The Orioles were clinging to a 2-1 lead with two outs when Cowser went up against the fence and brought a sure homerun back in.

This catch was monumental because it gave the Orioles their fourth straight win and lifted them to .500 at 69-69.

MORE: MLB home plate umpire suddenly leaves National League game after passing out

Andrew Kittridge was in disbelief

Aside from Cowser’s incredible reaction when he came down from the ball was the jubilation of Orioles reliever Andrew Kittridge.

Kittridge knew he made a bad pitch and his eyes lit up when he realized Cowser had the ball in his glove.

No matter the angle, the catch is extraordinary.

MORE: Mets make move moments after Luis Robert Jr. lands with Orioles

Best catch ever to rob a player of a homerun?

It could be debated that this was one of the best ever catches especially in the situation. The Orioles are fighting to stay in the wildcard race, and Cowser singlehandedly kept them in hot pursuit.

If the Orioles do in fact get the coveted wildcard spot in a few weeks, fans will look back on this play, ending this game on August 31 amid a 98 minute rain delay as a key reason why it happened.

After the game and after being pelted with Gatorade and water, Cowser admitted that he wanted to make a difference in the game after being unhappy in his last at bat.

The Orioles theme song is entitled “Orioles Magic,” and that is exactly what MLB and Orioles fans witnessed. There were many Orioles fans in attendance who were loud and jubilant, thoroughly enjoying the moment.

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Federal authorities arrested Love and alleged accomplice Taylor Jamie Chan on Aug. 24 at a Boise, Idaho, airport. Prosecutors charged both with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Love allegedly created “fictitious personas” and displayed a lavish lifestyle to gain victims’ trust. Authorities say at least 26 women lost approximately $1.3 million through the alleged scheme.

MORE: 49ers’ Jed York ditches NFL owner’s meeting after prostitution arrest

McCoy addressed the case on the Speakeasy podcast. “I love Daejon Love, and let me tell you why,” McCoy said. “Every time a man does something, they wanna crucify us for it. I watch women do this all the freaking time!”

He added, “You go to social media, you see the girl, she got all these bags, Birkin this, Birkin that, nice house, nice car, all this stuff. Till you meet her, you date her and now it’s your girlfriend and you like, ‘Oh, she’s been scamming me,’ ’cause no, she’s not! The bags are fake. Someone else bought it for you. You don’t have this luxury job and life that you say you do. Now I’m stuck, now I’ve been fooled.”

McCoy compared Love’s alleged conduct with situations involving people who falsely present wealth online. “The same thing that he did, I watch a lot of women do that, all the freaking time!” McCoy said.

He described being deceived in relationships after believing someone had a successful lifestyle. “I’ve been finessed a lot,” McCoy added. “You see her, and you’re like ‘Damn, she’s got herself together. She seems educated. Nice house, nice car… you live with her, and you’re like ‘Yo, this girl’s a bum.’”

LeSean McCoy’s comments draw attention to serious allegations

McCoy’s argument does not change the nature of the federal allegations. Prosecutors say Love used false identities and financial claims to persuade victims to provide money.

The case also shows how easily an NFL player’s identity can become a tool for credibility. A legitimate professional football connection carries significant financial and social weight, especially when combined with social media.

Love allegedly used 49ers imagery and staged football content to support his claims. Authorities also say he presented himself as a wealthy investor while allegedly using a fake financial setup.

The real 49ers have no connection to Love’s alleged activities. His reported use of the team’s identity instead highlights the risks surrounding online impersonation.

MORE: Shannon Sharpe, Ochocinco clown 49ers’ Jed York over prostitution arrest

McCoy’s comments have become part of the story because he focused on the broader idea of deception rather than the alleged victims’ losses. “So, I’m not mad at Love, bro!” McCoy said. “I watch women do it all the freaking time!”

The legal case will now determine the allegations against Love and Chan.

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The 22-year-old linebacker posted four sacks during the Buccaneers’ preseason but failed to secure a roster spot. Kansas City then claimed him Monday, ending LSU’s hopes of adding the former Tiger.

Pyburn’s situation became possible because of ongoing eligibility litigation in Louisiana. A temporary restraining order allowed players involved in the case to potentially return to college football.

MORE: Chiefs’ Andy Reid breaks down Josh Simmons’ path back to practice

However, his spot on Kansas City’s 53-man roster likely ends his SEC return plans. The Chiefs also claimed defensive tackle Bryson Eason after San Francisco released him Sunday.

Kiffin has openly defended LSU’s decision to pursue players caught between college and professional football. “At the end of the day, because of these rulings, they’re either going to play for you or they’re going to play for someone else around the country,” Kiffin said earlier.

“So we’ve made the decision to recruit them like probably most people are,” Kiffin added.

Chiefs gain defensive depth as LSU loses potential addition

For Kansas City, the move adds a young linebacker who showed pass-rushing ability during the preseason. Pyburn’s four sacks gave the Chiefs a clear reason to take a chance after Tampa Bay waived him.

From a roster perspective, the claim fits Kansas City’s approach to adding competition behind established defensive players. Pyburn now gets an opportunity to develop within Andy Reid’s system rather than immediately returning to college.

Meanwhile, for LSU, the timing creates a difficult roster situation before its season opener against Clemson on September 5. Kiffin must now adjust without a player who could have provided experience and defensive versatility.

MORE: Lane Kiffin will be college football’s main character this year

The move also highlights the uncertainty created by the eligibility litigation. College programs can pursue players with NFL experience, but NFL teams can still retain those players through standard roster mechanisms.

In Pyburn’s case, LSU saw a potential defensive addition, while Kansas City saw an opportunity to strengthen its roster before opening the season against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 10.

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Let’s take a brief look at the five best in no particular order.

MORE: 6 American women breeze into 2026 US Open Round 2 on Day 2

1. Frances Tiafoe channels 90s Andre Agassi

Tiafoe’s Lululemon kit included spandex bike shorts underneath his tennis shorts. The bright colors and styling gave us peak Agassi 1990 Nike vibes.

2. Amanda Anisimova’s 25th birthday celebration

In addition to winning her match, Anisimova was serenaded by the crowd. Her locker was decorated with her memorable memes by Mirra Andreeva and Daria Kasatkina.

3. Roger Federer gets his International Tennis Hall of Fame ring

Tennis will always celebrate Federer, but Monday night’s presentation of his International Tennis Hall of Fame ring on Arthur Ashe Stadium officially concludes his whirlwind week.

4. Emma Navarro, Lois Boisson thrill of victory and agony of defeat video

Though it is only Day 2, Emma Navarro and Lois Boisson may have provided the iconic video of the tournament. As Navarro acknowledged the crowd after her win, Boisson was seen behind her chucking her racquet on the ground. In less stellar news, Boisson left the dilapidated racquet behind for the ballkids to deal with.

5. Naomi Osaka walk out outfit

Keeping with the ode to basketball by Nike, Osaka gave a nod to Allen Iverson with her walkout outfit. Whether fans love or hate her looks, they are always paying attention to how she incorporates art and fashion into her on court arrival.

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However, after a reported $60 million salary, multiple layoffs at ESPN, and rumored plans to expand McAfee’s presence, fans are starting to notice. They are also asking a simple question: Are we getting too much McAfee? Well, if you’re ESPN, the answer appears to be no.

Now, another prediction has fans buzzing and feeling the McAfee mania.

MORE: Stephen A. Smith defends Bill Belichick after Week 0 win

Awful Announcing made a prediction that McAfee’s music could soon take over the network, starting with College GameDay. The prediction was heavily covered by ESPN analysts and the network.

“I think that album will be right at the center of his ultimate flex on his ESPN bosses and colleagues. Within the next month, I expect ESPN will announce that one of the songs from McAfee’s Diary of a Polarizing Figure will replace “Comin’ to Your City” as College GameDay’s new theme song.” Demetri Ravanos wrote in his prediction.

McAfee mania giving McAfee fatigue?

McAfee has undoubtedly become one of ESPN’s biggest personalities, and the network clearly has no plans to slow down his presence anytime soon. From College GameDay to his daily show, he has become nearly impossible to miss for sports fans.

MORE: Kirk Herbstreit reveals he was told to ‘go after’ Lee Corso

That has been a major positive for ESPN, but there is a point where even popular personalities can experience oversaturation.

If McAfee’s music eventually becomes the theme for College GameDay, it would represent another major step in ESPN’s continued push of his brand. While some fans would likely embrace the move, others could view it as another example of the network giving McAfee too much airtime and attention.

That could create an interesting divide as McAfee’s popularity continues to grow. His fans have helped make him one of the most recognizable figures in sports media, but not everyone is necessarily interested in seeing him become the face of everything ESPN.

For now, the prediction is just that. A prediction. But if ESPN actually makes the move, it could provide another sign that there is no such thing as too much McAfee for the network.

However, something was noticeably off, and it was even apparent during the broadcast. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum looked remarkably empty as USC opened the season against San Jose State. The lack of attendance drew so much attention that the school eventually released a statement addressing the issue.

“We understand the factors that impacted Saturday’s attendance,” USC said via USA TODAY Sports. “We have high expectations and a premier home schedule this season, and we know the competitive advantage an electric Coliseum atmosphere can provide our program. We thank our fans who showed up Saturday and look forward to seeing increased attendance the rest of the season.”

MORE: Is USC’s terrible Week 0 attendance a big deal?

The Trojans officially announced an attendance of 51,144 for the game, their lowest figure under head coach Lincoln Riley and their lowest since 2018. However, the stadium appeared to have significantly fewer fans in attendance, creating an embarrassing visual for one of college football’s most recognizable programs.

Paul Finebaum Rips USC’s Attendance Statement

Paul Finebaum wasn’t buying USC’s explanation and ripped into the statement on ESPN’s First Take.

“There is no way a human being at Southern Cal put out that pile of garbage. That had to be AI generated. Because no sane person at the University of Southern California would say that.” Finebaum said on First Take.

MORE: College Football Week 1 watchability rankings

Finebaum also questioned the official attendance figure, saying the announced 51,000-plus fans looked more like 25,000 from what he saw. He called the situation a “downright disgrace” and argued that USC has lost some of the aura that once made it the gold standard of college football.

There are legitimate reasons for the sparse crowd. Temperatures reached 94 degrees at kickoff, with the real-feel temperature reportedly reaching 104 degrees, while the noon kickoff provided little relief inside the Coliseum. The opponent also wasn’t exactly a marquee attraction.

Still, the optics are difficult to ignore. USC enters the season with high expectations under Riley and has marquee home games against Oregon and Ohio State later this season. If the Trojans start winning, the Coliseum should have no trouble attracting larger crowds. Until then, Saturday’s attendance will remain an unfortunate reflection of where the program currently stands.

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Unfortunately, Gonzalez was affected by the heat. During the fifth inning, Gonzalez passed out on the field due to the heat. The game entered a delay as Gonzalez was helped off the field by Reds trainer Tomas Vera and others.

MORE: Fernando Tatis Jr., Craig Stammen ejected after incident during Padres game

The Cincinnati Reds hosted the San Diego Padres on Monday afternoon for Game 1 of a three-game set. It has been a brutally humid day at Great American Ball Park with the temperature starting at 91 degrees at first pitch in what has been a hot summer. Given the humidity in Cincinnati, it likely felt even hotter.

Mike Petraglia of CLNS Media had the first update on Gonzalez’s condition, revealing that he had to exit due to heat exhaustion. He received treatment for elevated blood pressure and dehydration.

Fortunately, his blood pressure has been restored to normal levels and he is resting comfortably. First base umpire DJ Reyburn took over for Gonzalez behind the plate and will finish the game in his place.

Gonzalez is one of the longest tenured umpires currently in MLB, having been in the industry for 30 years across venues all over the world. He debuted as an MLB umpire in 2010 after spending eight years umpiring in the minor leagues, and in 2013 he was hired on a full-time basis and has been a consistent presence on the field ever since.

The hope is that with proper rest and treatment he makes a full recovery quickly and is back behind the plate in the coming days.

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The winners include Amanda Anisimova, Ann Li, Caty McNally, Emma Navarro, Sloane Stephens and Taylor Townsend, Two lost on Monday, Aug. 31. Katie Volynets lost to Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, and Ashlyn Krueger fell to Anisimova in the all-American first-round matchup. Stephens may be the biggest surprise of the day as she took out World No. 38 Clara Tauson in straight sets.

These six women join fellow Americans Jessica Pegula and Sofia Kenin in Round 2. Pegula and Kenin won their Round 1 tennis matches on Sunday, or in Kenin’s case the early hours of Monday morning.

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Gauff is still the favorite among American women

By virtue of her Cincinnati Open victory, Coco Gauff is the favorite to win the US Open among a talented group of American women, but Anisimova, a 2025 US Open finalist, should not be overlooked. The 2024 US Open finalist and 2026 Cincinnati Open finalist Jessica Pegula also has played well in the North American summer hardcourt tournaments.

Gauff last won the Cincinnati Open in 2023, weeks before winning her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open.

MORE: Taylor Fritz’s ex Morgan Riddle suprisingly attended US Open on August 30

Gauff, Jovic, Keys are seeded Americans yet to play Round 1 matches

Gauff will face Zeynep Sonmez on Tuesday night.

Jovic plays Magdalena Frech, and Keys has Czechia’s Alina Korneeva in Tuesday daytime matches.

Watch the US Open now through Sept. 13 on ESPN.

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The biggest teams and names in the country are back in action. Week 1 always has a loaded slate of games where out-of-conference opponents match up. 

The first week of the year can also play a huge role in the season as a whole. Just ask Notre Dame, who lost to Miami in Week 1 and missed out on the College Football Playoff because of it.

MORE: Stephen A. Smith defends Bill Belichick after Week 0 win

Not every game is between elite-ranked teams, but all the games will be fun to watch. The only question is which games will be the most watchable.

5. #7 Miami at Stanford

Friday, September 4th, 9:00 PM EST, ESPN

The watchability on this matchup will be one-sided, but who cares. Miami will be a powerhouse this season, and its offense may be the most electric unit in the country.

The Hurricanes return stars like WR Malachi Toney and bring in transfer talent in WR Cooper Barkate. Oh, and also one of the best transfers in the country: QB Darian Mensah. The Duke transfer is an elite dual-threat talent who will have serious NFL Draft buzz. 

MORE: Lane Kiffin will be college football’s main character this year

If there’s any case to be made for the Stanford side of this game, it’s at home. Maybe the home crowd gives Stanford an extra gear and keeps this game competitive longer than it should be. 

4. #19 SMU at Florida State

Monday, September 7th, 7:30 PM EST, ESPN

A major takeaway from Week 0 was how mediocre Florida State looked against New Mexico State. The Seminoles won 34-17, but a Power 4 program like FSU should’ve won that game by at least 20 points. 

SMU enters the season as a consensus contender in the ACC. Kevin Jennings returns as the starting QB. Realistically, SMU should beat the brakes off FSU despite the game being in Tallahassee, FL. 

This game has all the watchability because it can go one of two ways. The game can turn into a massive upset and turnaround win for FSU’s Mike Norvell. If that doesn’t happen, it’s another layer in the downfall of Florida State and raises major questions about how long Norvell keeps his head coaching job. 

3. Baylor vs Auburn

Saturday, September 5th, 3:30 PM EST, ABC

A repeat matchup of last year’s Week 1 for both teams. Auburn largely controlled the entire game in Waco last season, winning 38-24. The Tigers are completely revamped, bringing in USF head coach Alex Golesh and QB Byrum Brown.

Baylor also brought in a new thrower. Former Florida QB DJ Lagway seeks a fresh start in a new conference and begins this season where he left off in 2025, facing SEC competition. The game takes place at a neutral site, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Golesh’s offense at USF was high-powered, and he brings a ton of that personnel with him. This game has shootout written all over it. 

2. #24 Louisville vs #9 Ole Miss

Sunday, September 6th, 7:30 PM EST, ABC

Another ACC vs SEC clash. Ole Miss enters a new era under head coach Pete Golding, while retaining two of the 10 best players in the country. QB Trinidad Chambliss and RB Kewan Lacy return to the Rebels despite Kiffin leaving the program. 

Lacy and Chambliss both made All-SEC teams after the 2025 season and will be must-watch TV all year in 2026.

Meanwhile, Louisville is one of the ACC’s sleeper teams and a viable conference championship game contender. The Cardinals bring back one of the best running backs in the country, Isaac Brown.

In the last three years under head coach Jeff Brohm, Louisville has won nine games. Now is the year to take a step forward and present a true challenge to Miami in the conference, which could start with a huge upset win over an SEC powerhouse. 

1. Clemson at #11 LSU 

Saturday, September 5th, 7:30 PM EST, ABC

Was there ever any doubt? The spectacle that is Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut will be one that everyone is tuning in for. There’s no bigger villain in the sport right now than Kiffin and LSU. The attempts to add former NFL players to the Tigers have been the story of the college football preseason.

Clemson on the other hand has nothing to lose in this game specifically. Everyone thinks they’re going to lose by more than a touchdown as they head to Baton Rouge. Head coach Dabo Sweeney can become a hero by upsetting Kiffin and LSU on the road. 

It’s two historic brands at one of the best stadiums in the country, featuring the most polarizing figure in the sport. 

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Schwedes was born April 23, 1938, in Freiburg, Germany, and raised in Ulm. His father was a German Army officer who spent part of World War II as a prisoner of war. The family moved to New Jersey when Schwedes was 12.

MORE: Former LSU head coach, Cardinals safety dies at 85

Schwedes recalled taking shelter from Allied air raids and seeing the effects of the war around him in a 2020 interview. The Syracuse obituary said American soldiers had given children in his village an American football, an experience that later influenced his path into the sport.

Schwedes received only one college football offer, from Syracuse. He became a starting halfback in 1957 and played safety and quarterback. He earned All-American and Academic All-American status and claimed the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete honor in 1959.

MORE: Former Falcons, Vikings, Rams quarterback dies

Schwedes, Davis carry Syracuse to glory

As a senior in 1959, Schwedes captained Syracuse to a 10-0 regular-season record and a berth in the Cotton Bowl — where he cemented his place in school history.

In the Jan. 1, 1960 game against Texas, Schwedes threw an 87-yard touchdown pass to Ernie Davis on Syracuse’s third play from scrimmage. He later scored on a three-yard run as Syracuse won, 23-14, completing an undefeated season and securing the national championship. It remains the only NCAA football championship in Syracuse history.

MORE: Former Patriots wide receiver, college All-American, dies at 81

Schwedes finished ninth in the 1959 Heisman Trophy voting and played in the Senior Bowl. In November 1959, the newly formed Boston Patriots selected him in the first-ever American Football League draft. He was also drafted by the NFL’s Baltimore Colts, but played all 10 of his professional games in the AFL with the New York Titans (the forerunner to today’s Jets) and Patriots from 1960-61.

Schwedes later served in the U.S. Army, rising to captain. He was inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. He is survived by two sons, two brothers and five grandchildren. His son, Scott, played four seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins as a wide receiver and returner.

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