Sports category, Page 1445
Penguins forward Jeff Carter, goaltender Tristan Jarry placed in NHL’s covid-19 protocol
Having already had two players sidelined for a handful of games because of covid-19, the Pittsburgh Penguins don’t need any reminders that the virus is still a considerable impediment. But they received a fairly blunt aide-memoire Thursday. Forward Jeff Carter and goaltender Tristan Jarry — easily two of the team’s...
No. 7 Penn State, Illinois unsure of QBs ahead of matchup
UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State coach James Franklin originally planned to practice with two quarterbacks this week, neither named Sean Clifford. But the third-year starter, who is nursing an unspecified upper-body injury, participated with some passes. He also split snaps with Ta’Quan Roberson and Christian Veilleux on Wednesday. Clifford’s return...
Realignment era: 6 Conference USA schools leaving for American
Major college football is settling into a strange period with lame duck memberships and frayed allegiances that could last another season or even two as conferences sort out the latest shifts and turns of realignment. The American Athletic Conference on Thursday became the latest to act in the trickle down...
Shaun White chasing spot on 5th Olympic team at age 35
SAN DIEGO — Snowboarder Shaun White recently invested in Shelf Engine, a company that uses computer optimization to reduce food waste by more efficiently stocking grocery stores with perishable goods. One thing that’s not on the shelf yet: him. White confirmed this month what was widely expected, that the 35-year-old...
Built using time, money and draft capital, Steelers’ tight end corps gains prominence
JuJu Smith-Schuster’s season-ending injury has provoked plenty of talk about which wide receiver would step up his role in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense. But what if the vacuum created by Smith-Schuster’s shoulder surgery wasn’t filled by wide receivers at all? “I wouldn’t be opposed,” Zach Gentry said with a mixture...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are fixating on Mike Tomlin, frothing over NFL officiating and frustrated with Pirates … uniforms?
The Steelers may have a bye week. But “U mad, bro?” does not. This one has a lot of salty Steelers fans who are mad at coach Mike Tomlin, the officiating at the end of Sunday’s win over the Seattle Seahawks and media members for being too critical. I guess...
Braves bounce back to win Game 4, need one more win to make World SeriesVideo
LOS ANGELES — The Braves have shown their resilience time and again throughout the 2021 season. They provided another reminder of their mental fortitude Wednesday in Southern California, and they’re one win from a World Series berth as a result. After a devastating defeat Tuesday, the Braves bounced back in...
Expansion, eventual departures of Oklahoma, Texas on minds of Big 12 basketball coachesVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chris Beard got right to it. His Texas Longhorns will have a target on their backs. “We’ve already begun talking to our players about how difficult it’s going to be,” he said. “But it’s really no different than anywhere else I’ve ever coached. If you’re going...
Framber Valdez leads Astros over Red Sox in Game 5 of ALCS for 3-2 series leadVideo
BOSTON — Framber Valdez was perfect through four, took a two-hit shutout into the seventh and became the first pitcher in the 2021 postseason to finish eight innings Wednesday as the Houston Astros beat Boston, 9-1, in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series and moved one win from a...
NFL agrees to end race-based brain testing in $1B settlement
PHILADELPHIA — The NFL agreed to end race-based adjustments in dementia testing that critics said made it difficult for Black retirees to qualify for awards in the $1 billion settlement of concussion claims, according to a proposed deal filed Wednesday in federal court. The revised testing plan follows public outrage...
Braves scratch Huascar Ynoa from Game 4 start in NLCS vs Dodgers
LOS ANGELES — Huascar Ynoa was scratched with shoulder inflammation from his scheduled start for the Atlanta Braves against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series, then removed from the postseason roster. Ynoa first experienced discomfort on Monday but believed he would be able to...
A reunion of John Marino and Marcus Pettersson is getting results for the PenguinsVideo
Pittsburgh Penguins coaches have tinkered with breaking up the defensive pairing of John Marino and Marcus Pettersson before. Their first divorce came early in the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season. Partyly because of an undisclosed injury to Pettersson, the right-handed Marino was teamed with left-hander Mike Matheson to mixed results. Eventually, Marino...
On a busy Wednesday, Pitt’s Kenny Pickett focuses on settling a score with Clemson
Kenny Pickett walked with long, purposeful strides down the steps into the auditorium where Pitt players gather. A busy day already was underway, with Wednesday morning practice concluded. But more meetings and video sessions were scheduled – some after dark — with offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and teammates. There was...
Browns’ Mayfield out with shoulder injury, Keenum starting
CLEVELAND — Baker Mayfield had to surrender to the pain. Cleveland’s starting quarterback, who has played the past four weeks with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, will sit out Thursday’s game against the Denver Broncos and backup Case Keenum will start. “I feel very ready. I’ve been ready,”...
Penguins defenseman Mark Friedman sidelined on a day-to-day basis
Penguins defenseman Mark Friedman missed practice in Cranberry on Wednesday because of an undisclosed injury. Assistant coach Todd Reirden, who oversees the team’s defensemen, labeled Friedman’s status as “day to day.” Friedman last practiced Monday, leaving mid-way through that day’s session. On Tuesday, he did not participate in an optional...
Steelers coaches maintain WR James Washington still big component of offense
James Washington’s absence for much of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first game without wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was hard to miss in their 23-20 overtime win Sunday night against Seattle. The fourth-year wide receiver, whose playing time was expected to increase with Smith-Schuster out for the rest of the season, was...
Washington releases longtime kicker, signs former Pitt player as replacement
ASHBURN, Va. — Washington released longtime kicker Dustin Hopkins on Wednesday and signed Chris Blewitt as his replacement. Hopkins was in his seventh season with the team but seemed on the hot seat with coach Ron Rivera for several weeks. He missed a 42-yard field goal attempt in a loss...
Penguins pay tribute to retired announcer Mike LangeVideo
Longtime Pittsburgh Penguins announcer Mike Lange would greet viewers with “It’s a hockey night in Pittsburgh!” Well, on Tuesday, it was a “Mike Lange Night in Pittsburgh” as the Penguins honored the retired broadcaster throughout the Pens’ game against the Dallas Stars at PPG Paints Arena. Lange, who retired this...
Mark Madden: T.J. Watt worth every red cent, but others on Steelers defense raise red flags
T. J. Watt got $80 million guaranteed when he signed his contract extension. He is the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player. So far this season, despite injury, Watt has earned his keep. The Steelers have won three games. Watt won two of them: Week 1 vs. Buffalo and this past Sunday...
First Call: Steelers-Seahawks replay debate sparks Twitter spat; Von Miller trash talks Browns tackles; praise for Kenny Pickett
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some social media fallout from the Steelers-Seahawks replay controversy Sunday night. There was an ex-Bucco battle on the mound in the NLCS Tuesday. Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett is getting a strong endorsement from one of Clemson’s coaches. And Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is talking...
Tim Benz: No power plays? No complaints from Penguins’ Mike Sullivan
If ever there was a Pittsburgh Penguins game that could’ve used a few power plays, this was it. Too bad there weren’t any. Thankfully, the Pens and Dallas Stars reached 3-on-3 overtime tied at 1-1 Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. There was finally a little flow with multiple chances...
Analysis: Remembering Feb. 14, 2007 and what it means to the PenguinsVideo
Empty thoughts on the Penguins’ recently concluded streak of 633 consecutive games with a sellout and their 2-1 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars: It might be hyperbole to say Tuesday brought the end of an era. Because as long as Sidney Crosby is an active member of the roster,...
Astros erupt for 7 runs in 9th inning, beat Red Sox to even ALCS
BOSTON — Jose Altuve hit a tying home run in the eighth inning and the Houston offense awakened with seven runs in the ninth Tuesday night as the Astros came back to beat the Boston Red Sox 9-2, evening the AL Championship Series at two games apiece. Six outs from...
Robert Morris women’s, men’s teams picked to finish 9th, 10th in Horizon League
The Robert Morris women’s and men’s basketball teams were picked to finish 9th and tenth, respectively, in their second season in the 12-team Horizon League, according to preseason polls released Tuesday by the league. Horizon League head coaches voted in the women’s poll and a committee of media members, communication...
Short-handed Penguins struggle to muster offense in shootout loss to Stars
The Pittsburgh Penguins knew things would be difficult to open the 2021-22 season without the services of superstar centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. That dilemma was amplified with forwards Zach Aston-Reese and Jake Guentzel each being sidelined for a game or two because of covid-19. And defenseman Mike Matheson’s...
