“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 5
ADAMS CENTRAL 14 HERITAGE 7
ANDREAN 17 HOBART 7
AVON 35 FRANKLIN CENTRAL 10
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE 34 SEYMOUR 13
BLOOMINGTON NORTH 56 TERRE HAUTE NORTH 0
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 49 TERRE HAUTE SOUTH 14
BLUFFTON 40 JAY COUNTY 0
BREMEN 29 JIMTOWN 22
BROWNSBURG 42 FISHERS 14
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL 56 NORTH HARRISON 14
CALUMET 52 BOWMAN ACADEMY 16
CARMEL 56 COLUMBUS NORTH 7
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) 47 FORT WAYNE SNIDER 14
CASCADE 77 FRANKFORT 0
CASTLE 17 VINCENNES LINCOLN 7
CASTON 46 SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) 0
CENTER GROVE 31 TROTWOOD-MADISON (OHIO) 20
CENTERVILLE 31 TRI 30 OT
CHARLESTOWN 32 PROVIDENCE 28
CHESTERTON 24 VALPARAISO 16
CHURUBUSCO 39 PRAIRIE HEIGHTS 12
COLUMBUS EAST 49 NEW ALBANY 28
CONCORD 38 WARSAW 7
CORYDON CENTRAL 52 CLARKSVILLE 8
COVINGTON 30 SOUTH VERMILLION 25
CRAWFORD COUNTY 24 MITCHELL 22
CROWN POINT 47 PORTAGE 7
CULVER ACADEMY 35 HAMMOND CENTRAL 6
DEKALB 28 COLUMBIA CITY 7
DECATUR CENTRAL 73 MOORESVILLE 27
DELPHI 32 WES-DEL 14
DELTA 40 MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) 20
EAST CENTRAL 45 BATESVILLE 0
EAST NOBLE 56 LEO 40
EASTBROOK 70 BLACKFORD 6
EASTERN (GREENTOWN) 28 CARROLL (FLORA) 27
EASTERN (PEKIN) 14 EASTERN GREENE 12
EASTERN HANCOCK 58 KNIGHTSTOWN 20
EASTSIDE 36 GARRETT 0
EDGEWOOD 35 WEST VIGO 0
ELKHART 56 NEW PRAIRIE 28
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 38 EVANSVILLE HARRISON 6
EVANSVILLE NORTH 49 EVANSVILLE BOSSE 12
EVANSVILLE REITZ 20 EVANSVILLE CENTRAL 7
FLOYD CENTRAL 34 JEFFERSONVILLE 12
FORT WAYNE DWENGER 15 HOMESTEAD 3
FORT WAYNE LUERS 31 FORT WAYNE NORTH 28 2OT
FORT WAYNE NORTHROP 47 FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA 6
FORT WAYNE SOUTH 46 FORT WAYNE WAYNE 0
FOUNTAIN CENTRAL 49 ATTICA 0
FREMONT 40 CENTRAL NOBLE 22
FRONTIER 55 BENTON CENTRAL 6
GIBSON SOUTHERN 41 SOUTHRIDGE 12
GREENCASTLE 51 NORTH PUTNAM 48
GREENFIELD-CENTRAL 28 SHELBYVILLE 27 OT
GRIFFITH 49 RIVER FOREST 7
HAGERSTOWN 76 CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN 12
HAMMOND NOLL 34 CALUMET CHRISTIAN 14
HANCOCK COUNTY (KY.) 42 TELL CITY 7
HANOVER CENTRAL 17 KANKAKEE VALLEY 7
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 49 GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN 21
HERITAGE HILLS 49 WASHINGTON 7
HUNTINGTON NORTH 42 BELLMONT 12
INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS 62 PURDUE ENGLEWOOD 0
INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL 54 SOUTHPORT 0
INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD 37 BREBEUF JESUIT 6
INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN 42 INDIANAPOLIS RITTER 6
INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI 49 GUERIN CATHOLIC 7
INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA 27 COVENANT CHRISTIAN 14
INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE 36 INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON 0
IRVINGTON PREP 22 CHRISTEL HOUSE 14
JASPER 28 EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 21
JENNINGS COUNTY 41 MADISON 20
KNOX 42 JOHN GLENN 22
KOKOMO 56 ANDERSON 6
LAPORTE 27 LAKE CENTRAL 16
LAFAYETTE JEFF 64 RICHMOND 6
LAKELAND 33 ANGOLA 27
LAPEL 29 INDIAN CREEK 26
LAWRENCE CENTRAL 42 PIKE 13
LAWRENCE NORTH 77 ARSENAL TECH 0
LAWRENCEBURG 40 FRANKLIN COUNTY 6
LEBANON 33 MCCUTCHEON 27
LINTON 46 BOONVILLE 14
LOGANSPORT 45 TWIN LAKES 28
LOWELL 42 HIGHLAND 7
MACONAQUAH 31 PERU 28
MADISON-GRANT 42 ELWOOD 7
MANCHESTER 35 NORTHFIELD 7
MARTINSVILLE 42 FRANKLIN 41
MERRILLVILLE 44 MICHIGAN CITY 7
MISHAWAKA 59 GOSHEN 0
MISSISSINEWA 21 ALEXANDRIA 14
MONROE CENTRAL 45 INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY 20
MONROVIA 20 BEECH GROVE 13
MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) 42 PRINCETON 35
MUNCIE CENTRAL 41 MARION 21
MUNSTER 44 EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL 30
NEW HAVEN 45 NORWELL 14
NEW PALESTINE 42 PENDLETON HEIGHTS 6
NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) 41 HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) 28
NORTH DAVIESS 30 CLOVERDALE 23
NORTH DECATUR 27 SWITZERLAND COUNTY 0
NORTH JUDSON 41 CULVER 0
NORTH KNOX 41 NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) 12
NORTH POSEY 49 PIKE CENTRAL 6
NORTH WHITE 52 FAITH CHRISTIAN 40
NORTHWOOD 22 NORTHRIDGE 21 OT
NORTHEASTERN 62 UNION CITY 0
NORTHVIEW 70 OWEN VALLEY 0
NORTHWESTERN 50 WHITKO 0
OAK HILL 34 FRANKTON 15
PAOLI 42 WEST WASHINGTON 6
PENN 54 MISHAWAKA MARIAN 14
PIONEER 41 NORTH MIAMI 22
PLAINFIELD 49 GREENWOOD 14
PLYMOUTH 21 WAWASEE 20
RIVERTON PARKE 49 NORTH VERMILLION 3
ROCHESTER 34 LEWIS CASS 0
RUSHVILLE 32 CONNERSVILLE 28
SCOTTSBURG 42 SILVER CREEK 0
SEEGER 42 PARKE HERITAGE 2
SHENANDOAH 41 PARK TUDOR 21
SHERIDAN 40 CLINTON PRAIRIE 6
SOUTH ADAMS 49 FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK 6
SOUTH BEND RILEY 33 SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON 16
SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH 42 SOUTH BEND ADAMS 0
SOUTH DEARBORN 39 GREENSBURG 16
SOUTH DECATUR 26 BROWN COUNTY 20
SOUTH NEWTON 34 TRI-COUNTY 18
SOUTH PUTNAM 10 SULLIVAN 0
SOUTH SPENCER 42 FOREST PARK 14
SOUTHERN WELLS 34 WOODLAN 21
SOUTHMONT 28 CRAWFORDSVILLE 0
SPRINGS VALLEY 26 SALEM 7
STRATFORD (TENN.) 19 GARY WEST 12
TAYLOR 47 CLINTON CENTRAL 8
TECUMSEH 39 PERRY CENTRAL 0
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 38 LAVILLE 28
TIPTON 33 RENSSELAER CENTRAL 14
TRI-WEST 35 DANVILLE 27
TRITON CENTRAL 21 SPEEDWAY 10
TRITON 35 WINAMAC 6
WABASH 28 SOUTHWOOD 20
WARREN CENTRAL 38 BEN DAVIS 23
WEST CENTRAL 36 NORTH NEWTON 7
WEST LAFAYETTE 34 LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 27
WEST NOBLE 41 FAIRFIELD 14
WESTERN BOONE 42 NORTH MONTGOMERY 14
WESTERN 22 HAMILTON HEIGHTS 13
WESTFIELD 21 HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 17
WHITELAND 50 PERRY MERIDIAN 28
WINCHESTER 53 UNION COUNTY 0
YORKTOWN 44 NEW CASTLE 6
ZIONSVILLE 30 NOBLESVILLE 7
_____
+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL SCORES:+++
https://www.maxpreps.com/in/volleyball/scores/?date=9/19/2025
Z RATINGS: HTTPS://WWW.ZVOLLEYBALL.COM/IPV/INDIANA-HS-Z-RATINGS/Z-GIRLS-2025
_____
+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER SCORES:+++
https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer/scores/?date=9/19/2025
_____
+++INDIAN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER SCORES:+++
https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer/girls/scores/?date=9/19/2025
_____
+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS GOLF SCORES:+++
SECTIONALS
1. VALPARAISO (8) | VALPARAISO COUNTRY CLUB | MON, 9 AM CT | RESULTS
BOONE GROVE, CHESTERTON, HAMMOND BISHOP NOLL, HAMMOND MORTON, HOBART, PORTAGE, VALPARAISO, WHEELER
2. LAKE CENTRAL (10) | PALMIRA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB | MON, 8 AM CT | RESULTS
ANDREAN, CALUMET, CROWN POINT, HANOVER CENTRAL, HIGHLAND, ILLIANA CHRISTIAN, LAKE CENTRAL, LOWELL, MERRILLVILLE, MUNSTER
3. LAPORTE (11) | BEECHWOOD GOLF COURSE | THURS, 8:30 AM CT | RESULTS
GLENN, KNOX, LAPORTE, MARQUETTE CATHOLIC, MICHIGAN CITY, NEW PRAIRIE, NORTH JUDSON-SAN PIERRE, OREGON-DAVIS, SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS), TRI-TOWNSHIP, WESTVILLE
4. PENN (10) | KNOLLWOOD COUNTRY CLUB | FRI, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
ELKHART, JIMTOWN, MISHAWAKA, MISHAWAKA MARIAN, PENN, SOUTH BEND ADAMS, SOUTH BEND RILEY, SOUTH BEND SAINT JOSEPH, SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON, TRINITY AT GREENLAWN
5. LOGANSPORT (12) | DYKEMAN PARK GOLF COURSE | MON, 9:30 AM ET | RESULTS
CASTON, DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN, KANKAKEE VALLEY, LOGANSPORT, NORTH NEWTON, PIONEER, RENSSELAER CENTRAL, ROCHESTER COMMUNITY, SOUTH NEWTON, TRI-COUNTY, TWIN LAKES, WINAMAC COMMUNITY
6. NORTHRIDGE (10) | MEADOW VALLEY GOLF CLUB | FRI, 8:30 AM ET | RESULTS
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE), CENTRAL NOBLE, CHURUBUSCO, CONCORD, EAST NOBLE, FAIRFIELD, LAKELAND, NORTHRIDGE, PRAIRIE HEIGHTS, WEST NOBLE
7. ANGOLA (12) | ZOLLNER GOLF COURSE | FRI, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
ANGOLA, DEKALB, FORT WAYNE BISHOP DWENGER, FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA LUTHERAN, FORT WAYNE NORTH SIDE, FORT WAYNE NORTHROP, FORT WAYNE SNIDER, FREMONT, GARRETT, HAMILTON, LEO, WOODLAN
8. WARSAW COMMUNITY (12) | STONEHENGE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB | THURS, 8:30 AM ET | RESULTS
BREMEN, COLUMBIA CITY, CULVER ACADEMIES, CULVER COMMUNITY, MANCHESTER, NORTHWOOD, PLYMOUTH, TIPPECANOE VALLEY, TRITON, WARSAW COMMUNITY, WAWASEE, WHITKO
9. HOMESTEAD (11) | CHESTNUT HILLS GOLF CLUB | FRI, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
ADAMS CENTRAL, BELLMONT, FORT WAYNE BISHOP LUERS, FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY, FORT WAYNE SOUTH SIDE, FORT WAYNE WAYNE, HERITAGE, HOMESTEAD, NEW HAVEN, NORWELL, SOUTH ADAMS
10. EASTBROOK (12) | ARBOR TRACE GOLF CLUB | SAT, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
BLACKFORD, BLUFFTON, EASTBROOK, HUNTINGTON NORTH, MADISON-GRANT, MARION, MISSISSINEWA, NORTHFIELD, OAK HILL, SOUTHERN WELLS, SOUTHWOOD, WABASH
11. HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) (11) | COYOTE CROSSING GOLF COURSE | MON, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
CARROLL (FLORA), CLINTON CENTRAL, CLINTON PRAIRIE, DELPHI COMMUNITY, FAITH CHRISTIAN, HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE), LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC, LAFAYETTE JEFFERSON, MCCUTCHEON, ROSSVILLE, WEST LAFAYETTE
12. WESTERN (10) | CHIPPENDALE GOLF COURSE | FRI, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
EASTERN (GREENTOWN), KOKOMO, LEWIS CASS, MACONAQUAH, NORTH MIAMI, NORTHWESTERN, PERU, TAYLOR, TRI-CENTRAL, WESTERN
13. GUERIN CATHOLIC (9) | PEBBLE BROOK GOLF CLUB | MON, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
BREBEUF JESUIT PREPARATORY, CARMEL, GUERIN CATHOLIC, INDIANAPOLIS CARDINAL RITTER, LEBANON, PIKE, SPEEDWAY, UNIVERSITY, WESTFIELD
14. ATTICA (10) | HARRISON HILLS GOLF CLUB | SAT, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
ATTICA, BENTON CENTRAL, COVINGTON, CRAWFORDSVILLE, FOUNTAIN CENTRAL, NORTH MONTGOMERY, NORTH PUTNAM, SEEGER, SOUTHMONT, WESTERN BOONE
15. BROWNSBURG (12) | WEST CHASE GOLF CLUB | FRI, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
AVON, BEN DAVIS, BROWNSBURG, CASCADE, COVENANT CHRISTIAN (INDPLS), DANVILLE COMMUNITY, DECATUR CENTRAL, INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF INDIANA, MOORESVILLE, PLAINFIELD, TRI-WEST HENDRICKS, ZIONSVILLE
16. NOBLESVILLE (11) | HARBOUR TREES GOLF CLUB | MON, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
ALEXANDRIA MONROE, ANDERSON, ELWOOD COMMUNITY, FISHERS, FRANKTON, HAMILTON HEIGHTS, HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN, LAPEL, NOBLESVILLE, PENDLETON HEIGHTS, TIPTON
17. MUNCIE CENTRAL (12) | CRESTVIEW GOLF COURSE | SAT, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
BLUE RIVER VALLEY, DALEVILLE, DELTA, JAY COUNTY, MONROE CENTRAL, MUNCIE BURRIS, MUNCIE CENTRAL, UNION CITY, WAPAHANI, WES-DEL, WINCHESTER COMMUNITY, YORKTOWN
18. INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (11) | MAPLE CREEK GOLF COURSE | MON, 8 AM ET | RESULTS
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN, INDIANAPOLIS ARSENAL TECHNICAL, INDIANAPOLIS BISHOP CHATARD, INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL, INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA, INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE, LAWRENCE CENTRAL, LAWRENCE NORTH, NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS), PARK TUDOR, WARREN CENTRAL
19. NEW PALESTINE (9) | THE LINKS GOLF COURSE | MON, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
EASTERN HANCOCK, GREENFIELD-CENTRAL, KNIGHTSTOWN, MT. VERNON (FORTVILLE), NEW PALESTINE, RUSHVILLE CONSOLIDATED, SHENANDOAH, TRI, TRITON CENTRAL
20. RICHMOND (9) | ELKS LODGE AND COUNTRY CLUB | FRI, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN, CENTERVILLE, CONNERSVILLE, HAGERSTOWN, NEW CASTLE, NORTHEASTERN, RICHMOND, UNION (MODOC), UNION COUNTY
21. NORTHVIEW (13) | FOREST PARK GOLF COURSE | FRI, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
CLAY CITY, CLOVERDALE, GREENCASTLE, MONROVIA, NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG), NORTHVIEW, PARKE HERITAGE, RIVERTON PARKE, SOUTH PUTNAM, SOUTH VERMILLION, TERRE HAUTE NORTH VIGO, TERRE HAUTE SOUTH VIGO, WEST VIGO
22. JASPER (11) | BUFFALO TRACE GOLF COURSE | SAT, 10 AM ET | RESULTS
BOONVILLE, CRAWFORD COUNTY, FOREST PARK, GIBSON SOUTHERN, HERITAGE HILLS, JASPER, NORTHEAST DUBOIS, SOUTH SPENCER, SOUTHRIDGE, TECUMSEH, TELL CITY
23. EVANSVILLE REITZ MEMORIAL (12) | THE FARM GOLF COURSE | SAT, 7 AM CT | RESULTS
CASTLE, EVANSVILLE BOSSE, EVANSVILLE CENTRAL, EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN, EVANSVILLE F.J. REITZ, EVANSVILLE HARRISON, EVANSVILLE MATER DEI, EVANSVILLE REITZ MEMORIAL, EVANSVILLE NORTH, MT. VERNON, NORTH POSEY, SIGNATURE
24. NORTH KNOX (12) | HIGH POINTE COUNTRY CLUB | THURS, 10 AM ET | RESULTS
BARR-REEVE, LINTON-STOCKTON, NORTH DAVIESS, NORTH KNOX, PIKE CENTRAL, PRINCETON COMMUNITY, SHAKAMAK, SOUTH KNOX, SULLIVAN, VINCENNES LINCOLN, VINCENNES RIVET, WASHINGTON
25. BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (12) | OTIS PARK GOLF COURSE | SAT, 8:30 AM ET | RESULTS
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE, BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL, EASTERN GREENE, MITCHELL, ORLEANS, PAOLI, SALEM, SEYMOUR, SPRINGS VALLEY, TRINITY LUTHERAN, WEST WASHINGTON, WHITE RIVER VALLEY
26. BLOOMINGTON NORTH (12) | CASCADES GC | MON, 8:30 AM ET | RESULTS
BLOOMFIELD, BLOOMINGTON NORTH, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH, BROWN COUNTY, COLUMBUS EAST, COLUMBUS NORTH, EDGEWOOD, EDINBURGH, HAUSER, INDIAN CREEK, MARTINSVILLE, OWEN VALLEY
27. GREENSBURG (11) | GREENSBURG COUNTRY CLUB | SAT, 9 AM ET | RESULTS
BATESVILLE, EAST CENTRAL, FRANKLIN COUNTY, GREENSBURG, JAC-CEN-DEL, MILAN, NORTH DECATUR, OLDENBURG ACADEMY, SHELBYVILLE, SOUTH RIPLEY, SOUTHWESTERN (SHELBYVILLE)
28. CENTER GROVE (10) | HICKORY STICK GOLF CLUB | MON, 10 AM ET | RESULTS
BEECH GROVE, CENTER GROVE, FRANKLIN CENTRAL, FRANKLIN COMMUNITY, GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, GREENWOOD COMMUNITY, PERRY MERIDIAN, RONCALLI, SOUTHPORT, WHITELAND COMMUNITY
29. CORYDON CENTRAL (14) | OLD CAPITAL GOLF COURSE | SAT, 12:30 PM ET | RESULTS
BORDEN, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF INDIANA, CLARKSVILLE, CORYDON CENTRAL, CROTHERSVILLE, EASTERN (PEKIN), FLOYD CENTRAL, JEFFERSONVILLE, LANESVILLE, NEW ALBANY, NORTH HARRISON, PROVIDENCE, SILVER CREEK, SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH)
30. MADISON CONSOLIDATED (10) | SUNRISE GOLF COURSE | SAT, 11 AM ET | RESULTS
AUSTIN, CHARLESTOWN, JENNINGS COUNTY, LAWRENCEBURG, MADISON CONSOLIDATED, NEW WASHINGTON, SCOTTSBURG, SOUTH DEARBORN, SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER), SWITZERLAND COUNTY
_____
+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS:+++
NO RACES SCHEDULED
_____
+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS SCORES:+++
NO SCORES REPORTED
_____
+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL UNIFIED FLAG FOOTBALL+++
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
_____
+++MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL+++
CINCINNATI 7 CHICAGO CUBS 4
ATLANTA 10 DETROIT 1
LAS VEGAS 4 PITTSBURGH 3
BALTIMORE 4 NY YANKEES 2
NY METS 12 WASHINGTON 6
BOSTON 11 TAMPA BAY 7
CHICAGO WHITE SOX 4 SAN DIEGO 3
KANSAS CITY 20 TORONTO 1
MIAMI 6 TEXAS 4 (12)
CLEVELAND 6 MINNESOTA 2
COLORADO 7 LA ANGELS 6
SEATTLE 4 HOUSTON 0
ST. LOUIS 7 MILWAUKEE 1
PHILADELPHIA 8 ARIZONA 2
LA DODGERS 6 SAN FRANCISCO 3
_____
+++MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL+++
INDIANAPOLIS 12 GWINETT 6
_____
+++COLLEGE FOOTBALL+++
WEEK 4
FRIDAY
TULSA 19 OKLAHOMA STATE 12
IOWA 38 RUTGERS 28
SATURDAY, SEPT. 20
12 P.M. | SYRACUSE AT CLEMSON | ESPN
12 P.M. | SMU AT TCU | ESPN2
12 P.M. | MARYLAND AT WISCONSIN | NBC
12 P.M. | NO. 17 TEXAS TECH AT NO. 16 UTAH | FOX
12 P.M. | ARKANSAS AT MEMPHIS | ABC
12 P.M. | SOUTH CAROLINA STATE AT SOUTH FLORIDA | ESPN+
12 P.M. | WOFFORD AT VIRGINIA TECH | ESPN+/ACC EXTRA
12 P.M. | BOWLING GREEN AT LOUISVILLE | ACC NETWORK
12 P.M. | UNLV AT MIAMI (OHIO) | ESPNU
12 P.M. | NORTH TEXAS AT ARMY | CBSSN
12:45 P.M. | UAB AT NO. 15 TENNESSEE | SEC NETWORK
1 P.M. | WAGNER AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN | ESPN+
3 P.M.| OREGON STATE AT NO. 6 OREGON | BIG TEN NETWORK
3:30 P.M. | PURDUE AT NO. 24 NOTRE DAME | NBC/PEACOCK
3:30 P.M. | KENT STATE AT NO. 7 FLORIDA STATE | ACC NETWORK
3:30 P.M. | NO. 22 AUBURN AT NO. 11 OKLAHOMA | ABC
3:30 P.M. | TULANE AT NO. 13 OLE MISS | ESPN
3:30 P.M. | NO. 21 MICHIGAN AT NEBRASKA | CBS/PARAMOUNT+
3:30 P.M. | NORTH CAROLINA AT UCF | FOX
3:30 P.M. | BALL STATE AT UCONN | CBSSN
3:30 P.M. | JAMES MADISON AT LIBERTY | ESPNU
3:30 P.M. | LOUISIANA AT EASTERN MICHIGAN | ESPN+
3:30 P.M. | TROY AT BUFFALO | ESPN+
3:30 P.M. | TOLEDO AT WESTERN MICHIGAN | ESPN+
3:30 P.M. | GARDNER-WEBB AT OHIO | ESPN+
4 P.M. | NC STATE AT DUKE | ESPN2
4:15 P.M. | NORTHERN ILLINOIS AT MISSISSIPPI STATE | SEC NETWORK
4:30 P.M. | TEMPLE AT NO. 18 GEORGIA TECH | THE CW NETWORK
5 P.M. | IDAHO AT SAN JOSE STATE | MOUNTAIN WEST NETWORK
6 P.M. | DELAWARE AT FIU | ESPN+
6 P.M. | ARKANSAS STATE AT KENNESAW STATE | ESPN+
6 P.M. | DUQUESNE AT AKRON | ESPN+
6 P.M.| WEST VIRGINIA AT KANSAS | FS1
7 P.M. | SOUTH CAROLINA AT NO. 23 MISSOURI | ESPN
7 P.M. | MURRAY STATE AT JACKSONVILLE STATE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | MARSHALL AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | UT MARTIN AT MISSOURI STATE | ESPN+
7 P.M. | NEVADA AT WESTERN KENTUCKY | ESPN+
7 P.M. | BOISE STATE AT AIR FORCE | CBSSN
7 P.M. | MAINE AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN | ESPN+
7 P.M. | COASTAL CAROLINA AT SOUTH ALABAMA | ESPN+
7:30 P.M. | FLORIDA AT NO. 4 MIAMI (FLA.) | THE CW NETWORK
7:30 P.M. | NO. 9 ILLINOIS AT NO.19 INDIANA | NBC
7:30 P.M. | GEORGIA STATE AT NO. 20 VANDERBILT | ESPNU
7:30 P.M. | ARIZONA STATE AT BAYLOR | FOX
7:30 P.M. | WASHINGTON AT WASHINGTON STATE | CBS
7:30 P.M. | STANFORD AT VIRGINIA | ACC NETWORK
7:30 P.M. | BYU AT EAST CAROLINA | ESPN2
7:30 P.M. | SOUTHERN MISS AT LOUISIANA TECH | ESPN+
7:45 P.M. | SE LOUISIANA AT NO. 3 LSU | SEC NETWORK
8 P.M. | SAM HOUSTON AT NO. 8 TEXAS | ESPN+/SECN+
8 P.M. | NICHOLLS AT TEXAS STATE | ESPN+
8 P.M.| MCNEESE AT UTAH STATE | MOUNTAIN WEST NETWORK
9 P.M. | UL MONROE AT UTEP | ESPN+
9:30 P.M.| UTSA AT COLORADO STATE | FS1
10:15 P.M. | WYOMING AT COLORADO | ESPN
10:30 P.M. | CAL AT SAN DIEGO STATE | CBSSN
11 P.M. | MICHIGAN STATE AT NO. 25 USC | FOX
11:59 P.M. | FRESNO STATE AT HAWAI’I | SPECTRUM SPORTS
_____
+++NFL WEEK 3 SCHEDULE+++
SUNDAY, SEPT. 21
PITTSBURGH AT NEW ENGLAND, 1 P.M. (CBS)
HOUSTON AT JACKSONVILLE, 1 P.M. (CBS)
INDIANAPOLIS AT TENNESSEE
CINCINNATI AT MINNESOTA, 1 P.M. (CBS)
NY JETS AT TAMPA BAY, 1 P.M. (FOX)
GREEN BAY AT CLEVELAND, 1 P.M. (FOX)
LAS VEGAS AT WASHINGTON, 1 P.M. (FOX)
ATLANTA AT CAROLINA, 1 P.M. (FOX)
LA RAMS AT PHILADELPHIA, 1 P.M. (FOX)
NEW ORLEANS AT SEATTLE, 4:05 P.M. (CBS)
DENVER AT LA CHARGERS, 4:05 P.M. (CBS)
DALLAS AT CHICAGO, 4:25 P.M. (FOX)
ARIZONA AT SAN FRANCISCO, 4:25 P.M. (FOX)
KANSAS CITY AT NY GIANTS, 8:20 P.M. (NBC)
MONDAY, SEPT. 22
DETROIT AT BALTIMORE, 8:15 P.M. (ESPN/ABC)
_____
+++WNBA SCORES+++
PLAYOFFS
PHOENIX 79 NEW YORK 73
_____
+++MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER+++
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
_____
+++TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES+++
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
MARK GRONOWSKI’S 3 RUSHING TDS TAKE IOWA PAST RUTGERS
Quarterback Mark Gronowski rushed for three touchdowns and Kaden Wetjen returned the opening kickoff for a score to lead Iowa to a 38-28 victory over Rutgers in the Big Ten opener for both teams on Friday night at Piscataway, N.J.
Jaxon Rexroth notched Iowa’s first interception of the season in the fourth quarter and Kamari Moulton had a rushing score for the Hawkeyes (3-1). Wetjen totaled 167 return yards (124 kickoff, 43 punt) and Gronowski passed for 186 yards and rushed for 55 as the Hawkeyes improved to 5-0 all-time against the Scarlet Knights.
Athan Kaliakmanis passed for 330 yards and one interception and rushed for two touchdowns for Rutgers (3-1). Antwan Raymond also ran for two scores while Ian Strong caught eight passes for 151 yards.
The score was tied in the third quarter when Rutgers’ Jai Patel had a 29-yard field-goal attempt blocked by Ethan Hurkett. Jordan Thompson recovered on the Iowa 23-yard line with 3:36 left in the third quarter.
The Hawkeyes cashed in with Drew Stevens’ 26-yard field goal for a 24-21 lead with 14:02 left in the contest.
The Scarlet Knights answered with a drive that began with Kaliakmanis connecting with Strong on plays of 10, 26 and 12 yards. Raymond finished it from 1 yard out to give Rutgers a 28-24 advantage with 9:44 left.
Iowa regained the lead with an 80-yard drive that included Gronowski’s 42-yard pass to Dayton Howard. Two plays later, Gronowski scored from the 2 to give the Hawkeyes a 31-28 advantage.
On Rutgers’ next drive, Iowa’s Max Llewellyn pressured Kaliakmanis into a floating throw, and Rexroth made a diving interception at the Rutgers 35 with 4:18 left.
Gronowski tacked on a 1-yard score to give the Hawkeyes a 10-point lead with 2:14 to go.
Wetjen fielded the opening kickoff about 3 yards deep in the end zone and headed to the right. There was a big lane along the sideline, and Wetjen sped through it for what was officially a 100-yard touchdown return. It was his second career kickoff return score and fourth overall return TD.
Rutgers knotted the score on Raymond’s 5-yard run with 12:39 remaining in the opening quarter. Over 6 1/2 minutes later, Kaliakmanis scored on a 4-yard keeper to give the Scarlet Knights a 14-7 lead.
Moulton scored on a 6-yard run with 2:24 left in the opening quarter.
Kaliakmanis snuck in from the 1 as Rutgers took a 21-14 lead with 12:12 left in the half. Iowa tied it on Gronowski’s 2-yard keeper with eight minutes to play in the half.
Patel clanked a 37-yard field-goal attempt off the right upright with 2:40 left until halftime, ending his school-record streak of 18 consecutive made field goals.
DOMINIC RICHARDSON, TULSA EARN RARE WIN OVER REELING OKLAHOMA STATE
Dominic Richardson ran for 146 yards and Baylor Hayes passed for 219 yards and a touchdown as Tulsa dominated the first half and then held on for a 19-12 win over reeling Oklahoma State on Friday in Stillwater, Okla., in the 77th rendition of the Turnpike Classic.
The Golden Hurricane (2-2) also got four field goals from Seth Morgan while snapping a two-game losing streak. Tulsa earned its first win in Stillwater since 1951 (a drought covering 23 games) and was its first against the Cowboys since 1998, ending a 10-game series skid.
The Cowboys (1-2) trailed 19-3 early in the third quarter but clawed to within seven points on Logan Ward’s 49-yard field goal with 5:49 left. Oklahoma State got the ball back at its own 32-yard line with 26 seconds to play and no time outs but could not produce the needed magic.
Zane Flores passed for 214 yards while Rodney Fields Jr. rushed for 113 yards on 17 carries for Oklahoma State, which came into the game after a 69-3 loss at Oregon and then a bye week.
The Cowboys scored on the game’s opening possession, moving 57 yards in nine plays to a 35-yard field goal from Ward and a 3-0 lead.
Tulsa responded on its first possession, with Hayes connecting with Brayden Presley for a 19-yard touchdown pass to put the Golden Hurricane up 7-3. The visitors added a 27-yard field goal by Morgan with 2:44 to play in the first quarter to culminate their second possession and go ahead by seven points.
Morgan hit two more field goals in the second quarter, from 38 yards at the midway points of the quarter and then from 47 with 2:32 to play until halftime, as Tulsa expanded its advantage to 16-7.
The Golden Hurricane dominated the first half, outgaining Oklahoma State 266-117 with the majority of the advantage coming from outpassing the Cowboys 182-45.
Morgan botted another 47-yard field goal to cap a 10-play, 46-yard drive on Tulsa’s first possession of the third quarter, pushing the lead to 19-3.
Flores culled the Cowboys’ deficit to 19-9 when he punctuated a 65-yard, seven-play march with a 5-yard scoring run with 14:14 to play in the game. A two-point conversion pass failed, leaving the margin at 10 points.
REPORT: ACC TO REQUIRE 10 POWER 4 GAMES ON SCHEDULE
The Atlantic Coast Conference plans to require all league members to schedule at least 10 games against Power 4 competition, ESPN reported.
The ACC is closing in on the change to its format ahead of Monday’s meeting of athletic directors in Charlotte, N.C.
A sticking point, however, according to the report, is whether to schedule eight or nine intraconference contests. Proponents of the eight-game slate — the “8+2” model — want the added flexibility for schools who already have an annual rivalry with a nonconference opponent.
“The ACC committing to go to 10 Power 4 games is a big step forward,” Clemson athletic director Graham Neff said, per ESPN. “It’s indicative of where college football is and leans into emphasizing the importance of strength of schedule and more Power 4 matchups.”
Neff is among a “handful of ADs” who are concerned that playing nine ACC games will limit their ability to schedule nonconference games against marquee competition. Clemson played LSU this season, has an annual game against rival South Carolina and is adding a yearly meeting with Notre Dame starting in 2027.
An ESPN poll of the ACC’s 17 athletic directors found that 13 were open to the nine-game model. ACC members currently play eight league games.
Last month, the Southeastern Conference announced it is moving from eight games to nine games in league play.
“I think it’d be awfully strange to be the only conference not at nine conference games,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said, per ESPN. “Usually, when you’re the only one doing something, it’s either really good or really bad. It just feels like you’d want continuity in what everybody does in college sports.”
ILLINOIS STANDOUT CB XAVIER SCOTT (FOOT) LIKELY OUT VS. INDIANA
Illinois standout cornerback Xavier Scott will likely sit out Saturday’s Big Ten contest at No. 19 Indiana due to a right foot injury.
Fighting Illini coach Bret Bielema said Thursday that Scott was seeking a second opinion on the foot and ankle.
“I don’t know (whether) he’ll be back for Saturday or where it’s going to be in the season, but right now, no,” Bielema said Thursday of Scott’s availability for the Hoosiers.
No. 9 Illinois would be hit hard without Scott, a first-team All-Big Ten selection last season when he had four interceptions.
This season, Scott has six tackles and two pass breakups for the Illini.
Scott has six career interceptions and three forced fumbles in 39 games for Illinois over four seasons.
Illinois and Indiana both possess 3-0 records heading into their Big Ten openers.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK: TEXAS TECH AT UTAH
RED RAIDERS NOTES:
#17 TEXAS TECH at #16 UTAH
Salt Lake City, Utah | Rice-Eccles Stadium (51,444)
Sept. 20, 2025
FOX | 11 a.m. CT
LUBBOCK, Texas – After beginning the season with three consecutive home victories of 30 or more points, No. 17 Texas Tech will go on the road for the first time, traveling to No. 16 Utah for the first time Saturday in the Big 12 opener for both teams. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT with television coverage provided nationally on FOX as part of its Big Noon Kickoff window. It will be the third time the FOX Big Noon Kickoff show has originated from a game involving the Red Raiders, who will be looking to open Big 12 play with a ranked road victory for only the third time in history.
In addition to the Big Noon pregame show cast on-hand that includes Rob Stone, Brady Quinn, Mark Ingram II, Urban Meyer, Matt Leinart, Dave Portnoy and Chris Fallica, the game’s broadcast will feature Gus Johnson providing play-by-play, and Joel Klatt serving as the broadcast analyst, while Jenny Taft will cover the action from the sidelines. The pregame show begins at 9 a.m., followed by the game at 11 a.m. In addition to linear television coverage, fans can also access the game from their mobile or streaming device by using the FOX Sports app.
Texas Tech Sports Network will also broadcast the game over 46 affiliates throughout the state of Texas and New Mexico, as Brian Jensen will have the call alongside analyst John Harris and sideline reporter Chris Level. The radio broadcast can also be heard on SiriusXM channel 83, as well as on the Varsity app.
FIRST THREE HOME GAMES SELLOUT; RED RAIDERS RETURN NEXT FOR HOMECOMING VERSUS KANSAS ON OCT. 11
Texas Tech sold out its first three home games to open the 2025 season and rewarded its loyal fan base with a 3-0 start to the season to close its homestand.
Texas Tech has four home games remaining this season with its next upcoming date versus Kansas on Oct. 11 following two road games and an open date. Texas Tech has already announced it has sold the primary ticket inventory for the Oct. 25 contest versus Oklahoma State, leaving three games remaining with single-game ticket options.
Select single-game tickets remain available for Kansas (Oct. 11), BYU (Nov. 8), and UCF (Nov. 15).
Tickets can be purchased online at TexasTech.com or by speaking to a ticket sales representative at 806-742-TECH.
Fans are encouraged to visit SeatGeek for tickets for games that the Texas Tech Athletics Department has previously announced as a sellout.
Texas Tech sold out of season tickets for the third consecutive season in early May as Red Raider fans purchased more than 33,000 season passes for the 2025 campaign.
TEXAS TECH OFF TO QUICK 3-0 START
Texas Tech breezed through non-conference play, outscoring its opponents 174-35 en route to blowout wins over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Kent State and Oregon State.
The Red Raiders have the largest point differential (139) in the country through the first three weeks of the season, topping both Indiana (133) and Oregon (132).
Texas Tech’s 35 points allowed have all come late in the three victories as the Red Raiders have outscored their opponents by a combined 123-0 in the first half and then 154-0 over the first three quarters.
MORTON AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS
Behren Morton continues to showcase why he’s one of the country’s underrated quarterbacks this season as the senior has combined for 923 passing yards and 11 touchdowns (and one interception) on 57-of-81 passing (70.4 percent) in only six-and-a-half quarters of game play.
Morton, who is coming off a career-high 464 passing yards against Oregon State, shares the FBS lead with 11 touchdowns this season despite departing midway through the second quarter against UAPB, at halftime versus Kent State and following the third quarter this past weekend.
RED RAIDERS IN THE POLLS
Texas Tech moved to No. 16 in the AFCA coaches poll this week and No. 17 in the Associated Press rankings following its 45-14 victory over Oregon State. The Red Raiders have been ranked inside the top 25 of both major polls every week thus far this season.
The Red Raiders entered the 2025 season ranked inside the top 25 of both major polls for the first time since 2008 as the Red Raiders were No. 23 in the Associated Press poll and No. 24 in the AFCA coaches poll. Texas Tech was previously ranked No. 24 in the 2023 AFCA preseason poll before falling out after a season-opening loss at Wyoming.
It was the first time the Red Raiders had appeared in the Associated Press poll since Sept. 23, 2018, when Texas Tech was No. 24 nationally after starting its season 3-1 overall with wins over Lamar, Houston, and at No. 15 Oklahoma State and the lone loss coming in the opener to Ole Miss.
RED RAIDERS IN TOP-25 MATCHUPS
Texas Tech is a combined 5-11 in top-25 matchups during Big 12 play over its tenure in the league. That record includes a 2-9 mark in road games as Texas Tech’s lone wins came at No. 21 TCU midway through the 2012 season and at No. 19 Kansas during its memorable 2008 campaign. A victory over Utah would mark Texas Tech’s highest-ranked win in a top-25 battle between Big 12 teams in its history.
This will be the first time Texas Tech has ever opened Big 12 play in a battle of teams ranked in the Associated Press top-25 poll. The Red Raiders have begun league play as unranked, facing a top-25 team a total of 13 times in their history.
Texas Tech will be involved in a top-25 matchup for the first time since Nov. 2, 2013, when the Red Raiders, ranked as high as No. 10 in the Associated Press poll, fell to No. 12 Oklahoma State, 52-34, at home.
NUMBERS TO KNOW
0: Texas Tech has not allowed a single point this season through the first three quarters, primarily when its starters have been on the field.
3: Texas Tech is the only team in the country with at least three receivers who have caught three or more touchdowns this season in Coy Eakin, Reggie Virgil and Terrance Carter Jr.
7: Behren Morton has thrown for multiple touchdown passes in each of his last seven games, which is tied for the longest active streak in the FBS.
74: Pro Football Focus has credited Texas Tech with 74 total pressures created through the first two games with 30 of those coming from David Bailey and Romello Height combined
174: Texas Tech leads the FBS in scoring offense with 174 points this season (58.0 per game), which marks its third-highest total through three games in school history.
INSIDE THE SERIES
This will only be the third meeting all-time between the Red Raiders and Utes and their first as Big 12 Conference members. Utah was previously Texas Tech’s season-opening opponent to start the 1972-73 campaigns as the Red Raiders delivered a 45-2 rout in 1972, followed by a 29-22 victory a year later with both matchups taking place in Lubbock.
Texas Tech will make its first-ever visit to Rice-Eccels Stadium in Salt Lake City and only its second ot the state of Utah for a football game. The Red Raiders previously visited the Beehive State in 2023 to face BYU. Utah will make a return trip to Jones AT&T Stadium during the 2027 season as part of the Big 12 Conference’s four-year scheduling matrix.
TEXAS TECH-OREGON STATE CONNECTIONS
Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck will be looking to beat a Red Raider defense this weekend that is led by linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. Beck has plenty of experience in watching Rodriguez on the field, albeit in a different position as Rodriguez was previously a quarterback for Beck at Virginia in 2021. Beck was the quarterbacks coach for Virginia during Rodriguez’ true freshman season where he played in 12 games at an assortment of positions, including quarterback. Rodriguez was recruited to Virginia as a quarterback prior to transferring to Texas Tech in 2022 and moving to the defensive side of the ball in the process.
Texas Tech offensive line coach Clay McGuire will also recognize one person on the opposite sideline this weekend in Utah running backs coach Mark Atuaia. The two were previously on staff together at Washington State in 2022 with Atuaia as the associate head coach and running backs coach and McGuire in his role overseeing the offensive line.
UTES GAME NOTE:
THE GAME The 16th-ranked Utah football team opens Big 12 Conference play vs. No. 17 Texas Tech with a 10 a.m. MT kickoff on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Utes (3-0) and Red Raiders (3-0) will meet for the third time in history and first time since 1973. FOLLOW ALONG Fans can get behind the scenes views and live updates on social media and online at www.UtahUtes.com throughout the 2025 season. The Utes are active on Twitter (@ Utah_Football), Instagram (@UtahFootball), Facebook (search Utah Football) and TikTok (@ Utah_Football). THE NUMBERS • Utah continues to ascend in the polls, moving up to No. 16 in the Associated Press poll and No. 18 in the Coaches Poll for Week 4. • The Utes are eighth in the FBS in scoring defense (8.3 ppg) and 14th in the country in scoring offense (45.7 ppg). • Utah’s defense has allowed just two touchdowns and 25 points through three games, while the offense has tallied 19 touchdowns and scored 137 points for a point differential of +112. • Saturday will be the first matchup between Utah and Texas Tech since the two teams played in back-to-back years, 1972-73, both Red Raider wins in Lubbock. UTAH FOOTBALL: NEED TO KNOWS • Utah has topped 200 rushing yards in all three games to start the season, the first time since 2019 they have surpassed 200 yards on the ground in three consecutive matchups. The 311 rushing yards at Wyoming last Saturday were a season-high and marked the first time since Nov. 4, 2023 that Utah rushed for 300-plus yards. • The Utes’ offense ranks second in the country in 3rd down conversion percentage, converting on 71 percent of opportunities through the first three weeks of the season. Utah is seventh in the country in first downs offense, totaling 85 first downs in three games. • Devon Dampier is second in the Big 12 Conference and 12th in the FBS in completion percentage at 73 percent. • Utah’s defense ranks 12th in the country and third in the Big 12 in passes intercepted (4), while Jackson Bennee leads the conference with two picks, one shy of five players tied for the national lead with three.
THE UTAH MAN Head coach Kyle Whittingham is in his 21st year at the helm as the longest-tenured coach in the Big 12 and the second-longest tenured coach at the same school in the NCAA FBS. He is 170-86 overall at Utah, becoming the all-time wins leader at Utah in 2021. He passed Ike Armstrong (141-55-15 in 211 games) with Utah’s historic win over No. 3 Oregon on Nov. 20, 2021 in Rice-Eccles Stadium. He has coached in 382 games at Utah (11 seasons as an assistant) and 256 as the head coach. • He has contributed to more victories than any coach in program history (255), including his 11 seasons as an assistant coach (1994-2004). • Whittingham is tied among active Big 12 head coaches for the most career victories at the FBS level (170), while tying for fourth among all active FBS head coaches and third among head coaches at the same school. • Whittingham has coached the Utes to three conference titles (2008, MWC; 2021, Pac-12; 2022, Pac-12). The Utes also won at least a share of the Pac-12 South four times (2015 – shared, 2018, 2019, 2021). • He has won three National Coach of the Year recognitions: AFCA Coach of the Year and Bear Bryant Award winner in 2008, and the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year in 2019. • Whittingham has been named conference coach of the year three times in his career (2008, MWC; 2019, Pac-12; 2021, Pac-12). • He has had 35 players make All-America teams, including 17 that have made major All America teams (those determining NCAA’s consensus team) with 10 earning consensus or unanimous.
HOME SWEET HOME Utah is 121-41 (.747) in Rice-Eccles Stadium (1998-present) and is 93-30 in RES during the Kyle Whittingham era. • Utah has five undefeated home seasons under Whittingham (2022, 6-0; 2021, 6-0; 2019, 7-0; 2009, 6-0; 2008, 6-0) with the Utes winning 33 of their last 39 home games, which included a streak of 18 in a row from Dec. 5, 2020 – Oct. 14, 2023. • It was the second-longest streak in the Whittingham era with the longest streak taking place Sept. 15, 2007 – Oct. 23, 2010 (21 games). • Utah has sold out Rice-Eccles Stadium in 90 consecutive games, dating back to the 2010 season opener.
WINNING PROGRAM • Since 2003, Utah has piled up nine 10-win seasons; 10-2 in 2003, 12-0 in 2004, 13-0 in 2008, 10-3 in 2009, 10-3 in 2010, 10-3 in 2015, 11-3 in 2019 and 10-4 in both 2021 and 2022. • The Utes have 10 finishes in the AP Top 25 poll since 2003: No. 21 in 2003, No. 4 in 2004, No. 2 in 2008, No. 18 in 2009, No. 21 in 2014, No. 17 in 2015, No. 23 in 2016, No. 16 in 2019, No. 12 in 2021 and No. 7 in 2022. Utah was also ranked No. 23 in the final 2010 Coaches Poll. BOWL ROLL • Utah has made 19 bowl appearances since 2000 with a 13-6 record. The Utes made nine straight bowls from 2003- 11 and 10 consecutive from 2014-23. • The Utes have punched four appearances to what is now the College Football Playoff New Year’s Six, defeating Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl and Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl, also reaching the 2022 and ‘23 Rose Bowl. • Utah won nine consecutive bowl games from 1999-2009 to tie for the second-longest bowl win streak in NCAA history. • In the Mountain West Conference at the time, five of Utah’s nine consecutive bowl wins were against Power Conference teams: Alabama, California, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh and USC. • Utah is 17-9 all-time in bowl games.
NEW ARM IN TOWN Utah’s offense has a new look with quarterback Devon Dampier at the helm, and it did not take long for QB1 to make an impact as a Utah Ute. • Dampier went off in the season opener at UCLA, completing 21-of-25 passes to eight different receivers for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for 87 yards and a score on 16 carries. • His 84.0% completion rate in Week 1 was the fifth highest among FBS QBs and tied for the fourth-best in Utah single-game history. • He became the first Utah signal caller since 2023 to lead the team in passing and rushing yards. • Dampier followed up his historic debut by connecting 17-of-23 passes for 192 yards and matched his career high with three TDs through the air. • His 79.2% completion rate entering Week 3 leads the Big 12 and ranks second nationally among qualified QBs. • He is also one of 13 FBS QBs with 390-plus passing yards and 100-plus rushing yards so far this season and one of 19 QBs with five-plus passing touchdowns and no interceptions. • Dampier, who was named the Big 12’s Preseason Newcomer of the Year, entered the season with a streak of four straight games with at least 150 passing yards and 100 rushing yards, the longest stretch by any FBS player since Louisville’s Lamar Jackson in 2017 (7). • Dampier became the first UNM quarterback to ever earn All-Mountain West First Team honors in 2024. He led the conference in total offense by piling up 3,934 yards, including 2,768 passing yards, the league’s second highest total. • He was just the fifth QB since 2016 with at least 2,500 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a season, joining Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels. • A true dual threat at the quarterback position, Dampier rushed for 1, 166 yards which ranked third in the MWC. He finished second in the league with 19 touchdowns and averaged a conference-best 7.52 yards per carry. • Dampier was the first Lobo QB to ever eclipse 1,000 yards rushing and he rushed for 100 yards in a game six times in 2024.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME OF THE WEEK: AUBURN VS. OKLAHOMA
TIGERS NOTES:
STORY LINES • Saturday’s game against the Sooners will be Auburn’s first game in the state of Oklahoma in program history, making the Sooner State the 25th different state the Tigers have played in all-time. • Auburn is 52-34-5 in SEC openers all-time: 21-5 at home, 21-23-5 on the road, 10-6 at neutral sites. • Oklahoma is the 13th different opponent the Tigers have opened SEC play against. • Auburn is looking to win its SEC opener for the first time since doing so four straight seasons from 2019-22. However, the Tigers have won 13 of their last 16 SEC openers on the road. • Auburn is 9-11-1 when opening SEC play vs. a ranked team: 4-2 at home, 4-8-1 on the road, 1-1 at neutral sites. • The Tigers are opening league play against a ranked opponent for the first time since doing so three straight seasons from 2018-20. Auburn’s next four opponents are ranked in this week’s top 25. • Auburn is looking to open 4-0 for the 33rd time all-time and the first time under head coach Hugh Freeze. • Auburn has scored in a school-record 157 consecutive games dating back to the first game of 2013. • The team has scored 30+ points in each of the first three games (38 at Baylor, 42 vs. Ball State, 31 vs. South Alabama) for the first time since 2009 (37 vs. Louisiana Tech, 49 vs. Mississippi State, 41 vs. West Virginia) • The Tigers rank second in the SEC in rushing defense (67.0 YPG) and third in rushing offense (242.0 YPG), ranking 10th and 16th in FBS in the categories, respectively. Auburn is one of four teams in FBS that rank in the top 20 nationally in both categories (BYU, Navy, Washington). • Auburn is tied for first in the SEC in tackles for loss (26.0) through the first three weeks. • Auburn has not allowed a first-quarter touchdown in the first three games of the season. • The Tigers have recorded 10 rushing touchdowns through the first three games of the season. Auburn had 13 rushing touchdowns throughout all of 2024. • Auburn stands at No. 22 in the AP poll this week and is No. 25 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. • The Tigers are 336-126-6 all-time as a ranked team, including 197-91-5 as a ranked team against SEC opponents and 74-50-2 as a ranked team in true SEC road games. • Eric Singleton Jr. has a catch in every game of his collegiate career (27 straight). The streak is the 12th longest active streak in FBS and third-longest among players in the SEC. • Auburn’s offensive line has combined for 257 career games played, the most in the SEC. • Auburn is 5-of-5 on 4th down this season, one of four FBS teams perfect on 4th down with at least five attempts. • The Tigers are 9-for-9 with seven TDs in the red zone, one of 18 FBS teams perfect inside the 20.
SERIES HISTORY • Saturday’s game will mark Auburn’s first trip to Norman, Oklahoma in program history. • The Tigers are 0-3 all-time against Oklahoma. The first two meetings came in the Sugar Bowl (1972, 2017) and the third came at home last year. UP NEXT • Auburn continues SEC play with a trip to BryanCollege Station, Texas, to take on No. 10 Texas A&M Saturday, September 27. • The Aggies lead the series, 8-7, while the Tigers are 4-2 in games played in Bryan-College Station. • Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze is 4-3 against the Aggies in his career. AMONG THE BEST ON BOTH SIDES • The Tigers rank 2nd in the SEC in rushing defense (67.0 YPG) and 3rd in rushing offense (242.0 YPG), ranking 10th and 16th in FBS in the categories, respectively. • Auburn is one of four FBS teams to rank in the top 20 in both categories, along with BYU, Navy and Washington. DOMINANT ON DEFENSE • Auburn allowed 68 yards of total offense against Ball State, marking the fewest total yards since holding Ole Miss to nine yards in 1985. • The Tigers held the Cardinals to -3 yards rushing, which is the fewest since holding Akron to -3 yards rushing in 2021. • True freshman defensive end Jared Smith’s 3.0 TFL are the most by a SEC first-year player. OKLAHOMA CONNECTION • Auburn starting quarterback Jackson Arnold returns to Oklahoma for the first time since transferring to Auburn in the spring of 2025. • With the Sooners, he passed for 1,421 yards and 12 TD as a sophomore in 2024, playing in 10 games with nine starts.
BACK IN THE POLLS • Auburn moved up to No. 22 in this week’s AP poll. This comes after the Tigers made their first appearance in the national poll last week (No. 24) since being ranked No. 16 on Nov. 7, 2021. • The Tigers come in at No. 24 in this week’s AFCA Coaches Poll. • The Tigers are 336-126-6 as a ranked team, including 197-91-5 as a ranked team against SEC opponents and 74-50-2 as a ranked team in true SEC road games. • The team is 62-55-3 in ranked matchups in SEC play, including 19-34-1 in true SEC road games. • Auburn is looking for its first ranked-vs.-ranked win since defeating Ole Miss 31-20 on Oct. 30, 2021. • The Tigers are 83-81-4 all-time in ranked games (22-40-1 on the road) and last won on the road vs. a top-25 team in 2019 at Texas A&M. • Their last road win over a team ranked as high as No. 11 came in 2014 at Ole Miss.
YEAR THREE UNDER FREEZE • In his two previous stops in which he has reached his third season as a head coach, Freeze has turned in a combined record of 17-9. – 9-4 in 2014 (Ole Miss) – 8-5 in 2021 (Liberty) • After also leading Ole Miss to a 39-24 overall record in five seasons in Oxford from 2012-16, Freeze enters his eighth season as a head coach in the SEC, ranking third among the league’s active head coaches (Mark Stoops, Kentucky: 13th season, Kirby Smart, Georgia: 10th season). SCORING STREAK • Auburn has scored in a school-record 157 consecutive games dating back to the first game of the 2013 season. • The Tigers are averaging 30.13 ppg (4,731 total points) during that stretch. • The streak breaks the previous program record of 149 games set from 1980-92. RUNNING WILD • Auburn has rushed for 726 yards on 125 carries through three games this season, good for 5.81 YPC and the 23rd best clip in FBS, including the third best in the SEC. • The 242 YPG is 3rd in the SEC and 16th in FBS. • The team’s 10 rushing TDs is T-2nd in the SEC. • The Tigers have rushed for 46 first downs on the year the most in the league and fourth most in FBS. WINNING ON THE ROAD • Auburn’s 38 points in the season opener at Baylor were its most points in a road non-conference game since defeating Florida State, 42-41, in 1984. • The win marked the program’s first road win in a season opener since defeating Virginia 28-17 to begin the 1997 season.
SUSTAINED SCORING DRIVES • Half of Auburn’s 20 possessions that have resulted in points this season have been drives of seven or more plays and 50 or more yards. – 12 plays, 96 yards at Baylor (05:33) – 7 plays, 65 yards at Baylor (03:45) – 9 plays, 71 yards at Baylor (04:12) – 12 plays, 75 yards at Baylor (07:16) – 9 plays, 67 yards vs. Ball State (03:14) – 9 plays, 72 yards vs. Ball State (03:36) – 12 plays, 92 yards vs. South Alabama (5:51) – 7 plays, 54 yards vs. South Alabama (2:36) – 14 plays, 75 yards vs. South Alabama (4:44) – 16 plays, 62 yards vs. South Alabama (8:34) REDZONE OFFENSE • Auburn has converted on all nine of its redzone possessions this season, resulting in seven touchdowns and two field goals. • The Tigers are one of 18 teams in FBS to have scored on all of their red zone opportunities through the first three weeks of the season. • A year after finishing last in the SEC in red zone scoring (78.05%), Auburn’s 78% TD (7-for-9) rate ranks 2nd in the league, while Auburn leads the SEC in overall red zone scoring. • The Tigers are averaging a SEC-best 4.5 ypc in the red zone after only managing 1.86 ypc in same area in 2024.
SOONERS NOTES:
OPENING KICK u No. 11/12 Oklahoma (3-0) and No. 22/25 Auburn (3-0) begin their SEC slates when they meet Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The game, the first between the Sooners and Tigers in Norman, will be televised by ABC with Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy and Molly McGrath announcing. u The 2025 season marks the 131st in OU football history. The Sooners lead the nation with their 50 all-time conference titles, 27 11-plus-win seasons (tied), 33 AP top-five finishes and five No. 1 overall NFL Draft picks (tied). They rank second with their seven Heisman Trophy winners (tied), third with seven AP national championships, their 101 weeks as the AP’s No. 1 team and 431 total weeks in the AP Top 5, fourth with their 419 NFL Draft picks and fifth with their 58 bowl appearances. u Auburn is one of five Oklahoma opponents playing in Norman for the first time this season. OU already beat Illinois State and Michigan in their Norman debuts in weeks 1 and 2, respectively. The Tigers will mark the Sooners’ 99th all-time opponent at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Ole Miss and LSU will take that number to 101 this season. u SEC Network’s traveling pregame show “SEC Nation” will make its Norman debut on Saturday, broadcasting from the South Oval on OU’s campus. Laura Rutledge will host and be joined by Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, Jordan Rodgers and Tim Tebow from 9-11 a.m. The “Marty & McGee” show will kick off programming live from 8-9 a.m. u Saturday’s contest will mark the 1,355th in OU history. The Sooners rank fifth nationally with their .723 alltime winning percentage (953-348-53 record), trailing Ohio State (.736), Alabama (.733), Michigan (.732) and Notre Dame (.731). Since the end of World War II (1946 season to present), OU leads all programs with 709 wins (29 more than Alabama, the program with the next most) and owns a .766 winning percentage. u A nation-high-tying nine of OU’s 2025 opponents, including all eight SEC foes, are ranked in this week’s AP or coaches top-25 polls: No. 3/4 LSU, No. 8/7 Texas, No. 13/11 Ole Miss, No. 14/14 Alabama, No. 15/15 Tennessee, No. 21/20 Michigan, No. 22/25 Auburn, No. 23/22 Missouri and RV/24 South Carolina. The most AP-ranked teams the Sooners have faced in a regular season is six in 2016.
KEY STORYLINES u OU head coach Brent Venables is 4-0 against Auburn in his coaching career, leading the Sooners to a 27-21 road win last year and posting a 3-0 mark as Clemson’s defensive coordinator (26-19 in 2012 in Atlanta [his first game with CU], 19-13 in 2016 in Auburn and 14-6 in 2017 in Clemson). His OU and Clemson defensive units have held Auburn to an average of 14.8 points and 308.8 yards and have racked up 21 sacks and 45 tackles for loss in the four contests. u Saturday’s game marks the return of former OU quarterback Jackson Arnold to Norman. Arnold, who has started each of Auburn’s first three games this season, played in 17 contests over the previous two campaigns and made 10 starts (nine last season). He completed 63% of his passes for 1,984 yards and 16 TDs (six INTs) as a Sooner, and rushed for 560 yards and four TDs. He did not play in OU’s win at Auburn last season. u While Oklahoma’s offense has been strong through three games (ranks 28th out of 134 teams in yards per game at 472.7), the Sooners’ defense has been other-worldly. OU ranks second nationally in passing defense efficiency (84.7 rating), third in first downs allowed per game (9.0), and fourth in total defense (181.0 ypg), scoring defense (6.3 ppg) and third-down conversion defense (17.1%). It leads the SEC in each of those categories. OU also ranks 19th in tackles for loss per game (8.0) and 34th in rushing defense (96.3 ypg). u Redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer, the nation’s top transfer from last season according to ESPN, is off to a stellar start at OU. He ranks second nationally with his 368.3 yards of total offense per game. u Mateer has registered at least one rushing TD and at least one passing TD in each of his last nine games, good for the longest active streak nationally and tied for the fourth-longest streak since the start of the 2000 season (see chart on page 3). u Arnold (64.0) and Mateer (53.7) rank second and third among SEC quarterbacks in rushing yards per game. Mateer ranks first in passing yards (314.7 ypg) while Arnold ranks 14th (167.0 ypg). u The Sooners have allowed just one rushing touchdown this season (Michigan) and Auburn none. u OU has yet to allow any points in the first or fourth quarters this season. It has allowed just three points in the second quarter and 16 in the third.
OU-AUBURN SERIES HISTORY u Oklahoma and Auburn have met three times, including twice in the Sugar Bowl, and OU has won each game. u In the final game of the 1971 season, Chuck Fairbanks’ No. 3 Sooners downed Ralph Jordan’s No. 5 Tigers 40-22 in the Sugar Bowl in front of 84,031 fans at Tulane Stadium. u In the last game of the 2016 season, Bob Stoops’ No. 7 OU squad prevailed 35-19 over Gus Malzahn’s 17th-ranked Auburn team. Sugar Bowl attendance at the Superdome was 54,077. u Last season in Auburn, Ala., the Sooners posted a 21-18 win (recap in next note).
LAST YEAR VS. AUBURN u Trailing 21-10 with less than nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, No. 21/18 Oklahoma scored the final 17 points in a 27-21 win at Auburn on Sept. 28, 2024, for its first-ever SEC victory. u The Sooners scored the go-ahead points when redshirt sophomore linebacker Kip Lewis returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown with 4:06 remaining. Freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. converted the ensuing two-point conversion on an acrobatic dive to put OU ahead 24-21 and redshirt senior kicker Zach Schmit later booted a 39-yard field goal with 54 seconds to go for the game’s final points. u Lewis, who added five tackles, including one for a loss, was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. u Hawkins Jr. became just the seventh OU quarterback to start at least one game as a true freshman and became the first OU true freshman QB to win on the road in his first career start. Hawkins, who ran for a 48-yard score on the Sooners’ first possession, completed 10 of 15 passes for 161 yards and rushed 14 times for 69 yards. He had no turnovers. u Redshirt senior receiver J.J. Hester entered the contest without a reception since the 2022 season but caught three passes for game and career highs of 86 yards. His 60-yard nab in the fourth quarter set up a touchdown that cut Auburn’s lead to 21-16 with 8:32 remaining. u Junior running back Jovantae Barnes carried 18 times for 61 yards and scored on a 2-yard run. u Senior safety Billy Bowman Jr. logged a game-high eight tackles, seven of them solo. Junior defensive lineman R Mason Thomas added four tackles, including sacks on back-to-back third- and fourth-down plays totaling 19 yards on Auburn’s first possession after OU went up 24-21. The turnover on downs in Tigers territory led to the Sooners’ final field goal.
_____
NFL NEWS
WEEK 3 NFL GAME CAPSULES
ATLANTA FALCONS (1-1) CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2)
Bank of America Stadium | Referee: Craig Wrolstad
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: ATL leads series, 37-23 (Home team has won 4 of past 6)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 1/5/25: CAR 44 at ATL 38 (OT)
Postseason: —
FALCONS NOTES:
QB MICHAEL PENIX aims for his 4th in row with 80+ rating. Has 200+ pass yards in 4 of his 5 career starts. • RB BIJAN ROBINSON had 168 scrimmage yards (143 rush, 25 rec.) in Week 2 & is 1 of 3 RBs (James Cook & Christian McCaffrey) with 100+ scrimmage yards in each of 1st 2 weeks. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 292 scrimmage yards in 2025. Aims for his 4th in row with 100+ scrimmage yards. Had 278 scrimmage yards (139 per game) & 4 rush TDs in 2 games vs. Car. last season. • WR TYLER ALLGEIER rushed for 76 yards & had 11th-career rush TD last week. Rushed for 105 yards & TD in last road meeting (10/13/24) & aims for his 5th in row vs. Car. with 50+ scrimmage yards. • WR DRAKE LONDON has 50+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 on road. Had 10 catches for career-high 187 yards & 2 rec. TDs in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Car. with TD catch. • TE KYLE PITTS aims for his 4th in row on road with 4+ catches. Had 70 rec. yards in last road meeting (10/13/24). • ED LEONARD FLOYD had 1st sack of season last week. • ED JALON WALKER (rookie) had 1st-career sack in Week 2. • ED JAMES PEARCE (rookie) had 1st-career half sack last week. • DL DAVID ONYEMATA aims for his 3rd in row on road with TFL. • DL ZACH HARRISON had 1.5 sacks & 1st-career FF last week. • DL BRANDON DORLUS had career-high 1.5 sacks in Week 2. • DB BILLY BOWMAN (rookie) had 2 PD & 1st-career INT last week. • LB KADEN ELLISS had 10 tackles in last meeting. • LB DIVINE DEABLO had 2nd-career FR last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • S XAVIER WATTS (rookie) had 1st-career INT last week. Is 1 of 3 rookies (Trey Amos & Will Johnson) with PD in each of 1st 2 weeks. • S JESSIE BATES aims for his 5th in row vs. Car. with 5+ tackles.
PANTHERS NOTES:
QB BRYCE YOUNG set career highs in completions (35) & pass yards (328) & had his 3rd-career game with 3 TD passes last week. Has TD pass in 12 straight games, longest active streak among NFC QBs. Has 0 INTs in 4 of his past 5 home starts. Passed for 251 yards & had career-high 5 TDs (3 pass, 2 rush) vs. 0 INTs for career-high 123.5 rating in last meeting. • RB CHUBA HUBBARD had 5 catches, 77 scrimmage yards (39 rec., 38 rush) & rec. TD last week & is 1 of 2 RBs (De’Von Achane) with TD catch in each of 1st 2 weeks. Aims for his 4th in row with TD. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Atl. with 100+ scrimmage yards. • WR TETAIROA MCMILLAN led team with 6 catches for 100 yards last week, 1st. Car. rookie with 5+ catches & 100+ rec. yards since 2018 (DJ Moore). Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ catches & 65+ rec. yards. • WR HUNTER RENFROW had 7 catches for 48 yards & 2nd-career game with 2 rec. TDs last week. • TE JA’TAVION SANDERS had career-high 7 catches for 54 yards last week. Had 5 catches in last home meeting. • S TRE’VON MOEHRIG is 1 of 3 DBs (Chamarri Conner & Talanoa Hufanga) with 9+ tackles in each of 1st 2 weeks. • LB CHRISTIAN ROZEBOOM aims for his 3rd in row with 7+ tackles. • LB D.J. WONNUM had TFL & 1st-career INT last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • LB PATRICK JONES had TFL & 1st-career PD in Week 2. • LB PRINCELY UMANMIELEN (rookie) had 1st-career sack last week. • DT DERRICK BROWN had 5th-career game with 2 PD last week, tied 2ndmost among DL since 2020. Has 7 TFL in his past 5 vs. Atl. • DE A’SHAWN ROBINSON had TFL in 3 of his final 4 home games last season. Since 2023, ranks 4th among DL with 149 tackles.
PANTHERS HOPE HOME OPENER VS. FALCONS CAN SPARK SLOW OFFENSIVE START
The Atlanta Falcons are looking at this week’s trip to take on the Carolina Panthers as just as big as other games that might come with a high-profile tag.
“The big part for us is teaching all the rookies, letting them guys know that every week in the National Football League is primetime,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “You got to always bring the energy.”
The teams meet Sunday afternoon in Charlotte.
The Falcons (1-1) are coming off Sunday night’s 22-6 victory at Minnesota.
“We haven’t played our best game yet,” Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said.
The Panthers (0-2) will be playing in their home opener after losses at Jacksonville and Arizona. There are no hints that the Panthers will bench quarterback Bryce Young like they did a year ago following two games.
“Obviously, there’s stuff Bryce would come up here and say he’d like to clean up from the first two games,” Carolina coach Dave Canales said about Young. “I’m fired up with where we’re headed.”
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has gained 167 yards on the ground across two games, while picking up another 125 yards on receptions.
Morris elevated Robinson’s stature this week by proclaiming him “definitely the best player in football.”
“It was great to be able to see the run game going,” Penix said. “I want to see this offense when we have the run and the pass going at the same time and see how electric we can be.”
While this will be the Panthers’ divisional opener, the Falcons have already taken a Week 1 home loss to Tampa Bay, making this game that much more important.
Penix threw for 312 yards against Carolina in last year’s regular-season finale, though the Panthers won 44-38 on a day that began with Falcons still holding hopes of reaching the postseason. He said he expects to see a variety of setups from the Panthers defense.
“They present a lot of different things,” Penix said. “They got playmakers. They will make plays. We just got to make more.”
Carolina racked up 537 yards in that game last January, and Young had the best game of his professional career, completing 73.5 percent of his passes for 251 yards with three passing touchdowns and two rushing scores.
There was little flow offensively last week for the Panthers in the loss to Arizona until late in the third quarter when facing a 27-3 deficit. The rushing attack stalled, managing just 49 rushing yards.
“I want to see that mix come alive,” Canales said.
The Falcons need a replacement for A.J. Terrell Jr., a cornerback who did not practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury suffered last weekend and is considered week-to-week, Morris said. Dee Alford filled in, but Morris wouldn’t commit to Alford’s role against the Panthers.
“We want to have those guys go out there and compete at a very high level this week in order to figure out who gets the best opportunity,” Morris said, pointing out that Clark Phillips III is trending up as he comes off a preseason rib injury.
Defensive end James Pierce Jr. (groin), tight end Charlie Woerner (ankle) and receiver Jamal Agnew (groin) also did not practice for Atlanta Wednesday. Receivers Darnell Mooney (shoulder) and Jamal Washington (concussion) were limited along with offensive lineman Jack Nelson (calf), linebacker Kaden Elliss (neck) and safety DeMarcco Hellams (hamstring).
The Panthers are retooling their offensive front with guard Robert Hunt and center Austin Corbett going on injured reserve. Cade Mays is shifting to center to take Corbett’s spot, while Chandler Zavala will start at right guard. Mays started eight games at that position last year.
Canales said Mays competed for the starting position this season, so should be well-suited to be back as a starter.
“Those reps are going to pay dividends for us,” he said.
Panthers linebacker Patrick Jones II and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton both were held out of Wednesday’s practice due to hamstring injuries. Receiver Xavier Legette (hamstring) was a limited participant.
The Falcons are 37-23 all-time against Carolina, with a 16-14 mark in Charlotte. The teams have split games in each of the past five seasons.
_____
GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-0) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-2)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: GB leads series, 13-7 (GB won 6 of past 7)
Postseason: GB leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/25/21: CLE 22 at GB 24
Postseason: NFL-C 1/2/66: CLE 12 at GB 23
PACKERS NOTES:
QB JORDAN LOVE passed for 292 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 113.9 rating in Week 2 & is 1 of 3 (Justin Herbert & Lamar Jackson) with 2+ TD passes & 110+ rating in each of 1st 2 weeks. Has TD pass in 15 of 17 career road starts. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 90+ rating. Since 2023, ranks tied-2nd among QBs with 9 games with 2+ TD passes & 0 INTs. • RB JOSH JACOBS can become 5th player ever & 1st player since 2004 (HOFer LaDainian Tomlinson) with rush TD in 12 straight games, incl. postseason. Has 223 scrimmage yards (111.5 per game) in 2 career games at Cle. Had 9 rush TDs in his final 6 road games last season. • TE TUCKER KRAFT led team with career high tying 6 catches for career-best 124 yards & rec. TD in Week 2, his 11th-career TD catch. Is 1 of 3 TEs with rec. TD in each of 1st 2 weeks. • WR ROMEO DOUBS had 16th-career TD catch in Week 2. • DL MICAH PARSONS aims for his 3rd in row with GB with 0.5+ sacks. Had sack in his only career game at Cle. (9/8/24 w/ Dal.). Aims for his 8th in row on road with TFL. • DL RASHAN GARY had sack in 3 of his final 4 road games last season & aims for his 5th in row on road with TFL. Aims for his 4th in row overall with sack & 5th in row overall with TFL. Had 2 sacks in last meeting. • DL DEVONTE WYATT had career-high 2 PD last week & aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Has 5 TFL in his past 6. • LB EDGERRIN COOPER had 10 tackles & half sack last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 10+ tackles. Had 8 TFL in his final 5 road games last season. • LB QUAY WALKER has 5+ tackles in 17 of his 21 career road games. • CB KEISEAN NIXON had career-high 5 PD last week, 1st player with 5 PD in single game since Week 12, 2023 (James Bradberry). • S XAVIER MCKINNEY had 1st PD of season last week.
BROWNS NOTES:
QB JOE FLACCO passed for 199 yards & TD last week. Aims for his 9th in row in Cle. with 285+ pass yards. Has 90+ rating in 2 of his past 3 starts vs. GB. • QB DILLON GABRIEL (rookie) made NFL debut & had 1st-career TD pass last week. • RB QUINSHON JUDKINS (rookie) led team with 71 scrimmage yards (61 rush, 10 rec.) last week in NFL debut. • RB DYLAN SAMPSON (rookie) had 1st-career TD catch in Week 2. • RB JEROME FORD had 54 scrimmage yards (31 rush, 23 rec.) & 5 catches last week. • WR JERRY JEUDY led team with 51 rec. yards in Week 2. Aims for his 5th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Aims for his 7th in row at home with 5+ catches & 65+ rec. yards. Had 5 catches for 64 yards in his last game vs. GB (10/22/23 w/ Den.). • WR CEDRIC TILLMAN is 1 of 6 WRs with TD catch in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 at home. • TE HAROLD FANNIN (rookie) had 5 catches last week. Ranks tied-3rd among TEs with 12 catches in 2025, tied with Keith Jackson for 2nd-most by TE in 1st 2 career games in NFL history. Can join Sam LaPorta as only TEs ever with 5+ catches in each of 1st 3 career games. • DE MYLES GARRETT is 1 of 2 in NFL (Carl Granderson) with 1.5+ sacks in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Leads NFL with 6 TFL in 2025 & tied for lead with 3.5 sacks. Has 2+ sacks in 4 of his past 5 at home. • DT MASON GRAHAM (rookie) had 5 tackles & 1st-career TFL last week. • LB CARSON SCHWESINGER ranks 2nd among rookie LBs with 12 tackles. • LB DEVIN BUSH had 8 tackles, 2 PD & 2nd-career sack last week. Aims for his 4th in row with TFL & 3rd in row with 7+ tackles & PD. Had 6 tackles & sack in only career game vs. GB (10/3/21 w/ Pit.). • CB DENZEL WARD had 2 PD in last meeting. • CB GREG NEWSOME had 7 tackles & TFL in Week 2.
PACKERS PRIME PASS RUSH WITH TARGET ON JOE FLACCO, BROWNS
The Green Bay Packers hit the road for the first time this season in search of their first 3-0 start since 2020 when they meet the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
The Packers (2-0) are coming off a 27-18 victory over the Washington Commanders in the Thursday night game, after opening with a statement-making 27-13 win over defending NFC North champion Detroit.
Cleveland (0-2) lost 41-17 at Baltimore last week after opening with a 17-16 loss to Cincinnati.
The Packers’ defense, bolstered by the acquisition of star edge rusher Micah Parsons from Dallas before the start of the regular season, has been dominant and yet to allow a first-half touchdown.
Green Bay led Washington 17-3 after three quarters before the Commanders connected on a pair of fourth-quarter scoring passes. The Packers kept Detroit out of the end zone until a touchdown pass in the final minute.
The Browns lead the NFL in total defense, allowing 191.5 yards per game, while the Packers are third at 238.0. Green Bay averages 335.0 yards per game total offense, while Cleveland averages 324.5.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said the “attack front” predicated on penetration is a chore for any offensive line. His anxiety is heightened with right tackle Zach Tom (oblique) and left guard Aaron Banks (groin) less than full strength after missing Week 2.
“They’re going to try to get eight guys in the box. There’s been a lot of ugly runs on tape when going against this defense,” LaFleur said Wednesday.
Parsons gives Green Bay an added dimension off the edge and a test for the Browns, who are still figuring out the pecking order at running back. Quarterback Joe Flacco is tied for the league lead with 90 pass attempts in two games. Green Bay is tied for second in the NFL with eight quarterback sacks.
“He’s one of the purest throwers I’ve ever seen,” said LaFleur. “You’ve got to be really dialed in in terms of your coverage. The big key is going to be get him off the spot, get pressure to him. As I tell our guys, our quarterback or anybody else, it’s hard to throw from your back.”
Flacco was hit nine times at Baltimore last week, when he committed two costly turnovers and buckled under the Ravens’ relentless pass rush.
The Browns finished the game with rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel at quarterback, but Flacco is set for this third consecutive start.
“We have to play better for Joe before we make any of those decisions,” Browns left guard Joel Bitonio said of sticking with Flacco.
Bitonio (back) did not practice Wednesday. Right tackle Jack Conklin (elbow), punter Corey Bojorquez (ankle), safety Grant Delpit (back) and defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (knee) were limited. Cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder) was a full participant.
Cleveland is tied for last in turnover differential at minus-4, while the Packers are plus-1.
“They’re a really talented team. I’ll start with their defense, talent at all three levels,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday. “Bringing over Micah Parsons, bringing a great player to an already great defense. They play very fast.”
The Ravens scored 41 points last week, but Cleveland is controlling the line of scrimmage defensively. The Browns gave up 91 rushing yards on 44 carries (2.1-yard average) and one rushing touchdown through two weeks.
Packers running back Josh Jacobs was limited Wednesday with an ankle injury but it’s not considered serious. He has rushed for 150 yards and two scores this season and owns a TD carry in 10 consecutive games.
Cleveland’s stop-the-run focus highlights Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who leads the league with 12.5 average air yards per pass.
He has completed 66 percent of his passes for 480 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Tight end Tucker Kraft has eight catches with two scores. Love has spread the ball around to 11 different receivers and gone nine consecutive games without an interception.
Wide receiver Jayden Reed, who had 55 catches last season and 64 in 2023, had surgeries on his cracked clavicle and a foot injury on Wednesday.
Green Bay has won four straight against Cleveland and six of the last seven meetings.
_____
HOUSTON TEXANS (0-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-1)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: HOU leads series, 31-15 (HOU won 12 of past 14)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/1/24: HOU 23 at JAX 20
Postseason: —
TEXANS NOTES:
QB C.J. STROUD totaled 234 yards (207 pass, 27 rush) & had TD pass & 0 INTs with 97 rating last week. Is 3-1 with 8 TDs (7 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 110.1 rating in 4 career starts vs. Jax. Has 19 TDs (18 pass, 1 rush) vs. 2 INTs with 107.9 rating in 11 career starts vs. division. • RB NICK CHUBB led team with 72 scrimmage yards (43 rush, 29 rec.) & had 1st rush TD of season last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 60+ scrimmage yards. Had 176 scrimmage yards (144 rush, 32 rec.) & rush TD in only career game vs. Jax. (11/29/20 w/ Cle.). • WR NICO COLLINS led team with 52 rec. yards & had 1st TD catch of season in Week 2. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Jax. with 7+ catches & 100+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 vs. Jax. Has 80+ rec. yards in 7 of his past 8 vs. division. • WR CHRISTIAN KIRK can make Hou. debut after spending past 3 seasons (2022-24) with Jax. • TE DALTON SCHULTZ had 5 catches for 61 yards & TD in last meeting. • DE DANIELLE HUNTER led team with 2 sacks & FF last week, 18th-career game with 2+ sacks. Has 101.5 career sacks, 7th-most among active players. • DE WILL ANDERSON has sack in each of 1st 2 games of season & aims for his 6th in row overall, inc. playoff, with 0.5+ sacks. • DT SHELDON RANKINS had 2 TFL & sack in Week 2. • LB HENRY TO’OTO’O led team with 11 tackles & had TFL last week. Has 5+ tackles in 9 of his past 10. Aims for 3rd in row with TFL. • LB AZEEZ AL-SHAAIR had 10 tackles & PD in Week 2. Aims for 3rd in row with 7+ tackles. • CB DEREK STINGLEY led team with 2 PD last week. Has 9 PD & 3 INTs in 4 career games vs. Jax., with 2+ PD in each game. • CB KAMARI LASSITER aims for 3rd in row with 5+ tackles. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Jax with 6+ tackles & TFL.
JAGS NOTES:
QB TREVOR LAWRENCE passed for 271 yards & 3 TDs last week, 7th-career game with 3+ TD passes & 1st since 12/10/23. Has 2 TD passes in 3 of his past 4 vs. division. Has 102.5 rating over his past 4 home starts vs. division. • RB TRAVIS ETIENNE led team with 89 scrimmage yards (71 rush, 18 rec.) & had 1st TD catch of season in Week 2. Aims for his 4th in row at home with 75+ scrimmage yards. Has 596 scrimmage yards (99.3 per game) in 6 career games vs. Hou. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 214 rush yards in 2025. • RB BHAYSHUL TUTEN (rookie) had 74 scrimmage yards (42 rush, 32 rec.) & 1st-career TD catch last week. • WR BRIAN THOMAS JR. had 49 rec. yards last week. Has 75+ rec. yards & TD catch in 3 of his past 4 at home. Had 75+ rec. yards & TD catch in both games vs. Hou. last season. Had 75+ rec. yards in each of 6 games vs. division last season. • WR PARKER WASHINGTON had 5 catches for team-high 76 rec. yards in Week 2. Had 6 catches for career-best 103 yards & TD in last meeting. • WR DYAMI BROWN had 5 catches for 57 yards & 1st TD of season last week. • WR/DB TRAVIS HUNTER (rookie) had 3 catches, 2 tackles & 1st-career PD last week, becoming 1st player since at least 2012 with 20+ snaps on both offense & defense. • DE JOSH HINES-ALLEN had 6 tackles in Week 2. Had sack in last meeting & has sack in 2 of his past 3 vs. Hou. Aims for his 5th in row vs. division with sack. • DT ARIK ARMSTEAD had 1st sack of season last week. Had PD in last meeting. • LB FOYESADE OLUOKUN had 7 tackles, 2 TFL & 1st sack of season last week. Had 2 PD in last meeting. Is only player in NFL with sack, FF & INT in 2025. • LB TRAVON WALKER had 5 tackles, sack & PD last week. Has sack in 3 of his past 4. Had sack in last meeting. • LB DEVIN LLOYD had 5th-career INT in Week 2. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Hou. with PD. • CB JOURDAN LEWIS led team with career-high 8 tackles & had 2 TFL & PD last week. • S ERIC MURRAY had 4th-career INT in Week 2. Spent past 5 seasons with Hou.
JAGUARS TAKE ON WINLESS TEXANS IN PURSUIT OF AFC SOUTH BREAKTHROUGH
Two-time reigning AFC South champions, the Houston Texans are headed to Jacksonville winless and wary of losing further ground.
Winners of the division eight of the last 14 years, Houston lost at the Rams in Week 1 and another tight one to Tampa Bay in their Texans’ home opener Monday night. At (0-2), they are moving further away from recent playoff showings and already two games back in the division.
Houston has a chance to start making up ground Sunday, opening division play at Jacksonville (1-1), a destination that has been all sunshine for the Texans in recent seasons. They’ve won their last seven games with 12 wins in the last 14 against the Jaguars.
“Our guys are eager to get going. That’s what I felt from our team meeting,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said. ” … They understand how small of a margin it is to win in this league.”
The Jaguars are looking to bounce back after a 2-0 start eluded them in late in last week’s loss at Cincinnati.
While they intercepted backup quarterback Jake Browning three times after Joe Burrow left the game with a toe injury, the Bengals threw the last punch. Browning marched the Bengals on a 92-yard drive and scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard run with 18 seconds left.
Even in a loss, there have been bright spots for Jacksonville. The Jaguars’ defense leads the league with six takeaways and five interceptions.
The Jaguars’ offense ranks fourth in yards per game (389.0), No. 1 in rushing yards per game (169.5) and Travis Etienne ranks second in rushing yards (214) behind only Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor.
Record-setting rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. hasn’t yet found his rhythm. On a team-high 19 targets, he has just five catches for 60 yards, a slow start after he racked up 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Thomas received online criticism for a perceived lack of effort and a few plays he missed in Sunday’s loss. Coen said Monday that Thomas has been playing through a sore wrist, which first showed up on Wednesday’s practice report although he was a full participant.
“We had some really good conversations,” Coen said of Thomas. “Everybody was frustrated. But at the end of the day, he’s got a great opportunity to bounce back, as does the rest of our team, and (I) feel really confident about that.”
Houston has lost its first two games by a combined six points.
It took a 19-14 lead over the Buccaneers with 2:10 left on Monday, but Tampa Bay responded with a touchdown drive of its own, taking the lead back with six seconds left to hand the Texans another loss.
While the defense has done enough, the offense isn’t clicking yet under first-time offensive coordinator Nick Caley. The Texans rank 28th in total yards (265.5 per game) and dead last in scoring offense (14 points per game).
C.J. Stroud, the 2023 offensive rookie of the year, has just 395 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.
He hasn’t been helped by a depleted receiver room with Tank Dell on injured reserve. Free agent acquisitions Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios were sidelined with hamstring injuries before participating in limited fashion Wednesday.
Stroud is optimistic the veterans will boost a relatively young receiving room.
“Kirk will help those guys as he’s in the room,” Stroud said. “On gamedays, they can see him, how he works.”
Cornerback Jaylin Smith (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday for the Texans. Center Jake Andrews (ankle), cornerback Kamari Lassiter (knee), safety Jalen Pitre (rib) and defensive end Darrell Taylor (hip) were all limited.
Jaguars offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland and tight end Hunter Long missed Wednesday’s practice with ankle injuries. Cornerback Jarrian Jones (back), offensive lineman Wyatt Milum (knee) and running back Bhayshul Tuten (shoulder) were limited participants.
_____
CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-0) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-1)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: CIN leads series, 8-7 (Home team won 14 of 15)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/16/23: MIN 24 at CIN 27
Postseason: —
BENGALS NOTES:
BENGALS are 2-0 for 1st time since 2018 & can begin 3-0 for 1st time since 2015. • QB JAKE BROWNING passed for 241 yards & had 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) last week. Can make 8th career start & 1st since 1/7/24. Passed for 324 yards & 2 TDs with 97.7 rating in last meeting. • RB CHASE BROWN had 65 scrimmage yards (47 rush, 18 rec.) in Week 2, his 10thstraight game with 50+ scrimmage yards. Aims for his 4th in row on road with TD. • WR JA’MARR CHASE had 14 catches for 165 yards & TD last week, 3rd-career game with 14+ catches, tied 3rd-most all-time. Has 6 games with 10+ catches, 150+ rec. yards & rec. TD, most-ever by player under age of 26. Has 75+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 on road. Has 165 rec. yards (82.5 per game) in 2 career games vs. Min. • WR TEE HIGGINS had 56 rec. yards & 1st TD catch of season in Week 2. Had 61 rec. yards & 2 rec. TDs in last meeting & has rec. TD in both career games vs. Min. • WR MITCHELL TINSLEY had 1st-career TD catch last week. • TE NOAH FANT has 50+ rec. yards in both career games vs. Min. • DE TREY HENDRICKSON had sack & PD last week & is 1 of 5 AFC DL with sack in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Aims for 8th in row with TFL & 6th in row with 0.5+ sacks. Had 1.5 sacks in last meeting. • LB LOGAN WILSON aims for his 14th in row with 7+ tackles & 3rd in row with PD. Had 7 tackles in each of 2 career games vs. Min. • LB DEMETRIUS KNIGHT is 1 of 5 rookies with 5+ tackles in each of 1st 2 weeks. • CB DAX HILL had 8 tackles & 3rd-career INT last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 8+ tackles. Had 6 tackles & PD in last meeting. • CB DJ TURNER is 1 of 2 with 2+ PD in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. • CB CAM TAYLOR-BRITT had 2 PD in Week 2. Has PD in 3 of his past 4 on road. • S JORDAN BATTLE is 1 of 2 in NFL (Cam Bynum) with INT in each of 1st 2 weeks. Had 10 tackles in last meeting. • S GENO STONE tied career high with 9 tackles last week.
VIKINGS NOTES:
QB CARSON WENTZ can make Min. debut. Has 22,410 pass yards & 164 TDs (153 pass, 11 rush) in 98 career games (94 starts). Has 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) in 2 career starts vs. Cin. • RB JORDAN MASON has 75+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3. Since 2022, is 1 of 3 RBs (De’Von Achane) with 5+ yards per rush att. (5.2), min. 250 rush atts. • WR JUSTIN JEFFERSON had 81 rec. yards last week. Has 502 receptions & tied Larry Fitzgerald (26 years, 90 days) as youngest player ever to reach 500 career catches. Aims for his 13th in row at home with 50+ rec. yards. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Cin. with 5+ catches & 70+ rec. yards. Jefferson (95.7 rec. yards per game) & CIN WR Ja’Marr Chase (87.8) rank 1st & 2nd all time in receiving avg., min. 50 career games. • WR ADAM THIELEN had 9 catches for 92 yards & 2 rec. TDs in his last game vs. Cin. (9/12/21 w/ Min.). • TE T.J. HOCKENSON had 6 catches for 63 yards in last meeting. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 at home. • LB JONATHAN GREENARD had 1st sack of season last week, his 36th-career sack. Had sack in his last game vs. Cin. (11/12/23 w/ Hou.). • LB ANDREW VAN GINKEL had 7 TFL in 9 home games last season. • LB ERIC WILSON had 5 tackles & 3rd-career FF last week. • LB IVAN PACE had 8 tackles & 10th-career TFL in Week 2. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles. • LB DALLAS TURNER had career-high 5 tackles & 1st sack of season last week, his 4th-career sack. • CB BYRON MURPHY has 6 PD in his past 6 at home. Had FF in last meeting. • S JOSH METELLUS had sack in last meeting. • S THEO JACKSON led team with career-high 9 tackles & had 1st-career FR last week.
INJURIES PUSH BACKUP QBS INTO SPOTLIGHT FOR BENGALS, VIKINGS
As a kid growing up in Bismarck, N.D., Carson Wentz rooted for the Minnesota Vikings and occasionally made the trip with his family to see them play at the Metrodome.
On Sunday, Wentz will play quarterback for the organization he used to support from the stands. He will make his team debut in place of injured starter J.J. McCarthy when the Vikings (1-1) oppose the Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) in Minneapolis.
“Believe it or not, my family was already planning to come,” Wentz said. “Now, there’s even more coming. Everybody’s pretty excited. You never wish for injuries, but just the way this has happened to get a chance for the team I grew up cheering for, close to home, all those things.”
The Bengals also will turn to their No. 2 quarterback in a battle of the backups.
Cincinnati star Joe Burrow left last week’s game because of turf toe, an injury that is expected to sideline him for several months. Burrow’s absence means an extended opportunity for his top backup, Jake Browning, who has appeared in 13 games in parts of three seasons.
Browning made seven starts in place of an injured Burrow in 2023, posting a 4-3 record. This time, he said, he feels more comfortable with stepping away from the sideline and into the spotlight.
“I don’t think you really know until you know what it feels like (to start on short notice),” Browning said. “And so in 2023, I had no idea what all that was going to feel like. I kind of had to make some adjustments on the fly. …
“So I think just the experience, and I look at last year — I didn’t take a meaningful snap, but I had a good year, as far as watching my film in practice and stuff like that. So I feel like I made some improvements that I needed to. I’m excited for the opportunity to play.”
The Bengals opened the season with a 17-16 road win over the Cleveland Browns and a 31-27 home victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ja’Marr Chase leads the team with 16 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown, and Chase Brown has a team-high 90 rushing yards and a score.
Cincinnati likely will also be without first-round pick Shemar Stewart against the Vikings after the defensive end injured his right ankle during the fourth quarter against Jacksonville.
The Vikings earned a 27-24 win over the host Chicago Bears in McCarthy’s NFL debut in Week 1, but they lost 22-6 against the visiting Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. McCarthy struggled to move the ball on offense and was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain this week.
Wentz is no stranger to the NFL, having started for five other teams. He should benefit from the presence of All-Pro teammate Justin Jefferson, who has seven catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.
McCarthy is one of several Vikings players who have been sidelined by injuries the past couple of weeks. Starting running back Aaron Jones is out because of a hamstring injury, meaning backup Jordan Mason could figure prominently into the game plan. Wentz and Mason will work behind a line that may be without center Ryan Kelly and offensive tackle Justin Skule after both were held out of practice on Wednesday because of concussions.
Wentz started one game in each of the past two years, getting a win with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023 and taking a loss with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. He owns a career 47-46-1 record as a starter.
“I’ve been staying ready behind the scenes, doing whatever I can,” Wentz said. “It’s been fast-paced trying to learn the offense and learn these guys.
“Physically, I feel great. Mentally, I feel I’m in a good spot. Coaches have done a great job helping me try to grasp this as quick as I can.”
_____
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-1) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-1)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: Series is tied, 15-15 (NE won 7 of past 8)
Postseason: NE leads series, 4-1
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/7/23: NE 21 at PIT 18
Postseason: AFC-C 1/22/17: PIT 17 at NE 36
STEELERS NOTES:
QB AARON RODGERS passed for 203 yards & TD last week. Needs TD pass to surpass HOFer Brett Favre (508) for 4th-most & needs 42 pass yards to surpass Philip Rivers (63,440) for 6th-most in NFL history. Has 230+ pass yards & 2 TD passes in each of his past 5 starts vs. NE. • RB JAYLEN WARREN led team with 134 scrimmage yards (career-high 86 rec., 48 rush) in Week 2. • WR DK METCALF had TD catch last week. Has 90+ rec. yards & TD catch in both career games vs. NE, incl. 10 catches for 129 yards & TD in his only game at NE (9/15/24 w/ Sea.). • TE PAT FREIERMUTH had 3 catches for 31 yards in Week 2. Aims for his 5th in row with 25+ rec. yards. • TE JONNU SMITH co-led team with 4 catches last week. Has TD catch in 3 of his past 4. Had 9 catches for 87 yards & TD in his last game vs. NE (11/24/24 w/ Mia.). • LB T.J. WATT has 108 sacks in 123 games & can surpass HOFer DeMarcus Ware (110.5) for 2nd-most sacks in 1st 125 games since 1982. Aims for his 4th in row vs. NE with TFL. • DT CAMERON HEYWARD had 5 tackles & PD in Week 2. Has PD in each of his past 3, longest active streak by DT. Had 6 tackles & sack in last meeting. • LB NICK HERBIG co-led team with 2 TFL & had 1st-career INT last week. • LB PATRICK QUEEN had 6 tackles & TFL in Week 2. Aims for his 13th in row with 5+ tackles. Has TFL in 2 of his past 3. Has 5+ tackles & TFL in both career games vs. NE. • LB JACK SAWYER (rookie) had 5 tackles & 1st-career sack last week. • LB PAYTON WILSON led team with 9 tackles & had 1st-career sack in Week 2. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles & TFL. • CB JALEN RAMSEY led team with 2 PD & had 25th-career INT in Week 2. Aims for his 5th in row with PD. Has PD in each of his past 3 games vs. NE.
PATRIOTS NOTES:
QB DRAKE MAYE completed 19 of 23 atts. (82.6 pct.) for 230 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with career-high 137.3 rating & rushed for 31 yards & TD in Week 2. • RB RHAMONDRE STEVENSON led team with 142 scrimmage yards (88 rec., 54 rush) & 5 catches in Week 2. Rushed for 47 yards in his last game vs. Pit. (9/18/22). • WR KAYSHON BOUTTE had 1st TD catch of season last week. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3. • WR STEFON DIGGS had 4 catches for 32 yards in Week 2. Has 55+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3. Has 8+ catches, 100+ rec. yards & TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. Pit. • WR MACK HOLLINS had 1st TD catch of season last week. • TE HUNTER HENRY had 2 TD catches in last meeting. • DE MILTON WILLIAMS led team with 2 sacks in Week 2. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Has PD in both career games vs. Pit. • LB K’LAVON CHAISSON had sack last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 0.5+ sack. Had sack in his last game vs. Pit. (10/13/24 w/ LV). • LB CHRISTIAN ELLISS had 5 tackles last week. Aims for his 7th in row with 5+ tackles. • LB HAROLD LANDRY had sack in Week 2. Has sack in each of his past 3, tied longest active streak (Rashan Gary & Trey Hendrickson). • LB MARTE MAPU had 1st INT of season last week. • LB ROBERT SPILLANE had 3 tackles, sack & PD in Week 2. Spent 4 seasons with Pit. (2019-22). Had 8 tackles & PD in his last game vs. Pit. (10/13/24 w/ LV). • S KYLE DUGGER had 7 tackles, PD & half sack in last meeting. • S JAYLINN HAWKINS led team with 8 tackles last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ tackles. Had 5 tackles in his last game vs. Pit. (12/4/22 w/ Atl.). • S CRAIG WOODSON (rookie) had 6 tackles in Week 2. Is 1 of 4 rookies with 5+ tackles in each of 1st 2 weeks of season.
RUN DEFENSE, INJURIES IN SPOTLIGHT AS STEELERS VISIT PATRIOTS
After each team split its first two games, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots will both be looking to climb over the .500 mark Sunday when they meet in Foxborough, Mass.
New England is coming off a 33-27 victory over Miami last week and will be attempting to win back-to-back games for the first time since the 2022 season, when the Patriots defeated Detroit (29-0) and Cleveland (38-15) in consecutive weeks.
“There’s a lot of stats here, guys, that I’m not familiar with, nor am I concerned with,” New England coach Mike Vrabel said during his weekly press conference. “The focus is trying to build some consistency, which would then lead to confidence, and continue to build on what we did, improve the things that we have to fix and then continue to eliminate some of the things that we feel like could get you beat.”
Run defense will be a key for Pittsburgh, which allowed 117 yards rushing on 29 attempts during last Sunday’s 31-17 loss to Seattle. The Steelers gave up 182 yards rushing in a 34-22 victory over the New York Jets in Week 1.
Pittsburgh has allowed at least 30 points in each of the season’s first two games for the first time since 2002. The Steelers gave up 30 points or more twice last season.
Cornerback Darius Slay (rest), cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring), safety DeShon Elliott (knee), linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle), and linebacker T.J. Watt (rest) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Offensive lineman Max Scharping (knee) and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee) had limited participation, and linebacker Patrick Queen (oblique) was a full participant.
Harmon, a rookie out of Oregon, said Wednesday he’s ready to play after missing the first two games with a knee injury suffered in Pittsburgh’s final preseason game.
“I’m ready to go,” Harmon said. “If my number is called, I’m ready to go.”
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin cited attrition as one of the reasons the Seattle offense was able to have so much success last Sunday.
“I thought our defense wore down some, particularly as the game went on,” Tomlin said. “We had the desire to improve our run defense, and I thought, particularly initially, we did. But there’s an attrition component to the game, and our lines got a little thin at various points in the game.”
Defensive end Keion White (illness) did not practice for the Patriots on Wednesday. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore (non-injury related), linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (hamstring), cornerback Carlton Davis III (Achilles), cornerback Christian Gonzalez (hamstring), linebacker Harold Landry (foot), linebacker Marte Mapu (neck), offensive tackle Morgan Moses (foot), fullback Jack Westover (hamstring) and guard Jaren Wilson (thigh) had limited participation.
New England cornerback Christian Gonzalez practiced Wednesday for the first time since he sustained a hamstring injury July 28 in training camp, but it isn’t clear if he will play Sunday.
“Excited to be out there,” Gonzalez said. “I love football. This is what I do, so I mean it’s been very challenging to be out for so long.”
The Patriots would welcome Gonzalez’s return as they have allowed a league-high 630 passing yards this season, despite also leading the league in sacks (nine).
_____
LOS ANGELES RAMS (2-0) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: PHI leads series, 23-18-1 (PHI won 8 of past 9)
Postseason: Series is tied, 2-2 (Home team won past 2)
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 11/24/24: PHI 37 at LAR 20
Postseason: NFC-D 1/19/25: LAR 22 at PHI 28
RAMS NOTES:
QB MATTHEW STAFFORD passed for 298 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT for 105.4 rating in Week 2 & is 1 of 5 QBs with 100+ rating in each of 1st 2 weeks. Has 380 TD passes & can tie Matt Ryan (381) for 9th-most in NFL history. Passed for 324 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 97.2 rating in 2024 NFC-D at Phi. Has 17 TDs (16 pass, 1 rush) vs. INT for 98 rating in 8 career starts vs. Phi., incl. playoffs. • RB KYREN WILLIAMS had 80 scrimmage yards (66 rush, 14 rec.) in Week 2 & has 50+ scrimmage yards in 30 straight games, longest active streak in NFL. Rushed for 106 yards in 2024 NFC-D at Phi. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Phi. with 50+ rush yards, incl. postseason. • WR PUKA NACUA had 8 catches for 91 yards & 45-yard rush TD in Week 2, his 2nd-career rush TD. Has 2nd-most receptions (202) & 3rd-most rec. yards (2,697) by player in 1st 30 career games all-time. Aims for his 11th in row with 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. Has 22 catches (7.3 per game) for 285 yards (95 per game) & rec. TD in 3 career games vs. Phi., incl. playoffs. • WR DAVANTE ADAMS had 33rd-career game with 100+ rec. yards & rec. TD in Week 2, tied 5th-most such games in NFL history. Has 5 rec. TDs in 4 career games vs. Phi. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Phi. with 10+ catches & 4th in row vs. Phi. with 100+ rec. yards. • TE DAVIS ALLEN is 1 of 3 TEs with rec. TD in each of 1st 2 weeks. • LB BYRON YOUNG had 2 sacks & 4th-career FF last week, his 2nd-career 2-sack game. Aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • LB NATE LANDMAN had 1st-career FR last week. • LB JARED VERSE had 2 sacks & 3 TFL in 2024 NFC-D at Phi. • DE KOBIE TURNER had 1st sack of season in Week 2. Had sack & 2 TFL in 2024 NFC-D at Phi. • DE BRADEN FISKE had sack in 2024 NFC-D at Phi. • S KAM CURL had 7th-career sack & 3rd-career game with 2 TFL in Week 2.
EAGLES NOTES:
QB JALEN HURTS had rush TD in Week 2 & has 45 career games with rush TD, incl. playoffs, 3rd-most by QB in NFL history. Had rush TD in 2024 NFC-D vs. LAR. Aims for his 6th in row with rush TD. Incl. postseason, is 9-0 in his past 9 home starts with 21 TDs (11 pass, 10 rush) vs. 0 INTs. • RB SAQUON BARKLEY rushed for 88 yards & TD in Week 2 & aims for his 3rd in row with rush TD. Had 232 scrimmage yards (205 rush, 27 rec.) & 2 rush TDs in 2024 NFC-D vs. LAR & 302 scrimmage yards (255 rush, 47 rec.) & 2 rush TDs at LAR in Week 12 last season. His 534 scrimmage yards vs. LAR in 2024 were most vs. single opponent in single season since 1953, incl. playoffs. • WR A.J. BROWN had 5 catches last week. Had 6 catches for 109 yards & rec. TD in last reg. season meeting (11/24/24). • WR DEVONTA SMITH had 53 rec. yards last week. Has 7 rec. TDs in his past 8 at home. • LB ZACK BAUN had TFL, PD & FR in 2024 NFC-D vs. LAR. • LB JIHAAD CAMPBELL (rookie) tied for team-lead with 7 tackles last week. • LB NOLAN SMITH had 1st FF of season last week. Had sack & FF in 2024 NFC-D vs. LAR. • DT JALEN CARTER had TFL last week. Had 2 sacks, 2 PD & FF in 2024 NFC-D vs. LAR. Had FF in last reg. season meeting (11/24/24). • DT JORDAN DAVIS had 1st-career game with 2 PD last week & aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • DE ZA’DARIUS SMITH had half sack in Phi. debut last week. • DB COOPER DEJEAN aims for his 3rd in row vs. LAR with PD, incl. playoffs. • CB QUINYON MITCHELL aims for his 3rd in row vs. LAR with PD, incl. playoffs. • CB ADOREE’ JACKSON aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • S ANDREW MUKUBA (rookie) had 1st-career INT & 1st-career half sack in Week 2.
RAMS OUT TO STIFLE SAQUON BARKLEY, EAGLES IN BATTLE OF UNBEATENS
The Los Angeles Rams take another shot at stopping Saquon Barkley when they visit the Philadelphia Eagles for an early clash of unbeaten teams on Sunday.
The Eagles (2-0) knocked the Rams (2-0) out of the playoffs last season with a 38-22 divisional round win, with Barkley rushing for 205 yards and two touchdowns on a snowy January day in Philadelphia.
That came two months after his franchise-record 255-yard, two-TD effort in Philadelphia’s 37-20 road win against Los Angeles in Week 12 that supercharged Barkley’s historic 2,000-yard season.
Barkley broke off touchdown runs of 62, 70, 72 and 78 yards in those two meetings — by far the four longest TD runs allowed by the Rams all season.
“He’s great and they’re great,” Rams coach Sean McVay said of Barkley on this week’s “The Coach McVay Show.” “Football is the greatest team sport that there is and they’ve got legitimate threats across the board, whether that’s on the perimeter, at the tight ends. They’re excellent across the board with all five of their offensive linemen, and then obviously Jalen (Hurts) can beat you with his arm, his legs or his mind.
“But you know Saquon is so dynamic. He obviously had such a tremendous impact. Nobody had the production in the history of this game that he had when you combine his regular season and playoffs. And certainly he made his impact and his presence felt in the two games that we played them last year.”
The Rams responded this offseason by signing defensive tackle Poona Ford and linebacker Nate Landman. Results so far have been positive, as Landman was the Week 1 NFC Defensive Player of the Week and the Rams have not given up a TD run through two games.
Barkley, the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Year, has rushed for 148 yards and two scores this season and could be poised for a breakout on Sunday — along with the rest of Philadelphia’s 29th-ranked offense in yards per game (259.0).
All five of the Eagles’ touchdowns have been red-zone runs of 13 or fewer yards, three by quarterback Jalen Hurts, as critics claim the offense has been too predictable under first-year coordinator Sean Patullo.
“We’re constantly making sure that we’re not giving anything away to the defense,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Monday. “But there are times you’re going to have tendencies. You do your best to put a seed of doubt in the defense’s mind to break tendencies. But a lot of teams — good teams have tendencies. But that doesn’t mean you don’t fight like crazy to fight them and to, again, put seeds of doubt in the defense’s mind of what you’re doing.”
Barkley rushed for 88 yards and found the end zone for the second straight week in last weekend’s 20-17 victory at Kansas City, a rematch of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX win.
The Rams arrive with the NFL’s seventh-best offense, averaging 367.5 yards per game behind 37-year-old Matthew Stafford and wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Stafford threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns and Adams recorded his first 100-yard game and first score with L.A. in last week’s 33-19 triumph at Tennessee. Nacua caught eight passes for 91 yards to increase his team-leading totals to 18 and 221.
Rams guard Steve Avila (ankle), tight end Colby Parkinson (shoulder) and defensive end Braden Fiske (oblique) were considered questionable to begin the week. Avila and Fiske did not practice Wednesday while Parkinson was a limited participant.
For the Eagles, veteran tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) returned to practice Wednesday after missing Week 2 and was a limited participant along with star defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulder) and backup quarterback Tanner McKee (thumb). Backup running back Will Shipley (oblique) remains sidelined with the injury he suffered Week 1.
Including the postseason, the Eagles have won nine of the last 10 meetings. The exception was the Rams’ 37-19 win in Philadelphia in Week 2 of 2020.
_____
NEW YORK JETS (0-2) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-0)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: NYJ leads series, 10-3 (TB won past 2)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 1/2/22: TB 28 at NYJ 24
Postseason: —
JETS NOTES:
QB JUSTIN FIELDS rushed for 49 yards in Week 2. Passed for 211 yards & TD in his last start vs. TB (9/17/23 w/ Chi.). • QB TYROD TAYLOR had TD pass & 106.6 rating last week. Had 321 yards (268 pass, 53 rush) & TD pass vs. 0 INTs with 96.5 rating in his last start vs. TB (10/22/17 w/ Buf.). • RB BREECE HALL has 50+ scrimmage yards in 12 of his past 13. • WR GARRETT WILSON led team with 50 rec. yards in Week 2. Aims for his 8th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in each of his past 2 on road. • TE JEREMY RUCKERT had 1st-career TD catch last week. • DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • DL JOWON BRIGGS had 5 tackles & 1st-career sack & FF in Week 2. • DL HARRISON PHILLIPS had 8 tackles & PD in his last game vs. TB (9/10/23 w/ Min.). • LB JERMAINE JOHNSON had 4 tackles & PD last week. • LB JAMIEN SHERWOOD led team with 13 tackles & 2 TFL in Week 2. Aims for his 3rd in row with 6+ tackles & TFL. Has 9+ tackles in each of his past 8 on road. • LB QUINCY WILLIAMS had 5 tackles & PD in Week 2. Aims for his 5th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 7 tackles in last meeting. • S TONY ADAMS aims for his 3rd in row with 5 tackles. • CB MICHAEL CARTER had PD last in Week 2. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. Had 8 tackles & sack in last meeting. • S ANDRE CISCO had 6 tackles & his 25th-career PD last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles. • CB SAUCE GARDNER had PD last week. Has PD in 5 of his past 6. • CB BRANDON STEPHENS has PD in 2 of his past 3.
BUCS NOTES:
TAMPA BAY is 1st team since 1970 with GW-TD in final minute of each of 1st 2 games of season. • QB BAKER MAYFIELD had 2 TD passes vs. 0 INTs for 98 rating in Week 2 & is 1 of 4 (Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson & Jordan Love) with 2+ TD passes & 0 INTs in each of 1st 2 weeks. Aims for his 8th in row with 2+ TD passes & 90+ rating. Since 2023, leads NFL with 74 TD passes. • RB BUCKY IRVING had 6 catches & 121 scrimmage yards (71 rush, 50 rec.) last week, his 6th-career 100-yard game. Had 50+ scrimmage yards in 8 of his 9 home games last season. • RB RACHAAD WHITE rushed for 65 yards & had GW-TD in Week 2, his 11thcareer rush TD. Had 6 TDs (5 rec, 1 rush) in his final 6 home games in 2024. • WR MIKE EVANS aims for his 7th in row with 5+ catches & 10th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Ranks 9th in NFL history with 105 career rec. TDs. Had TD catch in last meeting. • WR EMEKA EGBUKA is only rookie with TD catch in each of 1st 2 weeks & can become 1st rookie since 2021 (Ja’Marr Chase) with rec. TD in each of his team’s 1st 3 games. • LB LAVONTE DAVID aims for his 3rd in row vs. NYJ with 2+ TFL. • LB SIRVOCEA DENNIS aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • LB YAYA DIABY aims for his 3rd in row at home with sack. • LB HAASON REDDICK appeared in 10 games for NYJ last season. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. NYJ with 1.5+ sacks. • CB ZYON MCCOLLUM aims for his 5th in row with 5+ tackles. • S ANTOINE WINFIELD JR. has 7+ tackles in 5 of his past 6 at home. Had 8 tackles in last meeting. • S TYKEE SMITH led team with 6 tackles & had career-high 2 TFL with 1stcareer sack in Week 2.
BUCCANEERS GEAR UP FOR STRUGGLING JETS WITH HOPES OF 3-0 START
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 2-0 for the fifth straight season, but they haven’t achieved a 3-0 start since 2005.
The Buccaneers will try to end a string of four consecutive Week 3 losses when they host the reeling New York Jets on Sunday afternoon.
Tampa Bay rallied for a 20-19 road victory over the host Houston Texans on Monday night. Rachaad White scored the winning points on a 2-yard run with six seconds remaining to cap a stellar 11-play, 80-yard drive.
The Buccaneers also staged a comeback in the fourth quarter of Week 1 to beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-20. The game-winning score was made with 59 seconds remaining.
“We’re always in the fight,” Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield said Wednesday. “Anytime we step on the field, we expect to win. We expect to play well and do our job at a high level. It’s just the mentality.”
Mayfield was the recipient of some blows while completing 25 of 38 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns against the Texans. He also rushed for 33 yards on three attempts.
Mayfield (foot, toe) was a full participant at Wednesday’s walkthrough. He said his left leg was feeling “Good. Great.”
Mayfield has thrown five touchdown passes without an interception in 70 attempts this season.
The Jets (0-2) certainly would cherish some stability at quarterback as they aim to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2021.
Justin Fields (concussion) was ruled out on Wednesday and veteran Tyrod Taylor will make his 59th career regular-season start.
Fields sustained the concussion in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s 30-10 home loss against the Buffalo Bills.
Fields wasn’t even at the team complex Wednesday as he recovers from the injury.
First-year New York coach Aaron Glenn expressed confidence that Taylor can get the offense moving. The Jets are averaging just 274 yards per game, 26th in the NFL.
“There is no coverage, there is no pressure that he hasn’t seen,” Glenn said of Taylor. “So that’s why I have confidence in him and he’s a very studious person, good athlete. Again, been around this league for a long time. There is no better player you would want as your backup quarterback than him at this point of time.”
Taylor last started games in 2023 for the New York Giants — he started five — and has a 28-28-1 regular-season record.
He completed 7 of 11 passes for 56 yards and one touchdown against Buffalo after replacing the injured Fields.
“I can’t sulk in or what-if, or what should happen,” said Taylor of his role. “The reality is that you have to be in the moment, and I’ve learned to be more vocal over the years. I think as a quarterback, eyes are always on you, so how you are when you’re up, when you’re down, when things aren’t going your way, is a reflection of your character. So I’ve never been one to question why my time isn’t right then or right now, it’s more so just prepare myself for whenever it does happen and that I make the most of it.”
Undrafted rookie Brady Cook of Missouri will serve as the Jets’ No. 2 quarterback.
Fields was one of seven Jets to miss practice. The others were safety Tony Adams (hip), cornerback Michael Carter II (shoulder), pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II (ankle), defensive lineman Jay Tufele (illness), receiver Josh Reynolds (hamstring) and running back Kene Nwangwu (hamstring).
Tampa Bay formally placed standout defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (pectoral) on injured reserve on Wednesday. Kancey had a team-leading 7.5 sacks in just 12 games last season.
“Everybody has to step up,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said of replacing Kancey. “We can’t replicate what Kancey can do for us and some of them have to play the run and some of them have to be ready for the pass. Everybody has to do their job.”
Receiver Emeka Egbuka (hip/groin) missed the walkthrough, but star wideout Chris Godwin Jr. (ankle) and standout left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) were both limited and could possibly make their season debuts on Sunday. Offensive tackle Luke Goedeke (foot) didn’t participate and is expected to miss multiple weeks, while guard Cody Mauch (knee) also sat out.
The Jets lead the series 10-3, but Tampa Bay has won the past two meetings.
_____
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-0) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (0-2)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: IND leads series, 39-21 (IND won past 4)
Postseason: TEN leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/22/24: TEN 30 at IND 38
Postseason: AFC-D 1/16/00: TEN 19 at IND 16
COLTS NOTES:
COLTS are 2-0 for 1st time since 2009. Became 1st team in SB era to not punt in either of 1st 2 games of season. • QB DANIEL JONES passed for 316 yards & had 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs with 107 rating last week, 10th-career 300-yard game. Is only QB in NFL with TD pass, rush TD & 0 INTs in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Completed 17 of 21 atts. (career-high 81 pct.) for 188 yards & 2 TDs with 115.9 rating in only career start vs. Ten. (9/11/22 w/ NYG). Ranks 2nd in NFL with 588 pass yards in 2025. • RB JONATHAN TAYLOR had 215 scrimmage yards (165 rush, 50 rec.) with 6thcareer TD catch last week, 1st 200-yard game in NFL this season & 5th-career 200-yard game. Has 95+ scrimmage yards in 7 straight games, 2nd-longest active streak in NFL (Bijan Robinson – 8). Rushed for 218 yards & 3 TDs in last meeting. Leads NFL with 313 scrimmage yards & 236 rush yards in 2025. • WR MICHAEL PITTMAN had 4 catches for 40 yards last week. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 5+ catches. Aims for his 3rd in row at Ten. with rec. TD. • WR JOSH DOWNS led team with 6 catches & had 51 rec. yards in Week 2. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ten. with 60+ rec. yards & TD catch. • TE TYLER WARREN (rookie) is only TE in NFL with 75+ rec. yards in each of 1st 2 weeks of season & only TE in NFL history with 75+ rec. yards in each of 1st 2 career games. • DT DEFOREST BUCKNER had 6 tackles & team-high 2 TFL last week. Has TFL in 5 of his past 6 on road. Had 5 tackles, TFL & PD in last meeting. • DT GROVER STEWART had 7 tackles & TFL last week. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4. • DE KWITY PAYE has TFL in 4 of his past 5. Had sack in last meeting & has sack in 3 of his past 4 vs. Ten. • LB ZAIRE FRANKLIN had 5 tackles & PD last week. Had 7 tackles in last meeting. • CB KENNY MOORE had TFL last week. Had 2 INTs in last meeting. • S CAM BYNUM is 1 of 2 in NFL (Jordan Battle) with INT in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. • S NICK CROSS had 7 tackles & PD in Week 2. Had PD in last meeting.
TITANS NOTES:
QB CAM WARD (rookie) passed for 175 yards & 1st-career TD with 0 INTs last week. Is 1st No. 1 overall pick QB ever with 0 INTs in each of 1st 2 career starts. • RB TONY POLLARD rushed for 92 yards last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 85+ scrimmage yards. Has rush TD in 2 of 3 career games vs. Ind. • WR CALVIN RIDLEY led team with 57 rec. yards last week. Has 55+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5. Had 78 rec. yards & TD catch in last meeting. Needs 5 catches for 400 career catches. • WR ELIC AYOMANOR (rookie) had 4 catches for 56 yards & 1st-career TD in Week 2. • WR TYLER LOCKETT had 100 rec. yards & 2 TD catches in his last game vs. Ind. (9/12/21 w/ Sea.). Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ind. with 65+ rec. yards. • TE CHIG OKONKWO had 4 catches last week. Set career highs in catches (9) & rec. yards (81) in last meeting. Has 60+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 vs. Ind. • DT JEFFERY SIMMONS tied career high with 9 tackles & had sack in last meeting. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ind. with TFL. • LB CODY BARTON had 5 tackles & 6th-career INT last week. Has 5+ tackles in 7 of his past 8. Had 8 tackles in his last game vs. Ind. (12/15/24 w/ Den.). • LB DRE’MONT JONES had TFL last week. Had half sack in his last game vs. Ind. (10/6/22 w/ Den.). • CB JARVIS BROWNLEE aims for 3rd in row with 8+ tackles. Had TFL in last meeting. • CB L’JARIUS SNEED led team with 2 PD last week & aims for his 3rd in row with PD. Had 8 tackles & TFL in last home meeting. • CB ROGER MCCREARY aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ tackles & PD. • S AMANI HOOKER tied for team lead with 8 tackles & had 1st-career sack in Week 2. Aims for his 7th in row with 5+ tackles. Had INT in both games vs. Ind. last season & aims for his 4th in row vs. Ind. with PD. • S XAVIER WOODS had 6 tackles last week.
TITANS FOCUS ON PROTECTING CAM WARD VS. 2-0 COLTS
Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan can see why the Indianapolis Colts are off to a 2-0 start ahead of the teams’ meeting on Sunday in Nashville.
“I don’t think they’ve punted and they’ve been really, really good moving the ball,” Callahan said. “We have to go play well.”
Given that Tennessee enters the matchup with an 0-2 mark, even playing well might not result in a win. But to give the home crowd a victory and get rookie quarterback Cam Ward his first professional “W,” the Titans first will have to figure out a way to win the running game.
Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones, cast aside by the New York Giants midway through last year, suddenly looks like the guy the Giants gave a four-year, $160 million contract after he led the team to the playoffs in 2022.
Through two games for his new team, Jones is 45 of 63 for 588 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions. His passer rating is a pristine 111.1.
Part of that is the presence of Jonathan Taylor in his backfield. The reigning AFC Offensive Player of the Week is coming off a 165-yard rushing effort last week in a 29-28 win over the Denver Broncos and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry so far.
Tennessee needs to find a way to neutralize Taylor while turning its top running back, Tony Pollard, loose on the Colts’ defense. Pollard is coming off a 92-yard performance last week in a 33-19 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Getting Pollard off the mark should give Ward better spots to throw and lessen the chances of Indianapolis’ pass rush swamping him in the backfield. The Titans have allowed a league-worst 11 sacks, and while a couple of those have been Ward holding the ball too long, the protection in front of the rookie simply breaks down too often.
With right tackle JC Latham (hip) perhaps out for a second straight game and right guard Kevin Zeitler (biceps) also sitting out practice on Wednesday, there is reason to wonder if Tennessee can adequately protect Ward. But Callahan is optimistic that John Ojukwu, Oli Udoh or both can do the job.
“We’ve got to do our part to help them, and they’ve got to do their part to play,” Callahan said.
Ward finished 19 of 33 for 175 yards last week against the Rams. He threw his first touchdown pass on a play that he kept alive for nearly eight seconds by scrambling right before flinging a 9-yard strike across his body to Elic Ayomanor.
“This guy’s a talented player,” Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said. “He’s played against two really good teams, so he’s seen a bunch of things thrown at him and kind of his feel for this is … you can see it growing week by week.”
Anarumo’s boss, third-year Colts head coach Shane Steichen, believes Indianapolis’ fast start has much to do with discipline and togetherness.
“I think they’re playing together,” he said. “I think everyone’s dialed in every play. The camaraderie is great.”
Indianapolis does have injury concerns, though. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren (toe) and wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) sat out practice on Wednesday. Warren is the team leader in receptions with 11, and Downs is third with eight.
Tennessee injuries to watch include corner L’Jarius Sneed (back) and nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat (ankle). The latter practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and said he would play Sunday if it were his decision.
_____
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-1) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-1)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: Series is tied, 7-7 (WAS won 4 of past 5)
Postseason: LV leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/5/21: WAS 17 at LV 15
Postseason: SB XVIII 1/22/84: WAS 9 vs. LAA 38
RAIDERS NOTES:
QB GENO SMITH totaled 200 yards (180 pass, 20 rush) last week. Has 7 TDs vs. INT with 109.7 rating over his past 5 road starts. Passed for 369 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 103.9 rating in only career start vs. Was. (11/12/23 w/ Sea.). • RB ASHTON JEANTY (rookie) has 40+ scrimmage yards in each of 1st 2 games. • TE BROCK BOWERS is 1 of 5 TEs with 5+ catches in each of 1st 2 games of season. Has 5+ catches & 75+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 on road. Has 1,335 rec. yards in 19 career games & needs 77 rec. yards to surpass HOFer Mike Ditka (1,411 rec. yards) for most-ever by TE in 1st 20 games. • WR JAKOBI MEYERS aims for his 5th in row with 5+ catches & 60+ rec. yards. Ranks tied-3rd in AFC with 14 catches this season. • WR TRE TUCKER aims for his 3rd in row on road with TD catch. • DE MAXX CROSBY had 5 tackles & TFL last week. Aims for his 6th in row with TFL. Has PD in 2 of his past 3. Has sack in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had TFL & PD in last meeting. • DE MALCOLM KOONCE had sack in last meeting. • DE TYREE WILSON had 1st-career PD last week. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 0.5+ sacks. • DT JONAH LAULU had career-high 3 TFL & 2 sacks in Week 2. Aims for 3rd in row with sack. • LB DEVIN WHITE is 1 of 4 in NFL with 8+ tackles & TFL in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Had career-high 18 tackles with 3 TFL & 2 sacks in only career game vs. Was. (11/14/21 w/ TB). • LB GERMAINE PRATT had 7 tackles & team-high 2 PD last week. Aims for his 11th in row with 5+ tackles. Had 9 tackles & FF in his last game vs. Was. (9/23/24 w/ Cin.). • CB KYU BLU KELLY had TFL & PD last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • S JEREMY CHINN had 6 tackles, TFL & PD in Week 2. Had 7 TFL & 5 PD in 2024 with Was. Had 13 tackles & TFL in his last game vs. Was. (11/21/21 w/ Car.).
COMMANDERS NOTES:
QB JAYDEN DANIELS passed for 200 yards & 2 TDs vs 0 INTs in Week 2, his 9th-career game with 2+ TD passes. Has 4,001 pass yards & 976 rush yards in 19 career games & can become 1st player ever with 4,000+ pass yards & 1,000+ rush yards in 1st 20 career games. Aims for his 4th in row at home with 65+ rush yards & 5th in row at home with 95+ rating. • RB JACORY CROSKEY-MERRITT rushed for 82 yards & TD in 1st home game in Week 1. • WR TERRY MCLAURIN had 5 catches last week. Set to appear in his 100th career game in Week 3. • WR DEEBO SAMUEL had 7 receptions & 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 23rd-career TD catch. Is 1 of 5 with 7+ catches in each of 1st 2 weeks. • TE ZACH ERTZ had 6 catches for team-high 64 rec. yards & 55th-career rec. TD in Week 2. Aims for his 5th in row with rec. TD. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Raiders with 8+ catches & 75+ rec. yards. • LB BOBBY WAGNER led team with 11 tackles last week & is 1 of 5 with 10+ tackles in each of 1st 2 weeks. • LB VON MILLER had half sack last week & leads all active players with 130 career sacks. Has 9 sacks in 17 career games vs. Raiders. • DT DARON PAYNE has TFL in 4 of his past 5 at home. • DE DORANCE ARMSTRONG aims for his 3rd in row with sack & 5th in row with TFL. • CB MARSHON LATTIMORE had 6 PD in his past 3 & aims for his 4th in row with PD. • CB MIKE SAINRISTIL had 6 tackles last week & has 5+ tackles in 12 of his 19 career games. • S QUAN MARTIN had 7 tackles & 1st PD of season last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 5+ tackles.
JAYDEN DANIELS’ STATUS UP IN THE AIR AS COMMANDERS PREP TO HOST RAIDERS
The vast majority of the buzz leading up to this week’s game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Washington Commanders surrounds who will be under center for the home team.
Jayden Daniels’ availability remains in question after he suffered a knee sprain in a 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers last Thursday. Daniels did not practice Wednesday but did undergo a rehab session and do some throwing.
It remains to be seen if he’ll miss a start for the first time in his NFL career when the Commanders (1-1) take on the Raiders (1-1) Sunday afternoon in Landover, Md.
“We’re gonna be smart and not just fast in this assessment,” head coach Dan Quinn said on Wednesday. “This is a player that is absolutely wanting to do everything all the time. So, it was a good start to the week, for us — the throwing, the movements at the position.”
Daniels was sacked seven times in the first two games and the Commanders’ struggling pass protection faces another strong pass rush with Maxx Crosby and the Raiders coming to town. Las Vegas has six sacks in two games.
If Daniels can’t play, veteran Marcus Mariota will step in. Mariota, 31, played in three games off the bench last season for the Commanders. When Daniels exited the Week 7 game against the Carolina Panthers with a rib injury, Mariota led Washington to a 40-7 victory, completing 18 of 23 pass attempts for 205 yards and two touchdowns. For the season, he completed 34 of 44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns.
The Raiders have some familiarity with Mariota from his time with the organization in 2020-21. However, head coach Pete Carroll is leaning towards Daniels being the starter based on his team’s preparation this week.
“We have a lot of background about Marcus on the staff, so we know what his capabilities are, we think,” Carroll said. “We’re preparing for both guys, but primarily for Jayden.”
The Commanders lost running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) and defensive end Deatrich Wise, Jr. (quad) for the season after both suffered injuries against the Packers. Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round rookie who impressed in preseason, is expected to start on Sunday.
The Raiders, 20-9 losers to the visiting San Diego Chargers Monday night, are looking to jump-start their offense. They are averaging 14.5 points per game, second fewest in the league.
Geno Smith finished 24-of-43 passing for 180 yards, threw three picks and was sacked three times against Los Angeles. Running back Ashton Jeanty has 81 yards on 30 carries (2.7 yards per carry) and one touchdown in two games.
Tight end Brock Bowers did not practice until last Saturday and had five catches for 38 yards against the Chargers. He was targeted eight times and should be more of a factor on Sunday.
“I think you see we were just trying to get him out there and get him playing and he looked okay,” Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said. “We got to him in the second half more, but we really need him. We need him being active throughout the game.”
Looking to boost their pass rush with Wise out, the Commanders added veteran edge rusher Preston Smith on Wednesday. A second-round pick in 2015, Smith spent four seasons in Washington before moving on to Green Bay. The 32-year-old, who played for the Packers and Steelers last season, has 70.5 sacks in his 10-year career.
“I’m a guy who knows how to get to the quarterback,” Smith said. “I’m a guy who’s versatile…who can be used in any way. I can be an asset to this defense and this team overall.”
One advantage Washington has Sunday is rest. The Commanders last played on Thursday, Sept. 11. The Raiders played the second game of Monday night’s NFL doubleheader and will travel across the country on short rest.
Washington cornerback Jonathan Jones, who suffered a hamstring injury against Green Bay, was placed on injured reserve this week and will miss a minimum of four games.
Among those not practicing Wednesday in addition to Daniels were wide receiver Noah Brown (groin/knee) and tight end John Bates (groin). Cornerback Trey Amos (shoulder), offensive lineman Brandon Coleman (shoulder), running back Jeremy McNichols (hamstring) and tight end Colson Yankoff (hip) were limited.
For the Raiders, Bowers, safety Jeremy Chinn (pectoral) and offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (concussion) were limited on Wednesday.
_____
DENVER BRONCOS (1-1) AT LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (2-0)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: DEN leads series 72-57-1 (LAC won past 2)
Postseason: DEN leads series, 1-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 12/19/24: DEN 27 at LAC 34
Postseason: AFC-D 1/12/14: SD 17 at DEN 24
BRONCOS NOTES:
QB BO NIX completed 22 of 30 atts. (73.3 pct.) for 206 yards & 3 TDs vs. INT with 111.2 rating last week, 6th-career game with 3+ TD passes. Has 2+ TD passes in 5 of his past 6. Has 12 TDs vs. 2 INTs with 107.5 rating over past 5 road games. Had 2 TD passes in both games vs. LAC last season. Has 15 TDs (14 pass, 1 rush) vs. INT with 112.2 rating in 6 career games vs. division, with 2+ TD passes in each game. • RB J.K. DOBBINS rushed for 76 yards & TD last week & is 1 of 5 RBs with rush TD in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Totaled career-high 1,058 scrimmage yards (905 rush, 153 rec.) & had 9 rush TDs in 2024 with LAC. • WR COURTLAND SUTTON has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 on road. Has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 vs. LAC & in 4 of his past 5 vs. division. • WR TROY FRANKLIN led team with career highs in catches (8) & rec. yards (89) & had 3rd-career TD catch in Week 2. Aims for 3rd in row with 4+ catches. • WR MARVIN MIMS had 8th-career rec. TD last week. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with TD catch. Had 62 rec. yards in last meeting. • TE ADAM TRAUTMAN had 10th-career TD catch in Week 2. • LB NIK BONITTO has TFL in 3 of his past 4 vs. LAC & in 8 of past 9 vs. division. • LB JONATHON COOPER aims for his 5th in row with TFL. Has 0.5+ sacks in 2 of his past 3 vs. LAC & in 5 of his past 6 vs. division. • LB JUSTIN STRNAD is 1 of 6 LBs with sack in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. • LB ALEX SINGLETON aims for his 9th in row with 6+ tackles. Has 57 tackles (14.3 per game) over his past 4 games vs. LAC, with 11+ tackles in each game. • DE ZACH ALLEN has 7 TFL in 5 career games vs. LAC. • CB PAT SURTAIN II led team with career-high 11 tackles & had PD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with PD. Has PD in 2 of his past 3 vs. LAC. • CB RILEY MOSS aims for 3rd in row with 5+ tackles & PD. • S TALANOA HUFANGA is only DB in NFL with 10+ tackles in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Had INT in only career game vs. LAC (11/13/22 w/ SF).
CHARGERS NOTES:
CHARGERS are 2-0 for 2nd consecutive season & can begin 3-0 for 1st time since 2002. Rank 3rd in NFL in scoring defense (15 points per game allowed). • QB JUSTIN HERBERT completed 19 of 27 atts. (70.4 pct.) for 242 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 122.8 rating & had 31 rush yards last week. Is 1st QB since 2021 with 70+ comp. pct., 2+ TD passes & 0 INTs in each of team’s 1st 2 games of season. Aims 7th in row with 2+ TD passes, 6th in row with 110+ rating & 5th in row with 0 INTs. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Den. with 90+ rating. Has 13 TDs vs. INT with 109.3 rating over past 8 starts vs. division. • RB NAJEE HARRIS had 48 scrimmage yards (28 rush, 20 rec.) last week. Has 216 scrimmage yards (108 per game) & rush TD in 2 career games vs. Den. • WRs KEENAN ALLEN & QUENTIN JOHNSTON are only 2 players in NFL with 60+ rec. yards & TD catch in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Allen has 6+ catches & 65+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6 vs. Den. Johnston aims for 4th in row overall with 70+ rec. yards. • WR LADD MCCONKEY has 5+ catches in 9 straight games, 3rd-longest active streak in NFL & longest active streak in AFC. Aims for his 8th in row at SoFi Stadium with 50+ rec. yards. Had 6 catches for 87 yards in last meeting. • LB DAIYAN HENLEY had 10 tackles, 2 PD, sack & 2nd-career INT last week. Aims for 3rd in row with 8+ tackles & sack. Had 10 tackles & TFL in last meeting. • LB TULI TUIPULOTU had 5 tackles, career-high 2 PD & TFL in Week 2. • DT JAMAREE CALDWELL (rookie) had 1st-career sack last week. • CB TARHEEB STILL had career-high 9 tackles with 2 PD & TFL last week. Has 7+ tackles & TFL in 2 of past 3. Had PD in both games vs. Den. last season. • S DERWIN JAMES had 7 tackles & 2 PD in Week 2. Aims for 3rd in row with 7+ tackles & has TFL in 3 of his past 4. Has PD in 4 of his past 5 vs. Den. • S TONY JEFFERSON had 5 tackles, 2 PD & 5th-career INT in season debut last week. Has 5+ tackles in each of 3 career games vs. Den.
AFTER 2-0 START VS. AFC WEST RIVALS, CHARGERS CLASH WITH BRONCOS
Perfect to start the season, the Los Angeles Chargers are out for a clean sweep of the AFC West through three games when they play host to the Denver Broncos on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.
The Chargers (2-0) took down another division opponent when a shorthanded defense stepped up to dominate a 20-9 road victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night. Los Angeles also won its season opener 27-21 over the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Quarterback Justin Herbert continues to grow into a steady veteran with the third-most passing yards through two games at 560 and the fifth-best completion percentage among starters at 72.1. He has five touchdown passes without an interception.
On Monday, the Chargers were without linebacker Denzel Perryman (ankle) and lost linebacker Khalil Mack (elbow) on the final play of the first quarter. Linebacker Daiyan Henley had been questionable with an illness before playing.
Henley ended the night with one of three interceptions for the Chargers against Raiders QB Geno Smith, along with a sack and 10 tackles. Mack, diagnosed with a dislocated left elbow, and Perryman will both miss at least the next four games after being placed on injured reserve.
The victory put the Chargers alone in first place for the first time since 2021.
“To be in the conversation to be competing for a spot like that is our goal,” Herbert said Wednesday.
That the 2-0 record has happened without the Chargers playing a home game provides more reason for optimism.
“I think it’s been great the past couple weeks for us to go play on the road,” Herbert said. “To be the team that we want to be, we need to go play and win games like that, but to (now) stay at home and lose some of the travel, it’s always good for us.”
In addition to Henley not practicing on Wednesday, wide receiver Ladd McConkey (biceps), tight end Will Dissly (knee), defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (foot) and safety Elijah Molden (hamstring) were also absent.
The Broncos (1-1) looked like winners in Week 2 when the Indianapolis Colts missed a field goal to end the game. But a leverage penalty against Denver gave Indianapolis another chance and Spencer Shrader delivered to give the Colts a 29-28 victory.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix completed 22 of 30 passes for 206 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Nix led Denver on a seven-play, 60-yard touchdown drive to open the second half, with J.K. Dobbins scoring on a 5-yard run.
But the Broncos had just 83 net yards the rest of the way, with Wil Lutz missing a 42-yard field goal attempt with 3:19 remaining to leave the door open for the Colts to win it.
“I felt like it slipped away from us,” Nix said. “Got away. We made errors at the end that cost us.”
One of those miscues was Nix’s interception with 11:25 remaining. Through two games, the second-year QB has thrown for 382 yards with a 67.1 completion percentage, four TDs and three interceptions.
“There will be a bitter taste in our mouth for a little bit, and it’s because we put ourselves in a position to control that game late — and then it slipped out of our hands,” Denver head coach Sean Payton said. “It’s hard.”
The Broncos practiced Wednesday without tight end Evan Engram (back), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad) and linebacker Justin Strnad (foot).
_____
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-1)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: NO leads series, 10-6 (NO won 6 of past 7)
Postseason: SEA leads series, 2-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/9/22: SEA 32 at NO 39
Postseason: NFC-D 1/11/14: NO 15 at SEA 23
SAINTS NOTES:
• QB SPENCER RATTLER completed 25 of 34 atts. (career-high 73.5 pct.) for 207 yards & career-high 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for career-best 118.1 rating in Week 3, his 1st-career game with 2+ TD passes. Is 1 of 2 (Joe Flacco) with 25+ completions in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. • QB ALVIN KAMARA had 6 catches & 120 scrimmage yards (99 rush, 21 rec.) in Week 2. Has 581 career receptions & can surpass HOFer Marcus Allen (587) for 5th-most by RB in NFL history. Had 781 scrimmage yards (130.2 per game) & 5 TDs (4 rush, 1 rec.) in 6 road games last season. Has 25 receptions (8.3 per game), 534 scrimmage yards (178 per game) & 3 TDs (2 rec., 1 rush) in 3 career games vs. Sea., incl. 160+ scrimmage yards in each game. • WR CHRIS OLAVE had 6 catches for team-high 54 yards last week & aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. Had rec. TD in last meeting. • WR RASHID SHAHEED had 52 rec. yards & 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 11th-career TD catch. Has 70+ rec. yards in 4 of his last 5 road games & aims for his 4th in row on road with 80+ rec. yards. • WR DEVAUGH VELE had 1st rec. TD with NO last week. • TE JUWAN JOHNSON had 19th-career rec. TD last week. Is 1 of 5 TEs with 5+ catches in each of 1st 2 weeks & aims for his 5th in row with 5+ catches. • DE CARL GRANDERSON had 7 tackles & tied his career highs with 3 TFL & 2 sacks in Week 2. Is 1 of 2 (Myles Garrett) with 1.5+ sacks in each of 1st 2 weeks. • DE CAMERON JORDAN had 3 TFL & 2 sacks in last meeting. • DE CHRIS RUMPH had 4th-career sack last week, 1st since 12/26/22 with LAC. • DE BRYAN BRESEE had 10th-career PD in Week 2. • LB DEMARIO DAVIS led team with 11 tackles & had 9th-career FR last week. Had 10 tackles, 4 TFL & 2 sacks in last road meeting (10/25/21). • LB PETE WERNER had career-high 2 PD & 15th-career TFL last week. • CB ALONTAE TAYLOR had 2 PD & TFL last week & aims for his 3rd in row with TFL.
SEAHAWKS NOTES:
QB SAM DARNOLD passed for 295 yards & 2 TDs last week, his 30th-career game with 2+ TD passes. Has 100 career TD passes. Aims for his 3rd in row with 85+ rating. • RB KENNETH WALKER had 118 scrimmage yards (105 rush, 13 rec.) & 25thcareer rush TD in Week 2, his 8th-career game with 100+ rush yards. Rushed for 88 yards & had 1st-career rush TD in last meeting. • RB ZACH CHARBONNET has rush TD in 2 of his past 3 at home. • WR JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA had 8 catches for 103 yards in Week 2 & is 1 of 2 (CeeDee Lamb) with 100+ rec. yards in each of 1st 2 weeks. Can become 1st player since 2015 (Antonio Brown & Julio Jones) with 8+ catches & 100+ rec. yards in each of his team’s 1st 3 games of season. Aims for his 8th in row at home with 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. • WR COOPER KUPP had 7 catches for 90 yards last week. Needs 119 rec. yards to reach 8,000 for his career. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his 5 career games vs. NO. • WR TORY HORTON (rookie) had 1st-career TD catch last week. • LB ERNEST JONES led team with 10 tackles in Week 2. Had 2 TFL, 2 PD & sack in his last game vs. NO (12/21/23 w/ LAR). • LB TYRICE KNIGHT aims for his 8th in row with 6+ tackles. • DT BYRON MURPHY had career-high 1.5 sacks last week. • NT JARRAN REED had 1st sack of season in Week 2. • DE LEONARD WILLIAMS had half sack in Week 2. Has TFL in 4 of his past 5 at home. • CB JOSH JOBE aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • CB RIQ WOOLEN had 13 PD in his past 10 at home & aims for his 7th in row at home with PD. Had INT & FR in last meeting. • S JULIAN LOVE had 1st PD of season last week. • S COBY BRYANT had 4th-career INT last week. Had FF in last meeting.
KELLEN MOORE’S SEATTLE HOMECOMING HIGHLIGHTS SAINTS VS. SEAHAWKS
The New Orleans Saints’ first road game of the season will double as a homecoming of sorts for new coach Kellen Moore.
Moore, who grew up in Prosser, Wash., and the Saints (0-2) are heading to Seattle to face the Seahawks (1-1) on Sunday.
“It’ll be a lot of fun to be back up there,” Moore said. “It’s a really cool environment, really fun environment. There’s a lot of challenges with playing up there and the crowd noise. But it will be an awesome opportunity for our football team.”
The Saints opened the season with a pair of one-score defeats at home to Arizona (20-13) and San Francisco (26-21). They’ll get their third straight matchup with an NFC West opponent Sunday.
Last weekend’s loss to the 49ers wasn’t sealed until New Orleans’ Spencer Rattler was sacked on fourth down with 57 seconds left.
“We’re putting ourselves in position to win games,” said Moore, 37, who was the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles last season. “Ultimately, we have to take advantage of those opportunities.
“Through two games, we have a great group of guys that work their tail off. Their play style, you can’t take advantage there or assume those sorts of things. We’ve got everything we need, but we have to play cleaner football and we have to play and do what winning teams do in each and every moment. From the beginning of the game, all the way to the end, every play matters. We can’t take it for granted.”
Rattler threw for a career-high three touchdowns but still dropped to 0-8 as an NFL starter.
“Man, we’re close,” Rattler said. “These games come down to the wire and you’ve got to do what winning teams do.”
After losing their opener at home to San Francisco, the Seahawks rebounded with a 31-17 victory last weekend at Pittsburgh.
The Seahawks got their new-look offense on track, gaining 395 yards against the Steelers.
Sam Darnold threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns, while Kenneth Walker III rushed for 105 yards and a TD — his first 100-plus yard game on the ground since the 2024 season opener.
“This offense is designed to get everybody the ball,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “And I felt like it did that (Sunday). And we’re on our way on that front.”
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a game-high eight receptions for 103 yards and Cooper Kupp added seven catches for 90 yards, with tight end AJ Barner making a TD grab.
“We put ourselves in good positions on first and second down to get us into good third downs, third and manageable,” Darnold said. “And we converted a lot of those third downs.”
The Seahawks could be short-handed in the secondary, with safeties Nick Emmanwori (ankle) and Julian Love (hamstring) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee) all missing practice time this week, as did running back Zach Charbonnet (foot). The Saints practiced without offensive linemen Taliese Fuaga (knee/back) and Dillon Radunz (toe) as well as defensive end Chase Young (calf).
_____
DALLAS COWBOYS (1-1) AT CHICAGO BEARS (0-2)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: DAL leads series, 14-12 (Home team won 4 of past 5)
Postseason: DAL leads series, 2-0
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/30/22: CHI 29 at DAL 49
Postseason: NFC-WC 12/29/91: DAL 17 at CHI 13
COWBOYS NOTES:
QB DAK PRESCOTT passed for 361 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT for 96.7 rating in Week 2. Has 18 career games with 350+ pass yards, 2nd-most in NFL since 2018 (Patrick Mahomes, 22). Passed for 334 yards & TD in his only career game at Chi. (12/5/19). Had 3 TDs (2 pass, 1 rush) & 114.5 rating in last meeting. • RB JAVONTE WILLIAMS had 6 catches, 130 scrimmage yards (97 rush, 33 rec.) & rush TD in Week 2, his 8th-career game with 100+ scrimmage yards. Aims for his 3rd in row with rush TD. • RB MILES SANDERS had 24th-career rush TD last week. • WR CEEDEE LAMB had 9 catches for 112 yards in Week 2, his 4th-straight & 23rd-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Had 5 catches for 77 yards & rec. TD in last meeting. Aims for his 15th in row on road with 5+ catches. • WR GEORGE PICKENS had 5 catches for 68 yards & 1st rec. TD with Dal. last week. Needs 61 rec. yards to reach 3,000 career rec. yards. • WR KAVONTAE TURPIN had 6th-career TD catch last week. • TE JAKE FERGUSON had career-high 9 catches for 78 yards, his 5th-career game with 75+ rec. yards. Had rec. TD in last meeting. • DT KENNY CLARK had 1st sack with Dal. last week, his 36th-career sack. • LB JADEVEON CLOWNEY can make Dal. debut. Has 58 sacks & 108 TFL in 140 career games. Has 3 sacks & 5 TFL in 3 career games vs. Chi. • LB KENNETH MURRAY had 6th-career game with 2 TFL last week. • LB JACK SANBORN had 149 tackles, 14 TFL & 4.5 sacks in 48 games (2022- 24) with Chi. Aims for his 3rd in row in 2025 with 6+ tackles. • DE JAMES HOUSTON had 10th-career sack last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. Had career-high 3 sacks, 2 TFL & FF in his only career game vs. Chi. (1/1/23 w/ Det.) • CB KAIIR ELAM led team with 9 tackles last week. • S DONOVAN WILSON had 7th-career INT in Week 2.
BEARS NOTES:
QB CALEB WILLIAMS passed for 2 TDs & 91.9 rating in Week 2, his 8th-career game with 2+ TD passes. Can make 20th career start in Week 3. Has 85+ rating in 4 of his past 5 home starts. • RB D’ANDRE SWIFT rushed for 63 yards & had 30th-career rush TD last week. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 15 of his past 16 & aims for his 10th in row at home with 50+ scrimmage yards. • WR ROME ODUNZE led team & set career highs with 7 catches for 128 yards & had his 2nd-career game with 2 rec. TDs in Week 2. Aims for his 3rd in row with 6+ catches & rec. TD. Needs 101 rec. yards to reach 1,000 career rec. yards. • WR DJ MOORE had 5 catches last week. Aims for his 6th in row at home with 50+ rec. yards. Had 8 catches for 113 yards & 2 TDs in his last game vs. Dal. (10/3/21 w/ Car.). • TE COLE KMET had TD catch in last meeting. • LB TREMAINE EDMUNDS aims for his 11th in row with 5+ tackles. Has PD in 4 of his past 5. • LB T.J. EDWARDS had 4 tackles in season debut last week. Had TFL in 3 of his final 4 home games last season. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Dal. with 14+ tackles. • DL MONTEZ SWEAT has 5 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 FF & INT-TD in 7 career games vs. Dal. Has 5 TFL in his past 4 at home. • DL GRADY JARRETT aims for his 4th in row vs. Dal. with TFL. • DL GERVON DEXTER aims for his 3rd in row in 2025 with TFL. • CB TYRIQUE STEVENSON had 7 tackles & 3rd-career TFL last week. • S JAQUAN BRISKER has 5+ tackles in 17 of his past 18 games & aims for his 11th in row at home with 5+ tackles. Had 9 tackles & sack in last meeting. • S KEVIN BYARD has 4 PD & 3 INTs in 4 career games vs. Dal. Aims for his 5th in row vs. Dal. with 5+ tackles.
BEARS WELCOME MATT EBERFLUS, COWBOYS, DISCOUNT INTEL ON CALEB WILLIAMS
Former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus will return to Chicago as defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, and not everyone is glad to see his unit.
“Make no mistake about it, (Dallas) was one of the more challenging defenses we faced when I was in Detroit,” first-year Bears head coach Ben Johnson said on Wednesday. “We struggled to run the ball at times. Really good red-zone defense. We’ve got to be on our stuff this week.”
The Bears (0-2) prepare for the Cowboys knowing there are few details about Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams that Eberflus doesn’t know. Johnson said the inside knowledge works both ways.
Eberflus is in his second stint with the Cowboys (1-1). He was a linebackers coach in Dallas before being hired as Colts defensive coordinator, which predated his hire as Chicago’s head coach in 2022. Eberflus was fired after seven months working closely with Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, when the team got off to a 4-8 start last year.
“I feel like we know what he knows. We’ll be just fine there,” Johnson said.
When it comes to slowing down the Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott, Johnson and the Bears might have major cause for concern. Dallas scored 30 points after halftime last week to escape an upset bid by the New York Giants, prevailing 40-37 in overtime.
“So many guys that we got, and it kind of got put on display in the last game,” wide receiver George Pickens said of the Dallas passing game. “You got so many guys and I feel like that’s how offense is supposed to be. I don’t want to say you can’t stop us, but we’re definitely going to come out and dominate.”
Chicago’s secondary is not at full strength. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson (groin) left last week’s game after missing Week 1, and defensive backs Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Jones did not practice on Wednesday due to hamstring injuries. Linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (knee) are also banged up.
That’s tantalizing news for Prescott, who ranks fifth in the NFL with 549 passing yards, and an offensive line group that is performing well. The Cowboys are working with a new blend of bodies on the front five without center Cooper Beebe. He was placed on injured reserve with a foot and ankle injury on Monday. Offensive tackle Tyler Guyton (shoulder) was limited in practice on Wednesday.
Prescott has been challenged by a Dennis Allen-run defense four times in his career and is 2-2. Allen is Chicago’s defensive coordinator, and he designed the Saints’ defense that recorded two picks and three sacks of Prescott last season.
Getting Prescott behind the sticks is no guarantee of success. He leads the NFL with 15 third-down completions and a league-best 11 completions for first downs. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb shook off a drop-heavy opener and carries a streak of four consecutive 100-yard games into this week. Pickens has 98 yards and a TD catch in his first two games with the Cowboys.
“I think he’s playing how we would expect him to play. We have a high standard for Dak and the way he’s supposed to perform,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “I think there’s a confidence about him right now, which is great.”
The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions tipped the Bears with an aggressive pass rush to keep Williams unsettled in the pocket. The Lions sacked him four times.
The Cowboys have four sacks in the first two games. Jadeveon Clowney, who has 58 career sacks, signed Monday and is expected to debut on Sunday as the Cowboys shake up a front seven still working through the loss of pass rusher Micah Parsons in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys are allowing quarterbacks to complete 76.6 percent of their passes and average 301 gross passing yards per game.
Giants quarterback Russell Wilson connected on completions of 48, 50 and 52 yards last week, but the Cowboys intercepted him in overtime to set up the winning field goal. Wilson’s final numbers: 30 completions, 450 yards, three TDs.
Cowboys cornerbacks DaRon Bland (foot) and Trevon Diggs (illness) were not available for practice Wednesday. To aid recovery and reward players for “70 minutes of kick-ass football,” Schottenheimer held a light walkthrough rather than a full practice and kept the attention on recovery with a goal of being fresh when kickoff comes at Chicago.
“I think we have a responsibility to kind of trust the numbers and see what they say,” he said. “I told the guys from Day 1, if they go all out for us, we’ll take care of them.”
A collective exhale for the Bears might be due following a 52-21 rout at Detroit. The Lions scored seven touchdowns and made a field goal on 12 total drives, averaging 8.8 yards per play.
Chicago has allowed an NFL-high 79 points in two games. Opposing quarterbacks are completing 75 percent of their passes with seven TDs.
Ben Johnson said the greater process doesn’t change despite dire results. He is not having any talk of light practices or tapping the brakes.
“I think our practice habits are yet to reflect a championship-caliber team,” Johnson said. “We should be going to the football, finishing hard. Our fundamentals, our finish and our technique.”
_____
ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-0) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-0)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: SF leads series, 36-31 (ARI won past 2)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 1/5/25: SF 24 at ARI 47
Postseason: —
CARDS NOTES:
QB KYLER MURRAY totaled 252 yards (220 pass, 32 rush) & had TD pass last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 90+ rating & 6th in row with TD pass. Passed for 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 128.5 rating in last meeting. Aims for his 4th in row at SF with rush TD. • RB JAMES CONNER had 60th-career rush TD last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TD. Had 100 scrimmage yards (86 rush, 14 rec.) in last meeting & has 50+ scrimmage yards in 6 of his 7 career games vs. SF. • TE TREY MCBRIDE had 6 catches for 78 yards last week. Has 6+ catches in 8 of his past 9 & aims for his 5th in row with 6+ receptions. Had rec. TD in last meeting. Aims for his 4th in row vs. SF with 6+ catches & 50+ rec. yards. Since 2023, has 22 games with 5+ receptions, most among NFL TEs. • WR MARVIN HARRISON JR. aims for his 3rd in row on road with 5+ catches & 70+ rec. yards. Had 5 catches for 63 yards & rec. TD in last meeting. • WR MICHAEL WILSON had 1st rec. TD of season in Week 2. Had 5 catches for 78 yards in last road meeting (10/6/24). • DL CALAIS CAMPBELL became 4th player since 1982 with 2+ sacks in game at age 39-or-older in Week 2, joining James Harrison, Clay Matthews & HOFer Bruce Smith (3x). Has 15 TFL in 19 career games vs. SF. • LB JOSH SWEAT had 1st sack of season & 8th-career FF last week. • LB BARON BROWNING had 2nd-career INT last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • LB MACK WILSON aims for his 3rd in row with 8+ tackles & PD. Had INT in last road meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. SF with PD. • LB ZAVEN COLLINS had 1st-career FR-TD in Week 2. Had sack & FF in last meeting. • CB DENZEL BURKE (rookie) set career high with 3 PD in Week 2. • CB WILL JOHNSON (rookie) aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • S BUDDA BAKER aims for his 13th in row vs. SF with 5+ tackles. • S JALEN THOMPSON led team with 10 tackles in Week 2.
49ERS NOTES:
QB MAC JONES passed for 279 yards & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 113.1 rating in SF debut last week, his 2nd-career game with 275+ pass yards & 3+ TD passes. Has 20+ completions & 30+ pass atts. in 6 of his past 7 starts overall. • RB CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY had 6 catches, 107 scrimmage yards (55 rush, 52 rec.) & 30th-career TD catch in Week 2 & became 3rd player ever with 50+ career rush TDs (52) & 30+ career rec. TDs. Is 1 of 3 (James Cook & Bijan Robinson) with 100+ scrimmage yards in each of 1st 2 weeks. Can become 1st player since HOFer Marshall Faulk (2000) with 50+ rush yards & 50+ rec. yards in each of 1st 3 weeks of season. Has 1,609 scrimmage yards (107.3 per game) & 16 TDs (10 rush, 6 rec.) in 15 home games with SF since 2022. Aims for his 6th in row at home with 100+ scrimmage yards. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. with 175+ scrimmage yards & 3+ TDs & has 100+ scrimmage yards in 6 of his 7 career games vs. Ari. • RB BRIAN ROBINSON aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. with TD. • WR JAUAN JENNINGS had 5 catches for team-high 89 yards & 1st rec. TD of season in Week 2. Had 7 catches for 52 yards in last meeting. • WR RICKY PEARSALL aims for his 5th in row with 50+ rec. yards. Had TD catch in last meeting. • LB FRED WARNER led team with 11 tackles & had TFL, PD, FF & FR last week. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. & 5th in row overall with TFL. • DL NICK BOSA aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Has 35 sacks & 46 TFL in 42 career home games. Had 2 TFL & INT in last home meeting. • DL BRYCE HUFF had 1st sack of season & 3rd-career FF last week. • DL MYKEL WILLIAMS (rookie) had 1st 2 career TFL in Week 2. • CB UPTON STOUT (rookie) had 1st career sack last week. • CB RENARDO GREEN has PD in 10 of his past 11 & aims for his 6th in row with PD. Had career-high 3 PD in last meeting.
49ERS, CARDINALS DON’T WANT TO LEAVE IT LATE IN UNBEATEN MATCHUP
The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals meet on Sunday for at least a share of the lead in the NFC West, the only division with more than one undefeated team two weeks in.
Each 2-0 team understands its good fortune thus far.
Both of the Cardinals’ victories — on the road against the New Orleans Saints and at home against the Carolina Panthers — were decided in the final seconds on defensive stops in their territory.
“We could be 0-2, but we’re 2-0 with this issue,” Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray said.
Similarly, the 49ers’ wins — against the Seattle Seahawks and the Saints — were not decided until San Francisco recorded game-saving strip sacks in the final minute.
“A lot of positives,” 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa said. “And a lot to learn from.”
The 49ers opened the season with a pair of road wins for the fourth time since 2019, which history suggests could indicate a long playoff run. In two of those seasons, 2019 and 2023, they made the Super Bowl. In 2021, they reached the NFC Championship Game.
The Cardinals are 2-0 for the first time since 2021, when they won their first seven and made their latest playoff appearance.
The teams have split the past 10 meetings, and home field has not been a particular advantage.
The Cardinals have won on three of their past five visits to Santa Clara, Calif., the most recent a 24-23 victory last October on Chad Ryland’s 35-yard field goal in the final two minutes. Murray had 195 yards passing and 83 rushing, scoring each way.
“Any time you have a quarterback like Kyler, no regard to how the game is going or how well you are doing schematically, he can unlock something and get an off-schedule (play),” San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said.
The 49ers have won games with quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Mac Jones this year. Purdy missed the New Orleans game with turf toe, and Jones passed for 279 yards and three touchdowns.
Purdy “does have a chance to play” Sunday, Shanahan said on Wednesday.
The 49ers are eighth in the league in total offense, though they are just 22nd in the run game despite the return of Christian McCaffrey. The two-time All-Pro has been held to 124 yards and a 3.5 average per carry, although he has 15 receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown.
“You can’t get tackled, that’s on me,” McCaffrey said with a laugh. “We’re close. Being able to break those long ones comes from all 11 guys being on point.”
The Cardinals are 24th in total offense, 27th in passing, although they are limiting mistakes.
San Francisco All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner is the reigning NFC defensive player of the week after registering 11 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery against the Saints.
“The guy’s a freak, man,” McCaffrey said. “He’s a game-changer.”
Arizona’s top three cornerbacks got hurt against Carolina, and one of them, Garrett Williams, landed on injured reserve this week due a knee injury. Neither Max Milton (knee) nor Will Johnson (groin) practiced on Wednesday, meaning Denzel Burke and Kei’Trel Clark could more see time against San Francisco.
Niners tight end George Kittle will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who sustained a concussion against New Orleans, did not practice on Wednesday.
San Francisco guard Ben Bartch played only 10 snaps against New Orleans before sustaining a high ankle sprain, and he was placed on injured reserve this week. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle/shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday.
_____
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-2) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (0-2)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: NYG leads series, 11-4 (Home team won 4 of past 5)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 11/1/21: NYG 17 at KC 20
Postseason: —
CHIEFS NOTES:
QB PATRICK MAHOMES totaled 253 yards (187 pass, 66 rush) & 2 TDs (1 pass, 1 rush) last week. Is 1 of 2 in NFL (Daniel Jones) with TD pass & rush TD in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Aims for his 5th in row on road with 0 INTs. Passed for 275 yards & TD in last meeting. Is 8-1 in his past 9 starts on SNF. Needs 3 TD passes to become fastest player ever (115 games) to reach 250 career TD passes. • RB ISIAH PACHECO has 90+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3 vs. NFC. Has 100+ rush yards in 3 of his past 4 on SNF. From Vineland, NJ & had 158 scrimmage yards (115 rush, 43 rec.) & rush TD in only career game at MetLife Stadium (10/1/23 vs. NYJ). • RB KAREEM HUNT has 80+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his past 5 vs. NFC. • TE TRAVIS KELCE led team with 61 rec. yards last week. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with TD catch. Had 8 catches for 109 yards in only career game at NYG (11/19/17). Has 2nd-most catches (150) & rec. yards (1,939) & tied 2ndmost rec. TDs (12) all-time among TEs on SNF. • WR HOLLYWOOD BROWN aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ catches. Has TD catch in each of 2 career games vs. NYG. Aims for his 4th in row on SNF with 50+ rec. yards. • WR TYQUAN THORNTON had 59 rec. yards & 3rd-career TD catch last week. • DT CHRIS JONES led team with 2 TFL in Week 2. Had sack in last meeting. • DT OMARR NORMAN-LOTT (rookie) had sack in NFL debut last week. • DE GEORGE KARLAFTIS has sack in 2 of his past 3. Aims for his 4th in row on road with sack. • LB NICK BOLTON aims for his 4th in row with 6+ tackles. Has PD in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had 11 tackles in last meeting. • LB DRUE TRANQUILL aims for his 8th in row with 5+ tackles. • CB NOHL WILLIAMS (rookie) had 1st 2 career PD in Week 2. • CB TRENT MCDUFFIE aims for his 7th in row with PD. • CB JAYLEN WATSON had 9 tackles last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 6+ tackles. Has PD in 4 of his past 5 on road. • DB CHAMARRI CONNER aims for his 3rd in row with 9+ tackles.
GIANTS NOTES:
QB RUSSELL WILSON passed for 450 yards & 3 TDs vs. INT for 123 rating in Week 2, his 4th-career 400-yard game. Became 6th player ever with 400+ pass yards & 3+ TD passes in game for 3 different teams. Has 43 TDs (40 pass, 3 rush) vs. 13 INTs for 100.5 rating in 20 career SNF starts. Has 16 TDs (13 pass, 3 rush) in 7 career starts vs. KC. • RB TYRONE TRACY had 51 scrimmage yards (36 rec., 15 rush) in Week 2. Had 65+ scrimmage yards in 4 of his final 5 home games last season. Aims for his 3rd in row in primetime with 100+ scrimmage yards & rush TD. • RB CAM SKATTEBO (rookie) had 1st-career rush TD last week. • WR MALIK NABERS had 9 catches for 167 yards & 2 TDs last week, his 3rdcareer game with 2 rec. TDs & 4th-career game with 100+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 16 of his 17 career games. • WR WAN’DALE ROBINSON had 8 catches for career-high 142 yards & 6thcareer TD catch last week. Aims for his 6th in row overall & 7th in row in primetime with 5+ receptions. • LB BRIAN BURNS had sack, 2 TFL & PD last week. Can become 1st player since 2021 (Matt Milano) with 2+ TFl in each of his team’s 1st 3 games of season. Has 7 sacks & 8 TFL in 9 career primetime games. Aims for his 3rd in row in primetime & 3rd in row overall with sack. • LB KAYVON THIBODEAUX had sack last week. Aims for his 5th in row with 0.5+ sacks & TFL. Has 5.5 sacks & 7 TFL in 8 career primetime games. • LB BOBBY OKEREKE had 10 tackles last week & aims for his 8th in row with 9+ tackles. Aims for his 3rd in row in primetime with FF. • CB PAULSON ADEBO had career-high 13 tackles & 45th-career PD last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with PD. • CB DRU PHILLIPS had 11 tackles, career-high 2 PD, TFL & 2nd-career INT last week, his 2nd-career game with 10+ tackles.
_____
DETROIT LIONS (1-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-1)
All-Time Series History
Regular Season: BAL leads series, 6-1 (BAL won past 5)
Postseason: —
The Last Time…
Regular Season: 10/22/23: DET 6 at BAL 38
Postseason: —
LIONS NOTES:
QB JARED GOFF passed for 334 yards & 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 156 rating in Week 2, his 4th-career game with 5 TD passes & 5th-career game with 150+ rating. Became 5th player ever with 4 career games with 300+ pass yards, 3+ TD passes & 150+ rating. Became 5th QB ever to start 5 games in which his team scored 50+ points. Has 2+ TD passes & 95+ rating in 7 of 9 career MNF starts. • RB JAHMYR GIBBS rushed for 94 yards & 1st TD of season last week. Had 9 catches, 126 yards (68 rush, 58 rec.) & rush TD in last meeting. Has 32 TDs (27 rush, 5 rec.) in 34 career reg. season games. Has 50+ scrimmage yards in 16 of his 17 career road games. • RB DAVID MONTGOMERY had 1st rush TD of season last week & has 26 rush TDs in 30 reg. season games with Det. since 2023. Gibbs & Montgomery have both rushed for TD in 10 games as teammates, tied-most games by RB duo in NFL history. Aims for his 6th in row in primetime with rush TD. • WR AMON-RA ST. BROWN had 9 catches for 115 yards & career-high 3 rec. TDs last week, his 20th-career 100-yard game. Is 1 of 5 WRs with 15 games of 9+ catches since 2021. Had 13 catches for 102 yards in last meeting. Has 5+ catches in 11 of his 13 career primetime games. • WR JAMESON WILLIAMS had 108 rec. yards & 11th-career TD catch last week, his 4th-career 100-yard game. Since 2022, has 8 scrimmage TDs of 40+ yards, tied 3rd-most in NFL over span. • DE AIDAN HUTCHINSON had 1st sack of season last week. Had FR in last meeting. • LB JACK CAMPBELL led team with 7 tackles & had 1st-career FR last week. Aims for his 8th in row with 6+ tackles. • DB BRIAN BRANCH had 3rd-career sack, 2 TFL, PD & 3rd-career FF last week. Aims for his 3rd in row overall & 4th in row on road with TFL. • S KERBY JOSEPH had 18th-career INT last week, most in NFL since 2022. Has 6 INTs & 9 PD in 11 career primetime games.
RAVENS NOTES:
RAVENS are 6th team since 2000 to score 40+ points in each of 1st 2 games of season & can become 1st team ever to do so in each of 1st 3 games. • QB LAMAR JACKSON passed for 225 yards & 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 128.6 rating last week, 11th-career game with 4+ TD passes & 0 INTs, most-ever by QB in 1st 100 career starts. Can become 6th QB ever with 2+ TD passes & 90+ rating in 11 straight games, incl. playoffs. Totaled 393 yards (357 pass, 36 rush) & 4 TDs (3 pass, 1 rush) vs. 0 INTs with 155.8 rating in last meeting. Is 7-2 with 25 TDs (22 pass, 3 rush) vs. 0 INTs & 124.3 rating in 9 career starts on MNF. • RB DERRICK HENRY has 135+ rush yards in 4 of his past 5 & rush TD in 3 of his past 4. Rushed for 147 yards & TD in his last game vs. Det. (12/20/20 w/ Ten.). Is 1 of 2 RBs (James Cook) with 200+ scrimmage yards (205) & 2+ rush TDs (2) in 2025. • WR ZAY FLOWERS is 1 of 4 in NFL with 7+ catches & 75+ rec. yards in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Had 75 rec. yards in last meeting. • WR DEANDRE HOPKINS had 64 rec. yards & rec. TD last week & is 1 of 6 WRs with TD catch in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Had 10 catches for 137 yards in his last game vs. Det. (9/27/20 w/ Ari.). • WR DEVONTEZ WALKER had career-high 2 rec. TDs in Week 2. • WR TYLAN WALLACE had 2nd-career TD catch last week. • LB ROQUAN SMITH had 15 tackles, 3 TFL & 63-yard FR-TD last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 10+ tackles. Has 85 tackles (9.4 per game) in 9 career games vs. Det., tied-most tackles vs. any opponent in career. • LB TAVIUS ROBINSON had 6 tackles, sack & 1st-career FF in Week 2. • DT NNAMDI MADUBUIKE is 1 of 5 AFC DL with sack in each of 1st 2 weeks of season. Has 0.5+ sacks in 4 of his past 5. Had sack & FF in last meeting. • CB NATE WIGGINS had career-high 3 PD, TFL & 2nd-career INT last week, 5thcareer game with 2+ PD. Has PD in 3 of his past 4. • S KYLE HAMILTON had 5 tackles & TFL in Week 2. Had 7 tackles & TFL in last meeting.
_____
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
MLB ROUNDUP: DODGERS DOWN GIANTS, SEAL ANOTHER PLAYOFF BID
Clayton Kershaw struck out six over 4 1/3 innings in the final regular-season home start of his accomplished career and the Los Angeles Dodgers finished off a 6-3 victory over the visiting San Francisco Giants on Friday, clinching their 13th consecutive playoff berth.
Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts hit back-to-back home runs in a four-run fifth inning as the Dodgers increased their National League West lead to four games over the San Diego Padres.
Kershaw, an 18-year veteran who on Thursday announced his retirement effective at the end of the season, gave up two runs on four hits with four walks. He departed to a standing ovation and emerged from the dugout for a curtain call.
Edgardo Henriquez (2-1) relieved Kershaw and went 1 1/3 shutout innings. Tanner Scott pitched the ninth inning for his 22nd save. Heliot Ramos led off the game with a homer for the Giants, who lost for the sixth time in seven games. Robbie Ray (11-8) gave up five runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Royals 20, Blue Jays 1
Salvador Perez and Jac Caglianone hit three-run homers as Kansas City set a franchise record with 27 hits in a blowout of visiting Toronto.
Vinnie Pasquantino added four hits and two RBIs, Michael Massey had four hits (including a two-run homer) and three RBIs, and Carter Jensen had three doubles and two RBIs for the Royals. Michael Lorenzen (6-11) pitched 7 2/3 innings and allowed one run on three hits.
Toronto starter Max Scherzer (5-4) allowed seven runs and seven hits in two-thirds of an inning. It was Scherzer’s shortest career outing that did not involve an injury.
Guardians 6, Twins 2
Bo Naylor went 2-for-4 and tied a career high with four RBIs as Cleveland pulled away for a 6-2 win over Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Guardians reliever Jakob Junis (4-1) struck out four batters in two scoreless innings. Jose Ramirez doubled and notched his 40th stolen base of the season for Cleveland, which pulled within 2 1/2 games of the first-place Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.
Royce Lewis finished 2-for-4 and drove in the lone run for the Twins. Reliever Cole Sands (4-6) gave up two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Braves 10, Tigers 1
Drake Baldwin drove in three runs, including a two-run homer, as visiting Atlanta pounded Detroit. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim also blasted two-run homers for the Braves, who have won six straight.
Ozzie Albies supplied three hits and drove in two runs, while Jurickson Profar had two hits and scored twice. Bryce Elder (8-10) gave up one run and five hits in seven innings.
Spencer Torkelson hit his 30th home run of the season for the Tigers, losers of seven of their last eight. Charlie Morton (9-11) gave up six runs and five hits in 1 1/3 innings.
Mets 12, Nationals 6
Francisco Lindor hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the fourth inning as New York overcame an early three-run deficit to beat visiting Washington.
Juan Soto followed Lindor with a three-run homer for the Mets, who have won four of five and maintained a two-game lead over Cincinnati in the race for the final National League wild-card spot. Lindor went 3-for-4 and scored four runs.
CJ Abrams went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs for the Nationals, who have lost five straight.
Cardinals 7, Brewers 1
Nolan Arenado hit a three-run double to spur St. Louis past visiting Milwaukee, ending the Brewers’ three-game winning streak.
St. Louis starter Sonny Gray (14-8) allowed one run on nine hits in six innings. Sal Frelick hit a homer for the Brewers, who remained six games ahead of the second-place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central.
Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski (5-3) needed 77 pitches to pitch 3 2/3 innings. He gave up two runs on five hits.
Marlins 6, Rangers 4 (12 innings)
Jakob Marsee, Brian Navarreto and Dane Myers had run-scoring hits in the 12th inning as Miami prevailed in Arlington, Texas, the Marlins’ fourth straight victory and eighth win in nine games.
The Rangers dropped their fifth straight game and lost ground in the race for an American League wild card. Texas is five games behind the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox for the final two spots with eight games to play.
Marsee and Navarreto doubled in runs while Myers’ single provided the third run off Patrick Corbin (7-10) in the 12th. George Soriano (2-0), the fifth Marlins pitcher, allowed a run in the bottom of the 12th as part of his two-inning stint.
Athletics 4, Pirates 3
Lawrence Butler hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the fifth inning as the visiting Athletics held on against Pittsburgh.
Nick Kurtz also homered for the A’s, who have won seven of eight. Athletics right-hander Luis Severino (7-11) went five innings, allowing three runs (one earned) and seven hits.
Pirates starter Mitch Keller (6-15) allowed four runs and four hits over five innings. Bryan Reynolds had two hits, an RBI and a run for Pittsburgh.
Reds 7, Cubs 4
Spencer Steer belted two of Cincinnati’s season-high five homers, lifting the Reds over visiting Chicago.
Steer joined Miguel Andujar and Matt McLain in launching solo shots off Cubs starter Shota Imanaga before adding a tiebreaking two-run homer in the sixth off Porter Hodge. Elly De La Cruz immediately followed by going deep for the first time in 44 games.
TJ Friedl ripped an RBI single in the fifth inning for the Reds, who have won three in a row. Matt Shaw launched a two-run homer, Dansby Swanson also went deep and Ian Happ had an RBI double for the Cubs, who have lost the first two games of the four-game series.
Phillies 8, Diamondbacks 2
Harrison Bader and Nick Castellanos homered, Alec Bohm had two hits and three RBIs after being activated earlier in the day, and Philadelphia beat Arizona in Phoenix, further damaging the Diamondbacks’ playoffs hopes.
Ketel Marte ended up a triple shy of a cycle for the Diamondbacks, who led 2-0 after the first inning but lost a game after going in front for the 45th time, tied for the most in the majors.
The Phillies closed to within two games of the Milwaukee Brewers for the best record in the National League, although the Brewers hold the tiebreaker. The top two finishers in each league receive a first-round playoff bye. The D-backs dropped three games behind the Mets for the third NL wild card.
White Sox 4, Padres 3
Miguel Vargas hit a two-run homer and Davis Martin pitched six strong innings as Chicago snapped a six-game losing streak with a win over visiting San Diego.
Martin (7-10) allowed three runs on six hits for the White Sox, who won the opener of the three-game series despite being outhit 7-4. Chicago’s Curtis Mead and Will Robertson contributed RBI hits.
Dylan Cease (8-12) yielded four runs on four hits in six innings as the Padres lost for the third time in four games.
Red Sox 11, Rays 7
Jarren Duran laced a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning and Garrett Crochet won his third straight start as Boston continued its mastery of host Tampa Bay.
Duran went 2-for-6 and scored twice as the Red Sox moved to 9-2 against Tampa Bay. Ceddanne Rafaela was 4-for-5 with a double, two runs and an RBI while Crochet (17-5) allowed three runs on four hits with nine strikeouts and three walks over six innings.
Everson Pereira hit a grand slam and Yandy Diaz was 3-for-4 with a homer for the Rays. Carson Williams hit a solo homer for the second straight game.
Orioles 4, Yankees 2
Trevor Rogers took a no-hitter into the sixth inning as Baltimore held on to defeat visiting New York.
Rogers (9-2) gave up a only single over six innings while walking two and striking out seven. Ryan Mountcastle hit a solo home run and a sacrifice fly to help the Orioles record their fourth win in five games.
Yankees starter Will Warren (8-8) surrendered three runs, one earned, over 5 1/3 innings. New York is 0-4 this month in Warren’s starts. Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a two-run homer for his 30th of the season, becoming the third player in Yankees history to have a 30-homer, 30-steal season.
Mariners 4, Astros 0
Bryan Woo allowed one hit over five scoreless injuries before departing with an pec injury and Julio Rodriguez slugged the first of four solo home runs by Seattle, which claimed the opener of a three-game series at Houston.
Rodriguez homered off Hunter Brown (12-8) in the first inning. Eugenio Suarez, Victor Robles and Josh Naylor added solo homers. Woo (15-7) earned his fifth consecutive winning decision. He is likely headed for an MRI exam on Saturday, according to manager Dan Wilson.
The Astros managed only three hits. Brown yielded two runs on five hits in six innings, though he struck out nine.
Rockies 7, Angels 6
Tyler Freeman had three hits, one in a four-run fifth inning, as Colorado beat Los Angeles in Denver.
The Rockies (42-112) surpassed the win total of the 2024 Chicago White Sox with the victory. Bradley Blalock (2-5) recorded the win despite allowing six runs on eight hits over five innings.
Mitch Farris (1-2) fared even worse, surrendering seven runs and eight hits during 4 1/3 frames. Christian Moore and Denzer Guzman homered for the Angels, who have lost eight straight games.
_____
WNBA NEWS
ALYSSA THOMAS AMASSES TRIPLE-DOUBLE AS MERCURY ELIMINATE LIBERTY
Alyssa Thomas totaled 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists as the host Phoenix Mercury recorded a 79-73 victory over the New York Liberty in the deciding third game of a first-round series on Friday night.
The fourth-seeded Mercury advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2021 and will open their next series Sunday against the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx.
Satou Sabally paced the Mercury with 23 points and 11 rebounds and Thomas made several clutch plays down the stretch to help Phoenix overcome a 30-point showing by Breanna Stewart.
Sami Whitcomb added 13 off the bench and Kahleah Copper contributed a dozen. Neither team shot over 37 percent from the floor, but the Mercury did hit 9-of-24 (37.5 percent) from long distance and outrebounded New York, 49-33.
Stewart scored all 14 points of the Liberty’s points in the fourth quarter but it was not nearly enough for the defending champions, who shot 33.8 percent and missed 17 of their final 18 3-point attempts to finish at 21.9 percent (7-of-32).
Sabrina Ionescu added 22 but Jonquel Jones was held to three points on 1-of-10 shooting after winning the WNBA finals MVP last season.
Thomas posted her fifth career postseason triple-double and seventh in WNBA history. The star forward reached double digits in assists and rebounds during Phoenix’s 7-0 run midway through the fourth quarter.
With 5:40 remaining, Thomas blocked Stewart near the rim and secured the defensive rebound. She then notched her 10th assist by finding Whitcomb in the right corner for an uncontested trey to push Phoenix’s lead to 72-64 with 5:26 left.
Whitcomb’s long-range bucket hardly sealed matters for the Mercury and New York sliced the lead to 74-71 on Stewart’s turnaround hook shot with 2:17 remaining. After DeWanna Bonner missed a 17-footer, the Mercury denied Stewart the ball and Jones missed a 3-point try with 1:38 left.
Following a timeout, Bonner got a 13-footer to bounce in just before the shot clock expired with 1:13 left. Stewart countered quickly, converting two free throws with 1:10 to go and Thomas was called for an offensive foul on Ionescu.
With a chance to tie the game, Natasha Cloud’s inbounds pass to Stewart under the rim was stolen by Thomas with 53.1 seconds remaining. Copper converted a driving layup with 32.8 seconds left to put Phoenix up 78-73.
Before taking over in the fourth, the Mercury held a 45-41 lead at halftime and led 60-59 into the fourth. The Liberty were within 65-64 after Stewart’s 3-point play with 6:51 left but Thomas found Bonner for a short jumper on the next trip to start the deciding spurt.
WNBA MVP TO BE ANNOUNCED SUNDAY; FIVE FINALISTS REVEALED
The WNBA announced the five finalists for the Most Valuable Player award Friday in what’s expected to be a close decision.
Three-time MVP A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces joined Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell in the top five in voting.
The league will announced the winner Sunday morning. It has been viewed as a three-woman race among Wilson, Collier and Thomas.
Wilson, vying for her fourth WNBA MVP award in eight seasons in the league, also won it in 2020, 2022 and 2024. She helped the Aces end the regular season on a 16-game winning streak, averaging 26.1 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 blocks per game in that run.
In 40 games this season, she averaged a league-high 23.4 points plus 10.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Wilson also won co-Defensive Player of the Year alongside Minnesota’s Alanna Smith this week; Wilson ranked second in the league in blocks (92) and third in steals (64).
Collier, 28, was last year’s Defensive Player of the Year and the 2025 All-Star Game MVP. She became the second woman in league history to post a 50-40-90 shooting season, following Elena Delle Donne in 2019; Collier finished the year shooting 53.1 percent from the field, 40.3 percent from 3-point range and 90.6 percent at the foul line.
Collier averaged 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals per contest over 33 games.
Thomas, who received MVP votes four of the last five seasons and was runner-up in 2023, averaged 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and a league- and career-high 9.2 assists over 39 games.
Mitchell played all 44 games for the Fever and averaged 20.2 points — third in the league to only Wilson and Collier — and 3.4 assists.
Gray put up 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in 42 games for the Dream. She finished third in voting for the Most Improved Player award.
_____
GOLF NEWS
MIKE WEIR, CAMERON PERCY CARVE UP PEBBLE BEACH IN OPENING ROUND
Canada’s Mike Weir and Australia’s Cameron Percy each carded 6-under-par scores of 66 on the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links to share the lead after one round of the Pure Insurance Championship on Friday in Monterrey, Calif.
Both the Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill courses are being used for the tournament, which has a purse of $2.4 million.
Six players — including Fiji’s Vijay Singh and New Zealand’s Steven Alker, who is third in the Charles Schwab Cup standings — posted 5-under 67, while eight more players registered rounds of 68.
Weir started on the back nine at Pebble Beach and birdied four of the first eight holes. He made the turn in 32 and got to 7 under with a birdie at the par-3 seventh. But he gave that shot back one hole later and settled for a 66.
“Yeah, it was just a really solid day,” said Weir, who will play Spyglass Hill on Saturday. “I played really well, I hit a lot of really close shots. My wedge game was really good, I hit a lot of close wedges to the hole. Just played really solid, so it was nice, a nice start to the week.”
Percy, who is 11th on the Schwab Cup leaderboard, also started on the 10th hole at Pebble Beach. He was a pedestrian 1 under after eight holes, but reached the par-5 18th hole in two and sank an eagle putt to jump-start his round. He followed that with back-to-back birdies at Nos. 1 and 2 as he continues his solid 2025 season.
When asked about the course conditions, Percy said, “It’s really good. I never played it this firm, so everything’s bouncy. I keep waiting for it to spin back and it doesn’t. I need to adjust when I come back here on Sunday.”
In addition to Singh and Alker, who both played Spyglass Hill on Friday, Australia’s David Bransdon and Rod Pampling, Ken Tanigawa and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee carded 67s. Jaidee won the title in 2023.
Singh had a great day on the greens, but only hit 9 of 18 in regulation. He led the field with 1.44 putts per GIR.
“I changed putters and for some reason it’s working really well,” said Singh. “Made a couple of good putts. I hit the ball pretty good as well. My short irons were not so great, need some work.”
Argentina’s Angel Cabrera, who won two senior major titles earlier this year, is one of eight golfers at 4 under.
SARAH SCHMELZEL, MINAMI KATSU SHARE LEAD IN NW ARKANSAS
Sarah Schmelzel and Japan’s Minami Katsu grabbed shares of the lead after one round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship on Friday in Rogers, Ark.
Katsu posted a bogey-free, 8-under-par 63 at Pinnacle Country Club. Schmelzel matched that number with a white-hot finish — four straight birdies at Nos. 14-17, then an eagle at the par-5 18th.
They’re one stroke ahead of six players tied at 7 under: Alison Lee, Lilia Vu, Spaniard Carlota Ciganda, Ireland’s Leona Maguire, Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and Somi Lee of South Korea.
Schmelzel, 31, is in ideal position to go after the first win of her LPGA career.
“This always plays kind of like a birdie-fest,” Schmelzel said. “You just got to make a bunch of birdies and stay super aggressive. And then with all the rain we got yesterday, it’s playing so soft, so within the first few holes you knew that girls were going to make tons of birdies just because you hit it and it stops right around the hole.
“So, yeah, I guess it changes mentality just knowing that you got to go out there and get it.”
She didn’t fully capitalize early on, making three birdies and one bogey on her front nine before a string of pars. Then she flipped the switch.
“You’re hoping you can finish that well,” Schmelzel said. “I told my caddie I think walking to the green on 14, ‘I need to start making some birdies or else I’m going to get lapped out here today.’ It was just a few good wedge shots and then I made a longer one on I guess it was 17; then just hit it really close on 18, which was nice to end that way.”
Katsu hit 12 of 13 fairways in regulation and carded four birdies on each nine.
“Overall, I think it was a perfect round,” Katsu said through a translator. “I was trying to aim for 100 percent on fairway keeping. Missed that on 18, so that’s a little disappointing. Felt like today was a really good round.”
Katsu has won eight times as a pro, but all of those came on the LPGA of Japan Tour.
Among the group tied for third, Vu stands out as a multiple major winner trying to salvage a poor season, with just one top-10 and five of 15 made cuts.
Vu hit every fairway in regulation and 17 of 18 greens on a bogey-free day.
“I haven’t had this position in a long, long time,” Vu said. “I feel like I’ve kind of gone down a different route in my golf game and trying to get body first.
“I was talking with my mental coach, and the only goal today was to try my best on the shot in front of me and not to get ahead of myself; I think I did that really well. Just gave it my all on each shot and turned out pretty nicely.”
Maguire, trying for her first LPGA win in two-plus years, boasts the same stat line as Vu: every fairway in regulation, 17 of 18 greens, seven birdies, no bogeys.
“Yeah, feel like my game has been in good shape for the past couple months,” Maguire said. “It’s nice to start off with a low one here. It’s sort of make a lot of birdies or get left behind.”
Stacy Lewis is in the mix after posting a 3-under 68 on Friday. Earlier this week, the 40-year-old announced she is retiring at season’s end.
“When I walked on that (first) tee, everybody kind (of) started cheering for me and going crazy,” Lewis said. “I had to go hide in the tent for a second. Just had to get the first hole over with. I was actually pretty nervous starting the day, which hadn’t been like that in a while here. Once I got off the first hole, I felt a lot more comfortable. It was a lot of fun.”
_____
NASCAR NEWS
JOE GIBBS RACING RIDES MAJOR MOMENTUM INTO NEW HAMPSHIRE
As the window for the Round of 12 opens for business on Sunday, the NASCAR Cup Series’ playoffs certainly have a different look and an important question after three races.
For starters, can any team stop Joe Gibbs Racing right now?
JGR swept the first trio of the 10-race postseason and will look to make it four straight in Sunday’s Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., where the attention from last Saturday night’s action in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains shifts to New England.
Whatever NASCAR did to stress the tires at Bristol Motor Speedway and create Saturday’s chaos is a direction the sanctioning body needs to continue pursuing. At the end of the crazy 500-lapper — when it was often hard to figure out who was leading, who had the best strategy or who was where on the track — it all came down to Christopher Bell.
You remember Bell, right? That driver who won three of 2025’s first four races (Atlanta, Austin and Phoenix) and then pulled a David Copperfield disappearing act for six months?
Well, he’s back to lifting trophies and heading to his best track at “The Magic Mile.”
Since the 2017 season, the 29-year-old Bell has held part-ownership of the Granite State by recording seven victories in NASCAR’s top three series — once in trucks, four in Xfinity (going 4-for-4) and two of the past three Cup races, including last year’s.
Almost everyone at Gibbs is seeing checkers lately.
Chase Briscoe opened the playoffs by repeating as the Southern 500 winner at Darlington. Denny Hamlin added on by winning in Illinois. Then Bell. Heck, even fourth JGR driver Ty Gibbs — 0-for-116 in his four-year career — has stepped up his game and been leading laps lately despite his non-playoff status.
All of this doesn’t bode well for the rest of the competition, including the four drivers who now find themselves below the cut line among the dozen remaining competitors.
The best part about ending the Round of 16 is trimming away four drivers and realizing there are now 12 who were breathing sighs of relief after Bristol’s craziness but whose breaths now quicken with concern.
Those four lurking beneath the cut line are ninth-place Austin Cindric (one point behind Bubba Wallace), Joey Logano and Ross Chastain (both -2), and Tyler Reddick (-3).
Maybe Hendrick Motorsports drivers can slow JGR’s roll and find Victory Lane themselves.
Two weeks ago at the flat, 1.25-mile track outside of St. Louis, Chase Elliott finished third in his best outing at the oval. Teammate Kyle Larson led 52 laps before getting shuffled back during a cycle of pit stops.
Larson has posted runner-up finishes at the Magic Mile in Loudon three times, but the organization’s last victory there was 2012 with Kasey Kahne driving the No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet.
That’s a far piece back for a racing group that has 318 Cup wins.
Maybe the answer lies in a notebook.
“We’ve been building a notebook for those (flat) tracks, and I feel like those tracks are making more sense than they used to, and that’s a really good sign for us,” Hendrick’s William Byron said. “The notebook is starting to click a little bit more, which is really nice to see.”
Hendrick Motorsports may have a notebook, but right now JGR is teaching class and everybody else is scribbling down notes trying to keep up.
_____
+++TOP INDIANA HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES+++
COLTS FOOTBALL
COLTS DO NOT RULE OUT ANY PLAYERS FOR WEEK 3 GAME VS. TENNESSEE TITANS
The Colts did not rule any players out on Friday for their Week 3 game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium, head coach Shane Steichen said.
Steichen said cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr., who sustained a concussion in Week 1 and did not play in Week 2, is still in concussion protocol but has not been ruled out.
Defensive end Laiatu Latu (hamstring), who also did not play in Week 2, participated in all three practices this week.
Tight end Tyler Warren (toe) and wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday but participated in both Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. Linebacker Joe Bachie (quadricep) missed Thursday’s practice but returned to practice on Friday.
COLTS-TITANS PREVIEW: WHY COLTS AREN’T READING INTO RECORDS OR STATS HEADING INTO AFC SOUTH MATCHUP AGAINST WINLESS TITANS
(COLTS RELEASE)
Let’s start with a fun fact: The Colts, on Sunday, will face the NFL Draft’s No. 1 pick for the sixth consecutive season.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward will follow Joe Burrow (2020), Trevor Lawrence (2021), Travon Walker (2022), Bryce Young (2023) and Caleb Williams (2024) in facing the Colts a few months after being drafted first overall. What does it mean, though? Not much.
Here’s a less fun fact: The Colts haven’t won the AFC South since 2014, the franchise’s longest division championship drought since an 11-year streak ended in 1999.
And while the Colts are 2-0 and sit alone atop the AFC South, head coach Shane Steichen has reminded his team of a few things this week. First, it’s only Week 3. Second, this is a critical week to maintain focus and discipline after beating the Denver Broncos in dramatic fashion last weekend.
“I don’t think we’re putting too much into looking at the division at this point,” quarterback Daniel Jones said. “I mean, we’re two games into the season, and sure it’s good – great to get off to a fast start, but everyone knows there’s a lot of football to play and we know that. So yeah, obviously we’d rather be 2-0, but there’s a lot in front of us and we’ve got to continue to improve as a team.”
It’s probably not a coincidence that the Colts’ last winning record against AFC South opponents (4-2, 2020) coincided with the team’s last playoff appearance. In fact, the Colts have never made the playoffs while having a losing record against the AFC South, which formed in 2002; they’ve only reached the postseason one time with a 3-3 record against divisional opponents. The punchline there is that 3-3 record came in 2006 – the season, of course, in which the Colts won the Super Bowl.
Again, it’s just Week 3, so it’s still way too early for the Colts to start thinking about winning their division and hosting a home playoff game for the first time in over a decade.
“Definitely starting off 2-0 with two AFC wins is going to be huge,” linebacker Zaire Franklin said. “We’ve been in that situation before where you’re looking in at the end of the season and you’re like, ‘Man, if we would’ve won that Week 2 game, it would have been a big deal.’
“I think my boy (Xavier) McKinney with the Packers said it best. A lot of teams start off 2-0 and end up not being nothing. Like I said, we’ve just got to stick to our process, continue to be diligent and just win this week.”
Sticking to that process, as Franklin said, has been a message delivered by Steichen this week and echoed through the Colts’ team leaders. While the Colts are off to a strong start, there are things that need to improve on both offense and defense. And no matter how much the Titans have struggled to begin the season, there’s an acknowledgement that divisional games are usually tight – just look at Thursday night’s Buffalo Bills-Miami Dolphins tilt, which was tied at 21 into the fourth quarter before the Bills (3-0) pulled away from the Dolphins (0-3) for a 31-21 win.
And the other thing about the Titans is those inside the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center see a team that’s better than its 0-2 record suggests. That starts with a quarterback in Ward who’s playing beyond what his stats may indicate.
While Ward has completed 50.8 percent of his passes, is averaging 4.7 yards per attempt and has been sacked a league-leading 11 times, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo – who watches film before checking any opponent’s stats – said he doesn’t see Ward’s numbers lining up with what the first-year quarterback has put on tape so far.
“You see a super talented guy,” Anarumo said. “I think you see a guy that’s willing to take some chances, calculated risks, and force the ball down the field some. I think that’s a part of any good quarterback. The guys that just play it safe never truly become what you really want as a quarterback. Those guys are going to make some mistakes, especially early in their careers. But I see a guy that sees the field well. Are there things that he can clean up? Sure, that’s everybody, but I see a guy – that I feel like they’ve got a heck of a quarterback.”
Ward, in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, made several impressive throws – but Titans pass-catchers only caught 70.6 percent of their catchable targets, per Pro Football Focus, the lowest rate in the league that week.
While the Titans gave up 33 points to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, that might say more about the Rams – the Colts’ Week 4 opponent – than Dennard Wilson’s Tennessee defense. Wilson has thrown some funky pressure looks and coverages at both the Broncos and Rams, and the Titans’ four takeaways are tied for the second-most in the NFL entering Week 3.
If you expand things back from the start of the 2024 season – in which the Titans had the worst record in the NFL – through Week 2, you’ll see a few things Tennessee does well defensively. First: In that span, the Titans allowed a success rate of just 33.7 percent, eighth-best in the NFL, and they are above league average in both explosive passing rate allowed (13.1 percent, 12th) and explosive run rate allowed (12.3 percent, 16th).
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Dennard Wilson, their D-coordinator,” Steichen said. :”I had a chance to be with him in Philly – aggressive style, attacking defense, multiple looks. Got a good front. Starts up front with 98 (Jeffery) Simmons. He’s one of the best in the league. So, got to control him as much as possible.”
While Steichen is undefeated in four games against the Titans as Colts head coach, those games have all been decided by one score (38-30, 20-17, 31-28OT, 23-16). That’s par for the course; all six of the Colts’ AFC South games in 2024 were decided by eight or fewer points, and five were decided by three or fewer points.
So the Titans are 0-2 and the Colts are 2-0, but those records might not lead to a lopsided outcome on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
“I feel like we’re pretty grounded,” defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said. “I mean, we just preach every week that we are taking it one day at a time, continue to get better each and every day. Whatever we did in the past, last week, nobody cares about. That’s the nature of this game, the nature of this league. Nobody cares about what you did last week. It’s what you are going to do this week. So, we’ve got to continue to prove ourselves each and every week.”
_____
INDIANA FEVER
KELSEY MITCHELL NAMED 2025 WNBA MVP FINALIST
Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell has been named one of five finalists for the 2025 Kia Most Valuable Player award, the WNBA announced on Friday.
The other finalists were Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, and Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson.
Mitchell finished the 2025 regular season as the league leader in three pointers made, scoring 111 from beyond the arc, while scoring the second-most points overall, totaling 890 points. Additionally, Mitchell ranked third in points per game, recording 20.2 points per game, and breaking a two-decades long Indiana Fever record set in 2003 by Tamika Catchings.
This year Mitchell led the Fever in minutes played, appearing in 1,381 minutes, starting all 44 games. Mitchell set new franchise records for points scored in a single season, as well as becoming Indiana’s leader in career three pointers made with 669, good for the eighth-most in WNBA history. Additionally, Mitchell set a new franchise record for most 30+ point games across her career, earning her 11th, passing Catchings.
For her play this year, Mitchell was named a WNBA All-Star for the third consecutive year and was a two-time WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
The 2025 Kia Most Valuable Player will be announced on Sunday at 11:30 AM ET.
SCHEDULE SET FOR INDIANA FEVER VS LAS VEGAS ACES IN 2025 WNBA SEMIFINALS
After knocking off the Atlanta Dream in the first round of the WNBA playoffs, the No. 6 Indiana Fever are set to face the No. 2 Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA Semifinals. The best-of-five series will begin on Sunday, Sept. 21, in Las Vegas at Michelob Ultra Arena, broadcast nationally on ABC with tipoff set for 3 p.m. ET.
The Aces will also host Game 2 on Tuesday, Sept. 23 before the series shifts to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 3 on Friday, Sept. 26 (time TBD). The Fever would also host Game 4 (if necessary) on Sunday, Sept. 28. Game 5 would be in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
In the regular season, the Fever and the Aces met three times, with the home team winning all three meetings. The Aces won 89-81 in Las Vegas on June 22, while the Fever prevailed 81-54 on July 3 and 80-70 on July 24 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Single-game tickets for Games 3 and 4 will go on sale at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 19. Fans can text ‘PLAYOFFS’ to 42576 or visit FeverBasketball.com/playoffs for presale access.
Series Schedule: #6 Indiana Fever vs. #2 Las Vegas Aces
DAY | DATE | AWAY | HOME | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV | RADIO |
Sunday | Sept. 21 | Indiana | Las Vegas | 1 | 3:00 PM | ABC | 93.1 WIBC |
Tuesday | Sept. 23 | Indiana | Las Vegas | 2 | 9:30 PM | ESPN | 93.5/107.5 The Fan |
Friday | Sept. 26 | Las Vegas | Indiana | 3 | TBD | ESPN2 | 93.5/107.5 The Fan |
Sunday | Sept. 28 | Las Vegas | Indiana | 4* | 3:00 PM | ABC | 93.1 WIBC |
Tuesday | Sept. 30 | Indiana | Las Vegas | 5* | TBD | TBD | 93.5/107.5 The Fan |
_____
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
VELÁZQUEZ AND SULLIVAN DRIVE IN TWO AS INDIANS DEFEAT STRIPERS
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The Indianapolis Indians utilized a two-run homer by Nelson Velázquez and two-run double by Brett Sullivan to defeat the Gwinnett Stripers on Thursday night at Coolray Field, 6-3.
The Indians (42-30, 84-62) took a lead four batters into the third contest of the six-game series and never looked back, never trailing in the contest. The two-run home run to jumpstart the scoring was Velázquez’s 10th of the season in Triple-A and fourth with Indy.
Gwinnett (34-38, 63-84) tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the first and RBI single by Jesús Bastidas in the second, respectively. Indianapolis retook the lead on a sacrifice fly off Austin Cox (L, 2-4) in the fourth before the teams traded runs in the fifth.
The top of the sixth added insurance runs for the visiting team when three of the first four batters reached base safely. Brett Sullivan anchored the run, lining a double into the right-center gap to score Sammy Siani and Jase Bowen.
Nick Dombkowski (W, 3-6) started the game for the Indians and allowed three runs (two earned) in 5.0 innings, exiting the game with his team leading. Eddy Yean and Ryan Harbin (S, 2) combined for 4.0 scoreless frames to complete the contest.
The series continues tomorrow at 7:05 PM at Coolray Field. RHP JR Ritchie (3-2, 2.98) will take the mound for Gwinnett while Indianapolis has yet to name a starter.
_____
INDY ELEVEN
MATCH PREVIEW
- Indy Eleven vs. Birmingham Legion FC
Sun., Sept. 21, 2025 – 5:00 p.m. - Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis
- Follow Live
- Watch: CBS Sports Network, Mike Watts & Devon Kerr
- Listen: Sirius XM FC 157
- In-game updates: IndyEleven
Stats: #INDvBHM MatchCenter at USLChampionship.com
2025 USL Championship Records
Indy Eleven: 7-12-5 (-7), 26 pts; #9 in Eastern Conference
Birmingham Legion FC: 4-10-10 (-12), 22 pts; #11 in Eastern Conference
Setting the Scene
Indy Eleven returns home for a nationally-televised match on CBS Sports Network vs. Eastern Conference opponent Birmingham Legion FC on Sunday at 5:00 pm with Mike Watts and Devon Kerr announcing. Fans can also listen to the game audio on Sirius XM FC 157.
IND | BHM | |
24 | Games | 24 |
36 | Goals | 30 |
88 | SOT | 85 |
25 | Assists | 20 |
43 | Goals Conceded | 42 |
110 | Shots Faced | 107 |
5 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
Series
Sunday is the 15th meeting, with Indy Eleven holding a 7-6-1 edge. The Boys in Blue are 4-0-1 in the last five games. The teams went to a penalty shootout in the June 28 USL Jägermeister Cup match at Carroll Stadium, with Indy Eleven prevailing 7-6.
Indy leads 7-6-1 | GF 22, GA 18
- Recent Meetings
June 28, 2025 | D, 1-1 (7-6 PK) | Home (USL Jägermeister Cup) - June 4, 2025 | W, 1-0 | Away
- Oct. 19, 2024 | W, 3-2 | Home
- June 9, 2024 | W, 1-0 | Away
- Aug. 9, 2023 | W, 4-0 | Home
June 28 Jager Cup vs. BHM
Indy Eleven goalkeeper Hunter Sulte made two saves in a 7-6 shootout victory over Birmingham Legion FC in USL Jägermeister Cup group play on June 28 at Carroll Stadium to earn “Team of the Round” honors for round three.
With the shootout tied 4-4, Sulte dove to his right to thwart Ronaldo Damus’ potential game-winning shot to keep his team alive.
After Josh O’Brien gave the Boys in Blue a 7-6 lead in the shootout, Sulte again dove to his right, but this time he used his left hand to deflect Erik Centeno’s attempt and give his team the shootout triumph.
Indy Eleven trailed the shootout after a save by Birmingham keeper Fernando Delgado on the first attempt. The subsequent Boys in Blue shooters—Jack Blake, Cam Lindley, Aodhan Quinn, Finn McRobb, Bruno Rendon, and Elliot Collier all were successful to set the stage for roommates O’Brien and Sulte to seal the deal.
Sulte made an amazing kick save in the 21st minute on a close-range shot by Danny Trejo to earn the “Save of the Round”.
Indy Eleven broke through in the 28th minute when midfielder Oliver Brynéus curled a left-footed ball from the left side to the far post where O’Brien headed it home. It was O’Brien’s second career goal for the Boys in Blue and the first career point for Brynéus.
The home team had two good chances to add to its 1-0 lead late in the first half. Brynéus intercepted a pass at midfield and dribbled down the left sideline, playing a ball forward to Maalique Foster. Foster made a spin move outside the area and centered in back to Brynéus, who made a quick touch to Lindley. He took one dribble and uncorked a laser from outside the area that caromed off the crossbar.
A minute later in the 44th, Quinn started another scoring chance sequence with an outlet pass down the left sideline to Foster. Foster played a beautiful diagonal pass inside the area to Lindley, who touched it to forward Elvis Amoh, but his shot just missed.
In the 49th, Sulte saved another shot from inside the six by Trejo. This time, Sulte closed his legs to stop the shot with his left leg.
In the 94th, Preston Tabort Etaka scored on a free kick to necessitate the Boys in Blue’s first-ever PK shootout at Carroll Stadium.
In the match, Sulte made six saves for the second time in 24 days vs. Birmingham Legion, following his 1-0 clean sheet on the road on June 4 in USLC play. That is one shy of his career-high seven saves vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies on July 20, 2024.
- Scoring Summary
- IND – Josh O’Brien (Oliver Brynéus) 28’
- BHM – Preston Tabort Etaka 90’+4
- Discipline Summary
- IND – Josh O’Brien (caution) 50’
- IND – James Musa (caution) 69’
- IND – James Murphy (caution) 88’
- BHM – Tyler Pasher (caution) 90’+6
Indy Eleven Line-Up: Hunter Sulte, James Musa, Josh O’Brien, Hayden White, Oliver Brynéus (Finn McRobb 67’), Bruno Rendon, Aodhan Quinn (captain), James Murphy (Jack Blake 88’), Cam Lindley, Maalique Foster (Elliot Collier 82’), Elvis Amoh (Romario Williams 82’).
Indy Eleven Subs Not Used: Pat Hogan, Edward Kizza, Reice Charles-Cook.
Birmingham Legion FC Line-Up: Fernando Delgado, Moses Mensah (Erik Centeno 85’), Phanuel Kavita, Ramiz Hamouda (Santiago Suarez 52’), Tyler Pasher, Danny Trejo (Preston Tabort Etaka 77’), Sebastian Tregarthen (Stephen Turnbull 77’), Edwin Laszo, Enzo Martínez (captain) (Sam McIllhatton 85’), Jake Rufe (Kobe Hernandez-Foster 77’), Ronaldo Damus.
Birmingham Legion FC Subs Not Used: Matt Van Oekel.
June 4 at Birmingham
Midfielder Cam Lindley scored on a laser from 25 yards out in the fourth minute and the Boys in Blue defense recorded a clean sheet for a 1-0 road victory at Birmingham Legion FC on June 4.
Midfielder James Murphy started the scoring sequence with a feed to captain Aodhan Quinn in the midfield. Quinn sent it wide to defender Finn McRobb who delivered a cross into the area that deflected off midfielder Jack Black outside the area, where Lindley fired it into the bottom left corner. Lindley’s goal is his first this season and the fifth of his USLC career. Blake’s assist is his second in 2025 and the 23rd in the USL Championship.
Goalkeeper Hunter Sulte made a season-high six saves to record his 10th clean sheet as a member of the Boys in Blue.
The 23-year-old Sulte made an outstanding save, diving to his right on a shot by Preston Tabort Etaka in the final minute of second half stoppage time to preserve the victory. In the 17th minute, Sulte dove to his left to save a shot from former Indy Eleven forward Tyler Pasher.
Birmingham had a good scoring chance in the 56th minute when Ronaldo Damus’ shot hit the left post and the rebound by Enzo Martinez just missed. In the 86th, Sulte punched a dangerous cross from Erik Centeno out of harm’s way. The last time Sulte made five saves in a USLC match came against Birmingham on October 19, 2024.
- Scoring Summary
- IND – Cam Lindley (Jack Blake) 4’
- Discipline Summary
- BHM – Erik Centeno (caution) 16’
- IND – James Musa (caution) 27’
- BHM – Ronaldo Damus (caution) 70’
- BHM – Kobe Hernandez-Foster (caution) 75’
- BHM – Roman Torres (caution) 76’
- IND – Josh O’Brien (caution) 90’+1
- IND – James Murphy (caution) 90’+4
Indy Eleven Line-Up: Hunter Sulte, James Musa, Pat Hogan, Ben Ofeimu, Finn McRobb (Josh O’Brien 69’), James Murphy, Bruno Rendon, Aodhan Quinn (captain) (Elliot Collier 90’), Cam Lindley (Oliver Brynéus 77’), Jack Blake (Brem Soumaoro 77’), Elvis Amoh (Edward Kizza 69’).
Indy Eleven Subs Not Used: Reice Charles-Cook, Maalique Foster.
Birmingham Legion FC Line-Up: Matt Van Oekel, Erik Centeno, Santiago Suárez, Stephen Turnbull, Jake Rufe, Edwin Laszo (Kobe Hernandez-Foster 45’), Sam McIllhatton (Roman Torres 45’), Danny Trejo (Preston Tabort Etaka 74’), Enzo Martínez (Sebastian Tregarthen 74’), Tyler Pasher, Ronaldo Damus.
Birmingham Legion FC Subs Not Used: Ethan Kos, Ereku Temitayo, Finn Calloway, Fernando Delgado.
Saturday at Rhode Island Recap
The two teams battling for the final playoff position in the USL Championship Eastern Conference faced off on Saturday night, with host Rhode Island FC scoring a second-half goal and surviving a frantic finish for a 1-0 win. With six games left in the regular season, Indy Eleven trails Rhode Island by one point.
The Boys in Blue started all three of their players acquired on loan in the last 10 days, with goalkeeper Luke Pruter and defender Joey Zalinsky making their Indy Eleven and USLC debuts.
Pruter, on loan from Columbus Crew 2, made two saves, including a 76th-minute stop on Noah Fuson’s left-footed shot from just outside the six.
Zalinsky, on loan from St. Louis CITY SC of MLS, led the Boys in Blue with three tackles won, adding a chance created, a block, an aerial duel won, and a foul won.
Schaefer, on loan from FC Cincinnati 2, made his second consecutive start and recorded two tackles won and two aerial duels won.
Defender Ben Ofeimu made a key block of a JJ Williams shot in the fourth minute.
The Boys in Blue had their best chance of the first half in the 31st minute when captain Cam Lindley started the sequence with a steal and a quick pass to Maalique Foster. Foster made a quick pass to James Murphy who delivered a left-footed pass to Jack Blake. Blake touched the ball down and dribbled once to the right to create space to fire a shot from outside the area that Rhode Island goalkeeper Koke Vegas dove to his left to save.
After Rhode Island took a 1-0 lead in the 64th minute, Indy Eleven brought on forwards Elvis Amoh and Edward Kizza in the 79th. Just after Kizza entered, Zalinsky played a cross to him inside the area for a scoring chance.
In the 88th minute, Lindley played a long ball just outside the area where Kizza drew a red card on Aimé Mabika. On the ensuing free kick, Blake curled it around the wall toward the far corner, but Vegas again dove to his left to make the stop.
A Rhode Island hand ball gave the Boys in Blue a free kick in the 92nd minute. Lindley curled a ball toward the far post for a header by James Musa that was deflected directly to Amoh. His shot from inside the six was cleared off the line by Grant Stoneman to preserve the win.
- Indy Eleven USL Championship Goals (All Competitions)
- 1. Jack Blake 24 2023-
- Tyler Pasher 24 2018-20
- 3. Sebastian Guenzatti 16 2023-24
- 4. Manuel Arteaga 15 2021-22
- 5. Aodhan Quinn 13 2023-
- Stéfano 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. Cam Lindley 108 2020, 2023-
- Karl Ouimette 108 2018-22
- Aodhan Quinn USLC All-Time Rankings
- Minutes | 23,687 | 1st
- Games Started | 270 | 1st
- Assists | 57 | 3rd
- Appearances | 284 | 3rd
- USL Championship Regular Season Goal Contributions
- 1. Dane Kelly 132 (106 goals, 26 assists)
- 2. Enzo Martinez (BHM) 131 (78 goals, 53 assists)
- 3. Aodhan Quinn 114 (57 goals, 57 assists)
- USL Championship Regular Season 50 Goals & 50 Assists
- 1.Enzo Martinez (BHM) – 78 goals, 53 assists
- 2. Aodhan Quinn (IND) – 57 goals, 57 assists
- 3.Solomon Asante – 52 goals, 58 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
- USL Championship Career Regular-Season Goals
- 13. Chandler Hoffman 66
- 14. Romario Williams 65
- USLC 50+ Regular Season Goals Best Strike Rate
- 3. Romario Williams – 65 goals, 166 app., 160.5 mins/goal
- Indy Eleven USLC Championship Saves
- 1. Hunter Sulte 131 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
- 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 Union, 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
- Clearances James Musa 5 142
- Pat Hogan 8 124
- Ben Ofeimu T10 119
- Assists Aodhan Quinn 6 7
- Jack Blake T18 4
- Saves Hunter Sulte T6 58
- Shots Jack Blake T7 39
- Blocks Ben Ofeimu T7 17
- Goals Jack Blake T12 9
- Crosses Aodhan Quinn T12 94
- Clean Sheets Hunter Sulte T12 4
- Interceptions James Musa T15 26
- James Murphy T16 24
Team
- Category Rank Total
- First-Half Goals T3 19
- Goals 8 36
- Conversion Rate T9 17%
- Clean Sheets T13 5
- Shots 14 257
USL Career Regular Season Rankings
Individual Rankings
- Goals
- 14. Romario Williams – 65
- T22. Aodhan Quinn – 57
- Assists
- 2. Solomon Asante – 58
- 3. Aodhan Quinn – 57
- T23. Cam Lindley – 30
- Games Started
- 1. Aodhan Quinn – 270
- 2. Sean Totsch (LOU) – 262
- T20. James Musa – 212
- Minutes
- 1.Aodhan Quinn – 23,687
- 2. Sean Totsch (LOU) – 23,610
- 23. James Musa – 18,689
- Appearances
- 3. Aodhan Quinn (IND) – 284
- Team Leaders
- Stat Player #
- Goals Jack Blake 9
- Assists Aodhan Quinn 7
- Shots Jack Blake 39
- Shots on Target Jack Blake 21
- Chances Created Aodhan Quinn 28
- Crosses Aodhan Quinn 94
- Fouls Won Jack Blake 38
- Duels Won James Musa 107
- Aerial Duels Won James Musa 52
- Clearances James Musa 142
- Blocks Ben Ofeimu 17
- Interceptions James Musa 26
- Tackles Won James Murphy 26
- Passes James Murphy 932
- Minutes James Musa 2,059
USL CHAMPIONSHIP HONORS
- Elvis Amoh
- Jägermeister Cup Team of the Round-Bench (4/29)
- Team of the Week (Week 8/9 – 5/6)
- Jack Blake
- Team of the Week (Week 2 – 3/18)
- Jägermeister Cup Team of the Round (4/29)
- Player of the Week (Week 17/18 – 7/7)
- Team of the Week (Week 17/18 – 7/7)
- Goal of the Week nominee (Week 25 – 8/25)
- Team of the Week (Week 25 – 8/26)
- Goal of the Week nominee (Week 27 – 9/9)
- Team of the Week (Week 27 – 9/9)
- Maalique Foster
- Team of the Week – Bench (Week 4 – 4/1)
- Team of the Week (Week 5 – 4/8)
- Goal of the Week nominee (Week 17/18 – 7/7)
- Pat Hogan
- Team of the Week (Week 2 – 3/18)
- Ben Ofeimu
- Team of the Week (Week 15 – 6/17)
- Aodhan Quinn
- Goal of the Week nominee (Week 4 – 4/1)
- Team of the Week – Bench (Week 17/18 – 7/7)
- Bruno Rendon
- Team of the Week (Week 3 – 3/25)
- Hunter Sulte
- Team of the Week (Weeks 13/14 – 6/10)
- Jägermeister Cup Team of the Round (7/1)
- Jägermeister Cup “Save of the Round” (7/1)
- “Save of the Week” (Week 23 – 8/12)
- Team of the Week – Bench (Week 27 – 9/9)
- “Save of the Week” (Week 27 – 9/9)
- Romario Williams
- 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.
ALL: 29-25-17 (.528) | USOC: 5-1-1 | JC: 3-0-2 | USLC: 21-23-14
- 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: 22.4% | Sept. 6 at CHS
- Corners: 1 | 5x, last Sept. 3 at HFD
- Opponent Highs
- Shots: 26 | Aug. 16 at LDN
- SOT: 9 | July 18 at NC
- Possession: 77.6% | Sept. 6 at CHS
- Corners: 12 | Sept. 3 at HFD
- 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 | 3x, last Sept. 13 at RI
USL Championship Regular-Season Player Milestones
- 60 Goals
- Romario Williams – 65
- 50 Goals
- Aodhan Quinn – 57
- 40 Goals
- Elvis Amoh – 45
Jack Blake – 41
- 20 Goals
- Maalique Foster – 22
- Edward Kizza – (19)
- Elliot Collier – (18)
- 50 Assists
- Aodhan Quinn – 57
- 30 Assists
- Cam Lindley – 30
- 20 Assists
- Jack Blake – 25
- 15 Assists
- James Murphy – 18
- Maalique Foster – 17
- Aedan Stanley – 15
- 110 Goals+Assists
- Aodhan Quinn – 114 (57 goals, 57 assists)
- 70 Goals+Assists
- Romario Williams – 77 (65 goals, 12 assists)
- 60 Goals+Assists
- Jack Blake – 66 (41 goals, 25 assists)
- 50 Goals+Assists
- Elvis Amoh – 54 (45 goals, 9 assists)
- 30 Goals+Assists
- Maalique Foster – 39 (22 goals, 17 assists)
- Cam Lindley – 35 (5 goals, 30 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 – 14 (16)
- Romario Williams – 8 (10)
- 250 Appearances
- Aodhan Quinn – 284
- 200 Appearances
- James Musa – 225
- 150 Appearances
Jack Blake – 193
Cam Lindley – 182 - Romario Williams – 166
- James Murphy – 156
- Elvis Amoh – 151
- 100 Appearances
- Ben Ofeimu – 148
Aedan Stanley – 138 - Elliot Collier – 128
- Pat Hogan – 107
- Edward Kizza – 103
- 250 Games Started
- Aodhan Quinn – 270
- 200 Games Started
- James Musa – 212
- 150 Games Started
- Jack Blake – 163
- Cam Lindley – 155
- 100 Games Started
- Aedan Stanley – 134
- James Murphy – 130
- Romario Williams – 123
- 20,000 Minutes
- Aodhan Quinn – 23,687
- 15,000 Minutes
- James Musa – 18,689
- 10,000 Minutes
- Jack Blake – 13,941
Cam Lindley – 13,602 - Aedan Stanley – 12,025
- James Murphy – 11,665
- Ben Ofeimu – 11,205
- Romario Williams – 10,430
ROSTER BREAKDOWN (9/8/25)
Goalkeepers (4): Reice Charles-Cook, ^Ryan Hunsucker, *Luke Pruter, *Hunter Sulte
Defenders (11): Pat Hogan, ^Maverick McCoy, Finn McRobb, James Musa, Josh O’Brien, Ben Ofeimu, Bruno Rendon, *Brian Schaefer, Aedan Stanley, Hayden White, *Joey Zalinsky
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
*On loan. ^USL Academy Contract.
_____
INDIANA VOLLEYBALL
FIRST SETBACK OF THE SEASON
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – After winning the first eight matches of the season, the Indiana volleyball team (8-1, 0-0 B1G) experienced its first setback of the year on Friday (Sept. 19) evening against (RV) Western Kentucky. A spectacular crowd helped spark an inspired performance by the home team as it worked a clean sweep of the Hoosiers (25-23, 25-20, 28-26) at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green.
Service pressure from Western Kentucky kept IU scrambling throughout the night. The Hoosiers managed to hit .233 (39-15-103) in the contest but offensive flow was limited after the first set. Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum led the Hoosiers with 13 kills (.571 hitting percentage). IU was aced eight times and committed 10 unforced attacking errors in the defeat.
IU got double-digit dig efforts from freshman libero Audrey Jackson and senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles but WKU kept a number of balls alive via hustle plays. The Hilltoppers’ freshman opposite Kaira Knox exploded for a career-high 22 kills before going down with an injury late in the third set. Junior middle blocker Izzy Van De Wiele chipped in 12 kills (.500 hitting percentage) for the hosts.
The Hoosiers had multiple set points in game three to try and extend the match but couldn’t find the deciding point. A missed serve from sophomore opposite hitter Avery Daum and a blocking error from freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager put the final nails in the first defeat of the year. IU had leads in the red zone in both set one and set three but couldn’t close either one out.
Head coach Steve Aird will get a chance to finish out the non-conference slate on a high note tomorrow (Sept. 20) morning in Bowling Green. IU will take on Bradley at 11 a.m. CT in the final contest before Big Ten play begins next week in Evanston.
How it Happened
• The two teams played a relatively close match throughout. There were 35 tie scores and 15 lead changes. The Hoosiers had late leads in set one and set three but couldn’t find the closing points. IU played two deuce sets on Friday; the first time it’s had any set decided by two points this season.
• WKU had a distinct advantage in the offensive battle. The hosts compiled 51 kills on a .269 hitting percentage. They also passed with effectiveness, only getting aced on four occasions. WKU’s veteran setter Callie Bauer dished out 42 assists.
Top Hoosier Performers
#13 Tatum, Avry
13 kills, .571 hitting percentage, 2 blocks
#5 Jackson, Audrey
10 digs, 1 assist
Notes to Know
• Senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum supplied 13 kills with a .571 hitting percentage. Her one attacking error came on a controversial in/out call that was upheld after a lengthy review. It was the 10th time in her career at Indiana that she’s supplied at least 12 kills with a hitting percentage of .400 or better.
• Senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles had the 15th double-double of her career on Friday. She had 12 kills and matched a team high with 10 digs. She’s had double-digit kills in seven of IU’s nine matches this season. It’s her 58th career match with 10-or-more kills.
• Freshman libero Audrey Jackson was back in double figures with 10 digs in three sets. It was her fifth time with a least 10 digs this season. On the year, she’s alternated between her nine matches with being in double digits. Jackson’s also had at least one assist in eight contests this year.
_____
INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER
AULT HAT TRICK DRIVES BIG TEN ROAD WIN
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — No. 3-ranked Indiana men’s soccer (6-1-1, 1-1-0 B1G) picked up three points at Penn State (2-3-1, 0-2-0 B1G) thanks to a Palmer Ault hat trick Friday (Sept. 19) night on Jeffrey Field.
IU recovered from 1-0 deficit after a set piece header from sophomore Josh Maher evened it up going into the half. Ault’s three goals in the second half sent the Hoosiers home happy from Happy Valley.
KEY MOMENTS
• 8′ – GOAL! Penn State graduate forward Kai Phillip opened the scoring against the run of play, beating IU redshirt junior defender Breckin Minzey to a long ball and then rounding graduate goalkeeper Holden Brown. Penn State 1, Indiana 0
• 14′ – GOAL! Indiana leveled it seven minutes later as Maher headed Ault’s corner kick to the back post. Indiana 1, Penn State 1
• 49′ – Within seconds of each other, Indiana saw two early-second-half opportunities escape by inches. From another corner, sophomore forward Easton Bogard’s header hit the crossbar. The rebound fell to Minzey, and his shot leaked through the keeper but was cleared off the goal line.
• 58′ – GOAL! Ault made a tackle to give IU possession high up the pitch, passed to senior midfielder Cristiano Bruletti and punched home sophomore midfielder Michael Nesci’s cross. Indiana 2, Penn State 1
• 61′ – GOAL! Indiana’s great pressing led to another goal. After junior forward Collins Oduro took the ball away, senior midfielder Jack Wagoner played to Ault, cutting in from the left wing. Ault took on the Penn State right back and fired a bullet to the back post. Indiana 3, Penn State 1
• 85′ – GOAL! Oduro, Bogard and Ault streaked up the pitch with a three-versus-two advantage. Oduro passed across goal from the left flank, giving Ault an easy finish at the back post. Indiana 4, Penn State 1
NOTABLES
• Ault’s hat trick marked the first of his career and Indiana’s first hat trick since Victor Bezerra on Sept. 17, 2019, versus Kentucky.
• Ault also assisted IU’s first goal, giving him seven points on the night – the most from a Hoosier since Samuel Sarver versus Trine on October 9, 2021.
• The senior transfer now has seven goals, three assists and 17 points in eight matches as a Hoosier. Ault improved his career totals to 28 goals, 15 assists and 71 points.
• Indiana earned its sixth consecutive victory against Penn State, improving 41-15-5 in the all-time series. The three-goal victory marks IU’s largest margin of victory over the Nittany Lions since 1999 (3-0).
• IU has erased deficits in four matches this season, with Saturday’s result marking its third comeback victory.
• Maher scored his first-career goal and earned his first points of the season.
• Sophomore midfielder Charlie Heuer saw action for the first time since sustaining an injury August 21 versus Clemson. Heuer played 30 minutes in the second half.
• In his 33rd-career appearance, junior forward Clay Murador made his first-career start. Nesci made his first start of the season.
UP NEXT
Indiana has another Big Ten road match Tuesday (Sept. 23) at Michigan State. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET, and fans can watch on the Big Ten Network.
_____
INDIANA FIELD HOCKEY
INDIANA FALLS IN CONFERENCE OPENER TO IOWA
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ––– Indiana Field Hockey fell to Iowa 3-2 in a tight battle on Friday afternoon at Deborah Tobias Field.
The loss brings IU’s season record to 4-3. Indiana’s conference record falls to 0-1.
KEY MOMENTS
• Iowa’s Lieve van Kessel scored in the 25th minute of play to bring the score to 1-0.
• Charlotte Glaspers converted on a pass from Theresa Ricci to tie the game at 1-1 in the 32nd minute.
• Iowa’s Dionne van Aalsum notched a goal for the Hawkeyes to move the score to 2-1.
• Frderique van Cleef scored in the 46th minute of play to extend Iowa’s lead to 3-1.
• Indiana pulled goalkeeper Sadie Canelli in the 56th minute to optimize scoring opportunities but could not convert.
• Mijntje Hagen found the back of the cage in the 56th minute to bring the score to 3-2. Inés Garcia Prado recorded the assist.
NOTABLES
• Charlotte Glasper recorded her fourth goal of the season.
• Mijntje Hagen notched her second goal of the 2025 campaign and seventh of her career.
• Theresa Ricci slotted her fourth assist of the season and sixth of her career.
• Inés Garcia Prado recorded her fifth assist of the season and 12th of her career.
• Sadie Canelli made three saves on goal.
• The Hoosiers took eight penalty corners during the game, out performing Iowa by four penalty corners.
• Indiana outshot Iowa 15-10.
UP NEXT
• Indiana will welcome the Hawkeyes back to Deborah Tobias Field on Sunday, September 21 at 12 p.m. for a non-conference matchup.
_____
PURDUE VOLLEYBALL
SWEEP IN MUNCIE
MUNCIE, Ind. – No. 11 Purdue volleyball (8-1) pushed its winning streak to six consecutive matches as the Boilermakers downed Ball State (4-7) in Worthen Arena, 25-17, 25-21,
With the sweep, Purdue has won 12 of the last 13 sets against its opponents.
No. 11 Purdue closes out non-conference action on Sunday at home vs. IU Indy in a Gold Out match.
Notes
Kenna Wollard set a career-high behind her 25 kill effort on a season-high .435 attack %.
Taylor Anderson produced 43 assists in just three sets of action and an errorless six kills.
The team’s .372 attack % was just shy of a season-high.
Grace Heaney set a career-high 15 digs alongside eight kills.
Wollard hit .714% in Set 1 with a career-high 11 kills with just one error on 14 swings.
Purdue has hit over .400 in a set in the last three consecutive matches (Houston, SMU, Ball State).
Bianka Lulic made her debut as a Boilermaker tonight, posting two kills and a block.
Nataly Moravec started the third set, posting an errorless four kills on nine attacks (.444)
The win marked the third sweep in the last four matches.
It was Wollard’s seventh career match hitting .400 or better.
_____
PURDUE MEN’S GOLF
BOILERS IN 13TH AT OLYMPIA FIELDS AFTER 18 HOLES
OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. – The Purdue men’s golf team shot a 12-over par 292 to finish the first round in 13th place at the Fighting Illini / Olympia Fields Invitational held at Olympia Fields Country Club in suburban Chicago.
Texas Tech leads after 18 holes at 1-under par 279, while eight other teams are within seven shots of the leading-Red Raiders. Purdue is six shots behind ninth-place Arizona State, and within shouting distance of Georgia Tech (+7), Texas (+8) and Stanford (+11). Indiana (+13) and Baylor (+15) round out the field.
Leading the Boilermakers was Sam Easterbrook at even-par 70, good for a 14th-place tie. Easterbrook was 2-under par through 13 holes, but suffered two bogeys over the last five holes to fall to even-par.
Sophomore Supapon Amornchaichan is tied for 41st at 3-over par 73. It marks the 18th straight round of 75 or better for Amornchaichan dating to last season.
Freshman Will Harvey is tied for 52nd at 4-over par 74. Harvey was even-par through nine holes, but had bogeys on four of his last eight holes.
Andre Zhu is tied for 62nd at 5-over par 75, while Kentaro Nanayama is tied for 72nd at 7-over par 77.
Playing as an individual, Jenson Forrester is tied for 41st at 3-over par 73.
Purdue will be paired with Indiana and Baylor in round two, teeing off at 10 a.m. ET, off hole No. 10.
_____
NOTRE DAME MEN’S SOCCER
IRISH DOMINATE #12 LOUISVILLE IN 3-0 ACC VICTORY
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Fighting Irish turned in their most impressive performance of the season in front of a packed Alumni Stadium crowd on Friday evening, defeating No. 12 Louisville by a final score of 3-0 to remain unbeaten in ACC play.
Notre Dame improves to 4-1-2 on the season and 2-0-0 in the conference and are winners of three straight.
The Irish matched their best offensive output of the season, scoring three goals which all came in the second half. Wyatt Borso found his name on the scoresheet for the third straight match while Nolan Spicer and Ren Sylvester each scored their first of the season.
Blake Kelly and the Irish backline were phenomenal, recording their fourth clean sheet of the season. Kelly finished with six saves, including four big stops in the second half to secure the shutout victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish and Cardinals played an even, scoreless opening 45 minutes of action.
Notre Dame’s best look at goal came in the opening minutes. The Irish won a corner in the third minute and Mitch Ferguson’s delivery found an open Ian Shaul at the back post. The sophomore put his header on frame but it was right at the Louisville keeper, who made the save.
After a cagey first half that didn’t produce many clear-cut, goal-scoring chances, the Irish attack erupted for three in the final 45 minutes, putting on an offensive clinic.
The opening goal came from relentless attacking from the Irish. Wyatt Lewis had a shot from the right wing saved and Luke Burton fired the loose ball toward the goal but the keeper made a second stop. The rebound fell to the feet of Borso, who fired in his effort into the roof of the net to put Notre Dame on top 1-0 in the 64th minute.
Just one minute later the Irish doubled their lead off a moment of brilliance from Spicer. The junior collected a pass on the right edge of the box, got the ball onto his left foot and hit a sublime strike just inside the far post to put Notre Dame in control at 2-0.
After a few big saves from Kelly on the defensive end, the Irish hit a perfectly executed counter attack, sprung by Jack Flanagan’s tackle in the midfield. The junior then dribbled into the box and had his shot blocked right into the path of Sylvester, who calmly slotted into the back of the net to put an exclamation mark on the dominant performance.
McFARLAND FAMILY MEN’S HEAD SOCCER COACH CHAD RILEY’S TAKE
On the match…
“I’m really pleased with the performance. It was a little cagey in the first half. We know Louisville is a good team so it was a little back-and-forth.
“Then I was really proud of the way the group came out in the second half. We talked about being mature in our performance and I thought they did a great job of obviously executing and getting some goals. The guys did a good job of limiting Louisville’s transition, they are one of the best teams in transition that we have seen.
“To get the shutout is a huge credit to the guys and Blake [Kelly] made some big saves to keep it that way. I’m proud of how many guys got on the field. It was a real team performance and that’s what we want to be about at Notre Dame.”
On scoring three goals against Louisville’s defense…
“I thought it was good. Once you’re generating quality chances, an area we want to grow in, I think the offense was good. Nolan’s [Spicer] was a moment of brilliance but I did like the first goal with two forwards hunting in the box and then to get the third on the counter when they are pushing numbers forward doesn’t surprise you but at the same time you have to finish the play and it was good to see Ren [Sylvester] get his first goal.”
On the crowd…
“The crowd was excellent. It’s always fun to play in front of a packed Alumni Stadium with a lot of local soccer players from the community. We are really thankful to compete in front of these fans.”
ND STAT OF THE MATCH
Louisville came into the match having allowed just one goal through six games and the Irish scored three, all in the second half to pick up a big ACC ranked win.
ND NOTES
The three goals tie a season high for the Fighting Irish during the 2025 campaign and the team has now scored six over its last two outings
Notre Dame improves to 2-1-0 on the season against ranked teams with all three matches coming against top-15 opponents
The Irish have allowed just three goals all season and have not allowed more than one in any match during the 2025 campaign
Borso now has three goals on the season and six in his Fighting Irish career
Spicer’s goal marks his first of the season and fifth of his career
Shaul dished out his second assist of the season while Flanagan and Burton each picked up their first year
Kelly now has four clean sheets this season and has recorded 26 saves while allowing just three goals
UP NEXT
The Irish are back in action at Alumni Stadium with a 7 p.m. ET matchup against Wright State on Tuesday, Sept. 23. Admission to the match is free and it will be streamed on ACCNX. Also, Tuesday’s contest will be the Pups at the Pitch promotion, allowing fans to bring their dogs to the match.
_____
NOTRE DAME VOLLEYBALL
IRISH FALL TO MICHIGAN
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame volleyball team dropped Friday night’s match to Michigan in three sets, 22-25, 22-25, 17-25. The Irish are now 3-4 on the season.
Morgan Gaerte paced the Irish with 13 kills, while Sydney Helmers tacked on nine of her own.
Defensively, Anna Bjork tallied four blocks, three of them coming in the opening set. Notre Dame had 7.0 blocks in total.
Maya Baker assisted 13 Irish kills and recorded two service aces on the night. The freshman is now second on the team with eight aces this season.
Notre Dame will look to bounce back Sunday when the Irish face the Wolverines in a rematch in Ann Arbor. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m. and will be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network.
_____
NOTRE DAME CROSS COUNTRY
IRISH SQUADS POWER PAST COMPETITION AT NATIONAL CATHOLIC INVITATIONAL
Results (PDF)
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 8 Notre Dame men’s cross country team and the No. 11 Irish women’s squad put up a pair of strong performances on their way to sweeping the titles at the National Catholic Invitational on Friday afternoon.
Men’s Race
The men opened up the day by taking first through fourth place to lead the Irish to a team score of 20 for the team win.
Daelen Ackley took first place overall with a 23:48.4 in the 8k race to edge out teammate Cameron Todd, who placed second with a 23:48.5. Izaiah Steury was third with a time of 24:07.1 while Sam Rich placed fourth with a time of 24:08.5. Benji Anderson ran unattached and took fifth in a time of 24:12.0.
Colin Whitaker wrapped up the team scoring for the Irish with a 24:37.5 for 11th place. Ryan Pajak crossed the finish line in 24:42.3 to place 12th. Jason Parra posted a time of 24:46.6 for 16th.
Men’s Results
Daelen Ackley – 1st (23:48.4)
Cameron Todd – 2nd (23:48.5)
Izaiah Steury – 3rd (24:07.1)
Sam Rich – 4th (24:08.5)
Benji Anderson (unattached) – 5th (24:12.0)
Colin Whitaker – 11th (24:37.5)
Ryan Pajak – 12th (24:42.3)
Jason Parra – 16th (24:46.6)
Jack Bertram (unattached) – 23rd (25:18.4)
Jack Henzke – 26th (25:25.8)
Riku Sugie (unattached) – 34th (25:57.4)
Men’s Team Scores (top eight teams)
1. Notre Dame – 20
2. Loyola Chicago – 55
3. Lewis – 110
4. DePaul – 135
5. Detroit Mercy – 154
6. Canisius 167
7. St. Francis (Ill.) – 175
8. Bellarmine – 187
Women’s Race
The women swept the top five places for a perfect team score of 15 for the National Catholic Invitational title.
Arianne Olson took first place with a time of 16:35.8 to pace the Irish while Mary Bonner Dalton was less than a second back with a 16:36.1 to take second. Amaya Aramini (16:39.7), Gretchen Farley (16:47.1) and Sophie Novak (16:48.7) took third through fifth to secure the perfect team score.
Women’s Results
Arianne Olson – 1st (16:35.8)
Mary Bonner Dalton – 2nd (16:36.1)
Amaya Aramini – 3rd (16:39.7)
Gretchen Farley – 4th (16:47.1)
Sophie Novak – 5th (16:48.7)
Chloe Huyler (unattached) – 6th (16:50.0)
Reagan Riley – 7th (17:03.9)
Helen Sachs (unattached) – 8th (17:13.2)
Isabel Allori – 9th (17:18.2)
Addison Knoblauch -10th (17:19.4)
Rosie Mucharsky (unattached) – 11th (17:30.7)
Nicki Southerland – 12th (17:34.4)
Alexis Allen – 13th (17:34.7)
Elena Rybak (unattached) – 18th (18:03.8)
Grace Schager – 20th (18:14.4)
Kaleigh Gunsiorowski – 30th (18:45.3)
Women’s Team Score (top eight teams)
1. Notre Dame – 15
2. Lewis – 69
3. DePaul – 79
4. Loyola Chicago – 96
5. Detroit Mercy – 159
6. Mount Mercy – 219
7. Canisius – 220
8. Saint Francis (Ind.) – 233
The Irish return to their home course in two weeks when they host the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational on Friday, October 3. The first race of the day is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. ET.
_____
BUTLER VOLLEYBALL
BUTLER FALLS IN FIVE SETS IN INVITATIONAL OPENER IN FISHERS
Butler built a two-set lead before IU Indianapolis was able to rally for a 3-2 win over the Bulldogs on the opening night of the Butler Volleyball Invitational hosted at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Ind.
The Jaguars took the match 22-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-10.
With the result, Butler is now 5-6 on the season. IU Indy improves to 6-5.
THE DECIDING FIFTH: Butler jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the deciding set before IU Indianapolis was able to string together seven straight points for an 11-9 advantage. An Elise Ward kill stopped the streak and pulled Butler within one point (11-10) before the Jaguars closed the match by winning the final four points.
SET BY SET:
Five of Elise Ward’s Butler-high 14 kills came in the first set on only eight swings as Butler took a 25-22 decision.
Five Bulldogs had multiple kills and the team combined for four blocks as Butler took a 2-0 lead with a 25-19 win in the second set.
The third set saw IU Indianapolis limit Butler to .129 hitting while the Jaguars hit at a .278 clip in the 25-22 win. The set featured nine ties and five lead changes.
Butler was done in by five service errors in dropping the fourth set, 25-22, to the Jaguars.
QUICK ATTACKS:
Elise Ward led four Bulldogs in double-figure kills with 14. Five of Ward’s kills came on her eight swings in the first set.
Libero Lauren Evans had a match-high 21 digs.
Zoe McDonald had 12 kills on a .417 attack percentage Friday night.
Jillian Tippmann led the Jaguars with 19 kills; Maia Long added 17.
Butler had eight services aces in the match – two each from Ward, Evans, Kaylee Finnegan and Alaleh Tolliver.
Butler hit .206 for the match; IU Indy countered with a .245 percentage.
Butler’s 10 team blocks included seven block assists from Ellery Rees and five from Sawyer Jones.
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs return to the Fishers Event Center Saturday for the second day of the Butler Volleyball Invitational. The Bulldogs will play Oakland at 2 p.m. and then follow that with a 5 p.m. match against Eastern Michigan.
_____
BUTLER MEN’S SOCCER
BUTLER DROPS BIG EAST OPENER TO GEORGETOWN
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler men’s soccer team entertained Georgetown on the opening day of BIG EAST competition, but the visiting Hoyas came away with a 5-0 shutout. Georgetown (4-2-2, 1-0-0 BIG EAST) was led by forward Zach Zengue who tallied a hat-trick, scoring goals in the fifth, 21st, and 66th minutes. Georgetown was up 2-0 at the half and added a pair of goals after the break before Zengue finished the scoring with his third.
The Bulldogs (2-6-0, 0-1-0 BIG EAST) produced seven shots in the match, with two on frame. Aurie Briscoe made four saves in goal.
Up Next
Butler travels to Evansville on Tuesday, September 23, for a non-conference match and then returns to BIG EAST competition, hosting No. 10 Akron on Saturday, September 27.
_____
BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BUTLER ANNOUNCES 2025-26 BIG EAST WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
The BIG EAST portion of Butler’s women’s basketball schedule features all 10 BIG EAST opponents visiting Hinkle Fieldhouse in addition to the Bulldogs making the trip to all 10 BIG EAST cities.
The entire 2025-26 BIG EAST Conference women’s basketball schedule was announced Friday. Game times and television information will be announced at a later date.
Additional notes on Butler’s 2025-26 BIG EAST schedule:
Butler hosts defending national champion Connecticut Sunday, Dec. 28. The Huskies’ visit to Hinkle Fieldhouse last season was a sell-out, setting a new Butler Women’s Basketball single-game attendance record with 9,100 fans.
The Bulldogs open BIG EAST play Thursday, Dec. 4, traveling to Seton Hall. The Pirates bookend Butler’s schedule as Seton Hall comes to Hinkle Fieldhouse in the regular season finale Sunday, March 1.
Butler’s home BIG EAST schedule includes five weekend games (three Sunday tips, one Saturday game and a Friday night tilt) and five on Wednesdays.
The BIG EAST returns to a 20-game, full round-robin conference schedule for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign. BIG EAST women’s basketball teams played 18 conference games in each of the last two seasons.
The BIG EAST season culminates at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., March 6-9 for the 2026 BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament. Peacock will stream all 10 of the tournament games.
_____
IU INDY VOLLEYBALL
JAGS COMPLETE REVERSE SWEEP OVER BUTLER
FISHERS, Ind. – The IU Indianapolis volleyball team showed their resilience Friday night inside the Fishers Event Center, erasing a two-set deficit to stun crosstown rival Butler, 3-2 (22–25, 19–25, 25–22, 25–22, 15–10).
After dropping the first two sets, IU Indy found itself on the brink. In set three, Jillian Tippmann and Maia Long delivered back-to-back kills to close out a tight 25-22 win, swinging momentum to the Jaguars.
Set four mirrored the third. Morgan Ostrowski’s quick attack and a block from Chloe Macias helped IU Indy edge Butler, 25-22, to even the match at two sets each.
In the decisive fifth, the Bulldogs raced ahead 8-4 at the changeover. The Jags then went on a 7-0 run including back-to-back-to-back kills from Long and a service ace from Ostrowski to give IU Indy the 11-9 lead. Butler fired back with a kill to make it 11-10 before IU Indy closed out the match with four straight points, capped off with a kill from Tippmann.
Tippmann powered the offense with a match-high 19 kills on .406 hitting, providing the steady scoring the Jaguars needed to turn the match around. Long added 17 kills and six digs, including several crucial swings late in sets three and four. Ostrowski was a force at the net, finishing with 11 kills (.364) and three blocks.
Grace Purichia ran the offense with 58 assists and chipped in 10 digs, keeping the Jaguars balanced. Defensively, Laura Roeder anchored the back row with 14 digs and two service aces, while Ninah Miranda tallied 16 digs and chipped in nine kills.
IU Indy outhit Butler .245 to .206, recording 66 kills to the Bulldogs’ 57. The Jaguars also dug 70 balls compared to Butler’s 52, a defensive edge that proved vital in extending rallies and fueling their comeback.
The Jaguars improve to 6-5 on the year and will next travel to West Lafayette to take on the No. 11 ranked Purdue on Sunday, Sept. 21. The Boilermakers and Jags are set for a 1:00 PM first serve.
_____
BALL STATE VOLLEYBALL
ANOTHER RECORD CROWD WATCHES VOLLEYBALL BATTLE NO. 11 PURDUE
MUNCIE, Ind. – – For the second straight match, the Ball State women’s volleyball program set its Worthen Arena attendance record with 2,310 fans watching the Cardinals (4-7) battle 11th-ranked Purdue Friday evening.
“I am really grateful to play in this environment with so many members of the community here,” head coach Kelli Miller Phillips said. “It was a really special day. As a team, we had some spurts where we were really scoring well, especially our middles. There were certainly some things Purdue was doing on the offensive front that we could not find an answer for, but we will learn from that. Overall, I thought we had great composure, especially playing in front of a crowd like this.”
Thursday’s afternoon tilt versus Cincinnati saw a then-record 2,117 fans, topping the previous record of 1,744 set versus Tennessee State on Sept. 3, 2010.
Ball State held its own against the national powerhouse coached by alums Dave Shonell, playing to 13-15 in each frame, including a knotted score of 15-15 in the second. Unfortunately, the Boilermakers (8-1) surged down the stretch in each set to claim a 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-19) victory.
Leading the charge once again for the Cardinals was sophomore outside Carson Tyler who blasted a team-high 12 kills for her 11th match of the season in double figures this season. She also collected four digs and was a perfect 23-for-23 in serve receive, as neither squad tallied a service ace on the night.
Back on the front line, Ball State’s middle duo of juniors Camryn Wise and Gwen Crull tied for second on the squad with eight kills apiece. Both also netted a block.
The Cardinals’ backcourt was led by 11 digs from sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter and 10 from graduate outside Noelle VanOort. Junior setter Lindsey Green dished out 29 total assists, helping Ball State hit .195 (38-16-113)
The Purdue offense was fueled by 25 kills from Kenna Wollard, while also hit .435 (25-5-46) for the night. As a team, the Boilermakers connected for a .372 (53-11-113) rate of success guided by 43 assists from Taylor Anderson. Grace Heaney led all players with 13 digs.
The Ball State women’s volleyball team closes non-conference play Saturday afternoon when it hosts Eastern Kentucky for Tailgate Day. Games will be set up in the green area outside the main ticket office of Worthen Arena for fans to enjoy prior to the match which starts at 4 p.m.
_____
BALL STATE FIELD HOCKEY
CLOKIE’S OT GAME-WINNER LIFTS FIELD HOCKEY PAST LONGWOOD
FARMVILLE, Va. – In the Ball State field hockey’s teams Mid-American Conference opener, senior Grace Clokie scored the game-winning goal in overtime to push the Cardinals past Longwood University by a score of 4-3 Friday afternoon at Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field.
With the win, Ball State improved to 3-5 overall and has now started conference action 1-0 while Longwood drops to 1-6 overall and 0-1 in MAC play.
Clokie netted the game-winning goal just three minutes into OT after teammate Emma van Hal dished out the assist. The goal marked Clokie’s fifth of her career.
Both teams came ready to play with a high intensity for their first MAC game. Longwood would get on the board first after a score from Channy Johnson which occurred late in the first quarter.
The Cardinals were able to adjust their defense in the second stanza, which caused the Lancers some offensive trouble. Ball State took advantage of the opportunity with a Jessica Rochat goal at the 22:36 mark to knot the contest 1-1. The goal was the first for Rochat as a Cardinal.
BSU continued to control the tempo of the game and would add another score at the 29:34 mark. This time the goal was scored by Ellie Francois with Rochat earning the assist to give the Cardinals the 2-1 edge at intermission. The goal was Francois second of her career.
After the break, emotions were high, and the Cardinals carried their first half momentum into the third quarter as Lauren Lewis found the back of the cage for her first career score with just a little over three minutes shaved off the clock. Emily Kate Covert was awarded the assist for the goal which gave Ball State the 3-1 advantage versus the Lancers.
Longwood didn’t give up though and would add two goals in the final 15 minutes of action to tie the game 3-3 with just nine minutes remaining in regulation. Both squads remained scoreless the rest of the contest which would then send the game into an extra period.
Defensively, Carleigh Hofelich was in goal again for BSU earning her second victory along with collecting seven saves.
The Ball State field hockey team returns to non-conference play when it travels to Virginia Commonwealth Sunday. The game is slated for 1 pm ET.
_____
PURDUE FT. WAYNE VOLLEYBALL
MASTODONS TAKE HOME OPENER 3-1 OVER MERCYHURST
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne women’s volleyball won its home opener on Friday night (Sept. 19) with a 3-1 win (25-20, 19-25, 25-21, 35-33) over Mercyhurst.
The highlight of the night came in the fourth set, which ended up being a dogfight to the very end. The Mastodons hit .314 in the fourth behind seven kills from Trinity Rye. In the fourth alone, Mya Plemons, Riley Rosneck and Jena Medearis had five kills each. Mercyhurst led 24-21 in the final frame, just one swing away from forcing a fifth set, but the Mastodons locked in, getting a kill from Rye and two from Rosneck to tie it up at 25. The ‘Dons held off Mercyhurst’s four set points after that draw, then eventually got back-to-back kills from its middles: Medearis and Plemons to take the match. There were 19 ties and eight lead changes in the fourth set alone.
The first set went to Purdue Fort Wayne after a 6-0 run that put the ‘Dons up 19-14. Rye had two kills and a block in the run. The second set was the Lakers’ after a 5-2 start, from which the Mastodons never recovered.
After a quick start for Mercyhurst in the third, an early timeout for the ‘Dons helped them reset and go on a 5-2 push to go up 14-10 after a kill from Rosneck. The Lakers made a push late to cut it to a 22-20 deficit, but Plemons had two kills to put it out of reach.
The Mastodons hit .263 as a team, including .314 in the fourth set and .270 in the first. The .263 for the match is a season-high.
Becky Barrett and Haiden Means had mirroring double-doubles, with Barrett notching 18 digs and 10 assists while Means turned in 47 assists and 16 digs. Rye finished with 16 kills, the most in her young career. Rosneck had a match-high 19 kills with six in the third and five in the fourth.
The Mastodons moved to 2-7 with the win and Mercyhurst fell to 2-10 with the loss.
Purdue Fort Wayne will play Bellarmine at 11 a.m. and Toledo at 7 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 20) for the last day of the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational.
_____
SOUTHERN INDIANA CROSS COUNTRY
FRESHMEN LEAD EAGLES TO SECOND-PLACE FINISH AT SIU
CARBONDALE, Ill.—Freshmen Ben Perulfi, Wylee Kippenbrock and Carson Brown placed sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively, to lead University of Southern Indiana Men’s Cross Country to a second place finish at the SIU Oscar Moore Invitational Friday evening in Carbondale, Illinois.
Perulfi posted an eight-kilometer time of 25 minutes, 27.85 seconds, while Kippenbrock and Brown completed the course with respective times of 25:29.63 and 15:31.01.
The Screaming Eagles finished with 42 points in the four-team field, while host Southern Illinois was first with 23 points.
Junior Eli Mojonnier and freshman Brady Tremayne were 10th and 11th, respectively, to aid the Screaming Eagles, while sophomores Andrew Smith and Zach Wells were 13th and 15th, respectively, to round out USI’s top seven.
USI returns to action next Friday (September 26) when it competes at the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Missouri.
USI WOMEN FINISH SECOND AT OSCAR MOORE INV.
CARBONDALE, Ill.—Sophomore Cordelia Hoover raced to an eighth-place finish to lead University of Southern Indiana Women’s Cross Country to a second-place finish at the SIU Oscar Moore Invitational Friday evening in Carbondale, Illinois.
Hoover finished the six-kilometer course in 23 minutes, 2.86 seconds as the Screaming Eagles finished with 59 points in the four-team field.
Freshmen Mackenzi Thomas and Zoe Roberts were 10th and 11th, respectively, to aid the Screaming Eagles’ cause. Fellow classmates Isabella Fuentes and Adara Austin completed USI’s top five with respective placements of 14th and 16th.
Sophomore Maggie Smith and junior Parker Provost rounded out the Screaming Eagles’ scorers with finishes of 21st and 23rd.
USI returns to action next Friday (September 26) when it competes at the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Missouri.
______
VALPO VOLLEYBALL
VOLLEYBALL SPLITS MATCHES FRIDAY AT LEATHERNECK CLASSIC
The Valpo volleyball team split a pair of matches on its first day of competition at the Leatherneck Classic Friday in Macomb, Ill., battling with #22 Missouri before falling to the Tigers by a 3-1 (25-18, 24-26, 25-23, 25-16) final and bouncing back in the nightcap with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-16) sweep of host Western Illinois. Senior Emma Hickey (Granger, Ind./Penn) moved into third place in program history in career digs in the second match of the day.
How It Happened – Missouri
Valpo got off to a dream start against its nationally-ranked opponent with the match’s first four points, but Mizzou came back to tie things up at 11-11. After the Beacons scored two in a row to take a 13-11 lead, the Tigers reeled off a 9-0 run to take control of the opener.
A back-and-forth second set saw the Beacons pull out to a 21-17 lead late. Mizzou scored the next four in a row to even the set, and after back-to-back Valpo points, the Tigers put together three points in a row to earn set point at 24-23. But Sam Warren (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) came up with a key kill to force extra points, and consecutive errors by Mizzou evened the match at one set apiece.
Another back-and-forth frame ensued in the third. The Beacons held an 18-17 edge approaching the late stages before the Tigers scored seven of the next nine points to earn set point at 24-20. Valpo was able to hold off three set point chances for Mizzou, but came up one point shy of forcing extra points.
Missouri used an early 6-1 run in set four to gain separation and Valpo was unable to get closer than two points the rest of the way.
How It Happened – WIU
Valpo used a 9-2 run mid-set in the opening set — featuring consecutive service aces from Keira Lucas (Brazil, Ind./Northview) — to turn a 14-12 deficit into a 21-16 lead and kept the Leathernecks at bay from there.
Another run on Lucas’ serve was key in the second set, this one coming early in the set and featuring two more service aces from the rookie. All told, it was an 8-0 run to erase an early 3-0 deficit, and the Beacons led the rest of the way in going up 2-0 in the match.
Valpo led start-to-finish in the final frame of the day, as Addy Kois (Osceola, Ind./Penn) delivered a pair of service aces in a 5-0 run to open the set.
Inside the Matches
17 of Valpo’s 18 players appeared in the evening sweep of the hosts, as the Beacons rotated liberally, with only three hitters appearing in all three sets.
With her eighth dig against WIU, Hickey posted the 2,310th dig of her collegiate career, moving past former Valpo standout libero Brittany Malicoat for third place in program history.
After pacing the Beacons in the day’s first match with 24 digs, Hickey was topped by a teammate for the first time all season in the nightcap. The senior, who ceded libero duties for much of the third set, tallied 12 digs against WIU, surpassed by Lucas, who recorded 14 digs — a season-best — to go with four service aces.
Warren and Jordyn Gove (Amarillo, Texas/Randall) tied for team-high honors in the win over the Leathernecks with seven kills apiece, Warren doing so on .353 hitting.
Mara Thomas (Bogart, Ga./Athens Academy) paced Valpo in the sweep with 24 assists.
The Beacons held WIU to .117 hitting in the nightcap.
In the first match of the tournament, Lilly Merk (Terre Haute, Ind./Terre Haute South Vigo) surpassed her career high with a team-best 13 kills on .435 hitting.
Both of Valpo’s middles were strong offensively against the nationally-ranked Tigers, as Jessica Pickett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) delivered nine kills on .450 hitting.
Kois paced the Beacons with 24 assists against Mizzou.
Valpo held a 56-54 advantage in kills over the Tigers, but attack errors were the difference, as the Beacons committed 33 — 18 of which were Mizzou blocks — and hit just .135 to the Tigers’ .259.
Next Up
Valpo (8-4) closes out the Leatherneck Classic on Saturday with a 1 p.m. match against Chicago State.
______
VALPO CROSS COUNTRY
HOLLANDER TAKES THIRD IN KALAMAZOO
The Valparaiso University men’s and women’s cross country teams continued their seasons on Friday with the women’s 6k and men’s 8k at the George Dales Invite, hosted by Western Michigan at the Prairies Golf Club in Kalamazoo, Mich. Junior Karson Hollander (Crystal Lake, Ill. / Crystal Lake) finished third in the men’s 8k, moving into the program’s all-time top 5.
How It Happened
In the women’s 6k, the first Beacon to cross the finish line was freshman Samantha Rowley (Barrington, Ill. / Barrington), who paced the team for the second straight race. After leading the way in the 5k at the season-opening home meet, she ran a 22:48.1 in her first collegiate 6k.
Narrowly behind Rowley was redshirt sophomore Laetitia Raoult (Guingamp, France / [Florida International]), who made her season debut with a time of 22:51.0.
Junior Vivian Rahmel (Springfield, Ill. / Sacred Heart Griffin) was the third Beacon to cross the finish line, stopping the clock at 24:01.6.
Running unattached, Chante Dixon had a top-20 finish at 22:08.2, placing 19th.
Ohio took the top spot in the women’s race, led by individual champion Allie Martin at 21:02.8.
Hollander’s top-3 finish came with a time of 24:47.5, behind only champion Owen Pukys of Dayton (24:30.8) and runner-up Wesley Hollowell of Oakland (24:41.2). Hollander set a new personal standard, bettering his previous best of 24:48.9 from the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Championship that already ranked sixth in program history.
Hollander’s time allowed him to usurp Simeon Ehm (24:48.3, 2022 Bradley Pink Classic) for fifth in program history.
Redshirt junior Alex Valerio (Rockford, Ill. / Boylan Catholic), who posted a time of 25:49.8 to place 25th, was the second-best Beacon.
Freshman Joey Yaros (Bloomington, Ill. / Normal Community) was third on the team, posting a time of 25:58.7 in his first collegiate 8k, finishing 29th.
Oakland took the team title on the men’s side.
Up Next
The season continues on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invite.
_____
UINDY MEN’S SOCCER
UINDY EXTENDS WIN STREAK TO FOUR AFTER WIN AGAINST UPPER IOWA
INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy men’s soccer team soared past the Peacocks on Friday night, 4-2, earning the team’s fourth straight win, and second GLVC win on the season.
In four meetings against Upper Iowa, the Hounds have outscored the Peacocks, 10-2, including a 5-0 win in the team’s first ever meeting in 2007.
Along with the offensive flurry from UIndy, which saw the Hounds score four times on 18 shots, this one was also very chippy, as there were 26 fouls, and five yellow cards combined between the teams.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Things got going in this one right away, with Keerti Unnamatla coming up with a big save in the game’s first two minutes of the match on a high driven shot.
But the highlight of the first half was Gio Terlizzi who scored an absolute screamer from 20 yards, his one time hit nestled into the upper left corner, giving no chance to Upper Iowa’s Noah Nymark Pedersen, and putting the Hounds ahead 1-0 after 12 minutes.
The Hounds’ next two goals came in quick succession, as Sam Siegel netted his first career goal for the Greyhounds in the 18th minute, which was followed by Terlizzi’s penalty attempt that beat the outstretched hand of Nymark Pedersen to put UIndy comfortably ahead, 3-0 just 20 minutes into the match.
Upper Iowa got one back with eight minutes left in the first half off a header from a corner kick to make the score 3-1 headed to halftime.
The second half became very contentious, very quickly, as there were nine fouls combined between both teams before the second half’s first shot on target on a direct free kick from Upper Iowa that forced a save from Unnamatla in the 73rd minute.
After some chippy play from both sides to start the half, the final 15 minutes became wide open and chaotic, which began in the 78th minute, with Colin Elder scoring his third goal of the season on an assist from Alvaro Sanchez to push UIndy’s lead to three.
The Peacocks got that goal back less than four minutes later to cut the Hounds’ lead back to two.
UIndy saw out the final nine minutes after a handful of chances on both ends, clinching the team’s fourth consecutive victory in their 2025 campaign.
INSIDE THE BOX
– Terlizzi scored his team’s best third and fourth goals of the season in tonight’s contest.
– Joey Longo picked up his second assist of the season in as many games on Siegel’s goal.
– Tonight is the first time since 2023 that the Hounds have scored at least four goals twice in a season.
– Alex Ziermann made his Greyhound debut tonight, coming into the game as a substitute.
UP NEXT
UIndy will look to continue their good run of form at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday Sept. 21 against Quincy, a team that UIndy has beaten five straight times
_____
UINDY WOMEN’S SOCCER
WOMEN’S SOCCER SECURES DRAW AGAINST UPPER IOWA
INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy women’s soccer team earned a 1-1 draw against Upper Iowa at Key Stadium on Friday night.
This marks the first time since the Peacocks joined the GLVC in 2023 that the Hounds were unable to beat Upper Iowa. Tonight’s game was dominated by the Greyhounds though, as the team stuffed the box score with plenty of chances, 20 shots compared to only four for Upper Iowa.
20 shots are the most shots in a game for UIndy dating back to last season when UIndy fired 24 shots against GLVC foe Missouri S&T.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hounds looked to grab that first win of the season from the jump. Lyza Shamy, Nicole Schroeder, Rochelle Maxson, and Suhkmani Shergill all created chances for the Hounds in the first 17 minutes of the match.
Schroeder found the breakthrough for UIndy in the 19th minute, after a quick corner taken by Shergill found Schroeder at the top of the 18 yard-box, where she smashed a left footed shot past Sienna Johnson to give UIndy the 1-0 lead.
But the opportunities to snag that second goal didn’t end for UIndy, as Schroeder and substitute, Ella Bredensteiner, continued to pepper Johnson with shots. The two combined for five more chances in the first half, two of which forced saves out of Johnson in the 25th and 33rd minutes.
The Peacocks remained patient, and capitalized on a mistake in the back line for the Hounds in the 40th minute. Giovanna Alexa Garcia buried their best chance of the first half past UIndy’s Maria White to knot the game at one headed to the half.
After 12 shots in the first half, the Hounds continued their charge to find the now game winner in the second half.
Bredensteiner and Antiya Sidibe in the 65th and 75th minutes were the two best early chances for UIndy. Bredensteiner’s chance forced a save from Johnson, while Sidibe’s shot rang off the crossbar just 10 minutes later.
The second half action came in the closing minutes, as teams traded blows in an effort to seal the game.
Sidibe’s chance in the 82nd minute, and Zy’Aire Parker’s shot in the 87th minute were both saved by Upper Iowa’s goalkeeper. But Upper Iowa had one last gasp of a chance in the final two minutes, but was denied by Maria White to secure the one all draw.
INSIDE THE BOX
– White made her first career start for the Greyhounds tonight, making one save.
– Schroeder’s goal tonight was the first of her career, while she also set career highs in shots (4), and shots on goal (2).
– Sidibe had her most shots in one game, four, since she recorded six against Missouri S&T last season.
– Shergill tallied the second assist of her career tonight.
UP NEXT
The Hounds remain at home this weekend for Senior Day against Quincy on Sunday Sept. 21 at noon.
_____
+++SMALL INDIANA COLLEGE SPORTS WEB SITES+++
UINDY ATHLETICS: https://athletics.uindy.edu/
MARIAN ATHLETICS: https://muknights.com/
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
_____
+++SPORTS EXTRA+++
+++TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY+++
Sept. 20
1902 — Chicago’s Jim Callaghan tossed the White Sox’s first no-hitter, beating Detroit 2-0.
1907 — Pittsburgh’s Nicholas Maddox became the first Pirates pitcher to throw a no-hitter by defeating the Brooklyn Superbas, 2-1, at Exposition Park. Pirates player-manager Fred Clarke had the only two hits of the game, both off Elmer Stricklett. All three runs in the game were unearned. Brooklyn scored its run in the fourth, thanks to errors by Maddox and shortstop Honus Wagner. Maddox made a high throw over first baseman Harry Swacina’s head, allowing Emil Batch to reach base. Batch scored when Wagner threw away Al Burch’s ground ball.
1908 — Frank Smith of the Chicago White Sox threw his second career no-hitter for a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Athletics.
1912 — The Detroit Tigers snapped Joe Wood’s 16-game win streak with a 6-4 win over the Boston Red Sox.
1924 — Grover Cleveland Alexander won his 300th game as the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Giants 7-3 in 12 innings.
1958 — Hoyt Wilhelm of the Baltimore Orioles pitched a 1-0 no-hitter against the New York Yankees at Memorial Stadium, with the only run coming on a home run by Gus Triandos.
1968 — Mickey Mantle hit his last home run in the major leagues, a solo shot against Boston’s Jim Lonborg. Mantle had 536 homers.
1969 — Bob Moose of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitched a 4-0 no-hitter against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium.
1988 — Wade Boggs became the first player this century to get 200 hits in six consecutive seasons as the Boston Red Sox pounded Toronto 13-2. Boggs also joined Lou Gehrig as the only players to get 200 hits and 100 walks in three consecutive years.
1992 — Philadelphia second baseman Mickey Morandini made the first unassisted triple play in the National League in 65 years, the ninth in major league history, in the Phillies’ 3-2, 13-inning loss to Pittsburgh.
1998 — Cal Ripken took himself out of the starting lineup and did not play in the Baltimore Orioles’ loss to the New York Yankees, ending his consecutive-game streak at 2,632 games. After nearly 16 years, Ripken said he decided the time was right to end the streak, which began on May 30, 1982.
2008 — Francisco Rodriguez recorded his 60th save in Los Angeles’ 7-3 victory over Texas.
2012 — The Washington Nationals brought postseason baseball back to the nation’s capital for the first time since 1933, earning a playoff spot with a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The city of Washington was last in the postseason 79 years ago, when player-manager Joe Cronin and the Senators lost to the New York Giants in five games in the World Series.
2013 — Alex Rodriguez set a major league record with his 24th career grand slam, passing Lou Gehrig with a tiebreaking shot in the seventh inning that sent New York Yankees to a 5-1 victory over San Francisco.
2017 — Chris Sale struck out 13 to become the first AL pitcher in 18 years to reach the 300 mark, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 9-0.
2018 — Justin Smoak homered with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Toronto Blue Jays a 9-8 comeback victory over Tampa Bay. Trailing 8-2 to begin the bottom of the ninth, the Blue Jays roared back. Rowdy Tellez hit an RBI double and Danny Jansen chased Jamie Schultz with a three-run homer. Sergio Romo came on and struck out Richard Urena, but pinch hitter Kendrys Morales reached on a bloop single and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. tied it with a two-run homer to left. Smoak followed with a first pitch drive to right, Toronto’s fourth homer of the game.
2021 — Jon Lester, St. Louis Cardinals, records his 200th win of his career with a 5-2 win over the Brewers.
2022 — Aaron Judge becomes just the sixth player in major league history to have a 60-homer season as he belts one in the 9th inning of a 9 – 8 Yankees win over Pittsburgh.
_____
Sept. 21
1934 — Daffy Dean of the St. Louis Cardinals pitched a no-hitter against the Brooklyn Dodgers for 3-0 victory in the second game of an Ebbets Field doubleheader. Daffy’s brother Dizzy, held Brooklyn hitless until the eighth inning in the opener and won 13-0.
1947 — Boston’s Johnny Pesky had two hits in each game of a doubleheader and finished the day with 202 hits. Pesky surpassed the 200-hit mark for the third time in as many major league seasons. He is the only player to lead a league in hits in his first three seasons in the game.
1964 — Manager Gene Mauch’s first-place Phillies lost 1-0 to the Cincinnati Reds on Chico Ruiz’s steal of home in the sixth inning. It was Philadelphia’s first of 10 straight losses, a streak that cost them the NL pennant.
1970 — Oakland’s Vida Blue pitched a no-hitter in his eighth major league start, beating Minnesota 6-0.
1995 — Colorado’s John Vander Wal set a major league record with his 26th pinch-hit of the season with a home run in the seventh inning against San Francisco.
2000 — Colorado’s Jeff Cirillo doubled twice in a 13-4 win over San Diego, giving him 51 doubles for the year. Cirillo and Todd Helton (57) became the seventh pair of teammates in major league history to reach 50 doubles in the same season.
2001 — Albert Pujols hit a grand slam and doubled in a run in St. Louis’ 9-5 win over Pittsburgh. The slam gave him the major league record for extra base hits by a rookie (83), one more than Johnny Frederick’s total for Brooklyn in 1929.
2001 — Ranger infielder Alex Rodriguez hits his 47th home run tying the major league record for home runs in a season by a shortstop. Cubs legend Ernie Banks established the record in 1958.
2006 — David Ortiz hit his 51st and 52nd homers, breaking the Red Sox record for most homers in a season of 50 set in 1938 by Jimmie Foxx. The homers also set the major league record by a designated hitter at 45, two more than he hit when he set the record last season.
2008 — Baseball said farewell to Yankee Stadium, the home of baseball’s most famous team. What began with a Babe Ruth home run on an April afternoon in 1923 ended with Mariano Rivera retiring Brian Roberts on a grounder to first baseman Cody Ransom, completing a 7-3 victory over Baltimore.
2013 — Matt Carpenter broke Stan Musial’s team record for doubles by a left-handed batter in a season and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-2. Carpenter’s fifth-inning double was his 54th of the season, one more than Musial’s total in 1953.
2016 — Rookie Gary Sanchez hit two more homers and drove in five runs to lead the New York Yankees to an 11-5 rout of the Tampa Bay Rays. Sanchez homered in his fourth straight game. The catcher hit a three-run shot in a four-run second off Alex Cobb and added his 19th homer in 43 games this season on a solo drive in the sixth against Justin Marks. Including two games last season, Sanchez became the first player in major league history to hit 19 homers in his first 45 games. Wally Berger, with the Boston Braves in 1930, went deep 19 times in his first 51 games.
_____
Sept. 22
1911 — Cy Young, 44, beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 1-0 for his 511th and final major league victory.
1936 — The Detroit Tigers swept the St. Louis Browns 12-0 and 14-0 to record the biggest double shutout in major league history.
1954 — Karl Spooner of Brooklyn became the first pitcher in the majors to strike out 15 in his first game as the Dodgers beat the New York Giants 3-0.
1966 — The Baltimore Orioles clinched their first AL pennant in 22 years with a 6-1 victory over the Kansas City A’s. Their last pennant came in 1944 when they were the St. Louis Browns.
1968 — Cesar Tovar played one inning at each position for the Minnesota Twins, becoming the second major leaguer in history to do it. Bert Campaneris of the Oakland A’s was the other.
1969 — Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants became the second player to hit 600 career home runs — joining Babe Ruth. The two-run shot off San Diego’s Mike Corkins in the seventh inning, gave the Giants a 4-2 win.
1973 — Baltimore’s Al Bumbry tied the major-league record with three triples as the Orioles beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-1 and clinched the American League East title.
1977 — Bert Blyleven tossed a 6-0 no-hitter for Texas against the Angels at Anaheim Stadium.
1986 — Fernando Valenzuela of Los Angeles became the first Mexican to win 20 games, beating the Houston Astros 9-2 while allowing two hits.
1990 — Andre Dawson of the Chicago Cubs stole his 300th base in an 11-5 loss to the New York Mets, to become the second player with 300 homers, 300 steals and 2,000 hits. Willie Mays was the other.
1993 — Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers faced three Seattle batters before hurting his right elbow. Ryan finished his career with 324 wins, 5,714 strikeouts and seven no-hitters.
2000 — Houston’s Jose Lima set an NL single-season record by allowing his 47th homer in the Astros’ 12-5 loss to Cincinnati. The major league record for home runs allowed in a season is 50, set by Minnesota’s Bert Blyleven in 1986.
2003 — Detroit set an AL record with its 118th loss, falling 12-6 to Kansas City. The 1916 Philadelphia Athletics (36-117) set the record.
2003 — Second baseman Alfonso Soriano broke a major league record by hitting his 13th leadoff homer of the year in the New York Yankees’ 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox.
2006 — Alfonso Soriano became baseball’s first 40-40-40 player in Washington’s 3-2 win over the New York Mets. Soriano hit his 40th double and stole his 41st base. With 45 homers, he already was only the fourth major league player with 40 homers and 40 steals in a season.
2018 — The Atlanta Braves capped a most surprising season by clinching their first NL East crown since 2013, with Mike Foltynewicz taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning in a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. A year after going 70-92, manager Brian Snitker and his Baby Braves surged back into the playoffs.
2023 — By hitting his 40th homer of the season, Ronald Acuña Jr. becomes just the fifth member of the exclusive 40-40 club consisting pf players whp have hit 40 homers and stolen 40 bases in the same season. He already has over 60 steals, the first player to ever combine the two totals, and has a chance to reach 70. The Braves defeat the Nationals, 9 – 6. For the second time in a month, Aaron Judge hits three homers in a game to lead the Yankees to a 7 – 1 lead over the Diamondbacks. Judge had never had such a game before this year, and becomes the first player in Yankees history to have two in one season.
Sept. 23
1908 — In a crucial game with the Chicago Cubs, Fred Merkle of the New York Giants failed to touch second base as the apparent winning run crossed home plate. This resulted in a great dispute and the game was eventually declared a tie and played over on Oct. 8 when the Cubs and Giants ended the season in a tie.
1939 — Brooklyn’s Cookie Lavagetto went 6-for-6 to lead the Dodgers’ 27-hit attack in a 22-4 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies. Lovagetto had four singles, a double and a triple and scored four runs. He was the only Dodger without an RBI. Dixie Walker, Gene Moore and Johnny Hudson each drive in three runs.
1952 — The Brooklyn Dodgers clinched the NL title, the first time since 1948 that the pennant wasn’t decided in the season’s final game.
1957 — Hank Aaron’s 11th-inning homer gave the Milwaukee Braves a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals and the NL pennant. It was the first time since 1950 that a New York team hadn’t finished first.
1979 — Lou Brock stole base No. 938, breaking Billy Hamilton’s record, as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Mets 7-4 in 10 innings.
1983 — Steve Carlton of Philadelphia recorded his 300th career victory with a 6-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
1984 — The Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees 4-1, making Sparky Anderson the first manager to win more than 100 games in each league.
1986 — Rookie left-hander Jim Deshaies set a major league record by striking out eight batters to start the game and finished with a two-hitter and 10 strikeouts to lead the Houston Astros past of the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0.
1987 — Albert Hall of the Atlanta Braves hit for the cycle in 5-4 win over the Houston Astros.
1988 — Jose Canseco became the first major leaguer to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases in one season as the Oakland Athletics beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-8 in 14 innings.
1992 — Bip Roberts tied the NL record with his 10th consecutive hit, then grounded out against Pedro Astacio to end his streak in the Cincinnati Reds’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
1998 — Houston’s Craig Biggio became the second player this century to have 50 steals and 50 doubles in a season, joining Hall of Famer Tris Speaker.
2001 — Sammy Sosa became the first player to hit three home runs in a game three times in a season, but Moises Alou’s two-run shot rallied Houston to a 7-6 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
2008 — The New York Yankees’ streak of postseason appearances ended. Boston beat Cleveland 5-4, minutes before the Yankees’ win. The Red Sox victory clinched at least the AL wild card and eliminated New York, which had made 13 straight postseason appearances.
2013 — Alex Rios of Texas hit for the cycle in a 12-0 rout of Houston. Rios finished off the cycle with a triple to right-center field in the sixth inning.
2016 — David Ortiz hit a two-run homer in the first inning to set the RBIs record for a player in his final season, and the AL East-leading Boston beat Tampa Bay 2-1 for its ninth straight victory. Ortiz’s 37th homer came off Chris Archer and raised his RBIs total to 124, one more than Shoeless Joe Jackson in 1920. The 40-year-old’s 540th homer, his 300th on the road, struck an overhanging catwalk above the right-field seats.
2022 — Albert Pujols, who has announced his retirement at the end of the season no matter what happened, becomes the fourth player to reach the 700-home run mark – after Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds. He does so by going deep twice, first off Andrew Heaney in the 3rd inning and then off Phil Bickford in the 4th for #700. The Cardinals win handily, 11 – 0, over the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
_____
Sept. 24
1940 — Jimmie Foxx of the Red Sox hit his 500th career home run off Philadelphia’s George Caster in the first game of a doubleheader at Shibe Park. Foxx’s homer came in the sixth inning after Ted Williams homered. Joe Cronin followed with a homer and, later in the inning, Jim Tabor also homered. The four homers in the inning were a first in the AL.
1969 — The New York Mets clinched the NL East title, with Gary Gentry pitching a four-hitter in a 6-0 victory over St. Louis.
1974 — Detroit’s Al Kaline doubled down the right-field line off Dave McNally of Baltimore for his 3,000th career hit. The Orioles beat the Tigers 5-4 at Memorial Stadium.
1977 — Jack Brohamer of the Chicago White Sox had four extra base hits and hit for the cycle in an 8-3 win over the Seattle Mariners at the Kingdome.
1984 — Rick Sutcliffe threw a two-hitter and led the Chicago Cubs to their first league title since 1945 with a 4-1 victory over Pittsburgh.
1988 — Dave Stieb of the Toronto Blue Jays, one strike from a no-hitter, gave up a bad-hop single to Julio Franco. Stieb settled for a 1-0, one-hit victory over Cleveland.
1998 — Boston’s Tom Gordon set a major league record for most consecutive saves with his 42nd to preserve the Red Sox’ 9-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles.
2004 — The Atlanta Braves clinched their 13th consecutive division title, winning the NL East with an 8-7 victory over the Florida Marlins. The Braves’ record streak of division championships began with the 1991 NL West title and excludes the 1994 strike-shortened season.
2006 — Trevor Hoffman became baseball’s career saves leader, earning No. 479 to pass Lee Smith and help NL West-leading San Diego beat Pittsburgh 2-1. It was his NL-leading 43rd save in 48 chances.
2008 — Francisco Rodriguez worked the ninth inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ 6-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners to end the season with a major league record 62 saves.
2014 — The New York Yankees were eliminated from postseason contention after losing to the AL East champion Orioles 9-5. The Yankees missed the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 1992 and ’93.
2016 — Jose Bautista hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Yankees 3-0 to send New York to its third consecutive shutout defeat — the first time that has happened to New York since 1975.
2022 — The Braves’ Kyle Wright, who had only won two regular season games in four seasons, becomes the first 20-game winner in the majors this year with a 6 – 3 win over Philadelphia. The win moves Atlanta within one and a half games of the Mets, holders of first place in the NL East.
_____
Sept. 25
1941 — Pete Reiser’s homer and Whitlow Wyatt’s five-hitter helped Brooklyn beat the Boston Braves 6-0 and clinch the Dodgers’ first pennant in 21 years.
1955 — Detroit’s Al Kaline, at the age of 20, became the youngest player to win a batting title, finishing his second season with a .340 average. Ty Cobb was one day older when he won the crown, batting .350 in 1907, also playing for Detroit.
1956 — Sal Maglie of the Brooklyn Dodgers pitched a 5-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies.
1960 — The New York Yankees clinched manager Casey Stengel’s 10th and last American League pennant with a 4-3 victory over Boston.
1965 — Satchel Paige, at 60, became the oldest player in the majors, taking the mound for Kansas City and pitching three scoreless innings over the Boston Red Sox. He gave up one hit, to Carl Yastrzemski.
1965 — Willie Mays, who hit 51 home runs in 1955, joined Ralph Kiner as only the National Leaguers to have more than one 50-home run season.
1974 — Dr. Frank Jobe transplanted a tendon from Tommy John’s right wrist to the Dodger pitcher’s left elbow. The revolutionary ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction allowed John to win an additional 164 games, more than half of his career total of 288 victories.
1980 — Oakland’s Brian Kingman lost his 20th game when the A’s were defeated by the Chicago White Sox 6-4. Kingman was the first pitcher to lose 20 games with a winning team since Dolf Luque went 13-23 for the 1922 Cincinnati Reds.
1984 — Rusty Staub of the Mets became the second player to hit homers as a teenager and past his 40th birthday. Staub’s game-winning home run off Larry Anderson to give the Mets a 6-4 victory over Philadelphia at Shea Stadium. Ty Cobb was the other major leaguer to accomplish the feat.
1987 — San Diego’s Benito Santiago set a modern major league record for rookies by hitting safely in his 27th consecutive game in a 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
1998 — The New York Yankees set the AL record for wins with their 112th, beating Tampa Bay 6-1 to break the victory mark held by the 1954 Cleveland Indians.
2001 — Richie Sexson and Jeromy Burnitz became the first teammates to hit three home runs apiece in a game as Milwaukee defeated Arizona 9-4.
2003 — Toronto’s Carlos Delgado became the sixth player to homer in four straight at-bats in one game as the Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 10-8 at SkyDome. Delgado tied the game at 8-8 in the eighth with his fourth homer, a solo shot off Lance Carter.
2007 — Prince Fielder, at 23 years, 139 days old, became the youngest major league player to hit 50 home runs in a season, connecting twice in Milwaukee’s 9-1 rout of St. Louis.
2013 — The New York Yankees failed to make the playoffs for only the second time in 19 years, getting mathematically eliminated during their 8-3 loss to Tampa Bay.
2016 — Jose Fernandez, 24, ace right-hander for the Miami Marlins, was killed in a boating accident.
2017 — Aaron Judge broke Mark McGwire’s major league record for home runs by a rookie, hitting a pair for the second straight day to raise his total to 50 and lead the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 11-3.
2018 — Max Scherzer became the 17th pitcher since 1900 to strike out 300 batters in a season, reaching that milestone by fanning 10 in seven innings during Washington’s 9-4 win over Miami.
+++TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY+++
Sept. 20
1913 — Twenty-year-old amateur Francis Ouimet beats Britain’s Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in an 18-hole playoff to win the U.S. Open.
1924 — Grover Cleveland Alexander wins his 300th game as the Chicago Cubs defeat the New York Giants 7-3 in 12 innings.
1939 — Joe Louis knocks out Bob Pastor in the 11th round at Briggs Stadium in Detroit to retain the world heavyweight title.
1973 — Billie Jean King beats Bobby Riggs in straight sets to win the Battle of the Sexes and the $100,000 winner-take-all purse at Houston’s Astrodome.
1980 — Spectacular Bid wins the Woodward Stakes in the world’s richest walkover. Before a crowd of 23,000 spectators, the 4-year-old covers the 1¼ miles at Belmont Park in 2:02.4. It’s the last race of his career and he finishes the year undefeated in nine races and is named American Horse of the Year. There had not been a walkover in a major U.S. stakes race since Coaltown won the Edward Burke Handicap on April 23, 1949.
1982 — The NFL Players Association announces a strike at the completion of the Green Bay-New York Giants Monday Night game.
1987 — Chicago’s Walter Payton breaks Jim Brown’s NFL record with his 107th rushing touchdown as the Bears beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-3.
1988 — Greg Louganis wins Olympic gold medal in springboard diving, one day after hitting his head on the diving board in the preliminary round. Louganis, who needed five stitches, is solid throughout the 11-dive program. His 730.80 points wins the gold, beating China’s Tan Liangde. Tan, who finishes with 704.88 points, also finished second to Louganis in the 1984 Olympic Games.
1992 — Raymond Floyd makes PGA Tour history, becoming the first player to win tournaments on the regular and Senior PGA tours in the same year. Floyd birdies five of his last seven holes to win the GTE North Classic after winning the Doral-Ryder Open in March on the regular tour.
2003 — Rashaun Woods of Oklahoma State, catches seven touchdown passes to set an NCAA Division I-A record in the Cowboys’ 52-6 win over SMU. Woods breaks the mark of six set by San Diego State’s Tim Delaney in a 1969 game against New Mexico State. Woods finishes with 13 catches for 232 yards.
2007 — Floyd Landis loses his expensive and explosive case when two of three arbitrators uphold the results of a test that showed the 2006 Tour de France champion used synthetic testosterone to fuel his spectacular comeback victory. Landis forfeits his Tour title.
2009 — The first game at the Cowboys Stadium sets an NFL regular-season attendance record with a crowd of 105,121, and most of them go home disappointed after the Giants win 33-31.
2009 — Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre sets an NFL record with his 271st straight start in a 27-13 win over the Detroit Lions. Defensive end Jim Marshall had the previous mark for consecutive starts, 270 games in a row for Minnesota from 1961-1979.
2013 — Alex Rodriquez sets new MLB record with 24 Grand Slam home runs for the New York Yankees.
2015 — The United States beats Europe with the biggest comeback in Solheim Cup history. Paula Creamer beats Germany’s Sandra Gal 4 and 3 to complete the 14 1/2-13 1/2 victory. Europe had a four-point lead entering the 12 singles matches, which the United States win 8 1/2 to 3 1/2 in those matches.
2018 — The World Anti-Doping Agency reinstates Russia, ending a nearly three-year suspension caused by state-sponsored doping.
2021 — Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals, hits his 46th home run to break Hall of Famers Johnny Bench’s MLB record for most home runs in a season by a catcher.
2022 — Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge breaks his own world record for the marathon in 2 hours 1 minute 9 seconds in Berlin (previous record 2:01:39).
_____
Sept. 21
1940 — For the first time in the history of photo finishes a triple dead heat for first place is recorded, at Willow’s Park, Victoria, British Columbia.
1955 — Rocky Marciano knocks out Archie Moore in the ninth round at Yankee Stadium in New York to retain the world heavyweight title.
1980 — Richard Todd of the New York Jets completes an NFL record 42 passes and throws for 447 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-27 loss to San Francisco.
1982 — NFL players begin a 57 day strike.
1985 — Michael Spinks wins a 15-round unanimous decision over Larry Holmes Las Vegas to win the world heavyweight title.
1985 — Montana State’s David Pandt catches 21 passes for 169 yards against Eastern Washington to set an NCAA record.
1986 — Ken O’Brien’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Wesley Walker at 2:35 in overtime ends one of the highest scoring games in NFL history as the New York Jets defeat the Miami Dolphins 51-45. O’Brien passes for 479 yards and four touchdowns, all to Walker. Miami’s Dan Marino passes for 448 yards and three touchdowns as both quarterbacks set a record with 884 combined yards passing.
1991 — U.S. Basketball announces “Dream Team” for the 1992 Olympics.
1994 — The North Carolina women’s soccer team wins its 89th straight game, setting the unofficial record for the longest winning streak in college sports. The 5-1 victory over rival N.C. State broke the mark of 88 in a row set by the UCLA men’s basketball team during the early 1970s.
1997 — The Buffalo Bills stage the third-biggest comeback in NFL history, overcoming a 26-0 deficit to beat the Indianapolis Colts 37-35. The Bills made the greatest comeback in the 1992 AFC playoffs, wiping out a 35-3 deficit to beat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime.
2003 — Sam Hornish Jr. wins the fastest open-wheel race in history at California Speedway. Hornish’s Chevrolet-powered Dallara averages 207.151 mph in the Toyota Indy 400 — breaking the previous closed course race record of 197.995, set here last year by Jimmy Vasser in a CART Champ Car event.
2008 — The United States take back the Ryder Cup with a 16 1/2-11 1/2 victory over Europe. It’s the largest margin of victory for the Americans since 1981.
2008 — Baseball says farewell to Yankee Stadium, the home of baseball’s most famous team.
2008 — Miami wins for just the second time in 22 games, ending New England’s NFL record 21 straight regular-season wins with a 38-13 win over the Patriots. Ronnie Brown scores a Miami-record four rushing touchdowns and passes for another. The 25-point loss is New England’s biggest in seven seasons at Gillette Stadium.
2014 — Tom Brady passes for 234 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots’ 16-9 win over Oakland. The win is Brady’s 150th career victory as a starting quarterback, joining Brett Favre (186) and Peyton Manning (169) as the only quarterbacks to accomplish the feat.
2018 — English golfer Oliver Fisher shoots the first round of 59 in the 46-year history of the European Tour. Fisher makes an eagle and 10 birdies on a par-71 course in the second round of the Portugal Masters held at the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Club in Vilamoura.
_____
Sept. 22
1905 — Willie Anderson wins the U.S. Open for the fourth time in five years, beating Alex Smith with a 314-total at the Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Mass.
1927 — Gene Tunney wins a unanimous 10-round decision over Jack Dempsey at Soldier Field in Chicago to retain his world heavyweight title. The fight is marred by a long 10-count in the seventh round. Dempsey knocks Tunney to the mat, but Dempsey doesn’t go to a neutral corner. The referee doesn’t start counting until four or five seconds after Tunney is down. Tunney regains his feet and goes on to win.
1969 — Willie Mays becomes the second major league player to hit 600 homers with a two-run shot off Mike Corkins, giving the San Francisco Giants a 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres.
1974 — The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos are the first teams to play to a tie, 35-35, with the new overtime rule in effect.
1984 — Mississippi Valley State’s Willie Totten passes for 526 yards in a 49-32 victory over Jackson State. Wide receiver Jerry Rice has 285 yards receiving.
1986 — LA Dodger Fernando Valenzuela is 1st Mexican to win 20 games.
1987 — The 1,585-member NFL Players Association goes on strike after the New England-New York Jets Monday night game. The strike lasts 24 days.
1990 — Illinois’ Howard Griffith sets an NCAA record when he scores eight rushing touchdowns in a 56-21 rout of Southern Illinois. Griffith gets touchdowns on three consecutive carries in the second quarter and ties an NCAA record with four touchdowns in the third quarter. Griffith doesn’t play in the fourth quarter. It’s the most points scored in an NCAA game by a player other than a kicker.
1990 — Andre Dawson steals his 300th base & is only player other than Willie Mays to have 300 HRs, 300 steals & 2,000 hits.
1991 — Miami coach Don Shula gets his 300th career victory in the Dolphins’ 16-13 win over Green Bay.
1993 — Nolan Ryan, 46, pitches his last game.
2002 — New England’s Tom Brady completes 39 of 54 passes for 410 yards and throws touchdown passes to four different receivers, leading the Patriots to a 41-38 overtime victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
2007 — Graham Harrell of Texas Tech completes 46 of 67 passes for 646 yards, the fourth-best total in major college history, in a 49-45 loss to Oklahoma State.
2007 — Kentucky’s Andre Woodson sets a major college record for consecutive passes without an interception, breaking the mark of 271 held by Fresno State’s Trent Dilfer.
2012 — Cobi Hamilton of Arkansas has 10 catches for a Southeastern Conference record 303 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-26 to Rutgers.
2012 — Old Dominion’s Taylor Heinicke smashes NCAA Division I records by throwing for 730 yards. He completes 55 of 79 attempts without being intercepted and leads the Monarchs back from a 23-point, third-quarter deficit to a 64-61 victory against New Hampshire.
2018 — Anthony Joshua retains his IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles by stopping Alexander Povetkin in the seventh round at Wembley Stadium.
2018 — Jess McDonald scores two goals and the North Carolina Courage win the National Women’s Soccer League championship with a 3-0 victory over the Portland Thorns.
Sept. 23
1926 — Gene Tunney beats Jack Dempsey with a 10-round decision to retain the world heavyweight title.
1952 — Rocky Marciano knocks out Jersey Joe Walcott in the 13th round to retain the world heavyweight title.
1979 — St. Louis’ Lou Brock steals his 938th base to break Billy Hamilton’s record as the Cardinals beat New York Mets 7-4 in 10 innings.
1979 — The Houston Oilers overcome a 24-0 deficit to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27 in overtime.
1983 — Gerry Coetzee knocks out Michael Dokes in the 10th round to win the WBA heavyweight title in Richfield, Ohio.
1988 — Jose Canseco is the first player to steal 40 base and hit 40 home runs in the same season.
1992 — Manon Rheaume becomes the first woman to play in one of the four major pro sports leagues when she takes the ice in the first period for the NHL expansion Tampa Bay Lightning in an exhibition game. The 20-year-old goalie faces nine shots and allows two goals in St. Louis’ 6-4 victory.
2000 — Ben Matthews ties an NCAA record with five interceptions as Bethel beat Gustavus 14-13. Matthews ties the all-division record shared by eight players.
2007 — For the first time in NFL history, two players have 200-plus yards receiving in the same game — whether they were opponents or teammates — in Philadelphia’s 56-21 rout of Detroit. Philadelphia’s Kevin Curtis has 11 receptions for 221 yards and Detroit’s Roy Williams catches 9 passes for 204. Detroit’s Jon Kitna sets a franchise record with 446 yards passing.
2012 — The Tennessee Titans become the first team in NFL history to score five touchdowns of at least 60 yards in a game in their 44-41 overtime win over Detroit. The scorers are Tommie Campbell with a 65-yard punt-return; Jared Cook’s 61-yard reception from Jake Locker; Darius Reynaud’s 105-yard kick-return; Nate Washington’s 71-yard reception from Locker; and Alterraun Verner’s 72-yard fumble-return. The Lions also become the first team in NFL history to score two touchdowns in the final 18 seconds of regulation to either take the lead or force overtime.
2012 — Kansas City’s Jamaal Charles rushes for 233 yards, including a 91-yard TD run in the Chiefs’ 27-24 overtime win over New Orleans. Ryan Succop kicks six field goals, one to force overtime in the final seconds and a 31-yarder in overtime for the Chiefs.
2017 — The St. John’s-St. Thomas rivalry game obliterates the NCAA Division III attendance record with a crowd of 37,355. The Tommies use a stingy defense to hang on for a 20-17 win over the Johnnies at Target Field, the home of the Minnesota Twins. The previous mark was set on Oct. 8, 2016, with 17,535 fans watching Wisconsin-Oshkosh play at Wisconsin-Whitewater.
2017 — Juwan Johnson catches a seven-yard TD pass as time expires and fourth-ranked Penn State rallies to stun Iowa 21-19 in the Big Ten opener for both teams. Saquon Barkley has 211 yards rushing and 94 yards receiving for the Nittany Lions, who outgain Iowa 579-273 but nearly blew the game. With the Hawkeyes leading 19-15, Penn State goes 80 yards on 12 plays to close out the game, and Trace McSorley finds Johnson in a crowded end zone on fourth down.
2017 — U.S. President Donald Trump withdraws invitation to the White House for NBA champions Golden State Warriors after Stephen Curry says he doesn’t want to attend.
2018 — Tiger Woods caps off one of the most remarkable comebacks in golf history. Woods ends his comeback season with a dominant victory at the Tour Championship. He taps in for par and a 1-over 71 for a two-shot victory over Billy Horschel. It’s the 80th victory of his PGA Tour career and his first in more than five years.
2018 — Drew Brees sets the NFL record for career completions while passing for 396 yards and three touchdowns and running for two scores to lift New Orleans past Atlanta 43-37 in overtime. Brees breaks the record of 6,300 career completions set by Brett Favre.
2022 — St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols hits 2 home runs with 5 RBI in 11-0 win over Dodgers in LA; becomes fourth player in MLB history to hit 700 career HRs.
2022 — Tennis great Roger Federer plays his final professional match during Laver Cup in London; teams with friend and rival Rafael Nadal but loses 6–4, 6–7 (9–11) to Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
_____
Sept. 24
1930 — The Portsmouth Spartans beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 12-0 in the first NFL game played under floodlights. More than 6,000 fans turn out on an unseasonably warm evening to watch the game at the new University Stadium.
1950 — Philadelphia’s Russ Craft has four interceptions to lead the Eagles in a 45-7 rout of the Chicago Cardinals. Chicago quarterback Jim Hardy sets an NFL record by throwing eight interceptions.
1953 — Rocky Marciano knocks out Rolando La Starza in the 11th round at the Polo Grounds in New York to retain his world heavyweight title.
1967 — Jim Bakken of St. Louis Cardinals kicks an NFL-record seven field goals to give the Cardinals a 28-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. His longest field goal is 33 yards.
1971 — The World Hockey Association announces its formation with 12 teams to start play in October 1972.
1974 — Detroit’s Al Kaline doubles down the right-field line off Dave McNally of Baltimore in the fourth inning for his 3,000th career hit. The Orioles beat the Tigers 5-4 at Memorial Stadium.
1988 — American heptathlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee sets new world record 7,291 points to win the gold medal at the Seoul Olympics; East Germans Sabine John & Anke Behmer take the minor medals.
1988 — American swimmer Matt Biondi sets world record 22.14 to win the 50m freestyle gold medal at the Seoul Olympics; his 4th of 5 gold medals for the Games.
1988 — Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson breaks his own 100m world record with a time of 9.79 at the Seoul Olympics; disqualified 3 days later for use of drug stanozolol; Carl Lewis awarded gold and world record 9.92.
1993 — Juniata’s women’s volleyball team beats Washington of St. Louis to end Washington’s NCAA-record winning streak at 59 matches.
1994 — Washington ends Miami’s NCAA-record home winning streak at 58 with a 38-20 victory against the Hurricanes at the Orange Bowl.
1995 — On the final day of competition, Europe rallies past the U.S. to win the Ryder Cup 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y. Europe takes seven singles matches to win its first Ryder Cup since 1989.
2001 — Green Bay’s 37-0 shutout of Washington ends the Redskins’ NFL record of scoring in 231 consecutive road games.
2006 — The Europeans turn the Ryder Cup into another rout, winning 18 1/2-9 1/2 and becoming the first European team to win three straight times.
2006 — Washington’s Mark Brunell breaks the NFL record for most consecutive passes completed in a game when he connects on his first 22 throws in a 31-15 win over the Houston Texans.
2011 — Dwayne De Rosario scores the quickest hat trick in MLS history, leading D.C. United to a 4-1 victory over Real Salt Lake.
2012 — Russell Wilson throws a disputed 24-yard touchdown to Golden Tate on the final play of the game, and the Seattle Seahawks rally to beat the Green Bay Packers 14-12.
2013 — Skipper Jimmy Spithill and defending champion Oracle Team USA extend their winning streak to seven to force a winner-take-all America’s Cup finale against Emirates Team New Zealand.
2016 — Daniel Carlson kicks six field goals and Auburn beats No. 18 LSU 18-13 after a ruling that Danny Etling’s apparent last-gasp scoring pass comes after time expired.
2017 — Peter Sagan of Slovakia becomes the first man to win three straight road race titles after holding off Norway’s Alexander Kristoff at the World Cycling Championships.
2017 — Diego Valeri scores twice to extend his MLS-record scoring streak to nine straight games and Portland beats Orlando City 3-0. Valeri moves in front of NYCFC’s David Villa for most goals this season with 20.
2017 — Jake Elliott kicks a 61-yard field goal as time expires to give the Philadelphia Eagles a 27-24 victory over the New York Giants. It is the longest by a rookie in NFL history.
2017 — Laver Cup Men’s Tennis, Prague: Roger Federer is unbeaten as Team Europe dominates Team World, 15-9 in the inaugural teams event.
2018 — Real Madrid midfielder & Croatian World Cup captain Luka Modrić is named world’s best male player at the FIFA Awards in London; Brazil & Orlando Pride forward Marta best female player; France’s Didier Deschamps best men’s coach.
_____
Sept. 25
1866 — Jerome Park, named for its founder Leonard Jerome, opens in the Bronx in New York. Jerome, seeking to emulate the British racing system, also establishes the American Jockey Club, precursor to the present Jockey Club, formed in 1894.
1920 — Molly Bjurstedt Mallory wins her fifth title in six years with a two-set victory over Marion Zinderstein in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships.
1926 — Walter Hagen wins his third straight and fourth overall PGA Championship. Hagen beats Leo Diegel 4 and 3 in the championship match at Salisbury Golf Links in Westbury, N.Y.
1949 — Louise Suggs wins the U.S. Women’s Open by 14 strokes over Babe Didrikson Zaharias.
1962 — Sonny Liston knocks out Floyd Patterson at 2:06 of the first round at Comiskey Park in Chicago to win the world heavyweight title.
1966 — Gloria Ehret wins the LPGA Championship by three strokes over four-time champion Micke Wright.
1982 — Ricky Edwards rushes for 177 yards and four touchdowns to help Northwestern end its 34-game losing streak in a 31-6 victory over Northern Illinois.
1988 — Americans sweep the medals in the long jump at the Seoul Olympics; Carl Lewis wins his second gold of the Games with leap of 8.72m ahead of teammates Mike Powell & Larry Myricks.
1988 — Super swimmer Matt Biondi wins his 5th gold medal of the Seoul Olympics anchoring the victorious American 4 x 100m medley relay team.
1994 — Oliver McCall scores a major upset by stopping Lennox Lewis 31 seconds into the second round to capture the WBC heavyweight title in London.
1995 — Jerry Rice has 181 yards receiving in San Francisco’s 27-24 loss to Detroit. It’s his 51st 100-yard game, which breaks Don Maynard’s NFL record.
1997 — WNBA announces it will add Detroit & Washington, D.C. franchises.
2000 — American basketball player Vince Carter jumps over 7 foot 2 Frédéric Weis in 2000 Summer Olympics, known in France as “le dunk de la mort” (the dunk of death).
2004 — Bobby Seck of Hofstra throws eight touchdown passes to tie an Atlantic 10 mark and set a school record in the Pride’s 62-43 victory over Rhode Island.
2005 — Fernando Alonso becomes Formula One’s youngest champion by finishing third in the Brazilian Grand Prix. Alonso, 24, a six-time winner in his third full season in Formula One, ends Michael Schumacher’s five-year hold on the title.
2010 — Collingwood and St. Kilda plays to a 68-68 tie, the first in an Australian Rules football grand final since 1977, setting up a rematch to decide the league title.
2011 — The Detroit Lions snap a 13-game losing streak with a 26-23 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions, who won in the Metrodome for the first time since 1997, are 3-0 for the first time since 1980.
2013 — Skipper Jimmy Spithill and Oracle Team USA win the America’s Cup with one of the greatest comebacks in sports history to keep the oldest trophy in international sports in the United States. Spithill steers Oracle’s space-age, 72-foot catamaran to its eighth straight victory, speeding past Dean Barker and Emirates Team New Zealand in the winner-take-all Race 19 on San Francisco Bay. All but defeated a week ago, the 34-year-old Australian and his international crew twice rallies from seven-point deficits to win 9-8.
2016 — Rory McIlroy rallies to enter a three-man playoff and win the FedEx Cup. After trailing by three shots with three holes to play in the Tour Championship, McIlroy holes a 15-foot birdie putt on the fourth extra hole to win the playoff and claim the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus.
2022 — Laver Cup Men’s Tennis, London: Team World sweeps final day for 13-8 victory over Team Europe; tournament marks retirement of Roger Federer.
_____
+++TV SPORTS+++
(All times Eastern)
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts
Saturday, Sept. 20
AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL (MEN’S)
3:10 a.m.
FS1 — AFL Postseason: Brisbane at Collingwood, Preliminary Final
AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL (WOMEN’S)
11 p.m.
FS2 — AFL: West Coast Melbourne
AUTO RACING
4:25 a.m.
ESPN2 — Formula 1: Practice, Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan
7:55 a.m.
ESPN2 — Formula 1: Qualifying, Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan
Noon
FS1 — NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series: The EJP 175, Playoffs – Round of 10, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, N.H.
3 p.m.
TRUTV — NASCAR Cup Series: Practice, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, N.H.
4:10 p.m.
TRUTV — NASCAR Cup Series: Qualifying, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, N.H.
8 p.m.
FS2 — ARCA Menards Series: The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA 200 at Salem Speedway, Salem, Ind.
10 p.m.
USA — Pro Motocross Championship: Finals, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Noon
ABC — Arkansas at Memphis
ACCN — Bowling Green at Louisville
CBSSN — North Texas at Army
ESPN — Syracuse at Clemson
ESPN2 — SMU at TCU
ESPNU — UNLV at Miami (Ohio)
FOX — Texas Tech at Utah
NBC — Maryland at Wisconsin
PEACOCK — Maryland at Wisconsin
12:45 p.m.
SECN — UAB at Tennessee
3 p.m.
BTN — Oregon St. at Oregon
3:30 p.m.
ABC — Auburn at Oklahoma
ACCN — Kent St. at Florida St.
CBS — Michigan at Nebraska
CBSSN — Ball St. at UConn
ESPN — Tulane at Mississippi
ESPNU — James Madison at Liberty
FOX — North Carolina at UCF
NBC — Purdue at Notre Dame
PEACOCK — Purdue at Notre Dame
4 p.m.
ESPN2 — NC State at Duke
4:15 p.m.
SECN — N. Illinois at Mississippi St.
4:30 p.m.
CW — Temple at Georgia Tech
6 p.m.
FS1 — West Virginia at Kansas
7 p.m.
CBSSN — Boise St. at Air Force
ESPN — South Carolina at Missouri
7:30 p.m.
ABC — Florida at Miami
ACCN — Stanford at Virginia
CBS — Washington at Washington St.
ESPN2 — BYU at East Carolina
ESPNU — Georgia St. at Vanderbilt
FOX — Arizona St. at Baylor
NBC — Illinois at Indiana
PEACOCK — Illinois at Indiana
7:45 p.m.
SECN — SE Louisiana at LSU
9:30 p.m.
FS1 — UTSA at Colorado St.
10:15 p.m.
ESPN — Wyoming at Colorado
10:30 p.m.
CBSSN — California at San Diego St.
11 p.m.
FOX — Michigan St. at Southern Cal
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)
6:30 p.m.
BTN — Iowa St. at Illinois
9 p.m.
BTN — Arizona at Nebraska
GOLF
7 a.m.
GOLF — DP World Tour: The FedEx Open de France, Third Round, Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Breteche, Paris
1 p.m.
GOLF — Korn Ferry Tour: The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, Third Round, The Ohio State University Golf Club, Upper Arlington, Ohio
4 p.m.
GOLF — LPGA Tour: The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G, Second Round, Pinnacle Country Club, Rogers, Ark.
6 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: The PURE Insurance Championship, Second Round, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Monterey Peninsula, Calif.
6:30 a.m. (Sunday)
GOLF — DP World Tour: The FedEx Open de France, Final Round, Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Breteche, Paris
HORSE RACING
1 p.m.
FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races
2:30 p.m.
FS1 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races
MLB BASEBALL
1 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Atlanta at Detroit (1:10 p.m.) OR Cleveland at Minnesota – 1st Game (2:10 p.m.)
4 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Washington at N.Y. Mets (4:10 p.m.) OR Cleveland at Minnesota – 1st Game (2:10 p.m.)
7 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore (7:05 p.m.) OR Toronto at Kansas City (7:10 p.m.)
10 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: San Francisco at L.A. Dodgers (9:10 p.m.) OR Philadelphia at Arizona (8:10 p.m.)
NHL HOCKEY
7 p.m.
NHLN — Preseason: St. Louis at Dallas
RODEO
8 p.m.
CW — PBR: Camping World Team Series, Elmont, N.Y.
RUGBY (MEN’S)
5:45 a.m.
FS2 — NRL Postseason: Cronulla-Sutherland at Canberra, Semifinal
2 a.m. (Sunday)
FS2 — NRL Postseason: Penrith at Canterbury-Bankstown, Semifinal
SAILING
9:30 a.m.
CBSSN — SailGP: Event 10 – Day 1, Geneva
SOCCER (MEN’S)
7:25 a.m.
CBSSN — English League Championship: Coventry City at Leicester City
7:30 a.m.
USA — English Premier League: Everton at Liverpool
10 a.m.
USA — English Premier League: Crystal Palace at West Ham United
12:30 p.m.
USA — English Premier League: Chelsea at Manchester United
3 p.m.
FS2 — Canadian Premier League: Pacific FC at HFX Wanderers
USA — English Premier League: Brentford at Fulham
6 p.m.
FS2 — Canadian Premier League: Valour FC at at Cavalry FC
6:30 a.m. (Sunday)
CBSSN — Serie A: AS Roma at Lazio
SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
7:30 p.m.
ION — NWSL: Seattle at Kansas City
10 p.m.
ION — NWSL: San Diego at Portland
TENNIS
4 p.m.
TENNIS — Laver Cup: Day 2 Day Session
10 p.m.
TENNIS — Laver Cup: Day 2 Night Session
2 a.m. (Sunday)
TENNIS — BJK Cup Finals: Final; Seoul – WTA Final; Chengdu – ATP Quarterfinals
TRACK AND FIELD
6 a.m.
CNBC — World Athletics Championships: Day 8, Tokyo (Taped)
6:30 a.m. (Sunday)
CNBC — World Athletics Championships: Day 9, Tokyo (Taped)
_____
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.
(All times Eastern)
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts
Sunday, Sept. 21
AUTO RACING
6:55 a.m.
ESPN — Formula 1: The Qatar Airways Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan
10 a.m.
FS1 — NHRA: Qualifying, zMax Dragway, Concord, N.C. (Taped)
Noon
FS1 — NHRA: The NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals, zMax Dragway, Concord, N.C.
2 p.m.
USA — NASCAR Cup Series: The Mobil 1 301, Playoffs – Round of 12, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, N.H.
3 p.m.
CBSSN — Women’s FIM Motocross World Championship: The MXGP, Darwin, Australia (Taped)
NBC — IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship: The Tiretrack.com Battle on the Bricks, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis
9 p.m.
CBSSN — FIM Motocross World Championship: The MX2, Darwin, Australia (Taped)
10 p.m.
CBSSN — FIM Motocross World Championship: The MXGP, Darwin, Australia (Taped)
COLLEGE FIELD HOCKEY
Noon
ACCN — Boston College at Wake Forest
COLLEGE SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
2 p.m.
SECN — Georgia at Mississippi
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)
1 p.m.
BTN — Florida at Wisconsin
3 p.m.
BTN — Notre Dame at Michigan
5 p.m.
BTN — California at Southern Cal
6 p.m.
FS1 — Minnesota at Marquette
GOLF
6:30 a.m.
GOLF — DP World Tour: The FedEx Open de France, Final Round, Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Breteche, Paris
1 p.m.
GOLF — Korn Ferry Tour: The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, Final Round, The Ohio State University Golf Club, Upper Arlington, Ohio
4 p.m.
GOLF — LPGA Tour: The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G, Final Round, Pinnacle Country Club, Rogers, Ark.
6 p.m.
GOLF — PGA Tour Champions: The PURE Insurance Championship, Final Round, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Monterey Peninsula, Calif.
HORSE RACING
1 p.m.
FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races
3:30 p.m.
FS1 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races
MLB BASEBALL
1:30 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati (1:40 p.m.) OR Washington at N.Y. Mets (1:40 p.m.)
4:30 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: San Francisco at L.A. Dodgers (4:10 p.m.) OR Philadelphia at Arizona (4:10 p.m.)
7 p.m.
ESPN — Seattle at Houston
NFL FOOTBALL
1 p.m.
CBS — Regional Coverage: Indianapolis at Tennessee, Cincinnati at Minnesota, Pittsburgh at New England, Houston at Jacksonville
FOX — Regional Coverage: Green Bay at Cleveland, L.A. Rams at Philadelphia, N.Y. Jets at Tampa Bay, Las Vegas at Washington, Atlanta at Carolina
4:05 p.m.
CBS — Regional Coverage: Denver at L.A. Chargers OR New Orleans at Seattle
4:25 p.m.
FOX — Regional Coverage: Dallas at Chicago OR Arizona at San Francisco
8:20 p.m.
NBC — Kansas City at N.Y. Giants
NHL HOCKEY
1 p.m.
NHLN — Preseason: N.Y. Rangers at New Jersey
5 p.m.
NHLN — Preseason: Minnesota at Winnipeg
RODEO
5 p.m.
CBS — Regional Coverage: PBR: Camping World Team Series, Elmont, N.Y. (Taped)
SAILING
9:30 a.m.
CBSSN — SailGP: Event 10 – Day 2, Geneva
SOCCER (MEN’S)
6:30 a.m.
CBSSN — Serie A: AS Roma at Lazio
9 a.m.
USA — English Premier League: Newcastle United at AFC Bournemouth
5 p.m.
CBSSN — USL Championship: Birmingham at Indy
6 p.m.
FS2 — Canadian Premier League: York United FC at Vancouver FC
9 p.m.
FS1 — MLS: Real Salt Lake at LAFC
SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
8:30 p.m.
ESPN2 — NWSL: NJ/NY at Bay FC
TENNIS
TENNIS — Laver Cup: Day 3 Day Session
5 a.m. (Monday)
TENNIS — Chengdu- ATP Semifinals
6 a.m. (Monday)
TENNIS — Chengdu- ATP Semifinals
TRACK AND FIELD
6:30 a.m.
CNBC — World Athletics Championships: Day 9, Tokyo (Taped)
Noon
NBC — World Athletics Championships: Day 9, Tokyo
WNBA BASKETBALL
3 p.m.
ABC — Playoffs: TBD, Semifinal – Game 1
5 p.m.
ESPN — Playoffs: TBD, Semifinal – Game 1