Sports category, Page 357
Cam Corhen’s contributions on offense give Pitt lift in the paint
By nature, basketball is largely designed for guards to have success. When the TV analysts talk about teams with the potential to go far in the NCAA Tournament, it’s usually those with strong play at guard. After all, they handle the ball more frequently than anyone else and, as a...
5 weeks after allowing 38 points to Bengals, struggling Steelers defense taking rematch ‘personal’
The last time the Pittsburgh Steelers were preparing to face the Cincinnati Bengals, they ranked among the NFL leaders in points and yards against. But that Dec. 1 meeting — a 44-38 Steelers win — turned the tide. Since, the Steelers’ defense has been reeling, both statistically and with what...
‘He’s been unbelievable’: Steelers endorse Joe Burrow as MVP, scheme to stop Bengals QB
Joe Burrow prides himself on being prepared for anything, so the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback has braced for the likelihood that he won’t win the MVP award despite impressive numbers. Burrow, who leads the NFL in completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns this season, was asked if he’d heard the M-V-P...
Bailey Zappe to start at quarterback for Browns’ season finale in Baltimore
BEREA, Ohio — Bailey Zappe will be quarterback No. 4 and No. 40 for the Browns. He was selected by coach Kevin Stefanski to start Saturday’s season finale at Baltimore, making him the fourth quarterback to start this season and the 40th since Cleveland returned to the NFL as an...
Steelers starting CB Donte Jackson questionable to play vs. Bengals, but Joey Porter Jr. to return
Donte Jackson said he was “feeling good” after practice Thursday. But Jackson’s back was not feeling good enough for the Pittsburgh Steelers to give him any better than a “questionable” designation to play in Saturday’s regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson was listed as a limited participant at Thursday’s...
As CFP run continues, Penn State aims to bounce back from season high in penalties during Fiesta BowlVideo
When he sits down with reporters after games, Penn State coach James Franklin is known to dive into a multitude of statistical categories he deems “battles” as he delivers an opening statement before taking questions. “Turnover battle? We won that.” “Explosive play battle? Lost that.” And so Franklin will go,...
Pro Bowl rosters include 9 Ravens, 7 Lions, 6 Vikings and Eagles and no Patrick Mahomes
Nine Baltimore Ravens, including two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, were selected for the Pro Bowl Games. The Detroit Lions are next with seven players and the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles each have six players on the NFC roster. Patrick Mahomes wasn’t selected to the AFC roster...
P.O Joseph is happy to be back with the Penguins and wants to stay this time
Things aren’t exactly the same for P.O Joseph in his second stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The defenseman’s locker stall in Cranberry used to be near the backup goaltender on one of the ends of the room. Now, he’s closer to the center where Sidney Crosby is situated. And there...
Steelers’ Chris Boswell, Minkah Fitzpatrick, T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward named to Pro Bowl roster
Justin Tucker’s five-year reign as the AFC kicker named to the Pro Bowl roster has ended. But the man who replaced him doesn’t views it as a passing of the torch. “There’s no passing a guy like that,” said Chris Boswell, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 10th-year kicker. Tucker, the Baltimore Ravens’...
Tim Benz: Applying the ‘snow globe’ theory to the 2024-25 Steelers
Maybe it’s because I watched too many Christmas movies over the past week, but I find myself scrutinizing the 2024-25 Steelers season and wondering what it would look like if I put it in a snow globe and shook it up. How much nicer would it look if those wins...
U mad, bro?: Readers welcome ’25 with familiar angst over Steelers, media coverage, College Football Playoff
The first “U mad, bro?” of 2025 appears to be very similar to what we saw a lot of in 2024: Pittsburgh Steelers fans complaining about the state of the team. Or, Steelers fans complaining about me complaining about the state of the team — with just a pinch of...
First Call: Updates on Kenny Pickett, Josh Dobbs, Chase Brown; former All-Pro critical of Steelers RBs
A former All-Pro running back is critical of players at that position for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We also have a health update on Cincinnati’s top running back and news about two former Steelers quarterbacks. All that in Thursday’s “First Call.” What can Brown do for the Bengals? The Steelers saw...
Azeez Al-Shaair was in ‘really dark place’ after Trevor Lawrence hit
HOUSTON — Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair said he was in a “really dark place” and wondered if he’d ever play football again in the days after he was suspended for three games for his hit on Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence that left the quarterback with a concussion. Speaking to reporters...
No. 6 Ohio State blasts top-ranked Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl, advances to CFP semifinalsVideo
PASADENA, Calif. — Second chances don’t come around often in life, Ohio State coach Ryan Day told his players in a team meeting before the Rose Bowl. After a season in which they fell short at too many key moments, the Buckeyes knew they had one of those second chances...
Long-distance call: Steelers kicker Chris Boswell thrives on field goals of 50 yards or more
Chris Boswell has a converse relationship between the length of a conversation about field goals and the distance on his attempts. When it comes to discussing his job, the shorter the sweeter for the Pittsburgh Steelers placekicker. Boswell prefers not to talk about his past or his future, focusing only...
His voice welcome — in-house — on Steelers defense, DeShon Elliott isn’t afraid to use it
Of the six dozen or so players in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room, few speak their mind more openly — and more often — than DeShon Elliott. “You know, DeShon is DeShon,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “He likes to talk. He’s great for you guys (in the media).” Actually,...
Steelers CB Donte Jackson added to injury report
Starting cornerback Donte Jackson was added to the Pittsburgh Steelers injury report Wednesday, listed as a limited practice participant on the league-mandated injury report. Jackson was listed with a back injury. A back injury is what forced Jackson out of a Dec. 15 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles and prevented...
Jaxson Dart’s final college game comes in Gator Bowl
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jaxson Dart never considered skipping Ole Miss’ bowl game. Not after the Rebels were eliminated from College Football Playoff contention, and not after Dart announced he was leaving school early to enter the NFL Draft. Now, the first-team All-SEC quarterback will suit up for the 16th-ranked Rebels...
Texas avoids huge upset, beats Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime in Peach BowlVideo
ATLANTA — Texas avoided the first big upset of the College Football Playoff, hitting a fourth-and-long touchdown pass to keep the game going and beating Cam Skattebo and Arizona State, 39-31, in double overtime when an interception by Andrew Mukuba finally ended a Peach Bowl quarterfinal classic Wednesday. Skattebo led...
Penn State defense stuffs Ashton Jeanty short of record
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Ashton Jeanty took the handoff on Boise State’s first play and made it just a few steps before being greeted by a wall of dark blue Penn State jerseys that swallowed him up and shoved him backward for no gain. A dream season was about to end...
Behind Jaland Lowe’s 27 points, Pitt recovers from slow start to defeat California
For the first 16 minutes of Pitt’s 86-74 victory Wednesday against California, the Panthers were late to loose balls and rebounds, handled the opponent’s defensive pressure like they were wearing gloves and eventually looked up to see a 16-point deficit on the Petersen Events Center scoreboard. Pitt forward Cam Corhen...
Chiefs to start Carson Wentz at QB against Denver, which would clinch playoff berth with win
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs will start backup Carson Wentz at quarterback on Sunday in Denver in a game that means nothing to Kansas City, which has already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, but could mean everything to the Broncos. Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced...
‘A great honor I don’t take lightly’: OLB T.J. Watt voted Steelers MVP a record 5th time
During a season in which he recorded his 100th career sack, T.J. Watt carved his name into Pittsburgh Steelers lore by becoming the first player in franchise history to be named team MVP five times. It marks the second consecutive season Watt was named Steelers MVP in a vote of...
Penn State takes simple approach during ride into CFP semifinals
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Football coaches, perhaps more than other sports, are huge proponents of structure, routine and consistent messaging. Since the early days of his time in Happy Valley, Penn State’s James Franklin has adhered to the philosophy of 1-0. Yes, it’s a cliche. One day at a time, one...
Penguins defenseman Nate Clurman assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
The Pittsburgh Penguins assigned defenseman Nate Clurman to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL) on Wednesday. Clurman, 26, made his NHL debut Sunday during a 3-2 home win against the New York Islanders. Primarily skating on the third pairing, he logged 11:05 of ice time on 17 shifts and...
