Sports category, Page 777
A Sweet life: Robert Morris-Penn State exhibition more than just a game for RMU’s Matt Sweet
Some days the last thing in the world Matt Sweet wanted to do was eat. Anything. At all. But applesauce? He could do applesauce. One container of applesauce. Other days, the only thing he felt like he could possibly do was lie in bed. But a short walk? OK. Get...
Mark Madden: Patrick Surtain would look great in Steelers secondary but wouldn’t solve biggest problem
Media stooges try to make the NFL trade deadline seem like the MLB trade deadline for the purpose of engagement. But it’s not nearly the same. The number of meaningful deals is minimal. In baseball, individual results are cobbled together to produce a team score. Players move easily from team...
UCF, West Virginia seek bounce-back win at The Bounce House
West Virginia (4-3, 2-2 Big 12) at UCF (3-4, 0-4 Big 12), noon (FS1) Line: UCF by 7, according to FanDuel SportsBook Series record: West Virginia leads 2-0 WHAT’S AT STAKE? UCF has not had the introduction to the Big 12 the team hoped. Nearly midway through their inaugural season...
No. 10 Penn State looking to rebound against struggling Indiana
STATE COLLEGE — Coach James Franklin knows Penn State’s offense is better than it showed last week. It needs to improve if the Nittany Lions want to rebound after their Big Ten title hopes took a hit in their loss to No. 3 Ohio State. The No. 10 Nittany Lions...
5 things to watch in WPIAL Week 9: Head-to-head matchups to decide 9 conference titles
The wait is over. Belle Vernon and Elizabeth Forward ran through their Interstate Conference schedules without any mistakes. Mohawk and Neshannock did the same in the Midwestern, reaching Week 9 with perfect records. As a result, the titles in those conferences will be decided on the field Friday night with...
Friday Football Footnotes: Steelers scripting plays; teams countering T.J. Watt; Najee Harris vs. Travis Etienne
For this week’s “Friday Football Footnotes,” we look at some of the big questions hanging over Sunday’s Steelers-Jaguars game at Acrisure Stadium. One of them should be, “Is this the first of two rounds this season between the teams?” Don’t be stunned to see the Jags win the AFC South,...
First Call: George Pickens calls Jaguars ‘a hope defense’; former Steeler says starting CBs are ‘stealing money’
Friday’s “First Call” sees George Pickens volley back after some eyebrow-raising comments from a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. A former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman is unimpressed with the starting cornerback combination on the team. We look at the upcoming college football slate for Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia....
Pitt Take 5: Can Panthers duplicate what their 2012 predecessors did in South Bend?
When Pitt nearly upset fourth-ranked Notre Dame in 2012, the Panthers did it the old-fashioned way — with a running back (Ray Graham) who could break tackles and occasionally run away from defenders and a solid offensive line, led by a veteran coach (Jim Hueber). Actually, there were many contributing...
Josh Allen gets Bills off to fast start in win over Buccaneers
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another — shrugging off aggravating an injury to his throwing shoulder — and the Buffalo Bills hung on to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-18 on Thursday night. After a week of questions about his “low-energy” approach...
With 3 questionable at CB, Luq Barcoo, Darius Rush might be next men up for Steelers
It might be Luq Barcoo and Darius Rush getting significant playing time at outside cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Other than Patrick Peterson, it’s anyone’s guess who the cornerbacks will be against the Jacksonville Jaguars if the injury report is any indication. The Steelers’ Nos. 2-4 on the...
NCAA investigators interview Jim Harbaugh’s staff about sign-stealing scheme
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — NCAA investigators interviewed members of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh’s staff Thursday about a sign-stealing scheme, a person familiar with the governing body’s visit told The Associated Press. The investigation has rocked the undefeated and second-ranked Wolverines on their march toward a potential spot in the...
Penguins play ‘most complete game,’ shut out powerful Avalanche
Reilly Smith professed optimism. In the face of a three-game losing streak, he offered a buoyant outlook in advance of his team’s home game against the imposing Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. “It’s not easy in this league,” Smith said after a practice at PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday. “You’re going...
Deshaun Watson defends his drive as he deals with injury: ‘Why wouldn’t I want to play?’Video
BEREA, Ohio — Unable to play quarterback right now for the Browns, Deshaun Watson tried some defense on Thursday. Watson, who will miss his fourth game — and third start — on Sunday at Seattle with a right shoulder injury that has lingered longer than expected, dismissed the idea that...
Arizona Diamondbacks take series of slights into surprise World Series against Texas RangersVideo
ARLINGTON, Texas — Before opening the World Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks wanted to recount a series of slights. Overlooked by oddsmakers and angered by analysts, the Diamondbacks are in a Surprise Series against the also unexpected Texas Rangers. But the mindsets couldn’t be more different ahead of Friday night’s opener...
Pitt picked 9th in ACC preseason poll; Blake Hinson named 2nd-team all-conference
A season after winning 24 games and advancing to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament, Pitt was picked to finish ninth in the 15-team ACC in a vote by a panel of media members. The conference released poll results Thursday. Pitt senior forward Blake Hinson, a second-team All-ACC...
Steelers Joey Porter Jr. dealing with minor injury but ready to move into starting role if needed
As his role in the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary increases, rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. patiently is waiting to make his first NFL start. Given the right set of circumstances, it could come as soon as Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. Starting left cornerback Levi Wallace is dealing with a foot injury...
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi finds way to strike balance between work, rest
The thought briefly crossed Pat Narduzzi’s mind that he might have been able to work an extra 15 or 20 minutes each night to get ready for No. 14 Notre Dame. Watch another file of video, come up with a new wrinkle to improve Pitt’s run defense, give his players...
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence on Terrible Towel: ‘the little yellow towels that they swing around’Video
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence sounded entirely reverential about the atmosphere at Acrisure Stadium, comparing it to other tough environments like Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City and the Superdome in New Orleans. But in a media gathering Wednesday ahead of this weekend’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, one little comment...
Back together on field for Steelers, WRs George Pickens, Diontae Johnson push each other
In Diontae Johnson’s first game back after being on the injured reserve list Sunday, George Pickens actually ended up with more production (five catches for 107 yards) than what he averaged in the four games during which Johnson was sidelined (4.3 catches, 89.8 yards). So much for any worries that...
Preview: Cal (Pa.), Gannon, IUP expected to be top contenders for PSAC West women’s basketball title
Cal (Pa.) is the top vote-getter in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division women’s basketball poll. Gannon and IUP also received first-place votes. Cal (21-11) captured back-to-back PSAC titles, defeating nationally ranked Gannon in the tournament final. PSAC Tournament MVP and double-double producer Allycia Harris returns for the Vulcans...
Preview: IUP, Cal (Pa.) expected to battle it out for PSAC West men’s basketball crown
IUP and Cal (Pa.) could have some close games on the court when they face each other this season. The teams also are tight in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division preseason men’s basketball poll. IUP is the favorite, but by only one vote over the Vulcans. IUP, which...
Steelers’ Larry Ogunjobi does not practice because of shoulder injury
Seven consecutive practices is as long as the streak would last for Larry Ogunjobi. A veteran defensive tackle, Ogunjobi since Oct. 4 had fully taken part in each of the seven Pittsburgh Steelers practices that had been eligible for noting on the league-mandated status report. He was not listed as...
Pirates 3rd baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes named Fielding Bible’s Defensive Player of the Year
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Ke’Bryan Hayes, who added a .271 batting average to his slick glove work this season, was named Thursday the Fielding Bible’s Defensive Player of the Year while also earning the Fielding Bible Award among third basemen. The distinction marks the second time in three seasons (also 2021)...
Derrick Henry, Chase Young, Brian Burns are among several star NFL players who could be on the moveVideo
The best team in the NFC already added an All-Pro to the secondary. More moves are coming around the NFL. Teams looking to bolster their rosters for the second half have until Tuesday’s trade deadline at 4 p.m. Several established veterans could end up switching uniforms. There were a slew...
Ottawa’s Shane Pinto suspended 41 games, becomes 1st modern NHL player banned for gambling
The NHL suspended Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto for 41 games on Thursday, making the 22-year-old American the first modern-day player banned for sports gambling. The league said the half-season ban was for “activities relating to sports wagering” and that its investigation found no evidence Pinto bet on NHL games....
