Sports category, Page 705
Odds for more sports betting expansion could fade after rapid growth to 38 states
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — At his suburban St. Louis home, Brett Koenig can pull out his smartphone and open a sports betting app. But he can’t place a bet. He is blocked by a pop-up message noting he is not in a legal location. Missouri is one of a dozen...
2023 WPIAL All-Conference Football: Big East
Big East Conference Offense Player, School, Pos, Ht., Wt., Yr. Ethan Septak, Penn-Trafford, C, 5-11, 245, jr. Chase Gabriel, Gateway, G, 6-1, 275, jr. Riley McCaw, Penn-Trafford, G, 6-2, 280, sr. Kaiyen Mbandi, Gateway, OT, 6-2, 245, so. Devin Curler, Plum, OT, 6-3, 275, sr. Mark Jollie, Penn-Trafford, TE, 6-4,...
Mark Madden: To make playoffs, Penguins need different kind of impact from Erik Karlsson
Erik Karlsson’s brief tenure with the Penguins has been odd. The reigning Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s best defenseman has not made enough positive impact in the areas it was logically assumed. Karlsson’s statistics are fine: 22 points, plus-9 in 32 games. His advanced stats are good, too. Karlsson...
Former Cowboys 2nd-rounder Jaylon Smith looking to help Steelers’ thin linebacker depth
Jaylon Smith isn’t concerned about joining the Pittsburgh Steelers just five days before they face the Seattle Seahawks with their playoff hopes on the line. He’s gotten ready to play in NFL games on shorter notice. Earlier this year, in fact, Smith had less preparation when the Las Vegas Raiders...
Penguins need to quickly find traction coming out of Christmas break
When the Pittsburgh Penguins hit Thanksgiving, they were 9-9-0, and no one was feeling great about it. Now, coming out of Christmas, the Pens have won 15 games and lost 17 (15-13-4). The sentiment about the team is pretty much the same. The club’s 34 points are the second-lowest total...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger’s advice for Joey Porter Jr.; Seahawks injury news
After a few days off for Christmas, “First Call” is back with a stuffed stocking of Pittsburgh Steelers tidbits. The Seattle Seahawks are getting good news on the injury front in advance of their game against the Steelers on Sunday. However, a Steelers’ AFC rival may not be so lucky...
Tim Benz: Kenny Pickett’s injury provides cover more than it does strategy for Mike Tomlin
There is no tactical reason for Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to announce his starting quarterback this early in advance of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. So he didn’t. Not completely, anyway. All Tomlin said of his QB situation Tuesday is that the team is adopting the same stance...
Pistons set single-season record with 27th straight loss, as Cade Cunningham’s 41 not enough against Nets
DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons set an NBA single-season record with their 27th straight loss Tuesday night, as Cam Johnson scored 24 points and Mikal Bridges added 21 to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 118-112 victory. Cade Cunningham scored 41 points but the Pistons broke a tie with the...
Brian Holloway returns 2 picks for TDs, Texas State beats Rice 45-21 in First Responder BowlVideo
DALLAS — Linebacker Brian Holloway returned two interceptions for touchdowns, Jahmyl Jeter ran for three scores and Texas State beat Rice, 45-21, in the First Responder Bowl on Tuesday in the Bobcats’ first bowl appearance as an FBS program. Holloway had a 36-yard pick-6 early in the second quarter and...
Analysis: Lamar Jackson, Ravens stand alone with NFL’s best record
A few days as an underdog brought out the best in Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens now stand alone with the NFL’s best record after their defense swarmed Brock Purdy and Jackson weaved his way around and through the San Francisco 49ers in a 33-19 win Monday...
Analysis: Christmas rough on Super Bowl contenders except for Ravens
The Chiefs lost again. The Eagles struggled against the lowly Giants. The 49ers were embarrassed at home. Christmas Day was rough on Super Bowl contenders except for the Ravens. Lamar Jackson boosted his MVP chances, and Baltimore made a major statement with a convincing 33-19 victory over San Francisco in...
Joe Flacco’s revival in Cleveland has the Browns on the verge of clinching a playoff spotVideo
BEREA, Ohio — When they signed Joe Flacco in near desperation last month, the Cleveland Browns hoped the veteran quarterback could keep them in the playoff mix. They needed someone to settle things down amid mounting injuries and uncertainty. Expectations were tempered when Flacco arrived. Four games later, they’re untethered....
Analysis: Seahawks have playoff destiny in their control after 2nd straight dramatic victory
RENTON, Wash. — With two weeks left in the regular season, the Seattle Seahawks are in control of their postseason fate. In some ways, that seems unthinkable. Seattle was in a tailspin just a month ago, losing four straight games for the first time under Pete Carroll. It’s been a...
Siemian to start again at QB for Jets on Thursday night with Wilson still out with concussionVideo
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Trevor Siemian will start a second consecutive game at quarterback for the New York Jets with Zach Wilson still in the concussion protocol. Coach Robert Saleh ruled Wilson out Tuesday as the Jets prepare to face the Browns in Cleveland on Thursday night. Siemian was 27...
True freshman Jackson Arnold takes over at QB for Oklahoma in Alamo Bowl against ArizonaVideo
NORMAN, Okla. — After all the hype, the Jackson Arnold era is set to begin at Oklahoma. It came a bit earlier than expected. Dillon Gabriel, the first-team Associated Press All-Big 12 quarterback, transferred from Oklahoma to Oregon. That has left Arnold — a five-star true freshman — as the...
Darius Taylor’s return sparks Minnesota to 30-24 win over Bowling Green in Quick Lane BowlVideo
DETROIT — Freshman Darius Taylor returned from a leg injury to rush for a career-high 208 yards, and Minnesota beat Bowling Green, 30-24, in the Quick Lane Bowl on Tuesday. Minnesota (6-7), which was selected for the bowl because it had the best Academic Progress Rate among five-win teams, won...
Penn State’s staff changes have Ole Miss coach Kiffin unsure what to expect in Peach BowlVideo
ATLANTA — No. 11 Mississippi is having to do extra work to prepare for Saturday’s Peach Bowl against No. 10 Penn State with the Nittany Lions welcoming new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said Tuesday before his team’s first practice in Atlanta that...
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence now dealing with sprained throwing shoulder
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, but coach Doug Pederson says he could practice later this week. Pederson says Lawrence “is progressing” and “he’s a little bit sore.” “Doing better today than he did yesterday,” Pederson said Tuesday. “We’ll...
Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins out this week; QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson goes on IR
CLEVELAND — It’s only fitting the Browns will try to clinch a playoff berth with a new kicker. Nothing has been routine this season in Cleveland. Dustin Hopkins will miss Thursday night’s game against the New York Jets — and maybe longer — because of a left hamstring injury he...
Norwin grad Adam Bilinsky to transfer from Mercyhurst
Norwin graduate Adam Bilinsky will be playing for a different college basketball team next season. Bilinsky put his name in the NCAA transfer portal after nine games at Mercyhurst. The 6-foot-3 freshman shooting guard wants to play closer to home. He likely will remain at the Division II level, likely...
West Virginia, North Carolina to battle for all the mayo in bowl game
CHARLOTTE N.C. — North Carolina coach Mack Brown has a new moniker for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. He’s calling it the “New Opportunity Bowl.” With highly regarded quarterback Drake Maye and 11 other starters from the beginning of the season not playing because they’re preparing for the draft, entering the...
Pectoral injury will keep Elandon Roberts from suiting up for Steelers against Seahawks
Another week, another inside linebacker on the shelf for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday at his weekly news conference that Elandon Roberts will miss Sunday’s game at the Seattle Seahawks with a pectoral injury he suffered in the Steelers’ 34-11 victory against Cincinnati on Saturday. Given the...
Winning out provides clearest, but not only, path for Steelers to reach the AFC playoffs
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ game Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks isn’t a must-win situation in terms of their playoff chances. A win, however, certainly would help their cause. According to the New York Times’ playoff simulator, the Steelers’ chances of making the postseason increase from 13% to 26% with a victory...
Mason Rudolph to begin week as Steelers’ starting quarterback
For the second week in a row, Mason Rudolph will take the first-team reps at quarterback when the Pittsburgh Steelers begin their practice week. And, for the second week in a row, the health of Kenny Pickett’s right ankle will play a role in determining whether Rudolph finishes it that...
Counting down the top stories in WPIAL sports in 2023: Underdog role suits Beaver Falls
The 2023 year in WPIAL sports saw a lot of excitement across three seasons. There was domination on the hardwood and in the pool during the winter sports season and sensational action on the diamonds, hardcourts and tracks in the spring, concluding with greatness on the gridiron, the pitch and...
