Sports category, Page 774
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Mike Tomlin’s streak of non-losing seasons doesn’t compare to Bill Cowher’s playoff wins
Mike Tomlin extended his record of no losing seasons ever to 17 years when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat Seattle last week. That emboldened Tomlin’s defenders. “The media is so dumb. Why do we do the media? Bunch of jackasses,” said Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce, taking a break from...
Penguins scheduled to start goaltender Tristan Jarry versus Sabres
The Pittsburgh Penguins are scheduled to start goaltender Tristan Jarry in Saturday’s home game against the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena. Coach Mike Sullivan announced Jarry’s status following an optional morning skate. In 25 games this season, Jarry has an 11-11-2 record, a 2.58 goals against average, a .912...
Ex-Hampton standout Laryn Edwards takes ‘crazy’ path to Big East basketball
Former Hampton star Laryn Edwards was sitting in the Providence women’s basketball office in late November when coach Erin Batth entered in a bit of a pickle. Her starting point guard had suffered an injury, leaving the Friars with only two healthy ball handlers, both freshmen. Batth asked Edwards, a...
‘That should be the goal’: Bryan Reynolds, Pirates believe they have playoff potential
After requesting a trade before signing a franchise-record contract last April, Bryan Reynolds was relieved to have a drama-free offseason. That didn’t stop the Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder from making a prediction that should draw headlines for being so bold. Reynolds believes the Pirates (76-86), who followed back-to-back 100-loss seasons by...
Minor league report: Jesse Puljujarvi debuts for Penguins in winVideo
Forward Jesse Puljujarvi made his debut for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 2-1 road win against the Springfield Thunderbirds at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass., on Friday. Signed to a professional tryout contract Thursday, Puljujarvi opened the contest on the top line and was held without a point on...
Michigan’s stingy D faces Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. in strength vs. strength
The College Football Playoff national championship game between No. 1 Michigan and No. 2 Washington is a contrast in styles and a matchup of strength versus strength when Michael Penix Jr. faces the Wolverines’ defense. “You get a schematic, professional-style matchup and to me you get the Baltimore Ravens versus...
Texans’ C.J. Stroud overcame tough childhood, now hopes to inspire others
HOUSTON — C.J. Stroud’s rookie campaign has been so remarkable that he’s turned around the Houston Texans and restored hope among fans in a city that had all but given up on this franchise after three dreadful and often embarrassing seasons. The polished quarterback and first-year coach DeMeco Ryans have...
Ravens officially add RB Dalvin Cook, signing him to practice squad
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens signed running back Dalvin Cook to their practice squad Friday. The team also announced it was putting cornerback Daryl Worley on injured reserve and signing linebacker Jeremiah Moon to the active roster. The Ravens elevated defensive back Andrew Adams and tight end Ben...
Report: Texas Tech leading scorer Pop Isaacs accused of sexually assaulting minor
LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech basketball player Pop Isaacs, the team’s leading scorer, was accused in a civil lawsuit of sexual assault of a minor when the Red Raiders were playing in a tournament in the Bahamas, ESPN reported Friday night. The lawsuit was filed in Lubbock County, where the...
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...
