Sports category, Page 1129
Penguins recall defenseman Mark Friedman from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
The Penguins recalled defenseman Mark Friedman from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Tuesday. This marks the third time this season Friedman has been recalled to the NHL roster. Previously recalled on Nov. 11 and Dec. 14, Friedman has yet to appear in an NHL game in 2022-23. On...
Tim Benz: Penguins must make most of crucial schedule grind through Winter Classic
After his team’s 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers last week, Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan downplayed a question wondering if he felt the game had some playoff vibes to it. “I don’t know that I’d go that far. I’d like to think our playoff hockey is a lot...
First Call: Steelers’ playoff chances shrink after MNF result; Ravens unclear on Lamar Jackson’s healthVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ slim playoff chances were hurt during “Monday Night Football.” The Ravens aren’t tipping their hand about who will play quarterback when the Steelers visit Baltimore on Sunday night. One of the Ravens isn’t thrilled about that game being flexed. And the Penguins get ready to renew acquaintances...
Jets’ White cleared by docs, will start at QB on SundayVideo
Mike White is back at quarterback for the New York Jets. And just in time, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. White was cleared by team doctors and will start Sunday in Seattle after he missed the Jets’ past two games while dealing with broken ribs suffered in...
New-look Pitt leans on veterans Nick Patti, Jared Wayne for Sun Bowl
When UCLA’s players look across the line of scrimmage Friday in the Sun Bowl, the team looking back at them won’t resemble the one they watched on video in preparation for the game. Not even close. There are at least eight players — five on defense, plus quarterback Kedon Slovis,...
Analysis: Safely in playoffs, Ravens turn focus to division titleVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens have clinched a postseason berth. Coach John Harbaugh indicated that would have no impact on Lamar Jackson’s status. “Players play when they’re healthy and ready to go. That’s really all we do,” Harbaugh said after Baltimore’s 17-9 win over Atlanta on Saturday. “When...
New Mexico State holds off Bowling Green in Quick Lane BowlVideo
DETROIT — Diego Pavia threw for 167 yards and two touchdowns, and New Mexico State held off a late rally by Bowling Green to win the Quick Lane Bowl, 24-19, on Monday. The Aggies (7-6) were up 24-7 late in the third quarter, but the Falcons closed the gap in...
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol again
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has returned to the NFL’s concussion protocol, Miami coach Mike McDaniel said Monday. Tagovailoa was experiencing symptoms when he met with team doctors Monday, though McDaniel said it is unclear if Tagovailoa was concussed in Sunday’s 26-20 loss to Green Bay. Tagovailoa...
Analysis: Bengals win 7th straight but still seek consistencyVideo
CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow succinctly summarized the wild inconsistency displayed by the Bengals offense Saturday. “First half was about as good as it gets,” the Cincinnati quarterback said. “And then after that, we kind of shot ourselves in the foot over and over and over again.” Burrow couldn’t seem to...
Analysis: Loss in bitter cold leaves Browns outside playoffs once againVideo
CLEVELAND — There’s nothing left for the Cleveland Browns to accomplish this season, another failed one in a long line of malfunctions for one of the NFL’s most inept franchises. Since 1999, they’ve had three winning seasons. Count ’em, three. They are masters of dysfunction, however, and coach Kevin Stefanski...
Randy Gregory, Oday Aboushi suspended 1 game for punchesVideo
NEW YORK — Broncos linebacker Randy Gregory and Rams offensive lineman Oday Aboushi were suspended one game each for exchanging punches after Los Angeles’ 51-14 win over Denver on Sunday. NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan issued the suspensions Monday for violations of unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness...
Defensive resurgence for Steelers to be tested in rematch with Ravens
The way the Pittsburgh Steelers defense has played since the bye has mirrored the success of the team and the way it has staved off elimination in the AFC playoff picture. The defense held opponents to fewer than 310 yards just once in the first half of the season, a...
Steelers notes: Elijah Riley called upon off practice squad; Connor Heyward on savvy final play
When Mike Tomlin walked into the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room about a half hour after the conclusion of Saturday night’s win against the Las Vegas Raiders, he had dozens of players he could greet. The one Tomlin made a bee line to first was … Elijah Riley. Called up that...
No. 1 South Carolina women reach milestone in AP Top 25
South Carolina maintained its hold on top of The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll Monday, reaching a milestone in the process. The Gamecocks have held the No. 1 spot for 27 consecutive weeks, which is the fifth longest run all-time. UConn has three of the top four streaks,...
Denver Broncos fire rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos fired first-year coach Nathaniel Hackett on Monday with two games left in the season. Team owner and CEO Greg Penner said he’ll lead the search for a new coach with assistance from GM George Paton, in whom he expressed confidence while announcing Hackett’s dismissal....
No. 1 Purdue headlines AP Top 25; Miami leaps, UNC returns
Purdue remained atop The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for a third straight week, while preseason No. 1 North Carolina returned to the rankings and New Mexico cracked the poll for the first time in eight years. The Boilermakers earned 40 of 60 first-place votes in Monday’s...
Mark Madden: You think the Steelers are close, but close to what?
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ win on Franco Day was dramatic, inspirational and happy. It was cool more than cold. That’s saying something given game-night temperatures. Despite the frigidity, it might have been better in person than on television. The crowd at Acrisure Stadium was small but rabid. It deserved that victory....
Madden Monday: ‘I just don’t see the progress’ after narrow win against Raiders
It’s really not that hard to break down the Steelers-Raiders game that took place on Christmas Eve. The Las Vegas Raiders had a dominant drive to start the game. The Pittsburgh Steelers had a dominant drive to end the game. In between, the Steelers won 6-3. That’s it. That’s the...
Springdale grad Rachel Halapchuk provides versatility, leadership for John Carroll swimming
Coaches often talk about leadership qualities in certain athletes. That might entail demonstrating a strong work ethic in practice. It might mean sacrificing individual glory for the good of the team. Or it could mean offering words of wisdom. John Carroll senior swimmer Rachel Halapchuk checks all of those boxes....
Greensburg Salem grad Malia Anderson enters track season on heels of making XC nationals for Cal (Pa.)Video
Malia Anderson called it “falling back in love” with running. The Greensburg Salem grad earned a scholarship to run cross country and track at Georgetown, and after a handful of cross country meets and her indoor track season, the pandemic shut down school and athletic activities. She spent her second...
How the Penguins have fared in outdoor gamesVideo
In the 19 years since the NHL first began playing regular-season outdoor games, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been a regular presence in such showcases. After all, it’s more of an event manufactured for television than a mundane, ordinary game. And the Penguins have long been a safe, reliable choice for...
Westmoreland County campus clippings: GCC grad Tatum Gretz transfers to Youngstown State
Tatum Gretz changed lanes in her college soccer career. The former Greensburg Central Catholic standout is transferring from Villanova to Youngstown State. She saw limited time as a freshman and sought a change of scenery. “We are excited to add a player like Tatum to the Penguin family,” Penguins coach...
Analysis: NFL playoff picture tightens up after Week 16
Minshew Mania is on hold. The Philadelphia Eagles couldn’t wrap up the NFC East and the No. 1 seed with their backup quarterback, tightening the playoff picture in a wide-open conference. The Eagles (13-2) need only one more win to clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs but a 40-34 loss...
Buckeyes defense motivated to limit big plays against Georgia
COLUMBUS, Ohio — J.T. Tuimoloau stood in front of the Buckeyes before practice the week after Ohio State’s second straight loss to Michigan. As the sting of defeat began to set in and the prospect of missing the playoff remained a possibility, the second-year defensive end offered a reminder to...
Rams, Bucs, Packers earn wins on same day in upside down NFC
Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers led comeback wins, and the Los Angeles Rams dominated Russell Wilson and the Broncos. It was a triumphant Christmas for the Buccaneers, Packers and Rams as many figured it would be when the schedule was released in May. The NFC’s top three preseason Super Bowl...
