Sports category, Page 1203
Tim Benz: Ways to address Steelers offensive line? Coach around it in 2022, make it better in 2023
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen have nowhere to hide. After the unit’s shaky performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Saturday’s 16-15 preseason win, the players are taking heat from fans and media outside the team facility and their own head coach within it. Consider this anecdote from guard Kendrick Green after...
Even with zero turnovers, Pitt defense finds ways to please coordinator Randy Bates
With so much praise and optimism surrounding Pitt’s defense this summer, it was surprising to hear there were no turnovers among the 132 plays in the closed scrimmage last Saturday. It might have been interesting to hear what defensive coordinator Randy Bates said to his players behind closed doors. Bates...
Michael Harris II gets last laugh as Braves outduel Pirates in battle of top rookies
Roansy Contreras made the deepest start of his major league career, going seven innings for the first time against the star-studded lineup of the reigning World Series champion Atlanta Braves. Oneil Cruz simply went deep, crushing a solo home run with a 41-degree launch angle and at an exit velocity...
Pitt men’s basketball team will play Michigan in Legends Classic matchup at Barclays Center
Pitt coach Jeff Capel and his rebuilt roster will receive a serious test in the opening round of the 2022 Legends Classic on Nov. 16 when they meet Michigan at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPNU. The Wolverines finished 19-15 last season,...
Fox Chapel Golf Club to host 2024 U.S. Senior Women’s Open
The USGA is returning to Fox Chapel Golf Club for another national championship. The Seth Raynor-designed club will host the 2024 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, the golf governing body announced Monday. Fox Chapel will welcome 120 of the world’s top 50-and-older women Aug. 1-4, 2024. Two other sites, San Diego...
Pirates rookie shortstop Oneil Cruz searches for consistency amid struggles at the plate
The Pittsburgh Pirates have marveled at how Oneil Cruz dropped to one knee to hit a pitch in the dirt for his first major-league home run, used his extended reach to connect on pitches far outside the strike zone and set a team Statcast record with a 118.4-mph single. What...
Pat Narduzzi, Neal Brown maintain secrecy over Pitt, WVU quarterback questions
Neal Brown is 14 years younger than Pat Narduzzi, and he has only half as much experience (four seasons) as a head coach in the Power 5. But keeping a secret is something common to both the West Virginia and Pitt coaches. Other than they played college football at New...
Tom Brady ends 11-day break, rejoins Buccaneers for practiceVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Brady returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, ending what has been described as an 11-day, prearranged break from training camp for personal reasons. The seven-time Super Bowl champion didn’t address the media after practicing. Teammates and coach Todd Bowles said the 45-year-old quarterback was...
Mike Tomlin’s video review calls into question play of offensive line, Kendrick Green
A clip of defensive lineman Arden Key rushing past left guard Kendrick Green like he was invisible went viral in the aftermath of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason game Saturday night in Jacksonville. If it wasn’t bad enough for Green that the video was there for the world to see, it...
Recent waiver claim Hamilcar Rashed takes 1st-team reps at OLB with Alex Highsmith out
Hamilcar Rashed Jr. spent the first 15 months as a professional as part of the New York Jets organization. It didn’t take long for him to notice the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t run things the same way. “I love it. It’s obviously different, a totally different atmosphere here,” Rashed said after...
Column: Chase Elliott angry with teammate Kyle Larson as NASCAR playoffs loomVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kyle Larson has just two wins this season, and both came at the expense of teammate Chase Elliott. The relationship between NASCAR’s last two Cup champions seemed precarious Sunday night at Watkins Glen International as Larson celebrated in victory lane while Elliott sought out team leadership for...
Cameron Heyward back but Devin Bush sits out Steelers practice
Cameron Heyward was back on the field Monday after he had left the previous Pittsburgh Steelers practice because of an apparent ankle injury. Heyward left Thursday’s final practice session at Saint Vincent early during team periods and did not play in the preseason game two days later at the Jacksonville...
2 Indiana State football players among 3 killed in crashVideo
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Two freshman members of the Indiana State football team were among the three students killed in a weekend crash, officials said Monday. Two other football team members who were injured in the crash were out of intensive care but remained hospitalized in serious condition, the university...
Giants first-round pick Thibodeaux sprains MCL in right kneeVideo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rookie edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux sprained the MCL in his right knee in the preseason victory over the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals. New York Giants coach Brian Daboll said Monday the No. 5 overall pick in the draft was being listed as day to day,...
Pitt’s Calijah Kancey named second-team preseason All-American
Pile another honor upon Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who was named a second-team Associated Press preseason All-American on Monday. Kancey, a redshirt junior, also has been named to the preseason All-ACC first team, plus six watch lists for national awards. Kancey led Pitt with 13 tackles for loss and...
Westmoreland campus clippings: Saint Vincent adds Samantha Kelly to volleyball staff
Saint Vincent added some local knowledge to its women’s volleyball coaching staff. Samantha Kelly, a former Penn-Trafford and Westminster volleyball standout, will join the Bearcats as a graduate assistant. Kelly was a three-time All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference player and racked up 2,293 assists, 101 kills and 120 service points in her...
Steelers add offensive lineman Adrian Ealy, waive tackle Jordan Tucker
The Pittsburgh Steelers have subbed one offensive tackle for another, signing former Oklahoma offensive lineman Adrian Ealy on Monday and waiving Jordan Tucker. Ealy became a free agent when he was released by the Los Angeles Rams last week. An undrafted free agent who began his career with Baltimore in...
QB Baker Mayfield starting for Panthers in Week 1 against Browns
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Baker Mayfield will start the Carolina Panthers’ Sept. 11 regular-season opener against his former team, the Cleveland Browns. Panthers coach Matt Rhule made the announcement on the team’s website Monday. Mayfield, acquired in a trade with the Browns earlier this offseason, beat out incumbent starter Sam Darnold...
Victory at CrossFit Games culmination of recovery for Penn-Trafford grad Charles Pienaar
Charles Pienaar and his wife Stephanie attended the CrossFit Games together in 2021 just for their enjoyment. The trip turned into a motivational one. After watching a few events, Stephanie turned to Charles and said you should do this. Pienaar, a 2003 Penn-Trafford graduate, was eager to take on the...
Deer Lakes grad Brett Horchar named Fittest Man on Earth at CrossFit Games
Competing in the CrossFit Games doesn’t provide a clearly defined path for athletes. Brett Horchar, who competed in the men’s neuromuscular division, knows that Crossfit is always working to involve what fitness means. Being able to find different ways to work out is a perfect challenge for Horchar, who was...
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi beat the ACC in 2021, but this summer the lawn mower wins
With Pitt coming off an ACC championship, Pat Narduzzi may not have as many problems as he did early in his eight-year tenure. But he confronted one Monday morning that he really can’t fix — the guy cutting the grass on the field where the Steelers were scheduled to practice...
Mark Madden: Kenny Pickett may be playing well enough to be the Steelers’ starter, but is it too risky?
The Steelers played in (and lost) Super Bowl XXX. The following season, 1996, saw them replace their quarterback. Neil O’Donnell left via free agency. There was competition at training camp for the QB job. Jim Miller won it, beating out vet Mike Tomczak and second-year pro Kordell Stewart, a fan...
Penguins, assistant coach Mike Vellucci agree to 2-year extension
The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed assistant coach Mike Vellucci to a two-year contract extension on Monday. Vellucci, 56, has spent the past two seasons on Mike Sullivan’s staff, overseeing forwards and the penalty killing unit. Last season, the Penguins’ penalty kill finished third in the NHL with an 84.4% success rate,...
Kyle Larson wins rain-delayed NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Kyle Larson was looking for a jolt of momentum. He got it for the second straight time at Watkins Glen International. The reigning NASCAR Cup champion, winless since his only victory of the season at Auto Club Speedway in February, beat Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott...
First Call: Ex-Steeler shines at QB in Cleveland; Roquan Smith willing to stay in Chicago; Ravens extend preseason streak
An ex-Steelers quarterback is on fire with his new team this preseason. The Roquan Smith dream seems to have died for Pittsburgh fans. The Ravens just can’t lose in August. And Pittsburgh has two champions in a pair of very unique sports. All that in Monday’s “First Call.” And the...
