THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2025

THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2025

“THE SCOREBOARD”

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 6 SCHEDULE

ANDERSON (1-4) AT LAFAYETTE JEFF (4-1)

ANDREAN (4-1) AT HIGHLAND (2-3)

ANDREW (ILL.) AT HAMMOND CENTRAL (0-5)

ANGOLA (2-3) AT FAIRFIELD (3-2)

ARSENAL TECH (1-4) AT INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON (1-3)

AVON (3-2) AT FISHERS (3-2)

BATESVILLE (3-2) AT LAWRENCEBURG (4-1)

BEECH GROVE (3-2) AT EDGEWOOD (5-0)

BELLMONT (0-5) AT LEO (4-1)

BEN DAVIS (1-4) AT LAWRENCE NORTH (4-1)

BLOOMINGTON NORTH (2-3) AT JEFFERSONVILLE (2-3)

BREBEUF JESUIT (0-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI (3-2)

BROWN COUNTY (1-4) AT MILAN (1-3)

BROWNSBURG (5-0) AT WESTFIELD (4-1)

BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (5-0) AT SEYMOUR (0-5)

CENTER GROVE (5-0) AT LAWRENCE CENTRAL (3-2)

CENTRAL NOBLE (1-4) AT LAKELAND (3-2)

CHESTERTON (3-2) AT PORTAGE (0-5)

CHRISTEL HOUSE (0-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE (2-3)

CINCINNATI BACON (OHIO) AT DANVILLE (2-3)

CLARKSVILLE (2-3) AT PERRY CENTRAL (0-5)

CLOVERDALE (2-3) AT SOUTH DECATUR (2-3)

COLUMBIA CITY (3-2) AT NEW HAVEN (1-4)

COLUMBUS NORTH (3-2) AT TERRE HAUTE NORTH (0-5)

CORYDON CENTRAL (2-3) AT SALEM (1-4)

CRAWFORD COUNTY (4-1) AT SPRINGS VALLEY (5-0)

CRAWFORDSVILLE (2-3) AT CASCADE (5-0)

CULVER (1-4) AT CASTON (2-3)

CULVER ACADEMY (1-4) AT KANKAKEE VALLEY (0-5)

DEKALB (3-2) AT HUNTINGTON NORTH (2-3)

DELPHI (2-3) AT CLINTON PRAIRIE (2-2)

EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL (1-4) AT GRIFFITH (4-1)

EAST NOBLE (5-0) AT NORWELL (1-4)

EASTBROOK (5-0) AT ELWOOD (2-3)

EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (4-1) AT CLINTON CENTRAL (2-3)

EASTERN GREENE (1-4) AT PAOLI (3-2)

EASTERN HANCOCK (2-3) AT PARK TUDOR (4-1)

EASTSIDE (3-2) AT PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (0-5)

EVANSVILLE CENTRAL (1-4) AT JASPER (4-1)

EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (5-0) AT EVANSVILLE BOSSE (0-5)

EVANSVILLE NORTH (3-2) AT EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (2-3)

EVANSVILLE REITZ (4-1) AT CASTLE (4-1)

FLOYD CENTRAL (4-1) AT COLUMBUS EAST (3-2)

FOREST PARK (2-3) AT PIKE CENTRAL (0-5)

FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK (1-4) AT TOLEDO CHRISTIAN (OHIO)

FORT WAYNE DWENGER (4-1) AT FORT WAYNE NORTHROP (4-1)

FORT WAYNE LUERS (2-3) AT FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA (0-5)

FORT WAYNE SNIDER (2-3) AT HOMESTEAD (3-2)

FORT WAYNE SOUTH (1-4) AT CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) (2-3)

FORT WAYNE WAYNE (0-5) AT FORT WAYNE NORTH (3-2)

FRANKFORT (0-5) AT WESTERN BOONE (3-2)

FRANKTON (0-5) AT MADISON-GRANT (4-1)

FREMONT (4-1) AT CHURUBUSCO (3-2)

GREENCASTLE (2-3) AT NORTH MONTGOMERY (0-5)

GREENSBURG (0-5) AT FRANKLIN COUNTY (3-2)

HAGERSTOWN (3-2) AT SHENANDOAH (3-2)

HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN (3-2) AT ZIONSVILLE (2-3)

HAMMOND NOLL (2-3) AT LAKE STATION (4-1)

HANOVER CENTRAL (2-3) AT MUNSTER (1-4)

HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) (2-3) AT MCCUTCHEON (2-3)

HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (3-2) AT INDIANAPOLIS RITTER (2-3)

HERITAGE HILLS (5-0) AT GIBSON SOUTHERN (4-1)

INDIAN CREEK (4-1) AT TRI-WEST (4-1)

INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (4-1) AT CONNERSVILLE (3-2)

INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (4-1) AT GUERIN CATHOLIC (3-2)

INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN (4-1) AT COVENANT CHRISTIAN (1-4)

INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (3-2) AT GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN (1-4)

INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY (1-4) AT PURDUE ENGLEWOOD (4-1)

IRVINGTON PREP (1-3) AT SOUTHSIDE HOMESCHOOL

JAY COUNTY (1-4) AT WOODLAN (1-4)

JENNINGS COUNTY (2-3) AT BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (4-1)

JIMTOWN (1-4) AT TIPPECANOE VALLEY (3-2)

JOHN GLENN (2-3) AT BREMEN (3-2)

KNIGHTSTOWN (3-2) AT CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (0-5)

KNOX (5-0) AT LAVILLE (2-3)

LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (1-4) AT RENSSELAER CENTRAL (3-2)

LAPEL (5-0) AT RUSHVILLE (1-4)

LAPORTE (2-3) AT MERRILLVILLE (3-2)

LEBANON (4-1) AT TRITON CENTRAL (5-0)

LOGANSPORT (5-0) AT HAMILTON HEIGHTS (1-4)

LOWELL (4-1) AT HOBART (4-1)

MACONAQUAH (5-0) AT NORTHWESTERN (3-2)

MANCHESTER (3-2) AT SOUTHWOOD (1-4)

MARION (1-4) AT KOKOMO (1-4)

MARTINSVILLE (2-3) AT WHITELAND (3-2)

MICHIGAN CITY (3-2) AT LAKE CENTRAL (2-3)

MISHAWAKA (4-1) AT NORTHRIDGE (0-5)

MISHAWAKA MARIAN (2-3) AT SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (1-4)

MISSISSINEWA (5-0) AT BLACKFORD (0-5)

MOORESVILLE (3-2) AT FRANKLIN (2-3)

NEW ALBANY (0-5) AT SILVER CREEK (1-4)

NEW CASTLE (1-4) AT DELTA (2-3)

NEW PALESTINE (5-0) AT GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (3-2)

NEW PRAIRIE (0-5) AT SOUTH BEND RILEY (3-2)

NOBLESVILLE (1-4) AT FRANKLIN CENTRAL (3-2)

NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) (2-3) AT MITCHELL (0-5)

NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) (2-3) AT CARMEL (4-1)

NORTH DAVIESS (5-0) AT WEST WASHINGTON (2-3)

NORTH DECATUR (5-0) AT LINTON (3-2)

NORTH HARRISON (1-4) AT EASTERN (PEKIN) (1-4)

NORTH MIAMI (3-2) AT WINAMAC (1-4)

NORTH NEWTON (3-2) AT FRONTIER (5-0)

NORTH VERMILLION (0-5) AT ATTICA (1-4)

NORTH WHITE (2-3) AT BOWMAN ACADEMY (2-3)

NORTHEASTERN (5-0) AT CENTERVILLE (4-1)

NORTHVIEW (5-0) AT TERRE HAUTE SOUTH (3-2)

NORTHWOOD (3-2) AT CONCORD (4-1)

OAK HILL (3-2) AT ALEXANDRIA (3-2)

PARKE HERITAGE (3-2) AT COVINGTON (4-1)

PENDLETON HEIGHTS (4-1) AT MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) (0-5)

PERRY MERIDIAN (2-3) AT GREENWOOD (1-4)

PIKE (1-4) AT WARREN CENTRAL (4-1)

PLAINFIELD (5-0) AT DECATUR CENTRAL (3-2)

PRINCETON (2-3) AT NORTH KNOX (3-2)

PROVIDENCE (3-2) AT MADISON (0-5)

RICHMOND (1-4) AT MUNCIE CENTRAL (2-3)

RIVER FOREST (2-3) AT BOONE GROVE (1-3)

ROCHESTER (4-1) AT PERU (1-4)

SCOTTSBURG (5-0) AT CHARLESTOWN (4-1)

SEEGER (4-1) AT FOUNTAIN CENTRAL (2-3)

SHERIDAN (3-1) AT TAYLOR (4-1)

SOUTH ADAMS (3-2) AT ADAMS CENTRAL (5-0)

SOUTH BEND ADAMS (2-3) AT PENN (5-0)

SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (5-0) AT ELKHART (4-1)

SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) (0-5) AT PIONEER (4-1)

SOUTH DEARBORN (4-1) AT EAST CENTRAL (4-1)

SOUTH NEWTON (2-3) AT WEST CENTRAL (5-0)

SOUTH SPENCER (1-4) AT NORTH POSEY (4-1)

SOUTH VERMILLION (2-3) AT RIVERTON PARKE (5-0)

SOUTHERN WELLS (2-3) AT BLUFFTON (5-0)

SOUTHMONT (5-0) AT NORTH PUTNAM (2-3)

SOUTHPORT (0-5) AT BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (5-0)

SOUTHRIDGE (1-4) AT MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) (4-1)

SPEEDWAY (0-5) AT MONROVIA (2-3)

SULLIVAN (2-3) AT OWEN VALLEY (1-4)

SWITZERLAND COUNTY (4-1) AT EDINBURGH (1-3)

TECUMSEH (2-3) AT TELL CITY (3-2)

TIPTON (3-2) AT HERITAGE (3-2)

TRI-COUNTY (0-5) AT FAITH CHRISTIAN (1-4)

TRITON (4-1) AT NORTH JUDSON (4-1)

TROTWOOD (OHIO) VS. INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (3-2)

TWIN LAKES (4-1) AT BENTON CENTRAL (0-5)

UNION COUNTY (1-4) AT UNION CITY (0-5)

VALPARAISO (1-4) AT CROWN POINT (5-0)

VINCENNES LINCOLN (2-3) AT EVANSVILLE HARRISON (0-5)

WABASH (1-4) AT NORTHFIELD (0-5)

WARSAW (3-2) AT PLYMOUTH (3-2)

WASHINGTON (2-3) AT BOONVILLE (3-2)

WAWASEE (1-4) AT GOSHEN (1-4)

WES-DEL (2-2) AT MONROE CENTRAL (2-3)

WEST NOBLE (4-1) AT GARRETT (2-3)

WEST VIGO (0-5) AT SOUTH PUTNAM (4-1)

WESTERN (4-1) AT WEST LAFAYETTE (2-3)

WHEELER (4-0) AT GARY WEST (2-2)

WHITING (2-3) AT CALUMET (4-1)

WHITKO (1-4) AT LEWIS CASS (3-2)

WINCHESTER (4-1) AT TRI (3-2)

YORKTOWN (4-1) AT SHELBYVILLE (3-2)

_____

+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL SCORES:+++

https://www.maxpreps.com/in/volleyball/scores/?date=9/24/2025

 Z RATINGS: HTTPS://WWW.ZVOLLEYBALL.COM/IPV/INDIANA-HS-Z-RATINGS/Z-GIRLS-2025

_____

+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER SCORES:+++

https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer/scores/?date=9/24/2025

_____

+++INDIAN HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER SCORES:+++

https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer/girls/scores/?date=9/24/2025

_____

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS GOLF REGIONALS

1. LAKE CENTRAL | SANDY PINES GC | SAT, 8 AM CT | RESULTS 
FEEDER SECTIONALS: SECTIONALS 1-5

2. EAST NOBLE | NOBLE HAWK GC | FRI, 8:30 AM ET | RESULTS 
FEEDER SECTIONALS: SECTIONALS 6-10

3. LAFAYETTE JEFFERSON | BATTLEGROUND GC | SAT, 9 AM ET | RESULTS 
FEEDER SECTIONALS: SECTIONALS 11-15

4. LAPEL | EDGEWOOD GC | SAT, 9 AM ET | RESULTS 
FEEDER SECTIONALS: SECTIONALS 16-20

5. WASHINGTON | COUNTRY OAKS GC | SAT, 8:30 AM ET | RESULTS 
FEEDER SECTIONALS: SECTIONALS 21-25

6. FRANKLIN COMMUNITY | THE LEGENDS GC | SAT, 8:30 AM ET | RESULTS 
FEEDER SECTIONALS: SECTIONALS 26-30

_____

+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS:+++

https://in.milesplit.com/results

_____

+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS SCORES:+++

BISHOP CHATARD 3 HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 2

_____

+++INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL UNIFIED FLAG FOOTBALL+++

DEKALB 32 EAST NOBLE 13

_____

+++MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL+++

WASHINGTON 4 ATLANTA 3

MILWAUKEE 3 SAN DIEGO 1

TAMPA BAY 6 BALTIMORE 2

PITTSBURGH 4 CINCINNATI 3 (11)

CLEVELAND 5 DETROIT 1

PHILADELPHIA 11 MIAMI 1

NY YANKEES 8 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 1

BOSTON 7 TORONTO 1

CHICAGO CUBS 10 NY METS 3

TEXAS 4 MINNESOTA 2

LA ANGELS 3 KANSAS CITY 2

SEATTLE 9 COLORADO 2

LA DODGERS 5 ARIZONA 4 (11)

SAN FRANCISCO 4 ST. LOUIS 3

LAS VEGAS 6 HOUSTON 0

_____

+++COLLEGE FOOTBALL+++

WEEK 5

THURSDAY, SEPT. 25

7:30 P.M. | ARMY WEST POINT AT EAST CAROLINA | ESPN

FRIDAY, SEPT. 26

7 P.M. | NO. 8 FLORIDA STATE AT VIRGINIA | ESPN

9 P.M. | NO. 24 TCU AT ARIZONA ST. | FOX

10:30 P.M. | HOUSTON AT OREGON ST. | ESPN

SATURDAY, SEPT. 27

12 P.M. | NO. 21 USC AT NO. 23 ILLINOIS | FOX

12 P.M. | NO. 16 GEORGIA TECH AT WAKE FOREST | ESPN

12 P.M. |NO. 22 NOTRE DAME AT ARKANSAS | ABC

12:00 P.M. | RUTGERS AT MINNESOTA | BTN

12:00 P.M. | DUKE AT SYRACUSE | ACCN

12:00 P.M. | LOUISVILLE AT PITTSBURGH | ESPN2

12:00 P.M. | CINCINNATI AT KANSAS | TNT

12:00 P.M. | UCF AT KANSAS STATE | FS1

12:00 P.M. | SOUTH ALABAMA AT NORTH TEXAS | ESPNU

12:00 P.M. | BOWLING GREEN AT OHIO | CBSSN

12:00 P.M. | STETSON AT DAYTON | YOUTUBE

12:00 P.M. | NEW HAVEN AT DUQUESNE |

12:00 P.M. | DELAWARE STATE AT SACRED HEART | ESPN+

12:00 P.M. | CORNELL AT YALE | ESPN+

12:00 P.M. | NORFOLK STATE AT WAGNER |

12:00 P.M. | DARTMOUTH AT CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE |

12:00 P.M. | PENN AT LEHIGH | ESPN+

12:00 P.M. | GEORGETOWN AT COLUMBIA | ESPN+

12:45 P.M. | UTAH STATE AT NO. 18 VANDERBILT | SEC NETWORK

1:00 P.M. | EASTERN MICHIGAN AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN | ESPN+

1:00 P.M. | MARIST AT BUTLER |

1:00 P.M. | LIU AT STONEHILL |

1:00 P.M. | HOLY CROSS AT FORDHAM | ESPN+

1:00 P.M. | UALBANY AT NEW HAMPSHIRE |

1:00 P.M. | TOWSON AT BRYANT |

1:00 P.M. | MOREHEAD STATE AT PRESBYTERIAN | ESPN+

1:30 P.M. | GEORGIA SOUTHERN AT JAMES MADISON | ESPN+

2:00 P.M. | MILES AT MORGAN STATE |

2:00 P.M. | UTAH TECH AT AUSTIN PEAY | ESPN+

2:00 P.M. | SOUTH DAKOTA AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE | ESPN+

2:00 P.M. | HAMPTON AT ELON |

2:00 P.M. | HOWARD AT RICHMOND | ESPN+

2:00 P.M. | ST. THOMAS (MN) AT SAN DIEGO | ESPN+

3:00 P.M. | ARKANSAS STATE AT UL MONROE | ESPN+

3:00 P.M. | ALABAMA A&M AT BETHUNE-COOKMAN |

3:00 P.M. | ALABAMA STATE AT FLORIDA A&M |

3:00 P.M. | IDAHO STATE AT NORTHERN COLORADO | ESPN+

3:00 P.M. | MERCYHURST AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | NO. 1 OHIO STATE AT WASHINGTON | CBS / PARAMOUNT+

3:30 P.M. | NO. 4 LSU AT NO. 13 OLE MISS | ABC

3:30 P.M. | AUBURN AT NO. 9 TEXAS A&M | ESPN

3:30 P.M. | UTAH AT WEST VIRGINIA | FOX

3:30 P.M. | NO. 11 INDIANA AT IOWA | PEACOCK

3:30 P.M. | UCLA AT NORTHWESTERN | BTN

3:30 P.M. | CALIFORNIA AT BOSTON COLLEGE | ACCN

3:30 P.M. | BAYLOR AT OKLAHOMA STATE | ESPN2

3:30 P.M. | UCONN AT BUFFALO | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | SAN DIEGO STATE AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | RICE AT NAVY | CBSSN

3:30 P.M. | AKRON AT TOLEDO | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | WESTERN CAROLINA AT CAMPBELL |

3:30 P.M. | PRINCETON AT LAFAYETTE | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | FURMAN AT SAMFORD | ESPN+

3:30 P.M. | MERRIMACK AT STONY BROOK |

3:30 P.M. | WILLIAM & MARY AT VILLANOVA |

3:30 P.M. | NORTH CAROLINA A&T AT MAINE |

3:30 P.M. | LINDENWOOD AT MIAMI (OH) |

4:00 P.M. | NEW MEXICO STATE AT NEW MEXICO |

4:00 P.M. | TULANE AT TULSA | ESPNU

4:00 P.M. | EASTERN ILLINOIS AT WESTERN ILLINOIS | ESPN+

4:00 P.M. | EASTERN WASHINGTON AT MONTANA STATE | ESPN+

4:10 P.M. | HAWAI‘I AT AIR FORCE | FS1

4:15 P.M. | NO. 15 TENNESSEE AT MISSISSIPPI STATE | SEC NETWORK

4:30 P.M. | TENNESSEE TECH AT TENNESSEE STATE | ESPN+

5:00 P.M. | NORTHERN ARIZONA AT PORTLAND STATE | ESPN+

5:00 P.M. | TEXAS SOUTHERN AT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE |

5:30 P.M. | MERCER AT EAST TENNESSEE STATE | ESPN+

6:00 P.M. | MIDDLE TENNESSEE AT KENNESAW STATE | ESPN+

6:00 P.M. | LIBERTY AT OLD DOMINION | ESPN+

6:00 P.M. | SOUTH CAROLINA STATE AT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN | ESPN+

6:00 P.M. | SAINT FRANCIS (PA) AT BUCKNELL | ESPN+

6:00 P.M. | BROWN AT HARVARD | ESPN+

6:00 P.M. | NICHOLLS AT EASTERN KENTUCKY |

6:00 P.M. | THE CITADEL AT CHATTANOOGA | ESPN+

6:30 P.M. | RHODE ISLAND AT WESTERN MICHIGAN | ESPN+

7:00 P.M. | ARIZONA AT NO. 14 IOWA STATE | ESPN

7:00 P.M. | VIRGINIA TECH AT NC STATE | THE CW

7:00 P.M. | SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE AT UT MARTIN | ESPN+

7:00 P.M. | JACKSONVILLE STATE AT SOUTHERN MISS | ESPN+

7:00 P.M. | WESTERN KENTUCKY AT MISSOURI STATE | ESPN+

7:00 P.M. | MEMPHIS AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC | ESPN2

7:00 P.M. | UTRGV AT SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA | ESPN+

7:00 P.M. | ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT UIW | ESPN+

7:00 P.M. | NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL AT TEXAS A&M–COMMERCE | ESPN+

7:00 P.M. | CENTRAL ARKANSAS AT LAMAR | ESPN+

7:00 P.M. | PRAIRIE VIEW A&M AT GRAMBLING |

7:00 P.M. | ALCORN STATE AT ARKANSAS–PINE BLUFF |

7:00 P.M. | JACKSON STATE AT SOUTHERN | ESPN+

7:30 P.M. | NO. 6 OREGON AT NO. 3 PENN STATE | NBC / PEACOCK

7:30 P.M. | NO. 17 ALABAMA AT NO. 5 GEORGIA | ABC

7:30 P.M. | MASSACHUSETTS AT NO. 20 MISSOURI | ESPNU

7:30 P.M. | WASHINGTON STATE AT COLORADO STATE | CBSSN

7:30 P.M. | SAN JOSE STATE AT STANFORD | ACCN

7:45 P.M. | KENTUCKY AT SOUTH CAROLINA | SEC NETWORK

8:00 P.M. | MCNEESE AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN | ESPN+

8:30 P.M. | WEST GEORGIA AT SOUTHERN UTAH | ESPN+

9:00 P.M. | CAL POLY AT SACRAMENTO STATE | ESPN+

10:00 P.M. | WEBER STATE AT UC DAVIS | ESPN+

10:15 P.M. | NO. 25 BYU AT COLORADO | ESPN

10:15 P.M. | IDAHO AT MONTANA | ESPN+

_____

+++NFL SCHEDULE+++

THURSDAY, SEPT. 25

WEEK 4

SEATTLE AT ARIZONA, 8:15 P.M. (PRIME VIDEO)

SUNDAY, SEPT. 28

MINNESOTA VS. PITTSBURGH AT DUBLIN, IRELAND, 9:30 A.M. (NFLN)

NEW ORLEANS AT BUFFALO, 1 P.M. (CBS)

WASHINGTON AT ATLANTA, 1 P.M. (CBS)

LA CHARGERS AT NY GIANTS, 1 P.M. (CBS)

TENNESSEE AT HOUSTON, 1 P.M. (CBS)

CLEVELAND AT DETROIT, 1 P.M. (FOX)

CAROLINA AT NEW ENGLAND, 1 P.M. (FOX)

PHILADELPHIA AT TAMPA BAY, 1 P.M. (FOX)

JACKSONVILLE AT SAN FRANCISCO, 4:05 P.M. (FOX)

INDIANAPOLIS AT LA RAMS, 4:05 P.M. (FOX)

CHICAGO AT LAS VEGAS, 4:25 P.M. (CBS)

BALTIMORE AT KANSAS CITY, 4:25 P.M. (CBS)

GREEN BAY AT DALLAS, 8:20 P.M. (NBC)

MONDAY, SEPT. 29

NY JETS AT MIAMI, 7:15 P.M. (ESPN)

CINCINNATI AT DENVER, 8:15 P.M. (ABC)

_____

+++WNBA SCORES+++

PLAYOFFS

_____

+++MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER+++

NO GAMES SCHEDULED

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+++TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES+++

NFL NEWS

WEEK 4 PREVIEW

 Through the first three weeks, fantastic finishes have been a common thread across the NFL slate. There have been 15 games decided by a game-winning score in the final three minutes of regulation or in overtime, the most such games through Week 3 in NFL history.

  • Dublin bound: The first-ever NFL regular-season game in Dublin, Ireland, is set for Week 4 when Minnesota and Pittsburgh play at Croke Park (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network) on Sunday. The following week, the Vikings will become the first team to play multiple international games in different cities in the same season, when the team travels to London to take on the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
    • Last week, Minnesota cornerback Isaiah Rodgers recorded two forced fumbles, an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 66-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the Vikings’ 48-10 win over Cincinnati, becoming the first player in NFL history with an interception return touchdown of 85-or-more yards and a fumble return touchdown of 65-or-more yards in the same game.
    • In Week 3, Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre (508 touchdown passes) for the fourth-most regular-season touchdown passes in NFL history and topped Philip Rivers (63,440 passing yards) for the sixth-most regular-season passing yards all-time.
  • 3-0 teams: Six teams – BuffaloIndianapolis, the Los Angeles Chargers,PhiladelphiaSan Francisco and Tampa Bay – have begun the season with three consecutive wins.
    • New Orleans (0-3) at Buffalo (3-0) (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Buffalo can begin 4-0 for the fifth time since 1990 and the first since 2020. The Bills, since Week 11 of the 2023 season, have won 13 consecutive regular-season home games and have scored at least 24 points in each game.
      • Last week, Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen recorded his 86th career win (including the postseason) since entering the NFL in 2018 and surpassed Joe Flacco (85 wins) for the fifth-most wins by a quarterback in his first eight seasons, including the playoffs, in NFL history.
      • During the Bills’ current 13-game home winning streak, Allen has 37 touchdowns (26 passing, 10 rushing, one receiving) and a 105.4 passer rating, including multiple combined passing and rushing touchdowns in 12 of the 13 games.
      • Buffalo running back James Cook is the only player in the NFL with at least 100 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in each of the first three weeks of the season. Since 1990, only three previous players have recorded 100 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in each of their team’s first four games of a season: Christian McCaffrey (2023), DeMarco Murray (2014) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith (1995).
    • L.A. Chargers (3-0) at N.Y. Giants (0-3) (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Chargers can win each of their first four games of a season for the sixth time in franchise history and the first since 2002. Los Angeles, with divisional wins over Kansas City (Week 1), Las Vegas (Week 2) and Denver (Week 3), became the third team since realignment in 2002 to defeat division opponents in each of their first three games of a season, joining the 2006 Chicago Bears and 2003 Minnesota Vikings.
      • Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passed for 300 yards in Week 3 and is the only quarterback with multiple 300-yard games this season. Herbert has 29 career games with at least 300 passing yards and can become the fourth player all-time with at least 30 such games in his first six career seasons, joining Patrick Mahomes (41 games) and Football Hall of Famers Dan Marino (32) and Kurt Warner (30).
    • Philadelphia (3-0) at Tampa Bay (3-0) (1 p.m. ET, FOX): Philadelphia can start 4-0 for the third time in the past four seasons (2022-23) while Tampa Bay can begin 4-0 for the fourth time in franchise history and the first since 2005. Since 2015, the reigning Super Bowl champion has begun the following season with four consecutive wins five times.
      • Last week, Philadelphia overcame a 19-point second-half deficit to win, becoming the first team to overcome a second-half deficit of 19-or-more points since Denver in Week 4 of the 2023 season (overcame 21-point deficit to win at Chicago). Eagles defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis each blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter as Philadelphia became the first team since at least 1978 to block two field goals in the fourth quarter of the same game.
      • Tampa Bay became the first team in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to record a game-winning score in the final minute of the fourth quarter in each of its first three games of a season. The Buccaneers are also the third team since 1970 to record a game-winning score in the final minute of regulation in three consecutive games at any point in a single season, joining the 2017 Pittsburgh Steelers (Nov. 26-Dec. 10) and 1994 New York Giants (Dec. 4-18).
    • Indianapolis (3-0) at L.A Rams (2-1) (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): Indianapolis can begin 4-0 for the first time since 2009. In five of the past 10 seasons (2015-24), a team has begun 4-0 the season after missing the playoffs.
      • The Colts have punted once this season, the fewest punts by a team in its first three games of a season since at least 1940.
      •  Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor leads the league with 338 rushing yards and 431 scrimmage yards entering Week 4. Last week, he became the fourth player since 2000 with at least 7,500 scrimmage yards and 60 touchdowns in his first 70 career games, joining Arian FosterAdrian Peterson and Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson.
      • Los Angeles wide receiver Puka Nacua leads the NFL with 29 receptions and 333 receiving yards this season. He had 11 receptions for 112 yards in Week 3 and became the fifth player all-time with at least 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards in six games within his first three career seasons, joining Ja’Marr Chase (seven games), Justin Jefferson (seven), Michael Thomas (seven) and Odell Beckham Jr. (six).
    • Jacksonville (2-1) at San Francisco (3-0) (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): San Francisco can start 4-0 for the third time (2019 and 2023) since head coach Kyle Shanahan was hired in 2017.
      • San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey recorded his 12th career game with 10 receptions last week, most by a running back in NFL history.
      • McCaffrey has 33 career games with at least 50 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards, the second-most by a running back all-time, including in each of the first three weeks this season. Since 2000, there have been only three previous occurrences of a player recording at least 50 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards in four consecutive games: McCaffrey himself in 2018 with Carolina (five consecutive games), Charlie Garner (four consecutive games in 2002 with the Oakland Raiders) and Robert Smith (four consecutive games in 2000 with Minnesota).
      • Jacksonville leads the NFL with seven interceptions and nine takeaways through the first three weeks, including multiple interceptions in each game. Since 2000, only five previous teams have recorded two-or-more interceptions in each of their first four games of a season: 2021 Dallas Cowboys (first five games), 2018 Miami Dolphins (first four), 2010 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first four), 2007 Oakland Raiders (first four) and 2003 Kansas City Chiefs (first four).
    • Ravens-Chiefs continue rivalry: The Baltimore Ravens (1-2) and Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) are set to meet on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS), marking the seventh time in the past eight seasons, including playoffs, the two teams have squared off. Five of the previous six meetings have all been decided by seven-or-fewer points.
      • Since 2018, when both Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took over as their teams’ starting quarterback, Kansas City and Baltimore rank first and second in the NFL in points per game and total yards of offense per game, respectively.
      • Jackson is the fourth quarterback ever with a passer rating of 125-or-higher in each of his team’s first three games of a season, joining John Hadl (1973 with the Los Angeles Rams), Patrick Mahomes (2019 with Kansas City) and Russell Wilson (2020 with Seattle).
    • Parsons returns to Dallas: Green Bay defensive lineman Micah Parsons is set to play his first game in Dallas (Sunday night, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) since being acquired by the Packers from the Cowboys in August. During his four seasons with Dallas (2021-24), Parsons ranked fifth in the NFL in sacks (52.5) and tackles for loss (64) and became the second player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, to record at least 12 sacks in each of his first four career seasons, along with Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White.

THURSDAY NFL PREVIEW

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-1)

All-Time Series History

Regular Season: SEA leads series, 29-22-1 (SEA won past 8 of 9)

Postseason: —

The Last Time…

Regular Season: 12/8/24: SEA 30 at AZ 18

Postseason: —

SEAHAWKS NOTES:

QB SAM DARNOLD passed for 218 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 154.2 rating in Week 2, 2nd-highest single-game passer rating in career. Has 13 games with 2+ TD passes & 100+ rating since 2024, most in NFL. Aims for his 3rd in row with 2+ TD passes. Passed for 235 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 111.6 rating in his last start vs. Ari. (12/1/24 w/ Min.). • RB KENNETH WALKER rushed for 2 TDs last week, his 8th-career game with 2+ scrimmage TDs. Aims for his 3rd in row with rush TD. Has 7 TDs (6 rush, 1 rec.) in his past 5 on road. Aims for his 6th in row vs. Ari. with 80+ scrimmage yards. • WR JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA led team with 5 catches for 96 yards & had 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 11th-career TD catch. Is only player with 95+ rec. yards in each of 1st 3 weeks. Has TD catch in 3 of his 4 career games vs. Ari. & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. with rec. TD. • WR COOPER KUPP has 5+ catches in 7 of his past 8 Thursday games. • WR TORY HORTON had TD catch & 95-yard PR-TD in Week 3, longest PR-TD in Sea. history & longest PR-TD by rookie since 2016 (Tyreek Hill). Aims for his 3rd in row with rec. TD. • LB ERNEST JONES aims for his 8th in row vs. Ari. & 19th in row overall with 5+ tackles. Had INT in last meeting. Has PD in 3 of his 4 career games at Ari. • DE LEONARD WILLIAMS aims for his 3rd in row with 0.5+ sacks. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. with PD & 4th in row vs. Ari. with TFL. Aims for his 5th in row on Thursday with TFL. • DT BYRON MURPHY aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • CB JOSH JOBE had career-high 11 tackles last week. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Ari. & 4th in row overall with PD. • CB DERION KENDRICK tied his career-high with 3 PD & had 3rd-career INT last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 2+ PD & INT. • S COBY BRYANT had career-high 2 PD last week.

CARDINALS NOTES:

QB KYLER MURRAY Aims for his 7th in row with TD pass. Had 200+ pass yards, TD pass & 100+ rating in 3 of his 4 career Thursday starts. Has 10 TDs (9 pass, 1 rush) vs. 3 INTs & 98.5 rating in his past 5 home starts vs. Sea. Has won 6 of his past 7 home starts. • RB TREY BENSON had 51 scrimmage yards (42 rush, 9 rec.) in Week 3. • TE TREY MCBRIDE had 5 catches & 1st rec. TD of season last week, his 7thcareer TD catch. Aims for his 5th in row at home & 6th in row overall with 5+ catches. Had 7 catches for 70 yards in last meeting. • WR MARVIN HARRISON JR. has 40+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5. • WR MICHAEL WILSON has rec. TD in 2 of his past 3 at home, incl. last meeting. • DE CALAIS CAMBPELL has 12.5 sacks & 17 TFL in 20 career games vs. Sea., incl. TFL in 3 of his past 4. Has 6 sacks & 11 TFL in 11 career Thursday games. • DL DALVIN TOMLINSON aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • LB JOSH SWEAT had 45th-career sack last week & aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4 on Thursday. Aims for his 3rd in row on Thursday with sack. • LB MACK WILSON set career highs with 12 tackles & 2 PD & had TFL in Week 3. Is only LB with PD in each of 1st 3 weeks & aims for his 5th in row with PD. • LB AKEEM DAVIS-GAITHER aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ tackles. • LB ZAVEN COLLINS has 6 TFL in his past 6 vs. Sea. • LB BARON BROWNING has 4 TFL in his past 4 at home. • S BUDDA BAKER had career-high 18 tackles in last meeting. Has 5+ tackles in 21 straight games, longest active streak by DB. Has 5 TFL & 5 PD in 6 career Thursday games, with 5+ tackles in each game. • S JALEN THOMPSON aims for his 9th in row with 6+ tackles. Aims for his 3rd in row on Thursday with PD. • S DADRION TAYLOR-DEMERSON had 1st-career INT last week.

Prime Video: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung (field reporter)

Westwood One: Kevin Kugler, Ryan Harris

SEAHAWKS HAVE A 7-GAME WINNING STREAK VS. CARDINALS ENTERING THURSDAY’S GAME

Seattle (2-1) at Arizona (2-1)

Thursday, 8:15 p.m., EDT, Prime Video

BetMGM line: Seahawks by 1.

Series record: Seahawks lead 29-22-1.

Against the spread: Seahawks 2-1; Cardinals 2-1.

Last week: Seahawks beat Saints 44-13; 49ers beat Cardinals 16-15

Last meeting: Seahawks beat Cardinals 30-18 on Dec. 8, 2024, in Glendale Ariz.

Seahawks offense: overall (18), rush (T21), pass (12), scoring (6).

Seahawks defense: overall (14), rush (7), pass (20), scoring (2).

Cardinals offense: overall (25), rush (16), pass (28), scoring (T19).

Cardinals defense: overall (23), rush (4), pass (30), scoring (T5).

Turnover differential: Seahawks even; Cardinals plus-2.

Seahawks player to watch

WR Tory Horton. Not only did Horton return a punt 95 yards for a touchdown on Sunday, but the rookie also added his second receiving touchdown of the season. Horton is Seattle’s third-leading receiver behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp.

Cardinals player to watch

RB Trey Benson. The second-year back will move into a more prominent role now that starter James Conner is lost for the season because of a foot injury. Benson’s already had a couple of big gains this season, breaking loose for a 29-yard run last week against the 49ers and a 52-yard run in the opener against the Saints.

Key matchup

The Cardinals have allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards in the league this season while the Seahawks have averaged the fourth-fewest yards per carry. As a team, Seattle has eclipsed 100 yards on the ground once through three games.

Key injuries

Seahawks: CB Devon Witherspoon along with safeties Julian Love and Nick Emmanwori were estimated to be limited participants for Tuesday’s walk-through practice. None of them played on Sunday. RB Zach Charbonnet, who sat out Sunday’s game, was expected to be a full practice participant this week. FB Robbie Ouzts and T Josh Jones did not participate this week because of ankle injuries.

Cardinals: Conner has gained more than 1,000 yards on the ground in each of the past two seasons and will be tough to replace. OL Kelvin Beachum (knee), CB Will Johnson (groin) and WR Zay Jones (concussion) didn’t participate in Tuesday’s walk-through practice. OT Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) was limited and missed last week’s game vs. the 49ers.

Series notes

The Seahawks have won the past seven games in the series going back to 2021.

Stats and stuff

The NFC West has combined for nine wins so far this season. No other division has more than seven. … The Seahawks are seeking to win at least three of their first four games for the third season in a row. … The Seahawks have the second-best margin of victory in a win this season with their 44-13 win over the Saints last Sunday. Seattle went 10-7 last season and hasn’t had a losing season since 2021 … The Seahawks are 1-1 against NFC foes in 2025. … Seahawks QB Sam Darnold had a 154.2 QB rating in Sunday’s win — the second-best mark in a single game in franchise history. It was the second-highest QB rating of Darnold’s NFL career. … WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the Seahawks in yards receiving in 2024, is second in the NFL in that category. He trails the Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua by 10 yards for the NFL lead going into Week 4. … RB Kenneth Walker scored a season-high two touchdowns on Sunday. … CB Josh Jobe had a career-high 11 tackles, including nine solo, on Sunday. … CB Derion Kendrick had an interception for the second straight week. … The Seahawks have five interceptions as a team this season, second most in the NFL. The Jaguars have seven interceptions. … Seahawks K Jason Myers was 3 of 3 on field-goal attempts on Sunday, including a season-long, 56-yard kick. Myers is 6 of 7 on the season. … The Cardinals are playing on Thursday night for the first time in nearly three years. Their previous outing on Thursday was a 42-34 win over the Saints in Week 7 of 2022. … Arizona has won six of its past seven home games going back to last season. … The 39-year-old Calais Campbell has two sacks over three games in his 18th NFL season. The Arizona veteran also forced a holding call in the end zone against the 49ers, leading to a safety. … Arizona TE Trey McBride had a career-high 133 yards receiving against the Seahawks in Week 12 last season. … QB Kyler Murray surpassed 20,000 career yards in last week’s loss to the 49ers. … LB Mack Wilson Sr. leads the Cardinals with 28 tackles this season, including 14 solo stops. He led the team with 12 tackles against the 49ers.

Fantasy tip

Benson’s not the only Cardinals player who could get a boost in rushing production now that Conner is out for the season. Murray could try to make more happen with his feet in Conner’s absence, boosting his value after a so-so first three weeks of the season.

SEAHAWKS, CARDINALS FIGHT FOR POSITION IN NFC WEST, WHICH HAS BEEN THE NFL’S BEST DIVISION SO FAR

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The NFC West has not had too much margin for error so far this season.

That’s why Thursday night’s matchup between the Arizona Cardinals (2-1) and Seattle Seahawks (2-1) feels like such a important moment for a Week 4 game between division rivals, even if it might be way too early to start talking about must-win situations.

The NFC West is led by the San Francisco 49ers (3-0) while the Los Angeles Rams (2-1) are also off to a good start. The nine combined wins is the most for a division so far this season. No other four-team group has more than seven.

“We understand the teams in our division are good teams,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “I know we’re a good team. You have to win games. They understand the importance of playing at home versus a divisional opponent.

“You don’t want to get knocked down too far, but there is a lot of ball to be played.”

The Seahawks have dominated the series in recent years, winning seven straight since 2021. Seattle is also trending in a better direction this season, winning its past two games while the Cardinals lost to the 49ers 16-15 on Sunday.

Still, the Cardinals have had one of the league’s better defenses this season. The Seahawks have noticed.

“That defense is rolling,” Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold said. “They always present issues for an offense, just all the different looks that they can give and what they do in the back end, disguising coverages.”

Seattle’s run woes

Only three teams have averaged fewer yards per carry than the Seahawks this season, as they have rushed for more than 100 yards in a game only once. That came in a 31-17 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have allowed the sixth-most rushing yards this season.

The Seahawks have made up for the running problems by being efficient in the passing game. Darnold has completed 70.3% of his passes, good for sixth best in the league, and has only been sacked three times.

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has been pleased with Darnold’s play, but the run game is a concern.

“There’s room for improvement just like many facets of our offense,” Kubiak said. “We can coach better there, we can play better there and it’s something that our guys are putting a big emphasis on.”

Void without Conner

The Cardinals got bad news this week when they learned running back James Conner will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury suffered against the 49ers on Sunday.

Quarterback Kyler Murray isn’t going to sugarcoat it: That’s a tough guy to lose.

“His feel for the game, his leadership, his presence in the huddle and in the locker room — yeah, you can’t really replace that for real,” Murray said.

Conner was a locker room leader but also very productive on the field. He had run for more than 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons. In his absence, second-year player Trey Benson will have an increased role.

Strong start for Horton

Rookie wide receiver Tory Horton, a fifth-round pick in the draft, has burst onto the scene three games into his pro career. Horton, whose college career at Colorado State was cut short because of a knee injury, has returned a punt for a touchdown and caught two other passes for scores, as well as racked up the third-most receiving yards of any Seahawks player.

The 6-foot-2, 196-pound Horton has an intriguing blend of size and speed, and has already put both to good use for a Seattle offense that has been effective operating through the air.

“He’s had a really solid start to the season,” Kubiak said. “I’m proud of Tory. Not surprised with just the kind of kid that he is. The way that his parents raised him. He just has a great attitude.”

Campbell, Sweat making impact

The Cardinals defense has given up just 17 points per game this season, which is tied for fifth in the league.

A big reason is the front office’s investment in revamping the defensive line. Josh Sweat — who signed a $76.4 million, four-year deal in the offseason — and Calais Campbell have both had multiple big moments through three games.

Sweat has two sacks this season, including one that was a strip-sack and led to a touchdown in a win over the Panthers. Campbell also has two sacks and drew a holding call in the end zone against the 49ers that resulted in a safety.

Gannon said he’s pleased with the whole defensive front.

“For those guys to impact the game, other guys have to do their job as well,” Gannon said. “That’s how I would say that. I’m pleased with where they’re at. I think they’re both going to keep doing it, I really do. We need them.”

Stout Seahawks front

Seattle’s defense was expected to be a strength under second-year head coach Mike Macdonald, and that’s proven to be the case, especially when it comes to stopping the run. Seahawks opponents have averaged just 3.2 yards per attempt, which is the third-best mark in the league.

“Everyone owns their role. I think that’s the No. 1 thing,” defensive coordinator Aden Durde said. “When you play a run defense, it’s a grimy game.”

The Seahawks have had a number of standout contributors rushing the quarterback, too. Defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, a 2024 first-round pick, has already set a career high with 2 1/2 sacks, and nine other players have had at least one tackle for loss.

DREW BREES AND LARRY FITZGERALD HEADLINE 2026 PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME NOMINEES

Quarterback Drew Brees and receiver Larry Fitzgerald were picked in their first year of eligibility as two of the nominees among modern era players for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

Brees and Fitzgerald were two of the most prolific producers in the passing game in NFL history with Brees ranking second all time in yards passing and touchdowns, and Fitzgerald ranking second in career receptions and yards receiving.

Eleven other players in their first year of eligibility were picked among the 128 modern-era nominees for this year’s class.

The other nominees in their first year of eligibility are quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Alex Smith; tight ends Greg Olsen and Jason Witten; running backs Frank Gore and LeSean McCoy; offensive linemen David DeCastro and Maurkice Pouncey; defensive linemen Geno Atkins and Jurrell Casey; and linebacker Thomas Davis.

A screening committee will reduce the candidates to 50 in October with the full 50-member selection committee reducing the list to 25 and then 15 finalists, who will be voted on by the selection meeting before the Super Bowl in February.

Four players have already guaranteed themselves spots in the final 15 after making it down to the final seven players in the 2025 class with Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri taking those spots.

The other returning finalists are Eli Manning, Fred Taylor, Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Marshall Yanda, Terrell Suggs and Darren Woodson.

In addition to the 15 modern era finalists, the selection committee will consider three seniors, one coach and one contributor for the Class of 2026. Between four and eight new members will be elected in the second year of this current format.

Only four people got in last year for the smallest class in 20 years.

Brees and Fitzgerald are the top new candidates this year.

Brees is second all time to Tom Brady with 80,358 yards passing and 571 touchdown passes. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the San Diego Chargers before signing as a free agent with the Saints in 2006, where his career took off as he helped revive a city still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

Brees delivered New Orleans its first Super Bowl title following the 2009 season when he won MVP of the game after beating Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Brees made the Pro Bowl 13 times in his career, won AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 and 2011, was an All-Pro in 2006 and was a second-team All-Pro four times.

Fitzgerald spent his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals after being drafted third overall in 2004. His 1,432 catches and 17.492 yards receiving in 17 seasons ranks second all time to Jerry Rice.

Fitzgerald topped 1,000 yards receiving nine times — tied for the fourth most ever — and helped the Cardinals reach their only Super Bowl following the 2008 season. Fitzgerald set single-season records that postseason with 546 yards receiving and seven TD catches, including a go-ahead 64-yard score with 2:37 to play before Pittsburgh rallied for a 27-23 win over Arizona.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS

NO. 6 OREGON AT NO. 3 PENN STATE IS THE MAIN EVENT ON AN ATTRACTIVE TOP 25 SCHEDULE IN WEEK 5

Four Associated Press Top 25 matchups headline the Week 5 college football schedule, and at least a half-dozen other games involving ranked teams are equally intriguing.

The only meeting of top-10 teams happens Saturday night when No. 3 Oregon visits No. 6 Penn State for a Big Ten showdown.

The Southeastern Conference has co-main events. No. 17 Alabama travels to No. 5 Georgia and No. 4 LSU goes to No. 13 Mississippi. The Crimson Tide have won nine of the last 10 meetings with Georgia, and the Tigers and Rebels have split their last four.

The other Top 25 game has No. 21 Southern California at No. 23 Illinois for a game that lost some luster following Indiana’s 53-point demolition of the Illini.

The week’s undercard is really good, too.

Washington, 3-0 and a winner of 22 straight at home, hosts No. 1 Ohio State. Auburn, which won a four-overtime thriller against Texas A&M last year, goes on the road to play the No. 9 Aggies. No. 14 Iowa State goes for a second straight 5-0 start when it plays Arizona at home.

No. 15 Tennessee heads to Mississippi State, which at 4-0 already has doubled its 2024 win total. No. 22 Notre Dame is at Arkansas for the first meeting between the teams. No. 24 TCU, which has its first regular-season ranking since 2022, visits defending Big 12 champion Arizona State.

Best game

No. 6 Oregon (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) at No. 3 Penn State (3-0), 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

Oregon beat Penn State in the 2024 Big Ten championship game, and the Nittany Lions were the media’s preseason pick to win the title in 2025. Neither team will have been tested until they square off Saturday night in Happy Valley.

The Ducks have outscored their opponents by an average of 51-9, their closest game a 20-point road win against Northwestern in their Big Ten opener. The Nittany Lions have won their first three games by an average of 44-6 and no opponent has come closer than 34 points.

Look out for big plays, or a lack of them. Oregon is among the national leaders with 31 plays of at least 20 yards. Penn State has allowed just two through three games.

Under the radar

Louisville (3-0) at Pittsburgh (2-1), Noon ET (ESPN2)

Pittsburgh has had an extra week to stew over its disappointing loss to West Virginia and would like nothing more than to vent some frustration in its ACC opener against the Cardinals.

Look for this to be a defensive battle. Pitt is giving up an ACC-low 3.96 yards per play. Louisville has the ACC’s best pass defense.

Pitt leads the series 11-10, including 3-2 since Louisville joined the ACC in 2014. The Cardinals haven’t won in Pittsburgh since 2012, when both schools were in the Big East.

Heisman watch

Two straight games with five touchdown passes have caused Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza to surge in the wagering markets for the Heisman Trophy winner. Mendoza, who was listed at 55-to-1 odds by BetMGM Sportsbook last week, is now 9-to-1 and the public’s second choice behind Oklahoma’s John Mateer.

Mendoza, who plays at Iowa on Saturday, was 21 for 23 for 267 yards while playing the first three quarters of last week’s 63-10 rout of Illinois. He has completed 40 of 43 passes for 537 yards and 10 touchdowns the last two weeks and has 14 TD passes and no interceptions through four games.

Mateer, at 7-to-1 odds, was scheduled to have hand surgery Wednesday and is expected to return this season. He’s averaging 303 yards per game passing to lead the Southeastern Conference and ranks fourth among SEC quarterbacks in rushing with 47.5 yards per game. He has thrown for six TDs and run for five.

Numbers to know

0 — Sacks allowed by Cincinnati entering its game at Kansas.

13 — Sacks by Kansas, tied for most in the Big 12.

219 — Indiana’s point total through four games, most in any four-game stretch in program history.

1959 — Last time North Texas began a season 5-0, which would be its record if it beats South Alabama at home.

1989 — Last time Kansas State began a season 1-4, which would be its record if it loses to UCF at home.

Hot seat

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman has been on the hot seat more often than not since his 2023 team lost eight of its last 10 games. He was given some grace last year for a midseason win over a top-five Tennessee, but all that capital has been spent after what happened at Memphis.

The Razorbacks led 28-10 late in the first half last Saturday and lost 32-31 after they committed red-zone turnovers on two of their last three series. Arkansas’ first loss to a non-power conference team since 2022 dropped Pittman to 32-33 in six seasons.

Pittman has a unique buyout clause that pays him more if his record since 2021 is .500 or better at the time of his firing. Entering the Notre Dame game, Pittman is 29-26 since 2021. His above-.500 buyout at the end of the season would be about $9 million; his below-.500 buyout would be about $6 million.

REPORTS: BIG TEN WON’T FOLLOW SUIT IN REQUIRING 10 POWER OPPONENTS

Beginning next season, three major conferences will require their members to face at least 10 power conference opponents — but the Big Ten isn’t joining them, according to a multiple reports on Wednesday.

The Big 12 will continue its policy of nine league football games plus one nonconference opponent from a power league, a standard it has used the past two years. The Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference to adopt similar minimums in 2026, consisting of nine conference matchups and one power opponent outside the league. Because the ACC has 17 teams, one school will play eight league games each season, but every member will still meet the 10-game power threshold.

The Big Ten will continue to play nine conference games, as it has since 2016, but will not add a requirement for a non-conference power foe.

That decision also lowers expectations for any change to the College Football Playoff for 2026. With no alignment on scheduling across leagues, the commissioners meeting this week in Chicago are expected to stay with the 12-team format used in 2024 and 2025.

The Big Ten’s stance comes months after coaches and officials highlighted their in-league grind at media days.

“Everybody has to play the same number of conference games,” Penn State’s James Franklin said in July in reference to SEC teams then only playing eight league games. “Everybody should be playing eight or everybody should be playing nine.”

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti pushed for broader consistency: “We need to standardize the schedule across the board if we want to have objective criteria for who should be in the playoffs and who shouldn’t.”

In practice, several Big Ten programs are bypassing nonconference power opponents. This season, Penn State, Indiana, Washington, Rutgers, Northwestern and Maryland have none scheduled. Current versions of next season’s schedules show Indiana, Nebraska, Penn State and Washington in the same position.

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MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

MLB ROUNDUP: CAL RALEIGH HITS 60TH HOMER AS MARINERS CLINCH AL WEST

Cal Raleigh hit two home runs, giving him a major-league-leading 60 this season, as the Seattle Mariners clinched their first American League West title since 2001 with a 9-2 victory against the visiting Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.

Julio Rodriguez, Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suarez also went deep for the Mariners (89-69), who won their sixth in a row and prevailed for the 16th time in their past 17 games.

Raleigh hit solo shots in the first and eighth innings and added a two-run double in the second, going 3-for-5 with four RBIs. He is the seventh player — and first catcher — ever to have a 60-homer season, joining Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire (twice), Sammy Sosa (three times), Aaron Judge, Roger Maris and Babe Ruth. Judge set the AL record of 62 in 2022.

Blaine Crim homered for the Rockies (43-115), who dropped their second straight game.

Phillies 11, Marlins 1

Edmundo Sosa hit three of Philadelphia’s franchise-record eight home runs in a resounding victory over visiting Miami.

Kyle Schwarber added two homers — his 55th and 56th of the season — while Bryson Stott, Otto Kemp and Alec Bohm also went deep for the hosts. Sosa enjoyed a career day in his first game back off the 10-day injured list after recovering from a groin strain.

The Phillies, who had lost four of their previous five games, clinched a first-round playoff bye with the win. Eric Wagaman had two of the five hits and the only RBI for the Marlins, who had won their previous seven games.

Yankees 8, White Sox 1

Aaron Judge reached 50 homers for the fourth time in his career to tie a major league record, and host New York moved into a tie for the American League East lead with a victory over Chicago.

Judge homered on the first pitch he saw against Jonathan Cannon (4-10), hammering a sinker into the Yankees bullpen in right-center field to reach the milestone on a go-ahead three-run homer in the second inning.

Six innings later, Judge hit his 51st homer of the season on an eighth-inning solo shot. Judge joined Babe Ruth (1920, 1921, 1927, 1928), Mark McGwire (1996-1999) and Sammy Sosa (1998-2001) as the fourth player with four 50-homer seasons.

Brewers 3, Padres 1

Brice Turang singled home the tiebreaking run in the top of the seventh inning, and visiting Milwaukee avoided a three-game sweep with a win over San Diego.

Aaron Ashby (5-2) got the last out of the sixth inning to earn the win and Abner Uribe, the sixth Milwaukee pitcher of the day, threw the ninth for his sixth save. The Brewers reduced their magic number to clinch MLB’s best record to one.

Neither starter was involved in the decision. Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick fanned six in three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks. Padres starter Dylan Cease gave up six hits and a run over five innings with two walks and eight strikeouts.

Athletics 6, Astros 0

Shea Langeliers went 4-for-4 with a homer and Luis Severino pitched a dazzling 6 1/3 innings as the Athletics blanked Houston in West Sacramento, Calif.

The Astros lost their seventh straight game against the Athletics, their fifth straight overall, and remained one game behind the Detroit Tigers for the third American League wild card.

Severino (8-11) gave up just three hits en route to his sixth straight winning decision. The A’s earned their ninth win in the past 12 games.

Angels 3, Royals 2

Taylor Ward hit a home run and Yusei Kikuchi allowed one hit over five innings to lead Los Angeles past Kansas City in Anaheim, Calif.

Ward went deep for the third time in his past four games as the Angels won for just the second time in 12 games. Kikuchi (7-11) picked up his first win since Aug. 9, giving up just one run. Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his 28th save.

Randal Grichuk hit a home run for the Royals, who finished with just two hits. Stephen Kolek (5-7) allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits in six innings.

Giants 4, Cardinals 3

Andrew Knizner lashed his first major league triple past a diving Victor Scott II in center field, scoring Christian Koss with the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and allowing San Francisco to outlast visiting St. Louis.

The loss in the series finale was a costly one for the Cardinals, who had a chance to gain a game in the race for the final National League wild card. Instead, St. Louis will enter the final four days of the season 3 1/2 games behind the New York Mets. Knizner, a catcher who played his first five seasons for the Cardinals, had come to the plate 971 times in his seven-year career without recording a triple.

The Giants trailed only momentarily in the game, scoring once in each of the second, third and fourth innings. Rafael Devers provided the big hit in the early going, a solo homer in the third, his 34th of the season.

Dodgers 5, Diamondbacks 4

Tommy Edman hit a go-ahead single in the 11th inning and Los Angeles moved closer to its 12th National League West title in 13 seasons with a victory over Arizona.

The Dodgers own the tiebreaker over the second-place San Diego Padres and can clinch the division title with a victory in the series finale against the Diamondbacks on Thursday. Edman had three singles, Mookie Betts had three hits and an RBI and Andy Pages hit a two-run homer for the Dodgers.

Ketel Marte had three hits and scored twice, Corbin Carroll had two hits and two stolen bases and Gabriel Moreno drove in two runs for the D-backs, who had won three in a row and seven of their past 10. The D-backs remained one game behind the New York Mets for the final NL wild-card spot with four games to play. Cincinnati owns the tiebreaker over both and also would win a three-team tiebreaker.

Nationals 4, Braves 3

James Wood hit a pair of deep solo home runs, and visiting Washington beat Atlanta to end the Braves’ 10-game winning streak.

The Nationals salvaged a game from the three-game series and won their final road game of the season. The Braves took the season series 9-4.

Mitchell Parker (9-16) got the final two outs of the fifth and picked up the win. Atlanta starter Bryce Elder (8-11) took the loss after pitching seven innings and allowing three runs on six hits — two of them homers — with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Red Sox 7, Blue Jays 1

Garrett Crochet pitched eight scoreless innings, Carlos Narvaez hit a three-run home run and visiting Boston defeated Toronto.

Crochet allowed three hits and no walks while striking out six to lower his ERA to 2.59. Masataka Yoshida added a solo homer and an RBI double while Trevor Story contributed three hits to help the Red Sox to their second straight win to open the three-game series.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa homered for Toronto in the ninth against Payton Tolle. The Blue Jays have lost six of their last seven games and have now fallen into a tie for first with the New York Yankees in the American League East.

Pirates 4, Reds 3 (11 innings)

Spencer Horwitz had three hits and drove in Bryan Reynolds three times as visiting Pittsburgh outlasted Cincinnati in 11 innings, dealing a critical blow to Cincinnati’s postseason hopes.

Tyler Stephenson tied the game with his fourth hit, a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth, but the Reds couldn’t capitalize on several chances in the 10th and 11th, as Noelvi Marte grounded out with the bases loaded to end the game.

Cy Young favorite Paul Skenes tossed six shutout innings, and Horwitz drove in two as the Pirates took a 2-0 lead into the eighth and a 2-1 lead into the ninth. Horwitz later drove in Reynolds in the 11th on a double for the game-winner.

Guardians 5, Tigers 1

George Valera hit a two-run homer in the third inning and Jose Ramirez doubled home a pair in the seventh as Cleveland beat visiting Detroit, seizing sole possession of first place in the American League Central.

Steven Kwan added an RBI single and Brayan Rocchio scored twice for the Guardians, who lead the free-falling Tigers by one game in the division with four to play. Detroit has dropped eight straight — five against Cleveland — and 11 of its last 12.

Tanner Bibee (12-11) worked six innings, allowing one run on five hits, in beating the Tigers for the second time in seven days. The right-hander struck out five with two walks and is 3-0 with a 1.30 ERA in four starts in September.

Rays 6, Orioles 2

Shane Baz threw four no-hit innings of Tampa Bay’s pitching gem and Brandon Lowe had two early run-producing hits as the visiting Rays beat Baltimore.

Lowe and Jake Mangum homered and the Rays evened the series at one game apiece. Richie Palacios rapped a double among his three hits, and Chandler Simpson joined Lowe with two hits.

The Orioles, who were held to three singles, got on the board with Jordan Westburg’s two-run single in the eighth. Starting pitcher Tyler Wells (2-1) took the loss, giving up three runs on seven hits in four innings.

Rangers 4, Twins 2

Billy McKinney drove in the go-ahead run hours after his return to the major leagues, helping host Texas earn a victory over Minnesota.

McKinney, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Round Rock earlier Wednesday, drove home Ezequiel Duran with a single in the seventh. Jake deGrom made his 30th and final start of the season, his most since 2019. The two-time Cy Young Award winner went five innings and allowed a run on two hits and a walk while striking out eight for the Rangers.

Minnesota saw Byron Buxton lead off the game with a solo home run to dead center field. deGrom then retired 12 of the next 13 Minnesota batters, eight of them by strikeout.

Cubs 10, Mets 3

Michael Busch belted a two-run homer and Matt Shaw also went deep to highlight his three-hit performance, lifting host Chicago to a victory over New York.

Ian Happ ripped a two-run double as part of a five-run third and Matthew Boyd tossed 5 1/3 strong innings to help the Cubs snap a season-high five-game skid.

The Mets lost for the 12th time in 17 games to see their lead for the third National League wild-card spot reduced to a half-game over Arizona. Boyd (14-8) did not allow a hit until Vientos singled to lead off the fifth inning.

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GOLF NEWS

TEAM USA TRIES TO GRAB RYDER CUP IN FRONT OF HOME CROWD

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — The Ryder Cup never lacks sporting drama of the highest degree. As a biennial event, players’ national pride is sky-high and tempers are spilling over by time it rolls around.

This year, the subplots include a captain who could have called his number but chose not to; a war of words between two of golf’s biggest personalities; and a course known for its brutal difficulty, flooded with New York sports fans ready to make some noise.

The United States team will try to seize the Ryder Cup back from Team Europe when the 45th playing of the competition begins Friday at Bethpage Black.

Europe has captured eight of the past 11 Cups, most recently in 2023 outside Rome, where the hosts sailed to a 16 1/2-11 1/2 victory. That marked the fifth straight Ryder Cup won by the home team, which tilts in the Americans’ favor this time.

“I think anytime you lose, you want to come back and win. But when you’re at home and you’re at a home Ryder Cup, there’s not much more motivation that you need,” U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said. “… This is a totally different team than it was in Rome. This team is 0-0, and we want to go out this week and represent the country and Bethpage and the fans in the best way we can.”

Snubbed by Zach Johnson in 2023, Bradley was named Johnson’s successor last year but also performed well enough to earn consideration as a player. A captain hasn’t played in 60 years, but it was still an excruciating decision for Bradley.

“I feel like I’ve been called for a bigger cause here, to help our guys get ready to play and play at the highest level,” said Bradley, 39. “But in the back of my mind, I’m always thinking, ‘I could have been out there.’”

The U.S. roster is still stacked. Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau qualified for the team on points. Bradley rounded out the group with Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns. Henley, English, Griffin and Young are Ryder Cup rookies.

Most of them played the Procore Championship, a PGA Tour fall event, as a tune-up after the Americans felt too out-of-practice in Rome. Naturally, Scheffler won his sixth event of the year.

“I don’t think it can be understated how difficult of a week Rome was for us. I think we could have done better for sure,” said Scheffler, who failed to win a point that week. “I think we learned from it, and we’re as prepared as ever this time.”

They’re up against a European team that returned captain Luke Donald and 11 of its 12 players from Rome. The only newcomer, Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard, is the twin brother of 2023 team member Nicolai Hojgaard.

“It’s a very similar team, which is unusual, never happened in the history of our Ryder Cup teams in Europe, to have 11 come back,” Donald said. “So we have a lot of cohesion.”

The rest of that roster: Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick and Jon Rahm.

They were adored in Rome but will be jeered relentlessly on Long Island. Team Europe has practiced with VR headsets that pipe in not just crowd noise, but specific verbal abuse.

“I think the scale of the Ryder Cup seems to have really kind of kicked on massively in the last decade, so I feel like each occasion is getting more and more intense,” said Rose, Europe’s elder statesman, who drew attention for saying New Yorkers can become “caricatures of themselves.”

As for the course itself, Bethpage Black (par-70, 7,352 yards) is among the most prestigious and most difficult public courses in the country. The fourth hole, a risk-reward par-5, is considered the easiest relative to par, yet approach shots will be severely uphill toward a protected green. It’s a similar story at the par-4 15th, where just landing it on the green is a difficult task.

And matches could be won or lost at the devilish par-3 17th, where the diagonally-angled green is surrounded by five monstrous bunkers.

On Friday and Saturday morning, the teams will send out four duos for foursomes (alternate shot), and the afternoon sessions will be four-ball (best ball). Sunday will see all 12 players from each side face off in singles matches.

Each match is worth one point, with 28 points up for grabs. The first to 14 1/2 wins the Cup. If the teams were to tie 14-14, Europe would retain possession of the Cup.

Fans are clamoring for a singles match between McIlroy and DeChambeau, who’ve feuded since they played in the final pairing at the Masters. DeChambeau was surprised that McIlroy didn’t speak to him that Sunday; McIlroy was surprised DeChambeau was surprised.

Most recently, the LIV Golf star promised to chirp at McIlroy during the Ryder Cup, and the five-time major winner from Northern Ireland said “the only way (DeChambeau) gets attention is by mentioning other people.”

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+++TOP INDIANA HEADLINES/NEWS RELEASES+++

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

(COLTS RELEASE)

INDIANA FOOTBALL DIGEST INSIDER 2025 – WEEK FIVE

NEWS AND NUGGETS

Wheeler’s homecoming contest with Boone Grove, along with all of the other festivities, were cancelled because of rumored alleged threats being made against the school.

Edinburgh homecoming game with Milan and other activities were cancelled because of a formal harassment complaint filed late Thursday involving members of the football team. It is uncertain whether or not the Lancers will host Switzerland County this coming week.

Liam Ko’s 13-yard touchdown reception with 10 seconds left helped Lapel rally for a 29-26 win over Indian Creek. The Bulldogs trailed by 12 points with less than three minutes remaining.

North White’s Mason DeBoard tied a state-record with three kickoff returns for touchdowns in the Vikings’ 52-40 win over Faith Christian.

Indianapolis Cathedral played at Southport for the first time since 1955 and came away with a 54-0 triumph.

Hamilton Southeastern quarterback Terry Walker III will be sidelined the remainder of the season with a knee injury. The Duke University recruit suffered the mishap during the Royals’ 28-16 loss to rival Fishers on September 12.

Decatur Central quarterback Bo Polston returned from an injury to go 7-of-14 for 82 yards with two touchdowns and ran twice for 25 yards with another score in the defending Class 5A state champion Hawks’ 73-27 win over Mooresville.

Evansville Mater Dei signal caller Tate Mallory’s season came to an end with an arm injury suffered in the Wildcats’ 28-21 loss to Jasper.

Griffith boss Phil Mason hopes to return to the sidelines this week after missing the last two games battling pneumonia.

Irvington Prep ended its 19-game losing streak with 22-14 victory over Christel House Manual.

Eastern (Pekin) snapped a 14-game losing skid with 14-12 win over Eastern Greene.

Riverton Parke is 5-0 for the first time in program history.

Scottsburg is 5-0 for the first time since 1974.

Springs Valley is 5-0 for the first time since 1992.

North Daviess is 5-0 for the first time since 1998.

Lapel is 5-0 for the first time since 2005.

South Bend Saint Joseph is 5-0 for the first time since 2011.

Penn is 5-0 for the first time since 2016.

Brebeuf Jesuit is 0-5 for the first time since 2002.

New Prairie is 0-5 for the first time since 2011.

LONGEST CURRENT WINNING STREAKS

Adams Central and New Palestine are on a 19-game winning streak.

Heritage Hills has claimed 18 straight wins.

Brownsburg is on a 10-game winning streak.

Bloomington South, Bluffton, Brownstown Central, Cascade, Center Grove, Crown Point, East Noble, Edgewood, Evansville Memorial, Frontier, Knox, Lapel, Logansport, Maconaquah, North Daviess, North Decatur, Northeastern, Northview, Penn, Plainfield, Riverton Parke, Scottsburg, South Bend Saint Joseph, Southmont, Springs Valley, Triton Central, and West Central have won five games in a row.

Andrean, Castle, Crawford County, Elkhart, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Indianapolis Crispus Attucks, Jasper, Lafayette Jeff, Lebanon, Lowell, North Judson, Triton, Warren Central, Western, and Wheeler are on a four-game winning streak.

Bedford North Lawrence, Bremen, Charlestown, Columbus East, Decatur Central, Floyd Central, Gibson Southern, Hagerstown, Lawrence North, Mishawaka, Northwestern, Pioneer, Plymouth, Rochester, Western Boone, and Westfield have claimed three straight victories.

CONSECUTIVE REGULAR SEASON WINS

Crown Point 32, Mississinewa 28, New Palestine 21, Brownstown Central 17, Cascade 14, Evansville Memorial 14, Frontier 14, Maconaquah 14, Northeastern 14, Adams Central 13, East Noble 12, Heritage Hills 12, North Decatur 12, Logansport 11, Springs Valley 11, Wheeler 11, Triton Central 9, Plainfield 8, Riverton Parke 8, Lapel 7, Northview 7, Penn 7, Bloomington South 6, Knox 6, West Central 6, Bluffton 5, Center Grove 5, Edgewood 5, North Daviess 5, Scottsburg 5, South Bend Saint Joseph 5, Southmont 5, Andrean 4, Castle 4, Crawford County 4, Elkhart 4, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 4, Indianapolis Crispus Attucks 4, Jasper 4, Lafayette Jeff 4, Lebanon 4, Lowell 4, North Judson 4, Triton 4, Warren Central 4, Western 4, Bedford North Lawrence 3, Bremen 3, Charlestown 3, Columbus East 3, Decatur Central 3, Floyd Central 3, Gibson Southern 3, Hagerstown 3, Lawrence North 3, Mishawaka 3, Northwestern 3, Pioneer 3, Plymouth 3, Rochester 3, Western 3, Westfield 3.

LONGEST CURRENT LOSING STREAKS

Bellmont has lost 37 games in a row.

Frankfort has lost 24 straight contests.

Benton Central, Evansville Bosse, and Southport have dropped 16 consecutive games.

Cambridge City Lincoln and Fort Wayne Concordia have 12 straight losses.

Blackford and New Albany are on an 11-game losing streak.

Mitchell has dropped 10 games in a row.

Christel House Manual has lost nine straight games.

Pike Central, Speedway, Terre Haute North, and Union City have suffered eight losses in row.

Hammond Central, Mount Vernon (Fortville), Northfield, Northridge, and Seymour have dropped seven consecutive contests.

Evansville Harrison, Fort Wayne Wayne, Frankton, Greensburg, Kankakee Valley, Madison, New Prairie, North Montgomery, North Vermillion, Perry Central, Prairie Heights, Portage, South Central, Tri-County, and West Vigo are on a six-game losing skid.

Culver Community, Faith Christian, Greenwood, Indianapolis Tindley, Jay County, Marion, Noblesville, North Harrison, Owen Valley, South Bend Washington, Wawasee, and Whitko have dropped four straight games.

Anderson, Attica, Bowman Academy, Clarksville, Clinton Central, Covenant Christian, Crawfordsville, Evansville Central, Fort Wayne Blackhawk, Franklin, Goshen, Lafayette Central Catholic, Milan, New Castle, Peru, Princeton, Salem, Southridge, Sullivan, Union County, and Woodlan have suffered three loses in a row.

CONSECUTIVE REGULAR SEASON LOSSES

Bellmont 34, Greensburg 24, Frankfort 22, Southport 16, Benton Central 15, Evansville Bosse 14, Cambridge City Lincoln 12, Fort Wayne Concordia 12, Blackford 10, New Albany 10, Mitchell 9, Christel House Manual 8, Fort Wayne Wayne 7, Pike Central 7, Speedway 7, Terre Haute North 7, Union City 7, Hammond Central 6, Mount Vernon (Fortville) 6, North Montgomery 6, Northfield 6, Northridge 6, Prairie Heights 6, Seymour 6, Evansville Harrison 5, Frankton 5, Kankakee Valley 5, Madison 5, New Prairie 5, North Vermillion 5, Perry Central 5. Portage 5, South Central 5, Tri-County 5, West Vigo 5, Culver Community 4, Faith Christian 4, Greenwood 4, Indianapolis Tindley 4, Jay County 4, Marian 4, Noblesville 4, North Harrison 4, Owen Valley 4, South Bend Washington 4, Wawasee 4, Whitko 4, Anderson 3, Attica 3, Bowman Academy 3, Clarksville 3, Clinton Central 4, Covenant Christian 3, Evansville Central 3, Fort Wayne Blackhawk 3, Franklin 3, Goshen 3, Lafayette Central Catholic 3, Milan 3, New Castle 3, Peru 3, Princeton 3, Salem 3, Southridge 3, Sullivan 3, Union County 3, Woodlan 3.

WINNINGEST ACTIVE COACHES

Russ Radtke (Knox) 418, Mike Gillin (Mooresville) 371, John Hart (Brownsburg) 354, Jeff Adamson (Eastbrook) 324, Reed May (Brownstown Central) 317, Eric Moore (Center Grove) 308, Bart Curtis (Warsaw) 262, Craig Buzea (Crown Point) 261, Tim Able (Triton Central) 240, Dave Pasch (Indianapolis Lutheran) 232, Kirk Kennedy (Kankakee Valley) 206, Herb King (Fountain Central) 205, Darrin Fisher (Whiteland) 205, Chris Meeks (Rensselaer Central) 198, John Hochstetler (Monroe Central) 186, Steve Stirn (North Decatur) 175, Phil Mason (Griffith) 174, Chad Zolman (Homestead) 169, Bud Ozmun (Oak Hill) 168, Kevin Wright (Carmel) 163, Kurt Tippmann (Fort Wayne Snider) 160, Michael Mosser (Adams Central) 160, Andy Dorrel (Culver Academy) 159, Steve Cooley (New Albany) 158, Andy Thomas (Angola) 153, John Hurley (Evansville Memorial) 153, Tom Dilley (Guerin Catholic) 152, Doug Hurt (Castle) 147, Aaron Tolle (Tipton) 146, Kyle Ralph (New Palestine) 146, Jayson West (Franklin Central) 143, Bill Peebles (Indianapolis Cathedral) 143, Nick Hart (Gibson Southern) 137, Nate Andrews (NorthWood) 134, Ryan Knigga (Lawrenceburg) 134, Monte Mawhorter (West Noble) 131, Brian Oliver (Linton-Stockton) 129, Jason Hawkins (Clarksville) 128, Shane Fry (West Lafayette) 126, Scott Buening (Southridge) 124, Doug Dinan (Carroll Fort Wayne) 121, Ryan Langferman (Milan) 120, Josh Edwards (Eastern Greentown) 116, Mike Wilhelm (Yorktown) 116, Chris Coll (Franklin) 115,Todd Wilkerson (Heritage Hills) 115, Greg Barrett (Terre Haute South) 113, Justin Pelley (Western Boone) 111, Brandon Baker (Northfield) 110, Curt Funk (Fishers) 110, Mark Raetz (Northview) 110, Justin Bogunia (Bremen) 108, Ron Qualls (Indianapolis Shortridge) 105, Brad Seiss (Merrillville) 99, Travis Nolting (Greenfield-Central) 99, Kyle Lindsay (Fort Wayne Bishop Luers) 97, Mark Peterson (Chesterton) 96, Pete Gast (Alexandria) 94, Jed Richman (Pendleton Heights) 93, Waylon Schenk (North Posey) 92, Adam Berry (Pioneer) 92, Rob Doyle (Indianapolis Bishop Chatard) 91, Desson Hannon (Southmont) 91, Tim Miller (Lapel) 89, Scott Snodgrass (Hagerstown) 87.

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COLTS FOOTBALL

COLTS RB JONATHAN TAYLOR NAMED AFC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR WEEK 3

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor on Wednesday was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 3, marking the second straight week the running back has earned the title.

He is the first Colts player to earn Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks, and the first player to earn AFC Offensive Player of the Week in consecutive weeks since Josh Allen in Weeks 5-6 of 2022.

Taylor spearheaded the Colts’ 41-20 dismantling of the Tennessee Titans, rushing for 102 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries (6 yards per attempt). He also had three receptions for 16 yards, totaling 118 all-purpose yards. The highlight of Taylor’s performance came on a stunning 46-yard dash for a touchdown in which the running back juked out one defender, spun away from the clutches of another and evaded a third to break free and cross the goal line.

Sunday’s game was Taylor’s 26th career 100-yard rushing game and his first time with back-to-back 100-yard performances since Weeks 17-18 of the 2024 season. It also marked his third career game with at least three rushing touchdowns and his first since Week 16 of 2024 (also against the Titans).

Through three games, Taylor has 60 carries for 338 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns and eight receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown. No Colts player has more rushing yards in the first three games of a season than Taylor; second-closest is Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson with 330 rushing yards in 1987.

Taylor currently leads the NFL in rushing yards, scrimmage yards (431) and scrimmage touchdowns (4 – tied for first). He also has the most explosive (10+ yard) runs with seven.

Taylor is the first Colts player to earn player of the week honors this season.

This is the fifth time Taylor has won AFC Player of the Week honors in his career, and the first time the running back has won it in back-to-back weeks. Taylor joins Hall of Famer Edgerrin James as the only Colts non-quarterbacks to earn the recognition at least five times.

Taylor also won it in Week 16 of the 2024 season (when he rushed for 218 yards and three touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans), Week 10 of 2022 (a 147-yard performance against the Las Vegas Raiders) and Week 11 of 2021 (his five-touchdown game against the Buffalo Bills).

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INDY ELEVEN

SCHAEFER, OFEIMU, QUINN “TEAM OF THE WEEK”

Tampa, Fla. – Indy Eleven defenders Brian Schaefer and Ben Ofeimu and captain Aodhan Quinn have earned USL Championship “Team of the Week” honors after helping the Boys in Blue to a key 2-1 comeback victory vs. Birmingham Legion FC on Sunday.

It has been an impressive first three weeks for the 23-year-old Schaefer with Indy Eleven. The Atlantic Beach, Florida, native was loaned from FC Cincinnati 2 to the Boys in Blue on September 3. He made his USL Championship debut that night at Hartford Athletic, helping his new team to a 2-0 road win with two aerial duels and a tackle.

The 2024 MLS SuperDraft first-round selection was inserted into the Indy Eleven starting lineup on September 6 at Charleston Battery and he has started the past three matches, helping the Boys in Blue hold opponents to 1.0 goals per game in four outings this month.

On Sunday vs. Birmingham, Schaefer started the game-tying goal sequence from midfield in the 54th minute with a long ball to the edge of the area off a free kick, where forward Romario Williams headed it down to Quinn.  That duo then executed a give-and-go with Quinn giving it to Williams on the edge of the area and getting it back inside the six.  Quinn then centered it to forward Edward Kizza who finished it into the bottom right corner.

For Quinn, it is his team-high eighth assist of the campaign and the 58th in the USLC regular season, good for a tie for second on the USLC all-time list with former Indy Eleven player Solomon Asante. Quinn, who is tied for third in the league in assists and 12th in crosses (101) this season, was playing his first match since the birth of his second child, Lochlann, on September 12.

Six minutes later, Schaefer, Quinn, and Ofeimu combined for the game winner. After a Birmingham hand ball, Quinn took the ensuing free kick from just inside the right sideline and played it to the edge of the six, where Schaefer went high to flick it to Ofeimu, who volleyed it home.  It is Ofeimu’s career-best third goal this season and it is the first Boys in Blue point for Schaefer.

Against Birmingham, Schaefer won all 10 of his duels and he recorded 10 clearances, a team-best seven recoveries, 3 of 4 tackles, and two interceptions.

Brian Schaefer Indy Eleven Stats

SeasonGPGSMINGAPTS
202543298011

The 24-year-old Ofeimu leads Indy Eleven and is tied for ninth in the USLC in blocks with 17 this season. The West Bloomfield Township, native is tied for second on the team and tied for ninth in the league in clearances with 124.

Ben Ofeimu Indy Eleven Stats

SeasonGPGSMINGAPTS
202520191663317
202427232190113
Total474238534210

Against Birmingham, Quinn led the team in completed passes in the final third (11), crosses attempted (7), and tackles won (4).

Aodhan Quinn Indy Eleven Stats

SeasonGPGSMINGAPTSPKPK Att
202523231988381400
2024111088200000
202328282490922077
Total6261536012103477

The Boys in Blue have had 10 different players earn USLC “Team of the Week” honors this season!

Indy Eleven hosts Western Conference leader FC Tulsa on Saturday at 7 p.m. for Oktoberfest at Carroll Stadium.

Single-game tickets for all matches are available via Ticketmaster. Flex Plan, Group, and Hospitality tickets are available here.  For questions, call (317) 685-1100 during business hours or email tickets@indyeleven.com.

2026 Season Tickets are on sale with exciting new benefits and exclusive early bird pricing before Dec. 1.

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INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER

MATCH CENTRAL: INDIANA VS. WASHINGTON

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana women’s soccer returns to Bloomington after a three-game road trip to open Big Ten play. The Hoosiers will play Washington at Bill Armstrong Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m.

GAME DAY INFO
Indiana (3-4-2, 0-2-1 B1G) vs. Washington
Thursday, September 25, 2025 • 8 p.m. ET
Bill Armstrong Stadium • Bloomington, Ind.
Broadcast: B1G+
Radio: N/A
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Social Media: Facebook | X | Instagram

ABOUT THE HUSKIES

Washington has started their year strong, holding wins over then No. 15 USC, Gonzaga, and Illinois. They are currently tied for first in the Big Ten standings with a 4-1-4 overall record.

LAST TIME OUT

The Hoosiers look to get back on track after falling at Rutgers last week.

Rutgers came out looking for early scoring, but the Hoosier back line would stand strong. In the 9th minute, senior defender Olivia Albert blocked a shot attempt to keep the game tied at 0-0.

Rutgers would open the scoring in the 21st minute to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.

The Scarlet Knights would score again in the 49th minute to lead 2-0 early into the second half.

The Hoosiers would make one last push but were unable to find the back of the net.

QUICK STATS

The Hoosiers have six goal scorers on the season. Grace Hamm leads the Hoosiers with three goals. Maggie Ledwith, Aleyna Quinn, Sarah Sirdah, and Abbey Iler all follow with two goals apiece. Haden Vlcek has also scored for Indiana.

Hamm leads the team in points with seven, followed by Ledwith with six. Sirdah ranks third with five points, while Quinn and Iler have four points. Olivia Smith and Vlcek have tallied two points this season. Olivia Albert, Marisa Grzesiak, Olivia Rush, and Ella Stanley have one point apiece.

Indiana has taken 122 shots from 18 different players on the season. Ledwith leads the way with 20, followed by Neighbors and Grzesiak with 16 and 15, respectively. Hamm and Quinn have also taken double figure shot attempts with 11 and 10 respectively.

Offensively, IU is outshooting their opponents 122-117 on shot attempts. They also lead in shots on goal attempts 54-45.

The Hoosiers have been a second half scoring team with eight of their 12 goals this season coming in the second half.

In goal, Sally Rainey and Dani Jacobson have combined for two shutouts and 36 saves on the season. Jacobson also has an additional shutout against Ball State.

Rainey has three games this season recording at least five saves. She has totaled 20 saves on the year.

IU is shooting 100% on their penalty kicks. Sirdah and Hamm have each of Indiana’s two attempts.

UP NEXT

The Hoosiers will stay in Bloomington as they host the Oregon Ducks on Sunday, Sept. 28th at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The match is set to start at 1 p.m.

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INDIANA FOOTBALL

INDIANA S LOUIS MOORE WINS LAWSUIT, CAN PLAY

Indiana starting safety Louis Moore can stay on the field this season after a Dallas County judge granted his eligibility on Wednesday, keeping the 24-year-old in the lineup for the undefeated Hoosiers.

Moore sued in early August to challenge the NCAA’s five-year eligibility limit, arguing his three seasons at Navarro Junior College (2019-22) should not count against his clock. In an order filed Wednesday, Judge Dale Tillery ruled the NCAA provision violates the Texas Antitrust Act and issued a temporary injunction that permits Moore to continue playing while the case proceeds.

“This is a big victory for not only Louis Moore, but for all similarly situated student athletes who have illegally had their eligibility for attending junior colleges taken from them by the NCAA,” attorney Brian P. Lauten said. “I am so proud of Louis for navigating this. Louis leads Indiana in tackles, interceptions, pass breakups and he’s had to do that while living a lawsuit. I couldn’t be more proud of him. He has earned everything he deserves.”

The injunction cites the “immediate need to allow Moore to play football for Indiana for the 2025-26 season” to prevent “irreparable harm” to his career, including development with the team, the opportunity to play, and the ability to fulfill his NIL agreement, according to the filing.

Moore spent three years at Navarro, redshirted and dealt with injury, then transferred to Indiana and played for the Hoosiers in 2022 and 2023. He transferred to Ole Miss for 2024 before returning to Bloomington this season. According to the lawsuit, Moore entered the transfer portal on Dec. 27, 2024, after multiple programs pointed to a recent court decision involving Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia as a pathway to another season.

Through four games this season, Moore leads Indiana with 23 tackles and two interceptions.

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INDIANA VOLLEYBALL

JAGER, TATUM DIG DEEP TO GRAB BIG TEN OPENER

EVANSTON, Ill. – There are never any easy nights on the road in Big Ten. The Indiana volleyball team (10-1, 1-0 B1G) took multiple punches from Northwestern but came out the other side with a massive victory away from home. The Hoosiers bounced back from a tough second set to pick up a big 3-1 win (25-22, 16-25, 25-19, 25-18) on Wednesday (Sept. 24) evening at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston.

Playing on the road at Northwestern hasn’t been easy over the years for the IU program. This was the Hoosiers’ victory at Welsh-Ryan Arena since 2016. It’s IU’s first win in a Big Ten opener since 2023 and the first time IU has won a conference opener on the road since 2007 (at Iowa).

The first Big Ten contest of the season saw IU play nine different underclassmen. For six freshmen, it was the first-career conference game in their time with the Hoosiers. At some point in the match, all six of them made critical plays to pull out the victory. Freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager provided a match-high 17 kills. All five primary attackers for IU had at least six kills.

It was an offensive slug fest as both sides continue to figure out their lineups. IU pounded 60 kills in four sets with all three pins recording at least 13. The Hoosiers hit .291 for the match with freshman setter Teodora Kričković dishing out 47 assists in her conference debut. Both her and senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles recorded double-doubles.

Sophomore middle blocker Ella Boersema was efficient offensively with eight kills (.538 hitting percentage) and four blocks. Her counterpart, freshman middle blocker Victoria Gray, chipped in six kills in her conference debut for the Hoosiers.

IU will make its return to Wilkinson Hall on Saturday (Sept. 27) evening for the first time in three weeks. The Hoosiers will play Washington as they attempt to start the Big Ten slate 2-0 for the first time in 22 seasons. First serve from Bloomington will come at 7 p.m. on B1G+.

How it Happened

• IU outlasted Northwestern in an offensive duel on Wednesday evening. It compiled more kills (62-47) and put together a better hitting percentage (.291-.258) over four sets in Evanston. All five primary attackers for the visitors had at least six kills.

• After struggling with passing in the opening two sets, IU’s young team settled in nicely. There were just two reception errors by the Hoosiers in the final two games. One of those was a serve that graduate student outside hitter Jessica Smith let float by. All of IU’s five aces came in the final two sets.

• When IU needed it the most, freshman outside hitter Jaidyn Jager grew up right before its eyes. She had 11 kills over the final two sets including seven in the decisive third set. It was the third time she’s had at least 15 kills in a match this season.

Top Hoosier Performers

#24 Jager, Jaidyn

17 kills, 9 digs, 2 blocks

#5 Jackson, Audrey

11 digs, 9 assists

#13 Tatum, Avry

14 kills, .360 hitting percentage

Notes to Know

• The Indiana program picked up its first win in Evanston since the 2016 season. It was the first time winning any Big Ten opener since 2023 and the first time winning a road Big Ten opener since picking off Iowa in 2007. It’s the 29th conference victory for the Hoosiers since the beginning of 2022.

• Both senior outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles (13 kills, 12 digs) and freshman setter Teodora Kričković (47 assists, 10 digs) recorded double-doubles in the win. It was the 16th in the career of Alonso-Corcelles but the first for the young Serbian. It’s the first time that two IU players had double-doubles in the same match since Nov. 1, 2024 (at Rutgers).

• IU picked up its effort defensively over the last two sets and finished with 56 digs. Three different players had at least 10 digs, led by 12 from Alonso-Corcelles. Nine of IU’s players recorded at least one dig while five finished with seven-or-more pickups in the win.

• The Hoosiers are 20-7 over the last three seasons when Alonso-Corcelles and senior opposite hitter Avry Tatum each have 10-or-more kills in the same match. It’s the 15th time it’s occurred in Big Ten play and the second time it’s happened in a win over Northwestern (2024).

• To no surprise, head coach Steve Aird’s group has enjoyed great success when all three of the pin hitters have big days. IU is now 6-0 this season when Jager, Alonso-Corcelles and Tatum provide at least 10 kills apiece. On Wednesday, the trio combined on 44 important kills.

• Alonso-Corcelles loves nothing more than when Big Ten play begins. In her four-year career, she’s recorded double-digit kills in 38 of the 61 conference contests she’s played at IU. It’s the 12th time she’s gone for a double-double in league action.

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PURDUE VOLLEYBALL

#10 VOLLEYBALL SET FOR BIG TEN-OPENING MACKEY MATCHES

Match Schedule:

Thursday, 9/25 | 6:30 p.m. ET | Mackey Arena| BTN

Washington at #10 Purdue

Sunday, 9/28 | 2 p.m. ET | Mackey Arena | BTN

Illinois at #10 Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – No. 10 Purdue Volleyball, riding a seven match winning streak, will open Big Ten play at Mackey Arena, hosting Washington and Illinois.

THE NEED TO KNOW

Current win streak: 7 matches

The Boilers have risen seven spots in the poll over the last three weeks.

The team has two top-15 wins under their is coming off a 3-1 win vs. #10 SMU, their second top-15 win this season.

Mark the 11th consecutive year Purdue has notched at least one top-10 win.

Purdue’s efficient offense has led to over a .350 team hitting % in three of the last four matches.

HELLO AGAIN, TOP-10

The Boilermakers return to the top-10 in the poll for the first time in five weeks (last: 2024 final poll).

LAST WEEK’S LOOK-BACK

Purdue went 2-0 picking up a sweep at Ball State and a 3-1 win vs. IU Indy.

The Boilers led the nation with a .362 attack %.

Grace Heaney went errorless on the attack in the four-set win vs. IU Indy (14-0-30) for a .467%.

Kenna Wollard led the nation with 6.43 kills/ set and second in the nation with 6.93 points/set.

Taylor Anderson averaged 11.43 assists/set with 9 kills over the week, including an errorless six at Ball State.

PURDUE OPPOSITES HISTORY & GRACE HEANEY

Purdue’s success in the opposite position includes Grace Cleveland (2018-21), Sherridan Atkinson (2016-18) and Annie Drews (2012-15). The three have gone on to have prolific pro careers.

Grace Heaney, a sophomore, is already making her mark in the position, producing the first errorless attack at the opposite position since 2021.

Defensively, Heaney has already posted a 15-dig performance at Ball State. To compare among Purdue’s rich history of six-rotation opposites, she is the first to put up such a large performance, out-working Atkinson, Cleveland and Drews with that back-row performance.

PURDUE & WASHINGTON

Of the team’s seven-match history, all three taking place during the Shondell era have been decided in 3 sets.

The teams have never gone to five sets against each other.

The match will be just the second-ever in West Lafayette between the two teams, and the first under the Shondell Era (last: 9/9/98).

PURDUE & ILLINOIS

Over the last five meetings, Purdue holds the edge with a 4-1 record despite the series history standing at 45-48.

Under Shondell, Purdue is 11-9 vs. Illinois at home.

BACK IN MACKEY

This season will have the most volleyball matches in Mackey Arena since 2012.

The Big Ten season will open and close in Mackey Arena, hosting Washington (9/25) and Illinois (9/28) over the conference-opening week and the regular-season finale vs. Indiana (11/29).

All-time record in Mackey: 14-5

KENNA WOLLARD: MAKING A STATEMENT

After spending the last two seasons playing on the right side, Wollard will return to her roots playing on the left side once more in 2025 and enters Big Ten play leading the league in kills.

Wollard is the only offensive player (hitter or middle) returning with playing time on the court last season.

Matches hitting .300 or better in 2025: 5

Career matches hitting .300 or better: 20

Matches hitting .400 or better in 2025: 1

Career matches hitting .400 or better: 7

20-kill matches in 2025: 4

20-kill matches in career: 4

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NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

NO. 22 NOTRE DAME CONTENT TO GRIND IT OUT WITH BACKFIELD TANDEM OF JADARIAN PRICE AND JEREMIYAH LOVE

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Running back Jeremiyah Love garners attention with his strong stats and highlight-reel hurdles.

Jadarian Price appears more comfortable taking care of business when Love needs a break.

Together, the two old-school backfield mates have produced one of the top ground games in the Football Bowl Subdivision as No. 22 Notre Dame tries to right its season.

Love in part credits their success to strong communication. He says he often sees a specific look on the field, and relays the defense’s strategy to Price.

“That’s how we help each other get better on the field,” Love said.

Not surprisingly, they play ideal complementary roles.

Love delivered a breakout season in 2024 by rushing for 1,024 yards and 17 touchdowns, recording two TD catches, scoring in a school record 13 consecutive games and setting a College Football Playoff record when he opened the first round with a game-changing 98-yard scoring run against Indiana despite feeling ill and playing with a sore knee.

Naturally, this season’s expectations soared. The 6-foot, 214-pound junior started this year as a preseason All-American on a top-10 squad projected to be a national championship contender, hoping to show everyone he would be the next top runner from his hometown of St. Louis.

Price, meanwhile, was nearly as proficient despite getting fewer chances. He rushed for 746 yards and seven TDs last year while showcasing his skills in multiple ways, prompting speculation he might transfer to another school where he could be the feature back.

Those in the Notre Dame locker room were not surprised when the 5-11, 210-pound Texan opted to stick around.

“He’s a selfless individual that is going to take advantage of his opportunities, but do everything to help this team be successful,” coach Marcus Freeman said. “I’m sure he probably had people that did want him, and it’s a credit to his belief in this university, his belief in this football program, that he can reach all the goals he has being right here in the same running back room with Jeremiah Love and some of those other guys.”

Despite the skill at running back, things haven’t exactly gone according to plan for Notre Dame (1-2) this season.

Love rushed 10 times for 33 yards while Price logged four carries for 49 yards in a season-opening 27-24 loss at then-No. 10 Miami. In a 41-40 loss to then-No. 16 Texas A&M, Notre Dame finished the game with only 136 yards rushing.

Things finally changed in last week’s 56-30 victory over Purdue.(backslash)

Love ran for a career-high 157 yards and two scores, averaging 8.3 yards per carry, while Price rushed for 74 yards on nine carries and scored four times including a 100-yard kickoff return following a two-hour weather delay.

What changed?

“More touches,” Love said. “When the game started, we started rolling on offense. “I was like, ‘(Jadarian), we might score six touchdowns today,’ and that was a goal we set for ourselves that game.”

There’s little doubt Love and Price will be busy again Saturday when they visit Arkansas (2-2).

Love leads the Irish with 284 yards rushing, has eight catches for 79 yards and has scored four times. Price has rushed for 187 yards, a team-best five scores and leads the nation in kickoff return average at 47.0 yards.

And it’s a sure bet Price will be ready — just like he has been during each of his three college seasons.

“No one likes the delay when you’re out there on fire,” Price said after last weekend’s victory. “The main thing we did was hammering on the details, the little things that we saw throughout the first half of the game. I don’t think a lot of people were expecting the outcome of the kickoff return, but that just goes to show that you know no matter what phase, no matter what unit is out there, we’re ready to go when our name is called.”

WAGNER NAMED CAMPBELL TROPHY SEMIFINALIST

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Junior offensive lineman Aamil Wagner has been named a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation’s William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

Finalists for the award will also be recognized as members of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. Notre Dame’s Jack Kiser was a finalist for the Campbell Trophy in 2024, as was JD Bertrand in 2023.

Wagner is also a member of the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which honors 22 college football players and one head coach for their extraordinary commitment to community service, as well as a semifinalist for the 2025 Wuerffel Trophy; fans can vote for Wagner for the Wuerffel Trophy here.

A 2025 Notre Dame team captain, Wagner was honored with the 2024 Notre Dame Football Scholar-Athlete Award and started all 16 games for the Irish en route to a National Championship appearance. In 2024, Notre Dame’s rushing offense ranked No. 4 among the Power 4 in yards per carry (5.66), ranking No. 7 among all FBS teams. The Irish ranked No. 6 among Power 4 teams in rushing offense (210.8).

Named to the 2025 Outland Trophy watch list, Wagner and the offensive line have paved the way for a dynamic Notre Dame offense thus far in 2025, featuring two of the nation’s top running backs.

Wagner completed his Notre Dame undergraduate degree in strategic management, and is now pursuing a master’s degree in nonprofit administration. Wagner leads initiatives to improve the lives of athletes off the field, from youth athletics to collegiate student-athletes. He is heavily involved in the leadership of player development initiatives at Notre Dame which support in the areas of goal-setting, relationship-building, networking, leadership, financial planning and performance.

He also serves as the president of the Notre Dame chapter of Uplifting Athletes, an organization which supports the rare disease community and their families through local outreach, events and fundraising. Through the organization, Wagner has planned events and stayed in direct contact with families.

In addition, he is a regular volunteer at his local senior center, homeless shelter and church. He has also worked with Just a Pair of Shoes, which provides community youth a new pair of shoes, near his hometown. On campus, Wagner is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and Notre Dame Christian Athletes.

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NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

NOTRE DAME, OLE MISS DRAW ESPN2 SLOT FOR 2025 ACC/SEC CHALLENGE

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Notre Dame women’s basketball officially has another time locked in on its 2025-26 schedule, earning a 9 p.m. ET tip off on ESPN2 for the 2025 ACC/SEC Challenge. The Dec. 4 clash was previously announced in June.

Like the Irish, Ole Miss is coming off of a Sweet 16 appearance last year and their second in three years. Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin is set for her eighth year in Oxford, and Ole Miss has three returning players, including SEC All-Freshman guard Sira Thienou. The rebels also pulled in a collection of high-level transfers, including two-time All-Big 10 guard Cotie McMahon.

Notre Dame hosted Ole Miss in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, defeating the Rebels 71-56. Hannah Hidalgo played a complete game with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. It is the only time the two schools have met on the basketball court.

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NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S SOCCER

#2 IRISH TAKE DOWN #22 TAR HEELS

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-0-1, 3-0) remain undefeated as they took down the No. 22 North Carolina Tar Heels (7-4, 1-2) at Alumni Stadium in a 4-3 victory on Wednesday evening.

Since UNC has competed in the NCAA (since 1982) the Tar Heels have now allowed four or more goals in a match just four times, with ND achieving the feat twice.

Sophomores Izzy Engle, Ally Pinto, and Elle Hodsden, along with freshman Tessa Knapp, each netted a goal for the Irish in the 4-3 win. Sophomore goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica tied her season-high with five saves tonight.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Izzy Engle has been an absolute offensive force for the Irish and it wasn’t any different against the top-25 Tar Heels as she put the Irish on the board with her ninth goal of the season.

In the 7th minute, Engle dribbled from midfield with a shifty move just outside the box to get the shot off for a top shelf goal to give the Irish the 1-0 advantage.

It was followed by a career-first moment for sophomore Ally Pinto, who scored first career goal on a corner kick from Grace Restovich. The Pinto header in the 21st minute extended the Irish lead 2-0.

The No. 22 Tar Heels weren’t going anywhere as they found the back of the net in the 39th minute to bring it within one heading into halftime.

The Irish pressure paid off in the 54th minute. Notre Dame’s high press forced a Tar Heel turnover, as Tessa Knapp picked off an errant pass in the visitor’s box and slotted into an empty net to put the Irish up 3-1.

The North Carolina offense struck again as the Tar Heels fired a shot into right upper 90 to make it a one-goal match yet again.

With the Irish in front 3-2, Lily Joseph was battling her defender in the deep right corner of the field as she found Ellie Hodsden on a cross. The Hodsden header in the 72nd minute extended the Notre Dame advantage 4-2.

The Tar Heels would go on to net one last goal in the 86th minute, but the Irish defense persevered in the final minutes to secure the 4-3 ACC win over the Tar Heels. 

UP NEXT

The No. 2 Irish are back in action at Clemson this Sunday, Sept. 28 at 6:00 p.m. on ACC Network.

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BUTLER CROSS COUNTRY

BUTLER SET TO TOE THE LINE AT THE GANS CREEK CLASSIC

Butler is set to compete in the Gans Creek Classic, hosted by Missouri, Friday morning. The meet will take place at the Gans Creek Cross Country course, the site of this year’s NCAA National Championship.

The Bulldogs are currently ranked 15th in this week’s national coaches’ poll by the U.S. Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association. Including the Dawgs, 17 ranked schools will compete in the meet in addition to 42 other teams.

The 8k Men’s Gold Invitational is scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m. ET/ 9:45 am CT. Coach Matt Roe will run William Zegarski, Brendan Thomas, David Slapak, Jesse Hamlin, Austin Gabay, Eli Fullerton, Matthew Forrester, and Sean Byrnes.

Thomas enters this meet off a first-place finish at the season-opening Mike Baumer Cross Country Classic, which earned him BIG EAST Runner of the Week honors. The rest of the group is set make their respective season debuts. Eli Fullerton, a graduate transfer from Indiana Wesleyan, will make his Butler debut.

The Dawgs competing in the Gold Invitational will be joined by 16 other ranked teams, including No. 1 Iowa State, No. 4 BYU, No. 6 Virginia, and No. 11 Alabama.

The 8k Men’s Black Invitational will begin at 9:15am ET/ 8:15am CT.  The Bulldogs will run Matteo Rosio, Kyle Grove, Charlie Jones, and Asher Propst in that race.

Live results for the meet can be found HERE. Watch the meet HERE.

After competing last weekend in Fort Wayne, the Butler women will not be racing this weekend. They will be back in action Oct. 4 at the Swags Louisville Cross Country Classic.

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BUTLER VOLLEYBALL

BUTLER FALLS TO XAVIER IN BIG EAST OPENER

Cincinnati, Ohio- Wednesday evening, Xavier defeated Butler in straight sets moving Butler’s record to 7-7 on the season and 0-1 in BIG EAST play.

Bulldog Bites

Alaleh Tolliver led the team with 10 digs. Sawyer Jones followed right behind with eight.

Tolliver and Lauren Evans each had 13 digs

Kaylee Finnegan quarterbacked the offense tonight, she finished with 34 assists.

Set 1: Xavier 25, Butler 19

Two early kills from Elise Ward helped the Bulldogs keep pace with Xavier. The teams were tied at 10 before the Musketeers sparked a quick run. Late in the set, with Xavier in control, Ellery Rees and Alaleh Tolliver each recorded a kill, narrowing the margin to six.

Set 2: Xavier 25, Butler 20

As in the first set, the teams traded points early. Kills from Zoe McDonald and Ward kept Butler close, trailing just 10-9. Xavier responded with a run to take a 21-16 lead. A block assist from Rees and Sawyer Jones, followed by a kill from Jones, brought Butler within three, but Xavier closed out the set.

Set 3: Xavier 25, Butler 20

Butler found its stride in Set 3, building a 10-8 lead with early kills from Jones and back-to-back kills from Tolliver. Xavier pulled in front, but another kill from Tolliver tied the score at 15. The Musketeers then won 10 of the next 15 points to take the set and complete the sweep.

Up next

Butler will face No. 16 Creighton on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET in Omaha, Nebraska.

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BUTLER WOMEN’S SOCCER

BUTLER AND DEPAUL SETTLE FOR DRAW

INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler women’s soccer team settled for its third-successive draw this season in a 1-1 result with visiting DePaul. The Bulldogs and Blue Demons have been tied after regulation play the past three times that they have met over the past two seasons.

Butler (3-1-5, 0-0-2 BIG EAST) took the early advantage by scoring before the break, but DePaul (3-6-1, 0-1-1 BIG EAST) responded with a goal of its own with 20 minutes on the clock.

Key Moments

32′ | Talia Sommer plays forward and central to Léa Larouche at the arc. Larouche taps the ball forward to Emily O’Malley, who pokes it on to Alyssa Carlson. Carlson’s shot from eight yards slides just inside the right post. Butler takes a 1-0 lead.

     HALFTIME

70′ | DePaul pushes down the left side, and Tessa Fagerson carries all the way to the end line. She slots a ball back, right in front of the goal, and Tewabech Seerup knocks it in from point-blank range. The score is level.

Butler Points Summary

   GOALS: Alyssa Carlson

   ASSISTS: Léa Larouche, Emily O’Malley

Bulldog Bits

Alyssa Carlson’s goal was her second this season.

The assist from Léa Larouche was her second this season and the fourth of her career.

Emily O’Malley’s assist was her third this season and the eighth of her career.

Ceilidh Whynott and Daphne Murray made their first starts at Butler.

Up Next

Butler hosts Providence on Saturday, September 27, at Varsity Field. The team will recognize its seniors prior to the match.

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BUTLER FOOTBALL

BULLDOGS HOST MARIST SATURDAY AFTERNOON AS PART OF HOMECOMING WEEKEND

GAME 5:  Butler (2-2, 0-0 PFL) vs. MARIST (2-1, 0-0 PFL)

Date: Saturday, Sept. 27

Time: 1PM ET

Location: Indianapolis, Ind. | Sellick Bowl

Watch: FloSports

THE SERIES: This is the eighth meeting in the series between the two programs with Marist holding a slim, 4-3 advantage. Butler has won two straight in the series with the most recent match-up coming Oct. 22, 2022 (a 31-10 win by the Bulldogs in Indianapolis on Homecoming). The teams first met in 2011.

BULLDOG BLITZ:

– Saturday’s game is the Pioneer Football League season opener for both teams; there are four Saturday PFL games on the league schedule.

– Saturday’s game is part of Homecoming Weekend on the Butler campus. Both the women’s and men’s soccer teams will also play at home Saturday. Butler head coach Kevin Lynch’s father, Bill, will be recognized as honorary captain for Saturday’s game. Bill served as Butler’s head coach from 1985-89 and went 36-12-3 over that five-year stretch. As a player at Butler (1972-76), Lynch was a three-time Conference Player of the Year and his 60 career touchdown passes are still the Butler program record.

– The Bulldogs are 16-4 when playing at the Sellick Bowl since the beginning of the 2022 season.

– Controlling the ball an average of 33:23 per game so far this season, Butler ranks 11th in FCS in time of possession. Butler had the ball for 40:10 in the Sept. 6 win over Truman State.

– Redshirt quarterback Gabe Passini had 175 yards rushing on 23 carries Saturday night at Weber State. He added five completions for 51 yards, while accounting for touchdowns both on the ground and through the air.

– Butler is one of only four defenses in FCS to not allow a fourth-down conversion so far this season.

– Butler was 0-for-14 on third down Saturday against Weber State after entering the game ranked fourth in the FCS by converting 55 percent of their third-down opportunities. Even after Saturday’s performance, Butler still is converting 43 percent of its third-down opportunities.

– After Weber State scored on five of their first six possessions Saturday, Butler allowed the home team only 10 points over the final 34 minutes of the game.

– Butler was picked fourth in the 2025 Pioneer Football League Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

– Jeremiah Jackson and Danny Orgler represent Butler on the 2025 Preseason All-PFL Team.

– Butler added 29 newcomers to the 2025 roster, including transfers from Ball State, Idaho, and Toledo, and Tulane.

LAST WEEK: Down by 20 late in the first half to Weber State, Butler nearly was able to complete a comeback before ultimately falling on the road, 38-24, Saturday night in Ogden, Utah. Weber State led 27-7 after a touchdown with 4:46 remaining in the second quarter. Butler scored 10 points over the final stretch of the first half to pull within 10 at halftime. Gabe Passini’s 12-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter cut the Weber State lead to 30-24 but the hosts were able to put the game out of reach with a touchdown with 2:54 remaining in the contest.

YOU SHOULDN’T BE THROWING THINGS: Butler has not seen many yellow flags so far this season. The Bulldogs rank among the FCS Top 10 in fewest penalties committed and fewest penalty yards. Butler’s average of only 3.5 accepted penalties per game is sixth nationally. Butler’s average of 32.3 penalty yards per game is ninth fewest nationally.

YOU WANT ME ON THAT LINE, YOU NEED ME ON THAT LINE: The Bulldogs have allowed only three sacks through four games. That average of 0.75 sacks allowed per game is 12th in FCS.

JUST KICK IT OUT OF BOUNDS: The Bulldogs rank fourth nationally, averaging 30.0 yards per kick-off return. Marist is the FCS leader at 38.0 yards per kick-off return. Butler’s Ethan Loss ranks 11th in FCS, averaging 32.7 yards per kick-off return.

Loss ranks 16th in FCS in all-purpose yards at 132.3 per game. Loss had a 90-yard kick-off return for a touchdown Sept. 13 at Hanover and a rushing touchdown at Weber State Sept. 20. He ranks second in the PFL with 23 receptions on the season and ranks third in the PFL with his 280 receiving yards.

BIG PAW: Butler redshirt sophomore Luke Green was named the Pioneer Football League (PFL) Special Teams Player of the Week after Green blocked two PATs in Butler’s 37-27 Sept. 6 victory over Truman State. He is one of four players tied for the FCS lead with two blocked kicks on the season.

HOT START: Reagan Andrew accounted for Butler’s first four touchdowns Sept. 6 against Truman State – two passing and two rushing – before leaving the game in the third quarter with an injury. In just more than six quarters of play this season, Andrew has passed for 345 yards and three touchdowns, and has run for 109 yards and three touchdowns.

SCOUTING MARIST: Marist is 2-1 on the young season with wins over New Haven and Wagner, with a loss to Bucknell. Head coach Mike Willis is in his second season leading the Red Foxes. Marist prioritizes a rushing attack that is averaging 178.7 yards per game so far this season. The Marist defense has 10 takeaways through the team’s three games in 2025. 

SIDELINE SHAKEUP: Butler head coach Kevin Lynch was hired in December to lead the Bulldog program after serving as Ball State’s offensive play caller last year (as well as the Assistant Head Coach and Quarterbacks Coach for the Cardinals during the 2024 season). Former Butler assistant Colin Johnson, who was part of the Ball State staff alongside Lynch, returned to the Bulldog staff as the offensive coordinator. Lynch hired Jordan Belfiori as defensive coordinator and retained Joe Cheshire, who has been part of the Butler staff since 2004, to oversee special teams.

2024 RECAP: The Bulldogs won nine games in 2024, marking their highest total since 2013 when Butler shared the PFL crown with Marist (7-1). BU opened the year 5-0, defeated Davidson for the first time since 2016 and notched their first-ever win over St. Thomas.

Butler received votes in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll before the start of the 2024 season and were ranked No. 23 heading into the season finale.

ON THE OFFENSIVE — 2024 VERSION: A year ago, Butler’s offense led the PFL in scoring offense, red zone offense, third down conversions, first downs, fewest sacks allowed, fewest tackles for loss allowed, and fewest penalties. Butler scored on 47 of their 51 trips to the red zone in 2024.

DAWGS ON D — 2024 EDITION: Butler returns seven starters to a defensive unit that only allowed 16.3 points per game last year, the third-best scoring defense in the country. BU ranked sixth among their FCS peers in total defense limiting the opposition to just 292 yards per game. The Bulldogs also ranked sixth in FCS football in passing yards allowed (158) and seventh in red zone defense.

Butler came up with consecutive shutouts last year for the first time since 1947! The Bulldogs defeated Hanover 53-0 in Week 3 then dominated the action vs. Virginia-Lynchburg in Week 4 (63-0).

UP NEXT: Butler’s first road Pioneer Football League contest of the season takes the Bulldogs to Minnesota to face St. Thomas Saturday, Oct. 4. The Bulldogs then return to the Sellick Bowl to host Presbyterian Saturday, Oct. 11; that contest is part of Family Weekend on the Butler campus. 

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BALL STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

YOUR WBB MAC CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM RETURNS TO THE COURT TODAY FOR ITS FIRST “OFFICIAL” PRACTICE

MUNCIE, Ind. – The 2025-26 Ball State women’s basketball team returns to the court for its first “official” practice today. The Cardinals successful tradition continues under head coach Brady Sallee, who enters his 14th season at the helm of Ball State.

Ball State returns four players from the 2024-25 Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament title squad. Last year’s team made the programs second-ever appearance at the NCAA Tournament and ended the year with a 27-8 overall record.

The Cardinals welcome back junior Tessa Towers, along with sophomores Zuri Ransom and Grace Kingery. All three logged minutes to help last year’s championship team achieve their goals. Junior Ashlynn Brooke will re-enter the lineup as well after recovering from an injury that occurred in 2024.

The additions to this year’s team include transfers Karsyn Norman and Bree Salenbien. The Cardinals also bring in true freshmen Zhen Verburgt, Violeta Rojas, Alba Caballero, Giorgia Gorini, Brooke Winchester, Aniss Tagayi and Laura Martinez.

Although there will be a lot of new faces on the court this season in Worthen Arena, the Cardinals record-breaking success will continue with Sallee and his staff. You can catch the new and the old Cardinals in Worthen Arena for an open scrimmage on Oct. 18 against Purdue Fort Wayne at 11 am ET.

The Cardinals will also be on display on Oct. 29 for an exhibition contest versus IU East at 6:30 pm ET. Ball State opens its non-conference slate on Nov. 3 at Arkansas State in the MAC-SBC Challenge.

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BALL STATE VOLLEYBALL

VOLLEYBALL OPENS #MACTION THURSDAY AT BUFFALO

THIS WEEK IN BALL STATE VOLLEYBALL: It is the start of #MACtion for the Ball State women’s volleyball team which opens league play Thursday with a 6 p.m. first serve at Buffalo … The Cardinals will then travel to Akron for a 6 p.m. showdown Friday.

FOLLOW THE ACTION: Fans unable to attend this week’s matches in person have several ways to follow the #MACtion … Both contests will be broadcast live on ESPN+ … Live stats will be available courtesy of the host institutions … Updates from the matches will also be provided on the team’s X feed and Instagram story: @BallStateWVB.

MAC PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATION: Ball State women’s volleyball team received 102 points in the league’s annual coaches’ poll, trailing only defending regular season champion Bowling Green (119) … With coaches unable to vote for their own teams, BGSU earned 10 of the 12 votes to win the MAC regular season title, with the Cardinals claiming the other two … The Falcons were also selected as the favorite to win the MAC Volleyball Championship with 10 votes, while Buffalo and Central Michigan each garnered one vote.

PRESEASON HONORS: In addition to the team rankings, the MAC announced its annual Preseason All-MAC Team … Representing Ball State are sophomore outside Carson Tyler and sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter … Tyler was named the 2024 MAC and AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year after ranking first on the team and seventh in the league with a 3.34 kills-per-set average last season … Ledbetter earned a nod on the 2024 MAC All-Freshman team after leading the squad and ranking 10th in the MAC with a 3.68 digs-per-set average.

BALL STATE ALL-TIME: Ball State enters Thursday’s match at Buffalo with a 1038-666-2 (.609) all-time record in women’s volleyball … Ball State became the 44th program in NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball history to reach 1,000 wins with a sweep of Central Michigan on Sept. 22, 2023 … All-time, the Cardinals have captured 12 MAC West Division Championships, 10 MAC Regular Season Championships and eight MAC Volleyball Championship titles … Ball State has made 11 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including three of the last six seasons … BSU has also earned two bids into the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).

WHEN IN WORTHEN: The Cardinals boast a 324-103 (.759) all-time mark inside Worthen Arena, including an 84-41 (.672) record against non-conference foes and a 240-62 (.795) mark  versus league foes … Overall, no MAC opponent owns a winning record inside Worthen Arena, as the Cardinals have at least a .630 winning percentage against all league schools on its current home floor.

BALL STATE IN THE MAC: With a 13-5 league record in 2024, Ball State maintained its status as the winningest program in league play with a 459-225 (.671) all-time Mid-American Conference mark … Western Michigan is second on the list, two matches behind the Cardinals at 457-227 (.668).

SCOUTING BALL STATE:

• The Cardinals enter the week with a 4-8 overall record after going 0-3 last weekend … Ball State bookended a 3-0 setback to then-No. 11 Purdue (Sept. 19) with five-set losses to Cincinnati (Sept. 18) and Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 20).

• Ball State enters the week as one of the nation’s top terminating teams, ranking 12th nationally with 667 total kills … 217 of those kills, which is fourth nationally, have come from the arm of sophomore outside Carson Tyler who also ranks second in the MAC and 40th nationally with a 4.25 kills-per-set average.

• In addition, the Cardinals lead the MAC and rank 75th nationally with a .245 team attack percentage … Junior middle Camryn Wise is second in the league and 121st nationally with a .351 rate of success, while junior setter Lindsey Green ranks 37th nationally with 404 total assists and owns an 8.08 assists-per-set average.

SCOUTING BUFFALO:

• The Bulls enter Thursday’s match with a 3-6 overall record after going 0-2 at last weekend’s Duquesne/Robert Morris Invite … Buffalo suffered 3-0 losses to both host institutions.

• Buffalo enters the week ranked third in the MAC with a .220 hitting percentage, led by a .333 rate of success from Maddie Mitchell who averages 1.10 kills per set … Manoela Forlin leads the offense at 3.63 kills per set which has her ranked sixth in the league.

• The Bulls are also fifth in the MAC in blocking (2.03 per set) and sixth in serving with 1.73 aces per set … Buffalo has three players with double-digit aces through nine matches, while Tehya Shaw has a team-best 22.0 blocks for a 0.76 per-set average.

• While the Bulls have won the last three meetings, the Cardinals maintain a 28-4 advantage in the all-time series … However, Buffalo swept both meetings the last time the Cardinals traveled to Alumni Arena with back-to-back five-set wins on Oct. 20 and Oct. 21, 2023 … Ball State is 12-3 all-time in matches played in Buffalo … Last season, the Bulls earned a 3-1 victory in Muncie on Oct. 12.

SCOUTING AKRON

• Akron enters the start of MAC play with a 7-4 overall record and will host Miami on Thursday before facing the Cardinals Friday … Last week, the Zips earned a 3-1 Thursday win at Youngstown State and a 3-0 Friday home win over Cleveland State.

• The Zips have been solid from the service line so far this season, ranking 76th nationally with 75 total aces for a 1.74 per-set average … Vanessa Del Real leads the way with her 0.58 aces-per-set mark ranking 20th among all NCAA Division I players … Overall, Del Real has served up 25 of the team’s 75 aces

• Akron also ranks 96th nationally in kills per set, led by Maureen Mathews who is fourth in the league and 80th nationally at 3.88 kills per set … Delaney Gash is not far behind, ranking seventh in the MAC at 3.53 kills per set.

•  Ball State owns a 42-5 lead in the all-time series versus Akron, including seven straight wins … The Cardinals own a 17-4 record in matches played in Akron, including a 3-0 sweep in its last trip to James A. Rhodes Arena on Oct. 8, 2021 … The Zips’ last win in the series was a 3-2 victory on its home court Sept. 28, 2019 … Last season, Ball State swept Akron in an Oct. 11 showdown in Worthen Arena.

BALL STATE QUICK HITS:

• Graduate outside Noelle VanOort made quite an impact during her first four weeks playing for the Cardinals, smashing 165 total kills, collecting 122 digs and hitting .268 (165-51-425) … A member of the Golden Gopher Invitational All-Tournament Team, VanOort has smashed double digit kills in 10 of BSU’s 12 matches, including a season-high 20 kills twice … She has also been credited with six kill/dig double-doubles … The effort helped her raise her collegiate total to 11 matches with 20+ kills, including a 20/20 effort Nov. 5, 2022, with 23 kills and 25 digs versus Siena Heights.

• Prior to arriving at Ball State, Noelle VanOort finished her four-year playing career at Indiana Tech (2021-24) as a two-time NAIA Third Team All-American … Her 1,724 career kills ranked second in program history, while her 1,648 career digs were sixth … She also set the program standard with 282 career service aces … She has continued to find success in her first four weeks playing for the Cardinals with double-digit kills in 10 of the 12 outings …  The effort upped her career total to 107 collegiate matches with double-digit kills.

VanOort Career Tracker

Kills: 1889

Digs: 1770

Aces: 293

• Noelle VanOort has been just as solid on defense through the first four weeks, earning double-digit digs seven times, including a season-high 23 vs. Cincinnati (Sept. 18) … The effort has raised her career total to 97 matches with double-digit digs, including her 90 at Indiana Tech … It also helped her raise her collegiate kill/dig double-double total to 74, including six with Ball State and 68 with the Warriors.

• Sophomore outside Carson Tyler has been even more impressive over the first four weeks, smashing 217 total kills for a team-high 4.25 kills-per-set average … The effort includes a career-high 28 kills versus Cincinnati (Sept. 18), 26 kills versus James Madison (Sept. 14) and 21 kills at UConn (Sept. 5) … Last season, Tyler averaged 3.34 kills per set to become the first player in program history to earn AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year accolades.

•  Carson Tyler has smashed double-digit kills in all 12 matches for the Cardinals so far this season, raising her career total to 34 … She has secured 20+ kills in 10 of those matches and is one of just nine players in program history to register 20-or-more kills in at least 10 career matches.

• A six-rotation player, Carson Tyler is currently second on the squad with 130 digs this season … She has recorded kill/dig double-doubles in seven matches so far this season, with her latest coming versus Cincinnati (Sept. 18) which she tallied a career-high 28 kills and 12 digs … She registered career-high 19 digs in the win at Marquette (Sept. 12) and score 18 versus Cal Poly (Aug. 31) and James  Madison (Sept. 14) … Tyler also leads Ball State’s primary passers with a .969 reception percentage this seasons, successfully passing 282 of the 291 serves she faced … Tyler led the Cardinals’ primary passers last season with a .963 reception percentage by successfully passing 650 of the team-high 675 serves she faced.

• With 20 kills each in the Aug. 31 match versus Cal Poly, Noelle VanOort and Carson Tyler became the first Ball State duo to record 20-or-more kills in the same match since the 2007 season … Brittany May and Julie Breivogel were the last players to do so with 21 and 20 kills, respectively, in an Oct. 5, 2027 match versus Western Michigan.

• Sophomore libero Sophie Ledbetter paces the Ball State defense with 195 digs and a 3.82 digs-per-set average so far this season … The dig total currently ranks third among MAC defenders, while the average is fourth … Ledbetter has recorded double-digit digs in 11 of BSU’s 12 matches, upping her career total to 34 … The effort includes a career-high tying 27 digs in last Saturday’s match versus Eastern Kentucky and 26 digs in the season-opener versus St. Thomas (Aug. 29).

• Sophie Ledbetter earned her first collegiate double-double versus Cal Poly (Aug. 31), handing out 10 assists to go along with her 14 digs in the outing.

• Junior Lindsey Green and freshman Reese Axness have combined to lead the Ball State offense to a .245 attack percentage so far this season which is first in the MAC and 75th nationally … Green, who dished out a career-high 51 assists twice this season, currently ranks eighth in the MAC with an 8.08 assists-per-set average, with her 404 total assists ranking 37th nationally … She also leads the squad with 15 service aces … Axness, meanwhile, enters the week with a 3.97 assists-per-set average and has served up a pair of aces.

• Sophomore transfer middle/opposite Tiffany Snook turned in one of the best matches of her collegiate career versus Cal Poly (Aug. 31), smashing a career-high 16 kills while connecting for a .481 (16-3-27) rate of success … It was her 10th collegiate match with double-digit kills, including nine in her lone season at Memphis, and was three kills more than her previous career high of 13 at Southern Illinois Sept. 6, 2024.

• Junior middle Gwen Crull turned up the offensive heat last weekend, reaching double-digit kills for the first two times in her collegiate career … She started with a career-high 12 kills versus Cincinnati (Sept. 18) and followed with 11 two matches later versus Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 20) … Crull also leads the Ball State defense with a 0.76 blocks-per-set average.

• Roster Update: Senior opposite Madison Buckley and redshirt junior outside attacker Aniya Kennedy will both miss the 2025 season as medical redshirts … Buckley was a 2024 First Team All-MAC selection after ranking second on the team in total blocks (90.0) and third in total kills (276) last season … Kennedy, the 2023 MAC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-MAC selection, ranked second on the squad with 279 kills last season and chipped in 43 total blocks.

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INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

2025-26 INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PRACTICES UNDERWAY, SEASON TICKETS ON SALE

TERRE HAUTE, IND. – Season tickets for the 2024-25 Indiana State women’s basketball team are on sale to the public.

Official practices for the Blue and White started Monday evening, with the Trees just six weeks out from their November 3 season opener at IU Indy.

The Sycamores will play 14 home games inside Hulman Center this season, starting with their November 11 game against Eastern Illinois. Indiana State has four non-conference home games, all against teams from Indiana or Illinois, along with the 10 home MVC contests which will be announced at a later date.

Indiana State’s non-conference schedule was previously released, and can be found here. The Sycamores’ MVC schedule will be released at a later date.

The pricing list for the 2025-26 women’s basketball season tickets with court diagram can be found here. Prices for the 2025-26 season remain the same as previous seasons.

2025-26 Indiana State Women’s Basketball Season Ticket Prices

Courtside – $60

Floor – $50

Lower Level – $40

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PURDUE FT. WAYNE VOLLEYBALL

PURDUE FORT WAYNE WVB OPENS HORIZON LEAGUE PLAY WITH ROBERT MORRIS

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne women’s volleyball team will play host to Robert Morris to open Horizon League play this weekend (Sept. 26-27).

Game Day Information
Who: Robert Morris Colonials
When: Friday, September 26 | 7 PM – Saturday, September 27 | 2 PM
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Gates Sports Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: Friday only
Tickets: Friday | Saturday
Match Notes: Link

Attendance Challenge

The Purdue Fort Wayne or Indiana Fort Wayne student who attends the most Mastodon home athletics events this year will win an iPad at the end of the 2025-26 school year! Make sure to check in and get your QR code scanned at the game to start tracking your attendance.

Promotions

• Friday’s match is Educator Appreciation Night, with educators receiving a free ticket.

• Saturday night’s match is Alumni Day, where all Mastodon women’s volleyball alumni will receive a free ticket.

Know Your Foe

Robert Morris is 4-7 and is on a three-match winning streak, picking up Ws over Maryland Eastern Shore, Saint Francis (Pa.) and Buffalo. Jocelyn Jourdan is the team’s leader with 3.00 kills per set. Jasmine Purakal is one of the two reigning Horizon League Players of the Week after being named the Four Twelve Project Volleyball Invitational MVP.

Series History

The Mastodons have a 10-3 edge over Robert Morris in the series history, which dates back to 2006. The Mastodons are 6-0 against the Colonials in Fort Wayne.

Back for More

2024 Horizon League Freshman of the Year Riley Rosneck has the second-most points and second-most kills per set in the league this season with 4.06 points and 3.62 kills per set.

She Means Business

Haiden Means was selected to the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational All-Tournament team on September 20. Over three matches, she dished out 9.67 assists per set while adding 2.58 digs, 0.42 kills and 0.42 blocks per set.

When Life Gives You Plemons

Mya Plemons has a .369 hitting percentage this season, which is the best in the Horizon League and a top-100 mark in the country.

Last Time Out

Purdue Fort Wayne went 1-2 at the Purdue Fort Wayne Invitational, topping Mercyhurst in a four-set match. Riley Rosneck had 19 kills in that contest.

Next Time Up

The Mastodons will continue Horizon League play with a quick trip to IU Indianapolis on Tuesday (Sept. 30) before welcoming Green Bay to the Gates Sports Center on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 3-4).

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PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S SOCCER

WOMEN’S SOCCER TRAVELS TO MILWAUKEE

FORT WAYNE, Ind. –  The Purdue Fort Wayne women’s soccer team plays their first match in a three game Horizon League road stretch on Thursday (Sept. 25), playing at Milwaukee at 8 p.m. EST.

Game Day Information
Who: Milwaukee Panthers
When: Thursday, September 25 | 8 PM ET
Where: Milwaukee, Wis.
Live Stats:Link

Know Your Foe

Milwaukee finished their non-league play 3-4-1, and has opened up Horizon League play with two wins. The Panthers have topped both Robbert Morris and Youngstown State 2-0. Milwaukee has four players that have scored three or more goals this season: Mallory McGuire (4), Kristina Karlof (3), Zoey Pagels (3) and Emily Petring (3). Pagels, Ashlyn Skinner-Barrett and Karlof have all won Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week awards. Bella Hollenbach has started in goal eight of nine matches this season, earning two Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week awards this year.

Series History

Milwaukee owns a 5-0-1 series history lead over Purdue Fort Wayne.Last year’s meeting was a 2-0 loss at the Hefner Soccer Complex.

Fab 50

Head Coach Jason Burr secured his 50th victory with the Mastodons after the win over Indiana Tech (Sept. 3). 24 of the victories have came within the last four seasons.

Count ‘Em

Jordan Imes secured her eight shutout of her career against Indiana Tech (Sept. 3). The keeper continues to scale the program record book, needing only one more shutout to be tied for third.  The grad student finished last season with six shutouts, tied for second in program history for a single-season.

1. 17 – Samantha Castañeda (2020-23)

2. 10 – Sam Pavlika (2012-14)

3. 9 – Shannon Lynn (2004-06)

4. 8 – Jordan Imes (2023-25)

Imes also breached the program’s top 10 career saves list after claiming four in the Party at the Pitch contest against Ball State (Sept. 10).

9. 148 – Haley Lydon (2015-18)

10. 128 – Jordan Imes (2023-25)

11. 114 – Jodi Schnelker (2000)

Assisted By Gallagher

Following Morgan Gallagher’s two assist match in the 6-0 victory over Indiana Tech (Sept. 3), she climbed to sixth in program history for career assists with 9.

4. 10 – Shacina Hersey (2000-03)

    10 – Kelsey Gallagher (2019-03)

6. 9 – Morgan Gallagher (2023-25)

    9 – Morgan Reitano (2019-23)

Imes On The Prize

Jordan Imes was named Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week (Aug. 18) after the first week of the season. The keeper earned her first shutout of the year against Akron (Aug. 14), the only Horizon League keeper to refuse a goal in the first week of play.

New Challenge

The Purdue Fort Wayne or Indiana Fort Wayne student who attends the most Mastodon home athletics events this year will win an iPad at the end of the 2025-26 school year! Make sure to check in and get your QR code scanned at the game to start tracking your attendance.

Last Time Out

The Mastodons dropped their Horizon League opener 1-0 against Wright State (Sept. 18). Kyra Posey and Scarlett Webster both has chances on goal during the match.

Coming Up

Purdue Fort Wayne plays their second match in a three game Horizon League road stretch, facing off against Green Bay on Sunday (Sept. 28)

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SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER

USI TAKES ON MOREHEAD STATE THURSDAY AT STRASSWEG FIELD

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer returns to Strassweg Field Thursday for the first of back-to-back home Ohio Valley Conference games when the Screaming Eagles host Morehead State University at 7 p.m.

Admission to Thursday’s match is free thanks to ProRehab. Thursday is also USI Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night, inviting all USI staff and faculty to come support the Screaming Eagles. The game can also be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.

USI (3-5-2, 0-0-1 OVC) and Morehead State (3-7-0, 1-0-0 OVC) meet for the first time since the 2024 OVC Tournament quarterfinal clash at Strassweg Field last November, when Morehead State advanced with a 2-1 win. The Screaming Eagles look to avenge last year’s postseason loss that saw USI grab a quick lead in the fourth minute before Morehead State scored twice in the second half, including the game-winning goal in the 88th minute.

Overall, the all-time series between USI and Morehead State is tied 2-2-0. The Screaming Eagles won last year’s regular-season meeting at Morehead State last October, 1-0.

USI Women’s Soccer heads into Thursday’s OVC contest on a five-match unbeaten streak, going 3-0-2 in the last five outings. USI opened its OVC schedule the last time out by securing a point with a 0-0 draw on the road at the University of Tennessee at Martin last Saturday. The two sides combined for 36 shots and 12 shots on goal in the match. Redshirt sophomore forward Eva Boer paced USI with three shots against the Skyhawks. Four other players had two shot attempts.

On Tuesday, redshirt junior goalkeeper Anna Markland was tabbed the OVC Goalkeeper of the Week for the third time this season after posting her fourth shutout and a season-high seven saves against 23 shots faced in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at UT Martin. This season marks the second time in her career that the goalkeeper has earned OVC Goalkeeper of the Week three times in a single season. Markland previously won the award three times in the 2023 season, which was also the same season Markland was named the OVC Goalkeeper of the Year. On the season, Markland has a 1.59 GAA with 26 saves and four clean sheets in nine starts.

Markland and the USI defense have been stellar during the team’s current five-match unbeaten streak. The Screaming Eagles have surrendered only one goal in the last five contests – that is one goal allowed in the last 450 minutes of action.

Offensively, senior forward Emerson Grafton leads USI in scoring with seven points off three goals and an assist. Three players have five points, including Boer and sophomore forward Josie Pochocki with two goals and an assist. 10 different Screaming Eagles have scored this season. Senior forward Peyton Murphy has a goal and a team-best three assists. Grafton paces the Eagles with 24 shots and nine on goal. Grafton is in the top five in the OVC in shots and shots on goal.

As a team, the Screaming Eagles are second in the OVC with 14 goals and first with 13 assists, adding up to be second in the OVC with 41 points on the season. USI ranks second among OVC teams with 124 shots and third with 12.4 shots per game. USI is also second in the OVC with 47 shots on goal.

Morehead State enters Thursday coming off an OVC-opening victory last Sunday, winning 1-0 against Western Illinois University. The win snapped a three-match losing skid for the Eagles. Morehead State outshot the Leathernecks 28-9 overall and 12-6 in shots on goal. Freshman midfielder Addison Petry scored the game-winning goal in the 38th minute.

Senior midfielder Kennedy Baquero leads Morehead State with two of their six goals scored. Four players have 10-plus shot attempts this season, led by graduate midfielder Vela Karissa with 14 shots. Freshman forward Jade Walton has 13 shots and tops the squad with seven on target. In net, sophomore goalkeeper Claire Cress has started all 10 matches, recording a 2.11 GAA with 55 saves, which is first in the OVC, and three shutouts.

USI Women’s Soccer will finish off the back-to-back home OVC slate on Sunday at 1 p.m. from Strassweg Field when the Screaming Eagles host Southeast Missouri State University. Sunday will be Senior Day, as USI will recognize and celebrate its senior class before the game.

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SOUTHERN INDIANA CROSS COUNTRY

EAGLES TO RACE AGAINST STRONG COMPETITION FRIDAY

EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Men’s and Women’s Cross Country will go up against some strong competition Friday when the Screaming Eagles toe the starting line at the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Missouri.

The Gans Creek Classic features a combined total of 28 nationally-ranked teams, including 17 of the top 30 teams in the latest men’s U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association rankings and 11 of the top 30 teams in the latest women’s USTFCCCA rankings.

That list includes the top-ranked men’s team in the nation in Iowa State University as well as the No. 2-ranked women’s team in the nation in the University of Oregon.

Friday’s meet will be split into three races (gold, black and open), with USI competing in a black division that will feature 10 regionally-ranked opponents.

USI’s top runners will compete at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course, which is home to the 2025 NCAA Division I National Championships.

Junior Alex Nolan and sophomore Hadessah Austin have each been named Ohio Valley Conference Runner of the Week twice this season and figure to be the Screaming Eagles’ front runners once again.

Nolan is coming off a 20th-place finish at the Southern Showcase two weeks ago in Huntsville, Alabama. He finished the eight-kilometer course in 24 minutes, 06.30 seconds to lead USI to an 11th-place finish in the 48-team field.

USI’s men have also been getting solid contributions from senior Dominick Beine and junior Isaac Stanford. Beine finished 56th at the Southern Showcase, while Stanford carded an 87th-place finish.

Austin, who will run her first 6k of the 2025 season Friday, is coming off a 26th-place finish at the Southern Showcase. She finished the 5k course in 17 minutes, 18.6 seconds as the Screaming Eagles finished 25th in the 52-team field.

Junior Ellie Hall ran neck-and-neck with Austin for most of the race before finishing 91st despite suffering from a stomach bug throughout the final 1.8 kilometers. The return of two-time All-OVC honoree Zoe Seward, who has worked her way back from an injury, will boost the Screaming Eagles’ lineup.

Friday’s meet begins with the men’s black race at 8:15 a.m., while the women’s black race is slated for a 10:30 a.m. start time. The men’s open competition is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m., while the women’s open race follows with a noon start.

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VALPO VOLLEYBALL

VOLLEYBALL SET FOR HOME-OPENING WEEKEND

Valparaiso (9-4, 0-0 MVC)

Friday, Sept. 26 – Drake (4-7, 0-0 MVC) – 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27 – UNI (7-5, 0-0 MVC) – 5 p.m.

Next Up For Valpo Volleyball: Missouri Valley Conference play gets underway for the Valpo volleyball team this weekend with the Beacons’ first home matches of the season, as they welcome Drake and UNI to the ARC. This weekend’s matchups come against two of the top-three teams in the MVC preseason poll.

Previously: Valpo went 2-1 at the Leatherneck Classic in its final weekend of nonconference action, taking a set from #22 Missouri before beating Western Illinois and Chicago State to finish out the tournament. Emma Hickey and Lilly Merk represented the Beacons on the All-Tournament Team.

Looking Ahead: The Beacons hit the road for their next four conference matches, starting Oct. 3 at Illinois State and Oct. 4 at Bradley.

Following the Beacons: Both matches this weekend are scheduled to be streamed on ESPN+. Live stats are also available for both matches via ValpoAthletics.com.

Head Coach Carin Avery: In her 24th season as head coach at Valpo, Carin Avery is the all-time winningest head coach across all sports in the history of Valpo Athletics. She has won 516 matches (516-261, .664) at the helm of the program and has led Valpo to three league regular season and three league tournament titles. The program has made seven postseason appearances under Avery, including three NCAA Tournament appearances, and advanced to the championship match of the 2021 NIVC. Avery has coached 61 All-League recipients over her tenure at Valpo, which has spanned three different conferences. She is Valpo’s all-time leader in both victories and winning percentage, and owns a 571-285 (.667) record overall as a head coach.

Series History: Drake – Valpo is 13-9 all-time against the Bulldogs, including a 12-8 mark under Avery and a 9-7 record since joining the Valley. However, the Bulldogs have earned wins in each of the last five meetings, including a sweep of last season’s two matchups – 3-1 at the ARC and 3-2 in Des Moines.

UNI – The Panthers hold a 20-4 advantage in the all-time series, including wins in each of the last six matchups between the programs. Last season, Valpo took UNI – which ended up going a perfect 18-0 in MVC play – to five sets at the ARC before falling, while the Panthers later swept the Beacons in Cedar Falls.

Scouting the Opposition: Drake – The Bulldogs enter MVC play with a 4-7 record during nonconference action. Macy Daufeldt and Kacia Brown both average better than three kills per set, Gabbie Schroeder averages a team-best 3.36 digs/set and Bliss Beck ranks third in the Valley with 1.11 blocks/set.

UNI – The three-time defending MVC champions come into the weekend at 7-5 after facing a challenging nonconference slate. The Panthers are the only team in the league averaging more kills/set than the Beacons, racking up 14.36 kills/set – led by MVC leader Lily Dykstra (4.03/set) and Cassidy Hartman (3.82/set, 3rd in the MVC).

Quick Hits: – Valpo posted a 9-4 record in nonconference action, its best preconference record since 2022.

– The Sept. 26 home opener is the latest for Valpo since 2021.

– This is the third time in Valpo’s nine seasons in the MVC that it has opened the MVC slate with the two Iowa-based programs visiting the ARC. Valpo got its first taste of Valley action against UNI and Drake in 2017, while the two schools also came to Valpo to open Valley play in 2022.

New-Look Conference Slate: With MVC membership down to 11 volleyball programs, the conference schedule has been pared back to 16 matches this season, meaning there will be four teams each team plays only once. This weekend marks the only regular season matchups for Valpo against Drake and UNI this year, while the Beacons will also face Evansville and Indiana State just once apiece. In addition, the MVC Tournament will feature just six teams this season after previously featuring eight programs.

MVC Success: Valpo is looking to continue its run of success in conference play again this season, as the program has finished in the top-half of the Valley standings in each of its eight years in the conference, the only MVC program to accomplish that feat. Going back further, Valpo has posted top-half conference finishes in 22 of Avery’s 23 seasons – as well as qualifying for the conference tournament in each of her 23 seasons – and 31 of the last 32 years overall.

Digging It and Killing It: The Beacons rank among the nation’s best on both sides of the ball through the end of nonconference play. Valpo currently sits atop the MVC rankings with 16.65 digs/set, a mark which ranks 14th nationally, while it is second in the Valley and 24th nationally with 14.00 kills/set. Notably, that latter mark would be the program’s best kills/set average in a season since 2015.

Avoid the Block: A big key to the Beacons’ success, or lack thereof, so far this season has been their ability to avoid the opponents’ block on the attack. In Valpo’s four losses, its opponents have posted an eye-popping 68 blocks (3.78/set), while in Valpo’s nine wins, its opponents have only tallied 53 blocks (1.77/set).

Hickey Keeps Moving Up: Senior libero Emma Hickey moved up another spot on the Beacons’ career digs chart last weekend, surpassing Brittany Malicoat for third place in program history. With 2,323 career digs entering this weekend, at her career pace, it’ll be a photo finish for Hickey to perhaps catch Taylor Root for second place in program history. Other charts to keep an eye on include the MVC career leaders – where she is currently tied with UNI’s Kendyl Sorge for eighth position, 100 shy of 7th – and the NCAA career leaders – where she is 215 away from the top-25 all-time. Hickey leads all active NCAA players (all divisions) in career digs and owns over 600 more digs than any other active Division I player.

Right Side, Strong Side: Sophomore right side Ava Helming enjoyed a strong rookie season in 2024, earning a spot on the MVC All-Freshman Team, and has taken her game to another level this season. Helming enters MVC play pacing the Beacons with 3.13 kills/set and is the only player in the Valley to rank among the conference’s top-10 in both kills/set and hitting percentage (.299). She has paced Valpo in kills in eight of the season’s first 13 matches and has reached double digits eight times as well.

A Balanced Attack: As they have over the past few years, the Beacons once again feature a very balanced attack this year. Helming (267th nationally) is Valpo’s only player in the top-500 in the nation in kills/set. Sophomore outside Jordyn Gove, senior right side Sam Warren and sophomore outside Kadence Brumitt all average between 2.31 and 2.51 kills/set, while sophomore middle Lilly Merk checks in just shy of two kills/set.

Still Underclassmen: It’s easy to forget, given the number of returnees this year’s Beacon squad features, that a large number of those returnees are still just sophomores. 78.6% of the team’s kills and 77.9% of the team’s blocks have come courtesy of the underclassmen.

Players of the Week: Valpo already racked up three weekly awards from the MVC office this season. Emma Hickey was recognized as Defensive Player of the Week – her fifth career DPoW award and sixth overall weekly award – following the opening weekend of the season, which saw her earn All-Tournament Team honors at the USI Invitational as she averaged 6.60 digs/set and committed just one serve reception error on 49 attempts. On Sept. 15, the Beacons boasted a pair of award winners: Lilly Merk was named Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career after averaging 1.50 blocks/set, highlighted by a 12-block effort in Valpo’s upset bid at Northwestern, while Keira Lucas was tabbed Freshman of the Week as she averaged 2.44 kills/set on .302 hitting and 2.00 digs/set while committing just one serve reception error on 49 attempts at the Lehigh Steel Classic.

Capturing Crowns: Valpo has continued its penchant for winning in-season tournament titles under Carin Avery this season, claiming a share of the crown at the USI Invitational and sweeping its way to the Lehigh Steel Classic title. Valpo has won 36 in-season tournament titles in Avery’s time as head coach. The team has won at least one tournament in 18 of her seasons, and multiple tournaments 12 times. Those tournament titles have come in 14 different states.

All-Tournament Accolades: Over the course of Valpo’s four early-season tournaments, six players combined to earn a total of nine All-Tournament Team honors.

– Leatherneck Classic: Emma Hickey, Lilly Merk

– Lehigh Steel Classic: Kadence Brumitt (MVP), Addy Kois

– EMU Tournament: Ava Helming, Merk

– USI Invitational: Helming, Hickey, Sam Warren

Looking Back at Last Year: Valpo is coming off an 18-win season in 2024, a campaign highlighted by the amount of production generated by the team’s youth. Jessica Pickett set program freshman records for hitting percentage and blocks, while Ava Helming had the third-most kills by a freshman in Avery’s tenure as both rookies earned spots on the MVC All-Freshman Team. On the more veteran side, Emma Hickey became the fastest player in program history and tied for the fastest in MVC history to reach 2,000 career digs.

Who’s Back: In a nutshell, everybody who could be. All 16 players who ended last season on the Beacons squad with remaining eligibility return for Valpo in 2025. That group accounted for 78.1% of the kills, 84.4% of the service aces, 78.0% of the digs and 93.9% of the blocks from the 2024 season.

Who’s Gone: Valpo graduated just two players from last year’s squad: Abby Boyle and Elise Swistek. Swistek’s production will be the big piece to replace, as she closed her time at Valpo as one of just 10 players in program history to surpass 1,000 kills (1,018; 19th) and 1,000 digs (1,479; 12th).

Who’s New: The Beacons welcome two freshmen to the large group of returnees this year. Keira Lucas is an outside hitter who was a three-time All-State honoree at Northview [Ind.] H.S., while Olivia Wagner is a setter who helped lead Lakeville South [Minn.] H.S. to the 2024 Minnesota Class AAAA state championship.

Winning Tradition Continues: The Beacons secured a winning 2024 season as they completed the campaign with an 18-14 record, the 21st winning season in 23 years under head coach Carin Avery. Valpo has won 20 or more matches in 18 of Avery’s 23 seasons as well, and has averaged 22 wins per season in Avery’s tenure.

Young But Mighty: Legendary college basketball coach Al McGuire is credited for having said “The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores.” If that’s the case for last year’s class of Valpo volleyball freshmen, opponents are in for a rough time this season. Last year’s freshman class accounted for 59.1% of the team’s kills, 31.1% of the aces and 73.6% of the blocks in the 2024 campaign. That comes out to a total of 58.7% of the team’s points accounted for by freshmen last season, a mark which ranked third nationally among D-I programs, trailing only Mississippi Valley State and Le Moyne – two programs which combined for just eight wins, compared with the Beacons’ 18 victories. Prior to last season, none of Avery’s teams in her time at Valpo had freshmen account for even 30% of the team’s points.

Digging Deep: Valpo continued its long tradition of strong back row play last fall, finishing the 2024 campaign 19th nationally with an average of 17.20 digs/set. The program has ranked among the top-30 nationally in digs/set in every season since 2009, including 14 seasons among the top-20 and four seasons among the top-10 – highlighted by the 2017 campaign in which Valpo led the nation with 20.03 digs/set. Other top finishes include fourth nationally in the spring 2021 season (20.37/set), a fourth-place rank in 2010 and a sixth-place finish in 2015. Since the move to 25-point scoring, only seven teams have averaged more than 20 digs/set over the course of a season, and Valpo is the only program to have done it twice. 2018 saw Valpo lead the nation with 2,613 total digs – a mark which set a program single-season record and a Division I record in the 25-point era. Valpo also boasts two of the top-10 athletes in D-I history in career digs – Rylee Cookerly (2nd; 3,175) and Taylor Root (10th; 2,752).

Libero on Lockdown: Senior Emma Hickey has been quite simply one of the nation’s most prolific liberos since stepping on campus prior to the 2022 campaign. She’s ranked among the top-15 nationally in digs/set in each of her first three seasons, ending last season in third position with 5.72 digs/set. Her 715 total digs last year were sixth-most in a single season in program history.

The Pickett Fence: Sophomore Jessica Pickett made a big impact at the net in her first season of collegiate volleyball last year. An MVC All-Freshman Team honoree, Pickett ranked third in the Valley in blocks/set (1.14, 139 total) and fourth in hitting percentage (.331). She  set Valpo freshman records for both hitting percentage and total blocks – her hitting percentage ranked third overall and second in the 25-point era in Valpo’s single-season record book, while he block total ranked eighth overall and third in the 25-point era.

At the Helm(ing): Sophomore Ava Helming joined Pickett as an MVC All-Freshman Team honoree last season for her strong work on both sides of the net at the right pin as a rookie. Helming ranked second on the team with 293 kills and 78 blocks – her 293 kills is tied for third-most by a freshman under head coach Carin Avery, while 78 blocks ranks sixth by a freshman under Avery. The only other freshman to rank among the top-10 in both kills and blocks by a rookie in the Avery era was another right side in Morgan Beil, who developed into a three-time All-Horizon League performer.

Next Stop, 600: Head coach Carin Avery reached yet another milestone last October, winning her 500th match in charge of the Valpo program with the Beacons’ win at Murray State. Valpo’s all-time winningest coach in any sport, Avery’s 500th win came in her 752nd match in charge of the program. Avery is the second current MVC coach to win at least 500 matches at their current institution, joining UNI’s Bobbi Petersen.

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MARIAN FOOTBALL

GAMEDAY GUIDE: NO. 19 MARIAN HOSTS NO. 5 INDIANA WESLEYAN IN TOP-20 NAIA SHOWDOWN

INDIANAPOLIS – Coming off a bye week, the No. 19 Marian football team is recharged and ready for their next opponent, as the Knights welcome No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan to campus for a top-20 NAIA showdown. The Knights and Wildcats kick off Saturday’s game exclusively on the ISC Sports Network at 1:05 p.m.

THE GAME

Marian enters the week 2-1 and is fresh off their bye, while Indiana Wesleyan is 3-1 overall, coming into the game off a narrow 28-27 victory against Olivet Nazarene. This is the Wildcat’s second road contest of the season, while Marian is playing their third home game of 2025. This will be Indiana Wesleyan’s second road game of the season, and its fourth MSFA-crossover game. For Marian, this is their third crossover game of the year.

The Knights have been on the wrong end of the series of late against Indiana Wesleyan, as Marian has lost four consecutive games, including last year’s 77-21 defeat. Indiana Wesleyan set a record for yards gained and points scored by an opponent against Marian in last year’s meeting. The Knights aim to break their losing skid in the series and ascend in the NAIA rankings, as they aim to carry off of efforts against Defiance.

Marian is among the NAIA’s best in sacks, ranking second in the nation in sacks with 18. The Knights were tied for the NAIA lead prior to their bye week, with Friends (Kan.) taking the mantle while Marian was idle. Both the Knights and Wildcats are among the top-15 in the NAIA in points scored per game, and are both top-25 in rushing yards per game.

MILESTONE TRACKER

Jake Reichard aims to be the 10th pass-catcher in program history to record his 100th catch this Saturday, needing seven receptions to join the program’s elite members. Reichard is currently 12th all-time in receptions, 12th all-time in touchdowns, and ninth all-time in receiving yards. The senior receiver has an opportunity to secure a top-10 ranking in program history for each category this Saturday.

RECORD SETTER

Deon Pettiford became Marian’s all-time leader in career tackles for loss last time out, recording his 39th career TFL in the win against Defiance. Pettiford passed Ryan Hartnett for the all-time record, and has a chance for more history this season, as he is fourth all-time in career sacks. The senior needs 1.5 sacks to tie Dillon Dittemore for No. 3 all-time at Marian University.

WATCH AND FOLLOW ALONG

Those fans unable to attend Saturday’s game can watch live on the ISC Sports Network, as Scott McCauley and Zach Graves have the call. All home games are televised with six camera angles, and single-game live stream passes cost $9.99. Fans can also purchase a season pass of Marian football at a discounted price on a per-game basis, running at $24.99. Passes for this weekend’s game can be purchased now, while the season pass is live. All home games of the 2025 season can be viewed with the season pass purchase. Live statistics will be available at marianstats.com, and updates of the game will be posted on the Marian Knights and Marian Football Instagram and X pages. Fans can follow at @MUKnights and @MarianUFootball.

TICKETS

Tickets for Saturday’s home-opening game are on sale now, with general admission ticket pricing starting at $10. Be sure to get your ticket ahead of the game to avoid lines entering the stadium.

TAILGATING

Tailgate spots are filling fast for this weekend. Be sure to grab your spot! For any questions, reach out to Nick Torres on the Marian advancement team. Cash parking is available for $10.

POSTGAME ATHLETIC EVENTS

Following the game, Marian’s women’s volleyball and women’s soccer programs take action against Goshen College! The volleyball match is the first home match in two weeks, and begins at 5:00 p.m. in the PE Center. The women’s soccer team will also play Goshen, and it is the Knights’ senior night. Senior festivities begin at 6:40 p.m., with the match to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Kickoff for this Saturday’s game against Indiana Wesleyan is set for 1:05 p.m.

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MARIAN MEN’S GOLF

MEN’S GOLF CONTINUES UNDEFEATED START TO 2025-26 WITH NAIA NATIONAL PREVIEW VICTORY

Silvis, Ill. – For the third week in a row, the Marian men’s golf team earned a victory, as the Knights won the NAIA National Preview hosted at TPC Deere Run. Marian’s third team victory of the season was led by top-10 finishes by Lane Zedrick and Weston Ogden.

Marian scored a 594 as they recorded the victory at TPC Deere Run, running away with their third victory of the season. The 14th-ranked Knights shot a 292 in Monday’s first  round, while in round two on Tuesday the Knights shot a 302. Marian defeated (RV) Hastings for the tournament win, while also taking down No. 17 Northwestern and No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan. The Red Raiders finished third and the Wildcats finished fifth, while Missouri Baptist finished the top-five standings with a fourth-place finish. 21 teams in total were in the field, with Crossroads League competition Grace finishing 11th.

The Knights recorded 20 victories in the tournament and are 42-0 on the season.

Individually, Lane Zedrick led Marian for the second consecutive tournament, tying for fifth in the event. Zedrick scored a 73 in round one and 72 in round two, finishing three-over par with a 145 total. Weston Ogden tied for seventh with his 146 total, as the senior shot a 70 in round one and a 77 in round two. Senior Nolan Potter tied for 17th in the event, scoring a 150 total for the two days. Potter scored a 74 in round one while carding a 76 in round two.

Augie Mann completed Marian’s team scoring, tying for 24th with a total of 152 for the two rounds. Mann scored a 75 on Monday and a 77 on Tuesday. Drew Werkley finished Marian’s lineup, as he tied for 60th with his 160 score. Werkley shot a 77 and 83 in the two rounds in his second collegiate tournament, with his score not factoring toward the Knights’ team total.

Marian will finish their fall season on October 6 and 7, traveling to Tennessee to compete in the Music City Collegiate.

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+++SMALL INDIANA COLLEGE SPORTS WEB SITES+++

UINDY ATHLETICS: https://athletics.uindy.edu/

MARIAN ATHLETICS: https://muknights.com/

INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/

EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/

WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/

FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/

ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/

ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index

TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index

BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/

DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/

HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/

MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/

HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/

OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx

ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index

IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/

IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/

IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/

PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/

INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx

GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/

ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/

GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/

HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php

TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/

VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index

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+++SPORTS EXTRA+++

+++TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY+++

Sept. 25

1941 — Pete Reiser’s homer and Whitlow Wyatt’s five-hitter helped Brooklyn beat the Boston Braves 6-0 and clinch the Dodgers’ first pennant in 21 years.

1955 — Detroit’s Al Kaline, at the age of 20, became the youngest player to win a batting title, finishing his second season with a .340 average. Ty Cobb was one day older when he won the crown, batting .350 in 1907, also playing for Detroit.

1956 — Sal Maglie of the Brooklyn Dodgers pitched a 5-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies.

1960 — The New York Yankees clinched manager Casey Stengel’s 10th and last American League pennant with a 4-3 victory over Boston.

1965 — Satchel Paige, at 60, became the oldest player in the majors, taking the mound for Kansas City and pitching three scoreless innings over the Boston Red Sox. He gave up one hit, to Carl Yastrzemski.

1965 — Willie Mays, who hit 51 home runs in 1955, joined Ralph Kiner as only the National Leaguers to have more than one 50-home run season.

1974 — Dr. Frank Jobe transplanted a tendon from Tommy John’s right wrist to the Dodger pitcher’s left elbow. The revolutionary ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction allowed John to win an additional 164 games, more than half of his career total of 288 victories.

1980 — Oakland’s Brian Kingman lost his 20th game when the A’s were defeated by the Chicago White Sox 6-4. Kingman was the first pitcher to lose 20 games with a winning team since Dolf Luque went 13-23 for the 1922 Cincinnati Reds.

1984 — Rusty Staub of the Mets became the second player to hit homers as a teenager and past his 40th birthday. Staub’s game-winning home run off Larry Anderson to give the Mets a 6-4 victory over Philadelphia at Shea Stadium. Ty Cobb was the other major leaguer to accomplish the feat.

1987 — San Diego’s Benito Santiago set a modern major league record for rookies by hitting safely in his 27th consecutive game in a 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

1998 — The New York Yankees set the AL record for wins with their 112th, beating Tampa Bay 6-1 to break the victory mark held by the 1954 Cleveland Indians.

2001 — Richie Sexson and Jeromy Burnitz became the first teammates to hit three home runs apiece in a game as Milwaukee defeated Arizona 9-4.

2003 — Toronto’s Carlos Delgado became the sixth player to homer in four straight at-bats in one game as the Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 10-8 at SkyDome. Delgado tied the game at 8-8 in the eighth with his fourth homer, a solo shot off Lance Carter.

2007 — Prince Fielder, at 23 years, 139 days old, became the youngest major league player to hit 50 home runs in a season, connecting twice in Milwaukee’s 9-1 rout of St. Louis.

2013 — The New York Yankees failed to make the playoffs for only the second time in 19 years, getting mathematically eliminated during their 8-3 loss to Tampa Bay.

2016 — Jose Fernandez, 24, ace right-hander for the Miami Marlins, was killed in a boating accident.

2017 — Aaron Judge broke Mark McGwire’s major league record for home runs by a rookie, hitting a pair for the second straight day to raise his total to 50 and lead the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 11-3.

2018 — Max Scherzer became the 17th pitcher since 1900 to strike out 300 batters in a season, reaching that milestone by fanning 10 in seven innings during Washington’s 9-4 win over Miami.

+++TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY+++

Sept. 25

1866 — Jerome Park, named for its founder Leonard Jerome, opens in the Bronx in New York. Jerome, seeking to emulate the British racing system, also establishes the American Jockey Club, precursor to the present Jockey Club, formed in 1894.

1920 — Molly Bjurstedt Mallory wins her fifth title in six years with a two-set victory over Marion Zinderstein in the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association championships.

1926 — Walter Hagen wins his third straight and fourth overall PGA Championship. Hagen beats Leo Diegel 4 and 3 in the championship match at Salisbury Golf Links in Westbury, N.Y.

1949 — Louise Suggs wins the U.S. Women’s Open by 14 strokes over Babe Didrikson Zaharias.

1962 — Sonny Liston knocks out Floyd Patterson at 2:06 of the first round at Comiskey Park in Chicago to win the world heavyweight title.

1966 — Gloria Ehret wins the LPGA Championship by three strokes over four-time champion Micke Wright.

1982 — Ricky Edwards rushes for 177 yards and four touchdowns to help Northwestern end its 34-game losing streak in a 31-6 victory over Northern Illinois.

1988 — Americans sweep the medals in the long jump at the Seoul Olympics; Carl Lewis wins his second gold of the Games with leap of 8.72m ahead of teammates Mike Powell & Larry Myricks.

1988 — Super swimmer Matt Biondi wins his 5th gold medal of the Seoul Olympics anchoring the victorious American 4 x 100m medley relay team.

1994 — Oliver McCall scores a major upset by stopping Lennox Lewis 31 seconds into the second round to capture the WBC heavyweight title in London.

1995 — Jerry Rice has 181 yards receiving in San Francisco’s 27-24 loss to Detroit. It’s his 51st 100-yard game, which breaks Don Maynard’s NFL record.

1997 — WNBA announces it will add Detroit & Washington, D.C. franchises.

2000 — American basketball player Vince Carter jumps over 7 foot 2 Frédéric Weis in 2000 Summer Olympics, known in France as “le dunk de la mort” (the dunk of death).

2004 — Bobby Seck of Hofstra throws eight touchdown passes to tie an Atlantic 10 mark and set a school record in the Pride’s 62-43 victory over Rhode Island.

2005 — Fernando Alonso becomes Formula One’s youngest champion by finishing third in the Brazilian Grand Prix. Alonso, 24, a six-time winner in his third full season in Formula One, ends Michael Schumacher’s five-year hold on the title.

2010 — Collingwood and St. Kilda plays to a 68-68 tie, the first in an Australian Rules football grand final since 1977, setting up a rematch to decide the league title.

2011 — The Detroit Lions snap a 13-game losing streak with a 26-23 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions, who won in the Metrodome for the first time since 1997, are 3-0 for the first time since 1980.

2013 — Skipper Jimmy Spithill and Oracle Team USA win the America’s Cup with one of the greatest comebacks in sports history to keep the oldest trophy in international sports in the United States. Spithill steers Oracle’s space-age, 72-foot catamaran to its eighth straight victory, speeding past Dean Barker and Emirates Team New Zealand in the winner-take-all Race 19 on San Francisco Bay. All but defeated a week ago, the 34-year-old Australian and his international crew twice rallies from seven-point deficits to win 9-8.

2016 — Rory McIlroy rallies to enter a three-man playoff and win the FedEx Cup. After trailing by three shots with three holes to play in the Tour Championship, McIlroy holes a 15-foot birdie putt on the fourth extra hole to win the playoff and claim the $10 million FedEx Cup bonus.

2022 — Laver Cup Men’s Tennis, London: Team World sweeps final day for 13-8 victory over Team Europe; tournament marks retirement of Roger Federer.

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+++TV SPORTS+++

(All times Eastern)
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts
Thursday, Sept. 25

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

7:30 p.m.

ESPN — Army at East Carolina

COLLEGE SOCCER (WOMEN’S)

7 p.m.

SECN — LSU at Auburn

10:30 p.m.

BTN — Rutgers at Southern Cal

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)

6:30 p.m.

BTN — Washington at Purdue

8:30 p.m.

BTN — Michigan St. at Minnesota

HORSE RACING

1 p.m.

FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races

MLB BASEBALL

12:30 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (12:40 p.m.) OR Tampa Bay at Baltimore (1:05 p.m.)

3:30 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: L.A. Dodgers at Arizona (3:40 p.m.) OR Houston at Athletics (3:35 p.m.)

7:30 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: N.Y. Mets at Chicago Cubs (7:40 p.m.) OR Boston at Toronto (7:05 p.m.)

NFL FOOTBALL

8:15 p.m.

PRIME VIDEO — Seattle at Arizona

NHL HOCKEY

7 p.m.

NHLN — Preseason: N.Y. Islanders at N.Y. Rangers

10 p.m.

NHLN — Preseason: Utah at Vegas

RUGBY (MEN’S)

6 a.m. (Friday)

FS2 — NRL Postseason: TBD

SOCCER (MEN’S)

12:45 p.m.

CBSSN — UEFA Europa League: Brann at Lille

3 p.m.

CBSSN — UEFA Europa League: Bologna at Aston Villa

TENNIS

6 a.m.

TENNIS — Beijing-WTA & Tokyo-ATP 1st Round

11 p.m.

TENNIS — Beijing-ATP 1st Round, WTA 2nd Round

6 a.m. (Friday)

TENNIS — Beijing-ATP 1st Round, WTA 2nd Round

_____

Friday, Sept. 26

AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL (MEN’S)

12:30 a.m. (Saturday)

FS2 — AFL Postseason:: TBD

AUTO RACING

8 p.m.

FS1 — ARCA Menards Series: The Reese’s 150 at Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kan.

1:55 a.m. (Saturday)

FS1 — FIM MotoGP: The Motul Grand Prix of Japan – Sprint Race, Motegi, Japan

COLLEGE FIELD HOCKEY

4 p.m.

BTN — Michigan St. at Penn St.

6 p.m.

ACCN — Duke at Syracuse

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

7 p.m.

ESPN — Florida St. at Virginia

9 p.m.

FOX — TCU at Arizona St.

10:30 p.m.

ESPN — Houston at Oregon St.

COLLEGE SOCCER (MEN’S)

6 p.m.

BTN — Michigan St. at Michigan

ESPNU — Clemson at Wake Forest

7:30 p.m.

ACCN — NC State at Pittsburgh

8 p.m.

BTN — UCLA at Indiana

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)

7 p.m.

SECN — Alabama at Auburn

8 p.m.

ESPNU — Arizona St. at Kansas

GOLF

7 a.m.

USA — 2025 Ryder Cup: U.S. vs. Europe – Day 1, Bethpage Black Course, Farmingdale, N.Y.

HORSE RACING

1 p.m.

FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races

MLB BASEBALL

2 p.m.

MLBN — St. Louis at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m.)

7 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: Baltimore at N.Y. Yankees (7:05 p.m.) OR Tampa Bay at Toronto (7:05 p.m.)

7:10 p.m.

APPLE TV+ — Detroit at Boston

11 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: L.A. Dodgers at Seattle (9:40 p.m.) OR Arizona at San Diego (9:40 p.m.)

NHL HOCKEY

7 p.m.

NHLN — Preseason: Detroit at Pittsburgh

10 p.m.

NHLN — Preseason: Seattle at Vancouver

RUGBY (MEN’S)

6 a.m.

FS2 — NRL Postseason: TBD

6 a.m. (Sunday)

FS2 — NRL Postseason: TBD

SOCCER (MEN’S)

2 p.m.

ESPN2 — Bundesliga: SV Werder Bremen at Bayern Munich

8:55 p.m.

FS2 — Liga MX: Leon Club Leon at Juarez

TENNIS

6 a.m.

TENNIS — Beijing-ATP 1st Round, WTA 2nd Round

11 p.m.

TENNIS — Beijing-ATP/WTA 2nd Round

6 a.m. (Saturday)

TENNIS — Beijing-ATP/WTA 2nd Round

WNBA BASKETBALL

7:30 p.m.

ESPN2 — Playoffs: TBD, Semifinal – Game 3

9:30 p.m.

ESPN2 — Playoffs: TBD, Semifinal – Game 3

_____

Saturday, Sept. 27

AUTO RACING

1 p.m.

TRUTV — NASCAR Cup Series: Practice, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kan.

2:10 p.m.

TRUTV — NASCAR Cup Series: Qualifying, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kan.

4 p.m.

CW — NASCAR Xfinity Series: The Kansas Lottery 300, Playoffs – Round of 12, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kan.

12:30 a.m. (Sunday)

FS1 — FIM MotoGP: The Motul Grand Prix of Japan, Motegi, Japan

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Noon

ABC — Notre Dame at Arkansas

ACCN — Duke at Syracuse

BTN — Rutgers at Minnesota

CBSSN — Bowling Green at Ohio

ESPN — TBA

ESPN2 — TBA

ESPNU — South Alabama at North Texas

FOX — Southern Cal at Illinois

FS1 — UCF at Kansas St.

TNT — Cincinnati at Kansas

12:45 p.m.

SECN — Utah St. at Vanderbilt

3:30 p.m.

ABC — LSU at Mississippi

ACCN — California at Boston College

BTN — UCLA at Northwestern

CBS — Ohio St. at Washington

CBSSN — Rice at Navy

ESPN — Auburn at Texas A&M

ESPN2 — Baylor at Oklahoma St.

FOX — Utah at West Virginia

4 p.m.

ESPNU — TBA

FS1 — Hawaii at Air Force

4:15 p.m.

SECN — Tennessee at Mississippi St.

7 p.m.

CW — Virginia Tech at NC State

ESPN — Arizona at Iowa St.

ESPN2 — TBA

7:30 p.m.

ABC — Alabama at Georgia

ACCN — San Jose St. at Stanford

CBSSN — Washington St. at Colorado

ESPNU — UMass at Missouri

FS1 — Appalachian St. vs. Boise St.

NBC — Oregon at Penn St.

PEACOCK — Oregon at Penn St.

7:45 p.m.

SECN — Kentucky at South Carolina

10:15 p.m.

ESPN — BYU at Colorado

ESPN2 — Idaho at Montana

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)

8 p.m.

BTN — Michigan at Michigan St.

GOLF

7 a.m.

NBC — 2025 Ryder Cup: U.S. vs. Europe – Day 2, Bethpage Black Course, Farmingdale, N.Y.

HORSE RACING

12:30 p.m.

FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races

MILB BASEBALL

8 p.m.

MLBN — TBA

MLB BASEBALL

1 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: Baltimore at N.Y. Yankees (1:05 p.m.) OR St. Louis at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m.)

4 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: Detroit at Boston (4:10 p.m.) OR St. Louis at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m.)

7 p.m.

FOX — TBA

11 p.m.

MLBN — Regional Coverage: L.A. Dodgers at Seattle (9:40 p.m.) OR Kansas City at Athletics (10:05 p.m.)

NHL HOCKEY

7 p.m.

NHLN — Preseason: Columbus at Pittsburgh

RUGBY (MEN’S)

6 a.m.

FS2 — NRL Postseason: TBD

RUGBY (WOMEN’S)

7:30 a.m.

CBSSN — 2025 World Cup: TBD, Bronze-Medal Game, Twickenham, England

Midnight

FS2 — NRL: TBA

2 a.m. (Sunday)

FS2 — NRL: TBA

SOCCER (MEN’S)

7:30 a.m.

CBSSN — English League Championship: Norwich City at Stoke City

USA — English Premier League: Manchester United at Brentford

10 a.m.

USA — English Premier League: Burnley at Manchester City

Noon

CBS — Serie A: Atalanta at Juventus

12:30 p.m.

USA — English Premier League: Sunderland at Nottingham Forest

3 p.m.

USA — English Premier League: Wolverhampton at Tottenham Hotspur

6:45 p.m.

FS2 — FIFA U-20 World Cup Group Stage: Chile vs. New Zealand, Group A, Nunoa, Chile

11 p.m.

CBSSN — Liga MX: Pumas UNAM at Club America

SOCCER (WOMEN’S)

7:30 p.m.

ION — NWSL: Angel City at Louisville

10 p.m.

ION — NWSL: Utah at Bay

TENNIS

6 a.m.

TENNIS — Beijing-ATP/WTA 2nd Round

_____

Sunday, Sept. 28

AUTO RACING

1:30 p.m.

FS1 — NHRA: Qualifying, World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Madison, Ill. (Taped)

3 p.m.

FS1 — NHRA: The NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals, World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Madison, Ill.

USA — NASCAR Cup Series: The Hollywood Casino 400, Playoffs – Round of 12, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kan.

COLLEGE FIELD HOCKEY

Noon

ACCN — North Carolina at Boston College

COLLEGE SOCCER (WOMEN’S)

4 p.m.

BTN — Rutgers at Southern Cal

6 p.m.

ACCN — Notre Dame at Clemson

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S)

11 a.m.

SECN — Alabama at Auburn

Noon

BTN — UCLA at Penn St.

1 p.m.

ESPN — Arizona at Kansas

SECN — Mississippi at Oklahoma

1:30 p.m.

ACCN — California at Virginia

2 p.m.

BTN — Illinois at Purdue

3 p.m.

ESPN — SMU at Pittsburgh

GOLF

Noon

NBC — 2025 Ryder Cup: U.S. vs. Europe – Final Day, Bethpage Black Course, Farmingdale, N.Y.

HORSE RACING

1 p.m.

FS1 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races

2 p.m.

FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races

NFL FOOTBALL

9:30 a.m.

NFLN — Minnesota vs. Pittsburgh, Dublin

1 p.m.

CBS — Regional Coverage: Washington at Atlanta, New Orleans at Buffalo, L.A. Chargers at N.Y. Giants, Tennessee at Houston

FOX — Regional Coverage: Cleveland at Detroit, Carolina at New England, Philadelphia at Tampa Bay

4:05 p.m.

FOX — Regional Coverage: Indianapolis at L.A. Rams OR Jacksonville at San Francisco

4:25 p.m.

CBS — Regional Coverage: Baltimore at Kansas City OR Chicago at Chicago at Las Vegas

8:20 p.m.

NBC — Green Bay at Dallas

NHL HOCKEY

3 p.m.

NHLN — Preseason: Washington at New Jersey

8 p.m.

NHLN — Preseason: Vancouver at Edmonton

RODEO

3 p.m.

CW — PBR: Camping World Team Series, Springfield, Mo.

SOCCER (MEN’S)

9 a.m.

USA — English Premier League: Fulham at Aston Villa

10 a.m.

CBSSN — Scottish Premier League: Rangers at Livingston

11:30 a.m.

USA — English Premier League: Arsenal at Newcastle United

12:30 p.m.

CBSSN — Serie A: TBA

6 p.m.

CBSSN — USL Championship: TBA

6:45 p.m.

FS2 — FIFA U-20 World Cup Group Stage: TBA

6:55 p.m.

FS1 — FIFA U-20 World Cup Group Stage: TBA

WNBA BASKETBALL

3 p.m.

ABC — Playoffs: TBD, Semifinal – Game 4 (If Necessary)

5 p.m.ESPN — Playoffs: TBD, Semifinal – Game 4 (If Necessary)

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