Football News

Daytona Beach, Fla. – NASCAR has revised the start time for Sunday’s 68th running of the Daytona 500, moving the green flag up one hour to 2:13 p.m. ET in an effort to outrun forecasted rain. Prerace coverage on FOX will still begin at 1:00 p.m. ET. Officials announced the adjustment Saturday evening after the National Weather Service placed the probability of afternoon showers at 50 percent, with an even greater threat of precipitation arriving Sunday night. The decision is designed to give the 41-car field the best chance of completing all 500 miles without interruption. Pole-winner Kyle Busch and front-row partner Chase Briscoe will lead the field to the start line at Daytona International Speedway, kicking off the 36-race NASCAR Cup Series championship season. William Byron, seeking an unprecedented third consecutive Daytona 500 victory, will roll off 39th and faces a daunting charge through the pack. Weather has now influenced the Great American Race for three consecutive years. The 2024 event was postponed to Monday because of persistent rain, while last year’s contest endured a three-and-a-half-hour red-flag delay. This year’s schedule shift is comparatively minor, underscoring NASCAR’s increasing reliance on real-time meteorological data to protect its marquee event. Track president Frank Kelleher and NASCAR vice president of competition Elton Sawyer both emphasized that completing the race on Sunday remains the top priority. “We’d rather start earlier and race in daylight than risk another Monday finish,” Sawyer said in the series release. With engines set to fire 60 minutes ahead of the original 3:13 p.m. ET slot, teams have recalibrated their prerace routines, and fans holding grandstand tickets have been encouraged to enter the facility as soon as the gates open at 9:00 a.m. local time.

Philadelphia, PA — As the Eagles sift through the wreckage of a disappointing 2025 campaign, the spotlight has swung toward wide receiver A.J. Brown, whose subdued production has fueled whispers of a potential offseason move. Brown, once the explosive centerpiece of the Eagles’ passing attack, never fully found his rhythm this season, and the resulting trade chatter that dogged Philadelphia last year is poised to resurface in the coming months. While Brown has yet to issue a formal request, subtle signs suggest he is weighing his long-term fit with the franchise. Observers noted a series of cryptic social-media posts in recent days—likes, retweets and brief replies that, taken together, signal at least a willingness to listen if the front office explores the market. The posts stopped short of demanding a trade, but they were enough to reignite speculation that the Pro Bowl receiver could be on the move for the second straight offseason. Philadelphia’s offense sputtered throughout 2025, and Brown’s dip in production mirrored the larger struggles. Without the explosive plays that once stretched defenses, the unit finished well short of expectations, intensifying questions about roster construction and whether a reset is required. With the new league year approaching, the Eagles must decide whether to recommit to their star wideout or entertain offers that could reshape the complexion of the team. For now, Brown’s future remains unresolved, yet every online breadcrumb he leaves will be dissected until clarity arrives—either in the form of a restructured commitment or a blockbuster deal that sends him elsewhere.

In a stunning turnaround on the road, No. 5 Nebraska erased an 11-0 deficit by capturing eight consecutive matches, surging past No. 11 Illinois to secure a pivotal victory. The comeback victory keeps the Huskers’ momentum intact and adds a marquee win to their résumé as the season progresses. Nebraska, ranked fifth nationally, looked in early trouble after Illinois jumped ahead 11-0, but the Huskers responded with a flawless run of eight straight match wins to flip the dual meet on its head. The decisive stretch showcased the team’s resilience and depth, allowing Nebraska to leave Champaign with a statement road win over the 11th-ranked Illini. The result strengthens Nebraska’s position in the conference standings and provides a confidence boost heading into the final stretch of the schedule.

Less than a week after North Dakota State’s headline-grabbing jump from the FCS to the FBS, a second program is preparing to make the same leap. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that another unnamed team will transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2026, though the announcement is expected to draw considerably less attention than the Bison’s revelation. Details about the incoming program’s identity, conference destination, and timeline beyond the 2026 season have not yet been disclosed.

Milan—Latvian supporters Vita Kalniņa and Alexander Kalniņš turned a routine preliminary-round men’s hockey game between the United States and Denmark into a quiet political statement Saturday, raising a Greenlandic flag inside the arena in a show of European solidarity with the Arctic territory. The couple, Latvian fans who now live in Germany, unfurled the red-and-white Nordic cross during warm-ups and again when Denmark opened the scoring. “For us as Europeans it was important to show up with this symbol as a symbol of European unity that we support Greenland,” Kalniņš told The Associated Press. The gesture comes amid heightened attention on Greenland after recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about potentially taking control of the semiautonomous Danish territory. The flag display quickly drew notice: arena staff, citing safety concerns, asked the pair to put the banner away. “He said it was due to safety reasons, because there could be American aggressive people,” Kalniņš recounted. The couple complied but noted television cameras had already captured the moment. Greenland does not field its own Olympic team; its athletes, including biathlon siblings Ukaleq and Sondre Slettemark, compete for Denmark. Olympic venue guidelines technically permit only flags of participating countries and territories, leaving the Greenlandic flag’s status ambiguous. Kalniņa and Kalniņš said their message was simple: Greenlanders should know Europe stands with them, whether they remain part of Denmark or pursue full independence. “It’s not OK that Trump and America are this aggressive and try to incorporate the island into their country,” Kalniņš added. Inside the boards, players insisted politics never intruded. “We didn’t even mention it,” Danish captain Jesper Jensen Aabo said. “We just wanted to win a hockey game against a world-class team.” Jensen Aabo added he never spotted the flag but appreciated the thought: “Hopefully they supported us.” Spectators on both sides echoed the sentiment that sport should rise above geopolitical tension. “It doesn’t matter whatever sport it is…it has nothing to do with politics,” Danish fan Dennis Petersen said. American supporter Rem de Rohan agreed: “This is the time for people to put that down and compete country versus country and enjoy.” The United States-Denmark contest ended as a straightforward hockey showdown, yet the brief appearance of the Greenlandic flag offered a reminder that even inside an Olympic arena, world affairs can slip past the boards.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Denny Hamlin has driven without fear, doubt or hesitation for more than two decades, especially at Daytona International Speedway. Now, carrying the momentum of recent heartbreak, the veteran racer is targeting a record-tying fourth Daytona 500 triumph. Hamlin’s unshakable confidence on the high banks has long defined his legacy here, and another victory in The Great American Race would etch his name even deeper into NASCAR lore.

Stephenville, Texas — The 2025 Stephenville Yellow Jackets have already etched their names into Texas high school football lore as Class 4A Division I state champions. On Wednesday, the program added a national accolade to its trophy case, earning the nation’s highest academic honor for a high school football team. The recognition underscores a rare double: the Jackets reign supreme on the field and in the classroom. While the source announcement offered no specifics on grade-point averages, test scores, or the awarding organization, it affirmed that the team’s scholastic achievements have been judged the best among peers nationwide. Stephenville’s dual success sets a new bar for excellence in Texas prep football, pairing championship-level play with top-tier academic performance.

FRISCO, Texas — A blockbuster all-American championship match will decide the 2026 Dallas Open, as top-seeded Taylor Fritz and second-seeded Ben Shelton advanced in contrasting fashion Saturday night to set up a showdown between the two highest-ranked players from the United States. Fritz, 28 and currently No. 7 in the world, never faced a break point while firing 22 aces to subdue former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic 7-6(5), 7-6(3) in a 38-ace serving exhibition. The 10-time ATP titlist converted his first match point when Cilic’s return sailed long, capping a clean performance that featured zero double faults from the Californian. Shelton, 23 and ranked No. 9, continued his flair for the dramatic, coming from a set down for the second straight match to edge defending Dallas champion Denis Shapovalov 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(4). Trailing 1-1 and facing three break points in the second set, the left-handed Floridian uncorked a searing cross-court forehand winner to turn the tide, eventually leveling the match with a late break. In the deciding tiebreaker Shelton won three of the last four points, sealing victory with another forehand missile that sent the Ford Center crowd into a frenzy. “I’m super-excited for that matchup,” Shelton told fans inside the indoor stadium that doubles as a Dallas Cowboys practice facility. Sunday’s final will be just the third tour-level meeting between the Americans; they split their first two encounters. Fritz is pursuing his first title since last summer, while Shelton—fresh off an Australian Open quarterfinal run ended by Jannik Sinner—seeks his fourth ATP trophy. With both players in form and a raucous Texas crowd expected, the stage is set for a high-octic conclusion to the third edition of the Dallas Open. SEO keywords:

Detroit — Every offseason produces its share of eyebrow-raising hypotheticals, but the latest morsel making the rounds inside league circles might set a new standard for absurdity. NFL commentator Ben Devine floated the notion that Lions left tackle Taylor Decker could spend the 2026 season—presumably his last before retirement—wearing the navy and orange of the rival Chicago Bears. The logic, according to Devine, begins with Detroit’s balance sheet. Moving on from Decker would free approximately $18 million in salary-cap space at a time when the Lions are expected to prioritize flexibility for a roster loaded with ascending talent. Decker, who will be entering his 11th professional campaign, has publicly acknowledged he would like to play one more year, though he remains open to stepping away from the game. Devine seized on that admission and linked the veteran to Chicago as a potential one-year stopgap. From a pure accounting standpoint, the premise is defensible. General manager Brad Holmes has shown little hesitation when it comes to parting with long-tenured contributors if the financial upside is significant, and Detroit’s pipeline of young blockers could make the offensive line one of the roster’s deepest positions. Yet the speculation collapses under the weight of history, culture, and simple football common sense. Decker has spent a decade anchoring Detroit’s offensive front, twice a year lining up against the Bears and helping transform a once-lopsided divisional matchup into a personal crusade. He has experienced the franchise’s climb from afterthought to contender, and teammates describe him as a locker-room pillar who embraces the rivalry’s animosity. Players who have built their identities on the Lions-Bears feud rarely, if ever, swap colors late in their careers, especially when the motivation is a single-season cameo. While the possibility remains that Decker could finish his career outside Detroit, the idea that he would choose Chicago—a city and franchise he has spent ten years trying to defeat—appears far-fetched to those who understand the emotional investment forged inside an NFC North trench war. Devine’s projection may generate clicks, but inside the Lions’ facility it is being greeted with the sports equivalent of an eye roll.

Pittsburgh, PA — The Steelers have officially opened the costume case and are inviting one energetic supporter to step inside it, announcing a search for the next performer to bring mascot Steely McBeam to life. A newly posted job listing describes the role as a part-time mascot performer and handler. According to the posting, the selected candidate will accompany Steely McBeam to public appearances and, after gaining sufficient handler experience, may be asked to perform at additional events on the team’s behalf. The franchise emphasizes reliability: applicants must be available for every home game at Acrisure Stadium and maintain a flexible schedule throughout the season. Physical requirements are precise — candidates must stand between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 1 inch tall — and a “basic understanding of football” is listed as essential. Interested fans can submit applications through the team’s employment portal. No prior professional mascot experience is specified, but a commitment to enthusiasm, stamina, and the Steelers’ community ethos is implied. With the 2024 home slate approaching, the organization hopes to have Steely McBeam’s new persona ready to fire up the Terrible Towel-waving faithful.

NORTH LOGAN — Sickness, foul trouble and facing a team for the third time this season may have slowed the Wolves down a little, but the Region 11 champs were up to the challenge in a second round 4A state contest, punching their ticket to the next round. The Mustangs and Riverhawks also secured victories, keeping their championship hopes alive as the tournament field narrows.

Valentine’s Day 2026 turned into another round of social-media sparring between seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and WWE Superstar Logan Paul, pushing their months-long feud into fresh territory ahead of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21 in Saudi Arabia. The latest exchange began when Paul posted a wrestling clip featuring a chain of acrobatic flips and tagged Brady directly, questioning the quarterback’s athleticism. The video rocketed past one million views within hours and reignited the debate over what constitutes a “real” athlete. Brady fired back with a single line that lit up both NFL and WWE corners of the internet: “You know we’re not playing flag gymnastics, right?” The barb is the newest chapter in a rivalry that started at a Super Bowl party, where Paul claimed his in-ring skills measure up to those of elite NFL players. Brady dismissed WWE as “cute” and praised the pressure faced by football standouts like Saquon Barkley. Paul escalated the feud in a recent Sports Illustrated interview, poking at Brady’s NFL Combine numbers and arguing that most football players would struggle to survive a WWE schedule. With the March exhibition in Riyadh drawing closer, the banter has shifted from off-hand comments to direct public jabs. Brady will captain a U.S. roster in the flag football showcase, while Paul suits up for the opposing squad. What began as playful promotion now carries genuine competitive tension, energizing ticket holders and broadcasters alike. NFL loyalists point to Brady’s championship pedigree; wrestling supporters tout Paul’s athletic daring. The only certainty is that the countdown to kickoff now feels as much about personal pride as it does about the final score.

Werder Bremen’s dressing room was quiet after the 3–0 defeat to Bayern Munich, but midfielder Senne Lynen broke the silence with a candid admission that echoed through the Weser-Stadion corridors: the penalty he conceded was the moment everything changed. “I’m sorry that I gave away the penalty. We were playing well at that point. It didn’t feel like a foul to me. There’s always some contact in a tackle, but after looking at the footage and consulting VAR, that’s how it turned out,” Lynen said, his words carrying the weight of a match flipped on its head. For nearly an hour Bremen had matched the league’s most relentless side, pressing with purpose and defending in synchronized lines. Energy was high, organization was tight, and Bayern’s usual passing lanes looked congested. Then came the 62nd-minute challenge that VAR slo-mo converted from routine duel to spot-kick. The subsequent goal punctured Bremen’s resistance; two more Bayern finishes followed as the hosts’ composure unraveled. Lynen’s reflection highlights the razor-thin margin at elite level, where a single whistle can separate resilience from collapse. Accepting responsibility while questioning the tactile feel of the foul underscores both the modern player’s accountability and the intrusive magnification of every studs-up snapshot. Yet within the apology lies a roadmap. Public ownership of errors fosters squad trust and signals intent to tighten defensive judgment. If Bremen can pair that honesty with 90-minute concentration, Saturday’s turning point may yet become a springboard rather than a millstone.

Eugene, Ore. — Oregon’s 2027 recruiting push gained momentum this week after four-star tight end Anthony Cartwright III locked in an official visit to campus for June 19-21, according to Rivals. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound prospect from Michigan, ranked No. 265 nationally and No. 19 among tight ends, toured Eugene in January and left impressed by the program’s culture and direction. “The visit went well, I got to sit and talk with Coach [Dan] Lanning for a good while, and he not only is a great coach but a great person and leader,” Cartwright told Rivals. “I feel like the culture excites me because it’s clear everybody wants to achieve the same goals there.” Cartwright’s recruitment has become a Midwest battle, with Michigan and Michigan State both prioritizing the state’s No. 6 prospect. LSU and Miami have also extended significant attention, but Oregon’s recent on-field success—highlighted by a College Football Playoff Semifinal berth—has kept the Ducks firmly in the mix. Oregon already holds four pledges in the 2027 cycle and sits No. 19 nationally and No. 4 in the Big Ten, per On3. Retaining key veterans such as quarterback Dante Moore and defensive linemen Matayo Uiagalelei, A’Mauri Washington, and Teitum Tuioti for 2026 has reinforced the program’s pitch to prospects: Oregon is both a contender and a destination. Staff continuity took a hit when both 2025 coordinators departed for head-coaching roles, yet the promotion of Drew Mehringer to offensive coordinator could resonate with Cartwright. Mehringer has overseen the tight-end room since 2022, and the position has flourished—Kenyon Sadiq led the 2025 team with 15 touchdown receptions and projects as a 2026 first-round pick, while Terrance Ferguson was a second-round selection in 2024. Oregon has now produced a first-round draftee every year since 2020. Cartwright said Oregon “will stay on my list as I begin to narrow it down more,” setting the stage for June’s official visit to potentially separate the Ducks from a crowded field of suitors. Keywords:

Nashville has been buzzing since whispers surfaced that the Tennessee Titans could unveil fresh uniforms in 2026, and the speculation reached a fever pitch after an apparent slip by online retailer Fanatics. A Titans-branded item on the site briefly displayed what many believe is the franchise’s updated primary logo, igniting debate across fan forums and social media platforms. The potential redesign is not unprecedented. During quarterback Cam Ward’s introductory press conference last offseason, Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon alluded to an impending makeover, though he offered no visual clues. This offseason the chatter resurfaced earlier than usual, spurring a wave of fan-made mock-ups that re-imagined everything from helmet decals to color palettes. According to screenshots captured before the Fanatics listing was adjusted, the leaked graphic retains the familiar Titans sword-and-flame motif but removes the red-orange flames that have framed the mark since 1999. In their place is a cleaner, single-tone silhouette rendered in what the retailer labeled Titans Blue—a lighter, brighter shade than the navy that has dominated team apparel for the past quarter-century. The simplified design echoes comments made last year by members of the Titans’ front office, who told reporters the organization hoped to “embrace our history while sharpening our look for the future.” Neither the Titans nor Fanatics has issued an official statement confirming the image’s authenticity, and the product page was updated within hours to show only the current logo. Still, the timing aligns with the team’s uniform review timeline; clubs must submit major changes to the league office roughly two years in advance of a public reveal, meaning decisions for 2026 would likely be finalized this year. Fan reaction has been swift and divided. Some supporters praise the streamlined aesthetic, arguing that removing the flames modernizes the brand without abandoning its core imagery. Others lament the loss of the fiery flourish that once mirrored the franchise’s “Flame of Glory” introductory video at Nissan Stadium. Message-board polls show a near-even split between those who favor the rumored refresh and those hoping for a more dramatic departure. For now, Titans enthusiasts must wait for an official announcement, but if the Fanatics glimpse proves accurate, Nashville’s Sundays could look noticeably different when the 2026 campaign kicks off.

Manchester United’s search for a permanent successor to Ruben Amorim has taken a fresh twist after transfer expert Fabrizio Romano offered the latest insight into Roberto De Zerbi’s thinking. The Italian, who left Marseille earlier this month, has emerged as a leading contender for the Old Trafford post, yet Romano stresses that De Zerbi will not be rushed into a decision. United moved swiftly in January when Amorim’s short reign was brought to a close, installing club legend Michael Carrick as interim boss until the summer. Carrick has since overseen a dramatic upturn in form, collecting 13 points from a possible 15 and recording statement victories over Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham. The sequence has given INEOS breathing space to conduct a thorough review of the managerial market, with Premier League experience reportedly high on the criteria list. De Zerbi fits that profile. After elevating Brighton to a European-chasing force, the 45-year-old accepted the Marseille project last summer and delivered a runners-up spot in Ligue 1. A turbulent follow-up campaign triggered a mutual separation, placing him back among Europe’s most coveted coaches. Tottenham, who recently dismissed Thomas Frank, hold concrete interest, yet Romano underlines that Old Trafford is currently viewed as the most probable destination. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “Roberto De Zerbi is highly appreciated internally and would be open to returning to Premier League football. However, De Zerbi is not a coach who jumps into an opportunity. He wants to understand very clearly what kind of project, opportunities there are at any club interested in him.” The journalist added that De Zerbi has fielded numerous approaches over the past 24-36 months and has developed a habit of studying every sporting blueprint before committing. With further vacancies expected across the continent before the summer window, the Italian is content to monitor developments and weigh which environment best matches his footballing philosophy. United’s hierarchy have already overseen two managerial changes since the INEOS takeover and recognise that their next appointment could define the club’s trajectory. While De Zerbi’s progressive style appeals, questions linger over whether the intense glare of Manchester United might overwhelm a coach who has yet to manage a traditional super-club. Carrick’s seamless handling of star-laden dressing rooms and his immediate results have only muddied the waters; the longer the former midfielder maintains his blistering run, the louder calls will become for him to receive the role on a permanent basis. For now, De Zerbi remains in the background, analysing, evaluating and waiting. Romano’s update reinforces that the next move will be made on the Italian’s terms, leaving United, Tottenham and any other suitors in a state of watchful anticipation as the season enters its decisive months.

Millwall climbed to third in the Championship after a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory at struggling Sheffield Wednesday, while Derby County broke into the top-six for the first time this year with a 2-0 home win over Swansea City. At Hillsborough, Wednesday looked poised for only their second league success of the campaign when Jamal Lowe ended a barren run that stretched back to Boxing Day, sweeping the hosts ahead on the hour mark. The advantage lasted barely ten minutes: defender Cole McGhee inadvertently diverted a cross past his own keeper and, within 120 seconds, Macaulay Langstaff rifled in the decisive goal to complete a swift turnaround. The result keeps Millwall firmly in the automatic-promotion hunt and deepens Wednesday’s relegation fears. The visitors named former Owls skipper Barry Bannan, who made over 450 appearances in a decade with the South-Yorkshire club, in their starting XI and home fans saluted the veteran midfielder with chants and applause in the 11th minute. Derby, by contrast, finally turned Pride Park into a happy hunting ground. Rhian Brewster and United States international Patrick Agyemang converted second-half corners to hand the Rams a league double over the Swans and a first home win since New Year’s Day. Paul Warne’s side now occupy sixth spot, the final playoff berth. Elsewhere in the Championship, Michael O’Neill’s first match as Blackburn boss ended in a confidence-boosting 3-1 success at QPR. Mathias Jørgensen struck either side of Koki Saito’s equaliser and Ryoya Morishita added a third early in the second half to lift Rovers out of the relegation zone and up to 19th. O’Neill paid tribute to caretaker Damien Johnson, who prepared and selected the side, including the productive front pairing of Jørgensen and Andri Gudjohnsen. In League One, leaders Cardiff stretched their advantage to four points by beating Wycombe 3-1. David Turnbull opened the scoring before Jordan Clark levelled from the spot, yet quick-fire goals from Joel Colwill and Perry Ng just before the break proved decisive. Second-placed Lincoln were eight minutes from a potentially pivotal victory over Bolton when Sam Dalby headed home to secure a 1-1 draw that keeps the Imps three points clear of the chasing pack. Bradford edged into fifth, swapping places with Huddersfield after a 2-0 defeat of Peterborough; Bobby Pointon and Kayden Jackson netted either side of the interval. Huddersfield slipped to sixth following a late 1-0 loss at Stevenage, Carl Piergianni grabbing the winner. Reading kept their playoff hopes alive as Jack Marriott’s hat-trick downed Walsall 3-2, while Barnsley and AFC Wimbledon shared six goals at Oakwell, Omar Bugiel scoring twice for the Dons and Scott Banks levelling deep in stoppage time. Plymouth routed Blackpool 4-0, aided by a first-half treble, and Northampton ground out a 0-0 draw at Exeter. In League Two, Bromley preserved a four-point cushion at the summit despite a 1-1 home draw with Notts County, for whom Jodi Jones cancelled out Matthew Dennis’ own goal. Cambridge replaced Swindon in second after Ben Knight’s brace inspired a 3-1 defeat of Bristol Rovers, while Shrewsbury climbed out of the bottom two by beating Swindon 3-1. Barrow gave new manager Dino Maamria a winning start as captain Niall Canavan headed the only goal against Colchester, and Harrogate climbed off the foot of the table with a late 1-1 draw at 10-man Chesterfield.

Los Angeles — Year 5 of the Lincoln Riley era at USC arrives with College Football Playoff-or-bust expectations, a retooled defense coordinated by newly hired Gary Patterson, and the return of starting quarterback Jayden Maiava. Yet even after an offseason of high-profile portal additions, the 2026 slate is dotted with land mines that could derail the Trojans before the leaves turn color. Here are three games the Coliseum faithful should circle in pencil, not pen, because each carries classic trap-game DNA. Washington Date: Oct. 3 | Site: Coliseum Lineage alone makes this a danger zone. The Huskies have beaten USC three straight times since 2019, and quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is back after throwing for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2025. The timing is equally cruel: USC will have faced Oregon and touted quarterback Dante Moore seven days earlier in what shapes up as an early-season Big Ten tone-setter. A lethargic start against a confident rival could flip the script quickly. Wisconsin Date: Oct. 24 | Site: Camp Randall The Badgers’ 4-8 record in 2025 was their worst in two decades, yet athletic director Chris McIntosh retained head coach Luke Fickell, betting on continuity inside one of college football’s most hostile venues. Ranked visitors Washington and Illinois discovered that reality last fall, both tumbling after “Jump Around” rattled the fourth-quarter press box. USC’s visit lands either on the back end of a bye or immediately after a non-conference tune-up, scenarios that historically produce flat openings on the road. UCLA Date: Nov. 28 | Site: Rose Bowl The crosstown rivalry could be staged at the historic Pasadena stadium for the final time if future rotations shift, and first-year Bruins coach Bob Chesney plans to capitalize. The former James Madison boss has already promised a Big Ten title to Westwood backers, and sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava gives him the trigger man to try. Nothing would accelerate Chesney’s rebuild faster than punctuating Riley’s regular-season finale with an upset that reverberates from Sunset Boulevard to the playoff committee room. USC’s path to 12-0 is navigable on paper, but history says the paper crumples fast when focus wavers. Handle these three apparent afterthoughts with anything less than full attention, and the Trojans could find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture once again.

Grand Forks, N.D. — In a playoff-style chess match that felt more like mid-March than mid-January, No. 1 North Dakota edged Miami 1-0 on Friday night at Ralph Engelstad Arena, leaning on a Tyler Young goal, a puck-moving goaltender, and a defense corps that refused to yield an inch. Here are five key takeaways from the series opener: 1. Hakstol’s pre-game message resonated Before the opening face-off, former UND coach Dave Hakstol addressed the locker room, stressing the details required to survive low-scoring, heavy-hitting tournament games. The Fighting Hawks responded with their most disciplined, physical effort of the season, surrendering only 12 shots and taking two minor penalties. 2. Young’s milestone moment Fourth-line winger Tyler Young supplied the only offense, burying a rebound midway through the second period. The goal carried extra weight: it was the first time his father had watched him play inside The Ralph. “I just wanted to give him something to remember,” Young said. 3. Špunar plays a third defenseman Sophomore goalie Jan Špunar recorded his second shutout of the year while barely being tested statistically, but his stick and skates were busy all night. He repeatedly wandered from the blue paint to swallow dump-ins and ignite breakouts, finishing with 17 defensive-zone pass attempts—fourth-best among NCAA starters nationally. “He’s so good at puck touches,” coach Dane Jackson said. “It helps our D retrieve with their eyes up instead of on the glass.” 4. Gaps, sticks and track-and-stand UND’s blue-line group—Jake Livanavage, E.J. Emery, Abram Wiebe, Bennett Zmolek, Andrew Strathmann, Sam Laurila and rookie Keaton Verhoeff—throttled Miami’s rush attack by maintaining tight gaps and eliminating entries at the red line. Jackson traced the scheme to ex-assistant Matt Shaw’s tenure (2015-19) and praised the unit’s skating and courage. The RedHawks rarely reached Špunar with speed all evening. 5. Depth delivers again The Fighting Hawks’ bottom six out-shot Miami’s third and fourth lines 11-2, and Young’s goal came off a cycle from the energy unit. Meanwhile, injuries are biting the RedHawks: top-minute defenseman Vladislav Lukashevich sat out, and co-leading scorer Matteo Giampa departed in the first period. UND welcomed back Cole Reschny and Zmolek after each missed last weekend’s finale. Extra frame The game was the most physical UND has played this season—Jack Kernan, Ben Strinden, Cody Croal and even smaller forwards Will Zellers and Mac Swanson threw highlight-reel hits. “It was a football game,” Young said. Miami freshman Shaun McEwen answered with a team-high seven attempted shots and several booming checks of his own. NHL talent evaluators took notice. Representatives from 22 of 32 clubs requested tickets, with more likely purchasing independently. Among the scouts in attendance were former UND standouts Matt Greene (Kings development coach) and Brad Pascall (Flames assistant GM). Saturday’s rematch promises more of the same. “These tight games are what it’s going to come down to at the end of the year,” Verhoeff said. “We have to get more comfortable playing them.” UND, now 17-3-1 on the season, will try to finish the sweep at 6:07 p.m. Saturday.

Cleveland’s football future now hinges on a single, high-stakes decision. With the 2025 NFL draft in the rear-view mirror and the 2026 offseason accelerating, general manager Andrew Berry and first-year head coach Todd Monken confront the same mandate: identify the quarterback who can end decades of frustration for a championship-starved franchise. Berry’s résumé already carries the weight of the blockbuster Deshaun Watson acquisition—an unprecedented move whose authorship remains murky among owner Jimmy Haslam, former coach Kevin Stefanski, and Berry himself. Whatever the division of labor in that deal, the result has left the Browns with no margin for error. League insiders still regard the 37-year-old Berry as a rising executive, but another misstep under center would almost certainly trigger a regime change. Monken, meanwhile, arrives in Cleveland with a decorated offensive mind and a ticking clock. At 60, he is unlikely to receive a second opportunity as an NFL head coach, placing extraordinary importance on the quarterback who will pilot his system. While Monken has shown a recent affinity for dual-threat passers, he has repeatedly emphasized adaptability, insisting he will tailor his scheme to the strengths of whoever wins the job. The immediate question is whether rookie Shedeur Sanders offered enough flashes in Year 1 to buy the brain trust additional evaluation time. If Sanders convinces the building he can be “the guy,” Berry and Monken could postpone a major commitment until the perfect prospect surfaces. If not, the franchise faces the perilous choice of selecting the best available arm in the 2026 draft or free-agent pool—even if that player fails to fully captivate the decision-makers. Neither Berry nor Monken has signaled a willingness to settle. History suggests they will wait for a quarterback who checks every box rather than force a marriage of convenience. Yet patience is a luxury rarely afforded in Cleveland, where wins—and a long-awaited Lombardi Trophy—remain the only acceptable currency.

Champaign-Urbana—On the Monday edition of The News-Gazette Sports Page radio show, listeners can expect a burst of Illini spirit: the University of Illinois cheerleading squad will be in-studio guests, bringing energy and behind-the-scenes stories from the Orange and Blue sidelines. The program will also spotlight Illini football’s evolving tight-end room, where the arrival of Feagin is expected to inject both athleticism and positional versatility into the unit. Host Matt Daniels will break down what that flexibility could mean for the team’s upcoming schemes. In area prep action, the Class 3A girls’ basketball regional semifinals take center court early next week. Daniels will flag three specific matchups worth monitoring as teams jockey for a berth in the next round of the postseason. Additional segments will catch up on recent local sports developments, rounding out a packed Monday lineup for central Illinois sports fans.

Pulaski County Motorsports Park has finalized its 2026 race calendar and appointed a new general manager, marking the facility’s first major operational moves ahead of the upcoming season. Track officials released the schedule Wednesday, though specific event dates and series titles were not disclosed. The identity of the newly hired general manager was also withheld. The announcements arrive as the facility positions itself for expanded regional prominence. Local stakeholders have long viewed the half-mile oval, located in Dublin, Virginia, as a potential catalyst for tourism and economic growth in Pulaski County. By locking in next year’s slate early and bringing in fresh leadership, the track aims to solidify partnerships with touring series and enhance the fan experience. Further details on the 2026 schedule and the new general manager are expected to be unveiled during a press conference later this month.

Red Bull Arena will stage a tale of two seasons on Sunday when fourth-placed RB Leipzig welcome 15th-placed VfL Wolfsburg, the hosts desperate to tighten their grip on a Champions-League berth while the visitors scramble for the points that could keep them in Germany’s top flight. Leipski’s 12-3-6 record leaves them nine points clear of seventh and in pole position for European qualification, yet Ole Werner’s side have wobbled of late. A mid-week DFB-Pokal exit to Bayern München followed draws with bottom-half duo FC St. Pauli and Mainz 05, meaning the Saxons have dropped four points against sides they would ordinarily expect to beat. With a top-of-the-table showdown against Borussia Dortmund looming next weekend, nothing less than victory will suffice on home soil. History offers encouragement: Leipzig have won four of the last five league meetings with Wolfsburg, including each of the last three by a single goal. Werner, appointed last June through 2027, oversaw one of those victories and warned against complacency. “Wolfsburg have a very experienced team, particularly in the key areas,” the 37-year-old said. “They are good on the ball in midfield, dangerous from set pieces and look to attack with speed. Their new coach has a clear philosophy.” Personnel issues complicate the task. Club captain David Raum sits out after collecting his fifth yellow card, with Max Finkgräfe poised to deputise at left-back. Dutch winger Ayodele Thomas (muscle), midfielders Forzan Assan Ouedraogo (knee) and Viggo Gebel (cruciate) remain sidelined, trimming Werner’s rotation options after a taxing English week. Brajan Gruda, on loan from Brighton, is set for only his second Leipzig appearance in an expected 4-3-3 that also features Rômulo, Nusa and Diomande in attack. Wolfsburg arrive in near-crisis mode. Daniel Bauer’s men have taken four points from a possible 18 in 2026 and sit 17 adrift of the European places. A last-gasp defeat to Dortmund last time out extended a winless run against top-seven opposition to eight matches this term. “We are not winning the matches, and that is something we need to change,” Bauer admitted. “We must become more cold-blooded in front of goal and even tighter at the back.” Injuries and illness have shredded the squad. Nine players are confirmed or doubtful casualties, while four—including American Kevin Paredes and Dane Jesper Lindstrøm—are battling illness. Patrick Wimmer trained partially, Aaron Zehnter faces a late fitness test, and long-term absentee Bence Dárdai will not see action until 2026-27. Bauer, 43, refused to lean on nostalgia, dismissing suggestions that November 2024’s 5-1 rout of Leipzig might serve as motivation. “Past results play no role; we focus on the here and now,” he said, though he welcomed any perception of disrespect as fuel. “No one cares about Wolfsburg anyway—that is exciting motivation for the boys.” With 13 rounds remaining, every point is golden for the Lower-Saxony club. A positive result inside the Red Bull cauldron would not only nudge them clear of the relegation playoff spot but also prove to Bauer—and perhaps the doubters beyond—that Wolfsburg can still trade punches with the league’s heavyweights. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:30 CET, the same time Leipzig must demonstrate their top-four credentials and Wolfsburg their survival resolve. One club eyes Europe, the other escape; only one can leave happier.

Nashville, Tenn. – With the NFL Scouting Combine looming in Indianapolis, the Tennessee Titans enter a pivotal stretch armed with more salary-cap space than any other franchise and a mandate to turn resources into results. Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker believes the single biggest roster question facing first-year head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Mike Borgonzi is not whom they will draft, but how they will deploy a league-high $104 million in cap space. “Adding a stud at wide receiver for Cameron Ward makes sense,” Locker wrote, noting that Calvin Ridley posted only a 66.7 PFF receiving grade last season. Among the potential free-agent upgrades Locker identified are Alec Pierce, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jauan Jennings, each of whom could provide the consistent separation Tennessee lacked in 2025. The urgency is not limited to the perimeter. After finishing 30th in PFF’s pass-rush grades, the Titans are expected to pursue edge-rushing reinforcements before the draft. Whether Borgonzi opts for splash signings, value deals modeled on last year’s Patriots approach, or a hybrid strategy will set the tone for Saleh’s inaugural campaign. Tennessee may again pick in the top four of April’s draft, yet the franchise’s immediate trajectory hinges on choices made well before the selection card is turned in. With free agency still weeks away, every dollar of that $104 million represents both opportunity and risk—an equation Locker calls the offseason’s defining storyline in Nashville. Titans Wire

Tottenham Hotspur have moved swiftly to appoint Igor Tudor as interim head coach until the end of the season, hours after parting company with Thomas Frank following Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle that left the club 16th in the Premier League. The 47-year-old Croatian, who has never managed in England, arrives with a résumé that blends domestic silverware in his homeland with a reputation for short, intense tenures across Europe. Tudor’s playing career was anchored by nine trophy-laden years at Juventus, where he won two Serie A titles and earned 55 caps for Croatia, scoring against England at Euro 2004. Since moving into the dugout he has collected the 2013 Croatian Cup with Hajduk Split, rescued Udinese from relegation in 2018 and, most recently, steered Juventus to fourth place last spring before an eight-game winless run cost him his job in October. “I understand the responsibility I have been handed,” Tudor said on Friday. “My focus is clear: to bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.” The timing is critical. Spurs host Burton Albion in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday evening, while a relegation battle looms domestically. Chairman Daniel Levy has left the door ajar for a broader reset in the summer, with Mauricio Pochettino—currently in charge of the United States—already being mentioned as a possible permanent successor. Across the country, Newcastle must cope without captain Bruno Guimarães for up to eight weeks after the Brazilian suffered a hamstring tear in the same mid-week victory that hastened Frank’s exit. Scans confirmed the extent of the injury on Wednesday; Eddie Howe admitted the midfielder “definitely felt something” but had to stay on because the bench had been stripped of midfield options. Guimarães could miss at least ten matches, a setback that threatens to derail the Magpies’ push for European qualification. Cup romance is on the menu at the Pirelli Stadium, where League One Burton look to spring a famous upset against West Ham. The Brewers’ starting XI features former Premier League academy products such as Revan and Shade, while Julen Lopetegui has rotated his Hammers selection, handing a debut to 17-year-old midfielder Lamadrid and recalling experienced heads like Kanté and Areola. Southampton’s meeting with Leicester at St Mary’s offers an instant replay of Tuesday’s remarkable Championship encounter, when the Saints overturned a 3-0 half-time deficit to win 4-3 with Shea Charles’ 96th-minute strike. Russell Martin’s side will hope for a less dramatic route into the fifth round, yet Leicester, buoyed by the pace of Abdul Fatawu and the finishing of Patson Daka, remain dangerous. Wrexham are still celebrating their first appearance in the last 16 since 1995 after Josh Windass’ goal edged out promotion rivals Ipswich. Phil Parkinson, whose side sit sixth in the Championship, urged fans to savour the moment: “Every season in football is special and you’ve got to savour it.” The Red Dragons, promoted in each of the past three campaigns, will learn their fifth-round fate during Monday night’s draw. In Europe’s major leagues, the headline fixture sees Inter Milan host Juventus in Serie A tonight, a clash that could have title ramifications for both. LaLiga offers Real Madrid against Real Sociedad, while the Bundesliga’s afternoon programme features Bayern Munich away to Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund—fresh from a 4-0 rout of Mainz in which Serhou Guirassy struck twice—looking to keep pace at the top. Back in England, the FA Cup fourth-round weekend also doubles as a stage for fringe players and emerging talents. Manchester City, Liverpool, Newcastle, Brighton, Aston Villa and Burnley are all in action, while Millwall, Derby and Preston seek Championship momentum alongside cup progress. Off the pitch, England confirmed Thomas Tuchel will remain head coach through Euro 2028 after a qualifying campaign that sealed World Cup passage. The draw for this autumn’s Nations League pitted the Three Lions against Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic in Group A3. With managerial chairs spinning—Nottingham Forest are poised to unveil Vítor Pereira as their fourth head coach of the season after Thursday’s dismissal of Sean Dyche—and injuries mounting, the weekend’s fixtures promise as much intrigue on the touchline as on the pitch.

Milan, Italy — Team USA’s pursuit of its first Olympic men’s hockey gold since 1980 resumes Saturday afternoon when it faces Denmark in a pivotal Group C clash at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Puck drop is set for 3:10 p.m. ET on Valentine’s Day, and the contest will be carried nationally on USA Network while streaming live on Peacock, NBCUniversal’s direct-to-consumer platform that is serving as the streaming home of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games. Mike Sullivan’s squad opened the tournament with a statement 5-1 victory over Latvia, showcasing the scoring depth, elite goaltending and sandpaper-style role players that general manager Bill Guerin assembled once the NHL ended its 12-year Olympic hiatus. A win against Denmark would move the Americans closer to a quarterfinal bye and continue the momentum generated by a roster many analysts already consider the most talented U.S. team since the 2014 Sochi Games. Denmark, appearing in only its second Olympic men’s tournament, arrives with legitimate upset credentials. The Danes stunned Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Championship en route to a program-best fourth-place finish, and six of their 2026 Olympians currently skate in the NHL, including Carolina Hurricanes star winger Nikolaj Ehlers and experienced Washington Capitals center Lars Eller. Saturday’s matchup represents another opportunity for Denmark to announce itself as a rising force on the international stage. Points are at a premium in the three-team Group C. A regulation victory would give the United States control of the group heading into its final preliminary contest, while Denmark can vault into contention for an automatic quarterfinal berth with what would be the biggest win in the nation’s hockey history. Peacock subscribers can watch every minute of the game live on phones, tablets, smart TVs and web browsers. The service, which carries every Olympic and Paralympic event from Milan-Cortina, is available starting at $10.99 per month and can be canceled at any time. Replays, highlights and studio analysis will also be available on-demand immediately after the final horn. USA Network’s telecast will include the full pre-game show, intermission reports and post-game reaction, ensuring fans across North America can follow the developing storylines as the tournament’s knockout round picture comes into focus. With NHL talent back on Olympic ice for the first time since 2014, the stakes—and the spotlight—have never been brighter for both programs. Saturday afternoon’s faceoff could ultimately determine which path each team travels in the chase for medals in northern Italy. Peacock, USA Network, 3:10 p.m. ET. Set your alarms, clear your schedule, and witness the next chapter of Olympic hockey history.

The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend reaches its crescendo on Saturday, Feb. 14, when the league’s high-flying stars take center stage at Intuit Dome for the annual Slam Dunk Contest. The marquee event of All-Star Saturday Night is scheduled to tip off at approximately 8 p.m. ET, immediately following the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest. Fans can watch every dunk live on NBC or stream the action in real time via Peacock, NBCUniversal’s flagship platform. Peacock’s sports portfolio also includes NFL Sunday Night Football, Premier League soccer, Big Ten basketball, and Olympic coverage, with subscription plans starting at $10.99 per month and no long-term commitment. Format at a Glance Each competitor will execute two dunks in the opening round. A panel of four judges—scoring each attempt on a 40-to-50 scale—will be joined by a composite fan vote submitted through the NBA app; the aggregated fan tally acts as the fifth judge. The two participants with the highest combined averages advance to the finals, where another two dunks apiece will decide the champion. The dunker with the top cumulative score from all five judges earns the 2026 crown. With tip-off locked in for 8 p.m. ET and multiple ways to tune in, the league’s most theatrical showcase is set to deliver another unforgettable night of aerial artistry.

San Antonio — Grief and frustration converged on the Northside Independent School District Monday evening as dozens of parents of Stevens High School football players pressed district officials for clarity surrounding the death of 16-year-old Jaren “JLaw” Lawson, who collapsed during practice and later died. The meeting, held in the Stevens cafeteria, was marked by emotional pleas and pointed questions about the circumstances that led to the sophomore’s collapse. Several parents said they still do not know basic facts about the incident, including the precise timeline of Lawson’s collapse and the immediate medical response. “What if I’m next?” one mother asked district representatives, voicing a fear echoed by others in the room. “We’re handing our kids over every day, and we don’t even know what happened.” NISD officials reiterated that an internal review is underway but disputed key allegations raised by parents, though they did not specify which claims were inaccurate. District representatives declined to provide additional details, citing privacy laws and the ongoing investigation. Lawson, described by classmates as a dedicated athlete with aspirations of varsity play, died after being transported from the campus last week. The district has not released the exact date of his death or the medical cause, prompting further unease among families.

DUNLAP — Twelve months ago Concord senior Brycen Brosamer could barely walk. On Saturday he will stride into Fort Wayne’s Allen County War Memorial Coliseum as one of the most dangerous wrestlers in the 144-pound semistate bracket, carrying a 31-4 record and a season’s worth of momentum that few saw coming. The turnaround began with a decision last summer: football was finished. After breaking his fibula and ankle during his junior gridiron campaign, Brosamer limped through only nine wrestling matches, finishing 5-4 and hobbling to sixth at sectional. The injuries cost him preseason training, then re-appeared the moment he re-took the mat. “I came back for one practice, landed wrong and it felt like I had a broken leg again,” Brosamer recalled. Doctors confirmed a second fracture—this time in the ankle—and his season never restarted in earnest. Rather than risk a repeat, Brosamer gave up the shoulder pads, devoted himself to rehabilitation and attacked wrestling with single-sport focus. The payoff has been swift and decisive: sectional champion, regional champion, Northern Lakes Conference champion and, now, a legitimate threat to punch his first ticket to the state finals. “I feel I can compete with anybody at the semistate and win the whole thing,” said Brosamer, who opens against Wabash’s Corbin Goshert, a 7-1 victim earlier this year. “I just have to finish out matches and wrestle all six minutes.” Concord co-head coach Brian Pfeil believes the senior’s confidence is justified. “I believe he’s a top-four wrestler at 144 at the semistate and a state qualifier, as long as he goes out and wrestles like he has all season,” Pfeil said. “Bryce put in a lot of offseason work. Mentally, he’s in a much better spot.” That mental edge was hard-earned. Brosamer began wrestling in sixth grade as a 90-pounder who, by his own admission, “was terrible.” The progression from curiosity to contender has surprised even those who coached him in junior high. “My junior high coach said I’ve shocked everyone,” Brosamer noted. “I’ve become something nobody thought I would become.” The semistate stage is not unfamiliar territory; as a freshman alternate he lost his opening match at 138 pounds. He expects the experience to steady his nerves this weekend while he chases the biggest prize of his career. Away from the mat Brosamer maintains a 4.015 GPA and has already fielded outreach from college programs—conversations he has tabled until the final whistle of his senior season. “I want to live in the present and work my hardest now,” he said. For a wrestler who once wondered if he would walk normally again, the present moment looks remarkably like a championship opportunity. SEO keywords:

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Nebraska’s bats roared to life on opening night, pounding out hit after hit en route to a run-rule victory over UConn on Friday. The offensive barrage set an early tone for a program looking to make noise in 2026. Playing in the desert at Charles Schwab Field, the Huskers wasted no time showcasing their lineup’s firepower, turning the contest into a hit parade that ended early under the mercy rule. The win marks an emphatic start to a season that has been previewed as pivotal for Nebraska baseball. Evan Bland and Sam McKewon discussed expectations for the Huskers during the Pick Six Podcast on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, highlighting the roster’s potential to contend in the Big Ten. Friday’s outburst offered an early glimpse of that promise, as Nebraska piled on runs and never let up. With the season now officially underway, the Huskers will look to carry the momentum of their opening-night onslaught into the rest of their schedule.

KASSON — Gabe Coshenet’s Saturdays this autumn are already spoken for—he’ll be in Marshall, Minn., wearing Southwest Minnesota State University’s maroon and gold alongside four fellow Byron High School graduates who have signed on to join the Mustangs’ football program. But before the pads and playbooks take over, the 6-foot senior still has unfinished business on ice. Coshenet, who briefly contemplated stepping away from hockey after securing his football scholarship, is instead steering the Dodge County Wildcats toward what they hope will be a landmark postseason. Entering Friday night’s contest at Osseo, he tops the Section 1, Class 1A contender in every major offensive category—22 goals, 24 assists, 46 points—and the team has responded by posting a 15-7-1 overall record and a torrid 7-1-1 run since mid-January. “I thought about hanging the skates up, but this group is special,” Coshenet said. “Hockey is definitely something I’m not ready to let go of yet.” The Wildcats’ surge was punctuated by a 1-0 road victory over Lourdes on Feb. 5, a win that vaulted Dodge County back into contention for the No. 3 seed when section playoffs open Tuesday. Coshenet’s linemates—sophomore Camryn Koch and record-setting freshman Nolan Steele—supplied the lone goal that night, further evidence of a top-line chemistry that has produced 51 goals and 113 combined points this winter. The trio has also factored in eight power-play goals. Steele (14-20—34) already owns the program’s freshman scoring mark, while Koch (15-18—33) has emerged as an emotional catalyst. “Cam’s the guy who pulls us up when we’re trailing; Nolan’s just electric,” Coshenet said. “Knowing I’ve two elite players with me makes everyone better.” Dodge County last reached the state tournament in 2021 and returns much of the roster that skated in the 2022 section final, a 4-1 loss to Northfield. With defending champion Northfield, Waseca and Lourdes all eyeing the same prize, the path is daunting, yet Coshenet—one of the team’s captains—likes the Wildcats’ trajectory. “We’re peaking at the right time,” he said. “Every practice, every bus ride, I’m soaking it in. These could be my last hockey games ever, and I want them to last as long as possible.” Whether the ride ends in the section championship or at Xcel Energy Center, Coshenet’s legacy is secure: a football signee who refused to let winter end without leaving his mark on ice, and a leader who has Dodge County believing the grandest stage is within reach.

CHEYENNE — A proposal that would clarify the legality of “corner crossing” in Wyoming advanced through its first legislative tests Monday, drawing a standing-room-only crowd and a sports-themed pep talk from its sponsor, longtime high school football coach and state Rep. Steve Harshman. Addressing the packed committee room, the Casper Republican leaned on gridiron imagery to describe the path ahead for House Bill 25, likening the early procedural wins to moving the chains on fourth-and-short. “We’ve got a long field ahead of us,” Harshman told lawmakers and onlookers, “but today we picked up the first down.” The bill seeks to statutorily affirm that stepping from one parcel of public land to another at an otherwise inaccessible four-corner intersection—an act known as corner crossing—does not constitute criminal trespass. Supporters argue the change simply codifies what they believe existing law already allows, while opponents, primarily private-land advocates, warn it could erode property rights. After a brisk question-and-answer session, the measure cleared the House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee on a 7-2 vote. It now heads to the full House for further debate, where additional amendments and a final vote are expected later this week.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama will take the court against South Carolina on Saturday, Feb. 14, without versatile forward Bol Bowen, head coach Nate Oats confirmed Friday. Bowen, who has started 11 of the 20 games he has appeared in this season, has been battling a leg injury originally suffered against Florida. After missing the Texas A&M contest, he reaggravated the issue versus Auburn and saw reduced minutes in the Crimson Tide’s most recent outing against Ole Miss. “He’s just trying to tough it out for his teammates,” Oats said during his pre-game press conference. “We sat him out of practice today to try to get him a little better. If he doesn’t feel significantly better tomorrow, my guess is he’ll be listed as questionable or doubtful tonight.” By the time Alabama released its first SEC-mandated injury report, Bowen had officially been designated “out” for the league’s 12th game of the year. The sophomore’s absence compounds an already lengthy injury list. Guard Davion Hannah and center Collins Onyejiaka remain sidelined with ongoing medical conditions, while forward Keitenn Bristow is out with a leg issue that has prompted staff discussions about a potential medical redshirt. Alabama has deployed more than a dozen starting lineups through 24 games, and Oats stressed that getting a healthy rotation is critical to executing the defensive schemes that have become a hallmark of his program. “You watch the Ole Miss game, Taylor is not 100 percent—he’s not even close,” Oats said. “If we could get Taylor healthy like we got [Latrell] Wrightsell healthy … Taylor’s capable of doing something similar with the talent he’s got.” The Crimson Tide will look to extend their recent stretch of improved ball movement and unselfish offense when they host the Gamecocks inside Coleman Coliseum for the Valentine’s Day tilt.

The Arizona Cardinals have fortified their coaching staff by luring University of Miami defensive pass game coordinator Zac Etheridge to the desert, naming him the team’s new cornerbacks coach, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Etheridge arrives in the NFL after guiding the Hurricanes to the College Football Playoff National Championship game this past season while overseeing one of college football’s most feared secondaries. The 2024 Hurricanes finished among the national leaders in nearly every major defensive category, a testament to Etheridge’s ability to mold elite defensive backs. A former four-year starting safety at Auburn and captain of the Tigers’ 2010 national-title squad, Etheridge has spent the last 13 seasons climbing the collegiate coaching ladder. His journey began in 2012 as a graduate assistant at Penn State, followed by a similar role at Georgia Tech from 2013-14. He then coordinated defensive backs and outside linebackers at Western Carolina (2016-17) before becoming Louisiana’s full-time DB coach in 2018. Stops at Houston (running backs/special teams, 2019-20) and a three-year tenure as Auburn’s safeties coach and assistant head coach followed. Etheridge returned to Houston in 2024 to coach the secondary prior to his lone season in Coral Gables. Now he inherits a Cardinals cornerback room brimming with upside. Second-year pros Will Johnson and Garrett Williams are entrenched as the projected starting tandem, while rookie Denzel Burke flashed playmaking ability in limited 2024 action. Etheridge’s first challenge will be integrating Starling Thomas V back into the lineup after the third-year corner rehabbed a training-camp ACL tear, while also coaxing consistency from 2023 second-round pick Max Melton, whose early career has been marked by peaks and valleys. Arizona enters the offseason armed with a full complement of draft picks and more than $40 million in salary-cap space, yet the front office is not expected to prioritize the cornerback position in the 2026 cycle. That reality places the onus squarely on Etheridge to elevate the production of an already talented group and help transform a defense that showed flashes of dominance before injuries derailed the 2024 campaign. With organized team activities on the horizon, the Cardinals believe Etheridge’s championship pedigree and proven track record of developing NFL-ready defensive backs can accelerate the franchise’s return to postseason relevance.

New Orleans Saints executives left last spring’s draft convinced they had landed twin cornerstones for the next decade. First-round tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. validated that belief by anchoring the offensive line from Day 1, but the real revelation arrived 48 picks later. Quarterback Tyler Shough, selected midway through Round 2, started only nine games yet emerged as a viable NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate, posting a 73.1 PFF passing grade and an ultra-safe 2.0 percent turnover-worthy play rate on 378 dropbacks. Those encouraging numbers, however, mask a roster-wide problem that will define the franchise’s offseason: the rest of the offense remains alarmingly thin. PFF analyst Bradley Locker framed the dilemma succinctly, noting that New Orleans “must try to improve his conditions” after finishing 19th in receiving grade and second-to-last in rushing grade. With the Saints holding sub-.500 records in back-to-back seasons, the pressure is mounting to capitalize on Shough’s rapid development before opponents adjust to his tendencies. The most pressing decisions sit at the skill positions. Veteran running back Alvin Kamara is under contract for only one more year and is coming off a career-low 51.7 PFF overall grade, raising questions about workload and compensation. Wide receiver depth behind Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele is virtually nonexistent, forcing Shough to win with a depleted supporting cast. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love has surfaced as a popular first-round target to re-energize the backfield. Evaluators label the 6-foot, 215-pound junior a potential generational talent capable of altering game plans at the professional level. On the perimeter, the Saints are weighing a trio of collegiate standouts—David Boston, Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate—while also monitoring the free-agent market for proven speedsters such as Alec Pierce or versatile chain-movers like Romeo Doubs. Front-office sources indicate the team wants to add at least two impact playmakers before training camp, a move that would signal full confidence in Shough and acknowledge that last year’s late-season momentum can only be sustained with legitimate weapons. How aggressively New Orleans attacks the draft board or the open market will reveal exactly how high the ceiling can rise for their second-year quarterback—and whether the Saints can finally escape the .500 wilderness.

The NFL’s decision to bar the public release of players’ team report cards has drawn swift criticism from one of the league’s most respected voices. Former Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt took to social media Friday to denounce the move, hours after the league informed clubs that it had prevailed in a grievance against the NFL Players Association over the annual assessments. An arbitrator ruled that the union must no longer publish the report cards, which have become a popular offseason window into locker-room sentiment. Players traditionally graded their organizations on everything from training facilities to ownership and coaching staff, offering rare transparency about workplace conditions across the league. Watt highlighted what he sees as a double standard, noting that NBC’s Sunday Night Football routinely showcases third-party analytics—such as Pro Football Focus grades—while the league now blocks players from evaluating their own workplaces. “NFL won’t let actual players grade the workplace they attend every single day, but they’ll allow a 3rd party ‘grading’ service to display their ‘rankings’ of players on national television every Sunday night…” Watt posted. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle echoed the sentiment, replying simply, “Go off jj.” By silencing the report cards, the NFL has effectively removed a platform players used to voice concerns about team operations. The ruling is expected to fuel ongoing debate over transparency, labor relations, and the league’s control of its public narrative.

Carlos Correa has ended his public silence about the World Baseball Classic insurance impasse that will keep him out of Puerto Rico’s lineup, confirming that global music superstar Bad Bunny’s well-intentioned offer to pay his premium was rejected by baseball’s power structure. Speaking to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, the Houston Astros shortstop said Major League Baseball, the Astros and his agent Scott Boras all advised against accepting the reggaeton artist’s proposal to cover the insurance costs that had been denied through MLB’s designated carrier. The same stance was taken regarding fellow Puerto Rican standout Francisco Lindor, who will now spend March recovering from surgery to repair a fractured hamate bone rather than representing the island. Bad Bunny, whose Super Bowl halftime performance ranks as the fourth-most-watched in history, floated the idea after retired infielder Carlos Baerga first revealed that both Correa and Lindor had been turned down for WBC coverage. While the musician could easily absorb the expense, the arrangement was ultimately viewed inside the sport as a non-starter. Correa will remain with the Astros in spring training when the tournament opens next month, joining a growing list of high-profile players sidelined by insurance complications. Venezuela’s Jose Altuve was also withheld from his national roster for the same reason, underscoring a league-wide issue that even a superstar’s checkbook could not solve.

Santa Clara, CA — As the NFL calendar inches toward the 2026 new league year, the San Francisco 49ers are bracing for a potential roster shake-up. At 1:00 p.m. PST on March 11, a cluster of current contracts will expire, immediately thrusting a contingent of players into the open market. Per NFL Football Operations guidelines, each expiring deal will convert into one of three classifications: exclusive-rights, restricted, or unrestricted free agency. The distinction will determine how much negotiating latitude both the club and the representatives for the players retain once the legal tampering period opens. The 49ers’ football operations staff has already begun preliminary evaluations, weighing which pending free agents fit into the franchise’s long-term competitive and salary-cap framework. While the organization has until the deadline to extend offers or restructure agreements, the March 11 timestamp represents a hard stop; after that moment, players are free to field offers from rival suitors unless otherwise tagged or tendered. Briana Jeannel’s initial survey of the situation underscores the importance of the forthcoming decisions: with playoff aspirations perennially high in the Bay Area, every roster spot carries heightened stakes. The front office must balance experience, special-teams value, and positional depth against market-driven price tags that can escalate quickly once bidding begins. San Francisco’s approach this winter and spring will offer early insight into how the franchise views its championship window and which role players, spot starters, or established veterans the club believes it can—or cannot—afford to retain.

Glendale, Ariz. — Moments after the final whistle of a lopsided Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Patriots defensive tackles Christian Barmore and Milton Williams stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the sideline, helmets in hand, unaware that nearby microphones were still live. Audio captured by the broadcast feed reveals Barmore repeating a blunt refrain to Williams: “It wasn’t us, bro. It wasn’t us, man. It wasn’t us, twin. It wasn’t us, bro. It wasn’t us, twin.” The exchange, replayed across social media within minutes, struck a nerve with a fan base still processing a 27-9 defeat in which Seattle running back Kenneth Walker carved through New England’s top-ranked rushing defense for 135 yards and MVP honors. Walker’s performance came while his father watched him play an NFL game for the first time, adding emotional weight to a night that belonged entirely to the Seahawks. Barmore and Williams entered the championship as two of the league’s most productive interior defenders, key cogs in a unit that allowed the fewest rushing yards during the 2025 regular season. Both finished among the league leaders in pressures, and their ability to collapse pockets had been central to the Patriots’ surprise run to the title game in the post-Tom Brady era. On Sunday, however, they combined for only two tackles and rarely disrupted Walker’s rhythm. Patriots coaches and players declined to single out individuals in post-game interviews, but the hot-mic audio has shifted scrutiny onto the defensive line. One fan’s post on the team’s largest online forum—”No wonder they lost. No accountability.”—had garnered thousands of interactions by Monday morning. The loss itself was comprehensive: Seattle out-gained New England 412-261, held the ball for 37 minutes, and never trailed. Quarterback Drake Maye, making his playoff debut, was sacked four times and threw two second-half interceptions. Yet it was the inability to contain Walker—who broke five tackles on a 38-yard third-quarter dash that set up the Seahawks’ final touchdown—that defined the night. Away from the field, Barmore’s future is clouded by an off-season legal issue. He is scheduled for arraignment in February on assault-and-battery charges involving a family or household member, an incident the Patriots say dates to August and was reported to the league at the time. The team reiterated in a Dec. 31 statement that it will “respect the ongoing legal process” and will not comment further. New England now faces a daunting path back to contention. The AFC is stacked with Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs, Joe Burrow’s Bengals, Josh Allen’s Bills, and Lamar Jackson’s Ravens—all poised to return playoff-ready rosters in 2026. For a franchise still searching for its first championship since Brady’s departure, the hot-mic moment underscores questions about leadership and accountability inside the locker room. Whether Barmore’s words reflect a broader sentiment among players or merely raw emotion in the immediate aftermath of defeat, they have become an early storyline in what promises to be a long off-season in Foxborough.

Las Vegas enters the 2026 off-season with a rare head start in the chase for one of the league’s most explosive play-makers: Seattle wide receiver and return ace Rashid Shaheed. New Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak’s long-standing appreciation for Shaheed’s skill set gives the Silver & Black an inside track when free agency opens, a connection that could dramatically reshape an offense that finished last season nearly 1,000 air yards behind Kubiak’s former Seahawks unit. Kubiak first championed Shaheed while serving as the Saints’ offensive coordinator, lobbying Seattle to acquire the speedster at the 2024 trade deadline. The move paid dividends: Shaheed’s usage expanded under Kubiak’s direction, and Derek Carr’s most memorable deep shots that season came on vertical routes to the 26-year-old target. Shaheed answered with splash plays in the playoffs—a 95-yard kickoff-return touchdown, a 30-yard rush and a 51-yard reception on only seven total touches—underscoring the “boom” side of his boom-or-bust profile. Beyond raw speed, Shaheed brings dual-phase value. He is widely regarded as the NFL’s top special-teams returner and can be deployed out of the backfield, offering Kubiak a chess piece the Raiders currently lack. Las Vegas already roster two sub-4.4 burners in Dont’e Thornton and Tre Tucker, but Shaheed’s proven down-field production would add a credible vertical threat that opponents must respect, opening space underneath for tight end Brock Bowers and the anticipated power-run game featuring Ashton Jeuntel. Analytics reinforce the upside. Sam Darnold posted a 0.22 EPA when targeting Shaheed last season, evidence that his presence elevates quarterback efficiency. Conversely, the Raiders’ 2025 passing attack ranked near the bottom of every air-yard metric, hamstrung by personnel ill-suited for pushing the ball down-field. Contract negotiations would carry risk. Shaheed would arrive to a rookie quarterback, a remade offensive line still under construction, and a first-year head coach—all ingredients for uneven results. A-to-Z Sports’ Raiders beat writer Justin Churchill projects a modest 500-600-yard, 4-5-touchdown debut campaign, with a potential career-high 800-yard breakout in Year 2 if the offensive infrastructure solidifies. Team-building ripple effects are equally notable. A multi-year commitment to Shaheed likely signals the end of Tucker’s tenure in Las Vegas once his current deal expires. Tucker, a holdover from a previous regime, has improved markedly, yet Kubiak is expected to prioritize “his guys” as he reshapes the depth chart. The Raiders’ brain trust must weigh Shaheed’s special-teams excellence and home-run ability against the reality of a roster still in transition. Still, the Kubiak connection offers an invaluable recruiting tool. If Las Vegas moves quickly, it could secure a weapon capable of tilting field position and flipping scores in a single snap—exactly the type of acquisition that accelerates a rebuild and rekindles playoff hopes in the desert. SEO keywords:

Washington — President Donald Trump on Thursday granted full pardons to five former National Football League players, including the late Oakland Raiders standout Billy Cannon, for offenses ranging from perjury to drug trafficking. White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson announced the clemency actions, which also benefited ex-Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko, ex-Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton, former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis and ex-Broncos running back Travis Henry. “As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation,” Johnson wrote on X, thanking Trump for his “continued commitment to second chances.” Cannon, who died in 2018, earned the 1959 Heisman Trophy at Louisiana State University after an 89-yard punt-return touchdown against Ole Miss that is still considered one of college football’s signature moments. He played for the Raiders from 1964-69 in the American Football League, twice earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. In the mid-1980s, following failed investments that left him bankrupt, Cannon pleaded guilty to counterfeiting. Johnson said Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones personally delivered news of the pardon to Newton, a six-time Pro Bowler who helped the franchise win three Super Bowls. Newton had pleaded guilty to a federal drug-trafficking charge after authorities found 175 pounds of marijuana and $10,000 in cash during a traffic stop. Klecko, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023, admitted to perjury in connection with an insurance-fraud probe. The two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler spent his career anchoring the Jets defensive line. Lewis, a first-round draft pick in 2000 and 2003 AP Offensive Player of the Year, pleaded guilty to using a cellphone to facilitate a drug transaction. Henry, a one-time Pro Bowler, admitted financing a cocaine ring that operated between Colorado and Montana. The White House did not respond to a request for comment Thursday night on what prompted the president, a well-known sports enthusiast, to issue the pardons. The five men collectively accounted for 17 Pro Bowl selections, four Super Bowl titles and one Heisman Trophy, their on-field exploits long overshadowed by their off-field legal troubles. With Thursday’s action, each conviction is formally forgiven, closing decades-old chapters that followed their football careers.

By Bill Huber GREEN BAY, Wis. — When the NFL.com post-draft grades came out last April, the Packers were applauded. Analyst Chad Reuter slapped a confident A-minus on Green Bay’s eight-man haul, a mark that ranked inside the top-10 of the league. The tune changed in January. Reuter’s colleague Gennaro Filice re-graded every class after a full season of film, snap counts and injuries, and the Packers tumbled to a D-plus — the worst mark of 2025. Theoretical disaster? Perhaps. Historical relevance? History says “not so fast.” The first-round headline was 6-foot-2 Arizona State receiver Matthew Golden. The 27th overall selection electrified a packed Lambeau Field lawn on draft night, yet the cheers quickly faded to murmurs. Golden’s regular-season numbers were solid but not spectacular: 29 catches, 361 yards, zero touchdowns. A shoulder and wrist injury stalled momentum, and the return of veterans Christian. Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden. Reed pushed him to the edges of the rotation. “He’s not going to be in that premier role when the playoffs come around,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich admitted before Week 18. Golden’s postseason cameo, however, offered a glimpse of why the front office still smiles. In the Wild-Card loss at Chicago, he. caught 4-of-5 targets for 84 yards, scored his first touchdown and forced three missed tackles. It was the best 60-minute sample of his rookie year. Second-round offensive lineman Anthony Belton found a home at right guard after six weeks on the bench. He started the final six regular-season games and the playoff contest, giving Green Bay a mauler to compare with Detroit’s. Tate Ratledge for years to come. Third-round receiver Savion Williams was a manufactured-touch specialist and primary kickoff returner until a foot injury ended his season. He caught every ball thrown his way (10-10) but averaged 7.8 yards per grab and never became a vertical threat. The latter half of the draft was a near-total. wipeout. Fifth-round defensive end Collin Oliver suited up for one game thanks to a hamstring issue. Seventh-round corner Micah Robinson never made the team and finished the year on Tennessee’s practice squad. Seventh-round lineman John. Williams never saw the field due to a back ailment. Fourth-round defensive end Barryn Sorrell and fifth-round defensive tackle Warren Brisson each. managed a single start. Add it up and the Packers’ rookies started 14 games — the same number 25 individual first-year players reached on their own. By snap-weighted PFF grades, Green Bay finished 32nd out of 32. Context matters. Four years ago, the 2022 class received a C-minus from NFL.com’s Eric Edholm after a rookie season that featured two. ejections for linebacker Quay Wyatt, zero offensive snaps from guard Sean Rhyan and a suspended finish. That group matured into 5,346 combined snaps in 2025 and multiple lucrative second contracts. General manager Brian Gutunst. emphasized the long view last week: “It’s unfortunate you can’t keep all of them, but that’s the way it works in the National Football League. It’s better to have a lot of those choices than not many.” The 2005 draft class will be measured not by January grades but by the contracts signed in 2008. Until then, the. D-plus remains a headline — not a verdict. SEO Keywords

Milan, Italy – Inter Milan have joined the queue of elite clubs monitoring Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, whose contract is winding down toward a potential free-agent status this summer, sources have confirmed to L’Interista. Goretzka, 30, has spent seven trophy-laden seasons in Bavaria since arriving in 2018, accumulating a Champions League winner’s medal and nearly 70 senior caps for Germany. With no extension agreed, the 1.89 m box-to-box operator is expected to be one of the most sought-after names on the market, drawing early attention from Manchester United, city rivals AC Milan, Tottenham Hotspur and Turkish giants Galatasaray. Inter’s sporting hierarchy, led by technical director Cristian Chivu, have identified midfield reinforcements as a priority ahead of the next campaign. Chivu is particularly keen to inject greater physicality and athleticism into the engine room, attributes that perfectly align with Goretzka’s profile. The German’s blend of aerial dominance, ball-carrying strength and top-level experience is viewed as an ideal complement to the creative stylists already at Simone Inzaghi’s disposal. While the player’s credentials are enticing, any deal would hinge on financial parameters. Goretzka presently earns approximately €9 million per season at the Allianz Arena, a salary that dwarfs Inter’s current wage ceiling. Yet with no transfer fee required, the Nerazzurri see room for negotiation, focusing on a remuneration package and sporting project that could persuade the midfielder to swap Germany for Italy. Inter’s interest remains at the exploratory stage, but the possibility of securing a proven, elite-tier performer without a purchase fee ensures the situation will be tracked closely as the club refines its summer strategy. Should an agreement on wages be reached, the Giuseppe Meazza could become the next destination in Goretzka’s decorated career, intensifying a transfer battle that already features two of England and Italy’s most storied clubs.

Chicago’s romance writers are skating, sprinting and scoring as the global success of HBO Max’s “Heated Rivalry” sends new fans scrambling for steamy, sports-themed love stories. Three weeks before the series premiered, former figure skater K.C. Carmichael released her second novel, “The Kennedy Rule,” a Winter-Olympics-set romance between two professional male athletes. The accidental timing has translated into a sharp spike in sales. “It has been a wonderful surprise,” said Carmichael, who now lives in Austin but honed her craft in Chicago rinks. “We knew the book was special, but ‘Heated Rivalry’ accelerated everything.” While “Heated Rivalry,” adapted from Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” books, unfolds on Canadian ice, Carmichael’s story spotlights U.S. Olympians, giving readers a domestic counterpart to the hit show. The overlap has spotlighted a growing local cottage industry: Chicago authors producing everything from hockey heat to football fantasies. Next month The Last Chapter Book Shop in Roscoe Village will pair a romance-novelist meet-and-greet with a Blackhawks game, underscoring how enthusiasm is leaping from page to puck drop. Bellwood writer Nicole Falls, whose “Nymphs & Trojans” and “New Beginnings” series center Black athletes in the WNBA, NBA and other leagues, says sports and romance share DNA. “Both demand communication under pressure,” Falls noted. “Readers crave that high-stakes push toward a happy ending.” Genre pioneer Susan Elizabeth Phillips has been supplying those endings since 1994. The Naperville author’s “Chicago Stars” series—following a fictional football team that counts four or five championships to the Bears’ one—released its 11th installment, “And the Crowd Went Wild,” on Feb. 10. Phillips, who helped normalize sports romance long before streaming cameras arrived, said she’s thrilled to see fresh voices expand the playing field. “Within a few years of my first book I spotted baseball and football romances popping up,” she recalled. “Now we’ve got roller derby, wrestling, hockey and, thankfully, queer love stories too.” Jen Prokop, Hyde Park co-host of the “Fated Mates” podcast, believes “Heated Rivalry” will supercharge demand for queer happily-ever-afters, a subgenre historically dogged by tragedy. “The show celebrates the radical idea that LGBTQ+ people deserve joy,” Prokop said. “Authors like Carmichael are already answering that call.” Carmichael’s December title, “300 New Year’s Eves,” adds another queer romance to her catalog, and she plans additional entries in “The Kennedy Rule” universe. For Falls, positive representation of Black love remains paramount. “Media often shows us broken images,” she said. “I put healthy, joyful Black relationships on the pedestal.” With real-world headlines grim, she believes escapist romance serves a psychological need: “Sometimes you have to forget everything else and root for love to win.” Whether readers arrived via a TV screen or a bookstore, Chicago’s authors insist the genre’s momentum is only building. As Carmichael put it while gliding across the ice at Fifth Third Arena for a recent photo shoot, “Romance has so much room to play—and the game is just getting started.”

The FA Cup’s reputation for springing surprises will be on the line again this weekend as the fourth-round ties offer lower-division and non-League clubs a fresh chance to humble higher-tier opposition. With 32 teams remaining, three fixtures stand out as prime candidates for cupsets. Wrexham v Ipswich Town Racecourse Ground, Friday 13 February, 19:45 GMT Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham, already buoyant after eliminating Premier League Nottingham Forest on penalties in the third round, host Championship promotion rivals Ipswich Town. Only seven points separate sixth-placed Wrexham from third-placed Ipswich, yet the Welsh side arrive at this junction on a three-match home winless streak and without a 90-minute victory on their own turf in 2026. A tight contest is forecast: the clubs drew 0-0 at Portman Road in November, and Parkinson’s preference for a compact defensive shape could frustrate Kieran McKenna’s possession-oriented visitors. A Wrexham win would not rank among the competition’s greatest shocks, but it would still buck the recent form book. Birmingham City v Leeds United St Andrew’s, Saturday 14 February, 15:00 GMT Birmingham, League One champions last season, have turned St Andrew’s into a fortress, losing just once there in 16 league outings this campaign. Chris Davies’ team are unbeaten in eight matches since a 3-0 reverse at Watford on New Year’s Day and have scored in 16 of 18 home fixtures across all competitions. Leeds, hovering above the Premier League drop zone, have lost only two of 14 matches since December, yet manager Daniel Farke may rotate his squad to safeguard top-flight survival. Leeds have kept one clean sheet in eight games, a vulnerability Birmingham’s in-form attack will target. The West Midlands club have the credentials to claim a notable scalp. Grimsby Town v Wolves Blundell Park, Sunday 15 February, 13:30 GMT Relegation-threatened Wolves have mustered more than one goal only once in 18 fixtures since late October and are winless in 13 away games this season, scoring five and losing 10. Grimsby, resurgent in League Two, have won seven of nine matches to climb into play-off contention. Blundell Park, where Manchester United were humbled in the Carabao Cup in August, promises a raucous atmosphere and a pitch that may not suit Wolves’ Premier League polish. While the visitors’ talent edge is obvious, the Mariners possess momentum and home advantage, the classic ingredients for a cup earthquake. With places in Monday’s last-16 draw at stake, the FA Cup’s weekend menu offers ample potential for fresh chapters of giant-k folklore.

The FA Cup fourth-round weekend opens with a Friday-night double bill that instantly commands attention: League One promotion-chasers Wrexham welcome high-flying Ipswich Town to the Racecourse Ground, while Hull City’s Liam Rosenior faces a reunion of sorts as the Tigers host Chelsea at the MKM Stadium. For Wrexham, the 7.45 p.m. kick-off under the lights offers another chance to remind English football that their Hollywood story is underpinned by serious on-pitch ambition. Phil Parkinson’s side sit firmly in the automatic-promotion picture in the third tier and have already accounted for Championship opposition in earlier rounds. Ipswich, second in the Championship and chasing a return to the top flight for the first time since 2002, will arrive in North Wales expecting progress, yet the Welsh club’s cup pedigree this term suggests Kieran McKenna’s men will need to be ruthless if they are to avoid a cupset. Across the M62, Hull boss Rosenior will pit wits against a Chelsea side that has found renewed form under Mauricio Pochettino. Rosenior spent the bulk of his playing career in blue—albeit with Derby County and later Reading and Hull—and the 39-year-old will be eager to engineer a headline-grabbing victory that could propel the Tigers into the last 16 for the first time since 2018. Saturday’s slate is headlined by two all-Premier League collisions. Aston Villa and Newcastle meet at Villa Park in the tea-time slot, Unai Emery juggling injuries to John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and Matty Cash while trying to protect an eight-point cushion over Liverpool in the race for Champions League places. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle ended a wretched away run with a hard-fought win at Tottenham and will see the Cup as their best remaining route to silverware after bowing out of the Carabao Cup. Later, Liverpool host Brighton at Anfield in a tie neither manager can afford to lose. Arne Slot has labelled the season a disappointment and knows a cup run is vital to keep morale high; opposite number Fabian Hurzeler, meanwhile, is under mounting pressure after the Seagulls slipped to within seven points of the relegation zone. Sunday’s programme features a trio of compelling ties. Birmingham City, unbeaten in eight and 10th in the Championship, welcome Leeds United to St Andrew’s in a repeat of so many bruising encounters down the years. Daniel Farke’s Leeds have lost only twice in 13 Premier League matches and will hope the Cup can extend the feel-good factor at Elland Road. Arsenal round off the weekend against League One’s Wigan Athletic, where Mikel Arteta is expected to hand minutes to Gabriel Jesus as the Brazilian builds sharpness following an ACL lay-off. Kai Havertz’s recent injury means Jesus has a golden opportunity to reignite Arsenal’s attacking spark. Elsewhere, giant-killings lurk. League Two Grimsby, fresh from dumping Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup, welcome bottom-of-the-Premier-League Wolves to a rutted Blundell Park pitch. National League North high-fliers Macclesfield, who shocked holders Crystal Palace in the last round, entertain Brentford on Monday evening, with the Silkmen targeting another scalp in front of a raucous Moss Rose crowd. Whether it is Wrexham’s bid to keep the dream alive, Rosenior’s personal subplot at Hull, or the Premier League heavyweights trying to avoid banana skins, the fourth round promises drama from Friday’s first whistle to Monday’s last.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The 2005 season proved that a tight end does not need gaudy statistics to be indispensable. Josh Cueras never lit up the box score, yet his 37 catches, 411 yards and four touchdowns underscored his value as a steadying presence for quarterback Ty Simpson. Pro Football Focus data shows Cueras dropped only 7.5 percent of the passes thrown his way, a rate bettered only by receivers Germie Bernard (1.5 percent) and Lotzeir Brooks (5.7 percent) among regular starters. When Cueras was sidelined late in the year, the offense’s rhythm faltered. Now, Cueras is gone, drafted into the NFL. The question confronting Alabama’s coaching staff is straightforward yet critical: Who will fill that void? The most experienced returner is red-senior Danny Lewis Jr., a 6-5, -pound veteran who appeared in just six games last season while nursing injuries. A healthy Lewis would provide an immediate boost in both blocking and passing situations. Freshman Kaleb Edwards, a 6-6, 264-pound sophomore-to-be, is the next most productive option after Cueras. Edwards hauled in 11 receptions for 150 yards and one touchdown in 2005, but he also recorded a 15.4 percent drop rate (two drops on 16 targets). Coaches believe his frame and upside give him a legitimate chance to grow into a larger role. Size is not a concern across the position group. Marshall Pritchett (6-5, 248), Jack Sammarco (6-5, 252) and Jay Lindsey (6-5, 255) each stand taller than the departed Cueras, and the Tide added two transfers with. Oklahoma State’s Josh Ford (6-6, 265) and Jacksonville State’s Jaxon Shuttlesworth (6-5, 230) bring immediate competition. Theoretically, the combination of veteran leadership, transfer talent and young potential should create a seamless transition. Yet the reality is murkier. None of the returning players has demonstrated Cueras’ reliability in clutch moments. Drops, injuries and inexperience remain hurdles. Head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Adrian White must evaluate every option during spring practice. The 2006 schedule will not wait for a position group to find its identity. If one player steps forward with sure hands and a willingness to block in space, the Tide’s offense can regain the balance it enjoyed a year ago. If not, the tight end position could become a lingering question throughout the fall. Keywords: Alabama football, tight end, Josh Cueras, Ty Simpson, Kaleb Edwards, Danny Lewis Jr., Josh Ford, Jaxon Shuttres, 2006 season, SEC football, Alabama offense, Nick Saban, Adrian White, Pro Football Focus, 2005 stats, transfer portal, Alabama tight end depth, Alabama roster, college football, Alabama Sports

Liverpool’s right-back crisis has deepened to the point of absurdity, yet even with bodies falling around him Calvin Ramsay remains the man Arne Slot refuses to trust. The 22-year-old Scot has watched every Premier League match from the bench since early December, a spectator at his own crossroads, and Wednesday night’s 1-0 win over Sunderland confirmed that exile is no accident. Slot’s hand has been forced all season. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s £10 million departure to Real Madrid last summer began the spiral; Jeremie Frimpong’s £29 million arrival from Bayer Leverkusen was meant to steady it, but the Dutchman is already on his third significant injury lay-off and looks increasingly like an auxiliary winger. Conor Bradley, fresh from signing a new deal, lasted until early January before a complex knee complaint ended his campaign. Joe Gomez has shouldered the load yet even he spent last month in the treatment room after a knock against Bournemouth. Dominik Szoboszlai was dragooned into the role, stripping Liverpool’s midfield of its dynamo, only to sit out the mid-week fixture through suspension after a red card versus Manchester City. Wataru Endo, a 33-year-old destroyer, volunteered to fill the void, started his first league game of the season out of position, and was stretchered off with a second-half injury that left Anfield wincing. That succession of calamities left the door ajar for Ramsay, the only fit, natural right-back on the books. Instead, Slot slammed it shut. Speaking on the eve of the Sunderland tie, the head coach said bluntly: “I’ve chosen other players until now and that’s also what I’m going to do tomorrow.” He was true to his word: Ramsay stayed rooted to the bench, Szoboszlai will return for Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round trip to Brighton, and Gomez—only recently back from injury—is expected to start ahead of the Scot once again. The pecking order is damning. Ahead of Ramsay stand the injured Frimpong and Bradley, the midfielders Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones, the recuperating Gomez and, when fit, Endo. A player signed from Aberdeen in 2022 has become an after-thought, reduced to a single appearance in the EFL Cup defeat at Crystal Palace back in October. With every improvised selection Slot reiterates the same brutal message: Ramsay is not fifth-choice, not even sixth-choice; he is no choice at all.

Fresh off a statement 5-0 victory over Czechia, Canada’s star-studded men’s hockey team turns its attention to Switzerland in the final preliminary-round contest of Group A at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Puck drop is set for 3:10 p.m. ET on Friday at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan. Thursday’s opener saw five different Canadians find the back of the net, including rising standout Macklin Celebrini and veteran center Nathan MacKinnon. The win, paced by airtight defensive play, signaled Canada’s intent to reclaim Olympic gold in the first Games featuring NHL talent since 2014. Czechia entered the tournament viewed as the Canadians’ principal Group A threat, so the emphatic result immediately alters the pool’s competitive balance. Switzerland, however, arrives with momentum of its own after blanking France 4-0 in its debut. Timo Meier starred with a pair of goals, while goaltender Leonardo Genoni turned away all 27 shots he faced to secure the shutout. The Swiss will aim to parlay that confidence into an upset that could shake up quarter-final seeding. Viewers in the United States will not find the contest on conventional television. Instead, every second of the action will stream live exclusively on Peacock, NBC’s direct-to-consumer platform. The service, which carries a broad slate of live sports including NFL Sunday Night Football, the Premier League, and Olympic coverage, offers monthly plans starting at $10.99 and allows subscribers to cancel at any time. With both nations winning their initial fixtures and enjoying identical rest intervals, Friday’s clash will determine which squad claims top billing heading into the knockout stage.

Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump on Thursday granted full pardons to five former National Football League standouts—Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and the late Billy Cannon—each of whom had previously pleaded guilty to federal offenses ranging from perjury to drug trafficking and counterfeiting. The announcement came via Alice Marie Johnson, the White House’s designated “pardon czar,” who praised the president’s “continued commitment to second chances.” In a social-media post, Johnson invoked football’s larger ethos, writing, “As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation.” Johnson noted that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones “personally” relayed news of the pardon to Newton, a six-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman who won three Super Bowls with the franchise. Newton had pleaded guilty in 2002 after authorities found $10,000 in his pickup and 175 pounds of marijuana in a companion vehicle. Klecko, the bruising New York Jets defensive tackle inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023, received his pardon for a 1993 perjury conviction tied to an insurance-fraud investigation. A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time Associated Press All-Pro, Klecko’s on-field résumé had long been celebrated; the pardon effectively closes the book on his lone off-field blemish. Jamal Lewis, the fifth overall selection in the 2000 draft who earned 2003 AP Offensive Player of the Year honors, pleaded guilty after using a cellphone to facilitate a drug transaction early in his career. Thursday’s action wipes the federal conviction from the former Ravens and Browns running back’s record. Travis Henry, a one-time Pro Bowl running back who financed a multi-state cocaine ring between Colorado and Montana, was pardoned for his 2009 conspiracy conviction. Henry played for three franchises during an injury-shortened career. Billy Cannon, who died in 2018, was granted a posthumous pardon for a mid-1980s counterfeiting scheme undertaken after a series of failed investments left him bankrupt. The 1959 Heisman Trophy winner at LSU had gone on to become a two-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler for the Houston Oilers, Raiders, and Chiefs. The White House did not respond to a request for comment Thursday night regarding the specific factors that prompted the president to issue the pardons. Trump, an avid sports fan, previously pardoned former New York Mets star Darryl Strawberry in November for tax evasion and drug-related offenses.