Rudolph Preparing To Start Against Chargers

November 20, 2021 4:15 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph is preparing as if he will start against the Los Angeles Chargers. Starter Ben Roethlisberger remains on the COVID-19 list after testing positive last week, but could play if he is cleared in time for kickoff. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada says he is in contact with Roethlisberger regularly and that Roethlisberger has been in attendance for virtual meetings with the offensive staff. Rudolph says he is hopeful he gets another opportunity, but will work hard to make sure Roethlisberger has what he needs if he returns to action.

Pens Snap Losing Skid In Montreal

November 19, 2021 3:50 am

MONTREAL (AP) – Teddy Blueger scored two goals and the Pittsburgh Penguins snapped a three-game skid, pounding the Montreal Canadiens 6-0. Tristan Jarry stopped all 24 shots for the Penguins. Pittsburgh exploded in the first period with goals from Sidney Crosby, Danton Heinen and Jake Guentzel. Blueger and Brock Gill scored in the second, and Blueger added a late third-period goal. Cayden Primeau allowed five goals on 31 shots in two periods for the Canadiens. Samuel Montembeault replaced Primeau at the start of the third, allowed one goal and made 11 saves.

Patriots Stifle Falcons For 5th Straight Victory

November 19, 2021 3:53 am

ATLANTA (AP) – Mac Jones threw a 19-yard scoring pass to Nelson Agholor for the game’s only offensive touchdown and the New England defense took care of the rest. The result was a 25-0 shutout of the Atlanta Falcons for the Patriots’ fifth straight victory.  New England wasn’t nearly as dominating as four days earlier, when the Patriots blew out the Browns 45-7. But it was good enough against a feeble Falcons offense that hasn’t scored a touchdown in nearly nine quarters.  Nick Folk booted four field goals and Kyle Van Noy had two sacks and a late interception return for a touchdown.

Steelers Don’t Expect To Have Fitzpatrick Against Chargers

November 18, 2021 3:45 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick played in Sunday’s home tie with the Detroit Lions, but he entered the COVID-19 protocol the following day. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he “doesn’t anticipate” having Fitzpatrick in the lineup for Sunday’s road game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He also said that the Steelers may use multiple players to replicate the talented Fitzpatrick’s multi-faceted role on the defense. Fellow safety Terrell Edmunds expects to step up with Fitzpatrick possibly sidelined.

One ACC QB Will Be Snubbed In Awards

November 18, 2021 3:45 am

UNDATED (AP) – One of the talented quarterbacks in the Atlantic Coast Conference is going to get snubbed when football awards are announced. Look at this lineup: Virginia has Brennan Armstrong, who is third in the country with 3,557 passing yards. Pittsburgh has Kenny Pickett, who vaulted himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation with 32 touchdown passes this season. Wake Forest has Sam Hartman, who may wind up leading the Demon Deacons into the Atlantic Coast Conference title game. N.C. State has Devin Leary, who has thrown for 29 touchdowns. When the All-ACC team comes out, at least one of those quarterbacks will be missing.

Toronto Lefty Ray Wins AL Cy Young; Brewers’ Burnes Takes NL

November 18, 2021 3:50 am

UNDATED (AP) – Toronto left-hander Robbie Ray bounced back from a dismal season to win the AL Cy Young Award and Milwaukee righty Corbin Burnes returned from a bout of COVID-19 to win the NL’s top pitching prize.  In the Year of the Pitcher, Burnes led the majors with a 2.43 ERA and Ray topped the AL at 2.84 and both put up impressive strikeout totals.  Burnes edged Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler for the award, while Max Scherzer finished third. Burnes endured a bout of COVID-19 in May, returning after two weeks to finish with 234 strikeouts in 167 innings and an 11-5 record, as the Brewers went on to win the NL Central.  Ray beat Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, who finished second in the voting, and Chicago White Sox righty Lance Lynn. Ray actually took a pay cut after a rough 2020 but bounced back to lead the majors with 248 strikeouts and and 193 1/3 innings, going 13-7.

Penguins Fall To Sabres

November 17, 2021 3:47 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Dustin Tokarski stopped a career-high 45 shots as the Buffalo Sabres beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on Tuesday night. His previous high was 44 in April. Pittsburgh outshot the Sabres 46-19, including a 20-3 margin in the final 20 minutes. Kyle Okposo and Colin Miller scored for the Sabres, while Jake Guentzel had the Penguins’ lone goal. Tristan Jarry made 17 saves for the Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins May Soon Be Under New Ownership

November 17, 2021 3:21 am

It’s possible that the Pens may soon have a new owner. According to the Wall Street Journal, Fenway Sports Group LLC, the company that owns the Boston Red Sox, is in advanced talks to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins. The WSJ report said a deal “could be finalized later this week, assuming the talks don’t fall apart.” The group also owns the Red Sox’s Low-A affiliate and part of the Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate, and 80 percent of the sports television network NESN. John W. Henry is the principal owner of Fenway Sports Group, owning 40 percent. Other partners in Fenway Sports Group include billionaire brothers Ted and Bill Alfond, LeBron James, and James’ business manager Maverick Carter. They also own Roush Fenway Racing. The current ownership group of the Penguins includes Mario Lemieux, John Surma and Debra Cafaro. They bought the franchise and helped it recover from bankruptcy, turning it into one of the most successful sport franchises in the National Hockey League. Sources say Lemieux will retain a minority stake and upper management, including David Morehouse, will stay.

Roethlisberger & Watt May Play Sunday – Fitzpatrick Likely Still Out

November 17, 2021 3:30 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and outside linebacker T.J. Watt will both have an opportunity to play, while safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is expected to miss Sunday’s road game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Roethlisberger entered the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 protocol on Saturday night after testing positive and he missed Sunday’s tie with the Detroit Lions. Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Roethlisberger has a chance to play, but the Steelers are currently preparing to start backup quarterback Mason Rudolph. Watt left in the third quarter of Sunday’s game with hip and knee injuries and did not return. Fitzpatrick played on Sunday, but he joined Roethlisberger on the COVID-19 list on Monday.