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THE INDIANA SRN "SPORTSPAGE" THE INDIANA SRN "SPORTSPAGE"

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THE INDIANA SRN "SPORTSPAGE" THE INDIANA SRN "SPORTSPAGE"

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SPORTS NEWS AND SCORESTHE SPORTSPAGE

THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” FRIDAY JULY 31, 2026

By troyderengowski61@gmail.com
July 31, 2026 135 Min Read
0

“THE SCOREBOARD”

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD

TWINS 4, ROYALS 3

RAYS 3, RANGERS 2

WHITE SOX 2, YANKEES 1 (11 INNINGS)

CUBS 4, CARDINALS 2 (10 INNINGS)

BRAVES 5, NATIONALS 4

REDS 3, PIRATES 2

METS 4, MARLINS 2

DODGERS 6, MARINERS 2

RED SOX 5, ATHLETICS 4

GIANTS 4, PADRES 1

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BASEBALL NEWS

https://www.mlb.com

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NFL NEWS

https://www.nfl.com

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NBA NEWS

https://www.nba.com

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NHL NEWS

https://www.nhl.com

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MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCORES

INDIANAPOLIS 12 LOUISVILLE 7

GREAT LAKES 11 FT. WAYNE 1

SOUTH BEND 11 LAKE COUNTY 8

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WNBA SCORES

LYNX 104 TEMPO 72

SKY 94 SUN 88

ACES 104 LIBERTY 99

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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)

#####

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

#######################################

TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/SPORTS RELEASES

NFL NEWS

PACKERS CAREER RUSHING LEADER AHMAN GREEN SAYS HE HAS EARLY ONSET PARKINSON’S DISEASE

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Ahman Green, a four-time Pro Bowl running back and the Green Bay Packers’ career rushing leader, said he learned last year that he has early onset Parkinson’s disease.

The 49-year-old Green discussed his diagnosis this week on Tyler Dunne’s “Go Long” podcast.

“I know unfortunately there’s a day we eventually, where our clock stops ticking,” Green said. “The way I look at it, my clock is going to stop ticking when I want it to stop ticking.”

Green said it’s similar to the approach he took while running the ball during a 12-year NFL career in which he rushed for 9,205 yards and 60 touchdowns. His last season was 2009.

Green said his symptoms began when his feet started twitching in his sleep.

“I knew something was going on long before that,” he said.

Parkinson’s is a neurologic disease that robs people of control over their movements. It typically starts with tremors and is characterized by slow movement, a shuffling gait, stiff limbs, balance problems and slurred speech.

Green said he sometimes sleepwalks and has no recollection of it afterward. He called his short-term memory “trash,” but said his long-term memory is better.

He expressed optimism about his long-term outlook while pointing out he exercises regularly and has a “super clean” diet.

Green rushed for at least 1,163 yards each season from 2000-04 while playing for the Packers. He earned four straight Pro Bowl appearances from 2001-04.

He rushed for 8,322 yards as a Packers player, the highest total in the franchise’s storied history. He set a Packers single-season record by rushing for 1,883 yards in 2003.

Green’s NFL career began with the Seattle Seahawks, who selected him out of Nebraska in the third round of the 1998 draft. He spent two seasons with Seattle before getting traded to Green Bay in April 2000.

He played for the Packers from 2000-06, spent 2007-08 with the Houston Texans and returned to Green Bay for one last season.

Green’s announcement comes two years after former Packers teammate Brett Favre disclosed that he has Parkinson’s disease. Green said he spoke with Favre a couple of weeks ago to catch up but added that he planned to call the Hall of Fame quarterback to let him know “he has a brother right behind him.”

#####

DON’T CALL IT A REBUILD: HAFLEY’S DOLPHINS AREN’T VIEWING THIS SEASON AS A BRIDGE YEAR

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Don’t call it a rebuild. Miami Dolphins players and coaches aren’t viewing this season as one.

The team has a first-year head coach, a new general manager and a reshaped roster with a lot of young, unproven players but no one wants this to be just a bridge year.

“I don’t know how you can have a conversation with a competitive player or a competitive coach and have it sit right with them where we’re just going to say, ‘We’re just going to rebuild this year,’” Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said Thursday ahead of Miami’s second full day of training camp practice. “I mean, that’s just not the mentality of any competitor who’s made it to this level or any coach that’s made it to this level. Whether it’s practice or whether it’s a drill. I think we all want to win. And our mindset is we need to get better.”

When GM Jon-Eric Sullivan arrived in January, one of his immediate goals was to help the Dolphins out of their woeful financial situation.

More than half of the Dolphins’ salary cap space for the upcoming season will go to players who are no longer on their roster. That includes $54 million they will pay to former starter Tua Tagovailoa after cutting him in March and starting over at quarterback with Malik Willis. The move resulted in a $99 million dead cap hit, the largest in NFL history, to be split over two years.

Over the past few months, Sullivan began a process that has included trading and releasing established cornerpieces with lucrative contracts and bringing in younger players, mostly on one-year deals. The former Green Bay executive is also employing the same philosophy that he has said allowed the Packers to build sustained success over the years: by drafting a developing their own players.

Both Sullivan and Hafley have said it will take time to develop into the perennial winner they’re aiming to be, but that doesn’t mean they don’t believe they can see immediate returns from the current players on their roster.

“Everything we do is going to be about competing to get better throughout the process, and we want to win,” Hafley said. “So I just don’t think any player or any coach is going to sit here and say ‘I’m just going to throw in the towel and just rebuild.’ That’s probably why no one’s hearing that. I think if you had a group of players saying that, then I think we’ve got the wrong players.”

That mindset has trickled down to players.

“I don’t look at it as a rebuild because I’m in it and I play the game,” said veteran linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who recently signed a three-year contract extension. “I realize being in the league, everybody is super talented, and it’s not always what it looks like on paper. … I don’t really care if people think that it’s a rebuild or they think we’re going 0-17 or whatever people have been saying. I look at it as we’ve got a bunch of football players who’s hungry, super talented. Nobody in this locker room would be here if they didn’t have what it takes.”

Practices so far under Hafley have been lively and physical: characteristics the coach wants his team to embody all year.

Thursday’s session was highlighted by a forced fumble and recovery by edge rusher Chop Robinson on running back De’Von Achane early in 11-on-11 drills. Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson also forced and recovered a fumble on running back Ollie Gordon II.

Hafley has opted to forgo typical 7-on-7 drills during the first two days of training camp, instead having team drills take place in a more game-like 11-on-11 format. The former Packers defensive coordinator said he prefers it that way to build better situational down-and-distance habits.

“All those little things with the officials being there in 11-on-11 and they’re throwing the flags will send the message of ‘this is important,’” Hafley said. “If they weren’t there, and we were just doing 7-on-7 — I mean, we had a great play on defense yesterday. It was third-and-10, and our defensive end lined up offsides. That doesn’t happen in 7-on-7. Like all those things, we have to get the rust off, and that’s what training camp is all about.”

Players like it that way as well.

“It’s real life football,” said veteran center Aaron Brewer, also coming off an offseason contract extension. “We’re not here playing flag football. When you go to gameday, it’s 11-on-11 — not 7-on-7. It’s more work to translate from practice to game day. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

#####

THE EAGLES PUT THEIR FAITH IN JALEN CARTER. THEY CAN ONLY HOPE THEIR RISK IS WORTH THE REWARD

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts offered a rare speck of detail into his personal life when he said his wife stuck a $5 bill into his backpack ahead of his first day of training camp.

Just a bit of an inside joke between the power couple.

Hurts skipped spending it on a vending machine snack and went straight to the Philadelphia Eagles player who might never need the smallest of loans.

“I took that $5 bill and I went and gave it to Jalen Carter, and I smacked it on his chest. And I said, ‘Let me put five on top of that,’” Hurts said.

Carter kept the petty cash. The richest of the rich can always use small bills, even as the 25-year-old Carter signed the richest deal for a defensive tackle in NFL history.

The Eagles signed Carter this week to a four-year extension that included $106 million guaranteed through the 2031 season.

Make that $106,000,005.

“I said if he would’ve signed it, it’d probably be worth $500,” Carter said. “I got it held. It’s at the house, though. I literally held it all day. It fell out of my pockets with teammates giving it to me. It was a funny moment, though.”

Carter was selected ninth overall in the 2023 draft and has been unstoppable for a defense that spurred the Eagles to a Super Bowl championship two seasons ago. He had three sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 33 tackles last season for the NFC East champions and has paired with former Georgia teammate Jordan Davis — who signed a three-year, $65 million guaranteed contract extension in March — to form a formidable defensive front.

“We felt like that was one of the strengths of our team and we wanted that to be one of the strengths of our team going forward,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. “The defensive tackle position in the league, in college football, it’s a deficient position. It’s hard to find guys like that and we feel like it was a priority.”

Roseman and the Eagles believe their faith in Carter was rewarded and that he has blossomed into a player of high value on the field. They must hope he continues to make headlines only for his play.

Carter’s career biography will always include his involvement at Georgia in a crash that killed a teammate, offensive lineman Devin Willock, and a Georgia recruiting staffer, Chandler LeCroy.

Carter was given one year of probation and fined $1,000 after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing related to the wreck.

On the field, Carter spoiled the Eagles’ opening night ceremony of their Super Bowl win when he spit on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Carter was fined the equivalent of his game check for Week 1 because the NFL considered the punishment a one-game suspension with time served. The two-time Pro Bowler was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct before the first snap from scrimmage.

He was penalized three times in 2024 for unnecessary roughness and was benched to start a game in a disciplinary move by coach Nick Sirianni. Carter also was fined $17,445 that season for an open-handed blow to the head of Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz in the NFC championship game.

He’s got the cash now to cover any more damages, if necessary.

#####

BENGALS DE SHEMAR STEWART (KNEE) AVOIDS MAJOR INJURY AFTER SCARE

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart will be out several weeks with a hyperextended left knee but has “avoided major injury,” head coach Zac Taylor said Thursday.

“Very fortunate, because it obviously looked bad,” Taylor said. “The good  news is we’ll be getting him back sooner rather than later.”

Stewart, a first-round draft pick in 2025, sustained the injury during 11-on-11 drills in the opening session of Bengals training camp on Wednesday.

The incident occurred on just the second rep, when Stewart became entangled with offensive lineman Cody Ford as he rushed the passer.MLB news

The 22-year-old went down immediately and was helped off the field, where trainers assessed him on the sidelines. He was carted off for further evaluation after it was determined he could not put weight on his left leg.

Stewart, the 17th overall pick in 2025 out of Texas A&M, played in just eight games (five starts) during his rookie season due to ankle and knee injuries. He recorded 11 tackles and one sack.

#####

BAKER MAYFIELD: ‘DISRESPECTED’ DURING CONTRACT TALKS WITH BUCS

Baker Mayfield told reporters Thursday that he felt “disrespected” and “undervalued” by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after failing to reach a contract extension by his self-imposed deadline.

Mayfield is entering the final season of a three-year, $100 million contract he signed in March 2024, with his $33.33 million annual salary ranked 16th among NFL quarterbacks.

“I wanted a deal done, and set the deadline, and told them it was going to be all ball after that. And I did mean that,” Mayfield said. “And I don’t know if they thought I was just going to take some of the offers that they gave. But I’m at the point of my career and understanding what I brought to this franchise — one, I’m very, very grateful for the chance they gave me, do not get me wrong on that. But I also really know what I’ve brought to this franchise leadership-wise and even play-wise. It’s been some of the best years of my career. And I think it’s only going to trend upwards. Just feeling comfortable in feeling that.

“So, disappointing in that regard to not have … to feel disrespected a little bit. And that’s really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it.”

ESPN reported the Bucs offered Mayfield a two-year contract offer that didn’t whet the appetite of the quarterback. Mayfield told the network the team was “pretty far” from the $50 million average annual value he is seeking.

“This is not a ‘poor me’ thing,” he said. “There’s a lot of other people who have it way worse off. But I can sit here and look at other quarterbacks and peers, and evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories that, I deserve to be compensated for that. I think I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been said publicly from ownership down, here. So to not have a deal done is very disappointing.”

Mayfield joined the team on a one-year, $4 million deal ahead of the 2023 season as the Bucs tried to fill the role of the retired Tom Brady.

Mayfield, 31, earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2023 and 2024 while helping Tampa Bay capture consecutive division titles, though the team limped to an 8-9 record last season and missed the playoffs.

In eight NFL seasons with four teams, Mayfield has completed 63.5% of his passes for 28,525 yards, 197 touchdowns and 101 interceptions in 123 games (120 starts).

#####

TOP ROOKIE OF YEAR CANDIDATES

**RB Jeremiah Love, Arizona**

I shall refrain from overreacting to comments made by offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, which recently gained significant attention and appeared to diminish the enthusiasm surrounding Love. Many coaches tend to avoid hyping rookies, and it is unclear whether there is more to these remarks. Notably, no running back has received the Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) award since Saquon Barkley in 2018. Thus, it would be fitting if Love, being the first running back selected in the top five since Barkley, were to secure this prestigious honor. Love serves as an immediate focal point for the Arizona Cardinals. He exhibits remarkable skill as a ball-carrier, showcasing a dynamic playing style highlighted by an impressive spin move, and displays versatility that allows him to operate similarly to an additional wide receiver in the passing game. The Cardinals seek to enhance their offensive excitement beyond tight end Trey McBride, and Love can fulfill this need significantly. However, the franchise is also eager for victories, which may prove challenging to achieve. Mike LaFleur is entering a rebuilding phase in his inaugural year as head coach, meaning the overall offensive performance may progress slowly, potentially resulting in difficult periods throughout the season, especially given the team’s particularly challenging schedule. Furthermore, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has reported that the Cardinals plan to moderate Love’s workload by incorporating James Conner and Tyler Allgeier into the running back rotation. Historical evidence demonstrates that Allgeier has previously siphoned red-zone opportunities from Bijan Robinson in Atlanta, which could similarly impact Love. Should circumstances take a negative turn, Love may struggle to find openings, particularly with a questionable offensive line. In conclusion, while I believe he merits his status as a front-runner due to his considerable talent and the opportunities presented to him, the path to OROY recognition may be fraught with challenges.

**WR Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans**

Tyson was selected four picks after Tate, at No. 8 overall, and whereas Tate immediately assumes the position of No. 1 wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans, Tyson enters his rookie season as the No. 2 receiver for the New Orleans Saints. Therefore, it is understandable to question why Tyson is ranked ahead of Tate on my list. The distinction rests largely on elements beyond their control. I perceive greater stability in New Orleans than exists for Tate in Tennessee. Additionally, it is advantageous that Tyson is part of a team that holds a competitive position within a division that did not yield a winning record last season. He possesses the necessary size, creativity, and ball skills to curate an impressive highlight reel in his first year. If opposing defenses concentrate on limiting the performance of Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, Tyson is likely to encounter favorable coverage opportunities and may close the anticipated production gap between the two receivers. The primary concern for Tyson remains his health, as injuries have plagued him throughout each of his four college seasons. Should he maintain his health and Kellen Moore guide New Orleans’ offense to continued improvement alongside quarterback Tyler Shough, the franchise could achieve its first OROY since Alvin Kamara was honored in 2017.

**RB Jadarian Price, Seattle**

There exists a pressing need to find a replacement for Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III within the Seattle Seahawks’ offense, and Price was drafted 32nd overall to fulfill this requirement. Transitioning from playing alongside Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame to serving as the primary running back for an NFL team contending for a title represents a significant adjustment, thus it is reasonable to expect initial challenges. However, Price has received high praise for his early performances in training camp, particularly in pass protection, which will be crucial for his utility on all three downs. As head coach Mike Macdonald has emphasized, the true assessment of the rookie’s capabilities will occur when the team engages in full-contact drills. Even if he secures the RB1 position, it is likely that he will divide playing time with Zach Charbonnet, who may return from an ACL tear sooner than anticipated, as well as Emanuel Wilson and George Holani. Consequently, Price may not achieve the same volume of opportunities as his college counterpart in Arizona, yet he will be competing within a more proficient team. This dynamic could render the competition for OROY recognition particularly intriguing.

**WR CARNELL TATE, TENNESSEE**  

Carnell Tate exemplifies the emerging profile of an Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) candidate as a wide receiver selected in the top ten, specifically fourth overall. The former Ohio State University athlete is anticipated to fulfill the role of the Tennessee Titans’ primary wide receiver, and early indicators suggest that he is meeting these high expectations. It is easy to envision him successfully executing deep receptions from quarterback Cam Ward, which could contribute to substantial yardage gains, positioning him prominently among this talented cohort of newcomers. However, several factors may impede his progress, independent of his performance. The Titans’ offensive line continues to exhibit notable vulnerabilities, and when coupled with Ward’s transition to a new offensive system in his second year in the National Football League (NFL), there are legitimate concerns. Furthermore, the team has invested significantly in wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, reuniting him with Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll. Robinson has averaged 140 targets over the past two seasons while with the New York Giants in Daboll’s system. To contextualize this statistic, only Ja’Marr Chase, Trey McBride, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Justin Jefferson have received more targets than Robinson since the commencement of the 2024 season. Therefore, while Tate may serve as Tennessee’s principal outside receiver, it is plausible that he may not emerge as the team’s most frequently targeted pass catcher in 2026.

**QB FERNANDO MENDOZA, LAS VEGAS**  

Prior to any potential backlash from proponents of Fernando Mendoza, I wish to clarify that my assessment of Mendoza’s standing is influenced by the Las Vegas Raiders’ apparent intention to initiate the season with quarterback Kirk Cousins at the helm while the rookie observes and develops. Should the Raiders genuinely aim to provide Mendoza with an extended period to acclimatize, his prospects for winning the OROY award would diminish considerably. Historically, since the year 2000, only three quarterbacks have secured the OROY title without starting in Week 1: Justin Herbert (2020), Vince Young (2006), and Ben Roethlisberger (2004); however, each of these quarterbacks made their first career start within the first four weeks of their respective seasons. Over the past 19 seasons, Herbert remains the sole quarterback to win the OROY award without a Week 1 start, achieving his first start in Week 2. I have positioned Mendoza centrally on my rankings, recognizing the possibility that he may enter the lineup sooner than anticipated. Should he achieve this and perform satisfactorily, the Heisman Trophy winner may enhance his accolades by the conclusion of the season.

**WR MAKAI LEMON, PHILADELPHIA**  

Another slot receiver has made the list: Makai Lemon, who was selected 20th overall, becoming the third wide receiver taken in this year’s draft. The Philadelphia Eagles executed a trade to secure Lemon prior to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ selection. With established players such as DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, and Hollywood Brown on the roster, Philadelphia possesses sufficient depth should the rookie require additional time to adjust to the professional level. However, General Manager Howie Roseman’s aggressive draft maneuver indicates a belief in Lemon’s potential impact. It is encouraging to note that Lemon participated in training camp following a hamstring injury that precluded his attendance at Organized Team Activities (OTAs). If he performs to the levels suggested by comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown during the pre-draft assessment, he could quickly accumulate yards after catch, rendering this evaluation conservative. Nonetheless, historical trends are not favorable for Lemon, Stribling, Concepcion, Cooper, or Williams, as no wide receiver drafted outside of the top twelve has garnered the OROY title since Percy Harvin in 2009. Furthermore, the Eagles have yet to witness either an OROY or Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) recipient in their franchise history.

**WR De’Zhaun Stribling, San Francisco**  

Stribling has emerged as a more viable candidate for the award than initially anticipated. Since the commencement of training camp, the 49ers have lost two of their foremost wide receivers. Christian Kirk departed the first practice session prematurely, while Ricky Pearsall is currently experiencing swelling in his knee due to a previous PCL injury sustained last season. The team has expressed “concerns” regarding Pearsall’s injury and is “exploring all options” for potential next steps, suggesting that this may not be a short-term issue. Consequently, San Francisco may need to rely on Stribling to assume starter-level responsibilities from the outset. He was a notable prospect leading up to the draft, ultimately selected as the first pick of Round 2. His promising trajectory may very well extend into the regular season. His impressive combination of size and speed, exemplified by a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at 207 pounds, may soon be on display. With defenses likely focused on Mike Evans, Christian McCaffrey, and, when healthy, George Kittle, Stribling could find ample opportunities. Should he capitalize on these, he may transform from a long shot into a prominent contender for the award.

**WR KC Concepcion, Cleveland**  

It is ambitious to expect Concepcion to ascend to a leading position, particularly considering that the Browns are facing one of the most challenging quarterback situations in the league and may be among the weakest teams in 2026. However, there is a positive aspect to note: he is the franchise’s highest-drafted receiver in the past decade, selected 24th overall, and the competition for becoming Cleveland’s most-targeted pass catcher appears open. Other players, such as Jerry Jeudy, rookie Denzel Boston—who was drafted in Round 2, 15 picks after Concepcion—and the promising second-year tight end Harold Fannin Jr. also possess the potential to emerge as primary targets in the Browns’ passing game. Boston, in particular, may excel in the red zone due to his size, thus overshadowing Concepcion in his inaugural season. Ultimately, I anticipate that Concepcion’s talent for quickly creating separation from the slot position will render him a reliable option for whichever quarterback leads the Browns, potentially translating to award-caliber production.

**Omar Cooper, NY Jets**  

The Jets allocated two of their three first-round picks this year to acquiring pass-catching talent, notably drafting TE Kenyon Sadiq (16th overall) before Cooper (30th overall). Yet, it is Cooper who garners attention in this analysis. Historically, a tight end has yet to win this award, and unless Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich implements a strategy featuring two tight ends, Sadiq will likely defer to Mason Taylor for a significant number of snaps. In contrast, Cooper possesses a clear pathway to become the primary slot receiver. Additionally, data from Next Gen Stats indicates that only six quarterbacks have targeted slot receivers more frequently than the new Jets quarterback, Geno Smith, since the start of the 2022 season. While there are multiple players requiring targets in the offense, including WR1 Garrett Wilson, deep sleeper Adonai Mitchell, RB Breece Hall, and the aforementioned tight ends, it remains uncertain whether Cooper will acquire the volume necessary to contend for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2026. Nevertheless, his playing style has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel, suggesting he will prove to be a dynamic asset on the field. It would be surprising if he does not quickly become a favored target for Smith.

**WR Antonio Williams, Washington**  

In the upcoming season, it is essential for players other than Terry McLaurin to contribute in the passing game for the Commanders. There exists a distinct opportunity for Williams to achieve a high volume of targets from the slot position, given the lack of significant competition for this role. Throughout the 2024 season at Clemson, he demonstrated the capacity to generate impressive statistics, amassing 1,005 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns over 14 games. While I do not anticipate that he will replicate such numbers during his rookie NFL season, his existing opportunities along with his proficiency in evading defenders make him noteworthy in this discussion. Should he earn the trust of quarterback Jayden Daniels, the urgency for Washington to acquire or trade for a veteran receiver prior to the season may diminish. In such a case, targets are unlikely to present a challenge for this agile slot receiver.

**Quarterback Carson Beck, Arizona**

The emergence of Carson Beck as a contender for the Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) award may depend on either an injury to Jacoby Brissett, who has recently signed a lucrative contract, or a decline in his performance. However, it is not entirely improbable that Beck could become a significant player in this award race. Notably, last season, Saints quarterback Tyler Shough finished as the runner-up—albeit at a considerable distance—to the OROY winner, Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, despite Shough starting only nine games in 2025. 

In a year where opportunities for rookie quarterbacks may be limited, a midseason promotion to the starting lineup could potentially make Beck relevant in the award competition due to the impact of his position. The Arizona Cardinals, currently in a rebuilding phase, may consider evaluating Beck’s capabilities if the team experiences a series of defeats. It is important to note that Beck currently competes with the frontrunner for this season’s OROY award, Jeremiyah Love, for attention. 

One of the significant challenges that Beck and Love may face in their pursuit of the OROY award is the Cardinals’ projected win-loss record. The team is anticipated to contend with one of the most difficult schedules in the league, which includes multiple matchups against their division rivals in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, all of whom are considered serious contenders for the Super Bowl.

#####

CRISTINA ULBRICH, WIFE OF FALCONS DC JEFF ULBRICH, DIES AFTER CANCER BATTLE

The Atlanta Falcons announced Thursday the death of Cristina Ulbrich, wife of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who was fighting cancer.

The Falcons confirmed her passing in a pair of statements. The team called Cristina Ulbrich “a constant source of love and support to Jeff, their family, and the broader Falcons community.”

The team also released a statement from owner Arthur Blank.

“Cristina will always be an important part of our Falcons family,” Blank said. “My heart is with Jeff, Samantha, Jax, Jace and the entire Ulbrich family during this unimaginable time.

“It was always evident how deeply Cristina loved her family and how fiercely she supported them. She faced every challenge with extraordinary courage, strength and grace, inspiring so many through the way she lived and the way she fought. My family and I, along with the entire Falcons family, send our love and prayers for strength to everyone mourning her loss.

“The greatest legacy Cristina leaves behind is the family she loved so completely, and her strength and spirit will continue to shine through them.”

Funeral arrangements were not mentioned in either statement. Jeff Ulbrich had not yet joined the Falcons at the outset of training camp due to a personal matter.

Ulbrich has spent the bulk of his coaching career with Atlanta. He was on the defensive staff from 2015-20, including as interim defensive coordinator for part of 2020, before the New York Jets named him their defensive coordinator in 2021.

He spent four seasons with the Jets and served as their interim head coach for the final 12 games of 2024 following the firing of Robert Saleh. After that, Ulbrich returned to Atlanta as its defensive coordinator. The Falcons retained him this offseason despite the head coaching change from Raheem Morris to Kevin Stefanski.

#####

REPORTS: 49ERS BRING BACK WR DEEBO SAMUEL ON 1-YEAR, $7 MILLION DEAL

Deebo Samuel agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers worth $7 million, reuniting with San Francisco following a season away from the team that drafted him.

Multiple outlets reported the agreement but it was yet to be made official by the 49ers late Thursday.

Samuel was a second-round pick of the 49ers in 2019 and was a productive, versatile weapon in Kyle Shanahan’s offense for six seasons. He played outside receiver, slot receiver and “wide back” before being traded to the Washington Commanders prior to the 2025 season.

He had 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns in his only season in Washington, where starting quarterback Jayden Daniels was in and out of the lineup with multiple injuries.

An unsigned free agent, Samuel’s phone rang when the 49ers began feeling anxious about the status of their wide receiver corps yet again. Free agent Christian Kirk (calf) and projected starter Ricky Pearsall (knee) are fighting injuries and reliable receiving target George Kittle at tight end won’t likely be ready for the opener.

The 49ers also signed Mike Evans, who turns 33 in August, after he totaled 866 receptions for 13,052 yards and 108 TD catches in 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

#####

SAINTS WR CHRIS OLAVE REPORTEDLY AGREES TO 4-YEAR, $132M DEAL

The New Orleans Saints and wide receiver Chris Olave agreed to a long-term extension on Thursday.

The Saints announced a multi-year deal for Olave while reports pinpointed it as a four-year, $132 million deal that includes $90 million guaranteed.

The extension puts the 26-year-old Olave under contract through 2030. The $33 million average annual salary is tied for sixth-highest among receivers with DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Olave will earn $15.49 million in 2026 after the Saints picked up the fifth-year option of his rookie deal in April.

Olave participated in New Orleans’ first two training camp practices but only did individual drills and walk-throughs while negotiations were ongoing.

“I think the biggest thing is there’s the business side and there’s the football side, obviously. And we know sometimes those two overlap,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said after Thursday’s practice. “It’s inevitable. And I think communication is the key.

“As long as we all communicate and we’re all on the same page. I think we always have to remind ourselves, everyone has the same goal. Everyone’s shooting for the same things. It’s just sometimes the business side takes a little bit of a lead on this for a matter of time and we’ll work through that.”

Olave has topped 1,000 receiving yards in three of his four seasons. He had career bests of 100 receptions, 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games last season.

Olave missed the final game of last season due to a blood clot in his lung. The clot kept him limited in offseason workouts. Blood thinners helped alleviate the issue.

Olave was limited to eight games in 2024 due to sustaining at least two concussions. He was carted off the field after taking a blow to the head against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 3, 2024 and missed the rest of the season.

Olave was a first-round draft choice (No. 11 overall) in 2022 out of Ohio State. He has 291 receptions for 3,728 yards and 19 touchdowns in 55 NFL games (44 starts).

##########################################

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

(BIG 10)

THE CHESNEY ERA BEGINS: UCLA FOOTBALL BUILDING A NEW FOUNDATION IN 2026

UCLA enters 2026 with newfound hope following the hiring of former James Madison head coach Bob Chesney. Chesney takes over a UCLA program that aspires to be bowl eligible for the first time since Chip Kelly led the team to 8-5 in 2023. The former Dukes headman brings with him his former offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy, who helped their explosive offense punch a ticket to the College Football Playoff in 2025. 

More than anything, Chesney focused on the importance of hard work and his focus on player development at Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover. And the players are buying into it. 

“They come to work every single day,” Chesney said. “They have a strong desire to be really good at football. And not only to be good at football, but be good at life.” 

Chesney also emphasized the need to “have success in what you do on a day-to-day basis” and “hold yourself to an extremely high standard” to have success on the football field. 

With a fresh roster and a new era beginning in Westwood, Chesney made it clear that he is focused less on outside expectations and more on steady growth inside the program. 

“I’m not really interested in putting artificial limits on ourselves or making promises on outcomes that have to be earned,” Chesney said. “Success looks like a united, disciplined group that continues to grow every moment that they have.” 

That all starts with his leaders.

A More Confident, More Comfortable QB 

Benefiting from the new offensive scheme will be redshirt junior quarterback Nico Iamaleava. After spending his first two seasons at Tennessee, Iamaleava shocked the college football world when he decided to hit the portal, signing with the Bruins. His first season with UCLA was up and down. Over the course of 11 games as the starter, Iamaleava threw for 1,928 yards and 13 touchdowns. 

Though it was a rocky first season in a Bruin uniform, Iamaleava feels more confident in the offensive system as 2026 approaches. 

“We’re doing everything in our power to put ourselves in positions to be prepared,” he said at Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover. “I feel better about this year mentally and physically… I’m confident in the work we’ve been putting in.” 

Iamaleava looks to lead an offense that struggled as a unit last year, scoring 18.2 points per game.  

“You got to look in the mirror and ask yourself, are you doing everything you can in your power to lead these guys to win?” the quarterback said. “As long as you lay it all out there, [you can] be proud of what you did out there.” 

The redshirt junior will have some help on offense with the additions of former San Jose State wide receiver and transfer commit Leland Smith, who poses as a major jump ball threat standing at 6 ‘4. The Bruins also added former Florida receiver Aidan Mizell, who gives UCLA a boost in speed.  

Hitschler, Martin Set the Tone for UCLA’s Defense 

Defensively, the group will be led by redshirt junior linebacker Cole Martin, who burst onto the scene in 2025 with 65 total tackles and an interception. Coaching the unit, former James Madison defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler who, like Dean Kennedy, followed Chesney to Los Angeles. Hitschler spent time under Kalen DeBoer at Alabama in 2024, where he was the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, helping the Crimson Tide to a 9-4 finish. 

Martin is excited to learn under Hitschler and says the defense has looked sharper after allowing 33.4 points per game last season. 

“Coach H is one of those guys that has an extreme amount of attention to detail,” Martin said. “How we play in his scheme allows us to elevate to that next level… With the intensity that he carries every single day, [he] just pushes us to be where we want to be.” 

Martin looks to step into a leadership role with the Bruins after stints at Oregon and Arizona State. 

“I’ve been able to lead this team in an emotional as well as a physical way,” the DB said. “Being able to have these guys and coaches trust me to lead them to where they want to be… is something that I’ve just fully bought into… because I know that great teams are player-led.” 

UCLA’s defense will have a different feel this season. Much like the offense, they excelled in the transfer portal. Four-star edge rusher Sahir West followed his coaches to UCLA, giving the Bruins’ pass rush help after the departure of Laiatu Latu (Indianapolis Colts). Behind West, it’s Oklahoma transfer linebacker Sammy Omosigho that will fit into the unit as a versatile piece. 

With the spring additions of West and Omosigho, Martin is confident the defense will be in an improved place from a season ago. 

The Chesney Era 

UCLA is setting a new foundation in 2026. Chesney’s message in Chicago was less about promises and more about process with a focus on habits rather than hype. And he’s happy to be doing it in L.A. 

“There’s no better place I’d rather be at this moment in time, and I strongly believe in the power of what UCLA is,” Chesney said. 

UCLA enters the fall with alignment, with leadership, and with players who appear to understand the standard their new staff is trying to set. And for a program developing traction in a new era, that may be the best first step.

#####

OREGON EYES A BREAKTHROUGH BEHIND LANNING, MOORE

Coming off a 13-2 season in which they made the College Football Playoff semifinals, the Oregon Ducks look to take the leap from contenders to champions. Led by head coach Dan Lanning and redshirt junior quarterback Dante Moore, the Ducks are poised to do more than just qualify for the playoffs. Their goal is a national championship.  

“Certainly, really proud of the team and the work that they’ve put in. But we have high expectations,” Lanning said. “We’ve got a lot that we want to accomplish.” 

At Big Ten Media Days presented by Discover, Lanning emphasized that this team feels different. “I think this will be the most player-led team we’ve had during my time at Oregon,” Lanning said. “Last year we had a ton of talent. This year we have a lot of experience returning.” 

With Oregon just a couple wins away last season, fans in Eugene are ready for their turn to hold the CFP trophy. 

The Ducks Want Moore 

Moore will look to be the signal-caller to bring home the hardware, following numerous elite Oregon passers (including Heisman finalists and NFL quarterbacks Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel). In 2025, Moore lit up the scoreboards, leading the Ducks to the 11th best offense in the country on a points per game basis at 36.9 (via ESPN). Individually, he threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns, adding 156 more yards and two scores with his legs. 

In 2026, Moore wants to embrace his role, and he echos Lanning’s notes on the team’s leadership as a whole. 

“We’ve had a lot of meetings where we’re just player-led, where we all just sit down and open up to each other,” he said. 

In his opening statement, Lanning praised his veteran QB and his multifaceted leadership. “He’s obviously a special quarterback, but what makes Dante so special is who he is as a person. Seeing the community outreach that he does, the leader that he is for his teammates, the work that he’s done… Now he has some business that he wants to complete.” 

Moore is excited after another offseason—during which he gained 17 pounds in the weight room—though his offensive coordinator from a season ago Will Stein left to become Kentucky’s new head coach. Luckily for Moore and the offense, Lanning decided to replace Stein with an in-house candidate in Drew Mehringer — the former co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from a year ago. And Moore is confident in the Ducks’ headman’s decisions.  

“We’re just trusting coach Lanning,” Moore said. “He brings fuel to me… He pushes me in practice… and I need it.” 

And the Ducks need him. 

Oregon’s Next Weapon 

A hole expected to be filled in a big way is the tight end position. With former Duck Kenyon Sadiq picked in the first round of the NFL Draft by the New York Jets, it’s his backup from a season ago, redshirt sophomore Jamari Johnson, that will take over as the lead tight end on the roster. 

Johnson possesses many of the qualities that made Sadiq elite. A mix of size, speed and hands is good enough to get any coordinator in the country excited. The redshirt junior put up stats that exceeded Sadiq’s 2024 sophomore campaign. Johnson had 467 yards on 28 catches, as well as three touchdowns. As he enters 2026, he’s more confident in himself and feels the team has the off-the-field factor mastered this season. 

“What sets us apart is our connection,” he said. “We know each other’s why and why we’re doing this.” 

Johnson is ready to become the teacher after years of being considered number two. He reiterated his willingness to lead the Ducks’ fresh squad going into fall camp. 

“We have a young team, so all of the guys are looking up to us, and we’re getting them right.” 

Joining Johnson in the tight ends room will be four-star Penn State transfer Andrew Olesh, who was a coveted pickup from the portal. With a deep selection of tight ends as well as Johnson’s return, the Ducks have the opportunity to build their skill room and blockers for the trenches at the same time.  

Contender to Champion? 

While they have Michigan and Ohio State on their schedule, the Ducks seemed primed to make another playoff run— perhaps deeper than we’ve seen before. Only time will tell whether 2026 could be the season the Ducks raise the national title. 

If Lanning is right, Oregon’s blend of experience, leadership and belief may be exactly what pushes this program over the top. The Ducks have spent the last few years knocking on the door — now comes their chance to kick it down.

#####

PAT FITZGERALD RETURNS TO THE BIG TEN

Coming off a 4-8 campaign at Michigan State, it’s a familiar face that takes over the helm for the Spartans. Former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract to become the Michigan State head man. The signing signals a change in East Lansing, with the hopes for better seasons ahead.  

During Fitzgerald’s 17 years in Evanston, he finished with a positive 110-101 record and guided the Wildcats to 10 bowl games and five AP Top 25 finishes. The 2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year will look to bring a change to the team’s culture and put Sparty back in competition for a Big Ten Championship. 

“I think you’re going to have 18 head football coaches walk up here and have an expectation to win the Big Ten Championship,” Fitzgerald said. “That’s our expectation.”

Fitzgerald said that he and the team have more than just a chip on their shoulder coming into 2026. 

“I wouldn’t say I have a chip on my shoulder. I wouldn’t say our program has a chip on our shoulder,” Fitzgerald said. “I’d say we have a bag of chips on our shoulder. I’ll leave it at that.” 

Alessio Milivojevic Ready for First Full Season

Leading the charge into 2026 will be redshirt sophomore quarterback Alessio Milivojevic. The second-year starter threw for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2025 even though he didn’t get much game action until the final four games of the season. Milivojevic believes the final stretch of games taught him what he needs to know heading into 2026. 

“Now that I got those four games of starting and feeling the highs and lows along with the halftimes — every part of the game — it really allows me to really understand what it takes to win a Big Ten football game,” Milivojevic said. “It takes a lot.” 

Milivojevic sat behind former Spartan and current Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles in 2024 and waited patiently for his turn at the halfway point in 2025. The 6’3” gunslinger is so excited for his first full season in East Lansing, he even created a GroupMe with his teammates for non-mandatory, but highly encouraged, practices. 

“I actually had to make a GroupMe because there’s too many skill players,” Milivojevic said. “I made this little GroupMe [so] that I could send a text, and we’re throwing at 9 a.m. I mean… it’ll say optional, but if you’re not there, you’re expected to be there.” 

Nick Sheridan will call plays for the Spartans after being hired as the program’s offensive coordinator following two seasons as Alabama’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. During his time in Tuscaloosa, Sheridan helped oversee one of the SEC’s most explosive offenses before making the move to East Lansing. Prior to Alabama, Sheridan served as Indiana’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2020-21, where he played a key role in the development of current Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Milivojevic will learn from one of the nation’s most respected play callers as he continues to develop for the Spartans. 

Linebacker Jordan Hall Ready to Lead the Defense

Senior linebacker Jordan Hall is ready to roll heading into this season. Hall broke into the spotlight with a career-high 88 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2025. The senior spoke highly of defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, who has been with the program since 2024, ahead of the season. 

“[Coach Rossi] has probably single-handedly played the most pivotal point in my growth as a linebacker,” Hall said. “I’m looking forward to having Coach Rossi back on the sideline again for the season. It’ll be very exciting.” 

Rossi will look to have the defense rebound after a season in which the Spartans allowed just under 30 points per game. Hall said one of Rossi’s best qualities is the passion he coaches with, fueling each player on the defense. 

“He cares a lot, and sometimes it comes off as anger, but it’s just passion and love,” Hall said. “If you listen to what he’s saying and not how he says it, that’s where you can be able to open up that space to grow and receive information.” 

The Spartans will need their defense to settle in quickly with a challenging schedule ahead. Their toughest tests begin in week three with a road trip to Notre Dame, followed by another hostile environment in week 10 against rival Michigan. The Spartans then return home in week 12 for what could be another pivotal matchup against Oregon. 

Ready for Battle

With new coaching, returning faces and a hungry quarterback going into 2026, the Spartans have a chance to do what Pat Fitzgerald loves most – embrace the underdog role. With the fuel to be competitive, Michigan State could climb their way up the rankings of a very difficult Big Ten. 

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MINNESOTA, P.J. FLECK ENTER YEAR 10 WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS

Minnesota finished the 2025 season on a high note with a 20-17 victory over New Mexico in the Rate Bowl, a win that could provide valuable momentum as head coach P.J. Fleck looks to push the program to new heights in 2026. 

The Golden Gophers finished with identical overall and conference records in each of the past two seasons, posting an 8-5 mark overall and going 5-4 in Big Ten play in both 2024 and 2025. Now entering the 10th season of head coach P.J. Fleck’s “Row the Boat” era, Minnesota will look to recapture the success of its 2019 campaign, when the program finished 11-2 and won the Outback Bowl. 

Fleck’s message at Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover preached about the victories his teams have garnered throughout his tenure. 

“Seven and zero at bowl games, seven consecutive bowl games in full seasons,” Fleck said. “[We are] one of seven of 18 Big Ten teams who have had back-to-back eight-win seasons.” 

Drake Lindsey and Co. Ready for Next Step

Minnesota will be led again by redshirt sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey, who threw for 2,382 yards and 18 touchdowns while only throwing six interceptions in his first year as the starter. In year two, Lindsey said he feels he has a better grip of the offense and what needs to happen for the Gophers to trend in the right direction. 

“I think your first year, you’re trying to figure some things out,” Lindsey said. “You’re just trying to make sure you can get yourself through, you know, game week and make sure you can execute for your teammates. This year, I’m obviously comfortable within the offense with my teammates, [I’m] growing a lot as a leader.” 

An offensive weapon at Lindsey’s disposal in 2026 will be running back Darius Taylor. The senior back ran for 670 yards and four touchdowns in 2025 and added another 245 yards receiving, an underrated aspect of his game.  

“He definitely is good out of the backfield,” Lindsey said. “He runs routes like a wide receiver, and he catches the ball like a wide receiver… Having him be able to do that, I think, is super beneficial for our offense, and creates a lot, lot of good matchups for us.” 

The Gophers were 5-1 when Lindsey completed more than 65% of his passes last season. Now, with a year under his belt, the signal caller will look to power the offense with elite accuracy. 

Anthony Smith Ready to Lead in Senior Campaign

Defensively, the unit will be led by edge rusher Anthony Smith. Smith led the entire conference in sacks a season ago with 12.5 and will look to terrorize quarterbacks in his fifth and final season in a Golden Gopher uniform. Smith was named a Walter Camp Preseason All-American, proving his impact on the Golden Gophers defense isn’t going unnoticed. Fleck explained that he didn’t have to convince Smith to stay following his monster season. 

“It’s about fit and selection, and we broke down exactly why he would want to be here and why he would want to leave,” Fleck said. “It’s about your production on the football field, and he wants to produce more.” 

Smith agreed with his coach, stating that when it came to coming back to Minnesota, there was never a doubt. 

“You didn’t need to convince me,” Smith said. “It’s so easy to come to our program. Whether that’s the facility with our staff members, the support staff, the trainers, or the players. I love coming in every single day.” 

The senior said he will be embracing a leadership role he learned from those who came before him. 

“Learning from my past to create my future,” Smith said. “I had a lot of people before me, I had great leaders before me. It will be taking bits and pieces of what I liked from their leadership style and what I kind of didn’t like too, and then embracing that.” 

The Gophers schedule features key games coming on Halloween night on the road against Indiana and at home agains Michigan in week five. 

Up and Coming in Minneapolis? 

If Minnesota can pair a veteran-led defense with improved offensive consistency, they have a legitimate opportunity to contend in the Big Ten standings. The Gophers return an experienced roster that has already proven it can win close games, and another step forward could make the program a dark horse in the conference race.

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ILLINOIS FOOTBALL IS BUILDING “SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS” UNDER BIELEMA, WHITMAN

Back-to-back 9+ win seasons for the first time in 134 seasons. A 19-7 record over the last two years after going 18-19 the three years prior. The Illini aren’t sneaking up on anyone anymore—and head coach Bret Bielema wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, he and his players believe they have the tools they need to break through on the national stage. 

Key Takeaways 

Illinois has posted back-to-back 9+ win seasons for the first time in program history 

Transfer quarterback Katin Houser—who threw for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns last season—takes over as the signal-caller 

Four new starters on the offensive line were brought in specifically to improve pass protection 

A new, uniquely-designed defensive scheme aims to give Big Ten offenses serious problems 

Bielema emphasizes road wins for the Illini’s College Football Playoff hopes 

How Good Has Illinois Football Actually Been Under Bret Bielema? 

After a rocky 18-19 start in his first three seasons, Bielema has engineered one of the more underrated turnarounds in college football. According to coach, Illinois ranks fourth among Big Ten programs in win percentage, Power Four wins, home wins, and ranked wins over that two-year stretch. That’s behind only Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State. 

“Going into my 18th year, I couldn’t be more excited about where we are,” Bielema said at Big Ten Media Days. “Not just at Illinois, but in our conference and also college football.” 

That’s not just coach-speak. The culture shift is real—and Bielema points to men’s basketball head coach Brad Underwood’s Final Four run as proof that this is bigger than football. “[Athletic director] Josh [Whitman] and I commonly talk about sustainable success,” Bielema said. “Anybody can have a year or two or maybe three, but you’re going into year six to have the success we’ve had.” 

Can Katin Houser Lead the Offense? 

That’s the defining question of Illinois’s 2025 campaign. Houser arrives as the No. 19 ranked quarterback transfer per 247Sports, having thrown for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns against just six interceptions at East Carolina last season. He was also named to the Manning Award Watch List. 

With nearly half the roster turning over, Houser has taken it upon himself to build chemistry fast. “Almost 50% of our team is brand new,” he said. “I’m just kind of going up and meeting people, getting to know them personally and knowing their story.” 

Leadership aside, Houser brings genuine experience. “I’ve seen a lot of different defenses, a lot of different personnel, and played in multiple different offenses,” he said. “I have a ton of experience, and I know how to prepare for games. I feel like I’m in a good spot.” 

He’s also bullish on his receiving corps, naming Collin Dixon, Hudson Clement, Jayshon Platt, Ty Robinson, Alex Perry, and Brayden Trimble as wideouts he trusts. “I got honestly three or four guys that I feel really good about.” 

How Is Illinois Protecting Its New Quarterback? 

Bielema made it a priority. Four new offensive linemen came in this offseason, with left tackle Chris Martin—a Colorado State transfer with significant game reps—headlining the group alongside Jake Renfro and Brandon Henderson. “I made a huge commitment of time to look at potential players and make sure we’re going after the right people,” Bielema said. “I feel really good about that.” 

Running backs Ca’Lil Valentine and Aidan Laughery both return, giving the offense proven ball-carriers who can take pressure off Houser in critical moments. 

What Makes Illinois’s New Defense So Dangerous? 

Bielema isn’t hiding his excitement about the defensive overhaul. The Illini’s new 3-3-5 scheme draws from the principles of longtime defensive coordinator Rocky Long—and it’s deliberately unconventional. “This defensive scheme is uniquely different,” Bielema said. “To prepare for a unique offensive or defensive scheme in a work week is really, really hard.” 

Defensive back Juice Clarke is embracing the challenge of learning a new system while keeping the locker room locked in. “Everybody wants to win. Everybody is on the same page,” Clarke said. “The leadership took a step that it needed to to get everybody together.” 

Does Illinois Have What It Takes to Reach the College Football Playoff? 

The schedule sets up favorably early—four of the first five games are in Champaign. But the Illini face Oregon, Nebraska, Iowa, and Ohio State, and Bielema knows road performance will define the season. “A big point of mine is to win on the road,” he said. “For us to get into the playoffs, you’re going to have to win Big Ten games on the road.” 

Houser’s message to fans is straightforward: “Our team’s ready to play. We’re tough, smart, and dependable.” 

We’ll see how things shake out for the new Orange and Blue crew this season.

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BIG TEN SEEKING CLARITY ON PLAYOFF EXPANSION BEFORE ADDRESSING ITS NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULING POLICY

CHICAGO (AP) — The Big Ten appears to be in no hurry to change its status as the only major conference that doesn’t require its schools to schedule at least one nonconference game against another Power Four member each year.

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said this week at the Big Ten media days event that any proposed scheduling decisions would have to wait until a final decision comes on playoff expansion. The Big Ten is pushing for a 24-team approach to replace the current 12-team format.

That’s fine with many of the conference’s coaches and athletic directors.

“We’ve talked a lot about scheduling in our AD room and with our coaches about what’s coming next and what’s the right way to do things,” Petitti said. “I will tell you that our focus now is seeing clarity around the playoff and access and how that’s going to work before we make the next decision.”

Scheduling moves by other conferences have left the Big Ten as the lone holdout in this regard. The Big Ten has won the last three national championships, and none of those teams — Michigan in 2023, Ohio State in 2024 and Indiana last year — played a nonconference regular-season game against a Power Four program.

In the past, the Big Ten could point to its nine-game conference schedule as a reason it didn’t need to force tougher standards in nonconference scheduling since some other Power Four leagues were only playing eight conference games.

That’s no longer the case.

The Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference are adopting nine-game league schedules this year, and the Big 12 already was doing so. Those leagues make their teams have at least one nonconference game against a Power Four team or Notre Dame, though some Big 12 teams are using matchups with Washington State or Oregon State to fill the requirement because those games were scheduled before the previous version of the Pac-12 imploded.

Northwestern’s David Braun and Nebraska’s Matt Rhule said they would welcome a similar requirement, as long as the Big Ten gets its wish regarding postseason expansion.

“If we go into a 24-team playoff, it makes total sense,” Rhule said.

While most Big Ten teams regularly schedule at least one nonleague game against a major conference team, there are exceptions.

For example, this is the third straight season Indiana hasn’t played a nonconference regular-season game against a Power Four team. The Hoosiers host North Texas, Howard and Western Kentucky before opening their Big Ten schedule.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said he could foresee college football eventually making changes that allow for a more uniform scheduling strategy among the leagues.

“We play who’s on the schedule,” Cignetti said. “I suspect down the road something will happen with scheduling, sort of standardizing scheduling. You’ve got two conferences (the Big Ten and SEC) that are head-and-shoulders sort of above the rest right now. I think there will be some standardization.”

He said it wouldn’t surprise him to see it in two or three years.

Other Big Ten teams not playing nonconference games against Power Four members or Notre Dame this season include Nebraska, Penn State, Southern California and Washington. This season is just the second time since World War II that USC hasn’t faced Notre Dame.

Maryland, Northwestern, Penn State, Rutgers and Washington joined Indiana in not scheduling non-Power Four teams last year. New Penn State coach Matt Campbell was asked this week what he’d think about the Big Ten requiring teams to do so.

“There’s been so much going on in our own world that I don’t even know if I can give you an educated answer to that from my standpoint of it … I still think this landscape is constantly shifting around us,” Campbell said. “I think as we settle in, maybe I’ll have a better answer for that when I know what our landscape is.”

That reflects the general lack of consensus among Big Ten coaches regarding whether teams should be required to include a Power Four program in their nonconference schedules.

“Everybody’s going to look at it differently,” said Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck, whose team hosts the SEC’s Mississippi State on Sept. 12. “I like it because I think playing a team like that prepares you for Big Ten play way earlier.”

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IN NIL STALEMATE, CRUZ INSISTS NEW $48M CAP WOULD BE A HARD CAP. SEC, BIG TEN NOT CONVINCED

One key difference between Senate negotiators and the conferences still holding out on proposed legislation to regulate college sports is whether language in the bill would truly create a “hard salary cap” that would eliminate many third-party payments that have sent roster costs skyrocketing.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, the chair of the Senate Commerce Committee and cosponsor of the bill, sent out a social media post that said “The cap is a hard cap. Full stop. That loophole is closed.”

But the refusal by the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference to sign off on changes to the Protect College Sports Act during a frenzied week of negotiating is a sign that they do not agree with Cruz’s assessment and would like to see stronger language in the bill.

The Senate broke for the weekend late Thursday without taking action on the bill. It goes on vacation next Friday and the likelihood of the bill reaching a vote before then has grown slim.

One of the key concessions made over the past week was the addition of an up to $27.5 million (up from $25 million) “retention pool” that could be used to keep players on rosters. It would be added to the $21.3 million salary cap already in place to make the new number $48.8 million.

The new cap would then presumably include many of the third-party name, image, likeness deals that circumvent the current cap — many arranged by schools’ multimedia rights groups. The bill would restrict future third-party deals to what Cruz called truly “open market” deals.

The Senate negotiators say language in the bill already does that.

“Some commissioners want more: bar any company doing business with a school from signing that school’s players,” Cruz said in his post. “So a QB couldn’t sign with Nike because Nike has a separate contract with his university. That’s not protecting a cap. That’s blocking a kid from selling his own name.”

A letter to the conferences from a key negotiator, obtained by Yahoo Sports, spelled out how the language in the bill deals with the commissioners’ concerns.

The letter also addressed concerns that the new salary cap would blow past revenue-sharing amounts established in the House settlement, which dictates the terms of paying players.

“To the extent the current House settlement framework or its implementation treats these payments differently, federal statute, and the rules that are protected by it, trump the settlement,” it said.

The letter did not explain how and plaintiffs’ attorney Jeffrey Kessler has said he would need to see the legislation before weighing in on how it impacts the settlement.

The NCAA, which has supported the bill, put out a statement from President Charlie Baker acknowledging the shrinking window to get this done.

“While no bill is perfect, I implore college sports leaders and Senators to support this bill now,” Baker said. “It is our best chance to deliver the benefits and level playing field student-athletes deserve while providing the protections institutions need to sustain college athletics long-term.”

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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

TWINS’ KODY CLEMENS BEATS ROYALS WITH WALK-OFF SLAM

Kody Clemens launched a walk-off grand slam to lift the Minnesota Twins to an improbable 4-3 victory over the visiting Kansas City Royals on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Minnesota won despite being held without a hit until the seventh inning. Lucas Erceg took over for Noah Cameron in the ninth and got two outs before hitting Ryan Jeffers with a pitch and allowing Royce Lewis’ single. Josh Bell walked to load the bases before the Royals turned to Matt Strahm (3-4), who hung an 0-2 slider to Clemens, leading to the 407-foot blast to right-center.

Bailey Ober started and threw six innings for the Twins, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits, striking out three and walking two. Yoendrys Gomez (2-0) tossed a scoreless top of the ninth as Minnesota won its sixth game in eight outings.

Cameron hurled an eight-inning gem, yielding just one hit while striking out seven and walking two. Jac Caglianone hit a two-run homer for the Royals, who had won eight of their previous 12.

Rays 3, Rangers 2

Cedric Mullins slashed a tiebreaking solo home run in the eighth inning and Victor Mesa Jr. made it stand up with a dazzling catch in the ninth, leading Tampa Bay past Texas in St. Petersburg, Fla.

In the rubber match between two American League division leaders, Mullins cued a 96 mph fastball from Ben Peoples (0-1) over the short wall in left. The Rangers had a chance to take control in the ninth, but Mesa dashed toward the right field foul pole, reached up and backhanded Evan Carter’s drive that likely robbed the pinch hitter of an extra-base hit.

Jonny DeLuca homered and went 2-for-4 with a stolen base for the Rays, while Yandy Diaz had two singles and an RBI. Wyatt Langford doubled in a run for the Rangers, who scored just six total runs in the three-game series.

White Sox 2, Yankees 1 (11 innings)

Tristan Peters drew a game-ending walk with the bases loaded in the 11th inning and Randal Grichuk had two hits to lift host Chicago to a victory against New York, earning a split of the four-game series.

With two outs in the 11th, Fernando Cruz (4-5) threw four straight balls to Peters to force automatic runner Chase Meidroth home. Seranthony Dominguez (4-3) pitched a scoreless top of the 11th to earn the victory. All three runs came in extra innings, with Trent Grisham delivering an RBI single for the Yankees in the 10th and Andrew Benintendi responding with an RBI single for the White Sox.

Chicago righty Sean Burke delivered six shutout innings for his fifth quality start in as many July outings. He scattered three hits while collecting 10 strikeouts. New York southpaw Ryan Weathers tossed seven scoreless innings, giving up three hits and three walks.

Cubs 4, Cardinals 2 (10 innings)

Alex Bregman and Ian Happ each ripped an RBI double in the 10th inning to fuel visiting Chicago to a victory over St. Louis.

Nico Hoerner collected three hits and Michael Busch added two — including an RBI single in the seventh inning — to propel the Cubs to their third win in the four-game series. Chicago reliever Jacob Webb (4-2) allowed one hit in 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

JJ Wetherholt belted a solo homer in the seventh inning for the Cardinals, who lost for the 10th time in 13 games. Right fielder Lars Nootbaar appeared to forget the number of outs in the fourth inning before overthrowing the cutoff man in his haste, allowing Bregman to score and even the game.

Braves 5, Nationals 4

Ozzie Albies’ two-out single in the sixth inning drove in two runs and helped Atlanta register a come-from-behind victory over visiting Washington.

Albies was facing an 0-2 count when he sent a sweeper from Carson Palmquist into center field to drive in Drake Baldwin and Ronald Acuna Jr. The winning pitcher was Victor Mederos (1-0). Raisel Iglesias pitched a scoreless ninth and earned his 23rd save.

Washington starter Jake Irvin (2-5) was activated from the injured list to make his first start since May 23. He allowed five runs on three hits in five-plus innings.

Reds 3, Pirates 2

Nathaniel Lowe legged out a fielder’s choice on a chopper up the middle to drive in Elly De La Cruz as host Cincinnati ground out a victory over Pittsburgh.

After De La Cruz led off the ninth against Gregory Soto (5-3) with his third double of the game, a pair of walks loaded the bases. Lowe then beat out a potential double play to allow the winning run to score. De La Cruz also stole two bases, scored two runs and knocked in a run.

Brandon Lowe hit a solo homer and Nick Gonzales went 2-for-4 with a double and a run for the Pirates, who took their third loss in a row.

Mets 4, Marlins 2

Luis Robert Jr. delivered a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning as host New York edged Miami in the opener of a four-game series.

Marlins reliever Michael Petersen (1-2) retired the first two batters in the eighth before Bo Bichette doubled and went to third on Carson Benge’s single. Benge stole second before Robert singled to left field.

New York’s Brooks Raley (5-5) tossed 1 2/3 innings of one-hit relief. Devin Williams recorded his 16th save with a hitless ninth. Kyle Stowers and Jakob Marsee homered for the Marlins, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Dodgers 6, Mariners 2

Dalton Rushing hit a three-run homer, Mookie Betts added a two-run double and Los Angeles beat visiting Seattle to win its fourth consecutive series since the All-Star break.

Roki Sasaki (5-5) gave up two runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings. Teoscar Hernandez homered as the replacement at designated hitter for Shohei Ohtani, who was given a day off due to left knee soreness.

Randy Arozarena had an RBI double among his three hits for the Mariners, who finished a 2-5 road trip. Bryan Woo (7-8) allowed five runs on five hits in five innings.

Red Sox 5, Athletics 4

Wilyer Abreu and Willson Contreras hit back-to-back homers in the eighth inning to help Boston take a four-game series from the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.

Sonny Gray (13-2) went seven innings and Aroldis Chapman stranded the tying run on second base to get his 26th save as the Red Sox took three of four in the series. Ceddanne Rafaela had two hits and two RBIs and Contreras also had two hits for Boston, which has won 20 of its past 23 games.

Lawrence Butler and Jacob Wilson each had two hits and one RBI for the Athletics, who have lost five of six games and 26 of their past 33.

Giants 4, Padres 1

Daniel Susac homered and knocked in three runs while Robbie Ray sailed through six effective innings as San Francisco cooled off host San Diego.

One of several players San Francisco might deal for prospects before the Monday trade deadline, Ray (10-6) checked San Diego on four hits and a run. Three relievers closed it out, with Erik Miller handling the ninth inning for his fourth save.

San Diego starter JP Sears (3-4) permitted three runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. The result snapped a five-game winning streak by the Padres, their longest since an eight-gamer in April.

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REPORTS: METS DEAL RELIEVER A.J. MINTER TO TWINS

The New York Mets have begun their expected sell-off of veterans in the final days before the trade deadline, and the first deal is bringing a familiar last name back to Queens.

According to multiple reports early Friday morning, the club agreed to deal left-handed reliever A.J. Minter to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league infielders Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick.

Agbayani, 19, is the son of former Mets outfielder Benny Agbayani, a fan favorite in his playing days.

Minter, 32, is set to become a free agent after the season. He is 1-1 with a 2.35 ERA and 20 strikeouts and just two walks across 23 innings in 23 appearances this season, his second in New York after eight seasons with Atlanta. He is 25-30 with 36 saves and a 3.18 ERA and 456 strikeouts over 382 2/3 innings in 420 games in his career.

Minter suffered a lat muscle tear last season that delayed his 2026 debut to late May and could help explain his dip in velocity.

Agbayani was the Twins’ sixth-round draft pick last year out of Saint Louis School in Honolulu. He played 10 games for Class-A Fort Myers this year, batting .268 with no homers and six RBIs, but he has been sidelined since mid-May due to a right shoulder ailment.

Amick, 23, was Minnesota’s second-round draft choice in 2024 out of the University of Tennessee. He hit .217 with 23 homers and 72 RBIs in 86 games for Double-A Wichita this season.

The Twins enter Friday three games behind the Chicago White Sox for the American League Central lead and one game back of fellow Central foe Cleveland for the final AL wild-card spot.

The Mets, cemented in last place in the National League East, hold the second-worst record in the NL and fifth worst in the majors.

Among the players they are expected to try to move are relievers Luke Weaver and Brooks Raley as well as starters Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes.

The trade deadline is 6 p.m. ET on Monday.

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GOL NEWS

PETER MALNATI GOES LOW TO ESTABLISH 2-SHOT LEAD AT ROCKET CLASSIC

Peter Malnati spent much of the day on 59 watch before settling for a 9-under-par 61 and a two-stroke lead at the Rocket Classic on Thursday at Detroit  Golf Club.

Malnati went out in 7-under 28 and added birdies at the par-3 11th and par-4 13th hole, positioning himself to go 10 under or better at the par-70 course. Instead, he closed with five pars, with a missed 5 1/2-foot birdie chance at No. 16 along the way.

Rickie Fowler and Ryan Gerard are two shots back after opening with 7-under 63s. Patrick Cantlay and Patrick Fishburn are tied for fourth at 6-under 64.

Malnati’s career-low 61 tied the Rocket Classic scoring record after Jake Knapp shot a second-round 61 last year. He’s also the first player to shoot 61 in the first round of a tournament this year, per the PGA Tour.

“It’s cool when you’re there (in the zone), you don’t have to think tons, which is really nice,” Malnati said. “… For me today, what I was doing today was trying to figure out or trying to just think about the things that helped me get there, which were a lot of presence.”

Malnati, 39, is seeking his third PGA Tour win and angling to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs at the 11th hour. He entered the week 171st in the points race after making just seven cuts in 17 starts this year; he’d jump to a projected 68th place with a win, and the top 70 players as of Aug. 9 will make the playoffs.

“You know, I’m really consistent in my process and I work really hard,” Malnati said. “I always think I’m close to playing well, but you do start to have those questions and doubts when I’ve thought I was close all year and I haven’t had any kinds of breakthroughs. You know, those doubts and fears and anxiety, they start to creep in.

“But I’ve stayed consistent to my process and I’m really proud of like the work that I put in, the way I prepare, so I know I’m capable of this. It’s nice to see it for one round. I’d like to be able to keep it going for whole tournament and then string some of them together.”

Fowler’s win at this event in 2023 was his most recent win of any kind, while Gerard is once again in the hunt after tying for ninth at the Open Championship two weeks ago.

Fowler started on the back nine and had a 5-under stretch across four holes — birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie at Nos. 13-16. He bogeyed No. 17 but added another string of birdies at Nos. 4-6.

“It’s definitely been a bummer to kind of come into this knowing it was the last one,” Fowler said of this being the final edition of the tournament. “It’s been fun for me to have a partnership with Rocket and see this event make its way here because that was always a dream of theirs to have an event back in Detroit, and to see it continue to grow over the years, felt like it just kept getting bigger and better.”

Gerard, who said he made several changes to his set of clubs, made six of his seven birdies on the inward nine for a 6-under 29.

“A lot of these things were, you know, kind of planned and knew we had to do it somewhere,” Gerard said. “Felt really good about the way we put things together. Just kind of stayed patient early on when things weren’t going the way I wanted them to. Kind of got a little frustrated. Had a nice talking with my caddie on 9 green about kind of locking in and trying to be a little more positive and trying to go and hit some better golf shots.

“Just happy to go do that on the back.”

Michael Kim, who opened the 3M Open last week with a 59, shot an opening 65 Thursday and is tied for sixth with Keegan Bradley, Chris Kirk, Doug Ghim, Hayden Springer, Michael Brennan and Germany’s Stephan Jaeger.

Brennan was 2 over through four holes before sinking an incredible eight birdies in a row from Nos. 5-12, including a 22-footer at the par-3 fifth and a 17-footer at the par-3 11th. It was the longest birdie streak by anyone on tour this season.

Defending champion Aldrich Potgieter of South Africa struggled to a 6-over 76.

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JEENO THITIKUL CARDS SEVEN BIRDIES, HOLDS LEAD AT AIG WOMEN’S OPEN

Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand carded seven birdies in a bogey-free round of 64 to hold a two-shot lead after the opening 18 holes of the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes on Thursday in Lytham St Annes, England.

South Korea’s Haeran Ryu and Japan’s Shiho Kuwaki are tied for second at 5-under 66. Yealimi Noh and France’s Celine Boutier are tied for fourth at 4-under 67.

Thitikul, ranked second in the world, is seeking her first major title. Her best finish was second at the Evian Championship in 2025.

“The majors really test our games mentally and physically,” Thitikul said. “When you play good in a major, even top five or top 10 … you feel great and then you have more confidence going to play just regular tournaments. It’s about beating the course when you’re in a major.”

Thitikul made four birdies in a five-hole stretch on the front nine. She added three more on the back nine.

“I do enjoy it when golf is good,” Thitikul said. “It’s really nice that I knew I hit some good shots, but (I got) lucky bounces over the pot bunkers. When it’s your way, it’s really your way. I knew I had a really good putter today, too.

Ryu won two of this year’s previous four majors — the Women’s PGA and the Evian — and she started the Women’s Open strong with six birdies and one bogey. She had four birdies on the front nine and her lone bogey came on the par-4 15th.

“Today felt so tough because in the morning before the round there was a little rain, so I (thought), ‘Please no rain today,’” Ryu said. “Weather is pretty good and the wind is still hard … My golf is pretty good.”

Kuwaki, 23, is playing just her seventh major. Her best showing was a tie for 14th at the U.S. Women’s Open earlier this year.

Like Ryu, she had six birdies — including on Nos. 16 and 18 to close strong — with one bogey.

“I managed my game well despite the strong winds and I was able to hole some key putts,” Kuwaki said. “I stay focused throughout the round and finished with such a good score.

“My shots were very consistent and making a putt of about six meters early in the front nine really helped me get into a good rhythm.”

Noh had five birdies against one bogey while Boutier kept her card bogey-free with two birdies and an eagle on the par-5 sixth.

“I was able to hit a solid 6-iron on my second shot and reach it in two,” Boutier said of the eagle. “I had about a 20-footer or so, slightly uphill and right to left, so tried to give it a good run and it kind of like went around the hole and went in, so it was a nice surprise.

“I honestly thought it was going lip out, but, yeah, happy that it went in.”

Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen and Japan’s Chizzy Iwai are tied for sixth place at 3-under 68.

Nine golfers are in a logjam tie for eighth at 2 under, including England’s Charley Hull and Lottie Woad.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who won the first two majors of the season, shot a 2-over 73 and is tied for 53rd place.

Korda recorded bogeys on Nos. 2-3 to dig an early hole. She got back to par with birdies at No. 6 and No. 8 before carding bogeys on No. 11 and No. 15.

Among other golfers, Jennifer Kupcho is tied for 17th at 1 under, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko is at even par, Japan’s Yuka Saso and Canada’s Brooke Henderson are 1 over, Rose Zhang is at 3 over and South Korea’s Jin Young Ko is at 4 over.

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COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

BIG TEN ANNOUNCES 2026 VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON HONORS

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced its 2026 volleyball preseason honors and preseason poll on Thursday, ahead of the fifth annual Big Ten Volleyball Media Day on August 3 at Big Ten Network Studios in Chicago.  

Nebraska was the unanimous favorite to repeat as Big Ten Champions.  

Nine schools were represented among the 19 student-athletes receiving preseason recognition.  

Four members of the preseason all-conference team were unanimous selections for the second consecutive season: Nebraska’s Harper Murray, Andi Jackson and Bergen Reilly and Penn State’s Kennedy Martin.  

The preseason poll and all-conference teams were voted on by the conference’s 18 head coaches. Nine members of the preseason all-conference team are scheduled to attend Big Ten Volleyball Media Day next week. Media interested in attending the event can apply for credentials here .  

The complete list of Big Ten volleyball preseason honors is as follows: 

2026 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL 

1. NEBRASKA 

2. Wisconsin 

3. Penn State 

4. Purdue 

5. Minnesota 

6. Indiana 

7. USC 

8. Oregon 

9. UCLA 

10. Illinois 

11. Michigan 

12. Michigan State 

13. Washington 

14. Northwestern 

15. Iowa 

16. Ohio State 

17. Rutgers 

18. Maryland 

2026 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM 

Jaidyn Jager, So., OH, Indiana  

Teodora Kričković, So., S, Indiana 

Carly Gilk, So., OPP, Minnesota 

ANDI JACKSON, Sr., MB, Nebraska 

HARPER MURRAY, Sr., OH, Nebraska 

BERGEN REILLY, Sr., S, Nebraska 

Alanah Clemente, So., OPP, Oregon 

Valentina Vaulet, Sr., OH, Oregon 

KENNEDY MARTIN, Sr., OPP, Penn State 

Alexis Stucky, Sr., S, Penn State 

Taylor Anderson, Sr., S, Purdue 

Grace Heaney, R-Jr., OPP, Purdue 

Kenna Wollard, Sr., OH, Purdue 

Lola Schumacher, Jr., L, UCLA 

Marianna Singletary, Sr., MB, UCLA 

Adonia Faumuina, R-Sr., OH, USC 

Abigail Mullen, So., OPP, USC 

Jaela Auguste, Jr., MB, Wisconsin 

Charlie Fuerbringer, Jr., S, Wisconsin 

Unanimous Selection in ALL CAPS 

* – additional players due to tie in voting

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TOP INDIANA HEADLINES/SPORTS RELEASES

COLTS CAMP

**WESTFIELD, Indiana –** During the second training camp practice of 2026 held on Thursday at Grand Park, Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson Sr. continued to alternate between the second- and third-team offenses. This rotation will remain in place as the Indianapolis Colts evaluate potential candidates to serve as the backup to Daniel Jones for the season.

This competition does not adhere to a specific timeline for resolution, unlike a typical quarterback battle, where teams usually prefer to establish a clear starter in advance of Week 1 preparations. General Manager Chris Ballard indicated on Tuesday that his intention is to retain Jones, Leonard, and Richardson on the 53-man roster when roster cuts occur on August 30.

Over the ensuing weeks, one can expect Leonard and Richardson to maintain this alternating practice routine, whether during regular training sessions, joint practices, or preseason contests.

“It is a close competition at this juncture,” stated Offensive Coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. “Both individuals are competing vigorously and putting forth considerable effort in their practice sessions. They will have a full training camp, providing ample opportunities for evaluation.”

On Wednesday, Leonard successfully connected with tight end Will Mallory for a completion over the middle and demonstrated quick release with passes to tight end Drew Ogletree and wide receiver Deion Burks. Meanwhile, Richardson found wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine multiple times and delivered an accurate pass to wide receiver Anthony Gould, who showcased strong hands in receiving the ball.

“There have been notable throws and plays from both players,” Cooter remarked. “At this stage of training camp, we are beginning to expand the passing game.”

Both Leonard and Richardson have exhibited impressive performances in regular season games, although Richardson possesses substantially more experience. Leonard made a notable impression during his sole career start, accumulating 270 yards and three total touchdowns against the Houston Texans in Week 18 of the 2025 season. Despite the fluctuations in Richardson’s career, the Colts have a record of 8-7 in games in which he has started.

“We seek individuals capable of advancing the offense, leading the team, and potentially securing victories when necessary,” Cooter explained. “Ultimately, we aim to assess these quarterbacks based on their ability to consistently perform well and execute productive practices, periods, and drives. The primary responsibility of a quarterback is to guide the offense toward scoring points, which contributes to overall team success. Our evaluation will hinge on who is deemed most capable of fulfilling that role effectively.”

**News and Notes from Thursday:**

Quarterback Daniel Jones executed a largely efficient practice, successfully completing several passes to wide receivers Laquon Treadwell, Josh Downs, and Ashton Dulin, as well as three passes to tight end Tyler Warren. However, near the conclusion of practice, Jones was intercepted by linebacker Austin Ajiake during a rollout to his left.

Ajiake was part of a frequently rotated group of linebackers participating in the first-team defense, as veteran Akeem Davis-Gaither and rookie CJ Allen (physically unable to perform list) did not participate in practice. Alongside Ajiake, Bryce Boettcher, Jaylon Carlies, and West Weeks took snaps with the first-team defense. Regardless of whether Davis-Gaither and Allen ultimately occupy starting linebacker positions, this rotation may cultivate essential depth for the season and could allow one of these players to emerge as a viable starting option.

Cornerback Justin Walley recorded an impressive pass breakup on a deep ball. Special Teams Coordinator Brian Mason announced that kickers Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader will have the opportunity to kick during Friday’s practice, which will provide preliminary data in what appears to be a tightly contested competition between two kickers who are capable of being NFL starters.

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WESTFIELD, Ind. – The Indianapolis Colts today signed undrafted free agent wide receiver Liam Clifford.

Clifford, 6-1, 200 pounds, participated in the Colts’ 2026 Rookie Mini-Camp on a tryout basis. Collegiately, he played in 52 career games (15 starts) at Penn State (2021-25) and compiled 42 receptions for 530 yards (12.6 avg.) and one touchdown. Clifford also registered three carries for 16 yards (5.3 avg.) and had one touchdown on a blocked punt. He earned Academic All-Big Ten honors four times (2022-25).

In 2025, Clifford saw action in 12 games (three starts) and caught three passes for 25 yards (8.3 avg.). He also tallied two carries for four yards (2.0 avg.) and had one touchdown on a blocked punt.

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INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Indianapolis Indians scored 10 unanswered runs in the first three innings to defeat the Louisville Bats, 12-7, on Thursday night at Louisville Slugger Field. Ronny Simon went 3-for-3 with five RBI to match his career high. It was the second time this season Simon drove in five (also July 4 at Omaha).

The Indians (19-11, 50-55) scored one run in the first inning, four in the second and five in the third to take a commanding 10-0 lead over Louisville (10-20, 49-54) in a blink. Simon plated the first run of the game with an RBI single. To open the second frame, Duce Gourson, Dominic Fletcher and Derek Berg walked to load the bases with no outs. With one down, Termarr Johnson drew a free pass to score the game’s second run. A lineout from Mitch Jebb was the second out but Francisco Urbaez threw the ball away attempting to force an inning-ending double play, scoring Fletcher on the play. Simon then drove in two more with another base hit.

In the third inning, Johnathan Rodríguez homered in his first game with the Indians after he was acquired via trade from Baltimore on July 27. Berg later drove home a run on a hit, Jebb plated another with a sacrifice fly and Simon capped the stanza with a two-run double.

Louisville brought home their first two runs in the fourth inning and Johnson answered with his eighth home run of the season in the fifth, a solo shot to make the score 11-2. Tyler Callihan logged an RBI single in the sixth for the Indians’ final tally.

The Bats made a late push, scoring one run in the bottom of the eighth and four in the ninth. Héctor Rodríguez’s 26th homer of the campaign was a three-run blast and Will Benson hit a solo long ball to conclude the scoring.

Mike Clevinger tossed 2.0 scoreless innings to start the game for the Indians, marking his sixth consecutive shutout appearance since July 11. Major league rehabber Evan Sisk followed him out of the bullpen and set down all three batters he faced, striking out two. Landon Tomkins (W, 1-0) tossed the next 3.0 frames, allowing two runs. Justin Meis covered 2.2 innings but was relieved in the ninth after a fifth run was charged to him on Benson’s home run. Derek Diamond recorded the game’s final out.

Jose Acuna (L, 1-3) allowed eight runs (7er) across 2.0 innings for the Bats.

The six-game series between Indianapolis and Louisville continues Friday at 7:15 PM ET. RHP Antwone Kelly (5-5, 4.29) is scheduled to start for the Indians with RHP Jared Lyons (1-2, 4.76) set to throw for the Bats.

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INDIANA FEVER

By Madie Chandler-Donahue | FeverBasketball.com

Indiana Fever at Portland Fire

Friday, July 31, 2026

Moda Center | 10:00 p.m. ET

BROADCAST INFO

TV: ION – TBA

WALV/Fever Direct – Pat Boylan (play-by-play), Debbie Antonelli (analyst), Kelsie Kasper (sideline reporter)

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – John Nolan (play-by-play), Bria Goss (analyst)

PROBABLE STARTERS

Indiana Fever (18-10)

Guard – Caitlin Clark

Guard – Kelsey Mitchell

Forward – Lexie Hull

Forward – Monique Billings

Center – Aliyah Boston

Portland Fire (11-17)

Guard – Carla Leite

Guard – Bridget Carleton

Forward – Emily Engstler

Forward – Nyadiew Puoch

Center – Megan DiLeo

GAME PREVIEW

The Fever head to Portland on Friday with four straight wins under their belt, and just two games remaining on their current road trip. Indiana was victorious in Seattle on Tuesday, defeating the Storm, 105-95, behind Caitlin Clark’s 32 points. The Fever are building momentum as they embark on the second half of the season, and look to grab another win on Friday against the Fire.

Clark’s 32 points, four rebounds, and seven assists led the Fever in Seattle, and Kelsey Mitchell contributed 28 points to Indiana’s record-breaking scoring total. With their 105 points on Tuesday, the Fever broke the WNBA record for 100-point games in a season. Indiana has recorded 12 such games.

Mitchell’s 28 points extended her personal streak of 12 consecutive games scoring 20 or more points. It’s the third-longest streak of such games in league history, and Mitchell is just one game shy of tying Diana Tuarasi for the second-longest streak.

The Fire bring a three-game losing streak into Friday’s matchup, and are desperate to stop the skid. Portland sits at ninth in the league standings with just a half-game lead on the Toronto Tempo in 10th place. As the top eight teams make the WNBA playoffs, the Fire look to string some wins together during their current homestand.

Guard Carla Leite has had a strong season for Portland – she’s posting averages of 15.2 points and nearly six assists per game. Bridget Carleton averages nearly 14 points to complete a strong backcourt for the Fire.

The season series between the Fever and the Fire is knotted at one game each going into Friday’s finale, but the two teams haven’t seen one another since late May. Portland lost Sarah Ashlee Barker to injury in the meantime, and Aliyah Boston’s availability is in question for the Fever after she exited Tuesday’s contest early with an injury.

Indiana’s matchup with Portland is the second game of a three-game road trip that concludes in Minnesota on Sunday. The Fever will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday, August 6, for a matchup with the Las Vegas Aces.

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INDY ELEVEN

Indy Eleven at San Antonio FC
Fri., July 31, 2026 | 9:00 pm ET
Toyota Field | San Antonio, Texas

Follow Live
Watch:  CBS Sports Golazo Network, Karl Schoening & Katie Goodman
In-game updates:  IndyEleven
Stats: #SAvIND MatchCenter at USLChampionship.com

Setting the Scene
Indy Eleven takes a 2-0 record against the USL Championship Western Conference this season to San Antonio FC on Friday, July 31 at 9 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Golazo Network.

Series

Friday is the fifth meeting between the two sides and the first in more than two years, with Indy holding a 3-0-1 edge.

Indy Leads 3-0-1 | GF 7, GA 3

All-Time Meetings

June 15, 2024 | W, 1-0 | Home

May 8, 2024 | W, 2-0 | Home (U.S. Open Cup)

Oct. 14, 2023 | D, 3-3 | Away

Aug. 27, 2022 | W, 1-0 | Home

Last Meeting

Indy Eleven extended its unbeaten streak across all competitions to a club-best 12, including an Indy-best eight consecutive wins in USL Championship action, with a 1-0 victory over San Antonio FC at Carroll Stadium on June 15, 2024.

The eight-match streak is tied for the fifth-longest in the USL Championship for any side. The Boys in Blue outscored their opponents 23-6 in the 12-match streak.

A first-half own goal (29’) by San Antonio off an Aedan Stanley corner proved to be all it would take to secure the three points.

The visitors had their chance, as Indy was whistled for a handball inside the 18 in the 16th minute, but Hunter Sulte saved his first penalty kick faced of the season.

Augi Williams led the Indy attack with three shots, while Stanley had two. Hunter Sulte registered two saves to record his third clean sheet.

Scoring Summary

IND – Own Goal 29’

Discipline Summary

IND – Ben Ofeimu (caution) 2’

SA – Mitchell Taintor (caution) 32’

SA – Machop Chol (caution) 50’

IND – Ben Mines (caution) 52’

SA – Shannon Gomez (caution) 54’

IND – Callum Chapman-Page (caution) 79’

IND – Jack Blake (caution) 88’

Indy Eleven Lineup: Hunter Sulte, Aedan Stanley, Josh O’Brien, Callum Chapman-Page, Ben Ofeimu, Cam Lindley (captain), Jack Blake (Tyler Gibson 90’), Ben Mines (Elliot Collier 73’), Sebastian Guenzatti (Laurence Wootton 60’), Augi Williams, Douglas Martinez.

Indy Eleven Subs not used: Yannik Oettl, Max Schneider, Karsen Henderlong, Tega Ikoba.

San Antonio FC Lineup: Kendall McIntosh, Mitchell Taintor, Kendall Burks, Richard Windbichler (Kameron Lacey 69’), Nelson Blanco, Luke Haakenson, Jorde Hernandez, Kevon Lambert, Shannon Gomez, Jake LaCava, Machop Chol (Jose Mulato 83’).

San Antonio FC Subs not used: Eduardo Fernandez, Izaiah Garza, Brandon Gongora, Adriel Padilla, Landry Walker.

Home 10-Match League Unbeaten Streak ends

Indy Eleven had its 10-game home league unbeaten streak (9-0-1) snapped in a 1-0 loss to Loudoun United FC on Saturday at Carroll Stadium. The run without a home loss in the USL Championships lasted nearly a full calendar year, starting last August and concluding with a 2-0 win over Charleston Battery on July 4.

The Boys in Blue earned a plethora of chances, finishing with 20 shots, 14 from inside the box, 10 shots on target, nine corners, and 36 crosses. But Loudoun goalkeeper Ethan Bandré had an extraordinary performance, making nine saves.

Charlie Sharp and Noble Okello led all players with three shots on target, while Bruno Rendon’s five shots were a game-high. Cam Lindley created four chances and made 54 accurate passes.

Rendon had Indy Eleven’s first big chance in the 11th minute, pressing alongside Mohamed Omar to win the ball back in the final third. Immediately after gaining possession, he played a quick one-two with Omar, granting him a chance to put a low left-footed shot on goal from 12 yards out on the left side of the box. Unfortunately for Indy Eleven’s leading league scorer, Bandré was able to get down and make the two-handed stop.

Paco Craig, playing in his 250th USL-C match, had an opportunity shortly afterward in the 19th minute, when Lindley played an out-swinging free kick towards the edge of the 18-yard-box. The ball was headed into the penalty area, where it came to the veteran defender, but his acrobatic effort went over the top.

In the 26th, Logan Neidlinger drove into the box towards the endline and cut back a ground pass to Okello. The angle was too tight, though, and Okello’s shot was saved.

After conceding, Indy Eleven was on the front foot for the entire final half hour, repeatedly threatening. During that span, the hosts had 65% possession and four shots on target.

Anthony Herbert had a great chance in the 69th, when the second ball from a Lindley corner kick came to his left foot directly in front of the goal. His attempt hit the outside of the post and went behind.

The best chance for the Boys in Blue came in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. Edward Kizza controlled an attempted clearance, and rolled the ball through to Rendon, who found himself with no defenders between him and the goal. He slid the ball across the face of goal to Josh O’Brien on the far post, but the midfielder was unable to direct the ball on target.

Rendon’s distribution was on full display, as he set up Sharp and O’Brien inside the six with well-placed crosses.

At the midpoint of their season, Indy Eleven is in playoff position in eighth in the Eastern Conference with 15 league games remaining.

USL Championship

Indy Eleven 0:1 Loudoun United FC

Sat., July 25, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.

Carroll Stadium | Indianapolis

Weather: Partly sunny, 78 degrees

Attendance: 9,234

Scoring Summary

LDN – Abdellatif Aboukoura (Kwame Awuah) 60’

Discipline Summary

IND – Cam Lindley (caution) 28’

IND – Logan Neidlinger (caution) 47’

IND – Anthony Herbert (caution) 85’

Indy Eleven Lineup: Eric Dick, Aodhan Quinn (captain), Paco Craig, Anthony Herbert, Logan Neidlinger (Nabi Kibunguchy 61’), Josh O’Brien, Cam Lindley, Mohamed Omar (Loïc Mesanvi 61’), Charlie Sharp (Edward Kizza 61’), Noble Okello (Alejandro Mitrano 75’), Bruno Rendón.

Indy Eleven Subs not used: Kian Williams, Makel Rasheed, Reice Charles-Cook.

USL Championship Regular Season Shutout % (min. 30)

6. Eric Dick 34.7% 34 Clean Sheets, 98 Games Played

Indy Eleven Appearances (All Competitions)

1. Cam Lindley 134 2020, 2023-

2. Ayoze 126 2018-22

3. Jack Blake 116 2023-

4. Brad Ring 115 2014-18

5. Karl Ouimette 108 2018-22

6. Don Smart 101 2014-17

Indy Eleven Goals (All Competitions)

1. Jack Blake 28 2023-

2. Eamon Zayed 27 2016-17

3. Tyler Pasher 24 2018-20

Indy Eleven USL Era (2018-) Goals (All Competitions)

1. Jack Blake 28 2023-

2. Tyler Pasher 24 2018-20

3. Sebastian Guenzatti 16 2023-24

4. Manuel Arteaga 15 2021-22

5. Aodhan Quinn 14 2023-

Aodhan Quinn USL Championship All-Time Rankings

Minutes | 25,428 | 1st

Games Started | 290 | 1st

Assists | 64 | 2nd

Appearances | 304 | 2nd

Tackles Won | 214 | T15th

USL Championship Regular Season Goal Contributions

1. Dane Kelly 132 (106 goals, 26 assists)

2. Enzo Martinez 131 (78 goals, 53 assists)

3. Aodhan Quinn 121 (57 goals, 64 assists)

Most USLC Regular Seasons with 10 Assists

1. Aodhan Quinn – 3 (2018-OC, 2021-PHX, 2025-IND)

2. Kenardo Forbes – 2 (2022-PIT, 2023-PIT)

2. Antoine Hoppenot – 2 (2018-RNO; 2022-DET)

Paco Craig USL Championship All-Time Rankings

Aerial Duels Won | 757 | 1st

Clearances | 1,036 | 1st

Blocks | 176 | 4th

Duels Won | 1,284 | 4th

Interceptions | 337 | 4th

Games Started | 238 | T13th

Minutes | 21,087 | 14th

2026 USL Championship Stats

Category Player Rank Total

Chances Created-Aodhan Quinn 4th, 32

Bruno Rendon T16th, 24

Crosses-Aodhan Quinn 5th, 94

Cam Lindley 17th, 71

Saves-Eric Dick T5th, 43

Shots on Target-Bruno Rendon T5th, 18

Aerial Duels Won-Bruno Rendon T6th, 54

Paco Craig T11th, 48

Goals-Bruno Rendon T8th, 7

Clearances-Paco Craig T12th, 83

Shots-Bruno Rendon T13th, 28

Assists-Aodhan Quinn T19th, 3

Category Rank Total

Goals Conceded 7th, 17

Goals, Second Half T8th, 14

Shots 9th, 200

Team Leaders (USL Championship stats)

Goals-Bruno Rendon, 7

Assists-Aodhan Quinn 3

Shots-Bruno Rendon, 28

Shots on Target-Bruno Rendon, 18

Chances Created-Aodhan Quinn, 32

Crosses-Aodhan Quinn, 94

Duels Won-Bruno Rendon, 98

Tackles Won-Cam Lindley, Aodhan Quinn, 15

Aerial Duels Won-Bruno Rendon, 54

Clearances-Paco Craig, 83

Fouls Won-Jack Blake, 23

Blocks-Aodhan Quinn, 9

Interceptions-Cam Lindley, 15

Minutes-Eric Dick, Cam Lindley, Josh O’Brien, 1350

USL Career Regular Season Individual Rankings

Clean Sheets

T14. Eric Dick – 34

Saves

T20. Eric Dick – 289

Assists

2. Aodhan Quinn – 64

T19. Cam Lindley – 32

Goals

T23. Aodhan Quinn – 57

40 Goals

Jack Blake – 44

20 Goals

Edward Kizza – 21

Goals+Assists

3. Aodhan Quinn – 121 (57 goals, 64 assists)

20 Assists

Jack Blake – 27

70 Goals+Assists

Jack Blake – 71 (44 goals, 27 assists)

30 Goals+Assists

Cam Lindley – 37 (5 goals, 32 assists)

20 Goals+Assists

Edward Kizza – 24 (21 goals, 3 assists)

Penalties Converted (attempted)

1. Aodhan Quinn – 25 (28)

T5. Jack Blake – 15 (17)

20,000 Minutes

1. Aodhan Quinn – 25,428

14. Paco Craig – 21,087

15,000 Minutes

Cam Lindley – 15,492

Jack Blake – 15,408

200 Appearances

Paco Craig – 250

Jack Blake – 210

Cam Lindley – 203

100 Appearances

Edward Kizza – 119

Pat Hogan – 107

Games Started

1. Aodhan Quinn – 290

T13. Paco Craig – 238

150 Games Started

Jack Blake – 180

Cam Lindley – 176

Team Highs/Lows

Single-Match Highs

Shots: 26 | May 9 vs. JAX

SOT: 9 | May 9 vs. JAX, July 25 vs. LDN

Possession: 54.2% | May 9 vs. JAX

Corners: 12 | May 9 vs. JAX

Single-Match Lows

Shots: 7 | May 30 vs. RI

SOT: 2 | May 30 vs. RI, June 13 at PIT

Possession: 29% | Mar. 21 vs. DET

Corners: 2 | Mar. 28 at HFD, Apr. 4 vs. PIT, Apr. 19 at BHM

Opponent Highs

Shots: 20 | May 30 vs. RI

SOT: 8 | Apr. 4 vs. PIT, July 18 at DET

Possession: 71% | Mar. 21 vs. DET

Corners: 11 | Mar. 21 vs. DET

Opponent Lows

Shots: 6 | May 9 vs. JAX

SOT: 1 | May 9 vs. JAX

Possession: 45.8% | May 9 vs. JAX

Corners: 1 | July 15 at MIA

Coach Sean McAuley

Sean McAuley was named to the USL-C “Team of the Week” for Week 12 of 2026. His team was undefeated in league matches at Carroll Stadium from August 31, 2025 to July 24, 2026 (9-0-1).

McAuley earned USLC “Coach of the Month” in May 2024 and was nominated for USLC Midseason “Coach of the Year” after leading his team to a 12-match unbeaten streak (4/17-6/15).

The Sheffield, England, native led Indy Eleven to the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals with four straight victories, including a 2-1 triumph at MLS-side Atlanta United on July 9.

In 2025, Indy Eleven continued its run of Cup success under McAuley with a 4-0-3 record in cup play. The Boys in Blue won their U.S. Open Cup Third Round match vs. Miami FC on Hayden’s White’s stoppage-time goal from Cam Lindley.

ALL: 40-36-22 (.520) | USL Championship: 30-32-17 | US Open Cup: 6-2-1 | USL Cup: 4-1-4

2026 Roster Breakdown (7/20/26)

Goalkeepers (2): Reice Charles-Cook, Eric Dick

Defenders (9): Hesron Barry, Paco Craig, Anthony Herbert, Pat Hogan, Nabi Kibunguchy, Alejandro Mitrano, Josh O’Brien, Makel Rasheed, Hayden White

Midfielders (6): Jack Blake, Cam Lindley, Logan Neidlinger, Noble Okello, Mohamed Omar, Aodhan Quinn

Forwards (6): Edward Kizza, Tyler Lowden, Loïc Mesanvi, Bruno Rendon, Charlie Sharp, Kian Williams

On Loan (2): Allen Gavilanes, Dylan Sing

Newcomers (15)

USL-C (7): Paco Craig (North Carolina), Eric Dick (Pittsburgh), Allen Gavilanes (Miami), Anthony Herbert (Las Vegas),

Alejandro Mitrano (Miami), Noble Okello (Phoenix), Mohamed Omar (San Antonio)

USL League One (1): Makel Rasheed (South Georgia Tormenta)

MLS NEXT Pro (4): Hesron Barry (New England), Loïc Mesanvi (Minnesota), Charlie Sharp (Toronto), Dylan Sing

(Charlotte)

Canadian Premier League (1): Kian Williams (Valour FC)

Singapore Premier League (1): Nabi Kibunguchy (Hougang United FC)

Indy Eleven Academy (1): Tyler Lowden

Player Transactions

July 14, 2026: Signed D Nabi Kibunguchy from Hougang United FC

July 1, 2026: Loaned F Dylan Sing to Portland Hearts of Pine (USL1)

May 29, 2026: Signed F Tyler Lowden to USL Academy Contract.

May 15, 2026: Loaned M Allen Gavilanes to Union Omaha (USL1)

Apr. 9, 2026: Signed M Mo Omar from San Antonio FC (USL-C).

Mar. 16, 2026: Signed GK Ryan Hunsucker to Academy Contract

Mar. 12, 2026: Acquired D Mikah Thomas on loan from Charlotte

Mar. 2, 2026: Signed F Loïc Mesanvi from Minnesota United (MLS)

Jan. 21, 2026: Signed D Paco Craig from North Carolina (USL-C)

Jan. 20, 2026: Signed D Hesron Barry from New England (MLSN)

Jan. 15, 2026: Signed M Noble Okello from Phoenix (USL-C)

Jan. 12, 2026: Signed F Kian Williams from Valour FC (CPL)

Jan. 8, 2026: Signed D Alejandro Mitrano from Miami (USL-C)

Jan. 7, 2026: Signed D Anthony Herbert from Las Vegas (USL-C)

Dec. 18 2025: Signed M Allen Gavilanes from Miami (USL-C)

Dec. 11, 2025: Signed D Makel Rasheed from South Georgia Tormenta (USL League One)

Dec. 9, 2025: Signed GK Eric Dick from Pittsburgh (USL-C)

Dec. 4, 2025: Signed F Dylan Sing from Charlotte FC (MLS)

Dec. 2, 2025: Signed F Charlie Sharp from Toronto FC (MLS)

Nov. 26, 2025: Announced 10 players returning from 2025:

M Jack Blake, GK Reice Charles-Cook, D Pat Hogan, F Edward Kizza, M Cam Lindley, M Logan Neidlinger, D Josh O’Brien,

M Aodhan Quinn, F Bruno Rendon, and D Hayden White.

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INDIANA FOOTBALL

INDIANA’S CURT CIGNETTI IS ‘STALKING COMPLACENCY’ AS HOOSIERS GET READY TO BEGIN THEIR TITLE DEFENSE

CHICAGO (AP) — Indiana coach Curt Cignetti says he’s “stalking complacency” as he makes sure there’s no championship hangover now that he’s orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history.

Cignetti took over a program that had gone 9-27 the three years before his arrival and led it to College Football Playoff appearances in each of his first two seasons, including a 2025 national title.

He wants his program to maintain the same edge it carried while working its way up.

“We have a way of doing things,” Cignetti sad. “We’ve got guys that have been together, and all we do is win.”

Indiana’s stunning two-year run under Cignetti already has allowed the traditional Big Ten also-ran to shed its status as the Bowl Subdivision program with the most losses in history. That dubious honor now belongs to conference rival Northwestern.

The Hoosiers obviously have bigger long-term goals than that.

They want to keep it going without Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who went to the Las Vegas Raiders with the top pick in this year’s draft after his lone season at Indiana. He was one of a school-record eight players drafted.

“We need to make sure that we keep the same blueprint as last year going into this year, and that includes maintaining the same work ethic,” offensive tackle Carter Smith said.

Indiana did a remarkable job of restocking its roster by getting one of the nation’s top collections of transfer portal talent. Indiana’s list of 18 transfer newcomers includes former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover and ex-Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh.

Marsh got an early indication of Cignetti’s no-nonsense approach, as the former Spartans player showed up for a spring practice in gold cleats and got criticized by his new coach. Cignetti has since praised the work habits of Marsh, who caught 100 passes for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns over the last two seasons.

Indiana’s chances of earning a third straight playoff bid could depend on Hoover, who threw for 9,627 yards, 71 touchdowns and 33 interceptions over the last three years. He has rather large shoes to fill.

“What separated Fernando was when the game was on the line, those fourth-quarter wins, the last three minutes, four minutes, that’s when he played his best football,” Cignetti said.

Indiana could be on the verge of establishing itself as annual contenders as long as Cignetti sticks around, as the Hoosiers have followed up their portal success by making inroads in high school recruiting. Over the last two weeks, Indiana has gained verbal commitments from 2027 five-star wide receiver Monshun Sales and highly regarded 2028 quarterback Lukas Prock.

Cignetti is more focused now on making sure his current team is prepared for its title defense. Defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker was asked how it felt to enter a season as the hunted rather than the hunter.

“We prepare in a way we wouldn’t think we’re being hunted,” Tucker said. “We’re preparing like we’re predators and we’re hungry. We still have that chip on our shoulder, ultimately.”

Big Ten media may have given Tucker and his teammates some ammo in that regard. A Cleveland.com poll of reporters that serves as the unofficial Big Ten preseason media forecast had the defending national champions finishing third in the conference, behind Ohio State and Oregon.

Cignetti understands the challenge ahead after beating both Ohio State and Oregon on the way to the title last year. Cignetti, who worked as an assistant at Alabama from 2007-10, closed his news conference Thursday by explaining why he believes the Big Ten is college football’s best conference.

“We don’t run a hype machine up here in the Midwest,” Cignetti said. “We believe everything is earned, not given. When we fall short, we say, ‘We fell short.’ We don’t cry a river, whine and complain. That’s why we’re the best.”

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Ready or not, Fernando Mendoza knows he wasn’t drafted to be a backup with the Las Vegas Raiders.

But if the drumbeat from coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek continues to play the tune of Kirk Cousins being the QB1 in Las Vegas, Mendoza said he’ll wait his turn.

Kubiak said as camp began that Cousins was the team’s starter.

“Whatever decisions are made at the end, that’s fantastic — and I’m well for it,” Mendoza said Thursday. “I just want the team to win, so that’s where I’m at.”

With 14 days before the team even takes the field for a preseason game — Aug. 13 in Las Vegas against the Arizona Cardinals — Mendoza knows a lot can change before a final call is necessary at his position.

The Raiders were 3-14 last season and traded starter Geno Smith to the Jets to make room for Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner who guided Indiana to the national title. Smith threw 17 interceptions and lost one fumble while playing under constant pressure behind an injury-riddled offensive line. He was sacked 55 times and ceded the starting spot to Kenny Pickett due to injury late in the season.

The Raiders spent heavily to address blocking, which also impacted rapidly shrinking running lanes for 2025 first-round pick Ashton Jeanty. The Heisman Trophy runner-up averaged just 3.7 yards per carry.

“He’s definitely getting more comfortable,” Jeanty said of Mendoza on Thursday.

Kubiak said in February the responsibility he places on his quarterback in the huddle and pre-snap would be a factor in how the QB pecking order would play out this season.

Mendoza plans to continue spending extra time before and after practice working with offensive linemen to master reads and improve communication.

“I feel more comfortable,” he said, “but I am nowhere near where I need to be.”

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PURDUE FOOTBALL

PURDUE LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK

As the 2026 season approaches, Purdue football is looking to get back on track after missing bowl eligibility in each of the past three years. It marks the second season under head coach Barry Odom, who is tasked with restoring the program to the level of success it enjoyed under former Boilermaker head coach Jeff Brohm and Joe Tiller before him. Although Purdue finished just 2-10 in Odom’s first year, the second-year head coach believes this is a fresh start with a new standard. This season, those expectations are simple – win. 

“We are in a very persistent pursuit of creating consistent winning football,” Odom said at Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover. “You look back on last year and nobody is excited or happy about how we ended up in the win-loss record.” 

Odom said the players have embraced the accountability and relished the competition aspect of the game. 

“They’ve made tremendous gains in their habits and their consistency on what it takes to play winning football in the Big Ten,” Odom remarked. “They have poured into the process… and they’re hungry to play winning football and bring that back to Ross-Ade Stadium.”

Odom said that seeing rival Indiana turn their program around so fast has sparked a sense of urgency within the Boilermaker program to play meaningful football late in the season. 

“It sped things up for everyone,” Odom said. “If we get the opportunity of playing meaningful games in the month of November, and you get a chance to play for an extended time, anything can happen.” 

Boilermakers Defense Ready to Take the Next Step 

One area of focus for Purdue will be continued development on the defensive side of the ball. In 2024, opponents averaged 39.9 points per game against the unit and in 2025 teams averaged 31.8 against them. It’s over a touchdown worth of improvement, but they will need more from a unit that seems to be on the up and up with junior linebacker Charles Correa manning the middle.

Correa pointed out that the defense will look different from a season ago with Kevin Kane returning as the defensive coordinator after a one-year stint at Minnesota.

“Kane, from day one, set the law down about the defense he wants and the minds that he wants us to have,” Correa said. “He understands everyone’s skill set at all three levels, and I think his playcalling and the guys we have on defense this year is going to set up for something great.”  

Kane previously served as Purdue’s defensive coordinator in 2023 and 2024, helping develop one of the nation’s top defensive backs in Dillon Thieneman. The former Boilermaker earned All-America honors before transferring to Oregon and eventually becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick. 

Correa said that teammates that have been coached by Kane in the past were ecstatic when they got word he was back. 

“They’re excited. I mean, right when he got the job, they called me.” 

The junior will go into his second season with the Boilermakers and his third year overall looking to become a vocal leader on the defense. 

“The team’s counting on me this year big time, and that’s a role that I feel I’m ready for,” Correa said. “I want to be the quarterback of the defense this year and command everything.” 

Ryan Browne Ready for Year Two as Starter

Offensively, Purdue will benefit from continuity at quarterback as junior Ryan Browne returns for his second consecutive season as the Boilermakers’ starter. Browne threw for 2,153 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025 while adding four rushing scores, and Odom believes another step forward from his quarterback will be key to Purdue’s turnaround. 

“Ryan is a fierce competitor,” Odom said. “He’s got an elite skill set… nobody has poured more into, not only his development, but being a leader for our team.” 

Browne shares that confidence, expressing belief in both the roster around him and his own ability to elevate his leadership as the 2026 season approaches. 

“Being in the offseason as the starter has helped me a lot to be comfortable in my role,” Browne said. “I think I’ve really taken a big step this summer.” 

The junior heads into his fourth year in West Lafayette with expectations for himself and his teammates. 

“I led meetings with our receivers and tight ends every Tuesday and Thursday night throughout the summer, watching routes and going over route details on where the guys need to be,” Browne said. “It’s never really a lecture but being able to discuss with our receivers and tight ends, the passing game and what it should look like, I feel like that’s really helped us connect.” 

Ready to Build

Purdue enters 2026 with renewed confidence on both sides of the ball and a coaching staff that believes the foundation has been laid. If Browne continues his development and the defense thrives under Kane’s return, the Boilermakers could find themselves back in bowl contention and taking a significant step forward in Barry Odom’s second season.

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PURDUE XC

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Cross Country head coach Tony Miller has released the 2026 schedule that is set to open on Friday, Sept. 4.

The Boilers’ 2026 slate features seven total meets with four staying in Indiana. Three of the meets will take place in Terre Haute, Indiana, which is the host site for the 2026 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Purdue will also travel to Chicago, East Lansing, Michigan and Madison, Wisconsin.

The schedule begins in Valparaiso, Indiana at the Winrow Valparaiso Open on Sept. 4 for its first of three meets in September. The first trip to Terre Haute for the John McNicholas Invitational (Sept. 19) and Chicago for the Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational (Sept. 25) round out the opening month.

One final regular season meet takes place on Oct. 16 for the Pre-National Invitation in Terre Haute, before the Boilers compete at the Big Ten Cross Country Championships on Oct. 30 in Madison.

Postseason continues on Nov. 13 at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional in East Lansing before qualified Boilers conclude the season at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute on Nov. 21.

Douglas Buckeridge, a three-time Great Lakes All-Region and one-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree, headlines Purdue’s returners. He finished seventh at last season’s Big Ten Championships and is one year removed from finishing 43rd at the NCAA Championships in 2024, just three spots shy of All-American status. On the women’s side, Purdue is set to return all seven of its runners that participated in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional meet last season.

After the conclusion of the cross country season, Purdue looks ahead to the track & field portion of the 2026-27 season.

2026 Cross Country Schedule

Friday, Sept. 4 // Winrow Valparaiso Open // Valparaiso, Ind.

Saturday, Sept. 19 // John McNicholas Invitational // Terre Haute, Ind.

Friday, Sept. 25 // Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational // Chicago

Friday, Oct. 16 // Pre-National Invitational // Terre Haute, Ind.

Friday, Oct. 30 // Big Ten Cross Country Championships // Madison, Wis.

Friday, Nov. 13 // NCAA Great Lakes Regional // East Lansing, Mich.

Saturday, Nov. 21 // NCAA Cross Country Championships // Terre Haute, Ind.

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BUTLER MEN’S BASKETBALL

Butler will travel to Columbus for an exhibition tip against Ohio State. The third of the Bulldogs’ exhibitions is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 25.

The contest at Ohio State finalizes Butler’s non-conference schedule. The tip times and television assignments for the schedule will be announced at a later date.

SERIES HISTORY AND NOTES:

Butler and Ohio State have played 42 times in the regular season, a series that dates back to New Year’s Eve in 1924.

The teams last played Nov. 26, 2017 in the PK80 event in Portland, Ore., a 67-66 overtime win by the Bulldogs.

Butler assistant coach Jon Diebler scored 1,536 points and hit 374 three-pointers during his Ohio State playing career (2007-11); Jon’s brother, Jake, is the head coach at Ohio State currently.

The home portion of Butler’s non-conference includes eight regular season games and two exhibitions at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

BUTLER’S 2026-27 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Oct. 11 – vs. Indiana (exhibition)

Oct. 18 – vs. Indiana State (exhibition)

Oct. 25 – at Ohio State (exhibition)

Nov. 2 – vs. Lafayette (regular season opener)

Nov. 4 – vs. FDU

Nov. 8 – at Boise State

Nov. 13 – vs. Pittsburgh

Nov. 17 – vs. Western Carolina

Nov. 19 – vs. Northeastern

Nov. 22 – vs. Nebraska (**in Chicago)

Nov. 27 – vs. Bellarmine

Dec. 2 – vs. Presbyterian

Dec. 6 – at North Carolina

Dec. 16 – vs. USC Upstate

Dec. 19 – vs. Georgia Tech (**Indy Classic; Gainbridge Fieldhouse)

ABOUT THE BULLDOGS: Butler alum Ronald Nored takes over head coaching duties at his alma mater after spending the last decade on coaching staffs in the NBA. The Bulldogs return five players from last season’s roster, headlined by starters Jalen Jackson and Drayton Jones. Jackson helped the Bulldogs to the 2025 Greenbrier Tip-Off title and 5-1 start to the 2025-26 season before missing the remainder of the campaign due to injury. Butler’s newcomers include Asim Djulovic, who starred for Mega Superbet in his native Serbia, and Samu Adler, who led his Salon Vilpas team to the Korisliiga league title and earned Player of the Year honors in his native Finland. Three of the team’s incoming transfers averaged double figures last season: Treyson Anderson (North Dakota State), Jordan Ellerbee (Florida Gulf Coast), and Christian Moore (The Citadel); that trio joins two power conference additions in Eduardo Klafke (Ole Miss) and Samis Calderon (Kansas).

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INDIANA VOLLEYBALL

ROSEMONT, Ill. – As the 2026 volleyball season inches closer, the conference office released its All-Big Ten Preseason Team and Preseason Poll on Thursday (July 30) afternoon. Each of the league’s coaches submitted a ballot to pick this year’s preseason honors. Defending conference champions Nebraska were a unanimous first place choice by all 18 coaches.

Indiana, one of five Big Ten teams to make last year’s NCAA regional semifinals, is represented by a pair of talented sophomore standouts. Outside hitter Jaidyn Jager and setter Teodora Krickovic were named to the All-Big Ten Preseason team. In total, nine teams earned a nod on the list with eight programs placing multiple players. Nebraska and Purdue led the way with three selections each.

Krickovic is fresh off of winning a silver medal with Serbia at this summer’s CEV U22 Women’s European Championships. She contributed 10.73 assists per set (1,212 overall) in 33 matches last year. The young setter added 201 digs, 54 kills, 50 blocks and 38 aces. As a team, IU hit .281 with Krickovic running one of the nation’s fastest offenses.

One of the main benefactors of IU’s fast offense last season was Jager. She blossomed into an elite six-rotation player and finished second on the team with 383 kills (3.39 per set). The young California native led the program with 249 digs (2.20 per set). Jager was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection and returns the sixth-most kills of any Big Ten player this season.

As a team, IU was picked sixth by the league’s coaches. Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue and Minnesota combine to make up the top five of the preseason poll. The Hoosiers will begin their 2026 campaign with a trip to perennial power Louisville on Friday, August 28th.

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INDIANA STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands – The full bracket for the 2026 Paradise Jam has been announced, released on Thursday morning. 

Indiana State Basketball is set to open the bracketed tournament against Stephen F. Austin, with Middle Tennessee and Temple filling out the Sycamores’ side of the bracket. Rounding out the other eight total teams are Utah Valley, East Carolina, UT Martin, and MVC foe Southern Illinois.

The tournament will be held from November 20-23 at the University of the Virgin Islands. For the tournament opener, it will be the first meeting between Indiana State and SFA. Staying on the same side of the bracket, the Sycamores have played Middle Tennessee four times with the most recent game coming in 2006; the series is tied, 2-2. Should the Sycamores see Temple, it will be the first meeting between the two programs.

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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

1891 – At New York, Giants’ fireballer Amos Rusie walks 8 batters and hits another, but still no-hits the visiting Grooms to claim a 6 – 0 shutout victory. This will be the first of four 30-win seasons for the 20 year-old, and the second of four times that he leads the NL in both strikeouts and walks. Rusie remains the youngest pitcher to record a no-hit game.

1897 – St. Louis hurler John Grimes establishes a major league record which still stands today by hitting six batters in a nine-inning game.

1901 – In Cincinnati, the Reds take 14 innings to subdue the Chicago Orphans, 5 – 4. Reds pitcher Noodles Hahn strikes out 11 in the win, while Chicago pitcher Tom Hughes records 15 strikeouts.

1903 – A tired Christy Mathewson loses his fourth in a row as Boston clips him for six hits and four walks to win, 4 – 1. Pop Williams, recently acquired, allows just three Giant hits.

1905 – Charles Taft, owner of the Cincinnati Times-Star and brother of a future president, finances Charles W. Murphy’s purchase of the Chicago Cubs for $125,000.

1909 – For the second time in two years – the first was on May 25, 1908 – Bill Burns has a no-hitter broken up with two outs in the 9th, when Washington’s Otis Clymer singles. But Burns and the White Sox win, 1 – 0, besting Walter Johnson in the first of two games. Burns is the only pitcher to suffer this fate twice, until Dave Stieb of Toronto does on September 24 and 30, 1988.

1910 – Cubs rookie King Cole pitches a seven-inning no-hitter for a 4 – 0 win over St. Louis. Cole will top the National League with a 20-4 record, but will have only one more winning season.

1911 – Phils rookie Grover Cleveland Alexander, who beat the Cubs yesterday in relief, loses a matchup with Three Finger Brown, 4 – 2. The Phils, at 56-38, are in fourth place.

1912 – A day after the Braves went 14 innings to beat St. Louis, they go 19 innings with the Pirates. Lefty Otto Hess goes all the way for Boston. The Pirates score three in the 19th, and the Braves come back with two, losing, 7 – 6. Honus Wagner, who earlier stole home, drives in the final run for Pittsburgh. Wagner, at 38, is the oldest player in the National League.

1914 – Red Sox owner Joe Lannin buys the Providence Grays (IL) and Melrose Park from the Detroit Tigers for $75,000. Detroit gets to pick one player from the Providence roster and they select P Red Oldham, overlooking Carl Mays. Detroit then purchases the Buffalo (IL) team.

1915 – Dave Davenport of St. Louis (Federal League) splits a pair of 1 – 0 games in a doubleheader with Buffalo, winning the first and losing the second. He gives up just five hits all afternoon, and just one in his losing effort, and becomes the only pitcher to be involved in two 1 – 0 decisions in one day.

1916:

Babe Ruth fires a two-hitter, by Ty Cobb and George Burns, for a 6 – 0 win for the first-place Red Sox over the Tigers. Ruth adds two hits at the plate.

The Giants take two from Pittsburgh, winning both by 7 – 0 scores. Slim Sallee and Jeff Tesreau are the winners.

1917 – The Cubs swap pitcher Al Demaree to the Giants for infielder Pete Kilduff.

1929 – Babe Ruth hits a fungo 447 feet in an unofficial test, beating all trial competition records.

1932 – Cleveland plays its first game in new Municipal Stadium before a crowd in excess of 80,000 (paid attendance of 76,979), but Mel Harder loses to the A’s Lefty Grove 1 – 0 on Mickey Cochrane’s RBI single.

1934 – When the Cards and the Cubs resume playing the protested game of July 2nd at Wrigley Field, Chicago still wins. The final score this time is 7 – 1 instead of 7 – 4.

1935:

Two American League pitchers each hit two home runs in a game. Wes Ferrell clouts a couple against Buck Newsom of the Browns and knocks in four runs in a 6 – 4 win for Boston. Mel Harder hits two for Cleveland but loses, 6 – 4, to the White Sox. No other hurlers will hit two homers this season.

The Reds oversell their night game, and 30,000 jam in for the match against the Cards. Kitty Burke, a female fan, slips under the ropes around the infield and grabs a bat. Paul Dean lobs a pitch and she grounds out. Manager Frankie Frisch demands it count as an at bat.

Judge Emil Fuchs, president of the Boston Braves since 1925, forfeits his majority stock and retires.

1936:

At the Polo Grounds, the Giants manage just four hits off Chicago’s Larry French and lose, 3 – 1. The Terrymen’s only tally is a homer by Hank Leiber. The loss leaves the front-running Cubs a game ahead of the Cards.

Led by Lou Gehrig, who clouts his 33rd homer, the Yankees down the Indians, 11 – 7, at League Park. The loss snaps the Tribe’s five-game win streak, and leaves the Yankees 8 1/2 games ahead of Cleveland. Gehrig and Red Rolfe clout homers in the 5th to chase Mel Harder, but the Indians answer with three doubles by Earl Averill and a homer by Hal Trosky. Bump Hadley, with relief from Johnny Murphy, hangs on for his ninth win.

Behind Lefty Grove and Jimmie Foxx, the visiting Red Sox top the White Sox, 7 – 3. Grove wins his 13th on seven hits, while Double X bangs his 30th homer, a triple and double. Boston sub Moe Berg adds a triple, double, and single off Ted Lyons.

1939:

Using yellow dyed balls, the Cardinals beat the Dodgers, 5 – 2, at Sportsman’s Park.

The Pirates buy baseball’s tallest player, 6′ 9″ P Johnny Gee, from Syracuse (International League).

1943 – Dodger Dolph Camilli, the league’s MVP in 1941, is traded with Johnny Allen to the Giants for Bill Sayles, Bill Lohrman and Joe Orengo. Camilli declines to report to his new team and retires to a California ranch for the season. Next year, he will manage in the Pacific Coast League and in 1945 will return briefly to the Red Sox.

1947 – The Giants lose, 8 – 7, but hit their 55th home run of the month, a National League record. Walker Cooper connects against the Reds.

1948 – With a 7 – 6 win over the Cards, the Braves lengthen their lead over the Pirates and the Dodgers in the National League.

1949 – Sid Gordon of the New York Giants blasts two homers in the 2nd inning of the second game, as the Giants sweep the Reds, 10 – 0 and 9 – 0, behind Larry Jansen and Adrian Zabala.

1951:

The Dodgers win their tenth in a row, defeating the host Pirates, 8 – 3. Don Newcombe earns his 15th win and ninth in a row. Newk also collects three of the Flatbushers’ 16 hits.

In an 8 – 6 Red Sox loss to the Browns, Clyde Vollmer doubles to finish the month with 13 homers, four doubles and a triple among his 31 hits. “Big Un” knocks in 40 runs with his outburst.

The Browns acquire Cliff Mapes from the Yankees, sending Bobby Hogue, Kermit Wahl, Tom Upton and Lou Sleater to New York. The trade frees up an outfield spot for Mickey Mantle’s return as well as Mapes’s #7 uniform.

1954 – Using a borrowed bat, Dodger killer Joe Adcock hits four homers and a double for 18 total bases in the Braves’ 15 – 7 victory at Ebbets Field. The 18 total bases is a major-league mark and, combined with the seven total bases from the day before, gives him a two-day tally of 25. The two-game total ties him with Ty Cobb.

1955:

The Giants sell P Sal Maglie (9-5) to the Cleveland Indians.

On the anniversary of his four-homer game, Braves 1B Joe Adcock has his arm broken by a pitch from Giant Jim Hearn. He will be out for the rest of the season.

The White Sox suffer a great blow as their leading pitcher, Dick Donovan, 13-4, undergoes an emergency appendectomy.

Don Larsen wins, 5 – 2, as the Yanks and Athletics collaborate for nine double plays, with the New Yorkers turning six. Cloyd Boyer, who has three of his first eight pitches hit for home runs – by Hank Bauer, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra – takes the loss.

1956 – By salvaging a split of today’s twin bill with the last-place Giants, second-place Cincinnati gains half a game on idle Milwaukee. The marathon’s most memorable moment, however, comes in the 8th inning of New York’s 5 – 1 win, as Willie Mays travels far and wide to pull in Wally Post’s 430-foot blast to the Polo Grounds’ distant left center power alley over his shoulder. Willie’s circus catch comes after Stan Palys’ pinch-hit homer has put Cincy on the board, down by four.

1957 – The Pirates lose to the Braves and Bob Buhl, 4 – 2. Bucs manager Bobby Bragan is ejected in the bottom of the 5th for making obscene gestures. Before he departs, he strolls onto the field sipping an orange drink through a straw and offers the umpires a drink. Two days later Bragan will be fired by the Pirates.

1959:

Pedro Ramos holds Chicago to one hit in seven innings but leaves with a sore elbow, and the Sox score two in the 9th to beat the Senators, 2 – 1. It is Washington’s 14th loss in a row. The Sox lead Cleveland by two games.

Earl Wilson, the first black pitcher to play for the Red Sox, hurls 3 2/3 innings, walking nine and leaves the game with a 4 – 0 lead.

1960:

At Yankee Stadium, the A’s push over three unearned runs in the 11th on two throwing errors by 3B Hector Lopez to top New York, 5 – 2.

A game between Memphis and Chattanooga (Southern Association) is postponed because the 94-degree weather is too much for the spectators in Memphis’s roofless Tobey Field.

1961 – The Second All-Star Game of 1961 ends in a 1 – 1 tie at Fenway Park. Rocky Colavito homers for the American League run. Heavy rains end the exhibition after nine innings.

1962:

At D.C. Stadium, Mickey Mantle is on the bench with a wrenched knee, but Bill Skowron supplies the power with a grand slam. New York wins, 9 – 5.

The National League rejects Commissioner Ford Frick’s proposal for interleague play in 1963.

1963:

Ralph Terry of the Yankees uses just 75 pitches in a five-hitter, winning 3 – 2 over the Kansas City A’s. Terry has no walks and five strikeouts.

At Cleveland Stadium, the Indians hit four consecutive home runs to beat the Angels, 9 – 5. Woodie Held, Pedro Ramos, Tito Francona and Larry Brown all go deep off Paul Foytack with two outs in the 6th inning.

1964:

The Giants take advantage of three errors by Bill Mazeroski and two by Bob Bailey to tip the bumbling Bucs, 8 – 6. Maz’s last error, on a potential double play ball in the 9th, helps the Giants score three runs. Willie Mays has three singles and three runs to lead the attack. The Giants remain 1 1/2 games back of the Phils, but learn that Juan Marichal has back spasms; he will not pitch again until August 25th.

At Philadelphia, 24,197 see Chris Short, with help from Jack Baldschun, stop the Dodgers, 6 – 1. Johnny Callison starts the Phils’ scoring with a two-run homer in the 1st, off Ron Moeller. Tommy Davis hits an 8th-inning double that caroms off 2B Tony Taylor’s mouth, kayoing both Taylor and Chris Short. Maury Wills has four singles and drives in the lone run.

The Cards send down Glen Hobbie and bring up knuckleballer Barney Schultz.

1967 – Jack Hiatt belts a pinch-hit grand slam off Pittsburgh’s Elroy Face to give the Giants an 8 – 4 win. Hiatt’s pinch slam is the 1,200th slam in major league history.

1968:

Chicago’s Billy Williams, Ernie Banks and Jim Hickman hit 4th-inning home runs as Fergie Jenkins (12-10) beats the Astros, 6 – 1, at Wrigley Field.

Detroit’s Dick McAuliffe becomes the second player in major league history to score all of his team’s runs in a 4-run game, as the Tigers blank the Senators 4-0 in support of ace Denny McLain, who collects his 21st win and second straight shutout. Batting from the leadoff spot, McAuliffe collects a homer, two doubles and a single in four trips to the plate.

1970:

At California, Boston’s Sonny Siebert beats the Angels, 2 – 0, on one hit, a 3rd-inning single by Jay Johnstone.

The Reds lose a doubleheader to the visiting Cubs, 7 – 1 and 11 – 7, and lose rookie star Wayne Simpson, who tears the rotary cuff in his pitching arm. Simpson will come back, but will never be the same, going 22-28 in the rest of his career.

1971 – The Orioles’ Pat Dobson shuts out the Royals, 4 – 0, for his eighth victory of the month. Since June 16th, Dobson has won 12 straight games.

1972:

White Sox slugger Dick Allen becomes the seventh major leaguer to hit two inside-the-park home runs in one game. The homers pace the White Sox over the Twins, 8 – 1.

Royals OF Amos Otis scores the game’s only run, swiping home in the 4th inning with a surprised John Mayberry at bat. Otis reached 3B when Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan makes two of his three errors trying to pick his former teammate off base. This is only the second time in the post-war years that a steal of home accounts for a game’s only run.

Vida Blue retires the first 17 batters before Texas pitcher Rich Hand beats out a surprise bunt in the 6th. Blue allows one other hit to win, 2 – 0 for Oakland. Hand allows just two hits in 7 1/3 innings, but two errors and a mental boner by LF Ted Ford allows two runs. With a runner on third base, Ford catches Joe Rudi’s fly and trots in thinking it is the third out. It is the second. Rudi adds another sac fly for the other run.

1973:

The Reds sweep a pair from the Braves, winning, 9 – 5, in the opener, then scoring five runs in the 9th to take the nitecap, 13 – 11. Joe Morgan totals three homers and seven RBIs for the afternoon. The Reds set a club record with 24 wins in the month of July.

The Tigers win a pair from the Brewers, 6 – 5 and 9 – 4, and end Dave May’s American League season-best hitting streak at 24 games.

1974:

At Houston, the Reds’ Don Gullett twirls a two-hit, 4 – 0, shutout over the Astros. Roger Metzger has both Astro hits.

Ron Cey drives in eight runs to lead the host Dodgers to a 15 – 4 victory over the Padres.

1975 – Giants pitcher John Montefusco predicts he’ll shut out the Reds and strike out Johnny Bench four times. The Count’s a little off as the Reds score seven runs in 1 1/3 innings off Montefusco, three of the runs coming on a Bench homer. The Reds win, 11 – 6.

1976 – Reds reserve outfielder Ed Armbrister collects four hits, including two homers, as the Reds pummel the Astros, 12 – 1. Armbrister’s two homers are half his career total and his only two for the year.

1977 – Graig Nettles scores three runs to lead the Yankees to a 9 – 2 win over the A’s, the eighth win in nine games for New York. The Yankees are a half game out of first.

1978:

The Yankees stop Texas, 6 – 1, to move to 7 1/2 games behind Boston in the American League East.

Pete Rose singles off Phil Niekro to extend his hitting streak to 44 games, as the Reds edge the Braves, 3 – 2. Rose ties Willie Keeler’s 81-year-old National League record, achieved when foul balls didn’t count as strikes.

After scoring just five runs in their last six games, the Red Sox break out with a 9 – 2 win over the visiting White Sox. It is just the third win for Boston in its last 13 games. Dennis Eckersley (12-4) earns the win, scattering six hits, while Rick Burleson has three hits including a bases-loaded double.

1980 – The Rangers beat the Orioles 7 – 4, snapping pitcher Steve Stone’s 14-game winning streak. Stone is two shy of the American League record of 16 consecutive wins.

1981 – The fifty-day old baseball strike is settled as owners and players agree on a pooling system for free agent compensation. The All-Star game will mark the end of baseball’s first-ever mid-season work stoppage.

1982 – Phillies second baseman Manny Trillo boots a Bill Buckner grounder to end his errorless streak at 479 chances, setting a major league record.

1983:

In the nitecap of a doubleheader, Pirates rookie Jose DeLeon holds the Mets hitless for 8 1/3 innings before Hubie Brooks singles, but Mets starter Mike Torrez pitches 11 shutout innings himself and New York goes on to win, 1 – 0, in 12 innings. In his previous start, DeLeon had held the Padres hitless for 6 1/3 innings. Mets reliever Jesse Orosco wins both games with four innings of relief in the 11-inning opener, and an inning in the nitecap.

Brooks Robinson, Juan Marichal, George Kell and Walter Alston are inducted into the Hall of Fame, bringing the total number of Hall of Famers to 184.

The Indians fire manager Mike Ferraro and replace him with Pat Corrales, who was fired earlier this month by the Phillies.

1985:

The Indians end Ron Guidry’s win streak at 12 games, beating the Yankees, 6 – 5. Guidry and Curt Wardle, the winner, each go 6+ innings.

At Boston, the White Sox-Red Sox game is called at the end of seven innings (11:34 p.m.) with the score tied 4 – 4. Since an 11-inning, 4 – 4 tie with the Angels on June 8, 1961, Boston had played 3,868 regular season games without a tie, a major league record.

1986 – Brian Downing and Bob Boone each hit grand slams off Oakland’s Eric Plunk to lead the Angels to an 8 – 5 victory.

1987 – Eddie Murray hits his 299th and 300th career home runs to lead Baltimore to an 8 – 4 win over Texas.

1988 – Jose Canseco belts two home runs in the A’s 6 – 2 win over Seattle to become the first player to hit 30 or more home runs in each of his first three major league seasons.

1989 – The Twins trade last year’s Cy Young Award winner, Frank Viola, to the Mets for five players, including pitchers Rick Aguilera, David West and minor leaguer Kevin Tapani. Viola is the first Cy Young Award winner to be traded during the following season. Tapani will blossom into a Cy Young Award contender in 1991. The Mets also trade popular OF Mookie Wilson to the Blue Jays for P Jeff Musselman and minor leaguer Mike Brady.

1990 – At County Stadium, Ranger righty Nolan Ryan wins his 300th game defeating the Brewers, 11 – 3. The 43-year-old from Alvin, Texas will compile 324 victories during his 27-year big league career.

1991:

The Phillies trade P Roger McDowell to the Dodgers for P Mike Hartley and OF Braulio Castillo.

The Astros trade P Jim Clancy to the Braves for P Matt Turner and a player to be named later.

The Expos trade recently-acquired P Ron Darling to the A’s for two minor league pitchers.

1993:

Toronto obtains OF Rickey Henderson from the Athletics in exchange for minor leaguers Steve Karsay and Jose Herrera.

The Reds trade P Tim Belcher to the White Sox in exchange for pitchers Johnny Ruffin and Jeff Pierce.

The Expos retire Gary Carter’s uniform number 8 prior to their game with Florida.

The Pirates trade P Stan Belinda to the Royals in exchange for pitchers Jon Lieber and Dan Miceli.

1994:

Steve Carlton, Leo Durocher and Phil Rizzuto are inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame.

The Phillies trade OF Milt Thompson to the Astros in exchange for P Tom Edens.

The Giants beat the Rockies, 9 – 4, as 3B Matt Williams hits his 39th and 40th home runs of the year. This gives him a new National League mark for homers through July. The previous standard was 36. The all-time record of 41 was set by Babe Ruth in 1928, and tied by Jimmie Foxx four years later.

Jeff Bagwell’s 36th homer is the only Astro score in their 7 – 1 loss, but he ties a club record with 29 RBIs for the month. His 105 ribbies through July is the fourth-best in National League history.

1995 – The Mets trade former two-time Cy Young Award winner right-handed pitcher Bret Saberhagen and left-handed pitcher farmhand Dave Swanson (the player to be named later) to the Rockies for righties Juan Acevedo and Arnold Gooch.

1996:

The Reds Sox send veteran Mike Stanton to the Rangers for two young relievers, Mark Brandenburg and Kerry Lacy. The deal is made at 11:55 p.m, beating the trading deadline by five minutes.

In other deadline deals, the Angels trade IF Damion Easley to the Tigers in exchange for P Greg Gohr. Detroit trades 1B-DH Cecil Fielder, 32, to the Yankees for OF-DH Ruben Sierra and minor league P Matt Drews. The Yankees also obtain P David Weathers from the Marlins for P Mark Hutton, but will send him to the minors in three weeks. The Dodgers obtain OF Chad Curtis from the Tigers in exchange for pitchers Joey Eischen and John Cummings; Curtis will lead off in place of the cancer-stricken Brett Butler. The Phillies trade P Terry Mulholland, 33, to the Mariners in exchange for struggling blue-chipper Desi Relaford. Finally, the Padres acquire OF Greg Vaughn, with 31 homers in Milwaukee, and a player to be named in exchange for P Bryce Florie, P Ron Villone and OF Marc Newfield.

The Mariners club the Brewers, 9 – 3, hitting seven homers in the game. Jay Buhner, Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez each have a pair, with Brian Hunter adding one. Sterling Hitchcock (11-4) is the winner.

1997

The San Francisco Giants receive starting pitchers Wilson Alvarez and Danny Darwin, along with top reliever Roberto Hernández from the Chicago White Sox in what is dubbed the “White Flag Trade”. The White Sox, just 3 1/2 games behind Cleveland in the American League Central, receive minor league SS Mike Caruso, OF Brian Manning and Ps Lorenzo Barcelo, Keith Foulke, Bobby Howry and Ken Vining. In the house cleaning, the Sox have moved eight players with a combined 92 years of major league experience. Sox 3B Robin Ventura observes, “We didn’t realize August 1st was the end of the season.” The White Sox then jump out to a 9 – 0 lead over the Angels in the 2nd inning, before holding on to record a 14 – 12 victory. Rookie Mike Cameron leads Chicago with five RBIs, while Todd Greene gets four hits and drives home six runs for Anaheim in a losing cause.

In a South Atlantic League game at Hickory, pitcher Jason Lakman has 16 strikeouts in seven innings, including seven in a row and five in the 5th inning. Augusta beats Hickory, 4 – 0.

Baseball’s premier power hitter, Mark McGwire, leaves the A’s for the St. Louis Cardinals, who send three pitchers to Oakland. The A’s receive minor leaguers Eric Ludwick and Blake Stein, along with T.J. Mathews (4-4).

How do you spell relief? In a fine move for Boston, the Red Sox send reliever Heathcliff Slocumb to the Mariners for minor leaguers Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe. Slocumb will not last a season in Seattle, while Varitek and Lowe will become key members of the Red Sox for a decade. The Mariners also ship budding star Jose Cruz, Jr. to Toronto for relievers Mike Timlin and Paul Spoljaric.

1998

Oakland defeats Cleveland, 12 – 2. Down by nine runs in the 8th inning, the Indians bring OF Mark Whiten in to pitch. The strong-armed Whiten allows one run on a double, a hit by pitch (Scott Spiezio), and two walks, but also strikes out three batters (Mike Blowers, Miguel Tejada, and Mike Neill). He becomes the only player in major league history, with at least one inning pitched, to get every out with a strikeout.

Kevin Brown wins his tenth straight for the Padres, beating the Expos, 5 – 4. He strikes out ten for the second straight game. Greg Vaughn adds his 39th homer and Trevor Hoffman saves his 35th.

Chicago’s Albert Belle hits his 16th home run of the month to set a new major league mark for July. His home run helps the White Sox to a 10 – 2 win over the Rangers. Frank Thomas hits a grand slam and drives in five runs for Chicago.

In a flurry of transactions at the trading deadline, many involving free agents-to-be, the Mets trade OF Bernard Gilkey, P Nelson Figueroa and cash to the Diamondbacks in exchange for P Willie Blair, C Jorge Fabregas and a player to be named. New York then obtains IF-OF Tony Phillips from the Blue Jays for P Leo Estrella, and sends the Brewers P Bill Pulsipher for IF Mike Kinkade.

The Rockies trade OF Ellis Burks to the Giants for OF Darryl Hamilton, P Jim Stoops and a player to be named. The Mariners trade flame-thrower Randy Johnson to the Astros in exchange for IF Carlos Guillen, P Freddy Garcia and a player to be named (John Halama). The Rangers trade P Darren Oliver and 3B Fernando Tatis to the Cardinals in exchange for P Todd Stottlemyre and SS Royce Clayton. The Rangers get 3B Todd Zeile from the Marlins in exchange for 3B Jose Santos and P Daniel De Young; Tatis will hit .287 with 11 homers this year in St. Louis, but Zeile will help by reaching base 11 straight times during a critical three-game stretch in September.

1999

The Yankees bring back C Jim Leyritz from the Padres for highly-touted pitching prospect Geraldo Padua. Padua is 25-4 in three seasons in Class A, including a run of 20 straight wins. Mysteriously, he will lose 14 straight in the minors in 2000 and earn a release from the Altoona Curve (AA) in May, 2001, after serving up three straight homers.

In other deals, the Mets obtain closer Billy Taylor from the Brewers for pitchers Jason Isringhausen and Greg McMichael. The Athletics nab sought-after ace Kevin Appier from the Royals for pitchers Brad Rigby, Blake Stein and Jeff D’Amico. The Cardinals trade veteran IF-OF Shawon Dunston to the Mets for IF Craig Paquette.

2000:

The Giants edge the Brewers, 4 – 3, in 11 innings, as Robb Nen sets a new major league record with his 14th save of July, one shy of the mark for any month.

At the trading deadline, the Mariners obtain OF Al Martin from the Padres in exchange for OF John Mabry and P Tom Davey. The Dodgers ship former Rookie of the Year Todd Hollandsworth, along with OF Kevin Gibbs and P Randey Dorame, to the Rockies for OF Tom Goodwin and cash. The Cubs pick up oft-injured OF Rondell White from the Expos for P Scott Downs, but it is Downs who will spend the next five seasons in the infirmary, getting injured in his first outing for the Expos and not coming back to full health until 2004. The Cubs then make their fifth trade in 11 days, sending the now expendable Henry Rodriguez to the Marlins for 1B/OF Ross Gload and P Dave Noyce. The Braves obtain OF B.J. Surhoff and P Gabe Molina from the Orioles in exchange for OF Trenidad Hubbard and two minor leaguers. Finally, to fill in for the injured Mark McGwire, the Cardinals pick up veteran 1B Will Clark from the Orioles for 3B Jose Leon; The Cardinals also obtain C Carlos Hernandez from the Padres in exchange for P Heathcliff Slocumb with two minor leaguers also involved in the deal.

2001

Brewers manager Davey Lopes is suspended for two games and fined by the commissioner’s office for threatening to have his pitchers hit Rickey Henderson. Lopes became upset when Henderson took off for second base in the 7th inning of the Padres’ 12 – 5 win on Sunday.

The trading deadline produces a frenzy of deal-making as 31 players change teams in a total of 12 deals in the last two days. A total of 68 players were involved in 24 deals in all of July. The deals today include one in which the Red Sox acquire Expos reliever Ugueth Urbina for two minor league pitchers, Tomo Ohka and Rich Rundles. The hard-throwing closer was nearly traded to the Yankees earlier in the season, but the deal was nixed when the Caracas, Venezuela native failed a physical. Also, the Indians get OF Milton Bradley from the Expos for P Zach Day

2002

In deals at the trading deadline, the Cubs and Pirates swap outfielders with Chad Hermansen going to Chicago and Darren Lewis to Pittsburgh; the Angels obtain OF Alex Ochoa and C Sal Fasano from the Brewers in exchange for C Jorge Fabregas and two players to be named; the Red Sox get P Bobby Howry from the White Sox in return for pitchers Frank Francisco and Byeong Hak An; the Rockies send OF Todd Hollandsworth and P Dennys Reyes to the Rangers for OF Gabe Kapler and IF Jason Romano; the Rockies also trade P John Thomson and OF Mark Little to the Mets in exchange for OFs Jay Payton and Robert Stratton, and P Mark Corey; and the Mets get pitchers Steve Reed and Jason Middlebrook from the Padres for pitchers Bobby Jones and Josh Reynolds and OF Jason Bay.

A plan to sell beer outside Boston’s Fenway Park is approved on a trial basis by city officials. During the 14 games, brew will be available three hours before game time to one hour after games start to game ticket-holders who pass through a turnstile.

2004

The long-anticipated trade of Nomar Garciaparra is finally accomplished as the Red Sox shortstop is traded to the Cubs in a four-team deal which includes the Twins and Expos. Chicago first acquires shortstop Orlando Cabrera from the Expos for shortstop Alex Gonzalez, relief pitcher Francis Beltran and minor leaguer Brendan Harris. They then pry 1B Doug Mientkiewicz from the Twins for minor league southpaw Justin Jones. Finally, Chicago flips its two new acquisitions to the Bosox for Garciaparra, prospect Matt Murton and cash.

Ten minutes prior to the trading deadline, Steve Finley gives the Diamondbacks permission to deal him to the Dodgers. The trade sends the four-time Gold Glove center fielder and backstop Brent Mayne to Los Angeles for minor league catching prospect Koyie Hill, flycatcher Reggie Abercrombie and southpaw Bill Murphy, who was acquired in yesterday’s trade with the Marlins. Then, a minute before the trading deadline, the Yankees deal the talented but underachieving Jose Contreras (8-5 with a 5.64 ERA) and $3 million to the White Sox for All-Star pitcher Esteban Loaiza (9-5, 4.86). Both hurlers are 32 years old.

After a close call which goes against the Katy Cowboys, Kacy Clemens’ dad is asked to leave the youth baseball game. According to the league officials, who will later apologize calling it a case of mistaken identity, Roger Clemens is ejected from his son’s championship game for arguing the call and spitting sunflower seeds at an umpire’s leg.

With homers in his first two at-bats off Jorge Sosa, Carlos Delgado hits his fifth home run in five consecutive at-bats off the Devil Rays’ right-hander. The Blue Jays slugger’s streak started with a homer last September 10th, was extended to three on September 25th as the Tampa Bay hurler gave up the first two dingers in Delgado’s four-homer day.

2005

The almost-traded Manny Ramirez comes off the bench and has the game-winning hit in the 8th against the Twins in the Red Sox’s victory. The embattled Boston outfielder has caused much consternation in the Red Sox nation this week due to his refusal to play and hustle for his short-handed team.

At Yankee Stadium, the Molina brothers, Bengie and Jose, both homer off Randy Johnson. The Angel teammates are the tenth pair of siblings who have gone deep in the same game.

Among thousands of high-spirited Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs fans and the 48 Hall of Famers sitting on the dais, Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg are enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Also honored are San Diego Padres announcer Jerry Coleman, winner of the Ford C. Frick Award, and sportswriter and broadcast analyst Peter Gammons, recipient of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award.

2007:

At the trading deadline, the Rangers make the big deals. In a seven-player move, they deal Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay to the Braves for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison and Beau Jones. They also send Eric Gagné to the Red Sox for Kason Gabbard, David Murphy and Engel Beltre. Atlanta also sends Kyle Davies to the Royals for Octavio Dotel and Wil Ledezma, and Will Startup to the Padres for Royce Ring as they are busy as well. In addition to the previously-mentioned deal, the Padres get Rob Mackowiak from the White Sox for Jon Link and Morgan Ensberg from the Astros for a player to be named later or cash. Other notable deals are Scott Proctor for Wilson Betemit and Rajai Davis and a player to be named for Matt Morris.

Barry Bonds remains stuck at 754 home runs, going 0 for 2 with two walks and a run in a 3 – 1 win over the Dodgers. In another failed bid at a milestone, Tom Glavine fails to win #300, despite allowing only one run in six innings as relievers Aaron Heilman and Aaron Sele blow it in a 4 – 2 defeat to Milwaukee.

The Yankees tie a franchise record with eight home runs in a game – not one of them from Alex Rodriguez, who is still one shy of 500. Hideki Matsui homers twice and adding blows are Melky Cabrera, Bobby Abreu, Johnny Damon, Robinson Cano, Shelley Duncan and Jorge Posada in a 16 – 3 rout of the White Sox.

2008:

For the first time in seven games, the Pacific League All-Star team beats the Central League. In the first of the 2008 NPB All-Star Games, the PL wins, 5 – 4, with a late rally. The CL gets on the board first, when Tomoaki Kanemoto goes deep against Yu Darvish in the 2nd. In the 7th, the CL scores three times to take a 4 – 3 lead. Rick Short opens the bottom of the 9th with a double and Tsuyoshi Nishioka singles with one out. PH Nobuhiko Matsunaka singles home Short, then PH Takeshi Yamasaki singles to right against Tomoyuki Kubota to give the PL the win. Yamasaki is named game MVP.

Right before the trading deadline, several major deals go through. The White Sox acquire Ken Griffey Jr., sixth all-time on the home run leaderboard with 608, from the Reds in exchange for pitcher Nick Masset and infielder Danny Richar. Less than a minute before the deadline, a three-way trade involves another 500-homer man: Manny Ramirez gets sent by the Red Sox to the Dodgers along with $7 million. The Red Sox pick up All-Star LF Jason Bay from the Pirates. Pittsburgh, in turn, gets 3B Andy LaRoche and P Bryan Morris from Los Angeles and OF Brandon Moss and P Craig Hansen from Boston. Andy LaRoche joins brother Adam LaRoche in the Pirates infield. In the lesser deals of the day, the Marlins get Arthur Rhodes from the Mariners for minor league pitcher Gaby Hernandez and the Yankees send SS Alberto Gonzalez to the Nationals for minor league pitcher Jhonny Nunez.

A five-minute fan outburst mars a 10 – 6 Twins win over the ChiSox. After a called strike on Denard Span, Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire comes out to argue with umpire Marty Foster. Gardenhire then kicks his hat over his head and fans throw dozens of hats and a few baseballs onto the field. Ozzie Guillen pulls his club off the field while the Metrodome staff warn their fans of the risk of a forfeit loss. After the game settles down, Minnesota wraps up its win to move within a half-game of Chicago in the AL Central.

2009:

Cliff Lee’s adaptation to the National League is a quick one. Traded to the Phillies on July 29th, Lee gives up no hits over the first five innings against the Giants, on his way to a complete-game four-hitter. He adds two base hits of his own in the 5 – 1 win.

On the frenzied last day before the trading deadline, a number of stars are on the move: P Jake Peavy goes from San Diego to the White Sox, C Victor Martinez moves from Cleveland to Boston, SS Orlando Cabrera from Oakland to Minnesota, 3B Scott Rolen from the Blue Jays to the Reds, and P Jarrod Washburn from Seattle to Detroit. Five other deals involving major leaguers are also completed, but the star most-rumored to be on the trading block over the past two weeks, Toronto’s Roy Halladay, stays put.

2010:

Once again, the last day before the trading deadline is a busy one as contenders try to plug holes before the last stretch of the pennant race. The Dodgers get P Ted Lilly and 2B Ryan Theriot from the Cubs for IF Blake DeWitt and two minor leaguers, and add P Octavio Dotel from the Pirates for P James McDonald and a minor leaguer. The Pirates send another member of their bullpen, Javier Lopez, to the Giants for P Joe Martinez. The Yankees complete yesterday’s rumored deal with Houston for Lance Berkman and also add reliever Kerry Wood from Cleveland, not giving up any major leaguers in the process. The Braves add veterans P Kyle Farnsworth and OF Rick Ankiel from the Royals for Jesse Chavez, Gregor Blanco and Tim Collins, and in a three-team deal, the Padres get OF Ryan Ludwick from the Cardinals, while the Cards add pitcher Jake Westbrook, taken from Cleveland, which receives two prospects from San Diego.

Carlos Gonzalez completes the cycle by crashing a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 9th as the Rockies defeat the Cubs, 6 – 5. Gonzalez’s blast off Sean Marshall comes after Chicago’s Derrek Lee hits a game-tying three-run homer off Rafael Betancourt in the 8th inning. Huston Street is the winner.

The German national team wins the Bronze Medal at the 2010 European Championship, their first medal in international play since the 1975 European Championship. Tim Henkenjohann and Martin Dewald combine to shut out Sweden while veteran Jendrick Speer drives in three and Cedric Bassel goes 3 for 3 in a 8 – 0 win.

2011:

Two of the best pitchers in the American League face each other, as Detroit’s Justin Verlander goes against Los Angeles’ Jered Weaver, with both looking for their 15th win. Verlander takes a no-hitter into the 8th inning, while Weaver loses his cool after Carlos Guillen hits a 7th-inning homer; he throws a pitch over the head of the next batter, Alex Avila, and is ejected. Verlander and the Tigers prevail, 3 – 2.

Raul Ibanez is a one-man wrecking crew as the Phillies outlast the Pirates, 6 – 5, in ten innings. Ibanez hits a homer off Jeff Karstens in the 2nd, and adds another, game-tying, blast in the 8th, a two-run shot off Jose Veras that erases a 5 – 3 Pirates lead built on Lyle Overbay’s own two-run homer. In the 10th, Ibanez ends the game with an RBI double off Tony Watson, driving in newly-acquired Hunter Pence with the winning run.

The trading deadline passes with a few more deals, capping a busy three-day period. OF Ryan Ludwick is traded on this day for the second consecutive year, joining the Pirates from the Padres for a player to be named later. The Padres also send set-up man Mike Adams to the Rangers for two minor leaguers, and the Red Sox land starting pitcher Erik Bedard from the Mariners in a three-team, seven-player deal that also involves the Los Angeles Dodgers. Finally, the Braves land CF Michael Bourn from Houston for OF Jordan Schafer and three minor league prospects.

2012:

The Phillies are sellers on the last day before the trading deadline, sending away two of their starting outfielders. CF Shane Victorino goes to the Dodgers for Josh Lindblom and Ethan Martin, while RF Hunter Pence heads for San Francisco in return for Nate Schierholtz, Tommy Joseph and Seth Rosin. Among other deals, the Pirates obtain 1B Gaby Sanchez from Miami and then trade 3B Casey McGehee to the Yankees for P Chad Qualls; the Cubs send P Ryan Dempster, who had earlier vetoed a trade to Atlanta, to the Rangers for Christian Villanueva and Kyle Hendricks; and the Reds obtain P Jonathan Broxton from the Royals.

Albert Pujols hits two homers to lead the Angels over Texas, 6 – 2, as Jered Weaver improves to 14-1, and 6-0 for the month. Rookie Mike Trout goes 2 for 4 with a two-run homer; his two runs scored give him 32 for July, tying Hal Trosky for the rookie record for the month, while his ten homers are an American League rookie record.

A.J. Burnett flirts with a no-hitter but settles for a one-hitter as he beats the Cubs, 5 – 0. With two outs in the 8th, pinch-hitter Adrian Cardenas lines a single to right for the Cubs’ lone hit. Neil Walker drives in all five runs for the Pirates.

2013

In a relatively staid last day of trading before the deadline, the Orioles acquire P Bud Norris from Houston for L.J. Hoes and Josh Hader, the Diamondbacks send P Ian Kennedy to San Diego for Joe Thatcher and Matt Stites, while the Royals pick up OF Justin Maxwell from Houston for P Kyle Smith.

The Rangers complete a three-game sweep of the Angels when Adrian Beltre hits a walk-off homer in the 9th for a 2- 1 win; on the 29th, A.J. Pierzynski and Geovany Soto homered in the 9th in a 4 – 3 win and yesterday, it was Leonys Martin who ended the game on a three-run shot in the 10th. In 1999, the Diamondbacks had swept the Expos with three walk-off blasts, the only other recorded instance of such a series.

2014:

The A’s are active at the trading deadline as they send All-Star OF Yoenis Cespedes to the Red Sox in return for P Jon Lester, another All-Star, and OF Jonny Gomes. With a surplus of starting pitchers on hand, they also deal Tom Milone to the Twins for OF Sam Fuld. Boston isn’t done either, as a couple of hours later it sends P John Lackey and minor leaguer Corey Littrell to the Cardinals in return for OF/1B Allen Craig and P Joe Kelly. The Red Sox make two more deals, shipping reliever Andrew Miller to Baltimore for pitching prospect Eduardo Rodriguez and SS Stephen Drew to the Yankees for IF Kelly Johnson to complete a radical roster make-over. It is the Tigers who engineer the biggest blockbuster deal, however, as they pull CF Austin Jackson from their game with the White Sox in the middle of the 7th inning because he has just been traded to Seattle. They receive IF Nick Franklin in return, but immediately package him along with P Drew Smyly and SS prospect Willie Adames to Tampa Bay to reel in former Cy Young Award winner David Price.

Dirk van ‘t Klooster gets his second record of the week. After having set the Hoofdklasse career hit record four days ago, he breaks another of Marcel Joost’s records with his 860th game played. His Vaessen Pioniers fall, 8 – 5, to Corendon Kinheim, as he goes 1 for 4.

2015:

The trading deadline frenzy of activity continues as in the early hours of the morning, the Reds send P Mike Leake to the Giants for prospects Adam Duvall and Keury Mella. There are no other blockbuster trades today, but players on the move include OF Yoenis Cespedes, from Detroit to the Mets; P J.A. Happ, from Seattle to Pittsburgh; OF Ben Revere, from the Phillies to Toronto; P Mark Lowe, from Seattle to Toronto; OF Gerardo Parra, from Milwaukee to Baltimore; and P Jonathan Broxton, from Milwaukee to the Cardinals. There are also a couple of minor trades between contenders, with Pittsburgh swapping OF Jose Tabata with the Dodgers for OF/1B Mike Morse and Baltimore sending P Tommy Hunter to the Cubs for utility player Junior Lake.

After having made every European Championship since 1962 (the longest run of any country), Sweden is on the verge of missing out on the 2016 European Championship. They trail Israel, 5 – 4, going into the 9th, having gotten moderate offense against Dean Kremer. Against Israel’s bullpen, though, they score five times in the 9th. Israel strikes back against a tiring Jakob Claesson (going the distance with 145 pitches) for three runs in the bottom of the 9th and puts the tying run in scoring position but Nate Fish grounds out to end the game. Sweden will then rally in the 9th again tomorrow against host Austria to win the Vienna round of the 2015 B-Level European Championship and retain a spot in the Euros. Veteran Björn Johannessen is named the MVP of the qualifier.

2016:

For the second time in a week, the Yankees trade a top-rank relief pitcher in return for four players. After trading Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs on July 25th, today they send Andrew Miller to the Indians for OF Clint Frazier and Ps J.P. Feyereisen, Ben Heller and Justus Sheffield. The Indians also work out a tentative deal with the Brewers for All-Star C Jonathan Lucroy, but Lucroy invokes his no-trade clause to nix the trade, which falls through. In a separate move, the Orioles acquire P Wade Miley from Seattle for prospect Ariel Miranda.

The Cubs’ 7 – 6 win over the Mariners can be credited to a series of brilliant moves by manager Joe Maddon. Trailing 6 – 2 in the 6th, he sends in P Travis Wood in relief of Joe Nathan, and he gets out of a runners on second and third with nobody out situation without allowing a run. Maddon then moves Wood to left field in the 7th as Pedro Strop takes the mound, and Wood robs Franklin Gutierrez by crashing into the ivy at Wrigley Field to snag a line drive. With two outs in the 8th, Wood replaces Strop and picks off Shawn O’Malley at first base to end the inning. The Cubs score three runs off Steve Cishek in the bottom of the 9th to force extra innings, then in the 12th, Maddon asks P Jon Lester to pinch-hit with Jason Heyward on third base, and the otherwise awful hitter lays down an excellent squeeze bunt to drive in the winning run against Cody Martin.

2017 – It’s a busy final day before the trading deadline with a dozen trades being announced. The Dodgers steal the show by landing three pitchers, Yu Darvish, Tony Cingrani and Tony Watson, in separate deals, costing them six minor league prospects and veteran OF Scott Van Slyke. The other big acquisition goes to the Yankees, who pry SP Sonny Gray from Oakland for three prospects, two of whom – Dustin Fowler and James Kaprielian – are out with injuries for the remainder of the season. Also changing teams are Brandon Kintzler, Francisco Liriano, Addison Reed and Joe Smith, among others.

2018:

The Nationals set a franchise record for runs by crushing the Mets, 25 – 4. It is also the largest margin of defeat in Mets history. The Nats score seven runs in the 1st, chasing Steven Matz, then add three runs in each of the next four innings and have a 25 – 1 lead in the 9th, when New York scores three to make the final tally slightly less humiliating. Daniel Murphy homers twice and drives in six, Anthony Rendon drives in four, and Trea Turner has four hits, while Tanner Roark, who hits a three-run double himself, is the beneficiary of the offensive largesse.

A busy trade season concludes with a flurry of deals, the most significant of which see Tampa Bay send P Chris Archer to Pittsburgh for P Tyler Glasnow and OF Austin Meadows; the Orioles send Ps Kevin Gausman and Darren O’Day to the Braves for four prospects and 2B Jonathan Schoop to Milwaukee for Jonathan Villar and two prospects; the Dodgers swap second basemen with the Twins, getting Brian Dozier in return for Logan Forsythe and two prospects; the Rays send C Wilson Ramos to Philadelphia for a player to be named later but also obtain OF Tommy Pham for three prospects.

2019:

The first European Women’s Championship kicks off. Host France rallies from a 3 – 0 deficit in the opener to beat the Netherlands, 4 – 3. Camille Foucher gets the win and Mélissa Mayeux the save while Raina Hunter goes 3 for 3. With only three teams competing in the inaugural event, France plays again later in the day and romps past Czechia, 30 – 7, in a three-inning mercy rule win; Mayeux, Hunter and Manon Marie each score five runs and Marjorie Brunel drives in five while the Czech hurlers walk 23 batters.

It’s another busy trade deadline in Major League Baseball, with the Astros making the boldest moves: they obtain front-line starter Zack Greinke from Arizona in return for their three top prospects, but also land a couple of pitchers from the Blue Jays in Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini in return for minor league OF Derek Fisher, once a top prospect but now getting on in years. Finally, they strengthen their catching by reacquiring Martin Maldonado, who was with them for the stretch run in 2018, from the Cubs for Tony Kemp and shipping off Max Stassi to make room for him. Also busy are the Braves, who strengthen their bullpen with Shane Greene and Mark Melancon, and the Nationals who address their bullpen black hole by adding Hunter Strickland and Roenis Elias from the Mariners and Daniel Hudson from the Blue Jays. In contrast, the Yankees and Red Sox both stand pat.

2020 – An otherwise unremarkable game between the Padres and Rockies goes into overdrive in the 9th inning at Coors Field. The Rockies lead 5 – 4 and are one out away from a win when Fernando Tatis Jr. homers off Wade Davis to tie the game. Trent Grisham then draws a walk and steals second base, prompting the Rockies to issue an intentional walk to Manny Machado to face Tommy Pham. That turns out to be a poor decision as Pham launches a 440-foot rocket into the stands for an 8 – 5 lead. But Colorado refuses to go down meekly as normally dominant closer Kirby Yates gives up two runs on three hits and a pair of walks and is yanked from the game with the bases loaded. Drew Pomeranz comes in to record the final out under tense conditions, forcing pinch-hitter Chris Owings to pop up to centerfield to end the game with a final score of 8 – 7.

2021:

Seby Zavala becomes the first player in major league history to hit his first three career homers in the same game as he connects three times in today’s game. He goes deep twice against Triston McKenzie, including a grand slam in the 4th, and adds a two-run jack off Bryan Shaw in the 7th, but in spite of his heroics, the White Sox lose the game, 12 – 11, to the Indians. Zavala was 5 for 40 in 17 career games before starting today’s game behind the plate.

The Mexican national team scores its first Olympic run; in their second game of the 2020 Olympics (held one year later due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Joey Meneses’ 1st-inning single off Masato Morishita brings in Isaac Rodríguez; Meneses finishes with three RBI and three hits but it is not enough to top the host Japan, which wins, 7 – 4. Tetsuto Yamada hits a three-run homer and later drives in another run, while number nine hitter catcher Takuya Kai has three hits, two runs and a RBI and even swipes a base. Japan moves to the semifinals.

Team USA joins Japan in the semifinals with a 4 – 2 win over defending champion South Korea. Triston Casas hits a two-run homer and Nick Allen a solo shot, while Nick Martinez and four relievers strike out 14.

2023 – It’s a quiet penultimate day before the trading deadline, with the Cubs making the most significant moves as they acquire 3B Jeimer Candelario from the Nationals and P José Cuas from the Royals, the latter in return for OF Nelson Velazquez. The Diamondbacks are also active, getting P Paul Sewald from Seattle and 2B Jace Peterson from Oakland. Also changing teams are OF Mark Canha, going from the Mets to the Brewers, P Sam Moll, from the A’s to the Reds and P Aaron Civale who moves from the Guardians to the Rays.

2024 – In a terrible slump since re-joining the Yankees after missing the start of the season with a foot injury, DJ LeMahieu drives in all six runs in leading his team to a 6 – 5 win over the Phillies. He hits a grand slam off Cristopher Sanchez in the 2nd and a two-run double off José Ruiz in the 6th.

2025:

As expected, it’s a busy trading deadline with a number of big names changing teams. The Astros repatriate SS Carlos Correa from the Twins by giving up just a minor leaguer and agreeing to take on most of the remainder of his huge contract. The Blue Jays get P Shane Bieber, who is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, from the Guardians for a prospect, while the Padres swing a six-player deal with The Athletics to land Ps Mason Miller and JP Sears. The Pads also acquire OF Ramon Laureano and DH Ryan O’Hearn from Baltimore for a package of six prospects, and C Freddy Fermin from Kansas City for two more players including P Stephen Kolek and for good measure also add P Nestor Cortes from the Brewers. The Yankees make a third trade for an infielder in one week, getting José Caballero from Tampa Bay in the middle of the game the two teams are playing, while the Mets land OF Cedric Mullins from Baltimore.

On the field, the Braves and Reds engage in an unprecedented epic duel as both teams score eight runs in the 8th inning, before the Braves prevail, 12 – 11, in ten innings. It is only the third time in major league history that both teams have scored that many runs each in the same frame.

Births[edit]

1855 – Fred Thomas, manager (d. 1933)

1858 – Larry Sutton, scout (d. 1944)

1861 – Billy Long, umpire (d. 1923)

1864 – Mark Creegan, outfielder (d. 1920)

1870 – Joe Sugden, catcher (d. 1959)

1879 – Lu Fyfe, umpire (d. 1942)

1880 – Bob Unglaub, infielder, manager (d. 1916)

1883 – Tommy Madden, outfielder (d. 1930)

1883 – Red Munson, catcher (d. 1957)

1886 – Larry Doyle, infielder (d. 1974)

1888 – Pembroke Finlayson, pitcher (d. 1912)

1890 – Slim Harrell, pitcher (d. 1971)

1890 – Dan Marion, pitcher (d. 1933)

1892 – Erv Kantlehner, pitcher (d. 1990)

1892 – Art Nehf, pitcher (d. 1960)

1892 – Mutt Williams, pitcher (d. 1962)

1893 – Allan Russell, pitcher (d. 1972)

1896 – Chick Sorrells, infielder (d. 1983)

1900 – Heinie Scheer, infielder (d. 1976)

1902 – J.C. McHaskell, infielder (d. 1970)

1904 – Hilda Bolden-Shorter, Negro League owner (d. 1986)

1907 – Neil Robinson, outfielder; All-Star (d. 1983)

1910 – Glenn Liebhardt, pitcher (d. 1992)

1910 – Gordon McNaughton, pitcher (d. 1942)

1911 – Donald Reeves, outfielder; All-Star (d. 1973)

1912 – Jesse Landrum, infielder (d. 1983)

1912 – Archie Wise, pitcher (d. 1978)

1913 – Bill Fleming, pitcher (d. 2006)

1913 – Lee Handley, infielder (d. 1970)

1913 – Joe Mulligan, pitcher (d. 1986)

1914 – Elmer Riddle, pitcher; All-Star (d. 1984)

1915 – Jess Pike, outfielder (d. 1984)

1916 – Billy Hitchcock, infielder, manager (d. 2006)

1917 – Hermán Ettedgui, announcer (d. 2012)

1919 – Curt Gowdy, announcer (d. 2006)

1920 – Fred Bradley, pitcher (d. 2012)

1921 – Garnett Blair, pitcher (d. 1996)

1921 – Kiyoshi Kuboki, NPB outfielder (d. ????)

1922 – Hank Bauer, outfielder, manager; All-Star (d. 2007)

1922 – Dale McReynolds, scout (d. 2007)

1925 – Harry Malmberg, infielder (d. 1976)

1927 – Al Aber, pitcher (d. 1993)

1927 – Billy Shantz, catcher (d. 1993)

1929 – C.V. Davis, scout (d. 1987)

1929 – Tom Incaviglia, minor league infielder (d. 2009)

1931 – Rip Coleman, pitcher (d. 2004)

1931 – Joe Durham, outfielder (d. 2016)

1931 – Jack Virkstis, minor league pitcher (d. 2013)

1932 – Yasuchika Negoro, NPB executive (d. 2013)

1934 – Masahisa Fukuda, NPB outfielder (d. 1988)

1934 – Mitsuya Nakamura, NPB pitcher

1935 – Terry Fox, pitcher

1935 – Craig Sorensen, minor league outfielder (d. 2012)

1937 – Fred Van Dusen, pinch hitter (d. 2018)

1937 – Goro Tomishima, NPB pitcher (d. 2018)

1938 – Jim Dietz, college coach (d. 2022)

1941 – Shinji Niihari, NPB pitcher (d. 2004)

1943 – Billy Wynne, pitcher

1944 – Frank Brosseau, pitcher

1946 – Tadashi Furuta, NPB outfielder (d. 2014)

1947 – Pete Koegel, infielder (d. 2023)

1947 – Earl Stephenson, pitcher

1947 – John Vukovich, infielder, manager (d. 2007)

1949 – Jay Schlueter, outfielder (d. 2010)

1951 – Kenji Otake, NPB infielder

1953 – Hank Small, infielder (d. 2010)

1955 – Don Brown, college coach

1955 – Orlando Guerrero, Dominican national team infielder

1955 – Mitsuo Hirasawa, Japanese national team outfielder

1956 – Dave Dombrowski, general manager

1956 – Gordie Pladson, pitcher

1957 – Howard Bailey, pitcher

1957 – Leon Durham, infielder; All-Star

1957 – Tomohiro Kinoshita, NPB pitcher

1957 – Shigeru Sugimura, NPB infielder

1959 – Mike Bielecki, pitcher

1959 – Katsuo Hirata, NPB infielder

1959 – Bob Johnson, catcher

1962 – Ed Hickox, umpire

1963 – Scott Bankhead, pitcher

1963 – C.L. Penigar, minor league outfielder

1964 – Phil Hannon, minor league outfielder and manager

1965 – Omar Ajete, Cuban leagues pitcher

1965 – Ted Barrett, umpire

1968 – Scott Doffek, college coach

1968 – Gregg Kilby, scout

1969 – John Abercrombie, minor league infielder-outfielder

1970 – Mike Figga, catcher

1972 – Chris Weinke, infielder

1974 – Brian Essery, minor league pitcher

1975 – Randy Flores, pitcher

1975 – Gabe Kapler, outfielder, manager

1976 – Ediones Iriki, Brazilian national team outfielder

1976 – Rickard Ljung, Elitserien pitcher-infielder

1976 – Tyrone Pendergrass, minor league player

1977 – Rafael Batista, minor league pitcher

1977 – Óscar Jasso, minor league pitcher

1978 – Brad Cresse, minor league catcher

1979 – J.J. Furmaniak, infielder

1979 – Andy Van Hekken, pitcher

1980 – Chien-Ming Lo, CPBL pitcher

1980 – Martín Mondino, Serie A1 infielder

1981 – Adam Bass, minor league pitcher

1981 – Brett Harper, minor league player

1981 – Yoshio Itoi, NPB outfielder

1982 – Michael Devaney, minor league pitcher

1982 – Hiroyuki Nakajima, NPB infielder

1983 – Rene Rivera, catcher

1984 – Fernando Hernandez, pitcher

1984 – Josh Lansford, minor league pitcher

1984 – Yordany Ramirez, minor league outfielder

1984 – Cory Rauschenberger, minor league pitcher

1984 – Eimantas Žičkus, Elitserien pitcher

1985 – Won-jun Chang, KBO pitcher

1986 – Jeffrey Domínguez, minor league infielder

1986 – Kota Suda, NPB pitcher

1987 – Franklin Aballe, Cuban league catcher

1987 – Ricardo Kirihara, Brazilian national team pitcher

1987 – Dennis Raben, minor league infielder

1987 – Jong-hyun Won, KBO pitcher

1988 – Xiao Cui, Chinese national team outfielder

1990 – Katsuki Akagawa, NPB pitcher

1990 – Katsuya Kawashima, Japanese national team infielder

1991 – L.J. Hollins, minor league pitcher

1992 – Jose Fernandez, pitcher; All-Star (d. 2016)

1992 – Kyle McGrath, pitcher

1993 – Sarawut Jandang, Thai national team infielder

1994 – Darrel Leiva, minor league pitcher

1996 – Luiz Gohara, pitcher

1996 – Nick Plummer, outfielder

1997 – Yukihiro Iwata, NPB outfielder

1999 – Jordan Geber, minor league pitcher

1999 – Reese Olson, pitcher

2001 – Shih-Hsiang Lin, CPBL pitcher

2002 – Ryunosuke Matsumoto, NPB pitcher

2002 – Anthony Susac, minor league pitcher

2005 – Roni Cabrera, minor league outfielder

2005 – Yuto Nakada, NPB infielder

2007 – Yosuke Kubota, NPB outfielder

Deaths[edit]

1905 – Dan Devinney, umpire (b. 1852)

1933 – Fred Thomas, manager (b. 1855)

1938 – Bill Carney, outfielder (b. 1874)

1938 – Doc Miller, outfielder (b. 1883)

1941 – Jim Byrnes, catcher (b. 1880)

1943 – Roy Sparrow, writer (b. 1900)

1945 – Snapper Kennedy, outfielder (b. 1878)

1960 – Joe Klinger, catcher/infielder (b. 1902)

1961 – Bud Weiser, outfielder (b. 1891)

1972 – Rollie Hemsley, catcher; All-Star (b. 1907)

1975 – Max Flack, outfielder (b. 1890)

1984 – Beans Reardon, umpire (b. 1897)

1991 – John Dobb, pitcher (b. 1901)

1993 – Sam Langford, outfielder (b. 1900)

1994 – Hy Vandenberg, pitcher (b. 1906)

1996 – Howie Goss, outfielder (b. 1934)

1997 – Eddie Miller, infielder; All-Star (b. 1916)

2000 – Bill Capps, minor league infielder and manager (b. 1919)

2000 – Frankie Silvanic, minor league player (b. 1917)

2001 – Tony Salin, writer (b. 1952)

2006 – Emilio Cueche, minor league pitcher (b. 1927)

2006 – Donald Troy, pitcher (b. 1927)

2010 – Alfredo Meli, Serie A1 outfielder and manager; Italian Baseball Hall of Fame (b. 1944)

2012 – Joe Walsh, college coach (b. ????)

2014 – Pete Grammas, minor league infielder (b. 1924)

2014 – Nestor Velazquez, minor league infielder (b. 1940)

2015 – Buzz Bowers, scout (b. 1929)

2015 – Billy Pierce, pitcher; All-Star (b. 1927)

2015 – Ron Steiner, college coach (b. 1938)

2016 – Bob Flynn, college coach (b. 1933)

2018 – Yoshio Anabuki, NPB pitcher and manager (b. 1933)

2018 – Maury Ornest, minor league outfielder (b. 1960)

2018 – Daryl Robertson, infielder (b. 1936)

2020 – Bert Thiel, pitcher (b. 1926)

2022 – Tomoichi Tanimura, NPB umpire (b. 1927)

2023 – Mel Roach, infielder (b. 1933)

############################################

TV SPORTS TODAY

(All times Eastern)

Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts

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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