“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE-WEEK 4
INDIANA SRN “SPOTLIGHT: BOB LOVELL OF NETWORK INDIANA:
ADAMS CENTRAL (3-0) AT JAY COUNTY (1-2)
ALEXANDRIA (3-0) AT EASTBROOK (3-0)
ANDERSON (1-2) AT MCCUTCHEON (1-2)
ANDREAN (2-1) AT MUNSTER (0-3)
ANGOLA (2-1) AT WEST NOBLE (2-1)
ATTICA (1-2) AT PARKE HERITAGE (2-1)
BEECH GROVE (3-0) AT INDIAN CREEK (3-0)
BELLMONT (0-3) AT NORWELL (0-3)
BEN DAVIS (1-2) AT CENTER GROVE (3-0)
BENTON CENTRAL (0-3) AT LOGANSPORT (3-0)
BLACKFORD (0-3) AT ELWOOD (1-2)
BLOOMINGTON NORTH (1-2) AT BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (3-0)
BLUFFTON (3-0) AT WOODLAN (1-2)
BOWMAN ACADEMY (2-1) AT EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL (0-3)
BREMEN (1-2) AT LAVILLE (2-1)
BROWNSBURG (3-0) AT AVON (2-1)
CALUMET (3-0) AT HIGHLAND (1-2)
CALUMET CHRISTIAN AT WHITING (1-2)
CARMEL (3-0) AT LOUISVILLE TRINITY (KY.)
CASTON (1-2) AT PIONEER (2-1)
CENTERVILLE (3-0) AT WINCHESTER (2-1)
CHARLESTOWN (2-1) AT NORTH HARRISON (1-2)
CLINTON CENTRAL (2-1) AT SHERIDAN (1-1)
COLUMBIA CITY (3-0) AT HUNTINGTON NORTH (0-3)
COLUMBUS EAST (1-2) AT JENNINGS COUNTY (1-2)
COLUMBUS NORTH (3-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI (1-2)
CONNERSVILLE (2-1) AT MADISON (0-3)
CROWN POINT (3-0) AT LAKE CENTRAL (2-1)
DANVILLE (1-2) AT HAMILTON HEIGHTS (1-2)
DELPHI (1-2) AT CARROLL (FLORA) (2-1)
EAST CENTRAL (2-1) AT FRANKLIN COUNTY (3-0)
EAST NOBLE (3-0) AT DEKALB (2-1)
EASTERN (PEKIN) (0-3) AT SILVER CREEK (0-3)
EASTERN GREENE (0-3) AT MITCHELL (0-3)
EASTSIDE (2-1) AT CHURUBUSCO (1-2)
EDGEWOOD (3-0) AT OWEN VALLEY (1-2)
EVANSVILLE BOSSE (0-3) AT JASPER (2-1)
EVANSVILLE CENTRAL (1-2) AT VINCENNES LINCOLN (1-2)
EVANSVILLE HARRISON (0-3) AT CASTLE (2-1)
EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (2-1) AT EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (3-0)
EVANSVILLE NORTH (2-1) AT EVANSVILLE REITZ (2-1)
FAIRFIELD (2-1) AT CULVER ACADEMY (0-3)
FAITH CHRISTIAN (1-2) AT FRONTIER (3-0)
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK (1-2) AT SHENANDOAH (1-2)
FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA (0-3) AT FORT WAYNE NORTH (2-1)
FORT WAYNE DWENGER (2-1) AT CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) (1-2)
FORT WAYNE LUERS (0-3) AT FORT WAYNE SOUTH (0-3)
FORT WAYNE NORTHROP (3-0) AT HOMESTEAD (2-1)
FORT WAYNE WAYNE (0-3) AT FORT WAYNE SNIDER (1-2)
FOUNTAIN CENTRAL (0-3) AT COVINGTON (3-0)
FRANKFORT (0-3) AT SOUTHMONT (3-0)
FRANKTON (0-3) AT MISSISSINEWA (3-0)
GARRETT (1-2) AT LAKELAND (2-1)
GARY WEST (2-0) AT RIVER FOREST (1-2)
GOSHEN (1-2) AT PLYMOUTH (1-2)
GREENCASTLE (1-2) AT WESTERN BOONE (1-2)
GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (2-1) AT PENDLETON HEIGHTS (3-0)
GRIFFITH (2-1) AT BOONE GROVE (1-2)
GUERIN CATHOLIC (2-1) AT BREBEUF JESUIT (0-3)
HAGERSTOWN (1-2) AT UNION COUNTY (1-2)
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN (3-0) AT FISHERS (2-1)
HAMMOND MORTON (2-1) AT BYRON CENTRAL (MICH.)
HENDERSON COUNTY (KY.) AT GIBSON SOUTHERN (2-1)
HERITAGE (3-0) AT SOUTH ADAMS (1-2)
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (1-2) AT COVENANT CHRISTIAN (1-2)…INDIANA SRN BROADCAST 7:00
HOBART (3-0) AT KANKAKEE VALLEY (0-3)
INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (2-1) AT CHRISTEL HOUSE (0-3)
INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (3-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (1-2)….INDIANA SRN BROADCAST 7:00
INDIANAPOLIS RITTER (1-2) AT GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN (1-2)
INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (2-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN (2-1)
INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE (0-3) AT HAMMOND CENTRAL (0-3)
INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY (1-2) AT ARSENAL TECH (0-3)
INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON (1-1) AT PARK TUDOR (3-0)
JEFFERSONVILLE (1-2) AT KOKOMO (0-3)
JOHN GLENN (1-2) AT JIMTOWN (1-2)
KNOX (3-0) AT TIPPECANOE VALLEY (2-1)
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (1-2) AT TWIN LAKES (3-0)
LAFAYETTE JEFF (2-1) AT HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) (2-1)
LAPEL (3-0) AT MUNCIE CENTRAL (1-2)
LAPORTE (1-2) AT CHESTERTON (1-2)
LAWRENCE NORTH (2-1) AT NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) (1-2)
LAWRENCEBURG (2-1) AT GREENSBURG (0-3)
LEBANON (2-1) AT MARION (1-2)
LINTON (1-2) AT SULLIVAN (2-1)
LOWELL (2-1) AT HANOVER CENTRAL (1-2)
MADISON-GRANT (3-0) AT OAK HILL (1-2)
MANCHESTER (2-1) AT LEWIS CASS (2-1)
MARTINSVILLE (1-2) AT DECATUR CENTRAL (1-2)
MICHIGAN CITY (2-1) AT VALPARAISO (1-2)
MISHAWAKA (2-1) AT NORTHWOOD (2-1)
MISHAWAKA MARIAN (2-1) AT SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (3-0)
MONROE CENTRAL (1-2) AT TRI (2-1)
MONROVIA (1-2) AT TRITON CENTRAL (3-0)
MOORESVILLE (2-1) AT GREENWOOD (1-2)
MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) (0-3) AT NEW PALESTINE (3-0)
NEW ALBANY (0-3) AT BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (2-1)
NEW HAVEN (0-3) AT LEO (3-0)
NOBLESVILLE (1-2) AT WESTFIELD (2-1)
NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) (2-1) AT CLOVERDALE (1-2)
NORTH DECATUR (3-0) AT BROWN COUNTY (1-2)
NORTH JUDSON (2-1) AT NORTH MIAMI (3-0)
NORTH KNOX (2-1) AT BOONVILLE (2-1)
NORTH MONTGOMERY (0-3) AT CASCADE (3-0)
NORTH NEWTON (2-1) AT SOUTH NEWTON (1-2)
NORTH PUTNAM (1-2) AT CRAWFORDSVILLE (2-1)
NORTH VERMILLION (0-3) AT SOUTH VERMILLION (1-2)
NORTHEASTERN (3-0) AT CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (0-3)
NORTHFIELD (0-3) AT SOUTHWOOD (0-3)
NORTHRIDGE (0-3) AT CONCORD (2-1)
NORTHWESTERN (1-2) AT PERU (1-2)
OSCEOLA GRACE AT FREMONT (2-1)
PAOLI (1-2) AT PERRY CENTRAL (0-3)
PENN (3-0) AT SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (1-2)
PERRY MERIDIAN (2-1) AT PLAINFIELD (3-0)
PIKE (0-3) AT SOUTHPORT (0-3)
PIKE CENTRAL (0-3) AT NORTH DAVIESS (3-0)
PORTAGE (0-3) AT MERRILLVILLE (1-2)
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (0-3) AT CENTRAL NOBLE (0-3)
PRINCETON (2-1) AT WASHINGTON (1-2)
PROVIDENCE (2-1) AT CLARKSVILLE (2-1)
PURDUE ENGLEWOOD (3-0) AT NOBLESVILLE HOMESCHOOL
RENSSELAER CENTRAL (3-0) AT WEST LAFAYETTE (0-3)
RICHMOND (1-2) AT SOUTH DEARBORN (2-1)
RUSHVILLE (0-3) AT BATESVILLE (2-1)
SALEM (1-2) AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (3-0)
SCOTTSBURG (3-0) AT CORYDON CENTRAL (1-2)
SEEGER (3-0) AT RIVERTON PARKE (3-0)
SEYMOUR (0-3) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (2-1)
SHELBYVILLE (2-1) AT NEW CASTLE (1-2)
SOUTH BEND ADAMS (1-2) AT NEW PRAIRIE (0-3)
SOUTH BEND RILEY (2-1) AT ELKHART (2-1)
SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) (0-3) AT TRITON (2-1)
SOUTH DECATUR (1-2) AT CRAWFORD COUNTY (2-1)
SOUTH PUTNAM (2-1) AT EASTERN HANCOCK (1-2)
SOUTH SPENCER (0-3) AT MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) (2-1)
SOUTHRIDGE (1-2) AT HERITAGE HILLS (3-0)
SOUTHSIDE HOMESCHOOL AT EDINBURGH (0-3)
SPRINGS VALLEY (3-0) AT WEST WASHINGTON (2-1)
SWITZERLAND COUNTY (3-0) AT MILAN (1-2)
TAYLOR (2-1) AT EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (3-0)
TECUMSEH (1-2) AT FOREST PARK (1-2)
TELL CITY (3-0) AT NORTH POSEY (2-1)
TERRE HAUTE SOUTH (2-1) AT TERRE HAUTE NORTH (0-3)
TIPTON (2-1) AT WESTERN (2-1)
TRI-COUNTY (0-3) AT NORTH WHITE (0-3)
TRI-WEST (2-1) AT SPEEDWAY (0-3)
UNION CITY (0-3) AT KNIGHTSTOWN (2-1)
WABASH (0-3) AT ROCHESTER (2-1)
WARREN CENTRAL (2-1) AT LAWRENCE CENTRAL (2-1)
WAWASEE (1-2) AT WARSAW (2-1)
WES-DEL (1-1) AT SOUTHERN WELLS (1-2)
WEST CENTRAL (3-0) AT LAKE STATION (3-0)
WEST VIGO (0-3) AT NORTHVIEW (3-0)
WHEELER (3-0) AT HAMMOND NOLL (1-2)
WHITELAND (1-2) AT FRANKLIN (2-1)
WHITKO (1-2) AT MACONAQUAH (3-0)
WINAMAC (0-3) AT CULVER (1-2)
YORKTOWN (2-1) AT DELTA (1-2)
ZIONSVILLE (1-2) AT FRANKLIN CENTRAL (2-1)
SAGARIN RATINGS: https://scoreboard.homestead.com/football/classrate.htm#load
_____
+++BATTLE OF THE UNBEATENS THIS WEEK: JOHN HARRELL POINT SPREAD+++
ALEXANDRIA AT EASTBROOK (EASTBROOK BY 3)
BEECH GROVE AT INDIAN CREEK (BEECH GROVE BY 1)
SEEGER AT RIVERTON PARKE (RIVERTON PARKE BY 7)
WEST CENTRAL AT LAKE STATION (WEST CENTRAL BY 21)
+++BATTLE OF THE WINLESS: JOHN HARRELL POINT SPREAD+++
BELLMONT AT NORWELL (NORWELL BY 21)
EASTERN PEKIN AT SILVER CREEK (SILVER CREEK BY 25)
EASTERN GREENE AT MITCHELL (EASTERN GREENE BY 4)
FT. WAYNE LUERS AT FT. WAYNE SOUTH (LUERS BY 10)
SHORTRIDGE AT HAMMOND CENTRAL (HAMMOND BY 3)
NORTHFIELD AT CONCORD (CONCORD BY 18)
PIKE AT SOUTHPORT (PIKE BY 31)
TRI-COUNTY AT NORTH WHITE (TRI-COUNTY BY 1)
_____
+++UNBEATEN VS. WINLESS (JOHN HARRELL POINT SPREAD)+++
BENTON CENTRAL 0-3 AT LOGANSPORT 3-0 (LOGANSPORT BY 42)
COLUMBIA CITY 3-0 AT HUNTINGTON NORTH 0-3 (COLUMBIA CITY BY 14)
FOUNTAIN CENTRAL 0-3 AT COVINGTON 3-0 (COVINGTON BY 7)
FRANKFORT 0-3 AT SOUTHMONT 3-0 (SOUTHMONT BY 35)
FRANKTON 0-3 AT MISSISSINEWA 3-0 (MISSISSINEWA BY 42)
HOBART 3-0 AT KANKAKEE VALLEY 0-3 (HOBART BY 21)
MT. VERNON AT NEW PALESTINE (NEW PAL BY 31)
NEW HAVEN 0-3 AT LEO 3-0 (LEO BY 31)
NORTH MONTGOMERY 0-3 AT CASCADE 3-0 (CASCADE BY 45)
NORTHEASTERN 3-0 AT CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN 0-3 (NORTHEASTERN BY 56)
PIKE CENTRAL 0-3 AT NORTH DAVIESS 3-0 (NORTH DAVIEES 35)
RENSSELAER CENTRAL 3-0 AT WEST LAFAYETTE 0-3 (WEST LAFAYETTE BY 10)
WEST VIGO 0-3 AT NORTHVIEW 3-0 (NORTHVIEW BY 45)
_____
+++CLOSET PREDICTIONS BY JOHN HARRELL (1-3 POINT SPREAD)+++
ALEXANDRIA OVER EASTBROOK BY 3
BEECH GROVE BY 1 OVER INDIAN CREEK
BLACKFORD BY 3 OVER ELWOOD
GUERIN CATHOLIC BY 3 OVER BREBEUF
HAMILTON SE OVER FISHERS BY 1
HERITAGE OVER SOUTH ADAMS BY 3
CATHEDRAL OVER BISHOP CHATARD BY 3
HAMMOND CENTRAL BY 3 OVER SHORTRIDGE
LEWIS CASS OVER MANCHESTER BY 3
MISHAWAKA OVER NORTHWOOD BY 3
CLOVERDALE BY 3 OVER NORTH CENTRAL FARMERSBURG
NORTHFIELD OVER SOUTHWOOD BY 1
NORTHWESTERN BY 1 OVER PERU
WESTERN OVER TIPTON BY 1
_____
BIGGEST BLOWOUTS EXPECTED-JOHN HARRELL POINT SPREAD
LOGANSPORT OVER BENTON CENTRAL 42-0
FRONTIER OVER FAITH CHRISTIAN 63-10
MISSISSINEWA OVER FRANKTON 45-3
NORTH DECATUR OVER BROWN COUNTY 59-10
NORTHEASTERN OVER CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN 66-10
PROVIDENCE OVER CLARKSVILLE 56-10
NORTHVIEW OVER WEST VIGO 52-7
WHEELER OVER HAMMOND NOLL 45-3
_____
+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL SCORES:+++
Z RATINGS: https://www.zvolleyball.com/ipv/indiana-hs-z-ratings/z-girls-2025
_____
+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER SCORES:+++
_____
+++INDIAN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER SCORES:+++
_____
+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS GOLF SCORES:+++
LAPEL 158 YORKTOWN 161 MT. VERNON 180
WESTVIEW 152 FISHERS 162
CARMEL 181 BREBEUF 258
_____
+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS:+++
NO RACES SCHEDULED
_____
+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS SCORES:+++
ALEXANDRIA 5 HAMILTON HEIGHTS 0
LAPEL 4 FRANKTON 1
_____
+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL UNITED FLAG FOOTBALL+++
NO SCORES REPORTED
_____
+++MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL+++
BALTIMORE 3 PITTSBURGH 2
CHICAGO WHITE SOX 5 TAMPA BAY 1
TORONTO 6 HOUSTON 0
MIAMI 5 WASHINGTON 0
NY YANKEES 9 DETROIT 3
PHILADELPHIA 6 NY METS 4
CLEVELAND 3 KANSAS CITY 2
SEATTLE 7 LA ANGELS 6 (12)
SAN DIEGO 2 COLORADO 0
_____
+++MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL+++
IOWA 6 INDIANAPOLIS 2
_____
+++COLLEGE FOOTBALL-WEEK 3 TV SCHEDULE+++
THURSDAY, SEPT. 11
NORTH CAROLINA STATE 34 WAKE FOREST 24
FRIDAY, SEPT. 12
6:30 P.M. | INDIANA STATE AT NO. 22 INDIANA | BIG TEN NETWORK
7 P.M. | COLGATE AT SYRACUSE | ACC NETWORK
7:30 P.M. | COLORADO AT HOUSTON | ESPN
9 P.M. | KANSAS STATE AT ARIZONA | FOX
10 P.M. | NEW MEXICO AT UCLA | BIG TEN NETWORK
SATURDAY, SEPT. 13
12 P.M. | NO. 4 OREGON AT NORTHWESTERN | FOX
12 P.M. | NO. 12 CLEMSON AT GEORGIA TECH
12 P.M. | CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT NO. 23 MICHIGAN | BIG TEN NETWORK
12 P.M. | NO. 13 OKLAHOMA AT TEMPLE | ESPN2
12 P.M. | WISCONSIN AT NO. 19 ALABAMA
12 P.M. | LEHIGH AT DUQUESNE | ESPN+
12 P.M. | HOUSTON CHRISTIAN AT NEBRASKA | FS1
12 P.M. | TOWSON AT MARYLAND | PEACOCK
12 P.M. | WILLIAM & MARY AT VIRGINIA | ACC NETWORK
12 P.M. | SAMFORD AT BAYLOR | ESPN+
12 P.M. | MEMPHIS AT TROY | ESPNU
12 P.M. | BUFFALO AT KENT STATE | CBSSN
12:45 P.M. | SOUTH ALABAMA AT NO. 24 AUBURN | SEC NETWORK
1 P.M. | DAVIDSON AT TENNESSEE TECH | ESPN+
1 P.M. | LAFAYETTE AT GEORGETOWN | ESPN+
2 P.M. | NEW HAMPSHIRE AT BALL STATE | ESPN+
2 P.M. | NORTHERN COLORADO AT SOUTH DAKOTA | ESPN+
2 P.M. | RHODE ISLAND AT HOLY CROSS | ESPN+
2:30 P.M. | ELON AT WESTERN CAROLINA | ESPN+
3 P.M. | UCONN AT DELAWARE | ESPN+
3 P.M. | NORTH DAKOTA AT MONTANA | ESPN+
3 P.M. | SAN DIEGO AT MONTANA STATE | ESPN+
3 P.M. | ILLINOIS STATE AT EASTERN ILLINOIS | ESPN+
3 P.M. | BOWIE STATE AT DELAWARE STATE | ESPN+
3:30 P.M. | VILLANOVA AT NO. 2 PENN STATE | FS1
3:30 P.M. | NO. 6 GEORGIA AT NO. 15 TENNESSEE | ABC
3:30 P.M. | SMU AT MISSOURI STATE | CBSSN
3:30 P.M. | OREGON STATE AT NO. 21 TEXAS TECH | FOX
3:30 P.M. | USC AT PURDUE | CBS/PARAMOUNT+
3:30 P.M. | NORFOLK STATE AT RUTGERS | BIG TEN NETWORK
3:30 P.M. | YOUNGSTOWN STATE AT MICHIGAN STATE | BIG TEN NETWORK
3:30 P.M. | WASHINGTON STATE AT NORTH TEXAS | ESPNU
3:30 P.M. | PITT AT WEST VIRGINIA | ESPN
3:30 P.M. | RICHMOND AT NORTH CAROLINA | ACC NETWORK
3:30 P.M. | NORTHWESTERN STATE AT CINCINNATI | ESPN+
3:30 P.M. | UIW AT UTSA | ESPN+
3:30 P.M. | MORGAN STATE AT TOLEDO | ESPN+
3:30 P.M. | SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE | ESPN+
3:30 P.M. | VMI AT BUCKNELL | ESPN+
4 P.M. | NO. 14 IOWA STATE AT ARKANSAS STATE | ESPN2
4 P.M. | LOUISIANA AT NO. 25 MISSOURI | ESPN+/SECN+
4 P.M. | UTAH TECH AT IDAHO | ESPN+
4 P.M. | LINDENWOOD AT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN | ESPN+
4:15 P.M. | UTEP AT NO. 7 TEXAS | SEC NETWORK
4:30 P.M. | NO. 18 SOUTH FLORIDA AT NO. 5 MIAMI (FLA.) | THE CW NETWORK
4:30 P.M. | ALABAMA A&M AT TENNESSEE STATE | ESPN+
5 P.M. | LIBERTY AT BOWLING GREEN | ESPN+
5 P.M. | MIDDLE TENNESSEE AT NEVADA | MOUNTAIN WEST NETWORK
5 P.M. | EASTERN WASHINGTON AT UNI | ESPN+
6 P.M. | ALCORN STATE AT MISSISSIPPI STATE | ESPN+/SECN+
6 P.M. | FAU AT FIU | ESPN+
6 P.M. | MERRIMACK AT KENNESAW STATE | ESPN+
6 P.M. | EASTERN KENTUCKY AT MARSHALL | ESPN+
6 P.M. | MONMOUTH AT CHARLOTTE | ESPN+
6 P.M. | EAST TENNESSEE STATE AT WEST GEORGIA | ESPN+
6 P.M. | BETHUNE-COOKMAN AT SOUTH CAROLINA STATE | ESPN+
6 P.M. | FAYETTEVILLE STATE AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL | ESPN+
6 P.M. | STETSON AT CHATTANOOGA | ESPN+
6 P.M. | WOFFORD AT MERCER | ESPN+
6 P.M. | WEST LIBERTY AT ROBERT MORRIS | ESPN+
6 P.M. | ARKANSAS AT NO. 17 OLE MISS | ESPN
7 P.M. | OHIO AT NO. 1 OHIO STATE | PEACOCK
7 P.M. | WESTERN MICHIGAN AT NO. 9 ILLINOIS | FS1
7 P.M. | OLD DOMINION AT VIRGINIA TECH | ACC NETWORK
7 P.M. | JACKSONVILLE STATE AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN | ESPN+
7 P.M. | MURRAY STATE AT GEORGIA STATE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | APPALACHIAN STATE AT SOUTHERN MISS | ESPN+
7 P.M. | PRAIRIE VIEW A&M AT RICE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | WEBER STATE AT MCNEESE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | THE CITADEL AT GARDNER-WEBB | ESPN+
7 P.M. | SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AT UT MARTIN | ESPN+
7 P.M. | VALPARAISO AT WESTERN ILLINOIS | ESPN+
7 P.M. | MOREHEAD STATE AT AUSTIN PEAY | ESPN+
7 P.M. | NORTHEASTERN STATE AT NORTH ALABAMA | ESPN+
7 P.M. | MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE AT SE LOUISIANA | ESPN+
7 P.M. | DRAKE AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | ERSKINE AT PRESBYTERIAN | ESPN+
7 P.M. | SOUTHERN AT FRESNO STATE | MOUNTAIN WEST NETWORK
7:30 P.M. | FLORIDA AT NO. 3 LSU | ABC
7:30 P.M. | NO. 16 TEXAS A&M AT NO. 8 NOTRE DAME | NBC/PEACOCK
7:30 P.M. | EASTERN MICHIGAN AT KENTUCKY | ESPNU
7:30 P.M. | UMASS AT IOWA | BIG TEN NETWORK
7:30 P.M. | NEW MEXICO STATE AT LOUISIANA TECH | ESPN+
7:30 P.M. | EAST CAROLINA AT COASTAL CAROLINA | ESPN+
7:45 P.M. | VANDERBILT AT NO. 11 SOUTH CAROLINA | SEC NETWORK
8 P.M. | NO. 20 UTAH AT WYOMING | CBSSN
8 P.M. | DUKE AT TULANE | ESPN2
8 P.M. | ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT TCU | ESPN+
8 P.M. | NAVY AT TULSA | ESPN+
8 P.M. | WESTERN OREGON AT CAL POLY | ESPN+
8 P.M. | SUL ROSS STATE AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | ESPN+
8 P.M. | LANGSTON AT UT RIO GRANDE VALLEY | ESPN+
8:30 P.M. | AKRON AT UAB | ESPN+
8:30 P.M. | NORTHERN ARIZONA AT SOUTHERN UTAH | ESPN+
9:45 P.M. | AIR FORCE AT UTAH STATE | FS1
10:30 P.M. | TEXAS STATE AT ARIZONA STATE | TNT/TRUTV/HBO MAX
10:30 P.M. | MINNESOTA AT CAL | ESPN
10:30 P.M. | BOSTON COLLEGE AT STANFORD | ACC NETWORK
11:59 P.M. | PORTLAND STATE AT HAWAI’I | SPECTRUM SPORT
_____
+++NFL WEEK 2 SCHEDULE+++
THURSDAY, SEPT. 11
GREEN BAY 27 WASHINGTON 18
SUNDAY, SEPT. 14
JACKSONVILLE AT CINCINNATI, 1 P.M. (CBS)
BUFFALO AT NY JETS, 1 P.M. (CBS)
NEW ENGLAND AT MIAMI, 1 P.M. (CBS)
LA RAMS AT TENNESSEE CLEVELAND AT BALTIMORE, 1 P.M. (CBS)
SAN FRANCISCO AT NEW ORLEANS, 1 P.M. (FOX)
NY GIANTS AT DALLAS, 1 P.M. (FOX)
SEATTLE AT PITTSBURGH, 1 P.M. (FOX)
CHICAGO AT DETROIT, 1 P.M. (FOX)
DENVER AT INDIANAPOLIS, 4:05 P.M. (CBS)
CAROLINA AT ARIZONA, 4:05 P.M. (CBS)
PHILADELPHIA AT KANSAS CITY, 4:25 P.M. (FOX)
ATLANTA AT MINNESOTA, 8:20 P.M. (NBC)
MONDAY, SEPT. 15
TAMPA BAY AT HOUSTON, 7 P.M. (ESPN/ABC)
LA CHARGERS AT LAS VEGAS, 10 P.M. (ESPN)
_____
+++WNBA SCORES+++
MINNESOTA 72 GOLDEN STATE 53
DALLAS 97 PHOENIX 76
NEW YORK 91 CHICAGO 86
LAS VEGAS 103 LOS ANGELES 75
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+++MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER+++
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
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+++TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES+++
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
NO. 6 GEORGIA AT NO. 15 TENNESSEE HIGHLIGHTS WEEK 3 SEC MATCHUPS
What to watch for this week in the Southeastern Conference:
Game of the week
No. 6 Georgia (2-0) at No. 15 Tennessee (2-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Georgia faces its toughest test yet on the road at No. 15 Tennessee. Transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar has fueled Tennessee’s 2-0 start, throwing for 535 yards and five touchdowns in two games.
The Bulldogs dropped from No. 4 to No. 6 in this week’s AP Top 25 after a slow start against Austin Peay, leading just 14-3 at halftime before pulling away for a 28-6 win.
Georgia beat Tennessee 31-17 last November thanks to an efficient outing by former Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck. Georgia leads the series 29-23-2 all-time and has won the the last eight.
The undercard
Florida (1-1) at No. 3 LSU (2-0), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Billy Napier and the Florida Gators have much to prove after an 18-16 home loss to South Florida. Unfortunately for the Gators, the road doesn’t get any easier with a trip to Death Valley and then two more ranked teams. An upset could steady Florida’s shaky start — and Napier’s job security — but it will need to come against LSU’s 11th-ranked defense and Heisman hopeful QB Garrett Nussmeier.
No. 16 Texas A&M at No. 8 Notre Dame, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
A road win over a top-10 opponent would boost the Aggies’ status as SEC contenders. The Fighting Irish will be itching to avoid an 0-2 start after a close loss to Miami in the opener. A fun contrast of QBs in A&M’s do-it-all Marcel Reed and promising newcomer CJ Carr for the Irish.
Impact players
— Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacey, who rushed for 108 yards and three touchdowns in the the 63-7 rout of Georgia State and then added 138 rushing yards and a score against Kentucky. Lacey’s 246 rushing yards lead the SEC through Week 2.
— Beau Pribula i s largely to thank for Missouri’s 2-0 start and new AP Top 25 status. The transfer quarterback from Penn State led the No. 25 Tigers to a 42-31 win over Kansas, completing 30 of 39 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns. Pribula’s 617 passing yards are second in the SEC. The Tigers have Louisiana-Lafayette up next.
— South Carolina punt returner Vicari Swain was named the SEC co-special teams player of the week for a second straight week after two returns for scores, bringing his season total to three already. He has already tied the single-season school record (Dick Harris, 1971).
Inside the numbers
SEC teams went 14-2 in Week 2. A record-high 11 teams made the AP Top 25 poll, despite Florida dropping out, with the additions of No. 24 Auburn and No. 25 Missouri. … Tennessee’s offense has been the most productive this season, leading the SEC with 1,210 total yards and 15 touchdowns. … Vanderbilt’s defense has held opponents to the fewest yards, averaging 191.5 per game.
Notable injuries
— Kentucky will be without starting quarterback Zach Calzada this week. The quarterback exited a Week 2 loss to Ole Miss early with an injury to his throwing shoulder. Cutter Boley has been taking first-team reps.
— Arkansas receiver Monte Harrison suffered a broken foot and has to decide on a season-ending surgery, according to coach Sam Pittman.
— Georgia may get OL Juan Gaston and Earnest Green back against Tennessee, but TE Ethan Barbour needs ankle surgery.
— LSU C Braelin Moore could miss time after an ankle injury. Sophomore TE Trey’Dez Green is expected to miss several weeks with an MCL sprain.
RICH RODRIGUEZ BACK IN BACKYARD BRAWL WITH WVU AND COLORADO HAS USED 3 QBS BEFORE BIG 12 OPENER
Things to watch this week in the Big 12 Conference:
Game of the week
West Virginia (1-1) vs. Pittsburgh (2-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Rich Rodriguez is part of the Backyard Brawl again for the first time since 2007, and the last one was a bitter outcome at home for the Mountaineers and the coach who left two weeks after that 13-9 loss to underdog Pitt that cost them a chance to advance to the BCS championship game. This meeting, with 80 newcomers on West Virginia’s roster and coming off a 17-10 loss at Ohio, is the last scheduled game between the former Big East foes until 2029.
Rodriguez went 4-3 against the Panthers during his first stint at WVU from 2001-07. The Mountaineers are also 4-3 in the seven games played since then, a span that included an 11-year hiatus before the series resumed in 2022.
The undercard
Colorado (1-1) at Houston (2-0), Friday 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Colorado goes its Big 12 opener with coach Deion Sanders having already used three QBs in his first two games. Third-stringer Ryan Staub took the majority of snaps in practice this week over transfer Kaidon Salter, who started the first two games, and touted freshman Julian Lewis. Texas A&M transfer Connor Weigman has completed 30 of 46 passes for 347 yards with four TDs and no interceptions in his first two games with the Cougars.
Get the AP Top 25 college football poll delivered straight to your inbox every week with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here.
Impact players
— Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson has 859 yards passing and seven touchdowns without an interception and was the AP’s player of the week. He did that against Power Four teams Auburn and SMU before the Bears wrap up nonconference play Saturday at home against FCS team Samford.
— Cincinnati LB Jake Golday already has 26 tackles in two games. He is coming off a career-high 14 against Bowling Green and could be a bigger factor for the Bearcats against Northwestern State since standout nose tackle Dontay Corleone is out (lower-body injury).
— Rocco Becht has made 30 consecutive starts for 14th-ranked Iowa State, the longest active streak for a Big 12 QB. His school-record streak of 21 games in a row with a TD pass is the longest in FBS.
Inside the numbers
No. 21 Texas Tech is the only team nationally to open this season scoring 60 points in each of its first two games. The Red Raiders host Oregon State (0-2) and try to get to 3-0 for the first time since 2021. … No. 20 Utah has a nation’s-best 76.7% success rate on third-down conversions, and has scored touchdowns on all 11 of its drives inside the 20. … Kansas State (1-2) had the ball for only 3 minutes, 16 seconds in the second half of its 24-21 loss to Army. … TCU (1-0) has won its last 18 games against FCS teams since an overtime loss to Northwestern State in 2001. The Horned Frogs play their home opener Saturday against instate FCS team Abilene Christian.
Not counting (in Big 12 race)
The matchup of Wildcats — Kansas State and Arizona — won’t count in the Big 12 standings for the second year in a row. This is the return game of a home-and-home series scheduled in January 2016. Kansas State won 31-7 at home last year, which was Arizona’s first season in the Big 12 after moving from the Pac-12.
NO. 12 CLEMSON’S VISIT TO GEORGIA TECH, NO. 5 MIAMI HOSTING NO. 18 SOUTH FLORIDA HEADLINE ACC SLATE
Things to watch this weekend in the Atlantic Coast Conference:
Game of the week
No. 12 Clemson (1-1) at Georgia Tech (2-0), Saturday, noon ET (ESPN).
It’s hard to know what to expect of the preseason ACC favorite Tigers, who lost their opener at home to highly ranked LSU then found themselves in a 16-0 hole at home against Troy before rallying. The Tigers — who haven’t had top receiver and preseason AP All-American Antonio Williams since exiting early against LSU with a hamstring injury — rank 120th in the Bowl Subdivision ranks in total offense (288.5) and 110th in scoring (18.5).
The Yellow Jackets were picked fourth in the league. They won at Colorado behind quarterback Haynes King, who was a last-minute scratch due to a nagging injury before last week’s home win against Gardner-Webb.
The undercard
No. 18 South Florida at No. 5 Miami. This instate tussle arrives with the Bulls having beaten ranked Boise State and Florida teams, allowing them to crack the AP Top 25 poll for the first time since 2018. Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes beat Notre Dame in the opener then cruised last week against Bethune-Cookman.
Old Dominion at Virginia Tech. Pressure is rising in Blacksburg, where the Hokies have their first 0-2 start in 15 years and are staring at the potential for their first 0-3 start since 1987. The losses came to now-No. 11 South Carolina and Vanderbilt as the Hokies were looking for a bump in Brent Pry’s fourth year. The only silver lining comes in the form of trivia: the last 0-2 Virginia Tech team recovered for a perfect league record en route to winning the 2010 ACC title game.
Impact players
— Darian Mensah, Duke. The Blue Devils (1-1) made one of the offseason’s notable additions by landing the former Tulane quarterback. Now Mensah — ranked second nationally with 361.5 yards passing per game — will reunite with the Green Wave in Saturday’s road game.
— Dylan Lonergan, Boston College. The Eagles (1-1) are coming off a double-overtime loss at Michigan State, where Lonergan threw for 390 yards and four touchdowns. The Alabama transfer has eight TD passes against no interceptions entering Saturday’s game at California.
Inside the numbers
SMU’s loss to Baylor in double overtime dropped the ACC to three teams in the AP Top 25. No. 10 Florida State has an open date this week. … North Carolina (1-1) faces Championship Subdivision opponent Richmond this week. It’s the first meeting since the Spiders’ 27-18 home win in 1978. … California (2-0) hosts Minnesota on Saturday. It marks the program’s first home game against a Big Ten team since losing 52-34 to then-No. 4 Ohio State in September 2013. … Virginia (1-1) hosts FCS team William & Mary in an instate series going back to 1908. The Cavaliers have won six straight and 12 of 13 going back to 1988, with the Tribe’s lone win coming in 2009.
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NFL NEWS
LONG FIRST-HALF DRIVES SPARK PACKERS’ VICTORY OVER COMMANDERS
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Jordan Love threw two touchdown passes and the Green Bay Packers turned back a fourth-quarter rally for a 27-18 victory over the visiting Washington Commanders on Thursday night.
The Packers led 17-3 before the Commanders finally found the end zone with 13:45 left in the fourth quarter. Jayden Daniels capped an 11-play, 50-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ertz, cutting the deficit to seven. A defensive holding penalty against Green Bay on fourth-and-7 kept the drive alive.
Green Bay answered with a 65-yard scoring drive, capped by Love’s 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tucker Kraft, who was wide open in the right side of the end zone.
On the ensuing drive, Daniels’ fourth-down pass was incomplete and the Packers took over at the Washington 40 with 7:42 remaining. Brandon McManus’ 56-yard field put Green Bay in front 27-10.
Daniels hit Deebo Samuel for a 10-yard scoring pass with 2:53 left and then found Luke McCaffrey for the two-point conversion to make 27-18 with 2:53 to go.
Washington’s final possession ended with another fourth-down incompletion.
Love completed 19 of 31 passes for 292 yards without an interception. Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs rushed 23 times for a team-high 84 yards and a touchdown. Kraft made six receptions for 124 yards.
Daniels finished 24 of 42 for 200 yards, with a long of just 20 yards. He threw for two TDs.
The Commanders (1-1) rushed for just 51 yards on 19 carries. In the Packers’ opening 27-13 victory over division rival Detroit, the defending NFC North champions managed just 46 yards on the ground.
Love directed first-half touchdown drives of 96 and 92 yards to put the Packers up 14-3 at the break.
The Packers (2-0) took a 7-0 lead with a seven-play drive from their own 4, capped by Love’s 5-yard scoring pass to Romeo Doubs. Love keyed the march with a 57-yard completion to Kraft to the Commanders 20.
Green Bay made it 14-0 midway through the second period with a 10-play drive from its own 8. Love again set up the score with a long completion, a 37-yarder to Malik Heath to the Washington 43. Jacobs scored on a 2-yard run.
The Commanders responded with a 37-yard drive, culminating in Matt Gay’s 51-yard field goal to make it 14-3.
RB AUSTIN EKELER INJURES ACHILLES IN COMMANDERS’ LOSS
The Washington Commanders’ running back corps was dealt a significant blow on Thursday night as Austin Ekeler sustained a non-contact Achilles injury in a 27-18 road loss to the Green Bay Packers.
ESPN and NFL.com reported that the team fears Ekeler tore his Achilles tendon.
Ekeler, who has endured a series of ailments throughout his NFL career, fell after he tried to cut while running a route with less than six minutes left in the game. He had to be helped off the field before trainers examined his right foot. After being carted to the locker room, the 30-year-old veteran was ruled out.
The Commanders’ starting running back, Ekeler tied for the team lead on Thursday with 17 rushing yards on eight carries. He also had two receptions for 7 yards.
Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round pick, also had 17 rushing yards against Green Bay and would likely see his carries increase if Ekeler sustained a significant injury. Croskey-Merritt rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries in a Week 1 victory over the New York Giants.
Ekeler broke his hand as a rookie in 2017 while playing for the Los Angeles Chargers, then sustained a neck stinger and a concussion the following season.
In 2020, Ekeler went down with a hamstring strain and landed on injured reserve before returning, then suffered a concussion in the season finale. He injured his ankle in 2023 before enduring another concussion last season, his first with the Commanders.
In nine seasons with the Chargers (2017-23) and Commanders (2024-present), Ekeler has rushed for 4,765 yards and 43 touchdowns on 1,081 carries. He also has 480 receptions for 4,288 yards and 30 touchdowns.
PACKERS WR JAYDEN REED BREAKS COLLARBONE
After sitting out the majority of the preseason with a foot injury, Green Bay wide receiver Jayden Reed sustained a broken collarbone during the Packers’ 27-18 home win over the Washington Commanders on Thursday night.
Following the game, Packers coach Matt LaFleur told reporters that the third-year slot receiver “is going to miss a lot of time,” but added that he believes Reed has a chance to come back before the season ends.
Already without Christian Watson (ACL) until at least Week 6, the Packers will rely on Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and rookie Matthew Golden at the wide receiver position. The team also has receivers Mecole Hardman, Will Sheppard and Isaiah Neyor on its practice squad.
In the first quarter on Thursday, Reed got hurt while extending to make a 39-yard reception that appeared to put the Packers on the board first. However, rookie right tackle Anthony Belton was flagged for holding, negating the touchdown.
Reed, 25, played just 18 snaps in Green Bay’s season-opening win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, but he had a team-high three catches, including a 17-yard score. He didn’t record a catch on Thursday before exiting.
A second-round pick of the Packers in the 2023 draft, Reed has 122 career receptions for 1,695 yards and 15 touchdowns.
STEELERS LOOK TO BUILD OFF A PROMISING WEEK 1 WIN WHEN THEY HOST SEATTLE IN THEIR HOME OPENER
Seattle (0-1) at Pittsburgh (1-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, FOX.
BetMGM NFL odds: Steelers by 3.
Against the spread: Seahawks 0-1; Steelers 0-1
Series record: Steelers lead 11-10.
Last meeting: Steelers beat Seahawks 30-23 on Dec. 31, 2023, in Seattle.
Last week: Seahawks lost to 49ers 17-13; Steelers beat Jets 34-32
Seahawks offense: overall (29), rush (20), pass (25), scoring (24).
Seahawks defense: overall (25), rush (21), pass (26), scoring (12).
Steelers offense: overall (21), rush (29), pass (11), scoring (3).
Steelers defense: overall (27), rush (29), pass (20), scoring (28).
Turnover differential: Seahawks even; Steelers plus-1.
Seahawks player to watch
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The third-year wideout was Sam Darnold’s top choice in the Seahawks’ home opener, and totaled his second-most receiving yards (124) in a game in the loss. No other Seattle player had more than 15 receiving yards. Expect Darnold to continue favoring Smith-Njigba over any other Seahawks receiver.
Steelers player to watch
LT Broderick Jones. The third-year pro’s full-time switch to left tackle after spending last season on the right side didn’t exactly get off to a promising start. Jones allowed three of the four sacks Pittsburgh gave up in the opener against the Jets. Jones could have his hands full once again facing a Seattle defensive front that includes veteran Leonard Williams, who is coming off an 11-sack season in 2024.
Key matchup
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will face a Seahawks secondary that is a bit banged up, considering rookie safety Nick Emmanwori suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday’s game and is considered out on a week-to-week basis. Though he was intercepted twice by Seattle, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy completed 74% of his passes, too. Rodgers will have his chances downfield against the Seahawks secondary.
Key injuries
Seahawks: Nick Emmanwori (ankle) is likely to miss the first game of his pro career. DT Johnathan Hankins (back), DT Rylie Mills (knee) and G Christian Haynes (pectoral) are also out. WR Jake Bobo (concussion), WR Dareke Young (hamstring), G Anthony Bradford (back) LB Uchenna Nwosu and LB Tyrice Knight (knee) are questionable.
Steelers: Rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (knee) will miss his second straight game. Safety DeShon Elliott and linebacker Malik Harrison are also both out with injuries. Pittsburgh signed veteran safety Jabrill Peppers to compete for playing time with Chuck Clark in Elliott’s absence. Outside linebacker Nick Herbig, who sat out the opener with a hamstring injury, is likely to play. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) missed practice time this week.
Series notes
The Steelers have won five of the past seven meetings with the Seahawks, starting with their victory over Seattle in the Super Bowl following the 2005 season. Pittsburgh’s road win in the Emerald City on New Year’s Eve two years ago was the franchise’s first triumph in Seattle since 1983. Only nine of Pittsburgh’s 22 starters on that day 20 months ago are still on the roster.
Stats and stuff
The Seahawks are searching to avoid their first 2-0 start to a season since 2018. Seattle still reached the playoffs that season, as well as three of the past seven seasons…The Seahawks went 3-4 in games after a loss last season under coach Mike Macdonald. … Seattle went 10-7 last season and hasn’t had a losing season since 2021 under Pete Carroll … The Seahawks went 4-1 against AFC foes in 2024 … Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s 150 passing yards during last Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers were his fewest in a start since 2022. … Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the Seahawks in receiving yards in 2024, is third in the NFL in that category. He had 124 receiving yards during last Sunday’s loss…. Punter Michael Dickson, who signed a four-year contract extension in June, averaged 51.8 yards per attempt last Sunday. …Entering Week 2, Safety Julian Love is tied for the league lead in solo tackles with eight. He also has the Seahawks’ only sack of the season. … Linebacker Ernest Jones IV and cornerback Josh Jobe each intercepted 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold on Sunday. Jobe’s interception was the second of his NFL career. … Seahawks kicker Jason Myers converted both field-goal attempts on Sunday, including a 48-yarder. Myers is a 85.7% field goal kicker, ranking 16th in NFL history. … The Steelers are seeking their second straight 2-0 start and their eighth overall in head coach Mike Tomlin’s 19 seasons. They’ve reached the playoffs each of the previous seven times they’ve opened 2-0 under Tomlin. … Pittsburgh is 52-37-3 in home openers, including a 17-7 mark at Acrisure Stadium. One of those losses at Acrisure was a 28-26 setback in 2019 in which Ben Roethlisberger left in the first half with a season-ending right elbow injury. … The Steelers are 49-24-1 in games against NFC opponents under Tomlin. … Rodgers threw four touchdown passes to four different players in his Steelers debut, the first time four different Steelers have caught touchdown passes in the same game since 2018. … Rodgers’ 22 completions against the Jets set a franchise record for most completions in a game by a Pittsburgh quarterback in his first start with the club. … Rodgers needs two touchdown passes to move past Brett Favre (508) and into fourth place on the TD pass list. … Rodgers is also one 50-yard completion away from tying Drew Brees’ NFL record of 90. … Pittsburgh’s running game struggled against New York, managing just 53 yards on 20 carries. They’re now facing a Seahawks defense that gave up 119 yards on the ground to the 49ers in the opener. … The game matches Steelers WR DK Metcalf against his former team. Metcalf spent six seasons with Seattle before being sent to Pittsburgh in March. The two-time Pro Bowler ranks among the top 10 in Seahawks history in receptions (seventh), receiving yards (sixth) and receiving touchdowns (fourth). … Pittsburgh LB TJ Watt was held without a sack in the opener. The seven-time Pro Bowler has been held without a sack in six of Pittsburgh’s past seven games going back to last season. … Pittsburgh’s run defense will be tested by the Seahawks duo of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, though Walker was limited to just 20 yards on 10 carries against the 49ers. … Steelers kicker Chris Boswell’s game-winning 60-yard field goal against the Jets last week was the longest made kick in franchise history. Boswell has made 45 of 54 attempts (83%) from 50 yards or more in his career, the best in NFL history.
Fantasy tip
Steelers WR Calvin Austin III is coming off one of the most promising games of his young career after hauling in four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown and drawing a late pass interference penalty that set up the winning points. With the Seahawks likely keying on Metcalf, Austin could receive plenty of opportunities.
DOLPHINS HOST PATRIOTS WITH BOTH TEAMS COMING OFF LACKLUSTER WEEK 1 PERFORMANCES
New England (0-1) at Miami (0-1)
Sunday 1 p.m. EDT, CBS
BetMGM NFL Odds: Dolphins by 1 1/2
Against the spread: Patriots 0-1; Dolphins 0-1
Series record: Dolphins lead 63-53
Last meeting: Dolphins beat Patriots 34-15 in Miami Gardens on Nov. 24, 2024.
Last week: Patriots lost to Last Vegas 20-13 at home; Dolphins lost 33-8 at Indianapolis.
Patriots offense: overall (12), rush (27), pass (6), scoring (24t).
Patriots defense : overall (26), rush (5), pass (31), scoring (14t).
Dolphins offense: overall (30), rush (21t), pass (29), scoring (31).
Dolphins defense: overall (29), rush (27), pass (25), scoring (29).
Turnover differential: Patriots even; Dolphins minus-3.
Patriots player to watch
WR Kayshon Boutte had six catches for 103 yards in last week’s opener, marking just the second 100-yard receiving game of his career. His other time over the century mark (seven catches, 117) came in last season’s finale against Buffalo. The most recent Patriots player to have at least three consecutive 100-yard games was receiver Wes Welker in 2012. No Patriots player has had back-to-back 100-yard games to open a season since receiver Randy Moss in the 2007 season, who did it in four straight games.
Dolphins player to watch
QB Tua Tagovailoa. He has turned the ball over three times in his past three starts going back to last season, including two interceptions and a fumble lost against Indianapolis. Tagovailoa completed 14 of 23 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown pass against the Colts. He admitted the performance wasn’t good enough, and the Dolphins’ ability to improve on a lackluster offensive output starts with him.
Key matchup
Patriots offensive line vs Dolphins defensive front. The Dolphins defensive front will be looking to show it is much better than it was last Sunday, when Miami only generated one sack against Daniel Jones despite being praised as one of the Dolphins’ strongest units. A rebuilt Patriots offensive line featuring four new starters and a rookie left tackle could offer the perfect opportunity for a bounce-back performance. New England’s offensive line allowed four sacks to the Raiders in Week 1.
Key injuries
Patriots: Cornerback Christian Gonzalez has been sidelined with a hamstring issue since leaving the team’s first padded practice with the injury on July 28. He sat out the team’s season-opening loss to Las Vegas and also didn’t practice on Wednesday. RT Morgan Moses and LB Harold Landry III both sat out the first practice of the week with foot issues. DE Keion White is dealing with an illness.
Dolphins: Guard James Daniels was placed on injured reserve Tuesday and will be sidelined at least the next four games. Kion Smith, who replaced Daniels on Sunday, will start. RT Austin Jackson (toe) will likely miss the game. Larry Borom is expected to start in his place. TE Darren Waller (hip) is hoping to make his Dolphins debut Sunday but has not practiced fully this week.
Series notes
The series has been lopsided in Miami’s favor recently. The Dolphins have won eight of the past nine meetings, and Tagovailoa has never lost a game to New England as Miami’s starter, going 7-0. With a win on Sunday, Mike McDaniel would become the first Dolphins coach to win six of his first seven games against the Patriots. The Patriots lead the postseason series 2-1.
Stats and stuff
The Patriots held Las Vegas to 2.3 yards per carry (24 rushes for 56 yards) last week. They will look to hold an opponent under 3 yards per carry in back-to-back games for the first time since the 2019 season when they did it for three consecutive games. … TE Hunter Henry has 19 touchdown receptions as member of the Patriots and needs one more to become the fifth New England tight end with at least 20. … LB Harold Landry III had 2 1/2 sacks in the opener . … S Jaylinn Hawkins had his first interception as a member of the Patriots vs. the Raiders. He also had a sack, becoming the first Patriots player to have both in Week 1 since CB Ellis Hobbs on Sept. 7, 2008. … WR Tyreek Hill had four catches for 40 yards on Sunday, his fewest yards in a season opener since joining the Dolphins. … The Dolphins’ defense allowed the Colts to score on each of their seven possessions Sunday, the first time since at least 1978 that an NFL team has scored every time it held the ball. The only time Miami forced a punt, veteran linebacker Matthew Judon ran into punter Rigoberto Sanchez, which extended the Colts’ drive and allowed them to close out the first half with a field goal for a 20-0 lead.
Fantasy tip
Stefon Diggs will certainly test Miami’s unproven cornerbacks. If he and Drake Maye are able to build on their connection, the veteran receiver could be in for a big game.
STROUD, TEXANS LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK AFTER SEASON-OPENING LOSS WHEN THEY HOST MAYFIELD, BUCS ON MONDAY
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) at Houston (0-1)
Monday, 7 p.m. EDT, ESPN, ABC.
BetMGM NFL Odds: Texans by 2 1/2.
Against the spread: Buccaneers 1-0; Texans 0-1.
Series record: Texans lead 5-1.
Last meeting: Texans beat Buccaneers 39-37 on Nov. 5, 2023, in Houston.
Last week: Buccaneers beat Falcons 23-20; Texans lost to Rams 14-9.
Buccaneers offense: overall (24), rush (17), pass (22), scoring (12)
Buccaneers defense: overall (23), rush (7), pass (29), scoring (17)
Texans offense: overall (23), rush (13), pass (24), scoring (30)
Texans defense: overall (14), rush (9), pass (23), scoring (10)
Turnover differential: Buccaneers even; Texans minus-1
Buccaneers player to watch
WR Emeka Egbuka. The rookie first-round pick had two TD catches in his debut, including the game-winning score late in the fourth quarter. Egbuka finished with four catches for 67 yards, including TD grabs of 30 and 25 yards. Playing opposite six-time Pro Bowl WR Mike Evans should allow Egbuka to draw single coverage. Evans told reporters Egbuka told Baker Mayfield he’d been open on a post route before catching the go-ahead score in the victory over Atlanta.
Texans player to watch
QB C.J. Stroud: He threw a career-high five touchdown passes with a rookie-record 470 yards to lift the Texans to the 39-37 win in his only meeting with the Buccaneers in 2023. Houston trailed with less than a minute to go before he led a six-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 15-yard TD throw to Tank Dell to complete the comeback. This week Stroud, who threw for just 188 yards without a score in Week 1, will face a defense that ranks 29th in the NFL after allowing 289 yards passing in the first game.
Key matchup
Buccaneers right tackle Luke Goedeke has a tough task in facing Texans defensive end Will Anderson. Tampa reshuffled its offensive line in the opener to make up for Tristan Wirfs’ absence, but Goedeke is entrenched on the right side. Anderson, the No. 3 overall pick in 2023, had one sack last week against Matthew Stafford. He was the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and followed that up with 11 sacks in 2024 along with 58 quarterback pressures.
Key injuries
Buccaneers: All-Pro LT Tristan Wirfs, WR Chris Godwin (ankle) and WR Jalen McMillan (neck) are out. CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) and S Christian Izien (oblique) missed the opener.
Texans: TE Cade Stover was placed on the injured reserve this week after sustaining a foot injury in Week 1. … Coach DeMeco Ryans said C Jake Andrews is day to day this week with an ankle injury he sustained against the Rams. … WRs Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios could make their debuts with the team after both missed the first game with hamstring injuries.
Series notes
The Texans have won the past five games in this series. … Tampa Bay’s only win came in a 16-3 victory in the first meeting between these teams in 2003. … This will be the second straight game in the series that will be played in Houston. … The Texans have outscored the Buccaneers 149-105 in the series.
Stats and stuff
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield leads the NFL with 72 TD passes since 2023. He had three TD passes and no interceptions vs. Atlanta. It was his sixth straight start with at least two TD passes. … The Bucs have rushed for more than 100 yards in 15 games since start of last season. … RB Bucky Irving had his first career TD reception last week. … WR Mike Evans has at least five catches in each of his past six games and 50-plus yards receiving in eight straight. Evans has caught a TD pass in eight of his nine games on “Monday Night Football.” … WR Emeka Egbuka became the second player since 1970 with a game-winning reception in the final minute of his first career game, joining Ernest Wilford, who did it with Jacksonville in 2004. … LB Haason Reddick had the team’s only sack against the Falcons. … PR Kameron Johnson’s 53-yard return last week was the team’s longest Oct. 11, 2015. … P Riley Dixon had a 51.3 average on four punts in his debut with the team. … Texans RB Nick Chubb had 60 yards rushing in his debut with the team last week. He had 116 yards rushing and a touchdown in his previous game against Tampa Bay in 2022 while with Cleveland. … WR Nico Collins had a touchdown reception in five of his six home games last season. He had 54 yards receiving with a TD in his previous game against Tampa Bay. … WR Christian Kirk had six catches for a career-high 138 yards and three touchdowns in his only career game against the Buccaneers in 2019 while with the Cardinals. … WR Justin Watson played for Tampa Bay from 2018-21. … TE Dalton Schultz had 10 receptions for 130 yards — both career highs — and a TD catch in the perevious meeting with Tampa Bay. … DE Danielle Hunter had his fifth career fumble recovery in Week 1. He had eight sacks in eight home games last season. … DT Folorunso Fatukasi had a sack last week. … LB Henry To’oTo’o had six tackles and a sack and defended a pass last week. He forced a fumble in his previous game against the Buccaneers. … LB Azeez Al-Shaair had seven tackles and the fifth forced fumble of his career last week. … CB Derek Stingley had five tackles last week. He had 13 passes defended in nine home games last season, including the playoffs. Since 2023, he is tied for the NFL lead with 31 passes defended. … CB Kamari Lassiter had a career-high nine tackles last week to lead the team. … S C.J. Gardner-Johnson has had an interception in three of his past four games against Tampa Bay including the playoffs.
Fantasy tip
The Texans are looking to get Collins going this week after the star receiver had just three receptions for 25 yards in Week 1. Collins, who has had consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, has been great at home in his career and 13 of his 15 touchdowns in the past two seasons have come in Houston.
AFTER PUTTING UP 40 POINTS AND LOSING, THE RAVENS HOST CLEVELAND AND ITS TOUGH DEFENSIVE FRONT
Cleveland (0-1) at Baltimore (0-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS.
BetMGM NFL odds: Ravens by 11 1/2.
Against the spread: Browns 1-0, Ravens 0-1.
Series record: Ravens lead 37-15.
Last meeting: Ravens beat Browns 35-10 on Jan. 4 in Baltimore.
Last week: Browns lost to Bengals 17-16; Ravens lost to Bills 41-40.
Browns offense: overall (13), rush (30), pass (5), scoring (22).
Browns defense: overall (2), rush (T1), pass (2), scoring (12).
Ravens offense: overall (T2), rush (1), pass (17), scoring (2).
Ravens defense: overall (32), rush (18), pass (32), scoring (32).
Turnover differential: Browns minus-2, Ravens minus-1.
Browns player to watch
QB Joe Flacco will play in Baltimore for the first time as a visiting quarterback. Flacco played 11 seasons for the Ravens (2008-18) and led the franchise to its second Super Bowl title during the 2012 season. He remains the franchise leader in yards passing (38,245) and touchdown passes (212). He is 0-1 against the Ravens despite throwing for 309 yards with the Jets in loss in 2022. Flacco completed 31 of 45 passes for 290 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions last week.
Ravens player to watch
RB Derrick Henry picked up where he left off a season ago, rushing for 169 yards and two touchdowns against Buffalo. But he also had a fumble late in the game that helped the Bills come back. He’s emblematic of Baltimore’s need to combine its overall dominance with better care of the ball.
Key matchup
Baltimore’s offensive line against Cleveland’s defensive front. The Ravens had little trouble moving the ball at Buffalo, but it’s possible the Browns could provide a stronger test after holding Cincinnati to 141 total yards last week.
Key injuries
Browns; RT Jack Conklin (eye, elbow) is expected to be back after he left the first half of Sunday’s game after being poked in the eye. DT Mike Hall (knee) is on track to make his season debut after missing last week.
Ravens: FB Patrick Ricard (calf) and TE Isaiah Likely (foot) missed last weekend’s game and missed practice time this week. DT Nnamdi Madubuike (ankle) and CB Jaire Alexander (knee) were also on the injury report this week.
Series notes
Baltimore beat Cleveland in the 2024 regular-season finale to wrap up the AFC North title. … The Ravens are celebrating their 30th year in Baltimore at this game, which is their home opener. That move to Baltimore, of course, remains infamous in Cleveland. … Although the Ravens have dominated the overall series, the teams have split their two games in each of the past four seasons.
Stats and stuff
Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski is 4-6 against the Ravens. … RB Dylan Sampson had 93 scrimmage yards (64 rushing, 29 receiving) in his NFL debut last week. His eight catches were tied for the fourth most by a rookie running back in his first game. … WR Jerry Jeudy has at least five catches and 60 yards receiving in 10 of his past 11 games. … TE Harold Fannin’s seven catches were tied for the second most by a rookie last week. … Rookie LB Carson Schwesinger led the Browns with eight tackles last week. … DE Myles Garrett had his 22nd game with at least two sacks. He has 8 1/2 sacks in 14 games against the Ravens. … CB Denzel Ward has three interceptions in nine meetings vs. Baltimore. … Five of Baltimore’s first six opponents made the playoffs last season. Cleveland is the only team that didn’t. … Henry needs two more rushing TDs to tie Walter Payton (110) for fifth on the career list. He needs 103 yards rushing to equal Fred Taylor (11,695) for 17th all time. … Baltimore’s DeAndre Hopkins has at least one reception in each of his first 179 games. The record to start a career is 190 by Marvin Harrison. … Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has led the team in yards rushing and passing 39 times. The record is 40 by Cam Newton. … Jackson has produced at least two TD passes and a passer rating of 90 or higher in nine consecutive games, including playoffs. The only players to do it 10 times in a row are Aaron Rodgers (14), Philip Rivers (13), Peyton Manning (13), Tom Brady (12), Patrick Mahomes (11) and Drew Brees (10).
Fantasy tip
It’s hard to recommend a QB from a double-digit underdog, but Baltimore’s secondary struggled enough last weekend that maybe Flacco is an option? Especially since Cleveland may be playing from behind and need to pass.
DAK PRESCOTT TAKES 13-GAME WINNING STREAK AGAINST GIANTS INTO COWBOYS’ HOME OPENER
NY Giants (0-1) at Dallas (0-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox
BetMGM line: Cowboys by 5 1/2.
Against the spread: Giants 0-1; Cowboys 1-0.
Series record: Cowboys lead 77-47-2.
Last meeting: Cowboys beat Giants 27-20, in Arlington, Texas on Nov. 28, 2024.
Last week: Giants lost to Washington 21-6; Cowboys lost to Philadelphia 24-20.
Giants offense: overall (28), rush (23), pass (23), scoring (32)
Giants defense: overall (T30), rush (31), pass (T20), scoring (T19)
Cowboys offense: overall (17), rush (T10), pass (T18), scoring (T15)
Cowboys defense: overall (15), rush (28), pass (7), scoring (T22)
Turnover differential: Giants even, Cowboys minus-1.
Giants player to watch
WR Malik Nabers was unhappy with his performance at Washington, when he was targeted 12 times but had just five catches. Nabers was one of the top rookies in the league last season and is by far the most dynamic offensive player for New York. This team struggles to score if he’s not impacting the game.
Cowboys player to watch
QB Dak Prescott has a 13-game winning streak against the Giants and played well against the Eagles in his return after missing the final nine games of last season with a torn hamstring. Prescott’s run against New York is the longest since New England’s Tom Brady beat Buffalo 13 times in a row from 2003-10. The only longer streak in NFL history was Bob Griese’s 17-game winning streak for Miami against the Bills from 1968-79.
Key matchup
Giants DT Dexter Lawrence vs. Cowboys OL. Dallas got a huge break in the opener when Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on Prescott before the first snap of the game. The Cowboys had a solid game on the ground and got two short touchdown runs from new running back Javonte Williams after finishing with an NFL-worst six rushing TDs in 2024. Four of Dallas’ five linemen are fourth-year players or younger.
Key injuries
Giants: LT Andrew Thomas did not play in Week 1 as he works back from foot surgery. It’s unclear if he’ll be ready to return. … LB Micah McFadden injured his right foot/leg against the Commanders and could be out, though coach Brian Daboll said McFadden did not break a bone, as initially feared. LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles aggravated a calf injury that sidelined him for much of training camp.
Cowboys: CB DaRon Bland and S Malik Hooker both missed practice time this week with foot injuries. Bland’s status is the more serious question. The team reported on its website he could be out a couple of weeks. Bland missed the first 10 games last season with an unrelated foot injury. He signed a $92 million, four-year extension before the season. Two years ago, Bland set an NFL record with five interception returns for touchdowns.
Series notes
Dallas has won 15 of the past 16 meetings with the Giants. It’s the second-most dominant run against a division opponent in franchise history. The Cowboys won 16 of 17 against the Arizona Cardinals from 1990-98.
Stats and stuff
The Cowboys will play their 1,000th regular-season game. … The Giants became the second team in NFL history (Detroit was the other in the early 1940s) not to score a touchdown in three consecutive openers. They came up empty in two red zone trips, and Graham Gano made field goals from 21 and 55 yards. … QB Russell Wilson was 17 of 37 for 168 yards in his Giants debut, which was also his 200th regular-season start. Wilson was the team’s leading rusher with 44 yards on eight carries. … LB Bobby Okereke led the NFL in Week 1 with a career-high 16 tackles. … CB Paulson Adebo held Commanders WR Terry McLaurin to two catches for 27 yards. Adebo picked off Prescott last year when New Orleans won 44-19 at Dallas. … Prescott needs 29 completions to pass Tony Romo for second on Dallas’ career list. Romo had 2,829. Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman is the franchise leader at 2,898. … Javonte Williams is the second Dallas running back in franchise history with multiple rushing touchdowns in his Dallas debut. Herschel Walker was the other in 1986. … WR CeeDee Lamb has at least 100 yards receiving in three consecutive games going back to last season. He can match the longest of his career and join Cooper Kupp (2019 and 2021) as the only receivers with multiple streaks of at least four 100-yard games in the past 10 seasons.
Fantasy tip
There was uncertainty on who would carry the load at running back for the Cowboys. The early answer is Williams after he played 80% of the offensive snaps against the Eagles, a career high for the fifth-year back.
SUPER BOWL REMATCH ON DECK AS EAGLES TRY TO FOLLOW VICTORY OVER CHIEFS WITH ANOTHER IN KANSAS CITY
Philadelphia (1-0) at Kansas City (0-1)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT, FOX
BetMGM NFL Odds: Eagles by 1.
Against the spread: Eagles 0-1; Chiefs 0-1.
Series record: Tied 6-6.
Last meeting: Eagles beat Chiefs 40-22 in the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.
Last week: Eagles beat Cowboys 24-20; Chiefs lost to Chargers 27-21.
Eagles offense: overall (18), rush (5), pass (26), scoring (T10)
Eagles defense: overall (16), rush (T21), pass (T14), scoring (T14)
Chiefs offense: overall (11), rush (18), pass (9), scoring (T13)
Chiefs defense: overall (T27), rush (14), pass (30), scoring (T25)
Eagles player to watch
DT Jalen Carter. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle missed almost the entire season opener against Dallas after spitting on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. Some believe Carter should have been suspended for this game, too. He had two of the 11 hits by Philadelphia on Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl.
Chiefs player to watch
LT Josh Simmons. The first-round pick played well in his debut against the Chargers, though he was penalized twice for false starts. The Chiefs drafted him in part because of the way Philadelphia dominated their offensive line in the Super Bowl, sacking Mahomes six times.
Key matchup
Eagles passing game vs. Chiefs pass defense. QB Jalen Hurts had just 152 yards passing and no TD throws last week against Dallas. He will be facing a Kansas City defense that allowed Chargers QB Justin Herbert to throw for 318 yards and three scores last week in Brazil.
Key injuries
Eagles: TE Dallas Goedert (knee) and RB Will Shipley (oblique) missed practice time this week.
Chiefs: WRs Xavier Worthy (shoulder) and Jalen Royals (knee) are expected to miss the game. Kansas City also is down WR Rashee Rice, who will be serving the second game of his six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Series notes
The Eagles have won the past two games against Kansas City, including a 21-17 victory at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 20, 2023. Prior to the back-to-back wins, Philadelphia has lost four in a row to the Chiefs, including a 38-35 loss in the Super Bowl following the 2022 season.
Stats and stuff
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni served as an offensive quality control coach for Kansas City from 2009-11 and wide receivers coach in 2012. … Chiefs coach Andy Reid spent 14 seasons in Philadelphia. Other coaches and administrators with him include current Chiefs GM Brett Veach, president Mark Donovan, assistant GM Mark Bradway, assistant head coach Dave Toub, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. … The Eagles have won seven straight games going back to Week 17 of last season. They are 17-1 over the past 18 games. … Philadelphia has won 15 straight games started and finished with Hurts under center. … The Eagles have won five of their past six road games going back to last season. … Hurts was 19 of 23 passing against the Cowboys. He also ran for a team-best 62 yards and two TDs last week. … The Chiefs have not started 0-2 since Reid’s second season in 2014, when they lost their opener to Tennessee and then to Peyton Manning and the Broncos. It also was the most recent time Kansas City missed the playoffs. … Chiefs TE Travis Kelce needs three TDs to pass Priest Holmes (83) for the most in franchise history. … DT Chris Jones needs six sacks to pass Neil Smith (85 1/2) for third in Chiefs history.
Fantasy tip
WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was largely overlooked in most fantasy drafts given how many wide receivers Kansas City had at its disposal. Now, the Chiefs are poised to play without three of their top four this week, and that means Brown could have a second consecutive big game simply by default. He had 10 catches for 99 yards last week against the Chargers.
PENIX GETS TOUGH TEST WITH NIGHT ROAD GAME VS. VIKINGS D, AS FALCONS SEEK REBOUND FROM OPENING LOSS
Atlanta (0-1) at Minnesota (1-0)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EDT, NBC.
BetMGM NFL Odds: Vikings by 4½.
Against the spread: Falcons 0-1, Vikings 1-0.
Series record: Vikings lead 22-12.
Last meeting: Vikings beat Falcons 42-21 on Dec. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Last week: Falcons lost to Buccaneers 23-20, Vikings beat Bears 27-24.
Falcons offense: overall (10), rush (26), pass (4), scoring (15T).
Falcons defense: overall (9), rush (16), pass (11), scoring (21).
Vikings offense: overall (26), rush (9), pass (28), scoring (6T).
Vikings defense: overall (18T), rush (21T), pass (17), scoring (22T).
Turnover differential: Falcons even, Vikings even.
Falcons player to watch
QB Michael Penix Jr. The eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft makes his fifth career start in what ought to be his toughest test to date in a prime-time game on the road against an aggressive and unpredictable defense in a sure-to-be-roaring stadium. After replacing former Vikings stalwart Kirk Cousins for the final three games of his rookie season, Penix had a decent performance in the opener against the Bucs without any help from the running game while going 27 for 42 for 298 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers.
Vikings player to watch
OLB Jonathan Greenard. Fifth in the NFL with 12 sacks last season, Greenard had a head-turning training camp and was plenty active in the opener against the Bears while being credited with seven QB pressures by Pro Football Focus. The season-ending lower leg injury for Falcons RT Kaleb McGary, the blindside protector for the left-handed Penix, has weakened their offensive line. Greenard had nine sacks and three forced fumbles in nine home games last season.
Key matchup
Falcons edge rushers vs. Vikings offensive tackles. The Falcons invested heavily in their pass rush prior to this season by adding 10-year veteran Leonard Floyd and drafting Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round. They generated QB pressure on 36% of passing plays with a four-man rush, the fifth-highest rate in the league in Week 1. Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy took three sacks in his debut, with backup LT Justin Skule struggling in place of standout Christian Darrisaw, who has not yet returned to game action after tearing his ACL in Week 8 last season.
Key injuries
Falcons: Backup WR Jamal Agnew (groin), the primary kickoff and punt returner, did not practice Wednesday. Neither did backup RT Jack Nelson (calf) nor another backup WR Casey Washington (concussion). … WRs Drake London and Darnell Mooney were limited Wednesday with shoulder injuries but expected to play Sunday.
Vikings: LB Blake Cashman (hamstring) will miss multiple weeks along with backup RB and kickoff returner Ty Chandler (knee) with injuries suffered against the Bears. … Darrisaw (knee) and S Harrison Smith (personal health matter) didn’t suit up for the opener, but they’re both practicing this week. … OLB Andrew Van Ginkel and CB Jeff Okudah, who played in nickel packages, were in the concussion protocol this week.
Series notes
The Vikings have won six of the past seven matchups, including last season when Cousins was still the starter for the Falcons. Sam Darnold had a career-high five touchdown passes for the Vikings in that game, their highest points total of their first three seasons under coach Kevin O’Connell. … This will be the first time these teams have played each other in a Sunday night game. … The Vikings are 13-5 at home all time against the Falcons, covering four different stadiums. Their first playoff victory at the Metrodome came against the Falcons in a wild-card round game after the strike-shortened 1982 season. The Falcons beat the Vikings there in overtime of the NFC championship game following the 1998 season.
Stats and stuff
Penix and McCarthy were the starting QBs for Washington and Michigan, respectively, in the College Football Playoff championship game after the 2023 season, a 34-13 win by McCarthy and Michigan. … Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, who had 100 receiving yards on six catches against the Bucs but just 24 rushing yards on 12 carries, has 19 career games of 100-plus scrimmage yards for the most in the league since he entered in 2023. … Falcons LT Jake Matthews has the longest active streak of consecutive regular-season games started (179) in the NFL. … Floyd has three sacks and seven tackles for loss in three career night games against the Vikings. … Falcons S Xavier Watts had six tackles and two passes defensed in his NFL debut last week. … McCarthy, who was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week, had two touchdown passes and ran for a score in the fourth quarter after a rough start that included an interception returned for a touchdown by the Bears. McCarthy became the first player since Cam Newton for the Panthers in 2011 to have at least two passing touchdowns and at least one rushing touchdown in his NFL debut. … Vikings WR Justin Jefferson needs one reception to tie Larry Fitzgerald Jr. as the youngest players (26 years, 90 days) to reach 500 catches. … DT Javon Hargrave had two sacks in his Vikings debut, the eighth career multi-sack game of his 10-year career. … Will Reichard had a career-long 59-yard field goal last week, the second longest in Vikings history.
Fantasy tip
RB Jordan Mason had 13 bruising carries for 68 yards in his Vikings debut, the bellwether behind their comeback from an 11-point deficit early in the fourth quarter. Fellow RB Aaron Jones contributed a touchdown catch and 44 receiving yards, but only eight rushing attempts after logging a career-high 255 carries last season. Expect an even split in playing time between the two given their complementary skill sets, but Mason could well become more of the featured runner moving forward.
RAMS HIT THE ROAD AS TITANS’ CAM WARD SEEKS FIRST WIN IN HOME OPENER
Los Angeles Rams (1-0) at Tennessee (0-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS
BetMGM NFL odds: Rams by 5 1/2.
Against the spread: Rams 1-0, Titans 1-0.
Series record: Rams lead 8-6.
Last meeting: Titans beat Rams 28-16 in Inglewood, California, on Nov. 7, 2021.
Last week: Rams beat Houston 14-9; Titans lost at Denver 20-12.
Rams offense: overall (19), rush (24), pass (10), scoring (23).
Rams defense: overall (10), rush (20), pass (9), scoring (3).
Titans offense: overall (32), rush (25), pass (32), scoring (28).
Titans defense: overall (T-18), rush (26), pass (12), scoring (T-14).
Turnover differential: Rams plus-1, Titans plus-2.
Rams player to watch
WR Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 130 yards in the win over the Texans despite missing time because of a cut on his face and concussion check, his fifth game with at least 10 catches in 29 career appearances. Nacua’s willingness to get into tough areas and absorb contact is going to make him the featured option in coach Sean McVay’s offense for the foreseeable future.
Titans player to watch
QB Cam Ward. The No. 1 overall draft pick received raves for his NFL debut even though he threw for only 112 yards completing 42.9% of his passes. He also was sacked six times, though he didn’t turn the ball over. With a win, he would be the seventh quarterback taken No. 1 overall all time to win his first career home start. He has a chance to join Caleb Williams, Baker Mayfield (2018), Andrew Luck (2012), David Carr (2002), Michael Vick (2001) and Jim Plunkett (1971).
Key matchup
Jeffery Simmons against the Rams’ offensive line. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle had a career-high sacks in his previous game against the Rams, and Simmons had a sack and forced fumble in the Titans’ opening loss.
Key injuries
The Rams could be forced to shuffle the interior of their offensive line with LG Steve Avila and RG Kevin Dotson both week to week because of ankle injuries. If they cannot play, those spots would likely be filled by a pair of second-year players in Beaux Limmer and Justin Dedich. … RT Rob Havenstein (ankle) didn’t practice Wednesday, which McVay described as a veteran rest day. … TE Colby Parkinson sprained the AC joint in his shoulder against Houston, which could put his availability in question. … Titans RT JC Latham never missed a snap in his rookie season and left with a hip issue that has been bothering him. He did not practice Wednesday. … DT T’Vondre Sweat, who missed a big chunk of the preseason recovering from tonsillitis, now is dealing with an injured ankle.
Series notes
The visiting team has won the past two meetings between these well-traveled franchises in their current destinations. Los Angeles beat the Titans 27-23 in December 2017, and Tennessee returned the favor in its inaugural visit to SoFi Stadium in November 2021 with Simmons having a game to remember for the Titans. … The most famous meeting between the Rams and Titans happened in the Super Bowl following the 1999 season, when the then-St. Louis-based “Greatest Show on Turf” held on for a 23-16 victory to claim the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in franchise history. That remains the Titans’ lone Super Bowl appearance.
Stats and stuff
Rams QB Matthew Stafford threw for 245 yards and one touchdown against the Texans, becoming the 10th member of the 60,000 passing yards club. … In his past 10 games going back to last season, including the playoffs, Stafford has thrown 16 touchdowns against one interception. … RB Kyren Williams ran for 66 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries in the season opener. It was his 15th game with at least 60 yards and a score on the ground since the start of 2023. … WR Davante Adams had four receptions for 51 yards on eight targets in his Los Angeles debut. … Second-year S Jaylen McCollough got his first career sack when he took down C.J. Stroud on a second-quarter blitz. DT Tyler Davis and OLB Byron Young and accounted for the Rams’ other two sacks, with Davis notching his first career solo takedown of a QB in 17 games. … The Rams have allowed an average of 14.3 points over their past seven regular season and playoff games going back to last season, conceding nine points or fewer in five of those outings. … Titans RB Tony Pollard had a team-high 89 yards from scrimmage. … WR Calvin Ridley had a team-high four catches in the opener. … WR Tyler Lockett has 1,090 receiving yards in 19 games against the Rams, his most against any opponent. … CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. tied his career high with nine tackles, and he had two tackles for loss and a pass defended last week. … S Xavier Woods had his 14th career interception in his Titans’ debut last week.
Fantasy tip
Ward. The rookie still is looking for his first NFL touchdown of any kind and already has a knack for making the right throws. He just needs his wide receivers and tight ends to help him out.
BILLS AND JOSH ALLEN LOOKING TO IMPROVE TO 2-0 IN AFC EAST SHOWDOWN AGAINST JETS AND JUSTIN FIELDS
Buffalo (1-0) at New York Jets (0-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS.
BetMGM NFL odds: Bills by 6 1/2.
Against the spread: Bills 1-0; Jets 1-0.
Series record: Bills lead 71-58.
Last meeting: Bills beat Jets 23-30 on Oct. 14, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Last week: Bills beat Ravens 41-40; Jets lost to Steelers 34-32.
Bills offense: overall (1), rush (15), pass (1), scoring (1).
Bills defense: overall (30t), rush (32), pass (16), scoring (31).
Jets offense: overall (5t), rush (4), pass (12t), scoring (5).
Jets defense: overall (12), rush (4), pass (22), scoring (30).
Turnover differential: Bills plus-1; Jets minus-1.
Bills player to watch
WR Keon Coleman. Stuck at one catch for 12 yards through three quarters against Baltimore, the second-year receiver played a key role in Buffalo’s fourth-quarter rally. Over the final 15 minutes, he caught seven of eight passes for 100 yards, including a 10-yard TD. This is the type of impact the Bills were hoping to get out of the 2024 first-round draft pick following an inconsistent rookie season.
Jets player to watch
QB Justin Fields. In his debut with the Jets, Fields had a terrific all-around game by going 16 of 22 for 218 yards and a touchdown — a 33-yard strike to Garrett Wilson — and running 12 times for 48 yards and another score. His legs can be a key factor again this week against the Bills, who gave up 238 yards rushing in the win over Baltimore, including 70 by QB Lamar Jackson.
Key matchup
Bills’ run defense vs. Jets’ running game. New York entered the season with a run-first approach under coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, and that was on full display in the opener against Pittsburgh. Breece Hall had 107 yards on 19 carries to join Fields, Isaiah Davis (18 yards, two carries) and Braelon Allen (9 yards, six carries) on a ground-and-pound offense that rolled up 182 yards rushing. The Bills know the Jets will likely stick to their game plan and follow the blueprint the Ravens used to give Buffalo’s defense fits.
Key injuries
Bills: DT Ed Oliver landed on the injury report after missing practice with an ankle issue on Thursday. … Starting CB Tre’Davious White (groin) resumed practicing Wednesday for the first time in three weeks and could potentially play. … Nickel CB Taron Johnson’s status is uncertain after missing practice with a quadriceps injury. … RB James Cook’s status bears monitoring after landing on the injury report with a hamstring issue.
Jets: TE Mason Taylor (ankle) and WR/KR Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) sat out practice early in the week, but Taylor was on the field Thursday during the early portion that reporters could watch. DT Jay Tufele was sidelined Wednesday by an illness.
Series notes
The Bills’ .547 winning percentage against the Jets (71-58) is their best against any AFC East opponent. … Buffalo has won the past three meetings and four of the past five, with the only loss a 22-16 overtime defeat in the 2023 season opener when Aaron Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles tendon four snaps in. … The teams have faced each other once in the playoffs, a 31-27 victory by the Bills during the 1981 season.
Stats and stuff
Into his ninth season in Buffalo, Sean McDermott is 11-5 overall against the Jets and one of nine NFL coaches ever to have double-digit victories against them. … Since 2020, the Bills have outscored the Jets by 117 points, the NFL’s fourth-highest total between two opponents over that span. … With two rushing TDs against the Ravens, Josh Allen upped his career total to 67, breaking the team mark of 65 previously held by Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas. … Allen won his 77th start to move into a tie for second with Joe Ferguson on the team list. Hall of Famer Jim Kelly leads with 101 wins. … Allen had his 10th turnover-free outing in 11 starts, including playoffs, last weekend. He’s 39-10 overall when not committing a turnover, compared to 44-27 when he does, including playoffs. … Allen’s 251 yards passing in the fourth quarter alone were the most over the final 15 minutes since Boomer Esiason had 252 for Arizona in a win over Washington in 1996. … Cook has scored a TD rushing in five straight outings. It’s the team’s longest streak since Fred Jackson’s five-game run in 2011. … The Bills are 22-5 in their past 27 outings with 100 or more yards rushing. … Going back to 2009, Buffalo had lost 17 straight when allowing 230-plus yards rushing before Sunday, when the Ravens finished with 238. … With 72 sacks, Joey Bosa is tied for 100th on the NFL list with Matt Judon and Lance Johnson, and one behind Rob Burnett. … The Bills changed punters Monday, when they signed seventh-year player Cameron Johnston and released Brad Robbins, who averaged 39.5 yards on four punts in the win over the Ravens. … Glenn is looking for his first NFL head coaching win in his second game as New York’s coach. … Fields joined Mark Sanchez (2011) and Josh McCown (2017) as the only quarterbacks in team history with one or more touchdown throws and two or more TD runs in a game. … New York scored on four straight drives to open the season for the first time since it accomplished that on its first five drives in 1997 under Bill Parcells. … The Jets had 11 explosive plays on offense — six runs of 12 or more yards and five passes of 16 or more yards — last week, their highest total since doing so in a loss at Indianapolis in 2021. … Rookie RT Armand Membou, the No. 7 overall pick, allowed only one pressure, according to Next Gen Stats, on 26 pass blocking snaps. Of those 26, 16 came against four-time All-Pro T.J. Watt. … Edge rusher Will McDonald had two sacks, three quarterback hits and three pressures in the opener.
Fantasy tip
After the Bills had trouble stopping the Ravens’ ground game last week, Hall is a solid play this week against Buffalo’s run defense. He’s the clear RB1 for the Jets and caught two passes for 38 yards last week.
49ERS’ BROCK PURDY ‘WEEK TO WEEK’ WITH TOE INJURY; MAC JONES LIKELY TO START SUNDAY
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is “week to week” with a toe injury and Mac Jones is expected to start on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
General manager John Lynch told the team’s flagship radio station KNBR on Thursday that the team reached the diagnosis after consulting with team trainers and doctors, along with foot and ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson.
“What we’re dealing with is kind of a week-to-week thing,” Lynch said. “That’s our information. Brock’s doing well, coming back from it. We’ll just treat it as such. He’s doing a nice job, doing everything he can to get back out there as soon as possible. That’s where we’re at.”
NFL Network reported Thursday that Purdy would miss between two and five weeks. Lynch would not confirm that report and only said that the team was pleased with the results of tests on Purdy’s toe.
“Going into the scans and all that, I’ll tell you that the feeling was more on the positive side than what it could have been going in there,” Lynch said. “That was a good thing. We look forward to getting Brock back, but in his stead, we’re confident in Mac and his ability to compete at a high level for us.”
Purdy hurt both his toe and left shoulder in the first half of the opener at Seattle. He stayed in the game and led the game-winning TD drive in a 17-13 win.
Purdy missed two games last season with injuries, sitting out one game with a right shoulder injury and another with a right elbow injury. Those are the only games he has missed because of injuries since taking over as starter late in the 2022 season. He did have a significant injury to his right elbow in the 2022 NFC title game that required surgery but he made it back for the opener the following season.
Jones, the first-round pick by New England in 2021, signed with San Francisco as a free agent in March.
Jones and San Francisco were closely linked leading up to the 2021 draft after the Niners traded three first-round picks to get the No. 3 overall selection. Shanahan was looking to draft a franchise quarterback and was debating between Jones and Trey Lance before San Francisco finally opted for Lance.
The move backfired as Lance struggled to stay healthy and adjust to Shanahan’s system. He made only four starts in two seasons before being traded to Dallas for a fourth-round pick in August 2023, having lost the starting job to Purdy, the last pick in the 2022 draft.
Jones had a strong rookie season in New England but was 4-14 with 16 TD passes, 20 interceptions and a 77.1 passer rating in 18 starts the past two seasons for New England and Jacksonville.
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+++COLLEGE FOOTBALL+++
CJ BAILEY DELIVERS 3 TD PASSES AS NC STATE OVERTAKES WAKE FOREST
CJ Bailey threw three touchdown passes and Hollywood Smothers ran for 163 yards to help North Carolina State rally past Wake Forest for a 34-24 victory in both teams’ Atlantic Coast Conference opener on Thursday in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Tight end Justin Joly caught two touchdown passes, and NC State took its first lead on Bailey’s 12-yard pass to Keenan Jackson with 12:37 remaining.
NC State (3-0, 1-0 ACC) scored the game’s final 20 points, capped by Kanoah Vinesett’s 37-yard field goal with 6:19 remaining. Bailey finished 23 of 32 for 201 yards in the air, while Smothers had 24 carries.
Wake Forest’s only first down of the second half prior to the two-minute timeout came on an NC State penalty.
Chris Barnes returned a kickoff for a touchdown and made a long reception to set up the game’s second touchdown for the Demon Deacons (2-1), who lost for the first time under first-year coach Jake Dickert.
Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford went 21-for-35 for 242 yards and two interceptions. Standout running back Demond Claiborne was held to 35 rushing yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
Joly’s second touchdown reception on a 4-yard play in the third quarter allowed the Wolfpack to pull even at 24-24.
After lots of first-half offense for Wake Forest, the Demon Deacons picked up only 3 yards total on their three third-quarter possessions.
Barnes returned the game’s opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. Claiborne’s 1-yard run pushed the Demon Deacons to a 14-0 lead less than eight minutes into the game.
NC State got on the board on its next possession as Bailey’s 5-yard touchdown toss to Joly on fourth-and-1 completed a 75-yard march. The score was even at 14-14 before the end of the first quarter courtesy of 276-pound defensive tackle Isaiah Shirley’s 41-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Wake Forest needed nine plays to retake the lead on Ashford’s 1-yard run. The lead grew to 24-14 on Connor Calvert’s 28-yard field goal.
The Wolfpack pulled within 24-17 before halftime on Vinesett’s 24-yard field goal. Smothers rushed for 81 first-half yards.
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+++MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL+++
MLB ROUNDUP: AARON JUDGE TIES JOE DIMAGGIO ON YANKEES’ HR LIST
Aaron Judge tied Joe DiMaggio for fourth place on the Yankees’ all-time home run list on Thursday, going deep twice while leading New York to a 9-3 win over the visiting Detroit Tigers in the finale of a three-game series between American League playoff contenders.
Giancarlo Stanton also homered and Jazz Chisholm Jr. had a two-run single for the Yankees (81-65), who were outscored 23-3 while losing the first two games of the series. Ben Rice, Jose Caballero, Austin Slater and Cody Bellinger each had a RBI hit.
New York remained three games behind the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays (84-62) and broke a tie with the idle Red Sox (81-66) for the first wild-card spot. The Yankees visit Boston for a three-game series starting on Friday.
Dillon Dingler had a homer and an RBI single for the Tigers (84-63), who lead the second-place Cleveland Guardians (75-71) by 8 1/2 games in the AL Central.
Judge went deep off opener Tyler Holton (5-5) in the first inning before tying DiMaggio by hitting his 361st homer in the third off Sawyer Gipson-Long.
Blue Jays 6, Astros 0
Kevin Gausman fired a two-hitter to earn the second shutout and fourth complete game of his career as host Toronto defeated Houston in a battle of American League division leaders.
Gausman, who retired 15 straight batters from the fourth to the ninth, finished with nine strikeouts and one walk in his 100-pitch effort. Davis Schneider homered while Nathan Lukes and Daulton Varsho contributed two hits apiece. Lukes and George Springer scored two runs each.
Jeremy Pena and Carlos Correa poked fourth-inning singles to account for the Astros’ hits. Cristian Javier (1-3) allowed four runs and six hits over six innings.
Orioles 3, Pirates 2
Dylan Beavers drove in the winning run for the second day in a row as his seventh-inning single knocked in Jackson Holliday to enable host Baltimore to complete a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh.
After starter Cade Povich allowed two runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings, Grant Wolfram (3-0) tossed a scoreless eighth and Keegan Akin picked up his fifth save as the Orioles won for the eighth time in nine games. Holliday went 2-for-4 and stole a base.
Pirates starter Johan Oviedo also gave up two runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. Colin Holderman (0-2) was responsible for Holliday’s game-winning run while Alexander Canario homered and joined Jared Triolo and Nick Gonzales with two hits apiece.
White Sox 5, Rays 1
Shane Smith fired 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball as host Chicago defeated Tampa Bay for its ninth win in the last 11 games.
Colson Montgomery and Kyle Teel each produced a two-run single while leadoff man Chase Meidroth went 2-for-2 with two walks. Smith (6-7) scattered four hits and one walk to go with four strikeouts.
Leadoff man Chandler Simpson went 4-for-4, posted his 40th stolen base and scored the Rays’ run. Ian Seymour (3-2) allowed five hits and three runs over 5 1/3 innings.
Marlins 5, Nationals 0
Ryan Weathers pitched five strong innings in his first MLB game since June 7 as host Miami shut out Washington.
Weathers (2-1) allowed five hits, struck out four and didn’t record a walk in his return from a strained left lat. Eric Wagaman drove in three of the Marlins’ five runs while going 3-for-4.
MacKenzie Gore (5-14) took the loss in his first start since Aug. 26 after dealing with a shoulder issue. He allowed four hits and two runs over five innings.
Phillies 6, Mets 4
Jesus Luzardo retired 22 straight batters after a rough first inning and Philadelphia rallied to sweep four from visiting New York.
Luzardo (14-6) struck out 10 and did not walk a batter over eight innings. He allowed four runs and five hits — all in the first inning — before giving way to Jhoan Duran, who authored a dominant ninth for his 29th save. Otto Kemp homered and drove in three runs.
Reed Garrett (3-6) relieved starter David Peterson in the sixth and allowed three runs. Starling Marte recorded a two-run double to cap a four-run first.
Guardians 3, Royals 2
Rookie C.J. Kayfus belted a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning to lift host Cleveland past Kansas City in a key game in the American League playoff race.
Matt Festa (4-3) pitched a scoreless eighth frame to help Cleveland pull within three games of the final AL wild-card spot. Gavin Williams started for the Guardians, allowing two runs on four hits over six innings.
John Schreiber (3-3) recorded the loss after giving up Kayfus’ dramatic home run. Royals starter Stephen Kolek surrendered just one run on three hits over 6 2/3 innings, while Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-run, first-inning homer for his 30th of the season.
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+++WNBA+++
ACES CLINCH NO. 2 SEED, EXTEND WIN STREAK TO 16 IN BLOWOUT VS. SPARKS
A’ja Wilson scored 23 points with 19 rebounds as the Las Vegas Aces clinched the No. 2 seed in the upcoming WNBA playoffs and finished the regular season on a 16-game winning streak following a 103-75 victory over the host Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday.
Jackie Young recorded 17 points with 12 assists, and Chelsea Gray added 15 points with 10 assists as the Aces (30-14) tied the second-longest regular-season winning streak in WNBA history, matching a 2014 run from the Phoenix Mercury. The Sparks own the league record of 18 consecutive wins, which they set in 2001.
Jewell Loyd had 21 points for Las Vegas, which tied the Atlanta Dream for second place but owns the tiebreaker. The Aces are set to face the No. 7 seed Seattle Storm in a first-round best-of-three playoff series starting Sunday.
Las Vegas made 22 baskets from 3-point range on 45 attempts and shot better from distance (48.9 percent) than overall (48.7 percent). Loyd made seven 3-pointers and Young made five.
Dearica Hamby, Kelsey Plum and Sarah Ashlee Barker each scored 15 points for the Sparks (21-23), who were eliminated from playoff consideration Tuesday. Rae Burrell scored 10 points and Azura Stevens had 12 rebounds for Los Angeles, which finished the regular season by winning 15 of its last 24 games.
The Sparks’ Cameron Brink, who played 19 games after recovering from a knee injury last season, departed in the second quarter with a bloody nose after taking an elbow under the basket from the Aces’ NaLyssa Smith.
The Sparks were without third-leading scorer Rickea Jackson (14.7 points) because of a lower leg injury.
The Aces took control early with a 29-13 lead through one quarter by shooting 57.9 percent from the floor. The Sparks missed their first seven shots from 3-point range as Las Vegas led 53-34 at halftime.
Young scored 14 points in the first half, while Wilson had 10 rebounds as the Aces went 11 of 19 from 3-point range. Plum had 11 points at the half for the Sparks.
Plum, who was traded from the Aces to the Sparks in the offseason, helped Los Angeles to a 1-3 record against her former team this season.
LYNX END REGULAR SEASON WITH CONVINCING WIN OVER VALKYRIES
Natisha Hiedeman came off the bench to score 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting as the Minnesota Lynx pulled away for a 72-53 win over the Golden State Valkyries in the regular-season finale for both teams Thursday night in Minneapolis.
Napheesa Collier added 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting for Minnesota (34-10), which improved upon its franchise record for most wins in a regular season. The Lynx already had locked up the WNBA’s best record and the No. 1 playoff seed.
Iliana Rupert scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds for Golden State (23-21), which is headed to the playoffs in its inaugural season. The Valkyries finished with the No. 8 seed and will face the Lynx in the first round.
Kaila Charles, Veronica Burton and Cecilia Zandalasini also scored eight points apiece for Golden State. Janelle Salaun led the team with 11 rebounds but missed 11 of 12 shots.
Minnesota shot 43.3 percent (29 of 67) overall and 32.1 percent (9 of 28) from beyond the 3-point line. Golden State shot 28.8 percent (19 of 66) overall and 11.1 percent (3 of 27) from long distance.
The Lynx jumped to a 17-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Jessica Shepard made a driving layup and Hiedeman knocked down a 3-pointer to finish off the first-quarter scoring for Minnesota.
The Lynx increased their advantage to 34-22 at the half, thanks in part to an 18-foot jump shot by Collier to give the team a 12-point edge with 1:19 to go before the break.
Golden State rallied in the third quarter when it outscored Minnesota 19-13.
Charles made a driving layup to start a 9-0 run that pulled the Valkyries within 39-34 with 4:58 remaining in the third quarter. The Lynx pulled ahead 47-41 at the end of the third following a tip shot by Hiedeman with 1:05 to go.
In the fourth quarter, the Lynx outscored the Valkyries 25-12 to seal the victory. Minnesota opened the final period on a 12-0 run that included nine points from Hiedeman.
WINGS SNAP LONG STREAK WITH SEASON-ENDING WIN VS. MERCURY
Paige Bueckers, Dallas’ WNBA rookie of the year candidate, scored 24 points to lead the Wings to a 97-76 victory over the playoff-bound Phoenix Mercury on Thursday in the regular-season finale for both teams in Arlington, Texas.
The Wings (10-34) snapped a 10-game losing streak and won for just the second time since July 29. Dallas trailed by 14 points in the first period before flipping the switch in the second and third quarters and building a 22-point lead heading into the final period.
The victory allowed the Wings, long eliminated from the postseason chase, to avoid suffering their worst full season win total since the franchise moved from Tulsa, Okla., to North Texas for the 2016 campaign.
Amy Okonkwo added a career-high 20 points for Dallas while Aziaha James also scored 20 off the bench. Maddy Siegrist added 10 points and Myisha Hines-Allen grabbed 10 rebounds.
Satou Sabally’s 14 points led the Mercury while Kalani Brown contributed 12. None of their starters played more than 19 minutes.
Phoenix (27-17) had little to play for and it showed. The Mercury, who have dropped three straight games, are locked into the No. 4 seed in the WNBA playoffs and will play the fifth-seeded New York Liberty, the defending league champion, in a best-of-three first-round series beginning Sunday in Phoenix.
Both teams began the game with their available starters and the Mercury rushed out to an 8-2 lead after a free throw by Alyssa Thomas. Phoenix pushed its advantage to 14 points on Kahleah Copper’s 3-pointer at the 4:24 mark before the Wings finally got things going, reeling off a 21-7 run capped by Grace Berger’s jumper to pull to within 28-25 at the end of the first quarter.
Dallas made 30-30 on James’ 3-pointer with 7:14 to play in the second quarter and then took the lead at 38-37 when Okonkwo hit a 3-pointer with 4:37 remaining. Dallas built its lead to as many as a dozen points on Bueckers’ 3-pointer with 34.2 seconds to go and carried a 57-47 advantage into the break.
Bueckers led all scorers with 15 points before halftime while James added 14 and Okonkwo had 11 for the Wings. Sabally paced Phoenix with 11 points.
After outscoring the Mercury by 13 points in the second quarter, Dallas owned the third quarter by a 25-13 count to all but ice the game.
LIBERTY WIN THIRD STRAIGHT AS SKY WRAP UP DISMAL SEASON
Breanna Stewart scored 16 of her 24 in the first half, Sabrina Ionescu added 11 points with 11 assists and the playoff-bound New York Liberty concluded the regular season with a third consecutive victory, 91-86 over the host Chicago Sky on Thursday night.
Rebekah Gardner added 15 points for a healthy New York (27-17) squad, which shot 49.3 percent and recorded 26 assists on 34 field goals to build momentum entering the postseason as the No. 5 seed. Stewart, who did not play when the Liberty fell 91-85 to the visiting Sky on Aug. 21, shot 9-of-14 and added six rebounds.
Rookie Maddy Westbeld went 5-of-6 from 3-point range and had a career-high 25 points, while Kamilla Cardoso scored 21 for Chicago (10-34).
The Sky made 12 3-pointers but closed a severely disappointing season by losing four straight and 21 of 24. The Sky owned a 28-13 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter with New York’s starters on the bench.
Sky star Angel Reese finished her second WNBA season by missing the final four games due to a combination of suspensions and back issues. The team is left at a potential crossroads with Reese, who earned a portion of her suspension by calling out the current state of a franchise that set a single-season club record for losses in 2025.
The Liberty took control early with an 11-0 run, highlighted by five points from Ionescu, to lead 13-2. New York went 11-of-19 from the field in the first quarter, with Stewart, Ionescu and Jonquel Jones combining for 20 points as it led 28-11 after the opening period.
Chicago, though, scored 12 of the first 15 points in the second quarter, and later on Westbeld’s bucket made it 36-30. Rebecca Allen’s 3-pointer then got the Sky within 43-36 with 2:22 left in the first half.
But New York used another 11-0 surge to regain control. Stewart concluded that run by posting an old-fashioned three-point play, then knocking down a shot from distance.
The Liberty shot 55.3 percent in the first half and led by 14. They went on to lead by as many as 23 before the Sky closed strong.
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+++GOLF NEWS+++
MACKENZIE HUGHES LEADS PROCORE; RYDER CUP PLAYER BEN GRIFFIN 1 BEHIND
Canadian Mackenzie Hughes converted a front-nine 29 into the first-round lead at the Procore Championship, the start of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Fall series, on Thursday in Napa, Calif.
Hughes had a potential 59 in his sights as he birdied nine of his first 13 holes, but consecutive bogeys at Nos. 14 and 15 set him back. He got the strokes back with a 36 1/2-foot birdie putt at No. 16 and a 12-footer for birdie at No. 18 to shoot a 9-under-par 63.
Hughes, 34, entered the fall No. 65 in the FedEx Cup standings and needs to finish between No. 51 and No. 60 in order to gain access to the first two signature events of 2026. The top 50 from the past season are already exempt.
Those exemptions didn’t keep many top players away from the North Course at Silverado Resort, as 10 out of 12 members of the U.S. Ryder Cup team entered the tournament in order to get competitive reps in before the international competition later this month.
The lowest among them on Thursday was Ben Griffin, who made five of his eight birdies on the back nine before saving par from 17 feet at the last hole for an 8-under 64. He is tied for second with Matt McCarty.
Russell Henley, an automatic qualifier for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, shot a 65 and is tied for fourth with Lanto Griffin. Anders Albertson was next at 66.
U.S. Open winner J.J. Spaun, another U.S. Ryder Cup player, is part of a group at 67 that also includes amateur Jackson Koivun.
As for the rest of the U.S. Ryder Cup team members participating, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler opened with a 2-under 70. Sam Burns had a 71, and Collin Morikawa, Harris English, Patrick Cantlay, Cameron Young and Justin Thomas all settled for even-par 72s.
CHANETTEE WANNASAEN (63) ON TOP AT KROGER QUEEN CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
Chanettee Wannasaen of Thailand fired a 9-under-par 63 and established a two-shot lead after the first round of the Kroger Queen City Championship on Thursday in Hamilton, Ohio.
Wannasaen had an eagle 2 along with seven birdies while keeping a bogey-free card. Gigi Stoll is alone in second at 7-under 65.
Wannasaen credited her coach for a recent swing fix after she struggled at several previous LPGA Tour events.
“It’s really tough because like in Evian, in Portland, in Canada and in Boston I just feel like I cannot hit the ball — really cannot hit the ball,” Wannasaen said. “So that made me lose confident. But this week is pretty like earn more confident from today, so I just want to enjoy.”
Already a two-time LPGA winner at age 21, the highlight of Wannasaen’s season was tying for second at the Women’s PGA Championship.
She made the turn TPC River’s Bend in 3 under par Thursday, then holed out for eagle at the par-4 10th.
“I think I hit 9-iron so actually that was perfect shot,” Wannasaen said. “So after I hit I just feel like, ‘Oh, this one going to be close to the pin.’ I didn’t like expect it’s going to roll to the pin.”
Stoll is ranked No. 453 in the world and has yet to win on the LPGA Tour. The 65 was her lowest round of the season.
Six players are tied for third after turning in 6-under 66s: Jenny Bae, Taiwan’s Peiyun Chien, Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and Koreans Kumkang Park, A Lim Kim and Sei Young Kim.
Bae opened on the back nine with consecutive birdies at Nos. 10-11 and gave them back with bogeys at Nos. 14-15. But after birdieing the 17th, she converted an eagle chance at the par-5 18th like many of her fellow competitors Thursday. Bae added three birdies on the front nine.
“I had about I would say 17 feet (for eagle) and I told myself, ‘Look, you’ve made more long putts than you ever did short putts today. Let’s just give this a try,’” Bae said. “Confidently stroked it and just went right in the middle of the hole.
“I think honestly, when I back-to-back bogeyed, I told myself, ‘OK, let’s start (from) scratch,’” she added. “‘You’re even again. Nothing to lose.’”
Among those tied at 5-under 67 is World No. 2 Nelly Korda, who’s running out of time for her first victory of 2025. Korda had eight birdies and three bogeys on the day.
“Just rollercoaster. That’s golf,” Korda said. “I was hitting it good and I was putting really well, so I just stayed patient.”
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand opened with a 3-under 69. New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, the defending champion, shot a 2-under 70.
GREG NORMAN OFFICIALLY STEPS DOWN FROM LIV GOLF
Greg Norman, the first CEO of LIV Golf, has officially moved on from the Saudi-backed tour.
“After four unforgettable years, I have officially closed out my time with LIV Golf, and reflecting with nothing but gratitude, pride and achievement,” Norman posted Wednesday on Instagram.
“Together, we built a movement that changed the game globally. We created opportunities for both players and fans and broaden the ecosystem of golf. We truly globalized the game and expanded golf’s reach to fans around the world. We brought entertainment, innovation and private equity into golf (including to the PGA Tour) positioning the sport as an asset class. It’s been an incredible chapter, and I’m so proud of what we accomplished. My commitment to do what was and still is, the right thing for golf, the players and fans never waivered (sic).
“Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey with me during this time. I’ll always look back on this time with great fulfillment and appreciation.
“As for what’s next … stay tuned! Exciting times ahead. Onward to the next adventure.”
Norman, 70, was the original CEO when the upstart golf league launched in 2021 and was involved in recruiting several high-profile players from the PGA Tour and European circuit. He was replaced as the CEO and commissioner by Scott O’Neil in January.
The two-time major winner, an Australian known as “The Shark” during his PGA Tour career, had remained with the tour in an unnamed position. Golf Digest reported that his contract expired in August.
In January, Norman joined the organizing board for the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane, Australia.
LIV Golf recently completed its fourth season. Talks of a merger with the PGA Tour have stalled since April, when the PGA Tour rejected a reported $1.5 billion reunification offer.
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+++TOP INDIANA HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES+++
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
CENTER GROVE AND CAMEL RETURN TO MIC
The football divorce between the MIC and Center Grove and Carmel has be reversed. They kissed and made up Thursday when the conference announced the two schools will return after being voted out almost four years ago.
They will return joining Ben Davis, Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, North Central, Pike and Warren Central.
Carmel and Center Grove would begin as full members of the MIC in 2026-27.
The MIC released this statement Thursday afternoon when the league was formed back in 1997: “Provide a model for interscholastic excellence across academics, athletics, fine arts, and leadership. Over nearly three decades, member schools have maintained that standard, including the most recent several academic school years when MIC schools earned seven state titles while competing with only six high schools; Ben Davis, Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, North Central, Pike, and Warren Central.”
In the statement released by the MIC, Carmel administrators said, “Together, we can share expertise, expand leadership opportunities for students and staff, and build collaborative initiatives that benefit every community.” Center Grove administration added, “We believe in the power of a conference that reflects and uplifts the full range of student experiences—academic excellence, the arts, and collaboration among member schools.”
The statement concluded: “Following discussions throughout the 2024-25 school year, the current MIC members and the two returning schools reached an agreement to move forward together. The conference will again include eight high schools.”
“The MIC has always been defined by strong competition and shared expectations,” the principals said in a joint statement. “This decision positions the conference to move forward with clarity and purpose as we enter our 30th year.”
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COLTS FOOTBALL
PRACTICE NOTEBOOK: COLTS’ CORNERBACK DEPTH COMES INTO FOCUS WITH CHARVARIUS WARD SR. IN CONCUSSION PROTOCOL, JAYLON JONES OUT
(COLTS RELEASE)
It’s just Week 2, but the Colts’ cornerback depth is already being put to the test.
Veteran Charvarius Ward Sr. did not practice Thursday as he remains in the NFL concussion protocol after reporting symptoms Monday following the Colts’ 33-8 Week 1 win over the Miami Dolphins. We’ll learn more about Ward’s status on Friday, when the Colts’ final practice report (which includes game status designations) of Week 2 comes out.
The Colts are preparing to be without cornerback Jaylon Jones “for a while,” head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday, after he sustained a hamstring injury in Week 1. Jones missed a large chunk of training camp with an injury to the same hamstring.
Without Jones and possibly Ward, the Colts will lean on the depth they have in a cornerback room that was almost completely overhauled in the offseason – right up to roster cut-down day.
Veteran Xavien Howard played 31 of the Colts’ 38 non-garbage-time defensive snaps on Sunday, his first game since New Year’s Eve 2023. His 80.0 Pro Football Focus defensive grade was third-highest on the Colts and the highest among the team’s cornerbacks; he was targeted twice in coverage and did not allow a reception.
Howard, though, was already a starter. If Ward’s concussion prevents him from being cleared for Sunday, the Colts could look to Mekhi Blackmon, a 2023 third-round pick who the Colts acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings in August.
Blackmon on Sunday played 20 snaps, including nine before garbage time, and did not allow a reception on the one time he was targeted in coverage.
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INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
BOERSEMA BLOCK PARTY HALTS BOWLING GREEN
CHICAGO, Ill. – After missing the opening two games of the season, sophomore middle blocker Ella Boersema has reintroduced herself to the lineup in a massive way. She provided a career high 10 blocks as the Indiana volleyball team (6-0, 0-0 B1G) worked a commanding sweep (25-21, 25-19, 25-19) of MAC favorites Bowling Green on Thursday (Sept. 11) afternoon in Chicago.
Boersema’s career day was part of a fantastic defensive afternoon for the Hoosiers at the net. Thanks in due part to service pressure at the end line, IU worked 17 total team blocks in just three sets. It’s the most blocks in a three-set contest since 2010 (17.5 at Wisconsin). As a team, it was the most rejections in a match since picking up 18 in a four-set victory over Illinois in 2023.
The points that weren’t scored via the block were picked up efficiently by IU’s high-flying offense. All three pin hitters scored in double figures, led by senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles (11 kills) and senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum (11 kills). Over the last three seasons, IU is 18-6 when both players collect at least 10 kills.
Freshman setter Teodora Kričković continues to spread the wealth in the early portion of her first collegiate campaign. She dished out 32 assists (10.67 p/s) as IU hit .316 as a team. The Hoosiers have hit at least .260 in all six matches this year and have hit above .315 in each of the last four contests. It’s the third time this year that IU has committed fewer than 10 attacking errors.
IU had one of its better games in reception of the entire season. Bowling Green had just two aces while committing nine errors from the end line. The Hoosiers sided out above 70 percent in all three sets including at an elite 90 percent (18-20) clip in game two. IU hit .412 (14-0-34) in the second set without an attacking error.
After dropping the first two sets of the season, IU has rattled off 18-consecutive set victories. It’s the longest streak by an IU team since also winning 18-straight sets during the 2010 campaign. The Hoosiers will face a stiff test on Friday (Sept. 12) evening as they prepare to play the hosts of the tournament, Loyola (Chicago).
How it Happened
• The Hoosiers dominated in nearly every facet of the game. A heavy advantage offensively (.316-.133) helped close out each set but a big block (17.0) was the deciding factor in the contest. The Hoosiers also won the serve and pass battle, committing just two reception errors on the afternoon.
• Fantastic things continue to happen when IU’s three pin attackers provide big matches. The Hoosiers are 3-0 this season when senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles, senior outside hitter Jaidyn Jager and senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum all record at least 10 kills.
• IU’s control of the match was reflected in the final box score. The Hoosiers never trailed in any of the three sets once reaching the 15-point threshold. In fact, head coach Steve Aird didn’t even call his first timeout of the contest until game three.
Top Hoosier Performers
#27 Boersema, Ella
10 blocks, 3 kills, 3 digs
#3 Alonso-Corcelles, Candela
11 kills, 6 digs, 3 blocks
#13 Tatum, Avry
11 kills, .579 hitting percentage, 4 blocks
Notes to Know
• The Hoosiers racked up 17 blocks as a team, the most in a match since rejecting 18 shots in a win over Illinois on Sept. 20, 2023. In a three-set contest, it’s the most blocks by an IU team since picking up 17.5 in a win over Wisconsin in 2010. Four different players had at least four rejections.
• It was sophomore middle blocker Ella Boersema that stole the show defensively on Thursday. She became the third player in the Steve Aird era (since 2018) with at least 10 blocks in a match. She’s just the second IU player in the rally-scoring era (since 2001) with 10-plus blocks in a three-set contest (13 – Ashley Benson vs. Wisconsin, 2010).
• Senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles and senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum each had 11 kills. Over the last three seasons, IU is 18-6 (.750) when the pair of talented hitters reach double-digit kills together. It’s the second time this season that Tatum has had at least 10 kills and zero errors.
• It was the 100th career match for Alonso-Corcelles on Thursday afternoon. During that time, she’s had double-digit kills on 56 occasions. She’s racked up 1,067 kills, 77 aces, 582 digs and 151 blocks during her time in Bloomington. Those numbers will continue to rise as the season goes.
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PURDUE WOMEN’ SOCCER
PURDUE KNOCKS OFF NO. 23 WISCONSIN
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue soccer made a statement to open conference play Thursday night, knocking off No. 23/12 Wisconsin 2–1 at the McClimon Track/Soccer Complex.
The win moves the Boilermakers to 4–3–2 (1–0–0 B1G) and gives them a strong start in Big Ten action.
The Boilermakers struck early. In just the 7th minute, Irene Campo buried her third goal of the season, finishing off a setup from defender Lauren Adam. Purdue then leaned on its back line and goalkeeper Emily Edwards, who made three first-half saves to preserve the lead into halftime.
In the 78th minute, freshman Cherry Yu delivered her first-career goal, slotting home off a feed from Allyssa Turner to make it 2–0. The Badgers pulled one back just two minutes later through Erin Connolly, but Purdue’s defense, led by Margaux Chauvet and Emilia Deppe, stood tall down the stretch.
Edwards was sensational in net with seven saves. Purdue, meanwhile, made the most of its chances, turning three shots on goal into two scores.
With the win, Purdue extends its unbeaten streak to three matches (2–0–1) and picks up an early Big Ten road victory. This marks back-to-back Big Ten opening wins in the last two seasons, coinciding with the Moodie era.
The Boilermakers will look to carry this momentum into the heart of their conference slate, confident in their ability to grind out results under pressure.
UP NEXT
The Boilers will take on No. 11 Iowa for their Big Ten home opener on Thursday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m. est.
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NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL
EARLY LOSS LEAVES NO. 8 NOTRE DAME WITH ANOTHER EARLY-SEASON TEST AGAINST NO. 16 TEXAS A&M
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — No. 8 Notre Dame hasn’t even taken a snap on its home turf and coaches and players are already using the word urgency.
Early-season losses do that to a playoff hopeful — something nobody knows better than the Fighting Irish, who lost coach Marcus Freeman’s debut in 2022 and in Week 2 last season.
So for the third time in four years, Notre Dame (0-1) will spend Saturday trying to get its season back on track when No. 16 Texas A&M (2-0) comes to town. It’s a lesson the Irish have learned the hard way.
“Last year gives us confidence, playing teams like that, playing NFL caliber guys and playing ranked top 10 teams,” running back Jadarian Price said when asked about starting this season against two ranked teams. “It just makes us feel good as a team and just getting better every week and also shaking off all the haters saying our schedule is not the hardest.”
Irish players certainly have been here before.
In 2022, Freeman lost his first two games — 21-10 at Ohio State and 26-21 at home against Marshall. The 2023 season was undone by two midseason losses during a three-game stretch, at home against the Buckeyes and at Louisville.
And after winning 23-13 at Texas A&M to open last season, the Irish inexplicably fell 16-14 to Northern Illinois in Week 2 — a result that threatened to dash Notre Dame’s playoff hopes yet again. But the Irish rebounded with 13 straight wins before falling to Ohio State in the national championship game.
This time, Notre Dame rallied from a 21-7 deficit at then-No. 10 Miami. It tied the score at 24 on CJ Carr’s 7-yard TD run with 3:21 to go only to give up the go-ahead field goal on the Hurricanes’ final drive.
Carr was a solid 19 of 30 with 221 yards passing with two touchdowns and one interception in his first college start.
Now, after taking a bye week to contemplate corrections, Freeman is more willing to unleash Carr against the Aggies (2-0) knowing an 0-2 start could knock them out of the playoff picture before the season kicks into high gear.
“I think from what we learned last year, there’s a sense of urgency week-in and week-out,” said Price, who led Notre Dame with 45 yards rushing against Miami. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing.”
Staying grounded
The Irish need more from their running game than they had in Week 1, particularly from preseason All-American Jeremiyah Love, who had only 33 yards on 10 carries.
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko knows just how challenging this matchup will be.
“It’s as talented as a duo as I’ve played against,” Elko said. “The only thing that I can remember in the ballpark, was when I was actually at Notre Dame and we played Nick Chubb and Sony Michel (at Georgia). That group was really talented, but these two kids are really, really good.”
Double trouble?
The Aggies rely heavily on quarterback Marcel Reed, who averages 5.8 yards per carry while throwing for 509 yards and seven TDs in the first two games. He took over as the starter midway through last season after rallying the Aggies to a 38-23 victory against No. 8 LSU and former Irish coach Brian Kelly.
Reed left in the third quarter of last week’s 44-22 victory against Utah State with an undisclosed injury though he’s expected to start Saturday. But the bigger challenge will be facing an opponent as talented as the Irish after opening the season against UTSA and Utah State.
“He’s really matured as a passer,” Elko said. “I think he has matured in his understanding of the offense and what it all looks like. I think he’s got a better feel and rhythm for the passing game. He’s had a really, really good first two games. Obviously, the quality of opposition is about to ramp up really, really high, and so, I know he’s looking forward and excited for the challenge.”
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NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S SOCCER
CHUKWU GOAL LEADS IRISH TO 2-1 ROAD WIN IN ACC OPENER
RALEIGH, N.C. – The No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-0-1) finished with a 2-1 win on the road against the NC State Wolfpack (1-6-2) to open up ACC play.
It was a battle all night as the Wolfpack defense was relentless in their efforts. The Irish found a way to get the job done on the road as the sophomore duo of Izzy Engle and Annabelle Chukwu each scored a goal a piece for Notre Dame to clinch the road win.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica was great defensively down the stretch as she had four big-time saves in the second half for a season-best five saves on the night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Chukwu was the early offensive aggressor to start the night as she had two good looks with two shots on goal in the first five minutes of play.
The Wolfpack offense ultimately struck first despite Notre Dame’s early efforts, as an NC State corner kick led to a goal to put the Wolfpack up 1-0 in the ninth minute.
Grace Restovich looked to even the score in the 21st minute as she fired a shot from just outside the top of the box, sending it high just above the crossbar.
The Irish had a flurry of chances late in the half, but in the 38th minute, Notre Dame would finally find the back of the net. Laney Matriano whipped in a dangerous cross from the right wing to Engle, who hit a sensational right-footed volley into the upper 90 for the equalizer.
Tied at 1-all, Lily Joseph had a penalty kick opportunity, but a Wolfpack diving save on the right side would make it an even match heading into the second half.
The two squads continued to battle and play a physical second half. NC State had some looks, but four saves in the 45-minute shutout from Kasica ultimately gave the Irish an opportunity late to take the lead.
In the 86th minute, Roy sent a perfect delivery into the box, connecting with Chukwu on the cross. Chukwu’s clinical finish found the back of the net, securing all three points for the Irish in the 2-1 win over the Wolfpack in the league opener.
UP NEXT
The Irish host No. 2 Duke on Thursday, Sept. 18 at Alumni Stadium at 7:00 p.m. for Notre Dame’s Cheer Her Name game, celebrating 50 years of women’s varsity athletics at Notre Dame.
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NOTRE DAME MEN’S GOLF
MEN’S GOLF PLACES SECOND AT FALL SEASON OPENER
GRAND HAVEN, Mich. – The University of Notre Dame men’s golf team had a strong first showing of the year as they completed their first tournament Wednesday evening at the annual Folds of Honor Collegiate, hosted by Michigan State University at the American Dunes Golf Course, finishing second as a collective. En route to their second-place team finish, the Irish saw two individuals finish among the top-five in Calen Sanderson (second overall) and Jacob Modleski (fifth overall).
Sanderson paced the Irish through the duration of the tournament, finishing with a team-low score of 210(-3) and a second overall finish. His final tally was his lowest total since he finished first at the Indy at Gibson Bay in spring of 2024 where he finished with a minus-seven score. The senior opened the tournament with an even-par score of 71 before registering a 68(-3) tally in Round 2. He finished the event with birdies on the final two holes to finish at par (71) for the overall stroke tally of 210(-3).
Fresh off his time at the Walker Cup with Team USA, where the Americans won their fifth consecutive cup trophy Sunday evening, Modleski met the team in Michigan for the three-day collegiate tournament. He opened with a score of 72(+1) Monday afternoon before matching it Tuesday in Round 2, sitting just outside the top-10 heading into the final day. An eagle on the 18th hole solidified his spot in the top-five, taking fifth individually after his 68(-3) Round 3 tally gave him a final score of 212(-1).
In his collegiate debut, freshman Pavel Tsar finished third for the Irish and 28th overall with a final score of 220(+7). After a 78(+7) tally in the opening round, Tsar bounced back with a team-low 68(-3) on day two. A third round score of 73(+2) concluded his first tournament with the Irish, giving him the score of 220(+7).
Rocco Salvitti’s 221(+8) sat just one stroke behind Tsar as the junior finished 35th overall. His first round score of 69(-2) led the team before holding a plus-one score through two rounds after posting a 74(+3). He rounded out the tournament with a score of 78(+7) for the 221(+8) final.
Junior Christopher Bagnall rounded out the Irish competitors at Folds of Honor as he placed 48th overall with a score of 225(+12). His third round tally of 73(+2) moved him into the top-50 on the final day of competition. Bagnall opened the tournament with a 73(+2) before posting a 79(+8) tally in the middle round.
The team returns to competition Sunday, September 14, for the Canadian Collegiate Invitational in Mactier, Ontario.
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NOTRE DAME MEN’S SOCCER
MATCH 5 PREVIEW: PITT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame opens ACC on the road, traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Pitt Panthers at Ambrose Urbanic Field at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 12. The match will air on ACCNX.
NOTRE DAME vs. PITT
Location: Pittsburgh | Ambrose Urbanic Field
Stream: ACCNX
Live Stats: Click Here
Twitter Updates: @NDMenSoccer
Game Notes: vs. Pitt
THE PITT SERIES
• The Irish and Panthers will meet on the pitch for the 34th time on Friday.
• Notre Dame holds a decisive lead in the all-time series with a record of 21-7-5.
• The Irish are 9-2-3 when playing the Panthers in Pittsburgh.
• The two sides last met during the 2023 season in the final match of the regular season with the Irish winning by a score of 6-0 in South Bend.
• Eno Nto scored four goals in the victory and current senior Wyatt Borso scored as well.
DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE
• Through four matches the Irish have allowed just two goals this season, one against Michigan and one against Indiana.
• Notre Dame posted back-to-back shutouts against IU Indy and No. 14 Oregon State.
• The Irish enter Friday’s matchup ranked fourth in the ACC in goals allowed and 22nd in the country in the statistical category.
BK THE GK
• Blake Kelly has gotten off to a great start to his sophomore season in goal for the Irish, posting two clean sheets and allowing just two goals over four matches.
• The shot stopper leads the ACC in saves per game with a mark of 4.5 per outing.
• Kelly started 12 matches for the Irish in 2024 and became the first true freshman goalie to start the season opener in the last 30 years for the program.
2025 CAPTAINS
• Mitch Ferguson and Wyatt Lewis will serve as the captains for this year’s Fighting Irish team and Blake Kelly will take on the role of assistant captain.
• Ferguson has appeared in 54 games over his Notre Dame career, scoring four goals and adding seven assists from the center back position.
• Lewis enters his third season with the Fighting Irish and has three goals and four assists as a holding midfielder.
• Kelly started 12 matches as a freshman in 2024, posting a record of 4-3-5 while recording 26 saves.
BALANCED ATTACK
• Ten returning Irish players registered at least one point in their Notre Dame career, as the team returns 54 points from last year.
• Nine players that scored a goal during the 2024 campaign are back on this year’s team.
• Junior Jack Flanagan is the top returning goal scorer on the 2025 squad after firing in a career-high four goals during his sophomore campaign.
FRESH FACES
• The Irish welcome six freshman to the 2025 squad, totaling a 27-man roster.
• The six freshman are Karson Baquero (M), Luke Burton (F), Diego Green (M), Cole Kowalski (GK), Alex Rosin (D) and Ren Sylvester (F).
• Also joining the team are grad transfers Diego Ochoa (D) and Martin Von Thun (D). Ochoa joins the Irish from Boston College and Von Thun spent the last four seasons at Holy Cross (Ind.).
THE CHAD RILEY ERA
• McFarland Family Head Men’s Soccer Coach Chad Riley is in his eighth season in charge of the Notre Dame men’s soccer program in 2025.
• Riley became the first head coach in program history to lead the Fighting Irish to two College Cup appearances, coming during the 2021 and 2023 seasons.
• Notre Dame has captured both an ACC regular season and tournament title under his direction, both firsts in program history.
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BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER
BUTLER SHUTS OUT IU INDY
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler women’s soccer team scored twice and kept IU Indy off the scoreboard in a 2-0 shutout on Thursday evening. The Bulldogs (3-2-1) scored once in each half and outshot the Jaguars (1-6-0) by a margin of 22-9.
Key Moments
30′ | IU Indy earns successive corner kicks. On the second one, a ball headed out leads to a shot on goal from 18 yards. The save is deflected and then cleared, leading to a second strike from 25 yards that sails over the crossbar.
32′ | Sydney Longo has the ball on the right side and finds Léa Larouche open in the middle. Larouche feeds Talia Sommer, who is sprinting toward a gap in the defensive line. Sommer’s shot slides under the Jaguars keeper and just inside the right post. The Dawgs take a 1-0 lead.
HALFTIME
51′ | Sommer takes a corner kick from the left side. Emily O’Malley gets a head on it, but the shot hits the crossbar and carroms back into play. Sydney Longo is right there and heads it back into the goal.
Butler Points Summary
GOALS: Talia Sommer, Sydney Longo
ASSISTS: Léa Larouche, Sydney Longo, Emily O’Malley, Talia Sommer
Bulldog Bits
Talia Sommer’s goal was her fourth this season and the 26th of her career. Her assist was her fourth of the season and the 21st of her career.
Sydney Longo’s goal was a career first. Her assist was her second this season and the third of her career.
The assist from Léa Larouche was her first this season and the third of her career.
Emily O’Malley’s assist was her second this season and the seventh of her career.
Addison Ash made a pair of saves as she and Piper Wilkison combined for the Bulldogs’ second shutout of the season.
Up Next
Butler hosts Drake on Sunday, September 14, in the final non-conference match on the schedule prior to BIG EAST competition.
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BUTLER VOLLEYBALL
BUTLER SET TO COMPETE IN THE REFRESHMENT SERVICES PEPSI SYCAMORES VOLLEYBALL INVITE
This weekend Butler will compete in the Refreshment Services Pepsi Sycamores Volleyball Invite, hosted by Indiana State.
Butler’s Tournament Schedule
Friday 9/12 – Butler vs Montana 2:30pm ET Live Stats
Saturday 9/13 – Butler vs Eastern Illinois 2:30pm ET Live Stats
Saturday 9/13 – Butler vs Indiana State 7pm ET Live Stats Watch
Butler Recently
The Dawgs sit at 4-3 on the season and are 1-2 in matches away from Hinkle Fieldhouse. Last weekend at the Iowa Invitational, Butler went 1-2 picking up a 3-0 win over Loyola Chicago. Tuesday evening, Butler welcomed #14 Purdue into Hinkle in the Shondell Showdown. In the first ever Division 1 volleyball match where a father and son were coaching against each other, Dave Shondell and Purdue won three extremely close sets.
Alaleh Tolliver who set a new career high in kills (24) earlier in the season leads the Bulldogs with 98 kills on the season. Tolliver was an All-Tournament team representative in both of the tournaments Butler has played in and was named Big Dawg Kickoff MVP. Elise Ward and Sawyer Jones each have over 60 kills so far this season. Last weekend Jones accounted for 17 kills in the Dawgs match against Illinois State, which set a new career high for her. Throughout the early going, it has been Kaylee Finnegan who has set up the offensive firepower for the Dawgs. Finnegan has 264 assists so far this season and was named BIG EAST Setter of the Week on September 2nd. Defensive wise for Butler, Lauren Evans leads the team in digs with 116 and Zoe McDonald leads the team in blocks with 30.
Scouting Montana
Montana enters the event with a 3-3 record and are 0-3 in matches away from home. After dropping their first three matches of the season, the Grizzlies won all three matches they competed in last week led by Alexis Betezel who was named Big Sky Conference’s co-Defensive Player of the Week Monday afternoon. Betezel is the defensive anchor for Montana, she leads the team in digs with 98. Offensive wise, Grace Cagle is the team’s setter. Cagle has tallied 213 assists so far this season and Delaney Russell leads the Grizzlies in kills with 66. Montana will play Butler at 2:30pm ET.
Scouting Eastern Illinois
Eastern Illinois will enter the weekend with an undefeated 5-0 record on the season. For the Panthers, Lilli Amettis was named the Saluki Bash Tournament MVP. Ammettis totaled 38 kills, 7 blocks, and 41 digs in 11 sets of action. Catalina Rochaix mostly leads the offensive attack for Eastern, she has 154 assists so far this season. Kill wise for the Panthers, they are well balanced. Four athletes have at least 25 kills on the season. Destiny Walker leads the claw of Panthers in kills with 63. Butler and Eastern Illinois will face off Saturday at 2:30pm ET.
Scouting Indiana State
The Sycamores will enter the event sitting at 2-4 on the season. Chloe Gilley and Hadley Hardersen each have over 60 digs for Indiana State. Offensively, Emily Weber who has 126 assists on the year is normally setting up Kira Holland and Ava Robart for kills. Holland and Robart each have over 60 kills a piece for the Sycamores. Indiana State will host Butler at 7pm ET on Saturday.
Refreshment Services Pepsi Sycamores Volleyball Invite Full Schedule
Friday 9/12 – Montana vs Indiana State 11:00am ET
Friday 9/12 – Butler vs Montana 2:30pm ET
Friday 9/12 – Eastern Illinois vs Indiana State 7pm ET
Saturday 9/13 – Montana vs Eastern Illinois 11am ET
Saturday 9/13 – Butler vs Eastern Illinois 2:30pm ET
Saturday 9/13 – Butler vs Indiana State 7pm ET
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IU INDY VOLLEYBALL
JAGUARS BATTLE BUT FALL TO BELLARMINE IN FOUR SETS
INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indy volleyball team pushed Bellarmine to the brink on Thursday night in the Jungle, but the Jaguars came up short in a 3-1 loss (20-25, 20-25, 25-19, 24-26) to open the Hampton Inn Invitational.
After dropping the first two sets, the Jaguars stormed back with a decisive third-set victory and nearly forced a fifth, but Bellarmine closed out the match in extra points in the fourth frame.
IU Indy’s offense was paced by Elle Patterson, who notched 13 kills on a .385 hitting percentage while adding 11 digs for a double-double. Morgan Ostrowski added eight kills and a team-high four blocks, while Jillian Tippmann contributed 11 kills. Setter Grace Purichia directed the offense with 41 assists and chipped in 13 digs.
Defensively, Laura Roeder led all players with 21 digs, and the Jaguars tallied 59 digs as a team. At the net, IU Indy finished with 10 team blocks, highlighted by contributions from Ostrowski, Tippmann, and Chloe Macias, who recorded four block assists.
The Jaguars out-hit Bellarmine overall (.241 to .151) and produced more kills (53 to 48), but the Knights’ 11 service aces compared to just two for IU Indy proved to be the difference.
With the setback, IU Indy moves to 4-3 on the season. They will look to bounce back tomorrow night when they host Gonzaga in the Jungle at 7:00 PM.
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IU INDY WOMEN’S SOCCER
WOMEN’S SOCCER FALLS ON ROAD AT BUTLER, 2-0
INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indianapolis women’s soccer team fell on the road at Butler on Thursday night (Sept. 11), 2-0, yielding a goal in each half to the host Bulldogs. Talia Sommer netted the game-winner in the 32nd minute and Sydney Longo added second half insurance in the win.
Butler (3-1-2) outshot the Jaguars 22-9 and controlled pace and possession as the undermanned guests continued to seek continuity in the attack. Junior Caroline Kelley had a pair of shot attempts for the Jaguars in the loss.
“We battled for 90 minutes. We were right there with them in the first half, having some (scoring) opportunities,” head coach Angela Berry White said. “We knew that they played a high line, so we figured we could use a couple quick counters on them and it almost worked.
“It takes 90 minutes to play a good team like that and we had a couple mistakes. We have to credit Butler. They have a fantastic team, they’re well disciplined and well coached. For us, we wanted to limit our mistakes, which we did, and we didn’t really give them anything in the build-up and that was one of our main goals.”
The Jaguars caught a break midway through the first half when it appeared as though Sommer had scored in close after a strong stand by senior goalkeeper Sarah Bambrick, followed by a goaline clearance from sophomore Bethany Hartigan. However, Sommer popped back on the field from beyond the endline and tapped a rebound into an open net for an apparent score. After a replay review, the score was negated. Sommer eventually got her score in the 32nd minute, angling a shot past Bambrick for her fourth tally of the year.
Longo added insurance in the 51st minute when her header eluded Bambrick, coming off a rebound off the crossbar from Emily O’Malley’s initial attempt.
The Jaguars best initial look of the game came in the 12th minute when freshman midfielder Shannon Phillips nearly caught Addison Ash cheating off her back line, but was unable to get enough juice on the attempt to seriously threaten. Kelley had a pair of first half attempts against Ash, the first going just wide of target and the later attempt being thwarted by the BU keeper.
Bambrick was credited with a save in her 74 minutes before giving way to Arissa North in the game’s final minutes due to injury. North came off the bench with a pair of saves in 15-plus minutes.
The Jaguars will cap the non-conference schedule on Sunday (Sept. 14) when they host Toledo at Michael A. Carroll Stadium at 1:00 p.m.
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IU INDY MEN’S SOCCER
IU INDY MEN’S SOCCER KICKS OFF CONFERENCE PLAY SATURDAY
INDIANAPOLIS- The IU Indianapolis men’s soccer team came up short earlier this week against Northern Illinois in a 2-1 loss. They will kick off Horizon League play against Wright State on Saturday (Sept. 13th) inside Michael A. Carroll Stadium at 5:00 PM. The Jaguars are 2-2-2 on the season, and this will be their second home game. Saturday’s match will be broadcast on ESPN+ as Greg Rakestraw (pxp) calls the action.
Junior Jose Antonio Herrera was able to find the back of the net at the 34-minute mark for his first goal of the season, and that goal was assisted by Senior Youri Keijser for his second of the season. Northern Illinois had most of the advantage against the Jaguars. The Huskies outshot the Jaguars 22-8 and in corner kicks 5-0. Senior Cameron Maung-Maung and Sophomore Declan Finnegan split time in net. Maung-Maung started the game in net and finished the first half with three saves Finnegan started the second half and ended the game with four saves.
Keijser leads the team in points on the season with six, sophomore Stan Klaver has four, and sophomore Bali Esquivel leads the team in assists with three, and points, totaling three. Brady Horn leads the team in minutes played with 540 through six games. Maung-Maung leads the team in saves with 23 a save percentage of 0.742 and a GAA of 1.53.
QUOTABLE
“We lose the game – that sucks, but you can’t control wins and losses. You can’t control the scoreboard. All you can control is how we play, how we react to mistakes, because I think both of their goals did come from our mistakes. I think the response from our guys in the second half was good.” Head Coach Sid van Druenen said.
SCOUTING WRIGHT STATE
Wright State is currently 0-4-1 on the season. Henry Hutchinson leads the team in goals with two and also leads the team in points with four. Brian Burkett and Edwin Espinal-Elvir each have one assist.
INSIDE THE SERIES
The Jaguars are 7-19-1, and in the match up last year, Wright State came out on top in a 2-0 shutout victory.
UP NEXT
The Jaguars will travel to Macomb, Illinois, to face off against Western Illinois on Tuesday (Sept. 16th) at 4:00 pm at John Mackenzie Alumni Field.
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IU INDY SWIMMING
MEN’S SWIM/DIVE PICKED SECOND; WOMEN PEGGED FOURTH IN #HLSD PRESEASON POLL
INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indianapolis men’s swim and dive team has been picked second in the Horizon League this season according to the preseason polls, released on Thursday (Sept. 11). The women’s team was picked to finish fourth by the coaches’ vote.
The men’s squad returns key members of the runner-up lineup from a season ago, led by seniors Grayson Tidwell, Isaac Wilson, Blake Vanderjeugdt and the 2024-25 Horizon League Swim/Dive Athlete of the Year Sebastian Otero. The 2023 Horizon League Swim/Dive Athlete of the Year, Logan Kelly will also make his return to the pool after missing the 2024-25 season.
Other returners for the men’s side are juniors Nathan Rariden, Jack Gallob, Youssef Magdy, Luca Eckert, Michael Esdon, Ayden Cason, Brady Gray, David Niemiec, Anthony Braun and Ben Rocks. The sophomore class brought back Hugo Arteaga, Zach Drotar, Will Gorman, Carson Szotek and Declan Taylor.
Head coach Damion Dennis also brought in several newcomers to round the roster out with three transfers and seven freshman. The transfers are Yassin Abdelghany (Junior/Louisville), Seth Cannon (Sophomore/Missouri) and Evan Butcher (Sophomore). The incoming freshman class is made up of Keaton Barwick, Gavin Day, Jackson Goffinet, Luke Parsons, Jack Paull, Shane TeBeest and Noah Van Zuidam.
Oakland earned the top spot in the preseason polls while IU Indy was followed by Cleveland State and Milwaukee.
On the women’s side, the Jags bring back graduate students Midori Adams and Alaina Heyde and seniors Kaylee Dexter, Lylah Hutson and Madelyn Weber. The returning junior class is made up of Tori Barnet, Ali Fitzgerald, Samantha Lee and Victoria Surdyka. The sophomore class includes Addy Hirsbrunner, Luca McGee, Carli Merchant and Dani Stemper.
The Jags brought in a big freshman class on the women’s side with 14 newcomers. The incoming class includes Mady Hill, Aubrey Hollis, Lindi Jenkins, Kyrah Kittleson, Sadie Leininger, Claire Monahan, Chloe Mullens, Maggie Nifong, Arianna Pagel, Grace Sharp, Bella Tufts, Jenna Williams, Chloe Yerkes and Lydia Zenobi.
Oakland took the top spot in the women’s poll while Milwaukee was picked second and Cleveland State third.
The season begins this weekend (Friday, Sept. 12-Saturday, Sept. 13) when the Jags host an all Horizon League two-day meet with Green Bay, Cleveland State and Milwaukee. The Jags are set for a 5:00 PM start on Friday night followed by a Saturday start time of 10:00 AM.
2025-26 Under Armour Men’s #HLSD Preseason Poll
Place. Team (First Place Votes) – Points
1. Oakland (5) – 47
2. IU Indianapolis (1) – 41
T3. Cleveland State – 30
T3. Milwaukee (1) – 30
5. Youngstown State – 27
6. Green Bay – 13
7. Northern Kentucky – 8
2025-26 Under Armour Women’s #HLSD Preseason Poll
Place. Team (First Place Votes) – Points
1. Oakland (7) – 49
2. Milwaukee – 41
3. Cleveland State – 32
T4. IU Indianapolis – 26
T4. Youngstown State – 26
6. Green Bay – 14
7. Northern Kentucky – 8
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BALL STATE FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL GAMEDAY: CARDINALS ENTERTAIN FAMILY WEEKEND CROWD IN FIRST HOME GAME UNDER UREMOVICH
MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State steps away from the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference this week while hosting FCS power New Hampshire in an annual Family Weekend date to welcome students and families to Scheumann Stadium. The Wildcats are ranked No. 23/24 in national FCS polls. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m., with tailgate lots open at 10:00. It is the first of five home dates for the Cardinals this season.
— Ball State Athletics has implemented a clear bag policy this season to help expedite stadium entry for fans. Also new for the 2025 home schedule is a Barnes & Noble Spirit Shop located just inside Gate 1, and a host of new food trucks that will line the perimeter of Scheumann Stadium, offering more food options and shorter wait lines. Also new this year, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay digital options make it easier for fans to purchase their favorite items while cheering on the Cardinals.
— While the Cardinals’ offense was sluggish at Auburn last week, the defense played well despite the 42 points on the scoreboard. The defense had success reaching the Auburn backfield and came away with five sacks and eight tackles for loss. The Cardinals forced four fumbles and missed on a pair of interception opportunities. Michael Gravely Jr., led the attack with seven tackles and a forced fumble. Caden Johnson and Drew Hughes each recorded the first sacks of their career. Nathan Voorhis had a first-quarter strip-sack, and Joey Stemler and Scott Hudson each added sacks as Ball State’s defense forced 41 yards in losses for the Tigers. Redshirt junior Dejuan Echoles Jr., forced two fumbles on a pair of tackles for loss.
— The Cardinals’ offense managed six first downs at Auburn. While QB Kiael Kelly was sacked six times and limited on the ground, redshirt junior Eric Weatherly caught five passes for 42 yards to lead Ball State. Dating to his redshirt freshman campaign at Bucknell, Weatherly has caught passes in 25 consecutive games. Entering the 10th start of his career, Kelly boasts 940 career rushing yards, third in school history by a quarterback and just 60 yards from 1,000.
— Nominated for MAC special teams player of the week and the Ray Guy Award punter of the week, transfer punter Adam Saul booted 10 times last week for a 46.7-yard average. Eight of ten punts covered at least 40 yards, including career-long kicks of 59 and 67.
WHAT A WIN MEANS:
— Ball State will avenge a 2009 loss to the Wildcats, and win its home opener for the 15th time in the past 16 seasons.
— Mike Uremovich will log his first victory as Ball State’s head coach.
INSIDE THE SERIES: NEW HAMPSHIRE
— Nearly 16 years ago to the day (Sept. 12, 2009), New Hampshire invaded Scheumann Stadium in the only meeting between the teams. The Wildcats came to Muncie and beat the Cardinals, 23-16.
— The Wildcats built a 16-6 halftime advantage in 2009, with kicker Ian McCarvey scoring Ball State’s first nine points, before a late TD pass from Kelly Page to Seth White.
— Ball State’s career leader in points by a kicker, McCarvey kicked the longest field goals of his career with a 48-yarder to open the scoring on the Cardinals’ first possession. He added a 47-yarder moments later for an early 6-0 Ball State lead.
HOME OPENERS
— Ball State has won its home opener in 14 of the last 15 seasons. The only blemish during that span was a 37-30 setback to Western Michigan in 2022 that doubled as a MAC league opener.
INTO THE BACKFIELD
— Despite allowing 42 points during last week’s visit to Auburn, the Cardinals got consistent pressure into the Tigers’ backfield. Ball State managed eight tackles for loss that totaled 41 yards. The Cardinals recorded five sacks and forced four fumbles.
WIDE-RANGING NEW ROSTER
— The Cardinals have welcomed 53 new players since Mike Uremovich took over as head coach last December, and 33 of those have come from other college programs — 30 four-year transfers and three junior-college transfers.
— In addition to the sweeping number of newcomers, Uremovich’s staff has utilized a broad search geographically, too. From a preliminary training camp depth chart, 22 offensive and defensive starters came from hometowns in 13 different states — California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.
QB1: THE LAST TIME AT SCHEUMANN
— Prior to last week’s opener at Purdue, the last time Kiael (pronounced ky-ELL) Kelly started at quarterback was the final game of the 2023 season, a 17-15 home defeat to Miami (Ohio). It capped a six-game stretch in which Kelly finished the 2023 season with a 3-3 record as QB1.
— In that game, he and RB Marquez Cooper both rushed for 136 yards. It was a career rushing high for the QB from Tampa, Florida, and the third-best single-game rushing effort by a Ball State quarterback.
CAREER RUSHING BY A CARDINALS QB
— Kiael Kelly is always a threat to gain yards with his legs, and he enters the New Hampshire game 673 yards shy of the Cardinals’ career record for rushing yards by a quarterback. He is currently third in career rush yards by a QB.
— He tallied 83 yards in one game as a reserve in 2022. He rushed for 724 yards during a six-game stint as starter in 2023, and he compiled 91 lining up as a QB or wildcat last season.
— Those 724 yards over just six games in 2023 stand as a Ball State single-season record for a quarterback.
— He boasts 940 rush yards overall through two weeks of the 2025 season. He is 60 yards from 1,000 in his career — through just nine starts.
BY THE NUMBERS
4 – The Cardinals forced four fumbles last Saturday at Auburn, and the Tigers put the ball on the turf five times overall.
5 – Ball State managed five sacks, among eight tackles for loss, last week at Auburn. The Cardinals had four sacks by halftime.
14 – Ball State has won its home opener in 14 of the past 15 seasons.
940 – Career rushing yards for QB Kiael Kelly – third-most by a quarterback in Ball State history.
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BALL STATE VOLLEYBALL
VOLLEYBALL HEADS TO MARQUETTE FOR WEEKEND TOURNAMENT
THIS WEEK IN BALL STATE VOLLEYBALL: The Ball State women’s volleyball team returns to the road this weekend for three matches at the Marquette Tournament … The Cardinals start the event with an 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT first serve versus the host Golden Eagles on Friday … Ball State will play neighboring Milwaukee Saturday (4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT) and James Madison Sunday (2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT).
FOLLOW THE ACTION: Fans unable to make their way to the Al McGuire Center this weekend have several ways to follow the action … Friday’s match versus host Marquette will be carried live on ESPN+, while Ball State’s other two matches will be carried on YouTube … Live stats for all three matches will be available online courtesy of Marquette … Updates from the matches will also be provided on the team’s X feed and Instagram story: @BallStateWVB.
MAC PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATION: Ball State women’s volleyball team received 102 points in the league’s annual coaches’ poll, trailing only defending regular season champion Bowling Green (119) … With coaches unable to vote for their own teams, BGSU earned 10 of the 12 votes to win the MAC regular season title, with the Cardinals claiming the other two … The Falcons were also selected as the favorite to win the MAC Volleyball Championship with 10 votes, while Buffalo and Central Michigan each garnered one vote.
PRESEASON HONORS: In addition to the team rankings, the MAC announced its annual Preseason All-MAC Team … Representing Ball State are sophomore outside Carson Tyler and sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter … Tyler was named the 2024 MAC and AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year after ranking first on the team and seventh in the league with a 3.34 kills-per-set average last season … Ledbetter earned a nod on the 2024 MAC All-Freshman team after leading the squad and ranking 10th in the MAC with a 3.68 digs-per-set average.
BALL STATE ALL-TIME: Ball State enters the Milwaukee Tournament with a 1036-662-2 (.610) all-time record in women’s volleyball … Ball State became the 44th program in NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball history to reach 1,000 wins with a sweep of Central Michigan on Sept. 22, 2023 … All-time, the Cardinals have captured 12 MAC West Division Championships, 10 MAC Regular Season Championships and eight MAC Volleyball Championship titles … Ball State has made 11 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including three of the last six seasons … BSU has also earned two bids into the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
BALL STATE IN THE MAC: With a 13-5 league record in 2024, Ball State maintained its status as the winningest program in league play with a 459-225 (.671) all-time Mid-American Conference mark … Western Michigan is second on the list, two matches behind the Cardinals at 457-227 (.668).
ALL-TIME VS. THE TOURNAMENT FIELD: The Ball State women’s volleyball team is a combined 3-2 all-time versus teams it will face this weekend at the Marquette Tournament … The Cardinals and Golden Eagles have met twice, with each club earning a win … The last meeting came in the opening round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament (Dec. 1, 2022) at the Al McGuire Center with a then-No. 16 ranked Marquette earning a 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-17) victory … Ball State and Milwaukee have also split a pair of matches all-time, with the Panthers earning a 3-0 (30-28, 30-10, 30-22) victory in the latest meeting Sept. 1, 2006 at the Bama Bash … The Cardinals picked up a 3-1 (27-25, 25-27, 25-20, 25-17) win over James Madison in the only previous meeting play Sept. 6, 2024, at the Kentucky Invitational.
SCOUTING BALL STATE:
• Ball State enters the weekend with a 2-4 overall record after winning its opening matches in both the Golden Gopher Invitational and the Top Dogs Challenge … Both victories came in five-set thrillers.
• Despite its 2-4 record, Ball State enters the week as one of the nation’s top terminating teams, ranking 49th nationally with 323 total kills … 103 of those kills have come from the arm of sophomore outside Carson Tyler who ranks third in the MAC and 51st nationally with a 4.12 kills-per-set average.
• Sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter has also turned in a solid effort in the backcourt for the Cardinals, ranking fifth in the MAC and 102nd nationally with a 4.04 digs-per-set average … Meanwhile, the defense as a whole ranks 106th nationally with 331 total digs.
SCOUTING MARQUETTE:
• The Golden Eagles enter the week with a 3-1 overall record and are receiving votes in the latest AVCA Division I Women’s Volleyball Coaches Poll … In its last time out, Marquette earned a 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-19) victory over Western Kentucky on Friday, Sept. 5.
• Marquette enters the week as one of the nation’s top blocking teams, ranking 34th among the 344 NCAA Division I programs with a 2.72 blocks-per-set average … Three Golden Eagles enter the week averaging at least 1.00 blocks per set, paced by Keira Schmidt who is 50th nationally at 1.39.
• The Marquette attack features one of the nation’s most dominant attackers in Natalie Ring … Ring enters the weekend ranked sixth in the nation with a 4.94 kills-per-set average and is also solid from the service line, ranking 50th nationally at 0.61 aces per set.
SCOUTING MILWAUKEE:
• The Panthers enter the weekend with a 0-6 overall record, including a 3-0 (25-7, 25-15, 25-11) setback at No. 6 Wisconsin on Tuesday.
• On the defensive front, Kara Erdmann leads the Milwaukee backcourt and is 64th nationally with a 4.42 digs-per-set average … She has collected 84 total digs on the season, including a season-high 23 vs. South Alabama (Sept. 7).
• At the net, Josie Noble leads the Panthers and is 207th nationally with a 1.06 blocks-per-set average … Natalie Schmitz is the team’s top attacker with a 2.89 kills-per-set average, while Sam Vanda is next up at 2.05.
SCOUTING JAMES MADISON
• The Dukes enter the weekend with a 2-4 overall record after going 2-1 its home tournament last weekend … After picking up a 3-0 win over Bellarmine and a 3-1 victory over Princeton, JMU closed the event with a 3-1 loss versus Lehigh.
• James Madison enters the weekend as one of the nation’s top terminating teams, ranking 30th nationally with a 13.96 kills-per-set average … The effort is paced by Kennedy Louisell who is second among all NCAA Division I players with her 5.30 kills-per-set average.
• At the net, Ayen Nhial leads the Dukes with a 1.32 blocks-per-set average, which is 69th nationally … She is also 61st nationally with 29 total blocks through six matches.
BALL STATE QUICK HITS:
• Graduate transfer outside Noelle VanOort made quite an impact during her first two weekends with the Cardinals, smashing 88 total kills, collecting 54 digs and hitting .314 (88-22-210) … A member of the Golden Gopher Invitational All-Tournament Team, VanOort has smashed double digit kills in five matches this season, including a season-high 20 kills twice, while collecting three kill/dig double-doubles … The effort helped her raise her collegiate total to 11 matches with 20+ kills, including a 20/20 effort Nov. 5, 2022, with 23 kills and 25 digs versus Siena Heights.
• Prior to arriving at Ball State, Noelle VanOort finished her four-year playing career at Indiana Tech (2021-24) as a two-time NAIA Third Team All-American … Her 1,724 career kills ranked second in program history, while her 1,648 career digs were sixth … She also set the program standard with 282 career service aces … She continued to find success in her first two weekends with the Cardinals with double-digit kills in five of the six outings … The effort upped her career total to 101 collegiate matches with double-digit kills.
VanOort Career Tracker
Kills: 1862
Digs: 1702
Aces: 288
• Noelle VanOort has been just as solid on defense through the first two weekends, earning double-digit digs three times, including a season-high 15 vs. Cal Poly (Sept. 31) … The effort has raised her career total to 93 matches with double-digit digs, including her 90 at Indiana Tech … It also helped her raise her collegiate kill/dig double-double total to 71, including three with Ball State and 68 with the Warriors.
• Sophomore outside Carson Tyler has been just as impressive over the first two weeks, smashing 103 total kills for a team-high 4.12 kills-per-set average … The effort includes a season-high 21 kills at UConn (Sept. 5) … Last season, Tyler averaged 3.34 kills per set to become the first player in program history to earn AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year accolades.
• Carson Tyler has smashed double-digit kills in all six matches for the Cardinals so far this season, raising her career total to 28 … She has secured 20+ kills in eight of those matches, including a career-high 25 kills to help lead Ball State to a 3-2 victory over Wright State (Sept. 20, 2024) last season … Tyler is one of just nine players in program history to register 20-or-more kills in at least seven career matches.
• A six-rotation player, Carson Tyler is currently tied for second on the squad with 55 digs this season … She has recorded kill/dig double-doubles in three matches so far this season, raising her career total to eight … Tyler also leads Ball State’s primary passers with a .949 reception percentage this seasons, successfully passing 148 of the 156 serves she faced … Tyler led the Cardinals’ primary passers last season with a .963 reception percentage by successfully passing 650 of the team-high 675 serves she faced.
• With 20 kills each in the Aug. 31 match versus Cal Poly, Noelle VanOort and Carson Tyler became the first Ball State duo to record 20-or-more kills in the same match since the 2007 season … Brittany May and Julie Breivogel were the last players to do so with 21 and 20 kills, respectively, in an Oct. 5, 2027 match versus Western Michigan.
• Sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter paces the Ball State defense with 101 digs and a 4.04 digs-per-set average so far this season … The average ranks sixth among MAC defenders so far this season and is 104th nationally … She has recorded double-digit digs in all six matches, upping her career total to 29 … The effort includes a season-high 26 digs in the season-opener versus St. Thomas (Aug. 29), one shy of her career-high 27 digs set last season versus James Madison (Sept. 6, 2024).
• Sophie Ledbetter earned her first collegiate double-double versus Cal Poly (Aug. 31), handing out 10 assists to go along with her 14 digs in the outing.
• Junior Lindsey Green and freshman Reese Axness have combined to lead the Ball State offense to a .228 attack percentage so far this season … Green, who dished out a career-high 44 assists versus Cal Poly (Aug. 31), currently ranks ninth in the MAC with a 6.84 assists-per-set average … She also leads the squad with nine service aces … Axness, meanwhile, enters the weekend with a 3.71 assists-per-set average and has served up a pair of aces.
• Sophomore transfer middle/opposite Tiffany Snook turned in one of the best matches of her collegiate career versus Cal Poly (Aug. 31), smashing a career-high 16 kills while connecting for a .481 (16-3-27) rate of success … It was her 10th collegiate match with double-digit kills, including nine in her lone season at Memphis, and was three kills more than her previous career high of 13 at Southern Illinois Sept. 6, 2024.
• Roster Update: Senior opposite Madison Buckley and redshirt junior outside attacker Aniya Kennedy will both miss the 2025 season as medical redshirts … Buckley was a 2024 First Team All-MAC selection after ranking second on the team in total blocks (90.0) and third in total kills (276) last season … Kennedy, the 2023 MAC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-MAC selection, ranked second on the squad with 279 kills last season and chipped in 43 total blocks.
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INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
LEHNERT SCORES TWICE AS ISU DEFEATS GREEN BAY
GREEN BAY, WIS. – Indiana State picked up a 2-0 victory on Thursday afternoon at Aldo Santaga Stadium, powered by a pair of second-half goals from Alex Lehnert and a clean sheet from goalkeeper Delaney Timmons.
After a scoreless opening half that saw Green Bay control possession and generate seven shots, the Sycamores made the most of their chances after the break. Lehnert opened the scoring at 62:14, finishing low to the right side off a setup from Kaitlynn Long and Isabella Berta. She struck at 81:46, converting another right-footed effort to the bottom right corner off a feed from Kaylin Klutcharch to secure the result.
ISU totaled six shots in the second half, three on goal, while capitalizing on both of Lehnert’s scoring opportunities. Timmons was outstanding in net, recording six saves to earn the shutout while turning aside several key Green Bay chances, including back-to-back stops in the 76th and 78th minutes.
The Sycamore back line, led by Mackenzie Mills, Brooklyn Woods, and Riley Mathews, limited Green Bay’s attack despite the Phoenix registering 11 corner kicks. ISU’s efficiency in the attacking third and composure defensively helped secure the team’s third win of the season.
How They Scored
62:14 – Indiana State 1–0: Alex Lehnert broke the scoreless tie with a low finish to the right side, assisted by Kaitlynn Long and Isabella Berta.
81:46 – Indiana State 2–0: Lehnert struck again with a right-footed shot to the bottom right corner, assisted by Kaylin Klutcharch.
News & Notes
Timmons earned her second shutout of the year, finishing with six saves.
Indiana State outshot Green Bay 6-3 in the second half after being held without a shot in the opening 45 minutes.
The Sycamores have recorded back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season.
Up Next
Indiana State returns home to Memorial Stadium on Sunday, September 14, to host Lindenwood. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
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INDIANA STATE VOLLEYBALL
SYCAMORE VOLLEYBALL HOSTS PEPSI SYCAMORES INVITE IN HULMAN CENTER
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State volleyball hosts the first Refreshment Services Pepsi Sycamores Volleyball Invite this upcoming weekend on Sept. 12-13 inside Hulman Center.
Indiana State is hosting Montana, Eastern Illinois, and Butler in the tournament. The full schedule, tickets, live stat and video links, and parking information can be found here.
Indiana State opens with Montana at 11 a.m. on Friday, then plays Eastern Illinois at 7 p.m. The Sycamores wrap up the tournament hosting Butler at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Heading into the tournament, here are some quick statistics to note:
Four Sycamores have started all six matches this season: Kimora Whetstone, Kira Holland, Ella Scott, and Hadley Hardersen.
Kira Holland (84) and Ava Robart (67) lead the team in kills, combining for 55% of the team’s kills on the year. Holland has 3.65 kills per set, good for third in the league so far.
Holland is third in the league in points per set (4.17).
The two middle blockers of Scott and Whetstone lead the team in hitting percentage (.291 and .282, respectively), followed by Robart at .217.
These two total 36 blocks (Scott 21, Whetstone 15) on the season. Scott is currently 10th in the MVC.
Hardersen (69) and Chloe Gilley (60) are top two in digs, with Hardersen digging out 3.14 per set. Hardersen is 10th in the league, while Gilley is 17th.
Hardersen recorded 19 digs in only a three-set match.
Chloe Gilley at the NIU Invitational set new career highs in aces, digs, and assists:
Aces – 4 vs. Merrimack (9/6)
She tied with Robart as the only two Sycamores to record 4-or-more service aces in a match
Digs – 21 vs. NIU (9/6)
Gilley is the lone Sycamore to record 20+ digs in a match this season
Assists – 6 vs. SIUE (9/5)
Ella Scott set a new career high in block solos with 4 against SIUE (9/5)
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PURDUE FT. WAYNE VOLLEYBALL
MISSOURI STATE TAKES VOLLEYBALL MATCH FROM MASTODONS
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Purdue Fort Wayne women’s volleyball fell to Missouri State 3-0 (25-21, 25-12, 25-19) on Thursday night (Sept. 11).
Jena Medearis, just outside of her hometown of Nixa, had 10 kills on a .563 hitting percentage as a bright spot for the Mastodons.
The Mastodons were tight with the Bears after a kill and block from Riley Rosneck to make it 21-20 MSU in the first set, but the home team had a 3-0 push to get a set point. Set two was all Missouri State after the Bears went on a 9-2 opening run.
After winning a challenge in set three, the Mastodons went on a 5-0 run, capped off by an ace from Trinity Rye. The Bears answered with a 5-0 run of their own that included two aces. They got three more kills the rest of the way to take the match.
Becky Barrett had 13 digs for the ‘Dons.
Missouri State improved to 3-4, while Purdue Fort Wayne fell to 1-6. The Mastodons and Bears will meet again on Friday night (Sept. 12) at 7 p.m. ET.
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EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S SOCCER
ACES EARN THIRD CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUT IN 0-0 DRAW AT UT MARTIN
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Evansville women’s soccer team earned their third consecutive shutout on Thursday night, running their unbeaten streak to four with a 0-0 draw at UT Martin.
Purple Aces keeper Allie Lammers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) continued to impress, matching her career-high with four saves to become the first Evansville goalkeeper to record three shutouts in a row since Chaviel Harrison in 2011. Since entering in the second half against Purdue, Lammers has not allowed a goal over 315 minutes of action.
Evansville threatened in the first ten minutes of play, with Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) and Ashlyn Koutsos (Cumming, Ga./West Forsyth) putting shots on goal. Brielle LaBerge (Cumming, Ga./Forsyth Central) also contributed a shot on goal in the first half, but the match remained scoreless heading into the halftime intermission.
Following a save by Lammers in the 55th minute, the Aces saw perhaps their best scoring chance of the night in the 59th minute off a corner, but Taylor Wehrer’s (Las Vegas, Nev./Desert Oasis) shot from just in front of the goal was saved by UT Martin keeper Mac Titus.
Brooklyn Robinson (West Haven, Utah/Fremont) added a shot on goal in the 75th minute, followed quickly by a shot on goal by Olivia Mills (London, Ontario/Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School), but Titus held the Aces at bay with a pair of saves.
Lammers kept her clean sheet intact in the final five minutes of the night with a save in the 86th minute to help the Aces leave with a result.
“I thought that this would be a difficult game,” said Head Coach Chris Pfau. “The second half against Austin Peay, I think we hit a wall. We’re good enough and mature enough to get through it now.”
“To get a result when you’re not at your best, to keep a shutout with Allie, who has not been scored on, little things like that are good to take away.”
“It shows the maturity and leadership of this team to not be at your best, be on the road, and grind out a result.”
Both Evansville and UT Martin tallied 13 shots, while the Aces held the advantage in shots on goal at 7-4. 20 different players saw action for the Aces.
With the tie, Evansville moves to 4-1-1 on the season. The Aces will be back in action on Sunday to celebrate Senior Night, hosting Middle Tennessee at Arad McCutchan Stadium. Kick-off is set for 4 PM.
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EVANSVILLE VOLLEYBALL
ACES SET FOR WEEKEND HOME TOURNAMENT
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A busy home weekend is on tap when the University of Evansville volleyball welcomes UAB, Western Illinois, and Morehead State in its home tournament. UE faces the Blazers and Leathernecks on Friday before completing the weekend versus the Eagles on Saturday afternoon.
Recapping the Weekend
– In its trip to the GSU Invitational, the Purple Aces picked up victories over Florida A&M and Queens before dropping the weekend finale against Georgia State
– Chloe Cline and Josdarilee Caraballo registered 11 kills apiece in the triumph over the Rattlers while McKenzie Laubach’s 24 kills paced UE to the 3-1 win over the Royals
Approaching 1,000
– Ainioah Cruz opens the weekend just three digs shy of 1,000 in her career
– Cruz is the reigning MVC Defensive Player of the Week after averaging 4.59 digs per set in UE’s four matches last week
– At the GSU Invitational, Cruz finished the weekend with an average of 5.38 digs
– Her season average of 5.16 is second in the MVC
Career Mark
– McKenzie Laubach put forth the top effort of her collegiate career against Queens as she tallied 24 kills
– The effort lifted her season average fo 2.27 per set, which ranks 21st in the MVC
– She opened the weekend with seven kills against Florida A&M
Block Party
– Sabrina Ripple has enjoyed a strong start to her sophomore campaign
– With an average of 1.13 blocks per set, Ripple ranks sixth in the MVC
– She has multiple blocks in each match and put forth the top performance of her career versus Purdue Fort Wyane as she had three solo and four block assists
– Offensively, she has six or more kills in five of her six contests
Scouting the Opposition
– Evansville opens the weekend against UAB who opens the weekend with a 4-2 mark
– The Blazers were 3-0 in their home tournament last weekend defeating USC Upstate, Tennessee Tech, and UNA
– Friday evening’s match will see the Aces take on Western Illinois
– The Leathernecks open play at 1-5 with their victory coming over Austin Peay last weekend
– Morehead State will mark the final opponent of the weekend
– The Eagles are 3-3 on the year with wins over St. John’s, UIC, and Radford
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SOUTHERN INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
USI VOLLEYBALL ON THE ROAD TO OXFORD FOR MIAMI/BEST WESTERN INVITATIONAL
EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana volleyball is on the road this weekend at the Miami/Best Western Invitational in Oxford, Ohio.
The Screaming Eagles are set to take on Duquesne University at 12:30 p.m. and home team Miami University (Ohio) at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, September 12th. Then play Middle Tennessee State University at 11 a.m. to wrap up the invitational on Saturday, September 13th.
The match against Miami (OH) will be broadcast on ESPN+ Friday night, and the other two games can be found for free on RedHawks All-Access on miamiredhawks.com.
The Screaming Eagles are coming off a 0-3 weekend at the Michigan Invitational last weekend. USI took a set (25-22) in a tough loss against Marshall on the first day of the tournament. In USI’s first four-set match of the 2025 season, they marked several team highs, tallying 46 kills and 81 digs. Four Eagles finished the game with double-digit kills, including junior Ashby Willis, who earned her first double-double of the season. Freshman Aysa Thomas recorded a new career-high 38 assists.
In the final game of the Michigan Invitational, USI faced the host University of Michigan at Crisler Center. The Screaming Eagles forced a fourth set, winning the third, 25-21, coming in strong and maintaining the lead for the entire set. For the game, senior Jordan Troutman set a new career high of nine digs and a season high of 10 assists. Willis hit a weekend high with 14 kills, leading the team against the Wolverines.
About Duquesne:
For the first game in the Miami/Best Western Invitational, the Screaming Eagles will take on the Dukes on Friday at 12:30 p.m. Duquesne is undefeated heading into the weekend, with six wins. Dukes’ head coach Steve Opperman enters his 28th season at the helm, just hitting his 500th career win in Duquesne’s five-set win over Robert Morris. In their last game, sophomore Emerson Schrom recorded a personal best 29 kills, hitting a .467 percent. Junior setter Chloe Wilmont grabbed her third double-double with 52 assists and 13 digs. The Dukes are 1-0 in the matchup history; the lone game in the series was in 2022, in the finale of the Chattanooga Classic.
About Miami (OH):
The RedHawks are 3-4, coming off a five-set loss to IU Indy in the Xavier Tournament on 9/6. Freshmen led the RedHawks, Lydia Michelin set a career-high 10 blocks from the middle in the game, and Molly Creech tallied 15 kills. RedHawks head coach Dan Gwitt is in his second season and is 11-25 so far. Miami leads the history series, with the only prior matchup in 2022 in the Chattanooga Classic.
About Middle Tennessee:
Saturday’s game will mark the first time the Eagles have played Middle Tennessee in program history. The Blue Raiders are 4-2 to start their 2025 season, with their last match a three-set win over UT Martin. Freshman Raegan Durbin leads the team in kills and kills per set, with double-digit kills in all three of the Blue Raiders’ matches. Head Coach Alexa Keckler is in her first season with Middle Tennessee, after 20 years as a college head coach.
To get updates on USI volleyball at the Miami/Best Western Invitational, fans can follow USI Athletics on Facebook, Instagram, and X for game coverage and online at usiscreamingeagles.com.
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VALPO WOMEN’S SOCCER
EARLY OUTBURST LIFTS SOCCER TO WIN AT WESTERN ILLINOIS
The Valpo soccer team answered an early Western Illinois goal emphatically Thursday evening in Macomb, Ill., scoring four times within the match’s first 20 minutes on its way to a 5-1 win over the Leathernecks.
How It Happened
WIU struck for the match’s opening goal 1:19 into the match, as Abigail Schilling found the back of the net.
It took the Beacons less than six minutes to respond, as Kiara Desiderio (St. John, Ind./Hanover Central) played a combination with Martha Goddard (London, England/Alleyns School). Goddard turned and fired from the right side, 15 yards out, and sent a hard shot inside the back post to level the match.
98 seconds later, it was Valpo in front, as O’Rear found Desiderio at the top of the box. The freshman beat one player and fired home to make it 2-1 Beacons.
Desiderio made it a brace in the 11th minute, and O’Rear followed by converting a penalty in the 20th minute to push the lead to 4-1.
Tatum Coleman (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) closed out the scoring early in the second half, taking a pass from O’Rear outside the 18-yard box on the left side and putting it away into the upper 90 on the back side.
Inside the Match
By scoring four goals by the 19:51 mark of the match, Valpo set a new program standard for the earliest into a match it has hit the back of the net four times.
The Beacons’ first three goals came in the opening 10:40, the quickest Valpo has put three on the board since opening up with three goals in 6:02 at Green Bay Oct. 31, 2014.
The five-goal output was the program’s highest goal total since winning by an identical 5-1 scoreline against Chicago State Aug. 31, 2023.
It was the program’s largest road win since beating Youngstown State 6-0 Sept. 26, 2015.
Desiderio recorded her second brace of the season and now sits at a team-best five goals on the year. Her assist was the first of her collegiate career.
O’Rear had three goal involvements as well, assisting on the Beacons’ second and fifth goals around her successful PK in the 20th minute. The senior has six goals and seven assists for her career.
Goddard’s goal was her second of her rookie season, while the junior Coleman found the back of the net for the first time in her collegiate career.
Valpo finished the evening with a 22-7 advantage in shots, including an 11-5 edge in shots on goal. The Beacons also earned all 11 of the match’s corner kicks.
Sheridan made four saves to keep the Leathernecks at bay.
The Beacons played 24 players in all Thursday evening, as only one field player played all 90 minutes and only two others saw even 60 minutes of action.
Hannah Gabriel (Northville, Mich./Northville) made her season debut in the second half and played 21 minutes.
Thoughts From Coach Marovich
“I felt like in the first half we did a nice job moving the ball, had really good spacing and made the game easy on ourselves. We found some very good pockets of space and played good combinations.”
“We have to be careful in some spaces, as to how we gave up the early goal, but I was really pleased how we responded so quickly. This group is very committed to how we want to play, and the first half was a great example of that.”
“In the second half, we weren’t quite as sharp at every turn, maybe a bit rushed in the attacking third. But we still had a good handle of the match and moved pretty well.”
“At the end of the day, it was a really good team performance — everyone played today, we played well, we played hard and created a lot of different opportunities in a lot of different ways.”
Next Up
Valpo (3-4-1) returns to action at Brown Field on Sunday for Senior Day at 1 p.m. Prior to the match, O’Rear, Sheridan, Gabriel and Kennedy Hill (Austin, Texas/St. Michael’s Catholic Academy) will be honored.
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UINDY FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL HOSTS NATIONALLY-RANKED ASHLAND IN HOME OPENER SATURDAY
GAME 3
vs. #20 Ashland Eagles (1-0)
Youth Day at Key Stadium
Saturday // September 13 // 2 p.m.
For the second straight week, the Greyhounds face off against a former GLIAC rival as No. 20 Ashland University comes to town for the 2025 home opener. The gameday theme Saturday is Youth Day, with all children 12 and under with a ticketed adult admitted free. The pups can also enjoy the new Greyhounds Kids Corner, presented by Hall Family Dentistry.
Like UIndy, Ashland was a charter member of the GLVC. The Eagles competed in the league from 1978 through 1994 before moving to the GLIAC in 1995 and later the G-MAC ahead of the 2020-21 academic year. In a series that started in 1954, the teams have faced off a total of 34 times, with Ashland owning a 21-13 advantage. UIndy has won the previous two meetings, however, including a 24-9 road win in the 2019 season opener—Chris Keevers’ first game as the Greyhound head coach.
GAME NOTES: https://athletics.uindy.edu/documents/2025/9/10/GAME_3_vs_Ashland__web_.pdf
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MARIAN FOOTBALL
GAMEDAY GUIDE: NO. 23 MARIAN HOSTS DEFIANCE ON FAMILY WEEKEND
INDIANAPOLIS – Coming off their first victory of the season last week at Lawrence Tech, the Marian football team is looking for their first home victory this Saturday, as the Knights host Defiance College on Family Weekend. Saturday’s kickoff is slated for 1:05 p.m.
THE GAME
Marian and Defiance are meeting for the first time this weekend, as the Knights play their second MSFA-crossover game of the season. This is Marian’s first-ever meeting with Defiance, who is in their second season back in the NAIA after a 30-plus year run as a member of NCAA DIII.
Defiance enters the game 2-0, with dominant wins over first-year program Rio Grande and Judson University. Marian enters 1-1, coming off a 35-21 win over Lawrence Tech. The Knights lead the nation in sacks this season with 13 through two games, and are showing a strong efficiency rating as a top-20 team in both third and fourth down conversions on offense.
Keagan La Belle moved to No. 3 all-time last week in rushing yards in program history and ranks second in the NAIA in rushing touchdowns, while Deon Pettiford climbed to No. 4 in program history in sacks after his performance last week.
Marian is looking for their first win over a program from the state of Ohio since 2021, when the Knights lost the standalone meeting against Tiffin University. Marian is 29-9 all-time in first-ever meetings with opponents. The Knights will also be aiming to avoid losing consecutive home games, a streak that has lasted since the 2013 season.
WATCH AND FOLLOW ALONG
Those fans unable to attend Saturday night’s game can watch live on the ISC Sports Network. All home games are televised with five camera angles, and single-game live stream passes cost $9.99. Fans can also purchase a season pass of Marian football at a discounted price on a per-game basis, running at $24.99. Passes for this weekend’s game can be purchased now, while a season pass will be available for purchase on Friday. Live statistics will be available at marianstats.com, and updates of the game will be posted on the Marian Knights and Marian Football Instagram and X pages. Fans can follow at @MUKnights and @MarianUFootball.
TICKETS
Tickets for Saturday’s home-opening game are on sale now, with general admission ticket pricing starting at $10.
TAILGATING
Tailgate spots are filling fast for this weekend.
FAMILY WEEKEND
It is also Family Weekend at Marian University, and a full list of events are taking place throughout the weekend on campus, particularly on gameday. To see the full gameday schedule, see the above link.
HEATIN’ UP
After a pair of relatively cool games for this time in the season, the weather is expected to warm back up this weekend in Indianapolis, with a forecasted high in the mid-80’s for Saturday.
POSTGAME ATHLETIC EVENTS
Fans are welcome to join and congregate at the postgame mass, held in the Bishop Chartrand Memorial Chapel. There will be a concert in the amphitheater following the game that begins at 6:00 p.m. featuring the Wildwoods, an enchanting Folk/Americana trio. The Marian cycling team will also be competing in their final leg of the 2025 USA Collegiate Cycling Track National Championship, with action starting back up for the final session at 6:00 p.m.
Kickoff for this Saturday’s game against Defiance College is set for 1:05 p.m.
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+++SMALL INDIANA COLLEGE SPORTS 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/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
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+++SPORTS EXTRA+++
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
Sept. 12
1932 — Brooklyn’s Johnny Frederick hit his sixth pinch home run of the season, a major league record, in the ninth inning to spark the Dodgers to a 4-3 triumph over the Chicago Cubs at Ebbets Field.
1947 — Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit two home runs — his seventh and eighth in four games — for a major league record.
1962 — Tom Cheney of the Washington Senators set a record by fanning 21 Baltimore Orioles in a 16-inning game, which he won 2-1.
1976 — Minnie Minoso singled in three at bats as the designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. At 53, he became the oldest player to get a hit in a regulation game.
1979 — Carl Yastrzemski got his 3,000th hit — a ground single off Jim Beattie — as the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 9-2.
1984 — Dwight Gooden broke the rookie strikeout record, fanning 16 Pittsburgh Pirates to give him 251, six more than Herb Score had in 1955. Gooden broke the record by striking out Marvell Wynne in the sixth inning.
1996 — Seattle’s Alex Rodriguez set a major league record for a shortstop with his 88th extra base hit in an 8-5 win over Kansas City.
2002 — Chicago out hit Cincinnati 22-17 but lost to the Reds 15-12. The last major league team to get 22 hits and lose a nine-inning game was Oakland on April 27, 1980. The Athletics lost that game 20-11 at Minnesota.
2006 — Atlanta’s streak of 14 consecutive division titles ended when the New York Mets rallied to beat Florida 6-4.
2008 — Jorge Cantu hit his 25th homer in Florida’s 2-1 victory over Washington, making the Marlins the first team in Major League history to have four infielders hit at least 25. Mike Jacobs (32), Dan Uggla (30), Hanley Ramirez (29) and Cantu have accounted for 116 of the Marlins 188 homers this season.
2015 — David Ortiz homered twice to become the 27th player in major league history to reach 500 homers, and Boston beat Tampa Bay 10-4. Ortiz reached the milestone when he lined a shot to right-center on a 2-2 pitch from Matt Moore leading off the fifth. He connected for No. 499 in the first. It was the 50th multi-homer game in his a 19-year career.
2017 — The Cleveland Indians extended their winning streak to 20 games and matched the AL mark held by the 2002 Oakland Athletics, beating the Detroit Tigers 2-0.
2017 — The Minnesota Twins became the first team in major league history to hit a homer in each of the first seven innings in a 16-0 rout of the San Diego Padres. Brian Dozier, Jorge Polanco, Jason Castro, Eddie Rosario, Castro again, Eduardo Escobar and Kennys Vargas all went deep to set a Target Field record.
2018 — The Boston Red Sox reached 100 wins for the first time since Ted Williams returned from World War II in the 1946 season, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 as David Price won his sixth straight decision and Craig Kimbrel earned his 39th save.
2022 — Mike Trout homers for the seventh straight game, off Konnor Pilkington of the Guardians, but in something that is typical of their season, the Angels still lose, 5 – 4. Trout is one away from the record of 8 games, held by Dale Long, Don Mattingly and Ken Griffey Jr. and has 35 homers, second in the AL behind runaway leader Aaron Judge in spite of playing in just 100 of his team’s 141 games so far this year.
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Sept. 13
1925 — Brooklyn’s Dazzy Vance threw a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first game of a doubleheader to give the Dodgers a 10-1 win.
1932 — The New York Yankees beat Cleveland 9-3 and clinched the American League pennant. Joe McCarthy became the first manager to win flags in both leagues.
1936 — Bob Feller, 17, beat the Philadelphia A’s 5-2 on two hits. The Cleveland youngster fanned 17 batters for an American League record.
1958 — The Milwaukee Braves’ Warren Spahn became the first left-hander to win 20 or more games nine times, as he beat St. Louis 8-2. Eddie Plank and Lefty Grove each won 20 games eight times.
1965 — Willie Mays hit his 500th career home run off Houston’s Don Nottebart in a 5-1 San Francisco victory.
1971 — Frank Robinson hit his 500th career home run off Detroit’s Fred Scherman. The ninth-inning shot gave the Baltimore Orioles a split in a doubleheader against the Tigers.
1978 — The New York Yankees beat the Tigers 7-3 at Detroit to move into sole possession of first place for the first time after being 14 games out on July 19.
1982 — Steve Carlton (20-9) shut out St. Louis with a 2-0 three-hitter and hit a solo home run to become the major league’s first 20-game winner this season.
1995 — Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker, the middle infield of the Detroit Tigers, set an American League record when they played in their 1,915th game together.
2006 — Gary Matthews Jr. hit for the cycle to lead the Texas Rangers an 11-3 victory at Detroit.
2008 — Francisco Rodriguez set the major league record with his 58th save this season, closing out the Los Angeles Angels’ 5-2 win over Seattle. Rodriguez broke the mark of 57 set by Bobby Thigpen with the Chicago White Sox in 1990.
2009 — Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki became the first player in major league history with at least 200 hits in nine straight seasons. In the nightcap of doubleheader against the Texas, Suzuki beat out a slow roller to shortstop Elvis Andrus to break a tie with Willie Keeler. Keeler did it for eight consecutive seasons (1894-1901).
2011 — Mariano Rivera earned his 600th save, moving within one of Trevor Hoffman’s major league record, by closing out the New York Yankees’ 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners.
2013 — Chris Davis hit his major league-leading 50th home run, a tie-breaking solo shot in the eighth inning, and Baltimore erased a 3-0 deficit to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3. Davis became the 27th major leaguer to join the 50-homer club, and the first since Jose Bautista in 2010, when he connected on a 2-2 pitch off All-Star reliever Steve Delabar. Davis also became the third player in major league history with 50 homers and 40 doubles in the same season. The others were Babe Ruth (1921) and Albert Belle (1995).
2017 — The Cleveland Indians won their 21st straight game, 5-3 over the Detroit Tigers, to set a AL winning-streak record and join only two other teams in the past 101 years to win that many consecutive games. Jay Bruce hit a three-run homer off Buck Farmer and Mike Clevinger won his fourth straight start as the Indians matched the 1935 Chicago Cubs for the second-longest streak since 1900. The run has put Cleveland within five wins of catching the 1916 New York Giants, who won 26 straight without a loss but whose century-old mark includes a tie.
2017 — Philadelphia rookie Rhys Hoskins kept up his record home run pace, connecting for his 17th in 33 major league games as the Phillies beat Miami 8-1 behind Aaron Nola. Hoskins, called up from the minors Aug. 10, became the fastest player in big league history to get to 17 career homers. The record was 42 games by Wally Berger, an outfielder for the Boston Braves in 1930.
2020 — Alec Mills of the Chicago Cubs threw a no-hitter in a 12-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
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Sept. 14
1903 — Red Ames’ debut with the New York Giants was a five-inning, 5-0, no-hit victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The game was called in mid-afternoon because of unusual darkness.
1923 — Red Sox first baseman George Burns pulled off an unassisted triple play against the Cleveland Indians.
1951 — Bob Nieman of the St. Louis Browns hit home runs in his first two at-bats in the majors. Both came off Boston Red Sox pitcher Maury McDermott. The Red Sox won 9-6.
1968 — Denny McLain of the Detroit Tigers beat the Oakland A’s 5-4 to become the first pitcher since Dizzy Dean in 1934 to win 30 games.
1986 — Bob Brenly of San Francisco tied a major league record with four errors in one inning, but atoned with two homers, including the game-winner, to give the Giants a 7-6 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Brenly, a catcher, was playing third base.
1987 — Ernie Whitt hit three of Toronto’s major league record 10 home runs as the Blue Jays rolled to an 18-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore shortstop Cal Ripken had his consecutive-inning streak stopped at 8,243 when he was replaced at shortstop by Ron Washington in the eighth inning.
1990 — Ken Griffey and his son hit back-to-back homers in the first inning of the Seattle Mariners’ 7-5 loss to the California Angels. The unprecedented father-and-son homers came off Kirk McCaskill.
1994 — The baseball season, already shut down by a month long strike, was canceled along with the World Series in a vote by 26 of the 28 teams.
1998 — The Atlanta Braves clinched their seventh straight division crown, winning the NL East with a victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Among the major pro sports leagues — baseball, NFL, NBA and NHL — only seven franchises had finished first during the regular season at least seven times in a row.
2002 — Tampa Bay’s 8-4 loss at Toronto was the Devil Rays’ 100th of the season. The Devil Rays (48-100) became the quickest AL team to lose 100 games since the 1949 Washington Senators lost 100 in their 147th game. They also became the first team to lose 100 in consecutive seasons since Toronto did it from 1977-79.
2003 — The Detroit Tigers lost to the Royals 7-2 to become the first team in 34 years to lose 110 games in one season. Detroit (38-110) has the most losses since the Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres went 52-110 in 1969, their first seasons in the major leagues.
2008 — Carlos Zambrano pitched the first no-hitter for the Chicago Cubs in 36 years, striking out 10 in a 5-0 win over Houston in a game relocated to Milwaukee because of Hurricane Ike.
2011 — Colorado catcher Eliezer Alfonzo became the first player suspended twice under the Major League Baseball drug program. Alfonzo, will serve a 100-game suspension, was suspended for 50 games in April 2008 while a member of the San Francisco Giants.
2011 — Pittsburgh clinched its 19th consecutive losing season, a record for a major league franchise in North America, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2. The Pirates, who were 51-44 and led the NL Central by a half-game before play on July 20, dropped to 67-82.
2017 — Jay Bruce hit an RBI double in the 10th inning as the Cleveland Indians rallied for their 22nd straight win to extend their AL record, beating the Kansas City Royals 3-2. After blowouts, shutouts and easy wins, the Indians went into extras for the first time to keep the longest streak in 101 years intact. The Indians were down to their last strike in the ninth before Francisco Lindor hit a tying double. Jose Ramirez led off the 10th with a hard hit into right-center off Brandon Maurer that he turned into a double with a head-first slide. After Edwin Encarnacion walked, Bruce, ripped a 2-0 pitch into the right-field corner.
2017 — Rhys Hoskins homered again, Freddy Galvis and Jorge Alfaro also went deep in a seven-run second inning, and Philadelphia routed slumping Miami 10-0. Hoskins’ two-run shot gave him 18 home runs in 34 games since his call-up from Triple-A on Aug. 10. The Yankees’ Gary Sanchez previously held the record for fastest to 18 homers. Sanchez needed 45 games.
2022 — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits the 100th homer of his career off Drew Rasmussen in the 1st inning to put the Blue Jays ahead and they never look back, defeating the Rays, 5 – 1, behind Ross Stripling. The Jays now lead the Mariners by half a game and the Rays by a game and a half in the wild card standings. For Guerrero, who also hit his 100th career double earlier this week, it is his first long ball of the month as he has been in a slump of late.
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Sept. 15
1902 — Chicago Cubs infielders Tinker, Evers & Chance turn their first double play together.
1912 — Joe Wood of the Boston Red Sox pitched his 16th consecutive victory to tie Walter Johnson’s record as he beat the St. Louis Browns 2-1.
1938 — Brothers Lloyd and Paul Waner hit back-to-back homers for the Pittsburgh Pirates off Cliff Melton of the New York Giants. This was the only time brothers hit successive home runs in a major league game. It was Lloyd’s last homer.
1946 — The Brooklyn Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 in five innings when the game was called because of gnats. The insects became such a problem for the players, umpires and fans that the game had to be stopped.
1963 — All three Alou brothers — Felipe, Matty and Jesus — played in the outfield at the same time for the San Francisco Giants in a 13-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1969 — St. Louis left-hander Steve Carlton struck out 19 Mets for a nine-inning game record. New York won the game 4-3 on two, two-run homers by Ron Swoboda.
1979 — Bob Watson of the Red Sox became the first player to hit for the cycle in both leagues as he led Boston to a 10-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. He hit for the cycle with the Houston Astros against San Francisco on June 24, 1977.
1990 — Bobby Thigpen pitched one inning and became the first relief pitcher with 50 saves in a season as the Chicago White Sox beat the Red Sox 7-4.
1996 — The Baltimore Orioles set baseball’s season home run record with five against Detroit, including Mark Parent’s record breaking shot in the third inning and Brady Anderson’s 10th leadoff homer of the year. The homers gave the Orioles 243, three more than the 1961 New York Yankees.
1997 — Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 51st and 52nd homers in Seattle’s win over Toronto to become the sixth major league player to hit 100 or more home runs over two consecutive seasons. Griffey hit 49 homers last season.
1998 — Ken Griffey Jr. hit his AL-leading 52nd homer and drove in five runs to become the fourth-youngest player to reach 1,000 RBIs, leading the Seattle Mariners over the Minnesota Twins 12-7.
2002 — Arizona’s Curt Schilling struck out eight to reach 300 for the season, joining Randy Johnson as the first teammates in baseball history to each strike out 300 in the same season. The Diamondbacks beat Milwaukee 6-5 in 13 innings.
2008 — In an unprecedented move, the Milwaukee Brewers fired manager Ned Yost. It marked the first time in major league history — except the strike-split 1981 season — that a manager was fired in August or later with his team in playoff position. The Brewers, 83-67, lost seven of eight and fallen into a tie with Philadelphia for the NL wild-card lead.
2009 — David Ortiz hit his record-breaking 270th homer as a designated hitter and had an RBI single in Boston’s 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. Frank Thomas had held the mark with 269.
2011 — Pablo Sandoval tripled in the sixth inning to complete the first cycle of his career and San Francisco beat Colorado 8-5. 2017 — The Cleveland had its AL record run stopped at 22 straight games as the Indians were beaten 4-3 by the Kansas City Royals, who became the first team to conquer the defending league champions since Aug. 23.. The Indians came within four of matching the overall record held by the 1916 New York Giants.
2014 — The Mets’Jacob deGrom ties a major league record when he strikes out the first eight batters he faces before his opponent on the mound for the Marlins, Jarred Cosart, singles to right. DeGrom ties the record set by Jim Deshaies in 1986. He strikes out 13 in 7 innings but ends up with a no-decision as the Marlins win, 6 – 5.
2022 — On Roberto Clemente Day, the Rays make history by fielding an all-Latino line-up (excluding starting pitcher Shane McClanahan). It consists of C René Pinto, 1B Harold Ramirez, 2B Isaac Paredes, SS Wander Franco, 3B Yandy Díaz, LF David Peralta, CF José Siri, RF Randy Arozarena and DH Manuel Margot, with five different countries being represented. All wear Roberto Clemente’s iconic uniform number, 21, as they go on to defeat the Blue Jays, 11 – 0.
Sept. 16
1914 — Roger Peckinpaugh, at 23, was hired to finish the season as manager of the New York Yankees.
1924 — Jim Bottomley went 6-for-6 and batted in a record 12 runs as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 17-3. His hits included two home runs.
1926 — The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 23-3 at the Baker Bowl. The Cardinals scored 12 runs in the third inning to set a franchise record.
1939 — The New York Yankees clinched their fourth successive pennant with a win over Detroit. It was the 11th pennant overall.
1957 — The Los Angeles City Council approved a 300-acre site in Chavez Ravine for a ballpark for the Dodgers. The club’s obligation was to finance a public recreation area.
1960 — Warren Spahn, 39, pitched a no-hitter and set an all-time Braves record with 15 strikeouts. Milwaukee beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-0.
1965 — Dave Morehead of the Boston Red Sox pitched a 2-0 no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. Morehead walked one batter and struck out.
1975 — The Pittsburgh Pirates routed the Chicago Cubs in Wrigley Field 22-0. It was the most one-sided shutout since 1900. Rennie Stennett had seven hits, including two two-hit innings. Pittsburgh’s Rennie Stennett tied a major league mark established in 1892 going 7-for-7 in a nine-inning game. The Pirates’ second baseman got two hits in one inning twice (in the first and fifth innings.
1988 — Cincinnati’s Tom Browning pitched a perfect game as the Reds beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0. Browning struck out eight and allowed eight balls to be hit out of the infield.
1993 — Dave Winfield of the Minnesota Twins became the 19th player in major league history to get 3,000 hits. Winfield singled off Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley in a 5-1 win at home.
1996 — Minnesota’s Paul Molitor got his 3,000th career hit, becoming the 21st major leaguer to reach the mark, in a 6-5 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
1997 — Philadelphia’s Curt Schilling struck out nine in the Phillies win over the New York Mets to become the 13th pitcher since 1900 with 300 strikeouts in a season.
2000 — Chicago’s Sammy Sosa became the third player to hit 50 home runs in three different seasons, joining Babe Ruth and Mark McGwire. Sosa homered in the Cubs’ 7-6 loss to St. Louis, joining McGwire as the only players to hit 50 in three straight years.
2006 — Washington’s Alfonso Soriano became the fourth player in major league history to record 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season in an 8-4 win over Milwaukee. Soriano when he swiped second base, his 40th stolen base, to go along with 45 home runs.
2006 — Chone Figgins hit for the cycle in the Los Angeles Angels’ 12-6 loss to the Texas Rangers.
2007 — Jim Thome became the 23rd player — and third this season — to reach 500 home runs. The slugger hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning off reliever Dustin Moseley to give the Chicago White Sox a 9-7 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
2014 — Jake Arrieta took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning before giving up Brandon Phillips’ one-out double, the only blemish for the Chicago Cubs pitcher in a 7-0 win over Cincinnati. Arrieta struck out 13 and walked one in his first career complete game.
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Sept. 17
1912 — Brooklyn’s Casey Stengel makes his major league debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates, finishing with four singles, two RBIs and two steals in a 7-3 win.
1920 — Bobby Veach of the Detroit Tigers hit for the cycle in a 14-13 12-inning win over the Boston Red Sox at Navin Field. Veach had six hits, achieving the cycle with a double in the ninth.
1930 — Cleveland’s Earl Averill drove in eight runs with three consecutive home runs to lead the Indians to a 13-7 victory over the Washington Senators in a doubleheader opener. Averill added another homer in the nightcap, setting an American League record with 11 RBIs in a doubleheader.
1941 — Stan Musial makes his major league debut.
1947 — Jackie Robinson named Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News.
1968 — Gaylord Perry of the San Francisco Giants pitched a no-hitter, a 1-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals and Bob Gibson. Ron Hunt homered for the only run.
1984 — Reggie Jackson became the 13th player to hit 500 home runs. The milestone shot came off Kansas City pitcher Bud Black. His homer came exactly 17 years after his first career hit.
1984 — Rookie pitcher Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets struck out 16 Phillies in a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia. Five days earlier, Gooden fanned 16 Pittsburgh Pirates tying a major league record for 32 strikeouts in two consecutive games.
1988 — Jeff Reardon became the first pitcher to save 40 games in both leagues as the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 3-1. Reardon, who saved 42 games for the Montreal Expos in 1985, pitched the ninth inning for his 40th save in 47 opportunities.
1996 — Hideo Nomo pitched a no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 9-0 victory. Nomo walked four batters and stuck out eight.
2004 — San Francisco’s Barry Bonds hit the 700th home run of his career, joining Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755) as the only players to reach the milestone. Bonds connected in the third inning at home, a 392-foot solo shot to left-center. San Francisco beat San Diego 4-1.
2004 — Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki broke Lloyd Waner’s season record for singles with his 199th in a 6-3 win over Oakland. Suzuki’s two hits gave him 235 for the season, 22 shy of the major league record set by George Sisler of the St. Louis Browns in 1920.
2008 — Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki matched Willie Keeler’s major league record of eight straight 200-hit seasons, beating out an infield single in the eighth inning for his third hit against Kansas City.
2018 — Christian Yelich became the first major leaguer to hit for the cycle twice in one season against the same team, driving in four runs to lead the Milwaukee Brewers over the Cincinnati Reds 8-0.
2024 — With a stolen base in the 1st inning, Bobby Witt Jr. becomes the first shortstop to have more than one 30-30 season, as he now has 30 steals and 32 homers; he also just the 8th player to accomplish the feat in consecutive seasons.
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Sept. 18
1903 — Philadelphia’s Chick Fraser pitched a 10-0 no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs in the second game of a doubleheader. The Cubs won the opener 6-5. Fraser struck out five and walked four. Peaches Graham, normally a catcher, was the loser in his only major league decision.
1908 — Bob Rhoads of the Indians pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox for a 2-1 victory in Cleveland.
1930 — New York pitcher Red Ruffing hit two home runs as the Yankees edged the St. Louis Browns 7-6 in 10 innings.
1954 — The Cleveland Indians clinched the American League pennant with a 3-2 triumph over the Detroit Tigers.
1963 — The New York Mets lost their last game at the Polo Grounds — 5-1 to the Philadelphia Phillies before a crowd of 1,752.
1968 — Ray Washburn threw a 2-0 no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park, one day after the Giants’ Gaylord Perry tossed a no-hitter against Washburn’s St. Louis Cardinals.
1980 — Minnesota’s Gary Ward hit for the cycle in a 9-8 loss at Milwaukee. It was Ward’s 14th career game and the home run was his first in the major leagues. The Brewers won the game in the bottom of the ninth on Gorman Thomas’ two-out two-run homer.
1984 — The Detroit Tigers clinched the American League East Division with a 3-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, making the Tigers the fourth team in major league history to lead from start to finish. The other three teams were the 1923 New York Giants, 1927 New York Yankees and the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers.
1984 — Montreal’s Tim Raines became the first player in major league history with four consecutive seasons of 70 or more stolen bases by swiping four in the Expos’ 7-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
1985 — Boston catcher Rich Gedman hit for the cycle and drove in seven runs as the Red Sox rout the Toronto Blue Jays, 13-1.
1987 — Detroit’s Darrell Evans became the first 40-year-old player in major league history to hit 30 home runs in a season as the Tigers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-6.
1996 — Roger Clemens equaled his own major league record, fanning 20 batters and pitching a four-hitter to lead Boston over the Detroit Tigers 4-0.
2003 — Atlanta clinched its 12th straight division title when second-place Florida was mathematically eliminated from the NL East race after a 5-4 loss to Philadelphia. The record title streak started in 1991, when the Braves won the NL West. They moved to the East Division in 1994 and trailed Montreal by six games when the strike stopped the season in August.
2006 — The Los Angeles Dodgers hit four consecutive homers in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game and Nomar Garciaparra’s two-run homer in the 10th lifted Los Angeles to an 11-10 victory over the San Diego Padres.
2011 — Erick Aybar went 4 for 4, with four extra-base hits and tied a franchise record by scoring five runs, leading the Los Angeles Angels to an 11-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
2012 — Dusty Baker managed his 3,000th game, guiding the Cincinnati Reds against one of his former teams, the Chicago Cubs.
2020 — Garrett Crochet becomes the first player in over a decade to go straight to the majors when the #11 pick from the 2020 amateur draft makes his maiden appearance pitching in relief for the White Sox against the Reds. After working out at the Sox’s alternate training site in Schaumburg, IL since being signed, he impresses by striking two of three batter he faces and regularly hitting 100 mph on the radar gun with his fastball.
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+++TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY+++
Sept. 12
1895 — Defender wins three straight matches from the British challenger Valkyrie II to defend the America’s Cup for the United States.
1936 — Fred Perry becomes the first foreign player to win three U.S. men’s singles titles when he defeats Don Budge, 2-6, 6-2, 8-6, 1-6, 10-8. Alice Marble ends the four-year reign of Helen Jacobs as U.S. women’s singles champion, with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
1955 — Tony Trabert wins the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships with a victory over Ken Rosewall. Doris Hart wins the women’s title.
1966 — Australia’s Fred Stolle beats countryman John Newcombe to win the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships. Stolle wins in four sets, 4-6, 12-10, 6-3, 6-4.
1976 — Jimmy Connors beats Bjorn Borg in four sets to win the U.S. Open.
1979 — Carl Yastrzemski reaches 3,000 hits off of NY Yankee pitcher Jim Beattie.
1981 — Tracy Austin wins her second U.S. Open singles title, edging first-time finalist Martina Navratilova, 1-6, 7-6, 7-6.
1982 — Jimmy Connors wins the U.S. Open, defeating Ivan Lendl, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
1984 — N.Y. Met Dwight Gooden sets rookie strike out record at 251.
1988 — 1st NFL regular-season game played in Phoenix; Dallas beats Arizona.
1995 — The Harlem Globetrotters’ 24-year, 8,829-game winning streak is stopped. It ends in a 91-85 loss to a team led by basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who scores 34 points in a competitive, unscripted game in Vienna, Austria.
1998 — Lindsay Davenport captures her first Grand Slam tournament singles title, defeating Martina Hingis, 6-3, 7-5 at the U.S. Open.
1999 — Andre Agassi comes back from two-sets-to-one down to win his second U.S. Open singles title. Agassi, who never loses his serve, defeats Todd Martin, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-2. It’s the first five-set U.S. Open final in 11 years.
2004 — Roger Federer becomes the first man since 1988 to win three majors in a year, thoroughly outclassing Lleyton Hewitt 6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-0 to add the U.S. Open title to those he took at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
2005 — Mark Messier announces on ESPN radio that he will retire from the NHL.
2010 — Houston running back Arian Foster rushes for a franchise-record 231 yards and three touchdowns in the Texans’ 34-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Foster is the first player in NFL history to rush for at least 200 yards and three touchdowns for an opening weekend.
2011 — Tom Brady passes for a team-record 517 yards and four touchdowns, including a 99-yarder to Wes Welker, and the New England Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 38-24.
2011 — U.S. Open Men’s Tennis: Novak Djokovic wins his first US title; beats Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1.
2014 — Diana Taurasi and Candice Dupree score 24 points each and the Phoenix Mercury, playing without star center Brittney Griner, beat the Chicago Sky 87-82 to complete a three-game sweep of the WNBA Finals for their third championship.
2015 — Kent State dominates Delaware State in the Golden Flashes’ home opener, 45-13, but it’s overshadowed by a single point-after kick in the second quarter by April Goss. Goss, a four-year member of the Kent State team and a former high school soccer player, becomes the second female to score in a Division I game in NCAA history. Katie Hnida kicked a pair of extra points for New Mexico in 2003.
2015 — David Ortiz homers twice to become the 27th player in major league history to reach 500 homers, and Boston beats Tampa Bay 10-4.
2018 — Breanna Stewart leads the Seattle Storm to their third WNBA title, scoring 30 points in a 98-82 victory over the Washington Mystics in Game 3 of the best-of-five series.
2020 — Naomi Osaka of Japan wins her second US Open title beating Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
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Sept. 13
1930 — Tommy Armour beats Gene Sarazen 1 up to win the PGA Championship.
1964 — Roy Emerson beats fellow Australian Fred Stolle to win the men’s title in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships. Brazil’s Maria Bueno wins the women’s title. Emerson wins in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 and Bueno easily wins 6-1, 6-0.
1970 — Only 55 of 126 finish the first New York City Marathon, with Gary Muhrcke winning in 2 hours, 31 minutes, 38.2 seconds. The race is run counterclockwise on a 26.22-mile course in Central Park.
1981 — The Atlanta Falcons, trailing 17-0 with 13 minutes remaining in the game, score 31 points to beat the Green Bay Packers 31-17. The Falcons score touchdowns on a punt return, two by passes, an interception return and a fumble return.
1981 — John McEnroe defeats Bjorn Borg to win his third straight men’s singles title in the U.S. Open.
1989 — Pat Day breaks the record for most winners in one day when he scored with eight of his nine mounts at Arlington Racecourse in Illinois. It was the best day for one program in North American thoroughbred racing history. In his only loss, Day finishes second.
1991 — Joe Carter 1st baseball player with 3 consecutive 100 RBI seasons with 3 different teams (Indians, Padres, Blue Jays).
1992 — Buffalo’s Jim Kelly and San Francisco’s Steve Young throw for more than 400 yards and neither team punts, the first time in NFL history, as the Bills beat the 49ers 34-31.
1997 — Cade McNown throws a school-record five touchdown passes as UCLA routs No. 11 Texas 66-3. It’s the second-worst loss for Texas, which lost 68-0 to Chicago in 1904, and the biggest defeat of a ranked team in The Associated Press college football poll.
1999 — John Elway’s #7 jersey is retired by the Denver Broncos.
2003 — Tonya Butler makes a field goal and three extra points for Division II West Alabama. Butler, a 5-foot-5, 140-pound senior, kicks a 27-yarder in the first quarter to help the Tigers beat Stillman College 24-17. It could not be confirmed whether Butler was the first woman to kick a field goal because NCAA statistics do not differentiate between sexes.
2008 — Brigham Young quarterback Max Hall ties a school record with seven touchdown passes as the 18th-ranked Cougars hands UCLA its worst loss in nearly 80 years, 59-0.
2009 — Brandon Stokley only catches one pass — but it is a big one. He grabs a deflection and runs 87 yards with 11 seconds left to give Denver a 12-7 win over Cincinnati. Stokley even burns a few extra seconds by taking his time going into the end zone.
2010 — Rafael Nadal wins his first U.S. Open title to complete a career Grand Slam, beating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
2013 — Jim Furyk becomes the sixth player in PGA Tour history to shoot a 59 to give him a share of the lead at the BMW Championship.
2015 — Lydia Ko becomes the youngest major champion in LPGA Tour history winning the Evian Championship. The South Korean-born New Zealander closes with an 8-under 63 for a six-stroke victory over Lexi Thompson. Ko, at 18 years, 4 months and 20 days old, eclipses the previous record of American Morgan Pressel, who was 18 years, 10 months and nine days old when she won the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship.
2020 — Alec Mills of the Chicago Cubs no-hit the Milwaukee Brewers 12-0 at Miller Park, Milwaukee.
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Sept. 14
1923 — Jack Dempsey knocks out Luis Firpo in the second round for his last successful defense of his world heavyweight title, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
1947 — Jack Kramer beats Frank Parket to win the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championship. Kramer wins 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-0, 6-3.
1959 — The new $32 million Aqueduct, operated by the New York Racing Association, opens.
1968 — Jimmy Ellis wins the WBA heavyweight title by beating Floyd Patterson in the 15th round in Stockholm, Sweden.
1986 — Chicago’s Walter Payton rushes for 177 yards, to reach the 15,000-yard plateau and scores his 100th career rushing touchdown as the Bears beat the Philadelphia Eagles 13-10.
1987 — Cal Ripken Jr.’s record streak of 8,243 consecutive innings (908 games) is finally broken.
1991 — Freshman Marshall Faulk of San Diego State rushes for an NCAA record 386 yards and scores seven touchdowns in his second collegiate game. Faulk sets an NCAA record for most rushing touchdowns in a game by a freshman as the Aztecs beat Pacific 55-34.
1991 — Texas A&M freshman Greg Hill has the greatest debut by a freshman running back in college football history as the Aggies rout LSU 45-7. Hill sets a major college record with 212 yards rushing in his first game and scores twice on 30 carries.
1994 — The baseball season, already shut down by a monthlong strike, is canceled along with the World Series in a vote by 26 of the 28 teams.
2002 — Tim Montgomery of the United States sets a world record in the 100 meters, clocking 9.78 seconds at the IAAF Grand Prix Final in Paris. The previous world record of 9.79 was set by fellow American Maurice Greene in 1999.
2003 — Jamal Lewis rushes for an NFL-record 295 yards on 30 carries in Baltimore’s 33-13 victory over Cleveland.
2006 — Tiger Woods’ five-tournament winning streak finally ends when Shaun Micheel knocks him out in the first round of the World Match Play Championship. The score was 4 and 3, matching Woods’ worst loss in match play.
2010 — Reggie Bush announces he is forfeiting his Heisman Trophy. The running back releases a statement saying he would give back the award that he won in 2005 while he was at Southern California. It’s the first time college football’s top award is returned by a recipient.
2011 — The Pittsburgh pirates clinches its 19th consecutive losing season, a record for a major league franchise in North America, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2.
2014 — Mirjana Lucic-Baroni beats Venus Williams 6-4, 6-3 to win the Coupe Banque Nationale and set the record for the biggest gap between WTA titles. Lucic-Baroni wins her third WTA title and first in 16 years and four months.
2014 — New England’s Bill Belichick becomes the sixth head coach in NFL history to reach 200 regular-season wins with a 30-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Belichick has a 200-106 (.654) record in the regular season.
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Sept. 15
1899 — Willie Smith wins the U.S. Open golf title, beating George low, Val Fitzjohn and W.H. Way.
1923 — Bill Tilden wins the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championship, beating William Johnston in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4.
1962 — Frank Tripucka of the Denver Broncos passes for 447 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills.
1971 — Stan Smith wins the U.S. Open title over Jan Khodes and Billie Jean King beats Rosemary Casals for the women’s title. It’s the first time in 16 years both titles were won by U.S. players.
1973 — Three-year-old Secretariat wins the Marlboro Cup Invitational Handicap in the then-world record time of 1:45 2-5 for 11/8 miles.
1973 — Archie Griffin of Ohio State starts his NCAA record string of 31 games of rushing for at least 100 yards, leading the Buckeyes to a 56-7 rout of Minnesota in Columbus.
1978 — Muhammad Ali becomes the first three-time heavyweight champion with a unanimous 15-round decision over Leon Spinks at the Superdome in New Orleans.
1991 — The United States women’s gymnastics team makes history with its first team medal — a silver — at the World Championships in Indianapolis.
1995 — Cards shortstop Ozzie Smith sets record of 1,554 double plays.
2002 — Sam Hornish Jr. wins another incredible race at Texas Motor Speedway, and his second straight IRL title. Hornish side-by-side with Helio Castroneves for many of the last 25 laps in the season-ending Chevy 500, crosses the finish line 0.0096 seconds — only a few inches — ahead of the other driver in contention for the season championship. Hornish wins his IRL-record fifth race of the season and becomes the first driver to win two IRL championships.
2002 — Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon begins NFL record-tying (Kurt Warner, Steve Young) streak of 6 consecutive 300-yard passing games, throwing for 403 yards in Raiders’ 30-17 victory at Pittsburgh.
2004 — NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announces a lockout of the players union and cessation of operations by the NHL head office.
2012 — LSU beats Idaho 63-14 to give the Tigers an NCAA FBS record 40th-straight non-conference regular season victory. LSU also set a Tiger Stadium mark with 20 straight home wins. Kansas State had 39 straight non-conference regular-season wins from 1993-2003.
2013 — Philip Rivers is 36 of 47 for 419 yards and three touchdown passes to Eddie Royal to lead San Diego to a 33-30 victory at Philadelphia. Michael Vick of the Eagles passes for a career-best 428 yards and two touchdowns and runs for a score.
2017 — The Cleveland has its AL record run stopped at 22 straight games as the Indians are beaten 4-3 by the Kansas City Royals.
2018 — Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores his 500th worldwide goal in the Los Angeles Galaxy’s 5-3 loss to Toronto FC. The 36-year-old Swede joins Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the only active players with 500 goals for in club and international play.
2021 — US gymnasts, including Simone Biles, testify against former team doctor Larry Nassar at a Senate Committee hearing, criticizing a system that allowed it to happen.
2022 — Tennis great Roger Federer announces his retirement from professional tennis at 41 with 20 grand slam wins and 103 ATP titles.
Sept. 16
1885 — The America’s Cup is successfully defended by U.S. yacht Puritan as it beats Britain’s Genesta in two heats.
1926 — Henri Cochet ends Bill Tilden’s six-year reign as the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association champion as he beats Tilden in the quarterfinals.
1927 — Rene Lacoste wins the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championship, beating Bill Tilden in three sets.
1951 — Betsy Rawls wins the U.S. Women’s Open golf title by edging Louise Suggs.
1955 — The formation of the United States Auto Club is completed and will oversee four major categories of auto races.
1973 — O.J. Simpson rushes for 250 yards to lead the Buffalo Bills to a 31-13 victory over the New England Patriots.
1989 — No. 1 Notre Dame beats No. 2 Michigan 24-19 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Fighting Irish wide receiver Raghib Ismail steals the show by returning kickoffs 88 and 92 yards for touchdowns. It’s the second time Ismail has two kickoff returns for touchdowns in the same game, accomplishing the feat against Rice in 1988.
1993 — Dave Winfield of the Minnesota Twins becomes the 19th player in major league history to get 3,000 hits, with a single off Oakland’s Dennis Eckersley.
1996 — Paul Molitor gets his 3,000th career hit, becoming the 21st major leaguer to reach the mark and the first to do it with a triple.
2000 — Zippy Chippy, a 9-year-old gelding, finishes third in the eighth race at the Three-County Fair in Northampton, Mass., extending his record as the losingest horse in American thoroughbred history to 88 races.
2000 — Sammy Sosa becomes the second player to hit 50 or more home runs in three consecutive years, joining Mark McGwire.
2001 — Jason Bohn shoots a 13-under 58 at Huron Oaks Country Club to win the Canadian Tour’s Bayer Championship by two strokes and go one below the best round ever shot in PGA Tour-sanctioned competition.
2007 — Jim Thome is the 23rd player — and third this season — to reach 500 home runs. The slugger hits a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning off reliever Dustin Moseley to give the Chicago White Sox a 9-7 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
2007 — Bengals QB Carson Palmer passes for six TDs and the Browns’ Derek Anderson has five in Cleveland’s 51-45 win over Cincinnati, making it just the third time in NFL history that two QBs threw five TD passes apiece in the same game.
2010 — The Seattle Storm complete their undefeated march through the postseason, beating the Atlanta Dream 87-84 for a three-game sweep in the WNBA finals.
2012 — Eli Manning hits 31 of 51 passes for 510 yards — the second-best passing day in team history — with three touchdown passes and three interceptions as the New York Giants rally for a 41-34 win over Tampa Bay.
2012 — NHL locks out its players after the expiry of the collective bargaining agreement.
2017 — In front of the largest crowd to attend a stand-alone MLS match, Josef Martinez gets his second hat trick in a row and his third of the season to help Atlanta United hold on for a 3-3 draw against Orlando City. Atlanta United sets the record with 70,425 on hand at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
2018 — Scott Dixon has a steady drive to win his fifth IndyCar championship with ease. Dixon, needing an uneventful finale at Sonoma Raceway, finishes second behind winner Ryan Hunter-Reay. His fifth title moves him into second in IndyCar history, two behind A.J. Foyt.
2018 — Patrick Mahomes is 23 for 28 for 326 yards and six touchdown passes in Kansas City’s 42-37 win over Pittsburgh. His 10 touchdown passes through two weeks are the most by a quarterback through two games in NFL history.
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Sept. 17
1897 — England’s Joe Lloyd beats Scotland’s Willie Anderson by one stroke to win the U.S. Open in Wheaton, Ill.
1917 — Honus Wagner, retires at 43, Pirates retire his #33.
1920 — The forerunner of the NFL, the American Professional Football Association, is founded in an automobile showroom in Canton, Ohio. Twelve teams pay a $100 fee to obtain a franchise.
1938 — Don Budge completes the Grand Slam with a four-set victory over Gene Mako in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships.
1947 — Jackie Robinson named Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News.
1953 — Ernie Banks becomes Chicago Cubs 1st black player.
1954 — Rocky Marciano knocks out Ezzard Charles in the eighth round at Yankee Stadium in New York to retain his world heavyweight title.
1955 — In the first color telecast of a football game by NBC, No. 10 Georgia Tech defeats No. 9 Miami 14-6 in Atlanta. The winning score comes in the final minute when linebacker Jimmy Morris returns an interception 25 yards for a touchdown.
1961 — The Minnesota Vikings, the newest NFL franchise, beats the league’s oldest franchise, the Chicago Bears, 37-13 win in the season opener. Minnesota’s Fran Tarkenton, playing his first NFL game, comes off the bench to become the only quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in his first game.
1964 — Mickey Mantle gets career hits #1,999, #2,000, and #2,001 and his 450th home run in a 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
1966 — In his head coaching debut, coach Joe Paterno leads Penn State past Maryland 15-7.
1967 — Johnny Unitas of the Baltimore Colts passes for 401 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-31 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
1977 — The U.S. wins the Ryder Cup 12½-7½ at Royal Lytham & St Annes England. It’s the last time that a Britain and Ireland team competes for the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup expands the GB&I to include golfers from all of continental Europe in 1979.
1984 — Reggie Jackson is the 13th player to hit 500 home runs.
1994 — UNLV receiver Randy Gatewood catches 23 passes for 363 yards and a touchdown in a 48-38 loss to Idaho.
2000 — Dan Marino’s #13 jersey is retired by the Miami Dolphins.
2002 — Suzy Whaley becomes the first woman to qualify for a PGA Tour event, earning an exemption to the 2003 Greater Hartford Open by winning a PGA Section Championship. Whaley is also is the first woman to win a Section Championship.
2004 — San Francisco’s Barry Bonds hits his 700th home run, joining Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755) as the only players to reach the milestone.
2016 — Cam Pedersen kicks a 37-yard field as time expired and North Dakota State of the FC, rallies to beat No. 13 Iowa 23-21 for its sixth straight win over an FBS opponent.
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Sept. 18
1899 — The Cincinnati Open begins. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States still played in its original city and is now known as the Cincinnati Masters & Women’s Open.
1938 — The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 2-0. Left end Dick Plasman tackles Arnie Herber in the end zone in the fourth quarter for the win.
1946 — Joe Louis knocks out Tami Mauriello in the first round at Yankee Stadium in New York to retain the world heavyweight title.
1960 — Goose Gonsoulin intercepts four passes to lead the Denver Broncos to a 27-21 win over the Buffalo Bills.
1965 — In his first collegiate game, quarterback Billy Stevens of Texas-El Paso gains 483 total yards in a 61-15 rout of North Texas State. Receiver Chuck Hughes has 349 of those yards.
1966 — Baltimore quarterback Johnny Unitas throws 4 touchdown passes in 38-23 win at Minnesota to surpass Y.A. Tittle as NFL’s career leader with 212; finishes career with 290 TD passes.
1967 — U.S. yacht Intrepid beats the Australian yacht Dame Pattie in four straight races to defend the America’s Cup.
1977 — U.S. yacht Courageous beats the challenger Australia in four straight races to defend the America’s Cup.
1982 — In a rare father-son matchup, coach Jack Elway leads San Jose State to its second consecutive upset of quarterback John Elway and Stanford 35-31 in Palo Alto, Calif. John Elway completes 24-of-36 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns. Spartans quarterback Steve Clarkson, throws for 285 yards, three touchdowns and scores on a three-yard keeper for the win after a Cardinal fumble. Stanford reaches the Spartans’ 26-yard line, but Elway gets sacked on four consecutive plays to end the game.
1996 — Roger Clemens equals his own major league record, fanning 20 batters and pitching a four-hitter to lead Boston over the Detroit Tigers 4-0.
2003 — Atlanta clinches its 12th straight division title when second-place Florida is mathematically eliminated from the NL East race. The record title streak started in 1991, when the Braves won the NL West. They moved to the East Division in 1994 and trailed Montreal by six games when the strike stopped the season in August.
2005 — Green Bay’s Brett Favre joins Dan Marino and John Elway with 50,000 yards passing and also breaks Elway’s single-stadium NFL touchdown record of 180 with a 4-yard toss to Tony Fisher with 4 seconds left of a 26-24 loss to Cleveland at Lambeau Field.
2011 — At 16, Lexi Thompson becomes the youngest player to win an LPGA Tour event. The 16-year-old Floridian closes with a 2-under 70 to win by five strokes over Tiffany Joh at the Navistar LPGA Classic in Prattville, Ala. Thompson shatters the age record for winning a multiple-round tournament held by Paula Creamer, who won in 2005 at 18.
2011 — Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton sets an NFL rookie record by throwing for 432 yards against the Green Bay Packers. Newton, who tied the record by throwing for 422 yards in last week’s loss at Arizona, completes 28 of 46 passes with one touchdown in the 30-23 loss to the Packers. Newton’s 854 yards passing is also the most yards for a player in his first two games.
2013 — American Jordan Burroughs earns another wrestling world title. Burroughs, a gold medalist at the 2012 Olympics, extends his undefeated streak to 65 matches with a 4-0 victory over Iran’s Ezzatollah Akbarizarinkolaei in the 163-pound category at the Laszlo Papp Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
2016 — Detroit’s Anquan Boldin has a touchdown catch in the Lions’ 16-15 loss to Tennessee, to join Terrell Owens as the only players in NFL history to have at least 1,000 career receptions and a touchdown catch with four teams.
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+++TV SPORTS+++
Friday, Sept. 12
AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL (MEN’S)
5:30 a.m.
FS2 — AFL Playoffs: Hawthorn at Adelaide, Semifinal
5:30 a.m. (Saturday)
FS1 — AFL Playoffs: Gold Coast at Brisbane, Semifinal
AUTO RACING
4:30 p.m.
TRUTV — NASCAR Cup Series: Practice, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.
5:40 p.m.
TRUTV — NASCAR Cup Series: Qualifying, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.
7:30 p.m.
Ad Loading
00:00
00:00
CW — NASCAR Xfinity Series: The Food City 300, Playoffs – Round of 12, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.
CFL FOOTBALL
7 p.m.
CBSSN — Winnipeg at Hamilton
10 p.m.
CBSSN — Ottawa at B.C.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
6:30 p.m.
BTN — Indiana St. at Indiana
7 p.m.
ACCN — Colgate at Syracuse
7:30 p.m.
ESPN — Colorado at Houston
9 p.m.
FOX — Kansas St. at Arizona
10 p.m.
BTN — New Mexico at UCLA
COLLEGE SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
7 p.m.
ESPNU — Tennessee at Mississippi St.
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)
7 p.m.
ESPN2 — Wisconsin at Georgia Tech
FS1 — Utah at Nebraska
9 p.m.
FS1 — Louisville at Creighton
GOLF
7 a.m.
GOLF — DP World Tour: The BMW PGA Championship, Second Round, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey, United Kingdom
1 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: The Procore Championship, Second Round, Silverado Country Club North, Napa, Calif.
4 p.m.
GOLF — LPGA Tour: The Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G, Second Round, TPC River’s Bend, Cincinnati
7:30 p.m.
GOLF — Korn Ferry Tour: The Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation, Second Round, Vanderbilt Legends Club, North Course, Franklin, Tenn. (Taped)
9:30 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: The Sanford Invitational, First Round, Minnehaha Country Club in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Taped)
HORSE RACING
1 p.m.
FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races
MLB BASEBALL
2 p.m.
MLBN — Tampa Bay at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m.)
7 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Texas at N.Y. Mets (7:10 p.m.) OR Baltimore at Toronto (7:05 p.m.)
7:10 p.m.
APPLE TV+ — N.Y. Yankees at Boston
10 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco (10:15 p.m.) OR Colorado at San Diego (9:40 p.m.)
10:10 p.m.
APPLE TV+ — L.A. Angels at Seattle
RUGBY (MEN’S)
2 a.m. (Saturday)
FS2 — NRL Postseason: Penrith at New Zealand, Elimination Final
5:45 a.m. (Saturday)
FS2 — NRL Postseason: Sydney at Cronulla-Sutherland, Elimination Final
RUGBY (WOMEN’S)
9:55 p.m.
FS2 — NRL: North Queensland at Brisbane
11:40 p.m.
FS2 — NRL: Canberra at Gold Coast
SAILING
10:30 a.m.
CBSSN — SailGP: Event 9 – Day 1, Saint-Tropez, France
SOCCER (MEN’S)
2 p.m.
ESPN2 — Bundesliga: Eintracht Frankfurt at Bayer 04 Leverkusen
TENNIS
8 a.m.
TENNIS — Davis Cup Qualifiers 2nd Round USA v. CZE, NED v. ARG, FRA v. CRO, AUS v. BEL, JPN v. GER; Guadalajara-WTA & Sao Paulo-WTA Quarterfinals
4 p.m.
TENNIS — Davis Cup Qualifiers 2nd Round USA v. CZE, NED v. ARG, FRA v. CRO, AUS v. BEL, JPN v. GER; Guadalajara-WTA & Sao Paulo-WTA Quarterfinals
Midnight
TENNIS — Davis Cup Qualifiers 2nd Round USA v. CZE, NED v. ARG, FRA v. CRO, AUS v. BEL, JPN v. GER; Guadalajara-WTA & Sao Paulo-WTA Quarterfinals
6:30 a.m. (Saturday)
TENNIS — Davis Cup Qualifiers 2nd Round FRA v. CRO & NED v. ARG Rubbers 3, 4 & 5, ESP v. DEN Rubbers 1 & 2
TRACK AND FIELD
5 a.m. (Saturday)
CNBC — 2025 World Athletics Championships: Day 1, Tokyo
