“THE SCOREBOARD”
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD
ORIOLES 10, TIGERS 9 (12 INNINGS)
MARLINS 8, PHILLIES 6
GIANTS 16, BREWERS 3
ROYALS 4, TWINS 0
ASTROS 7, ANGELS 4
RED SOX 4, ATHLETICS 2 (10 INNINGS)
CARDINALS 3, CUBS 2 (10 INNINGS)
WHITE SOX 6, YANKEES 5 (12 INNINGS)
DODGERS 4, MARINERS 2
BLUE JAYS 5, NATIONALS 2
DIAMONDBACKS 3, PIRATES 0
METS 3, BRAVES 2 (GAME 1)
BRAVES 1, METS 0 (GAME 2)
GUARDIANS 6, REDS 1
PADRES 5, ROCKIES 1
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BASEBALL NEWS
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NFL NEWS
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NBA NEWS
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NHL NEWS
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MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES
LOUISVILLE 5 INDIANAPOLIS 3
SOUTH BEND 8 LAKE COUNTY 6
FT. WAYNE 5 GREAT LAKES 4
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WNBA SCORES
DREAM 82 WINGS 81
MERCURY 91 VALKYRIES 89
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INDIANA HS FOOTBALL SCHEDULES
https://scoreboard.homestead.com/football/teams.htm#load
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
https://www.maxpreps.com/in/volleyball
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER
https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER
https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer/girls
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
https://www.ihsaa.org/sports/boys/cross-country
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
https://www.ihsaa.org/sports/girls/cross-country
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS
https://www.ihsaa.org/sports/boys/tennis
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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER SCOREBOARD
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, AUG. 28
IDAHO AT CAL POLY | 10 P.M. | ESPN
SATURDAY, AUG. 29
TCU VS. NORTH CAROLINA (AVIVA STADIUM IN DUBLIN, IRELAND) | 12 P.M. | ESPN
SAN JOSE STATE AT USC | 3 P.M. | NBC
ALABAMA STATE VS. SOUTHERN (LEGION FIELD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALA.) | 3 P.M. | ESPNU
NC STATE AT VIRGINIA | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
JACKSONVILLE STATE AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE | 5:30 P.M. | CBSSN
SACRAMENTO STATE AT EASTERN MICHIGAN | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
HAWAI’I AT STANFORD | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
NEW MEXICO STATE AT FLORIDA STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN UNLIMITED AND THE CW NETWORK
EAST TEXAS A&M AT MERCER | 7 P.M. | ESPN
HOWARD VS. ALABAMA A&M (CENTER PARC STADIUM IN ATLANTA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M AT TARLETON STATE | 9 P.M. | ESPN2
MEMPHIS AT UNLV | 10 P.M. | FOX
WEEK 1
THURSDAY, SEPT. 3
UMASS AT RUTGERS | 6 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
BETHUNE-COOKMAN AT UCF | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
AKRON AT WAKE FOREST | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
MERRIMACK AT DELAWARE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
WEST GEORGIA AT KENNESAW STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
UALBANY AT BUFFALO | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF AT MISSOURI | 8 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
COLORADO AT GEORGIA TECH | 8 P.M. | ESPN
EASTERN ILLINOIS AT MINNESOTA | 8 P.M. | PEACOCK
IDAHO AT UTAH | 9 P.M. | ESPNU
UAB AT ILLINOIS | 9 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
FRIDAY, SEPT. 3
SAN JOSE STATE AT EASTERN MICHIGAN | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
INDIANA STATE AT PURDUE | 7 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
NORTH CAROLINA A&T AT GEORGIA STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
UTEP AT OKLAHOMA | 8 P.M. | SECN+
LIU AT KANSAS | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
TOLEDO AT MICHIGAN STATE | 8 P.M. | FS1
MIAMI (FLA.) AT STANFORD | 9 P.M. | ESPN
FRESNO STATE AT USC | 9 P.M. | FOX
SATURDAY, SEPT. 4
EAST CAROLINA AT ALABAMA | 12 P.M. | ABC
OREGON STATE AT HOUSTON | 12 P.M. | ESPN
COASTAL CAROLINA AT WEST VIRGINIA | 12 P.M. | TNT/HBO MAX
NEW HAMPSHIRE AT SYRACUSE | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
NORTH TEXAS AT INDIANA | 12 P.M. | FOX
OHIO AT NEBRASKA | 12 P.M. | FS1
BRYANT AT ARMY | 12 P.M. | CBSSN
TARLETON STATE AT BOWLING GREEN | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
LIBERTY AT JAMES MADISON | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
MIAMI (OHIO) AT PITT | 12:30 P.M. | ESPN UNLIMITED AND THE CW NETWORK
BALL STATE AT OHIO STATE | 12:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
KENT STATE AT SOUTH CAROLINA | 12:45 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
YOUNGSTOWN STATE AT KENTUCKY | 1 P.M. | SECN+
SE MISSOURI STATE AT IOWA STATE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
DUQUESNE AT AIR FORCE | 1 P.M. | MW+
RHODE ISLAND AT TEMPLE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
TENNESSEE STATE AT GEORGIA | 3 P.M. | SECN+
AUBURN VS. BAYLOR (MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM IN ATLANTA) | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
FURMAN AT TENNESSEE | 3:30 P.M. | SECN+
TEXAS STATE AT TEXAS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
BOSTON COLLEGE AT CINCINNATI | 3:30 P.M. | FOX
TULANE AT DUKE | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
BOISE STATE AT OREGON | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
MARSHALL AT PENN STATE | 3:30 P.M. | FS1
THE CITADEL AT CHARLOTTE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
TOWSON AT NAVY | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
UT RIO GRANDE VALLEY AT UTSA | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
FORDHAM AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN UNLIMITED AND THE CW NETWORK
MAINE AT APP STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
OKLAHOMA STATE AT TULSA | 3:45 P.M. | ESPNU
NORTH ALABAMA AT ARKANSAS | 4:15 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AT IOWA | 4:15 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
ALCORN STATE AT SOUTHERN MISS | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
WYOMING AT COLORADO STATE | 6 P.M. | USA NETWORK
NORFOLK STATE AT OLD DOMINION | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
MISSOURI STATE AT TEXAS A&M | 7 P.M. | ESPN
AUSTIN PEAY AT VANDERBILT | 7 P.M. | SECN+
ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT TEXAS TECH | 7 P.M. | FS1
NICHOLLS AT KANSAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
IDAHO STATE AT UTAH STATE | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
ARKANSAS STATE AT MEMPHIS | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN AT RICE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT SOUTH FLORIDA | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
MURRAY STATE AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
EASTERN KENTUCKY AT JACKSONVILLE STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
SE LOUISIANA AT SOUTH ALABAMA | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
SAM HOUSTON AT TROY | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
CLEMSON AT LSU | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
UL MONROE AT MISSISSIPPI STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPNU
VMI AT VIRGINIA TECH | 7:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
WESTERN MICHIGAN AT MICHIGAN | 7:30 P.M. | NBC
NORTHWESTERN STATE AT LOUISIANA TECH | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT FLORIDA | 7:45 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
UTAH TECH AT BYU | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
HAMPTON AT MARYLAND | 8 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT NORTHWESTERN | 8 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
LAMAR AT LOUISIANA | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
MORGAN STATE AT ARIZONA STATE | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
MERCYHURST AT NEW MEXICO STATE | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTHERN ARIZONA AT ARIZONA | 9:30 P.M. | ESPN+
PORTLAND STATE AT SAN DIEGO STATE | 9:30 P.M. | USA NETWORK
UNLV AT HAWAI’I | 10 P.M. | ESPN UNLIMITED AND THE CW NETWORK
CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT NEW MEXICO | 10 P.M. | FS1
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE AT SACRAMENTO STATE | 10 P.M. | ESPN+
UCLA AT CAL | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
WESTERN KENTUCKY AT NEVADA | 10:30 P.M. | CBSSN
SUNDAY, SEPT. 6
TEXAS SOUTHERN AT PRAIRIE VIEW A&M | 12 P.M. | ESPN2
FLORIDA A&M VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (HARD ROCK STADIUM IN MIAMI GARDENS, FLA.) | 3 P.M. | ESPN
WASHINGTON STATE AT WASHINGTON | 4 P.M. | NBC
OLE MISS VS. LOUISVILLE (NISSAN STADIUM IN NASHVILLE, TENN.) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
NOTRE DAME VS. WISCONSIN (LAMBEAU FIELD IN GREEN BAY, WIS.) | 7:30 P.M. | NBC
MONDAY, SEPT. 7
SMU AT FLORIDA STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
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NFL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
NFL/HALL OF FAME GAME – AUG. 6
CAROLINA VS. ARIZONA – 8PM, NBC/PEACOCK
WEEK 1
THURSDAY – AUG. 13
DETROIT AT CINCINNATI – 7PM
GREEN BAY AT PITTSBURGH – 7PM
INDIANAPOLIS AT NEW ENGLAND – 7:30PM
LA CHARGERS AT HOUSTON – 8PM
ARIZONA AT LAS VEGAS – 8PM
TENNESSEE AT SAN FRANCISCO – 9PM
FRIDAY – AUG. 14
DENVER AT ATLANTA – 7PM
TAMPA BAY AT NY JETS – 7PM
MIAMI AT WASHINGTON – 7PM
SATURDAY – AUG. 15
CAROLINA AT BUFFALO – 1PM
CLEVELAND AT CHICAGO – 1PM
MINNESOTA AT NY GIANTS – 1PM
LA RAMS AT KANSAS CITY – 4PM
JACKSONVILLE AT NEW ORLEANS – 4PM
PHILADELPHIA AT BALTIMORE – 7PM
DALLAS AT SEATTLE – 8PM
WEEK 2
THURSDAY – AUG. 20
LAS VEGAS AT HOUSTON – 8PM, ESPN
SAN FRANCISCO AT LA CHARGERS – 10PM
FRIDAY – AUG. 21
NY JETS AT PITTSBURGH – 7PM
CAROLINA AT JACKSONVILLE – 7:30PM
GREEN BAY AT DENVER – 9PM
SATURDAY – AUG. 22
WASHINGTON AT DETROIT – 12PM
BUFFALO AT CLEVELAND – 1PM
ATLANTA AT INDIANAPOLIS – 1PM
BALTIMORE AT MINNESOTA – 1PM
NEW ORLEANS AT LA RAMS – 4PM
NY GIANTS AT MIAMI – 4PM
CHICAGO AT CINCINNATI – 7PM
PHILADELPHIA AT NEW ENGLAND – 7PM
KANSAS CITY AT TAMPA BAY – 7:30PM
DALLAS AT ARIZONA – 10PM
SUNDAY – AUG. 23
SEATTLE AT TENNESSEE – 8PM, FOX
WEEK 3
THURSDAY – AUG. 27
PITTSBURGH AT BUFFALO – 7PM
NEW ENGLAND AT CLEVELAND – 8PM, PRIME VIDEO
SAN FRANCISCO AT LAS VEGAS – 8PM
LA RAMS AT LA CHARGERS – 10PM
FRIDAY – AUG. 28
WASHINGTON AT BALTIMORE – 6PM
HOUSTON AT CAROLINA – 7PM
ATLANTA AT MIAMI – 7PM
TAMPA BAY AT JACKSONVILLE – 7:30PM
NY GIANTS AT NY JETS – 7:30PM
NEW ORLEANS AT DALLAS – 8PM
ARIZONA AT GREEN BAY – 8PM
SEATTLE AT KANSAS CITY – 8PM
CINCINNATI AT PHILADELPHIA – 8PM, CBS
MINNESOTA AT DENVER – 9PM
SATURDAY – AUG. 29
DETROIT AT INDIANAPOLIS – 1PM
CHICAGO AT TENNESSEE – 6PM
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2026 NFL TEAM SCHEDULES
https://www.nfl.com/schedules/2026/by-team
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2026 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TV / TIME (ET)
WEEK 1 THU, AUG 13 @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS LOCAL (7:30 PM)
WEEK 2 SAT, AUG 22 VS. ATLANTA FALCONS LOCAL (1:00 PM)
WEEK 3 SAT, AUG 29 VS. DETROIT LIONS LOCAL (1:00 PM)
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2026 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET) TV / STREAMING
1 SUN, SEPT 13 VS. BALTIMORE RAVENS 1:00 PM CBS
2 SUN, SEPT 20 @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 8:20 PM NBC
3 SUN, SEPT 27 VS. HOUSTON TEXANS 1:00 PM CBS
4 SUN, OCT 4 @ WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 9:30 AM NFL NET
5 SUN, OCT 11 @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS 1:00 PM CBS
6 SUN, OCT 18 VS. TENNESSEE TITANS 1:00 PM FOX
7 SUN, OCT 25 @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS 1:00 PM CBS
8 SUN, NOV 1 @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 1:00 PM CBS
9 SUN, NOV 8 VS. DALLAS COWBOYS 1:00 PM FOX
10 SUN, NOV 15 VS. MIAMI DOLPHINS 1:00 PM CBS
11 THU, NOV 19 @ HOUSTON TEXANS 8:15 PM PRIME VIDEO
12 SUN, NOV 29 VS. NEW YORK GIANTS 1:00 PM FOX
13 BYE WEEK
14 SUN, DEC 13 @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 1:00 PM FOX
15 SUN, DEC 20 @ TENNESSEE TITANS 1:00 PM CBS
16 TBD – FLEX VS. CINCINNATI BENGALS TBD TBD
17 SUN, JAN 3 @ CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:00 PM FOX
18 TBD – FLEX GAME VS. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS TBD TBD
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TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/SPORTS RELEASES
NFL NEWS
FORMER CHARGERS LINEBACKER BILLY RAY SMITH JR. DIES AT 64, FAMILY ANNOUNCES
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former San Diego Chargers linebacker and college football hall of famer Billy Ray Smith Jr. has died. He was 64.
Smith’s family said in a statement Wednesday that Smith died following a bout with CTE-caused dementia.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of our beloved Billy Ray Smith Jr., who passed away peacefully surrounded by family,” the statement said. “Billy Ray faced his long journey with dementia caused by CTE with unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength. Billy Ray brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the world as a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend.”
Smith played 10 seasons with the Chargers after being drafted with the No. 5 overall pick of the 1983 NFL draft out of Arkansas. He was named to the Chargers’ 50th anniversary team after racking up 15 career interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries and 13 forced fumbles.
Smith became the sports director at the ABC affiliate in San Diego following his playing career and was co-host of a long-running radio show while covering college and professional football for national TV broadcast.
Smith was a two-time All-American at Arkansas and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He starred at Plano Senior High School in Texas.
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WITH TUA TAGOVAILOA SIDELINED WITH A MINOR INJURY, FALCONS ADD COOPER RUSH FOR TRAINING CAMP REPS
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback competition will have to wait another day after coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Tua Tagovailoa sustained a minor injury, and he’ll be back “sooner rather than later.”
Stefanski described the injury as a “flare-up” and said he doesn’t anticipate a long absence from the former Dolphins quarterback. He said Tagovailoa will be present at training camp but not yet participating.
The first-year Falcons coach kept the details of Tagovailoa’s injury secret, saying that one of the perks of training camp is not having to divulge every detail.
ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported Wednesday that Tagovailoa is dealing with a tight back.
The Falcons swapped one veteran quarterback for another as a result, releasing veteran Trevor Siemian and adding Cooper Rush. Heading into his ninth year in the league, Rush has appeared in 42 career games and thrown for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Rush was out throwing alongside Michael Penix Jr. and undrafted rookie Jack Strand at the Falcons’ first day of training camp on Wednesday morning.
Rush and Strand are expected to split snaps during 11-on-11s. Penix, who started nine games for Atlanta in 2026 before a season-ending ACL tear, will compete in individual and 7-on-7 drills.
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LIONS RUNNING BACK JAHMYR GIBBS REPORTS TO TRAINING CAMP BUT DOESN’T ATTEND TEAM’S FIRST PRACTICE
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs reported to training camp but was not on the field with teammates for their first practice on Wednesday as his agent and the franchise work on negotiating a new deal.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said he did not have an update on talks.
“You guys know how we feel about Gibbs,” Campbell said.
A message seeking comment was left with Gibbs’ agent, Todd France.
“This is both sides working through something,” Campbell said.
The Lions have signed many of their top players to contract extensions, including linebacker Jack Campbell in May.
Gibbs, who has been a Pro Bowl player in each of his first three NFL seasons, seems to be next in line.
His contract calls for him to make a little more than $1 million in base salary with a $2 million-plus roster bonus this season. The Lions picked up the fifth season of Gibbs’ contract in April and he is scheduled to make $14.29 million in 2027.
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PANTHERS ROOKIE WR CHRIS BRAZZELL CARTED OFF WITH INJURY
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II was carted off the practice field Wednesday with an apparent knee injury.
The third-round draft pick was seen holding his left knee after going down during seven-on-seven drills, according to multiple reports from the scene.
He was transported inside the practice facility on a cart after appearing to have difficulty standing, per reports.
Brazzell, 22, had returned to practice Wednesday morning after missing the previous few training camp sessions with a knee injury.Sports content provider
The 6-foot-4, 198-pound wideout caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards and an SEC-leading nine touchdowns last season at Tennessee.
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KYREN WILLIAMS: 1,000 RUSHING YARDS ‘KIND OF EASY’ IN RAMS OFFENSE
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams has achieved remarkable consistency, completing three consecutive seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards—an accomplishment shared by only three other running backs: Derrick Henry, James Cook, and Tony Pollard.
In a recent interview on the “Up & Adams Show” with Kay Adams, Williams expressed pride in his sustained performance while emphasizing that achieving 1,000 yards in the Rams’ offensive system is a manageable objective.
“It means everything,” he stated. “I recall entering the NFL and participating in pre-draft interviews, during which coaches frequently inquired about my goals. I confidently conveyed that my primary objective was to secure a 1,000-yard season every year. For a running back who is proficient in executing runs, 1,000 yards should be relatively attainable. However, this success is also attributable to our exceptional offensive linemen and our astute offensive-minded coach, who facilitate my ability to achieve such milestones.
“For running backs, this is a common aspiration. It is a personal standard that I set for myself to consistently gain positive and efficient yards. As I reflect on the season, I expect to attain 1,000 yards.”
Williams concluded the previous season ranked sixth in rushing yards, amassing 1,252 yards on 259 carries while contributing ten touchdowns. Not only has the 25-year-old exceeded the 1,000-yard threshold in each of the last three seasons, but he has also surpassed 1,100 yards in those years, achieving over 1,200 yards in the most recent two seasons.
Demonstrating exceptional reliability, Williams maintains a career average of 4.6 yards per carry, aligning well with the offensive strategy employed by Head Coach Sean McVay. Despite his impressive performance, Williams remains relatively unrecognized compared to other running backs of similar caliber. He asserts that enhancing his ability to execute explosive plays would elevate his recognition within the sport.
“I believe it is the long runs that can change perceptions,” Williams remarked. “By breaking free for substantial yardage and demonstrating my capability to evade defenders at the third level, I am confident that I can score. Once I accomplish this feat this season, I anticipate that my name will gain greater respect.
“Nevertheless, I do not overly concern myself with public perception. My primary focus is on my daily improvement and the commitment to excellence in my preparations. I can only control my own performance, and I intend to execute to the best of my ability and await the outcomes.”
Williams generated only six rushing attempts of 20 or more yards last season, with none exceeding 40 yards. With Blake Corum expected to further limit Williams’ opportunities, increasing the frequency of explosive plays could sustain his production without necessitating additional carries.
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SAINTS ‘HAVING A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS’ ABOUT NEW CHRIS OLAVE CONTRACT
The commencement of training camps marks the onset of contract extension negotiations, with veteran players seeking new agreements prior to subjecting themselves to further physical risk.
A key player to monitor in the upcoming weeks is Chris Olave, the wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract after achieving over 1,000 receiving yards in three of his four seasons.
General Manager Mickey Loomis indicated that discussions between the two sides are progressing. “We are engaged in numerous conversations,” Loomis stated on Tuesday, as reported by the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “While we have not reached an agreement yet, we are optimistic.”
Olave has demonstrated exceptional productivity as a receiver within the National Football League, despite facing challenging circumstances throughout a substantial portion of his initial four seasons. The proficient route-runner recorded 1,163 receiving yards and secured nine touchdowns on 100 receptions last season while serving as the primary target in an offense that faced difficulties early in the season.
With eleven receivers currently earning at least or exceeding $30 million annually, and two surpassing the $40 million threshold (Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Ja’Marr Chase), a pertinent question arises regarding Olave’s potential positioning within this financial scale. Loomis acknowledged that the wide receiver’s injury history represents a significant factor for consideration; however, it should not impede the negotiation process.
“We are eager to finalize this agreement,” Loomis remarked. “Chris, along with his agents, Jason and Drew Rosenhaus, shares the same aspiration. We all wish to arrive at a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
It is noteworthy that Olave suffered multiple concussions during the 2024 season, which resulted in him missing half of that season. Throughout his four-year tenure, he has yet to complete a full 17-game schedule, missing Week 18 last year due to blood clot complications, which also limited his participation in certain offseason workouts in 2026.
At 26 years of age, Olave is prepared to enter training camp and is not anticipated to exercise a holdout, despite the absence of a new contract. The Saints regard him as a pivotal element of a franchise seeking resurgence after enduring five consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance, along with back-to-back fourth-place finishes in the NFC South.
“Chris has exhibited remarkable enthusiasm and optimism,” Loomis commented. “I deeply appreciate his professionalism and conduct, which has been consistent every year.”
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LIONS’ CAMPBELL: ARNOLD’S RELEASE ‘UNFORTUNATE’
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday he addressed the franchise’s “unfortunate” decision to release Terrion Arnold with the team on the eve of training camp with the former cornerback facing felony charges.
“You never want to let go of a player, especially somebody that you’ve been around for a while here and you drafted,” Campbell said. “It’s unfortunate, but we made the move we thought was best for us.”
The Lions cut ties with Arnold last month, shortly after a Florida judge set Arnold’s bail at $1 million on eight felony charges stemming from allegations he orchestrated the abduction and beating of three men.
A month after the 2025 season ended for the Lions, prosecutors in Florida say Arnold arranged for the men to be pistol-whipped after he wrongly suspected them of stealing $100,000 in cash and luxury goods from him.
In March, Campbell said the team believed Arnold was not involved in the alleged crime based on the information they had at that time.
“I feel like we’re going to be good here,” Campbell told reporters at the NFL’s annual league meeting. “I’m going to trust what the kid said.”
Harvey Steinberg, an attorney for the 23-year-old Arnold, argued in court that prosecutors were “not even close” to showing that Arnold knew or directed what his associates would do.
Detroit drafted Arnold with the No. 24 pick in 2024, when the NFL draft was held in the Motor City and the former Alabama star sported a big smile and a light salmon silk suit. He had two years left on his four-year rookie contract with the Lions.
Arnold had an uneven rookie season, making 15 starts without an interception. He picked off one pass last season while he was limited to eight games because of a concussion and shoulder injury.
Before the Lions released Arnold, the judge did not require him to wear an ankle monitor because it would have prevented him from taking the field for games and training.
The Lions, coming off a season that fell short of expectations, appeared to be preparing to potentially play without Arnold during offseason workouts because he was not on the field with the No. 1 defense.
Campbell insisted he is confident in the caliber of players the team has at cornerback.
D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin are projected as starters while Roger McCreary will compete for playing time. The team is also hopeful Ennis Rakestraw can contribute after missing last season because of shoulder surgery and being limited to eight games as a rookie with hamstring and ankle injuries.
“We feel pretty good in that room with the competition between veterans and young guys,” Campbell said.
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JAGUARS OPEN TRAINING CAMP WITH A HEALTHY TRAVIS HUNTER AND HOPES OF BACK-TO-BACK PLAYOFF BERTHS
JACKSVONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Coach Liam Coen saw the ball on the ground more than he would have liked Wednesday when the Jacksonville Jaguars opened training camp. He also saw two-way player Travis Hunter make sharp cuts on defense and aggressive moves at receiver, a welcome sight.
What caught his attention was a team that looked poised to move forward, a rarity for a franchise that hasn’t had consecutive 10-win seasons in 27 years.
That also was the last time the Jaguars made back-to-back postseason appearances.
“We haven’t done anything to rest on our laurels here,” said Coen, whose first year with the Jaguars brought an AFC South title and a 13-4 season that ended with a 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills in a wild-card playoff game. “Last year was about finding an edge and creating an edge. And now we are attacking these edges with a relentless pursuit.
“And at the end of the day, we want to go play anywhere, anytime, anybody, doesn’t matter,” he said. “Our mindset is we got to go prove it and go earn it because consistency is the truest measure of performance.”
Changes have been relatively minor since the season ended six months ago — running back Travis Etienne went to the New Orleans Saints and linebacker Devin Lloyd is now with Carolina. The coaching staff returns, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence has a year behind him in Coen’s scheme.
Lawrence is coming off six months of getting stronger instead of recovering from injuries after a relatively healthy 2025. Coen said Lawrence, a No. 1 pick entering his sixth year, has spent time at a local high school with the receivers, though that didn’t translate to the first day of camp.
“I thought it was a little sloppy in terms of drops and some inaccuracy, just not throwing and probably catching a ton with each other,” Coen said. “I don’t like to see the ball on the ground as much as it probably was today. But I was pleased with some of the back and forth, and some of the hits in the run game as well.”
Hunter, the No. 2 pick in 2025, made it through only two months of his rookie season when he tore right knee ligaments in practice and was done for the year. He was limited in the spring, and was full speed on the first day of camp.
“Just good to see him back out there and he looks good,” Lawrence said. “He’s flying around. Seeing him play both sides is just always pretty cool. Just excited that he’s back on the field.”
Hunter had one drop in traffic when he leapt between a pair of defenders, slamming the ball to the ground in frustration when the play was over. He also made a sharp cut at cornerback that nearly led to a pick on a broken route.
“I was pleased to see him go up with no fear and just go up and try to make a great play,” Coen said.
Running back Chris Rodriguez, one of the few offseason acquisitions, was back on the field after a surgery on his left foot from an injury the first day of voluntary workouts. Rodriguez was signed to a two-year deal to bolster the running game with the departure of Etienne.
Coen, the offensive coordinator at Kentucky when Rodriguez played there, said his contributions would not be tangible until full contact with the bruiser of a back.
“What he brings to this team, I don’t think any of us are going to see throughout the entire training camp, honestly,” Coen said. “Until we play tackle football, it’s going to be very difficult for all of us here to gain a true appreciation for who he is and what he does.”
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CHICAGO BEARS COACH BEN JOHNSON LOOKS FOR GREATER ACCURACY FROM QB CALEB WILLIAMS IN YEAR 2 TOGETHER
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The solution to quarterback Caleb Williams’ accuracy issues has Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson bringing up a familiar number.
With training camp underway in his second season, Johnson said he is again expecting a 70% completion rate this year after his third-year quarterback failed to come close to that designated figure last year at 58.1%.
Williams believes he can record a higher percentage without flat-out predicting he’ll approach the magic number.
Achieving it will require something he didn’t do in his first two seasons, after being the No. 1 pick of the 2024 draft and then leading Chicago to an NFC North title in 2025.
“Just hit the easy ones when they’re there,” Williams said. “Be in rhythm with myself. Be confident in my guys, be confident within the play. Deliver a good ball. Deliver a catchable ball.
“And then from there, when things happen, I put on the cape and do my thing, but it’s not something that needs to be on or showing until the moment shows up.”
Williams’ cape came on for seven fourth-quarter comebacks last year, counting the playoffs.
Throughout their first season together, Johnson brought out the tough-love style of coaching for Williams. He had no problem raising his voice repeatedly at practices and being tough in meetings.
Whether he would take the harder line again in Williams’ second year within the Bears’ offense wasn’t entirely clear before camp, but Williams had to laugh Wednesday when asked about it after the first practice.
“Oh yeah,” he said. “I know we have a real common goal and it’s to find a way to make the Chicago Bears champions at the end of the day. So everything he says and what he says to me, I’ll do it at 200% and won’t look back.
“That’s kind of how it is now. If he yells and curses at me or anything like that, I know it’s for the greater good of the team and so whatever it takes is what it’s going to take.”
Although Johnson named 70% again as a target, he isn’t defining anything else specific beyond that number. He sees general improvement possible from Williams within Year 2 of the offense because of simple repetition.
“I have this urge as an offensive guy to want to continue to evolve and innovate and push the limits a little bit,” Johnson said. “And yet at the same time, in the back of my mind, what’s best for him is to continue to bank some of these (play) reps.
“He’s had two offseasons and one training camp so far, and a full season obviously, to where he’s had a lot of the similar concepts repeat for him. Now we’re at the point where he’s not thinking about the play call, he’s not thinking about the cadence, the motion, and all the rigamarole before the snap. Things are starting to slow down (for him). So, what we need to see here in camp is that anticipation, take it up a notch.”
Completion percentage also could improve because Williams’ receivers are more familiar with him and the league. Tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden were sensations in the season’s second half as rookies. Rome Odunze is now the veteran of the group in his third year after the team traded DJ Moore to Buffalo.
“They’re second-year receivers, most of the guys out there, second year or more, so the confidence with them, the confidence within themselves to be able to run the right route, how to run it and create space when they run the route, they’re not just running a route off the board,” Williams said. “So a lot of confidence goes into the work, a lot of confidence goes into myself and then to coach and everybody else.”
Williams never actually thought Johnson was going to go easy on him in Year 2. He wouldn’t have it any other way, as the two have forged a good coach-player relationship.
“It’s going to be hard, it’s going to be tough like it is every year,” Williams said. “That’s what you embrace, that’s what you enjoy. Because when it shows up on game days and Sundays or whatever day we play on, it’s really rewarding.”
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REPORT: SAINTS FEAR DT BRYAN BRESEE TORE ACL, WILL MISS SEASON
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is feared to have suffered a season-ending torn ACL on the first day of training camp, NFL Network reported on Wednesday.
Bresee, 24, is undergoing medical tests to determine the severity of the injury, per the report.
New Orleans selected Bresee in the first round (29th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Clemson. He has two years remaining on his rookie contract after the Saints exercised their fifth-year, $13.9 million option in the offseason.
Bresee started all 15 games that he played last season and totaled 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits and one forced fumble.
For his career, Bresee has 86 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 31 QB hits and two forced fumbles in 49 games (26 starts) since 2023.
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BENGALS DE SHEMAR STEWART INJURES LEG, CARTED FROM FIELD
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart was carted from the field Wednesday after an apparent serious left leg injury during 11-on-11 drills.
Stewart’s left leg appeared to buckle and hyperextend before he went down on the field. He initially was unable to put any weight on his leg before hobbling off the field. A cart was summoned to get him back to the locker room.
Per ESPN, Stewart was spotted on crutches with a protective brace on his left leg after practice.
Stewart, 22, recorded one sack and two tackles for loss in eight games (five starts) last season after being selected by the Bengals with the 17th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M.
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NFL NEW ROUND-UP
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NFL PRE-SEASON POWER POLL
- SEATTLE
- LA RAMS
- DENVER
- BUFFALO
- BALTIMORE
- SAN FRANCISCO
- HOUSTON
- KANSAS CITY
- NEW ENGLAND
- PHILADELPHIA
- CHICAGO
- LA CHARGERS
- DETROIT
- JACKSONVILLE
- PITTSBURGH
- GREEN BAY
- CAROLINA
- TAMPA BAY
- INDIANAPOLIS
- DALLAS
- CINCINNATI
- ATLANTA
- NEW ORLEANS
- WASHINGTON
- TENNESSEE
- NY GIANTS
- CLEVELAND
- MINNESOTA
- LA VEGAS
- MIAMI
- NY JETS
- ARIZONA
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NFL QB RATINGS HEADING INTO 2026
The football community is often united in its enthusiasm for quarterback rankings, particularly in anticipation of another assessment as training camps for all 32 teams commence. This presents a prime opportunity to evaluate the projected starting quarterbacks for the 2026 season.
This analysis prioritizes the projection of quarterbacks based on expected future performance rather than solely on historical achievements. One should consider the scenario of serving as a general manager of a team with a mediocre roster and an unremarkable offensive coordinator—who among the available quarterbacks is likely to provide the best chance for success?
**JOSH ALLEN, BUFFALO BILLS**
Although it may seem that I have arrived at a consensus late, this represents the first occasion in some time that I have not designated Patrick Mahomes as the unequivocal top quarterback. Allen possesses extraordinary physical attributes that provide remarkable potential as both a downfield passer and a runner. Furthermore, he has demonstrated consistent improvement in his ability to process information from the pocket. His cognitive competencies have now become as substantial a strength as his athletic prowess. Few players in the history of football can match his capability to enhance the performance of those around him and lead his team to victories.
**LAMAR JACKSON, BALTIMORE RAVENS**
Despite encountering challenges during the previous season, I am inclined to attribute Jackson’s struggles to injuries. He achieved his second MVP award in 2023 and delivered an even more impressive performance to secure the runner-up position in 2024. With a remarkable 41 touchdowns and only four interceptions, he achieved a league-leading average of 8.8 yards per attempt while also accumulating 915 rushing yards. I would argue that his subsequent performance ranks among the finest seasons for a quarterback in history. Jackson has consistently demonstrated that he is a more effective pocket passer than he is often credited for, and I believe he will excel in a revamped Ravens offense that is expected to employ more play-action, placing him under center.
**PATRICK MAHOMES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS**
Ranking Mahomes at this position may seem almost unjust, given his standing among the greatest quarterbacks in history. Nevertheless, due to the less-than-stellar results in recent seasons, it is challenging to justify placing him above Allen and Jackson. Nonetheless, I believe it is only a matter of time before Mahomes and the Chiefs rediscover the downfield passing capabilities that made them a formidable force at the onset of his career. The innate ability of the 30-year-old to extend plays will likely continue to pose challenges for defenses, particularly in critical moments.
**DRAKE MAYE, NEW ENGLAND**
There may be a perception that Maye’s sophomore year was benefited by a relatively lenient schedule. However, even if one accepts this premise, it remains evident that he must possess exceptional talent to lead the league in the metrics mentioned above. Posting such impressive statistics as a sophomore places Maye on the trajectory towards becoming a consensus elite quarterback. It is anticipated that he will make significant progress in what will be only his second full year as a starting quarterback in the NFL.
**MATT STAFFORD** , LA RAMS
Stafford currently finds himself at a stage in his career where his performance could potentially decline unexpectedly. Given this uncertainty, one might prefer to select a younger top-tier quarterback for the upcoming season; nonetheless, this ranking could prove to be conservative if the 38-year-old continues to perform at the MVP level he displayed in the previous year.
**JUSTIN HERBERT, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS**
Herbert has emerged as a somewhat polarizing figure among quarterbacks. A segment of the football community regards him as an extraordinary talent who requires a stable team environment to optimize his potential. Others, however, are hesitant to overlook the lack of tangible results. As this ranking suggests, I am firmly in the category of Herbert supporters. The arrival of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator may finally enable the Chargers to fully exploit Herbert’s remarkable arm strength and underrated athleticism.
**DAK PRESCOTT, DALLAS**
I take pride in my resistance to narratives that unfairly undermine quarterbacks within the Cowboys organization. Similar to Tony Romo before him, Prescott often becomes the target of undue criticism, primarily due to his position leading the league’s most iconic, and frequently maligned, franchise. Interceptions are an inevitable consequence of a quarterback willing to challenge tight defensive windows and execute throws that others may hesitate to attempt. Prescott remains one of the premier pure pocket passers in the contemporary game.
**JORDAN LOVE, GREEN BAY**
This may be the year in which Love takes a significant step towards entering the ranks of the NFL elite. While skeptics might argue that he has failed to surpass 3,400 passing yards for a second consecutive season, Love’s capacity to efficiently execute downfield throws ranks among the best in the league. His 5.8% big-time throw rate ranked second only to Matthew Stafford among qualified passers in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). Most notably, he demonstrated an ability to reduce costly turnovers, achieving a career-low of six interceptions over 15 games.
**CALEB WILLIAMS, CHICAGO**
Critics aiming to temper the excitement surrounding Williams might reference his current accuracy metrics as indicative of his need for improvement. While this perspective holds validity, I remain steadfast in my belief that the former No. 1 overall pick will ultimately emerge as the premier quarterback from the exceptional 2024 draft class. With another year of development under the guidance of Ben Johnson, it is reasonable to anticipate Williams entering the NFL’s top ten overall quarterbacks. His rare combination of arm strength and innate ability for improvisational playmaking is comparable to that of Patrick Mahomes.
**JAYDEN DANIELS, WASHINGTON**
Daniels did not exhibit extraordinary performance during the seven games he participated in amid multiple injury interruptions last season. Nevertheless, I am inclined to regard his historically impressive rookie season as a more accurate representation of his potential. The former No. 2 overall pick is a remarkable athlete who has demonstrated proficiency from the pocket that was not fully acknowledged following his tenure at LSU. Should he manage to safeguard his health and maintain consistent play, Daniels could potentially ascend the rankings on this list.
**SAM DARNOLD, SEATTLE**
A substantial portion of analysts is exercising caution regarding the recent resurgence of Darnold. In response to these criticisms, one must consider what additional evidence is necessary. The evident decline of the Vikings’ offensive performance following Darnold’s departure serves as compelling proof that he was not merely a product of Kevin O’Connell’s system. Furthermore, his performance in Seattle was arguably superior, as he finished second only to Maye in yards per attempt while guiding an explosive Seahawks passing attack. Additionally, he notably outperformed Stafford in an exceptional NFC Championship game and subsequently led Seattle to a Super Bowl victory against New England. Darnold’s capabilities are genuine.
**JARED GOFF, DETROIT**
Although Goff’s ranking may appear somewhat modest in light of recent statistics, a position within the top 13 should not be dismissed. His proficiency in targeting intermediate areas of the field from the pocket positions him firmly among quarterbacks capable of leading a team to a Super Bowl victory. However, the offensive line issues faced by Detroit last season underscored his limitations regarding mobility. In situations where protection is subpar and devoid of Detroit’s array of offensive weapons, Goff’s production is likely to regress towards the average tier.
**TREVOR LAWRENCE, JACKSONVILLE**
I advocate for a cautious approach in elevating Lawrence within the rankings until he consistently replicates the level of performance exhibited in the previous year. This perspective may seem somewhat unjust, especially considering that Liam Coen’s arrival could have finally unlocked the potential envisioned by the Jaguars when they selected him first overall in the 2021 draft. Nevertheless, Lawrence had previously demonstrated promise after his sophomore year, only to experience regression in subsequent seasons. If his enhanced decision-making proves to be sustainable and he continues to integrate his mobility with his exceptional arm talent, Lawrence possesses the potential to rank among the top ten quarterbacks.
**JALEN HURTS, PHILADELPHIA**
Hurts has evolved into one of the more divisive quarterbacks in the league. At times, he exhibits the traits of a legitimate superstar, while at other moments, he appears to hinder the Eagles’ offensive effectiveness. The reality is likely more nuanced, heavily influenced by schematics. In an offense designed to exploit vertical opportunities and leverage the quarterback’s running abilities, Hurts can prove to be a transformative player. Conversely, the results may be less consistent in a system that emphasizes mid-field attacks. With the Eagles appearing to transition towards the latter approach, Hurts’ performance will be intriguing to observe in the 2026 season.
**BROCK PURDY, SAN FRANCISCO**
Purdy exemplifies a scenario where, when evaluating quarterbacks in isolation, his performance may not align with the conventional metrics typically expected. While it remains uncertain whether his arm strength or ball placement would remain effective outside the favorable environment created by Kyle Shanahan’s system, Purdy’s timing, anticipation, and capacity to extend plays have significantly elevated the team’s performance. Despite the often derogatory connotation of the “system quarterback” label, he is indeed an ideal fit for the 49ers.
**CJ STROUD, HOUSTON**
I refuse to abandon faith in Stroud based solely on a disappointing playoff performance. Although the Texans’ quarterback struggled in the final two games of January, I posit that this downturn was a culmination of growing discomfort resulting from two years behind a subpar offensive line. The Texans have taken substantial measures this offseason to reinforce that unit, leading me to anticipate a return to the composed and precise version of Stroud who achieved Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2023.
**KYLER MURRAY, MINNESOTA**
One might consider it fair to assert that Murray has become somewhat underrated. The rationale behind the Cardinals’ decision to pursue a change at quarterback is understandable, particularly due to Murray’s recurring injury issues that have plagued his career. The 2025 season represents the third occasion in four years in which he failed to start a minimum of 12 games. Nevertheless, he is not the type of player for whom teams should feel comfortable incurring dead money to facilitate a trade. If he can remain healthy, Murray’s ability to attack defensively downfield and create opportunities under pressure would represent a significant improvement over the quarterbacking options the Vikings possessed in 2025.
**BAKER MAYFIELD, TAMPA BAY**
Mayfield is another quarterback who has experienced peaks that could warrant a more favorable ranking. He has also faced numerous challenges, exemplified by last season’s disappointing conclusion. From Week 6 until the conclusion of the regular season, Mayfield ranked 25th in EPA per dropback, closely trailing Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins. While he deserves some leniency given the injuries sustained by himself and the offense throughout the year, he largely constitutes an average starter with the potential to perform at a higher level during favorable stretches. Such a quarterback can facilitate victory if circumstances align favorably.
**BO NIX, DENVER**
Nix presents a challenging case for ranking. His raw statistics are generally strong, and he has demonstrated effectiveness in critical situations; however, certain aspects of his performance raise concerns. For every impressive moment, particularly during scrambles, his overall inconsistency and limitations as a passer downfield leave much to be desired. Notably, he has recorded a league-high 279 passes behind the line of scrimmage over the past two years. In attempts that cover 10 or more air yards, he concluded the 2025 season ranked jointly with Tua Tagovailoa at 23rd in EPA/dropback. Nix must evolve into a decisive game-changer, rather than a mere game-manager, to warrant a significant elevation in his ranking.
**CAM WARD, TENNESSEE**
Ward’s initial season statistics were markedly poor; however, he is close to breaking into the top 20 because much of this lackluster performance cannot be attributed to him. It was evident while observing Titans games that the 2025 No. 1 pick could showcase exceptional talent if afforded a competent supporting cast. I anticipate witnessing this potential unfold this season, following an offseason during which Tennessee implemented substantial changes to both their roster and coaching staff.
**DANIEL JONES, INDIANAPOLIS**
It is pertinent to reiterate the focus of this exercise. Were we to rank quarterbacks solely based on their recent performances, Jones would likely occupy a significantly higher position due to his undeniable success after joining the Colts. However, I remain uncertain whether he can replicate this level of achievement in a different environment, particularly considering his limited track record of success and his recent recovery from a torn Achilles. I would require further evidence before adjusting his ranking.
**BRYCE YOUNG, CAROLINA**
Throughout each season, there are numerous moments when I contemplate investing my confidence in Young. Nevertheless, I frequently find myself questioning whether he will ever fully realize his potential. While this may indeed be the year he finally achieves consistency akin to his collegiate performances at Alabama, he will remain ranked within the bottom tier until he demonstrates reliable play.
**TYLER SHOUGH, NEW ORLEANS**
Shough exhibited several promising moments upon assuming the starting role in the latter half of his rookie season. He displayed the requisite traits—arm strength, touch, accuracy, and processing ability—that I believed justified his selection as a Day 2 pick, even at the age of 25. While this age may indicate he is nearing his developmental ceiling, the performance he has demonstrated thus far indicates that he possesses the capabilities of a competent NFL starting quarterback.
**JAXON DART, NEW YORK GIANTS**
Dart made a significant impact at the professional level far sooner than anticipated. Should the progress he showcased following his final season at Ole Miss be any indicator, he could experience a substantial improvement in his sophomore year. His physical attributes are appealing, and his tenacity is unmistakable. Nonetheless, the Giants’ new coaching staff must assist him in refining his pocket presence, enhancing his downfield accuracy, and increasing his situational awareness to minimize unnecessary contact.
**AARON RODGERS, PITTSBURGH**
It is regrettable to rank an esteemed player such as Rodgers at this level. He has occasionally displayed flashes of his former greatness, particularly when attempting to throw the ball downfield; however, such moments have become infrequent at the age of 42. Last season, his 6.0 air yards per attempt represented the lowest figure among all qualifying quarterbacks. A tendency toward short passes coupled with a lack of escapability under pressure is not conducive to success in the current landscape of the game, even if he continues to maintain ball security.
**GENO SMITH, NEW YORK JETS**
I could not justify placing Smith higher in the rankings due to the significant struggles he faced during his tenure in Las Vegas, which were particularly detrimental. His accuracy and decision-making experienced a marked decline following a successful period in Seattle, culminating in the league’s lowest total of 17 interceptions for the season. It is possible that he may experience a resurgence in New York, given that the challenging circumstances in Las Vegas likely contributed to his difficulties. However, at 35, it is also conceivable that his physical capabilities have diminished, rendering his previously aggressive playing style more of a liability than an asset.
**MALIK WILLIS, MIAMI**
It is essential to approach the statistics presented for Willis with measured scrutiny, as they primarily reflect the six-plus quarters he played in relief of an injured Jordan Love towards the conclusion of the previous season. The limited film available was notably impressive, resulting in Willis receiving a lucrative contract as the new starter in Miami. He must demonstrate that he can maintain his improved pocket skills outside of Matt LaFleur’s system; nonetheless, his arm talent and exceptional running ability suggest considerable developmental potential.
**JACOBY BRISSETT, ARIZONA**
Jacoby Brissett is a quarterback who is frequently undervalued, as he has been required to transition through six different teams over the past six years. The Arizona Cardinals’ offense displayed several promising moments under Brissett’s leadership last season; however, his true worth lies in his role as an elite backup. He lacks the attributes necessary to serve as anything more than a low-end starter.
**TUA TAGOVAILOA, ATLANTA**
The program established by Mike McDaniel in Miami may have become somewhat stale, raising concerns about Tua Tagovailoa’s ability to effectively manage a quarterback-friendly passing game. There is uncertainty regarding whether his accuracy and timing can compensate for deficiencies in arm strength and mobility within a new system.
**KIRK COUSINS, LAS VEGAS**
It is anticipated that Kirk Cousins will assume the starting quarterback role for a significant portion of the upcoming season while the Las Vegas Raiders focus on the development of their No. 1 draft pick, Fernando Mendoza. The 37-year-old quarterback exhibited encouraging performances towards the end of the previous season, suggesting the possibility of regaining some of his earlier form as he further recovers from an Achilles injury sustained in 2023. However, such expectations may be overly optimistic at this stage in his career.
**DESHAUN WATSON, CLEVELAND**
Deshaun Watson is included in this analysis over Shedeur Sanders due to the prevailing likelihood that the Cleveland Browns will make one final attempt to derive value from their $230 million investment. Recent performance metrics indicate that this endeavor may potentially be a significant misuse of resources. Watson recorded a minus-0.19 expected points added (EPA) per dropback across 19 games in Cleveland, ranking 39th out of 40 quarterbacks who have started at least that many games since 2022. Only Zach Wilson has fared worse, with the 0.1-point disparity between Watson and the 38th-ranked Will Levis equating to the gap between Levis and Caleb Williams. It may be prudent to consider transitioning to a younger player at this juncture.
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MYLES GARRETT SAYS HE WON’T TRY TO INFLUENCE AARON DONALD’S ‘DIFFICULT’ COMEBACK DECISION WITH RAMS
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Although Myles Garrett is waiting on Aaron Donald’s comeback decision just as eagerly as the rest of the Rams, Los Angeles’ new superstar pass rusher says he won’t attempt to influence Donald’s process.
“If he’s here, I’m going to be excited to be his teammate, his partner in crime,” Garrett said Wednesday after the Rams’ fourth practice of training camp. ”I think we’re going to do great things. But it’s a difficult thing, coming back.”
Garrett said he hasn’t spoken to Donald about being teammates during the upcoming season. He’s been busy settling in nicely with his new team after the blockbuster trade that brought him to the West Coast from Cleveland — and also inspired Donald to begin a workout program in an attempt to return to NFL shape after 2 1/2 years of retirement.
The 30-year-old Garrett and the 35-year-old Donald have combined to win five of the past nine AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, with Garrett claiming it in two of the last three seasons for the Cleveland Browns.
“I think there’s a lot we can learn from each other,” Garrett said. “I’d love to pick his brain on the kind of things he does to attack his matchups, and I think the same could be said vice versa. … . I’ve told him I’d love to learn from him. I’ve watched his tape. Obviously, I think everyone who’s been a rusher from anywhere across the line, they have a lot of respect for him. But I don’t want to push him one way or another.”
The edge-rushing Garrett has 125 1/2 career sacks, while Donald racked up 111 from the interior line during his landmark 10-year career, which ended with his retirement in March 2024. Their mutual respect and friendship goes back several years, and Donald’s jersey is even displayed in Garrett’s home in Texas after the stars did a jersey swap several years ago.
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RED JERSEYS, FEW BRAKES: MAXX CROSBY’S RETURN PUTS RAIDERS QBS ON ALERT
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Maxx Crosby went through a full-team practice on Wednesday for the first time since December, and everyone on the Raiders seemed keenly aware of that.
Las Vegas coach Klink Kubiak and defensive coordinator Rob Leonard let Crosby — who doesn’t seem to know any speed other than fast — know that the quarterbacks wear no-contact red for a reason. Crosby said coaches all the way back to his days at Eastern Michigan warned him to leave the QBs alone and that he was regularly kicked out of practices even then.
New Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is well aware of Crosby’s reputation.
“I’m just a little bit nervous that he’s got to respect the red jersey these next few weeks, so I’ll try to make sure that happens,” Cousins said.
All in all, the Raiders will take this version of Crosby rather than one who spent the previous six months recovering from knee surgery in January and the arduous recovery that ensued. Crosby said he couldn’t bend his left knee for two months and had difficulty sleeping, relying heavily on his wife, Rachel, to assist him with common physical tasks.
Now that he’s back, the Raiders are counting on Crosby to return to the form that made him one of the NFL’s best pass rushers, someone who brings an edge and routinely throws off opposing offensive game plans. If Wednesday’s practice was any indication, Crosby indeed looked back.
He is a five-time Pro Bowler and has made first- or second-team All-Pro three times. Since his rookie year in 2019, Crosby is first in the league with 133 tackles for loss, sixth with 69 1/2 sacks and fifth with 164 quarterback hits.
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BURROW EMBRACES BENGALS’ TRAINING CAMP URGENCY AS TEMPERS FLARE DURING 1ST PRACTICE
CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Burrow traveled during the offseason. He purchased a telescope and said that he looked at “galaxies, nebula, planets and moons.”
Now, he’s excited to get back to work at quarterback with a Cincinnati Bengals’ team that enters the season with high expectations.
“We know that we have all the pieces that we need,” Burrow said. “We just have to make sure that we’re pushing each other each and every day to grow and improve and get better and get to where we want to get to.”
Burrow, entering his seventh-year in the NFL, has become the second-longest tenured Bengals’ player. After leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance in 2021 and a trip to the AFC title game in 2022, he went through three disappointing seasons and a couple of difficult injuries between 2023 and 2025.
“Urgency” has been a talking point in the locker room entering the upcoming season for the Bengals, and Burrow was pleased to see the energy on the practice field on the first practice of training camp on Wednesday.
“If the intensity isn’t great on Day 1, then you are in trouble,” Burrow said. “That’s kind of a given. Is the intensity still there on Day 20? That kind of determines if you are going to be a good team or not.”
Things got heated between All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and cornerback DJ Turner, who got into a scuffle during 11-on-11 drills. Chase ended up grabbing Turner’s helmet and threw it across the field.
Burrow definitely noticed a couple players had an edge to them.
“Number 1 sure had one today. Number 0 did, too. So, those two are two of the best in the league, and they’re going at it every day. So, whatever those guys need to get excited to get better, go ahead and do it,” Burrow said.
Burrow doesn’t seem to mind the intensity and the scuffles, as long as the Bengals can remain on script.
“When it starts to interrupt practice, not too much. But if you can maybe punch somebody in the face in about 15 to 20 seconds, and then get back lined up, that’s probably ideal,” he said.
Wednesday’s practice also featured defensive end Shemar Stewart being carted off with a left leg injury.
Burrow spent a good amount of reps on Wednesday under center instead of out of the shotgun, and the Bengals’ offense looks like it’s evolving. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said that they would like to be more explosive in the run game, and that’s easier to accomplish when you run more under center plays and also more play action passes.
The Bengals are working on those aspects of the offense, and Burrow is open to the changes.
“I’m very comfortable,” Burrow said. “I can do whatever is asked of me. I have, and I will. And we haven’t done it quite as much over the last several years, and we’ll see what we evolve into this year. But if that’s what’s needed, that’s what I’ll do.”
Coach Zac Taylor said that he’s impressed with Burrow’s adaptability.
“That’s his attitude — what do you need from me for us to be at our best?” Taylor said. “He also understands what his strengths are and what he believes will put himself in the best position. There has never been pushback, and he has always been very receptive to it. He always wants to take a look at it, and we’ll accumulate some reps and decide if it’s something we’ll move forward with.”
Burrow had a very sharp practice, completing passes down the field to Chase and Tee Higgins. The biggest impediment in Burrow’s way was new defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
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UTILITY MAN TAYSOM HILL DEPARTS SAINTS
Taysom Hill, who starred for the New Orleans Saints for the better part of nine seasons as a unique jack-of-all-trades, has announced his departure from the team via social media.
The 35-year-old gained fame for playing multiple positions — and doing it well — in an era that hadn’t typically seen that type of versatility.
Originally joining the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free-agent quarterback out of BYU, Hill went on to also play tight end, wide receiver, and several spots on special teams after hooking on with the Saints in 2017.
On Wednesday, Hill didn’t shut the door on a career that has begun to wind down, but he did confirm that his time in New Orleans has come to an end.
“I still don’t have a clear answer about what the future holds, but I know that returning to New Orleans is not in the cards,” Hill wrote on X. “As training camp begins, I didn’t want my silence to be misinterpreted, and as hard as it is to put into words, I wanted to express my gratitude.
“I had always heard, ‘If you love New Orleans, New Orleans will love you back,’” Hill said. “That could not have been more true. You exceeded every expectation I had of what it would be like to live and play in a city.”
Known affectionately in New Orleans as the “Swiss Army knife,” Hill is one of four players in NFL history to score 10 touchdowns passing, rushing and receiving. The last player to hit double digits in each category was Hall of Famer Frank Gifford – whose career ended in 1964.
His 1,000 yards exceeded in each category is also a rarity: No other player in the Super Bowl era has achieved the feat.
If Hill retires, he will do so with 2,551 yards on the ground with 34 touchdowns, 110 receptions for 1,034 yards and 11 touchdowns receiving, 2,426 yards passing with 12 touchdowns and an additional 489 yards in returns.
“We thank Taysom for all his great contributions, and we are positive that a day will come when all his accomplishments can be properly celebrated,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement.
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL
OLE MISS SUES 2 EX-PLAYERS WHO TRANSFERRED TO LSU, ALLEGING THEY DID NOT COMPLY WITH FINANCIAL DEALS
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — The University of Mississippi is suing two former football players who transferred to LSU, alleging they failed to compensate the university for their departure as required by a revenue-sharing agreement they both signed in early January.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Lafayette County (Mississippi) Circuit Court, stems in part from former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin’s high-profile departure for LSU late last season.
The lawsuits were filed against edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen and offensive lineman Devin Harper. LSU declined comment on Wednesday.
College athletes have been able to transfer far more freely in recent years without having to sit out a year, as was once required by the NCAA. There have been scattered disputes between players and their former schools over compensation agreements; earlier this year, Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. said he would return to the Huskies after his school was reportedly prepared to pursue legal options to enforce Williams’ lucrative name, image and likeness contract.
In a statement released to reporters, Ole Miss said it “values its student-athletes and is committed to honoring all obligations made to them.
“In return, the university expects that same commitment from its student-athletes and their representatives in upholding their contracts,” the school said.
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NCAA SUSPENDS TENNESSEE LINEBACKER ARION CARTER FOR TWO GAMES TIED TO $427 FLIGHT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee senior linebacker Arion Carter will miss the first two games of the season because of an NCAA suspension tied to an agent paying for a $427 flight to an NFL training facility during the pre-draft process.
The Knoxville News Sentinel first reported Wednesday of the suspension, with the two-game length later confirmed by the school to The Associated Press. In a statement, coach Josh Heupel said the Volunteers “disagree” with the suspension, noting Carter repaid the agent for the flight cost as he returned to Tennessee.
The suspension will sideline the third-year linebacker and two-year starter for the Sept. 5 opener against Furman at home and the Sept. 12 trip to Georgia Tech.
The ruling comes amid a changed landscape across college athletics with athletes able to be paid directly by schools through revenue sharing, as well as having the ability to profit from use of their name, image and likeness. Those changes have meant millions of dollars in payouts in a far more permissive era compared to decades of rules that blocked athlete compensation.
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BIG TEN NOTEBOOK: RYAN DAY FOCUSES ON SMALL MARGINS FOR OHIO STATE
Ohio State began last season with 12 consecutive victories and ended it with two losses that changed the way the year will be remembered.
Ryan Day is not interested in overreacting to either stretch.
The Buckeyes followed a national championship with a trip to the Big Ten title game last season, where they lost to eventual national champion Indiana. A second defeat against Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals left Ohio State searching for ways to finish better without tearing what worked apart.
“When you’re chasing small margins like you are, you have to identify the things that need to get fixed and fix them,” Day said Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. “The easy thing is to do nothing or overreact, where the real work is identifying what needs to get fixed and then make that change.”
One advantage is unusual continuity at quarterback.
Julian Sayin returns for his second season as the starter, making this only the third time during Day’s tenure that Ohio State has brought back its No. 1 quarterback. Sayin won his first 12 starts before the two season-ending losses and will again be paired with star receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Day said Sayin is stronger, more vocal and carrying himself differently after experiencing both ends of a championship chase.
“When you look in his eye now, you see a different person, a different body,” Day said. “He’s worked hard, gotten stronger. He’s found his voice even more.”
The lessons will be tested quickly during what Day called a “monster” schedule which includes a Week 2 road game at Texas.
–Moore passes on NFL to chase history at Oregon
Dante Moore could have been preparing for his first NFL training camp.
Instead, the Oregon quarterback returned to Eugene after being widely projected as the No. 2 selection in the 2026 draft, passing up a lucrative contract.
Moore said his decision was based on development and the opportunity to help Oregon win its first national championship, not concern over which NFL team might select him.
“It was a great decision,” Moore said. “When I first did it, I was a little bit hesitant, but at this point where I’m at right now in the offseason, it’s all full force. There’s no looking back from here. These guys I’m on stage with are for sure people that could’ve went to the NFL last year. For us to come back, we all want to chase history and help us reach our goals.”
Moore completed 71.8% of his passes for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns with 10 interceptions last season while leading the Ducks to a 13-2 record and the CFP semifinals.
Dan Lanning said Moore had unfinished business and described this year’s roster as potentially the most player-led team of his five seasons at Oregon.
“Obviously we have some great returning players that have been big contributors to our program,” Lanning said. “One thing I recognize is last year I felt like we had a team that had a ton of talent. This year, I feel like we have a team with a lot of returning experience. A lot of those young players that played are now guys that have also had great experience, and I’m excited to see what that looks like.”
–Fitzgerald returns to Big Ten with familiar blueprint
Pat Fitzgerald isn’t viewing his first season at Michigan State as a chance to bring over everything that worked during his 17 years at Northwestern.
Instead, the Spartans’ new coach is looking backward for the identity he wants to restore.
Fitzgerald said the traits he has emphasized since taking over have long been part of Michigan State’s most successful teams. His task is turning those familiar ideals into daily habits for a roster still learning what will be demanded of it.
“I said it in my press conference when I got introduced, that this was born at Michigan State, and that’s how we’re going to play,” Fitzgerald said. “We’re going to play smart. We’re going to play tough. We’re going to play with discipline.”
Fitzgerald has spent the offseason increasing competition throughout the roster and establishing a standard he hopes will eventually move the Spartans back into Big Ten contention after four straight losing seasons.
That process will require more than leaning on the program’s history, but Fitzgerald made clear where he expects it to lead.
“We’re looking forward to taking this program back to where it belongs at the highest level,” Fitzgerald said.
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IOWA HAWKEYES 2026 PREVIEW
The question arises: Why resist change?
The University of Iowa consistently achieves victory; however, it appears that these accomplishments remain insufficient. Under the leadership of Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes have demonstrated a level of performance that has persisted for over two decades, earning the unwelcome distinction of being the winningest program within the Group of Five in the College Football Playoff era that has not qualified for the playoffs.
In light of this, there is a prevailing sentiment among observers advocating for alterations to Iowa’s football approach, or at the very least, a significant modification of its traditionally conservative strategy epitomized by the mantra “punt, baby, punt.” However, it is important to recognize that this is Iowa.
Iowa is a prominent program within a major conference; however, it lacks the resources and recruiting capabilities that institutions such as Ohio State, Oregon, and even Indiana possess. As such, Iowa must adhere to its established style, consistently field strong teams, and hope for favorable circumstances—such as in 2015, when the team was merely a tackle away from qualifying for the four-team College Football Playoff.
One may consider the examples of Nebraska, which has struggled since altering a successful formula that once positioned it as a perennial contender for national championships, and Wisconsin, which has similarly faced challenges in recent seasons after deviating from a historically dominant approach.
Iowa’s recent performances include a narrow five-point loss to Indiana, a commendable 18-16 contest against Oregon, a five-point defeat at the hands of USC, and a three-point loss to Iowa State. These outcomes indicate that the program was close to achieving a notably special season.
Ultimately, Iowa recorded nine victories last season, and it is worth noting that 88 other college football programs would have celebrated such an achievement.
**Offensive Analysis**
The fundamental principles of the Iowa offense are well-understood. The team is likely to prioritize controlling the clock and minimizing errors, resorting to downfield passes only when absolutely necessary.
This season presents a unique challenge due to a reduced return of talent and limited activity in the transfer portal. Consequently, offensive coordinator Tim Lester will be tested in maintaining a system that consistently demonstrates effectiveness.
**Strengths**
The underlying system is robust. While a conservative offensive approach may not be exhilarating, it yields results. A pivotal aspect of its success hinges on the team’s ability to convert third and fourth downs.
Last season, Iowa converted an impressive 43.5% of its third-down attempts—an achievement that was not guaranteed, having posed a significant issue in the past two seasons. Recent improvements in this area have alleviated previous efficiency challenges.
Achieving a manageable offensive rhythm does not require overly complex strategies; the Hawkeyes successfully ran for 133 yards or more in ten games last year, winning nine of those matchups, with the only loss occurring during a road contest against USC. Notably, the team has maintained a 20-2 record over the past four seasons when rushing for 150 yards or more.
The leading rusher, Kamari Moulton, returns, boasting an average of over five yards per carry with a total of 878 yards and five touchdowns. Additionally, the offensive line remains formidable, anchored by tackle Trevor Lauck, with Kade Piper and Leighton Jones also contributing in the interior. Trent Wilson, a guard acquired from James Madison, is the sole addition from the transfer portal.
**Areas for Improvement**
One significant concern is the necessity for a quarterback to emerge as a clear leader. The previous starter, Mark Gronowski, significantly contributed to the team’s conversion rates, ranking second on the team with 545 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. The current competition for the position lies between Hank Brown, who experienced limited action last year, and Jeremy Hecklinski, a smaller yet agile passer. Neither competitor matches Gronowski’s performance level.
Further complicating matters is the apparent lack of a downfield passing threat. Iowa’s passing game has drawn criticism for its hesitancy to take risks, as evidenced by an average of only 6.5 yards per attempt—considerably lower than the median of approximately 7.5—achieving fewer than seven yards in several games. The team’s record in those instances was 4-3, underscoring the relationship between risk management and competitive success.
The margin for error, therefore, is narrow; without a dynamic component to the offense, mistakes cannot be afforded. Iowa recorded two turnovers in three games last season, including narrow defeats to Indiana and Oregon. Since 2019, the team has suffered a record of 5-19 against FBS opponents when committing two or more turnovers.
**Player to Monitor**
DJ Vonnahme, a sophomore tight end, is a noteworthy player to observe. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 240 pounds, he embodies the characteristics of Iowa’s next exceptional NFL-caliber tight end. Last season, Vonnahme led the team with 29 receptions for 434 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing his ability as a downfield target with an average of 15 yards per reception.
**DEFENSE**
In the previous season, the team ranked ninth nationally in total defense, 20th in 2025, seventh in 2023, second in 2022, and 16th in 2021. Phil Parker’s defense has consistently facilitated success for the team.
Given the reliability of the defense in making critical stops, there appears to be minimal rationale for taking considerable risks on offense.
This year’s defensive unit is undergoing a significant transformation; however, it exemplifies the “Next Man Up” philosophy.
**What is Working**
The secondary is rich in talent. While the team did not pursue many players from the transfer portal in certain positions, it effectively recruited defensive backs to compensate for losses and enhance the safety positions.
Zach Lutmer is recognized as one of the top all-around defensive backs nationally. Deshaun Lee has emerged as a notable playmaker at cornerback. The addition of safeties Anthony Hawkins (Villanova), Tyler Brown (James Madison), and Cody Haddas (Ohio State) is particularly significant.
The team has excelled in third down defense and has been exceptional on fourth downs, leading the nation by allowing only five successful fourth down conversions out of 21 attempts (23.8%). Only Old Dominion registered a rate below 30%.
The linebacking corps has been revitalized. Jayden Montgomery recorded 44 tackles in a rotational role before securing a starting position in the middle for the latter half of last season. Landyn Van Kekerix and sophomore Cam Buffington are anticipated to contribute effectively.
It is noteworthy that Iowa did not engage in recruiting any linebackers through the transfer portal.
**What Requires Improvement**
As is customary at Iowa, the defensive line is expected to perform well; however, significant personnel changes necessitate replacements.
Most players who contributed to the sack total are no longer with the team, placing responsibility on Kenneth Merrieweather and Iose Espenesa to take on the roles on the exterior line.
Incoming players Lance Ingold (Northern Illinois) and Kahmari Brown (Elon) will be integrated into the rotation immediately.
Furthermore, the defensive tackles face challenges after the departure of a successful duo, Aaron Graves and Jonah Pace. Bryce Hawthorne has acquired considerable playing time in the rotation, while Brice Stevenson (Holy Cross) and Emmanuel Olagbaju (North Dakota) will make their contributions from the outset.
An increase in turnovers would be advantageous. Historically, Iowa has generated numerous big plays, averaging over 23 takeaways per season from 2021 to 2024. Last year, the team managed only 14 takeaways, with eight occurring during a three-game stretch in the middle of the season, resulting in just three fumble recoveries throughout.
**Player to Watch**
Zach Lutmer, Safety, Junior.
Lutmer possesses versatility, though he excels in the hybrid safety role, where he recorded 71 tackles, three interceptions, and seven passes defended. Allowing him the freedom to navigate will likely lead to significant positive outcomes.
**Keys to the Season**
1. Achieve robust all-around performance from the quarterback position.
2. Enhance pass-rushing effectiveness among the newly established defensive line.
3. Generate substantial plays from the comparatively untested receiving corps.
**Player Who Needs to Shine**
Jeremy Hecklinski, Sophomore Quarterback, or Hank Brown, Junior Quarterback.
It is important to recognize that Mark Gronowski, heralded as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in college football history at Iowa, holds the distinction of being the winningest quarterback in NCAA history, accounting for his achievements at South Dakota State.
The individual was unable to optimize the passing game; however, his performance in running, particularly in the red zone, and his considerable experience consistently benefitted the team. Hecklinski and Brown possess distinctly different playing styles, yet one of them must effectively assume the responsibilities left by Gronowski.
**Primary Concern**
The pass rush remains a significant issue. The defense managed a commendable 26 sacks and 63 tackles for loss; however, an increase in production and impactful plays within the backfield would be advantageous. Notably, only four of the 26 sacks occurred during the team’s four losses. A new starter on the edge must establish a presence that causes concern for opposing offenses.
**Key Game**
The matchup against Michigan on September 26 is pivotal. Securing a victory against the Wolverines in the Big Ten opener would be a considerable achievement and could be essential for the season. There is a realistic possibility of starting the Big Ten campaign with an 0-3 record prior to facing Minnesota. The Hawkeyes’ schedule features three road games within the initial four contests, alongside a home game against Ohio State and an away game against Washington that follows.
**Transfer Portal Activity**
The Hawkeyes did not engage extensively with the transfer portal; however, they also did not experience significant losses that would invoke concern. The secondary received the most immediate reinforcement, while the defensive front and receiving corps similarly benefitted from targeted transfers aimed at enhancement rather than complete overhaul.
**Most Impactful Signing**
Anthony Hawkins, Safety from Villanova, stands out among the Hawkeyes’ signings. His potential for immediate impact is notable, particularly in a position where there is a pressing need. As a freshman, Hawkins registered 59 tackles, two interceptions, and nine passes defended at Villanova, making him poised to contribute from the outset.
**Significant Departure**
Koen Entringer, Safety who transferred to Louisville, represents a major loss for the team. While edge rusher Brian Allen’s departure to Vanderbilt is also significant, Entringer’s prior season performance—including 73 tackles and four passes defended—underscored his value as a strong safety.
**Additional Players to Monitor**
Key names to watch include Tony Diaz, Wide Receiver from UT Rio Grande Valley; Emmanuel Olagbaju, Defensive Tackle from North Dakota; and Tyler Brown, Safety from James Madison.
**Season Prediction**
It remains to be seen whether this season will be the one in which Iowa secures an additional victory or two necessary for entry into the College Football Playoff, particularly with the expansion. Nevertheless, the team can still emerge as a formidable competitor in the Big Ten title race—provided that the new starters excel immediately.
Considering the schedule, along with the team’s talent and experience, it is reasonable to anticipate a challenging path to seven wins. Taking into account a decade of eight or more victories per season, with the exception of the 6-2 record in 2020, it is prudent to allow for some optimism.
**Projection: 8-4**
There are no scheduled matches against Indiana, Oregon, or USC, which were responsible for three of the four losses last season. Additionally, the absence of Penn State from this year’s schedule is noteworthy.
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NBA NEWS
JOHNI BROOME HEADED TO CLIPPERS AND SECOND-ROUND PICK IN TRADE WITH 76ERS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers have traded forward Johni Broome and a 2027 second-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for cash considerations.
In the deal announced Tuesday, the Clippers will receive the second-most favorable on Philadelphia’s three second-round picks next year.
The move comes on the heels of the 76ers’ free-agent signing of LeBron James to a two-year, veterans’ minimum contract last week.
The 76ers drafted Broome with the 35th overall pick of the 2025, but he was limited to 11 games, spending, most of the season with Philadelphia’s G League affiliate in Delaware. He averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 blocked shots with the Blue Coats.
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BASEBALL NEWS
REPORT: DODGERS MORE INTERESTED IN SKUBAL WITH OHTANI NOT PITCHING
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ interest in acquiring Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has increased due to Shohei Ohtani being unavailable to pitch, reports MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.
However, the Dodgers are unlikely to include top prospect Josue De Paula in a deal for Skubal, Morosi adds.
Adding Skubal to the rotation would provide the Dodgers with a solid replacement for Ohtani, whose availability to pitch remains unknown due to knee and biceps soreness that becomes bothersome when he throws.
While Los Angeles doesn’t have a glaring need to acquire Skubal, bringing him on would offer the club a better chance at becoming the first team to win three straight World Series since the New York Yankees in 1998-2000.
The Dodgers expect Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow to return before the end of the regular season, but both of them come with injury concerns. Additionally, Roki Sasaki (4.71 ERA) remains a work in progress, and All-Star Justin Wrobleski has already exceeded his previous major-league high in innings.
On Wednesday, Skubal entered his potential final start as a Tiger with a 2.70 ERA and 11.0 K/9. The pending free agent reached 1,000 career strikeouts during the outing.
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SHOHEI OHTANI EXPECTED TO PITCH AGAIN THIS SEASON, BUT DODGERS IN NO RUSH
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to pitch again this season, but they’re not rushing the two-way superstar back to the mound because of concern about him overcompensating while his left knee heals.
Andrew Friedman downplayed Ohtani’s right biceps soreness, too.
“If it weren’t for the knee, he would be pitching right now,” Friedman said Wednesday. “We didn’t want to put him in a position where he was altering his mechanics to try to protect the knee in any way.”
The team’s president of baseball operations said Ohtani is keeping his right arm active with plyometric throws using a medicine ball that takes the strain off constantly landing on his left leg.
“It keeps getting better,” Friedman said. “Does he feel 100% in his arm? No, but neither does any pitcher in late July.”
The team wants Ohtani’s knee to feel as good as possible before he begins a throwing program on flat ground or off a mound.
“I feel confident that relatively soon he’s going to start getting out and start ramping up for catch-play and bullpens and getting him back,” Friedman said.
That belief is based on the progress Ohtani says he’s felt so far and an MRI done on his knee during the All-Star break that came back clear. That’s also when he had a lubricant injection in his knee.
In the meantime, Ohtani will continue serving as the designated hitter. He has said his knee doesn’t bother him when he’s hitting.
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RANGERS ACQUIRE C LOGAN O’HOPPE, RHP CHASE SILSETH FROM ANGELS
The Texas Rangers dealt for catcher Logan O’Hoppe and relief pitcher Chase Silseth on Wednesday, sending the Los Angeles Angels minor league prospect Angel Arredondo in return.
O’Hoppe, 26, has appeared in 386 games over the past five years with the Angels. He owns a .227 career batting average, though he is hitting just .209 with four homers and 23 RBIs in 75 games this season.
His best season at the plate came in 2024, when he batted .244 with a .303 on-base percentage, a .409 slugging percentage, 20 homers and 56 RBIs in 136 games.
The Rangers, who are 55-53 and in first place in the AL West, were in significant need of a catcher following injuries to Danny Jansen and Kyle Higashioka, who both currently reside on the injured list.
Jansen, out since early June with an elbow injury, has been mulling elbow surgery, which would shut down his season. As part of the Wednesday roster dealings, he was moved to the 60-day injured list.
Higashioka is dealing with a flexor strain in his right elbow, an ailment that sent him to the IL a week ago.
In their absence, the Rangers have rotated between Elias Diaz, who is more of an asset on offense, and Austin Wynns, a better player on defense.
Where O’Hoppe fits into the mix remains to be seen, as the Rangers optioned him to Triple-A Round Rock immediately following the deal.
Silseth, like O’Hoppe, has seen a lot of action in 2026. The 26-year-old right-hander has a 3-2 record with a 2.72 ERA over 47 appearances (39 2/3 innings).
Silseth will join Texas’ active roster.
Arredondo is a 19-year-old infielder from Mexico. He has rotated between third base and shortstop for Class-A Hickory this season, batting .247 with eight homers and 47 RBIs in 87 games.
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O’S RALLY TO RUIN TARIK SKUBAL’S POSSIBLE DETROIT FAREWELL
Jackson Holliday drove in three runs, Colton Cowser knocked in the winning run and visiting Baltimore rallied from a seven-run deficit for a 10-9, 12-inning win, spoiling what may have been Tarik Skubal’s last start as a Detroit Tiger.
Cowser’s two-out single off Drew Sommers (0-2) drove home Taylor Ward after the teams each scored twice in the 11th.
Coby Mayo reached base four times and scored two runs while driving in two more. Ward added two RBIs.
Grant Wolfram (4-2) collected the win and Andrew Kittredge got the final out for his fourth save.
Skubal recorded his 1,000th career strikeout and shut the Orioles out through the first six innings. The subject of constant trade rumors all season, Skubal departed in the seventh with a six-run lead but the bullpen couldn’t hold it. He was charged with three runs and four hits with one walk and six strikeouts.Baseball coverage
Marlins 8, Phillies 6
Griffin Conine hit a two-run pinch homer in the eighth inning as Miami completed a three-game sweep of visiting Philadelphia after rallying from a six-run deficit.
Miami entered the series riding a 12-game losing streak — the longest in franchise history — but got well against Philadelphia, which is now 3-9 since the All-Star break. The Marlins rallied from a 6-0 hole in the fifth inning. Tyler Zuber (1-1) pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Trea Turner homered for the Phillies, while Bryson Stott knocked in a pair of runs. Jesus Luzardo surrendered six runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings while squandering the big early lead.
Giants 16, Brewers 3
Daniel Susac belted the first two home runs of his career, Luis Arraez and Heliot Ramos stroked four hits apiece and San Francisco captured the season series over National League Central-leading Milwaukee.
Susac finished with three runs and four RBIs, while Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee collected three RBIs apiece. Susac’s first homer — a three-run blast in a scoreless game — came in the second inning and was all the Giants’ scoring until the sixth, when a seven-run uprising turned a one-win margin into a 10-2 lead.
Brice Turang had two hits and two RBIs for the Brewers, who hadn’t allowed more than 14 runs in any previous game this season. Jake Bauers also had a pair of hits for Milwaukee, which was out-hit 17-8.
Royals 4, Twins 0
Randy Dobnak threw seven stellar innings against his former team and Tyler Tolbert homered to help Kansas City post a shutout victory over Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Dobnak (1-0), who appeared in 39 games (21 starts) with the Twins from 2019-25 and was traded away on July 28 of last year, allowed four hits. Tolbert, Nick Loftin and Jac Caglianone each had two hits and an RBI for the Royals, who improved to 8-4 since the All-Star break.
Joe Ryan (6-7) allowed four runs on eight hits across six innings for the Twins, who had won three straight games and five of their last six.
Astros 7, Angels 4
Yainer Diaz went 4-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored as Houston rallied from a three-run deficit to complete a three-game sweep of Los Angeles in Anaheim, Calif.
Hayden Wesneski (1-0), making his first major league appearance since May 6, 2025 after Tommy John surgery, allowed three runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Jeremy Pena homered, Jose Altuve had two hits and scored a run and Cam Smith added a two-run double for Houston, which won for the eighth time in nine games.
Jo Adell went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, Wade Meckler doubled and singled and Vaughn Grissom had two RBIs for Los Angeles, which lost for the sixth time in seven games. Mitch Farris (0-3) allowed three runs on two hits in one inning of relief.
Red Sox 4, Athletics 2 (10 innings)
Andruw Monasterio capped a three-hit outing with a two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning, leading Boston to a victory over the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.
Jahmai Jones also homered and Caleb Durbin had three hits for the Red Sox, who posted their 19th victory in the past 22 games. Nick Sogard had two hits and an RBI while Ceddanne Rafaela also had two hits for Boston.
Jonah Heim had a home run among his three hits and Lawrence Butler homered and doubled for the Athletics. Jeff McNeil added two hits for the A’s, who have lost 25 of their past 32 contests.
Cardinals 3, Cubs 2 (10 innings)
Ivan Herrera capped a three-run rally with a walk-off two-run double in the 10th inning and St. Louis snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over visiting Chicago.
Pete Crow-Armstrong broke a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning against Luis Gastelum (2-1) before the Cardinals rallied in the bottom half against Trent Thornton (3-4).
With runners on the corners and no outs, Thornton walked JJ Wetherholt to load the bases before a run scored on Jordan Walker’s forceout. Herrera followed with a two-run double to left field.
White Sox 6, Yankees 5 (12 innings)
Edgar Quero blooped a walk-off RBI single to center field in the 12th inning after the White Sox bullpen delivered six innings of one-run ball, lifting Chicago to a victory against visiting New York.
White Sox reliever Jordan Hicks (1-1) escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the 12th. Sam Antonacci and Munetaka Murakami hit back-to-back home runs for the White Sox to tie the game at 4-all in the eighth.
Spencer Jones went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer for the Yankees. Ryan Yarbrough (2-1) surrendered the decisive run in the 12th.
Dodgers 4, Mariners 2
Andy Pages delivered a home run among his three hits, Eric Lauer gave up one hit over six scoreless innings and Los Angeles finished off a victory over visiting Seattle.
Lauer (6-5) improved to 5-0 with a 2.96 ERA since joining Los Angeles in May. Edwin Diaz came off the injured list and got his fifth save despite allowing a run in the ninth.
Cole Young had two hits and an RBI for the Mariners. Emerson Hancock (6-5) gave up three runs on eight hits over five innings.
Blue Jays 5, Nationals 2
Right-hander Trey Yesavage pitched a strong 6 2/3 innings and visiting Toronto defeated Washington.
Yesavage (5-5) allowed one run and three hits in the rubber match of a three-game series. Right-hander Louis Varland allowed a walk and a single in two innings to earn his 23rd save. Kazuma Okamoto had three hits with a two-run double for the Blue Jays.
Washington took a 1-0 lead in the fourth. CJ Abrams led off with a walk, advanced to third on two groundouts and trotted home when Jacob Young looped a double to left. Starter Zack Littell allowed no runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Diamondbacks 3, Pirates 0
Eduardo Rodriguez threw eight scoreless innings, and Gabriel Moreno hit a go-ahead two-run home run to propel Arizona to a potentially crucial shutout of host Pittsburgh.
Arizona won two of three against Pittsburgh and are tied for second in the National League wild-card race. The Diamondbacks also secured the season tiebreaker against the Pirates, who are one of multiple teams in contention for a postseason berth.
The Pirates went 2-4 over their past six games at home against the Chicago Cubs and Diamondbacks, who are two of those contending teams.
Mets 3, Braves 2 (Game 1)
Carson Benge had two hits, including the go-ahead run-scoring double in the seventh inning, as host New York edged Atlanta in the first game of a split doubleheader.
The Mets never trailed, taking a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning on an RBI double by Francisco Alvarez and a sacrifice fly from A.J. Ewing. Sean Manaea allowed two runs on five hits over six innings, Huascar Brazoban (5-2) worked a scoreless seventh and Devin Williams worked around a two-out single to register his 15th save.
Matt Olson’s sixth-inning homer, his 28th, knocked in the only runs of the game for the Braves. A.J. Smith-Shawver surrendered two runs on four hits over 4 1/3 innings in his season debut after undergoing Tommy John surgery last June. Dylan Dodd (1-1) allowed two walks in the seventh before giving up Benge’s double.
Braves 1, Mets 0 (Game 2)
Chris Sale and a trio of relievers combined on a two-hitter for visiting Atlanta, which beat New York to earn a doubleheader split.
Matt Olson snapped the scoreless tie with a run-scoring single in the sixth inning. Sale (12-6) gave up two hits, walked none and struck out nine in six innings. Raisel Iglesias tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his 22nd save.
Christian Scott (3-3) allowed the one run on five hits over a season-high six innings as the Mets had their three-game winning streak end.
Guardians 6, Reds 1
Kyle Manzardo homered and drove in two runs and Travis Bazzana had two hits, a run and an RBI as visiting Cleveland defeated Cincinnati.
Gabriel Arias went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and an RBI for the Guardians, who unleashed a 12-hit attack to clinch a series win in the Ohio Cup matchup. Cleveland reliever Erik Sabrowski (4-2) struck out the only two batters he faced.
Reds starter Brady Singer (5-10) allowed four runs, all unearned, on six hits in 4 1/3 innings. Cincinnati’s Noelvi Marte hit an RBI single.
Padres 5, Rockies 1
Six pitchers combined on a six-hitter, while Jackson Merrill knocked in a run during a three-run fourth inning that lifted San Diego to a win over visiting Colorado which ran its winning streak to five games.
Bulk Padres reliever Griffin Canning (2-9) earned the win after tossing three shutout innings, yielding only one hit. Mason Miller recorded his 28th save in as many chances. Luis Renfigo tacked on an RBI groundout and Gavin Sheets capped off the only inning San Diego scored with a sacrifice fly.
Gabriel Hughes (0-3) absorbed the loss for the Rockies, allowing six hits and three runs in five-plus innings. Brett Sullivan was the only player with multiple hits and provided Colorado’s lone RBI with a run-scoring single in the seventh. The Rockies have lost 14 of their last 15 games at the Padres.
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NHL NEWS
MACKLIN CELEBRINI GETS 5-YEAR, $94M EXTENSION FROM THE SHARKS IN THE NHL’S RICHEST DEAL EVER
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — San Jose Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million extension Wednesday that will make him the highest-paid player in the NHL.
Celebrini had one year remaining on his three-year, $2.925 million entry-level contract before signing the deal that keeps him locked up with the Sharks through the 2031-32 season.
The $18.8 million average annual value of the deal that Celebrini reached with general manager Mike Grier and owner Hasso Plattner is the richest in NHL history, topping the $18 million a year Leo Carlsson got when Anaheim matched a five-year offer sheet from Philadelphia.
“I couldn’t be happier to sign an extension today,” Celebrini said in a statement. “The faith and support that Mr. Plattner, Mike Grier and the entire staff have shown me throughout the past two seasons is proof that we are building something special here. My teammates and I are ready to take another step toward the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to this city and its incredible fans. I can’t wait to get going.”
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GOLF NEWS
PGA TOUR SUSPENDED TREY MULLINAX 6 MONTHS FOR VIOLATING ANTI-DOPING POLICY
The PGA Tour suspended golfer Trey Mullinax for six months on Wednesday for testing positive for a substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Mullinax, 34, will be eligible to return to the tour on Jan. 16, 2027. He did not identify the substance in a statement Wednesday, and neither did the PGA Tour, nor when he tested positive to violate its performance-enhancing subtances policy.
“I take full responsibility for what happened,” Mullinax said in a statement. “At the end of the day, it is my responsibility to understand and follow the PGA Tour’s anti-doping policy and all of its rules and regulations. I failed to do that, and that is on me.”
Mullinax indicated the positive test came from taking a medication for a condition that he was first diagnosed with in college.
“My lack of knowledge is not an excuse. It was my responsibility to know the rules before taking any medication and I failed to do so. I want to be absolutely clear — I have never taken any substance with the intention of gaining a competitive advantage,” Mullinax said. “Anyone who knows me knows how much I respect this game and the values it represents. I accept the consequences of my actions and will use this experience as a lesson.”
His lone win on the PGA Tour came at the Barbasol Championship on July 10, 2022, when he had his best FedExCup finish of 33rd in 2021-22.
Mullinax has dealt with hip injuries for the past three seasons, and his major medical extension on the tour expired last year at the end of the FedExCup Fall schedule.
He has played in two tour events this year, missing the cut at both the Texas Children’s Houston Open in March and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April. Mullinax is ranked No. 150 in the FedExCup Fall standings and No. 544 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
“Golf has given me so much, and I never want one mistake to define the respect I have for the game or for the people who support me,” he said in the statement. “Thank you to everyone who has supported me, and I look forward to competing again in 2027.”
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TORREY PINES ADDED TO PGA TOUR’S NEW CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES IN 2028
The PGA Tour’s yearly tournament at Torrey Pines will become part of the new Championship Series when the circuit introduces its redesigned competitive structure in 2028.
The San Diego-area event will be known as The Sentry beginning in 2027 under a new title sponsorship agreement. The first edition under that name is scheduled for Jan. 27-30, 2027.
The Championship Series is expected to feature 23 or 24 events for the tour’s leading players between February and August. The schedule will include the four major championships, The Players Championship, a redesigned postseason and the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup.
The Sentry joins the Travelers Championship and a new Sompo-sponsored tournament as regular-season events already confirmed for the Championship Series. The remaining tournaments and complete 2028 schedule will be announced later.
A Challenger Series with at least 20 events will run concurrently with the Championship Series. Players can move between the two levels through a promotion-and-relegation system.
The tournament began as the San Diego Open in 1952 and has been held at Torrey Pines since 1968. It was called the Farmers Insurance Open from 2010 to 2026.
Torrey Pines has also hosted two U.S. Opens, including Tiger Woods’ playoff victory over Rocco Mediate in 2008.
Englishman Justin Rose won the final Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on Feb. 1, finishing at a tournament-record 23 under for a seven-shot victory.
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TOP INDIANA HEADLINES/SPORTS RELEASES
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Indianapolis Indians opened a 2-0 lead, but the Louisville Bats came back and defeated them, 5-3, on Wednesday night at Louisville Slugger Field.
After the Indianapolis (18-11, 49-55) manufactured a run in both the second and third innings, Louisville (10-19, 49-53) rallied for four unanswered runs. Michael Chavis singled home the first Bats run in the fourth frame and a three-run double from Michael Toglia in the next inning gave the Bats a 4-2 lead.
Indianapolis (18-11, 49-55) cut the deficit to 4-3 when Dominic Fletcher launched a line drive single to right field in the sixth inning, one of his three hits in the contest. Chavis struck again in the eighth with his 20th homer of the season to put the game away, 5-3.
Nick Dombkowski made his return to Triple-A allowing just one run in his 4.0-inning start. Following him was Thomas Harrington (L, 1-6) who allowed three runs and Brandon Neeck (2.2ip) who gave up one.
Bats’ Johnathan Harmon allowed three runs in his 4.2 innings. Louisville also saw appearances from Zach McCambley (W, 4-1), Sam Benschoter (2.0ip) who allowed one run and Cameron Cotter (S, 1) who allowed no runs in his 2.0-inning club debut.
The six-game series between Indianapolis and Louisville continues Thursday at 6:35 PM ET. RHP Jose Acuna (1-2, 6.86) will take the hill for the Bats the Indians starter has not yet been announced.
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INDIANA FOOTBALL 2026
Head Coach Curt Cignetti’s impressive record at Indiana University establishes a promising trajectory for a return to postseason competition. Although Indiana must find a replacement for its inaugural Heisman Trophy winner, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, as well as several key players who transferred from James Madison—namely Aiden Fisher, Elijah Sarratt, and D’Angelo Ponds—Cignetti has demonstrated remarkable aptitude as a talent evaluator in recent collegiate seasons. There exists a substantial degree of confidence within the program that Indiana University has laid the foundation for sustained success.
**Offense**
Cignetti adheres to the philosophy of prioritizing “production over potential,” particularly when it comes to transfer acquisitions. One such player embodying this principle is Josh Hoover, the former quarterback from Texas Christian University, who will take over for Heisman Trophy winner Mendoza. Hoover boasts the highest level of productivity among returning quarterbacks in the Football Bowl Subdivision, having amassed 9,629 passing yards and 71 touchdowns over 36 games, including 31 starts. While he has exhibited a tendency for turnovers and lacks the physical stature of Mendoza—being generously listed at approximately 6 feet 2 inches—Hoover is a cerebral player who is expected to excel within Cignetti’s offensive framework.
He will be further supported by a highly experienced offensive line, which includes three returning starters, notably Carter Smith, the reigning Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, positioned at left tackle.
Wide receiver Charlie Becker concluded the 2025 season displaying potential as one of the nation’s premier playmakers, having made a series of remarkable catches that contributed to Indiana’s national championship victory. He will be complemented by Nick Marsh, a former leading receiver from Michigan State, which will enhance Indiana’s passing attack significantly.
Sophomore running back Khobie Martin also merits attention as he transitions from a reserve role and appears poised for a breakout season.
**Defense**
Indiana has successfully recruited one of the top defensive ends, Tobi Osunsanmi, and a leading cornerback, AJ Harris, from the transfer portal while retaining six starters from the previous season. This includes two starting defensive tackles, Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino, as well as linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones.
The combination of this talent is expected to empower Defensive Coordinator Bryant Haines to replicate the defensive chaos exhibited last season. The Hoosiers recorded the second-most sacks in the FBS with 46, while leading the nation in tackles for a loss with 129, utilizing a strategic mix of stunts, twists, simulated pressures, and deceptive formations in the secondary.
**Special Teams**
Indiana’s special teams units have been recognized as among the best nationally. The returning placekicker, Nico Radicic, has proven to be an effective asset, achieving success on 28 of 30 field-goal attempts since 2024. Additionally, the roster includes a number of talented athletes—receivers Tyler Morris and Shazz Preston, along with running back Lee Beebe Jr.—who are capable of contributing significantly to the return game.
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DE Triston Abram has left the football team. Abram entered the portal Wednesday. The Missouri native was a 3-star signee in the 2025 class.
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PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL
NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.- Purdue closed out its Canadian excursion with its second-largest margin of victory this trip, taking down the University of Fraser Valley 97-62.
Freshman, Jacob Webber, recorded 21 points on the night to lead Purdue, shooting 6-for-7 from 3-point range. C.J. Cox (12), Luke Ertel (12), and Caden Pierce (11) all finished in double-digits as well.
Through three quarters the Boilers outscored UFV 84-33, but a strong fourth quarter from the Cascades, with 29 points to Purdue’s 13, kept the contest to a 35-point deficit.
The Boilers cleared the benches against the Cascades, with all 15 eligible players taking the court. Purdue had another balanced attack in this one, with 12 players in the score column, including all five freshmen.
Purdue returns to West Lafayette with four wins after the international trip and looks ahead to its opening exhibition against Ball State Oct. 18.
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BUTLER SWIMMING
Head Coach Maurice Stewart has announced the hiring of Kyle Haflich as an assistant coach for the 2026-27 season.
“I am excited to have Kyle join the Butler swimming coaching staff for the 2026-27 season,” said Stewart. “I am confident Kyle and I will work together as we have similar coaching philosophies and vision for success. Kyle will be a positive motivator for the team, and he will be a good on-deck coach that will yield fast swimming results. He will also be a strong recruiter for the team.”
“I am so excited to start my collegiate coaching career at Butler,” said Haflich. “I have always wanted to coach collegiately and doing it in my hometown of Indianapolis and being back in the BIG EAST makes it extra special. I look forward to learning from Coach Stewart and being a great resource for the women on the team in hopes that we can keep climbing the ranks of the BIG EAST.”
Haflich comes to Butler after serving as the Head Age Group Coach for the Warriors Swim Club in Whiteland. He also served as head coach of the Whiteland middle school team and as an assistant coach for the varsity team. His main responsibilities in his role will be on-deck coaching, team operations and recruiting.
During his time in Whiteland, Haflich helped build the program’s numbers and helped coach multiple swimmers who broke school and club records over the years.
Haflich was a student-athlete at Seton Hall from 2018-2021 before transferring to Franklin College in 2021. He was a multi-time conference finalist and holds multiple school records. The Fishers, Ind. native was also a CSC Academic All-District selection with Franklin.
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BALL STATE MEN’S GOLF
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men’s golf program is excited to welcome veteran Mid-American Conference coach Bruce Cunningham to the Cardinals family, announced by head coach Mike Fleck. Cunningham will serve as assistant coach heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bruce to our program,” Fleck stated. “His more than three decades of head coaching experience, consistent success, and passion for developing young men make him an outstanding addition to our family and staff. His familiarity with the MAC and the courses we compete on will give our players a valuable advantage, and his leadership will help our student-athletes continue to grow as competitors, teammates, and men.”
Cunningham comes to Muncie after spending two seasons at Miami (OH) from 2024-26 as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In his first year in Oxford, Cunningham helped the RedHawks earn its first top-100 national ranking since 2020. The following season culminated in the program’s first conference title and NCAA appearance since 2015, as well as an individual conference champion.
A three-time MAC Coach of the Year (2007, 2008, 2019) at Eastern Michigan, Cunningham led the Eagles to three MAC Team Championships during those award-winning campaigns. Throughout his three-decade tenure in Ypsilanti from 1994-2024, he helped the development of 29 All-MAC selections, 41 Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) Academic All-Americans, three MAC Players of the Year and two conference championship medalists. Within that span, Cunningham was also the head coach of the Eastern Michigan women’s program from 1997-99.
Beyond his experience with the men’s and women’s programs at Eastern Michigan, Cunningham shared his knowledge and expertise as a physical education golf instructor at the university from 1994-2004.
On the national stage at EMU, Cunningham coached a team or an individual to appear in a total of six NCAA Regionals and one national championship. He was also a driving force that helped the Eagles achieve the program’s first-ever at-large bid in 2010 as the No. 11 seed.
Along with his coaching responsibilities, Cunningham served as chairman of the GCAA/NCAA National District IV Committee in 2004 and was a GCAA National District IV Ethics Representative from 1997-2001.
Prior to EMU, Cunningham, a Class A PGA Golf Professional, spent time as an assistant golf professional at Oakland Hills Country Club from 1989-1994. He was also the senior tournament director for the Junior Ping Tour, presented by ESPN and Golfweek, from 1989-93. From 1987-89, Cunningham was an assistant golf professional at Palm Aire Country Club in Sarasota, Florida. He also worked as an assistant professional at Marion (OH) Country Club from 1986-88.
Cunningham spent his collegiate career as team captain of the men’s golf program at Wittenberg University. The two-time team MVP competed in four national championships and claimed two Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Championships (1982 and 1985) before graduating in 1985.
A native of Ashland, Ohio, Cunningham was a three-time all-conference golfer at Ashland High School. He also earned all-conference honors in basketball.
Cunningham and his wife, Marci, have two children, Allegra and Hagen.
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BALL STATE ATHLETICS
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns has been selected to serve as the Mid-American Conference’s representative on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers, the Conference announced Wednesday.
“I am honored to be selected to the College Football Playoff Board of Managers,” President Mearns said. “This is an exciting opportunity for Ball State University and for the Mid-American Conference, and I look forward to contributing to the important work of this committee in its role of guiding the future of college football.”
The CFP Board of Managers is composed of presidents and chancellors representing the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision conferences, along with the University of Notre Dame.
The Board of Managers governs the CFP’s business, property and affairs by developing, reviewing and approving annual budgets, policies and operating guidelines. The board also appoints and removes CFP officers and maintains authority over all aspects of the organization’s operations.
Mearns succeeds University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi as the Mid-American Conference’s representative on the board.
“President Mearns is an experienced and highly respected leader who will represent the Mid-American Conference exceptionally well on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers,” MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher said. “His extensive service in NCAA governance, combined with his background as a university president and former collegiate student-athlete, gives him a valuable perspective as the board addresses important decisions affecting the future of college football.”
Mearns has served as the 17th president of Ball State University since May 2017. Under his leadership, the University has advanced its long-term strategic plan, Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, increased alumni engagement and fundraising, expanded public-private partnerships and strengthened its commitment to the Muncie community.
A former competitive collegiate athlete, Mearns has held several prominent NCAA governance positions, including service on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, Division I Administrative Committee, Division I Budget and Finance Committee and NCAA Board of
Governors Finance and Audit Committee. He has also served as chair of the Division I Infractions Process Committee.
Before joining Ball State, Mearns served for five years as president of Northern Kentucky University. He previously held leadership positions at Cleveland State University, first as dean of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and later as provost.
Prior to his career in higher education, Mearns served as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Yale University and his law degree from the University of Virginia.
About the Mid-American Conference
Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of 10 members of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Current full member MAC institutions include the University of Akron, Ball State University, Bowling Green State University, the University at Buffalo, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Kent State University, the University of Massachusetts, Miami University, Ohio University, the University of Toledo and Western Michigan University.
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INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEB SITES
UINDY ATHLETICS: https://athletics.uindy.edu/
MARIAN ATHLETICS: https://muknights.com/
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/
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
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TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1901 – Ban Johnson says the American League will place a team in St. Louis in 1902. The Milwaukee franchise is seen as the most likely to be transferred. New York will likely have a franchise while Cleveland and Baltimore will likely lose theirs.
1904 – Cardinals pitcher Jack Taylor walks seven and tosses three wild pitches to help the host Pirates beat St. Louis, 5 – 2. The outcome will be viewed suspiciously because several local gamblers bet heavily on Pittsburgh before the game, but the real reason is Taylor and Jake Beckley’s late-night public drinking.
1906:
At the Polo Grounds, the New York Giants jump on Cincy’s Bob Wicker, lighting him up for 17 hits to win, 9 – 1. Christy Mathewson and Cy Seymour each have three hits, with Matty exiting the game after six innings. The umps call the game after eight innings on account of darkness.
A State Supreme Court judge rules that, despite “voluntary contributions” instead of paid admissions, Brooklyn is conducting a business enterprise and thus violating the law prohibiting Sunday baseball in New York. Sunday baseball in Brooklyn will not be legal until 1919.
1907 – Cincinnati Reds manager Ned Hanlon, whose managing days began in 1889 at Pittsburgh, announces this will be his last season. His record includes five pennants – four at Baltimore, one at Brooklyn.
1909 – After winning 13 in a row, Christy Mathewson loses to Pittsburgh, 3 – 1, giving up four hits and three runs in the 1st inning. Red Ames relieves in the 2nd. Mathewson’s record is now 15-3.
1910 – The “surprise of the year,” according to Ed Bang in Sporting Life, “came on July 30th when it was announced that the Naps had secured Joe Jackson from the New Orleans Pelicans for $5,000. It is believed that Connie Mack made the Naps the concession [as part of the Bris Lord-Morrie Rath trade] to allow them to purchase Jackson from New Orleans.” Jackson had been up with the A’s briefly in 1908 and 1909.
1914:
It’s a bad day for the Chief as the Giants lose a tough one to the Reds, 2 – 0. Giants catcher Jack “Chief” Meyers doubles in the 6th and then is out for missing first base. In the 9th, he throws one ball over Milt Stock’s head at third base, bounces one to second base on a steal, and tosses another into center field. The three errors hand Christy Mathewson the loss.
Ernie Shore stops the White Sox, 4 – 0, to give the Red Sox rookie a 4-0 record.
1916:
The New York Times Book Review pans Ring Lardner’s baseball novel You Know Me Al, recently published by George H. Doran Company at $1.25. The reviewer says “the author was for some time sporting writer on a Chicago newspaper, and so may be supposed to know his subject thoroughly, but for the honor of the ‘national game’ we trust that his ‘busher’ is not typical of the majority of its players […] As it contains many accounts of baseball games strung together on the thinnest possible thread of plot, it may please the ‘fans.'” Notwithstanding the poor review, the novel will be recognized in time as a classic.
Carl Mays tops the St. Louis Browns, 9 – 3, for a Red Sox win. With the Browns sweeping the Yankees, Boston goes into first place.
1917:
The host Red Sox top the White Sox, 3 – 1, behind Babe Ruth’s four-hitter. Chicago bunches three of the four hits in the 3rd, including an RBI triple by Joe Jackson.
The Tigers’ Ty Cobb, Bobby Veach and Ossie Vitt follow each other in the lineup, each going 5 for 5 in a 16 – 4 win over Washington. Having three players collect five hits ties the major-league record for the century. Cobb also scores five times.
1922:
The Browns move to a 1 1/2-game lead, beating the Red Sox, 4 – 1, as the White Sox beat New York. Ken Williams hits his 26th homer, one of three Brownie bombs.
The Pirates again top the Giants, 7 – 0, as Max Carey bangs another two home runs. The Pirates will win two more to sweep the four-game series with the Giants.
The Giants send pitchers Fred Toney and Larry Benton to the Braves with $100,000 and bring back righthander Hugh McQuillan. Toney refuses to report and stays in New York. When Benton develops into a consistent pitcher, the Giants will buy him back.
1924 – Bill Sherdel is called out of the Cardinals bullpen to pitch to pinch-hitter Johnny Mokan of the Phillies. There are no outs in the 2nd with runners on first and second base. Sherdel throws one ball, and Mokan bunts it in the air to Jim Bottomley coming in from first. He throws to SS Jimmy Cooney, who doubles the runner at second base and throws to Rogers Hornsby who goes covering first base. A triple play on one pitch. Sherdel stays in the game until the end and gets the win for the Cards, 9 – 8.
1925 – The White Sox stop Stan Coveleski’s winning streak at 13, beating Washington, 11 – 1.
1930 – The Reds lose a night-time exhibition game in Indianapolis. Five years from now, the Reds will be the first major league team to play a night game as part of the regular season.
1933:
Cardinal pitcher Dizzy Dean sets a modern major league record striking out 17 Cubs. Teammate catcher Jimmie Wilson also sets a new mark recording 18 putouts.
Burleigh Grimes, nine days short of his 40th birthday, is released by the Cubs and signs with the Cardinals.
1936:
The Boston Red Sox, led by owner Tom Yawkey and accompanied by American League President Will Harridge, fly from St. Louis to Chicago aboard one plane. Five players elect to take the train. In 1934, the Reds flew from Cincinnati to Chicago, but divided the players among three planes. Some of the Reds still chose to take the train.
Buffalo pitcher Bill Harris tosses his second no-hitter in the International League, stopping Newark.
At Brooklyn, the Cardinals’ Jim Winford tosses a four-hitter in stopping Casey Stengel’s men, 7 – 0. The Cards climb to within a game of the top as the Cubs lose. After the game, at Mama Leone’s on West 48th Street, baseball writers give a birthday dinner to Stengel.
Kiki Cuyler of the Reds has eight straight hits – all singles – during a doubleheader split with the Phils. The Reds win the opener, 5 – 0, behind Bill Hallahan, then lose, 5 – 4, to veteran Ray Benge, making his first start for the Quakers since being acquired on waivers from the Bees.
Vern Kennedy wins his tenth in a row, pitching the White Sox to a win over the A’s, 7 – 4. Bob Kennedy connects off his namesake for his 16th homer of the year, while Gordon “Dusty” Rhodes is handed one of his American League-high twenty losses. Hod Lisenbee, signed yesterday, is effective in relief of Rhodes.
The Yankees, with Jake Powell back in CF for the injured Myril Hoag, drop a 5 – 4 decision to Detroit. On August 1st, Powell will go to LF, with Joe DiMaggio playing CF for the first time. George Selkirk will return to RF. The Yanks loses today when Charlie Gehringer ties the match with a two-run homer in the 8th. Bill Dickey allows a ball to get by him in the 10th and Jack Burns scores the winner. Schoolboy Rowe pitches ten innings for the win over Johnny Broaca.
At the funeral of Charles Knapp, president of the Baltimore Orioles as well as the International League, Warren Giles is named interim league president. Giles is the president of the Rochester Red Wings. With Knapp’s death, Mary Dunn, majority owner of the Orioles, assumes the role of team president.
1940 – Veteran Lou Finney hits so well for the Red Sox early in the season that manager Joe Cronin must make a place for him in the lineup. With rookie Dom DiMaggio joining Ted Williams and Doc Cramer in the OF, Cronin puts Finney at 1B when Jimmie Foxx volunteers to catch. The experiment lasts but a few games.
1943 – Phil Cavarretta of the Chicago Cubs homers off the RF foul pole against Johnny Allen of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The ball is retrieved and Bill Nicholson hits the next pitch out of Wrigley Field. The result: one ball, one pitcher, two pitches, two home runs. The Cubs go on to beat the Dodgers, 13 – 2.
1944 – The fourth straight bad start by Bucky Walters of Cincinnati will deprive him of the ERA title. Bucky gives up 27 runs in 24 innings after a brilliant start of the season. He will recover to win 23 games and finish with an ERA of 2.40, but teammate Ed Heusser will be the ERA champ with 2.38.
1947 – The New York Giants edge the Cincinnati Reds, 6 – 5, in ten innings, ending Ewell Blackwell’s winning streak at 16 games. All games are complete games and five are shutouts.
1948 – At Cleveland, the Red Sox are victorious, 8 – 7, for their 25th win of the month, a club record.
1950:
Del Ennis of the Phils hits his second grand slam in three days in a 10 – 0 pasting of Pittsburgh. He adds a two-run homer as the Phils take the second game, 4 – 2, and helps the Phils boost their lead to three games over St. Louis. His seven RBIs in two games gives him 41 for the month, a new Phils record.
The Cards stop the Giants, 6 – 3, to end New York’s win streak of nine games. Gerry Staley wins his tenth on a seven-hitter and is backed by Enos Slaughter’s single, double and triple. Red Schoendienst’s wide toss to third base in the 9th ends his streak of 57 games without an error. He had handled 323 chances during the streak.
1951:
Joe DiMaggio makes a rare mental error against Detroit, catching a Steve Souchock fly ball in deep CF and, thinking it’s the third out, begins trotting in. It’s only the second out, and George Kell scores from second base to make the score 4 – 2 in the 8th. Despite the lapse, the Yanks win, 5 – 4, with DiMag redeeming himself by knocking in the winning run in the 9th.
Ty Cobb testifies in front of Congress, denying the reserve clause makes “peons” out of baseball players.
1952:
Journeyman hurler Lou Kretlow fashions his second consecutive two-hitter, as the White Sox down New York, 7 – 0.
Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick sets a waiver rule to bar inter-league deals until all clubs bid with the club lowest in the league to get the first pick. He sets the price at $10,000. He also bars all other deals after July 31st.
1953 – The Giants’ Monte Irvin grounds into three double plays, tying a National League record, as Milwaukee wins, 5 – 0.
1954 – Against Allie Reynolds, 3B Bob Kennedy hits the first grand slam for the new Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles surpass the top season attendance the Browns had in their 52 years, as they draw 27,385 for the game, giving them 7,000 more than the 712,918 St. Louis drew in 1922.
1955 – The Orioles get P Ed Lopat from the Yankees for P Jim McDonald and cash.
1957 – Ron Northey hits his ninth pinch-hit home run, off Buster Freeman, enabling the Phillies to beat the Reds, 8 – 5.
1959:
In his major league debut, Willie McCovey goes 4 for 4 with two triples off Robin Roberts to lead the Giants to a 7 – 2 win over the Phils. McCovey was hitting .372 with 29 home runs at Phoenix when promoted.
The Pacific Coast League’s Portland Beavers sue Major League Baseball for $1.8 million, citing unfair practices through television that could bring the downfall of the minor leagues. They warn MLB not to start a third league or expand.
The Southern Association suspends Chattanooga 1B Jesse Levan for life because of his involvement as a go-between for gamblers seeking to fix games. His teammate Waldo Gonzalez receives a one-year suspension.
1960 – Just as he predicts, Philadelphia P Art Mahaffey, just called up from Buffalo, picks off the first batter to get a hit against him. Then, with the next batter to get a hit, he does it again. Curt Flood and Bill White are the baserunner victims, but St. Louis still wins, 6 – 3. In his next game, the first batter to get a hit off Mahaffey will be Jim Marshall, and Mahaffey will pick him off as well.
1962:
After mysteriously disappearing off the team bus to use the rest room three days ago and trying to fly to Israel, pitcher Gene Conley returns to the Red Sox and is fined $2,000. Yesterday, he sent a telegram to manager Mike Higgins explaining he was tired and had other plans.
Homers by Leon Wagner, Pete Runnels and Rocky Colavito power the American League past the National League, 9 – 4, in the second All-Star Game of 1962.
1963 – The Phillies tally 11 hits off the Giants’ Billy O’Dell, but the Digger shuts them out, 5 – 0.
1965 – Milwaukee manager Bobby Bragan says his pitchers threw 75 to 80 spitballs in a 9 – 2 loss to the Giants. Bragan says he ordered the spitters to prove rules against them are not being enforced.
1966:
The Twins’ Dave Boswell allows just a 7th-inning single to Russ Snyder in beating the Orioles, 7 – 0.
Chicago’s Gary Peters shuts down the Yankees, 6 – 0, facing just 29 batters. The efficient Peters uses just 75 pitches.
1968
In the 1st inning, Washington SS Ron Hansen turns the eighth unassisted triple play in major league history and the first in 41 years. Cleveland’s Joe Azcue hits a liner to Hansen, who steps on second base to double Dave Nelson, and tags Russ Snyder sliding into second base for the third out. Hansen’s effort is not enough, as Washington loses, 10 – 1.
Roberto Clemente makes “an impossible catch” in Pittsburgh’s doubleheader sweep of the Braves. So says manager Larry Shepard. The grab is described by Les Biederman in the Pittsburgh Press: “The one play that brought the fans up screaming was a Roberto Clemente fielding special. Mike Lum, the Chinese rookie outfielder, was the victim. Lum hit a shot off Steve Blass that was headed for the right field wall, near the 375-foot-mark. Clemente took off in pursuit and ran as hard and as fast as he could. Just as he approached the wall, Clemente reached up and caught the ball, still with his back to the diamond. He crashed into the wall, bruised his chin and fell down. He was stunned for a second but held the ball.”
1969:
Using five homers, the Braves thrash the Phils, 6 – 3, in the first game of a twinbill. Felipe Alou and Hank Aaron homer and Bob Tillman, hitting .187, hits three in a row. Aaron’s blast is the 537th of his career and moves him past Mickey Mantle on the all-time list. The Phils win the nitecap, 4 – 3. Dick Allen homers in the 2nd inning and follows a Johnny Callison homer in the 8th with his second shot of the game.
It is a bad day for the Mets at Shea Stadium. In the first of two games, Houston scores 11 runs in the 9th inning, eight coming home on grand slams by Jimmy Wynn and Denis Menke, to trounce the Mets, 16 – 3. This is the first time this century in the National League that two grand slams have come in the same inning, with Mets pitchers Cal Koonce and Ron Taylor teeing up the honors. The last time in the American League was July 18, 1962. Taylor also serves up a single to Houston relief pitcher Fred Gladding, the only hit of Gladding’s career in 63 at bats and 450 games. The second game is no different as the Astros tally ten runs in the 3rd inning to thrash the Mets, 11 – 5. Curt Blefary triples with the sacks full and pitcher Larry Dierker (13-8) homers with a man on.
1971:
The Indians, with a 42-61 record, fire manager Alvin Dark. Johnny Lipon takes over, but the team will go 18-41 the rest of the season.
Frank Robinson’s home run spoils a no-hit bid by the Royals’ Dick Drago, who loses, 1 – 0, in a rain-shortened game. Play is stopped with one out in the 5th. Robby’s homer is his 493rd, tying him with Lou Gehrig for 11th place on the homer list.
1972:
The Angels beat Kansas City, 4 – 3, when Bob Oliver hits a leadoff home run in the 11th inning against his former team. The win goes to Lloyd Allen, relegated to the bullpen after five straight losses as a starter. Allen’s batterymate, Jack Hiatt, is 1 for 1 after taking over in the late innings. Hiatt, purchased yesterday from the Astros, appears without a number on his uniform since there was not enough time to sew one on.
Ralph Garr and Earl Williams collect ten hits and ten runs between them to lead the Braves to 14 – 4 and 5 – 4 victories over the Dodgers. They each have four RBIs in the two games.
1973 – The Rangers’ Jim Bibby no-hits first-place Oakland, 6 – 0, while teammate Jeff Burroughs hits the second of three grand slams in a ten-day period (July 26th-August 4th). Bibby, who came to Texas in a June 6th trade with the Cardinals, strikes out 13 batters.
1975:
Jose Sosa, a pitcher, homers in his first major league at-bat in an Astro 8 – 4 victory over the Padres. It will be his only home run in the majors.
Pat Darcy pitches a complete game win, 6 – 1, over the visiting Giants. It’s the first complete game by a Reds pitcher in 45 games.
1976:
In an International League game in Memphis, TN, the Blues’ Art Gardner hits a 3rd-inning shot off the CF wall and, while Syracuse OF Rick Bladt searches for the ball, Gardner circles the bases for an inside-the-park home run. When Bladt can’t find the ball, the umpires rule the hit is only a double.
The Reds do all their scoring in the first three innings to beat San Diego, 13 – 8, in the first of two. Cincy adds a 4 – 2 win in the nitecap to sweep as Johnny Bench hits his 250th homer.
1977 – Yankee pitcher Don Gullett picks up his tenth win of the year, a 9 – 3 victory over the A’s. But it will prove to be his final win of the year when he injures his shoulder in the 7th inning and leaves the game.
1978 – The Expos crush the Braves, 19 – 0, collecting 28 hits and a National League-record-tying eight home runs. Andre Dawson, Larry Parrish, Dave Cash and Dawson again homer in the 4th inning; Parrish has a single and three consecutive home runs in the game, only the third major leaguer to do it. Not till Andres Galarraga in 1995 will another hitter bang homers in three consecutive innings. The 58 total bases break an 85-year-old record held by the Reds. Woodie Fryman conducts the win over Mickey Mahler.
1980 – Attempting to throw for the first time since being hospitalized for tests last week, J.R. Richard suffers a stroke and is rushed to Houston’s Methodist Hospital for emergency surgery to remove a life-threatening blood clot in his neck. He will never pitch in the major leagues again.
1984 – At San Diego, Dave Dravecky allows one hit – a double – to Bill Russell in the 7th as the Padres rout the Dodgers, 12 – 0.
1986 – C Ron Hassey is traded for the third time in eight months, this time going to the White Sox in a deal that brings OF-DH Ron Kittle, SS Wayne Tolleson and C Joel Skinner to the Yankees.
1987 – The Pirates trade P Don Robinson to the Giants for minor league catcher Mackey Sasser and cash. The Indians trade fading veteran Steve Carlton to the Twins for a player to be named later.
1988 – Reds’ reliever John Franco establishes the major league record for the most saves in the month. His 13th save bests the mark shared by Sparky Lyle, Bruce Sutter and Bob Stanley.
1989 – Mark Grace belts a two-out three-run homer off Rick Aguilera to give the Cubs a 6 – 4 win over the Mets. Les Lancaster is the winner as the Cubs sweep three from the Mets.
1990:
Jack Clark hits his 300th career home run in San Diego’s 4 – 3, 11-inning loss to the Braves. His homer in the 10th ties the game and is his 17th homer in extra innings. He’s now in second place in overtime homers to Willie Mays’ 22.
In a surprisingly harsh ruling, Commissioner Fay Vincent orders Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to resign as the club’s general partner by August 20th and bans him from day-to-day operation of the team for life. The ruling is a result of Steinbrenner’s $40,000 payment to confessed gambler Howie Spira for damaging information about since-traded Yankee star Dave Winfield.
1991:
The Angels trade 3B Jack Howell to the Padres for OF Shawn Abner.
Boston relief pitcher Jeff Gray collapses in the clubhouse prior to the Red Sox game with Texas. He becomes lightheaded, his speech slurs, and he suffers weakness in the right side of his body. Diagnosed as suffering from a stroke, Gray will undergo two years of rehab and, in 1994, become a minor league pitching coach. Gray’s stroke comes on the 11th anniversary of J.R. Richard’s stroke. In the game which follows, the Red Sox’s Carlos Quintana ties a major league record by driving in six runs in one inning in Boston’s 11 – 6 victory. He hits a double and a grand slam.
1992 – The Blue Jays trade C Greg Myers and OF Rob Ducey to the Angels in exchange for P Mark Eichhorn.
1993 – The Yankees obtain P Paul Assenmacher from the Cubs in a three-way deal which sees P John Habyan go to the Royals and OF Karl Rhodes to the Cubs.
1994:
Detroit defeats Oakland, 14 – 2, as Tiger C Chad Kreuter ties a major league record with three sacrifice flies. He is the ninth player in history to perform the feat.
The Giants defeat the Rockies by a score of 6 – 4, as Giants pitcher Rod Beck sets a major league record by converting his 25th save in 25 opportunities. Beck held the previous record of 24 which he set last season.
1995:
Mike Schmidt, Richie Ashburn, Negro League star Leon Day, former National League president William Hulbert and Vic Willis are inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Chili Davis of the Angels is charged with disorderly conduct following California’s 8 – 3 win over the Brewers in Milwaukee. Davis allegedly slapped a fan who was taunting him. Chili also had a hit in the game.
The Astros’ Jeff Bagwell suffers a broken hand when he is hit by a pitch in the 4th from Brian Williams in the Astros’ 7 – 1 win over the Padres. It is the same bone that he broke last year when he was hit by a pitch from Andy Benes on August 10th, two days before the strike.
1996:
The Giants trade P Mark Leiter (4-10) to the Expos for pitchers Tim Scott and Kirk Rueter.
Boston gets a leadoff hitter when the Mariners trade OF Darren Bragg to the Red Sox in exchange for P Jamie Moyer. Moyer, in a portent of his future success with the M’s, is 7-1.
The Reds acquire OF Kevin Mitchell from the Red Sox for minor leaguers Brad Tweedlie and Roberto Mejia. Cincy also sells OF Eric Anthony to the Rockies.
1997:
David Wells fires a three-hitter as the Yankees beat the Royals, 7 – 0. Tino Martinez hits his 36th homer and Luis Sojo has four hits.
At Boston, the Red Sox beat the Mariners, 8 – 7, in ten innings. Steve Avery grounds out as a pinch hitter in the 10th, the first Sox pitcher to hit since Tim Lollar in 1986.
1998:
The Ladies Professional Baseball League suspends the remainder of the season due to low attendance. In the last game played, the Long Beach Aces lose to the San Jose Spitfires, 7 – 0.
The Red Sox bring back OF-1B Mike Stanley from the Blue Jays in exchange for minor league pitchers Peter Munro and Jay Yennaco.
The Braves obtain IF Greg Colbrunn from the Rockies in exchange for minor league P David Cortes and Mike Porzio.
The Indians score three runs in the top of the 17th inning against Seattle, then hold on as the Mariners fight back with two of their own in the bottom of the stanza. Cleveland gets 16 hits in the contest while Seattle accounts for 19 in a losing cause. Alex Rodriguez steals his 30th base in the game, to go along with his 31 homers. He’s the sixth 30-30 player in American League history.
1999 – The Yankees defeat the Red Sox, 13 – 3, as 2B Chuck Knoblauch raps out five hits, including a double and home run, and drives home four runs.
2000:
The Astros trade P Doug Henry to the Giants for P Scott Linebrink.
The Phillies bring P Kent Bottenfield back to the National League, sending cash and veteran Ron Gant to the Angels.
The Braves defeat the Astros, 6 – 3, as Tom Glavine wins his 200th career game.
2000 – The Cardinals obtain P Jason Christiansen from the Pirates in exchange for IF Jack Wilson. Wilson will be the starting Pittsburgh shortstop for most of the decade and will make one All-Star team.
2001:
The Yankees reacquire P Sterling Hitchcock from the Padres, sending San Diego P Brett Jodie and OF Darren Blakely.
The Cubs get P David Weathers and P Roberto Miniel from the Brewers for P Ruben Quevedo and OF Peter Zoccolillo.
The Twins get Met starter Rick Reed for outfielder and leadoff batter Matt Lawton. Reed, 36, who was a member of the National League All-Star team, was 8-6 with a 3.86 ERA this season.
The Giants obtain P Jason Schmidt and OF John Vander Wal from the Pirates in exchange for OF Armando Rios and P Ryan Vogelsong.
2002 – Montreal OF Cliff Floyd is traded for the second time in three weeks, going to the Red Sox in exchange for minor league pitchers Seung Song and Sun Woo Kim.
2004:
In a blockbuster trade, the Marlins deal Brad Penny, the winner of two World Series games last season, 1B Hee Seop Choi and southpaw prospect Bill Murphy (who will be traded to the Diamondbacks tomorrow) to the Dodgers for backstop Paul Lo Duca, relief pitcher Guillermo Mota and much-traveled outfielder Juan Encarnacion.
In separate deals with the Pirates and Devil Rays, the Mets gamble with their future, giving up top prospects to acquire major league pitchers who can immediately step into the rotation. Free agent-eligible Kris Benson and infielder Jeff Keppinger are obtained from the Pirates for infielder Ty Wigginton, pitcher Matt Peterson and infielder José Bautista, who came in a trade today with the Royals for minor league catcher Justin Huber, and Victor Zambrano and Bartolome Fortunato become Mets when Tampa Bay agrees to take New York’s top pitching prospect, Scott Kazmir, and minor league pitcher Jose Diaz. It is Bautista’s fourth organization of the season, returning to the system he belonged to last year.
2008:
The Yankees, seeking catching help after losing Jorge Posada for the remainder of the season, acquire Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers for Kyle Farnsworth.
The Indians lose, 14 – 12, to the Tigers in Detroit’s first game without Rodriguez, an 11-inning affair. The star catcher is Cleveland’s Kelly Shoppach, who ties the major league record with five extra-base hits in the game. Shoppach doubles three times, homers twice, walks once and is retired once; he scores four and drives in three.
2009:
A story in the New York Times states that sluggers David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are among the 104 major leaguers who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003. The test results were supposed to be kept secret, but Alex Rodriguez’s presence on the list of those who tested positive had already been leaked earlier this year. Ortiz states that he was not aware he had tested positive six years earlier and denies using steroids.
Action continues on the trading front with Los Angeles acquiring closer George Sherrill from the Baltimore Orioles for two players currently at AA Chattanooga. For their part, the Pirates are still busy house-cleaning, sending Ps John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny to the Cubs, one day after trading three players on their 25-man roster. The Pirates receive P Kevin Hart and Jose Ascanio and minor league infielder Josh Harrison from their NL Central rivals.
2010:
The two best teams in the majors this year, the Yankees and the Rays, begin a three-game series before a rare sold-out crowd at Tropicana Field. Two batters into the game, New York leads 2 – 0 on a homer by Nick Swisher, but that’s all the runs they’ll score. Tampa Bay comes back with a three-run shot by Matt Joyce in the 6th to win, 3 – 2. Wade Davis beats Phil Hughes, with Rafael Soriano picking up the save. Alex Rodriguez, who has been sitting on 599 homers for a week, goes 0 for 4 in the loss.
Leading 5 – 2 over the Cubs in the bottom of the 8th, the Rockies turn the game into a laugher when they bang out 13 hits – a record 11 of them consecutively – to run away with a 17 – 2 win. The consecutive hits and 12 runs all come with two outs, starting with Carlos Gonzalez’s RBI single. Ian Stewart and Dexter Fowler hit two-run homers while Troy Tulowitzki doubles twice during the string.
One of the players traded yesterday makes a splash in his debut for his new team. Starting at 3B for the Tigers, Jhonny Peralta homers twice over the Green Monster as Detroit defeats Boston, 6 – 5, withstanding a late-game grand slam by David Ortiz. Armando Galarraga’s run of bad luck continues as he is hit on the ankle by a line drive off the bat of Kevin Youkilis with a 4 – 1 lead, and has to leave the game one out shy of qualifying for the win. Rookie Robbie Weinhardt relieves him and picks up his first major league victory.
However, the Phillies may be having buyer’s remorse as prize acquisition Roy Oswalt is rocked by the Nationals, losing his debut, 8 – 1. Making it worse, the man he was traded for, J.A. Happ, shines in his first outing for Houston, throwing six scoreless innings in a 5 – 0 win over Milwaukee.
The deals continue on the eve of tomorrow’s trading deadline. The Chicago White Sox acquire P Edwin Jackson, author of a no-hitter earlier this year, from the Diamondbacks in return for young Ps Daniel Hudson and David Holmberg; the Rangers obtain IF Cristian Guzman from Washington for Tanner Roark and Ryan Tatusko just as starting 2B Ian Kinsler is placed on the disabled list; and the Yankees snap up OF Austin Kearns from the Indians, although the bigger news is that they have tentatively reached a deal with Houston for 1B Lance Berkman.
2011:
The Yankees complete a doubleheader sweep of the Orioles with a huge 1st inning in the nitecap, after winning the opener, 8 – 3. The Bronx Bombers score 12 runs as they chase Zach Britton, just back from the minors, after only one out, but not before he gives up nine runs. They roll to a 17 – 3 win, accumulating 24 hits, as Ivan Nova benefits from the outburst; Robinson Cano goes 5 for 5 with five RBI, while Nick Swisher hits a two-run homer in each game.
Derek Holland pitches his third shutout in five starts as the Rangers defeat the Blue Jays, 3 – 0. He is the first Ranger pitcher to throw four shutouts in a season since Doc Medich in 1981. Mitch Moreland hits a two-run homer in the 2nd.
There is a frenzy of trades as the trading deadline approaches. The Indians make two big deals, first acquiring P Ubaldo Jimenez from Colorado, then sending 2B Orlando Cabrera to San Francisco. In the unusual position of being buyers this year, the Pirates pry 1B Derrek Lee from Baltimore to replace the underachieving Lyle Overbay. Their rivals in the NL Central, the Cardinals, add SS Rafael Furcal from Los Angeles, the Diamondbacks add P Jason Marquis from Washington, the Rangers get P Koji Uehara from Baltimore, the Red Sox add 2B Mike Aviles from Kansas City, and the Tigers get Ps Doug Fister and David Pauley from the Mariners. In all cases, the deals involve prospects in return, many of them in the lower reaches of the minor leagues, and the occasional player who has just reached the majors.
2012:
What has already been a busy trading season gets busier with a number of deals one day before the trading deadline. The Blue Jays deal twice, first sending OF Travis Snider to Pittsburgh for P Brad Lincoln and then dispatching another OF, Eric Thames, to Seattle for P Steve Delabar. The Cubs are also busy, trading C Geovany Soto to the Rangers for AA P Jacob Brigham, and P Paul Maholm and OF Reed Johnson to the Braves for Ps Arodys Vizcaino and Jaye Chapman. Finally, the Dodgers acquire P Brandon League from Seattle, for prospects Leon Landry and Logan Bawcom.
Kendrys Morales becomes only the third major leaguer to homer from both sides of the plate in the same inning as the Angels drop a nine-run 6th inning on the Rangers on their way to a 15 – 8 win. Morales opens the scoring in the frame with a two-run homer off righty Roy Oswalt to put the Halos ahead, 5 – 3, then, after the batting order turns around, adds a grand slam off lefty Robbie Ross. Carlos Baerga, in 1993, and Mark Bellhorn, in 2002, were the other two players to accomplish the rare feat. Morales’s six RBI in the inning are one shy of the American League record of seven, set by Alex Rodriguez on October 4, 2009.
Jason Heyward homers and scores three times as the Braves defeat the Marlins, 8 – 2. For the Braves, it is a first win in a Monday game since last season; they had lost 16 in a row, including all 12 Monday games they had played so far this season. All of their players wear their socks high in order to break the curse, except for pitcher Tommy Hanson, who still picks up the win to improve to 12-5 on the year.
2013:
Today’s deals are highlighted by a three-team trade that sees P Jake Peavy go from the White Sox to the Red Sox; Boston then sends rookie SS Jose Iglesias to Detroit, which is looking for insurance at the position in fear that starter Jhonny Peralta will be suspended as a result of the Biogenesis scandal. Detroit completes the deal by sending young OF Avisail Garcia to Chicago, while four other players change uniforms as well. In other pre-trading deadline deals, the A’s acquire IF Alberto Callaspo from the Angels for Grant Green, while the Indians acquire lefty reliever Marc Rzepczynski from St. Louis.
The Pirates take back first place in the NL Central by sweeping a doubleheader against the Cardinals. The Bucs win the opener, 2 – 1, in 11 innings, then take the nitecap, 6 – 0, as Brandon Cumpton tosses seven scoreless innings in only his fourth big league start. The Cards have now lost six straight to fall out of first place.
Andre Rienzo becomes the first major leaguer born and raised in Brazil and the second born there after Yan Gomes. Rienzo, fresh off a no-hitter for the Charlotte Knights, allows three unearned runs in seven solid innings against the Indians but Donnie Veal and Matt Lindstrom blow it for the White Sox.
2014:
A trio of pitchers for the AA San Antonio Missions combine on a no-hitter against the Corpus Christi Hooks, but only learn about it after the game. James Needy, Frank Garces and R.J. Alvarez join forces for what seems to be a 6 – 0 one-hitter, until the official scorer reverses a decision on Rene Garcia’s 6th-inning infield single, changing it to an error on shortstop Diego Goris.
There is another no-hitter in the minor leagues as Tyler Cloyd of the Columbus Clippers performs the feat in a 13 – 0 win over the Louisville Bats. Cloyd retires the first 24 batters he faces before hitting Donnie Murphy with a pitch, but ends the game on a double play grounder and a line out.
On the trade front, the Cardinals acquire P Justin Masterson from Cleveland for OF James Ramsey, while the Cubs obtain P Felix Doubront from the Red Sox for a player to be named later.
2015 – In a whirlwind day of trading, the Blue Jays once again make the biggest splash, acquiring P David Price from Detroit for prospects Matt Boyd, Jairo Labourt and Daniel Norris, two days after landing SS Troy Tulowitzki. Detroit also trades P Joakim Soria to Pittsburgh for IF JaCoby Jones. The Astros add P Mike Fiers and OF Carlos Gomez from Milwaukee in return for four prospects, while the Dodgers complete a transaction started a day earlier with the Marlins, sending three minor leaguers to complete their deal for OF Mike Morse and P Mat Latos, and landing a competitive balance pick which they flip to the Braves along with three players in order to acquire Ps Alex Wood, Jim Johnson, Luis Avilan and Bronson Arroyo and IF Jose Peraza. The Yankees send Ramon Flores and José Ramírez to Seattle to obtain IF/OF Dustin Ackley, while the Indians trade OF/1B Brandon Moss to St. Louis for P Rob Kaminsky.
2016:
A couple of big deals are made ahead of the trading deadline. The Padres, who have been the most active dealers on the market, send OF Matt Kemp to the Braves in return for 3B Hector Olivera; both players are due hefty sums of money over the next few years, but Kemp is having a productive year while Olivera, who is about to come off from an 82-game suspension for a domestic violence incident, has a lot of money due him, so the Padres will still be winners from a financial standpoint even if, as expected, Olivera is designated for assignment. The other trade is motivated by more traditional baseball reasons: the Nationals whose Achilles heel is closer Jonathan Papelbon’s up-and-down performance, acquire Mark Melancon from the Pirates for Ps Felipe Rivero and Taylor Hearn.
The Astros Valencia win their first Division Honor title. They finish the year at 24-4, tied with the Tenerife Marlins, and the teams split the head-to-head games 2-2 but the Astros have the better run differential, the second tie-breaker.
2017:
The 2017 class of the Hall of Fame is inducted in Cooperstown, NY. Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez are the three players honored, while executives Bud Selig and John Schuerholz were voted in by the Veterans Committee. The presence of a large number of fans wearing the gear of the defunct Montréal Expos in honor of Raines cannot be missed among the crowd of 27,000 present for the ceremonies.
Adrian Beltre becomes the 31st member of the 3,000 hit club with a double off Wade Miley of the Baltimore Orioles. The Rangers’ third baseman also has over 600 doubles and 5,000 total bases, other numbers that place him high on the list of the game’s all-time leaders.
Trailing 10 – 4 entering the bottom of the 9th, the Blue Jays stage the biggest 9th-inning comeback in team history to defeat the Angels, 11 – 10. Kevin Pillar hits a two-run homer and Steve Pearce caps things off with a walk-off grand slam off Bud Norris – his second in four days. Only two other players before Pearce, Cy Williams in 1926 and Jim Presley in 1986 had ever hit two walk-off grand slams in a season.
A number of deals are finalized on the penultimate day before the trading deadline. For the second time in a week, P Jaime Garcia gets traded, moving from Minnesota to the Yankees; the Rockies acquire C Jonathan Lucroy from Texas; the Royals get OF Melky Cabrera from the White Sox; and the Cubs obtain C Alex Avila and P Justin Wilson from the Tigers for Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Paredes.
2018 – There is a frenzy of trades as the deadline approaches, with Toronto sending disgraced closer Roberto Osuna, serving out the last days of a 75-game suspension for domestic violence, to Houston in return for Ps Ken Giles, David Paulino and Héctor Pérez, a deal greeted by criticism on the part of some Astros players and fans. The Red Sox add 2B Ian Kinsler from the Angels, The Twins, who have clearly thrown in the towel on the current season, send P Lance Lynn to the Yankees for Tyler Austin and a prospect and P Zach Duke to the Mariners for Chase De Jong and another prospect, while the Braves acquire OF Adam Duvall from Cincinnati for Lucas Sims, Preston Tucker and Matt Wisler and Texas sends RP Keone Kela to Pittsburgh.
2019:
On the penultimate day before the trading deadline, a major three-team deal moves P Trevor Bauer from a contending team, the Indians, to a non-contending one, the Reds, with Cleveland taking in a haul of players, including OFs Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes and P Logan Allen, while San Diego receives top OF prospect Taylor Trammell from the Reds. Bauer had worn out his welcome with a series of incidents, the latest being his heaving a baseball over the centerfield fence in frustration after having been removed from a game, an incident that also cost him a fine from Major League Baseball. Bauer is the second top starting pitcher in three days to move to a non-contender, following the surprising trade of Marcus Stroman from the Blue Jays to the Mets on July 28th.
For the first time since 1959, the Cuban national team will not win a medal in baseball in the Pan American Games. After losing to Colombia in the 2019 Pan American Games opener, they fall to defending champion Canada in an 8 – 6 slugfest. Connor Panas drives in five, Wes Darvill has three hits and three runs, Eric Wood three hits and Jordan Lennerton three RBI without a hit. Ryan Kellogg gets the win, Chris Leroux pitches shutout ball from the 6th through the 8th and Dustin Molleken gets the save.
2020:
The ripple effects of the outbreak of COVID-19 among the Marlins continue, as two members of their most recent opponents, the Phillies – one coach and one clubhouse attendant – also test positive. Both teams have been idle since completing a three-game series on July 26th, and will also sit out their planned week-end series. Foreseeing that a large number of doubleheaders will be necessary to make up these games, Major League Baseball announces that any twinbill played after August 1st will consist of two seven-inning games.
With 13 strikeouts in eight innings in a 2-0 win over the Twins, Shane Bieber of the Indians ties the major league record for most K’s in a pitcher’s first two games of a season. He had struck out 14 on Opening Day, giving him 27 in two games. Karl Spooner set the record in what were also his first two career games with the 1954 Brooklyn Dodgers, while Nolan Ryan set the American League record of 25 back in 1978.
2021:
The Mexican national team makes its debut in the Olympics, but falls, 1 – 0, to the Dominican Republic in the Tokyo Olympics. Ángel Sánchez and four relievers keep Mexico off the board, while 40-year-old José Bautista shows off his arm, throwing out Isaac Rodríguez at the plate. Fellow MLB veteran Melky Cabrera drives in the game’s lone run, singling off Teddy Stankiewicz to bring in Charlie Valerio.
The other game in the Olympics today is more lopsided as Team USA plays its first game of the tournament, romping past newcomer Israel, 8 – 1, behind the pitching of Joe Ryan and solid hitting from Tyler Austin (2 2B, HR, 3 RBI) and Eddy Alvarez (two RBI doubles); Alvarez already has a Silver Medal from the 2014 Winter Olympics as a speed skater. Danny Valencia homers for Israel’s only run.
The final day before the trading deadline begins with a bang as the Blue Jays send two top prospects to land P José Berríos of the Twins, one of the most sought-after starting pitchers on the market. P Simeon Woods-Richardson, who is currently in Tokyo with Team USA, is joined by OF-IF Austin Martin in going to Minnesota. That is just the opening salvo on a busy day as the Dodgers complete a rumored deal by obtaining P Max Scherzer and SS Trea Turner from Washington in return for four prospects, including P Josiah Gray and C Keibert Ruiz, considered the two top players in the system. Others changing teams today include Kris Bryant, who goes to the Giants from the Cubs, who complete a veritable fire sale by sending SS Javier Baez to the Mets and closer Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox.
2022 – The 2022 South American Championship finale is a match-up of the two six-time champs, Brazil and Argentina. Brazil wins a spot in the 2023 Pan American Games as they get their second straight pitching gem. A day after a no-hitter by Marcelo Arai, André Rienzo tosses a two-hit shutout, striking out 12. Argentina’s Lucas Ramón has a two-hit shutout going into the 6th before Pedro Okuda, Felipe Burin and Salomon Koba all single. Guido Monis relieves and lets two of the inherited runners in, one via error and one on a sacrifice fly. In the Bronze Medal Game, host Peru and Ecuador don’t have anything close to the pitching duel of the finale, as neither starter makes it through the 2nd. Peru gets three-hit games from Rider Zevallos, Jorge Pastor and Alonso Tenya in outhitting Ecuador, 10-6, but Ecuador gets more runs on the board, 7 – 5. Orlando Leon gets the win while Gustavo Landin reaches three of four times for Ecuador.
2023 – On the trading front today, the Cardinals send hard-throwing reliever Jordan Hicks to the Blue Jays in return for two minor league pitchers and starter Jordan Montgomery and reliever Chris Stratton to the Rangers for P John King and two prospects. The Rockies trade a pair of veteran hitters, 1B C.J. Cron and OF Randal Grichuk, to the Angels for a couple of minor leaguers; interestingly, both Cron and Grichuk were originally first-round selections in the amateur draft by the Angels.
2024:
The trading deadline comes into effect at 6:00 pm EDT today, but before that there is a flurry of deals. Among the most active teams are the Dodgers, who pick up SP Jack Flaherty and OF Kevin Kiermaier; the Orioles, who add OF Eloy Jimenez, SP Trevor Rogers and RP Gregory Soto; and the Padres, who acquire RP Tanner Scott, fresh off an appearance in the 2024 All-Star Game for the Marlins, and SP Martin Perez. Also notable is that some of the biggest names that have been the subject of trade speculations for weeks – Ps Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet and 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – are all staying put.
A couple of those deadline acquisitions from the last few days are already making their presence felt for their new team. Jazz Chisholm has his second straight two-homer game for the Yankees, leading them to a 7 – 6 win over the Phillies in extra innings, while Tommy Pham hits a grand slam in his return to St. Louis, as the Cards defeat the Rangers, 8 – 1.
2025:
Late-night news reports indicate that the most sought-after player at the trading deadline, Diamondbacks 3B Eugenio Suarez, has been traded to his former team, the Mariners, in return for three prospects. With 37 homers, Suarez had more than any previous player traded in mid-season, and his 87 RBIs lead the National League.
In other deals, twin brothers Taylor Rogers and Tyler Rogers are both traded, the former going from the Reds to the Pirates as part of a deal for 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes while Tyler goes from the Giants to the Mets in return for P José Butto and two prospects. Also changing teams are P Zack Littell, who goes to the Reds as part of a three-team transaction also involving the Rays and Dodgers, with five other players changing uniforms, and P Ryan Helsley, sent by the Cardinals to the Mets for three players.
Births[edit]
1845 – Joseph Rastall, umpire (d. 1894)
1852 – Elgin Jones, pre-MLB player (d. 1939)
1860 – Harry Miller, pitcher (d. 1919)
1863 – Tod Brynan, pitcher (d. 1925)
1870 – Bill Merritt, catcher (d. 1937)
1887 – Rafael Almeida, infielder (d. 1968)
1890 – Casey Stengel, outfielder, manager; Hall of Famer (d. 1975)
1894 – Chuck Ward, infielder (d. 1969)
1895 – Bill Cunningham, outfielder (d. 1953)
1900 – Paul Fitzke, pitcher (d. 1950)
1905 – Hal Finney, catcher (d. 1991)
1906 – Johnnie Tyler, outfielder (d. 1972)
1908 – Frankie Pytlak, catcher (d. 1977)
1910 – Eddie Snead, pitcher (d. 1975)
1912 – Carl Doyle, pitcher (d. 1951)
1912 – Tony Lucadello, scout (d. 1989)
1912 – Johnny Rizzo, outfielder (d. 1977)
1912 – Charlie Uhlir, outfielder (d. 1984)
1913 – Buster Kinard, minor league outfielder and manager (d. 1991)
1914 – Steve Peek, pitcher (d. 1991)
1915 – Jerry Witte, infielder (d. 2002)
1919 – Jack Conway, infielder (d. 1993)
1920 – Ramón Roger, minor league pitcher (d. 1997)
1921 – John Gwosden, minor league infielder (d. 2017)
1922 – Joe Coleman, pitcher; All-Star (d. 1997)
1922 – Manuel Stewart, infielder (d. 1954)
1923 – Paul Minner, pitcher (d. 2006)
1923 – Charley Hall, outfielder (d. 1996)
1924 – Hisatada Ishikawa, NPB outfielder (d. ????)
1924 – Eiji Tanaami, NPB infielder (d. 1988)
1925 – Bill Glynn, infielder (d. 2013)
1925 – Bill Moisan, pitcher (d. 2010)
1925 – Dick Sinovic, minor league outfielder (d. 2014)
1928 – Bill Hall, catcher (d. 1986)
1928 – Rogers Lehew, college coach (d. 2021)
1928 – Joe Nuxhall, pitcher; All-Star (d. 2007)
1928 – Theo Vleeshouwer, Dutch executive (d. 2018)
1930 – William Bell Jr., Negro League pitcher
1930 – Shinichi Inoue, NPB outfielder
1930 – Gus Triandos, catcher; All-Star (d. 2013)
1933 – Joe Fishinghawk, minor league pitcher (d. 2014)
1934 – Bud Selig, owner
1935 – Haruhiko Ichikawa, NPB outfielder
1936 – Ron Hayter, Baseball Canada executive (d. 2018)
1936 – Takashi Tsuji, NPB catcher
1939 – Vic Davalillo, outfielder; All-Star (d. 2023)
1939 – Paul Dickson, researcher
1941 – Bob Barton, catcher (d. 2018)
1944 – Pat Kelly, outfielder; All-Star (d. 2005)
1944 – Doug Rader, infielder, manager
1947 – Jim Spencer, infielder; All-Star (d. 2002)
1947 – Yoshiaki Toyama, NPB outfielder and pitcher (d. 1991)
1949 – Hiroo Nobata, Japanese national team coach
1952 – Mickey Mahler, pitcher
1953 – Ron Farkas, minor league infielder
1953 – Takayoshi Hirasawa, NPB pitcher
1953 – Jae-won Shim, KBO catcher (d. 1994)
1954 – Nate Puryear, minor league pitcher
1954 – Ellis Valentine, outfielder; All-Star
1956 – Russ Laribee, minor league outfielder
1956 – Fla Strawn, minor league catcher
1957 – Clint Hurdle, outfielder, manager
1957 – Steve Trout, pitcher
1958 – Scott Fletcher, infielder
1959 – Ricky Horton, pitcher
1959 – Mike Jones, pitcher
1959 – Sean Toerner, minor league infielder (d. 2013)
1960 – Steve Ellsworth, pitcher
1962 – Tom Pagnozzi, catcher; All-Star
1963 – Don Dunster, minor league pitcher
1963 – Jeff Shaver, pitcher
1964 – Jorge Aranzamendi, Puerto Rican national team outfielder
1964 – Jae-woo Baek, South Korean national team outfielder
1964 – Alan Mauthe, Canadian national team infielder
1965 – Dan Adriance, minor league pitcher
1965 – Adam Casillas, minor league infielder (d. 2016)
1965 – Todd Haney, infielder
1966 – Mike Anderson, pitcher
1967 – Hiroaki Hattori, NPB pitcher
1968 – Mike McDonald, minor league outfielder/infielder
1968 – Shawn Purdy, minor league pitcher
1968 – Chip Winiarski, minor league pitcher
1970 – Jason Kinchen, minor league player
1970 – Derek Shelton, manager
1971 – Ron Blazier, pitcher (d. 2021)
1971 – Jon Farrell, minor league outfielder
1971 – Calvin Murray, outfielder
1971 – Nobuyuki Nakai, CPBL pitcher
1972 – Ray L. Brown, minor league infielder
1972 – Neftali Miller, Division Elite catcher
1974 – Chris Carminucci, minor league infielder and manager
1974 – Itsuro Tanimura, Japanese national team pitcher
1975 – Matt Erickson, infielder
1975 – Oswaldo Mairena, pitcher
1977 – Richard Paz, minor league infielder and manager
1978 – Josh Bonifay, minor league infielder and manager
1979 – Ruel Batuto, Philippines national team pitcher
1979 – Dong Lien, coach
1979 – Octavio Martinez, minor league catcher
1980 – Robinson Cespedes, minor league outfielder
1980 – Richard Jimenez, scout
1980 – Edwin Moreno, pitcher
1980 – Jeong-hee Park, South Korean women’s national team outfielder
1982 – Jasiel Acosta, minor league pitcher
1983 – T.J. Burton, minor league pitcher
1983 – Winyoo Chumpon, international umpire
1984 – Vincent Ferreira, Division Elite infielder
1985 – Francesco Alaimo, Italian Baseball League outfielder
1985 – Dylan Axelrod, pitcher
1986 – Tom Boleska, minor league pitcher
1986 – Scott Diamond, pitcher
1986 – Christian Marrero, coach
1986 – Cole St. Clair, minor league pitcher
1988 – Nick Hernandez, minor league pitcher
1988 – Barrett Kleinknecht, minor league infielder and manager
1988 – Tyler Lavigne, minor league pitcher
1988 – Colton Willems, minor league pitcher
1988 – Hiroki Yamada, NPB pitcher
1989 – Jesse Hahn, pitcher
1989 – Matt Skole, infielder
1990 – Nick Parent, minor league infielder
1991 – Riley Barr, Bundesliga pitcher
1991 – Jhunior Cordero, Ecuadorian national team infielder-pitcher
1993 – Clint Coulter, minor league catcher
1993 – Alex Crosby, minor league infielder
1993 – Jake Faria, pitcher
1993 – Ty Hensley, minor league pitcher
1993 – Jared Walsh, infielder; All-Star
1994 – Cody Poteet, pitcher
1994 – Yukiya Yano, Japanese national team infielder
1995 – Joshua Palacios, outfielder
1996 – Steele Walker, outfielder
1997 – Javier Assad, pitcher
1997 – Tom Dahan, French Division I outfielder
1997 – Jake McCarthy, outfielder
1998 – Casey Opitz, minor league catcher
1998 – Naruki Terashima, NPB pitcher
1999 – Félix Stevens, minor league infielder
2000 – Tatsuki Mizuno, NPB infielder
2001 – Carlos Durán, pitcher
2001 – Shunsuke Iwai, NPB pitcher
2001 – Justin Martínez, pitcher
2002 – Jackson Jobe, pitcher
2002 – Ju-won Kim, KBO infielder
2002 – Yeremi Tamayo, Ecuadorian national team pitcher
2002 – Owen Wild, minor league pitcher
Deaths[edit]
1925 – Jack Bennett, umpire (b. 1853)
1928 – Charlie Becker, pitcher (b. 1889)
1933 – Frank Allen, pitcher (b. 1889)
1941 – Howie Shanks, infielder (b. 1890)
1941 – Mickey Welch, pitcher; Hall of Famer (b. 1859)
1942 – Jim Baskette, pitcher (b. 1887)
1943 – Charlie Fritz, pitcher (b. 1882)
1947 – Chick Robitaille, pitcher (b. 1879)
1947 – Ed Seward, pitcher (b. 1867)
1953 – Leon Chagnon, pitcher (b. 1902)
1955 – Dave Rowan, infielder (b. 1881)
1956 – Tommy Sewell, pinch hitter (b. 1906)
1960 – Eugene Jones, pitcher (b. 1922)
1961 – Bill Finneran, umpire (b. 1878)
1965 – Pop Kitchens, minor league catcher and manager (b. 1886)
1966 – Harry Hedgpeth, pitcher (b. 1888)
1969 – Flint Rhem, pitcher (b. 1901)
1976 – Jack Knight, pitcher (b. 1895)
1980 – Joe Lucey, pitcher (b. 1897)
1986 – Mickey Heath, infielder (b. 1903)
1991 – Allen Conkwright, pitcher (b. 1896)
1993 – Bob Wright, pitcher (b. 1891)
1999 – Masayuki Furuta, Japanese national team manager; Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame (b. 1933)
2001 – Joe Duff, college coach (b. 1923)
2001 – Alex Nahigian, college coach (b. 1919)
2003 – Doc Alexson, minor league infielder and manager (b. 1920)
2003 – Gene Hasson, infielder (b. 1915)
2005 – Ray Cunningham, infielder (b. 1905)
2006 – Andrés Cavadía, Colombian national team outfielder (b. ~1921)
2008 – Porter Vaughan, pitcher (b. 1919)
2009 – Hirokazu Nozaki, NPB pitcher and manager (b. 1923)
2014 – Dave Bakenhaster, pitcher (b. 1945)
2014 – Leroy Gass, minor league pitcher (b. 1920)
2014 – Marty Newton, minor league catcher (b. 1964)
2016 – Jose Arcia, infielder (b. 1943)
2016 – Alan Brice, pitcher (b. 1937)
2017 – Joe Cherry, minor league catcher (b. 1939)
2024 – Junro Anan, NPB player and manager (b. 1937)
2024 – Luis Cordova, minor league pitcher (b. 1973)
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TV SPORTS TODAY
(All times Eastern)
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts
Thursday, July 30
GOLF
4 a.m.
GOLF — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, First Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
3 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: Rocket Classic, First Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
6 p.m.
GOLF — Korn Ferry Tour: Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank and Intermountain Health, First Round, Ogden Golf and Country Club, Ogden, Utah
4 a.m. (Friday)
GOLF — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, Second Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
MLB BASEBALL
2 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: N.Y. Yankees at Chicago White Sox (2:10 p.m.) OR Kansas City at Minnesota (joined in progress) (1:40 p.m.)
7 p.m.
ESPN — Washington at Atlanta
10 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Seattle at L.A. Dodgers (10:10 p.m.) OR San Francisco at San Diego (joined in progress) (9:40 p.m.)
WNBA BASKETBALL
8 p.m.
PRIME VIDEO — Connecticut at Chicago
10 p.m.
PRIME VIDEO — New York at Las Vegas
_____
Friday, July 31
GOLF
4 a.m.
GOLF — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, Second Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
9 a.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: Portugal Invitational, First Round, The Els Club Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal
3 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: Rocket Classic, Second Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
6 p.m.
GOLF — Korn Ferry Tour: Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank and Intermountain Health, Second Round, Ogden Golf and Country Club, Ogden, Utah
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
7 p.m.
ESPN — PFL: Main Card, New York
MLB BASEBALL
2 p.m.
MLBN — N.Y. Yankees at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m.)
7 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: St. Louis at Toronto (7:07 p.m.) OR Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m.)
8:10 p.m.
APPLE TV — Texas at Houston
9:40 p.m.
APPLE TV — San Francisco at San Diego
10 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Milwaukee at L.A. Angels (joined in progress) (9:38 p.m.) OR Detroit at Athletics (joined in progress) (9:40 p.m.)
WNBA BASKETBALL
7:30 p.m.
ION — TBA
10 p.m.
ION — Indiana at Portland
_____
Saturday, August 1
GOLF
7 a.m.
USA — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, Third Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
9 a.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: Portugal Invitational, Second Round, The Els Club Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal
Noon
NBC — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, Third Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
1 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: Rocket Classic, Third Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
3 p.m.
CBS — PGA Tour: Rocket Classic, Third Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
6 p.m.
GOLF — Korn Ferry Tour: Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank and Intermountain Health, Third Round, Ogden Golf and Country Club, Ogden, Utah
HORSE RACING
3 p.m.
FOX — Jim Dandy Challenge: From Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
LACROSSE (MEN’S)
12:30 p.m.
ABC — PLL: Denver vs. Maryland, Columbus, Ohio
MLB BASEBALL
4 p.m.
FS1 — Minnesota at Seattle (4:10 p.m.)
7 p.m.
FOX — Regional Coverage: Arizona at Cleveland (7:15 p.m.) OR N.Y. Yankees at Chicago Cubs (7:15 p.m.)
SOCCER (MEN’S)
8 p.m.
ESPN2 — USL Championship: Louisville at Tampa Bay
WNBA BASKETBALL
1 p.m.
CBS — Las Vegas at Chicago
3 p.m.
ABC — New York at Phoenix
_____
Sunday, August 2
AUTO RACING
11:30 a.m.
NBCSN — IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship: Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix, Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis.
BIG3 BASKETBALL
1 p.m.
CBS — Week 7: DMV Trilogy vs. Chicago Triplets, LA Riot vs. Houston Rig Hands, Atlanta
GOLF
7 a.m.
USA — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, Final Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
9 a.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: Portugal Invitational, Final Round, The Els Club Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal
Noon
NBC — LPGA Tour: AIG Women’s Open, Final Round, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England
1 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: Rocket Classic, Final Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
3 p.m.
CBS — PGA Tour: Rocket Classic, Final Round, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit
6 p.m.
GOLF — Korn Ferry Tour: Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank and Intermountain Health, Final Round, Ogden Golf and Country Club, Ogden, Utah
LACROSSE (MEN’S)
3 p.m.
ABC — PLL: New York vs. California, Columbus, Ohio
LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL
10 a.m.
ESPN2 — Little League Softball World Series: TBD, Game 1, Greenville, N.C.
1 p.m.
ESPN2 — Little League Softball World Series: TBD, Game 2, Greenville, N.C.
4 p.m.
ESPN2 — Little League Softball World Series: TBD, Game 3, Greenville, N.C.
7 p.m.
ESPN2 — Little League Softball World Series: TBD, Game 4, Greenville, N.C.
MLB BASEBALL
3 p.m.
NBCSN — Milwaukee at L.A. Angels (3:15 p.m.)
PEACOCK — Milwaukee at L.A. Angels (3:15 p.m.)
7 p.m.
NBC — Boston at L.A. Dodgers (7:20 p.m.)
PEACOCK — Boston at L.A. Dodgers (7:20 p.m.)
SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
9 p.m.
ESPN — NWSL: Boston at Denver
WNBA BASKETBALL
1 p.m.
ABC — Indiana at Minnesota
3:30 p.m.
NBC — Los Angeles at Portland
PEACOCK — Los Angeles at Portland
7 p.m.
ESPN — Connecticut at Dallas
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