November 24, 2021 2:15 am
The Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, confirmed the passing of former Pirates great Bill Virdon. Virdon was 90 years old. “Bill Virdon was a man who took such great pride in being a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates family,” said Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. “Every fan who followed our 1960 team will always remember the instrumental role that he played to bring a third World Series championship to the city of Pittsburgh. “We are also eternally grateful for everything that Bill did representing the Pirates following his playing days not only as a successful manager, but also in helping a countless number of our young players that he so proudly instructed and mentored as a coach and one of our long-time Spring Training guest instructors,” added Nutting. “We send our thoughts and prayers to Bill’s wife of 70 years, Shirley, his children Debbie Virdon Lutes, Linda Virdon Holmes and Lisa Virdon Brown, along with his seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.” Virdon recorded a total of 1,596 hits, 237 doubles, 91 home runs and 502 RBI in 1,583 games in the big leagues as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955-68. He ranks sixth all-time in Pirates history in games played as an outfielder with 1,376. After being acquired by the Pirates from the St. Louis Cardinals, he went on to be recognized for his outstanding play in center field two years later when he took home Gold Glove honors in 1962. Following his playing days, Virdon made the transition to being one of the most successful managers in the Major Leagues. Virdon won a total of 995 games as a manager, led the Pirates to the 1972 National League Championship Series, was named the American League Manager-of-the-Year in 1974 (New York Yankees) and the National League Manager-of-the-Year in 1980 (Houston Astros). Virdon also served as a coach for the Pirates at the big league level in four separate stints (1968-71, 1986, 1992-95 and 2001-02).
November 24, 2021 3:41 am
Penn State football coach James Franklin has agreed to a new 10-year contract that will guarantee him at least $75 million through 2031. Franklin and Penn State’s Board of Trustees agreed to the terms, which include a yearly base salary of $7 million, retention bonuses of $500,000 each year and a $1 million annual loan for life insurance. Franklin is 67-32 at Penn State with seven bowl appearances in his eight seasons. The Nittany Lions won the Big Ten championship in 2016.
November 24, 2021 3:47 am
UNDATED (AP) – Georgia continues to top the latest CFP rankings, but there’s a new No. 2 and No. 4. Ohio State has moved ahead of Alabama for second, with Cincinnati holding the other semifinal slot. The Bulldogs and Bearcats are the only unbeaten teams in the rankings. Cincinnati plays at East Carolina on Friday and then meets Houston, ranked 24th by the committee, in the American Athletic Conference championship game on Dec. 4. Michigan is fifth, followed by Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Mississippi and Oklahoma. The final CFP rankings will be revealed Dec. 5 and the top four teams will play in the semifinals on Dec. 31 in the Orange and Cotton bowls. The national championship game is scheduled for Jan. 10 in Indianapolis.
November 23, 2021 3:45 am
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) – Danton Heinen scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period, Tristan Jarry allowed one goal after back-to-back shutouts, and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Winnipeg Jets 3-1. Dominic Toninato scored on Jarry in the first period, but that was it. Jarry finished with 30 saves after posting shutouts in the first two games of Pittsburgh’s three-game Canadian trip, at Montreal and Toronto. Jason Zucker and Jake Guentzel also scored for the Penguins, whose perfect road swing followed a three-game skid. Connor Hellebuyck had 33 saves for Winnipeg, which lost its third straight and fell to 7-2-1 at home.
November 23, 2021 3:50 am
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Tom Brady threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New York Giants 30-10. The Super Bowl champion Buccaneers snapped a two-game losing streak as Brady avoided dropping three in a row for the first time since 2002. Daniel Jones threw a TD pass to left tackle Andrew Thomas and the Giants stayed close for one half before unraveling. Down 17-10, the Giants drove to the Buccaneers 25 on the opening drive of the third quarter before Jones was pressured and threw incomplete on fourth-and-1. Jones threw two interceptions and was sacked twice.
November 23, 2021 3:46 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is struggling without injured stars T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Pittsburgh allowed 533 yards in a 41-37 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. That marks the most the Steelers have surrendered in a game in eight years. While Fitzpatrick should return this week after dealing with COVID-19, Watt’s status is more uncertain while he deals with hip and knee injuries. Pittsburgh has struggled with Watt out of the lineup during his career. The Steelers are 0-4 when Watt is unavailable.
November 23, 2021 3:47 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) – No. 20 Pittsburgh is hardly satisfied with earning its second trip to the ACC title game in four years. The Panthers are hoping to lock up the program’s first 10-win regular season since 1981 when it visits Syracuse. Head coach Pat Narduzzi says the standards have been raised within the program during his seven-year tenure. Narduzzi says the players were simply happy to reach the ACC title game in 2018 when they were drilled by Clemson. Senior quarterback Kenny Pickett says the vibe is different this time around and that the Panthers won’t be satisfied until they win the conference championship.
November 22, 2021 5:33 am
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) – Justin Herbert threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams with 2:17 remaining and the Los Angeles Chargers held off the Pittsburgh Steelers 41-37 on Sunday night. Los Angeles (6-4) had a 27-10 lead going into the fourth quarter before the Steelers (5-4-1) rallied to take a 37-34 lead on Chris Boswell’s 45-yard field goal with 3:24 left. Los Angeles took over at the 25 and scored four plays later when Williams was wide open and went untouched up the left sideline. Herbert was 30 of 41 for 382 yards and three touchdowns. He had 90 yards rushing, which is the most by a Chargers quarterback in a game. Ben Roethlisberger passed for 273 yards and three touchdowns for Pittsburgh.
November 22, 2021 5:36 am
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Joe Mixon rushed for 123 yards and scored two touchdowns and the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 32-13. The well-rested Bengals came out of their bye week and snapped a two-game skid to climb back into the AFC North race, while the Raiders lost their third straight since their bye week when they led the AFC West.
November 22, 2021 5:38 am
CLEVELAND (AP) — Nick Chubb caught a touchdown pass and ran for 130 yards as the Cleveland Browns held on to avoid a season-wrecking upset and keep Detroit winless with a sloppy 13-10 victory over the Lions. Chubb returned to Cleveland’s lineup after a one-game absence due to COVID-19. The star running back caught a 5-yard TD pass from Baker Mayfield and then helped the Browns run out the clock. With Cleveland’s crowd chanting his name before every snap Chubb gained 36 yards on the final drive as the Browns chewed up the last 2:29. D’Andre Swift had 136 yards and 57-yard TD for the Lions, who fell to 0-9-1.
