Sports category, Page 388
Penguins forward Bryan Rust understands the need to be a leader
Bryan Rust is no stranger to adversity. After all, he is a Detroit Lions fan. That makes Thanksgiving something of a double-edged sword of emotions for him given that franchise’s futility — its last championship came in 1957 — during Rust’s 32 years on earth. “Thanksgiving is awesome in the...
Chucky Hepburn scores 17 in second half, 10 in OT to finish with 32 as Louisville beat West VirginiaVideo
NASSAU, Bahamas — Chucky Hepburn scored 17 in the second half and 10 in overtime to finish with a career-high 32 points as Louisville beat West Virginia, 79-70, on Thursday in the Battle 4 Atlantis semifinals. Louisville (5-1) plays the winner of the game between Oklahoma and No. 23 Arizona...
DB Ryan Watts making most of lost rookie season on IR, vows return in ’25 for Steelers
This autumn has been far from how Ryan Watts imagined his rookie NFL season. But the Pittsburgh Steelers’ second of two sixth-round picks is making the most of his situation. Watts, a defensive back from Texas, has been on injured reserve all season — and will remain so — after...
Keeanu Benton added to Steelers’ injury report, Alex Highsmith upgraded
Starting defensive tackle Keeanu Benton was a mid-week add to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ league-mandated injury report, listed as a limited participant at Thursday’s practice because of a hip injury. Benton did not finish the Nov. 17 win against the Baltimore Ravens because of an unspecified lower-body injury, but he was...
‘We’ve got to be better there’: Steelers look to solve struggles in short-yardage situations
When it comes to what Mike Tomlin likes to call the weighty moments, especially when the offense has a third-and-1 or fourth-and-1, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been coming up short. After struggling in short-yardage situations, the Steelers acknowledge it’s an area of emphasis for improvement. “We’ve been focusing a lot...
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith says North Carolina job opening ‘not my focus’
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said Thursday that he has been contacted by the University of North Carolina about its head coaching vacancy but that he’s not interested at the moment. Smith’s name has been rumored as a candidate to replace Mack Brown, who was fired Tuesday amid his...
Penguins defenseman Owen Pickering remains sidelined due to illness
Pittsburgh Penguins rookie defenseman Owen Pickering was absent from practice Thursday in Cranberry because of an unspecified illness. He was scratched from a 5-4 home win against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday for the same reason. After Thursday’s practice, coach Mike Sullivan indicated Pickering is still being evaluated, and it...
Not a typical tight end, Penn State’s Tyler Warren a candidate for the Heisman Trophy
Tight ends and the Heisman Trophy don’t exactly go together. But Penn State’s Tyler Warren isn’t a typical tight end. The Lions’ star is listed at the position this season, but he’s also played wildcat quarterback, thrown a touchdown pass and snapped the ball on a play against USC that...
Saturday’s deer season opener still draws fire from traditionalists
There are few items on the Pennsylvania hunting calendar that draw more anticipation than the opening day of firearms deer season. There also are few events that have generated as much heated debate in recent years, particularly since the Pennsylvania Game Commission made the decision in 2019 to shift opening...
Pat Narduzzi seeks to keep Pitt players’ focus on Boston College, not a bowl game
Pat Narduzzi might not like to admit it, but his Pitt teams previously have dealt with slumps. Actually, it was only 12 months ago. Pitt was 2-8 as it approached 2023 senior day at Acrisure Stadium, but the Panthers found a way to defeat Boston College, 24-16. This season, Pitt...
Pitt moves on without injured guard Damian Dunn, prepares for test at Ohio State
There are certainly more inopportune times than now for Pitt to lose one of its starters. Perhaps the night before the start of the ACC Tournament would be worse. But Damian Dunn was injured Sunday in a loss to Wisconsin in the Greenbrier Tipoff, hurting the thumb on his right...
Tim Benz: Whoever points at Arthur Smith for Cleveland loss should point at Mike Tomlin too
CBS NFL insider Jason La Canfora appeared on 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday morning. He made the following statement about Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith based on what unnamed people within the team’s headquarters are telling him. “There’s people in that building looking at Arthur Smith, like, ‘Come on...
Minor league report: Nailers’ winning streak reaches 6 gamesVideo
Two goals by defenseman Mats Lindgren led the Wheeling Nailers to a 4-1 win against the Toledo Walleye at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, W.Va. on Wednesday. Goaltender Sergei Murashov made 36 saves on 37 shots to improve his record to 7-2-0 while forwards Atley Calvert and Jordan Martel each contributed...
Pitt women’s volleyball beats rival Louisville, clinches share of ACC title
Olivia Babcock recorded a team-high 23 kills as the top-ranked Pitt women’s volleyball team defeated No. 3 Louisville, 3-1, Wednesday at the KFC Yum Center to clinch at least a share of the ACC championship. Set scores were 25-23, 18-25, 25-20, 25-16. The Panthers (28-1, 18-1) can win the league...
Penguins thankful for holding on to 3rd-period lead, beating Canucks
Mike Sullivan doesn’t believe in the significance of Thanksgiving. To be clear, he’s totally cool with the holiday. Turkey, pumpkin pie, family, football, the whole deal. He digs it. But the Pittsburgh Penguins head coach doesn’t put much weight into the notion that has become popular in recent years that...
Thanksgiving football practice a tradition reserved for champions
Whenever Thomas Jefferson holds a Thanksgiving Day practice, coach Bill Cherpak never knows who might show up. One year it was Barry Sanders. OK, so it wasn’t really the NFL legend. But instead, the Jaguars players have a favorite holiday tradition of wearing a jersey representing a favorite college team...
Trib 10: Top teams in power rankings need 2 more wins for ultimate prize
The six WPIAL champions from the 2024 season are all headed to the state semifinals two wins shy of more gold drip. This marks the second year in a row and the third time this decade that all six WPIAL champions will be playing in the PIAA final four. The...
Former Pitt quarterback Max Browne eager to call Pitt’s game at Boston College for The CW
In the moment, the torn labrum in Max Browne’s throwing shoulder hurt. Of course, it did. But the immense physical pain was only part of his story. He hurt personally for himself and collectively for the Pitt team of which he was the starting quarterback. Yet the injury might have...
Robert Morris beats Canisius to run winning streak to 6
If there’s one thing Andy Toole does quite often, it’s worry. From the time he wakes up until the time he turns in, Toole’s high-energy motor is running. “I worry about everything all the time,” said the longtime Robert Morris men’s basketball coach. Toole was quite a bit concerned going...
West Virginia knocks off No. 3 Gonzaga in overtime in the Battle 4 Atlantis
NASSAU, Bahamas — Javon Small scored five of his 31 points in overtime and Tucker DeVries added key free throws late in regulation and finished with 16 points as West Virginia beat No. 3 Gonzaga 86-78 in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday. Small’s layup with under 2 minutes left...
Penguins assign Valtteri Puustinen to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton; activate Blake Lizotte from injured reserve
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Valtteri Puustinen cleared waivers Wednesday and was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. That transaction allowed the team to activate forward Blake Lizotte from injured reserve prior to Wednesday’s home game against the Vancouver Canucks. Lizotte has missed the previous five games due to a...
Steelers QB Russell Wilson defends WR George Pickens, says they’re not ‘far off’ in red zone
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson echoed his head coach’s concerns on the Hail Mary pass intended for George Pickens on the final play of the loss at the Cleveland Browns last Thursday night. The Steelers’ standout wide receiver was tangled with Browns cornerback Greg Newsome Jr. through the end zone,...
Thanksgiving Weekend Sports Guide: Your roadmap to NFL matchups, with other games, times and odds
The long sports-filled Thanksgiving weekend is a time when many Americans enjoy gathering with friends and family for good food, good company and hopefully not too much political conversation. Also on the menu — all the NFL and college sports you can handle. Here’s a roadmap to one of the...
Steelers amidst 4 straight AFC North games for 1st time, running ‘the cycle’ vs. division
Mike Tomlin has been wont to refer to playing AFC North games as being “in the kitchen.” Fitting, then, that over the Thanksgiving season the Pittsburgh Steelers are spending the better part of a month feasting in the intra-divisional kitchen. For the first time in the AFC North era, the...
Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith does not practice; DTs Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi get rest
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Alex Highsmith would be “leaning in on a return” after missing two games with an injury, but the outside linebacker is leaning closer to not playing Sunday at Cincinnati. Highsmith (left ankle) did not practice Wednesday, per the league-mandated injury report. Three veteran linemen rested,...
