December 15, 2024 7:29 am
HUNTINGTON, W.V. (AP) — Marshall has withdrawn from the Independence Bowl after a coaching change resulted in much of its roster jumping into the transfer portal. The Thundering Herd were slated to play Army on Dec. 28 in Shreveport, Louisiana. But the Independence Bowl and Louisiana Tech have announced that the Bulldogs will take on the 19th-ranked Black Knights instead. Marshall said it pulled out “after falling below the roster minimum that was deemed medically safe.” The 10-3 Herd beat Louisiana-Lafayette 31-3 last weekend to win the Sun Belt Conference Championship for the first time.
December 15, 2024 8:28 am
NEW YORK (AP) — Two-way star Travis Hunter of Colorado has won the Heisman Trophy, punctuating a tireless performance all season by a dynamic player with a unique combination of skills. The big-play wide receiver and lockdown cornerback dominated on both sides of the ball for coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes, joining late running back Rashaan Salaam in 1994 as the only players in school history to take home college football’s most prestigious individual award. Hunter received 552 first-place votes and 2,231 points in a comfortable victory. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was the runner-up with 309 first-place votes and 2,017 points, the closest margin since 2009.
December 14, 2024 2:10 am
Section play began Thursday for Washington/Greene County high school basketball teams. The others have another week of non-conference games on tap. The daily section schedule follows for opening weekend.
Thursday Girls:
5A Peters Township 52, Thomas Jefferson 39
5A Bethel Park 54, Trinity 52
4A Belle Vernon 41, Ringgold 27
3A Charleroi at Wash High
3A Waynesburg 48, Brownsville 42
1A Avella 67, Mapletown 32
1A Geibel 46, West Greene 27
Thursday Boys:
6A Imani Christian 71, Canon-McMillan 60 OT
5A South Fayette 63, Ringgold 48
2A West Greene 54, Carmichaels 27
Friday Boys:
5A Peters Township 63, Thomas Jefferson 42
5A Trinity 61, Bethel Park 57 OT
2A Riverview 57, Bentworth 47
2A Jeannette 76, California 43,
2A Beth-Center 55, Mapletown 19
2A Jeff-Morgan 66, Burgettstown 44
2A Chartiers-Houston 49, Fort Cherry 43
December 14, 2024 4:02 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have hired Miguel Perez the club’s bullpen coach. Perez has spent parts of two decades in the Pirates’ organization, including the last three as the manager of the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis. The announcement allowed the team to give Perez the news he has thrilled dozens of prospects with in recent years: a callup to the majors. The 41-year-old Perez, a former catcher who appeared in two games with Cincinnati before eventually moving into coaching, will replace Justin Meccage, who was not retained after the 2024 season.
December 14, 2024 4:04 am
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins released wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on Friday, ending the former Pro Bowler’s short tenure with the team. Beckham had missed the past two days of practice for what the team called personal reasons. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel indicated that the decision to part ways was mutual. Beckham signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in May, but started the season on the physically unable to perform list after offseason knee surgery. Since his Dolphins debut in Week 5 against New England, Beckham had just nine catches for 55 yards in nine games.
December 13, 2024 4:39 am
MONTREAL (AP) — Bryan Rust scored three goals and the Pittsburgh Penguins scored six times in the third period to rout the Montreal Canadiens 9-2. Rust scored twice in the second period and again midway through the third for his sixth career hat trick. Rickard Rakell had two goals and two assists for Pittsburgh. Kris Letang, Anthony Beauvillier, Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari also scored in the third as fans at Bell Centre booed and left early. Sidney Crosby had three assists to reach 1,026 in his career, all with the Penguins. Nick Suzuki and Joel Armia scored for Montreal, which wrapped up a 3-2 homestand.
December 13, 2024 4:43 am
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Joshua Karty kicked four field goals and the Los Angeles Rams survived a slugfest a week after winning a shootout, beating the San Francisco 49ers 12-6 in a key game in the NFC West race. Four days after beating Josh Allen and Buffalo 44-42 in the NFL’s highest scoring game of the season, the Rams outlasted the 49ers on a rainy night to move within a half-game of division leading Seattle. San Francisco led 6-3 headed into the fourth quarter but came up short, dealing a major blow to the dwindling playoff hopes for the defending NFC champion 49ers.
December 13, 2024 4:41 am
The AFC North-leading Steelers travel across Pennsylvania to face the NFC East-leading Eagles in a potential Super Bowl preview. Pittsburgh is looking to snap a 10-game losing streak in Philadelphia, where the Steelers haven’t won since Oct. 24, 1965. The Eagles defeated Pittsburgh 21-0 in the only playoff matchup between the teams on Dec. 21, 1947, to advance to the NFL championship game. This is the first meeting between the team teams when both have double-digit victories.
December 13, 2024 4:44 am
New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick said he had long been interested in coaching in the college ranks. But it had never worked out until now, as he takes over the Tar Heels program. Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during a 24-year run there that ended last year. Belichick’s five-year deal pays him $10 million in base and supplemental salary per year. It is guaranteed only for the first three years, including for buyout purposes. There is also up to $3.5 million in annual bonuses.
December 12, 2024 4:32 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brandin Cummings came off the bench to score a career-high 30 points — the most this season by an ACC freshman — and Pitt left Eastern Kentucky behind in the second half to win 96-56 Wednesday night. Cummings, whose previous high was 12, was 10-of-13 shooting, including 6 of 10 from the arc. Zack Austin added 18 points, Ishmael Leggett had 17 points and Jaland Lowe, who was scoreless in the first half, finished with 11 points and 12 assists. George Kimble III scored 16 points, Jordan Crawford 13 and Devontae Blanton 11 for the Colonels. Pitt led by just three at halftime.
