Sports category, Page 983
Deion Sanders snipes back at Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi for criticism of Colorado’s roster overhaul
Colorado Buffaloes football coach Deion Sanders is returning serve following some criticism from Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi. A few weeks ago, Narduzzi made some noteworthy comments about the transfer portal, obviously aimed at Sanders, who openly encouraged many of his Colorado players to leave the program so he could “bring...
First Call: Just 1 safety rated higher than Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick; Mets limp into Pittsburgh to play Pirates
Friday’s “First Call” looks at a flailing opponent for the Pirates at PNC Park this weekend. It’s the anniversary of a memorable night in Pittsburgh hockey history. A Steelers All-Pro is deemed to be second best at his position. And the Pirates get a little help on their off day....
Rodolfo Castro flashes power in push to become an everyday player for the Pirates
That Rodolfo Castro made a start at shortstop Wednesday for the Pittsburgh Pirates, his first at the position in a month, was a sign he has regained the trust of the coaching staff. That he slugged a solo home run and a two-run double in a 9-5 loss to the...
Panthers win in OT, stop Golden Knights from running away with Stanley Cup Final
SUNRISE, Fla. — Overtime. Season on the line. The Florida Panthers keep finding ways to flourish in those moments. And for the first time, they’ve won a game in the Stanley Cup Final. Carter Verhaeghe snapped a wrister from the slot into the high back of the net 4:27 into...
Pirates farm report for June 8, 2023: Endy Rodriguez tossed from Indianapolis loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 28-31) gave up 10 runs in the fifth inning and lost 15-7 to Omaha (Royals). C Endy Rodriguez (.253) went 1 for 3 with a double and two RBIs before being ejected for arguing a call at first base. 1B Miguel Andujar (.347) went 1 for 4 with...
Heat still confident, Nuggets remain focused as NBA Finals reach Game 4
MIAMI — Jimmy Butler showed up in plush blue slippers for what officially was called practice. Kyle Lowry was trying to distract him during an interview session. Nikola Jokic continued to say how he doesn’t care about statistics. Jamal Murray talked about all the fun he’s having. At this point,...
Oklahoma tops Florida State, wins 3rd straight Women’s College World Series titleVideo
OKLAHOMA CITY — Jordy Bahl threw three innings of perfect relief, and Oklahoma won its third straight Women’s College World Series title and seventh overall, beating Florida State, 3-1, on Thursday night for a two-game sweep. The Sooners finished 61-1 and extended their Division I-record win streak to 53 games....
QB questions linger over 49ers headed into summer break
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Brock Purdy resumed his throwing program, Trey Lance looked healthy and showed off his improved mechanics and Sam Darnold got acclimated to a new offense. The San Francisco 49ers ended their offseason program and headed off for summer break with some encouraging signs about their quarterback...
Canada’s Corey Conners shares lead at Canadian Open as PGA Tour resumes following LIV dealVideo
TORONTO — Corey Conners shot a bogey-free 5-under-par 67 on Thursday to share the first-round lead at the RBC Canadian Open, the first PGA Tour event since its announcement of a merger with Saudi-funded rival LIV Golf. Conners is seeking to become the tournament’s first Canadian winner in 69 years....
Panthers hand first-team reps over to rookie QB Bryce YoungVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bryce Young’s time is now in Carolina. The Panthers have given Young the first-team reps in practice this week, a move coach Frank Reich called the next step in the rookie quarterback’s progression. Reich anticipates Young will continue to get first-team reps “for now” as the Panthers...
Rick Hendrick hopes rough racing settles down after Chase Elliott suspension
LE MANS, France — Rick Hendrick fully supports Chase Elliott as he returns from a one-race suspension for deliberately wrecking Denny Hamlin, but the team owner believes on-track aggression has gotten out of control this season and NASCAR sent a message by parking the superstar. “Until something was done, I...
MLS hopes Lionel Messi will boost attendance, TV viewers and market shareVideo
NEW YORK — After two decades competing against Real Madrid, Manchester United and Brazil, Lionel Messi will be going against the NFL, Major League Baseball and the NBA. Major League Soccer is hoping for a breakout boost to its television audience and market share after Messi joins Inter Miami next...
Udonis Haslem spent career with Heat but almost went to Nuggets
MIAMI — There is some irony in the Denver Nuggets being the last team that Udonis Haslem will face. They were the team that almost got him out of Miami. In the summer of 2010, when most of the eyes in the NBA free agent world were on Miami for...
Big Ten prepares to welcome USC, UCLA next year, reveals football schedules for 2024, 2025
Big Ten officials Thursday unveiled the format for the 2024 and 2025 football seasons, the first with newcomers USC and UCLA. There will be 16 teams for the first time and the end to the divisional format. Each team will continue to play nine conference opponents, leaving room for three...
Penn State’s James Franklin praises Drew Allar, doesn’t name starting quarterback
STATE COLLEGE — Penn State fans will have to keep waiting for the preseason’s big announcement. James Franklin did not name a starting quarterback Thursday afternoon, his first time meeting with local media since the Blue-White game on April 15. Drew Allar is the overwhelming favorite to land the No....
Karolina Muchova grinds way to French Open final, will face Iga Swiatek
PARIS — As it is, Karolina Muchova was the unseeded, unexpected participant in the French Open semifinals. And then, dealing with cramping legs nearly three hours into the match, she was just one point from losing to No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, who entered Thursday with a 12-0 Grand Slam record...
NASCAR and its growling Next Gen car take over Le Mans, looking to make statement on a global stageVideo
LE MANS, France — The engine of the Chevrolet Camaro has a distinct growl that cannot go unnoticed even among the most elite sports cars in the world at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. When the Hendrick Motorsports crew fired up the car inside Garage 56, NASCAR chairman Jim...
Practicing with his father watching is no big deal for Steelers rookie Joey Porter Jr.
With the Pittsburgh Steelers inviting alumni to watch organized team activities this week, former linebacker and assistant coach Joey Porter made the short drive from the North Hills to watch one player in particular Thursday morning. His son. Rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr., the team’s first pick of the second...
Jaylen Warren looking to keep growing in role as No. 2 running back for Steelers
In terms of distance traveled, Jaylen Warren relocated about 10 feet in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room. The distance traveled in his young NFL career over the past year, however, might be impossible to calculate. A year ago, Warren was among a handful of undrafted rookie prospects trying to earn...
Steelers notes: Connor Heyward seeks to earn expanded role, Matt Rife a guest at practice
More than a week into the new NFL league year this March, Connor Heyward appeared poised to begin the second season of his NFL career as the No. 2 tight end on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ depth chart. But then, Zach Gentry re-signed. A month later, another tight end (Darnell Washington)...
Steelers report to training camp July 26; 1st of 16 open practices begin next day
Back at Saint Vincent for a 56th training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers will report to the Unity Township campus July 26. The first of 16 practices open to the public will be held the following day, per the camp schedule released by the team Thursday. Among a dwindling number of...
Mars graduate JJ Wetherholt of West Virginia named 1 of 5 finalists for Dick Howser Trophy
Mars graduate JJ Wetherholt needed only two seasons at West Virginia to establish himself as one of the top college baseball players in the nation. Proof of his worthiness for that honor is his nomination Thursday as one of five finalists for the 36th Dick Howser Trophy, the Heisman Trophy...
Minnesota Vikings releasing star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap reasons, AP source says
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings are parting ways with star running back Dalvin Cook for salary cap savings after his fourth consecutive season surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark. Cook has been informed he will be released, a person familiar with the team’s decision told The Associated Press on Thursday. The...
Belmont cancels racing, Nationals postpone game due to poor air quality from Canada wildfires
Racing at Belmont Park was canceled and the Washington Nationals’ home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks was postponed Thursday because of poor air quality from wildfires in Canada. It’s the second straight day the continuing fires north of the border have impacted sports in the Northeastern United States. Several Major...
Freeport grad Jarrett Heilman’s star on the rise after another brilliant season at Mercyhurst
At any level of baseball, there are pitchers (i.e. throwers) and there are pitchers (i.e. the real McCoys). In other words, the real McCoys put some thought into the matter. It’s not just, “wind up and fire darts.” Which brings us to Jarrett Heilman, the former Freeport right-hander who continues...
