Sports category, Page 1748
JuJu Smith-Schuster’s new contract: Was it a good decision? Or just a good deal?
At least one national outlet is spit-shining the Steelers’ retention of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster during the NFL’s free-agency period. NFL.com writer Gregg Rosenthal called the decision “one of the best contracts given out so far.” “…the Steelers know better than any team the 24-year-old receiver is more than worthy...
Tim Benz: Biggest hurdle to overcome for Penguins — and every other East Division contender
The Penguins aren’t the only team in the NHL’s East Division with some major hurdles to overcome if they are to qualify for the playoffs. The other contenders in the division are flawed as well. Which four of the current top six will end up making the cut is a...
This date in sports history: March 24
1936 — Detroit’s Mud Bruneteau ends the longest game in NHL history with a goal after 116 minutes and 30 seconds (six overtimes) to edge the Montreal Maroons, 1-0, in the semifinals of the Stanley Cup playoffs. 1941 — Long Island University wins the NIT championship with a 56-42 victory...
Phillip Evans puts violent collision behind him, focuses on finding a role for Pirates
At the best time of his career came the worst moment, one Phillip Evans would rather not revisit. The Pittsburgh Pirates infielder can’t forget the collision that he didn’t see coming until it was too late. As Evans chased a pop fly into foul territory in shallow right field, he...
NHL referee caught on hot mic wanting to call penalty on Predators
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tim Peel’s career as an NHL referee is over after his voice was picked up by a TV microphone saying he wanted to call a penalty against the Nashville Predators. The league on Wednesday announced that Peel “no longer will be working NHL games now or in...
Shawnee State wins program’s first NAIA Tournament title
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — James Jones had 27 points and 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season and Shawnee State (Ohio) claimed the program’s first NAIA Tournament championship with a 74-68 victory over Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) on Tuesday night. Shawnee State (31-2), a No. 5 seed, won its...
Jameis Winston eager for chance to succeed Drew Brees with Saints
NEW ORLEANS — Jameis Winston describes the prospect of taking over for retired, record-setting New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees as something that comes with a “tremendous amount of responsibility.” It’s also something Winston eager to do, albeit in his own way. “You be the best version of yourself,” Winston...
NHL makes draft lottery changes, spots up for grabs cut to 2Video
NEW YORK — The NHL is instituting changes to the draft lottery that make it more difficult for the last-place team to drop out of the top three in the selection order. Beginning with the 2021 draft, only the first two picks will be subject to the lottery instead of...
Eagles sign veteran quarterback Joe FlaccoVideo
The Philadelphia Eagles signed veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco’s agent, Joe Linta, made the announcement on Twitter on Tuesday. The Eagles only had Jalen Hurts under contract before the move. Flacco, the 2012 Super Bowl MVP, started four games for the Jets last season and eight games for the Broncos...
Georgia Tech rolls over West Virginia women in NCAAs
SAN ANTONIO — Lotta-Maj Lahtinen scored 22 points, Lorela Cubaj had 21 points and 12 rebounds and No. 5 seed Georgia Tech used a big third quarter to beat No. 4 West Virginia, 73-56, on Tuesday in the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament. Esmery Martinez scored 13 points...
Lawyer: Deshaun Watson assault suits followed blackmail attempt
HOUSTON — An attorney for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who’s accused of sexual assault and harassment in lawsuits filed by 16 women, on Tuesday questioned the allegations against the NFL player, claiming they were made following a failed attempt to blackmail his client for $30,000. The women, in lawsuits...
Jordan Spieth rounding into form for fickle week of Match Play
AUSTIN, Texas — As much golf as Jordan Spieth likes to play, it took as much discipline as he could muster to not play at all. When he left the Masters on Nov. 15, the only two rounds of golf he played were of the recreational variety. One was a...
Pitt baseball rises to No. 14 in Baseball America poll, highest in program history
On the eve of Pitt baseball’s home opener Wednesday against Bucknell, the Panthers achieved their highest ranking in program history, No. 14 in the nation in the Baseball America poll. With coach Mike Bell in his third season, Pitt is ranked in all five major polls, including DIBaseball.com (No. 15),...
Preakness to run in front of 10,000 fans in May
The Preakness will be run in front of a limited capacity of 10,000 fans May 15 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Organizers of the second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown announced the decision Tuesday. Churchill Downs has said it expects the Kentucky Derby to be run in front...
Westmoreland Campus Clippings: Latrobe grad Butler on to D-II Elite Eight
The dance goes on for Bryce Butler. A sophomore guard at West Liberty, Butler has helped the Hilltoppers (18-4) reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division II men’s basketball tournament. The Latrobe alum had four points and six rebounds in a 78-61 win over Hillsdale. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Butler...
Twins send Plum product Alex Kirilloff out, leave LF wide open
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins optioned prized prospect Alex Kirilloff (Plum) to their alternate training site Tuesday, leaving a wide-open competition for playing time in left field while giving the 2016 first-round draft pick more time to develop. Jake Cave, Kyle Garlick and Brent Rooker are the primary candidates at...
Penguins dive back into busy game schedule on heels of rare idle day
Mike Matheson and Sam Lafferty were born 53 weeks apart in the mid-1990s, so their divide is not a generational one. They are in different life stages, though, as Matheson is married with a pregnant wife. That meant the Pittsburgh Penguins teammates had different approaches to a much-needed idle day...
New pitchers shine as Adam Frazier homers, Pirates score a shutout over Twins
Derek Shelton loved everything about the way the Pittsburgh Pirates ended their Grapefruit League game against the Minnesota Twins, with three consecutive strikeouts to seal a shutout. What got a shout-out from the Pirates manager was the brevity of the 1-0 victory over the Twins on Tuesday afternoon at LECOM...
After one season at Penn State, Kirk Ciarrocca joins WVU staff as offensive analyst
After only one season as Penn State’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Kirk Ciarrocca found work in a neighboring state. West Virginia coach Neal Brown announced he has hired Ciarrocca as an offensive analyst for the Mountaineers. “I have known Kirk for many years, having worked together on the staff...
Penguins’ injury updates: Brandon Tanev misses practice, Jason Zucker ‘making progress’
The injury states of Evgeni Malkin and Brandon Tanev remained status quo, but coach Mike Sullivan had better news about one of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ other top nine forwards. Jason Zucker again skated Tuesday morning, taking the ice with skating/skills development coach Ty Hennes before Tuesday’s team practice in Cranberry...
Justin Champagnie will look into NBA Draft process, leave door open for return to Pitt
Justin Champagnie is taking the first step toward the NBA while leaving room for his return to Pitt for the 2021-22 season. Coach Jeff Capel announced Tuesday that Champagnie, who was an honorable-mention All-American and first-team All-ACC as a sophomore this season, will test the NBA Draft process. The process....
NCAA President Mark Emmert agrees to meet protesting players after March Madness
The National College Players Association said Tuesday that NCAA President Mark Emmert has informed a group of basketball players who started a social media campaign to protest inequities in college sports that he will meet with them after March Madness. NCPA executive director Ramogi Huma said in a statement he...
Steelers terminate contract of CB Steve Nelson
Unable to find a trade partner for cornerback Steve Nelson, the Pittsburgh Steelers terminated his contract Tuesday afternoon. The decision, which cleared $8.25 million in salary-cap space, came four days after reports surfaced the Steelers were giving permission to Nelson to seek a trade and less than an hour after...
Pirates Rule 5 pick Luis Oviedo confident he can make leap from Class A to major leagues
Luis Oviedo can laugh now, but on that December day, it was mostly confusing. His agent called to tell the right-hander the New York Mets had selected him from the Cleveland Indians in the Rule 5 Draft, telling Oviedo he was free to contact family and share the news. “And...
Pitt pauses scheduled spring drills because of covid protocols
Pitt football hit a roadblock in its spring drills Tuesday when all in-person activities were paused because of covid-related protocols. Players and coaches will continue to meet virtually, the university announced. The university said last week it has seen an 83% spike in new covid cases. Campuses in Oakland, Greensburg,...
