“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL WEEK 8 SCHEDULE
ADAMS CENTRAL (7-0) AT BLUFFTON (6-1)
ALEXANDRIA (6-1) AT FRANKTON (3-4)
AVON (0-7) AT ZIONSVILLE (3-4)
BEN DAVIS (6-1) AT LAWRENCE CENTRAL (3-4)
BENTON CENTRAL (1-6) AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (4-3)
BLACKFORD (0-7) AT OAK HILL (3-4)
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (6-1) AT BREBEUF JESUIT (3-3)
BOWMAN ACADEMY (1-3) AT TRI-COUNTY (3-3)
BREMEN (4-3) AT SOUTH BEND RILEY (6-1)
BROWN COUNTY (1-6) AT NORTH PUTNAM (2-5)
BROWNSBURG (7-0) AT NOBLESVILLE (3-4)
CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (1-5) AT WINCHESTER (5-2)
CARROLL (FLORA) (7-0) AT CLINTON PRAIRIE (5-2)
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) (5-2) AT FORT WAYNE NORTHROP (0-7)
CASTLE (4-3) AT EVANSVILLE CENTRAL (0-7)
CASTON (1-6) AT WINAMAC (2-5)
CENTRAL NOBLE (3-4) AT EASTSIDE (5-2)
CLARKSVILLE (0-7) AT NORTH HARRISON (5-2)
COLUMBIA CITY (5-2) AT LEO (5-2)
COLUMBUS EAST (2-5) AT JEFFERSONVILLE (0-7)
COLUMBUS NORTH (3-4) AT BLOOMINGTON NORTH (7-0)
CONCORD (4-3) AT MISHAWAKA (5-2)
CRAWFORD COUNTY (0-7) AT WEST WASHINGTON (4-3)
CRAWFORDSVILLE (0-7) AT TRI-WEST (6-1)
CROWN POINT (7-0) AT CHESTERTON (2-5)
CULVER ACADEMY (3-4) AT SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (3-4)
DEKALB (4-3) AT BELLMONT (0-7)
DELPHI (2-5) AT CLINTON CENTRAL (1-5)
DELTA (5-2) AT GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (6-1)
EASTERN HANCOCK (4-3) AT SHENANDOAH (1-6)
EDGEWOOD (1-6) AT NORTHVIEW (5-2)
EDINBURGH (1-6) AT NORTH DECATUR (4-3)
ELKHART (3-4) AT MISHAWAKA MARIAN (3-4)
ELWOOD (1-6) AT MISSISSINEWA (7-0)
EVANSVILLE BOSSE (2-5) AT EVANSVILLE REITZ (7-0)
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (1-6) AT EVANSVILLE HARRISON (1-6)
EVANSVILLE NORTH (5-2) AT JASPER (4-3)
FAIRFIELD (4-3) AT LAKELAND (5-2)
FISHERS (5-2) AT WESTFIELD (6-1)
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK (0-6) AT GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN (4-3)
FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA (0-7) AT HOMESTEAD (3-4)
FORT WAYNE SNIDER (6-1) AT FORT WAYNE DWENGER (3-4)
FORT WAYNE SOUTH (1-6) AT FORT WAYNE LUERS (5-2)
FORT WAYNE WAYNE (4-3) AT FORT WAYNE NORTH (3-4)
FRANKLIN CENTRAL (4-3) AT HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN (6-1)
FRANKLIN COUNTY (3-4) AT BATESVILLE (6-1)
FREMONT (1-6) AT PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (0-7)
GARRETT (3-4) AT ANGOLA (0-7)
GIBSON SOUTHERN (5-2) AT MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) (4-3)
GREENSBURG (0-7) AT EAST CENTRAL (7-0)
GREENWOOD (4-3) AT FRANKLIN (4-3)
GRIFFITH (3-4) AT CALUMET (2-5)
HAMMOND CENTRAL (4-3) AT EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL (1-5)
HAMMOND MORTON (3-3) AT HOBART (5-2)
HAMMOND NOLL (2-5) AT GARY WEST (4-3)
HANOVER CENTRAL (7-0) AT ANDREAN (3-4)
HERITAGE (6-1) AT SOUTHERN WELLS (1-6)
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (5-2) AT SOUTH PUTNAM (6-1)
HUNTINGTON NORTH (1-6) AT NORWELL (1-6)
INDIAN CREEK (4-3) AT SULLIVAN (4-3)
INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (5-2) AT INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI (3-4)
INDIANAPOLIS RITTER (3-4) AT INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (4-3)
INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE (3-4) AT INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (7-0)
INDIANAPOLIS TECH (0-7) AT MCCUTCHEON (4-3)
INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY (3-4) AT CHRISTEL HOUSE MANUAL (2-4)
INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON (4-3) AT INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (6-1)
IRVINGTON PREP ACADEMY (0-7) AT MONROE CENTRAL (2-5)
JAY COUNTY (4-3) AT LAPEL (3-4)
JENNINGS COUNTY (3-4) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (6-1)
JOHN GLENN JV AT SOUTH BEND CLAY (0-6)
KANKAKEE VALLEY (3-4) AT HIGHLAND (3-4)
KOKOMO (6-1) AT RICHMOND (1-6)
LAKE STATION (2-5) AT BOONE GROVE (5-2)
LAVILLE (6-1) AT NORTH JUDSON (4-3)
LAWRENCE NORTH (5-2) AT CENTER GROVE (6-1)
LAWRENCEBURG (5-2) AT CONNERSVILLE (2-5)
LEWIS CASS (3-4) AT MANCHESTER (3-4)
LINTON-STOCKTON (6-1) AT EASTERN GREENE (3-3)
LOGANSPORT (3-4) AT HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) (6-1)
MACONAQUAH (5-2) AT WABASH (1-6)
MADISON (1-6) AT BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (4-3)
MADISON-GRANT (6-1) AT EASTBROOK (5-2)
MARION (2-5) AT LAFAYETTE JEFF (3-4)
MERRILLVILLE (5-2) AT LAKE CENTRAL (4-3)
MICHIGAN CITY (4-3) AT LAPORTE (1-6)
MONROVIA (5-2) AT CASCADE (5-2)
MOORESVILLE (3-4) AT MARTINSVILLE (4-3)
MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) (3-4) AT SHELBYVILLE (3-4)
MUNCIE CENTRAL (2-5) AT ANDERSON (2-5)
MUNSTER (2-5) AT LOWELL (2-5)
NEW ALBANY (2-5) AT SEYMOUR (4-3)
NEW CASTLE (1-6) AT NEW PALESTINE (5-2)
NEW HAVEN (7-0) AT EAST NOBLE (5-2)
NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) (0-7) AT PIKE (1-6)
NORTH DAVIESS (4-3) AT NORTH KNOX (4-3)
NORTH MONTGOMERY (4-3) AT FRANKFORT (1-6)
NORTH NEWTON (0-6) AT NORTH WHITE (7-0)
NORTH VERMILLION (5-2) AT FOUNTAIN CENTRAL (4-3)
NORTHEASTERN (6-1) AT KNIGHTSTOWN (3-4)
NORTHWOOD (5-2) AT WAWASEE (1-6)
PAOLI (6-1) AT MITCHELL (2-5)
PARK TUDOR (7-0) AT SOUTH NEWTON (3-4)
PENDLETON HEIGHTS (5-2) AT YORKTOWN (4-3)
PENN (6-1) AT NEW PRAIRIE (6-1)
PERRY CENTRAL (4-3) AT SPRINGS VALLEY (6-1)
PERRY MERIDIAN (2-5) AT DECATUR CENTRAL (5-2)
PERU (7-0) AT NORTH MIAMI (1-6)
PHALEN ACADEMY (1-5) AT PURDUE POLYTECHNIC (2-5)
PIKE CENTRAL (1-6) AT FOREST PARK (4-3)
PIONEER (4-3) AT CULVER (0-7)
PLAINFIELD (6-1) AT WHITELAND (3-4)
PLYMOUTH (2-5) AT NORTHRIDGE (6-1)
PRINCETON (1-6) AT HERITAGE HILLS (6-1)
PROVIDENCE (7-0) AT CORYDON CENTRAL (0-7)
RENSSELAER CENTRAL (3-4) AT NORTHWESTERN (3-4)
RIVER FOREST (4-3) AT SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) (3-4)
RIVERTON PARKE (2-5) AT PARKE HERITAGE (2-5)
ROCHESTER (5-2) AT SOUTHWOOD (4-3)
SALEM (1-6) AT CHARLESTOWN (4-3)
SCOTTSBURG (4-3) AT EASTERN (PEKIN) (3-4)
SHERIDAN (6-1) AT EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (5-2)
SILVER CREEK (5-2) AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (6-1)
SOUTH ADAMS (4-3) AT WOODLAN (2-5)
SOUTH BEND ADAMS (1-6) AT JIMTOWN (3-4)
SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (2-5) AT HAMILTON HEIGHTS (7-0)
SOUTH DEARBORN (4-3) AT RUSHVILLE (2-5)
SOUTH DECATUR (6-1) AT MILAN (4-3)
SOUTH SPENCER (2-5) AT NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) (1-5)
SOUTH VERMILLION (6-1) AT SEEGER (6-1)
SOUTHMONT (4-3) AT LEBANON (3-4)
SOUTHPORT (1-6) AT TERRE HAUTE SOUTH (3-4)
SOUTHRIDGE (5-2) AT NORTH POSEY (6-1)
SOUTHSIDE HOME SCHOOL AT SWITZERLAND COUNTY (4-3)
SPEEDWAY (2-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN (7-0)
TAYLOR (1-6) AT TRI-CENTRAL (1-6)
TELL CITY (4-3) AT TECUMSEH (0-7)
TERRE HAUTE NORTH (0-7) AT GUERIN CATHOLIC (5-2)
TIPTON (1-6) AT WESTERN (3-4)
TRI (4-3) AT HAGERSTOWN (5-2)
TRITON (5-2) AT KNOX (7-0)
TRITON CENTRAL (6-1) AT BEECH GROVE (3-4)
TWIN LAKES (4-3) AT WEST LAFAYETTE (5-2)
UNION CITY (2-5) AT CENTERVILLE (7-0)
UNION COUNTY (0-7) AT WES-DEL (2-5)
VALPARAISO (5-2) AT PORTAGE (0-7)
VINCENNES LINCOLN (5-2) AT EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (6-1)
WARREN CENTRAL (3-4) AT CARMEL (4-3)
WARSAW (6-1) AT GOSHEN (1-6)
WASHINGTON (2-5) AT BOONVILLE (4-3)
WEST CENTRAL (6-1) AT FRONTIER (4-3)
WEST NOBLE (7-0) AT CHURUBUSCO (2-5)
WEST VIGO (1-6) AT CLOVERDALE (2-5)
WESTERN BOONE (5-2) AT DANVILLE (5-2)
WHEELER (4-3) AT WHITING (2-5)
WHITKO (1-6) AT NORTHFIELD (2-5)
OWEN VALLEY (2-5) AT GREENCASTLE (5-2)
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL AP POLLS
| 6A | ||||
| Rank-School | FPV | Rcd | TP | Pvs |
| 1. Brownsburg | (11) | 7-0 | 322 | 1 |
| 2. Center Grove | (4) | 6-1 | 302 | 2 |
| 3. Indpls Ben Davis | (2) | 6-1 | 290 | 3 |
| 4. Crown Point | – | 7-0 | 216 | 4 |
| 5. Hamilton Southeastern | – | 6-1 | 206 | 5 |
| 6. Westfield | – | 6-1 | 148 | 7 |
| 7. Fishers | – | 5-2 | 138 | 6 |
| 8. Indpls Cathedral | – | 5-2 | 112 | 8 |
| 9. Penn | – | 6-1 | 76 | 10 |
| 10. Carroll (Fort Wayne) | – | 5-2 | 34 | NR |
Others receiving votes: Carmel 14. Warsaw 8. Lawrence North 2. Franklin Central 2.
| 5A | ||||
| Rank-School | FPV | Rcd | TP | Pvs |
| 1. Bloomington North | (16) | 7-0 | 336 | 1 |
| 2. Ft. Wayne Snider | (1) | 6-1 | 300 | 2 |
| 3. Bloomington South | – | 6-1 | 274 | 3 |
| 4. Valparaiso | – | 5-2 | 218 | 6 |
| 5. Lafayette Harrison | – | 6-1 | 184 | 7 |
| 6. Plainfield | – | 6-1 | 158 | 8 |
| 7. Merrillville | – | 5-2 | 124 | 4 |
| 8. Decatur Central | – | 5-2 | 92 | 9 |
| (tie) Floyd Central | – | 6-1 | 92 | 10 |
| 10. Mishawaka | – | 5-2 | 78 | 5 |
Others receiving votes: Ev. North 12. Castle 2.
| 4A | ||||
| Rank-School | FPV | Rcd | TP | Pvs |
| 1. E. Central | (15) | 7-0 | 336 | 1 |
| 2. Ev. Reitz | (2) | 7-0 | 298 | 2 |
| 3. New Haven | – | 7-0 | 252 | 4 |
| 4. Northridge | – | 6-1 | 198 | 5 |
| 5. New Palestine | – | 5-2 | 174 | 7 |
| 6. Kokomo | – | 6-1 | 168 | 6 |
| 7. Greenfield | – | 6-1 | 132 | 8 |
| 8. Ev. Memorial | – | 6-1 | 114 | 3 |
| 9. Mississinewa | – | 7-0 | 70 | 9 |
| 10. New Prairie | – | 6-1 | 62 | 10 |
Others receiving votes: E. Noble 30. NorthWood 24. Leo 10. Pendleton Hts. 2.
| 3A | ||||
| Rank-School | FPV | Rcd | TP | Pvs |
| 1. Indpls Chatard | (17) | 7-0 | 340 | 1 |
| 2. Hanover Central | – | 7-0 | 250 | 3 |
| 3. Guerin Catholic | – | 5-2 | 224 | 5 |
| 4. Hamilton Hts. | – | 7-0 | 220 | 4 |
| 5. Tippecanoe Valley | – | 7-0 | 202 | 7 |
| 6. Gibson Southern | – | 5-2 | 158 | 6 |
| 7. Heritage Hills | – | 6-1 | 134 | 8 |
| 8. Tri-West | – | 6-1 | 96 | 9 |
| 9. Peru | – | 7-0 | 72 | 10 |
| 10. Knox | – | 7-0 | 54 | NR |
Others receiving votes: W. Lafayette 44. W. Noble 32. Batesville 24. Lawrenceburg 12. Southridge 4. Vincennes 4.
| 2A | ||||
| Rank-School | FPV | Rcd | TP | Pvs |
| 1. Triton Central | (14) | 6-1 | 326 | 2 |
| 2. Linton | (2) | 6-1 | 286 | 3 |
| 3. Brownstown | (1) | 6-1 | 262 | 4 |
| 4. N. Posey | – | 6-1 | 208 | 6 |
| 5. LaVille | – | 6-1 | 196 | 7 |
| 6. Bluffton | – | 6-1 | 154 | 1 |
| 7. Ft. Wayne Luers | – | 5-2 | 134 | 9 |
| 8. Alexandria | – | 6-1 | 130 | T10 |
| 9. Heritage Christian | – | 5-2 | 40 | 5 |
| 10. Eastbrook | – | 5-2 | 26 | NR |
| (tie) S. Vermillion | – | 6-1 | 26 | T10 |
Others receiving votes: Paoli 24. Lafayette Catholic 16. Indpls Scecina 14. Greencastle 12. Northeastern 10. Rochester 6.
| 1A | ||||
| Rank-School | FPV | Rcd | TP | Pvs |
| 1. Indpls Lutheran | (16) | 7-0 | 320 | 1 |
| 2. Adams Central | – | 7-0 | 268 | 2 |
| 3. Carroll (Flora) | – | 7-0 | 254 | 3 |
| 4. Providence | – | 7-0 | 202 | 4 |
| 5. Indpls Park Tudor | – | 7-0 | 178 | 5 |
| 6. S. Putnam | – | 6-1 | 140 | 6 |
| 7. Sheridan | – | 6-1 | 138 | 7 |
| 8. Madison-Grant | – | 6-1 | 100 | 8 |
| 9. N. White | – | 7-0 | 60 | 9 |
| 10. Triton | – | 5-2 | 54 | NR |
Others receiving votes: Springs Valley 24. S. Adams 18. N. Vermillion 4.
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL SECTIONAL BRACKETS
CLASS 4A
1. MUNSTER (7) | BRACKET
EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL, GARY WEST SIDE, HAMMOND CENTRAL, HAMMOND MORTON, LAKE CENTRAL, MERRILLVILLE, MUNSTER
2. CROWN POINT (7) | BRACKET
CHESTERTON, CROWN POINT, HOBART, KANKAKEE VALLEY, LOWELL, PORTAGE, VALPARAISO
3. MICHIGAN CITY (6) | BRACKET
LAPORTE, MICHIGAN CITY, MISHAWAKA, PLYMOUTH, SOUTH BEND ADAMS, SOUTH BEND RILEY
4. ELKHART (6) | BRACKET
CONCORD, ELKHART, GOSHEN, NORTHRIDGE, PENN, WARSAW COMMUNITY
5. DEKALB (6) | BRACKET
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE), DEKALB, EAST NOBLE, FORT WAYNE NORTH SIDE, FORT WAYNE NORTHROP, FORT WAYNE SNIDER
6. HOMESTEAD (6) | BRACKET
COLUMBIA CITY, FORT WAYNE SOUTH SIDE, FORT WAYNE WAYNE, HOMESTEAD, HUNTINGTON NORTH, NEW HAVEN
7. LOGANSPORT (6) | BRACKET
HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE), KOKOMO, LAFAYETTE JEFFERSON, LOGANSPORT, MARION, MCCUTCHEON
8. ZIONSVILLE (6) | BRACKET
CARMEL, FISHERS, HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN, NOBLESVILLE, WESTFIELD, ZIONSVILLE
9. PENDLETON HEIGHTS (8) | BRACKET
ANDERSON, GREENFIELD-CENTRAL, MT. VERNON (FORTVILLE), MUNCIE CENTRAL, NEW PALESTINE, PENDLETON HEIGHTS, RICHMOND, YORKTOWN
10. LAWRENCE NORTH (7) | BRACKET
INDIANAPOLIS ARSENAL TECH, INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL, INDIANAPOLIS CRISPUS ATTUCKS, LAWRENCE CENTRAL, LAWRENCE NORTH, NORTH CENTRAL, WARREN CENTRAL
11. BEN DAVIS (8) | BRACKET
BEN DAVIS, BREBEUF JESUIT, DECATUR CENTRAL, FRANKLIN CENTRAL, PERRY MERIDIAN, PIKE, RONCALLI, SOUTHPORT
12. TERRE HAUTE NORTH VIGO (5) | BRACKET
AVON, BROWNSBURG, PLAINFIELD, TERRE HAUTE NORTH VIGO, TERRE HAUTE SOUTH VIGO
13. GREENWOOD COMMUNITY (6) | BRACKET
BLOOMINGTON NORTH, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH, CENTER GROVE, GREENWOOD COMMUNITY, MARTINSVILLE, MOORESVILLE
14. FRANKLIN COMMUNITY (6) | BRACKET
COLUMBUS EAST, COLUMBUS NORTH, EAST CENTRAL, FRANKLIN COMMUNITY, SHELBYVILLE, WHITELAND COMMUNITY
15. SEYMOUR (6) | BRACKET
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE, FLOYD CENTRAL, JEFFERSONVILLE, JENNINGS COUNTY, NEW ALBANY, SEYMOUR
16. JASPER (6) | BRACKET
CASTLE, EVANSVILLE CENTRAL, EVANSVILLE F.J. REITZ, EVANSVILLE HARRISON, EVANSVILLE NORTH, JASPER
CLASS 3A
17. GRIFFITH (7) | BRACKET
BOONE GROVE, CALUMET, GRIFFITH, HAMMOND BISHOP NOLL, HANOVER CENTRAL, HIGHLAND, RIVER FOREST
18. BREMEN (5) | BRACKET
BREMEN, CULVER ACADEMY, GLENN, KNOX, TIPPECANOE VALLEY
19. JIMTOWN (6) | BRACKET
JIMTOWN, MISHAWAKA MARIAN, NEW PRAIRIE, SOUTH BEND CLAY, SOUTH BEND SAINT JOSEPH, SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON
20. WAWASEE (5) | BRACKET
FAIRFIELD, LAKELAND, NORTHWOOD, WAWASEE, WEST NOBLE
21. ANGOLA (7) | BRACKET
ANGOLA, FORT WAYNE BISHOP DWENGER, FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA LUTHERAN, GARRETT, HERITAGE, LEO, WOODLAN
22. FRANKFORT (7) | BRACKET
BENTON CENTRAL, FRANKFORT, NORTH MONTGOMERY, RENSSELAER CENTRAL, TWIN LAKES, WEST LAFAYETTE, WESTERN
23. NORWELL (7) | BRACKET
BELLMONT, MACONAQUAH, MISSISSINEWA, NORTHWESTERN, NORWELL, OAK HILL, PERU
24. NEW CASTLE (5) | BRACKET
CENTERVILLE, DELTA, FRANKTON, JAY COUNTY, NEW CASTLE
25. MONROVIA (6) | BRACKET
CRAWFORDSVILLE, DANVILLE, LEBANON, MONROVIA, TRI-WEST HENDRICKS, WESTERN BOONE
26. NORTHVIEW (7) | BRACKET
BROWN COUNTY, EDGEWOOD, INDIAN CREEK, NORTHVIEW, OWEN VALLEY, SOUTH VERMILLION, WEST VIGO
27. INDPLS. BISHOP CHATARD (6) | BRACKET
GUERIN CATHOLIC, HAMILTON HEIGHTS, HERITAGE CHRISTIAN, HERRON, INDIANAPOLIS BISHOP CHATARD, INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE
28. SPEEDWAY (6) | BRACKET
BEECH GROVE, CHRISTEL HOUSE, INDIANAPOLIS CARDINAL RITTER, INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON, PURDUE POLYTECHNIC, SPEEDWAY
29. BATESVILLE (7) | BRACKET
BATESVILLE, CONNERSVILLE, FRANKLIN COUNTY, GREENSBURG, LAWRENCEBURG, RUSHVILLE, SOUTH DEARBORN
30. PROVIDENCE (8) | BRACKET
CHARLESTOWN, CORYDON CENTRAL, MADISON CONSOLIDATED, NORTH HARRISON, PROVIDENCE, SALEM, SCOTTSBURG, SILVER CREEK
31. PRINCETON (7) | BRACKET
BARR-REEVE, HERITAGE HILLS, PIKE CENTRAL, PRINCETON COMMUNITY, SOUTHRIDGE, VINCENNES LINCOLN, WASHINGTON
32. GIBSON SOUTHERN (6) | BRACKET
BOONVILLE, EVANSVILLE BOSSE, EVANSVILLE MATER DEI, EVANSVILLE REITZ MEMORIAL, GIBSON SOUTHERN, MT. VERNON
CLASS 2A
33. NORTH NEWTON (7) | BRACKET
21ST CENTURY CHARTER, ANDREAN, ILLIANA CHRISTIAN, LAKE STATION EDISON, LIGHTHOUSE CPC, NORTH NEWTON, WHITING
34. SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) (6) | BRACKET
HEBRON, LAVILLE, NORTH JUDSON-SAN PIERRE, CAREER ACADEMY, SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS), WHEELER
35. CENTRAL NOBLE (6) | BRACKET
CENTRAL NOBLE, CHURUBUSCO, EASTSIDE, FREMONT, PRAIRIE HEIGHTS, WESTVIEW
36. PIONEER (6) | BRACKET
LEWIS CASS, NORTH MIAMI, PIONEER, ROCHESTER, WINAMAC COMMUNITY, WABASH
37. BLUFFTON (6) | BRACKET
ADAMS CENTRAL, BLUFFTON, FORT WAYNE LUERS, MANCHESTER, SOUTH ADAMS, WHITKO
38. COVINGTON (6) | BRACKET
CARROLL (FLORA), CLINTON PRAIRIE, COVINGTON, DELPHI, LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC, SEEGER
39. EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (7) | BRACKET
BLACKFORD, EASTBROOK, EASTERN (GREENTOWN), ELWOOD, MADISON-GRANT, TAYLOR, TIPTON
40. WES-DEL (7) | BRACKET
ALEXANDRIA MONROE, LAPEL, MONROE CENTRAL, MUNCIE BURRIS, WAPAHANI, WES-DEL, WINCHESTER
41. HAGERSTOWN (5) | BRACKET
HAGERSTOWN, KNIGHTSTOWN, NORTHEASTERN, SHENANDOAH, UNION COUNTY
42. TRITON CENTRAL (5) | BRACKET
EASTERN HANCOCK, INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA, IRVINGTON PREPARATORY ACADEMY, RIVERSIDE, TRITON CENTRAL
43. SHERIDAN (5) | BRACKET
CASCADE, COVENANT CHRISTIAN (INDPLS.), PARK TUDOR, SHERIDAN, UNIVERSITY
44. SOUTHMONT (7) | BRACKET
CLOVERDALE, GREENCASTLE, NORTH PUTNAM, PARKE HERITAGE, RIVERTON PARKE, SOUTH PUTNAM, SOUTHMONT
45. SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER) (6) | BRACKET
HAUSER, MILAN, NORTH DECATUR, SOUTH RIPLEY, SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER), SWITZERLAND COUNTY
46. HENRYVILLE (7) | BRACKET
AUSTIN, BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL, CLARKSVILLE, EASTERN (PEKIN), HENRYVILLE, MITCHELL, PAOLI
47. NORTH DAVIESS (6) | BRACKET
EASTERN GREENE, LINTON-STOCKTON, NORTH DAVIESS, NORTH KNOX, SOUTH KNOX, SULLIVAN
48. FOREST PARK (6) | BRACKET
CRAWFORD COUNTY, FOREST PARK, NORTH POSEY, PERRY CENTRAL, SOUTH SPENCER, TELL CITY
CLASS 1A
49. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP (7) | BRACKET
BOWMAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN, HAMMOND ACADEMY, KOUTS, MORGAN TOWNSHIP, TRI-TOWNSHIP, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
50. MARQUETTE CATHOLIC (6) | BRACKET
ARGOS, CULVER COMMUNITY, MARQUETTE CATHOLIC, OREGON DAVIS, TRITON, WESTVILLE
51. LAKEWOOD PARK CHRISTIAN (6) | BRACKET
BETHANY CHRISTIAN, ELKHART CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN, FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY, HAMILTON, LAKEWOOD PARK CHRISTIAN
52. NORTH WHITE (5) | BRACKET
FRONTIER, NORTH WHITE, SOUTH NEWTON, TRI-COUNTY, WEST CENTRAL
53. SOUTHWOOD (5) | BRACKET
CASTON, LAKELAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, NORTHFIELD, SOUTHERN WELLS, SOUTHWOOD
54. ROSSVILLE (6) | BRACKET
ATTICA, CLINTON CENTRAL, FAITH CHRISTIAN, FOUNTAIN CENTRAL, NORTH VERMILLION, ROSSVILLE
55. COWAN (5) | BRACKET
ANDERSON PREPARATORY ACADEMY, COWAN, DALEVILLE, LIBERTY CHRISTIAN, TRI-CENTRAL
56. CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (7) | BRACKET
BLUE RIVER VALLEY, CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN, RANDOLPH SOUTHERN, SETON CATHOLIC, TRI, UNION (MODOC), UNION CITY
57. WHITE RIVER VALLEY (7) | BRACKET
BLOOMFIELD, CLAY CITY, DUGGER UNION, LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG), SHAKAMAK, WHITE RIVER VALLEY
58. BETHESDA CHRISTIAN (6) | BRACKET
BETHESDA CHRISTIAN, INDIANA MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY, INDIANA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF INDIANA, MTI SCHOOL OF KNOWLEDGE, TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
59. INDPLS. LUTHERAN (7) | BRACKET
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, EMINENCE, GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN, PROVIDENCE CRISTO REY, TINDLEY, VICTORY COLLEGE PREP
60. WALDRON (7) | BRACKET
EDINBURGH, JAC-CEN-DEL, MORRISTOWN, OLDENBURG ACADEMY, SOUTH DECATUR, SOUTHWESTERN (SHELBYVILLE), WALDRON
61. CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF INDIANA (6) | BRACKET
BORDEN, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF INDIANA, LANESVILLE, ROCK CREEK ACADEMY, SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH), WEST WASHINGTON
62. MEDORA (5) | BRACKET
CROTHERSVILLE, MEDORA, NEW WASHINGTON, RISING SUN, TRINITY LUTHERAN
63. LOOGOOTEE (5) | BRACKET
LOOGOOTEE, ORLEANS, SHOALS, SPRINGS VALLEY, VINCENNES RIVET
64. NORTHEAST DUBOIS (5) | BRACKET
CANNELTON, EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN, NORTHEAST DUBOIS, TECUMSEH, WOOD MEMORIAL
TUESDAY’S SCORES: HTTPS://WWW.MAXPREPS.COM/IN/VOLLEYBALL/SCORES/?DATE=10/3/2023
INDIANA BOYS SECTIONAL SOCCER SCORES TUESDAY
HTTPS://WWW.MAXPREPS.COM/IN/SOCCER/SCORES/?DATE=10/3/2023
INDIANA BOYS SOCCER SECTIONAL BRACKETS: Class 3A Brackets | Class 2A Brackets | Class 1A Brackets
INDIANA GIRLS SOCCER SECTIONAL SCORES TUESDAY
HTTPS://WWW.MAXPREPS.COM/IN/SOCCER/GIRLS/SCORES/?DATE=10/3/2023
INDIANA GIRLS SOCCER SECTIONAL BRACKETS: Class 3A Brackets | Class 2A Brackets | Class 1A Brackets
INDIANA BOYS REGIONAL TENNIS OCTOBER 3/4
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 6 SCHEDULE
WEEK 6
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4
JACKSONVILLE STATE AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT NEW MEXICO STATE | 9 P.M. | CBSSN
THURSDAY, OCT. 5
SAM HOUSTON AT LIBERTY | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
WESTERN KENTUCKY AT LOUISIANA TECH | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
FRIDAY, OCT. 6
CORNELL AT HARVARD | 7 P.M. | ESPNU
KANSAS STATE AT OKLAHOMA STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
NEBRASKA AT ILLINOIS | 8 P.M. | FS1
SATURDAY, OCT. 7
OKLAHOMA VS. TEXAS (AT THE COTTON BOWL IN DALLAS, TEXAS) | 12 P.M. | ABC
MARYLAND AT OHIO STATE | 12 P.M. | FOX
LSU AT MISSOURI | 12 P.M. | ESPN
BOSTON COLLEGE AT ARMY | 12 P.M. | CBSSN
WESTERN MICHIGAN AT MISSISSIPPI STATE | 12 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
RUTGERS AT WISCONSIN | 12 P.M. | PEACOCK
WILLIAM & MARY AT VIRGINIA | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
TOLEDO AT UMASS | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
RHODE ISLAND AT BROWN | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
STONY BROOK AT MORGAN STATE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
STONEHILL AT MERRIMACK | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
HOLY CROSS AT BUCKNELL | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
GEORGETOWN AT PENN | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
LAFAYETTE AT PRINCETON | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
LEHIGH AT FORDHAM | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
DAYTON AT MOREHEAD STATE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
STETSON AT PRESBYTERIAN | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
YALE AT DARTMOUTH | 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
SAMFORD AT WOFFORD | 1:30 P.M. | ESPN+
MARSHALL AT NC STATE | 2 P.M. | CW NETWORK
UTSA AT TEMPLE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT BUFFALO | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
VIRGINIA LYNCHBURG AT SOUTH CAROLINA STATE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
WESTERN ILLINOIS AT NORTH DAKOTA | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
VALPARAISO AT DRAKE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
TENNESSEE TECH AT LINDENWOOD | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
THE CITADEL AT FURMAN | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
WASHINGTON STATE AT UCLA | 3 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
HOWARD AT NORTHWESTERN | 3 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
NORTH DAKOTA STATE AT MISSOURI STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
MURRAY STATE AT SOUTH DAKOTA | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
UT MARTIN AT EASTERN ILLINOIS | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
TENNESSEE STATE AT KENNESAW STATE | 3 P.M. | ESPN+
VIRGINIA TECH AT FLORIDA STATE | 3:30 P.M.
ALABAMA AT TEXAS A&M | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
SYRACUSE AT NORTH CAROLINA | 3:30 P.M.
PURDUE AT IOWA | 3:30 P.M. | PEACOCK
WAKE FOREST AT CLEMSON | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
NORTH TEXAS AT NAVY | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
BALL STATE AT EASTERN MICHIGAN | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
BOWLING GREEN AT MIAMI (OHIO) | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
KENT STATE AT OHIO | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AT AKRON | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
GRAMBLING AT ALCORN STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
MERCER AT EAST TENNESSEE STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
VANDERBILT AT FLORIDA | 4 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
UCF AT KANSAS | 4 P.M. | FOX
ARKANSAS STATE AT TROY | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
JACKSON STATE VS. ALABAMA A&M (IN MOBILE, ALA.) | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN AT NICHOLLS | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTHWESTERN STATE AT LAMAR | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
WESTERN CAROLINA AT CHATTANOOGA | 4 P.M. | ESPN+
UCONN AT RICE | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
SE MISSOURI STATE AT CENTRAL ARKANSAS | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
SE LOUISIANA AT UIW | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
TULSA AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
ROBERT MORRIS AT GARDNER-WEBB | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
COLORADO AT ARIZONA STATE | 6:30 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
KENTUCKY AT GEORGIA | 7 P.M. | ESPN
SOUTH ALABAMA AT UL MONROE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
OLD DOMINION AT SOUTHERN MISS | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT ILLINOIS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA A&M AT SOUTHERN | 7 P.M. | ESPNU
SOUTHERN UTAH AT TARLETON STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
MONTANA AT UC DAVIS | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
UNI AT INDIANA STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
MICHIGAN AT MINNESOTA | 7:30 P.M. | NBC/PEACOCK
NOTRE DAME AT LOUISVILLE | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
ARKANSAS AT OLE MISS | 7:30 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
GEORGIA TECH AT MIAMI (FLA.) | 8 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
FRESNO STATE AT WYOMING | 8 P.M.
TEXAS TECH AT BAYLOR | 8 P.M. | ESPN2
TCU AT IOWA STATE | 8 P.M.
SAN JOSE STATE AT BOISE STATE | 8 P.M. | CBSSN
IDAHO AT CAL POLY | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
MCNEESE AT TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN AT UTAH TECH | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
OREGON STATE AT CAL | 10 P.M. | PAC-12 NETWORK
ARIZONA AT USC | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
SOUTH FLORIDA AT UAB
TEXAS STATE AT LOUISIANA
WEEK 5 SCHEDULE
CHICAGO BEARS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (THU) 8:15P (ET) 8:15P PRIME VIDEO
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS VS BUFFALO BILLS (TOTTENHAM) 2:30P (BST) 9:30A NFLN
HOUSTON TEXANS AT ATLANTA FALCONS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT DETROIT LIONS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
TENNESSEE TITANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
NEW YORK GIANTS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P FOX
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS 1:00P (ET) 1:00P CBS
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS 1:05P (MST) 4:05P FOX
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT LOS ANGELES RAMS 1:05P (PT) 4:05P FOX
NEW YORK JETS AT DENVER BRONCOS 2:25P (MT) 4:25P CBS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS 3:25P (CT) 4:25P CBS
DALLAS COWBOYS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 5:20P (PT) 8:20P NBC*
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (MON) 5:15P (PT) 8:15P ESPN
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
FULL SCHEDULE FOR 2023 MLB POSTSEASON
WILD CARD SERIES
TUESDAY’S SCORES
TEXAS 4 TAMPA BAY 0
MINNESOTA 3 TORONTO 1
ARIZONA 6 MILWAUKEE 3
PHILADELPHIA 1
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4
AL WILD CARD A, GAME 2, ESPN PLATFORMS
AL WILD CARD B, GAME 2, ESPN PLATFORMS
NL WILD CARD A, GAME 2, ESPN PLATFORMS
NL WILD CARD B, GAME 2, ESPN PLATFORMS
THURSDAY, OCT. 5
AL WILD CARD A, GAME 3 (IF NECESSARY), ESPN PLATFORMS
AL WILD CARD B, GAME 3 (IF NECESSARY), ESPN PLATFORMS
NL WILD CARD A, GAME 3 (IF NECESSARY), ESPN PLATFORMS
NL WILD CARD B, GAME 3 (IF NECESSARY), ESPN PLATFORMS
DIVISION SERIES
SATURDAY, OCT. 7
ALDS A, GAME 1, FOX/FS1
ALDS B, GAME 1, FOX/FS1
NLDS A, GAME 1, TBS
NLDS B, GAME 1, TBS
SUNDAY, OCT. 8
ALDS A, GAME 2, FOX/FS1
ALDS B, GAME 2, FOX/FS1
MONDAY, OCT. 9
NLDS A, GAME 2, TBS
NLDS B, GAME 2, TBS
TUESDAY, OCT. 10
ALDS A, GAME 3, FOX/FS1
ALDS B, GAME 3, FOX/FS1
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 11
NLDS A, GAME 3, TBS
NLDS B, GAME 3, TBS
ALDS A, GAME 4 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
ALDS B, GAME 4 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
THURSDAY, OCT. 12
NLDS A, GAME 4 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
NLDS B, GAME 4 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
FRIDAY, OCT. 13
ALDS A, GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
ALDS B, GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
SATURDAY, OCT. 14
NLDS A, GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
NLDS B, GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
SUNDAY, OCT. 15
ALCS GAME 1, FOX/FS1
MONDAY, OCT. 16
NLCS GAME 1, TBS
ALCS GAME 2, FOX/FS1
TUESDAY, OCT. 17
NLCS GAME 2, TBS
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18
ALCS GAME 3, FOX/FS1
THURSDAY, OCT. 19
NLCS GAME 3, TBS
ALCS GAME 4, FOX/FS1
FRIDAY, OCT. 20
NLCS GAME 4, TBS
ALCS GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
SATURDAY, OCT. 21
NLCS GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
SUNDAY, OCT. 22
ALCS GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
MONDAY, OCT. 23
NLCS GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
ALCS GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY), FOX/FS1
TUESDAY, OCT. 24
NLCS GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY), TBS
WORLD SERIES
FRIDAY, OCT. 27
GAME 1 (AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
SATURDAY, OCT. 28
GAME 2 (AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
MONDAY, OCT. 30
GAME 3, FOX
TUESDAY, OCT. 31
GAME 4, FOX
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1
GAME 5 (IF NECESSARY), FOX
FRIDAY, NOV. 3
GAME 6 (IF NECESSARY, AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
SATURDAY, NOV. 4
GAME 7 (IF NECESSARY, AT BETTER 2023 RECORD), FOX
NHL PRE-SEASON
TAMPA BAY 2 FLORDIA 0
WASHINGTON 5 BOSTON 4
DALLAS 3 COLORADO 1
CHICAGO 4 DETROIT 2
LOS ANGELES 4 ANAHEIM 1
SAN JOSE 2 VEGAS 0
WNBA SCORES
FINALS GAME 1 SUNDAY
NEW YORK AT LAS VEGAS 3:00
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES
BASEBALL NEWS
TWINS STOP RECORD 18-GAME POSTSEASON SKID ON STRENGTH OF ROYCE LEWIS HOME RUNS
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Royce Lewis felt a jolt of confidence from his inclusion on Minnesota’s roster for the AL Wild Card Series, ending the uncertainty around his hamstring strain.
Pablo López found inspiration in his closet, wearing a throwback jersey of his boyhood hero Johan Santana who just happened to be the last Twins pitcher to win a game in the playoffs.
The Twins and their fans fed off the energy, finally stopping that record 18-game postseason skid.
Lewis smashed the streak into the seats, homering in each of his first two at-bats to carry the Twins to a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of their AL Wild Card Series on Tuesday.
“It was a blessing to play today. That atmosphere was electric,” said Lewis, whose two-run shot off Kevin Gausman in the first inning and leadoff drive in the third sent the sellout crowd into a frenzy.
The bigger celebration occurred a few hours later when Jhoan Duran pitched a hitless ninth to close the first victory for the Twins in the playoffs since Oct. 5, 2004, and vanquish the longest postseason skid in major North American professional sports.
“This was my team growing up. It’s still my team,” said Caleb Thielbar, a Minnesota native who pitched a perfect seventh. “I know how people feel, and I know what weight was lifted off everyone’s backs today.”
It was the first home win for the Twins in the playoffs since Game 1 of the ALCS in 2002 at the Metrodome. Lewis was a 3-year-old then. He’s the type of big-time player – with five grand slams in 70 career games – that could lead the Twins on an actual postseason run instead of just hanging a division title banner and leaving the party after three or four days.
“I thought the place was going to split open and melt, honestly,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “It was out of this universe out there on the field. The fans took over the game. They helped us win today.”
López also had a strong playoff debut for Minnesota, permitting one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. After wearing his Santana jersey to the ballpark, he delivered a performance that was reminiscent of his fellow Venezuelan.
“Sometimes things line up too perfectly to pass up on those opportunities,” López said.
Game 2 is Wednesday afternoon. The entire series is at Target Field.
“You don’t want to say like an over sense of urgency, but these guys know it’s going to take everybody to get to Game 3,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
The Blue Jays finally got on the board when Kevin Kiermaier’s two-out single drove in Bo Bichette in the sixth, but they left nine runners on base.
The Blue Jays carried their own October angst into this series, having not won a postseason game since the 2016 ALCS. They took two-game sweeps as wild cards in 2020 and 2022, and Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – two franchise cornerstones and the celebrated sons of former major leaguers – have not yet won a postseason game.
GAUSMAN’S DAY
Gausman finished four innings with three hits and three walks, his second-shortest start of the season. The right-hander frequently asked for a new ball early in his outing and even had trouble at one point with the wireless PitchCom device that is used to prevent sign stealing.
He finished better than he started but was never able to escape the full-count fastball to Lewis in the first inning that he said he misplaced by 3½ feet.
“Good hitters are going to make you pay for that,” Gausman said. “Obviously he’s hitting in the ‘3’ hole for a reason.”
GLOVE WORK
López and his four relievers got plenty of defensive help. Michael A. Taylor made a diving catch of a sharp line drive to center by Alejandro Kirk in the second and a leaping grab at the wall to take an extra-base hit away from a fuming Matt Chapman in the sixth. Max Kepler crashed against the same padding to catch Guerrero’s long fly ball in the fourth.
The most vital play of all was later in that inning, when Kiermaier’s two-out roller eluded third baseman Jorge Polanco as Bichette rounded for home with two outs. Carlos Correa backed him up from shortstop and threw a strike to the plate to end the inning.
“Once I saw Bo look at the ball, I knew he had intentions,” Correa said. “I could see in his eyes.”
ROYCE ROLLS
Lewis became the third player in MLB history to hit home runs in each of his first two career postseason plate appearances, following Evan Longoria for the Rays in 2008 and Gary Gaetti for the Twins in 1987.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays: RHP José Berríos (11-12, 3.65 ERA) will start Game 2 against the team he pitched 5½ seasons for until a trade to Toronto on July 30, 2021. He made postseason starts for the Twins in 2019 and 2020. “I love pitching in this ballpark because the dugout is so close, so I look like I throw 100,” Berríos said.
Twins: RHP Sonny Gray (8-8, 2.79 ERA) will take the mound Wednesday for the first postseason start for the 11-year veteran since 2017 in Game 4 of the ALDS for the Yankees.
DIAMONDBACKS HIT BURNES HARD TO RALLY FOR 6-3 VICTORY OVER BREWERS IN WILD CARD SERIES OPENER
MILWAUKEE (AP) Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks are one resilient bunch. Staring at an early deficit against Corbin Burnes, they slugged their way to the front of their NL Wild Card Series.
Carroll and Ketel Marte homered on back-to-back pitches and Gabriel Moreno also went deep, sending the Diamondbacks to a 6-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night in the opener of their best-of-three series.
Arizona is making the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2017, and it had been 0-14 in postseason games when trailing by at least three runs. But this is a tested group of Diamondbacks who had to push all the way to the final days of the season to secure an NL wild card.
So that 3-0 hole with Burnes on the mound for the Brewers was just another challenge that had to be overcome.
“He is a really good pitcher,” said Carroll, who added another memorable performance to his breakout rookie season. “We wanted to get him out of there. I thought we took really patient at-bats and got rewarded with that patience by getting some balls in the middle of the plate that we were able to put some good swings on.”
The rally put Arizona in a prime position to advance. Game 2 is Wednesday, and the Diamondbacks have All-Star Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly lined up after rookie Brandon Pfaadt lasted just 2 2/3 innings in the opener.
Arizona’s comeback began when Carroll followed Geraldo Perdomo’s one-out single in the third with a 444-foot drive into the second deck of the stands in right-center. On Burnes’ next pitch, Marte sent a cutter over the right-field wall to tie the game.
Moreno put the Diamondbacks in front by homering for the first time since Sept. 2. Moreno’s 425-foot shot in the fourth came on a 2-2 slider.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo felt Carroll’s homer was a turning point.
“I think at that point, we all exhaled,” Lovullo said, “and I think we collectively got our feet underneath us and felt very good about the direction in which we were going.”
Third baseman Evan Longoria protected Arizona’s 4-3 lead in the fifth by robbing Tyrone Taylor of a bases-loaded hit and turning it into an inning-ending double play. Christian Walker provided some insurance with a two-run double off Devin Williams in the ninth.
Taylor hit a two-run homer for Milwaukee. The NL Central champion Brewers left the bases loaded in the first and third, and they failed to score after loading the bases with nobody out in the fifth.
Arizona’s Joe Mantiply, Miguel Castro, Ryne Nelson, Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald combined for 6 1/3 innings of shutout relief.
“Our bullpen is the reason why we won this game,” Lovullo said.
Milwaukee appeared to have a starting pitching advantage for Game 1 by virtue of clinching its playoff berth early enough to set up its postseason rotation. It didn’t quite work out that way.
Gallen pitched Friday and Kelly went on Saturday, so the Diamondbacks opted against using them on short rest and instead started Pfaadt. Although Pfaadt yielded three runs and seven hits before departing in the third, Burnes also struggled.
Burnes retired seven of the first eight batters he faced but faltered the rest of the way. The 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner allowed four runs through the first four innings and left after he walked the only two batters he faced in the fifth.
“When I was executing pitches the first couple of innings, we got quick outs, and a lot of ground balls, some strikeouts,” Burnes said. “Then when I stopped executing pitches, they didn’t miss.”
Longoria said the Diamondbacks benefited from their regular-season experience against Burnes.
The three-time All-Star pitched eight shutout innings in a 7-1 victory over Arizona in April, but he gave up seven runs over five innings in a 9-1 loss to the Diamondbacks two months later.
“It doesn’t mean that we were going to get to him today, but I think it just gave us a little bit of confidence knowing that we were able to have some success against him the last time that we faced him,” Longoria said.
Longoria helped the Diamondbacks survive a shaky relief performance from Nelson, who typically starts rather than working out of the bullpen.
Milwaukee trailed 4-3 when Sal Frelick and Willy Adames opened the sixth with back-to-back singles. Nelson then walked Josh Donaldson to load the bases for Brice Turang.
It was initially ruled that Nelson’s first pitch to Turang hit him around the foot, which would have brought in the tying run. But the Diamondbacks challenged the call, and it was overturned on a replay review.
Turang struck out, and Thompson got the final two outs with a huge assist from Longoria, a three-time Gold Glove winner. Taylor’s high, screaming liner was grabbed by Longoria, who threw from his knees to double Adames off second.
“I kind of just jumped and threw my glove up,” Longoria said. “Sometimes those plays, I think, it’s just a reaction. … I threw my glove up there and I felt it hit my glove. I couldn’t actually believe I caught it.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Arizona outfielder Jake McCarthy was removed from the team’s Wild Card Series roster shortly before the start of Game 1 due to a right oblique strain. Utilityman Jace Peterson replaced McCarthy on the roster.
Under MLB postseason rules, McCarthy wouldn’t be able to play for the Diamondbacks until the NL Championship Series, if they get that far.
UP NEXT
Gallen (17-9, 3.47 ERA) is pitching for Arizona in Game 2. Freddy Peralta (12-10, 3.86 ERA) starts for Milwaukee.
WHEELER STRIKES OUT 8, CASTELLANOS TELLS PHILLIES TO PUT A RING ON IT IN 4-1 WIN OVER MARLINS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Flip that finger, Nick.
The ring one, of course. Nick Castellanos had no desire to turn his moment on second base into a NSFW moment in the postseason.
The All-Star slugger did – with millions briefly confusing the gesture for the obscene finger – direct his ring finger toward a joyous Phillies dugout, sending a message that the defending NL champions are chasing the World Series ring they were denied by Houston last year.
“That’s why we’re playing this month,” Castellanos said.
Zack Wheeler struck out eight in a sensational effort, José Alvarado preserved the lead with a pivotal strikeout and Philadelphia opened a resolute postseason push with a 4-1 win over the Miami Marlins in the opener of their NL Wild Card Series on Tuesday night.
“As soon as I stepped foot out of the dugout to go stretch out there in the bullpen, the crowd went nuts and I got chills,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler quickly started dealing and got the run support needed to put the Marlins on the ropes.
Led by Kyle Schwarber’s 47 homers, the Phillies had six players in the Game 1 lineup with at least 20. But they didn’t need the Schwarbombs and Alec Booms to get the job done, as every starter had at least one hit, without a home run.
Castellanos added an RBI double in the eighth inning to score Bryce Harper – who knocked off his helmet as he steamrolled past a stop sign – and the Phillies moved within a victory of an NL Division Series matchup against Atlanta.
“Bryce does that all the time and he’s miraculously safe more often than not,” Castellanos said with a laugh.
Wheeler allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings. Craig Kimbrel worked a scoreless ninth for the save.
Phillies fans held signs that read “Un-phinished Business” and they were downright delirious when injured slugger Rhys Hoskins fought back tears and threw the ceremonial first pitch.
Castellanos did, too. He wore Hoskins’ No. 17 on the side of his cap this season in tribute to the first baseman who spiked his bat on a home run last season in an NLDS victory.
“He symbolizes Philadelphia, honestly more than any of the signees that have come here after the fact,” Castellanos said.
The Phillies won 11 postseason games last season, two shy of the ultimate goal and their first World Series title since 2008. The theme of unfinished business – as it is for so many World Series losers – was a key element that permeated throughout the clubhouse this season.
“We’ve got to get back after it this year, and it’s a different team,” manager Rob Thomson said. “I believe it’s a better team, to be honest with you.”
Here they are again, this time with star shortstop Trea Turner, playing big games in October – and with Wheeler in top form.
Wheeler, on the short list of great free-agent signings in team history, brought the heat from the start. He threw nine fastballs in the 97-99 mph range in the first inning, the hardest a pitcher who struck out 212 batters has thrown all season.
The veteran right-hander never backed down as 45,662 fans at Citizens Bank Park roared on every K.
Wheeler’s slider, nasty. His sinker, filthy.
Wheeler is simply grateful for another postseason shot a year after he was lifted with a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning of Game 6 in the World Series against Houston. Yordan Alvarez hit a three-run homer off Alvarado later in the inning and the Astros soon clinched the World Series.
That was last season.
This time, Wheeler took a two-hit shutout into the seventh and was pulled after allowing consecutive infield singles with two outs, the second one by Bryan De La Cruz driving in Miami’s only run.
Alvarado struck out pinch-hitter Yuli Gurriel with two runners aboard to protect a 3-1 lead. The left-hander retired two batters in the eighth, and Jeff Hoffman got the third out of the inning.
The Marlins finished with seven hits.
“I think they know what’s at stake,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “They know what tomorrow means. We’re going to do the same thing we’ve always done.”
Wheeler threw only 46 pitches through four innings – while Marlins starter Jesús Luzardo labored through 90 over the same span.
The 26-year-old Luzardo was raised in South Florida and grew up rooting for Marlins stars such as Juan Pierre and Miguel Cabrera.
Luzardo was 6 years old when he attended Game 3 of the 2003 World Series, won by the Marlins, and was thrilled when he was traded to Miami ahead of the 2021 season.
His first postseason start for his childhood team hardly went as planned.
Johan Rojas, the No. 9 hitter, hammered away at Luzardo with a nine-pitch at-bat for a single that opened the third. He scored on Alec Bohm’s RBI double to left field.
Luzardo gave up run-scoring singles to Bryson Stott and Cristian Pache that made it 3-0 in the third.
“We’ve just got to keep this going,” Harper said. “Leave no doubt.”
FIRST PITCH
Hoskins choked back tears, patted his chest in appreciation and even waved a rally towel before he threw the first pitch. The slugging first baseman has not played this season after he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. The 30-year-old Hoskins – playing on a $12 million, one-year contract – might have made his last appearance at Citizens Bank Park.
Hoskins said he will head to Florida on Wednesday to face live pitching with hopes he could return to the Phillies if they make the World Series.
“As much as I want to be here, this is part of the way that I get a chance to be on the field with these guys again,” Hoskins said. “I’ve got to do everything I can to give myself that opportunity.”
MANUEL RECOVERS
Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel posted a picture on social media of him watching the game from a hospital room. Manuel led the Phillies to the 2008 World Series title. He suffered a stroke in September.
UP NEXT
The Marlins send LHP Braxton Garrett (9-7, 3.66 ERA) to the mound Wednesday night against Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (12-9, 4.46). Nola went 2-2 in last year’s postseason – winning a game in each of the first two rounds, then losing one in each of the next two. Garrett gave up three runs over five innings in each of his two starts vs. the Phillies this season.
MONTGOMERY SPARKLES, RANGERS BEAT SLOPPY RAYS 4-0 IN AL WILD CARD SERIES OPENER
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Jordan Montgomery was exceptional against the Tampa Bay Rays, even better when he lumbered off the mound to make a diving catch that helped the Texas Rangers to a 4-0 victory in their AL Wild Card Series opener.
“It’s good to do your job and help the team win,” Montgomery said after scattering six hits over seven innings on Tuesday to move the Rangers within a victory of an AL Division Series matchup against the Baltimore Orioles.
Texas rebounded from a weekend collapse that cost the Rangers the AL West title and a first-round playoff bye. The Rays dropped a club-record sixth straight postseason game dating to Game 2 of the 2021 AL Division Series against Boston.
Montgomery’s pitching set the tone as the best-of-three series began. The Rangers also drew inspiration from the 6-foot-6 left-hander’s defensive gem on a bunt that Jose Siri popped into the air along the first-base line with runners at the corners.
Montgomery dove to make the catch and landed awkwardly.
“I saw it high enough in the air, kind of made two quick steps at it, and then just blacked out and went for it,” Montgomery said.
“That was electric. I was fired up,” said rookie left fielder Evan Carter, who doubled twice and drew a pair of walks in his postseason debut.
“It wasn’t a soft landing was it? He’s a big fellow,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “Great catch by him. We were in a tight situation there. … Just shows you how competitive he is to go out there and dive for that ball.”
Bochy and Rangers athletic trainers went to the mound to check on Montgomery, who was not injured.
“I think I was just as shocked as everybody in the stands. I had to backhand it. … It just was something I’ve never done before,” the pitcher said. “I don’t know if I’ve done that since I was 12. Just kind of a heat-of-the-moment competitive thing.”
Corey Seager and Josh Jung drove in runs and the Rangers benefitted from four errors by the Rays, who also fizzled offensively before a crowd of just 19,704 – roughly 5,300 below listed capacity – at Tropicana Field.
“We didn’t hit, pitch or defend,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “When you’re up against a good team, they’re going to capitalize, and they eventually really did.”
Tampa Bay, wearing throwback Devil Rays jerseys in the style of 1998-2000, has reached the postseason for the fifth straight season but has one run in its last three playoff defeats, hitting .133.
Montgomery, a 30-year-old left-hander acquired from St. Louis at the trade deadline, retired 14 of his last 16 batters. He fanned pinch-hitter Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay’s top minor league prospect, to end his outing with five strikeouts and no walks.
Aroldis Chapman pitched a perfect eighth and José Leclerc worked around a walk in the ninth to finish a six-hitter, the Rangers’ first postseason shutout since the 2011 World Series.
“We’re not going to alter our approach. This team has scored a lot of runs this year. It’s a good hitting lineup,” Cash said. “We got shut down today. I’m very confident that we’re going to bounce back and have some good at-bats.”
Tyler Glasnow (0-1) yielded a sacrifice fly to Jung in the second inning, and the right-hander’s wild pitch allowed Texas to score its second run after the Rangers loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth.
Texas, 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position while stranding nine baserunners through five innings, opened a 4-0 lead in the sixth with additional help from the normally sure-handed Rays, who committed four errors – Tampa Bay’s most in a postseason game since 2008.
Glasnow walked the first two batters in the sixth and Seager greeted Chris Devenski with a run-scoring single. A second run scored on the play when centerfielder Jose Siri threw wildly past third base.
Montgomery, who is eligible for free agency after the World Series, was 2-0 with a 0.67 ERA over his final four starts.
Glasnow allowed four runs and six hits in five-plus innings with eight strikeouts and five walks.
FAMILY AFFAIR
The mother of Tampa Bay’s Randy Arozarena joined her son on the field to throw a ceremonial first pitch before the game.
Sandra Gonzalez made the trip to Tropicana Field from Mexico to watch Arozarena play in person for the first time as a major leaguer. She only recently obtained a visa and arrived in Florida on Monday.
Gonzalez played catch with the All-Star outfielder near the home dugout before taking the mound and tossing a strike to Arozarena, who was squatting in a catcher’s position behind the plate.
The Rays-Rangers series is a family affair in more ways than one, with brothers Josh Lowe of Tampa Bay and Nathaniel Lowe of Texas facing off in October for the first time. Their mother, Wendy, was unable to attend because she is battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.
“It hurts her that she’s not going to be here today. She’s entering her third week of chemo and radiation, and she’s got brain cancer, so yeah, it’s a lot to go through,” Nathaniel said before the game.
“It’s a pretty heavy toll,” the Texas first baseman added. “I know Josh has done a pretty good job of putting it aside and compartmentalizing it and performing. But it’s something that we’re all learning to deal with and go forward with.”
UP NEXT
Texas right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (12-5, 3.63 ERA) starts Wednesday, and the Rays will counter with AL wins co-leader Zach Eflin (16-8).
TERRY FRANCONA STEPS AWAY AS CLEVELAND’S WINNINGEST MANAGER, 2 WORLD SERIES TITLES WITH BOSTON
CLEVELAND (AP) — Terry Francona stepped away from baseball, at least temporarily, on Tuesday, ending a 23-year managerial career that began in Philadelphia, peaked with two World Series titles in Boston and concluded with an 11-season stay in Cleveland.
Guardians president Chris Antonetti said the 64-year-old Francona would have a role with the team moving forward but did not specify what it would entail.
“I need to go home and get healthy and see what I miss about the game,” Francona said. “I don’t foresee managing again.”
Slowed by serious medical issues in recent years, Francona intends to spend more time playing with his grandkids, getting healthy (shoulder replacement surgery is scheduled for next week) and enjoying an extended offseason after a 40-plus-years grind.
He’d been reluctant to say he’ll retire, leaving open the possibility of a return.
“I came here for the right reasons,” he said. “I’m leaving for the right reasons and what was in between was really good.”
A beloved baseball lifer, Francona, who was an outfielder for 10 seasons in the major leagues before injuries forced him to retire as a player, made a lasting imprint on the game for over four decades.
Known to everyone as “Tito,” his father’s name, Francona led with charm, humor and an uncanny ability to connect with people.
“There is no one like him,” said Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, who played for Francona in Boston. “There’s one Tito. I just wish I had more time with him.”
In typical fashion, Francona had asked the Guardians not to make a big deal about his possible retirement over the final month of the season to keep the focus on his young team, which was unable to overcome a slew of injuries in 2023 and defend its AL Central title.
Cleveland finished 76-86 — just the club’s second losing record since Francona took over as manager in 2013.
Following Sunday’s season finale in Detroit, Francona hugged each of his players as they came off the field.
“I just needed to tell them ‘thank you,’” Francona said. “We didn’t accomplish what we set out to this year, but they didn’t shortchange anybody in effort and they’re such good kids.”
Cleveland said goodbye to Francona last week, with the team sending him off with an emotional video tribute before the home finale. Fans wore red “Thank You Tito” T-shirts and chanted his name during the ninth inning of a 4-3 win over Cincinnati.
After the final out, Francona came out of the dugout for a curtain call and tipped his cap toward the Progressive Field crowd for the last time.
The Guardians now have to find his replacement, who will have a monumental challenge in filling Francona’s shoes.
He is both the winningest (921 victories) and longest-tenured manager in the club’s 123-year history. With 1,950 wins, Francona is 13th on the career list, sandwiched by Casey Stengel (1,905) and Leo Durocher (2,008), two other colorful managers who like Francona endeared themselves to fans and players.
Every manager on the list ahead of Francona is a Hall of Famer except for Dusty Baker and Bruce Bochy, who remain active and likely will be enshrined one day.
Francona’s rise as one of the game’s best managers was somewhat unexpected.
Things didn’t go particularly well for him in Philadelphia, where he had four straight losing seasons from 1997-2000, got constantly booed in a demanding, sports-crazed city and had the tires on his car slashed on fan appreciation day.
He was an unlikely choice to get Boston’s job, and he immediately claimed legendary status by winning the World Series in his first season.
The Red Sox overcame a 3-0 deficit in the AL Championship Series and then swept St. Louis to end an 86-year championship drought and exorcise the “Curse of the Bambino,” a perceived hex on the team after it traded Babe Ruth to the rival New York Yankees.
When his tenure with the Red Sox ended in 2011 amid some controversy, Francona took a year off and worked in broadcasting before he was hired in Cleveland, where his dad spent six seasons and he himself played 62 games in 1988.
Despite budget-conscious payrolls, Francona kept the Guardians competitive each season, helped them develop what has been termed a “pitching factory” and guided the team, then known as the Indians, within one swing of winning the World Series in 2016.
Francona was named AL Manager of the Year three times with Cleveland.
NFL NEWS
AARON RODGERS SAYS HE ALSO HAS AN ANKLE INJURY, STILL WON’T RULE OUT RETURN THIS SEASON
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Aaron Rodgers said Tuesday he has an ankle injury in addition to the torn left Achilles tendon that he is rehabbing after surgery.
During his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the New York Jets quarterback said he is dealing with a deltoid issue. The deltoid is the main ligament of the inner ankle. Rodgers was wearing an ankle brace while walking with crutches on the sideline before the Jets’ Sunday night loss to Kansas City.
The 39-year-old Rodgers reiterated that he has not ruled out returning this season. Jets coach Robert Saleh said after the injury that it was season-ending.
Rodgers had surgery on Sept. 13, two days after the injury. Dr. Neal ElAttrache performed the procedure in Los Angeles. There were reports Rodgers had a “speed bridge” procedure, which is designed to accelerate the rehabilitation process.
A typical recovery period from a torn Achilles tendon is six to nine months. Rodgers said he’s “well ahead of the normal protocols.”
“There’s nothing normal about how I’m attacking this rehab,” Rodgers said Tuesday. “The common practice is about six weeks in a boot, and I was in a shoe in 13 days.
“This is just my mindset. I believe in the power of intention. I believe in prayer. I believe in your mental status and the power of will. I believe in making room for the miraculous to happen.”
Rodgers was hurt four snaps into his debut for New York. The Jets rallied to win that game but are 0-3 since.
New York acquired the four-time MVP from Green Bay this past spring in hopes he could lead the long-suffering franchise back to the playoffs. He agreed to a restructured contract that gives him $75 million in guaranteed money this year and next.
WEEK 6 FLEX SCHEDULING – OCTOBER 15 LIONS-BUCCANEERS GAME MOVES TO 4:25 P.M. ET ON FOX
The Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers game will be played at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 15 on FOX, the NFL announced today.
The final Week 6 schedule (all times ET):
| Thursday, October 12, 2023 | ||
| Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs | 8:15p | Prime Video |
| Sunday, October 15, 2023 | ||
| Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans (Tottenham) | 9:30a | NFLN |
| Washington Commanders at Atlanta Falcons | 1:00p | CBS |
| Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears | 1:00p | FOX |
| Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals | 1:00p | CBS |
| San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns | 1:00p | FOX |
| New Orleans Saints at Houston Texans | 1:00p | FOX |
| Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars | 1:00p | CBS |
| Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins | 1:00p | CBS |
| New England Patriots at Las Vegas Raiders | 4:05p | CBS |
| Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams | 4:25p | FOX |
| Philadelphia Eagles at New York Jets | 4:25p | FOX |
| Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 4:25p | FOX |
| New York Giants at Buffalo Bills | 8:20p | NBC |
| Monday, October 16, 2023 | ||
| Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers | 8:15p | ESPN/ABC |
Week 6 byes: Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers
PATRIOTS EDGE RUSHER MATT JUDON TO HAVE SURGERY ON TORN BICEPS, AP SOURCE SAYS
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots edge rusher Matt Judon has elected to have surgery to repair a torn biceps, according to a person with knowledge of the decision.
Judon is scheduled to have the procedure on Wednesday and be out indefinitely, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity because it has not been announced publicly.
ESPN first reported Judon’s decision.
Judon suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 38-3 loss to Dallas last week. His loss is a blow to New England’s defense, which loses its best pass rusher and one of its captains.
Judon leads the team with four sacks. He has 32 sacks since signing with the Patriots in 2021.
He has missed just four out of a possible 118 games during his eight-year NFL career that began with Baltimore in 2016.
Asked on Tuesday about how the team planned to fill Judon’s spot if he was sidelined for an extended period of time, Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo said it would likely be a committee approach.
“We have other players. It’s not going to be just one guy,” Mayo said. “It’s going to be multiple guys trying to fill that role.”
One of those players likely will be rookie second-round pick Keion White out of Georgia Tech. He has appeared in each of the first four games (one start), getting a tackle and pass breakup.
“He’s going to play more, simply said,” Mayo said of White. “And we’ll really need him to show up.”
New England (1-3) hosts New Orleans on Sunday.
BEARS ARE A TEAM IN TURMOIL BUT THE FLIP SIDE TO ALL THIS MISERY IS A POTENTIAL MONSTER 2024 DRAFT
The Chicago Bears have been a team in turmoil this season, but the flip side of all this misery could be a monster 2024 draft.
Add to their dysfunction of Chase Claypool’s exile and the Bears’ biggest blown lead at Soldier Field. At this rate, the Bears will own the top two picks in next April’s NFL draft, so their fans can at least dream about both USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. coming to the rescue.
It appeared Sunday that we were witnessing not only the end of the Bears’ longest losing streak in their 104-year history but a breakout performance by third-year quarterback Justin Fields, who suddenly looked like Josh Allen powering passes downfield, Patrick Mahomes putting just the right touch on his touchdown tosses and Jalen Hurts confounding defenses with both his arm and his legs.
Through three quarters, at least.
Fields, who completed his first 16 passes and finished 28 for 35, topped 300 yards passing for the first time as a pro, and when he pulled up and floated a pass to running back Khalil Herbert in the end zone from 2 yards out late in the third quarter, the Bears led 28-7 and Fields had his first career four-TD game.
Down 21 points with less than 20 minutes remaining, the Broncos looked as if they were going to lose the Basement Brawl with Sean Payton, matching Vic Fangio’s franchise-worst 0-4 start in his first year as head coach in 2019.
No Bears team had ever blown that big of a lead at Soldier Field, although the Chicago did give up a pair of 21-point leads before, once to the 49ers in 1953 at Wrigley Field and again to the Patriots in 2002 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.
At that point, the Broncos’ bedraggled defenders were stuck in a rut in which they’d allowed a whopping 18 touchdowns in their opponents’ previous 24 possessions, not counting two mercy kneel-downs in their humiliating 70-20 loss at Miami the week before.
The Bears’ first win since last Oct. 24 was in their grasp.
But the team mired in a month of dysfunction, which has been reeling ever since it made Jordan Love look like Aaron Rodgers (who was 25-5 against them) in a 38-20 loss to the Packers in the opener, found new depths in the fourth quarter.
The Bears’ last four drives were a three-and-out, a strip-sack-scoop-and-score for Denver, a turnover on downs and a last-minute interception by safety Kareem Jackson.
Coach Matt Eberflus is getting roasted in Chicago for going for it on fourth-and-1 at the Denver 18 with 2:57 remaining and the game tied — and from the shotgun and after a timeout, no less — rather than send out his kicker for a chip shot field goal.
“It was a half a yard,” Eberflus explained. “So, I felt very confident about getting that right there.”
Why, then, the shotgun formation if only 18 inches were needed?
“Yeah, there’s a lot of plays that you can run there,” Eberflus said. “You can run a bunch of different plays. That’s the play we chose. That’s the play we thought was the best at the time.”
Linebacker Alex Singleton shot through the gap and stuffed Herbert for no gain, and one play later, Russell Wilson put the Broncos in field-goal range themselves with a 48-yard strike to Marvin Mims Jr.
The Bears ended up losing for the 14th consecutive time — and they’ve allowed 25 or more points in all of those losses.
The Broncos left Chicago with native son Payton’s first win with Denver. The Bears found themselves one of two teams who are sitting at 0-4. The other is Carolina, which traded its first-round draft pick in 2024 to Chicago.
If things continue on this trajectory for both teams, the Bears would be sitting pretty with the first two draft picks six months from now, a silver, if not golden, lining for a team mired in turmoil, including defensive coordinator Alan Williams resigning for what he said were health and family reasons on the same day Fields suggested he was being overcoached.
Claypool told reporters on Friday he didn’t like the way he was being used, but Eberflus said that’s not why he was a healthy scratch for the game. On Monday, Eberflus said Claypool won’t practice with the team this week, a reversal from a day earlier when he said he expected him back in the building this week.
Eberflus also suggested after the game that it was Claypool’s decision to stay away Sunday rather than attend the game with the other inactives: “We told him that it was a choice, and he’s at home right now.”
A Bears public relations employee later told reporters that the team had asked Claypool to stay away.
At this point, not even their messaging is on point.
MIKE TOMLIN THINKS THE STEELERS’ LACK OF PHYSICALITY IS NOTHING A PADDED PRACTICE CAN’T FIX
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Tomlin believes the Pittsburgh Steelers’ lack of physicality in a one-sided loss to Houston is nothing a padded practice can’t fix.
Less than 48 hours after promising “changes” in the immediate aftermath of a 30-6 demolition at the hands of the Texans, Tomlin struck a different chord on Tuesday.
The changes — if any — ahead of Sunday’s visit from AFC North rival Baltimore (3-1) will be subtle, and they won’t include tinkering with who is calling the plays for an offense that has managed all of four touchdowns through four games and is last in the NFL in first downs.
Asked specifically if he was going to shift play-calling responsibilities away from embattled offensive coordinator Matt Canada, Tomlin responded simply “at this juncture, no.”
Instead, Tomlin stressed the need to put the pads on during practice, something the staff chose not to do over the past two weeks following primetime games, one of which included a return trip home from Las Vegas that was interrupted by an unexpected layover in Kansas City because of a mechanical issue with the club’s charter plane.
Tomlin believes the lack of padded practices forced the Steelers to need time to “warm up” to the game on Sunday. Houston didn’t have that problem, rolling up 451 yards while manhandling Pittsburgh for long stretches.
“The physicality component of it needs to be non-negotiable,” Tomlin said. “That’s just how we function. That’s Pittsburgh Steelers football.”
Maybe historically, but not so far through the opening month of the season. Pittsburgh’s offense has sputtered, particularly early in games. And the run defense has been spotty at best with veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward sidelined for at least two months while recovering from groin surgery.
The Steelers have given up at least 139 yards on the ground in three of their four games. And while the Texans didn’t break off a run the way San Francisco and Cleveland did earlier in the season, the pile was “always moving forward” when Houston tried to run.
Tomlin said it became apparent early on his team was not ready to match Houston’s toughness, admitting he said during the middle of the game his club would ramp it up in practice this week.
If Pittsburgh (2-2) wants to have any chance to slow down the Ravens, it doesn’t really have a choice. Baltimore and star quarterback Lamar Jackson are in the top four in the NFL in rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns through four games.
“We have got to rectify (our physicality),” Tomlin said.
On both sides of the ball, which could be a challenge with Pittsburgh’s offensive line in flux. First-round pick Broderick Jones will get his first start at left tackle with starter Dan Moore Jr. out with a knee injury. Tight end Pat Freiermuth is doubtful with a groin injury, though Tomlin is optimistic guard James Daniels will be able to play after sitting out in Houston with a groin issue.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett, who left in the third quarter with a bone bruise in his left knee, will practice on Wednesday. Pickett’s response to the practice load will determine whether he will be able to play on Sunday. If he can’t go, backup Mitch Trubisky will get the start.
Tomlin would like whomever is under center — particularly if it’s Pickett — to make quicker decisions early in games in an effort to get the offense going. The Steelers have just three first downs in the first quarter this season and while much of the heat has been directed toward Canada, Tomlin believes more “fluid” play by Pickett would help Pittsburgh get things going sooner.
Pickett is 29th in passer rating and completion percentage and has already thrown four interceptions, three of which have come in the first half.
“I think that’ll be a focus for him and for us because it’s not just him,” Tomlin said. “We’ve got to be assignment perfect. If we hit the ball and come out on time, guys got to be where they need to be. They’ve got to win individual one-on-one matchups and do so quickly.”
COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK: OKLAHOMA VS. TEXAS GAME NOTES
OKLAHOMA NOTES:
In a matchup of the Big 12’s only ranked teams in the AP and AFCA Coaches polls, No. 12/12 Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0) plays No. 3/4 Texas (5-0, 2-0) for the 95th straight year in Dallas when the teams meet on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT at the Cotton Bowl. The Allstate Red River Rivalry will be televised by ABC with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe announcing. OU is the designated visiting team. Saturday’s game will mark the 119th meeting between Oklahoma and Texas, with the first matchup occurring Oct. 10, 1900, in Austin. Since 1929, the Sooners and Longhorns have played annually at Fair Park in Dallas. The game has been played inside the Cotton Bowl every year since 1937. Texas and Oklahoma rank fifth and sixth, respectively, in all-time wins. OU is 939-338-53 (.726) while UT is 941-390-33 (.702). The Sooners have played 1,329 games and the Longhorns have played 1,364. UT has played two more seasons than OU. This marks the first season since 2011 (both teams were 4-0) in which Oklahoma and Texas are undefeated at the time of their October meeting. That season, No. 3 OU downed No. 11 UT 55-17. OU has won six of its last seven games against Texas and 12 of its last 16 when both teams are ranked in the AP poll. The Sooners are 23-16 in the series under the circumstance. Texas’ No. 3 AP ranking is its highest when playing Oklahoma since 2009 (UT edged No. 20 OU 16-13). OU has posted a 10-8 (.556) regular season record against AP top-5 teams since the start of the 2000 season. Only Stanford (.600; 9-6) owns a better winning percentage during the period. The last time OU held each of its first five opponents to 20 points or fewer was in the 2000 season (the Sooners won the national title). u The 2023 season marks OU’s and Texas’ last as members of the Big 12. The Sooners and Longhorns move to the Southeastern Conference on July 1, 2024. Oklahoma has won 14 Big 12 championships in the league’s first 27 years. Texas, Baylor and Kansas State are tied for second with three each. The Sooners are a league-best 171-58 (.747) in regular season Big 12 play since the conference began in 1996. The current Big 12 program with the next best winning percentage is Texas (151-78; .659). OU went 5-0 in September for the second time in program history (also in 2018). u Oklahoma’s 19.2 improvement from last season in opponent points per game (30.0 to 10.8) is best in the country (UCLA is second; 18.0). The Sooners’ 54 points allowed are their fewest over the first five games of a season since 2009 (gave up 42). OU ranks in the top five nationally in both scoring offense (No. 3 at 47.4 ppg) and scoring defense (No. 4 at 10.8 ppg). Its +36.6 average scoring margin ranks second in the country (Oregon is at +39.8). The only time the Sooners trailed this season was for a 7:05 stretch in the first quarter at Cincinnati (3-0). They have led for 276:24 out of 300 minutes on the year. The 2023 season marks the 129th in OU football history. The Sooners lead the country with their 50 all-time conference championships, 27 11-plus-win seasons, 33 AP top-five finishes, seven Heisman Trophy winners (tied) and five No. 1 overall NFL Draft picks (tied). They rank second with their 430 all-time weeks ranked in the top five of the AP poll, third with seven AP national championships and their 101 weeks as the AP’s No. 1 team, and fourth with their 56 bowl appearances and 414 NFL Draft picks.
KEY STORYLINES: Texas is the only Big 12 program with a winning record against the Sooners. Oklahoma trails 63-50-5 in the series but owns a 29- 21-3 advantage since 1970. In the Big 12 era, OU is 17-11 against the Longhorns and has won 10 of the last 14 meetings (16 of the last 24). Oklahoma has allowed a total of 14 points (one touchdown) after halftime this season (eight by SMU and three each by Tulsa and Cincinnati) and just 612 total yards for an average of 122.4 yards per second half. OU has limited two opponents (Tulsa [92] and Iowa State [82]) to fewer than 100 total yards in the second half. The Sooners have allowed just six points in the third quarter. OU redshirt senior quarterback Dillon Gabriel is off to a pristine start this season, ranking in the top 10 nationally in several categories. The Mililani, Hawaii, product ranks fourth in the country in passing touchdowns (15) and points responsible for per game (22.8), fifth in pass completion percentage (.752; for perspective the OU single-season record is .709 by Baker Mayfield in 2016), sixth in passing efficiency rating (189.4), seventh in total offense (337.6 ypg) and eighth in passing offense (318.6 ypg). Gabriel sat out the entire second half vs. Arkansas State and the fourth quarter at Tulsa. The Sooners are tied for the national lead with their 10 interceptions. That’s their most through the first five games of a season since 2001. Texas is tied for fifth nationally by throwing just one interception. OU is one of two teams in the country that hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown (Iowa is the other). Texas is tied for third in the Big 12 with 11 rushing TDs and is averaging 191.8 rushing yards per contest. After ranking 49th nationally last year in third-down conversion percentage (.405) and 87th in third-down conversion percentage defense (.409), OU is off to a stellar start in both categories in 2023. The Sooners have converted 37 of their 67 third downs through four games, good for the nation’s sixth-best percentage (.552) out of 130 teams. And OU has allowed foes to convert just 21 of their 76 combined third-down tries. The .276 opponent conversion figure has the Sooners ranked 10th in the country. Oklahoma added nine defensive scholarship transfers in the offseason and has made a huge jump on that side of the ball through five games. After ranking 98th in scoring defense (30.0 ppg) and 121st in total defense (461.0 ypg) last year, the Sooners rank second (10.8 ppg) and 30th (318.0 ypg), respectively, this season. OU is tied for first nationally with its 10 interceptions and ranks seventh in pass efficiency defense rating (102.7), No. 8 in tackles for loss per game (8.4) and No. 20 in yards per play allowed (4.6). u The Sooners have allowed just 11 scores (five touchdowns and five field goals for 54 total points) on 61 possessions through five contests. They didn’t permit a touchdown until the fourth quarter by SMU in the second game. OU has allowed a touchdown in just four of 20 quarters. OU ranks fifth nationally with its +1.6 turnover margin per game. The Sooners have registered 12 takeaways to rank third in the country and have committed just four turnovers. They also blocked a punt against SMU that led to a touchdown and one vs. Iowa State that resulted in a safety. OU’s two blocked punts are tied for the national lead.
TEXAS NOTES:
Texas (5-0, 2-0) vs. Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0)
October 7, 2023
Where: Dallas, Texas
Stadium: Cotton Bowl Stadium
Time: 11:00 p.m. CT
TV: ABC (Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Holly Rowe)
Radio: Longhorn Radio Network (Craig Way, Roger Wallace, Will Matthews)
Spanish Radio: Longhorn Radio Network (Dr. Rubén Pizarro-Silva, Arturo Mata, Jesus Mendoza, Daniel Trejo)
THE OPENING KICKOFF
• The University of Texas continues its 131st season of football on Saturday when the Longhorns meet Oklahoma for the 119th time on Saturday in a matchup of the Big 12’s most successful programs. The Allstate Red River Rivalry, played in Dallas for the 95th consecutive year, will kick off it the Cotton Bowl at 11 a.m. CT on ABC.
• Texas is ranked in the top four of both the AP (No. 3) and Coaches (No. 4) polls for the first time since the final poll of the 2009 season.
• Last week, Texas (5-0, 2-0) defeated the Kansas Jayhawks, 40-14, in the Big 12 Conference home opener in Austin.
• The Longhorns are 5-0 on the year, the first time UT has been unbeaten through five games since 2009.
• Oklahoma enters the weekend with a 5-0 overall record and 2-0 Big 12 mark after defeating Iowa State at home, 50-20.
• Texas and Oklahoma will meet as undefeated opponents for the first time since 2011.
• Texas currently boasts 941 all-time wins, the fifth-most in college football history. UT holds an all-time record of 941-390-33 (.702).
Series History vs. Oklahoma
• There is no rivalry quite like the Texas-Oklahoma series, which is being played for the 119th time on Saturday. Texas is one of two Big 12 programs with a winning record against Oklahoma and leads the series, 63-50-5.
• The series, which began in 1900, has been played in Dallas since 1912 and at the State Fair since 1929. Saturday marks the 101st time the game will be played at a neutral site in Dallas.
• The first matchup between the two teams in 1900 ended with a 28-2 Longhorns’ victory.
• Heading into Saturday’s game, only Texas A&M (118 times) has played the Longhorns on as many occasions.
• Since 1900, the only years Texas and Oklahoma have not played were 1918, 1920-21 and 1924-28.
• Texas and Oklahoma will meet as AP-ranked opponents for the first time since 2021 with the Longhorns ranked higher than the Sooners for the first time since 2009.
• The Longhorns enter a game against Oklahoma as an unbeaten team for the 52nd time, including two season-opening games against the Sooners (1900, 1902).
• UT has a 34-16-1 record against OU when entering the game unbeaten, including wins in three of the last four games.
• Texas will be 5-0 when facing Oklahoma for the third time in series history (2008-09) — Texas was 6-0-1 entering the 1923 contest.
• The Longhorns and Sooners will be unbeaten heading into the game for the 31st time in series history with the Longhorns holding a 15-14-1 advantage.
• The game marked the season opener for Texas in 1900 and 1902 and for the Sooners in 1900 and 1901.
A Texas Win Would …
• Be Texas’ 942nd victory all-time, the fifth-winningest program in college football history.
• Give Steve Sarkisian his 65th victory as a head coach and 19th at Texas in his 112th career game as a head coach.
• Improve Texas to 6-0 for the first time since 2009.
• Mark the first 6-0 start for a Steve Sarkisian led team.
• Be the Longhorns’ 151st victory in Big 12 Conference play and improve their all-time conference record to 151-79.
Third Season of Sarkisian Era
• Texas Football Head Coach Steve Sarkisian is in his third season at the helm of the Longhorns and his 10th season as a head coach overall.
• Last season, the Texas offense ranked 24th in the nation and third in the Big 12 Conference with 34.5 points per game, the fourth-straight top-25 scoring output for a Sarkisian-led offense.
• The offensive showing also marked the eighth top-25 scoring offense in Sarkisian’s career.
• Marked the seventh time a Sarkisian offense averaged at least 34 points per game.
• Bijan Robinson rushed for 1,580 yards in 2022, marking the 11th consecutive year a Sarkisian offense (as head coach or offensive coordinator) has had a 1,000-yard rusher.
Tracking the Red River Rivalry
• The higher-ranked team in the AP Top 25 has won 19 of the last 30 matchups (19-10-1) when at least one of the programs are ranked in the AP Top 25. Texas is responsible for eight of the 10 victories when the lower ranked team pulls off the Red River upset.
• Texas has won the turnover battle in eight of the last nine meetings with OU, with the two teams tying at one turnover apiece in the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game. The team that wins the turnover battle between Texas and OU is 14-7 since 2000.
• Prior to last year’s meeting, the previous nine meetings between the Longhorns and Sooners had been decided by eight points or less after 15-straight years in which the annual matchup was decided by at least two scores (1999-2013). Texas leads the all-time series, 29-21-5, when the rivalry game is decided by one possession (eight points or less).
• The Longhorns have scored at least 20 points against Oklahoma 29 times since 1980, posting a 15-13-1 record in those instances. Texas is 9-3 during that stretch when scoring 30-plus points, and 4-3 when scoring at least 40 points against the Sooners. Conversely, UT is 17-9-2 when holding Oklahoma to under 30 points or less since 1980, and 13-3-1 when limiting the Sooners to no more than 20 points.
• The Longhorns are 6-4 since 2000 when averaging at least four yards per carry on offense vs. Oklahoma. UT is 4-0 when rushing for at least 200 yards and 0-7 when rushing for less than 100 yards against OU during that stretch.
Red River Rivalry Traditions
• The Cotton Bowl: After the series ended following a game in Austin in 1923, the tradition of the two schools playing at the State Fair of Texas began in 1929 in an old wooden structure called Fair Park Stadium. The new structure, also called Fair Park Stadium, but renamed the Cotton Bowl in 1936, was built in time for the 1930 matchup. The first Texas-OU game played at “The Cotton Bowl” was in 1937. This year’s Red River Showdown will be held in the Cotton Bowl for the 86th consecutive year.
• The Battle Line: One of the unique characteristics of the great rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma is the colors. Tickets are divided equally and the stadium is split in half (burnt orange and crimson) at the 50-yard line. As the home team in 2023, the Longhorns will wear their orange uniforms and occupy the west bench area (the press box side).
• The Governor’s Cup: The Governor’s Cup is exchanged annually by the Governor of Texas (Greg Abbott) and the Governor of Oklahoma (Kevin Stitt) following the Allstate Red River Rivalry. The tradition began when Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe donated the trophy, and each year it is transported from the office of the previous year’s winning governor to Dallas. Following the game, the trophy will once again be engraved with the winner after the game and housed in the office of the winning governor for the year.
• The Golden Hat: To the victor goes the Golden Hat, a rotating trophy given annually to the winner of the Texas-Oklahoma game. A gold cowboy hat that is mounted on a large block of wood, it has been part of the rivalry since the State Fair of Texas donated it in 1941. When the hat first arrived, it was known as the “Bronze Hat” and was actually made out of bronze. The hat was reworked in the 1970s and came out gold, hence the name change to the “Golden Hat.”
Texas Fight Rally and Parade
• A tradition since 1916, the Texas Fight Rally & Parade is a popular student event held every year before the Texas vs. OU game and is run by the Texas Exes.
• Each year, Longhorn students gather at the Main Mall in front of the Tower where the crowd of students, faculty, alumni and fans hear from the Longhorn football coaches and players.
• The event features performances by UT Cheer & Pom and the Longhorn Band, as well as photo opportunities with Smokey the Cannon and Hook ‘Em.
• This year’s parade will be held on Wednesday, October 4 and begins at 7:30 p.m. on Guadalupe between 25th Street and 21st Streets with the rally taking place at the Tower at 8 p.m.
Red River Rankings
• Saturday’s matchup will pit the No. 21/23 Longhorns against the 6/5 Sooners. It marks the 24th time in 25 years in which at least one of the teams has been ranked for the Red River Rivalry and the 16th time in that span in which both teams will be ranked heading into the game.
• Texas and Oklahoma will both be ranked in the AP Top 12 heading into the game for the 25th time in series history and the first time since 2019.
• Before the 2018 AT&T Red River Showdown, when Texas was ranked No. 19/20 and Oklahoma No. 7/5, the two teams had not met as ranked foes since 2012.
• Since 2000, the two teams have met as ranked foes 16 times. Oklahoma owns an advantage in such matchups, having won 12-of-16 contests against Texas.
• Before the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game, when No. 9/9 Texas met No. 5/5 Oklahoma, the last time the two teams were both ranked inside the Top 10 for a meeting was in 2008, when No. 5/5 Texas defeated No. 1/1 Oklahoma, 45-35.
Texas Football x ESPN’S College GameDay
• For the fifth time in the last three seasons, Texas will be appearing on ESPN’s College GameDay as the pregame show airs from Dallas, Texas this Saturday.
• The show will air live from the Cotton Bowl for three hours from 8-11 a.m. CT previewing Texas’ showdown with Oklahoma and Red River Rivalry (11:00 a.m. CT/ABC).
• Including seven previous visits to the Red River Rivalry, nine trips to Austin and four road site appearances, it will mark the 22nd time the GameDay set and its show will be a prominent fixture at a Texas game. The last time was prior to the Longhorns’ Week 2 victory over Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
• Texas is 11-10 all-time when the Horns are one of the teams in College GameDay’s featured matchup, highlighted by a 5-4 mark when the show comes to the Forty Acres.
Big Man Touchdowns
• Junior DL Byron Murphy II caught a 1-yard touchdown pass to cap the Longhorns’ first touchdown drive against Wyoming, the first reception and touchdown of his career.
• Murphy became the fourth Longhorn lineman to score a touchdown on offense.
Longhorn Lineman Offensive Touchdowns
Byron Murphy II, DT, vs. Wyoming, 2023
1-yard TD reception from Quinn Ewers
Sam Cosmi, OT at West Virginia, 2019
12-yard lateral from Sam Ehlinger
First-ever Longhorn offensive lineman rushing touchdown
Luke Poehlmann, OT, at Baylor, 2011
Tackle-Eligible
3-yard TD reception from Case McCoy
First-ever Longhorn offensive lineman touchdown reception
Derek Lokey, DT, vs. Arizona State (Holiday Bowl), 2007
2-yard TD reception from Colt McCoy
First-ever Longhorn defensive lineman with an offensive touchdown
Offensive Explosion
• Texas exploded for 661 yards of offense against Kansas in the Big 12 Conference home opener.
• The 661 yards were the sixth-most in program history and the most since totaling 689 yards against UTEP in 2020.
• UT’s 661 yards were the most in a Big 12 game in program history, topping the previous mark of 658 in 2016 against Texas Tech.
• Texas rushed for 336 yards and threw for 325 yards in the victory over Kansas. It marked the seventh time in program history the Longhorns rushed and passed for over 300 yards in the same game and the first time since 2021 against Texas Tech.
Air and Ground Assault
• Texas’ offensive effort against Kansas was highlighted by the second-ever game with a 300-yard passer, 200-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver in program history.
• In the victory over Kansas, Quinn Ewers passed threw for 325 yards, Jonathon Brooks rushed for 217 yards and Adonai Mitchell tallied 141 receiving yards.
• The only other 300-200-100 game in Texas history came in 1999 when Major Applewhite threw for 328, Hodges Mitchell rushed for 204 and Montrell Flowers recorded 111 yards receiving in a 38 28 win over Oklahoma.
• In addition to the efforts of Ewers, Brooks and Mitchell, Xavier Worthy posted 93 receiving yards and CJ Baxter collected 67 rushing yards.
Red Zone Stops
• Longhorn opponents have made 10 trips to the red zone this season with Texas allowing only five scores (four FGs; one TD).
• Texas is one of only two programs (Michigan) to yield only one red zone touchdown this season.
• In the Big 12 opener at Baylor, the Bears made six trips into the red zone resulting in two field goals and one turnover on an interception, while twice turning the ball over on downs and a Texas stop at the UT 4-yard line to end the game.
Fourth Quarter Focus
• Texas scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, matching the most ever scored in the final frame against a Nick Saban-led Alabama team.
• After taking a 34-24 lead with 8:18 remaining, the Longhorns forced an Alabama 3-and-out then ran 12 plays over the final 7:14 of the game.
• Texas’ victory ended a 73-game home win streak for Alabama when leading in the fourth quarter.
Controlling the Final Frame
• Texas took control of the fourth quarter against Alabama and Wyoming during the second and third weeks of the season.
• During that span, Texas outscored Alabama and Wyoming 42-8 and outgained them 317 yards to 133, while converting 4-of-7 third-down opportunities to 1-of-5.
• On the year, Texas has outscored opponents 56-15 in the fourth quarter.
X-Factor
• Junior WR Xavier Worthy is one of the premier wide receivers in the Big 12 and the nation.
• For his career, Worthy has hauled in 148 receptions for 2,086 yards and 24 touchdowns.
• Against Kansas, Worthy had seven receptions for 93 yards and became the 11th Longhorn to reach 2,000 career receiving yards.
• At Baylor, he caught 3 passes for 31 yards and one touchdown while also returning three punts for 48 yards, including a career-long 40 yard return.
• He followed his 40-yard punt return with a career-long 35-yard pass completion to Ja’Tavion Sanders, the second pass and completion of his career.
• Worthy’s 12.3 career punt return average ranks fourth among active FBS players (Dee Williams, 18.0; Phillip Brooks, K-State 14,2; Kool-Aid McKinstrey, Alabama – 13.3).
• His fourth-quarter touchdown reception against Wyoming sparked the Longhorns offense after catching the ball on the Texas 46-yard line, breaking a tackle at the 40 and racing down the right sideline to score the first of Texas’ three unanswered touchdowns.
• The 44-yard touchdown reception was his sixth career TD catch of 40 or more yards.
• Against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Worthy had five receptions for 75 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter.
• The 44-yard score was the ninth career reception of at least 40 yards and the fifth touchdown of 40-plus yards.
• His 24 receiving touchdowns are tied for second-most among active FBS receivers and are the most among players who have spent their entire career with a Power 5 program.
• He ranks third in UT history in touchdown receptions and is just one of four Longhorns to haul in at least 20 touchdown catches.
Quinn in Command
• Sophomore Quinn Ewers has led Texas to 11 wins in 15 starts during his first two seasons on the Forty Acres.
• Ewers connected on 25-of-35 passes for 325 yards and one touchdown in the Horns victory over Kansas, while also rushing seven times for 40 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-long 30-yard run.
• It marked the fourth 300-yard passing game of his career.
• He also rushed for a touchdown in his third consecutive games, the first Texas QB to accomplish the feat since Sam Ehlinger in 2018 (Tulsa, USC, TCU).
• Tallied his third-straight game with a passing and rushing touchdown and the fourth of his career.
• Ranks 13th all-time in UT history with 3,535 passing yards, moving ahead of Garrett Gilbert in UT’s all-time rankings.
• Marked the sixth game in which he accounted for at least three touchdowns.
• Had his streak of consecutive passes without an interception end at 245, the second-longest streak in program history (Sam Ehlinger, 308).
• In the Horns win at Baylor, he completed 18-of-23 passes for 293 yards and one touchdown and added five carries for 16 yards and another score.
• Surpassed 3,000 career passing yards, the 16th Longhorn to accomplish the feat.
• He had a standout performance in week two at Alabama, earning Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, Maxwell Player of the Week, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and Davey O’Brien Quarterback of the Week honors after completing 24-of-38 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns to guide the then-11th-ranked Longhorns to a 34-24 victory over then-No. 3 Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
• In the fourth quarter against the Crimson Tide, Ewers connected on 6-of-7 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns.
Sanders is a Sensation
• Junior TE Ja’Tavion Sanders had a dominating performance at Baylor, catching five passes for 110 yards.
• He became the first Longhorn tight end in program to have two 100-yard receiving games in his career.
• For his career, Sanders ranks seventh all-time among Longhorn tight ends in touchdowns (6), sixth in receptions (67) and eighth in receiving yards (891).
• The Denton, Texas native has 278 receiving yards this season with 174 yards (62.6%) coming after the catch.
• Has caught at least five passes in a game twice this season and 10 times over the last 18 games.
• Sanders registered his first career 100-receiving yard performance in the victory over Alabama, catching five passes for 114 yards, including a career-long 50 yard reception that set up the Longhorns go-ahead score early in the fourth quarter.
• Sanders’ 100-yard receiving performance was the second for a Longhorn against the Crimson Tide, joining Jordan Shipley who had 122 yards on 10 receptions in the 2009 BCS Championship Game.
• His 50-yard reception was the 12th-longest for a Texas tight end in program history.
• He kicked off the 2023 season hauling in two passes for 44 yards against Rice, including a 44-yard touchdown reception in which he caught at the Rice 36-yard line and out-sprinted the Owl defenders to the end zone.
• The 44-yard reception was the longest of his career and was the sixth touchdown of his career, the seventh-most for a Texas tight end.• Sanders was tremendous during the 2022 campaign, earning All-Big 12 Honors from the league’s coaches and the Associated Press.
Jonathon on the Spot
• Sophomore RB Jonathon Brooks’ performance out of the backfield has been critical to the Longhorn success in the 2023 season.
• Brooks was dominant in the Texas victory over Kansas, posting his first career 200-yard rushing game, totaling 218 yards on 21 carries (10.4 ypc) with two touchdowns.
• His 218 yards were the fourth-most over for a Longhorn versus an AP-ranked opponent.
• Brooks registered his third consecutive 100-yard rushing performance and fourth.
• Brooks had a 54-yard touchdown run in the win over Kansas. Of his 13 career touchdowns (11 rushing, two receiving), five have been for 34 or more yards (three rushing, two receiving).
• Rushed for multiple touchdowns in his second consecutive game and third time in his career.
• At Baylor, he carried the ball 18 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns and also had an 18-yard reception.
• He had a career day in the victory over Wyoming, establishing career bests with 21 carries for 164 yards (7.8 ypc) while adding the eighth rushing touchdown of his career.
• During Texas’ two fourth-quarter scoring drives against the Cowboys, Brooks rushed for 107 yards on eight carries, including a 61-yard run.
• Against Alabama, he rushed a career-high 14 times for 57 yards and one touchdown.
• Brooks has scored a touchdown in three-straight games (2 rushing, 2 receiving) dating back to the Alamo Bowl against Washington when he had a rushing and receiving touchdown.
• He proved to be a dual threat in the win over Rice, rushing 12 times for 55 yards and catching a pair of passes for 42 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown reception, the longest reception of his career.
• For his career, the Hallettsville, Texas native is averaging 6.8 yards per carry, rushing 137 times for 937 yards with 11 touchdowns.
Ford Foundation
• Senior LB Jaylan Ford emerged as one of the top defenders in the nation in 2022, earning All-American honors from the Associated Press and first-team All-Big 12 accolades from the league’s coaches and the AP.
• In the Big 12 home opener against Kansas, he tallied a team-high seven tackles (five solo), one tackle for loss and one quarterback hurry.
• Ford collected a team-high eight tackles (four solo), one tackle for loss and one interception against Baylor.
• The interception against the Bears was the sixth of his career, fourth-most among Texas linebackers in program history.
• All six of his interceptions have led to Texas scoring drives (five touchdowns, one field goal).
• He has become a takeaway machine for the Longhorns, collecting eight over the last 12 games, including all six of his interceptions.
• The Frisco, Texas native tallied seven tackles (four solo), including one tackle for loss, in the Horns win against Wyoming, bringing his total tackles to over 200 for his career.
• Against Alabama, Ford tallied five tackles (two solo) with one tackle for loss in the victory.
• He opened the 2023 season right where he left off last season, registering five tackles (one solo) and intercepting one pass.
Murphy on a Mission
• Junior DL Byron Murphy II has appeared in 30 career games, registering 55 tackles (25 solo), 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks during his three seasons on the Forty Acres.
• He was a menace in the middle of the line for Texas against Baylor, collecting four tackles (all solo) and establishing career highs with three tackles for loss and two sacks.
• Murphy played a critical role in UT’s first touchdown drive against Wyoming, catching a 1-yard pass from Quinn Ewers to give the Longhorns their first lead of the game.
• It marked the first reception and touchdown of his career as he became the fourth Texas lineman ever to score an offensive touchdown.
• On the defensive side of the ball, Murphy tallied two tackles and had one QB hurry in the win.
• At Alabama, he was helped spearhead a defensive front that registered nine tackles for loss, five sacks and four quarterback hurries.
Jahdae All Day
• Senior DB Jahdae Barron’s impact in the defensive backfield can be felt throughout the team.
• Barron tallied three solo tackles, including a tackle for loss, and recovered a fumble that led to a Texas touchdown.
• Against Wyoming, Barron had a season-high 11 tackles (six solo), 0.5 TFL and one pass breakup in the win, including four third-down plays to force fourth down – three tackles and one pass breakup.
• At Alabama, Barron set the tone for the day, intercepting a pass to shut down the Crimson Tide’s first drive and returning it 16 yards to set up Texas’ first score.
• Barron added four tackles (three solo) in the win in Tuscaloosa, including a third-down tackle that forced an Alabama field goal.
• In 2022, Barron tallied a career-high 78 tackles (43 solo) including a team-leading 11.5 tackles for loss while adding two interceptions, one quarterback hurry, three pass breakups, one fumble recovery and two defensive touchdowns (INT, FR).
• He became the first FBS defensive back since 2000 to register double-digit tackles for loss, one fumble return for a touchdown and one interception return for a touchdown in the same season.
• Posted at least five tackles in eight games last season, including three double-digit performances.
• The pair of non-offensive touchdowns gave him three for his career, two shy of Michael Huff’s UT record.
NBA NEWS
LIFE AFTER UDONIS HASLEM BEGINS FOR THE HEAT AS THE EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS OPEN TRAINING CAMP
BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Perhaps the biggest void for the Miami Heat to fill during their training camp that started Tuesday is replacing a player who averaged 3.9 points and 1.6 rebounds last season and went scoreless in his two playoff appearances.
Sounds easy. It won’t be.
For the first time since 2002 — 1,605 games and three championships ago — the reigning Eastern Conference champion Heat are entering a season without Udonis Haslem on the roster. Last season was his 20th and final before retirement, and the Heat know there’s a serious leadership gap without the Miami native in the room anymore.
“An adjustment, for sure, probably more so for me than everybody else in the locker room,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Teams transition. The guys are used to it, that you have different players. UD’s presence was so unique that you can’t compare it to any other situation in the league. I’ve always known him to be in our locker rooms.”
It’s not like the Heat don’t have other leaders: Kevin Love and Kyle Lowry were starters on teams that won NBA championships, and they both have Olympic gold medals as well — as do Heat veterans Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler.
They just no longer have the player who was their biggest leader.
“It’s weird,” Josh Richardson said Tuesday after the team’s first camp practice at Florida Atlantic. “It’s very weird. Him not here, barking the whole practice, it’s very weird.”
Haslem is expected to be around the Heat eventually in some sort of official capacity. He hasn’t rejoined the club yet and wasn’t there for the first practice since his retirement.
Haslem was the NBA’s oldest active player at 43 when he retired. The three-time champion was the third player to spend a two-decade career with one franchise, joining Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant.
He also became the oldest player to appear in an NBA Finals game, doing so two days before his 43rd birthday when the Heat played the Nuggets in June.
“I’m pretty sure he’ll be in the background sending out text messages, probably be around a lot,” Butler said. “He loves the game too much. He loves this organization and the city too much to stay away. And we respect him. We love him and we want him to do that.”
LOWRY STATUS
Lowry, entering his 18th NBA season and having spent most of those years as a starter, said Tuesday after practice No. 1 that he’s hoping to remain a starter.
“I’ll do whatever it takes for my team to win basketball games,” Lowry said, “but I expect to be the starting point guard.”
Spoelstra said he isn’t set yet on a starting five. The 37-year-old Lowry averaged 11.2 points and 5.1 assists last season.
BUTLER UPDATE
After raising eyebrows with, well, a pierced eyebrow — along with a pierced nose, lips and a new hairstyle on Monday — Butler’s look was back to his typical self Tuesday, with braided hair for the workout.
NEW REST RULES DON’T BOTHER NBA PLAYERS, WHO SAY THEY ONLY WANT TO SIT OUT WHEN THEY ARE HURT
With new policies and penalties, the NBA has made it clear that healthy players should be on the court.
No argument from the players, who insist they aren’t interested in sitting.
Some don’t like load management any more than the fans who wonder why some of the best athletes in the world so often need a night off. But they also want the league to understand that there are times — quite a few of them during Kawhi Leonard’s lone season in Toronto — when they have to listen to their bodies or their doctors.
“I was coming from an injury and you have to know the details of the doctor,” Leonard, now with the Los Angeles Clippers, said Monday. “But if the league is seeing or trying to mock what I did with the Raptors, they should stop because I was injured the whole year. But other than that, if I’m able to play, I’ll play basketball. I’ll work out every day in the summertime to play the game, not to sit and watch people play. No league policy is helping me to play more games.”
Some of Leonard’s absences in recent years are the type the NBA is looking to eliminate with its “ player participation policy ” that takes effect this season. He missed 22 games in 2018-19, the Raptors careful to avoid overuse after he returned from a thigh injury that limited him to nine games the previous season. The league believes those scheduled nights off, known as load management, have become too common — and potentially damaging if they drive away viewers.
“I think the league is trying to figure out ways to make our game better, to help grow the game, understanding that fan engagement is important for all of us,” said New Orleans guard CJ McCollum, the president of the players’ association. “As a fan of sports, when you go to a game, you want the stars to play. You’re paying a premium on the ticket … or maybe it’s the cable package or whatever you have, you want to see the best players play.”
The policy prevents teams, without approval, from resting multiple star players (defined as anyone who was an All-NBA or All-Star selection in the prior three seasons) in the same game, or sitting healthy ones in national TV or in-season tournament games.
The league threated to investigate certain absences, with penalties that would surpass $1 million if a team has three violations.
“Obviously the NBA is always trying to find a way to get the best players playing. And why? Well, because we want people to tune into their TVs and watch,” said Michael Malone, coach of the NBA champion Denver Nuggets. “And they’re going to watch when the best players show up every night and play.”
That has happened far too infrequently in recent years. Even as the league has reduced back-to-back games from teams’ schedules and reduced and improved their travel, some top players rarely come close to 82 games. Players bear the brunt of the criticism from fans, even though Commissioner Adam Silver, well before the new policy was introduced in September, has said it’s often the teams deciding when they will be rested.
“I think the league’s approach in trying to get players to player more, I think that’s great. I’m trying to play as many games as I possibly can,” Boston’s Jaylen Brown said. “It don’t always be the players. I know that’s the narrative, that it’s the players that decide not to play. I won’t go into detail, but that’s not always the case.”
Another new policy is directed more toward them. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement requires players, in most instances, to play in 65 regular-season games to be eligible for awards such as MVP or the All-NBA teams.
“I think there are guys across the league that may sit out because they don’t want to play or they want to rest or whatever it may be. But I think playing a minimum of 65 games, I think that’s smart for for the league, for the fans, for everybody,” Miami’s Tyler Herro said. “This is a business at the end of the day. A lot of people come to watch us play. I wouldn’t want to be a fan that came to see me play and I’m not playing because I don’t want to.”
Marcus Smart won the Defensive Player of the Year award last season in Boston and certainly wouldn’t want to disqualify himself this season by missing too many games. But he knows he’ll need to miss some, and like Leonard, won’t by swayed by the league’s new rule.
“I can care less what anybody says about that, because they’re not out there throwing their body around like I am,” said Smart, now in Memphis. “So I don’t see how you can tell me when I should and shouldn’t play. If I don’t feel like I can play, then I’m not playing. But if I’m available and I can play, best believe I’m going.”
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: TRANSFER PORTAL WINNERS AND LOSERS
As the transfer portal becomes more ingrained into the college basketball calendar, it has become a necessary tool in roster-building across the country. Not many coaches are able to ignore it anymore, whether they are replacing unexpected departures or looking for quick upgrades to take their team to the next level.
No doubt about it, the portal is now vital to ‘winning the offseason’ — which is becoming more and more pivotal to winning in the postseason.
Moves were being
Moves were being made before the nets were even cut down, and the flurry of action stayed at a fever pitch deep into the summer. With the smoke finally clearing, who are the big winners of the 2023 offseason? And which teams are looking to regroup after losing too many key pieces?
WINNERS
Kansas Jayhawks
Bill Self’s Jayhawks haven’t made many big forays into the transfer portal, but that changed this summer when Kansas landed the nation’s top available player in former All-American Hunter Dickinson. The 7-1 big man will immediately be the focal point of the offensive attack in Lawrence after starring at Michigan. Kansas also brought in former five-star guard Arterio Morris from Texas, adding some needed backcourt depth and explosiveness (though Morris was suspended on Sept. 15 after being named in an alleged rape on the KU campus). Shooting may still be an issue, but former Towson sniper Nick Timberlake can help. Kansas didn’t just fill needs — it filled them with the best available options, even upgrading in some spots.
Villanova Wildcats
Kyle Neptune’s first season as Villanova’s head coach did not go as planned. That said, it may have been the product of a lackluster roster more than anything else. Neptune is not going to have that excuse this year. TJ Bamba (Washington State), Hakim Hart (Maryland) and Tyler Burton (Richmond) add necessary size, skill and experience on the perimeter, and all scored in double figures at their last stops. Meanwhile, Lance Ware (Kentucky) should give his new Wildcat team a needed interior presence.
Texas Longhorns
Rodney Terry quickly put his stamp on the Texas program after having the interim tag removed, landing perhaps the best guard in the portal in Max Abmas from Oral Roberts. The Longhorns were set to lose a lot given the amount of seniors and fifth-year players that were on the roster, and Abmas gives them a star on the perimeter. Ithiel Horton (UCF) will provide even more shooting — a weakness for Texas a year ago — while big man Kadin Shedrick (Virginia) has shown immense potential as a two-way interior force. Chendall Weaver (UT-Arlington) and Ze’rik Onyema (UTEP) will provide depth in the backcourt and frontcourt, respectively.
California Golden Bears
Speaking of quickly putting your stamp on a program, Mark Madsen has done that in a hurry since being hired by Cal. The Golden Bears were one of the worst teams in the entire country last season, finishing with a 3-29 record, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing to have nine players enter the portal. Madsen is bringing in six players from the portal to replace them, many of whom offer a significant talent upgrade. Texas Tech transfers Jaylon Tyson and Fardaws Aimaq were highly sought-after before picking Cal, as were Keonte Kennedy (Memphis) and mid-major star Jalen Cone (Northern Arizona), whose career began in the ACC at Virginia Tech. The Golden Bears look ready to compete in the final year of the Pac-12 as we know it, which is a far cry from where they were just a few months ago.
TCU Horned Frogs
TCU finished the season ranked in the AP poll for the first time since 1998 and used that momentum to restock the roster in a meaningful way. Mike Miles Jr. (perhaps the best player in recent program history) is gone, so Jamie Dixon brought in some meaningful backcourt help in seniors Avery Anderson III (Oklahoma State) and Jameer Nelson Jr. (Delaware). Both are experienced, athletic guards that should thrive in TCU’s up-tempo offense thanks to their ability to create for themselves. Trevian Tennyson (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi) is the least-hyped of the three backcourt newcomers, but his shooting (40.2% from 3-point range) will be huge for a Horned Frog team that really lacks shooting. Former five-star center Ernest Udeh (Kansas) and under-the-radar big Essam Mostafa (Coastal Carolina) will both play major roles up front.
LOSERS
Michigan Wolverines
Losing Dickinson is obviously a major blow that may keep Michigan from taking a step forward after missing the NCAA Tournament in 2023. But landing Caleb Love from North Carolina — only to subsequently lose him — was a second major blow, especially considering how much the Wolverines needed the help he could’ve provided. Michigan is bringing in some role players from other power conference schools, a group headlined by Olivier Nkamhoua (Tennessee), but it failed to find or replace any top-end talent.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
It looked like Oklahoma State might’ve been going to the NCAA Tournament before suffering five straight defeats in February, but that stretch seemed to erase any momentum this program had been building. Four players who started at least nine games departed via the portal, including two of its top three scorers (Anderson, Kalib Boone) and one of the nation’s best rim protectors (Moussa Cisse). As for incoming talent, the top arrival looks to be Javon Small, who averaged 15.8 points for East Carolina last year. The talent level in Stillwater is lower than it was last year, which doesn’t bode well for the Pokes given the strength of the Big 12.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Scarlet Knights nearly found their way into a third consecutive NCAA Tournament before a February collapse largely caused by inconsistent offense. Coming off a season like that, losing your best shooter (Cam Spencer) and starting point guard (Paul Mulcahy) isn’t ideal! Those two highlight a group of six players leaving the program, five of whom were rotation players. Head coach Steve Pikiell has turned Rutgers into a consistent tournament contender thanks to continuity and player development. This season will be a new challenge given the pieces that need to be replaced. Jeremiah Williams (Iowa State) and Noah Fernandes (UMass) will be the tasked with helping to fill the void left behind by Spencer and Mulcahy.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Micah Shrewsberry is facing an uphill battle in his first season in charge of the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame lost arguably its three best returning players in Cormac Ryan, JJ Starling and Ven-Allen Lubin — all of whom went to other power conference schools. Ryan and Starling even stayed in the ACC at UNC and Syracuse, respectively. Shrewsberry was only able to replace them with Kebba Njie (Penn State) and Tae Davis (Seton Hall), who were both lightly-used at previous high-major stops. This is definitely a rebuild following Mike Brey’s retirement.
Washington State Cougars
The Cougars are losing the only four players that averaged over 31.5 minutes last season. Two unexpectedly declared for the NBA Draft (Mo Gueye, Justin Powell), and two unexpectedly entered the transfer portal (TJ Bamba, DJ Rodman). Bamba and Rodman were quickly picked up by Villanova and USC, respectively, and are expected to have major roles at their new schools. Wazzu is also losing rotation pieces in Carlos Rosario and Adrame Diongue, forcing head coach Kyle Smith to overhaul his roster for the second time in three seasons. Former Kansas and Drake guard Joseph Yesufu joins Idaho standout Isaac Jones as the portal additions that Smith pulled into Pullman.
TOP TRANSFERS TO WATCH
The transfer portal has become one of the most talked-about aspects of college basketball over the past few years. The explosion of player movement reached yet another high-water mark this offseason, as more and more programs are turning to the portal as their roster-construction instrument of choice.
It’s not just mid-major stars and guys buried on high-major benches transferring, either. Some of the top players in all of America — including, yes, a former All-American — were on the move over the spring and summer months.
Here’s a look at the 25 most intriguing transfers to watch in 2023-24.
1. Hunter Dickinson, C, Kansas
An All-Big Ten selection each of the last two seasons and an All-American in 2021, Dickinson is a proven commodity. He’ll now be the focal point in Bill Self’s offense, which always gets the most out of its starting center. Dickinson is the early favorite to win Big 12 Player of the Year.
2. Max Abmas, G, Texas
It has been three seasons since Abmas led Oral Roberts on that magical Sweet 16 run, and he has remained one of the country’s best scorers since. Texas was in need of a perimeter shot-maker, and Abmas fits the bill after hitting 420 career 3s on 38.8% shooting at ORU.
3. LJ Cryer, G, Houston
Cryer dealt with various injuries throughout his three years with Baylor but played in every game last season and maintained incredible efficiency. The sharpshooter brings an infusion of offense to a Houston attack that had to replace several key pieces on the perimeter this offseason.
4. Ryan Nembhard, G, Gonzaga
Nembhard led Creighton’s potent offense each of the last two seasons and will now do so for Gonzaga and Mark Few, whose up-tempo system fits his skill set perfectly. His brother, Andrew, thrived after transferring to Spokane — Zags fans are hoping Ryan will have a similar impact.
5. Tylor Perry, G, Kansas State
Perry thrived as a full-time starter for North Texas and led the Mean Green to an NIT title. He has elite ability to create off the bounce, which is exactly what he’ll be asked to do at K-State. Perry could have a star turn in Jerome Tang’s offense, similar to Markquis Nowell last year.
6. Ace Baldwin, G, Penn State
Baldwin followed Mike Rhoades from VCU to Penn State, where he will once again serve as the primary perimeter threat. His all-around play helped him win A10 Player of the Year honors last season, but it’s his playmaking and defense that ensure he’ll be productive in the Big Ten.
7. Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida
The 2022-23 MAAC Player of the Year exploded last year as one of the most efficient shooters in the country. His 43.1% from 3 ranked 51st in the country, and his 95.3% from the free-throw stripe led all of D1. If he can be this efficient in the SEC, he could become a household name.
8. Graham Ike, F, Gonzaga
Ike was one of the country’s best bigs two seasons ago when Wyoming made the NCAA Tournament. A foot injury caused him to miss all last season, and the Cowboys suffered significantly. Now in Spokane, Ike is expected to serve as Drew Timme’s replacement in the post.
9. Olivier Nkamhoua, F, Michigan
Nkamhoua may be one of the most overlooked transfers in America. A steady 4-man for Tennessee last year, he won’t be the elite scorer Michigan needs after losing Hunter Dickinson, but he’ll be a good secondary option who provides glue-guy production on both ends.
10. Tyler Burton, F, Villanova
Burton is a big wing who could end up leading the ‘Cats in rebounding while providing a nice secondary scoring option to Justin Moore. He also brings meaningful NCAA Tournament chops from Richmond’s 2022 appearance, which could help in Villanova’s quest to go dancing again.
11. Caleb Love, G, Arizona
Love left a complicated legacy at UNC, and he arrived in Tucson to questions about the impact he’ll have. When Love is on, he’s an unstoppable shot-creator with unlimited range. When he’s off, he’s a volume shooter and a liability on both ends. Far too often last year, it was the latter.
12. Steven Ashworth, G, Creighton
Ashworth steps in to fill Ryan Nembhard’s shoes as Creighton’s new point guard. He isn’t the same distributor and playmaker, but Ashworth is an elite shooter that guided Utah State to the NCAA Tournament. He looks like a perfect fit for Greg McDermott’s perimeter-oriented offense.
13. Cam Spencer, G, UConn
A late portal addition, Spencer adds high-level, spot-up shooting to a team that desperately needed a boost in that department. Jordan Hawkins’ shooting opened up so much of UConn’s offense last year; the hope is Spencer, who shot 43.4% from 3 for Rutgers, can do the same.
14. Kerr Kriisa, G, West Virginia
Like his replacement at Arizona (Caleb Love), Kriisa is prone to alternate between off and on nights. Unlike Love, Kriisa found a way to be a valuable asset as a playmaker even when he couldn’t buy a bucket. Now, he heads into a relatively unknown situation at West Virginia.
15. Harrison Ingram, F, North Carolina
Sometimes, a struggling team needs a high-IQ player to come in and make the right plays consistently. That is exactly what UNC is getting with Ingram. The former top-20 wing never lived up to the hype at Stanford, but if he can fix his shot, Ingram could be a surprise breakout.
16. RayJ Dennis, G, Baylor
Dennis is another in a long line of great transfer guards to come through Waco. The 6-2 point drew Scott Drew’s attention by averaging 19.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists for Toledo last year while defending at a high level. He’ll be a focal point in the Bears’ scoring attack this year.
17. Jameer Nelson Jr., G, TCU
Nelson arrives at the power conference level after averaging over 20 points as a senior for Delaware and showcasing the ability to create offense for himself. That skill will be hugely important for a TCU team looking to revamp its backcourt and offense after losing Mike Miles Jr.
18. El Ellis, G, Arkansas
Death, taxes, and Eric Musselman plucking talent from losing programs. Ellis was the only experienced guard on a 4-28 Louisville team, but his playmaking should shine through at Arkansas. He ranked 60th in assist rate last year and should be more efficient in a better offense.
19. Reese Waters, G, San Diego State
Last year was a bit of a mixed for Waters. On one hand, the 6-5 guard’s counting stats rose across the board. On the other hand, his 3-point shooting efficiency tanked to just 29.6%. What remained consistent was his effort on defense and on the glass — music to SDSU’s ears.
20. Aaron Estrada, G, Alabama
Estrada has been around the block in his college career, and he will be looking to have a more successful high-major experience than the one he had in 2021 for Oregon. The grad transfer did it all for Hofstra the past two years, and he fits right into Nate Oats’ ‘layups and 3s’ philosophy.
21. Jaylon Tyson, G, Cal
While new Cal coach Mark Madsen reunites with his former big man, Fardaws Aimaq, Tyson is the true prize of the Golden Bears’ transfer class. He gives Cal something that it hasn’t had since the Cuonzo Martin days: a bigger wing who can rebound, defend and score at every level.
22. Javon Small, G, Oklahoma State
Small was one of the best all-around players in the AAC last year, averaging 15.8 points and 5.6 assists for ECU before an injury cut his season short. He has the ability to score efficiently from all three levels while also being an elite playmaker. The Pokes’ offense will run through Small.
23. Micah Handlogten, C, Florida
The Sun Belt Freshman of the Year a year ago, Handlogten averaged 9.8 rebounds and ranked 11th nationally in blocks while shooting 66.2% from the field and showcasing his deft vision and passing ability. The 7-1 center will anchor the Gators’ defense and provide offensive versatility.
24. TJ Bamba, Villanova
TJ Bamba improved in every season with Washington State, capping his time in Pullman with 15.8 points per game on 37.2% shooting from 3. Now, he’ll look to be an impact player for a team with Final Four aspirations. His scoring volume likely dips, but his efficiency could go up.
25. Yohan Traore, UC Santa Barbara
Traore failed to deliver on his recruiting hype as he tumbled down Auburn’s rotation last year. Now, the former four-star 4 gets a second chance out west. The 6-10 Traore will be given the keys to the frontcourt in UCSB’s quest to earn their third NCAA Tournament bid in four years.
BIG TEN UNVEILS 2023-24 MEN’S BASKETBALL BROADCAST SCHEDULE
ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Big Ten announced the start times and television designations for the 2023-24 men’s basketball conference schedule on Tuesday, which include all 140 contests set to be broadcast nationally. The conference also revealed tip times and network assignments for select non-conference games.
The Big Ten Conference season begins on Dec. 1, with 12 conference games played between Dec. 1-10. Following a break in conference play, Big Ten action will resume on Jan. 2.
Conference play will build up to the 2024 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, set for March 13-17 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, marking the first time the city will host the event. All 14 teams will advance to the tournament, with two first-round games slated for Wednesday, March 13. The top four teams will receive first- and second-round byes and advance to the quarterfinals on Friday, March 15.
The 2023 basketball season marks the first with a new set of broadcast partners that will deliver exciting matchups to fans across broadcast, cable and direct-to-consumer platforms. In addition to broadcast platforms CBS and FOX, the Big Ten Network and FS1 will continue to carry games on cable networks. NBCUniversal’s direct-to-consumer platform, Peacock, will also carry Big Ten games live for the first time.
The Big Ten Network will open its conference schedule on Friday, Dec. 1, as Maryland visits Indiana at 7 p.m. ET, followed by a meeting between Purdue and Northwestern in Evanston, Ill. at 9 p.m. ET.
Peacock’s initial conference games take place on Tuesday, Dec. 5, with Michigan State playing host to Wisconsin and Indiana visiting Michigan. Games are scheduled for 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., respectively.
FOX Sports will debut conference action this season with Illinois making the trip to Purdue on Jan. 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
CBS Sports will present a total of 15 Big Ten games on CBS and Paramount+, including its first conference match-up of the season with Maryland hosting Michigan State on Jan. 21 at 12 p.m. ET.
Peacock will televise the opening two games of the 2024 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, with second-round and quarterfinal games on Thursday and Friday slated for Big Ten Network. For the 27th consecutive year, CBS Sports will broadcast the semifinals and championship game on CBS, with those games also streaming live on Paramount+.
All Big Ten Network, FOX, and FS1 on-air games will also be streamed nationwide via the web, smartphones, tablets and connected devices on the FOX Sports App. CBS Sports’ broadcast coverage will be available to stream live on Paramount+. Games broadcast on Peacock will be available exclusively on the platform.
SCHEDULE: https://bigten.org/documents/2023/10/2//2023_24_B1G_MBB_TV_Schedule.pdf?id=8299
NBA NEWS
IF TRADED, JAMES HARDEN STILL FAVORED TO LAND WITH CLIPPERS
James Harden is expected to report to the Philadelphia 76ers’ training sessions in Colorado this week, but how long he remains with the franchise remains to be seen.
Harden has voiced his desire to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers as the third star on the team, joining Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The Sixers and Clippers haven’t made much progress on a potential deal.
SportsBetting.ag is offering -140 odds that Harden will be traded before Nov. 16, with the Clippers the odds-on favorite at -250 to land the disgruntled star – as they have been for much of the offseason. The book is offering +110 odds that he remains with Philadelphia past that date.
JAMES HARDEN NEXT TEAM ODDS*
Los Angeles Clippers (-250)
Chicago Bulls (+600)
Houston Rockets (+700)
New York Knicks (+900)
Miami Heat (+1000)
Atlanta Hawks (+1400)
Dallas Mavericks (+1400)
New Orleans Pelicans (+1600)
Toronto Raptors (+1800)
Memphis Grizzlies (+2000)
San Antonio Spurs (+2500)
*If traded before Nov. 16
Harden already has been paid 50 percent of the $35.64 million due to him this year — a prepayment option many players choose to take — according to ESPN.
Team president Daryl Morey said Monday that he continues to try to work on the trade front. If Harden returns to the 76ers and plays the upcoming season, new head coach Nick Nurse plans to get him involved.
“In terms of a trade, I will continue to work on those fronts and, if he’s here, then Coach will work with him on the court. I think it’s pretty straight forward,” Morey said. “He continues to seek a trade and we are continuing to work with his representation to find the best solution for the 76ers and all parties.”
A 14-year veteran
A 14-year veteran who has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and 76ers, Harden has career averages of 24.7 points, 7.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds in 1,000 games (786 starts). He led the league in scoring three times, and last year, his 10.7 assists per game were the most in the NBA.
A 10-time All-Star, Harden was the league’s Most Valuable Player in the 2017-18 season and is a six-time All-NBA first-team selection.
The 76ers are at Colorado State through Friday, then will play their first preseason game on Sunday in Boston against the retooled Celtics.
NHL NEWS
ANAHEIM DUCKS HOPING YOUNG CORE IS FINALLY READY TO BREAK 5-YEAR POSTSEASON DROUGHT
ANAHEIM DUCKS
COACH: Greg Cronin, hired on June 5.
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 14 at Vegas.
DEPARTURES: D Kevin Shattenkirk, F Max Comtois.
ADDITIONS: F Alex Killorn, D Radko Gudas, G Alex Stalock, D Robert Hagg, D Lassi Thomson.
GOALIES: John Gibson (14-31-8, 3.99 goals-against average, 0.899 save percentage) and Lukas Dostal (4-10-0, 3.78 GAA, 0.901).
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
LAST SEASON: The longest playoff drought in franchise history stretched to five seasons with a fourth straight dismal campaign under coach Dallas Eakins, whose contract wasn’t renewed after the Ducks managed just 23 wins — this team’s fewest ever in an 82-game season. Anaheim seemingly regressed across the board. Leading scorers Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry still don’t have well-rounded games, while newcomers Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano made only modest contributions. Anaheim finished with an NHL-low 58 points, but Connor Bedard and the top pick went to Chicago in a draft lottery that infuriated Ducks fans, who still remember losing out on Sidney Crosby under similar circumstances.
STRENGTHS: A theoretically good young core added another top player in No. 2 overall pick Leo Carlsson, although the Ducks haven’t decided whether he will play in the NHL this season. The Swedish center joins Zegras, Terry, Mason McTavish, defenseman Jamie Drysdale and several supplementary prospects in forming one of the league’s deepest bases of talent. That talent has yet to get the Ducks anywhere near NHL competence, however. Gibson remains a respected netminder, although his numbers haven’t reflected that ability in recent years while he played behind some truly execrable defensive teams.
WEAKNESSES: Aside from the obvious talent deficit, an overall lack of urgency and fire under general manager Pat Verbeek, who has been content to undertake a lengthy rebuild during his first 20 months in charge. That patient attitude doesn’t fit with the vibrant Cronin, a longtime minor league boss finally getting his first chance to lead an NHL bench at 60 years old. Verbeek also spent much of training camp locked in contract stalemates with Zegras and Drysdale, forcing two of his most vital players to miss their first training camp under Cronin. Zegras finally got a deal Monday.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Cronin seems highly unlikely to allow the Ducks to coast through yet another tepid season with no passion to win now. Verbeek signed the pugnacious Gudas as part of his goal to make the Ducks tougher, while Killorn should provide goals and veteran leadership when he returns from a broken finger. If Carlsson stays in Anaheim this winter and even proves he’s good enough to justify Verbeek’s risky decision to pick him over Adam Fantilli, the Ducks will be strong up the middle. They still don’t look ready to be a playoff team, but a competitive attitude every night and a year of actual growth from their young core would be the first positive signs of Verbeek’s tenure.
PLAYER TO WATCH: McTavish had 17 goals and 26 assists in his first full NHL season, but he appeared to hit the rookie wall in its final third, scoring just four goals after Feb. 20. The third overall pick in 2021 has the potential to be a No. 1 or No. 2 center, but he must grow into the role quickly. If Anaheim gets better, McTavish also should get better.
LOS ANGELES KINGS LOOKING TO EMERGE AS ONE OF THE TOP TEAMS IN THE WEST AFTER ADDING DUBOIS
LOS ANGELES KINGS
COACH: Todd McLellan (575-397-124 over 15 seasons).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 11 vs. Colorado.
DEPARTURES: G Joonas Korpisalo, C Gabriel Vilardi, LW Alex Iafallo, C Rasmus Kupari, D Sean Durzi.
ADDITIONS: LW/C Pierre-Luc Dubois, G Cam Talbot, F Trevor Lewis, D Andreas Englund.
GOALIES: Cam Talbot (17-14-2, 2.93 GAA, 0.898 save percentage with Ottawa) and Pheonix Copley (24-6-3, 2.64 GAA, 0.903).
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
LAST SEASON: The Kings recorded 104 points, the first time they reached the century mark since 2015-16, but were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight season. They set a franchise record with a 12-game point streak (10-0-2) from Feb. 28 thru March 26. Captain Anze Kopitar led the Kings in scoring with 74 points (28 goals, 46 assists), marking the fifth consecutive season and 15th time overall. He joined Gordie Howe (17 times with Detroit) as the only players in NHL history to lead the same franchise in points at least 15 times. Adrian Kempe had 41 goals, becoming the ninth player in franchise history to score at least 40.
STRENGTHS: Los Angeles has plenty of depth at forward, including six who had at least 50 points last season. The acquisition of Dubois in a trade with Winnipeg marked the second straight offseason the Kings made a significant addition. Kevin Fiala, who was second on the team in scoring with 72 points, had 22 multi-point games, including eight with at least three. The power play, which was fifth in the league last season, figures to be solid once again.
WEAKNESSES: Goaltending remains a concern. Copley earned a one-year extension after getting 20 wins in his first 29 appearances while Talbot struggled last year in Ottawa. The benefit for whoever is in net is that Los Angeles’ defense allowed the fourth-fewest shots in the league last season. Penalty killing was just 24th out of 32 teams last year.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The Kings have the roster to compete for a Pacific Division title along with a solid core of veterans and youngsters. Their biggest problem is that the rest of the division has also made improvements. If Dubois can put together another career year (63 points last season), Los Angeles should be able to pick up its first win in a playoff series since it won its second Stanley Cup title in 2014.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Quinton Byfield, the second overall pick in the 2020 draft, will be the left wing on the top line with Kopitar and Kempe. Byfield has shown flashes of possibly breaking out over the past two years, but should have more opportunities this season. Byfield had only three goals and 22 points in 53 games last season.
ARIZONA COYOTES ADD VETERANS TO JOIN SKILLED YOUNG PLAYERS IN THIRD YEAR OF A STEADY REBUILD
ARIZONA COYOTES
COACH: Andre Tourigny (53-90-21 in two seasons with Arizona).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 13 at New Jersey.
DEPARTURES: D Shayne Gostisbehere, F Christian Fischer, F Brett Ritchie.
ADDITIONS: F Jason Zucker, F Alex Kerfoot, F Nick Bjugstad, D Sean Durzi, D Matt Dumba.
GOALIES: Karel Vejmelka (18-24-5, 3.43 GAA, 0.900 save percentage) and Conner Ingram (6-13-8, 3.37 GAA, 0.907).
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LAST SEASON: The Coyotes took the next step in their rebuilding project, earning 13 more points (70) than the previous season. Arizona was well out of the playoff race, but had a definite home-ice advantage at tiny Mullett Arena, going 21-15-5 at their 5,000-seat temporary home. Forward Clayton Keller had a strong return from a broken leg the previous season, earning his third trip to NHL All-Star game. The 25-year-old led the Coyotes with 86 points and 37 goals. Playmaking foward Nick Schmaltz had a second straight solid seasson, scoring 22 goals with 36 assists. Vejmelka played well between the pipes most of the season despite facing more high-danger shots than all but one regular NHL goalie.
STRENGTHS: Arizona’s young core is something to buiild around. Keller has developed into one of the NHL’s more productive forwards and forward Barrett Hayton is coming off his best season as a pro, scoring 19 goals with 24 assists. Forward Matias Maccelli was Arizona’s third-leading scorer with 49 points despite being limited to 64 games and defenseman Dylan Guenther, the ninth overall pick of the 2021 NHL draft, is expected to have a much bigger role. Add in talented center Logan Cooley, the third overal pick in 2022, the Coyotes have plenty of talent in place for this season and the future.
WEAKNESSES: Scoring has been an issue almost since the day the Coyotes arrived from Winnipeg. Arizona was 27th last season at 2.74 points per game. Finding a top-lline center to anchor their offense is key. Hayton played well when he moved to the top line with Keller and Schmaltz, putting up 17 points in 16 games during one stretch. Zucker should help. He was fifth in scoring on the Pittsburgh Penguins with 27 goals and 21 assists last season before signing with the Coyotes in the offseason.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The Coyotes could take another step upward this season.Tourigny has proven to be the perfect coach to pull the strings with his young players as the franchise tries to get back to the postseason for just the second time since 2012. General manager Bill Armstrong didn’t sit back after the Coyotes missed out on Connor Bedard, taken by Chicago with the No. 1 overall pick, adding players like Zucker, Dumba and Kerfoot, who will join Lawson Crouse and Tavis Boyd to give the Coyotes a veteran presence among all the youngsters.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Maccelli. The slick Finnish forward was second among NHL rookies in points last season before an injury knocked him out of the lineup for six weeks. Maccelli picked up where he left off after returning, finishing fourth in the Calder Trophy voting after scoring 11 goals with 38 assists. Given a full season and the pieces around him, Maccelli could be ready for a breakout season.
SHARKS SEEK TO ACCELERATE THE REBUILDING PROCESS IN THEIR 1ST SEASON FOLLOWING KARLSSON TRADE
SAN JOSE SHARKS
COACH: David Quinn
COACH: David Quinn (22-44-16 in one season in San Jose).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 12 vs. Vegas.
DEPARTURES: D Erik Karlsson, G James Reimer, F Steven Lorentz, F Noah Gregor, F Evgeny Svechnikov.
ADDITIONS: F Anthony Duclair, F Mikael Granlund, F Fabian Zetterlund, F Mike Hoffman, D Jan Rutta, D Kyle Burroughs, F Filip Zadina, G Mackenzie Blackwood.
GOALIES: Kaapo Kahkonen (9-20-7, 3.85 GAA, 0.883 save percentage) and Blackwood (10-6-2, 3.20 GAA, 0.893).
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LAST SEASON: The Sharks are coming off their worst season in more than a quarter-century as the team is in a rebuilding stage following a 15-season run as a perennial contender. Quinn and GM Mike Grier took over before last season and began a tear-down process by trading away star forward Timo Meier to New Jersey before the deadline. The one bright spot last season was the play of Karlsson, who won the Norris Trophy after becoming the first defenseman since 1991-92 to reach the 100-point milestone. The Sharks traded him to Pittsburgh in the offseason.
STRENGTHS: Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture. The two centermen are among the last remaining ties to the team that made it to the Western Conference final in 2019. While they might be overmatched at times as top six centers, they are the best the Sharks have to offer. Couture had 27 goals last season but might not be ready for the start of this season after getting hurt over the summer. Hertl’s production dropped last season but he still was third on the team with 63 points.
WEAKNESSES: Defense. A team that had a pair of former Norris Trophy winners on the blue line just two years ago in Karlsson and Brent Burns is now lacking star power on defense. Mario Ferraro is a solid contributor but Marc Edouard-Vlasic has been on the decline in recent years and there are few other proven players on the back end. Offensive production from the blue line will be tough to generate without Karlsson but this group needs to do a much better job in its own end this season if San Jose has any hopes of being competitive.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The Sharks have missed the playoffs in four straight years for the first time in franchise history. That drought doesn’t appear as if it will end this season as San Jose has the worst odds to make the playoffs, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Getting some development from young players is probably the best the Sharks can hope for as they lay the groundwork to getting back to contender status.
PLAYER TO WATCH: F William Eklund. The seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft has played just 17 games his first two seasons as a pro. Eklund turns 21 on opening night and is being counted on as being a building block for the future. He has shown flashes in his brief time in the NHL so far and his progress is one of the most important things for the Sharks this season.
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS WILL TRY FOR A STANLEY CUP REPEAT WITH MOSTLY THE SAME ROSTER FROM LAST SEASON
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
COACH: Bruce Cassidy (343-177-62 with 9 ties over 10 seasons).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 10 vs. Seattle.
DEPARTURES: F Reilly
DEPARTURES: F Reilly Smith, G Laurent Brossoit, F Phil Kessel.
ADDITIONS: F Max Comtois.
GOALIES: Adin Hill
GOALIES: Adin Hill (25-16-7-1, 2.50 GAA, 0.915 save percentage) and Logan Thompson (36-21-13-3, 2.65 GAA, 0.915).
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LAST SEASON: The Golden Knights fulfilled owner Bill Foley’s pledge to win the Stanley Cup in six years with an impressive run through the playoffs in which they never faced elimination. Vegas got there despite a rash of injuries at goalie. Five players started in net and recorded multiple victories, with Hill going 11-4 in the playoffs. Vegas overwhelmed opponents with its depth. Jonathan Marchessault won the Conn Smythe Trophy, but that playoff MVP award also could’ve gone to Hill, Jack Eichel or captain Mark Stone.
STRENGTHS: Depth remains an asset for Cassidy, who emphasized rolling all four lines even through the postseason. The Knights have some dynamic players in Stone, Eichel and Marchessault, any of them capable of winning a game virtually by himself. But it’s their defense that stands out with an emphasis on allowing only low-percentage shots.
WEAKNESSES: Though the goalies shined last season, plenty of questions remain. Are Hill and Thompson capable of staying healthy? Both missed significant time last season. For Hill, there’s also the question of whether his postseason run was an anomaly. Thompson was an All-Star as a rookie before getting injured, but like with Hill, it’s difficult to gauge his effectiveness with such a small sample size. Both are fortunate that Cassidy’s defense relieves a lot of pressure on the goaltenders.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The Knights decided to run it back rather than make their usual offseason flashy signings. Of all those who skated in the Stanley Cup Final, only Smith departed. Because Vegas went all the way, it had a short offseason to get ready. But the Knights, with pretty much the same group, proved they are capable of winning it all. Doing it two years in a row, though, has proven to be a challenge; only Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay have done it this century.
PLAYER TO WATCH: F Ivan Barbashev. The Knights traded for him late last season, and he had 18 points in 22 playoff games. That production was a big reason Vegas parted ways with Smith, an original Knight, so the club could sign Barbashev to a five-year, $25 million contract. Now he has to show it was money well spent.
THE COLORADO AVALANCHE ARE FAVORITES TO RECLAIM THE STANLEY CUP BUT SECONDARY SCORING UNDER SCRUTINY
COLORADO AVALANCE
COACH: Jared Bednar (291-192-53 over seven seasons).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 11 at Los Angeles Kings.
DEPARTURES: LW J.T. Compher, C Lars Eller, D Erik Johnson, LW Matthew Nieto, C Alex Newhook, C Evan Rodrigues.
ADDITIONS: C Ross Colton, LW Jonathan Drouin, C Ryan Johansen, RW Chris Wagner, LW Miles Wood.
GOALIES: Alexandar Georgiev (40-16-6, 2.53 GAA, 0.918 save percentage) and Pavel Francouz (8-7-1, 2.61 GAA, 0.915).
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LAST SEASON: The Avalanche used 43 different players in an injury-filled 2022-23 season that still ended with their third straight division title. Entering the first round of the postseason against Seattle, the Avalanche had experience on their side with 18 players on the playoff roster from the Stanley Cup title-winning team the year before (19 if injured captain Gabriel Landeskog was included). Valeri Nichushkin, one of their most valuable players from the year before, missed the final five games of the playoffs for personal reasons. Colorado’s Cup defense ended with a Game 7 loss to the Kraken.
STRENGTHS: Plenty of them, which is why the Avalanche are a favorite to hoist the Stanley Cup for a second time in three seasons. Up front, there’s the high-flying duo of Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon. The tandem combined for 97 goals and 119 assists. On defense, there’s Cale Makar, the 2021-22 Norris trophy winner as the league’s top defenseman. The smooth-skating Makar was banged up last season and limited to 60 games. There’s also Devon Toews, who’s in the final season of his contract. In net, there’s Georgiev, whose 40 wins were a career high.
WEAKNESSES: Secondary scoring to complement Rantanen and MacKinnon. They will be without Landeskog, their longtime captain, for a second straight season. He remains optimistic of an eventual return after undergoing cartilage replacement surgery in May on his knee. Colorado will be banking on getting some scoring help from Johansen, Colton and Drouin. Johansen had a 26-goal season in 2021-22 with Nashville.
PLAYER TO WATCH: The Avalanche would take a repeat season from Rantanen. He finished with a career-high 55 goals, which broke the Avalanche record of 54 set by Joe Sakic in the Stanley Cup season of 2000-01. Rantanen also surpassed the 100-point mark for the first time and was one of just four Avalanche players to dress in every game last season. Drouin and MacKinnon are reunited after being teammates in juniors, where they won the Memorial Cup with Halifax in 2013. MacKinnon went first overall in the 2013 draft, while Tampa Bay picked Drouin at No. 3.
DEREK STEPAN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 13 NHL SEASONS
Forward Derek Stepan announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday following 13 seasons with four different teams.
Stepan, 33, made an immediate impact to start his NHL career. He became the fourth player in league history to record a hat trick in his NHL debut, scoring three times against former Vezina Trophy recipient Ryan Miller in the New York Rangers’ 6-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 9, 2010.
Stepan spent seven seasons with New York after being selected by the Rangers in the second round of the 2008 NHL Draft. Arguably his best season came in 2013-14, when he recorded a career-best 57 points (17 goals, 40 assists) in the regular season and 15 more (five goals, 10 assists) in the playoffs to help New York advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
Stepan totaled 515 points (182 goals, 333 assists) in 890 career games with the Arizona Coyotes (2017-20), the Ottawa Senators (2020-21) and Carolina Hurricanes (2021-23). His teams qualified for the playoffs in 10 of his 13 seasons.
“After 13 years in the NHL, I’ve decided to retire,” Stepan said in a statement released by the NHL Players Association. “I want to thank my family and friends for always supporting me and allowing me to live my dreams. I want to thank the four organizations I had the privilege of playing for, and to my teammates for allowing me to be part of their family.
“Finally, I want to thank the fans, it was an honor to play in front of you. I’m forever grateful for this game and I look forward to the next chapter.”
Stepan finished his career with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 73 games last season with Carolina.
The Hurricanes took to social media to honor Stepan on Tuesday.
“Shine bright in retirement, Step,” the team wrote on Twitter.
NASCAR NEWS
NASCAR BRINGING ITS TOP CUP SERIES TO IOWA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2024
NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — NASCAR announced Tuesday that it will finally bring its top Cup Series to Iowa for the first time.
Cup Series drivers will race at Iowa Speedway in Newton in June 2024, a weekend that will also include the second-tier Xfinity Series at the track about a forty-minute drive east of Des Moines.
“Today’s announcement is a triumph for incredible race fans around the world,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR senior vice president for racing development and strategy. “They have long sought a NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway, and we’re happy to finally deliver that for them.”
NASCAR has held Xfinity and Truck series races at the 0.875-mile oval but none since 2019. Iowa Speedway has hosted IndyCar Series races for years, since it first opened in 2006. The NASCAR-owned track lists a 30,000 capacity.
Rusty Wallace, a former Cup series champion who designed the speedway, and former Cup champion Brad Keselowski were in attendance at the announcement outside of the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines. Keselowski said he’s been “pestering” NASCAR leaders to bring the Cup Series to Iowa, calling the speedway “one of the best tracks” in the country and next year’s race one of the “can’t miss” events of 2024.
Gov. Kim Reynolds applauded the addition of Iowa to the schedule, saying Iowa has “worked so hard over the years to establish itself as a racing destination.” Reynolds noted the economic boost to the state from a Cup series event.
About 85,000 fans attended the speedway’s IndyCar doubleheader over three days in July, the racing body said. Popular music artists Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Zak Brown Band and Ed Sheeran also brought star power — and big crowds — to the track for performances.
AUTO RACING NEWS
AUTO RACING: BLANEY JOINS BYRON IN NASCAR’S ROUND OF 8; VERSTAPPEN CAN CLINCH F1 TITLE IN QATAR
NASCAR CUP SERIES
Bank of America ROVAL 400
Site: Concord, North Carolina.
Schedule: Saturday, practice, noon, and qualifying, 1 p.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (NBC).
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway road course.
Race distance: 109 laps, 252.88 miles.
Last year: Christopher Bell won after starting eighth.
Last race: Ryan Blaney used a crossover move to nudge ahead of Kevin Harvick with two laps remaining and won at Talladega by 0.012 seconds to advance into the round of eight of NASCAR’s playoffs.
Fast facts: Blaney, who has two wins but just five top-five finishes this season, joined William Byron as drivers locked into the next playoff round. … Harvick was later disqualified after failing postrace inspection. He remains winless this season, which will end with his retirement. … Harvick’s DQ gave second place to Byron with Denny Hamlin third. … The field of 12 drivers will be pared to eight following Sunday’s race on The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway. … Brad Keselowski remained two points above the round of eight cutline; the four drivers behind him are Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace and two-time series champion Kyle Busch. Busch must win at Charlotte to advance.
Next race: Oct. 15, Las Vegas.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
Drive for the Cure 250 presented by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina
Site: Concord, North Carolina.
Schedule: Saturday, practice, 10 a.m., qualifying, 10:30 a.m., and race, 3:30 p.m. (NBC).
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway road course.
Race distance: 67 laps, 155.44 miles.
Last year: A.J. Allmendinger won from the pole position.
Last race: John Hunter Nemechek won at Texas Motor Speedway for his series-best seventh win of the year.
Fast facts: Nemechek, Justin Allgaier and Cole Custer have all clinched berths in the round of eight with the finals spots to be set this weekend. … Sheldon Creed (plus 9) and Daniel Hemric (plus 1) are the last two drivers inside the playoff bubble with Parker Kligerman (minus 1), Jeb Burton (minus 19), Josh Berry (minus 27) and Sam Mayer (minus 34) all hoping to work their way into the next round this weekend.
Next race: Oct. 14, Las Vegas.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR TRUCK SERIES
Last race: 2018 series champion Brett Moffitt turned his first race of the season in the series into his first superspeedway victory, prevailing in a three-wide overtime battle to win at Talladega. Corey Heim is the only driver to have secured a spot in the championship finale with one race remaining for the seven other contenders.
Next race: Oct. 21, Homestead, Florida.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
FORMULA ONE
Qatar Grand Prix
Site: Doha, Qatar.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 9:30 a.m., and qualifying, 1 p.m.; Saturday, Sprint Shootout, 9 a.m., and Sprint, 1:30 p.m.; Sunday, race, 1 p.m. (ESPN).
Track: Lusail International Circuit.
Race distance: 57 laps, 191.762 miles.
Last year: Not held (FIFA World Cup).
Last race: Max Verstappen won his 13th race of the season at the Japanese Grand Prix to clinch the constructors’ championship for Red Bull.
Fast facts: Verstappen leads teammate Sergio Perez by 177 points and can clinch his third consecutive season championship even before the race by finishing within five positions of Perez in the Sprint. … Perez, with two wins, is 33 points ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton for second place with six races remaining.
Next race: Oct. 22, Austin, Texas.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
INDYCAR
Last race: Scott Dixon won at Laguna Seca, his third win of the season, all in the last four races. The six-time champion gave Chip Ganassi Racing a 1-2 finish in the standings. A week earlier, teammate Alex Palou became the first driver in 18 years to clinch the title before the final race of the season.
Next race: 2024 season opener at St. Petersburg, Florida.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA DRAG RACING
Last race: Clay Millican won in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan won in Funny Car at Gateway Motorsports Park.
Next race: Oct. 12-15, Ennis, Texas.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Next events: Oct 6 & 7, Port Royal, Pennsylvania.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars
TOP INDIANA RELEASES/NEWS
COLTS FOOTBALL: ANTHONY RICHARDSON NOMINATED FOR WEEK 4 ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Following Anthony Richardson’s Week 4 performance against the Los Angeles Rams, he was nominated for the NFL Rookie of the Week.
In his third career start, Richardson completed 11 of his 25 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 56 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
With his latest rushing touchdown, Richardson became the first quarterback in NFL history to score a rushing touchdown in each of his first three career games. He also became the first quarterback to rush for four touchdowns in their first three starts.
He joins quarterback C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans), running back De’Von Achane (Miami Dolphins), Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons), wide receiver Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (Seattle Seahawks) as nominees for the distinction.
Fans can vote for Richardson on www.nfl.com/rookies, @NFL on Twitter, and on the NFL Mobile app through Thursday at 12:00 PM ET to determine who will bring home the NFL Rookie of the Week championship belt for Week 4. The NFL Rookie of the Week will be announced Thursday on NFL Now on NFL Network and on NFL.com.
COLTS RELEASE UNOFFICIAL DEPTH CHART FOR WEEK 5 GAME VS. TENNESSEE TITANS
OFFENSE
» WR: Michael Pittman Jr., Amari Rodgers
» LT: Bernhard Raimann
» LG: Quenton Nelson, Arlington Hambright
» C: Ryan Kelly, Wesley French
» RG: Will Fries, Josh Sills
» RT: Braden Smith, Blake Freeland
» TE: Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree
» TE: Kylen Granson, Will Mallory
» WR: Josh Downs, Isaiah McKenzie
» WR: Alec Pierce
» QB: Anthony Richardson, Gardner Minshew, Sam Ehlinger
» RB: Zack Moss, Trey Sermon, Jake Funk
- Center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Bernhard Raimann were inactive for the Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Wesley French and Blake Freeland started in their place.
- Tight end Drew Ogletree led all pass catchers with three catches for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Rams. That touchdown was the first of his NFL career.
DEFENSE
» DE: Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, Jake Martin
» DT: DeForest Buckner, Taven Bryan
» NT: Grover Stewart, Eric Johnson II, Adetomiwa Adebawore
» DE: Samson Ebukam, Dayo Odeyingbo, Isaiah Land
» WLB: Shaquille Leonard, Grant Stuard
» MLB: Zaire Franklin, Segun Olubi
» SAM: E.J. Speed, Cameron McGrone
» CB: JuJu Brents
» FS: Rodney Thomas II, Trevor Denbow
» SS: Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross
» N: Kenny Moore II, Tony Brown
» CB: Jaylon Jones OR Darrell Baker Jr.
- Cornerback Dallis Flowers will miss the remainder of the season with an Achilles injury. In addition to starting on defense, he also was the team’s primary kick returner.
- Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo led all defensive linemen with seven tackles 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hits.
SPECIALISTS
» P: Rigoberto Sanchez
» PK: Matt Gay
» H: Rigoberto Sanchez
» LS: Luke Rhodes
» KR: Isaiah McKenzie, Josh Downs, Amari Rodgers
» PR: Isaiah McKenzie, Josh Downs, Amari Rodgers
COLTS SIGN WR AMARI RODGERS TO THE 53-MAN ROSTER; PLACE CORNERBACK DALLIS FLOWERS ON INJURED RESERVE; SIGN CORNERBACK DARREN HALL TO THE PRACTICE SQUAD
Indianapolis – The Indianapolis Colts today signed wide receiver Amari Rodgers to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and placed cornerback Dallis Flowers on the Injured Reserve list. The team also signed cornerback Darren Hall to the practice squad.
Rodgers, 5-9, 212 pounds, has spent time on the team’s active roster and practice squad this season. He was elevated to the active roster for Week 4 vs. the Los Angeles Rams and played. Rodgers was originally signed by Indianapolis as a free agent on August 2, 2023. He has played in 33 career games (two starts) in his time with the Colts (2023), Houston Texans (2022) and Green Bay Packers (2021-22) and has compiled 20 receptions for 249 yards and one touchdown. Rodgers has also totaled three carries for 18 yards, 40 punt returns for 305 yards (7.6 avg.) and 17 kickoff returns for 321 yards (18.9 avg.).
Flowers, 6-1, 196 pounds, has played in 17 career games (five starts) in two seasons (2022-23) with the Colts and has compiled 23 tackles (17 solo), 1.0 tackle for loss, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and six special teams stops. He has also registered 24 kickoff returns for 734 yards (30.6 avg.) and three punt returns for 13 yards (4.3 avg.). Flowers was originally signed by Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. In 2023, he started all four games and recorded 15 tackles (11 solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and three passes defensed.
Hall, 6-0, 190 pounds, spent time on the team’s practice squad earlier this season after originally signing with the Colts on August 31, 2023. He participated in the Atlanta Falcons’ 2023 offseason program and training camp. Hall saw action in 31 games (10 starts) with the Falcons over the last two seasons (2021-22) and totaled 69 tackles (47 solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, six passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three special teams stops. He was originally selected by Atlanta in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft out of San Diego State.
INDIANA PACERS BASKETBALL
INDIANA PACERS ANNOUNCE 2023-24 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER
Tuesday, the Indiana Pacers announced their 2023-24 training camp roster, which currently stands at 18 players.
Training camp will tip off Tuesday, Oct. 3 at the Ascension St. Vincent Center in Indianapolis. The Pacers will begin their 2023-24 preseason schedule Sunday, Oct. 8 at Memphis.
Indiana will open the regular season Wednesday, Oct. 25 at home against the Washington Wizards.
Indiana Pacers 2023 Training Camp Roster
No. | Player | Pos | Ht | Wt | Birthdate | Prior to NBA/Native Country | Years Pro
11 | Bruce Brown | G/F | 6-4 | 202 | 8/15/1996 | Miami (Fla.) | 5
10 | Kendall Brown* | G/F | 6-8 | 205 | 5/11/2003 | Baylor | 1
0 | Tyrese Haliburton | G | 6-5 | 185 | 2/29/2000 | Iowa State | 3
7 | Buddy Hield | G | 6-4 | 220 | 12/17/1992 | Oklahoma/Bahamas | 7
22 | Isaiah Jackson | F | 6-10 | 206 | 1/10/2002 | Kentucky | 3
00 | Bennedict Mathurin | G | 6-6 | 195 | 6/19/2002 | Arizona/Canada | 1
9 | T.J. McConnell | G | 6-2 | 190 | 3/25/1992 | Arizona | 8
2 | Andrew Nembhard | G | 6-5 | 193 | 1/16/2000 | Gonzaga/Canada | 1
23 | Aaron Nesmith | G | 6-6 | 213 | 10/16/1999 | Vanderbilt | 3
13 | Jordan Nwora | F | 6-8 | 225 | 9/9/1998 | Louisville | 3
26 | Ben Sheppard | G | 6-6 | 190 | 7/16/2001 | Belmont | R
25 | Jalen Smith | F | 6-10 | 215 | 3/16/2000 | Maryland | 3
27 | Daniel Theis | C | 6-8 | 245 | 4/4/1992 | Germany | 6
1 | Obi Toppin | F | 6-9 | 220 | 3/4/1998 | Dayton | 3
44 | Oscar Tshiebwe* | C | 6-9 | 260 | 11/27/1999 | Kentucky/D.R. of the Congo | R
33 | Myles Turner | F/C | 6-11 | 250 | 3/24/1996 | Texas | 7
5 | Jarace Walker | F | 6-8 | 240 | 9/4/2003 | Houston | R
21 | Isaiah Wong* | G | 6-4 | 184 | 1/28/2001 | Miami (Fla.) | R
*Two-way contract
PACERS OPEN “HIGHLY COMPETITIVE” CAMP WITH “HUGE EMPHASIS” ON DEFENSE
Ben Sheppard’s first official NBA practice was eye opening.
The rookie guard has had plenty of time to acclimate to the Pacers organization since he was drafted with the 26th overall pick on June 22, taking part in Summer League practices and voluntary workouts over the last three-plus months.
But Sheppard admitted
But Sheppard admitted there was a different feel on Tuesday when he took the court at the Ascension St. Vincent Center for the start of training camp, in part because of who was running the practice.
“This is my first time having (head coach Rick) Carlisle out on the court,” Sheppard said. “So just his intensity and all the stuff that he brings, it was fun.”
Was that at all intimidating for the rookie out of Belmont, taking direction from Indiana’s veteran head coach, who has nearly 900 career wins in the NBA?
“A little bit,” Sheppard admitted. “Because I’ve never seen that side of him. But I love that. I love how he pushes us and just brings a separate energy that I’ve never played for before.”
As expected, Carlisle and his staff placed a heavy emphasis on defense in Tuesday’s season-opening practice. Since exit interviews back in April, there’s been a consistent message from both the coaching staff and the front office that Indiana has to make strides on the defensive end.
The Pacers ranked 26th in the NBA in defensive rating last season, their deficiencies on that end ultimately preventing them from making the playoffs. At Media Day on Monday, both Carlisle and All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton stated that if the Blue & Gold can find a way to bump their defense from bottom-five in the league to at least middle of the pack, that could go a long ways toward bumping up their win total in 2023-24.
The Pacers took steps to address defense in the offseason, signing veteran guard Bruce Brown and drafting defensive-minded forward Jarace Walker with the eighth overall pick in the draft. But the staff also sent a clear message to each returning player that they all needed to commit to making strides on that end of the ball this summer.
Brown said there was “a huge emphasis” on defense in Tuesday’s practice. That was an expected and welcome sight for the sixth-year guard, who has played for three other teams previously, most recently helping Denver capture its first NBA title last season.
“I’m a defender,” Brown said. “That’s what gets me on the floor everywhere I go. That’s first. The offense will come second.”
Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith, two of the Pacers’ best defensive players last season, said the coaches have made some slight schematic tweaks to the team’s defensive principles this season. But more importantly, there’s an added emphasis on “accountability” for every player on the defensive end.
“The biggest thing I think is just going to be effort,” Turner said. “I think we’re held more accountable to our effort this year more than we have ever before. And our one-on-one defense — I think that’s really what it is, just our one-on-one defense — not trusting our help as much. Of course help is always there, but at the same time we want to be better at containing the ball.”
This figures to be one of the most competitive Pacers training camps in recent memory. Unlike past years, there are no roster spots up for grabs and no additional players just in camp for the preseason. The training camp roster is the same as the regular roster — 15 players on NBA contracts, and three (second-year forward Kendall Brown and rookies Oscar Tshiebwe and Isaiah Wong) on two-way contracts.
But there will be plenty of competition for spots in both the starting lineup and the rotation.
General manager Chad Buchanan told the media last week that only Haliburton and Turner are likely assured of starting roles at point guard and center, respectively. The other three spots are up for grabs.
Andrew Nembhard, Buddy Hield, and Nesmith each started 60 or more games last season, but the Pacers have plenty of other options for starting roles. Brown — with his defensive mindset and the versatility to play four different positions (Turner likened him to former Pacer Thaddeus Young in that regard) — figures to compete for a starting role. Bennedict Mathurin replaced Hield in the starting lineup at the end of last season and appears poised for a larger role coming off a first-team All-Rookie campaign. And while Nesmith competed admirably as an undersized power forward, the Pacers brought in a couple more traditional options over the offseason, trading for 6-9 forward Obi Toppin and drafting the 6-8 Walker.
Regardless of who ends up winning starting spots, the competition for minutes will be fierce.
The Pacers have a logjam of a capable wings between Brown, Hield, Mathurin, Nembhard, and Nesmith. Nembhard could slide to the backup point guard spot to alleviate that logjam, but that would bump veteran point guard T.J. McConnell.
Toppin, Walker, and Jordan Nwora will all compete for minutes at power forward, while Jalen Smith, Isaiah Jackson, and Daniel Theis will all be battling for the backup center spot behind Turner.
Carlisle and his staff have seemingly at least three capable options at every position with everyone healthy. It’s a good problem to have that much depth, but it also means that it will be, as Carlisle put it, “a highly, highly competitive camp.”
“The competition for minutes is real,” Carlisle said. “There’s no point in pretending it isn’t. Every second out here counts, every minute counts. We’re being very detailed with everything we’re doing here in practice from defensive footwork to offensively to how we’re crashing the boards. Everything matters.”
That competition will shake out over the coming weeks, with Carlisle stating that defense will weigh heavily into the equation of who plays and who sits.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that can score,” he said. “Unselfishness along with defensive impact is going to break a lot of ties.”
PACERS HEAD COACH RICK CARLISLE: HTTPS://WWW.NBA.COM/PACERS/NEWS/PACERS-OPEN-HIGHLY-COMPETITIVE-CAMP-WITH-HUGE-EMPHASIS-ON-DEFENSE
INDY ELEVEN
LINDLEY EARNS TOTW BENCH HONORS
TAMPA/INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, October 3, 2023) – After a playoff-clinching performance over the weekend, Indy Eleven saw two players honored as part of the USL Championship’s weekly selections. Adrian Diz Pe was named to the USLC Team of the Week, while Cam Lindley earned bench accolades, league officials announced Tuesday.
In Indy’s 3-0 win over Detroit City FC, Diz Pe played the full 90 minutes winning five of five tackles and four of five aerial duels, while registering five clearances and a pair of interceptions. The defender leads the Eleven with 183 duels won, 121 clearances, 37 tackles won, 42 interceptions and 13 blocks on the season. He sits in the top 10 of the USLC rankings in duels won (9th) and clearances (10th).
Diz Pe previously earned team of the week honors following weeks eight and 23, while picking up bench selections in weeks three and 17.
Lindley picked up his fifth assist of the season in 90 minutes of action, moving him to second on the team in the category. He completed just over 87% of his passes, bringing his season total to 2,115, which ranks him second in the league, and added three duels won, a pair of tackles and an interception.
Lindley was a team of the week selection following week 16 and earned USLC Goal of the Week for his match-winning tally against Hartford the same week.
Indy Eleven clinched its first USL Championship playoff berth since 2019 and third overall since the team joined the league ahead of the 2018 season. Regular-season action continues as the Boys in Blue travel to FC Tulsa Saturday. Kickoff is primed for 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 30
GK – Connor Sparrow, Tampa Bay Rowdies
D – Aedan Stanley, Miami FC
D – Adrian Diz Pe, Indy Eleven
D – Conner Antley, Tampa Bay Rowdies
M – Keko, Sacramento Republic FC
M – Florian Valot, Miami FC
M – Eric Calvillo, El Paso Locomotive FC
M – Joe Corona, San Diego Loyal SC
F – Romario Williams, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
F – Ronaldo Damus, San Diego Loyal SC
F – Albert Dikwa, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Bench: Andy Thomas (NM), Dani Rovíra (PIT), Cam Lindley (IND), Taylor Davila (RGV), Memo Diaz (OAK), Neco Brett (BHM), Joaquin Rivas (MIA)
INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL
INDIANA, KENTUCKY MEN’S BASKETBALL SERIES SET TO RETURN
BLOOMINGTON, Ind., and LEXINGTON, Ky. – It’s back.
One of college basketball’s most important and storied rivalries is back on the schedule. Indiana University Athletic Director Scott Dolson and Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart jointly agreed today to a four-game men’s basketball series beginning with the 2025-26 season and continuing thru the 2028-29 campaign.
The four-game series will include two home games for each program. To provide more Hoosier fans with an opportunity to witness an IU-UK game firsthand, IU has elected to hold one of its home contests at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The two programs faced each other in Indianapolis 10 times from 1987-2005 at the Hoosier/RCA Dome, games that featured electric atmospheres in front of crowds in excess of 40,000.
The series schedule is:
Dec. 20, 2025 – Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, Lexington, Ky.
Dec. 27, 2026 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind. (IU home game)
Dec. 18, 2027 – Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, Lexington, Ky.
Dec. 16, 2028 – Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Ind.
“This is an exciting day for not only IU and UK Basketball, but college basketball,” Dolson said. “When you consider the history, the passion, and the proximity of our schools, this is a game that means a great deal to so many people. I appreciate Mitch Barnhart’s willingness to work together to resume what I believe to be college basketball’s best non-conference rivalry. I also appreciate the support of Coach Calipari and Coach Woodson and their desire to bring this series back. Their relationship is a big reason why we are able to make today’s announcement.”
“It’s great to renew this series, which is among the most competitive rivalries and storied traditions of college basketball,” Barnhart said. “The matchup will resume its place as one of the nation’s most anticipated games of the season. This emanated from Coach Cal and Coach Woodson getting together and talking about playing again. I’ve enjoyed spending time with Scott Dolson and getting to know him better as we’ve worked out the details.”
“This is a great day for our program and our fans,” Indiana head basketball coach Mike Woodson said. “Indiana-Kentucky is one of the best rivalries in college basketball, with so many great games over the years. We worked hard to get this done, and I could not be happier to be playing Kentucky once again.”
“This is a really important rivalry to our fans and the game of college basketball and we’re happy to bring it back,” Kentucky head basketball coach John Calipari said. “Mike and I have been friends for years and I have the utmost respect for him as a coach and as a man. Let’s do this!”
The December 2025 contest will mark the first regular season game between the long-time rivals since Indiana’s 73-72 victory at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Dec. 10, 2011. That 14-year regular season lapse is the longest in the series since the two college basketball bluebloods went 21 years between regular season encounters from 1944 to 1965. The two teams have met twice since the 2011 game in the NCAA Tournament, with Kentucky posting a 102-90 win in Atlanta in the 2012 Sweet 16, and IU earning a 73-67 win in the second round of the 2016 NCAA tourney in Des Moines.
Kentucky leads the all-time series between the two schools, 32-25. Kentucky ranks second all-time with eight national championships, while Indiana is fourth with five.
BIG TEN ANNOUNCES TIMES AND TELEVISION DESIGNATIONS FOR MEN’S BASKETBALL
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Big Ten Conference announced the times and television designations for the men’s basketball season on Tuesday morning.
The Hoosiers will be featured on BTN or B1G+ 15 times this season, including home conference tilts against Maryland (Dec. 1) and Iowa (Jan. 30). B1G+ will carry both exhibition games and the home game against Kennesaw State (Dec. 29).
FOX and FS1 will showcase the Cream and Crimson seven times, including primetime game slots against Ohio State (Jan. 6) and at Purdue (Feb. 10).
Peacock will hold the rights to five IU games. The Hoosiers will debut on the streaming platform at Michigan (Dec. 5) while also hosting Purdue (Jan. 16) and Wisconsin (Feb. 27).
Indiana will play three times on CBS, including the return game against Kansas (Dec. 16) and the season finale against Michigan State (March 10).
The ESPN family of networks will house the Hoosiers for both contests in the Empire Classic Benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project Presented by Continental Tire. Indiana will also be broadcast on ESPN2 for the Holiday Hoopsgiving matchup with Auburn (Dec. 9).
Peacock will air the first round of the 2024 Big Ten Tournament. The second round and quarterfinal round will be shown on BTN, while the semifinals and championship games will be broadcast on CBS.
@IndianaMBB
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#GoIU
2023-24 Indiana Men’s Basketball Schedule
EXHIBITIONS
Oct. 29 (Sunday) – Indianapolis – TBD – B1G+
Nov. 3 (Friday) – Marian – TBD – B1G+
REGULAR SEASON
Nov. 7 (Tuesday) – Florida Gulf Coast – 6:30 p.m. – BTN
Nov. 12 (Sunday) – Army – 7 p.m. – BTN
Nov. 16 (Thursday) – Wright State – 7 p.m. – BTN
EMPIRE CLASSIC BENEFITING THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT PRESENTED BY CONTINENTAL TIRE
Nov. 19 (Sunday) – vs. UConn – 1 p.m. – ESPN (Madison Square Garden, New York)
Nov. 20 (Monday) – vs. Louisville/Texas – 4:30/7 p.m. – ESPNU (Madison Square Garden, New York)
Nov. 26 (Sunday) – vs. Harvard – 4:30 p.m. – BTN (Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis)
Dec. 1 (Friday) – Maryland* – 7 p.m. – BTN
Dec. 5 (Tuesday) – at Michigan* – 9 p.m. – Peacock
HOLIDAY HOOPSGIVING
Dec. 9 (Saturday) – vs. Auburn – 2 p.m. – ESPN2 (State Farm Arena, Atlanta)
Dec. 16 (Saturday) – Kansas – 12:30 p.m. – CBS
Dec. 19 (Tuesday) – Morehead State – 6:30 p.m. – BTN
Dec. 21 (Thursday) – North Alabama – 8:30 p.m. – BTN
Dec. 29 (Friday) – Kennesaw State – TBD – B1G+
Jan. 3 (Wednesday) – at Nebraska* – 9 p.m. – BTN
Jan. 6 (Saturday) – Ohio State* – 8 p.m. – FOX
Jan. 9 (Tuesday) – at Rutgers* – 7 p.m. – Peacock
Jan. 12 (Friday) – Minnesota* – 6:30 p.m. – FS1
Jan. 16 (Tuesday) – Purdue* – 7 p.m. – Peacock
Jan. 19 (Friday) – at Wisconsin* – 8:30 p.m. – FS1
Jan. 27 (Saturday) – at Illinois* – 3 p.m. – FOX
Jan. 30 (Tuesday) – Iowa* – 7 p.m. – BTN
Feb. 3 (Saturday) – Penn State* – Noon – FS1
Feb. 6 (Tuesday) – at Ohio State* – 7 p.m. – Peacock
Feb. 10 (Saturday) – at Purdue* – 8 p.m. – FOX
Feb. 18 (Sunday) – Northwestern* – 3 p.m. – FS1
Feb. 21 (Wednesday) – Nebraska* – 8:30 p.m. – BTN
Feb. 24 (Saturday) – at Penn State* – Noon – BTN
Feb. 27 (Tuesday) – Wisconsin* – 7 p.m. – Peacock
March 3 (Sunday) – at Maryland* – 2 p.m. – CBS
March 6 (Wednesday) – at Minnesota* – 9 p.m. – BTN
March 10 (Sunday) – Michigan State* – 4:30 p.m. – CBS
2024 BIG TEN MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
March 13-17 (Wednesday-Sunday) – Target Center – Minneapolis
All times listed in eastern time. All times and television designations are subject to change.
* Big Ten Conference game
INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER
IU TIES IN LEXINGTON
BLOOMINGTON — A thrilling match full of chances ended in a 1-1 draw between Indiana men’s soccer (3-3-4, 0-1-2 B1G) and Kentucky (3-6-0, 0-3-0 Sun Belt) in Lexington Tuesday (Oct. 3) night.
IU once again led its opponent in shots (14-10) but came away with a handful of near-misses. The Hoosiers put six shots on target and had 10 corner kicks.
Senior forward Karsen Henderlong opened the scoring and his season account in the 12th minute with a clinical finish. After senior goalkeeper JT Harms saved a penalty in the 25th minute, Kentucky drew even five minutes later. Indiana dominated the second half with 10 shots to four but were kept out of goal.
KEY MOMENTS
• 12′ – A through ball intended for freshman forward Collins Oduro fell to Henderlong on the outside of the box. Henderlong took a touch and fired with his left foot around the keeper.
• 14′ – Oduro broke free on the left wing, cut inside and fired towards the near post. Kentucky sophomore goalkeeper Casper Mols dove and saved.
• 24′ – A Wildcat went down as he turned inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Graduate midfielder Finn Ballard McBride fired the spot kick to his left, and Harms pounced to push it away and out of danger.
• 30′ – Kentucky scored from a restart as a throw-in was headed out towards the edge of the box. Junior defender Eion Martin was there, fired first time and inside the far post to equalize.
• 72′ – IU was inches away from retaking the lead when Mols spilled a cross in front of junior forward Samuel Sarver. Sarver fired at the empty goal from a tight angle and sent it into the post.
• 79′ – Indiana was nearly through from a pair of corners. First, a loose ball was directed towards goal and IU players appealed for handball, but nothing was given. On the resulting corner, senior defender Jansen Miller connected with a header, sending it close but into the side netting.
• 85′ – Kentucky sophomore midfielder Yohannes Mathias received his second yellow and was sent off for a challenge about 20 yards out. Sophomore forward Luka Bezerra’s free-kick attempt sailed a foot high.
• 90′ – Miller had one last opportunity in the dying moments but headed high.
NOTABLES
• Indiana moved to 27-3-5 against Kentucky all-time.
• Henderlong’s first goal of the season was his 25th in his career and 35th goal contribution (goals and assists).
UP NEXT
Indiana returns to Big Ten play on Saturday at Penn State. Kickoff is set for noon ET, and the match will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
INDIANA SWIMMING
INDIANA HOSTS KENTUCKY IN SEASON-OPENING MEET
BLOOMINGTON – It’s a new season for Indiana swimming and diving, one that will conclude at the 2024 Olympics.
The Hoosiers will open the campaign with a dual meet on Wednesday (Oct. 4), hosting Kentucky inside the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center. Diving competition will kick things off at 10 a.m. ET with swimming to follow at 1:30 p.m. ET.
MEET INFO
Wednesday, October 4 • 10 a.m. ET (Diving)/1:30 p.m. ET (Swimming)
Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center • Bloomington, Ind.
Opponent: Kentucky
Live Results (Swimming): https://bit.ly/3a9t16V
Live Results (Diving): https://bit.ly/3jWYeCQ
Live Stream: N/A
OF NOTE…
2022-23 SEASON RECAP
Indiana swimming and diving had another championship season during the 2022-23 cycle. The Hoosier men won the Big Ten for a second-straight year and the fifth time in seven years before capturing a fourth-place finish nationally. IU’s women recorded a program-record seventh-place performance at the NCAA Championships. Divers Andrew Capobianco and Carson Tyler won individual NCAA titles on the 3-meter board and platform diving events, respectively, as IU men’s diving scored 104 points at the NCAA meet. Brendan Burns won a national title for a second consecutive year, this time in the 100-yard backstroke.
Fifteen individuals with ties to the IU swimming and diving program competed at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, totaling nine medals and four world titles. Ahmed Hafnaoui, entering his freshman season after training a season at IU, won titles in the 800-meter and 1,500-meter freestyle events and took silver in the 400.
HOOSIERS NAMED TO USA SWIMMING NATIONAL TEAM
Five swimmers with ties to the Indiana swimming and diving program were named to the 2023-24 U.S. National Team in September. The roster includes two members of IU’s current roster – juniors Mariah Denigan (a member of USA Swimming’s open water team) and Josh Matheny. Indiana Swim Club’s Lilly King, Annie Lazor and Cody Miller are also represented. All four of the pool swimmers specialize in breaststroke events.
INDIANA MEN’S TENNIS
SAM LANDAU QUALIFIES FOR THE MAIN DRAW AT THE ITA ALL-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
TULSA, Okla. ––– Indiana Men’s Tennis sophomore Sam Landau will continue his dominant run into the main draw of the singles tournament at the ITA All-American Championships.
Landau’s tournament began on Saturday, where he captured his first win of the tournament against Kristof Minarik (WSU) in three sets, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1. Sam then secured a position into the pre-qualifying round of 64 by defeating William Mroz (ILL) in the evening match.
On Sunday, Sam was taken to three sets against Peter Murphy (UNC), but ultimately earned the win by taking the third set, 6-2. In the round of 32, Sam defeated Luis Carlos Alvarez Valdez (Okla.) by taking the third set, 7-5. The win against Alvarez catapulted Sam into the qualifying rounds of the tournament.
Sam’s success continued in the Monday qualifying rounds as he defeated Tomas Pinho (UTSA) in three sets. The win sent Landau into the qualifying round of 64, where he would face John Hallquist Lithen (MISS).
Sam continued to show no signs of slowing down this morning as he took the win against No. 77 John Hallquist Lithen (MISS), 6-3, 6-0. Sam would then go on to beat Tanapatt Nirundorn (UF) in two sets to qualify for the main draw.
The full results of Sam Landau’s matches can be found below.
Sam will continue to play in the first round of the main draw tomorrow.
Quotables
Indiana Head Coach Jeremy Wurtzman
“This is a big deal for Sam to get through the pre-qualifying and qualifying events. He was the only player to get through both draws in the tournament and very few players have done that historically. We’re proud of Sam for all that he has accomplished during this tournament and we hope that he uses this as a confidence boost moving forward.”
Full Results
R256: Sam Landau (IND) Def. Kristof Minarik (WSU), 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.
R128: Sam Landau (IND) Def. William Mroz (ILL), 6-3, 6-1.
R64: Sam Landau (IND) Def. Peter Murphy (UNC), 6-2, 0-6, 6-2.
R32: Sam Landau (IND) Def. Luis Carlos Alvarez Valdez (Okla.), 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.
QR128: Sam Landau (IND) Def. Tomas Pinho (UTSA), 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.
QR64: Sam Landau (IND) Def. John Hallquist Lithen (MISS), 6-3, 6-0.
QR32: Sam Landau (IND) Def. Tanapatt Nirundorn (UF), 6-3, 6-1
PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL
BIG TEN ANNOUNCES TIMES, TV DESIGNATIONS FOR PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In conjunction with its television partners, the Big Ten Conference announced times and television designations for the 2023-24 Purdue men’s basketball season today.
Purdue will be featured prominently on the national stage, appearing on FOX five times, on FS1 four times and on CBS three times. BTN will carry nine games, while Peacock will carry six Purdue games. The MauiJim Maui Invitational is carried by the ESPN family of networks and two games, including the exhibition contest against Grace College on Nov. 1, will be on B1G +. The charity exhibition against Arkansas will be streamed on SEC+ on Oct. 28.
During the last month of the season, the Boilermakers will appear on FOX four times (at Rutgers, Indiana, Michigan State, Wisconsin), including a pair of 8 p.m. ET, Saturday night tipoffs against Indiana on Feb. 10 and Michigan State on March 2.
Purdue will also appear on three CBS Sunday games in February, traveling to Wisconsin on Feb. 4 (1 p.m. ET), Ohio State on Feb. 18 (1 p.m. ET) and Michigan on Feb. 25 (2 p.m. ET).
Purdue’s showdown with Alabama in Toronto will tip at 1:30 p.m. ET, and be televised by FOX.
FS1 games include Xavier (8:30 p.m. ET; Nov. 13), Illinois (8:30 p.m. ET; Jan. 5), Iowa (2 p.m. ET; Jan. 20) and Rutgers (7 p.m. ET; Feb. 22).
The Boilermakers will appear on Peacock six times during the season, featuring the Arizona contest in Indianapolis (4:30 p.m. ET; Dec. 16), at Maryland (7 p.m. ET; Jan. 2), at Nebraska (9 p.m. ET; Jan. 9), at Indiana (7 p.m. ET; Jan. 16), vs. Michigan (9 p.m.; Jan. 23) and at Illinois (7 p.m. ET; March 5).
Purdue’s season opener against Samford will be aired by the Big Ten Network at 6:30 p.m. ET, on Nov. 6.
The 2023-24 Purdue men’s basketball season is presented by Purdue Global, Purdue University’s online educational solution for working adults.
Season tickets are sold out this season, but single-game tickets will go on sale Oct. 17, to varying levels on John Purdue Club members, then will go on sale to the general public Oct. 20.
PURDUE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BIG TEN RELEASES TV DESIGNATIONS & TIMES FOR PURDUE
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue women’s basketball team will have eight broadcasted games during the 2023-24 season, as the Big Ten Conference released its broadcast assignments for the upcoming campaign.
Purdue will play five televised games on the Big Ten Network and one on FS1. Peacock will air a pair of games for the Boilermakers, as the newest member of the Big Ten Conference’s broadcast rotation.
The Boilermakers’ five contests on the Big Ten Network will start on Dec. 30 with a home bout against Wisconsin. The remaining games on the league’s network will come on Jan. 6 at Maryland, Jan. 18 at Penn State, Feb. 5 against Illinois and Feb. 25 at Wisconsin.
Peacock’s coverage of Purdue basketball will be at Mackey Arena for a pair of high-profile matchups against Iowa on Jan. 10 and the Barn Burner Trophy Game with Indiana on Jan. 21.
Purdue will feature on FS1 on the final day of the regular season against Michigan on March 3.
All of Purdue’s remaining Big Ten and home non-conference gamesq, including the return trip to Indiana on Feb. 11, will be shown on B1G+.
Returning after more than a decade hiatus in the regular season, the Purdue and Notre Dame clash in South Bend on Dec. 17 will be televised on the ACC Network. Both of the Boilermakers’ games at the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship in The Bahamas will be shown on FloHoops.
Head coach Katie Gearlds returns for her third season at the helm of her alma mater after guiding the Boilermakers to back-to-back postseason appearances. Purdue returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017 as the Boilermakers posted a 19-11 record in 2022-23.
Season tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now. Purdue has already sold its most season tickets since 2015-16 with more being sold each week.
The Boilermakers return five players from last season, including Second Team All-Big Ten honoree Jeanae Terry. Eight newcomers highlight the roster with a pair of transfers in Mila Reynolds and Alaina Harper. Gearlds brought in the No. 21-ranked recruiting class with five signees last November, before top-60 recruit Amiyah Reynolds committed in May.
The season tips off Nov. 6 when Purdue travels to UCLA, who was ranked No. 3 by ESPN’s Way Too Early Top 25.
The 2023-24 Purdue women’s basketball season is presented by Purdue Global, Purdue University’s online educational solution for working adults.
PURDUE VOLLEYBALL
ILLINOIS, IOWA ON DECK FOR #19 VOLLEYBALL
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The No. 19 Purdue volleyball team (8-5, 2-2 Big Ten) continues its homestretch this week with a pair of matches within the friendly confines Holloway Gymnasium.
Action begins Wednesday as Purdue is set to host its first midweek of the season vs. Illinois (7-7, 2-2 Big Ten) tomorrow at 6 p.m. ET on FS1. Then, Purdue will take on Iowa (8-8, 0-4 Big Ten) on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on B1G+.
RISING TO THE OCCASION: EVA HUDSON IN BIG TEN PLAY
Eva Hudson has risen to the occasion in Big Ten matches, producing more kills per set at a better efficiency than her average in non-conference matches.
The sophomore is averaging 4.18 kills per set, up from her 3.68 during non-con action.
Since Big Ten play has started, Hudson has risen in the Big Ten standings, ranking #5 in kills per set (3.80) and sixth in points per set (4.18).
Hit .257% or better in five of the last six matches.
Hudson averaged 5.00 kills per set in the first week of Big Ten play to lead the team.
LIBERO MADDIE SCHERMERHORN
She ranks #3 in the Big Ten after anchoring the Boilermakers as their libero in every match this season.
The 2022 Second Team All-Big Ten honoree is averaging 4.20 digs per set with 190 total digs.
Schermerhorn became the 21st Boilermaker in program history to join the 1,000 dig club vs. SMU.
Number of 15+ dig matches this season: 9
Number of 20+ dig matches this season: 5
Schermerhorn’s season-high is 22 digs, reached three times: vs. #19 Marquette, vs. USC and vs. #2 Nebraska.
GOING THE DISTANCE VS. #2 NEBRASKA
The Boilermakers pushed #2 Nebraska further than any team this season, taking two sets in the match.
The match saw 37 tied scores over the set, including 21 lead changes in the longest match of the season for either team.
Leading the team was Eva Hudson with 19 kills and Chloe Chicoine’s 18.
Middle blocker Lourdès Myers recorded a .444 hitting %, the most efficient Boilermaker of the night, and marks the eighth match this season she’s hit above .400. Myers posted just one error with nine kills on 18 swings. Defensively, she had a key five block assists.
NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL
NO. 10 NOTRE DAME WARY OF NO. 25 LOUISVILLE’S DEFENSE
Just six games into his Notre Dame career, quarterback Sam Hartman already has made program history.
Hartman holds the school record for most pass attempts without an interception to open a season, and he will look to stay flawless on Saturday when the 10th-ranked Fighting Irish (5-1) visit No. 25 Louisville (5-0).
After a stellar five-year career at Wake Forest, Hartman came to Notre Dame with the hopes of stealing the spotlight on the national stage, and he has done so emphatically.
Hartman has thrown for 14 touchdowns and has attempted 145 passes without a pick this season. His interception-free streak ranks as the fourth longest overall for an Irish signal-caller.
However, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman knows his quarterback’s TD-to-interception ratio will be put to the test against the Cardinals.
“Defensively, I think they’re really sound,” Freeman said. “They have an edge rusher — I think No. 9 (Ashton Gillotte) — that is going to be one of most elite pass-rushers we see. They have two corners that are physical and aggressive.
“So they’ll present a challenge for our program, and we’ve got to have a great week of preparation and get ready to play for Saturday night.”
The Fighting Irish are coming off a 21-14 win over then-No. 17 Duke last weekend. Hartman was held without a score but did engineer a 10-play, 95-yard drive that ended with Audric Estime’s 30-yard, go-ahead run to the end zone with 31 seconds to play.
Estime finished with 81 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns on 18 carries.
Louisville beat North Carolina State 13-10 last week, holding the Wolfpack to 201 yards of total offense.
Cardinals quarterback Jack Plummer completed 21 of 35 passes for 286 yards and a TD, but he also threw a pair of interceptions and lost a fumble to account for all three of Louisville’s turnovers.
If the Cardinals want to pull off the upset on Saturday, coach Jeff Brohm knows his team can’t afford to make those types of mistakes.
“We’ll have our hands full,” Brohm said. “We’re gonna have to win a lot of the small battles — not turn the ball over, be efficient, be good in the red zone, find ways to get turnovers — and that’s gonna be the recipe for trying to come out with a victory.”
Although a top-10 team is coming to town, Brohm insists Louisville has no plans of backing down and is well-prepared for the challenge.
“Our guys have worked really hard, they know what’s ahead of us,” Brohm said. “We try to treat everything as a one-game season. Without question, this is an unbelievable opportunity for our football team to go out and play a high-quality opponent.”
Freeman also is focused on the task at hand.
“We have a saying, ‘One game, one life.’ This is all that matters,” he said. “The reality is you can’t be worried about the outcome of the game as much as preparing yourself for the game, preparing this team and making sure we’re ready to perform at our highest level on Saturday.”
Notre Dame is 2-1 against Louisville all-time, having won the most recent matchup 12-7 in 2020 at South Bend, Ind.
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S SOCCER
12. NEXT BIRDS UP ON THURSDAY
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 11 Notre Dame women’s soccer squad knows the importance of the remaining two games of this homestand. Win both and put yourself in a great position (no worse than a tie for first in the ACC) before back-to-back tough road tests. Up first, take care of business against Boston College on Thursday. Kickoff on Oct. 5 is set for 7 pm ET inside Alumni Stadium.
The first 500 fans in attendance will get a pink pom pom for Thursday marks our Pink Game as well.
Then on Sunday, the Irish will host the Miami Hurricanes. That match will kick off at 1 p.m. ET with a special Senior Day ceremony taking place during pregame.
ANOTHER ACC SEASON UPON US
Since Notre Dame joined the ACC in 2013, the Irish are 61-34-10 in conference games. Their .629 winning percentage in conference games ranks in the top-4 amongst ACC schools.
Notre Dame is currently in a three-way tie for first place at 3-0-1 with North Carolina and Florida State.
VAN ZANTEN BREAKOUT NIGHT AGAINST LOUISVILLE
Van Zanten has been one of the main cogs that churn the Notre Dame offense, and she’s also now showing up in the final box scores to boot. Against Louisville on Sept. 30, she recorded a five-point night behind two goals and one assist. It marked the second most points of her career, only behind a hat trick she achieved back in 2020 against Miami. As a result, she was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Week.
Van Zanten now has seven points in the last three games. Her 11 points now lead the team and her 4 goals are tied for the team lead.
TRENDING
On top of the above-mentioned, Meg Mrowicki has been a beast up top and a great freshman breakout story for the 2023 season. Mrowicki got the game-winner against Louisville on Sept. 30, which marked her fourth goal of the season. That number ties Van Zanten, Mercado and Lynch for the team lead in goals.
Leah Klenke has been a beast, registering points in five of the last seven matches. In ACC play thus far – she recorded her first multi-assist performance of her career in the win over Wake, then scored the game-winner against No. 16 Duke, then notched another assist against Louisville. Klenke now has eight points on the season and a team-best six assists.
OTHER NOTABLES
Notre Dame ranks 13th in the country and 5th in the ACC in shots per game with 18.6. Maddie Mercado leads the Irish in this category with 3.6 shots per game, which ranks 33rd in the nation and 3rd in the league.
Heading into this week’s game, seven players now boast eight points or more on the season: Van Zanten, Lynch, Klenke, Gaetino, Mrowicki, Ospeck and Mercado. Van Zanten, Mercado and Mrowicki all have double-digit points.
Currently, six players have three goals or more. In total, nine different Irish have found the back of the net this season. This is quite the contrast to last season, which was very dependent on a core unit of players. Last season, 47 of the team’s 56 goals came from Korbin Albert, Olivia Wingate, Mercado and Van Zanten.
The key to victory – the Irish have scored multiple goals in every game they’ve won this season. Notre Dame has outscored its ACC opponents 9-3 thus far.
RECENT MOVES PAYING DIVIDENDS
Coach Norman has experimented with his lineup as of late and recent moves are paying dividends.
First off, Maddie Mercado has played more of an attacking center mid instead of forward. She has now scored three times over the last seven games.
The second one was moving Kristina Lynch from right-wing midfield to forward. Lynch has scored three times over the past five games.
The next was Meg Mrowicki up top and bringing the speed of Ospeck off the bench.
Another has been the switch to Atlee Olofson in goal for three straight ACC contests. Olofson made six saves to preserve the draw at Pitt, including one point-blank diving save late in the second half. She earned her second shutout in the 3-0 win over Louisville.
ROAD SWING GIVETH AND TAKETH
On Sept. 21, the Irish earned its first win against Duke since the 2015 season. It wasn’t looking that way though early. Despite pushing the tempo for a majority of the second half, the Irish were down, 1-0, 85 minutes in. Then some Irish magic happened.
Insert Ellie Ospeck – who worked some magic of her own in Duke’s box and fired off a shot/cross that deflected off a defender, hit the post, over the goalie and to Kiki Van Zanten’s foot at the far post. A minute later, lightning struck again. Morgan Roy crossed the ball into the middle of the box. A Duke defender went to clear but Leah Klenke got her foot in to block and the deflection went in the goal. Thus two goals in the final five minutes for the 2-1 win over No. 16 Duke.
However, late magic can work both ways. Three days later at Pitt, the Irish scored in the 60th minute and were on cruise control. Yet, in the blink of the eye, the Panthers scored off a corner kick in the 83rd minute and the Irish settled for the 1-1 draw.
ASSIST LEADER – LEAH KLENKE
Klenke has been an absolute sparkplug and the main cog that runs the Notre Dame offense. Klenke leads the team with six assists, which ranks 35th nationally and fifth in the ACC.
Klenke recorded her first multi-assist performance with two against Wake Forest in the ACC opener on Sept. 15. She has three assists in conference play.
Last season, Klenke was named the 7th best freshman in the country by Top Drawer Soccer and made their Freshman Best XI First Team. She also earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors. She started all 23 games as a freshman at left-back and even added two goals and two assists to her name.
A GLANCE AT THE DEFENSE THIS YEAR
What’s been frustrating for the Notre Dame defensive unit this season is that they are only allowing 3.0 shots on goal per match thus far – however, teams are making the most of their minimal opportunities. The Irish have allowed 10 goals through 11 matches aka 0.9 goal per match – a slightly higher rate than last year’s 0.7 per match.
With that said, the Irish just earned their third shutout of the season and will look to build off that dominant defensive performance.
MULTIPLE FRESHMEN STEPPING UP
First, let’s look at 5-8 center midfielder Morgan Roy. The Michigan native started in the season opener and finished off a beautiful goal in the 2nd half. Roy has started all 11 games in the midfield and ranks third on the team in shots with 24.
Next is Meg Mrowicki, who has proven to be a scoring threat. She’s played in all 11 games with five starts. She’s tied for the team lead in goals with four.
Then there’s Clare Logan who has started all 11 games in the backline.
Charlie Codd has made two starts and seen significant time in the midfield in all 11 games as well.
NOTRE DAME MEN’S GOLF
IRISH FINISH FOURTH IN FIGHTING IRISH CLASSIC
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame men’s golf program hosted the 2023 Fighting Irish Classic as the Irish competed on their home turf at the Warren Golf Course Oct. 1-2.
The Irish wrapped up the tournament with a strong finish as they took home fourth place with a collective score of 842 (+2).
Freshman Rocco Salvitti led the way for the Irish as he finished T7, shooting a 208(-2) on the tournament. Salvitti shot an even 70 in round one and in round two and capped off the Fighting Irish Classic with his best outing in round three as recorded a 68 (-2). He also finished with 14 birdies, seven of which came in the final round.
He was followed by freshman teammate Jacob Modleski, who shot a 210 (E) and recorded his best round in the first round of the tournament where he finished with a 68 (-2) to get things started. Finishing T11, Modleski tallied nine birdies in the home event.
Graduate student Palmer Jackson finished right behind Modleski with a score of 211 (-1). Jackson’s best performance came in the round three as he shot a 69 (-1) to close out the tournament.
The Irish are back in action at the end of the month as they pack their bags to head overseas to compete in the St Andrews Links Collegiate October 23-25.
BUTLER MEN’S SOCCER
BUTLER MEN’S SOCCER KNOCKS OFF IUPUI
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler men’s soccer team defeated cross-town foe IUPUI on Thursday evening by the final score of 3-1. The match, at the Sellick Bowl on Butler’s campus, featured two first-half goals by the Bulldogs (2-6-1, 1-2-0 BIG EAST) along with a penalty conversion from the Jaguars (4-4-3, 3-0-1 Horizon League). Butler added one additional goal after the break.
Key Moments
12′ | Palmer Ault sends the ball on the ground from the left side to the center. Ryan Hannosh one-times it back to Ault, between two defenders, and Ault slides it under the keeper and into the right side of the net. Dawgs lead, 1-0.
28′ | Donovan Boone plays a ball forward on the right side to Jack Streberger. Streberger carries forward and is stopped at the endline. He plays back to the middle and Hannosh, who cashes in at the far post. Butler is up, two goals.
34′ | IUPUI draws a foul in the penalty area and converts, cutting Butler’s lead to one goal, 2-1.
**Halftime**
57′ | Alejandro Moroso-Maza takes the ball from an IUPUI midfielder and sends a diagonal ball into the right corner. Hannosh collects the ball and sends it back to the middle, finding a charging Henri Kumwenda. Kumwenda strikes the ball hard, just under the crossbar. The Bulldogs are once again up two, 3-1.
Butler Points Summary
GOALS: Palmer Ault, Ryan Hannosh, Henri Kumwenda
ASSISTS: Ryan Hannosh (2), Jack Streberger
Bulldog Bits
Palmer Ault’s goal was his fifth of the season and the fifteenth of his career.
Ryan Hannosh’s goal was the first of his collegiate career, as were his two assists.
Henri Kumwenda’s goal was his first of the season and the second of his career.
Jack Streberger’s assist was his second of the season and the 11th of his career.
Caleb Norris made three saves in goal and now has 50 for the season.
Up Next
Butler continues with its three-match home stand, hosting Creighton on Saturday, Oct. 7, and then Milwaukee on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
BUTLER MEN’S GOLF
SCHOOL RECORDS FALL AS BUTLER MEN’S GOLF CLAIMS TONTIMONIA INVITATIONAL TITLE
Butler’s
Damon Dickey
Damon Dickey and Daniel Tanaka each bettered the Bulldogs’ 54-hole scoring record relative to par, while the team did the same for single-round and 54-hole totals as Butler ran away with the championship at the Tom Tontimonia Invitational hosted by Cleveland State.
Dickey captured medalist honors at 10-under 203. He was one shot ahead of teammate Tanaka, who finished at 204 (-9). Both performances bettered the previous program record for 54-hole low total relative to par, which was set by Gehrig Hollatz at the 2015 Butler Fall Invitational (seven-under 203). Dickey’s 203 matched the best 54-hole score in program history regardless of par as Hollatz’s total came on a par-70 course.
Dickey’s Monday scores of 68 and 66 had him at eight-under 134 entering Tuesday’s final round. He followed that with a two-under 69 on the par-71, 6,811-yard Lakewood Country Club in Westlake, Ohio. Tanaka’s 67 Tuesday moved him from a tie for sixth entering the day into the runner-up position.
As a team, Butler shot a 15-under 269 Tuesday, the best team score overall and team round relative to par in program history. The previous marks were a 273 (-7) at the 2011 Butler Fall Invitational and a 13-under 275 in the second round of the 2001 Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational, respectively.
Butler’s total of 823 (-29) is 17 shots better than any 54-hole team performance is program history (an even-par 840 at the 2018 Butler Fall Invitational on a par-70 course). Relative to par, the previous record was set a week ago as the Bulldogs shot a four-under 860 at the Virtues Intercollegiate.
Sophomore Derek Tabor had the Bulldogs’ best round of the day Tuesday, carding a six-under 65. Tabor had seven birdies against only one bogey on his card. He finished in a tie for eighth at 208 (-5) after entering the day tied for 28th. Leo Zurovac became the fifth Bulldogs to card a round of 68 or better in the event, accomplishing the feat Tuesday.
Butler’s Tuesday round was so impressive that the team had to throw out a two-under 69.
Dickey continued his strong play in the Cleveland area after tying for fifth in the event in 2022.
THE BUTLER MEN:
1) Damon Dickey, 68-66-69—203 (-10)
2) Daniel Tanaka, 68-69-67—204 (-9)
T8) Derek Tabor, 75-68-65—208 (-5)
T34) Will Horne, 68-77-69—214 (+1)
T38) Leo Zurovac, 73-74-68—215 (+2)
T56) Kenny Leseur playing as an individual), 75-73-70—218 (+5)
THE TEAM RESULTS:
1) Butler, 277-277-269—823 (-29)
T2) Bowling Green, 280-276-279—835 (-17)
T2) IUPUI, 279-285-271—835 (-17)
4) Marshall, 288-281-274—843 (-9)
T5) Purdue Fort Wayne, 275-289-282—846 (-6)
T5) Cleveland State, 287-281-278—846 (-6)
There were a total of 15 teams in the field.
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs are back in action next week, making the short drive up I-65 to West Lafayette for the Purdue Fall Invitational. The two-day event is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
BUTLER WOMEN’S GOLF
BUTLER WOMEN’S GOLF FINISHES FOURTH AT FALL INVITATIONAL AT HIGHLAND
The Bulldogs posted a fourth-place finish at their Butler Fall Invitational as the 54-hole event concluded Tuesday afternoon.
Katie Steinman registered a Top-5 finish as her three-round total of 215 (+5) was good for a tie for fourth. Steinman’s second-round four-under 66 Monday was the best round of the tournament by two strokes on Butler’s home course, the par-70, 6,040-yard Highland Country Club.
Dasa Urbankova of UIC took medalist honors, posting three consecutive rounds under par (68, 69, 69) for her total of four-under 206. She finished with a four-shot advantage over runner-up Annaliese Fox of IUPUI.
Morehead State was able to overtake UIC Tuesday for the team title. UIC held a three-shot lead entering the final round, but Morehead State finished with a one-shot victory in the team standings at 28-over 868. UIC (869), Marshall (873), Butler (880) and Loyola (888) comprised the top five teams.
Lily Celentano (220; +10) finished in a tie for 14
th
th and was Butler’s second-best performer over the two days. Kelli Scheck shot a two-under 69 Tuesday, matching Urbankova and Fox for the round of the day, to move into a tie for 20th at 223 (+13). She entered the final round tied for 56th.
THE BUTLER WOMEN:
T4) Katie Steinman, 73-66-76—215 (+5)
T14) Lily Celentano, 72-70-78—220 (+10)
T20) Kelli Scheck, 80-74-69—223 (+13)
T24) Sophie McGinnis (playing as an individual), 74-72-78—224 (+14)
T36) Cybil Stillson, 73-76-78—227 (+17)
T36) Madalin Small (playing as an individual), 77-73-77—227 (+17)
T44) Alaina Bowie (playing as an individual), 73-77-78—228 (+18)
T60) Ashley Freitas, 75-78-79—232 (+22)
T90) Jolie Guyette (playing as an individual), 85-84-76—245 (+35)
100) Gianna Medica (playing as an individual), 85-83-90—258 (+48)
TEAM RESULTS:
1) Morehead State, 285-290-293—868 (+28)
2) UIC, 289-283-297—869 (+29)
3) Marshall, 296-290-287—873 (+33)
4) Butler, 293-286-301—880 (+40)
5) Loyola Chicago, 297-294-297—888 (+48)
There were a total of 16 teams in the field.
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs will compete in the Loyola Invitational in the Chicagoland area on Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 9-10).
IUPUI MEN’S SOCCER
HACKAA SCORES LONE JAGUAR GOAL IN 3-1 LOSS TO BUTLER
INDIANAPOLIS – In an all-Indy affair, the IUPUI men’s soccer team took on Butler University Tuesday night, falling on the road, 3-1. Lukas Hackaa tallied the lone goal for the Jags, scoring a 34th minute penalty kick.
“I think our resilience (is what stood out tonight),” said head coach Sid van Druenen. “They started with a much higher intensity than we did but once we matched that (the match) was a lot more even.”
Butler (2-6-1) controlled possession in the opening ten minutes of play at the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl. The hosts paid off the early possession domination, scoring in the 12th minute of play. The tally came from Palmer Ault, who curled the ball past Bryson Najarian after a through ball from Ryan Hannosh got Ault behind the back line.
Following the goal, the Bulldogs kept their foot on the gas, looking to add to the lead, which they did 15 minutes later. Hannosh again got his name on the scoresheet, this time finding the back of the net after a great ball from Jack Streberger.
IUPUI (4-4-3) got on the board with just over ten minutes remaining in the first half. After Hackaa played Logan Finnegan in behind the Butler defense, Finnegan was taken down from behind by Henri Kumwenda inside the 18, forcing the referee to award a penalty. For the third time this season, Hackaa found the back of the net from the spot, sending goalkeeper Caleb Norris the wrong way and calmly hitting the side netting. The tally marks the sixth penalty kick goal for the senior in his career, a new IUPUI record.
The Jaguars came out with much more energy at the start of the second half, pressing high and forcing more giveaways by the Bulldogs. The pressure led to more possession and scoring chances in the opening 15 minutes of play.
“I think the first 15 minutes of the second half were phenomenal,” added van Druenen. “We pressed high, our positioning worked and our defensive shape worked.”
Butler added a third goal against the run of play in the 57th minute, after a Kumwenda rocket into the top of the net. The assist came from Ryan Hannosh, who garnered his fourth point of the evening.
Despite maintaining more possession and creating scoring opportunities in the final 30 minutes, the Jags were unable to cut into the two-goal deficit before time expired.
IUPUI returns to Carroll Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 7) to take on Cleveland State in an important #HLMSOC match.
BALL STATE MEN’S GOLF
CARDINALS FINISH 11TH AT BADGER INVITATIONAL AS BELLAR FLIRTS WITH INDIVIDUAL TITLE
MADISON, Wis. – Kash Bellar finished in a fourth-place tie and Ball State golfers finished tied for 11th as a team as the Badger Invitational came to a close Tuesday afternoon at University Ridge Golf Course.
After nine holes of Tuesday’s final round, Bellar gained a one-stroke lead atop the leaderboard following birdies on the 10th, 11th and 12th holes. Beginning the day on the fourth hole as part of a shotgun start, Bellar shot par on six straight holes to finish the back nine. Back at the first hole with just three to play, he bogeyed the par-4 first, then bogeyed the par-3 third to finish with an even card of 72.
South Alabama’s Joshua Hill birdied six holes in the final round while shooting a 5-under par 67 to come from behind and take the individual title. Bellar finished in a five-way tie, three strokes off the lead, shooting 71-68-72 over the 54-hole event.
Bellar led a Ball State squad that couldn’t sustain the blistering momentum it established with Monday’s 9-under par second round. The Cardinals combined to shoot 8-over par Tuesday and match their score from the first round. Ball State tied South Alabama in 11th place at 5-over par overall.
“It was a week of Jekyll-and-Hyde team scoring, two poor rounds sandwiched around a great round,” said Cardinals coach Mike Fleck. “We got off to a sluggish start today and just didn’t capitalize on scoring opportunities in the middle and end of the round. We didn’t convert on the par 5’s and make the birdies needed to keep pace. We got passed today by several teams I was hoping we could beat.”
Fleck added, “I’m proud of Kash for a solid week overall. Now we need to regroup and get ready for the challenge at Purdue.”
Kash Bellar: 37-34—71 | 32-36—68 | 39-33—72 (211)
Braxton Kuntz: 35-35—70 | 34-35—69 | 39-37—76 (215)
Carter Smith: 36-38—74 | 37-37—74 | 37-36—73 (221)
Ali Khan: 41-39—80 | 33-35—68 | 38-37—75 (223)
Griffin Hare: 35-44—79 | 37-41—78 | 38-38—76 (233)
Ball State returns to Muncie to prepare for next week’s Purdue Fall Invite, a two-day event that begins Monday, Oct. 9.
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
SYCAMORES HOST UIC ON YOUTH SOCCER DAY ON THURSDAY NIGHT
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State returns home to Memorial Stadium on Thursday night as the Sycamores host Youth Soccer Day against UIC. Kickoff between the Sycamores and the Flames is set for 6 p.m. ET with the game set to be carried live on ESPN+.
The Sycamores (1-5-6, 0-3-1) are still searching for their first MVC win of the 2023 season as Indiana State is coming off a tough 2-0 loss this past Sunday afternoon at Northern Iowa. ISU battled to a draw in the opener against Belmont, while falling to Valparaiso, at Drake, and at UNI to open the conference slate.
ISU will host Youth Soccer Day on Thursday night as the team invites the youth soccer community, friends, and families to the game. Throughout the evening the team will feature on-field competitions, giveaways, and a postgame poster signing.
The Sycamores will look to bounce back this week after struggling to gain traction against the Panthers at the UNI Soccer Stadium. ISU was outshot 18-4, including 6-0 in the decisive final 45 minutes, as the Sycamore defense battled the Panther offense throughout the match. Maddie Alexander posted six saves and Maddie Helling made a key stop in the net to keep the game within reach against UNI.
Carlie Jensen put ISU’s first scoring opportunity on net in the 11th minute, but UNI keeper Caitlin Richards recorded the save to keep it scoreless. The Panthers outshot the Sycamores 12-4 in the opening half with ISU’s Sasha Thompson, Nora Henderson, and Alexa Mackey all being turned away. Alexander went the distance in the net for ISU as the senior keeper recorded six saves in the contest.
Indiana State looks to snap one of the longest scoreless streaks in program history as ISU has been held scoreless in each of the last four matches. The Sycamores went four consecutive matches without a goal in both 2000 (four matches, Sept. 3-15) and 2022 (five matches – Oct. 6-20), before battling back in both seasons.
The Sycamore offense has been led at the top by Mackenzie Kent and Chloe Tesny as the duo have provided a solid offensive punch atop the formation for the Sycamores. Kent leads ISU with 23 shots on the season with 13 on target, while Tesny scored the Sycamores’ first goal of the year against Marshall. Maddie Helling is the team’s goal leader with the defender scoring on a pair of set plays early in the year, while Adelaide Wolfe added her first collegiate goal against UT Martin.
Alexander remains the team’s top goalkeeper of the season starting in all 12 matches with a 1.24 goals-against-average. The Battle Creek, Mich. native has posted 51 saves on the season and three shutouts blanking Belmont, Louisville, and Miami (Ohio).
The Sycamores are 2-0-1 all-time against UIC dating back to the inaugural matchup between the programs back on Aug. 18, 2017. ISU won the first two contests in the series, 2-0 in 2017, and 1-0 in 2018, before falling last year in UIC’s first season in the Missouri Valley Conference.
In the lone matchup between the programs at Memorial Stadium, the Sycamores topped the Flames in the 2017 season opener winning 2-0. Reilly Teal scored the opening goal in the 29th minute to put the first tally on the scoreboard and added her second in the 70th minute to help secure the win.
The Flames were slotted third overall in the MVC preseason soccer poll receiving 92 total points after a 2022 campaign that featured UIC posting a 5-2-3 mark in conference play. UIC has posted a 4-6-2 record with a 3-2 mark in conference play with wins over Southern Illinois, Drake, and Murray State. The Flames added an early season win over Marquette.
Makenna Maloy leads UIC with three goals and four assists on the season in leading the Flames scoring efforts. Bella Baker added two goals scored to pace a UIC offense featuring nine players who have scored on the season.
UIC has featured three players that have lined up in goal in 2023 with Sara Sanabria (eight matches), Trish Georgiou (five matches), and Lauren Keisler (twice). All three keepers have started at least twice this year combining to post a 1.08 goals-against-average and three shutouts.
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S GOLF
SYCAMORES 10TH, FLOREK SHINES ON FINAL DAY OF 2023 BUTLER FALL INVITATIONAL
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Indiana State finished 10th overall in the team standings following the final round of the 2023 Butler Fall Invitational as the Sycamores turned in a final-round 305 (+25) to wrap up the two-day, three-round event at the Highlands Country Club.
Freshman
Sophia Florek
Sophia Florek posted a tournament-low 75 (+5) to highlight her final round on the course, while Briana LeMaire, Kristen Hobbs, and Iyoun Chew were all among the Sycamore scorers on Tuesday.
The Sycamores finished with a three-round score 902 (+62) to post their second consecutive top-10 finish of the fall season.
“We dropped a couple spots today,” head coach Greg Towne said. “Our seniors didn’t play well this week; we need more out of them, and I think they know that and will do what it takes to get it right. Briana (LeMaire) continues to improve, and Sophia (Florek) battled today to get it in at 75. Chicago next week will be the most difficult course we will play this season and we have a short turnaround to prepare for it.”
Florek (+25) was the top finisher on the course for the Sycamores in the final round as the freshman posted a mostly even round on Tuesday. The Belleville, Ill. native posted a 75 to wrap up her final three-round score of 235 to finish tied for 69th overall in the field.
LeMaire(+12) remained among the Sycamore leaders on Tuesday in posting a top-20 finish in the field. The sophomore posted a final-round 76 (+6) to finish tied for 18th overall following her three-round score 222.
Hobbs (+16) and Chew (+18) both posted final-round 77 (+7) to highlight their final rounds on the course. Hobbs tied for 33rd overall in the field following with a three-round 226. Chew birdied the fourth, 11th, and 14th holes in an up-and-down round to finish tied for 44th in the field following her three-round score 228.
Morrow (+22) posted a final-round 81 (+11) to finish the tournament. The senior birdied the 11th hole to highlight the day in finishing tied for 60th in the field following her three-round 232.
Yang Tai (+29) took on the field as an individual finishing the final round with a 79 (+9) overall. She finished tied for 81st in the field with birdies on the sixth and 17th holes on Tuesday afternoon.
Morehead State (+28) took home the team title by one stroke over UIC (+29). Marshall (+33), Butler (+40), and Loyola (+48) rounded out the team top-five in the standings. UIC’s Dasa Urbankova (-4) took the individual title.
Up Next
Indiana State takes on the field at the Loyola Parkinson Invitational held in Libertyville, Ill. over October 9-10.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S GOLF
MASTODON MEN’S GOLF TIES 54-HOLE RECORD, LILLY FINISHES FOURTH
WESTLAKE, Ohio – For the second time this season, the Purdue Fort Wayne men’s golf team shot 846, the program’s 54-hole record. On Tuesday (Oct. 3), the Mastodons shot 846 at the Tom Tontimonia Invitational to tie for fifth in the 15-team field.
The Mastodons’ 846 came thanks to a 2-under-par 282 in the final round of the event. The ‘Dons had just one Horizon League team (IUPUI, 835) finish ahead of them. Cleveland State tied the Mastodons, and the ‘Dons beat Oakland (848), Robert Morris (853), Northern Kentucky (854), Youngstown State (857), Green Bay (867) and Detroit Mercy (877).
Kasey Lilly highlighted the Mastodons’ tournament, shooting 68-71-68-207 to tie for fourth. This is the 10th top-five finish of his career and first of the season. His 207 is the third-best 54-hole mark in program history, behind two of his own scores. In the final round, Lilly started his day with three birdies in four holes. After a bogey on eight, he rattled off seven pars in a row before another bogey. He birdied 17 to go back to 2-under, then found another birdie on hole one to go even lower. He finished his round with two pars to earn the top-five spot.
Nick Holder tied for 12th on Tuesday with a 67-72-70-209, which is also a top-10 score in program history. After a bogey on his opening hole, he was bogey-free the rest of the day. He moved back to even on his third hole, then had 11 pars in a row. He birdied hole one then concluded his round with three pars.
Finishing with his best round of the week, Hunter Mefford tied for 40th with a 73-73-70-216. In round three, he started with a birdie on hole seven and four pars in a row. After a bogey on 12, he was 2-under over the next seven holes with birdies on 15 and 16. He wrapped up his day with four pars in a row to shoot 1-under.
Burke Pitz tied for 48th with a score of 69-73-75-217. He had an eight-hole stretch of bogey-free golf that included a birdie on 14. After making the turn back to the front, he birdied the 426-yard second hole.
Nick Bellush had his score taken in round three, shooting 71-74-74-219. He had birdies on holes eight and 14 and had a stretch of six pars in a row from 16-3.
AJ Agnew was Mr. Consistent, shooting 71-71-71-213 as an individual.
The ‘Dons tied for fifth at 846, with Butler winning the event with an 823. Bulldog Damon Dickey won the tournament with a 203. The Mastodons will wrap up their fall season on October 16-17 at the North Alabama Intercollegiate.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S GOLF
PURDUE FORT WAYNE WOMEN’S GOLF SMASHES 54-HOLE RECORD
YPSILANTI, Mich. – After breaking the program’s 36-hole record on Monday, the Purdue Fort Wayne women’s golf team broke the 54-hole record on Tuesday (Oct. 3) at the Shirley Spork EMU Invitational.
The Mastodons shot 302-293-306-901, topping the previous record set in 2022 by nine strokes. A 901 at the Horizon League Championship a year ago would have won the event by 13 strokes. The ‘Dons beat reigning Horizon League champion Green Bay by 12 on Tuesday, along with a 24-shot edge on Cleveland State, which finished third at the league tournament last year.
Anna Olafsdottir led the Mastodons by shooting the second-best 54-hole mark in program history, second to only her own record from last fall. She finished the week with a 72-75-74-221 to record her first top-10 of the season and fifth in her career. She tied for eighth overall. Olafsdottir started her round with four pars. After going 3-over in the next four holes, she had seven pars and two birdies over the next nine holes.
Hunar Mittal had the best finish of her freshman season, shooting 78-70-75-223 to tie for 11th. This bested her previous best 54-hole mark by 24 shots. After starting round three with a pair of bogeys, she rattled off 10 holes of par or better, setting up for a 3-under back nine. She had birdies on holes 11, 16 and 17. She added two more pars to finish up the front nine for her 75.
A few shots back of Mittal, Olivia Jang finished in a tie for 20th at 75-73-79-227 in her best effort of the season. She had a birdie on hole 10 and just one hole over par on the back nine. She finished up her day with a par on hole five. Another few shots back, Adrienne Rohwedder shot 77-78-78-233 to tie for 35th, also her best finish of the year. Rohwedder had a birdie on hole 12 before a stretch of seven pars in eight holes. She finished the round with a birdie on hole seven.
Natalie Papa tied for 48th with an 81-75-83-239. She had nine pars in the final round. Lillie Cone shot 84-82-84-250 in round three to take 65th. She had five pars and a birdie on hole four.
The Mastodons took fifth place in the 11-team field, their best finish as a team this season. Oakland won the event with an 872, while Bowling Green’s Ava O’Sullivan took medalist honors with a 208.
Purdue Fort Wayne will have a quick turnaround for their next tournament. They are set to compete in the Bradley Coyote Creek Classic on Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 7-8).
EVANSVILLE MEN’S GOLF
RODRIGUEZ AND ROMASHKIN POST SCORES OF 68 IN FINAL ROUND
JONESBORO, Ark. – Led by Daniil Romashkin and Andres Rodriguez, the University of Evansville men’s golf team posted one of the lowest teams scores of the day in the final round of the Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate.
Completing the final day at RidgePointe Country Club with a 284, the Purple Aces had the 6th-best team score of the round. Romashkin and Rodriguez each posted rounds at 4-under 68. Romashkin’s round saw him earn a tie for 9th place with a total of 209 strokes. Rodriguez improved in each round, culminating in a final score of 218. He tied for 47th.
Nicholas Gushrowski recorded his low round of the tournament on Tuesday. An even 72 saw him tie for 64th with a 223. Caleb Wassmer also had his best performance of the weekend. His 76 gave him a 3-round tally of 233. Carson Parker carded an 80 in the final 18 holes to wrap up the event with a 238.
Evansville came home in 15th place, just two behind Texas A&M-Commerce and four behind Southeastern Louisiana. Arkansas State earned the team win. Their final score of 817 bested second-place Memphis by 13 strokes. Erik Jansson of Jacksonville State was the medalist. Each of his rounds came in at least four strokes under par with his 200 finishing one ahead of second place.
The men are back in action on Oct. 16-17 at “The Buddy”, which will take place in Murray, Ky.
EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S GOLF
WOMEN’S GOLF WRAPS UP SALUKI INVITATIONAL
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Three University of Evansville women’s golfers posted their low rounds of the tournament as the Purple Aces wrapped up the Saluki Invitational in 7th place on Tuesday.
Kate Petrova, Jane Grankina and Trinity Dubbs each posted their lowest scores at Dalhousie Golf Club. Petrova was the top finisher for the Aces, tying for 7th place. After identical rounds of 76 in the first day of action, Petrova carded a 2-over 74 in the final 18. Her 226 earned the top 10 finish.
Magdalena Borisova and Grankina were next up for Evansville, tying for 28th with 3-round tallies of 242. Grankina registered her lowest score of the tournament with a 76 while Borisova completed the day with an 83. Finishing two strokes behind the duo was Trinity Dubbs. Improving in each round of the tournament, she scored a 75 on Tuesday to finish in 32nd.
Destynie Sheridan completed the three rounds with a 252. She checked in with an 84 in the final round. Adeline Wittmer scored a 98 in the last 18 on her way to a final score of 290.
Evansville did its best to rally in the final standings, coming just three strokes shy of 6th-place Lindenwood. Austin Peay continued their dominant effort, winning the team championship by 41 strokes over Stephen F. Austin. The Governors finished the weekend with an 882. Erica Scutt of APSU was the medalist with a 212. She defeated teammate Maggie Glass by four shots.
Fall action continues on Oct. 7-8 when a trip to Peoria, Ill. for the Coyote Creek Classic.
SOUTHERN INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
USI HOSTS OLD RIVAL, FIGHTS FOR WINNING RECORD
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (8-9, 4-2 OVC) goes into the weekend tied for most conference wins in the Ohio Valley Conference but will have a tough task of facing Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (7-8, 1-3 OVC) on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. The Screaming Eagles look to end their drought against the Cougars who hold a seven-match winning streak over USI dating back to when both teams were members of NCAA DII and the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Game Coverage
Information about USI Volleyball, including live stats, video, and audio broadcasts, is available on USIScreamingEagles.com.
Tickets
Admission to all USI Volleyball home matches is free, courtesy of Tri-State Orthopaedics.
Screaming Eagles Headlines:
Eagles Earn First Road Sweep. The Screaming Eagles stole a pair of road matches from Tennessee State last weekend, 3-1. This is the first road win of the NCAA DI era.
You Have To #OVCit. USI comes back home to host SIU Edwardsville on Friday and Saturday. The Eagles and Cougars are familiar with each other as they faced plenty of times when both were members of NCAA DII and the GLVC. SIUE has won seven straight against USI after defeating the Eagles twice last season.
Dig Pink Night. USI Volleyball will honor those who have been or are currently being affected by breast cancer during Friday’s match. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to show support and spread awareness.
Mental Health Awareness Day. USI Volleyball will host a Mental Health Awareness Game on Saturday as promoted by the OVC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). This night is dedicated to removing the stigma surrounding mental health discussions in today’s society. USI invites all attendees to wear green to support mental health awareness.
OVC Players of the Week. Senior Leah Anderson was unanimously voted as OVC Offensive Player of the Week while junior Carly Sobieralski was named OVC Setter of the Week. Anderson led the league with 49 kills while Sobieralski earned a conference-leading 113 assists in 12 sets played. This is the first-ever weekly honor for the Eagles since joining the OVC.
Nationally Acclaimed. Due to USI being in the DI reclassification period, the Eagles are not ranked in the NCAA statistical rankings. However, USI would rank 10th in aces (120), 29th in aces/set (1.90), and 43rd in total attacks (2,216). Senior Leah Anderson would stand 13th in total attacks (685), 20th in total points (274.0), 32nd in total kills (227), 36th in attacks per set (10.87), and 42nd in aces (27) while junior Carly Sobieralski ranks 47th in total assists (556). (as of 10/2)
Double-Doubles. Three Eagles have secured double-doubles this season. Junior Carly Sobieralski leads the team with eight double-doubles while senior Leah Anderson and senior Abby Bednar have each totaled five.
Best of the Best. Senior Leah Anderson has earned a conference-leading 227 kills and 274 points and has earned double-digit kills in the last eight matches. Junior Carly Sobieralski leads the OVC with 556 assists and has nabbed four 40+ assist matches. Junior Paris Downing has excelled at the net, securing a league-leading 63 blocks.
OVC Leaderboard. USI ranks third in service aces per set (1.90) and opponent aces per set (1.37), fourth in opponent hitting percentage (1.90) and blocks per set (2.02), and fifth in opponent kills per set (12.21). The Eagles are fourth in the OVC standings going into the week.
OVC Leaders. Senior Leah Anderson has her name in three categories, nabbing second in points per set (4.35) and fourth in kills per set (3.60) and aces per set (0.43). Senior Abby Bednar sits third in aces per set (0.44) and fifth in points per set (4.01) and kills per set (3.27). Junior Carly Sobieralski ranks fifth in assists per set (8.83) while junior Paris Downing and sophomore Keira Moore round out the leaders with Downing being fifth in blocks per set (1.00) and Moore in seventh in digs per set (3.63).
Team Leaders. Senior Leah Anderson leads the pack with 227 kills with senior Abby Bednar trailing close behind with 203 kills. Anderson and Bednar also lead the team with 27 aces each. Junior Paris Downing has nabbed 63 blocks while sophomore Keira Moore has added 229 digs. Junior Carly Sobieralski has shown true potential in the passing game, putting up 556 assists.
20 and Over Club. Four Eagles have earned 20 or more kills or digs this season. Senior Leah Anderson was the first when she had 20 digs in the win against New Orleans. Junior Carly Sobieralski had 23 digs in the loss to Bradley and sophomore Keira Moore secured 20 digs in the win over Tennessee State. Senior Abby Bednar is the lone Eagle to have 20+ kills, nabbing 20 in the loss to Bradley.
About SIUE. The Cougars go into the weekend 7-8 overall and 1-3 in OVC play. SIUE earned their first conference win last weekend against SEMO, 3-2. Defensively, the Cougars hold the most blocks per set (2.40) and second lowest opponent aces per set (1.35) in the conference. SIUE also owns the third most points (16.22) in the OVC.
Leading the Cougars. Priscilla Jones has led the Cougars in a couple of categories including kills (148) and blocks (59) while standing sixth in blocks per set (0.98) and eighth in hitting percentage (.298) in the conference. Jones was also voted as OVC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on 9/18. Alyse Drifka leads the pack in assists (292) while Sydney Hummert holds on to the aces lead with 21. Abi Banitt has totaled a team-leading 213 digs for SIUE.
More Information. For more information about USI Volleyball and Athletics, go to USIScreamingEagles.com or follow USI Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
WOMEN’S SOCCER VISITS OVC-NEWCOMER WESTERN ILLINOIS THURSDAY
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer hits the road for the fourth time in a stretch of five games Thursday when the Screaming Eagles visit Ohio Valley Conference-newcomer Western Illinois University. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. Thursday in Macomb, Illinois.
Southern Indiana is 2-6-4 overall and 1-1-1 in OVC action. USI is in the middle of the conference standings with four points and tied with Eastern Illinois University. Western Illinois is 2-4-4 this season with three ties in the conference season, sitting a point behind USI in the league table.
With three of its first four conference matches on the road, USI made the most of its lone home match during that stretch on Sunday. Southern Indiana recorded a 2-1 win against Morehead State University at Strassweg Field. The victory was USI’s second overall this season and first in OVC play. Even though Sunday was USI’s first home match since September 10, the Eagles have been picking up results along the way. USI has earned a result in five of the last six contests, going 2-1-3.
In a defensive showdown against Morehead State, USI got on the scoreboard first in the opening half off an own goal by Morehead State. Southern Indiana redshirt freshman goalkeeper Anna Markland (Hoover, Alabama) made all four of her saves in the first half, maintaining USI’s 1-0 advantage into halftime. With quality looks hard to come by against both defenses, USI made its only shot of the match count when freshman midfielder Pilar Torres (Chula Vista, California) put USI up 2-0 in the second half with her third goal of the season and first career game-winning goal. On the goal-scoring play, sophomore midfielder Shy Iles (Demossville, Kentucky) tallied her first assist of the season while freshman midfielder Kerigan Kivisto (Collierville, Tennessee) registered her second assist of the 2023 season. Morehead State scored once with 12 minutes remaining, but USI closed out the win.
For the second consecutive season, a freshman is leading the goal-scoring for USI. After sophomore midfielder Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana) paced the Screaming Eagles with five goals as a freshman in 2022, the freshman Torres tops the squad with three goals. Her three goals are sixth in the OVC. Torres and Murphy are tied with a team-best 15 shots, which is good for top 10 in the OVC.
USI might be in store for another defensive grind on Thursday against Western Illinois. Both teams were shutout in their first two conference matches, and while USI scored twice on Sunday, Western Illinois scored its first goal and allowed its only goal of conference play in a 1-1 tie against the University of Tennessee at Martin. Diving deeper into the team comparison, USI has taken 100 shots, but the Leathernecks have only attempted 53 shots and have scored six times. Despite what may appear as offensive conversion struggles, both teams are two of the top accurate shooting teams in the conference. USI has placed nearly half of its shots on goal and Western Illinois has put just over 50 percent of its attempts on target.
In the 1-1 tie against UT Martin, the Leathernecks were outshot 30-10 overall and 8-5 in shots on goal. Western Illinois scored the game’s first goal right before halftime from junior midfielder Kayla Turner. Senior keeper Isabel Navas Rodriguez made seven saves. Rodriguez has 45 saves and a 1.11 GAA this season. Leading the Leathernecks offensively, freshman midfielder Alanna Pennington has two goals on nine shots, and freshman forward Kelsi McThenia has two goals on eight shots.
Thursday will be the third all-time meeting between the two schools. Western Illinois leads the all-time series 2-0 with Western Illinois winning the last matchup, 2-0, in 2009 at USI. The Leathernecks took the first meeting at home, 2-1, in 2007.
Thursday’s contest can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+. Additional coverage links are on the USI Women’s Soccer schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.
SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER
EAGLES FLY TO TEXAS FOR OVC MATCHES
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer flies to Texas for the first time in the Ohio Valley Conference when it visits Houston Christian University Thursday and The University of the Incarnate Word Sunday. Match time versus HCU in Houston, Texas, is 7 p.m. while kick off at UIW in San Antonio is scheduled for 11 a.m.
The Screaming Eagles (1-8-0, 0-2-0 OVC) are in the middle of a three-match road swing that started with Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Lindenwood University. USI is hoping a trip south will help it recapture the magic it found in the victory over Northern Kentucky University during the homestand.
HCU (2-5-3, 0-1-1) opened OVC action last week with a tie at UIW, 3-3, and a loss at Liberty University, 3-1. UIW (3-4-3, 1-0-1 OVC) followed its tie with HCU with a win over Chicago State University, 3-2, to remain unbeaten after the first weekend of OVC play.
USI will be playing HCU and UIW for the first time in the history of the program.
Following the end of the three-match road swing, USI returns to Strassweg Field for a three-match homestand October 12 when it hosts Chicago State University. The Eagles and the Cougars will be facing each other in the OVC for the first time after competing last year in The Summit League.
The remainder of the homestand will include a first-time meeting with Liberty University October 15 and a match-up with Eastern Illinois University October 19. USI host Senior Day on October 15 versus Liberty.
Links to follow the Screaming Eagles in 2023, including live stats and video streams, can be found at USIScreamingEagles.com.
SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S GOLF
USI CONCLUDES PLAY AT THE BUTLER FALL INVITATIONAL
INDIANAPOLIS – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf placed 16th in the Butler Fall Invitational with a three-round score of 947 (318-313-316). The tournament was hosted by Butler University at Highland Golf and Country Club in Indianapolis.
Morehead State University won the tournament, passing the two-round leader University of Illinois Chicago in the final round. Morehead State shot a 54-hole 868 (285-290-293). Morehead State led UIC by four after the first round, but UIC took a two-round lead after shooting seven strokes better than Morehead State in the second round. Morehead State reclaimed the team lead after shooting four strokes better than UIC in Tuesday’s final round.
Southern Indiana senior
Haylee Exline
Haylee Exline (Poseyville, Indiana) led USI with a t-36th finish after posting a three-round 227 (76-75-76). Her second-round 75 was a team-best in the tournament and only two strokes off her USI career best.
Senior Halle Gutwein (DeMotte, Indiana) was the next-best finisher for the Eagles, carding a 54-hole 237 (78-77-82). Gutwein had a pair of birdies in each of her Monday rounds.
Playing as an individual in the tournament and only in her second event as a Screaming Eagle, freshman Ashlynn Weir (Evansville, Indiana) made a distinguishable improvement from her first round to her last two rounds, shooting over 10 strokes better in the final two rounds (89-79-78). Weir grabbed three birdies in her second-round 79. Weir’s performance also showed growth for the freshman since her first tournament appearance for USI in mid-September at The Velvet.
The Eagles will have a quick turnaround when they play in the Bradley Coyote Creek Classic this Saturday and Sunday (October 7-8). The event hosted by Bradley University will be at Coyote Creek Golf Club in Bartonville, Illinois.
SOUTHERN INDIANA SWIMMING
SHURTZ AND SMITH SWEEP SWIMMER OF THE WEEK HONORS IN THE SUMMIT LEAGUE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Swim and Dive freshman Sam Smith (Trafalgar, Indiana) claimed the TicketSmarter Summit League Peak Swimmer of the Week. USI freshman Hayden Shurtz (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) completed the sweep for the Screaming Eagles earning the Women’s TicketSmarter Summit League Peak Swimmer of the Week.
Both Shurtz and Smith pick up the accolades in their first collegiate event. The two standouts helped their teams by winning every individual race they competed in, going five-for-five against Valparaiso University last Saturday.
Competing in two breaststroke events, Shurtz broke a pair of school records for the 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.66) previously set at a time of (1:08.16) and the 200-yard breaststroke (2:26.87) previously set at (2:27.85). Plus, Shurtz contributed to a 200-yard medley relay first place finish (1:51.00) to open the meet. Shurtz comes from Homestead High School where she earned a personal-best time in the 2023 IHSAA State Championships, scoring 11th in the 100-yard breaststroke. Shurtz also recorded a pair of top-15 finishes in the senior state championship meet.
On the men’s side, Smith won all three individual races that he competed in including the 1000-yard freestyle (10:07.57), 200-yard butterfly (1:58.80), and 500-yard freestyle (4:58.16). He also contributed to a second place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:18.46). Smith comes from Center Grove High School where he was an IHSAA qualifier finishing in the top-10 four times at the state meet. Smith capped off 2023 with a fifth and eighth-place finish at the Indiana Senior State Championships in the 1,650-yard freestyle and 200-yard freestyle
Smith, Shurtz, and the Eagles travel to IUPUI on Saturday to take on the Jaguars at 1 p.m. USI returns to Evansville on October 14, competing in a tri-meet hosted by the University of Evansville.
VALPO WOMEN’S SOCCER
SOCCER HITS HALFWAY MARK OF MVC PLAY
Valparaiso (5-2-5, 1-0-3 MVC)
Thursday, Oct. 5 – Illinois State (3-4-3, 1-1-2 MVC) – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 8 – at Drake (7-3-2, 3-1-0 MVC) – 1 p.m.
Next Up in Valpo Soccer: The Valley schedule rolls past the halfway mark this week for the Valpo soccer team with two more conference matches. The Beacons close out a three-match homestand on Thursday evening at Brown Field as they host Illinois State, followed by a road trip to Des Moines to face Drake.
Previously: Valpo remained unbeaten in MVC play last week with a pair of draws at Brown Field, finishing in a scoreless tie with Missouri State before drawing 1-1 with Murray State.
Looking Ahead: The second of two consecutive road matches awaits Valpo Thursday, Oct. 12 at Southern Illinois. The Beacons then come back to Brown Field for Senior Day Sunday, Oct. 15 against Belmont.
Following the Beacons: Both of this weekend’s matches will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Links for the live video and live stats can be found at ValpoAthletics.com.
Head Coach John Marovich: In his 16th season at the helm of the Valpo program, John Marovich holds a 126-114-47 (.521) record both overall and at Valpo as a head coach. The 2014 Horizon League Coach of the Year and the head of the 2022 MVC Coaching Staff of the Year, Marovich holds Valpo’s all-time records for both victories and winning percentage.
Series Notes: Illinois State – The Redbirds hold a 7-3-1 advantage in the all-time series, but Valpo is in front 3-2-1 since joining the Valley. Valpo hasn’t lost in the last three meetings between the two sides, most recently a scoreless draw in Normal last October. Nikki Coryell had to make just one save in that clean sheet.
Drake – Valpo is just 2-6-2 all-time against the Bulldogs, but the two wins have come in the last two matchups between the programs. Last September, in the most recent meeting, Addy Joiner scored what turned out to be the match-winner in the 36th minute and Natalie Graf added an insurance goal in the 61st minute of the 2-0 Valpo win.
Scouting the Opposition:
Scouting the Opposition: Illinois State – The Redbirds are 3-4-3 overall this season and sit at 1-1-2 in MVC play, picking up all three points last time out as they emerged 1-0 victors over Southern Illinois. Haley Glover has scored five of ISU’s 12 goals on the season. In net, Audrey Brown has played all 900 minutes and owns a 1.80 GAA and a .667 save percentage.
Drake – The Bulldogs come into the week with a 7-3-2 overall record and are 3-1-0 in Valley action, with a Thursday night match at Missouri State before Sunday’s showdown. 11 different players have combined for 20 goals for Drake this season, led by six goals and two assists from Emma Nagel. Addie Ford has played the majority of minutes in goal, with a 0.94 GAA and a .789 save percentage.
Valpo Picked Second in Preseason Poll: The Beacons were chosen to finish in second place in preseason polling of the MVC head coaches. Valpo, which picked up one first-place vote and tallied 107 points in the polling, trailed only Missouri State in the voting. The Beacons far outpaced third-place UIC, which totaled 92 points. Notably, the program has matched or surpassed its preseason projection in each of its first six seasons in the Valley.
Quartet of Preseason Honorees: Plenty of individual standouts have helped Valpo get to the point where it is regarded as one of the Valley’s top programs, and four of them were honored with preseason All-MVC accolades. Fifth-year Nicole Norfolk joined seniors Lindsey DuSatko and Nikki Coryell as preseason First Team All-MVC selections, while junior Addy Joiner picked up Honorable Mention accolades.
Looking Back at Last Season: Valpo’s journey up the MVC table over the last few years culminated last season with a dramatic final day of the regular season which saw the Beacons emerge with the MVC regular season championship – Valpo’s first team title in any sport since joining the Valley. The Beacons finished the season with an 8-7-4 overall record, including a 7-1-2 mark in MVC action to claim the regular season crown. Nikki Coryell was named MVC Goalkeeper of the Year for a third straight season, while John Marovich, Brianne Barnes and Noah Smith were honored as the Valley Coaching Staff of the Year. Nicole Norfolk was named a Third Team All-Region honoree as well.
Regular Season Champions: Trailing by two points entering the final match day, Valpo needed a win and some help to earn the 2022 MVC regular season title, and got both. Molly O’Rear’s goal in the 36th minute against Indiana State not only gave the Beacons a lead they would not surrender, it put Valpo atop the live conference table for good, as Illinois State led Missouri State at that point, 2-0, en route to a 4-2 win. For Valpo, it was the program’s fourth regular season conference championship. Valpo previously won Mid-Continent Conference regular season crowns in back-to-back seasons in 2005 and 2006, and posted a perfect record to claim the 2014 Horizon League regular season title.
Who’s Back and Who’s New: Valpo returns 18 letterwinners, including nine starters, from last year’s squad which claimed the MVC regular season title. The returnees accounted for 16 of the Beacon’s 19 goals and 17 of their 18 assists in Valley play last season. 11 newcomers round out the 2023 roster – nine incoming freshmen, one transfer and one redshirt.
Incremental Improvement: Since finishing joint sixth in the MVC table and missing out on the conference tournament via tiebreaker during the 2018 season, Valpo has improved its position in the final Valley standings each of the next four seasons. Valpo closed out the regular season in fifth place in 2019, finished tied for third in the spring of 2021 and were regular season runners-up in the fall of 2021 before claiming the regular season crown last fall.
Defense Stands Tall: Valpo’s success in conference play the last few years starts in the back with the strong play of three-time MVC Goalkeeper of the Year Nikki Coryell and the Beacons’ defense. Last season’s championship side surrendered just five goals in 10 Valley regular season matches and did not give up more than one goal in any conference fixture, while to date, this year’s squad has surrendered just two goals in four MVC fixtures. In fact, dating back to the start of the spring 2021 campaign, Valpo has surrendered one goal or fewer in 29 out of 30 MVC matches – the lone exception being the fall 2021 regular season finale at Loyola.
Strong Nonconference Record: The Beacons finished nonconference play with a 4-2-2 record. This year’s side is the first Valpo team to finish above .500 in nonconference action since the 2017 squad went 6-5-0 outside of Valley play. It is the program’s best nonconference record since going 4-1-4 in 2014.
That’s Four: Valpo is through four matches of the MVC schedule without suffering a defeat, sitting with a 1-0-3 record in Valley play. This is the fifth time in program history Valpo has been unbeaten through at least four league fixtures – the 2005 squad started Mid-Con play 4-0-0, the 2006 team finished with a 4-0-2 Mid-Con record, the 2014 side posted a perfect 8-0-0 record in Horizon League action and the 2021 team began Valley play 6-0-1.
The Unbeaten Streak: Combining the Beacons’ start to MVC play with the final weekend of nonconference action, they have not suffered a loss in their last six matches (2-0-4) – the last defeat came back on Sept. 3 at Purdue Fort Wayne. This is the ninth time in program history Valpo has posted an unbeaten streak of at least six consecutive matches, including one in each of the last three seasons.
Home Cooking: The Beacons come into Thursday night’s match with a 3-0-2 record on Brown Field this year, the fourth time in program history Valpo has opened a season unbeaten at home through at least five matches. The last time it happened was when the 2017 side started out the home slate 5-0-0, while the 2012 team posted a 4-0-1 record through its first five home matches and the 2005 squad won each of its first six home matches.
Fit to Be Tied: With the pair of draws last week against Missouri State and Murray State, the Beacons are up to five ties this season, already matching the program record for draws in a single campaign. The 2010, 2011 and spring 2021 seasons all featured five deadlocks as well.
Joiner Just Keeps Scoring: One season after pacing Valpo in the goal-scoring department, junior Addy Joiner has continued her prolificacy in 2023. She netted just the eighth hat trick in program history on August 31 against Chicago State, while most recently, she opened the scoring last time out against Murray State. Joiner has scored a team-high six goals this year, tied for top honors in the Valley, and has 16 career goals to rank eighth in program history.
Etch Her Name in the XI: With 12 starts this season under her belt – all of which she has played the full 90 minutes – fifth-year center back Nicole Norfolk – who assisted on Valpo’s goal last time out against Murray State – is up to 78 career appearances and 78 career starts in the Valpo uniform. The 78 starts are tied for third-most by a player in program history, while her 78 appearances are tied for fifth. Should she start both matches this week, Norfolk would move into solo second place in both categories. Dating back to the start of last season, when Norfolk has been on the field in MVC regular season action, Valpo has conceded just three goals in 904 minutes of play.
A Ray of Hope: Senior midfielder Chase Ray entered MVC play with 56 career appearances in the Brown and Gold, but with no collegiate goals to her credit. But Ray broke that duck in a big way, finding the back of the net in each of Valpo’s first two Valley matches. Her 37th-minute goal at Evansville equalized that contest and she followed by scoring just 72 seconds in for the eventual match-winner at Indiana State.
Don’t Blink: Fans barely had time to settle in their seats in Terre Haute before Ray struck for the match’s opening goal at the 1:12 mark, just missing cracking the program’s top-five fastest goals to start a match all-time. It was Valpo’s quickest opening goal since Rita Craven hit just 64 seconds in against Green Bay on Oct. 17, 2015. Then, last time out at home against Murray State, it was Addy Joiner knocking one home just 1:25 into the match against the Racers.
DuSatko Cracks a Top Ten: Senior Lindsey DuSatko has been a chance creating machine lately, with four assists to her credit now over the last eight matches. DuSatko is up to 10 assists for her career, moving her into a tie for sixth in program history for career helpers.
Three-Time Goalkeeper of the Year: Senior goalkeeper Nikki Coryell has quite simply been the Valley’s top goalkeeper throughout her career, as she has been honored as the MVC Goalkeeper of the Year in each of her three seasons. Last season, Coryell posted an 8-5-4 record with a 0.91 GAA and an .800 save percentage, posting seven clean sheets. Coryell and the Valpo defense surrendered just five goals in 10 MVC matches last season and posted five shutouts – matching the program record for the most clean sheets within conference play in a single season. In her three Goalkeeper of the Year campaigns, Coryell has posted a cumulative GAA of 0.59 and a save percentage of .878 in conference play. In 30 MVC fixtures, she holds a 17-4-9 record and has recorded 16 shutouts, giving up one goal or fewer in 29 of those 30 matches.
Running Up Top: Senior forward Lindsey DuSatko enters the 2023 campaign having earned All-Conference honors in each of the last two seasons, as she was a Second Team honoree in 2021 and a First Team choice last season. The pacey forward was tied for second among Valley players with four assists in MVC-only play in 2022, picking up a helper apiece in four of Valpo’s regular season conference wins, and scored a goal as well. DuSatko assisted on the match-winning goal in the Beacons’ win at Murray State and scored the game-tying goal in Valpo’s draw with Southern Illinois.
Locking Down the Back Line: Fifth-year center back Nicole Norfolk has been the linchpin in the Valpo defense ever since stepping onto campus prior to the 2019 season. The stalwart in the back was a First Team All-MVC honoree in 2022 after earning Second Team recognition the previous year. Valpo’s record holder for consecutive minutes played by a field player, Norfolk played all but 14 minutes of Valpo’s first 15 matches of the 2022 season before suffering an injury in mid-October. With Norfolk on the field during Valley regular season play, Valpo surrendered just one goal in 544 minutes of play. Norfolk added Third Team All-Midwest Region honors to her resume as well last season.
She Scores, We Win: Junior forward Addy Joiner was more than just a spark off the bench in 2022 – she was an assassin in front of goal. A First Team All-MVC honoree, Joiner finished the regular season with a Valley-high seven goals on the year and eventually concluded the season in second place with her seven tallies. The two-time MVC Offensive Player of the Week scored six of her seven goals in Valley play, one apiece in six of Valpo’s seven MVC victories. Her six goals in conference play were the most by a Valpo player in league action since Jackie Kondratko netted six goals in Horizon League matches in 2009.
Wait, There’s More!: The aforementioned four First Team All-MVC honorees from a season ago represent just over half of the total number of honorees from last season’s regular season champions. Fifth-year midfielder Allie Anderson picked up Second Team All-MVC recognition in 2022, while junior left back Abby White was a Third Team All-MVC choice. Sophomore Molly O’Rear rounds out last year’s award winners, as she claimed a spot on the MVC All-Freshman Team.
Even More on Last Year’s Awards: Valpo’s four First Team honorees in 2022 set a program record for postseason honors, as the program previously boasted three First Team All-League recipients on three occasions. The Beacons have had multiple First Team All-MVC honorees each of the last three seasons, and also have had at least one representative on the MVC All-Freshman Team in each of their six seasons in the conference.
VALPO FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL SET FOR FIRST PFL ROAD TRIP AT DRAKE
Valparaiso (1-3, 0-1 PFL)
at Drake (1-3, 1-0 PFL)
Game #5 Saturday, Oct. 7, 1 p.m. CT
Drake Stadium (14,577) – Des Moines, Iowa
This Week in Valpo Football: The Valparaiso University football team will make its first Pioneer Football League road trip of the season on Saturday afternoon as the Beacons head to Des Moines, Iowa for a matchup with Drake. Valpo will look to make it back-to-back wins after closing the nonleague slate in victorious fashion while also extending its recent run of success in games played at Drake.
Previously: A theme of close games continued as Valpo edged its way to a 16-15 victory over Southwest Minnesota State last week thanks to a go-ahead 35-yard touchdown run by Michael Appel Jr. with 5:14 remaining in the game. The defense forced eight punts, recovered a fumble and caused a turnover on downs as part of a dominant day in which the Valpo defense permitted just six points (the other nine points were scored with Valpo’s offense on the field). The special teams unit also had bright moments in the victory, including a blocked punt by Max Samuel, a 40-yard field goal by Ryan Hawk and a pair of kickoff returns of 60+ yards by Jashon Butler.
Series Notes: The all-time series is slanted heavily in favor of Drake, with the Bulldogs winning 26 of the 31 matchups. But recent history has been a bit of a different story, with Valpo claiming two of the last three collisions. One of the banner accomplishments of recent Valpo vintage is breaking through in Des Moines. Entering the Spring 2021 season, Valpo was 0-13 all-time at Drake before recording its first ever road win against the Bulldogs, 10-7 on April 3, 2021. The team prevailed 24-21 at Drake on Sept. 25, 2021, accomplishing a feat twice in the same calendar year that had not previously been achieved in program history. Valpo will seek its third straight road win over the Bulldogs after snapping a 13-game losing streak in Des Moines that dated back to the PFL’s founding. In order to do so, the Beacons will need to turn around last season’s Brown Field matchup that saw the Bulldogs record a 24-0 victory on a frigid November afternoon that featured an icy game-time temperature of 26 degrees.
Following the Beacons: Saturday’s game will air on ESPN+. In addition, the radio commentary featuring Todd Ickow (play-by-play) and Brandon Vickrey (analyst) will be available on 95.1 FM WVUR, The TuneIn Radio App and ValpoAthletics.com. For in-game updates, follow @valpoufootball on Twitter. Links to live video, audio and stats will be available on ValpoAthletics.com.
Head Coach Landon Fox: Landon Fox (15-30) is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Valparaiso University football program in 2023. Over the last three seasons, Fox has led Valpo to 12 Pioneer Football League victories, the most in a three-year period in program history. The program finished with a PFL record of .500 or better for a third consecutive season in 2022, the first time that has occurred since 1998-2000. Prior to that, Valpo had not had a stretch of three straight years with a league record of .500 or better since 1961-1964. The program won four PFL games in the same season just once in the 26 seasons prior to Fox’s arrival. Now, the program has reached that threshold in three straight seasons and three of the first four years under his direction (Spring 2021, Fall 2021, 2022). During his four years in charge of the program, Valpo has boasted 43 All-PFL honorees and 22 academic all-PFL selections. During his second season at the helm in Spring 2021, Fox was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award – which is presented annually to the FCS National Coach of the Year – after guiding Valpo to its best winning percentage since 2003 and tying for the squad’s best winning percentage since 1999. He led his team to Pioneer Football League runner-up honors, the program’s highest finish in the league standings since the PFL championship season of 2003. Fox’s defensive roots paid dividends on that side of the football in his second year at the helm, as the team enjoyed its best defensive season in four decades. Valpo held opponents to 283.3 yards per game, the program’s best total defense in the last 40 years. In Year 1 of the Fox Era in 2019, Valpo ranked in the Top 5 in the PFL in scoring defense (32.0, fifth), total defense (381.6, fourth), rushing defense (184.2, fourth) and passing defense (197.3, fifth). After spending the previous 11 seasons as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at the University of Dayton, Fox was named the head football coach at Valpo prior to the 2019 season. He helped the Flyers finish with 10 winning seasons in his 11 years on staff and guided a defensive backfield that produced one All-American, four Academic All-Americans, two PFL Special Teams Players of the Year and three corners who were invited to NFL Rookie Minicamp. Prior to joining Dayton’s staff, Fox served as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Wayne State University in Detroit from 2005-2007. He also spent time as a defensive graduate assistant at Ball State University (2004), Dayton (2002-2003) and Lakeland College (2001). Fox began his coaching career as an assistant varsity coach at Preble Shawnee High School in Camden, Ohio during the 2000 season. During his playing days, Fox was a team captain and all-conference performer at Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio from 1995-1999 and graduated with a degree in physical education and health in May 2000 before earning his master’s degree in education from Lakeland in May 2002.
Down to the Wire
In Landon Fox’s 45 games as Valpo head coach, 21 (46.7 percent) have been decided by seven points or fewer, most recently a 16-15 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in Week 5 of this season.
Valpo is 8-13 in those one-score games. Since Fox took over the program, 62 percent of the team’s games have been either victories or defeats by seven points or fewer.
Just four games into his fifth season and with one of those first four seasons being shortened to six games, Fox has already coached more one-score games at Valpo than the program’s previous two head coaches – Dave Cecchini (13 in five full seasons) and Dale Carlson (six in four seasons) – combined.
In 45 games under Fox, Valpo has played the same number of one-score games as it did in 110 games from 2007-2018.
The Week 5 win over SMSU was Valpo’s third straight game decided by fewer than seven points. This was the third straight outing where regulation ended with Valpo and the opponent separated by two points or fewer.
Since the start of last season, six of the eight games played at Brown Field have been on-score affairs, so the home fans have been treated to no shortage of thrilling football.
The one-point win over the Mustangs was Valpo’s first such victory since edging San Diego 20-19 in the final game of the Spring 2021 campaign. Valpo is now 2-1 under Fox in game’s decided by a single point, with the loss coming 26-25 vs. Butler on Oct. 15 of last season.
Des Moines Dubs
As mentioned in the series notes, Valpo will seek to secure its third straight win in Des Moines after dropping all 13 all-time visits to Drake prior to the Spring 2021 campaign.
If Valpo earns a victory on Saturday at Drake, it would mark the first time the program owns a three-game road winning streak against a specific PFL opponent since wins at Butler in 1995, 1997 and 1999.
The Beacons also have an opportunity to win a third straight at Butler later this season on Oct. 28.
Block Party
Valpo has blocked three kicks so far this season, one of 10 teams nationally in FCS with three or more blocked kicks. The most recent block came in Week 5 vs. Southwest Minnesota State, when freshman Max Samuel blocked a punt.
As a team, this was Valpo’s third blocked kick of the season as Wade Abrams turned away a punt in Week 2 at Indiana Wesleyan and Kurt Kessen blocked Marist’s potential go-ahead PAT after their game-tying score in the closing seconds of regulation to send the Week 4 game to overtime.
During the Fall 2021 season, Valpo led the nation in blocked kicks with nine.
Comeback Kids
Valpo rallied from down 15-0 to win 16-15 in Week 5 vs. Southwest Minnesota State. This marked the third time Valpo has come from double figures down to win during the Landon Fox Era, joining Sept. 24, 2022 vs. San Diego (trailed 14-0, won 28-21) and March 27, 2021 vs. Butler (trailed 17-7, won 28-25).
The 15-point comeback was Valpo’s largest of the Landon Fox Era. The last time Valpo erased that wide of a margin to prevail was nearly a decade ago on Sept. 20, 2014 at William Jewell, when the team was down 22-7 and pulled out a 39-30 victory.
Another memorable rally came on April 10, 2021, when Valpo fell behind Morehead State 21-0 before coming back to tie the game, but the Eagles pulled out a 28-24 win. Had Valpo completed that comeback, it would have been the program’s biggest rally since 1995, overcoming a 22-0 deficit to win 41-30 at St. Xavier.
Keeping Points Off the Board
The 15 points allowed by Valpo in Week 5 vs. Southwest Minnesota State marked the fewest permitted by the team since holding Butler to three points on Nov. 13, 2021.
The 15 points were the fewest Valpo had allowed in a game at Brown Field since Oct. 26, 2019 vs. Stetson, a 19-10 victory.
Valpo pulled out the victory despite being outgained by 64 yards of total offense, 243-179. This was the first time Valpo won despite being outgained since Nov. 6, 2021 vs. Presbyterian.
Among PFL and National Leaders
Valpo has not been penalized frequently this season, ranking among PFL and national leaders in fewest penalties at 18 (second PFL, 11th FCS), fewest penalties per game at 4.50 (second PFL, 12th FCS), fewest penalty yards at 145 (first PFL, ninth FCS) and fewest penalty yards per game at 36.25 (second PFL, ninth FCS).
Moving the chains against Valpo has been no easy task, as the defense has allowed just 63 first downs, the fewest permitted in the PFL and 12th fewest nationally.
Valpo leads the league in total defense at 316.5, ranking 23rd
The Beacons also own the league lead in kickoff return average at 24.3, 12th
Jashon Butler leads the PFL in combined kick return yards (354, sixth FCS) and kickoff return average (32.2, fifth FCS).
Evan Matthes leads the league in punting average at 45.9, ranking fifth in FCS.
Tyler Geiman ranks second nationally in passes defended per game at 2.5.
VALPO MEN’S GOLF
VALPO JUMPS SIX SPOTS ON FINAL DAY IN CENTENNIAL STATE
The Valparaiso University men’s golf team climbed six places on the team leaderboard on Tuesday while competing in the third and final round of the Mark Simpson Colorado Invite, a 17-team, 100-player gathering held at the par-72, 7787-yard Colorado National Golf Club in Erie, Colo. The Beacons were led by Caleb VanArragon (Blaine, Minn. / Blaine), who put together another solid showing and was just outside of the top 10.
How It Happened
VanArragon finished the tournament with the team’s best Round-3 score at 70 (-2), bringing his 54-hole total to 212 (-4). He was one stroke away from a top-10 finish, instead concluding the week at t-11.
Junior Anthony Delisanti (Sanborn, N.Y. / Niagara Wheatfield) closed out a consistent tournament with a 73 (+1) to finish at 219 (+3). He tied for 41st.
The second-best 18-hole score by a Beacon on Tuesday came from freshman Adam Melliere (Zionsville, Ind. / Zionsville), who recorded an even-par round at 72 to finish the event at 226. Owen Sander (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel) had a 75 on Tuesday to complete the tournament one stroke ahead of Melliere.
Valpo’s team score of 290 (+2) helped the squad move past six competitors and into a tie for 10th on Tuesday. The Beacons finished the week at 879 (+15) over 54 holes.
San Francisco won the event at 845 (-19), while Mercer’s Tobias Jonsson stroked a 207 (-9) to attain medalist honors. A loaded field was comprised of nine postseason teams from a year ago including five NCAA Regional squads and three that moved on to the NCAA Championships.
Inside the Round
Valpo finished with a tournament-most three eagles, the third of which came on Tuesday when Sander recorded his second of the tournament on the par-5 12th hole.
The Beacons produced 36 birdies this week, led by Delisanti with 10.
VanArragon had 47 holes of par or better.
Up Next
Valpo’s next tournament action will take place on Oct. 27-28 at Club Campestre Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. The Monterrey International Invitational will represent the first trip outside of the United States in program history.
VALPO WOMEN’S GOLF
WOMEN’S GOLF SHATTERS PROGRAM RECORD AT BUTLER FALL INVITATIONAL
The Valparaiso University women’s golf team shattered a program record for 54-hole tournament overall score this week, finishing with a team total of 928 at the 16-team, 100-player Butler Fall Invitational, hosted by the Bulldogs at the par-70, 6040-yard Highland Country Club in Indianapolis. The team edged the previous program watermark by three strokes.
How It Happened
Junior Katie Schreiner (Fenton, Mo. / Summit) finished out the best tournament of her collegiate career with a 75 on Tuesday. She achieved a top-20 finish with a 223 (+13).
The next-best 54-hole score by a Beacon in the tournament was 236, shared by Anna Fay (Ada, Mich. / Forest Hills) and Madison Keil (LaGrange, Ind. / Lakeland). Fay had a 77 on Tuesday while Keil enjoyed her best round of the event with a 76.
The team’s best final-round showing came courtesy of Roslyn Leitner (Dundee, Ill. / Harry Jacobs), who improved by 10 strokes from Round 2 with a 73 to round out the event. She finished the week at 237.
Valpo climbed to 13th on the team leaderboard, outdoing Chicago State by 23 strokes on Tuesday to usurp the Cougars. The Brown & Gold also finished ahead of Eastern Illinois and Southern Indiana. The Beacons combined for a 301 on Tuesday, a significant stride after going 313-314 on Monday. Valpo finished the event at 928.
Morehead State (868) edged UIC by a single stroke for the team title, while Dasa Urbankova of the Flames was the individual medalist at 206.
Inside the Round
Valpo’s team score of 928 was the lowest 54-hole tournament score by the team since the program launched in 2009. This outdid the previous record of 931 that was achieved at the Redbird Invitational in September 2021.
In relation to par, the team’s score of +88 ranks eighth in program history. Two of the top eight 54-hole team scores in program history have come in the first three tournaments of this season.
The squad’s single-round score of 301 on Tuesday tied for the third best in program history. It was the team’s best round in terms of overall score since a decade ago, October 2013.
In relation to par, Tuesday’s team score of +21 is tied for ninth in program history and represents a season best.
In 31 career rounds entering this tournament, Schreiner owned a personal best of 77. She went 75 or better in all three rounds this week.
Schreiner’s 54-hole tournament overall score of 223 ranks second in program history, behind only Madison Keil’s 220 at the 2022 Cardinal Classic hosted by Ball State.
Schreiner’s tournament score in relation to par of +13 ranks tied for eighth in program history.
Leitner’s 73 in Round 3 represented a career low.
Thoughts from Head Coach Jill McCoy
“It was a great start to the week on the golf course. Katie not only played some really good golf, but she also did a great job maintaining a cool head through some ups and downs. Roslyn played well today with a lot of pars and no big numbers. It was a lot of fun to watch.”
Up Next
Valpo will face a quick turnaround for its next tournament as the Loyola Parkinson Invitational will begin on Monday, Oct. 9 at Merit Club in Libertyville.
UINDY MEN’S SOCCER
GREYHOUNDS CLIMB TWO SPOTS IN NEW NATIONAL POLL
ST. LOUIS – The UIndy men’s soccer team claimed sixth in the new United Soccer Coaches DII poll, released Tuesday.
The Greyhounds are 7-0-2 on the season. The team picked up a win and a draw over the weekend against Missouri-St. Louis and McKendree, respectively.
The Hounds return home this weekend for a Homecoming match against Lewis on Sunday Oct. 8. Action is set to begin at 2:30 p.m. from Key Stadium.
United Soccer Coaches DII Poll
| RK | SCHOOL | PREV | REC |
| 1 | Franklin Pierce | 1 | 8-0-0 |
| 2 | Midwestern State | 4 | 8-0-1 |
| 3 | Cal State, Chico | 2 | 7-0-1 |
| 4 | Limestone | 5 | 7-0-1 |
| 5 | Lynn | 9 | 6-0-2 |
| 6 | UIndy | 8 | 7-0-2 |
| 7 | Charleston | 12 | 8-1-0 |
| 8 | Colorado State – Pueblo | 7 | 8-1-1 |
| 9 | Cal Poly Pomona | 13 | 6-0-2 |
| 10 | Rollins | 15 | 4-0-3 |
| 11 | Clayton State | 14 | 8-1-0 |
| 12 | Post | 17 | 5-1-2 |
| 13 | Gannon | 19 | 8-0-1 |
| 14 | Florida Tech | 3 | 5-1-3 |
| 15 | California State, Monterey Bay | RV | 6-1-2 |
| 16 | St. Mary’s | 18 | 6-2-1 |
| 17 | Southern Nazarene | 22 | 5-2-2 |
| 18 | Illinois Springfield | 23 | 6-1-2 |
| 19 | California State – Los Angeles | 6 | 6-1-1 |
| 20 | Mercyhurst | 10 | 7-1-0 |
| 21 | Rogers State | 25 | 5-2-2 |
| 22 | Catawba College | RV | 6-1-1 |
| 23 | Southern New Hampshire | 20 | 4-1-2 |
| 24 | Maryville | 11 | 7-1-2 |
| 25 | California State – San Bernardino | 21 | 5-1-2 |
UINDY WOMEN’S GOLF
WOMEN’S GOLF CAPTURES TEAM TITLE AT BEALL CLASSIC
FINDLAY, Ohio—Facing off against the region’s best, the UIndy women’s golf team earned a seven-stroke win at the annual William Beall Classic, hosted at Findlay Country Club Monday and Tuesday. Four Greyhounds finished in the top 10, with sophomore Alice Webb (+1) earning all-tournament honors with a third-place performance.
“It feels great to get a hard-fought win, and it was a total team effort,” said head Coach Brent Nicoson. “Alice continued to play at a very high level, and other than one late swing was in total control. She’s becoming an elite level player this season.”
Webb’s week included a collegiate low 67 on Monday. The round saw the Bournemouth, England native rip off eight birdies, including four in a row on the back nine.
After leading by two strokes after the opening round Monday, UIndy gave one back in the afternoon before again posting the lowest team score of the day in Tuesday’s third and final round.
“I wasn’t very happy yesterday as we finished round two very poorly,” admitted Nicoson. “I challenged them this morning to see how bad they wanted it, and they responded in a big way.”
Webb was just one of a number of underclassmen that contributed to the success this week. Freshman Jess Haines (+6) fired a three-under 69 in the second round before landing in eighth place, while fellow-rookie Caroline Whallon (+12) carded a clutch 70 in the final round to share 17th.
“Our freshmen came up big for us,” Nicoson added, “with Jess shooting 69 in round two and Caroline bouncing back and leading us with 70 in the final round when we needed it the most.
“I am very proud of this inexperienced group to go get a tough tournament win.”
Junior Anci Dy (+5) shot one-under golf for the final 36 holes to earn sole possession of seventh, and sophomore Ava Ray (+13) highlighted her week with her first-ever hole in one, acing the 167-yard No. 6 with a seven iron.
Three Greyhounds made the trip as individual competitors, led by senior Matilda Cederholm (+8) at T9.
UP NEXT
UIndy will head east on I-70 for the Division I Dayton Flyer Invitational Oct. 16-17.
MARIAN VOLLEYBALL
EMMA LYONS NAMED NAIA WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – One day after being named the Crossroads League Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career, Marian volleyball’s Emma Lyons has been named the NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week. Lyons honor is the first for the sophomore in her career.
Lyons is third Marian volleyball player in program history to be named the NAIA Defender of the Week, and the first since 2019 when Megan Hawley (Defender of the Week) and Skyler Van Note (Attacker of the Week) earned the honor. Hawley was Marian volleyball’s first-ever NAIA Player of the Week, earning the honor on September 10, 2019.
Lyons was unstoppable in the back row in Marian’s 2-1 week, posting a perfect week in serve receive while racking up 78 digs in three four-set matches. Lyons set a career-high and modern-day single match record for Marian volleyball with 38 digs 38 in Marian’s match against No. 3 IWU, and followed with matches of 21 and 19 digs to end the week with a digs per set average of 6.50.
To date this season, Lyons is fourth overall in the league in total digs, while leading the Crossroads League in digs during league games. Lyons is the top overall player in digs per set, and leads all liberos in in the Crossroads League in assists per set the season with an average of 1.31. The sophomore is 30th overall in the entire NAIA in digs per set this season.
Marian will be on the road for their lone match of the week, traveling to Ohio on Wednesday night to take on No. 19 Mount Vernon Nazarene.
MARIAN FOOTBALL
NATE FREY NAMED MSFA DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
INDIANAPOLIS – On Monday afternoon, the Mid-States Football Association announced their players of the week for the fifth week of the college football season. In the announcement, Marian football’s senior safety Nate Frey was named the MSFA Mideast League Defensive Player of the Week.
Nate Frey has been one of the most active players on the Marian defense this year, and on Saturday against Lawrence Tech was at it again, leading the Knights in tackles in the win with eight total stops. Of his eight stops, Frey made five solo tackles, and in addition to his tackling abilities, Frey made an interception in the second quarter. The safety’s second interception of the season set up a field goal opportunity following his 44 yard return, and helped Marian’s 30-point scoring run in the second quarter against the Blue Devils.
Frey’s award was the first of his career, and is the fourth player of the week recipient this season for the Knights, joining Joe Owens, Jalen Jennings, and William Gibson.
No. 5 Marian will begin a two-week road stint this Saturday, with the Knights traveling to Madonna University and Churchill High School on Saturday afternoon.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETICS
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
NFL STANDINGS
| American Football Conference | |||||||||||||
| East Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 0.0 | 139 | 55 | 2-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 3 W | |
| Miami Dolphins | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 0.0 | 150 | 119 | 1-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| New England Patriots | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 2.0 | 55 | 97 | 0-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| New York Jets | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 2.0 | 62 | 84 | 1-2-0 | 0-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 3 L | |
| West Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Kansas City Chiefs | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 0.0 | 101 | 60 | 1-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 3 W | |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 1.0 | 110 | 104 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 2 W | |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 2.0 | 62 | 101 | 0-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 1-1-0 | 3 L | |
| Denver Broncos | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 2.0 | 100 | 150 | 0-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 0-2-0 | 0-1-0 | 1 W | |
| North Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Baltimore Ravens | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 0.0 | 99 | 58 | 1-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 1.0 | 62 | 100 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 L | |
| Cleveland Browns | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 1.0 | 76 | 60 | 2-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 1 L | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 2.0 | 49 | 94 | 1-1-0 | 0-2-0 | 0-3-0 | 0-2-0 | 1 L | |
| South Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Indianapolis Colts | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 0.0 | 97 | 99 | 0-2-0 | 2-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Houston Texans | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 0.0 | 96 | 79 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 W | |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 0.0 | 80 | 82 | 1-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Tennessee Titans | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 0.0 | 72 | 70 | 2-0-0 | 0-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 0-0-0 | 1 W | |
| National Football Conference | |||||||||||||
| East Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 0.0 | 118 | 90 | 2-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 4 W | |
| Dallas Cowboys | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 1.0 | 124 | 41 | 2-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Washington Commanders | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 2.0 | 89 | 120 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 2 L | |
| New York Giants | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 3.0 | 46 | 122 | 0-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-3-0 | 0-1-0 | 2 L | |
| West Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| San Francisco 49ers | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 0.0 | 125 | 58 | 2-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 4 W | |
| Seattle Seahawks | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 1.0 | 111 | 91 | 1-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 0-1-0 | 3 W | |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 2.0 | 98 | 85 | 0-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 W | |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 3.0 | 88 | 102 | 1-1-0 | 0-2-0 | 1-3-0 | 0-1-0 | 1 L | |
| North Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Detroit Lions | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 0.0 | 106 | 83 | 1-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 2 W | |
| Green Bay Packers | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 1.0 | 100 | 96 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1 L | |
| Minnesota Vikings | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 2.0 | 90 | 95 | 0-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 0-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Chicago Bears | 0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 3.0 | 75 | 137 | 0-2-0 | 0-2-0 | 0-2-0 | 0-1-0 | 4 L | |
| South Division | |||||||||||||
| W | L | T | Pct | GB | PF | PA | Home | Road | vs. Conf | vs. Div | Streak | ||
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 0.0 | 84 | 68 | 1-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 1 W | |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 1.0 | 62 | 77 | 2-0-0 | 0-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 2 L | |
| New Orleans Saints | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 1.0 | 62 | 76 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 | 2 L | |
| Carolina Panthers | 0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 3.0 | 67 | 102 | 0-2-0 | 0-2-0 | 0-4-0 | 0-2-0 | 4 L | |
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1906 The Cubs post their 116th victory when they beat Pittsburgh at Exposition Park, 4-0. Chicago, who sets a major league mark for wins, completes the season with an astounding .763 winning percentage.
1916 Reds right-hander Christy Mathewson faces Mordecai Brown of the Cubs in the career finale for each pitcher, marking the first time two future Hall of Famers have made their final appearance in the same game. Both Cooperstown-bound hurlers go the distance in Cincinnati’s 10-8 victory at Chicago’s Weeghman Park.
1924 A smiling Calvin Coolidge, becoming the first U.S. President to attend a World Series opener, shakes hands with Bucky Harris and hands him a baseball that the Washington skipper places in Senator’s starter Walter Johnson’s glove. In the Griffith Stadium contest, the Giants edge the hometown team in 12 innings, 4-3.
1925 For the first time in the 50-year history of the franchise, the Cubs end the season in last place. The team, managed by Bill Killefer (33-42), Rabbit Maranville (23-30), and George Gibson (12-14), compiles a 68-86 record and finishes 27.5 games behind the first-place Pirates.
1925 Player managers Ty Cobb and George Sisler face one another as mound opponents, marking the first time both sides use a position player to pitch in relief in the same game, an oddity not occurring again until 2012. In the season finale, the Georgia Peach throws a perfect final frame for the Tigers’ 11-7 victory over the Browns in the Sportsman’s Park contest, with ‘Gorgeous George’ facing only seven batters in his two scoreless innings.
1932 After his skipper compiles a 350-264 (.570) record in four seasons at the helm, Senators owner Clark Griffith, hinting that he may name himself as the club’s next skipper, announces Walter Johnson will not be returning to manage the team next season. Joe Cronin, who will lead the club to an American League pennant next year, replaces the Washington legend.
1948 Joe DiMaggio becomes the first major leaguer to appear on a Time Magazine cover for a second time, featured in an article titled The Big Guy, which details the center fielder’s injury woes during the final week of the American League pennant race. The Yankee Clipper first appeared on the popular news magazine cover on July 13th, 1936, during his rookie season.
1948 In a one-game playoff, the Indians, behind the five-hitter tossed by 28-year-old rookie southpaw Gene Bearden, beat the Red Sox for the AL flag, 8-3. The complete-game victory marks the young knuckleballer’s 20th victory of the season.
1950 In the World Series opener at Shibe Park, the Yankees beat the Phillies and Jim Konstanty, 1-0, thanks to Jerry Coleman’s fourth-inning sac fly, plating Hank Bauer, who had doubled to open the frame. The Bronx Bombers’ victory over the Whiz Kids marks the last time the Fall Classic begins without a person of color on either team’s roster.
1951 During Game 1, Giants outfielder Monte Irvin becomes the first player to steal home in a World Series contest since 1928. Twenty-three years ago, Bob Meusel of the Yankees swiped the dish in a 7-3 victory over the Cardinals during the sixth inning of Game 3.
1951 In Game 1 of the World Series, the first all-black outfield in major league history makes its appearance when Monte Irvin, Willie Mays, and Hank Thompson take the field for the Giants at Yankee Stadium. In a curious move, Leo Durocher replaces the previously injured right fielder Don Mueller with Hank Thompson, a third baseman by trade, using veteran outfielder Bobby Thomson at the hot corner.
1953 In the third inning of an eventual 11-7 victory in Game 5, Mickey Mantle blasts a Russ Meyer pitch into the upper deck of Ebbets Field, a rare occurrence for a left-handed batter, becoming the fourth player in World Series history to hit a grand slam. The Yankees slugger joins teammate Gil McDougald (1951), Elmer Smith (1920), and Tony Lazzeri (1936) in accomplishing the feat.
1955 After more than half a century of futility, the Dodgers finally win a World Championship, thanks to Johnny Podres’ 2-0 shutout of the Yankees in the Bronx. The turning point of the historic contest proves to be an outstanding catch by defensive replacement Sandy Amoros in the sixth inning that robs Yogi Berra of an extra-base hit with two on, resulting in a rally-robbing double play.
1958 With his 3-for-4 performance in Game 3, Hank Bauer establishes a major league record by collecting at least one hit in 17 consecutive World Series games. The Yankee outfielder set the mark playing in three straight Fall Classics from 1956 to 1958.
1959 Fred Haney, wanting to spend more time with his family, resigns as the Braves’ manager. During his three-and-a-half-year tenure in the Milwaukee dugout, the 64-year-old embattled skipper compiled a 341-231 (.596) record, resulting in two second-place finishes, two pennants, and a World Championship.
1962 When Willie Mays scores on a surprise bunt by Jose Pagan in Game 1, Whitey Ford sees his World Series consecutive scoreless inning streak end at 33.2 innings. However, Clete Boyer’s seventh-inning home run helps Ford win a record 10th and his final Fall Classic victory as the Yankees defeat the Giants, 6-2.
1964 Thirty minutes after their 9-2 loss to Chicago on the last day of the season, the Giants fire manager Alvin Dark, rumored to be on the chopping block at the start of the season, and then name Herman Franks, a coach on the team, to be his successor. The controversial skipper complains about the number of black and Hispanic players on his team in a Newsday article printed in August, telling Stan Issacs, “they are just not able to perform up to the white player when it comes to mental alertness.”
1969 The Orioles defeat Minnesota in Game 2 of the ALCS, 1-0, with the lone run coming from a Mark Belanger single, two groundouts, and a bunt single by Paul Blair in the bottom of the 11th inning at Memorial Stadium. Dave McNally goes the distance in the longest complete-game shutout in postseason history.
1969 The Mets beat the Braves, 9-5, in the first-ever National League Championship Series playoff game. The eventual World Champions will sweep Atlanta in the best-of-five-game series before confronting the Orioles in the Fall Classic.
1972 At Montreal’s Parc Jarry, the Mets end the 1972 campaign beating the Expos, 3-1. Although New York finishes ten games over .500, they will become the first club in baseball history to finish a season without any player collecting 100 hits.
1980 The 17-1 thrashing of the Twins become a historic day for Willie Wilson. The Royals outfielder becomes the first big-league player credited with 700 at-bats in one season, sets the American League record for singles in a season with 184, and joins Garry Templeton, becoming the second switch-hitter in history to collect 100 hits from each side of the plate.
1981 The Reds blank the Braves, 3-0, finishing with the best record in the National League strike-shortened season (66-42) but will not participate in the postseason because the Dodgers and Astros posted better records for the first half (pre-strike) and the second half (post-strike). The plan, instituted midseason by Giants executive Al Rosen to salvage the season, eliminates the Western Division team from the first-ever NLDS.
1986 Thanks to Darryl Boston’s misadventures in the Metrodome’s center field, Greg Gagne hits two inside-the-park home runs in the Twins’ 7-3 victory over White Sox. The light-hitting Twins shortstop becomes the 18th modern major leaguer to accomplish this rare feat.
1986 The Yankees sweep a doubleheader from the Red Sox at Fenway Park, 5-3 and 3-1. New York closer Dave Righetti saves both ends of the twin bill, finishing the season with 46 saves, breaking the major league record shared by Dan Quisenberry and Bruce Sutter.
1987 Toronto drops a 1-0 decision to the Tigers to finish the campaign with seven consecutive losses, including three straight in the season-ending series at Tiger Stadium. The Blue Jay’s defeat, which allows Detroit to clinch the American League East title, completes one of the greatest collapses in baseball history.
1987 On the last day of the season at Arlington Stadium, Charlie Hough and the Rangers lose to the Mariners, 7-4. The Texas knuckleballer is the last pitcher to start 40 games in a season.
1992 The Dodgers lose to the Astros, 3-0, ending the season with a 63-99 record, 35 games behind the division-leading Braves. Tom Lasorda’s club is the first in franchise history to finish in last place since 1905, when the team was called the Superbas and played in Brooklyn’s Washington Park.
1992 Rangers slugger Juan Gonzalez, at the age of 22 years, 11 months, and 19 days old, becomes the youngest home run champion in baseball history. ‘Juan Gone,’ who went deep 43 times during the season, is 46 days younger than Joe DiMaggio, who won the crown playing with the Yankees in 1937.
1995 At Jacobs Field, the Red Sox drop their twelfth consecutive postseason decision, losing 4-0 to the Indians in Game 2 of the ALCS. The dubious streak, which started with the 1986 Bill Buckner game and will be extended to 13 when Cleveland sweeps the series, surpasses the Phillies’ dozen straight defeats that began with the 1915 World Series and ended in Game 1 of the 1977 NLCS.
1996 After three consecutive second-place finishes, the Astros fire manager Terry Collins, whose first-place team collapsed down the stretch. The 47-year-old skipper leaves the position with the best winningest percentage in franchise history, compiling a 224-197 (.532) record during his three-year tenure with Houston.
1999 On the last day of the season, Rey Ordonez extends the major league record to 100 errorless games at shortstop, handling 411 chances flawlessly during this span for the Mets. The New York infielder will add another game to the streak on Opening Day next season before committing an error the next day at the Tokyo Dome.
1999 In a one-game playoff for the NL wild card, the Mets beat the Reds at Cinergy Field, 5-0. New York southpaw Al Leiter goes the distance, limiting Cincinnati to only two hits.
2001 Barry Bonds ties Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record established three years ago as he hits his 70th round-tripper. The historic homer, a shot to right-center at Enron Field, is given up in the ninth inning by Astro rookie hurler Wilfredo Rodriguez in a Giant 10-2 victory.
2001 With his third-inning home run, Rickey Henderson breaks Ty Cobb’s mark to become the leading run-scorer in baseball history. The 42-year-old Padres outfielder slides into home to punctuate scoring his record-breaking 2,246th run.
2001 Alex Rodriguez, scoring the lone run in the Rangers’ 16-1 loss to Seattle, hits his 52nd home run, becoming only the fourth major leaguer to hit 50 home runs and 200 hits in the same season. The 26-year-old shortstop joins Hall of Famers Babe Ruth (1921), Hack Wilson (1930), and Jimmie Foxx (1932) in accomplishing the rare feat.
2002 The A’s become the first team in postseason history to hit consecutive home runs to start a game. Leadoff man Ray Durham (an inside-the-park round-tripper) and Scott Hatteberg hit the back-to-back dingers off Rick Reed in the team’s eventual 6-3 victory over the Twins in Game 3 of the ALDS at the Metrodome.
2002 Commissioner Bud Selig apologizes to St. Louis fans for the late playoff start time for the Cardinal and Diamondback Game 1 of the NLDS and promises it will not happen again. The 10 p.m. CDT start was due to many playoff teams coming from the west and baseball’s desire not to have two games occurring simultaneously.
2003 The Cubs win their first postseason series victory since 1908 when the franchise won the World Series. In front of a Turner Field standing-room-only crowd, Chicago beat the Braves in Game 5 of the NLDS, 5-1.
2003 At Pro Player Stadium, Jeff Conine’s perfect peg to catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who holds onto the ball after a collision at home, advances the Marlins to the NLCS. The Florida outfielder’s throw to the plate nails J.T. Snow trying to score on Jeffrey Hammonds’ single for the final out of the team’s 7-6 victory over the Giants in Game 4 of the NLDS.
2003 The Red Sox avoid a 0-3 deficit in the ALDS when Trot Nixon’s pinch-hit 11th inning walk-off homer beats Oakland, 3-1. The Boston outfielder’s accomplishment marks the fifth time in the postseason that a round-tripper ends a game and the first by a pinch-hitter since Kirk Gibson’s historic homer off Dennis Eckersley to win Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
2005 Two-time National League Manager of the Year (1990 and 1992 Pirates) Jim Leyland is named to replace Alan Trammell, who was fired as the Tigers’ manager yesterday. The sixty-year-old, who guided the Marlins to a World Championship eight seasons ago, has not managed since 1999 after resigning as the Rockies skipper.
2005 With John Hart’s resignation yesterday, the Rangers name his assistant Jon Daniels as the team’s general manager. The 28-year-old, ten months younger than BoSox boss Theo Epstein, becomes the youngest GM in big-league history.
2006 Citing the need for a different kind of communicator in the dugout, Jon Daniels fires veteran skipper Buck Showalter one year after becoming the youngest GM in big-league history. The Ranger manager compiled a 319-329 record during his four-year tenure in Texas.
2006 At Shea Stadium, Russell Martin’s double kills a promising two-on and none-out rally as both Dodgers runners become outs at home in the Mets’ eventual 6-5 victory in Game 1 of the NLDS. Jeff Kent and J.D. Drew both try to score, but the relay from right fielder Shawn Green to second baseman Jose Valentin to Paul Lo Duca allows the catcher to tag each runner during their headfirst slides into the plate.
2008 The Dodgers complete a three-game NLDS sweep of Chicago with a 3-1 victory, winning their first postseason series since 1998. The stunning loss in the playoffs extends the World Series drought for the Cubs into another century.
2009 In the team’s 10-2 victory at Tampa Bay On the last day of the season, the Yankees break a franchise record, thanks to Alex Rodriguez’s three-run blast in the ten-run sixth inning, by hitting their 243rd homer of the season. In the same frame, A-Rod goes deep again, this time with the bases loaded, to extend the club’s mark, and the third baseman sets a new American League record, collecting seven RBIs in one inning.
2009 On the last day of the campaign, Miguel Tejada hits a fourth-inning double off Nelson Figueroa in the Astros’ 4-0 loss in New York to finish the season with 46, the most in the National League. The Astros’ shortstop topped the AL with 50 two-baggers playing for the Orioles in 2005, becoming the first player in baseball history to have led both leagues in doubles.
2010 A day after the season ends, the last-place Pirates fire John Russell, who equaled a franchise record for most losses by a manager in three seasons, compiling a 186-299 record. The other Buc skipper with as many defeats in the same time frame was Fred Haney, posting a 163-299 record from 1953-55.
2010 The Mets dismissed manager Jerry Manuel and general manager Omar Minaya a day after the team completed its fourth consecutive disappointing season. Assistant GM John Ricco will be the head of baseball operations on an interim basis until a new GM selects the team’s next manager.
2010 Major League Baseball approves a change in the ground rules for Tropicana Field, making a batted ball that caroms off the A-and B-ring catwalks a dead ball, with the pitch not counting, instead of being in play as in the past. The Rays requested the change for implementation in the upcoming ALDS after Jason Kubel’s two-out, ninth-inning pop-up hit off one of the catwalks, driving in the go-ahead run in Minnesota’s eventual 8-6 victory over the home team.
2010 On a day three managers lose their jobs, the Reds give their skipper, Dusty Baker, a two-year contract extension through 2014. Cincinnati is making its first playoff appearance in 15 years.
2010 The Indians name Chris Antonetti as the team’s new general manager, with former GM Mark Shapiro moving into his new position as team president. The transition has been developing over the past few years, with Antonetti gradually being given a more significant role in Cleveland’s day-to-day operations, giving Shapiro more time to run the franchise’s business.
2010 Diamondbacks give interim manager Kirk Gibson the permanent job, agreeing to a two-year deal with a team option for 2013. After being hired midseason to replace A.J. Hinch, the former hard-nosed major leaguer compiled a 34-49 record for the last-place team.
2012 A day after the regular season ends, the Red Sox fire Bobby Valentine, just ten months into his tenure as their manager. In their worst campaign since 1965, the team finishes last with a 69-93 record.
2014 The Giants take six hours and 23-minutes to defeat Washington at Nationals Park, 2-1, making Game 2 of the NLDS the longest contest in postseason history. San Francisco scores the eventual winning run in the top of the 18th thanks to Brandon Belt’s solo home run off Tanner Roark, hours after the team had sent the game into extra innings by scoring the tying run with two outs in the top of the ninth.
2015 Clayton Kershaw strikes out Melvin Upton to end the third inning of LA’s 6-3 victory over the Padres at Chavez Ravine, becoming the 34th pitcher to record 300 strikeouts in a season, joining Sandy Koufax, who accomplished the feat three times the 1960’s, as the only the second Dodger to reach the mark. The 27-year-old southpaw is the first pitcher in 13 years to achieve the milestone since Diamondback teammates Curt Schilling (316) and Randy Johnson (334) surpassed the plateau in 2002.
2015 Appearing in relief in the eighth inning, Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki records three outs, allowing one run on two hits in the team’s 7-2 season finale loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The 41-year-old Japanese native’s 18-pitch performance features an 87-mph fastball and at least one slider.
2015 MLB schedules all games to start simultaneously at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time to add more drama to the regular season’s final day. The scheduling, similar to the English Premier League’s “Survival Sunday,” also evens the playing field by limiting teams’ ability to rest potential playoff starters based on the results of contests played earlier in the day.
2015 In front of a full house, the team’s 408th consecutive sellout, the Giants lose the season finale when the Rockies scored seven runs in the ninth in the team’s 7-3 loss at AT&T Park. George Kontos, Cody Hall, and Yusmeiro Petit, who set a major league record as the 11th pitcher used by one team in a nine-inning game, could not contain Colorado’s offensive outburst in the final frame of the campaign.
2019 In Game 1 of the ALDS in the Bronx, the Twins drop a 10-4 decision to the Yankees, extending their postseason losing streak to a major league record 14 consecutive contests. Minnesota previously shared the dubious mark with the Red Sox, who lost 13 straight playoff encounters from 1986-1995, starting with the Bill Buckner game against the Mets at Shea Stadium.
WORLD SERIES HISTORY
1906 WORLD SERIES
Chicago White Sox (4) vs Chicago Cubs (2)
The 1906 World Series was the first to feature two teams from the same city, “the windy city” that is. Chicago was split in two as the American League’s (South Side) White Sox prepared to battle the National League (West Side) Cubs.
The Sox, despite having a meager offense, managed to win the Series opener 2-1. In fact they would play true to form in the first four games of the Series collecting only six runs and eleven hits. The Cubs rebounded with a 7-1 victory in Game 2 that featured the one hit pitching of Ed Reulbach and the timely hitting of Harry Steinfeldt and Joe Tinker. Third baseman Steinfeldt, a .327 hitter after his off-season acquisition from Cincinnati, went three-for-three and Tinker had two hits and scored three runs.
In Game 3, White Sox pitcher Ed Walsh allowed one single off of Solly Hofman and a double to Frank Schulte in the first inning He then went on to hold the Cubs hitless for the rest of the way. The South Side’s franchise emerged as 3-0 winners, with Walsh striking out twelve batters and George Rohe tagging Jack Pfiester for a bases-loaded triple in the sixth inning. Mordecai Brown drew the Cubs even the next day, denying the White Sox a hit for the first 5 2/3 innings on the way to a two-hit, 1-0 victory. The trend would not last as the White Sox bats came alive in Games 5 and 6. Nicknamed the “Hitless Wonders” by the local press, they came out swinging and drove Reulbach from the mound in the third inning. Continuing their momentum, they added four runs in the fourth and held on for an 8-6 victory. Frank Isbell paced the Sox’s twelve hit attack with a Series-record four doubles and George Davis knocked in three runs as well.
The Cubs were stunned by their cross-town rival’s renewed zeal and were unable to stop them in Game 6 despite their best efforts. The “born-again” bats from the South Side defeated Mordecai Brown (the Cubs’ Game 4 winner) and cruised to a stunning Series-deciding 8-3 victory that was fueled by fourteen hits.
The Sox had pulled off an upset of gigantic proportions despite hitting only .198 in the Series. Their top threesome, Patsy Dougherty, Billy Sullivan and Fielder Jones, the team’s playing manager, combined for only four hits in sixty-two at-bats. Nevertheless they had out-hit the Cubs, who batted only .196. Their top hitter, center fielder Solly Hofman, had appeared in only sixty-four games during the regular season, yet he played every inning of the Series and batted .304.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
October 4, 1873 – The Argonaut Rowing Club’s rugby-football squad forms.The significance is that they eventually became the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts Football Club and are listed as the oldest professional team in North America still using the same name. According to argoalumni.com the rowing club sported a rugby team and it morphed for over a decade until about 1886 when the team played rules similar to their counterparts in the North Eastern US colleges, using a line of scrimmage and eventually downs. The team played in smaller leagues until 1958 when the CFL was created by merging the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union or “Big Four” (founded in 1907) and the Western Interprovincial Football Union (founded in 1936). The Argos have won the coveted Grey Cup a record 17 times, 10 of those before the creation of the Canadian Football League.
Jim Brown the record setter
October 4, 1959 – Cleveland Browns running back, the legendary Jim Brown, sets a team high single game record for rushing attempts with 37 as the Browns dropped the Chicago Cardinals 34-7. According to NFL.com, Jim Brown played for 9 seasons totalling 118 games played, and held a 5.2 yard average for his 2359 career rushing attempts. Brown scored 106 touchdowns which averages just under one TD per game played. If fantasy football existed in that era it would have made for some interesting draft parties!
Texas Tech
October 4, 2003 – Texas Tech Red Raiders’ quarterback B.J. Symons set a Big 12 Conference record with 8 touchdown passes, leading Texas Tech to a dominating 59-28 victory over rival Texas A & M.
Tom Brady gets to third All Time
October 4, 2018 – New England Patriots signal caller, Tom Brady tosses his 500th scoring pass to receiver Josh Grodon to become only the third quarterback in NFL history to reach the 500 career TD plateau. In the game at the friendly confines of Foxborough Stadium, Brady and the Pats knocked off a strong Indianapolis Colts team 38-24.
Bowden Wyatt
October 4, 1917 – Bowden Wyatt an end from the University of Tennessee. Per the University of Tennessee’s website utsports.com, Wyatt was the captain of the 1938 Vols team under head Coach General Robert R. Neyland. Coach Neyland’s group of legends that included the All-American Wyatt, Tom Milinski, George Cafego and Bob Suffridge as two way players, ended the season undefeated at 11-0. Six of the 11 games were shutouts. Bowden Wyatt was crucial to the final shutout in the game against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl as he anchored the stingy defensive line and kicked a field goal for the 17-0 victory. Wyatt returned to Tennessee in 1955 to become the squad’s head coach. Wyatt was selected to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1972 as a player and then again in 1997 as a coach.
The Great Sam Huff
We are honored to have an expert introduce our next hall of Famer that is being remembered for October 4. Larry Schmitt is a New York City pro football historian who specializes in the New York Football Giants, a research partner for Gridiron Uniform Database, and a frequent contributor to Big Blue Interactive and when we have a topic from pro football in the Big Apple we go to the Guru Of the NYC Gridiron, Larry Schmitt. Today we have the great pleasure of having Larry tell the story of one truly great Giants HOF player on the anniversary of their birth.
October 4, 1934 – Sam Huff was a 6-1, 225-lb Guard from West Virginia University. Huff led the Mountaineers to a 31-7 record in his four years at the school. According to the National Football Foundation, Sam, in 1955, was an All-American and served as the captain of the East West Shrine Game and also the Senior Bowl. Huff was drafted by the New York Giants in the 3rd round of the 1956 NFL Draft, where he was converted into a Middle Linebacker, in what would become a revolutionary 4-3 defense. Huff became a star at his new position, leading the NFL’s top ranked defense to the 1956 NFL title. He brought acclaim and recognition to defensive play for the first time, and was the first professional football player to appear on the cover of time Magazine, in 1959, and was the first player to be featured in his own television special, “The Violent World of Sam Huff” in 1960, where he gave the public a feel for what it was to be like on a football field by being the first player ever to wear a microphone. Huff helped the Giants to six Eastern titles over his eight seasons in New York before being traded to Washington in 1964, where he finished his 13-year, 168-game career as a player/coach. He was First Team All-Pro in 1958 & 1959, All-NFL three times, played in five Pro Bowls and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1950s. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982, where he was presented by his former defensive coach Tom Landry.
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
3 – 30 – 5 – 1 – 45 – 32 – 16 – 24 – 20 – 22 – 19 – 4 – 77 – 8 – 2 – 25 –
October 4, 1925 – Harry Heilmann had 6 hits in Detroit’s doubleheader sweep over the St Louis Browns. The final scores of 10-4 and 11-6 were reached in the games. With the successful day in the batter’s box Heilmann edged out teammate Tris Speaker for the AL batting crown, .393 to .389. Meanwhile Ty Cobb batted over .300 for the 20th time
October 4, 1930 – Philadelphia Athletics’ Jack Quinn aged 47, became the oldest player to play in World Series. The elder statesman pitched 2 innings in Game 3, suffering a 5-0 defeat to St. Louis. The A’s though did win the series, 4-2 eventually though.
October 4, 1944
October 4, 1944 – The only all-St. Louis World Series opens at Sportsman’s Park with the visiting Browns beating the Cardinals, 2-1 on Number 3, George McQuinn‘s home run; Cards win series, 4-2
October 4, 1948 – Cleveland Indians beat Boston Red Sox, 8 – 3, in a one-game playoff to decide the AL pennant. The keys to the victory were the pitching of hurler Number 30, Gene Bearden and hitting of Lou Boudreau who wore Number 5 for the Tribe.
October 4, 1953 – 50th Baseball World Series pitted the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers. This day the Yanks won 4-3 at Yankee Stadium for 4-2 series clincher. New York recorded its 5th consecutive World Series Championship with the MVP being earned by New York second baseman, Number 1, Billy Martin
October 4, 1955 – At the World Series, the Brooklyn Dodgers won their first title with a 2-0 victory against arch-rival the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in Game 7. The MVP of the series was Brooklyn pitcher Number 45, Johnny Podres who won 2 games in the series in 18 innings of work, throwing 10 strike outs.
October 4, 1959 – Future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, Number 32 attempted a club record 37 rushing attempts in Cleveland Browns, 34-7 win at Chicago Cardinals
October 4, 1961 – New Tork Yankees pitcher Number 16, Whitey Ford records 3rd straight Baseball World Series shutout in Yankees 2-0 win v Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium; NY wins series, 4-1
October 4, 1962 – San Francisco player Number 24, Willie Mays scored a run in the 2nd inning for the Giants ending Whitey Ford‘s World Series record of consecutive scoreless inning streak at 33 2⁄3. The Yanks won despite this over the Giants, 6-2 in Game 1 and eventually took the series in 7
October 4, 1964 – Boston Patriots’ kicker Number 20, Gino Cappelletti connected on 6-from-6 field goals and 3-from-3 conversions in 39-10 win versus the Denver Broncos at Bears Stadium, Denver
October 4, 1980 – Future Baseball Hall of Fame 3rd baseman Number 20, Mike Schmidt‘s 2-run homer off Stan Bahnsen, Number 22 of the Expos, in 11th inning gives Philadelphia, 6-4 win v Montreal and NL East title; Schmidt’s 48th of the season; breaks Eddie Mathews’ single-season MLB record for 3rd basemen
October 4, 1986 – NY Yankees closer Number 19, Dave Righetti saves both doubleheader games at Fenway Park for 5-3 and 3-1 wins v Boston; Righetti’s MLB record 46th save
October 4, 1987 – Winnipeg CFL defensive back James Jefferson wearing Number 4, scored 2 TDs on interception returns without making an interception; scores both on laterals in Blue Bombers’ 47-14 win v Hamilton Tiger-Cats
October 4, 1989 – MLB San Francisco Giants 1st baseman Number 22, Will Clark hits first NLCS grand slam since 1977 in 11-3 win v Chicago Cubs; Clark goes 4-for-4 with 2 HRs to tie NLCS RBI record (6) for an entire series in less than 4 innings
October 4, 1991 – San Jose Sharks play first NHL game in franchise history, a 4-3 loss in Vancouver; native Californian Craig Coxe, Number 21 scored the club’s first goal while Number 30, Jeff Hackett makes an impressive 48 saves between the pipes
October 4, 1995 – Jim Leyritz wearing the Number 13 on his jersey, cranks a shot over the wall with a man on in 15th inning to give Yankees 2-0 Division Series lead over Mariners
October 4, 1996 – Left wing Mike Donnelly became first player in NHL history to play for all 3 New York teams (Sabres, Rangers & Islanders) when he suits up for the NY Islanders in a 1-0 loss in Los Angeles. He was the Islanders Number 8, the Rangers Number 22, and the Sabres Number 16.
October 4, 2001 – Boston Bruins retire future Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque’s Number 77 jersey in the NHL season opener at Boston Garden; beat visiting Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 4-2
October 4, 2001 – Brendan Shanahan, Number 14 scored a hat trick in Red Wings 4-3 OT win at San Jose; becomes second player in NHL history to score an opening-night hat trick twice in his career
October 4, 2001 – San Francisco Giants slugger, Number 25, Barry Bonds hits his 70th home run in 10-2 win v Houston. With it he ties another Number 25, Mark McGwire for the most MLB home runs in a single season
October 4, 2003 – Texas Tech Red Raiders’ quarterback B J Symons, Number 2 set a Big 12 Conference record with 8 touchdown passes, leading Texas Tech to a convincing 59-28 win over Texas A & M
October 4, 2018 – New England’s Number 12, Tom Brady becomes only 3rd NFL quarterback to record 500 career touchdown passes as he connects with Number 10, Josh Gordon in the Patriots’ 38-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts at Foxborough
TV WEDNESDAY
| COLLEGE FOOTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Jacksonville State at Middle Tennessee | 8:00pm | ESPNU |
| FIU at New Mexico State | 9:00pm | CBSSN |
| MLB PLAYOFFS | TIME ET | TV |
| AL Wild Card Game 2: Texas at Tampa Bay | 3:08pm | ABC |
| AL Wild Card Game 2: Toronto at Minnesota | 4:38pm | ESPN |
| NL Wild Card Game 2: Arizona at Milwaukee | 7:08pm | ESPN2 |
| NL Wild Card Game 2: Miami at Philadelphia | 8:08pm | ESPN |
| NHL PRESEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| NY Rangers vs. New Jersey | 7:00pm | NHLN |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| UEFA Champions League: Atlético Madrid vs Feyenoord | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: Antwerp vs Shakhtar Donetsk | 12:45pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: RB Leipzig vs Manchester City | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: Newcastle United vs PSG | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: Borussia Dortmund vs Milan | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: Porto vs Barcelona | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: Crvena Zvezda vs Young Boys | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League: Celtic vs Lazio | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| MLS: Cincinnati vs New York RB | 7:30pm | MLS Pass |
| MLS: Charlotte vs Toronto FC | 7:30pm | MLS Pass |
| MLS: CF Montréal vs Houston Dynamo | 7:30pm | MLS Pass |
| MLS: New England vs Columbus Crew | 7:30pm | MLS Pass |
| MLS: Philadelphia Union vs Atlanta United | 7:30pm | MLS Pass |
| MLS: Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC | 8:30pm | FS1 |
| MLS: Chicago Fire vs Inter Miami | 8:30pm | MLS Pass |
| MLS: Austin vs DC United | 8:30pm | MLS Pass |
| MLS: Dallas vs Colorado Rapids | 8:30pm | MLS Pass |
| MLS: Los Angeles FC vs Minnesota United | 10:30pm | FS1 |
| MLS: Seattle Sounders FC vs LA Galaxy | 10:30pm | MLS Pass |
| MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps vs St. Louis City | 10:30pm | MLS Pass |