Sports category, Page 1802
Northern Kentucky pulls away in 2nd half to defeat Robert Morris
In the first men’s basketball meeting between the schools, Robert Morris and Northern Kentucky spent much of the night on Friday trading baskets at UPMC Events Center. Then Northern Kentucky stepped on the gas and powered to its first road win of the season. Marques Warrick notched 20 points, Trevon...
NBC to shut down NBC Sports Network at end of 2021
The NBC Sports Network, which is best known for its coverage of the NHL and English Premier League, will be going away at the end of the year. NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua announced the channel’s shutdown Friday in an internal memo to staff. “At the conclusion of 2021, we...
Finally the go-to receiver, Diggs delivers for BillsVideo
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — With his name plastered on election campaign-style lawns signs — “Allen-Diggs 2020” — popping up across Buffalo, receiver Stefon Diggs requires no further introduction. And yet, cornerback Tre’Davious White playfully decided one was necessary upon ending his Zoom call with reporters and Diggs waiting in the...
From Hank Aaron to LeBron to the Bonnies, Duquesne’s Keith Dambrot covers all the bases
The Zoom call Friday started as a preview of Duquesne’s game against St. Bonaventure on Saturday. Yet, you’d have to know Keith Dambrot to understand how and why the conversation veered in other directions and ended up including references to Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and Dambrot’s...
Pirates hire assistant hitting coach, field coordinator
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced two changes Friday to their major league coaching staff. They hired Christian Marrero as assistant hitting coach. Marrero played in the Pirates organization in 2012 and spent time with the Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies, where he was a hitting coach for Lakewood...
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes cleared to play in AFC championship
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was cleared Friday from the league’s concussion protocol after his third consecutive day of practice and will be under center when Kansas City plays the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship game Sunday. Mahomes was hurt in the third quarter of the...
Antonio Brown out for Bucs in NFC title game
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers bolstered their defense for Sunday’s NFC championship game, activating nose tackle Vita Vea from the reserve/injured list. The third-year pro, one of the top run-stoppers in the NFL, has been sidelined since early October with a broken ankle. He resumed practicing with the...
Byron Leftwich helping Tom Brady transform potent Buccaneers offense
TAMPA, Fla. — Byron Leftwich remembers traveling to Lambeau Field for the first time, walking into the legendary stadium and soaking up the atmosphere. “When you think of it, it’s the mecca of football. … It’s like (Madison Square) Garden in basketball. I guess it’s like Wrigley Field in baseball....
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announce training camp roster
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced their roster for their upcoming training camp scheduled to open Monday. Forwards — Justin Almeida, Anthony Angello, Jordy Bellerive, Chase Berger, Josh Currie, Jan Drozg, Frederick Gaudreau, Jonathan Gruden, Zach Nastasiuk, Jordan Nolan, Kyle Olson, Tim Schaller,...
Pitt changes directions after Boston College postponement, heads south to meet Wake Forest
It’s a good guess — a guarantee, actually — that coach Jeff Capel didn’t spend much time celebrating Pitt’s victory against Duke. Perhaps a brief text exchange with coach Mike Krzyzewski and then off to his office or home to watch Boston College video (the team Capel thought was next...
Penguins to start goaltender Tristan Jarry against Rangers
Tristan Jarry will return to the Penguins’ net for Friday’s contest against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena. Coach Mike Sullivan announced Jarry will be the team’s starting goaltender Friday morning. Jarry has not played since he allowed three goals on six shots during a 5-2 road loss...
Hank Aaron, baseball’s 1-time home run king, dies at 86
ATLANTA — Hank Aaron, who endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his pursuit of Babe Ruth’s home run record and gracefully left his mark as one of baseball’s greatest all-around players, died Friday. He was 86. The Atlanta Braves, Aaron’s longtime team, said he died peacefully in his sleep....
Penguins recall P.O Joseph from taxi squad
One of the Penguins’ top prospects is one step closer to making his NHL debut. Defenseman P.O Joseph formally was recalled from the taxi squad on an emergency basis Friday morning. His recall comes three days after defensemen Marcus Pettersson and Juuso Riikola were sidelined for several weeks with undisclosed...
Mark Madden: Offseason decisions show Steelers are in a bad place
The Steelers went from 11-0 to a stink sandwich. They collapsed in each of the past three seasons. They have won three playoff games in 10 years despite talent that merited far better. They lost a playoff game at home to a six-point underdog, trailing 28-0 in the first quarter....
Steelers tight end Vance McDonald retires
Vance McDonald was Man of the Year, it turns out, during his final year as an NFL player. McDonald announced his retirement Friday, six weeks after being named the Pittsburgh Steelers nominee for the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. A 30-year-old tight end, McDonald said he...
This Date in Sports History: Jan. 22
1920 — The New York Yankees announce they will be the first team to wear uniform numbers, according to the player’s position in batting order. 1960 — Paul Pender beats Sugar Ray Robinson in a 15-round split decision to capture the world middleweight boxing title. 1962 — Bob Feller and...
First Call: 3rd Steelers offensive coordinator candidate emerges, Chase Claypool’s welcome for Dwayne Haskins
Friday’s “First Call” takes a look at a third Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator candidate. Chase Claypool is happy about the team’s latest quarterback addition. Bill O’Brien’s new gig is official. And a few college sports teams in Pittsburgh are getting creative to deal with covid-19 scheduling hassles. Next up On...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ signing of Dwayne Haskins shows what could come in the post-Roethlisberger era
There is a lot of speculation over what the signing of former Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins “really” means for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Is it an indicator that Ben Roethlisberger is going to retire? Is Haskins being brought on board to goose Roethlisberger in that direction? Does it mean that Mason...
Debating Tristan Jarry or Casey DeSmith in goal for the Penguins Friday night
Even in a 56-game NHL season, it’s still early for the Pittsburgh Penguins. They are 2-2 after their first four games. So, it’s far too soon to start a goalie controversy. Nor should a decision to leave Casey DeSmith in the net for Game 5 of the season against the...
Former Pitt soccer player Edward Kizza chosen in first round of MLS Draft
Former Pitt soccer player Edward Kizza, who set school goal-scoring records over his 53-game, three-year career, was drafted Thursday by the New England Revolution with the 24th selection in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft. The New England Revolution have selected former Panther Edward Kizza with the 24th pick...
Myreon Jones helps Penn State to 1st Big Ten win
UNIVERSITY PARK — Izaiah Brockington and Myreon Jones scored 17 points apiece, Jones making three clinching free throws in the waning seconds, and Penn State held off a resurgent Rutgers, 75-67, on Thursday night for its first Big Ten win this season. Seth Lundy chipped in 16 points with 10...
Robert Saleh’s Jets path shaped by 9/11: ‘I’m supposed to be here’
NEW YORK — Robert Saleh was trudging along in his professional life nearly 20 years ago, trying to find satisfaction and direction. His brother’s harrowing experience during the 9/11 attacks changed all that. Now, Saleh is the coach of the New York Jets, coming to the city that shaped his...
Japanese government: Tokyo Olympics on thin ice because of covidVideo
Japan’s government has privately agreed that the Tokyo Olympics will have to be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, The (London) Times reported on Friday, citing an unnamed senior member of the ruling coalition. The government’s focus is now securing the Games for Tokyo in the next available spot, 2032,...
Pitt endured ‘terrible’ practice after beating Duke
When Pitt reported to practice Thursday afternoon after a day off and the big victory against Duke, the session didn’t go especially well. “Practice, it was terrible. I ain’t going to lie to you,” said junior guard Xavier Johnson, one of the team’s most experienced players. “It was kind of...
Lions coach Dan Campbell: ‘We’re going to bite a kneecap off’
Dan Campbell is empathetic about the hard times people have had in Detroit, in their lives and as fans of the Detroit Lions. The new coach of the long-suffering franchise is fired up for an opportunity to help the NFL team and people in the Motor City. “We need to...
