THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” THURSDAY JULY 17, 2025

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“THE SCOREBOARD”

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WNBA SCORES

ATLANTA 86 CHICAGO 49

MINNESOTA 79 PHOENIX 66

SEATTLE 67 GOLDEN STATE 58

NEW YORK 98 INDIANA 77

LAS VEGAS 90 DALLAS 86

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NBA SUMMER LEAGUE

SACRAMENTO 94 CLEVELAND 86

MINNESOTA 89 PHOENIX 85

CHICAGO 102 MILWAUKEE 96

BROOKLYN 94 ORLANDO 90

PHILADELPHIA 90 DALLAS 82

OKLAHOMA CITY 95 NEW ORLEANS 81

UTAH 86 WASHINGTON 76

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MLB SCORES

NO GAMES SCHEDULED

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MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

NO GAMES SCHEDULED

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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

PHILADELPHIA 2 MONTRÉAL 1

NEW YORK RED BULLS 5 NEW ENGLAND 3

CINCINNATI 3 MIAMI 0

CHARLOTTE 2 DC UNITED 1

CHICAGO 2 ATLANTA 2

NEW YORK CITY 2 ORLANDO CITY 1

NASHVILLE 3 COLUMBUS 0

LOS ANGELES 1 MINNESOTA 0

VANCOUVER 3 HOUSTON 0

SEATTLE 3 COLORADO 3

SAN JOSE 2 DALLAS 2

SALT LAKE 1 PORTLAND 0

AUSTIN 2 LA GALAXY 1

TORONTO 1 SAN DIEGO 0

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COLTS TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE

WED., JULY 23: PRACTICE (10-11 A.M.)

THUR., JULY 24: PRACTICE (10-11 A.M.)

FRI., JULY 25: PRACTICE (10-11:15 A.M.)

SAT., JULY 26: PRACTICE (4-5:30 P.M.)

MON., JULY 28: PRACTICE (10-11:15 A.M.)

TUE., JULY 29: PRACTICE (10-11:30 A.M.)

THUR., JULY 31: PRACTICE (8-10 P.M.)

SAT., AUG. 2: PRACTICE (10-11:35 A.M.)

SUN., AUG. 3: PRACTICE (10-11:30 A.M.)

SAT., AUG. 9: PRACTICE (4-5:10 P.M.)

SUN., AUG. 10: PRACTICE (4-5:30 P.M.)

MON., AUG. 11: PRACTICE (4-5:40 P.M.)

THUR., AUG. 14: PRACTICE (3-5 P.M.)

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2025 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

ACC FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

BIG TEN FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

BIG 12 FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

CONFERENCE USA FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

INDEPENDENTS FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

NOTRE DAMEUCONN

MAC FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

PAC-12 FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

OREGON STATEWASHINGTON STATE

SEC FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

SUN BELT FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

EAST APP STATE | COASTAL CAROLINAGEORGIA SOUTHERN | GEORGIA STATEJAMES MADISON | MARSHALL | ODU

WEST

ARKANSAS STATE | LOUISIANASOUTH ALABAMA | SOUTHERN MISSTEXAS STATE | TROY | ULM

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NFL TRAINING CAMP DATES

TEAM	SITE	LOCATION	ROOKIES	VETERANS
ARIZONA CARDINALS	STATE FARM STADIUM	GLENDALE, ARIZ.	7/22	7/22
ATLANTA FALCONS	IBM PERFORMANCE FIELD	FLOWERY BRANCH, GA.	7/23	7/23
BALTIMORE RAVENS	UNDER ARMOUR PERFORMANCE CENTER	OWINGS MILLS, MD.	7/15	7/22
BUFFALO BILLS	ST. JOHN FISHER UNIVERSITY	ROCHESTER, N.Y.	7/15	7/22
CAROLINA PANTHERS	BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM	CHARLOTTE, N.C.	7/21	7/22
CHICAGO BEARS	HALAS HALL	LAKE FOREST, ILL.	7/19	7/22
CINCINNATI BENGALS	KETTERING HEALTH PRACTICE FIELDS	CINCINNATI	7/19	7/22
CLEVELAND BROWNS	CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE CAMPUS	BEREA, OHIO	7/18	7/22
DALLAS COWBOYS	STAYBRIDGE SUITES	OXNARD, CALIF.	7/21	7/21
DENVER BRONCOS	BRONCOS PARK POWERED BY COMMONSPIRIT	ENGLEWOOD, COLO.	7/16	7/22
DETROIT LIONS	DETROIT LIONS TRAINING FACILITY	ALLEN PARK, MICH.	7/16	7/19
GREEN BAY PACKERS	LAMBEAU FIELD	GREEN BAY, WIS.	7/18	7/22
HOUSTON TEXANS	HOUSTON METHODIST TRAINING CENTER	HOUSTON	7/22	7/22
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS	GRAND PARK	WESTFIELD, IND.	7/21	7/22
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS	MILLER ELECTRIC CENTER	JACKSONVILLE, FLA.	7/19	7/22
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS	MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY	ST. JOSEPH, MO.	7/21	7/21
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS	INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTH PERFORMANCE CENTER	HENDERSON, NEV.	7/17	7/22
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS	THE BOLT	EL SEGUNDO, CALIF.	7/12	7/16
LOS ANGELES RAMS	LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY	LOS ANGELES	7/22	7/22
MIAMI DOLPHINS	BAPTIST HEALTH TRAINING COMPLEX	MIAMI GARDENS, FLA.	7/15	7/22
MINNESOTA VIKINGS	TCO PERFORMANCE CENTER	EAGAN, MINN.	7/20	7/22
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS	GILLETTE STADIUM	FOXBOROUGH, MASS.	7/19	7/22
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS	OCHSNER SPORTS PERFORMANCE CENTER	METAIRIE, LA.	7/22	7/22
NEW YORK GIANTS	QUEST DIAGNOSTICS TRAINING FACILITY	EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.	7/15	7/22
NEW YORK JETS	ATLANTIC HEALTH JETS TRAINING CENTER	FLORHAM PARK, N.J.	7/19	7/22
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES	NOVACARE COMPLEX	PHILADELPHIA	7/22	7/22
PITTSBURGH STEELERS	SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE	LATROBE, PA.	7/23	7/23
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS	SAP PERFORMANCE FACILITY	SANTA CLARA, CALIF.	7/15	7/22
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS	VIRGINIA MASON ATHLETIC CENTER	RENTON, WASH.	7/15	7/22
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS	ADVENTHEALTH TRAINING CENTER	TAMPA, FLA.	7/21	7/22
TENNESSEE TITANS	ASCENSION SAINT THOMAS SPORTS PARK	NASHVILLE, TENN.	7/22	7/22
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS	ORTHOVIRGINIA TRAINING CENTER AT COMMANDERS PARK	ASHBURN, VA.	7/18	7/22

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2025 NFL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

NFL/HALL OF FAME GAME – JULY 31

L.A. CHARGERS VS. DETROIT (NBC), 8:00

*****WEEK 1*****

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7

INDIANAPOLIS AT BALTIMORE, 7:00
CINCINNATI AT PHILADELPHIA, 7:30
LAS VEGAS AT SEATTLE, 10:00

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8

DETROIT AT ATLANTA, 7:00
CLEVELAND AT CAROLINA, 7:00
WASHINGTON AT NEW ENGLAND, 7:30

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9

N.Y. GIANTS AT BUFFALO, 1:00
HOUSTON AT MINNESOTA, 4:00
PITTSBURGH AT JACKSONVILLE, 7:00
DALLAS AT L.A. RAMS, 7:00
TENNESSEE AT TAMPA BAY, 7:30
KANSAS CITY AT ARIZONA, 8:00
N.Y. JETS AT GREEN BAY, 8:00
DENVER AT SAN FRANCISCO, 8:30

SUNDAY, AUGUST 10

MIAMI AT CHICAGO, 1:00
NEW ORLEANS AT L.A. CHARGERS, 4:05

*****WEEK 2*****

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15

TENNESSEE AT ATLANTA, 7:00
KANSAS CITY AT SEATTLE, 10:00

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16

MIAMI AT DETROIT, 1:00
CAROLINA AT HOUSTON, 1:00
GREEN BAY AT INDIANAPOLIS, 1:00
NEW ENGLAND AT MINNESOTA, 1:00
CLEVELAND AT PHILADELPHIA, 1:00
SAN FRANCISCO AT LAS VEGAS, 4:00
BALTIMORE AT DALLAS, 7:00
L.A. CHARGERS AT L.A. RAMS, 7:00
N.Y. JETS AT N.Y. GIANTS, 7:00
TAMPA BAY AT PITTSBURGH, 7:00
ARIZONA AT DENVER, 9:30

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17

JACKSONVILLE AT NEW ORLEANS, 1:00
BUFFALO AT CHICAGO (FOX), 8:00

MONDAY, AUGUST 18

CINCINNATI AT WASHINGTON (ESPN), 8:00

*****WEEK 3*****

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21

PITTSBURGH AT CAROLINA, 7:00
NEW ENGLAND AT N.Y. GIANTS (PRIME VIDEO), 8:00

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22

PHILADELPHIA AT N.Y. JETS, 7:30
ATLANTA AT DALLAS, 8:00
MINNESOTA AT TENNESSEE (CBS), 8:00
CHICAGO AT KANSAS CITY, 8:20

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23

BALTIMORE AT WASHINGTON, NOON
INDIANAPOLIS AT CINCINNATI, 1:00
L.A. RAMS AT CLEVELAND, 1:00
HOUSTON AT DETROIT, 1:00
DENVER AT NEW ORLEANS, 1:00
SEATTLE AT GREEN BAY, 4:00
JACKSONVILLE AT MIAMI, 7:00
BUFFALO AT TAMPA BAY, 7:30
L.A. CHARGERS AT SAN FRANCISCO, 8:30
LAS VEGAS AT ARIZONA, 10:00

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2025 NFL WEEK ONE SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, SEPT. 4, 2025
DALLAS COWBOYS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES	8:20P (ET)	8:20P	NBC
FRIDAY, SEPT. 5, 2025
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (SAO PAULO)	9:00P (BRT)	8:00P	YOUTUBE
SUNDAY, SEPT. 07, 2025
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS	1:00P (ET)	1:00P	FOX
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS	1:00P (ET)	1:00P	FOX
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS	1:00P (ET)	1:00P	CBS
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS	1:00P (ET)	1:00P	FOX
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS	1:00P (ET)	1:00P	CBS
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS	12:00P (CT)	1:00P	CBS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT NEW YORK JETS	1:00P (ET)	1:00P	CBS
NEW YORK GIANTS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS	1:00P (ET)	1:00P	FOX
TENNESSEE TITANS AT DENVER BRONCOS	2:05P (MT)	4:05P	FOX
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS	1:05P (PT)	4:05P	FOX
DETROIT LIONS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS	3:25P (CT)	4:25P	CBS
HOUSTON TEXANS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS	1:25P (PT)	4:25P	CBS
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT BUFFALO BILLS	8:20P (ET)	8:20P	NBC
MONDAY, SEPT. 8, 2025
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS	7:15P (CT)	8:15P	ABC/ESPN

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TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/PRESS RELEASES

NBA NEWS

BRADLEY BEAL, 3-TIME ALL-STAR, AGREES TO BUYOUT WITH THE PHOENIX SUNS, AP SOURCE SAYS

PHOENIX (AP) — Three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal and the Phoenix Suns agreed to a buyout on the two years remaining on his contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to the AP about Beal’s buyout on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been officially announced.

The move paves the way for Beal to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, ESPN reported.

Beal is expected to give back $13.9 million of the $110 million he’s owed from the Suns, which allows Phoenix more flexibility as it tries to rebuild its roster.

The 32-year-old Beal would join a veteran Clippers roster that includes James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Beal averaged 17.6 points over two disappointing, injury-filled seasons with the Suns.

REPORT: LEBRON JAMES EXPECTED TO REMAIN WITH LAKERS

Despite an offseason of rumors and speculation, LeBron James is expected to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2025-26 season, The Athletic reported Wednesday.

The Lakers and James have not engaged in talks about a trade or buyout, and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer is expected to report to camp with the Lakers this fall, per the report. There haven’t been any signs, either, that James wants out.

James picked up his $52.6 million option last month to return for an eighth season with the Lakers.

He will be returning to a team this time around on which, for the first time in his career, he is the second option. Luka Doncic, acquired in a stunning trade from the Dallas Mavericks in February, is expected to be the centerpiece for Los Angeles in the upcoming season.

Apparently fueling the trade or buyout rumors is a statement made by James’ longtime agent, Rich Paul, last month that included this line, “We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.”

Trading James, given his salary, would be difficult since NBA trades must be for players with contracts of similar value due to the salary cap.

The Lakers, according to The Athletic, also are reluctant to take on a player earning in the $50 million range if he has additional years on the contract. The Lakers will be free of James $52.6 million once his contract expires at the end of the upcoming season.

James, 40, is entering his record-setting 23rd NBA season. He has played in 1,562 regular-season games and is 50 shy of breaking Hall of Fame member Robert Parish’s NBA record.

James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 70 games in 2024-25 to rank in the top 22 in each category.

He is a 21-time All-Star, four-time league MVP and four-time NBA champion. He has scored a record 42,184 regular-season points, and 50,473 in the regular season and playoffs combined.

James entered the NBA as an 18-year-old after being selected No. 1 in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He turns 41 in December.

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WNBA

A’JA WILSON RACKS UP 37 POINTS, ACES STAVE OFF WINGS’ LATE CHARGE

A’ja Wilson poured in a season-high 37 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Las Vegas Aces hold on for a 90-86 win over the Dallas Wings on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.

The Aces (11-11) led by six points at halftime and expanded that advantage to 20 after three quarters as Dallas was held to 4-of-20 shooting the period. Wilson scored nine points in the quarter and had 21 of her points in the second and third period combined as Las Vegas outscored the Wings 50-30 over the middle two quarters.

Dallas got back in the game by scoring nine of the first 10 points in the fourth quarter. The Wings trimmed their deficit to two points after Paige Bueckers’ floater with 27 seconds left, but Wilson responded with a layup with 23.9 seconds to play. Chelsea Gray then canned a pair of free throws with 8.4 seconds remaining to cap the victory.

Jewell Loyd added 14 points and Aaliyah Nye had 13 off the bench for Las Vegas, which has won two straight games and is back to the .500 level for the first time since July 6.

Bueckers led Dallas (6-17) with 20 points and eight assists while JJ Quinerly scored 17, Luisa Geiselsoder hit for 14, Haley Jones added 12 and Li Yueru finished with 10. The Wings dropped their fourth consecutive outing and remain in the cellar of the Western Conference.

The game was tied at 22 after the first 10 minutes of play. The Aces quickly moved ahead early in the second quarter and pushed their lead to 39-34 on a basket by Loyd nearly six minutes into the period. Wilson’s jumper with 5.7 seconds left stoked Las Vegas’ advantage to eight points before a layup by Quinerly allowed the Wings to cull their deficit to 47-41 at the break.

Wilson’s 20 points before halftime led all scorers while Geiselsoder paced Dallas with 14 points.

Nye’s 3-pointer at the 4:01 mark of the third quarter expanded the Aces’ lead to 61-48. Wilson knocked down a pair of free throws and a jumper, and Nye followed with another 3-pointer with 1:45 left in the third for a 68-48 margin as Las Vegas built a 72-52 advantage heading into the final quarter.

BREANNA STEWART’S BIG GAME HELPS LIBERTY ROUT CAITLIN CLARK-LESS FEVER

Breanna Stewart scored 24 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out seven assists, and the host New York Liberty pulled away for a 98-77 win over the Indiana Fever on Wednesday night.

Stewart made 10 of 15 shots from the field and added four blocked shots as part of her dominant performance for New York (15-6), which won its third game in a row. Sabrina Ionescu finished with 15 points and nine assists, and Natasha Cloud scored 14.

Kelsey Mitchell scored 16 points on 5-for-11 shooting to lead Indiana (12-11), which saw its four-game winning streak end. Sophie Cunningham contributed 12 points.

New York shot 57.8 percent from the field (37 of 64) and 51.9 percent from 3-point range (14 of 27). Indiana shot 36.8 percent overall (28 of 76) and 25 percent from deep (8 of 32).

Indiana played without All-Star Caitlin Clark, who was ruled out shortly before tipoff because of a groin injury. It marked the 11th game, including the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final, that she has missed because of injury this season.

The Liberty built a 32-24 lead at the end of the first quarter. Isabelle Harrison sank a 3-pointer and Ionescu made a basket in the final minute to complete their 16-8 run.

In the second quarter, New York outscored the Fever 21-14 to increase their lead to 53-38 at the break.

Kennedy Burke made a 3-pointer to give the Liberty a double-digit lead at 39-28 with 7:04 remaining in the first half. Burke’s shot was part of a 15-4 run as New York increased its advantage to 49-32 on Rebekah Gardner’s basket with 1:35 left in the half.

Indiana kept it closer in the third quarter but still was outscored 21-19 to fall behind 74-57 entering the final 10 minutes.

The Liberty pulled ahead by 20 points when Nyara Sabally knocked down a jump shot to make it 81-61 with 6:36 to play.

New York rested Stewart, Burke and other key players in the final five minutes with the score well out of reach for the Fever.

NNEKA OGWUMIKE GUIDES STORM PAST VALKYRIES

Nneka Ogwumike saved 11 of her game-high 22 points for a tense fourth quarter Wednesday afternoon and the Seattle Storm beat the visiting Golden State Valkyries for the first time this season, holding on for a 67-58 victory in a defensive struggle.

Erica Wheeler chipped in with 15 points and Skylar Diggins had a game-high six assists to complement 10 points for the Storm (14-9), who had lost two previous matchups with the expansion Valkyries, with both of those games having taken place in San Francisco.

After having fallen eight points behind in the second minute of the final period, an interior hoop by Veronica Burton had the Valkyries (10-12) with 56-54 with 4:48 remaining before Ogwumike took control of the game.

She hit one free throw with 3:07 left for a three-point lead, a layup that extended the margin to five with 2:09 to play and two free throws with 1:18 to go that put Golden State in a seven-point hole from which it never recovered.

Wheeler, Ogwumike and Diggins dropped in two late free throws apiece to ice the win, which was Seattle’s fourth in its last six games.

The Storm won despite shooting just 32.8 percent. Ogwumike went 7-for-15, but her teammates were a combined 14-for-49 (28.6 percent).

The Valkyries were no better. They finished at 31.7 percent, with their top scorers – Cecilia Zandalasini (12 points on 3-for-10) and Janelle Salaun (10 points on 3-for-9) going a combined 6-for-19.

Ogwumike also found time for eight rebounds, matching teammate Ezi Magbegor and Golden State guard Veronica Burton for game-high honors.

Ogwumike had totaled just 14 points on 5-for-16 shooting in the earlier games against the Valkyries, who prevailed 76-70 and 84-57 in those contests.

Both teams also struggled from beyond the 3-point arc, with the Valkyries going 7-for-31 (22.6 percent) and the Storm hitting seven of 29 (24.1 percent).

Burton also had eight points and a team-high four assists for Golden State, which will go into the All-Star break on a three-game losing streak.

KAYLA MCBRIDE LEADS LYNX TO CONVINCING WIN OVER MERCURY

New All-Star Kayla McBride had 18 points, Courtney Williams had 12 points and seven rebounds and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Phoenix Mercury 79-66 in Minneapolis on Wednesday afternoon in a game matching teams with the best records in the WNBA.

The league’s leading scorer Napheesa Collier had eight of her 10 points in the second half and Alanna Smith added 11 points for the Lynx, who won three of four in the season series and avenged a 79-71 loss in Phoenix a week ago.

Alyssa Thomas had 12 points and nine assists and DeWanna Bonner and Kalani Brown had 11 points apiece for the Mercury in the final game before the All-Star break. Brown had 11 rebounds and teammate Natasha Mack had 13.

The Lynx have won six of eight and finished the first half 20-4.

The Mercury, who had won nine of 11, were attempting to win consecutive games against the Lynx in the same season for the first time since August 2015.

McBride was added to the WNBA All-Star reserve roster Tuesday to replace injured Atlanta guard Rhyne Howard. McBride had five rebounds and five assists and made all six free throw attempts.

The Lynx were 10-of-23 from three-point range, getting at least one from all five starters and one from reserve Maria Kliundikova. Smith had three, one short of her season high, all in the third quarter.

Jessica Shepard’s tip-in at the buzzer gave the Lynx a 64-49 lead entering the fourth quarter, and they stretched it to 16 on Williams’ 3-pointer with six minutes remaining.

Bonner made her first start for the Mercury in her third game with them since being waived by Indiana. The Mercury played without injured starters All-Star forward Satou Sabally and guards Kahleah Copper and Monique Akoa Makani.

Thomas, who had a career-high 19 points in the Mercury’s victory last week, missed her first six field goal attempts and did not have a field goal until four minutes remained in the first half.

The Mercury shot 35.7 percent from the field. Minnesota has held an opponent under 40 percent shooting in 11 games this season. Phoenix did not lead after McBride’s 3-pointer made it a 7-5 lead two minutes into the game.

DREAM NEVER TRAIL, ROUT COLD-SHOOTING SKY

The Atlanta Dream completed an easy 86-49 road win over the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, despite playing without injured All-Star Rhyne Howard.

The Sky played without All-Star Angel Reese, a late scratch due to a leg injury, and did not score more than 13 points in a quarter.

Atlanta (13-9) never trailed, scoring the game’s first seven points and pulling out to a double-digit lead by the end of the first quarter. A 33-point third quarter demonstrated Atlanta’s dominance as the Dream led by as many as 43 points.

The Dream placed four players in double figure scoring, led by veteran center Brittney Griner, who played under 20 minutes but still managed 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Brionna Jones added 14 points and nine rebounds, and Allisha Gray chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Reserve Te-Hina Paopao added 13 points and fellow reserve Naz Hillmon tallied 10 points off the bench. Every active Dream player scored in the game.

Chicago (7-15) had its fewest points of the season, eclipsing the 52 points they put up in a loss to the Indiana Fever on June 7. The Sky looked lost offensively from the open without Reese and starting guard Ariel Atkins, also out with a leg injury.

A basket in the final minute saved Chicago from the franchise’s lowest scoring effort ever, which remains 48 points against the Detroit Shock in 2006.

Chicago was led by reserve guard Rebecca Allen, whose nine points came on 3-for-7 shooting from 3-point range. Kamilla Cardoso had eight points and 11 rebounds for Chicago.

They Sky shot 18-for-71 overall (25.4 percent) and just 11-for-51 (21.6 percent) on two-point attempts. A 6-for-18 (33 percent) shooting performance in the fourth quarter was the only stanza in which the Sky shot better than 23.8 percent.

Following the All-Star Game on Saturday, the teams return to action on Tuesday. Atlanta will play at Las Vegas, and Chicago will travel to meet league-leading Minnesota.

SPARKS TROUNCE MYSTICS FOR FIRST BACK-TO-BACK WINS OF SEASON

Dearica Hamby poured in 26 points and Rickea Jackson tallied 22 as the Los Angeles Sparks trounced the visiting Washington Mystics 99-80 on Tuesday night, winning back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Kelsey Plum racked up 20 points for the Sparks in the final game before the All-Star break for both teams. Azura Stevens, who collected a team-high eight rebounds, added 15 points and joined Plum with three 3-pointers. Julie Allemand distributed 10 assists while committing only one turnover.

Hamby, a veteran post player, shot 10-for-19 from the floor, while Jackson was 9-for-13. The Sparks (8-14) shot 53.5 percent from the floor in posting their third homecourt victory of the season.

Los Angeles led by as many as 27 points in the second half after building a 59-34 halftime advantage. The Sparks notched a season-high point total, going above the 90-point mark for the fifth time.

Sharika Austin’s 16 points and Sug Sutton’s 14 points pace the Mystics (11-11), who were aiming to rack up their first four-game winning streak of the season. Aaliyah Edwards chipped in with 13 points off the bench.

Washington had been in a bunch of close games, but this one got away from the Mystics in the first half.

Los Angeles ended the half on a 13-0 run, with Hamby scoring the final 10 of those points after Jackson’s three-point play.

It was a huge second quarter for the Sparks, who scored 11 of the first 13 points of the period.

Washington shot 8-for-21 on 3-pointers for the game, with six players hitting at least one shot from beyond the arc. The Mystics were hurt by 17 turnovers and by managing to score only 12 points in the second quarter.

It marked the first matchup of back-to-back meetings between the teams, with the rematch next Tuesday.

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NFL NEWS

WILL DAM BREAK WITH NFL’S 30 SECOND-ROUND HOLDOUTS? NO GUARANTEE

Only two of 32 second-round picks in the 2025 draft are under contract with NFL training camp set to begin when Los Angeles Chargers veterans report Thursday.

Wide receiver Tre Harris, the second-round pick of the Chargers, was a no-show when rookies reported to training camp earlier this week.

A total of 30 players selected between picks 33 and 64 are unlikely to report without contracts in a standoff centered around one team’s decision — the Houston Texans — to hand out the first ever fully guaranteed contract to a second-round pick.

Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins signed the four-year, $11.7 million contract in May and would receive every penny of that deal even if he’s released or injured.

Team president Nick Caserio said the Texans moved up to get Higgins in part because they were surprised he wasn’t selected in the first round as their team draft board projected.

“Watch him play. Here is a guy that basically made himself into an NFL football player,” Caserio said of Higgins, who began his career at Eastern Kentucky. “I mean, go watch him play. He went down to the Senior Bowl and he had a good week. Why did we pick him? Because he’s a good player, he’s a great kid, he’s got the right mindset.”

The precedent of the guaranteed checks pushed the Cleveland Browns to do the same with the only player picked in the second round before the Texans drafted Higgins 34th overall. Cleveland, which began the trend of fully guaranteed deals for quarterbacks when they acquired Deshaun Watson from Houston (and handed him $230 million over five years), guaranteed the four-year contract with UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger. He’ll pocket $11.8 million over the next four years.

Portions of pay to NFL second-round picks have been guaranteed since the rookie pay pool and slotting wage scale went into effect in 2011. In last year’s rookie class, four-year deals were anywhere from 50 percent to 95 percent guaranteed.

The 35th overall pick in the 2025 draft, Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina), and No. 36, Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State), are extremely unlikely to fold in negotiations without elevated guarantees. From the 2024 draft class, the first pick in the second round — Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman — signed a contract that is all but fully guaranteed (at just under 96 percent) for four years.

But despite Judkins’ recent arrest, Cleveland’s history of giving up leverage in these situations won’t be dismissed.

If there is a rookie picked in the second round with the most to lose on the field, it could be Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (Louisville). The 40th pick overall, Shough is competing to start in New Orleans following the release of Derek Carr. The breaking point could come down to Shough’s view of the financial risk up front and the fallout involved with not reporting to training camp on time.

The 40th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean, had $7,469,987 of his $9.2 million contract guaranteed by Philadelphia when he signed in May before rookie minicamp last year.

VON MILLER SIGNING WITH COMMANDERS

Eight-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Von Miller announced Wednesday on Instagram that he’s joining the Washington Commanders.

It’s slated to be a one-year contract between the Commanders and Miller, though the sides are still finalizing terms, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The 36-year-old pass-rusher spent the last three seasons with the Buffalo Billls before being released this offseason. He signed a six-year, $120-million deal with the Bills in 2022, though there was no guaranteed salary past the third year.

Miller’s time in Buffalo offered a mixed bag of results. He got off to a productive start, registering eight sacks in 11 games in 2022 before tearing his ACL. He returned in October 2023 but failed to notch a single sack in any of his appearances. However, his 2024 campaign showed glimpses of progress as he produced six sacks in 13 games.

Miller is most remembered for winning Super Bowl 50 MVP as a member of the Denver Broncos after recording 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles on Cam Newton. That was the first of his two Super Bowl triumphs as Miller later won another as a member of the Los Angeles Rams.

The veteran is the latest high-profile acquisition the Commanders made this offseason. They also brought in wide receiver Deebo Samuel and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.

BRONCOS SIGN FIRST-ROUND PICK CB JAHDAE BARRON

Cornerback Jahdae Barron signed a four-year deal with the Denver Broncos, ending a standoff with the 20th overall pick in the 2025 draft.

The Broncos have not yet agreed to a deal with second-round pick RJ Harvey. The running back is one of 30 second-round selections who haven’t signed their contract with training camps starting as soon as next week.

Barron’s deal leaves Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart as the only unsigned first-round pick in the 2025 draft class.

Barron, 23, had five interceptions as a fifth-year senior at Texas in 2024. His contract includes a fifth-year option and has an initial value of $18.1 million, according to the NFL’s rookie contract slotting structure.

Stewart, drafted 17th overall, is at odds with the Bengals over language in his contract allowing the team to void future guarantees in the event he is involved in legal or disciplinary issues.

CHARGERS FIRST TEAM TO OPEN TRAINING CAMP

The Los Angeles Chargers will be the first NFL team to kick off training camp on Thursday, after rookies and select players reported last Saturday and veterans arrived on Wednesday.

The Chargers and the Detroit Lions — with rookies reporting on Thursday and veterans on duty starting Saturday — will be the first two teams with their entire squads on site. The Chargers, who hold camp in El Segundo, Calif., and the Lions (Allen Park, Mich.) open the preseason with the NFL/Hall of Fame Game on July 31 in Canton, Ohio.

Chargers starting linebacker Daiyan Henley, who had offseason shoulder surgery, said on Wednesday that he expects to be a full participant at training camp. Henley, 25, tore his labrum early in the 2024 campaign and still started all 17 games as well as the lone playoff game. He totaled 147 tackles, one interception, one sack and eight passes defended during the regular season.

The 2025 regular season starts on Thursday, Sept. 4 with the Dallas Cowboys against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys will have their full squad on site on Monday, while the defending Super Bowl champions will do the same on Tuesday.

The Kansas City Chiefs, who face the Chargers in the league’s second regular-season game in Brazil on Sept. 5, will have their full squad on site on Monday. There will be 30 clubs fully reported by Tuesday, while the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers are having players report on July 23.

This year’s training camps will feature 29 clubs scheduling joint practices with other teams, and 26 clubs (81.3 percent) will hold the majority of camp at their practice facility, home stadium or at a site within 10 miles of team headquarters. By comparison, 10 of the 31 teams in 2000 chose to stay home.

Six clubs are holding camps away from their facilities: Buffalo Bills (Rochester, N.Y.), Cowboys (Oxnard, Calif.), Indianapolis Colts (Westfield, Ind.), Chiefs (St. Joseph, Mo.), Rams (Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles) and Steelers (Latrobe, Pa.).

NFL’S TOP 10 DEFENSES IN 2025? BRONCOS EDGE OUT EAGLES AND RAVENS FOR NO. 1 SPOT; PATRIOTS WILL RISE

(NFL.COM RELEASE, GENNARO FILICE)

In June, I projected the top 10 offenses for the 2025 NFL campaign. A month later, it’s time to shift prognostic focus to the other side of the ball.

For the offensive rankings, I looked to answer one straightforward question: Who will score the most points in 2025? Naturally, this defensive rundown aims to infer the opposite: Who will give up the fewest points in 2025? Now, there is one important caveat …

Traditional scoring defense catalogues the total number of points allowed by each team, including scores yielded by the offense (pick-six, fumble-six, safety) and special teams (return touchdown). Seeing how the objective of this file is to establish a defensive hierarchy, I’m refining the prompt to a more direct question:

Who will give up the fewest points in 2025 when the defense is on the field?

Basically, true scoring defense. For reference, let’s recap last season’s 10 stingiest units by that criterion.

10) Miami Dolphins: 345 total points allowed (20.3 per game)

9) Seattle Seahawks: 344 (20.2)

8) Detroit Lions: 334 (19.6)

7) Pittsburgh Steelers: 333 (19.6)

6) Kansas City Chiefs: 326 (19.2)

5) Minnesota Vikings: 323 (19.0)

4) Green Bay Packers: 318 (18.7)

3) Denver Broncos: 311 (18.3)

2) Los Angeles Chargers: 299 (17.6)

1) Philadelphia Eagles: 288 (16.9)

Which teams will fill those slots in 2025? Well, defenses typically fluctuate more than offenses from year to year, so it isn’t necessarily shocking that two of the top four teams from above don’t even make the list below. Or maybe I’m just an idiot. Regardless, here is my forecast, in countdown form.

JUST MISSED: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers.

PITTSBURGH:

I spent a regrettable amount of time considering other teams for this final slot only to settle on Pittsburgh’s obligatory inclusion on this list. The Steelers haven’t exactly set the league on fire since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, but the defense continues to drag this organization into the playoffs. It starts, of course, with T.J. Watt. The annual Defensive Player of the Year candidate is mired in a contract stalemate with the team, but I’m operating under the assumption that the two sides ultimately will reach a resolution. Watt’s disappearing act in the final month of last season certainly raised an eyebrow, but his long-standing knack for making game-changing plays just isn’t something you willingly abandon. With Watt as the centerpiece, Pittsburgh boasts one of the very best defensive lines in football. Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig provide enviable edge-rushing depth, while Cam Heyward continues to stiff-arm Father Time on the interior. Add in second-year pro Keeanu Benton and rookie first-round pick Derrick Harmon, and the Steelers are absolutely loaded up front. But what’s the story on the back end? Pittsburgh suffered an unacceptable amount of coverage busts last season, precipitating last month’s trade of Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Steelers landed Jalen Ramsey as part of their return in that deal and also signed Darius Slay in free agency. With those two veteran corners in the fold, Joey Porter Jr. has less of a target on his back, which should help him rebound from a sophomore slump. The safety position is an area of concern in the wake of Fitzpatrick’s departure, with free-agent signee Juan Thornhill in line to fill the role in center field. That said, I continue to think DeShon Elliott is one of the more underappreciated players in the league. The strong safety’s hard-hitting style fits perfectly in Pittsburgh, making June’s two-year, $12.5 million extension a no-brainer value play.

NEW ENGLAND:

Last season’s Patriots couldn’t even crack the top 20 in true scoring defense — ranking 21st — so what makes me believe they’ll soar into the top 10? A striking offseason glow-up. New England spared no expense in free agency, upgrading all three levels of the defense with four new starters: DT Milton Williams, OLB Harold Landry III, ILB Robert Spillane and CB Carlton Davis III. Furthermore, with CB Christian Gonzalez fresh off a breakout sophomore season that saw him earn second-team All-Pro honors and DT Christian Barmore apparently checking every box in his recovery from blood clots, the Pats appear poised to field the kind of stout defense we became accustomed to in Bill Belichick’s heyday. New head coach Mike Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a linebacker in Belichick’s unit in New England, had a pretty buttoned-up D in Tennessee that often punched above its weight. What can Vrabel cultivate from this talent core? The future looks bright, especially considering the Patriots’ highly advantageous slate in 2025. Outside of two games against Josh Allen and one apiece vs. Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson, New England’s schedule features a host of unproven and/or unreliable quarterbacks. The Pats have 11 games against teams that finished last season in the bottom half of the league in offensive points per game. Taking all of this into account, New England could experience the kind of rapid ascent we saw last season in Denver, when the Broncos skyrocketed from 27th in defensive points allowed to third.

MINNESOTA:

Pass rush vs. pass coverage: Which is more crucial? It’s the eternal defensive debate, and Minnesota clearly puts greater value on heating up opposing quarterbacks. The Vikings’ front seven is loaded with hellacious QB hunters. Last season, Jonathan Greenard (12 sacks) and Andrew Van Ginkel (11.5 sacks) comprised one of the most devastating edge-rushing duos in the league, with each earning a Pro Bowl nod. And this offseason, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah scooped up a pair of established interior disruptors in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Toss in well-rounded LB Blake Cashman, blitz ‘backer Ivan Pace Jr. and Swiss Army knife Josh Metellus, and mad scientist coordinator Brian Flores has all the components he needs to scramble the brains of opposing quarterbacks. Constant chaos is a must, though, because this unit looks quite suspect from a pure coverage perspective. Byron Murphy Jr. is the best of the bunch, but he does some of his finest work as a slot corner. The other outside options — headlined by Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah and Mekhi Blackmon — leave much to be desired. With all due respect to Harrison Smith, the hard-hitting safety is entering Year 14 at age 36 — and he’ll have to hold down the back end without ballhawk/dance choreographer Camryn Bynum, who got paid by the Colts in free agency. So, Flores needs to continue overwhelming opponents with waves of pressure. One thing that would help in this pursuit: a second-year leap from OLB Dallas Turner. The No. 17 overall pick in last year’s draft didn’t provide much as a rookie, but he entered the NFL with the athletic pedigree of an edge terror.

SEATTLE:

After a staggering defensive drop-off in the Ravens’ playoff-free campaign of 2021, John Harbaugh recalled Mike Macdonald from his brother’s college team (Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines) and tasked the former Baltimore assistant with restoring the unit’s proud tradition. In Year 1 with Macdonald as coordinator, the Ravens ranked fifth in defensive points allowed. In Year 2, they jumped to No. 1. Consequently, Seattle hired Macdonald as head coach, hoping to revitalize a defense that had significantly atrophied in the latter years of Pete Carroll’s tenure, finishing 28th in defensive points allowed in 2023. In Year 1 under Macdonald, the Seahawks ranked ninth — and they have the pieces in place to make another jump in Year 2. Pro Bowler Leonard Williams headlines a deep front that should get more from 2024 first-rounder Byron Murphy II and could receive an additional boost from veteran addition DeMarcus Lawrence. Ernest Jones IV arrived in Seattle via trade last October and immediately settled the linebacker position, leading to a three-year, $33 million extension in March. The secondary could be the best position group on the team, with alpha dog Devon Witherspoon flanked by versatile safeties Julian Love and Coby Bryant, as well as unfathomably long and fast corner Riq Woolen. Speaking of size/speed freaks, Seattle grabbed Nick Emmanwori in the second round of April’s draft. That’s a fun toy for Macdonald to play with. All in all, this defense has immense upside, given the play-caller and the personnel.

DETROIT:

Detroit’s defense is as stout a unit as you’ll find up the spine, starting with a deep group at defensive tackle. Alim McNeill is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December, so he’s unlikely to be ready when the season kicks off. But assuming an eventual healthy return from the 25-year-old, he’s the kind of disruptive 3-tech who detonates pass protection. In his absence, the Lions have the luxury of turning to Levi Onwuzurike, whom Pro Football Focus credited with 47 pressures in 2024. The former second-round pick’s free-agent market just didn’t develop like many anticipated following a breakthrough season — likely due to his injury history — so the Lions happily retained him on a one-year, $5.5 million steal of a deal. Against the run, Detroit presents premium beef in the form of stalwart space-eater D.J. Reader, rookie first-rounder Tyleik Williams and underrated rotational vet Roy Lopez. On the second level, the linebacking trio of Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes is reliable and versatile. And in the back end, the Lions boast the best safety duo in the game today: Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. The question marks exist on the edges, starting with defensive end. Aidan Hutchinson was the early leader for Defensive Player of the Year before a gruesome leg fracture ended his season last October. Will he be able to seamlessly return to form? That question looms LARGE, because Detroit’s DEs look suspect beyond No. 97. At corner, Terrion Arnold endured a trial by fire as a rookie starter in a scheme that’s heavy on press-man coverage. While penalties were a problem early in Year 1, he ultimately showed the kind of growth that could trigger a leap forward in Year 2. Meanwhile, D.J. Reed feels like a fine replacement for Carlton Davis III, but the veteran still needs to prove himself in a new defense. The biggest question of all, though, could be the man in charge. Aaron Glenn is gone, having taken the Jets’ head-coaching job in January. Dan Campbell’s right-hand man did an admirable job last season with a defense that was absolutely ravaged by injuries. Kelvin Sheppard was internally promoted to coordinator, and the franchise has high hopes for the 37-year-old former player, but this is the first time he’s run a defense. Hope he has better injury luck.

KANSAS CITY:

With five Super Bowl appearances (and three wins) in the past six seasons, Kansas City’s enjoying a dynastic run. Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes typically receive the most fanfare, but over the past two seasons, the Chiefs have largely been fueled by Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. Ranking second in 2023 and sixth in ’24 in defensive points allowed, the unit consistently keeps the team in games and allows Mahomes to work his magic at winning time. Everything revolves around the big man up front, Chris Jones. The 6-foot-6, 310-pounder wanders all over the defensive front as a roving nightmare with a penchant for game-wreckage in the biggest spots. Kansas City has another elite defender in Trent McDuffie, an inside/outside cover man who plays a brand of football that’s as cerebral as it is physical, endearing him to every coach he comes across. While the Chiefs boast a supreme talent on the first and third levels of the defense, the second level is the unit’s most complete, with a talented trio of linebackers. Nick Bolton just became one of the highest-paid LBs in the league, Leo Chenal’s an athletic enforcer on the rise, and Drue Tranquill is a rangy veteran with useful skills against the run and pass. Kansas City lost a pair of quality starters to free agency in safety Justin Reid and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, but GM Brett Veach helped the secondary and interior D-line with a couple of offseason additions. Free-agent signee Kristian Fulton is a battle-tested outside corner who should allow McDuffie to spend more snaps in the slot, like he did during his first-team All-Pro season of 2023. Second-round DT Omarr Norman-Lott is a pass-rushing specialist who could be a rotational hellion early in his career.

HOUSTON:

Pat Surtain II became just the second outside cornerback to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors in the past 30 years, but he wasn’t the only young CB to level up in 2024. Derek Stingley Jr., who received first-team All-Pro honors alongside Surtain, fully realized the NFL potential everyone envisioned when he was a true freshman All-American on LSU’s 2019 national championship team. Now he headlines a spectacular secondary that also features a couple second-year studs (CB Kamari Lassiter and S Calen Bullock) and a pair of feisty playmakers (NB Jalen Pitre and S C.J. Gardner-Johnson). Combining that coverage unit with the relentless edge-rushing duo of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, DeMeco Ryans is cooking with some high-octane gas on the defensive side of the ball. The soft spot remains at defensive tackle, where a lack of true difference-makers fuels a lingering concern that this team could get gashed on the ground (SEE: the humiliating home loss to Baltimore last Christmas). That said, Houston’s run defense finished last season in the top half of the league in most metrics, with back-seven players like linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair routinely rallying to the football. Houston has ranked 15th in defensive points allowed during each of the first two seasons of the Ryans era, but I think the group can crack the top five in 2025, thanks to improved depth, continued development and a whole heap o’ havoc-wreakers.

BALTIMORE:

Zach Orr’s debut season as defensive coordinator got off to a disastrous start in the first two months, with Baltimore ranking 25th or worse in scoring defense (26.1 ppg), total defense (361.3 ypg), passer rating against (103.4) and opponents’ third-down percentage (46.7). But the young coach completely flipped the script at midseason. From Week 9 through the end of the regular season, the Ravens ranked first in scoring defense (16.9 ppg), second in total defense (291.2 ypg) and passer rating against (79.0) and third in opponents’ third-down percentage (33.9). What provoked such a dramatic turnaround? Orr made a number of personnel tweaks to fix what had been a broken pass defense, including moving Kyle Hamilton to free safety. Hamilton admirably filled the role, underscoring his limitless ability, but Baltimore found a more permanent solution in the first round of April’s draft. Highly pedigreed, instinctive safety Malaki Starks not only feels like a perfect Raven, but his ability as a center fielder will allow Hamilton to move back toward the line of scrimmage, where he terrorizes opposing offenses as a roaming playmaker. GM Eric DeCosta also fortified the cornerback position, taking a worthwhile gamble on injury-riddled former Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander and signing Chidobe Awuzie as veteran depth. Mix in second-round pick Mike Green as a designated pass rusher in the edge rotation, and Orr’s defense appears poised to build on last winter’s remarkable surge.

PHILADELPHIA:

The Super Bowl champs suffered substantial defensive attrition this offseason, losing three full-time starters (OLB Josh Sweat, CB Darius Slay and S C.J. Gardner-Johnson), a budding star (DT Milton Williams) and one of the most beloved Eagles of the 21st century (OLB Brandon Graham). And yet, I won’t be the least bit surprised if Vic Fangio fields the NFL’s stingiest defense for a second consecutive season. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter is on the fast track to becoming one of the league’s most destructive forces — if he isn’t already there — while Nolan Smith emerged as an edge-rushing menace last season, racking up four sacks in the playoffs. NT Jordan Davis has yet to live up to his No. 13 overall draft pedigree, but he’s still a gargantuan space-eater who showed some pass-rushing growth down the stretch last season. If DT Moro Ojomo and OLB Jalyx Hunt can turn rotational flashes into starting production, the aforementioned losses up front could be quickly forgotten. Zack Baun headlines the linebacking corps, fresh off a revelatory season that earned him first-team All-Pro honors and a three-year, $51 million extension. Nakobe Dean’s likely to start the season on the PUP list as he works his way back from a serious knee injury suffered on Wild Card Weekend, but Philadelphia just took a linebacker in Round 1 for the first time in 46 years, snatching up versatile weapon Jihaad Campbell. The secondary’s highlighted by a pair of second-year stars (CB Quinyon Mitchell and NB Cooper DeJean) and a solid safety who rarely gets his due (Reed Blankenship). The biggest question mark on Philly’s entire roster is probably CB2, with Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson battling for the starting role. Bottom line: While the Eagles must replace a number of key cogs from last season’s dominant D, Howie Roseman has hoarded enough talent to achieve a smooth transition.

DENVER:

After ranking 27th in defensive points allowed in 2023, Denver soared to No. 3 last season. This year, I have the Broncos taking another step forward to edge out the Eagles and Ravens for top billing on this list. Why? Well, in addition to returning 14 of their top 15 players in defensive snaps — LB Cody Barton was the lone loss — they signed big-ticket free agents Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga and then spent their first-round pick on versatile defensive back Jahdae Barron. So, the group that led the league in sacks and defensive EPA (expected points added) just got better. Let’s examine the particulars — and seeing how the reigning Defensive Player of the Year resides in the secondary, we’ll go back to front. Pat Surtain II has established himself as the best cornerback in the game today, while Riley Moss looked like a quality CB2 in just his second season. At safety, Hufanga joins Brandon Jones to give Denver an interchangeable pair of ferocious cover men who’ll both get after the quarterback in Vance Joseph’s blitz-happy scheme. And Barron figures to slot right into the starting nickel role, providing Joseph with another multi-talented chess piece to play around with. Linebacker is the least imposing group on this defense, but Greenlaw certainly spices things up — if he can return to full health. Up front, the Broncos bring waves of pressure, with six different players recording at least five sacks last season: Nik Bonitto (13.5), Jonathon Cooper (10.5), Zach Allen (8.5), John Franklin-Myers (7), Jonah Elliss (5), Dondrea Tillman (5). The deep defensive line is a wall against the run, too, giving up the second-fewest yards per carry (3.9) in 2024. In summation, this looks like the best Denver D since the “No Fly Zone” gave the franchise its third Lombardi Trophy a decade ago.

C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON: EAGLES TRADED ME TO TEXANS BECAUSE THEY’RE ‘SCARED OF A COMPETITOR’

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The Philadelphia Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston this offseason in a salary dump. From the defensive back’s perspective, there was another reason he was shipped out of Philly.

During an interview with The Pivot podcast, Gardner-Johnson was asked by Ryan Clark why he was no longer in Philly following such a successful, Super Bowl-winning stint.

“Scared of a competitor,” Gardner-Johnson answered. “Simple as that.”

Asked what he meant by that, the DB responded, “You can’t program a dawg.”

Gardner-Johnson sounded as though he didn’t have the backing of the staff and felt he was always blamed when things went sideways, citing his ejection from a late-season game against the Washington Commanders. He also noted that he was blamed for a postseason practice fight.

“We had a little scrum at practice,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Nothing, just offense versus defense, but who’s the culprit of it? Me. I guess, because we’re competing. Well, you tell me the period is live. You’re telling us not to compete during a live period, but it’s a live period, and we’re getting ready for a playoff game?”

CJGJ said his former teammates never had an issue with how he handled himself.

“You want me to be a leader and outspoken, but then you want me to sit back,” Gardner-Johnson said. “There’s nowhere been a locker room where I had a single issue with a teammate.”

When Philly GM Howie Roseman traded Gardner-Johnson this offseason, he cited financial reasons, noting that the Eagles had other players they were trying to lock down and fit under the cap.

Following the trade, the defensive back posted a video on social media in which he said the Eagles “probably won’t see a ring without me.” It was a comment he walked back, noting he “retracts” the reaction.

“It’s a disrespect to Jalen Carter, A.J. Brown — I can name all those guys on that team — Lane Johnson,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Because Lane is my big vet and Lane would tell me, ‘Hey, [C.J.], I got your back, but when you do too much, I don’t got your back. And that’s one of those moments that’s too much.’ Because it’s taken away from his career. He done it. He done it before me. Apologizing to the guys in Philly, I got nothing against them. And if they win six more rings without me, they deserve it, because that’s the type of players they are.”

COWBOYS’ MICAH PARSONS ON EXTENSION: ‘I’M GOING TO GET MINE NO MATTER WHAT’

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The Dallas Cowboys open training camp next week. Micah Parsons still hasn’t received his big-money, long-term contract extension.

After running his football camp in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Parsons said he’s not fretting about a deal getting done. He plans just to put his head down and work.

“I just work harder. Like, to me, I look at it like if people don’t see your value, you don’t cry and sit down. You just work harder. You got to show people your value. I just think that’s the difference. Like I go, OK, bet, and I just work,” Parsons said on Tuesday, via Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.

Parsons’ value to the Cowboys is through the roof. The do-it-all pass rusher has generated at least 12 sacks in all four seasons he’s played, earned four Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro nods, forced nine fumbles and generated 256 tackles. He’s a matchup nightmare for offenses, thanks to his ability to move around and discombobulate plays regardless of the situation.

Parsons is one of several pass rushers seeking a new deal as we head toward the start of the season. T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson skipped offseason workouts in search of a new deal. Aidan Hutchinson is eligible for an extension following his third year, but is coming off a season-ending leg injury.

The 26-year-old Parsons isn’t worried about what others seek or have already received, like Myles Garrett’s $40 million-per-year deal, because he’s confident he’ll “get mine” regardless of other contracts.

“I’m just going to get mine no matter what,” Parsons said. “You know what I mean? Like, the markets change every year. Their salary cap went up, like, another 18% this year. So, if you want to know contracts, all the contracts are based off of percentage. Like, each player, a high-paid player, takes a percentage of the salary cap. So, it’s not really the number. It goes off by the salary cap.”

The Cowboys edge rusher said his circumstances are different from those of other players still looking for contracts, so he doesn’t concern himself with their situation.

“They numbers got nothing to do with mine, and my numbers ain’t got nothing to do with them,” Parsons said about the edge rusher market. “Like, I’m younger than Hendrickson. I mean, Hutchinson’s coming off an injury. Everyone’s circumstances is completely different. Hutch is coming off his third year. Usually guys wait four years. So, it just all depends. Watt. I mean, he’s up there with Myles. So, you know, it’s different. Everyone’s circumstance is different.”

Parsons participated in offseason workouts, deciding not to hold out to put pressure on the Cowboys to get a deal done. We’ll see how much he does when Cowboys camp opens next week. Last year, it came down to the wire for Dallas to get extensions done with CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys appear to be sticking to that timeline when it comes to Parsons in 2025.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL

KALEN DEBOER, CRIMSON TIDE COUNT ON CONTINUITY IN 2025

Kalen DeBoer begins his second season at Alabama with a tone-setting theme common from the end of the 2024 season until the Crimson Tide kick off fall camp in two weeks: Let’s get physical.

“When it comes to just overall as a program, physicality is the name of the game when it comes to playing football. You wear pads for a reason, right? Physicality comes through the work to build your body, but that also comes through toughness mentally as well,” DeBoer said Wednesday morning in Atlanta, the site of SEC Media Days.

“I love, again, the work that we’re focused on right now is the main thing, keeping it that. I love the mindset. Doesn’t guarantee anything but gives you a great chance.”

Talent gives the Crimson Tide a great chance, too.

And while Alabama subtracted three prominent underclassmen to the draft — quarterback Jalen Milroe (Seattle Seahawks), guard Tyler Booker (Dallas Cowboys) and linebacker Jihaad Campbell (Philadelphia Eagles) — and several seniors from DeBoer’s first season on the job in Tuscaloosa, he has a few players ready to pick up the hammer as tone-setters this season.

“The offensive line is where it really starts,” DeBoer said. “Really six guys that are strongly in the rotation with a lot of others that are up-and-coming, developing quickly, that I can see competing for spots as the season goes along as well.”

The featured talent on the line is Kadyn Proctor, an offensive tackle who can block out the sun, who is also on pace to earn his degree in December. NFL draft experts view Proctor as a likely first-round talent in the 2026 draft if he opts to leave. DeBoer said he loves everything about the 6-foot-7, 360-pounder.

“You look at the guy and he’s massive. Man, just does everything on a high level when it comes to his training,” said DeBoer.

Replacing Milroe is a clear focus in fall camp. DeBoer said Ty Simpson “would be the guy that would take the first snaps and be our starter” if Alabama was lining up to play a game right now.

But he kept the door open for Austin Mack, a 6-6, 235-pound redshirt freshman who followed DeBoer from Washington, and true freshman Keelon Russell to shift the depth chart in the next six weeks before Alabama begins the season at Florida State. DeBoer — who also brought in his former offensive coordinator with the Huskies, Ryan Grubb — said Mack and Russell are capable of “big jumps” in fall camp because of the high repetition count.

“But they have the tools. Ty throws a catchable ball. He’s smart. He’s been in college football now going into year four,” DeBoer said. “He’s seen the ups and downs. He’s got great relationships with the team. He’s a leader that way. He’s really owned things on another level.”

There might be even more talent and tenacity on DeBoer’s defense in 2025.

Two fifth-year starters, linebacker Deontae Lawson and defensive tackle Tim Keenan, are geared up to boost the targeting takeaway total from 2024 when Alabama ranked fifth in the nation with 2.1 takeaways per game.

DeBoer expects to take the field with a total of 17 seniors on the roster — up from eight last season — but underscored their importance in maintaining continuity after a year of mass introductions in 2024.

He presented Lawson, returning from a season-ending knee injury in November, as the case in point.

“Probably thought a year ago at this time he’d be wearing an NFL jersey. Circumstances as they may be, just coming back from an injury, seeing him attack it, seeing him and his mindset … understanding the circumstances he can’t control and what he can,” DeBoer said. “Man, it’s just amazing seeing him take over not just the defense but be a leader on our football team.

“I walked into a meeting looking for a coach actually. I walked in. It was (Lawson) holding a meeting with the linebackers. Listened for about 30 seconds. I knew that meeting was in a good position. Coaching it like a coach. When you have guys on the field that are like him — understand the depth, the details — you know you’re headed in the right direction and have a chance.”

4-STAR DL JAMES JOHNSON FLIPS TO TEXAS FROM GEORGIA

Four-star defensive lineman James Johnson changed his mind and said he will play at Texas instead of Georgia.

The previous commitment of Johnson, from Northwestern High School in Miami, was short-lived. He made his pledge to Georgia on June 28 and decommitted Tuesday.

He took official visits to both schools, as well as to Miami, Florida State and Florida over the past six weeks.

The 247Sports composite lists the 6-foot-2, 285-pound prospect as the No. 8 defensive lineman in the Class of 2026.

Johnson’s commitment added to an already stellar week for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.

On Tuesday, Tyler Atkinson, the No. 1 linebacker in the 2026 recruiting class, committed to Texas.

Atkinson, who plays at Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga., is ranked No. 9 overall, No. 1 at his position and No. 1 in the Peach State by the 247Sports composite.

With the commitments of Johnson and Atkinson, the Longhorns’ 2026 class now ranks No. 6 in the nation, per the 247Sports composite.

2025 COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S TOP TRANSFERS

We are all gearing up for college football. That also means trying to keep up with all the players in the transfer portal and which teams scores the biggest prize. Here’s how the staff at Indiana SRN graded the players and where they went.

QB’S

CARSON BECK FROM GEORGIA TO MIAMI FL… BECK THREW FOR 3,485 yards with 28 touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

JOHN MATEER FROM WASHINGTON STATE TO OKLAHOMA.. Averaged 330.4 total yards per game last season.

NICO IAMALEAVA FROM TENNESSEE TO UCLA… A high profile quarterback will look to get his career going again.

JACKSON ARNOLD FROM OKLAHOMA TO AUBURN… Arnold will thrive with more talent around him at Auburn.

DEVON DAMPIER FROM NEW MEXICO TO UTAH… Dampier led the Mountain West in total offense last season.

TOMMY CASTELLANOS FROM BOSTON COLLEGE TO FLORIDA STATE… His rushing ability will fit in well at Florida State.

MARK GRONOWSKI FROM SOUTH DAKOTA STATE TO IOWA… You will be a massive upgrade under center for the Hawkeyes.

GEO LOPEZ FROM SOUTH ALABAMA TO NORTH CAROLINA… Lopez will answer many questions for the Tar Heels.

FERNANDO MENDOZA FROM CALIFORNIA TO INDIANA.. A complete and accurate quarterback who will be a great fit for the Hoosiers.

DARIAN MENSAH FROM TULANE TO DUKE… Emerged last season as a top-flight quarterback.

MILLER MOSS FROM USC TO LOUISVILLE… Coach Jeff Brohm will help Moss thrive in Louisville.

BEAU PRIBULA FROM PENN STATE TO MISSOURI.. Beau was a change of pace quarterback at Penn State.

JOEY AGUILAR FROM UCLA TO TENNESSEE… Another transfer that is expected to thrive at Tennessee.

KAIDON SALTER FROM LIBERTY TO COLORADO… The key will be if Salter can regain his 2023 form.

CONNOR WEIGMAN FROM TEXAS A&M TO HOUSTON… Connor is a former 5 –star prospect.

RB’S

FLUFF BOTHWELL FROM SOUTH ALABAMA TO MISSISSIPPI STATE.. Averaged 7.5 yards per carry as a freshman last season.

CJ DONALDSON FROM WEST VIRGINIA TO OHIO STATE… Donaldson could have a big season in Columbus.

AHMAD HARDY FROM LOUISIANA MONROE TO MISSOURI… Led all freshman with 1,351 rushing yards.

JUSTICE HAYNES FROM ALABAMA TO MICHIGAN… Michigan will have a strong running attack with Haynes in the mix.

MAKHI HUGHES FROM TULANE TO OREGON… Rushed for back to back 1,300 yard seasons at Tulane.

JAYDN OTT FROM CALIFORNIA TO OKLAHOMA.. Looking to regain his 2023 form after being injured last season.

WR’S

NIC ANDERSON FROM OKLAHOMA TO LSU… Averaged 21 yards per catch as a freshman in 2023.

BARION BROWN FROM KENTUCKY TO LSU… Has elite speed and will be a huge contributor on special teams.

ZACHARIAH BRANCH FROM USC TO GEORGIA.. A welcome addition for the Bulldogs.

KC CONCEPCIÓN FROM NORTH CAROLINA STATE TO TEXAS A&M… A versatile receiver that will bring big play production to the Aggies.

CJ DANIELS FROM LSU TO MIAMI FLORIDA.. Brings 148 receptions from LSU.

MALACHI FIELDS FROM VIRGINIA TO NOTRE DAME… In his last two seasons at Virginia, fields caught 113 passes.

DEVONTE ROSS FROM TROY TO PENN STATE… Expected to make a contribution for the Nittany Lions.

DANE KEY FROM KENTUCKY TO NEBRASKA… Key is a stretch player.

ERIC RIVERS FROM FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL TO GEORGIA TECH… Ranked 11^th nationally in receiving yards last season with 1,172.

DUCE ROBINSON FROM USC TO FLORIDA STATE… Robinson will bolster Florida State’s passing attack.

ERIC SINGLETON JUNIOR FROM GEORGIA TECH TO AUBURN… Joins teammate Cam Coleman as one of the top SEC duos.

TE’S

JACK ENDRIES FROM CALIFORNIA TO TEXAS… Jack was second in the ACC last season with 56 receptions.

MAX KLARE FROM PURDUE TO OHIO STATE… Caught 51 receptions for the boilermakers in 2024.

XAVIER CHAPLIN FROM VIRGINIA TECH TO AUBURN… Provides protection on the left side for Auburn.

PAT COOGAN FROM NOTRE DAME TO INDIANA… Many considered Coogan the heart and soul of Notre Dame’s offense of line last season.

BRAELIN MOORE FROM VIRGINIA TECH TO LSU… Started 24 games at Virginia Tech.

SAM PENDLETON FROM NOTRE DAME TO TENNESSEE… Pendleton will solidify the interior line at Tennessee.

EMMANUEL PREGNON FROM USC TO OREGON… 25 starts at USC.

HOWARD SAMPSON FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO TEXAS TECH.. Sampson is one of three transfers headed to Texas Tech.

ISAIAH WORLD FROM NEVADA TO OREGON… Allowed only three sacks over the last two seasons at Nevada.

WILL HELDT FROM PURDUE TO CLEMSON… Had 10 tackles for loss in 2024 at Purdue.

PATRICK PAYTON FROM FLORIDA STATE TO LSU.. Has 16 career sacks.

WILLIAMS NWANERI FROM MISSOURI TO NEBRASKA… A former 5 –star recruit.

JAMES WILLIAMS FROM NEBRASKA TO FLORIDA STATE.. Williams will step in immediately at Florida State.

PRINCEWILL UMANMIELEN FROM NEBRASKA TO OLE MISS… A former 4 –star recruit who will thrive at Ole Miss.

DAMON WILSON FROM GEORGIA TO MISSOURI… Will create havoc for the Tigers defense.

DAVID BAILEY FROM STAMFORD TO TEXAS TECH… Bailey recorded 12 sacks and led Stamford in tackles for loss over the last two seasons.

DB’S

TACARIO DAVIS FROM ARIZONA TO WASHINGTON… Davis hasn’t allowed a touchdown in coverage over the last two seasons at Arizona.

MANSOOR DELANE FROM VIRGINIA TECH TO LSU… 29 starts and Virginia Tech with six interceptions.

XAVIER LUCAS FROM WISCONSIN TO MIAMI FLORIDA… Was a standout at Wisconsin.

DILLON THIENMAN FROM PURDUE TO OREGON… Dillion will help Oregon rebuild its secondary.

2025 COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S TOP QB

Get ready college football fans. The 2025 season will feature some of the best QB’s, some pure passers, others duel-threat QB’s. Here’s the BEST-OF-THE-BEST:

**ARCH MANNING, TEXAS:** Finally, it’s Manning’s chance to validate the hype surrounding this blue-chip quarterback, who comes from one of football’s most famous families. He is the preseason Heisman favorite and showcased his potential as a budding star during two spot starts last season. Now in his third season under coach Steve Sarkisian, a skilled quarterback developer, Manning is poised for a breakout year. He possesses a strong arm and impressive mobility, but he needs to improve his processing time.

**CADE KLUBNIK, CLEMSON:** In his second year as the starting quarterback, Klubnik has restored the explosiveness to the Clemson offense that had been lacking since the Tigers were competing for national championships. With even more weapons at his disposal, he should be a key player in the Heisman discussion as the team makes another title push.

**DREW ALLAR, PENN STATE:** Allar is the face of Penn State’s pursuit of its first national title in nearly 40 years. After a tough end to his junior year, which included a crucial interception in the playoff semifinal against Notre Dame, Allar enters his second season running offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s scheme, supported by an excellent offensive line and one of the nation’s top collections of skill talent, particularly in the backfield.

**LANORRIS SELLERS, SOUTH CAROLINA: ** Sellers showcased his versatility as a redshirt freshman, passing for 353 yards and five touchdowns in a win against Missouri, followed by a performance where he rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns against Clemson. He embodies the dual-threat quarterback profile, demonstrating accuracy and impressive speed—he can reach nearly 21 mph on the field. If he can reduce his turnovers, particularly fumbles, he’ll become the complete package.

**SAM LEAVITT, ARIZONA STATE:** Leavitt made an impressive transformation from a relatively unknown transfer from Michigan State to one of the top quarterbacks in the sport, leading Arizona State to the playoffs. Although running back Cam Skattebo received much of the attention, Leavitt’s statistics—21 touchdowns to just four interceptions in the final nine games—speak volumes. With good running abilities and a knack for performing in big games, he leads an offense poised to be among the best in the Big 12.

**CARSON BECK, MIAMI:** Replacing the top overall draft pick may seem daunting, but Beck is no stranger to high expectations. He comes to Coral Gables with significant potential and some baggage; last season, his Georgia offense was inconsistent. Nevertheless, he posted solid numbers in 2024 with 3,485 passing yards, a 64.7% completion rate, and 28 touchdowns. However, many of his 12 interceptions were due to forcing plays, which he needs to overcome if the Hurricanes aim to compete for a playoff spot.

**GARRETT NUSSMEIER, LSU:** Nussmeier has a strong arm and the confidence to make any throw. You’ll understand why he’s projected as an early first-round NFL Draft pick when you see him zip a pass to the sideline. He is the only returning quarterback in the nation who threw for over 4,000 yards last season, and he’ll have a solid group of receivers around him. His next step in development will be to reduce his 12 interceptions from 2024.

**LUKE ALTMYER, ILLINOIS:** The former Mississippi transfer has found a home with the emerging Illinois team, tallying 26 touchdowns against six interceptions in a standout 2024 season. After winning 10 games last fall, Illinois is gaining attention as a contender for an at-large playoff bid, largely due to Altmyer’s reliability and leadership of the offense. Like Allar at Penn State, Altmyer is a returning starter in a Big Ten quarterback landscape filled with youth and first-year transfers.

**FERNANDO MENDOZA, INDIANA:** Mendoza takes over as the starting quarterback for the Hoosiers after last year’s starter, Kurtis Rourke, helped the team achieve a surprising playoff berth. The Cal transfer threw for over 3,000 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024 and brings two years of starting experience into coach Curt Cignetti’s explosive offense.

**MILLER MOSS, LOUISVILLE:** Moss had a mixed experience at Southern California, throwing for 2,555 yards and 18 touchdowns. However, a three-interception game in a loss against Washington led to his demotion and eventual transfer. He is expected to fit well at Louisville, given coach Jeff Brohm’s history of developing quarterbacks, and he will have several all-league talents surrounding him in the Cardinals’ offense.

**JULIAN SAYIN, OHIO STATE:** Sayin is set to take the reins as the expected starter for the Buckeyes. After limited opportunities last season with 12 attempts as a reserve, he has the potential to be one of the Big Ten’s most efficient passers while playing alongside elite receivers like Jeremiah Smith. Unlike some other quarterbacks, Sayin has limited playing experience, which may pose a challenge as he steps into this significant role.

**BEHREN MORTON, TEXAS TECH:** Once again, Texas Tech has a gunslinger who is poised to shine. Morton enters his final season in Lubbock ready to thrive in the Red Raiders’ pass-heavy offense. What’s remarkable is that despite throwing the ball frequently, he takes care of it well, recording only eight interceptions on 466 passing attempts last season. He has all the potential to lead the nation in passing yards.

**BLAKE HORVATH, NAVY:** In his first season as a starter, Horvath led the Midshipmen to 10 wins, including a victory over Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl. He primarily excels on the ground, typical of Navy quarterbacks, accumulating 1,353 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns last season. However, he also showcased his passing ability with 13 touchdown passes. Expect even better production in 2025 as Navy aims to contend in the American Athletic Conference again.

**ROCCO BECHT, IOWA STATE:** Becht is one of the most underrated quarterbacks on this list. He guided Iowa State to its first 11-win season in program history in 2024, throwing for 3,505 yards. With 27 career starts, he is among the most experienced quarterbacks, demonstrating a high on-field IQ that consistently frustrates defenses. He has a notable streak of 18 consecutive games with a touchdown pass.

**HAYNES KING, GEORGIA TECH:** Despite battling injuries for significant portions of the season, King finished 2024 with 2,701 total offensive yards and accounted for 25 touchdowns. His tough running style likely contributed to these injuries. The current challenge for the Yellow Jackets’ coaching staff is determining whether they have assembled enough support around King to fully utilize his considerable talent. If they have, an increase in their win total is likely.

**AVERY JOHNSON, KANSAS STATE:** After losing Will Howard, Kansas State has placed its confidence in Johnson, who has shown tremendous potential as their new starting quarterback. He had several standout moments in 2024, especially with his ability to orchestrate fourth-quarter comebacks. His confidence grew throughout the season, and with a full year of starting experience, Johnson is expected to mature into a more polished player, keeping Kansas State competitive.

**KEVIN JENNINGS, SMU:** The Mustangs surprised everyone by reaching the ACC Championship game in their inaugural season in the conference, and Jennings played a significant role in that success. He finished the season with 3,245 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes, along with 354 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, despite a disappointing playoff end against Penn State.

**DARAIN MENSAH, DUKE:** After a solid 2,723-yard season with 22 touchdown passes at Tulane, Mensah aims to elevate Duke’s status in the ACC. His reportedly high NIL valuation suggests that the program’s supporters are serious about transforming Duke into more than just a basketball powerhouse. Now, he must deliver on that investment to propel the Blue Devils into title contention.

**DANTE MOORE, OREGON:** Following an inconsistent freshman year at UCLA in 2023, Moore spent last season acclimating to Oregon’s offense while backing up Dillon Gabriel. Having Power Five starting experience and a familiarity with the offensive scheme provide him significant advantages. Watch for Moore to seize this opportunity and emerge as the Ducks’ latest high-productive starter.

**JOSH HOOVER, TCU:** TCU seems to have found its quarterback in Hoover, who had an impressive 2024 season, setting the school record with 3,949 passing yards. With a completion percentage of 66.5%, he leads returning Big 12 quarterbacks. Hoover possesses excellent pocket presence and pinpoint accuracy even when on the run. The Horned Frogs have the potential to become an offensive powerhouse, driven by Hoover’s strong arm, which led to 61 completions of at least 20 yards last season.

**DYLAN RAIOLA, NEBRASKA:** The former five-star recruit is set to take a significant step in his sophomore year after gaining valuable experience last season, benefiting from a much-improved receiving corps and a full offseason in coordinator Dana Holgorsen’s system. Raiola has the talent to fulfill the high expectations surrounding his recruitment and is expected to capitalize on that potential this coming September.

**NICO IAMALEAVA, UCLA:** Iamaleava is expected to gain national attention after his dramatic exit from Tennessee. He will face tougher challenges at UCLA, which has made strides under coach DeShaun Foster, but the team may not have the same level of talent he enjoyed at the Volunteers. Nevertheless, Iamaleava has led an SEC team to the playoffs and could be the missing piece the Bruins need to succeed.

**SAWYER ROBERTSON, BAYLOR:** Coach Dave Aranda can thank Robertson for securing his job after the quarterback delivered an impressive second half to the season. Taking over in the third game, he led the Bears to a 6-0 finish in the regular season, throwing for a total of 1,581 passing yards and 17 touchdowns during that stretch. His efficiency rating stood at 153.1.

**JOHN MATEER, OKLAHOMA:** Oklahoma struggled last season to address its quarterback vacancy after Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon. Mateer, who transferred from Washington State, fills that need. His playing style shares similarities with Gabriel’s; he is a hard-nosed dual threat who excels as both a passer and a runner. Mateer can complete passes from various arm angles, showcasing his versatility. He now faces the challenge of proving himself against a higher caliber of defense than he encountered on the West Coast.

**DJ LANGWAY, FLORIDA:** The Gators experienced a surge in performance after Langway was named the starter midway through his true freshman season, and we likely haven’t seen his full potential yet. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury limited his dual-threat capabilities in 2024, and durability is a concern for Langway. He has spent the offseason recovering from a throwing shoulder injury. However, when healthy, he has the potential for big plays. He demonstrates an impressive ability to connect on deep passes, completing over 52% of throws that travel more than 20 yards.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: BIG 12

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

KANSAS STATE

ARIZONA STATE

TEXAS TECH

IOWA STATE

BAYLOR

BYU

UTAH

KANSAS

TCU

COLORADO

HOUSTON

CINCINNATI

OKLAHOMA STATE

WEST VIRGINIA

ARIZONA

CENTRAL FLORIDA

TITLE GAME: KANSAS STATE OVER ARIZONA STATE

TOP TRANSFERS TO WATCH:

DAVID BAILEY TEXAS TECH

CONNOR WEIGMAN HOUSTON

DEVON DAMPIER UTAH

LEE HUNTER TEXAS TECH

CHASE SOWELL IOWA STATE

KAIDON SALTER COLORADO

JORDAN DWYER TCU

ROMELLO HEIGHT TEXAS TECH

HOWARD SAMPSON TEXAS TECH

TANNER KOZIOL HOUSTON

RECRUITING RANKINGS

TCU

COLORADO

KANSAS STATE

UTAH

BAYLOR

OKLAHOMA STATE

WEST VIRGINIA

TEXAS TECH

ARIZONA STATE

ARIZONA

HOUSTON

IOWA STATE

BYU

CENTRAL FLORIDA

CINCINNATI

KANSAS

BIGGEST GAMES TO WATCH

AUGUST 23 KANSAS STATE VS. IOWA STATE

SEPTEMBER 6 KANSAS AT MISSOURI

SEPTEMBER 13 PITTSBURGH AT WEST VIRGINIA

SEPTEMBER 20 SMU AT TCU

OCTOBER 18 BAYLOR AT TCU

OCTOBER 18 UTAH AT BYU

OCTOBER 18 TEXAS TECH AT ARIZONA STATE

OCTOBER 25 BYU AT IOWA STATE

OCTOBER 25 KANSAS STATE AT KANSAS

NOVEMBER 1 ARIZONA STATE AT IOWA STATE

NOVEMBER 8 BYU AT TEXAS TECH

NOVEMBER 29 COLORADO AT KANSAS STATE

PRE-SEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

QB SAM LEAVITT ARIZONA STATE

RB JAHIEM WHITE WEST VIRGINIA

RB BRYSON WASHINGTON BAYLOR

AP DYLAN EDWARDS KANSAS STATE

WR JORDYN TYSON ARIZONA STATE

WR CHASE ROBERTS BYU

WR ERIC MCALLISTER TCU

TE JOE ROYER CINCINNATI

C BRYCE FOSTER KANSAS

OL JORDAN SEATON, COLORADO

OL SPENCER FANO UTAH

OL CALEB LOMU UTAH

OL BEN COLEMAN ARIZONA STATE

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

DL DONTAY CORLEONE CINCINNATI

DL DOMONIQUE ORANGE IOWA STATE

DL DEAN MILLER KANSAS

DL LEE HUNTER TEXAS TECH

LB ISAIAH GLASKER BYU

LB KEATON THOMAS BAYLOR

LB JACOB RODRIGUEZ TEXAS TECH

LB AUSTIN ROMAIN KANSAS STATE

CB JONTEZ WILLIAMS IOWA STATE

CB DJ MCKINNEY COLORADO

S XAVION ALFORD ARIZONA STATE

S BUD CLARK TCU

FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS

K WILL FERRIN BYU

P PARKER WILLIAMS BAYLOR

KR MEKHI MEWS HOUSTON

PR JOSH CAMERON BAYLOR

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE

1 TCU HORNED FROGS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 471

1 SEPT 27 AT ARIZONA STATE

2 OCT 11 AT KANSAS STATE

3 NOV 15 AT BYU

4 NOV 22 AT HOUSTON

5 NOV 8 IOWA STATE

6 OCT 25 AT WEST VIRGINIA

7 SEPT 1 AT NORTH CAROLINA

8 SEPT 20 SMU

9 OCT 18 BAYLOR

10 OCT 4 COLORADO

11 NOV 29 CINCINNATI

12 SEPT 6 ABILENE CHRISTIAN

MISSING: ARIZONA, KANSAS, OKLAHOMA STATE, TEXAS TECH, UCF, UTAH

2 BAYLOR BEARS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 475.5

1 SEPT 20 ARIZONA STATE

2 SEPT 6 AT SMU

2 NOV 15 UTAH

4 OCT 18 AT TCU

5 AUG 30 AUBURN

5 NOV 22 AT ARIZONA

7 OCT 25 AT CINCINNATI

8 OCT 4 KANSAS STATE

9 SEPT 27 AT OKLAHOMA STATE

10 NOV 29 HOUSTON

11 NOV 1 UCF

12 SEPT 13 SAMFORD

MISSING: BYU, COLORADO, IOWA STATE, KANSAS, TEXAS TECH, WEST VIRGINIA

3 COLORADO BUFFALOES

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 487.5

1 OCT 25 AT UTAH

2 NOV 29 AT KANSAS STATE

3 NOV 22 ARIZONA STATE

4 OCT 4 AT TCU

5 SEPT 13 AT HOUSTON

6 OCT 11 IOWA STATE

7 NOV 8 AT WEST VIRGINIA

8 AUG 30 GEORGIA TECH

9 SEPT 27 BYU

10 NOV 1 ARIZONA

11 SEPT 20 WYOMING

12 SEPT 6 DELAWARE

MISSING: BAYLOR, CINCINNATI, KANSAS, OKLAHOMA STATE, TEXAS TECH, UCF

4 UTAH UTES

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 496

1 OCT 11 ARIZONA STATE

2 NOV 15 AT BAYLOR

3 OCT 18 AT BYU

4 AUG 30 AT UCLA

5 NOV 22 KANSAS STATE

6 SEPT 27 AT WEST VIRGINIA

7 SEPT 20 TEXAS TECH

8 SEPT 13 AT WYOMING

9 NOV 29 AT KANSAS

10 OCT 25 COLORADO

11 NOV 1 CINCINNATI

12 SEPT 6 CAL POLY

MISSING: ARIZONA, HOUSTON, IOWA STATE, OKLAHOMA STATE, TCU, UCF

5 WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 506

1 NOV 15 AT ARIZONA STATE

2 SEPT 27 UTAH

3 OCT 3 AT BYU

4 NOV 1 AT HOUSTON

5 NOV 29 TEXAS TECH

6 OCT 18 AT UCF

7 SEPT 20 AT KANSAS

8 SEPT 13 PITT

9 OCT 25 TCU

10 SEPT 6 AT OHIO

11 NOV 8 COLORADO

12 AUG 30 ROBERT MORRIS

MISSING: ARIZONA, BAYLOR, CINCINNATI, IOWA STATE, KANSAS STATE, OKLAHOMA STATE

6 HOUSTON COUGARS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 538.5

1 OCT 25 AT ARIZONA STATE

2 NOV 29 AT BAYLOR

3 OCT 4 TEXAS TECH

4 OCT 11 AT OKLAHOMA STATE

5 SEPT 6 AT RICE

6 NOV 8 AT UCF

7 SEPT 27 AT OREGON STATE

8 NOV 22 TCU

9 SEPT 13 COLORADO

10 OCT 18 ARIZONA

11 NOV 1 WEST VIRGINIA

12 AUG 30 STEPHEN F AUSTIN

MISSING: BYU, CINCINNATI, IOWA STATE, KANSAS, KANSAS STATE, UTAH

7 IOWA STATE CYCLONES

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 540.5

1 NOV 1 ARIZONA STATE

2 NOV 8 AT TCU

3 OCT 11 AT COLORADO

4 SEPT 6 IOWA

5 OCT 4 AT CINCINNATI

6 AUG 23 VS KANSAS STATE (IN DUBLIN)

7 NOV 29 AT OKLAHOMA STATE

8 OCT 25 BYU

9 SEPT 13 AT ARKANSAS STATE

10 SEPT 27 ARIZONA

11 NOV 22 KANSAS

12 AUG 30 SOUTH DAKOTA

MISSING: BAYLOR, HOUSTON, TEXAS TECH, UCF, UTAH, WEST VIRGINIA

8 KANSAS JAYHAWKS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 541.5

1 SEPT 6 AT MISSOURI

2 NOV 22 AT IOWA STATE

3 OCT 11 AT TEXAS TECH

4 NOV 29 UTAH

5 NOV 8 AT ARIZONA

6 OCT 25 KANSAS STATE

7 OCT 4 AT UCF

8 SEPT 27 CINCINNATI

9 SEPT 20 WEST VIRGINIA

10 NOV 1 OKLAHOMA STATE

11 AUG 23 FRESNO STATE

12 AUG 30 WAGNER

MISSING: ARIZONA STATE, BAYLOR, BYU, COLORADO, HOUSTON, TCU

9 BYU COUGARS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 556

1 OCT 25 AT IOWA STATE

2 NOV 8 AT TEXAS TECH

3 OCT 18 UTAH

4 SEPT 27 AT COLORADO

5 OCT 11 AT ARIZONA

6 NOV 22 AT CINCINNATI

7 SEPT 20 AT EAST CAROLINA

8 NOV 15 TCU

9 OCT 3 WEST VIRGINIA

10 SEPT 6 STANFORD

11 NOV 29 UCF

12 AUG 30 PORTLAND STATE

MISSING: ARIZONA STATE, BAYLOR, HOUSTON, KANSAS, KANSAS STATE, OKLAHOMA STATE

10 KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 569.5

1 NOV 22 AT UTAH

2 OCT 4 AT BAYLOR

3 SEPT 13 AT ARIZONA

4 AUG 23 VS IOWA STATE (IN DUBLIN)

5 NOV 1 TEXAS TECH

6 NOV 15 AT OKLAHOMA STATE

7 OCT 25 AT KANSAS

8 OCT 11 TCU

9 NOV 29 COLORADO

10 SEPT 27 UCF

11 SEPT 6 ARMY

12 AUG 30 NORTH DAKOTA

MISSING: ARIZONA STATE, BYU, CINCINNATI, HOUSTON, UCF, WEST VIRGINIA

11 ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 582

1 OCT 11 AT UTAH

2 NOV 1 AT IOWA STATE

3 SEPT 20 AT BAYLOR

4 NOV 22 AT COLORADO

5 OCT 18 TEXAS TECH

6 SEPT 6 AT MISSISSIPPI STATE

7 SEPT 27 TCU

8 OCT 25 HOUSTON

9 NOV 29 ARIZONA

10 NOV 15 WEST VIRGINIA

11 SEPT 13 TEXAS STATE

12 AUG 30 NORTHERN ARIZONA

MISSING: BYU, CINCINNATI, KANSAS, OKLAHOMA STATE, TCU, UCF

12 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 592

1 SEPT 6 AT OREGON

2 OCT 25 AT TEXAS TECH

3 OCT 4 AT ARIZONA

4 NOV 29 IOWA STATE

5 NOV 15 KANSAS STATE

6 NOV 22 AT UCF

7 SEPT 27 BAYLOR

8 NOV 1 AT KANSAS

9 OCT 11 HOUSTON

10 OCT 18 CINCINNATI

11 SEPT 20 TULSA

12 AUG 30 UT MARTIN

MISSING: ARIZONA STATE, BYU, COLORADO, TCU, UTAH, WEST VIRGINIA

13 ARIZONA WILDCATS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 596

1 NOV 29 AT ARIZONA STATE

2 SEPT 27 AT IOWA STATE

3 NOV 1 AT COLORADO

4 OCT 18 AT HOUSTON

5 NOV 15 AT CINCINNATI

6 SEPT 13 KANSAS STATE

7 NOV 22 BAYLOR

8 OCT 11 BYU

9 OCT 4 OKLAHOMA STATE

10 NOV 8 KANSAS

11 AUG 30 HAWAII

12 SEPT 6 WEBER STATE

MISSING: KANSAS STATE, TCU, TEXAS TECH, UCF, UTAH, WEST VIRGINIA

14 CINCINNATI BEARCATS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 626

1 NOV 1 AT UTAH

2 NOV 29 AT TCU

3 OCT 4 IOWA STATE

4 OCT 18 AT OKLAHOMA STATE

5 AUG 28 VS NEBRASKA (IN KANSAS CITY)

6 OCT 25 BAYLOR

7 NOV 22 BYU

8 SEPT 27 AT KANSAS

9 NOV 15 ARIZONA

10 OCT 11 UCF

11 SEPT 6 BOWLING GREEN

12 SEPT 13 NORTHWESTERN STATE

MISSING: ARIZONA STATE, COLORADO, HOUSTON, KANSAS STATE, TEXAS TECH, WEST VIRGINIA

15 UCF KNIGHTS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 666.5

1 SEPT 27 AT KANSAS STATE

2 NOV 15 AT TEXAS TECH

3 NOV 1 AT BAYLOR

4 NOV 29 AT BYU

5 OCT 11 AT CINCINNATI

6 NOV 8 HOUSTON

7 OCT 18 WEST VIRGINIA

8 NOV 22 OKLAHOMA STATE

9 SEPT 20 NORTH CAROLINA

10 OCT 4 KANSAS

11 AUG 28 JACKSONVILLE STATE

12 SEPT 6 NORTH CAROLINA A&T

MISSING: ARIZONA, ARIZONA STATE, COLORADO, IOWA STATE, TCU, UTAH

16 TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SCORE: 690

1 OCT 18 AT ARIZONA STATE

2 SEPT 20 AT UTAH

3 NOV 1 AT KANSAS STATE

4 OCT 4 AT HOUSTON

5 NOV 29 AT WEST VIRGINIA

6 NOV 8 BYU

7 OCT 25 OKLAHOMA STATE

8 NOV 15 UCF

9 SEPT 13 OREGON STATE

10 OCT 11 KANSAS

11 SEPT 6 KENT STATE

12 AUG 30 ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF

MISSING: ARIZONA, BAYLOR, CINCINNATI, COLORADO, IOWA STATE, TCU

TEAM-BY-TEAM SCOUTING

ARIZONA: It looks like there on the decline. They lost a ton the guys over the last two seasons. The success of this coaching staff will depend on how fast they can find a quarterback who can run this new system.

ARIZONA STATE: The big 12 is very volatile right now, so there’s an idea another program might jump out of nowhere like Arizona State did last season. It’s hard to pick against them after winning the league last year and returning almost everybody.

BAYLOR: The offense click, and it turned them around completely last season. They’ll go as far as they can with an experienced backfield. This could be one of the best offenses in the nation this season.

BYU: The cougars have a physical defense that can give opposing teams a lot of problems. Their style runs counter to the offense of mentality of the league really well, and the embrace contact. Picking up several Utah players in the portal was a big statement for them.

CINCINNATI: This is a hotseat job, and they have to show results this season or they may be looking for new coach. Their quarterback turns the ball over too much. They’re not far off in terms of overall talent. The defense looks solid in terms of the guys they brought back, but they faded big time down the stretch last season.

COLORADO: One of the biggest questions for Deion Sanders and Colorado is who will lead the offense. It’s still a circus in Boulder. They turned over a ton in the transfer portal, and the try to make it out like it’s a competition – based result, but there really going to struggle on the offense of line because of transfers again.

HOUSTON: It’s all about the offense. They need a great running back to emerge out of the group they brought in. Defensively, they did a lot of stuff really well in the first year and they built on that in recruiting.

IOWA STATE: They could go to the big 12 title game again. They did a great job in the portal placing guys at need positions on offense especially at wide receiver. They have a dominant offense. Injuries hurt them at linebacker last season, and there turning over a lot of the secondary. Defense is the area where they might slip from last season.

KANSAS: You see a lot of holes when it comes to returning production, but don’t rule out a bigger step forward this season if there healthy at quarterback. On paper, they’re not a top – and team in the league, but this program gets the most out of what they have.

KANSAS STATE: If they win their opener against Iowa State, there in the driver seat for the conference championship game. The defense is solid, but the offense could carry them to the playoff.

OKLAHOMA STATE: Never count out head coach Mike Gundy and the Cowboys. The biggest question mark will be the offense of line, and there is no clear answer at quarterback. Defensively the Cowboys will have a challenge.

TCU: The Horned Frogs built death and recruited to fill every deficiency. They have the best signing class in the league. Defensively they have developed some very excellent players. They could be a surprise conference title team.

TEXAS TECH: Expectations are significantly higher than ever before. There is complete by – in from the coaching staff and donors. If they’re not a double – digit win team this season, it will be considered a failure.

CENTRAL FLORIDA: Head coach Scott Frost takes over a program with just one starter on offense returning. He led the Knights to a perfect season in 2017 before leaving for his alma mater Nebraska. There are questions at quarterback, and the defense appears capable of keeping the Knights competitive.

UTAH: The Utes have undergone big changes, particularly on offense. The defense is in a rebuilding season. Early signs are positive and point to a bounce – back season.

WEST VIRGINIA: West Virginia experienced a ton of turnover through graduation and the transfer portal, but the coaching staff has been active in filling those needs. Only three starters return on offense, and only one on defense. This could be a surprise team considering all of the unknowns.

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NHL NEWS

NHL RELEASES THE 2025-26 SCHEDULE, THE LAST 82-GAME SEASON BEFORE NEW CBA INCREASES IT TO 84

NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL released the full 2025-26 schedule on Wednesday, the final 82-game season before the new collective bargaining agreement kicks in and increases it to 84.

The league’s 32 teams will combine to play 1,312 games between Oct. 7 and April 16 with the playoffs to run from the following weekend through much of June. Beginning in 2026-27, there will be 1,344 games — the most in NHL history.

Alex Ovechkin begins his 21st season on Oct. 8 when he and the Washington Capitals host Boston. Ovechkin is at 897 career goals after breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record and can add to his total at age 40.

It’s even plausible Ovechkin gets No. 900 in the same arena on Long Island in which he scored his 895th to pass Gretzky. The Capitals visit the New York Islanders in their second game on Oct. 11, before playing the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 12.

After raising their second consecutive Stanley Cup banner on opening night Oct. 7 against Chicago, the back-to-back defending champion Florida Panthers continue their threepeat bid two days later when they host Philadelphia.

Utah plays its first game as the Mammoth on Oct. 9 at Colorado. They were known as the Utah Hockey Club during the first year in Salt Lake City after relocating from Arizona.

For the first time in more than a decade, the league is pausing in the winter to send players to the Olympics. The Milan break runs from Feb. 6-24, with play resuming Feb. 25.

The NHL’s last participation in the Games was 2014 in Sochi, though the new CBA provides for players to also go in 2030, pending another deal with the International Olympic Committee and the International Ice Hockey Federation.

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BASEBALL NEWS

ROYALS REACQUIRE ADAM FRAZIER IN AN ALL-STAR BREAK TRADE WITH THE PIRATES

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals reacquired veteran utility player Adam Frazier on Wednesday in an All-Star break trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kansas City sent minor league infielder Cam Devanney to Pittsburgh.

Frazier, 33, has played in 78 games this season split between second base, left field and right field, hitting .255 with 21 RBIs. He spent last season with KC after bouncing around the majors following his start with the Pirates and has played every position except catcher and pitcher during his career since debuting in 2016.

Frazier joins the Royals as they are 4 1/2 games back of the American League’s final wild-card spot. They are 12 games behind Detroit for first in the AL Central.

Devanney, 28, has spent this season at Triple-A Omaha and has not yet made his major league debut.

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GOLF NEWS

JUSTIN ROSE ON ELUSIVE OPEN: ‘ONE I’VE DREAMED ABOUT’

A two-time runner-up at The Open Championship, Justin Rose finished second at the Masters for the third time in his career with a playoff loss to Rory McIlroy in April.

Instead of dwelling on another near miss at a major, Rose is ready to chase the title that means the most to him as an Englishman this week at the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

“I’m ready to move on for sure because second is second place, isn’t it?” he said Wednesday about his result at Augusta. “It’s a tough loss. But at the same time, it’s still more evidence that when I get things right, I’m still competitive and can still bring it. That’s where I’m encouraged about, and obviously I’ve got to make sure those moments like this week and going forward I can try to be as focused as I can on the moment now.”

Rose, 44, has a long relationship with the Open, starting when he reached final qualifying as a 14-year-old to his breakthrough fourth-place showing at Royal Birkdale as an 18-year-old amateur in 1998.

“Kind of got the juices flowing about playing in the Open and what it means to play in the Open, and obviously I’ve been dreaming about winning it way before then even,” he said. “Obviously as a kid, on the putting green since I’ve been playing the game since probably age 8, I’ve been dreaming about winning the Open of course.

“But it began to feel real from like 1995, and 1998 obviously was a fairy tale kind of story and ending to my amateur career, and really the next place from there was to go ahead and try to win it, obviously. I’ve been close a couple times, but it’s an incredible tournament, like I said. As a British player, it’s been the one that I’ve dreamed about winning and holed the putt many times in my mind.”

Rose tied for second behind Xander Schauffele at last year’s Open at Royal Troon in Scotland.

Rose, ranked No. 21 in the world, is coming off a sixth-place finish at the Genesis Scottish Open, thanks to a final round 63 Sunday. After his close call against McIlroy at the Masters, he missed the cuts at the PGA Championship and U.S. Open.

Earlier this week, McIlroy said if he can’t win this week on home soil in Northern Ireland that he wants Rose to lift the Claret Jug.

Although disappointed by the result, Rose was happy for McIlroy to complete his career grand slam at Augusta.

“When you lose (like) that, you can kind of walk out with your head held high and give your competitor a lot of props for that type of situation,” said Rose, whose lone major win came at the 2013 U.S. Open.

“But obviously you’ve got to look inward and understand how is there anything I could have done better in the moment? But really I hit two great shots into 18 myself, and the outcome was what it was.”

JJ SPAUN ADJUSTING TO LIFE ABOVE THE RADAR, READY FOR FIRST OPEN

JJ Spaun never expected to become a major champion.

Then he won the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in June and has had to adjust to life playing above the radar on the PGA Tour.

When he tees off Thursday at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland, he’ll be playing in a marquee group with defending Open winner Xander Schauffele and two-time major champion Jon Rahm.

The company he keeps on the course is moving one direction, but the 34-year-old Spaun insists he’s just the same guy he was before the career-changing victory at Oakmont. That’s a player who isn’t focusing on winning as much as he is on learning and getting better.

“This is my first Open, so get a proper links test. Just excited to make my debut here at such a beautiful venue,” the native Californian said.

“I think initially it will just be learning to play different shots,” he continued. “You kind of want to play everything airborne in America, pick your number, try to fly it there, and hopefully it spins and stops near the hole.

“But links golf requires a lot more creativity, imagination, so learning to flight shots better and trying to guess bounces correctly is going to be sort of the challenge this week.”

Spaun said he is getting more recognition, even just walking down the street, but he still considers himself to be a humble person who is managing his own expectations and those of others. His win at the U.S. Open was his second on the PGA Tour.

“It’s a big difference kind of having the spotlight on me now and expectations, but all I can do is just rely on the experiences that I’ve had, coming down the stretch at the U.S. Open, getting myself in the playoff at The Players.

“I’ve had way bigger challenges, whether it’s life or golf or losing my card. I’ve had other issues to go through than just being more in the spotlight. So I’m learning to embrace it, and I’m excited for the challenge it brings.”

The next spotlight for Spaun could come at the Ryder Cup in September at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y. He currently is No. 3 in the Ryder Cup rankings, behind Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. The top six automatically qualify.

“I don’t think I’ve ever thought of being on the Ryder Cup or imagining myself on the Ryder Cup, but I’ve been hearing that a lot throughout the last few years. … My caddie’s (Mark Carens) always believed in me, even when I was ranked outside the top 100.”

“Here we are top 10 in the world,” Spaun continued. “He always believed I could be on the Ryder Cup, and here we are looking pretty good for the Ryder Cup. It’s just weird how you kind of hear — you soak in those things that people tell you, and then it just sort of ends up happening. I think that has to do a lot with developing and believing it yourself.”

OAKMONT BANS 2023 U.S. OPEN CHAMP WYNDHAM CLARK OVER PROPERTY DAMAGE

Wyndham Clark is banned from Oakmont Country Club because of the damage the 2023 U.S. Open champion inflicted in the locker room after missing the cut in the 2025 U.S. Open last month.

Club president John Lynch informed members that Clark was banned from the property until further notice. In a letter published by Golf Digest, Lynch set forth a path to reconciliation. Clark must pay for all damage, make a charitable contribution and attend “anger management sessions or counseling.”

Clark, 31, apologized for his behavior one week later after he missed the cut at the third major championship of the season, going 74-74 (8 over par) through two rounds at the suburban Pittsburgh course.

Clark shot a 6-under 64 in the first round of the Travelers Championship the following week and then discussed the matter.

“Yeah, I mean, I’ve had a lot of highs and lows in my career, especially this year some lows,” he said. “I made a mistake that I deeply regret. I’m very sorry for what happened.”

“But I’d also like to move on, not only for myself but for Oakmont, for the USGA, and kind of focus on the rest of this year and things that come up. I still want to try to make the Ryder Cup team. I still am on the outside looking in for the FedEx Cup. So I’m starting to move on and focus on those things.”

It was the second straight major where Clark had to apologize for aggressive behavior. At the PGA Championship in May, following a poor drive, Clark threw his driver toward the back of the tee box. It crashed into signage with a volunteer standing mere feet away, and the head of the club snapped off.

The letter from Lynch to members reads: “Several of you have inquired about the situation involving Wyndham Clark and the steps being taken in response to his recent behavior. Following multiple discussions with the USGA and the OCC Board, a decision has been made that Mr. Clark will no longer be permitted on OCC property. This decision will remain in effect unless formally reconsidered and approved by the Board.

“Reinstatement would be contingent upon Mr. Clark fulfilling a number of specific conditions, including full repayment for damages, a meaningful contribution to a charity of the Board’s choosing, and the successful completion of counseling and/or anger management sessions.

“Thank you for your understanding and continued support.”

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TOP INDIANA HEADLINES/PRESS RELEASES

INDIANA HS FOOTBALL

2025 INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RETURNING INCOMING SENIOR STAT LEADERS (2024)

PASSING YARDS

DEVIN CRAIG, LAPEL 3,231

TYTUS LEHMAN, SOUTH ADAMS 2,728

CONNOR CRUZ, MOORESVILLE 2,483

MICHAEL MCCOLGAN, CULVER ACADEMIES 2,343

BRADY GAST, ALEXANDRIA 2,296

NATHAN BYRD, SCOTTSBURG 2,182

ELIJAH EDON, EASTERN HANCOCK 2,172

BO POLSTON, DECATUR CENTRAL 2,069

WYATT MARCH, MILAN 1,976

JACOB DAVIS, NEW PALESTINE 1,949

PASSING ATTEMPTS

DEVIN CRAIG, LAPEL 355

TYTUS LEHMAN, SOUTH ADAMS 326

ELIJAH EDON, EASTERN HANCOCK 284

CONNOR CRUZ, MOORESVILLE 283

ANTHONY COELLNER, CARMEL 283

SANTANA ALLEN, RITTER 278

ASHER RATLIFF, COLUMBUS NORTH 266

BRADY ELISH, ANDREAN 254

BO POLSTON, DECATUR CENTRAL 248

YARDS PASSING PER GAME (1,000 YARDS PASSING)

DEVIN CRAIG, LAPEL 248.5

MICHAEL MCCOLGAN, CULVER ACADEMIES 234.3

GAGE STURGILL, FISHERS 231.2

CONNOR CRUZ, MOORESVILLE 226.7

ELIJAH EDON, EASTERN HANCOCK 217.2

DAVID CALLISON, FT. WAYNE NORTH 215.1

ANTHONY COELLNER, CARMEL 210.7

BRADY GAST, ALEXANDRIA 208.7

NATHAN BYRD, SCOTTSBURG 198.4

ASHER RATLIFF, COLUMBUS NORTH 194.2

COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (160 ATTEMPTS)

JACOB DAVIS, NEW PALESTINE .681

WYATT MARCH, MILAN .676

DEVIN CRAIG, LAPEL .659

BRADY GAST, ALEXANDRIA .645

ASHER RATLIFF, COLUMBUS NORTH .643

MICHAEL MCCOLGAN, CULVER ADACEMIES .643

BO POLSTON, DECATUR CENTRAL . 637

MICHAEL WHITE, HOMESTEAD .621

LANNON NICOLOFF, HARRISON .615

CAMERON KOERS, CATHEDRAL .612

TOUCHDOWNS

NATHAN BYRD, SCOTTSBURG 33

DEVIN CRAIG, LAPEL 30

BRADY GAST, ALEXANDRIA 30

TYTUS LEHMAN, SOUTH ADAMS 29

MICHAEL MCCOLGAN, CULVER ACADEMIES 29

JETT GOLDSBERRY, HERITAGE HILLS 26

CONNOR CRUZ, MOORESVILLE 25

JACOB DAVIS, NEW PALESTINE 23

RYLEE BIDDLE, EAST NOBLE 23

JACK MULL, FLOYD CENTRAL 23

ASHER RATLIFF, COLUMBUS NORTH 22

BO POLSTON, DECATUR CENTRAL 21

TRY DOBSON, GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN 21

QB RATING (500 PASSING YARDS)

JACOB DAVIS, NEW PALESTINE 139

MICHAEL MCCOLGAN, CULVER ACADEMIES 128

JETT GOLDSBERRY, HERITAGE HILLS 127

BEADY TREBLEY, CASCADE 127

BODEN MORGAN, CASTLE 118

KYSON VILLARREAL, COLUMBUS EAST 115

LANDON DUNCAN, CLOVERDALE 115

GAGE STURGILL, FISHERS 115

WYATT MARCH, MILAN 114

DEVIN CRAIG, LAPEL 111

TREY DOBSON, GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN 111

JACK MULL, FLOYD CENTRAL 111

COLTON BATH, NORTHVIEW 111

BO BRUNNER, CONCORD 111

BO POLSTON, DECATUR CENTRAL 105

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL LEADING JUNIOR STAT LEADERS

YARDS PASSING

AIDEN ROBINSON, MACONAQUAH 3,155

COLE STEPHENS, GREENCASTLE 2,812

COOPER DOLD, TWIN LAKES 2,628

GIBSON EAGLE, EASTERN (GREENTOWN) 2,590

BRYOR CARMICHAEL, KNIGHTSTOWN 2,457

OSCAR FRYE, BROWNSBURG 2,445

DUNCAN COMBS, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 1,960

BOBBY SHARPE, CORYDON CENTRAL 1,772

JACKSON SORGI, TRI-WEST 1,729

JOE GOSS, BEN DAVIS 1,629

PASSING ATTEMPTS

COOPER DOLD, TWIN LAKES 364

COLE STEPHENS, GREENCASTLE 313

GIBSON EAGLE, EASTERN (GREENTOWN) 312

AIDEN ROBINSON, MACONAQUAH 299

DUNCAN COMBS, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 257

BRYOR CARMICHAEL, KNIGHTSTOWN 244

NOAH PATTERSON, CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN 243

OSCAR FRYE, BROWNSBURG 242

CARSON BELL, NEW CASTLE 236

KARSYN RUMFELT, NORTHRIDGE 234

COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (160 ATTEMPTS)

AIDEN ROBINSON, MACONAQUAH .722

OSCAR FRYE, BROWNSBURG .645

KENNETH CHRISTMON, TINDLEY .644

DUNCAN COMBS, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH .642

COLE STEPHENS, GREENCASTLE .626

CARTER DIAZ, GOSHEN .616

BRYOR CARMICHAEL, KNIGHTSTOWN .615

SAM TOKAR, YORKTOWN .597

JACKSON SORGI, TRI-WEST .592

GIBSON EAGLE, EASTERN (GREENTOWN) .583

KARSYN RUMFELT, NORTHRIDGE .568

BOBBY SHARP, CORYDON CENTRAL .548

TOUCHDOWNS

AIDEN ROBINSON, MACONAQUAH 42

COLE STEPHENS, GREENCASTLE 29

GIBSON EAGLE, EASTERN (GREENTOWN) 23

OSCAR FRYE, BROWNSBURG 23

BRYOR CARMICHAEL, KNIGHTSTOWN 22

COOPER DOLD, TWIN LAKES 21

DUNCAN COMBS, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 21

BOBBY SHARPE, CORYDON CENTRAL 20

JOE GOSS, BEN DAVIS 20

JACKSON SORGI, TRI-WEST 19

QB RATING (500 PASSING YARDS)

AIDEN ROBINSON, MACONAQUAH 136

RYAN BULLION, GRIFFITH 132

AYDEN JUSTICE, TRI-COUNTY 126

CARTER WARD, DANVILLE 119

OSCAR FRYE, BROWNSBURG 118

AXTON BESTE, BLUFFTON 116

COLE STEPHENS, GREENCASTLE 115

MICAH JARRELL, NORTHWOOD 115

BRYOR CARMICHAEL, KNIGHTSTOWN 112

CRUE GILMORE, LAWRENCEBURG 112

JACKSON SORGI, TRI-WEST 110

JOE GOSS, BEN DAVIS 109

BRYCE SEBANC, PLAINFIELD 103

DUNCAN COMBS, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 100

PAUL RIDGEWAY, SULLIVAN 100

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SOPHOMORE STAT PASSING LEADERS (2024 STATS)

PASSING YARDS

JACE HOLLENDONNER, CENTERVILLE 1,715

EVAN CLARK, INDIAN CREEK 1,476

BISHOP MOORE, BEECH GROVE 1,159

CHRIS HARRIS, PARK TUDOR 1,122

QUINN TOLLE, TIPTON 1,110

MAX STRAWSMA, BENTON CENTRAL 781

ZEB COX, COVENANT CHRISTIAN 754

AIDEN BOYDM EVANSVILLE BOSSE 684

KENNY SACO, BOONE GROVE 535

XAVIER ADRIANO, WINAMAC 441

PASS ATTEMPTS

EVAN CLARK, INDIAN CREEK 224

MAX STRAWSMA, BENTON CENTRAL 185

BISHOP MOORE, BEECH GROVE 178

JACE HOLLENDONNER, CENTERVILLE 173

QUINN TOLLE, TIPTON 171

ZEB COX, COVENANT CHRISTIAN 151

CHRIS HARRIS, PARK TUDOR 144

AIDEN BOYD, EVANSVILLE BOSSE 125

COMPLETION PERCENTAGE (MIN. 50 COMPLETIONS)

KENNY SACO, BOONE GROVE .750

BRAYLON MOORE, NORTHWOOD .672

JACE HOLLENDONNER, CENTERVILLE .659

CHRIS HARRIS, PARK TUDOR .632

QUINN TOLLE, TIPTON .614

BISHOP MOORE, BEECH GROVE .584

EVAN CLARK, INDIAN CREEK .531

ZEB COX, COVENANT CHRISTIAN .510

TOUCHDOWNS

JACE HOLLENDONNER, CENTERVILLE 23

EVAN CLARK, INDIAN CREEK 20

CHRIS HARRIS, PARK TUDOR 18

BISHOP MOORE, BEECH GROVE 11

QUINN TOLLE, TIPTON 8

MAX STRAWSMA, BENTON CENTRAL 7

ZEB COX, COVENANT CHRISTIAN 5

QB RATING

JACE HOLLENDONNER, CENTERVILLE 131

CHRIS HARRIS, PARK TUDOR 109

KENNY SACO, BOONE GROVE 101

BRAYLON MONROE, NORTHWOOD 99

MATT FIELDS, NORTH DECATUR 97

BISHOP MOORE, BEECH GROVE 89

QUINN TOLLE, TIPTON 84

EVAN CLARK, INDIAN CREEK 79

XAVIER ADRIANO, WINAMAC 70

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL RUSHING SENIOR FOOTBALL STAT LEADERS (2024)

YARDS RUSHING

MYLES MCLAUGHLIN, KNOX 2,830

JOSH RANES, NEW PALESTINE 2,238

BRAYLEN TOWNSEND, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 2,149

BRYCE FESSEL, NORTH HARRISON 1,941

CHRISTIAN KRAMER, NORTH PUTNAM 1,700

MICAH RANS, PIONEER 1,685

JETT GOLDSBERRY, HERTIAGE HILLS 1,676

GUNNER RUPPERT, GREENWOOD 1,660

DAVION TERRY, HAMMOND CENTRAL 1,617

LANDON SHUCK, SCOTTSBURG 1,609

RUSHING YARDS PER GAME

MYLES MCLAUGHLIN, KNOX 217.7

GUNNER RUPPERT, GREENWOOD 184.4

CHRISTIAN KRAMER, NORTH PUTNAM 170.0

BRAYLEN TOWNSEND, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 165.3

DAVION TERRY, HAMMOND CENTRAL 161.7

ISAIAH KORBA, PERU 150.9

JOSH RANES, NEW PALESTINE 149.2

LANDON SHUCK, SCOTTSBURG 146.3

LUKE STARNES, PLAINFIELD 142.9

MICAH RANS, PIONEER 140.4

BRYCE FESSEL, NORTH HARRISON 138.6

YARDS PER CARRY (130 MIN. ATT.)

JETT GOLDSBERRY, HERITAGE HILLS 10.81

JOSH RANES, NEW PALESTINE 10.17

MYLES MCLAUGHLIN, KNOX 9.96

NATHAN FOSTER, LEO 9.79

MICAH RANS, PIONEER 8.87

ISAIAH KORBA, PERU 8.38

CHRISTIAN KRAMER, NORTH PUTNAM 8.25

GRANT BOYD, PIKE CENTRAL 8.16

LUKE STARNES, PLAINFIELD 8.02

DAYTON MINK, CASCADE 7.81

DAVION TERRY, HAMMOND CENTRAL 7.63

CORBIN THACKERY, NORTH DECATUR 7.59

BRANT BECK, ROCHESTER 7.56

THOMAS CAMPBELL, SHORTRIDGE 7.34

JAC’QUARIOUS JOHNSON, MERRILLVILLE 7.12

TOUCHDOWNS

MYLES MCLAUGHLIN, KNOX 42
JOSH RANES, NEW PALESTINE 30

MICAH RANS, PIONEER 29

JETT GOLDSBERRY, HERITAGE HILLS 28

BRAYLEN TOWNSEND, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 25

CHRISTIAN KRAMER, NORTH PUTNAM 25

AH’LIJAH MONDAY, MISSISSINEWA 23

JAMESON CRAWFORD, KNIGHTSTOWN 21

BRANT BECK, ROCHESTER 20

BRYCE FESSEL, NORTH HARRISON 19

GUNNER RUPPERT, GREENWOOD 19

LUKE STARNES, PLAINFIELD 19

CORBIN THACKERY, NORTH DECATUR 19

JUSTIN LEATHERS, SOUTHRIDGE 19

DEACON KING, WESTFIELD 18

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL RUSHING JUNIOR FOOTBALL STAT LEADERS (2024)

RUSHING YARDS

TY BENTON, SOUTH PUTNAM 1,695

RYAN MINGES, EAST CENTRAL 1,517

KADYN O’NEAL, MISHAWAKA 1,387

IZAYVEON MOORE, LAWRENCE NORTH 1,369

LOGAN DENT, SALEM 1,328

JACK MILLER, LAPEL 1,246

LANDON SNYDER, MISHAWAKA 1,133

CAMERON JORDAN, MERRILLVILLE 1,095

XAVIER DANGERFIELD, 1,087

YARDS PER GAME (110 ATT.)

LOGAN DENT, SALEM 132.8

RYAN MINGES, EAST CENTRAL 126.4

TY BENTON, SOUTH PUTNAM 121.1

IZAYVEON MOORE, LAWRENCE NORTH 114.1

XAVIER DANGERFIELD, CATHEDRAL 108.7

MASYN CHALFANT, TRI 105.6

KAYDN O’NEIL, MISHAWAKA 99.1

YARDS PER CARRY (110 ATT.)

TY BENTON, SOUTH PUTNAM 9.74

MARCELL SIMS, MACONAQUAH 8.38

MASYN CHALFANT, TRI 8.26

CAMERON JORDON, MERRILLVILLE 7.94

LOGAN DENT, SALEM 7.46

KALE SHOTTS, ROCHESTER 7.28

CALEB KIENGELE, FT. WAYNE NORTH 7.15

TOUCHDOWNS

TY BENTON, SOUTH PUTNAM 29

RYAN MINGES, EAST CENTRAL 25

IZAYVEON MOORE, LAWRENCE NORTH 22

LANDON SNYDER, MISHAWAKA 17

CAMERON JORDON, MERRILLVILLE 17

KADYN O’NEAL, MISHAWAKA 16

XAVIER DANGERFIELD, CATHEDRAL 16

LOGAN DENT, SALEM 15

ELLIOT BALDINI, LOGANSPORT 14

JACK MILLER, LAPEL 14

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL RUSHING SOPHOMORE FOOTBALL STAT LEADERS (2024)

RUSHING YARDS

NOAH DOVE, EASTSIDE 769

JACE HOLLENDONNER, CENTERVILLE 689

TAVIEN FOX, RITTER 604

KAMARI TAYLOR, BLACKFORD 586

SIMON BARBER, NORTH DECATUR 536

LEVI CRANDALL, MISSISSINEWA 450

CHRIS HARRIS, PARK TUDOR 425

BRAYLON BURTON, FW SOUTH 424

JAVIER MCCOY, ANDREAN 367

CAMERON PATTERSON, JENNINGS COUNTY 335

YARDS PER GAME (60 ATT.)

KAMARI TAYLOR, BLACKFORD 73.2

NOAH DOVE, EASTSIDE 69.9

JACE HOLLENDONNER, CENTERVILLE 62.6

JAVIER MCCOY, ANDREAN 61.2

CHRIS HARRIS, PARK TUDOR 60.7

TAVIEN FOX, RITTER 60.4

LELAND MORTON, GREENWOOD 52.4

SIMON BARBER, NORTH DECATUR 48.7

YARDS PER CARRY (50 ATT.)

JACE HOLLENDONNER, CENTERVILLE 8.95

SIMON BARBER, NORTH DECATUR 7.77

NOAH DOVE, EASTSIDE 6.87

CHRIS HARRIS, PARK TUDOR 6.64

LEVI CRANDALL, MISSISSINEWA 6.52

HUNTER LONG, WHITKO 5.55

COOPER LUZADDER, FRANKTON 5.21

KAMARI TAYLOR, BLACKFORD 5.10

TOUCHDOWNS

LEVI CRANDALL, MISSISSINEWA 11

NOAH DOVE, EASTSIDE 9

CHRIS HARRIS, PARK TUDOR 9

QUINN TOLLE, TIPTON 7

DARIAN BAKER, TWIN LAKES 7

TAVIEN FOX, RITTER 6

SIMON BARBER, NORTH DECATUR 6

JACE HOLLENDONNER, CENTERVILLE 5

BRAYLON BURTON, FW SOUTH 5

JEREMIA PATTON, JENNINGS COUTY 5

EVAN CLARK, INDIAN CREEK 5

JAMAIRE VINSON, PHALEN ACADEMY 5

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVING SENIOR STAT LEADERS (2024)

RECEIVING YARDS

GAGE BROADY, KNIGHTSTOWN 1,050

DEREK MCKEAN, SOUTH ADAMS 954

MASON FULLER, ALEXANDRIA MONROE 938

PAUL OLIVER, LINTON-STOCKTON 935

AVIN ROBINSON, BROWNSBURG 933

OMAR WILLIAMS, LAFAYETTE JEFF 931

TYLER RUXER, HERITAGE HILLS 893

KASMIR HICKS, DECATUR CENTRAL 877

TY RAKAN, CULVER ACADEMIES 835

KALEB HURT, EASTERN GREENTOWN 792

YARDS PER GAME

GAGE BROADY, KNIGHTSTOWN 105.0

JAYDON LINEBERRY, SB WASHINGTON 96.8

MASON FULLER, ALEXANDRIA MONROE 85.3

TY RAKAN, CULVER ACADEMIES 83.5

OMAR WILLIAMS JR., LAFAYETTE JEFF 77.6

AMARI SUGGS, TH SOUTH 75.6

ANDREW SLOAN, HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 73.0

KEYAN ARROYO, LAKELAND 72.5

AVIN ROBINSON, BROWNSBURG 71.8

JAIDON VANPELT, FW CARROLL 71.7

EDWIN WATSON, BREBEUF 70.1

JAMARI BROWN, FW NORTH 69.7

YARDS PER RECEPTION (MIN.500 YARDS)

ISAIAH JOHNSON JR., GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN 23.50

SAM WEIHERT, TH NORTH 22.88

AVIN ROBINSON, BROWNSBURG 22.76

KEATON LAWSON, COLUMBUS EAST 21.16

BRANTT ELLIS, KNIGHTSTOWN 20.85

TYLER RUXER, HERITAGE HILLS 20.77

ETHAN NEED, TWIN LAKES 20.45

GAGE BROADY, KNIGHTSTOWN 20.19

JAYDON LINEBERRY, SB WASHINGTON 19.85

KALEB HURT, EASTERN GREENTOWN 19.80

RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS

OMAR WILLIAMS JR., LAFAYETTE JEFF 16

MASON FULLER, ALEXANDRIA MONROE 14

JAIDON VANPELT, FW CARROLL 14

DEONDRAY MONROE, NORTHWOOD 14

PAUL OLIVER, LINTON STOCKTON 13

KASMIR HICKS, DECATUR CENTRAL 13

TYLER RUXER, HAMILTON HEIGHTS 12

GAGE BROADY, KNIGHTSTOWN 11

TY RAKAN, CULVER ACADEMIES 11

AVERY PERRY, NORTHVIEW 11

JAYDON LINEBERRY, SB WASHINGTON 10

ANDREW SLOAN, HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 10

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVING JUNIOR STAT LEADERS (2024)

TOTAL YARDS

BRANDEN SHARPE, BROWNSBURG 1,165

DRAKE MCCLURG, CENTER GROVE 1,004

BRANSYN ENSORM SOUTH PUTNAM 890

KEYSHAWN GALLOWAY, TAYLOR 884

BRYSON ECKLER, ALEXANDRIA MONROE 866

ARMANI JACKSON, NORTHWESTERN 794

LARRY FAIRRIS, CALUMET CHRISTIAN 761

BRYCE VANOSTRAN, LAFAYETTE JEFF 759

JAXON CRIPE, LAPEL 727

CONNOR PARKER, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 700

YARDS PER GAME

BRANDEN SHARPE, BROWNSBURG 83.2

BRYSON ECKLER, ALEXANDRIA MONROE 78.7

DRAKE MCCLURG, CENTER GROVE 77.2

WYATT ADAMS, SOUTH DEARBORN 73.0

ARMANI JACKSON, NORTHWESTERN 72.2

BRYCE VANOSTRAN, LAFAYETTE JEFF, 69.0

KEYSHAWN GALLOWAY, TAYLOR 68.0

MAALIL MOORE, FW NORTH 64.8

LARRY FAIRISS, CALUMET CHRISTIAN 63.4

YARDS PER CATCH (500 TOTAL YARDS MIN.)

LARRY FAIRRIS, CALUMET CHRISTIAN 29.27

TRENT DELONEY, NORTHEASTERN 23.33

KEYSHAWN GALLOWAY, TAYLOR 23.26

ARMANI JACKSON, NORTHWESTERN 21.46

DAVION JONES, GREENWOOD 20.96

BRYSON ECKLER, ALEXANDRIA MONROE 20.62

BRANSYN ENSOR, SOUTH PUTNAM 20.23

TOUCHDOWNS

BRANSYN ENSOR, SOUTH PUTNAM 11

BRYSON ECKLER, ALEXANDRIA MONROE 10

ARMANI JACKSON, NORTHWESTERN 10

LARRY FAIRRIS, CALUMET CHRISTIAN 10

BRYCE VANOSTRAN, LAFAYETTE JEFF 10

JAXON CRIPE, LAPEL 10

MAALIK MOORE, FT. WAYNE NORTH 10

KEYSHAWN GALLOWAY, TAYLOR 9

NOLAN TARRH, MACONAQUAH

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL RECEIVING SOPHOMORE STAT LEADERS (2024)

RECEIVING YARDS

LOGAN MOLLENKOPF, CASTON 390

LUKE MANSHIP, EASTERN HANCOCK 372

DYLAN MURPHY, NORTH POSEY 349

SAWYER COX, NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBERG) 319

SANTIAGO CALERO, RITTER 310

SAL MONTES, BOONE GROVE 288

TYLER VO, ANDREAN 270

DYLAN GRIMES, FT. WAYNE BLACKHAWK 247

JAKE RAETZ, NORTHVIEW 209

DARIN BAKER, TWIN LAKES 192

RECEPTIONS

SANTIAGO CALERO, RITTER 33

LUKE MANSHIP, EASTERN HANCOCK 31

TYLER VO, ANDREAN 30

SAL MONTES, BOONE GROVE 29

LOGAN MOLLENKOPF, CASTON 19

DYLAN MURPHY, NORTH POSEY 18

DARIN BAKER, TWIN LAKES 17

LAUMANNUIA JACKSON, MARION 17

KORDELL MARTIN, BEECH GROVE 17

CONNOR HUBER, WEST CENTRAL 17

TAVIERN COX, RITTER 15

KEYON DAVIS, CHARLESTOWN 14

JAXON HALE, HAGERSTOWN 14

RECEIVING YARDS PER GAME (150 YDS MIN)

LOGAN MOLLENKOPF, CASTON 39.0

LUKE MANSHIP, EASTERN HANCOCK 37.2

DYLAN GRIMES, FT. WAYNE BLACKHAWK 35.3

DYLAN MURPHY, NORTH POSEY 34.9

TYLER VO, ANDREAN 33.8

SAWYER COX, NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) 31.9

AMEER DANIELS, HAMMOND MORTON 29.0

SAL MONTES, BOONE GROVE 28.8

ALAN RAMIERZ, WEST VIGO 27.0

JAKE RAETZ, NORTHVIEW 26.1

LAUMANNUIA JACKSON, MARION 26.1

RECEIVING YARDS PER CATCH (15 REC. MIN.)

DYLAN GRIMES, FT. WAYNE BLACKHAWK 35.3

LOGAN MOLLENKOPF, CASTON 20.53

DYLAN MURPHY, NORTH POSEY 19:39

CARTER APPLEGATE, NORTH WHITE 18.43

BRYAN KINDER, TRI 18.12

ALAN RAMIREZ, WEST VIGO 16.20

JAKE RAETZ, NORTHVIEW 16.08

MADDOX WEIL, FT. WAYNE NORTH 15.90

SAWYER COX, NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) 13.87

AMEER DANIELS, HAMMOND MORTON 13.38

JAXON HALE, HAGERSTOWN 13.36

BRODY LANE, ANDREAN 12.79

TOUCHDOWNS

SAL MONTES, BOONE GROVE 5

DYLAN MURPHY, NORTH POSEY 4

KEVIN SANDERS, RITTER 4

LUKE MANHSIP, EASTERN HANCOCK 3

LOGAN MOLLENKOPF, CASTON 3

DYLAN GRIMES, FT. WAYNE BLACKHAWK 3

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RETURNING TOTAL OFFENSE LEADERS (2,000+YARDS IN 2024)

CHRISTIAN KRAMER, NORTH PUTNAM 3,362

JETT GOLDSBERRY, HERTIAGE HILLS 3,483

DEVIN CRAIG, LAPEL 3,364

MYLES MCLAUGHLIN, KNOX 3,257

AIDEN ROBINSON, MACONAQUAH 3,159

TYTUS LEHMAN, SOUTH ADAMS 3,031

TREY DOBSON, GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN 2,947

COLE STEPHENS, GREENCASTLE 2,879

GIBSON EAGLE, EASTERN GREENTOWN 2,756

COOPER DOLD, TWIN LAKES 2,644

MICHAEL MCCOLGAN, CULVER ACADEMIES 2,637

JACOB DAVIS, NEW PALESTINE 2,611

BRADY GAST, ALEXANDRIA MONROE 2,602

ELIJAH EDON, EASTERN HANCOCK 2,568

OSCAR FRYE, BROWNSBURG 2,567

CONNOR CRUZ, MOORESVILLE 2,536

ELI NIX, HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 2,530

BRYOR CARMICHAEL, KNIGHTSTOWN 2,500

JACE HOLLENDONNER, CENTERVILLE 2,427

BO POLSTON, DECATUR CENTRAL 2,370

AHSER RATLIFF, COLUMBUS NORTH 2,367

BRAYLEN TOWNSEND, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 2,301

WYATT MARSH, MILAN 2,295

JOSH RANES, NEW PALESTINE 2,276

REED ROBINSON, NEW PRAIRIE 2,266

NATHAN BYRD, SCOTTSBURG 2,164

EZEKIEL BOWIE, COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN 2,061

MICAH RANS, PIONEER 2,061

RYLEE BIDDLE, EAST NOBLE, 2,060

DUNCAN COMBS, 2,045

KYSON VILLARREAL, COLUMBUS EAST 2,025

SANTANA ALLEN, RITTER 2,014

BRYCE FESSEL, NORTH HARRISON 2,007

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RETURNING LEADING DEFENDERS (STATS 2024)

TOTAL TACKLES

KEENAN MOWERY-SHIELDS, SOUTH PUTNAM 238

ABE EDWARDS, EASTERN GREENTOWN 202

COREY ANDREWS, LINTON-STOCKTON 195

KA’VION CAMPBELL WALKER, LAFAYETTE JEFF 163

ISAIAH YOUNG, LAPEL 162

PARKER WELKER, GREENCASTLE, 157

NATHAN PLATTNER, SOUTH ADAMS 152

JACKSON MCDONALD, TERR HAUTE NORTH 151

BRAEDYN FOSTER, LAVILLE, 148

BRAYDEN SMITH, DECATUR CENTRAL 148

HUNTER WEDDLE, SOUTH PUTNAM 147

HUDSON MILLS, LUTHERAN 146

OWEN COLLINS, TAYLOR 145

PARKER MAIERS, BREBEUF 144

FRANKLIN WEILBRENNER, BEECH GROVE 143

SAM PAVEY, RUSHVILLE 140

BRYCE FESSEL, NORTH HARRISON 140

TACKLES PER GAME

KEENAN MOWERY SHIELDS, SOUTH PUTNAM 17.0

FRANKLIN WEILBRENNER, BEECH GROVE 15.9

ABE EDWARDS, EASTERN GREENTOWN 15.5

JACKSON MCDONALD, TERR HAUTE NORTH 15.1

SAM PAVEY, RUSHVILLE 14.0

GUNNAR PERRY, EDGEWOOD 13.9

LOGAN METZGER, RENSSELAER CENTRAL 13.9

MICHAEL TURNER, RIVER FOREST 13.7

KA’VION CAMPBELL WALKER 13.6

IVAN RANCK, SOUTHWOOD 13.5

ISAIAH YOUNG, LAPEL 13.5

SAMUEL WEIHERT, TERR HAUTE NORTH 13.3

PARKER MAIERS, BREBEUF 13.1

PARKER WELKER, GREENCASTLE 13.1

JALEN ARNOLD, HAMMOND MORTON 13.1

COREY ANDREWS, LINTON-STOCKTON 13.0

SOLO TACKLES

KEENAN MOWERY SHIELDS, SPUTH PUTNAM 132

ABE EDWARDS, EASTERN GREENTOWN 127

JALEN ARNOLD, HAMMOND MORTON 118

NATHAN PLATTNER, SOUTH ADAMS 107

BRYADEN SMITH, DECATUR CENTRAL 102

GARRETT BOLING, SCOTTSBURG 96

PARKER MAIERS, BREBEUF 91

GRADY MORIARTY, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 91

BRAEDYN FOSTER, LAVILLE 90

ISAIAH YOUNG, LAPEL 88

PARKER WELKER, GREENCASTLE 87

BRYCE FESSEL, NORTH HARRISON 81

MICHAEL TURNER, RIVER FOREST 80

IAN QUICK, BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 80

KALEB MINGER, SOUTH ADAMS 79

AJ ASBURY, COVINGTON 78

ETHAN VECERA, CENTERVILLE 77

JORDAN SIMON, NORTH MIAMI 76

DAWSON SHREVE, LAPORTE 76

KAMDON PUTZ, MISHAWAKA 76

BRECK MALLORY, LAWRENCE NORTH 72

DOMANIC COLE, MCCUTCHEON 71

IVAN RANCK, SOUTHWOOD 70

CONNOR O’DONOHUE, EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 70

ASSISTS

COREY ANDREWS, LINTON-STOCKTON 128

OWEN COLLINS, TAYLOR 127

JACKSON MCDONALD, TERRE HAUTE NORTH 113

HUDSON MILLS, LUTHERAN 108

KEENAN MOWERY SHIELDS, SOUTH PUTNAM 106

SAM PAVEY, RUSHVILLE 100

BRADLEY AGUAYO, BOONE GROVE 94

KA’VION CAMPBELL WALKER, LAFAYETTE JEFF 91

ZEB OWENS, NORTH DAVIESS 90

ALEX HALL, TAYLOR 87

FRANKLIN WEILBRENNER, BEECH GROVE 86

BRADY COFFIN, PLYMOUTH 86

GUNNAR PERRY, EDGEWOOD 84

CARSTEN HOLLARS, MACONAQUAH 84

JAYDEN LINDSEY, LAPEL 83

HUNTER WEDDLE, SOUTH PUTNAM 82

ROSS OGDEN, BLOOMINGTON NORTH 80

PRAISE OLADIPUPO, NOBLESVILLE 80

TACKLES FOR LOSS

BRECK MALLORY, LAWRENCE NORTH 25.0

KEENAN MOWERY SHIELDS, SOUTH PUTNAM 18.0

ROSS OGDEN, BLOOMINGTON NORTH 18.0

KALEB MINGER, SOUTH ADAMS 17.0

LOGAN KENNERK, LUTHERAN 17.0

SAWYER COX, NORTH CENTRAL FARMERSBURG 17.0

COREY ANDREWS, LINTON-STOCKTON 16.0

GRANT LANGFERMAN, MILAN 16.0

GARRETT BOLING, SCOTTSBURG 15.0

MATT WOLFE, CORYDON CENTRAL 15.0

MICHAEL TURNER, RIVER FOREST 14.0

KOBE PULLOM, CASTLE 14.0

PARKER WELKER, GREENCASTLE 14.0

CONNOR O’DONOHUE, EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 13.0

COLE HUNT, HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 13.0

FRANKLIN WEILBRENNER, BEECH GROVE 12.0

TIM TURNER JR., CASCADE 12.0

DOMANIC COLE, MECUTCHEON 12.0

MAKYI HINES, AVON 12.0

NATHAN PLATTNER, SOUTH ADAMS 11.0

JAYDEN LINDSEY, LAPEL 11.0

ETHAN VECERA, CENTERVILLE 11.0

KAMDON PUTZ, MISHAWAKA 11.0

ABE EDWARDS, EASTERN GREENTOWN 11.0

SACKS

LOGAN KENNERK, LUTHERAN 8.0

KOBE PULLOM, CASTLE 7.0

LEVI ADKINS, WESTERN BOONE 6.0

COLE HUNT, HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 5.5

HUDSON MILLS, LUTHERAN 5.0

JAYDEN LINDSEY, LAPEL 5.0

BRECK MALLORY, LAWRENCE NORTH 5.0

DEREK COLLOM, RIVERTON PARKE 5.0

KAMDON PUTZ, MISHAWAKA 4.0

OLIVER WERLING, BELLMONT 4.0

ETHAN REYNA, ANDREAN 4.0

JOSEPH VAUTAW, TIPTON 4.0

INTERCEPTIONS

DEE HOUGE, FT. WAYNE LUERS 9

TY RAKAN, CULVER ACADEMIES, 8

ALEX SCOTT, EAST NOBLE 8

GAVIN SMITH, COLUMBIA CITY 8

CAMDEN HAYWOOD, SOUTHRIDGE 7

MASON TREESH, EAST NOBLE 7

ELIJAH THOMAS. INDY TECH 6

FELIPE BAZAN, WEST CENTRAL 6

BRYALON MCINTIRE, NORTH MIAMI 6

BEN HOKEY, HAGERSTOWN 6

KALEB ELKINS, WARREN CENTRAL 6

BRYCE TOLLIVER, HOBART 6

JOSH VENECZ, NORTH NEWTON 6

MICHAEL CLAYTON, CALUMET CHRISTIAN 6

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INDIANA FEVER

GAME RECAP: INDIANA FEVER FALL AT NEW YORK LIBERTY

BROOKLYN (July 16, 2025) — The Indiana Fever (12-11) suffered a 98-77 loss to the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on Wednesday night, the team’s final game before the WNBA All-Star break.

Kelsey Mitchell’s eight-point first quarter saw the guard break the franchise record for three-pointers made with her 607th of her WNBA career, but a high-scoring New York Liberty took the 32-24 lead after the first 10 minutes. The Liberty extended their lead in the second quarter going up 53-38 at the halftime break. Despite a 9-0 run from the Fever, the Liberty continued to lead 74-57 at the end of the third quarter. The Fever were unable to overcome the deficit, despite 20 points in the fourth quarter, leading to the eventual loss.

POST-GAME NOTES

BOX SCORE

Indiana Fever Notes:

Sophie Cunningham earned her first start of the season and first start as a member of the Indiana Fever, marking the 93rd start of her WNBA career. The game also marked Cunningham’s 200th WNBA appearance.

With her second three-pointer of the game with 3:31 left in the first quarter, Kelsey Mitchell recorded her 607th career three-pointer, officially passing Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings for the most three-pointers in franchise history. Additionally, Mitchell moved into 11th all-time for three-pointers made in WNBA history, doing so in just 255 games played.

Kelsey Mitchell finished the night with 16 points, extending her double-digit scoring streak to 22 games, posting 10+ points in every game so far this season.

Aliyah Boston recorded her 300th career assist in the first quarter at 1:28 by a 3-pointer from Damiris Dantas, ending the night with six assists.

Up Next: The Indiana Fever return home to Gainbridge Fieldhouse where the franchise will host the 2025 WNBA Skills Challenge and All-Star Game on July 18 and 19, before heading back out on the road to take on the New York Liberty on Tuesday, July 22 at 8 p.m. ET.

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INDIANA SWIMMING

LILLY KING, 32 HOOSIERS REP IU ON WORLD STAGE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Thirty-two athletes and coaches with ties to Indiana athletics compete on the world stage this month between the World Aquatics Championships and the FISU World University Games across three disciplines – swimming, diving and track and field.

Twenty-one Hoosiers participate in the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore between July 16-August 3. Eleven more earned bids to the FISU World University Games in Germany July 16-27. Fans can stream the World Aquatics Championships on Peacock and watch the World University Games on FISU.TV.

The Indiana swimming and diving program sends a total 30 participants to the two meets – 21 to Singapore (13 swimmers, four divers, four coaches) and nine to Germany (five swimmers, three divers, one coach). Two IU track and field athletes – Trelee Banks-Rose and Jania Hodges – will represent Team USA at the World University Games.

This month Hoosiers represent a total of 10 countries. Nineteen of the 32 Hoosiers compete for Team USA. Singaporeans Ching Hwee Gan and Mikkel Lee will help host the World Aquatics Championships in their home country.

Indiana University alum Lilly King will compete for the final time in Singapore after announcing her impending retirement in June. King will race the 50-meter breaststroke and 100-meter breaststroke individually and could also swim the USA’s medley relays. King is an 18-time World Champion and 27-time world championship medalist.

WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Swimming

Caspar Corbeau (Netherlands)

Mariah Denigan (United States)

Ching Hwee Gan (Singapore)

Miranda Grana (Mexico)

Lilly King (United States)

Miroslav Knedla (Czech Republic)

Mikkel Lee (Singapore)

Ray Looze (United States – Assistant Coach)

Josh Matheny (United States)

Rafael Miroslaw (Germany)

Raekwon Noel (Guyana)

Anna Peplowski (United States)

Noelle Peplowski (Mexico – Assistant Coach)

Luke Ryan (Czech Republic – Assistant Coach)

Zalán Sárkány (Hungary)

Kai van Westering (Netherlands)

Diving

Eric Best (United States – Head Coach)

Josh Hedberg (United States)

Ella Roselli (United States)

Carson Tyler (United States)

Lilly Witte (United States)

FISU WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES

Swimming

Josh Bey (United States)

Vidar Carlbaum (Sweden)

Matt King (United States)

John Long, Jr. (United States – Assistant Coach)

Owen McDonald (United States)

Chiok Sze Yeo (Singapore)

Diving

Dash Glasberg (United States)

Joshua Sollenberger (United States)

Maxwell Weinrich (United States)

Track and Field

Trelee Banks-Rose (United States)

Jania Hodges (United States)

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IU INDY WOMEN’S TRACK

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD ANNOUNCES EIGHT NEWCOMERS

INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indianapolis Athletics Department and Women’s Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Antonio McDaniel announced the additions of eight student-athletes for the upcoming school year. All eight will compete in both cross country and track and field with additional track and field student-athletes to be announced at a later date.

All eight come from inside state lines and will be true freshmen, beginning this fall.

Keena Barker / Richmond, Ind. / Richmond HS

-North Central Conference champion in cross country and 1,600m and 3,200m events in track her senior season after earning runner-up honors in both events as a junior. Was also NCC runner-up in the 3,200m event as a sophomore and third-place finisher in the 1,600m event.

-Was two-time sectional champion in the 3,200m and three-time sectional runner-up in the 1,600m event

-Closed her high school career with personal best times of 5:22.13 (1,600m), 11:54.93 (3,200m) and 20:18.3 (5K XC).

Kaylynn Bedel / Batesville, Ind. / Batesville HS

-Two-time honorable mention All-State in cross country, qualifying for the IHSAA State Championships in 2023 and 2024.

-Qualified for the IHSAA State Championships in track as a junior in the 4×800 relay

-Finished her high school career with personal best times of 2:28.93 (800m), 5:20 (1,600m) and 19:25 (5K XC).

Emily Bruns / Fort Wayne, Ind. / Bishop Dwenger HS

-Three-time All-Summit Athletic Conference (SAC) in cross country and two-time individual state qualifier

-Two-time Hoosier State Relays qualifier in the 4×800 and DMR

-Three-time Regional qualifier in the 1,600m and 4×800 relay

-Finished her high school career with personal best times of 19:08.3 (5K XC), 5:13.29 (1,600m) and 11:24.59 (3,200m).

Riley Flynn / Noblesville, Ind. / Noblesville HS

-2024 Indiana All-Star after finishing 35th at the IHSAA State Cross Country Championships

-Helped Noblesville to the 2023 IHSAA State Championship in track

-Three-time Academic All-State honoree, earning it in cross country twice and track once

-Named Noblesville’s Most Valuable Junior and Most Valuable Senior in cross country her final two seasons

-Finished her high school career with personal best times of 18:12.2 (5K XC), 5:01.26 (1,600m) and 11:10.94 (3,200m).

AnnMarie Gibson / Selma, Ind. / Wapahani HS

-Qualified for the 2024 IHSAA Cross Country Championships, placing 90th overall with a personal best time of 19:14.0, earning All-State honors

-Was Delaware County and Mid-Eastern Conference Champion in cross country her senior year as part of her three individual wins

-Delta Sectional Champion in the 800m, 1,600m and 4×800 relay her senior season

-Closed her high school career with personal best times of 19:14.0 (5K XC), 2:27.40 (800m) and 5:27.14 (1,600m).

Carson Parks / Evansville, Ind. / Reitz Memorial HS

-Was a semi-state qualifier and All-Conference performer all four years in cross country

-Four-year Academic All-City honoree in cross country and track and Academic All-State as a senior

-Was SIAC Champion in the 3,200m as a sophomore and sectional champion in the 3,200m as a senior

-Was part of 4×800 sectional championship team as a freshman

-Finished high school with personal best times of 20:19.2 (5K XC), 5:24.73 (1,600m) and 11:53.88 (3,200m).

Jenna Twedt / Kouts, Ind. / Kouts HS

-Four-year All-Conference performer in cross country and two-time honoree in track

-Four-year Regional qualifier in cross country and four-time qualifier in track

-Two-time sectional champion in the 800m and was sectional champ in the 1,600m as a freshman

-Earned Academic All-Conference honors her final two seasons

-Two-time Indiana Indoor Track All-State performer

-Finished high school with personal best times of 2:17.98 (800m), 5:26.20 (1,600m) and 20:24.1 (5K XC).

Xavery Weisman / Petersburg, Ind. / Pike Central HS

-Three-time IHSAA State Championship qualifier in cross country, including placing 41st as a freshman in 2021

-Was a two-time South Knox Sectional runner-up and sectional champion in cross country in 2021

-Qualified for the IHSAA State Championships in the 3,200m her final two seasons

-Finished her high school career with personal best times of 11:10.50 (3,200m), 5:03.85 (1,600m) and 18:35.0 (5K XC).

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“SPORTS EXTRA”

TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

July 17

1924 — Jesse Haines of the St. Louis Cardinals pitched a 5-0 no-hitter against the Boston Braves.

1925 — Tris Speaker is the 5th player to reach 3,000 hits.

1936 — Carl Hubbell’s 24-game winning streak over two years began as he beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-0 on five hits.

1941 — Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak of 56 games was stopped by Al Smith and Jim Bagby of the Indians before 67,000 at Cleveland. The Yankees still won, 4-3.

1956 — In the second game of a doubleheader against Kansas City, Ted Williams hit his 400th career home run. Williams connected in the sixth inning off Tom Gorman to give the Red Sox a 1-0 win over the A’s.

1966 — Chicago’s Billy Williams hit for the cycle to lead the Cubs to a 7-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of a Sunday doubleheader. Williams singled in the first inning, doubled in the third, had an RBI-triple in the fifth, homered to center in the seventh and popped out to third baseman in foul territory. The Cardinals took the opener 4-3 in 11 innings.

1969 — Jim Kaat, Gold Glove winner for seven straight years, was charged with three errors, leading to three unearned runs against the Chicago White Sox. Nevertheless, he won the game at Minnesota 8-5.

1974 — Bob Gibson struck out Cesar Geronimo of the Reds in the second inning to become the second pitcher in major league history to record 3,000 strikeouts. Cincinnati beat St. Louis, 6-4.

1978 — Doc Medich of the Texas Rangers saved the life of a 61-year-old fan who had a heart attack just before a scheduled game at Baltimore. Medich, a medical student, administered heart massage until help arrived.

1987 — Don Mattingly became the first AL player to hit at least one home run in each of seven consecutive games as the New York Yankees disposed of the Texas Rangers 8-4.

1990 — Minnesota became the first team in major league history to pull off two triple plays in one game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Boston as the Red Sox beat the Twins 1-0.

2007 — Ryan Garko hit a game-tying pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning and singled home the winning run in the 11th to give Cleveland a 6-5 win over the Chicago White Sox.

2011 — Dustin Pedroia singled with two outs in the top of the 16th inning, snapping a scoreless tie and giving the Red Sox a 1-0 victory over the Rays. It was the longest 1-0 game in the major leagues since the Brewers at Angels on June 8, 2004 went 17 innings.

2016 — Starling Marte hit a solo home run in the 18th inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Washington Nationals 2-1 in a marathon game that lasted almost six hours. Pinch-hitter Daniel Murphy homered with two outs in the ninth inning for Washington.

2022 — Second-generation players take the first two spots in the 2022 amateur draft as SS Jackson Holliday, son of Matt Holliday, goes first overall to the Orioles, while OF Druw Jones, son of Andruw Jones, is selected second by the Diamondbacks. P Kumar Rocker, who had been the #10 pick in 2021 but had failed to come to an agreement with the Mets following a disagreement over the health of his pitching arm, goes #3 to the Rangers, who sign him mere hours after his selection. Rocker is coming off a brilliant stint of pitching in the independentFrontier League.

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TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

July 17

1939 — Henry Picard beats Byron Nelson 1-up in 37 holes to win the PGA championship.

1941 — Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak of 56 games is stopped by Al Smith and Jim Bagby of the Indians before 67,000 at Cleveland.

1955 — Beverly Hanson beats Louise Suggs by three strokes in a playoff to capture the first LPGA championship.

1966 — Jim Ryun becomes the first American to hold the record in the mile since 1937. With a time of 3:51.3 at Berkeley, Calif., Ryun shatters Michel Jazy’s mark of 3:53.6 by 2.3 seconds.

1974 — Bob Gibson strikes out Cesar Geronimo of the Reds in the second inning to become the second pitcher in major league history to record 3,000 strikeouts.

1979 — Sebastian Coe breaks the world record in the mile with a time of 3:48.95 in Oslo, Norway. The time is rounded up to 3:49.

1983 — Bobby Hebert passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Michigan Panthers to a 24-22 win over the Philadelphia Stars in the first USFL championship game.

1983 — Tom Watson wins his second straight and fifth career British Open title. Watson shoots a 9-under 275 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England to finish one stroke ahead of Andy Bean and Hale Irwin.

1990 — Minnesota becomes the first team in major league history to pull off two triple plays in one game, but it isn’t enough to overcome Boston as the Red Sox beat the Twins 1-0.

1994 — Brazil wins a record fourth World Cup soccer title, taking the first shootout in championship game history over Italy.

2005 — Tiger Woods records another ruthless performance at St. Andrews, closing with a 2-under 70 to win the British Open for his 10th career major. He wins by five shots, the largest margin in any major since Woods won by eight at St. Andrews five years ago. He joins Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win the career Grand Slam twice.

2006 — Stacey Nuveman and Lovieanne Jung each homer to power the United States to the World Cup of Softball title with a 5-2 victory over Japan.

2011 — Japan stuns the United States in a riveting Women’s World Cup final, winning 3-1 on penalty kicks after coming from behind twice in a 2-2 tie. Goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori makes two brilliant saves in the shootout. Japan, making its first appearance in the final of a major tournament, hadn’t beaten the Americans in their first 25 meetings.

2011 — Darren Clarke gives Northern Ireland another major championship, winning the British Open by three strokes over Americans Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson.

2016 — Henrik Stenson shoots an 8-under 63 to beat Phil Mickelson by three strokes, becoming the first man from Sweden to win the British Open.

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TV SPORTS

(All times Eastern)

Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts

AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL (MEN’S)

5:35 a.m. (Friday)

FS2 — AFL: Western at Brisbane

CFL FOOTBALL

7:30 p.m.

CBSSN — Toronto at Montreal

CYCLING

6:30 a.m.

PEACOCK — UCI: The Tour de France, Stage 12, Auch / Hautacam, France

6:30 a.m. (Friday)

PEACOCK — UCI: The Tour de France, Stage 13, Loudenvielle / Peyragudes, France

GOLF

4 a.m.

USA — DP World/PGA Tour: The 2025 Open Championship, First Round, Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Ireland

6 p.m.

GOLF — DP World/PGA Tour: The Barracuda Championship, First Round, Tahoe Mountain Club, Truckee, Calif.

4 a.m. (Friday)

USA — DP World/PGA Tour: The 2025 Open Championship, Second Round, Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Ireland

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL (BOY’S)

12:30 p.m.

NBATV — EYBL Peach Jam: TBD, Augusta, S.C.

HORSE RACING

1 p.m.

FS2 — NYRA: Saratoga Live

NBA BASKETBALL

4 p.m.

NBATV — Summer League: Detroit vs. Miami, Las Vegas

4:30 p.m.

ESPN2 — Summer League: Indiana vs. New York, Las Vegas

6 p.m.

NBATV — Summer League: Atlanta vs. Memphis, Las Vegas

7 p.m.

ESPN — Summer League: San Antonio vs. Charlotte, Las Vegas

8 p.m.

NBATV — Summer League: Houston vs. Portland, Las Vegas

9 p.m.

ESPN — Summer League: Boston vs. L.A. Lakers, Las Vegas

10 p.m.

NBATV — Summer League: Golden State vs. Toronto, Las Vegas

11 p.m.

ESPN2 — Summer League: Denver vs. L.A. Clippers, Las Vegas

RUGBY (MEN’S)

4:45 a.m.

FS2 — NRL: North Queensland at Dolphins

SOCCER (WOMEN’S)

3 p.m.

FOX — UEFA Euro 2025 Championship: Sweden vs. England, Quarterfinal, Zurich, Switzerland

SOFTBALL

7 p.m.

ESPN2 — Athletes Unlimited: Bandits vs. Volts, Round Rock, Texas

9:30 p.m.

MLBN — Athletes Unlimited: Blaze vs. Talons, Salt Lake City

TENNIS

3:30 a.m.

TENNIS — Hopman Cup: Greece v. Spain; Gstaad-ATP, Bastad-ATP, Hamburg-WTA, Iasi-WTA Early Rounds

6 a.m.

TENNIS — Hopman Cup: Greece v. Spain; Gstaad-ATP, Bastad-ATP, Hamburg-WTA, Iasi-WTA Early Rounds

8 p.m.

TENNIS — Los Cabos-ATP Quarterfinals

3:30 a.m. (Friday)

TENNIS — Hopman Cup: Canada v. Spain; Gstaad-ATP, Bastad-ATP, Hamburg-WTA, Iasi-WTA Quarterfinals

6 a.m. (Friday)TENNIS — Hopman Cup: Canada v. Spain; Gstaad-ATP, Bastad-ATP, Hamburg-WTA, Iasi-WTA Quarterfinals

THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” THURSDAY JULY 17, 2025

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