Sports category, Page 723
Fast start leads Belle Vernon to 2nd straight state championship
MECHANISBURG — There was no suspense in this year’s PIAA Class 3A championship. Belle Vernon made sure of that with another dominating performance starting with the opening kickoff. Anthony Crews scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, and the Leopards (13-1) won their second consecutive state title with a convincing...
Shohei Ohtani agrees to record $700 million, 10-year contract with Dodgers
NEW YORK — Shohei Ohtani agreed Saturday to a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal was announced after days of speculation over where the unique, two-way star would continue his career after six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. “This is a unique, historic...
Pirates A to Z: After short stay last year, Ali Sanchez returns to add depth at catcher
During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z, an alphabetical, player-by-player look at the 40-man roster. Player: Ali Sanchez Position: Catcher Bats: Right Throws: Right Age: 26 Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 200 pounds 2023 MLB statistics: None. Contract: Not yet eligible for arbitration. Acquired: Signed as a free...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Keep NHL players away from ’26 Winter Olympics
The NHL is mooting whether to send players to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. It’s at the final discretion of the league, not the players. Big fail by the NHL Players Association, though pressing for control would have served just a small percentage of the membership. I’m against it....
Steelers linebackers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith placed in concussion protocol
Two days after their 21-18 loss to the New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Steelers have placed outside linebacker T.J. Watt in concussion protocol. Watt reported symptoms when he came to the team facility Friday for meetings and film study, Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said Saturday. The NFL Network also reported...
Toughness runs in veins of Penguins rookie defenseman John Ludvig
It really isn’t difficult to understand where Pittsburgh Penguins rookie defenseman John Ludvig gets his toughness. He is his father’s son. In this case, the father is former NHL forward Jan Ludvig. And the pronunciation of his first name perfectly illustrates the resilience Jan learned as a teenager and then...
Analysis: Quarterback stands above many roster issues confronting Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi
Pat Narduzzi has a quarterback problem, and this time there is no one left to blame. After at least two swings and misses in the transfer portal, where Pitt’s 10-year head coach found Kedon Slovis and Phil Jurkovec not to his liking, he has waded into this offseason burdened by...
Minor league report: Alex Nylander scores twice as Penguins beat MonstersVideo
Two goals by forward Alex Nylander led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to a 5-3 home win against the Cleveland Monsters at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre on Friday. Forwards Corey Andonovski and Raivis Ansons and defenseman Ty Smith all contributed a goal and an assist for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (11-8-3-0) while forward Peter...
Penguins’ power play falters yet again in 4th consecutive loss
No story has dominated the Penguins’ 2023-24 season quite like their power play. Mainly because it has largely been dominated by opposing penalty-killing squads through the first two months of the campaign. Things have been particularly stagnant in recent weeks as the Penguins entered Friday with a franchise-record 12-game streak...
Dae Dae Grant powers Duquesne past Saint Peter’s, Dukes win 3rd straight
Duquesne guard Dae Dae Grant entered tipoff against Saint Peter’s on Friday night a game removed from setting a program record for consecutive free throws made. Starting with the team’s 2023-24 season-opener Nov. 6, Grant had hit 43 straight shots from the charity stripe over Duquesne’s first eight games of...
Braves get David Fletcher, Max Stassi from Angels for Evan White and Tyler Thomas
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves obtained infielder David Fletcher and catcher Max Stassi from the Los Angeles Angels on Friday for infielder Evan White and left-hander Tyler Thomas. Fletcher, 29, hit .247 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 33 games with the Angels this season and batted .331 with...
Saints QB Derek Carr clears concussion protocol, could play vs. Panthers
NEW ORLEANS — Saints quarterback Derek Carr cleared the concussion protocol on Friday evening, increasing the liklelihood that he’ll start on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Carr, who left New Orleans’ 33-28 loss to Detroit last week with a concussion as well as shoulder and rib injuries, was listed as...
Patriots’ victory over Steelers shows support for embattled Bill Belichick after 5-game skid
With all of Bill Belichick’s accomplishments over two decades in New England, he’s never pulled this off before. The six-time Super Bowl champion — one of the greatest coaches in NFL history — had his players rallying to his defense in an attempt to end a five-game losing streak and...
Column: Jon Rahm’s move to LIV reminder of golf’s problems
So much for peace and harmony in the world of golf. Jon Rahm’s surprising defection from the PGA Tour to Saudi-funded LIV shows just how fractured the sport remains, even as it faces an end-of-the-year deadline to finalize an agreement that was supposed to make everything kumbaya. Only one thing...
Analysis: If a kicker once won NFL MVP, Tyreek Hill or another non-QB can win it
Tyreek Hill’s record-breaking pace this season has led to a persistent question that’s become a hot topic on debate shows. Can Hill become the first wide receiver to win the AP NFL MVP award? Mark Moseley was MVP in 1982, so if a kicker can win it, any player could....
Rivals Pitt, Louisville meet again with berth in NCAA volleyball Final Four on line
This is turning into something special. Two ACC opponents, both quite familiar with each other, will be playing for another chance at a Final Four appearance. Ah, the Pitt-Louisville women’s volleyball series. No, please, call it a rivalry. “They talk about Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, and David and Goliath....
This year’s Heisman finalists are an ode to college football’s portal/NIL era with 3 transfer QBsVideo
NEW YORK — This year’s Heisman Trophy ceremony will be an ode to the new era of college sports, transformed by the transfer portal and NIL. Three of the four Heisman finalists are quarterbacks who blossomed into stars at their second schools and were having so much fun in college...
McCarthy back with Cowboys after appendectomy, set to call plays against EaglesVideo
FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is back with the team after undergoing an emergency appendectomy just four days before planning to be the sideline for an NFC East showdown with Philadelphia. The 60-year-old knew he would be a big part of the story despite the division lead...
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence considered game-time decision to play at ClevelandVideo
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s availability for Sunday’s game at Cleveland will be a game-time decision based on how he feels during warmups. Lawrence was a limited participant in practice for the second consecutive day Friday. He seemed to move around without any issues during the portion...
Browns not naming starting quarterback against JaguarsVideo
BEREA, Ohio — Joe Flacco’s second straight start for the Browns appears inevitable, if not essential. It’s just not official. Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski remained noncommittal about his starter for Sunday’s crucial game against Jacksonville despite Flacco getting all the first-team quarterback reps during the portion of Friday’s practice open...
IOC confirms Russian athletes can compete at Paris Olympics with approved neutral status
GENEVA — Some Russian athletes will be allowed to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the IOC said Friday, in a decision that removed the option of a blanket ban because of the invasion of Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee decision confirmed moves it started one year ago to reintegrate...
U.S., Mexico submit joint bid to host 2027 Women’s World Cup
CHICAGO — The U.S. Soccer Federation and Mexico Football Federation submitted a joint bid Friday to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, competing against an expected proposal from Brazil and a joint Germany-Netherlands-Belgium plan. No proposed stadiums were announced by the USSF and Mexico’s governing body. The USSF said the...
Penn State TE Theo Johnson declares for 2024 NFL draft, announces Peach Bowl decision
Penn State captain and tight end Theo Johnson is off to the NFL — after the Peach Bowl. Johnson declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday. He also announced that he will remain with Penn State through the Peach Bowl. “After a lot of thought and prayer, I will...
Pitt Take 5: Jeff Capel’s recruiting efforts put shooters on roster, points on scoreboard
After a five-game stretch against power conference teams, Pitt coach Jeff Capel said he has stockpiled plenty of information about his team. He knows his players like to shoot and are good at it, and he also knows they work hard on defense. He said recent recruiting efforts were intentionally...
After 2nd straight upset loss, Steelers searching for ways to reverse late-season slide
It was only three seasons ago that the Pittsburgh Steelers, off to a franchise-best 11-0 start, lost four of their final five regular-season games. That slide set the tone for their one-and-done playoff appearance, a 48-37 home defeat to the Cleveland Browns. On the other side of the country, the...
