Sports category, Page 1128
Pitt Take 5: Panthers start string of 8 games that matter, seeking to repeat as ACC Coastal champions
The games that really matter — the eight that will determine if Pitt has what it takes to return to the ACC championship game for the third time in five seasons — begin Saturday night when Georgia Tech visits Acrisure Stadium. How difficult is Pitt’s road to Charlotte, N.C.? There...
No. 11 Penn State hosts Northwestern trying to stay perfectVideo
STATE COLLEGE — Penn State coach James Franklin realizes it’s a luxury to have so many serviceable players at his disposal this early in the season. Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald is impressed by the numbers. “They’re playing as many guys as I can ever remember anybody playing,” Fitzgerald said. “As far...
First Call: Pair of former Steelers snag awards; Myles Garrett cited for crash; Minkah Fitzpatrick’s ranking
In Friday’s “First Call,” a pair of former Pittsburgh Steelers pick up NFL awards. Myles Garrett receives a vehicular citation after his car crash earlier this week, and it’s not his first. A league-wide gambling trend is emerging in the NFL. And we find out where Minkah Fitzpatrick is trending...
Bengals top Miami after injured Tua Tagovailoa carted off
CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow tossed a late 2-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Hurst to seal a 27-15 win for the Cincinnati Bengals over Miami in a Thursday night in a game marred by the horrific sight of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa being taken off on a stretcher. Tagovailoa was chased...
5 things to watch in Week 5 of high school football
In an ultra-competitive Class 5A, Bethel Park, Hempfield and Upper St. Clair are the only WPIAL teams that haven’t lost to a 5A opponent yet this season — a list that keeps getting shorter. The other 15 teams have all lost at least once. If that parity keeps up over...
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa stretchered off field with head, neck injuriesVideo
CINCINNATI — Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was taken off the field on a stretcher with head and neck injuries in Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Dolphins said. Tagovailoa was chased down and sacked by Josh Tupou with about six minutes left in the first half. He remained...
Aaron Judge’s 61st HR another murky milestone for MLBVideo
Aaron Judge’s homers almost always impress, and No. 61 on Wednesday night was no exception — a laser-beam shot that landed in the Blue Jays bullpen amidst huge cheers from the crowd in Toronto. Baseball history was made, and the joy was palpable. The New York Yankees slugger had just...
Panthers’ Baker Mayfield struggling as he adjusts to new teamVideo
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Baker Mayfield’s transition to the Carolina Panthers hasn’t been a smooth one. The No. 1 overall pick in 2018 is near the bottom of the league in quarterback rating and completion percentage. And despite coming off their first win of the season, the Panthers’ passing game is...
Jets offense will be ‘a hair different’ with Zach Wilson back vs. SteelersVideo
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Changes are coming to the New York Jets’ offense. Nothing too drastic or radical, but Zach Wilson’s return as the starting quarterback allows the team to do some things it simply couldn’t with Joe Flacco under center. “Certain aspects, for sure,” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said...
Pitt defense makes positive strides while mindful of its mistakes
If you told Randy Bates his Pitt defense is fourth in the 14-team ACC in yards allowed, his answer would be predictable. Something like: “Why aren’t we No. 1?” Pitt’s defensive coordinator demands perfection from his players, no matter the circumstances they must overcome. But perhaps the defense is quietly...
Steelers rookie George Pickens a harsh critic when judging his catch against Browns
The falling, one-handed catch that made George Pickens the talk of social media last Thursday night impressed just above everyone. Well, everyone but Pickens. The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie receiver confided after practice Thursday that — even with a week of contemplation — it didn’t register in the top five catches...
Steelers will try to clear up tackling issues against Jets running back tandem
At first blush, the New York Jets would seem to be the antidote for the ailing Pittsburgh Steelers run defense. As much as the Steelers have struggled trying to establish a running game, the Jets have fared worse. They have totaled 18 fewer rushing yards than the Steelers during a...
In search of elusive win without T.J. Watt, Steelers keep experimenting on defense
It’s a question the Pittsburgh Steelers players face every game T.J. Watt sits out because of injury: What do they have to do to win without the NFL Defensive Player of the Year? Six years into the star outside linebacker’s career, the answer is like Pi. It can’t be calculated....
Familiarity brought goaltender Dustin Tokarski back to the Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins learned the hard way about the value of goaltending depth last postseason. With starter Tristan Jarry (right foot) and backup goaltender Casey DeSmith (groin) sidelined because of various injuries, they were forced to rely on reserve Louis Domingue in their first-round loss to the New York Rangers....
New Penguins defenseman Jan Rutta knows a contender when he sees one
When Jan Rutta labels a team as a Stanley Cup contender, he speaks from an area of expertise. After all, he has played in the past three Stanley Cup Finals and was successful in two of them. A member of the Tampa Bay Lightning for parts of the past four...
Steelers 4 Downs: New advanced metric suggests Diontae Johnson an elite receiver
1. Among the best ESPN this week unveiled a new advanced metric to quantify the value of NFL receivers. The network calls its tool “Receiver Tracking Metrics” and describes it as using tracking data from NFL Next Gen Stats “to analyze every route run — including those that are untargeted...
First Call: 1 Steeler wants less talk, more action on offense; Myles Garrett may play after crash; NHL health updates
In Thursday’s “First Call,” we have a blunt review of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense from one of their alumni in the media. Diontae Johnson has a succinct message for all the players on offense. Myles Garrett is recovering from his injuries sustained in a car wreck earlier this week; we...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans load up an (almost) ‘all Kenny Pickett, all the time’ edition
I have a concern about the Pittsburgh Steelers. What if coach Mike Tomlin does replace Mitch Trubisky with Kenny Pickett? And then, what if Pickett stinks and Tomlin goes back to Trubisky? I mean, what are people going to complain about? This column is going to run out of material...
Tim Benz: When does ‘steady, stable’ become ‘stubborn’ for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin?
The big story in the world — actually, in the universe — this week is that NASA has figured out a way to fly a projectile into an asteroid with the intent of rerouting it. That’s right. NASA actually flew something the size of a “vending machine” into a harmless...
Pirates pitcher Wil Crowe hopes rocky September doesn’t define his entire season
As the ball sailed over the left-field fence and into the stands, Wil Crowe bent down into a catcher’s crouch on the mound, his body language oozing major frustration. He had good reason to be upset. The home run was a no-doubter, a 3-1 changeup Aaron Judge demolished at an...
Pirates farm report for Sept. 28, 2022: Endy Rodriguez hits 1st Triple-A homer in Indy’s last game
INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 74-75) finished off its season with another loss to Columbus (Guardians), 11-3. C Endy Rodriguez (.455) smacked his first home run in Triple-A with a solo shot in the top of the sixth, finishing the scoring for the Indians. Over three levels, Rodriguez slashed .323/.407/.997 with 25 home...
Yankees star Aaron Judge hits 61st home run, ties Roger Maris’ AL recordVideo
TORONTO — Aaron Judge tied Roger Maris’ American League record of 61 home runs in a season, going deep for the New York Yankees against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night. The 30-year-old slugger drove a full-count pitch from Tim Mayza over the left-field fence in the seventh inning...
LIV Golf denies report of deal to buy TV time on FS1Video
Saudi-funded LIV Golf denied a report Tuesday that it was close to a U.S. television deal in which it would buy time to be shown on FS1. Golfweek cited multiple sources it did not identify in saying the agreement is still being finalized. It would go against what Greg Norman,...
Bills’ Dane Jackson returns to practice week after neck injuryVideo
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills’ injury report was lengthy on Wednesday. However, it couldn’t compete with the width of Dane Jackson’s smile. In a little more than a week, the Bills starting cornerback and Pitt product went from feeling helpless in having his head immobilized while being rushed...
Chargers place Joey Bosa on injured reserve with torn groin
COSTA MESA, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers placed outside linebacker Joey Bosa on injured reserve with a torn groin on Wednesday. He will undergo surgery and coach Brandon Staley said that he is hopeful Bosa can return at some point later in the season. Bosa tore his groin during...
