Sports category, Page 695
Browns’ David Njoku rises from problem child to consummate pro
BEREA, Ohio — David Njoku once demanded to be traded by the Cleveland Browns. Actually, he did it two or three times — in the same season. Looking back, the complex tight end, who was just 20 when he entered the NFL, is almost amused he wanted out of Cleveland....
Baker Mayfield, with sore ribs, plans to start Buccaneers’ must-win finale against Panthers
TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield’s sore ribs won’t stop the Tampa Bay quarterback from trying to help the Buccaneers clinch a division title and playoff berth in Sunday’s regular-season finale at Carolina. Mayfield, injured when he took a late hit in the closing minutes of last week’s 23-13 home loss...
Pitt football overhauls offensive coaching staff, severs ties with 3 assistants
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi almost completely overhauled his offensive staff Friday night, parting ways with veteran assistant coaches Tim Salem (tight ends), Andre Powell (running backs and special teams) and Dave Borbely (offensive line). The moves surfaced six weeks after Narduzzi began dismantling the offensive staff, firing offensive coordinator Frank...
PIAA policy won’t let Aliquippa argue health and safety in rejecting move to Class 5A
Two years ago, Aliquippa argued relentlessly that it was too dangerous to force the small-school Quips to play Class 5A football and ultimately the school won its PIAA appeal. The Quips are facing that scenario again under the PIAA competitive-balance rule, and Aliquippa superintendent Phillip Woods says his feelings haven’t...
Giants acquire former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray from Mariners in deal for OF Mitch Haniger
SAN FRANCISCO — Outfielder Mitch Haniger returned to the Seattle Mariners when he was acquired from the San Francisco Giants on Friday with right-hander Anthony DeSclafani and $6 million for 2021 Cy Young winner Robbie Ray in a trade of underperforming players coming off injuries. Ray, 32, pitched 3 1/3...
Pitt gets commitment from transfer WR Raphael Williams, 3rd Western Carolina skill player lured by OC Kade Bell
The influx of new players at Pitt can’t be labeled a roster turnover, but Pat Narduzzi hopes a year from now it will, at least, be labeled a roster enhancement. They tried to hold me back, but it was God planned ‼️???????? #Committed pic.twitter.com/pHkVytOp3l— Raphael Williams Jr. (@Poppi1k) January 5,...
Steelers 4 Downs: George Pickens has been reinvigorated by Mason Rudolph
1. King George In the eight weeks prior to Mason Rudolph taking over as Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback, George Pickens averaged 39.3 yards per game. In the two games with Rudolph throwing him the ball, Pickens is averaging 29.7 yards per catch. Between Oct. 29 and Dec. 16 with Kenny...
Steelers want to avoid repeat of 2021 when playoff hopes came down to Sunday night outcome
It’s a scenario the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t want to see play out again. Not after the emotional roller coaster they were taken on two years ago. Given the eerily similar circumstances, a repeat performance might be unavoidable. When the NFL conducts its 272nd and final game of the regular season...
State representative asks whether PIAA needs ‘overhaul,’ proposes legislation to investigate
A Western Pennsylvania legislator and longtime member of the state Athletic Oversight Committee is asking whether the PIAA needs an overhaul. State Rep. Rob Matzie (D-Beaver) announced plans Friday to introduce legislation that would analyze the policy, practices, finances and structure of the PIAA, “with an eye toward overhauling how...
Rays shortstop Wander Franco faces judge as prosecutors accuse him of having sex with a 14-year-old
PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco appeared in a Dominican court Friday to face allegations that he had a brief relationship with a 14-year-old girl and gave her mother a small car and thousands of dollars in exchange for her consent, according to court documents...
Ukraine and the U.S. will play a Davis Cup qualifier in Lithuania because of the war with Russia
LONDON — Ukraine’s Davis Cup qualifying matches against the United States will be played in Lithuania on Feb. 1-2 because of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The other matches in this round of the men’s team tennis competition are scheduled for Feb. 2-3 or Feb. 3-4. The latter dates include...
Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick given Bart Starr Award for character, integrity, leadership
Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was named the winner of the Bart Starr Award for 2024, an honor selected by NFL players to recognize a peer for outstanding character, integrity and leadership on and off the field. The award is named after late Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart...
Mark Madden: Sidney Crosby is hockey’s most unique superstar ever
The best sports story in town wears No. 87, and it’s not Rodney Williams. We lead off refreshing Pittsburgh Penguins notes with a healthy dose of the captain. • Sidney Crosby skating madly to negate an icing call in the waning moments of the Penguins’ 6-5 victory at Boston on...
Tim Benz: Steelers trying to get by with a little help from their friends once again
It’s certainly possible that the Pittsburgh Steelers could get the help they need this weekend to qualify for the NFL playoffs. I’m just longing for the days when they didn’t always need it. Hey, don’t get me wrong. I like the Beatles and Joe Cocker as much as the next...
Navigating challenging year, Penguins’ P.O Joseph embraces elevated defensive roleVideo
In terms of pure pleasantness and personality, P.O Joseph has few peers across the NHL. The 24-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman is known for possessing a friendly demeanor, rarely conducting interviews (except, perhaps, in the immediate aftermath of a loss) without a smile on his face. Given how the season has...
Edge rusher Bralen Trice hopes for 1 more big performance for Washington, this time for the title
SEATTLE — More than most, Roger Rosengarten knows the difficulty that comes with trying to block Washington’s Bralen Trice. So allow the Huskies’ right tackle, who spent the entire offseason and fall camp trying to contain Trice in practice, explain what makes Washington’s standout edge rusher so difficult. “Bralen does...
Blake Corum bounces back from knee injury, leads Michigan to brink of 1st national title since 1997
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Blake Corum declared it was “natty or bust,” before the college football season kicked off and reiterated his bold statement before helping Michigan beat Alabama to put the school within a win of its first national championship since 1997. “This time last year, I wasn’t here,”...
First Call: George Pickens upset again about another Pro Bowl snub; Ravens pick up another RB
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is unhappy with the Pro Bowl. Again. The Baltimore Ravens are getting a big name in reserve for their offensive backfield. The Penguins don’t have much time to recover from their wild Thursday night affair in Boston. Plus, we take a look at the...
Football Footnotes: Ravens, Bills, Jaguars insiders give predictions, insight on Steelers’ potential playoff path
For the 9-7 Pittsburgh Steelers to qualify for the playoffs, the most direct path is to beat the 13-3 Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, then have the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) lose/tie in Tennessee (5-11) on Sunday afternoon or the Buffalo Bills (10-6) lose in Miami (11-5) on Sunday night. There are...
Pitt Take 5: Louisville may not be a ‘must-win,’ but losing at KFC Yum! Center wouldn’t taste good
There is no such thing as a must-win game in early January, but Saturday’s game against Louisville comes close. If Pitt (9-5, 0-3) loses to Louisville on Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center and finds itself 0-4 in the conference for the first time since the last of the Kevin...
Michael Penix Jr. rising ‘very high’ on NFL draft boards after dazzling Sugar Bowl performance
SEATTLE — Given the stakes and the stage, Michael Penix Jr.’s masterful display in the Washington Huskies’ 37-31 College Football Playoff victory over Texas in the Sugar Bowl might rank as the No. 1 individual performance in Husky history. Washington has a proud lineage of quarterbacks, and what Penix did...
Theegala leads season opener at Kapalua with 64. Morikawa hits opening tee shot packed with emotionVideo
KAPALUA, Hawaii — Collin Morikawa already has won two majors and played in the opening session twice in the Ryder Cup. His opening tee shot Thursday at Kapalua felt as special as any moment. Long before Sahith Theegala rolled in his 10th birdie for a 9-under-par 64 to lead The...
Malik Hall ties career high as Michigan State routs Penn State, 92-61
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Malik Hall matched his career high with 24 points and Mady Sissoko matched his career best with 12 rebounds as Michigan State routed Penn State, 92-61, on Thursday night. Michigan State picked up its fourth straight win and its first Big 10 Conference victory after falling...
After practicing in pain, Pitt former walk-on K.J. Marshall rewarded with scholarship
For senior walk-on guard K.J. Marshall, Pitt’s post-practice meeting Thursday was like many that had come before it. “Honestly, I wasn’t listening too much. I was in the back, playing around like I normally do,” he said. But the theme of the meeting was unselfishness, and it suddenly became about...
Penguins offense comes to rescue in wild 6-5 win over Boston
Defense was the leading reason the Pittsburgh Penguins closed out 2023 with a surge of wins in the estimation of coach Mike Sullivan. Offense was the reason they overcame some porous defense in a 6-5 road win against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Thursday, their second game of...
