When it comes to some of the biggest mismatches in college basketball history, former Wisconsin starter Frank Kaminsky was as special as they come.

As a mismatch problem that warped from a late-blooming arc, the 7-foot menace peaked at exactly the right moment for the Badgers.

The 2015 consensus National College Player of the Year - including the Wooden Award - was more than a threat in the paint, too, as he showed no fear 

He could put the ball on the floor from the perimeter, he could dish the rock out of doubles like a guard, and if you weren't paying attention, he would knock down trailing 3-pointers.

So while most college centers in that era had to live near the rim, Kaminsky had a knack for dragging opposing bigs into uncomfortable space, something most defenses weren’t ready for at the time.

Kaminsky never blew by people, nor did he play above the rim, but his footwork, timing, and decision-making were elite.

He used his height to his advantage, too, as pump fakes became advantageous, while he'd establish counters on counters in the post and always seemed one step ahead defensively.

Kaminsky did a fantastic job of punishing those who made mistakes, because if you were late to a spot on the court, smaller - which many were - or slow to adjust, he was going to cook you.

Playing for Bo Ryan’s swing offense in Wisconsin meant your game was built around spacing, reads, and unselfishness, and Kaminsky melded into perfect form by the time he emerged as the nation's top player.

While Wisconsin's offense buzzed because Kaminsky was capable of doing everything, he made sure everyone around him was better.

Kaminsky’s development arc was one of legendary lore, as he made a massive senior-year leap after opening his college career as a role player early on, becoming a solid contributor.

Out of nowhere, a National Player of the Year was born.

In 2015, Kaminsky averaged 18.8 points, led Wisconsin to the national title game and was the clear leader of the Badgers. It was that late breakout that made him feel unstoppable, something like a grown man playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers.

His big-game confidence was something to be admired by, evidenced by his play in the Final Four, during Big Ten slugfests, while facing tournament pressure. Bottom line, Kaminsky was comfortable being the go-to guy, scored 20-plus in huge moments, proving his calming nature, laced with a smug confidence, was part of his aura.

When all was said and done, what we had was a dominant and special player because we had a 7-footer who stretched the floor as a center, mastered his skill and IQ over athleticism, perfectly fit - and elevated - an elite college system in an always tough Big 10, emerged in his final year like a seasoned pro, and overall, became one of the best examples of how college basketball greatness isn’t always about providing an NBA upside, but simply being where your feet are by mastering you craft.

Expectations are high every season for North Carolina when it takes the diamond at Boshamer Stadium, and this year is no different. 

The Tar Heels are coming off a 46-15 season, including an 18-11 mark in ACC play and an ACC tournament championship. The Tar Heels’ season ended in disappointment with a loss to Arizona in Game 3 of the Chapel Hill Super Regional.

Still, there is plenty of excitement around the program, given that most of the pitching staff returns from last season. UNC’s staff had the third-best ERA in the nation at 3.47 and the best in the ACC for the second straight year.

UNC opens the 2026 season with a weekend series against Indiana on Feb. 13-15 at Bryson Field at Boshamer Stadium.

Here is a look at what the starting rotation could be this season.

RHP Jason DeCaro

DeCaro returns after recording a 9-3 season with a 3.78 ERA, 70 strikeouts and 26 walks in 83.1 innings pitched. DeCaro recorded six or more strikeouts in seven of his starts and was ​​named to the All-ACC second team for the second straight season. DeCaro was rated as the seventh-best pitcher in the country by D1Baseball.

RHP Ryan Lynch

Lynch is coming off of a strong freshman campagin that saw him earn All-Freshman honors by D1Baseball and Baseball America.

He appeared in 27 games and made three starts for the Diamond Heels, spending most of the season as a key reliever before moving into the rotation in the postseason.

Lynch went 5-1 with two saves, posting a 2.92 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings. He finished in the top 10 in the ACC in several categories, including ERA (2.92, second), hits allowed per nine innings (6.46, third), appearances (27, sixth), strikeouts per nine (10.57, eighth) and WHIP (1.13, ninth).

In his three starts, Lynch compiled a 2.25 ERA with 18 strikeouts and a .167 opponents’ batting average over 16 innings. He made his first career start in the ACC tournament title game against Clemson on May 25, throwing four shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out seven to help UNC win its 27th conference championship.

LHP Folger Boaz

The only left-hander in the projected starting rotation, Boaz returns after a solid season on the mound. Used mostly out of the bullpen, he went 3-0 with a 3.90 ERA, 20 strikeouts and 14 walks in 30 innings.

Boaz was good enough to start last season, but he was coming off a season-ending injury the year before. He was a member of the starting rotation in 2024 and became the first freshman to make his pitching debut on opening day since Ryan Snare in 1998. He finished his freshman season 3-1, logging 39 innings with 38 strikeouts.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC baseball: Projected starting rotation for the 2026 season

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Lanie Grant scored 15 points, Indya Nivar added 14 and No. 21 North Carolina routed SMU 94-42 on Thursday night for its eighth straight victory.

Courtney Banghart secured her 400th career win to become one of 48 active coaches in Division I women’s basketball to reach the mark.

North Carolina jumped out to a 28-9 lead by the end of the first quarter after making 6 of 8 3-pointers, while SMU went 3-for-14 overall. Five different Tar Heel players made a 3-pointer in the first quarter, with Laila Hull going 2 for 2.

Then the Tar Heels went on a 14-0 run, with 3-pointers by Nyla Brooks and Taliyah Henderson, early in the second quarter for a 31-point lead. Hull made North Carolina's ninth 3-pointer of the first half — on just 12 attempts — for a 49-18 lead at the break.

North Carolina's lead did not drop below 31 points in the second half.

Henderson finished with 13 points and Hull had 11 for North Carolina (21-5, 10-3 ACC).

Zahra King led SMU (8-17, 1-12) with 15 points on 5-of-17 shooting. The Mustangs have lost six straight games.

The Tar Heels finished 12 of 26 from 3-point range, while SMU went 12 of 52 overall (23%).

Up next

SMU: Begins a three-game homestand on Sunday against Pittsburgh.

UNC: Goes down the road to play at No. 11 Duke on Sunday.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

Arsenal did the difficult part, but then faltered at what they’re supposed to be best at, making this title challenge that bit more testing. Except, much of that was down to Brentford. Keith Andrews’s side beat – or perhaps drew with – Arsenal at their own game.

Brentford fully deserved Keane Lewis-Potter’s set-piece equaliser, and the 1-1 draw ultimately leaves Arsenal’s lead down to just four points.

They even looked likelier to win it at the end, Gabriel Martinelli’s late chance only came after Arsenal required crucial interventions from Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice.

That is why Brentford are still seen as one of the Premier League’s acid tests, perhaps even more testing than ever before. It is the most classic battle, the one teams have to really work through.

Failing to win this fixture isn’t a sign you won’t win the title, but it’s a match that goes some way to showing your mettle and how you can really go through the gears in a title race.

Arsenal’s minimalism wasn’t enough here. It may end up serving as another warning.

Mikel Arteta will nevertheless be most frustrated that it should have been enough. Arsenal had the lead through Noni Madueke’s fine header, only for the team that normally shuts down games to see themselves opened up again and again.

Brentford just forced them open. On conceding the goal, they immediately upped it in so many ways. It’s rare to see Arsenal so threatened on set-pieces.

Maybe part of that was down to the absence of William Saliba.

The Gunners didn’t get going until it was too late in the game, allowing Brentford that margin.

That could be seen in the fact that they had just one shot in the first half, their lowest in an opening 45 minutes since a 5-0 thrashing to Manchester City in August 2021.

It is a balance that Arteta still has to figure out, as he too often leans towards control too often. The sense remains of a team trying to win the league on calculated probabilities rather than the true end product, of being so close now that the coach is now not taking enough risks.

You almost extend it to the expenditure.

One reason that Arsenal are where they are across all competitions is their squad depth, and yet there are moments when it’s hard not to wonder whether they could have used their budget in a slightly different way.

The starting attack in this game was a prime example. As good as Viktor Gyokeres and Madueke are in their own way, would the club have been better served pooling the money for both together, in the region of £107m, and going for one “killer”. An elevated star that they are still missing.

Even Leandro Trossard, brilliant as he’s been for the club, often feels like he should be the impact sub rather than the starter.

Eberechi Eze was signed to offer that extra stardust, but it is going to be difficult to rise to the occasion when he is constantly in and out.

And, after that first half, Arteta made the changes.

Martin Odegaard was introduced. The Norwegian did have an initial impact, which helped force the opener.

There was a sense of what might have been.

Madueke remains a tantalisingly frustrating player, as if there are still elements missing to complete his game. One is delivery.

There are so many occasions when he does wonders to beat his man, and often embarrasses them, only to try the same slowly floated cross that is so easy to defend against.

He perhaps saw the benefit of a more traditional effort on 61 minutes, which allowed the 23-year-old to show the productive player he often promises to be.

Arsenal’s changes had admittedly ensured that they were starting to pen Brentford in, with Odegaard looking especially lively.

It was his pressing that forced Andrews’s backline into an error, the ball then arriving at the feet of Piero Hincapie. He hooked over a fine cross, although one where Madueke looked like he might have stepped forward a touch too early. It was instead Caoimhin Kelleher who was wrong-footed, although only because Madueke showed impressive agility.

The winger arched back to loop a header across the goal and into the bottom corner.

That should have been that, only for Odegaard to then look a bit more culpable at the other end. He only stuck his leg out for one of Brentford’s aerial assaults, allowing Lewis-Potter to plunder a brilliant header.

Arsenal were lucky not to concede from that route again.

Brentford are more than just an awkward team, or a physical one. There’s so much calculation in everything they do, as befitting a modern club built on analytics. You can almost see the science behind every move, the manner in which the ball is played into areas of probability.

A favoured attack is one of the wingers immediately playing a first-time ball across the opposition area on the break, which tends to instantly cause angst.

Arsenal had to be on their toes, from start to especially raucous finish. The end of the game had a lot of football in it, particularly in a helter-skelter stoppage time. David Raya had already offered one of the saves of the season from Igor Thiago and had to be constantly alert as a relentless Brentford just kept roaring forward. The home side could have won it at least twice in the closing stages, Arsenal once.

Those late blocks may prove important to Arsenal in another way. It may end up a good point in the grander scheme of things. Rather than such one-off moments, though, Arteta and his staff will be looking at those two lost points.

If Arsenal wanted more, however, they should have done more.

Daytona Duels 2026 live updates, results, highlights from Daytona 500 qualifying races originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cup Series calendar kicks off in earnest with Daytona Duels. It's a welcome sight for NASCAR fans. After all, it indicates that the greatest spectacle in stock car racing -- the Daytona 500 -- is on the horizon.

Kyle Busch and Chase Briscoe embraced the spotlight during Wednesday's qualifying session, bursting around the bend to secure front-row placement in Sunday's race. They, too, will join the ranks of Daytona Duels contestants, surrounded by a cadre of drivers hoping to get their Cup Series campaigns off on the right foot.

The shortened nature of the run, coupled with the perilousness of Daytona International Speedway's winding thoroughfare, could precipitate fireworks across two heats. The Big One looms like a shadow for all those who prance inside the coliseum's hallowed halls. Thursday's outing could provide a preview.

The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Thursday's Daytona Duels. Follow below for highlights, results and more from the night races at Daytona International Speedway.

WATCH: Watch NASCAR's Daytona Duels races live with Fubo

Daytona Duels 2026 live updates, highlights

(All times Eastern)

8:15 p.m.: CAUTION! After climbing out to the top of the pack, Bubba Wallace goes spinning after facing a bump from Austin Dillon! We're headed to overtime! Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano will set things off with just two laps left.

7:58 p.m.: CAUTION! The yellow flag billows as Casey Mears gets into Noah Gragson after spinning on the infield grass. That's the first caution of the race! And that should bring a procession of cars into pit road.

7:50 p.m.: Preece continues to hold firm as the race leader. Busch has fallen off a fair bit, dropping to sixth in the field. Things have been clean so far, with a green flag pit stop appearing to be on the horizon -- at least at the moment.

7:40 p.m.: Through 25 or so laps, Preece leads the way, pacing the pack at a speed around 190 mph. Chris Buescher isn't too far behind.

7:20 p.m.: And we're off! Kyle Busch and Ryan Preece lead the way in the first of 100 laps!

7:15 p.m.: Duel 1 drivers have started their engines! The first race will start in the next five or so minutes.

Duel 1 starting lineup

Duel 2 starting lineup

Daytona Duels 2026 start times

• Duel 1: 7 p.m. ET
• Duel 2: 8:45 p.m. ET (approx.)

Duel 1 will consist of odd-number finishers (one, three, five, etc.) from time trials. Duel 2 will feature the trial's even-numbered participants (two, four, six, etc.)

Daytona Duels 2026 TV channel

• TV networks: FS1 (U.S.), TSN5 (Canada)
• Live stream:Fubo

Thursday's races will be broadcast on FS1 nationally. Mike Joy (play-by-play) will lead the call; he'll be joined by analysts Clint Bowyer and Larry McReynolds, who will offer occasional musings from the booth.

The races can be streamed on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.

What is offsides in hockey? Explaining rules, meaning and how it’s determined on the ice originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In hockey, a game can be defined by pure inches. That's especially the case at the blue line, where the margin between a scoring chance and a dead play is as thin as the edge of a skate blade. It is a boundary that demands perfect timing and absolute precision, yet it remains one of the most debated and scrutinized territories on the ice.

In the high-stakes environment of the Olympics or NHL, where games are won or lost on single sequences, this invisible line becomes a battleground for coaches, officials, and the technology designed to catch what the human eye simply cannot. There's a rule that everyone dreads: offsides.

Take Team USA's first Olympic game against Latvia, for example, where a Brock Nelson goal in the first period was overturned because the play was ruled offside. There are plenty of defining moments in recent years in the NHL, including Cale Makar’s controversial "non-offside" goal against the Oilers in the 2022 Western Conference Final. In that instance, the goal was upheld because Makar technically didn't have "possession" as he crossed the line, allowing his teammate to tag up in a split-second window.

Offsides. It can win and lose a game, and as Herb Brooks said in "Miracle": "It's a game of inches."

Here's everything you need to know about the offsides rule.

MORE: How many periods are there in hockey?

What is offsides in hockey?

In hockey, the offside rule is a puck-first policy designed to prevent players from waiting near the opponent's goal for a long pass. A play is ruled offside if an attacking player crosses the blue line into the offensive zone before the puck does.

Remember that all offsides reviews happen because this wasn't called lol pic.twitter.com/dTaW6nZMWO

— Derek Kramer (@DerekKramer49) February 12, 2026

To stay onside, a player must ensure that at least one skate is touching the blue line — or is at least over the "plane" of the line —at the moment the puck completely crosses into the zone. If a player enters too early, they must tag up by retreating and touching the blue line with their skate before they can legally rejoin the attack.

While the rule sounds simple, modern technology has turned it into a game of pixels; coaches can now challenge goals to see if a player's skate was a fraction of an inch off the ice before the puck arrived.

MORE: Explaining the NHL's goalie interference

Hockey offsides rules

Here is the breakdown of how the rule works in the NHL and International (Olympic) play:

1. The Golden Rule
   1. A play is offside if both skates of an attacking player completely cross the leading edge of the blue line before the puck does. To stay onside, a player must have at least one skate touching the blue line (or the "plane" of the line) at the instant the puck fully crosses it.
2. The "Plane" of the Line
   1. A major rule change in recent years (now standard in the 2026 Games) is that a player’s skate does not have to be physically touching the ice to be onside. As long as the skate is in the air above the blue line, they are considered onside.
3. Delayed Offside
   1. If the puck is dumped into the zone while teammates are already inside, the linesman will raise their arm to signal a delayed offside. The attacking players must all retreat and "tag" the blue line with their skates simultaneously. Once everyone has cleared the zone or touched the line, the offside is negated and they can go back after the puck.
4. The "Possession" Exception
   1. If a player has clear possession and control of the puck (e.g., skating backward with the puck or stick-handling), they are allowed to precede the puck across the blue line. This is why you will sometimes see a player cross the line before the puck without a whistle.

MORE: Gabriel Landeskog's recovery timeline

Hockey offsides review for goals 

If a goal is scored, a coach can challenge the play if they believe the attacking team entered the zone illegally at any point during that specific possession. In the scenario where a coach challenges, the refs and NHL office will review the play.

For a goal to be overturned, the offside must have occurred on the initial entry that led to the goal. If the puck leaves the zone and comes back in legally after an offside was missed, the goal stands. Moreover, there needs to be clear enough evidence to overturn the decision.

If the challenge is successful, the goal is taken off the board. If it is not, then the coach loses his challenge and the opponent is given a minor penalty.

MORE: How does the NHL Draft work?

When was offsides added to hockey rules?

The modern offside rule was born out of a chaotic "scoring explosion" during the 1929–30 NHL season.

While hockey had various rules about passing since its inception, the specific "blue line offside" we know today was established in December 1929 to fix a mistake the league had made just months earlier.

Since that original 1929 decision, the rule has been tweaked several times to keep up with the speed of the game:

MORE: The last time the Oilers won the Stanley Cup

What is a blue line? 

In simple terms, the blue lines are the boundaries that divide the hockey rink into three distinct sections. They are the most important markings for determining the flow of the game and, specifically, the offside rule. 

Both teams' offensive zones are marked by the blue lines, with the red line at the center. This splits the rink into three zones: 

• Defensive zone: The area between your own goal and the first blue line. 
• Neutral zone: The 50-foot "middle ground" between the two blue lines. Where the center-ice logo is located.
• Offensive zone: The area between the opponent's blue line and their goal.

The blue line is considered part of whichever zone the puck is currently in. If the puck is in the offensive zone, the blue line is "offensive ice" — meaning the puck isn't out until it completely clears the line.

For defensemen, the blue line is their primary workstation. They try to keep the puck inside the offensive zone. If the puck slides back over the blue line into the neutral zone, it is out, and every attacking player must leave the offensive zone before they can bring it back in.

MORE: Maple Leafs' playoff collapses

Offsides in hockey vs. soccer

While both hockey and soccer use offside rules to prevent "goal hanging" (players standing near the opponent's net to wait for long passes), the mechanics of how they are triggered are very different. In hockey, the rule is tied to a fixed line on the ice, whereas in soccer, the "line" is mobile and tied to the last defender.

In hockey, the blue line never moves. It doesn't matter where the defenders are standing; if the puck is in the neutral zone, you cannot cross that blue line until the puck does. The rule is judged the moment the puck crosses the blue line. If you are already in the zone when it crosses, you are offside.

In soccer, the "offside line" is an invisible line that moves up and down the pitch with the defenders. A player is in an offside position if any part of their body is nearer to the opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent (usually the last outfield defender, with the goalkeeper being the first). Additionally, offsides isn't called until after the ball is kicked.

MORE: Who has won the Conn Smythe Trophy?

Arsenal and Manchester City take a break from their battle at the top of the Premier League to try and remain on course for a quadruple this weekend as Wigan and Salford seek monumental FA Cup shocks.

Aston Villa and Newcastle are aiming to end their seven-decade waits for FA Cup glory when they face off in the tie of the round.

Sixth-tier Macclesfield produced arguably the biggest ever upset in the competition's history by knocking out holders Crystal Palace in the last round and have another Premier League scalp in their sights against Brentford.

AFP Sport looks at three of the talking points ahead of fourth round weekend:

Arsenal, City on course for unprecedented quadruple

City have already matched the greatest season in English football history three years ago by joining Manchester United's class of 1998/99 in winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in the same season.

But no side has ever won all three of those titles plus the League Cup.

Arsenal and City will face off for the first silverware of the season next month and the unprecedented quadruple remains on for both clubs.

The Gunners hold a four-point lead over Pep Guardiola's men at the top of the Premier League, but City have home advantage when the sides meet in April.

Both also progressed directly to the last 16 of the Champions League.

And it would be a huge surprise if they are not in the hat for found five on Monday.

The Gunners host Wigan, winners of the FA Cup in 2013, who currently sit in the League One relegation zone.

Fourth-tier Salford, co-owned by United legends David Beckham and Gary Neville, head to the Etihad hoping to avoid a repeat of the 8-0 thrashing they suffered at the hands of City last season.

Can Villa end trophy drought?

Villa are the best of the rest behind the Premier League's top two, but with winning the title now a distant dream, Unai Emery's men are aiming to end a 30-year wait to win a major trophy.

Villa's last FA Cup success was back in 1957, two years after Newcastle last lifted the trophy.

The Magpies ended their 70-year drought for domestic silverware by winning the League Cup last season.

Sitting 10th in the Premier League, Eddie Howe's side may need FA Cup glory to salvage an otherwise disappointing campaign.

However, Newcastle have struggled on the road all season and are likely to be without influential captain Bruno Guimaraes due to a hamstring injury.

Macclesfield seek another 'miracle'

The 117 places that separated Nations League North Macclesfield from Palace was the biggest gap ever overcome by the underdog in FA Cup history.

But they could break their own record on Monday when Brentford, who sit seventh in the top flight, visit Moss Rose.

"We went into the Crystal Palace game thinking it would take a miracle, but on the day the lads were outstanding and were fully-deserved winners," said Macclesfield boss John Rooney, the brother of former England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney.

"There will be a lot more eyes on us, expecting an upset, but that's testament to the club, to the players, to the staff, everyone who made the day possible."

Fixtures

Friday (all times GMT)

Hull v Chelsea, Wrexham v Ipswich (both 1945)

Saturday

Burton v West Ham (1215), Burnley v Mansfield, Norwich v West Brom, Manchester City v Salford, Southampton v Leicester, Port Vale v Bristol City (all 1500), Aston Villa v Newcastle (1745), Liverpool v Brighton (2000)

Sunday

Birmingham v Leeds (1200), Grimsby v Wolves (1330), Stoke v Fulham, Oxford v Sunderland (1400), Arsenal v Wigan (1630)

Monday

Macclesfield v Brentford (1930)

afp

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Jordan Spieth’s Sunday was better than most, and his Thursday wasn’t too shabby either.

Spieth missed the cut at the WM Phoenix Open on Friday and so flew in for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am early. On Sunday, he was first off the tee at Pebble Beach alongside his brother, Steven, and then headed over to Cypress Point, No. 1 on Golfweek’s Best Classic Courses list, for one of the better doubleheaders that one can possibly experience in golf.

“Just had a fun day,” Spieth said during his post-round press conference on Thursday. “Played a loop, we didn't play them all.”

Word had leaked out that Spieth had more than fun at Cypress – he made a hole-in-one at the par-3 15^th, one of the most special holes in golf.

“Yeah, ace,” he finally admitted, breaking into a wide smile. “Probably one of my top five holes in the world if you asked me where I’d want to make one on.”

Spieth’s made enough aces that he’s lost count for sure – 12 or 13 he figured – and said the last one was at the 199-yard, par-3 16th hole at TPC San Antonio during the opening round of the 2024 Valero Texas Open. 

On a sunny, warm Thursday with a barely a breath of wind, he shot 6-under 66 at Spyglass Hills Golf Club, a bogey-free that he called a testament to his short game. It was a good bounce back after the disappointment of a sloppy second round at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, a course that often has been a springboard to a quick start to his season.

“I thought let's just forget about it and use this as our pseudo-Phoenix and try to get dialed in,” he said. “I had a fluke kind of crappy day, woke up on the wrong side of the best kind of day last Friday.” 

Spieth from DEEP! 🦅

The 2017 @ATTProAm champ is T2 thru 9!

📺 @PGATOURLIVE on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/tY69jONV3A

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 12, 2026

The highlight of Spieth’s opening round was another hole out for eagle – only this was on the par-4 18^th as he flighted a gap wedge from 116 yards for a deuce.

“I took a little off it to control the spin and it landed right a bit and had draw spin,” he said. “It was a real bonus.” 

This is a week Spieth always circles on the calendar. He has been an AT&T ambassador since 2014, sports the logo on his golf bag, received his first Tour exemption as a pro here in 2013 and won the tournament in 2017, becoming the youngest champion at age 23. All told, he has six top 10 finishes in the event, the second most of players in the field this week behind only Jason Day with nine, and tied for second most of any event in his Tour career.

Spieth entered the week with 151 birdies at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am since 2017 the most of any player during that time span. Of his fast start, he said, “Spyglass 6 under may be the best I ever shot around here so very pleased.”

Now, he has three straight rounds at Pebble, where he’s gained an average of +0.41 strokes on Approach to the Green at Pebble Beach Golf Links, tied for his fifth highest average SG: Approach the Green at a course in his career. 

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Jordan Spieth ace at Cypress Point was prelude to hole out at Spyglass

Saquon Barkley was reborn in his first season in Philadelphia. Year 2? Not so much. What should fantasy managers expect in 2026?

In 2024, Barkley became only the ninth RB in NFL history to record 480+ touches in a season (including the playoffs). It had happened only once in the previous 23 years: DeMarco Murray's historically dominant 2014 campaign. In 2015, Murray struggled as expected. Because that's what usually happens to high-usage running backs.

Based on preseason ADP, Barkley was a fantasy bust in 2025. One interesting stat that jumps out: on 280 regular-season carries, he averaged a career-low 1.6 yards after first contact. In other words, it was easier than ever to take him down.

Now, on the backside of his career, Barkley remains one of the few NFL bell cows. He's also a bigger fantasy risk due to injury history and advancing age (29 years old). His 346 touches this past season are moderately concerning based on historical data.

We should anticipate an ADP around RB6 to RB8. The fantasy market still loves him. A rebound will be anticipated. But since he's no longer the catch-friendly RB of his youth, most of his fantasy production will come on the ground and in the end zone. While a top 10 finish is doable, it's hard to envision him exceeding expectations.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Saquon Barkley: Early 2026 ADP and scoring projections for Eagles RB

The Chargers will likely be retooling the interior part of the offensive line this offseason, and Pro Football Focus believes that they could be the best landing spot for one of the top pending free agent guards.

PFF tabbed Los Angeles as the best landing spot for Bills' David Edwards.

The Bills’ offensive success may frequently rest on the shoulders of Josh Allen, but the pieces up front play a huge role in the equation. Edwards was a key contributor to Buffalo’s success both on the ground and through the air in 2025.

Edwards, 28, is entering free agency following a career-best 2025 season with the Bills, where he established himself as one of the premier pass-blocking guards in the league. His 75.0 PFF pass-blocking grade ranked 14th among 81 qualifying guards.

Edwards played over 1,000 snaps for the second consecutive year and has postseason experience, including a Super Bowl win with the Rams.

Edwards' projected contract is for approximately 3 years and is worth $59.7 million with a $19.9 million AAV, according to Spotrac.

While pricey, the Chargers are one of the few teams with the cap space to make a signing like that, projected to have approximately $82 million in salary cap space for the offseason.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers dubbed as best landing spot for free agent guard

Strike up the steel drums and put the Trinidad flags at full mast.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was granted an injunction in a Mississippi court by Judge Robert Whitwell allowing him to continue playing football as the signal caller’s lawsuit against the NCAA proceeds. Chambliss’ attorneys successfully argued against the NCAA that the organization ignored a medical redshirt season and were causing harm to his chances for a career in football.

The court scene had all the makings of a John Grisham novel. A packed court room full of extremely interested folks who came to watch, praying for a win for Chambliss. The deep, measured and Southern voice of Judge Whitwell resonated as he politely asked for Ole Miss quarterback coach Joe Judge to please slow down when talking for the stenographer. “Down here you know we talk a little bit slower,” Chambliss’ attorney said.

The judge asked Chambliss pointed questions when he took the stand this afternoon. When asked if he played a single snap in the 2022 season, the Rebel quarterback said no, not one. When testifying about that season, Chambliss said his coach told him before the season began he would be medical redshirted for the year.

Chambliss’ mother detailed how her son had respiratory issues and was unable to prepare for the 2022 season losing weight down to 176 pounds in the preseason.

The NCAA made references to a recent ruling from Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako being denied eligibility after playing in a professional league, but ole Judge Whitwell is a straight ball knower and said the two cases were not similar or apples to apples comparison.

It’s really a cut and dry situation for the NCAA and Ole Miss. The powers that be wanted to exert some amount of control and draw a line in the sand with an emerging superstar in the sport. It chose poorly as it was clear Chambliss stands to gain money from his play in the 2026 season, improved odds to succeed at the next level in the NFL, and potentially boost his draft stock with NFL teams by proving the 2025 season was not just some fluke.

Now I have zero doubt the NCAA will file some appeal to this, and they’ve already put out a very long, boring and judgmental as hell statement about this case. Awesome, Trinidad is still going to be taking the field, and y’all can watch from your ivory towers in Indianapolis with clutched pearls.

The Colorado Buffaloes basketball team was flat-out embarrassed Wednesday night in Lubbock, Texas. The Texas Tech Red Raiders ran Colorado out of the building 78-44, handing the Buffs their worst loss of the season.

It was a completely forgettable showing from Colorado, and afterward, head coach Tad Boyle did not hold back. He was fired up and delivered plenty of memorable, heated quotes.

"I mean, that was a good, old-fashioned ass-whoopin," Boyle said after the Buffs fell to 4-8 in Big 12 play this season.

"There’s just no other way to say it," Boyle said. "A lot of you guys are from West Texas. You probably know what that is. We took one tonight. Credit Texas Tech. Their program has a motto: the toughest team wins. There wasn’t even a question who the tougher team was tonight."

Colorado head coach Tad Boyle didn't hold back following the Buffs 78-44 loss to Texas Tech...

"That was just a good old-fashion ass whoopin." pic.twitter.com/8pqCDQAwKk

— A David Collier (@CollieronTV) February 12, 2026

Colorado shot just 29 percent from the field, making 16 of 55 attempts, and went 6 of 25 from three-point range. Abysmal numbers for Tad Boyle's Buffaloes. Even if this was a game they were not expected to win, losing by more than 30 is not acceptable.

"I’m embarrassed by our performance," Boyle said. "I’m embarrassed for our university. I’m embarrassed for the city of Boulder. I’m embarrassed for the state of Colorado. I’m embarrassed for every former player that's worn this uniform. We’ve got to own this."

Only two Buffs reached double figures in scoring. Isaiah Johnson finished with 13 points, and Ian Inman added 12. Texas Tech dominated the glass, with star forward JT Toppin grabbing 18 rebounds by himself. Colorado's leading rebounder, Bangot Dak, had just one.

Boyle even said that he and his team did not deserve a charter flight home, that they should be catching a 6 a.m. commercial flight instead. It was a strong message from a coach who is usually measured in postgame settings.

"That’s what we deserve right now. We deserve to be on a 6 a.m. flight out of Lubbock — commercial, Southwest, or whatever airline you choose," Boyle said. "We don’t deserve a charter plane back to Boulder tonight. We got one. We paid for it, but we wasted our money. We wasted our university’s money, and that’s on me. I’ll take the ownership of this because I’m the head coach. The buck stops with me. But I’m embarrassed. I’ve not said I’m embarrassed very often, but I’m embarrassed tonight."

Boyle and the Buffaloes will try to right the ship on the road Saturday evening against the No. 22-ranked BYU Cougars and projected first overall pick AJ Dybansta.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado basketball embarrassed by Texas Tech, Tad Boyle reacts

John Shirreffs, the soft-spoken giant who trained Zenyatta, perhaps the best mare of all-time, died in Southern California on Thursday. He was 80. No cause of death was announced.

Shirreffs was one of the top trainers in Southern California with 3,589 starts, 596 of them wins resulting in $58.5 million in purses.

He was a familiar face around local tracks, usually ponying his horses to the track during morning training and then avoiding the spotlight when his horse won by staying on the racing surface and not going to the Winner’s Circle, leaving the punditry to his wife, Dottie Ingordo.

Shirreffs first grabbed national attention when he won the Kentucky Derby with Giacomo at odds of 50-1 in 2005. The horse was partially owned by legendary record producer Jerry Moss, the M along with Herb Alpert in A&M records. Shirreffs remained Moss’ primary trainer until his death in 2023.

Then after Giacomo came Zenyatta, whose personality and skill won the hearts of Southern California race-goers in her 19-race winning streak that included an “un-believe-able” (according to race caller Trevor Denman) last-to-first win against the boys in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita in 2009.

Shirreffs, a Marine veteran, fell into horse racing by accident.

Read more:Zenyatta is 20 years old. Her legend in horse racing still shines bright

“When I got back from Vietnam, I had no place to go, but I had a friend who knew somebody, so they they said, ‘Come on out West,’” Shirreffs told The Times before last year’s Kentucky Derby.

“So here I'm in New York, I don't know anything about [horses] except I've seen a lot of cowboy movies. So here comes Jim Matthews, pulls up in his trailer, he has his horse set and he it backs his horse out of a trailer.”

Shirreffs admits to not really knowing what he was doing.

“A week or so later, Jim's just calls me and says, ‘Do you want to come to work for me?’ I said 'Yeah, that'd be great," Shirreffs said. "So, I went to work for him and didn't get paid anything, just room and board. He soon said, ‘I'll give you this horse and if you sell it, you can make some money.’

“So I'm riding this horse across this field and I get stuck in this mud box. I get the horse out of the mud and Henry Freitas [at Loma Rica Ranch in Central California] asked if I would like to work for him. I said, ‘Well, sure, I get paid here, right? This is great.

“I worked there about 11 years, and one day in he says, 'John, you wanna take my horse to the fairs?’ I said, ‘Sure, I'd love to do that.’ And that's how it all started. You know, I never planned it and the opportunity just presented itself each time and when I was fortunate enough, and had some experience with horses, and that’s how it started.”

Shirreffs was asked if Vietnam or training horses was more difficult.

“Well, we don’t want to talk about that,” Shirreffs said.

Santa Anita issued a statement regarding Shirreffs’ death.

“Every horse who races at Santa Anita must first past by the statue of John’s greatest trainee, the wonderful mare Zenyatta. While John’s victories were plentiful and prestigious, what he accomplished with Zenyatta in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic was a masterpiece and deservedly was voted as the top moment in Santa Anita Park’s 90 years. Our deepest condolences are extended to John’s wife, Dottie, and his family, including those horsemen and women who worked closely with John for so many years. May his memory be a blessing.”

No funeral arrangements have been announced.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State coach Jerome Tang blasted his players after Cincinnati beat the Wildcats by 29 points Wednesday on a night many fans showed up with bags on their heads.

The Wildcats dropped to 10-14 with the 91-62 loss, including 1-10 in the Big 12 Conference.

“This was embarrassing,” Tang said. “These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform. There will be very few of them in it next year. I’m embarrassed for the university, I’m embarrassed for our fans, our student section. It is just ridiculous. We’ve got practice at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning, and we will get this thing right. I have no answer and no words."

He then said he would take only two questions from the media, adding, "Right now, I’m like pissed.”

Kansas State went 26-10 in Tang's first season and came a three-point loss to Florida Atlantic from making the 2023 Final Four. His record since then is 45-46.

The Wildcats have lost three home games in a row by at least 20 points, a big reason fans showed up with paper bags on their heads.

“I'd wear a paper, too, if I were them,” Tang said.

___

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ISLAMABAD (AP) — With a momentary pause in his delivery and his statue-like pose at the crease, Pakistan spin bowler Usman Tariq has created plenty of attention at cricket's Twenty20 World Cup.

Just enough, it seems, to throw off opposing batters.

With it has come a fair share of controversy — that his pause-and sling style of bowling is an illegal delivery, or in cricket parlance, chucking. He's already been reported twice, but cleared, by Pakistani cricket authorities.

The 28-year-old offspinner’s unconventional bowling action has already mesmerized some of the big names in shortest format of the game and has seen him taking three wickets against an inexperienced United States in Sri Lanka this week in what was his first T20 World Cup game.

As is often the case in cricket, the reasons for Tariq’s potential illegal delivery are complicated.

First there is the so-called “15-degree debate” — that bowlers cannot exceed the ICC’s 15-degree elbow flex limit, which is nearly impossible for on-field umpires to judge accurately in real time.

Another talking point has been the pause in Tariq’s delivery stride. Some critics, including former India cricketer Shreevats Goswami, compare it to a soccer penalty run-up that would be ruled illegal if the shooter stops midway.

Baffling the batters

Batters like Cameron Green of Australia and South African Dewald Brevis are a few notable players that were flummoxed by Tariq’s bowling action.

Power-hitter Brevis fell to Tariq’s only second ball in T20 international cricket in November. Green shook his head in disbelief and mocked Tariq’s bowling action close to the boundary line — but later apologized — when he walked back after slicing a wide delivery straight to the cover fielder during Pakistan’s 3-0 sweep of Australia at Lahore.

Tariq’s rise in T20 cricket has also seen him taking a hat-trick at Rawalpindi when he took 4-18 against Zimbabwe during the tri-series in November. He has taken 11 wickets off his 88 balls in only four T20 internationals.

It was no surprise when selectors included Tariq in the 15-man T20 World Cup squad, knowing that pitches in Sri Lanka would suit slow bowlers more than pacemen.

Tariq’s journey to top-level cricket wasn’t a smooth one. He was twice reported for suspect bowling action during country’s premier domestic T20 tournament — the Pakistan Super League — over the last two seasons, but on both occasions he was cleared after testing at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

“I have two elbows in my arm,” Tariq said. "My arm bends naturally. I have got this tested and cleared. Everyone feels I bend my arm and all that. My bent arm is a biological issue.”

Tariq has also featured in the Caribbean Premier League and with his deceptive bowling action he was the tournament’s second-highest wicket taker for champions Trinbago Knight Riders.

Long pause a problem

“The batters are struggling to read Tariq because of the long pause the moment he steps on the bowling crease,” former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who has played with Tariq in the PSL's Quetta Gladiators, told The Associated Press.

“The long pause disturbs all the concentration of batters and when he bowls a fastish (delivery, after a long pause), or even a slow ball, it leaves the batters clueless.”

Less than three months ago, Tariq said he had dreamed about playing against archrival India. And after Pakistan withdrew its boycott of Sunday’s game in the T20 World Cup, Tariq's dream could come true if Pakistan uses five spinners against India.

“I wish there’s a match against India and I can win the game for Pakistan single-handedly,” Tariq said then. “My coaches have injected this thing in me that ‘you have to win matches single-handedly'.”

On Sunday against India, Tariq could do just that.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

David Rubenstein, a billionaire who has owned the Baltimore Orioles since 2024, met with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2012, Front Office Sports reported on Thursday.

While Rubenstein, also a founder of the Washington, D.C.-based private-equity firm The Carlyle Group, is named in the Epstein files, he's not accused of any wrongdoing.

Among the millions of emails released by the Department of Justice last month are exchanges between Rubenstein and Epstein. Those reveal that Rubenstein met with Epstein for dinner in November 2012, four years after Epstein pleaded guilty to a state charge of solicitation of prostitution with a minor.

"Mr. Rubenstein had one meeting for 20 minutes in Carlyle’s office, at the request of people seeking Mr. Rubenstein’s participation in philanthropic endeavors, none of which were pursued by Mr. Rubenstein, a spokesperson for Rubenstein said in a statement provided tomultipleoutlets on Thursday.

"Nice meeting you finally," Epstein wrote in an email to Rubenstein on Nov. 12, 2012. Epstein and Rubenstein were reportedly introduced via email by Boris Nikolic, a physician once named as "successor executor" to Epstein's estate.

In that email, Epstein noted that Ehud Barak, a former prime minister of Israel, would be in Washington and asked whether Rubenstein would be interested in meeting with Barak to discuss the forecast for the economy following the election. 

At the time, incumbent Barack Obama had just defeated Mitt Romney in the 2012 U.S. presidential election.

Rubenstein then responded, "Thanks very much. Enjoyed the chance to meet you as well."

Later in that same message, Rubenstein added: "I need to check my schedule tomorrow. I really like ehud and I am up to speed on what congress and wh are doing — though impact on the economy is still a bit of guess work."

Rubenstein's spokesperson addressed that back-and-forth in their statement.

"A brief email thanking Mr. Rubenstein for the meeting also suggested a meeting between Mr. Rubenstein and Ehud Barak, which never occurred," the spokesperson told multiple outlets. 

"There is nothing more to Mr. Rubenstein’s involvement than that innocuous interaction."

That said, as reported by FOS, Epstein sent an email to Rubenstein two weeks later, and his reply suggested another meeting between them was in the works.

On Nov. 26, 2012, Epstein emailed Rubenstein a link to an article about Barak leaving politics. Less than two hours later, Rubenstein responded, "So no dinner this week?"

Epstein replied later that day, "dinner is a better idea now.. looking for interesting things to do."

Outside of Rubenstein's direct correspondence with Epstein, there's evidence of their connection in the files. FOS reported Thursday that, in July 2012, a "Sarah K" emailed Epstein a photo of a woman in a bathing suit, which Epstein forwarded to Nikolić and wrote "for david rubenstein."

The woman's face is redacted in the files.

Nikolić, who told The Wall Street Journal earlier this month that he "deeply" regrets associating with Epstein, responded back then to that email, "Thank you! HOT." 

A spokesperson for Rubenstein said Rubenstein had never received or seen that email from Nikolić, per FOS.

Rubenstein and fellow private-equity billionaire Mike Arougheti spearheaded the purchase of the Orioles from the Angelos family in January 2024, reportedly acquiring ownership of the club at a price that valued the team at $1.725 billion.

Peter Angelos, who led the purchase of the Orioles in 1993, died at 94 in March 2024. Soon after, Rubenstein, a Baltimore native, officially took over as the franchise's control person.

ONE Championship is kicking off Valentine’s Day weekend in style with ONE Friday Fights 142.

The world’s largest martial arts organization will broadcast ONE Friday Fights 142 live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium on February 13, and nearly two dozen athletes will compete for a chance to earn a six-figure contract and global roster spot.

Surging Thai knockout artists Apiwat Sor Somnuk and Panpadej NF Looksuan will throw down in the main event, and another highlight-reel stoppage in their flyweight Muay Thai tilt could land the victor a life-changing contract.

In the co-main event, Thai rising star Donking Yotharakmuaythai and Scottish slugger Gregor Thom will collide in another crucial flyweight Muay Thai battle.

Plus, in the featured attraction, former ONE World Title challengers “El Jefe” Ellis Badr Barboza and “Fighting Rooster” Zhang Peimian will meet in the ring, and the winner will inch closer to the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title picture.

For up-to-the-minute results and video highlights for every Muay Thai, MMA, and kickboxing match at ONE Friday Fights 142, check below. And come back later for ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II on Prime Video in U.S. primetime.

Source

The Denver Broncos will be getting a brand new stadium in the coming years and we’ve got our first look at the stadium site plans now that the location at Burnham Yard has been selected. Zach Stevens of DNVR posted it on his X account below:

The plan looks pretty state-of-the-art and now doubt beautiful once completed. This location will go far beyond just a concrete paradise, with lots of green areas and points of interest. I find the tailgate area to be of interest, of course. The only concern might be parking. It does feel to be lacking in this concept, but that could also just be my lack of perspective on total area covered here.

As we noted in our quote of the post, we look forward to the renderings that are sure to follow. What are your initial thoughts of the Broncos stadium site plan here? Share in the comments below.

The Ole Miss Rebels have had a tumultuous few weeks since the end of the 2025 college football season, but Trinidad Chambliss’ latest news has the program buzzing.

While drama has ensued in regards to the longtime collegiate quarterback, Thursday’s court ruling proved to be massive for the SEC program.

ESPN insider Pete Thamel revealed that Trinidad Chambliss has been granted a sixth year to play at Ole Miss. This comes after a state court judge in Mississippi ruled in favor of the signal caller.

MORE: Ole Miss football takes major blow in NCAA’s final Trinidad Chambliss decision

The NCAA originally denied Chambliss’ plea to continue playing college football Thursday prior to the new court decision. However, Ole Miss will immediately benefit if their superstar quarterback returns to the field in 2026.

Last season, Trinidad Chambliss was a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate for much of the season and helped guide the Rebels to the College Football Playoff.

Even after Lane Kiffin departed for LSU before the season ended, Ole Miss and Chambliss proved that they were among the best teams in the national championship picture.

MORE: Five prospects who can boost their stock at 2026 NFL Combine

In 2025, Chambliss passed for nearly 4,000 yards and threw for 22 touchdown passes. The 2026 NFL Draft prospect appears to be holding off on a pro career though.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

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The post Ole Miss given huge Trinidad Chambliss boost for 2026 college football season appeared first on The Big Lead.

BYU’s gymnastics team is on an upward trajectory for what could be the Cougars’ best season to date. The team just recorded its highest score since the 2024 Big 12 championships in a 196.975-196.000 win over SUU on the road last week.

That effort included season highs on vault (49.15), beam (49.375) and floor (49.30). The event highs were a nice complement to bars, which has been the Cougars’ strongest event this year.

BYU currently ranks No. 23 in the country and boasts a roster of 21 gymnasts, including 10 who call Utah home. Recruiting locally is nothing new for the Cougars, but there seems to be a momentum boost in recent years. That includes this year’s freshman class, which is arguably BYU’s most impressive.

“I chose BYU because I’m not going to be doing gymnastics forever. This was an opportunity to be part of a program that is continually climbing and one that was going to help me grow outside of gymnastics, surrounded by good people.”

BYU gymnast Scarlett Sonnenberg

Highlighting that freshman class is Scarlett Sonnenberg from Springville, Utah. Sonnenberg came to BYU with a five-star rating and was recruited by several top-25 programs. She is only the second five-star recruit in the state since the ratings system began, the other being Utah gymnast Avery Neff, who is from South Jordan, Utah.

“I think with the rating it is nice to know that I deserved it, that I got myself there and achieved something high,” said Sonnenberg. “But now, I’m really enjoying the team environment that everyone told me was a big change from club to college.

“I chose BYU because I’m not going to be doing gymnastics forever. This was an opportunity to be part of a program that is continually climbing and one that was going to help me grow outside of gymnastics, surrounded by good people.”

Sonnenberg’s ability to compete against the best gymnasts during her club career, many of whom she’s still competing against across college meets, prepared her for the mental and physical load of a college season. She is a regular in the vault, beam and floor lineups and has taken on the tough assignment of leading off events in her debut year.

“Scar is so talented,” said senior Kylie Eaquinto. “She’s been settling into the leadoff role for us on beam and floor, and she’s amazing.”

Eaquinto is another local product, who along with fellow Orem, Utah, native Brynlee Andersen-Broekman leads the Cougars. Both have already earned event titles this season as well as a Big-12 Weekly Award.

“Kylie and Brynlee are both so talented,” said BYU coach Guard Young. “Every time I watch Kylie perform on bars, I’m just like, ‘How am I going to ever replace that.’

“With Brynlee, if you ever just need something that makes you smile, watch her beam, she’s just a star,” said Young.

Andersen-Broekman is so good on beam that she qualified for nationals last season as an individual competitor after tying for the event title at regionals (with Neff and others).

She has carried over her success this season, hitting a meet-high 9.925 on beam in the win over SUU. The junior is the highest-ranked beamer from the Big 12 in the national rankings, just ahead of her former club teammate and now Utah gymnast Camie Winger at No. 17 and 18, respectively.

Eaquinto leads a strong bars lineup for the Cougars, and has a new floor routine this season that fans love. It’s a baseball themed routine that is a tribute to her five brothers and their love for the sport.

“It’s a very different vibe shift for me on floor — I never thought I would do something like this, but it’s been fun,” explained Eaquinto. “Finding music is my least favorite part of floor; I know some people love it, but I don’t. When the ”Centerfield" song played, I was like, ‘This could be fun.’ It’s gotten me out of my comfort zone and been a nice tie to my brothers.”

Eaquinto, like Sonnenberg and other teammates, was also presented with multiple offers from college programs.

“I really liked BYU because it was close to home so I could go home for Sunday dinners and because I could be surrounded by people who have the same beliefs and values as me,” explained Eaquinto. “It’s been fun to see past club teammates join the team and meet new teammates, and really watch the program grow.”

Sonnenberg, Eaquinto and Andersen-Broekman, among other Cougars, all trained at Bold Gymnastics in Utah County, which is owned by Utah gymnastics assistant coach Jimmy Pratt and his wife Makenna Pratt. Sophomore Deb Silva, from Lindon, Utah, is another local product out of Bold who just won the floor title with a 9.9 in the Cougars’ win last week.

Bold is one of several clubs in Utah, including Olympus Gymnastics, where Zoe Hale and Mya Kirkham trained prior to BYU, producing talented gymnasts. The sophomore Kirkham is fighting her way into Cougar lineups, while Hale, a four-star recruit, is part of the talented freshman class.

“I think we have a really deep roster with a lot of talent coming from all over the country, and we also have a lot of talented local kids who want to compete close to home and go to an outstanding university,” said Young.

Up next, BYU travels up the road to face No. 12 Utah this Friday in the Huntsman Center. The meet starts at 7 p.m. MST and is being aired on ESPN+.

Corinthians bounced back after their debut defeat in the Brasileirão.

Playing in front of their faithful fans for the first time in the competition, Timão defeated Red Bull Bragantino—who had been unbeaten so far this season—by 2-0 this Thursday (12th). 

This victory came in the third round of the competition, witnessed by 26,985 fans at the Neo Química Arena. 

Where’s the football?

Corinthians had the most possession in the 1st half—about 70%.

But Dorival’s team wasted the few chances they created.

For example, the persistent Yuri Alberto lacked precision.

Meanwhile, Red Bull Bragantino—superior for part of the first half—had more opportunities.

But they also failed to deliver when it came to finishing.

Hero scores, Hugo the wall, and more

Gabriel Paulista, who scored the winning goal in the Supercopa Rei, was decisive again at two minutes into the second half, taking advantage of Garro’s set piece.

Vagner Mancini’s team had the chance to equalize at the 14-minute mark.

But Hugo Souza saved Pitta’s penalty kick.

His 11th penalty save for Corinthians.

The game remained open and, as a result, unpredictable.

It was up to Corinthians to capitalize with Matheus Bidu (30’).

The Bragança team fought hard.

But the best chance belonged to Timão, with Vitinho. 

📊 Standings and schedule 📅

Corinthians reached three points, leaving the bottom of the table after playing their second match.

Red Bull Bragantino stayed at six, missing the chance to finish another round at the top. 

Both teams now shift their focus to the Paulistão.

The final round of the group stage will take place on Sunday (15th). 

In fifth place, Timão will visit São Bernardo (12th).

And Massa Bruta (3rd) will host leaders Novorizontino. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

“Poatan” might be gearing up again.

It’s been four months since Alex Pereira reclaimed his UFC Light Heavyweight title by stopping Magomed Ankalaev in their rematch at UFC 320 (watch highlights). Since that win in Las Vegas, however, things have been unusually quiet regarding his next move.

Immediately after reclaiming gold, Pereira called for a superfight with former two-division championJon Jones, even publicly campaigning for a showdown at the historic UFC White House card later this year. That momentum cooled in December when Pereira suggested he wouldn’t be competing in Washington after all.

Now, a new development.

On Thursday (Feb. 12, 2026), Pereira posted a cryptic message on Instagram:

“1-2-3 and go.”

That’s it. No context. No opponent. No weight class.

So what does it mean?

Is it simply a countdown signaling his return — or is “1-2-3” a hint at chasing a third UFC title in a third weight class?

If Pereira stays at Light Heavyweight, there’s a clear contender waiting in Carlos Ulberg. A trilogy bout with Jiri Prochazka also remains a blockbuster option.

But if he moves up to Heavyweight, things get even more interesting.

With Tom Aspinallsidelined indefinitely with another eye surgery and the division in flux, Pereira could slide directly into a title opportunity. A matchup with Ciryl Gane — possibly even for interim gold — isn’t outside the realm of possibility, especially given the UFC’s recent willingness to book high-profile fights regardless of divisional logic.

Is it fair? Probably not.

Is it realistic? Absolutely.

Of course, there is a matchup with Jones, too.

Whether Pereira is hinting at a simple return or something far more ambitious, one thing is certain: “Poatan” rarely moves without purpose.

And right now, the chess pieces are shifting.

To checkout UFC’s upcoming schedule of events click here.

Feb. 12—Schroeder was feeling it against Plainview-Elgin-Millville on Feb. 10. She buried five 3-pointers and finished with 27 points in a 55-54 edging of the Bulldogs.

Essig was a primary part of a 3-point assault by the Cobras in a 78-68 win over Zumbrota-Mazeppa. Triton finished with 15 3-pointers and Essig had seven of them to go with her 29 points.

Rath unloaded against Lourdes on Feb. 9, hitting six 3-pointers and scoring 28 points in a 101-61 win. The 6-foot senior guard/forward will play next season at the University of St. Thomas.

It was a three-headed attack from the Triton girls basketball team on Feb. 7. Rainey Dobbs had 26 points, Keanna Molina 25 and Reagan Essig 24 in an 80-64 rout of Plainview-Elgin-Millville.

There hasn't been a lot for the John Marshall girls basketball team to get excited about this season. The Rockets have struggled to a decidedly losing season. But sophomore 5-foot-11 guard/forward Michelle Ladu has shown some great glimpses of play recently. She scored 34 points on Feb. 5 in a 65-62 win over Winona. She also had a 32-point game in a win over Albert Lea one day later.

The sophomore standout point guard has been on a heater for the past month. Thirty-point games are becoming almost routine for her. Mills' best outing came in a big win over No. 9-ranked Northfield (Class 3A). That's when she hit five 3-pointers and scored 33 points in a 64-52 win.

Brooklyn Mitchell, the best shot put thrower in all of state Class 1A last track and field last season, can also play some hoops. On Feb. 6, Mitchell scored 25 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in an 81-47 loss to Caledonia. That put her over 1,000 rebounds for her career.

Schwartz used a 62-60 loss to Hayfield/Schaeffer Academy to go over 1,000 points in her career. She managed 15 points against the Vikings.

The senior star knocked in five of her team's 11 3-pointers in a 74-67 upset of Hayfield/Schaeffer Academy. She scored 32 points overall, getting a pack of them in a 50-point second half by the Burros.

Shindelar, the biggest star on the No. 2-ranked Tigers team, scored 31 points in an impressive 66-57 win against tough Caledonia. That helped overcome another big night from Caledonia's Aubrie Klug, who scored 29 points.

Truty is playing much older than she is, just an eighth-grader. On Feb. 2 she outdid herself by scoring 25 points in a 63-55 win over No. 7 Class 3A ranked Byron. Truty buried five 3-pointers. Lourdes senior Lauren Hust had 22 points in the same game.

Griebenow, a 6-foot sophomore center, had a game for the ages in a 77-57 win over Plainview-Elgin-Millville on Feb. 2. Griebenow finished with 36 points on 13-for-17 field-goal shooting and 9-12 shooting from the free-throw line. She had one 3-pointer, and also grabbed a tremendous 22 rebounds and blocked 8 shots. It's all been part of an awesome season for the sophomore who is averaging 17 points and 15 rebounds.

Dyer, Mayo's standout 5-foot-11 sophomore forward, scored 32 points and nailed five 3-pointers on Jan. 30 in a blasting of Mankato West.

It's been quite a year for the 5-foot-3 Christianson, who is averaging 22 points per game, up from 10 ppg. last year. On Jan. 30, the junior guard nailed four 3-pointers and finished with 26 points in an upset 91-82 win over Caledonia.

Klug, who specializes from long distance with her shooting, hit six 3-pointers on Jan. 27 in an 80-50 win over Decorah (Iowa). She finished the game with 37 points.

Ohm nearly outscored Pine Island by herself on Jan. 27 in a 79-39 win. Ohm poured in 33 points for the No. 7-ranked Bears (Class 3A).

Feb. 12—MAZEPPA, Minn. — Darren Nelson was expecting something like this.

There was an evolution happening and it was happening before his eyes. His Zumbrota-Mazeppa girls basketball team was growing up.

Draining shot after shot after shot from 3-point distance was just a part of it.

So was being defensive hounds, running the court and playing a wide-open game that also demanded good sense.

"We knew what we wanted to get better at," Nelson said. "And that was playing more transition basketball and shooting the ball better."

Consider both done.

The Cougars finished 13-15 last year. Now they are 15-9 — just two of those losses to unranked teams — and playing with all of those aforementioned attributes on their side.

"We are much better than last year," said Nelson, in his fifth year directing Z-M, and one who devotes nearly 25 minutes of each practice to shooting, with a special eye on 3-point tries. "We are reaping the rewards of more varsity experience. We are dictating things in transition and our defense has really improved."

And yes, don't forget about all of those 3-pointers shot and made by the Cougars. They shoot as many 3s as 2-pointers and have spent many a night raining long-distance makes on their opponents. Z-M averages a zesty nine made three-pointers per game, among the top couple of marks in southeastern Minnesota. Five times they have drained at least 12 of them in a game.

For the Z-M players, it's been a winning and exhilarating style.

"All of us are having a great time this season," said Z-M's Amelia Angerman (averaging 10 points and 4.5 rebounds per game), one of just two seniors on the team, the other being fellow starter Addie Liffrig (8 points, 3.2 rebounds per game). "I love all the 3s we are taking because I really like to shoot the ball. And we are supported by our teammates who let us shoot so much."

It's tough not to support something that is working. That includes starting three sophomores, all of them hotly productive guards. That is Adi Preston (already in her third year as a starter; 9.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.5 steals per game), Chloe Henn (12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 4.8 steals per game) and Elyse Ryan (12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.2 steals per game).

That leaves Z-M undersized, though extremely quick, with four of its starters guards.

That has also been something that has worked, as has bringing a sophomore and a freshman as its first two players off the bench.

Yes, all of them are growing up and as it happens that Cougars' win total keeps growing.

"We are making a lot (fewer) young mistakes (compared to a year ago)," Nelson said. "And we are making a lot less mistakes from the beginning of the year to now. These kids are gaining confidence as they see their success. And they all work hard."

Nelson has found everything to like about this crew.

"They do everything I ask of them," he said. "They're great kids. And when you are dealing with great kids, it's great to coach them."

The San Diego Padres have a new manager for the 2026 season, and if you ask Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, that seems likely to turn the temperature down a bit in the rivalry between the two teams.

On Thursday, as pitchers and catchers start reporting for spring training in Glendale, Arizona, Marty Caswell of Foul Territory noted Roberts has “butted heads with quite a few Padres managers” and asked him if he expects that to continue.

Roberts indicated he does not think that will be the case with Craig Stammen.

“I’m not going to butt heads with Stammen,” Roberts said. “No way. I just don’t see that happening. Don’t see it happening.”

Dave Roberts Has History With the Padres

Caswell referenced Roberts’ previous confrontations with the Padres, perhaps the most prominent of which occurred in June.

Roberts was ejected from the June 17, 2025, game with the Padres after Shohei Ohtani was plunked in the leg with a fastball.

That struck batter came one inning after Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit, and Roberts confronted the umpire after he issued warnings to both teams.

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Three days later, Ohtani and Tatis were hit again, prompting the benches to clear.

That night, Roberts got into it with now-former Padres manager Mike Shildt, who later seemed to admit that Ohtani was hit in retaliation for the pitch that hit Tatis.

Southern California Rivalry to Remain ‘Competitive’ This Year

Despite the friction with his predecessor, Roberts was complimentary of Stammen, noting that despite a lack of managerial experience, his San Diego counterpart is well-regarded in the baseball world.

Stammen spent the last six years of his career with the Padres, prompting the San Diego Union-Tribune to dub the move “outside the box but from inside the organization.”

“I was surprised in the sense of, he hasn’t coached before, but not surprised with the respect he has in the clubhouse, the game, and being familiar with the organization. Great hire,” Roberts said.

For his part, Stammen has promised the Padres will be competitive with the Dodgers, which he described as a “great team.”

“We’re going to compete,” Stammen told Foul Territory earlier this year. “No doubt about that. We’re going to give them our best shot. That’s what we’ll do every year, that’s what we’re going to do every year.

Ian Machado Garry announced that he's in camp, but for who?

Machado Garry recently played matchmaker for the UFC's welterweight division, where he matched up Carlos Prates with Michael Morales, Kamaru Usman with Jack Della Maddalena, and gave himself a title shot against champion Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC).

The idea of Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) getting a title shot is not farfetched in Michael Bisping's eyes.

"Is Ian Garry vs. Islam Makhachev the fight that is going to happen? Because it might just be," Bisping said on his YouTube channel. "Hear me out: Ian Garry is the No. 1-ranked guy on the planet and he's beaten some tremendous fighters along the way. And of course, he took Shavkat Rakhmonov in a No. 1 contender matchup, took him five rounds, almost got the submission in the fifth round.

"Since then, he's come back and the man's still fighting. Last time out, he took out Belal Muhammad, who is the former champion. Before that, he took out Carlos Prates, one of the biggest and hottest names right now in the welterweight division."

Machado Garry may have a strong campaign with his recent resume, which includes wins over Michael Page, Carlos Prates, and most recently former champion Belal Muhammad at UFC Fight Night 265.

"You can't deny what he's done in his career – you just can't," Bisping said. "As much as you might want to, you can't. ... When he got in the deep end of the division, against your 'MVPs,' against your Geoff Neal, your Carlos' and your Belals, what did he do? He won all of those fights."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Is Ian Machado Garry next for a title shot? Michael Bisping reacts

The Los Angeles Dodgers have unveiled their special ticket packages for the 2026 season, including exclusive giveaways for buying tickets to specific games.

The Dodgers are getting ready to defend their World Series title, hoping to achieve the first three-peat in more than two decades of baseball.

With the season quickly approaching, the Dodgers released their select dates for celebrating parts of the fanbase or following a theme.

For these events, the team gives away a piece of merchandise, but a special event ticket is required, so not every ticket is eligible to receive the item on the day of the giveaway.

Here are the dates designated for the “Special Events Ticket Package.”

Teacher Appreciation Night – Saturday, April 11 vs. Rangers

The first of these events is on April 11th for Teacher Appreciation Night, where fans will receive a special long-sleeve shirt in the style of a school ring tee as the Dodgers take on the Texas Rangers.

Healthcare Appreciation Night – Tuesday, April 14 vs. Mets

On April 14, the Dodgers play the New York Mets, and it will be Healthcare Appreciation Night, with a jacket included with each ticket, colored navy with Dodger blue colored lettering.

Dodgers Date Night – Friday, April 24 vs. Cubs

Dodgers Date Night includes a special blanket featuring a rose in the middle of the team’s logo, with the words celebrating love.

Japanese Heritage Night – Monday, April 27 vs. Marlins

On April 27, the Dodgers take on the Miami Marlins for Japanese Heritage Night, featuring an amazing Japanese-inspired jersey that draws on their historic art style.

Women’s Night – Tuesday, April 28 vs. Marlins

For Women’s Night, an exclusive tan women’s quarter-zip sweater will be given away on April 28.

Mental Health Awareness Night – Friday, May 8 vs. Braves

Mental Health Awareness Month will see an exclusive Back-to-Back World Champions blanket given away along with the ticket.

Star Wars NightThursday, May 14 vs. Giants

May 14 against the San Francisco Giants will be Star Wars Night, a special day featuring a Grogu bobblehead giveaway.

Mexican Heritage NightTuesday, May 26 vs. Rockies

Finally, from the first batch of reveals, the Dodgers will give away a special Mexican-themed jersey for Mexican Heritage Night on Tuesday, May 26, against the Rockies, featuring a floral print.

The following dates did not include an image upon initial release.

LGBTQ+ Pride Night – Friday, June 5 vs. Angels

Filipino Heritage Night – Monday, June 15 vs. Rays

Hawaiian Shirt Night – Tuesday, July 7 vs. Rockies

Black Heritage Night – Friday, July 10 vs. D-backs

Guatemalan Heritage Night – Thursday, July 30 vs. Mariners

Salvadoran Heritage Night – Tuesday, August 11 vs. Royals

Korean Heritage Night – Thursday, August 13 vs. Brewers

Union Night – Saturday, September 5 vs. Nationals

First Responders Night – Monday, September 7 vs. Reds

Día de Los Dodgers – Tuesday, September 8 vs. Reds

Nurses Night – Wednesday, September 9 vs. Reds

After today, all men’s hockey teams taking part in the 2026 Winter Olympics have officially played in one game during the preliminary round. Five former Vancouver Canucks made notable impressions in their respective appearances, from scoring goals to noticeably not getting any ice time. Here are some notable parts from these five former Canucks’ first games of the 2026 Winter Olympics. 

Bo Horvat

In his Olympic debut, Horvat showed fans why Canada picked him by scoring a beautiful goal off a partial break by speeding past two Czech defenders and putting the puck past Lukáš Dostál. The forward played a surprisingly short amount of time — the fourth-lowest on his team with 9:54 — but put up two shots on top of his goal. 

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Ekman-Larsson’s return to the Olympics went the reverse of a few players’ impressions. Despite dressing for Sweden in their 5–2 win against Italy, the defenceman actually didn’t end up playing in a single shift, finishing the game with 0:00 minutes played. He wasn’t the only player to send eyebrows raising at their ice time, however, as Filip Forsberg played in only a little over one minute during this game as well.  

Gustav Forsling 

Forsling never played a game for the Canucks, but as his career has progressed, many fans likely wish that he did. The defenceman scored Sweden’s second goal in their first game of the tournament and also added an assist on Victor Hedman’s empty-net goal in the win. Forsling’s ice time was on the lower side for Sweden’s defencemen this game, coming in at 18:53, though he did still manage to put five shots on goal. 

Quinn Hughes

As well as registering his first two Olympic points off goals by Tage Thompson and Auston Matthews, Hughes was noticeable throughout the game — as he always is — calling for the puck often and jumping up into the O-zone to help his team generate more offence. He theoretically scored to give his team the 2–0 lead, though it was called back due to the entry being deemed offside. Unsurprisingly, no U.S. player came close to Hughes’ TOI today, as the defenceman logged 21:29 minutes. 

J.T. Miller

Miller’s first game at the 2026 Winter Olympics went a couple of ways. On one hand, he had a slick feed to Hughes on the defenceman’s disallowed goal. On the other hand, his presence in Latvia’s crease on what would have been Team USA’s third goal of the game (including the Hughes goal) ended up being called for goaltender interference. He finished the game with 12:12 minutes played. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site: 

Czechia Blanked By Canada, Reichel And Germany Tally First Win: Canucks At The 2026 Winter Olympics

Berard’s Beautiful Goal Highlights Abbotsford Canucks Forward’s AHL All-Star Classic

'It's Probably The Biggest Tournament In The Last Decade': Canucks David Kämpf Excited To Represent Czechia At The 2026 Winter Olympics

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Where to watch Netherlands vs. USA free live stream, TV channel, start time for T20 Cricket World Cup match originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

USA head into their third match of the T20 World Cup looking to get their first win when they take on Netherlands.

Defeats to India and Pakistan so far have left them bottom of Group A and needing results if they are to progress.

The Netherlands have won one, lost one, having beaten Namibia last time out but lost to Pakistan in their opener.

The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match and start times.

Netherlands vs. USA T20 World Cup live stream, TV channel in the US and Canada

Here's how to watch this T20 match in the United States and Canada:

• TV Channel: Willow TV
• Live Stream:Fubo, Fubo Canada

Fans in the United States and Canada will be able to watch this game live exclusively on Willow TV.

Willow Sports is a cable TV channel, but if it's not included in your current package or you've cut the cord, it's available on Fubo.

Fubo offers Willow TV as part of its expanded sports offering. In addition to live matches, you can also watch replays and highlights on demand at any time from any device. 

Fubo offers a FREE trial for new subscribers in the US only, 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.)

Fubo Canada is the home of cricket for fans north of the border.

What time does Netherlands vs. USA T20 World Cup match start in the US and Canada?

This match takes place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India, and starts on Friday, February 13 at 7 p.m. local time.

Here's how that time translates across North America:

T20 World Cup 2026: Schedule and fixtures

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

MMA Fighting has UFC BJJ 5 results for the Musumeci vs. Montague event and more from Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Thursday night.

In the main event, Mikey Musumeci puts his UFC BJJ bantamweight title on the line against Shay Montague. Musumeci is 2-0 in UFC BJJ competition and seeks the second defense of his championship, while competes for the promotion for the first time.

The UFC BJJ middleweight title is on the line in the co-main event as Ronaldo Souza Junior takes on Tarik Hopstock. Souza became the inaugural 185-pound champion this past December with a unanimous decision win over William Tackett. Now he faces Hopstock, a world champion from Norway making his UFC BJJ debut.

Watch the event free above at 8 p.m. ET.

Check out the UFC BJJ 5 results below.

Main Card (MMA Fighting LIVE now)

Mikey Musumeci vs. Shay Montague

Ronaldo Souza Junior vs. Tarik Hopstock

Nicholas Meregali vs. Nicholas Maglicic

Andy Murasaki vs. Andy Varela

Taylor Hishaw vs. Rebeca Lima

Jonnatas Gracie vs. Yan Lucas

Landon Elmore vs. Rerisson Gabriel

Mona Bailey vs. Carol Brunacio

Jalen Fonacier defeats Carlos Oliveira via inside heel hook in round 1

Last week, I hit one of those walls where you just feel like you have run out of logical questions to ask for this nightly post, so I asked again for some suggestions. I did not get the number of suggestions I had hoped for, but I did get some solid ones. All the same, I appreciate every one of you who chimed in with a question you thought I should ask, or maybe one you would like answered. As a side note, if you missed the first post asking for suggestions and have an idea, feel free to add it in the comments below.

The first question Phinsider Question Of The Day suggestion that I will use comes from our very own Johnny, aka Alpha6. So with that in mind, this evening’s question of the day is:

With the idea that our Miami Dolphins have taken multiple members of both the front office and coaching staff away from the Green Bay Packers to rebuild the staff in Miami, do you see the Packers taking a step back, aka are they now weakened by subtraction, and/or will our own Dolphins take a step forward, aka strengthened by addition?

Please share your thoughts and answers in the comments section below-

Bruno Mota may have departed, but behind the scenes, Anyang are confident they can improve on last season's eighth-place finish. Minimal recruitment, combined with an aging squad of out-of-contract stars, suggests this could be a more challenging season for the Violets.

Last Season

14W - 7D - 17L, 7th.

What Happened?

A debut K League 1 season of a few lows, but numerous highs. It was a memorable year covering Anyang for the website — I can't imagine how special it was as a fan or a player. After several near misses, Anyang won promotion in 2024 and knew they faced a tough season. Their squad was the oldest in the league and lacked real experience at this level. But it didn't matter. Anyang finished eighth, well clear of relegation, with the foundations built to become a K League 1 regular.

The low point of the season was a dreadful summer run that saw the team lose six in seven matches and drop to 11th. That run looked set to continue when Daejeon led 2-1 with time running out in August. However, a red card and a Matheus Oliveira double rescued the game — and their season. That kick-started a seven-game unbeaten run, which included a historic win in Seoul.

Han Ka-ram celebrates his Goal of the Month against Gimcheon.

Survival was effectively guaranteed when Anyang played kingmaker before the split. In their best performance of the year, Gimcheon Sangmu were slaughtered, thanks in part to Han Ka-ram's wonder goal. The 4-1 win handed Jeonbuk Hyundai the title, cementing Anyang's right to be taken seriously. This club has arrived.

Notable Moves

Bruno Mota

Brazilian striker Bruno Mota has joined K League 1 champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on loan until the end of the season, but Anyang don't expect him to return. The big striker enjoyed a glorious single season in Anyang, leading the line in their debut K League 1 campaign. His 14 goals will be difficult to replace, not to mention his positive contribution to the clubhouse atmosphere.

Kim Jeong-hoon

FC Anyang is an old team, especially in defence and goal. Kim Da-sol was a brilliant signing, leading the team to promotion and then eighth place in K League 1. Da-sol is out of contract next winter and, at 37, is nearing the end of his career. Jeong-hoon (24) started the Cup final win over Gwangju and can now bide his time before taking over between the sticks.

Breno Herculano

The man entrusted with the impossible task of replacing Bruno Mota is 26-year-old forward Breno Herculano, on loan from CRB in Brazil's Serie B. Anyang love the lone target man who is quick, holds the ball up, chases lost causes down the flanks, and is good in the air. Herculano will also need to score goals. In his professional career, he has averaged exactly one goal every five matches.

Key Player

Thomas Oude Kotte

Thomas Oude Kotte scored one of the most important goals in Anyang's history.

A player who needs no introduction. Thomas is already a legend in Anyang after a stunning debut season that saw him nominated for the Best XI and earn a call-up for Team K League against Newcastle United. Thomas began life in Korea as a centre-back, then shifted to left-back, before operating at a very high level in midfield. This form and versatility saw his name linked with several big clubs, but Anyang moved quickly to offer him a new deal. He was recently named vice-captain.

Young Player to Watch

Chae Hyeon-woo

Winger Chae features in this category for the second straight season, and it is no surprise. The 21-year-old was nominated for K League 1 Young Player of the Season thanks to four goals in 33 appearances. Chae was involved in more matchday squads than any other Anyang player. With Yago's move to Malaysia, Chae is likely to be busy again in 2026.

Biggest Question

Who can replace Bruno Mota?

Officials at Anyang are confident the club can improve on their 2025 final position, but until they secure an obvious replacement for Bruno Mota, that is hard to envisage. Mota was a brilliant signing — the right man at the right time. Anyang went up in 2024 without a recognised goalscorer. They fixed that by signing the K League 2 top goalscorer, Mota.

The Brazilian was an instant hit. He headed home the winner on his debut in Ulsan, one of 14 league goals. He earned a nomination for the Best XI and played 90 minutes for Team K League in the glamour friendly with Newcastle United. Off the field, the impact was just as strong. Anyang players told me throughout the year that Mota was the natural link between the Brazilians and the Koreans — the man who acted as the go-between. Those are big boots to fill.

Reason to Watch

Anyang have shown themselves to be a model that all city-owned, small-market clubs can aspire to. Building a squad comes down to budgets, smart scouting, and effective player retention, but where Anyang really excel is off the pitch. They have the same disadvantages as many of their competitors: a slightly dilapidated, large multipurpose stadium that isn't fit for football. There's no shelter from rain, snow, or sun, and thousands of seats offer a poor view.

The Anyang atmosphere.

So what was the response? Build three pitchside temporary stands to minimise the impact of the running track. It isn't pretty, but it is very effective. They also added a new club beer — Sukhavati — and made “Zombie” the new club anthem. As a result, Anyang have generated one of the best matchday experiences in Korea. You don't need the Pohang Steel Yard to make it fun.

For the second night in a row, Welsh-Ryan Arena will host a top-10-ranked Michigan team. After the Northwestern men’s team nearly pulled off the upset against the Wolverines, the women will try to do the same, facing the No. 7 Michigan women for its first game in a week. Here’s how to follow along.

Broadcast Information

Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena (Evanston, Ill.)

Game Time: 8:00 p.m. CST

TV/Streaming: Big Ten Network

Radio: WNUR Sports (89.3 FM)

Injury Report

Northwestern

OUT — Sammy White, Angelina Hodgens, Lauren Trumpy (season), Claire Keswick (season)

QUESTIONABLE — NONE

Michigan

OUT — NONE

QUESTIONABLE — NONE

If the offense represents flash and firepower, the defense of the Detroit Lions’ all-time team represents intimidation, dominance and championship pedigree. Spanning the 1950s to the present day, this unit blends Hall of Fame legends with modern-day disruptors, forming one of the most formidable collections of defensive talent in franchise history.

Defensive Line: Power and Pressure

Alex Karras, Ndamukong Suh, Robert Porcher and Aidan Hutchinson

This front four alone would overwhelm opposing offenses. Combined, the group owns 13 Pro Bowl selections and 12 first-team All-Pro honors, along with more than 310 career sacks and counting.

Karras (1958–70) remains the gold standard of defensive linemen in Detroit. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time first-team All-Pro, he anchored the Lions’ defense during the 1960s and earned a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade Team. His strength and durability defined an era.

Suh (2010–14) delivered one of the most dominant peaks in franchise history. A three-time first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, he was the 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year and a relentless interior force. His 2014 season stands among the best ever by a Lions defensive tackle.

Porcher (1992–2003) recorded 95.5 career sacks, second-most in franchise history. A three-time Pro Bowler, he was Detroit’s premier edge presence throughout the 1990s and a model of consistency.

Hutchinson (2022–present) represents the modern era. A first-team All-Pro in 2025 and two-time Pro Bowler, he has quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s elite edge defenders. His combination of power, motor and technique continues Detroit’s tradition of dominant pass rushers.

Together, this line would create constant pressure while controlling the run — a nightmare scenario for opposing quarterbacks.

Linebackers: Leadership Across Generations

Joe Schmidt, Chris Spielman and Jack Campbell

This linebacking corps combines championship credentials, emotional leadership and modern versatility. Collectively, they account for 15 Pro Bowl selections and 12 first-team All-Pro honors.

Schmidt (1953–65) is arguably the greatest defensive player in franchise history. A 10-time Pro Bowler, eight-time first-team All-Pro and two-time NFL champion, the Hall of Famer was the heart of Detroit’s 1950s title teams. His instincts and intelligence defined the middle linebacker position.

Spielman (1988–95) carried that leadership mantle into the Barry Sanders era. A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, he was known for his toughness and sideline-to-sideline tackling ability.

Jack Campbell (2023–present) has rapidly emerged as one of the cornerstones of Detroit’s defense. A 2025 Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-Pro, Campbell also served as a team captain and defensive signal-caller. Known for his sideline-to-sideline range, physicality and football IQ, he led the Lions in tackles and took a significant leap in his third season. His blend of leadership and production suggests he is on pace to join the franchise’s historic linebacker lineage alongside Schmidt and Spielman. y.

Cornerbacks: Ball Hawks and Hall of Famers

Dick “Night Train” Lane and Lem Barney

Few franchises can match this duo. Combined, Lane and Barney recorded 70 interceptions, 14 Pro Bowl appearances and five first-team All-Pro selections.

Lane (1952–59) set the NFL single-season record with 14 interceptions in 1952 — a mark that still stands. A Hall of Famer and 1950s All-Decade selection, he was physical, instinctive and one of the most feared defensive backs in league history.

Barney (1967–77), the 1967 Defensive Rookie of the Year, added 56 career interceptions. A seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, he remains one of the most decorated defensive backs in franchise history.

Together, they would erase half the field.

Safeties: Instincts and Intelligence

Yale Lary and Dick LeBeau

This pairing blends elite ball skills with football acumen. The duo combined for 16 Pro Bowl selections, five first-team All-Pro honors and 106 interceptions.

Lary (1952–64), a Hall of Famer and nine-time Pro Bowler, recorded 50 interceptions and was also one of the league’s premier punters. His range and anticipation defined Detroit’s championship defenses.

LeBeau, a Pro Bowl defensive back and later legendary coach, brought versatility and intelligence to the secondary. His instincts and play recognition made him a cornerstone of Detroit’s defensive backfield.

Special Teams: Stability and Excellence

Jason Hanson and Jack Fox

No all-time Lions roster is complete without its special teams standouts.

Hanson (1992–2012) is the greatest kicker in franchise history. He scored 1,983 points for Detroit, made 495 career field goals and spent 21 seasons with the organization. A two-time Pro Bowler and Ring of Honor member, Hanson was the model of consistency through multiple eras.

Fox (2020–present) delivered one of the greatest punting seasons in NFL history in 2020, earning first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection while averaging 48.5 yards per punt. If his production and longevity continue, he could solidify himself as the best punter in franchise history.

From Schmidt and Lane to Hutchinson and Campbell, this defensive and special teams unit spans generations of greatness. Combined with the offensive firepower in Part I, this all-time Detroit Lions team would not just compete — it would contend for championships in any era.

Browns 2026 record according to ChatGPT: Total AI shocker originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Is the rebuild finally over? I ran a way-too-early 2026 simulation with ChatGPT to predict the Cleveland Browns record. Does new head coach Todd Monken’s offense take off? Are Myles Garrett and the defense as ferocious as a year ago? The win total result is a total shocker.

After a grueling 5-12 campaign in 2025, the AI isn't just predicting a minor step forward…it’s forecasting a complete AFC North takeover. According to the simulation, the Browns are set to skyrocket to an 11-6 record, marking one of the biggest single-season turnarounds in franchise history.

Considered to have the “easiest” strength of schedule in the entire NFL, could the Dawg Pound finally be in store for an exciting, playoff bound season? It’s February, and this is the time to dream.

ChatGPT also broke down the wins and losses by game. Of course we won’t know the official weekly opponents until May, but in the meantime let’s take a look at how this Browns hypothetically magical season plays out.

More: Cleveland Browns 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft round-up: Surprise picks & bold predictions

The Simulation: 2026 Game-by-Game Results

More Browns News:

• Shedeur Sanders vs. Deshaun Watson: Who wins the Browns QB job in 2026?
• If Not Malik Willis, Who? Browns need to eye this veteran QB
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Welcome to Wrestling Inc.'s live coverage for "TNA Thursday Night iMPACT" on February 12, 2026, coming to you from the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico!

Moose made his return to TNA programming last Thursday when himself and The Hardys came to the aid of TNA World Champion Mike Santana who had been blindsided with an attack at the hands of The System's Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, Bear Bronson, and Cedric Alexander. Not only will Moose be appearing in the opening moments of tonight's show with something on his mind to share, but he will also be joining forces with Santana, Matt Hardy, and Jeff Hardy to take on The System in an Eight Man Tag Team Match.

Rivals Mara Sadé and Ryan Nemeth look to put their issues to rest once and for all tonight when they go head-to-head with one another in an Albuquerque Street Fight in front of Sadé's hometown crowd. While Sadé scored a win against Nemeth as part of a Christmas Surprise Mixed Ten Person Tag Team match on the December 25 episode of "Thursday Night iMPACT", Nemeth holds a win against Sadé in singles competition during TNA Genesis on January 17.

Elijah will be making an appearance on tonight's show after himself and Jada Stone lost a match to Order 4's Mustafa Ali and Tasha Steelz in Mixed Tag Team Competition thanks to a Tombstone that Ali had managed to deliver to Stone while the referee was distracted. Elsewhere, Eric Young has something on his mind to share as he has a shot at the aforementioned Slater's X-Division Championship waiting for him as his reward for taking part in a Feast or Fired Match from the January 22 episode of "Thursday Night iMPACT".

Additionally, 2025 Call Your Shot Gauntlet co-winner Nic Nemeth will be making his return to action as he collides with Rich Swann.

Read more: Five Wrestlers Worse Off After Joining TNA

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Read the original article on Wrestling Inc.

Trinidad Chambliss wins case amid NCAA lawyers ghosting the judge originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The NCAA’s absence spoke almost as loudly as the judge’s ruling. 

On Thursday afternoon in a Mississippi courtroom, Trinidad Chambliss was granted a preliminary injunction that effectively awards him an extra year of eligibility, clearing the way for the Ole Miss quarterback to play in 2026. 

But as Judge Robert Whitwell prepared to deliver his decision, one detail stood out. The NCAA’s counsel had already left the courtroom and was not present for the final ruling. The hearing in Pittsboro, Miss. marked the culmination of a fight between Chambliss, Ole Miss officials and the NCAA over whether a medically sidelined 2022 season at Ferris State Bulldogs should count against his eligibility clock.

In 20+ years of law practice, I've never seen opposing counsel leave the court before the decision was rendered. That's bizarre. https://t.co/Z1Q8LQS0xF

— We Run the Sip (@OMRebelNation) February 12, 2026

Chambliss did not dress for a game that year, battling significant respiratory issues before undergoing a tonsillectomy. The NCAA denied his waiver request three separate times, including an initial application, an appeal and a reconsideration request submitted with additional medical documentation. 

The association maintained that he was not denied the opportunity to compete and therefore did not qualify for a medical hardship waiver.

Ole Miss officials sharply disagreed, arguing that the documented medical circumstances warranted approval at the staff level. After exhausting internal NCAA channels, Chambliss filed suit in Chancery Court, seeking both preliminary and permanent injunctive relief.

More: Demond Williams bombshell could've resulted in Lane Kiffin being fired at LSU

The financial stakes are substantial. Chambliss’ return to Oxford is tied to a compensation package reportedly exceeding $5 million in name, image and likeness earnings. It's a figure that shows the shifting economic realities of college football.

The judge’s ruling allows Chambliss to take the field while the broader legal battle continues. However, the NCAA’s early exit added an unusual twist to a case that could carry significant implications for future eligibility disputes nationwide.

More college football news: 

• Oregon's Dan Lanning rips College Football Playoff, calls for major changes
• Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
• Top 2026 NFL Draft prospect suffers broken rib in CFP quarterfinal loss
• Dabo Swinney fires Clemson coaches immediately after loss to Penn State
• Ohio State's Ryan Day faces backlash after Cotton Bowl

The Chicago Bears had a magical 2025 season under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, where they went from worst to first with an 11-6 record, NFC North title and the franchise's first playoff win in 15 years. And there's no denying that the future is bright.

While the Bears exceeded expectations in their first year under Johnson, there's still plenty of work to be done with this roster, most notably on defense. After overhauling the offense in the trenches and at skill positions, the focus shifts to the defense where the hope is general manager Ryan Poles does the same to round out this unit under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and form a complete team with a top-five offense.

Here at Bears Wire, we're going position by position through the 2025 Bears and grading every player. Rounding out the defense are the safeties, which had more continuity than we have seen in a long time. All four safeties played in 17 games this season and featured an All-Pro, Kevin Byard.

Kevin Byard

2025 stats: 93 total tackles, 4 for loss, 7 interceptions, 8 pass breakups (17 games)

Kevin Byard turned back the clock in 2025 with one of his best seasons in his 10-year career. The ball-hawking safety was all over the place in 2025, leading the league in interceptions while baiting quarterbacks into making poor throws. In Week 4 alone, Byard caught Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith sleeping by picking him off twice on the same play. The team captain used his savvy veteran skills many times to break up deeper passes and keep a leaky secondary from breaking down. For his efforts, Byard was named First-Team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl, both for the third time in his career. The only downside to Byard's season is he allowed more touchdowns (seven) than ever before, but all in all, 2025 was one to remember. It should be enough to warrant a contract extension as Byard enters free agency.

Grade: A

Jaquan Brisker

2025 stats: 93 total tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack, 3 QB hits, 1 interception, 8 pass breakups (17 games)

One of the biggest questions heading into the 2025 season was how Jaquan Brisker would look and hold up as he made his return to the field. Brisker hadn't seen any action since October of 2024 due to suffering a scary concussion that sidelined him for the rest of the season. But to his credit, Brisker came back strong and played all 17 games for the first time in his career. The fourth-year safety wasn't as impactful as Byard and struggled in pass coverage, allowing a 127.6 passer rating. Some of Brisker's struggles were due to injuries around him, though. Because the Bears rarely had their complete cornerback group on the field together, Brisker wasn't able to play the Swiss Army Knife role he does so well. When the Bears eventually got healthy in the secondary, Brisker shined. That was evident in the divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams when Brisker notched 14 tackles, one for a loss, a sack, and two pass breakups. Like Byard, Brisker is also an impending free agent, though his return isn't nearly as certain. If he played his last game as a Bear, Brisker made sure it counted.

Grade: B-

Elijah Hicks

2025 stats: 19 total tackles (17 games)

In prior seasons, Elijah Hicks was pressed into starting duty due to injuries for a stretch of games. That wasn't the case in 2025, though, so the fourth-year safety had fewer opportunities to make an impact on defense. He had some shine, though. Hicks saw extended time playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns and made key plays in both games. He primarily contributed on special teams, however, proving to be a quality option for Richard Hightower's group. Hicks is a solid depth player who could find his way back to the Bears in 2026 as he enters free agency.

Grade: B-

Jonathan Owens

2025 stats: 19 total tackles (17 games)

In his second season with the Bears, Jonathan Owens was primarily a special teams player and didn't see too much time at safety. Like Hicks, he saw limited snaps on defense with Byard and Brisker staying healthy. As the season went on, Hicks overtook Owens as the third safety in specific coverage packages. Owens flew under the radar for much of the year on the field, though his wife, Simone Biles, made sure he was newsworthy otherwise. He's another pending free agent, and his future with the Bears is up in the air.

Grade: C+

Position grade: B+

The best ability is availability, and the Bears safeties aced that test, having played in every single game, including the postseason. That's an accomplishment on its own. Kevin Byard was very clearly the star of the position group, having led the team in interceptions and anchoring the back seven of the defense. While Jaquan Brisker's play wasn't as consistent as originally hoped, he made key plays throughout the year and bounced back from a serious injury. All in all, it was a solid season for this group, but with every player hitting free agency, it's going to look much different in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears S review: Grading Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker in 2025

Feb. 12—MITCHELL — Soccer clubs divided over the benefits of the winter indoor sport called futsal.

During its Wednesday, Feb. 11 meeting, the Mitchell Sports and Events Authority (SEA) committee considered grant requests for nine local events. Among the grants awarded was $2,700 for the 16th Annual Dakota Wesleyan University Futsal Classic Indoor Tournament, set to take place next week. Futsal is a modified version of soccer, played indoor with five players per team.

Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) head men's soccer coach and tournament director Nicolas Reinhard stated that there are less teams playing in this year's tournament.

Four clubs are not returning "because of last year's issue with hotel rooms," Reinhard told the committee. These include clubs from Watertown, Pierre, and from Minnesota and Iowa.

"In my opinion, I don't think that's a good reason not to return. You got hotel rooms for 15 years," Reinhard said.

On the same weekend in February 2025,

a futsal tournament, a swim meet, a hockey tournament and an auction were held in Mitchell,

and these events competed for hotel rooms in Mitchell. Reinhard noted that the indoor tournament is held at a time when the weather prevents outdoor play.

Reinhard told the committee he personally called clubs to ask for the reason.

"It seems to be a majority of them is an ideology problem — 'We don't like futsal' — and that's something that needs to be made aware," Reinhard said.

Soccer clubs no longer see futsal as a developmental tool, according to Reinhard. The second largest club in South Dakota, which is in the Rapid City area, doesn't believe in hard surface futsal, according to Reinhard. People don't want to play on the hard surface because of injuries, according to Reinhard.

"I think the main problem is that soccer clubs no longer see futsal as a developmental tool," Reinhard said. "We don't want to stand here and keep asking for more money without telling what the problem is."

In the last few years, the tournament has reduced to 40% of its 2020 attendance.

In 2019 and 2020, the tournament hosted 133 teams from the Dakotas, totaling 1,330 players. The 2021 tournament was cancelled. In 2022, 102 teams came from the Dakotas with 1,020 players. After this, Minnesota teams joined the tournament, with 60 teams and 600 players. In 2024, the tournament expanded with teams from Nebraska and Iowa, in addition to previous states, with 88 teams in total.

In 2025, a total of 53 teams came to Mitchell from those five states, with a total of 530 players.

According to the grant application, requested funds will be used to cover referee expenses of DWU student athletes, who serve as referees. The event is expected to have more than 500 players and more than 1,000 people in attendance.

Reinhard reached out to clubs in other states to recruit them for the tournament.

"We're never gonna stop putting it on, because we're not about what money we make from it. We're about offering an opportunity at this time of the year for little kids to play soccer," Reinhard said. "We're always going to put this on no matter how much work it is. We love this tournament."

After being knocked out by Badalona in the Copa de la Reina quarter-finals, Real Sociedad got revenge with a 2-0 victory over the Catalan side on Liga F match-day 19.

Meanwhile, Deportivo La Coruña ran riot in their 6-1 thrashing of Madrid CFF. Barcelona kept their winning streak ticking after a visit to Logroño, meaning they remain ten points clear at the top of the Liga F table.

Here’s how the latest round of results unfolded in Spain’s top flight.

Real Sociedad maintain grip on third spot

Real Sociedad bounced back from their extra-time cup defeat to Badalona with a successful league outing at the weekend. Claire Lavogez netted the opener in the 15th minute of Sunday’s contest. After seeing her initial effort saved, the 31-year-old pounced on the rebound to tap in from close range.

The scoreline remained slender until Nerea Eizagirre made sure of the three points in the sixth minute of stoppage time. The substitute cleverly cut inside onto her left foot before driving the ball past the goalkeeper at the near post. Real Sociedad have now collected 41 points from 19 matches, giving them an eight-point cushion to Tenerife in fourth spot.

Deportivo thrash Madrid CFF

Deportivo’s Esperanza Pizarro emphatically dispatched an emphatic penalty to get the scoring up and running in Sunday’s meeting with Madrid CFF. Emilie Nautnes produced the response for the hosts, only for Merle Barth to pounce on a rebound to restore the visitors’ slender lead in first half stoppage time. Like Barth, Raquel García tapped in from a parry to take Dépor’s tally to three.

Madrid’s hopes of staging a fightback were quickly quashed by two stunning efforts. First, Vera Martínez let fly from the left side of the box, firing a fierce shot out of Paola Ulloa’s reach and in at the far post. Paula Gutiérrez then conjured up her own impressive strike, curling a shot from distance over Ulloa to register her second goal in three games. There was still time left in the contest for Paula Monteagudo to pile the misery on the hosts with a sixth goal for the confident away side.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla all win big

In addition to Dépor, there were also big wins for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla on match-day 19. 

After failing to break the deadlock in the first period, Barcelona moved through the gears to score three goals in six minutes in the early stages of the second half against DUX Logroño. Carla Julià Martínez opened the scoring in Logroño, tapping in from Caroline Graham Hansen’s ball across goal. Kika Nazareth then added a second following a neat passing move, before Vicky López netted her eighth league goal of the season to wrap up a 3-0 triumph. 

There was also a 3-0 success for Barcelona’s Clásico rivals Real Madrid. Signe Bruun got Las Blancas up and running against Espanyol, making a well-timed run in behind to collect Athenea del Castillo’s through pass before firing past Romane Salvador. Del Castillo soon put her own name on the scoresheet, before Sara Holmgaard netted her second Liga F goal to seal a comfortable victory. 

Lucía Moral netted a brace in Sevilla’s comfortable 4-0 home win over Athletic Club at the weekend. The 21-year-old opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Fatou Kanteh doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time. Moral required less than 10 second-half minutes to grab her second, curling an attempted cross over Adriana Nanclares and in at the far post. The scoring was wrapped up by Raquel Morcillo, who headed in from Kanteh’s inch-perfect cross to record her third league goal of the campaign.

Granada continue impressive form

Granada, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten run to five matches (W4, D1) with a 2-0 away win over Eibar. Laura Pérez’s grabbed the opener in the 38th minute, stealing possession off goalkeeper Eunate Astralaga to leave her with the simple task of rolling the ball into the empty net. Pérez then provided the assist for Granada’s second, playing an inch-perfect pass for Sonya Keefe to gather and then evade a challenge and goalkeeper before she slid it home to register her eighth Liga F goal of the season.

Aleti end winless Liga F run

Elsewhere, Atlético Madrid followed their 4-1 win over Athletic Club in the Copa de la Reina quarter-finals with a 1-0 success against relegation-threatened Levante. Silvia Lloris scored the decisive goal against her former club, clinching Atleti’s first Liga F win since beating Badalona in November. 

Tenerife also claimed a narrow win in their home clash with Alhama. Natalia Ramos scored the only goal of the game in the 39th minute, with her deep free-kick evading everyone in the box before drifting into the net. Alhama’s hopes of salvaging a draw were effectively ended when Encarni Jiménez was dismissed for two bookable offences in the early stages of the second period.

Did you know?

Deportivo scored just three goals in their eight away league games this term. They have now scored 10 in their last two Liga F road trips.

Best goal of Liga F match-day 19

For us, Gutiérrez pips her Deportivo teammate, Martínez, for the best goal of the weekend.

Liga F match-day 19 results in full

Eibar 0-2 Granada

Levante 0-1 Atlético Madrid

Sevilla 4-0 Athletic Club

Costa Adeje Tenerife 1-0 Alhama

Madrid CFF 1-6 Deportivo La Coruña

Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol

Real Sociedad 2-0 Badalona

DUX Logroño 0-3 Barcelona

Related articles from Her Football Hub:

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• Liga F match-day 18 round-up: Caroline Weir gets Real Madrid over the line in six-goal thriller
• Exclusive: New Brighton signing Olivia Garcia talks European dream and international options ahead of loan move

Fort Lauderdale United has appointed Paul Jennison as interim head coach for the remainder of the Gainbridge Super League season.

Jennison, who began the season as Lauderdale’s goalkeeper coach and head assistant, will take charge until the end of the USL 2025/26 season.

Originally from Middlesbrough, Jennison brings a wealth of experience to his role as head coach. He has more than 17 years of coaching experience gained across collegiate, academy, and international football.

Prior to joining Fort Lauderdale, Jennison held the role of assistant coach and goalkeeper coach for the University of South Carolina men’s football programme. He also coached Northwestern University’s women’s programme.

This wealth of experience will be useful to Fort Lauderdale. The side is currently second bottom in the Gainbridge Super League standings. As the USL was established as part of an effort to bridge the gap between youth and professional football, Jennison’s vast experience in the collegiate system will surely prove beneficial.

Paul Jennison on Fort Lauderdale’s ‘established foundation’

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Upon taking charge, Jennison said, “I’m excited for this tremendous opportunity. This is a special place, and we certainly have a very bright future.

“The important thing is to build on our already well-established foundation and bring in the collective together so we can move the team forward. We’re very excited about the players we have on the roster and how we can continuously bring the best out of them. We appreciate the support from our community and are looking forward to continuing to give them a team they can rally behind.”

Tyrone Mears, President of Soccer, added: “Paul has earned this opportunity through his work ethic, leadership, and commitment to our players.

“He has been an important part of our technical staff this season and understands the standards and culture we are building at Fort Lauderdale United. We believe in continuity, we believe in our pathway, and we have full confidence in Paul as we enter a critical stretch of the season.”

Fans will hope Jennison can get a crucial three points on the board as they face Brooklyn FC on Valentine’s Day.

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Week 16 of the Ninja A-League saw Sydney FC looking for their first win under interim boss James Slaveski. Last week, the Sky Blues parted ways with Ante Jurić after his eight-and-a-half years at the club. He leaves behind a legacy as the most successful coach in their history.

Meanwhile, cross city rivals Western Sydney Wanderers were aiming to make it four wins in a row as they entertained Adelaide United.

Here’s how the latest action in the Ninja A-League unfolded as the fight for the top spot continues, with all four top teams securing victories.

Wellington Phoenix 1-0 Perth Glory

Makala Woods’ solitary goal was enough to send Wellington Phoenix briefly top of the league.

The American had a great chance to give the home side an early lead, but was well denied by Teresa Morrisey in the Glory goal.

Wellington took the lead deep in first half added time. Woods and Lucía León combined to pressure the Perth backline into giving the ball away. Woods then pounced to drive it low past Morrisey.

Grace Jale smashed the crossbar as the Nix went looking for a second. In the end, one goal was enough for Bev Priestman’s side.

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Melbourne Victory 2-1 Newcastle Jets

Melbourne Victory moved into the top six thanks to this win over Newcastle Jets.

Courtney Newbon had to be alert early on to deny Alexis Collins with a plunging save down to her left. Josie Allan was next to test the Victory keeper, but her effort from the edge of the box was tipped over.

Victory grew into the contest with Sofia Sakalis hitting the bar early in the second half. They took the lead with 65 minutes played when Claudia Cicco sliced her clearance from Alana Jančevski’s corner past her own keeper.

Kelli Brown levelled from the spot for Newcastle with 15 minutes left, but Holly Furphy’s stunning strike with a little under ten minutes left sealed the victory for Melbourne.

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Sydney FC 1-2 Canberra United

Sydney FC’s woeful run of form continued as they were beaten by Canberra United.

Following their  3-1 defeat in midweek at home to Brisbane, the Sky Blues were looking to kickstart Slaveski’s tenure as boss.

It was the visitors who created all the early pressure and that was rewarded when Bethany Gordon slammed home at the far post with 13 minutes gone.

Madison Ayson took full advantage of some poor goalkeeping from Sally James to head home Mackenzie Hawkesby’s free-kick and bring the hosts level.

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An hour in, Sydney’s task was that bit more difficult when Kirsty Fenton was shown a straight red for pulling Michelle Heyman back with the Canberra legend in on goal.

Sydney looked to have weathered the storm, but with four minutes left, Mary Stanić-Floody struck the winner. Her initial shot from outside the box cannoned back off Willa Pearson, but her rebounded effort fizzed past Heather Hinz to condemn them to a seventh defeat of the season.

Melbourne City 5-2 Brisbane Roar

Melbourne City recovered from a nightmare start to sweep Brisbane aside and return to the top of the league.

A quickfire double from Kijah Stephenson had put Brisbane 2-0 up inside the opening 13 minutes. She opened the scoring with a brilliantly curled effort from the edge of the box after City goalkeeper Melena Mieres made a mess of a routine catch. 

Her second also came from the edge of the box. This time, the Roar pounced on some loose passing as City attempted to play out from the back.

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Not to be overawed, Melbourne City turned the game on its head with five unanswered goals. Rebekah Stott headed home ten minutes before the break as Roar failed to clear a corner. Holly McNamara levelled five minutes later with a composed finish after rounding Chloe Lincoln.

Shortly after the break, the turnaround was complete. Bryleeh Henry was found in acres of space by McNamara and she calmly dispatched the ball past Lincoln. Deven Jackson then gave the hosts daylight with 20 minutes left, before Aideen Keane capped off the afternoon with a delightful curling shot leaving Lincoln with no chance. 

Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Adelaide United

Adelaide United ended Western Sydney’s run of good form with a hard fought win at Wanderers Football Park. The visitors were on the front foot early with Poppie Hooks scrambling Fiona Worts’ goal-bound effort off the line.

Some incisive play from Western Sydney down the right hand side gave Milly Bennett a chance, but her attempt was comfortable work for Ilona Melegh.

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Adelaide’s winner came in fortuitous circumstances. Matilda McNamara let fly with a rasping shot that came back off the post and bounced in off the unfortunate Danika Matos.

Melegh was at full stretch to deny Allyssa Ng-Saad’s strike from 18 yards out as United held on to climb to fourth.

Related articles from Her Football Hub:

• Ninja A-League round-up: Brisbane Roar close gap on Melbourne City in latest drama
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Denver Summit FC is officially joining the NWSL as the league’s 16th franchise for the 2026 season.

Aiming for a Rocky Mountain high, this expansion club won’t just make up the numbers. With a star-studded roster, a world-class manager in Nick Cushing, and ticket sales already shattering expectations for their March debut, the Summit is poised to prove that the women’s game belongs at a mile high.

A new peak for women’s soccer

So what is it about Denver that makes this latest addition stand out? The name speaks for itself, setting the stage for the summit this club wishes to achieve. In hopes of bringing people together and striving to reach new heights on and off the pitch, Denver hopes to make immediate waves in the women’s game.

The ’14ers’ — the club’s official supporters group — are ready to bring the energy for a roster that is already turning heads. The front office has assembled a star-studded lineup that includes Abby Smith, Ally Brazier, Carson Pickett, Kaleigh Kurtz, and Janine Sonis.

Perhaps the biggest splash is the arrival of Lindsey Heaps, who will join the squad later this season. From the front line to the goal, Denver Summit is ready to bring the heat with legitimate attacking power and a skilled defensive presence.

Nick Cushing leads star-studded Denver Summit staff

Commanding the team is a manager that global soccer fans will instantly recognize: Nick Cushing.

Cushing brings a championship pedigree to Denver, having previously served as the head coach of Manchester City in the WSL. Most recently, he managed New York City FC on the MLS side, giving him a unique blend of NWSL-adjacent and European experience that the club hopes will translate to immediate success.

Rounding out the inaugural staff are assistant coaches Angela Salem and Alan Mahon. Former England international Karen Bardsley joins as goalkeeper coach, with James Mitchell serving as video coach.

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A three-stadium journey

Now, where is this team going to be based? Denver Summit will play at two sites before moving into its own stadium.

Following the first home opener at Empower Field, the journey will continue in Commerce City, Colorado, at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park throughout the spring.

In July, the next phase will be to open up Centennial Stadium, which will be in mid-summer. This stadium will serve as their home for the remainder of the 2026 home matches and throughout the 2027 season.

Breaking attendance records

As the season approaches, President Jen Millet notes that the community is already welcoming this team with open arms.

“There is nothing more powerful than a city showing for its team. Crossing the 25,000 mark for the kickoff tells us everything we need to know about what this moment means to Denver,” said Millet.

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Denver Summit FC will take center stage against the Washington Spirit on March 28 at Empower Field for their inaugural home opener. Ticket sales are already skyrocketing — as of February 4, the club has sold more than 40,000 tickets, putting them on track to sell out the lower bowl and potentially challenge league attendance records.

Preseason first look: Coachella Valley Invitational

Before the home opener, fans will get their first glimpse of the squad in action this month. Denver Summit FC will make its debut at the Coachella Valley Invitational in Indio, California. The preseason tournament featuring both MLS and NWSL clubs will introduce Denver to two league opponents in the desert.

• Sunday, Feb. 15: vs. Utah Royals FC (2:00 p.m. PT)
• Saturday, Feb. 21: vs. San Diego Wave FC (12:00 p.m. PT)

These matches serve not only to build chemistry on the pitch but also to give the ’14ers’ their first taste of NWSL competition. With the tools in place and a community ready to support them, the Summit is poised to break boundaries and expand the women’s game in 2026.

Related articles from Her Football Hub:

• Fort Lauderdale United appoints Paul Jennison as interim head coach
• Sydney FC part ways with most successful ever head coach Ante Jurić
• WSL: No alcohol-related incidents as Fan Choice receives ‘overwhelmingly positive’ feedback

The Detroit Lions aren’t just protecting their coaching staff, they’re also leaning into a familiar rivalry.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Miami Dolphins, now led by former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, requested permission to interview Lions offensive assistant Bruce Gradkowski for their quarterbacks coach position. Dan Campbell reportedly blocked the request, making it clear that Gradkowski isn’t going anywhere.

Given Hafley’s Packers ties, the move feels especially fitting.

Dan Campbell and the Lions have spent years battling Green Bay for control of the NFC North, and now that a former Packers coordinator is running Miami, Detroit had little incentive to do any favors. Blocking the request not only keeps a valued coach in-house, it also denies help to a former rival.

Gradkowski has been with the Lions since 2025 and is viewed internally as a rising offensive mind. Before arriving in Detroit, he served as the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the UFL, helping build an offense that put him firmly on the NFL coaching radar.

As a player, Gradkowski starred at Toledo before being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He went on to play for the St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers, carving out a long professional career. His younger brother, Gino Gradkowski, is also a former NFL player.

Detroit’s decision sends a clear message: Bruce Gradkowski is part of the Lions’ present — and future — and Dan Campbell isn’t about to help a former Packers coach rebuild elsewhere.

The post Report: Dan Campbell Sends Message by Blocking Dolphins’ Interview Request appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is slated to be the biggest in men’s soccer history with 48 nations competing, and the Netherlands are hoping to channel success from past tournaments.

The European nation returns to the top stage in the sport with a talented roster after making a deep run in 2022. However, the previously World Cup in Qatar was missing a crucial ingredient for the Dutch side.

Soccer fans have become enamored by the Netherlands’ new kits for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This comes after the nation used inspiration from its old jerseys from 1988 when Ruud Gullit led the country.

MORE: 2026 FIFA World Cup, USA national team games, locations revealed

Gullit and Co. appeared at the 1990 FIFA World Cup after missing out on two straight appearances at the tournament prior to that.

In 2026, the Dutch will have significant expectations while donning their impressive Nike kits. This comes as the Netherlands look to avenge top nations like Argentina, Portugal and Spain.

Holland has a deep squad including Premier League stars like Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons. Meanwhile, veteran goalscorer Memphis Depay returns to the European squad as he and his teammates look to break through in another major competition.

MORE: Iconic ‘Fast & Furious’ selfie surfaces with soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo

The Dutch will face Japan, Tunisia and another European qualifying nation during Group F this summer. Holland enters the tournament as firm favorites to finish atop the group and make a run into the knockout phase just like during the 2022 tournament.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

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Fanatics Korea is selling a new Los Angeles Dodgers alternate jersey design.

Their listing directly translates to “Nike LA Dodgers Alt Stadium Jersey”

The new jersey is Dodger blue with white lettering reading “Los Angeles” across the front. The script used for the “Los Angeles” lettering is the same ordinarily used for “Dodgers” on the traditional home and away uniforms.

The jersey also has an arm patch which reads “Dodgers,” with a gray trim on the sleeves and a Nike Logo of the same color.

The number on the front just below the letters is red with a gray outline, and the numbers on the back are white.

The Dodgers have previously had “Los Angeles” in the traditional script on the front of their jerseys, and currently have the city’s name on their current City Connect jerseys, though it’s in a different font. They also used “Los Dodgers” on the front of their 2021 City Connect jersey.

The team is yet to announce any new jersey, and the threads present on Fanatics Korea are not available on the official MLB shop.

What Have the Dodgers’ Alternate Uniforms Looked Like Over the Past Few Seasons?

Teams across the league donned new, fashionable City Connect jerseys beginning in the 2021 season, and plenty of them have become favorites among fanbases across the country.

The Dodgers released their first City Connect jersey that season, a blue uniform which read Los Dodgers to honor their Latino fanbase and commemorate the 40th anniversary of Fernandomania.

After tweaking several aspects of their 2021 City Connect jerseys, the Dodgers revamped the uniform in 2024 to become the first team to receive a second City Connect.

The current City Connect uniform is a cream color, with speckles across the uniform to represent the brilliance and diversity of the city. It reads “Los Angeles” across the front with blue numbers above the script.

On the lower half of the jersey, #ITFDB, which stands for “It’s Time for Dodger Baseball,” sits just above the MLB authentication.

The Dodgers haven’t announced any changes to their City Connects, so it’s safe to say this iconic jersey will stay for the upcoming season.

What is your favorite Dodgers jersey of all time?

Trinidad Chambliss' eligibility ruling, explained: What injunction from judge means for QBs future at Ole Miss originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Coming out of the COVID era and right into the NIL era, college football is changing in ways people weren't expecting. 

It used to be a player's ultimate goal to make it to the NFL, but with the rise of NIL, players who could be late-round picks are now incentivized to maximize their eligibility. 

Trinidad Chambliss played only one season at Ole Miss, but he spent four seasons at Ferris State, a Division II program. The quarterback redshirted in 2021, suited up for only two games in 2022, then saw more playing time in 2023 and finally started in 2024. After his lone season with the Rebels in 2025, Chambliss was out of eligibility and expected to go to the NFL. 

Instead, the quarterback applied for an extra year with the NCAA, citing his 2022 season and how it should have been the grounds for a medical hardship waiver. The NCAA denied him, and so Chambliss sued the NCAA. A judge ruled on February 12 in Chambliss's favor, granting him an extra year of eligibility in a ruling that could set a dangerous precedent in college football. 

Here is more on what the latest injunction means for Chambliss' eligibility moving forward. 

MORE: Why the CFP should expand to 16 teams

Trinidad Chambliss' eligibility ruling

Judge Robert Whitwell ruled in favor of Chambliss in his case against the NCAA. The judge gave a long-winded 90-minute decision, speaking for more than 45 minutes before he announced clearly that he was siding with the Ole Miss quarterback. In short, he cited that the NCAA "breached its duty of good faith and acted in bad faith."

The NCAA does have the chance to appeal the decision, so the situation isn't 100% resolved just yet, but this was a big step. 

NEWS: Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss has been granted a sixth season of eligibility by a state court judge in Mississippi. Chambliss received an injunction today, which paves the way for him to play in 2026 after the NCAA ruled he was eligibility. (The NCAA can appeal.) pic.twitter.com/nzeaak6uMq

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 12, 2026

Why did Trinidad Chambliss win his eligibility court case?

The judge took his time reading his decision. In the first 20 minutes, he discussed how the NCAA "ignored" evidence from Ferris State that documented Chambliss' mononucleosis and respiratory issues, per Ross Dellenger. The judge spent the next 20 minutes talking about NCAA bylaws.

At the end of it all, he ruled in favor of Chambliss because of the documentation that he had from Ferris State that showed, in the judge's mind, that he should have been granted a medical waiver for 2022. The judge even added, "It was clear that Trinidad Chambliss was not a healthy young man from his senior year through 2022."

The judge's hour-long rambling comes down to this:

The NCAA denied Trinidad's waiver b/c there was no documentation of a medical redshirt in 2022.

The judge says they acted in "bad faith" by "ignoring" 2025 submissions of his medical records & doctor's letter.

Case closed.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) February 12, 2026

Who is the judge that heard the case? 

Judge Robert Whitwell heard the case, which was heard in Calhoun County, Mississippi. Whitwell is from Mississippi. After high school, he attended Mississippi State, Northwest Mississippi Community College and Delta State University, playing football. Whitwell was a quarterback and led Northwest to its first-ever state championship. He was inducted in their Hall of Fame in 1996. 

It will be interesting to see whether any conflict of interest arises. Whitwell went to law school at Ole Miss and graduated in 1972. Charles Bediako was granted an eligibility injunction to briefly play basketball at Alabama, but it was overturned when another judge heard it after the first judge was revealed to be a Crimson Tide donor. 

MORE: Way-too-early 2026 college football rankings

Did the judge in the Trinidad Chambliss hearing go to Ole Miss?

Yes. Judge Robert Whitwell graduated from Ole Miss' law school in 1972. 

What is an injunction?

An injunction is a court order that stops a specific action or makes them perform some act. In this scenario, it would force the NCAA to grant Chambliss' medical waiver.

Is Trinidad Chambliss eligible to play for Ole Miss next season?

Yes, with the judge ruling in his favor, Chambliss has one year of eligibility left. He could return to Ole Miss if they want him, or he could transfer, like to LSU, where former head coach Lane Kiffin is now. 

The NCAA does have the chance to appeal this decision, but for now, yes the QB is eligible. 

MORE: Why Charles Bediako can no longer play for Alabama

How many years of College football has Trinidad Chambliss played?

Chambliss has been out of high school for five years, meaning he should be heading to the NFL. He redshirted as a freshman and then only suited up for two games in 2022, while he was dealing with medical issues. Chambliss has technically played in only three seasons, which is partially why he believes he is due a fourth season of eligibility, despite it being his sixth overall. 

How old is Trinidad Chambliss?

Chambliss was born on August 24, 2002, and is 23 years old. He would turn 24 years old right at the start of the next college football season. 

Trinidad Chambliss stats

Here is a look at Chambliss' college stats.

*indicates redshirt season.

Lewis Hamilton has urged the FIA to "take care" of the compression ratio debate, which is taking place in the paddock. This comes as the seven-time Formula 1 world champion tests in Bahrain ahead of the 2026 season. 

Wearing Ferrari colours for the second season after a long and successful stint driving Mercedes machinery, the driver has confronted the idea that the Brackley outfit is benefiting from a trick involving its power units' compression ratio when asked by Sky Sports F1.

Despite what looks like dominant engineering from Mercedes, he's keen to not read too much into lap times.

“Basically, it’s like Monza downforce everywhere. So you’re sliding around on the top of the tyres, so it doesn’t feel particularly great," he said in regards to the wind at the track after the first day of testing.

“In some corners it feels good. And because of the wind, some corners feel good because you’ve got a headwind — but most of the others you’ve got either tailwind or crosswind, and it’s a moving goalpost.

"I think everyone's in the same boat."

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets after a long second day of testing, and McLaren driver and reigning champion Lando Norris finished beneath him by half a second. 

“Impossible to know at the moment," Hamilton said when asked about the pecking order of the grid. "I hope we’re in the mix. I think we all look quite close — apart from Mercedes.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

“But we don’t know what fuel loads people are on. There are whispers of certain fuel loads that Mercedes are on. There are whispers of extra power they have that the rest of us don’t — the compression ratio sort of thing."

The Briton seemed keen for that to be ironed out by the championship's governing body: "So hopefully that gets sorted. And the FIA take care of that and make sure we’re all starting on an even playing field.”

Hamilton joins several teams in a push for the FIA to take action over what many believe goes against the regulations. And while Mercedes and its team principal Toto Wolff have strongly pushed back at these allegations, both the team and the FIA are facing intense pressure. 

“We’ve spent a lot of time discussing how we solve those issues, and our intention is of course to solve them for the start of the season," FIA single seater director Nikolas Tombazis said in an interview. 

“We don’t want to have controversies, we want people to be competing on the track – not in the courtroom or in the stewards room. And that’s what we try to do.”

Whether intervention comes before the Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton - and others - are keen to see action. 

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Former Formula 1 driver Jenson Button has described his time as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate as the new challenge he needed after winning the drivers' championship.

Button joined the seven-time champion at McLaren in 2010, and while his former boss Ross Brawn advised against the move to the Woking outfit, the 46-year-old relished the challenge of beating Hamilton in the same machinery.

"Yes, I was team-mates with Lewis for three years. When I left Brawn in 2009 as a world champion, I was like, 'I need a new challenge,' and that challenge was to go up against Lewis Hamilton," Button told Sky Sports F1.

"And Ross Brawn even said, 'You're making a mistake.' So then I was in with both feet, and really enjoyed the partnership we had. And I think winning a race and beating Lewis Hamilton in the same car was almost like winning a world championship.

Jenson Button

"Didn't happen enough, but it was very special. So, no, I have a lot of respect for him as I do Fernando Alonso, who I raced with for two years, and seeing the way they work behind the scenes, not just in the car, is really impressive."

Button retired from racing at the end of 2025 after completing the World Endurance Championship season. "I left F1 in 2016. I was 36, and I was like, you know what, I think of myself as a racing driver, not just an F1 driver," he said. "So, I went off and raced in Japan. I raced in the World Endurance Championship, 24-hour races.

"I raced on dirt in Baja, NASCAR, and I've had such an amazing career. Very, very lucky. And it was time to hang up my race boots, spend more time with the family, and I've also got more time for F1 now."

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

It was a road sweep Wednesday night in the SEC. Florida beat Georgia, Alabama beat Ole Miss, and Tennessee beat Mississippi State. Then of course, Missouri beat Texas A&M. So, you know, the good teams all won on the road!

The story of the night was to weather the early storm, attack A&Ms weaknesses, rebound like crazy, and then lean on the redemption arc of Shawn Phillips.

With 12 minutes left to play, locked in a tight game with the Aggies clawing back from a 7 point deficit to eevn the game back up at 62, Dennis Gates ran a play that isolated Mark Mitchell and set up a back screen for a lob to Phillips. The play was run perfectly, the lob throw was perfect, the ball hit Phillips right in the hands with him soaring above the rim and then he buffed it. I’m not sure what happened, maybe he was too high above the rim, but he just kind of shoved it into the front of the rim. The ball bounced away, and A&M had the ball again.

Gates is a believer in his players, so it should surprise no one when he went back to the same play with the game in the balance. With 17 seconds left, the Tigers ran it back only this time Phillips slammed the ball through the hoop giving his team a one point lead. The only problem, Missouri had just a one point lead and A&M had the ball with more than enough time to get a good look. They still needed to get a defensive stop. We’ve been in this situation before.

Going back in time a bit further, on January 20th, Georgia coach Mike White ran a play to isolate Phillips late in the game. With the Bulldogs down a bucket, Smurf Millender turned the corner on Phillips, got to the rim and was fouled. Giving Georgia an important road win.

So with 4 seconds left on the clock, Bucky McMillan ran a play to isolate the Tigers center on his best player Rashaun Agee. Agee attacked Phillips chest and tried to draw a foul while attempting to get the ball up on the glass. But Phillips held his ground, held his position, and used his long wingspan to get a deflection on the shot attempt. The ball slid off his arm and into the hands of Mark Mitchell, securing the win.

Shawn Phillips delivering the two plays Missouri needed to secure the win is a quintessential Gates moment. For all the things Phillips is, and isn’t, his coach believes in him. It’s a confidence Gates instills in his roster in a way that we haven’t really seen from a Missouri coach before. It doesn’t always work out (see Georgia), and at times this season has been bumpier than we wanted… but that’s his style and approach.

From my earlier post about road wins, this ranks as the 8th best road win for Mizzou since joining the SEC, ahead of last years win over Georgia, and behind Cuonzo’s 2022 win at Texas A&M. We’ll see how it ages as the rest of the season goes on and KenPom updates. But I figured it was worth mentioning.

It’s also worth pointing out that Gates is responsible for the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 9th best road wins. The other four belong to Cuonzo, and three of those came in 2021. Now back to the game!

TEAM STATS

If you’d have told me before the game Texas A&M was going to shoot 45.5% from three point range, I’d have probably guessed they won by 15. They shot and made the same number of threes Illinois did, and the Illini beat Mizzou by 40. But as you watched the first half unfold, and the Aggies bury 7 of their first 9 three point attempts, you looked up and they were only up by 2 points. At that point I knew Missouri could pull this game out. Because you know how I feel about threes at this point, sometimes they fall, sometimes they don’t. But even hot starts eventually cool off.

Because I like to look these things up, since the SEC expanded in 2012-13 season, 24 teams have attempted 28 or more three pointers and had a percentage as high as 50%, so 7 of 9 (78%) isn’t a sustainable number. Eventually the threes will dry up, and they did. A&M shot 64.7% in the first half, and 25% in the second half. Meanwhile Missouri was consisten, they shot 33% from distance in the first half, and 33% in the second. But their 2FG% went up to 58.1%. Once the three point makes hit a lull, Mizzou’s bettter overall game plan began to take hold.

• For a team who has struggled to value the basketball at times this year, they were faced with perhaps their toughest challenge and they passed with flying colours. Phillips had three turnovers, but the rest of the team only had 6 TOVs on the game. Giving up the ball 9 times against a full court press all game — on the road! — is a prime example of handling the pressure. I’ll also mention one of those turnovers was a shot clock violation, and five TOVs were deadball turnovers. A&M had 9 points off turnovers and 0 fast break points.
• The first half stat line is funny because Mizzou had 18 total rebounds, and 11 offensive rebounds. They missed 17 shots. That’s how you keep pace with a team firebombing from outside, you collect 65% of your missed shots and average 1.4 points per possession by taking 8 more FGAs than they do.

More fun with historical facts, just 8 teams have won on the road when the home team has shot an eFG% higher than 62% since the SEC expanded. Home teams are 152-8 when they shoot 62% eFG or higher. So how about that?

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Trifecta: Trent Pierce, T.O. Barrett, Mark Mitchell

On the season: Mark Mitchell 46, Jayden Stone 25, Jacob Crews 19, Anthony Robinson 17, T.O. Barrett 11, Trent Pierce 7,Shawn Phillips 7,Jevon Porter 5, Sebastian Mack 3, Annor Boateng 1

Welcome to the Trent Pierce coming out party. This is a great matchup for Pierce, a 6’10 wing, and he didn’t miss his shot(s), pun intended. He took 15 shots but they were all good shots, mostly allowing the defenses to collapse around Phillips or Mark Mitchell and then attacking gaps either through replacement or driving to the rim. Pierce outpaced everyone on the Aggies, including the career night they saw from former Jayhawk Zach Clemence. And Pierce was just one rebound shy of a double double. Just an awesome performance from him.

That Missouri won this game without Mitchell scoring a bunch is important, and he only scored 9 points. But A&M was so heavily focused on stopping Mitchell that he just let them double him while he kicked the ball to open teammates. He also threw two perfect lobs to Phillips that counted, and one that didn’t.

I thought this was Anthony Robinson’s best game in a while. His shots still aren’t falling, but he had 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and most importantly 0 turnovers. The size and physicality of he and T.O. Barrett caused issues for the Aggie press when they tried to turn up the heat. Both guards have had issues with turnovers at times this season, but they were locked in and used their distinct size advantage to keep the pressure at bay.

With Ant and Mark having such quality floor games, it’s a big reason the pressure never really got to the Tigers. Seeing the floor and taking advantage of the back end of the press is easy when you have bigs who can handle the ball like Mark can, and guards who can hit ahead and see over the top.

I love Jacob Crews’ 237.5 ORtg. Keep not missing shots, Crews.

This is a game Gates kept his rotation short, in a game where the pace was likely to be turned up, he knew he had to manage it wisely to get a win. He did so. The Tigers didn’t wear down, and only looked gassed during one stretch where there were no whistles for about 5 minutes of game action. No really, Mizzou called a timeout at 6:05 and there was not another stoppage in play until they called another timeout at 1:35 to play. When I saw Pat Adams was the official for the game, I knew we’d be in for a weird night, and it was a weird one.

There were 8 fouls called in the first half, and just 5 free throws attempted. In the second half there were 19 fouls called and 25 free throws attempted. But Missouri was in the bonus by 14:51 to play, and the double bonus with 10 minutes to play. And Texas A&M was not called for another foul beyond the 10 minute mark. On the flip side, Mizzou sent A&M to the single bonus by the 10:40 mark, and weren’t whistled for a foul after the 7:08 mark when they blew the offensive foul call on Mitchell.

Zero fouls called in the final 7 minutes of an SEC basketball game, which was hotly contested. I’m not even saying it was poorly officiated in the final 7 minutes, that’s just unusual.

But here’s the thing, the Tigers earned a high quality Q1 win that likely puts them back inside the bubble for most bracket makers. You cannot turn around and give that result back. Beat Texas at home. Get to 8-4 in the league, and keep the train rolling.

I’ve moved the glossary to a static page at RockM+ to reduce the size of the bottom of this post.

So if you’re looking for what any of these stats mean, Check out the Glossary!

In attempting to update Study Hall, I’ve moved away from Touches/Possession and moving into the Rates a little more. This is a little experimental so if there’s something you’d like to see let me know and I’ll see if there’s an easy visual way to present it.

If there’s something you’d like to see more of an explanation on, drop a note and let me know!

The NFL released the list of players invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday. A total of 319 prospects, including Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange, have been invited to attend this year’s event, which takes place in Indianapolis from Feb. 23 through March 2. 

“Big Citrus” prepped at North Kansas City High School. Orange appeared in 50 games and started in 24 of them over his four year Cyclone career in which he tallied 66 tackles (32 solo, 34 assisted), seven tackles for a loss, two passes defended and a sack.

He earned Bednarik National Player of the Week honors following his six tackle performance in a 16-13 win against Iowa in 2025 where he faced off against Hawkeye center Logan Jones, who won the Rimington Trophy in December.

Orange is the 21st player of the coach Matt Campbell era who exhausted their collegiate eligibility in the cardinal and gold to appear at the NFL Scouting Combine joining: Allen Lazard, David Montgomery, Hakeem Butler, Steven Wirtel, Breece Hall, Charlie Kolar, Eyioma Uwazurike, Brock Purdy, Chase Allen, Mike Rose, Will McDonald IV, Xavier Hutchinson, Anthony Johnson, MJ Anderson, TJ Tampa, Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, Darien Porter, Jalen Travis and Malik Verdon.

The Tennessee Titans announced their 2026 coaching staff under Robert Saleh this afternoon. The new staff features just three holdovers from Brian Callahan’s 2025 staff: special teams coordinator John Fassel, tight ends coach Luke Stocker, and defensive backs coach Tony Oden. It also includes Saleh’s cousin, Ahmed Saleh, as a defensive assistant and Mike Borgonzi’s brother, Dave Borgonzi, as the linebackers coach.

Titans 2026 offensive coaching staff

Offensive coordinator – Brian Daboll

QB coach – Shea Tierney

RB coach – Randy Jordan

WR coach – Greg Lewis

TE coach – Luke Stocker

OL coach – Carmen Bricillo

Assistant OL coach – Isaac Williams

Offensive assistant – Trevor Browder

Offensive assistant/Game management – Cade Knox

Offensive assistant – John Rudnicki

Titans 2026 defensive coaching staff

Defensive coordinator – Gus Bradley

DL coach – Aaron Whitecotton

LB coach – Dave Borgonzi

Defensive backs/Cornerbacks coach – Tony Oden

Defensive backs/Safeties coach – Marquand Manuel

Defensive backs/Nickels coach – Dalton Hilliard

Senior defensive assistant/Pass rush specialist – Travis Smith

Senior defensive assistant – Ben Bloom

Defensive assistant – Ahmed Saleh

Titans 2026 special teams coaching staff

Special teams coordinator – John Fassel

Assistant special teams – Rayna Stewart

Chief of staff – Rob Dadona

happy Thursday Husky fans. The Huskies got some talent at linebacker today when 3 star brothers Justin and Ethan Coach from St John Bosco HS, CA committed to UW. The Huskies secured the commitment of the brothers over offers from a bunch of schools including Michigan, Arizona, and ASU. Both players are at least 6’2” and around 205 pounds and have the length the Huskies have been looking for at linebacker. Justin is rated as the 46th best linebacker in the country and Ethan is the 44th (per 247sports). Both players were highly coveted and are key players for their Bosco D. Justin had 36 total tackles and 2 TFL’s last season and Ethan had 17 total tackles and 2 TFL’s (their defense is loaded so the stats aren’t necessarily reflective of their talent as Bosco subs a lot).

The Huskies now have 6 commits in the 2027 class, which is rated as the 12th best in the country. The Huskies continue to have success landing players from St John Bosco and both Coach brothers should be solid additions to the Husky program.

Trinidad Chambliss’ push for an extra year of eligibility has paid off.

The Ole Miss quarterback was granted an injunction in Mississippi state court on Thursday that allows him to play for the Rebels in 2026. Chambliss, who transferred from Ferris State, had argued that he should have received a medical redshirt in 2022 while he was playing for the Bulldogs and dealing with health issues before his tonsils were removed in 2024. Chambliss redshirted in 2021 while he was at Ferris State and didn’t appear in a game in 2022.

The injunction from Judge Robert Whitwell came after the NCAA had twice denied Chambliss’ request for a sixth year of eligibility. In January, the governing body denied his request for a waiver and then subsequently denied his appeal. During the hearing Thursday, news emerged that the NCAA had denied Chambliss' request to reconsider its decison. 

Whitwell noted before he issued the injunction that the NCAA's lawyers had left the courtroom and were not present at the time of his ruling Thursday afternoon. Whitwell talked for over an hour before issuing his ruling, and it was obvious over the course of his remarks that he was going to rule in Chambliss' favor as he noted that the NCAA had operated "in bad faith" and that it disregarded Chambliss' medical issues in refusing to grant him the waiver.

Whitwell also made clear that he was not ruling that the NCAA's rules were illegal or making a larger example of the NCAA's eligibility system.

Chambliss, 23, was one of the breakout stars of college football in 2025. After coming on in relief of an injured Austin Simmons in Ole Miss’ second game of the season, Chambliss totaled 30 touchdowns and threw just three interceptions as Ole Miss made it to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff before losing to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.

Chambliss’ performance in the quarterfinals against Georgia was a game that will live forever in Ole Miss lore. He was 30-of-46 passing for 362 yards and two scores as the Rebels outscored the Bulldogs 27-13 in the second half for a 39-34 Sugar Bowl win.

His return to Ole Miss is a huge boost for the Rebels as they look to get back to the College Football Playoff under new coach Pete Golding. The former Ole Miss defensive coordinator became the team’s head coach ahead of the playoff in December as Lane Kiffin decided to leave Ole Miss for the open job at LSU.

To say that having Chambliss back for a second season in Oxford is massive may be an understatement. Simmons transferred after the season to Missouri and, had Chambliss not come back, Auburn transfer Deuce Knight would have been the prohibitive favorite to start for the Rebels.

Chambliss will likely be one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy ahead of the 2026 season even with Kiffin and former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. now at LSU. Ole Miss added the No. 18 transfer class in the country this offseason, according to On3, and signed Michigan State RB Makhi Frazier and (controversially) Clemson LB Luke Ferrelli among others.

With Chambliss now set to play for the Rebels next season, there's still one more eligibility case among starting quarterbacks in the SEC remaining. Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar has received a temporary restraining order in his efforts to play for a seventh season of college football, with a hearing set for Friday over a possible injunction that would clear the way for him to play next season. 

This is what postseason basketball is all about. Two teams that have been dominant throughout the season are clashing for a league championship.

On Friday evening at Martz Hall in Pottsville, the Schuylkill League Girls Championship will tip off at 6 p.m. between the Division I regular season champions, the Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes, and the Division II regular season champions, the Lourdes Regional Red Raiders.

For Schuylkill Haven, the Hurricanes are looking to begin what could be a potential Schuylkill League dynasty. They are the defending league champions and with just one senior on their roster this fall, will return much of the same team next season.

RELATED: Pottsville and Minersville set to duke it out for Schuylkill League title

Meanwhile, Lourdes is looking for its first-ever league championship, and will have the opportunity to win even more this postseason as the Red Raiders continue to put together a storybook season.

The last time the two programs met was in February of last year, in the Schuylkill League quarterfinals, a 45-28 win for the Hurricanes.

Head Coaches

Lourdes – Michael Klembara: A pillar of high school basketball in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Michael Klembara is in his 41st season as the coach of the Red Raiders, and has compiled over 841 career wins. In an era of athletics where coaches come and go, Klembara is one of the few remaining members of a dying breed of coaches. Klembara led Lourdes to a state championship in 1994, an achievement that this year’s team may be good enough to earn next month.

Schuylkill Haven – Tony Sanders: Sanders is now in his seventh season at the helm of the Schuylkill Haven program, and is looking to lead his team to a second-straight Schuylkill League title after capturing its first last season. When Sanders took over the Hurricanes , they were struggling to find success. However, since an 8-14 record in 2022-23, the Hurricanes have now won 20, 24, and 18 games over the last three seasons, including a state tournament appearance last year.

How they got here

The Red Raiders and Hurricanes have embarked on similar paths to Friday’s league championship game.

Lourdes has been incredible all season, posting a 22-1 record, including 14-0 in league play during the regular season. Heading into Friday’s matchup, the Red Raiders have won 16 straight games, including a 49-32 win over North Schuylkill on Tuesday in the league semifinals.

Schuylkill Haven has won 11 straight games and coasted into the title game with a 19-4 overall record. In the semifinals on Tuesday evening, they dismissed Mahanoy Area, 53-38. The Hurricanes had a small slip-up midseason, losing two of three in early January to Marian Catholic and North Schuylkill, but regained their form and haven’t lost since.

Starting fives

For Lourdes, the Red Raiders will roll out a balanced starting five of Kylla Sandri, Onaleigh Barnes, Sophia Karlovich, Hannah Lokitis, and Vivian Reiprish. It’s a starting five that can score quickly and in bunches. The heart of the offense is the trio of Sandri (12.0 PPG), Karlovich (11.3 PPG), and Lokitis (11 PPG).

The frontcourt duo of Karlovich and Lokitis is dangerous on both ends of the court, and makes it a miserable experience for undersized opponents in the paint. Reiprish, also a forward, adds even more versatility to the forward rotation. While this is a team that can dominate the post, they can also make life difficult on the perimeter. Sandri and Barnes have played lockdown defense and are efficient scorers. Both have strong vision and can make the needed passes throughout the court to generate high-percentage shot opportunities while also remaining offensive threats themselves from outside the paint and beyond the arc.

The Hurricanes’ starting five is one built around speed and skill, led by junior McKenna Runkle (15.0 PPG) and senior Audrey Hutchinson (13.0 PPG). Both Kylie Siket (8.1 PPG) and Ava Terencko (6.2 PPG) are right behind them, providing additional scoring punch while Braelynn Strenkoski (3.0 ppg) rounds out the starters.

While the Hurricanes may not have the size that Lourdes will possess, which could make getting to the basket more difficult on Friday night, the Hurricanes are effective shooters from beyond the arc, which could create an interesting chess match as the game progresses. Both Runkle and Hutchinson have shown the ability to take over games, with Hutchinson leading the way with 18 points in the Hurricanes’ win on Tuesday night over Mahanoy Area. But both Siket and Terefencko can find offensive grooves of their own, which makes the Hurricanes so dangerous. When clicking on all cylinders, Schuylkill Haven doesn’t have two scorers; they have three and sometimes even four. Strenkoski may not be as big a scorer as her fellow starters, but the sophomore provides quality defense down low for the Hurricanes.

Off the bench

In a championship game, sometimes the player you don’t expect to make the difference is the one that ultimately does. Both teams will likely shorten their bench for Friday’s championship game. Here’s how both teams’ depth looks coming into the matchup.

For the Red Raiders, the bench is deep with three players totaling 20 or more points this season, including senior Luci Shingara, freshman Karmen Schroyer, and Alysssa Alber. Albert is especially good defensively this season, with 26 rebounds and 23 steals in 23 games. Shingara also has 11 rebounds and 15 steals, while Adalynn Schu has 18 rebounds this season. Kaidian Bunch is also available off the bench for the Red Raiders.

For the Hurricanes, the bench has been shorter than most. Only freshman Audrey Wade saw consistent playing time this season, playing in 21 games. A young bench, the Hurricanes will also have Aubree Brand, Madison Bayer, Octavia Houvig, and Tessa Benedict at their disposal.

Get your popcorn ready for the bright lights.

It’ll be a rematch of last year’s Schuylkill League boys basketball championship when Pottsville (18-6, 12-2) and Minersville (22-1, 13-1) meet at Martz Hall on Friday night.

“Now we’re a little more familiar with these teams and we’ll be ready to go Friday,” Pottsville coach Tyler Heffner said. “It’s another game for us to focus on a different style team.”

Pottsville and Minersville each punched their ticket to the Schuylkill League Championship with semifinal wins over Tri-Valley and Blue Mountain, respectively, on Wednesday.

RELATED: Lourdes, Schuylkill Haven set for epic clash in Schuylkill League title game

“At this point in the season, you can feel it with this team, and see it in their faces that we know we can do it and make the plays down the stretch,” Minersville coach Chris George said. “We have to be better at executing little things, because Pottsville just doesn’t mess up little things and they’re fundamentally well coached.”

Prior to the Crimson Tide winning the league championship last season, Mahanoy Area won the league title during the 2023-24 season with a 66-51 win for the program’s seventh ever league title. Blue Mountain won the Schuylkill League Championship title during the 2022-23 season with a 57-54 win over North Schuylkill.

Now it’s time for Pottsville and Minersville’s stars to shine under the bright lights at Martz Hall for the second straight year after the Crimson Tide earned a 50-43 win in last year’s championship game.

“We feel like we can wear teams down with the depth we have,” Heffner said after the win over Tri-Valley. “We did that in the second quarter and it was a good all-around performance. I thought we played really well.”

Pottsville lost six seniors from last year’s championship winning squad while Minersville lost eight seniors to graduation, as well as Dante Carr, who departed for the University of Central Florida in January to get an early start on his college football career.

“Our seniors are great, and all credit to coach (Dave) Mullaney for laying the foundation here, and those guys did an awesome job,” George said. “We took their foundation and we knew it’d be different, so we took the pieces we have and tried to tweak it. We’re a little more up-tempo and it’s been great senior leadership and they don’t panic.”

The starting five of Camden Rogers, Chase Zimerofsky, Shazier Bethea, Jordan Bowers and Nolan Plesnarski accounted for all 50 of Minersville’s points in the comeback win over Blue Mountain.

“We’ve gone down a few times this year, and knowing that I have four guys behind me that have so much heart and no quit is fun to be out there with them,” Rogers said. “Everyone on our team is unselfish, and when the team puts that belief in me, it makes me believe in myself.”

Pottsville advanced to the league championship game with a starting lineup of Chris Hobbs, Christian Alvarez, Ryder Bowers, Davey Kunstek and Josh Kimber, who scored 56 of the Crimson Tide’s 70 points in the lopsided win over Tri-Valley.

Minersville is having a one-of-a-kind season.

The Battlin Miners’ finished 21-1 overall and 13-1 in league play to win the Division I regular season title, and are currently on a 19-game winning streak and have scored more than 60 points in 16 games this season. Pottsville has won 10 of their last 13 games and have outscored their opponents 58-45 per game and have scored over 60 points in 12 games this season.

What’s most unique about both Schuylkill League Championship teams is that they are both led by first-year head coaches, Pottsville’s Tyler Heffner and Minersville’s Chris George.

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Pottsville boys basketball head coach Tyler Heffner signals to the team as Blue Mountain hosts Pottsville, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)

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Minersville head coach Chris George yells out to his players as Minersville and Blue Mountain face off during the Schuylkill League boys basketball semifinals at Martz Hall in Pottsville, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)

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Pottsville boys basketball head coach Tyler Heffner signals to the team as Blue Mountain hosts Pottsville, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)

Heffner is a 2012 graduate of Pottsville and began coaching as an assistant for the Crimson Tide in 2016. Heffner coached the seventh grade boys for two years, the eighth grade boys for two years and then has spent three seasons as the junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant.

George took over at Minersville after former coach Dave Mullaney — who compiled a 53-24 record over three seasons — resigned last March. George spent the previous 10 years as head coach at Northern Lebanon.

Heffner has been helped out by his senior class —- Brody Herndon, Juleon Bainbridge, Grady Leskin, Christian Alvarez, Ryder Bowers, Davey Kunstek and Brandon Viars. Alvarez leads the Crimson Tide offense with 18.2 points per game, Bowers’ 11.2 points per game and Kunstek’s 10 points per game.

“We just want to focus on ourselves and do what we do well,” Alvarez said. “We know we can come out with the win if we do that.”

Pottsville and Minersville will meet for the third time this season Friday. The road team won each of the regular season matchups.

Pottsville won 62-51 on Dec. 11, and Minersville squeaked out a 62-58 overtime win on Jan. 20.

Kunstek led the Crimson Tide with 19 points, while Bowers scored 14 points and Hobbs scored 11 in Pottsville’s 62-51 win at Minersville on Dec. 11.

When the two teams matched up at Martz Hall on Jan. 20, Bethea and Alvarez combined for 57 points. Bethea led the Battlin’ Miners with 30 points and Bowers contributed 18 points in the overtime win.

“We feel like we can match up well with anyone and being in this type of atmosphere gets you ready for the championship,” Rogers said. “When (Bethea is) hitting, we all feed off his energy. He’s a great senior leader so feeding off his energy is awesome.”

Pottsville and Minersville will play for the Schuylkill League Championship at Martz Hall on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The All-Star Break looms.

Will the Los Angeles Lakers be able to maintain focus without their superstar?

Probably... because the Dallas Mavericks are just as shorthanded — if not more so.

My Mavericks vs. Lakers predictions expect Dallas to continue struggling without Luka Doncic, one of several NBA picks for Thursday, February 12.

Mavericks vs Lakers prediction

Mavericks vs Lakers best bet: Lakers -7 (-110)

The Los Angeles Lakers have covered the spread in their last three games against the Dallas Mavericks. 

Continuing this will not tie to Luka Doncic, who is sidelined with a hamstring worry, but Cooper Flagg’s absence looms even larger, robbing Dallas of its best and sometimes only offensive option.

The Mavericks should be broadly doubted for the rest of the season. As well as Flagg has played this season, Dallas has little else it can rely on.

Mavericks vs Lakers same-game parlay

Dallas’s greatest weakness is its backcourt’s defense, something Austin Reaves should exploit so readily that the fourth quarter becomes a bit of a plod amid a blowout.

Mavericks vs Lakers SGP

• Lakers -7
• Austin Reaves Over 24.5 points
• Under 236.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Luka-less 

DeAndre Ayton needs Doncic throwing him lobs to excel, particularly against Dallas’s decent defensive frontline.

Mavericks vs Lakers SGP

• Lakers -7
• Austin Reaves Over 24.5 points
• DeAndre Ayton Under 12.5 points
• Under 236.5

Mavericks vs Lakers odds

• Spread: Mavericks +7 (-110) | Lakers -7 (-110)
• Moneyline: Mavericks +240 | Lakers -300
• Over/Under: Over 236.5 (-110) | Under 236.5 (-110)

Mavericks vs Lakers betting trend to know

Dallas is 0-4 against the spread in its last four games. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Lakers.

How to watch Mavericks vs Lakers

Mavericks vs Lakers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

TWIN LAKES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities on Thursday identified a 19-year-old from South Dakota as the sole fatality of a bus crash in rural Iowa that injured 32 other members of a community college’s baseball team.

Carter Johnson was an outfielder from Rapid City in his first year at Iowa Lakes Community College, according to the team roster. Johnson died Wednesday after the bus overturned in a ditch alongside a highway near Twin Lakes, Iowa, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) northwest of Des Moines, authorities said Thursday.

The bus went off the road for “unknown reasons,” said Iowa State Patrol Lt. Aaron Smidt, and the crash is under investigation.

“Carter was a great teammate, a friend and a valued member of our athletic community," said Troy Larson, the school's athletic director. “In his time here, he really impacted our campus, both within our halls, in the classrooms, as well as on the playing field.”

Smidt said student-athletes in a vehicle trailing the bus were administering CPR to Johnson when first responders arrived. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.

All of the other occupants on the bus — 32 teammates — were injured in the crash but are stable and recovering, Smidt said. Three were airlifted for treatment in the Des Moines area.

The team had games scheduled Thursday and Friday at North Arkansas College in Harrison, Arkansas. Larson said the coaches and players will discuss in the weeks ahead how the team will move forward with their season.

“It's going to take some time for them to recover from some injuries,” Smidt said, without providing details on the injuries or the conditions. “It was a pretty violent collision."

Cade Cunningham has seen his stock rise massively during his young NBA career with the Detroit Pistons, and the Eastern Conference star is using his fame to live out a childhood dream.

The Pistons star has Detroit firmly in the top position in the East before the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. However, Cunningham has some attention on another sport with Spring Training around the corner.

According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, Cade Cunningham is buying a minority stake in his favorite MLB team, the Texas Rangers.

MORE: NBA announces suspensions for players involved in Pistons-Hornets fight

Cunningham and Detroit have become an instant favorite to represent the East in this year’s NBA Finals. Meanwhile, his on-court talent has certainly helped lift his business portfolio as well with his latest purchase.

The 24 year old has been a lifelong fan of the MLB’s Rangers after growing up in Arlington, Texas – the home of the baseball franchise. Cunningham has even had the chance to throw out the first pitch at a game back in 2025.

Back in 2023, the Rangers won the World Series for the first time in franchise history. Given Cunningham’s significant fandom, the Detroit guard will be hopeful that he and his ownership group can help deliver another championship.

MORE:NBA star Cade Cunningham signs lucrative long-term Nike deal

Given Cade Cunningham’s monster five-year rookie max contract worth over $269 million, it’s evident that the Pistons standout has a bright and lucrative future ahead in the NBA and across his other endeavors.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —

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NBA: NBA Power Rankings ahead of 2026 All-Star Break

VIRAL: Norwegian Olympics star makes stunning girlfriend admission after winning bronze medal

The post Pistons star Cade Cunningham earns stake in hometown MLB team appeared first on The Big Lead.

Maple Leafs' Oliver-Ekman Larsson playing time with Sweden nightmare also involves pregnant wife decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Sweden didn't put Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the ice for a single second of its Olympic-opening matchup with the overmatched host Italy.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' defender was active as the seventh defenseman, but the top six got all the work. OEL didn't get a single shift.

That's bad enough. It's gotta be frustrating for a veteran blue-liner to work as hard as he has his whole career and not get a chance to play.

But actually, there's even another layer that makes it potentially more bothersome.

MORE: Tkachuk, Hughes brothers make Olympic history not done since 1964

Ekman-Larsson's wife, Maja, is expecting their second child and due in a few weeks. So she stayed at home rather than come enjoy the Olympics with her husband.

"He left his pregnant wife at home to be here," Sportsnet's Luke Fox said in a Canadian radio broadcast interview. "He didn't want to risk anything happening. She's gonna be delivering within the month or so. He left his young son (and wife) to go and chase this Olympic dream. He got silver last time in Sochi. He's been working so hard with the Leafs just to earn this honor. So he gets in the lineup and doesn't even get to throw a leg over the boards against the Italians. It's a bit of a head-scratcher."

MORE: USA curling's Danny Casper doesn't let GBS health issue slow him down

The roster is setup differently than an NHL gameday roster. Instead of 18 active skaters, they can have 20.

For Sweden, that meant 13 forwards instead of 12, and 7 defensemen instead of 6.

The 13th forward, Filip Forsberg, played just more than a single minute. So he didn't get much fun, either.

But for Ekman-Larsson, it has to have been particularly frustrating. Hopefully for his sake, there's more opportunity to come.

Right now, though, OEL is missing out on a lot.

More Olympics news:

• This U.S. luge star was parodied on SNL
• Amber Glenn gets into music dispute during Olympic figure skating program
• Breezy Johnson's wild Olympics end in engagement
• U.S. Olympians get paid shockingly less than other countries for gold medals
• This USA curling star looks like Pommel Horse Guy
• 5 U.S. women's hockey stars attended the same high school

The Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator position has been a question since they decided to move on from Jonathan Gannon.

While we still have not heard anything on what is happening with Nick Rallis, the team has interviewed a number of potential candidates… including having just interviewed recent Super Bowl LX Champion Karl Scott, the Seahawks current defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator.

Scott has only been a defensive coordinator once, but he has a load of experience.

• Graduate Assistant – Delta State (2007)
• Defensive Backs Coach – Tusculum College (2008-11)
• Linebacker Coach – Southeastern Louisiana (2012-13)
• Defensive Coordinator – Southeastern Louisiana (2014)
• Defensive Backs Coach – Texas Tech (2016-17)
• Defensive Backs Coach – Alabama (2018-20)
• Defensive Backs Coach – Minnesota Vikings (2021)
• Defensive Backs Coach/Passing Game Coordinator (2022-present)

Scott called plays for Southeastern Louisiana in one season for the FCS program, but also has two championships, this years Super Bowl and the 2020 National Championship with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

What would you think of the Cardinals hiring Scott as their defensive coordinator?

After the heavy blow suffered at the Monumental against Tigre, River visits Argentinos Juniors this Thursday for the fifth round of the 2026 Apertura Tournament. And they do so with a thirst for revenge after being defeated by a wide margin at home. 

For the team from La Paternal, the match also represents a golden opportunity to climb in Zone B, as they need to earn three points, something they haven't done since the first matchday.

River knows they have no room for error if they want to prove that last week's performance was just a stumble in their championship quest.

River's Starting XI

The "Muñeco" left nothing to chance and decided to make significant tactical changes to the starting lineup to seek greater balance. The big surprise is the inclusion of Agustín Ruberto in the starting XI.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

After playing a largely even game for the first half of its Olympic opener against Latvia, the United States scored the game’s final four goals in its 5-1 win in Milan on Thursday.

Rangers center Vincent Trocheck had the secondary assist on Brock Nelson’s game-winning goal that opened the floodgates at 10:38 of the second period. He finished with a plus-1 rating in 9:11 of ice time.

New York captain J.T. Miller was highly noticeable in the first period, when he would have had an assist on Quinn Hughes’ goal, which was disallowed for offside. Miller did not end up on the score sheet in 12:12 TOI.

Nelson scored twice, and Brady Tkachuk, Tage Thompson and Auston Matthews also connected for Team USA. Connor Hellebuyck made 17 saves for the Americans, who will face Denmark on Saturday at 3:10 p.m. ET.

Vincent Trocheck Assisted on game-winning goal for Team USA

If New York-area hockey fans could coexist, the United States’ game-winning goal would have been a thing of beauty.

Nelson, the former New York Islanders center, scored from New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes and Trocheck, one of the Rangers’ best players.

Trocheck, who started the game as the Americans’ extra forward, took a shift in Miller’s place in the second period, and that move changed the game’s trajectory.

Nice 'n easy Nelly 🚨 #WinterOlympicspic.twitter.com/b2G2kueNeM

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) February 12, 2026

Trocheck fielded a shot off the end boards, then cycled the puck behind the net to Hughes. The Devils’ star center pivoted and found Nelson alone in the slot, and he deked to his backhand before beating Latvian goalie Elvis Merzlikins, putting the Americans ahead 2-1.

The goal opened the floodgates, as the Americans scored two more times in the second period to skate off with a 4-1 lead. Thompson, who hails from the New York suburb of Milford, Connecticut, made it 3-1, then Nelson scored again on a highlight-reel passing play from Hughes that put the U.S. up by three goals.

J.T. Miller was extremely noticeable in the first period

The Americans, including Miller, had an extremely frustrating first period.

Team USA hit the post twice and had two goals taken off the board in the opening 20 minutes. Miller would have gotten the primary assist when Quinn Hughes scored a goal that would have made it 2-0, only to be negated when Nelson was ruled to be offside on the zone entry.

Latvia evened the game seconds after the disallowed goal when Renars Krastenbergs scored at 7:25.

Miller could have been credited with the game-winning goal on a double deflection via Nelson and Brock Faber (Minnesota Wild), but that goal was disallowed due to goalie interference on Miller.

By NHL rules, Miller’s play would not have been goalie interference. But because he entered the crease without being pushed, then did not promptly exit, the goal was disallowed after Latvia coach Harijs Vītoliņš challenged.

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan had a good game

Critics said the Americans left skill at home in favor of grit. But in their first Olympic game, the Americans proved they had plenty of both.

Sullivan pushed many of the right buttons, again in spite of the two disallowed goals in the first period.

His decision to tinker with his fourth line, moving Trocheck in for Miller for a few second-period shifts, led to the GWG. Plus, the Americans began tilting the ice in the second period, where they outshot Latvia 17-2 and scored three times.

Back handed. Top shelf. USA extends the lead. 🙌 #WinterOlympicspic.twitter.com/G7pBzvj4ip

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 12, 2026

The power play scored twice on four opportunities, with Matthews and Thompson each scoring with the extra man.

Miller and Trocheck were the forwards on the Americans’ top PK unit, helping the U.S. kill both of Latvia’s power plays.

Related Headlines

• Rangers Daily: Miller, Trocheck eye Olympic debuts; Rink Rap at Mustang Harry’s
• Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad helps Sweden win Olympics opener over Italy 5-2
• Why Rangers should consider selecting Chase Reid in 2026 NHL Draft
• Rangers best, worst, and everything in between at NHL Olympic break

Read more of Slate’s 2026 Olympics coverage here.

On Wednesday in Milan, French figure-skaters Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron narrowly won gold in their first Olympics as an ice-dancing pair. When the final scores came down, American figure skating fans cried out with one voice: Madison Chock and Evan Bates got screwed!

This hue and cry might seem like predictable patriotic grumbling. Yes, the beloved U.S. duo, who lost out on gold by a measly 1.43 points, skated a scintillating toreador-themed free dance. But Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron were mesmerizing too, with Slate’s Chris Schleicher describing their dance as “frankly magnificent” and “the most aesthetically beautiful” performance of the night.

And yet, there might be something to the thesis that Chock and Bates got robbed. Although the American skaters had a lower total score than their French competitors in the free skate, five of the nine individual judges preferred Chock and Bates to Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron. Of those nine judges, eight gave the American duo a score that exceeded 130 points. The one judge who scored Chock and Bates under the 130-point line? France’s Jézabel Dabois. On the flip side, the French Dabois gave the French duo a dizzying 137.45 points, 7.71 more than she awarded Chock and Bates.

J’accuse!

Well, hold on. Before we decree that this Jézabel should be thrown to the dogs by the wall of Jezreel, it’d help to understand how Olympic figure skating works. In 2004, in the wake of a (coincidentally also French-related) judging scandal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, figure skating’s governing bodies adopted a new methodology called the International Judging System. The IJS was meant to bring transparency and specificity to a process that had for too long been rooted in subjective opinion. While the IJS isn’t perfect—if it were, I wouldn’t be writing this article—it’s still much better than the old 6.0 system.

The IJS evaluates skaters across two separate categories: technical elements and program components. On the technical side, each planned element of a skater’s routine—the various jumps and twizzles and such—is assigned a base value that rises or falls based on the element’s difficulty. Then, depending on how well (or how badly) that element is executed, judges can add or subtract points from that base value. The highest and lowest marks for each technical element get tossed out. The remaining scores are then averaged to arrive at a skater’s final technical element score.

The second category, program components, assesses the artistry of the performance. These scores are inherently more subjective, so there are no base values at work here. Instead, judges award total scores across three subcategories, in 0.25-point increments on a 10-point scale. Again, the highest and lowest scores for each program component get tossed, while the remaining values are averaged and multiplied by a set factor—in ice dancing, it’s a factor of 2—to arrive at the final program component score.

In Olympic competition, the judging panel is made up of nine separate judges from nine different countries. I will once again emphasize that in all internationally sanctioned figure skating competitions the highest and lowest scores for each technical element and program component get thrown out before the remaining scores are averaged. These exclusions are meant to ensure that no outlier score can unduly skew the mean. It’s basic statistical hygiene, people!

Now, back to the Chock-Bates contretemps. The French judge in question, Dabouis, scored Chock and Bates at 9.5 in each of the three program-component subcategories, for a cumulative score that was tied for the lowest mark they received from any of the nine judges. (Dabouis is “J1” in the document linked above.) When it came time for her to score Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron, though, Dabouis scored their program components higher than any of the other eight judges. Très mal, non?

But hang on a moment. There was also an American judge on the free dance scoring panel—Janis Engel—and, sure enough, she gave Chock and Bates the highest combined technical/program score of all nine judges. (For what it’s worth, Engel gave Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron their third-lowest combined technical/program score.)

But hang on another moment. The Spanish judge on the panel, Marta Olozagarre, gave the Spanish ice-dance pair of Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck by farthe highest cumulative score that they received from the judging panel. And the Italian judge, Isabella Micheli, gave the Italian ice dancers Charlène Guignard and Marco Fabbri by far their highest cumulative score. Same thing with Canadian judge Leslie Keen and the Canadian ice dancers Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier.

In fact, according to the “National Bias-O-Meter” found on the invaluable website Skatingscores.com, every single 2026 Olympic ice dancing judge, except perhaps for the Finnish judge, displayed various degrees of scoring bias in favor of skaters from their home countries. (Way to go, Finland!) Additionally, a statistical analysis of long-term trends in figure-skating scoring published several years ago determined that 92 skating judges “showed statistically significant evidence of nationalistic bias.” Among them were five of the nine judges on Wednesday’s free dance panel—including the Finnish judge. (How dare you, Finland!) And one of the other four judges, China’s Huang Feng, was suspended from for a year by the sport’s governing body after allegedly favoring Chinese skaters at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.

An academic research paper on the topic, presented by Vincent Dumoulin and Hugues Mercier at the 2020 MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, found that nationalistic bias in skating judging “is endemic, and for many judges larger than all the other sources of judging errors.” Even so, it’s not necessarily true that all these figure skating judges are intentionally skewing things. It could be that at least some of them are favoring their compatriots unconsciously.

But even if some judges are actively rooting for the home team, since the highest and lowest technical element and program subcomponent scores get tossed, there’s really no harm, no foul, right? Well, yes and no. Extreme outliers can still end up affecting an entrant’s final score, by ensuring that “regular” low scores that would have otherwise been dropped are still included in the final average.

In the specific case of Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron versus Chock and Bates, the scores were so close that it’s unfair to claim that biased judging pushed the French duo into gold-medal position. But there is a broader point to be made here, which is that the International Skating Union still has a long way to go to ensure the integrity of its judging system.

In their 2020 paper, Dumoulin and Mercier found that “current ISU judge monitoring is utterly inadequate,” which the more recent data on nationalistic bias would seem to confirm. At the very least, it seems obvious that figure-skating judges ought to recuse themselves from judging skaters from their home countries. Even if everyone is well-intentioned, the perception of conflict of interest is overwhelming. When Team USA takes the ice, the judge from the USA should be required to step outside for a smoke break. But what if the American judge doesn’t smoke? Too bad for them! Rules are rules.

There are other changes that could be made, too. Dumoulin and Mercier suggest that the ISU “can solve most of its judging problems with mathematically sound long-term monitoring.” But the ISU could also contemplate other fixes that don’t involve math.

Perhaps there could be a neutral judge on hand from a country that isn’t represented in the competition, waiting in the wings to step in whenever a given judge must step aside. Perhaps figure skaters could get a set number of “challenges” per season, to be deployed when a given judge’s score seems especially egregious. Or maybe judges should have to deliver their feedback to the skaters in real time, in the manner of the sassy panelists on shows like American Idol or Chopped. And at the very least, if you’ve been suspended by the ISU for alleged nationalistic bias, then maybe you shouldn’t be allowed to be an Olympic judge again.

Or maybe I should just get to pick the winners. After all, I’ve never been accused of nationalistic bias, or even of knowing very much about figure skating. My first act will be to elevate Finnish ice dancers Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis from 12^th place to gold-medal position. I just think they deserve it, OK. Now leave me alone—I have an appointment to get my Finnish passport.

Manchester United’s rich and illustrious history has seen them win the FA Cup an impressive 13 times, enjoying some magical moments along the way in the famous old competition.

Among these moments is Ryan Giggs’ unforgettable strike against Arsenal in the semi-final of the 1999 season, which played a huge role in United becoming the first English team to complete the Treble.

The Welshman’s incredible solo effort at Villa Park earned United a ticket to the final, where they went on to comfortably dispatch Newcastle United by two goals to nil.

Greatest moment of them all

The goal was the very definition of the magic of the cup and is undoubtedly one of the greatest moments in the history of the competition.

In fact, as reported by The Express, Giggs’ stunner was voted as the single best moment in FA Cup history, topping a poll of votes from 2,000 fans.

Wimbledon’s underdog story, culminating in the defeat of Liverpool in the 1988 final, came second, with Leicester City’s 2021 win against Chelsea making up the top three.

Paul Gascoigne’s thunderbolt of a free kick against Arsenal in 1991 and Wigan Athletic’s shock defeat of Manchester City in 2013 were also included, but Giggs’ strike topped the lot.

Once in a lifetime strike

It’s often forgotten that Giggs started the game as a substitute, with Sir Alex Ferguson shuffling his pack due to the intense schedule at the back end of the historic season.

Additionally, had Roy Keane’s legitimate goal in the first semi-final stood, we would have been robbed of one of the greatest games and goals of all time.

The stars were clearly aligning for Giggs, who bounced off the bench to intercept a square Patrick Vieira pass before setting off on his voyage towards the Arsenal goal.

The winger proceeded to weave in and out of Arsenal defenders before lashing the ball high above David Seaman’s reach to send the United fans into raptures.

United hung on in extra time for safe passage to Wembley and the rest, as they say, is history.

Unfortunately for United, there will be no repeat of Giggs’ moment in this year’s competition after Brighton dumped them out of the cup in round three.

However, next season will offer another opportunity for a United player to etch their name into the folklore of the club as they attempt to equal Arsenal’s record of lifting the trophy 14 times.

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

The New England Patriots are opening up their defensive coordinator position ahead of the 2026 NFL season by moving Terrell Williams to a high-ranking role on Mike Vrabel's staff, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

New England's decision comes after Williams – who Vrabel brought aboard as his defensive coordinator upon being hired by the Patriots – missed all but one week of the 2025 season while battling prostate cancer.

Williams was recently declared cancer-free, and Vrabel revealed during his end-of-season news conference that Williams had been cleared to return to coaching.

However, Vrabel did not commit to Williams re-taking his role of defensive coordinator for the 2026 NFL season.

"There'll be a lot of things we have to work through there," Vrabel told reporters.

Williams, 51, was in his first stint as an NFL defensive coordinator. Before the 2025 season, he spent the entirety of his 13-year NFL coaching career – which included a six-year stint on Vrabel's staff with the Tennessee Titans from 2018-2023 – as a defensive line coach.

Williams added the title of assistant head coach with the Titans in 2023 and was the Detroit Lions' run game coordinator in 2024.

It isn't yet clear what Williams' title will be with the Patriots in 2026. Either way, moving him will clear the way for the Patriots to hire a new defensive coordinator. The early leading candidate for that role is Zak Kuhr, who acted as the team's de facto defensive coordinator in Williams' stead during the 2025 NFL season.

Kuhr has spent five of the last six seasons on Vrabel's staffs with the Titans and Patriots. The 2025 season was the 37-year-old's lone one as a defensive play-caller.

New England enjoyed great success under Kuhr's leadership. The Patriots ranked fourth in points allowed, eighth in yards allowed and ninth in defensive EPA per play, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats, during the regular season before allowing just 13.75 points per game across their run to Super Bowl 60.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Patriots move Terrell Williams, open defensive coordinator job

Arsenal played to a 1-1 draw against Brentford in a case-in-point example of how difficult the Premier League is, if you aren’t at your best, you’re likely to drop points. The home side made it tough — it’s not hard to see why they’re in the mix for a European finish. Nor were the Gunners weren’t great on the evening. That match really could have gone either way, and a draw is a fair result.

That match had five phases: the opening 15 minutes, the next 20, the final 10 of the first half, the second half until Arsenal scored, and the second half after Arsenal scored. I’ll try to break them down.

The Gunners were fine to open the game. Brentford pressured Arsenal into a couple mistakes on what should have been easy passes. The ball was mostly in the middle third, not much was happening, but Arsenal had most of the possession.

The match changed after Keith Andrews harassed the referee enough to earn himself a booking. After that, Brentford seemed to get a call each time one of their players went down. Arsenal picked up three soft bookings. It really felt like the referee caved to the complaints of the Brentford manager and the pressure from the crowd. To me, that was the reason the first half flipped. The Bees took control and penned the Gunners in. David Raya made an excellent save on a chance he gifted Brentford when he missed Declan Rice with a rollout.

Arsenal reestablished some control in the closing minutes of the first half. They did not, however, turn any of it into decent attacking chances. That was a bit of a theme. The Gunners did not generate enough going forward, which is perhaps to be expected given the circumstances. Kai Havertz, who is clearly one of the most important pieces in the attack, is out. Bukayo Saka, who came back earlier than expected from his injury, might as well have not played — he didn’t seem to have anything to give. You wonder whether his nothing performance was because he actually didn’t have anything to give or if Arsenal couldn’t get him involved.

Martin Ødegaard totally changed the match when he came on to start the second half (after another concerning performance from Ebere Eze — it’s definitely time to worry about his fit). But Ødegaard went down holding his knee on the Brentford goal and was completely anonymous afterwards.

The point is any analysis of the Arsenal attack has to include an acknowledgement that key pieces were missing / hamstrung. As I sit writing this, I’ve also realized that Mikel Merino totally would have scored a jammy, grimy goal on a night like tonight, right? Like, that’s just what he does!

The flip side of that coin is that Arsenal didn’t do enough with the handful of chances they created. Declan Rice probably should have shot instead of passing to Viktor Gyokeres. A begrudging nod to Michael Kayode’s hustle, too. He saved a goal and probably the game for Brentford by intercepting that pass. Gabriel Martinelli probably should have shot let the ball run across himself onto his left foot and shot with his first touch just before the end of the match. Instead, he took a touch and gave Caoimhin Keller a chance to make an excellent save.

To be fair, Brentford had a chance to win it at the death and Igor Thiago blazed it over the bar. So you could reasonably say that chance and the Martinelli chance cancel each other out.

Back to the phases of the game. Arsenal were clearly the better team to start the second half. As I said, swapping Eze for Ødegaard gave the Gunners the control and connection they needed. Arsenal took the lead from a lovely cushioned header from Noni Madueke from a fizzed Piero Hincapie cross.

I don’t want to say that Arsenal stopped playing after going ahead, but control of the game swung, and it swung in the wrong way. That seems to happen far too often for my liking with Arsenal, too. They did have the Rice-Gyokeres chance to go 2-0 up, but other than that, Brentford had the better action.

The Bees equalized from a long throw. Perhaps with William Saliba, who missed out with illness, on the pitch Arsenal don’t concede like that. Personally, I thought the referee missed a clear foul on Jurrien Timber on the change of possession in the Brentford end about a minute before the goal. Brentford attacked down Timber’s vacated wing and won a throw. That’s the way it goes.

Arsenal struggled after the match went to 1-1. Martin Ødegaard stayed on the pitch, but I don’t think he was physically right. The Gunners couldn’t hold onto the ball nor establish an attacking presence in the Brentford final third. You don’t see that happen to Arsenal for long stretches of matches. It’s a credit to how well the home side played. Sidenote: just once, I’d love for a quality side to have an off night against Arsenal. Like, Liverpool’s leaky defense put in their two best performances of the year against us. And so on.

I’m a bit curious as to why Mikel Arteta deviated from his usual substitute pattern of bringing Gabriel Jesus on for 15-30 minutes in relief of Viktor Gyokeres. I think the Brazilian’s guile and ability to hold the ball might have been helpful. It was suggested that Arteta wanted Gyokeres’ height and strength to defend set pieces. I think it might have been because Arteta was concerned that with Saka and Ødegaard just back from injury, he wanted to keep a sub in his back pocket just in case.

A point at Brentford isn’t a bad result. It doesn’t feel great to drop points from a winning position. The performance from Arsenal leaves plenty to be desired. But on the other hand, that’s probably the most difficult remaining Premier League fixture apart from the trip to face Manchester City remaining on the schedule. Arsenal are still four points clear — two results — at the top of the table. And if you’re feeling glum about Arsenal dropping points, remember that City blew a two-goal lead to Tottenham. They’re really nothing special, y’all.

Gerwyn Price ended Michael van Gerwen's unbeaten start to the Premier League by claiming a 6-3 victory in night two's final in Antwerp.

Van Gerwen won the season opener in Newcastle last week and beat Luke Littler in the semis on his way to another final.

But the seven-time champion was no match for Welshman Price, who had come through two final-leg deciders before lifting the title in more comfortable fashion.

Littler had earlier opened the tournament's first visit to Belgium by edging a final-leg decider of his own against rival Luke Humphries.

For Price it was a welcome victory to confirm the fine form he had been in of late.

"I think I'm playing some of the best stuff I've played, I'm just not winning tournaments," Price told Sky Sports after his victory.

"There's no way I can't win a major, bigger Pro Tours, Europeans. Averages are just for show and if you play well on your darts and win matches you win tournaments. I'm going to get some."

The PDC Premier League visited Belgium for the first time in the competition's 21-year history, and the 10,000 darts fanatics inside the AFAS Dome were treated to plenty of thrills.

• Premier League Darts 2026 fixtures, results and table
• Premier League: Price beats Van Gerwen to win Antwerp final - as it happened

Littler beats Humphries on night of comebacks

The night started with a bang as the two biggest darts stars in the world played out a high-quality contest that went down to a final-leg decider.

Humphries and Littler both hit seven 180s and averaged over 102 and 105 respectively, but both were surprisingly poor on the outer ring - missing 28 doubles between them.

Humphries was the better player throughout, but at 4-1 up he started missing doubles badly, 17 in all by the end of the match, as Littler engineered an escape to make it five straight wins against his big rival.

World number two Humphries has now lost 11 of his 15 Premier League meetings with Littler, with his last victory of any kind against the 19-year-old coming in the tournament's final last May.

The past four defeats before this one came in tournament finals, and perhaps it is becoming a mental barrier now for the defending Premier League champion as his scoring was solid all game, but he could just not get over the line.

Comebacks were a theme of the opening quarter-finals with all bar Van Gerwen's stroll against an out-of-sorts Josh Rock filled with excitement.

Stephen Bunting finished bottom of the table last year after failing to win a single match in the first eight weeks, but looked to have one sewn up when leading 4-0, only to watch Jonny Clayton reel off six straight legs to win 6-4.

And Price had to come from 3-1 and 4-2 down to beat Gian van Veen in the first of his two 6-5 victories on the night.

Price goes distance as MVG sinks Littler

Price's second final-leg decider came against good friend and Wales World Cup team-mate Clayton in a nip-and-tuck battle.

Price had four 180s to Clayton's three and averaged just over 100 - but was forced to win the final two legs under extreme pressure to make the final.

It was no real surprise given Price had won nine in a row against his compatriot and 15 of their past 16 meetings.

Van Gerwen did not impress in his opener but certainly did in a strange 6-4 victory over Littler where seven of the 10 legs went against the darts.

The Dutchman averaged just over 100 with an off-colour Littler down at 95 and - strangely for him - only managing a single maximum, while Van Gerwen hit four.

But it was the finishing under pressure that made the difference as the Dutchman hit six of 13 attempts at a double, including finishing off a 10-darter, in a performance that was much more like the Van Gerwen of old.

Despite incredible back-to-back finishes of 167 and 160 in the final Van Gerwen was always second best, but a win and a final after two nights is a great start considering he failed to win a single night in last season's competition.

The results also leave Littler and Humphries in fifth and sixth in the table with just one win each, but there is no panic just yet with 14 weeks of fixtures remaining.

Premier League Darts night two results

Thursday, 12 February - FAS Dome, Antwerp

Quarter-finals

Luke Littler 6-5 Luke Humphries

Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Josh Rock

Jonny Clayton 6-4 Stephen Bunting

Gerwyn Price 6-5 Gian van Veen

Semi-finals

Littler 4-6 Van Gerwen

Clayton 5-6 Price

Final

Van Gerwen 3-6 Price

Premier League Darts table

Premier League Darts format and points system

Premier League Darts is played across 16 initial weeks in the league stage with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final each night.

Each of the eight players is guaranteed to face the other seven in the quarter-finals in weeks one to seven and 9-15, with week eight and week 16 fixtures done off the table. It means we will get fourth v fifth in Sheffield on the final league-stage night, with the play-off spots potentially on the line.

Players earn two points per quarter-final win, an additional point if they win their semi-final and five for winning the night.

The top four players after the group stage progress to the play-off night at London's O2 Arena on 23 May, with first facing fourth and second against third in a best-of-19-leg match. The final, which is the best of 21 legs, follows.

If players are level on points after the 16 weeks then places are decided by nights won and then matches won.

Premier League Darts night three order of play

Thursday, 19 February - OVO Hydro, Glasgow

Quarter-finals

Stephen Bunting v Gian van Veen

Luke Humphries v Josh Rock

Michael van Gerwen v Luke Littler

Jonny Clayton v Gerwyn Price

Semi-finals

Bunting/Van Veen v Humphries/Rock

Van Gerwen/Littler v Clayton/Price

Final

Bunting/Van Veen/Humphries/Rock v Van Gerwen/Littler/Clayton/Price

Potential first-round prospects the Rams can pick to replace Rob Havenstein originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The good news for the Los Angeles Rams is that quarterback Matthew Stafford will return in 2026, as will their chances at a Super Bowl title. The bad news is that the Seattle Seahawks will, too.

As close as the Rams came to toppling the Seahawks, getting to the finish line in 2026 will take an offseason's worth of improvements and some better luck on two-point conversions to boot.

With Seattle's pass rush wreaking havoc on vulnerable offensive lines, Los Angeles cannot afford a disadvantage in the trenches. That makes right tackle Rob Havenstein's retirement all the more important. The stalwart played in just seven games, and Warren McClendon Jr. performed admirably in his place. Even so, the Rams must consider spending a first-round pick at offensive tackle in April.

Potential first-round replacements for Rob Havenstein

Spencer Fano, Utah

If we assume that Miami Hurricanes star Francis Mauigoa is off the board by the 13th pick, Utah Utes right tackle Spencer Fano is a strong candidate to be the top lineman available.

Fano entered the year with top-10 hype as the headliner on an elite offensive line. He took a slight step back in 2025 but still has an elite set of meaurables and athletic tools. Fano is explosive and versatile in the run game with flashes of high-level hand usage and recoveries as a pass protector. A right tackle by trade, he figures to be in the conversation for Los Angeles's first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Monroe Freeling, meanwhile, isn't a finished product, and there's extra projection in his profile if the Rams plan on pushing him back to right tackle. Freeling is a work-in-progress as a run blocker and may be asked to redshirt as a rookie.

MORE: Top snubs from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

However, Freeling is a strong athlete with special tools in pass protection. That combination has the arrow pointed skyward as he prepares for the NFL Scouting Combine, and there's a world in which he is one of the first three linemen off the board. A Freeling selection would be a referendum on the Rams' ability to develop linemen, but he carries as much upside as any lineman in this class.

Blake Miller, Clemson

A more natural fit at right tackle is Clemson Tigers senior Blake Miller, who has spent his entire career there, save for about 100 snaps in 2024. Miller is a four-year starter and has spent three years as a high-level contributor for Clemson. He also has a track record of success against the best teams on his schedule, including promising showings against SEC competition.

Miller's calling card is athleticism. His size-adjusted speed is impressive and doesn't slump, although his effectiveness as a run blocker is less stable. That weakness may push Sean McVay elsewhere at No. 29, but the upside in pass protection is tantalizing, especially as Los Angeles stares down a future without Stafford under center.

Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

The pre-draft circuit is filled with risers, and few are doing more to boost their stock than Arizona State Sun Devils lineman Max Iheanachor. A Senior Bowl standout, Iheanachor's exceptional trip to Mobile was fueled by a strong platform season.

There were bumps in the road, but Iheanachor went toe-to-toe with Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, arguably the best pass rusher in the class. He won, decisively. 

At 325 pounds, Iheanachor offers more mass than most of his early-round peers, and that physicality bodes well with McVay's dedication to winning in the trenches. He's far more likely to be the 29th pick than the 13th, but playing himself into the first-round conversation is a win in itself.

More Rams news

• Kyler Murray's best trade fits
• Rams predicted to make NFL Draft history with double-dip in ESPN mock draft
• Super Bowl champion with 148 career starts announces retirement
• Bad Bunny halftime pales to Puka Nacua's party

The Detroit Tigers’ blockbuster signing of Framber Valdez just got clearer.

After initial reports framed the deal as a three-year pact worth roughly $115 million, full contract details have now emerged, and they reveal a carefully structured agreement that gives both Valdez and the Tigers meaningful flexibility moving forward.

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, Valdez signed a three-year, $109,708,067 contract covering the 2026–2028 seasons, with a mutual option for 2029.

Full Contract Breakdown

Here’s how the deal is structured:

• Total Value: $109,708,067 over three years (2026–2028)
• Signing Bonus: $20 million (deferred, without interest)

Year-by-year salaries:

• 2026: $17.5 million
• 2027: $37.5 million
• 2028: $35 million

The contract also includes a mutual option for 2029 worth $40 million, with a $5 million buyout if the option is declined.

Player Opt-Out Adds Flexibility

One of the most notable elements of the deal is that Valdez can opt out of the contract after the 2027 season.

That clause gives Valdez the ability to re-enter free agency if he continues performing at an elite level, while still guaranteeing Detroit two seasons of a frontline starter at a time when the Tigers believe they are ready to contend.

Awards Escalators Included

The contract also includes award escalators, meaning Valdez can earn additional money based on performance benchmarks such as Cy Young voting or other league honors — a fitting addition given his résumé.

Valdez has received American League Cy Young votes in three of the past four seasons, reinforcing why Detroit was willing to commit top-of-the-market money to a pitcher who consistently logs innings and thrives under pressure.

Why the Structure Makes Sense for Detroit

From Detroit’s perspective, the deal balances risk and upside:

• The deferred signing bonus helps manage cash flow
• The opt-out ensures Valdez remains motivated
• The mutual option prevents a long-term overcommitment
• The buyout limits downside if circumstances change

Combined with comments from A.J. Hinch and Scott Harris earlier this week, it’s clear the Tigers weren’t just chasing a big name — they were targeting stability, durability, and leadership at the top of the rotation.

The Bottom Line

Framber Valdez’s contract reflects exactly where the Tigers are as an organization.

Detroit landed an established ace without tying itself to an inflexible long-term deal, while Valdez secured elite compensation and future leverage. It’s a win-win structure — and one that signals the Tigers are serious about winning now, not later.

The post Framber Valdez Contract Details With Detroit Tigers Reveals Opt Out, 2029 Option appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.

The Servite Friars (Calif.) reached into its alumni past to move forward into the future for its football program.

According to an announcement by Servite, the Friars have hired former Chandler (Ariz.) head coach Rick Garretson as the program’s next lead man. Garretson is a 1974 graduate of Servite and had a successful run at Chandler, leading the Wolves to two ESPN Geico Bowl titles.

“We are excited to announce the hiring of Rick Garretson ’74 as Head Football Coach,” the announcement said about Garretson’s hiring. “Garretson brings nearly 40 years of experience to the Friars, having dedicated the majority of his life to the game of football.”

Garretson served as the Wolves head coach from 2019-2024 while being an assistant at the school since 2010. During his time at Chandler, Garretson guided the program on a historic 46-game win streak that spanned from 2018-2021.

Servite has finished the last two seasons with a 6-5 record. This past 2025 campaign, the Friars ended as the No. 10 team in California, according to the Rivals Composite High School Football Rankings.

More about Servite High School

Servite High School, located in Anaheim, California, is a prestigious private Catholic school known for its rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and commitment to spiritual development. Offering a range of AP and honors courses, the school prepares students for higher education and future success. Servite’s athletic teams are highly competitive, frequently achieving state championships. Emphasizing leadership, faith, and community service, the school ensures students are well-rounded and ready for future challenges.

How to Follow California High School Football

For California high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Golden State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across California.

WWE star Cody Rhodes wants to see Bad Bunny face off against Logan Paul originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Bad Bunny’s latest Super Bowl halftime performance didn’t just dominate music headlines — it may have set the stage for a future WrestleMania storyline.

According to Fox News, the global superstar drew more than 128 million viewers for his halftime show, making it the fourth most-watched in Super Bowl history. The performance sparked debate across social media, including from WWE personality Logan Paul, who was asked whether he was excited for the show and bluntly answered, “No.”

MORE: Madison Beer talks forging her own path to pop stardom

Paul later softened his stance after his brother Jake criticized the NFL’s decision on social media, writing that he was “purposefully turning (it) off” because he “cannot support” a “fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America.” Logan publicly disagreed, responding, “I love my brother, but I don’t agree with this. Puerto Ricans are Americans & I’m happy they were given the opportunity to showcase the talent that comes from the island.”

Enter Cody Rhodes.

The former Undisputed WWE Champion believes there’s only one logical way to settle the chatter: inside a WWE ring. Speaking about Bad Bunny’s crossover appeal and in-ring ability, Rhodes praised the music icon’s previous WWE appearances and floated a high-profile matchup.

“I hope we get him back,” Rhodes said, referencing Bad Bunny’s prior runs with the company. “He did a wonderful job, but he’s on top of the world right now. That show is an all-timer.”

When asked who he’d like to see stand across the ring from Bad Bunny, Rhodes didn’t hesitate. “Maybe Logan.”

It wouldn’t be the first time Bad Bunny has stepped into WWE competition. The Grammy-winning artist competed at WrestleMania 37, entered the 2022 Royal Rumble, and headlined Backlash 2023 in Puerto Rico alongside Damian Priest in front of a raucous home crowd. His performances earned respect from fans and wrestlers alike for their physicality and preparation.

Meanwhile, Paul has established himself as more than a celebrity cameo. He’s reached the final four in consecutive Royal Rumbles and captured the United States Championship during his WWE tenure, proving he can deliver in marquee moments.

MORE: Las Vegas Raiders star Ashton Jeanty praises wife for being there 'no matter what'

The timing adds intrigue. Both Paul brothers currently reside in Puerto Rico, and just days after the halftime debate, Logan shared a post featuring his fiancée, Olympic gold medalist Jutta Leerdam, set to Bad Bunny’s song “MONACO.”

Tony Jones: The Jazz knew about JJJ’s knee previously. They were going to shut him down. Jaren was adamant that he wanted to play once at home before the surgery. They set his restriction at 25 minutes. That’s one reason he didn’t play in the previous fourth quarters, per sources

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jaren Jackson Jr wanted to play Utah home game before surgery

Kevin O'Connor: Sources: Potential changes to the NBA Draft that have generated interest at the ownership level include limiting protections after the top 4 & freezing the lottery standings on an early date mid-year. Nothing is set in stone but changes to limit tanking is a key discussion point.

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Sources: Potential changes to the NBA Draft that have generated interest at the ownership level include limiting protections after the top 4 & freezing the lottery standings on an early date mid-year. Nothing is set in stone but changes to limit tanking is a key discussion point. https://t.co/rcVX4KQ4aZpic.twitter.com/C2z4rd9YH6

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) February 12, 2026

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Potential changes to the NBA Draft that have generated …

Shams Charania: The NBA's Board of Governors meeting in the spring is expected to be critical for stakeholders to better understand the factors around expansion. Discussing on NBA Today:

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The NBA's Board of Governors meeting in the spring is expected to be critical for stakeholders to better understand the factors around expansion. Discussing on NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/JM2PdQqrCQ

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 12, 2026

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA's Board of Governors meeting in the spring is …

Milwaukee Bucks: Injury Update: Ryan Rollins is out for tonight’s game at Oklahoma City. Kyle Kuzma is available.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Ryan Rollins is out for tonight’s game at Oklahoma …

Milwaukee Bucks: Doc Rivers is attending a funeral and will not be in Oklahoma City for tonight's game. Darvin Ham will serve as head coach vs. the Thunder.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Doc Rivers is attending a funeral and will not be in …

The ice dance competition of the 2026 Winter Olympics may be over, but many fans can't stop talking about Madison Chock and Evan Bates' performance — or France's controversial win after the judges' scores left the Americans just 1.43 points shy of gold.

Asked by CBS News if there should be any changes in the way ice dance is judged moving forward, Chock said it would "definitely be helpful if it's more understandable for the viewers, to just see more transparent judging and understand ... what's really going on."

"I think it's also important for the skaters, that the judges be vetted and reviewed to make sure that they are also putting out their best performance," she continued, "because there's a lot on the line for the skaters when they're out there giving it their all, and we deserve to have the judges also giving us their all and for it to be a fair and even playing field."

The Americans were the favorites going into the free dance on Wednesday, despite being 0.46 points behind France's Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron after the rhythm dance portion of the competition on Monday. They posted their world-best score in Monday's program, earning 89.72 points, but were then topped by the French pair who scored 90.18.

Chock and Bates performed their free dance to "Paint It Black" from the dystopian sci-fi show "Westworld" and earned a score of 134.67. Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron then skated to the soundtrack from "The Whale" and scored 135.64, edging out the married American couple by less than a point. 

During their free dance program, however, Cizeron made a mistake during an element called a twizzle — a one-footed moving spin — and their performance was generally seen as less clean than Chock and Bates'. 

In the end, Beaudry and Cizeron's 225.82 total edged out Chock and Bates' 224.39. Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier took bronze, with 217.74.

In ice dancing, every element has a base value, or the number of points it's normally worth; there's also a grade of execution, for which teams are scored positive for doing well and negative for doing poorly. The French weren't marked down for the mistake during their twizzles, and there were other moments throughout their performance that might have appeared messy.  

But their scores bested Chock and Bates' marks for artistic presentation and interpretation of the music, as well. Another factor of subjective scoring: The French judge scored the Americans more than seven points lower than the French duo, which is a large margin in ice dance. Five of the nine judges favored the Americans in their scoring; the other three only slightly scored the French team higher. 

"It's definitely a bittersweet feeling at the moment," Chock said after the competition on Wednesday. "We have had the most incredible year — 15 years on the ice together; first Olympics as a married couple. And we delivered four of our best performances this week. I think we're really proud of how we handled ourselves here and what we accomplished."

Bates said Thursday it was their "absolute best performance." He said he and Chock hadn't studied the scores, adding that their performance "felt like a winning skate to us and that's what we're going to hold on to," The Associated Press reported. 

They're still discussing their plans for the future. The 2026 World Figure Skating Championships are next month in Prague, and the Americans are the reigning world champs.

Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron have been a pair for less than a year. Cizeron previously won gold in the ice dance event at the 2022 Winter Olympics with then-partner Gabriella Papadakis, who retired in 2024. She has since accused Cizeron of abusive behavior, alleging he was "controlling" and "demanding," CBS News partner BBC News reported. He countered that Papadakis had spread false information about him in a "smear campaign."

Fournier Beaudry was born in Montreal and has spent most of her career representing Canada, but she was granted French citizenship in November. She asked Cizeron to team up after her former partner, Nikolaj Sørensen, was suspended by Skate Canada after an American skater accused him of sexual assault. The suspension was overturned in June on jurisdictional grounds, but the case is still pending, The AP reported. Fournier Beaudry has also maintained his innocence, showing her support for her former partner as recently as earlier this month.

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BEEKMANTOWN — If Saturday’s Section VII Championships are as competitive and exciting as Wednesday’s Saranac/Beekmantown dual, area wrestling fans will be in for a treat.

Both the Spartans and Eagles battled it out until Colby Roesler’s win by pin at 126 pounds in the final match of the evening gave Saranac a 38-33 win and the outright Champlain Valley Athletic Conference title.

The Spartans finished with a 7-1 CVAC record to edge out defending champion Peru.

“I knew it would be close tonight,” Saranac coach Heath Smith said. “(Beekmantown coach) Lenny (Gadway) did a great job of moving his line-up around.”

“It was a great match,” Gadway said. “It was a very competitive match where the teams traded the lead back and forth.”

Wednesday’s match started out at 132 pounds, and Saranac eventually held a 32-30 lead going into the 118-pound match, the second to last of the night.

It was a hard-fought bout, with the Eagles’ Kelvin Monteleone outlasting the Spartans’ Andrew Sebastian 12-6 in double overtime. That gave Beekmantown a 33-32 lead.

“Sebastian went the distance and gave up just the three points,” Smith said.

That left Roesler needing a decision at 126 to win the match and title for the Spartans.

It was a confrontation between Roesler, who recently won his 100th career match, and the Eagles’ Mason Facteau, two of the best wrestlers on their teams.

The two have met a number of times in the past and are very familiar with one another. Roesler took a 7-3 lead in the bout before the pin at 4:15.

“Those two have had some real good matches in the past,” Smith said. “Colby has wrestled well for us and has been coming out on top in their recent matches.”

In addition to Roesler, Liam Smart (110), Teegan Smith (144) and Landen Gadway (190) won by fall for the Spartans.

Alexander Mehrman (157) and Luke Garrow (165) won with major decisions.

Chase Devins (132) and Ezra Lewandowski (138) recorded pins for the Eagles, while Monteleone, Tristan Manney (215) and Landon Lahart (285) won by decision.

“We were hoping for wins at 215 and 285 but weren’t able to get them,” Smith said.

There were three forfeits in the match. Mark Spooner (103) and Corey Johnson (150) were forfeit winners for the Eagles, along with Branigan Boulds (175) for the Spartans.

“We haven’t had a 103-pounder all season,” Smith said. “We’re always down 6-0, but the kids fight back. Even though the match started at 132 tonight, we got behind again.”

It went back and forth: Beekmantown holding an early 12-0 lead, Saranac a 26-18 advantage, Beekmantown a 30-26 lead and Saranac a 32-30 edge going into the bout at 118.

The Section VII Championships for the team winner and individual weight class winners will be held Saturday at Beekmantown.

The Eagles are the defending champions. Peru won this year’s Section VII Dual Meet Championship.

—

Saranac 38, Beekmantown 33

132- Chase Devins (BCS) pinned Bradyn Turcotte, 3:15.

138- Ezra Lewandowski (BCS) pinned Bryson Potts, 3:09.

144- Teegan Smith (SCS) pinned Dean Imhoff, 1:59.

150- Corey Johnson (BCS) won by forfeit.

157- Alexander Mehrman (SCS) major dec. Nathan Rougier, 13-5.

165- Luke Garrow (SCS) major dec. Jose Susano Trujano, 9-0.

175- Branigan Boulds (SCS) won by forfeit.

190- Landen Gadway (SCS) pinned Mason Devins, :46.

215- Tristan Manney (BCS) dec. Haiden Bordeau, 9-5.

285- Landon Lahart (BCS) dec. Antoine Young, 6-3.

103- Mark Spooner (BCS) won by forfeit.

110- Liam Smart (SCS) pinned Mason Blazina, :25.

118- Kelvin Monteleone (BCS) dec. Andrew Sebastian, 12-6, double OT.

126- Colby Roesler (SCS) pinned Mason Facteau, 4:15.

The offseason has just begun, and the New England Patriots are already in the process of making moves.

Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams will be taking up a different position within the organization, according to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

The #Patriots are moving defensive coordinator Terrell Williams to a high-ranking role on the staff, per me & @TomPelissero, with Williams now cancer-free.
 
They’ve opened up the DC position, with ILBs coach Zak Kuhr, who called plays during the Super Bowl run, a top candidate. pic.twitter.com/dNG9BLe6pK

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2026

Williams, who was initially hired last January as the team’s defensive coordinator, missed the season while battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer, the team announced in September.

Williams worked with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel’s coaching staff in Tennessee from 2018 to 2023, before becoming the Detroit Lions defensive line coach in 2024.

Williams move to another role means that the defensive coordinator position is now open. The position was previously occupied by inside linebacker coach Zak Kuhr, who took over as the interim defensive coordinator for the season during Williams absence.

The Patriots finished the season with the eighth-best defense in 2025.

Ultimately, the Pats season ended with a loss to the Seahawks in Super Bowl 60.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Blue Jays have contract concern with Daulton Varsho, George Springer originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Toronto Blue Jays are running things back with a very similar lineup this season, minus Bo Bichette.

Reliable veteran outfielders Daulton Varsho and George Springer are both back, although it's safe to expect Springer to be the designated hitter. They have something else in common, too.

After the 2026 season, Varsho and Springer will both be out of contract. It'll create a situation where the Blue Jays might have to figure out what their next steps are.

They're both getting a bit up there in years, Springer more so than Varsho, and so maybe re-signing both won't be the move.

MORE: How Jose Ramirez is on pace to become Cleveland's Derek Jeter

However, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand suggests that at least Varsho could be worthy of bringing back beyond the 2026 season.

He wrote about him in a new article Thursday, with the premise being players who could be extended before their current deal is up. The clock is ticking on such a move for Varsho.

"Varsho will earn $10.75 million in 2026 before hitting the free-agent market, and while he played in only 71 games in 2025, he was one of Toronto’s best hitters when he was healthy and remains an elite defender," Feinsand writes. "The Blue Jays don’t have many outfield options signed beyond 2026 (Varsho and George Springer will both be free agents after the season), which was one of the reasons Toronto pursued Kyle Tucker this offseason. Varsho has a 16.2 bWAR over the past four years, showing himself to be a valuable player."

MORE: Luis Arraez is MLB's perfect misfit in 2026

The Blue Jays don't necessarily have another centerfielder waiting in the wings, unless they want to move either Addison Barger or Nathan Lukes to that spot.

If they feel Varsho can continue to get the job done defensively in that position, he'd be useful to keep around longer than just 2026. 

A potential lockout pending in the offseason could complicate things further, but it's worth seeing if the Blue Jays make any movement on a Varsho deal, because there are long-term implications in the Toronto outfield.

More MLB news:

• Team USA has a finalized WBC roster and an awesome lineup
• Dominican Republic WBC roster is loaded with stars
• How Trent Grisham's decision ruined the Yankees' offseason plans
• Buster Posey will change Hall of Fame voting forever
• This Cubs replacement plan for Kyle Tucker looks smart
• Spencer Strider's finish to 2025 changes everything for Braves

At 9:30 PM (Brasília time), Palmeiras and Internacional face off at Beira-Rio this Thursday (12th), in a match that closes out the third round of the 2026 Brasileirão.

With four points, Verdão occupies sixth place and is seeking its second consecutive victory in the championship to keep up with leaders Bahia and São Paulo – both with seven points.

Meanwhile, Colorado, with just one point and in 16th place on the table, wants its first win in the competition to move away from the relegation zone.

After fielding a reserve team in the last Gauchão match (3-1 over São Luiz), coach Paulo Pezzolano chose to keep the same lineup that drew 1-1 with Flamengo in the last round of the Brasileirão.

As for Palmeiras, coach Abel Ferreira decided to keep the same starters who beat Corinthians 1-0 in the Paulistão and thrashed Vitória 5-1 in the last round of the Brasileirão.

📋 See Internacional’s lineup

📋 See Palmeiras’ lineup

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

ELIZABETHTOWN — Four Bolton players reached double digits as the Eagles defeated Boquet Valley, 90-44, Wednesday.

Liam Foy led the way for Bolton with 18 points as Jace Hubert recorded 16. Jaxon Egloff and Jacob French finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Riley Tompkins and Jackson Petit finished with six points each for the Griffins.

—

Bolton 90, Boquet Valley 44

Bolton (90)

French 4-3-12, Egloff 6-0-13, Hubert 7-2-16, Figueroa 2-0-5, Corey 4-1-9, Hens 4-0-9, Pfau 1-0-2, Pagan 0-0-0, S. Foy 1-0-2. Phelps 1-0-2. Poemer 1-0-2. L. Foy 9-0-18. TOTALS: 40-6-90

Boquet Valley (44)

Pettit 2-0-6. Jacob Gay 2-0-4. Jack Gay 1-2-4. Lyon 0-1-1. Tompkins 2-0-6. Caputo 2-0-4. Quain 0-2-2. Spelman 1-1-3. TOTALS: 16-6-44

Halftime- Bolton, 55-17

3 point goals- Boquet Valley 6 Bolton 4

GIRLS

MORIAH 46

PLATTSBURGH 35

PORT HENRY — It was Senior Night at Moriah and the Vikings made sure to send their three seniors off in style.

Moriah had a strong second half to defeat Plattsburgh, 46-35.

Maggie Speshock led the Vikings with a game-high 14 points. Lexi Mascarenas and Emma Harrington added 11 points each.

The Hornets’ Essynce Gorham led the team with 11 points as Ava Weiss finished with 10.

“It was senior night for Lexi Mascarenas (5 steals) , Emma Harrington (8 assists) and Lexi Cheney (11 rebounds),” Moriah head coach Gary Olcott said. ”It was a back and forth game for three quarters, and we were able to pull away in the fourth. Sophomore Maggie Speshock did her part scoring 12 second-half points to help secure the win for her senior teammates. Essynce Gorham and Ava Weiss were very tough matchups for us.”

—

Moriah 46, Plattsburgh 35

Plattsburgh (35)

LaMountain 2-0-5, Hartman 0-0-0, Boire 0-0-0, E . Gorham 4-2-11, Weiss 4-2-10, Mulligan 2-0-5, A. Gorham 2-0-4. TOTALS: 14-4-35

Moriah (46)

Mascarenas 3-4-11, Cheney 1-1-3, Nephew 3-0-7, Harrington 4-3-11, Speshock 6-0-14, Gaddor 0-0-0, Winters 0-0-0. TOTALS: 17-8-46

Halftime- Moriah, 18-16

3 point goals- Moriah 4 Speshock 2, Mascarenas, Nephew PHS 3 , Lamountain, E. Gorham, Mulligan

PERU 65

NORTHERN ADIRONDACK 21

ELLENBURG — The Nighhawks had a strong first half to pull away from the Bobcats, 65-21.

Peru built its lead thanks to Reese Duprey’s 23 points. Violet Berry added 10 while Bella Berry and Eliana Trumper tallied eight each.

NAC was led by Ave Moore as she finished with 12 points. She recorded two of the Bobcats’ 3-pointers.

—

Peru 65, NAC 21

Peru (65)

Trumper 4-0-8, Hogle 2-2-6, Marino 2-0-4, B. Berry 2-2-8, Duprey 10-3-23, V. Berry 3-4-10, Brubach 1-0-2, Akey 1-0-2, Deslauriers 1-0-2. TOTALS: 26-11-65

NAC (21)

M. Peryea 0-0-0, LaBombard 0-0-0, Parsons 1-0-2, S. Peryea 0-0-0, Wray 0-0-0, Moore 3-4-12, Nutt 2-0-5, Cook 0-2-2. TOTALS: 6-4-21

Halftime- Peru, 39-11

3 point goals- Peru (2) B. Berry-2, NAC (3) Moore-2, Nutt-1

BEEKMANTOWN 58

SARANAC LAKE 36

SARANAC LAKE — Beekmantown defeated Saranac Lake, 58-36, Wednesday.

They were led by Carly Hagadorn’s 13 points as teammate Lucy Conroy finished with 11. Olivia Miller and Olivia Hagadorn had nine each.

The Red Storm were led by Emma Akey’s game high 21 points.

—

Beekmantown 58, Saranac Lake 36

Beekmantown (58)

C. Hagadorm 5-1-13. O. Miller 3-0-9. O. Hagadorm 4-1-9. L. Conroy 3-5-11. O. Hagadorm 4-1-9. L. Shanley 3-0-6. A. Barnes. 2-0-5. J. Conroy 2-1-5. L. Burnham 0-0-0. TOTALS: 28-9-58

Saranac Lake

Akey 6-6-21. Willett 2-0-5. Tomaszewski 2-0-4. Knobel 2-0-4. Baker 1-0-2. Carter 0-0-0. Valentin 0-0-0. Crane 0-0-0. Locke 0-0-0. Chamberlain 0-0-0. TOTALS: 13-6-36

Halftime- Beekmantown, 41-20

3 point goals- Saranac Lake- Akey 3 Willett 1 Beekmantown- O. Miller 3 C. Hagadorm 2 A. Barnes 1

MVAC

Johnsburg/Minevra 52

Keene 43

OLMSTEDVILLE — The Irish Jags held a two-point lead, adding to it in the second half to defeat the Beavers, 52-43.

It was a back-and-forth contest that saw Anna Okamoto lead Johnsburg/Minerva with a game-high 22 points, which included four 3-pointers.

Juliana Tremblay led Keene with 14 points. Liana Shambo and Autumn Whitney added 10 and 12 points, r`espectively.

—

Johnsburg/Minerva 52, Keene 43

Keene (43)

Tremblay 5-0-14, Nelson 2-0-5, Shambo 4-1-10, A. Whitney 5-1-12, Av. Whitney 0-0-0, Deyo 1-0-2, Dick 0-0-0. TOTALS: 17-2-43

Johnsburg/Minerva (52)

Millington 8-0-18, Sharp-Smith 0-0-0, Hayes 0-0-0, Okamoto 8-2-22, Morehouse 4-1-9, McKinney 1-0-3, Ordway 0-0-0, Secor 0-0-0, Smith 0-0-0. TOTALS: 21-1-52

Halftime- Johnsburg/Minerva, 27-25

3 point goals- Keene 7: Tremblay 4, Nelson 1, Shambo 1, A. Whitney 1 Johnsburg-Minerva 7: Millington 2, Okamoto 4, McKinney 1

Two East Metro high schools woke up in Biwabik, Minn. on Thursday morning knowing they had a chance to win overall team Nordic state championships after their sprint relay teams won on Wednesday at Giants Ridge.

Done.

Stillwater got top-20 finishes from George Nelson (4), Will Foote (8) and Mo Schollett (16) in the classic pursuit, and Nelson and Foote finished fourth and 17th, respectively, in the freestyle race to lift the boys to their first overall state title since 1996.

The Ponies (383) handily beat Orono/Delano (342) and Ely (341).

On the girls’ side, junior Eleanor Mody placed third in the classic race and fourth in freestyle, and junior teammate Paloma Good finished sixth and 11th, respectively, in those races to help lift St. Paul Academy and Summit School its first skiing title.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Mody said. “Definitely a very fun day.”

The Spartans’ rallied with a big showing in the afternoon’s classic race to finish with 374 points, besting Minneapolis Southwest (360) and Wayzata (355).

“We knew we’d be chasing for the classic, and for a long time we skied as a pack of four,” Mody said. “Then we spread out a little bit. It was so great racing with some of my best friends, really special to share that moment with them. It was the first time we’d even come close to winning in my five years on the team, so it’s pretty special.”

The Spartans got a big race from eighth-grader Elisabeth Hilton, who, coach Max Lundgren said, had “the race of her life” in the freestyle to make up for a sick teammate and become the SPA/Summit School’s third scorer.

Mody greeted Hilton at the finish line.

“She said, ‘How did I do?’ ” Mody said. “I said, ‘You’re 14th.’ Her jaw hit the ground.”

Hilton finished a solid 34th among 110 skiers in the classic race.

Nelson led Stillwater’s boys with his best individual state pursuit finishes, but it was the team title that meant most to him.

“It’s super awesome. It’s been a dream for me,” he said. “This team is so important to me. All the guys are truly amazing. It’s been an absolute honor to ace with these guys in high school.”

Teammate Foote made remarkable strides from last season when he finished eighth in the classic race — 32 places better than his 2025 finish. “They say skiers are made in the sumer, and I think it’s true,” he said. “I did a lot of roller skiing, and a lot of working out. And this wonderful team always inspires you to be better.”

“I was aiming for top 25,” he said. “Top 15 was a very aggressive goal. I was so focused on racing; I had an idea of where I was placing, but I wasn’t sure where I was. On this course, there’s a long downhill before the finish, and I was able to gather myself and think about the finish.”

Hopkins’ Logan Drevlow (13:10.7) and Bridger Nelson (13:39) finished first and second in the boys freestyle race. St. Paul Central’s Peter Schulz finished seventh, and Highland Park’s Noah Waln was 14th.

Central’s Anneliese Linders finished 10th in the girls classic pursuit, with Lakeville’s Faye Braun coming in 12th.

Related Articles

• Vikings’ girls flag football league is expanding
• Girls hockey: Lakeville North beats Apple Valley 1-0 to advance to state
• State Nordic skiing: SPA sisters take team sprint title
• Girls hockey: A roundup of Tuesday’s section tournament action
• State Alpine Skiing: Hill-Murray sweeps boys, girls titles

ROUSES POINT — Parker Russell and Merick Meacham scored goals 12 seconds apart in the third period Wednesday as Franklin Academy rallied for a 5-3 non-league victory over upset-minded Northeastern Clinton in boys’ hockey.

The Huskies (15-1-1), the top team in Section X Division II play so far this season, trailed the Cougars 3-2 going into the third. Russell and Meacham scored at the 5:46 and 5:48 marks, respectively, and Meacham added his third goal of the game in the final two minutes.

“We’re never happy with a loss, but tonight was one of those games you can’t be upset with,” NCCS coach Scott Lafountain said. “It was there for the taking, but we simply just ran out of gas.

“The boys tonight should be proud of their effort and hard work throughout the game, and the coaching staff was very pleased. FA skates four lines, and we competed all game with them. We had younger players step up, which is very good to see going into sectional play.”

The Cougars got goals from Cam Supernaw, Karsen Trim and Scott Wrye, while Camden Badger turned aside 29 of 34 shots.

Trim and Wrye scored in the final four minutes of the second period to give NCCS a 3-2 lead.

—

Franklin Academy 5, NCCS 3

FA 1 1 3 — 5

NCCS 1 2 0 — 3

First period- 1, NCCS, Supernaw (Breyette), 3:46. 2, FA, Henning (Bashaw), 9:18.

Second period- 3, FA. M. Meacham shg (Bashaw), 3:59. 4, NCCS, Trim (Seymour), 13:46. 5, NCCS, Wrye (Gadway), 16:15.

Third period- 6, FA, Russell (M. Meacham), 5:46. 7, FA, M. Meacham (Russell, Woodward), 5:58. 8, FA, M. Meacham (Russell), 14:58.

Shots on goal- FA, 34-19.

Saves- R. Meacham, FA, 16. Badger, NCCS 29.

Milan, ITALY — Brock Nelson is a third-generation Team USA representative and scored two goals in the USA opener against Latvia. Both generations before him secured gold, and although we won’t know if he will continue that family tradition for a couple of weeks, we do know that if the USA wins gold, Brock Nelson will be a key component to that success.

The Game

The American brothers who stole the headlines at the Four Nations tourney are back at it again in Milan.

Matthew and Brady Tkachuk broke into the Latvia end on a two-one-on-one, and the older brother found the younger brother, who put the puck into the net. They would proceed to celebrate just like they more than likely did as kids in the driveway.

This time, they didn’t need to imagine playing in the Olympics together. This time it was real.

Latvia got a goal of their own, and the US team would seemingly score two more goals in the period, that is, until Latvia successfully challenged both and maintained the tie.

The first goal was called back as Brock Nelson was ruled offside on the entry, and the second was due to goaltender interference from J.T. Miller.

If we are to judge goaltender interference by IIHF rules, this was the right call, although I don’t think Brock Nelson’s redirect would have been saved either way.

Those reviews, along with hitting a couple of posts, are what kept Latvia in this contest early.

It wasn’t the start that Team USA was looking for, but they wouldn’t let things get out of hand and would pour it on in the second frame.

It was Brock Nelson who finally broke through, and he had this to say when asked if he had any pre-game nerves, “Yeah, for sure, but at the same time, you just wanna go out there and play. We have a hell of a group here, good chemistry and a lot of great players, so you just try to go out there and play a simple game. Don’t overthink it, just go out there and have fun.”

He certainly didn’t look nervous when he logged his second goal of the game with just 11.1 seconds left in the middle frame, and if not for J.T. Miller’s goaltender interference, he would have had a hat-trick right then and there.

Nelson looked good with his linemates and credited Jack Hughes for working hard to give him the opportunity to score on both occasions.

“A couple of great plays by Jack (Hughes), sticking with it. Did a couple of things in the first that we had some good looks… get one off the post. After that, you’re not too sure if you’re gonna get another really clean look.”

“Fortunate to find myself with a couple of great plays by Jack (Hughes).”

Brock Nelson might not have gotten his hat trick, but he and Team USA did secure the 5-1 victory, are tied with Germany for the lead in Group C, and certainly look like gold medal favorites.

By The Numbers

Jack Hughes, Jack Eichel, Brock Nelson, Mathew Tkachuk, and Quinn Hughes all had 2points in this opening contest.

Quinn Hughes logged 21:29 of ice time in this matchup despite the US having a clear advantage for most of the game.

Both Team USA and Team Canada logged 5 goals in their opening match-ups!

Avalanche Spin

I suppose it goes without saying, but Brock Nelson was excellent in this contest, and that’s a great sign for Avalanche fans who have seen Brock Nelson lighting it up for his NHL club heading into the tourney.

Some wondered if the Olympics would negatively affect his momentum, but so far, that’s not the case at all. If anything, he’s carrying his NHL heater into the Olympic Games!

I asked Brock Nelson if he agreed with Nathan MacKinnon, who said he felt like a kid today, “Uh, yeah, for sure, I felt all the emotions coming out just being over here and trying to soak it all in. It means the world to have this opportunity.”

Let us know what you thought of Team USA’s opener in the comments!

A company founded by two of golf's biggest stars will soon be branching out beyond the greens.

TMRW Sports — a sports and entertainment venture spearheaded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy — has been tabbed by the NFL to operate a new flag football league, according to a report from Sportico on Thursday. TMRW was one of about a dozen groups bidding to be an operational partner.

The company's indoor golf league, TGL, is in its second season, featuring teams of four PGA Tour players competing in matches of high-tech simulator golf at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Both Woods and McIlroy participate in the league. In January, TMRW announced the creation of WTGL, which will launch next winter, bringing together the some of the LPGA's biggest stars to compete in a similar format.

Now, reports suggest that TMRW will extend its reach beyond golf to help develop a pro flag football circuit, which seems to be at the top of the NFL's to-do list. League owners voted in December to invest upwards of $30 million to help get it off the ground. The sport was the focal point of this year's NFL Pro Bowl and will also be featured in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The marriage of TMRW Sports and the NFL shouldn't come as a big surprise. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is one of TMRW's main financial backers and has attended several TGL matches. Other investors include Vikings owner Mark Wilf as well as NFL players like Bills quarterback Josh Allen and former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who are both avid golfers themselves.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy's TMRW Sports to operate NFL flag football

There is no way that NASCAR is going to let Garrett Mitchell just use a made-up name for his Truck Series debut on Friday night, right?

As it turns out, it was very much a tug-of-war between the Sanctioning Body and the popular YouTuber and amateur racer who goes by the name ‘Cleetus McFarland.’ NASCAR says there is no clearly defined policy for licensing purposes but they were not just going to let him completely use his fictional name either.

But ‘McFarland’ was asked about it by Motorsport.com during his Thursday press conference alongside Travis Pastrana at Daytona International Speedway. And like everything ‘Cleetus McFarland’ affiliated, it turned into quite the theatrical ordeal.

I asked Garrett 'Cleetus McFarland' Mitchell about what name is on his hard card and if there's been any hassle with the sanctioning body over what name to use and hijinks immediately ensued

🤣 pic.twitter.com/yhTlpzSuTW

— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) February 12, 2026

“I’m glad you brought it up,” he said, reaching into his pocket. “Let me see. I was actually fighting with NASCAR yesterday. They were trying to put ‘Cleetus Mitchell’ on my Truck hard card. Let’s see what we ended up with.

‘Cleetus McFarland Mitchell.’

“That’s what we settled on. In ARCA, it says Garrett Mitchell, so you know, we’re making progress.”

As the story goes, Mitchell was portraying a Ricky Bobby style character for his video and his friends landed on Cleetus instead of Dale, for a name that would portray the brand appropriately.

The goal of reaching the Daytona 500

Garett Mitchell (Cleetus McFarland), Rette Jones Racing Ford

Regardless of which name he uses, ‘Cleetus McFarland Mitchell’ is very serious about wanting to pursue a start in the Daytona 500 someday. It started over the last year or so, when he found himself in a friendship with the late Greg Biffle, who told him that he couldn’t just race the Daytona 500.

But eventually, they started working on the process that began with the past two ARCA races, a start at Talladega, and now his Truck debut on Friday. He wants to then make starts in Xfinity and hopefully, someday, the Daytona 500.

“My goal has been to race the Daytona 500 but then I realized how good all the other drivers are and how fast the cars are and I was like, ‘wow, I definitely cannot race the Daytona 500, Biff was right.’

“I've been really enjoying ARCA and that level of competition. It's been good for me. I've learned a lot. This truck thing happened purely because Travis Pastrana is an amazing human being and pretty much handed me the opportunity to do it by putting me in touch with Niece Motorsports, Black Rifle Coffee and Brunt Workwear. It all came together for Travis.”

It was at this moment that he realized Pastrana, sitting next to him, hadn’t ripped off his sleeves. That’s one of his gimmicks. McFarland conveniently pulled out scissors and ripped the sleeves off the action sports star turned occasional NASCAR driver.

This was also one year to the day that he did the same thing to Biffle for the first time.

“Anyway, where were we,” McFarland said.

He also talked about how good the competition is at the next level, and how it’s going to take time to learn to race them properly, even if just on the superspeedways.

“I realized the drivers were very good, and then I thought, I don’t really want to move up,” he said. “I love ARCA. I want to take my time, and now I need to be ready to race this truck, pit stops, and if I don’t do everything perfect, I’m going to lose five spots on pit road.

“Travis convinced me I need to move up the ranks and progress, but I am just trying to take it slow and eventually work my way to the top, in the Daytona 500.”

For his part, Pastrana says McFarland is too modest and that the Daytona 500 is a realistic goal. This comes from a similar guy that didn’t have a NASCAR background, ran one full-time Xfinity Series season, and eventually competed in the Daytona 500.

But McFarland wants to earn it.

“I don’t want to lobby for a provisional,” he said. “And then come to Daytona and get spanked every time I show up. The big restrictor plate tracks are fun and its easier to be competitive.

“Intermediate tracks, like Rockingham where we tested this week, it’s fast and its hard. When we raced at Bristol, wow is it hard, and extremely challenging. So I guess, what I’m trying to say, is that I have a lot to learn and I need more seat time, more time in ARCA, and maybe in Late Models at Freedom Factory with my pal Ricky Brooks, to get better.”

Tony Stewart returns to NASCAR in rare media form

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

NCAA Division-1 heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson (2-0) will make his return to mixed martial arts (MMA) when he collides with Mexican mauler Hugo Lezama (11-3) on the official Mexico Fight League (MFL) YouTube channel on Thurs., Feb. 19, 2026 from Showcenter Complex in Monterey, Mexico.

“I am excited to continue my MMA journey at Mexico Fight League 3,” Steveson said. “I have a great opportunity to go against one of Mexico’s solid veteran fighters. This is all about growth for me and testing myself before I do make that step up to the next level. But I come to take care of business and dominate. Tune in February 19 and be part of the ride.”

Check out the entire MFL 3 fight card below:

MFL 3 Main Card at 10 p.m. ET on YouTube:

Main Event | Heavyweight
Gable Steveson (2-0) vs. Hugo Lezama (11-3)

Co-Main Event | Welterweight
Irving ‘Mustang’ Cardona (4-4) vs. ‘Smooth’ Edgar Escarrega (12-4-1)

Bantamweight
Luis Solorzano (10-7) vs. Alexandro Bravo (5-3)

Bantamweight
Ricardo Hurtado (2-3) vs. Matias Molero (4-2)

Lightweight
Pacheco Hernandez (1-0) vs. Gael Resendiz (1-1)

MFL 3 ‘Prelims’ Card at 8 p.m. ET on YouTube:

Heavyweight
Hector Negroe García (1-1) vs. Renzo Aldave (Debut)

Bantamweight
Omar Diaz (2-2) vs. Luis Piñango (4-5)

Catchweight
Carolina Rojas (Debut) vs. Jharely Reyes (0-3)

Welterweight
Villareal (3-0) vs. Arreola (3-3)

Flyweight
Morales (Debut) vs. Rodriguez (Debut)

Steveson is expected to earn a spot on the UFC roster in the coming months — assuming he keeps winning.

It makes sense why Detroit Lions fans may be feeling frustrated or discouraged about the direction of the franchise.

After the best regular season in Lions history and its first time capturing the NFC's No. 1 seed in 2024, Detroit slumped to 9-8 and missed the playoffs altogether. Looking at the Lions' 2026 salary cap situation as the new league year and free agency approaches might unnerve the Detroit faithful, too.

But, thanks primarily to its restructure potential and some cut candidates, there's more financial wiggle room for the franchise than meets the eye.

Even after a frustrating finish in 2025, the Lions bring back a talented group of stars that includes quarterback Jared Goff, wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery and defensive stars Aidan Hutchinson and Jack Campbell.

ESPN feels like the Lions are a prime candidate for a 2026 bounce back. In its look at NFL overhaul tiers for 2025's 18 non-playoff teams, the Lions join the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs in the "no need to panic" category.

Detroit still has one of the league's most talented rosters and should jump right back into contention. The hiring of offensive coordinator Drew Petzing isn't splashy but will prove vital. - Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

Fowler and ESPN listed edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad as Detroit's top free agent. One of the lone concerns from Fowler was the reality that the Lions have committed nearly $1 billion to star players on extensions and there are still extensions to navigate to other young stars such as Gibbs, Campbell and tight end Sam LaPorta.

But, while the sour taste of a 9-8 finish in 2025 is fresh on fans' minds, ESPN views the Lions alongside the Ravens and Chiefs as obvious candidates for postseason returns in 2026.

The rest of ESPN's tiers for non-playoff teams broke down like this:

A few moves away

• Cincinnati Bengals
• Dallas Cowboys
• Indianapolis Colts
• Minnesota Vikings
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sneaky good trajectory

• Atlanta Falcons
• New Orleans Saints
• New York Giants

Somewhere between contention and reset

• Washington Commanders

In the middle of a rebuild

• Cleveland Browns
• Tennessee Titans

Full-blown overhaul

• Arizona Cardinals
• Las Vedgas Raiders
• Miami Dolphins
• New York Jets

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ESPN says 'no need to panic' on Detroit Lions 2026 playoff return

No. 1 and No. 89 have finally connected once again.

After keeping distant for about a decade, Carolina Panthers legends Cam Newton and Steve Smith Sr. recently sat down for a deep conversation with one another. The chat, which was posted to Newton's and Smith's YouTube channels on Thursday, navigated through their past and misunderstandings as well as the struggles of maintaining mental health.

Here is the talk in its entirety:

Newton and Smith shared three years together in Carolina, from 2011 to 2013. Smith would be released ahead of the 2014 campaign, and played out the final three seasons of his NFL career as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.

The franchise's all-time leading passer and all-time leading receiver, even in their post-football careers as popular media personalities, had not crossed paths following their Panthers days. There was, however, a bit of tension between the two—most recently when Newton, last February, described their 2011 team as a "locker room of losers."

Smith, who was a part of that squad, did not take too kindly to the characterization. Newton proceeded to clear up his comments, stating he was not specifically referring to Smith.

But now, that's all water under the bridge in what's turned out to be a cathartic past few weeks for the Panthers organization.

Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.

This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers greats Cam Newton, Steve Smith Sr. reunite for deep conversation

The 5A boys wrestling state tournament is shaping up to be a very tight race.

Two-time defending state championship Spanish Fork, Box Elder and Wasatch are all within six points of each other after the opening day of competition at UVU on Thursday.

Spanish Fork leads with 88 points, followed by Box Elder with 84.5 points and Wasatch with 82 points. Of the three, Spanish Fork advanced the most wrestlers into the semifinals with six, followed by Wasatch with six and Box Elder with five.

Competition resumes with the last two rounds and consolation rounds on Friday at UVU.

One of the feature wrestlers to watch is Wasatch senior Ben Kohler, who improved to 53-6 with a pair of wins on Thursday. He’s two wins away from his third straight individual state championship.

Six other wrestlers are still in the hunt for a state title repeat after advancing to their respective semifinals: Spanish Fork junior Easton Shelley, Wasatch sophomore William Shallenberger, Spanish Fork senior Ryker Olson, Wasatch junior Wyatt Hansen, Spanish Fork senior Hyrum King and Hillcrest senior Moroni Mahe.

Class 5A boys state tournament

Day 1 Team scores

1. Spanish Fork, 88
2. Box Elder, 84.5
3. Wasatch, 82
4. Payson, 71
5. Viewmont, 55
6. Roy, 45.5
7. Salem Hills, 43.5
8. Springville, 43

106 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Dane King, Alta def. Julian Gamino, Box Elder, TF-1.5 2:15 (17-0)
• Tyson Lee, Viewmont def. Tyler Robertson, Maple Mountain, Fall 3:19
• Andre Tavtigian, West def. Caden Lacy, Springville, Dec 8-3
• Max Hartvigsen, Maple Mountain def. Kope Rinker, Skyline, TF-1.5 2:51 (18-1)
• Ryder Thomas, Salem Hills def. Adrian Mascerenas, Roy, Fall 2:33
• Tucker Willet, Wasatch def. Stetson Teeples, Payson, TF-1.5 3:39 (15-0)
• Conner Finch, Payson def. Isaiah Zimmerman, Hillcrest, TF-1.5 3:06 (17-0)
• Chase Weight, Salem Hills def. Dallin Anderson, Fremont, Fall 2:59

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Dane King, Alta def. Tyson Lee, Viewmont, Fall 2:24
• Andre Tavtigian, West def. Max Hartvigsen, Maple Mountain, Dec 9-3
• Ryder Thomas, Salem Hills def. Tucker Willet, Wasatch, Fall 0:29
• Conner Finch, Payson def. Chase Weight, Salem Hills, Dec 8-5

Friday’s semifinals

• Dane King, Alta vs. Andre Tavtigian, West
• Ryder Thomas, Salem Hills vs. Conner Finch, Payson

113 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Easton Shelley, Spanish Fork def. Cooper Blair, West, TF-1.5 1:48 (15-0)
• Levi Tueller, Payson def. Kirk Nielsen, Box Elder, Dec 10-5
• Jake Zesiger, Viewmont def. Brock Revell, Pleasant Grove, MD 10-2
• Aaron Beckett, Northridge def. Ryan Hua, Kearns, TF-1.5 1:58 (15-0)
• Ryker Winward, Box Elder def. Brit Miner, Maple Mountain, Fall 0:24
• Brody Ellis, Alta def. Conner Lewis, Salem Hills, MD 16-2
• Jesse Judkins, Maple Mountain def. Charles Sessions, Viewmont, Fall 0:53
• Tate Allred, Olympus def. Rico Quintana, Roy, TF-1.5 2:50 (15-0)

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Easton Shelley, Spanish Fork def. Levi Tueller, Payson, TF-1.5 2:36 (15-0)
• Jake Zesiger, Viewmont def. Aaron Beckett, Northridge, Fall 3:06
• Ryker Winward, Box Elder def. Brody Ellis, Alta, Fall 1:53
• Tate Allred, Olympus def. Jesse Judkins, Maple Mountain, Dec 8-3

Friday’s semifinals

• Easton Shelley, Spanish Fork vs. Jake Zesiger, Viewmont
• Ryker Winward, Box Elder vs. Tate Allred, Olympus

120 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Lucas Herbert, Maple Mountain def. Caleb Manheimer, Kearns, Dec 8-4
• Stetler Lloyd, Spanish Fork def. Zach Fowlke, Salem Hills, Fall 4:50
• Conley Evans, Box Elder def. Jaidon Huynh, Hunter, Fall 0:27
• Taegan Leavitt, Spanish Fork def. Luke Crookston, Viewmont, TF-1.5 3:13 (16-0)
• Bennett Weight, Salem Hills def. Cole Ashworth, Viewmont, Fall 2:26
• McKay Clements, Springville def. Jacob Gardner, Woods Cross, Fall 0:47
• Ken Starr, Roy def. Xavier Dew, Skyline, MD 9-0
• Gage Anderson, Wasatch def. Mathew Harris, Payson, Fall 0:41

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Lucas Herbert, Maple Mountain def. Stetler Lloyd, Spanish Fork, Dec 3-1
• Taegan Leavitt, Spanish Fork def. Conley Evans, Box Elder, Dec 7-1
• Bennett Weight, Salem Hills def. McKay Clements, Springville, TF-1.5 2:19 (15-0)
• Gage Anderson, Wasatch def. Ken Starr, Roy, TF-1.5 4:29 (20-5)

Friday’s semifinals

• Lucas Herbert, Maple Mountain vs. Taegan Leavitt, Spanish Fork
• Bennett Weight, Salem Hills vs. Gage Anderson, Wasatch

126 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Kaleb Blackner, Roy def. Joseph Jordan, Cyprus, Fall 1:08
• Tyler Carlos, Salem Hills def. Wendell Maw, Fremont, Fall 2:30
• Gunner Knudsen, Westfield def. Camden Caufield, Roy, Fall 0:30
• Daxton Jolley, Payson def. Kade Burr, Wasatch, Fall 1:43
• Seth Hall, Skyline def. Ryder Paea, Hunter, Fall 1:23
• Hunter Young, Maple Mountain def. David Brems, Skyline, TF-1.5 3:17 (24-6)
• Kyler Spencer, Spanish Fork def. Amin Rahimi, West, Fall 4:22
• Adrian Gamino, Box Elder def. Dawson Thompson, Northridge, Fall 4:41

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Kaleb Blackner, Roy def. Tyler Carlos, Salem Hills, Fall 2:33
• Gunner Knudsen, Westfield def. Daxton Jolley, Payson, Fall 4:11
• Seth Hall, Skyline def. Hunter Young, Maple Mountain, Fall 1:37
• Adrian Gamino, Box Elder def. Kyler Spencer, Spanish Fork, Dec 4-2

Friday’s semifinals

• Kaleb Blackner, Roy vs. Gunner Knudsen, Westfield
• Seth Hall, Skyline vs. Adrian Gamino, Box Elder

132 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Walter Beacham, Alta def. Colt Hanssen, Wasatch, Fall 1:08
• Braken Hester, Box Elder def. Hunter Mcmurdie, Payson, Dec 7-0
• Diesel Knudsen, Westfield def. Cooper Lambert, Pleasant Grove, Fall 1:14
• Warren Christensen, Maple Mountain def. Chad Rees, Viewmont, Dec 8-2
• William Shallenberger, Wasatch def. Beckam Bastian, Northridge, Fall 5:18
• Maxwell Ferguson, Olympus def. Rope Baum, Spanish Fork, Fall 3:26
• Kaden Herrera, Roy def. Denver Ellis, Box Elder, Fall 1:33
• Brody Rydalch, Bountiful def. Cael Sandquist, Hunter, TF-1.5 4:06 (21-4)

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Walter Beacham, Alta def. Braken Hester, Box Elder, Dec 6-5
• Diesel Knudsen, Westfield def. Warren Christensen, Maple Mountain, TF-1.5 4:38 (21-3)
• William Shallenberger, Wasatch def. Maxwell Ferguson, Olympus, Fall 3:04
• Brody Rydalch, Bountiful def. Kaden Herrera, Roy, MD 14-0

Friday’s semifinals

• Walter Beacham, Alta vs. Diesel Knudsen, Westfield
• William Shallenberger, Wasatch vs. Brody Rydalch, Bountiful

138 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Connor Simons, Spanish Fork def. Jarom Gappmayer, Brighton, Fall 3:07
• Bennett Ashcroft, Olympus def. Carson Duong, Hunter, Dec 7-5
• Rylan Winward, Box Elder def. Vinson Moe, Alta, Fall 1:10
• Colby Tennant, Westfield def. Caleb Lewis, Spanish Fork, Fall 2:32
• Benjamin Kohler, Wasatch def. Evan Moss, Alta, Fall 0:33
• Clayton Morrill, Payson def. Sam Allen, Box Elder, TF-1.5 3:27 (16-0)
• Maximo Quintana, Roy def. Joshua Makitrin, Viewmont, Fall 4:43
• Markus McCoy, Wasatch def. Kade Nordmann, Fremont, Dec 11-9

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Connor Simons, Spanish Fork def. Bennett Ashcroft, Olympus, Fall 3:35
• Colby Tennant, Westfield def. Rylan Winward, Box Elder, Dec 9-4
• Benjamin Kohler, Wasatch def. Clayton Morrill, Payson, Fall 1:38
• Maximo Quintana, Roy def. Markus McCoy, Wasatch, TF-1.5 2:33 (16-0)

Friday’s semifinals

• Connor Simons, Spanish Fork vs. Colby Tennant, Westfield
• Benjamin Kohler, Wasatch vs. Maximo Quintana, Roy

144 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Jonas Lotz, Payson def. Elijah Castillo, Kearns, TF-1.5 2:19 (18-1)
• Braxton Trimble, Westfield def. Hunter Privett, Hunter, TF-1.5 5:42 (20-3)
• Kolvin Thompson, Box Elder def. Taima Anderson, Spanish Fork, Fall 3:10
• Adam Terry, Timpview def. Tucker Price, West, MD 14-0
• Daxton Bonner, Wasatch def. Alex Turner, Northridge, Fall 0:38
• Luke Mason, Spanish Fork def. Gabriel Phippen, Box Elder, Fall 5:19
• Kale Zorn, Fremont def. William Holdcroft, West, Fall 2:10
• Pace Williams, Olympus def. Enoc Oteo, Timpview, MD 15-1

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Jonas Lotz, Payson def. Braxton Trimble, Westfield, Fall 5:06
• Kolvin Thompson, Box Elder def. Adam Terry, Timpview, TF-1.5 5:37 (16-1)
• Daxton Bonner, Wasatch def. Luke Mason, Spanish Fork, TF-1.5 3:29 (21-6)
• Kale Zorn, Fremont def. Pace Williams, Olympus, Dec 15-8

Friday’s semifinals

• Jonas Lotz, Payson vs. Kolvin Thompson, Box Elder
• Daxton Bonner, Wasatch vs. Kale Zorn, Fremont

150 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Kael Theobald, Payson def. Parker Yorgason, Westfield, Fall 0:51
• Seth Steele, Salem Hills def. Deacon Neilson, Maple Mountain, Fall 3:08
• Rider Eggett, Viewmont def. Taylor Nageli, Cyprus, Fall 2:25
• Ben Redd, Viewmont def. Rilen Brindley, Spanish Fork, Fall 3:30
• Kamon Thompson, Box Elder def. Damon Innes, Maple Mountain, Fall 0:34
• Max Richins, Wasatch def. Jeff Heywood, Spanish Fork, TF-1.5 3:45 (18-3)
• Derek Harrison, Pleasant Grove def. Masen Hancey, Box Elder, Dec 16-15
• Landon Hill, Brighton def. Brody Walker, Hunter, TF-1.5 6:00 (20-4)

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Kael Theobald, Payson def. Seth Steele, Salem Hills, TF-1.5 3:02 (18-1)
• Rider Eggett, Viewmont def. Ben Redd, Viewmont, Dec 5-2
• Kamon Thompson, Box Elder def. Max Richins, Wasatch, MD 15-1
• Derek Harrison, Pleasant Grove def. Landon Hill, Brighton, MD 21-11

Friday’s semifinals

• Kael Theobald, Payson vs. Rider Eggett, Viewmont
• Kamon Thompson, Box Elder vs. Derek Harrison, Pleasant Grove

157 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Ryker Olson, Spanish Fork def. Landon Nielsen, Bountiful, Fall 0:58
• Colter Beck, Payson def. Dean Christensen, Box Elder, Dec 3-0
• Owen Seeley, Viewmont def. Nicholas Lowe, Cyprus, Dec 5-2
• Joseph Naylor, West Jordan def. Andrew Card, Olympus, TF-1.5 3:04 (20-1)
• Cash Vigos, Alta def. Logan McNally, Wasatch, Fall 1:38
• Ryker Cluff, Spanish Fork def. Connor Mardanlou, Bountiful, Fall 4:56
• Porter Kemp, Pleasant Grove def. Jameson English, Olympus, Fall 2:15
• Kilun Engelbrecht, Box Elder def. Gatlyn Collier, Northridge, Dec 8-7

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Ryker Olson, Spanish Fork def. Colter Beck, Payson, MD 13-2
• Joseph Naylor, West Jordan def. Owen Seeley, Viewmont, Dec 5-2
• Ryker Cluff, Spanish Fork def. Cash Vigos, Alta, Fall 1:52
• Porter Kemp, Pleasant Grove def. Kilun Engelbrecht, Box Elder, TF-1.5 5:31 (16-0)

Friday’s semifinals

• Ryker Olson, Spanish Fork vs. Joseph Naylor, West Jordan
• Ryker Cluff, Spanish Fork vs. Porter Kemp, Pleasant Grove

165 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• William Childs, Maple Mountain def. Jack Witt, Wasatch, TF-1.5 3:20 (19-2)
• Xane Shurtleff, Payson def. Keiran Barton, Olympus, Fall 3:21
• Isaac Katoa, West def. Brennan Pierce, Spanish Fork, Dec 6-5
• Zayden Darger, Salem Hills def. Micah Olsen, Northridge, TF-1.5 5:12 (16-1)
• Jonah Ware, Wasatch def. Taylor Graham, Fremont, Fall 1:14
• Noah Vaterlaus, Viewmont def. Nash Judy, West Jordan, Dec 12-9
• Jesse Button, Salem Hills def. Ethan Castillo, Pleasant Grove, Fall 2:27
• Christia Miller, Box Elder def. Ethan Hawks, Springville, Fall 1:00

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• William Childs, Maple Mountain def. Xane Shurtleff, Payson, Dec 4-2
• Isaac Katoa, West def. Zayden Darger, Salem Hills, Fall 0:52
• Jonah Ware, Wasatch def. Noah Vaterlaus, Viewmont, Fall 1:36
• Christia Miller, Box Elder def. Jesse Button, Salem Hills, Fall 4:56

Friday’s semifinals

• William Childs, Maple Mountain vs. Isaac Katoa, West
• Jonah Ware, Wasatch vs. Christia Miller, Box Elder

175 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Alexande Navarro, West Jordan def. Jack Lahn, Bountiful, Fall 1:04
• Alexande Swain, West Jordan def. Marcus Reyes, Bountiful, Fall 4:32
• Dominic Jones, West def. Sean Wilkerson, Maple Mountain, Dec 11-8
• Preston Graver, Spanish Fork def. Colt Hawkins, Viewmont, Fall 2:12
• Tayson Wylie, Box Elder def. Chase Mathiesen, Alta, Fall 1:20
• Trent Harris, Springville def. Dillan Thacker, Wasatch, Fall 3:16
• Bruce Walker, Hunter def. Oliver Mangum, Viewmont, Fall 1:14
• Bo Goodman, Pleasant Grove def. Atticus Feldon, Olympus, Fall 3:54

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Alexande Navarro, West Jordan def. Alexande Swain, West Jordan, Dec 12-9
• Preston Graver, Spanish Fork def. Dominic Jones, West, Dec 9-3
• Trent Harris, Springville def. Tayson Wylie, Box Elder, Fall 0:35
• Bo Goodman, Pleasant Grove def. Bruce Walker, Hunter, TF-1.5 3:35 (15-0)

Friday’s semifinals

• Alexande Navarro, West Jordan vs. Preston Graver, Spanish Fork
• Trent Harris, Springville vs. Bo Goodman, Pleasant Grove

190 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Lisiate Valeti, Springville def. Keenan Simmons, Box Elder, Fall 1:42
• Fernando Cortez, Brighton def. Nathen Berkuta, West Jordan, Dec 10-5
• Judson Yorgason, Westfield def. Cael Cottle, Payson, Fall 0:50
• Karter Casperson, Pleasant Grove def. Jacob Galatro, Viewmont, Fall 2:45
• Kingston O’Bannon, Salem Hills def. Christia Herrick, West Jordan, Fall 3:12
• Zion Talia, Northridge def. Jesse Schiffman, Westfield, Dec 8-3
• Hyrum King, Spanish Fork def. Archer Gale, Woods Cross, Fall 1:30
• Parker Whetton, Box Elder def. Peter Liscomb, Cyprus, Fall 0:25

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Lisiate Valeti, Springville def. Fernando Cortez, Brighton, Fall 2:46
• Karter Casperson, Pleasant Grove def. Judson Yorgason, Westfield, MD 21-8
• Zion Talia, Northridge def. Kingston O’Bannon, Salem Hills, Fall 5:08
• Hyrum King, Spanish Fork def. Parker Whetton, Box Elder, Fall 3:02

Friday’s semifinals

• Lisiate Valeti, Springville vs. Karter Casperson, Pleasant Grove
• Zion Talia, Northridge vs. Hyrum King, Spanish Fork

215 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Porter Jones, West Jordan def. Avirey Miller, Box Elder, Fall 1:59
• Noah Ramboz, Clearfield def. Jaxon Grant, Salem Hills, Fall 3:31
• Mack Youngberg, Viewmont def. Owen Ellsworth, Northridge, Fall 1:34
• Ethan Ure, Payson def. Radly Martin, Granger, TF-1.5 2:52 (15-0)
• Wyatt Hanssen, Wasatch def. Logan Packer, West Jordan, Fall 0:32
• Cyrus Armenta, Cyprus def. Hogan Mumford, Box Elder, TF-1.5 4:58 (17-1)
• Tuiono Valeti, Springville def. Emmanuel Ramos, Granger, Fall 0:50
• Viliami Tapa, Woods Cross def. James Nielsen, Alta, Fall 2:51

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Porter Jones, West Jordan def. Noah Ramboz, Clearfield, TF-1.5 3:43 (19-3)
• Mack Youngberg, Viewmont def. Ethan Ure, Payson, MD 8-0
• Wyatt Hanssen, Wasatch def. Cyrus Armenta, Cyprus, Fall 0:28
• Tuiono Valeti, Springville def. Viliami Tapa, Woods Cross, Fall 3:38

Friday’s semifinals

• Porter Jones, West Jordan vs. Mack Youngberg, Viewmont
• Wyatt Hanssen, Wasatch vs. Tuiono Valeti, Springville

285 pounds

Thursday’s first round

• Carter Rudolph, Roy def. Brodrick Lee, Woods Cross, Fall 2:57
• Brandon Swain, Viewmont def. Richard Jordan, Fremont, Dec 7-3
• Logan Tull, Wasatch def. Desert D Ale, Pleasant Grove, MD 15-3
• Kyler Olson, Spanish Fork def. Alex Vanisi, Kearns, Fall 3:04
• Moroni Mahe, Hillcrest def. Lincoln Frost, Fremont, Fall 1:27
• Faaifoao Pili Jr, Granger def. Garrett Pickett, Clearfield, Fall 0:51
• Malakai Filimoe atu, Payson def. Ryan Rowley, Westfield, Fall 2:55
• Caleb Cefalo, Box Elder def. Rylen Rude, Northridge, Dec 9-3

Thursday’s quarterfinals

• Carter Rudolph, Roy def. Brandon Swain, Viewmont, Fall 4:44
• Kyler Olson, Spanish Fork def. Logan Tull, Wasatch, Fall 5:15
• Moroni Mahe, Hillcrest def. Faaifoao Pili Jr, Granger, Fall 1:54
• Malakai Filimoe atu, Payson def. Caleb Cefalo, Box Elder, Fall 3:59

Friday’s semifinals

• Carter Rudolph, Roy vs. Kyler Olson, Spanish Fork
• Moroni Mahe, Hillcrest vs. Malakai Filimoe atu, Payson

The San Francisco 49ers had one of the deepest draft classes in the NFL last offseason, taking 11 players in the 2025 NFL Draft, as they looked to get younger and add depth at key positions.

Defense was the name of the game early, as the 49ers took defensive players with their first five picks before selecting wide receiver Jordan Watkins at the end of the fourth round. Several players were forced into big roles early, and a number of rookies flashed in Year 1.

With the season over, let’s look back and evaluate every rookie’s season and what to expect in 2026. Earlier this month, I looked at all the rookies on defense and evaluated their seasons. Now, it’s time to look at the five offensive rookies and their production.

WR Jordan Watkins (Round 4, Pick 138)

As for a couple of players on the list, injuries were the name of the game for Watkins this season. He played in only four games for the 49ers, catching two passes for 26 yards. When considering his draft stock, that can be seen as disappointing, but maybe not out of the ordinary for a fourth-round pick on a talented team.

But Watkins had a really good offseason, consistently flashing as a speedy receiver, which the 49ers badly needed this season without Brandon Aiyuk.

However, injuries limited him for the first two months of the season, and he only made his NFL debut in Week 8, catching one pass while playing five offensive snaps. He caught another pass against the New York Giants the week after while playing six snaps, but only saw two in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Rams.

He played in only one more game this season while dealing with other injuries. The 49ers need more speed, so Watkins should compete in 2026, but he was behind a number of veterans who were inconsistent late in the season.

RB Jordan James (Round 5, Pick 147)

James was drafted to be a backup for the 49ers, who were returning Isaac Guerendo and Christian McCaffrey. But, seeking an upgrade at the spot, San Francisco traded for Brian Robinson before the season to back up McCaffrey.

That put James even lower on the depth chart for carries, so he didn’t make much of an offensive impact this year. A finger injury also limited him to only three games this season, and he had no touches on offense, although he did see some special teams snaps when playing.

This is another what-if. Guerendo doesn’t seem like the backup of the future, so an opening is there. But will the 49ers trust James to fill that role?

QB Kurtis Rourke (Round 7, Pick 227)

You can’t really evaluate this pick because the 49ers specifically drafted Rourke with 2026 and beyond in mind. The former Indiana quarterback was coming off a torn ACL and was expected to miss much of the 2025 season. With Mac Jones in place and Adrian Martinez as the No. 3 quarterback, there was no need to have much of an impact from Rourke in 2025.

Now, expect him to be the No. 3 quarterback behind Jones (assuming the 49ers keep him) in 2026, with the possibility of a bigger role in the future.

OL Connor Colby (Round 7, Pick 249)

Colby was one of San Francisco’s more important rookies this season in a variety of ways. He impressed during the offseason and was immediately thrust into a bigger role when Ben Bartch went down with a multi-week injury, stepping in at left guard to start the year.

That came with its ups and downs. Colby had his flashes in the run game, but definitely saw his fair share of struggles with pass protection and communication, and it was clear he wasn’t fully ready for the opportunity.

Offensive line is a position that takes time to develop, and getting one in the seventh round is primarily for depth purposes. That’s what Colby will be for the next few years, with the possibility to develop into a low-end starter late in his rookie contract.

WR Junior Bergen (Round 7, Pick 252)

This was a pick that I questioned at the time, and it feels like a big question mark one year in. Yes, the 49ers spent a late seventh-round pick here, so the expectations won’t be that high.

But Bergen was drafted primarily for his special teams help as a returner. He didn’t offer much as a receiver, which the 49ers prefer from their returners, and didn’t play in a single game this season. There just didn’t feel like much floor or upside here.

It feels like he’ll have an uphill battle to make the roster in 2026.

The Chargers will see a familiar face on the opposing sideline twice this season when they play the Raiders as Las Vegas is reportedly set to hire former Bolts head coach Mike McCoy as their assistant head coach. McCoy spent four seasons at the head of the Chargers and will now serve as a veteran voice in the ear of first-time head coach Klint Kubiak.

McCoy finished the 2025 season as the interim head coach of the Titans who fired Brian Callahan less than two years after his hire. Before being promoted in the interim, McCoy was a senior offensive assistant. Prior to joining the Titans staff, McCoy coached quarterbacks for the Jaguars from 2022-2024.

The former San Diego Chargers head coach took the team to the postseason in his first year with a 9-7 record. The Bolts finished 9-7 the next season, missing the playoffs, before finishing with records of 4-12 and 5-11 in his final two seasons.

NEED TO KNOW

• Silver medalists Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin tell PEOPLE how they balance their curling dreams with their respective careers as a lab technician and realtor
• Thiesse says she's "really lucky" to work at her mother's mercury testing company because it's "convenient for all the time off that I need"
• Dropkin, a realtor licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin, says he's grateful to his "great colleagues" and "understanding clients" for helping him bring home the silver medal

When they're not winning medals as Olympic curlers, Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of Team USA work regular jobs.

But balancing their day jobs with training to be an Olympian isn't easy. "As curlers, we are not full-time athletes," Thiesse, 31, tells PEOPLE from Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. "We play the sport becaue we love it, it's not because we're out there making a ton of money off of it."

Thiesse, who became the first American woman to medal in curling with Dropkin, 30, on Feb. 10, says that's why "it's really important for us to find jobs that support us and understand what our goals are and our dreams are."

Thiesse, nicknamed "girl Cory" by her and Dropkin's coach and who calls her teammate "boy Korey" to differentiate the athletes, works as a lab technician at a mercury testing company her mother owns in Duluth, Minnesota, which she calls "convenient for all the time off that I need."

"Otherwise, I don't know what I would do because we spend so much time on the road competing and leaving work to go train, so we're really lucky to have such a village surrounding us to be able to do what we do."

Dropkin, 30, echoes Thiesse's sentiment that they compete for the love of the sport, and says he's also found "passion in real estate" when he isn't curling.

"I got my license representing Minnesota and Wisconsin. I've got a lot of great colleagues that have supported my dreams and helped me out with showings and help my clients out," he says, adding, "Thankfully, a lot of understanding clients, they know that I'm wanting to pursue these dreams.

"I'm just so grateful for all of them and being able to bring this home and show my people my sphere, what I've worked so hard for, and it does take a village to really make this all happen," adds Dropkin, whose fiancée Gabby was in the stands to support him and Thiesse.

"We're just very appreciative to have people in our lives that support us and are flexible with what we're trying to do and what we're trying to achieve."

And as Thiesse takes the ice with the women's curling team on Feb. 12, Dropkin says he plans to be "in the stands being the loudest cheerleader out there,"

"I've already lost my voice being a cheerleader for us, and for her, I'm going to do the same," he tells PEOPLE.

To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.

Read the original article on People

Another day of competition is in the books at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Athletes from more than 90 countries are battling in 116 events over 16 days, and USA TODAY is keeping a tally of every nation finishing on the podium. Here's a look at the latest medal standings after all the action wrapped up on Thursday, Feb. 12.

Find the upcoming medal event schedule below.

USA TODAY Sports has a team of more than a dozen journalists on the ground in Italy to bring you behind the scenes with Team USA and keep you up to date with every medal win, big moment and triumphant finish. Get our Chasing Gold newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts.

Broadcast coverage of the 2026 Milano Cortino Winter Olympics is airing exclusively airing across NBC's suite of networks with many competitions airing live on its streaming service, Peacock, which you can sign up for here .

What is the medal count at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics?

All data accurate as of Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at 4:54 p.m.

Meet Team USA 2026: Get to know the athletes behind the games

• 1. Italy: 17 Total (6 Gold, 3 Silver, 8 Bronze)
• 2. Norway: 14 Total (7 Gold, 2 Silver, 5 Bronze)
• 3. United States: 14 Total (4 Gold, 7 Silver, 3 Bronze)
• 4. Austria: 12 Total (3 Gold, 6 Silver, 3 Bronze)
• 5. Japan: 10 Total (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 6 Bronze)
• 6. Germany: 9 Total (4 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze)
• 7. Sweden: 8 Total (4 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze)
• 8. France: 8 Total (3 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze)
• 9. Switzerland: 7 Total (4 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze)
• 10. Canada: 7 Total (0 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze)
• 11. Netherlands: 6 Total (3 Gold, 3 Silver, 0 Bronze)
• 12. South Korea: 4 Total (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze)
• 13. China: 4 Total (0 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze)
• 14. Czech Republic: 2 Total (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze)
• 15. Slovenia: 2 Total (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze)
• 16. New Zealand: 2 Total (0 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze)
• 17. Bulgaria: 2 Total (0 Gold, 0 Silver, 2 Bronze)
• 18. Australia: 1 Total (1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze)
• 19. Latvia: 1 Total (0 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze)
• 20. Poland: 1 Total (0 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze)
• 21. Belgium: 1 Total (0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze)
• 22. Finland: 1 Total (0 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze)

2026 Winter Olympics medal events schedule

Feb. 13

• CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Men's 10km Interval Start Free
• BIATHLON: Men's 10km Sprint
• SNOWBOARDING: Women's Cross Final
• SPEED SKATING: Men's 10000m
• FIGURE SKATING: Men's Free Skate
• SNOWBOARDING: Men's Halfpipe Final
• SKELETON: Men's Heat 4

Feb. 14

• FREESTYLE SKIING: Women's Dual Moguls Final
• CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Women's 4x7.5km Relay
• ALPINE SKIING: Men's Giant Slalom Final
• BIATHLON: Women's 7.5km Sprint
• SPEED SKATING: Men's 500m
• SKELETON: Women's Final
• SKI JUMPING: Men's Large Hill
• SHORT TRACK: Men's 1500m

Feb. 15

• BIATHLON: Men's 12.5km Pursuit
• FREESTYLE SKIING: Men's Dual Moguls Final
• CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Men's 4x7.5km Relay
• ALPINE SKIING: Women's Giant Slalom
• SNOWBOARDING: Mixed Team Cross Final
• BIATHLON: Women's 10km Pursuit
• SPEED SKATING: Women's 500m
• SKELETON: Mixed Team
• SKI JUMPING: Women's Large Hill

Feb. 16

• SHORT TRACK: Women's 1000m
• ALPINE SKIING: Men's Slalom
• FIGURE SKATING: Pair Skating Free Skate
• FREESTYLE SKIING: Women's Big Air Final
• SKI JUMPING: Men's Super Team Final Round
• BOBSLED: Women's Singles

Feb. 17

• NORDIC COMBINED: Large Hill/10km: 10km
• SNOWBOARDING: Women's Slopestyle Final
• BIATHLON: Men's 4x7.5km Relay
• SPEED SKATING: Men's, Women's Team Pursuit Finals
• BOBSLED: Men's Doubles

Feb. 18

• CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Women's, Men's Team Sprint Free Final
• FREESTYLE SKIING: Women's Aerials Final
• SNOWBOARDING: Men's Slopestyle Final
• ALPINE SKIING: Women's Slalom
• BIATHLON: Women's 4x6km Relay
• SHORT TRACK: Women's 3000m Relay
• SHORT TRACK: Men's 500m

Feb. 19

• FREESTYLE SKIING: Men's Aerials Final
• SKI MOUNTAINEERING: Women's, Men's Sprint
• NORDIC COMBINED: Team Sprint/Large Hill 2x7.5km
• ICE HOCKEY: Women's Final
• SPEED SKATING: Men's 1500m
• FIGURE SKATING: Women's Free Skate

Feb. 20

• FREESTYLE SKIING: Women's Cross Final
• BIATHLON: Men's 15km Mass Start
• SPEED SKATING: Women's 1500m
• CURLING: Men's Bronze Medal Game
• FREESTYLE SKIING: Men's Halfpipe Final
• SHORT TRACK: Men's 5000m Relay Final
• SHORT TRACK: Women's 1500m Final

Feb. 21

• CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Men's 50km Mass Start Classic
• FREESTYLE SKIING: Mixed Team Aerials Final
• FREESTYLE SKIING: Men's Cross Final
• SKI MOUNTAINEERING: Mixed Relay
• CURLING: Men's Gold Medal Game, Women's Bronze Medal Game
• BIATHLON: Women's 12.5km Mass Start
• SPEED SKATING: Men's, Women's Mass Start
• FREESTYLE SKIING: Women's Halfpipe Final
• ICE HOCKEY: Men's Bronze Medal Game
• BOBSLED: Women's Doubles: Heat 4

Feb. 22

• CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Women's 50km Mass Start Classic
• CURLING: Women's Gold Medal Game
• BOBSLED: Men's Quads Final
• ICE HOCKEY: Men's Gold Medal Game

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Olympic medals today: What's the 2026 medal count after Feb. 12 events?

Barcelona were comprehensively beaten by Atletico Madrid on Thursday in their first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie, with goals from Eric Garcia (OG), Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez.

Joan Garcia – 5

Gifted the opening goal to Atleti after failing to control Eric’s back-pass. It was an off-night for the Barcelona goalkeeper, who could not stop any of the other three goals.

Jules Kounde – 6

Ademola Lookman got the better of him, but the deficit was only four thanks to him. He made two excellent goal-saving blocks, one in each half.

Image via Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Pau Cubarsi – 5

He’s been off-colour this season, and this was another poor showing. However, he was unfortunate to have a goal ruled out by a marginal offside.

Eric Garcia – 5.5

A rare blip in an otherwise stellar season. He conceded an own goal and was sent off late on, although neither incident can be blamed on him.

Alejandro Balde – 5

Struggled up against Giuliano Simeone and Nahuel Molina.

Frenkie de Jong – 5

Failed to establish any sort of control in midfield, aside from a period early in the second half.

Marc Casado – 4.5

He struggled again, and on 36 minutes, he was sacrificed with the score already at 3-0 to allow Robert Lewandowski to be brought on.

Lamine Yamal – 5.5

Atleti will very well to keep him quiet.

Fermin Lopez – 5

Failed to continue his good form. Like so many of his teammates in attack, he could not make any sort of decisive impact.

Dani Olmo – 5

Moved on to the left for this match, but he has no impact whatsoever.

Ferran Torres – 5

Did little in attack, and his poor pass led to Eric being sent off late.

Substitutes

Robert Lewandowski – 5.5

Made no impact after being brought on during the first half.

Ronald Araujo – 6

Could not save the sinking ship.

Joao Cancelo – 6

Could not make a difference in defence or attack.

Gerard Martin – N/A

Brought on as cover after Eric’s red card.

Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford this evening, surrendering two valuable points in the Premier League title race. With Manchester City having secured victory against Fulham, the pressure was firmly on the Gunners to respond with a win of their own.

Mikel Arteta’s side travelled to a notoriously difficult ground knowing that any slip could prove costly. Brentford, enjoying a strong campaign, demonstrated from the outset why they have troubled several top sides this season. Organised and determined, the hosts frustrated Arsenal during the opening stages and prevented them from establishing early control.

Frustration in West London

Arsenal were the focus of much attention and expectation, but Brentford showed no intention of simply accommodating the league leaders. Playing with confidence at home, the Bees matched their opponents’ intensity and ensured the first half ended goalless. The Gunners struggled to create clear openings, prompting Arteta to introduce Martin Odegaard at the interval in search of greater creativity.

The change brought renewed impetus, and Arsenal eventually broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Noni Madueke found the net. At that stage, it appeared the Gunners had seized control and were poised to secure the three points they desperately required.

Brentford’s Resilient Response

Brentford, however, refused to concede defeat. They responded with purpose and were rewarded when Keane Lewis Potter scored the equaliser, restoring parity and shifting the momentum once more. Arsenal pushed forward in pursuit of a decisive second goal, but Brentford defended resolutely, with Caoimhín Kelleher producing an assured performance in goal.

The hosts also threatened on the counter attack, ensuring the contest remained finely balanced until the final whistle. Ultimately, both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils. While Brentford will take encouragement from their display, it is Arsenal who are likely to feel the greater disappointment as the title race tightens further.

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Arsenal scrape a draw at impressive Brentford

12 February 2026, 22:14

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12 February 2026, 18:45

Keith Andrews insists the table does not lie as they face Arsenal

12 February 2026, 18:00

Germany have quite an exciting year ahead. With a couple interesting friendlies in March, it only gets more interesting as Germany will look to redeem themselves at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after two extremely disappointing World Cups for Die Mannschaft. Soon after that tournament, the Germans will look to put together another strong campaign in the UEFA Nations League.

Today, Germany had their opponents for the 2026/27 Nations League campaign confirmed. As a Pot 1 team, Germany was set up for a fairly favorable draw, but the sixteen teams in Nations League A, are almost all strong sides.

From Pot 2, Germany could have drawn either Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, or Croatia. Germany drew Netherlands, who the Germans exceeded in the last Nations League campaign with a draw and a win over both matches. To most fans, this was probably the most difficult opponent that they could have had in this pot.

From Pot 3, Germany could have drawn either Serbia, Belgium, England, or Norway. Drawn alongside Germany and Netherlands, was Serbia. This outcome was extremely favorable, and possibly the most important draw that Germany could have had in the entire draw as they avoided England and Norway as a Pot 3 team.

From Pot 4, Germany could have drawn either Wales, Czechia, Greece, or Türkiye. Once again, Germany probably had the most favorable outcome in this pot matching up with Greece.

This was arguably a best-case scenario for Germany, as this group is very winnable, or at the least, achievable to finish in the top two, and advance to the quarter-finals. This is very comparable to last Nations League, where Germany played the Netherlands, Hungary, and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

As great as it is to succeed in this tournament, it also feels like a lost opportunity for Germany to test themselves against the top competition. Germany missed the chance to play a team like England over two legs, but should Die Mannschaft advance further in the tournament, there will be good teams waiting.

The exact kickoff times and venues will be announced in the near future. Here is the full draw:

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Atlético Madrid crushed FC Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final (4-0).

Driven by their star signing, Lookman, the rojiblanco club scored four rapid-fire goals in the first half.

Barça tried to respond after the break, but never managed to close the gap. Worth noting is the goal disallowed for Pau Cubarsi before the hour mark, after nearly eight minutes of VAR review.

Atlético is now in a very favorable position for a place in the final, but beware of a Catalan comeback at Camp Nou.

The return leg is scheduled for February 3rd at 9 p.m.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

The Iowa Lakes Community College baseball player killed in a bus crash that occurred in Northwest Iowa on Wednesday, Feb. 11, has been identified.

Carter Johnson, 19, of Rapid City, South Dakota, was identified as the one person killed in the crash during a news conference held Thursday, Feb. 12 by Iowa State Patrol Lt. Aaron Schmidt, according to the Des Moines Register ― part of the USA TODAY Network.

REQUIRED READING: 1 dead in bus crash carrying Iowa community college baseball team

The single-vehicle crash happened on an Iowa highway around 11 a.m. local time en route to a baseball game in Arkansas, with 33 passengers on board. All the passengers in the bus were taken to hospitals across Iowa.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for our community college community,” Iowa Lakes Community College president Scott Stokes said during a news conference Thursday. “Our students, faculty, staff and family have been deeply affected."

Johnson, affectionately known as "Tater," was a freshman outfielder for the Iowa Lakes Lakers, according to the team roster. He attended Rapid City Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota, before he arrived at Iowa Lakes Community College.

“Our baseball team is more than a roster. They’re a family,” Iowa Lakes athletics director Troy Larson said. “Carter was a great teammate, a friend and a valued member of our athletic community.”

Johnson was dead upon the arrival of local law enforcement to the accident scene, according to a news release from the Iowa State Patrol. Schmidt added that some of Johnson's teammates ― including some who traveled in a separate van ― were attempting CPR on Johnson when officials arrived on the scene.

Schmidt did not know the exact conditions of the crash victims during the press conference, but stated they were all recovering.

According to a report from KCCI, Iowa Lakes has canceled classes through the rest of the week, while Calhoun County Emergency Management has declared the crash a mass casualty incident due to the number of injuries, per a news release posted on Facebook. 

"Iowa Lakes is a strong community, and we will walk through this together," Larson said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carter Johnson identified as player killed in Iowa Lakes bus crash

NEW YORK — The Knicks are rounding out a roster they hope can compete for a championship with one big addition entering the mid-February NBA All-Star break.

The Knicks are signing 2022 No. 9 overall pick Jeremy Sochan to a minimum contract for the rest of the season, league sources told the New York Daily News. ESPN was first to report Sochan’s intention to sign with the Knicks following his buyout with the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

Sochan made the 2023 NBA All-Rookie Second Team with averages of 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He is a 28.7% career 3-point shooter who makes his impact on the defensive end and as a slashing playmaker on offense.

Sochan, according to ESPN, chose the Knicks from a field of 10 teams interested in the versatile defender’s services.

And the Knicks, according to league sources, targeted Sochan at the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline but ultimately traded Guerschon Yabusele to the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team deal that landed Jose Alvarado, who scored 26 points and made eight 3s in Wednesday’s victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks view both Sochan and Alvarado as trade deadline acquisitions.

Sochan, 22, has career averages of 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and roughly a steal and half of a block per game. He appeared in just 28 games in San Antonio this season before the Spurs waived him on Wednesday.

The Knicks, according to league sources, view Sochan was a young player with high upside as a versatile defender who can also handle the ball and make plays for his teammates on offense. The 6-foot-8 forward joins a thin Knicks frontcourt featuring Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson as the only experienced centers, plus OG Anunoby and rookie Mohamed Diawara as the only size-appropriate options at the four spot. He provides much-needed depth and size on the wings — albeit at the steep cost of perimeter spacing–to support Anunoby, Diawara, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and Landry Shamet.

Sochan joins an improved second unit set to support a stacked starting five of Towns, Anunoby, Bridges, Hart and Jalen Brunson. The Knicks now believe they can trust 15 players in their rotation, as Sochan joins Robinson, Alvarado, Diawara, Shamet, second-year players Tyler Kolek, Ariel Hukporti and Kevin McCullar Jr., plus the injured Miles McBride (pelvic surgery).

Sochan fell out of the Spurs’ rotation in early December, coinciding with the emergence of San Antonio’s 2025 No. 14 pick Carter Bryant. He has battled a quad strain and a wrist injury this season.

Sochan scored a season-high 16 points on 6-of-7shooting from the field in his first game of the season, a two-point Nov. 5 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He is shooting 25.7% from 3-point range this season and does not have a season shooting 31% or better from deep in his NBA career.

Sochan had 31 points and 14 rebounds in a Jan. 26, 2024 matchup where the Spurs used him at point guard alongside a rookie Victor Wembanyama for stretches.

The Knicks owned the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 seed with a 35-20 record entering the All-Star break. The Detroit Pistons (40-13) and Boston Celtics (35-19) hold the conference’s top-two seeds, respectively.

At the deadline, the Pistons traded scoring guard Jaden Ivey to the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team deal for sharpshooter Kevin Huerter. The Celtics traded scoring guard Anfernee Simons to the Bulls for two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic. And the Cleveland Cavaliers sent De’Andre Hunter and All-Star guard Darius Garland out in deals for perennial All-Star and ex-Brooklyn Net James Harden plus backup guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis. The Milwaukee Bucks also signed recently-waived Brooklyn Net Cam Thomas on the buyout market, and Thomas erupted for 34 points in a win over the Orlando Magic with Giannis Antetokounmpo watching in approval from the bench.

The Knicks join the pack of Eastern Conference title contenders shuffling their roster entering the All-Star break. Anunoby missed the Knicks’ final four games entering the break with a toe injury.

Falcons free agency rumor should interest Broncos, Chiefs, Cowboys, Vikings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Falcons have a decision to make on running back Tyler Allgeier's future as he is set to enter free agency.

Allgeier has been a solid contributor out of the backfield for Atlanta since joining the team in 2022 as a fifth-round pick. However, with the emergence of Bijan Robinson as one of the top playmakers in the sport, Allgeier's role has diminished.

Though the Falcons could still look to retain Allgeier, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer expects the young running back to find a new home in 2026.

"As for Tyler Allgeier, I’m presuming he’s gone and will get a nice payday somewhere. And it’s not that the Falcons don’t like Allgeier, but there’s a megacontract on the horizon for Bijan Robinson. I think it’s difficult to forecast a landing spot for him, though, because I’d put him behind Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker III in the free-agent running back pecking order," Breer wrote.

Allgeier rushed for 514 yards and eight touchdowns as Robinson's backup in 2025. He tallied two straight seasons with over 600 rushing yards in 2023 and 2024, and had a 1,000-yard campaign in 2022 during his rookie year as the starter.

Running back-needy teams, such as the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, and Minnesota Vikings, should all be interested in Allgeier.

The Broncos saw RJ Harvey have a promising rookie season, but pairing him with Allgeier would bolster Denver's running game.

Kansas City could also use an upgrade at running back over Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt. Allegeier is not a Pro Bowl-level player, but he could help the Chiefs and add some explosiveness to Kansas City's offense.

Dallas could lose Javonte Williams in free agency this offseason, but Allgeier would be a solid replacement for Brian Schottenheimer's squad.

Lastly, Minnesota may look to reset at running back, as Aaron Jones is declining. However, Jordan Mason did have an efficient season in 2025, so signing Allgeier to pair with the Georgia Tech standout would be a savvy move from the Vikings.

Allgeier isn't a high-level running back, but with increased carries, the BYU product can be a plus starter. He will also be fairly cheap to sign, so Denver, Kansas City, Dallas, and Minnesota should all have interest.

With Chargers defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand set to hit free agency this offseason, what could his next contract look like?

Spotrac lists Hand's market value at around $3.9 million.

After signing a one-year, $2.35 million deal with the Chargers last offseason, Hand delivered as a reliable interior presence, particularly against the run. Despite missing time due to a groin injury and playing 13 games, he recorded 29 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, 17 pressures, and his first career interception.

Hand will be one of the more dependable veteran defensive tackles available in free agency. Set to be 31 years old this season, he should attract interest from teams needing interior depth, especially those prioritizing run defense.

With the Chargers' cap flexibility and his price tag not expected to be that high, re-signing Hand is very possible. The veteran has proven his worth, is a good fit for the Bolts' scheme, and can disrupt both the run and pass.

If Hand leaves to sign with another team, Los Angeles will need to further address the defensive line in free agency or the draft, with the positional room consisting only of Teair Tart, Jamaree Caldwell, and Justin Eboigbe.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Da'Shawn Hand contract projection: Will Chargers re-sign free agent?

Arsenal missed the chance to extend their Premier League lead to six points as Brentford rattled the Gunners in a 1-1 draw on Thursday to give Manchester City hope in the title race.

Noni Madueke headed the leaders in front on the hour mark, but the Bees were well worthy of at least a point and levelled through Keane Lewis-Potter.

Arsenal's lead at the top of the table now stands at four points as they aim for a first league title in 22 years.

But Mikel Arteta's men still have to travel to second-placed City in the remaining 12 games of the season.

A point boosted Brentford's bid to qualify for European football for the first time as they remain in seventh.

Keith Andrews' side have only been beaten twice at home all season and Arsenal can count themselves fortunate not to have suffered just a fourth league defeat of the campaign.

David Raya foiled his former club with a stunning save to claw away Igor Thiago's powerful header with the best chance of the first half.

Arsenal were missing William Saliba and Kai Havertz through illness and injury respectively, but were boosted by the return of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka on the bench.

Arteta sent for Odegaard at half-time to turn the tide and the visitors started the second period with far more intent.

Arsenal's pressure had its reward when Madueke rose highest at the back post to head Piero Hincapie's cross back across Caoimhin Kelleher.

However, the visitors were guilty of trying to hold onto their advantage rather than continuing to take the game to Brentford.

Thiago stung the palms of Raya once more as the home side grew in confidence.

Lewis Potter should have levelled earlier when he headed wide from a corner when completely unmarked.

Arsenal's strength from set-pieces has played a huge role in putting them into pole position for the title.

But they struggled to cope with Brentford's own prowess from dead balls.

The equaliser arrived from one of Michael Kayode's long-throws propellled into the box, Sepp van den Berg won the flick-on, and Lewis Potter stole in ahead of Odegaard to head in.

Brentford were the far more likely winners in the final 20 minutes.

Cristhian Mosquera made a vital last-ditch tackle to deny Thiago.

The Brazilian's best chance for an 18th Premier League goal of the season came in stoppage time but he smashed inches over.

But Arsenal also had a chance to snatch victory at the death when Kelleher raced off his line to save from Gabriel Martinelli.

kca/iwd

Dricus Du Plessis showed respect to Israel Adesanya for accepting a risk matchup with Joe Pyfer in the UFC Fight Night 271 main event.

Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) defeated Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) by fourth-round submission in a highly anticipated middleweight title fight at UFC 305 in August 2024. The pair had plenty of heat going in, but ultimately settled their differences in the aftermath of the contest.

Their careers have since splintered, with Du Plessis keen to get the 185-pound belt back after losing it to Khamzat Chimaev, while Adesanya looks to snap a three-fight losing skid against Pyfer (15-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in the March 28 headliner at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle (Paramount+).

At 36, Adesanya recently admitted he "can see the finish line" to the end of his career. He is No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings, and still determined to make some more magic before he's done. Part of that, however, is fighting well down against the unranked Pyfer, who will be eager to change his own career outlook with a win.

“Just kudos to Adesanya for giving a guy like Pyfer a chance," Du Plessis told Fight Forecast. "He’s not close in the rankings, but it’s an exciting fight for the fans, and that just shows the quality of warrior he is. He’s putting his reputation on the line to fight an up-and-coming guy he doesn’t need to fight. He goes out there and says, ‘I want exciting fights,’ and this is exactly that."

Du Plessis, 32, said he's looking to an April return to the octagon, but has not signed a bout agreement for any opponent. He is determined to get a victory and secure a rematch with Chimaev, who is expected to make his first title defense against Nassourdine Imavov this year.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dricus Du Plessis praises Israel Adesanya for taking Joe Pyfer fight

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.

Since taking over as general manager of the Green Bay Packers in 2018, Brian Gutekunst has drafted 17 offensive linemen. 

That number figures to increase and could even reach 20 by the end of the 2026 NFL Draft. A potential target could be Gennings Dunker. The Iowa offensive lineman checks in at No. 73 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A three-star recruit out of Illinois, Dunker earned his first start at right guard during his redshirt freshman season. He then went on to start 38 games at right tackle for the Hawkeyes. 

“Dunker was a mainstay for the Hawkeyes offensive line,” Riley Donald, a contributor for Hawkeyes Wire, said. With three full years under his belt, he knew the system inside and out, while providing continuity to a unit that was built on experience.”

At 6-4, 320 pounds with 34-inch arms, Dunker certainly looks the part of an NFL offensive lineman. The Iowa product is a mauling run blocker and has a strong upper body to overwhelm defenders at contact. He plays with a mean streak and keeps his legs driving at contact to create movement and open up running lanes. Dunker seems to take pleasure in bullying defenders. 

“Gennings Dunker lives to bury other humans,” Donald said. “He is athletic enough to pull, strong enough to drive, and smart enough to understand leverage.”

In pass protection, he has the length to stay at tackle, and if he times up his punch, he can keep defenders at bay. However, he’s likely better in a phone booth, rather than playing on an island. He is a bit rigid, and he will struggle to stay in front of speed. He has the anchor to absorb power and has thunder in his hands. This past season, Dunker gave up two sacks and 10 pressures.

“Dunker can handle his own here just fine,” Donald said. “He has the height and length to keep defenders at bay and the technique to handle moves from defensive linemen.”

Fit with the Packers

The Packers are set to have Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan hit free agency, while Elgton Jenkins could potentially be a cap casualty. 

With those potential departures, the Packers will need to invest heavily in the offensive line as they look for a new starting center, a swing tackle and interior depth.

Adding a player like Dunker would give the Packers a player capable of challenging Belton for the starting right guard spot, while also providing depth at right tackle and guard.

"It's an Iowa offensive lineman," Donald said. "Don't overthink this. It really can be that simple sometimes. Draft the guy with a ton of experience who can move around and has already shown he can compete against the best. Sometimes the easiest answer is the right one. Gennings Dunker is both."

Dunker is a physical tone-setter. The Packers need an offensive lineman who plays with an edge. He'll blast open running lanes for Josh Jacobs.

With his versatility and run-blocking chops, Dunker could be a target for the Packers in the fourth round as they look for help in the trenches.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 73, Iowa OL Gennings Dunker

Manchester United have reportedly made a fresh transfer decision on goalkeeper Altay Bayindir even as Besiktas prepare to make a move for him in the summer.

Out of favour

Marginalised by the rise of Senne Lammens, Bayindir seems unlikely to remain at United unless he accepts being a peripheral figure.

Bayindir initially started the season as United’s main goalkeeper, with now-sacked head coach Ruben Amorim preferring him ahead of Andre Onana.

However, much like Onana, Bayindir failed to convince, making several mistakes in the opening six games of the campaign. Far from a reassuring presence, he was frequently overpowered during set-pieces and unable to consistently keep out efforts on goal.

United were forced to dip into the market and they signed Lammens from Royal Antwerp on deadline day. Lammens made his United debut in October, during a 2-0 victory over Sunderland and has started every game since.

A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Besiktas were keen on signing Bayindir just before the close of the winter window. United turned down their approach, insisting they were not interested in letting the 27-year-old depart and potentially leaving themselves short in the goalkeeping department.

Now, Turkish Football claim that the Red Devils’ stance has softened as Besiktas prepare to launch a second attempt to land Bayindir.

Bayindir transfer update

The news outlet writes, “Beşiktaş are preparing a significant move for Turkish international goalkeeper Altay Bayındır, with plans to lure the shot-stopper away from Manchester United during the upcoming summer transfer window, sources have told Turkish-Football.”

“The Black Eagles had explored a deal for Bayındır in the final days of the January window; however, Manchester United blocked the move due to a lack of immediate depth in their goalkeeping department.”

“Reports suggest the English giants are now more open to a sale in June, provided they can secure a replacement during the off-season.”

Besiktas are not concerned with Bayindir’s struggles in England. They still rate him highly and believe a return to the Super Lig will give him a good shot at restaking his claim in the national team.

It remains to be seen how Bayindir feels about moving to Besiktas, but there is every chance he will fancy going there and becoming the main man rather than staying on the bench at United, where he has little chance of dislodging Lammens.

Featured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images

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Atletico Madrid 4-0 Barcelona

Atletico Madrid put in their most impressive performance of the season as they swept aside Barcelona at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie.

The home side opened the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes, and they did so in bizarre circumstances. Minutes after making a brilliant save to deny Giuliano Simeone, Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia gifted a goal to Atleti. He failed to control a back-pass from Eric Garcia, and the ball rolled over the line before he could palm it away – it would not have mattered anyway, as the loose ball was turned home by Ademola Lookman.

8 minutes later, it got even better for Atleti, who went 2-0 up. Nahuel Molina cut the ball back to Antoine Griezmann, who took the ball away from two Barcelona players before finding the far corner, which sent the home supporters inside the Riyadh Air Metropolitano into raptures.

Atleti made it 3-0 on 33 minutes. Another mistake in the Barcelona defence ended with Julian Alvarez slipping in Ademola Lookman, who made it goals in back-to-back Copa del Rey matches. Los Colchoneros would then complete the scoring in first half stoppage time when Alvarez ended his goal drought with a fine strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Image via Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Barcelona need a response in the second half to give themselves any chance of getting back into the tie, and they thought they had scored the next goal on 52 minutes. Pau Cubarsi finished well after the back broke his way inside the penalty area, which made the scoreline 4-1. However, after a VAR check that lasted eight minutes, it was ruled that he was offside.

A miserable evening for the visitors was compounded late on when Eric was sent off after a foul on Alex Baena. A yellow card was initially shown, but it was upgraded to red after referee Juan Martinez consulted with VAR.

Barcelona need another special Remontada to reach final

Atleti will be firm favourites to reach the final, as they go in search for the Copa del Rey title. However, they will need to face a big response from Barcelona, who will go with everything during the second leg at the Spotify Camp Nou.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Young New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler is dealing with back inflammation and a lat issue, causing him to skip some bullpen sessions.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed the injury Thursday and made it seem minor, as did the right-hander, who turned 25 last week. Schlittler said his concern was “zero.”

“I’ve been dealing with it for a little bit so I just want to make sure I’m on top of it and get ready for opening day,” Schlittler said.

He made his major league debut on July 9 and went 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA in 14 starts. With a fastball that averaged 98 mph, Schlittler struck out 84 and walked 31 in 73 innings. He pitched eight shutout innings against Boston in the Wild Card Series, then allowed four runs — two earned — over 6 1/3 innings in the Division Series vs. Toronto.

“Obviously we’re very excited about him and expect him to be a key part of our rotation and still expect,” Boone said.

Schlittler underwent a test that Boone said “kind of came back good news.”

“Probably keep him off the mound for the next few days at least,” Boone said. “He’s continuing with his throwing program.”

New York already projects to start the season on March 25 without ace Gerrit Cole, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery last March 11, and Carlos Rodón, regaining arm strength following an operation on Oct. 15 to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and shave a bone spur.

Rodón is not likely to return to the Yankees before May and Cole is expected back sometime during the first half of the season. In addition, Clarke Schmidt will miss much of the season following UCL repair surgery on July 11.

Schlittler said he first felt the issue a few weeks ago and described it as minor inflammation and “maybe more lat, as well.” He hopes to pitch off a mound next week.

Asked whether he had dealt with the issue in the past, Schlittler said “last year, some on-and-off stuff.”

“For now, it’s just good to take care of it and make sure it doesn’t really turn into something that you start to worry about,” he said.

New York's projected rotation for the season's start includes Max Fried, Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers. Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, injured a lat during spring training last year and didn't make his season debut until Aug. 3.

Schlittler pitched 164 innings last year, including the postseason, well above his previous professional high of 120 2/3 in 2024. He took four weeks off after the playoffs, then started his offseason throwing program.

“There’s no really off time,” he said. "When it comes to baseball, you’re always working on all that."

Schlittler attended big league spring training last year, started the season at Double-A Somerset, then was promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on June 3. He was called up after just five starts with the RailRiders.

“I came in here last spring training kind of as a no one, a prospect, whatever it was, but I was really trying to learn things, coming here and get my work in. It was more an experience last year,” he said. “I feel like being over here now it’s like, 'Hey, I've earned that role. I'm going to go out there. I know exactly what I need to do.'”

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

As a child in Catholic school I was taught the difference between want and need. Needs: food, shelter, water, clean air to breathe. Wants were everything else, always tinged with a suspicion of selfishness. The implication was clear: wants were excessive, amoral, ungodly. So as a kid I never asked at a birthday party for the piece of cake I wanted, the one thick with frosted flowers; if the person cutting the cake handed me that slice, a tacit reward for being so altruistic, so agreeable, such a good girl, so be it, but I wouldn’t make my mouth say the words. I learned over time how to push down want and shape it into something acceptable, something that took just enough to satisfy a need but didn’t dare ask for more.

But yesterday, standing in a rain of blue and green confetti, watching the Seahawks victory parade, that want surged up suddenly, an aching feeling in my chest that was so acute I literally had to breathe around it.

Because I want this for the Mariners. So badly. I want the streets to be full of Mariners jerseys. For confetti in Northwest Green. For MVP chants to follow Cal Raleigh down the street, carrying an award earned in a ballroom and not in the court of public opinion. I want that compass rose S, something that has signified so much pain over the years as we’ve watched it sink lower in the standings, flying from every flag on every building.

I want the Mariners players to get to wave from their own custom-wrapped double decker buses. For J.P. Crawford, who has seen this organization and fanbase through so much, has had the captaincy passed down to him, has grown into a husband and father here, to get to wave to his adopted city. For Julio Rodríguez, who has not always been treated kindly by the city he threw both arms around to adopt, to have a moment of pure, untarnished joy. For the core of young pitchers who put their bodies on the line every night and push past pain and exhaustion, who push each other to be better, to have a moment to relax and take it all in. I want Josh Naylor to feel like he made a good choice, signing himself in partnership with this city for the next half-decade.

And I want the Mariners front office and staff members and clubhouse attendants and nutritionists and mental skills coaches and all the hundreds of people who touch the on-field product without ever being seen to get their due praise other than the tepid applause of a hurriedly-read list of names on Opening Day. Justin Novak the bullpen catcher who has a t-shirt for each member of the roster, even if he has to special-order some of them from Etsy. Ally the nutritionist who curates game-day snack boxes and smoothie flavors of the day written in a sunny penmanship that tempt grumpy professional athletes into taking care of themselves. Kaz the manual therapist who trained with Cirque de Soleil, taking care of bent and battered bodies. Pete the beloved clubhouse attendant who brings in a bucket of his own personal Halloween candy the last series of the season. All these people deserve their flowers, and not just on Opening Day.

I want this for Jerry Dipoto and Justin Hollander, proof their plan has worked, that the gambles and risks they’ve taken—or not taken—have been correct. For ownership to be rewarded for making a financial investment in the team, to realize that winning baseball is profitable and fun. I want this for Dan Wilson and the fierce protective love he feels over his players, all that he pours into them with no expectation of getting anything back. For all the nights after losses we walked by his office and saw him sitting in his chair staring into the middle distance, processing but in pain.

I want this for Rick Rizzs. Before he retires, while he is still the primary play-by-play voice of the Seattle Mariners, and our remaining direct link to Dave Niehaus, who never got the privilege of calling a World Series game. I want it, too, for all the broadcasters who have to make a good broadcast out of a bad game. (And maybe, selfishly, for the media members who have to do the same.)

But really I want it for the fans. For the people who haven’t quit on this franchise despite years of ineptitude, frustrating losses, head-scratching decisions, embarrassing meltdowns by members of the organization. All the shame we’ve carried over the years with this team, on the field and off. I want this for the people who know baseball isn’t boring, who drag friends to games and make them care about our sport, and grow the fanbase one soul at a time. For Mariners fans to get to feel the connection Seahawks fans felt yesterday, united in joy, the crowd shouting as one, bouncing chants up and down the street on a cold winter’s day. Right now that kind of connection feels so precious, a way of being in the world that isn’t complicated or fraught but just joyful, being in community with each other.

Last year I was not sad about the outcome of the ALCS. No, that’s not right—I wouldn’t let myself be sad. Because sadness meant wanting more than I felt like I had the right to ask for. It was a historic run by one of the best Mariners teams we’ve ever seen. It was logistically impossible, considering where they started the season, and yet came so close to being possible. It was enough that they made it this far. It was enough.

Now I know. It was not enough.

That became clear during the post-season media meeting, where eyes were still wet and the pain was still palpable. It sharpened over Fan Fest, the collective low-grade fury over the way the season ended and the steely determination to do better. It honed into a clear point with the trade for Brendan Donovan, slotting in the missing piece in a game the Mariners are determined not to lose again.

It’s scary, wanting things. Wanting opens you up to being vulnerable, exposed, hurt and disappointed. It feels bone-deep selfish: who am I to want this more than anyone else? I have always believed in parity, in fairness. No one gets everything. Be happy with what you’re given by grace and don’t ask for a second serving.

But I want. Want is a noun and a verb that answers itself: the lack of the thing (want, noun) creates the need for the thing (want, verb). And it’s time to make peace with that, to reframe it not as greed, and not as something owed, but purely as an object of desire. At Fan Fest, George Kirby spoke about how he and his fiancee practice manifestation, speaking things into existence (George, I have a feeling, never had trouble asking for what piece of cake he wanted). Because that is how it starts: Naming a thing, and being honest about it, is the first step to bringing it to you, of making it yours.

I saw a parade.

I want a parade.

Let’s go get a parade.

There’s been some movement in Green Bay this offseason, as far as the coaching staff and the front office go, but they also are maybe not the moves some fans want to see made. Today, I want to ask you what you think about the Packers’ additions and losses, but first, let’s look at what has and hasn’t changed.

Packers Coaches (Apparently) Returning

As far as communication to fans goes, Green Bay doesn’t really put in much of an effort. The New York Jets have rebuilt their entire offensive staff and have officially announced it already. The Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers have announced their full staffs today after making top-to-bottom changes.

There have been times when I’ve gone to the combine, and the Packers haven’t announced who will be on their coaching staff. One year, they waited until April to make the announcement. They’ll get around to it when they feel like it.

This is all to say: We don’t 100 percent know who the team even has under contract at this point. With that being said, we haven’t heard of any interviews for positions that haven’t already been filled, either. So it’s my working assumption that the following on-field coaches will be back in 2026. The only confirmation we have, so far, is that Matt LaFleur was signed to a multi-year extension this offseason.

• Head Coach: Matt LaFleur
• Offensive Coordinator: Adam Stenavich
• Passing Game Coordinator: Jason Vrable
• Running Backs: Ben Sirmans
• Tight Ends: John Dunn
• Offensive Line: Luke Butkus
• Defensive Line/Run Game Coordinator: DeMarcus Covington
• Special Teams Coordinator: Rich Bisaccia

Packers Coaches Who Left

All of these coaches left for new jobs in 2026. Outside of Jeff Hafley (head coach), Sean Mannion (offensive coordinator) and Sean Duggan (defensive coordinator), the Packers could have blocked these moves for on-field coaches, if they were under contract. Essentially, in the eyes of the NFL, there are three tiers of coaches: 1) head coaches, 2) offensive coordinators and defensive coordinators and 3) everyone else. Teams can’t prevent a coach from climbing a tier with another club, but they can stop a receivers coach from becoming a run game coordinator, for example.

• Quarterbacks: Sean Mannion (offensive coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles)
• Receivers: Ryan Mahaffey (run game coordinator/tight ends, Philadelphia Eagles)
• Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Hafley (head coach, Miami Dolphins)
• Linebackers: Sean Duggan (defensive coordinator, Miami Dolphins)
• Passing Game Coordinator: Derrick Ansley (passing game coordinator/defensive backs, Dallas Cowboys)
• Defensive Backs: Ryan Downard (secondary, Miami Dolphins)
• Defensive Analyst: Nathaniel Hackett (offensive coordinator, Arizona Cardinals)
• Assistant special teams: Byron Storer (special teams coordinator, Cleveland Browns)

Beyond just coaches, the Dolphins hired Jon-Eric Sullivan to be the team’s general manager. He took pro scout Venzell Boulware with him.

Coaches the Packers Hired

• Quarterbacks: Luke Getsy
• Receivers: Noah Pauley
• Defensive Coordinator: Jonathan Gannon
• Linebackers: Sam Siefkes
• Pass Game Coordinator: Bobby Babich
• Undefined (DBs): Daniel Bullocks
• Undefined (DL): Will Smart

Pauley (Iowa State/Penn State), Siefkes (Virginia Tech) and Smart (Vanderbilt) all come from the college level. Siefkes does have some pro experience in his background, though, as he previously coached linebackers under Gannon at Arizona. Pauley was also in for an offseason fellowship with the Packers, while he held his job at the college level.

Getsy was internally promoted from being a senior assistant to a full-time on-field coach after Mannion left. He previously served as the Packers’ quarterbacks coach from 2019 to 2021 before becoming the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator.

Babich and Bullocks are the only outside pro football hires at the assistant level. Babich, a member of QB Collective, was previously interviewed for Green Bay’s defensive coordinator opening in 2024. For those who aren’t aware, QB Collective is an offseason training program, which they call a “quarterback incubator,” that includes virtually everyone from the LaFleur-McVay-Shanahan tree. Previous coaches for QB Collective include Matt LaFleur, Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, Mike McDaniel, Kevin O’Connell, Kevin Stefanski, Mike Shanahan, Mike LaFleur, Chris Foerster (the Rams’ offensive line coach), Nathaniel Hackett and more.

LaFleur and Babich have probably known each other for a good while now. Instead of going to Green Bay in 2024, Babich was promoted from linebackers coach (previously served as safeties coach) to defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. It’s difficult to parse out when head coach Sean McDermott, since fired, did or didn’t take over play-calling in Buffalo, since everything has gotten so political there and all sides are blaming others for the team’s lack of postseason success.

Bullocks has been an on-field coach with the San Francisco 49ers since 2019. He served as the safeties coach from 2019 to 2022, was promoted to defensive backs coach in 2023 and then received the passing game coordinator title on top of that for the last two seasons. The 49ers didn’t have a good defense last year, as they lost a lot of talent due to injury, but that didn’t stop the Tennessee Titans from hiring San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to be their head coach.

If you want my thoughts on Gannon, you can find them here. In short, I think that Gannon is flexible with his front and who he sends as rushers, but he ultimately wants to root his system in quarters coverage, which he has run more than any team in the NFL over the last five years.

The Packers also hired former Auburn general manager Will Redmond to an undefined front office role. Based on the reporting, it seems like he will be helping the team in college scouting.

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So, what do you think of the offseason shakeups? Sound off in the comment section below.

Former Notre Dame and NFL tight end Kyle Rudolph is speaking out in defense of the Fighting Irish's football independence.

He also had positive words to say in support of current head coach Marcus Freeman.

Critics often wonder why Notre Dame gets to be independent in football -- though it does play five games a season against ACC teams, as part of a deal with that conference. All other Notre Dame sports teams play in the ACC.

During an interview, Rudolph said that the contract with NBC that allows the network to broadcast all Notre Dame home games, which runs through 2029, is what allows the Irish to stay independent.

He also said that Freeman's likability has helped the Irish gain some new fans and convert some former haters.

Rudolph played three seasons with the Irish before going to the NFL, where he had a long career with the Minnesota Vikings and brief stops with the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kyle Rudolph kept it real — Notre Dame’s rise has a name attached to it: Marcus Freeman.

"I think Marcus makes you want to root for a program that maybe you never would have rooted for in the past."

But why does ND get to be Independent and be relevant?

Kyle:
"You can say… pic.twitter.com/MCaGS7qhHP

— CathVSConf☘️ (@CathVSConf) February 11, 2026

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