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“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 1 (HOMESTEAD.COM)
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WNBA SCORES
GOLDEN STATE 90 CHICAGO 59
WASHINGTON 88 INDIANA 84
LOS ANGELES 97 DALLAS 96
SEATTLE 80 ATLANTA 78
LAS VEGAS 86 PHOENIX 83
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MLB SCORES
PITTSBURGH 3 CHICAGO CUBS 2
MILWAUKEE 10 CINCINNATI 8
PHILADELPHIA 6 WASHINGTON 2
TORONTO 6 TEXAS 5
BOSTON 2 MIAMI 1
ATLANTA 2 CLEVELAND 0
SEATTLE 11 NY METS 9
BALTIMORE 7 HOUSTON 0
KANSAS CITY 3 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 1
DETROIT 7 MINNESOTA 0
NY YANKEES 4 ST. LOUIS 3
COLORADO 4 ARIZONA 3
LAS VEGAS 10 LA ANGELS 3
LA DODGERS 3 SAN DIEGO 2
TAMPA BAY 7 SAN FRANCISCO 6
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MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
INDIANAPOLIS 6 SCRANTON 6
BELOIT 7 SOUTH BEND 2
WEST MICHIGAN 5 FT. WAYNE 1
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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK 0
SATURDAY, AUG. 23
12 P.M. | KANSAS STATE VS. IOWA STATE (IN DUBLIN, IRELAND) | ESPN
1 P.M. | UIW AT NICHOLLS | ESPN2
4 P.M. | IDAHO STATE AT UNLV | MOUNTAIN WEST NETWORK
4:30 P.M. | TARLETON STATE AT PORTLAND STATE | ESPN2
6:30 P.M. | FRESNO STATE AT KANSAS | FOX
7 P.M. | UC DAVIS VS. MERCER (IN MONTGOMERY, ALA.) | ESPN
7 P.M. | SAM HOUSTON AT WESTERN KENTUCKY | CBS SPORTS NETWORK
7:30 P.M. | STANFORD AT HAWAII | CBS/PARAMOUNT+
7:30 P.M. | NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL VS. SOUTHERN (MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE IN ATLANTA) | ABC
WEEK 1
THURSDAY, AUG. 28
5:30 P.M. | BOISE STATE AT SOUTH FLORIDA | ESPN
6 P.M. | LAFAYETTE AT BOWLING GREEN | ESPN+
6 P.M. | OHIO AT RUTGERS | BIG TEN NETWORK
6 P.M. | MERCYHURST AT YOUNGSTOWN STATE | ESPN+
6 P.M. | MCKENDREE AT INDIANA STATE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | DELAWARE STATE AT DELAWARE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | JACKSONVILLE STATE AT UCF | ESPN+
7 P.M. | EAST CAROLINA AT NC STATE | ACC NETWORK
7 P.M. | WYOMING AT AKRON | ESPN+
7 P.M. | SAINT FRANCIS (PA) AT LOUISIANA-MONROE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | TOWSON AT NORFOLK STATE | TBD ON AN ESPN NETWORK
7 P.M. | DAYTON AT EASTERN ILLINOIS | ESPN+
7 P.M. | LINDENWOOD AT ST. THOMAS | MIDCOSPORTS+
7:30 P.M. | ELON AT DUKE | ACC NETWORK
7:30 P.M. | CENTRAL ARKANSAS AT MISSOURI | SEC NETWORK
7:30 P.M. | UT MARTIN AT OKLAHOMA STATE | ESPN+
7:30 P.M. | WEST GEORGIA AT SAMFORD | ESPN+
8 P.M. | BUFFALO AT MINNESOTA | FOX SPORTS 1
8 P.M. | STEPHEN F. AUSTIN AT HOUSTON | ESPN+
8 P.M. | ALCORN STATE AT NORTHWESTERN STATE | ESPN+
8:30 P.M. | ALABAMA STATE AT UAB |ESPN+
9 P.M. | NEBRASKA VS. CINCINNATI | ESPN (IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI)
9 P.M. | MIAMI (OH) AT WISCONSIN | BIG TEN NETWORK
TBD P.M. | STONY BROOK AT SAN DIEGO STATE | TBD TV
TBD P.M. | UPPER IOWA AT DRAKE | TBD TV
FRIDAY, AUG. 29
6 P.M. | TARLETON STATE AT ARMY | CBS SPORTS NETWORK
6 P.M. | CAMPBELL AT RHODE ISLAND | FLOFOOTBALL
7 P.M. | KENNESAW STATE AT WAKE FOREST | ACC NETWORK
7 P.M. | APPALACHIAN STATE VS. CHARLOTTE | ESPNU (IN CHARLOTTE, NC)
7 P.M. | BETHUNE-COOKMAN AT FIU | ESPN+
7 P.M. | WESTERN MICHIGAN AT MICHIGAN STATE | FOX SPORTS 1
7 P.M. | MONMOUTH AT COLGATE | ESPN+
7:30 P.M. | WAGNER AT KANSAS | ESPN+
7:30 P.M. | WESTERN ILLINOIS AT ILLINOIS | PEACOCK
8 P.M. | AUBURN AT BAYLOR | FOX
8 P.M. | GEORGIA TECH AT COLORADO | ESPN
9:30 P.M. | UNLV AT SAM HOUSTON | CBS SPORTS NETWORK
10:30 P.M. | CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT SAN JOSE STATE | FOX SPORTS 1
TBD P.M. | NEW HAVEN AT MARIST | TBD TV
SATURDAY, AUG. 30
12 P.M. | SYRACUSE AT TENNESSEE | ABC (IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA)
12 P.M. | MISSISSIPPI STATE AT SOUTHERN MISS | ESPN
12 P.M. | VMI AT NAVY | CBS SPORTS NETWORK
12 P.M. | TEXAS AT OHIO STATE | FOX
12 P.M. | DUQUESNE AT PITT | ACC NETWORK
12 P.M. | NORTHWESTERN AT TULANE | ESPNU
12 P.M. | BALL STATE AT PURDUE | BIG TEN NETWORK
12 P.M. | MERRIMACK AT KENT STATE | ESPN+
12 P.M. | FAU AT MARYLAND | BIG TEN NETWORK
12 P.M. | NORTH DAKOTA STATE AT THE CITADEL | ESPN+
12 P.M. | RICHMOND AT LEHIGH | ESPN+
12:45 P.M. | TOLEDO AT KENTUCKY | SEC NETWORK
1 P.M. | GEORGETOWN AT DAVIDSON | TBD TV
2 P.M. | FORDHAM AT BOSTON COLLEGE | ACC NETWORK
2 P.M. | ROBERT MORRIS AT WEST VIRGINIA | ESPN+
2 P.M. | CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE AT UCONN | WWAX/UCONN+
2 P.M. | WILLIAM & MARY AT FURMAN | ESPN+
2 P.M. | BUTLER AT NORTHERN IOWA | ESPN+
2 P.M. | VIRGINIA-LYNCHBURG AT VALPARAISO | ESPN+
2:30 P.M. | OLD DOMINION AT INDIANA | FOX SPORTS 1
2:30 P.M. | CUMBERLAND AT TENNESSEE TECH | ESPN+
3 P.M. | EASTERN KENTUCKY AT LOUISVILLE | ACC NETWORK
3 P.M. | CHADRON STATE AT NORTHERN COLORADO | ESPN+
3 P.M. | HAMPTON AT JACKSON STATE | HBCU GO
3:30 P.M. | BUCKNELL AT AIR FORCE | CBS SPORTS NETWORK
3:30 P.M. | MARSHALL AT GEORGIA | ESPN
3:30 P.M. | NEVADA AT PENN STATE | CBS/PARAMOUNT+
3:30 P.M. | HOLY CROSS AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS | ESPN+
3:30 P.M. | SOUTH DAKOTA AT IOWA STATE | FOX
3:30 P.M. | TEMPLE AT UMASS | ESPN+
3:30 P.M. | ALABAMA AT FLORIDA STATE | ABC
4 P.M. | MAINE AT LIBERTY | ESPN+
4 P.M. | MONTANA STATE AT OREGON | BIG TEN NETWORK
4 P.M. | HOWARD AT FLORIDA A&M | ESPNU (IN MIAMI, FLORIDA)
4:15 P.M. | ALABAMA A&M AT ARKANSAS | SEC NETWORK+
4:30 P.M. | CHATTANOOGA AT MEMPHIS | ESPN+
4:30 P.M. | NORTH CAROLINA A&T AT TENNESSEE STATE | ESPN+
5 P.M. | SOUTHERN AT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE | SWAC TV
5:30 P.M. | MURRAY STATE AT ETSU | ESPN+
6 P.M. | ILLINOIS STATE AT OKLAHOMA | SEC NETWORK+
6 P.M. | UALBANY AT IOWA | FOX SPORTS 1
6 P.M. | WEBER STATE AT JAMES MADISON | ESPN+
6 P.M. | COASTAL CAROLINA AT VIRGINIA | ACC NETWORK
6 P.M. | GARDNER-WEBB AT WESTERN CAROLINA | ESPN+
6 P.M. | PRESBYTERIAN AT MERCER | ESPN+
6 P.M. | WOFFORD AT SOUTH CAROLINA STATE | ESPN+
6 P.M. | ALLEN AT MOREHEAD STATE | TBD TV
6 P.M. | STONEHILL AT SACRED HEART | TBD TV
6 P.M. | WEBBER INTL. AT STETSON | TBD TV
7 P.M. | CHARLESTON SOUTHERN AT VANDERBILT | SEC NETWORK+
7 P.M. | UTSA AT TEXAS A&M | ESPN
7 P.M. | SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AT ARKANSAS STATE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | NORTH DAKOTA AT KANSAS STATE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | NICHOLLS AT TROY | ESPN+
7 P.M. | MORGAN STATE AT SOUTH ALABAMA | ESPN+
7 P.M. | LIU AT FLORIDA | SEC NETWORK+
7 P.M. | AUSTIN PEAY AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | NORTH ALABAMA AT WESTERN KENTUCKY | ESPN+
7 P.M. | SACRAMENTO STATE AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | THOMAS MORE AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | ESPN+
7 P.M. | LOUISIANA CHRISTIAN AT MCNEESE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | EASTERN WASHINGTON AT UIW | ESPN+
7:30 P.M. | MISSOURI STATE AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | BIG TEN NETWORK
7:30 P.M. | UTEP AT UTAH STATE | CBS SPORTS NETWORK
7:30 P.M. | ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF AT TEXAS TECH | ESPN+
7:30 P.M. | LSU AT CLEMSON | ABC
7:30 P.M. | NEW MEXICO AT MICHIGAN | NBC/PEACOCK
7:30 P.M. | SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA AT LOUISIANA TECH | ESPN+
7:45 P.M. | GEORGIA STATE AT OLE MISS | SEC NETWORK
8 P.M. | PORTLAND STATE AT BYU | ESPN+
8 P.M. | LAMAR AT NORTH TEXAS | ESPN+
8 P.M. | ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT TULSA | ESPN+
8 P.M. | EASTERN MICHIGAN AT TEXAS STATE | ESPN+
8 P.M. | RICE AT LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE | ESPN+
8 P.M. | LANGSTON AT GRAMBLING STATE | SWAC TV (IN SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA)
8 P.M. | CAL POLY AT SAN DIEGO | ESPN+
8 P.M. | PRAIRIE VIEW A&M AT TEXAS SOUTHERN | SWAC TV
8 P.M. | SUL ROSS STATE AT UTRGV | ESPN+
8:30 P.M. | IDAHO STATE AT SOUTHERN UTAH | ESPN+
9 P.M. | EAST TEXAS A&M AT SMU | ACC NETWORK
9 P.M. | BRYANT AT NEW MEXICO STATE | ESPN+
9:30 P.M. | GEORGIA SOUTHERN AT FRESNO STATE | FOX SPORTS 1
10 P.M. | NORTHERN ARIZONA AT ARIZONA STATE | ESPN+
10 P.M. | IDAHO AT WASHINGTON STATE | THE CW
10 P.M. | UC DAVIS AT UTAH TECH | ESPN+
10:30 P.M. | HAWAII AT ARIZONA | TNT/MAX
10:30 P.M. | CALIFORNIA AT OREGON STATE | ESPN
11 P.M. | COLORADO STATE AT WASHINGTON | BIG TEN NETWORK
11 P.M. | UTAH AT UCLA | FOX
TBD P.M. | NEW HAMPSHIRE AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL | ESPN+
SUNDAY, AUG. 31
3 P.M. | VIRGINIA TECH AT SOUTH CAROLINA | ESPN (IN ATLANTA, GA)
7:30 P.M. | NOTRE DAME AT MIAMI (FL)| ABC
MONDAY, SEPT. 1
8 P.M. | TCU AT NORTH CAROLINA | ESPN
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2025 NFL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
*****WEEK 2*****
FRIDAY, AUGUST 15
TENNESSEE 23 ATLANTA 20
SEATTLE 33 KANSAS CITY 16
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16
MIAMI AT DETROIT, 1:00
CAROLINA AT HOUSTON, 1:00
GREEN BAY AT INDIANAPOLIS, 1:00
NEW ENGLAND AT MINNESOTA, 1:00
CLEVELAND AT PHILADELPHIA, 1:00
SAN FRANCISCO AT LAS VEGAS, 4:00
BALTIMORE AT DALLAS, 7:00
L.A. CHARGERS AT L.A. RAMS, 7:00
N.Y. JETS AT N.Y. GIANTS, 7:00
TAMPA BAY AT PITTSBURGH, 7:00
ARIZONA AT DENVER, 9:30
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17
JACKSONVILLE AT NEW ORLEANS, 1:00
BUFFALO AT CHICAGO (FOX), 8:00
MONDAY, AUGUST 18
CINCINNATI AT WASHINGTON (ESPN), 8:00
*****WEEK 3*****
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21
PITTSBURGH AT CAROLINA, 7:00
NEW ENGLAND AT N.Y. GIANTS (PRIME VIDEO), 8:00
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
PHILADELPHIA AT N.Y. JETS, 7:30
ATLANTA AT DALLAS, 8:00
MINNESOTA AT TENNESSEE (CBS), 8:00
CHICAGO AT KANSAS CITY, 8:20
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23
BALTIMORE AT WASHINGTON, NOON
INDIANAPOLIS AT CINCINNATI, 1:00
L.A. RAMS AT CLEVELAND, 1:00
HOUSTON AT DETROIT, 1:00
DENVER AT NEW ORLEANS, 1:00
SEATTLE AT GREEN BAY, 4:00
JACKSONVILLE AT MIAMI, 7:00
BUFFALO AT TAMPA BAY, 7:30
L.A. CHARGERS AT SAN FRANCISCO, 8:30
LAS VEGAS AT ARIZONA, 10:00
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TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/PRESS RELEASES
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
MICHIGAN FOOTBALL FINED 10S OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, MOORE SUSPENDED 3 GAMES IN SIGN-STEALING SCANDAL
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The NCAA fined Michigan tens of millions of dollars Friday and suspended coach Sherrone Moore for three games for a sign-stealing scandal that has loomed over college football’s winningest program for nearly two years.
Moore, who was already issued a self-imposed two-game suspension by Michigan, will also be banned from the first game of the 2026-27 season for a total of three games. Moore received a two-year show-cause order, but he will be allowed to fulfill coaching commitments and other athletically related activities.
Financial penalties are expected to exceed $20 million and include a $50,000 fine, a 10% fine on the football program’s budget, a 10% fine on Michigan’s 2025-26 scholarships and a fine equivalent to the anticipated loss of postseason revenue for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Michigan also faces a 25% reduction in official visits during the upcoming season and a 14-week prohibition on football recruiting communications during the probation period.
Connor Stalions, a former a low-level staffer who conducted the scouting and sign-stealing operation, was issued an eight-year show-cause order. Former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh faces a 10-year show-cause order following the conclusion of his previous four-year order effective Aug. 7, 2028.
A show-cause order effectively bans a person from college athletics for the period handed down. Harbaugh and Stalions will be prohibited from engaging in all athletically related activities for several years as a result of the decision.
The NCAA does not have rules against stealing signs, but does prohibit schools from sending scouts to the games of future opponents and using electronic equipment to record another team’s signals.
In a notice sent to the school last year, the NCAA alleged that Moore violated rules as an assistant under Harbaugh.
Harbaugh, who left the Wolverines after they won the 2023 national championship and now coaches the Los Angeles Chargers, served a three-game suspension in exchange for the Big Ten dropping its investigation into the allegations after the two ended up in court. Moore also was accused of deleting text messages with Stalions before they were recovered and provided to the NCAA.
The NCAA investigation surfaced early in the 2023 season amid allegations that Michigan used a robust in-person scouting and sign-stealing operation conducted by Stalions. He was suspended by the school and later resigned.
Stalions, who did not participate in the NCAA investigation, recently said he knew almost every signal opponents used in seven games over two seasons.
Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti sent a letter to the NCAA Committee on Infractions last month, suggesting that Michigan’s football program should not face more sanctions related to the sign-stealing saga.
The Wolverines open the season on Aug. 30 at home against New Mexico State and then play at Oklahoma, where Moore was an offensive lineman, on Sept. 6.
BRYCE LANCE BELIEVES HE STILL HAS MORE TO OFFER NORTH DAKOTA STATE AFTER CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
Bryce Lance could have cited plenty of reasons had he chosen to leave North Dakota State for a Bowl Subdivision program for his senior season.
Lance decided he had more a compelling case to stick around.
After helping North Dakota State win a national title while catching 17 touchdown passes to lead all Championship Subdivision players, Lance believed he still had more to offer at the FCS level. He heads our list of players to watch from outside the FBS programs.
“Honestly, the thing that kept me here was my teammates,” said Lance, the younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback and former North Dakota State star Trey Lance. “I always say you’ve got your whole life to make money. There’s no amount of money that would make me not want to finish my senior year with my brothers. That was the big thing – my teammates.”
Lance redshirted in 2021 and totaled one catch from 2022-23 before breaking out in a big way last year. The 6-foot-3 wideout caught 75 passes for 1,071 yards. His 17 touchdown receptions tied a Missouri Valley Conference record, and seven of them came in four playoff games.
He caught six passes for 125 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-21 semifinal victory over South Dakota State. He followed that up by compiling nine receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown as North Dakota State beat Montana State 35-32 in the final, giving the Bison their 10th title in 14 years.
The chance to be part of a second straight championship helped bring Lance back to North Dakota State.
“Last year I got finally an opportunity to get on the field, and I had a blast,” Lance said. “Doing it again would be priceless.”
Although North Dakota State will have a new quarterback this season after Cam Miller went to the Las Vegas Raiders in the sixth round of the draft, Lance should have a smooth adjustment. Miller’s likely successor is Cole Payton, who arrived at North Dakota State with Lance in 2021 and has thrown him countless passes in practice.
Lance also will spend this final season trying to polish his route running and gain more yards after the catch, two areas he believes he needs to improve as he prepares for next year’s draft. His experience has taught him that he could gain the attention of NFL teams without leaving North Dakota State.
His older brother was drafted third overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. Lance began his college career playing alongside North Dakota State receiver Christian Watson, who went to the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2022 draft.
“NDSU has shown time and time again how good their players really are and the production they have can translate to the next level,” Lance said. “For sure, it’s good to know that, in the back of my mind, but like I said the biggest reason (to stay) was definitely my teammates.”
Western Carolina QB Taron Dickens
Dickens only started four games as a redshirt freshman last season after taking over for the injured Cole Gonzales, but his spectacular performance during that stretch makes it enticing to wonder what’s next. He finished the season having completed 73.8% of his passes for 1,428 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He threw for over 400 yards in two of his four starts – a 38-34 victory over Chattanooga and a 47-42 triumph at Samford.
Southern DE Ckelby Givens
Givens had an FCS-leading 27 ½ tackles for loss last season to go along with 12 sacks and three forced fumbles. He tied for sixth place in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award given to the top FCS defensive player. Givens had 21 tackles for loss, seven sacks and four forced fumbles in 2023.
William & Mary CB Jalen Jones
This 6-foot defensive back had 22 passes defended, 1.8 passes defended per game and 20 pass breakups last year to lead the FCS in all three categories. He was an Associated Press All-America first-team selection.
Rhode Island LB A.J. Pena
Pena had 82 overall tackles, 22 ½ tackles for loss and 12 ½ sacks last season to earn AP All-America first-team honors. Pena finished 13th in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award. He has totaled 44 ½ tackles for loss and 27 sacks over his three-year career.
Monmouth QB Derek Robertson
Robertson led FCS players in total yards passing (3,937) and yards passing per game (328.1) last season. He finished sixth in the voting for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the top FCS offensive player. Robertson completed 65% of his attempts and threw 31 touchdown passes with only six interceptions. He had thrown for 2,897 yards and 25 touchdowns with Maine in 2023.
Incarnate Word WR Jalen Walthall
Walthall caught 85 passes for 1,290 yards and 14 touchdowns last season as an AP All-America first-team selection. He ranked third among all FCS players in yards receiving. The 6-2 receiver was at Hawaii from 2021-23 before transferring to Incarnate Word.
NO. 11 ARIZONA STATE NOW SEEKS SOMETHING SPECIAL AFTER BIG 12 TITLE DEBUT IN UNPREDICTABLE LEAGUE
Arizona State was a big surprise debuting in the Big 12 with a conference championship and making the College Football Playoff after being picked to finish at the bottom of the 16-team league.
Kenny Dillingham, the 35-year-old coach now in his third season at his alma mater, bluntly told his Sun Devils they really didn’t do anything special last year.
“The reality is there’s been a lot of teams in college football who have done what we’ve done, who have won one year and then come back to reality,” Dillingham said. “What would be special would be to continue to build off of that. The real challenge was how do we not become what normal teams in our situation do, which is fall back to where we’ve always been.”
After a CFP quarterfinal loss in double overtime to now preseason No. 1 Texas, the No. 11 Sun Devils are the highest-ranked team from the unpredictable Big 12, even after the departure of do-everything running back Cam Skattebo to the NFL. They return quarterback Sam Leavitt (2,855 yards, 24 TDs passing), the preseason Big 12 offensive player of the year, and receiver Jordyn Tyson (75 catches, 1,101 yards, 10 TDs) is healthy after missing the end of the last season with a collarbone injury.
The last time Arizona State was higher in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 was No. 8 in 1998, what turned into a 5-6 season.
The Big 12’s other ranked teams are No. 17 Kansas State and league runner-up No. 22 Iowa State, who open against each other with a conference game in Ireland on Aug. 23, along with No. 23 Texas Tech. All return quality starting quarterbacks.
Texas Tech transformed its program with big money through the transfer portal and made the preseason poll for the first time since 2008, six years before three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes played a game for the Red Raiders.
Passers and a rusher make contenders
Baylor redshirt sophomore Bryson Washington (1,028 yards, 12 TDs) is the only of the Big 12’s eight 1,000-yard rushers back from last season. The Bears, who won their last six regular-season games, also return quarterback Sawyer Robertson (3,335 yards, 27 TDs).
Leading passer Shedeur Sanders (4,134 yards, 37 TDs) went in the NFL draft after two seasons at Colorado, but the next eight top QBs were all coming back, including Iowa State’s Rocco Becht, Texas Tech’s Behren Morton and K-State’s Avery Johnson. The only change was Jake Retzlaff unexpectedly leaving BYU this spring after a since-dismissed civil sexual assault lawsuit.
Three seasons after making the national title game, TCU has Josh Hoover (3,949 yards, 27 TDs) after a 9-4 season capped by four consecutive wins.
Old coaches feeling some heat
Only Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz in his 27th season has been with his FBS team longer than Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy and Utah’s Kyle Whittingham. The Big 12’s stalwarts are coming off huge disappointments in their 20th seasons.
Utah was the presumptive favorite last year to be the team to make its Big 12 debut with a title, but had its first losing season (5-7, 2-7 Big 12) since 2013. Two-time Pac-12 champion quarterback Cam Rising had to “medically retire”, but dual-threat QB Devon Dampier followed new offensive coordinator Jason Beck from New Mexico.
Oklahoma State was 3-9 and didn’t win a conference game, its first losing season since Gundy’s 4-7 debut in 2005. And there is still plenty of uncertainty with two new coordinators and a lot of transfers.
“The changes in how we go about rebuilding, whether it’s financially or roster management, have been challenging but also intriguing,” Gundy said. “It’s different than it’s ever been before.”
Familiar new coaches
Scott Frost has reunited with UCF and Rich Rodriguez is back at West Virginia, but they are new coaches to the Big 12 since those schools weren’t yet in the league when they were there.
“Whatever head coaching spot, it takes you six to nine months to kind of get a lay of the land,” Rodriguez said. “Well, West Virginia took six to nine minutes. … But, then again, there’s also times of change.”
The Mountaineers are in their 14th Big 12 season. They has three consecutive 11-win seasons in the Big East from 2005-07 before Rodriguez went to Michigan.
This is UCF’s third Big 12 season. Frost coached UCF’s undefeated season out of the American Athletic Conference in 2017, when the Knights declared themselves national champions and he left for Nebraska.
Games to watch
TCU opens 2026 in Ireland against North Carolina, but this year will be in Chapel Hill as the visitor for Bill Belichick’s UNC debut on Labor Day night.
The Horned Frogs two years ago lost their season opener in coach Deion Sanders’ first game with Colorado. Sanders, who was treated this summer for bladder cancer, has his first Buffs game without a son on the team Aug. 29 against Georgia Tech.
Other notable games: No. 11 Arizona State at Baylor, and No. 23 Texas Tech at Utah, Sept. 20; TCU at No. 11 Arizona State, Sept. 26; No. 17 Kansas State at Baylor, Oct. 4; No. 11 Arizona State at Utah, Oct. 11; No. 23 Texas Tech at No. 11 Arizona State, Oct. 18; No. 11 Arizona State at No. 22 Iowa State, and No. 23 Texas Tech at No. 17 Kansas State on Nov. 1; Big 12 championship game, Dec. 6.
BOISE STATE AGAIN FAVORED TO WIN MOUNTAIN WEST AS CONFERENCE PREPARES FOR MAJOR CHANGES
Change is coming to the Mountain West, but this season will feel like so many others.
No. 25 Boise State was picked to win the conference.
For the 15th year in a row.
Broncos coach Spencer Danielson pointed out that didn’t equate to a conference title every time, but Boise State is the two-time defending champion. The program lost Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty and still received 35 of 39 first-place votes from the media.
“That’s just the culture that we have,” said left tackle Kage Casey, a potential first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft. “Everyone in the conference knows that we’re putting in the work to be the best, and that’s what we’re going to show game by game, day by day.”
Boise State and four other schools — Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State — will be playing their final season in the Mountain West. Those five will depart for the Pac-12 Conference in what has been a contentious divorce that saw UNLV turn down overtures from the Pac-12 to remain in the Mountain West.
The Rebels made the championship game the past two seasons before falling short against Boise State, and they were picked to finish second again this year. With first-year coach Dan Mullen, who previously coached Florida and Mississippi State, there is great optimism at UNLV of taking the next step and perhaps qualifying for the College Football Playoff.
Junior safety Jake Pope was recruited by Mullen coming out of high school in 2022, but chose Alabama over the Gators. He transferred to Georgia two years later and then to UNLV.
“A really, really great players’ coach,” Pope said. “He’s always down to listen to what we have, positive and negative. … It’s pretty cool to be back here with him.”
Moving on from Jeanty
Jeanty had a season for the ages last year, leading the nation with 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns rushing. He fell just 27 yards short of Barry Sanders’ NCAA record.
It might take a committee to come close to making up such production.
Redshirt freshman Sire Gaines is back after missing nearly all of last season with an injury; in last year’s opener against Georgia Southern, he rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Malik Sherrod is a sixth-year transfer from Fresno State who also had his season ended prematurely by injury, but in 2023 he rushed for 966 yards and nine TDs.
Whether the Broncos can make up the difference remains to be seen.
“Ashton is one of the top leaders I’ve ever been around in all my years coaching,” Danielson said. “He had that innate sense that could grab a kid, have a one-on-one conversation. Could speak to the entire room. Would also lead by example.”
Taking the next step
Boise State appeared in the playoff last season for the first time. The Broncos, who received a first-round bye, were demolished by Penn State 31-14 in the quarterfinals.
“We went to the playoffs, but we lost,” Casey said. “That’s the thing that I always think about. We were the fourth team to go to the Fiesta Bowl; we were the first Boise State team to fall short. That is deep in our hearts and deep in our thoughts, that we are not going to let that be our legacy. We want to build off of something no Boise State team has ever done. We want to go on a run.”
SEC West at UNLV?
Mullen isn’t the only one who gives UNLV a Southeastern Conference feel as he replaces Barry Odom, who parlayed back-to-back Mountain West title game appearances into the Purdue job.
In addition to Pope, other new Rebels include cornerbacks Denver Harris (previously LSU and Texas A&M) and Laterrance Welch (LSU).
Drawing players from one of the country’s most dominant conference probably isn’t the worst strategy.
“The more guys in the program that knows what it takes in an SEC program to win, it’s going to translate over to here,” Pope said.
Spartans on the rise
San Jose State, like UNLV, for many years was at or near the bottom of the Mountain West until recently.
The Spartans posted four seven-win seasons in the past five years under two coaches. Brent Brennan built the program before leaving for Arizona after the 2023 season. Ken Niumatalolo — who went 109-83 over 16 years at Navy — took over and guided San Jose State to a 7-6 record last season.
San Jose State was picked third in the Mountain West.
“I think we’re way more mature,” Niumatalolo said. “I felt a little chaotic at this time last year implementing our culture, implementing what we do. I feel like that stuff’s already in place.”
THE MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE HEADS INTO THE SEASON WITH EXPERIENCED QUARTERBACK AT TOP TEAMS
Quarterback Dequan Finn is returning to a very different Mid-American Conference than the one he left when he transferred to Baylor last year.
His biggest challenge now comes from quarterback Parker Navarro, who led Ohio to the 2024 league crown. Finn’s backup at Toledo, Tucker Gleason, is now the incumbent starter for the preseason favorite. And Finn, the 2023 MAC player of the year, is back to prove he’s still the best of the bunch, this time at Miami (Ohio).
Naturally, the league’s three best quarterbacks also happen to be running the top three teams as each vies for a championship ring.
“When I got in the portal, that was just like a second chance for me, a second opportunity to showcase my skills,” Finn said during last month league media day in Detroit. “And having a second chance to be on the football field doing what I love the most.”
It didn’t take Finn long to find out how fleeting success can be. He lost the starting job after two games and only made one more appearance before opting to leave the Bears.
But with so many proven winners and big-name quarterbacks around the league and his starter leaving, Miami coach Chuck Martin waited for Finn to make his decision.
Can he help the RedHawks outduel Navarro, the star in Ohio’s 38-3 rout of rival Miami in December’s title game, Gleason or anyone else? Perhaps.
“I don’t know if he was looking to come back to the MAC or even to Miami, I don’t think that was the plan,” Martin said. “You’re losing your starter, we had a wide open door for somebody to come in and take the job. It worked out good for him and worked out good for us.”
Other top QBs in the league include Akron incumbent Ben Finley, the brother of former NFL quarterback Ryan Finley, and Bowling Green’s Drew Pyne, who played previously at Notre Dame, Arizona State and Missouri.
Each knows the journey will be challenging.
“It would be a display of dominance,” Navarro said when asked what it would mean if Ohio won consecutive crowns after snapping a nearly six-decade title drought. “But we know there’s a target on us, and we’re excited about it.”
Hello and goodbye
In a college football era where change has become the norm, the MAC has been the most stable conference in the FBS.
It couldn’t stay that way forever. The league has expanded to 13 teams this season thanks to the return of UMass, which spent the last nine seasons as an independent after playing in the league from 2012-15.
This season also marks the final year of Northern Illinois’ second MAC stint. The Huskies first played in the MAC from 1975-85 then returned in 1997 and pulled off last season’s biggest upset, at Notre Dame. They’re headed to the Mountain West next year.
New faces
The 13-team MAC has five new coaches this season while another — Kent State coach Mark Carney — dropped the interim tag despite a winless 2024.
The headliner is easy: Bowling Green coach Eddie George, the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner.
“It was going to take something special (to leave Tennessee State) and this is something special,” George said. “This team’s been knocking at the door the last three years, a game here or there and they’re playing for a championship. And then a chance to come back to Ohio? Oh yeah.”
The other new coaches are Brian Smith at Ohio, Mike Uremovich at Ball State, Joe Harasymiak at UMass and Mark Drinkall at Central Michigan.
The B1G question
With Big Ten teams playing nine league games and some schools adapting with new scheduling philosophies, there is some question whether the traditional Big Ten-MAC matchups will continue. Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher is convinced they will.
“It makes an awful lot of sense we continue to play each other,” he said. “My conversation with Big Ten officials certainly leads me to conclude that (we will).”
Nine MAC schools will face Big Ten opponents this season, five on opening weekend.
MAC tidbits
Kent State has lost an FBS-high 17 straight games and last year became the first 0-12 team since Akron in 2019. … Akron is ineligible for postseason play because of consistently low Academic Progress Rate scores. The Zips are the first football program to face a postseason ban since Idaho in 2014. … Only Buffalo (16), Toledo (13) and Ohio and Central Michigan (10) have more than eight returning starters. … MAC schools have won a league-record 11 bowl games over the past three seasons.
Games to watch
Aug. 28, Miami at Wisconsin; Aug. 30, Toledo at Kentucky; Sept. 6, West Virginia at Ohio; Sept. 13, Ohio at Ohio State; Sept. 20, Bowling Green at Louisville; Sept. 27, Bowling Green at Ohio; Oct. 4, Miami at Northern Illinois; Oct. 11, Toledo at Bowling Green; Oct. 25, Toledo at Washington State; Nov. 4, Miami at Ohio; Nov. 12, Toledo at Miami; Nov. 19, Miami at Buffalo; Nov. 28, Ohio at Buffalo; Dec. 6, MAC championship game at Detroit.
OLE MISS DC PETE GOLDING JOINS HIGHEST-PAID ASSISTANTS
Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s three-year, $7.85 million contract extension makes him one of the highest-paid assistants in college football.
With an average annual value of $2.616 million, he becomes the highest-paid assistant coach in the Southeastern Conference, On3 Sports reported Thursday.
ESPN reported Friday that Golding’s salary ranks fourth nationally among defensive coordinators after Penn State’s Jim Knowles ($3.1 million), Auburn’s DJ Durkin ($2.7 million) and Southern California’s D’Anton Lynn ($2.65 million).
Golding will earn $2.55 million in 2025, $2.6 million in 2026 and $2.7 million in 2027. The deal includes incentives such as an additional $50,000 if the Rebels win the SEC championship game and $150,000 if they win the College Football Playoff national championship.
Golding, 41, orchestrated a defense that allowed an SEC-low 14.4 points per game during a 10-3 season in 2024. Ole Miss held nine of 13 opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards, finishing second nationally in rushing defense (80.5 yards).
He joined head coach Lane Kiffin’s staff in 2023 after five seasons at Alabama (2018-22), the last four as defensive coordinator under Nick Saban.
No. 21 Mississippi opens the season against Georgia State on Aug. 30 in Oxford, Miss.
WAZZU DELAYS NAMING QB1 UNTIL GAME DAY
Four quarterbacks engaged in a competition to start for Washington State are still fighting it out, leaving head coach Jimmy Rogers to declare he won’t name his QB1 until the season opener on Aug. 30.
The Cougars open with Idaho and staged a four-way battle for the starting quarterback job after John Mateer transferred to Oklahoma. Mateer was the replacement for Cam Ward, who went to Miami and became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft.
Rogers is making no guarantees about extending the streak of breakout passers but promised tight lips for the next two weeks as the Cougars sort out their depth chart.
“You guys won’t know so, I’ll never tell you. You’re gonna see it on game day,” he said. “There’s a battle continuing to happen. Proud of the guys as far as their maturity and how they handled it and we’ll see how it shapes.”
Returning senior Zevi Eckhaus started in Mateer’s place in the Holiday Bowl and has been credited with better conditioning by Rogers.
in the Holiday Bowl start, Eckhaus and the Cougars lost to Syracuse 52-35. He completed 31 of 43 passes for 363 yards with three TD passes and two picks, and opened the shootout with a touchdown run.
Jaxon Potter, a redshirt sophomore in his third season in the program, and redshirt freshman Julian Dugger are considered the closest competition for Eckhaus, who is the most experienced.
Potter attempted only two passes last season. Dugger transferred from Pitt, where he appeared in just one game and completed 7 of 13 passes and rushed for 88 yards in a six-overtime loss to Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.
Eckhaus said he’s confident he’ll be the starter.
“I don’t think you can ever stop finding ways to be a better leader. I think that’s what separates me,” he told 4 News this week.
Sophomore Ajani Sheppard transferred from Rutgers and has been less involved in live team drills.
BILL BELICHICK WON’T APPEAR WEEKLY ON UNC’S COACH’S RADIO SHOW
First-year North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick will appear on the opening installment of the traditional weekly coach’s radio show, but that’s it.
Formerly known as “Mack Brown Live,” the show has been renamed “Carolina Football Live” and will continue to be aired weekly from a restaurant and brewery near the North Carolina campus in Chapel Hill, the university said in a news release.
Belichick will take the coach’s seat for the first show of the season, set for Aug. 27 ahead of the season opener against TCU. After that, the show will air on Mondays and look at the Tar Heels’ game the past weekend and the one the weekend ahead.
North Carolina general manager Michael Lombardi will be the headliner each week, joined by assistant coaches and players. Belichick will sit alongside Lombardi for the first edition. Jones Angell, the radio play-by-play announcer for the Tar Heels, hosts the one-hour show.
While appearing on a weekly radio show is a contract requirement for many college football coaches, it is not in the case of Belichick. His contract stipulates only that he make appearances “as reasonably requested by the University.”
Belichick, 73, has not been a head coach of a college program before this season. He led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl championships from 2000-23.
North Carolina and TCU meet Sept. 1 in Chapel Hill. There is great anticipation for Belichick’s first season, with all tickets to home games sold out.
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NFL NEWS
TEDDY BRIDGEWATER IS HOPING TO MAKE THE BEST OF HIS NFL RETURN AMID HIGH SCHOOL COACHING SUSPENSION
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Teddy Bridgewater always planned to play football this year.
Just maybe not quite this early.
In a perfect world, the well-traveled quarterback wouldn’t be spending this weekend in Pittsburgh getting ready for his preseason debut with Tampa Bay, but in Miami helping Northwestern High prepare to defend the Florida Class 3A title he coached his alma mater to last winter.
Don’t get Bridgewater wrong. The 32-year-old — whose retirement hasn’t quite stuck more than 18 months after he announced it — is eager to go out and show he can still “spin it.” And he’s grateful to do it for a team that has ripped off four straight NFC South titles, a team that also happens to be not that far from home.
Still, Bridgewater would be lying if he said this was his first choice. The plan was always to coach until Northwestern’s season was over, then explore his options in the NFL, just as he did last year when he made a cameo with Detroit as Jared Goff’s backup during the Lions’ playoff push.
A seemingly innocuous social media post changed everything.
Suspension changes plans
Bridgewater’s Facebook message was designed to find donors willing to help offset team expenses not covered by the school, expenses — from food to rides home from practice — that he freely admitted he paid out of his own pocket in 2024.
Yet his admission also constituted potential violations concerning impermissible benefits. Bridgewater — who did not take a salary as head coach — self-reported the payments and was subsequently suspended. The Florida High School Athletic Association’s investigation is ongoing.
“It’s very upsetting,” Bridgewater said following a joint practice between the Buccaneers and Steelers ahead of their preseason game at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday night.
“Just knowing that you have good intentions and those good intentions will be turned against you and used against you.”
It’s unclear when a resolution might come. For Bridgewater, who still communicates regularly with his at-the-moment former players, it can’t get here fast enough.
“I’m hoping to get it resolved because those kids have a special place in my heart,” Bridgewater said. “And I’d love to finish what I started with them.”
Bridgewater didn’t even rule out making the four-ish hour drive from Tampa to Miami on Fridays when the Buccaneers’ schedule allows to attend a Northwestern game as a fan, at least for now.
He’d love the opportunity to return one day as the coach of the school where he became a star in the late 2000s before embarking on a decorated college career at Louisville, followed by a nomadic journey through the NFL.
Setting an example from afar
When Bridgewater announced after the 2023 season that he was stepping away, he thought it would stick. He quickly agreed to become the head coach at Northwestern, eager to start the next chapter of his life.
Yet he also stayed in shape, even taking snaps during the spring game, headset on all the while. He also remained in contact with Lions coach Dan Campbell and realized that playing could not only let him feed a passion to play that is very much still there, but set another kind of example in the process.
“I always see it as motivation for the kids to know that you can do whatever you put your mind to,” Bridgewater said. “As long as you build those healthy relationships, continue to train, work hard year-round, opportunities are going to come.”
Enter Tampa Bay, which reached out looking for someone experienced to join a quarterback room that includes Baker Mayfield, coming off the best season of his career.
Bridgewater isn’t with the Buccaneers to be the starter like he was during stints in Minnesota, Carolina and Denver, but a resource.
“Most good quarterbacks have another guy in there that’s a veteran, that’s pretty savvy, that understands the game and knows the game,” Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said. “And (Teddy) can help Baker out. Coaching helps (Baker) out, but there’s nothing like seeing it from a player’s standpoint, and (Teddy) can give that to Baker.”
There’s also a fair amount of life left in Bridgewater’s right arm. Wearing No. 16, he more than held his own while taking snaps during the joint practice with Pittsburgh. And with Mayfield getting the night off on Saturday, Bridgewater figures to get some extended run for the first time in a long time.
However the rest of his 2025 goes, don’t expect Bridgewater to commit full time to becoming one of those quarterbacks who are just fine with bouncing around the NFL deep into their 30s. His preference in the near term would be to find a way to still have the best of both worlds: coaching high schoolers during the fall, then seeing what work might be there for him when the calendar nears late December.
He received feelers during the offseason after his stint with the Lions, and his answer was always some version of “I’m up for it, check back when Northwestern is done.”
Told preferring an unpaid coaching gig over the far more lucrative life of an NFL quarterback — even a backup one — makes him an outlier of sorts, and Bridgewater just shrugged.
“Yeah, I can make a ton of money playing football and coaching high school ball, I get nothing,” he said. “But it’s not even about the money. It’s about giving those kids a building block to go out into the real world and be productive.”
BENGALS ASSESSING OPTIONS AT SAFETY WITH STARTER GENO STONE SIDELINED BECAUSE OF INJURY
CINCINNATI (AP) — After the Cincinnati Bengals secondary struggled in the preseason opener, starting safety Geno Stone learned that he has a soft tissue injury that has him out on a “week-to-week” basis.
Those recent developments gave the Bengals a lot to discuss and work on heading into their second preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Monday night.
Coach Zac Taylor said that the Philadelphia Eagles’ success against the Bengals in last week’s preseason opener showed the Bengals defensive backs some areas to focus on going forward. Penalties from the Bengals also made a big difference last week, and Taylor wants to see those cleaned up in Washington.
“We were just in a lot of one-on-one positions where we were fingertip away a lot of times,” Taylor said. “Continue to be competitive, continue to be detailed up on scrimmage. I think overall, operationally, there were some things on offense, defense and special teams that we’ve we’ve got to be better at. That had nothing to do with Philly, and that’s, that’s one of our primary focuses right now as a team, not having a joint practice this week.”
Without Stone in the short term, Tycen Anderson, Daijahn Anthony and PJ Jules have been battling for first-team reps on defense.
Even though the Bengals didn’t utilize their safety depth last season, they only added undrafted free agents into that position group. As a result, the backups behind Stone who are now contenders for a first-team role are getting their first real chance to show what they’re capable of in a starting opportunity.
Anthony played some backup slot cornerback during the first two weeks last season. But after he committed a key penalty, he lost that role and didn’t play much during the rest of his rookie season.
He has received a fresh start in 2025 with a new defensive coordinator, and he has been Stone’s primary backup as the second-team free safety.
“Safety is just slowing down for me now,” Anthony said. “What’s changed the most is that Coach Al (Golden) has given us our own freedom. He gives us the tools and played to run. Then, he gives us the opportunity to make those plays and run the show back there. That’s the biggest change for me. There’s not as much stress with this is exactly what we have to do.”
Anderson, a fifth-round pick in 2022, has played one career defensive snap while establishing himself as the team’s top special teamer. He has played in 24 total games, and Anderson has 18 total tackles in the NFL on special teams.
Jules was an undrafted free agent last season who spent 2024 on the Bengals’ practice squad. An interception last Sunday during practice with the second team opened some eyes and led to him getting more opportunities.
“I don’t care who you are, how you got here, I’ll give you the same promise my coach gave me 15 years ago,” safeties coach Jordan Kovacs said. “The best players will play. Every spot is open. Let’s go compete and let’s see how good we can get. Because competition is ultimately what’s going to make us better players.”
Taylor also didn’t rule out the Bengals adding a free-agent option at the safety position.
“That’s a group that we’re looking to make sure we’re deep enough there, so they’re gonna continue to get a lot of opportunities,” Taylor said.
JAGS WR/CB TRAVIS HUNTER MISSES PRACTICE WITH INJURY
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter is dealing with an upper-body injury and could miss Sunday’s preseason game at New Orleans, coach Liam Coen said Friday.
Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick who is playing both cornerback and wide receiver, did not practice Thursday and may sit out against the Saints as a precaution.
Hunter won the 2024 Heisman Trophy while starring on both sides of the ball at Colorado, but this injury will no doubt restart the debate about how sustainable two-way play is at the NFL level.
Jacksonville’s most recent depth chart released on Tuesday has Hunter listed as a No. 1 receiver, along with Brian Thomas Jr. and Dyami Brown. He is listed on the second team at cornerback behind starters Tyson Campbell and Jourdan Lewis.
Hunter, 22, caught both of his targets for 9 yards in the Jags’ 31-25 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in last Saturday’s preseason opener. He played 10 snaps on offense and eight on defense.
Following Sunday’s game at New Orleans, the Jaguars finish the preseason at Miami on Aug. 23. They kick off the regular season at home against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 7.
REPORT: NFL INVESTIGATING CASE OF FREE AGENT WR ISAIAH BOND
The NFL is looking into the now-closed criminal case against former Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who announced on social media that he expects to sign with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told Cleveland.com Friday that the case was under review, despite a grand jury in Collin County, Texas, deciding Thursday not to indict Bond on a sexual account charge following his arrest in April.
He still could face punishment under the league’s personal conduct policy once he signs with a team. He posted to X on Thursday that would be the Browns, although the team’s front office has not confirmed that.
“First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Cleveland Browns for believing in me and allowing me the opportunity to continue my career in the NFL,” Bond said. “Football has been my passion since I was six years old, and playing at this level is a blessing I will never take for granted. I understand that playing in the NFL is a privilege, and I’m thankful every day to live my childhood dream.
“I know there have been questions and reports about the recent allegations. I am grateful for the decision of the prosecutor and the courts not to pursue charges. I will learn from this experience as I grow in wisdom, character, and faith. On the advice of my attorney, I will not discuss the details of this case, but I want to be clear: from the very beginning I have refuted these allegations and maintained my innocence. I stand firm by that today.”
At Texas, Bond played just one season after transferring from Alabama. The Georgia native caught 34 catches for 540 yards, reeling in five touchdowns over 14 games.
Bond ran a 4.39 40-yard-dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. And while he was expected to be a Day 2 draft pick — ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. had pegged him as a late second-round pick — he was not selected, reportedly over character concerns as well as his size (5-foot-11, 180 pounds).
TITANS UTILIZE EARLY TURNOVER TO DOWN FALCONS
Second-year defensive back Kendell Brooks returned an interception 53 yards for an opening touchdown, as the Tennessee Titans never trailed in a 23-20 preseason win over the Falcons on Friday in Atlanta.
Brooks, a 25-year-old product of Michigan State with one career tackle, intercepted Falcons quarterback Easton Stick on Atlanta’s second drive of the game, putting the Falcons in an early hole. Brandon Allen staked the Titans (1-1) to a 13-3 lead late in the first half, connecting with Gunnar Helm on a 25-yard touchdown pass.
Stick went most of the way for Atlanta (0-2) and had 173 yards on 19-of-32 passing. His third-quarter, 52-yard scoring connection with Chris Blair tied the score at 20 before a Joey Slye 23-yard field goal provided the winning margin for Tennessee.
No. 1 overall draft choice Cam Ward saw limited time for the Titans, completing 2 of 7 passes for 42 yards. Allen passed for 119 yards.
SAM DARNOLD IMPRESSES IN PRESEASON DEBUT WITH SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, WIN AGAINST KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
SEATTLE (AP) — Sam Darnold looked the part of a franchise quarterback in his first appearance at Lumen Field as the Seattle Seahawks beat the Kansas City Chiefs 33-16 in a preseason game on Friday night.
Darnold, who did not appear in the Seattle Seahawks’ preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, completed 4 of 4 passes for 34 yards on the opening drive.
Darnold, who signed to a three-year, $100.5 million contract with Seattle in the offseason, made good use of both his legs and his tight ends during his sole series. He had no issues rolling out to either his left or right, locating tight ends AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo for short passes, as well as fullback Robbie Ouzts and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for deeper completions.
“I thought today, first of all, it was awesome just to get out there in front of the 12s,” Darnold said. “And that atmosphere, too, I felt like that was kind of a perfect atmosphere. It felt like it was almost November, December already out there in the rain.”
Backup quarterback Drew Lock also impressed in relief of Darnold on a slippery Seattle evening, throwing a couple of touchdown passes to wide receiver Jake Bobo, and completing 10 of 12 passes for 129 yards. Coach Mike Macdonald was particularly complimentary of Bobo’s performance.
“This guy’s a Seahawk, man,” Macdonald said of Bobo, “The way he operates and goes and attacks the football.”
Running backs Zach Charbonnet and Damien Martinez each added touchdowns on the ground in the first and third quarters, respectively.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, did not play quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and other starters from the team that fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in last season’s Super Bowl.
Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew found tight end Robert Tonyan for a 1-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.
The Seahawks’ defense in large part held strong, limiting the Chiefs’ reserves to three points in the second half. Kansas City wide receiver Skyy Moore, though, did return a punt for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
“Now, we’re chasing perfection as much as you can’t obtain it,” safety Julian Love said. “That’s kind of what we’re trying to make the standard on defense.”
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BASEBALL NEWS
REDS ROOKIE FIREBALLER CHASE BURNS (ELBOW) LANDS ON IL
The Cincinnati Reds placed rookie right-hander Chase Burns on the 15-day injured list Friday with an elbow issue.
The move is retroactive to Tuesday for Burns, who was diagnosed with a Grade 1 right flexor strain.
Burns, 22, is 0-3 with a 5.24 ERA in eight starts since making his major league debut on June 24.
He struck out exactly 10 batters in four of his last five starts, pushing his season total to 57 in 34 1/3 innings.
Cincinnati selected Burns with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Wake Forest.
The Reds recalled left-handed reliever Joe La Sorsa, 27, from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding transaction.
MLB ROUNDUP: BREWERS RALLY FOR RECORD-TYING 13TH STRAIGHT WIN
Christian Yelich belted two homers as part of a four-hit day — falling a triple shy of the cycle — and drove in five runs as the visiting Milwaukee Brewers rallied from an early seven-run deficit to stun the Cincinnati Reds 10-8 on Friday.
The win was Milwaukee’s 13th straight as the Brewers matched their franchise-best run set in 1987. The stunning comeback was Milwaukee’s 28th win in 32 games, increasing the best record in the majors to 77-44. Milwaukee has outscored its opponents 36-13 in the past three games, scoring in double figures each time.
The Reds appeared on their way to a rout when they had nine straight batters reach with one out in the second inning en route to an 8-1 lead. From that point, the Brewers’ bullpen retired the final 23 batters.
Milwaukee right-hander Jacob Misiorowski struggled in his return from a stint on the 15-day injured list caused by a lower left leg contusion. Elly De La Cruz doubled and drove in two runs for the Reds, and Gavin Lux added two hits and two RBIs.
Pirates 3, Cubs 2
Jack Suwinski played the hero in his hometown as his ninth-inning home run lifted visiting Pittsburgh to a victory over Chicago.
The Pirates center fielder, who entered the day batting .118, took a 1-1 delivery with one out from Daniel Palencia (1-3) the other way into the left-center bleachers. Jared Triolo, another sub-.200 hitter for the Pirates, went 2-for-4 and scored a run.
Dennis Santana (4-4) pitched one-hit ball over 1 1/3 innings of relief to get the win. Rookie Braxton Ashcraft went a career-high five innings for Pittsburgh and allowed a run on three hits while striking out four. Cubs starter Colin Rea also only allowed a run on three hits over five.
Tigers 7, Twins 0
Dillon Dingler drove in three runs, Charlie Morton pitched six strong innings and Detroit blanked Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Javier Baez had two hits and drove in two runs for the Tigers, who have won five of their last six games. Morton (8-10) gave up two hits and walked three while striking out five.
Minnesota starter Pierson Ohl (0-3) gave up seven runs, three earned, and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Red Sox 2, Marlins 1
Trevor Story logged two of Boston’s three hits, including a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a Red Sox rally over visiting Miami.
Story’s heroics came after Boston opened the frame by loading the bases without a hit. It also earned a win for Aroldis Chapman (4-2), who logged a perfect ninth inning.
Kyle Stowers, who drove in the lone run for the Marlins, and Liam Hicks each singled and doubled for Miami, which belted five doubles as part of their seven hits. Miami, though, went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight runners on base.
Mariners 11, Mets 9
Cal Raleigh belted his league-leading 46th home run and became MLB’s first player to reach 100 RBIs this season as visiting Seattle rallied past New York.
The Mariners, who won for the ninth time in 11 games, scored five runs in the seventh inning to turn a two-run deficit into a 10-6 lead. Dominic Canzone’s RBI single put Seattle ahead for good. Raleigh added two doubles for the Mariners, who recorded a franchise-record nine doubles in the game.
Francisco Lindor went 3-for-4 with two homers for the Mets, who dropped their 14th game in 16 tries. Francisco Alvarez added two hits, including a home run, and four RBIs.
Orioles 7, Astros 0
Rookie starter Brandon Young fell four outs shy of Baltimore’s first-ever perfect game as the visiting Orioles cruised to a win over Houston.
Young (1-6) picked up his first-career win after striking out six and retiring each of the first 23 batters he faced. The Astros’ Ramon Urias broke up the perfect game bid with an infield single in the eighth inning.
Coby Mayo and Dylan Carlson each homered for Baltimore, while Gunnar Henderson drove in a pair of runs.
Yankees 4, Cardinals 3
Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered and scored twice as visiting New York jumped out to an early lead and held on for the win over St. Louis.
Ben Rice and Jose Caballero each had two hits for the Yankees, who picked up their third win in four games, while Luis Gil (1-1) held the Cardinals to just one run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings in his third start since coming off the injured list.
Masyn Winn and Victor Scott II both delivered run-scoring doubles for St. Louis, which suffered its third straight loss and fourth in six games.
Blue Jays 6, Rangers 5
Alejandro Kirk had a homer and four RBIs and Toronto rallied past visiting Texas.
Kirk hit a two-run homer in the seventh and hit the go-ahead two-run single in the four-run eighth to help Toronto win the opener of a three-game series.
Kyle Higashioka hit a three-run home run, and Marcus Semien hit a two-run blast for the Rangers. Louis Varland (4-3) allowed Semien’s eighth-inning homer, but earned the win as the Blue Jays rallied.
Braves 2, Guardians 0
Nacho Alvarez Jr. drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning, and Michael Harris II had an RBI single in the ninth as visiting Atlanta beat Cleveland.
Hurston Waldrep (3-0) continued his breakout month with six strong innings for his third win in three appearances, joining forces with Daysbel Hernandez, Tyler Kinley and Raisel Iglesias for a combined two-hitter.
Waldrep, who gave up a single and a double to All-Star Steven Kwan, struck out a career-high seven and walked two in a performance that matched his longest outing in the majors.
Royals 3, White Sox 1
Salvador Perez hit a tie-breaking home run in the fourth inning, and talented rookie Noah Cameron yielded one run while pitching into the sixth, as Kansas City extended its home winning streak over Chicago to 12 games.
Perez broke a 1-1 tie with his solo shot off Aaron Civale (3-8), then scored an insurance run via Adam Frazier’s double in the sixth for the Royals, who have outscored the White Sox 59-13 during the club’s longest home winning streak against any opponent.
Cameron (7-5), had his home scoreless innings streak end at 19 1/3 innings when he allowed Lenyn Sosa’s two-out homer in the fourth. The left-hander gave up five other hits over 5 1/3 innings.
Rockies 4, Diamondbacks 3
Hunter Goodman homered while Kyle Karros added two hits and scored once as Colorado beat Arizona in Denver.
Tanner Gordon (3-5) allowed three runs on five hits in five-plus innings and Victor Vodnik picked up his fifth save for Colorado, which snapped a four-game skid against Arizona.
Jake McCarthy had two hits for the D-backs, who lost for just the fourth time in the last 13 games
Dodgers 3, Padres 2
Clayton Kershaw gave up one run over six innings and Los Angeles moved back into a tie for first place in the National League West with San Diego by defeating the visiting Padres.
Teoscar Hernandez hit a home run and Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts each drove in a run for the Dodgers, who ended a four-game losing streak. Kershaw (7-2) allowed two hits and one walk while striking out three. He has given up a combined two runs over his last three starts (18 innings), earning a win in each outing.
Ramon Laureano homered for the Padres. Left-hander Wandy Peralta opened with 1 1/3 scoreless innings for San Diego before right-hander Randy Vasquez (3-6) gave up two runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings.
Athletics 10, Angels 3
Rookies Colby Thomas and Nick Kurtz each had a homer, three hits and three RBIs to help the Athletics roll past visiting Los Angeles in West Sacramento, Calif.
Shea Langeliers also homered among his two hits as the Athletics defeated the Angels for the first time in eight meetings this season. Brent Rooker added two hits for the A’s, who finished with 14 overall. Jack Perkins (2-2) struck out seven in five innings for the Athletics.
Zach Neto clubbed a two-run homer for the Angels, who were coming off an impressive three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yoan Moncada had two hits for the visitors. Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi (6-8) allowed four runs and five hits over four innings.
Rays 7, Giants 6
Yandy Diaz broke a ninth-inning tie with an RBI single, Junior Caminero launched his 35th home run and visiting Tampa Bay beat San Francisco in what turned into a battle of bullpens.
After the first 3 1/2 innings resulted in a 6-6 tie, neither team scored again until the ninth. Ian Seymour, Garrett Cleavinger, Griffin Jax, Edwin Uceta (8-2) and Pete Fairbanks combined to shut out the Giants over the final six innings.
Willy Adames homered, his 19th of the season, Patrick Bailey had a two-run double and Christian Koss and Heliot Ramos each doubled home a run to highlight the Giants’ early attack on Rays starter Joe Boyle.
Phillies 6, Nationals 2
Kyle Schwarber belted a three-run homer to snap a tie in the seventh inning, lifting visiting Philadelphia to a victory over Washington.
Bryce Harper followed Schwarber with a solo shot to cap the scoring. Harper also had an RBI double in the first inning for the Phillies, who halted a season high-tying three-game skid. Trade deadline acquisition Jhoan Duran exited on a cart in the ninth inning after taking a liner off the right leg from Paul DeJong.
Washington’s Clayton Beeter (0-2) permitted two runs in one-third of an inning for the Nationals. Daylen Lile belted his third homer of the season in the bottom of the fourth.
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WNBA
ACES GET BY MERCURY FOR 6TH STRAIGHT VICTORY
A’ja Wilson had 30 points and 16 rebounds, Chelsea Gray had 16 points and a season-high nine assists, and the Las Vegas Aces extended their winning streak to six games with an 86-83 victory over the host Phoenix Mercury on Friday.
Jackie Young scored 17 points and Jewell Loyd had 10 points and two 3-pointers for the Aces (20-14), who moved into a virtual tie with the Mercury (19-13) for fourth place in the league standings.
The Aces have not lost since suffering a 111-58 blowout loss at home to Minnesota on Aug. 2.
Gray scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, and her jumper gave the Aces an 84-79 lead with 1:14 remaining.
After the Mercury closed to one on Alyssa Thomas’s layup with 30 seconds left, Gray made two free throws after an errant Phoenix inbounds pass with eight-tenths of a second left to make it 86-83.
Gray blocked Satou Sabally’s long 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
Sabally had 26 points, Alyssa Thomas had 15 points and nine assists, and Kahleah Copper had 15 points for Mercury, who lost their second straight after a three-game winning streak.
Wilson had her 16th double, tying Thomas for second in the league behind Chicago center Angel Reese, who has 17.
Wilson made 14 of 15 free throws and has made 31 of 32 in the last three games.
The Aces have won two of three in the season series and could claim the tie-breaker when the teams meet for the final time in Las Vegas next Friday. The top four teams have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The Mercury’s only win in the series came June 15, when Wilson missed the game with an injury.
The Mercury led by seven in the first quarter and six in the second before the Aces opened the third quarter on a 17-6 run to take their biggest lead, 58-48, when Young made a 3-pointer from the left wing with 3:56 left in the period.
The Aces led 60-59 after three quarters before the teams see-sawed through the fourth, when there were eight lead changes and four ties.
The Aces had a 39-30 rebounding edge.
STORM HOLD OFF DREAM IN WNBA’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL GAME
Skylar Diggins scored 21 points and dished out 11 assists on Friday as the Seattle Storm ended a six-game losing streak with an 80-78 win over the Atlanta Dream in Vancouver.
Playing the WNBA’s first regular-season game outside the United States, Seattle (17-17) put five players in double figures and committed only six turnovers. Nneka Ogwumike added 16 points, including a foul shot with 1:47 left that gave the Storm the lead for good at 77-76, and eight rebounds.
Seattle’s Brittney Sykes chipped in 13 points, while rookie Dominique Malonga came off the bench for 12 points and eight rebounds. Gabby Williams contributed 11 points for the Storm, who hit 46.5 percent of their field-goal attempts and earned a 25-4 advantage in fastbreak points.
Rhyne Howard scored 21 points for Atlanta (21-12), which saw a six-game winning streak end. Howard was 12 of 13 at the foul line but came up short on the Dream’s final two possessions, as she had a layup attempt blocked by Sykes before missing a runner in the lane just before time expired.
Brionna Jones added 18 points and 10 rebounds for Atlanta, while Allisha Gray was held to 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Brittney Griner chipped in 10 points in a reserve role.
Atlanta took the first of two brief first-half leads just before the halfway point of the first quarter on a basket from Griner. Sykes responded two trips later with a driving layup that started a 7-0 burst, and Seattle held a 21-20 edge after 10 minutes.
Naz Hillmon’s layup put the Dream on top 24-23 at the 7:24 mark of the second before the Storm ripped off a 13-2 burst for their first 10-point advantage on Malonga’s layup with 4:21 left in the period. The Storm got to halftime with a 40-34 cushion.
Seattle bid to blow the game open in the third quarter, opening up a 60-45 lead on Ogwumike’s driving layup with 3:25 remaining. Diggins ended the period with a bang, swishing a long 3-pointer to put the Storm ahead 67-55.
WASHINGTON’S ROOKIE TANDEM AMASS 39 POINTS IN MYSTICS’ WIN AT FEVER
Sonia Citron’s 21 points and Kiki Iriafen’s 18 points and 12 rebounds helped carry the visiting Washington Mystics in an 88-84 victory against the Indiana Fever on Friday night in Indianapolis.
Sug Sutton added 13 points and Alysha Clark recorded 11 points for the Mystics (15-18).
Aliyah Boston’s 20 points and nine rebounds paced Indiana. Kelsey Mitchell notched 14 points and Natasha Howard, and Odyssey Sims both added 11 points. Damiris Dantas finished with 10 points for the Fever (18-16), who have lost four of their last five games.
Washington made it through a choppy fourth-quarter stretch by posting 13 of the first 18 points in the stanza for a 75-69 edge.
The Fever cut an eight-point deficit with 2:31 remaining to 83-80, but couldn’t complete the comeback.
Jade Melbourne made three of four free throws to help desk the outcome.
With the game knotted at 56-all and four minutes to play in third, the Mystics scored six straight points — including a deep Clark trey — to lead by six in the final minute. But Dantas notched five points — including a 3-ball at the buzzer — sandwiched around Sophie Cunningham’s 3-pointer for the Fever’s 8-0 run in the last 57 seconds of the quarter which gave them a 58-56 lead after 30 minutes.
Indiana was up 45-40 at halftime despite connecting on just one shot from the field across the last four minutes. The Fever shot 54.3 percent from the floor in the first half.
But the Mystics bounced back to shoot 66.7 percent (10-of-15) in the second quarter, putting them at 53.3 percent at the break.
The Fever led by 12 points by early in the second quarter, with Sims already racking up nine points in eight minutes off the bench.
Fever guard Caitlin Clark missed another game with a right leg ailment.
KELSEY PLUM HITS FOR 28 AS SPARKS OUTLAST WINGS
Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum scored 28 points despite missing two late free throws as the Sparks survived a furious Dallas rally over the final five minutes to beat the Wings 97-96 on Friday in Arlington, Texas.
The Sparks (16-17) never trailed, yet the win was anything but easy.
Los Angeles led by just three points at halftime before expanding its advantage to 80-68 heading into the fourth quarter. Plum’s 3-pointer with 8:11 to play pushed the Sparks’ margin to 15 points, but Dallas responded, drawing to within 95-91 when Aziaha James’ layup with 1:54 left caped an 11-2 run.
JJ Quinerly poured in a 3-pointer from the corner with 15.1 seconds left to bring the Wings within a point. After the pair of missed free throws by Plum with 12.3 seconds remaining, Dallas’ Paige Bueckers had a chance to win the game, but her 3-point attempt with 1.5 seconds to play rimmed out, allowing the Sparks to escape.
Dearica Hamby added 20 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles. Rickea Jackson and Azura Stevens had 15 each, and Julie Allemand recorded 12 points and 10 assists.
Bueckers led all scorers with 29 points, with Maddy Siegrist adding 15 for the Wings (9-25), who have dropped six of their past seven outings. Quinerly put up 11 points and nine assists, and James contributed 10 points.
Dallas played without star guard Arike Ogunbowale (right knee soreness) for the second straight game.
The Sparks jumped to a 15-6 lead after a three-point play by Hamby at the 6:54 mark of the first quarter. Dallas culled its deficit to two points multiple times before Los Angeles swung back carry a 32-27 edge after 10 minutes of play.
The Wings tied the game at 34-34 when Diamond Miller scored on a layup 2 1/2 minutes into the second quarter. Los Angeles rebuilt the lead to a half-high 11 points on Jackson’s two free throws with 1:05 left in the period before the Wings roared back to score the final eight points and draw within 53-50 entering the break.
Hamby led all scorers before halftime with 16 points while Jackson had 13 and Plum 12. Bueckers paced the Wings with 15 points in the half.
VALKYRIES PICK UP 4TH STRAIGHT WIN IN ROUT OF SKY
In their last of a quick two-game road trip in the Eastern Conference, the Golden State Valkyries made easy work against the host Chicago Sky Friday night in a 90-59 win behind a second consecutive career-high scoring night from Cecilia Zandalasini.
After Zandalasini scored 20 points on Wednesday, the Italian forward continued her run on Friday, matching her career best with 20 points. It marked the fourth straight double-digit scoring game Zandalasini — the first time she has hit the feat in four WNBA seasons.
Zandalasini was one of six players who hit a 3-point shot for Golden State (18-15), including three triples by Janelle Salaun, who had 15 points and a team-high six rebounds.
With 8:36 remaining in the third quarter, the Sky (8-25) tied the game 44-44 on a Rachel Banham 3-pointer. But that is when the Valkyries increased the defensive intensity.
Despite center Kamilla Cardoso facing limited playing time in the third due to four fouls, Golden State went on a 25-5 run and held Chicago to 2-of-9 shooting from the floor. That defense held in the fourth as the visitors outscored the Sky 48-19 in the final two quarters.
Golden State turned a tie game into a 20-point lead heading into the fourth, an advantage the Valkyries would not relinquish to the struggling Sky.
In the fourth quarter, Golden State added to the lead and stretched it to a game-high 31 points.
With the defeat, Chicago has 12 losses in the last 13 games, stretching back to before the WNBA All-Star break in mid-July. The Valkyries, meanwhile, won their fourth straight and seventh in the past nine games.
In addition, the loss puts Chicago at 1-9 when star forward Angel Reese does not play. The second-year Chicago star missed her seventh game in a row with a back injury.
Banham led the Sky with 15 points and three 3-pointers. The deep-shooting performance made Banham the fourth player in Chicago franchise history to hit 70 field goals from beyond the arc in a season. Cardoso scored 14 points to go along with five assists and four rebounds.
The win for Golden State puts the expansion franchise in the WNBA record books as the winningest first-year team in league history, passing the 1998 Detroit Shock.
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GOLF NEWS
SEBASTIAN MUNOZ SHOOTS 59 AT LIV GOLF INDIANAPOLIS
Sebastian Munoz recorded the third sub-60 round in LIV Golf history, stunningly overcoming a double bogey to shoot a 12-under-par 59 to open LIV Golf Indianapolis on Friday in Westfield, Ind.
The Colombian set The Club at Chatham Hills ablaze with 14 birdies, including on 13 of his final 14 holes. Munoz stood at 1 over par after his double bogey at No. 5 (his fourth hole), but he rattled off eight birdies in a row.
After a par at the par-3 14th, he birdied his final five holes, knocking in a short putt at No. 1 for the historic round.
He’ll take just a three-shot lead over Dustin Johnson into the weekend.
Bryson DeChambeau (2023 LIV Golf Greenbrier) and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann (2024 LIV Golf Mayakoba) were the only others in the league’s brief history to shoot sub-60.
“Amazing round,” Munoz said. “I started par-par-birdie, feeling normal. I just tried to go low, then a double hits me. I just kind of stayed positive, made a couple birdies and kind of made a run and we made eight straight.
“I made a great putt on 17 and 18 to keep it going and a really good wedge shot here on 1 to finish it up.”
It was Munoz’s lowest competitive round, as his caddie said he’s shot 60 twice in his career.
The final putt was no gimme.
“The break was a little tricky so I just didn’t want to mess it up. I had missed some short ones before, so I just really tried to focus, and at the moment just hit it as smooth as I could, and it went in, so it was great.”
Munoz, 32, has yet to win on the LIV Golf circuit but is seventh in the season standings and would love his first victory to come in the regular-season finale.
Niemann, who has five wins this year, has a 12.27-point lead over Spaniard Jon Rahm in the race for the individual championship. Niemann is part of a tie for third at 7-under 64 with Patrick Reed, Belgium’s Thomas Pieters and Australia’s Cameron Smith. Rahm settled for a 4-under 67.
Meanwhile, Johnson is hoping to finish his season on a high note after doing no better than a tie for fifth all season. His 10-birdie, one-bogey round would have been the standout if not for Munoz.
“I’ve still got a few more tournaments this year (outside LIV), so it’s not like it’s that much pressure on me,” Johnson said. “But obviously I always want to win. That’s the goal. That’s why I’m out here. I still feel like I have the game to compete at the highest level.
“Yeah, it would be nice to finish off the year with a win, but obviously there’s two more rounds and a lot of good players and still 36 holes to go.”
Munoz and Niemann are teammates on Torque GC, so their low rounds boosted Torque to 23 under and a four-shot lead in the team competition. Johnson’s 4Aces GC (19 under) is second and Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC (15 under) is third.
JEONGEUN LEE5 RIDES BIRDIE STREAK TO PORTLAND SECOND-ROUND LEAD
South Korea’s Jeongeun Lee5 parlayed five straight birdies on Friday into a one-stroke lead at 12-under-par 132 through two rounds of the Standard Portland (Ore.) Classic.
Her hot streak at Columbia Edgewater Country Club began on the par-5 fifth. When she completed her run at the ninth hole, she sat at 12 under for the tournament. She added a birdie on the 12th and a bogey at No. 13 to finish at 5-under-par 67 on the day. Gurleen Kaur and Australia’s Grace Kim are one shot back.
“I wanted to make as many chances to birdie,” Lee5 said. “Starting on hole 5, it was a par 5, so it seemed there was more of an opportunity to birdie, so I tried to focus on that. With the start of that birdie, I think I was able to have that momentum and great energy to continue making birdies until hole 9. In the second half, I had a mistake on my tee shot at hole 10, but I was able to save par and I think I was able to end my round well overall.”
Lee5 has yet to take home an LPGA event championship, though she does have seven top-10 finishes to her credit.
The 36-year-old’s best finish this season was a tie for 16th at the Mexico Riviera Maya Open in May.
“I’m sure all of the players have the same or similar thoughts, but when we are playing well, we expect it to continue,” Lee5 said. “So, I want to really concentrate and focus going into the weekend. The past two rounds I had great energy, good shots, and good putts, so I want to continue this throughout the weekend and hopefully have a great tournament.”
Kim fired a 7-under 65 — notching six birdies, one eagle and one bogey — to tie Thailand’s Jaravee Boonchant for the day’s second-best round. Kaur stayed in second place for the second consecutive day as she posted five birdies and a bogey on her way to a 68.
“I feel like this is probably the best two rounds that I’ve had on the LPGA like before the weekend as well, so I’m just really excited for that,” Kaur said. “Obviously I want to continue the momentum for the weekend.”
Three players are tied for fourth at 10 under: Japan’s Akie Iwai (67), Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn (67) and South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai (68).
Rounding out the Top 10 are four golfers sitting at 9 under. Germany’s Aline Krauter shot a second-round 66 to climb into a tie with Yealimi Noh (67), Amelia Lewis (68) and China’s Miranda Wang (70).
First-round leader Adela Cernousek, a rookie out of France, fell into a tie for 27th with her second-day score of 3-over 75. On the flip side, Rose Zhang fired an 8-under 64 — the day’s best round — to offset her 3-over 75 in the first round to share 27th place with Cernousek and 11 others.
Defending champion Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand shot a 74 and missed the cut at 3-over 147.
Juli Inkster, 65, came up just short in her bid to become the oldest player to make a 36-hole cut in an LPGA event. Inkster bogeyed Nos. 12 and 13 to finish at 2-over for the round and 1-under 143 for the tournament – one shot on the wrong side of the cut line.
MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ, STEVEN ALKER SHARE LEAD IN CALGARY
Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and Steven Alker of New Zealand are tied atop the leaderboard after one round of the Rogers Charity Classic on Friday in Calgary.
Jimenez and Alker each posted 7-under-par 63 at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club. And it’s fitting that they’re ahead of the pack in Canada, as Jimenez and Alker entered the week Nos. 1 and 3 in the Charles Schwab Cup race, too.
There are seven events remaining in the PGA Tour Champions’ regular season before the three-tournament playoffs commence, and Alker will try to apply pressure on Jimenez as they vie for positioning.
Jimenez posted a bogey-free round with four of his seven birdies on the back nine. He hit less than half the fairways in regulation (6 of 13) but went 5-for-5 scrambling.
He’s won four tournaments this season, including one major, the Kaulig Companies Championship.
“It’s experience,” Alker said of Jimenez, per the Calgary Herald. “Miguel’s won all over the world, and he’s still winning now. So it just goes to show you he’s in good shape. Miguel’s always worked hard on his game and stayed in shape, and that’s why he’s doing well right now.”
For his part, Alker birdied five of his last eight holes to go low on Friday. His victory at the Cologuard Classic in March was his only win of the year.
They are one stroke ahead of Tommy Gainey and Shane Bertsch, who posted 64s. Gainey turned 50 on Wednesday and went bogey-free in the first round of his first PGA Tour Champions event.
Five players are tied for fifth at 5-under 65: Doug Barron, Tag Ridings, Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez, Australia’s Richard Green and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen.
The low Canadian Friday was Wes Martin, who shot a 3-under 67. Among other Canadians, Mike Weir posted an even-par 70 while Stephen Ames and Gordon Burns each struggled to a 1-over 71.
“We only get (to play in Canada) once a year on this tour, you know, so it’s great,” Weir said before the tournament. “Looking forward to great fan support on the weekend and I like this course. So hopefully I can get myself in the mix on Sunday.”
ROBERT MACINTYRE BUILDS LEAD TO 5 STROKES AT BMW CHAMPIONSHIP
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre will take a five-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler into the weekend at the BMW Championship after firing a bogey-free 64 on Friday in Owings Mills, Md.
MacIntyre’s 6-under-par round followed a sterling 62 to open the second leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs at Caves Valley Golf Club. Now at 14-under 126, MacIntyre is halfway home to his third PGA Tour victory after capturing the Canadian and Scottish Opens last year.
He said he doesn’t recall having a lead through 36 holes as large as this one.
“Not as a professional, I don’t think. But I’ve had it before as an amateur,” MacIntyre said. “Yeah, again, it’s only 36 holes gone. There’s a long way to go. I’m comfortable with who I am. I’m comfortable with the team around me, and I’m comfortable on this golf course. Just go and play golf.”
Scheffler made five birdies and no bogeys in his round of 65, capped with a difficult two-putt par from 73 feet on the last hole.
“A lot of slope,” Scheffler said of the situation. “It was one of those putts, the higher up I got it towards the fringe, the more it was going to break, so I didn’t know if I was going to need to chip it to get it close or not and decided to kind (of) accept maybe a longer putt for par, and did a really good job of getting a nice lag in there close to the hole.”
Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg (8 under) and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (7 under) are third and fourth, respectively, after they each shot 64 Friday.
Maverick McNealy joined the 64 brigade and moved to 6 under for the tournament, tied with Michael Kim (66) and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (69) for fifth.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy improved by four shots from Round 1 to 2, his 66 lifting him to 4 under par.
They’re all looking way, way up at MacIntyre, who turned in a card with three birdies on each nine. While his Thursday round was marked by a multitude of long putts, he only had two of those on Friday: a 17 1/2-foot birdie at No. 4 and a sweeping 29-footer at No. 14.
Instead, MacIntyre relied on his approaches to take him a long way. He led the field in strokes gained: approach the green and hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation.
“It’s just about picking smart shots, smart targets and then just dealing with what comes,” MacIntyre said.
Aberg, who birdied three of his last five holes Friday, is trying to get back on track after he followed a win at the Genesis Invitational in February with a bumpy summer.
“I’ve kind of gotten away from some bad, poor habits in my swing that I did sort of early spring, early summer which I didn’t really like,” Aberg said. “Definitely gotten better at that and definitely swinging it better now than I did a couple of months ago, so I’m pleased to see that coming around a little bit. It’s a nice time for it.”
Only the top 30 players in the FedEx Cup standings at the end of this tournament will advance to next week’s Tour Championship. Once they’re there, everyone will start at even par, as the tour eliminated the controversial “starting strokes” format.
Kim entered the week 42nd in points and is projected to jump to No. 26 in his current position. England’s Harry Hall, currently 45th, is projected to snag the 30th and final spot; he’s tied for eighth at 5 under after a 67 Friday.
“I like to look at the numbers,” Hall said, “and I know if I can just average gaining 1.2 strokes a round, then it equates to playing really good golf and getting really far in the FedEx Cup.”
McIlroy doesn’t have to worry about making the cut for next week. He’s No. 2 behind Scheffler and played with the World No. 1 in the first two rounds this week.
McIlroy overcame an early double bogey with three straight birdies at Nos. 9-11 and an excellent eagle at the par-5 16th, where his second shot settled inside 8 feet of the pin.
“I think I’m just playing my own tournament at this point,” McIlroy said. “… I just want to try to play a good weekend and feel a little bit better about my game going into the Tour Championship.”
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NASCAR NEWS
RYAN PREECE EARNS POLE FOR NASCAR’S COOK OUT 400
RICHMOND, Va. — Ryan Preece delivered in the clutch, claiming the second pole position of his career Friday afternoon at Richmond (Va.) Raceway as he tries to earn a playoff position with only two regular-season races remaining before the 16-driver NASCAR Cup Series championship field is set.
It’s certainly a good omen for Preece heading into Saturday night’s Cook Out 400 (7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at the three-quarter mile track.
His No. 60 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford Mustang turned a fast lap of 121.381 mph, edging 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick by .087 of a second. The 34-year-old Connecticut native Preece last earned the pole in 2023 at another Virginia short track, Martinsville Speedway.
“I felt like it was on my bingo card, I’m not sure about everybody else’s,” said a smiling Preece, who trails RFK teammate Chris Buescher by 34 points for the final playoff points position.
“That Ford Mustang was really sporty. I felt good about it in practice and it showed up for qualifying. We have a great starting spot and tomorrow we’ve just got to go execute and hopefully we can win this race.”
“At a place like this I would rather be out front. … I’d rather be the one leading. Tomorrow is about getting out front, getting the clean air and setting my pace.”
It was also a particularly good day for the small Kaulig Racing team, whose veteran driver A.J. Allmendinger qualified third-fastest for his best career start at the track. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, a Virginia native and hometown favorite, will roll off fourth. Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott rounds out the top five.
Among those contending for the final three playoff positions, Reddick needs to earn just 30 points Saturday night to finalize his spot. Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman, who holds a 60-point advantage inside the standings, will start ninth. Buescher, in the 16th and final playoff points position, qualified 12th.
Thirteen drivers have claimed Playoff positions with victories this season. A new race winner this week at Richmond or next week in the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway would leap over Reddick, Bowman and Buescher in the playoff eligibility.
Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron, the NASCAR Cup Series championship leader, qualified 14th. He holds a 42-point advantage on his teammate Elliott for the regular- season championship and the 15 bonus points that pays following the Daytona race.
Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon, the defending race winner, will start 11th. Teammate Kyle Busch, a six-time winner at Richmond, will roll off 28th. Three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano will start 38th.
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TOP INDIANA HEADLINES/PRESS RELEASES
COLTS FOOTBALL
(COLTS RELEASE)
COLTS VS. PACKERS PREVIEW
Colts head coach Shane Steichen hopes to make a decision on his team’s starting quarterback “sooner rather than later,” and Saturday’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium will carry important weight in when that decision could be made.
And, of course, who the decision will favor.
Through 11 regular practices, one night scrimmage, a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens, a preseason game against the Ravens and a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers, there doesn’t appear to be much separation between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson Sr.
Chances are, neither Jones or Richardson will clearly separate himself from the other on Saturday given just how many data points the Colts are evaluating in this process. It’s not just the practices, the scrimmage, the joint practices and the games – it’s meetings and walkthroughs, too. And a significant chunk of the Colts’ evaluation is inscrutable to those without access to the team’s offensive meeting room.
“I think that’s a big part of it, playing in this league, is the operation of it and moving the ball consistently up and down the field,” Steichen said. “Both have been doing a nice job. So, we’ll go from there, but I’m pleased with both of them and we’ll make that decision when it needs to be made.”
Eventually – maybe as soon as next week, maybe later – Steichen will sit down with Owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon and general manager Chris Ballard. They’ll discuss Jones and Richardson, and Steichen will ultimately make the call on who the team’s starting quarterback will be.
And while Saturday’s game against the Packers is important, it will be viewed as part of the totality of everything the Colts have looked at from the start of training camp through at least Aug. 16. It could, however, be the final marker in this competition – or the Colts could wait until after next week’s practices and preseason finale to make the call on their QB1.
“I think obviously it’s a big decision that’s got to be made,” Steichen said. “And we’ll work through it, and I’ll have discussions with Carlie and Chris. We’ll work through it here soon.”
Non-quarterbacks to watch:
RBs D.J. Giddens & Tyler Goodson: Both running backs had solid showings in training camp as they jockey for positioning behind Jonathan Taylor. Goodson, in particular, has thrived in a competitive running back room – despite the Colts drafting Giddens and signing Khalil Herbert as a free agent, he’s emerged as a strong competitor to back up Taylor this season.
WR Adonai Mitchell: Arguably no offensive player had more “wow” moments in training camp than Mitchell, who made several spectacular plays at Grand Park. With Alec Pierce nursing a groin injury, look for Mitchell to get an extended run while the Colts’ starters are on the field – and even after they exit the game, too.
TE Tyler Warren: Warren’s pass-catching skills have been as advertised, from his natural feel for space to his strong hands on contested catches to his smooth and physical YAC ability. Look for Warren to show those talents again on Saturday, but also keep an eye for if he’s able to hold the point of attack on running plays, which will be a key part of how the Colts may envision using him on offense this season.
TE Will Mallory: The third-year tight end consistently made plays over the last few weeks of training camp – “completion to 86” was a daily line jotted down in practice note-taking. Mallory showed improved ability to make tight-window catches in traffic, which could get him on the field more this season in certain situations.
C Tanor Bortolini & RG Matt Goncalves: Both young offensive linemen played the entire first half against Baltimore last week, and they could get another extended run together – even after starters exit the game – against the Packers. The more reps Bortolini and Goncalves get, the more opportunities they’ll have to improve with an eye on Sept. 7’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins.
DE J.T. Tuimoloau: Tuimoloau was disruptive and productive in his preseason debut last week against the Ravens, with a strip sack, two quarterback hits, two tackles for a loss and a pass batted down. With defensive end Kwity Paye missing recent practices with a groin injury, and defensive end Samson Ebukam leaving Thursday’s practice with a back injury, Tuimoloau could get an extended opportunity to build on what’s been a solid preseason so far.
LBs Cameron McGrone & Joe Bachie: Both linebackers have had standout moments during training camp, and could be on a path from being special teams aces to key members of the Colts’ defense this season. We’ll see how things shake out over the next few weeks, but both may have a role on Lou Anarumo’s defense in 2025.
CBs Johnathan Edwards, Sam Womack III & Alex Johnson: With injuries to four of the Colts’ top five cornerbacks entering training camp – Justin Walley (torn ACL) is on injured reserve, while Kenny Moore II (knee), JuJu Brents (hamstring) and Jaylon Jones (hamstring) have all missed practices recently – Saturday will be a significant opportunity, again, for a handful of cornerbacks battling for roster spots. All three of these guys played plenty of snaps against the Ravens; Johnson, who’s slid in at the slot in place of Moore, had an interception on the first play of that game.
S Hunter Wohler: The hair-on-fire seventh-rounder has made a strong impression with his physical play style in training camp, and with Nick Cross (hip flexor) out last week, Wohler worked with the Colts’ first-team defense. He’s been a fun player to watch in training camp, and we’ll keep an eye on him Saturday when he can actually tackle someone on offense.
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INDIANA FEVER
FEVER STILL BELIEVE DESPITE LOSS TO MYSTICS
A whirlwind Indiana Fever season continued on Friday as the Fever hosted the Washington Mystics in the final game of a three-game homestand. Indiana left Gainbridge Fieldhouse with its fourth loss in five games, falling 88-84, but the belief in the Fever locker room isn’t wavering.
“You can never really control the outside things,” Sophie Cunningham said after the loss. “You can’t control injuries, and so that’s why you really do have control over [your] mental and control what you can control.”
Indiana’s carousel of point guards continues to turn after the Fever added 11-year veteran Odyssey Sims on a hardship contract following the injuries to Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson. The Fever also added guard Kyra Lambert on a 7-day contract. With Caitlin Clark sidelined indefinitely, more pressure than ever rests on the shoulders of Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston to power the team’s high-octane offense.
While Mitchell and Boston are capable playmakers and offensive hubs themselves, a true table-setter allows the Fever stars to play their most effective games. Mitchell thrives in an off-ball role – she’s able to be dynamic off of screens, cuts and has a presence that draws defenses out of position as she scrambles around the court. But that type of play takes an immense amount of energy, and on a roster struggling with the health of its guards, Mitchell’s responsibilities overflow.
“Kelsey is just, she’s just a baller,” coach Stephanie White said ahead of Friday’s matchup with the Mystics. “She just plays…I’m incredibly proud of Kelsey because every time we’ve had a setback or an injury, we’ve had to depend on her more and more. Not just for scoring, which she’s had to carry us at times, but for playmaking.”
“And her decision-making has been really good. Her ability to find her teammates has been excellent while keeping her turnovers down, and she’s just continued to embrace every part of and every role that we need her to play, and not just embrace it, but excel in it.”
Mitchell tied her career-high assist mark on Friday with nine, complementing her 14 points in the Fever’s loss to the Mystics. She powered through several physical plays, including one in which she took an elbow to the face while defending the paint. Mitchell popped up after the play and ran down the floor on offense.
Boston’s sacrifices, though more subtle, are still evident. Inconsistency at the lead guard position eats into her touches on offense as it becomes more difficult to create opportunities to get the ball down to the post.
Boston still found a way to make it work on Friday as she tallied 20 points and nine rebounds on 8-for-13 shooting.
Sims was more comfortable in her second game with her new squad – she notched 11 points along with two rebounds and three assists. But the Fever have dropped four of their last five contests and are set to travel to Connecticut for a matchup with the Sun on Sunday as they attempt to stop the skid.
“To be frank, I don’t think anyone else around the league thinks that we can do it anymore,” Cunningham said after Friday’s loss. “But I think that our group does, and I think that we just have to get that confidence back…For us, it’s just remembering who we are. It’s our identity.”
The key to that identity is rediscovering a potent offense that is fueled by a gritty defense. Though the schemes change with personnel, Indiana still has tools to find success on both ends of the floor – but it starts with execution.
“I think that the biggest thing for us on the defensive end was just too much fouling,” White said.
Indiana committed 21 total personal fouls, leading to 26 free throws for the Mystics. Fourteen of those attempts from the line came in a critical fourth quarter.
“I think that the great thing about our position is that we control our destiny,” White said. “But we’ve got to understand the sense of urgency that it takes…and recognize that the margin is small.”
The Fever travel to Connecticut for a game with the Sun before returning to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday, Aug. 22, to take on the league-leading Minnesota Lynx.
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INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
MATT FRAIZER’S EXTRA-INNING HEROICS LEAD INDIANS OVER RAILRIDERS IN 10
MOOSIC, Pa. – Matt Fraizer lined the go-ahead single in the top of the 10th inning and threw out the would-be tying run at the plate in the bottom half to lift the Indianapolis Indians to a 6-5 victory over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in 10 innings on Friday night at PNC Field.
Fraizer stepped to the plate in the top of the 10th with one out and Nick Solak at second base. He lined a single to left field, his third hit of the night, and it plated Solak to give Indy the 6-5 advantage. In the bottom half of the frame, with Jorbit Vivas at second base, T.J. Rumfield singled to right field. Fraizer fired a one-hop strike to the plate and Rafael Flores applied the tag to keep Indy in front. Eddy Yean (S, 7) struck out the next two batters to seal the triumph for the Indians (27-16, 69-48).
Indy led 5-3 in the eighth, but Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (30-13, 68-47) tied it with two in the frame. Vivas opened it with a single and moved to third when Rumfield followed with a double. Spencer Jones then grounded out to second to knock in Vivas and advanced Rumfield to third. A balk later in the frame would score Rumfield and tie the game to help force extras.
Entering the fifth, the Indians trailed 3-1 and did not have a baserunner since the second inning. That stretch ended when Alika Williams singled to left field with one out. He was replaced on the basepaths by Tsung-Che Cheng who grounded into a fielder’s choice. Jase Bowen then worked a walk, and Ji Hwan Bae delivered a triple to left-center field to tie the game. Bae scored to put Indy in front, 4-3, on Nick Yorke’s single to right field.
Fraizer’s big night was not limited to the late innings. He doubled twice earlier in the game, stole a base, and scored two runs for the contest. His batting average for the season has surged to .309.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre built a 3-1 lead with two runs in the second and one in the fourth. Jeimer Candelario homered with two outs in the second, and Braden Shewmake would later come home via a balk in the frame. Jose Rojas led off the fourth with a home run for the RailRiders, his third straight game with a long ball.
Johan Oviedo started for Indy and recovered after the difficult second inning. He worked 5.0 innings and fanned seven batters in the no-decision. Jack Little (W, 1-0) worked the ninth inning and picked up the win. Yean rolled after the play at the plate in the 10th to earn the save.
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INDY ELEVEN
LDNVIND PREVIEW
- Indy Eleven at Loudoun United FC
Sat., Aug. 16, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. - Segra Field – Leesburg, Va.
- Follow Live
- Watch: WRTV 6, Greg Rakestraw & Dan Kapsalis
- Stream: ESPN+
- In-game updates: IndyEleven
Stats: #LDNvIND MatchCenter at USLChampionship.com
2025 USL Championships Records
Indy Eleven: 5-8-5 (-5), 20 pts; #9 in Eastern Conference
Loudoun United FC: 8-7-4 (1), 28 pts; #4 in Eastern Conference
Setting the Scene
Indy Eleven travels to Eastern Conference opponent Loudoun United FC on Saturday at 7:00 pm on WRTV 6 and ESPN+.
| IND | LDN | |
| 18 | Games | 19 |
| 27 | Goals | 28 |
| 67 | SOT | 60 |
| 18 | Assists | 22 |
| 32 | Goals Conceded | 27 |
| 78 | Shots Faced | 86 |
| 4 | Clean Sheets | 4 |
Series
Saturday is the 10th meeting between the two sides, with Indy holding a 6-2-1 advantage. The Boys in Blue are 4-0-1 in the last five games.
Indy Leads 6-2-1 | GF 12, GA 9
- Recent Meetings
- Oct. 8, 2024 | W, 1-0 | Away
- July 13, 2024 | D, 1-1 | Home
- Aug. 26, 2023 | W, 2-1 | Home
- May 6, 2023 | W, 2-1 | Away
- Sept. 25, 2022 | W, 1-0 | Home
Last Meeting
Indy Eleven moved up two positions to fourth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference with a crucial 1-0 road victory at Loudoun United in a rare mid-week contest on October 8, 2024.
Boys in Blue defender James Musa made his 200th appearance in the USLC memorable with his first goal of the season in the 83rd minute for the only score of the night.
Defender Aedan Stanley took a corner kick from the left side and drove it to the goal. Loudoun keeper Hugo Fauroux punched the ball high into the air, where defender Ben Ofeimu headed it down from the corner of the six to Musa, who, with his back to the goal, volleyed it high over Fauroux with his left foot for the game winner. It was Ofeimu’s first assist for the Boys in Blue.
In the 93rd minute, Stanley preserved the win with a sliding save with his left foot to block a close-in shot from Florian Valot.
Goalie Hunter Sulte made three saves to earn his eighth clean sheet this season, including an arm save on a shot by Robby Dambrot from inside the six in the 23rd minute. That effort earned Sulte his fourth USLC “Save of the Week” in 2024.
Indy got the first scoring chance in the 11th minute when Ben Mines played a long ball to Maalique Foster running down the right side and he fired a shot that Fauroux dove to his right to stop.
A little later, the Boys in Blue had two scoring chances in a three-minute span. Captain Cam Lindley took a free kick in the 17th from well outside the area and bent the ball around the wall towards the bottom right corner of the goal, where Fauroux stopped it.
Then in the 19th, Lindley took a corner on the left side and delivered a perfect pass to Ofeimu running diagonally to the far post, but Ofeimu’s header struck the right post.
- Scoring Summary
- IND – James Musa (Ben Ofeimu) 83’
- Discipline Summary
- LDN – Isaiah Johnston (caution) 16’
- IND – Douglas Martinez (caution) 53’
- LDN – Hugo Fauroux (caution) 53’
- LDN – Yanis Leerman (caution) 58’
- LDN – Keegan Tingey (caution) 63’
- IND – Ben Mines (caution) 67’
- IND – Adrian Diz Pe (ejection) 85’
Indy Eleven Line-Up: Hunter Sulte, Aedan Stanley, Adrian Diz Pe, Ben Ofeimu, Josh O’Brien (James Musa 72’), Laurence Wootton (Brem Soumaoro 88’), Ben Mines, Cam Lindley (captain), Maalique Foster (Jack Blake 63’), Augi Williams (Logan Neidlinger 88’), Douglas Martinez (Elliot Collier 63’).
Indy Eleven Subs Not Used: Yannik Oettl, Aodhan Quinn.
Loudoun United FC Line-Up: Hugo Fauroux, Robby Dambrot, Keegan Hughes (Riley Bidois 85’), Yanis Leerman, Kwame Awuah (Jacob Erlandson 60’), Tommy McCabe, Isaiah Johnston (Drew Skundrich 60’), Keegan Tingey, Kalil ElMedkhar (Florian Valot 60’), Tommy Williamson (Zach Ryan 74’), Wesley Leggett.
Loudoun United FC Subs Not Used: Dane Jacomen, Christiano François, Gavin Turner.
Sulte Franchise USLC Saves & Clean Sheets Leader
Second-year goalkeeper Hunter Sulte became the Boys in Blue saves leader in USLC (2018-) play by making three stops at Detroit City FC on Saturday. Sulte is on loan from the MLS Portland Timbers for the second straight campaign.
The 23-year-old Sulte now has 116 saves in 43 career games, surpassing Evan Newton’s total of 115. Since the start of the 2024 season, Sulte is 10th in the USLC in saves.
The Anchorage, Alaska, native’s stop on a Kobe Hernandez-Foster in the 14th minute is the USLC “Save of the Week”. The 6’7 Sulte earned the Jägermeister Cup “Save of the Round” with one of his two saves in the penalty kick shootout vs. Birmingham Legion FC on June 28, helping his team win Group 3 to advance to the Quarterfinals on Wednesday, August 20.
In 2025, Sulte is tied for ninth in the league in saves (42) and he is tied for 11th in clean sheets (4). He became the franchise USLC leader in shutouts (13) after recording back-to-back clean sheets for the fourth time in his career on July 5 and 12.
- Indy Eleven USLC Championship Saves
- 1. Hunter Sulte 116 2024-
- 2. Evan Newton 115 2019-20
- 3. Jordan Farr 101 2018-21
- 4. Owain Fon Williams 97 2018
- 5. Tim Trilk 87 2022-23
- Indy Eleven USLC Championship Clean Sheets
- 1. Hunter Sulte 13 2024-
- 2. Evan Newton 12 2019-20
- 3. Owain Fon Williams 11 2018
- 4. Jordan Farr 10 2018-21
- 5. Tim Trilk 9 2022-23
- Aodhan Quinn USLC All-Time Rankings
- Games Started | 266 | 1st
- Minutes | 23,327 | 1st
- Assists | 56 | 3rd
- Appearances | 280 | 4th
- USL Championship Regular Season 50 Goals & 50 Assists
- 1.Enzo Martinez (BHM) – 78 goals, 52 assists
- 2. Aodhan Quinn (IND) – 57 goals, 56 assists
- 3.Solomon Asante – 52 goals, 56 assists
- USL Championship Regular Season Goal Contributions
- 2. Dane Kelly 127 (106 goals, 21 assists)
- 3. Aodhan Quinn (IND) 113 (57 goals & 56 assists)*
- USL Championship Assists in Consecutive Games Streaks
- 2. Aodhan Quinn (PHX) 5 2021
- 4. Aodhan Quinn (OC) 4 2018
- Aodhan Quinn (IND) 4 May 3-28, 2025
- Indy Eleven USL Championship Goals (All Competitions)
- 1. Tyler Pasher 24 2018-20
- 2. Jack Blake 18 2023-
- 3. Sebastian Guenzatti 16 2023-24
- 4. Manuel Arteaga 15 2021-22
- 5. Aodhan Quinn 13 2023-
- Stefano Pinho 13 2022-23
- Ayoze 13 2018-22
- Indy Eleven Appearances (All Competitions)
- 1. Ayoze 126 2018-22
- 2. Brad Ring 115 2014-18
- 3. Karl Ouimette 108 2018-22
- 4. Cam Lindley 101 2020, 2023-25
- Don Smart 101 2014-17
- USLC 50+ Regular Season Goals Best Strike Rate
- 3. Romario Williams – 64 goals, 160 app., 157.7 mins/goal
- Indy Eleven Goals in a 5-Game Stretch
- Elvis Amoh 7 Apr. 19-May 10, 2025
- Tyler Pasher 6 Nov. 2, 2019-July 22, 2020
- Augi Williams 5 May 8-22, 2024
- Manuel Arteaga 5 June 4-18, 2022
- Eamon Zayed 5 July 13-Aug. 3, 2016
- Eamon Zayed 5 May 21-June 11, 2016
- Blake Smith 5 May 28-June 17, 2014
- Indy Eleven Goals in Consecutive Games Streaks
- Tyler Pasher 6 Nov. 2, 2019-July 22, 2020
- Elvis Amoh 5 Apr. 19-May 10, 2025
- Augi Williams 4 May 8-22, 2024
- Sebastian Guenzatti 3 Aug. 26-Sept. 15, 2023
- Stefano Pinho 3 May 28-June 8, 2022
- Tyler Pasher 3 June 1-15, 2019
- Dane Kelly 3 Apr. 15-28, 2019
- Dane Richards 3 Aug. 19-29, 2015
- Kleberson 3 July 19-Aug. 2, 2014
- Indy Eleven Saves, Game
- 11, Yannik Oettl at Chicago Fire FC II, 4/17/24, USOC 3rd Round
10, Sean Lewis at Birmingham Legion FC, 10/12/22
10, Reice Charles-Cook at Philadelphia, 5/7/25, USOC Rd. of 32
9, Jon Busch at Minnesota United, 7/16/16
8, Owain Fon Williams at Louisville City, 10/13/18
8, Bobby Edwards at Sporting KC II, 6/20/21 - 8, Kristian Nicht vs. San Antonio Scorpions, 5/30/14
- 8, Kristian Nicht vs. Minnesota United, 10/11/14
USL Championship Stats
- Individual
- Category Player Rank Total
- Assists Aodhan Quinn T4 6
- Jack Blake T12 4
- Clearances Pat Hogan 5 108
- James Musa 8 104
- Interceptions James Musa T9 23
- Saves Hunter Sulte T9 42
- Clean Sheets Hunter Sulte T11 4
- Shots Jack Blake T14 28
- Tackles Won James Murphy T16 22
- Goals Jack Blake T19 5
- Team
- Category Rank Total
- First-Half Goals T3 16
- Goals T8 27
- Conversion Rate T10 16%
- Shots T15 199
- Clean Sheets T14 4
USL Career Regular Season Rankings
Individual Rankings
- Goals
- T14. Romario Williams (IND) – 64
- T21. Aodhan Quinn (IND) – 57
- Assists
- 2. Solomon Asante – 58
- 3. Aodhan Quinn (IND) – 56
- Games Started
- 1. Aodhan Quinn (IND) – 266
- 2. Sean Totsch (LOU) – 259
- T24. James Musa (IND) – 206
- Minutes
- 1.Aodhan Quinn (IND) – 23,327
- 2. Sean Totsch (LOU) – 23,295
- 24. James Musa (IND) – 18,149
- Appearances
- 4. Aodhan Quinn (IND) – 280
Team Leaders
- Stat Player Number
- Goals Jack Blake 5
- Assists Aodhan Quinn 6
- Shots Jack Blake 28
- Shots on Target Jack Blake 13
- Chances Created Jack Blake 21
- Crosses Aodhan Quinn 45
- Fouls Won Jack Blake 30
- Duels Won Jack Blake 76
- Aerial Duels Won Pat Hogan 40
- Clearances Pat Hogan 108
- Blocks Hogan, Ofeimu 8
- Interceptions James Musa 23
- Tackles Won James Murphy 22
- Passes James Murphy 764
- Minutes James Murphy 1,551
USL CHAMPIONSHIP HONORS
- Elvis Amoh
- Jägermeister Cup Team of the Round-Bench (4/29)
- USL Championship Team of the Week (Week 8/9 – 5/6)
- Jack Blake
- USL Championship Team of the Week (Week 2 – 3/18)
- USL Jägermeister Cup Team of the Round (4/29)
- USL Player of the Week (Week 17/18-7/7)
- USL Team of the Week (Week 17/18-7/7)
- Maalique Foster
- USL Team of the Week – Bench (Week 4 – 4/1)
- USL Team of the Week (Week 5 – 4/8)
- USL Goal of the Week nominee (Week 17/18-7/7)
- Pat Hogan
- USL Championship Team of the Week (Week 2 – 3/18)
- Ben Ofeimu
- USL Championship Team of the Week (Week 15 – 6/17)
- Aodhan Quinn
- USLC Goal of the Week nominee (Week 4 – 4/1)
- USLC Team of the Week – Bench (Week 17/18 – 7/7)
- Bruno Rendon
- USL Championship Team of the Week (Week 3 – 3/25)
- Hunter Sulte
- USL Championship Team of the Week (Weeks 13/14 – 6/10)
- USL Jägermeister Cup Team of the Round (7/1)
- USL Jägermeister Cup “Save of the Round” (7/1)
- USL Championship “Save of the Week” nominee (Week 23 – 8/12)
- Romario Williams
- USL Championship Team of the Week (Weeks 13/14 – 6/10)
COACH SEAN McAULEY
Head coach Sean McAuley earned the USLC “Coach of the Month” last May and he was a nominee for USLC Midseason “Coach of the Year” after leading his team to a 12-match unbeaten streak in a two-month span from April 17 through June 15.
The Sheffield, England, native led Indy Eleven to the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals with four straight wins, including a 2-1 victory at MLS-side Atlanta United.
McAuley is in his second season in Indy after previously serving as interim head coach/assistant at MLS-side Minnesota United FC. McAuley helped Minnesota to playoff appearances in his first three seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2020.
In 2015, he hoisted the MLS Cup with the Portland Timbers. McAuley began his playing career with Manchester United and played for Portland Timbers and the Scottish U-21 National Team.
USLC: 19-19-14 | USOC: 5-1-1 | OVERALL: 27-20-16 (.556)
TEAM HIGH/LOWS
- Single-Match Highs
- Shots: 17 | May 28 vs HFD
- SOT: 8 | Mar. 15 at MIA
- Possession: 58.4% | May 28 vs HFD
- Corners: 11 | Mar. 29 vs COS
- Single-Match Lows
- Shots: 4 | June 4 at BHM
- SOT: 1 | June 4 at BHM, Aug. 9 at DET
- Possession: 26.1% | Aug. 9 at DET
- Corners: 1 | Mar. 22 at LEX, May 10 at SAC, June 4 at BHM
- Opponent Highs
- Shots: 21 | June 28 vs. BHM^
- SOT: 9 | July 18 at NC
- Possession: 73.9% | Aug. 9 at DET
- Corners: 9 | June 28 vs. BHM^
- Opponent Lows
- Shots: 4 | June 14 vs PIT
- SOT: 0 | June 14 vs PIT, July 12 vs. RI
- Possession: 41.6% | May 28 vs HFD
- Corners: 2 | May 16 at ELP
USL Championship Regular-Season Player Milestones
- 60 Goals
- Romario Williams – 64
- 50 Goals
- Aodhan Quinn – 57
- 40 Goals
- Elvis Amoh – 44
- 30 Goals
- Jack Blake – 37
- 20 Goals
- Maalique Foster – 21
- Edward Kizza – (19)
- Elliot Collier – (18)
- 50 Assists
- Aodhan Quinn – 56
- 20 Assists
- Cam Lindley – 28 (T25 on USLC All-Time List)
- Jack Blake – 25
- 15 Assists
- Maalique Foster – 16
- James Murphy – 16
- Aedan Stanley – 15
- 110 Goals+Assists
- Aodhan Quinn – 113 (57 goals, 56 assists)
- 70 Goals+Assists
- Romario Williams – 75 (64 goals, 11 assists)
- 60 Goals+Assists
- Jack Blake – 62 (37 goals, 25 assists)
- 50 Goals+Assists
- Elvis Amoh – 53 (44 goals, 9 assists)
- 30 Goals+Assists
- Maalique Foster – 37 (21 goals, 16 assists)
- Cam Lindley – 33 (5 goals, 28 assists)
- 20 Goals+Assists
- Elliot Collier – 25 (18 goals, 7 assists)
- Edward Kizza – 21 (19 goals, 2 assists)
- 10 Penalties Converted (attempted)
- Aodhan Quinn – 25 (28)
- Jack Blake – 13 (15)
- Romario Williams – 8 (10)
- 250 Appearances
- Aodhan Quinn – 280
- 200 Appearances
- James Musa – 219
- 150 Appearances
Jack Blake – 187
Cam Lindley – 176 - Romario Williams – 160
- James Murphy – 150
- 100 Appearances
- Elvis Amoh – 146
- Ben Ofeimu – 142
Aedan Stanley – 138 - Elliot Collier – 123
- Pat Hogan – 105
- Edward Kizza – (98)
- 250 Games Started
- Aodhan Quinn – 266
- 200 Games Started
- James Musa – 206
- 150 Games Started
- Jack Blake – 158
- Cam Lindley – 151
- 100 Games Started
- Aedan Stanley – 134
- James Murphy – 124
- Romario Williams – 119
- 20,000 Minutes
- Aodhan Quinn – 23,327
- 15,000 Minutes
- James Musa – 18,149
- 10,000 Minutes
- Jack Blake – 13,484
Cam Lindley – 13,183 - Aedan Stanley – 12,025
- James Murphy – 11,225
- Ben Ofeimu – 10,665
- Romario Williams – 10,092
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Goalkeepers (3): Reice Charles-Cook, ^Ryan Hunsucker, Hunter Sulte
Defenders (9): Pat Hogan, ^Maverick McCoy, Finn McRobb, James Musa, Josh O’Brien, Ben Ofeimu, Bruno Rendon, Aedan Stanley, Hayden White
Midfielders (7): Jack Blake, Oliver Brynéus, Cam Lindley, James Murphy, Logan Neidlinger, Aodhan Quinn, Brem Soumaoro
Forwards (5): Elvis Amoh, Elliot Collier, Maalique Foster, Edward Kizza, Romario Williams
^USL Academy Contract
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INDIANA FOOTBALL
QUOTED: FALL CAMP EDITION – BRENDAN FRANKE, MITCH MCCARTHY, MARK LANGSTON & NICO RADICIC
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ––– As the third week of fall camp continues, seniors Brendan Franke, Mark Langston, Mitch McCarthy and sophomore Nico Radicic addressed the media inside Memorial Stadium on Friday (August 15).
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Brendan Franke | R-Sr.+ | K
On what drew him to IU…
BF: When I was on my visit here, this was the only visit that I went on, it was the only one that I needed. I got here, it felt just like home, felt just like Nebraska, hanging out. It was a really easy decision at the end of the day. When I came on my visit, love the coaching staff for like an elite atmosphere. It wasn’t very hard to make this decision.
On his biggest goals this fall camp…
BF: Being as old as I am, sixth year of college football, just trying to stay healthy. As I get older, I have to stretch more, spend more time in the training room, stuff like that.
On switching over from soccer to football…
BF: As a junior, about halfway through the season I had a couple guys come up to me and more so tell me that I was going to go kick for the football team. So, I was like ‘alright cool’ so then halfway through my junior year I started kicking again. I had when I was way younger, but yeah.
Mark Langston | R-Sr.+. | LS
On building the relationship with the new specialists…
ML: Well today at practice we had crowd noise, so that’s one of the things that kind of simulates chaos. You say new pieces, but I spent a season with (Brendan) Franke, Nico’s (Radicic) always there, and ever since Mitch (McCarthy) has got here we’ve been attached at the hip so it’s just another season with the boys.
On his approach to stay mentally focused…
ML: Not thinking of it like that. A lot of people train until they get one right. I train until I can’t get one wrong. Just having a purpose every time, you go out there and snapping a ball. Especially when you go through summer that’s when you chip away at your sculpture you’re building every year. And then, when you come to the game and to practice, that’s when you don’t think and rely on your muscle memory.
On how he would describe the identity of the special teams room…
ML: Coming off last year, we have a chip on our shoulder. We have a lot to prove.
Mitch McCarthy | Sr. | P
On staying dialed in during a game…
MM: I think it is easy for me because I don’t have a choice, because I don’t know what is going on. So, if I get distracted and start looking around and start playing with the fairies, I will completely get lost. I am so nervous and locked in that I don’t miss anything. I will be attached to Mark’s [Langston] hip, and I will not move anywhere from him, because when he is going out, I am going out. I don’t really have a choice. I have to stay focused, or I will get lost.
On what makes a good long snapper…
MM: I think the one thing I’ve learned, and I have had some really good long snappers in my three seasons that I have played, it’s the obsession with the craft. All three of them have had that, all in their own different ways. At some stage, with each one, they have told me something so specific in the way they go about their [craft] that I think to myself, ‘you guys are crazy.’ And I think you need that mentality to be a specialist in general, but more specifically long snappers. It is such a particular craft that I just think it’s just obsession with what you do. You can’t not care about it because there is so much that goes into it.
On what has created the bond between himself and Mark Langston…
MM: A lot of Call of Duty. Yea, a lot of video games, that always helps. We play Call of Duty, especially during fall camp when we have any time off, we sit down and play some War Zone. As funny as that sounds, we have always been in separate lift groups and separate workouts, so in the offseason we really didn’t have the chance to bond/connect apart from our punt sessions, kick sessions. Ever since Call of Duty, I added him on it and we are as close as ever. I know his shortcomings, and he knows mine, so as funny as that sounds it actually has built the relationship a lot. If I am being honest.
Nico Radicic | R-So. | K
On how he continues to fine-tune his kicking…
NR: The spring went very well. I don’t think I missed one kick with the team, so I was very pleased with that. I was trying to take that into the fall. I was kind of hoping that a miss was going to happen here or there, just so I can feel that. It did happen once, so now that it did, I am ready to get back on that high horse and keep making kicks.
When it comes to watch lists, I am not too worried about preseason watch lists. Once the season starts up, I will take a look at it if I am on there or not.
On the mental side of kicking…
NR: I just make it a fun thing. I don’t make it anything harder than it already is. I am just there if the team needs me to knock down three points and if I make it anything harder than that I just keep putting stuff in my head that I don’t need. I just make it very simple for myself and kick the ball between the posts.
On when his football journey started…
NR: The first time I kicked a football was probably seventh grade. My boys were trying to force me to play football while I was playing soccer and I kept saying no and didn’t want to do it. I played for FC Dallas and signed a contract that said I can’t play school sports.
Then, I finally went out to a football field, and I kicked like a 45 [yarder] in seventh grade, or it was some lower 40s, and they were like ‘you need to play football.’ I signed up for it in eighth grade and from there it took off.
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PURDUE WOMEN’S SOCCER
SOCCER HEADS ON THE ROAD TO BALL STATE
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After earning a home-opening win, the Boilers (1-0-0) head on the road to the campus of Ball State to take on the Cardinals in a Sunday matchup.
The 4-0 win had scoring from four different players, including Irene Campo, Chiara Singarella, Lauren Adam, and Lilly Bane. For three of the four Boilermakers, this was a first career goal, with two happening in their debut.
Purdue defeated Indiana State for the fifth time in program history, where the Sycamores are still scoreless in all five matches, making the deficit 18-0.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
In 2024 the Cardinals went 7-8-3 and 2-6-3 in conference play in the MAC. The Cardinals did not make the MAC tournament in 2024 and ended their season with a scoreless draw against Toledo.
Ball State is led by Addie Chester and Delaney Caldwell who each had eight assists last season. Chester also earned First Team All-MAC after scoring 10 goals.
SERIES HISTORY
The Boilers and the Cardinals have faced one another five times in their histories with Purdue taking the 4-1 series lead.
The last matchup between the programs was back in 2021 where Purdue won a commanding 5-1 match. The only loss for the Boilers was 22 years ago, back in 2023 where Purdue fell one-nil in a tightly contested matchup.
Purdue played Ball State twice as a ranked team, during 2022 (No. 13) and during 2009 (No. 14) and won both matches 2-0 and 6-1, respectively.
HERMANN TROPHY WATCH LIST
Junior forward and Santander, Spain native, Irene Campo, was named to the United Soccer Coaches Association Hermann Trophy Watch List. The Hermann Trophy is presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club and is the nation’s highest individual honor recognizing the National Player of the Year as determined by voting of the Division I head coaches who are members of the organization.
Campo, a transfer from South Alabama recently played her first game as a Boilermaker, scoring the first goal of the year for the team, as well as her first goal in the Purdue uniform.
During her 2024 campaign, Campo started and played in all 19 games for the Jaguars while scoring 12 goals with six assists for 30 points on the season.
Campo was named the Sunbelt Offensive Player of the Year as well as a First-Team All Conference honoree. She was also named United Soccer Coaches Association Fourth-Team All American and All-Southeast Region Second Team.
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NOTRE DAME MEN’S SOCCER
FERGUSON, KELLY AND LEWIS NAMED TEAM CAPTAINS
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – McFarland Family Men’s Head Soccer Coach Chad Riley announced that Mitch Ferguson and Wyatt Lewis will serve as the captains and Blake Kelly will take on the role of assistant captain of the 2025 Notre Dame men’s soccer team this upcoming season.
“I’m excited about our captains this year. Mitch and Wyatt, along with Blake as our assistant captain, will do an outstanding job leading the team,” said Riley. “They are all committed, dependable leaders, and with the rest of our senior class, I’m confident we’re in great hands.”
Ferguson and Lewis bring a wealth of experience to the pitch for the Irish in 2025, as both were mainstays in the lineup last season and played large roles during Notre Dame’s 2023 run to the College Cup title match. Blake Kelly enters his second season in goal for the Irish after starting the majority of matches as a freshman in 2o24.
Notre Dame opens up the 2025 campaign on the road, taking on Michigan in Ann Arbor at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 21. The match will air on B1G+.
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BUTLER SOFTBALL
PITCHER MAREN BERGER TRANSFERS TO BUTLER
Head Coach Scott Hall has announced that Maren Berger has transferred from Utah State to join the pitching staff at Butler. She will be joining the Bulldogs for offseason competition in fall 2025. Berger joins a Butler program that went 26-22 in the 2025 spring season and qualified for its fifth-consecutive BIG EAST postseason tournament.
At Utah State, Berger battled injury during her sophomore campaign. The Snowflake, Arizona, native was limited to only three appearances in the circle during the 2025 spring season.
The right-hand pitcher began her collegiate career in 2024 at Texas Southern where she earned all-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) second team honors. She led the Tigers with a 2.07 ERA and a team-high 18 appearances with 12 starts. Over 84.2 innings, Berger allowed just one home run and 14 extra base hits, pitching eight complete games. In SWAC play, her ERA improved to 1.54 as she posted a 5-2 record against conference foes.
Berger was a three-year letterwinner and starter at Snowflake High School in Arizona. During her senior season (2023) she earned all-conference and all-region first team accolades and was named the Pitcher of the Year after posting a 0.90 ERA with 277 strikeouts in 155 innings. She also produced a no hitter that included 11 strikeouts. In the batter’s box, she posted a .556 batting average with 42 RBI and 10 home runs. The two-sport athlete also played volleyball.
On choosing Butler: “I connected with the coaching staff’s vision and appreciate their focus on both performance and player development. I believe I can make an impact on this team.”
Berger is the daughter of Curtis and Susanne Berger and has three siblings, Adrianna, Kayleen, and Curtis Jr. She plans to major in business.
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BUTLER FOOTBALL
BUTLER FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW: DEFENSIVE BACKS
Butler’s secondary is loaded with talent and experienced players. Will Mason, Onye Onuoha and Adam Cipriano are the upperclassmen in this position group that provide leadership both on and off the field. Steven Stephany, Devaon Holman and Peyton Daniels are three other Bulldogs that will definitely see the field on Saturday’s this fall.
“I’m really excited about our cornerback room this year,” Assistant Coach Jake DelCampo said. “This is a group that takes pride in their craft. We’ve got a great mix of experience and young talent that compete and make each other better every single day.”
Mason was the second leading tackler on the team last year reaching 66 total. He appeared in all 12 games along with Onye Onuoha who tallied 33 stops. Mason played safety in 2024 but was seen all over the field. He made 3.5 tackles for loss, broke-up three passes, recovered two fumbles, and also intercepted a pass. Onuoha played on the outside but still managed to record four tackles for loss while adding two sacks.
Steven Stephany played alongside Mason at safety for nine games. The redshirt-junior played through injuries and still impacted the action with 33 tackles, four pass break-ups, and two picks. Butler’s team leader in interceptions was Devaon Holman with three. Holman also appeared in nine games as he moved back into his cornerback role after suffering an injury that lingered into the start of 2024.
The next wave of Bulldogs to push for playing time includes Adam Cipriano, Peyton Daniels, Kameron Armstrong, Eric Csala, Andrew Lieske, and Blair Schonhorst. Cipriano is in his final year at BU. He played in 10 games during the 2024 campaign coming up with 11 tackles. Daniels matched that effort by taking the field in 10 games and making six tackles.
“We’ve emphasized playing with more confidence and I’ve seen a huge improvement in that area,” DelCampo added. “I trust them to make plays and be a unit that is fast, physical and relentless.”
Armstrong was very impressive during his freshman season making 12 tackles in 11 games. He’s set for an even larger role for the Bulldogs heading into 2025. Others looking to expand their roles within this group includes Csala, Lieske and Ball State transfer Schonhorst.
The depth at this position group continues with players such as Nick Cloyd, Dylan Hawthorne, Jack Davis, Griffin Simpson, Elijah Romeus, and Justin Dungy. The freshmen class includes Madden Beriault, Corban McDaniel, Mason Strader, and Michael Flynn.
Butler will host five games at the Sellick Bowl this season. The home opener is set for Sept. 6 when Truman State visits Indianapolis. The Bulldogs kick-off the 2025 season the week prior at Northern Iowa.
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BALL STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
SOCCER HOSTS PURDUE SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOR REGULAR SEASON OPENER
The Ball State soccer team officially opens the 2025 regular season at 1 p.m. on Sunday with a home match vs Purdue at the Briner Sports Complex in Muncie.
Links to the ESPN+ broadcast and live stats can be found above and on the schedule page.
The Cardinals had a pair of tuneups by hosting exhibitions with Wright State last Sunday and Holy Cross (Ind.) on Thursday to prepare for head coach Andy Stoots’ first season at Ball State.
Purdue went 7-9-2 (3-7-1 Big Ten) last year in head coach Richard Moodie’s initial campaign leading the program to finish in a tie for 12th in the 18-team conference. The Boilermakers were picked to finish 11th in the recent 2025 preseason coaches poll.
Juniors Megan Santa Cruz (midfielder), Zoe Cuneio (defender) and Emily Edwards (goalkeeper) were mentioned on the Big Ten Women’s Soccer Players to Watch list for the Boilers.
Ball State is led offensively by the duo of Addie Chester and Delaney Caldwell who each had eight assists last season to set a new program record. Chester also tied the program record for points in a season at 28 by scoring 10 goals in addition to the eight helpers on her way to a First Team All-MAC honor.
Caldwell is three assists away from tying Ehren Reagor’s program record of 18 in a career, while she is five points and five goals away from cracking the Top 5 in those career categories as well.
The Ball State backline is anchored by juniors Delaney Ahearn and Audrey Goodyear, who led the 2024 Cardinals in minutes played, along with an experience goalie group featuring graduate Abby Jenkins, senior Grace Konopatzki and sophomore Kate Pallante who each played in at least six games last year.
Seven freshmen and three incoming transfers join 17 returners to form the 2025 roster. The three transfers are senior midfielder Fiona Kilian (Temple), sophomore forward Alyssa Mella (Saint Francis) and sophomore defender Joy Zeeman (Saint Francis).
True freshmen include forward Lydia Hill, forward / midfielder Jess Fernau, midfielders Izzy Ross and Balkis Prothro, defenders Grier Isaacson and Jordyn Klaasen and goalkeeper Allison Armitage.
Stoots comes to Muncie after most recently serving as the women’s soccer associate head coach for four seasons at Missouri. Other stops as an assistant coach on his resume include Louisville, Minnesota, Samford, Belmont, East Tennessee State and Troy.
Next up for Ball State is a road match on Thursday at Indiana.
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VALPO WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
A NEW ERA BEGINS: INTRODUCING THE 2025-26 VALPO WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM
Summer practice is in the books, the initial set of workouts for the 2025-26 squad under the tutelage of first-year head coach Courtney Boyd complete. Merging seven returnees with nine newcomers, Boyd and her coaching staff have taken the first steps forward with this year’s group to have them ready when they step on the court for their season opener in early November.
“This summer, we approached things differently than some might,” Boyd said. “We are taking the identity piece seriously. We need to understand who we are and where we’re headed in order to play hard and consistently to the buzzer. While the baseline of what we plan to do this season is important (i.e., offense, defense, positioning, etc.), that is not the most important. If we aren’t playing hard for the person next to us in the summer when things are ‘easy’, then when the game is tied with 30 seconds left, we aren’t going to know how to cheer our team to the win, if we’ve fouled out. So the cohesiveness of our team became a focal point and we made great strides. Hopefully now that we have that foundation set, when we start to compete for playing time, wins, etc., the TEAM win will take care of itself.”
The Returnees
Seven players return from last season’s team for the 2025-26 campaign, taking the next step in their journey as Beacons.
Valpo’s leading returning scorer is Radford transfer Maci Rhoades. The senior made an immediate impact in her first season with the Beacons, averaging 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while ranking third on the team in rebounds and steals. Rhoades scored in double figures 11 times and closed the season strong, scoring 10 or more points in five of the final six regular season games.
Fellow senior Fiona Connolly is back after ranking second on the team with 60 assists in her first season after transferring from La Salle. Raeven Raye-Redmond looks to return after suffering a season-ending injury near the end of nonconference play last season — the redshirt sophomore was averaging nearly five points per game and tallying better than two steals per contest before going down. Sophomore Mor Shabtai was able to gain valuable experience at the point, averaging more than 20 minutes per game in MVC play and finishing the year third on the team with 52 assists.
Junior Kayla Preston had a pair of double-digit scoring efforts last season in her second season with the Beacons, appearing in 23 games off the bench, while sophomore Kylie Waytashek saw action in 25 games as a rookie and had one double-figure scoring night. Rounding out the returnees is redshirt junior Bella Swedlund who, after an injury-plagued start to her collegiate career, took to the court eight times in her first season with the Beacons.
The Transfers
Five players with collegiate playing experience elsewhere enter their first season in the Beacon program this year, including one with familiarity playing under Boyd.
Mikayla Huffine spent the last two seasons playing at Quincy after starting her collegiate career at Iowa Western C.C. A 5-4 guard, she started all 28 games as a sophomore in 2023-24 and then was a key piece in the Hawks’ run to the GLVC tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament last year.
“Mikayla has really started coming into her own,” Boyd said. “We have challenged her in the past to use her voice and she is finally finding it. She is also finding success in the x’s & o’s when communicating with her teammates. Her consistency over the summer and understanding of our system is helping us take strides quicker than planned.”
Milana Nenadic is in her fourth year of college basketball as well, playing last year at Idaho State after two years at Maine. The 6-3 redshirt junior, who already holds two bachelor’s degrees and an MBA, was ranked as the number one Canadian player in her graduating class by Blue Star Basketball before reclassifying and was named to the Canadian U16 national team in 2021.
“Milana is a workhorse,” Boyd said. “She doesn’t know what it means to ‘take it easy’ and her teammates are starting to follow that. With the team success she has had, at the college level, she has a different definition for hard work. She is coachable, getting out of her comfort zone and looking at playing more than one position. She will be a great asset to the progression of this program.”
Kamryn Winch is another 6-3 redshirt junior entering her fourth season of collegiate basketball. She comes to Valpo after three seasons at Maryville. Winch was a prep standout at North County (Mo.) H.S., averaging 19 points and 15 rebounds per game as a senior as she was named to the area Girls Basketball Winter Dream Team.
“Kamryn brings us the size that the women’s program has been missing,” Boyd said. “We are looking forward to her getting more comfortable with her role on our team, but have been happy with the progress over the summer. Kamryn is continuously working to get her game to the next level in order to find success this season.”
Kayla Sullivan brings two years of junior college experience with her to the Beacons as the 5-11 forward competed for State Fair C.C. the last two seasons. A Third Team NJCAA Division I All-American and First Team All-Region 16 honoree last year, Sullivan averaged 10.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while helping SFCC win the Region 16 Tournament title and earn a trip to the NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.
“Kayla is coming in as a winner,” Boyd said. “She had a tremendous run at her junior college and will be able to bring experience to the court once she gets comfortable in the new system.”
Kennedy Sproule arrives at the Division I level after playing two seasons at Bay de Noc C.C., where she helped the Norse to back-to-back conference titles and appearances in district tournaments. The 6-1 junior averaged 13.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game over her two seasons while connecting on 174 3-pointers.
“Kennedy’s length at the guard position is going to be important for us with her ability to shoot the ball,” Boyd said. “She has been working tirelessly to get comfortable in our transition and executing her role. We are excited to see where this season will take her game.”
The Freshmen
Four rookies got their first taste of college basketball during summer workouts, as Allia Von Schlegell, Isabella Anderson, Autumn Dibb and Nuala Connolly will enter the 2025-26 season as freshmen.
Von Schlegell is a 5-5 freshman guard out of Nazareth Academy in Illinois. She was a Special Mention All-State honoree as a senior, helping to lead Nazareth to a regional title.
“There is something about spit fire point guards that our staff loves and Allia is all of that and more,” Boyd said. “As a freshman, her IQ, ability to ask questions, and mindset to get it right the first time yet not let it affect her effort has been exactly what we want out of our freshman class this summer.”
Anderson is a 5-7 freshman guard from Milbank H.S. in South Dakota. She earned Honorable Mention All-State honors in her final season of prep basketball and left Milbank as the school’s all-time leading scorer.
“Isabella is a pure shooter,” Boyd said. “She is going to be a big threat in our transition. There is no question that she is putting in the time to improve her game and take it to the next level as quickly as possible. She challenges herself differently than most, so it makes our job as coaches easy.”
Dibb is a 5-10 guard out of Muskego H.S. in Wisconsin. She was an Honorable Mention All-State recipient as a senior as she led Muskego to the state championship game. A multi-sport star, she wrapped up her prep career by helping the Muskego girl’s soccer program to its fourth straight state title.
“Autumn brings a level of competitiveness and winning mentality that you don’t see in all freshmen,” Boyd said. “After missing the first month of summer with us, she is really starting to come into her own. One thing we won’t have to teach Autumn is how to play until the buzzer. The more time she gets with her teammates throughout preseason the more we are going to see her game grow. Excited to see that over the next four years.”
Connolly joins her sister, Fiona, as a Beacon this year. A 5-11 guard, she most recently played at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio last season.
“Nuala came to us as a surprise. With her sister Fiona already being on the team, I feel like we are getting a steal with Nuala. She is different. She has had a few bumps in the road throughout her basketball career and since being here, she is improving daily. Nuala is going to be a great asset to us and I look forward to coaching her each practice. Her response to coaching and adversity is more mature than most and we are excited for Nuala’s future with us.”
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SMALL COLLEGE WEB SITES
UINDY ATHLETICS: https://athletics.uindy.edu/
MARIAN ATHLETICS: https://muknights.com/
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/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
Aug. 16
1920 — Shortstop Ray Chapman of the Cleveland Indians was hit in the head with a pitch in the fifth inning by New York’s Carl Mays. Chapman suffered a fractured skull and died the next day. It is the only field fatality in major league history.
1927 — Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees became the first player to clear the roof at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Ruth’s home run came off White Sox pitcher Tommy Thomas in the 8-1 win.
1947 — Ralph Kiner hit three successive home runs to become the first Pirates player to ever accomplish the feat as Pittsburgh beat the St. Louis Cardinals 12-7 at Forbes Field.
1950 — Hank Thompson hit two inside-the-park home runs in the Giants’ 16-7 rout of the Brooklyn Dodgers at the Polo Grounds.
1967 — Jim Maloney of Cincinnati retired 19 consecutive Pirates but had to leave the game after he injured his ankle by stepping in a hole at Forbes Field. Billy McCool allowed two hits over the final 2 2-3 innings to give the Reds a 4-0 victory over Pittsburgh.
1987 — Tim Raines of the Montreal Expos went 5-for-5 with four extra-base hits and the cycle in a 10-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1987 — New York’s Darryl Strawberry drove in five runs with four extra-base hits to lead the Mets to a 23-10 rout of the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
1989 — Tom Drees pitched his third no-hitter of the season for AAA Vancouver, beating Las Vegas, 5-0, in the 7-inning opener of a doubleheader. He had consecutive 1-0 no-hitters, beating Calgary in nine innings (May 23) and Edmonton in seven (May 28).
1996 — With 23,699 fans at the 25,644-seat Estadio Monterrey, the San Diego Padres defeated the New York Mets 15-10 in the first major league regular-season game played outside the United States or Canada.
2009 — Derek Jeter hits an RBI double off Seattle’s Doug Fister in the 3rd for his 2,674th hit as a shortstop, surpassing Luis Aparicio’s all-time leading total for the position.
2011 — Albert Pujols of St. Louis reached 30 home runs for the 11th consecutive season in a 5-4, 11-inning loss to Pittsburgh.
2012 — Major League Baseball approves the sale of the San Diego Padres from John Moores to a group headed by local businessman Ron Fowler, which also includes former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley and pro golfer Phil Mickelson. The sale is for $800 million.
2013 — Grant Holman of Chula Vista, Calif. struck out 13 and became the first player to toss a no-hitter in the Little League World Series since the 85-pitch rule was put in place in 2007.
2018 — Jose Bautista hit a grand slam and had a career-high seven RBIs and the New York Mets set a franchise record for runs, forcing the Phillies to use two position players for the final three innings of a 24-4 victory in the first game of a doubleheader.
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Aug. 17
1904 — Jesse Tannehill of the Boston Red Sox pitched a no-hitter, beating the Chicago White Sox 6-0.
1920 — Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman died from a beaning by Carl Mays of the New York Yankees on Aug. 16. This was the only on-field fatality in major league history.
1933 — Earl Averill of the Cleveland Indians hit for the cycle in a 15-4 rout of the Philadelphia Athletics.
1933 — New York’s Lou Gehrig played in his 1,308th straight game to break Everett Scott’s record of 1,307. Gehrig’s single and triple didn’t prevent the last-place St. Louis Browns from beating the Yankees 7-6 in 10 innings at Sportsman’s Park.
1944 — Johnny Lindell of the New York Yankees hit four consecutive doubles in a 10-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians.
1963 — Jim Hickman became the first New York Met to hit for cycle in a 7-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Hickman got the cycle in his first four times up — in single, double, triple, homer order.
1980 — George Brett went 4-for-4, raising his batting average to .401, in an 8-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Brett drove in five runs and extended his hitting streak to 29 consecutive games.
1980 — Al Oliver of Texas hit four home runs — one in the opener and three in the nightcap — as the Rangers swept a doubleheader from the Detroit Tigers, 9-3 and 12-6. Oliver also had a double and triple in the opener, giving him 21 total bases which tied the American League record for a doubleheader.
1992 — Kevin Gross pitched a no-hitter as Los Angeles beat San Francisco 2-0 at Dodgers Stadium.
1999 — Jesse Orosco set a major league record by pitching in his 1,072nd game, breaking a tie with Dennis Eckersley atop the career list. The 42-year-old Orosco took the mound with two outs in the seventh inning of Baltimore’s victory over Minnesota.
2001 — Jeff Frye became the second Toronto player to hit for the cycle as the Blue Jays beat Texas 11-3.
2002 — Alex Rodriguez became the sixth player in major league history to have five straight 40-homer seasons.
2004 — Tampa Bay’s B.J. Upton, 19, became the first teenager in more than six years to homer in a major league game, helping Tampa Bay snap a six-game losing streak with an 8-3 victory over Anaheim.
2004 — Mark Teixeira of the Texas Rangers hit for the cycle and drove in a career high seven runs in a 16-4 rout the Cleveland Indians.
2008 — Melvin Mora had two homers and two doubles among his five hits and drove in a career-high six runs to pace Baltimore’s 22-hit attack in a 16-8 win over Detroit.
2008 — Alex Rios went 5-for-6 and matched a club record with four doubles and Toronto knocked Boston ace Josh Beckett out after 2 1-3 innings in a 15-4 victory over the Red Sox.
2010 — Jim Thome ties the major league record for career walk-off home runs with his 12th, as the Twins beat the White Sox, 7 – 6.
2014 — Michael Cuddyer hit for the cycle, including a two-run double in Colorado’s five-run eighth inning, and the Rockies beat the Cincinnati Reds 10-5 to complete a doubleheader sweep.
2018 — The Chicago Cubs tied a major league record by turning seven double plays, including a game-ending effort by rookie third baseman David Bote on a grounder by David Freese to finish off a 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
2020 — For the first time of their career, brothers Kyle and Corey Seager meet in a regular season game and, fittingly, both hit homers as Corey’s Dodgers defeat Kyle’s Mariners, 11 – 9.
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Aug. 18
1915 — Boston opened Braves Field with a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
1931 — New York’s Lou Gehrig played in his 1,000th consecutive game. Gehrig went hitless in the 5-4 loss to Detroit.
1948 — Brooklyn’s Rex Barney pitched a one-hitter for a 1-0 win over Robin Roberts and the Philadelphia Phillies at Shibe Park.
1956 — The Cincinnati Reds hit eight home runs and the Milwaukee Braves added two to set a National League record for home runs by two clubs in a nine-inning night game. Bob Thurman’s three homers and double led the Reds in the 13-4 rout.
1960 — Lew Burdette of the Milwaukee Braves pitched a no-hitter, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0. Burdette faced the minimum 27 batters.
1965 — Hank Aaron of Milwaukee hit Curt Simmons’ pitch on top of the pavilion roof at Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis for an apparent home run. However, umpire Chris Pelekoudas called him out for being out of the batter’s box when he connected. Nevertheless, the Braves won the game 5-3.
1967 — California’s Jack Hamilton hit Tony Conigliaro on his left cheekbone with a fastball in the fourth inning of a 3-2 loss to Boston. Conigliaro was carried unconscious from the field and missed the remainder of the 1967 season and the entire 1968 season. The 22-year-old already had more than 100 home runs to his credit.
1977 — Don Sutton of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitched his fifth one-hitter to tie the National League record. Sutton gave up a two-out single in the eighth inning to San Francisco’s Marc Hill. The Dodgers won 7-0.
1995 — Tom Henke became the seventh pitcher to reach 300 career saves, surviving a rally by the Atlanta Braves in the ninth inning of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 4-3 victory.
2000 — Darin Erstad of Anaheim made a spectacular, game-saving catch in the 10th inning and followed it with a homer in the 11th as the Angels defeated the New York Yankees 9-8.
2006 — Alfonso Soriano became the third player in major league history to have at least four seasons of 30 homers and 30 stolen bases, and the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-4.
2007 — Micah Owings went 4-for-5, including a pair of mammoth homers, drove in six runs and scored four times while pitching three-hit ball through seven innings as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Atlanta Braves 12-6.
2011 — Mike Jacobs became the first player suspended by Major League Baseball for a positive HGH test under the sport’s minor league drug testing procedures. The 30-year-old minor league first baseman, who was in the big leagues from 2005-10, received a 50-game suspension for taking the banned performance-enhancing substance and was subsequently released by the Colorado Rockies.
2017 — Manny Machado capped a three-homer night with a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Baltimore Orioles rallied past the Los Angeles Angels 9-7 in a game that featured 10 home runs.
2018 — New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom pitched his first complete game of the season and lowered his major league-leading ERA to 1.71 with a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
2019 — Zack Grenke records the 200th win of his career as the Astros defeat the Athletics 4-1.
2021 — hohei Ohtani continues to do it all by himself on the field. Today, he becomes the first hitter in the majors to reach 40 homers this season, and also improves his record on the mound to 8-1 as he pitches 8 full innings for the first time of his career. The Angels defeat the Tigers, 3-1.
2021 — Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman hit for the cycle for the second time in his career as they beat the Miami Marlins 11-9.
Aug. 19
1909 — The Philadelphia Phillies were rained out for the 10th consecutive day, a major league record.
1913 — The Chicago Cubs tagged Grover Alexander for nine straight hits and six runs for a 10-4 triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies.
1921 — Detroit’s Ty Cobb got his 3,000th career hit at age 34, the youngest player to reach that plateau. The milestone hit was a single off Elmer Myers of the Boston Red Sox.
1934 — Moose Solters of the Boston Red Sox hit for the cycle in an 8-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park.
1951 — Eddie Gaedel, a 65-pound midget who was 3-foot-7, made his first and only plate appearance as a pinch-hitter for Frank Saucier of the St. Louis Browns. Gaedel wearing No. 1/8 was walked on four pitches by Detroit Tigers pitcher Bob Cain and then was taken out for pinch-runner Jim Delsing. The gimmick by Browns owner Bill Veeck was completely legal, but later outlawed.
1957 — New York Giants owner Horace Stoneham announced that the team’s board of directors had voted 8-1 in favor of moving to San Francisco. The Giants would start the 1958 season in Seals Stadium.
1965 — Jim Maloney of the Cincinnati Reds no-hit the Cubs 1-0, in 10 innings in the first game of a doubleheader at Chicago. Leo Cardenas homered in the 10th for the Reds.
1969 — Ken Holtzman of the Cubs blanked the Atlanta Braves with a 3-0 no-hitter at Wrigley Field. Ron Santo’s three-run homer in the first inning provided the Cubs’ offense.
1990 — Bobby Thigpen recorded his 40th save as the Chicago White Sox beat the Texas Rangers 4-2. Thigpen became the eighth — and fastest — to accomplish this feat.
1992 — Bret Boone made history when he became part of the first three-generation family to play in major league baseball. Boone is the grandson of Ray Boone, who played from 1948-60, and son of Bob Boone, from 1972-90. Bret, 23, completed the triangle when he started at second base for the Seattle Mariners against Baltimore.
2007 — Johan Santana finished with a franchise-record 17 strikeouts in eight innings to help Minnesota edge Texas 1-0.
2009 — Florida reached 10 hits for the 15th straight game in a 6-3 loss at Houston, matching the longest streak since the St. Louis Browns had one that long in 1937. The Marlins were held to four hits the next game.
2011 — LaGrange, Ky., starter Griffin McLarty struck out 12 and hit a homer in a 1-0 victory over the hometown favorites from Clinton County in the Little League World Series at South Williamsport, Pa. The game drew 41,848 fans, breaking the record of 40,000 set in the 1989 and 1990 championship games.
2016 — Jose Altuve homered and had five RBIs, and the Houston Astros beat the Baltimore Orioles 15-8 despite allowing four home runs in the first inning. The Orioles became the first team in the modern era (since 1900) to open a game with four home runs before making an out. Adam Jones hit Collin McHugh’s first pitch into the seats in left field and Hyun Soo Kim singled before Manny Machado, Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo homered in succession.
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Aug. 20
1912 — Walter Johnson won his American League-record 15th straight game, downing Cleveland 4-2 in the opener of a doubleheader. Washington’s Carl Cashion pitched a six-inning no-hitter to give the Senators a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians in the second game, which was called to allow Cleveland to catch a train to Boston.
1938 — New York’s Lou Gehrig hit his 23rd and the final grand slam of his career and drove in six runs to lead the Yankees to an 11-3 win over the Philadelphia Athletics.
1945 — Tommy Brown, 17 years, 8 months, 14 days, of the Brooklyn Dodgers became the youngest major league player to hit a home run when he connected in Ebbets Field against Preacher Roe of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1957 — Bob Keegan of the Chicago White Sox pitched a 6-0 no-hit victory over the Washington Senators in the second game of a doubleheader.
1958 — Detroit’s Jim Bunning pitched a no-hitter to lead the Tigers to a 3-0 win over the Boston Red Sox in the opening game of a doubleheader at Fenway Park.
1961 — The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Milwaukee Braves 7-4 in the second game of a doubleheader to snap a 23-game losing streak, a modern record.
1965 — Milwaukee’s Eddie Mathews hit his 28th home run, and the Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3. With the homer, the duo of Mathews and Hank Aaron passed the Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig total of 772 home runs to become the top home-run tandem in major league history.
1974 — Nolan Ryan of the California Angels struck out 19 Tigers in a 1-0, 11-inning loss to Detroit. It was the third time this season that Ryan struck out 19 batters in a game.
1980 — Pittsburgh’s Omar Moreno stole his 70th base of the season in a 5-1 loss to Houston, to become the first player this century with three consecutive 70-steal seasons. The fleet outfielder swiped 71 in 1978, 77 in 1979.
1989 — New York’s Howard Johnson hit his 30th home run of the season in the Mets’ 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers and joined Bobby Bonds and Willie Mays as the only players to achieve 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in two different seasons.
1995 — Jose Mesa of the Cleveland Indians picked up his 37th save in 37 opportunities to set a major league record, and the Indians beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-5.
2005 — The Kansas City Royals ended baseball’s longest losing streak in 17 years, defeating the Oakland Athletics 2-1 to end a club-record 19-game skid.
2014 — The San Francisco Giants became the first team since 1986 to win a protest. Rain caused a delay during an Aug. 19 game after the grounds crew couldn’t put the tarp down quickly, and the umpires deemed the field unplayable. The Cubs were declared the winners by a 2-0 score after 4 1/2 innings. MLB ruled to resume the rain-shortened game with the Cubs batting in the bottom of the fifth.
2019 — By defeating the Blue Jays, 16 – 3, Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers notches win #166 to pass Sandy Koufax for most by a lefthander in franchise history.
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Aug. 21
1926 — Ted Lyons of the Chicago White Sox pitched a no-hitter over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The 6-0 victory was achieved in 1 hour, 7 minutes.
1930 — Chick Hafey of the St. Louis Cardinals hit for the cycle and drove in five runs in a 16-6 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies.
1931 — Babe Ruth hit his 600th home run as the Yankees beat the St. Louis Browns 11-7.
1947 — The first Little League World Series was at Williamsport, Pa. The Maynard Midgets of Williamsport won the series.
1972 — Steve Carlton of Philadelphia had his 15-game winning streak snapped when Phil Niekro and the Atlanta Braves beat the Phillies 2-1 in 11 innings.
1975 — Pitching brothers Rick and Paul Reuschel of the Chicago Cubs combined to throw a 7-0 shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rick went 6 1-3 innings and Paul finished the shutout for the first ever by two brothers.
1982 — Milwaukee pitcher Rollie Fingers became the first player to achieve 300 career saves as the Brewers beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2.
1986 — Spike Owens had four hits and became the first major league player in 40 years to score six runs in a game as the Boston Red Sox routed the Cleveland Indians 24-5 with a 24-hit attack.
2007 — Garret Anderson of the Los Angeles Angels drove in a team-record 10 runs in an 18-9 rout of the New York Yankees. Anderson hit a grand slam, a three-run homer, a two-run double and an RBI double to become the 12th player in major league history to have 10 RBIs in a game.
2007 — Arizona’s Mark Reynolds tied the major league record for consecutive strikeouts by a non-pitcher when he fanned in his ninth straight plate appearance in a 7-4 loss to Milwaukee. Reynolds struck out in his first two at-bats against Dave Bush to match the record. Bush hit Reynolds with a pitch in the sixth, ending the streak.
2011 — Johnny Damon lost a grand slam to a video review in the seventh inning, then hit a game-ending home run in the ninth that lifted the Tampa Bay Rays over the Seattle Mariners 8-7. Damon connected for a leadoff shot in the ninth on the first pitch from Dan Cortes. The Rays trailed 5-4 in the seventh when Damon launched a drive to right-center field. First ruled a home run, the umpires changed the call to a three-run double after a video review.
2015 — Mike Fiers pitched the second no-hitter in the major leagues in nine days, leading the Houston Astros to a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Having never thrown a complete game in his five-year career, Fiers was dominant. He struck out 10 and walked three, retiring the final 21 batters. Fiers struck out Justin Turner on his 134th pitch to end it.
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TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
Aug. 16
1920 — Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman is hit in the head with a pitch by New York’s Carl Mays. Chapman suffers a fractured skull and dies the next day. It’s the only field fatality in major league history.
1924 — Helen Wills Moody beats Molla Bjurstedt Mallory again, 6-1, 6-3, to win her second straight singles title at the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships.
1954 — The first Sports Illustrated magazine is issued with a 25-cent price tag. The scene on the cover was a game at Milwaukee’s County Stadium. Eddie Mathews of Braves was swinging with Wes Westrum catching and Augie Donatelli umpiring.
1970 — Dave Stockton wins the PGA Championship by two strokes over Arnold Palmer and Bob Murphy at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.
1976 — Dave Stockton edges Raymond Floyd and Don January by one stroke to win his second PGA Championship. Stockton hits a par-saving 15-foot putt on the 72nd hole to finish with a 1-over 281 at Congressional Country Club (Blue Course) in Bethesda, Md.
1989 — Tom Drees pitches his third no-hitter of the season for Class AAA Vancouver, leading the Canadians over Las Vegas 5-0 in a seven-inning, first game of a doubleheader in the Pacific Coast League. Drees became the first pitcher in the PCL or the major leagues with three no-hitters in a year.
1992 — Nick Price holds off a comeback bid by Nick Faldo with a 1-under 70 in the final round and captures his first major title with a three-stroke victory in the PGA national championship.
1995 — Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie shatters Kenya’s Moses Kiptanui’s record in the 5,000 by nearly 11 seconds with a time of 12 minutes, 44.39 seconds at the Weltklasse meet in Zurich, Switzerland.
1998 — Jeff Gordon drives into the record book, becoming the seventh driver in modern NASCAR history to win four straight races as he comes from far back to take the Pepsi 400.
2003 — Cristiano Ronaldo (18) makes his debut for Manchester United and the Premier League in a 4–0 home victory over Bolton Wanderers.
2008 — In Beijing, Michael Phelps touches the wall a hundredth of a second ahead of Serbia’s Milorad Cavic to win the 100-meter butterfly. The win gives Phelps his seventh gold medal of the Beijing Games, tying Mark Spitz’s performance in the 1972 Munich Games. Usain Bolt of Jamaica runs the 100-meter dash in a stunning world-record time of 9.69 seconds for a blowout win that he starts celebrating a good 10 strides before the finish line.
2009 — Usain Bolt shatters the 100-meter world record at the World Championships in Berlin. Bolt finishes with a stunning time of 9.58 seconds, bettering his own record of 9.69 seconds set in last year’s Beijing Olympics.
2009 — Y.E. Yang of South Korea becomes the first Asian player to win one of golf’s majors with a three-stroke win over Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship.
2015 — Jason Day leads wire-to-wire in the final round at Whistling Straits to close out a record-setting PGA Championship and capture his first major title. The 27-year-old Australian finishes at 20-under 268 to beat Jordan Spieth by three shots. Day becomes the first player to finish at 20 under in a major.
2015 — Brooke Henderson wins the Cambia Portland Classic by eight strokes to become the third-youngest champion in LPGA Tour history at 17 years, 11 months, 6 days.
2018 — The Davis Cup gets a radical makeover beginning in 2019. The top team event in men’s tennis will be decided with a season-ending, 18-team tournament at a neutral site.
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Aug. 17
1933 — Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees plays his 1,308th straight game to break Everett Scott’s record of 1,307.
1938 — Henry Armstrong wins the lightweight title with a 15-round decision over Lou Ambers and becomes the only boxer to hold world championship titles in three weight divisions simultaneously. Armstrong won the featherweight (126-pound) title by knocking out Petey Sarron in six rounds on Oct. 29, 1937. On May 31, 1938, he won the welterweight (147-pound) championship from Barney Ross by a decision.
1960 — Flash Elorde knocks out Harold Gomes at 1:20 in the first round to win the world junior lightweight title.
1969 — Ray Floyd beats Gary Player by one stroke to win the PGA championship.
1995 — John Roethlisberger wins the U.S. National Gymnastics Championships’ all-around title in New Orleans, becoming the first gymnast in 28 years to win four titles.
1997 — Davis Love III shoots a 66 at Winged Foot to win the PGA Championship in Mamaroneck, N.Y., his first major title, by five strokes over Justin Leonard with a 72-hole total of 11-under 269.
2001 — Shingo Katayama shoots a 6-under 64, and David Toms shoots a 65 to share the second-round lead in the PGA Championship. Katayama and Toms at 9-under 131, tie the PGA record for 36 holes last set by Ernie Els at Riviera in 1995.
2005 — The NCAA purchases the rights to the preseason and postseason National Invitation Tournaments as part of a settlement ending a four-year legal fight between the two parties. The 40-team postseason NIT, which is a year older and was once the bigger event, will be run by the NCAA.
2008 — At the Summer Olympics in Beijing, Michael Phelps and three teammates win the 400-meter medley relay for Phelps’ eighth gold medal, eclipsing Mark Spitz’s seven-gold performance at the 1972 Munich Games. Of his five individual races and three relays, Phelps sets world records in seven and an Olympic record in the eighth.
2008 — Jesus Sauceda of Matamoros, Mexico, pitches the fifth perfect game in Little League World Series history and the first in 29 years for a 12-0 win over Emilia, Italy. Sauceda also stars at the plate, going 3-for-3 with six RBIs, including a grand slam in the third.
2013 — Nick Davilla throws six touchdown passes and the Arizona Rattlers defeat the Philadelphia Soul 48-39 in the Arena Bowl. The Rattlers win the championship for the second straight year, beating the Soul in both championship games.
2014 — Inbee Park successfully defends her title in the LPGA Championship, beating Brittany Lincicome with a par on the first hole of a playoff to end the United States’ major streak at three.
2014 — The Phoenix Mercury sets a WNBA record with their 29th win, beating the Seattle Storm 78-65 in the season finale. Phoenix (29-5) tops the previous mark set by Los Angeles (28-4 in both 2000 and 2001) and Seattle (28-6 in 2010).
2015 — The National Labor Relations Board dismisses a historic ruling that Northwestern University football players are school employees who are entitled to form what would be the nation’s first union of college athletes.
2016 — Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson completes the first 100-200 women’s Olympic double since 1988. Thompson wins the 200 in 21.78 seconds to become the first woman since Marion Jones in 2000 to win both Olympic sprints. Jones’ records have since been stripped, so Thompson goes in the record book along with Florence Griffith-Joyner, who starred in the 1988 Seoul Games.
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Aug. 18
1923 — Helen Mills, 17, ends Molla Bjurstedt Mallory’s domination of the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships and starts her own with a 6-2, 6-1 victory.
1958 — Floyd Patterson knocks out Roy Harris in the 13th round at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles to retain his world heavyweight title.
1964 — The International Olympic Committee bans South Africa from competing in the Summer Olympics because of its apartheid policies.
1982 — Pete Rose sets record with his 13,941st plate appearance.
1994 — South Africa is introduced for the first time in 36 years during the opening ceremonies of the 15th Commonwealth Games held in Victoria, British Columbia. South Africa had been banned from the Games since 1958 because of its apartheid policies.
1995 — Thirteen-year-old Dominique Moceanu becomes the youngest to win the National Gymnastics Championships senior women’s all-around title in New Orleans.
2004 — Paul Hamm wins the men’s gymnastics all-around Olympic gold medal by the closest margin ever in the event. Controversy follows after it was discovered a scoring error that may have cost Yang Tae-young of South Korea the men’s all-around title. Yang, who finished with a bronze, is wrongly docked a tenth of a point on his second-to-last routine, the parallel bars. He finishes third, 0.049 points behind Hamm, who becomes the first American man to win gymnastics’ biggest prize.
2008 — A day after winning an Olympic gold medal in Beijing, Rafael Nadal officially unseats Roger Federer to become the world’s No. 1 tennis player when the ATP rankings are released. Federer had been atop the rankings for 235 weeks.
2013 — For the first time in Solheim Cup history, the Europeans leaves America with the trophy. Caroline Hedwall becomes the first player in the 23-year history of the event to win all five matches. She finishes with a 1-up victory over Michelle Wie and gives Europe the 14 points it needed to retain the cup.
2013 — Usain Bolt is perfect again with three gold medals. The Jamaican great becomes the most successful athlete in the 30-year history of the world championships. The 4×100-meter relay gold erases the memories of the 100 title he missed out on in South Korea two years ago because of a false start. Bolt, who already won the 100 and 200 meters, gets his second such sprint triple at the world championships, matching the two he achieved at the Olympics.
2016 — Jamaica’s Usain Bolt completes an unprecedented third consecutive sweep of the 100 and 200-meter sprints, elevating his status as the most decorated male sprinter in Olympic history. He wins the 200-meter race with a time of 19.78 seconds to defeat Andre de Grasse of Canada. American Ashton Eaton defends his Olympic decathlon title, equaling the games record with a surge on the last lap of the 1,500 meters — the last event in the two-day competition. Helen Maroulis defeats Japan’s Saori Yoshida 4-1 in the 53-kilogram freestyle final to win the first-ever gold medal for a United States women’s wrestler.
2018 — Accelerate cruises to a record 12 1/2-length victory in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar, becoming just the third horse to sweep all three of Southern California’s major races for older horses in the same year.
2021 — Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman hit for the cycle for the second time in his career as they beat the Miami Marlins 11-9.
Aug. 19
1909 — The first race is held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Twelve-thousand spectators watch Austrian engineer Louis Schwitzer win a five-mile race with an average speed of 57.4 miles per hour. The track’s surface of crushed rock and tar breaks up in a number of places and causes the deaths of two drivers, two mechanics and two spectators.
1921 — Detroit’s Ty Cobb gets his 3,000th career hit at age 34, the youngest player to reach that plateau.
1934 — Helen Hull Jacobs wins the women’s title in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships.
1981 — Renaldo Nehemiah sets the world record in the 110 hurdles with a time of 12.93 seconds in a meet at Zurich, Switzerland.
1984 — Lee Trevino beats Gary Player and Lanny Wadkins by four strokes to take the PGA championship at Shoal Creek, Alabama.
1993 — Sergei Bubka wins his fourth consecutive pole vault title at the World Track and Field championships at Stuttgart, Germany.
1995 — Mike Tyson starts his comeback, knocking out Peter McNeeley in 89 seconds at Las Vegas. McNeeley’s manager Vinnie Vecchione jumps into the ring to stop the fight after his boxer is knocked down twice in the first round.
2001 — Michael Schumacher gets his fourth Formula One championship and matches Alain Prost’s series record of 51 victories by winning the Hungarian Grand Prix.
2004 — American swimmer Michael Phelps wraps up the 200/400m individual medley double at the Athens Olympics when he wins the 200m (1:57.14 OR) ahead of teammate Ryan Lochte.
2016 — Usain Bolt scores another sweep, winning three gold medals in his third consecutive Olympics. At the Rio de Janeiro Games, Bolt turns a close 4×100 relay race against Japan and the United States into a typical, Bolt-like runaway, helping Jamaica cross the line in 37.27 seconds. Allyson Felix wins an unprecedented fifth gold medal in women’s track and field, running the second leg of the 4×100-meter relay team.
2018 — Novak Dokovic beats Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the Cincinnati Masters to become the first player to win all 9 Masters 1,000 tennis tournaments since the series started in 1990.
2018 — Jockey Drayden Van Dyke wins a record-tying seven races at Del Mar, including the $200,000 Del Mar Mile. He ties Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza for most wins in a single day in the seaside track’s history. Van Dyke’s only loss in eight mounts comes when he finishes second in the sixth race.
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Aug. 20
1921 — Molla Bjurstedt Mallory beats Mary Browne, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to win the U.S. women’s national tennis title at the Germantown Cricket Club in Philadelphia.
1931 — Helen Wills Moody beats Eileen Bennett Whitingstall 6-4, 6-1 to capture the women’s title in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championship.
1944 — Robert Hamilton upsets Byron Nelson in the final round 1 up to win the PGA Championship.
1960 — Holland’s Hairos II, driven by Willem Geersen, wins the second International Trot at Roosevelt Raceway before a record crowd of 54,861.
1990 — George Steinbrenner steps down as NY Yankee owner.
1995 — Monica Seles completes a remarkable first week back in tournament tennis, routing Amanda Coetzer 6-0, 6-1 to capture the Canadian Open. Her 74 games sets a tournament record for the fewest played by a champion.
1999 — 7th Athletics World Championships open at Seville, Spain.
2000 — Tiger Woods wins the PGA Championship in a playoff over Bob May, becoming the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win three majors in one year. He’s the first player to repeat as PGA champion since Denny Shute in 1937.
2003 — The U.S. wins the women’s overall team gold medal at the gymnastics world championships. It is the first gold for the Americans — men or women — at the biggest international event outside the Olympics.
2004 — Michael Phelps matches Mark Spitz’s record of four individual gold medals in Olympic swimming by winning the 100-meter butterfly. He edges teammate Ian Crocker to win his fifth gold medal. Shortly after winning his seventh medal of these Olympics, Phelps gives up his spot in the medley relay to Crocker.
2006 — Tiger Woods wins the PGA Championship for a five-shot victory over Shaun Micheel and his 12th career major. He becomes the first player to win the PGA twice on the same course, having done so at Medinah in 1999.
2008 — Usain Bolt of Jamaica breaks the 200-meter world record, winning in 19.30 seconds at the Beijing Games. He is the first man since Carl Lewis in 1984 to sweep the 100 and 200 at an Olympics.
2012 — Augusta National invites former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore to become the first female members since the club was founded in 1932.
2016 — Allyson Felix and LaShawn Merritt anchor the 4×400 relay teams, and the U.S. exits the final night of action at Olympic Stadium with 31 medals — its most in a non-boycotted Olympics since 1956. The U.S. women’s basketball team beats Spain 101-72 for a sixth straight title.
2018 — Alabama becomes the second team to be ranked No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll for three straight seasons. The preseason AP poll started in 1950 and since then only Oklahoma from 1985-87 had started No. 1 in three straight years.
2023 — FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, Stadium Australia, Sydney: Spanish captain Olga Carmona scores the only goal of the game as La Furia Roja score a 1-0 win over England.
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Aug. 21
1901 — William Larned wins the first of seven men’s singles titles in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championship.
1914 — Walter Hagen captures the U.S. Open golf title by edging Chick Evans.
1920 — Jock Hutchinson wins the PGA golf tournament with a 1-up victory over J. Douglass Edgar.
1931 — Babe Ruth of New York hits his 600th home run as the Yankees beat the St. Louis Browns 11-7.
1932 — Helen Hull Jacobs beats Carolyn Babcock to win the women’s singles title in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association.
1982 — Mystic Park becomes the first 3-year-old trotter to win the American Trotting Championship.
1985 — Mary Decker sets the world record in the mile run with a time of 4:16.71 in Zurich.
1990 — Kelly Craig becomes the first female starting pitcher in Little League World Series history, opening for Trail, British Columbia. She fails to retire any of the three batters she faces but the Canadian champions rally for an 8-3 victory over Matamoros, Mexico.
2003 — Paul Hamm puts together a near-perfect routine on the high bar to become the first American man to win the all-around gold medal at World Gymnastics Championships. Needing a 9.712 or better to beat China’s Yang Wei, Hamm strings together four straight release moves during his 60-second routine — one of the toughest feats in gymnastics — for a 9.975 and the gold.
2004 — American super-swimmer Michael Phelps wins his 6th gold medal of the Athens Olympics even though he doesn’t swim the final of men’s 4 x 100m medley relay; US wins in world record 3:30.68.
2008 — At the Summer Olympics in Beijing, Yukiko Ueno pitches 28 innings in two days, including seven to shut down the U.S. softball team, 3-1, and give Japan the gold medal. It was the first loss for the Americans since Sept. 21, 2000 — 22 straight games. LaShawn Merritt upsets defending champion Jeremy Wariner to lead a U.S. sweep of the 400 meters track event. David Neville gets the bronze. The U.S. men and women both drop the baton in the Olympic 400-meter relays and fail to advance out of the first round. Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown easily wins the 200 meters to cap the first sweep of all four men’s and women’s Olympic sprints in 20 years.
2010 — Kyle Busch makes NASCAR history with an unprecedented sweep of three national races in one week, completing the trifecta with a victory in the Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Busch, winner of the Nationwide race a day earlier and the Trucks race on Aug. 18, becomes the first driver to complete the sweep since NASCAR expanded to three national series in 1995.
2011 — The Los Angeles Sparks run off 16 straight points to overcome a 15-point, second-half deficit and hand the Tulsa Shock their WNBA-record 18th consecutive loss with a 73-67 victory. The Atlanta Dream lost 17 in a row in their inaugural season of 2008.
2016 — Kevin Durant scores 30 points and helps the Americans rout Serbia 96-66 for their third straight gold medal. That caps an Olympics in which the U.S. dominated the medal tables, both the gold (46) and overall totals (121). The 51-total-medal margin over second-place China the largest in a non-boycotted Olympics in nearly a century.
2018 — Liu Xiang of China sets a world record time of 26.98 seconds to win the women’s 50-meter backstroke gold medal at the Asian Games. Liu becomes the first woman to swim under 27 seconds in the event, breaking the mark of 27.06 set by fellow Chinese swimmer Zhao Jing at the 2009 world championships in Rome.
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TV SPORTS
(All times Eastern)
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts
Saturday, August 16
AUTO RACING
8:55 a.m.
FS1 — FIM MotoGP: The Grand Prix of Austria – Sprint Race, Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria
3 p.m.
FOX — NHRA: Qualifying, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn.
7:30 p.m.
USA — NASCAR Cup Series: The Cook Out 400, Richmond Raceway, Richmond, Va.
COLLEGE SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
Noon
SECN — North Carolina at Tennessee
GOLF
6:30 a.m.
GOLF — DP World Tour: The Danish Golf Championship, Third Round, Fureso Golf Klub, Copenhagen, Denmark
11 a.m.
FS1 — LIV Golf League: Second Round, The Club at Chatham Hills, Westfield, Ind.
Noon
FOX — LIV Golf League: Second Round, The Club at Chatham Hills, Westfield, Ind.
1 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour: The BMW Championship, Third Round, Caves Valley GC, Owings Mills, Md.
3 p.m.
GOLF — USGA: The U.S. Amateur, Semifinals, The Olympic Club (Lake and Ocean Courses), San Francisco
NBC — PGA Tour: The BMW Championship, Third Round, Caves Valley GC, Owings Mills, Md.
6 p.m.
GOLF — LPGA Tour: The Standard Portland Classic, Third Round, Columbia Edgewater, Portland, Ore.
10 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: The Rogers Charity Classic, Second Round, Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club, Calgary, Alberta (Taped)
6 a.m. (Sunday)
GOLF — DP World Tour: The Danish Golf Championship, Final Round, Fureso Golf Klub, Copenhagen, Denmark
HORSE RACING
4 p.m.
FOX — The Alabama Stakes: From Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
6 p.m.
FS1 — NYRA: Saratoga Live
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL
1 p.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: TBD, Williamsport, Pa.
3 p.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: TBD, Williamsport, Pa.
5 p.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: TBD, Williamsport, Pa.
7 p.m.
ESPN2 — Little League World Series: TBD, Williamsport, Pa.
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
7 p.m.
ESPN — UFC 319 Early Prelims: Undercard Bouts, Chicago
8 p.m.
ESPN — UFC 319 Prelims: Undercard Bouts, Chicago
MLB BASEBALL
2 p.m.
FS1 — Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs
5 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Seattle at N.Y. Mets (4:10 p.m.) OR Philadelphia at Washington (4:05 p.m.)
7 p.m.
FOX — Regional Coverage: N.Y. Yankees at St. Louis OR Detroit at Minnesota
10 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: San Diego at L.A. Dodgers (9:10 p.m.) OR Tampa Bay at San Francisco (9:05 p.m.)
NFL FOOTBALL
1 p.m.
NFLN — Preseason: Cleveland at Philadelphia
4 p.m.
NFLN — Preseason: San Francisco at Las Vegas
7 p.m.
NFLN — Preseason: N.Y. Jets at N.Y. Giants
9:30 p.m.
NFLN — Preseason: Arizona at Denver
SOCCER (MEN’S)
7:30 a.m.
USA — English Premier League: Newcastle United at Aston Villa
10 a.m.
USA — English Premier League: Fulham at Brighton & Hove Albion
12:30 p.m.
NBC — English Premier League: Manchester City at Wolverhampton Wanderers
1 p.m.
ESPN2 — Spanish LaLiga: FC Barcelona at Mallorca
2 p.m.
ABC — The German Cup: TBD
8:30 p.m.
FS1 — MLS: Seattle at Minnesota
9 p.m.
ESPN — USL Championship: Phoenix at Tampa Bay
SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
4 p.m.
CBS — NWSL: Orlando at Kansas City
7:30 p.m.
ION — NWSL: Portland at North Carolina
10 p.m.
ION — NWSL: San Diego at Bay
WNBA BASKETBALL
2 p.m.
ABC — New York at Minnesota
_____
Sunday, August 17
AUTO RACING
7:30 a.m.
FS1 — FIM MotoGP: The Grand Prix of Austria, Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria
2 p.m.
FS1 — ARCA Menards Series: The Springfield ARCA 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill.
3 p.m.
FOX — NHRA: The Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minn.
BIG3 BASKETBALL
3 p.m.
CBS — Week 10: Celebrity Game, Playoffs – Game 1 and 2, Dallas
COLLEGE SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
1 p.m.
ACCN — TBA
7:30 p.m.
SECN — Notre Dame at Arkansas
GOLF
6 a.m.
GOLF — DP World Tour: The Danish Golf Championship, Final Round, Fureso Golf Klub, Copenhagen, Denmark
Noon
GOLF — PGA Tour: The BMW Championship, Final Round, Caves Valley GC, Owings Mills, Md.
FOX — LIV Golf League: Third Round, The Club at Chatham Hills, Westfield, Ind.
2 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: The Rogers Charity Classic, Final Round, Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club, Calgary, Alberta
NBC — PGA Tour: The BMW Championship, Final Round, Caves Valley GC, Owings Mills, Md.
4 p.m.
GOLF — LPGA Tour: The Standard Portland Classic, Third Round, Columbia Edgewater, Portland, Ore.
7 p.m.
GOLF — USGA: The U.S. Amateur, Championship Match, The Olympic Club (Lake and Ocean Courses), San Francisco
HORSE RACING
1 p.m.
FS1 — NYRA: Saratoga Live
4 p.m.
FS1 — NYRA: Saratoga Live
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL
9 a.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: TBD, Williamsport, Pa.
11 a.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: TBD, Williamsport, Pa.
1 p.m.
ABC — Little League World Series: TBD, Williamsport, Pa.
2 p.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: TBD, Williamsport, Pa.
MLB BASEBALL
4 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: San Diego at L.A. Dodgers (4:10 p.m.) OR Tampa Bay at San Francisco (4:05 p.m.)
7 p.m.
ESPN — Seattle at N.Y. Mets
ESPN2 — Seattle at N.Y. Mets (StatCast)
NFL FOOTBALL
1 p.m.
NFLN — Preseason: Jacksonville at New Orleans
8 p.m.
FOX — Preseason: Buffalo at Chicago
SOCCER (MEN’S)
9 a.m.
USA — English Premier League: Crystal Palace at Chelsea
11:30 a.m.
NBC — English Premier League: Arsenal at Manchester United
3 p.m.
ESPN2 — Spanish LaLiga: Atletico Madrid at Espanyol
WNBA BASKETBALL
1 p.m.
NBATV — Indiana at Connecticut
3:30 p.m.
ABC — Dallas at Las Vegas
8:30 p.m.
NBATV — Atlanta at Golden State
