Sports category, Page 157
Venus Williams’ U.S. Open ends with loss in doubles quarterfinals
NEW YORK — Venus Williams’ first Grand Slam tournament in two years ended Tuesday when she and Leylah Fernandez lost in the U.S. Open women’s doubles quarterfinals to the top-seeded duo of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova 6-1, 6-2. When the match finished after 56 minutes in Louis Armstrong Stadium,...
New NFL rules: Permanent kickoff changes and more
A new NFL season is set to begin with last year’s experiment on the new kickoff becoming permanent with a new tweak and several other changes in rules and officiating. The league also will implement changes to the overtime rule for the regular season, expand replay assist, crack down on...
Can Jets’ Justin Fields become NFL’s next late-blooming quarterback?
Justin Fields would seem to have the numbers — and odds — stacked against him. The New York Jets quarterback is on his third team in as many years, learning his third offensive system in that span and being coached by a fourth coordinator during an NFL career entering only...
Saquon Barkley rated No. 1 player in the NFL by his peers after dominant debut season with Eagles
PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley’s historic 2024 season, his first with the Eagles, saw him rush for an NFL record 2,504 yards between the regular and postseasons. Barkley broke off long touchdown runs, hurdled backward over a defender, and ran the Eagles all the way to the Super Bowl while winning...
Carlos Alcaraz beats Jiri Lehecka to reach U.S. Open semifinals, Jessica Pegula also wins
NEW YORK — Carlos Alcaraz finger-wagged the crowd, beat Jiri Lehecka to the net and cruised into the semifinals at the U.S. Open. The second-seeded Spaniard beat Lehecka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, making some highlight-reel shots and putting his hand to his ear afterward to encourage...
Mike Tomlin describes Justin Fields’ departure from Steelers to the Jets a ‘mutual’ decision
Justin Fields’ leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers for the New York Jets at the outset of free agency was a “mutual” parting, Steeler coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. Fields started the first six games of the 2024 season for the Steelers, compiling a 4-2 record, before losing his job in favor...
Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team fights for charter status amid explosive lawsuit
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two NASCAR teams, one owned by NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, on Tuesday argued to a federal judge why the organizations still should be issued a preliminary injunction to be recognized as chartered organizations until their antitrust suit against the stock car racing series is finished....
Acrisure Stadium announces upgrades ahead of Steelers season, 2026 NFL Draft
Pittsburgh Steelers fans will see a slew of Acrisure Stadium upgrades, new food options and technology improvements ahead of the upcoming NFL season. The enhancements come before Pittsburgh hosts the 2026 NFL Draft in April. The weekend-long event is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of football fans to the...
Central Michigan’s Matt Drinkall offers praise of Pat Narduzzi, Pitt’s front 7Video
College football coaches belong to an intimate fraternity. Across all levels, many have crossed paths at some point, be it at clinics or while serving on the same staff. As they accrue more years in the profession, all coaches develop reputations. For Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi, his background is mostly with...
Ohio State moves up to No. 1, while Penn State stays at No. 2 in AP Top 25
Ohio State climbed to No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll on Tuesday, LSU and Miami moved into the top five, and Florida State jumped back into the rankings at the expense of Alabama, which plummeted to its lowest spot in 17 seasons. The defending national...
Penn State’s Dani Dennis-Sutton living up to bold promise he made as a freshman
STATE COLLEGE — Dani Dennis-Sutton arrived at Penn State four years ago with a clear goal in mind. He never shied away from it. In fact, he publicized it and has it pinned to the top of a personal social media page, just to make sure no one misses it....
Mike Tomlin expects Cam Heyward to play in Steelers’ season opener against Jets
Despite holding in and not practicing for much of training camp, Cam Heyward is expected to start Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they open the season against the New York Jets. Heyward hinted last month that he was open to sitting out regular-season games if he doesn’t get a...
Pirates unveil marker commemorating MLB’s 1st all-minority lineup at Three Rivers Stadium siteVideo
Dave Cash twirled the custom cane he was using, showing the inscribed names of the Pittsburgh Pirates players who started their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 1, 1971. The significance of manager Danny Murtaugh’s lineup was not lost on the Pirates when they fielded what is recognized as...
Former Penguins forward Cal O’Reilly signs in Switzerland
Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Cal O’Reilly has signed with the SCL Tigers of Switzerland’s National League. That transaction was announced on Tuesday. Per the terms of the deal, O’Reilly’s contract is through the end of October with an option for an extension. A native of Toronto, the 38-year-old O’Reilly spent...
Penguins forward prospect Emil Jarventie loaned to Pyry in Finland
Pittsburgh Penguins forward prospect Emil Jarventie has been loaned to Pyry of the Mestis, the second-tier league in Finland. A left-handed shot, the Finnish-born Jarventie (5-foot-10, 168 pounds) is currently under contract to Tappara of the Liiga, the top-tier league in that country. Tappara announced the transaction via a release...
Bill Belichick’s college coaching debut at North Carolina ends in blowout loss to TCU
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina’s high-point moment in its first game under coach Bill Belichick came early. A festive pregame atmosphere led to a roar from the crowd at kickoff. And a season-opening drive moved at a crisp pace to the end zone. After that, well, Monday night’s hyped-up...
First Call: Jets sign ex-Steelers LB; update on Najee Harris; Duquesne president wants hoops City Game back
Tuesday’s “First Call” brings us back from the Labor Day weekend with news about three linebackers who used to be Pittsburgh Steelers. There is an update on Najee Harris. The Pirates face two tough opponents back-to-back at PNC Park. And Duquesne’s president wants the Pitt basketball rivalry back after Saturday’s...
Tim Benz: ‘Banana ball’ success is real. Angry comps to ‘Bucco Ball’ are not
I didn’t attend either of the Savannah Bananas events at PNC Park over Labor Day weekend. However, I know quite a few folks who did, and the reviews were all positive. If you are coming here looking for the old, fuddy-duddy, baseball purist “That’s not real baseball, so I’m not...
Pitt women’s volleyball team sweeps Arizona State at PPG Paints Arena
Pitt women’s volleyball setter Brooke Mosher got the go-ahead from coach Dan Fisher to utilize her jump serve against Arizona State on Monday during the State Farm Volleyball Showcase at PPG Paints Arena. The Panthers senior wasn’t excited that she was asked to use a float serve Sunday against TCU....
Depreciating value of NFL running back contracts dismays Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas
Thurman Thomas’ voice rose with a bubbling intensity, expressing dismay over how the running back position has depreciated in value in today’s NFL. It’s bad enough for the Hall of Famer to see how disposable the game’s top running backs have become, with Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry...
Al Golden prepares for regular-season debut as Bengals defensive coordinator
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden has been in coaching for 30 years. When Cincinnati opens its season Sunday at the Cleveland Browns, Golden will call defensive plays in the NFL for the first time. “I’m excited,” Golden said. “Ready to go. It’s been a collaborative effort on...
Berth in PAC title match last fall provides fuel for Saint Vincent women’s volleyball team
The Saint Vincent women’s volleyball team advanced to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference final for the first time last season, losing to Allegheny in straight sets. When asked about her thoughts on that match, sophomore outside hitter Meegan Williams spared the sugar coating. The Bearcats, she said, played like it was...
Westmoreland Campus Clippings: Norwin’s Scalise stands out as Penn State Behrend goalkeeper
Anthony Scalise helped lead the Norwin boys soccer team to a WPIAL championship two years ago, making one highlight save after another in front of the net while catching the eye of college coaches. Penn State Behrend landed the goalkeeper, and in a short time he has become one of...
James Franklin encouraged by effort of Penn State’s D-line, says a key player is ‘close’ to returning
Penn State’s defense was able to consistently apply pressure to Nevada’s offense in the Nittany Lions’ season-opening 46-11 victory on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. The Wolf Pack only had 52 offensive snaps, compared to PSU’s 71. Jim Knowles’ defense produced nine tackles for loss, recovered a pair of fumbles and...
Briscoe, JGR, Toyota all make big statements at Darlington Raceway to start the NASCAR playoffs
DARLINGTON, S.C. — Chase Briscoe made a big statement Sunday night with his second straight Southern 500 victory that he’s a serious contender for the NASCAR Cup Series title. Briscoe’s team, Joe Gibbs Racing, and his manufacturer, Toyota, also made statements at Darlington Raceway that this postseason would not be...
