Page 21 – CWEB

NFL News: Bengals trumpet belief in Jake Browning, add two QBs

CWEB

-

September 16, 2025

NFL News: Bengals trumpet belief in Jake Browning, add two QBs

Cincinnati is set to add two quarterbacks to the practice squad as the Bengals move ahead with Jake Browning at the controls in place of Joe Burrow.

Burrow, injured in Sunday’s win over the Jaguars, will undergo surgery on a Grade 3 turf toe injury with an expected recovery time that stretches into mid-December.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor professed “full confidence” in Browning as the QB1 with Cincinnati expected to elevate Brett Rypien to the 53-man roster from the practice squad to be the backup at Minnesota this week.

“It’s a rollercoaster,” Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase said. “Every game is going to be a rollercoaster. Every week from here on out, we’ve got to focus and execute. That’s the only thing. Our quarterback got (knocked) down, we’ve got to go ‘Next man up,’ and it’s on from there.”

Browning, 29, has played in 13 career games with 14 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions, including three picks in Sunday’s 31-27 win against Jacksonville.

“If you’re wearing a Bengals uniform on Sunday, I’m going to give you a chance and go down swinging,” Browning said of his demeanor.

The Bengals reportedly signed former Penn State and Packers quarterback Sean Clifford and former Dolphins, Jets and Bills quarterback Mike White to their practice squad on Tuesday.

White played in one game for the Bills in 2024 but his most memorable moment in the NFL was against the Bengals in 2021. Making his first NFL start, White threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Jets to a 34-31 win over the Bengals on Halloween. He also caught a two-point conversion from Jamison Crowder with 3:45 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Clifford, who grew up in Cincinnati, was a fifth-round pick of the Packers in 2023 and was the primary backup to Jordan Love as a rookie. Clifford was the No. 3 QB in Green Bay in 2024 and lost that job to Clayton Tune, also a fifth-rounder in 2023, during training camp and was released last month.

–Field Level Media

NFL News: Week 3 Power Rankings: Packers, Bills push Philly for top spot

CWEB

-

September 16, 2025

0

NFL News: Week 3 Power Rankings: Packers, Bills push Philly for top spot

While the NFL rests on a traditional off-day Tuesday, Field Level Media NFL writers reviewed their notes to rank all 32 teams entering Week 3.

Philadelphia (2-0) might not be showing its entire arsenal yet, but the reigning Super Bowl champs scored two high-profile wins to begin the season. The slow roll out of the gate might not thrill A.J. Brown or Eagles fans, but a gauntlet schedule and scheme serving a dual purpose – keep-away offense and protecting a remodeled defense – reveals why the plan from Nick Sirianni is more than sensible.

The Packers and Bills are tightly clustered behind the Eagles with a track to challenge for the top spot if Philly is tripped up.

There is a longer queue at the bottom of the rankings, where precious little separates the bottom five teams in the NFL as we take stock of the bottom-to-top pecking order through two weeks.

32. Carolina Panthers (0-2)
Last Week: L, 27-22 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Up Next: vs. Atlanta Falcons (1-1), 1 p.m. ET
Panthers had the ball with a chance to win at Arizona. Timing of losing two starting offensive linemen to IR limits counter-punch options for Carolina head coach Dave Canales, QB Bryce Young.

31. Cleveland Browns (0-2)
Last Week: L, 41-17 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Up Next: vs. Green Bay Packers (2-0), 1 p.m. ET
Say something nice or don’t say anything: Cleveland’s run defense is a beast, allowing 45.5 yards per game. And a free tip to the Browns: Joe Flacco sharing the league lead with 90 pass attempts in two games isn’t the way.

30. Tennessee Titans (0-2)
Last Week: L, 33-19 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Up Next: vs. Indianapolis Colts (2-0), 1 p.m. ET
Morale might nosedive in Nashville if the Titans can’t find a way to protect No. 1 pick Cam Ward. Rookie is still INT free, but has absorbed 11 sacks, led one TD drive in two games.

29. Miami Dolphins (0-2)
Last Week: L, 33-27 vs. New England Patriots
Up Next: at Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday)
Limping into AFC East play on a short week, the Dolphins were outscored by the Bills 61-37 in two losses last season and haven’t won in Buffalo since they beat Tyrod Taylor in 2016.

28. New Orleans Saints (0-2)
Last Week: L, 26-21 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Up Next: at Seattle Seahawks, 4 p.m. ET
Surprisingly competitive in Kellen Moore’s debut, the Saints are still a QB away from being a contender in the NFC South.

27. New York Giants (0-2)
Last Week: L, 40-37 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Up Next: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2), 8:20 p.m. ET (Sunday)
Steve Spagnuolo dialed up extra pressure 19 times on Jalen Hurts’ 25 passes last week, but the Eagles’ handsomely paid offensive line did its job. The Giants don’t have that kind of protection.

26. New York Jets (0-2)
Last Week: L, 30-10 vs. Buffalo Bills
Up Next: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0), 1 p.m. ET
Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen ripped through the Jets’ defense. Baker Mayfield has enjoyed plenty of success against Aaron Glenn’s defense – as coordinator of the Lions – in recent years.

25. Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)
Last Week: L, 20-9 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Up Next: at Washington Commanders (1-1), 1 p.m. ET
No. 31 in points per game (14.5) but the Raiders get to the quarterback, a recipe for a road win especially if Jayden Daniels (knee) is idle.

24. New England Patriots (1-1)
Last Week: W, 33-27 vs. Miami Dolphins
Up Next: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1), 1 p.m. ET
Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye are in position to secure the Patriots’ first back-to-back wins since November 2022 if New England can get to the quarterback.

23. Chicago Bears (0-2)
Last Week: L, 52-21 vs. Detroit Lions
Up Next: vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-1), 4:25 p.m. ET
Bad-to-worse News Bears: Their ailing secondary will be hard-pressed to hold up against the combination of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens unless Chicago can pressure Dak Prescott.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
Last Week: L, 31-17 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Up Next: at New England Patriots (1-1), 1 p.m. ET
Maybe rookie first-round DT Derrick Harmon will settle a run defense moved too easily. The offensive line issues have no such easy fix. Steelers averaged 62.5 rushing yards and have zero rushing TDs in two games.

21. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
Last Week: W, 40-37 vs. New York Giants
Up Next: at Chicago Bears (0-2), 4:25 p.m. ET
We knew at some point the defense would be challenged to keep up. We didn’t know that would mean turning Russell Wilson into vintage Russell Wilson in Week 2.

20. Arizona Cardinals (2-0)
Last Week: W, 27-22 vs. Carolina Panthers
Up Next: at San Francisco 49ers (2-0), 4:25 p.m. ET
First-place in the West is in play for Arizona after defense came up with stops in final minutes to beat Saints and Panthers.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
Last Week: L, 31-27 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Up Next: vs. Houston Texans (0-2), 1 p.m. ET
Good enough to win at Cincinnati, the Jaguars failed to get it done but recipe is right: second in NFL in turnover differential (+3) and fourth in total offense (389.0 yards per game).

18. Atlanta Falcons (1-1)
Last Week: W, 22-6 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Up Next: at Carolina Panthers (0-2), 1 p.m. ET
Beat another unproven QB at Minnesota, but this one felt different. Falcons were more physical, played fast to avoid 0-2 start. Past three victories are against these QBs: Desmond Ridder, Drew Lock, J.J. McCarthy. Before you chalk this up as a sure W for Atlanta, recall the 44-38 home loss to Bryce Young in the regular-season finale in January.

17. Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
Last Week: W, 31-17 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Up Next: vs. New Orleans Saints (0-2), 4:05 p.m. ET
Seahawks attempt to carry road warrior mentality back home and defense appears primed to take flight.

16. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
Last Week: W, 26-21 vs. New Orleans Saints
Up Next: vs. Arizona Cardinals (2-0), 4:25 p.m. ET
Common opponent — each team has a win at New Orleans — implies the 49ers and Cardinals are close to even footing. The Christian McCaffrey Revival Tour might say something different this week as Mac Jones works to move beyond game manager mode.

15. Indianapolis Colts (2-0)
Last Week: W, 29-28 vs. Denver Broncos
Up Next: at Tennessee Titans (0-2), 1 p.m. ET
Takeaway-happy defense holding its own, Daniel Jones has been nails and the Titans are in rebuilding mode.

14. Houston Texans (0-2)
Last Week: L, 20-19 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Up Next: at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1), 1 p.m. ET
Vaunted pass rush and secondary taking hits but Houston has allowed 34 points in two losses fronting for an offense that can’t stay on the field or score consistently.

13. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0)
Last Week: W, 31-27 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Up Next: at Minnesota Vikings (1-1), 1 p.m. ET
The margin for error is razor-thin with Jake Browning as QB1, but he’s surrounded by playmakers.

12. Minnesota Vikings (1-1)
Last Week: L, 22-6 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Up Next: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (2-0), 1 p.m. ET
Nonbelievers in Carson Wentz should rewind to the Sam Darnold Experience before he became a pupil of Kevin O’Connell. He’ll be better than you expect.

11. Washington Commanders (1-1)
Last Week: L, 27-18 vs. Green Bay Packers
Up Next: vs. Las Vegas Raiders (1-1), 1 p.m. ET
Commanders hung around at Green Bay, but the Jayden Daniels injury equates to a pitstop: How long before the A team is back on the field?

10. Denver Broncos (1-1)
Last Week: L, 29-28 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Up Next: at Los Angeles Chargers (2-0), 4:05 p.m. ET
Swept by the Chargers last season, Bo Nix gets a third shot at solving the riddle. This version of the L.A. defense won’t have Khalil Mack (elbow) or Joey Bosa, who is now in Buffalo.

9. Los Angeles Rams (2-0)
Last Week: W, 33-19 vs. Tennessee Titans
Up Next: at Philadelphia Eagles (2-0), 1 p.m. ET
Matthew Stafford showing no signs of breakdown after a shaky summer and Rams lead the NFL in points allowed (14.0 per game).

8. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2)
Last Week: L, 20-17 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Up Next: at N.Y. Giants (0-2), 8:20 p.m. ET (Sunday)
Kansas City is back in the primetime slot on “Sunday Night Football” after dropping two one-score games. A loss invites sky-is-falling conversations.

7. Los Angeles Chargers (2-0)
Last Week: W, 20-9 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Up Next: vs. Denver Broncos (1-1), 4:05 p.m. ET
Justin Herbert doing MVP things in the early going. A win in first true home game of the season provides a substantial edge in the AFC West standings before September ends.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
Last Week: W, 20-19 vs. Houston Texans
Up Next: vs. New York Jets (0-2), 1 p.m. ET
Baker Mayfield has never lost the plant-the-flag mentality that made him the No. 1 pick of the Browns coming out of Oklahoma. As Bucs inch closer to full health, they’re looking even more dangerous at 2-0 for the fifth year in a row.

5. Detroit Lions (1-1)
Last Week: W 52-21 vs. Chicago Bears
Up Next: at Baltimore Ravens (1-1), 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday)
There’s getting healthy and then there’s the beatdown the Lions put on the Bears in Week 2. Beating Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in Baltimore would put an exclamation point on Detroit’s first three weeks.

4. Baltimore Ravens (1-1)
Last Week: W, 41-17 vs. Cleveland Browns
Up Next: vs. Detroit Lions (1-1), 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday)
Outscoring opponents is exciting but Baltimore already knows it’s not a sustainable Super Bowl strategy. Ravens are desperate to rediscover defensive identity with major challenge ahead Monday night.

3. Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Last Week: W, 30-10 vs. New York Jets
Up Next: vs. Miami Dolphins (0-2), 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday)
Nobody has much to say about the Bills’ defense at the moment. That’s because Buffalo has scored 71 points in two games and owns the Dolphins, winning the past six over Miami.

2. Green Bay Packers (2-0)
Last Week: W, 27-18 vs. Washington Commanders
Up Next: at Cleveland Browns (0-2), 1 p.m. ET
A risky proposition rolling into Cleveland with a backup right tackle lined up across from Myles Garrett, but the Packers have been the NFL’s most complete team to date.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0)
Last Week: W, 20-17 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Up Next: vs. Los Angeles Rams (2-0), 1 p.m. ET
An affront to modern-day offense or a throwback revelation, the Eagles are winning their way and daring teams to stop it. So far, so good.

–Field Level Media

Wings’ Paige Bueckers claims Rookie of Year honors

CWEB

-

September 16, 2025

0

Wings’ Paige Bueckers claims Rookie of Year honors

Paige Bueckers claimed WNBA Rookie of the Year honors on Tuesday to punctuate her record-setting campaign.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft is the first Dallas Wings player to win the award since Allisha Gray in 2017.

The All-Star guard received 70 of 72 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, with the other two going to Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron.

Bueckers, 23, averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 36 starts. She led all rookies in total points (692), points per game, total assists (194) and assists per game.

She became the first rookie in WNBA history to average at least 15.0 points and 5.0 assists while shooting better than 45.0 percent from the field (47.4 percent).

Bueckers broke the league’s single-game rookie scoring record with 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks on Aug. 20.

The former UConn star was the only player in the WNBA to finish in the top 10 in points, assists and steals per game.

–Field Level Media

NHL News: Rangers stitch captain ‘C’ on J.T. Miller

CWEB

-

September 16, 2025

0

NHL News: Rangers stitch captain ‘C’ on J.T. Miller

Forward J.T. Miller was named captain of the New York Rangers on Tuesday.

Acquired in a Jan. 31 trade from Vancouver, Miller is the 29th captain in team history. The last captain for the Rangers was defenseman Jacob Trouba, who was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in December 2024, weeks before Miller’s arrival.

“We’re pleased to announce J.T. Miller as the new captain of the New York Rangers,” general manager Chris Drury said. “Since his arrival last season, J.T. immediately became a leader for our group and exemplifies how we want to conduct ourselves both on and off the ice. Congratulations to J.T. and his entire family on an incredibly meaningful achievement and we’re confident he will continue to represent our organization with class, commitment, and integrity.”

Miller, 32, tallied 70 points (48 assists) in 72 total games last season and had 35 points (22 assists) for the Rangers upon arrival from the Canucks. He was the only player in the NHL with 70 points and 160 hits last season.

Originally selected by the Rangers with the 15th pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, Miller has 709 points (260 goals, 449 assists) in 871 regular-season games. He played in the Stanley Cup Final with the Rangers in 2014 and has 56 points (12 goals, 44 assists) in 91 postseason games.

–Field Level Media

MLB News: Astros await word on Yordan Alvarez as Rangers series continues

CWEB

-

September 16, 2025

0

MLB News: Astros await word on Yordan Alvarez as Rangers series continues

The Houston Astros can only hope life without Yordan Alvarez goes as well on Day 2 as it did on Day 1 when they seek a second consecutive victory over the visiting Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.

Having already missed 100 games with a fractured right hand, Alvarez slipped on home plate while scoring from first base on a first-inning infield single that led to a throwing error by Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter on Monday.

Alvarez limped noticeably to the dugout, had a hard time negotiating the downhill steps, then went to the clubhouse rather than back to left field when the Astros took the field for the second inning.

After Houston completed a 6-3 win, Alvarez waved off reporters en route to the exit, using crutches with his left foot in a boot. The Astros later announced he would have an MRI exam on Tuesday.

That not only puts into question his availability for the rest of the series — the three-game set wraps up Wednesday — but also potentially the three-game showdown with the Seattle Mariners beginning Friday in Houston.

The Astros (82-69) will take the field Tuesday a half-game behind the first-place Mariners (82-68) in the American League West. Houston in turn holds a three-game edge on the Rangers (79-72) in a multi-team duel for the final AL wild card.

The Astros proceeded seamlessly after Alvarez’s departure, moving Jesus Sanchez from right field to left field and inserting Zach Cole into right.

Both did a nice Alvarez impersonation. Cole contributed a two-run homer and an RBI single to the win, while Sanchez doubled, scored a run and gunned down Johah Heim at the plate trying to score the tying run in the seventh inning.

“That’s good managing there, putting that young man (Cole) in the lineup,” Astros manager Joe Espada said with a laugh at his postgame press conference. “Jesus Christ. He’s playing (Tuesday).”

If Sanchez returns to Alvarez’s outfield position in the Tuesday rematch, he would face a familiar rival in Texas’ Merrill Kelly (12-7, 3.21 ERA). The former National Leaguers have dueled 14 times, with Sanchez going just 2-for-12 with a home run.

Victor Caratini is 4-for-12 vs. Kelly, while Cole, who has played just four big-league games, has never seen the veteran right-hander.

Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in July, Kelly has gone 3-1 with a 3.19 ERA in eight starts since joining Texas. The Rangers won the past four games he started, including a 4-3, 12-inning victory over the Astros on Sept. 5, when Kelly allowed just one run in seven innings.

The 36-year-old has gone 0-1 despite a 0.93 ERA in three career starts against the Astros.

Another pitcher with lifetime success against his Tuesday opponent is Astros right-hander Cristian Javier (1-3, 4.78 ERA). He is 6-1 with a 3.71 ERA in 15 games, including 11 starts, vs. the Rangers.

The 28-year-old will be making just his seventh start of the season after missing more than a year due to Tommy John surgery. In his past two outings, he allowed four runs each time in losses to the New York Yankees on Sept. 4, when he was done after 4 1/3 innings, and the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday, when he lasted six innings.

With both teams missing key players at the worst possible time, including Texas’ middle-infield combination of Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy just hopes his team has the better depth.

“It’s important that everybody does something to help out,” he said. “Not just one or two guys. When you’re missing your core players, you’re looking for something to carry the weight. The young guys, the veterans … everybody is doing something to help win.”

–Field Level Media

NCAAF News: WVU board of governors vow more athletics funding

CWEB

-

September 16, 2025

0

NCAAF News: WVU board of governors vow more athletics funding

West Virginia University Board of Governors approved a resolution on Monday to increase funding for the Mountaineers athletic department.

The intention is to develop “a financial plan that positions the University in the top funding tier among Big 12 institutions, while simultaneously strengthening the University’s paramount core academic mission,” according to press release.

Board of Governors chair Robert “Rusty” Hutson Jr. said in a statement, “A strong and visible Athletics program is essential to advancing student enrollment, enriching the student experience, strengthening alumni and donor engagement, supporting recruitment of talented faculty and staff and providing a source of pride and connection for Mountaineer fans in West Virginia and around the world.”

Athletic director Wren Baker added in a statement, “WVU Athletics is at a pivotal moment as we enter a new era of college sports, and with the steadfast support of our Board of Governors through this resolution, we will be positioned to meet that moment from a place of strength.”

On Friday, Governor Patrick Morrisey met with the Board of Governors to discuss having his administration work partner with the school.

“I think it’s always important to align interests,” the governor said, according to WBOY.com. “When you’re talking about the state of West Virginia and its goals, you want the flagship to really be aligned in terms of the future.

“We have such an amazing potential to be this big job creator. West Virginia can rise on our energy resources and on all its amazing strengths, and when WVU succeeds, the state succeeds. When Marshall succeeds, the state succeeds. That’s what we’re working on doing.”

–Field Level Media

MLB News: After tweak sparks win, Reds continue playoff push vs. Cardinals

CWEB

-

September 16, 2025

0

MLB News: After tweak sparks win, Reds continue playoff push vs. Cardinals

After his team endured a three-game sweep against the Athletics over the weekend, Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona shuffled his batting order against the Cardinals in St. Louis.

He moved slumping shortstop Elly De La Cruz out of his usual No. 3 slot for the first time this season. De La Cruz walked twice and hit a double while batting seventh as the Reds rolled to an 11-6 victory on Monday.

The Reds will try to sustain that offense Tuesday night in the middle game of a three-game set.

Cincinnati (75-75) and the San Francisco Giants (75-75) are both two games back of the New York Mets in the race for the final National League wild-card slot. Meanwhile, the Cardinals (73-78) have fallen 4 1/2 games back thanks to losing six of seven games.

De La Cruz has not hit a homer since July 31, and that was his lone long ball in his past 71 games dating back to June 24.

Francona sought to take pressure off De La Cruz while giving his offense a new look.

“I value consistency so much,” the manager said. “Sometimes, I think that can turn into stubbornness. I believe in Elly so much, and I don’t want people pointing fingers at him because we’re going to do things as a ballclub — good things and when they don’t go so well.

“But I do think this can take a little bit of the glare off of him.”

The Reds will give the ball on Tuesday to Andrew Abbott (9-6, 2.79 ERA). The left-hander held the San Diego Padres to one run on five hits in eight innings in his latest start, a 2-1 victory on Wednesday. He struck out six and walked two.

This season, Abbott is 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA in three starts against the Cardinals. He struck out 13 in 16 innings during those contests, but he walked eight.

Abbott is 4-3 with a 3.74 ERA in eight career starts against St. Louis.

He might have Spencer Steer in the lineup behind him on Tuesday. The first baseman could return to action after he was scratched on Monday because of neck spasms.

The Cardinals got Nolan Arenado back on Monday for the first time since July 30. He went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI after finally recovering from shoulder soreness.

“I loved it,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “He did a nice job at third, he did that all year, then swung the bat well, drove in that run. I’m really happy to see him back in the lineup.”

On the flip side, the Cardinals lost first baseman Willson Contreras to right biceps tightness in the game.

“I think he’s going to have a couple days off to let that thing kind of die down a little bit,” Marmol said.

The Cardinals will start rookie Michael McGreevy (6-3, 4.44 ERA), who allowed just one run on five hits in six innings at Seattle in his latest start on Wednesday. He struck out four Mariners and walked none.

McGreevy had a similar outing against the Reds in his lone career start against them. He earned a 4-2 victory on Aug. 30 at Cincinnati while allowing one run on five hits in six innings. The 25-year-old right-hander walked two without recording a strikeout.

–Field Level Media

NCAAF News: Oklahoma St. ‘enthusiastic’ about moving past trouncing, faces Tulsa

CWEB

-

September 16, 2025

0

NCAAF News: Oklahoma St. ‘enthusiastic’ about moving past trouncing, faces Tulsa

Oklahoma State will try to bounce back from its worst loss in 118 years and find some semblance of consistency before conference play begins when Tulsa visits Stillwater, Okla., on Friday for the 78th rendition of the Turnpike Classic.

The Cowboys (1-1) return to the field after an open date Sept. 13 and on the heels of a 69-3 shellacking at then-No. 6 Oregon on Sept. 6. The defeat was the worst since a 67-0 loss at Oklahoma in 1907 and the worst in coach Mike Gundy’s 21-years at the helm at Oklahoma State, supplanting a 52-0 loss at Colorado to end the 2024 season.

Given those historical lows, the open week could not have come at a better time for the Cowboys.

“We had good practices last week — four practices,” Gundy said Monday at his weekly news conference. “Came back, had a little workout last night. They’ve done well and were emotional and enthusiastic and all those things.”

Gundy said his team worked on simplifying things in all phases of the game.

“We tried to do too much just based on (Oregon’s) talent,” Gundy said. “Instead of just being good at who we are and what we can get accomplished.”

Part of the growing process is getting more reps for redshirt freshman quarterback Zane Flores, who went 7-for-19 passing for 67 yards and uncorked two third-quarter interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in the loss to Oregon.

“I’ve said this for years and I’m going to say it again: There’s no fast forward button in my opinion with a young quarterback,” Gundy explained about Flores. “It takes time, and it takes experience.”

Tulsa (1-2) is coming off a 42-23 loss at home to Navy on Sept. 13. Baylor Hayes passed for 189 yards and a TD and ran for another score in the setback, the Golden Hurricane’s second straight after beating Abilene Christian at home to open the season.

Tulsa coach Tre Lamb said on Monday both Hayes and Kirk Francis will practice this week, with the starting quarterback role to be determined later based on performance.

“I have no clue who we’re going to start,” Lamb said. “I’m going to reward the reps to the guy that moves the ball in practice.

“The big thing we’re missing right now offensively is chunk plays more than anything. We’ve got to find some playmakers quickly, or it’s going to be a long season.”

Oklahoma State has won the past 10 contests in the series, including a 45-10 victory last year in Tulsa, and has captured 23 straight against the Golden Hurricane in Stillwater, with its last home loss to Tulsa coming in 1951.

–Field Level Media

MLB News: Zebby Matthews, Twins plot to keep Yankees’ bats quiet

CWEB

-

September 16, 2025

0

MLB News: Zebby Matthews, Twins plot to keep Yankees’ bats quiet

The New York Yankees might benefit from a full night’s rest heading into their next game.

New York will try to even a three-game series at one win apiece when it faces the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

The Yankees looked lifeless at the plate in the series opener on Monday, when they fell 7-0. Manager Aaron Boone’s team notched only two hits in the loss.

“It felt like we had some chances early and didn’t take advantage,” Boone said. “Just not a good night for us offensively.”

The defeat followed a long night for the Yankees, who played the Red Sox in prime time on Sunday in Boston before boarding a late flight to Minneapolis for a game less than 24 hours later.

With the loss, the Yankees (83-67) fell five games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays (88-62) in the American League East with 12 games remaining in the regular season.

New York remains on top of the AL wild-card standings. The Yankees have a one-game lead over Boston (82-68), which holds the second wild-card spot, and a 1 1/2-game lead over the Houston Astros (82-69).

The Twins (66-84) have no such hopes of reaching the postseason. They already have been eliminated from contention, but manager Rocco Baldelli still sees opportunities for bright spots in the season’s final 12 games.

One such positive happened Monday as Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson tallied a career-high 11 strikeouts in six scoreless innings.

Baldelli believes the victory was important for his team’s confidence.

“Seeing the entire team step up, play aggressively, pull away — there were just real positive things going on all the way around,” Baldelli said. “That’s going to bring a smile to my face.”

Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler (3-3, 3.05 ERA) is scheduled to make the 12th start of his rookie campaign on Tuesday. The 24-year-old from Northeastern University has 63 strikeouts in 56 innings.

Schlittler is aiming to win back-to-back starts for the first time in his brief big-league career. He earned a victory on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers, who managed only one run on five hits in six innings against him.

This will be Schlittler’s second career start against the Twins. He faced them at home Aug. 13, when he allowed one run on two hits in five innings but drew a no-decision.

Meanwhile, Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews (4-5, 5.06 ERA) is set to make his 15th start. He is looking to bounce back from a rocky performance last week against the Los Angeles Angels, who battered him for five runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Matthews, 25, has made one career start against the Yankees. He took the loss after giving up three runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings in New York on Aug. 11.

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge remains on 48 home runs and 102 RBIs for the season after going 0-for-1 and drawing three walks in the series opener. Judge has 12 home runs in 44 career games against the Twins.

–Field Level Media

NCAAF News: No. 21 Michigan out to cool off Nebraska in Big Ten opener

CWEB

-

September 16, 2025

0

NCAAF News: No. 21 Michigan out to cool off Nebraska in Big Ten opener

While Nebraska eyes its first victory over a ranked opponent since 2016, No. 21 Michigan seeks its fifth straight win over the Cornhuskers on Saturday in Lincoln in the teams’ Big Ten opener.

The Cornhuskers (3-0) have won their games by a combined 123 points, including back-to-back 68-0 and 59-7 victories. It was the first time they scored at least 50 in consecutive games since 2007.

“This is a whole other animal,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said of Michigan.

The Wolverines (2-1) are playing their second road game, the first since a loss at then-No. 18 Oklahoma on Sept. 6. That was under head coach Sherrone Moore, who was suspended by the school for the third and fourth games of this season and the first game of 2026 for his role in the NCAA sign-stealing scandal under previous head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Associate head coach Biff Poggi served as interim coach for last week’s 63-3 win over Central Michigan and will do so for this week’s Big Ten opener. This is Poggi’s third stint with the Wolverines, having been an analyst in 2016 and associate head coach in 2021-22 before two seasons as Charlotte’s head coach.

‘”I’ve been a lot of places, I’ve coached a lot of places … but Michigan, honestly, it’s just like home,” Poggi said. “I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.”

Nebraska allowed 202 rushing yards in the season-opening win over Cincinnati, almost half of that coming from the quarterback. It could be in for another tough go defending the run against Michigan, which is averaging 6.1 yards per carry and 242.7 rushing yards per game.

Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood, the Big Ten’s reigning freshman of the week, ran for 114 yards and two scores in addition to 235 passing yards and a TD against Central Michigan.

“That hadn’t really happened the first two games,” Rhule said of Underwood, who had minus-6 rushing yards in the previous two games. “That obviously adds another element to it.”

Poggi said Underwood’s mobility was on display not because of a specific change in the game plan but due to a better understanding of his skill set.

“You really start learning the most when the games are played,” Poggi said. “Coaches don’t win games, plays don’t win games, players win games. And you have to let your players play, so we’re letting them play.”

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola has excelled this season, completing 76.6 percent of his passes for 829 yards and eight TDs with no interceptions. The Cornhuskers also lead the nation in pass defense, allowing just 66 yards per game.

The Wolverines have won 53 of their last 57 conference openers, last dropping their first Big Ten game in 2019. Meanwhile, Nebraska hasn’t won a conference opener since 2019.

–Field Level Media

CWEB

CWEB

CWEB Inc.

CWEB NEWS

NFL News: Bengals trumpet belief in Jake Browning, add two QBs

NFL News: Week 3 Power Rankings: Packers, Bills push Philly for top spot

Wings’ Paige Bueckers claims Rookie of Year honors

NHL News: Rangers stitch captain ‘C’ on J.T. Miller

MLB News: Astros await word on Yordan Alvarez as Rangers series continues

NCAAF News: WVU board of governors vow more athletics funding

MLB News: After tweak sparks win, Reds continue playoff push vs. Cardinals

NCAAF News: Oklahoma St. ‘enthusiastic’ about moving past trouncing, faces Tulsa

MLB News: Zebby Matthews, Twins plot to keep Yankees’ bats quiet

NCAAF News: No. 21 Michigan out to cool off Nebraska in Big Ten opener

About us

Company

Account

Subscribe to get Latest News Updates