Sports category, Page 1705
Given depth at defensive line, Steelers have little need to address position in NFL Draft
Thanks to Tyson Alualu changing his mind and re-signing a two-year contract, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have their entire line returning from last year’s third-ranked defense. Good thing for the Steelers they are deep in the defensive trench because this year’s draft class for tackle and interior prospects is considered...
Empty Thoughts: Penguins 5, Devils 1Video
Observations from the Penguins’ 5-1 win against the Devils: The thing that usually jumps out at you first with Kasperi Kapanen is his skating. That’s to say he’s fast. When he has the puck, he looks like a comet entering the offensive zone. He’s not necessarily as fast as someone...
Tim Benz, Matt Williamson’s NFL Draft preview: With depth thinned, cornerback again among needs for Steelers
In advance of the NFL Draft (April 29-May 1), “Breakfast With Benz” has spent this week publishing daily Pittsburgh Steelers previews and podcasts previewing next weekend’s event. We have broken down the franchise’s needs into five sections. Former college and NFL scout Matt Williamson (Steelers radio contributor/“Peacock and Williamson NFL...
No letup this time as Penguins rout Devils
Even after seeing his team have a sputter or two (or six in one period alone) during recent games, Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan suggests his squad is not in dire need of any major rewiring or retrofitting. Just a few reminders of what works. “It’s not like this group...
Pitt center Owen Drexel ready to live up to standards set by Jimmy Morrissey
For the past four years, Jimmy Morrissey set the standard for Pitt centers. He made 47 career starts at the position after walking onto the team as a freshman and earning the starting job year later. He went on to become the first Pitt center to earn an All-ACC selection...
Pine-Richland cites ‘pattern of hazing, intimidation’ in letter firing coach Eric Kasperowicz
Ousted football coach Eric Kasperowicz “expressed minimal concern for hazing or empathy for the students” during a 2½-hour interview with Pine-Richland administrators in late-March, according to a letter the school district sent him cutting ties. The three-page letter dated April 14 notified Kasperowicz his contract wouldn’t be renewed and detailed...
Opening night, Take 2 at Lernerville Speedway
Mother Nature kept the cars off the track at Don Martin’s Lernerville Speedway last week in what was scheduled to be opening night for 2021. “We had much longer precipitation than what was originally anticipated,” first-year Lernerville general manager Mike Lysakowski said. “When we went to bed on Thursday night,...
Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen returns to lineup, opens on 4th line
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen returned to the lineup for Thursday’s home game against the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena. Activated from injured reserve prior to the game, Kapanen opened the contest on the fourth line with Mark Jankowski at center and Colton Sceviour on the left wing....
West Virginia football coach Neal Brown gets 2-year contract extension
Neal Brown was rewarded Thursday after guiding West Virginia football to a 6-4 record and a victory over Army in the Liberty Bowl this past season. Brown, who just completed his second season on the WVU sideline, received a two-year contract extension that will run through the 2026 season. “Coach...
Pitt athletes tops in NCAA Division I for community service
No NCAA Division I school had more athletes spending more hours on community service projects in the first three months of 2021 than Pitt. The Panthers were rewarded for their efforts with the NCAA Team Works Community Service Competition Award on Thursday afternoon. All Pitt student-athletes participated in at least...
Father of Pine-Richland football player says district using son as ‘scapegoat’ in Kasperowicz saga
The father of a Pine-Richland football player is accusing the school district’s administration of leaking information about his son to create a “scapegoat” for their decision to fire head football coach Eric Kasperowicz. Vince Cruz, whose son is a sophomore on the junior varsity football team, said he retained attorney...
Penguins activate forward Kasperi Kapanen from injured reserve
The Penguins have activated forward Kasperi Kapanen from injured reserve. Sidelined since March 24 because of a suspected left foot injury, Kapanen could return to the team’s lineup for Thursday’s home game against the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan labeled Kapanen as a “game-time...
LeBron James takes heat for tweet about the killing of Ma’Khia Bryant
LOS ANGELES — Lakers star LeBron James is once again involved in controversy regarding a deleted tweet in the wake of a police shooting in Columbus, Ohio. James tweeted, “YOU’RE NEXT #ACCOUNTABILITY,” with a photo of the officer who shot and killed 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant on Wednesday in James’ home...
Mitch Keller’s strong start, Phillip Evans’ big defensive play lift Pirates past Tigers
Mitch Keller had a feel for his four-seam fastball, so the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander couldn’t figure out why he was giving up so many walks and even more hits with his signature pitch. What he discovered was it lacked command and movement in the strike zone, something Keller set out...
EPL looks to deploy moves to stop future Super League threat
LONDON — Having rapidly mobilized to thwart rebel clubs from joining a breakaway European competition, the Premier League is taking steps to prevent the so-called “Big Six” from attempting something similar in the future. England’s biggest clubs have often used threats of joining a Super League as a power play...
FCS draft prospects generally opted not to play this spring
There’s a common thread linking most of the Football Championship Subdivision players who expect to hear their name called in the NFL draft. They didn’t participate in their schools’ pandemic-delayed spring season. “Ultimately, it just comes down to athletes taking care of their bodies,” North Dakota State offensive tackle Dillon...
Pittsburgh Steelers 1st-round draft pick history
Editor’s Note: This story was updated April 23, 2025. In the 86 years of the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have just as many first-round picks from Duquesne (one) as they do from Penn State and West Virginia. The Steelers selected Duquesne running back Mike Basrak with the fifth overall...
Grad transfer Pauly Paulicap bolsters West Virginia frontcourt
Pauly Paulicap, a 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward, will join the West Virginia men’s basketball team, coach Bob Huggins announced Thursday. Paulicap, a graduate transfer, has committed to West Virginia after previously attending DePaul and Manhattan. He has one year of eligibility remaining after playing all 19 games for DePaul as a...
Pirates add Todd Frazier, DFA Dustin Fowler among roster moves
The Pittsburgh Pirates made a flurry of roster moves prior to Thursday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, addressing both inconsistency and injuries in their infield, outfield and pitching staff. Center fielder Dustin Fowler joined Anthony Alford in being designated for assignment after a dismal start, causing Pirates manager Derek Shelton...
Penguins to start goaltender Tristan Jarry in rematch with Devils
The Penguins are scheduled to start goaltender Tristan Jarry for Thursday’s home game against the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena. Coach Mike Sullivan announced Jarry’s status via video conference. Jarry was in net for Tuesday’s 7-6 home win against the New Jersey Devils. He made 24 saves on...
Pirates 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes aggravates wrist injury, returns to Pittsburgh to see specialist
Ke’Bryan Hayes aggravated the left wrist injury that has caused the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie third baseman to miss 16 games and is returning to Pittsburgh to see a hand specialist to “come up with the best and most appropriate plan to return him to play.” Pirates director of sports medicine...
Tokyo Olympics torch relay has first positive covid-19 case
TOKYO — Tokyo Olympics organizers said Thursday that a policeman tested positive for covid-19 a day after his assignment last week at the Olympic torch relay. It is the first positive test connected to the relay since it began March 25 from northeastern Fukushima prefecture. Organizers say the policeman, who...
Protesters gain access to Manchester United training ground
MANCHESTER, England — A group of Manchester United fans unhappy with the club’s involvement in the abandoned Super League plan gained access to its training ground on Thursday and spoke to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and some members of staff. The protesters carried banners with messages including “Glazers out,” in...
Rich Eisen didn’t let NFL Combine cancellation stop his ‘Run Rich Run’ movement
LOS ANGELES — Rich Eisen had wingtips, but clearly no wings. The NFL Network host’s first 40-yard dash came during a lull at the 2005 scouting combine, in the old RCA Dome in Indianapolis, and on a lark. “Terrell Davis was sitting next to me, part of our crew,” Eisen...
Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement makes center a priority for Steelers in NFL Draft
Based on numerous factors — age, declining skills and statistics, and a late-season fade among them — changes were expected along the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line in the offseason. Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement put his position front and, well, center. When Pouncey hung up his cleats in February after 11 seasons,...
