THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” THURSDAY OCTOBER 31, 2024

Oct 31, 2024 | SPORTS NEWS AND SCORES, THE INDIANA SRN SPORTSPAGE

“THE SCOREBOARD”

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SECTIONAL SCHEDULE

CLASS 6A

SECTIONAL 1

PORTAGE AT CROWN POINT

LAKE CENTRAL AT PENN

SECTIONAL 2

FW SNIDER AT ELKHART

FW CARROLL AT FW NORTHROP

SECTIONAL 3

CARMEL AT ZIONSVILLE

HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) AT WESTFIELD

SECTIONAL 4

FISHERS AT NOBLESVILLE

HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN AT HOMESTEAD

SECTIONAL 5

BROWNSBURG AT AVON

BEN DAVIS AT PIKE

SECTIONAL 6

NORTH CENTRAL VS. CATHEDRAL

LAWRENCE NORTH AT LAWRENCE CENTRAL

SECTIONAL 7

PERRY MERIDIAN AT SOUTHPORT

WARREN CENTRAL AT TECH

SECTIONAL 8

FRANKLIN CENTRAL AT COLUMBUS NORTH

CENTER GROVE AT JEFFERSONVILLE

CLASS 5A

SECTIONAL 9

HAMMOND MORTON AT MUNSTER

HAMMOND CENTRAL AT MERRILLVILLE

SECTIONAL 10

MICHIGAN CITY AT CHESTERTON

LAPORTE AT VALPARAISO

SECTIONAL 11

GOSHEN AT WARSAW

CONCORD AT FW NORTH

SECTIONAL 12

LAFAYETTE JEFF AT SOUTH BEND ADAMS

MCCUTCHEON AT KOKOMO

SECTIONAL 13

WHITELAND AT DECATUR CENTRAL

ANDERSON AT PLAINFIELD

SECTIONAL 14

FRANKLIN AT COLUMBUS EAST

EAST CENTRAL AT SEYMOUR

SECTIONAL 15

BLOOMINGTON SOUTH AT TERRE HAUTE SOUTH

BLOOMINGTON NORTH AT TERRE HAUTE NORTH

SECTIONAL 16

NEW ALBANY AT EVANSVILLE NORTH

CASTLE AT FLOYD CENTRAL

CLASS 4A

SECTIONAL 17

KANKAKEE VALLEY AT HANOVER CENTRAL

NEW PRAIRIE AT HOBART

SECTIONAL 18

PLYMOUTH AT MISHAWAKA

NORTHWOOD AT SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH

SECTIONAL 19

EAST NOBLE AT LEO

FW BISHOP DWENGER AT FW WAYNE

SECTIONAL 20

MARION AT HUNTINGTON NORTH

LOGANSPORT AT LEBANON

SECTIONAL 21

GREENFIELD-CENTRAL AT PENDLETON HEIGHTS

NEW PALESTINE AT YORKTOWN

SECTIONAL 22

MOORESVILLE AT BISHOP CHATARD

RONCALLI AT BREBEUF JESUIT

SECTIONAL 23

MARTINSVILLE AT SILVER CREEK

BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE AT GREENWOOD

SECTIONAL 24

EVANSVILLE BOSSE AT BOONVILLE

EVANSVILLE REITZ AT JASPER

CLASS 3A

SECTIONAL 25

JIMTOWN AT MISHAWAKA MARIAN

GRIFFITH AT KNOX

SECTIONAL 26

GARRETT AT TIPPECANOE VALLEY

FAIRFIELD AT WEST NOBLE

SECTIONAL 27

WEST LAFAYETTE AT NORTHWESTERN

TWIN LAKES AT MACONAQUAH

SECTIONAL 28

FW BISOP LUERS AT JAY COUNTY

DELTA AT MISSISSINEWA

SECTIONAL 29

GUERIN CATHOLIC AT HAMILTON HEIGHTS

CASCADE AT TRI-WEST

SECTIONAL 30

BATESVILLE AT FRANKLIN COUNTY

GREENSBURG AT LAWRENCEBURG

SECTIONAL 31

MADISON AT SCOTTSBURG

INDIAN CREEK AT NORTH HARRISON

SECTIONAL 32

SOUTHRIDGE AT EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL

VINCENNES LINCOLN AT HERITAGE HILLS

CLASS 2A

SECTIONAL 33

RENSSELAER CENTRAL AT BREMEN

ANDREAN AT WHEELER

SECTIONAL 34

WESTERN BOONE AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC

LEWIS CASS AT NORTH MONTGOMERY

SECTIONAL 35

CHURUBUSCO AT ADAMS CENTRAL

EASTSIDE AT PRAIRIE HEIGHTS

SECTIONAL 36

TIPTON AT ALEXANDRIA

ROCHESTER AT EASTERN (GREENTOWN)

SECTIONAL 37

COVENANT CHRISTIAN AT MONROVIA

LUTHERAN AT CARDINAL RITTER

SECTIONAL 38

CENTERVILLE AT LAPEL

TRITON CENTRAL AT SHENANDOAH

SECTIONAL 39

BROWN COUNTY AT GREENCASTLE

SOUTH VERMILLION AT LINTON

SECTIONAL 40

PAOLI AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL

SALEM AT TELL CITY

CLASS A

SECTIONAL 42

PIONEER AT CARROLL (FLORA)

TRI-COUNTY AT TAYLOR

SECTIONAL 43

SOUTHERN WELLS AT TRITON

NORTH MIAMI AT FREMONT

SECTIONAL 44

SOUTH ADAMS AT TRI

MADISON-GRANT AT HAGERSTOWN

SECTIONAL 45

SOUTH PUTNAM AT COVINGTON

RIVERTON PARKE AT NORTH VERMILLION

SECTIONAL 46

CLOVERDALE AT TINDLEY

SHERIDAN AT CLINTON PRAIRIE

SECTIONAL 47

MILAN AT WEST WASHINGTON

EASTERN GREENE AT NORTH DECATUR

SECTIONAL 48

NORTH DAVIESS AT PERRY CENTRAL

FOREST PARK AT PROVIDENCE

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS/GIRLS SOCCER STATE FINALS

FRIDAY, NOV. 1

6 PM ET | 1A BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP  
GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (14-4-2) VS COVENANT CHRISTIAN (18-1-1)

8:30 PM ET | 1A GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 
PROVIDENCE (19-3) VS FAITH CHRISTIAN (16-2-2)

SATURDAY, NOV. 2

11 AM ET | 3A BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (20-1) VS HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) (18-0-4)

1:30 PM ET | 2A GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 
LAWRENCEBURG (20-1) VS MISHAWAKA MARIAN (16-3-2)

4 PM ET | 2A BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (18-2-1) VS FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA LUTHERAN (15-6)

6:30 PM ET | 3A GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 
CENTER GROVE (16-4-3) VS NOBLESVILLE (18-0-2)

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL SEMI-STATE MATCH-UPS

CLASS 4A

HUNTINGTON NORTH

CROWN POINT VS. FW CARROLL, 10 A.M.

HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN VS. PENN, NOON

CHAMPIONSHIP: 7 P.M.

BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE

FLOYD CENTRAL VS. CENTER GROVE, 11 A.M.

CASTLE VS. YORKTOWN, 1 P.M.

CHAMPIONSHIP: 7 P.M.

CLASS 3A

PLYMOUTH

ANGOLA VS. HAMMOND BISHOP NOLL, 10 A.M.

NEW CASTLE VS. NORTHWOOD, NOON

CHAMPIONSHIP: 7:30 P.M.

COLUMBUS EAST

JENNINGS COUNTY VS. RONCALLI, 10 A.M.

SILVER CREEK VS. TRI-WEST, NOON

CHAMPIONSHIP: 7 P.M.

CLASS 2A

DELTA

WOODLAN VS. JIMTOWN, 10 A.M.

SOUTHWOOD VS. WESTERN BOONE, NOON

CHAMPIONSHIP: 7 P.M.

MARTINSVILLE

WINCHESTER VS. BARR-REEVE, 10 A.M.

SCECINA VS. BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL, NOON

CHAMPIONSHIP: 7 P.M.

CLASS A

FRANKFORT

FAITH CHRISTIAN VS. SETON CATHOLIC, 10 A.M.

SOUTH NEWTON VS. CULVER COMMUNITY, NOON

CHAMPIONSHIP: 7 P.M.

JASPER

SPRINGS VALLEY VS. TRINITY LUTHERAN, 10 A.M.

LUTHERAN VS. CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, NOON

CHAMPIONSHIP: 7 P.M.

INDIANA CROSS COUNTRY STATE FINALS

NOVEMBER 2

SITE: LAVERN GIBSON CHAMPIONSHIP CROSS COUNTRY COURSE, WABASH VALLEY SPORTS CENTER, 599 S. TABORTOWN ROAD, TERRE HAUTE, IN  47803. COURSE LAYOUT

TIMES: GIRLS AT 12 PM ET FOLLOWED BY THEIR AWARDS CEREMONY; BOYS AT 2:30 PM ET FOLLOWED BY THEIR AWARDS CEREMONY.

GATES OPEN: 9:30 AM ET / 8:30 AM CT 

STREAMING: BOTH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RACES WILL STREAM EXCLUSIVELY AT IHSAATV.ORG VIA PAY-PER-VIEW FOR $15. 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

WEEK 10

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 30

JACKSONVILLE STATE 31 LIBERTY 21

WESTERN KENTUCKY 31 KENNESAW STATE 14

THURSDAY, OCT. 31

CHARLOTTE VS. TULANE, 7:30 P.M. | ESPN

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE VS. NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL, 7:30 P.M. | ESPN2

FRIDAY, NOV. 1

UCONN VS. GEORGIA STATE, 7 P.M. | CBSSN

COLUMBIA VS. YALE, 7 P.M. | ESPNU

FLORIDA ATLANTIC VS. SOUTH FLORIDA, 7:30 P.M. | ESPN2

NO. 15 BOISE STATE VS. SAN DIEGO STATE, 8 P.M. | FS1

SATURDAY, NOV. 2

NO. 3 PENN STATE VS. NO. 4 OHIO STATE, 12 P.M. | FOX

NO. 5 MIAMI (FLA.) VS. DUKE, 12 P.M. | ABC/ESPN+

NO. 19 OLE MISS VS. ARKANSAS, 12 P.M. | ESPN

NO. 24 ILLINOIS VS. MINNESOTA, 12 P.M. | FS1

NO. 21 ARMY VS. AIR FORCE, 12 P.M. | CBS/PARAMOUNT+

PURDUE VS. NORTHWESTERN, 12 P.M. | BTN

NC STATE VS. STANFORD, 12 P.M. | ACCN

SYRACUSE VS. VIRGINIA TECH, 12 P.M. | THE CW NETWORK

AKRON VS. BUFFALO, 12 P.M. | CBSSN

EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. TOLEDO, 12 P.M. | ESPN U

MEMPHIS VS. UTSA, 12 P.M. | ESPN2

BROWN VS. PENNSYLVANIA, 12 P.M. | ESPN+

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT VS. WAGNER, 12 P.M. | TBA

DUQUESNE VS. MERCYHURST, 12 P.M. | TBA

ROBERT MORRIS VS. MERRIMACK, 12 P.M. | TBA

GEORGETOWN VS. LEHIGH, 12:30 P.M | ESPN+

VANDERBILT VS. AUBURN, 12:45 P.M. | SEC NETWORK

NORTH CAROLINA A&T VS. WILLIAM & MARY, 1 P.M. | FLOSPORTS

HAMPTON VS. VILLANOVA, 1 P.M. | FLOSPORTS

BRYANT VS. STONY BROOK, 1 P.M. | FLOSPORTS

RHODE ISLAND VS. MONMOUTH, 1 P.M. | TBA

UALBANY VS. NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1 P.M. | FLOSPORTS

INDIANA STATE VS. NORTH DAKOTA, 1 P.M. | ESPN+

PRESBYTERIAN VS. DAYTON, 1 P.M. | ESPN+

BUTLER VS. STETSON, 1 P.M. | FLOSPORTS

MOREHEAD STATE VS. ST. THOMAS-MINNESOTA, 1 P.M. | ESPN+

PRINCETON VS. CORNELL, 1 P.M. | ESPN+

HOWARD VS. DELAWARE STATE, 1 P.M. | ESPN+

MORGAN STATE VS. NORFOLK STATE, 1 P.M. | ESPN+

BUCKNELL VS. LAFAYETTE, 1 P.M. | ESPN+

ST. FRANCIS (PA) VS. STONEHILL, 1 P.M. | TBA

FORDHAM VS. COLGATE, 1 P.M. | ESPN+

VMI VS. FURMAN, 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+

DARTMOUTH VS. HARVARD, 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+

RICHMOND VS. TOWSON, 2 P.M. | FLOSPORTS

ELON VS. CAMPBELL, 2 P.M. | FLOSPORTS

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN VS. GARDNER-WEBB, 2 P.M. | ESPN+

MARIST VS. DRAKE, 2 P.M. | ESPN+

WEST GEORGIA VS. LINCOLN (CA), 2 P.M. | ESPN+

OKLAHOMA VS. MAINE, 2:30 P.M. | ESPN+/SEC NETWORK

APP STATE VS. OLD DOMINION, 2:30 P.M. | ESPN+

UAB VS. TULSA, 2:30 P.M. | ESPN+

WESTERN CAROLINA VS. CHATTANOOGA, 2:30 P.M. | ESPN+

TENNESSEE TECH VS. LINDENWOOD, 2:30 P.M. | ESPN+

EASTERN ILLINOIS VS. WESTERN ILLINOIS, 3 P.M. | ESPN+

INCARNATE WOOD VS. HOUSTON CHRISTIAN, 3 P.M. | ESPN+

MERCER VS. EAST TENNESSEE STATE, 3 P.M. | ESPN+

SAMFORD VS. WOFFORD, 3 P.M. | ESPN+

ILLINOIS STATE VS. YOUNGSTOWN STATE, 3 P.M. | ESPN+

MISSOURI STATE VS. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, 3 P.M. | ESPN+

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE VS. MURRAY STATE, 3 P.M. | ESPN+

ALABAMA A&M VS. SOUTHERN, 3 P.M. | TBA

JACKSON STATE VS. ARKANSAS PINE-BLUFF, 3 P.M. | ESPN+

BETHUNE COOKMAN VS. GRAMBLING, 3 P.M. | TBA

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE VS. PRAIRIE VIEW A&M, 3 P.M. | TBA

NO. 1 OREGON VS. MICHIGAN, 3:30 P.M. | CBS/PARAMOUNT+

NO. 2 GEORGIA VS. FLORIDA, 3:30 P.M. | ABC/ESPN+

NO. 11 IOWA STATE VS. TEXAS TECH, 3:30 P.M. | ESPN

NO. 13 INDIANA VS. MICHIGAN STATE, 3:30 P.M. | PEACOCK

NO. 17 KANSAS STATE VS. HOUSTON, 3:30 P.M. | FOX

NEBRASKA VS. UCLA, 3:30 P.M. | BTN

FLORIDA STATE VS. NORTH CAROLINA, 3:30 P.M. | ACCN

UCF VS. ARIZONA, 3:30 P.M. | FS1

UTEP VS. MIDDLE TENNESSEE, 3:30 P.M | CBSSN

MARSHALL VS. UL MONROE, 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+

NORTH DAKOTA STATE VS. NORTHERN IOWA, 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+

NAVY VS. RICE, 4 P.M. | ESPN2

NEW MEXICO VS. WYOMING, 4 P.M. | TRUTV/MAX

TROY VS. COASTAL CAROLINA, 4 P.M. | ESPN+

UTAH TECH VS. CENTRAL ARKANSAS, 4 P.M | ESPN+

ABILENE CHRISTIAN VS. SOUTHERN UTAH, 4 P.M. | ESPN+

LAMAR VS. SE LOUISIANA, 4 P.M. | ESPN+

EASTERN WASHINGTON VS. MONTANA STATE, 4 P.M. | ESPN+

NORTHERN ARIZONA VS. WEBER STATE, 4 P.M | ESPN+

UC DAVIS VS. NORTHERN COLORADO, 4 P.M. | ESPN+

FLORIDA A&M VS. TEXAS SOUTHERN, 4 P.M. | ESPN+

SAN DIEGO VS. DAVIDSON, 4 P.M. | ESPN+

NICHOLLS VS. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN, 4 P.M. | ESPN+

MISSISSIPPI STATE VS. MASSACHUSETTS, 4:15 P.M. | SEC NETWORK

NORTH ALABAMA VS. AUSTIN PEAY, 5 P.M. | ESPN+

CAL POLY VS. MONTANA, 5 P.M. | ESPN+

ALCORN STATE VS. ALABAMA STATE, 5 P.M. | ESPN+

TENNESSEE STATE VS. UT MARTIN, 6 P.M. | ESPN+

OKLAHOMA STATE VS. ARIZONA STATE, 7 P.M. | FS1

FRESNO STATE VS. HAWAI’I, 7 P.M. | TBA

TARLETON STATE VS. EASTERN KENTUCKY, 7 P.M. | ESPN+

NO. 11 CLEMSON VS. LOUISVILLE, 7:30 P.M. | ESPN

NO. 10 TEXAS A&M VS. SOUTH CAROLINA, 7:30 P.M. | ABC/ESPN+

IOWA VS. WISCONSIN, 7:30 P.M. | NBC

WASHINGTON VS. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, 7:30 P.M. | BTN

SOUTH ALABAMA VS. GEORGIA SOUTHERN, 7:30 P.M. | ESPN U

NO. 7 TENNESSEE VS. KENTUCKY, 7:45 P.M. | SEC NETWORK

NO. 18 PITT VS. NO. 20 SMU, 8 P.M. | ACCN

BAYLOR VS. TCU, 8 P.M | ESPN2

NEVADA VS. COLORADO STATE, 8 P.M. | CBSSN

MCNEESE VS. TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE, 8 P.M. | ESPN+

SACRAMENTO STATE VS. PORTLAND STATE, 9 P.M. | ESPN+

INDIANA HOOSIERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

INDIANA 31 FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 7

INDIANA 77 WESTERN ILLINOIS 3

INDIANA 42 UCLA 13

INDIANA 52 CHARLOTTE 14

INDIANA 42 MARYLAND 28

INDIANA 41 NORTHWESTERN 24

INDIANA 56 NEBRASKA 7

INDIANA 31 WASHINGTON 17

NOVEMBER 2 AT MICHIGAN STATE TBA

NOVEMBER 9 VS. MICHIGAN TBA

NOVEMBER 23 AT OHIO STATE TBA

NOVEMBER 30 VS. PURDUE TBA

PURDUE BOILERMAKERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

PURDUE 49 INDIANA STATE 0

NOTRE DAME 66 PURDUE 7

OREGON STATE 38 PURDUE 21

NEBRASKA 28 PURDUE 10

WISCONSIN 52 PURDUE 6

ILLINOIS 50 PURDUE 49 OT

OREGON 35 PURDUE 0

NOVEMBER 2 VS. NORTHWESTERN TBA

NOVEMBER 9 AT OHIO STATE TBA

NOVEMBER 16 VS. PENN STATE TBA

NOVEMBER 22 AT MICHIGAN STATE 8:00

NOVEMBER 30 AT INDIANA TBA

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

NOTRE DAME 23 TEXAS A&M 13

NORTHERN ILLINOIS 16 NOTRE DAME 14

NOTRE DAME 66 PURDUE 7

NOTRE DAME 28 MIAMI OH 3

NOTRE DAME 31 LOUISVILLE 24

NOTRE DAME 49 STANFORD 7

NOTRE DAME 31 GEORGIA TECH 14

NOTRE DAME 51 NAVY 14

NOVEMBER 9 VS. FLORIDA STATE 7:30

NOVEMBER 16 VS. VIRGINIA 3:30

NOVEMBER 23 AT ARMY 7:00 (YANKEE STADIUM)

NOVEMBER 30 AT USC TBA

BUTLER BULLDOGS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

BUTLER 40 UPPER IOWA 7

BUTLER 19 MURRAY STATE 17

BUTLER 53 HANOVER 0

BUTLER 63 VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY-LYNCHBURG 0

BUTLER 40 MOREHEAD STATE 6

DRAKE 27 BUTLER 17

DAYTON 21 BUTLER 14

BUTLER 48 DAVIDSON 38

NOVEMBER 2 VS. STETSON 1:00

NOVEMBER 9 AT VALPO 1:00 CT

NOVEMBER 16 VS. ST. THOMAS 1:00

NOVEMBER 23 AT PRESBYTERIAN 1:00

BALL STATE CARDINALS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

BALL STATE 42 MISSOURI STATE 34

MIAMI FL 62 BALL STATE 0

CENTRAL MICHIGAN 37 BALL STATE 34

JAMES MADISON 63 BALL STATE 7

WESTERN MICHIGAN 45 BALL STATE 42

BALL STATE 37 KENT STATE 35

VANDERBILT 24 BALL STATE 14

BALL STATE 25 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 23

NOVEMBER 5 VS. MIAMI OH TBA

NOVEMBER 12 AT BUFFALO 7:00

NOVEMBER 23 VS. BOWLING GREEN TBA

NOVEMBER 29 AT OHIO TBA

INDIANA STATE SYCAMORES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

PURDUE 49 INDIANA STATE 0

EASTERN ILLINOIS 27 INDIANA STATE 20

INDIANA STATE 24 DAYTON 13

HOUSTON CHRISTIAN 27 INDIANA STATE 24

YOUNGSTOWN STATE 21 INDIANA STATE 14

INDIANA STATE 31 MURRAY STATE 27

MISSOURI STATE 46 INDIANA STATE 21

INDIANA STATE 20 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 17

NOVEMBER 2 VS. NORTH DAKOTA 1:00

NOVEMBER 9 AT SOUTH DAKOTA 2:00

COLTS SCHEDULE

HOUSTON 29 INDIANAPOLIS 27

GREEN BAY 16 INDIANAPOLIS 10

INDIANAPOLIS 21 CHICAGO 16

INDIANAPOLIS 27 PITTSBURGH 24

JACKSONVILLE 37 INDIANAPOLIS 34

INDIANAPOLIS 20 TENNESSEE 17

INDIANAPOLIS 16 MIAMI 10

HOUSTON 23 INDIANAPOLIS 20

NOV. 3: AT MINNESOTA, 1 P.M., CBS

NOV. 10: VS. BUFFALO, 1 P.M., CBS

NOV. 17: AT N.Y. JETS, 8:20 P.M., NBC PEACOCK

NOV. 24: VS. DETROIT, 1 P.M., FOX

DEC. 1: AT NEW ENGLAND, 1 P.M., CBS

DEC. 15: AT DENVER, 4:25 P.M., CBS

DEC. 22: VS. TENNESSEE, 1 P.M., CBS

DEC. 29: AT N.Y. GIANTS, TBD

JAN. 5: VS. JACKSONVILLE, TBD

WEEK 9 SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, OCT. 31

HOUSTON TEXANS AT NEW YORK JETS (8:15P PRIME VIDEO)

SUNDAY, NOV. 3

DALLAS COWBOYS AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1:00P FOX)

DENVER BRONCOS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (1:00P CBS)

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT BUFFALO BILLS (1:00P CBS)

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1:00P CBS)

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (1:00P FOX)

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (1:00P CBS)

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1:00P CBS)

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1:00P FOX)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1:00P FOX)

CHICAGO BEARS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (4:05P CBS)

DETROIT LIONS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (4:25P FOX)

LOS ANGELES RAMS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4:25P FOX)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8:20P NBC)

MONDAY, NOV. 4

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (8:15P ESPN)

WEEK 10

THURSDAY, NOV. 7

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (8:15P PRIME VIDEO)

SUNDAY, NOV. 10

NEW YORK GIANTS VS CAROLINA PANTHERS (9:30A NFL NETWORK, MUNICH)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CHICAGO BEARS (1:00P FOX)

BUFFALO BILLS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1:00P CBS)

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1:00P FOX)

DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1:00P CBS)

ATLANTA FALCONS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1:00P FOX)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1:00P FOX)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1:00P CBS)

TENNESSEE TITANS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4:05P FOX)

NEW YORK JETS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (4:25P CBS)

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT DALLAS COWBOYS (4:25P CBS)

DETROIT LIONS AT HOUSTON TEXANS (8:20P NBC)

MONDAY, NOV. 11

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (8:15P ESPN)

WEEK 11

THURSDAY, NOV. 14

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8:15P PRIME VIDEO)

SUNDAY, NOV. 17

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT CHICAGO BEARS (1:00P FOX)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT DETROIT LIONS (1:00P CBS)

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (1:00P CBS)

LOS ANGELES RAMS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1:00P FOX)

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1:00P FOX)

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1:00P CBS)

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1:00P CBS)

ATLANTA FALCONS AT DENVER BRONCOS (4:05P FOX)

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4:05P FOX)

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT BUFFALO BILLS (4:25P CBS)

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4:25P CBS)

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW YORK JETS (8:20P NBC)

MONDAY, NOV. 18

HOUSTON TEXANS AT DALLAS COWBOYS (8:15P ESPN)

WEEK 12

THURSDAY, NOV. 21

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (8:15P PRIME VIDEO)

SUNDAY, NOV. 24

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1:00P CBS)

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS (1:00P FOX)

TENNESSEE TITANS AT HOUSTON TEXANS (1:00P CBS)

DETROIT LIONS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1:00P FOX)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (1:00P CBS)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1:00P CBS)

DALLAS COWBOYS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1:00P FOX)

DENVER BRONCOS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (4:05P CBS)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (4:25P FOX)

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4:25P FOX)

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (8:20P NBC)

MONDAY, NOV. 25

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (8:15P ESPN)

WEEK 13

THURSDAY, NOV. 28 (THANKSGIVING)

CHICAGO BEARS AT DETROIT LIONS (12:30P CBS)

NEW YORK GIANTS AT DALLAS COWBOYS (4:30P FOX)

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (8:20P NBC)

FRIDAY, NOV. 29

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3:00P PRIME VIDEO)

SUNDAY, DEC. 1

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1:00P CBS)

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (1:00P CBS)

HOUSTON TEXANS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1:00P FOX)

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1:00P FOX)

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1:00P CBS)

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT NEW YORK JETS (1:00P FOX)

TENNESSEE TITANS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1:00P CBS)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (4:05P FOX)

LOS ANGELES RAMS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (4:05P FOX)

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (4:25P CBS)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT BUFFALO BILLS (8:20P NBC)

MONDAY, DEC. 2

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT DENVER BRONCOS (8:15P ESPN)

WEEK 14

THURSDAY, DEC. 5

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT DETROIT LIONS (8:15P PRIME VIDEO)

SUNDAY, DEC. 8

NEW YORK JETS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (1:00P CBS)

ATLANTA FALCONS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1:00P FOX)

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1:00P FOX)

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1:00P FOX)

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1:00P CBS)

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1:00P CBS)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1:00P CBS)

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (4:05P CBS)

BUFFALO BILLS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (4:25P FOX)

CHICAGO BEARS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4:25P FOX)

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (8:20P NBC)

MONDAY, DEC. 9

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT DALLAS COWBOYS (8:15P ESPN/ABC)

MLB PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

WORLD SERIES

GAME 1: DODGERS 6 YANKEES 3 (10)

SATURDAY, OCT. 26

GAME 2: DODGERS 4 YANKEES 2

MONDAY, OCT. 28

GAME 3: DODGERS 4 YANKEES 2

TUESDAY, OCT. 29

GAME 4: YANKEES 11 DODGERS 4

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 30

GAME 5^: DODGERS 7 YANKEES 6 (YANKEES WIN SERIES 4-1)

NBA SCORES

INDIANA 135 BOSTON 132 OT

CHARLOTTE 138 TORONTO 133

WASHINGTON 133 ATLANTA 120

DETROIT 105 PHILADELPHIA 95

CLEVELAND 134 LA LAKERS 110

NEW YORK 116 MIAMI 107

CHICAGO 102 ORLANDO 99

BROOKLYN 119 MEMPHIS 106

OKLAHOMA CITY 105 SAN ANTONIO 93

GOLDEN STATE 100 FOR NEW ORLEANS 89

PORTLAND 106 LA CLIPPERS 105

NHL SCORES

COLUMBUS 2 NY ISLANDERS 0

WINNIPEG 6 DETROIT 2

TAMPA BAY 5 COLORADO 2

UTAH 5 CALGARY 1

LOS ANGELES 6 VEGAS 3

NEW JERSEY 6 VANCOUVER 0

MLS PLAYOFFS

NO GAMES SCHEDULED

TOP NATIONAL SPORTS HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES

NFL NEWS

REPORT: JETS SIGN 2 KICKERS TO PRACTICE SQUAD AHEAD OF ‘TNF’

The New York Jets are signing Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader to the practice squad with the intent of having one of those kickers play Thursday against the visiting Houston Texans, NFL Network reported.

Both players worked out on Tuesday for the Jets (2-6), whose kicker, Greg Zuerlein, is nursing a left knee injury.

Zuerlein, 36, has made just 9 of 15 field-goal attempts — with a long of 40 yards — and 13 of 14 extra-point tries this season.

Patterson, 25, made 59 of 67 field-goal attempts and 93 of 97 PATs in 39 career games with the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns since entering the league in 2024.

An undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame, Shrader, 25, made all three of his extra-point attempts while kicking in one game for the Indianapolis Colts this season.

PATRIOTS QB DRAKE MAYE REMAINS IN THE NFL’S CONCUSSION PROTOCOL. HIS STATUS FOR SUNDAY IS UNCERTAIN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots rookie Drake Maye remained in the NFL’s concussion protocol on Wednesday, limiting his ability to practice for New England’s game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. If he can’t play, Jacoby Brissett will start at quarterback.

“(Maye) will throw the ball at times in practice, but he will be limited,” Mayo said Wednesday, when the team was required to release its first injury report since Maye took an unpenalized helmet-to-helmet hit in a victory last weekend over the New York Jets.

“There are people a lot smarter than me, as far as clearing people with concussions,” Mayo told reporters. “We’ll lean on our medical professionals — and also the NFL league policy — as far as getting him ready to play.”

A veteran of five NFL teams over nine seasons, Brissett started the first five games of the season, going 1-4 before he was replaced by Maye in Week 6. He said he would not approach this week any differently, whether Maye is available or not.

“I always try to prepare like you’re the starter. That doesn’t change,” he said. “You don’t just look up and be in the league for nine years. So, I just stick to what I’ve known that has gotten me this far.”

Maye ran for a 17-yard touchdown last Sunday and scrambled for 18 yards later in the first quarter, getting hit as he slid. Mayo said the quarterback was pulled from the game after the NFL’s spotter called down to the team to have him checked out in the medical tent.

At halftime, Maye said he was ready to come back, Mayo said.

“When I spoke to him, he seemed like he was OK. But I’m not an expert in evaluating head injuries,” the coach said. “The spotter identified it and they know the league and their policy.”

Mayo said Maye would make some throws in practice but be limited to less than 30 minutes — an indication that the No. 3 overall draft pick is in Phase 3 of the league’s five-step return-to-play protocol. He would still need to be cleared by team doctors and then by an independent neurological consultant before he can play.

“I do have confidence that if the league says he’s ready to play, that he will be able to go out there and operate,” Mayo said. “In saying that, I feel very comfortable putting Jacoby in there, as he is a professional and always stays ready as you could see from the last game. Having a veteran quarterback like Jacoby puts us at ease.”

Brissett came off the bench to lead the Patriots to the 25-22 victory over the Jets. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 132 yards and twice led New England to go-ahead scores in the fourth quarter.

Although he said he always prepares to play, Brissett said, getting awarded a game ball “obviously wasn’t on my bingo card before the game.”

“I can’t say enough about how tough Jacoby is, just mentally and physically, to step in in that situation,” tight end Hunter Henry said. “He’s played a lot of football in this league, and he’s a great player, and to step in in that situation and come up big for us, just especially that last drive was really, really cool to see.”

THURSDAY NIGHT CAPSULE: HOUSTON TEXANS (6-2) AT NEW YORK JETS (2-6)

Thursday, October 31, 2024 | 8:15 PM ET | MetLife Stadium | Referee: Shawn Hochuli

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: NYJ leads series, 7-3 (won past 2)

Postseason: —

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 12/10/23: HOU 6 at NYJ 30

Postseason:

TEXANS NOTES:

QB C.J. STROUD completed 25 of 37 atts. (67.6 pct.) for 285 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 99.5 rating last week, 9th-career game with 285+ pass yards, tied 2nd-most in NFL since 2023. Aims for 3rd in row with 0 INTs. Is 2-0 with 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 111.2 rating in 2 career starts in primetime. • RB JOE MIXON led team with 134 scrimmage yards (102 rush, 32 rec.) & had rush TD last week, 4th game this season with 120+ scrimmage yards & TD, tied with Derrick Henry for most in NFL. Has 434 scrimmage yards (144.7 per game) & 5 TDs (4 rush, 1 rec.) in his 3 road games this season. Has 3 TDs (2 rush, 1 rec.) in 3 career games vs. NYJ. Aims for his 4th in row on TNF with TD. • WR TANK DELL had TD catch last week & has rec. TD in 2 of past 3. • TE DALTON SCHULTZ had season-high 52 rec. yards in Week 8. Has 4 catches in 3 of past 4. Aims for his 3rd in row on Thursday with 2+ rec. TDs. • DE DANIELLE HUNTER had season-best 2 sacks last week, 3rd-straight game with sack. Had sack in only career game at NYJ (10/21/18 w/ Min.). Has 10.5 sacks in 8 career games on Thursday, with 0.5+ sacks in each game. • DE WILL ANDERSON aims for 4th in row with sack. Has 5 sacks in his past 3 on road. Ranks tied-3rd in NFL with career-high 7.5 sacks this season. • DT TIM SETTLE aims for 3rd in row with sack. • LB NEVILLE HEWITT had 6 tackles, PD & 1st FF of season last week. • CB DEREK STINGLEY aims for 6th in row with PD. • CB KAMARI LASSITER (rookie) had career-high 3 PD in Week 8. Has PD in 5 of his 6 games & ranks tied-2nd among rookies with 6 PD this season. • S JALEN PITRE had 1st INT of season last week. Aims for 4th in row with TFL & PD. • S ERIC MURRAY had 7 tackles & season-high 3 PD last week. Has PD in 6 of past 7. Has 7 tackles in 2 of past 3. Had 8 tackles in his last game vs. NYJ (11/28/21).

JETS NOTES:

QB AARON RODGERS passed for 233 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 111.2 rating last week. Has 2 TD passes in 3 of past 4. Is 3-1 with 14 TDs vs. INT & 125 rating in 4 career starts vs. Hou. Aims for his 11th in row on Thursday with 90+ rating & 6th in row on Thursday with 2+ TD passes. • RB BREECE HALL had 89 scrimmage yards (80 rush, 9 rec.) last week, 3rdstraight game with 85+ scrimmage yards. Had 126 scrimmage yards (86 rec., 40 rush) & TD catch in last meeting. Has TD in each of 2 career games on TNF. Has 963 scrimmage yards (107 per game) in 9 career games in primetime. • RB BRAELON ALLEN (rookie) rushed for TD in Week 8. • WR GARRETT WILSON led team with 5 catches for season-high 113 yards last week, 7th game this season with 5+ catches, tied-most in NFL. Has 100+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. Has TD catch in 2 of 3 home games this season. Had 9 catches for 108 yards in last meeting. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 51 catches in 2024. • WR DAVANTE ADAMS had 54 rec. yards in Week 8. Has 291 rec. yards (145.5 per game) & 2 rec. TDs in his past 2 vs. Hou. Aims for his 5th in row on Thursday with 70+ rec. yards & has 100+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4 on Thursday. • WR ALLEN LAZARD aims for his 5th in row with 4+ catches & 3rd in row with 55+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3. • TE TYLER CONKLIN aims for 3rd in row with TD catch. • DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS had season-high 1.5 sacks last week. Has sack in 2 of past 3. Has sack in each of 2 career games vs. Hou. • EDGE WILL MCDONALD IV has sack in 3 of past 4. Had sack in last meeting. Ranks 2nd in NFL with career-high 8 sacks in 2024. • LB QUINCY WILLIAMS had 8 tackles & TFL last week. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • CB SAUCE GARDNER had 2 PD & TFL in last meeting.

NFL WEEK 8: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

A full slate of 16 games in Week 8 produced the highest scoring week (777 points) and the most games within one score (eight points) in the fourth quarter (13) since Week 2 of 2023 season (796 points, 13 games) and had nine games decided by seven-or-fewer points, including five featuring a game-winning score in the final two minutes of regulation. The 67 games decided by seven points or fewer and 57 games decided by six points or less are the most through Week 8 in NFL history.

  • Super Bowl LV rematch on Monday Night Football: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) visit the Kansas City Chiefs (7-0) on Monday (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN) as the Chiefs, the last remaining undefeated team, can become the sixth reigning Super Bowl champions to win each of their first eight games, joining the 2015 and 2019 New England Patriots, 2011 Green Bay Packers, 1998 Denver Broncos and 1990 San Francisco 49ers.
    • In Super Bowl LV, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, the Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs, 31-9, as Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes (two to Rob Gronkowski) and the Tampa Bay defense, under then-defensive coordinator and current head coach Todd Bowles, held Kansas City out of the end zone.
    • Kansas City has won 13 consecutive games, including the postseason, and can become the first team since the 2015 Carolina Panthers with a 14-game winning streak.
    • Last week, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes became the fastest player ever to reach 30,000 passing yards (103 games) and recorded his 96th win (including the postseason) as a starting quarterback since entering the NFL in 2017, the second-most wins, including the postseason, by a starting quarterback in his first eight seasons in NFL history, trailing only Tom Brady (100 wins).
    • Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce recorded his 75th career regular-season touchdown reception in Week 8 and surpassed Jason Witten (74 touchdown receptions) for the fifth-most touchdown receptions by a tight end in NFL history.
    • Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield leads the NFL with 21 touchdown passes and ranks second with 2,189 passing yards, third with a 71.1 completion percentage and sixth with a 104.9 passer rating this season. The last quarterback to rank in the top three in touchdown passes, passing yards and completion percentage through Week 8 of a season was Alex Smith with Kansas City in 2017.
    • Mayfield can become the fourth player in NFL history with at least 300 passing yards and three touchdown passes in four consecutive games within a single season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Steve Young (five straight games in 1998) and Peyton Manning (four in 2012) as well as Patrick Mahomes (four in 2018).
  • Rookie quarterbacks on the road: Between Washington’s Jayden Daniels (six wins), Denver’s Bo Nix (five – the most-ever by a Broncos rookie), Chicago’s Caleb Williams (four) and New England’s Drake Maye (one), rookie quarterbacks have combined for 16 wins this season, the second-most by rookie quarterbacks in the first eight weeks of a season since 1950, trailing only 2012 (17).
    • Three Week 9 matchups can feature top-10 selections from the 2024 NFL Draft facing off:
      • Chicago [Caleb Williams (No. 1 overall) and Rome Odunze (No. 9)] at Arizona (Marvin Harrison Jr. (No 4)].
      • Washington [Jayden Daniels (No. 2)] at the New York Giants [Malik Nabers (No. 6)].
      • New England [Drake Maye (No. 3)] at Tennessee [JC Latham (No. 7)].

    • Denver Broncos (5-3) at Baltimore Ravens (5-3) (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Ravens enter Week 9 with the AFC’s top offense (30.3 points per game) while the Broncos rank third in the NFL in scoring defense (15 points per game allowed). It marks the first meeting between a team averaging 30-or-more points per game and a team allowing 15-or-fewer points per game in Week 9 or later since the Ravens (35.1 points per game) faced off against San Francisco (14.8 points per game allowed) on Dec. 1, 2019.
      • In Week 8, Bo Nix became the first Broncos rookie quarterback to win five games and with four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) and a 124.2 passer rating, became the fourth rookie quarterback with at least three touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown and a passer rating of 120-or-higher in a game since 2000, joining Justin Herbert (Jan. 3, 2021), Cam Newton (Dec. 24, 2011) and Deshaun Watson (Oct. 1, 2017).
      • Baltimore enters Week 9 as one of four teams in NFL history to score at least 20 points and record at least 375 total yards in each of their first eight games of a season, joining the 2013 Denver Broncos, 2007 New England Patriots and 2000 St. Louis Rams.
      • Last week, Lamar Jackson became the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 500 rushing yards in seven consecutive seasons, while Derrick Henry became the first player ever with a touchdown in each of his first eight games with a team.
    • Washington Commanders (6-2) at New York Giants (2-6) (1 p.m. ET, FOX): The Commanders, with Jayden Daniels, became the fourth team since 1950 to win six of their first eight games of a season with a rookie starting quarterback, joining the 2016 Dallas Cowboys, 2011 Cincinnati Bengals and 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers.
      • Last week, Daniels found wide receiver Noah Brown for a 52-yard game-winning touchdown pass as time expired, becoming the second rookie quarterback since 1970 to record a 50-yard game-winning touchdown pass as time expired, joining Cleveland’s Tim Couch in Week 8 of the 1999 season (56-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Johnson).
      • The Giants lead the NFL with 35 sacks this season, the most by a team in its first eight games since the 2017 Jacksonville Jaguars (35 sacks). On Sunday, they can become the fifth team in the past 20 seasons (2005-24) with at least four sacks in five consecutive games, joining the 2022 Philadelphia Eagles, 2015 Denver Broncos, 2014 Buffalo Bills and 2008 Dallas Cowboys.
    • Chicago Bears (4-3) at Arizona Cardinals (4-4) (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Chicago rookie quarterback Caleb Williams can become the second quarterback selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft to win five of his first eight career starts, joining Andrew Luck.
      • Arizona has won three of its past four games, with each win secured by a game-winning score in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter. Kicker Chad Ryland became the first kicker since Daniel Carlson (with Las Vegas in 2021) to record three game-winning field goals in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime in a four-game span.
  • Division leaders with six wins in action: In addition to the NFC East-leading Washington Commanders (6-2), the Houston Texans (6-2) lead the AFC South and the Buffalo Bills (6-2) lead the AFC East, while the Detroit Lions (6-1) and Green Bay Packers (6-2) sit atop the NFC North ahead of their Week 9 matchup.
    • Houston Texans (6-2) at New York Jets (2-6) (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video): The Jets rank second in the NFL in pass defense (161.1 pass yards per game allowed) while the Texans rank third (164.3) this season. The last time two teams met in Week 9 or later that were each allowing fewer than 165 passing yards per game was Nov. 13, 2005 [Baltimore (163.9) at Jacksonville (162.2)].
      • Texans running back Joe Mixon rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown in Week 8 and became the first player in NFL history with 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in four of his first five games with a team.
    • Miami Dolphins (2-5) at Buffalo Bills (6-2) (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Since being named the Bills head coach in 2017, Sean McDermott has won 79 regular-season games and with a win on Sunday, can become the 13th head coach all-time to win 80 regular-season games in his first eight seasons. With nine games remaining this season, he has a chance to surpass Mike Holmgren (84) for the second-most regular-season wins by a head coach in his first eight seasons, trailing only George Seifert (98).
    • Detroit Lions (6-1) at Green Bay Packers (6-2) (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): The Lions have scored 172 points in their past four games (Weeks 4, 6-8), the most points by a team in a four-game span since the 2019 Baltimore Ravens (172 points from Weeks 9-12).
      • Last week, Detroit quarterback Jared Goff became the third player in NFL history with a passer rating of 125-or-higher in four consecutive games (minimum 15 attempts per game), joining Russell Wilson (five straight games in 2015) and Ryan Tannehill (four in 2019).
      • Goff can become the fourth quarterback since 2000 with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 110-or-higher in six consecutive games, joining Aaron Rodgers (11 straight games in 2011), Tom Brady (six in 2010) and Patrick Mahomes (six in 2018).
      • Green Bay safety Xavier McKinney had his league-leading sixth interception last week and became the fifth player since 2000 with an interception in six of his team’s first eight games of a season, joining Corey Chavous (2003 with Minnesota), Trevon Diggs (2021 with Dallas), Doug Evans (2001 with Carolina) and Brian Russell (2003 with Minnesota).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS

REPORT: FLORIDA-GEORGIA GAME MOVING TO ATLANTA IN ’26, TAMPA IN ’27

No. 2 Georgia is preparing to play Florida on Saturday, but much attention is being paid to future games in the longtime rivalry.

As is tradition, the game Saturday will be played in Jacksonville, Fla. But a $1.4 billion renovation project at EverBank Stadium, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, will make the venue unplayable from 2026-27.

The Action Network reported Wednesday that the two teams will play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in 2026 and at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa the following year, giving each team a game in its state.

The teams have met in Jacksonville since 1933, except when games were played on the schools’ home fields from 1994-95, according to Georgia’s website. The teams first played in 1904.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart told reporters Wednesday on the SEC Coaches teleconference call that the location of the game wasn’t his top priority this week.

“I mean, I’m so engulfed in this — in the game,’ Smart said. “I recognize why it’s a story for you guys, but I’m so consumed by, you know, our team. We’re trying to get our team better for Florida. That’s my focus. I mean, I really hadn’t been involved in those discussions.”

There had been talk about putting the games on the teams’ home fields with Jacksonville unavailable, but it appears that won’t be the case.

Georgia enters the game this week at 6-1 (4-1 SEC) and eyeing a spot in the College Football Playoff. Florida is 4-3 (2-2 SEC) and has won three of the past four games after a 1-2 start.

Georgia leads the series 56-44-2, including 49-41-1 in Jacksonville. The Bulldogs have won the past three and six of the past seven games.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS: NO. 11 IOWA ST, NO. 13 INDIANA NEED WINS FOR BEST STARTS IN THEIR HISTORIES

Indiana and Iowa State are on the cusp of making history this week, each using a very different roster-building strategy to enter November unbeaten.

The 13th-ranked Hoosiers would be 9-0 for the first time with a win at Michigan State on Saturday. The 11th-ranked Cyclones would be 8-0 for the first time with a home win against Texas Tech.

First-year Indiana coach Curt Cignetti is all in on the new way of team building, remaking a program that was 3-9 team in 2023 with a flood of transfers who have helped produce double-digit wins in every game. Of the Hoosiers’ 22 regular starters, seven arrived with Cignetti from James Madison and nine came from other schools. Of the six holdovers, half are offensive linemen.

Ninth-year Iowa State coach Matt Campbell is old school. He prioritizes high school recruiting and developing players in his system. He’s had few, if any, impact players transfer out. Of regular starters, 20 of 22 were on the roster of the 2023 team that went 7-6.

Iowa State and Indiana both have realistic hopes of making the 12-team College Football Playoff. That would have been almost unthinkable entering the season for two programs that have traditionally languished near the bottom of major college football.

The Cyclones are BetMGM Sportsbook’s 11th betting choice to make the playoff at 5-7 odds. The Hoosiers are 15th at 11-10.

The picks, with all games Saturday unless noted, and lines from BetMGM Sportsbook:

No. 1 Oregon at Michigan (plus 14 1/2)

Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks have blown out five of their last six opponents — Ohio State the exception — and on paper could do the same against the Wolverines. Michigan’s dropoff from its national championship season has been more than expected. That doesn’t mean the Wolverines can’t make this a four-quarter game in the Big House.

Pick: Oregon 31-21.

No. 2 Georgia (minus 16 1/2) vs. Florida

Florida has won three of four entering the game in Jacksonville, and freshmen DJ “Big Play” Lagway has suddenly made the Gators explosive. Bulldogs have beaten Florida by 20-plus points three straight years, and they’ve had an extra week to come down from their win at then-No. 1 Texas.

Pick: Georgia 40-20.

No. 4 Ohio State (minus 3 1/2) at Penn State

The Buckeyes stewed over their one-point loss to Oregon for two weeks and then turned in an uninspired performance in a four-point home win over Nebraska. But they’ve got Penn State’s number — seven straight wins in the series — and the Nittany Lions’ QB situation is uncertain.

Pick: Ohio State 28-24.

Duke at Miami (minus 20 1/2)

First-year Duke coach Manny Diaz returns to Miami, where he coached from 2019-21. The Blue Demons also bring the baggage from their crushing overtime loss to SMU. Miami hasn’t scored fewer than 36 points and its defense has allowed just six touchdowns in four home games.

Pick: Miami 40-17.

Kentucky at No. 7 Tennessee (minus 16 1/2)

Kentucky has lost three straight, is averaging 13.5 points per game in SEC games and has won in Knoxville just once since 1985. The Wildcats have a shaky quarterback situation, too. Tennessee is coming off an open date following its win over Alabama.

Pick: Tennessee 28-10.

No. 10 Texas A&M at South Carolina (plus 2 1/2)

Mike Elko has kept the 12th Man in suspense about who will be his starting quarterback. Freshman Marcel Reed replaced an ineffective Conner Weigman and was the hero of the Aggies’ win over LSU. The Gamecocks already have pushed LSU and Alabama to the limit. Time for a breakthrough?

Pick: South Carolina 29-24.

Texas Tech (plus 14 1/2) at No. 11 Iowa State

Texas Tech has lost two straight since a 5-1 start and gives up lots of yards and points. If Iowa State can keep Big 12 rushing leader Tahj Brooks under control — not a small ask of a run defense that has struggled — the Cyclones should have their first 8-0 start in program history.

Pick: Iowa State 37-21.

Louisville at No. 11 Clemson (minus 10 1/2)

Clemson has won 22 straight night games in Death Valley, is 8-0 all-time against Louisville and has scored 40-plus points five times this season. QB Tyler Shough keeps putting up big numbers despite the Cardinals being short-handed at receiver and tight end.

Pick: Clemson 44-31.

No. 13 Indiana (minus 7 1/2) at Michigan State

The unbeaten Hoosiers hope to have QB Kurtis Rourke back from his thumb injury for the battle for the Old Brass Spittoon. It shouldn’t be a problem if they have to lean on the run like they did against Washington. They’ve beaten every opponent by double digits. Why stop now?

Pick: Indiana 35-14.

San Diego State (plus 23 1/2) at No. 15 Boise State

Ashton Jeanty, the national rushing leader, and San Diego State’s Marquez Cooper are the Mountain West’s top two running backs. The Broncos are keeping their eye on the prize as the Group of Five favorite for the CFP. San Diego State’s streak of four games decided by three points or less ends Friday.

Pick: Boise Sate 38-17.

No. 17 Kansas State (minus 12 1/2) at Houston

Houston has won of two of its last three and is playing cleaner football than it did the first five games. The Wildcats have been a bit uneven on the road and are coming off a scare against rival Kansas. Houston’s defense is sound. Its offense usually isn’t.

Pick: Kansas State 28-10.

No. 18 Pittsburgh at No. 20 SMU (minus 7 1/2)

No one would have predicted these two teams would go into November unbeaten in ACC play. Both are coming off weird wins — Pitt had three pick-6s against Syracuse and SMU committed six turnovers and had no takeaways against Duke. Both have banged-up quarterbacks.

Pick: SMU 34-24.

No. 19 Mississippi (minus 7) at Arkansas

SEC passing leader Jaxson Dart completed nine passes of 15-plus yards in an unexpected tussle with Oklahoma last week, and that was without injured star WR Tre Harris. The Rebels expect to have Harris back. The Razorbacks gave up a season-high 471 yards in their win over Mississippi State.

Pick: Mississippi 30-21.

Air Force at No. 21 Army (minus 22 1/2)

Army is on the nation’s longest active win streak (11 games) as it begins its defense of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. Air Force was 8-0 and ranked No. 17 when the teams met in Denver last year. Army’s 23-3 win began the Falcons’ current 10-losses-in-12-games stretch.

Pick: Army 48-14.

Minnesota at No. 24 Illinois (plus 3)

Illinois is in the Top 25 for a seventh straight week despite getting pounded at No. 1 Oregon last week. Minnesota is on a bit of a roll right now and wants payback. The Illini won 27-26 in Minneapolis last year when backup QB John Paddock relieved an injured Luke Altmyer to lead an 84-yard game-winning drive in the final minute.

Pick: Minnesota 31-30.

AP predictions scorecard

Last week: Straight-up — 12-3; Against spread — 6-9.

Season: Straight-up — 139-36; Against spread — 90-84.

NBA NEWS

BULLS G LONZO BALL (WRIST) SIDELINED AT LEAST 10 DAYS

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is on the shelf again, this time with a sprained right wrist.

An MRI confirmed the injury that will sideline him for at least 10 days, Ball told reporters on Wednesday.

Playing in just his third game since January 2022, Ball was injured when he fell during a steal attempt in the first quarter of Monday’s 126-123 win at Memphis.

“If I play on it right now while it’s still swollen, it could get to a Grade 3. That would require surgery,” Ball said, per ESPN, which said the MRI showed a sprain between Grades 1 and 2. “Trying to avoid that obviously. Let the swelling down, hopefully tape it up and get back to it.”

Ball played through the pain Monday and finished with six points and six assists in 18 minutes.

“An unfortunate moment, but it happens,” he said. “Hopefully I get over it as fast as possible and get back to business.”

Ball, who turned 27 on Sunday, is averaging 4.7 points, 3.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 15.7 minutes in three games off the Chicago bench this season.

Drafted No. 2 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017, Ball missed the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons after multiple surgeries on his left knee.

A 10-day timeline would keep Ball out of the lineup for six games.

NBA ROUNDUP: PASCAL SIAKAM’S 3 PUSHES PACERS PAST CELTICS IN OT

Pascal Siakam made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 7.3 seconds remaining in overtime to help the Indiana Pacers defeat the Boston Celtics 135-132 on Wednesday night in Indianapolis.

Jaylen Brown missed a 3-point attempt that would have tied the game on Boston’s final possession. The defending NBA champion Celtics took their first defeat this season after four wins.

Siakam had 29 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Teammate Bennedict Mathurin came off the bench to score a team-high 30 points and grab 11 rebounds as Indiana ended a three-game losing streak.

Boston was down by 24 with 3:35 left in the third quarter and trailed by 21 with 8:55 remaining but tied the game on Jayson Tatum’s 3-pointer with 14.4 seconds to play. Tatum scored a game-high 37 points and Brown added 25, but they shot a combined 6-for-29 from 3-point range.

Cavaliers 134, Lakers 110

Los Angeles rookie Bronny James scored his first NBA basket, but Evan Mobley tallied 25 points and Donovan Mitchell added 24 points and seven assists as host Cleveland improved to 5-0 this season.

It is Cleveland’s best start since the 2016-17 season, when LeBron James was wearing No. 23 for the Cavs. Cleveland led by as many as 28 points and overcame a major foul disparity, committing 26 fouls to Los Angeles’ seven.

James’ father, LeBron James, 39, finished with 26 points, six rebounds and six turnovers. Teammate Anthony Davis, who entered the game leading the NBA in scoring at 32.8 points a game, finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Knicks 116, Heat 107

Karl-Anthony Towns enjoyed his best game with New York, scoring 44 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in defeating host Miami.

Towns, acquired in an offseason trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, made 17 of 25 shots from the floor, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range, in 39 minutes. Jalen Brunson added 22 points and nine assists with just one turnover for the Knicks.

Tyler Herro led Miami with 34 points and seven assists. He made 12 of 20 shots, including 8 of 13 from beyond the arc. Terry Rozier scored 16 points. Miami was again without power forward Kevin Love (personal reasons).

Thunder 105, Spurs 93

Luguentz Dort scored 20 points as Oklahoma City remained undefeated by beating visiting San Antonio.

The showdown between the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama never really materialized. Wembanyama limped to the locker room after appearing to injure his foot on a post-up during the second quarter and was a non-factor when he returned. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year finished with a career-low six points, going just 1-of-5 from the field, and grabbed eight rebounds.

Holmgren, who finished as runner-up for rookie honors, had 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting with five boards and two blocks. He made all three of his 3-point tries as the Thunder made a season-high 17 from beyond the arc, including 13 before halftime.

Pistons 105, 76ers 95

Jaden Ivey scored 23 points and Cade Cunningham chipped in 22 as Detroit earned its first win of the season in five games, defeating host Philadelphia.

Detroit’s Tobias Harris, who spent the previous 5 1/2 seasons with Philadelphia, contributed 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 32 points, but he shot just 2 of 10 from 3-point range as part of a teamwide 8-of-28 effort (28.6 percent) from long distance. The 76ers remain without stars Joel Embiid and Paul George due to knee injuries.

Trail Blazers 106, Clippers 105

Anfernee Simons scored 25 points and Deandre Ayton added 15 points and 12 rebounds as visiting Portland held on for a victory over Los Angeles at Inglewood, Calif.

Scoot Henderson had 14 points while Deni Avdija had 13 points and 10 rebounds as the Blazers won for the second time in their past three games and earned their first road victory in two tries.

Los Angeles’ Norman Powell scored 30 points and James Harden added 19 points with 10 assists. Ivica Zubac had 12 rebounds but was held to six points after he averaged 22.7 points over the first three games of the season. Kevin Porter Jr. scored 10 points for Los Angeles, which fell to 0-2 in the new $2 billion Intuit Dome.

Warriors 104, Pelicans 89

Buddy Hield had 21 points to lead six scorers in double figures, Brandin Podziemski nearly recorded a triple-double as Stephen Curry’s replacement, and Golden State pulled away from visiting New Orleans for a victory in San Francisco.

Podziemski, who hadn’t started any of Golden State’s first three games until Curry sprained his left ankle on Sunday, totaled 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. He had 19 points and five assists in his first start on Tuesday. Trayce Jackson-Davis added 15 points and nine rebounds, while Jonathan Kuminga had 16 points, Draymond Green 14 and Kyle Anderson 10 for Golden State, which took the opener of the two-day, two-game series 124-106.

Jordan Hawkins put up a game-high 23 points for New Orleans, which completed a six-day, four-game western swing with a 1-3 record.

Wizards 133, Hawks 120

Bilal Coulibaly scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds, helping Washington defeat visiting Atlanta for the second time in three days.

Jordan Poole added 24 points and a team-high nine assists for Washington, beat Atlanta by two points in Atlanta on Monday. Jonas Valanciunas and Corey Kispert put up 22 and 16 points, respectively, off the Wizards’ bench.

Trae Young led Atlanta with 35 points and 15 assists, while Jalen Johnson added 21 points and 17 rebounds. The Hawks have dropped three straight games.

Hornets 138, Raptors 133

Tre Mann and Cody Martin combined for 52 points off the bench for Charlotte as the Hornets outlasted visiting Toronto.

Mann scored a team-high 27 points and Martin was right behind with 25 as Charlotte snapped a two-game losing streak. Nick Richards added 24 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots, LaMelo Ball poured in 19 points with six assists and reserve Grant Williams had 17 points with five assists.

RJ Barrett racked up 31 points and eight assists, Gradey Dick had 30 points and Jakob Poeltl posted 20 points and 16 rebounds to pace the Raptors, who have lost three games in a row. Scottie Barnes, Toronto’s leading scorer (19.2 points per game) didn’t play due to a fractured orbital bone injury he sustained Monday night against Denver.

Bulls 102, Magic 99

A balanced scoring effort and overwhelming defense in the second half helped host Chicago overcome 31 points from Orlando’s Paolo.

The Bulls held the Magic to 12 points in the fourth quarter and 37 in the second half, helping Chicago rally from a 10-point halftime deficit. Coby White scored 21 points, Josh Giddey had 20 points and Nikola Vucevic finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds for the Bulls.

Jalen Suggs put up 17 points and Wendell Carter Jr. added 14 for the Magic, who shot 38.5 percent from the floor in the second half.

Nets 119, Grizzlies 106

Dennis Schroder scored a season-high 33 points and dished out eight assists to lead visiting Brooklyn past injury-plagued Memphis.

Cam Thomas put up 19 points, Cameron Johnson had 14 and Jalen Wilson finished with 12 for the Nets, who got their first road win in three tries this season. Brooklyn’s Ziaire Williams, who began his career with the Grizzlies, had 17 points, four steals and three assists in his return.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 30 points for Memphis, which lost two starters during its second straight defeat. Marcus Smart departed in the closing seconds of the first quarter when he sprained his right ankle before Desmond Bane left after injuring his oblique early in the third.

BASEBALL NEWS

DODGERS ERASE GAME 5 DEFICIT, STUN YANKS TO WIN WORLD SERIES

NEW YORK — Mookie Betts lifted a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers overcame a five-run deficit and clinched their eighth World Series title with a 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday night in Game 5.

Six outs away from being forced back to Los Angeles for a sixth game on Friday, the Dodgers won their second title in five seasons and first in a full season since the 1988 team stunned the Oakland Athletics.

Los Angeles also avoided becoming the first team to win the first three games of a best-of-seven Fall Classic and get taken to a sixth game.

The Dodgers trailed 6-5 entering the eighth before Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle (1-1) allowed two singles and a walk to load the bases with no outs. Gavin Lux lifted a tying sacrifice fly to center field off Luke Weaver.

Shohei Ohtani then reached base on catcher’s interference when his bat grazed Austin Wells’ glove. Following a brief review, the call was confirmed.

On the next pitch, Betts lifted a fly ball to center fielder Aaron Judge, and Tommy Edman trotted home for a 7-6 lead.

It was the largest comeback ever in a World Series clincher, surpassing the 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates overcoming a four-run deficit in Game 7 against the Washington Senators.

Giancarlo Stanton hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth to give the Yankees a 6-5 lead after Los Angeles erased its 5-0 deficit by sending 10 to the plate in fifth. The Dodgers capitalized on physical errors by Judge and Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe along with a mental error by Gerrit Cole, New York’s starting pitcher.

New York held a 5-0 lead and Cole had yet to allow a hit before Enrique Hernandez singled to open the fifth inning.

Edman reached when his fly ball caromed off Judge’s glove, putting runners at first and second. Will Smith followed by hitting a grounder to Volpe, whose throw bounced in front of third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., loading the bases with no outs.

After Cole struck out Lux and Ohtani, Betts hit a soft grounder to first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Cole went about halfway off the mound before stopping, and Betts beat Rizzo to the bag allowing the Dodgers’ first run to score.

Cole was one strike away from ending the inning with a 5-1 lead but allowed a two-run single to Freddie Freeman. Teoscar Hernandez also was one strike away from making the final out before lining a two-run double over Judge’s head, tying the game 5-5.

Los Angeles rallied after getting a short start from Jack Flaherty, who was tagged for four runs on four hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Blake Treinen (2-0) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings and struck out Anthony Rizzo with two on in the eighth.

Two days after winning Game 3, Walker Buehler pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his first major league save, regular season or postseason.

Judge hit a two-run homer in the first and Chisholm followed with a solo shot. Alex Verdugo added an RBI single to chase Flaherty in the second, and Stanton homered in the third off Ryan Brasier.

Cole allowed five unearned runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked four.

REPORT: WHITE SOX HIRING WILL VENABLE AS MANAGER

The Chicago White Sox are hiring Texas Rangers associate manager Will Venable as the 44th skipper in franchise history, a source told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin.

Venable interviewed for Chicago’s managerial vacancy ahead of the 2023 campaign before the club settled on Pedro Grifol. Former All-Star outfielder Grady Sizemore later replaced Grifol on an interim basis. The White Sox set the modern record with 121 losses this season.

Venable spent two seasons with the Rangers, winning the World Series in 2023.

The 42-year-old was a first and third base coach with the Chicago Cubs from 2018-2020 before being hired as bench coach for the Boston Red Sox ahead of the 2021 campaign.

Venable played nine MLB seasons split between the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Rangers, posting a .719 OPS in 967 games.

YANKEES FANS WHO INTERFERED WITH DODGERS’ BETTS ARE BANNED FROM GAME 5 OF THE WORLD SERIES

NEW YORK (AP) — Two New York Yankees fans who were ejected from Game 4 of the World Series for interfering with Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts have been banned from Game 5 on Wednesday night.

Betts leaped at the wall in foul territory and initially caught Gleyber Torres’ pop up in the first inning Tuesday night, but a fan in the first row with a gray Yankees’ road jersey grabbed Betts’ glove with both hands and pulled the ball out. Another fan grabbed Betts’ non-glove hand.

“Yankee Stadium is known for its energy and intensity, however the exuberance of supporting one’s team can never cross the line into intentionally putting players at physical risk,” the Yankees said Wednesday in a statement. “The Yankees and Major League Baseball maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the type of behavior displayed last night. These fans will not be permitted to attend tonight’s game in any capacity.”

The Dodgers had a two-run lead at the time on Freddie Freeman’s two-run homer. Betts reacted angrily to the play, and Torres was immediately called out on fan interference.

“When it comes to the person in play, it doesn’t matter,” Betts said after the Yankees extended the series with an 11-4 victory. “We lost. It’s irrelevant. I’m fine. He’s fine. Everything’s cool. We lost the game and that’s what I’m kind of focused on. We got to turn the page and get ready for tomorrow.”

NHL NEWS

MCDAVID EXPECTED TO MISS 2-3 WEEKS WITH ANKLE INJURY

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is expected to miss two-to-three weeks with an ankle injury, the team announced Wednesday.

McDavid was hurt when he took an awkward fall during his first shift of the Oilers’ 6-1 trouncing by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night.

The superstar has logged three goals and 10 points in 10 outings so far this season.

McDavid missed six games during the 2023-24 campaign and the Oilers didn’t fare too well without him, going 1-4-1. He sat out two outings before Edmonton was sparked by a coaching change in November and four contests during the final month of the season.

The Oilers are off to another challenging start this year, going 4-5-1 after dropping their first three games. Big names are going through scoring droughts: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has one goal and four points, while last year’s 54-goal-scorer Zach Hyman has just one assist.

Edmonton came one win short of hoisting the Stanley Cup this past spring and entered this season with championship aspirations, and McDavid is key to those hopes.

Last season, McDavid became the fourth player in league history to log 100 helpers in a single campaign. He then became the sixth player and second skater to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as a member of the losing side.

The 27-year-old already ranks 10th among all active players with 992 points and eighth with 654 assists in 655 career NHL games.

The Oilers take on the Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames on the road Thursday and Sunday before returning home for a clash with the New Jersey Devils on Monday.

NHL ROUNDUP: JETS GET BACK ON TRACK VS. RED WINGS

Kyle Connor notched three first-period points while surpassing the 500-point mark for his career as the visiting Winnipeg Jets recovered from their first loss by downing the Detroit Red Wings 6-2 on Wednesday.

Neal Pionk scored twice, Gabriel Vilardi had a goal and an assist and Nino Niederreiter and Colin Miller also scored for the Jets. Winnipeg had its 16-game regular-season win streak dating back to last season snapped in a 6-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday.

Connor wound up with a goal and two assists while Connor Hellebuyck made 19 saves for the Jets.

Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat had power-play goals for Detroit, which has lost three straight (0-2-1). Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider added two assists apiece, while Alex Lyon stopped 23 shots.

Devils 6, Canucks 0

Nico Hischier scored his league-leading 10th goal and had two assists and Jacob Markstrom posted his 21st career shutout as visiting New Jersey cruised past Vancouver.

Dawson Mercer had a short-handed goal and an assist, Jack Hughes added a goal and an assist and Timo Meier, Ondrej Palat and Tomas Tatar also scored goals for the Devils.

Markstrom stopped 20 shots in New Jersey’s second straight win. Arturs Silovs finished with 16 saves for the Canucks, who lost their second game in a row.

Blue Jackets 2, Islanders 0

Elvis Merzlikins made 26 saves for Columbus in a win over visiting New York, his 11th NHL shutout.

Damon Severson broke a scoreless tie in the third period and Justin Danforth scored into an empty net for the Blue Jackets, who have won two in a row for the first time this season.

Semyon Varlamov made 24 saves for the Islanders, who have one win in regulation through their first 10 games.

Lightning 5, Avalanche 2

Jake Guentzel scored twice, Nikita Kucherov had a goal and two assists and Tampa Bay used a quick start to beat Colorado in Denver.

Anthony Cirelli had a goal and an assist and Conor Geekie also scored for the Lightning, who jumped on top 3-0 and earned their third win in a row. Brayden Point and Brandon Hagel contributed two assists each, and Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 33 shots.

Colorado’s Cale Makar had a goal and an assist, Ivan Ivan also had a goal, and Nathan MacKinnon added two assists. Kaapo Kahkonen made 16 saves in his first start for the Avalanche, who have dropped two straight.

Kings 6, Golden Knights 3

Anze Kopitar had a goal and two assists to help Los Angeles end visiting Vegas’ four-game winning streak.

Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala each contributed a goal and an assist, Brandt Clarke had three assists and Mikey Anderson added two assists for the Kings, who have won three of four. Warren Foegele, Alex Laferriere and Joel Edmundson also scored, and Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves.

Pavel Dorofeyev netted two goals, Tanner Pearson added a goal and Ilya Samsonov made 21 saves for the Golden Knights, who gave up the game’s first four goals.

Utah 5, Flames 1

Mikhail Sergachev scored once in a three-point game and Maveric Lamoureux netted his first NHL goal as the Utah Hockey Club claimed a victory over slumping Calgary in Salt Lake City.

Alexander Kerfoot, Barrett Hayton and Clayton Keller also scored for Utah, which went into the clash winless in four games. Nick Schmaltz and Dylan Guenther both collected two assists and Connor Ingram made 30 saves.

Anthony Mantha tallied for the Flames, who have lost four consecutive games, all in regulation. Dustin Wolf stopped 23 shots.

GOLF NEWS

NEW EVENTS, BIGGER MONEY AHEAD FOR PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS

PGA Tour Champions is adding an event, putting a few new wrinkles in play and increasing the prize money for its 2025 season, according to the schedule announced Wednesday.

In all, players will compete in 20 states and three countries for $69 million in prize money, the highest ever in the tour’s history.

New on the tour is the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational to be played April 4-6 at The Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton, Fla. The event will feature Champions players competing with 26 of football’s greatest names on the first two days, with Sunday being reserved for the pro golfers.

The American Family Insurance Championship is transforming to a team golf format and will be contested June 6-8 at the redesigned TPC Wisconsin.

In all, the schedule consists of 25 events. The tour year begins Jan. 17-19 at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Ka’upulehu-Kona, Hawaii, with the players heading to Morocco for the Trophy Hassan II at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat over the first weekend in February.

The season culminates in November at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix.

“As we prepare for a thrilling finale to our 2024 season, I’m excited to share the 2025 PGA TOUR Champions schedule,” said Miller Brady, the circuit’s president. “Next season promises even greater heights for the Champions Tour, as we continue to build on the tremendous foundation already in place. The partnership we share with our title sponsors and tournaments is second to none and their support can be seen across our Tour, from the increased purses to the charitable support in the local communities where we play.”

TOP INDIANA SPORTS HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES

COLTS FOOTBALL

FLACCO WILL START FOR COLTS ‘GOING FORWARD’

Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Wednesday that Joe Flacco is the Colts’ starting quarterback “going forward,” according to team reporter JJ Stankevitz.

“Joe gives us the best chance to win right now,” Steichen said at a press conference, per 1075 The Fan’s Kevin Bowen.

“I’m just looking where we’re at as a football team, sitting at .500 with a lot of football left,” Steichen added, via Stankevitz.

Steichen said Anthony Richardson will serve as Flacco’s backup. The coach insisted the team isn’t casting the second-year quarterback aside.

“Not giving up on Anthony by any means,” Steichen said. “He’s a really young player with a ton of talent.”

The decision to start Flacco over the 2023 fourth overall pick arrives two days after Steichen said the Colts were “evaluating everything,” including whether Richardson would remain the starter in the wake of Week 8’s loss to the Houston Texans.

“Of course it hurts,” Richardson told reporters in his first comments since being benched, per Bowen. “As a competitor, you definitely don’t want to be told that you’re not the guy anymore. … But it’s all good, I’m using this moment as an opportunity to grow and just learn from my mistakes.”

Richardson also said that Steichen didn’t explain the switch under center, according to The Athletic’s James Boyd.

Richardson’s been inconsistent for most of the 2024 campaign. The Florida product completed 44% of his pass attempts and threw seven interceptions compared to four touchdowns in six starts.

Flacco has flourished when given the opportunity to line up under center this season. The 39-year-old has thrown for 716 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception, completing 65.7% of his pass attempts.

The league’s reigning Comeback Player of the Year will make his third start of the season when the Colts take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football.

COLTS RELEASE UNOFFICIAL DEPTH CHART FOR WEEK 9 GAME VS. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

OFFENSE

  • WR: Michael Pittman Jr., Ashton Dulin
  • LT: Bernhard Raimann, Blake Freeland
  • LG: Quenton Nelson, Danny Pinter OR Tanor Bortolini
  • C: Ryan Kelly, Danny Pinter OR Tanor Bortolini
  • RG: Dalton Tucker
  • RT: Braden Smith, Matt Goncalves
  • TE: Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree
  • TE: Kylen Granson, Will Mallory
  • WR: Josh Downs, Anthony Gould
  • WR: Alec Pierce OR Adonai Mitchell
  • QB: Joe Flacco, Anthony Richardson, Sam Ehlinger
  • RB: Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson, Evan Hull
  • Jonathan Taylor had a 20 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans in Week 8. It marked Taylor’s third consecutive game with a rushing touchdown and fourth consecutive game with at least 100 yards from scrimmage for the longest active streak in the NFL. Taylor now has 5,036 career rushing yards.
  • Josh Downs totaled four receptions for 109 yards and a career-long 69-yard touchdown against the Texans; Sunday marked his second career 100-yard game.

DEFENSE

  • DE: Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Genard Avery
  • DT: DeForest Buckner, Taven Bryan, Adetomiwa Adebawore
  • NT: Grover Stewart, Raekwon Davis
  • DE: Dayo Odeyingbo, Isaiah Land, Adam Gotsis
  • WLB: E.J. Speed
  • MLB: Zaire Franklin, Segun Olubi
  • SAM: Grant Stuard, Cameron McGrone
  • CB: Samuel Womack III, David Long Jr.
  • FS: Julian Blackmon, Rodney Thomas II
  • SS: Nick Cross, Trevor Denbow
  • N: Kenny Moore II, Chris Lammons
  • CB: Jaylon Jones
  • DeForest Buckner, playing in his first game since Week 2, compiled three tackles (two solo), one tackle for loss and one sack against the Texans.
  • Dayo Odeyingbo had four tackles (three solo), three tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery against the Texans.

SPECIALISTS

  • P: Rigoberto Sanchez
  • PK: Matt Gay
  • H: Rigoberto Sanchez
  • LS: Luke Rhodes
  • KR: Tyler Goodson, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
  • PR: Josh Downs, Anthony Gould

COLTS COACH SHANE STEICHEN MID-WEEK PRESSER: https://www.colts.com/video/shane-steichen-mid-week-update-colts-at-vikings-quarterback-joe-flacco-anthony-richardson

COLTS QB JOE FLACCO MID-WEEK PRESSER: https://www.colts.com/video/joe-flacco-colts-at-vikings-week-9

INDIANA PACERS

GAME REWIND: PACERS 135, CELTICS 132 (OT)

The Indiana Pacers got some revenge this Halloween Eve, and also avoided a nightmare.

In front of a national audience Wednesday, the Pacers (2-3) outlasted the Boston Celtics (4-1) 135-132 in an overtime thriller at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

With the win, the Pacers snapped a three-game losing streak while dealing the defending NBA champs their first loss of their season. The matchup was the first between the teams since the Celtics eliminated the Pacers in Game 4 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals.

Indiana scored a team-high for points in a half to lead by 10 at intermission, and never trailed in the second half until a clutch 3-pointer by Boston’s Jayson Tatum with 14 seconds left sent the game to overtime. The Pacers avoided a major collapse, as they led by 21 points with just under nine minutes left in the game.

Tied at 132 with six seconds left in overtime, after a big stop gave the Pacers a chance to go in front, Pascal Siakam stepped up and buried a 3-pointer at the top of the arc over Derrick White for the game-winner.

“Being able to come out of it with a win was huge,” Siakam said. “It shows growth.”

Seven Pacers scored in double figures, as the team shot 48.1 percent overall. Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with a season-high 30 points and 11 rebounds, Siakam finished with a season-best 29 points and 11 boards, and Tyrese Haliburton finished with 17 points and 12 assists.

Tatum topped the Celtics with 37 points (10-for-25, 5-for-18 from 3-point range), Brown totaled 25 points, and White had 23 points. Boston shot 40.4 percent as a team, including 19-for-57 from 3-point range.

With a season-high for points in a half, the Pacers led 67-57 at intermission. At the break, the Pacers shot a strong 52.9 percent as a team while holding the Celtics to 37.3 percent.

Siakam had 17 points at the break on 7-for-13 shooting and Mathurin had nine points, while Tatum topped the Celtics with 15 points.

Pacers center Myles Turner was sidelined by a left ankle sprain on Wednesday, so Isaiah Jackson started in the middle for the Blue & gold.

Indiana shot 56 percent in the first quarter, behind seven different scorers, to lead 35-31 at the end of 12 minutes.

After a back-and-forth start following the tip, the Pacers used a 9-2 run, where Jackson scored six points, to give the Pacers a 19-13 lead midway through the first quarter.

While the Celtics mustered an 8-2 run in response, a 3-pointer by Siakam and baskets by Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith from close range helped keep the Pacers in front. At the buzzer, White drilled a pull-up 3-pointer from 29 feet to make it a four-point game.

It was apparent early in the game that Mathurin would get plenty of minutes (he would finish with over 42) after Andrew Nembhard played the first five minutes of the game and then didn’t come back in. Postgame, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Nembhard is dealing with tendonitis in his knee and they decided to sit him after testing it. 

Boston narrowed the score to 44-42 early in the second quarter after Payton Pritchard drilled two 3-pointers during an 8-2 run, but a 14-5 Pacers scoring spree where Mathurin scored seven straight points, Ben Sheppard added two baskets, and Siakam hit a 3-pointer, gave Indiana a 58-45 lead with 4:48 left in the half.

Indiana held on to the lead into the locker room, as Siakam added five points to his total, Nesmith hit another three and Tyrese Haliburton got one to go with four seconds left to keep the Blue & Gold up by double digits.

Mathurin scored 14 points in the third quarter as the Blue & Gold outscored the Celtics 33-29 in the frame.

The Pacers made their first four shots of the second quarter, with Siakam hitting back-to-back threes and Mathurin adding four points, to help the Pacers to a 79-63 lead with 9:11 left in the third quarter.

Indiana then continued to pour it on later in the period, as a 15-3 Pacers run – where Mathurin scored eight points and Haliburton added seven – pushed the Blue & Gold in front 90-68, prompting a Celtics timeout.

Boston responded with a 14-4 run to close the quarter, but  the Pacers took a 14-point lead into the fourth quarter.

The Celtics shot 52.2 percent in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Pacers 38-17 in the period, as Tatum poured in 12 points and Brown had 11.

To start the final frame, the Pacers went on a 12-5 run, where Mathurin scored five more points and Toppin capped it with a monstrous dunk, to lead by 21 points with just under nine points left and force a timeout by the visitors.

The visitors chipped away from there as the Pacers went ice cold on offense.

Boston put together two big scoring sprees in the fourth quarter to narrow the score to 122-121 with 34 seconds left in the game. After Haliburton sank a jumper to put the Blue & Gold back up by three points, Tatum drilled a trey at the top of the arc to force extra play.

After both teams got stops to start the overtime, Haliburton hit a step-back 3-pointer on the left side of the arc to put the Pacers up three. A White 3-pointer then re-tied the game before free throws from Siakam and Tatum made it 128-128 with 2:03 left.

After tying again at 130, White scored a layup with 30 seconds left to put the Celtics ahead by two. Indiana answered again, with Siakam backing down Brown and hitting a fadeaway jump shot near the free throw line with 36 seconds remaining.

After getting a stop on the next Boston possession, Sheppard pulled down a key  rebound for Indiana, which was called a jump ball against Pritchard.

Sheppard won the jump ball, and Siakam hit the game-winner after that.

“We had to survive a tornado out there, really,” Carlisle said. “ Guys showed a lot of character, a lot of guts. And in the end, Haliburton and Siakam made the plays.”

Indiana will travel to New Orleans on Friday to take on the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.

Inside the Numbers

Siakam tied a career-best six made 3-pointers.

The Pacers collected a season-high 57 rebounds as a team.

Both Siakam and Mathurin posted their first double-doubles of the season. Haliburton recorded his second.

Indiana’s Obi Toppin scored a season-high 18 points.

The Pacers outscored the Celtics 62-44 in the paint.

The Pacers finished 20-for-24 from the free-throw line while Celtics finished 25-for-31.

From 3-point range, the Pacers shot 15-for-38 while the Celtics shot 19-for-57.

Aaron Nesmith (10 points, eight rebounds) and ISaiah Jackson (10 points, five rebounds) both fouled out for the Pacers.

There were nine ties and eight lead changes in the game.

The Pacers had 18 turnovers and the Celtics finished with 14.

You Can Quote Me On That

“The cautionary tale about this game is that we cannot lose our tempo, we cannot lose our ball movement, we cannot lose our aggression. We are not an iso team. We are not suited or set up to be an iso team. And if you slow down against Boston, this is what they’re capable of. They’re capable of striking very fast — we saw it last year. We need to keep our pedal on the metal.” – Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle on the game against the Celtics

“(Mathurin) was tremendous. This was much-needed for our team. I made the decision we were going to go with him early. And when Drew was ruled out there was some shuffling and stuff. Benn played a lot more minutes than we normally like guys to play. But he’s built for it. He’s tough, he’s got a lot of stamina, and he’s got a strong will.” – Carlisle on Mathurin’s performance

“This is why he’s an important player. He’s our best guy, pound-for-pound, rebounding the ball…and scooping up loose balls. He just has a nose for it, he’s wired for it. That’s why it’s hard keeping him off the floor at times…Shepp once again did a lot of important things for us.” – Carlisle on Sheppard’s hustle plays in overtime

“Me and Ty, just trying to get a good shot. Just a little blur or scree, just trying to create a little confusion. And then he gave me the ball and just had to shoot it. My shot had been feeling good all night, so I just let it fly.” – Pascal Siakam on his game-winning three

“It means a lot…It’s pretty easy to just overreact or get down on ourselves after those losses…I just commend the guys for sticking with it and just continuing to work despite the losses. It’s easy to just feel really down after those losses, but I keep telling everyone it’s an up-and-down season, it’s a marathon not a sprint, and we’re trying to play our best basketball come April, May, and June.” – Mathurin on getting a big win after three straight losses

“We know Benn can do that. We know he can score. I think for him, it’s just continuing to have that focus and that mindset of just being out there, doing everything to help the team win. Because his skill offensively, we all know what he can do. I think today his head was right, he was in the right place. We’re all trying to to play together, trying to support him as much as we can.” – Siakam on Benedict Mathurin’s play

“It means a lot. We had a tough start of the season. A lot of ups and downs. But I feel like we started to find a rhythm of who we are as a team. So it’s been, you know, pretty good.” – Mathurin on the win

Stat of the Night

Bennedict Mathurin, off the bench, shot 9-for-17 from the field and was 10-for-11 from the free-throw line for a season-best 30 points.

Noteworthy

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle passed Bill Fitch for 11th all-time in NBA coaching wins on Wednesday.  Wednesday night’s win was the 945th for Carlisle as a head coach.

T.J. McConnell passed Chuck Person (1,743) for 10th place on the Pacers all-time assist list on Wednesday by dishing out three dimes. McConnell’s 1,746 assists with the Blue & Gold also ranks sixth in the team’s NBA history.

Indiana went 2-2 against the Celtics during the 2023-2024 regular season.

Up Next

The Pacers travel to New Orleans to take on Zion Williamson and the Pelicans on Friday, Nov. 1 at 8:00 PM ET.

INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

NO. 25/24 INDIANA CRUISES TO 95-27 EXHIBITION WIN OVER MARYVILLE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.  – Three players scored in double figures as No 25/24 Indiana cruised to a 95-27 win over Maryville in exhibition play on Monday night.

KEY MOMENTS

Indiana started the game from six points by junior forward Lilly Meister who had six points and helped it Out of the first media timeout, Sydney Parish scored five straight fastbreak points with an assist by Chloe Moore-McNeil.

Indiana finished the first quarter on a 10-6 run to lead 28-6. Parrish finished the quarter with seven points on perfect shooting (4-for-4) and six rebounds.

Yarden Garzon scored five of the last 10 points for Indiana to lead 50-14 at the half.

Meister, Ciezki and Garzon helped Indiana to a strong start in the third quarter, combining to scoring the first 16 points.

Maryville was held to zero made three-point attempts in the second half, shooting three-for-36 in the game. They were also held to 9-67 (13.4%) shooting from the floor in the game.

All available players appeared in the game for Indiana.

NOTABLE

Four players scored in double-figures for the Hoosiers – Garzon (20), Meister (19), Ciezki (14) and Parrish (12).

Two Hoosiers recorded double figure rebounds in the effort, Parrish leading with a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds while

Garzon filled the stat sheet, recording 20 points on 7-14 shooting (50%), six rebounds and two assists.

Meister went 9-11 shooting from the floor, only missing in the first quarter.

On the night, the Hoosiers went 52.9 percent from the floor and 84.6% from the free-throw line (11-for-13).

Garzon knocked down four of her eight 3-point attempts, followed by Ciezki who went 2-5.

The Hoosiers outscored Maryville in the paint, 44-8 and combined for 21 assists.

UP NEXT

The regular season is up next when it welcomes Brown to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.

INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL

BALLO SELECTED TO NABC, NAISMITH PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCHLISTS

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Sixth-year senior center Oumar Ballo was named to the NABC Division I Player of the Year and Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year presented by AXIA Time Watchlists on Wednesday afternoon.

The 2025 NABC Division I Player of the Year – selected by a nationwide vote of Division I head coaches – will be announced the week of the 2025 Men’s Final Four.

The Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year presented by AXIA Time is presented annually to the men’s college basketball player who achieves great success on the court.

Ballo averaged 11.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game in three seasons at Arizona. He shot 64.6% (466-of-721) from the floor and posted 34 double-doubles, third most in Arizona basketball history. He was one of 10 players in program history to accumulate at least 1,000 career points and 800 career rebounds.

The 7-0, 260-pound center was twice named to the All-Pac-12 First Team, selected to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team two times, and voted to a pair of Pac-12 All-Tournament Teams. He was named the 2022-23 Pac-12 Most Improved Player, the 2022 Maui Invitational Most Outstanding Player, and the 2021-22 Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year.

Ballo began his career at Gonzaga with a redshirt season in 2019-20 before earning a spot in the rotation for a Bulldog program that finished 31-1, won both the West Coast Conference regular season and tournament titles, and advanced to the NCAA Championship game. Overall, Ballo has won 84.8% (112-of-132) of the games he has appeared in throughout his career.

The Indiana Hoosiers will open the home slate of the 2024-25 season with an exhibition against Marian at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 1. The regular season will start at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 6 against SIUE at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

2025 NABC DIVISION I PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRESEASON WATCH LIST

Ace Bailey, Rutgers

OUMAR BALLO, INDIANA

Johni Broome, Auburn

L.J. Cryer, Houston

Johnell Davis, Arkansas

RJ Davis, North Carolina

Hunter Dickinson, Kansas

Cooper Flagg, Duke

Graham Ike, Gonzaga

Kam Jones, Marquette

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton

Alex Karaban, Connecticut

Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State

Caleb Love, Arizona

Norchad Omier, Baylor

Kadary Richmond, St. John’s

Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest

Mark Sears, Alabama

Braden Smith, Purdue

Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M

2025 JERSEY MIKE’S NAISMITH TROPHY PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST PRESENTED BY AXIA TIME

Robbie Avila, Saint Louis

Ace Bailey, Rutgers

Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn State

OUMAR BALLO, INDIANA

Johni Broome, Auburn

Markus Burton, Notre Dame

Walter Clayton Jr., Florida

L.J. Cryer, Houston

RJ Davis , North Carolina

Johnell Davis, Arkansas

Tyson Degenhart, Boise State

Tucker DeVries, West Virginia

Hunter Dickinson, Kansas

Eric Dixon, Villanova

VJ Edgecombe, Baylor

Cooper Flagg, Duke

Dawson Garcia, Minnesota

Tyon Grant-Foster, Grand Canyon

Dylan Harper, Rutgers

Dajuan Harris Jr., Kansas

Coleman Hawkins, Kansas State

Bryce Hopkins, Providence

Graham Ike, Gonzaga

Tre Johnson, Texas

Kam Jones, Marquette

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton

Alex Karaban, UConn

Kon Knueppel, Duke

Yaxel Lendeborg, UAB

Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State

Caleb Love, Arizona

Liam McNeeley, UConn

Matthew Murrell, Ole Miss

Grant Nelson, Alabama

Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga

Norchad Omier, Baylor

Great Osobor, Washington

Kadary Richmond, St. John’s

Jeremy Roach, Baylor

J’Wan Roberts, Houston

Jaxson Robinson, Kentucky

Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest

Payton Sandfort, Iowa 

Mark Sears, Alabama

Jackson Shelstad, Oregon

Braden Smith, Purdue

AJ Storr, Kansas

Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M

Bruce Thornton, Ohio State

Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee

PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL

#14 PURDUE OPENS WITH EXHIBITION WIN

[14] Purdue 99, Grand Valley State 41 (Postgame Notes)

The No. 14-ranked Purdue men’s basketball team won its final tuneup for the 2024-25 season with a 99-41 win over Grand Valley State on Wednesday night in Mackey Arena.

Purdue improved to 30-0 at home in exhibition games under Matt Painter, winning by an average of 28.0 points per game.

The 58-point victory was its largest in school history in an exhibition game.

The 41 points allowed were the fewest allowed in an exhibition game in school history.

Purdue went 23-of-26 from the free throw line and Purdue’s regulars had just five turnovers.

Grand Valley State shot just 5-of-37 (.135) from the field in the second half.

Purdue freshmen combined for 40 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in the victory.

Trey Kaufman-Renn recorded a double-double, tallying 15 points and 10 rebounds in 16 minutes of action. Kaufman-Renn has not had a double-double in his career.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue used four runs of 10-0 or larger and clamped down on the defensive end for a 99-41 victory over Grand Valley State in the final exhibition tuneup for the Boilermakers on Wednesday night in Mackey Arena.

The Boilermakers shot 54.8 percent from the field, had just seven turnovers, outrebounded the Lakers 49-27 and went 23-of-26 (.885) from the free throw line to cruise to the victory.

Meanwhile, GVSU shot just 13-of-61 (.213) from the field and 6-of-28 (.214) from long distance. The Lakers had 13 turnovers.

Trey Kaufman-Renn went 7-of-7 from the field for 15 points and 10 rebounds, while freshman guard C.J. Cox scored 15 points with three assists and two steals. Fletcher Loyer added 15 points with three assists and freshman Gicarri Harris contributed 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals and was a team-best +37 in just 18 minutes of action.

Purdue will open the regular-season Monday night against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 6 p.m. ET, in Mackey Arena.

PURDUE FOOTBALL

GAME 8 PREP: FOOTBALL RETURNS FROM BYE WEEK, HOSTS NORTHWESTERN SATURDAY

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Following a bye week, Purdue Football returns to the gridiron for a Big Ten battle. The Boilermakers host the Northwestern Wildcats in a sold-out Ross-Ade Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on BTN.

Saturday’s game marks the third sellout at Ross-Ade this season (vs. Notre Dame, vs. Nebraska). The matchup is Purdue’s first Saturday home game since Sept. 28 (vs. Nebraska).

QUICK HITS

• Purdue and Northwestern first met exactly 129 years ago (Nov. 2, 1895). Ninety years later (Nov. 2, 1985), the Boilermakers beat the Wildcats 31-7 on this date.

• The Boilermakers have won three of the past five meetings, starting with a victory in 2019 that snapped a five-game losing streak in the series (2014-18).

• A season ago, Purdue ran for 303 yards against the Wildcats, their second straight 300-yard rushing game after racking up 353 rushing yards in the win over Minnesota one week prior; the Boilermakers recorded back-to-back 300-yard rushing games for the first time since 1968.

• As a true freshman, quarterback Ryan Browne made his collegiate debut, rushing for 85 yards and passing for 104 yards (12-of-16), while splitting time with Bennett Meredith in place of an injured Hudson Card.

• The last time these two teams met in West Lafayette, the Boilermakers protected their frozen tundra (wind chills in single digits) with a 17-9 victory (Nov. 19, 2022); Kydran Jenkins tallied team highs in tackles (7) and TFLs (2.0).

• Purdue has rushed for at least 200 yards in three games this year, the most 200-yard games in a season since 2018.

• Tight end Max Klare leads the Boilermakers in receptions (24), receiving yards (384) and receiving touchdowns (2). Klare is on pace to become the first Purdue tight end to lead the team in receptions since current tight ends coach Justin Sinz hauled in 41 receptions (240 yards, four touchdowns) during the 2013 season.

• One of the nation’s leading tacklers as an All-American a season ago, sophomore Dillon Thieneman ranks second in the Big Ten and 13th nationally in solo tackles (5.0 per game) this year. The 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year leads the Boilermakers in total tackles (54) and solo tackles (35) once again this season.

• Kydran Jenkins ranks fourth in the Big Ten in sacks (0.71 per game). Jenkins is the conference leader in sacks wearing a Big Ten uniform, recording 21.5 throughout his career to also rank sixth in Purdue history.

• Devin Mockobee ranks fifth in the Big Ten in yards per carry (6.30).

• Starting center Gus Hartwig has a 81.4 pass blocking grade from PFF, not giving up a sack and allowing only one hit on the quarterback.

• Kyndrich Breedlove has recorded all three of Purdue’s interceptions this season, ranking third in the Big Ten and 13th nationally.

• In his first season as a Boilermaker, Keelan Crimmins is on pace for the second-best punting average (44.4 yards per punt) in program history, behind only 2001 Ray Guy Award winner Travis Dorsch (48.1 yards per punt).

SERIES HISTORY

• Purdue and Northwestern will square off for the 89th time on Saturday.

• The Boilermakers’ 53 wins over the Wildcats is just the second highest tally against an opponent, trailing 77 wins over Indiana.

• The two clubs have faced each other every year since 2014. The Boilermakers have won three of the last five matchups.

• Otis Armstrong rushed for a then-school record 233 yards on 32 carries in the 1972 matchup, before later rushing for 276 yards against Indiana, a record still unbroken.

ON THIS DATE

• Purdue and Northwestern met for the first time (Nov. 2, 1895). The matchup took place at Stuart Field, which also served as the home of Purdue Baseball as well as the practice field for the Purdue Student Artillery Training Corps.

 • The Boilermakers beat Northwestern 31-7 at Ross-Ade Stadium (Nov. 2, 1985).

 • No. 6 Purdue celebrates Homecoming with a 35-17 victory over Illinois (Nov. 2, 1968), part of an 8-2 season for Jack Mollenkopf’s Boilermakers.

 • In Mollenkopf’s second season, the Boilermakers took down the Illini 21-6 in Champaign (Nov. 9, 1957).

  •  As part of the 1929 perfect season (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten), Jim Phelan led Purdue to a 13-0 shutout victory at Wisconsin.

LEADING THE O-LINE

•  Center Gus Hartwig and right tackle Marcus Mbow have been the leaders on Purdue’s offensive line this season.

•  Both Boilermakers have started all seven games this season, bringing a total of 70 starts between the duo (Hartwig – 43, Mbow – 27).

•  Hartwig has earned an 81.4 pass blocking grade from PFF, not allowing a sack and only surrendering one hit on the quarterback.

•  Going up against No. 2 Oregon, Mbow earned a spot on the PFF National Team of the Week for battling the Ducks’ difficult defensive line.

MAD MAX

• Max Klare has not missed a beat since he returned to the lineup at the start of the season.

• The sophomore tight end leads Purdue in receptions (24), receiving yards (384) and receiving touchdowns (2).

• He had his best game as a Boilermaker at No. 23 Illinois (Oct. 12), hauling in six receptions for a career-high 133 yards. It marked the most receiving yards by a Purdue tight end since Payne Durham’s 150-yard night in the 2021 season opener and the sixth most by a Boilermaker tight end since 1996. Klare added 76 yards after catch as part of his receiving total.

• Klare was on pace to be one of the best tight ends in the country before his 2023 season was cut short. However, the sophomore bounced back in the 2024 season opener with five catches for 71 yards, both team highs.

• He also caught Purdue’s first touchdown of the season, a 9-yard strike from Hudson Card on the opening drive.

• Klare was also tabbed to the Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List ahead of the year.

HERE COMES THE MOCK TRAIN            

• From walk-on to phenom, Devin Mockobee has certainly made a name for himself in his time in West Lafayette.

• With 11 carries for 102 yards at No. 23 Illinois (Oct. 12), Mockobee became the seventh Boilermaker to produce at least eight 100-yard rushing games over a career and the first since Kory Sheets (2005-08) recorded nine over his career.

• He rushed for a season-high 168 rushing yards at Oregon State (Sept. 21), becoming the sixth Boilermaker since 1996 to record a 100-yard rushing game in three separate seasons.

• Breaking open a 63-yard rush against the Beavers, he eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards for his career.

• Mockobee sits 11th on Purdue’s all-time rushing list (2,289), passing legendary All-American running back Leroy Keyes (2,094) against Nebraska (Sept. 28). He also sits in a tie for 11th with 17 rushing touchdowns.

• He started his career by setting a new Purdue freshman record with 968 rushing yards while also adding nine touchdowns.

• After being put on scholarship in the first official act of the Walters era, he led the team in rushing once again with 807 yards and six touchdowns in 2023.

• In doing so, Mockobee became the first Boilermaker to lead the team in rushing in back-to-back seasons since Markell Jones, who did it three years running (2015-17).

• The Boonville, Ind., native is one of only four Big Ten players to rush for more than 800 yards in each of the past two seasons.

TACKLES-4-LOSS                                          

• One of the major anchors of the defense is senior Kydran Jenkins (KAY-dran), who ranks sixth in Purdue history with 21.5 career sacks and 12th with 39.5 tackles-for-loss.

• The senior linebacker leads the Boilermakers in TFLs (8.0) and sacks (5.0), while ranking second in tackles (52).

• Jenkins sacks per game (0.71) ranks fourth in the Big Ten.

• Jenkins had a huge game against Oregon State (Sept. 21), recording a career-high 16 tackles to go along with 3.0 TFLs and 2.0 sacks. With his second sack of the contest, he became the eighth Boilermaker in program history to make 20 career sacks.

• As a junior, Jenkins finished second in the Big Ten in tackles-for-loss with 15.5 on the year, ranking 18th in the country and the most by a Boilermaker since George Karlaftis in 2019 (17.0).

• He garnered All-Big Ten Honorable Mention for the second straight year in 2023.

• A versatile player, Jenkins moved from RUSH END to middle linebacker ahead of the 2024 campaign, a position he played in high school and a spot the coaching staff believed would do more to impress NFL scouts.

DT THE TACKLING MACHINE

• After pacing Purdue and becoming one of the nation’s leading tacklers as a freshman, Dillon Thieneman is back atop the Boilermakers’ chart for tackles in 2024.

• The sophomore defensive back leads Purdue in total tackles (54) and solo tackles (35), ranking second in the Big Ten solo tackles and sixth in total tackles.

• Thieneman’s 5.0 solo tackles per game rank 13th nationally.

• A season ago, Thieneman led the team with 106 tackles, ranking fifth in the Big Ten among all players and the most by any freshman in the country

• His 74 solo tackles in 2023 led all freshmen nationwide and set a new Purdue freshman record.

HIGHWAY TO HELDT

• After recording only 12 tackles throughout his freshman season, sophomore rush end Will Heldt has made 34 tackles this season. He is tied for the team lead in sacks (5.0), while ranking second in tackles-for-loss (6.5).

• Heldt recorded his first career touchdown with a 16-yard scoop-and-score at No. 23 Illinois (Oct. 12).

• At Wisconsin (Oct. 5), Heldt recorded a career-high eight tackles to pace Purdue.

• Heldt started the season with a team-high seven tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks in the win over Indiana State. Prior to the season opener, Heldt’s career high in tackles were two.

LOVIN’ THE INTs

• An important part of Purdue’s nickel defense, Kyndrich Breedlove produced a breakout game at Wisconsin (Oct. 5).

• The Nashville, Tennessee, native hauled in interceptions on back-to-back drives in the second quarter for Purdue’s first INTs of the season.

• Breedlove’s performance marked just the eighth time in the last decade that a Boilermaker recorded two interceptions in one game and the first since Dillon Thieneman did it in the 2023 season finale victory over Indiana.

• He added his third INT of the season against No. 2 Oregon (Oct. 18), accounting for all three of Purdue’s interceptions to become the 13th Boilermaker over the past decade to pick off three passes in a season.

• Breedlove also leads the Boilermakers with four pass breakups on the season.

SPECIAL TEAMS BEING SPECIAL

• Pro Football Focus graded the Boilermakers’ special teams at 91.1, the best in the nation, through the first four games of the year. The Boilermakers are now 11th at 88.2.

• Purdue was ranked atop the ESPN Football Power Index Special Teams Efficiency at 80.5 through the first four games, as well.

• Purdue is one of eight teams nationally and the only one from the Big Ten with three blocked kicks this season (2 – FG, 1 – Punt).

• Purdue ranks eighth in the Big Ten in kickoff return average (20.9), seventh in kick return defense (16.1) and eighth in net punting (41.4).

• Elijah Jackson is fifth in the conference with 18.1 yards per kick return this season.

• Punter Keelan Crimmins is 20th nationally and fourth in the Big Ten with a 44.6 punt average on the year.

• In his second year with the program, special teams coach Chris Petrilli has boosted the Boilermakers’ special teams, including the kickoff return for a touchdown last season, the program’s first in more than a decade.

PURDUE XC

BOILERMAKERS SET FOR BIG TEN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS ON FRIDAY

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue cross country team is set to compete in the 2024 Big Ten Cross Country Championships on Friday morning in Savoy, Ill., hosted by the University of Illinois.

Gates open at the Illinois Orange and Blue Golf Course at 9 a.m. on Friday with the women starting their 6,000-meter race at 11:35 a.m. with the men’s race to follow at 12:35 p.m.

The races will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.

The Boilermakers got an early look at the conference circuit ahead of the first running as an 18-team race for the women and 15-team race for the men back on Sept. 13 for the Big Ten Preview. Payne Turney paced the Boilermakers on the women’s side in 13th to help Purdue finish sixth. The men placed fifth with Nathan Walker leading the way.

Last time out, the men dominated their race at Wisconsin Pre-Nationals to win, as Nathan Walker and Douglas Buckeridge came in second and fourth, respectively. The men had four of their scoring runners finish in the top 20. Turney finished 34th in the women’s race to lead Purdue to a 13th-place finish.

Walker and Turney have led their respective teams in every race this year.

PURDUE WRESTLING

BOILERMAKERS OPEN SEASON WITH DUAL AT GARDNER-WEBB

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Purdue Wrestling is set to start the regular season with a non-conference dual at Gardner-Webb on Friday. The meet is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Paul Porter Arena and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

The Boilermakers return 20 wrestlers from last season and welcome eight true freshmen to the roster.

Preseason national rankings continue to roll in, and five Purdue wrestlers have earned rankings in their respective weight classes: Matt Ramos (No. 4 at 125), Joey Blaze (No. 15 at 157), Greyson Clark (No. 23 at 141), Stoney Buell (No. 23 at 165) and Brody Baumann (No. 31 at 174).

All five preseason ranked wrestlers on the team earned automatic qualifying bids for last season’s NCAA Tournament. Each of the five are slotted as projected starters against Gardner-Webb.

Additionally, Dustin Norris (133 pounds), Isaac Ruble (149), James Rowley (184), Ben Vanadia (197) and Hayden Filipovich (285) are all probable starters for Purdue.

The experienced group of Purdue starters has a combined 477 matches under their belt, and a total record of 255-222.

Ashton Jackson (125), Cole Solomey (141), Jaden Reynolds (149) and Orlando Cruz (174) will also make the road trip to potentially compete.

Gardner-Webb competes in the Southern Conference, in which it finished sixth as a team last season. The Runnin’ Bulldogs went 7-9 overall and 3-5 in conference in 2023-24.

The dual marks the Boilermakers’ first trip to North Carolina since competing at the Fighting Camel Duals last December. Purdue won the third of its three matches that day in a competitive quad meet, defeating Campbell by a score of 21-17.

In addition to the live broadcast on ESPN+, fans can follow Friday’s dual via the @PurdueWrestling Twitter/X page, where live updates will be posted throughout the event.   

     

NOTRE DAME MEN’S BASKETBALL

IRISH PASS PRESEASON TEST WITH FLYING COLORS, DEFEAT PURDUE FORT WAYNE, 91-54

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – It was hoops for a cause on Wednesday night as Notre Dame men’s hoops traveled two hours to challenge Purdue Fort Wayne in a charity exhibition. All proceeds tonight benefited both Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne. Then the Irish gave its fans a good cause to be excited for the Nov. 6 season opener, recording a dominant 91-54 victory over the Mastodons.

Notre Dame scored 51 second-half points on a blistering 70.4 percent from the field. There was one point in the second half in which ND was 8-for-11 from beyond the arc, ultimately finishing 9-for-15. All-in-all eight Irish drained a three in the game finishing 14-of-28.

Eight Irish finished with six or more points, with three finishing in double figures. As a team, Notre Dame finished 56.9 percent from the field. Preseason All-ACC First Team selection Markus Burton scored 12 of his 18 points in the second half.

Braeden Shrewsberry shot 4-of-7 from deep and 7-of-12 overall to tie Burton for a game-high 18 points. J.R. Konieczny came off the bench and hit three treys to finish with 11 points.

Notre Dame outrebounded Purdue Fort Wayne, 39-22, and forced 14 turnovers. They limited a veteran Mastodons squad to 34.6 percent shooting.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Notre Dame started with great pace on the offensive end while causing havoc on the defensive side. Braeden Shrewsberry picked up right where he left off, starting the contest with a three-pointer. Two possessions later, Tae Davis earned the steal and scored on the breakaway and the Irish were off to the races. 

At the 15:40 media timeout, the Notre Dame defense had already forced six turnovers, resulting in an 11-4 ND lead.

Davis and J.R. Konieczny later splashed in three-pointers and by the next media at 11:53, the Irish were on a 13-0 run, were 4-for-7 from beyond the arc and now boasted a 22-4 lead.

However, the Irish offense did hit a bit of a lull. After scoring 22 points in the first eight minutes, the second eight-minute stretch only resulted in 10 points. This allowed Purdue Fort Wayne to close the gap slightly, but not by a ton thanks to the Irish defense. All-in-all, Notre Dame was still up double-digits at 34-20.

Then it started clicking again right before the half, as Notre Dame ended on a 6-1 run over the final 2:09. First, a backdoor cut and score from Shrewsberry. That was followed by some great team offensive rebounding which led to a Davis putback. Matt Allocco then tacked on a pair of free throws and ND took a 40-21 lead into halftime. 

At the midway point, Shrewsberry led with 10 points followed closely by Davis’ eight. Notre Dame was outrebounding Purdue Fort Wayne, 23-9, which included seven offensive boards, resulting in six second-chance points. In addition, Notre Dame forced 11 first-half turnovers which they converted into 16 points.

Njie got the offense going to start the second half for he was involved in each of the first three scores, whether it was two defensive boards that led to Burton layups or scoring a driving layup of his own.

Next, a floating jumper from Shrewsberry, followed soon after by a three from him, made it a 13-3 Irish second-half start.

The shots were flowing at this point. Burton, Allocco, Mohammed and Konieczny all recorded points next, and the Irish started the second half 9-of-10 from the field to jump out to a commanding 61-29 lead.

Then the threes were falling as Shrewsberry hit his fourth of the game, followed by treys from Burton, Burke Chebuhar, Julian Roper and Cole Certa (x2). Notre Dame hit six threes in a four-minute span to make it 84-47 with just under five minutes remaining. From there, the bench emptied and the 91-54 final ensued.

UP NEXT

For Notre Dame men’s basketball fans, November 6 has been circled on their calendar. Year two of the Shrewsberry Era will officially tip off next Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET inside Purcell Pavilion. The contest will also be streamed live on ACCNX.

Tickets are still available on FightingIrish.com. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a “Set The Tone” Rally Towel, presented by Pella Windows and Doors of Northern Indiana.

NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

HIDALGO, KING, MILES WOW IN 101-41 WIN OVER DAVENPORT

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame put on a show in its first public appearance of the season, as the sixth-ranked Irish topped Davenport in an exhibition match on Wednesday night, 101-41.

Notre Dame got off to a fast start, outscoring the Panthers 33-6 in the first quarter. Hannah Hidalgo had 14 points, 3 assists and 2 steals in just over 7 minutes played. She was 5-5 from the floor. Olivia Miles returned to the game after nearly two years, starting strong with 2 points, 2 assists, 3 rebounds, a steal and a block in her first quarter back.

At the half, Notre Dame was up 63-17 and had three players in double-figures — Hidalgo (18), Liatu King (17) and Miles (12). The group shot 77.4 percent from the floor and had 11 steals and 8 blocks.

It was more of the same out of the break, as the Irish outscored Davenport in the third quarter, 28-7.

At the buzzer, Notre Dame had four players in double-figures, including freshman Kate Koval. The 6-5 forward recorded 11 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 blocks on the night. She led the team in rejections.

Both Hidalgo and Miles were on triple-double watch on the night, as Hidalgo finished with 31 points, 7 boards, 9 assists and 5 steals. Miles had 15, 10, 9 and 2, respectively. King, who had 18 double-doubles last year at Pittsburgh, notched 27 points and 14 boards while shooting 11-15 on the night.

Notre Dame formally opens its season at Purcell Pavilion on Monday against Mercyhurst. The game will air on the ACC Network, and tip off is at 5 p.m.

NOTRE DAME VOLLEYBALL

IRISH BATTLE AT #4 LOUISVILLE

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-11, 2-9) fell to the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals (18-3, 10-1) on Wednesday evening on the road (17-25, 17-25, 21-25).

Morgan Gaerte led the way with nine kills, followed by Phyona Schrader with seven kills. Hattie Monson recorded a team-best 13 digs and Grace Langer finished with a team-high three blocks.

The Irish came out strong in the first set, posting an impressive 6-1 lead over the top-5 Cardinals to force an early Louisville timeout. The Cardinals battled back to make it an even 9-all. A Palazzolo ace would put the Irish back in front at 14-13, but the Cardinals would go on a 7-2 run to make it 20-16 and force the Notre Dame timeout. Louisville would take set one 25-17.

It was back-and-forth to start the second set, but a solo block from Bjork gave the Irish the 10-9 lead. The Cardinals led 15-12 at the media timeout and would go on to take set two 25-17 as well.

While the Irish trailed by as much as 12 in the third set, Notre Dame continued to battle. Down 19-7, the Irish went on an 11-3 run to cut the deficit to four as a Gaerte ace forced a Cardinal timeout. A kill from Schrader and a Louisville attacking error cut the gap to two at 22-20. The Irish were hanging around as a solo block from Mallory Bohl made it 24-21, but the Cardinals would send home one last kill to take set three 25-21.

The Irish face the No. 4 Cardinals again on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Purcell Pavilion at 3:00 p.m.

BUTLER MEN’S BASKETBALL

BUTLER REGISTERS 88-47 EXHIBITION WIN OVER ILLINOIS WESLEYAN

Butler cruised to an 88-47 win over Illinois Wesleyan Wednesday night in an exhibition contest at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs will next be in action Monday night in the team’s regular season opener.

The Bulldogs put five players in double figures and shot 54 percent from the field. The balanced effort saw nine Bulldogs play between 15 and 22 minutes.

KEY MOMENT:

Six straight points by Patrick McCaffery started the landslide of a Butler first-half run as the Bulldog newcomer turned a 10-10 tie into a 16-10 lead that eventually became a 16-0 run.

HOW IT TRANSPIRED:

The score was tied, 10-10, less than six minutes into the contest before the Bulldogs unleashed an extended 33-2 run that had the Bulldogs up 43-12 with 3:17 remaining in the half.

Illinois Wesleyan made four of their first 11 attempts from the field as the game was knotted 10-10. Butler’s defense then held the Titans to 2-for-25 shooting to close the first half.

The second half looked a lot like the closing segment of the opening half as Butler’s lead was never smaller than 26 points. The 41-point final margin was Butler’s largest lead of the game.

NOTEWORTHY:

Butler shot 57 percent in the first half while holding the visiting Titans to 6-for-36 (17 percent) shooting over the first 20 minutes.

Augusto Cassia scored 11 points in 6:45 of game action in the first half; he scored nine points during the entirety of his freshman 2023-24 season. Cassia finished with 13 points.

McCaffery scored 13 points, matching Cassia for the team-high. He scored 10 of the team’s first 16 points.

Both Andre Screen and Kolby King pulled down 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs; Screen added 10 points, three blocks and two assists.

Pierre Brooks II and Finley Bizjack each scored 11 points and were the fourth and fifth Bulldogs in double figures.

Butler made 10 of its 26 attempts from three-point range; eight different Bulldogs hit at least one three-pointer.

Mason Funk was the only IWU player to score double figures (10). 

IWU lost to DePaul, 76-60, Sunday night in Chicago.

UP NEXT: The Bulldogs open the regular season Monday when Missouri State comes to Hinkle. Tickets for the 6:45 p.m. tip are still available; the contest is part of FS1’s BIG EAST Opening Night Whip-Around Coverage. In addition to live look-ins on the game on FS1, fans can watch the game in its entirety on the FOX app.

BUTLER XC

BUTLERXCTF PREPARES TO DEFEND THE TITLE AT BIG EAST CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS ON FRIDAY

The Butler cross country team is set to compete at the BIG EAST Cross Country Championships Presented by JEEP on Friday at Morven Park in Leesburg, Va.

The women’s 6K will toe the line at 10 a.m. ET followed by the men’s 8K at 10:50 a.m. The awards ceremony starts at approximately 11:40 a.m.

Both championship races will be streamed live on the BIG EAST Digital Network available on FloSports, presented by Invesco QQQ.

General admission to all sessions will be included with parking and available for $10 (plus processing fee) per car. Spectators will have the option to purchase parking passes online before the championship or directly on the site. A link for purchasing is available HERE.

Women’s Preview

The Bulldog women head into the race with a solid mix of experienced veterans with some newcomers.

Elsa Rusthoven and Wiktoria Klebowska are the top returners after earning All-BIG EAST honors in 13th and 17th place at last year’s BIG EAST Championship. The team would finish fifth as a team for the second consecutive season.

Rusthoven represented the Bulldogs as an individual in the NCAA Championships. Klebowska has also found success early this season most recently at the Bradley “Pink” Classic where she placed fourth and scratched 16 seconds off her personal best.

Hannah Moore has also stepped into a larger role since joining the team in the fall. The true freshman has been the second Bulldog across the line in three of the four meets this season.

The trio will be joined by a field of teammates including Camille El Baghlouli, Kylie Cline, Ashley Learn, Ashlyn Minton, Alejandra Sierazy, and Renate Toldo.

Georgetown (No. 9) Providence (No. 12) and Villanova (No. 27) all enter as teams ranked in the most recent USTFCCCA national poll.

Men’s Preview

The Butler men’s team will prepare to defend their conference title after a dominant performance in last year’s race with five of the team’s scorers in the top 14.

As a team, Butler enters as the No. 28-ranked program in the country according to the latest USTFCCCA national poll. Villanova (No. 17) and Georgetown (No. 21) also join the Bulldogs atop the rankings.

The Bulldogs will reload with three of the five scorers from the 2023 title team making their return to the conference meet. Florian Le Pallec and William Zegarski are the top returners after leading the way in third and fourth, respectively, in 2023.

Zegarski picked up right where he left off earning two top-15 finishes at the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational and Wisconsin Pre-Nationals en route to earning his first career BIG EAST Male Athlete of the Week honors.

Le Pallec will also look to build off of his success earlier this year after earning a top-25 finish at the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational.

Rounding out the former All-BIG EAST honorees is Jesse Hamlin, who has yet to compete in a race this season. Hamlin is set to make his first appearance since receiving All-American honors in the 5,000 meters at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships last spring.

Zegarski, Le Pallec, and Hamlin will be joined by head coach Matt Roe’s lineup of Austin Gabay, David Slapak, Luke Henseler, Sean Byrnes, Martin Kovacech, Joe Barrett and Asher Propst.

Butler has won three of the last four BIG EAST championships, winning in 2023, 2021 and the spring of 2021 as the scheduled 2020 championship was moved due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Villanova won the conference title in 2022.

COACH MATT ROE ON THE TEAM

“We are excited about the championship on Friday,” coach Roe said. “Both teams are preparing well and are gaining momentum. They are ready to go.”

BUTLER SWIMMING

SWIMMING RETURNS TO ACTION THIS WEEKEND WITH TWO MEETS

The Butler swim team will compete on back-to-back days this weekend. Friday night the Bulldogs will compete at Valparaiso against the Beacons and Lewis University. The following day, Butler will head down to swim against UIndy and Northern Kentucky.

Butler defeated Valpo a year ago at this same meet and was narrowly defeated by Lewis. Alani Hightower-Bend won two events and dominated the 200 Free Relay with a 23.67 split. BU also opened up the month of November by swimming against UIndy last year. Multiple BIG EAST qualifying times were set at that meet.

This will be Butler’s first action since competing in the annual Indiana Intercolegiates meet hosted by Purdue. Their first meet of the season was the Butler Double Dual back on Sept. 29. The meets this weekend will be the final tune-up before the House of Champions meet set for Nov. 21-23.

BUTLER FOOTBALL

BUTLER WELCOMES STETSON TO THE SELLICK BOWL ON SATURDAY

The Bulldogs will open the final month of the regular season at home when they host the Stetson Hatters at 1 p.m. Action at the Sellick Bowl will stream on FloSports.com.

Game Day

Date: Saturday, November 2

Time: 1:00 PM ET

Location: Indianapolis, Ind. / Sellick Bowl

Live Stats: ButlerSports.com (Statbroadcast)

Watch: FloSports.com

Bulldog Bits

– Butler recorded their first win over Davidson since 2016 on Saturday.

– The Bulldogs were the first team to win at Davidson this season.

– Billy Dozier scored on a 63-yard run on Butler’s first snap at Davidson.

– Devaon Holman had a pick-six at Davidson in the first quarter.

– Reagan Andrew had rushing touchdowns in the second and fourth quarter vs. the Wildcats.

– Andrew has rushed for six touchdowns over his last four games.

– Griffin Caldwell ended the first half with a 13-yard rushing TD, his third of the season.

– Nick Howard came up with his sixth rushing TD of the season in the second half at Davidson.

– Ryan Short hit two of his three field goal attempts last Saturday; he was good from 26 and 31 yards.

– Butler’s defense forced three turnovers last week with two interceptions and a forced fumble.

– Jeremiah Jackson had a fourth quarter interception vs. the Wildcats; he returned it 35 yards to midfield.

– Jackson only needs one more tackle to reach 100 in his BU career.

– Jack Burch forced a fumble at Davidson and Will Mason recovered the ball.

– Mason came up with a career-high 10 tackles.

– Adam Sturtz matched Mason with 10 tackles.

– Sturtz was also credited with a career-high three tackles for loss and a sack.

– BU had four sacks in their last game to go along with nine tackles for loss.

– Steven Stephany had a career-high eight tackles.

– Ershod Jasey’s first PFL touchdown came on a 28-yard rush at Stetson in 2023.

– Brayton Spetter had a second half interception the last time Butler played Stetson.

PFL Schedule – Week 10

Dayton at Presbyterian 1:00 P.M.

Stetson at Butler 1:00 P.M.

St. Thomas at Morehead State 1:00 P.M.

Marist at Drake 2:00 P.M.

Davidson at San Diego 4:00 P.M.

PFL Standings

Drake 4-0, 5-1

St. Thomas 4-0, 5-3

Dayton 3-1, 5-2

Morehead State 3-1, 5-3

Davidson 3-2, 5-3

Butler 2-2, 6-2

San Diego 2-2, 4-3

Valparaiso 1-3, 3-5

Presbyterian 1-4, 3-6

Stetson 0-3, 2-5

Marist 0-5, 0-8

SCOUTING STETSON: The Hatters are a pass-heavy team that lead the PFL and rank 11th in the FCS in passing offense (275.4). Brady Meitz has 14 passing touchdowns on the year to six different targets. The top red zone options on the roster are Fabian Baez and Aanjay Feliciano. Each player has five touchdowns on the year. Baez leads the team in both receptions (32) and yards (445). The Hatters are still searching for their first PFL win of the season. They are 0-3 in league play and have not found the win column since Sept. 7.

Kyle Elphick and Andrew Martin are the leaders of a Stetson defense that ranks second among FCS schools in red zone defense. Elphick ranks second in the league in tackles (69) after notching a team-high 14 in the setback to Presbyterian.

ALL-TIME SERIES: Butler leads the all-time series against Stetson 5-1. These two programs faced off for the first time in 2013 with the Bulldogs winning 35-15. BU earned wins over Stetson in the first four meetings, but took a three-point road loss to the Hatters in 2019.

The Bulldogs have scored at least 23 points in every matchup vs. Stetson. They are averaging 36.7 points per game this season.

LAST MEETING: Butler recorded a 28-18 victory at Stetson last year in the 2023 PFL opener. The Bulldogs took control of the action in the second quarter by outscoring the Hatters 14-0. BU rushed for 322 yards and four touchdowns in the outcome.

Butler’s defense got a lift from Devaon Holman who picked off two passes to stop Stetson drives. The ‘Dawgs also had nine tackles for loss. Each stop behind the line of scrimmage came from a different player.

NO FLY ZONE: Butler ranks second in the nation in passing yards allowed (132.8). Davidson and Drake are the only two teams to pass for over 200 yards against BU this season.

The Bulldogs rank second among FCS schools in total defense (262.0). Butler also ranks third in the country in scoring defense, allowing just 14.5 point per game.

STRONG PLAY FROM STURTZ: LB Adam Sturtz has recorded 26 total tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks over his last three games.

Sturtz ranks second in the PFL in tackles for loss (10), is eighth in sacks (4) and is tied for the team lead with 46 total tackles.

UPCOMING MILESTONES: Ethan Loss needs 73 receiving yards to reach 1,000 in his career. Reagan Andrew is also just 63 passing yards away from 1,000.

Loss has recorded 50+ receiving yards in six of Butler’s eight games this year. His season-high total came at Drake three weeks ago when he caught eight passes for 86 yards. Andrew has passed for 100+ yards in five of his eight games. His career-high total came in the win at Murray State (193 yards).

DUAL THREAT: Reagan Andrew set new career-high totals at Davidson in rushing yards (98), rushing touchdowns (2), and longest rush (41).

Andrew’s 41-yard touchdown run came near the two minute mark of the fourth quarter and gave BU a 48-31 advantage.

BIG PLAYS: Billy Dozier (63), Griffin Caldwell (38), and Archie Cox (51) all made career-long plays at Davidson.

Dozier’s career-long rush opened the game for Butler and Caldwell’s rush opened up the second quarter. Cox’s career-long kick return came in the closing minutes of the third quarter.

WELL DONE WOOTEN: WR Luke Wooten recorded the first 100-yard receiving game for Butler this year with exactly 100 yards at Davidson on four receptions.

Wooten needs six catches to move into 10th place all-time at Butler in career receptions. He heads into the weekend with 112. 10th place is currently held by Paul Page (83-86) and Tom Redmond (70-72).

MOVE THE CHAINS: Butler leads the PFL and ranks second in the nation in third down conversion percentage.

Butler converts on third down 55.9 percent of the time. Only North Dakota State has a better percentage at 56.4.

LEADING SCORER: Ryan Short led all PFL kickers last week with 12 points.

Short hit six extra points and added a pair of field goals in Butler’s win.

UP NEXT: The Hoosier Helmet trophy will be on the line next weekend when Butler plays at Valparaiso. The 2 p.m. kick will stream on ESPN+.

Butler has won the last two meetings vs. Valparaiso with a 26-25 win at Brown Field followed by a 17-7 victory the following year at the Sellick Bowl. Next Saturday’s game will be the 84th meeting between the two programs. The first matchup was held in Indianapolis back in 1927!

BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER

PREVIEW: BUTLER HOSTS VILLANOVA FOR FINAL REGULAR-SEASON MATCH

The Butler women’s soccer team will host Villanova in the Sellick Bowl on Thursday in the final match of the 2024 regular season.
 
The Bulldogs (9-4-4, 4-2-3 BIG EAST) are coming off a week that saw a win over St. John’s and a tie at Creighton.
 
Villanova (5-6-6, 2-2-5 BIG EAST) lost to No. 23 Georgetown and then tied Providence in its most recent action. The Wildcats have additional wins this season that include Marquette and Creighton and they also tied UConn, St. John’s, DePaul, and Seton Hall.

BIG EAST Tournament
Portions of the BIG EAST Tournament makeup have already been determined. Georgetown and Xavier have clinched the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds and the bye to the semifinals. Their match on Thursday will determine the Champion and top seed. Creighton and Butler are locked in to either No. 3 or No. 4 and will each host a first-round match. UConn is the No. 5 seed regardless of the outcome of the other matches. Finally, DePaul, Villanova and Providence are fighting for the No. 6 seed.

Butler vs Villanova
DATE/TIME:    Thursday, October 31 // 7PM
LOCATION:     Indianapolis // Sellick Bowl
LIVE VIDEO:     FloSports
LIVE STATS:     butlersports.com/StatBroadcast

Bulldog Bits

        (as of 10/27/24)

Talia Sommer is 2nd in the BIG EAST (23rd nationally) with a .600 shot accuracy. She is 2nd in the conference (46th) with 7 assists, 5th (52nd) with 23 total points, and 5th (81st) with 8 goals.

Anna Pierce is 2nd in the BIG EAST (47th nationally) with 7 shutouts. She is 3rd with a .941 goals-against average.

Talia Sommer earned BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week honors after she dished out an assist on four of Butler’s five goals last week.

Leila Lister and Abigail Isger each scored a goal in each of Butler’s most recent two matches.

Butler and Villanova tied, 1-1, in the 2023 match in Villanova, Pa.

Butler’s most recent win in the series (1-0) was in 2022 in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs are 6-0-2 in the most recent eight contests.

Villanova’s most recent win (1-0) was in 2014 in Indianapolis. The Wildcats won the first four matches in the series, from 2001 -2014.

IU INDY WOMEN’S SOCCER

JAGUARS DROP REGULAR SEASON FINALE AT PURDUE FORT WAYNE

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The IU Indianapolis women’s soccer team brought its regular season to a close on Wednesday (Oct. 30) with a 3-0 road loss at Purdue Fort Wayne. The Jaguars, who had already clinched a spot in the upcoming Horizon League Tournament, missed out on the opportunity to potentially host a first round tournament game with the defeat.

Purdue Fort Wayne’s Scarlett Webster scored the game’s first two goals and Gigi Ricciardi added a late marker in the 85th minute.

The Mastodons (9-9-1, 4-6 HL) were the aggressors from the outset, putting immediate pressure on the Jags defense and senior goalkeeper Ashton Kudlo. Webster finally broke through in the 34th minute when she redirected a shot just over the head of Kudlo from in close off a cross from Lauren Klusek. The Jaguars attempted just three shots in the opening stanza with the lone one on frame coming from Bethany Hartigan in the 42nd minute.

IU Indy (5-10-3, 4-4-2 HL) hunted an equalizer early in the second half, largely behind Maia Ransom, but was unable to build much against the Mastodon defense. Webster tallied again in the 62nd minute when her initial attempt was blocked, but she put the rebound past Kudlo for her fourth score of the year.

Ricciardi turned in late insurance with a free kick in the 85th minute for her fourth score of the year.

The Jaguars were outshot 17-5 overall and 7-1 on target as Kudlo finished with four saves. Hartigan had a team-high two shot attempts in 54 minutes off the bench.

The Jaguars will hit the road for the Horizon League Quarterfinals on Sunday (Nov. 3) at 1:00 p.m. and will learn of its opponent later this evening.

BALL STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DEFEATS IU KOKOMO IN EXHIBITION PLAY

MUNCIE, Ind. – It appears as if the Cardinals picked up right where they left off from last year’s record-breaking season after opening the game with a stingy defense and an offensive rhythm that couldn’t be stopped. That hard core toughness led to Ball State’s impressive, 98-45, win over IU Kokomo in exhibition action Wednesday night in Worthen Arena.

The Cardinals handled the ball well, made good passes, and found open shots especially inside the paint. The well-rounded offense allowed Ball State to do what they do best and that’s make baskets from all areas of the court. All-in-all the team chemistry seemed to remain the same from last season’s squad despite some new faces on the court.

A total of 11 different players saw action for the Cardinals, with all 11 scoring at least two points or more. The high scorers for Ball State had 15, 14, and 10, respectively.

But ultimately what jumped off the stat page the most was the Cardinals defense, holding the Cougars to under 50 points while forcing them to commit 23 turnovers in which BSU turned into 24 points.

The Cardinals will now officially open their season at home against Old Dominion on Monday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 pm ET in Worthen Arena for the first of two MAC/SBC Challenge games.

Single game tickets are on sale now! Secure your seats for any upcoming game and be part of the excitement at Worthen Arena! Tickets are priced at just $12 for adults and $7 for youth (18 and under).

PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL

NOTRE DAME TOPS PURDUE FORT WAYNE IN CHARITY EXHIBITION

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Jalen Jackson scored 13 points in Purdue Fort Wayne’s 91-54 loss to Notre Dame in a charity exhibition on Wednesday (Oct. 30) evening at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. A crowd of 5,905 fans witnessed the game.

Proceeds from the contest benefited the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana.

Markus Burton and Braeden Shrewsberry each scored 18 points to lead Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish led 9-4 when they went on a 13-0 run in the first half. They took a 40-21 lead to the break.

Jackson wasn’t the only Mastodon in double-figures. Deangelo Elisee added 10 points in eight minutes while recording two steals. Corey Hadnot II finished with nine points.

Notre Dame shot 56.9 percent (33-of-58) from the floor while limiting the ‘Dons to 34.6 percent (18-of-52).

Wednesday was just a warmup for the ‘Dons. The 2024-25 season gets started for real on Monday (Nov. 4) against Bluffton.

PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S SOCCER

PURDUE FORT WAYNE WOMEN’S SOCCER QUALIFIES FOR HORIZON LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s soccer team has qualified for the 2024 Horizon League Championship.

Purdue Fort Wayne will play at Detroit Mercy on Sunday (Nov. 3) at 1 p.m.

After the Mastodons’ 3-0 victory over IU Indianapolis on Wednesday (Oct. 30), the ‘Dons had to wait for their tournament futures with the Wright State at Northern Kentucky match determining if they made the field. With NKU’s 1-0 win over Wright State, the Mastodons finished sixth in the standings to make the field ahead of the Raiders.

The ‘Dons last made the field in 2022 when they finished second in the HL regular season.

EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

ACES WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PICKS UP EXHIBITION WIN OVER FRANKLIN

EVANSVILLE, IN – Powered by a 26-point, 14-rebound performance from sophomore Maggie Hartwig (Sauk City, Wis. / Sauk Prairie HS), the University of Evansville women’s basketball team opened its 2024-25 campaign with an 86-60 exhibition victory over Franklin College in front of a sellout crowd at Meeks Family Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.

Hartwig, a sophomore forward who averaged 11.5 points and 7.5 boards during her freshman season for the Aces, knocked down 10-of-18 shots from the field while seeing 3-of-5 shots drop from beyond the arc in just over 30 minutes of action.

“It was fun to get out and play a game,” said Head Coach Robyn Scherr following the win. “It’s been practicing all fall so it’s nice to get out and kind of see what we can do in this environment with fans in the stands. It was a great crowd.

“I was pleased. We had a really good first half. I would have liked for some things in the second half to be cleaner. But I thought we did a really good job in the first half in scoring 50 points. We had a really big second quarter so that part was fun.”

After a slow opening quarter that saw the teams swap the lead five times, the Aces began to push the pace on their way to a 30-point second quarter that gave them a 50-33 advantage at halftime. The Aces used a strong showing in the front court as they outrebounded the Grizzles 43-31 while outscoring the visitors 46-26 from close range.

Overall, Evansville saw eight players score in the contest for over 50% shooting on the night.

Along with Hartwig’s double-double night, freshman guard Camryn Runner added an efficient 15 points while dishing seven assists. Senior Julia Palomo and freshman Avery Kelly scored in double figures as well with 11 apiece.

Kelly, an Evansville native who prepped at Memorial High School, added to her double figure scoring night with five assists and seven rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.

Franklin, winners of 17 games in 2023-24, was led by Jordan Coon with 15 points.

Evansville opens its regular season on the road on Tuesday against IU-Indianapolis. The game is slated to tipoff at 5:30p.m. CT and can be streamed on ESPN+.

SOUTHERN INDIANA XC

EAGLES SET TO RACE FOR OVC TITLES

EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Men’s and Women’s Cross Country races for league crowns Friday when it competes at the Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country Championships in Martin, Tennessee.

The Screaming Eagles are looking for their first conference team titles in both the men’s and women’s race after each team finished second at the 2023 OVC Championships.

USI has a long history of winning conference titles. The Eagles won a league-record 27 Great Lakes Valley Conference men’s championships and 14 women’s championships during their time at the Division II level.

Individually, USI’s men and women have enjoyed success on the grass in their previous two visits to the OVC Championships. Noah Hufnagel and Lauren Griewe became the first student-athletes in school history to win a conference title at the Division I level when they respectively finished first in the men’s and women’s races at the 2022 OVC Championships.

Both programs have enjoyed success this season, with USI’s women coming off their second first-place finish of the year at the Angel Mounds Invitational. Four different runners have been first to cross the finish line for the Eagles, including sophomore Ellie Hall, who led USI with a fourth-place showing at the Angel Mounds Invitational.

Senior Audrey Comastri paced USI with a fourth-place showing at the season-opening Sam Bell Invitational, while sophomore Zoe Seward led USI at the UT Martin OVC Preview and the Gans Creek Classic. Sophomore Ahmira Pickett was the first Eagle to cross the finish line at the Live in the Lou Classic.

Seward was the 2023 OVC Freshman of the Year and was first-team All-OVC with her fourth-place finish at last year’s league meet. Junior Micah Peals was second-team All-OVC with her 14th-place finish last year.

USI’s men have been led by senior Brady Terry, who recently won his third OVC Runner of the Week award following his second-place finish at the Angel Mounds Invitational. Outside the Eagles’ season-opener when he was the fourth Eagle to cross the finish line, Terry is undefeated against OVC competition this season.

He was first at the UT Martin OVC Preview last month and is among the favorites to win the OVC title Friday as he owns the OVC’s fastest eight-kilometer time of the season—24 minutes, 10.5 seconds at the Angel Mounds Invitational.

Sophomore Alex Nolan also should play a major role for USI’s men after earning OVC Freshman of the Year and second-team All-OVC laurels with his 10th-place finish at the conference meet a year ago. Terry also was second-team All-OVC following his 13th-place finish at the league meet last season.

The women are scheduled to toe the start line at 9 a.m. Friday, while the men’s 8K follows at 10 a.m. The races will be held on the University of Tennessee Martin campus.

SOUTEHRN INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER

GRAFTON SISTERS RECEIVE ALL-OVC HONORS

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer had two Screaming Eagles receive Ohio Valley Conference postseason honors on Wednesday. The league’s head coaches and communication directors voted upon the postseason accolades.

It was announced that junior defender Charli Grafton and junior midfielder Emerson Grafton were recognized by the conference for their performances in 2024. Both Graftons were named to the All-OVC Second Team, and Emerson was also selected to the OVC All-Newcomer Team.

Anchoring the defensive unit, Charli Grafton earned All-OVC Second Team honors for the second consecutive season. Primarily as the right centerback, Grafton led a Southern Indiana backline that dealt with injury-related adversity during the season, resulting in multiple player combinations. The junior’s consistency helped USI to earn four shutouts in the regular season, including three in the final four matches of OVC play. One of the Eagles’ captains, Grafton once again started every match during the 2024 regular season. Grafton totaled 1,590 minutes in the regular season, playing all 90 minutes in 16 matches and 13 consecutive outings to conclude the regular season. The centerback also scored once in USI’s home victory against the University of Tennessee at Martin. Grafton was named OVC Defensive Player of the Week in mid-September.

Emerson Grafton had a breakthrough campaign in her first season with the Screaming Eagles. The former transfer paced Southern Indiana with three goals, six assists, 12 points, and 14 shots on goal this season. Grafton was second on the squad with 24 shots. In OVC play, Grafton scored twice and notched a team-best four assists toward a team-high eight points while topping the team with 18 shots and 10 shots on target. The junior appeared in all 18 matches during the regular season, making 13 starts. Grafton finished the regular season ranked second in the OVC in assists, both overall and in league play, and top 10 in conference play in points. The midfielder had an assist and placed all four of her shots on goal in USI’s road win at Morehead State University and concluded the regular season with a goal and an assist in USI’s home win against Western Illinois University.

Southern Indiana concluded the 2024 regular season with a top-four seed and a berth into the Ohio Valley Conference Women’s Soccer Championship Tournament quarterfinals for the second consecutive year. Following its first-round bye on Thursday, USI will host its quarterfinal match Sunday at 1 p.m. from Strassweg Field. When the Eagles will face either UT Martin or Morehead State.

All games of the 2024 Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+. Additional coverage for USI can be found on usiscreamingeagles.com with full tournament coverage on the OVC website at ovcsports.com.

SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

USI WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RANKED NO. 23 IN COLLEGEINSIDER.COM PRESEASON WOMEN’S MID-MAJOR TOP 25®

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball received a No. 23 ranking in the release of the CollegeInsider.com Preseason Women’s Mid-Major Top 25®.

Now in its’ 15th season, the Mid-Major Top 25® is voted on by 31 Division I coaches. The poll is announced every Tuesday evening on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Southern Indiana first cracked the mid-major rankings last March after sweeping the 2023-24 Ohio Valley Conference regular-season and tournament championships and had been receiving votes since last January. In the final rankings of the 2023-24 season, USI ranked No. 24 after a 25-7 season and 17-1 OVC record.

The Screaming Eagles captured the first two OVC team championships for USI Athletics last season, capturing the regular-season title by six games before winning back-to-back games in the OVC Championship Tournament. Following the tournament title, USI marched into the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT), hosting and advancing into the second round.

Heading into its third season in Division I and the OVC, USI was projected to place first in the 2024-25 Ohio Valley Conference predicted order of finish in mid-October.

USI gets the 2024-25 season rolling on November 4 at 6 p.m. against Brescia University (Ky.) from Screaming Eagles Arena. Information for tickets and gameday coverage can be found at usiscreamingeagles.com.

VALPO VOLLEYBALL

VOLLEYBALL ON ROAD TO MISSOURI STATE, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS THIS WEEKEND

Valparaiso (14-9, 6-5 MVC)

Friday, Nov. 1 – at Missouri State (9-14, 3-8 MVC) – 6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 2 – at Southern Illinois (10-12, 3-8 MVC) – 5 p.m.

Next Up For Valpo Volleyball: Winners of five in a row, the Valpo volleyball team hits the road each of the next two weekends, starting this weekend with its longest trip in conference play as the Beacons play at Missouri State Friday night and at Southern Illinois Saturday evening.

Previously: Valpo took care of business last weekend at the ARC, defeating both Bradley and Illinois State in four sets. The latter victory was the program’s first at the ARC over the Redbirds since joining the MVC.

Looking Ahead: It’s right back on the road next weekend for the Beacons, as they head to Drake and UNI.

Following the Beacons: Both matches this week will be broadcast live on ESPN+. The matches will have live stats available as well, linked via ValpoAthletics.com.

Head Coach Carin Avery: In her 23rd season as head coach at Valparaiso, Carin Avery is the all-time winningest head coach across all sports in the history of Valpo Athletics. She has won 503 matches (503-252, .666) at the helm of the program and has led Valpo to three league regular season and tournament titles. The program has made seven postseason appearances under Avery, including three NCAA Tournament appearances, and advanced to the championship match of the 2021 NIVC. Avery has coached 62 All-League recipients over her tenure at Valpo, which has spanned three different conferences. She is Valpo’s all-time leader in both victories and winning percentage, and owns a 558-276 (.669) record overall as a head coach.

Series History: Missouri State – The Bears hold a 10-7 advantage in the all-time series, including an 8-7 mark since Valpo joined the Valley. The Beacons have come away with victories in each of the last three matchups, however, including a lengthy five-set win at the ARC earlier this season. Elise Swistek posted 19 kills and 19 digs in that victory, while Emma Hickey led all players with 35 digs.

Southern Illinois – Valpo is 11-6 all-time against the Salukis, including a commanding 11-3 series lead since joining the Valley. The Beacons had won five in a row in the series before SIU claimed a four-set victory at the ARC earlier this season.

Scouting the Opposition: Missouri State – The Bears sit at 9-14 overall and 3-8 in MVC play entering Friday night’s match, coming off of a three-set sweep of Belmont last Saturday. Morgan Sprague ranks third among MVC players with 9.20 assists/set, while Aniya Joseph (5th, 3.62) and Rilynn Finley (9th, 3.26) both rank among the top-10 in kills/set.

Southern Illinois – After dropping a pair of matches last weekend, the Salukis come into this weekend at 10-12 overall and 3-8 in Valley action. Cecilia Bulmahn ranks seventh in the Valley in digs/set (3.99) and ninth in aces/set (0.32), while Larissa Seger is seventh in hitting percentage (.304) and eighth in blocks/set (0.88).

Valpo Picked Sixth in Preseason Poll: Valpo was picked to finish in sixth place in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2024, according to preseason polling of the conference’s head coaches. The Beacons shared sixth position with Missouri State, while UNI topped the poll. In six of Valpo’s seven seasons in the Valley, the program has met or exceeded its preseason prognostication.

Looking Back at Last Season: Valpo is coming off a third consecutive postseason appearance in 2023, as the Beacons earned an at-large berth in the NIVC. The program posted an 18-15 overall record and went 10-8 in MVC play, finishing in a tie for fifth place in the Valley standings. Miranda Strongman earned First Team All-MVC honors, while Mallory Januski was a Second Team All-MVC honoree.

Who’s Back: This year’s squad returns nine letterwinners from the 2023 team, a group which includes the team’s leader in kills (Elise Swistek) and digs (Emma Hickey). The Beacons return a good bit of their back row defensive production, as 65.7% of the team’s digs from last year are back in 2024.

Who’s Gone: Valpo did graduate a talented class which accounted for a good portion of the team’s front row production last year, as the Beacons return just 37.9% of the kills and 25.3% of the blocks from 2023. Middles Mallory Januski and Miranda Strongman, both All-MVC selections last year, ended their Valpo careers 1-2 in program history in career hitting percentage, while the team also graduated players who ranked among the top-10 in program history in career digs (outside hitter Bella Ravotto) and assists (setter Victoria Bulmahn).

Who’s New: While there’s a lot of production from last year to replace in 2024, there’s also an exciting new class of rookies eager to take on the challenge of stepping up into contributing roles. This year’s squad has nine players with freshman eligibility – one redshirt (Jessica Pickett) and eight true freshmen. The incoming class includes two players who were AVCA High School All-Americans last year (Ava Helming, Second Team; Lilly Merk, Third Team) and three others who were First Team All-State honorees as high school seniors (Jordyn Gove, Drew Glaser, Kadence Brumitt).

WWWWW: With its pair of victories last weekend, Valpo extended its current winning streak to a season-best five consecutive matches. The five-match winning streak is the program’s second-longest in conference play since joining the MVC, outdone only by last year’s team, which won six consecutive Valley matchups.

What a Rally: The winning streak wouldn’t be a thing had it not been for the Beacons’ big rally at Belmont after trailing 2-1 and 23-17 in the fourth set. The Beacons finished the fourth set on a 9-1 run to force the fifth frame, and then scored eight straight to start the fifth set on their way to a 15-4 win. All told, it was a 24-5 run between the fourth and fifth sets. It was the program’s first win after facing a match point since scoring the final three points of the match after trailing 14-13 in the fifth set against South Alabama Sept. 4, 2021, while it was the first win when trailing after three sets since last November against Bradley. Meanwhile, the 15-4 win in the fifth set was Valpo’s largest fifth-set win since a 15-2 final-frame win at Illinois State Feb. 22, 2021.

Next Stop, 600: Head coach Carin Avery reached yet another milestone in mid-October, winning her 500th match in charge of the Valpo program with the Beacons’ win at Murray State. Valpo’s all-time winningest coach in any sport, Avery’s 500th win came in her 752nd match in charge of the program. In her 23rd season as head coach, Avery’s squads have averaged better than 22 wins per season over her 22 complete years. Avery is the second current MVC coach to win at least 500 matches at their current institution, joining UNI’s Bobbi Petersen.

Raking in the Honors: There’s a direct correlation between the recent play of freshman right side Ava Helming and the Beacons’ winning streak, and Helming took it to the next level last week, as she was named both MVC Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week – just the seventh time in conference history one player has swept both awards, and the second straight week she claimed Freshman of the Week honors. In the wins over Illinois State and Bradley, Helming combined to average 3.88 kills/set on .441 hitting and added an even one block per set defensively as well. She ranked fifth last week among all MVC players in kills/set, fourth in hitting percentage and ninth in blocks/set. Over Valpo’s five-match winning streak, Helming is averaging 3.59 kills/set on .401 hitting — in that stretch, the freshman has tallied at least 14 kills in every match and has not hit worse than .316 in a single contest.

The Offense and the Defense: Senior outside Elise Swistek showcased both sides of her game last weekend in the Beacons’ pair of wins. On Friday, she paced Valpo for a fourth consecutive match with 15 kills in the win over Bradley. Then, on Saturday, while she was limited to just six kills, Swistek stood out defensively with a match-best 22 digs – nine of which were converted immediately into kills – and 17 serve receptions without an error – eight of which resulted in first-ball kills.

Setting It Up: Sophomore Mara Thomas posted her best set percentage of the year in MVC play and second-highest overall in the Beacons’ win over Illinois State, delivering 28 assists on just 57 set attempts. Thomas, who is just four assists shy of 500 for the season, also notched three service aces over Valpo’s two matches last weekend to bump her season total to a team-best 32 aces – tied for sixth-most by a Valpo player in the 25-point era and one shy of a tie for fourth.

Steady Gove: Freshman Jordyn Gove had solid back-to-back matches last weekend in the pair of wins, posting 13 kills and nine digs in the win over Bradley and following with 14 kills and nine digs in the victory against Illinois State. Gove, who ranks second on the team in Valley player with 2.76 kills/set, has tallied at least seven kills in all eight MVC matches she has appeared in, including five efforts of 10 or more kills.

Moan’s Block Party: Junior Maddie Moan has been called upon to start in the middle the last two weekends and has made her presence felt defensively. Prior to the last four matches, Moan’s career best in blocks was five, but she is averaging that over the Beacons’ last four victories. She set a career high last Friday with six rejections in the win over Bradley, and also had five blocks both at Belmont and last time out versus Illinois State.

The Rookies Produce: Valpo’s freshman class has been leaned on for major production all season long. The Beacons’ rookies have accounted for 61.2% of the team’s kills, 29.4% of the aces and 76.4% of the blocks this year. That comes out to a total of 60.2% of the team’s points accounted for by freshmen, a mark which ranks third nationally, trailing only Mississippi Valley State and Le Moyne. Freshmen have combined for 30 matches with double-figure kill totals and 19 matches with five or more blocks.

Near the Top: Junior Emma Hickey currently ranks third in D-I in both total digs (511) and digs/set (5.62). With 1,874 career digs, Hickey has far and away the most digs of any D-I junior, as number two on that list – Montana State’s Lauren Lindseth – sits at 1,316 career digs. In fact, Hickey ranks 22nd nationally overall among D-I players in career digs. 

1,500 For Hickey: Emma Hickey reached yet another career milestone Sept. 7 with her final dig of the weekend at St. Thomas, as it was the 1,500th dig of her collegiate career. Hickey reached the mark in her 72nd career match, becoming the fastest player in both Valpo history and MVC history to hit 1,500. She surpassed Illinois State’s Courtney Pence, who reached the mark in 74 matches, as the fastest player in the MVC history to 1,500 career digs, and also bettered Rylee Cookerly and Taylor Root in Valpo’s record books, as both Cookerly and Root hit the mark in 76 matches.

At or Near the Top: It’s become commonplace to see Valpo at or near the top of the Valley in digs/set, and this year has been no exception so far, as the Beacons currently rank fourth in the conference and 19th nationally in digs/set. What’s perhaps more eye-popping, however, is how many other categories Valpo is ranked highly in. The Beacons currently sit second in the MVC in kills/set (40th nationally), assists/set (32nd nationally), aces/set and opponent hitting percentage (52nd nationally), as well as third in blocks/set.

VALPO XC

PREVIEW: CROSS COUNTRY READY TO RACE IN MVC CHAMPIONSHIP ON FRIDAY

The Valparaiso University men’s and women’s cross country rosters may feature youth and inexperience, but the talent and potential for both the present and future provide plenty of reasons for excitement around the programs entering Friday’s Missouri Valley Conference Championship.

The event will be hosted by UNI at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The women’s 5K race will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the men’s 8K at 11:30. Please note that there will be no ESPN+ broadcast of the championship this year, but a link to live results will be available on ValpoAthletics.com.

Valpo was picked to finish tied for 11th on the women’s side and in ninth place on the men’s side in the MVC pre-championship poll, which was released by the league office on Tuesday. Bradley is the unanimous favorite in the women’s race, while Belmont is picked to win the team title on the men’s side.

Redshirt freshman Laetitia Raoult (Guingamp, France) burst onto the scene this fall as a transfer into the program. She finished the 6K in 21:53.7 at the Illinois State Redbird Invite on Sept. 13, placing fourth of 85. Her time was the third fastest in program history and fastest since 2014.

“Laetitia has been absolutely incredible for us,” Walker said. “It’s always hard for someone coming in and transferring like that. She’s been through three different training styles in the last two years. When your world is getting turned upside down every couple months as you’re trying to build mileage, do different workouts and work with different coaches, you never know what to expect. A lot of her success is that she’s just bought in. When we were recruiting her, I gave her a vision of where I think she can be and how we’re going to get her there, and she’s been tried and true to the plan the whole way.”

Sophomore Vivian Rahmel (Springfield, Ill. / Sacred Heart Griffin) ranks second on the team with a season-best 6K of 23:06.5 at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals, while freshman Kensington Black is second on the team in the 5K with her season best of 18:43.7 at Notre Dame’s Joe Piane Invitational while ranking third on the team in the 6K.

“Vivian and Kensi have been dark horses for us this year,” Walker said. “They’ve been right there with each other. What’s going to help us be successful this weekend is if they can find each other earlier in the race. They always seem to find each other kind of late. The way both of them have been training and developing this year has been awesome. We’ve seen a lot of growth from Vivian, and I think she’s just scratching the surface. Kensi has been right there on her heels working out with her and learning from her. Sometimes, it’s hard mentally when you go from running a 5K in high school and now all of the sudden your workload is a little more intense, but Kensi has been there to plug along the whole way, and I think you’ll see her crack that 23-minute barrier in the next two 6K races.”

Junior Joseph Scheele (Mahomet, Ill. / Mahomet Seymour) turned in the top 8K time of the season for the Valpo men on Sept. 27 at the Mizzou Gans Creek Classic. His time of 24:40.1 ranks fourth in program history. He had a strong spring on the track including the second-best 3000 steeplechase in program history at 9:16.0.

“Since Joseph has been here, he’s always had pressure – being our fifth guy as a freshman and then last year, learning from two pretty strong upperclassmen, and now all of the sudden on a young team, you’ve got to be the guy,” Walker said. “Throughout his whole career, Joseph has been a guy who can rise to the occasion in pressure-filled situations. Watching him train, he is more confident in himself and seems like a completely different guy this year.”

Sophomore Karson Hollander (Crystal Lake, Ill. / Crystal Lake) also cracked the program record book in the 8K, finishing the Sept. 13 Redbird Invite in 24:47.50, fifth all-time.

“The big thing for Karson is that he holds himself to a really high standard,” Walker said. “Coming in as a freshman, he had some big shoes to fill for some of the goals that he set for himself. He had a great freshman year, but if you talk to him, he’d say he was hoping for a little bit more. Going into the summer this year, we ramped his mileage up a little bit, and he knew he was going to have to be a top guy for the team. He does a good job firing up the team. He’s always hungry and willing to put the work in.”

Newcomers Brooks Julian (Olney, Ill. / Richland County), Tim Jochum (Glen Ellyn, Ill. / Glenbard South) and Tyler Swartz (Warsaw, Ind. / Warsaw Community) are all going to play key roles in the team’s finish on Friday.

“The biggest thing for us is finding each other out there,” Walker said. “Karson and Joseph have to find each other early. With a smaller field, it’s harder to build through a race because bigger gaps are going to develop, so they are going to have to get out early and get themselves in that top group. Some of the younger guys are going to have to find each other right away. They did a good job at that at Pre-Nats, but we fell apart 2K in. If Brooks, Tim and Tyler can get together and get in a good spot in the middle of the group, I think we’re going to shock some people. A lot of people are counting us out because we’re young and depending on freshmen, but this group is talented and ready for a big day.”

UINDY MEN’S SOCCER

HOUNDS TABBED IN FIRST REGIONAL RANKINGS

INDIANAPOLIS – The season’s first set of NCAA Division II regional rankings dropped on Wednesday, with the UIndy men’s soccer team listed among those receiving postseason consideration. The Greyhounds were one of 12 Super Region 3 teams on the initial list.
 
The first regional rankings included teams in alphabetical order only, with actual rankings set to be included in next week’s release. The NCAA DII Championship field will be announced on Monday, Nov. 18 on NCAA.com, with 10 teams from each of trhe four Super Regions earning a bid.

The Greyhounds are looking to make their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and eighth overall. UIndy advanced to the Final Four in both 2019 and 2021.


SUPER REGION 3 CONTENDERS

TEAMIN-REGIONvs. DII
Davenport8-4-48-4-4
Findlay7-2-39-2-3
Ky. Wesleyan8-3-38-3-3
Lewis7-2-77-2-7
Maryville (MO)9-4-39-4-3
McKendree9-0-69-0-6
Missouri S&T7-5-47-5-4
Saginaw Valley9-310-4
Southern Nazarene8-3-48-3-4
Tiffin10-4-110-4-1
UIndy8-2-48-3-4
Wis.-Parkside6-5-36-5-3

MARIAN MEN’S SOCCER

WEHAUS’ CLUTCH BRACE IN SECOND HALF PULLS DRAW FOR MARIAN AGAINST HUNTINGTON

Indianapolis, Ind. – The marian men’s soccer team finishes off regular season play with a 2-2 draw with Huntington on Senior Day. The Knights finish the Crossroads League with a 5-2-2 record and continue their overall record to 12-3-3.

Huntington’s offense was on fire in the first half scoring the first goal at the 3:45 mark with Dolobaipu clocking a point on the board for the Foresters to gain the early lead. Sam Thiel answered quickly with a shot but came to no avail with the shot hitting to high. Alan Tenorio and Yoshiaki Takeishi both took chances but were both saved and blocked by the visitors. Huntington fired back with another goal to increase their lead to 2-0. Yeudiel Sebastian Gonzalez attempted to level the field but was unsuccessful in both attempts ending the half with a score of 2-0 in favor of the Foresters.

The Marian offense opened up the second half with seven shots five being on target, over Huntington’s two shots. Samuel Wehaus took advantage of Matthew Loo’s corner kick to Kyle Alb’s header to hit the back of the net to claim the first point of the evening for the Knights. Less than two minutes later Donovan Doolittle kicked a great pass to Wehaus who once again took advantage of the shot and claimed his second goal of the evening tying up the game 2-2. Gonzalez, Doolittle, Wesseling, Diego Regueira, Takeishi, Wehaus, and Kuroda all took multiple chances to claim the win but came up to no avail ending the final game of the regular season in a 2-2 draw to finish fourth in the Crossroads League.

Yeudiel Sebastian Gonzalez led the team in shots with seven and two on goal. Cameron O’Brien, Samuel Wehaus, and Yoshiaki Takeishi all had three shots on the evening. All claiming two shots included; Alan Tenorio, Phillip Seifert, Diego Regueira, and Josh Wesseling. In goal Juan Torres took his second draw of the year and claimed three saves on the evening.

The Knights finish off the regular season finishing as the fourth seed going into the Crossroads League Tournament. Marian will host Bethel in the quarterfinal round November 6th with the time being announced later this week.

MARIAN WOMEN’S SOCCER

NO. 10 MARIAN SEALS TOP-2 SEED IN CROSSROADS LEAGUE TOURNAMENT WITH CLEAN SHEET AT HUNTINGTON

Huntington, Ind. – The Marian women’s soccer team ended the regular season on a high note Wednesday night, recording their sixth consecutive win as they shutout Huntington 3-0. Marian’s win gives them the second overall seed in the Crossroads League, as they end the regular season with a 14-2-2 overall record while going 7-1-1 in the Crossroads League.

Marian dominated throughout the match, holding a 6-0 lead in shot attempts in the first half. Marian got an early start on the board, scoring in the 11th minute on a corner kick, as Lizzie Chlystun delivered a ball for Gretchen Mallin, with the fifth-year senior burying what would stand as the game-winning goal. Marian added shot attempts from Kaitlyn Lavezzi and Naomi Walters as the half wore on, but the looks on goal were saved by the Huntington keeper. The score remained 1-0 at halftime, as Olivia Parmer’s attempt in the 44th minute went right of the goal.

The Knights pestered the goal throughout the second half, firing 13 shots with seven of the attempts going on goal. Katie Koger got the barrage going in the 47th minute with a shot that missed over the target, while Huntington would respond moments later with an Ellie Cirrincione shot that was saved by Mychaela Johnson. Lavezzi and Layla Brown had chances around the 55th minute but were unsuccessful, while Parmer and Sammie King had looks on goal over eight minutes later. In the 76th minute, the offense was able to break through with their second goal, as Parmer scored on a quick touch from King, putting the Knights on top 2-0.

Three minutes later Layla Brown would add to the scoring, converting her team-leading 15th goal in the 79th minute to seal a 3-0 victory. Brown ended the night with a team-high four shots, while Parmer and Kylie Conrad each took three. Lizzie Chylstun had two assists as she dished the ball to Brown on her goal, while King added an assist on Parmer’s score. Mallin’s goal stood as the game-winning score, as she recorded her fourth goal on the year.

Marian has locked up the No. 2 seed in the Crossroads League Tournament, and will host the quarterfinal round next Wednesday. Marian will play Mount Vernon Nazarene, with kick time to be determined later this week.

MARIAN VOLLEYBALL

NO. 5 IWU CLIPS NO. 24 MARIAN IN FOUR-SET BATTLE

Marion, Ind. – The Marian volleyball team dropped a hard-fought four set battle Wednesday night in Crossroads League play, as No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan won 3-1 over the 24th-ranked Knights. Marian is now 19-7 overall on the season and 10-6 in the Crossroads League.

Marian blitzed the Wildcats in the first set, putting up a dominant offensive performance as they scored 14 kills on 39 attacks with one error, while the Wildcats had seven errors on their 51 attacks. After falling behind 8-5 in the first set, Marian rallied with a combination of Mikayla Christiansen kills and blocks, as Marian embarked on an 6-0 run to take a 13-10 lead. Madison Brooks and Nicole Wilkinson recorded multiple blocks in the run, and helped Marian lead the remainder of the set, as the Knights eventually forced a second Indiana Wesleyan during their 8-0 run that sealed the game. Christian buried a kill on the final rally, sealing a 25-18 victory in set one.

Indiana Wesleyan responded in the second set, as they jumped on the Knights early by going on a 10-3 run. Khori Dryden and Sarah Bennett helped Marian get back into the set as they landed kills in a pair of 3-0 runs, but they were unable to get Marian any closer than two points. The Wildcats maintained an edge and pushed ahead 21-15, eventually staving off a Marian rally as they closed the set 25-20.

Again in the third set the Wildcats would win 25-20, pushing in front after the two sides exchanged two and three point swings in the opening 16 rallies. A 4-0 run by the Wildcats gave either side their first extended taste of the lead at 13-10, and later forced a Marian timeout leading 17-14. Kills from Brooks and Wilkinson made the set a two-point contest once more, but Marian was unable to keep the rally going as they eventually lost the set.

Up against the wall, Marian fought tooth and nail in the fourth set, using a 7-1 run paced by Dryden and Wilkinson to grab an 8-4 lead. Indiana Wesleyan slowly fought back within a point, but were unable to overtake Marian as Gabby Fish and Brooks kept the Knights in front. A 4-0 run by the Wildcats eventually put the home team in the lead, as Marian’s 17-15 lead flipped to a two-point deficit. The Knights defense helped bring the game back into a Marian lead, as a pair of blocks gave the visitors a 22-21 lead. The set drew back to a stalemate, and went back and forth until the Wildcats eventually claimed match point. Marian staved off the end of the match twice with a kill from Christiansen and Fish, but were unable to keep their offense going as Indiana Wesleyan closed the match 28-26.

Marian ended the night hitting .171, 13 percentage points higher than the Wildcats. Christiansen led the team in kills with 13, recording a double-double with 18 digs. Khori Dryden had 11 kills and Madison Brooks had 10 kills to go with seven block assists in the match. Nicole Wilkinson had a career-high 11 block assists in the match to go with five kills, and Emma Lyons led the defense with 40 digs. Logan Smith had a double-double with 23 assists and 22 digs, as did Dryden who added 10 digs.

Marian will aim to regroup as they play their regular season home finale on Saturday, taking on Goshen at 1:00 p.m. The senior day match will feature pregame festivities moments before first serve.

ANDERSON WOMEN’S SOCCER

RAVENS ROUT MOUNTAINEERS IN REGULAR-SEASON FINALE

The Anderson University women’s soccer team (7-7-3, 4-4-1) routed Berea College (3-13-2, 0-7-2) by a score of 6-0 during Wednesday’s Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matchup at Fridley Field.

Anderson also celebrated AU Appreciation Day as players recognized faculty/staff members who have made an impact in their lives.

The Ravens secured the No. 5 seed in the HCAC Tournament. Anderson faces off with No. 4 Hanover College (11-5, 6-3) to open the HCAC Tournament.

COACH JENNIFER MYHRE’S COMMENTS

[Wednesday] was a great team win and I’m proud of everyone. We always talk about finishing strong and we did that for both the game and regular season. Once we settled down and managed the offside line, we played a disciplined game and found the back of the net. It was special for the seniors to all get points on their last home game and appreciate how they have led by example all year with their passion for the game, relentless work rate and vision of the field. We are excited to extend the season for them and start tournament play.

SCORING SUMMARY

Anderson Goal at 26:57 (1-0): Goal – Caroline Hill; Assists – Lillie Casey & Kylie Roberts

Anderson Goal at 33:08 (2-0): Goal – Kyndall Ferguson; Assists – Kennedy Hurst & Rebekah Fannin

Anderson Goal at 46:00 (3-0): Goal – Emily Metzger; Assists – Natalie Hay & Kylie Roberts

Anderson Goal at 52:23 (4-0): Goal – Lillie Casey

Anderson Goal at 54:41 (5-0): Goal – Rebekah Fannin; Assist – Lauren Brown

Anderson Goal at 59:08 (6-0): Goal – Lauren Brown

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Anderson outshot Berea 19-2 and held a 13-1 advantage in shots on goal.

Lauren Brown – 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 3 Points, 3 Shots, 3 Shots on Goal

Lillie Casey – 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 3 Points, 2 Shots, 1 Shot on Goal

Rebekah Fannin – 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 3 Points, 1 Shot, 1 Shot on Goal

Kylie Roberts – 2 Assists, 1 Shot, 1 Shot on Goal

Kyndall Ferguson – 1 Goal, 3 Shots, 2 Shots on Goal

Emily Metzger – 1 Goal, 2 Shots, 2 Shots on Goal

Caroline Hill – 1 Goal, 1 Shot, 1 Shot on Goal

Natalie Hay – 1 Assist, 1 Shot, 1 Shot on Goal

Kennedy Hurst – 1 Assist

Hannah Thompson – 2 Shots

Paige Tomallo – 1 Shot, 1 Shot on Goal

Emma Myers – 1 Shot

Marta Stender – 1 Shot

River Grabowski – 15:20 in Goal, 1 Save

Adrienne Weyers – 61:17 in Goal

Jada Van Steenvoort – 13:23 in Goal

UP NEXT

Fifth-seeded Anderson and fourth-seeded Hanover face off in the HCAC Tournament Quarterfinals on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Hanover.

ANDERSON VOLLEYBALL

RIDGE SHINES IN VICTORY OVER BEREA

The Anderson University volleyball team (16-6, 3-3) defeated Berea College (6-17, 2-4) by a score of 22-25, 26-24, 25-16, 25-18 during Wednesday’s Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matchup in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

After dropping the first set, the Ravens won three straight sets.

In Sets 1 and 2, there were a combined 19 ties and 10 lead changes.

Berea won the first four points of the third set before Anderson stormed back and won eight of the next nine.

Anderson would add two stretches of winning six out of seven points in the third set, leading to the 25-16 set victory. 

Anderson had nine blocks to Berea’s seven.

Raven of the Match – Taylor Ridge – 15 Kills, .414 Hitting %, 4 Service Aces, 4 Blocks

Reece Kral – 15 Kills, .387 Hitting %, 4 Blocks

Jayda Lanham – 11 Kills, 5 Service Aces, 15 Receptions, 21 Digs

Paige Ricica – 8 Kills, 22 Receptions, 16 Digs

Trinity Benedict – 7 Kills, 3 Blocks

Lauren Dungan – 36 Digs, 18 Receptions

Peyton Bundy – 17 Digs

Blythe Young – 50 Assists, 2 Blocks (1 Solo)

COACH TAMI MILLER’S COMMENTS

[Wednesday’s] match was a defensive duel by the two teams. Berea’s defense was good, but fortunately for us, ours was just a smidgen better.

Our middle hitters were great, with Taylor Ridge hitting a .414, and Reece Kral was close with a .387. 

There were a lot of long rallies in which we perceived and came out with the victory at the end of the match! Lauren Dungan was once again solid in the backcourt, keeping us in those long rallies.

UP NEXT

The Ravens continue HCAC action as they take on Hanover College (19-6, 3-3) on Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 2:00 p.m. in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.

WABASH MEN’S BASKETBALL

WABASH PICKED THIRD IN NCAC MEN’S BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

The Wabash College basketball team received one first-place vote and 63 points to rank third in the 2024-25 North Coast Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Poll released on Wednesday.

The College of Wooster picked up six first-place votes from the conference coaches and earned the top spot in the poll with 78 points. Denison received the remaining first-place vote as part of 68 total points to place second in the poll. Wittenberg is ranked behind Wabash in fourth place with 45 points. Oberlin is fifth with 42 points. DePauw and Ohio Wesleyan tied for sixth place with 40 points apiece. Kenyon (18 points) and Hiram (11 points) round out the 2024-25 preseason poll.

The Little Giants, winners of the past three NCAC men’s basketball tournament championships, regular-season conference champions in 2022 and 2024, and an NCAA Division III national semifinalist team in 2022, finished last season with a 20-9 overall record and a 13-3 mark in NCAC games. Wabash earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III men’s basketball tournament by winning its third consecutive conference tournament title. The Little Giants lost to 25th-ranked Coe College in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Three starters graduated from lhead coach Kyle Brumett’s 20-9 squad, including 2024 Third Team Region 7 selection Ahmoni Jones. The two-time First Team All-NCAC and conference tournament MVP averaged 14.5 points and 6.3 rebounds last season to lead the Little Giants in both categories. Starters Avery Beaver (11.7 ppg) and Sam Comer (10.4 ppg) also departed due to graduation.

Wabash returns plenty of offensive firepower. Senior guard Vinny Buccilla averaged 11.7 points a game in 22 starts last season. He shot 41 percent from the field and made 39 three-point baskets. Junior Rich Brooks averaged 8.9 points in 24 appearances in his first season at Wabash last year. He shot 41 percent from the field and 33 percent from behind the three-point arc for the year.

Seven-two transfer center Noah Hupmann came on strong down the the stretch for the Little Giants in 2023-24. The senior averaged 3.7 points and 5.2 rebounds a contest. He blocked 74 shots in 27 games to set a new Wabash single-season record. Hupmann earned all-tournament honors after setting a new conference tournament record with 16 blocked shots in three games. Gavin Schippert joins Hupmann in the front court after averaging 3.3 points and 4.8 rebounds a contest last season. The junior post player shot 46 percent from the field and connected on 15 three-point attempts to shoot at a 31.3 percent clip from beyond the arc.

Randy Kelley and Josh Whack are expected to share time at the guard positions for Wabash. Kelley scored 5.0 point per game in 24 appearances with six starts last season. Whack played in 20 contests and averaged 2.1 points per game. Sophomore Nate Matelic averaged 4.5 points and 1.6 rebounds a contest in 23 games with four starts as a freshman in 203-24.

Six freshmen are part of the 2024-25 Wabash basketball roster, joining the 13 returning players from last year’s squad.

Wabash opens the regular season on Friday, November 8, at the Trine University Classic. The Little Giants face Heidelberg University in the opener on Friday at 5 p.m. before playing Trine University on Saturday at 3 p.m.

TAYLOR ATHLETICS

TU DROPS ROAD MATCH AT SAINT FRANCIS

SAINT FRANCIS, Ind. – The Taylor volleyball team dropped a road match Wednesday night to Saint Francis in straight sets (21-25, 17-25, 22-25).

TU got down early in the first set but came back to hold a 19-14 advantage following an ace from Abi Powers and several kills from Reagan Salzbrenner. The Cougars (11-17, 4-12 CL) then went on a run to grab a 1-0 lead.

The Trojans never quite found their rhythm in set number two, though Reagan Kleiman and Gracie Conway were able to produce multiple kills in the frame.

After trailing by five at 19-14 in the third set, Jaylynn Dunsmore and a host of Trojans gained some steam with kills to get within two points, 23-21, but the hosts closed out the match with a sweep.

Conway had 10 kills on a .348 hitting percentage to lead the Trojans, with Salzbrenner notching eight kills and a pair of block assists combined with Daya Vestal.

Lindsay Springer tallied 28 assists and two kills without an error, and McKaylah Flagle led the defensive effort with 18 digs.

Taylor (10-18, 5-11 CL) stays on the road Saturday to face No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan (26-2, 16-0) at 4 p.m.

VINCENNES VOLLEYBALL

NO. 2 SEED TRAILBLAZERS ADVANCE AFTER QUARTERFINAL SWEEP OVER NO. 7 KASKASKIA

No. 2 seed Trailblazers advance after Quarterfinal sweep over No. 7 Kaskaskia

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University volleyball team opened their 2024 postseason Wednesday night inside the Physical Education Complex.

The Trailblazers earned the No. 2 seed in this year’s NJCAA Division I Region 24 tournament and began their tournament against No. 7 seeded Kaskaskia College from Centralia, Ill.

VU overcame a slow start in set one to close out the quarterfinal matchup with a 25-18, 25-12, 25-13 sweep over the Blue Angels.

Vincennes got the night off to a rocky start, quickly falling behind 7-3 to begin set one before rallying back with five straight points to take an 8-7 lead.

Kaskaskia would regain the lead after four straight points at 16-15 before VU again responded back in front of the home crowd with a 9-1 scoring run to put the set away 25-18 and gain the 1-0 match lead.

The Trailblazers would continue this momentum into set two, where VU opened the second set with a 10-4 lead before using a big 8-0 scoring run to increase their advantage to 18-5.

Kaskaskia would continue to fight, cutting the deficit to eight at 20-12 before VU closed out the set strong with five straight to take set two 25-12 and gain a 2-0 match lead.

Vincennes was again able to break away early in set three, using an early 4-0 scoring run to take a 9-4 lead before gaining full control over the match with seven straight points to increase the lead to 19-8.

The Blue Angels battled to the end but were unable to overcome this big deficit as Vincennes claimed set three 25-13 and completed the three set sweep.

“I thought we had our down moment early on,” VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “We had to take a step back and relax. I thought we were just a little bit tight at the beginning. But from that point on, early in the first set through sets two and three, it didn’t seem like there was a whole lot that could stop us tonight.”

“We talked about before the game of minimizing the errors and have as few errors as possible while staying aggressive and I thought we did that extremely well,” Sien added. “It’s always a difficult challenge in the postseason and Kaskaskia was coming in fresh off a match on Monday. But it was good that we were able to recover from that slow start pretty quickly and play with very few errors. It wasn’t errorless, but it was just great execution all the way around. We served extremely. Several of our servers had long scoring runs. We had an opportunity to just run our offense with only seven hitting errors in the entire match, which is just outstanding.”

“I also want to thank the fans that came out tonight,” Sien said. “The parents, community, students and fellow VU Athletes really brought the energy tonight and helped give us that home court advantage.”

The Trailblazer offense was led by sophomore Isadora Dias (Rio Grande de Norte, Brazil) who finished off another double-double with 13 kills and 14 digs on the night.

Sophomore Laura Tavares (Merida, Venezuela) finished her night with 10 kills, two blocks and two digs.

Sophomore Elisa Dalla Pozza (Vincenza, Italy) had another big night at the net, coming away with seven kills, two blocks, two digs and two set assists.

Freshman Paulina Fister (Tuszyn, Poland) had a big all-around game with five kills, 14 digs, one ace and one block.

Freshman Martyna Sadowska (Pila, Poland) and sophomore Allison Czyzewski (Louisville, Ill.) round out the offensive stats with Sadowska adding three kills and one dig and Czyzewski recording one kill on the night.

Sophomore setter Libby Mehringer (Jasper, Ind.) ran the VU offense very well on her way to 21 set assists, seven digs and four aces.

Freshman Rylee Edwards (Fairfield, Ill.) added 10 set assists, four digs and one ace and sophomore Dylan DeCoursey entered the game late with one set assist.

Sophomore libero Grace Flexter (Oblong, Ill.) controlled the VU back row defense with nine digs, five set assists and five aces.

Freshman Julianna Rettig (Antioch, Ill.) closed out the VU box score with three digs and one set assist on the night.

“Paulina had a very nice game tonight and in two of her rotations she was going directly against Kaskaskia’s 6-foot-2 right side,” Sien said. “We just told Paulina to swing away. Just hit the ball as hard as you can off her block. She was very accurate in the way she swung out there and being one of the smallest hitters we’ve had in a number of years, she’s very athletic and her all-around game was really noticeable.”

“Isadora also had a big game, leading us in kills with no hitting errors,” Sien added. “But the biggest thing tonight was that she got 14 digs and she didn’t the back row at all. I don’t recall any of our outsides getting double digit digs without the back row. She was very good playing off block tonight. She really covered the floor and she typically takes more than our off blocker usually takes.”

“Our back row did pretty well too with Paulina, Grace, Julianna,” Sien said. “I thought our right backs Libby, Rylee and Dylan did pretty well. I thought our defense was pretty good. I don’t think there were too many shots that hit the floor without us going for it.”

“We’re starting to run a fast set for Elisa on the slide and it’s hard to stop her when we pass on point and she gets a good set,” Sien added. “That’s a hard set to hit because it’s her offside, so it has to be right on point for her to get a good swing on it. That’s really her strength, is that slide attack.”

“Laura had a nice match,” Sien said. “She swung pretty well. She only had one error and hit a high percentage. She just went out there and did her job on the blocks, got some nice digs in the off block.”

“Grace is always stable in the back row and when she’s on, we’re going to win,” Sien added. “With her serve receive and her defense out there, your libero is such a key position. People who don’t know the game just don’t know how key that position is and she’s been very consistent from the beginning of the season to now.”

The Trailblazers advance to the Region 24 semi-finals which will be held Saturday, Nov. 2 at John A. Logan College in Carterville, Ill.

Vincennes with play the No. 3 seed John A. Logan College in the semi-final round, with that match set to begin at 4 p.m. eastern.

VU will then return to the John A. Logan floor Sunday, Nov. 3 to close out the Region 24 tournament with the Third Place Match set to begin at 2 p.m. eastern and the Region 24 Championship match at 5 p.m. eastern.

Vincennes will need to reach the Region 24 Championship game to host next weekend’s NJCAA Division I Midwest District Championships Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9.

“I’ve touched on it a little bit this season, but now we really have to use our experience,” Sien said. “We’ve got seven players that were here last year. Won a Region Championship and made it to the District Final. You can talk about the volleyball part all day but the experience factor is what is going to be key for us. No one else in the Region has that experience. So that has to be the most valuable aspect of anything we have right now. We’ve been there before and that is going to be foremost our strength.”

VINCENNES XC

ABDAOUI, TRAILBLAZERS WIN REGION 24 CHAMPIONSHIP

NORMAL, Ill. – The Vincennes University Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams successfully defended their Region 24 crowns last week at the 2024 NJCAA Region 24 Championships at Maxwell Park in Normal, Ill.

The Trailblazers were competing as the only NJCAA Division I team at the Championships but were boosted by freshman Anis Abdaoui (Kairouan, Tunisia) who paced the field in the Men’s 8K race with a final time of 25:52 to claim the men’s individual Region Championship.

“The Regional meet is always very different from the other races during the season,” VU Head Cross Country Coach Tyler Steigenga said. “It was a much smaller field than we are used to and this year it was only six days after our last meet. With the short turnaround and our goal being to be at our best for the National meet, our top five guys played things a little more conservative today. They were instructed to go out easy and keep things very relaxed through the first three miles and then speed up the last two if they were feeling good or maintain their pace into the finish.”

The Blue and Gold took the top two spots in the men’s race with sophomore Cody Noel (Hebron, Ind.) finishing just behind Abdaoui with a time of 26:10.

Vincennes then had a string of runners closing out the final six spots of the top 10, led by freshman Kelvin Kipsang (Kapsabet, Kenya) at 26:45, followed by sophomores Tanner Spence (Carmi, Ill.) and Caden Hostetler (LaGrange, Ind.) with time of 27:12 and 27:30 respectively.

Freshmen Lane Connaway (Carmi, Ill.), Stephen Hershberger (Fowler, Ind.) and Rylan Mullins (Greenwood, Ind.) closed out the Vincennes top 10 finishers with Connaway posting a time of 27:31, 27:45 for Hershberger and 27:47 for Mullins.

Sophomores Nathan Whitehead (Vincennes, Ind.), Bryaun Manuel (East St. Louis, Ill.) and freshman Alexis Kwizera (Indianapolis, Ind.) were the next group of VU runners across the line with Whitehead posting a time of 28:18 and Manuel and Kwizera each posting a time of 28:20.

Freshman Jeremy Mendez (Velpen, Ind.) crossed the finish line with a time of 28:48, while fellow freshmen Dakoda Greci (Danville, Ind.) and Kayden Kler (Hillsboro, Ind.) finished just inside the 30 minute mark at 29:20 for Greci and 29:35 for Kler.

The men’s race was rounded out by sophomores Max Pendley (French Lick, Ind.) and Tucker Henson (Louisville, Ky.) who finished with a time of 30:25 for Pendley and 30:42 for Henson.

“Cody and Anis did great working together,” Steigenga added. “Before the final mile of the race, they broke away and finished strong to take the top two spots. They both got faster each mile of the race, with Cody ending up with a new PR, running twelve seconds faster than at Nationals last year.”

“Kelvin, Tanner and Caden rounded out the top five and maintained their pace going into the finish,” Steigenga said. “Lane equaled his PR from last week and Stephen ran a one second PR. Rylan closed hard and finished two seconds behind with a new PR. Alexis, Jeremy and Dakoda also got new PRs.”

The Trailblazers obviously clinched first place as the only Division I program racing but were able to best the other teams competing for the Division II title to win the overall Region 24 Championship.

The VU women’s race was led by freshman Sarra Belgacem (Tunis, Tunisia) who finished second overall with a final time of 19:32.

Sophomore Adi Fuller (Evansville, Ind.) was the next Vincennes runner across the line with a time of 20:29 in fifth place overall.

Freshman Allie Black (Lynn, Ind.) was just behind Fuller with a time of 20:36 to take sixth overall, while sophomore Jasmyn Self (Casey, Ill.) rounded out the VU top 10 finishers with a time of 20:55 in ninth place overall.

The VU women’s team scorers were rounded out by freshman Alexis Hale (Evansville, Ind.) who took home 14th overall with a time of 21:50.

The Trailblazers day on the course was rounded out by freshman Melina Loudermilk (Bridgeport, Ill.) who posted a time of 22:24 to finish 17th overall in the race.

“The women raced great as well,” Steigenga said. “It was a little easier for them to bounce back from last week with the shorter races. Five of the six ran their fastest times of the season, with Allie just missing her hers by three seconds.”

“Sarra and Jasmyn had the biggest PRs, which were 41 and 44 seconds respectively,” Steigenga added. “Alexis and Melina were able to sneak under their old PRs by a few seconds. Adi ran her second fastest time as a Trailblazer and set herself up well to break the 20 minute barrier at Nationals.”

The Trailblazers will look to rest up and be at 100-percent as VU now sets their sites on the 2024 NJCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Cross Country National Championships Saturday, Nov. 9 at Pole Greek Park in Richmond, Va.

The VU Cross Country season will then conclude Tuesday, Nov. 12 with the running of the NJCAA Half Marathon Championships, also in Richmond, Va.

“The last two races have been great for both teams,” Steigenga said. “We are running and competing very well right now and most are running their fastest of the season. We’ll look to recover a bit and maintain fitness before Nationals in two weeks. Both teams have the potential to do some big things at Nationals.”

MEET RESULTS

MEN’S RESULTS

VU (1) – 15 points

Anis Abdaoui (1) – 25:52

Cody Noel (2) – 26:10

Kelvin Kipsang (5) – 26:45

Tanner Spence (6) – 27:12

Caden Hostetler (7) – 27:30

Lane Connaway (8) – 27:31

Stephen Hershberger (9) – 27:45

Rylan Mullins (10) – 27:47

Nathan Whitehead (12) – 28:18

Bryaun Manuel (13) – 28:20

Alexis Kwizera (14) – 28:20

Jeremy Mendez (17) – 28:48

Dakoda Greci (19) – 29:20

Hayden Kler (22) – 29:35

Max Pendley (26) – 30:25

Tucker Henson (27) – 30:42

WOMEN’S RESULTS

VU (1) – 15 points

Sarra Belgacem (2) – 19:32

Adi Fuller (5) – 20:29

Allie Black (6) – 29:36

Jasmyn Self (9) – 20:55

Alexis Hale (14) – 21:50

Melina Loudermilk (17) – 22:24

INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEBSITES

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/

HOY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php

TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/

VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index

NUMBERS IN SPORTS

33 – 11 – 41 – 36 – 41 – 47 – 35

October 31, 1943 – Washington Redskin Quarterback, Number 33, “Slingin’ ” Sammy Baugh passed for 6 touchdowns against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 48-10 route.

October 31, 1950 – The Big Cat, Earl Lloyd became the first African-American to play a game in the NBA, scoring 6 points on debut for the Washington Capitols. Mr. Lloyd would wear the Number 11, with the Syracuse Nationals.

October 31, 1967 – San Francisco Giants Mike McCormick, wearing Number 41 won the  National League Cy Young Award

October 31, 1972 – Gaylord Perry of the Cleveland Indians, who wore Number 36 won the  American League Cy Young award

October 31, 1973 – Tom Seaver, Number 41 of the New York Mets won the National League Cy Young Award

October 31, 2014 – Greg Maddux (Number 31), Tom Glavine (Number 47 ), Frank Thomas (Number 35), Bobby Cox (Atlanta Braves Manager), Tony La Russa (Manager) and Joe Torre (Manager) were inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY

FOOTBALL HISTORY

Headline First Countrywide Broadcast of NFL from Indy

October 31, 1988 – Indianapolis, Indiana – The 1st Nationally televised NFL game in Indianapolis took place. ABC’s Monday Night Football with their broadcast team of Frank Gifford, Dan Dierdorf and Al Michaels placed the Colts and their guests the Denver Broncos in living rooms across the country. The Colts franchise had moved from Baltimore in March of 1984. The Colts defeated the Denver Broncos that historic evening 55-23.

Hall of Fame Birthdays for October 31

Hogan is a Hero

October 31, 1872  – Glenbane, County Tipperary, Ireland – James Hogan a tackle from Yale University who played football there from 1901 to 1904.  Hogan was always known to have a smile  on his face even while playing with his hard hitting style during contests as well as his school spirit caused his classmates to nickname him “Yale”. Hogan lettered all four years and was All-America three times as well as the Eli captain in 1904. Yale’s record in his four years 43-3-2 per the NFF website. The National Football Foundation voted James Hogan to enter into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.

Daly Football News

October 31, 1880 – Roxbury, Massachusetts     –  Charlie Daly who played quarterback for both Harvard and Army during his collegiate career was born. The footballfoundation.org website tells us that he played five years and was a first team All-America four times. He played for Harvard in 1898-1900 and for Army 1901-1902. He was a first team All-America all three of his years at Harvard and at Army in 1901. In his final season, Walter Camp named him as a third team All-America. In the three years Daly was at Harvard, the team had a record of 31-1-1. Army, in his two playing years, went 11-2-3. Daly against Navy during the  1901season had a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown, a field goal, and an extra point – all of Army’s points in an 11-5 victory. Charlie Daly entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.

More Hall of Fame Birthdays for October 31

Oh Henry!

October 31, 1897 – Mansfield, Ohio – Wilbur better known as Pete Henry, was a 3 year All-American tackle from Washington and Jefferson College. He was perhaps the largest lineman of his era as he stood 5-foot-11-inches tall and weighed in at a solid 245 pounds. Pete signed to play with the Canton Bulldogs coincidently on the same day that the NFL’s precursor the American Professional Football Association formed in Ralph Hay’s Hupmobile Showroom in Canton. The good natured Henry off the field was replaced by a focused beast on the gridiron. Pete’s most notable season had to be in 1923 with the Bulldogs according to the National Football Foundation’s website. Henry booted a 94 yard punt, blocked a punt, scored a touchdown and kicked nine field goals via drop kick , oh and by the way the Canton Bulldogs won their second consecutive NFL Championship that year due in part to his great play. In the NFL for a total of 8 seasons not only with Canton but was a member of the Pottsville Maroons and the New York Giants too. Pete Henry was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Pete in 1963’s class of inductees.

Cal Hubbard

October 31, 1900 – Keytesville, Missouri – Cal Hubbard was born on that day and he was a tackle for Centenary and Geneva Colleges.   The NFF informs us that Cal Hubbard played end and tackle for Centenary 1922-24 and then moved with his coach Bo McMillin to play one season at Geneva College 1926. Later as a pro Hubbard was a big tackle, standing 6-4 in height and weighing 250 pounds, for the New York Giants, Green Bay and Pittsburgh franchises.  The College Football Hall of Fame added Cal to their lineup in 1962. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Cal Hubbard one year later in 1963 for back to back Hall of Fame Enshrinements! Believe it or not 13 years after that in 1976 Cal Hubbard was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as an umpire.

Bill Fralic

October 31, 1962 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania –  Was the birth of Bill Fralic a tackle from the University of Pittsburgh.  Bill Fralic played his way to First Team All-America status in  three consecutive seasons from 1982 to 84, and the selections were of the  unanimous variety in 1983 & 1984 per the NFF. In fact he was so good that he became the first offensive lineman in history to be in the top 10 of balloting for the Heisman Award in two different seasons. Bill Fralic’s No. 79 jersey was retired by the Pitt Panthers at halftime of his final home game in 1984, a 21-10 win over Tulane. Bill Fralic was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Kenneth Simms

October 31, 1989 – Kosse , Texas – The big Defensive tackle from Texas Kenneth Sims was born. The National Football Foundation inducted Kenneth Simms into their College Football hall of Fame in 2021.

TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

1931    The Cardinals release 41-year-old right-hander Burleigh Grimes, the game’s last legal spitballer. Ol’ Stubblebeard, one of 17 pitchers allowed to keep throwing the pitches banned in 1920 until their retirement, will finish his 19-year Hall of Fame career with a 270-212 record and an ERA of 3.53.

1953    After touring Japan with the Giants, Commissioner Ford Frick compares Japanese play to Class A of the American minors. The Americans will finish the 14-game schedule against various Japanese teams with a 12-1-1 record, including nine consecutive victories at the start of the series.

1957    Yogi Berra says the team returned the fines the players paid for their involvement in the Copacabana fight. A group of Yankees, including Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, and Bill Skowron, gathered at the New York popular nightspot to celebrate Billy Martin’s 29th birthday in May when the infamous altercation occurred with a group of patrons, resulting in unwanted newspaper headlines for the storied franchise.

1960    The Giants trade infielder Andre Rodgers to Milwaukee for Alvin Dark. San Francisco obtains their former team captain not to be a player but rather to be the team’s new manager for the upcoming season.

1967    By an overwhelming margin, 23 of the 24 experts surveyed select Dick Williams as the United Press International’s American League Manager of the Year. The 38-year-old skipper guided the underdog Red Sox to a pennant, emerging on top from a fierce four-team pennant race that went down to the last day of the season.

1972    In a seven-player trade, Don Money is dealt by the Phillies, along with Bill Champion and John Vukovich, to the Brewers in exchange for Ken Brett, Jim Lonborg, Ken Sanders, and Earl Stephenson. The 25-year-old versatile infielder will spend over a decade with Milwaukee, becoming a four-time All-Star.

1972    Indians’ right-hander Gaylord Perry (24-16, 1.92) edges Wilbur Wood (24-17, 2.51) for the American League Cy Young Award, joining his brother Jim (1970) to become the first siblings to win the prestigious pitching prize. Although the future Hall of Fame hurler receives only 9 of the 24 first-place votes, the North Carolina native still outpoints the White Sox starter, 64-58.

1973    Tom Seaver wins the National League Cy Young Award, outdistancing closer Mike Marshall, who posted a league-leading 31 saves for the Expos. The selection of the Mets’ right-hander, who finished the season 19-10 and led the circuit in ERA (2.08), strikeouts (251), and complete games (18), marks the first time the honor has gone to a hurler with fewer than 20 victories.

1979    Mike Flanagan (23-9, 3.08) wins the Cy Young Award, easily outdistancing New York’s Tommy John (21-9, 2.97). The Orioles’ southpaw receives 26 of the 27 first-place votes cast by the writers.

2001    The Yankees’ 3-2 victory over the Diamondbacks marks the first time a team comes back to tie a Fall Classic game in the ninth and then goes on to win in extra innings for the first time since Philadelphia A’s Mule Haas hit a game-tying two-run homer in Game 5 of the 1929 World Series. Tino Martinez sent the contest into overtime with a two-out homer off Diamondbacks’ closer Byung-Hyun Kim, and Derek Jeter, dubbed Mr. November, wins the game after the stroke of midnight with a full count two-out round-tripper, giving the Bronx Bombers the walkoff victory.

2005    On Halloween night, former Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein eludes the media on the night of his resignation parked outside Fenway Park disguised in a gorilla suit. The hairy costume will be auctioned at a future charity event, making $11,000 for the Jimmy Fund and Theo’s Foundation, To Be Named Later.

2006    Joining Don Mattingly (Yankees, 1987), Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles, 1991), Frank Thomas (White Sox, 1995), Jeff Bagwell (Astros, 1995), and Manny Ramirez (Red Sox, 2002), Cardinal first baseman Albert Pujols becomes the sixth player to get a perfect score (100) in the annual player rankings. The Elias Sports Bureau rating considers a player’s plate appearances, batting average, on-base percentage, home runs, and RBIs compared to others playing the same position during the two past seasons.

2006    The Astros announce the club has decided not to exercise their option on first baseman Jeff Bagwell for the 2007 season. ‘BagPipes’ is the all-time franchise leader in home runs, RBIs, and walks.

2008    The Mets quickly exercise their $12 million option on Carlos Delgado. After a well-publicized slow start, which strained the relationship with his then-manager Willie Randolph, the 36-year-old first baseman batted .313, blasted 24 homers, and drove in 70 runs during the last three months of the season playing for new skipper Jerry Manuel.

2009    In Game 3, Alex Rodriguez’s fly ball in the right-field corner of Citizens Bank Park becomes the subject of the first instant replay call in World Series history. The umpires changed the Yankee third baseman’s hit, initially ruled a double, to a home run after the replay clearly showed the ball going over the fence before striking a television camera and bouncing back to the field.

2010    For the first time in major league history, two former presidents attend the same World Series game when George H.W. Bush and his son, George W. Bush, are both at Rangers Ballpark for Game 4 of the Fall Classic. Before the contest against San Francisco, the elder Bush, a former first baseman at Yale, stands close by when his son, the former controlling owner of the Texas franchise, throws the ceremonial first pitch.

2010    In Game 4, southpaw Madison Bumgarner and Buster Posey become the first rookie battery to start a World Series game since Spec Shea and Yogi Berra appeared together in the first game of the 1947 series. The freshmen do not disappoint when the 21-year-old southpaw becomes the fourth youngest to post a Fall Classic victory, limiting the Rangers to three hits while throwing eight strong innings, with his batterymate contributing to the Giants’ 4-0 win in Arlington with an eighth-inning home run.

2011    Although offered approximately $4.5 million for a three-year extension, four times more than his current salary, Theo Epstein leaves the Red Sox after becoming the youngest general manager to lead a team to a World Championship. His decision, caused by a rift with team president Larry Lucchino, who hired him as an 18-year-old Yale undergraduate as an Oriole intern, giving the ‘Boy Wonder’ a position with the Padres before bringing him to Boston, takes the Red Sox Nation by surprise.

2011    The World Champion Cardinals announce the resignation of Tony La Russa, their manager for the past 16 seasons. The 67-year-old skipper, who is only 35 games behind John McGraw on the all-time list for second place for games won, compiled a 2,728-2,365 (.536) managerial record during his 33 seasons with the White Sox, A’s, and St. Louis.

2011    The Mets announce on their Twitter page that the team plans to move the left- and right-field fences at Citi Field closer to home plate by as much as 12 feet and lower the home-run line to eight feet. The Amazins, who have hit the fewest home runs at home of any major league team since moving into their new ballpark in 2009, will see the number of round-trippers dramatically increase when the new dimensions result in 21 additional homers for the team and 24 more for opponents

2013    The Nationals announce the hiring of Diamondback coach Matt Williams as their sixth manager in team history, replacing Davey Johnson, who previously announced his retirement. The job will be the 47-year-old former All-Star third baseman’s first major league managerial stint.

2014    “We saw it as a unique opportunity and faced a clear dilemma: be loyal to Rick or be loyal to the organization. In this business of trying to win a world championship for the first time in 107 years, the organization has priority over any one individual. We decided to pursue Joe.” – THEO EPSTEIN, explaining manager Rick Renteria’s dismissal. Theo Epstein dismisses first-year Cubs’ manager Rick Renteria (73-89) with two years remaining on his contract. The GM believes his skipper “deserved to come back for another season,” but replaces him with field boss Joe Maddon, a free agent available after leading the low-payroll Rays to the postseason four times in his nine-year tenure with Tampa Bay.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

Oct. 31

1948 — Sammy Baugh of Washington passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns and Dan Sandifer has four interceptions including two for touchdowns as the Redskins beat the Boston Yanks 56-21.

1950 — Earl Lloyd of the Washington Capitols becomes the first African-American to play in an NBA game. Washington loses 78-70 on the road to the Rochester Royals.

1964 — Kelso, running in what is billed as his final race in New York, wins his fifth consecutive Jockey Club Gold Cup, surpassing Round Table as the all-time money-winning thoroughbred. Kelso runs the 2-mile distance in 3:19 1/5, breaking the world record he set as a 3-year-old, four years earlier, by 1/5 of a second.

1969 — Lenny Wilkens, the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, gets his first coaching victory as the Seattle SuperSonics beats Cincinnati Royals 129-121.

1972 — Gaylord Perry wins the AL Cy Young Award.

1981 — Florida State freshman Greg Allen rushes for 322 yards in a 56-31 victory over Western Carolina.

1987 — Eric Dickerson, the NFL’s single-season rushing champion, signs a three-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts to complete a three-way trade that nets the Los Angeles Rams two running backs and six top draft choices over the next two years. The third part of the deal sends linebacker Cornelius Bennett to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for three of the draft picks that went to the Rams.

1987 — Jockey Chris Antley becomes the first rider to win nine races in a single day. He has four winners in six mounts at Aqueduct and five winners from eight tries during The Meadowlands’ evening program.

1988 — The first Monday Night NFL game was played in Indianapolis; Colts beat the Broncos 55-23.

1998 — Tee Martin of Tennessee, sets NCAA records with 23 straight completions and 24 over two games in the No. 3 Volunteers’ 49-14 victory over South Carolina. Martin is 23-for-24, with a record completion percentage of 95.8, for 315 yards and four touchdowns.

1999 — Tim Couch completes a desperation 56-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Johnson with no time on the clock to give the expansion Cleveland Browns their first victory, a 21-16 win over New Orleans.

2004 — The New England Patriots lose for the first time in more than a year, falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-20. The Patriots had won 21 straight games, including the playoffs, and a league-record 18 in a row in the regular season.

2006 — Miami’s season-opening 108-66 loss to Chicago is the worst loss in NBA history for a defending champion on opening night.

2008 — The North Carolina Tar Heels are No. 1 in The Associated Press’ preseason Top 25, the first unanimous No. 1 since the preseason poll began in 1981-82.

2012 — Jamal Crawford scores 29 points in 30 minutes in his first official game with his new team, and the Los Angeles Clippers convert 21 turnovers into 29 points in a 101-92 victory that extends the Memphis Grizzlies’ NBA-record streak of opening-night losses to 12. The Grizzlies are 0-12 on opening night since the franchise shifted from Vancouver to Memphis in 2001.

2015 — Triple Crown champion American Pharoah wins the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic by 6 1/2 lengths in his final race before retirement.

2020 — Endland beats Italy 34-5 in Rome to win the 29th Six-Nations Rugby Championship.

TV SPORTS THURSDAY

NFL REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTV
Houston at NY Jets8:15pmPrime
NBA REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTV
Milwaukee Bucks at Memphis Brizzlies8:00pmNBATV
Bally Sports Southeast
Bally Sports Wisconsin
Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks8:30pmSCHN
KMPX
San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz9:00pmBally Sports Southwest
KJZZ
Phoenix Suns at LA CLippers10:30pmNBATV
SCHN
Bally Sports SoCal
NHL REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTV
Seattle at Toronto7:00pmPrime Seattle
Sportsnet
St. Louis at Philadelphia7:00pmBally Sports Midwest
NBC Sports Philadelphia
Anaheim at Pittsburgh7:00pmVictory+
ATTSN-PIT
Montreal at Washington7:00pmSportsnet
MNMT
Boston at Carolina7:00pmNESN
Bally Sports South
Edmonton at Nashville8:00pmESPN+
Hulu
Chicago at San Jose10:30pmNBC Sports Chicago
NBC Sports California
COLLEGE FOOTBALLTIME ETTV
Tulane at Charlotte7:30pmESPN
GOLFTIME ETTV
DP World: Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final7:00amGOLF
LET: Aramco Team Series Riyadh3:00pmGOLF
LPGA: Toto Japan Classic11:00pmGOLF
SOCCERTIME ETTV
Serie A: Genoa vs Fiorentina1:30pmParamount+
Copa del Rey: Manises vs Getafe2:00pmESPN+
Copa del Rey: San Tirso vs Espanyol2:00pmESPN+
Copa del Rey: Vic vs Atlético Madrid2:00pmESPN+
Serie A: Como vs Lazio3:45pmParamount+
Serie A: Roma vs Torino3:45pmParamount+
Copa del Rey: Gévora vs Real Betis4:00pmESPN+
Copa del Rey: Jove Español vs Real Sociedad4:00pmESPN+
Copa del Rey: Ontiñena vs Las Palmas4:00pmESPN+

TV SPORTS FRIDAY

TIME ETTV
NBA REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTV
Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets7:00pmBally Sports Southeast
NBCS-BOS
New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons7:00pmMSG
Bally Sports Detroit
Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers7:00pmESPN
Bally Sports Ohio
Bally Sports Florida
Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets7:30pmCHSN
YES
Los Angeles Lakers at Toronto Raptors7:30pmSpectrum
TSN
Sacramento Kings at Atlanta Hawks7:30pmBally Sports South
NBCS-CA
Indiana Pacers at New Orleans Pelicans8:00pmGCSN
Bally Sports Indiana
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves9:30pmESPN
ALT
Bally Sports North
Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers10:00pmBally Sports Oklahoma
KPTV
NHL REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTV
Florida at Dallas1:00pmScripps
Victory+
NY Islanders at Buffalo7:00pmMSGSN
MSG-BUF
Ottawa at NY Rangers7:00pmSportsnet
MSG
Winnipeg at Columbus7:00pmSportsnet
Bally Sports Ohio
Tampa Bay at Minnesota8:00pmBally Sports Sun
Bally Sports North
New Jersye at Calgary8:00pmMSGSN
Sportsnet
COLLEGE FOOTBALLTIME ETTV
Georgia State at UConn7:00pmCBSSN
USF at Florida Atlantic7:30pmESPN2
San Diego State at Boise State8:00pmFS1
MOTORSPORTSTIME ETTV
NASCAR Truck: Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 2006:00pmFS1
GOLFTIME ETTV
DP World: Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final7:00amGOLF
LET: Aramco Team Series Riyadh3:00pmGOLF
LPGA: Toto Japan Classic11:30pmGOLF
SOCCERTIME ETTV
Ligue 1: Monaco vs Angers SCO2:00pmFanatiz
beIN Sports
Ligue 1: Lille vs Olympique Lyonnais4:00pmFanatiz
beIN Sports
La Liga: Deportivo Alavés vs Mallorca4:00pmESPN+
Fubo
MLS: Charlotte vs Orlando City SC7:30pmMLS Season Pass
Liga MX: Querétaro vs Juárez9:00pmTUDN
Fubo
MLS: Colorado Rapids vs LA Galaxy9:30pmMLS Season Pass
NWSL: Portland Thorns vs Angel City10:00pmPrime
Liga MX: Mazatlán vs América11:00pmVIX
Liga MX: Tijuana vs Tigres UANL11:00pmTUDN
Fubo