Sports category, Page 1549
Cardinals soar into playoff position behind ageless arms
NEW YORK — On the morning of the trade deadline in late July, the St. Louis Cardinals were a .500 team sitting 7 1/2 games outside a playoff spot. Even with new slugger Nolan Arenado at third base, a season that began with big expectations appeared to be slipping away....
Mike Tomlin had a creative message for his rookies before their 1st road game in Buffalo
All nine of the Steelers’ 2021 draft class members came from Power 5 conference programs. One benefit of that is the players come to the NFL having a feel for big-time football. The daily mechanisms and framework that exist on that scale. The pressures and expectations associated with being a...
‘U mad, bro?’: Steelers fans want more faith; Pitt fans want more coverage; Pirates fans want more wins
The Steelers season is just starting. The Pirates season is finally ending. Pitt’s fan base is starting to wake up. And the emotions from all sides are equally raw. That’s abundantly clear in this week’s “U mad, bro?”. After their win Sunday over the Buffalo Bills, this Twitter follower remained...
First Call: Kevin Colbert may be scouting QB prospect; ex-Steeler signs with Bengals; Dan Marino’s milestone
The Steelers may already be scouting a quarterback for next year’s draft. The Bengals have signed a former Steelers free agent. The Raiders Maxx Crosby raised eyebrows with his performance Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. And we celebrate a Pitt football legend’s birthday. All of this in today’s First...
Ex-Pitt players Therran Coleman, Bricen Garner switch sides as Western Michigan comes to town
Therran Coleman and Bricen Garner are in agreement. They won’t walk onto the grass in Heinz Field’s south end zone (the one in front of Pitt’s student section) and try to relive history, even in their minds. “We’re past that,” Coleman said. “I’m looking to make new moments.” “I’m going...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 15, 2021: Oneil Cruz homers for Altoona
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 54-61) lost 3-2 to St. Paul (Twins). RHP Tanner Anderson (2-4, 4.17) started and gave up three runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings. LHP Blake Weiman (4.91), RHP Shea Spitzbarth (1.44), LHP Joe Jacques (4.40) and RHP Tyler Bashlor (2.23) combined to throw 4.1 scoreless innings. RF...
PIAA worried teams using covid-19 issues to avoid unfavorable opponents
The PIAA is worried teams may be using covid-19 issues as a way to avoid an unfavorable opponent, so the board on Wednesday debated at length a policy that would’ve made regular season cancellations forfeits. Ultimately, the board voted against the policy change and agreed to instead provide the information...
Wilmer Difo scores winning run as Pirates edge Reds on Roberto Clemente Day
Wilmer Difo saw opportunity and drew inspiration from the man being honored throughout baseball, racing toward home plate the way he envisioned Roberto Clemente would have five decades ago. Difo was on second base when Colin Moran hit a sharp grounder down the first base line, where Joey Votto blocked...
ACC can improve performances against Power 5 teams this weekendVideo
ACC teams have some work to do when they step up in competition and play football programs from other Power Five leagues. Through two weeks of the season, some ACC teams have expectedly dominated lower division programs, but the ACC is just 2-6 against Power Five teams and Notre Dame....
Ravens secondary gearing up for clash with Patrick Mahomes
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Fresh off a startling loss at Las Vegas, Baltimore’s shaky secondary will now focus on a familiar nemesis: Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. “The Chiefs have definitely had our number the past couple years,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “I guess the way you go...
Penn State finds challenges in prepping for AuburnVideo
STATE COLLEGE — Most of the intelligence No. 10 Penn State has on its upcoming opponent was compiled long ago by the team’s video production staff. How much it’s worth now is up for debate. Not only will No. 22 Auburn’s visit to Beaver Stadium provide the Nittany Lions (2-0)...
Strong bonds, improving numbers part of Pitt receiver Taysir Mack’s seasonVideo
Prioritizing the importance of blocking for a teammate is one way position coach Brennan Marion builds solidarity among Pitt’s wide receivers. “If you love the guy, you’ll fight for him,” Marion, a Greensburg Salem graduate, told reporters Wednesday after the second day of practice in preparation for Saturday’s game against...
PIAA board approves vaccine mandate for officials, doesn’t foresee shortage
The PIAA does not expect its covid-19 vaccination mandate to cause a shortage of game officials since the new policy applies only to inter-district state tournament games. “Our inter-district tournament is so much smaller in number of games compared to what goes on across the commonwealth on a day-to-day basis....
Pirates’ Derek Shelton celebrates Roberto Clemente’s legacy
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton returned to his office in the clubhouse after Tuesday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds to find a No. 21 jersey hanging in his locker. That’s when it hit Shelton that the Pirates would be honoring the Hall of Fame right fielder by wearing his...
Steelers notebook: Defensive line rotation pays off in opener without Stephon Tuitt
The absence of defensive end Stephon Tuitt wasn’t felt Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers swarmed Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen throughout a 23-16 victory. Allen, who was in MVP consideration last year, was sacked three times and led the Bills to just one touchdown in the season opener. The Steelers...
Something’s got to give when unbeaten Springdale, Bishop Canevin collide
It’s hard to imagine two teams that have combined for 198 points over three games engaging in a defensive struggle. But it could happen Friday night at Springdale’s Veterans Memorial Field when the Dynamos and Bishop Canevin meet in the Eastern Conference opener. Springdale has outscored the opposition 100-38 and...
Mt. Pleasant, Latrobe looking to correct flaws, get back in win column
For some high school football teams, conference play begins this week. That’s not the case for Mt. Pleasant and Latrobe. They must wait another week before they start conference action. The extra week gives these teams another game to fine-tune things. And, boy, do Class 3A Mt. Pleasant and Class...
Pirates not optimistic about David Bednar, JT Brubaker returning this year
The Pittsburgh Pirates already shut down left-handed starter Steven Brault and righty reliever Duane Underwood Jr. for the season by transferring them to the 60-day injured list. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk didn’t sound overly optimistic righty starter JT Brubaker and reliever David Bednar will return by the...
Jaguars coach Urban Meyer says ‘no chance’ he lands at USCVideo
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Urban Meyer rarely, if ever, experienced anything like this at Ohio State or Florida. Ten penalties, six dropped passes, three turnovers, down 20 at halftime. Confusion on the sideline and in the huddle. The Jacksonville Jaguars essentially looked unprepared in Meyer’s NFL debut, a 37-21 loss at...
Ben Roethlisberger praises Steelers WRs for final drive vs. Bills
Given a chance to run out the clock or pad their lead in the fourth quarter Sunday at Buffalo, the Pittsburgh Steelers tried to accomplish a little bit of each objective. And they relied on the arm of 18-year veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to get it done. The result was...
Ex-Penguins forward Colton Sceviour gets tryout with OilersVideo
Former Penguins forward Colton Sceviour will attend the Edmonton Oilers’ training camp on a tryout basis. On Wednesday, the veteran winger signed a professional tryout agreement (PTO). After arriving via trade in September of 2020, Sceviour, a native of Red Deer, Alberta, appeared in 46 games for the Penguins during...
NASCAR adds Gateway, returns Homestead to playoffs for 2022
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Homestead-Miami Speedway will return to the playoff portion of the season in 2022, while St. Louis was awarded a Cup Series race and NASCAR will race on Easter Sunday for the first time in more than three decades in schedule changes released Wednesday. Homestead hosted the season...
Browns’ Odell Beckham not ready after surgery, 2021 debut delayed
BEREA, Ohio — Browns star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. isn’t ready to play following knee surgery and won’t make his debut Sunday against Houston. Coach Kevin Stefanski ruled Beckham out Tuesday, saying he will practice on a limited basis this week but will sit out against the Texans (1-0)....
Mark Madden: Norm Macdonald hosting the ESPYs will never be forgotten
Norm Macdonald loved sports. He hosted the short-lived “Sports Show with Norm Macdonald” on Comedy Central in 2011. He often live-tweeted golf tournaments. The Canadian-born Macdonald was a hockey and Montreal Canadiens fan. Macdonald gambled: “Never bet football ‘cause the ball ain’t round.” He went broke twice. Macdonald’s viewpoint toward...
Penn State football coach James Franklin expects big impact from White Out against Auburn
Penn State football will kick off its annual White Out game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Beaver Stadium. “For a long time, this White Out game, year in and year out goes a long way toward shaping our future,” coach James Franklin said. “You think about how many great players...
