Sports category, Page 1832
Steelers defense regains form as offense awakens vs. Colts
A sputtering offense shouldered most of the blame for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ collapse in December, and deservedly so. But a once-dominant defense was not without culpability during a fall from 11-0 to three consecutive defeats. Eight plays into the second half of Sunday’s game against Indianapolis, the Colts already had...
Tim Benz: Pass game, Mike Hilton lead ‘Feats of Strength’ as Steelers storm back vs. Colts
Given the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive woes of late, I’m struggling to best express my level of surprise with how they turned momentum in the second half of their 28-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field. Perhaps, sticking with the tone of the season, I’ll borrow...
Music City Bowl between Iowa and Missouri canceled because of covid-19 issuesVideo
The Music City Bowl between Missouri and Iowa was canceled Sunday because covid-19 issues left the Tigers unable to play. The game scheduled for Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn., is the second bowl called off since the postseason lineup was set Dec. 20, joining the Gasparilla Bowl. Overall, 18 bowl games...
Brian Daboll’s success with Bills puts him on head coaching radarVideo
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Brian Daboll should immediately remove Bills receivers Cole Beasley and Stefon Diggs from his list of potential references if Buffalo’s offensive coordinator hopes to land a head-coaching job any time soon. For entirely selfish reasons, Beasley and Diggs weren’t prepared this week to provide Daboll glowing...
Locked in as No. 2 or 3 seed, Steelers could elect to rest starters in finale
In the immediate aftermath of the euphoria associated with one of the biggest comebacks in franchise history Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was noncommittal about his plans for the team’s regular-season finale seven days later. “We’ll ponder those possibilities (Monday),” Tomlin said after a 28-24 win against the Indianapolis...
Mark Madden: Steelers not yet as good as their record, but they have guts
When it comes to comebacks, it’s easy to confuse a last gasp with a new beginning. Such is the case in the wake of the Steelers’ improbable 28-24 victory over Indianapolis at Heinz Field Sunday. The Steelers trailed 24-7 early in the second half. The problems that have plagued them...
Former Penguins forward Mark Letestu retiresVideo
Former Penguins forward Mark Letestu has retired after 11 seasons in the NHL. A native of Elk Point, Alberta, Letestu, 35, appeared in 567 career games and scored 210 points (93 goals, 117 assists) with the Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets. Undrafted out of Western Michigan,...
This JuJu Smith-Schuster TikTok dance without controversy for victorious SteelersVideo
This was one TikTok dance everyone could get behind. Despite his assertion earlier this week to the contrary, JuJu Smith-Schuster still danced on a logo Sunday. And like he had in recent weeks, Smith-Schuster posted a video of it to his verified TikTok account. But unlike recent weeks, this video...
NFL week 16 roundup: Chiefs clinch No. 1 seed when Falcons’ Koo misses late FGVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — All season, the prolific Kansas City offense had been putting the Chiefs in position to capture the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. It took their defense — and some good fortune — to finally clinch it. Patrick Mahomes threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus...
Long wait to clinch AFC North title ends for Steelers with win vs. Colts
The boxes of hats and T-shirts signifying an AFC North championship finally came out of storage Sunday afternoon for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rallying from a 17-point second-half deficit, the Steelers used three touchdown passes from Ben Roethlisberger to defeat the Indianapolis Colts, 28-24, at Heinz Field and clinch the team’s...
PSNK athletes cope with latest changes caused by coronavirus
Penn State New Kensington athletic director Megan Bratkovich said she wasn’t surprised when the executive committee of the Penn State University Athletic Conference voted unanimously Dec. 18 to cancel all sports for the 2020-21 fall and winter seasons. “Given the current state of the pandemic, I think we all knew...
Browns fumble away chance to clinch playoff berth with loss to JetsVideo
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Baker Mayfield coughed up the ball — and the Cleveland Browns’ chances to wrap up a playoff spot. After a 23-16 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, the Browns will need to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday if they’re going to end the...
Activist, champion: Naomi Osaka named AP Female Athlete of YearVideo
With tennis, like so much of the world, shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic, Naomi Osaka found herself with time to read and think. And while she won the U.S. Open for her third Grand Slam title, she also stood out for speaking out about racial injustice and police...
Surging Ravens get jump on Giants, roll to easy victoryVideo
BALTIMORE — Lamar Jackson directed four scoring drives during the decisive first half, and the surging Baltimore Ravens beat the New York Giants, 27-13, on Sunday to gain control of their own fate in the AFC playoff chase. Baltimore’s fourth straight victory, combined with Pittsburgh’s win over Indianapolis, lifted the...
Late touchdown lifts Bengals over Texans for 1st road win since 2018Video
HOUSTON — Samaje Perine ran for two touchdowns, including a 3-yard score late, to give the Cincinnati Bengals their first road win in more than two years with a 37-31 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday. The Texans were driving after Perine’s second score when Deshaun Watson was sacked...
Key matchups in Alabama-Notre Dame, Clemson-Ohio StateVideo
The last time Alabama and Notre Dame played each other, it was a BCS championship blowout won by the Crimson Tide. The last time Clemson and Ohio State faced off — just last year — they played one of the best semifinals in the College Football Playoff’s 6-year history. According...
Steelers rally past Colts, clinch AFC North
With the Steelers careening to a fourth consecutive loss and all of the usual factors at play — dropped passes, short-yardage failures and little first-half offense — a Christmas miracle happened Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field. Trailing by 17 points and looking as lifeless as a holiday tree without water,...
Islanders play role of giant killer in NHL East Division
Editor’s note: The NHL is employing an unbalanced schedule this season with teams playing only division games. This is the fourth in an eight-part series previewing the Penguins and the seven opponents they will face eight times apiece in the East Division. Take a look at what the New York...
Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81
ATLANTA — Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, who pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Atlanta Braves, has died after a long fight with cancer, the team announced Sunday. He was 81. The Braves said...
James Conner, Benny Snell split carries with Anthony McFarland out for Steelers
Though neither was particularly effective – the Steelers netted 20 rushing yards – Benny Snell and James Conner effectively shared the load as the featured running back. Snell had six carries and Conner five. One player who wasn’t part of the running game was Anthony McFarland. The rookie fourth-round pick...
Former Pitt wrestler Mikey Racciato dies at 26
The Pitt wrestling program is in mourning after former wrestler Mikey Racciato died Friday at age 26. Racciato, a native of Pen Argyl, competed for the Panthers from 2013-17, going 64-38, and winning an ACC championship at 149 pounds as a sophomore in 2015. He was a two-time NCAA Championships...
No. 23 Liberty outlasts No. 9 Coastal Carolina in Cure Bowl
ORLANDO, Fla. — Liberty ended Coastal Carolina’s perfect season with a blocked kick in overtime. Elijah James blocked Massimo Biscardi’s 42-yard field goal attempt to give No. 23 Liberty a 37-34 victory over No. 9 Coastal Carolina in a wild finish Saturday night in the FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl. Liberty...
Dolphins stun Raiders to move step closer to playoffs
LAS VEGAS — With a defender dragging him down by his facemask, Ryan Fitzpatrick still managed to launch the pass that might have saved the Miami Dolphins’ season. Just a little more FitzMagic. Fitzpatrick’s desperation heave to Mack Hollins set up Jason Sanders’ 44-yard field goal as the Dolphins drove...
Penguins A to Z: Nathan Legare looks like a keeper
As the NHL prepares for a new season scheduled to start in mid-January, the Tribune-Review will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 48 individuals under NHL contract with the organization, from mid-level prospect Niclas Almari to high-profile trade acquisition Jason Zucker. Nathan Legare Position: Right winger...
Minor league report: Nailers fall in overtime to FuelVideo
The Wheeling Nailers remain winless after falling, 2-1, in overtime to the Indy Fuel at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis on Saturday. Goaltender Shane Starrett made 24 saves on 26 shots in the loss while forward Peter Krieger scored Wheeling’s only goal. Highlights: The Nailers (0-2-2) will host the...
