Sports category, Page 829
East Allegheny blocks extra-point attempt in OT, edges Knoch to clinch conference title
East Allegheny football coach Dom Pecora admitted he wasn’t sure it would ever happen. But after 11 long years and a blocked kick in overtime, he and his Wildcats can say they are conference champions. Brandon Penn blocked Knoch’s extra-point attempt in overtime to secure a 14-13 victory and the...
McKeesport takes control in 2nd half, runs past Latrobe
When Latrobe’s Ja’Tawn Williams took McKeesport’s second-half kickoff 95 yards for a game-tying touchdown, it seemed like the game was destined to be decided by a few plays in the final two quarters. And it was, as Latrobe (6-3, 4-2) proceeded to turn the ball over three times in the...
Bryan Abreu, Dusty Baker, Adolis Garcia ejected after brawl
ARLINGTON, Texas — Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu and manager Dusty Baker were ejected from Game 5 of the AL Championship series after the reliever hit the Texas Rangers’ Adolis Garcia with a pitch in the eighth inning Friday, triggering benches to clear two innings after the slugger’s go-ahead home...
Andre Iguodala, 4-time NBA champion with Warriors, retires
SAN FRANCISCO — Andre Iguodala, a four-time champion with the Golden State Warriors during a 19-year NBA career, is retiring. “It’s just the right time,” the 39-year-old Iguodala told Andscape on Friday in a telephone interview. “Time started to get limited for me, and I didn’t want to put anything...
Altuve hits go-ahead homer in 9th, Astros take 3-2 lead over Rangers in ALCS after benches clearVideo
ARLINGTON, Texas — Jose Altuve hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning, and the Houston Astros, after getting into another bench-clearing scuffle with the Texas Rangers, rallied for a 5-4 victory in a wild and testy Game 5 of the AL Championship Series on Friday. After winning all three...
Broncos’ Jerry Jeudy vents over feuds, losses and his slow start
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Jerry Jeudy had a lot to get off his chest this week: his dust-up with Steve Smith, the constant trade speculation, his lack of production and the Denver Broncos’ incessant losing. Jeudy pranced and preened in a squabble with Smith, the former Carolina Panthers star receiver and...
Jaguars build leads and close out games; Now time to end 2nd-half lulls
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars are building double-digit leads and closing out games regularly this season, a combination that’s led to a four-game winning streak and their best start since 2007. Impressive, no doubt. But what’s happening in between has coach Doug Pederson a little concerned. Pederson would like...
Browns QB Deshaun Watson expected to start vs. Colts after missing 2 gamesVideo
BEREA, Ohio — Deshaun Watson’s official status for Sunday’s game at Indianapolis is questionable. Nothing looked uncertain about Cleveland’s quarterback Friday. Watson fired passes with his usual velocity during his second straight practice, and he is expected to start when the Browns visit the Colts. He has missed two games...
Bears QB Justin Fields expected to avoid thumb surgery; Tyson Bagent to start vs. RaidersVideo
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Bears quarterback Justin Fields is not expected to need surgery for his dislocated right thumb, coach Matt Eberflus said Friday. As expected, Fields was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders (3-3). Undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent will start for Chicago (1-5). It...
No. 2 Michigan suspends staffer after sign-stealing investigation start
No. 2 Michigan announced Friday it suspended a low-level football program employee a day after disclosing it is under NCAA investigation for allegedly stealing the play-calling signals of Wolverines opponents. Athletic director Warde Manuel issued a one-sentence statement saying analytics assistant Connor Stalions had been suspended with pay pending the...
LeBron on turf? Rams’ Cooper Kupp earns high plaudits from Steelers tasked to limit him
During his weekly news conference, Mike Tomlin aimed high in finding a comparable for the star receiver of his next opponent. Really high. As in, Tomlin started by comparing the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp to a pair of players who’ve combined for four NFL Defensive Player of the Year...
Steelers notes: T.J. Watt fine, signs point to Diontae Johnson also playing vs. Rams
It was early in the first quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ most recent game when the pinky finger on T.J. Watt’s left hand was badly dislocated. Watt, though, didn’t realize the extent of it until the game was over. “When I took my glove off and it was the size...
Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth will not play Sunday after apparent aggravation of groin injury
Just a few days ago, is appeared the Pittsburgh Steelers were assured of getting Pat Freiermuth back. But the week ended with the team knowing it will still have to play without their starting tight end. Freiermuth will not play in Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Rams, according to...
Penguins’ bottom 6 searching for more scoring punchVideo
Mike Sullivan has made it clear that he is not a fan of comparisons being made between this and last year’s Pittsburgh Penguins club. “(The media) continues to want to talk about last season, and I really have no interest in talking about last season,” the coach said ahead of...
Penguins recall forward Radim Zohorna from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
The Pittsburgh Penguins added a new face Friday afternoon in the hopes of revitalizing a group of bottom-six forwards that has lacked offensive production so far, as winger Radim Zohorna was recalled from Wilkes-Barre Scranton of the American Hockey League. Zohorna, 27, played in four preseason games for the Penguins,...
Penguins’ Kris Letang, Noel Acciari return to practice, expect to play in St. Louis
The Pittsburgh Penguins seem to have avoided the early-season scare of losing one of their top players to injury. Defenseman Kris Letang missed practice Thursday and after the Penguins wrapped up their drills for the day, coach Mike Sullivan told reporters Letang was being evaluated for an unspecified injury. Thankfully...
5 things to watch in WPIAL Week 8: Traditionally tough Parkway lives up to reputation
The Parkway Conference was traditionally considered among the best battles in WPIAL football, and this year’s version has lived up to that reputation. With two weeks left in the regular season, four teams have one conference loss or less: Aliquippa (5-0), Montour (4-1), Central Valley (4-1) and West Allegheny (4-1)....
Mark Madden: ESPN deserves ridicule for Evgeni Malkin-snubbing top players list
The compilation of rankings (lists, Top 10s, Mount Rushmores, etc.) is both a staple and the bane of the modern sports “journalism” existence. Such endeavors are well-read but lazy. You jot names/teams/events down until you’ve reached your prescribed number. It’s easy to generate debate, especially with yourself to start. You...
Friday Football Footnotes: Aaron Donald quells talk of a Pittsburgh return; Steelers look for a 1st in L.A.
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” takes a look at the prospect of Aaron Donald ever playing in Pittsburgh again. Steelers fans are hoping to witness a first in Los Angeles. Plus, we check out the rest of the landscape in local college action and the AFC North. No story here...
No. 7 Penn State, No. 3 Ohio State clash in toughest test yet for Big Ten East rivalsVideo
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Halfway through the season, Ryan Day says he’s still learning about his No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes. The fifth-year coach should know a lot more Saturday when the Buckeyes (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) get a visit from No. 7 Penn State (6-0, 3-0) in a matchup of...
Pitt’s Dayon Hayes leads Tackle Cancer initiative for Panthers defense
For Pitt defensive lineman Dayon Hayes, it was a simple community outreach trip. Going to a hospital with a few posters to sign. Hand out a few tickets to the patients. Thank a few of the nurses on duty. As a person who mashes their body at top speed against...
Riverhounds plan to use home field to their advantage in playoff opener
It’s been five years since the Pittsburgh Riverhounds hosted a playoff game in front of fans, so a fervent atmosphere is expected Saturday night when Detroit City FC comes to Highmark Stadium for a USL Championship first-round game. That’s an element that Hounds coach Bob Lilley wants to use as...
Pitt Take 5: Panthers, Demon Deacons try to salvage disappointing seasons
Maybe those outside of Pittsburgh and Winston-Salem, N.C., won’t pay much attention, but Pitt (2-4, 1-2) and Wake Forest (3-3. 0-3) will line up Saturday for a game carrying major importance for both underperforming ACC programs. After meeting for the ACC championship two years ago, neither team is even close...
Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon goes for his 4th straight 100-yard rushing game at West VirginiaVideo
Oklahoma State (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) at West Virginia (4-2, 2-1 Big 12), 3:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN) Line: West Virginia by 3½, according to FanDuel SportsBook. Series record: Oklahoma State leads 9-5. What’s at stake? Oklahoma State is going after its third straight victory. West Virginia saw its four-game winning...
Trevor Lawrence comes through late as Jaguars hold off Saints
NEW ORLEANS — Travis Etienne ran for two touchdowns, Foyesade Oluokun returned an interception for a score, and Christian Kirk’s 44-yard touchdown after a short catch over the middle lifted the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 31-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence returned...
