. Ehlinger went 0-3 as the Colts starter last season. Indy also signed another college star, Kellen Mond, to the practice squad this week. Mond has previously played for Minnesota and Cleveland.
COLTS PREVIEW VS. JACKSONVILLE
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-2)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
CBS: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Amanda Renner
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) IND: 108 or 388 JAX: 113 or 230
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: IND leads series, 27 -18 (JAX won 3 of past 4)
POSTSEASON: —
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 9/10/23: JAX 31 at IND 21
POSTSEASON: —
COLTS NOTES:
Shane Steichen vs. Opponent (incl. postseason): 0-1 Reg. Season: 3-2 (.600) Postseason: 0-0
WEEK DATE Opponent ET TV/RESULT RECORD
1 Sep. 10 Jacksonville Jaguars 1:00 PM L, 31-20 0-1
2 Sep. 17 at Houston Texans 1:00 PM W, 31-20 1-1
3 Sep. 24 at Baltimore Ravens 1:00 PM W, 22-19 (OT) 2-1
4 Oct. 1 Los Angeles Rams 1:00 PM L, 29-23 (OT) 2-2
5 Oct. 8 Tennessee Titans 1:00 PM W, 23-16 3-2
QB GARDNER MINSHEW completed 11 of 14 atts. (78.6 pct.) for 155 yards with season-high 112.8 rating last week. Started 20 games for Jax. over 2 seasons (2019-20) with 34 TDs (33 pass, 1 rush) vs. 9 INTs & 92.9 rating. • RB JONATHAN TAYLOR made season debut last week. Has 627 scrimmage yards (125.4 per game) & 3 rush TDs in 5 career games vs. Jax. • RB ZACK MOSS had career-high 195 scrimmage yards (career high 165 rush, 30 rec.) & 2 rush TDs last week. Has 100+ scrimmage yards & TD in 4 of his past 5 overall & each of his past 3 vs. division. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 445 rush yards this season. • WR MICHAEL PITTMAN has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 4 of 5 games this season. Has 21 catches for 231 yards (115.5 per game) & TD in his past 2 vs. Jax. • WR JOSH DOWNS (rookie) led team 6 catches for season-high 97 yards last week. Has 6+ catches & 55+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. Ranks 4th among rookies with 23 catches this season. • LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN had 12 tackles & PD last week & joins Zach Thomas (2005) as only players since 2000 with 12+ tackles in each of team’s 1st 5 games of a season. Has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of past 3. Had career-high 17 tackles, FF & PD in Week 1 meeting. Leads NFL with 69 tackles this season. • DT DEFOREST BUCKNER had 6 tackles in Week 5. Had 7 tackles, sack, FF & FR in Week 1 meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Jax. with sack. • DE SAMSON EBUKAM had sack last week & has sack in 3 of past 4. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Jax. with TFL. • S JULIAN BLACKMON had 1st INT of season in Week 5. Aims for his 7th in row with 5+ tackles.
JAGS NOTES:
Doug Pederson vs. Opponent (incl. postseason): 3-1 Reg. Season: 54-47-1 (.534) Postseason: 5-3 (.625)
JAGUARS won back-to-back games in London & are 1st team ever to win 2 international games in a season. • QB TREVOR LAWRENCE completed 25 of 37 atts. (67.6 pct.) for season-high 315 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 102.9 rating last week, his 7th-career game with 300+ pass yards & 1st in 2023. Aims for 3rd in row with 0 INTs & 100+ rating. Has 9 TDs (7 pass, 2 rush) vs. INT & 102.7 rating in 5 career starts vs. Ind., with 100+ rating in each of past 4. • RB TRAVIS ETIENNE had career-high 184 scrimmage yards (136 rush, 48 rec.) & 2 rush TDs last week, 3rd-most scrimmage yards ever in an international game. Has 100+ scrimmage yards in 3 of 5 games this season, with 135+ in 2 of past 3. Ranks 2nd among RBs with 540 scrimmage yards this season. • WR CALVIN RIDLEY had 7 catches for season-high 122 yards in Week 5. Had 8 catches for 101 yards & TD in Week 1 meeting. • WR CHRISTIAN KIRK aims for 5th in row with 50+ rec. yards & 3rd in row with 6+ catches & 75+ rec. yards. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. Ind. • WR ZAY JONES has TD catch in 2 of 3 games this season. Had 5 catches for 55 yards & TD in Week 1 meeting. • TE EVAN ENGRAM is only TE with 4+ catches in 5 games this season. Has 5+ catches in each of 4 career games vs. Ind. • LB JOSH ALLEN had 3 sacks in Week 1 meeting & has 2+ sacks in 3 of his past 4 vs. Ind. Has 6 sacks in his past 5 vs. division. • LB FOYESADE OLUOKUN aims for his 8th in row with 7+ tackles. Had 13 tackles & PD in Week 1 meeting. • LB TRAVON WALKER had 1st-career FR in Week 5. • CB DARIOUS WILLIAMS had INT & FF last week. Aims for 3rd in row with INT. Is 1 of 2 in NFL with PD in 5 games this season.
PANTHERS-DOLPHINS PREVIEW
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Bryce Young has been watching Tua Tagovailoa for a long time.
The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner saw Tagovailoa excel at Alabama and help transform the Crimson Tide’s run-first offense into a pro-style scheme that pushed the ball down the field. That, in turn, influenced Young’s decision to go to Tuscaloosa.
“It was a big transition from when he was there,” the Carolina Panthers’ rookie quarterback said, “just what the offense looked like and what Alabama moved to offensively. It’s flourished since then, and I was a recruit when all that was happening, so that was a really big reason for me being there.”
Tagovailoa said he didn’t know he had that impact on Young, who became Alabama’s starter a year after Tagovailoa was drafted by the Dolphins, but he remembers being a part of Alabama’s offensive evolution.
“It’s one of those things that, ‘Yeah, Alabama is not just a ground-and-pound team,’” Tagovailoa said. “’They do throw the ball, and they throw it a lot.’ I would say with the supporting cast that I had, we definitely had some say in, I think, recruiting.”
Young and Tagovailoa will meet on the field for the first time as professionals when the Panthers visit the Dolphins on Sunday.
Miami (4-1) boasts one of the NFL’s best offenses, but Tagovailoa has been in a similar situation to Young and the winless Panthers (0-5).
The Dolphins lost five straight games last year, a stretch that jeopardized their chances of making the playoffs. The year before, Tagovailoa fielded questions about Miami’s long-term commitment and confidence in him as the team lost seven consecutive games.
“That is something that we have direct recall on, just very recent,” coach Mike McDaniel said, “and you know how powerful that is. The bottom line is that this is the National Football League, so I know one thing: The Carolina Panthers have everything to gain.”
The Panthers have lost to Atlanta, New Orleans, Seattle, Minnesota and Detroit. Miami will be their toughest test. The Dolphins are beating opponents by an average of 18 1/2 points.
McDaniel believes the Panthers’ losing streak makes them a dangerous opponent.
“Maybe teams like to look at win, loss or whatever. We just look at the bottom line,” he said. “The tape shows a team that’s going to come, not only compete, but they’re going to do it in a physical fashion. They are sick of having that feeling. They’re going to want to change it. So that’s the force that we’re facing this week.”
HUBBARD’S WORKLOAD
Chuba Hubbard could be the Panthers’ primary running back if Miles Sanders is unable to play. Sanders was battling a groin injury last week before sustaining a shoulder injury on Sunday in a 42-24 loss to the Detroit Lions. Hubbard has seen his workload increase with 23 carries over the past two weeks compared to 20 for Sanders.
It didn’t help that Sanders fumbled for the second time this season on Sunday, leading to a Lions touchdown.
The Panthers are also working in wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. at running back. He’s viewed as a power back.
PANTHERS SECONDARY
The Panthers are getting a little help in the secondary. Cornerback Donte Jackson said he plans to play this week after missing last week with a shoulder injury.
Jackson was one of three starting defensive backs to miss last week’s game, along with cornerback Jaycee Horn and safety Xavier Woods, who remain out with hamstring injuries. Horn and Woods are expected to miss this week’s game as well.
Carolina’s pass defense allowed Detroit’s Jared Goff to throw for three touchdowns last week.
SIMPLIFYING THINGS
The Panthers have tried simplifying their offense for Young, honing in on the plays he feels most comfortable with while also streamlining the play-calling process.
The No. 1 overall draft pick is off to a rough start. Young, who has started four of the team’s five games, ranks 25th in the league in QB rating (82.1). He has thrown five touchdown passes and has turned the ball over six times.
UP TO SPEED
Miami wide receiver Chase Claypool was a healthy scratch in last Sunday’s win over the Giants, having been acquired from the Chicago Bears just days prior. Since then, the Dolphins have been working to get Claypool up to speed on their offense.
Claypool said he doesn’t believe it will take too long to grasp Miami’s playbook. He practiced with the team for the first time Wednesday.
“There’s a lot of motion, shifts, two motions before the ball is snapped,” he said. “I’ve been doing a lot of studying, and I don’t think it’ll be too long. It is a complex playbook, but I feel pretty good.”
CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-5) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-1)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 1:00 PM ET
CBS: Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, Melanie Collins
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) CAR: 98 or 289 MIA: 111 or 231
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: MIA leads series, 5-2 (CAR won 2 of past 3)
POSTSEASON: —
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 11/28/21: CAR 10 at MIA 33
POSTSEASON: –
PANTHERS NOTES:
QB BRYCE YOUNG (rookie) completed 25 of 41 atts. (61 pct.) for 247 yards & career-high 3 TD passes last week. Aims for his 5th start in row with 20+ completions. • RB MILES SANDERS has 60+ scrimmage yards in 2 of 3 road games this season. Had 105 scrimmage yards (83 rush, 22 rec.) & TD catch in his only career game vs. Mia. (12/1/19 w/ Phi.). • RB CHUBA HUBBARD has 50+ scrimmage yards in 9 of his past 11. • WR ADAM THIELEN had 11 receptions for 107 yards & had his 58th-career rec. TD last week, his 7th-career game with 10+ catches & his 23rd-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Is 1 of 3 (Ja’Marr Chase & Puka Nacua) with 2 games of 10+ catches & 100+ rec. yards in 2023. Ranks 4th in NFL with 38 receptions. Had rec. TD in his last game at Mia. (10/16/22 w/ Min.). • WR JONATHAN MINGO (rookie) had career-highs in catches (5) & rec. yards (48) last week. • WR DJ CHARK had 20th-career rec. TD last week & aims for his 3rd in row on road with TD catch. • LB BRIAN BURNS had 4th sack of season last week. Aims for his 4th in row on road with sack & 5th in row on road with TFL. Had sack, 2 TFL & FF in last meeting. • LB FRANKIE LUVU has 5+ tackles in 8 of his past 9. Has 9 TFL in his past 7 road games. Had FR in last meeting. • DT DERRICK BROWN has 5+ tackles in 4 of 5 games this season. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 5+ tackles. Ranks 2nd among DL with 29 tackles in 2023. • CB C.J. HENDERSON had 1st-career sack in Week 5. • S SAM FRANKLIN had career-high 8 tackles last week. • S VONN BELL led team with season-high 9 tackles in Week 5. Had career-high 2 INTs in his last game vs. Mia. (9/29/22 w/ Cin.).
DOLPHINS NOTES:
DOLPHINS lead NFL with 2,568 total yards of offense this season, most by a team in their 1st 5 games of a season in NFL history. • QB TUA TAGOVAILOA completed 22 of 30 atts. (73.3 pct.) for 308 yards & 2 TDs with 100.4 rating last week. Is 1 of 2 QBs (Brock Purdy) with 90+ rating in 5 games this season. Completed 27 of 31 atts. (87.1 pct.) for 230 yards & TD with 108.3 rating in last meeting. Leads NFL with 1,614 pass yards this season. • RB DE’VON ACHANE (rookie) rushed for 151 yards & TD last week, his 3rd-straight game with 100+ rush yards & rush TD. Is 3rd player ever with 100+ rush yards & rush TD in 3 of 1st 4 career games. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 7 TDs (5 rush, 2 rec.), 2ndmost ever by player in 1st 4 career games. • RB RAHEEM MOSTERT rushed for 65 yards & TD in Week 5. Ties for NFL lead with 8 TDs & 7 rush TDs. Had rush TD in his last game vs. Car. (10/27/19 w/ SF). Achane & Mostert are 3rd pair of teammates ever each with 7+ TD in team’s 1st 5 games of season. • WR TYREEK HILL had 8 catches for 181 yards & TD last week, 11th-career game with 150+ rec. yards & rec. TD, tied 4th-most ever by player in 1st 8 seasons. Joined Wes Welker (2011) as only players ever with 150+ rec. yards & rec. TD in 3 of team’s 1st 5 games of season. Has 19 catches for 202 yards (101 per game) & 2 TDs in 2 career games vs. Car. Leads NFL with 651 rec. yards in 2023. • WR JAYLEN WADDLE had 1st TD catch of season in Week 5. Had 9 catches for 137 yards & TD in last meeting. • DT ZACH SIELER had 7 tackles, 3 TFL & career-high 2 sacks last week. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. Had PD in last meeting. • DE EMMANUEL OGBAH had season-best 1.5 sacks last week & has sack in 2 of past 3. Had sack & PD in last meeting. • CB XAVIEN HOWARD had PD last week. Had INT in last meeting.
PATRIOTS-RAIDERS PREVIEW
LAS VEGAS (AP) It’s Patriots East against Patriots West on Sunday, teams with a lot of similarities in desperate need of a victory.
The New England Patriots are 1-4 and looking for any kind of spark after losing by a combined 72-3 the past two weeks. Quarterback Mac Jones was benched in both games, and it’s the most adversity New England has faced in coach Bill Belichick’s 24 years on the job.
The Las Vegas Raiders have been a landing spot for former Patriots under coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler, both ex-members of that organization. The Raiders’ situation isn’t much better than New England’s, but at 2-3 they found some breathing room by beating the Green Bay Packers 17-13 on Monday night. They need to win Sunday to salvage realistic hopes of a playoff berth as the schedule weakens.
“This is a team we certainly have a good level of familiarity with – eight guys on the coaching staff, five scouts, nine players, whatever it is,” said Belichick, who remains stuck on 299 career victories. “A lot of guys that have been here that I’ve worked with, we’ve worked with. Josh has done a good job here molding the team together.”
Belichick is sticking with Jones at quarterback, but another subpar performance could send him back to the bench permanently and prompt the Patriots to look for a different answer at that position in next year’s draft.
The Raiders could be in a similar spot, even with veteran and former Patriot Jimmy Garoppolo taking snaps. He hasn’t elevated the offense the way coaches hoped after they moved on from nine-year starter Derek Carr last season. Garoppolo has thrown an NFL-high seven interceptions. Las Vegas does have rookie Aidan O’Connell, but it’s unknown if the fourth-round pick is its quarterback of the future.
As for the present, the Raiders need something to get their offense going. They are on a six-game stretch without scoring 20 points.
Somehow, Las Vegas has won twice even with that poor production, but wide receiver Davante Adams said the team can’t be satisfied with “just squeezing victories.”
“I feel like there’s more to take from a game than just the win or loss,” Adams said. “Obviously, you’d rather win, but you can win a game and look (expletive), and we’ve done that too many times. So you have to start changing the way it looks.”
ABOUT THAT ENDING
The Patriots also came to Las Vegas last year, and the result was the season’s wackiest ending.
With the game tied late, New England appeared prepared to run out the clock and play for overtime when Rhamondre Stevenson took the handoff and suddenly found himself running free and picking up 23 yards. He lateraled to Jakobi Meyers, who then explicably threw back across the field.
Waiting there was Raiders defensive end and former Patriot Chandler Jones, who snagged the ball out of the air, shoved Mac Jones to the ground and ran 48 yards for a touchdown and a stunning 30-24 victory.
Meyers now is in Las Vegas, where he is the No. 2 receiver to Adams. Chandler Jones was played on the non-football illness list in September and was released two weeks ago after being arrested for violating a protective order.
BANKING ON DEFENSE
As bad as the Patriots’ offense has been in recent weeks, New England’s defense has remained mostly consistent.
It comes in ranked eighth in the NFL, allowing only 298 yards per game. The Patriots have the league’s sixth-best passing defense (190 yards per game).
They also come in with 12 sacks on the season, having recorded a sack in 24 consecutive games. That streak is tied with Carolina for the third-longest in the NFL, behind Kansas City (25) and Baltimore (26).
This will be the second straight game the Patriots have played without linebacker and sack leader Matt Judon (four), who is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on his biceps.
BANKING ON DEFENSE, PART II
Who had the Raiders relying on defense for success this season?
Just about no one, of course.
Las Vegas ranks 14th in total defense, which isn’t overwhelming, but is a major improvement from last season when the Raiders were 27th. They made some notable changes in the offseason, but one of the returning players, end Maxx Crosby, has remained the clear standout.
He was named AFC defensive player of the week after registering four tackles for loss and a sack against the Packers. His constant pressure on quarterback Jordan Love threw Green Bay’s offense out of sync.
“Every time I go out there, I want to be at my absolute best,” Crosby said. “I write in my notes every single day, it’s me versus me.”
STADIUM TOUR
Belichick enters Sunday having recorded at least one victory in 50 stadiums (including the playoffs and neutral-site games) across the NFL.
The only two current venues home to NFL teams where he hasn’t won are Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium and Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium.
Kansas City’s Andy Reid is second among NFL coaches, winning games in 43 stadiums.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-4) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-3)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 4:05 PM ET
CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) NE: 158 or 384 LV: 109 or 225
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: NE leads series, 18-15-1 (won 6 of past 7)
POSTSEASON: NE leads series, 2-1
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 12/18/22: NE 24 at LV 30
POSTSEASON: 1/19/02 AFC-DIV: OAK 13 at NE 16
PATRIOTS NOTES:
HC BILL BELICHICK can become 3rd coach in NFL history to win 300+ reg. season games, joining HOFers Don Shula (328) & George Halas (318). • QB MAC JONES aims for his 3rd in row vs. AFC West with 0 INTs. • RB RHAMONDRE STEVENSON had career-high 172 rush yards & rush TD in last meeting. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 40+ scrimmage yards. • RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT had rush TD in only career game vs. LV (11/25/21 w/ Dal.). Has rush TD in 3 of his past 5 vs. AFC West. • WR KENDRICK BOURNE has 40+ rec. yards in 2 of past 3. • WR JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER has 6+ catches in 2 of 4 career games vs. Raiders. • WR DEVANTE PARKER aims for his 4th in row vs. Raiders with 40+ rec. yards. • TE HUNTER HENRY has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of 5 games this season. Has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 at Raiders. • TE MIKE GESICKI had career-high 10 catches for 86 yards in his last game vs. LV (9/26/21 w/ Mia.). Aims for his 3rd in row vs. LV with 50+ rec. yards. • LB JOSH UCHE had half sack & FF in last meeting. • LB JA’WHUAN BENTLEY led team with season-high 11 tackles & had 1st sack of season last week. Aims for his 15th in row with 5+ tackles. Has TFL in 2 of past 3. Had 10 tackles & sack in last meeting. • DE DEATRICH WISE tied career high with 7 tackles in Week 5. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 on road. • S KYLE DUGGER aims for 4th in row with 6+ tackles. Has TFL in 3 of past 4. Had 16-yard INT-TD in last meeting. • CB MYLES BRYANT had 5 tackles & 1st sack of season in Week 5. Has 5+ tackles in 4 of 5 games this season.
RAIDERS NOTES:
QB JIMMY GAROPPOLO completed 22 of 31 atts. (71 pct.) for 208 yards & TD vs. INT last week. Completed 20 of 25 atts. (80 pct.) for 277 yards in only career start vs. NE (10/25/20 w/ SF). Was selected by NE in 2nd round of 2014 NFL Draft & spent 3 seasons with team (2014-16), appearing in 17 games (2 starts). • RB JOSH JACOBS led team with 89 scrimmage yards (season-high 69 rush, 20 rec.) & had rush TD last week. Aims for 4th in row with 80+ scrimmage yards & 3rd in row with rush TD. Had 110 scrimmage yards (93 rush, 17 rec.) in last meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. NE with 80+ scrimmage yards. Needs 25 rush yards to become 4th player in franchise history with 5,000+ career rush yards. • WR DAVANTE ADAMS has 75+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. Has 6+ catches in 4 of 5 games this season. Has 6+ catches in 2 of 3 career games vs. NE. Has 982 rec. yards (98.2 per game) in 10 home games since joining LV. • WR JAKOBI MEYERS led team with 7 catches for 75 yards & TD last week & has 7+ catches & 75+ rec. yards in 3 of his 4 games this season. Spent 1st 4 seasons of career (2019-22) with NE. • DE MAXX CROSBY had sack & tied career high with 4 TFL in Week 5. Aims for 4th in row with sack & 3rd in row with 2+ TFL. Ranks tied-3rd in NFL with 8 TFL this season. • LB ROBERT SPILLANE had 9 tackles & career-high 2 INTs last week. Aims for his 10th in row with 5+ tackles. • LB DIVINE DEABLO had 10 tackles & TFL in Week 5. • CB MARCUS PETERS aims for 3rd in row with PD. Has 5+ tackles in 2 of past 3. Had INT, FF & FR in his last game vs. NE (9/25/22 w/ Bal.). Has PD in 2 of his past 3 vs. NE. • CB AMIK ROBERTSON had game-sealing INT in 4th qtr. last week, 1st INT of season. Had career-high 3 PD in last meeting.
CARDINALS-RAMS PREVIEW
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) When the Los Angeles Rams gutted their roster during the offseason in an attempt to solve most of their salary cap problems in one year, their disappointed fans took comfort in the fact the Rams still didn’t look like the worst team in the NFC West, given the Arizona Cardinals’ concurrent franchise reset.
They’ll find out whether that small comfort was justified when the Cardinals (1-4) attempt to claim their third consecutive regular-season win at SoFi Stadium in this divisional rivalry on Sunday.
The Rams (2-3) haven’t been as good as the three Super Bowl contenders that beat them this season, but they’ve remained competitive in every game. The same consolation is keeping hope alive for fans of the Cards, who were surprisingly competitive early in the season before struggling in their last two outings.
“We feel like we can beat anybody, but we’ve just got to take that next step and execute all the way to the finish,” Rams receiver Tutu Atwell said.
The Cardinals have been outscored 54-7 in the fourth quarter, while the Rams – who were shut out in the second half of a loss to Philadelphia last week – are being outscored in every quarter except the first this season. Both teams are eager for a late-game breakthrough that could arrive this week.
“They made a couple more plays than we did, but our guys fight,” Cards coach Jonathan Gannon said after a loss to Cincinnati last weekend. “We’re competitive right now in every game we’re playing. We’ve got to start winning some games. We’ve talked about that, and how do we do that. We laid out a blueprint for them and go back to work.”
The most intriguing matchup appears to be Matthew Stafford and receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua against an undermanned Arizona defense going through serious growing pains under 30-year-old rookie coordinator Nick Rallis. The Cardinals have allowed the most passing yards of any NFC team, and the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase tore them up with 15 catches for 192 yards and three touchdowns last week.
But Stafford sees the seeds of progress in the Arizona defense’s struggles so far.
“They play with a reckless abandon,” Stafford said. “They are flying around off the tape, you see it. … It’s a little bit of a unique style of a defense when you look at it. I’m not sure there’s many other teams in the league that are running what they’re running in some form or fashion. But what sticks out to me is the effort that they play with, the physicality that they play with.”
HURTING CARDINALS
An avalanche of injuries to key players affect the Cards’ ability to stay competitive for another week. James Conner – the NFL’s eighth-leading rusher – was placed on injured reserve Tuesday after a knee injury against the Bengals last Sunday. Two-time All-Pro safety Budda Baker is out with a hamstring injury while the team’s other starting safety, Jalen Thompson, is also dealing with a hamstring ailment. Franchise QB Kyler Murray hasn’t played all season because of an ACL injury suffered last season.
PUKA’S HISTORY
Nacua leads the NFL with 46 receptions in five games. That’s already more catches than any rookie has ever had in his first six games, surpassing Saquon Barkley’s record of 40 even before the ball is snapped Sunday. If Nacua gets 104 yards receiving against Arizona, he would pass Harlon Hill’s 1954 NFL record of 675 yards receiving in a player’s first six games.
SECONDARY WOES
It would be understandable if Stafford is eager to face the Cardinals’ secondary. The group is giving up more than 250 yards per game through the air, which ranks 26th out of 32 teams. The Cardinals are young at cornerback with Marco Wilson and rookie Kei’Trel Clark, while the team’s safeties are battling injuries.
CHASING DOBBS
When the Cardinals have the ball, Aaron Donald and the Rams will attempt to get pressure on quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who is coming off a two-interception, one-fumble day against Cincinnati. Dobbs, who has never played against Los Angeles since entering the league in 2017, has been sacked nine times this season. Donald’s 16 career sacks against the Cardinals are his most against any team.
HITTING STAFFORD
Getting pressure on Stafford is the best way to slow down the Rams’ offense, and the Cardinals have already racked up a solid 15 sacks this season, led by four from linebacker Dennis Gardeck. Los Angeles’ offensive line has been better than last season, but injuries are already taking a toll, with right guard Joseph Noteboom likely to miss his second straight game Sunday.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-4) AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-3)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 4:25 PM ET
FOX: Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Shannon Spake
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) ARI: 83 of 386 LAR: 85 of 227
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: LAR leads series, 46-40-2 (won 2 of past 3)
POSTSEASON: LAR leads series, 2-0
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 11/13/22: ARI 27 at LAR 17
POSTSEASON: 1/17/22 NFC-WC: ARI 11 at LAR 34
CARDS NOTES:
QB JOSH DOBBS aims for his 3rd in row with 2+ TD passes & aims for his 3rd in row on road with 0 INTs. Has 40+ rush yards in 3 of his past 4 starts. • RB EMARI DEMERCADO (rookie) had 57 scrimmage yards (45 rush, 12 rec.) & 1st-career rush TD last week. • TE ZACH ERTZ had 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 46thcareer TD catch. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 6+ receptions. • WR MARQUISE BROWN led team with 4 catches for 61 yards & had 3rd rec. TD of season last week. Has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 & aims for his 5th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Had career-high 14 receptions for 140 yards in his last game vs. LAR (9/25/22) & had 2 rec. TDs in his only career game at LAR (11/25/19 w/ Bal.). • WR RONDALE MOORE had season-high 76 scrimmage yards (50 rush, 26 rec.) in Week 5. • WR MICHAEL WILSON ranked tied-5th among rookies with 255 rec. yards. • LB DENNIS GARDECK has TFL in 4 of 5 games this season & aims for his 3rd in row on road with sack. • LB ZAVEN COLLINS had sack in Week 5 & has 0.5+ sacks in 3 of his past 4. Had TFL & PD in last meeting. • LB KYZIR WHITE had 11 tackles & TFL last week & has TFL in 5 of his past 6 games. Aims for his 8th in row with 7+ tackles. • DT DANTE STILLS (rookie) had 2 TFL & 1st-career sack in Week 5. • CB MARCO WILSON had career-high 11 tackles last week. • S K’VON WALLACE had career-high 10 tackles & 1st-career INT in Week 5. Has 4 PD in 5 games this season. • S JALEN THOMPSON had 1st-career FF last week. Has 5+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 road games & has 5+ tackles in 3 of his 4 career games at LAR.
RAMS NOTES:
QB MATTHEW STAFFORD passed for 222 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 92.4 rating in Week 5. Ranks 4th in NFL with 1,451 pass yards & 124 completions in 2023. Has 31 TD passes & 96.1 rating in 15 home starts with LAR. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. with 100+ rating. • RB KYREN WILLIAMS rushed for 53 yards last week & aims for his 6th in row with 50+ scrimmage yards. Aims for his 3rd in row in 2023 vs. NFC West with 2 rush TDs. • WR COOPER KUPP had 8 receptions for 118 yards in his season debut last week, his 28th-career game with 100+ rec. yards, tied3rd most such games since 2017. Had TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. Ari. Has 5+ catches & 75+ rec. yards in 11 of his past 12 home games. • WR PUKA NACUA (rookie) had 7 catches for 71 yards & his 2ndcareer rec. TD last week. Became 3rd player ever with 5+ catches in each of 1st 5 career games & 6th player ever with 50+ rec. yards in each of 1st 5 career games. Leads NFL with 46 receptions & ranks 2nd with 572 rec. yards. • WR TUTU ATWELL had 2nd rec. TD of season last week. • TE TYLER HIGBEE had 8 catches for 73 yards in last meeting. • DT AARON DONALD has 16 sacks & 23 TFL in 18 career games vs. Ari. Has sack & 2+ TFL in 2 of his past 3. • LB ERNEST JONES had career-high 15 tackles & tied his career high with 3 TFL in Week 5, his 7th-career game with 10+ tackles. Is 1 of 3 (T.J. Edwards & Zaire Franklin) with 9+ tackles in each of 1st 5 weeks. Had 10 tackles in last home meeting. • CB AHKELLO WITHERSPOON had 2nd INT of season last week, his 10th-career INT. Aims for his 4th in row with PD. • DB JORDAN FULLER had career-high 12 tackles last week.
EAGLES-JETS PREVIEW
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Breece Hall was unfazed by the brief history lesson shared by a reporter this week about the New York Jets’ next opponent.
The undefeated Philadelphia Eagles are coming to town and the Jets are 0-12 against them – the only team the franchise has never defeated.
“I mean, before right now, I had no idea, so I could tell you I don’t really care about that,” the Jets’ second-year running back said. “Every game, you’re looking at coming out and winning, so just because they’re undefeated or whatever doesn’t really play a factor in motivating us to win.”
And this week it’s an Eagles squad that’s looking to win its first six games in back-to-back seasons. Meanwhile, the Jets (2-3) are coming off a win in Denver and looking to head into their bye week at .500 – regardless of the history they’re up against.
“What’s cool is the NFC champs are walking into our building and it’s an opportunity for us to get after them,” coach Robert Saleh said. “We’ve played some good football teams. We took Buffalo and Kansas City down to the wire. We’ve got another great one coming in.
“So, hopefully it’s a fun game for everybody, and hopefully we’re on the right side of it.”
Nick Sirianni and the Eagles would respectfully disagree with that last part.
Philadelphia could join the 1981, 2004 and 2022 squads as the only Eagles teams to start 6-0. Sirianni could also join Tony Dungy (2005-07, Colts), Mike Martz (2000-01, Rams), Mike Shanahan (1997-98, Broncos) and Mike Ditka (1985-86, Bears) as the only NFL coaches to accomplish the feat in consecutive seasons.
And guess what? Like Hall and the Jets’ drought, the historical significance wasn’t very significant to Sirianni.
“That was the first I heard about it right there, so you just broke the news to me,” Sirianni said. “It’s a journey, right? It’s a long journey. I guess when I was 1-0 after we played Atlanta (in his 2021 debut), when we were 1-0, I had the best winning percentage, too, right? I’ve gone down since then, whatever it is. Long journey. A lot of the season to play.”
IRON MAN
Let younger brother Travis handle the Taylor Swift headlines. Jason Kelce just continues to go to work as the Eagles’ always available center.
Kelce, who turns 36 next month, has served as the burly, bushy-bearded stalwart of the offensive line since he was drafted and is set to start his 145th consecutive game Sunday, the longest streak in franchise history.
“It’s big,” quarterback Jalen Hurts said. “He shows up. He does what needs to be done to be ready to play. He’s a mentally tough person.”
Kelce, a sixth-round pick in 2011, is a five-time All-Pro and has been a staple of a Super Bowl-winning team and another that lost the Super Bowl last season. He’s tied for the franchise’s fifth-longest streak of consecutive games played, trailing only Jon Dorenbos (162, 2006-16), Harold Carmichael (162, 1971-83), Randy Logan (159, 1973-83) and Bobby Walston (148, 1951-62).
TOO PUSHY?
The Eagles’ nearly unstoppable “tush push” or “brotherly shove” quarterback sneak play has been the talk of the NFL. Hurts lines up under Kelce with two or three players behind him and then everyone surges forward.
The Jets are the latest opponent who’ll try to stop it – and one New York player thinks Philadelphia might be getting an unfair edge.
“I don’t know, man, if you ask me, it looks like the center’s in a four-point stance and his head is over the ball,” defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson said. “Like, he’s damn near offside. I really don’t know. I guess we’ll have to see and figure it out on the fly.”
HALL OF A START
After having his promising rookie season ended by a torn ACL in Week 7 at Denver last season, Hall emphatically showed he’s back less than a year later on the same field.
Hall ran for a career-high 177 yards, the ninth-highest total in franchise history, and a touchdown on 22 carries – also a personal best – after having his snap limit ended last week. He said the long months recovering helped prepare him to burst out of the backfield again.
“The workload you get in the rehab process is harder than what you get in the game,” Hall said. “I’ve gone through days where I’ve done way more just throughout rehab with my knee, just doing a whole bunch of stuff with my knee than I would in a game. So when you come back and start playing, you know that you’re ready.”
SWIFT RUNNING
The Eagles boast the No. 2 rushing offense in the NFL, led by D’Andre Swift (434 yards) and Hurts (206), and they’ll face the Jets’ 29th-ranked run defense.
Swift ranks fourth in the league in rushing yards and has the most by an Eagles player through five games since LeSean McCoy’s 514 in 2013. The 24-year-old Philadelphia native spent his first three seasons in Detroit after being a third-round pick out of Georgia in 2020.
“Just as many times as we can try to get the ball into his hands with opportunities to create big plays and space, he’s done a fantastic job to this point in the season,” Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson said. “We just have to continue to try to find unique opportunities to give him the ball in space.”
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-0) AT NEW YORK JETS (2-3)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 4:25 PM ET
FOX: Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, Laura Okmin
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) PHI: 133 or 385 NYJ: 82 or 228
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: PHI leads series, 12-0
POSTSEASON: —
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 12/5/21: PHI 33 at NYJ 18
POSTSEASON: —
EAGLES NOTES:
PHILADELPHIA improved to 5-0 for 4th time in franchise history (1981, 2004, 2022 & 2023). • QB JALEN HURTS had 5th-career game with 300+ pass yards & 50+ rush yards in Week 5, tied 3rd-most such games all-time & became 3rd QB (Josh Allen & Cam Newton) with 30+ rush TDs (30) in 1st 4 career seasons. Phi. has won 22 of past 23 games started by Hurts. Aims for his 3rd in row with 300+ pass yards. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with rush TD. • RB D’ANDRE SWIFT had 6 catches & 108 scrimmage yards (70 rush, 38 rec.) in Week 5. Aims for his 5th in row with 75+ scrimmage yards. Ranks 4th in NFL with 434 rush yards in 2023. • WR A.J. BROWN had 6 catches for 127 yards last week & has 100+ rec. yards in 3 straight games for 1st time in career. Has 13 games with 125+ rec. yards since 2019, 4th-most in NFL. Ranks 4th in NFL with 541 rec. yards in 2023. • TE DALLAS GOEDERT led team with 8 receptions & had 117 rec. yards & 20th-career TD catch in Week 5, his 5th-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Had 6 catches for 105 yards & career-high 2 rec. TDs in last meeting. • LB HAASON REDDICK had 2 sacks in Week 5 & has 5 games with 2 sacks since 2022, tied-2nd most in NFL. Aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Had 1.5 sacks in his last game vs. NYJ (9/12/21 w/ Car.). • DT JALEN CARTER (rookie) had 2 sacks in Week 5, 1st. Phi. rookie with 2 sacks in game since 2017 (Derek Barnett). Leads team & all NFL rookies with 3.5 sacks in 2023. • DE JOSH SWEAT had 2nd FF of season last week. Had 1.5 sacks in last meeting. • S REED BLANKENSHIP led team with 7 tackles last week & aims for his 5th in row with 7+ tackles. Has PD in 3 of his past 4.
JETS NOTES:
QB ZACH WILSON completed 19 of 26 atts. (career-high 73.1 pct.) & totaled 225 yards (199 pass, 26 rush) last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 70+ comp. pct. Has 0 INTs in 2 of past 3. Completed 23 of 38 atts. (60.5 pct.) for 226 yards & 2 TDs & rushed for TD in last meeting. • RB BREECE HALL had season-high 194 scrimmage yards (career-high 177 rush, 17 rec.) & rush TD last week, his 2ndcareer game with 175+ scrimmage yards, becoming 1st NYJ player ever with 2 games with 175+ scrimmage yards within 1st 2 seasons. Aims for 3rd in row with 65+ scrimmage yards. Has 593 scrimmage yards (98.8 per game) in 6 career home games. • RB DALVIN COOK has 55+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 vs. NFC East. • WR GARRETT WILSON aims for 3rd in row with 50+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches in each of 1st 3 home games this season. • TE TYLER CONKLIN led team with 4 catches for season-high 67 yards last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 55+ rec. yards. • LB QUINCY WILLIAMS had 9 tackles, career-high 2 sacks & 1st FF of season in Week 5. Aims for 4th in row with 9+ tackles & TFL. Aims for his 10th in row at home with TFL. Had 13 tackles in last meeting. • LB C.J. MOSLEY led team with season-high 13 tackles & had PD last week. Aims for 4th in row with 10+ tackles & 3rd in row with PD. Has 13 tackles in both career games vs. Phi. • DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS aims for 3rd in row vs. Phi. with 5+ tackles. • CB SAUCE GARDNER had 5 tackles & season-high 2 PD in Week 5. Has 6 PD in his past 4 vs. NFC. • CB BRYCE HALL had 39-yard FR-TD in 4th qtr. last week, 1stcareer TD. Had 6 tackles & PD in last meeting.
LIONS-BUCCANEERS PREVIEW
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Like Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield is discovering how a change of scenery can make a big difference in a quarterback’s career.
Goff’s stellar play is one of the reasons the Detroit Lions are aiming for their best start in more than a decade.
Mayfield’s improved performance with his fourth team in just over two years has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off to a promising start, too.
The first-place teams meet Sunday, with the Lions (4-1) looking for a fourth straight win and the Bucs (3-1) trying to take four of five to begin a season for just the sixth time in franchise history.
Goff was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2016 draft with the Los Angeles Rams. He’s in his third year with the Lions, who’ve six of their last seven road games dating to last fall and are eyeing Detroit’s first 5-1 start since 2011.
The Lions are one of the league’s highest scoring teams, averaging 29.6 through Week 5 and riding a team-record stretch of 14 consecutive games with 20-plus points.
“He is the engine that makes it go over there … not turning the ball over, throwing touchdowns, commanding the offense,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said of Goff’s growth over the course of the quarterback’s career. “He was always very accurate. He is a competitor. He is playing great for them.”
Sounds a lot like way the Bucs have been describing Mayfield since the first pick of the 2018 draft landed with Tampa Bay, the latest stop in a journey that also includes stints with Cleveland, Carolina and the Rams.
With support from a defense that’s reverted to its old stingy ways, as well as Bowles’ commitment to an improved rushing attack, Mayfield has minimized costly mistakes and been extremely efficient running the offense.
“I think what they’re asking him to do, and the scheme really suits him well. They’re making a true commitment to the run. There’s a lot of boots that are involved, play-action pass, and when you’re playing good defense, too, man that’s right in his wheelhouse,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “He’s very competitive, like he’s always been, and he’s finding ways to make plays if it’s not there.”
Detroit has won three straight since losing to Seattle in overtime last month. Goff leads the NFL with 23 completions of 20-plus yards.
“Coming from somebody that needed a fresh start, as well, Jared is a stud. I think he’s playing really well,” Mayfield said.
“I think you can tell his leadership and all of the (reasons) why he got chosen that high. He’s truly showing that now,” the Bucs quarterback added. “Not every fit is perfect. For him, I think his confidence continued to grow, and he’s got all the tools you want – tall guy, he’s got a good arm, really, really smart. … I love his game. He’s a good guy, too.”
THEY’RE BACK
The Bucs will wear throwback creamsicle jerseys for the first time since 2012. They wore the Florida orange jerseys, along with white pants, from 1976 to 1996 before adopting red and pewter as the team’s primary colors. The team wore creamsicle throwbacks once a season with 2009 to 2012.
GOING DEEP
Detroit has won four of its first five games despite losing key players every week due to depth developed by general manager Brad Holmes in the draft, free agency and via trades.
When standout receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was inactive last week with an abdominal injury, the Lions were able to lean on Josh Reynolds. He had four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown in a 42-24 win over Carolina.
The 28-year-old Reynolds said he has been a “back-burner guy” for much of his career, and is thankful to have more chances to show what he can do. Reynolds has 16 catches – all for first downs – and is averaging 18.2 yards per reception, ranking fifth in the NFL.
“I know what it feels like to be the guy, so it’s nice to be here again,” he said.
IT’S TRICKY
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is keeping defenses off balance through the air, on the ground and with trick plays.
“Obviously, 99% of our offense is very focused and detailed,” Goff said. “But here and there, he’ll throw in something that’s just fun and doesn’t really have a complete rhyme or reason necessarily.”
Detroit ran a reverse flea-flicker for a touchdown in last week’s win over Carolina. The Lions also picked up a first down when center Frank Ragnow sent a shotgun snap between Goff’s legs to running back David Montgomery.
MOUNTAIN OF A MAN
Tampa Bay’s Vita Vea, a 6-foot-4, 347-pound nose tackle, has the full attention of Detroit’s offensive line.
“He’s just a massive human being and is making a lot of offensive linemen look like kids,” Ragnow said.
DETROIT LIONS (4-1) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-1)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023
GAME TIME: 4:25 PM ET
FOX: Adam Amin, Daryl Johnston, Pam Oliver
SiriusXM (team name linked to SXM App) DET: 121 or 387 TB: 135 or 229
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: DET leads series, 31-28 (TB has won past 2)
POSTSEASON: TB leads series, 1-0
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 12/26/20: TB 47 at DET 7
POSTSEASON: 12/28/97 NFC-WC: DET 10 at TB 20
LIONS NOTES:
QB JARED GOFF completed 20 of 28 atts. (71.4 pct.) for 236 yards & had 4 TDs (3 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 132.4 rating in Week 5, his 2nd-career game with 3+ pass TDs & rush TD. Ranks 2nd among NFC QBs in rating (104.4) & comp. pct. (69.8) in 2023. Has 893 pass yards (446.5 per game) & 5 TD passes in 2 career games vs. TB, incl. career-high 517 pass yards vs. TB on 9/29/19 w/ LAR. • RB DAVID MONTGOMERY had 129 scrimmage yards (109 rush, 20 rec.) & 6th rush TD of season last week, 2nd-most rush TDs among NFC RBs. Aims for his 5th in row with 70+ scrimmage yards & rush TD. Had rush TD in his only career game vs. TB (10/8/20 w/ Chi.). • RB JAHMYR GIBBS (rookie) has 50+ scrimmage yards in each of his 1st 4 career games. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in each of his 1st 4 games this season. Has 5+ catches in 12 of his past 13 games. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with rec. TD. • TE SAM LAPORTA became 3rd rookie TE in NFL history with 25+ catches (25) in 1st 5 career games. Leads all TEs with 289 rec. yards in 2023. • DL AIDAN HUTCHINSON had sack & INT in Week 5. Became 3rd player (Shaquille Leonard & HOFer Brian Urlacher) since 1982 with 10+ sacks (14) & 4+ INTs (4) in 1st 2 career seasons. Is 1 of 2 (T.J. Watt) with 4+ sacks (4.5) & 4+ PD (4) in 2023. Aims for his 4th in row with sack. • LB ALEX ANZALONE led team & tied his career high with 11 tackles in Week 5, his 4th-career game with 10+ tackles. Has 5+ tackles in 22 straight games, tied-4th longest active streak in NFL. • CB JERRY JACOBS had 3rd INT of season last week & aims for his 3rd in row with INT. • CB WILL HARRIS had 1st-career FR in Week 5.
BUCS NOTES:
QB BAKER MAYFIELD completed 25 of 32 atts. (78.1 pct.) for 246 yards & 3 TDs vs. INT for 116.9 rating in Week 4, his 9thcareer game with 3+ TD passes. Has 90+ rating in 3 of 4 starts in 2023. • RB RACHAAD WHITE had 78 scrimmage yards (56 rush, 22 rec.) in Week 4. Aims for his 3rd in row at home & 4th in row overall with 50+ scrimmage yards. • WR MIKE EVANS aims for his 4th in row at home with rec. TD, 5th in row at home with 5+ catches & 7th in row at home with 50+ rec. yards. Had 10 catches for 181 yards & 2 rec. TDs in last meeting & has 2 rec. TDs in 2 of his 3 career games vs. Det. • WR CHRIS GODWIN had season highs in receptions (8) & rec. yards (114) in Week 4, his 19th-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 11 of his past 12 games. Had rec. TD in last meeting & aims for his 4th in row vs. Det. with 5+ catches & 65+ rec. yards. • TE CADE OTTON had 1st rec. TD of season in Week 4. • LB LAVONTE DAVID has TFL in 2 of his past 3 at home & 8+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 home games. Has FF in 4 of his 5 career games vs. Det. • LB DEVIN WHITE had 10 tackles, 2 TFL & sack in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row at home with PD. • LB SHAQUIL BARRETT has 2 sacks, 2 TFL & FF in 3 career games vs. Det. • DL VITA VEA had 3rd career game with 2 sacks & had 2ndcareer FF in Week 4. Has TFL in 3 of 4 games this season. • S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR. led team with 9 tackles & had 2 TFL, sack, FF & FR in Week 4. Became 4th DB since 1982 with 2+ sacks in each of 1st 4 career seasons.
GIANTS-BILLS PREVIEW
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo holds a special place in Brian Daboll’s heart that goes beyond being his beloved hometown.
And while the Giants’ second-year coach won five Super Bowl rings as an assistant in New England, it’s his four-year tenure as the Bills’ offensive coordinator and the tight bond he established with quarterback Josh Allen that still resonates.
As much as Allen credited Daboll for being one of his more influential mentors, Daboll cited the quarterback as a person who boosted his coaching career.
“When you’re able to coach good players and be around good players as a coach, they help you,” Daboll said during a Zoom call with Buffalo-area reporters as the Giants (1-4) prepare to travel to play the Bills (3-2) on Sunday night.
“I’ve learned a lot from him as a quarterback, as a leader, how he handles things,” he added. “He’s a hell of a player. He’s a great friend. And I owe him a lot, too.”
If not for his time in Buffalo, where he designed the framework of an electrifying offense around Allen’s strong arm and legs, the 48-year-old Daboll might still be waiting for his first head coaching shot.
The only lament, perhaps, for Daboll is wishing the circumstances might be more ideal for his homecoming, with the offensively challenged and banged-up Giants limping to Buffalo in a less than attractive matchup for prime time.
“Certainly not how we wanted to start the season, but that’s where we’re at,” Daboll said. “So you make no excuses. You get ready to play a really good team on the road in a great environment.”
The Bills are 14-point favorites according to FanDuel SportsBook in facing a Giants opponent that could be without starting quarterback Daniel Jones (neck), features an offense that has allowed an NFL-high 30 sacks and has yet to find the end zone in the first half this season.
Bills coach Sean McDermott didn’t bother with the Giants’ struggles, saying they’re better than their record before noting his team has plenty of issues of its own.
Injuries are piling up. Buffalo’s down three defensive starters after placing linebacker Matt Milano (lower right leg) and tackle DaQuan Jones (pectoral muscle) on IR this week, where they join cornerback Tre’Davious White (torn right Achilles tendon).
McDermott was also left second-guessing the Bills’ late-arriving travel plans to England last week, which may have contributed to Buffalo’s sluggish start in a 25-20 loss to a Jacksonville opponent playing its second consecutive game in London.
The Bills are at least playing a true home game and in the Eastern time zone.
One thing’s for sure: At some point Sunday, Allen intends to approach Daboll and engulf him in a bear hug.
“Excited to see him,” said Allen, noting the two keep in touch regularly. “He’s meant so much to me in my football career, and in my life, for that matter.”
A.J. UP-ENESA
Buffalo’s fourth-year edge rusher A.J. Epenesa is enjoying a breakthrough season and is coming off an outing in which he had two sacks, batted down three passes and recovered the fumble he forced.
Epenesa placed the credit on finally feeling comfortable after his development was slowed by a fluctuating diet to find his ideal NFL playing weight, and the COVID-19 pandemic limiting his practice time.
“My first couple of years were a little slow. But I’m trying to build myself back up into the player I know I can be,” said Epenesa, a 2020 second-round pick out of Iowa. “And it starts with swagger and it starts with confidence.”
IN THE TRENCHES
While the Giants have allowed 30 sacks, including 18 in the past two games, the Bills lead the league with 21 sacks. New York’s line is thin with star left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) expected to miss his fifth straight game and rookie center John Michael Schmitz (shoulder) unlikely for a second straight game.
TAYLOR TIME
With Jones’ status uncertain, Giants backup Tyrod Taylor would be in line to start and face his former team for the first time since his three-year stint ended in Buffalo following the 2017 season.
Taylor went 22-20 in Buffalo and helped the Bills end a 17-season playoff drought in his final year, and first under McDermott. The Bills traded Taylor to Cleveland the following offseason to pave the way for drafting Allen.
“As a competitor, any time you get a chance to go out and play, you always look forward to it,” Taylor said. “It just so happens to be Buffalo this week.”
BIG PLAYS
The Giants’ defense had its first three takeaways in Miami, including safety Jason Pinnock’s franchise record-tying 102-yard interception return for a touchdown.
All was not good. Coordinator Wink Martindale’s unit was burned on three big plays, a 76-yard touchdown run, a 69-yard TD catch and a 64-yarder that coincidently led to Pinnock’s interception return.
Daboll said the Giants played a little complementary football, but lacked finish by settling for a field goal and giving the ball up on downs on two drives inside Miami’s 20.
“We gave up 10 explosive plays and didn’t get any,” Daboll said.
NEW YORK GIANTS (1-4) AT BUFFALO BILLS (3-2)
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 2023 GAME TIME: 8:20 PM ET
NBC: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark
Westwood One: Ryan Radtke, Ross Tucker
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) NYG: 81 or 226 BUF: 85 or 227 National: 88
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: BUF leads series, 7-6 (won 3 of past 4)
POSTSEASON: NYG leads series, 1-0
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 9/15/19: BUF 28 at NYG 14
POSTSEASON: 1/27/91 SB XXV: BUF 19 at NYG 20
GIANTS NOTES:
QB DANIEL JONES completed 14 of 20 atts. (70 pct.) in Week 5. Is only NFC QB with 3 games of 70+ comp. pct. • QB TYROD TAYLOR completed 9 of 12 atts. (75 pct.) last week. Started 43 games in 3 seasons (2015-17) with Buf. & had 8,857 pass yards & 51 TD passes with 1,575 rush yards & 14 rush TDs. • RB SAQUON BARKLEY has 155 scrimmage yards (77.5 per game) & 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.) in 2 games this season. Had 135 scrimmage yards (107 rush, 28 rec.) & rush TD in last meeting. • RB MATT BREIDA had 3 TDs (2 rec., 1 rush) with Buf. in 2021. • TE DARREN WALLER led team with 8 catches & 86 rec. yards in Week 5, both season highs. Has 6+ catches & 75+ rec. yards in 2 of 3 road games this season. • WR WAN’DALE ROBINSON aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ receptions. • LB KAYVON THIBODEAUX had 4th sack of season & 3rd-career FR in Week 5. Aim for his 3rd in row on road & 4th in row overall with sack. Had 12 tackles, 3 TFL, sack, FF & FR-TD in his only career road SNF game (12/18/22 at Was.). • LB BOBBY OKEREKE led team with 10 tackles & had 1st INT of season last week, his 4th-career INT. Aims for his 3rd in row with 10+ tackles & PD. Has 5+ tackles in each of his past 13 games. • S/LB ISAIAH SIMMONS had season-high 9 tackles in Week 5. • S JASON PINNOCK had 1st FF of season & 102-yard INT-TD in Week 5, his 1st-career INT & TD, longest INT-TD since 2017 (Aqib Talib – 103 yards in Week 2). • S XAVIER MCKINNEY had season-high 8 tackles, PD & 2ndcareer FF last week. Aims for his 4th in row on road with 7+ tackles. Has 4 PD in 5 games this season. • CB DEONTE BANKS ranks tied-2nd among rookies with 4 PD.
BILLS NOTES:
BILLS lead NFL with 21 sacks, most by Buf. in 1st 5 games of a season in team history. • QB JOSH ALLEN completed 27 of 40 atts. (67.5 pct.) for season high 359 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT for 102 rating & rushed for 41stcareer TD, surpassing Jack Kemp for 3rd-most rush TDs by QB in NFL history. Aims for 3rd in row with 300+ pass yards, 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating & 4th in row with rush TD. Passed for 253 yards & had 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs in last meeting. Is 4-0 in 4 career starts on SNF, with 2+ TDs in each game. • RB JAMES COOK has 75+ scrimmage yards in 3 of past 4. • WR STEFON DIGGS led team with 8 catches for 121 yards & TD last week, his 3rd-straight game with 6+ catches & 100+ rec. yards & 2nd-straight with rec. TD. Is only player in NFL with 100+ rec. yards in 4 games this season. Has 887 rec. yards (88.7 per game) in 10 career games on SNF, with rec. TD in 2 of past 3. Tied for NFL lead with 5 rec. TDs & ranks 3rd with 39 catches. • WR GABE DAVIS had 6 catches for season-high 100 yards & TD last week, his 4th-straight game with rec. TD, longest active streak in NFL. Can become 4th Buf. player ever with rec. TD in 5 straight. • TE DAWSON KNOX has rec. TD in 4 of his past 5 in Buf. • LB VON MILLER made season debut last week. Has 4 TFL & 3 sacks in 2 career games vs. NYG. Has 15 sacks in 17 career games on SNF, 1 of 6 players with 15+ sacks on SNF since 1982. • DE LEONARD FLOYD had 2 sacks & 1st FF of season in Week 5. Has 2 sacks in 2 of past 3. Had 1.5 sacks, FF & FR in his last game vs. NYG (10/17/21 w/ LAR). • DE A.J. EPENESA set career highs in PD (3) & sacks (2) last week & had 1st FF and FR of season. Aims for 5th in row with PD. Has sack in 2 of past 3.
COWBOYS-CHARGERS PREVIEW
The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers have different reasons to be happy they get extra time to prepare for each other.
Monday night’s game gives the Cowboys (3-2) an extra day to deal with the shock of their 42-10 blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday.
The Chargers (2-2) are coming off their bye week and will have some key starters back. Quarterback Justin Herbert is dealing with a fractured middle finger on his left non-throwing hand that is not expected to keep him from playing.
While Dallas’ 28-16 loss at Arizona on Sept. 24 was surprising, the defeat at San Francisco hit the Cowboys differently.
“When we lost to Arizona, I wish we could have played Thursday. Wish we could have played Monday, the next day,” defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said. “In this case, I think it’s probably better to have one more (day). I think each time is a little different. I’ll be honest. I’m glad it isn’t a bye. And we get ready to go.”
One positive for the Cowboys: They are 9-1 in games following a loss since the start of 2021.
Los Angeles is expected to have running back Austin Ekeler and safety Derwin James back for its first prime-time game of the season. Ekeler rushed for 117 yards in the opener against Miami but was sidelined the past three games with an ankle injury.
James suffered a hamstring injury at Minnesota on Sept. 24 and was inactive the following week against Las Vegas.
“The bye week was definitely beneficial for me. I feel like I healed up pretty good over the bye for sure,” James said. “And it helped get some guys back out here on the team that we’re gonna need for the rest of the season. So it’s gonna be fun.”
Even though the Chargers are healthier, James expects them to face an angry Cowboys squad.
“As a human being, anybody that gets embarrassed, you’re gonna always respond and there’s always gonna be that urgency to respond. We know that,” he said.
REUNION TIME
Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore faces his former team for the first time. Moore spent eight seasons with Dallas as a player and coach from 2015-22, the last four years as offensive coordinator.
The Bolts are fifth in the league in total offense (388.8 yards per game) and sixth in passing (269.0).
Moore has been credited with the development of Dak Prescott, who has struggled at times this season in an offense led by head coach Mike McCarthy.
Prescott has three sub-80 passer ratings thus far. He’s had more than four in a season just once in his eight-year career.
SECONDARY CONCERNS
Asante Samuel, Michael Davis and Ja’Sir Taylor are entrenched as the Chargers’ starting cornerbacks after J.C. Jackson was traded to New England last week.
The trade won’t be a quick fix to a struggling pass defense. Los Angeles is allowing a league-high 299.8 yards per game via the air. It has given up 19 completions of 20 yards or more, fifth-most in the league.
FRUSTRATED LAMB
Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb was visibly frustrated on the sideline as the blowout got worse and the offense continued going nowhere against the 49ers.
The Cowboys had eight first downs, their fewest in 21 years, and Lamb was targeted five times, just about the average for the four games other than the 30-10 victory over the New York Jets, when he was targeted 13 times.
“I had a great visit with CeeDee,” McCarthy said. “He’s an impact player, he should feel that way. I’m fully aware of it, and it was frustrating. It was frustrating not doing your part on offense. I felt that. I felt frustration as a play-caller.”
PRIME-TIME HERBERT
Herbert has won his last three starts on Monday nights, including both last year.
He is 6-6 in prime-time games. His 24 touchdown passes in those starts ranks fourth since he entered the league in 2020.
“I think it’s just another great opportunity to play football. We’re the only game of the night. There’s a lot of excitement for it,” Herbert said.
FINALLY INTACT
The Cowboys played their projected starting offensive line from training camp for the first time in the 49ers game. While center Tyler Biadasz had to leave with an apparent leg injury, he did return and McCarthy is optimistic he will be out there for a second consecutive game with tackles Tyron Smith and Terence Steele and guards Zack Martin and Tyler Smith.
“I do like the look of the group,” McCarthy said. “I think there are things we did well. I think there are things moving forward that I can highlight more for them. Tyler Smith and Tyron Smith, how many combination blocks have they worked on yet? Not a whole lot. So, we’ve got work there but it’s great to have all five of those guys out there.”
DALLAS COWBOYS (3-2) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-2)
DATE: Monday, October 16, 2023 GAME TIME: 8:15 PM ET
ESPN: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters
Westwood One: Kevin Harlan, Mike Golic
SiriusXM (also available on the SXM App) DAL: 81 or 226 LAC: 83 or 225 National: 88
ALL-TIME SERIES HISTORY
REG. SEASON: DAL leads series, 7-5 (LAC won 3 of past 4)
POSTSEASON:–
THE LAST TIME …
REG. SEASON: 9/19/21: DAL 20 at LAC 17
POSTSEASON: —
COWBOYS NOTES:
QB DAK PRESCOTT has completed 43 of 54 atts. (79.6 pct.) in 2 career games vs. LAC. Is 4-1 with 14 TDs (13 pass, 1 rush) vs 2 INTs for 124.3 rating in 5 career MNF starts, incl. 2+ TD passes & 95+ rating in each of his 5 starts. • RB TONY POLLARD had 64 scrimmage yards (35 rec., 29 rush) in Week 5) & is 1 of 3 RBs (Christian McCaffrey & Joe Mixon) wth 60+ scrimmage yards in each of 1st 5 games this season. Aims for his 6th in row in primetime with 50+ scrimmage yards. Had 140 scrimmage yards (109 rush, 31 rec.) & rush TD in last meeting. • WR CEEDEE LAMB had 8 receptions for 81 yards in last meeting. Has 60+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 primetime games & aims for his 4th in row on Monday with 60+ rec. yards. • WR BRANDIN COOKS had 7 catches for 57 yards & rec. TD in his last game vs. LAC (10/2/22 w/ Hou.). Aims for his 4th in row vs. LAC with 5+ catches. • LB MICAH PARSONS has sack in 2 of 3 road games this season. Had sack in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row on Monday with TFL. Has 12 TFL in 12 career primetime games. • DE DEMARCUS LAWRENCE has sack in 2 of 3 road games this season. Has 10 sacks in 6 career Monday games, incl. 2 of his 3 career games with 3 sacks. • CB STEPHON GILMORE has 5 PD in 3 road games this season & aims for his 4th in row on road with PD. • CB DARON BLAND aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • CB JOURDAN LEWIS had 2nd-career FF & 7th-career FR in Week 5. • S JAYRON KEARSE had 1st sack of season & 2 TFL last week. Has 18 TFL since 2021, most among DBs. Had TFL & PD in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row on Monday with PD.
CHARGERS NOTES:
QB JUSTIN HERBERT has 0 INTs & 95+ rating in 3 of 4 games this season. Rushed for career-high 2 TDs in Week 4. Completed 31 of 41 atts. (75.6 pct.) for 338 yards in last meeting. Is 3-1 with 7 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 91.6 rating in 4 career starts on MNF. • RB AUSTIN EKELER can make 1st appearance since totaling 164 scrimmage yards (117 rush, 47 rec.) & rush TD in Week 1. Had 115 scrimmage yards (61 rec., 54 rush) & 9 catches in last meeting. Aims for his 4th in row on MNF with 75+ scrimmage yards & TD. Has 4 rush TDs in his past 3 in primetime. Has 393 catches in 90 career games & can become 4th-fastest RB ever to reach 400 catches. • WR KEENAN ALLEN has 6+ catches & 75+ rec. yards in 3 of 4 games this season. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Dal. with 100+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches & 60+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 at home. Has 53 catches (6.6 per game) in 8 career games on MNF. • WR JOSHUA PALMER had season-high 77 rec. yards in Week 4. Aims for 3rd in row with 65+ rec. yards. • LB JOEY BOSA has sack in 2 of his 3 games this season. Has sack in 3 of 4 career games on MNF. • LB KHALIL MACK had career-high 6 sacks with 2 FFs in Week 4, tied for 2nd-most sacks in a single game in 1982. Joined HOFer Derrick Thomas as only players since 1982 with 5+ sacks in multiple career games. Has PD in 2 of past 3. Has 3 sacks in 2 career games vs. Dal. Has sack in 5 of his past 6 on MNF. • DE MORGAN FOX aims for 4th in row with sack. Had career high 2 sacks in his last game on MNF (12/26/22 at Ind.). • CB ASANTE SAMUEL JR. had 1st INT of season in Week 4. Aims for 3rd in row with PD. Had career-high 3 PD & INT in last meeting. Has PD in each of 3 career games on MNF.
NHL NEWS
NHL ROUNDUP: AUSTIN MATTHEWS’ 2ND STRAIGHT HAT TRICK LIFTS LEAFS
Auston Matthews scored three goals for the second straight game and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Minnesota Wild 7-4 on Saturday night.
William Nylander added two goals and an assist for the Maple Leafs, who have won their first two games of the season. Calle Jarnkrok had a goal and an assist and Tyler Bertuzzi also scored for Toronto. Mitchell Marner, Morgan Rielly and John Tavares each had two assists.
Ryan Hartman, Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi and Brandon Duhaime scored for the Wild, who have split their first two games.
Ilya Samsonov stopped 28 shots for Toronto, and Filip Gustavsson made 26 saves for Minnesota.
Senators 5, Flyers 2
Jakob Chychrun had two goals and one assist, Brady Tkachuk scored twice and host Ottawa defeated Philadelphia.
Jake Sanderson added one goal and one assist while Vladimir Tarasenko and Claude Giroux contributed two assists apiece for the Senators. Ottawa scored three power-play goals, while goaltender Anton Forsberg made 19 saves in his season debut.
Travis Konecny led the Flyers with one goal and one assist, and Cam York added one goal for Philadelphia, which got 26 saves from goaltender Carter Hart.
Golden Knights 4, Ducks 1
Chandler Stephenson had a goal and two assists, and Adin Hill made 22 saves as Vegas spoiled Greg Cronin’s NHL coaching debut with a win over Anaheim in Las Vegas.
Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore each had a goal and an assist and Jonas Rondbjerg also scored for Vegas, which improved to 3-0 to start a season for the fourth time in the team’s seven-year history. The Golden Knights also improved to 23-4-1 all time against Anaheim, their most wins against any opponent.
Mason McTavish scored for Anaheim, and John Gibson finished with 34 saves in the season opener for the Ducks, who were playing their first game under Cronin. Cronin replaced Dallas Eakins after a 58-point season. Gibson fell to 4-17-5 all time against the Golden Knights.
Jets 6, Panthers 4
Kyle Connor had two goals and an assist as Winnipeg opened its home schedule with a victory over Florida.
Mark Scheifele and Mason Appleton each had a goal and an assist. Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck turned aside 29 shots in Winnipeg’s first win of the season.
Evan Rodrigues led the Panthers with two goals and two assists. Sam Reinhart notched a goal and an assist and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 stops for Florida, which has lost its first two games.
Bruins 3, Predators 2
James van Riemsdyk’s two-goal game lifted Boston over visiting Nashville.
van Riemsdyk was stationed at the net front on the power play on each of his first two goals with Boston, including when he tipped home Charlie McAvoy’s blast from the point as it sailed through traffic for the game-winner at 2:52 of the third.
David Pastrnak registered a goal and an assist, becoming the fourth Bruins player to score multiple career penalty-shot goals for the franchise when he tied the score in the second period. Brad Marchand holds the record of six.
Blue Jackets 5, Rangers 3
Boone Jenner recorded a natural hat trick, leading host Columbus past New York.
Jenner got his second career hat trick by scoring three times in a span bridging the first and second periods. His other hat trick was March 12, 2019, against the Boston Bruins.
Erik Gustafsson scored in the opening minute, Will Cuylle netted his first career goal in the third and Chris Kreider scored on a power play in the final minute for the Rangers. New York also had tallies by Filip Chytil and Mika Zibanejad disallowed due to offsides calls.
Red Wings 6, Lightning 4
Alex DeBrincat scored two goals to lead host Detroit over Tampa Bay.
With the score tied 3-3, the Red Wings took the lead with 4:37 remaining in the second when J.T. Compher tipped in a point shot from Moritz Seider into the goal. DeBrincat added a goal with 15:16 left in the game as he took a pass on a 2-on-1 from Dylan Larkin and buried the chance.
Steven Stamkos had two goals and an assist, and Victor Hedman had a goal and two assists for the Lightning.
Canadiens 3, Blackhawks 2
Sean Monahan had a goal and an assist and Montreal held on to beat visiting Chicago.
Cole Caufield and Tanner Pearson also scored and Sam Montembeault made 28 saves for Montreal in its home opener. The Canadiens scored all their goals in the second period.
Tyler Johnson scored two goals and Petr Mrazek made 33 saves for the Blackhawks. Connor Bedard, the highly touted No. 1 overall pick by Chicago in the 2023 NHL Draft, assisted on Johnson’s second goal, giving him a goal and two assists in his first three NHL games.
Penguins 5, Flames 2
Bryan Rust had two goals for Pittsburgh, which scored five times in the third to down the visiting Calgary.
Jake Guentzel had a goal and two assists, Evgeni Malkin and Reilly Smith each added a goal and an assist, and Kris Letang posted two assists for the
Penguins, who have won two consecutive games.
Matt Coronato and Jonathan Huberdeau scored for the Flames, who have split their first two games. Calgary goaltender Jacob Markstrom stopped 24 shots.
Canucks 4, Oilers 3
Nils Hoglander collected one goal and one assist, Sam Lafferty scored the third-period game winner and goalie Casey DeSmith sparkled in net as Vancouver spoiled Edmonton’s home opener.
Andrei Kuzmenko and Jack Studnicka also scored for the Canucks, while Elias Pettersson notched a pair of assists, but the difference maker was DeSmith.
Vancouver’s No. 2 goalie made 37 saves to backstop his team to consecutive upset victories over the high-octane Oilers.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored once in a three-point game, while Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid each collected one goal and one assist for the Oilers, who failed to exact revenge from the 8-1 drubbing they suffered in Vancouver to open the season. Goalie Stuart Skinner stopped 12 shots.
Blues 2, Kraken 1 (SO)
Jordan Binnington stopped 30 shots, plus all three he saw in the shootout, as St. Louis edged visiting Seattle.
Jordan Kyrou scored for the Blues in regulation time and Robert Thomas scored the shootout winner. Binnington stopped Vince Dunn’s shot from the lower left circle with 35 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, and then he stopped Adam Larsson with 28 seconds left to force the shootout.
Jaden Schwartz scored for the Kraken and Joey Daccord made 25 saves for Seattle, which lost its third straight game to open the season.
Islanders 3, Sabres 2
Casey Cizikas scored the tiebreaking goal late in the third period for host New York, which edged the Buffalo in Elmont, N.Y.
Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri scored in the first period for the Islanders, who won their season opener for the first time since 2021. Goalie Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves.
Jordan Greenway scored in the second and Casey Mittelstadt tied the game in the third for the Sabres, who are 0-2-0 for the first time since 2021. Goalie Devon Levi recorded 26 saves.
Hurricanes 6, Kings 5 (SO)
Jordan Martinook converted in the ninth round of the shootout as Carolina recovered from squandering a three-goal lead in regulation to beat host Los Angeles Kings.
The Hurricanes scored three goals in the opening 13 1/2 minutes as they began a six-game road trip. Brent Burns, Aho, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Brendan Lemieux and Teuvo Teravainen scored for the Hurricanes.
Anze Kopitar scored two goals, including the equalizer with 1:22 left in regulation with an extra attacker, as the Kings rallied from a three-goal hole. Drew Doughty, Moore and Vladislav Gavrikov also scored for Los Angeles, while Kevin Fiala posted three assists.
Avalanche 2, Sharks 1 (SO)
Cale Makar scored in regulation, Mikko Rantanen had the only goal in the shootout, and visiting Colorado beat San Jose.
Alexandar Georgiev stopped 20 shots through overtime and all three in the shootout for his 100th career win.
Mackenzie Blackwood turned away 51 shots and one in the shootout, and Thomas Bordeleau scored his first NHL goal for San Jose.
MEN’S GOLF
TOM KIM WITH ANOTHER SATURDAY 62 IN LAS VEGAS IS PART OF 3-WAY TIE FOR THE LEAD
LAS VEGAS (AP) Defending champion Tom Kim felt the vibes and found his groove Saturday in Las Vegas with a 9-under 62 that gave him a three-way share of the lead in the Shriners Children’s Open and a chance to win the same tournament twice in one season.
It was the second straight year Kim had a 62 in the third round at the TPC Summerlin. It led to a playoff victory over Patrick Cantlay last year in what was the early part of the season. Now it’s technically the same season before the PGA Tour goes back to a calendar year.
Adam Hadwin played bogey-free – he had more birdies on the par 3s than the par 5s – for a 63 to catch Kim. Joining them was a late arrival in so many ways – Lanto Griffin, who was tied for the 36-hole lead and didn’t make a birdie until the 13th hole.
That was the start of three birdies in a four-hole stretch that led to a 68 and allowed Griffin to share the lead at 15-under 198.
This was hardly a three-man race going into the final round. K.H. Lee (66) was among three players on shot back. It all, 14 players were within three shots of the lead. That includes J.T. Poston and Canadian Open champion Nick Taylor, small consolation to both of them.
Poston hit a superb bunker shot on the 15th to 5 feet for birdie that allowed him to tie for the lead. He was 209 yards away on the par-5 16th, poised for birdie at worst. And then it all fell apart with one swing and one decision.
His shot landed on the bank of the green and hopped back into the water. Instead of going to the drop zone some 95 yards away in the fairway, Poston chose to drop in the right rough for a better angle at the bank left pin. But then his wedge came out heavy, caromed twice off the rocks framing the green and back into the water.
This time, he went to the drop zone and hit it to 15 feet.
“Should have done that the first (expletive) time,” Poston could be heard saying. He missed the putt, giving it a sarcastic thumbs-up as it was drifting right of the hole, and took triple bogey.
He closed with a birdie for a 68 and was in the large group at 13-under.
Taylor was within one shot of the lead when he failed to birdie the par-5 16th. On the par-3 17th, he hung his head when his tee shot was in the air, knowing anything too far left would catch a slope and roll into the water, and that’s what it did. He took double bogey, had to settle for a 69 and was among those at 12-under 201.
Kim, the 21-year-old South Korean who was raised primarily in Australia, was a two-time winner last year. He did not defending his title in the Wyndham Championship while resting an ankle injury suffered during the British Open. That makes Las Vegas his first PGA Tour title defense, and he is enjoying it.
“It’s actually pretty cool,” Kim said. “Just the vibe, feeling like you won this event last year, and I feel like because you won, you have the positive vibes and you kind of relive that winning moment. … ”Just to be able to come back – especially now near the leaderboard – at least I have a chance on Sunday.”
Hadwin had one of only seven birdies on the 17th, holing a 30-footer that capped off a 63. The Canadian is playing for the first time since the BMW Championship in August, and said he felt more rejuvenated than rusty. He finished among the top 50 in the FedEx Cup and is already in all the $20 million events next year.
But he is No. 56 in the world ranking. The top 50 at the end of the year get into the Masters.
For Griffin, it’s a chance to show he’s fully healthy after a series of injuries – back surgery last July, and then a rib injury when he tried to return. He showed up at just the right time Saturday with the late birdies.
“Not making a birdie until 13 on a course that everybody is going low and making birdies on, it’s nice to get a couple early, kind of settle yourself down, and that didn’t happen today,” Griffin said. “But making only pars isn’t the end of the world, either.”
No need telling that to Cameron Champ. He was tied for the 36-hole and had a triple bogey early that sent him to a 74 and a tie for 24th.
AUTO RACING NEWS
LAS VEGAS NATIVE RILEY HERBST SCORES 1ST CAREER NASCAR VICTORY ON HOME TRACK
LAS VEGAS (AP) Riley Herbst scored the first NASCAR national series win of his career in dominating fashion at his home track.
Herbst led 103 of 201 laps Saturday to win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the home track for the third-generation racer. His grandfather, father and uncles are considered the first family of desert racing and inductees into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame.
The family also owns a large chain of convenience stores and service stations dating to 1937.
Herbst, who is 24, has ventured beyond the desert into asphalt and has been plugging away in NASCAR since 2018. His Xfinity win Saturday was Herbst’s first NASCAR national series win in 154 starts across the three series.
“Oh my goodness, you don’t even know what this means, what this takes off my chest,” Herbst said. “I can’t believe it. I love you, Las Vegas.”
He beat Xfinity Series championship leader John Hunter Nemechek by nearly 15 seconds.
Herbst is in his third full Xfinity season with Stewart-Haas Racing, and fourth overall in the series. Herbst started his career with 43 races driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. He has run four Cup races this year and his assistance late in the race at Talladega last month earned praise from winner Ryan Blaney.
He failed to make the playoffs this year, which Herbst said after Saturday’s win was humiliating considering he drives for one of the top teams in the series.
“This year is such a failure to not make the playoffs and it’s so embarrassing to be in a car like this that doesn’t make the playoffs, and walk in the garage each week with your head down,” Herbst said. “I am so emotional, everyone here in Las Vegas, this is my home, this is where I was born and raised and so let’s go party because we’re going to celebrate tonight.”
SHR teammate Cole Custer finished third as Ford went first and third. Chander Smith was fourth in a parade of Chevrolets that included Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill, Brandon Jones, Daniel Hemric and Layne Riggs closing out the top 10.
INDIANA RELEASES/TOP HEADLINES
COLTS FOOTBALL
PREVIEW VS. JACKSONVILLE
Who better to end the Colts’ seven-game away losing streak to the Jacksonville Jaguars than one of the guys responsible for it?
Gardner Minshew isn’t looking at the Colts’ Week 6 matchup with the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium as a revenge game two years after Jacksonville traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles. The motivation on Sunday for Minshew and the Colts isn’t to beat the Jaguars because they shipped him away, or because the Colts haven’t won in northeast Florida since 2014.
The motivation is simple: Beat the Jaguars and gain control of the AFC South a third of the way through the season.
“The guys knows the stakes of the game,” defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said.
Minshew is responsible for two of the Colts’ seven consecutive losses in Jacksonville: First was a 38-20 win to end the 2019 season and second was a 27-20 win to open the 2020 season. Minshew completed 46 of 59 passes for 468 yards with six touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 126.6 in those two starts; he went 19/20 in that 2020 season opener, which was the Jaguars’ only win of the season.
Ask around the locker room on 56th Street about Minshew and you’ll hear his teammates say how happy they are to have him in Indianapolis – and not because of what he did to the Colts in the past. Minshew has endeared himself to his teammates through proving to be an ultra-competitive, highly-prepared, fiery-yet-chill guy who’s helped deliver wins over the Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans.
“We’ve got all the confidence in him,” linebacker Shaquille Leonard said. “We’re going to stand behind him and let him know he’s not out there alone.”
The Colts lost, 31-21, to the Jaguars in Week 1, but plenty has changed since that season opener. Minshew is stepping in for rookie Anthony Richardson, who sustained an AC joint injury to his right (throwing) shoulder against the Titans and was placed on injured reserve this week, meaning he’ll miss a minimum of four games.
The entire Colts’ backfield will be different, too: Deon Jackson, Evan Hull and Jake Funk combined for 25 yards on 15 carries in Week 1; none are on the 53-man roster for Week 6 (Hull is on injured reserve, while Jackson and Funk were both waived). In their place are Zack Moss (the NFL’s third-leading rusher), Jonathan Taylor (the NFL’s leading rusher in 2021) and Trey Sermon (who was signed to the 53-man roster in September).
The Colts this week ramped up Taylor’s workload in practice after he played 10 of 66 snaps in his 2023 debut last weekend; Moss, meanwhile, rumbled for 165 yards on 23 carries with two touchdowns against the Titans.
“You’ve got two really good backs,” head coach Shane Steichen said. “Obviously, Zack is running at a high level and getting JT back with his explosive ability – to use both those guys in the backfield will be good. Then the offensive line, the way they are playing right now, they are gelling. We’re going into Week 6 but we’ve got to continue gelling and keep playing together.”
There will also be some differences on the defensive side of the ball for the Colts in Week 6 compared to Week 1, specifically both starting outside corners. Dallis Flowers sustained a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 4, while second-round rookie JuJu Brents stepped in for Darrell Baker Jr. beginning in Week 3. With Flowers out, seventh-round rookie Jaylon Jones got the nod in Week 5; both rookies will be tasked with defending a surgical Jaguars passing attack highlighted by quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s connection with wide receiver Calvin Ridley (22 receptions, 333 yards, two touchdowns).
“This is a really, really good receiving core,” defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. “They’ve got multiple ways to hurt you in the passing game. So, it will be a great challenge for them. So it’s a whole new set of issues that come up and it’s that preparation part. They’ve got to study the receivers. I think one thing is studying the scheme and that’s what DBs do. They study the scheme, but for corners it’s also the types of releases, the style of routes they run. So it’s that individual time that they need to spend watching the receivers that I think we have to keep building with those younger guys.”
A common thread between everyone but Taylor here – Minshew, Moss, Brents and Jones – is they’ve never played for the Colts in Jacksonville. Steichen has never coached the Colts in Jacksonville. Zaire Franklin has never led the NFL in tackles heading into a road game against the Jaguars. The list goes on.
Sunday’s game, then, is not about ending a streak. It’s not about avenging Minshew’s career there.
It’s about the Colts continuing to establish their identity as one of the NFL’s toughest, most physical teams.
And it’s about the Colts wrestling away nascent control of the AFC South from the defending division champions.
“It’s a new week, new situation, new team,” Franklin said. “I don’t care about what it was. I only care about what it is.”
INDY ELEVEN SOCCER
INDY HEADS INTO USL PLAYOFFS AS THE NO. 6 SEED
SAN ANTONIO (Saturday, October 14, 2023) – Indy Eleven (13-11-10) closed out the regular season with a 3-3 tie at San Antonio FC (14-6-14) on the road Saturday night. With the tie, Indy finishes the season as the No. 6 seed in the USL Championship Eastern Conference.
Cam Lindley picked up his team-leading seventh assist of the season on the opening goal in San Antonio. Sabastian Velasquez found Lindley on the right flank, who played a one-time ball across to Jack Blake. Blake found the back of the net for his third of the season.
Indy players continued to extend their team-leading totals as Sebastian Guenzatti scored his 11th goal of the season to extend the lead for the Boys in Blue to 2-0 in the 37th minute. Guenzatti found himself in the right place at the right time as an initial shot from Blake caromed off the post and into the six-yard box for the rebound.
San Antonio was able to grab one back in stoppage time of the first frame as Santiago Patino cut into the lead on a penalty kick to make it 2-1.
Indy Eleven picked up an insurance goal from Adrian Diz Pe, who stayed dangerous in the air, and picked up his third goal of the season in the 54th minute off a corner. The assist came from none other than Lindley for his second of the game and eighth of 2023. Lindley now has four assists in the Eleven’s last three matches.
It didn’t take long for San Antonio to grab one back as Tani Oluwaseyi scored in the 58th minute. The final equalizer came from Mitchell Taintor in the 88th minute.
Indy was forced to play a man down from the 61st minute on as Solomon Asante was shown a second yellow. Blake led the attack for the Boys in Blue with four shots to go with his opening goal, while Tim Trilk finish with five saves.
As the No. 6 seed, Indy will go on the road to face No. 3 Charleston in the opening round of the USL Championship playoffs on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. ET.
USL Championship Regular Season
San Antonio 3:3 Indy Eleven
Saturday, October 14, 2023 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Toyota Field – San Antonio
2023 USL Championship Records
San Antonio FC: 14W-6L-14D (25), 56 pts
Indy Eleven: 13W-11L-10D (8), 49 pts
Scoring Summary
IND – Jack Blake (Cam Lindley) 9’
IND – Sebastian Guenzatti (unassisted) 37’
SA – Santiago Patino (penalty) 45+4’
IND – Adrian Diz Pe (Cam Lindley) 54’
SA – Tani Oluwaseyi (unassisted) 58’
SA – Mitchell Taintor 88’
Discipline Summary
SA – Mitchell Taintor (caution) 8’
IND – Cam Lindley (caution) 24’
IND – Douglas Martinez (caution) 36’
SA – San Antionio bench (caution) 43’
IND – Younes Boudadi (caution) 45+2’
IND – Solomon Asante (caution) 45+3’
IND – Solomon Asante (caution/ejection) 61’
IND – Adrian Diz Pe (caution) 67’
SA – Lamar Batista (caution) 74’
IND – Macauley King (caution) 90+8’
Indy Eleven line-up (4-2-3-1): Tim Trilk, Robby Dambrot, Adrian Diz Pe (Callum Chapman-Page 85’), Jesus Vazquez, Younes Boudadi (Ben Reveno 76’),, Jack Blake, Cam Lindley (Macauley King 60’), Sebastian Velasquez (Harrison Robledo 59’), Solomon Asante, Douglas Martinez (Stefano Pinho 78’), Sebastian Guenzatti (captain)
Indy Subs: Cayden Crawford, Roberto Molina
San Antonio line-up: Nick Marsman, Connor Maloney (Ismaila Jome 56’), Mitchell Taintor, Fabien Garcia, Carter Manley (Lamar Batista 45’), Shannon Gomez (Juan Azocar 71’), Ignacio Bailone (Nathan Fogaca 56’), Jorge Hernandez (Rida Zouhir 71’), Jacori Hayes, Tani Oluwaseyi, Santiago Patino
San Antonio Subs: Jordan Farr, Justin Dhillon
INDIANA FOOTBALL
NO. 2 MICHIGAN STARTS SLOW AND FINISHES STRONG IN 52-7 WIN OVER INDIANA TO STAY UNBEATEN
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) No. 2 Michigan has taken full advantage of its soft schedule, routinely routing overmatched opponents week after week.
Indiana was the latest to get lost in the Wolverines’ wake.
J.J. McCarthy threw a tiebreaking, 2-yard touchdown pass to Roman Wilson late in the first half and No. 2 Michigan pulled away to pummel Indiana 52-7 Saturday.
The Wolverines (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) have beaten teams by an average of 33 points. They are the third team since 2000 to win each of the first seven games by 24-plus points, joining Ohio State’s 2019 team and Stanford’s squad in 2011.
Michigan is allowing just 6.7 points per game, becoming the first FBS team to give up 10 or fewer points in its first seven games since Clemson in 1981.
“When we get punched in the mouth, we’re going to respond,” coach Jim Harbaugh said.
The Hoosiers landed the first blows before getting blown out on a cold, wet and windy afternoon.
The Wolverines started slow, punting after losing 8 yards on their first two possessions and giving up the game’s first touchdown, and closed strong with 52 straight points.
“I was really happy with the way we responded and rolled after those two drives,” McCarthy said.
Indiana (2-4, 0-3) took a 7-0 late late in the first quarter when Brendan Sorsby threw a lateral out wide to Donaven McCulley and the receiver heaved a 44-yard pass to Jaylin Lucas, who was wide open against a defense that was fooled by the trick play.
“I feel like we shot ourselves in the foot,” McCulley said. “In the first half, we can’t come out and make a big play and just not continue to roll.”
Indiana didn’t do much offensively the rest of the game and couldn’t slow down McCarthy and Co.
McCarthy was very efficient over three quarters, completing 14 of 17 passes for 222 yards with touchdown passes to Wilson, Colston Loveland and Semaj Morgan.
McCarthy’s go-ahead touchdown pass converted a fourth down and included Blake Corum making a key block to keep the pocket clean.
“No. 9 is going to make it right,” Harbaugh said of his decision to go for it. “I had great confidence that the odds are in our favor.”
Corum ran for 52 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns. He has 12 rushing touchdowns this season to rank among college football leaders and 43 in his career, moving past Mike Hart and Denard Robinson and trailing just Anthony Thomas (55) and Tyrone Wheatley (47) in school history.
Indiana quarterbacks Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby both played and had rough days in Rod Carey’s first game as offensive coordinator.
“We just had to settle in a little bit,” said Michigan defensive end Jaylen Harrell, who had two sacks. “We called it a training camp game because we knew they had a new OC. Coming off a bye, there would be some things we weren’t prepared for. We got off to a slow start, but we clicked when we needed to.”
Jackson started and finished 7 of 13 for 52 yards with two interceptions and a fumble. Sorsby was 6 of 15 for 44 yards with a fumble.
MAKING MARKS
The Wolverines have won 19 straight Big Ten games, matching a school record set from 1990-92. They have scored 30-plus points in a program-record 10 straight games, dating to last season.
THE TAKEAWAY
Indiana: When a team plays two quarterbacks, it may be a sign it doesn’t have one, and that appears to be the case for embattled coach Tom Allen and his struggling program.
“Whoever is playing the best, we’re going to roll with them,” Allen said.
Michigan: After giving up three sacks in six games, the Wolverines allowed four sacks against a team that was expected to lose by nearly five touchdowns.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Wolverines will likely stay at No. 2 in the AP Top 25.
UP NEXT
Indiana: Hosts Rutgers on Saturday.
Michigan: Plays rival Michigan State on the road Saturday night.
PURDUE FOOTBALL
DALLAN HAYDEN HELPS NO. 3 OHIO STATE OVERCOME OFFENSIVE INJURIES IN 41-7 BLOWOUT AT PURDUE
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden spent five games preparing for an opportunity that never came.
When he got his chance Saturday, he was ready.
On a day Kyle McCord threw three touchdown passes, Hayden provided a big boost for an injury riddle group of running backs by rushing for 76 yards and a score in his season debut to help No. 3 Ohio State rout Purdue 41-7.
“It’s like the coaches always say, competitive spirit, you know. When your number is called, you’ve got make a play,” Hayden said. “ I think we have the best running back room in the country, so I feel like when one goes down, it’s just next man up.”
That certainly was true when the Buckeyes (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) won their first game at Purdue in a decade to stay unbeaten for a showdown against No. 6 Penn State next week.
Coach Ryan Day also enjoyed a rare fast start. McCord & Co. scored touchdowns on three of their first four possessions for a 20-0 halftime lead then started the second half with two more TDs to make it 34-0.
The Buckeyes did it with both TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams sitting out with injuries and Chip Trayanum leaviing in the first quarter after taking a big hit and stumbling as he walked across the field.
Hayden responded with 11 attempts for 6.9 yards in his season debut, splitting carries with receiver Xavier Johnson and backup quarterback Devin Brown and jump-starting what had been a stagnant Buckeyes ground game..
“When you get down Tre and Miyan and then Chip, that’s not where you want to be,” Day said. “We got down in there and I thought Dallan started running pretty well. To run the way we did without three of our guys is a good sign.”
For the Boilermakers (2-5, 1-3), the game seemed as dismal as the cool, windy and wet conditions that sent many Purdue fans home early.
They couldn’t consistently stop McCord, Hayden, receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. or tight end Cade Stover. Harrison caught six passes for 105 yards and had the first score of the game while Stover had four catches for 53 yards and two TDs, one in each half..
McCord was 16 of 28 with 276 yards, matching his single-game career high for TD throws.
“They’re No. 3 in the country for a reason,” Purdue coach Ryan Walters said after a second straight loss. “And they’re sitting where we want to go as a program.”
Purdue quarterback Hudson Card was 13 of 32 with 126 yards and one touchdown. Devin Mockobee ran 18 times for 110 yards for the Boilermakers.
THE TAKEAWAY
Ohio State: Nobody questions the Buckeyes defense, which has only allowed 58 points all season. Now Ohio State’s offense is starting to show some mettle. Despite all the injuries, the Buckeyes seem to be kicking it into high gear, outscoring opponents 68-14 over the last three halves.
Purdue: The Boilermakers wanted to take advantage of playing five of their first seven at home. Instead, they’re 1-4 at Ross-Ade in Year 1 under Walters, treating fans to some of their worst games of the season.
Purdue’s first three scoring chances ended with missed field goals. Even worse, a student came out during a media timeout and made multiple field goals during a contest.
INJURY REPORT
Ohio State’s medical team took away Trayanum’s helmet following a brief examination in the injury tent. Purdue offensive lineman Luke Griffin was carted off the field with an air cast around his lower right leg during the first quarter. His teammates ran to the cart to show their support.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Ohio State helped its case with a lopsided road victory, but until No. 1 Georgia or No. 2 Michigan stumbles, the Buckeyes will have a hard time climbing in the rankings.
BY THE NUMBERS
Ohio State: Harrison posted his fourth 100-yard game of the season and the 11th of his college career. … The Buckeyes are now 4-5 at Purdue since 2005. … Ohio State rushed for 4.2 yards per carry one week after averaging 1.9 against Maryland. … Day is 34-0 against unranked opponents.
Purdue: Burks caught three passes for 22 yards and now has five TD catches this season. … The Boilermakers are 3-3 in their last six games against top-five foes.
UP NEXT
Ohio State: The Buckeyes host Penn State next Saturday in a key East Division game.
Purdue: The Boilermakers have a bye week before visiting Nebraska on Oct. 28.
BUTLER FOOTBALL
DAVIDSON EDGES BUTLER 35-33
INDIANAPOLIS – Luka Zurak lined up for a potential game-winning 58-yard field goal on Butler’s last play of the game, but the kick came up just short allowing Davidson to hold on for a 35-33 victory. The Wildcats remain undefeated in league play (3-0) with the win and move to 4-2 on the season. Butler now sits at 4-3 on the year and 2-2 in the Pioneer Football League.
Davidson posted 506 yards of total offense on Saturday with 282 yards coming on the ground. Mari Adams was the go-to back for the Wildcats accounting for 171 yards and three scores. QB Coulter Cleland was also impressive for the ‘Cats completing 19 of his 20 pass attempts while adding two scores.
Jyran Mitchell and Bret Bushka led the BU rushing attack with 215 yards. Mitchell led the way with 123 yards and a fourth quarter TD run. Bushka broke off a 60-yard score in the second quarter to end the day with 92 rushing yards on just eight carries. Bushka also passed for 129 yards and found Ryan Lezon in the end zone midway through the first quarter.
The Lezon TD tied the game at 7-7, but Davidson would take control of the action in the second quarter, winning that 15-minute stretch 21-7. Adams scored twice in the second frame and a 25-yard pass from Coulter to Maione with just over a minute to play made the score 28-14 at the half.
Momentum shifted in the third quarter after a BU blocked punt. Jeremy Johnson broke through the line, blocked the punt, and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. BU would then tack on three more points with a 40-yard Zurak field goal. The third quarter came to a close with Adams scoring his third TD of the contest.
BU didn’t allow a point in the fourth quarter and came charging back into the game. Zurak hit from 29-yards out with 10:10 to play in the fourth and Mitchell’s four-yard TD run made the score 35-33. BU elected to go for a two-point conversion and used a trick play that sent the ball out to Adam Dolan. The BU offensive lineman nearly crossed the goal line but was wrapped up just short on the play.
Butler’s defense was led by Lucas Kozlowski and Jeremiah Johnson who each supplied the team with 12 tackles today. Adam Sturtz had six tackles and a sack and Will Mason picked off a pass in the end zone to stop a Davidson scoring opportunity.
The Bulldogs will get back to action on Oct. 21 with a road game at Dayton. Kick-off against the Flyers is set for 1 PM.
BUTLER MEN’S SOCCER
BULLDOGS SETTLE FOR DRAW WITH DEPAUL
CHICAGO – The Butler men’s soccer team produced a shot differential of 25-11 (10-3 on goal) in its match with DePaul but, with a final score of 1-1, had to be satisfied with earing a road point in the conference standings. The Bulldogs (2-6-4, 1-2-2 BIG EAST) scored first, midway through the second half, but the Blue Demons (2-7-3, 0-4-1 BIG EAST) answered quickly, just two minutes later. Butler outshot DePaul, 9-2, once the game was level at one, as the Bulldogs fired off the final seven shots of the match.
Key Moments
38′ | A Butler foul just outside the penalty area sets up a free kick for DePaul from 19 yards and dead center on the goal. Caleb Norris dives left to block the hard shot and sends the ball out of the area.
**HALFTIME**
71′ | Ernesto Orsonio has the ball in the top right corner of the area. He puts a move on a DePaul defender, creates an opening, and connects on a shot to the far post. Butler takes a 1-0 lead.
73′ | DePaul takes advantage of a cross to the front of the goal and punches it in to level the score at one.
74′ | Off a cross from Tommy Visser, Josh Stewart heads a shot that hits the right post.
78′ | A Hemi Nasser shot forces DePaul’s keeper to dive right, but the save is made.
87′ | Henri Kumwenda sends a service from the right side to Palmer Ault at the far post. Ault’s header forces a diving save toward the right post by DePaul’s keeper.
Butler Points Summary
GOALS: Ernesto Orsonio
ASSISTS: (none)
Bulldog Bits
Ernesto Orsonio’s goal was the first of his collegiate career.
Palmer Ault led the offensive attack, with career highs in shots (9) and shots on goal (5).
Up Next
Butler travels to Xavier for a match on Wednesday, Oct. 18. The Bulldogs then finish the regular season with a pair of home matches: Providence, on Oct. 21, and No. 3 Akron, on Oct. 28.
BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER
UCONN IN TOWN TO FACE BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER
The Butler women’s soccer team returns to Indianapolis this week to host a pair of matches, starting this Sunday when UConn visits the Sellick Bowl. The Bulldogs (5-6-4, 1-2-3 BIG EAST) most recently lost at St. John’s, 3-1, while the Huskies (6-3-4, 3-1-2 BIG EAST) are coming off a 5-0 shutout at DePaul.
Bulldog Bits
Bulldog Bits
(as of 10/12/23)
With seven goals, Norah Jacomen ranks third in the BIG EAST and 70th nationally. Her 15 offensive points also rank third in the conference, and her shot accuracy (.552) ranks fourth.
Alexei Whittaker’s four goals rank ninth in the BIG EAST.
Talia Sommer’s five assists rank second in the BIG EAST and 78th nationally. Additional conference rankings include: two game-winning goals (3rd), 13 total points (6th), and four goals (9th).
vs. St. John’s
Lucia Englund’s goal was her career-first. The match also represented her first career start.
Abigail Isger led Butler’s offensive attack with three shots, one on goal. Emily O’Malley and Amelie Darey each had a pair of shots with one on goal.
Butler outshot St. John’s, 13-5, and had a 5-4 edge in shots on goal.
The Bulldogs also had an 8-5 advantage on corner kicks.
The Matchup
SERIES RECORD: Butler leads, 4-0-0
PREVIOUS MEETING: Oct. 16, 2022 – Storrs, Conn. – Butler 2, UConn 0
In the quarterfinals of the 2021 BIG EAST Tournament, the teams battled through regulation and one overtime with no score. In the second overtime, Abigail Isger scored an unassisted goal to send Butler to the semifinals.
The sides met three times in calendar year 2021 (4/16, 10/3, 10/31).
Scouting UConn
Previous match: at DePaul W, 5-0
UConn has notable wins vs. Creighton (2-0), St. John’s (2-1), and DePaul (5-0) and tied Army (0-0), No. 11 Georgetown (0-0), and Marquette (0-0). The Huskies have losses to Xavier (0-1), Yale (0-1), and Harvard (1-2).
Individual Statistics
Offensive standouts for UConn include:
#10 Chioma Okafor (4g, 2a)
#27 Abbey Jones (3g, 2a)
#26 Cara Jordan (3g, 2a)
#15 Anaya Johnson (2g, 1a)
#6 Jessica Mazo (2g, 1a)
#1 Kaitlyn Mahoney (6-3-4) is the primary goalkeeper for the Huskies. In 13 starts, she has allowed 6 goals (.47 GAA) and has made 35 saves (.854 SV%). She has seven solo shutouts.
NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL
NO. 21 NOTRE DAME HARASSES CALEB WILLIAMS AND HANDS NO. 10 USC FIRST LOSS IN 48-20 DRUBBING
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) With its season in danger of spiraling, Notre Dame harassed the Heisman Trophy winner and knocked its fiercest rival from the rankings of the unbeaten.
Xavier Watts intercepted Caleb Williams twice and returned a fumble for a touchdown as No. 21 Notre Dame handed No. 10 Southern California its first loss in a 48-20 victory on Saturday night.
Having lost twice in the last three games, the Fighting Irish (6-2) bounced back against their longtime rivals from the West Coast in a big way. Watts had two of Notre Dame’s three first-half picks against Williams and then a 15-yard scoop-and-score with 3:27 left to add an exclamation point.
“Obviously, we were coming off a loss to Louisville,” Watts said. “I was kind of angry from that. This was a big rivalry game. I just wanted to come out and dominate.”
Benjamin Morrison had Notre Dame’s other interception of the half, leading to Audric Estime’s 1-yard plunge that put Notre Dame ahead 24-3. A week after wiping out a 17-point deficit to beat Arizona in overtime, the Trojans (6-1) had no such comeback in them.
Williams had only been intercepted once, but he was sacked four times by the Fighting Irish and finished with 199 yards passing and a TD. His hopes of becoming just the second two-time Heisman winner along with Ohio State’s Archie Griffin took a hit.
“I made mistakes that I usually don’t make,” Williams said. “Nights like that happen. You have to get through it, you got to keep fighting, you have to be a leader.”
Averaging 51.8 points per game, USC ended up with five turnovers and was limited to 92 yards rushing. The Fighting Irish racked up 11 tackles for loss.
“I couldn’t speak more highly of the performance of our defense,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said. “I don’t know if there’s a perfect answer to stopping Caleb Williams. He is one of the best college football players that I’ve ever seen. All I kept telling our guys was, we have a plan, and on this play, you have to attack. You cannot play passive. You cannot play a three-man rush and let him go out there and be the Heisman Trophy winner he is.”
Williams pulled USC within 31-20 with a seven-yard TD pass to Brenden Rice with 9:04 left in the fourth quarter.
Seconds later, the Notre Dame lead bounced back to 18 points when Jadarian Price returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a score.
“Disappointed, certainly not defeated, not demoralized,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said. “We’ve obviously got a lot in front of us. This game means a lot. We know it means it a lot to our fan base, it means a lot to college football.”
USC lost for the fifth consecutive time at Notre Dame Stadium.
THE TAKEAWAY
USC: The defense has taken lots of well-earned criticism, but the offensive line is now also looking like a big issue with several huge games in the Pac-12 still ahead.
Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish ability to bounce back after a stinging 33-20 loss at Louisville gives Notre Dame momentum heading into the final four games of the season. After a week off, the Irish take on Pittsburgh, Clemson, Wake Forest and Stanford as they try to boost their bowl stock.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
USC feasted on a first-half schedule that included only one team with a winning record, but after the loss at Notre Dame, the Trojans can expect a significant slide in the rankings.
UP NEXT
Southern California: The Trojans jump back into Pac-12 action when they host No. 16 Utah.
Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish host Pittsburgh on Oct. 28.
BALL STATE FOOTBALL
ROCKETS OUTLAST CARDINALS IN RAIN-SOAKED BATTLE OF FIELD GOALS AT THE SCHEU
MUNCIE, Ind. — Peny Boone’s three-yard burst with 1:31 remaining helped Toledo snap a 6-6 tie and send the Rockets to their sixth straight victory, 13-6, on a day accented with driving and swirling rain. Ball State limited the Rockets, averaging 40.8 points per game, to just a field goal through three quarters. It also marked the first start at quarterback for the Cardinals’ Kiael Kelly, who led Ball State with 98 rushing yards.
Knotted 3-3 at halftime and through three periods, Toledo kicker Luke Pawlak and Ball State’s Jackson Courville each connected again in the fourth, setting up the game’s final sequence.
INDIANA STATE SWIMMING
SYCAMORES SWEEP MEET AT GREEN BAY TO CLOSE OUT WISCONSIN TRIP
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State won all 16 events in the dual meet at Green Bay as the Sycamores topped the host Phoenix, 239-61, at the Peter F. Dorschel Natatorium on Saturday morning.
The Sycamores closed out their road trip to Milwaukee and Green Bay winning 31 of the 32 competed events in the pool as Indiana State continued to build off a strong preseason slate in the pool.
The Sycamores set the tone early sweeping the top two spots in the 200-yard Medley Relay and had the top three finishers in both the 1000-yard and 200-yard Freestyles. Claire Parsons (200-yard Free & 200-yard Back), Zoe Smith (1M & 3M Diving), Kaimi Matsumoto (50-yard Free & 100-yard Fly), and Alexandria Cotter (100-yard Back, 200-yard Breast) all won multiple events on the day to highlight the Sycamores.
“We did a nice job coming back this morning and having some really solid swims,” head coach Josh Christensen said. “The goal this weekend was to get in a lot of racing and see people in a variety of events. The team handled it well and we’re look forward to getting back to work and improving from here.”
Zoe Smith won the 1M diving event for the second consecutive day as the senior topped the field with a score of 283.40. Bailey Betzer was second in 243.35, while Daniela Orta Castaneda (231.85, 4th), Sierra Bowman (207.65, 5th), and Brenna Woodruff (129.90, 6th) all paced the Sycamores on the afternoon.
Trista Bullock, Ali Pearson, Raine Boles, and Kalli Agapios led the Sycamores in the 200-yard Medley Relay as the quartet took the title with a time of 1:46.87. Olivia DiRuzza, Kaleigh Kelley, Matsumoto, and Alexa Szadorski finished in 1:48.18, while Allie Barasch, Cotter, Becca Shaffer, and Jordan Gruce touched in 1:50.98. The final ISU group of Kate Reeves, Dorotea Bukvic, Raz Harel, and Ash Saple finished in 1:51.36.
Haley Halsall took home the individual title in the 1000-yard freestyle with the sophomore touching the wall in 10:43.56. Erin Cummins finished behind her teammate in 10:44.24, while Kam Nowak was third in 11:03.15 to round of the Sycamores on the podium.
ISU took four of the top five positions in the 200-yard Freestyle with Claire Parsons (1:54.30) out-touching Chloe Farro (1:56.32) for the individual win. Agapios was third in 1:58.60, while Esther Rydbeck Nordan was fifth in 2:01.93. Rose Parsons (1:58.89), Barasch (1:59.74), and Reeves (2:00.54) also took on the field.
Cotter was ISU’s leader in the 100-yard Backstroke with a time of 59.48, while DiRuzza also broke the one-minute mark in 59.56 to place third in the field. Harel (1:00.74, 4th) and Bullock (1:02.48) also posted top-five finishes.
Kelley was ISU’s top finisher in the 100-yard Breaststroke as the freshman topped teammate Szadorski 1:06.66 to 1:06.83 to take the win. Peyton Heagy was fourth in 1:09.06.
Boles and Shaffer went 1-2 in the 200-yard Fly as the Sycamore sophomores touched the wall in 2:09.72 and 2:13.04 respectively.
Matsumoto was fastest in the pool in the 50-yard Freestyle with a time of 24.33, while Saple (25.46) and Gruce (25.59) both added top-five finishes.
Smith, Betzer, and Orta Castaneda was ISU’s leaders in the 3-meter diving as the Sycamore trio finished in the top three positions. Smith scored a season-high 289.95, while Betzer (247.55) and Orta Castaneda (244.49) posted top scores. Bowman finished with 211.60, while Woodruff scored 134.45 in her second competition.
The Sycamores claimed the top seven spots and eight of the top nine in the 100-yard Freestyle event. Farro paced the way winning by 1.01 seconds with a time of 52.06 over Heagy (53.17). Agapios (54.33), Pearson (54.46), and Boles (54.86) all finished in the top five. Cummins (54.94), Gruce (55.45), and DiRuzza (56.17) rounded out the group in the field.
Claire Parsons (2:08.84) and Bukvic (2:09.01) took the top two spots in the 200-yard Backstroke, while Rydbeck Norden (2:14.94) and Harel (2:15.97) went 5-6 in the event.
Cotter (2:25.55) and Kelley (2:26.56) were the top two finishers in the 200-yard Breaststroke to lead the Sycamores in the event.
Rose Parson claimed the event title in the 500-yard Freestyle in 5:13.97, while Nowak (5:22.66) and Bullock (5:26.64) finished third and fourth in the field.
Matsumoto led five Sycamores finishing in the top five positions in the 100-yard Fly as the senior touched the wall in 58.04. Halsall (59.74), Barasch (59.85), Cummins (1:00.27), and Shaffer (1:00.64) all scored for ISU in the event.
The Sycamores posted the top four finishes in the 200-yard IM with Szadorski (2:09.84) holding off Pearson (2:11.38) for the individual win. Kelley (2:12.40) and Harel (2:14.81) finished third and fourth overall.
ISU wrapped up the day taking four of the top five positions in the 200-yard Freestyle Relay in the pool. The quartet of Heagy, Matsumoto, Boles, and Farro finished in 1:36.64 to take the win, while Barasch, Gruce, Cotter, and Cummins touched second in 1:40.37. Claire Parsons, Saple, Reeves, and Bullock were fourth in 1:41.87, while Agapios, Shaffer, DiRuzza, and Halsall finished fifth overall in 1:43.03.
Top ISU Performers in Each Event
200-yard Medley Relay: Trista Bullock, Ali Pearson, Raine Boles, Kalli Agapios (1:46.87, 1st)
1000-yard Freestyle: Haley Halsall (10:43.56, 1st)
200-yard Freestyle: Claire Parsons (1:54.30, 1st)
100-yard Backstroke: Alexandria Cotter (59.48, 1st)
100-yard Breaststroke: Kaleigh Kelley (1:06.66, 1st)
200-yard Butterfly: Raine Boles (2:09.72, 1st)
50-yard Freestyle: Kaimi Matsumoto (24.33, 1st)
3M Diving: Zoe Smith (289.95, 1st)
100-yard Freestyle: Chloe Farro (52.06, 1st)
200-yard Backstroke: Claire Parsons (2:08.84, 1st)
200-yard Breaststroke: Alexandria Cotter (2:25.55, 1st)
500-yard Freestyle: Rose Parsons (5:13.97, 1st)
100-yard Butterfly: Kaimi Matsumoto (58.04, 1st)
1M Diving: Zoe Smith (283.40, 1st)
200-yard IM: Alexa Szadorski (2:09.84, 1st)
200-yard Freestyle Relay: Peyton Heagy, Kaimi Matsumoto, Raine Boles, Chloe Farro (1:36.64, 1st)
Up Next
Indiana State returns home to the Vigo County Aquatic Center on Friday, October 20, as the Sycamores welcome UIC, Southern Indiana, and Evansville for a quad meet. Event are set to begin at 5 p.m. ET with results posted on Meet Mobile.
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
INDIANA STATE HOSTS ILLINOIS STATE ON SENIOR DAY AT MEMORIAL STADIUM
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State hosts their 2023 Senior Day festivities on Sunday afternoon as the Sycamores host Illinois State at Memorial Stadium as ISU heads into its final three matches of the regular season. Kickoff between the Sycamores and the Redbirds is set for 1 p.m. ET with the match set to be streamed on ESPN+.
The Sycamores will recognize 2023 seniors Maddie Alexander, Katie Yankey, Carly Hudnall, Carlie Jensen, Isabella Hunter, Audrey Stephens, Kloe Pettigrew, and Sasha Thompson in a pregame ceremony set to start on the field at 12:40 p.m.
Indiana State (1-6-8, 0-4-3) enters the match coming off a tough 1-0 home loss to Missouri State on Thursday afternoon. The Sycamores fired their first shot 69 seconds into the match and added late opportunities, but were unable to cash in the defeat to the Bears.
Mackenzie Kent fired the first shot of the game 69 seconds into the match as Indiana State come out on the attack early. ISU added chances by Anna Chor and Emma Elliott in the second half with Elliott’s offering in the 89th minute corralled by MSU keeper Camielle Day in front of the net to keep the Bears’ shutout intact.
The Sycamores combined for five shots in the contest with Elliott and Chor’s attempts the lone on target. Alexa Mackey, Maddie Helling, and Kent also fired shots in the contest.
Maddie Alexander finished with eight saves on 19 Missouri State shots in the contest. The Sycamore goalkeeper has 66 saves in 2023 and 232 on her career. She sits three behind Sycamore alum Emily Lahay (235, 4th) for fifth all-time with three matches remaining on the year.
Indiana State is looking to crack the scoreboard this week against the Illinois State defense as the Sycamores attempt to end a seven-match scoreless streak. The Redbirds have surrendered 24 goals in the 2023 season including three this past Thursday against Drake. Illinois State (3-6-4, 1-3-3) sits just ahead of the Sycamores in the league standings with both teams attempting to maneuver their way into the postseason rankings.
The Sycamores have scored six goals over the 2023 season paced by Maddie Helling’s two on the year, while Lina Fasquelle, Mackenzie Kent, Chloe Tesny, and Adelaide Wolfe have all found the back of the net. Kent continues to lead the Sycamores with 26 shots and 13 shots on goal in 2023, while Alexa Mackey has 13 shots with nine on target on the year.
Alexander continues to pace the Sycamores with 66 saves while starting all 15 matches on the year. The senior’s 66 saves are the second-most in a single season over her career (81, 2021), while her 232 saves put her three behind Emily Lahay (235, 4th) for fifth all-time in Sycamore history.
The Redbirds picked up wins at Eastern Illinois and at home against both Western Illinois and Southern Illinois to highlight their 2023 season to date. Their 1-0 win over SIU was their first MVC win of the season highlighted by Julia Liguore’s goal, while Audrey Brown posted a shutout in goal.
Haley Glover is the team’s scoring leader on the season with six goals in 2023 while pacing the Redbirds with 22 shots and 16 shots on goal. Liguore’s three goals put her second on the roster, while Katie O’Malley and Ava Watson have three assists apiece.
Brown has started all 13 matches and played all 1170 minutes in net in 2023. She’s posted a 1.85 goals-against-average with 52 saves against 156 shots faced.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE VOLLEYBALL
TAYA HAFFNER RECORDS DOUBLE-DOUBLE AT WRIGHT STATE
DAYTON, Ohio – Wright State took a 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-16) win over the Purdue Fort Wayne women’s volleyball team on Saturday (Oct. 14).
Taya Haffner recorded a double-double against the Raiders with 22 assists and 12 digs. Panna Ratkai was one dig short with 12 kills and nine digs. LonDynn Betts had 11 digs to anchor the back line.
Set one went to the Raiders thanks to a 7-1 run early on in the set. Wright State held the Mastodons to a match-low .057 while hitting .357 themselves.
The ‘Dons slowed down the Raiders a bit in set two, holding them to .217. Ratkai had six of her match-high 12 kills in the second frame. WSU was up 18-11 before an 11-3 run by the ‘Dons that featured three kills from both Ratkai and Ashby Willis.
The third set was all Wright State after a 10-10 start. The home team had a 9-1 push late.
Wright State’s Callie Martin had 12 kills to match Ratkai. Jenny Wessling had a match-high 20 digs.
Wright State improves to 11-9, 7-2 in the Horizon League. Purdue Fort Wayne falls to 7-14 and 2-7 in the HL. The Mastodons will return home for a pair of matches next weekend against Milwaukee (Oct. 20) and Green Bay (Oct. 21).
SOUTHERN INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
USI COMES UP SHORT AFTER STRONG START AGAINST MOREHEAD STATE
MOREHEAD, Ky. – University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (9-12, 5-5) came up short in a competitive, five-set match against Morehead State University (11-10, 4-5) Saturday afternoon, falling 3-2 (25-16, 25-21, 25-14, 25-20, 15-7).
After dropping Friday’s match in straight sets, USI bounced back with a strong start on Saturday. As both sides tried to get in sync to begin the first set, Southern Indiana tore off five straight points to take a 7-4 lead, including three straight service aces by senior outside/right side hitter Abby Bednar (Chagrin Falls, Ohio). The Screaming Eagles widened their margin in the first set after multiple errors by Morehead State. Seven straight points late in the first game increased USI’s lead to 10, 24-14, before Southern Indiana closed out the first, 25-16.
Like the first set, USI’s strong attack continued to put Morehead State out of position to start the second frame, as USI jumped out to a 4-1 advantage. Morehead State settled back in to tighten the score. Both teams went back and forth in the middle portion of the second. With the score tied at 16, senior outside hitter Leah Anderson (Bloomington, Illinois) recorded five kills in a six-point span to put USI up, 21-17. Anderson tallied eight kills in the second set. Despite one more push from Morehead State in the second, USI claimed the second set, 25-21, to take a 2-0 lead.
After the second-set break, Morehead State adjusted and flipped a switch. The host Eagles captured the first five points and eventually grabbed an 8-1 advantage in the third set. Morehead State would not relinquish the momentum in the third, extending the lead as big as 22-9 and winning the third stanza, 25-14.
Heading into the fourth set, Southern Indiana tried to settle down and take back control. Following another competitive start from both sides, USI eventually went ahead 11-8 with a combination of kills between Bednar, junior middle hitter Paris Downing (Avon, Indiana), and sophomore middle hitter Bianca Anderson (Chicago Heights, Illinois). Then Morehead State went on an 11-4 run to take a 19-15 lead in the fourth, as the host Eagles’ defense went to work with four points off blocks during the run. Even though the Screaming Eagles received three kills late in the set from Leah Anderson, Morehead State won the fourth set, 25-20, to even the match at two games each.
USI began the fifth and decisive set with a 3-1 lead, but Morehead State answered. Morehead State utilized its defensive net play to leap in front. Up by two, 8-6, in the middle of the fifth, Morehead State finished the 3-2 match win with a 7-1 scoring run. Morehead State’s duo of M.E. Hargan (26 kills) and Irene Wogenstahl (14 kills) combined for 40 kills in the come-from-behind effort while Maycie Welborn came up with timely kills late in the match.
Statistically, for USI, Leah Anderson led the Screaming Eagles with 15 kills while totaling 14 digs. Bednar registered 13 kills, and Bianca Anderson accounted for a dozen kills. Junior setter Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana) dished out 43 assists, and sophomore libero/defensive specialist Keira Moore (Newburgh, Indiana) racked up 23 digs.
As a team, Southern Indiana accumulated 52 kills, seven service aces, 88 digs, and five blocks with a hit percentage of .127. Morehead State had 61 kills, eight aces, 84 digs, and 19 blocks with a hit percentage of .231.
NEXT UP FOR THE EAGLES:
The Eagles continue their four-match road swing next weekend with a pair against Ohio Valley Conference newcomer Western Illinois University. The first match on Friday is slated for 6 p.m. with a 2 p.m. start on Saturday. Both matches can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.
VALPO FOOTBALL
EAGLES EDGE BEACONS ON LAST-SECOND FIELD GOAL
We’ve told you before, and we’ll tell you again today. When the Valparaiso University football team takes the field, expect a game that comes down to the final play.
For the fifth consecutive week, the Beacons played a game that was hanging in the balance until the moment the game clock reached all zeros, this time a heartbreaking 24-21 defeat to visiting Morehead State at Brown Field that saw the Eagles kick a 28-yard, game-winning field goal as time expired to win a Pioneer Football League battle that Valpo led 21-14 with 2:31 remaining on a wet and chilly Saturday in Northwest Indiana.
How It Happened
After both teams had three-and-outs on their first drives of the game, Morehead State turned it over on downs with Evan Annis (Hilliard, Ohio / Hilliard Davidson) pressuring the quarterback on fourth-and-6 from the Valpo 21.
Valpo once again punted it away, then Morehead State put together a six-play, 66-yard touchdown drive to take the lead on a 1-yard rush by Carter Cravens with 5:17 left in the first.
Valpo responded by finding the end zone on the ensuing drive, a seven-play, 75-yard march that ended with Jeffrey Jackson (San Diego, Calif. / Bishop’s [San Diego]) finding Ryan Mann (Vernon Hills, Ill. / Vernon Hills [Northern Illinois]) for a 21-yard score.
Late in the first quarter, Tyler Geiman (Zion, Ill. / Zion-Benton Township [Dubuque]) made an interception to allow Valpo to take over with good field position on its own 40. However, that drive was stopped and resulted in a punt.
The Beacons grabbed their first lead of the game as Mann once again found pay dirt, this time doing so on the ground. He busted free for a 23-yard TD waltz with 8:41 left in the second quarter to make it 14-7 in favor of the hosts.
The defensive line including Sam Hafner (Green Bay, Wis. / De Pere) and Onye Nwosisi (Indianapolis, Ind. / Cardinal Ridge [Muskingum]) made a big stop on fourth-and-2 at the Valpo 33 to force a turnover on downs, and the two teams exchanged punts before Jackson completed six passes on one drive including three to Chris Gundy (Smithfield, Va. / Smithfield) and a 31 yarder to Brandon Jimenez (Suffern, N.Y. / Don Bosco Prep [Albany]) to set up a field goal try before halftime. However, the attempt was missed and it stayed 14-7 Valpo at the break.
The Valpo defense forced another turnover on downs on the first Morehead State drive of the second half, and then the Beacons recorded a pair of sacks with George Trojanek (Carpentersville, Ill. / IMG Academy) and Hafner in on the first and Kobey Fitzgerald (Eastvale, Calif. / Servite [UCLA]) notching the second to snuff out the second Eagles’ drive of Half 2.
Early in the fourth quarter, Valpo faced fourth-and-7 from the Morehead State 47, and the Beacons elected to call a fake punt. Punter Evan Matthes (Reston, Va. / South Lakes [West Virginia]) threw a 23-yard pass to Mark Johnson (Nashville, Tenn. / Lipscomb Academy) for a first down.
Later in that drive, Valpo went for it on fourth-and-2 from the Morehead State 4, but the Beacons were stopped and Morehead State took over trailing 14-7 with 9:39 remaining.
Ryan Upp caught a 46-yard touchdown pass with 6:03 left to help the Eagles tie the game at 14.
Valpo responded with a key drive that started with a 39-yard connection between Jackson and Solomon Davis (Brighton, Tenn. / Brighton). That drive finished with the Beacons regaining the lead on a 6-yard TD catch by tight end Jake Vickers (Canton, Mich. / Canton) on a pass from Jackson to make it 21-14 with 2:27 to go.
On the first snap of the ensuing Morehead State drive, Upp hauled in an 80-yard TD pass, and just like that, the game was back to even.
Valpo went three-and-out, setting up a booming 67-yard punt by Matthes that was downed at the Morehead State 13.
Once again, the first offensive snap following the change of possession was a big play. Morehead State completed a 64-yard pass to the Valpo 23. This set up a field-goal try that was initially missed from 39 yards, but a roughing the kicker penalty allowed the Eagles to retry from 28 yards, and this time they hit the game winner.
Inside the Game
Mann had his second career rushing touchdown and his first through the air. He finished with 102 rushing yards on 12 carries, becoming the first Beacon back to rush for 100 yards in a game this season and first since Aaron Dawson on Nov. 12, 2022 at Marist (199). He added the one catch for 21 yards to his big day.
Jackson went 18-of-29 passing for 202 yards and a pair of scores in his first start in a Valpo uniform.
Davis had seven catches for 94 yards, while Gundy finished with six grabs for 74 yards after entering the day with one career catch.
The 19 completions were one shy of the team’s season high set at Indiana Wesleyan and the 225 passing yards were nine shy of a season high set vs. Marist. The Beacons ran for a season-high 143 yards and accrued 368 yards of total offense, by far a season best.
Morehead State passed for 396 yards and totaled 447 yards of offense. Valpo was difficult to run the ball against yet again, holding the opponent to fewer than 80 rushing yards for the fifth straight week and fewer than 55 for the third time this season (51).
Vickers’ TD catch was the third of his career and the first this season. He now has exactly one score in each of the last three seasons.
Geiman’s interception was his first in a Valpo uniform. He, Annis, Hafner and Caleb Rao (Liberty Township, Ohio / Lakota West) shared the team lead with six tackles apiece. Hafner had 1.5 tackles for loss.
Matthes averaged 42.7 yards per punt on six kicks including a 67 yarder, his eighth of 50+ yards this season. He also completed his first pass in a Valpo uniform.
This was the fifth game in the last six matchups with Morehead State decided by seven points or fewer.
This marked Valpo’s fifth straight one-score game. The Beacons have dropped four of those five nail biters including each of the season’s three conference contests.
This marked the 23rd game in Landon Fox’s 47 as Valpo head coach decided by one score.
This marks the first time Valpo has had a streak of five or more one-score games consecutively since six straight in 2003 – at Jacksonville, vs. Morehead State, at Dayton, vs. San Diego, vs. Drake and at Butler.
Since the start of last season, seven of the nine games played at Brown Field have been one-score affairs including all three this season.
Postgame Press Conference
Click here for postgame press conference.
Up Next
Valpo (1-5, 0-3 PFL) will hit the road next week to visit Davidson at noon CT in Davidson, N.C.
UINDY FOOTBALL
GREYHOUNDS DOWN BULLDOGS IN TOP-20 SHOWDOWN
KIRKSVILLE, Mo.—In a battle of GLVC heavyweights, the No. 13 UIndy football team took down host and 19th-ranked Truman State University Saturday afternoon, 38-17. The win keeps the Greyhounds’ perfect record intact while also securing sole possession of the conference lead.
INS & OUTS
The teams traded touchdowns through the early going, knotting the score at 14-14 with nine minutes left in the second quarter. Sophomore Cobi Lewis had a pair of touchdown receptions to account for both UIndy scores.
The first half featured an eventful ending, including a case for play of the year. Inside of six minutes left in the half, the UIndy special teams delivered the go-ahead touchdown with a blocked field goal and lengthy TD return. Junior Aaron Barnett swatted the Bulldogs’ 36-yard attempt, before senior Landry Mavungu corralled the carom and took it 82 yards to the house.
Up 21-14 at the break, the Greyhounds pulled away with 10 unanswered points in the third quarter. Jon Lewis (six-yard rush) and Anthony Crowell (one-yard catch) each provided a second-half touchdown, with the latter’s score late in the fourth good for the first of his career.
The UIndy special teams continued to come up big, particularly punter Luke Keller. Also a dual-threat quarterback, Keller broke off a 24-yard rush on a successful fake punt in the third quarter, and later pinned the Bulldogs at their own five-yard line with a perfect punt with just 4:30 to go.
Truman had one last gasp, taking possession at the 4:22 mark in a two-score game. But senior captain KJ Roudebush came up with a clutch interception and 48-yard return, setting up the Hounds’ final score and sealing the win.
INSIDE THE BOX
INSIDE THE BOX
-Mavungu, who also had a pick, earned the Hounds’ first return TD on a blocked field goal since the 2009 season opener and longest since at least 1983*.
-Kicker Dylan Hillger connected on a 41-yard field goal try in the third quarter—UIndy’s longest of the year.
-UIndy amassed six tackles for a loss, including three from Justin Thomas.
-The Greyhound defense held Truman to a combined 4-for-17 on third and fourth down.
-Cornerback Jalyn Givan was credited with four pass break-ups.
-Truman’s fourth-quarter field goal represented its only score in the game’s final 39 minutes.
*first season game-by-game stats are readily available
MORE NOTES
UIndy upped its win streak versus Truman to seven … The Greyhounds are now 6-0 for the second time in Head Coach Chris Keevers’ five-year tenure.
UP NEXT
UIndy remains on the road next week for a trip to an improved Quincy University club. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET.
UINDY MEN’S TENNIS
TOM ZEUCH TO BATTLE FOR ITA CUP CHAMPIONSHIP ON SUNDAY
ROME, Ga. – Tom Zeuch has a chance to make University of Indianapolis history tomorrow as he will battle it out for the ITA Cup Singles Crown. If he captures the win, he will become the first UIndy men’s player to capture the ITA Cup singles title.
Zeuch, the No. 3-seed in the bracket, has been perfect throughout the tournament, sweeping his round of 16, quarterfinal, and semifinal matches without conceding more than four games in any set.
DAY 1-3 RECAP
On the first day, Zeuch saved some energy, making his opening match a swift victory with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Alexander Leischner of Point Loma.
Just a day later, Zeuch kept all the momentum behind him, capturing a big victory over Jacopo Denitto of Flagler. It was not the first meeting between the two as Zeuch had played Denitto in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament last season. Different year, same result. Zeuch had previously defeated Denitto 6-2, 6-2 in the prior year’s quarterfinals. This year, the German native clinched it in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.
Now matched up with Adam Lynch of the NCAA DII National Champion Barry Buccaneers, Zeuch kept the past in the past, proving he was the better player winning 6-1, 6-4 to mark his trip to the finals and a chance at history.
UP NEXT
Tom Zeuch has a chance to make University of Indianapolis history as the first Greyhound to win an ITA Cup Singles National Championship. He will battle Baptiste Mercier of Flagler in the finals at 9 a.m.
UINDY VOLLEYBALL
HOUNDS DROP TIMBERWOLVES IN STRAIGHT SETS ON SATURDAY
HAMMOND, Ind. – The UIndy volleyball team capped its weekend with a sweep of Northwood at the 15th annual Midwest Region Crossover on Saturday afternoon, snapping an eight-match losing streak at the Hammond Sportsplex since the event was held at the facility since 2021.
The Greyhounds jumped out to a fast start in each set before dominating their way to a .407 attacking clip and 81.0 sideout percentage in the final frame.
Sophia Parlanti led all players with 12 kills on .308 hitting, scoring four finishes in each set.
INS & OUTS
UIndy used runs all afternoon to seal the Northwood fate, including it fifth and final stretch of at least five consecutive points to put the third game out of reach. Meredith Simmons joined Parlanti with a kill during the run, as the latter also tallied a pair of scores in the waning minutes.
Elizabeth Eads and Riley Laine sandwiched the Parlanti kills at the end, with the middles combining to hit .364 in the sweep.
Nearly every Greyhound saw action in the second set, including Marin Dixon, who recorded four digs and two assists. Upperclassmen Erica Eads and Kayla Guthrie also subbed in during the game, with the duo totaling six attack attempts between them.
INSIDE THE BOX
– Laine stepped up in the sweep, totaling seven kills on .538 hitting.
– Parlanti tallied four kills in each set to finish in double figures for the 17th time this fall.
– Lauren Cullison recorded six kills on the right side, while Lauren Peal finished with two service aces and one dig.
– UIndy has now held its opponent to a sub-.100 attacking percentage for the 10th time this season; the Timberwolves hit .063 on Saturday.
– Freshman Macy Bruton drew her second start of the weekend, scooping up four digs.
ON ANOTHER NOTE
UIndy now leads the all-time series with Northwood, 9-3.
HOUND BYTES
Head coach Jason Reed on the win…
“We’re going through some adversity; it’s the October grind of our season and it’s tough to figure out how to be successful. We chose to come together to try to solve it together and I couldn’t be prouder of our team for leaning into that situation when the easier chose is to pull apart. I’m leaving today with a ton of confidence in this team.”
UP NEXT
UIndy returns to GLVC play next weekend at No. 16 Lewis in the team’s lone match of the weekend. First serve in Romeoville, Ill., is set for 4 p.m. ET.
MARIAN FOOTBALL
SWARMING DEFENSE, EXPLOSIVE RUSHING ATTACK POWERS NO. 5 MARIAN OVER NO. 10 CONCORDIA
Ann Arbor, Mich. – Led by a defense that forced three takeaways and running game that carried the offense, the Marian football team overcame adversity Saturday afternoon in the 14-7 victory at No. 10 Concordia. The rain-soaked victory improves Marian’s record to 6-0 on the season, while they improve to 3-0 in MSFA Mideast action.
The defense’s came out hot for both Marian and Concordia on the chilly Saturday afternoon, as both sides were forced to punt on their opening offensive possession. Marian got their offense going on their second possession of the game, eating up over six minutes of clock as they marched down the field. A pair of penalties aided the Knights in moving the sticks, while a 25 yard pass from Zach Bundalo to CJ Young on a 4th and 19 extended the series into the red zone. William Gibson capped off the series two plays later, as he barreled into the end zone from seven yards out to put up the first points of the game.
Leading 7-0, the Marian defense came away with the first of their three takeaways on the afternoon to stop a Concordia possession, as Adrian Cuevas jumped a Gavin Brooks pass and set up the offense on the penultimate play of the quarter. Keagan La Belle was unleashed on the final play of the first quarter, as he followed the interception with a 26-yard run. La Belle continued his torrent running, gashing the Cardinals for a 14 yard gain before racing 31 yards to the pylon for a touchdown run.
La Belle put the Knights in control with a 14-0 lead, turning the keys over to the defense to make plays for the remainder of the half. Joe Owens and Tyler Bukur combined for a fourth down stop on the ensuing Cardinals series, while after having to punt Cuevas came away with his second takeaway by recovering a fumble. Marian and Concordia would exchange punts after the fumble recovery, but on the Cardinals kick the Knights muffed the return, giving the home team one final possession with 19 seconds to play before the half.
The Cardinals made one final push to the end zone moving to the Knights’ 23 yard line, but after a series of timeouts, the Cardinals settled for a heave to the end zone, which was broken up by the Marian secondary to preserve the 14-0 lead at the break.
Following the halftime break, Marian’s defense returned to the field and forced a turnover on downs on their first series of the half, as Bukur got into the backfield and dropped Concordia’s Gavin Brooks for an eight yard loss. Marian failed to capitalize on the momentum of the stop as they punt back to the Cardinals, but a pair of tackles by Nate Frey forced the home team back into the punt formation. La Belle set Marian up with great field position after a long punt return, and the Knights marched the ball to the Concordia 22 yard line as the game shifted to the fourth quarter.
Marian would settle for a field goal on the third play of the final quarter, but Marlon Pomili pushed the drenched football wide left, as the Knights came up empty on their five minute series. The Cardinals responded with their first touchdown drive of the game, marching 13 plays and 78 yards downfield before Brooks tossed a four yard touchdown pass to his tight end, cutting the lead in half.
La Belle and Bundalo set Marian up with a chance to respond after the score, as the sophomore back opened the series with a first down run, while the senior quarterback ripped a 40 yard completion to Jake Reichard. Gibson followed the big pass play with a touchdown run, but the score was called back on a holding penalty. Gibson had a chance for redemption as he carried the ball to the one yard line, but the officials ruled on his third down run that he fumbled the ball, spoiling the opportunity to add points to the board.
Concordia took over with 4:19 to play after the fumble call, but were unable to get past the Marian defense a second time, as Jayshawn Underwood grabbed an interception to kill the Cardinals chances. Marian had 1:37 of game clock to run off before claiming a win, turning the ball to La Belle six consecutive times, with the back converting a fourth and two to seal the win and complete the Knights’ victory.
The ground game highlighted Marian’s offensive action, with La Belle rushing for 126 of Marian’s 196 yards on the ground. Gibson carried the ball 16 times for 79 yards, joining La Belle in the end zone with a touchdown run. Playing through the rain, Bundalo was limited in the air throwing for 91 yards on six completions, with Reichard and Young combining for 92 yards.
The Knights defense was led by Frey and Bukur, with Frey posting a game-high 11 tackles. Bukur made 10 tackles including 2.5 for loss and one sack, as the defensive end moved into sixth all-time at Marian in career sacks. Jake Paris finished with seven tackles, and Adrian Cuevas had five stops including his interception and fumble recovery.
Marian will return home after consecutive weeks on the road, taking on St. Francis (Ind.) next Saturday afternoon at St. Vincent Field. Kickoff from St. Vincent Field is slated for 1:05 p.m.
MARIAN MEN’S SOCCER
MARIAN COMES UP SHORT AGAINST #10 BETHEL
INDIANAPOLIS – The Marian men’s soccer team dropped a tough 1-0 loss to No. 10 Bethel on Saturday afternoon.
The first eight minutes were fairly even with not much action happening, before Bethel scored the game’s first goal at the 9:16 mark to take the early 1-0 lead. Marian had quite a few opportunities to even the score in the first half, taking four shots to Bethel’s three and leading in corner kicks with six.
After the Pilot goal, the Knights tried to respond as they controlled possession the remainder of the half. Agon Hoxha fired off a header that then led to a pair of corner kicks, but were unable to execute on their looks. Marian found another pair of good looks in the 44th minute, as Kelton Hooker booted one just high and Gerald Ramirez did the same off a header attempt.
Despite the chances generated by Marian’s crisp passes throughout the first 45 minute, the host trailed 1-0 at the break.
Both teams came out on the attack to start the second half, with the ball moving down the pitch evenly. The Knights got their first look of the half behind a Hoxha header before the Pilots tried to add to their lead with a shot that ended blocked. Marian and Bethel continued to share blows, while the Knights became the aggressors at the start of the 69th minute with three shots coming on frame. However, Jayden Francis, Gerald Ramirez, and Romaric Berneron’s shots were denied by the Bethel keeper.
Although a fairly even match through the full 90 minutes, the visiting Pilots left with the 1-0 victory. In Marian’s nine shots, four were on goal with Hoxha leading with three attempts. Ramirez had two shots while Alb, Kelton Hooker, and Francis each added one. Juan Torres record two saves and a goal in his 90 minutes.
Marian will be back at St. Vincent Field Tuesday, October 17 to host Georgetown College (Ky.) at 1 p.m. in a non-conference match.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETICS
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
NFL STANDINGS
| American Football Conference | |||||||||||||
| East Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Miami Dolphins | 4 | 1 | 0 | .800 | 0.0 | 181 | 135 | 2-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 1.0 | 159 | 80 | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| New York Jets | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 2.0 | 93 | 105 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| New England Patriots | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 3.0 | 55 | 131 | 0-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 L | |
| West Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 5 | 1 | 0 | .833 | 0.0 | 147 | 88 | 2-1-0 | 3-0-0 | 3-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 5 W | |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 2.0 | 110 | 104 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 2 W | |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 2.5 | 79 | 114 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Denver Broncos | 1 | 5 | 0 | .167 | 4.0 | 129 | 200 | 0-3-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-4-0 | 0-2-0 | 2 L | |
| North Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.0 | 79 | 110 | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Baltimore Ravens | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.0 | 109 | 75 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Cleveland Browns | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 0.5 | 76 | 60 | 2-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1 L | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 1.0 | 83 | 114 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-3-0 | 0-2-0 | 1 W | |
| South Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.0 | 105 | 102 | 1-2-0 | 2-0-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 W | |
| Indianapolis Colts | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.0 | 120 | 115 | 1-2-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Houston Texans | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 1.0 | 115 | 100 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Tennessee Titans | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 1.0 | 88 | 93 | 2-0-0 | 0-3-0 | 2-2-0 | 0-1-0 | 1 L | |
| National Football Conference | |||||||||||||
| East Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 0.0 | 141 | 104 | 2-0-0 | 3-0-0 | 4-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 5 W | |
| Dallas Cowboys | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 2.0 | 134 | 83 | 2-0-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 L | |
| Washington Commanders | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 3.0 | 109 | 160 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-1-0 | 3 L | |
| New York Giants | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 4.0 | 62 | 153 | 0-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 0-1-0 | 3 L | |
| West Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| San Francisco 49ers | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 0.0 | 167 | 68 | 3-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 4-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 5 W | |
| Seattle Seahawks | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 1.5 | 111 | 91 | 1-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 3 W | |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 3.0 | 112 | 108 | 0-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 4.0 | 108 | 136 | 1-2-0 | 0-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 0-1-0 | 2 L | |
| North Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Detroit Lions | 4 | 1 | 0 | .800 | 0.0 | 148 | 107 | 2-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 3 W | |
| Green Bay Packers | 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 2.0 | 113 | 113 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 L | |
| Minnesota Vikings | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 3.0 | 110 | 122 | 0-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-0-0 | 1 L | |
| Chicago Bears | 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 3.0 | 115 | 157 | 0-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-1-0 | 1 W | |
| South Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 0.0 | 84 | 68 | 1-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Atlanta Falcons | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.5 | 83 | 96 | 3-0-0 | 0-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 W | |
| New Orleans Saints | 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 0.5 | 96 | 76 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 5 | 0 | .000 | 3.5 | 91 | 144 | 0-2-0 | 0-3-0 | 0-5-0 | 0-2-0 | 5 L | |
NHL STANDINGS
| Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| 1 Boston Bruins | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2-0-0 | — | 2-0-0 | |
| 2 Carolina Hurricanes | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-0-0 | |
| 3 Toronto Maple Leafs | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 2-0-0 | — | 2-0-0 | |
| 4 Pittsburgh Penguins | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 1-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-1-0 | |
| 5 Montreal Canadiens | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 1-0-0 | 0-0-1 | 1-0-1 | |
| 6 New Jersey Devils | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 1-0-1 | — | 1-0-1 | |
| 7 New York Islanders | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1-0-0 | — | 1-0-0 | |
| 8 New York Rangers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 6 | — | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | |
| 9 Detroit Red Wings | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 1-0-0 | 0-1-0 | 1-1-0 | |
| 10 Ottawa Senators | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 1-0-0 | 0-1-0 | 1-1-0 | |
| 11 Tampa Bay Lightning | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 1-0-0 | 0-1-0 | 1-1-0 | |
| 12 Columbus Blue Jackets | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 1-1-0 | — | 1-1-0 | |
| 13 Philadelphia Flyers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 7 | — | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | |
| 14 Washington Capitals | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0-1-0 | — | 0-1-0 | |
| 15 Florida Panthers | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | — | 0-2-0 | 0-2-0 | |
| 16 Buffalo Sabres | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 0-2-0 | |
| Western Conference | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| 1 Vegas Golden Knights | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 2-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 3-0-0 | |
| 2 Colorado Avalanche | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 3 | — | 2-0-0 | 2-0-0 | |
| 3 Vancouver Canucks | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-0-0 | |
| 4 St. Louis Blues | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1-0-0 | 0-0-1 | 1-0-1 | |
| 5 Arizona Coyotes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | — | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | |
| 6 Calgary Flames | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 1-0-0 | 0-1-0 | 1-1-0 | |
| 7 Dallas Stars | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1-0-0 | — | 1-0-0 | |
| 8 Winnipeg Jets | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 1-0-0 | 0-1-0 | 1-1-0 | |
| 9 Minnesota Wild | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 1-0-0 | 0-1-0 | 1-1-0 | |
| 10 Nashville Predators | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 1-0-0 | 0-2-0 | 1-2-0 | |
| 11 Chicago Blackhawks | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | — | 1-2-0 | 1-2-0 | |
| 12 Los Angeles Kings | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 11 | 0-1-1 | — | 0-1-1 | |
| 13 San Jose Sharks | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0-1-1 | — | 0-1-1 | |
| 14 Seattle Kraken | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9 | — | 0-2-1 | 0-2-1 | |
| 15 Anaheim Ducks | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | — | 0-1-0 | 0-1-0 | |
| 16 Edmonton Oilers | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 0-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 0-2-0 | |
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
| 1892 | On the last day of the season, Charles Bumpus Jones goes the distance in his first major league start, allowing no hits in the Reds’ 7-1 victory over the Pirates at Cincinnati’s League Park. The 22-year-old right-hander becomes the first major league rookie to throw a no-hitter. |
| 1917 | The White Sox win the World Series in six games when they beat the Giants at the Polo Grounds, 4-2. When the New York infielders leave home plate uncovered in the fourth inning, Eddie Collins scurries home, scoring the eventual winning run with Giants’ third baseman Heinie Zimmerman chasing him with the ball toward the plate. |
| 1917 | A letter signed by 24 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox members and manager Pants Rowland contains complaints about not receiving their full share after beating the New York Giants. The written request, which will be discovered as a tattered document more than 40 years later among boxes stored at the Hall of Fame library, may explain the ‘Black Sox’ motivation for fixing the Fall Classic two years later. |
| 1923 | At the Polo Grounds, the visiting Yankees score five runs in the eighth inning, beating the Giants in Game 6 of the Fall Classic, 6-4. The victory over their crosstown rivals gives the franchise its first World Championship. |
| 1925 | The Pirates become the first team to win a World Series after being down three games to one when the Bucs beat Washington and Walter Johnson in Game 7, 9-7. Kiki Cuyler’s bases-loaded double in the eighth inning proves to be the difference. |
| 1946 | In Game 7 of the World Series, the Cardinals beat the Red Sox, 4-3, when Enos Slaughter streaked home from first on a long single into the left-center gap by Harry Walker, who stayed a first to avoid making the last out before the run score. The play surprises everyone, including cut-off man shortstop Johnny Pesky who hesitates, as legend has it, throwing the ball home. |
| 1964 | In the Game 7 loss to the Cardinals, Bobby Richardson establishes a World Series record, playing in thirty consecutive Fall Classic games. The Yankee second baseman shares the record for the most hits (13), RBIs (12), and runs scored (8) in a seven-game series (1960). |
| 1964 | In his final postseason game, Mickey Mantle hits a three-run homer to the opposite field off right-hander Bob Gibson, his third dinger of the series. In the 7-5 loss to the Redbirds in the Fall Classic finale, the Sportsman’s Park round-tripper extends the Mick’s World Series record to 18. |
| 1964 | The Cardinals hang on to defeat the Yankees in Game 7 at Sportsman’s Park, 7-5, to capture their seventh Fall Classic, becoming the first team with a losing record (39-40) at the All-Star break to be World Champs. Bob Gibson, who struck out a record 31 batters in 27 innings during his three starts, is selected as the World Series Most Valuable Player. |
| 1964 | The Boyer brothers hit home runs in Game 7 of the World Series, Ken for the Cardinals and Clete for the Yankees. Both siblings accomplish the feat in their last at-bat of the Fall Classic. |
| 1969 | During the third inning of Game 4 of the Fall Classic, Earl Weaver becomes the first manager thrown out of a World Series game in 34 years. The ‘Earl of Baltimore’, who umpire Shag Crawford had previously warned, is quickly ejected after protesting a strike call from the bench. |
| 1970 | Brooks Robinson captures the World Series Most Valuable Player Award after batting .429 (9/21) and driving in six runs during the five-game set against Cincinnati. The Orioles’ third baseman becomes the first player to be named the MVP in the Fall Classic, an All-Star game (1966), and his league (AL-1964). |
| 1972 | “I must admit, I am going to be tremendously more pleased and more proud when I look at the third-base coaching line one day and see a Black face managing in baseball.” – JACKIE ROBINSON, Hall of Famer, baseball pioneer, and civil rights activist, remarks after receiving an award commemorating his breaking of the color line 25 years ago. In his last appearance at a major league ballpark, Jackie Robinson, speaking before Game 2 of the World Series nine days before his death, urges baseball to hire a black manager. The owners do not hire an African-American skipper until 1975, when the Indians employ Frank Robinson to run the team. |
| 1981 | With Dave Righetti, Ron Davis, and Goose Gossage combining to shut out Oakland, 4-0, the Yankees sweep the A’s to capture their thirty-third American League pennant. The Bronx Bombers will face the Dodgers in the World Series for the third time in the last five Fall Classics. |
| 1982 | Willie McGee becomes the third rookie to hit two home runs in the same World Series game. Going deep off Brewers starter Pete Vuckovich in the fifth and seventh innings in Game 3 of the Fall Classic, the Cardinals’ center fielder joins Charlie Keller (1939) and Tony Kubek (1957), each accomplishing the feat in the third game of their respective Fall Classics. |
| 1986 | In the longest postseason game ever played (4 hours and 42 minutes), the Mets clinch their third National League crown, beating Houston in sixteen innings at the Astrodome, 7-6. Trailing 3-0, Lenny Dykstra and Ray Knight spark a ninth-inning rally, which sends the game into extra innings. |
| 1986 | After being down three games to one in the ALCS, the Red Sox pull off one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history by defeating the California Angels 8-1 to win the American League pennant. In Game 5, Boston was one strike away from elimination before rallying with four runs in the ninth inning en route to an extra-inning victory at Anaheim Stadium, bringing the series back to Fenway Park. |
| 1988 | “In the year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened.” – VINCE SCULLY, commenting on Kirk Gibson’s dramatic World Series walk-off home run. In his only plate appearance in the Fall Classic, a limping Kirk Gibson, appearing as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning of Game 1, sends a two-out, 3-2 pitch from relief ace Dennis Eckersley over the right-field fence, giving the Dodgers a 5-4 victory over the A’s. The round-tripper marks the first time a World Series game ends on a come-from-behind home run in the final inning. |
| 1996 | The Devil Rays name Jamie Reed as the club’s head trainer. The 37-year-old Annapolis (MD) native, formerly the Orioles assistant trainer, is the first on-field major league hire for the new expansion team. |
| 1997 | After a vote during an afternoon conference call, the owners place the Devil Rays in the American League East Division, moving the Tigers to the AL Central to make room for the expansion team. The decision follows nine months of futile realignment efforts after the expansion Diamondbacks became a National League franchise in January. |
| 1997 | Major League Baseball approves a resolution creating a 16-team National League and a 14-team American League for the upcoming season. The plan puts the expansion Devil Ray in the AL Eastern Division, and the NL’s newest team, the Rockies, will play in the circuit’s Western Division. |
| 1997 | Thanks to an 11th-inning homer by Tony Fernandez, the Indians defeat the Orioles, 1-0, to win the American League Championship Series in six games. It is the Tribe’s second pennant in three years. |
| 2001 | The Yankees beat the A’s 5-3 to win the ALDS. The Bronx Bombers become the first team to win a best-of-five series after losing the first two games at home. |
| 2001 | After losing their first playoff appearance to the Mets in 1999, the Diamondbacks win their first postseason series, beating the Cardinals in only their fourth year of existence. Tony Womack’s two-out game-winning hit in the NLDS’s deciding fifth game gives Arizona the 2-1 victory. |
| 2007 | The Rockies record their 21st victory in 22 games, beating the Diamondbacks 6-4 to complete a four-game sweep of the NLCS. The Coors Field’s triumph over the number one seed in the National League playoffs advances Colorado to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. |
| 2008 | In Game 5 of the NLCS, the visiting Phillies beat the Dodgers, 5-1, to win their first pennant since 1993. Southpaw Cole Hamels, the series MVP, hurls his third postseason gem, and Jimmy Rollins starts the Philadelphia attack with a leadoff home run to start the game. |
| 2011 | With another home run in the Game 6 clincher, a 15-5 Ranger rout of Detroit, Nelson Cruz sets a new record for the most round-trippers in a postseason series with six. The Texas right-fielder, who ended the regular season in a slump, is named the ALCS Most Valuable Player for his outstanding contribution to his team’s success in the championship series. |
| 2012 | The Reds sign Dusty Baker to a two-year contract extension, giving their 63-year-old manager another chance to take the team beyond the first round of the playoffs. In two of the last three years, Cincinnati has participated in the postseason, including this season’s heartbreaking loss in the NLDS, dropping the previous three decisions at home in a five-game series to San Francisco. |
| 2014 | After winning the wild-card game over the A’s, beating the Angels in the first three games of the best-of-five ALDS series, the Royals improved their playoff record this season to 8-0 when they swept the Orioles in the ALCS with a 2-1 victory at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City has won 11 straight postseason games, counting the final three games of the 1985 World Series, second-best only to the 1927-1932 and 1998-1999 Yankees, who both won a dozen straight. |
| 2017 | Twenty-nine years later, Justin Turner follows Kirk Gibson into franchise folklore when he hits a postseason walk-off three-run home run in the 12th inning of the LA’s 4-1 victory over the Cubs in Game 2 of the NLCS. In 1988, in his only Fall Classic appearance, a hobbled Kirk Gibson came off the bench to hit one of the most memorable round-trippers in World Series history, giving the Dodgers a come-from-behind victory against the A’s in Game 1. |
| 2020 | In Game 5 of the ALDS, the Astros become the first team in postseason history to hit a leadoff and walk-off home run in the same game. George Springer led off the Petco Park contest with a homer in the bottom of the first, and Carlos Correa’s ninth-inning game-ending round-tripper gave Houston a 4-3 victory over the Rays. |
WORLD SERIES HISTORY
1917 WORLD SERIES
Chicago White Sox (4) vs New York Giants (2)
The Giants finally returned to the Fall Classic after a four year hiatus ready to make amends for the three consecutive championship losses that they had suffered earlier in the decade. It would be their fifth appearance and the second of their rivals, Chicago’s South Side White Sox. 1917 had been a year of many firsts including the first back-to-back no-hitters ever thrown in the American League. On May 5th, Ernie Koob tossed a shutout for St. Louis against Chicago and the very next day his teammate, Bob Groom did the same. Apparently, the second game had been determined by the umpires who changed a scored “hit” in the first inning to an error. An outraged Writers Association quickly passed a resolution disallowing such actions for all future games. Some league Umpires were beginning to become unpopular with the players and the no-hitter controversy didn’t help their situation. The following month, Babe Ruth started his June 23rd outing with four called balls. The Boston lefty was upset with each call and visited umpire Brick Owens at the plate each time. After the official issued a base on balls to Eddie Foster, Ruth charged the plate and punched him in the face, resulting in an ejection.
The Giants were probably upset too as they found themselves in familiar territory midway through the Series. After five relatively uneventful outings, New York was down three games to two. Their starter, Rube Benton and Chicago’s (Game 2 and 5 winner) Red Farber were locked in a 0-0 struggle going into the fourth inning when it all came crashing down. The White Sox’s Eddie Collins hit a routine grounder to Heinie Zimmerman who overthrew the base. Next, teammate Dave Robertson made another crucial error on a dropped fly-ball from Joe Jackson. In two at bats, Chicago had put runners on first and third due entirely to poor fielding. The Giants weren’t done yet and made another costly misplay on the very next at bat. Happy Felsch stepped up with runners in prime scoring position and grounded back to the mound. Benton saw Collins break from third and threw to Zimmerman in an attempt to get Collins hung up. The third baseman ran Collins toward home, but the White Sox star somehow evaded catcher Bill Rariden to make it a Zimmerman-Collins race to the plate. Collins won the dash with the other two runners advancing to second and third. Fundamental baseball had killed the Giants as Rariden, Benton and first baseman Walter Holke, had all left the plate unattended. New York cut the lead to one in the fifth, but it wasn’t enough as the White Sox walked away with a 4-2 victory and their second World Series Championship.
While Faber’s Series winning performance grabbed most of the headlines, the Giants’ Robertson was another standout. Despite his costly error in Game 6, he had salvaged some respect with his eleven-for-twenty-two performance at the plate. Collins was praised, too, as evidenced by his .409 average for the White Sox. One other notable event took place during the 1917 Series as Olympic athlete and football star Jim Thorpe made the only postseason “appearance” of his Major League career in Game 5. Unfortunately, he never made it onto the field. Listed as the Giants’ #6 man in the line-up, the right-handed Thorpe was strategically removed for the left-handed pinch-hitter, Robertson after Chicago lifted lefty Reb Russell in favor of righty Eddie Cicotte. Still the biggest story of the 1917 Fall Classic was the New York Giants and their everlasting potential for postseason disasters.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
October 15, 1884 – New York City – Another football rules convention was held and one focus was to mold the fair catch rules and the meeting defined fair catch as “a catch made direct from a kick or a throw forward, or a knock on by one of the opposing sides, or from a punt.” Of course in our era of football we are only familiar with a fair catch being used on a kick or a punt.
1933 Eagles Take Flight
October 15, 1933 – Polo Grounds, New York, New York – The Philadelphia Eagles played in their very 1st NFL regular season game as they faced the New York Football Giants. The Eagles were formed from the remains of the defunct Frankford Yellow Jackets franchise that was sold to a group of Philadelphia-based businessmen. The profootballhof.com documentation of the game says that when the Eagles took the field for the first time ever they were overwhelmed by an overpowering Giants team led by rookie quarterback Harry Newman. The Giants jumped out to an early 21-0 first quarter lead before the starters gave way to replacements. The game didn’t get any brighter with the reserves in as New York shutout Philly 56-0. The Eagles struggle to get in the win column would be for another two games played against tough opponents in the Green Bay Packers and the Portsmouth Spartans. Finally, in week four of that first season, Philadelphia would play on the opposite end of a shutout as they would earn the franchise’s first victory on Sunday November 5, 1933 as they won 6-0 over the Cincinnati Reds. In their next game they tied a tough Chicago Bears squad then rattled off two more victories over the Pittsburgh Pirates and again over the Reds before dropping their final two games to the Packers and Giants once again. Pro-Football-Reference indicates that the inaugural season of the Eagles was a 3rd place finish in the NFL East with a 3-5-1 mark. The 1933 season was won by the Chicago Bears, the team that the Eagles had tied 3-3 earlier in the year, as the Bears knocked off the Giants 23-21 in the NFL Championship Game played December 7, 1933. The Eagles would go on to win 3 NFL Championships prior to the Super Bowl era in 1948, 1949 and again in 1960. They of course won Super Bowl LII in 2018 in the modern era of the NFL, by defeating the New England Patriots 41-33.
1987 Players Strike Ends
October 15, 1987 – NFL Players Association orders an end to a 24 day strike. The union failed to achieve demands in the short-term as there was no collective bargaining agreement in place. The owners had used replacement players for a couple of the weeks to meet television contract commitments. It didn’t help the NFLPA cause though when star players such as Joe Montana, Mark Gastineau and Steve Largent started breaking ranks and crossed the picket line. This eventually led to all of the players returning back to work in week 7.
1988 Miami at Notre Dame
October 15, 1988 – South Bend, Indiana – The reigning champion Miami Hurricanes entered Notre Dame Stadium to face an undefeated Fighting Irish squad. It was a big game with much on the line. Miami came into the contest with a 36 game unbeaten streak and were ranked number one in the nation for good reason while Notre Dame was ranked 4th in the polls. Tensions were high and this became extremely evident when there was a pre-game fight in front of the entrance tunnels. The game was a tight one most of the day, much to the delight of everyone watching. The hype of this game, deemed colloquially as Catholics vs. Convicts, was living up to every ounce of the build-up. With 45 seconds left to play the Hurricanes scored a touchdown to make the score 30-31 in favor of the Irish. Hurricane Head Coach Jimmy Johnson had a decision to make, kick the extra point and hopefully go into overtime or go for two and go for the jugular in regulation. Johnson elected to go for the win in regulation and the Irish defender Pat Terrel batted down the Hurricane pass from QB Steve Walsh to preserve the Notre Dame one point lead and the Irish victory!
1988 Oklahoma State versus Nebraska
October 15, 1988 – Memorial Stadium Lincoln, Nebraska – A second pretty awesome matchup in college football on the same day! Number 7 Nebraska would entertain number 10 Oklahoma State in a Big 8 Conference showdown. The Huskers came out putting on the heat as they grabbed every opportunity they had to jump out to a 42-0 lead early in the second quarter over their rivals! The Cowboys suddenly awoke from the nightmare they were in and they rattled off 21 points in the second quarter of their own but found themselves down 49-21 at the half. The most amazing part of this contest was that the yardage was not all through the air as one might expect in such a high scoring game according to a huskermax.com story. There was a grand total of only 349 total passing yards in the game for the two teams combined. The combined rushing yards was an NCAA record at 778 for the game. Nebraska running back Ken Clark ran for 256 yards on 27 attempts to lead the Huskers while OSU Cowboys Star Barry Sanders paced his team with 35 rushes for 189 yards in the Nebraska 63 to Oklahoma State 42 final score.
1995 The Panthers First Roar
October 15, 1995 – Clemson’s Memorial Stadium Clemson, South Carolina – The Carolina Panthers win their 1st game ever beating NY Jets 26-15. According to panthers.com the Jets were up 12-6 with 22 seconds to go before halftime. The New York Quarterback, Bubby Brister, dropped back to pass and threw a shovel pass forward to where he thought his awaiting running back would be. Instead Panthers linebacker Sam Mills stood was in the to accept the gift and weaved, rumbled and tumbled 36 yards for an unexpected Panther TD before the half ended putting the Carolina team in their inaugural season up 13-12 at the half. It was a turning point in the game and the season for the young team as they not only won that game but they won their next three games as well and seven of their last 11 to finish the season with a record of 7-9 – the best for any expansion team in NFL history. Dom Capers was the head coach of this new expansion franchise in Carolina. Less than a decade later he would become the only person to have ever led two different NFL expansion teams in their inaugural season when he took the 2002 Houston Texans out on to the field for the first time.
1886 Jonas Ingram
October 15, 1886 – Was when the birth of Jonas Ingram occurred. Jonas Ingram won the Medal of Honor in 1914 in the Mexican Revolution battle, fought in World War I with the US Navy, and during World War II he not only fought in the Navy but he was an Admiral that commanded the entire US Atlantic Fleet! Before the Wars though Jonas Ingram was a football player, and a good one at that as he was a fullback and a linebacker that played for the U.S Naval Academy. He was often called the “One Armed Admiral” as he often said ,”I’d give my right arm to win this ball game!” to his teammates. He was a fierce competitor and according to his bio on footballfoundation.org, his efforts in the Army game in 1906 led to a Navy win. After his playing days he returned to the Academy to coach the Midshipmen for three seasons. The National Football Foundation selected Jonas Ingram to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
1892 Tack Hardwick
October 15, 1892 – Quincy, Massachusetts – Huntington “Tack” Hardwick was born. Huntington was a halfback and defensive end for Harvard University during a span where the team reeled off 33 straight victories between 191 and 1915 according to the National Football Foundation’s website. Tack entered the Harvard fray in 1912 and had an instant impact as he ran for a 60 yard touchdown to defeat Princeton for the first time in 25 seasons. He later in the Yale game tackled a runner with such a powerful hit that it jarred the ball loose and led to a Harvard score, sealing their undefeated season. As a matter of fact, Tack Hardwick never played on a college team that lost as the Harvard Crimson football team was 25-0-2 with Tack in the lineup. Tack Hardwick was ushered into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.
1917 Bob MacLeod
October 15, 1917 Glen Ellyn, Illinois – Bob MacLeod was born. Bob was a former halfback from Dartmouth University that played from 1936 through the 1938 season. He was the main offensive weapon of Dartmouth as they won 21 of 27 games that he played in. Most opposing teams came into the games against Dartmouth with the objective to stop MacLeod but they still had trouble doing it as he averaged 6 yards per carry in his 3 year college career. The National Football Foundation selected Bob MacLeod to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977. Bob played with the Chicago Bears for a couple of seasons before joining the U.S. Marines to fight in World War II. After the war he was a business leader in the magazine industry.
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
22 – 45 – 5 – 10 – 99 – 9
October 15, 1912 – Boston Red Sox legend Tris Speaker completed the only world series unassisted double play, from the outfield
October 15, 1964 – American sprinter Bob Hayes tied a world record 10.0s to beat Cuba’s Enrique Figuerola by 0.2s and win the men’s 100m gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Hayes would use that speed in the NFL as a member of the Dallas Cowboys for two seasons and the San Francisco 49ers for 1 season wearing Number 22 for his entire career.
October 15, 1964 – World Series Game 7 had the St Louis Cardinals win their MLB 7th title as they knocked off the New York Yankees, 7-5 at Busch Stadium to clinch series, 4-3. The MVP was St Louis pitcher Bob Gibson, Number 45. The Cards retired that number in 1975 in honor of their former pitcher
October 15, 1970 – World Series Game 5 saw the Baltimore Orioles beat Cincinnati Reds, 9-3 at Memorial Stadium to claim series, 4-1. The MVP of this Championship was Orioles 3rd baseman Brooks Robinson, Number 5. Robinson earned the nickname of “Hoover” for the fact of so many that he seemed to attract, like dirt to a vacuum cleaner.
October 15, 1979 – New York Knicks retired the franchise’s second jersey, It was of Number 10, Walt Frazier
October 15, 1989 – Number 99, Wayne Gretzky passed hockey legend Number 9, Gordie Howe as NHL’s all-time top scorer
TV SUNDAY
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| DP World Tour: Spanish Open | 7:30am | GOLF |
| PGA Tour: Shriners Children’s Open | 5:00pm | GOLF |
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| ALCS Game 1: Texas at Houston | – | FOX/FS1 |
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| Women’s Super League: Arsenal vs Aston Villa | 9:00am | Paramount+ |
| Women’s Super League: Liverpool vs Everton | 11:30am | Paramount+ |
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| CONCACAF Nations League: St. Kitts and Nevis vs Sint Maarten | 7:00pm | Paramonut+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Haiti vs Jamaica | 8:00pm | Paramonut+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Suriname vs Grenada | 8:00pm | Paramonut+ |
| CONCACAF Nations League: Honduras vs Cuba | 8:00pm | Paramonut+ |
| WNBA PLAYOFFS | TIME ET | TV |
| Finals Game 3: Vegas at New York | 3:00pm | ABC |