Football News

TAYLORS — In the record books, Mountain View Prep is barely 18 months old. On the hardwood, the Stars already play like seasoned veterans. The school opened its doors in July 2024. Twelve months ago the boys basketball team stepped into the SCHSL playoffs as an unknown quantity and exited quickly, falling 63-56 to Palmetto in the opening round. That taste of early elimination, coach Nick Lagroone said, became the program’s accelerant. “We knew we didn’t need a decade to build something special,” Lagroone reflected after Mountain View’s 49-30 dismantling of St. Joseph’s Catholic on Feb. 23 in the Class 3A quarterfinals at Greer Middle College. “We needed buy-in, reps, and a refusal to accept the idea that ‘new’ equals ‘behind.’” The Stars turned a tight first half into a rout with a 21-2 third-quarter blitz, holding the Knights to a single field goal over the final 16 minutes. Senior guard Ma’Ori Henderson scored 13 of his team-high points after intermission, while junior two-sport standout Mak Anderson—best known as the school’s star quarterback—chipped in 10 and hounded St. Joseph’s ball-handlers on the perimeter. “When I traded shoulder pads for high-tops, I had to check my ego,” Anderson said. “Basketball isn’t about one position leading; it’s about five pieces fitting.” The victory vaults Mountain View (20-6) into the Upper State finals against Christ Church on Feb. 27, completing a single-season leap from first-round fodder to final-four participant. Athletic director Hailey Martin, herself in her first year on campus, called the run validation of a culture constructed overnight. “Coach Lagroone laid the foundation last year; these guys believed in it and stacked bricks every day,” she said. “You see it in how they celebrate and how they respond when things go sideways.” Henderson, one of only two seniors in the rotation, echoed the sentiment. “Playoffs reset everyone to 0-0,” he said. “We wanted to be the bigger dogs, and we’re not done growing yet.” Lagroone plans a brief celebration before turning the page. “Christ Church has winning in its DNA,” he noted. “We’ll enjoy tonight, then get back to chopping wood.” In just two years, Mountain View Prep has turned the concept of program-building on its head, proving that in high-stakes postseason play, heart and cohesion can outpace the calendar.

Martinsburg, W.Va. — Spring Mills turned a two-point deficit after one quarter into a 25-point blowout, outscoring Martinsburg 23-2 in the second period en route to a 73-48 victory that completed a regular-season sweep of their city rivals. The Bulldogs controlled the tempo early, leading 14-12 when the first eight minutes ended, but the Cardinals flipped the script as soon as the second quarter began. A blur of transition baskets ignited a 14-0 burst that stretched well beyond the Martinsburg bench’s first timeout and never truly stopped until the halftime horn sounded with Spring Mills up 35-16. “I told them that we needed to get out in transition,” head coach Shannon Layton said. “We are really good when we push the tempo and they finally decided to follow the game plan. When we did that, we probably went on about a 14-0 run. The goal was to get out in transition, get them on their heels, and good things will happen.” Good things indeed followed. The Cardinals’ defense, which has now held six of nine conference opponents under 50 points, limited Martinsburg to single digits in both the second and fourth quarters. Layton had set a pre-game target of keeping the Bulldogs under 45; the final 48 still felt like mission accomplished. “I know in order to compete again for another state championship, we have to get after it on the defensive end,” Layton added. Offensively, Spring Mills showcased a balanced arsenal. Senior guard Chase Jones poured in a game-high 21 points, while versatile wing Akwasi Opoku-Achampong contributed 20. Opoku-Achampong’s slashing style collapsed the Martinsburg defense, creating kick-outs that found Jones and others for clean looks. “Akwasi does a lot for this team, on and off the court,” Layton said. “But on the court, he gets into the paint. He gets kickouts to the Jones’ and other players on the floor to get them wide open shots. Not only does he do it on the defensive end, offensively he gives us 20 points a game and he averages about six assists per game. That’s a tough guy to deal with if you are an opposing team.” Tyler Jones rounded out the double-digit scorers with 16 points, and WVU football signee Xavier Anderson supplied an emotional lift in his first game back after a month-long injury layoff, chipping in eight points, relentless defense, and key rebounds. “He brings so much energy to our program,” Layton said of Anderson. “He gets after it on defense. He gets us rebounds.” The win lifts Spring Mills to 16-2 overall and extends its current winning streak to four games. The Cardinals, fresh off last season’s historic Class AAAA state title, now prepare for a Wednesday visit to Hedgesville and have added a March 5 road date at University. Martinsburg, which fell to 8-11, was paced by Nykeem Thompson’s 15 points. Brayden Amsler added 13 and Mikey Green finished with 11, but the Bulldogs never recovered from the second-quarter avalanche.

NEW WILMINGTON — Westminster College Director of Athletics Jason Lener ’93 announced Monday that head football coach Scott Benzel has accepted a position on Manny Diaz’s staff at Duke University. The move marks the end of Benzel’s tenure with the Titans and the beginning of a new chapter in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Lener confirmed the departure in a statement released through the college, noting that Benzel will join the Blue Devils’ program immediately. Westminster will now launch a national search for its next head football coach.

OMAHA — While Preston Wagner captured the spotlight and a state title for Fremont, the 2026 state tournament signaled broader progress for the Tigers program. Despite returning home without additional hardware, a wave of Fremont competitors raised their games on the biggest stage, underscoring a collective step forward that coaches and fans alike are eager to build upon. Wagner’s championship performance provided the meet’s signature moment, yet the surge in season-best efforts and deeper advancement across multiple events revealed a roster trending upward. The gains may not have translated into medals this year, but the trajectory suggests Fremont’s presence will only grow louder in future championship fields.

Pullman—Washington State football will open its first spring under head coach Kirby Moore on March 26, the program announced Monday, with the annual Crimson and Gray game capping the schedule on April 25 at Gesa Field. The Cougars will take the workout on the road twice: an 11 a.m. practice at Edgar Brown Memorial Stadium in Pasco on March 28 and an 11 a.m. session at Union Stadium in Spokane on April 4. Both open practices will be followed by hourlong kids clinics conducted by WSU coaches and players. On-campus sessions are slated for 7:45 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 11:45 a.m. on Saturdays. Moore and his staff will evaluate 37 newcomers listed on the spring roster. Complete spring practice schedule: • March 28 – Edgar Brown Memorial Stadium, Pasco, 11 a.m. • April 25 – Crimson & Gray Game, Gesa Field, 11:45 a.m.

Wawasee High School has tabbed Mark Osmialowski as its next head football coach, the school announced Monday, subject to formal board approval. Osmialowski, who has been part of the Warriors program since 2018, has filled multiple roles on the staff during his tenure. The move comes as the program looks to build on its recent foundations.

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams have completed their coaching staff for the upcoming season, formally installing Kliff Kingsbury as assistant head coach under Sean McVay, the team confirmed Tuesday. Kingsbury, who will work directly alongside McVay, assumes the assistant head coach title as the Rams put the finishing touches on their organizational hierarchy. The move finalizes a staff shuffle that also brings veteran wide receiver Robert Woods into the fold. While the Rams did not outline specific game-day responsibilities, Kingsbury’s elevated role signals the franchise’s intent to blend experienced leadership with McVay’s offensive vision as the team prepares for the new campaign.

Milton Keynes Dons 2 Scorers: Rushian Hepburn-Murphy 30, Jon Mellish 85 Milton Keynes Dons collected a home victory behind two second-half strikes, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy breaking the deadlock on the half-hour and defender Jon Mellish sealing the result five minutes from time. The concise match summary, released Monday as part of the English football round-up, did not list the visiting side or final scoreline.

Darwin Núñez could be poised for a swift return to English football, barely 12 months after leaving Liverpool for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. According to Tuesday’s Daily Express, both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have registered their interest in the 24-year-old striker ahead of the summer transfer window. The Uruguay international’s debut season in the Saudi Pro League has reportedly done little to diminish his appeal to Premier League suitors, with Spurs and the Magpies monitoring developments ahead of potential offers. Neither club has yet formalised their approach, but the Express notes that Núñez is emerging as a surprise target as both clubs weigh attacking reinforcements. Núñez’s possible Premier League comeback adds an intriguing subplot to a window that is already shaping up to be busy for the two North-East and North-London rivals. Tottenham, who have long sought a prolific No 9 to complement Son Heung-min and James Maddison, view Núñez as a candidate who already understands the rigours of English football. Newcastle, meanwhile, are exploring forward options as they prepare for a renewed push up the table and the added demands of European competition. Any deal would represent a remarkable U-turn for a player who only last summer sealed a big-money switch to the Middle East, but the Express report underlines that both English clubs believe a transfer could be feasible should Al-Hilal entertain negotiations. With the window still several weeks away, the situation remains fluid, yet the mere hint of Núñez returning to the Premier League—this time in the colours of Spurs or Newcastle—guarantees headlines and plenty of speculation in the build-up to the summer.

By Joey Barrett Daily Item Sports Editor LYNN — The alarm clocks sounded across the North Shore at 7 a.m. last Sunday, and by 9 a.m. living rooms, dorm lounges, and even Tony’s Pub were rocking for a reason that had nothing to do with football. The U.S. men’s hockey team had just toppled Canada 2-1 in overtime to capture Olympic gold for the first time since 1980, the year of the fabled Miracle on Ice. Hours earlier, the American women followed suit, clipping their northern rivals to complete a historic double. For a sport that is still labeled “niche” in pockets of the country, the scene was anything but. My parents, my sister, friends, and—yes—my girlfriend who still calls hockey periods “quarters” were all tuned in. Social feeds lit up with first-time viewers confessing they were hooked, and by the final horn strangers were high-fiving over coffee at Tony’s, where the crowd at 8 a.m. could have passed for a Saturday night. The victory rekindled an old debate: Is America now the equal of Canada on ice? Toss up, and perhaps beside the point. Comparison, as the saying goes, is the thief of joy, and Sunday was about joy. Hockey is the ultimate team game. Twelve forwards, six defensemen, one goalie—UMass Lowell alum Connor Hellebuyck stood tall—must mesh in 45-second bursts of speed, skill, and sacrifice. A single lapse lets a Jack Hughes slip behind you; next thing you know, the puck is in your net and the toothless sniper is joking that America’s dentists will take care of him just fine. Low scoring makes every goal a jolt of electricity, every save a masterpiece. Unlike basketball’s 35-minute stars or football’s quarterback omnipresence, hockey demands relentless line changes and collective buy-in. You can’t take a shift off, and you can’t win alone. Bostonians hardly need convincing. Around here, the Bruins skate in the same championship conversation as the Celtics, Red Sox, and six-time Super Bowl champion Patriots. I’ll argue with anyone: this is a hockey city. My Bobby Orr jersey saw the hallways of middle school, and Brad Marchand remains my favorite athlete of all time. If the past week nudges newcomers toward the NHL, the PWHL, college rinks, or local high-school sheets, that’s a win bigger than any medal. Hockey brings people together—at dawn in a pub, in packed living rooms, in communities that value teamwork, passion, and the chance to prove the odds wrong. The Bruins return from their Olympic break Thursday, and the college calendar is brimming. The beautiful game never left; it just reminded the rest of the country what it’s been missing.

Indianapolis — The mystery behind Ty Simpson’s late-season slide has an answer, and it is more medical than mechanical. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the former Alabama quarterback was fighting a severe case of gastritis while guiding the Crimson Tide through the stretch run, a revelation that explains both his declining numbers and his shrinking frame. Simpson, who will throw for scouts at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine, opened 2025 by averaging 266.7 passing yards and 2.0 touchdowns per game with a 66.9 percent completion rate through his first 11 outings. Over the final four contests—including an abbreviated Rose Bowl exit after a third-quarter rib injury—those figures plummeted to 158.3 yards, 1.5 touchdowns and 57.1 percent. Pelissero reported Monday on Good Morning Football that the gastritis left Simpson weighing “in the 190s” by the time Alabama reached Pasadena. The redshirt junior is now back to 215 pounds and, per Pelissero, “should really stand out” in Indianapolis. Despite the downturn, Simpson still paced the SEC with 305 completions on 473 attempts, finishing the 15-game season with 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He added 93 rushing yards and two scores on 90 carries while serving as a team co-captain. Scouts have long flagged Simpson’s limited starting résumé—he was a one-year starter—and his leaner build, but Pelissero notes that protection issues and receiver drops also contributed to the late fade. A strong combine performance could solidify Simpson’s projection as a first-round pick; he would become the seventh Alabama quarterback ever selected on Day 1, joining Harry Gilmer, Joe Namath, Richard Todd, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones and 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. Simpson is among 12 former Crimson Tide invitees working out in Indianapolis from February 23 through March 2 as they look to boost their draft stock ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Anfield’s corridors no longer echo with talk of back-to-back championships. When the 2025-26 campaign kicked off, Arne Slot’s Liverpool were widely tipped to defend the Premier League crown after an encouraging summer rebuild. Yet by mid-February 2026, the mathematics are unforgiving: 11 matches remain, Arsenal lead the table by 16 points, and the Reds are marooned in sixth. Bookmakers have responded by posting Liverpool at 80-1 or longer to reclaim the trophy, a price that effectively closes the debate before it starts. The focus, therefore, has shifted from silverware to survival. Slot’s side are locked in a four-way scrap for a top-four—or potentially top-five—finish that would secure Champions League football next season. Chelsea and Manchester United currently occupy fourth and fifth, level on points with Liverpool, while the market expects Arsenal (4-11) and Manchester City (2-1) to duel for the title itself. Fifth place may yet carry European elite qualification, a lifeline Gary Lineker believes the Merseysiders can grasp, but the margin for error is razor-thin. Injuries have shredded squad depth at critical junctures. Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley have all spent spells on the sidelines, forcing improvised line-ups and disrupting momentum. Compounding the pain, Liverpool have conceded four 90th-minute winners in league play—late blows that transformed potential points into damaging defeats and underlined a frayed mental edge. Even a recent uptick in form offers only modest encouragement: three wins from nine Premier League fixtures since the turn of the year is a ratio that must improve if Champions League qualification is to be realistic. Thirty-three points are still available, but every forthcoming fixture now carries knockout intensity. Slot has labelled failure to reach Europe’s premier club competition “unacceptable,” yet he remains outwardly confident that his position will not be jeopardised should the club fall short. That verdict, however, is not universally shared within the fan base or the boardroom. The fallback route—winning this season’s Champions League—remains mathematically open, but the degree of difficulty is immense. As the Premier League enters its final stretch, Liverpool’s narrative has pivoted. The dream of retaining the title has evaporated; the imperative is salvaging continental status. With Arsenal and Manchester City contesting the summit, the Reds’ true battleground lies in the congested pocket below, where a single dropped point could spell the difference between European nights at Anfield or Thursday excursions in the autumn of 2026.

Indianapolis—The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine officially opens this week, and the Buffalo Bills will take center stage on Tuesday afternoon when two of the franchise’s top decision-makers step to the podium inside the Indianapolis Convention Center. President of Football Operations Brandon Beane is scheduled to address reporters at 2 p.m., followed immediately by head coach Joe Brady at 2:15 p.m., giving the organization its first public opportunity to outline offseason priorities less than two weeks before the new league year begins. Buffalo enters the combine with a clear to-do list. The front office is expected to target a top-tier wide receiver, continue reinforcing the defensive line, and further retool the defense under newly installed coordinator Jim Leonhard. Those schematic plans, however, hinge on the salary-cap gymnastics Beane must perform before March 11. The Bills are currently projected to be roughly $10 million over the cap, forcing the franchise to weigh roster cuts against restructures and extensions. Potential cap casualties include tight end Dawson Knox and wide receiver Curtis Samuel, whose combined release ahead of June 1 would free more than $16 million. Safety Taylor Rapp and kicker Tyler Bass have also been mentioned as cut candidates—each carrying about $3 million in savings—but Beane has previously expressed confidence that Bass will remain Buffalo’s kicker in 2026. With prospects conducting on-field workouts later in the week, Beane and Brady’s Tuesday media sessions will offer the first concrete glimpse into how Buffalo intends to attack both the draft board and the looming free-agency period.

An already volatile match-day turned into what anti-discrimination monitors Kick It Out branded an “appalling weekend” after four Premier League players were subjected to racist abuse across social platforms inside 48 hours. Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle and Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare became the latest victims on Sunday, less than 24 hours after Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri and Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana were attacked online following the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Arokodare, who missed a late penalty in Wolves’ 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace, posted screenshots of the messages he received and wrote on Instagram: “It’s still unbelievable to me that we’re playing in a time where people have so much freedom to communicate such racism without any consequences. These individuals should have no place in our game and collectively we have to take action to punish everyone who taints the sport like this, no matter who they are.” Mundle, introduced as a second-half substitute during Sunderland’s 3-1 loss at Fulham, deleted his Instagram account after being targeted. Sunderland AFC responded swiftly, stating: “The abhorrent behaviour displayed by multiple individuals is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the club under any circumstances. These individuals do not represent Sunderland AFC, our values, or our community – and they are not welcome on Wearside.” Kick It Out issued a joint condemnation, saying: “We stand in solidarity with Wolves’ Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland’s Romaine Mundle. This has been an appalling weekend after four players called out the racist abuse they’ve received on social media. But the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly. The message from them is loud and clear: action must follow. Players cannot be expected to tolerate this behaviour, and nor should anyone else.” The Premier League echoed the outrage, promising tangible support: “There are serious consequences for anybody found guilty and we will offer the club and player our full support with investigations. Football is for everyone – there is no room for racism.” All four clubs involved have passed evidence to the relevant authorities and platform operators, pressing for identification and prosecution of the perpetrators. Keywords:

Springfield Stadium, Jersey – A 78th-minute strike from Rai Dos Santos settled a tight contest and lifted Jersey Bulls to within a point of the Isthmian League South East play-off places, cementing a 1-0 victory over fellow contenders Faversham Town on Saturday. The result keeps Elliot Powell’s side in sixth but level on points with fourth-placed Faversham and fifth-placed Sittingbourne, while third-placed Whyteleafe are only one point ahead despite having two or three games in hand. With the campaign entering its decisive phase, the Bulls have now taken seven points from a daunting sequence that included a 0-0 draw at Whyteleafe and a statement 6-1 rout of second-placed AFC Croydon Athletic. “I’m really happy with the last couple of weeks,” Powell told BBC Radio Jersey. “Three teams all in the top four and we’ve come away with seven points – I think that’s excellent and it sets us up nicely now for a really big run-in. All we wanted to be was in the race and we’ve firmly put ourselves in that now.” The island club, competing in the eighth tier for the first time after promotion from the Combined Counties League, have stretched their unbeaten streak to eight matches. Powell praised his squad’s tactical maturity, noting a shift from last season’s possession-heavy dominance to a more adaptable, pragmatic approach. “It’s different to last year; we’re not on the front foot as much, we’re not dominating the ball, and that’s proving successful at the moment so there’s no need to change things,” he explained. “We’re going to have to adapt game by game. That’s what’s most pleasing – they’re adapting to any challenge.” Dos Santos’ late winner, slammed home from close range after persistent pressure, rewarded a disciplined performance that nullified Faversham’s attacking threats and ensured the Bulls remain firmly in the promotion conversation with the season’s climax approaching.

Old Trafford has grown accustomed to turbulence, but amid the managerial churn and a 15th-placed finish that plumbed new depths, one constant has continued to sparkle: Bruno Fernandes. At 32, the Portuguese playmaker is enjoying the sharpest form of his United career, freed from the tactical shackles that had threatened to blunt his influence and restored to the role in which he can dismantle opponents. The numbers are staggering. In 315 appearances since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, Fernandes has contributed 104 goals and 96 assists, reaching 200 combined goal involvements 25 games faster than Cristiano Ronaldo and well ahead of club legends Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham. This season alone he has crafted 78 chances—27 more than any other Premier League player and 46 clear of United’s next-most creative team-mate, Amad Diallo. With 12 assists already and 14 league fixtures remaining, Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s joint-record of 20 is in his sights. Yet those figures only tell half the story. For the opening months of the campaign, Ruben Amorim’s dogged commitment to a back-three system forced Fernandes to operate in a deeper, more restrained midfield berth. The tactical experiment dulled United’s most potent weapon: instead of threading passes between the lines or timing late bursts into the box, Fernandes was tasked with screening space and tracking runners. The result was a 3-0 derby humiliation by Manchester City in September, a game in which he was isolated from the areas where he can inflict damage. Michael Carrick’s interim appointment in January corrected the course. Fernandes was immediately reinstated as the central No. 10, liberated from extensive defensive duties and encouraged to roam. The transformation was instant: in Carrick’s first match in charge, a 2-0 victory over City, Fernandes created the opener after earlier having a goal and assist chalked off for offside. Gary Neville hailed the display as “Cantona-esque,” noting that United’s resurgence hinged on getting their talismanic midfielder on the ball in advanced positions. Since that tactical tweak, Fernandes has supplied six assists in eight matches across all competitions and created 27 of his 78 chances in the last six league games alone. The team’s attacking fluency has returned, and with it a renewed belief that the club’s identity—built around a dynamic, creative No. 10—can still thrive in the modern era. Off the pitch, Fernandes’ commitment remains unwavering. In November he revealed that United had been open to his departure to Saudi Arabia, a suggestion that stung the midfielder who chose to remain for footballing and family reasons. “I genuinely like the club,” he explained, a sentiment supporters have reciprocated with renewed adulation as he continues to carry the side through another transitional campaign. Consistency has been Fernandes’ hallmark through six different managerial reigns and countless crises. He has hit double figures for both goals and assists in every full season at the club, and the current campaign threatens to be his most influential yet. If he maintains this trajectory, Henry and De Bruyne’s assist benchmark could fall, and Manchester United might just rediscover the attacking swagger that once defined them. Bruno Fernandes is back where he belongs—between the lines, at the heart of everything—and English football is on notice.

Ibrox erupted in stoppage-time controversy as Rangers were left convinced they should have been awarded a penalty in their clash with Livingston, igniting fierce debate among pundits and supporters alike. The flashpoint arrived deep into added time when Cammy Kerr appeared to foul Mikey Moore inside the box, prompting vociferous appeals from the home players and bench. Refereeing officials waved play on, leaving the Light Blues to rue a potential match-defining decision that never materialised. While the full-time whistle confirmed a second red card for the visitors – a sanction that drew broad agreement from analysts – the late penalty shout dominated post-match discourse. Television replays offered little clarity, yet former professionals in the studio were split on whether Kerr’s challenge merited punishment, ensuring the incident will linger in midweek headlines. Rangers now await the governing body’s review of the incident, knowing the outcome could yet influence the complexion of the Premiership table.

Torquay, England – A 247-mile schlep from Eastbourne to Devon is grim enough after a 4-2 defeat to the side second-from-bottom in the National League South. Torquay United supporters discovered it can get worse: the comfortable coach that ferried them east on Saturday morning was reassigned to the players for the return journey, leaving fans to cram into a replacement vehicle. Social-media fury followed. A post cataloguing the swap has been viewed more than 800,000 times since Saturday night, with many insisting the squad had demanded more leg-room and the club acquiesced at the fans’ expense. “Sadly we are on our way home after a terrible trip, shocking performance and now have had to swap coaches,” the independent Torquay United Travel Club wrote on Facebook. “So POOR on Torquay Utd, do hope club & players enjoy our COACH!!!” Commenters called the move “absolutely disgusting” and accused players of entitlement after a limp display. Even when Torquay’s women’s side beat Gloucester the next day, supporters trolled the club’s updates; when Connie Pengelly completed a hat-trick, one fan quipped, “She didn’t need extra legroom.” On Sunday the club issued a statement blaming the operator, Roselyn Coaches, for the mix-up. Officials said the team’s original coach broke down twice en route to Sussex on Friday, forcing Roselyn to dispatch a replacement. That replacement was the same vehicle later used by supporters travelling to Eastbourne. After the match, Roselyn—citing “operational reasons”—reallocated the larger coach to the squad and returned the fans to the alternative vehicle. Torquay stressed that neither players nor staff requested the swap and that the Travel Club is an independent body whose contract is with Roselyn, not the club. Roselyn, contacted for comment, did not respond. Co-chairman Michael Westcott apologised “for any disruption and confusion” while praising fans for “incredible support”. The Travel Club has yet to say whether it will pursue compensation, but the episode has already become another cautionary tale of how quickly football optics can turn a logistical headache into a public-relations migraine. SEO keywords:

Philadelphia’s 2026 first-round selection could hinge on a familiar philosophy—fortifying the offensive line—but that comfort-zone approach may collide with more urgent roster holes once the new league year settles, a longtime draft analyst warned this week. Speaking on a media conference call, NFL Draft veteran Daniel Jeremiah said he “likes big guys early” for the Eagles at pick No. 23, singling out Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane as the ideal, albeit unlikely, prize. If Ioane is gone, Jeremiah sees a cluster of comparable prospects—Monroe Freeling, Blake Miller, and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor—offering Philadelphia immediate depth and long-term insurance at tackle. The logic tracks with general manager Howie Roseman’s draft history: prioritize the trenches before luxury items. Yet the coming season presents complications. All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson confirmed he will play on, but will do so without revered line coach Jeff Stoutland for the first time. Left guard Landon Dickerson’s future beyond 2026 is also unresolved, amplifying the need for reinforcements. Still, an early lineman may not crack the starting five in 2026, raising the stakes of the choice. Free-agency departures—safety Reed Blankenship, tight end Dallas Goedert and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips among them—leave clear voids on both sides of the ball. If the Eagles fail to secure a starting-caliber corner opposite Darius Slay, replace Goedert’s reliable middle-of-field production, or add pass-rush help, selecting a developmental blocker could look like a missed opportunity in a win-now campaign. Jeremiah’s forecast underscores the balancing act Roseman faces: stick with a trusted blueprint or deviate to patch rosters spots that could derail a Super Bowl push as soon as next January. SEO keywords:

The Athletic’s daily brain-teaser, Connections: Sports Edition, returned for puzzle No. 518 on Feb. 23 with a quartet of themes that ranged from playful to perplexing. Players were asked to sort 16 clues into four color-coded groups, progressing from the most straightforward yellow category to the notoriously tricky purple set. The yellow grouping centered on the theme “heckle,” uniting the verbs boo, hiss, hoot and jeer—common sounds from any stadium’s cheapest seats. The green category paid homage to cinema, specifically the Looney Tunes-NBA crossover “Space Jam,” with Bugs, Jordan, Lola and Tweety forming the correct quartet. Collegiate Florida took the spotlight in the blue tier, where Bulls, Gators, Owls and Seminoles represented the state’s well-known NCAA programs. Finally, the purple tier demanded lateral thinking: each entry was an NFL franchise whose first letter had been swapped. The solutions—bolts (Colts), crowns (Browns), hackers (Packers) and paints (Saints)—proved the day’s toughest test. Connections: Sports Edition is produced by The Athletic, the subscription sports outlet owned by The New York Times. While the puzzle does not appear inside the NYT Games app, it is playable within The Athletic’s own app or free of charge on the web.

Scottsboro High School’s football slate will look different this fall after the Alabama High School Athletic Association granted the program’s appeal to drop from Class 5A to Class 4A. The reclassification not only moves Scottsboro down a rung but also places the Wildcats back in the same region as longtime neighbor Guntersville, reigniting a local rivalry that had been interrupted by previous alignment cycles. The AHSAA’s decision finalizes the region pairings for the upcoming season, ensuring the two Marshall County schools will meet on the field with playoff implications on the line.

Ann Arbor — The Wolverines’ winter transfer haul checks in at No. 66 nationally, a ranking that barely moves the needle on social feeds. Yet inside Schembechler Hall the mood is upbeat, and On3 analyst JD PicKell argues the low exterior buzz misses the point. “Michigan brought in the No. 66-ranked transfer portal class,” PicKell said. “Not Top 25, not Top 10—No. 66 in all of college football. But when you take a closer look, I think my man from the voicemail box is kind of on the money.” The core of the class is a Utah-to-Michigan pipeline created when Kyle Whittingham joined the staff. Edge rusher John Henry Daley, cornerback Smith Snowden, defensive lineman Jonah Lea’ea and wide-out JJ Buchanan headline the group that followed Whittingham east, with safety Chris Bracy, receiver Jaime Ffrench and linebackers Aisea Moa and Max Alford adding depth. True freshman athlete Salesi Moa, already enrolled, gives the staff an extra chess piece. PicKell likens the approach to a staple bodybuilding plate. “Michigan is kind of the grilled chicken and rice of college football,” he said. “Not super trendy, doesn’t get you excited when you see it on the menu, but it’s good for you. It’s hearty. It’s the right fuel.” The comparison underscores a belief that proven, scheme-familiar parts matter more than star ratings. Whittingham’s 20-year, 70-percent win rate at Utah, PicKell notes, is “science,” and the players arriving helped win 10 games last fall. Offensively, the additions appear to outshine the defensive reinforcements. Ffrench arrives as a former four-star, but Buchanan’s year of experience and comfort in the system could make him the more immediate factor. Pairing those wide-outs with quarterback Bryce Underwood and athlete Salesi Moa, PicKell says, forces defenses to honor vertical shots while also defending quarterback run elements out of similar formations. “How much horsepower does this offense have? At a personnel level, we’ll see,” PicKell said. “I can’t promise JJ Buchanan is going to be a John Matthew Award winner, but I think he’s going to be good. He’ll be elevated by a scheme he already knows and by a playbook that puts defenses in a blender.” The same logic applies across the roster. Daley’s pass-rush snaps will be complemented by Jason Beck’s up-tempo offense, keeping opponents from leaning heavily on tendencies. Continuity—multiple Utah players running the same calls they used in Salt Lake—accelerates install and trims busts. PicKell concedes the schedule could deliver early lumps, yet he likes the inputs as February closes. “Football is a complementary sport,” he said. “This roster, the staff and the continuity will complement itself really well over the course of the season.” In short, Michigan’s portal class may never trend on Instagram, but inside the building the belief is that substance, familiarity and fit will taste just fine come fall.

Dallas is wasting no time rewarding its core contributors this offseason, and kicker Brandon Aubrey appears poised to be the next beneficiary. The development comes on the heels of the Cowboys’ three-year, $24 million agreement with running back Javonte Williams, a move that signals the front office’s intent to retain difference-makers before the market heats up further. Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones told The Dallas Morning News on Sunday that negotiations with Aubrey have been ongoing for months. “We’ve been working on a long-term deal for some time,” Jones said. “We’ve exchanged offers and the goal is to get him signed.” A restricted free agent, Aubrey has emerged as one of the most reliable specialists in the league. He has converted 112 of 127 career field-goal attempts (88.2 percent) and 126 of 130 extra-point tries (96.2 percent). His 65-yard make stands as the longest in franchise history, and he owns the NFL record for most career field goals from 60-plus yards. Dallas values that consistency enough to make Aubrey its next budgetary priority, even while the club weighs whether to deploy the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens. Jones reiterated that the organization prefers a multiyear pact but is prepared to issue a tender if talks stall. “We’ll tender him before the deadline if that’s what we have to decide,” he noted. Industry projections suggest a new contract for Aubrey could approach $7 million per season, a figure that would elevate the All-Pro above every kicker currently on the pay scale. With discussions trending positively, both parties appear motivated to finalize a deal and keep the league’s most accurate long-range weapon in a Cowboys uniform.

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — The 100th playing of the PGA Tour’s Los Angeles stop was supposed to belong to Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, or any of the headliners who make Riviera Country Club feel like a movie set each February. Instead it delivered a final scene only Jacob Bridgeman could have scripted—though even his version had a twist far more nerve-wracking than he ever imagined. Bridgeman, a 26-year-old in only his second Tour season, arrived at the 72nd hole with a one-shot lead, a seven-shot cushion long gone after a turbulent Sunday. Needing a two-putt par from 16 feet to post 18-under and win the Genesis Invitational, the Clemson product felt his fingers go numb. “I couldn’t feel my hands,” he admitted afterward, echoing the same sensation close friend Chris Gotterup had described while winning in Phoenix two weeks earlier. Bridgeman coaxed his first putt to tap-in range, then rammed the three-footer into the heart of the cup for a closing 72 and a one-stroke victory over McIlroy and Kurt Kitayama. The outcome seemed improbable at dawn. Bridgeman began the final round with a record chase in view—Lanny Wadkins’ 20-under benchmark from 1985—and a gallery that kept chanting for anyone but him. Schoolkids yelled “Ro-ry!”; crowds outside the clubhouse roared “We want Scottie!” Yet by dusk the amphitheater around the 18th green was applauding the quiet South Carolinian who had never before played Riviera and now owns a trophy no one can take away. McIlroy provided the late surge everyone expected, birdieing the last for a 65 to reach 17-under and briefly share the clubhouse lead. Kitayama fired 64 to join him there. Adam Scott’s back-nine 31 and second 63 of the week carried him to 16-under. All three watched from the clubhouse as Bridgeman staggered home without a birdie over the final 15 holes but somehow stayed afloat. A lone bogey at the par-3 16th, after finding the bunker, trimmed the lead to two. A safe par from the greenside bunker on the par-5 17th kept McIlroy at bay. At 18, Bridgeman split the fairway, stuffed his approach below the hole, then survived the most anxious stroke of his life. “I was in robot mode on full shots,” he said. “When it came to feel, I had none. I just told myself don’t hit it past the hole.” The tap-in dropped, the crowd exhaled, and Tiger Woods—tournament host and childhood idol—greeted him on the scoring steps. Woods, clad in Sunday red, congratulated the newest Riviera champion and reminded him of one fun fact: the 15-time major winner never won on this storied course in his own event. “I got one thing,” Bridgeman joked. “He’s got all the others, but I got one.” The win vaults the former PGA Tour University standout into elite company after a meteoric rise: Korn Ferry Tour card in 2024, five top-fives as a rookie, four more this season, and now a signature-event title in the city that loves stars—especially when the underdog steals the show. SEO keywords:

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings organization is mourning the loss of former defensive back Ronyell Whitaker, who passed away Sunday, according to an announcement from his family. Whitaker, whose energetic play and determined spirit left an imprint on those who shared the field with him, was 46. In a statement released Monday, the Whitaker family expressed their grief: “The Whitaker family is heartbroken to share the passing of our beloved son, brother and friend, Ronyell Deshawn Whitaker, who departed this life on Feb. 22, 2026. Born on March 19, 1979, Ronyell lived a life marked by passion, perseverance and pu...” Although the family’s message was cut short, the sentiment was clear: Whitaker’s legacy reaches far beyond the gridiron. The Vikings have yet to release an official team statement, but current and former teammates are expected to honor his memory in the coming days.

South Bend, IN — A winter of what-ifs has hardened into a spring of conviction inside the Guglielmino Athletics Complex. After watching the 2025 playoff field assemble without them, Notre Dame will enter 2026 as a consensus national-title favorite, armed with a rare commodity in the modern era: continuity at quarterback. CJ Carr’s return has become the catalyst for championship chatter. The junior, already listed as a Heisman co-favorite in early markets, will direct an offense that returns every principal assistant, including coordinator Mike Denbrock. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy, speaking on the Always College Football podcast, called the stability “a built-in schematic head start” for a program that has cycled through one-year graduate transfers under center in each of the past two seasons. “While other contenders are installing new terminology and feeling out portal quarterbacks, Carr and Denbrock will be playing chess,” McElroy said. “This isn’t a manage-the-game attack anymore—it’s a vertical nightmare, and the fastest receiver room we’ve seen in South Bend in a decade.” That corps features Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse, both 1,000-yard candidates, plus Ohio State transfers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter, whose eligibility waivers were approved last month. Behind them, a deep backfield and an offensive line that annually ranks among the nation’s most efficient should keep the Irish balanced. The defense’s backbone resides in the secondary. Jim Thorpe Award finalist Leonard Moore and Christian Gray anchor the cornerback spots, while captains Adon Shuler and Tae Johnson return at safety. The unit allowed fewer than 190 passing yards a game last season and is expected to improve with another offseason in coordinator Al Golden’s press-quarters scheme. Schedule analysts point to a manageable path. Notre Dame opens at Lambeau Field against Wisconsin before hosting BYU (No. 12), traveling to Miami (No. 13), and welcoming SMU (No. 23) in late November. An 11-1 or 12-0 regular-season record would almost certainly secure a first-round bye in the expanded 12-team playoff, a structural shift that diminishes the traditional independent disadvantage. Marcus Freeman, 34-8 since taking over in 2022, has stopped short of public title guarantees, yet players have adopted “leave no doubt” as an offseason mantra—an unmistakable reference to last year’s 10-2 campaign that ended one spot outside the playoff cutline. Vegas books have responded. The Irish currently sit 5-1 to win the 2027 national championship, trailing only Ohio State and Georgia in most futures markets. McElroy is even more bullish: “I’m going into August with them at No. 1. Freeman has his roster, his quarterback, and now the format to capitalize.” Spring practice opens March 10. The chessboard, as McElroy noted, is already arranged; Notre Dame believes the next move is finally its own.

The Miami Dolphins officially closed the book on the Tyreek Hill era on Monday, releasing the eight-time Pro-Bowl wideout less than a year after a torn ACL limited him to four games in 2025. With the 31-year-old now free to chart his next landing spot, sportsbooks have wasted little time posting odds—and the early market screams one familiar destination: Kansas City. From 2016-21 Hill torched defenses for 6,630 yards and 56 touchdowns in Andy Reid’s offense, earning Pro-Bowl nods every season and becoming Patrick Mahomes’ most explosive target. The Chiefs, fresh off their first playoff-less campaign since before either star debuted, finished 2025 with an aging Travis Kelce leading the team in receiving and no consistent deep threat on the roster. A reunion would plug both holes overnight, reuniting Mahomes with a player who knows the scheme as well as any coach. Yet Kansas City is hardly the only contender with motive and cap flexibility. Buffalo overhauled its staff after moving on from head coach Sean McDermott, and Josh Allen’s aerial attack sputtered behind Khalil Shakir’s team-best 72 receptions. Adding Hill opposite Shakir would instantly diversify an offense that leaned heavily on tight ends a season ago and keep the Bills’ championship window propped open. New England, losers of a lopsided Super Bowl, could weigh a splashy move as well. Stefon Diggs carries a $26.5 million cap number and has been floated as a cut candidate; swapping him out for Hill would save cash, though the Patriots would have to reconcile the health and off-field questions attached to both veterans. Baltimore’s new brass, committed to Lamar Jackson after parting ways with head coach John Harbaugh, may look to pair Zay Flowers with another marquee wideout. DeAndre Hopkins is a free agent, and Hill—if cleared medically—would represent a dynamic upgrade who stretches the field vertically. An intriguing dark horse sits in Los Angeles, where the Chargers just hired Hill’s former Dolphins play-caller Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. McDaniel’s scheme unlocked career-best production from Hill in Miami, and teaming him with Justin Herbert could re-ignite both player and quarterback after disappointing 2025 campaigns. Health will ultimately dictate the market. Hill’s December ACL tear and knee dislocation require a clean bill before any franchise commits premium dollars, but the supply of elite receivers rarely matches the demand in late February. If the medicals check out, expect the odds to keep tilting toward the Midwest—where a familiar end zone awaits the Cheetah’s return.

Guadalajara, one of Mexico’s 2026 World Cup host cities, was gripped by unrest on Sunday after Mexican Army troops killed Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes—known as “El Mencho”—the feared leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel. The operation, carried out roughly two hours outside the city, was intended to capture the 58-year-old capo but ended in his death, triggering a wave of violence across Jalisco. Roadblocks, burning vehicles and prison riots erupted in parts of the Guadalajara metropolitan area and in the nearby resort city of Puerto Vallarta. In response, Governor Pablo Lemus suspended public transportation, in-person classes and all mass events through Monday. The U.S. Embassy urged American citizens to shelter in place, citing “ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity.” The chaos spilled directly into the sporting calendar: Liga MX Femenil postponed Sunday night’s high-profile derby between Chivas of Guadalajara and Club América at Estadio Akron, the 46,000-capacity venue selected to host four group-stage matches during the 2026 World Cup. The stadium is scheduled to welcome Mexico v South Korea on 18 June and Uruguay v Spain on 26 June, and will stage a playoff tournament 26-28 March featuring New Caledonia, Jamaica and DR Congo. Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA will host the other playoff bracket with Iraq, Bolivia and Suriname. Governor Lemus, who in September told The Athletic that a state-of-the-art surveillance network and joint patrols by the National Guard and Mexican Army would safeguard World Cup visitors, reiterated on Sunday that security forces are “focused on controlling the situation.” His office confirmed it has received no formal concerns from FIFA regarding the tournament. The Jalisco New Generation cartel, designated a terrorist organization by the United States, has long used extortion and drug trafficking to exert influence over Guadalajara. The death of Oseguera Cervantes, a top target of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, leaves authorities bracing for reprisals even as football officials count down to the playoffs in five weeks and the opening match of the 2026 World Cup at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca between Mexico and South Africa. For now, the city’s transport arteries remain partially paralyzed, its schools closed and its football pitches silent—an uneasy calm ahead of a summer when the eyes of the world will turn to western Mexico.

Detroit, MI — As the Lions brace for the 2026 offseason, the organization’s brain trust faces a franchise-altering fork in the road: mortgage premium draft picks and precious cap space for Las Vegas superstar Maxx Crosby, or spread those resources across multiple positions through a calculated free-agency blitz and a full complement of draft picks. The answer will determine whether Detroit’s competitive window opens wide in 2026 or remains propped up for the long haul. The Blockbuster Scenario: Acquiring Maxx Crosby Crosby’s résumé speaks in bold print: 57.5 career sacks, perennial Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition, and a reputation as one of the league’s most relentless edge setters. Pairing him with homegrown phenom Aidan Hutchinson—fresh off a 14.5-sack 2025 campaign—would give the Lions a pass-rush tandem capable of wrecking game plans on both sides of the formation. The concept is tantalizing: on third-and-long, coordinators would have to choose which elite rusher to slide protection toward, knowing the other is milliseconds from contact. Yet the price tag is equally eye-opening. League insiders believe the Raiders would demand two first-round selections and a second-rounder, a haul that would strip Detroit of the top-tier draft currency required to restock an offensive line, secondary, and tight-end room that all project as 2026 needs. Crosby’s current contract averages $35 million per season; absorbing that figure would push the Lions’ cap allocation at the position to historic levels and likely preclude any meaningful spending elsewhere. The Balanced Approach: Free Agency and Draft Flexibility General manager alternatives begin in the trenches. Baltimore’s Tyler Linderbaum, widely regarded as this cycle’s premier free-agent pivot, is projected to land a deal worth $17–20 million annually. Anchoring the interior with a technician of Linderbaum’s caliber would stabilize both pass protection and the Lions’ outside-zone run concepts, a boost for a young quarterback still refining his timing. On the edge, Detroit could pivot to a prove-it tier, targeting Joey Bosa for a shorter, incentive-laden pact in the $12–15 million range. A healthy Bosa still flashes top-tier hand usage and burst, and a two-year commitment mitigates long-term risk while preserving future cap health. Meanwhile, retaining both 2026 first-rounders—and another in 2027—allows the front office to attack premium positions such as offensive tackle, cornerback, or even a dynamic offensive weapon without sacrificing tomorrow’s depth. Risk vs. Reward Trading for Crosby would electrify the fan base and send a league-wide signal that the Lions are done waiting. Yet history cautions that surrendering multiple blue-chip picks and swallowing a mega-contract can hollow out a roster when injuries or regression strike. The diversified path sacrifices the sizzle of a headline-grabber but hedges against volatility, emphasizing sustainable roster construction in an era when cap flexibility and rookie-scale contracts are king. Detroit’s brain trust must decide: swing for the fences on one transformative defender, or play a disciplined, position-by-position hand that keeps the window propped open well beyond next season. The choice will reverberate far beyond the opening weekend of free agency.

Orem, Utah — The fifth-ranked Nebraska wrestling team closed its regular season in dominant fashion Friday night, overwhelming Utah Valley 32-6 in the final dual before postseason competition. From the opening whistle, Nebraska seized control and never relented, posting the lopsided victory on the road. The win caps a streaking finish for the Huskers, who have now captured four consecutive duals heading into championship season. The 26-point margin underscored Nebraska’s momentum as the squad looks ahead to conference and national tournaments. SEO keywords:

Harry Kane has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to FC Barcelona, insisting his sole focus remains on firing Bayern Munich toward silverware. The England captain, who has already struck 28 Bundesliga goals and 43 across all competitions this season, reiterated that he is “very happy” in Munich and has heard nothing of any approach from the Catalan club. Barcelona presidential candidate Xavier Vilajoana fueled the chatter this week by declaring Kane his dream striker, claiming informal contact had been made and that the 30-year-old “likes Barcelona.” Vilajoana argued that Kane’s profile would seamlessly slot into the club’s possession-based style once 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski moves on. Kane, however, poured cold water on the talk. “I haven’t heard anything about that,” he told reporters. “My father and brother are taking care of these things, but they haven’t told me anything. As I’ve already said, I’m very happy here at Bayern. My focus is on this season and here at Bayern. I’ll take that as a compliment.” The striker’s productivity keeps him on course to challenge Lewandowski’s Bundesliga single-season record of 41 goals and to contend for the European Golden Boot. Bayern, for their part, are eager to extend a contract that currently runs through June 2027 and hope to finalize an extension before the current campaign ends. While Europe’s elite continue to monitor Kane’s situation, the player himself left no doubt where his immediate loyalties lie: “I’m only focused on my football with FC Bayern right now and nothing else.”

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Longhorns received a timely boost to their 2027 recruiting efforts Friday when Dallas South Oak Cliff defensive back Isaiah Udom locked in an official visit to campus for June 12–14. Udom, rated a three-star prospect, has already attracted scholarship offers from Baylor, Florida, Houston, Missouri, Penn State and SMU. That list is expected to lengthen as the cycle intensifies this summer. The 5-foot-11 corner helped the Golden Bears capture their third state title in five seasons this past fall, anchoring a secondary that limited high-powered playoff opponents throughout the postseason run. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff have prioritized Udom as part of a defensive backfield plan that could include multiple signees from the 2027 cycle. The Longhorns already hold commitments from four-star wide receiver Easton Royal, three-star edge Cameron Hall and three-star tight end JT Geraci, and four-star athlete Trenton Yancey will be on campus the same June weekend as Udom. While Texas continues pursuing other high-profile targets — offers are out to four-stars Tyson Robinson, Caden Waye, Nick Lennear, Brock Williams and Kennedy Brown — the program’s current haul sits inside the national top ten. Udom will use the upcoming trip to tour Texas’ facilities, meet position coaches and visualize a future in burnt orange. A decision timeline has not been announced, but the Longhorns intend to make a strong impression before he circles back to other suitors.

CHEHALIS — For 36 breathless minutes the Class 2B District 4 title game felt like a heavyweight bout, and when the final bell sounded it was Toledo left standing, 60-55 in overtime, to capture a second consecutive championship Saturday night at W.F. West High School. The Riverhawks (19-3) needed every scrap of resilience they could muster against a Napavine squad that refused to fold. Four ties and five lead changes kept the outcome in flux until the waning seconds of the extra period, when senior quarterback-turned-guard Eli Weeks hit classmate Adam Kruger on a football-style, over-the-shoulder inbounds pass and Kruger calmly sank two free throws to ice the game. “Defense won it,” Kruger said after finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds, one of three Toledo players to post a double-double. Weeks tallied a game-high 21 points and 12 boards, while C2BL Co-MVP Cooper Fallon shook off early foul trouble to grab 13 rebounds and score the go-ahead putback in overtime. Conner Hill, the sharp-shooting sophomore, provided the dagger with a corner three that stretched the lead to five in the extra frame. Napavine (19-5) appeared poised to spoil the repeat bid when Eric Bullock—scoreless from deep until that point—nailed a corner triple with under a minute in regulation to push the Tigers ahead 51-46. Toledo answered on Trevin Gale’s triple, forced a turnover, and watched Cooper Fallon convert a chaotic, last-second layup to knot the score at 51 and send the game to overtime. “So fun to coach and be a part of,” Riverhawks head coach Grady Fallon said, eyes still wet after cutting down the net. “They did a good job switching man to zone, so we drew up plays for both. I can’t wait to watch it back—it is such a blur.” Layton Griffith paced Napavine with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Tyce Vigre added 15 and Cal Bullock 12. Yet a 21-rebound disparity ultimately undercut the Tigers’ efforts. “We thought if we cleaned up the offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities, it would have gone better,” first-year Napavine coach Kayden Kelly admitted. Toledo becomes the first District 4 program to repeat since Kalama in 2021-22 and the first in the current league alignment to go back-to-back since Morton-White Pass in 2014-15. Both teams now await state seeding, confident their body of work merits top-eight consideration. “We are in the conversation,” Coach Fallon said. “Play well at the right time, hopefully they are not star-struck. They are focused on getting it done.” Toledo 60, Napavine 55 (OT) Napavine (55) — Layton Griffith 17, Tyce Vigre 15, Cal Bullock 12, Hudson Chambers 6, Eric Bullock 5 Toledo (60) — Eli Weeks 21, Adam Kruger 11, Trevin Gale 9, Conner Hill 9, Cooper Fallon 8, Joaquin Acosta 2

Roma will attempt to consolidate fourth place in Serie A when they welcome struggling Cremonese to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday afternoon, with kick-off set against a backdrop of mounting injury concerns for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. The Giallorosi were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at Napoli last weekend, a result that keeps them one point clear of fifth-placed Juventus and with a game in hand. Cremonese, meanwhile, ended a four-match league drought by earning a 0-0 home draw against Genoa, lifting them to 16th in the standings. Yet with only 24 points taken from 25 fixtures, the Lombardy outfit could still be dragged into the relegation quagmire if results elsewhere turn against them. Gasperini’s biggest headache lies up front. Neither Paulo Dybala nor Matias Soule will be available, leaving January arrival Bryan Zaragoza and club captain Lorenzo Pellegrini to operate behind in-form striker Donyell Malen. The midfield picture is rosier: Manu Kone has recovered from injury and is in contention for a starting berth, while the defensive wing slots remain uncertain. Brazilian full-back Wesley is rated doubtful; should he fail a late fitness test, Zeki Celik and Kostas Tsimikas are expected to line up either side of a back three comprising Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka and Mario Hermoso. Cremonese boss appears set to stick with the XI that frustrated Genoa, meaning veteran forwards Jamie Vardy and Milan Djuric will again lead the line. Federico Baschirotto is battling a muscular complaint; if he does not make the cut, Matteo Bianchetti is primed to step in alongside Luperto and Terracciano in a three-man defence. Midfielders Thorsby, Maleh and Payero, together with wing-backs Barbieri and Pezzella, round out the anticipated 3-5-2. Probable teams Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, Kone, Cristante, Tsimikas; Zaragoza, Pellegrini; Malen. Cremonese (3-5-2): Audero; Terracciano, Bianchetti, Luperto; Barbieri, Thorsby, Maleh, Payero, Pezzella; Djuric, Vardy. Viewing details United Kingdom viewers can catch the match live on TNT Sports 3 and stream it through DAZN. Stateside audiences can follow the action on Paramount+. For minute-by-minute updates, the Football Italia Liveblog will provide comprehensive pre-match, in-play and post-match coverage. Keywords

The football world awoke to heartbreaking news on Sunday as former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore was found dead in his garage in Indiana at age 25, prompting an outpouring of grief from players, coaches, and fans across the NFL. Local authorities confirmed the discovery, and while an autopsy is pending to establish the precise cause of death, an official investigation remains active. Moore, a second-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, had earned a reputation as one of the league’s most electric young playmakers despite a career repeatedly interrupted by injuries. Between 2021 and 2023 he recorded 135 receptions for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns, primarily operating as a slot weapon in the Cardinals’ attack. His breakaway speed and dynamic after-catch ability made him a constant matchup headache for opposing defenses. Before turning professional, Moore burst onto the national scene at Purdue, where he earned All-American honors as a freshman and appeared destined for stardom. Yet injuries shadowed his ascent. Following his tenure in Arizona, he was dealt to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for quarterback Desmond Ridder, only to suffer a preseason knee injury that sidelined him for the year. A subsequent attempt to reboot his career with the Minnesota Vikings ended prematurely when another significant knee injury in preseason action forced him to miss the entire campaign. Within minutes of the announcement, social media became a digital memorial. Former teammate Marquise Brown posted a pair of anguished tweets—first disbelief that Moore had messaged him only hours earlier, then a poignant reminder that “you weren’t alone.” Ex-Cardinals defensive lineman Zach Allen urged followers to “always check on your people,” while three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt wrote that Moore was “way too special” and had “so much left to give.” Even players who never shared a locker room with Moore, notably veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, echoed the sorrow: “Heartbroken for your family, friends, & teammates.” The sudden loss leaves a void that transcends statistics. At 25, Moore still carried the promise of untapped potential—an athlete whose best football, many believed, remained ahead of him. As tributes continue to flood timelines and locker-room group chats, the league collectively pauses to honor a life taken far too soon.

After a tournament packed with late-night drama and sudden twists, the men’s Olympic ice hockey competition reaches its apex with a trans-border showdown that needs no extra hype: the United States against Canada for gold. The puck drops with history on the line—Canada chasing a record-extending tenth Olympic title and the Americans seeking their first since the Miracle on Ice era reset expectations four decades ago. For viewers, the only remaining puzzle is how to lock in a reliable feed, wherever they are. The answers vary by country, budget, and tolerance for ads, but every legitimate route to the game is simpler than a neutral-zone trap. United States audiences can default to NBC’s over-the-air broadcast, yet cord-cutters have an array of options. Peacock Premium, at $11 a month, is the most comprehensive: every face-off, every line change, plus tonight’s Closing Ceremony. Those who want a broader bundle can pivot to DirecTV’s MySports pack—$70 monthly, $60 for the first two months after a five-day trial—or Sling’s Blue plan, $50 where regional rights allow, $25 on the stripped-down Select tier. NBC availability on Sling is ZIP-code dependent, so prospective subscribers should confirm local clearance before committing. North of the 49th parallel, CBC holds the keys. CBC Gem streams the final live at no cost; an account signup is the lone requirement. Travelers who find themselves outside Canada during the clash can still tap that free feed by pairing CBC Gem with a reputable VPN, although users should verify local regulations and streaming-service terms before connecting. Australia’s ice-rare market is covered by Stan Sport, which carries the complete Olympic inventory—base plan $12, Sport add-on $20, totaling $32 a month. Nine and 9Now may splice in portions of the action without charge, making them worth a quick check for budget-minded fans. Regardless of geography, timing is unforgiving: once the anthem duet ends, the medal will be decided in real time. Choose a stream, test it early, and keep a backup link ready—no one wants to miss the moment the puck finds twine and a nation erupts.

Birmingham and north London are plotting the same raid on France’s Rhône valley. Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur have both placed Lyon’s 25-year-old Czech midfielder Pavel Sulc at the top of their summer shortlists, according to a Daily Mail report that values the player at around £43 million. Sulc’s statistics demand attention: 13 goals in 29 appearances since his summer switch from Viktoria Plzen. Those numbers have turned heads among Premier League clubs searching for creativity without the premium attached to household names. For Villa, the need is immediate. Injuries have thinned Unai Emery’s attacking-midfield ranks, and Sulc’s ability to operate both centrally and in wide pockets dovetails with the Spaniard’s fluid 4-4-2/3-4-3 hybrid. Tottenham, operating under interim boss Igor Tudor, are recalibrating after a season of under-performance in the final third. Sulc offers craft and goal threat without the baggage of a blockbuster fee, though Lyon’s valuation could yet rise if negotiations drag. Atletico Madrid provide continental competition. The Spanish club’s Champions League pedigree and Diego Simeone’s track record of polishing creative midfielders give them a persuasive edge, yet Premier League wages and exposure remain powerful counters. Lyon are open to a sale but hope to spark a bidding war. Villa monitored Sulc last autumn yet opted to wait and assess his form in Ligue 1; his consistency since has answered those doubts. Tottenham’s recruitment team, historically split between audacious punts and pragmatic buys, view Sulc as the latter: potential without recklessness, upside without vanity. The next step belongs to the player. A second season in France could refine his game, but the current market rewards early movers. History warns of mistiming: Luka Modrić and Kevin De Bruyne flourished after patient Premier League introductions, while others vanished after premature leaps. Whichever club wins the race, the pursuit itself signals intent. Villa and Spurs both crave relevance beyond the top-four glass ceiling; securing Sulc would represent a statement of methodical ambition rather than scattergun spending.

ROCHESTER — Miles Barclay’s final high-school match inside Mayo Civic Center will be remembered as the signature moment of the Section 1A tournament. The St. Charles senior toppled top-seeded and state-title favorite Jameson Priebe of Chatfield with a second-period pin to claim the 121-pound championship, igniting a deafening roar from the crowd and the Saints’ bench. Barclay, wrestling with blood-stained teeth, said the victory was about more than hardware. “A big part of my goal this year was to just leave on a note for a new era of St. Charles wrestling,” he explained. “Doing this as a senior is a good thing to leave on a high note for the younger guys to look up to.” The underdog struck first with a first-period takedown. Priebe countered in the second with an escape and takedown for a 4-2 lead, but Barclay calmly escaped, then unleashed the match-ending maneuver that brought the sold-out arena to its feet. “I just let it fly, just like my dad always says,” Barclay said. The win was the tournament’s biggest shock and one of only two upsets in the championship round. Lewiston-Altura’s Christian Zibrowski also stunned Chatfield, edging Logan Pearson 4-3 at 127. Both Priebe and Pearson rebounded in the true-second bout to secure state berths, part of a seven-athlete Chatfield contingent that will compete next Thursday at 9 a.m. in the Grand Casino Arena, St. Paul. Joining Barclay as a Saint state qualifier is 160-pound runner-up Bryndon Koeppel. Chatfield’s qualifiers include champions Joey Cady (107), Kaisen Johnson (133) and Hunter Polikowsky (145), plus runners-up Priebe, Pearson, Layne Root (139) and Will Boelter (215). Johnson, a four-time state entrant who will wrestle and play football at Division III St. John’s, settled the Gophers with a 15-0 tech fall in the 133 final. “He doesn’t have a medal yet. That’s really high on his list,” coach Matt Mauseth said. Including girls qualifiers, Chatfield will send 12 individuals to state and remains a favorite for a third straight Class 1A team title. Section 1A champions 107: Joey Cady, Chatfield 114: Arlyn Von Knobelsdorff, Goodhue 121: Miles Barclay, St. Charles 127: Christian Zibrowski, Lewiston-Altura/Rushford-Peterson 133: Kaisen Johnson, Chatfield 139: Owen Lange, Lewiston-Altura/Rushford-Peterson 145: Hunter Polikowsky, Chatfield 152: Henry Dohnalik, La Crescent-Hokah 160: Talen Rabe, Dover-Eyota 172: Will Allen, Caledonia/Houston 189: Kane Larson, Fillmore Central/Lanesboro/Mabel-Canton 215: Cooper Allen, Caledonia/Houston 285: Jack Carlson, Goodhue

MADISON — The celebration began with a single fist, stick still clenched in hand, and ended with Kason Muscutt engulfed by teammates, arms spread wide beneath the Kohl Center rafters. In between came the moment that will live on Michigan hockey highlight reels: a no-look deflection that tied the game, ignited a dormant bench, and announced the unheralded freshman as the newest Wolverine to etch his name into program lore. Seven minutes into the first period, with No. 2 Michigan trailing No. 13 Wisconsin 1-0 and searching for a spark, sophomore defenseman Ben Robertson unloaded a shot from the blue line. Muscutt, stationed in the slot and facing away from the net, subtly redirected the puck past the unsuspecting goalie. The arena erupted; the Wolverines exhaled. “Really good story,” coach Brandon Naurato said afterward. “A credit to him as a person and his character … to see how excited the guys were when he scored was really cool.” Six weeks ago, such a scene felt impossible. Muscutt wasn’t even on Michigan’s roster until a midseason transfer became necessary after Teddy Spitznagel’s departure. He logged three total minutes in his first two games against Minnesota, worked his way onto the penalty kill against Ohio State, and had settled into life as an extra forward—until Saturday, when he lined up on the third unit with fellow freshmen Cole McKinney and Adam Valentini. Less than two months after arriving in Ann Arbor, the Shreveport, Louisiana native—believed to be the first in program history from the Pelican State—has gone from depth insurance to difference-maker. The goal was the exclamation point on a rapid ascent that even Muscutt might have doubted in early January. “I love that kid,” senior defenseman Luca Fantilli said. “He’s a psycho … but he’s honestly such a good guy. He fit in like he was here the whole time.” Muscutt’s joy carried an extra layer. In SEC country, where football, baseball and basketball dominate dinner-table talk, a kid from northwest Louisiana rarely finds himself on hockey’s biggest collegiate stage. On Saturday, every Shreveport youth player watching back home saw one of their own tie a game Michigan would ultimately win 3-1. “That’s really what it’s all about,” Muscutt said. “You’ve got to remember where you came from. I feel the support in Wisconsin from Shreveport, 100%.” The deflection itself was equal parts instinct and audacity—back to goal, stick blade angled just so, puck ricocheting skyward and in. It erased Wisconsin’s early momentum and provided the jolt the Wolverines needed to seize control. From there, Michigan rolled, adding two more goals and cementing another victory in what has become a championship-caliber season. For Muscutt, the stat sheet now shows one game-tying goal, a tangible reward for six relentless weeks of practice, video sessions and proving he belonged. For his teammates, it was a reminder that every roster spot on this team is earned, not given. And for a sport still planting roots in the American South, it was proof that talent can sprout anywhere—even along the Red River. The goal, the celebration, the victory: three phases of joy befitting a fairytale still being written.

Catarina Macario’s 2025 was supposed to be a launchpad. Eight goals in ten U.S. appearances, three in the December friendlies against Italy, and a growing on-field chemistry that had teammates and coaches talking about a fully realized star entering her prime. Instead, two months into 2026, the 26-year-old finds herself sidelined by a heel injury, off both Chelsea’s Champions League roster and the USWNT squad for next month’s SheBelieves Cup, and—most consequentially—four months from the expiration of her Chelsea contract. The timeline is now the story. Macario last played on Dec. 10 in a Champions League group match against Roma. A week earlier she had torched Italy in Florida, but heel pain that flared before Christmas has kept her in rehabilitation ever since. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor, who lifted the 2021 Champions League trophy with Macario at Lyon, labeled the striker “heading in the right direction” on Jan. 16, yet ruled her out for the subsequent FA Cup tie. U.S. head coach Emma Hayes, who brought Macario to London in 2023, left her off the 23-player SheBelieves roster released last week, stating simply: “She’s not available for selection.” Availability is only part of the equation. Sources tell The Athletic that Macario has already turned down Chelsea’s extension offer, opening a bidding window that stretches across Europe and back to her adopted home state of California. ESPN reported advanced negotiations between Macario and NWSL side San Diego Wave on Feb. 13; The Athletic describes the Wave as “front-runners.” A move to the U.S. would mark Macario’s first professional season on home soil since her Stanford days and would coincide with the introduction of the league’s High Impact Player rule, a mechanism that allows clubs to spend up to $1 million above the salary cap on marquee signings—though the provision is currently being challenged by the NWSL Players Association. For Chelsea, the stakes are equally acute. The reigning WSL champions trail Manchester City by nine points and must navigate a quarter-final against continental holders Arsenal without their American No. 9. An early transfer would at least yield a fee; after June 30, Macario can walk for nothing. She is not the only Chelsea star whose deal expires this summer, but her departure would remove a potential game-changer ahead of a 2027 World Cup cycle in which England’s top flight hopes to reassert global dominance. Wherever Macario lands, minutes are the priority. An ACL tear in 2022 limited her to intermittent cameos, and the current heel issue has again interrupted momentum. Hayes, who capped 44 players in 2025, still lists Macario and fellow forward Sophia Wilson as her first-choice nines “if fit,” evidence that the coaching staff views a healthy Macario as central to its Brazil 2027 plans. The question is whether she can reach that tournament at full strength—and in the right shirt. The clock ticks toward March 16, the final day NWSL teams can register new players, and toward July 1, when Macario’s Chelsea tenure officially ends. Between now and then, every week of rehab, every training session, every phone call from an interested club will shape not merely a career crossroads, but the attacking identity of the U.S. women’s national team itself.

Milan-Cortina, Italy – When Boone Niederhofer steps onto the bobsled track this week, he will become the first Texas A&M football player ever to compete in a Winter Olympics, completing a journey that began as a preferred walk-on wide receiver catching passes from Johnny Manziel and Kyler Murray while dodging a future No. 1 overall draft pick, Myles Garrett. Niederhofer, 29, is the brakeman for USA-2 in the four-man bobsled, an unlikely destination for a petroleum engineer from Midland, Texas whose only childhood exposure to the sport was repeatedly watching Cool Runnings with his brother. “Never thought I was going to do it,” he admitted, laughing. “I just loved to compete.” That competitive streak carried him from Midland High to College Station after he turned down his lone scholarship offer—Abilene Christian, his father’s alma mater—to chase an SEC dream. He spent two seasons on the scout team, earned an engineering degree and, in 2014, recorded a career-best 29 receptions for 293 yards, including a 42-yard catch against LSU. An ACL tear during his senior season ended any thought of pro-day heroics, so Niederhofer moved to Houston, took a job in oil-and-gas, married Chloe and settled into what looked like a quiet life. Then came a layoff, a phone call from fellow former Aggies walk-on Sam Moeller, and an invitation to try bobsled. “I dove all in,” Niederhofer said. “The start is everything—speed, power, explosiveness. That’s football.” Balancing fatherhood, full-time work as a production engineer in the Permian Basin and international sliding circuits, he trained at dawn, lifted at lunch and worked remotely from Europe while Chloe and their two toddlers followed the tour. The payoff: a fourth-place finish at last season’s world championships in Lake Placid and, now, an Olympic start. “Our goal is always to medal,” he said. “We’ve got the athletes and the equipment. We just have to perform.” Back in Texas, the Aggies’ never-ending group text—Johnny Football, Myles Garrett, Christian Kirk, Armani Watts and dozens more—lit up when Niederhofer shared his roster news. “Really cool amount of support,” he said. “People from every season of life reached out. That’s been uplifting.” From Kyle Field’s 100,000-seat roar to a 85-mph fiberglass tube on ice, Niederhofer’s route may be the most improbable path in Texas A&M sports history—but it’s not finished yet. A medal in Milan-Cortina would turn astonishment into immortality.

Argentina’s production line of prodigious talent shows no sign of slowing. From the timeless artistry of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi to the modern-day brilliance of Ángel Di María, the nation has repeatedly set the global benchmark for flair and invention. Today, a new wave of 21-and-under stars is surfacing across Europe’s top leagues, each carrying the weight of expectation and the promise of fresh glory for La Albiceleste. Valentin Barco, 20, has already logged meaningful minutes in three of Europe’s “big five” divisions, establishing himself among the most coveted young left-backs in the game. Standing 5 ft 7 in, the defender turns a lack of height into an asset, deploying a low centre of gravity to ride challenges and retain possession. While competent in his defensive duties, Barco’s real value lies in the final third: he is equally effective as an overlapping full-back, a wing-back or even a left-sided midfielder, providing width and creativity in equal measure. In Italy, Nico Paz is lighting up Serie A under the tutelage of Cesc Fàbregas at Como. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has nine goals and six assists in league action this term, adding another strike in the Coppa Italia. Paz’s versatility is a coach’s dream: he can drop deeper as a central midfielder or push forward as a false nine, manipulating space and tempo with maturity beyond his years. Franco Mastantuono, the list’s youngest inclusion at just 18, swapped River Plate for Real Madrid last summer and has wasted no time adjusting to elite surroundings. The teenager has appeared in 15 La Liga fixtures and reserved his best displays for Europe’s premier club competition, registering one goal and one assist in five Champions League outings. His rapid ascent suggests Los Blancos believe they have secured a generational playmaker. Bologna’s Santiago Castro continues the Argentine tradition of razor-sharp finishers. The 20-year-old has seven goals and two assists in 22 Serie A matches, drawing stylistic comparisons with a young Gonzalo Higuaín for his intelligent movement and ruthless timing. Though yet to earn a senior international cap, his consistent club form makes an Argentina debut appear inevitable. Completing the quintet is 21-year-old Alejandro Garnacho, already a household name after his £40 million summer switch from Manchester United to Chelsea. Born in Madrid but an Argentina international by choice, the winger’s explosive dribbling and end-product have seen him feature prominently for both club and country, despite his tender age. With these five talents spread across La Liga, Serie A and the Premier League, Argentina’s next generation is not merely waiting in the wings—it is already demanding the spotlight.

Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is set to take the field as a passer at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine, according to a report that surfaced Tuesday. The workout marks a pivotal opportunity for Simpson to showcase his arm talent in front of league executives, scouts and coaches as he seeks to elevate his draft positioning ahead of April’s selection meeting. While details of his throwing session remain limited, the decision to participate underscores Simpson’s confidence in his readiness to compete against the 2024 quarterback class. With evaluators on hand for drills, interviews and medical checks, the combine stage offers the ex-Crimson Tide signal-caller a controlled environment to address any questions surrounding his mechanics, velocity and accuracy. Simpson’s appearance at the annual event in Indianapolis is expected to be closely monitored by franchises searching for quarterback depth, and a strong performance could help solidify his standing on draft boards across the league.

AUBURN, Ala. — Kentucky’s reserves managed only eight points and seven fouls on 3-for-11 shooting Saturday night at Neville Arena, and the statistical imbalance proved fatal when Auburn’s Elyjah Freeman followed his own miss with 1.4 seconds left to lift the Tigers to a 75-74 win and hand the Wildcats their third straight loss. The defeat, the first three-game skid of Mark Pope’s two-year tenure in Lexington, dropped Kentucky to 17-10 overall and 8-6 in SEC play. Auburn, which had lost five in a row under first-year coach Steven Pearl, improved to 15-12, 6-8. With 6:57 to play, Mouhamed Dioubate’s two free throws finally pushed the UK bench past its foul total, but the group never found a rhythm. Auburn’s backups weren’t spectacular—16 points as a unit—but Freeman’s lone bucket couldn’t have come at a better time for the home crowd. The Wildcats’ second-unit woes mirrored Tuesday’s 86-78 loss to Georgia, when UK reserves were outscored 29-8. Pope had pledged to lighten the load on starting guards Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen, yet the quartet of Dioubate, Brandon Garrison, Trent Noah and Jasper Johnson offered little relief. Oweh did everything he could, pouring in a career-best 29 points, but a late offensive foul on Collin Chandler with 14 seconds left and Kentucky up 74-73 shifted momentum. Pope, restricted from critiquing officials, still alluded to a “1-on-8” battle his star guard faced. “We’re coming to compete,” Pope said. “We’re a little short-handed right now, but we have control over winning and losing. I thought the guys put together a great effort tonight and we didn’t get the win. So now we go to work on Tuesday and go get the win.” Kentucky will try to halt its longest losing streak since the 2020-21 season when it returns to action next week.

Ann Arbor — While Michigan fans dissected the fallout from December’s Sherrone Moore saga, running backs coach Tony Alford was living a parallel existence: preparing the Wolverines for a bowl game without knowing whether he would still have a job once the postseason ended. Alford, the lone holdover from the previous staff after Utah’s Kyle Whittingham was hired, told Jon Jansen on the In the Trenches podcast that the limbo stretched nearly a month and forced him to balance professional duty with personal uncertainty. “You live in parallel lives,” Alford said. “Half the day is spent thinking, ‘Am I even going to be here? Should I be looking for a job?’ The other half, you’re here, responsible for getting a team ready to play.” Whittingham ultimately retained two coaches; Lou Esposito later left to join Jesse Minter with the Baltimore Ravens, leaving Alford as the only coach who remained in place from the prior regime. Throughout the transition, Alford said he adopted a simple mantra: “Put both feet in the water where you’re at.” “I’m a firm believer that if you’ve got one foot out and one foot in, you’re never going to be good for anybody,” he said. “So I dove into what I was doing. We asked our players to do the same—put blinders on and do the job you’re charged with doing.” That job included retaining five-star 2026 signee Savion Hiter, the nation’s top-rated running back in his class. Alford’s pitch to current players and recruits alike was stripped of salesmanship. “I tell kids, ‘I’m going to treat you like my sons,’” he said. “That means I’m going to be transparent. When they ask, ‘Coach, what are you doing?’ I say, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing. I’d like to be here, but I don’t know. In the meantime, we’re going to prepare you to be the best player you can be.’” Alford emphasized that the pillars that brought athletes to Michigan—academics, networking, championship football, NFL preparation—“still exist regardless of who’s coaching the room.” His message, repeated to every player: control what you can control and continue pursuing the goals that made Ann Arbor the destination in the first place.

LOS ANGELES—Week 16’s Thursday Night thriller has become the epicenter of an off-season rule-book debate after the Los Angeles Rams confirmed they will formally propose an NFL by-law alteration stemming from the chaotic two-point conversion that helped propel Seattle from a 30-14 fourth-quarter deficit to a 38-37 overtime victory. The sequence in question unfolded with 5:12 remaining in regulation. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold hurriedly lined up under center and flipped the ball backward toward running back Zach Charbonnet. Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht swatted the lateral, sending the ball skittering forward where Charbonnet recovered and advanced it across the goal-line. Officials on the field whistled the play dead and signaled the conversion no-good, but the Prime Video rules analyst immediately flagged the backward nature of the initial pass. After a booth-initiated review that lasted more than two minutes, the call was reversed, the Seahawks were awarded two points, and the score was knotted 30-30. Seattle ultimately prevailed on a 42-yard Jason Myers field goal in overtime. The loss derailed what had been a resurgent stretch for Los Angeles. Quarterback Matthew Stafford finished 27-of-38 for 328 yards and three touchdowns, rookie receiver Puka Nacua added 154 yards and a score, and the defense forced three first-half turnovers. Yet the defeat dropped the Rams to the NFC’s No. 5 seed; they were eliminated two rounds later in the conference championship by the same Seahawks, 31-27. Special-teams coordinator Chase Blackburn was dismissed less than 24 hours after the Week 16 collapse, and head coach Sean McVay later admitted the club “never regained its rhythm” down the stretch. Now the organization is channeling its frustration toward legislation. According to team sources, the Rams’ forthcoming proposal will target four areas: 1. Clarifying that any backward pass remains a live ball regardless of an inadvertent whistle. 2. Establishing a dead-ball provision once an official rules a two-point attempt failed, even if replay shows the ball was lateralled backward. 3. Requiring on-field officials to hold their whistle when a conversion’s direction is in question. 4. Instituting a time limit for booth-initiated challenges inside the final six minutes of regulation. The league’s competition committee has not yet assigned the proposal a formal agenda slot, but the Rams plan to lean on their market size and star power—including Stafford, Nacua and three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald—to lobby for support. Critics contend the franchise is attempting to legislate away its own late-game misfortune rather than address offensive inconsistency that produced only three second-half points in the playoff rematch. Seattle, meanwhile, parlayed the momentum of the comeback into a postseason run that culminated in a Super Bowl triumph, the franchise’s second in eight seasons. General manager John Schneider declined comment on the Rams’ initiative, but privately the club believes the existing interpretation—confirmed by replay—was correct. Owners will debate potential rule modifications at the March league meetings in Phoenix. Any change requires approval from 24 of 32 clubs.

New Albany, Indiana – Rondale Moore, the 25-year-old Minnesota Vikings wide receiver whose electric speed and relentless work ethic made him a fan favorite at every stop of his football journey, died Saturday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey. Authorities discovered Moore’s body inside a garage in his hometown. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday, WLKY-TV reports. Moore had signed with the Vikings this offseason after three turbulent years in the NFL. The former Purdue standout tore his knee in Minnesota’s first preseason game, ending his 2025 campaign before it began. It was the second consecutive August in which a preseason injury cost him an entire year; Moore had missed the 2024 season after suffering a knee injury while with the Atlanta Falcons. Selected 49th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2021 NFL Draft, Moore flashed the same burst that once terrorized Big Ten defenses. His most productive professional season came in Year 3 with Arizona, when he piled up 530 total yards and two touchdowns in his only full season at the sport’s highest level. Across all 36 career games, Moore amassed 1,450 total yards and four touchdowns. At Purdue, Moore’s freshman year remains the stuff of legend. In 2018 he posted 1,258 receiving yards, 213 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns, earning consensus All-America honors, the Paul Warfield Trophy and CBS Sports Freshman of the Year recognition. Injuries limited him to seven games over the next two collegiate seasons, yet his reputation as the most dynamic playmaker in college football was already secure. Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore with the Boilermakers, remembered a competitor whose drive lifted everyone around him. “Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach,” Brohm said. “The ultimate competitor that wouldn’t back down from any challenge. Rondale had a work ethic unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale, we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with.” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell echoed those sentiments, noting how quickly Moore endeared himself to the organization despite arriving only months ago. “I am devastated by the news of Rondale's death,” O’Connell said. “While Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short time, he was someone we came to know well and care about deeply. He was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots. As a player, he was disciplined, dedicated and resilient despite facing adversity multiple times as injuries sidelined him throughout his career. We are all heartbroken by the fact he won't continue to live out his NFL dream and we won't all have a chance to watch him flourish. My prayers are with Rondale's family, friends, teammates and coaches as we all deal with this tragic news.” The Vikings released a statement Sunday affirming their support for Moore’s family and their own organization. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rondale Moore,” the team said. “While we are working to understand the facts, we have spoken with Rondale's family to offer our condolences and the full support of the Minnesota Vikings. We have also been in communication with our players, coaches, and staff, and will make counseling and emotional support resources available to anyone in need. Our thoughts are with Rondale's family and friends during this devastating time.” Moore’s death is under investigation by the New Albany Police Department. Authorities have not released additional details.

West Lafayette, IN — Rondale Moore, the electrifying wide receiver who redefined Purdue football from 2018-20 and went on to play in the NFL, has died at age 25, multiple reporters confirmed Saturday. Ahmad Hicks of FOX 9 in Minnesota was among the first to relay the news; authorities say an investigation is underway. Moore’s arrival in West Lafayette was a lightning bolt. In his very first game he amassed 313 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns against Northwestern, announcing himself as college football’s next superstar. The 5-foot-7, 181-pound dynamo never slowed, finishing his freshman campaign with a Big Ten-best 1,258 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches while adding 662 kickoff-return yards, 213 rushing yards and 82 punt-return yards. The honors rolled in: 2018 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Receiver of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten and All-America recognition. The signature moment of his Purdue career came on Oct. 20, 2018, when the unranked Boilermakers stunned No. 2 Ohio State 49-20. Moore torched the Buckeyes for 12 receptions, 170 yards and two touchdowns, carrying the offense and igniting a campus-wide celebration. By the time he left for the NFL after three seasons, Moore had piled up 3,094 all-purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns, entrenching himself among the greatest players in program history. The Arizona Cardinals selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft; he later spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings. Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore at Purdue and now leads Louisville, posted a heartfelt tribute on social media: “Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach. The ultimate competitor that would never back down to any challenge. Rondale has a work ethic that was unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale and we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with. We offer all of our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family and we love him very much.” Former Purdue running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. expressed his shock online: “No way man!! Just talked to you. This one hurt my heart. RIP 4.” Moore’s death leaves a void across the Purdue community and the broader football world, where his explosive playmaking and relentless drive made him must-watch television every Saturday. He is survived by a legacy of highlight-reel moments and the memories of a player who, for three unforgettable seasons, proved that greatness comes in every size.

Dallas Cowboys officials now have a firm number to work with as they weigh the future of wide receiver George Pickens: at least $30 million per season. According to a report Saturday from Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, Pickens and his representatives have set that figure as the floor for negotiations on a long-term extension. The 2025 campaign cemented Pickens’ place atop the Cowboys’ second-ranked offense, and his camp argues the price tag is in step with the marketplace. Sportskeeda Pro Football summarized the Watkins report by noting that the projected 2026 wide-receiver franchise tag sits around $28 million, making the $30 million ask “not out of line.” Spotrac’s valuation model agrees, forecasting a four-year pact worth roughly $122.4 million—an average of $30.6 million annually. If Dallas agreed to those terms, Pickens would slot just behind the league’s top-paid receivers, joining Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown (just above $30 million per year) and San Francisco’s Brandon Aiyuk (exactly $30 million). Pickens, a former second-round pick out of Georgia, has completed his rookie contract and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year opens March 11. The Cowboys must decide by then whether to meet his asking price, apply the franchise tag for a one-year solution, or explore a trade. One speculative avenue surfaced earlier this week when ESPN’s Dan Graziano floated a deal that would send Pickens and a 2026 first-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby and a second-round selection. Graziano framed the swap as a way for Dallas to avoid both a record-setting receiver contract and the potential locker-room friction that can accompany a franchise tag, referencing last year’s situation with edge-rusher Micah Parsons. Crosby, who is owed about $30 million over each of the next two seasons, would theoretically replace Parsons in the Cowboys’ pass rush, freeing the front office to search for a new No. 2 wide receiver through cheaper means. With the March 11 deadline looming, Dallas faces a clear fork in the road: pay Pickens like a top-tier wideout, risk the tag, or orchestrate a blockbuster move that reshapes both sides of the ball.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Dallas Cowboys moved quickly to secure one of their standout performers from the 2025 campaign, finalizing a three-year contract with running back Javonte Williams on Saturday. The deal, struck at the outset of the offseason, locks in the explosive back who emerged as a consistent bright spot for the organization last season. Terms were not disclosed, but the agreement signals the club’s intent to build around Williams as it retools for 2026. Dallas officials met with Williams’ representatives in Indianapolis, where the timing of the pact underscores the front office’s priority to retain core talent before the market heats up. Williams, whose blend of power and elusiveness energized the Cowboys’ ground game throughout 2025, now becomes one of the first marquee names secured across the league this winter.