Sports category, Page 788
Matchup between Browns and Texans will likely be Flacco vs. Keenum with Watson and Stroud injuredVideo
HOUSTON — When the NFL schedule was released in May, the game between the Browns and Texans on Sunday was expected to be an intriguing matchup. Deshaun Watson, Houston’s former star quarterback, would square off for Cleveland against rookie C.J. Stroud, the Texans’ new franchise signal caller. As these teams...
Report: New England footballs deflated, but don’t blame Patriots this time
The special teams footballs used in Sunday’s game between Kansas City and New England reportedly were underinflated — not by the Patriots, this time — an ironic throwback to the Deflategate scandal that captivated the football world for parts of three seasons and led to penalties against the team and...
Old Dominion men’s basketball coach Jeff Jones hospitalized after heart attack
HONOLULU — Old Dominion men’s basketball coach Jeff Jones was hospitalized in Honolulu after suffering a heart attack on Wednesday, the school said. “He is resting comfortably and expecting a full recovery,” Old Dominion said in a statement Thursday. The 63-year-old Jones is being held for observation for the next...
Penn State, Penn Hills CB Daequan Hardy declares for NFL Draft
Penn State will have to replace a longtime staple in its secondary. Daequan Hardy (Penn Hills), a cornerback and electric punt returner for the Nittany Lions, has declared for the NFL Draft. He will play in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Hardy, a five-year contributor at...
Baltimore’s defense faces its biggest test yet when the Ravens take on Brock Purdy and the 49ersVideo
It’s one of the biggest debates of the 2023 NFL season: Brock Purdy, superstar or game manager? His next opponent already sounds convinced of the answer. “Seems like he gets a lot of hate from the stuff that I see. I don’t know why,” Baltimore cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “You...
MLB is widening the runner’s lane to first, changing a rule that has caused World Series controversyVideo
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is widening the runner’s lane approaching first base to include a portion of fair territory, changing a more than century-old rule that caused World Series controversy over interference calls. MLB also is shortening the pitch clock with runners on base by 2 seconds to...
A top rookie CB, Steelers’ Joey Porter Jr. unwilling to alter play that tends to draw flags
They vary in their methodology or calculation, but no shortage of metrics tend to agree that Joey Porter Jr. is having a standout season as a rookie NFL cornerback. The top pick of the second round in April by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Porter ranks second in reception percentage (45.5%) and...
Former Penguins forward Jordan Staal remains stout defensively with the Hurricanes
Jordan Staal saw some familiar faces Thursday at PPG Paints Arena. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Any time the former teammates square off in a game, Staal, captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, typically is deployed against one of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ franchise centers. “They’re both great competitors,” Staal said after...
Steelers safety Trenton Thompson out, Elijah Riley questionable to play vs. Bengals
Already without the safeties taking spots Nos. 1-3 on their depth chart this week, the Pittsburgh Steelers learned Thursday they also will have to make do without No. 4. Trenton Thompson missed the entire week’s worth of practice and was ruled out for Saturday’s home game against the Cincinnati Bengals...
T.J. Watt explains Rich Eisen’s version of his comments on Steelers practice habitsVideo
Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt sought to clarify comments NFL commentator Rich Eisen made on his talk show this week that Eisen attributed to Watt from the prior week’s television production meeting. “It wasn’t attacking anybody. It was a general statement of, as a leader on this team, I feel...
Joe Flacco giving the Browns a steady presence and leadership with a playoff spot in reach
BEREA, Ohio — Joe Flacco looks much different, younger and a little less like his new coach. The beard is gone. “It was a mess,” said the Browns’ freshly-shaven quarterback. While his facial hair may have been a bit unkempt, and made him a taller lookalike to Browns coach Kevin...
Kenny Pickett out, Mason Rudolph officially to start for Steelers against Bengals
On the night before Christmas Eve, Mason Rudolph will guide the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense. Coach Mike Tomlin made it official after practice Thursday that Rudolph will start at quarterback for Saturday’s 4:30 p.m. home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. A day after characterizing Thursday as “a big day” in evaluating...
Penguins tab Alex Nedeljkovic as starting goaltender for 3rd time in 4 games
The Pittsburgh Penguins are scheduled to start goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic in Thursday’s home game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG Paints Arena. Coach Mike Sullivan announced Nedeljkovic’s status following an optional morning skate. Nedeljkovic has appeared in each of the past three games, starting two of those contests. He replaced...
Why former Indiana coach Tom Allen was hired as Penn State’s new defensive coordinator
STATE COLLEGE — The best follow-up question is often the simplest one. Why? On Tuesday, Penn State hired former Indiana head coach Tom Allen to be its next defensive coordinator. Allen, who replaces Manny Diaz, was formally introduced Wednesday. But why was Allen the choice? And why was Allen so...
DaQuan Smith sinks go-ahead jumper with 1.5 left, Radford edges West Virginia
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — DaQuan Smith scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half, including a go-ahead jumper with 1.5 seconds left, and Radford edged West Virginia, 66-65, on Wednesday night for its fifth straight victory. Radford (10-4) picked up its first win over a Power 5 opponent since...
Shohei Ohtani is the AP Male Athlete of the Year for the 2nd time in 3 years
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Before Shohei Ohtani stepped into the bright lights of Hollywood and signed the most lucrative contract in professional sports history, baseball’s two-way superstar put together yet another season of unparalleled brilliance from Tokyo to Anaheim. What can this singular talent possibly do next? The Los Angeles Dodgers...
Florida State to discuss future of athletics, affiliation with ACC at board meeting, AP source says
Florida State announced it will hold a Board of Trustees meeting on Friday and a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press the future of the athletic department and its affiliation with the Atlantic Coast Conference will be discussed. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because...
Steelers DL Cameron Heyward clears concussion protocol, expected to play vs. Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward progressed through NFL concussion protocol and is on track to play in Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. A message posted to the X (formerly Twitter) account of Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten stated Heyward, a three-time All-Pro defensive tackle, “has been cleared by an...
NFL trims Damontae Kazee suspension to 3 games, allowing return if Steelers make playoffsVideo
Damontae Kazee’s suspension for a hit on a defenseless Indianapolis Colts player was reduced on appeal, the NFL announced, leaving the free safety eligible to play should the Pittsburgh Steelers make the playoffs. League spokesman Michael Signora posted the news to his X (formerly Twitter) account. Kazee was ejected from...
U mad, bro?: Plenty of Christmas jeer for George Pickens, Steelers coaches and yours truly
It’s always a sad feeling when Steelers-related depression grips Pittsburgh. It’s especially sad around the holidays. This week’s “U mad, bro?” entries run a wide gamut. George Pickens gets a lump of coal. The coaching staff gets quite a few. And I’m placed on Santa’s naughty list a few times....
First Call: Tyler Boyd knocks George Pickens; T.J. Watt puzzled why some Steelers don’t respond to Mike Tomlin
Pitt alum Tyler Boyd takes a swipe at Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens as his Bengals prepare to visit Acrisure Stadium. Damontae Kazee’s suspension is upheld for the remainder of the regular season. T.J. Watt seems baffled that some Steelers aren’t responding to Mike Tomlin. Jaromir Jagr is still playing...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates GM Ben Cherington still searching for starting pitching
As Ben Cherington was celebrating the re-signing of Andrew McCutchen, the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager addressed an offseason that has been slow to address the team’s glaring needs. The Pirates have traded for left-handed starting pitcher Marco Gonzales and outfielder Edward Olivares and signed free agents in designated hitter McCutchen,...
Williams puts up 20, hits late 3 to give Robert Morris a 75-73 victory against St. Francis (Pa.)Video
LORETTO — Justice Williams made a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left and finished with 20 points to lead Robert Morris to a 75-73 victory over St. Francis (Pa.) on Wednesday night. Cam Gregory’s layup gave St. Francis a 73-72 lead with 16 seconds left. Jackson Last had the ball with...
Penske 3-peat a potential theme for NASCAR in 2024
Roger Penske achieved something this season the pioneering motorports magnate had never done in his long, accomplished career with back-to-back NASCAR championships. Ryan Blaney gave Penske consecutive series titles at Phoenix last month after teammate Joey Logano’s title-winning run in 2022. “You win one, and you start all over again,”...
Pitcher Jack Flaherty, Tigers finalize $14M, 1-year contract
DETROIT — Right-hander Jack Flaherty and the Detroit Tigers have finalized a $14 million, one-year contract in a deal that allows the 28-year-old right-hander to earn an additional $1 million in performances bonuses with a franchise that has invested a lot in improving next season. “There’s a lot of belief...
