Sports category, Page 476
‘Like riding your favorite bike again’: Preston Smith pumped to play in Steelers’ 3-4 scheme
When Preston Smith received the phone call that his trade request was granted by the Green Bay Packers, he admitted that he checked the AFC North standings to look up the record of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith didn’t have to worry about whether he would fit into their defense. The...
Pitt players believe it’s their turn to punch someone ‘in the mouth’
The difference between the two acts of force in question is obvious, but perhaps the end result is the same. At least, that’s the way Pitt hopes matters turn out after the decisive loss to SMU: • Either you get punched in the mouth, • Or you do the punching....
Steelers notes: Cordarrelle Patterson upgraded at practice; Nick Herbig returns but is limited
Cordarrelle Patterson appears poised for a return to game action for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran return man and running back was a full practice participant Wednesday, according to the league-mandated injury report. Patterson has missed the past four games because of an ankle injury. He could play when the...
Steelers center Zach Frazier back at practice, expects to play Sunday in Washington
So much for easing back into things. After a two-week absence, Zach Frazier is back as a full participant at Pittsburgh Steelers practice this week. And the Steelers’ rookie starting center requested to his 300-plus pound defensive linemen teammates that they don’t take it easy on him. “I had some...
Browns GM says it’s possible QB Deshaun Watson will play for team again after season-ending injury
BEREA, Ohio — Browns general manager Andrew Berry hasn’t ruled out quarterback Deshaun Watson returning to play for Cleveland again despite another significant injury, three disappointing seasons and a divided fan base. Watson suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon on Oct. 20 in a loss to Cincinnati, a setback that...
Faking it? SEC teams warned by league about a practice to slow down high-tempo offenses
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina coach Shane Beamer had a final farewell for Mississippi last month as Rebel after Rebel went down on the ground with injuries, some serious, some minor, and created stoppages that slowed things down. “First of all,” Beamer said after the Gamecocks’ 27-3 loss on Oct....
Penn State braces for stout Washington pass defense
It would seem only natural to conclude that Ohio State’s defense is the most stout unit to be encountered by Penn State so far this year. Following their win in State College last weekend, the No. 2 Buckeyes rank second among FBS programs in total defense, yielding an average of...
Mark Madden: Steelers needed more than predictable, underwhelming at trade deadline
Acquiring wideout Mike Williams from the New York Jets at Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline was token and just not enough. The investment sends a message of belief to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ locker room, though it’s easily dismissed if considered realistically. Most fans will be fooled. Fans usually are. There are some...
Which move is better down 1 late? Kick the extra point or go for 2
Whenever a team is trailing by seven points late in a game and driving, the talk quickly turns to whether they will go for 2 and the win if they happen to score a touchdown. Tampa Bay, New England and Seattle all opted against it in Week 9 and ended...
First Call: Why the Packers gave Preston Smith to Pittsburgh; roster adjustments after Steelers’ trades
There’s some residue to sort through on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster after their two trade deadline pickups. We try to find answers as to why the Packers were so willing to part ways with Preston Smith. There are injury issues to watch in Baltimore and Cincinnati. And the Ravens are...
Through 1st month of season, Penguins making strides in 3-on-3 overtimeVideo
Roughly a month into the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have demonstrated increased competence in 3-on-3 overtime periods. To be sure, some instances, such as overtime being required Tuesday against the New York Islanders in an eventual shootout loss that featured the Penguins blowing a two-goal, third-period lead, have been cause...
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers says Mike Williams ‘will be good in that locker room’ after trade to SteelersVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired New York Jets receiver Mike Williams on Tuesday afternoon. It’s believed that part of the reason Williams was made available — or that Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers pushed so hard to acquire Las Vegas receiver Davante Adams — was that Rodgers wasn’t wild about Williams as...
Pitt’s volleyball powerhouse was built on foundation of coach Dan Fisher’s early teams
Were it not for a quirk of fate, Angela Seman would not have had a front-row seat to one of the most important wins in Pitt volleyball history. Seman, a Seneca Valley grad, was a freshman in 2014, current coach Dan Fisher’s second season, when Pitt traveled to face No....
Penguins can’t protect lead, see winning streak end with shootout loss to Islanders
A three-game winning streak is hardly a sufficient reason to celebrate. But for the 2024-25 Pittsburgh Penguins, it remains an accomplishment beyond their grasp. Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the New York Islanders at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. snapped a modest sequence of two consecutive wins. A shootout goal...
Braves stars Ronald Acuna Jr., Spencer Strider not expected to be ready by 2025 openerVideo
SAN ANTONIO — Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and pitcher Spencer Strider are not expected to recover from injuries in time for Atlanta’s season opener at San Diego on March 27. Acuna, the 2023 NL MVP, tore his left ACL on May 26 and the 26-year-old slugger had surgery...
Penn State police investigate cellphone incident involving Jason Kelce and fanVideo
Penn State University police are investigating an altercation between retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce and a fan over a cellphone that occurred over the weekend before the game between the Nittany Lions and Ohio State. The police department’s incident log includes an entry registered Saturday in which an “officer...
Oregon gets top billing in College Football Playoff’s opening rankings; Penn State 6thVideo
Undefeated Oregon got top billing and Penn State was sixth Tuesday in the first set of rankings on the road to college football’s new 12-team playoff. A 13-member selection committee released its first top-25 list, and saw what most of the country has seen this year — that with a...
Pitt positioned at No. 18 in 1st College Football Playoff rankings
Despite a 48-25 loss to SMU, Pitt remains relevant nationally, listed No. 18 in the first College Football Playoff top 25 rankings released Tuesday night. Selection committee chairman Warde Manuel, the athletic director at Michigan, said members valued Pitt’s seven-game winning streak to start the season. Pitt is 7-1 for...
Preseason Big 12 top-5 teams Utah, Oklahoma St., Kansas and Arizona at bottom of league standingsVideo
An early season matchup between Oklahoma State and Utah generated national attention and was touted as a possible Big 12 championship game preview. League newcomer Utah was the conference favorite in the preseason media poll. Oklahoma State, with star running back Ollie Gordon II, was picked to finish third. After...
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has surgery to repair labrum tear in shoulder after World Series injuryVideo
SAN ANTONIO — Shohei Ohtani had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to repair a labrum tear in his left shoulder, following an injury the Los Angeles Dodgers star suffered during Game 2 of the World Series on Oct. 26. The Dodgers say the Japanese two-way player is expected to be ready for...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ deadline acquisition of WR Mike Williams fits the mood of Election Day
It’s fitting that the NFL trade deadline is on Election Day. I felt the same way leaving my local polling branch as I did when I saw who the Steelers were looking at to address their need at wide receiver. Underwhelmed by the choices and unfulfilled by the process. I’ll...
With Big Ten, other power conferences abolishing divisions, chances for rematches increaseVideo
It didn’t take Penn State players long to turn their attention toward what lies ahead even with the sting still setting in following yet another gut-wrenching loss to Ohio State — this one in front of a record crowd at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. They made it clear: They hope...
PGA Tour has big changes on the horizon. What doesn’t change is players having to earn it: AnalysisVideo
The reason behind such a big change to PGA Tour eligibility is not much different from what it was some 40 years ago. Both were about trying to make the tour more competitive and to give real value to having a card. Of course, it involved money, too. That never...
Jerry Jones says Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is likely headed to IRVideo
FRISCO, Texas — Dallas’ Dak Prescott is likely out at least four games in an anticipated move to injured reserve because of the star quarterback’s strained hamstring. Prescott sustained the injury in the second half of a 27-21 loss to Atlanta. The Cowboys (3-5) play NFC East rival Philadelphia (6-2)...
NASCAR’s championship field heads to Phoenix with no clear favorite to win Cup titleVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Roger Penske already won two sports car championships this season and heads to Phoenix Raceway with two chances to win a third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series title with Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney in the winner-take-all season finale. The two Penske drivers will try to make it...
