Sports category, Page 782
Junior college guard Brandon Hall commits to Duquesne basketball
In the midst of its 8-3 start to the season, Duquesne men’s basketball received a verbal commitment this week from junior college guard Brandon Hall for the 2024-25 season. 2024 Howard College (TX) G Brandon Hall has committed to Duquesne. Verbal Commits (@VerbalCommits) December 24, 2023 Hall (6-foot-4)...
Vikings turn to Jaren Hall again in latest spin of QB carousel
EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have switched starting quarterbacks for the fourth time in nine weeks, handing the offense again to rookie Jaren Hall with two must-win games left for making the playoffs. Coach Kevin O’Connell announced Thursday that Hall will start Sunday against Green Bay, benching Nick Mullens...
Diaz Graham twins’ mom makes herself at home on Pitt campus during holiday visit
When Elizabeth Graham goes shopping in her favorite Italian grocery story, people know her and stop to say hello. That wouldn’t be unusual in her hometown of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. But it’s happening not far from the Pitt campus in Oakland where Graham is spending the holidays visiting...
Kenny Pickett remains limited; Minkah Fitzpatrick out of Steelers practice
In regards to their No. 1 quarterback and All-Pro safety, it remained status quo at Pittsburgh Steelers practice Thursday. Like he was throughout last week and during the first practice of this week Wednesday, Kenny Pickett was listed as a limited participant on the injury report Thursday. Pickett has missed...
Kyle Monangai leads Rutgers to win over Miami in Pinstripe Bowl
NEW YORK — Kyle Monangai rushed for 163 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries to help give Rutgers a 31-24 win over Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl on Thursday. The victory gave the Scarlet Knights (7-6) their first winning season since 2014, when they went 8-4 in their inaugural...
Bills’ Von Miller: Domestic abuse allegations against him ‘100% false’
Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller on Thursday disputed the allegations that he assaulted his pregnant girlfriend, calling them “100% false” and “blown out of proportion.” Addressing the media for the first time since turning himself into police in suburban Dallas on Nov. 30, Miller indicated something happened between him...
Patrick Peterson passed test as safety last week for Steelers; is full-time move there on horizon?
It wasn’t quite as scenic a perspective of Acrisure Stadium that tourists get from the Mount Washington overlooks. But Patrick Peterson had a unique view of this past Saturday’s game. From the far back of the defense. “It was a different view being back deep playing the safety position,” Peterson...
Steelers rookie Joey Porter Jr. has circled upcoming matchup against Seahawks’ DK Metcalf
In first two months as an NFL starting cornerback, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Joey Porter Jr. has been paired against some of the league’s top wide receivers. And he has managed to shut down or limit pass catchers such as DeAndre Hopkins, Ja’Marr Chase, Amari Cooper and Tee Higgins. His biggest...
Texans QB C.J. Stroud says he’ll start Sunday vs. Titans after recovering from concussion
HOUSTON — Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said Thursday that he will start this weekend against the Tennessee Titans after missing two games recovering from a concussion. “It’s great being back,” Stroud said. Stroud was injured in a Dec. 10 loss to the Jets when his head bounced off the turf...
Penn State’s proud defense braces for Peach Bowl test against up-tempo Ole Miss attack
ATLANTA — The marquee matchup in Saturday’s Peach Bowl is No. 10 Penn State’s top-ranked defense against No. 11 Mississippi’s up-tempo offense. Penn State’s proud defense led the nation in fewest yards and first downs and collected the most sacks. The Nittany Lions know those rankings will be tested by...
Illinois suspends star basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. after rape charge
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois suspended basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. on Thursday after he was charged with rape for an alleged incident that happened when the football team played at Kansas in September. The school suspended Shannon from “all team activities, effective immediately,” a day after the Douglas (Kansas) County...
Counting down the top stories in WPIAL sports in 2023: North Catholic girls add to trophy case
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...
Penguins forward Rickard Rakell beginning to find goals in different waysVideo
Christmas came early for Rickard Rakell. By about two days. In a 5-4 overtime road loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins forward scored his first goal of the season. It was a nice gift for the holidays, though he probably would have preferred to have registered...
Military background helps Mike Sullivan adjust to calling plays amid Steelers’ QB carousel
Since taking over play-calling duties for the Pittsburgh Steelers in November, Mike Sullivan has found himself calling upon his experience in the U.S. Army when facing trying circumstances. In five games since replacing Matt Canada in that role, Sullivan has needed to prepare each of his three quarterbacks to make...
Penguins defenseman Kris Letang’s record-setting game was ‘pretty cool’
Alex Letang didn’t necessarily get to see his father, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, make history on Wednesday night. But he certainly had quite a reaction Thursday morning. “He goes to bed before the end of the game,” Kris Letang said of his adolescent son. “The first thing he did,...
Thomas Castellanos’ 2 fourth-quarter TDs lift BC over No. 17 SMU in Fenway Bowl
BOSTON — Thomas Castellanos had two fourth-quarter touchdown runs and Boston College beat No. 17 SMU, 23-14, on Thursday in the Fenway Bowl at the home of the Boston Red Sox, snapping the Mustangs’ nine-game winning streak. Castellanos rushed for 155 yards and completed 11-of-18 passes for 102 yards. Ky...
Mark Madden: Hines Ward had intangibles, but his stats just aren’t Hall of Fame worthy
Hines Ward, in his eighth year of eligibility, will once again not make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’s not yet even been a finalist. This isn’t an outrage, nor would it be outrageous if Ward made it. The former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout defines being borderline. Three receivers are...
Penn State edge rusher Adisa Isaac declares for the NFL Draft
ATLANTA — On Wednesday night, Adisa Isaac declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. On Thursday morning, the star Penn State defensive end explained why. “There’s been a lot of thoughts with family and with coaches. I felt like it was time,” Isaac said, two days before the Peach Bowl. “I...
Tim Benz: Tristan Jarry’s ‘key saves at key times’ turned a potential shootout into a Penguins rout
It’s not often a goaltender’s shutout gets lost in the mix during a hockey game. But given how the Penguins’ 7-0 romp over the New York Islanders took place Wednesday, you can see how Tristan Jarry’s name may have been buried a bit in the headlines. • The Penguins managed...
U mad, bro?: Readers want more rah, rah, rah for Steelers, their defense, Mike Tomlin
According to Steelers fans in my email, I completely messed up by forgetting to wish for something I sorely needed at Christmas: a pair of Black and Gold pom-poms. Because based on the tone of some of the interactions I got this week, you’d prefer I cheerlead instead of giving...
First Call: James Harrison, Hines Ward snubbed for Hall of Fame again; did Mason Rudolph jab Big Ben?
Thursday’s “First Call” has some unfortunate news for Steelers Super Bowl heroes James Harrison and Hines Ward. There are some key injury updates for the Seahawks as they prepare to play the Steelers on Sunday. Ex-Steeler Devin Bush could start against his old club. Mason Rudolph appears to take a...
Oklahoma State receivers torch short-handed Texas A&M in Texas Bowl
HOUSTON — Rashod Owens had a career-high 164 yards receiving with two touchdowns and Brennan Presley tied a school record with 16 receptions and had 152 yards receiving in No. 22 Oklahoma State’s 31-23 victory over Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl on Wednesday night. Ollie Gordon II, the Doak...
Behind 6 TD passes from new starter Miller Moss, USC beats Louisville in Holiday Bowl
SAN DIEGO — With Caleb Williams watching from the sideline, Miller Moss threw a Holiday Bowl-record six touchdown passes in his first college start and Southern California ended a frustrating season by beating No. 16 Louisville, 42-28, Wednesday night. Moss took full advantage of the opportunity he was given when...
Lincoln Park steps into spotlight, tops North Catholic at Pittsburgh Holiday Hoops Classic
In the finale of a festive day at the Pittsburgh Holiday Hoops Classic inside PPG Paints Arena, the Lincoln Park Leopards dominated the North Catholic Trojans en route to a 72-58 win. Coming home from a national tournament in Oregon that saw Lincoln Park go 2-2, the Leopards were in...
Minor league report: Penguins dropped by BearsVideo
Goaltender Magnus Hellberg made 33 saves on 36 shots for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 4-1 road loss to the rival Hershey Bears at the Giant Center in Hershey on Wednesday. The result dropped Hellberg’s record to 5-5-0 while forward Austin Rueschhoff scored the lone goal for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (15-11-3-0). Highlights:...
