January 12, 2024 4:51 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Longtime backup quarterback Mason Rudolph’s unlikely renaissance has helped the Pittsburgh Steelers reach the playoffs. Rudolph is 3-0 since taking over as the starter in late December. His next test comes in Buffalo, where Pittsburgh is a decided underdog against the AFC East champion Bills. Rudolph says there have been times in recent years where he’s doubted himself but says he’s gotten past those doubts by focusing on improving. Pittsburgh’s offense has taken off with Rudolph at the helm. Rudolph says he’s grateful for the opportunity but is focusing on the moment and not thinking about how his recent play could affect the arc of his career.
January 12, 2024 5:12 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided arbitration with All-Star closer David Bednar and All-Star pitcher Mitch Keller by agreeing to one-year deals ahead of the exchange of proposed salaries. Bednar, an All-Star in each of the last two seasons, will get $4.51 million. He went 3-3 with 39 saves and a 2.00 ERA last season. Keller, an All-Star in 2023 while going 13-9 with a 4.21 ERA, will earn $5,442,500. Pittsburgh also reached agreements with first baseman Connor Joe at $2,125,000 and outfielder Edward Olivares at $1.35 million. Olivares was acquired in a trade with Kansas City last month.
January 12, 2024 4:49 am
NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that pitcher Marcus Stroman and the New York Yankees have agreed to a $37 million, two-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical. Stroman posted an Instagram story with a photo of himself in a Yankees uniform. The right-hander grew up on Long Island, about 55 miles from Yankee Stadium. Stroman joins a Yankees rotation headed by AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole that likely will include Clarke Schmidt. Carlos Rodón and Nestor Cortes are coming off injury-plagued seasons.
January 11, 2024 2:16 am
Trailing 15-12, McGuffey won five of the final eight bouts, four by pins, to hand Bentworth its first loss of the season The two are now tied, one match back of section leader Burgettstown with two weeks left in the regular season. The Blue Devils stayed unbeaten with a solid win over Fort Cherry. Trinity remains atop its 3A section with a blowout win at South Fayette. The Hillers visit unbeaten West Allegheny next week.
Wednesday
Class 2A
McGuffey 39, Bentworth 29 Watch Here
Burgettstown 54, Fort Cherry 21
Beth-Center 36, West Greene 21
Jeff-Morgan 63, Wash High 6
Class 3A
Trinity 50, South Fayette 16
Baldwin 40, Canon-McMillan 29
Peters Township 47, Upper St. Clair 24
Norwin 43, Ringgold 16
January 11, 2024 7:55 am
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Six-time NFL champion Bill Belichick has agreed to part ways as the coach of the New England Patriots, bringing an end to his 24-year tenure as the architect of the most decorated dynasty of the league’s Super Bowl era. Belichick became just the third coach in NFL history to reach 300 career regular season wins, joining Hall of Famers Don Shula and George Halas. Belichick trails only Shula for the record for victories by a coach. But this season was Belichick’s worst in 29 seasons as an NFL head coach.
January 11, 2024 4:42 am
PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – The Steelers mixed it up Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s playoff game in Buffalo. The team practiced at Acrisure Stadium instead of the South Side. Head Coach Mike Tomlin said the practice field isn’t in usable condition, and he wanted to host practice on a “game-like” field similar to the one they’ll see in Buffalo. Though weather wasn’t necessarily a factor in the decision, Wednesday in Pittsburgh was wet and windy. With winter weather expected in Buffalo Sunday, quarterback Mason Rudolph said any additional reps in the elements can only benefit. “Just like last week, there’s things we adjusted,” Rudolph said. “It’s good to get work like we did today. Weren’t great conditions either, so you try to prepare yourselves, but we know it will be tough weather conditions but I think that’s one of the many pluses of playing in Pittsburgh is that we start to get a dose of that in October.” The Steelers’ defense is also getting a reinforcement. Safety Damontae Kazee has been restored to the active roster following his suspension. To make room for him, safety Trenton Thompson was placed on Injured Reserve. He has missed three games with a neck injury. The Steelers play the Bills on Sunday at 1 p.m.
January 11, 2024 4:44 am
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Pete Carroll is out after 14 seasons as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, responsible for two NFC championships and the only Super Bowl title in franchise history during his long tenure. The 72-year old coach is moving into an advisory role with the organization, according to a statement from owner Jody Allen on Wednesday. Seattle closed the regular season with a 21-20 win at Arizona on Sunday. The Seahawks entered the final two weeks of the regular season with the chance at reaching the playoffs for the 11th time with Carroll in charge, but a Week 17 loss to Pittsburgh left Seattle in need of help it didn’t get to close out the season.
January 11, 2024 4:38 am
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sportsbook directors follow the money when it comes to cheering for particular teams. They are solidly behind the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. Both are sizable underdogs in the NFL playoffs, with the majority of the money from casual bettors going to the favorites. The Packers are 7 1/2-point underdogs at FanDuel Sportsbook in the wild-card round at the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Pittsburgh is an even bigger dog at plus-10 on Sunday at the Buffalo Bills.
January 11, 2024 4:43 am
Alabama coach Nick Saban is retiring after winning more national championships than any other major college football coach. Saban won seven national championships and turned Alabama back into a national powerhouse that included six of those titles in 17 seasons. He made the announcement Wednesday. Saban led the Tide to nine Southeastern Conference championships and won his first national title at Alabama with a 14-0 season in 2009. Titles came again in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2020. He also won a national title with LSU in 2003.
January 10, 2024 2:07 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mason Rudolph’s unlikely renaissance will continue into the playoffs. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says he is sticking with the former third-string quarterback ahead of a trip to AFC East champion Buffalo. Rudolph is 3-0 as a starter since taking over for an ineffective Mitch Trubisky before a game against Cincinnati on Dec. 23. While starter Kenny Pickett has fully recovered from right ankle surgery in early December, Tomlin doesn’t want to risk derailing the rhythm Pittsburgh’s offense has found under Rudolph.
