“THE SCOREBOARD”
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD
DIAMONDBACKS 5, CUBS 4
RED SOX 7, MARLINS 3 (11 INNINGS)
METS 3, BREWERS 2 (10 INNINGS)
GUARDIANS 8, ANGELS 6 (10 INNINGS)
PIRATES 1, PADRES 0
BRAVES 4, DODGERS 3
ASTROS 9, YANKEES 7
WHITE SOX 11, RANGERS 7
MARINERS 4, PHILLIES 1
ROYALS 5, BLUE JAYS 3
ROCKIES 3, NATIONALS 1
ORIOLES 13, CARDINALS 1
TIGERS 4, RAYS 1
ATHLETICS 4, TWINS 2
GIANTS 3, REDS 1
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MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD
INDIANAPOLIS 8 COLUMBUS 5
DAYTON 9 FT. WAYNE 6
WISCONSIN 4 SOUTH BEND 3
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WNBA SCOREBOARD
SUN 87 SKY 81
WINGS 96 FIRE 78
MYSTICS 94 MERCURY 84
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MLS SCOREBOARD
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 2
ANDERSON (0-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON (1-0)
ANDREAN (0-1) AT FORT WAYNE LUERS (0-1)
ATTICA (0-1) AT TRI-COUNTY (0-1)
BATESVILLE (1-0) AT MILAN (1-0)
BEN DAVIS (1-0) AT AVON (1-0)
BLOOMINGTON NORTH (0-1) AT BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (1-0)
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH (1-0) AT MARTINSVILLE (0-1)
BLUFFTON (1-0) AT CHURUBUSCO (0-1)
BOONE GROVE (0-1) AT SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) (0-1)
BOONVILLE (1-0) AT MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) (0-1)
BOWMAN ACADEMY (0-0) AT HAMMOND NOLL (0-1)
BREBEUF JESUIT (0-1) AT MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) (1-0)
BUCHANAN (MICH.) AT PRAIRIE HEIGHTS (0-1)
CALUMET (0-1) AT RIVER FOREST (0-0)
CAMBRIDGE CITY LINCOLN (0-1) AT UNION COUNTY (0-1)
CARMEL (1-0) AT WESTFIELD (1-0)
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) (1-0) AT CENTER GROVE (0-1)
CASTLE (1-0) AT EVANSVILLE MATER DEI (1-0)
CHARLESTOWN (1-0) AT BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (1-0)
CHESTERTON (0-1) AT HAMMOND MORTON (1-0)
CLARKSVILLE (1-0) AT EASTERN (PEKIN) (0-1)
CLOVERDALE (1-0) AT NORTH PUTNAM (0-1)
COLUMBIA CITY (1-0) AT NORTHRIDGE (1-0)
COLUMBUS EAST (0-1) AT COLUMBUS NORTH (1-0)
CONCORD (0-1) AT JIMTOWN (1-0)
CONNERSVILLE (1-0) AT FRANKLIN COUNTY (1-0)
CORYDON CENTRAL (0-1) AT PAOLI (0-1)
COVINGTON (1-0) AT PURDUE ENGLEWOOD (0-1)
CRAWFORD COUNTY (0-1) VS. BROWN COUNTY (0-1)
DANVILLE (1-0) AT CASCADE (1-0)
DECATUR CENTRAL (0-1) AT FORT WAYNE WAYNE (0-1)
DEKALB (1-0) AT ANGOLA (1-0)
DELPHI (1-0) AT TWIN LAKES (1-0)
EAST CENTRAL (1-0) AT NEW PALESTINE (1-0)
EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL (0-0) AT GARY WEST (0-0)
EAST NOBLE (1-0) AT FORT WAYNE SNIDER (0-1)
EASTERN GREENE (1-0) AT NORTH KNOX (0-1)
EASTERN HANCOCK (1-0) AT NORTH DECATUR (1-0)
EASTSIDE (1-0) AT ADAMS CENTRAL (1-0)
EATON (OHIO) AT RICHMOND (0-1)
EDGEWOOD (1-0) AT BEECH GROVE (1-0)
EDINBURGH (1-0) AT CHRISTEL HOUSE (0-0)
ELWOOD (0-1) AT TRI-CENTRAL (0-1)
EVANSVILLE CENTRAL (0-1) AT EVANSVILLE BOSSE (0-1)
EVANSVILLE HARRISON (0-1) AT JASPER (0-1)
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (1-0) AT EVANSVILLE NORTH (0-1)
FAITH CHRISTIAN (1-0) AT CLINTON CENTRAL (1-0)
FOREST PARK (1-0) AT PERRY CENTRAL (0-1)
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK (0-1) AT SOUTHERN WELLS (1-0)
FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA (1-0) AT EASTBROOK (0-1)
FORT WAYNE DWENGER (1-0) AT ST. FRANCIS DE SALES (OHIO)
FORT WAYNE NORTH (0-1) AT NEW HAVEN (0-1)
FORT WAYNE NORTHROP (0-0) AT WARSAW (1-0)
FORT WAYNE SOUTH (1-0) AT SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (1-0)
FOUNTAIN CENTRAL (0-1) AT CRAWFORDSVILLE (1-0)
FRANKFORT (0-1) AT CLINTON PRAIRIE (1-0)
FRANKLIN CENTRAL (1-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI (0-1)
GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (1-0) AT LAWRENCEBURG (0-1)
GREENWOOD (1-0) AT FRANKLIN (1-0)
GRIFFITH (1-0) AT MUNSTER (0-0)
GUERIN CATHOLIC (1-0) AT PENDLETON HEIGHTS (1-0)
HAGERSTOWN (1-0) AT CENTERVILLE (1-0)
HANOVER CENTRAL (1-0) AT LAKE CENTRAL (0-0)
HENRYVILLE (0-1) AT TRINITY LUTHERAN (0-1)
HERITAGE (1-0) AT DELTA (0-1)
HERITAGE HILLS (1-0) AT OWENSBORO APOLLO (KY.)
HUNTINGTON NORTH (1-0) AT GARRETT (0-1)
ILLINOIS HOMESCHOOL AT LAKE STATION (0-0)
INDIAN CREEK (1-0) AT HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (0-1)
INDIANAPOLIS ARSENAL TECH (0-1) AT SPEEDWAY (1-0)
INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (0-1) AT LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC (1-0)
INDIANAPOLIS RITTER (0-1) AT KETTERING ALTER (OHIO)
INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA (0-1) AT TRITON CENTRAL (0-1)
INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE (1-0) AT COVENANT CHRISTIAN (1-0)
INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY (0-1) AT PARK TUDOR (0-1)
JEFFERSONVILLE (0-1) AT SEYMOUR (0-1)
JOHN GLENN (1-0) AT FAIRFIELD (1-0)
KANKAKEE VALLEY (0-1) AT WHEELER (1-0)
KOKOMO (0-1) AT TERRE HAUTE SOUTH (0-1)
LAKELAND (0-1) AT PLYMOUTH (0-1)
LAPEL (1-0) AT FRANKTON (0-1)
LAWRENCE CENTRAL (1-0) AT ZIONSVILLE (1-0)
LAWRENCE NORTH (0-1) AT FISHERS (0-1)
LEBANON (0-1) AT WESTERN BOONE (0-1)
LEO (1-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD (1-0)
LEWIS CASS (0-1) AT NORTHFIELD (1-0)
LOGANSPORT (1-0) AT SOUTH BEND ADAMS (1-0)
LONDON (OHIO) AT HAMILTON HEIGHTS (0-1)
LOWELL (0-1) AT LAPORTE (1-0)
LOYOLA ACADEMY (ILL.) AT INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (0-1)
MACONAQUAH (1-0) AT CARROLL (FLORA) (1-0)
MADISON (1-0) AT JENNINGS COUNTY (1-0)
MADISON-GRANT (1-0) AT SOUTHWOOD (0-1)
MERRILLVILLE (1-0) AT LAFAYETTE JEFF (0-1)
MICHIGAN CITY (0-1) AT DETROIT CASS TECH (MICH.)
MISHAWAKA MARIAN (0-1) AT CULVER ACADEMY (0-1)
MISSISSINEWA (0-1) AT MARION (0-1)
MITCHELL (0-1) AT SPRINGS VALLEY (0-1)
MONROE CENTRAL (1-0) AT UNION CITY (0-1)
MONROVIA (0-1) AT LINTON (0-1)
MOORESVILLE (1-0) AT TERRE HAUTE NORTH (0-1)
MUNCIE CENTRAL (1-0) AT YORKTOWN (1-0)
NEW ALBANY (1-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN (1-0)
NEW CASTLE (0-1) AT JAY COUNTY (1-0)
NEW PRAIRIE (0-1) AT NORTHWOOD (0-1)
NOBLESVILLE (1-0) AT HOMESTEAD (0-1)
NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) (1-0) AT NORTH DAVIESS (1-0)
NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) (1-0) AT HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN (0-1)
NORTH JUDSON (1-0) AT LAVILLE (1-0)
NORTH MONTGOMERY (0-1) AT WESTERN (0-1)
NORTH NEWTON (0-1) AT RENSSELAER CENTRAL (1-0)
NORTH WHITE (1-0) AT CASTON (1-0)
NORTHEASTERN (0-1) AT SHENANDOAH (0-1)
NORTHWESTERN (1-0) AT EASTERN (GREENTOWN) (1-0)
OAK HILL (0-1) AT NORWELL (1-0)
OSCEOLA GRACE AT FREMONT (1-0)
OWEN VALLEY (1-0) AT SOUTHMONT (1-0)
PARIS (ILL.) AT NORTH VERMILLION (0-1)
PENN (1-0) AT MISHAWAKA (1-0)
PERU (0-1) AT WHITKO (0-1)
PIKE (0-1) AT CROWN POINT (1-0)
PIKE CENTRAL (0-1) AT PRINCETON (0-1)
PIONEER (1-0) AT KNOX (0-1)
PLAINFIELD (0-1) AT HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) (1-0)
PORTAGE (0-1) AT HOBART (1-0)
PROVIDENCE (0-1) AT LOUISVILLE HOLY CROSS (KY.)
RABUN GAP (GA.) AT BROWNSBURG (1-0)
ROCHESTER (1-0) AT TIPPECANOE VALLEY (1-0)
SALEM (1-0) AT SILVER CREEK (0-1)
SCOTTSBURG (0-1) AT NORTH HARRISON (0-1)
SEEGER (0-1) AT BENTON CENTRAL (0-1)
SHELBYVILLE (1-0) AT RUSHVILLE (0-1)
SHERIDAN (0-1) AT ALEXANDRIA (0-1)
SOUTH ADAMS (0-1) AT BELLMONT (0-1)
SOUTH BEND RILEY (1-0) AT VALPARAISO (0-1)
SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (0-1) AT GOSHEN (0-1)
SOUTH DEARBORN (0-1) AT SWITZERLAND COUNTY (1-0)
SOUTH DECATUR (0-1) AT GREENSBURG (0-1)
SOUTH PUTNAM (1-0) AT GREENCASTLE (0-1)
SOUTH SPENCER (0-1) AT EMINENCE (KY.)
SOUTH VERMILLION (1-0) AT SULLIVAN (1-0)
SOUTHPORT (0-1) AT PERRY MERIDIAN (0-1)
T.F. SOUTH (ILL.) AT HAMMOND CENTRAL (1-0)
TAYLOR (0-1) AT NORTH MIAMI (0-1)
TECUMSEH (1-0) AT NORTH POSEY (1-0)
TIPTON (1-0) AT MANCHESTER (0-1)
TRITON (0-1) AT BREMEN (1-0)
VINCENNES LINCOLN (1-0) AT NORTHVIEW (1-0)
WARREN CENTRAL (1-0) AT ELKHART (1-0)
WES-DEL (1-0) AT BLACKFORD (0-1)
WEST CENTRAL (0-1) AT CULVER (0-1)
WEST LAFAYETTE (0-1) AT MCCUTCHEON (0-1)
WEST NOBLE (0-1) AT WAWASEE (0-1)
WEST VIGO (0-1) AT PARKE HERITAGE (0-1)
WEST WASHINGTON (1-0) AT TELL CITY (1-0)
WHITELAND (0-1) AT FLOYD CENTRAL (1-0)
WHITING (1-0) AT HIGHLAND (0-1)
WINAMAC (1-0) AT FRONTIER (0-1)
WINCHESTER (0-1) AT KNIGHTSTOWN (0-1)
WOODLAN (1-0) AT CENTRAL NOBLE (1-0)
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
SCOREBOARD: https://www.maxpreps.com/in/volleyball/scores/?date=8/25/2026
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER
SCOREBOARD: https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer/scores/?date=8/25/2026
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER
SCOREBOARD: https://www.maxpreps.com/in/soccer/girls/scores/?date=8/25/2026
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
https://www.ihsaa.org/sports/boys/cross-country
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
https://www.ihsaa.org/sports/girls/cross-country
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INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS
https://www.ihsaa.org/sports/boys/tennis
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INDIANA GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL
SCOREBOARD: https://www.maxpreps.com/in/flag-football/girls/scores/?date=8/25/2026
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE/TV
FRIDAY, AUG. 28
IDAHO AT CAL POLY | 10 P.M. | ESPN
SATURDAY, AUG. 29
TCU VS. NORTH CAROLINA (AVIVA STADIUM IN DUBLIN, IRELAND) | 12 P.M. | ESPN
SAN JOSE STATE AT USC | 3 P.M. | NBC
ALABAMA STATE VS. SOUTHERN (LEGION FIELD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALA.) | 3 P.M. | ESPNU
NC STATE AT VIRGINIA | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
JACKSONVILLE STATE AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE | 5:30 P.M. | CBSSN
SACRAMENTO STATE AT EASTERN MICHIGAN | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
HAWAI’I AT STANFORD | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
NEW MEXICO STATE AT FLORIDA STATE | 7 P.M. | THE CW NETWORK
EAST TEXAS A&M AT MERCER | 7 P.M. | ESPN
HOWARD VS. ALABAMA A&M (CENTER PARC STADIUM IN ATLANTA) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M AT TARLETON STATE | 9 P.M. | ESPN2
MEMPHIS AT UNLV | 10 P.M. | FOX
WEEK 1
THURSDAY, SEPT. 3
UMASS AT RUTGERS | 6 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
BETHUNE-COOKMAN AT UCF | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
AKRON AT WAKE FOREST | 7 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
MERRIMACK AT DELAWARE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
WEST GEORGIA AT KENNESAW STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
UALBANY AT BUFFALO | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF AT MISSOURI | 8 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
COLORADO AT GEORGIA TECH | 8 P.M. | ESPN
EASTERN ILLINOIS AT MINNESOTA | 8 P.M. | PEACOCK
IDAHO AT UTAH | 9 P.M. | ESPNU
UAB AT ILLINOIS | 9 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
FRIDAY, SEPT. 3
SAN JOSE STATE AT EASTERN MICHIGAN | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+
INDIANA STATE AT PURDUE | 7 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
NORTH CAROLINA A&T AT GEORGIA STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
UTEP AT OKLAHOMA | 8 P.M. | SECN+
LIU AT KANSAS | 8 P.M. | ESPNU
TOLEDO AT MICHIGAN STATE | 8 P.M. | FS1
MIAMI (FLA.) AT STANFORD | 9 P.M. | ESPN
FRESNO STATE AT USC | 9 P.M. | FOX
SATURDAY, SEPT. 4
EAST CAROLINA AT ALABAMA | 12 P.M. | ABC
OREGON STATE AT HOUSTON | 12 P.M. | ESPN
COASTAL CAROLINA AT WEST VIRGINIA | 12 P.M. | TNT/HBO MAX
NEW HAMPSHIRE AT SYRACUSE | 12 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
NORTH TEXAS AT INDIANA | 12 P.M. | FOX
OHIO AT NEBRASKA | 12 P.M. | FS1
BRYANT AT ARMY | 12 P.M. | CBSSN
TARLETON STATE AT BOWLING GREEN | 12 P.M. | ESPN+
LIBERTY AT JAMES MADISON | 12 P.M. | ESPNU
MIAMI (OHIO) AT PITT | 12:30 P.M. | ESPN UNLIMITED AND THE CW NETWORK
BALL STATE AT OHIO STATE | 12:30 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
KENT STATE AT SOUTH CAROLINA | 12:45 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
YOUNGSTOWN STATE AT KENTUCKY | 1 P.M. | SECN+
SE MISSOURI STATE AT IOWA STATE | 1 P.M. | ESPN+
DUQUESNE AT AIR FORCE | 1 P.M. | MW+
RHODE ISLAND AT TEMPLE | 2 P.M. | ESPN+
TENNESSEE STATE AT GEORGIA | 3 P.M. | SECN+
AUBURN VS. BAYLOR (MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM IN ATLANTA) | 3:30 P.M. | ABC
FURMAN AT TENNESSEE | 3:30 P.M. | SECN+
TEXAS STATE AT TEXAS | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN
BOSTON COLLEGE AT CINCINNATI | 3:30 P.M. | FOX
TULANE AT DUKE | 3:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
BOISE STATE AT OREGON | 3:30 P.M. | CBS
MARSHALL AT PENN STATE | 3:30 P.M. | FS1
THE CITADEL AT CHARLOTTE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
TOWSON AT NAVY | 3:30 P.M. | CBSSN
UT RIO GRANDE VALLEY AT UTSA | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
FORDHAM AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN UNLIMITED AND THE CW NETWORK
MAINE AT APP STATE | 3:30 P.M. | ESPN+
OKLAHOMA STATE AT TULSA | 3:45 P.M. | ESPNU
NORTH ALABAMA AT ARKANSAS | 4:15 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AT IOWA | 4:15 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
ALCORN STATE AT SOUTHERN MISS | 5 P.M. | ESPN+
WYOMING AT COLORADO STATE | 6 P.M. | USA NETWORK
NORFOLK STATE AT OLD DOMINION | 6 P.M. | ESPN+
MISSOURI STATE AT TEXAS A&M | 7 P.M. | ESPN
AUSTIN PEAY AT VANDERBILT | 7 P.M. | SECN+
ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT TEXAS TECH | 7 P.M. | FS1
NICHOLLS AT KANSAS STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
IDAHO STATE AT UTAH STATE | 7 P.M. | CBSSN
ARKANSAS STATE AT MEMPHIS | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN AT RICE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT SOUTH FLORIDA | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
MURRAY STATE AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
EASTERN KENTUCKY AT JACKSONVILLE STATE | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
SE LOUISIANA AT SOUTH ALABAMA | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
SAM HOUSTON AT TROY | 7 P.M. | ESPN+
CLEMSON AT LSU | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
UL MONROE AT MISSISSIPPI STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPNU
VMI AT VIRGINIA TECH | 7:30 P.M. | ACC NETWORK
WESTERN MICHIGAN AT MICHIGAN | 7:30 P.M. | NBC
NORTHWESTERN STATE AT LOUISIANA TECH | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN+
FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT FLORIDA | 7:45 P.M. | SEC NETWORK
UTAH TECH AT BYU | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
HAMPTON AT MARYLAND | 8 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT NORTHWESTERN | 8 P.M. | BIG TEN NETWORK
LAMAR AT LOUISIANA | 8 P.M. | ESPN+
MORGAN STATE AT ARIZONA STATE | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
MERCYHURST AT NEW MEXICO STATE | 9 P.M. | ESPN+
NORTHERN ARIZONA AT ARIZONA | 9:30 P.M. | ESPN+
PORTLAND STATE AT SAN DIEGO STATE | 9:30 P.M. | USA NETWORK
UNLV AT HAWAI’I | 10 P.M. | ESPN UNLIMITED AND THE CW NETWORK
CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT NEW MEXICO | 10 P.M. | FS1
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE AT SACRAMENTO STATE | 10 P.M. | ESPN+
UCLA AT CAL | 10:30 P.M. | ESPN
WESTERN KENTUCKY AT NEVADA | 10:30 P.M. | CBSSN
SUNDAY, SEPT. 6
TEXAS SOUTHERN AT PRAIRIE VIEW A&M | 12 P.M. | ESPN2
FLORIDA A&M VS. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (HARD ROCK STADIUM IN MIAMI GARDENS, FLA.) | 3 P.M. | ESPN
WASHINGTON STATE AT WASHINGTON | 4 P.M. | NBC
OLE MISS VS. LOUISVILLE (NISSAN STADIUM IN NASHVILLE, TENN.) | 7:30 P.M. | ABC
NOTRE DAME VS. WISCONSIN (LAMBEAU FIELD IN GREEN BAY, WIS.) | 7:30 P.M. | NBC
MONDAY, SEPT. 7
SMU AT FLORIDA STATE | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN
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NFL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE
WEEK 3
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
PITTSBURGH AT BUFFALO, 7:00
NEW ENGLAND AT CLEVELAND (PRIME VIDEO), 8:00
SAN FRANCISCO AT LAS VEGAS, 8:00
L.A. RAMS AT L.A. CHARGERS, 10:00
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
WASHINGTON AT BALTIMORE, 6:00
HOUSTON AT CAROLINA, 7:00
ATLANTA AT MIAMI, 7:00
TAMPA BAY AT JACKSONVILLE, 7:30
N.Y. GIANTS AT N.Y. JETS, 7:30
NEW ORLEANS AT DALLAS, 8:00
ARIZONA AT GREEN BAY, 8:00
SEATTLE AT KANSAS CITY, 8:00
CINCINNATI AT PHILADELPHIA (CBS), 8:00
MINNESOTA AT DENVER, 9:00
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29
DETROIT AT INDIANAPOLIS, 1:00
CHICAGO AT TENNESSEE, 6:00
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2026 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS SCHEDULE
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TV / TIME (ET)
WEEK 1 THU, AUG 13 @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS LOCAL (7:30 PM)
WEEK 2 SAT, AUG 22 VS. ATLANTA FALCONS LOCAL (1:00 PM)
WEEK 3 SAT, AUG 29 VS. DETROIT LIONS LOCAL (1:00 PM)
#####
2026 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET) TV / STREAMING
1 SUN, SEPT 13 VS. BALTIMORE RAVENS 1:00 PM CBS
2 SUN, SEPT 20 @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 8:20 PM NBC
3 SUN, SEPT 27 VS. HOUSTON TEXANS 1:00 PM CBS
4 SUN, OCT 4 @ WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 9:30 AM NFL NET
5 SUN, OCT 11 @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS 1:00 PM CBS
6 SUN, OCT 18 VS. TENNESSEE TITANS 1:00 PM FOX
7 SUN, OCT 25 @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS 1:00 PM CBS
8 SUN, NOV 1 @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 1:00 PM CBS
9 SUN, NOV 8 VS. DALLAS COWBOYS 1:00 PM FOX
10 SUN, NOV 15 VS. MIAMI DOLPHINS 1:00 PM CBS
11 THU, NOV 19 @ HOUSTON TEXANS 8:15 PM PRIME VIDEO
12 SUN, NOV 29 VS. NEW YORK GIANTS 1:00 PM FOX
13 BYE WEEK
14 SUN, DEC 13 @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 1:00 PM FOX
15 SUN, DEC 20 @ TENNESSEE TITANS 1:00 PM CBS
16 TBD – FLEX VS. CINCINNATI BENGALS TBD TBD
17 SUN, JAN 3 @ CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:00 PM FOX
18 TBD – FLEX GAME VS. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS TBD TBD
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TOP NATIONAL SPORTS HEADLINES
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
WHO’S IN? WHO WINS? AP’S WAY TOO EARLY PREDICTION FOR THE 2026 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF
The playoff that everyone wanted — make that, demanded — is now a fixture in college football.
The latest set of tweaks were made to favor Notre Dame and maybe some mid-level champion of a big-name conference (think, Duke and the ACC last year), while the losers in that calculation are the little guys who see their chances of cracking into the bracket, let alone winning a game or two, grow that much slimmer.
Even with the adjustments, as the College Football Playoff heads toward its third season of the 12-team playoff, one thing feels the same: Among all the major sports in America (and maybe the world), it still has the market cornered on the most opaque, least consensus-building way of determining who gets to play for the title.
It is still a system in which one team’s 10-2 record means something completely different than another team’s 10-2 record (see 2025 versions of Oklahoma and Vanderbilt); in which one team’s loss to another can have a drastically different meaning at the time it happens vs. four months later (see the Miami-Notre Dame fiasco from last year); and in which a weekly rankings show purports to shine a light on where things might fall, but in the end can sow more confusion (see every show last season airing the CFP rankings).
All that said, 12 teams will make it into the playoff field, which kicks off with four campus games starting Dec. 18. Two will get to Las Vegas to play for the title next Jan. 25. And one will win it all and join Indiana and Ohio State as the third champion of the 12-team-playoff era.
Here’s a best guess on how things shake out (numbers indicate predicted seed):
No. 1: Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish, runners-up in 2024, bring back most of the team that got left on the bubble and out of the tournament last year despite being ranked 11th. The CFP executives fixed that — if Notre Dame is in the top 12, it must get a playoff spot. But with shutdown CB Leonard Moore and QB C.J. Carr returning, no need to worry about squeaking in.
No. 2: Ohio State
Yes, the Buckeyes lost 11 players to the NFL, though that should serve as a reminder of the kind of talent this program brings in. If the season goes perfectly, QB Julian Sayin and WR Jeremiah Smith could both be in New York in December as finalists for the Heisman Trophy.
No. 3: Miami
Last year’s runner-up has the schedule and the players to dampen the impact from a potential Nov. 7 loss to Notre Dame. Darian Mensah threw for almost 4,000 yards at Duke last year, then left the ACC champs (with five losses) for greener pastures and presumably more bucks.
No. 4: Texas
It feels like the last bye week available in the CFP for a top four seed will come down to an SEC title game between the Longhorns and Georgia, two teams that haven’t quite lived up to the hype the last few years. All the buzz at Texas, of course, revolves around Arch Manning, who got lots of help this year to try to make up for last year when the ‘Horns missed the playoff.
5-8: Oregon, Indiana, Texas Tech, Georgia
The Ducks, with Dante Moore, start at No. 2 in the preseason AP poll this year and could stay there heading into the Nov. 7 game at Ohio State. … Hard to bet against Curt Cignetti at Indiana, even without Fernando Mendoza. … Is Will Hammond ready? He better be after the Brandon Sorsby gambling debacle that could undermine an otherwise solid Texas Tech roster. … Georgia is Georgia. It’s what people used to say about Alabama, Florida and every great program in the SEC, which is on a three-year natinoal championship drought.
9-12: LSU, Oklahoma, Virginia, South Florida
LSU’s Lane Kiffin is a lot of things. Good coach is near the top of that list … Defense travels and QB John Mateer is a stud who can run. OU’s schedule (at Michigan, at Georgia, vs. Texas) is tough, though that can set you up for success if you win one or two. … Reprising the Virginia pick from last year because this is, essentially, the same experienced team that almost won the ACC last year with a similarly weak schedule. … ESPN said of the 76 all-conference players on last year’s Group of Five rosters (now G6, with the Pac-12) who had eligibility left, only 23 returned to their school. The American might be a feeder league, but USF might be best in class.
Snubs and tears
After South Florida leapfrogs five or six teams to make the field of 12, bubble teams such as Alabama, Ole Miss, BYU and maybe USC cry foul, ask for reforms and maybe even threaten a lawsuit. … After more snubs and Georgia’s fall out of a first-round bye position after losing the conference title game, the SEC might finally go along with a CFP expansion to 24.
Early upsets in the CFP?
How about this prediction: Oklahoma goes on the road to knock out Texas Tech AND Ohio State. … South Florida can’t contend vs. Georgia, furthering the call to push the G6 completely out unless they earn a CFP berth via ranking. … Notre Dame falls to Texas in the semifinals at the Sugar Bowl and Oregon earns its spot in the final with a road win over the ‘Canes in the other semifinal at the Orange Bowl.
And the winner is …
Oregon beats Texas 24-20 in Vegas to make it four straight for the Big Ten and land the Ducks that elusive championship. QB Dante Moore gets the national title trophy after barely losing a different one — the Heisman — to Manning.
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BIG TEN PLANS TO ADDRESS ELIGIBILITY AFTER TE WAIVED BY NFL TEAM INTENDS TO JOIN LSU, AP SOURCE SAYS
Big Ten administrators were scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss player eligibility a day after the agent for a player waived by the Cleveland Browns announced his client planned to go to LSU to use his fifth season of eligibility, The Associated Press has learned.
A person familiar with the situation said it was likely a vote would be taken on whether to bar such players from returning to play in the conference, though it was unclear whether athletic directors or school presidents would be voting. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Big Ten had not formally announced its plans for addressing the matter.
Former Mississippi tight end Dae’Quan Wright could be heading to LSU thanks to a state-level court order that is creating havoc throughout college sports by allowing Wright and others an unexpected fifth year of eligibility despite a NCAA rule change in June impacting players who graduated from high school in 2022.
Wright’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told the AP on Monday that the tight end had been waived by the Cleveland Browns and, if he clears waivers, will join Lane Kiffin’s roster at No. 11 LSU. Wright played two seasons for Kiffin at Ole Miss.
Wright was among a group of players who sued in a Louisiana court, saying the new NCAA rule granting five years of eligibility to most athletes should apply to him and others who were not “grandfathered” into the rule, which did not include the high school Class of 2022.
The Southeastern Conference said it firmly opposes professional athletes returning to play college sports.
“College athletes, not professional athletes, have been at the heart of the Southeastern Conference,” according to the SEC statement late Monday. “Individuals who choose to leave college athletics, sign professional playing contracts, and compete professionally should not then be permitted to return to college competition. Allowing that to occur will blur the line between college and professional sports, create significant competitive equity concerns and reduce opportunities for high school and current college athletes.”
The SEC concluded its statement by calling on Congress to pass a bill regulating college sports.
Earlier this summer, a Texas judge cleared the way for quarterback Brendan Sorsby to play at Texas Tech despite admitting to gambling in what usually means an NCAA ban. Other members of the Big 12 Conference and the Big 12 itself indicated strong opposition to the planned move and Sorsby eventually decided against trying to play again in college.
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SEC JOINS BIG TEN IN BANNING PROS FROM RETURNING TO COLLEGE, INCLUDING BASKETBALL PLAYERS
The Southeastern Conference passed a rule Tuesday banning players who have been drafted by NFL, NBA or WNBA teams or listed on rosters in those leagues, joining the Big Ten in taking a strong stand against an unexpected surge of pro players trying to return to college with the NCAA mired in a sprawling legal fight over eligibility.
The SEC’s rule goes beyond the one adopted earlier in the day by the Big Ten, which only included football in its decision and is expected address other sports later.
The news was the latest in a head-spinning week of court rulings, emergency rulemaking sessions and player signings, all of which point to a college sports landscape in disarray. The moves by the nation’s two biggest conferences, four days before the start of football season, are intended to tamp down the latest crisis — one involving players who came back to college after being released from pro rosters.
“I feel like I took a freaking gummy,” said Sean McVay, the coach of the Los Angeles Rams, when asked about the prospect of a player he released returning to college. “I don’t even understand it.”
The rules — which seem likely to be challenged in court — came after a series of losses for the NCAA in state courts around the country, where judges are granting players who graduated high school in 2022 a fifth year of eligibility. In June, the NCAA passed a rule giving most players five years to finish five seasons of eligibility in college, but did not grandfather in the Class of ’22.
Hundreds of those players saw their fourth — and supposedly final — year of eligibility run out last spring. They are arguing that they’re being denied educational opportunities and the chance to earn name, image and likeness money that they could get in a fifth year.
College rosters are largely set and incoming freshmen and other new players on teams are now faced with sudden competition from athletes whose eligibility had supposedly run out.
LSU was quick to nab players after court rulings
The SEC rule puts LSU on notice. This week, Tigers coach Lane Kiffin was adding Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, a pair of undrafted players out of Mississippi who had tryouts in the NFL over the summer, but were released by their teams during training camp.
The rule, which also applies to players signed by the NBA G League, will impact players like R.J. Luis Jr.. On Monday, the former St. John’s star won a court ruling that allowed him to sign with Will Wade’s basketball program at LSU despite having briefly been under contract with the Jazz and Celtics of the NBA.
Kiffin suggested in a news conference Monday that if LSU didn’t take these newly eligible players, other teams certainly would. Now, nobody can — at least not among the 34 teams that make up the two biggest leagues in college and play an outsize role in spearheading policy across the industry.
There was no immediate comment from LSU.
“Over 100 athletes in multiple sports were cleared and said you could go play. That’s a court order,” Kiffin said earlier Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN. “If you think back on all the different court orders of great players that were granted — whether that’s Diego Pavia or, now, Trinidad (Chambliss) that were allowed to play a sixth year, we followed all court orders. I think you get into a really interesting situation as a conference if you’re now saying, ‘Well, we’re not going to follow this court order.’”
The Big Ten’s penalties for violating its rule include a half-season suspension for the head coach and a fine for the school. The SEC did not immediately divulge its penalties, though commissioner Greg Sankey is expected to have wide latitude in figuring out punishment.
The other Power Four leagues, the Atlantic Coast and Big 12 conferences, are expected to discuss the issue Wednesday.
“I don’t think anybody in our league likes the idea of taking away opportunities from existing college students and graduating high school players, which is exactly what is happening when a school signs a player out of an NFL camp to their team,” Wake Forest athletic director John Currie wrote in a text message to The Associated Press.
The leagues and NCAA are using the eligibility crisis as a selling point for the Protect College Sports Act, a bill in the Senate that would give the NCAA some protection against the sort of lawsuits that are upending college athletics.
But that bill is weeks away from a vote. Football season starts Saturday, with the featured game taking place in Ireland, where TCU faces North Carolina.
“It’s a rudderless ship right now,” TCU coach Sonny Dykes said. “I mean, I don’t know who’s in charge of football anymore.”
Duke coach Manny Diaz said the Power Four conferences need to present a unified front.
“You wouldn’t run any other type of corporation, organization, anything else, the way we’re being run right now,” he said. “And so I hope the leagues do step up because somebody has to right now, because when there’s a vacuum, this is what you see.”
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NO. 14 USC OPENS SEASON WITH GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Lincoln Riley begins Year 5 at USC on Saturday when he leads the No. 14 Trojans against San Jose State, the only matchup involving a Top 25 team on a light slate for college football’s opening weekend.
Riley, 35-18 in four seasons in Los Angeles, knows the bar is set high in 2026 based on the talent and experience on his roster. He has not yet led USC to the College Football Playoff, which has been dominated of late by the Big Ten.
“I do believe we’re more equipped than at any point in the previous few years,” Riley said. “That’s not a hope or a wish. Those are facts, and there’s a lot of facts to back that up.”
Experience is a good place to start. USC has 12 starters returning from a 9-4 team in 2025, headlined by quarterback Jayden Maiava and an offensive line Riley believes has more than five legitimate starters. There are also a few rows of blue-chip freshmen on the depth chart the Trojans are ready to introduce at the Coliseum on Saturday.
Maiava had 30 total touchdowns and passed for 3,711 yards in 13 games last season. Freshman wide receiver Boobie Feaster is just 17 years old but significant snaps aren’t out of the question early in the season because of his consistency in camp.
But there’s as much anticipation and excitement around the Trojans’ defense, now led by former TCU coach Gary Patterson. Patterson’s attacking front can be challenging to block, and he has horses to make it click. His Horned Frogs defenses ranked No. 1 in the nation five times in his two decades in Fort Worth.
Junior linebacker Desman Stephens II came out of fall camp with the most buzz from teammates and Riley said nothing to contradict those views Tuesday.
“I think Desman Stephens has made one of the biggest jumps as a player,” Riley said. “He has been really, really good. Just really throughout this entire time. I think he’s really taken to coach Patterson’s scheme.”
San Jose State was 3-9 and 11th in the Mountain West in 2025. Expectations are, well, not the same for the visitors on Saturday.
Never mind the oddsmakers installing the Spartans as underdogs of more than five touchdowns (38.5 points as of Tuesday). San Jose State is in a building phase and wants to establish an identity.
Much of that mission depends on Hawaii transfer Luke Weaver at quarterback. One of 33 transfers on the roster, he has two career starts and spent most of last season as the backup to Micah Alejado. He was named SJSU’s starter last week after a three-man competition with Robert McDaniel and Daniel Rolovich.
“Luke processes things really quickly. He sees the field. He’s athletic. He’s a guy that can extend drives with his legs, but he’s not just a scrambler to scramble. He can scramble and throw the football. He’s got some intangibles that we hope are going to pay dividends for us,” SJSU coach Ken Niumatalolo said.
Niumatalolo, who is currently ninth among FBS active head coaches with 119 career wins, is 2-4 against Big Ten teams in his career. Both victories came during his time as head coach at Navy.
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NFL NEWS
VIKINGS WR JESHAUN JONES GETS A 3-GAME SUSPENSION FOR VIOLATING THE NFL’S SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY
The NFL’s announcement of the punishment on Tuesday did not disclose the nature of the violation. Jones spent each of the past two years on Minnesota’s practice squad, before being promoted to the active roster and appearing in the final game of the 2025 season. He went undrafted out of Maryland, where he had 2,040 receiving yards on 151 receptions with 14 touchdowns over a six-year career.
Jones remains eligible to participate in what remains of the preseason, including the final exhibition game at Denver on Friday. His suspension will begin on Sunday, and he will be eligible for reinstatement on Sept. 28.
The 26-year-old Jones was already going to have a tough time making the active roster for the regular season, with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings locked into the starting spots and Tai Felton and Myles Price in line for backup roles after strong performances during training camp.
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SAINTS PLACE RUNNING BACK TY CHANDLER AND TIGHT END MOLIKI MATAVAO ON INJURED RESERVE
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — New Orleans Saints running back Ty Chandler and tight end Moliki Matavao were placed on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday with knee injuries that occurred during a 34-0 preseason loss at the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.
A day earlier, the Saints placed defensive back Rejzohn Wright on injured reserve.
Chandler and Matavao appeared on track to make the 53-man roster before their injuries.
Chandler returned a kickoff 86 yards in New Orleans’ preseason opener and had 12 carries for 45 yards in the preseason.
Matavao, a seventh-round draft choice in 2025, had three catches for 34 yards in exhibition play.
Earlier in camp, New Orleans lost starting defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and reserve offensive lineman Dillon Radunz for the season — both to knee ligament tears.
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KUBIAK: RAIDERS WILL DECIDE WHEN TO START MENDOZA BASED ON HIS PLAY AND NOT THE OFFENSE AS A WHOLE
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The Raiders’ offensive line is far from proven, no wide receiver has emerged as a true No. 1 and a rookie could be the starting running back entering the season.
Probably not the ideal situation to start a first-year quarterback, but players drafted first overall — as Fernando Mendoza was — usually join a team with a lot more questions than answers.
And there are plenty with Las Vegas.
Could that be a factor for when Raiders coaches decide to start Mendoza? He likely will be the backup to Kirk Cousins when the season opens Sept. 13 against Miami.
“They’ve all got to get ready,” coach Klint Kubiak said. “Whoever is playing quarterback for us, it’s a team thing. It’s not the QB playing well and everyone else is not or the other way around.”
The Raiders’ offense last season was statistically the worst in the NFL. Las Vegas’ averages of 14.2 points and 245.2 yards per game were each last in the league.
It didn’t help that the Raiders’ offensive line also was statistically at the bottom, but management hopes that is no longer the case. The club signed three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum to the richest contract ever for an interior offensive lineman. Kolton Miller, who missed all but four games last season because of an ankle injury, is one of the league’s best left tackles.
But how much the Raiders improve up front remains a question, particularly at right guard where Jackson Powers-Johnson is competing with Caleb Rogers for the starting role.
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THE 49ERS HEAD INTO FINAL PRESEASON WEEK WITH SEVERAL PLAYERS HURT BUT EXPECTED BACK SOON
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers held their final practice before their exhibition finale with nearly two dozen injured players missing but remain hopeful that most will be able to return to practice next week before the team departs for Australia for the season opener.
The 49ers finish the preseason on Thursday night in Las Vegas against the Raiders and then will take three days off. They will return to practice on Monday, the day after rosters are cut from 90 players to 53, and have three sessions before leaving for Australia late on Sept. 2. San Francisco opens the season on Sept. 11 in Melbourne against the Los Angeles Rams.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that he’s hoping star defensive end Nick Bosa will be back at practice next week. Bosa went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 last season and began training camp doing only individual drills. He was shut down in early August because of soreness and tendinitis in his surgically repaired right knee.
“He’s doing good,” Shanahan said. “I’m hoping that he can get into practice next week.”
Receiver Mike Evans (groin), cornerback Upton Stout (hip flexor) and receiver/returner Jacob Cowing (groin) also are expected back next week.
The main position battle remaining is at left guard where the team has been looking for someone to seize the starting spot all summer. Rookie Carver Willis and second-year player Connor Colby are both expected to play against the Raiders while most of the team’s starters get the night off. Veterans Robert Jones (calf) and Austen Pleasants (knee) could be back at practice next week as all four remain in the mix for the spot.
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BENGALS WR JA’MARR CHASE SAYS HE’S ‘GOOD’ AFTER KNEE SCARE
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase left Tuesday’s practice early after suffering what he called a “hyperextension” of his left knee, but he also said he was not concerned about the injury.
Chase was hurt as he fell to the turf while trying to catch a deep pass from Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. He stayed on the ground for a few seconds before trainers came out to examine him. He left the field but stayed on the sideline for the remainder of practice, The Athletic reported.
He told Cincinnati radio station WCKY after practice he wanted to keep going but the Bengals “pulled” him. He said he could play if the team had a game Wednesday.
“I’m feeling good,” the sixth-year pro said.
Chase, 26, is an integral part of the Bengals’ offense. Last season, he led the NFL with 185 targets and was third with 125 receptions, for 1,412 yards (11.3 yards per reception) and eight touchdowns in 16 games (all starts). Chase earned first-team All-Pro honors for a second consecutive season and a fifth Pro Bowl honor in as many seasons. He and Tee Higgins form one of the most potent 1-2 receiving combinations in the league.
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GIANTS WR CALVIN AUSTIN III CARTED OFF PRACTICE FIELD
New York Giants wide receiver Calvin Austin III was carted off the field after sustaining an apparent right knee injury during Tuesday’s practice.
Austin was cutting while working against Deonte Banks during a 1-on-1 drill when his knee appeared to buckle. Austin was consoled by his teammates on the field and again by Giants co-owner John Mara, who followed Austin in his own cart and tapped the wideout on the helmet and shoulder pads.
Signed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, Austin played the past three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
“The nice thing about Calvin is that he can play all three (receiver) spots,” Giants head coach John Harbaugh said of the 5-foot-9, 162-pound Austin after Monday’s practice. “You can move him around in any one of those positions. He’s a ‘smaller receiver,’ and yet he can go outside. He’s played outside a lot. You don’t see that that often. So, he gives us a lot of versatility that way. Kind of everything you ask him to do, he does it well. He’s very reliable. Runs the right routes, makes catches. He’s been that way kind of his whole career.”
Austin, 27, had 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games (seven starts) last season.
He had 84 receptions for 1,100 yards and eight scores in 48 career regular-season games (16 starts) with the Steelers.
Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said he had “no idea” how seriously Austin was injured, but it would be “a blow” if the team were to lose him. Nagy stressed Harbaugh’s “next man up” ethic applies. The injury could provide Odell Beckham Jr. and other receivers an opportunity for more playing time.
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WEEK 1 ‘ALWAYS THE PLAN’ FOR CHIEFS QB PATRICK MAHOMES
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is ready to return and expects to be on the field for Week 1 of the regular season — pending the approval of head coach Andy Reid.
Reid isn’t ready to declare Mahomes good to go for the opener next month, a Monday night date with the Denver Broncos.
“I’m literally taking it day by day. There are no predictions here on anything,” Reid said. “But if the doctors and the trainers and everybody that are involved with this give him an OK — and then most of all, if he feels like he can, then we’ll address that when we get there. But other than that, these other guys are playing quarterback and doing a nice job with it.”
Mahomes called his return to face the Broncos’ fearsome pass rush in Week 1 “the goal” at the outset of training camp. He hasn’t played in the preseason, which has followed the plan established by coaches and medical personnel.
He’s not worried about missed reps or live looks until Denver week.
“This has always been the plan,” he said Tuesday. “Be ready for training camp, get all the reps in training camp, prepare your body that way so that when we get to Week 1, you’re ready to play the game and you’ve had the right amount of time off.”
Reid does have time on his side if he’s waiting to be convinced Mahomes is ready. The Chiefs start the season almost exactly nine months from the date he suffered tears to his ACL and LCL. Their Week 1 game is scheduled for Sept. 14 and there are at least 13 more Kansas City practices scheduled before the game kicks off.
Mahomes hasn’t missed reps with the first team or taken a day off, Reid said.
“I’m someone that, if you put something in front of me, I want to go out and get it,” Mahomes said.
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COMMANDERS CUT FORMER STARTING S WILL HARRIS
The Washington Commanders cut former starting safety Will Harris on Tuesday among several roster moves.
Harris, 30, played in the Commanders’ first three games last season before fracturing a fibula and returned to action in Week 13 on Nov. 30 against Denver. He started all nine games he played last season, his first with Washington. Harris totaled 38 tackles, one sack, three passes defended and one forced fumble.
The Commanders added free agent Nick Cross in the offseason and are high on returning veteran safeties Jeremy Reaves and Quan Martin, the latter intercepting two passes in the first two preseason games.
Detroit selected Harris in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Boston College.
For his career, Harris has 358 tackles, three interceptions, 2.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, 22 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 103 regular-season games (62 starts) for the Lions (2019-23), New Orleans Saints (2024) and Commanders.
Washington placed outside linebacker Drake Jackson (hamstring) on injured reserve, ending his season. Jackson, 25, tore a patellar tendon in 2023 while with the San Francisco 49ers and played in three games last season with the Commanders.
The team also released rookie safety Malik Spencer and signed outside linebacker Boogie Basham, 28, and safeties Joshuah Bledsoe, 27, and Quindell Johnson, 26.
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DOLPHINS ROOKIE LB TREY MOORE TO HAVE ANKLE SURGERY
Miami Dolphins rookie linebacker Trey Moore needs surgery on his left ankle and is expected to miss an extended period of time.
“Hopefully he will be back at some point this season, but it will be awhile,” coach Jeff Hafley confirmed Tuesday.
Moore, a fourth-round pick out of Texas, was injured in Saturday’s 26-3 preseason loss to the New York Giants.
Moore, 23, registered 30.5 sacks and 175 tackles in 57 career games at UTSA (2021-23) and Texas (2024-25).
Miami concludes the preseason Friday at home against Atlanta and opens the regular season on Sept. 13 at Las Vegas.
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REPORT: VETERAN RB KAREEM HUNT VISITS WITH LIONS
Free agent running back Kareem Hunt visited the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, ESPN reported.
Hunt, 31, rushed for 611 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (four starts) with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025.
The Lions are looking for depth behind starter Jahmyr Gibbs due to a series of injuries in the backfield.
Backup Isiah Pacheco, Hunt’s former Chiefs teammate, is sidelined due to an MCL sprain. Sione Vaki (back) has been banged up in training camp, Jabari Small is in concussion protocol, and Raheem Blackshear was placed on injured reserve Monday.
A third-round draft pick by Kansas City in 2017, Hunt burst onto the scene that season by leading the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards and making the Pro Bowl.
Hunt has rushed for 5,775 yards and 55 touchdowns in 121 career games (50 starts) for the Chiefs (2017-18, 2024-25) and Cleveland Browns (2019-23). He has 267 career receptions for 2,209 yards and 18 scores.
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REPORT: CARDS C HJALTE FROHOLDT GETS 2-YEAR, $20M EXTENSION
The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms with center Hjalte Froholdt on a two-year, $20 million contract extension, NFL Network reported Tuesday.
The deal will keep Froholdt, who turned 30 last week, on the roster through the 2028 season.
Froholdt started all 17 games in each of his first three seasons with the Cardinals from 2023-25. He played at least 98% of Arizona’s offensive snaps in all three campaigns.
A fourth-round draft pick by New England in 2019, the Denmark native has played in 82 career games (57 starts) for the Patriots (2020), Cleveland Browns (2021-22) and Cardinals. He has recovered three fumbles.
Also Tuesday, the Cardinals announced the signings of safety Josh Minkins and punter Jack Browning. Terms were not disclosed.
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JAGUARS WR BRIAN THOMAS JR. ‘ALL RIGHT’ AFTER INJURY SCARE
Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. appeared to injure his shoulder and was held out of the remainder of Tuesday’s joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Thomas landed on his shoulder during the first play of 11-on-11 work. Trainers looked at Thomas, who returned for one more play before sitting out the action on the sideline.
“I think he’s all right, just fell on his shoulder,” Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said. “Holding him out was smart. Get him ready for Cleveland (in the season opener on Sept. 13).”
Thomas, 23, enjoyed a sensational rookie season, reeling in 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 after being selected by Jacksonville with the 23rd overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Last season was a different story. Thomas tied for second in the NFL with 10 drops, missed three games and was limited to 48 receptions for 707 yards and two touchdowns.
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STUDY: AT LEAST 25% OF NFL PLAYERS IN SAMPLE HAD CTE
At least 25% of former NFL players who died from 2016-21 had the degenerative brain disease CTE, according to a study posted Tuesday by the British Medical Journal.
The study was conducted by Mass General Brigham, Boston University and the Concussion & CTE Foundation.
Researchers examined samples of the brains from some of the 878 players who had appeared in at least one NFL game, in any year, and died during that six-year period. CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, has been linked to repeated head injuries and can only be diagnosed after death.
Of the 878 deaths, 235 players donated their brains and it was discovered that 215 of them had CTE at some stage. That’s more than one in every four deaths and an overwhelming 91.5% of the ones studied.
The NFL Players Association sent an email to its players and their agents Tuesday that warned this study “suggests that CTE may be significantly more common among NFL players than previously understood, reinforcing the importance of continued research, care and support.”
“While CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death,” said the email obtained by The Athletic, “many symptoms commonly associated with CTE, including memory challenges, mood changes, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties, may also be caused by other medical or neurological conditions, many of which can be treated or managed. That is why a thorough medical evaluation is so important.
“Pay attention to your cognitive, neurological and overall health. If you have concerns, seek evaluation and support. Early intervention matters. Resources are available today that can help.”
The NFL said it “continuously strives to make the game of football safer, including by implementing strategies to reduce concussions and head impacts.”
“The NFL remains committed to ensuring that the NFL community has access to a robust — and expanding — set of resources to enhance their physical and mental well-being,” the league said in a statement to ESPN.
Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, the study’s lead author, said that the estimate of 25% is on the “low end.” He said the maximum possible prevalence is around 97%, with the true rate of CTE “somewhere in the middle.”
A higher presence of CTE is probable but not possible to calculate because of the number of players who donated their brains.
The study also found that more than 70% of the samples submitted were linked to Stages III and IV CTE. Stage IV, the most advanced stage, meets the criteria for dementia.
Daneshvar said the risks of CTE can be mitigated by eliminating hits during practice sessions and prohibiting children from playing tackle football.
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BASEBALL NEWS
MLB ROUNDUP: D-BACKS RALLY PAST CUBS ON RYAN WALDSCHMIDT’S WALK-OFF HR
Pinch hitter Ryan Waldschmidt hit a two-run walk-off homer with two outs in the ninth inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks overcame a four-run deficit to beat the Chicago Cubs 5-4 in Phoenix on Tuesday.
Tim Tawa drew a walk from Jacob Webb (6-4) with one out in the ninth. Pinch runner Jose Fernandez stole second with two outs before Waldschmidt hit a 2-1 hanging slider 408 feet into the left field seats, giving the D-backs 40 comeback victories this season — tied with the Cubs for the most in the majors. Waldschmidt is the first rookie in major league history to hit two walk-off homers while trailing in the same calendar month, also doing so Aug. 7 against the Dodgers, per OptaSTATS.
The Cubs had scored 30 consecutive runs and had thrown 23 consecutive scoreless innings since falling behind the Seattle Mariners 2-0 in the second inning of a 19-2 win on Sunday until the D-backs scored three in the eighth on Tuesday.
Chicago’s Ian Happ hit a three-run homer off Brandon Pfaadt to break a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, his third long ball in five games. Cubs starter Clay Holmes gave up two hits, both singles, in seven scoreless innings, leaving the game with a 4-0 lead.
Red Sox 7, Marlins 3 (11 innings)
Jarren Duran slugged a grand slam as Boston defeated host Miami in extra innings to win its fifth straight game.
Mickey Gasper homered twice for the Red Sox. He has five homers in his past eight games. Prior to that, he had no homers in 107 at-bats in the majors this season. The Marlins, who have lost two straight, were led by Heriberto Hernandez, who slugged his team-high 20th homer of the season.
Both teams scored in untraditional ways in the 10th inning, Boston on a passed ball and Miami on a dropped third strike which would have otherwise been the third out and ended the game. Boston’s Payton Tolle struck out seven and allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings. Miami’s Tyler Phillips lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing one run and tying his career high with seven strikeouts.
Mets 3, Brewers 2 (10 innings)
Francisco Lindor homered and later scored the winning run as host New York beat Milwaukee in the opener of a three-game series.
After Trevor Megill (2-3) walked Carson Benge and Luis Robert Jr., Christopher Morel hit a grounder to third which allowed automatic runner Lindor to score when David Hamilton’s throw home was off-target. Jonathan Pintaro (2-0) walked one in a scoreless top of the 10th. Robert homered and had two hits for the Mets, who are 13-8 this month.
Luis Lara hit a run-scoring single in the fourth and Christian Yelich delivered the game-tying, pinch-hit RBI double in the ninth for the Brewers, who have dropped two straight following a 6-1 stretch. New York rookie Zac Thornton gave up one run on seven hits over six innings. Kyle Harrison allowed one run on six hits over five innings for Milwaukee.
Guardians 8, Angels 6 (10 innings)
Jose Ramirez doubled three times and drove in five runs, capped by a go-ahead two-run double in the 10th inning, as Cleveland rallied from an early five-run deficit to defeat Los Angeles in Anaheim, Calif.
Ramirez lined a double off Angels reliever Blake Weiman (0-1) into the gap in left-center to drive in Brayan Rocchio and Steven Kwan, leading the Guardians to their sixth straight win. Kwan went 5-for-5 with a walk, an RBI and three runs, matching his career-high hit total. Erik Sabrowski (5-2) struck out the side in the ninth, and Cade Smith fanned two during a scoreless 10th to pick up his 35th save.
Vaughn Grissom hit two homers and drove in three runs, Mike Trout went 2-for-4 with a walk and a run and Christian Moore also homered for the Angels, who lost their third straight game.
Pirates 1, Padres 0
Oneil Cruz lined a two-out solo homer in the top of the ninth inning to plate the only run in Pittsburgh’s win over host San Diego.
Cruz ripped a changeup from Mason Miller (4-2) 379 feet into the seats in right field for his 17th homer of the year and the first allowed by Miller since last August. Gregory Soto (6-4) pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning to earn the win for the Pirates, who have won two straight against the Padres after coming into this series having lost 13 of their last 15 meetings against San Diego.
Both starters pitched brilliantly but settled for no-decisions. Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes allowed just three hits in six innings, while San Diego’s Michael King twirled seven innings and permitted five hits.
Braves 4, Dodgers 3
Ozzie Albies hit a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning and Raisel Iglesias pitched around Shohei Ohtani’s leadoff triple in the ninth as Atlanta held on to beat visiting Los Angeles.
After Ohtani’s triple, Iglesias struck out Freddie Freeman and got Mookie Betts to ground out. After Max Muncy was intentionally walked, Tommy Edman flied out to center field, preserving Atlanta’s second straight win and ending the Dodgers’ six-game winning streak.
Braves starter Bryce Elder threw six innings of three-run, eight-hit ball while Los Angeles starter Tyler Glasnow, making his first start since May 6 after dealing with back issues, went five innings and allowed three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts.
Astros 9, Yankees 7
Yainer Diaz homered twice, Yordan Alvarez hit a tiebreaking RBI triple with two outs in the eighth inning and Houston outlasted host New York.
Diaz started the deciding three-run rally off Brent Headrick (7-3) by homering to right with one out to tie the game 6-6. After a single by Jeremy Pena, Alvarez roped a first-pitch slider to the warning track in right-center field before scoring on a single by Isaac Paredes.
Spencer Jones doubled and Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled him home to kick off the bottom of the eighth but Bryan Abreu (5-3) got Austin Wells to ground into a double play and Josh Hader finished it off by notching the final four outs for his 19th save in 19 chances.
White Sox 11, Rangers 7
Tristan Peters delivered a two-run double during a six-run first inning and homered for the fourth straight game as host Chicago held off Texas.
Chicago evened the series between American League playoff contenders at one game apiece. The White Sox out-hit the Rangers 14-11, but needed a ninth-inning escape despite their strong start as Grant Taylor came on with the bases loaded and two out to get Cody Freeman to ground into a forceout at second to end the game.
Rangers starter Jacob deGrom allowed the first five batters of the game to reach base. deGrom (9-9) went only 3 2/3 innings, giving up eight runs. Chicago left-hander Anthony Kay benefited from the early run support but fell one out short of qualifying for the victory after giving up four runs over 4 2/3 innings.
Mariners 4, Phillies 1
Cal Raleigh homered and George Kirby pitched 7 2/3 strong innings as Seattle defeated visiting Philadelphia for a fourth win in five games.
Kirby (9-10) allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out nine. Mariners closer Andres Munoz worked the ninth for his 24th save of the season. Raleigh, who went deep three times on Monday, tied the team record of four homers in as many at-bats.
Bryce Harper had two hits for the Phillies, who have lost two in a row after a nine-game winning streak. Aaron Nola (5-10) permitted two runs on three hits in six innings.
Royals 5, Blue Jays 3
Salvador Perez knocked in the go-ahead run with a fifth-inning single and Kansas City held off host Toronto for its ninth straight victory.
The game ended when Toronto’s Nathan Lukes was thrown out at second trying to stretch his two-run single off Steven Cruz into a double. Left fielder Isaac Collins got the ball to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., whose throw to second got Lukes.
Kansas City starter Seth Lugo (6-7) allowed one run on six hits and one walk with five strikeouts in five innings, while Toronto’s Max Scherzer (1-7) allowed two runs in five innings as he dropped a seventh straight decision.
Rockies 3, Nationals 1
Hunter Goodman homered in his return from the injured list as Colorado snapped a seven-game losing streak with a win at Washington.
The Rockies, who entered the game with the fourth-highest bullpen ERA in the majors (4.88), got five innings of scoreless relief from relievers. Mark Manfredi (1-0) pitched one inning for his first big league win and Jordan Romano worked the ninth for his 13th save.
The Nationals lost for the ninth time in 11 games. Washington went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and totaled five hits one night after scoring 13 runs on 13 hits. Mason Adams started for Colorado and pitched four innings in his major league debut.
Orioles 13, Cardinals 1
Pete Alonso went 4-for-4 with a three-run home run and Christian Encarnacion-Strand also homered and drove in three runs as Baltimore hammered host St. Louis.
Jackson Holliday added three hits and right-hander Chris Bassitt pitched effectively into the seventh inning for the Orioles, who remain in the thick of a crowded AL wild-card race despite being four games under .500.
Alonso’s 31st homer of the season keyed a four-run third inning and Encarnacion-Strand’s seventh homer capped it. Bassitt (5-4) gave the Orioles a boost in his third start back since having surgery in June to remove bone spurs from his back, allowing a run on six hits (five singles) over 6 2/3 innings.
Tigers 4, Rays 1
Max Clark hit his second career home run to help propel host Detroit to a victory over Tampa Bay which ended its six-game losing streak.
Javier Baez scored two runs and Hao-Yu Lee added an RBI single for the Tigers. Detroit starter Jackson Jobe gave up one run in 4 1/3 innings. Drew Sommers (1-3) didn’t allow a baserunner in 1 2/3 innings while picking up his first major league win. Kenley Jansen got the last three outs to record his 17th save.
Bulk Rays reliever Ian Seymour (9-5) gave up all four runs — three earned — and seven hits in the final 5 2/3 innings. Junior Caminero had two hits and scored the lone run for the AL East leaders, who scored first in the fourth. Jonny DeLuca had the lone RBI.
Athletics 4, Twins 2
Carlos Cortes hit a two-run homer and Gage Jump pitched into the seventh inning as the Athletics beat Minnesota in West Sacramento, Calif.
Lawrence Butler had two hits for the Athletics, who won for the third time in four games. Jump (6-8) allowed two runs on three hits over 6 1/3 innings. Hogan Harris recorded two outs, Luis Medina pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Elvis Alvarado retired the Twins in order in the ninth for his fourth save.
Royce Lewis had two of the Twins’ four hits. Minnesota struck out 12 times and lost for the fourth time in five games. Right-hander Taj Bradley (9-6) threw the first immaculate inning (three strikeouts on nine total pitches) in Twins history in the fifth inning but allowed four runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings.
Giants 3, Reds 1
Rafael Devers homered again, another pitcher got injured early in his start, and San Francisco followed a winning — albeit painful — script to beat visiting Cincinnati.
One night after they built an early lead and lost starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt to an elbow injury, the Giants repeated the pattern. Adrian Houser exited due to arm tightness in the second inning, and he will undergo an MRI on Wednesday.
Anthony Molina (1-0) threw 4 1/3 innings to win his Giants debut. Carson Seymour was credited with his first career save despite serving up a Sal Stewart homer in the ninth. San Francisco’s Drew Cavanaugh had three hits and two RBIs.
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GOLF NEWS
GOLF GLANCE: $40M ON LINE AT TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP; BRITISH MASTERS KICKS OFF KEY STRETCH
The top 30 players compete for a $40 million purse at the PGA Tour Championship, the LPGA Tour competes for its largest purse outside of the majors and the DP World Tour kicks off its final stretch before the playoffs.
PGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: Tour Championship, Atlanta, Aug. 27-30
Course: East Lake Golf Club (Par 70, 7,440 Yards)
Purse: $40M (Winner: $10M)
Defending Champion: Tommy Fleetwood
FedEx Cup Leader: Scottie Scheffler
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET (ESPN), 1-6 p.m. (Golf Channel); Saturday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-7 p.m. (CBS); Sunday: noon-1:30 p.m. (GC), 1:30-6 p.m. (CBS)
Streaming: Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Saturday: 12:15-7 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (ESPN App)
X: @TOURChamp
NOTES: The Top 30 players in the FedEx Cup standings following last week’s BMW Championship qualified for the Tour Championship. They each earned a two-year PGA Tour exemption and access to each of next year’s four major championships. … The weighted system was eliminated last year, with all players starting at even par and having an equal opportunity to win the FedEx Cup. … Gary Woodland, Patrick Cantlay and Robert MacIntyre moved into the field following the BMW Championship, bumping out Kurt Kitayama, Bud Cauley and Rickie Fowler. … Kristoffer Reitan and Alex Fitzpatrick are the only two tour rookies in the field. The other four first-time players in the season-ending event are Ryan Gerard, Min Woo Lee, Alex Smalley and Ryan Fox. … Tiger Woods holds the tournament scoring record of 257 set in 2007.
THE FIELD:
1. Scottie Scheffler
2. Matt Fitzpatrick
3. Wyndham Clark
4. Cameron Young
5. Si Woo Kim
6. Chris Gotterup
7. Collin Morikawa
8. Sam Burns
9. Tommy Fleetwood
10. Ludvig Aberg
11. Rory McIlroy
12. Xander Schauffele
13. Jacob Bridgeman
14. Russell Henley
15. Akshay Bhatia
16. Hideki Matsuyama
17. Ryan Gerard
18. Gary Woodland
19. Patrick Cantlay
20. Kristoffer Reitan
21. Min Woo Lee
22. J.J. Spaun
23. Alex Smalley
24. Alex Fitzpatrick
25. Robert MacIntyre
26. Viktor Hovland
27. Justin Rose
28. Adam Scott
29. Tom Kim
30. Ryan Fox
BEST BETS: Scheffler (+345 at DraftKings) leads the tour in greens in regulation (72.52%), top-10 finishes (12) and scoring average (68.65). He enters the Tour Championship at No. 1 for the fifth consecutive year. … McIlroy (+780) is the only three-time winner of the FedEx Cup. No one else in the field has won it more than once. He’s coming off a third place at the BMW. … Ludvig Aberg (+1375) had a pair of top-10s before his T16 last week. … Sam Burns (+1475) is coming off a T28 following top-3 finishes in three of his previous four starts. … Clark (+1600) is the only player to finish inside the top-10 at each of the first two playoff events and has three wins on the season. … Fleetwood (+1850) is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend a FedEx Cup title.
Last Tournament: BMW Championship (Clark)
Next Tournament: Biltmore Championship Asheville, Asheville, N.C., Sept. 17-20
LPGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: FM Championship, Norton, Mass., Aug. 27-30
Course: TPC Boston (Par 72; 6,522 Yards)
Purse: $4.4M (Winner: $660,000)
Defending Champion: Miranda Wang
Race to CME Globe Leader: Nelly Korda
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV/Streaming: Thursday-Friday: 9 a.m.-noon ET (Golf Channel); Saturday: 3-7 p.m. (GC); Sunday: 1-1:30 p.m. (GolfChannel.com), 1:30-4 p.m. (GC)
X: @LPGA
NOTES: The event began in 2024 and is the final one before next month’s Solheim Cup. The field includes all players in the top 10 of the world rankings, and they are competing for the largest purse on tour outside of the majors. … Wang beat then-No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul by one shot last year to claim her maiden LPGA Tour victory. … TPC Boston played host to a PGA Tour event for 17 years.
Last Tournament: CPKC Women’s Open (Miyu Yamashita)
Next Tournament: Solheim Cup, s’Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, Sept. 11-13
DP WORLD TOUR
THIS WEEK: Husqvarna British Masters, Sutton Coldfield, England, Aug. 27-30
Course: The Belfry Hotel & Resort (Par 72, 7,363 Yards)
Purse: $3.5M (Winner: $583,333)
Defending Champion: Alex Noren
Race to Dubai Leader: Patrick Reed
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Friday: 7:30-9 a.m. ET ( Golf Channel); Saturday, 7 a.m.-noon (Golf Channel); Sunday, 7 a.m.-noon (CNBC).
X: @DPWorldTour
NOTES: This is the first event of the “Back 9” leading up to the DP World Tour playoffs and is hosted by Sir Nick Faldo. … This event begins the qualification process for the 2027 European Ryder Cup team. Captain Luke Donald is in the field. … Tyrrell Hatton is in the field for the first time since 2024 and is joined by fellow LIV Golf players Adrian Meronk and Tom McKibbin. … Reed is coming off a 30th-place finish last week as he plays in five consecutive events.
Last Tournament: Nexo Championship (Scott Jamieson)
Next Tournament: Omega European Masters, Crans Montana, Switzerland, Sept. 3-6
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
THIS WEEK: The Ally Challenge, Grand Blanc, Mich., Aug. 28-30
Course: Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club (Par 72, 7,085 Yards)
Purse: $2.2M (Winner: $330,000)
Defending Champion: Stewart Cink
Charles Schwab Cup Leader: Cink
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Friday: 7-10 p.m. ET (Golf Channel – Tape Delay); Saturday: 8-10 p.m. (Golf Channel – Tape Delay); Sunday: 4-6 p.m. (Golf Channel)
X: @ChampionsTour
NOTES: Six events remain before the start of the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs. … Former LIV Golf captain Henrik Stenson, who turned 50 years old on April 5, officially has been reinstated and will make his Champions debut. … 2023 champion Bernhard Langer will turn 69 on Thursday. … Cink and rookie Zach Johnson have combined to win nine of the first 18 events of the 2026 season, including three of the five majors. … Cink, who also is the two-time defending event champion, is trying to become the first player to lead the standings every week in a season in the 25-year history of the Charles Schwab Cup.
Last Tournament: Rogers Charity Classic (Steven Alker)
Next Tournament: PURE Insurance Championship, Monterey Peninsula, Calif., Sept. 11-13
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NASCAR NEWS
NASCAR RETURNING CORONADO IN ’27, PLANS TO VISIT OTHER MILITARY SITES
NASCAR announced Tuesday that it is returning to Naval Base Coronado in 2027, with both the Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series racing the Southern California course for a second consecutive year.
Additionally, NASCAR announced plans to hold more races at military sites beginning in 2028. NASCAR chief operating officer Ben Kennedy said that decision was made after speaking with Secretary of Defense (War) Pete Hegseth during this year’s inaugural race weekend at Coronado.
“He obviously loved the event, enjoyed the event and that helped spur conversations around what the future relationship might look like with them,” Kennedy said. “So we agreed in 2028 we’re going to go to another military installation as a part of a long-term plan as we think about rotating these. …
“Still remains to be seen where and what and when those other locations might look like, but (NASCAR has) already been digging into a number of different markets that we feel like are priority markets for us to be in that we frankly don’t have a large presence in today, along with just iconic installations that everyone knows of.
Corey Heim picked up his first career Cup win in the inaugural Cup race run at Coronado, the Anduril 250, on June 21.
One change will be the timing of the race, as the 2027 race in Coronado will be run Aug. 1, making it the championship round of NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge — a five-race midseason tournament with 32 drivers competing for a $1 million prize.
NASCAR also announced the Craftsman Truck Series would not return to Coronado after racing there this year, replacing the stop with a September race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Clarington, Ontario.
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INDYCAR NEWS
FREEDOM 250 NETS BEST INDYCAR RATINGS OUTSIDE 500 SINCE ‘08
The IndyCar Series’ Freedom 250 Grand Prix, a one-time street race in the nation’s capital in honor of the country’s semiquincentennial, earned the racing circuit’s best TV ratings for any non-Indianapolis 500 race since 2008.
Fox reported an average of 3.282 million viewers for the unique event, the largest audience outside of the Indy 500 since IndyCar merged with Champ Car in 2008. Viewership peaked at 3.482 million between 2:30 and 2:45 p.m. ET Sunday.
Washington, D.C., had never hosted a street race of this kind before 2026, but President Donald Trump authorized the race with an executive order back in January. The Secretaries of the Interior and Transportation designed the race route, which encircled and cut through the National Mall.
The IndyCar Series, whose U.S. TV rights belong to Fox, is averaging 1.88 million viewers per race, a 32% increase from this time last year, Sports Business Journal reported.
Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global won the race, beating Denmark’s Christian Lundgaard by 3.0906 seconds.
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TOP INDIANA SPORTS HEADLINES
COLTS FOOTBALL
COACH SHANE STEICHEN: https://www.colts.com/video/indianapolis-colts-head-coach-shane-steichen-provides-injury-updates-shares-plans-for-saturday-detroit-lions-game-media-availability-august-25
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INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
INDIANAPOLIS – Enmanuel Valdez hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the sixth inning and Duce Gourson finished a home run shy of the cycle as the Indianapolis Indians defeated the Columbus Clippers, 8-5, on Tuesday night at Victory Field.
With the Indians (32-20, 63-64) trailing, 4-3, a two-out rally turned the tide to give the club the lead. Duce Gourson and Ronny Simon recorded back-to-back singles and then Valdez launched his 16th homer of the campaign for a 6-4 advantage.
Columbus (25-25, 66-58) put a pair of runs on the board in the top of the first inning in the first three batters. Cooper Ingle walked and then Daniel Schneemann and Ralphy Velazquez hit consecutive two-baggers. Indy answered right back with two runs in the bottom half as Gourson drove home Mitch Jebb with a double and Jack Brannigan later pushed home the second tally with an RBI groundout.
The Clippers regained the lead with two scores in the third inning on another pair of consecutive doubles from Kyle Manzardo and George Valera. The Indians loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth but only managed to scrape across one run on a two-out error by Manzardo at first base. Valdez then gave Indy the lead for good with his long ball in the sixth. Columbus added a run in the eighth to cut the deficit to one, but Indy responded with two of their own in the frame for an 8-5 final.
Thomas Harrington started for the Indians and allowed four runs, striking out seven batters in his 4.0 innings. Isaac Mattson (W, 3-0) then entered and retired all nine batters he faced with three strikeouts. Evan Sisk allowed an unearned run in the eighth inning and Beau Burrows (S, 12) recorded the final three outs. Hunter Stanley (L, 2-2) allowed the homer to Valdez.
Indianapolis and Columbus continue this week’s six-game series on Wednesday afternoon at 1:35 PM ET. RHP Noah Davis (2-10, 5.38) is scheduled to start for the Indians with RHP Yorman Gómez (1-4, 6.91) set to take the hill for the Clippers.
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INDIANA WOMEN’S SOCCER
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana women’s soccer hits the road for the first time this season as they look to face Xavier. The Hoosiers will travel to Cincinnati, Ohio and play the Musketeers from Corcoran Field on Wednesday, August 26th at 6:30 pm EST.
After a 2-0-1 record to start the year at home, the Hoosiers look to earn their first road win of the season.
ABOUT THE MUSKATEERS
Katy Eletman leads Xavier in her first season at the helm. The former Associate Head Coach took over after the Musketeers finished last season 16-4-2, winning the Big East Tournament. Through the start of the season their record stands at 1-1-0 with a recent no contest against Michigan.
Last Time Out
The Hoosiers travel away from Bill Armstrong Stadium after finishing a three-game home stand last Friday against Bellarmine.
Indiana came out of the gate strong, taking 10 shot attempts through the first half and holding the Knights to zero.
In the final minute before the half, a penalty was called in the box that allowed defender Piper Cofield to step up for her second penalty kick of the season. She found the top right corner to take the 1-0 lead into halftime.
The second half continued to see pressure applied by the Hoosiers forcing Bellarmine to make four saves and seven fouls through the game.
Bellarmine was rewarded a penalty kick in the final minute of play tying the game with only second remaining.
The Hoosiers were unable to score ending the game in the first draw of the season.
HOOSIER STATS
Bella Haggerty remains the leading goal scorer, tallying two in the season opener. Kennedy Neighbors, Aleyna Quinn, Maggie Ledwith, and Piper Coffield follow each scoring one goal.
Haggerty and Ledwith lead the Hoosiers in total points with four apiece. Neighbors follows behind with three along with Quinn who has two. Jenna Chatterton, Emma Ehret, and Ella Stanley also have one point each for the Hoosiers.
17 Hoosiers have recorded a shot this season. Ledwith leads the way with 11 shot attempts, followed by Neighbors and Hamm with seven and six, respectively. Coffield and Quinn have added four shots apiece, with Haggerty, Stanley, and Fishel recording three.
UP NEXT
IUWS will return home for their next match against Saint Louis. 1 pm from Bill Armstrong Stadium on Sunday, August 30th.
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INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Top Drawer Soccer published its ‘Team of the Week’ on Tuesday (Aug. 25) and named Indiana men’s soccer forward Oliver Moller-Jensen its national player of the week. IU’s new Danish dynamo Oliver Moller-Jensen recorded three goals and two assists in a pair of opening week victories.
In his first matchweek as a Hoosier, Moller-Jensen contributed to five of Indiana’s six goals in convincing victories over Notre Dame (3-1) and Evansville (3-0). The fourth-year player marked his IU debut with a brace and assist in the season opener, taking part in all three Indiana scores.
Moller-Jensen and the Hoosiers will complete a three-match homestand Thursday (Aug. 27) with its third consecutive in-state opponent: Butler. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Armstrong Stadium.
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INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana men’s basketball program will host a nine-game non-conference home slate, highlighted by matchups with UCF and Missouri.
“We are excited about how the non-conference schedule came together,” said head coach Darian DeVries. “We will get the opportunity to test ourselves in several high-profile, power-conference games this season. We cannot wait to get this season rolling and be back in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall with Hoosier Nation.”
Indiana has announced exhibition games at Butler (Sunday, Oct. 11), against North Carolina (Sunday, Oct. 18) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and versus Western Kentucky (Sunday, Oct. 25) in Evansville.
The season will open with home contests against Eastern Illinois (Monday, Nov. 2) and Bellarmine (Thursday, Nov. 5) at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The month will also feature home contests against Tennessee Tech (Thursday, Nov. 12), versus Jacksonville (Tuesday, Nov. 24), and against Bowling Green (Friday, Nov. 27).
The Hoosiers will play three neutral site games early in the season: against Syracuse (Monday, Nov. 9) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, versus Arkansas (Tuesday, Nov. 17) at Madison Square Garden, and against Kentucky (Friday, Nov. 20) at Lucas Oil Stadium.
December will feature four home games with tilts against Western Illinois (Thursday, Dec. 3), UCF (Saturday, Dec. 12), Missouri (Saturday, Dec. 19), and Fairleigh Dickinson (Tuesday, Dec. 22).
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PURDUE FOOTBALL
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Football participated in another fall practice Tuesday morning (August 25), 10 days away from the season opener at home against Indiana State (September 4).
Assistant coach Bilal Marshall returned to Purdue, where he was a wide receiver from 2012-16, in 2025 as an offensive analyst before he was promoted to leading the wide receivers room ahead of the 2026 season.
“I’m very energetic and get the guys going,” said Marshall. “You’re starting to see from these guys a little bounce in their step and a little more fight in them. I’ve always been told a room will take on the personality of you, and I’ll be damned if anyone said my room is soft.”
The room features nine returners, five transfers and two true freshmen. As a young position coach, Marshall’s relatability to his group stands out to the entire room, especially the returners. Tra’Mar Harris, who has played for Purdue for two seasons, praised Marshall’s coaching style.
“He’s a younger coach that brings that energy that all of us want and love,” said Harris. “And we still produce, so that’s the biggest thing.”
Of the newcomers, Bisi Owens joined the program the latest of any transfer after he came to West Lafayette in June, giving him the ability to earn his degree in finance from Penn.
A standout on the field the last three seasons, Owens totaled 138 receptions, 1,664 yards and 11 touchdowns after he initially entered college as a quarterback. Though the Ivy League is non-scholarship football in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Owens notes the league’s style of play prepared him for a jump to the Big Ten.
“The Ivy League is full of gritty guys, and I feel like that nose down type of football will translate here,” said Owens. “In the blocking game or making big plays down the field, I feel like it will definitely translate.”
Owens’ 6-foot-4, 217-pound frame at wideout fit perfectly for the Quakers on his way to First Team All-Ivy League honors in 2025. Marshall noted that Owens shows all the tools of a productive Big Ten wide receiver.
“When the ball goes up in the air, he goes up and gets it,” said Marshall. “He’s got great ball skills. He’s tough, strong, physical, and those are the traits I thought could translate into this league.”
Purdue returns to the field on Wednesday morning (August 26).
WR COACH BILAL MARSHALL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JItVVHL75Jk
WR TRA’MAR HARRIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWyBZoruTe8
WR BISI OWENS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRS6Cg0UW7Y
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PURDUE BASEBALL
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Another academic year has opened on campus and Purdue Baseball has unveiled its list of new additions to the roster, a group of 22 Boilermakers set to represent the program during the 2026-27 campaign.
Purdue begins its eight-week fall practice calendar after Labor Day, with open scrimmages remaining part of the regular weekly schedule. An NCAA rule change now allows teams to play four fall exhibition games – all against Division I opponents if a program so chooses. Purdue is slated to play one fall exhibition game each weekend from Sept. 27 to Oct. 18. Fall dates for open scrimmages and gameday action will be announced in the coming weeks. All fall events at Alexander Field feature free admission.
After having at least 16 graduates each of the last three springs, restocking the roster has become an annual endeavor for Purdue’s coaching staff. This year’s influx of newcomers is a mix of transfers from all levels plus the freshmen, replenishing all areas of the team in the process. The group of 22 newcomers will join forces with 18 returnees to complete a 40-man roster for the 2026-27 school year.
A year ago at this time, Purdue introduced 23 newcomers – a group that gelled effectively alongside the program’s returnees and went on to enjoy a 37-win season and top-five finish in the Big Ten. Both showings were the program’s best marks since 2018 (38 wins, 2nd place). However, it was the Boilermakers’ third consecutive 30-win season and they won 20 home games for just the second time in team history.
Under eighth-year head coach Greg Goff, the Boilers’ 101-67 record since the start of the 2024 campaign marks the program’s best three-year stretch since 2010-12 (115-58, a team best). Over the last three seasons, Purdue has posted a team-record 11-game Big Ten win streak (2024), started a season 18-2 (2025) and won six consecutive Big Ten series (2026). Additionally, attendance records have been set at Alexander each of the last four years.
RECRUITING CLASS BREAKDOWN
• 22 Total Newcomers
• 6 Freshmen
• 16 Transfers (9 Four-Year, 7 Junior College)
• Players from 9 U.S. States
• By Position: 11 Pitchers (9 RHP, 2 LHP), 4 Infielders, 3 Catchers, 2 Outfielders, 2 Utility
Cam Allen, RHP – Akron, Ohio (Ellet/Wright State)
• Three-year letterwinner at Wright State and a member of the weekend rotation in 2025 and 2026
• Pitched 159 innings over 47 appearances (28 starts), recording 160 strikeouts vs. 154 hits allowed
• Started NCAA Regional and Horizon League Tournament Games
• Struck out seven over six no-hit innings at No. 1 national seed Vanderbilt on the opening day of the 2025 Nashville Regional
• 2025 First Team All-Horizon League and a Horizon Pitcher of the Week honoree; 2024 Second Team All-Horizon League and All-Freshman Team
Troy Barrett, LHP – Chesterton, Ind. (Chesterton)
• Premium strike thrower with a deceptive delivery
• IHSBCA Class 4A All-State honoree and North/South All-Star as a senior
• Also a first team All-State selection and state Pitcher of the Year finalist by Prep Baseball
• Struck out 13 over six innings in a 2026 IHSAA Sectional playoff game
• Finished his senior season with 10 wins, a 0.56 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 50 innings
Walker Brodt, RHP – Katy, Texas (Brownsburg/Winthrop)
• Three-year letterwinner at Winthrop (Rock Hill, S.C.), pitching 91 innings over 60 appearances while being a prominent arm in the bullpen in both 2025 and 2026
• Among the most improved on Winthrop’s staff in both 2025 and 2026 after pitching just three innings as a freshman; posted a 3.48 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 2026
• Also pitched summer ball in the Prospect League (Cape Girardeau) in 2024-25 and New England League (Martha’s Vineyard) in 2026
• Earned four wins and nine saves over 33 appearances, recording 57 strikeouts vs. 41 hits allowed (10.9 K/9, 7.7 H/9), over his two summers with the Cape Catfish; closed out all four playoff wins (4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 K) in 2025 as Cape won the Prospect League title
Nick Drtina, Infielder/Outfielder – Woodridge, Ill. (Nazareth Academy/Harper College)
• Elite hit tool as a lefthanded bat capable of playing all corner positions (1B/3B/LF/RF)
• Two-year starter at Harper College (Palatine, Ill.), seeing his 2026 season abbreviated due to injury
• Batted .407/.514/.568 with 14 XBH, 27 RBI and 21 walks in 118 at-bats as a freshman
• Three-time second team all-state honoree at Nazareth Academy
• Originally signed with Louisville and spent the fall of 2024 at U of L before transferring to Harper at the semester break
Cody Ferrante, Infielder – Granite Bay, Calif. (Granite Bay/Sacramento City College)
• Super athletic first baseman with a power bat that produces extra-base hits
• Two-year starter in junior college, playing at Sac City in 2026 and Sierra College in 2025
• Batted .320/.444/.537 with 21 XBH, 44 RBI, 29 walks in 175 at-bats at Sac City
• Batted .357/.493/.536 with 21 XBH, 33 RBI, 33 walks in 168 at-bats at Sierra, helping the Wolverines qualify for the 3C2A state tournament
• Redshirted at San Jose State during the 2023-24 school year
Xander Forsell, Catcher – Leander, Texas (Rouse/Cisco College)
• Elite defender with a plus arm and potent righthanded bat
• Batted .377/.500/.869 with 14 homers and 1.369 OPS in 2026
• Doubled his RBI total as a sophomore at Cisco College (Cisco, Texas), driving in 42 runs thanks to 31 extra-base hits in 122 at-bats
• Also posted a 1.072 OPS in 75 at-bats as a freshman, helping Cisco win 35 games
Isaac Godard, RHP – Anna, Texas (Cedar Hill/Angelo State)
• Impact arm with a high-90s fastball and effective swing-and-miss slider
• Earned five wins and a save in 19 appearances in his lone season for a 42-win Angelo State (San Angelo, Texas) team that qualified for the NCAA DII South Central Regional (working 4 2/3 innings of hitless relief over 2 appearances)
• Posted a 3.72 ERA and 49 strikeouts vs. 45 hits allowed in 48 innings in 2026
• Pitched his first two collegiate seasons at McLennan College (Waco, Texas), making two relief appearances at the 2025 NJCAA DI World Series
• Pitched summer ball in the West Coast League (Kelowna) in 2024 and Cape Code League (Chatham) in 2025
RJ Groomster, Outfielder – Lowndes County, Ala. (Georgia Premier Academy)
• Athletic outfielder that projects as an elite defender in center field and potential leadoff hitter
• Minority Baseball Prospects All-American
• Top 10-ranked Georgia outfielder in his class by Perfect Game
• Played the 2023 season at Hillcrest High School in Simpsonville, S.C., batting .308 with a .379 OBP and 21 runs scored in 23 games
Trey Kerkhoff, Infielder – Burlington, Wis. (Burlington)
• Elite contact hitter with above average speed for a corner infielder
• WBCA second team All-State infielder after batting .500 as a senior; also Academic All-State
• Racine Journal Times Racine County Player of the Year
• WBCA first team all-south east district and WBCA All-Star Classic selection
• Wisconsin’s top-ranked third baseman in his class by Perfect Game
Brady Kern, Outfielder – Lawrence, Kansas (Lawrence Free State/Kansas City Kansas Community College)
• Ultra-athletic defender in center field with the ability to hit for power and steal bases
• Two-year starter at KCK, racking up 53 extra-base hits and 52 stolen bases in 126 games
• Batted .342/.458/.617 with 17 doubles, 12 homers and 65 RBI during breakout all-conference season in 2026; had more walks than strikeouts as a freshman
• Redshirt season in 2025 after an injury limited him to nine games
• Also played summer ball in the West Coast League (Kelowna) in 2025
Brady McAbee, Catcher – Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Northridge/Memphis)
• Lefthanded power bat who’s also a good receiver behind the plate
• Batted .279/.407/.475 with seven homers in 152 at-bats while playing in 42 games in his lone season at Memphis
• Played JUCO baseball at East Central Community College (Decatur, Miss.) in 2025 and Snead State Community College (Boaz, Ala.) in 2024, helping ECCC finish third at the NJCAA DII World Series
• Hit a tie-breaking home run in the eighth inning of an NJCAA World Series win, batting .310 with a .448 OBP during that season at ECCC
Dayton Murphy, Infielder – Crystal Lake, Ill. (Crystal Lake South/Michigan State)
• High-end defender as an elite contact hitter that played in 92 games as an underclassman at Michigan State
• Played in 50 games (42 starts at SS) and posted an 11-game hit streak in 2026, raising his batting average by .075 points vs. his freshman year
• Posted a four-hit game against Purdue in the middle game of the 2026 series in East Lansing and also delivered an RBI single in the Big Ten Tournament meeting
• Also played summer ball in the Northwoods League (Kenosha) in 2025 and Cape Cod League (Cotuit) in 2026
• Two-time IHSBCA class 3A All-State selection while setting career records for hits, doubles and stolen bases at Crystal Lake South
Chris Patterson, Infielder – Frisco, Texas (Prestonwood Academy/Missouri)
• Played in 59 games (54 starts) as an underclassman at Missouri, including an injury-impacted 2026 season
• Racked up 17 extra-base hits and 32 RBI in 188 at-bats at Missouri
• Returned to health with a productive showing in the Northwoods League in June, batting .290 with a .375 OBP in 62 at-bats for Wausau
• Also played summer ball in the Appalachian League (Bristol) in 2025, batting .326 with a .443 OBP in 92 at-bats
• Ranked as Texas’ No. 4 third baseman in his class by Perfect Game
Nolan Roycraft, LHP – The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands/Rice)
• Pitched in 14 games over two seasons at Rice, seeing his 2026 season impacted due to injury
• Took the mound vs. Tennessee, Houston, ECU and UTSA (among others) as a freshman
• Registered 18 strikeouts vs. nine hits allowed in 17 innings over eight summer ball appearances for Wilmington in the Coastal Plain League in 2025
• As an all-district performer as a junior at The Woodlands, posted 80 strikeouts and an 0.89 WHIP; shined in the postseason, winning three games while not allowing an earned run
• Sidelined due to injury as a high school senior
Bowen Salyards, RHP – Bakersfield, Calif. (Stockdale/Fresno City College)
• Elite command makes him a premium strike thrower with a developed three-pitch mix
• 2025 Central Valley Conference (of the 3C2A) Pitcher of the Year at Fresno City College
• Workhorse pitched 156 innings over 30 appearances (26 starts) in his two JUCO seasons, posting a 3.06 ERA and 1.21 WHIP while earning 19 wins
• Racked up 98 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings (10.6 K/9) during his Pitcher of the Year campaign; surrendered only three homers in 72 2/3 innings while lowering his ERA to 2.85 in 2026
• Fresno City was a combined 77-14 during his two seasons with the program
Brody Slaten, RHP – Longview, Texas (Hallsville/Panola College)
• Mid-90s fastball helped him average 10.8 K/9 over 99 innings in JUCO ball; projectable upside as secondary pitches develop
• Raised his strikeout rate in 2026, punching out 70 batters in 52 1/3 innings (12.0 K/9); posted a pair of 10-strikeout games
• Made an instant impact in year 1 at Panola (Carthage, Texas) with 49 strikeouts vs. 41 hits allowed while posting a 3.83 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 47 innings
• Pitched summer ball in the Valley League (Strasburg) in 2024 after a redshirt year for the 2023 high school grad
Cayden Stockbridge, RHP – Granger, Ind. (Penn)
• Proven strike thrower and winner already hitting the low-90s with his fastball
• IHSBCA North/South All-Star and class 4A honorable mention All-State honoree; also a second team All-State selection by Prep Baseball
• Earned eight wins while racking up 99 strikeouts and posting a 3.72 ERA as a senior
• Helped Penn win an IHSAA sectional title and advance to the championship game of the semi-state round of the Class 4A state playoffs
• Top 10-ranked Indiana righthander in his class by Perfect Game
Ford Stoen, Infielder/RHP – Aliso Viejo, Calif. (Ganesha)
• Above-average power at the plate and excellent command as a proven strike thrower headline his skill set as a two-way prospect
• Helped Ganesha win consecutive CIF-Southern Section division titles as an upperclassman, going 27-3-1 as a senior
• As a senior in the Division 2 championship game win, delivered the go-ahead single to break a 3-3 tie after working 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball as the starting pitcher
• Corner infielder was ranked as California’s No. 11 third baseman in his class by Perfect Game
Brandon Thomsen, Catcher – Rolling Meadows, Ill. (St. Viator)
• Elite arm strength and above-average power at the plate with an opportunity to be an excellent defensive catcher and middle of the order bat
• East Suburban Catholic Conference Player of the Year as a senior after batting .524/.632/.961 with 24 extra-base hits, 10 homers and 50 RBI
• IHSBCA Class 3A All-State and also selected as the catcher on Prep Baseball’s and Max Preps All-State teams
• Selected as the captain of the Daily Herald’s Cook County All-Area team as a senior after setting numerous school records
• Also batted .500 with a .627 OBP as a junior and had more walks than strikeouts both of his upperclassman seasons (59 BB vs. 29 K)
Max Tramontana, RHP – Cincinnati, Ohio (Moeller/Appalachian State)
• Premium strike thrower with a unique cutter and an ability to induce weak contact
• Pitched in 55 games over three seasons at Appalachian State after redshirting at Iowa during the 2022-23 school year
• Enjoyed a breakout season as a setup man in 2026, registering a .189 batting average against, 1.00 WHIP and 2.61 ERA while surrendering only 25 hits (6 XBH) in 38 innings over 24 appearances
• Collegiate Baseball second team All-American at Moeller High School, earning eight wins thanks to an 0.86 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 57 innings (13.4 K/9)
• Pitched summer ball in the Great Lakes League (Hamilton) in 2023 and Coastal Plain League (Boone) in 2025
Adam Trevino, RHP – Galveston, Texas (Ball/McMurry University)
• Projected high-leverage reliever armed with a mid-90s fastball and a swing-and-miss slider
• Pitched well in the Northwoods League each of the last two summers (Badlands in 2025, St. Cloud in 2026), earning five wins and three saves in 29 appearances
• Posted a 3.29 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 39 strikeouts vs. 27 hits allowed in 41 innings in the NWL
• Breakout season at Division III McMurry (Abilene, Texas) was in 2026, racking up 52 strikeouts in 25 innings (18.7 K/9) while posting a 2.52 ERA and .198 batting average against over 18 appearances
• Also spent two years at Galveston College, pitching 20 innings in 2022
Derek Westfall, RHP – Wesley Chapel, Fla. (Jesuit/Pasco Hernando State College)
• Projected key arm in the bullpen after mid-90s fastball helped him record nearly 100 strikeouts in 61 innings in lone JUCO season
• Helped Pasco-Hernando (New Port Richey, Fla.) qualify for the 2026 NJCAA DII World Series, starting PHSC’s opening game of the tournament
• Pitched in 20 games for PHSC, earning eight wins and three saves while racking up 98 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings (14.4 K/9); made each of his final six appearances as a starter
• Pitched his first two seasons at Queens College (Atlantic Sun Conference) in Charlotte; opened 2024 in the weekend rotation but was granted a redshirt after an injury limited him to nine innings
• Made appearances against South Carolina, West Virginia, Mississippi State, Georgia, Stetson, North Carolina and Duke (among others) while pitching 49 1/3 innings in 2025
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PURDUE WOMEN’S SOCCER
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue’s Zoe Miles was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week as announced by the conference on Tuesday.
This is a first-career honor for Miles. and the first time a Purdue soccer freshman earned the honor since Cherry Yu a season ago. She becomes the 16th Purdue freshman in soccer history to earn the honor.
Miles recorded another incredible week in her freshman campaign, with a goal and an assist in Purdue’s two-win week. Her goal was one of Purdue’s 15 unanswered marks on the week, which helped Purdue to its third-consecutive match scoring seven or more goals for the first time in program history.
Miles played in both matches this week with 92 minutes on the pitch with a .625 shots on goal percentage.
The Boilers will play their final match of the five-game homestand this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. est against Ball State, before heading on the road to take on Southern Indiana on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. est.
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PURDUE CROSS COUNTRY
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The University of Notre Dame women’s and men’s cross country teams find themselves near the top of the ACC Cross Country Preseason Coaches Polls.
The women’s side, which claimed the program’s first ACC Championship in 2024, came in second in the preseason poll with 305. The men’s squad, meanwhile, was listed third in the poll behind a two-way tie for first.
The Irish open the 2026 campaign by hosting the annual National Catholic Invitational on September 18 and the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational on October 2. The squads will compete on October 16 in Terre Haute for their final tune-up weekend ahead of the ACC Championship on October 30. This year’s ACC Championship takes place in Blacksburg, Va. The Great Lakes Regional is set for November 13 in Lansing, Michigan, and the season concludes at the NCAA Championship just 220 miles away in Terre Haute, Indiana on November 21.
2026 ACC Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
1 – NC State, 324 (18 first-place votes)
2 – Notre Dame, 305
3 – North Carolina, 271
4 – Stanford, 270
5 – Virginia, 253
6 – Duke, 219
7 – Boston College, 206
8 – Wake Forest, 203
9 – Virginia Tech, 191
10 – Clemson, 169
11 – Florida State, 136
12 – Louisville, 131
13 – Syracuse, 124
14 – SMU, 91
15 – California, 64
16 – Pitt, 55
17 – Georgia Tech, 47
18 – Miami, 19
2026 ACC Men’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll
T1 – Syracuse, 269 (6 first-place votes)
T1 – Wake Forest, 269 (5 first-place votes)
3 – Notre Dame, 234
4 – Virginia, 216 (3 first-place votes)
5 – Louisville, 214 (1 first-place vote)
6 – Virginia Tech, 210 (1 first-place vote)
7 – Stanford, 209
8 – North Carolina, 206 (1 first-place vote)
9 – Duke, 152
10 – NC State, 133
11 – Florida State, 108
12 – Pitt, 107
13 – Georgia Tech, 81
14 – Clemson, 68
15 – Boston College, 65
16 – California, 42
17 – Miami, 18
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NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Senior wide receiver Jaden Greathouse earned selection to the 2026 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List, The award annually recognizes the outstanding Division I college football offensive player who played football at and graduated from a Texas high school and/or plays football at a Division I Texas four-year college or university. It’s the third straight year Greathouse has been named to the watch list.
A graduate of Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, Greathouse Greathouse appeared in the first four games of the season in 2025 before missing the rest of the season due to injury. He caught four passes for 73 yards prior to missing the rest of the season. In 2024, Greenhouse posted 592 receiving yards on 42 receptions, but broke out in the College Football Playoff Semifinal against Penn State and Championship game versus Ohio State, hauling in a combined 13 catches for 233 yards and three touchdowns in the final two games of the season.
Greathouse finished his high school career as the most prolific receiver in Westlake history with 232 receptions, 4,035 yards and 53 touchdowns. The 4,035 receiving yards rank as the 15th-most in Texas high school football history. He won three state titles at Westlake and was the 2021 State Championship Offensive MVP, when he posted 236 yards receiving to set the record for reception yards in the state championship game. He was the 2019 Texas District 25-6A Co-Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a freshman, leading Westlake to the Texas 6A D-II state championship.
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BUTLER MEN’S BASKETBALL
Butler Coach Ronald Nored picked up a huge recruit Tuesday when 4-Star guard J’Lon Lyons made a verbal commitment to the Bulldogs. Lyons is from Clinton. Maryland, and had visits to Syracuse, Maryland, and Tennessee.
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BALL STATE FOOTBALL
MUNCIE, Ind. – The 2026 campaign brings a mix of returning contributors and newcomers to Ball State, as the Cardinals prepare to open the season Sept. 5 at Ohio State. Of those new additions, Keldric Luster takes the reigns of primary signal caller.
Luster joined Ball State this past spring out of the transfer portal after spending the 2025 season at Texas State, where he appeared in two games. Prior to that, the fourth year started his collegiate career at Southern Methodist University (SMU), seeing action in two games as a true freshman in 2023 and five games as a redshirt freshman in 2024. With nine career games under his belt entering 2026, Luster has rushed 16 times for 76 net yards and completed 4-of-12 passes for 37 yards.
A three-star recruit according to 247Sports, Luster was ranked the nation’s No. 77 quarterback in the 247Sports Composite Rankings as a senior at McKinney High School. He transferred to the Lions from Liberty High School, playing for the same program as current Ball State assistant secondary coach Mayomi Olootu, who served as the defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach at McKinley until 2024.
2026 Preseason All-MAC honoree TJ Horton enters the season as the Cardinals’ primary rusher heading into Sept. 5. Horton appeared in 10 games in 2025, rushing for 180 yards on 60 carries. As part of the specialists unit, Horton will also lead kickoff returns. He finished fifth in the Mid-American Conference last year with an average of 25.4 kickoff return yards (294 total). On Homecoming against Akron (Oct. 18), Horton clinched Ball State’s 42-28 win with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Returning to his starting position in the receivers room is Donovan Hamilton, who made 11 starts in 2025. A 2026 Preseason All-MAC honoree, Hamilton recorded 20 catches for 244 yards, including seven receptions for 66 yards at Connecticut (Sept. 20). Jamarion McDougle and Isaiah Thacker enter their third and fourth years at Ball State, respectively, and will be heavy contributors to the Cardinals’ offensive production. Thacker caught his first collegiate touchdown on a 15-yard pass play at Toledo (Nov. 22) last season, his longest play from scrimmage.
At tight end, Tate Hoover returns for his fourth year after contributing to all 12 games, including seven starts, in 2025.
Chris Hood, Cole Mosier, Tristan Cook and Grant Haworth return to their positions on the offensive line in 2026. The four are joined by Misael Sandoval, who previously served as a reserve offensive lineman at Vanderbilt from 2023-25. Also in the mix for reps up front are returning Cardinals Jackson Ruess and Kaden Mayle.
On defense, Ben Marsh and 2026 Preseason All-MAC member Ameir Glenn are familiar faces from last season who will make up the defensive line, while transfers Ka’Shawn Thomas and Jared Badie complete the unit. Badie spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons at Illinois before a two-year stint at San Diego State. In 2025, he appeared in all 12 games for the Aztecs, registering eight tackles.
Transfers Kaleb Stewart and Cincear Lewis fill the linebacker roles for the Cardinals to start the season. Lewis comes to Ball State with one year of eligibility remaining after a four-year stay at Cincinnati, where he appeared in six games. Stewart recorded 26 tackles and a pair of sacks over nine games during his lone year at Coffeyville Community College in 2025. As a true freshman the year before, Stewart earned his redshirt at Connecticut.
Derek “DJ” Fields and Will Yates make up the cornerback positions, while Deondre Shepherd and transfer Sterling “Stu” Smith will serve in the free safety and backside defender roles, respectively. At sniper is transfer Quentavious Scandrett, a former All-MAC candidate at Eastern Michigan from 2022-24 before appearing in three games with Arkansas in 2025.
On special teams, Brody Boehm handles kickoffs for Ball State, while Cole Stumbaugh will punt. Boehm will see his first taste of collegiate action in 2026 after earning a redshirt at Missouri in 2024 and missing the 2025 season due to injury.
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INDIANA STATE FOOTBALL
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State football is set to make its 2026 season debut under the lights at Memorial Stadium as the Sycamores welcome Southeast Missouri State on Saturday, August 29. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET with the game to be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
* Saturday’s contest marks the first time Indiana State and SEMO have lined up against each other since the 2016 season and the 10th time overall in their respective program histories.
* The Sycamores are 5-4 all-time against the Redhawks dating back to the series opener in 1935.
* The contest features the fifth time Indiana State will host SEMO at Memorial Stadium with the previous dates coming back in 1944, 1999, 2008, and 2015.
* The Sycamores are 3-1 all-time in Terre Haute against SEMO including winning back-to-back contests in 2015 and 2016 by scores of 29-28 and 27-24.
* Indiana State is 5-3 all-time in their home openers under head coach Curt Mallory dating back to his first season in 2017.
* The Sycamores have taken four of their last five home opening games dating back to the 2021 season, including last season’s 41-24 win over McKendree.
* Indiana State is 4-4 in true season openers over Mallory’s tenure, snapping a two-season losing streak last year with their 41-24 win over McKendree
at Memorial Stadium. The Sycamores have lined up against two Power 4 opponents in their season opener in 2019 (Kansas) and 2024 (Purdue).
SCOUTING SEMO:
*SEMO heads into the season receiving votes in both major NCAA FCS polls, sitting just outside the top 25 in both the STATS Perform and the AFCA.
*The Redhawks were selected second overall in the OVC Preseason Poll, accumulating 38 total points and one first-place vote.
*SEMO will take on a second MVFC opponent this season when they travel to Southern Illinois on September 12.
*The Redhawks roster features 53 newcomers to the roster in the 2026 season.
*Six players were recognized on the OVC Preseason Player Watch List including running back Khyair Spain, offensive lineman Rashad Turner, wide receiver/kick returner Jobe Bryant, kicker Justin Keller, linebacker Cole Dutkovich, and cornerback Adrian Patterson.
*SEMO is expected to start transfer quarterback Braylen Ragland after the signal caller came to the Redhawks following his time at Alabama State.
*The Redhawks have posted a winning record in OVC play during six of the last eight seasons.
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BUTLER MEN’S SOCCER
The Butler men’s soccer team will challenge No. 14 Indiana on the road Thursday before returning to Indianapolis to host Memphis on Monday. The Bulldogs (0-1-1) are coming off a 0-0 draw with Bradley, while the Hoosiers (2-0-0) opened the season defeating Notre Dame and Evansville. The Tigers (2-0-0) have wins over Belmont and North Carolina and will play No. 22 Ohio State on Thursday prior to traveling to Indianapolis.
Butler at No. 14 Indiana
DATE/TIME: Thursday, August 27 / 8PM
LOCATION: Bloomington, Ind. / Bill Armstrong Stadium
LIVE VIDEO: B1G+
LIVE STATS: ButlerSports.com (StatBroadcast)
Butler vs. Memphis
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 31 / 6PM
LOCATION: Indianapolis // Sellick Bowl
LIVE VIDEO: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: ButlerSports.com (StatBroadcast)
TICKETS: butlersports.com
Bulldog Bits
Brendan Cunningham has generated the most shots (7) for the Butler offense. Anden Ellis and Oscar Dawber each have a pair of shots on goal.
Goalkeeper Brooks Boersma made his first collegiate save vs. Bradley. In the 84th minute, he pushed a potential game winner, from 12 yards out, up and into the crossbar, ending the threat. The result was his first career shutout.
Butler has out-shot its two opponents by a combined margin of 19-15 so far in 2026, including a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Five newcomers – Braden Benyr, Chace Crismale, Haato Efune, Anden Ellis, and Jaden Hancock – have started at least one of the Bulldogs’ first two matches this season.
Boersma, along with Ellis, Kiel Higginson, and Max Klein have each played all 180 minutes of game action this season.
In addition to No. 14 Indiana, this week’s Top 25 also includes two BIG EAST rivals: No. 10 Akron, who the Bulldogs will play next month, in addition to No. 6 Georgetown.
Indiana
Series: Indiana leads, 26-5-5
Streak: Tied, 1
Most Recent: Sept. 4, 2024 (Indianapolis) – Butler 1, IU 1
Head Coach: Todd Yeagley (17th Season)
Prior to the draw in 2024, IU won three straight matches from 2021-2023.
Butler’s most recent win was in 2019 in Indianapolis when the Bulldogs defeated the No. 5 Hoosiers, 2-1.
IU leads in the most recent 10 contests, 5-1-4.
Memphis
Series: First Meeting
Streak: N/A
Most Recent: Monday’s match will be the first-ever meeting between Butler and Memphis.
Head Coach: Richard Mulrooney (12th Season)
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SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S SOCCER
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer sophomore goalkeeper Jacob English and sophomore defender Zach Naessens each received Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week honors on Tuesday morning following their respective performances in week one of the regular season.
The OVC recognized English as the OVC Goalkeeper of the Week and Naessens as the OVC Defensive Player of the Week. Both earned their first career Player of the Week awards.
The accolades come after a historic tie in which English and Naessens helped lead the Screaming Eagles to a 0-0 draw at the University of Milwaukee last Thursday. The tie was the first time since 2018 the team had earned a season-opening result.
Leading the team from inside the net, English notched six saves on 16 shot attempts, including several diving saves throughout the game in his 90 minutes played. It was also a career day for English; his six saves were the most in his career without giving up a goal in a single game.
Naessens helped anchor the defense from the middle of the backline. His 90 minutes played were a critical asset in preventing Milwaukee from scoring on 16 shots.
The Screaming Eagles (0-0-2) will come home to Strassweg Field for the first time this season after a two-game road trip to begin the season. USI will face Indiana University Indianapolis on Wednesday, September 2, at 5 p.m. The match will be available on ESPN+, or additional coverage is available on usiscreamingeagles.com
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VALPO FOOTBALL
Lawrence Tech (0-0, 0-0 MSFA)
at Valparaiso (0-0, 0-0 PFL)
Game #1 Saturday, Aug. 29, 1 p.m. CT
Brown Field (5,000) – Valparaiso, Ind.
This Week in Valpo Football: The 2026 Valparaiso University football season kicks off on Saturday afternoon as the Beacons welcome Lawrence Tech to Brown Field to start the second season of Andy Waddle’s Valpo head coaching regime. This marks the first of three nonconference games and the only nonconference home game in 2026. It kicks off an 11-game regular-season slate featuring five Brown Field dates. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as Valpo rally towels will be given away upon entry, while supplies last.
Previously: Valpo is set to play at Brown Field for the first time since a furious Senior Day rally to beat Stetson 32-31 in overtime on Nov. 15 of last season. Valpo followed that up with a close 27-20 loss at rival Butler, but finished the season with a 2-10 overall record and 1-7 Pioneer Football League mark. The Beacons hope to build upon playing their best football late in the season in 2025 as 2026 commences on Saturday.
Glancing Ahead: Valpo will have a bye week next week, the first of two byes this season, before hitting the road for the first time in 2026 with a Sept. 12 visit to Murray State. Each of the team’s two remaining nonconference games will be on the road against members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Series Notes: This represents the first-ever matchup between Valpo and Lawrence Tech.
Following the Beacons: Saturday’s game will air on ESPN+ with Todd Ickow beginning his 36th season on play-by-play and Valpo Athletics Hall of Famer Tom Byrne handling color commentary. The radio call of the game featuring Grayson Merchant and CJ Perez will air on WVUR, 95.1 FM Valparaiso, ValpoAthletics.com and the TuneIn Radio app. For in-game updates, follow @valpoufootball on X. Links to live video and stats can be found on ValpoAthletics.com. This season, nine of the 11 games will be on ESPN+ with the remaining two games airing on YouTube.
Scouting the Blue Devils
Starting quarterback Ryan Schuster returns after throwing for over 2100 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception last season. He has thrown for over 3300 yards in 16 games over the last two years.
Under the direction of head coach Oscar Olejniczak.
Set to host Saint Mary-of-the-Woods next week.
Opening Up
The Aug. 29 season opener will mark Valpo’s earliest opener since also beginning on Aug. 29, 2019 at Eastern Kentucky and will match the team’s earliest opener since Aug. 28, 2014 at Western Illinois.
The Beacons will start the season at home for the second consecutive year and just the third time since 2012. This will mark the first time consecutive seasons have kicked off with a home game since 2011 and 2012.
The Beacons will look to start the season in the win column for the second straight year. You have to go back nearly two decades for the last time Valpo started consecutive seasons at 1-0, the 2006 and 2007 campaigns under head coach Stacy Adams.
Preseason Plaudits
Two members of the Valpo defense – defensive back Nic Lendino and linebacker Anthony Feltrinelli – were tabbed to the Preseason All-Pioneer Football League Team by the conference office.
Valpo was one of six teams with multiple Preseason All-PFL honorees.
Return specialist Chris Gundy was named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-PFL First Team, while Lendino and Feltrinelli achieved Second Team status. A trio of third-team honorees rounded out Valpo’s Phil Steele laurels – offensive lineman Noah Kline, tight end Colin Hayes and defensive back Mark Johnson.
The Beacons were picked 11th in the preseason poll. San Diego is the preseason favorite to win the league followed by Drake and St. Thomas.
A True Hero
Team captain Mark Johnson made a selfless decision this past summer, when he agreed to donate bone marrow to potentially save the life of a 5-year-old child in Paris, France.
Johnson learned that he was a match for the child after signing up for the national registry when he learned the touching story of head coach Andy Waddle’s wife Kerry Jean, who had a rare bone marrow disease before receiving a life-saving donation from a man named Todd Spencer.
Because of his selfless donation and his other community-service work, Johnson has been nominated for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. He is one of 175 total nominees from across all levels of college football and one of 49 FCS student-athletes.
The story of Johnson’s bone marrow donation was told by ValpoAthletics.com, The Victory Bell, The Times of Northwest Indiana, CBS-2 Chicago and NBC-5 Chicago.
Leading the Way
Three Valpo players were named team captains prior to the season, as voted upon by their peers.
Senior defensive back Mark Johnson was named a captain for the second consecutive season. He started all 12 games a year ago and has appeared in 33 games over the last three campaigns.
Redshirt junior defensive back Nic Lendino is serving as a captain this season. He was tabbed All-PFL Honorable Mention last season and has started all 23 Valpo contests over the last two years.
Redshirt senior quarterback Rowan Keefe is the lone offensive captain. A fifth-year member of the program, Keefe was named the team’s Most-Improved Player for the second time in his career last season. Keefe played in all 12 games and made nine starts at quarterback a year ago.
Roster Rundown: Nearly half of the United States are represented on the Valpo roster, as Beacons hail from 21 different states. Illinois (29) and Indiana (23) are the most represented, followed by Ohio (17) and California (10).
Who’s Back?: The 2026 Beacons return seven starters on offense and eight on defense from last season. This comes after Valpo featured just four returning starters on offense and three on defense last season.
Notes Wrapping Up 2025
The team recorded the largest comeback in program history, rallying from 24-0 down late in the third to beat Stetson 32-31 in overtime, going 4-for-4 on 2-point conversions in the game.
Five players earned all-conference accolades, two were Freshman All-Americans and one was a First Team FCS All-American, Valpo’s first since 1999.
The Beacons also boasted a Campbell Trophy semifinalist and four Academic All-PFL selections.
Valpo led the nation in kick return average at 27.9.
On defense, Valpo had 70 tackles for loss, tied for the fifth most in a single season in program history.
On offense, the Beacons completed 59.9 percent of their passes, the team’s highest single-season completion percentage since 2013 and third highest in program history.
The 2025 squad opened the season with a 67-10 triumph over Virginia Lynchburg, the program’s highest point total and margin of victory since 1958.
Head Coach Andy Waddle
Andy Waddle (57-71 overall, 2-10 at Valpo) was named the 19th head coach of the Valpo football program on Dec. 9, 2024. He is in his second season leading the Beacons in 2026.
A two-time Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, Waddle possesses over two decades of collegiate coaching experience including the previous 12 years as the head coach at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.
The Pioneers started the 2024 season 8-0, the first 8-0 start in program history. The program enjoyed a 13-game winning streak that spanned the end of the 2023 season and start of the 2024 campaign, tied for the longest in program history and the program’s longest since 1920. The 13-game winning streak was at the time tied with Army for the second longest active winning streak in all of NCAA college football, behind only Division-III SUNY-Cortland’s 20-game streak.
Waddle guided the squad to a combined 16-5 record and 14-2 mark in the NCAA Division-III Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) over his last two seasons in Ohio. He successfully engineered a turnaround of the Marietta program, leading the team to a record of .500 or better in seven of the last eight years after the Pioneers had previously experienced nine consecutive losing seasons.
When Waddle took over as the head coach at Marietta prior to the 2013 season, he inherited a program that had won three or fewer games in each of the previous six years and was coming off an 0-10 season. Before Waddle’s eight-year run of sustained success that began in 2017, Marietta had a winning record just twice in a 20-year span. The program enjoyed as many winning seasons in Waddle’s final eight years as head coach as it had experienced in the previous 30 years combined.
The 2024 season culminated with Marietta’s second-ever postseason appearance and first since 1973 as the Pioneers competed in the Extra Points Bowl, hosted at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. After the 8-0 start, Marietta was ranked 22nd nationally by D3Football.com and 23rd by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The Pioneers finished the 2024 campaign ranked among national leaders in the following categories – third-down conversion percentage defense (first, .250), redzone offense (eighth, .912), total defense (10th, 236.1), sacks per game (3.18, 16th), total offense (453.9, 19th), scoring offense (40.5, 21st) and scoring defense (14.9, 23rd).
Marietta placed 16 players on the All-OAC team in 2024 and had 101 total all-league selections during Waddle’s tenure. Following the 2023 campaign, Waddle was named the OAC Coach of the Year after leading Marietta to its highest win total since 1995. Waddle earned his first OAC Coach of the Year award in 2017 after leading the Pioneers to a 6-4 mark, the team’s first winning season in 11 years. During his time at Marietta, Waddle instructed 19 all-region performers, 22 All-Americans and four Academic All-Americans.
Prior to his dozen years leading the Marietta program, Waddle spent eight seasons at Wittenberg University, where he joined the staff in 2005 as the defensive secondary coach and was promoted to defensive coordinator a year later. Wittenberg won four North Coast Athletic Conference championships and made four NCAA playoff appearances in the seven seasons with Waddle running the defense. His 2009 defensive unit led all of the NCAA in total defense (189.9) and scoring defense (8.85) and the program tied a school record with 12 wins.
Waddle began his coaching career in 2003 at Mansfield University (Pa.) as the defensive backs coach. The NCAA Division-II Mountaineers went 8-3, a six-game improvement over the previous season, and recorded the team’s first winning season in nearly 30 years. In 2004, Waddle served as the secondary coach at D-III Maryville College (Tenn.), where he helped the program win as many games as it had in the previous three seasons combined.
An all-conference defensive back, Waddle played for two North Coast Athletic Conference championship teams and made three NCAA playoff appearances at Wittenberg. He spent two seasons at the University of Findlay prior to transferring to Wittenberg. He was redshirted during the Oilers’ 1997 NAIA national championship season and was a starter the following year.
Waddle earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Wittenberg in 2003 and completed his master’s in executive leadership from Liberty University in 2014. A native of Enon, Ohio, Waddle and his wife Kerry Jean have a daughter, Hopelyn, and a son, Spencer. The Waddles are involved with the Be The Match Bone Marrow Registry and have raised nearly $20,000 while registering over 2,000 potential bone marrow donors.
Meet the Staff
Reed Florence – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach – In his second season at Valpo after spending the previous three seasons on Waddle’s staff at Marietta, where he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Zach Feltrop – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach – In his second year at Valpo after spending the previous six seasons at Marietta College, serving as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under Waddle.
RJ Ghilarducci – Assistant Head Coach / Special Teams Coordinator / Defensive Line Coach – Is in his seventh season on the Valpo football staff.
Terry Geiger – Wide Receivers Coach / Recruiting Coordinator – Is in his second season at Valpo after spending the previous three years on staff at Marietta, where he was the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator under Waddle.
Peter Nank – Offensive Line Coach – Is in his second season at Valpo after spending the previous two seasons as the offensive line coach under Waddle at Marietta.
Michael Joseph – Defensive Backs Coach – Is in his second season at Valpo. Played at Division-III University of Dubuque before going on to spend five years in the National Football League as a member of the Chicago Bears from 2018-2022 before he spent 2023 and 2024 as a member of the United Football League’s DC Defenders.
Connor Vierstra – Tight Ends Coach – Is in his second season on Valpo’s staff. Graduated from Marietta College in December 2024, finishing as the program’s all-time career leader in passing touchdowns, completions and pass attempts for the Pioneers.
Weston Bridges – Running Backs Coach – Is in his first season on Valpo’s staff after serving as the running backs coach at the University of Sioux Falls in 2025.
Justin Schiets – Director of Football Operations / Defensive Ends Coach – Is in his first season at Valpo, serving as Director of Football Operations and coaching the defensive ends. Arrived at Valpo after a stint in player personnel and recruiting at Western Michigan.
David Busch – Quality Control / Offensive Line – Is in his second season on Valpo’s staff. Was a five-year starter on the Marietta offensive line from 2020 to 2024.
Jaelon Quiero-Gordon – Quality Control / Safeties – Is in his first season serving in a quality control role and working with the team’s safeties. He was a five-year football student-athlete at Marietta College under Waddle from 2020-2024 and broke into coaching by instructing the defensive backs at Ohio Dominican University.
Family Tree
QB Marcus Brown and DB Donovan Brown are brothers.
OL Billy Jack McCool and OL Spencer McCool are brothers.
DB JQ Harris and LB Nathan Harris are brothers.
DL Emmanuel Olojo’s brother Jeremiah played football at Valpo in 2017 and 2018.
QB Bo Brunner’s older sister Belle golfed at Valpo from 2021-2025, uncle Brian O’Connor played baseball at Valpo from 1996-1999 before being drafted by the Houston Astros and grandfather Tom Brunner competed in track & field at Valpo from 1968-1972. His brother Tommy is a swimmer at Ball State.
Spencer and Billy Jack’s father Billy Wade McCool played football at Wake Forest (1999-2000) and Valdosta State (2000-2001) and rugby at North Texas (2001-2003).
JQ and Nathan’s uncle Robert Mathis played at Alabama A&M and for the Indianapolis Colts.
DB Mark Johnson’s father Mark played football at Vanderbilt from 1986-91.
DL Bertrand Berry II is the son of former Notre Dame defensive end Bertrand Berry, who went on to play 12 years in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams, Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals. He was Second-Team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection in 2004.
RB Michael Rumoro’s uncle Mark Tortorice played baseball at Grand Canyon from 1982-1985 and played minor league baseball in the Oakland A’s and Chicago White Sox’s farm systems
QB Nathan Downey’s grandfather Jim Rucks played football, basketball and baseball at the University of Illinois from 1969-1973
QB Johnny DiBlasio’s relative Karen DiBlasio swam at Harvard and in the 1980 Olympics.
DL Caleb Baczek’s father Todd played football at Northwestern and was signed by the New York Jets.
QB Jacob Ritter’s mother played volleyball at Iowa and father played football at Michigan.
OL Marco Morales’ grandfather Jaime was a professional Bolivian soccer player in the 1960s.
LB Floyd Watson III’s uncle Kevin Watson played for the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints.
LS Hayden Hourany’s uncle Joe Brown played football at Ohio State (1996-2000) and for the Seattle Seahawks (2001-2002).
P Will Struyk is related to George Washington.
Did You Know? #BeaconBits
DL Alex Goworowski has never seen Star Wars, Rocky, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones or Caddyshack.
OL Noah Kline’s extended family is so large that at one point he had a relative living in every state except Maine.
OL Nathan Snedegar is a second-degree blackbelt in Taekwondo.
RB Michael Rumoro is a first-generation American.
WR Bryson Winbush’s biggest fear is big statues.
WR Nolan Teising is named after MLB legend Nolan Ryan.
OL Billy Jack McCool lived in the cities/suburbs in the southern United States until eighth grade, then moved with his family to a ranch in Wyoming and learned cattle ranching and horses.
DB Kaiser Wilhelm is a self-taught gymnast.
DL Caleb Baczek can play the harmonica.
OL Marco Morales created and ran his high school’s “Barstool” account that has 1,300+ followers. This account was used to promote his high school’s athletics in a fun way that was up to date with current trends/memes and also updated fans/parents on schedules and game times.
WR Robbie Spang is a student senator and a Christ College (honors college) student at Valpo.
WR Isaac Tran had eight surgeries in a five-year span.
DB JD Friday is a pro Fortnite player.
DB Colten Tripp scored a 4 on the AP U.S. History exam.
RB Niko Kokosioulis can play the piano and ukulele.
RB Russell Tye did not start playing football until high school.
RB Elijah Rose has 14 siblings.
DL Mac McCormick grew up on a farm.
LB Floyd Watson III was born on Leap Day, Feb. 29.
DL Alex Prine had a close encounter with a black bear in Canada.
Player-by-Player Quick Hits – Projected Offensive Starters
*Based on two-deep, starters subject to change
QB #2 Rowan Keefe, R-Sr. – Team captain… Named the team’s Most-Improved Player for the second time in his career in 2025… Earned 2025 Academic All-PFL Second Team honors… Enters the 2026 season having made 15 career starts at quarterback including multiple starts in each of the last three seasons… Completed 17 passes or more in each of his final four games of the 2025 season.
LT #74 Mason Knoch, R-So. – Played in 11 games on Valpo’s offensive line in 2025.
LG #63 Cooper Bothwell, R-Jr. – Played in 10 games on Valpo’s offensive line in 2025 after transferring from Marist.
C #56 Justin Hemmersbach, R-So. – Played in nine games and made eight starts on Valpo’s offensive line in 2025.
RG #79 Austin Lambert, R-Jr. – Played in three games on Valpo’s offensive line in 2025.
RT #70 Noah Kline, Sr. – Named to the 2026 Phil Steele Preseason All-PFL Third Team… Enters the 2026 season having started 32 consecutive games on Valpo’s offensive line.
TE #11 Colin Hayes, R-So. – Named to the 2026 Phil Steele Preseason All-PFL Third Team… Was on the receiving end of two successful 2-point conversion passes in the Nov. 15, 2025 win over Stetson, one at the end of regulation and one in overtime. In both scenarios, Valpo would have lost the game if he did not catch the pass.
WR #13 Marty O’Keeffe, R-Jr. – Played in 12 games and made one start in 2025, hauling in six catches.
WR #17 Devin Yeats, R-Sr. – Caught a touchdown pass with all zeros on the clock as part of an untimed down that helped the team force overtime in the Nov. 15, 2025 victory over Stetson.
WR #9 Chris Gundy, R-Sr. – Had 19 catches for 276 yards and a touchdown in 2025 including a career-high 108 receiving yards on five catches on Oct. 25 vs. Morehead State… Has played in 32 career games entering the 2026 season.
RB #20 Michael Rumoro, So. – Played in nine games and made two starts as a true freshman in 2025… Had 137 rushing yards on 34 carries plus eight receptions for 51 yards in 2025.
Player-by-Player Quick Hits – Projected Defensive Starters
*Based two-deep, starters subject to change
DE #15 Gabriel Batres, R-Jr. – Was named the PFL Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 31 after a three-sack performance against Virginia Lynchburg.
DT #91 Garrett Risley, Sr. – Played in eight games and made one start for Northeastern State in 2025.
DT #99 Emmanuel Olojo, R-Fr. – Named to the team’s Scout Team Player of the Year while redshirting in 2025.
DE #42 Alex Goworowski, R-Sr. – Played in all 12 games and made 11 starts in 2025… Blocked a PAT on Oct. 11, 2025 vs. Dayton.
LB #1 Max Samuel, R-Jr. – Started the first four games of the 2025 season before missing the rest of the year due to illness.
LB #51 Anthony Feltrinelli, R-So. – 2026 Preseason All-PFL Team pick… Named a Freshman All-American by Stats Perform FCS, FCS Football Central and Phil Steele in addition to earning All-PFL Honorable Mention status in 2025.
LB #19 Connor Cervantes, R-Jr. – Played in 10 games and made nine starts in 2025, starting each of the final eight games of the season.
CB #0 Nic Lendino, R-Jr. – Team captain… 2025 Preseason All-PFL Team… All-PFL Honorable Mention and the team’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2025… Finished 12th in the PFL and second on the team with 86 tackles, averaging 7.2 per game in 2025.
S #3 Mark Johnson, Jr. – Second-year team captain… Phil Steele Preseason All-PFL Third Team… Became the first Valpo player with an interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery in the same game in over two decades on Nov. 1, 2025 at No. 25/22 Presbyterian.
S #22 Jason Salman, Jr. – Played in nine games in 2024 at Marietta College under head coach Andy Waddle, then played in 12 games and made five starts with the Beacons in 2025.
CB #8 O.C. Nurse, Sr. – Played in 12 games and made 11 starts last season, totaling 24 tackles including a season-high eight on Oct. 18 at St. Thomas.
Specialist Quick Hits – Projected Starters
K #26 Luke Scoma, R-So. – Played in all 12 games and made five field goals in 2025.
P #88 Will Orlando, Fr. – Set the Indiana High School state championship record for punting average at 46.7 with a long of 53 in the 2025 state title game.
RS #9 Chris Gundy, Sr. – Phil Steele First Team Preseason All-PFL at return specialist… Led the PFL in kick return average at 28.6 in 2025.
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ROSE HULMAN FOOTBALL
CARMEL, Ind. — The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference has announced the results of the 2026 Football Preseason Poll, conducted by the league’s head coaches. The Rose-Hulman Fightin’ Engineers have been picked to finish fourth in the poll results for the upcoming season.
Hanover has been unanimously selected as the favorite to claim the 2026 HCAC title, earning 36 points and six first-place votes. The Panthers won the league last season with an undefeated 6-0 conference record and represented the HCAC in the NCAA Tournament. Mount St. Joseph finished second in the results with 31 points and one first-place vote, and Franklin rounded out the top three teams with 24 points.
Rose-Hulman landed in the fourth spot with 21 points. They were followed by Bluffton (17), Anderson (11), and Manchester (7) to finish out this season’s poll.
The Fightin’ Engineers finished last season with the third-best conference record in the league at 3-3. They were tied with Bluffton and Franklin, who also posted 3-3 conference records last season.
The team returns six All-HCAC honorees from the 2025 campaign. This includes First Team All-HCAC defensive back Antonio Barnes and Second Team All-HCAC and Third Team All-Region defensive back Wyatt Bell.
Other returning All-HCAC student-athletes include linebacker Rudy Griffing, linebacker Austin Hastings, defensive lineman Augustus Shryock, and running back Alexander Marsteller.
The Fightin’ Engineers are led by Head Coach Jeff Sokol, entering his 16th season at the helm of the football program.
Rose-Hulman will open their 2026 season at home against DePauw on Saturday, September 5, at 7 PM.
HCAC FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLL RESULTS:
1) Hanover – 36 (6)
2) Mount St. Joseph – 31 (1)
3) Franklin – 24
4) Rose-Hulman – 21
5) Bluffton – 17
6) Anderson – 11
7) Manchester – 7
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TAYLOR WOMEN’S GOLF
UPLAND, Ind. – The NAIA announced its Women’s Golf Preseason Top-25 Poll recently, with Taylor landing at No. 20 entering the 2026 fall season.
The Trojans earned 148 points in the poll, earning a spot in the NAIA Top-25 for a 55th-consecutive national poll. That streak is the seventh-longest active streak in the NAIA, dating back to September 29, 2018.
The Trojans posted an average team finish of 4.4 and an average score of 313.9 last season, posting two team titles and recording top-three team finishes in seven scored events.
Returning NAIA All-American, Eleanor Schuitema, figures to pace the Trojans once again in 2026 after leading the team in events and rounds played last season and ranking second with a 76.6 scoring average. Schuitema was TU’s top finisher in five events, registering a trio of individual tourney titles and four top-five finishes, before representing Taylor at the NAIA National Championships with a 45th-place finish.
Taylor is set to begin its 2026-2027 season on September 7 and 8 at the 54-hole Indiana Wesleyan Wildcat Invitational in West Lafayette, Indiana.
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TAYLOR FOOTBALL
UPLAND, Ind. – Just days from opening its 2026 campaign, the Taylor football team earned national recognition, receiving votes in the NAIA Top-25 Preseason Poll.
The Trojans were one-of-40 teams to be ranked or receive votes in the poll. TU maintained its position in the receiving votes portion of the rankings after spending the entirety of the 2025 season in that part of the rankings.
Taylor finished its 2025 season at 7-4 overall and was recently picked to repeat its second-place finish in the MSFA Mideast League standings. TU brought back 16 starters and 12 All-MSFA players for the 2026 roster.
The Purple and Gray will face a tough slate in 2026 as it searches for a third-straight winning season for the first time since 1997 through 1999. Of the 11 teams on its schedule, six join Taylor in the Preseason Top-25 Poll, with three teams ranked in the Top-25 and three more receiving votes just outside the Top-25.
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INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEB SITES
UINDY ATHLETICS: https://athletics.uindy.edu/
MARIAN ATHLETICS: https://muknights.com/
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/
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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TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1901 – New York’s Christy Mathewson allows just three hits in beating the Phils, 3 – 1.
1902 – At Cincinnati, Christy Mathewson tosses his seventh shutout of the year, beating the Reds, 6 – 0. Henry Thielman loses his third encounter of the year with Matty.
1903 – The Boston Beaneaters drive Christy Mathewson from the mound with five runs in the 6th to take a 6 – 5 lead over the Giants and hold on to win by that score. When Roger Bresnahan is called out at home in the 9th, New York and John McGraw and Billy Gilbert lead the argument umpire against August Moran. Moran tosses them for their troubles. New York wins the nitecap, 3 – 2, in ten innings.
1905 – The Giants beat up on the Reds again, winning 2 – 0 and 6 – 5. New York scores four runs in the nitecap on wild pitches by Orval Overall, but when the Reds load the bases with no outs in the 9th, Christy Mathewson relieves Luther Taylor and gets three straight outs.
1908 – The Giants sweep, scoring a run in the 8th and two in the 9th to trip Irv Young and the host Pirates, 4 – 3. Christy Mathewson, in relief, is given the win, though by today’s scoring he would receive a save. New York’s eight-game win streak puts them ahead of Pittsburgh and Chicago by 3 1/2 games.
1909 – Cuban Giants 2B William Bedford is killed by a bolt of lightning while playing a game, as the electricity carries through his spikes, ending his life at age 23.
1910 – In Pittsburgh’s 4 – 2 win over host Brooklyn, a National League record is set when the Buc outfield makes just one putout and Brooklyn’s none.
1911:
Pittsburgh, playing without Honus Wagner, is no match for Christy Mathewson, as the Giants win, 6 – 2. Tommy Leach makes three errors behind Howie Camnitz. The Giants announce that for the first 11 playing days at the new Polo Grounds, the average attendance was 23,864.
Now pitching for the Rustlers, Cy Young delights the hometown Boston fans by pitching a complete game against the Cardinals, winning, 5 – 4.
1912:
At Boston, Owen Wilson has his second three-triple doubleheader this year. The fleet Buc triples off Otto Hess in the 5 – 4 win the first game. In the nitecap, an 8 – 4 loss, he triples in the 6th and 8th innings off Ed Donnelly.
Walter Johnson’s 16-game winning streak ends under American League rules of the time. In the second game of a doubleheader against the Browns, he relieves Tom Hughes with one out and two on in the 7th inning of a 2 – 2 game. The two runners score on a Pete Compton single up the middle and the Nationals lose, 4 – 3. The two runs are charged to Johnson, not Hughes, giving him the defeat. Under the National League’s rules, Johnson would not be charged with the loss. After the season, AL president Ban Johnson will change the rules to conform with the senior circuit, but he will deny he does it because of this game.
1913 – Cincinnati’s George Johnson surrenders just three hits to New York, but loses a 1 – 0 decision to Christy Mathewson. Fred Merkle triples in the 7th and scores the only run.
1914:
The Giants lose 1 – 0 to the Cardinals, managing just three hits off Bill Doak, but win the second game on a two-hitter by Christy Mathewson over Slim Sallee. The 4 – 0 win is Matty’s 20th.
Frank Wickware of the Chicago American Giants pitches a no-hitter against the Indianapolis ABCs, winning 1 – 0. The ABCs’ leadoff batter walks in the 1st, but is caught stealing. Wickware retires the remaining 26 men in order.
1916 – At Philadelphia’s Shibe Park, A’s hurler Joe Bush no-hits the Indians, 5 – 0. “Bullet Joe” will be credited with 15 of the last-place Athletics’ 36 victories this season.
1918 – Ban Johnson casts the deciding vote in a National Commission decision awarding the disputed services of P Jack Quinn to the Yankees for 1919 over the claim of the White Sox, for whom Quinn was 5-1 this year.
1919 – Giants 1B Hal Chase handles 35 chances against the Pirates in a doubleheader.
1922 – The Yankees take over first place by beating the Browns, 9 – 2, behind Carl Mays. Rasty Wright is the loser.
1926 – Pittsburgh RF Paul Waner goes 6 for 6, including two doubles and a triple, in a game against St. Louis.
1929:
In the 8th inning of a 5 – 5 game at Wrigley Field, Cubs 3B Norm McMillan hits a line drive down the left field line with the bases loaded. Reds LF Evar Swanson, shaded toward center, can’t find the ball, which he sees bounce off a gutter in foul territory. McMillan circles the bases and four runs score. Later, Cubs relief P Ken Penner picks up his jacket in the bullpen and discovers the ball in his right sleeve. It is Chicago’s 8th grand slam of the year.
Abraham Mills, National League president in 1883 and 1884, author of the National Agreement and original reserve clause that governed baseball’s early years, dies at 84.
1930:
Hack Wilson has four RBIs to lead the Cubs over the Pirates, 7 – 5. Wilson cracks a two-run single in the 5th, but then allows a Lloyd Waner liner to skip by him for an inside-the-park home run, and vows to atone. He hits his 44th home run, off young Larry French, breaking Chuck Klein’s one-year-old National League record.
In San Francisco, Dolph Camilli’s brother, Frankie, dies after a boxing match yesterday with heavyweight Max Baer. Fighting under the name Frankie Campbell, he has his neck broken in the 5th round by a Baer punch and never recovers. Camilli, a star for Sacramento (Pacific Coast League), will win the NL MVP in 1941.
1933 – Cleveland’s Wes Ferrell stops Heinie Manush’s hitting streak at 33 games, as Washington loses, 5 – 4 in 11 innings.
1934 – The East wins the 1934 East-West Game, 1 – 0, behind the pitching of Slim Jones, Harry Kincannon and Satchel Paige. Jud Wilson drives in Cool Papa Bell in the 8th with the game’s only run, off the West’s Bill Foster.
1935 – Lumbering 1B Zeke Bonura of the White Sox steals home with two outs in the 15th inning to beat the Yankees, 9 – 8.
1939 – A major league baseball game is telecast from Ebbets Field for the first time as the Reds play the Dodgers in a doubleheader. Red Barber broadcasts the game over W2XBS. The Reds take the first game, 5 – 2, and the Dodgers take the second, 6 – 1. Between the two games, a ceremony is held to honor Alexander Cartwright with a Hawaiian-themed celebration to mark the centennial anniversary of baseball.
1940:
Bucky Walters pitches the first-place Reds to a 3 – 2 win over the lowly Phillies. Bucky wins his 18th, driving in two runs with a homer and single. Ancient – 40 in December – Syl Johnson then holds the Reds to three hits to win the nitecap, 6 – 1.
Bob Feller rescues Mel Harder in the 7th and the Indians top the Senators, 4 – 3. Hal Trosky’s two-run homer off Dutch Leonard is the big blow for the Tribe. Cleveland leads the idle Tigers by three games.
1942 – Johnny Beazley wins his 16th game of the year, 2 – 1 over the Dodgers in ten innings. The win caps a sweep of Brooklyn, with Max Lanier having edged Larry French in the opener two days before.
1945 – Red Sox pitcher Boo Ferriss wins his 20th game, beating the A’s, 4 – 3, and doubling home the game-winner in the 10th inning.
1947 – Dan Bankhead becomes the major leagues’ first black pitcher. He doesn’t do well in a relief stint, giving up ten hits and six runs in 3 1/3 innings in a 16 – 3 loss to the Pirates, but the Dodger rookie hits a home run in his first major league at-bat.
1948 – The Cubs sweep two from the Braves, 5 – 1 and 5 – 2, despite a near-riot that holds up play for 20 minutes in the nitecap. The reaction by the fans comes when Jocko Conlan rules that a drive by Phil Cavarretta in the 3rd inning is a ground-rule double, not an inside-the-park homer. Conlan makes his call after Braves LF Jeff Heath “loses” the ball in the Wrigley Field vines, though it is really by his feet. The fans shower the field in protest and Conlan bawls out some of Chicago’s finest for not taking any action. When play is resumed, Andy Pafko walks and Peanuts Lowrey hits a bases-loaded triple.
1949 – For choking an umpire in the Florida International League, Miami Sun Sox manager Pepper Martin is fined $100 and suspended for the remaining two weeks in the season.
1950 – Roy Campanella of the Dodgers hits three home runs in a 7 – 5 win over the Reds at Crosley Field.
1951:
At the Polo Grounds, Chuck Connors clubs his second and last major league homer, a three-run shot off Sal Maglie in the 9th to give the visiting Cubs a temporary 4 – 4 tie. Wes Westrum then answers with his second homer of the game, off reliever Walt Dubiel, and New York wins, 5 – 4. New York takes the nitecap, 5 – 1, to run their victory streak to 14 games. Jim Hearn tops Cal McLish. Willie Mays electrifies the crowd in the 6th by singling, advancing on a balk and a short fly, and stealing home. The Giants trail by six games.
The Pirates club the Dodgers, 12 – 11, to win the opener of two with the league leaders. Brooklyn chases Howie Pollet and takes a 9 – 2 lead but the Bucs roar back with eight runs in the 7th inning. Clyde King, unscored on in his last eight games, is the loser. The Dodgers load the bases in the 9th, and Murry Dickson walks pinch-hitter Cal Abrams to force in a run and make the score 12 – 11. But Carl Furillo and Pee Wee Reese fail to deliver. Pete Castiglione has two homers for the Pirates. Brooklyn wins the second game, 4 – 3, when Jackie Robinson homers in the 10th, off Ted Wilks. Andy Pafko homers in the 8th, off Bob Friend, and Preacher Roe (17-2) goes all the way.
Rookie hurler Niles Jordan of the Phillies blanks the Reds, 2 – 0, in his first major league start. Jordan gives up three hits, the same number allowed by loser Willie Ramsdell. The Reds win the opener, 4 – 2, as Ewell Blackwell bests Robin Roberts.
In the second game against the Yanks, veteran infielder Bert Haas hits a pinch homer in the 6th for the White Sox, his last major league at bat. The Sox will release the 37-year-old tomorrow. The Yanks win, 8 – 6, to remain a game behind the Indians. The Sox take the opener, 3 – 2, behind Saul Rogovin.
1953 – Giants OF Dusty Rhodes, hitting just .167, connects for three home runs in a row at the Polo Grounds in a 13 – 4 win over the Cardinals. Teammate Al Dark goes 5 for 5 with his own home run.
1955 – Vic Wertz of the Indians is diagnosed as having non-paralytic polio and is lost for the season. He will return next year.
1956 – The Yankees announce the purchase of OF Enos Slaughter from Kansas City.
1957 – Yankee-killer Frank Lary stops New York as Detroit wins, 5 – 2. The New York lead is now down to 3 1/2 games, as they start a crucial series in Chicago. They will win all three games with the Sox.
1959:
The Indians stretch their winning streak to eight games when Rocky Colavito snaps a 4 – 4 tie with an 8th-inning home run. Jim Perry, in relief of Gary Bell, picks up the win, 5 – 4, over New York.
It’s “Al Smith Day” at Comiskey Park, with every fan named Smith, Schmidt, Smythe or Smithe admitted free and given a button stating “I’m a Smith and I’m for Al.” Smith himself doesn’t help, going hitless as the White Sox lose to Boston, 7 – 6. Bill Monbouquette is the winner.
1960 – The Yanks crash five solo homers and four pinch hits, the latter tying an American League record, to top the Indians, 7 – 6.
1961:
Ed Short becomes general manager of the White Sox, replacing Hank Greenberg.
Hitting his 51st home run against the Kansas City A’s, Roger Maris has the most homers in major league history at this point in the season.
1962:
At Chicago, Dick Ellsworth stops the Braves, 4 – 1, and stops Hank Aaron’s hitting streak of 25 games. The Cubs tie a major-league record with three straight sacrifice bunts in the 6th inning following a bunt single by Ellsworth.
The Twins’ Jack Kralick no-hits the A’s and wins, 1 – 0, on Lenny Green’s sacrifice fly off Bill Fischer. A 3 – 2 walk to George Alusik with one out in the 9th spoils the bid for a perfect game. Alusik had beaten Kralick with a two-run home run on August 8th.
Robin Roberts, discarded earlier in the year by the Yankees, beats Whitey Ford, 2 – 1, on home runs by Brooks Robinson and Jim Gentile to complete a five-game Oriole sweep of the sagging Yankees. The Twins and Angels are now three games behind New York.
After the Indians beat the Red Sox, 10 – 5, in the first game, Cleveland’s Dick Donovan holds the Red Sox homerless in the nitecap to win, 4 – 0. It is Donovan’s 100th major league win. The Sox had hit homers in 13 straight games.
1966:
With Baltimore trailing Boston, 2 – 0 in the 9th inning, Vic Roznovsky and Boog Powell sting Lee Stange with back-to-back pinch-hit home runs to tie the game. This is just the third time in history that back-to-back pinch home runs have occurred. Baltimore wins in the 12th, 3 – 2.
After seeing a caricature of himself on the scoreboard, an angry Leo Durocher calls the Astrodome’s press box to have it removed. When nothing is done, the enraged Cubs manager rips the phone out of the dugout wall and tosses it onto the infield.
Against the Dodgers, Giants fireballer Bobby Bolin ties a major-league record by fanning the first five batters in the game. But the Dodgers win the game, 4 – 0.
Detroit’s Earl Wilson, winner of six straight, hits an 8th-inning homer to give himself a 5 – 3 lead over New York. But the Yankees, batting against reliever Hank Aguirre in the 9th, tally one run on a Clete Boyer single, and win it, 6 – 5, when Mickey Mantle clouts a pinch homer over a leaping Al Kaline in right field. The win still leaves New York (57-72) in last place.
1968:
The Phils take a 5 – 0 lead over the Reds, only to lose 6 – 5. Jim Beauchamp hits a run-scoring single in the 7th for the winner.
Playing the last of nine games in Milwaukee, the White Sox draw a crowd (42,808) but lose to Earl Wilson and the first-place Tigers, 3 – 0. Wilson is hit by a pitch in the 2nd with the bases loaded to bring home the first run.
There is a record-tying mark of seven shutouts thrown today in the 16 games played. It’s the fifth time this has happened, but the mark will be topped in 1972.
In their first of two straight doubleheaders, Dave McNally makes it easy in the opener by belting a 1st-inning grand slam, off the A’s Chuck Dobson. The O’s score seven runs in the inning and beat the A’s, 8 – 2. The A’s come back in the nitecap, winning 2 – 0 behind Catfish Hunter and Diego Segui.
1969 – Willie McCovey drives in six runs with homer #40, a grand slam, and a sac fly and a single, while Bobby Bonds drives in another five as the Giants bomb the Phils, 13 – 4. The win is the Giants’ sixth in a row and they keep their half-game lead in the NL West. McCovey’s slam – his second of the year – is his career tenth and his six RBIs ups his season total to 106. Gaylord Perry (16-10) is the winner.
1970 – In the Reds’ 6 – 5 win over the visiting Phillies, Jim Merritt notches his 20th win of the year. Jim Bunning takes the loss. Merritt is the first Reds lefty to win 20 since 1925, but will be 6-26 the rest of his career.
1972:
Leo Durocher, formerly of the Cubs, replaces Harry Walker as manager of the Astros. It is only the second time someone has managed two National League teams in the same season. The first was in 1948, when Durocher piloted the Dodgers and the Giants.
At Wrigley Field, Ron Santo records his 2,000th career hit, a three-run home run off Ron Bryant. Santo’s hit, driving in his 1,200th run, is the margin of victory as the Cubs top the Giants, 10 – 9.
The Red Sox score five in the 9th to top Texas, 7 – 6.
1973 – In a 10 – 1 win over the Royals, Oriole Paul Blair hits an inside-the-park grand slam off Paul Splittorff. Amos Otis and Steve Hovley collide in midair while chasing Blair’s ball to help the O’s win their 13th straight.
1975 – The first eight Pirates hit safely against the Braves, tying the major-league record set just three weeks earlier by the Phillies. Pittsburgh wins, 8 – 2.
1977 – New York wins its 12th in 13 games when Graig Nettles triples home two runs in the 9th inning to give the Bombers a 6 – 5 win over Texas. With the Red Sox losing, the Yankees move in front by two games.
1979 – At Shea Stadium, the Reds’ Tom Seaver shuts out the Mets, 8 – 0, for his 11th consecutive win.
1980:
At Milwaukee’s County Stadium, George Brett strokes four singles and a double in five at-bats as the Royals edge the Brewers, 7 – 6. The Kansas City third baseman’s 5-for-5 performance raises his league-leading batting average to .407.
In an 8 – 6 Padres win over the Mets, there are ten intentional walks handed out, one shy of the record set in 1955.
1981 – Cards SS Garry Templeton is suspended indefinitely and fined $5,000 by manager-GM Whitey Herzog after making obscene gestures to the crowd following his ejection in the 3rd inning of a 9 – 4 win over the Giants. He will return to the lineup on September 15th.
1982 – The Expos’ Jeff Reardon (7-3) wins a pair in relief over the Astros, 3 – 2 and 5 – 3.
1984 – In Anaheim, the Tigers use the long ball to beat the Angels, 12 – 6. Kirk Gibson has two homers and four runs scored, Marty Castillo hits a homer and scores three times, and Chet Lemon belts the first grand slam of his career. Tommy John goes just 2 2/3 inning in losing to Milt Wilcox (15-7). Detroit leads the AL East by 12 games.
1985 – The Braves fire manager Eddie Haas, who led the club to a 50-71 record and 12 losses in its last 13 games. Bobby Wine will serve as interim manager for the rest of the season.
1987:
Paul Molitor’s 39-game hitting streak comes to an end as he waits in the on-deck circle watching pinch hitter Rick Manning single home the winning run in a 1 – 0, ten-inning victory over the Indians.
The Yankees and Reds exchange starting pitchers, with Dennis Rasmussen going to Cincinnati for Bill Gullickson.
1989:
The Trumbull, CT All-stars become the first American team to win the Little League World Series since 1983.
Toronto’s Dave Stieb pitches his fifth career one-hitter, 7 – 0 over Milwaukee. The spoiler is Robin Yount’s 6th-inning single.
1990:
The Red Sox shut out the Blue Jays for the third consecutive day to extend their lead in the AL East to four games. Toronto, leading the major leagues in runs scored, loses 2 – 0, 1 – 0, and 1 – 0. Greg Harris (7 2/3 IP) is the winner today, Roger Clemens, who threw a complete game, did so yesterday, and Dana Kiecker (8 IP) on the 24th.
In his first game after six weeks on the disabled list, Bo Jackson homers in his first at bat, off Randy Johnson, to tie a major-league record with four consecutive homers. Bo adds a single and double as Kansas City rolls by Seattle, 8 – 2.
1991:
Number one draft pick Brien Taylor is signed to a guaranteed $1.55 million contract by the Yankees. It is the largest deal ever given to an amateur player, surpassing the $1.2 million paid to Todd Van Poppel by Oakland in 1990.
At Royals Stadium, Bret Saberhagen fires a no-hitter beating the White Sox, 7 – 0.
1992 – Pittsburgh rookie P Tim Wakefield defeats Tom Candiotti of the Dodgers, 2 – 0, in the first matchup of knuckleballers in the National League since 1982. Candiotti gives up nine hits in six innings, while Wakefield (4-1) allows six hits in nine frames.
1993 – Mets co-owner Fred Wilpon announces that OF Vince Coleman will remain on “administrative leave” for the rest of the season, but that he is through as a Met.
1994 – Ichiro Suzuki, a rookie with the Orix BlueWave, reaches base for the 68th game in a row, setting a new Nippon Pro Baseball record.
1995:
Atlanta P Greg Maddux ties a major league record by notching his 16th consecutive road win, a 7 – 2 victory over his former team, the Cubs. Maddux now shares the record with Denny McLain, Cal McLish, and Rich Dotson.
The Athletics defeat the Red Sox by a score of 11 – 4. All Boston’s runs score on C Mike Macfarlane’s grand slam. It is the 101st grand slam hit in the majors this season, breaking the record set in 1987.
1996:
The Giants’ William Van Landingham allows two hits over eight innings and defeats the visiting Phils, 1 – 0. At one point, Van Landingham retires 17 straight hitters. Curt Schilling allows a run in the 1st, and strikes out 11, in taking the loss.
The Mets fire manager Dallas Green and replace him with Bobby Valentine.
1997 – The Yankees pound out 22 hits in an 18 – 2 win over Oakland. Joe Girardi and Rey Sanchez lead the way with four hits apiece.
1998:
Florida’s Derrek Lee, Kevin Orie, and Cliff Floyd hit consecutive home runs in the 9th inning of a game with St. Louis. The Marlins, who were trailing 6 – 0 at the time, go on to tie the game with six runs, then win, 7 – 6, with a run in the 10th. Mark McGwire hits home run #54 for the Cards.
At Coors Field, manager Phil Garner earns his 500th victory at the Brewers’ helm, making him the only skipper in team history to reach that milestone.
Atlanta’s Andruw Jones steals his 20th base of the season, becoming the youngest player ever to have a 20 homer, 20 steal season. Cesar Cedeno was the previous record-holder. The Braves go on to win by a score of 6 – 2.
The Cubs defeat the Reds, 9 – 2, with the aid of Sammy Sosa’s 52nd home run in the 3rd inning.
1999:
The Cubs put Kevin Tapani on the disabled list for the rest of the season. In the first year of a two-year contract, Tapani is 0-9 in his last ten starts. They don’t need him today as they edge the Giants, 11 – 10, behind Sammy Sosa’s 53rd home run.
Arizona defeats Florida, 12 – 2, as Randy Johnson wins his 14th game. Johnson fans nine Marlin batters in becoming the fastest pitcher to reach 300 strikeouts in a season.
2000 – The Devil Rays defeat the Orioles, 4 – 1, in the first game of a doubleheader. Tampa Bay 1B Fred McGriff ties a major league mark by hitting a home run in his 37th different ballpark. Mark McGwire has also performed the feat. The Orioles take the second game, 2 – 0.
2001:
Led by hot-hitting Adam Dunn’s four hits and Ken Griffey, Jr.’s four RBIs, the Reds roll by Montreal, 17 – 4. Robin Jennings, in his major league debut, collects four hits, a Reds club record.
In the 18th inning, second string catcher Bill Haselman beats out a bases-loaded potential inning-ending double play grounder, allowing Chad Curtis to score the winning run in the Rangers’ 8 – 7 victory over the Red Sox. The 6-hour and 35-minute contest is the longest game ever played in Ranger history.
The Diamondbacks score in the 10th inning to defeat the Phillies, 4 – 3. Philadelphia rookie SS Jimmy Rollins is caught stealing in the 3rd inning, the first time in his career after a streak of 35 consecutive steals. Luis Gonzalez receives the ultimate compliment when the Phils give him an intentional walk with the bases empty. Gonzalez joins Manny Ramirez, Jason Giambi, Mike Piazza, and Jim Thome as the only players to receive an intentional pass with the bases empty this season. Ramirez is the only one of the group to have been walked intentionally twice this year with no ducks on the pond.
The Indians edge the Mariners, 4 – 3, ending Ichiro Suzuki’s 21-game hitting streak.
The Cubs defeat the Cardinals, 6 – 1, as Sammy Sosa hits two more home runs, his 50th and 51st of the season. In doing so, he joins Mark McGwire and Babe Ruth as the only players with four 50-homer seasons.
2002:
The Red Sox score a 10 – 9, ten-inning victory over the Angels as Manny Ramirez gets five hits, including a pair of home runs.
The first video streaming coverage of a major league baseball game takes place on the internet. Approximately 30,000 fans visit MLB.com to see the Yankees defeat the Rangers, 10 – 3. Alfonso Soriano sets a team record for home runs by a second baseman. The previous mark of 30 was established in 1940 by Joe Gordon.
2007:
Warner Robins, GA wins the 2007 Little League World Series, 3 – 2, in extra innings, on a homer by Dalton Carriker. Tokyo had won their last two games on sayonara homers before losing this one. It is the second straight Little League World Series won by a Georgian team and the third US victory in a row.
The Lancaster JetHawks hit their 204th home run of the year, breaking the two-year-old California League record held by the High Desert Mavericks.
Tom Shearn debuts for the Reds two days shy of his 30th birthday. He is the oldest pitcher to make his first major league start for the Reds since former Negro Leaguer Pat Scantlebury in 1956.
David Wells beats out a bunt single against John Maine in a 6 – 1 win by the Dodgers. Wells is 44 years old and 248 pounds and says that it is hard for your opponents to field when laughing hysterically.
2008 – In Philadelphia, the Phillies beat the New York Mets in 13 innings, 8 – 7. The Phillies overcome an early 7 – 0 deficit, tying the game with two outs in the 9th inning with Eric Bruntlett’s RBI double and winning in the 13th inning on Chris Coste’s bases-loaded walk-off single. The comeback win allows the Phillies to temporarily regain first place in the NL East over the Mets, a position that they will not reclaim again until September 16th.
2009 – Three home plate umpires are needed to call Toronto’s 3 – 2 win over Tampa Bay. Jerry Crawford is struck by a foul tip in the 2nd and has to leave the game, then his replacement, Tom Hallion is struck by a Scott Kazmir fastball. After a 20-minute delay during which he is attended to by training staff from both clubs, Hallion moves back to the bases, and Brian O’Nora assumes the role of home plate official. Toronto wins in the bottom of the 9th when J.P. Howell uncorks a wild pitch after loading the bases with three walks.
2010:
Alex Ramirez becomes the first player in Nippon Pro Baseball to drive in 100 runs for eight straight seasons, breaking Sadaharu Oh’s record set from 1963 to 1969. Ramirez’s three-run homer off Kazuki Yoshimi in the 1st puts him over the century mark in a 10 – 4 Yomiuri Giants win over the Chunichi Dragons.
Albert Pujols of St. Louis hits the 400th homer of his career, off Jordan Zimmermann of the Nationals in the 4th inning. Pujols becomes the 47th major leaguer to hit that many and is the third-youngest to do so after Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. However, the hit is a distant memory by the time the game reaches its conclusion after 13 innings with an 11 – 10 Nats win. Ian Desmond drives in Nyjer Morgan from third base with a single through a drawn-in infield to end the roller-coaster game, giving him three hits and four RBI on the night as Blake Hawksworth takes the loss. 15 pitchers see action during the game. The Cards take a 10 – 8 lead in the top of the 9th with a four-run outburst, only to see Roger Bernadina blast a two-run homer off Ryan Franklin to send the contest into extra innings. The Cards have now lost 8 of 11.
Cedric Hunter of Portland has a great day at the plate in a 17 – 12 win over Tacoma in the Pacific Coast League. He collects a franchise-record eight RBI with a pair of three-run homers, a double and a single both plating a run, and another single for good measure. Dusty Ryan, with a grand slam, and Sean Kazmar also homer for Portland, while five Tacoma players do the same, including Mike Carp who hits two.
Yoshinori Sato of the Yakult Swallows becomes the first Japanese pitcher to top the 100 mph barrier. One gaijin, Marc Kroon, had reached the figure in Nippon Pro Baseball.
2011:
The Tigres de Quintana Roo win the 2011 Mexican League title, sweeping the Diablos Rojos del México in four games; it is the first sweep in the finals in 13 years. Jorge Campillo allows one hit in four shutout innings of relief, Carlos Gastélum cracks a grand slam, Sergio Contreras goes 5 for 5 and Albino Contreras hits a three-run homer in the 13 – 9 win.
Chris Capuano tosses the best game of his career, throwing a two-hit shutout while striking out 13, as the Mets defeat the Braves, 6 – 0.
The Rangers open a key three-game series with the Angels with an 11 – 7 win at home, stopping the Halos’ six-game winning streak. Nelson Cruz homers twice and drives in six runs in support of Derek Holland’s pitching. David Murphy adds a grand slam for the Rangers, who stretch their lead in the AL West back to three games.
Teams are bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Irene, scheduled to hit the Northeastern states over the next two days. The Mets cancel their games scheduled for both days as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg orders a partial evacuation of the city’s coastal areas and a shutdown of its transit system in anticipation of the storm. The Red Sox decide to move up their Sunday game against the A’s to a Saturday afternoon doubleheader, while the Orioles are planning to cancel a Saturday doubleheader against the Yankees by playing one of the games as part of a Sunday doubleheader, and the second on what should have been an open date on September 8th. The Yankees are unhappy about losing what was their last scheduled rest day of the season, but their proposal to play a game instead at 10:00 am on Saturday is rejected. The Phillies also move games around, electing to play a scheduled Sunday game against the Marlins on Saturday afternoon, and moving Saturday’s evening game to September 15th. All of these scheduling changes are made before the first drop of rain even falls.
2012:
The Japanese team from Tokyo wins the 2012 Little League World Series with a 12 – 2 victory over the team from Goodlettsville, TN in the finals in Williamsport, PA. The Americans had scored 24 runs in their semi-final win yesterday, the highest-scoring game in the tournament’s history, but manage only two hits – both homers – against Japanese pitcher Kotaro Kiyomiya today. Noriatsu Osaka ties the LLWS record with three home runs in a game and adds a triple as well.
The Phillies complete a three-game sweep of the first-place Nationals as Cliff Lee hits a go-ahead double in the 5th and gives up one run in seven innings. Lee is now 3-7 after the 5 – 1 win in which Josh Lindblom picks up his first career save.
The Orioles obtain P Joe Saunders in a trade with the Diamondbacks, sending reliever Matt Lindstrom in return.
2013 – Having both Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter on the field for the first time this season does little to help the Yankees, who drop a 5 – 2 decision to R.A. Dickey and the Blue Jays. A-Rod hits his 650th career home run but Jeter goes 0 for 3 with a walk and hits into a double play.
2014 – Madison Bumgarner has a dominant performance against the Rockies, retiring the first 21 batters he faces before allowing a lead-off double to Justin Morneau in the 8th. He then proceeds to retire the next six batters in order to complete a 3 – 0 one-hit shutout. The Giants ace strikes out 13 while walking none.
2015:
David Price is a winner on his 30th birthday as the Blue Jays defeat the Rangers, 12 – 4 to extend their lead in the AL East to two games. Edwin Encarnacion hits a grand slam in the 6th inning to extend his hitting streak to 21 games, while Justin Smoak and Kevin Pillar also homer. The Rangers don’t help their cause by issuing 11 walks and three wild pitches in the game. It is already the 20th time Toronto has scored ten or more runs in a game this year.
Detroit’s Justin Verlander comes up just short in his bid for a third career no-hitter, as he has to settle for a one-hit, 5 – 0 shutout after Chris Iannetta leads off the 9th for the Angels with a double that lands on the left field foul line. Verlander retires the final three batters in order to earn only his second win of the year, after missing the start of the season to an injury and suffering from a lack of run support all season. It is the second time he loses a no-hit bid in the 9th inning.
Vadim Balan of the GCL Twins becomes the first Moldovan to appear in the minor leagues. He does a great job, fanning four of five batters he faces to close out his team’s 6 – 2 loss to the GCL Rays.
2017:
By homering off Kyle Hendricks in the 1st inning of a 17 – 2 loss to the Cubs, Phillies OF Rhys Hoskins becomes the fastest player to hit ten homers in the majors, doing so in his 17th game. The previous record was 21 games, done by George Scott in 1966 and tied by Trevor Story in 2016.
Milwaukee Brewers minor leaguer Julio Mendez, playing for the AZL Brewers, suffers a heart attack when hit in the chest by a pitch during a game. He is rushed to hospital where he is listed in critical but stable condition. The game is ended prematurely after the accident, which takes place in the 9th.
2018:
Continuing his torrid hitting since June, the Cardinals’ Matt Carpenter ties a club record that dates back to Hall of Famer Joe Medwick in 1937 by hitting four doubles in a 12 – 3 win over the Rockies. He leads off the game with a two-base hit off Tyler Anderson and adds another before the end of the inning as the Cards score six runs with two outs. P Austin Gomber contributes with a two-run single in the inning on his way to notching the win.
The Indonesian national team makes its first appearance at the Asian Games. The 2018 Asian Games host is competitive in its debut, losing 7 – 4 to Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s Matthew Holliday scores two, drives in two and saves the win for Ka-Ho Sam Leung. Indonesian catcher Faldy Akhmad Zulfikar comes off the bench to go 3 for 3 with a run, getting three of his team’s five hits. Chindy Patria Yudharana takes the loss. Meanwhile, defending champion South Korea, armed with the KBO’s top stars (including two former big leaguers) is stunned, 2 – 1, by Taiwan as Sheng-Feng Wu, Tsung-Hao Wang and Cheng-Hao Wang stifle the Korean offense except for a homer by Jae-hwan Kim. Meanwhile, 2017 KBO MVP Hyeon-jong Yang serves up a 1st-inning homer to Chia-Yu Lin with Chien-Ming Chiang aboard.
Honolulu, HI wins the 2018 Little League World Series with a 3 – 0 shutout of Seoul, South Korea in the final game. Mana Lau Kong hits a leadoff homer before his teammates add two runs in the 3rd in support of Ka’olu Holt, who pitches six innings, as Honolulu completes the tournament with an aggregate score of 29-3.
2019 – Led by Marcus Semien who drives in a career-high seven runs, the Athletics set season highs for runs and hits in defeating the Royals, 19 – 4. Josh Phegley has four hits and drives in and scores three runs and Seth Brown singles in his first two career at-bats as Oakland pounds 22 hits, including four homers. Homer Bailey is the beneficiary of all of this hitting, pitching six innings for his 12th win.
2020 – Following the lead of the NBA, three major league games are postponed today as teams elect not to play in the wake of protests over the latest police shooting of an African-American man, Jacob Blake, shot seven times in the back in Kenosha, WI a few days ago. Protests take place all over the sports world, with games also cancelled in the Women’s National Basketball Association, Major League Soccer, and professional tennis. The Brewers’ players are the first to announce their decision not to play, following the lead of the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA. Their opponents, the Reds, decide to join in, and when they hear of the decision, players on four west coast teams join the movement in solidarity. A number of players also decide to sit out games on an individual basis, including Jason Heyward, Dexter Fowler and Matt Kemp. In a statement, MLB expresses understanding and support for the players’ position.
2021 – The Yankees win their 12th straight game, their longest winning streak since 1961, by defeating the Athletics, 7 – 6. After the Yankees blow an early lead, Aaron Judge drives in the go-ahead run with a bloop single in the 9th and Aroldis Chapman records his 300th career save.
2022:
Rookie Julio Rodriguez and the Mariners agree on a huge contract extension for 12 years with options for a possible further five years. The deal is worth a guaranteed $210 million at a minimum, and could reach up to $470 million, which would surpass the largest contract yet, Mike Trout’s deal worth $426 million.
Draci Brno wins their 23rd Czech Extraliga title, defeating crosstown rival Hrosi Brno, four games to two. In the decisive contest today, Arnošt Dubový has three hits and Pabel Manzanero drives in three in a 6 – 4 win. Filip Čapka throws 5 1/3 shutout innings (2 H, 7 K, 0 BB) for the victory over Kellen Croce.
2023 – Chunichi Dragons outfielder Yohei Oshima gets his 2,000th NPB hit, off Kenta Ishida. He joins the meikyukai in his 14th season, tying Isao Harimoto to be the quickest there.
2024 – Danny Jansen becomes the first player to appear for both teams in the same game. He had started the June 26th game between the Blue Jays and Red Sox at Fenway Park as Toronto’s catcher and was at bat with an 0-1 count when the game was suspended by rain in the 2nd inning. When the game resumes today, he has since been traded to Boston, and takes over behind the plate for Reese McGuire, who has been released, while Daulton Varsho steps in as a pinch-hitter to complete the at-bat he started. Toronto eventually wins the game, 4 – 1, and also wins the regularly scheduled game, 7 – 3, as George Springer homers in both contests. The only known minor leaguer to accomplish Jansen’s feat had been Dale Holman 38 years earlier.
Births[edit]
1845 – George Joyce, outfielder (d. 1895)
1852 – Charles Prince, owner (d. 1943)
1869 – Louis Balsz, minor league pitcher (d. 1906)
1873 – Chick Fraser, pitcher (d. 1940)
1878 – Guy Harrington, minor league outfielder/catcher (d. 1950)
1882 – Mickey Corcoran, infielder (d. 1950)
1882 – Fred Weiler, minor league infielder (d. 1943)
1887 – Tom Drohan, pitcher (d. 1926)
1889 – Frank Allen, pitcher (d. 1933)
1892 – Jesse Barnes, pitcher (d. 1961)
1894 – Sparky Adams, infielder (d. 1989)
1895 – Axel Lindstrom, pitcher (d. 1940)
1899 – Pea Ridge Day, pitcher (d. 1934)
1906 – Elmer Klumpp, catcher (d. 1996)
1909 – Gene Moore, outfielder; All-Star (d. 1978)
1911 – C.B. Griffin, outfielder (d. 1991)
1913 – Hank Helf, catcher (d. 1984)
1914 – Al Cuccinello, infielder (d. 2004)
1915 – Heinz Becker, infielder (d. 1991)
1916 – Adrian Zabala, pitcher (d. 2002)
1917 – George Barnicle, pitcher (d. 1990)
1917 – Peanuts Davis, pitcher (d. 1973)
1917 – Henry Richardson, pitcher (d. 1981)
1920 – Leroy Gass, minor league pitcher (d. 2014)
1921 – Doris Barr, AAGPBL pitcher (d. 2009)
1923 – Marvin Milkes, general manager (d. 1982)
1924 – Alex Kellner, pitcher; All-Star (d. 1996)
1924 – Wilber McCullough, minor league pitcher (d. 2014)
1924 – Bruce McKelvey, minor league catcher (d. 2008)
1925 – Bob Cummins, minor league infielder (d. 2013)
1925 – Billy DeMars, infielder (d. 2020)
1926 – Frank Barnes, pitcher
1929 – Tom Poholsky, pitcher (d. 2001)
1934 – Tadashi Higaki, NPB outfielder
1934 – Brad Kohler, scout (d. 2014)
1934 – Mary O’Meara, AAGPBL outfielder (d. 2014)
1935 – Al Silvera, outfielder (d. 2002)
1937 – Motoaki Takeshita, NPB catcher (d. 1985)
1939 – Rudy Serrett, minor league pitcher
1941 – Tadashi Suzuki, NPB infielder (d. 2002)
1941 – Fred Wenz, pitcher (d. 2020)
1942 – Mototada Miyazaki, NPB pitcher
1946 – Zelman Jack, minor league infielder (d. 1971)
1952 – Graham Ward, Australian national team infielder
1954 – Seikyoku Masuyama, NPB pitcher
1955 – Fumihiro Yamamoto, Japanese national team infielder
1956 – George Bjorkman, catcher
1957 – Alex Trevino, catcher
1958 – Bill Crone, minor league infielder
1958 – Gino Gentile, minor league outfielder
1961 – Angel Hernandez, umpire
1961 – Jeff Parrett, pitcher
1964 – Chad Kreuter, catcher
1965 – Luis Martinez, minor league infielder and manager
1965 – Takayuki Murakami, NPB infielder
1965 – Carlos Quintana, infielder
1965 – Jeff Richardson, infielder
1965 – Steve Stowell, minor league pitcher
1966 – Brian Morrison, scout
1966 – Victor Rosario, infielder
1967 – Juan Manrique, Cuban league catcher
1967 – Fred Matsubara, Canadian national team pitcher
1967 – Koji Otsuka, NPB outfielder
1967 – Shinji Sasaoka, NPB pitcher and manager
1968 – Brian Bark, pitcher
1969 – Ricky Bottalico, pitcher; All-Star
1969 – Ken Grundt, pitcher
1970 – Yukinaga Maeda, NPB pitcher
1970 – Masanori Taguchi, NPB catcher
1972 – Hsien-Hung Chen, TML pitcher
1972 – Anito Encarnacion, minor league player
1972 – Tsan-Hsin Lin, TML pitcher
1972 – Ernie Nieves, minor league pitcher
1973 – Mark Budzinski, outfielder
1973 – Norlis Concepción, Cuban league catcher
1973 – Satoshi Funaki, NPB pitcher
1975 – Morgan Ensberg, infielder; All-Star
1975 – Michael Johns, minor league infielder and manager
1975 – Troy Mattes, pitcher
1975 – Ben Slemmer, minor league infielder
1976 – Geoff Geary, pitcher
1976 – Mike Glendenning, minor league outfielder
1976 – Dave Ruhr, Canadian national team outfielder
1976 – Alex Sanchez, outfielder
1977 – Agustin Montero, pitcher
1977 – Allan Simpson, pitcher
1977 – Josh Smith, minor league pitcher
1978 – Kentaro Sekimoto, NPB infielder
1979 – Greg Bochy, minor league infielder
1979 – Doug Lantz, minor league player
1979 – Terrence McClain, minor league outfielder
1979 – Hiroto Tanaka, NPB pitcher
1979 – Miriëldo Trinidad, Netherlands Antilles national team outfielder
1979 – Charlie Zink, pitcher
1980 – Brendan Harris, infielder
1980 – Jesus Soto, minor league player
1981 – Bubba Nelson, minor league pitcher
1982 – Willy Guedez, Venezuelan national team pitcher
1982 – Jayson Nix, infielder
1982 – Brian Stitt, minor league pitcher
1982 – Hideaki Takahashi, NPB pitcher
1982 – Huidong Wang, China Baseball League catcher
1983 – Francisco Cordoba, minor league pitcher
1983 – Masato Okawara, Japanese national team outfielder
1984 – Kyle Kendrick, pitcher
1984 – Brian Peacock, minor league catcher
1985 – Bobby Bell, minor league pitcher
1985 – Eric Fryer, catcher
1985 – Tim Kiely, minor league pitcher
1985 – Darin Mastroianni, outfielder
1985 – David Price, pitcher; All-Star
1985 – Yuta Sekiguchi, NPB outfielder
1986 – Xavier Cedeno, pitcher
1986 – Hao-Jen Lee, CPBL pitcher
1986 – Luis Marte, pitcher
1986 – Brett Wallace, infielder
1987 – Ryan Brasier, pitcher
1987 – Greg Halman, outfielder (d. 2011)
1987 – Cale Johnson, minor league pitcher
1987 – Gracjan Kraszewski, Extraliga outfielder
1988 – Héctor Acuña, minor league infielder
1988 – Elvis Andrus, infielder; All-Star
1988 – Mario Hollands, pitcher
1988 – K.C. Judge, minor league outfielder and coach
1988 – Joe Leonard, minor league infielder
1988 – Danijel Levak, Croatian national team pitcher
1988 – Gregorio Rosario, minor league player
1988 – Kenji Sato, NPB outfielder
1988 – Kevin van Veen, Hoofdklasse pitcher
1988 – Xiaotian Zhang, Chinese national team infielder
1989 – Rossmel Perez, minor league catcher
1990 – Jamal Austin, minor league outfielder
1990 – Daniel Corcino, pitcher
1990 – Kyoung-min Hur, KBO infielder
1990 – Ruderly Manuel, Hoofdklasse pitcher
1990 – Jiovanni Mier, minor league infielder
1990 – Cola Phouangkeo, Laotian national team catcher-pitcher
1991 – Markus Solbach, minor league pitcher
1992 – Cito Culver, minor league infielder
1992 – Maikel Franco, infielder
1992 – Trevor Gott, pitcher
1992 – Artem Kulik, Russian national team pitcher
1992 – Víctor Velázquez, minor league catcher
1993 – Akihiro Wakabayashi, NPB infielder
1994 – Enelsy Cordoví, Cuban women’s national team pitcher
1994 – Tyler Wells, pitcher
1995 – Ranger Suarez, pitcher; All-Star
1996 – Luis Alejandro Basabe, minor league infielder
1996 – Luis Alexander Basabe, outfielder
1996 – Jean Carlos Mejia, pitcher
1996 – Justin Wylie, minor league infielder
1997 – Jacob Dean, Great Britain national team outfielder
1998 – Brusdar Graterol, pitcher
1998 – Taisei Irie, NPB pitcher
1999 – Danis Correa, minor league pitcher
1999 – Spencer Torkelson, infielder
2002 – Lucas da Silva, Brazilian national team infielder
2003 – Wang-Shi Lin, CPBL pitcher
2006 – Yamato Fuji, NPB pitcher
Deaths[edit]
1909 – William Bedford, Negro League infielder (b. 1885)
1921 – Henry Oberbeck, outfielder (b. 1858)
1926 – William Selden, Negro League pitcher (b. 1866)
1928 – Snake Wiltse, pitcher (b. 1871)
1939 – Nelson Dean, pitcher (b. 1899)
1941 – Stoney McGlynn, pitcher (b. 1872)
1947 – Hugh McQuillan, pitcher (b. 1895)
1948 – Rip Cannell, outfielder (b. 1880)
1955 – Sol White, manager; Hall of Fame (b. 1868)
1968 – John Kroner, infielder (b. 1908)
1970 – Eddie Rommel, pitcher (b. 1897)
1972 – Danny MacFayden, pitcher (b. 1905)
1974 – Andrés Tanaka, minor league outfielder and manager (b. 1925)
1975 – Eddie Snead, pitcher (b. 1910)
1979 – Dizzy Sutherland, pitcher (b. 1922)
1984 – Bill Trotter, pitcher (b. 1908)
1985 – Stu Clarke, infielder (b. 1906)
1985 – Dick Wakefield, outfielder; All-Star (b. 1921)
2000 – Ed Rakow, pitcher (b. 1935)
2003 – James Keelty, owner (b. 1911)
2007 – Chuck Comiskey, owner (b. 1925)
2010 – Cal McLish, pitcher; All-Star (b. 1925)
2014 – Bob Simpson, minor league pitcher (b. 1932)
2015 – Ian MacDonald, writer (b. 1928)
2016 – Joe DeMaestri, infielder; All-Star (b. 1928)
2016 – Steve Korcheck, catcher (b. 1932)
2017 – Andy Torgeson, minor league outfielder (b. 1949)
2018 – Dan Lynk, minor league infielder (b. 1933)
2019 – Tom Jordan, catcher (b. 1919)
2019 – Yasuyuki Miyazaki, Japanese national team infielder (b. 1930)
2021 – Dale Willis, pitcher (b. 1936)
2022 – Pete Burnside, pitcher (b. 1930)
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TV SPORTS TODAY
(All times Eastern)
Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts
Wednesday, Aug. 26
CYCLING
8:30 a.m.
NBCSN — UCI: 2026 Vuelta a España, Stage 5
HORSE RACING
1 p.m.
FS2 — Saratoga Live
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL
1 p.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: Leon, Nicaragua vs. Willemstad, Curaçao, International Bracket, South Williamsport, Pa.
3 p.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: Henderson, Nev. vs. Davenport, Iowa, United States Bracket, South Williamsport, Pa.
5 p.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: TBD, International Bracket, South Williamsport, Pa.
7 p.m.
ESPN — Little League World Series: TBD, United States Bracket, South Williamsport, Pa.
MLB BASEBALL
1 p.m.
MLBN — Tampa Bay at Detroit (1:10 p.m.)
7 p.m.
MLBN — Regional Coverage: L.A. Dodgers at Atlanta (7:15 p.m.) OR Milwaukee at N.Y. Mets (7:10 p.m.)
7:05 p.m.
PRIME VIDEO — Houston at N.Y. Yankees
RUGBY (MEN’S)
5:45 a.m. (Thursday)
FS2 — NRL: Melbourne at Brisbane
SOCCER (MEN’S)
8:30 p.m.
FS1 — Leagues Cup: Toluca FC vs. Austin FC, Quarterfinal, Harrison, N.J.
10:45 p.m.
FS1 — Leagues Cup: Club América vs. Columbus Crew, Quarterfinal, Carson, Calif.
SOCCER (WOMEN’S)
8 p.m.
CBSSN — NWSL: Angel City at North Carolina
TENNIS
11 a.m.
ESPN2 — ATP/WTA: U.S. Open Qualifying, Second Round, New York
1 p.m.
TENNIS CHANNEL — U.S. Open Qualifying 2nd Round; Winston-Salem-ATP & Monterrey-WTA Early Rounds
7 p.m.
ESPN2 — ATP/WTA: U.S. Open Qualifying, Mixed Doubles – Semifinals, New York
9 p.m.
ESPN — ATP/WTA: U.S. Open Qualifying, Mixed Doubles – Championship, New York
WNBA BASKETBALL
10 p.m.
USA — Toronto at Seattle
About The Author
