The win helped Charles Huff become the first Tigers head coach to win a road debut game.

Stokes completed 15 of 26 passes with no turnovers, while Jaylin Carter rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.

UNLV took a 14-7 halftime lead behind Jackson Arnold, who threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Tavian McNair and added a 6-yard touchdown run. The Rebels had won their previous 11 games when leading at the break, with their last loss coming against Syracuse on Oct. 4, 2024.

Stokes tied the game early in the third quarter with a 48-yard touchdown pass to Stonka Burnside, but Arnold answered with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Kayden McGee. Carter then scored on a 36-yard run to make it 21-all.

Philippe Laforge kicked field goals of 32 and 36 yards to put Memphis ahead 27-21.

UNLV reached the Memphis 18 midway through the fourth quarter, but the Tigers sacked Arnold on fourth-and-7 with 6:08 remaining for a turnover on downs and continued to apply pressure down the stretch to seal the win. The Tigers finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

Arnold threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns.

___

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PALO ALTO, CA ― Stanford Cardinal football got its first victory of the season, and subsequently the first collegiate win for newly hired head coach Tavita Pritchard.

There were 23,222 fans in attendance for Stanford's season-opener between students, alumni, family and friends that saw the Cardinal defeat the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors, 37-27, at Stanford Stadium on Aug. 29.

Pritchard was first hired in Nov. 2025. It was a long-anticipated season opener, and the Cardinal were able to finally put to the test all the work that they've put in.

The Cardinal went ahead 23-7 going into the fourth quarter but the Rainbow Warriors stuck around and scored three unanswered touchdowns to give scare to Stanford, taking a 27-23 lead. The Cardinal didn't sulk in their letdowns. They kept fighting until the clock hit zeros and the game was won. Pritchard said he was "really excited" for the team to get the win underway.

"First and foremost, really proud of our guys. I'm proud of the way that they finished," Pritchard told reporters in a postgame conference. "It's been a theme throughout our entire kind of early goings together through the offseason in the spring up until training camp, and it's how we finished, and we finished tonight.

"... For the defense and the way that they finished, again, we faced some adversity. That's a tough team, and hats off to Hawaii in the way that they battled back and took the lead there. But just, again, proud of the way that our guys finished."

Roma’s midfield situation has been finalized.

Neil El Aynaoui is leaving the Giallorossi for Leipzig: the deal has just been finalized, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The midfielder will move to Germany on a €4 million loan deal, with a €25 million option to buy.

The agreement between Roma and Leipzig also includes a percentage of the player’s future resale value.

With El Aynaoui’s departure finalized, Roma has already closed the deal for incoming players.

Marten de Roon will arrive at Trigoria, with an agreement now reached with Atalanta. El Aynaoui out, de Roon in. Roma is thus reshaping their midfield in the closing stages of the transfer window, with Gasperini ready to welcome back the Atalanta captain.

Marten de Roon will be a new Roma player.

The surprise signing for the Giallorossi midfield has been completed: the deal with Atalanta is complete, and the Dutchman is expected in the capital on Sunday.

Fabrizio Romano reported this.

Although several names for the midfield had been circulating in recent hours, Roma worked on de Roon until reaching a full agreement with Atalanta.

The Nerazzurri captain had expressed his desire to leave Bergamo for the capital and return to work with Gian Piero Gasperini.

Additionally, Filippo Biafora reports that De Roon will land at Fiumicino Airport today at 12.10 before undergoing his club medical

Jean-Matteo Bahoya is expected to leave Eintracht Frankfurt for Hull City before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

According to the BBC, the two clubs have reached an agreement for the 21-year-old French attacker.

Bahoya is understood to be keen on the move and has been given permission to travel to England for a medical.

The Frenchman joined Eintracht from SCO Angers for a reported €8 million fee in January 2024.

Since then, he has made 78 appearances for Die Adler across all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists.

Moses Itauma was still a schoolboy when he would turn up at boxing gyms in his uniform and give seasoned professionals a hiding.

On Saturday night at the O2 Arena, the 21-year-old was finally given an education, as the Briton ran out of gas and the granite experience of Filip Hrgovic carried the Croatian to the vacant IBF heavyweight title.

The referee waved off the fight as Itauma's corner threw in the towel in the ninth round. But for long spells, Itauma was the quicker, sharper and more assured fighter, repeatedly finding Hrgovic with the left hand and showing exactly why so many inside boxing believe he has the tools to reach the very top.

Yet what made the contest so compelling was the growing sense that, even while Itauma was winning rounds, he was drifting closer to defeat.

• 'Unbelievable' - Stephenson, Bellew & others react to Hrgovic's stoppage of Itauma
• Wardley-Dubois rematch set for 17 October in London

His mouth opened in search of air and the spring disappeared from his legs. Hrgovic, hardened by the kind of difficult nights Itauma had never experienced, simply stayed there and waited for the younger man's body to betray him.

The sight afterwards was a sobering one as Itauma - who suffered a first defeat in his 15th pro fight - left the arena on a stretcher.

But the remarkable night should not be remembered as the moment Itauma was exposed as incapable of operating at world level - his boxing showed the opposite.

What it exposed was the difference between possessing world-level talent and having the conditioning, experience and ring craft required to manage a 12-round world-title fight.

Where did it go wrong?

It would be too simplistic - and unfair - to say Hrgovic won the fight purely through mind games, but the 34-year-old had succeeded in making the build-up uncomfortable.

Hrgovic spent fight week repeatedly attacking Itauma's age, dismissing him as "just a kid". As the week wore on, Itauma looked increasingly irritated and eventually lost his composure at the weigh-in, shoving Hrgovic before the Croatian responded with a slap.

Itauma prides himself on being unusually cerebral for a heavyweight. He reads psychology and self-help books, talks openly about sharpening his mind and appears to spend far more time analysing himself than most 21-year-olds.

But there is always a danger that deep thinking becomes overthinking, something Anthony Joshua has been accused of repeatedly during the latter stages of his career.

Whether the pre-fight barbs played any part or not, Itauma's gameplan once the bell rang was clear; he wanted to end the night early.

"Someone said to me he doesn't feel like he'd win a world title unless he knocks him out. I didn't like that," promoter Frank Warren said afterwards.

That mindset was understandable because it had served Itauma extraordinarily well until now. But perhaps Hrgovic had been underestimated by almost everybody - Itauma, the media, pundits, former fighters and bookmakers who installed the Briton as a heavy favourite.

Hrgovic is an Olympic bronze medallist who went 12 hard rounds with the giant Zhilei Zhang, while against Daniel Dubois - the only defeat on his record - he was leading on two of the three scorecards before the fight was stopped because of cuts.

'El Animal' knew what it felt like to be hurt, to become tired and to remain in a fight when things were going badly. Itauma did not.

The eighth round summed up both Itauma's extraordinary talent and his lack of experience. He threw more punches than in any other round of the fight, pouring what remained of his energy into trying to remove a man who had already demonstrated that he was exceptionally difficult to remove.

"He was throwing too much. He was fighting like an amateur," Hrgovic said afterwards. "I knew I needed to endure it. I need to stay there. He will get tired and I'll get him in the later rounds."

There are questions about the Chatham fighter's preparation, too. Itauma - who had never gone beyond six rounds professionally - admitted before the fight that he had never even sparred 12 rounds.

His conditioning was clearly not where it needed to be for a championship fight and responsibility for that cannot rest solely with the fighter - it also falls on the experienced team entrusted with preparing him.

Educated, not exposed - will Itauma learn his lesson?

Itauma showed that many of the qualities which looked spectacular against lesser opposition still worked against a genuine world-level heavyweight.

He proved he can take a punch - there was no single blow that suddenly revealed a fragile chin. His hand speed troubled Hrgovic and he made the Zagreb fighter look slow.

So with those positives in mind, where does he go from here?

"Don't give up. Don't lose confidence. Get a few easy fights, easy wins. Build again and learn off these mistakes. You can't box like an amateur. It's a 12-round fight, you need to pace yourself," was Hrgovic's advice.

Warren remains convinced that Itauma is one of the most exceptional talents he has encountered, pointing towards two-time world champion Dubois as a prime example of a heavyweight who rebuilt successfully after painful setbacks.

But British boxing has seen the other side of that story too, of course - where fighters like David Price were once regarded as the country's next great heavyweight hope before successive defeats damaged an aura they never fully recovered.

Audiences will now scrutinise Itauma's every move, his breathing and how he paces a fight. That vulnerability may actually make him a more compelling fighter to follow.

The aura of untouchable perfection is gone. The schoolboy has been taught a lesson and now we will find out what he learns from it.

• Cameron beats Mayer to become unified light-middleweight champion
• Dubois beats Moore to keep Baumgardner in picture
• Boxing schedule and results 2026
• Watch every Born to Brawl episode

More boxing from the BBC

• Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

When Stella Orrin was told she had made her first senior matchday squad, there were so many tears that Wales head coach Sean Lynn had to call her back just to make sure she got the message.

There was a similar outburst of emotion when Orrin stood for the national anthem ahead of making her debut off the bench in Wales' victory over the Barbarians in June.

"It's the best day of my life so far," said the 20-year-old prop.

"I'm so proud. I've been working towards putting that jersey on for such a long time and it really means a lot to me.

"I remember when Lynny told me. Before the team is announced he has a one-to-one with you. I thought it was going to be bad news... I was just so emotional that I couldn't take anything in. I just burst into tears."

• Neumann back in Wales' extended WXV training squad
• Could study into head injuries change women's rugby?

'My time will come'

The only thing that could have topped Orrin's Twickenham outing was if it had been a capped Test match, but that is something the young tight-head could achieve this autumn when Wales take on South Africa, USA and Japan in the WXV Global Series.

While Orrin admits she would burst with pride at the prospect, the former Wales Under-18s and Under-21s prop is biding her time.

"I really trust the coaches and the girls that are around me, my time will come," she said.

"I'm in no rush to get there, but if I could it would be great.

"I'm so proud to be Welsh. It's the country that welcomed my mother from France, it's the country that I get to tell all my friends about when I go to university in Bristol."

Dad was 'no good' as a player, but 'my idol'

Like most internationals, Orrin has her family to thank for their support, with her rugby-playing dad the reason she started playing the game aged 13.

"He was no good," Orrin says in fits of laughter. "I say no good, he just played social rugby in the valleys.

"I started playing the cello and rugby because I really wanted to be like him. He's my idol.

"My parents come to every game and my dad buys tickets for all of our fixtures before I've even been picked.

"For all the Six Nations games when I was travelling reserve, all my family came. They were still so proud that I was running my tempos on the side."

Starstruck in camp

Orrin is currently being put through her paces during pre-season with Wales, before Lynn narrows his WXV training squad down ahead of their openenr against South Africa on 18 September.

It is Orrin's second year training with the senior squad and credits players such as Donna Rose and Gwen Crabb in helping her step up from age-grade rugby.

"All the girls have to be fair. It's quite surreal, especially last year when I came in for my first time," said Orrin.

"These are people that you see on the telly and you're all like 'ooh it's Jaz Joyce and Lisa Neumann'.

"But then you come in and you find out that they're not just great players, they're really incredible people."

Indiana Fever bench player Sophie Cunningham has become the second-most-followed WNBA star on Instagram, overtaking teammate Caitlin Clark.

The boom in WNBA attendance and viewership since 2024 is often called the ‘Caitlin Clark effect,’ but it seems Clark’s popularity might soon fall by the wayside compared to her role-playing teammate.

Cunningham has gained over a million followers since taking a stance against trans athletes in the WNBA in late July, with the last month seeing her become one of the most famous athletes in the U.S.

Sophie Cunningham’s 4.1 million followers leave Caitlin Clark in the dust

Cunningham has 4.1 million followers on Instagram as of 6 A.M. (BST) on August 30, while Clark trails at 4 million followers.

Both are behind Angel Reese, who currently has 5.2 million followers, but Cunningham’s recent surge in popularity might threaten Reese’s position as well.

Cunningham has always been popular for a WNBA role player, but her popularity has increased considerably after a political movement emerged around her comments against trans athletes in the WNBA.

There have been pro-and-anti-Cunningham rallies and demonstrations at Fever games for the last month, with a lot of media attention on the league to do something about trans athletes after Cunningham’s comments from July spread like wildfire.

What did Sophie Cunningham say before her popularity exploded?

Cunningham spoke to ESPN in July 2026 and made her stance on trans athletes clear.

“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’ I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

While this led to a lot of external support, most WNBA players seemed upset with the comments and the negative attention, with no player coming out and endorsing her opinion.

Even Clark refused to weigh in on this matter politically, as Cunningham was eventually forced to say that she would focus on basketball while making constant references to the ongoing situation.

Cunningham’s open support against trans inclusion in sports has attracted a much bigger fanbase that does not concern itself with on-court performances, which is the opposite of how Clark amassed her followers.

With Clark averaging 22.5 points and 8.4 assists and leading the Fever, while Cunningham is averaging 8.3 points, it’s safe to say that social media followers don’t reflect the talent of the player.

Read more:

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had his MLS-leading 11th shutout this season for the Los Angeles Football Club in a scoreless tie with D.C. United on Saturday night at Audi Field in Washington D.C. 

Lloris finished with three saves, including a diving save to stop a low shot by D.C.'s Louis Munteanu near the top of the penalty arc in the 63rd minute to give LAFC (10-6-7, 36 pts.) one point on the road. LAFC now sits third in the Western Conference. D.C. United (5-10-7, 25 pts.) sits 11th in Eastern Conference standings. 

It was a scoreless first half thanks to Lloris. In the 36th minute, Son Heung-min created the team’s first chance on goal when he threaded Denis Bouanga through on goal, but D.C. goalkeeper Sean Johnson stopped the shot from a sharp angle. In the 49th minute, Lloris performed a one-handed reaction save of a first-time shot in the area from Jackson Hopkins. Jeremy Ebobisse tried to capitalize with a shot off an LAFC transiton seconds later but the shot sailed over the crossbar.

Los Angeles had another potential goal chance following a 61st-minute LAFC corner kick. Son sent a shot looked straight to center of the net before being headed away by DCU's Andre Dozzell. 

Lloris came up big again in the 63rd minute when DCU forward Louis Munteanu received a giveaway atop LAFC's area and drove a low shot that the diving Frenchman batted wide with his right hand.

Son almost netted the winning goal five minutes from time. The South Korean national played Yevhen Cheberko into space on the left wing and then connected his return pass, but Son's shot was blocked inside the six-yard box. 

Los Angeles retained 61% possession and recorded 17 shots with only one on target. 

Nathan Ordaz reunion

Saturday was the first match that young star Nathan Ordaz played in against his former club. Ordaz joined Washington  as a U-22 Initative player in July in a Cash for Player Trade from LAFC for $2.375 million with a the clause that could send up to an additional $500,000 to LAFC if Ordaz meets certain performance incentives. LAFC may also retain a sell-on percentage of any future transfer or trade.

"Nathan is an exciting talent who has shown a natural ability to score goals and provide assists,” said Dr. Erkut Sogut, D.C. United Managing Director of Soccer Operations in a press release at the time.  “He works relentlessly on both sides of the ball, and he provides us flexibility as he can play as both striker and winger. We are excited for Nathan to join our family in the second half of our season as we continue to re-shape our roster and build a winning culture.”

Ordaz signed a Homegrown contract in 2022 as a product of the LAFC academy and scored two goals and recording one assist across 501 minutes played this season and one goal during 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup play.

LAFC were without six players for the night including star midfielder Timothy Tillman (leg), keeper Thomas Hasal (arm),  Igor Jesus (leg), David Martínez (leg), Sergi Palencia (leg) and Jacob Shaffelburg (leg). 

LAFC has played the most matches of any MLS club in 2026, and has scored one goal in four regular-season matches since Leagues Cup ended on August 12.  LAFC is now 2-0-2 against D.C. United in MLS regular-season play. Saturday's clean sheet was LAFC’s league-leading 12th of the season, which is three more than the next closest clubs, Nashville and Houston, who both have nine.

The Black-and-Gold returns to action on Saturday, September 5, when the club visits Real Salt Lake in Sandy, Utah. That match is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on Apple TV. 

Unopposed again! How Arun Dhumal is set to retain IPL chairmanship as BCCI notifies governing council elections originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• BCCI has started the election process for two IPL Governing Council seats ahead of the September 18 AGM, with voting decided by the general body.
• Arun Singh Dhumal and Khairul Jamal Majumdar, the current elected members, are widely tipped to be returned unopposed for another one-year term.
• Nominations, objections and the final electoral roll will all be sorted between August 25 and September 12, with polling only if a contest actually emerges.

Arun Dhumal set to retain IPL Governing Council chair as BCCI kicks off election process for AGM

Arun Singh Dhumal looks all set to keep his seat as IPL chairman, with the BCCI now setting the wheels in motion for elections to two Governing Council posts before its Annual General Meeting on September 18.

Dhumal, who comes in from Himachal Pradesh, currently shares the elected slots on the council with Mizoram's Khairul Jamal Majumdar, and neither man is expected to face any real opposition when the votes are eventually counted, if they're counted at all.

BCCI Electoral Officer AK Joti has put out the formal notification under Rule 28 of the board's constitution, kicking off a process that might feel a bit repetitive given both men already hold these posts.

MORE: MS Dhoni IPL retirement: Ex-India captain likely to serve CSK as coach or mentor in Indian Premier League 2027

Why is Arun Dhumal seeking re-election as IPL Chairman?

The rules cap an elected Governing Council member's term at just one year. So Dhumal and Majumdar have to go back through the whole exercise even though nobody's really expecting a shake-up.

The roll-out of this process actually started on August 25, when BCCI's Full Members were asked to put forward their nominees for the AGM. State units have been given until August 31 to get those nominations in.

Whatever objections come in after that will be looked into before the final electoral roll gets published on September 8. From there, candidates for the two council seats need to file their papers on either September 9 or 10, and once scrutiny is done, the final candidate list drops on September 12. Should it actually come to a vote, that'll happen at the AGM itself on September 18.

MORE: ‘MI made him retire’: Fans demand Pollard’s IPL return after CPL blitz

Why is Arun Dhumal tipped for unopposed return to IPL Chairmanship?

According to Cricbuzz, Dhumal and Majumdar are both strongly favoured to sail through unopposed, meaning Dhumal stays put at the top of the IPL's decision-making body for another year.

The council itself runs seven members deep, four from the BCCI general body (the two elected seats plus secretary Devajit Saikia and treasurer Raghuram Bhat), and three more filling out the rest: the BCCI's chief executive, someone from the Indian Cricketers' Association, and a nominee sent by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

For now, all eyes are on August 31, when state associations must lock in their AGM nominations, which will set the stage for a fortnight of procedural steps that most in Indian cricket circles expect to end exactly where it started, with Dhumal still in charge.

For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages.

By Ben Wright

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Twenty-two games into the 2026 season, Nashville SC aren't just leading the Supporters' Shield race. They're setting a pace MLS has never seen before.

Saturday's 4-0 rout of FC Cincinnati pushed the Coyotes to 52 points, the most any team in league history has collected at this stage, while keeping them on pace to challenge Inter Miami CF's single-season points record.

Chasing history

With 12 matches left in the regular season, Nashville's 2.36 points per game puts them on pace for roughly 80 points, surpassing Inter Miami's 2024 record of 74 points. Despite their torrid pace, though, head coach BJ Callaghan isn't ready to put a number on what success looks like.

"If I answer that question, that means I put limitations on our team," Callaghan said when asked about Nashville's ceiling. "We're about turning the page every single day, getting better in areas that we need to. And when I say getting better, the things that we're really good at, we wanna be elite at."

Driving Nashville's historic run is one of the league's most productive attacking trios: Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge, and Cristian Espinoza.

Mukhtar and Surridge each found the back of the net against Cincinnati, while Espinoza logged his league-leading 11th assist. In all competitions in 2026, they've combined for 53 goal contributions.

"When we talk about roles and responsibilities and what these guys are supposed to do on the field, part of their job description is to create goal-scoring chances, score goals, set up goals," said Callaghan. "They're given that opportunity to do that because they've got guys behind them that are also doing their job.

"And I think that's when you see their success at doing what they're asked to do, because other guys are also doing it, and that's that collectiveness that we're constantly searching for."

Do it for Dolly

Before the match, Nashville SC honored Tennessee legend Dolly Parton. The country music icon and philanthropist died Tuesday at age 80, prompting an outpouring of tributes in Tennessee and around the world.

The tribute carried added resonance on Nashville's Kids Night, given Parton's decades-long commitment to children's literacy through her Imagination Library. 

"She's an iconic Nashvillian and Tennessean... We're fortunate because people know who Nashville is because Dolly Parton brought Nashville to the world, and put that on the map a little bit," said Callaghan. "You combine it also with Kids Night, and if we can take what Dolly Parton's values were, which are values of this city, and give them to that younger generation that was here tonight – kindness, fairness, positivity, but also doing it with a sense of humor and fun – I think that's a great night, a win for Nashville.

"If a younger kids' group could do five percent of the impact that she had in the world, the world will be a better place for the next generation."

HIGHLIGHTS: Nashville SC vs. FC Cincinnati | August 29, 2026

It was going to be a big ask for Ryan Preece to make up 31 points on Shane van Gisbergen, especially since SVG won Stage 1 while Preece was sliding through the infield grass.

However, Preece fought back through the field and won the race -- his first victory in 249 career NASCAR Cup starts. The 'win and you're in' format may be gone, but the amount of points on offer for race wins was more than enough for Preece to bump Van Gisbergen from the 16th and final spot in the Chase.

"I knew if I go and win, I'm pretty confident we're going to make it in," said Preece about the back-and-forth battle with SVG. "That 20 points is a big deal. As a race car driver, Shane did everything right tonight. He's a hell of a race car driver. He's a hell of a road course racer, but he's a hell of a race car driver.

"He (SVG) knew that I had my knee on the throat or my thumb on the pressure point, and he answered that in stage one. When he threw that right hook, metaphorically, in a metaphor, I felt like I answered that back in stage two, so...

"I'm proud of the racer I am. I'm proud of competing against him. The bar he sets on road courses, because he's a true talent that we're lucky to have here in the United States, but I'm happy New England beat New Zealand today (smiling)."

Van Gisbergen reacted to the elimination with a few words on pit road, where he also offered congratulations to the No. 60 team.

Ryan Preece didn't hear no bell; breaks through at Daytona

Shane van Gisbergen reacts to missing the Chase, despite first stage win on an oval

Ryan Preece earns huge win in Daytona thriller, eliminating Shane van Gisbergen from the Chase

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Manchester City have plenty of work to do before the summer transfer window closes at 23:00 BST on Tuesday 1 September. There are obvious areas of Enzo Maresca’s squad that need bolstering. City need at least another midfielder and another option in attack. If they can fill those two needs in their squad, Enzo Maresca will have the options in his squad he needs to prosper. In terms of the attacker that Manchester City will look to sign, it seems that Liverpool’s versatile forward Cody Gakpo is City’s top target. In fact, it looks like City’s bid to sign the Dutch international is accelerating quickly.

Cody Gakpo wants a move to Manchester City as City begin talks with Liverpool to sign the Dutch international.

David Ornstein has reported for The Athletic that Cody Gakpo is seeking a move to Manchester City. The Dutch international has decided to reject Tottenham’s advances to sign him. Furthermore, Ornstein reports that talks between Manchester City and Liverpool have begun as City bid to bolster their attacking options.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that City are set to offer Liverpool a package worth £85 million to sign Cody Gakpo. Gakpo has agreed personal terms with City and his potential move to the Etihad is dependent on Liverpool signing a replacement for him before the transfer window closes.

Cody Gakpo would bring experience and versatility to Manchester City’s attack and he would help lift the ceiling of Enzo Maresca’s squad.

Initially, it didn’t seem like a City move for Cody Gakpo would be feasible. Liverpool’s asking price for the Dutch international seemed to be too high and it didn’t seem likely that City would look to pay such high demands. However, the situation is the opposite of that and Manchester City look to be pressing ahead with a move to sign Cody Gakpo. The £85 million reported price tag shows how much the price of wingers has risen given the lack of proven options that are out there. However, to fill a glaring void in Enzo Maresca’s squad, it is one that City will have to pay.

In terms of what Cody Gakpo would bring to the City squad, it does seem clear. Gakpo is a versatile player who can play across the front line. He can play on either wing or up front if needed. That versatility would appeal to Enzo Maresca. Gakpo is also a proven Premier League performer. Across his time at Liverpool, he has made 182 appearances, scoring 51 goals and has contributed 24 assists. Manchester City do need another proven attacking option and Gakpo would definitely be that.

Also, Cody Gakpo is an experienced player and City do need that in their squad. The Dutch international was a key member of Liverpool’s 2024-25 Premier League-winning squad and that experience would bolster Enzo Maresca’s squad.

Also, Gakpo would raise the ceiling so to speak of the City squad. He would provide quality competition for Manchester City’s wingers, meaning that players will have to perform to keep their place in the starting lineup. That is the ideal scenario for this City side as competition for places being fierce can only raise the standard at City.

Final thoughts.

Manchester City have made their move to sign Cody Gakpo from Liverpool. The Dutch international is the player City want to bolster their attack after Omar Marmoush departed the club. Gakpo would definitely do that, so it will be interesting to see if City can complete a move to sign the 27-year-old before the transfer window closes.

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy has revealed centre-back Dylan Lawlor is unlikely to be available for Wales' Nations League matches in Portugal and Denmark next month.

Craig Bellamy's side go to Lisbon on Thursday, 24 September before playing in Copenhagen three days later.

However, it appears 20-year-old Lawlor will not be fit, having not played since being injured when last on international duty in June.

"Dylan injured his knee in the game against Ghana so he's not close to returning yet," said Barry-Murphy, following Cardiff's 2-2 draw with Sheffield United on Saturday.

He also stopped short of putting a timescale on the highly-rated youngster's availability.

"He's starting to make good progress now and he's back doing some jogging, but he's nowhere close to returning for us yet so it's impossible to say when [he'll be back]," added Barry-Murphy.

Earlier this year Lawlor, who has won six caps for Wales, was sidelined for a month after picking up a medial ligament knee injury in early January.

He returned in time to start Wales' World Cup play-off semi-final defeat against Bosnia-Herzegovina, with Bellamy praising him post-match for an "outstanding" performance.

• Barry-Murphy optimistic over more Cardiff signings

• The summer that changed Welsh football

As we head into the final month of the season, this year’s past frustrations are just that, past. For all their flaws in construction and execution, the Orioles now have the chance to seize control of their playoff destiny, stack some wins, and grab the third and final Wild Card spot for good. Today, they got two pieces of good news: Cleveland, the team currently holding onto that last spot, just lost, 8-3, to the lowly Royals. The other piece of good news: the Birds just won the series against the Athletics with a hard-fought win in Game Two.

Very little about today’s 5-3 win was easy. It was one of those games where the Orioles scored a few runs early, then had to hang on for dear life while the starter got tired and the bullpen got weird. The O’s posted four runs in the first six innings before Shane Baz, nearly unhittable for five, flagged, walking three batters, giving up two singles, and hitting a guy, all in a dreadful sixth inning. After him, several relievers struggled: Alex Hoppe, Rico Garcia, Cam Sanders, even closer by default by default Andrew Kittredge. But they just held on. And while the offense has been frustratingly touch-and-go all season, Orioles hitters did just enough tonight.

Athletics starter Jack Perkins doesn’t have a ton of experience as a starting pitcher, but he has an interesting arsenal featuring a great changeup and a slider. Perkins started off strong: he pitched a 1-2-3 first inning and faced the minimum in the second, as Christian Encarnacion-Strand walked and Samuel Basallo hit into a double play.

But the Birds opened the scoring in the third, when Perkins walked leadoff man Coby Mayo on four pitches, then fired wildly over to first—he thought Mayo was going to steal?—and the ball got away. Mayo hustled to second, narrowly avoiding being thrown out. A Colton Cowser deep fly moved Mayo to third, setting up Leody Taveras for an RBI situation. Taveras delivered: he cranked a high changeup to center for a ground-rule double. 1-0 Orioles.

After wasting a two-on, no-outs situation in the fourth, the Birds dispensed with the small ball in the fifth, as Cowser took Perkins yard to deep center. 2-0, O’s.

As for Shane Baz, who is leading all pitchers with 14 losses, you wouldn’t know he’s been the O’s’ bad luck charm from how nasty he came out of the gate tonight. His stuff darted all over the place in a nine-pitch first inning. Excellent team defense all night didn’t hurt his chances, either. Still in the first, Baz benefited from CES looked like he was moving at 2x speed in order to ring up Henry Bolte, the fastest guy in MLB by foot speed, on a grounder to third. And in the second, Gunnar Henderson turned in a play that had everyone on the diamond smiling, ranging to his backhand, way behind the basepaths, to field and throw out Tommy White.

In the middle innings, Baz got two timely double plays, the first erasing a Jonah Heim single in the third, the second allowing him to face the minimum in the fourth. He also pitched a three-up, three-down fifth.

The sixth inning ended Baz’s scoreless run and saw both teams put up tons of traffic on the basepaths. First, Jack Perkins exited and José Suárez, an erstwhile starter for the Angels, allowed a three-hit, two-run Baltimore rally with two outs. Dylan Beavers and Coby Mayo (both hot at the plate lately) singled, and Taveras doubled, plating his second and third RBIs of the night. 4-0, Birds.

It felt like a roomy lead, given how unhittable Baz was looking, but the righty ran out of gas quickly, throwing a dreadful sixth inning where he walked three batters, gave up two singles, hit a guy, and loaded the bases with Athletics twice. Considering all that, for Baz to leave with a line of 5 2/3 innings, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB and, most importantly, a potential W, seemed pretty fortunate.

Yet holding onto a 4-2 lead proved trickier than you might expect—although if you’ve watched this team at all this year, you know that bullpen meltdowns are none too rare. Reliever Alex Hoppe came in with two outs in the sixth and the bases full of Athletics, then threw three straight balls before getting another highlight-reel play from CES to keep the score intact. For a guy in there for his bat, Encarnacion-Strand is playing fantastic defense right now at the hot corner.

More bullpen shenanigans followed, but none proved fatal. Rico Garcia loaded the bases in the seventh, and it took Yennier Cano getting two vintage strikeouts to get out of it. Cam Sanders allowed a third Athletics run in the eighth, and the breathing room was shrinking.

Help came late in the form of Colton Cowser, who manufactured a fifth run with what was as close to a Little League homer as you get, other than the real thing. Cowser scorched a ball 104 mph at Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof. The ball squirted by, and right fielder Lawrence Butler made a terrible throw to first. The ball sailed past the infielder, then stopped at the feet of catcher Jonah Heim, who accidentally kicked it into the dugout. As the hijinks unfolded, Cowser was rounding the bases. He stopped on third, but not for long: a wild pitch by pitcher Elvis Alvarado, facing Leody Taveras, allowed Cowser to scamper home.

A 5-3 Orioles lead felt a lot better, entering the ninth, and Andrew Kittredge was just up to the task. The righty allowed two singles, but got a well-timed grounder to third. CES—who else?—was there to fire to first and close this thing out.

If you’re into such things, check out the latest Wild Card standings, in which your Orioles have moved back ahead of the Blue Rays and the Rangers and now sit just one game back of the third spot.

So, Camden Chat, who is your Most Birdland Player of the night? Shane Baz, who broke the losing streak and got his first win since June 12? The notorious CES, who pounded the ball all night, is hitting .357 in his last week, and made three highlight reel plays? Leody Taveras, who quietly drove in three of the team’s five runs and stood at the plate for the wild pitch that plated the fifth? Colton Cowser, still flashing the power and in the mix for most of his team’s scoring, too?

The Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Guardians 8-3 on Saturday at Progressive Field, and the pitcher who put them in position to win says more about this season than the score does.

Anthony Gose entered in the fourth inning with a runner on and got the last two outs, then worked a clean fifth before handing the ball to Craig Kimbrel.

Kansas City broke it open with four runs the next inning, and since Gose was still the pitcher of record when that happened, the win went to him.

Gose is 36, and this is not his first trip through the majors.

He broke in as an outfielder with Toronto in 2012 and played for the Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers over five seasons, hitting .240 with 12 home runs in that stretch.

When the hitting did not stick, he gave up his bat after 2016 and turned to pitching, a switch that sent him through the minor league systems of the Rangers, Diamondbacks and Mets.

Five years later, in 2021, the Guardians finally called him to the majors as a reliever.

Cleveland kept him around through 2024, minus a year lost to Tommy John surgery, before a stretch in the Mexican League led to a minor league deal with Kansas City in April.

He spent the summer in Omaha before the Royals selected his contract Thursday, giving a bullpen that had already dealt with plenty of injuries another arm.

The Win That Took Four Years

Gose made his Royals debut two days earlier in Toronto, working a scoreless inning without a decision. Saturday was different.

He faced five Guardians hitters and retired every one, and it was his first win since June 17, 2022, while he was still pitching for Cleveland.

His catcher that day, Luke Maile, tried to put the whole journey into words afterward. "Unparalleled," Maile said. "You can't say enough about what he's gone through and his career path."

There is something fitting about Cleveland being on the other side of Saturday's win too.

The Guardians believed in Gose enough to bring him back in 2021, and they are also the team he left for the Mexican League once that run ended.

Maile is his teammate again now, catching for Kansas City in the same game Gose finally won another one.

What It Means Going Forward

None of this changes where the Royals sit with a month left, but it says something about how the front office is using this stretch.

Kansas City already has one of the better relief arms in baseball in Matt Strahm, and every look a pitcher like Gose gets now is also a look at next year's bullpen.

He has 41 strikeouts across his relief career, real swing-and-miss stuff for a left-hander this deep into an unusual journey.

Michael Massey remains out with a concussion, and the Royals close this series Sunday before a short trip home to host Miami.

For a team without much left to play for, a story like this one is worth paying attention to, a reminder that not every good moment in a long season has to come from a top prospect.

Josh Rojas came off the bench to pinch hit in the sixth inning Saturday with the bases loaded and one out, and it turned into one of the best swings of his season.

He lined a single into left field that scored two runs, and two innings later he hit a two-run homer to right field.

The Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Guardians 8-3 at Progressive Field, their second straight win over Cleveland.

Cleveland scored first when Angel Martínez hit a two-run homer in the second inning.

The Royals answered in the fifth when Isaac Collins doubled in two runs to tie it at two, but everything changed in the sixth.

Kansas City sent ten batters to the plate, starting with a leadoff single from Bobby Witt Jr. and an RBI double from Salvador Perez that put the Royals ahead for good.

The rally kept rolling until Rojas capped it with his two-run single, making it 6-2, and his eighth-inning homer pushed the margin to 8-2 before Cleveland scored a run in the ninth.

Kansas City Keeps Finding Bench Depth

The Royals recalled Rojas from Omaha on Thursday, the corresponding move when Michael Massey landed on the injured list with a concussion, and all he has done since is deliver in big spots.

According to the Associated Press, Saturday was just the second four-RBI game of Rojas's career, with the only other one coming with Arizona back in 2022.

He came into the day hitting .229 with one home run in 31 games, so a four-RBI, two-hit night was not something anyone saw coming.

"This is baseball," Rojas said after the game, and after a night like that, it is hard to argue.

The bullpen made sure the lead held up.

Anthony Gose, who Kansas City selected from Omaha earlier this week, worked 1.2 scoreless innings and earned his first big league win since 2022.

He entered with a runner in scoring position and the Royals still trailing, and the pitching staff did not allow another hit until the ninth inning.

Gose had thrown just one scoreless inning before Saturday, and turning that into a win is exactly what Kansas City needs with a month left.

It has been that sort of season for this roster, from Bobby Witt Jr.'s All-Star season to a bench that keeps producing.

A Chance to Sweep Cleveland

Sunday's series finale at Progressive Field gives the Royals a shot at a sweep, something that looked unlikely a month ago.

Kansas City is off Monday before returning home to host the Miami Marlins on Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals have won nine of their last 10 games, and it is easy to forget how far some of these players have come.

Vinnie Pasquantino was still hunting for his swing back in May, and Saturday's group looks nothing like the one that started the season.

None of it erases the deep hole this team dug for itself, but it is a lot more fun to watch than the baseball Kansas City was playing a few months ago.

Cincinnati came into Saturday hoping to keep the good feeling going after a wild comeback win the night before, but the Cubs had other ideas at Wrigley Field.

Pete Crow-Armstrong hit three home runs and Chicago's lineup piled up six as a team, turning what was a tight game early into a 17-5 rout.

Sal Stewart and Eugenio Suárez both went deep for the Reds, but neither swing did much to slow down a game that got away from Cincinnati in a hurry.

Cubs Pull Away Early And Late

Chicago grabbed the lead in the first inning on a Crow-Armstrong solo shot and a two-run Alex Bregman homer, and the Reds answered right back.

Suárez hit a two-run homer in the second, and Stewart followed with a two-run shot of his own in the third that pulled Cincinnati within two runs.

That was the closest it got.

Crow-Armstrong hit two more home runs, Carson Kelly added one, and Seiya Suzuki capped it with a two-run blast in the eighth.

Chicago scored four runs in the seventh inning alone.

Cincinnati even turned to catcher Jose Trevino to pitch the eighth, always a sign of how far a game has slipped away, and he allowed three runs before it was over.

Andrew Abbott took the loss after allowing seven runs in three innings, while Kevin Gausman picked up the win for Chicago despite allowing five runs over five innings.

Stewart And Suárez

Stewart's blast in the third was his 30th home run of the season.

He came into the day with 29 home runs and a .263 average, and hitting one more only added to a season that already has him among the most talked about players in Cincinnati.

He'd already passed 100 RBI as a rookie this season, a feat no first-year player had managed since 2019, and Saturday's homer only built on all of it.

Suárez has had a much rougher year at the plate.

He came into the day hitting just .205 this season, but his second-inning homer showed he still has some thunder left when he connects.

It wasn't enough to change much. Stewart also went deep in a loss to the Giants earlier this week, and Saturday looked a lot like that game, just with a much bigger final score.

What Comes Next For Cincinnati

Games like this are part of why Cincinnati sits ninth in the National League wild card race, eight and a half games out with roughly a month left to play.

The math is not realistic anymore, and a loss this lopsided is a blunt reminder of how far the roster still has to go.

A night like this is nothing new for manager Terry Francona this season, and he has been straightforward about it before.

Cincinnati also placed Ke'Bryan Hayes on the injured list this week with a groin strain and called up Edwin Arroyo.

The Reds get a chance to salvage the series Sunday night in the finale at Wrigley Field, before heading home to open a three-game set against San Diego on Monday.

Nights like Saturday sting, but they also make it easier to see which players are worth building around once the offseason questions start.

Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate made an immediate impression when he first took the field during OTAs and continued to build on that momentum throughout minicamp.

He also displayed plenty of promise early in training camp, but his preseason performances have failed to produce the kind of statistical start the Titans and their fans were hoping for.

Carnell Tate’s Brutal Preseason Stat Line Has Titans Fans Seriously Worried

Tate entered the Titans’ preseason finale looking to build on an impressive showing during Tennessee’s joint practice with the Chicago Bears. After recording zero catches across the first two preseason games, he broke out in the joint practice session, reportedly hauling in seven receptions on 12 targets.

However, that success did not carry over into an actual preseason game. Tate was unable to secure his only target during Tennessee’s 24-15 loss to Chicago on Saturday, ending his preseason without a reception.

Tate’s preseason numbers were certainly underwhelming, as he was targeted three times against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 without recording a catch.

Tate followed that up with two targets and no receptions against the Seattle Seahawks, and then finished the Chicago game with one target and another catchless performance, triggering reactions from fans.

“Didn’t watch any of his film, but this stat line is wild,” one said.

“Don’t do Carnell like this lol,” a fan added.

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“I was just saying that. It’s preseason, but he had 4 easy catches all for drops in the 3 games,” another fan wrote.

The Titans selected Tate as the first wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the No. 4 overall pick. Tennessee expects him to become an important weapon for quarterback Cam Ward.

Titans receivers coach Greg Lewis has already praised Tate, describing him as one of the best rookies he has worked with. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll also said Tuesday that the rookie is doing what he is supposed to do and praised the way he handles his responsibilities.

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However, some fans remain skeptical after watching Tate struggle to produce during the preseason.

“I’ve said it many times before. Bad teams should not be drafting skill players with early picks,” a fan said.

“I know it’s preseason, but even in the regular season, do you really think Cam Ward can consistently get him the ball? I don’t think so,” one added.

“About 1 month ago, I was a Cam Ward believer and had immense hope in the future of the Tennessee Titans. However, after their final preseason game, I’m not sure if this team will even be able to reach 6 wins. Their first-team offense looked putrid over the last 3 weeks. Carnell Tate was also an overdraft, and now Jeff Simmons will probably get traded to a contender this season,” Flea Flicker Football wrote.

Tate has made it clear that he is not allowing his limited preseason production to frustrate him. He understands that the ball will not always come his way and appears focused on making the most of his opportunities when they arrive.

There is a reason for the Titans to remain patient, as Tate finished the 2025 college football season with an 84.5 PFNCFB WR Impact grade, which ranked eighth nationally. His college production and draft pedigree suggest that the talent is there.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

Tour Championship - round three

-15 V Hovland (Nor); -14 R Gerard (US); -12 A Scott (Aus), L Aberg (Swe), S Scheffler, C Gotterup (US)

Selected: -10 R McIlroy (NI), C Young (US); -8 J Rose (Eng), M Fitzpatrick (Eng); -7 T Fleetwood (Eng), A Fitzpatrick (Eng); -4 R MacIntyre (Sco)

Full leaderboard

Viktor Hovland will head into the final round of the PGA Tour's $40m Tour Championship in Atlanta on Sunday with a one-stroke lead.

The season-ending event will also crown the FedEx Cup champion, which was won by Hovland in 2023.

The Norwegian, who came into the third round tied for the lead on 10 under with American Ryan Gerard, birdied the 17th and 18th holes to post a five-under-par 65 to improve to 15 under.

Gerard also birdied the final hole to finish one back on 14 under after a round of 66.

"I mean, 65 out there, especially with that finish, super happy with that," said Hovland.

"It's been just one of those weeks where I've been able to put it together every single day for three days.

"It's pretty bunched up around 11 and 12-under-par. You've seen some 62s out there, you can take it low. So it was nice to get a little bit of distance, especially from the group of guys that are around that number."

Lurking in the chasing pack are the world's top two players, with number one Scottie Scheffler, the 2024 champion, producing a serene bogey-free round of 66 to finish three adrift on 12 under.

Back-to-back Masters champion Rory McIlroy - a record three-time FedEx Cup winner in 2016, 2019 and 2022 - catapulted himself into contention with a hugely impressive 63 to sit five shots off the lead.

The 37-year-old found form with his putter as he holed nine birdies, including three in a row on 15, 16 and 17 to post the joint lowest round of the day.

"I just left myself in better spots on the greens," said McIlroy.

"I gave myself easier putts, putts that didn't break two ways. When I got it rolling there on the back nine, every putt was like a cup right or a cup left.

"It's the last round of the PGA Tour season. I've still got a lot of golf left this year, but it will be nice to go out and give it a really good run tomorrow to finish this season over in the States."

Australia's Adam Scott, 46, who won the Tour Championship 20 years ago is alongside Scheffler after also carding a 66, while Sweden's Ludvig Aberg posted a 65 to also finish on 12 under.

McIlroy is joined on 10 under by Players Championship winner Cameron Young.

England's Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick are probably too far back to challenge or the title at eight under par.

Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and fellow Englishman Alex Fitzpatrick are a shot further adrift after both signed for 67s.

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, first out and playing on his own in the 29-man field (reduced from 30 because JJ Spaun pulled out injured during round one) whipped round in 63 shots to improve to joint 25th on four under par.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - San Diego FC defeated LA Galaxy, 3-2, on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium.  The Sporting Tribune's Edwin So was there to capture the following TST Images:

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

San Diego FC midfielder Elias Achouri (99) celebrates after scroing a goal during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

LA Galaxy forward Hirving Lozano (11) tackles San Diego FC forward Anders Dreyer (10) during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

LA Galaxy forward Kyōgo Furuhashi (7) jumps to save a possession during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

LA Galaxy forward Hirving Lozano (11) squares up against San Diego FC forward Anders Dreyer (10) during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

LA Galaxy midfielder Erik Thommy (27) makes an attempt at goal during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

LA Galaxy forward Kyōgo Furuhashi (7) battles for the ball during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

San Diego FC goalkeeper CJ dos Santos (1) makes a save during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

LA Galaxy forward Hirving Lozano (11) hustles for possession during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

San Diego FC midfielder Elias Achouri (99) dribbles the ball against a LA Galaxy defender during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

San Diego FC midfielder Elias Achouri (99) pushes the ball past defenders during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

LA Galaxy goalkeeper Novak Micovic (1) dives to make a save during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

San Diego FC goalkeeper CJ dos Santos (1) makes a save during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

LA Galaxy forward Hirving Lozano (11) runs with the ball during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

LA Galaxy forward Hirving Lozano (11) gets a hard tackle during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

LA Galaxy forward Hirving Lozano (11) reacts after scoring a goal during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Edwin So - The Sporting Tribune

LA Galaxy forward Hirving Lozano (11) sets up a cross during an MLS match between Los Angeles Galaxy and San Diego SC on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Cam'Ron McCoy threw three touchdown passes and Athean Renfro Jr. rushed for 163 yards and a score as Texas Southern dominated the second half to beat North Carolina Central 42-30 in the teams' football season opener Saturday at Thorne Stadium.

The Tigers overcame a 14-0 deficit after the first quarter and 24-14 halftime hole, outscoring the Eagles 28-6 in the second half.

McCoy's 45-yard touchdown pass to Ronyon Richardson a little over a minute into the second half cut the deficit to three points. TSU then took its first lead after Jordan Thompson returned a blocked punt 34 yards to take a 28-24 advantage with 9:47 left in the third quarter.

After Central got within a point, Renfro's 14-yard touchdown run extended the lead to 35-27 late in the third quarter.

Central got within 35-330 but Jacob Washington's 20-yard touchdown run with 2:07 remaining in the game iced the Tigers' win.

TSU outgained Central 462 yards to 321, with 277 of the Tigers' yards coming on the ground.

Next up for the Tigers will be the Labor Day Classic on Sunday, Sept. 6, at Prairie View A&M. The game will kick off at 11 a.m. and air on ESPN2.

Tarleton State 49, Prairie View A&M 30

Kaden Anderson passed for three touchdowns and Tylan Hines ran for two as Tarleton State cruised past Prairie View A&M to open the season in Stephenville.

A Tevin Carter touchdown run got the Panthers within 28-20 with 23 seconds left in the first half but the Cowboys responded with two touchdowns in the first seven-plus minutes of the third quarter to open up a 22-point lead and coasted from there.

Carter was 25-of-40 passing for 309 yards and threw a TD pass to Jahbari Kuykendall. Carter also rushed for 130 yards, including a 48-yard carry.

The teams piled up the yards, with 519 for the Panthers and 505 for the Texans.

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This article originally published at Big second half powers Texas Southern football to season-opening win over North Carolina Central.

Arthur Fery missed out on his first ATP Tour title with a straight-set defeat by Ignacio Buse in the final of the Winston-Salem Open.

Fery, who was the talk of Wimbledon as he reached the semi-finals of his home major in July, lost 6-3 6-2 to Peru's Buse.

The 24-year-old was the first Briton to reach the final of the ATP 250 tournament in North Carolina and will rise to 33 in the world rankings as a result - overtaking Cameron Norrie as British number one.

Only eight weeks ago, before his astonishing run to the last four at the All England Club, he was ranked outside the top 100.

"Congratulations to you and your team, Ignacio, for your second title this year," Fery said.

"I want to thank my team as well. It couldn't be us today but thank you for everything you do for me. We have had a great year and hopefully we can finish strong."

Little could separate Fery and Buse in the early stages of their match on Saturday, before the Peruvian took control with a break to love for a 5-3 lead.

Fery quickly fell further behind in the second set as Buse opened up a double break cushion with no reply, and while he pulled back one of those breaks, it proved to no avail as his opponent reeled off three straight games to seal the win.

For 22-year-old Buse, victory makes him the youngest ever winner of Winston-Salem and marks a second career title after he beat American Tommy Paul at the ATP 500 event in Hamburg in May.

"It is very special for me," Buse said. "With all my team, we have been working very, very hard.

"Some things are very tough that we go through as tennis players, but I also want to congratulate Arthur and his team."

With little time to reflect on his Winston-Salem run, Fery will now head to New York for the US Open, which starts on Sunday.

Set to play at Flushing Meadows for the first time, he faces a tough opening tie against Italian 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti.

Fery is one of nine British players set to feature in the main draws at the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season.

Joining him in the men's draw are Norrie and Jan Choinski, qualifiers Toby Samuel and Harry Wendelken, and lucky loser Jacob Fearnley.

Katie Boulter is joined by qualifiers Fran Jones and Harriet Dart in the women's draw, but both Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu are missing through injury.

• Sabalenka bids to rediscover form at intriguing US Open
• Cannabis smell at US Open is distracting - Boulter
• Injury uncertainty led to 'intrusive thoughts' for Alcaraz
• Live scores, results and order of play

The 15-year-old had a quiet time batting in the previous round, managing just eight runs as East Zone cruised to a dominant innings-and-210-run win over North East Zone.

What he lacked with the bat, though, he more than made up for with an unexpected turn as a bowler. Handed the ball by captain Ishan Kishan, the left-arm orthodox spinner struck twice in one over and finished with impressive figures of 2 for 11 across three overs.

Central Zone enter this contest having gone straight into the semi-final stage without needing to play a quarterfinal, meaning they arrive fresh and represent a serious test for East Zone.

With a spot in the Chennai final up for grabs, plenty of attention will fall on Sooryavanshi and the rest of East Zone's top order to set the right tone early in this four-day match.

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's score today in the Duleep Trophy

As things stand, East Zone won the toss and opted to bowl first, meaning Sooryavanshi likely won't get a chance to bat until day two, once Central Zone's innings wraps up and East Zone get their turn at the crease.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scores in last 5 matches

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The Royals scored early in the second half when Cece Delzer dropped into the midfield before slipping Mexican international Kiana Palacios a pass into a dangerous position down the right side of the penalty area. Palacios calmly rolled the ball across the six-yard box, where Cloé Lacasse slid in at the back post to tie the game at 1-1.

The Royals took the lead halfway through the second half when Lacasse beat her defender in a one-on-one opportunity outside the penalty box. Lacasse crossed the ball to Paige Cronin, who made a darting run at the top of the penalty area and finished with a one-touch, left-footed strike to give Utah the lead.

Lacasse is now the sole leader in the NWSL for goal contributions with 18 throughout the season. The Canadian international has now set a new club record, assisting in three consecutive games and tied the league record with 11 assists in a single season.

Quotable

“Everyone wants to succeed and to see each other succeed as well. A lot of us have been on the bench, have been impactors, have been through injuries,” Cronin said.

“The biggest take away was, did we have a different mind set than we did against Leon? And we did,” RSL Head coach Pablo Mastroeni reflected. “I thought Kobi Henry’s decisions with the ball and his defensive positioning was crucial.”

Game summaries

The Royals started the match on the front foot, taking the game to Orlando Pride throughout most of the first half. A couple of close chances fell to the feet of Utah’s all-time leading scorer, Mina Tanaka. However, strong defense from the Pride prevented the Royals from finding the opening goal.

The best opportunity of the half for Utah fell to midfielder Madison Hammond, who fired a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. The Orlando goalkeeper was able to palm the ball away before quickly getting back up to deny Kiana Palacios a second chance on goal.

Toward the end of the first half, Barbra Banda made a dangerous forward run in between the two Royals center backs. The Zambian international took the ball in stride before quickly accelerating away from the defenders. USWNT goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn was forced out of the penalty area to attempt a last-ditch tackle. The ball ricocheted back to Banda, who dribbled past McGlynn and scored into an open net to give the Pride the lead.

Orlando had one late chance, but Banda’s header went harmlessly into the hands of McGlynn. The Royals continue to make history, with their 2-1 victory over the Pride marking the first time in club history that Utah Royals FC have swept Orlando Pride.

Real Salt Lake headed back to Colorado to take on the Rapids after a tough quarterfinal game that was also played at Dick’s Sporting Good Stadium Tuesday. The match saw a terrific battle between Colorado’s Minoungou and RSL captain Rafael Cabral in the first half as Cabral made two point blank saves to deny Minoungou from scoring the opening goal.

The breakthrough came in the 58th minute as the Rapids whipped in a dangerous free kick toward the back post. A wide-open Reggie Cannon headed it home to give Colorado the lead. The game would remain 1-0 through the final whistle as RSL struggled to find a scoring opportunity.

Up next

Utah Royals FC return home to host the Boston Legacy as the club celebrates Jimmy Coenraets’ 50th game as Head coach at America First Field on Friday, Sept. 4. Real Salt Lake will face off against LAFC next Saturday, Sept. 5, at America First Field.

NFL impersonation stories are nothing new. Even late NFL star Ken Stabler’s ex-wife, Rose, once encountered such a man.

As the Daejon Love case draws scrutiny over an alleged scheme involving women and a fake NFL identity, Rose recalled that encounter from years ago. Her story features an almost perfect ending because she happened to be married to the player the stranger claimed to know.

Rose Stabler Reveals How She Exposed a Man Pretending to Know Ken Stabler

Rose, who was married to Hall of Fame quarterback Ken before their 2009 divorce, shared the story on X. She recalled having dinner with friends when a man approached them and asked whether they wanted to meet Ken.

Rose agreed and allowed the man to continue talking before she told him the truth that Ken was her husband.

“Men pretending to be NFL players is nothing new,” Rose wrote on X. “I was at dinner w my girlfriends when a guy asked if we wanted to meet Ken Stabler? I said Sure. My girlfriends watched me let this guy dig himself into a hole. Then I told him Kenny is my husband. You should’ve seen his face.”

Rose further explained that the impostor was a developer who built a “strange-looking golf course” in Ken’s hometown. She said it featured tiny hills stretching “for as far as you could see.”

The anecdote surfaced as Daejon Labrayae Love faces federal charges over an alleged romance and investment scam. Prosecutors have accused Love of pretending to be an undrafted San Francisco 49ers wide receiver and a real estate investor while approaching women through dating platforms.

The alleged operation reportedly involved Taylor Jamie Chan, who prosecutors say acted as Love’s financial adviser during FaceTime conversations with victims. Authorities allege that the pair defrauded at least 26 women of more than $1.3 million across California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

Love allegedly went to considerable lengths to make the false identity appear credible. Investigators say he spent over $1,160 on a custom 49ers helmet, showed fabricated bank statements with balances of $30 million, and pointed to Google AI results connected to his fake online profiles.

When women questioned what they found online, Love allegedly responded, “That’s Google, not me.”

The alleged scheme ended with the FBI arresting Love and Chan at Boise Airport on August 24. According to the provided information, Love was heading to meet another potential target.

Both defendants face federal charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Each charge carries a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in federal prison, along with potential fines and restitution.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

During the opening set of Texas volleyball's first match in the Players Era Showcase against TCU, outside hitter Abby Vander Wal exited the game. 

A scramble on the left side led to the sophomore falling on her side and staying down for the duration of the point. She was seen clutching her knee and hopped off with the help of training staff because she could not put pressure on her leg. 

She did not return during the set. 

Vander Wal's loss is a blow to the Longhorns' hitting (she had two kills on the match) and her topspin serve ignited a pair of runs for the Longhorns earlier in the set. She did not return to the match after Texas swept TCU.

This is a developing story

This article originally published at Abby Vander Wal injury update: Texas Longhorns OH leaves game against TCU.

Where to watch Nebraska vs. Texas volleyball: Channel, time, TV schedule, live stream for NCAA college match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

One of the biggest marquee matchups of the women's college volleyball season is already here. No. 1 Nebraska and No. 2 Texas will face off on Sunday.

Nebraska has already been off to a strong start this season, winning the inaugural Spikes Under the Lights tournament in front of 40,000 fans at AT&T Stadium. A title has eluded the Huskers for nearly a decade, and this year will be the program's last chance with their core squad of Harper Murray, Bergen Reilly, Andi Jackson and more.

Despite exiting the NCAA tournament in the regional final last year, Texas is back and looking for a better outcome this season. The Longhorns received a reassuring No. 2 ranking in the AVCA Preseason poll, but that didn't translate to their first match, where they lost to Arizona State 3-1. 

Who will assert dominance in this blockbuster showdown?

Here's everything you need to know about Nebraska vs. Texas volleyball, including TV channel and streaming options for the NCAA college match.

Where to watch Nebraska vs. Texas volleyball: TV channel, live stream

• TV channel: Fox
• Live stream:fubo

Nebraska vs. Texas at the Players Era Showcase will be broadcast nationally on Fox.

Cord-cutters and fans without cable can also stream the action live with fubo.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

What time is Nebraska vs. Texas volleyball today?

• Date: Sunday, Aug. 30
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET | 2:30 p.m. CT

First serve for Huskers-Longhorns is set for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It's the first match in the day's Players Era Showcase doubleheader, with TCU vs. UNLV to follow. 

Nebraska volleyball schedule

Here's a look at the Huskers' next five matchups.

Texas volleyball schedule

Here's a look at the Longhorns' next five matchups.

Nicolò Tresoldi has yet to make a final decision about his international future, despite reports coming out of Italy suggesting that the 22-year-old forward had already chosen which national team he wanted to represent.

According to Sky Germany journalists Kerry Hay and Patrick Berger, nothing has been decided. Both Germany and Italy remain firmly in the race for Tresoldi, with the DFB making efforts to convince the center forward to commit to Germany, while the Italian Football Federation is doing the same from its side.

Tresoldi is an intriguing option for both nations. The 22-year-old center forward has developed into an increasingly interesting attacking player, and his international eligibility gives him a major decision to make at this stage of his career.

For Germany, the opportunity to add another young attacking option to Jürgen Klopp’s plans could be particularly appealing. With Klopp now in charge of the national team, competition for places in the Germany attack will be intense, but Tresoldi could potentially establish himself as part of the next generation.

Italy, meanwhile, will clearly see Tresoldi as someone who could help strengthen its options up front.

For now, however, there is no commitment to either side. Germany and Italy will continue their efforts, and Tresoldi will ultimately have to decide which international future he wants to pursue.

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Caitlin Clark’s historic season with the Indiana Fever has left her former Iowa Hawkeyes coach Jan Jensen proud.

Jensen was an assistant coach under Clark’s Hawkeyes HC Lisa Bluder, taking on the role after Clark graduated in 2024. But Jensen was integral in recruiting Clark to the Hawkeyes in 2020. While they never won a title, it was an incredible partnership.

Clark became a superstar in college and instantly brought that same power to the WNBA, with her incredible 2026 season stats prompting the 57-year-old coach to compliment her former star.

Caitlin Clark’s college coach is amazed by her performances

Jensen posted a message for Clark on social media, highlighting how proud of the 24-year-old she is while praising her ability to always be the team’s ‘No. 1.’

“Pretty amazing to see how @CaitlinClark22 has been 1-of-1 in every stage of her career. Few can keep being ‘The 1’ but with Caitlin, it’s always been clear… She is in a league of her own!🐐So proud of you, Caitlin! Keep being remarkable! Love you!”

Putting the ‘The 1’ in quotations might be a reference to Clark’s new signature shoe releasing in the next week, but her on-court performances recently have warranted this reaction.

Clark’s averaged 22.5 points, 8.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds this season. She just had back-to-back games with 30+ points and 10+ assists, dropping 37 points and 10 assists on Sunday against the Sky before dropping 34 points and 12 assists on Friday against the Sun.

Clark is also the first player in league history to have 800+ PTS & 300+ AST in a season, as well as the first to have 300+ AST and 100+ 3PM in a season.

Clark broke the NCAA’s all-time scoring record while under Coach Jensen, and now the coach is watching her former star athlete dominate in professional sports as well.

Clark is in the running to win the 2026 MVP award, with the Fever currently holding a 26-14 record with two games remaining, already having secured a spot in the postseason.

Read more:

Ryan Preece didn’t hear no bell.

It’s the end of the first stage and the No. 60 went from leading the race with a chance at 10 stage points to sliding across the grass and watching Shane Van Gisbergen win the segment instead.

Preece stayed in the gas and finished eighth, but it was still a significant swing in points, Preece going from a 31-point deficit to 38 points with two quarters of the race still remaining.

At that point, Preece needed to win and needed SVG to be caught up in a multicar accident, which was probably the odds all along. Preece said repeatedly in the week between Loudon and Daytona that he came to win and was refusing any other outcome.

He won on the final lap when the field was frozen for a crash that involved Van Gisbergen. A full season into a format that abolished win and you’re in and Preece did exactly that. His first points paying victory catapulted him past SVG into the 16th seed.

Watch: Preece wins in chaotic Daytona finish for first points-paying victory

He’s going to go race for a championship no matter what the odds say about doing it from 16th.

“The job is just beginning,” Preece said. “I feel like momentum is on our side. We're going to do our best to be a contender and be a part of the battle that Kyle Petty thinks even if you're 16th in the Chase you can't be a part of.”

He just erased a 50-point deficit in two races so what’s 100 points over 10?

“I knew if I go and win, I'm pretty confident we're going to make it in,” Preece said. “The 20 points (from first to second) is a big deal. As a race car driver, Shane did everything right tonight. He's a hell of a race car driver. He's a hell of a road course racer, but he's a hell of a race car driver.

“He knew that I had my knee on the throat or my thumb on the pressure point, and he answered that in stage one. When he threw that right hook, metaphorically, in a metaphor, I felt like I answered that back in stage two, so...”

He also overcame a 25-point penalty for what NASCAR deemed as an intentional crash of Ty Gibbs at Texas Motor Speedway.

“You’re damn right,” Preece said with a laugh.

 It was a bit of a sore subject for Van Gisbergen, who famously doesn’t like the media spotlight anyways, to take questions about a decision from crew chief Stephen Doran to take fuel and tires before the overtime.

The idea was to ensure he wouldn’t run out of fuel and let his driver play offense. Instead, it put him right in the figurative hornet’s nest and got them wrecked out of the Chase for the Championship.

“They obviously had more information about the situation than I did and maybe I didn’t do a good enough job (saving) early,” Van Gisbergen said. “I was trying. It was conservative but it is what it is.”

Van Gisbergen congratulated Preece said this result wasn’t just about Daytona.

“We didn’t do a good enough job over the year and gave up points at various places,” he said. “We didn’t lose it tonight. It is what it is.”

Official race results: 2026 NASCAR Cup Daytona

Shane van Gisbergen reacts to missing the Chase, despite first stage win on an oval

But again, SVG had Preece down after that first stage, even if he wasn’t out.

“If I was in a street fight, my knuckles would be pretty tore up right now,” Preece said. “I knew when we drove through the grass, and Shane went and won that stage, he was doing everything it took. It was much like what I told you, it was going to be a heavyweight fight. That was the first round. Lucky for me there was two more. I answered that call. I went and we got second in the next stage with damage. Then we put ourselves in position to win the race, and we did.

“It just comes down, no different than my career a lot of times where one door shuts and we break down the next door, even if it's locked. I'm going to kick through it.”

It’s fitting for Preece to have won this way because he legitimately made it to the Cup Series on merit; the hard way. He won Tour Type Modified races and championships in the car owned by his dad, Jeff.

They worked, and continue to work, on that car together.

He made it to the national touring level and eventually chose to give up a full-time mid-pack O’Reilly Series ride at JD Motorsports for just three races at Joe Gibbs Racing. He won in that car and it earned him a Cup ride in mid-pack JTG Daugherty equipment.

He then made it to Stewart-Haas Racing when that team was on the downside. He didn’t think RFK Racing was ultimately going to happen. The deal nearly didn’t. Now, this season, with a team that won’t even have a charter next season, he won his way into the new-look playoff format.

His team owner, Brad Keselowski, was proud. He called it akin to one of his kids having a major breakthrough.

Watch: Keselowski proud of Preece after clutch Daytona victory

“Ryan's worked really hard to put himself in position to have success,” Keselowski said. “I feel like he won the Clash at the start of the year, but outside of that it hasn't been the season we really wanted for his car.

“He's kept his drive, kept his fire. He's putting the work in. That persistence, I think, has come to fruition with just a terrific night for him.

“It's such a clutch moment for Ryan, to come in and be however many points behind the Playoff. To just drive a great race, go get him a win, with everything on the line, those are nights that you remember, and those are nights that are really special for him but really special for everyone on this team.”

And his family.

“I'm happy that my family's here today because when I was at the Clash, they weren't,” Preece said. “They were at home. To be able to have my daughter, my son, my wife, my dad, have FaceTimes from my brother, my brothers and my mom probably texting me, it's a big deal. It's a big deal for the Preece name.

“My grandfather, I come from a strong racing family in the Northeast, up in Connecticut, racing at Thompson, Riverside, Stafford. Didn't have a father or anybody in my family that raced in the national series. It was nice to kind of claim this and do this for our last name, have my family there to enjoy it, as well.”

Onto the Chase for the Championship.

Watch: Preece reflects on path to Daytona win: 'I've done it my way'

The complete NASCAR Cup 2026 Chase grid after points reset

Joe Gibbs Racing wants Spire, Gabehart to produce race setups

Judge issues mixed rulings after Gibbs, Gabehart, Spire hearing

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

All was bright in Aryna Sabalenka's world when she completed a rare 'Sunshine Double' earlier this season.

Becoming only the fifth woman to win the Indian Wells and Miami titles back-to-back, Sabalenka emphasised her position as the dominant player on the WTA Tour and created a 3,000-point lead at the top of the world rankings.

But a difficult period quickly followed - seemingly out of nowhere -leaving the 28-year-old Belarusian clinging on to her position going into the US Open, which starts on Sunday.

Two-time defending champion Sabalenka returns to New York with a 17-7 win-loss record since the Miami triumph, including a chastening French Open quarter-final exit and a disheartening defeat in the Wimbledon fourth round.

It is a record far below the four-time major winner's lofty standards.

With 2,000 points to defend at Flushing Meadows and Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina now trailing by only 434, Sabalenka must win again to extend her 99-week run as the world number one.

Asked if she felt confident she can rediscover her mojo on the hard courts on which she has thrived, Sabalenka said: "Absolutely. These tough lessons are definitely going to make me way, way stronger and working even harder."

• Tough US Open draw for Alcaraz - who else plays who?
• 'A generational icon' - why wildcards abound for Venus Williams
• How to follow US Open on the BBC

Sabalenka's four Grand Slam singles titles - two Australian Open and two US Open triumphs, all on hard courts - are more than most players can dream of.

However, she has also lost four major finals and six semi-finals, despite a consistency on the biggest stages that is unrivalled among her peers.

The concern in recent months has been Sabalenka's mental focus disappearing in less pressurised situations.

This was most recently apparent in her Cincinnati Open fourth-round defeat by 20-year-old Czech opponent Sara Bejlek. Sabalenka led 5-1 in a first-set tie-break and 4-1 in the second set, but continued to lack composure in the rallies as Bejlek rallied to win 7-6 (9-7) 6-4.

At her previous tournament in Toronto, she lost to Russian world number 19 Ekaterina Alexandrova in the last 16 as her serve crumbled.

During the clay-court swing, Sabalenka capitulated after winning the first set against Hailey Baptiste in Madrid, Sorana Cirstea in Rome and, most notably, Diana Shnaider at Roland Garros.

"I work on my mental side of the game. I've been trying to reset my mind and to come back stronger," a bullish Sabalenka said in New York.

"It's only a matter of time for me to come back."

Who could take Sabalenka's crown?

The drop-off in Sabalenka's results have opened the door for Rybakina, who beat the Belarusian to win the Australian Open in January, to take over as world number one.

Rybakina might not even have to win a match at Flushing Meadows to do that, as she has fewer ranking points to defend than Sabalenka.

However, there are questions over her fitness because of an ankle injury sustained in the Cincinnati quarter-finals.

Rybakina can secure the number one ranking if her nearest rivals - Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff - do not win the title.

If Sabalenka does retain the title, Rybakina would still also rise to the top by reaching the semi-finals.

Pegula, 32, has been ultra-consistent for several seasons without landing a major title, but the 2024 finalist hopes her runs to the Washington and Cincinnati finals will provide the platform for another crack at her home Slam.

Gauff, who beat Pegula to the Cincinnati trophy last week, already has the experience of winning in New York after claiming her first major there in 2023.

Twelve months ago, the 22-year-old American's game was clouded by uncertainty but returns with more confidence and fluidity in her serve.

Beneath the leading quartet, the rest of the top 10 also hold either a Grand Slam or WTA 1,000 title - a group led by French Open winner Mirra Andreeva, Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova and six-time major winner Iga Swiatek.

"You can just see how the depth is pretty crazy," said Pegula.

• Williams sisters given US Open doubles wildcard
• Newlywed Boulter won't repeat Murray's ring mistake

Will someone take advantage of 'Sincaraz' injury issues?

For the third Grand Slam in a row, the rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz has been put on hold.

The pair swept all eight major titles between them in 2024 and 2025, with Alcaraz extending that run with victory at this year's Australian Open.

But the pair have not competed at the same Grand Slam since.

Alcaraz missed the French Open and Wimbledon with a wrist injury, and makes his comeback from a four-month absence in New York.

A day after the 23-year-old Spaniard announced his plan to return, Sinner revealed he had been ruled out with a knee issue.

"It's kind of weird. We are not going see each other for, like, six months now, seven months," said Alcaraz.

Sinner's absence and the uncertainty around Alcaraz's fitness will galvanise the rest of the chasing pack - particularly 39-year-old Novak Djokovic.

The Serb great, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, insists he has not put an "expiry date" on his extraordinary career. He continues to put himself in the mix for titles as he looks to finally land a standalone record 25th victory which would move him clear of Australia's Margaret Court on the all-time list.

He has reached at least the semi-finals in six of the past seven Slams, but has not gone all the way since triumphing at the 2023 US Open.

Germany's Alexander Zverev leads the seedings as he looks to reach a third straight major final, having won his first Slam at the French Open before losing to Sinner at Wimbledon.

Canadian Open champion Ben Shelton and Cincinnati finalist Frances Tiafoe lead a strong American challenge, while 2024 finalist Taylor Fritz is another hope capable of ending a 23-year wait for a home men's champion.

• Cannabis smell at US Open is distracting - Boulter
• Injury uncertainty led to 'intrusive thoughts' for Alcaraz
• Live scores, results and order of play

Phillies closer Jhoan Duran (2-4) threw a scoreless ninth and gave up an unearned run in the 10th as Philadelphia won for the 12th time in 14 games. The Angels have lost six straight.

The top of the 10th began with automatic runner Brandon Marsh getting thrown out at third on J.T. Realmuto’s grounder to short off Angels reliever Trevor Martin (0-1). Justin Crawford singled, advancing Realmuto to third.

Schwarber blooped an RBI single to left-center for a 2-1 lead, Crawford taking third and Schwarber second on the throw. Turner squibbed a grounder through the right side of a drawn-in infield for a two-run single and a 4-1 lead.

Angels shortstop Zach Neto capped a 12-pitch at-bat in the eighth with a solo homer off Phillies reliever Jonathan Bowlan, tying the score 1-all and snapping a string of 30 consecutive innings without an extra-base hit for the Angels.

Neto’s 23rd homer spoiled a superb start by Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, who allowed two hits, struck out eight–bringing his season total to 202–and walked one in seven innings to lower his ERA to 2.52.

The Phillies blew a chance to tack on to a 1-0 lead in the eighth, an inning that began with a Turner single and stolen base and a Harper walk. Turner was caught off the second-base bag and picked off.

Harper took second and third on a wild pitch, but Luis Arraez grounded to first, Harper holding. Harper was called safe on a daring steal of home off Martin, but the call was overturned by replay, ending the inning.

Angels starter Ryan Johnson managed to give up one run in five innings despite issuing four of his five walks and throwing 60 of his 88 pitches in the first two innings. The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the second when Alex Bohm singled, Bryson Stott walked and Marsh hit an RBI single.

Up next

Phillies RHP Zack Wheeler (10-5, 3.40 ERA) was set to face Angels LHP Yusei Kikuchi (0-4, 6.25) on Sunday in the series finale.

___

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Twenty years ago this November, the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship was contested in early November. It was still held at East Lake Golf Club, but it was a time before the FedEx Cup, before the professional golf world as we know it began to take shape. A time before Brian Rolapp arrived and worked to reshape the PGA Tour’s postseason model from the FedEx Cup to a new iteration that will begin in 2028. That week, as the PGA Tour’s 30 best players were playing in Atlanta, Tom Brady threw four interceptions in a Sunday Night Football loss to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Brady would go on to play 16 more seasons, win four more Super Bowls and retire in 2022.

On that Sunday in 2006 at East Lake, Adam Scott defeated Jim Furyk to win the Tour Championship. A lot has changed about golf and the world since that November in 2006. Change has been a constant force in pro golf ever since Tiger Woods arrived, forever altering the sport. The money grows, the sponsors and tournaments and schedules shift and the players get younger and better.

But as change continues to mold and shape the pro golf world, Adam Scott has remained a timeless pro— one who is still grinding to be a top player in the world, still believing that he can compete and beat the world’s best, still believing he has more to achieve after a Hall of Fame career.

The 46-year-old Australian has seen the game change. He sees it as “deeper” and more competitive than it used to be. Where young players used to have to work their way to PGA Tour breakthroughs, the last decade has seen young talent arrive and immediately make a splash, starting with Jordan Spieth.

“The learning curve is a lot quicker,” Scott said after opening the 2026 Tour Championship with a 66 on Thursday. “I think they learn in college now. I think I came out, I didn’t know a lot. I didn’t learn a lot in college, in the classroom or on the golf course. Then there was like this apprenticeship, you served as a Tour pro, and it was at least five years before you really knew how to play. You’ve just seen over the last 10 to 15 years, from Jordan Spieth onwards, guys coming out of college so prepared.

“I’d say it’s much harder, and I probably took for granted those years where I was kind of cruising through out here. I feel like the moment I relax, I just plummet down the rankings and leaderboards and everything. There’s no letting up out here.”

That 2006 Tour Championship was Scott’s fourth career win on the PGA Tour. He won in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011 before winning the 2013 Masters, his lone major title. He has only won three times since then, the latest coming at the 2020 Genesis Invitational, but his game has rarely dipped save for the expected ebb and flow of a long career. He played in his 100th consecutive major championship at the U.S. Open this year and made the Tour Championship again after missing out in 2023 and 2025.

Scott has been hunting for that next PGA Tour win since that 2020 title at Riviera Country Club. He lost in a playoff at the 2021 Wyndham Championship, had three top-fives in 2022, two runner-ups in 2024 and entered Sunday with a chance to win the 2025 U.S. Open.

Adam Scott continues to knock on the door. He still has goals to achieve and dreams to capture. He remains one of the best ball-strikers on the planet and believes he has a lot of good golf still in front of him, despite being “the old guy” now.

One of those goals will be right in front of him on Sunday at East Lake. After opening with a first-round 66, Scott followed it with 67 and a Saturday 65 to boost him to 12 under, three shots off the 54-hole lead held by Viktor Hovland.

“I’d love to get back and win a tournament. Any tournament would do. This one I’m playing in this week would be fantastic,” Scott said on Thursday.

“To be a FedEx Cup champion is really one of those career milestones that I’d like to achieve still. I know time is really not on my side for that, but I’m off to a good start.”

On Sunday, Scott will try to become the oldest winner of the Tour Championship in history, beating the mark set by 43-year-old Mark McCumber in 1994. Next year will be the final iteration of the FedEx Cup. Then, in 2028, the PGA Tour will shift to a reimagined postseason that will end with two weeks of match play.

Adam Scott plans to still be in the mix then too, hopefully with another Tour Championship title to his name if he can execute on Sunday the same way he did 20 years ago. That day, the winner’s check was $1.17 million. On Sunday, should he best a packed leaderboard of golf’s best, he’ll take home a $10 million prize along with his 15th PGA Tour win and proof that while everything around the game is changing, some things — very few things — do stay the same.

The post Adam Scott’s Tour Championship contention a reminder of pro golf’s constant force appeared first on Golf.

Shakur Stevenson and Tony Bellew believe Moses Itauma showed enough in defeat by Filip Hrgovic to suggest he will become a heavyweight world champion.

Itauma made a fast start at London's O2 Arena and controlled large parts of the contest for the vacant IBF title, but eventually ran out of steam and was stopped by Hrgovic in round nine.

The Briton's speed and power caught the eye early in the bout but once he broke new ground - going beyond the sixth round for the first time in his career - the wheels began to come off.

Hrgovic was outpunched in every round until the decisive ninth when he seized his moment to become Croatia's first heavyweight world champion.

BBC Radio 5 Live's coverage of the night ended with Richie Woodhall, Ronald McIntosh and Steve Bunce offering up one word each to describe the night.

"Incredible," former super-middleweight world champion Woodhall said.

"Unbelievable," added commentator McIntosh, while Bunce signed off with "unforgettable".

• Relive Hrgovic's dramatic stoppage win over Itauma to claim IBF heavyweight title
• Itauma punches himself out against Hrgovic in world-title fight

Many expected Itauma, who stepped into the ring with a perfect record of 14 wins as a professional, to be coronated as the next British heavyweight star - although Hrgovic was rightly touted as his biggest test to date.

Aged 21, Itauma was seeking to become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion of all-time and Britain's second-youngest world champion.

But lack of experience against a seasoned Hrgovic proved Itauma's undoing.

Hype around Itauma has been building since winning his pro debut in just 23 seconds in January 2023.

A string of highlight knockouts - winning 12 of his previous 14 bouts inside six rounds - had propelled the Chatham fighter to world-title level in quick fashion.

Despite coming up short against 34-year-old Hrgovic, he is still being tipped to reach the pinnacle of boxing's glamour division.

"Unbelievable talent and skills," four-weight world champion Stevenson wrote on X.

"He's young and will be a champion one day if he learns from that. He throws every punch at 100mph and that can be a gift and a curse, Especially in the heavyweights division!"

Fellow Briton Tony Bellew, who was a cruiserweight world champion but ended his career at heavyweight, was also keen to focus on the positives.

"Moses Itauma will be world champion! He will learn so much from tonight," Bellew posted on X.

"The biggest thing I'll take from tonight is just how brave and tough Moses was, we knew Filip was super tough. Tonight we learned Moses is also tough, once he learns to pace a 12-round bout, he's gonna rule for a while! Filip Hrgovic's chin needs to studied."

Questions over Itauma's conditioning

Itauma told BBC Sport in the weeks before his heavyweight title fight that he had never even sparred 12 rounds, and it showed as he grew fatigued with each round that passed.

Trainer Ben Davison almost threw in the towel early in the ninth round as Itauma staggered around the ring, but he had second thoughts.

It was only moments later that the towel did come in as referee Howard Foster had stepped in to wave off the contest with Itauma unable to stand without the ropes to aid him.

Chris Eubank Jr wrote on X: "Not sure what happened tonight. Moses was fighting well and then gassed out it seems… at his young age this should simply not be happening. Time to rethink his training camp moving forward I think."

• Boxing schedule and results 2026
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Chantelle Cameron produced one of the finest displays of her career to beat Mikaela Mayer and add the WBA and WBC light-middleweight titles to her WBO belt.

An engrossing encounter was narrowly won by the British fighter by unanimous decision - 97-93 on two scorecards and 96-94 on the other.

American Mayer disagreed with the decision, claiming she "outboxed" Cameron – leading to an angry exchange of words in the ring.

The possibility of a rematch was also floated, with Mayer suggesting Cameron had benefited from home advantage – to the champion's chagrin, as she said "talk is cheap".

It means Cameron remains unbeaten since her second fight with Katie Taylor in 2023, and with 23 victories in 24 professional encounters.

• Relive Hrgovic's dramatic stoppage win over Itauma to claim IBF heavyweight title
• Dubois beats Moore to keep Baumgardner in picture
• Itauma punches himself out against Hrgovic in world-title fight

Classy Cameron rolls back the years

This was one of Cameron's best displays. These fighters were evenly matched in every metric – from punch rate to height and weight, even hairstyle.

But Cameron won out thanks to her unrelenting pressure, which never allowed the usually adaptable Mayer to figure out a winning gameplan.

Mayer was the more imposing figure early on, but Cameron played counterpuncher until she could get onto the front foot.

Cameron forced Mayer against the ropes in round four, and again at the start of the fifth. Increasingly confident to take the initiative, she was roared on by a partisan but disappointingly small home crowd.

Mayer was unable to get in behind her jab for long periods and was bleeding and breathing heavily by round six.

The home favourite was cut in the final rounds but pushed through and was lifted shoulder high by her team before her biggest win since beating Taylor in Dublin three years ago was announced.

For three-weight world champion Mayer, this is the third defeat of her 25-fight career and costs her the WBA and WBC belts, which Cameron now puts with her WBO title.

When this event was announced, it was the prime event of the August bank holiday weekend in British boxing.

However, the elevation of Moses Itauma v Filip Hrgovic to a world title fight left this big-ticket event feeling rather undeservedly like a support act.

That was reflected in the crowd, with scores of empty seats around the arena as the main undercard began. At a generous estimate, BP Pulse Arena was half-full when the fighters made their ring walks for the main event.

Mayer and Cameron did their best to bring the big fight feeling in the build-up. Previously cordial relations boiled over on Friday as they butted heads at Friday's weigh-in at BP Pulse Arena.

Cameron shoved her head into the American, who pushed back, before they exchanged insults side by side.

On fight night, Mayer played up her away status by entering the ring to American Woman by Lenny Kravitz. She also wore a black durag over her trademark blonde hair, before removing it to show tight dreadlocks – the same style as Cameron.

However, her moxie was eventually worn down by Cameron, with a big right to the chin in round seven the most notable of blows.

Cameron helps MVP celebrate five-year anniversary

This fight headlined the event marking the fifth anniversary of Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the promoters fronted by Jake Paul who, since 2021, have moved from YouTuber fights to leading the way for women's boxing in the UK.

Paul, influencer and co-founder of MVP, was in the house. He headlined on 29 August 2021, beating MMA fighter Tyron Woodley, but was in a watching brief here.

MVP's next women's boxing arena event will take place in November in Texas.

It will be headlined by unified super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner, with the American stepping up to lightweight to face IBF champion Elif Nur Turhan – on her way to a potential 2027 showdown with WBC and WBO champion Caroline Dubois.

World championship fights on the undercard will include featherweight champion Tiara Brown defending against former super-bantamweight undisputed champion Ellie Scotney, and super-bantamweight champion Skye Nicolson against three-time, two-division champion Miyo Yoshida.

The next fight is particularly important for Cameron, after her first bout at BP Pulse Arena since November 2024 – and first since her much-lauded move to MVP.

MVP have plenty of options they could introduce from their stable. IBF light-middleweight champion Oshae Jones seems the logical next step; or IBF, WBO and The Ring middleweight belt holder Tammara Thibeault of Canada.

Cameron regularly laments that she has not had the chances her talent deserves since her blockbuster double header against Taylor in 2023.

Three years on, she will want fights of that level – especially after Saturday night's result.

• From influencers to queens of women's boxing - five years of MVP
• Boxing schedule and results 2026
• Watch every Born to Brawl episode

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Filip Hrgovic ripped up the script and shattered Moses Itauma's world-title dream as the Briton appeared to punch himself out in an extraordinary heavyweight contest in London.

Itauma, 21, controlled most of the fight and scored a second-round knockdown but faded as his relentless output caught up with him.

Hrgovic weathered the storm and piled on the pressure in the ninth. With Itauma barely able to stand, his legs unsteady and body swaying before slumping in the corner, his team threw in the towel.

Itauma - who needed medical attention before leaving the arena on a stretcher - had been a heavy favourite after tearing through his first 14 opponents and was spoken about as heavyweight boxing's next superstar.

"He is the best I have been in the ring with, but he needs more experience. I knew I was losing the round, but I knew that I had the pace in my favour. He needs more experience, but he is one of a kind," Hrgovic said.

"From the first round, I saw his gassing out. He started fast. I knew he was going to gas out. I knew when my chance came I needed to push. That is what I did."

With the vacant IBF title on the line, victory would have made Itauma the second-youngest world champion in the division's history.

Instead, his inexperience began to show as his Croatian opponent - an Olympic bronze medallist whose only previous professional defeat came against Daniel Dubois - survived everything Itauma threw at him before completing a remarkable turnaround.

• 'Unbelievable' - reaction to Hrgovic's stoppage of Itauma
• Wardley-Dubois rematch set for 17 October in London
• Relive Hrgovic's dramatic stoppage win over Itauma to claim IBF heavyweight title - reaction

Hrgovic's remarkable turnaround as Itauma shows inexperience

Hrgovic - wearing the red and white checks of his country - made his entrance first to a wall of boos, before the mood inside the O2 Arena flipped as Itauma emerged to a huge roar - taking his time and soaking up the reception.

The crowd had made its allegiances clear after a fiery build-up which included Itauma shoving Hrgovic, the Zagreb man slapping him back and plenty of verbal sparring.

Itauma came out with real intent, landing straight lefts from his southpaw stance. Hrgovic is known for his durability but struggled to keep pace with the Briton's speed early on.

Early in the second, a right hook knocked Hrgovic off-balance and his glove touched the canvas. Oasis star Noel Gallagher and boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed were among those watching as the crowd gasped at almost every Itauma punch, whether it landed or not.

But by the end of the third, Itauma - who had boxed just 26 professional rounds before his first world-title fight - was already breathing heavily.

There had also been questions over his chin, simply because it had never really been tested. Hrgovic began landing the occasional heavy shot but Itauma took them well and fired straight back.

A fight in the crowd momentarily took attention away from the action in the fifth before an Itauma uppercut in the closing seconds brought the focus back to the ring.

Itauma continued to fire combinations but Hrgovic was barely budging. A huge right landed on the bell in the sixth and another followed in the seventh, yet the Croatian simply walked through them.

The Briton was well ahead but, rather than box his way towards victory, he continued to chase the knockout. A flurry in the eighth backed Hrgovic on to the ropes and had him in trouble, but Itauma was grimacing between exchanges and looking increasingly spent.

By now the danger was clear. Hrgovic came out with renewed purpose in the ninth and landed a thudding right which sent Itauma staggering backwards, almost through the ropes.

The youngster somehow stayed upright but his legs had gone. Hrgovic continued to press and when Itauma slumped into his corner, exhausted and barely able to defend himself, referee Howard Foster waved off the contest as the towel came in.

Hrgovic crashes the party - what next for Itauma?

Hrgovic admitted he had been "outboxed" but leaves London as Croatia's first heavyweight world champion, with Frank Sanchez waiting as the IBF mandatory challenger.

A unification fight could follow, with Daniel Dubois holding the WBO title and set to face Fabio Wardley again in October.

For Itauma, this was supposed to be a coronation.

Instead, he leaves the O2 Arena with questions over whether the step up came too soon.

He has time to rebuild and there will be a strong feeling that, with a little more experience, this night could have ended very differently.

Londoner Dubois was stopped by Joe Joyce as an unbeaten 23-year-old before going on to become a two-time world champion. Itauma has even more time on his side.

"He's an amazing fighter," Hrgovic said. "I am the present. He is definitely the future."

Promoter Frank Warren suggested Itauma was carrying a leg injury in the final round but backed him to return.

"Moses gave everything," he added. "He has to go back to the drawing board and he can come again."

The expectation around Itauma will not disappear entirely overnight but the aura of invincibility has gone.

• Cameron beats Mayer to become unified light-middleweight champion
• Dubois beats Moore to keep Baumgardner in picture
• Cacace to face Ball in Belfast world title defence

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Colton Cowser hit his 13th home run of the season in the fifth inning while Coby Mayo had a base hit and scored twice for the Orioles.

Shane Baz (5-14) went 5 2/3 innings, giving up five hits and two runs. He struck out four and walked three. Baz had previously lost all five decisions in August, with eight losses overall since June 18. The right-hander’s last win was 7-3 against the San Diego Padres on June 12.

The Orioles got on the board in the third inning when Taveras hit a ground-rule double off pitcher Jack Perkins (3-10) to bring in Mayo.

Cowser homered over the center field wall in the fifth inning, and Taveras’ second double off reliever Luis Suárez in the sixth inning drove in two more runs to give Baltimore a 4-0 lead.

Lawrence Butler drew a bases-loaded walk and Donovan Walton was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the inning to pull the A's within 4-2.

Carlos Cortes hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to get the A’s within one run.

But Cowser scored from third base on a passed ball by Athletics catcher Jonah Heim in the ninth inning. Andrew Kittredge pitched the ninth for his eighth save.

Baltimore as a team has hit at least one homer in 16 of its last 17 games.

A’s rookie Henry Bolte’s base hit in the third inning and double in the seventh gave him 33 in August, which leads major league rookies for the month.

Up next

Orioles RHP Chris Bassitt (5-4, 4.74 ERA) is set to start Sunday’s series finale. The A’s had not announced a starter.

___

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Taveras, under contract for $153 million less than Pete Alonso, drove in three of the Orioles’ five runs Saturday night, powering them to a 5-3 win over the Athletics and raising his RBI total on the year to 52 — moving him into a tie with Gunnar Henderson and Coby Mayo for second on the team behind Alonso (91).

Taveras had two run-scoring chances and cashed in on both opportunities to help Baltimore (67-69) provide Shane Baz, who allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings, with enough run support for him to earn his fifth win of the season — ending a skid of seven straight losses in games he started.

The victory, coupled with the Cleveland Guardians’ loss to Kansas City, pulled the Orioles to within one game of the final wild-card spot in the American League with 26 left to play.

Few hitters have been more clutch at the plate this season than Taveras, whose 2-for-3 night improved his slash line with runners in scoring position to .311/.376/.500. The Orioles have relied on the switch-hitting catcher much more than they expected after signing him as a free agent last offseason, and he’s often come through in big moments to cement his place on the roster.

Although Taveras’ performance and a solo home run by Colton Cowser put the Orioles up 4-0 by the sixth inning, the win didn’t come easily. Baz cruised through the first five frames but ran out of gas in the sixth, loading the bases with one out. He then allowed a pair of runs, the first on a four-pitch walk to right fielder Lawrence Butler and the second with a breaking ball that hit shortstop Donovan Walton in the back foot.

Alex Hoppe, who recorded his first MLB save in the Orioles’ 4-3 win Friday, took over and performed the first of two bases-loaded escape acts for Baltimore. The hard-throwing reliever fell behind 3-0 to Max Muncy but battled back before getting the designated hitter to ground out to end the inning.

The Orioles needed another such walk of the tightrope again in the seventh when Rico Garcia again loaded the bases with one out. This time manager Craig Albernaz turned to Yennier Cano, and the right-hander rose to the moment. Cano struck out both second baseman Zack Gelof and Butler to leave all three runners where they stood.

However, the adventures continued in the seventh. Cam Sanders put two men on with a pair of walks, and left fielder Carlos Cortes hit an RBI single to cut the Orioles’ lead to one. It then took a 6-5-3 double play turned by Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Gunnar Henderson to get out of the inning without allowing further damage.

The Orioles’ infield put on a defensive clinic in the contest, with several impressive plays from Encarnacion-Strand and a Derek Jeter-esque throw from deep at short by Henderson earlier in the contest.

Baltimore’s offense had gone quiet since the sixth, when Taveras plated two with his 15th double of the year, until the lowly A’s got in their own way to hand the Orioles an unearned run in the top of the ninth.

Cowser hit a hard ground ball to the right side that bounced off Gelof’s glove, and Butler tried to back-pick the Orioles’ center fielder at first, only for the throw to get away. It narrowly avoided going into the Orioles’ dugout, but catcher Jonah Heim accidentally kicked the ball down the steps. The umpires awarded Cowser third base as he had already started running to second, and he scored on a wild pitch for a valuable insurance run.

Andrew Kittredge then secured the save — albeit with an adventure of his own after allowing two singles — by inducing a groundout by third baseman Tommy White to end the game.

Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo left the game in the eighth inning after appearing to injure his right hand on a bouncing ball in the dirt. He initially stayed in the game but was replaced by Yohel Pozo after grounding out in his next at-bat.

Steelers current No. 15: WR Ben Skowronek

Skowronek, a special teams ace for the Steelers, is the No. 15 wearer on the roster.

Seattle’s see-saw season has seen more sawing downward under the sea level of .500 than it has seen not doing that, and coming into today’s game they were sitting seven games below that level. The last few weeks, in small amounts, have seen the Mariners tepidly challenge that perception. Coming into the series in Toronto, the ebb and flow was slightly in their favor with a 6-4 record of their last 10 games. With the loss in game one yesterday, that evened it to 5-5. An oddity of their recent play has been some truly atrocious and at times historically terrible blowout losses sometimes paired with wins that have been either comfortable, or at least objectively less anxiety-inducing.

So with the game one loss being truly, terribly, awful, the wider royal we could hopefully find forgiveness for the optimists among us believing in the possibility that today’s game could be one such win in that pairing. And if you want to take a half glass full approach: it still was (almost) true! For the first almost exactly half of this game the Mariners were not only in the lead, they were shutting out their opponent.

For the first four and a half innings the Mariners weren’t doing so much that everything felt perfect, but it was fine, comfortable, and even a little fun. Also definitively far from perfect tonight, Toronto starter José Soriano would go on to have a Quality Start and then some I’m sure Blue Jays fans also found fine, comfortable, and even a little fun, and the first inning matched that tone. Less than ten pitches and out on contact, the top of the Seattle lineup went down in order. Josh Naylor continued that trend to start the second inning, but Cal Raleigh would follow it up with a very Cal In Toronto thing and give Seattle fans a little bit of the aforementioned fun and Soriano some of the aforementioned less than perfect. It was Cal Raleigh’s 19th home run of the season, and put Seattle on the board first.

Soriano escaped the second after that with a ground out and then a called strikeout to Cole Young and then Taylor Ward. The third would see J.P. Crawford, returned from the IL, single to start the inning. Brock Rodden dampened that moment with a fly-out, and then Randy Arozarena washed it away entirely when he hit into an inning-ending double play. The fourth inning is when fun baseball would dare rear its ugly, threatening head at Mariners fandom once again.

Not at first, of course. Canzone laced a 100.3 mph line-out right at 2B Charles McAdoo, and Julio went down swinging on a 2-2 count to quickly make it two outs. Josh Naylor next landed a single, and Soriano had trouble locating the zone for a few batters and walked Raleigh and Young, setting things up for Taylor Ward. A lot of the conversation around Ward since his mid-season acquisition has been about the lack of a return on that trade, from a double-edged threat of inconsistent health and nearly non-existent offensive contributions when healthy. After his first at bat, this pivotal moment provided perfect opportunity to at the very least muffle those shouts to a whisper, if but for a day longer.

Taylor Ward did not disappoint! It was fun, even! A sharp liner to left and two runners scoring later, and the Mariners were ahead 3-0 on the RBI single.

Next up to bat was Crawford, and he grounded into a force-out to end the inning, but the bases loaded opportunity hadn’t been wasted. Seattle’s rookie year pitcher in only his second game and first road game, Kade Anderson, would now be able to go on in the game with a lead comfortable enough to leave room for anything around Quality.

Kade Anderson never reached that quality start in terms of innings, no surprise given his stated pitch limit of roughly 80 pitches, but he was that good in terms of damage allowed. Anderson struck out the first Blue Jay batter of the day, Brett Batemen, on a 2-2 fastball above the zone, and tackled the next two batters with outs on contact from pitches that were honestly far too middle. Kade only gave up a walk in the third, losing a 3-2 battle to Kazuma Okamoto. Well, lost on the edges, and it could have easily gone his way.

Kade faced four batters in the third, giving up his first hit, a single on a very well executed bunt from Myles Straw, and escaping the inning with an Alejandro Kirk swinging strikeout. In the fourth the Blue Jays would once again threaten the rookie pitcher, with a one pitch George Springer double and a full count Okamoto walk, before he would escape with a fly-out and a pop-out to McAdoo and Clement, respectively.

Anderson would start his half of the fifth inning beautifully, striking out Daz Cameron on three pitches, but the inning would go on to end without him. Myles Straw singled on a meatball slider and Brett Bateman walked on a 3-1 count, and Kade’s night was done as Eduard Bazardo came in. Bazardo wasn’t able to hold those inherited batters, and so Kade’s final line was 4.1 IP, two earned runs given up on three hits, with three walks and three strikeouts, and 54 of his 85 pitches for strikes with eight whiffs.

For what it is worth, Kade Anderson seemed to suffer a little rookie squeeze on his strike zone, with a few pitches that Raleigh could have challenged, but there were also times where Anderson did himself no favors either in being too wild or too center.

As far as I’ve told you so far, for about exactly half of the baseball game, all was overall well for the Mariners. Kade Anderson did about as well as you could expect, Raleigh was properly pestering Jays in their own roost. Then, the second arguably more important half of the baseball game happened, and all of those good things mattered none, at least in terms of outcome.

Of course it didn’t immediately fall off of a cliff. After Bazardo came in he handed Kirk his second swinging strikeout of the night, getting him to swing under a 3-2 fastball on the top shelf. Vladdy then got some 3-2 revenge and worked a walk to make it full with the two inherited batters. Then eternally-annoying-to-the-Mariners George Springer worked yet another full count, this one finished off by a wild pitch from Bazardo that walked in one run by force and with some less than stellar plate coverage from Eduardo himself allowed another to score and bringing the Jays within one run.

José A. Ferrer started the sixth for Seattle, and was the one to give up the lead. McAdoo walked to start the inning but Ferrer recovered enough to get Ernie Clement to line out and Daz Cameron to ground out. Myles Straw worked it full and walked, a phrase I long grew tired of typing, Bateman singled in McAdoo, and Alejandro Kirk finally exacted revenge for his earlier flailings by driving in Straw with a single of his own. Carlos Vargas took over for and finished the inning for Ferrer, and comfortably finished the rest of the game the Mariners needed from the ‘pen, putting in 2.1 innings of work and striking out two without allowing a hit or a walk.

Flowers to Vargas for being one of the lone bright spots in the back half of this game, because it certainly wasn’t the hitting. Soriano finished a full seven innings and racked up six of the Mariners’ ten strikeouts. Silver linings and flowers in the cracks of asphalt floors can do little to distract from the dark cloud that settled over the game though, the reasons for why a close loss felt so toothless. Why a close season feels so lost. The top three of the order (Arozarena, Canzone, and Rodríguez) all went hitless with five strikeouts and only one walk among them. The only hitters with multi-hit nights were Naylor and Raleigh.

Maybe today was the game that was needed to correct that back and forth rhythm into a direction that favors the last month trend towards a playoff appearance. Maybe by resetting the luck halfway through the game instead of in between them, that will allow them to salvage tomorrow’s game from falling victim to another loss and so a series sweep. If that is the case, I will gladly take the joys in the first half of signs of life in Raleigh’s bat and continued proof from Anderson that he could probably hang at this level. However I won’t be surprised if it means none of those things, because in a lot of ways today very much felt like being on the see-saw, because the Mariners falling off today felt exactly like falling on one’s ass.

When the white flag flew, Zane Smith was leading the NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona. Making his 107th career start at the top level of the sport, he was hoping to become the 210th different winner in Cup Series history. However, that ultimately went to Ryan Preece.

On the final overtime restart, Smith was leading with Ryan Blaney pushing. Ryan Preece restarted up top with Tyler Reddick behind him. By the time they reached the white flag, Smith was clearly ahead with Blaney, Preece, and Reddick three-wide behind him.

He just had to decide which lane to block. First he went middle, and then top as the bottom-most lane faded. As the field raced through Turns 1 and 2, Tyler Reddick looked to the outside of the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford.

Smith reacted and they touched, both Smith managed to slid up in front of Reddick, who was looking to sweep the Daytona races this year. Reddick remained glued to Smith's bumper, who quickly lost control mid-corner. The car snapped around and slammed the outside wall, triggering a multi-car pileup.

Smith got hit by multiple cars and never reached the finish line, placing 32nd.

Watch: Preece wins in chaotic Daytona finish for first points-paying victory

Smith blocked and Reddick didn't lift

While his post-race comments were brief, Smith was clearly frustrated. “I just got wrecked," he said outside the infield care center. "I haven’t really seen a replay to break it down, but it’s just unfortunate to come that close and have it not work out.”

When asked if it was 'just a case of everybody going for the win,' Smith replied: “Yeah, I guess. I don’t know. I haven’t seen a replay. It felt like I didn’t even get a shot to survive with the 45 [Reddick] and just got wiped out.”

As for Reddick, he went on to finish third, sneaking past Smith as the No. 38 crashed in front of him.

“When the 38 (Smith) threw that block, it’s just so late, if you lift, you’re not going to have the push and the momentum you need to stay with the front row," said Reddick. "I was just in a spot where it’s like I couldn’t lift. Either I’m going to hit him or I’m going to get clear of him. Clipped him and lost some momentum there and lost some help.”

Ryan Preece earns huge win in Daytona thriller, eliminating Shane Van Gisbergen from the Chase

The complete NASCAR Cup 2026 Chase grid after points reset

Shane van Gisbergen reacts to missing the Chase, despite first stage win on an oval

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

The San Francisco 49ers are facing fresh questions over how they handled Kyle Shanahan’s car crash before informing the public what exactly went down.

Newly released records have given fans a closer look at the team’s communication with the police and the steps taken before the crash became public.

That new information has left NFL fans divided over whether the 49ers handled a sensitive situation in the right manner.

Kyle Shanahan Crash Records Fuel Debate Over 49ers’ 11-Day Delay

Shanahan was involved in a serious two-car crash in Palo Alto on July 14. The 49ers did not announce the incident until July 25, but records show the organization began communicating with Palo Alto police shortly afterward while seeking the collision report.

49ers Security Director Larry Day contacted police two days after the crash and later said the team wanted to examine the report before releasing information. Once police made the report available on July 23, security executive Jeremy Jones contacted a lieutenant about the team’s planned media statement.

San Francisco released its announcement the next morning.

The crash itself also raised questions after Shanahan explained that he reached for his cellphone after believing his Tesla’s Autopilot system was engaged. His vehicle crossed the center line and struck an SUV at about 20 mph.

Shanahan suffered a concussion, three fractured ribs, a broken nose, a broken hand, more than 40 facial stitches, and two black eyes.

The newly released timeline quickly drew different responses from fans on X.

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One person questioned both the explanation and earlier reports about the Tesla, writing, “That was word salad. Learned nothing from that. Cops messed up, fixed error, it’s late, drop cell phone in Tesla car. Past reports said Tesla was self-driving; therefore, a dropped cell phone shouldn’t matter, hands usually off-wheel when self-driving by car. This vid told us nothing.”

Another fan took a very different view, praising the 49ers’ security operation. “I gotta say their security team is top-notch for this not to get out and under the radar,” the fan wrote.

For some supporters, the most important point was that the crash did not produce a fatal outcome. One fan wrote, “I’m grateful this didn’t end up being a catastrophic event and would hope coach Shanahan learned a valuable lesson.”

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The police report also became part of the discussion because of a clerical error that initially assigned blame to the other driver. That led one fan to point to the team’s decision, writing, “This makes the team look better. Seems like they didn’t want the police lying for them.”

Still, another fan saw little reason for the continued coverage. “NBC local station using this news to sell more TV ads. Nothing burger. Just sensationalist gossip/conspiracy theory stuff on ‘Celebrities,’” the fan wrote, while noting that Shanahan would have faced consequences if alcohol or drugs had been involved.

The crash also disrupted Shanahan’s work at training camp.

He initially faced restrictions because of concussion symptoms, while assistant head coach Chris Foerster and the coordinators handled key responsibilities until Shanahan could return to the sidelines.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

The Athletics faced the Baltimore Orioles hoping to bounce back from last night’s extra-inning defeat. The Orioles prevailed for a second straight day, winning 5-3 in a close, dramatic Saturday night contest.

Orioles Strike First Again

A’s starter Jack Perkins got his outing off to a good start with two scoreless innings to begin the game. Orioles right-hander Shane Baz matched Perkins with two scoreless innings of his own.

In the top of the third inning, Orioles first baseman Coby Mayo drew a leadoff walk and then advanced to second on Perkins’ throwing error on a pickoff attempt. With one out, Leody Taveras hit a ground-rule double to put the Orioles up 1-0. Perkins recovered to strike out the next two batters and limit the damage. For the second straight day, an A’s pitcher’s fielding error led to a run scoring.

Perkins’ command issues continued, as the fourth inning was the third straight in which he walked the leadoff batter. The Orioles failed to capitalize, as Perkins escaped the two-on, no-out jam without allowing the visitors’ lead to increase.

Orioles In Control

Meanwhile, the Athletics injury-depleted offense struggled against Baz, who needed just 63 pitches to breeze through five scoreless innings. He induced double plays in consecutive innings to wipe out potential A’s rallies. Not letting runners steal or putting on the hit and run are among the reasons the A’s rank near the MLB leaders in ground-ball double plays this season. That plus the team’s hack at every pitch offensive approach explains why the team has not scored more runs this season.

The Orioles scored a second run off Perkins in the fifth inning. Center fielder Colton Cowser hit his 13th home run of the season, a solo shot to center. Perkins finished the fifth inning, stranding two runners after allowing Cowser’s home run. He allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits, walking four and striking out five.

A’s Bullpen: A Mess

Left-handed reliever Jose Suarez replaced Perkins in the sixth inning, making his first appearance since returning from the injured list. His performance raised questions about whether the team would have been better off leaving him at Triple-A, or designating him for assignment.

After allowing two singles, Suarez surrendered Taveras’ two-out, two-run double past a diving Tommy White at third base, putting the Orioles up 4-0. A more agile athletic defender may have stopped that hit from getting down the line, further proving White’s limitations at the hot corner.

A’s Comeback Begins

Seeking another comeback, the A’s loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth against Baz. Right fielder Lawrence Butler drew a bases-loaded walk, bringing home Jonah Heim to put the hosts on the scoreboard.

With two outs, Baz hit Donovan Walton with a pitch, bringing home a run and cutting the Orioles’ lead to 4-2. That was the last straw for Baz, as right-hander Alex Hoppe replaced him out of Baltimore’s bullpen. Hoppe retired Max Muncy to end the inning and keep his team in front.

A’s Awful With RISP

Right-hander Luis Medina maintained his team’s momentum by pitching a scoreless seventh inning. The A’s newest waiver-wire claim, right-handed reliever Chris Roycroft, threw a scoreless eighth inning in his first appearance with the Green and Gold.

In the bottom of the seventh, Heim singled, and then Henry Bolte doubled to give the A’s a prime scoring opportunity against Orioles reliever Rico Garcia. With one out and the bases loaded, Baltimore brought in right-hander Yennier Cano, who escaped the jam by striking out Zack Gelof and Butler on nasty splitters.

The Athletics had another scoring chance in the bottom of the eighth after Orioles right-hander Cam Sanders walked two straight hitters. This time, the hosts took advantage as left fielder Carlos Cortes lined an RBI single to cut the A’s deficit to one.

Case in Point Why A’s Are In Last Place

Heim, who has delivered several clutch late-inning hits for the A’s this season, failed to come through. For the third time tonight, the hosts could not bring a runner home from third with fewer than two outs. Heim swung at a pitch well outside the strike zone, grounding into his second double play of the game.

The A’s frustration from wasting all those scoring opportunities carried over to the top of the ninth inning. Three errors on one play put the Orioles leadoff runner on third. Cowser quickly scored Baltimore’s fifth run of the night on a wild pitch by pitcher Elvis Alvarado.

The A’s rallied in the bottom of the ninth against Orioles reliever Andrew Kittredge. However, it was nothing more than a tease, With the game-tying run on second base, White grounded out to third base to end the game.

Somehow, the Orioles managed to hang on in this game that fully demonstrated why the A’s have not taken the step toward relevance under Manager Mark Kotsay. The Green and Gold made three errors on defense, while wasting several run-scoring opportunities. The Athletics recorded 10 hits, but finished the game2-for-8 with runners in scoring position, leaving 11 on base.

Tomorrow, the A’s will look to avoid being swept at home. Old friend Chris Bassit will start for the Orioles, while A’s left-hander Jeffrey Springs is expected to pitch, whether it is from the jump or after an opener.

George Lombard Jr.’s night ended at New York-Presbyterian Hospital after the Yankees pulled their top prospect with right knee discomfort in Game 2 against the Red Sox. Just 23 games into his major-league career, Lombard became the biggest concern from a night New York otherwise had every reason to celebrate.

The Yankees still beat Boston 9-2 and did it in one of the strangest ways possible. They finished with 13 hits, all singles, and not one extra-base hit. That matched a franchise feat last seen in 1909 against the Cleveland Naps, back when the Yankees were still the New York Highlanders.

X handle New York Yankees Stats wrote, “This is the second time in team history the Yankees had 9+ runs and 13+ hits without an extra-base hit in a home game. The other was on September 17, 1909, vs. the Cleveland Naps.”

After getting shut out 6-0 in Game 1, the Yankees needed a response, and Max Fried gave them one in his return from the injured list. He worked 3.2 innings with four strikeouts, allowing only a solo homer to Nick Sogard before walking Willson Contreras in the fourth. Fried then struck out Caleb Durbin and Andruw Monasterio before the Yankees pulled him.

The Yankees keep finding ways to win, even when it gets weird. Subscribe for more interesting stories.

The Yankees’ lineup did the rest by pounding Boston with singles. Brayan Bello held New York scoreless for two innings, but the dam broke in the third when the Yankees pushed across three runs and took control.

Jose Caballero opened the third with a single, and Trent Grisham followed with a walk. Ben Rice then drove in Caballero with another single before Jazz Chisholm Jr. brought Rice home on a sacrifice fly. Luis Garcia Jr. added another run with a grounder to second, scoring Grisham. Rice finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs and became the engine of New York’s offense.

The Yankees broke it open with five runs in the eighth.

Red Sox reliever Raymond Burgos gave up back-to-back singles before Jazz Chisholm Jr. helped load the bases. Amed Rosario, who had replaced the injured George Lombard Jr., then drove in Cody Bellinger to start the damage.

Spencer Jones followed Rosario with another single to keep the bases loaded, and Austin Wells blooped one into the outfield to bring home two more runs.

Jose Caballero added another single before Rice capped the rally with a two-run knock. The singles-only attack made the night even stranger; it was the most runs the Yankees had scored in a game without an extra-base hit since September 16, 1956.

Lombard was sent to New York-Presbyterian Hospital for imaging after tweaking his right knee on a checked swing in the second inning. The Yankees pulled him after three.

Lombard immediately grimaced, grabbed his knee, and hopped out of the batter’s box, but he stayed in long enough to single on Bello’s next pitch. He returned to shortstop for the top of the third before flying out in the bottom half and exiting the game. Jose Caballero took over at shortstop, while the 21-year-old was listed as day-to-day.

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Will Sunderland get their first three points of the season as Premier League action returns to the Stadium of Light this afternoon? Join Gav, Jonny and Andrew as they look ahead to the game! On today’s show:

• Will the excitement of the Europa League fixtures dropping carry into today’s game and give us an extra pep in our step?
• Fulham have a new manager, some new players, and a new philosophy – so will our team selection reflect that?
• This is an important game for both sides, so will it be a proper ding-dong affair, or a more concervative and pragmatic duel?
• Making the case for Trai Hume on the right – see if you agree!

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By 6 p.m., there won't be any guess work involved in assessing the Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster – it'll all be official because that's the deadline to set rosters across the NFL.

In the meantime, we took the information and learnings from Cincinnati's preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles and used it for the final version of our 53-man roster projections.

By 6 p.m., there won't be any guess work involved in assessing the Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster – it'll all be official because that's the deadline to set rosters across the NFL.

In the meantime, we took the information and learnings from Cincinnati's preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles and used it for the final version of our 53-man roster projections.