Sports category, Page 785
QB signee Ethan Grunkemeyer follows similar path to Penn State as Drew Allar
This time last year, Ethan Grunkemeyer had one FBS offer: Miami (Ohio). On Wednesday, he signed with Penn State as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 recruiting class. It’s been a rapid rise for Grunkemeyer, the Olentangy (Ohio) standout who committed to Penn State in May as a...
Westmoreland County campus clippings: Jeannette grad Robert Kennedy to declare for NFL Draft
Robert Kennedy used to talk about playing in the NFL. What it would be like and how he would get there. Only Kennedy, the former Jeannette star quarterback and defensive back who made his way to Power Five football as a safety at N.C. State, wasn’t dreamy about the concept...
Penguins rookie forward Valtteri Puustinen looks good to anyone watching
Valtteri Puustinen’s family isn’t getting much sleep these days. At least not overnight. With a seven-hour difference between Pittsburgh and his hometown of Kuopio, Finland, Puustinen’s loved ones have to wake up in the middle of the night to see him play on television (or streamed video). “My whole family...
Mark Madden: After Pyrrhic victory, what’s next for Steelers’ George Pickens, Mike Tomlin, QBs?
Saturday’s home win vs. Cincinnati might be the proverbial Pyrrhic victory for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was fun, but what was gained? And at what cost? Wideout George Pickens quit on a play the week before, then was decidedly non-apologetic. His punishment? Nothing. So, Pickens went out against the Bengals...
Dom Nania trying to build solid foundation with 1st-year Saint Vincent wrestling team
Dom Nania knows what it’s like to be involved in a wrestling program that is starting from Square One. A decade ago, the Hempfield grad was the first recruit for the wrestling team at Wheeling Jesuit (now Wheeling University). Nania ranks third on the program’s all-time wins list (98) and...
A-K Valley wrestlers help form building blocks for new Saint Vincent program
If a college recruiter is looking for capable wrestlers, there are few places better to look than Western Pennsylvania. And within that region, the Alle-Kiski Valley is among the most fertile areas. Consider just a few examples: • Kiski Area grad Jack Blumer has posted 25 career wins at West...
Analysis: Shortcomings of Bengals, backup QB Jake Browning were apparent in blowout by Steelers
CINCINNATI — The Bengals’ confidence and playoff hopes came crashing down in Pittsburgh two days before Christmas. Cincinnati had won three straight games to sneak back into the playoff picture. But the Bengals badly needed to beat the Steelers on Saturday to stay there. Instead, Cincinnati (8-7) took a thorough...
NFL Week 16: Lions secure 1st division title since 1993 with win over VikingsVideo
MINNEAPOLIS — The Detroit Lions clinched their first division title in 30 years, using two rushing touchdowns from Jahmyr Gibbs and 106 receiving yards and a third-quarter go-ahead score by Amon-Ra St. Brown to overtake the injury-ravaged Minnesota Vikings 30-24 on Sunday. Ifeatu Melifonwu picked off Minnesota’s Nick Mullens at...
Amari Cooper has franchise-record 265 yards receiving to lead Browns to win over TexansVideo
HOUSTON — Amari Cooper set a franchise record with 265 yards receiving and scored two touchdowns and a 2-point conversion to move the Cleveland Browns closer to a playoff berth with a 36-22 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday. Cooper’s performance moved him atop the Browns’ record book ahead...
5 things we learned: Odes to Mason Rudolph, George Pickens for big games for Steelers
Five things we learned from Steelers 34, Bengals 11: 1. Been a long time It had been more than four years since a stadium full of fans had seen Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback have a game like the one put out against the Bengals. In fact, the 124.0 passer rating...
Seton Hill senior Dioh Desuah finalist for Cliff Harris Award
Seton Hill redshirt senior defensive lineman Dioh Desuah was named a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award, which recognizes the top defensive players in small-college football. He is among 36 NCAA Division II finalists for the award named after the former Dallas Cowboys safety and Hall of Famer who appeared...
Ben Bryant leads Northwestern past Utah in Las Vegas Bowl
LAS VEGAS — Ben Bryant passed for 222 yards and found Bryce Kirtz in the corner of the end zone midway through the fourth quarter, helping Northwestern beat Utah, 14-7, Saturday night in the Las Vegas Bowl. Bryant went 22 for 34 with two touchdowns as Northwestern (8-5) closed out...
Gio Lopez leads South Alabama to rout of Eastern Michigan in 68 Ventures Bowl
MOBILE, Ala. — Freshman Gio Lopez threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, and South Alabama trounced Eastern Michigan, 59-10, in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Saturday night. Playing on their home field at Hancock Whitney Stadium, the Jaguars (7-6) scored on their first three possessions, led 38-3 at...
Josh Allen accounts for 3 touchdowns as Bills escape with victory over Chargers
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Josh Allen continues to reach milestones in his sixth NFL season, but he’s more concerned about getting the Buffalo Bills back into the playoffs. Allen did his part Saturday night by rushing for two TDs and throwing for one, but it took a 29-yard field goal by...
Ethan Vasko throws 3 TD passes, Coastal Carolina beats San Jose State in Hawaii Bowl
HONOLULU — Ethan Vasko threw three touchdown passes and Coastal Carolina beat San Jose State, 24-14, in the Hawaii Bowl on Saturday night for its second bowl victory. Vasko completed 20 of 33 passes for 199 yards and ran for 50 yards on 17 carries for the Chanticleers (8-5). The...
Madden Monday (early Christmas edition): ‘I’d definitely start Mason Rudolph next game’
With Christmas on Monday, we decided to post this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s 34-11 Steelers win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive wants to make one thing abundantly clear. There is no controversy surrounding what the Steelers should...
Steelers defensive call-ups Myles Jack, Eric Rowe save the day
Their acquisitions by the Pittsburgh Steelers officially were announced jointly on the team website at 4:03 p.m. on Nov. 20. That they were joining the team’s practice squad wasn’t mentioned until the sixth paragraph . The final, sad indignity in the proud careers of Myles Jack and Eric Rowe, two...
Penguins squander power-play chances in overtime loss to Ottawa
The hot takes have been present in Pittsburgh for weeks and months. Years, really. Who should be entrusted as the starter at the team’s most important and scrutinized position? On Saturday, one of those debates was thrust into a maelstrom because of a startlingly strong performance by a person left...
Feats of Strength: ‘It’s a Festivus Miracle!’ Steelers break 30 points in a win over Bengals
Apparently the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) were tired of giving out lumps of coal to their fans during the Christmas season. After losing three in a row to the Cardinals, Patriots and Colts, the club felt it was time to shower all the good little boys and girls at Acrisure Stadium...
Air Force grounds out 31-21 win over No. 24 James Madison in the Armed Forces BowlVideo
FORT WORTH, Texas — Emmanuel Michel rushed for a career-best 203 yards and two 1-yard touchdowns, and Zac Larrier passed for a TD and ran for another score, leading Air Force to a 31-21 win over No. 24 James Madison in the Armed Forces Bowl on Saturday. Air Force (9-4),...
Darren Grainger accounts for 5 TDs as Georgia State rolls past Utah State in Potato Bowl
BOISE, Idaho — Darren Grainger threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more, Freddie Brock rushed for a school-record 276 yards and a score and Georgia State rolled past Utah State, 45-22, in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Saturday. Georgia State (7-6), which had lost...
Mike Tomlin: ‘Too early’ to say if Mason Rudolph or Kenny Pickett will start next Steelers game
Pittsburgh Steelers fans will have to wait until after Christmas to know whom coach Mike Tomlin will choose to start at quarterback for their next game. Tomlin would not broach the question during his news conference following the Steelers’ 34-11 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday evening. Making his...
Rocky Lombardi, Northern Illinois beat Arkansas State in Camellia Bowl
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Rocky Lombardi ended his seven-year college career with a win in which he made big plays and then was a spectator on the two that ultimately sealed the game. Lombardi passed and ran for a touchdown, and Northern Illinois held on for a 21-19 victory over Arkansas...
Duquesne lets 2nd-half lead slip away in loss to Santa ClaraVideo
Duquesne was hoping for an early Christmas present Saturday in Las Vegas, but the Dukes were more in a giving mood. Adama Bal and Carlos Marshall Jr. scored 19 points apiece, and Santa Clara rallied in the second half to beat Duquesne, 81-73, at Orleans Arena in suburban Paradise, Nev.,...
Mason Rudolph glows in Steelers blowout vs. Bengals
Tears welling up in his eyes and his voice starting to crack with emotion, Mason Rudolph spoke of the game ball he received Saturday night from defensive captain Cameron Heyward. It was a reward for what transpired in the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback’s first start in more than two years. Rudolph...
