Sports category, Page 522
Penn State backup QB Beau Pribula thriving in Swiss Army knife roleVideo
Prominent among the takeaways from Penn State’s convincing season-opening win over West Virginia is the Nittany Lions have no shortage of playmakers who can cause trouble for opposing defenses. Quarterback Drew Allar looked sharp to begin his junior campaign, running back Nick Singleton stole the show on the ground and...
First Call: Brandon Aiyuk’s admission about his negotiations; Ben Roethlisberger thanks Denver for Russell Wilson
Wednesday’s “First Call” has former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sharing some thoughts about new Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson. We also have an interesting admission from Brandon Aiyuk, news about a pair of former Steelers wide receivers and a health update on Gerrit Cole. No kidding? San Francisco 49ers wide...
Tim Benz: How Mike Tomlin is putting the ‘O’ in the Steelers’ offense — from optimistic to oblivious
While listening to head coach Mike Tomlin describe the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “O” on Tuesday, plenty of “O” words came to mind. When discussing Russell Wilson’s taking over the offense as the new starting quarterback for 2024, Tomlin sounded optimistic. Rightfully so. There is at least some reason to believe that...
Eli Holstein’s high school coach says mix of humility, confidence set Pitt QB on right path
One of the first to speak to Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein on Saturday after his successful introduction to college football was David Brewerton, his coach at Zachary (La.) High School. “We talked after the game for a while,” Brewerton said. “It was good to hear his voice.” Brewerton’s praise for...
David Bednar, Colin Holderman, Carmen Mlodzinski sharp in shutout of CubsVideo
When David Bednar took over in the ninth inning Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, he found himself in a familiar position. At least in a sense. Bednar has been called on in the ninth by the Pittsburgh Pirates countless times over the last few seasons, in both...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 3, 2024: Omar Alfonzo homers in Greensboro loss
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 66-64) was idle. Next: Wednesday at Toledo (Tigers), 6:35 p.m. ALTOONA (Double-A, 55-72) was held to four hits in a 5-0 loss to Hartford (Rockies). CF Sammy Siani (.255) was 2 for 3 with a single and a double. C Carter Bins (.193) also went 2 for 3...
Paul Skenes not at his best, but Pirates still shut out Cubs, take series
Paul Skenes has shown a knack for navigating tough situations and limiting damage so far into his young MLB career. He had to do both Tuesday at Wrigley Field vs. the Chicago Cubs, with Skenes lasting only five innings and needing 100 pitches to get that far. But the Pittsburgh...
New rules led to more kickoff returns, no hip-drop tackle penalties in preseason
The early returns on the NFL’s new kickoff rules are in from the preseason, and the result is a significant increase in returns. Owners voted this spring to overhaul the kickoff, hoping to revive a play that had little action last season after most kicks resulted in no returns while...
Falcons add 3rd QB ahead of season opener, signing Nathan Peterman to practice squadVideo
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons added a third quarterback ahead of their season opener, signing former Pitt standout Nathan Peterman to the practice squad Tuesday. Peterman provides some insurance behind starter Kirk Cousins and backup Michael Penix Jr. after the Falcons dealt third-stringer Taylor Heinicke to the Los...
Brandon Aiyuk returns to 49ers practice with a new contract after making the process ‘difficult’Video
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Brandon Aiyuk’s first choice during his lengthy contract dispute with the 49ers that featured social media outbursts, a trade request and an awkward “hold in” was to remain in San Francisco. The 49ers never wanted to part ways with their star receiver, either. So what took...
Special teams, Desmond Reid play big role in Pitt victory, but kicker Ben Sauls is willing to wait his turn
The football rested on the Kent State 10-yard-line, fourth down, 5 yards to go. It was early in the second quarter Saturday, and Pitt was leading the Golden Flashes by a mere touchdown. Decision time for coach Pat Narduzzi. Should he opt for the 28-yard field goal and an easy...
Steelers, Cameron Heyward agree to 3-year contract
If Cameron Heyward fulfills his wish of playing three more NFL seasons, he’ll get a chance to do it with the Pittsburgh Steelers and be a “one-helmet” NFL player. The veteran defensive lineman agreed to a three-year contract Tuesday, the team announced. The deal runs through the 2026 season. We...
Pirates claim lefty reliever Joey Wentz off waivers from Detroit
The Pittsburgh Pirates added an arm to their bullpen Tuesday, claiming 26-year-old lefty Joey Wentz off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. Wentz went 0-2 with a 5.37 ERA in 38 games with the Tigers this season before being designated for assignment Aug. 30. In 55 1/3 innings, he struck out...
Steelers’ Mike Tomlin ‘comfortable’ with what he has seen from wide receiver group heading into season opener
After trading Diontae Johnson to Carolina in March, the Pittsburgh Steelers tried in vain to acquire a proven wide receiver to start alongside George Pickens. A deal never materialized, leaving the Steelers with a cast of wideouts that includes Van Jefferson, Scotty Miller, Calvin Austin and a healing rookie in...
The Chiefs seek the 1st Super Bowl threepeat after 8 previous back-to-back champs fell short
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will try to do what Tom Brady, Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw couldn’t during their Hall of Fame careers. After winning back-to-back Super Bowls, Mahomes and the Chiefs now are aiming to become the first team ever to win three straight. Kansas City...
Florida State drops out of AP Top 25 after 0-2 start; Texas up to No. 3 behind Georgia, Ohio State
Florida State fell out of The Associated Press college football poll on Tuesday after starting the season 0-2, becoming just the third team to go from preseason top-10 to unranked in the first regular-season poll since the rankings expanded to 25 in 1989. Georgia remained No. 1, receiving 57 first-place...
Emma Navarro reaches her first major semifinal, beats Paula Badosa at the U.S. Open
NEW YORK — Emma Navarro rode a stunning turnaround right into her first Grand Slam semifinal, beating Paula Badosa, 6-2, 7-5, at the U.S. Open on Tuesday to follow her upset of defending champion Coco Gauff. Taylor Fritz then earned his first berth in the final four of a major,...
Oilers sign Leon Draisaitl to an 8-year extension worth $112 million
EDMONTON, Alberta — The Edmonton Oilers have signed Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year contract extension worth $112 million, a deal that gives the German star the highest salary cap hit in NHL history at $14 million. The new contract begins with the 2025-26 season and runs through 2033. General manager...
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will use practice week to see who is available on offensive lineVideo
Even with veteran left guard Isaac Seumalo missing the season opener because of a pectoral strain, coach Mike Tomlin is confident about which players will start on the interior of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line Sunday. Rookie center Zach Frazier will be flanked by guards Spencer Anderson — who replaces...
This transgender sprinter will compete for Italy at the Paralympics
BOLOGNA, Italy — Valentina Petrillo fell in love with athletics as a 7-year-old while watching Italian sprinter Pietro Mennea win gold in the 200 meters at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. “I said I wanted to be like him,” said Petrillo, a transgender woman who was raised as a boy. “I...
Browns sign 20-year stadium rights deal with Huntington Bank as they position for possible new home
CLEVELAND — As they position themselves for a possible new domed stadium, the Cleveland Browns are renaming their current one. The NFL team on Tuesday announced a 20-year agreement with Huntington National Bank, a partnership that includes naming rights. Cleveland’s lakefront stadium will now be called Huntington Bank Field. The...
Penguins name Joe Brand as radio play-by-play broadcaster
The Pittsburgh Penguins have found their new play-by-play voice for radio broadcasts. Joe Brand was hired for the position on the Penguins Radio Network, president of business operations Kevin Acklin announced Tuesday. Brand, 33, replaces Steve Mears, who took a position as the television play-by-play broadcaster of the Blue Jackets....
Despite not being targeted in opener, Penn State has plan to get WR Julian Fleming involved
A frequently asked question from fans coming out of Penn State’s 2024 opener at West Virginia centered on one of the Nittany Lions’ high-profile transfers: where was Julian Fleming? Fleming, the former Ohio State wide receiver and five-star prospect at Southern Columbia, did not record a catch and wasn’t targeted...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ self-created depth chart issues enough to lower regular-season predictions
For much of the offseason, my belief about the Pittsburgh Steelers was that they’d be 10-7. Again. That they’d be the last team in the AFC playoff bracket. Again. And that they’d finish the season without a playoff win. Again. For an eighth consecutive year. I’m modifying that. Now I...
First Call: Steelers work out WR/KR; Falcons get boost in advance of opener
Tuesday’s “First Call” begins with a Pittsburgh Steelers workout of interest. The team’s opponent for the regular season opener got some good news. Paul Skenes is getting ready to see the Chicago Cubs yet again. And Duquesne got a good look at its next football opponent during a nationally televised...
