Sports category, Page 711
T.J. Watt explains Rich Eisen’s version of his comments on Steelers practice habitsVideo
Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt sought to clarify comments NFL commentator Rich Eisen made on his talk show this week that Eisen attributed to Watt from the prior week’s television production meeting. “It wasn’t attacking anybody. It was a general statement of, as a leader on this team, I feel...
Joe Flacco giving the Browns a steady presence and leadership with a playoff spot in reach
BEREA, Ohio — Joe Flacco looks much different, younger and a little less like his new coach. The beard is gone. “It was a mess,” said the Browns’ freshly-shaven quarterback. While his facial hair may have been a bit unkempt, and made him a taller lookalike to Browns coach Kevin...
Kenny Pickett out, Mason Rudolph officially to start for Steelers against Bengals
On the night before Christmas Eve, Mason Rudolph will guide the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense. Coach Mike Tomlin made it official after practice Thursday that Rudolph will start at quarterback for Saturday’s 4:30 p.m. home game against the Cincinnati Bengals. A day after characterizing Thursday as “a big day” in evaluating...
Penguins tab Alex Nedeljkovic as starting goaltender for 3rd time in 4 games
The Pittsburgh Penguins are scheduled to start goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic in Thursday’s home game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG Paints Arena. Coach Mike Sullivan announced Nedeljkovic’s status following an optional morning skate. Nedeljkovic has appeared in each of the past three games, starting two of those contests. He replaced...
Why former Indiana coach Tom Allen was hired as Penn State’s new defensive coordinator
STATE COLLEGE — The best follow-up question is often the simplest one. Why? On Tuesday, Penn State hired former Indiana head coach Tom Allen to be its next defensive coordinator. Allen, who replaces Manny Diaz, was formally introduced Wednesday. But why was Allen the choice? And why was Allen so...
DaQuan Smith sinks go-ahead jumper with 1.5 left, Radford edges West Virginia
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — DaQuan Smith scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half, including a go-ahead jumper with 1.5 seconds left, and Radford edged West Virginia, 66-65, on Wednesday night for its fifth straight victory. Radford (10-4) picked up its first win over a Power 5 opponent since...
Shohei Ohtani is the AP Male Athlete of the Year for the 2nd time in 3 years
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Before Shohei Ohtani stepped into the bright lights of Hollywood and signed the most lucrative contract in professional sports history, baseball’s two-way superstar put together yet another season of unparalleled brilliance from Tokyo to Anaheim. What can this singular talent possibly do next? The Los Angeles Dodgers...
Florida State to discuss future of athletics, affiliation with ACC at board meeting, AP source says
Florida State announced it will hold a Board of Trustees meeting on Friday and a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press the future of the athletic department and its affiliation with the Atlantic Coast Conference will be discussed. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because...
Steelers DL Cameron Heyward clears concussion protocol, expected to play vs. Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward progressed through NFL concussion protocol and is on track to play in Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. A message posted to the X (formerly Twitter) account of Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten stated Heyward, a three-time All-Pro defensive tackle, “has been cleared by an...
NFL trims Damontae Kazee suspension to 3 games, allowing return if Steelers make playoffsVideo
Damontae Kazee’s suspension for a hit on a defenseless Indianapolis Colts player was reduced on appeal, the NFL announced, leaving the free safety eligible to play should the Pittsburgh Steelers make the playoffs. League spokesman Michael Signora posted the news to his X (formerly Twitter) account. Kazee was ejected from...
U mad, bro?: Plenty of Christmas jeer for George Pickens, Steelers coaches and yours truly
It’s always a sad feeling when Steelers-related depression grips Pittsburgh. It’s especially sad around the holidays. This week’s “U mad, bro?” entries run a wide gamut. George Pickens gets a lump of coal. The coaching staff gets quite a few. And I’m placed on Santa’s naughty list a few times....
First Call: Tyler Boyd knocks George Pickens; T.J. Watt puzzled why some Steelers don’t respond to Mike Tomlin
Pitt alum Tyler Boyd takes a swipe at Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens as his Bengals prepare to visit Acrisure Stadium. Damontae Kazee’s suspension is upheld for the remainder of the regular season. T.J. Watt seems baffled that some Steelers aren’t responding to Mike Tomlin. Jaromir Jagr is still playing...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates GM Ben Cherington still searching for starting pitching
As Ben Cherington was celebrating the re-signing of Andrew McCutchen, the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager addressed an offseason that has been slow to address the team’s glaring needs. The Pirates have traded for left-handed starting pitcher Marco Gonzales and outfielder Edward Olivares and signed free agents in designated hitter McCutchen,...
Williams puts up 20, hits late 3 to give Robert Morris a 75-73 victory against St. Francis (Pa.)Video
LORETTO — Justice Williams made a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left and finished with 20 points to lead Robert Morris to a 75-73 victory over St. Francis (Pa.) on Wednesday night. Cam Gregory’s layup gave St. Francis a 73-72 lead with 16 seconds left. Jackson Last had the ball with...
Penske 3-peat a potential theme for NASCAR in 2024
Roger Penske achieved something this season the pioneering motorports magnate had never done in his long, accomplished career with back-to-back NASCAR championships. Ryan Blaney gave Penske consecutive series titles at Phoenix last month after teammate Joey Logano’s title-winning run in 2022. “You win one, and you start all over again,”...
Pitcher Jack Flaherty, Tigers finalize $14M, 1-year contract
DETROIT — Right-hander Jack Flaherty and the Detroit Tigers have finalized a $14 million, one-year contract in a deal that allows the 28-year-old right-hander to earn an additional $1 million in performances bonuses with a franchise that has invested a lot in improving next season. “There’s a lot of belief...
Pitt scoring falls off in 62-48 victory against Purdue Fort Wayne
Jeff Capel had no problem with Pitt’s defense Wednesday night in its 62-48 victory against Purdue Fort Wayne. In fact, he thought it was “unbelievable.” And the numbers prove it. The Mastodons were averaging 86.8 points per game (14th in the nation), but they managed only 17 in the first...
Signing day: Georgia has top class with 5-star flip; Ohio St. breathes sigh of relief on No. 1 player
The early signing period in college football opened Wednesday with some five-star drama. Georgia likely locked up the top recruiting class by flipping an in-state blue-chip player away from Florida State; the consensus No. 1 recruit in the country had Ohio State coach Ryan Day literally sighing with relief; and...
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi tried to avoid NIL talk, star rankings while recruiting his 19-man class
The initials NIL cast a shadow over college football every day, but name, image and likeness — and the riches it can offer players — come into greater focus at certain times of the year. Wednesday, national letter of intent day, was one of those times. While introducing his 10th...
Trevor Lawrence still in concussion protocol as Jaguars prepare to play without star QB
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Trevor Lawrence was in the facility but still in the NFL’s concussion protocol Wednesday, leaving the Jacksonville Jaguars preparing to play without their star quarterback for the first time in three seasons. Coach Doug Pederson said Lawrence is “progressing well” but declined to speculate on Lawrence’s chances...
West Virginia lands 4-star WR to highlight 2024 recruiting class
Ric’Darious Farmer committed to three schools during the past year. West Virginia was the final, and official, one. The four-star wide receiver from Melbourne Central Catholic in Florida signed a letter of intent with West Virginia on Wednesday, part of a 22-player class for the Mountaineers. “Day Day” Farmer (5-foot-11,...
Steelers notes: Myles Jack ready to step back in at ILB, T.J. Watt leads AFC OLB Pro Bowl voting
Myles Jack looks back at his experience with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, and he doesn’t believe it’s representative of his play or abilities. “I was pushing through a lot of things last year,” Jack said, referencing a nagging groin injury, “and that’s probably a bad habit of mine. I’ve...
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers activated from IR as next step in rehab. He won’t play again until next seasonVideo
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Aaron Rodgers will remain on the practice field to continue working on his return for the New York Jets but for next season. Coach Robert Saleh announced Wednesday the four-time NFL MVP was being activated from the injured reserve list, a move that’s merely the next...
James Franklin welcomes Penn State’s 2024 recruiting class, including 3 WPIAL standouts
STATE COLLEGE — James Franklin was in a jovial mood Wednesday, joking that he might get more than five hours of sleep per night now. And it’s easy to understand why. A lot of big-picture questions have been answered for Penn State this month. A few weeks ago, the Nittany...
Trenton Thompson remains out of Steelers practice but Najee Harris, Isaac Seumalo return
Trenton Thompson missed another practice, putting into question the availability of yet another Pittsburgh Steelers safety for Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Thompson has not practiced this week after suffering what initially was characterized by the team as a “stinger” during this past Saturday’s loss at the Indianapolis Colts....
