Sports category, Page 329
GM Omar Khan views T.J. Watt as ‘legacy’ player for Steelers, wants to get another contract done
INDIANAPOLIS — It won’t happen until after the quarterback position is resolved. It might not transpire until late in training camp or a few days before the start of the regular season — just like it did in 2021. Make no mistake, though, an offseason priority for the Pittsburgh Steelers...
Penn State AD Pat Kraft ‘all-in’ on winning CFP national championship
Penn State football has gone all-in this offseason, positioning the Nittany Lions as one of the favorites to win the national title — and athletic director Pat Kraft is a big reason why. Kraft, speaking to the media Monday, made it clear he’s committed to doing what it takes to...
Ravens GM calls sexual misconduct allegations against Justin Tucker ‘concerning’
INDIANAPOLIS — Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta considers the mounting allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior against kicker Justin Tucker “serious” and “concerning.” He still wants to see what the NFL’s investigation reveals before making any decision about one of the Ravens’ steadiest players. “The allegations are serious, concerning. The...
Steelers GM Omar Khan keeping ‘all options’ open at quarterback position
INDIANAPOLIS — Two weeks before the start of NFL free agency’s legal tampering period, the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have any of their veteran quarterbacks from the 2024 season under contract. General manager Omar Khan is trying to change that before March 10 when other teams are permitted to talk deals...
Mark Madden: Don’t expect to see Matthew Stafford playing for thrifty Steelers
The discussion about the Pittsburgh Steelers acquiring Matthew Stafford from the Los Angeles Rams seems like empty, pointless conversation. The media is obligated to link the Steelers to every quarterback who’s available. It was a surprise last offseason when the Steelers’ quarterback room got a total makeover via getting Russell...
Rivalry or not, Alex Ovechkin’s goal-record quest provides NHL interest for Pens fans
The 4 Nations Face-Off is complete. The Pittsburgh Penguins are in last place of the Metropolitan Division. So local hockey fans are going to have to get creative to sink their teeth into something with a little bit of importance surrounding the sport. Well, Alex Ovechkin … I can’t believe...
First Call: Steelers have ‘shown interest’ in Matthew Stafford; latest on Eagles’ White House visit debate
Tuesday’s “First Call” has the latest on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ alleged interest in quarterback Matthew Stafford. We get a health update on a Penn State star in advance of the NFL combine. The Cleveland Browns make a move in the secondary, and there is a new twist in the controversy...
Tim Benz: Debate over banning Eagles’ ‘Tush Push’ is stupid and needs to stop
Complaining about the Philadelphia Eagles’ “Tush Push” play is the most overwrought debate in sports and it needs to stop. That’s impossible now, though, because according to The Athletic, the Green Bay Packers have submitted a proposal to the league’s competition committee to ban the play. So, plenty more conversations...
Broncos assistant Michael Wilhoite arrested after being accused of punching police officerVideo
DENVER — An assistant coach for the Denver Broncos is facing a felony assault charge after being accused of punching a police officer in the face at the Denver International Airport. Outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault on a police officer and booked into...
Browns release long-time long snapper Charley Hughlett, sign cornerback Anthony KendallVideo
BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns made a pair of moves Monday with the release of long snapper Charley Hughlett and signing cornerback Anthony Kendall. Hughlett was tied with guard Joel Bitonio for longest current tenure in Cleveland as both arrived in 2014. Hughlett was the Browns long snapper for...
Cleveland Guardians owner Lawrence Dolan dies at 94Video
CLEVELAND — Lawrence J. Dolan, owner of Cleveland’s major league baseball team since 2000, has died at age 94. The Cleveland Guardians put out a statement Monday saying Dolan died Sunday night of natural causes. “Mr. Dolan invested his entire life in Greater Cleveland and impacted our community on so...
Unidentified NFL team proposes to ban tush push used so successfully by Eagles
INDIANAPOLIS — One NFL team is proposing an end to the tush push play the Philadelphia Eagles have used so successfully at the goal line and in short-yardage situations, including during their victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. According to NFL Network and the Washington Post,...
Utah fires men’s basketball coach Craig Smith with Utes at 15-12Video
The University of Utah fired men’s basketball coach Craig Smith on Monday, a day after a 76-72 loss at Central Florida that dropped the Utes to 15-12 this season. Smith was in his fourth season in charge of the program. He was 65-62. The 52-year-old Smith will be replaced by...
Bell’s overtime win in Atlanta boosts hopes that 2025 will be a breakthrough season for No. 20 teamVideo
HAMPTON, Ga. — Christopher Bell believes he could be headed toward a big year with Joe Gibbs Racing after what he hopes was a breakthrough win. Bell clinched a playoff berth by winning the NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in overtime Sunday. Bell said he would be...
Stan Drayton on coaching Penn State’s star runners and ‘identifying their weaknesses’Video
UNIVERSITY PARK — Stan Drayton, Penn State’s new running backs coach, has worked with some serious talent during his 32 years as a coach. Drayton helped mold Brian Westbrook at Villanova, Zeke Elliott at Ohio State and Bijan Robinson at Texas. At the pro level, Drayton worked with Chicago’s Matt...
5 storylines to follow for Steelers, NFL at annual scouting combine
With the Super Bowl, college playoffs and all-star showcases in the rearview mirror, the NFL ramps up its focus this week for the upcoming season. The annual Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, with on-field workouts running from Thursday through Sunday. The NFL has invited...
Texas is No. 1 in women’s AP Top 25 for the first time in 21 years; N.C. State climbs into top 10
Texas is No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll for the first time in 21 years and the third different team to hold the top spot in the past three weeks. The Longhorns moved atop the poll Monday after previous No. 1 Notre Dame lost in...
IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team safe after bus catches fire
INDIANAPOLIS — Members of the IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team are unhurt and back home Monday, a day after their bus caught fire on Interstate 275. The school posted a message on X on Sunday that all team and staff members were safely evacuated from the bus, which experienced a...
Auburn atop AP Top 25 for 7th straight week; preseason No. 1 Kansas out, ending ranked run at 80 weeks
Auburn remained atop the AP Top 25 for the seventh straight week on Monday, while preseason No. 1 Kansas dropped out of the men’s basketball poll for the first time in nearly four years, ending the Jayhawks’ ranked run at 80 consecutive weeks. The Tigers earned all 60 votes from...
Westmoreland County campus clippings: Latrobe grad Kiley Myers tosses no-hitter at Marist
Kiley Myers was as efficient as she was dominant in her first college softball no-hitter. The Marist grad student and Latrobe graduate blanked Long Island, 9-0, in five innings with precision. She had only two strikeouts but threw just 51 pitches and allowed one baserunner. The fast-throwing right-hander retired 10...
Penguins’ Emil Bemstrom on quest to translate AHL success into NHL
Emil Bemstrom is no stranger to success at the American Hockey League level. Before joining the Pittsburgh Penguins last February via trade, Bemstrom spent part of five seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where his year-to-year performance followed a consistent script: AHL dominance but failing to break through in the...
Former Westminster coach, College Football Hall of Famer Joe Fusco dies at 87
Wilkinsburg native Joe Fusco, a 2001 College Football Hall of Fame coaching inductee and one of the most successful coaches in the history of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, died Saturday. He was 87. Fusco served as Westminster’s head coach from 1972-99 and led the Titans to four NAIA...
For Jeff Capel, disappointment lingers as Pitt enters final stretch of regular season
Judging by Pitt coach Jeff Capel’s tone and demeanor when revisiting Saturday’s loss at Notre Dame, it could be deduced that some disappointment from the defeat lingers. Against the struggling Fighting Irish, the Panthers were porous defensively, allowing Notre Dame to shoot 56.3% from the floor in the 76-72 decision....
Steelers launch fan cruise to Mexico
Imagine a Black and Gold paradise where die-hard fans can rub elbows with Pittsburgh Steelers greats and soak up the sun. A Steelers fan cruise is scheduled to take to the sea in May 2026 and is giving fans the opportunity to mingle with some team legends. Partnered with Seaside...
Pirates-Phillies spring training game rained out
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Paul Skenes’ first start of spring training was rained out. Monday’s Pittsburgh Pirates-Philadelphia Phillies game was canceled due to inclement weather, as the Gulf Coast expected rainstorms all afternoon. Skenes, the 2024 NL rookie of the year, was set to start for the Pirates against a Phillies...
