2025-09-07 00:00:27.3

Grambling State's coach, Mickey Joseph, knew his team was facing a tough matchup against No. 1 Ohio State, and he was right. The game ended in a 70-0 victory for Ohio State. This was just one of many one-sided games in Week 2, with several teams leading by 48 or more points at halftime. These games highlight the financial disparity in college football, with smaller schools receiving large sums of money (Grambling State received $1 million) for playing against top programs. While some smaller schools, like FIU, put up a good fight against their wealthier opponents, others were simply outmatched. The large payouts don't guarantee wins or close games, as evidenced by Clemson's game against Troy, where Troy took an early lead despite Clemson's significant financial advantage.

2025-09-07 00:00:27.292

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Kyle Konrardy kicked a 54-yard field goal with 1:52 left to give No. 16 Iowa State a 16-13 win over Iowa on Saturday, the Cyclones’ second straight victory against their in-state rival and third in four years. Konrardy kicked a 54-yarder in the final seconds last year to beat the Hawkeyes 20-19. “You win football games when your best players make the best plays in key moments,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “When you’ve got a guy like Kyle, you just trust him.” His winning kick this time came after Rocco Becht led the Cyclones on a grinding 55-yard drive that chewed 6 1/2 minutes off the clock. Tamatoa McDonough sacked Mark Gronowski twice on Iowa’s last possession, with the Hawkeyes (1-1) turning the ball over on downs. Iowa State (3-0) won the CyHawk Trophy in Ames for the first time since 2011. “There’s no instant gratification,” Campbell said. “The reality is having the consistency, and having a plan to build and give your kids the best chance to be successful.” Konrardy’s field goals of 44 and 27 yards put the Cyclones up 6-0, and Jeremiah Cooper’s 24-yard interception return set up a short touchdown pass to Benjamin Brahmer to make it 13-3. Olson lifts Central Connecticut to first win of season, 34-7 over American International Scottre Humphrey shines as New Mexico takes down Idaho State, 32-22 Kente Edwards has 127 yards rushing, 3 TDs and Lafayette tops Stonehill 42-26 “It’s all in my fundamentals,” Konrardy said. “I’m blessed to have the opportunity, but it was great offense and great defense all round.” Gronowski moved the Hawkeyes 85 yards in 16 plays late in the half, bulling into the end zone from the 2 to pull Iowa to 13-10 at half. Drew Stevens’ 36-yard field goal tied it 13-all late in the third quarter. Gronowski was 13 of 24 for 83 yards and Jaziun Patterson led the Hawkeyes with 60 yards on 11 carries. “We didn’t do enough today to beat a good football team,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “I don’t think it had anything to do with our preparation or our effort. The series has been decided at the end of the game the last couple years, and there were several opportunities that we didn’t cash in.” The Takeaway Iowa: The Hawkeyes are still waiting for Gronowski to find his footing. The South Dakota State transfer is just 21 of 39 for 127 yards and a touchdown through two games. Iowa State: The Cyclones’ past six wins in the series have been by a total of 15 points. Up next Iowa hosts UMass on Saturday. Iowa State visits Arkansas State on Saturday.

2025-09-06 06:00:30.147

The Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was dominated by the Chiefs' fans in the stands, but the anticipated appearance of Taylor Swift, engaged to Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, failed to materialize. Despite the Chargers' 27-21 victory, the no-show by Swift, who had been speculated to make a third visit to Brazil, was a major talking point. Local fans expressed disappointment, while others enjoyed the festive atmosphere, which included a pre-game appearance by Neymar and a halftime performance by Karol G that was less well-received than last year's Anitta performance. The NFL's presence in Brazil continues to grow, with plans for future games in Rio de Janeiro also being considered.

2025-09-06 06:00:30.139

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected from the season opener for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. The incident, which occurred just six seconds into the game, led to an immediate ejection and an apology from Carter. The NFL is considering further penalties, including a potential suspension, given Carter's history of disciplinary issues. While social media debated whether Prescott spat first, the incident overshadowed an otherwise strong performance by the Eagles, who won 24-20. Carter's future with the team remains uncertain as they prepare for a rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.

2025-09-06 00:00:18.278

Tom Brady's post-retirement career has been anything but smooth. His lucrative deal with Fox, coupled with his unexpected investment in the Las Vegas Raiders, created a conflict of interest. The NFL initially banned Brady from team briefings, but a 'Brady Exception' now allows him access to pre-game meetings, raising concerns about fairness and objectivity. This incident highlights a larger issue: the NFL's eroding integrity. The league's acquisition of a stake in ESPN and its overwhelming dominance in television viewership raise questions about media bias and self-regulation. The proliferation of gambling ads, the record-breaking bets on the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, and numerous financial scandals involving players and team personnel further tarnish the league's image. Commissioner Roger Goodell's actions, including his past statements about gambling and his advisory role with Donald Trump, contrast sharply with the NFL's public pronouncements about integrity. The league's compromises, like the commercialization of RedZone, fuel fan cynicism. Brady's own history of benefiting from controversial calls makes his role as a broadcaster even more problematic. The NFL's actions suggest a willingness to prioritize profit over principle, leaving its long-term future uncertain.

2025-09-05 18:00:18.96

Tom Brady's career has been marked by fortunate events, from the Tuck Rule to a unique exception allowing him to attend NFL production meetings despite his Raiders ownership. His transition into broadcasting with Fox has been bumpy, partly due to concerns about potential conflicts of interest. The NFL's approval of the "Brady Exception" highlights a troubling trend: the league's apparent prioritization of expediency over integrity. This is further exemplified by the NFL's acquisition of a stake in ESPN and the increasing influence of gambling on the sport. The league's past commitment to objectivity, as championed by former commissioner Pete Rozelle, seems to be fading. The rise of gambling ads, numerous financial scandals involving players and team personnel, and the NFL's downplaying of concussion issues raise serious concerns about the league's integrity. Commissioner Roger Goodell's actions, including his involvement with Donald Trump and his inconsistent stance on gambling, further fuel these doubts. The NFL's attempts to maintain the appearance of integrity while compromising its core values risk alienating fans and transforming the sport into a spectacle akin to professional wrestling. Brady's own history and his role as a broadcaster further complicate matters, leaving his future in broadcasting uncertain. Ultimately, the article questions whether the NFL can maintain its integrity in the face of these challenges.

2025-08-29 00:00:31.947

Micah Parsons is heading to the Green Bay Packers after a blockbuster trade on Thursday, leaving the Dallas Cowboys following a lengthy contract dispute. The two-time All-Pro edge rusher confirmed the deal in a text to The Associated Press. A person with knowledge of the details said Parsons and the Packers have agreed on a record-setting $188 million, four-year contract that includes $136 million guaranteed. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade hasn’t been announced. Parsons becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Parsons provides a huge boost for a franchise that has reached the playoffs five of the past six years but hasn’t made it to the NFL championship game since Aaron Rodgers led them to their fourth Super Bowl title 15 years ago. Parsons bolsters a defense that was inconsistent at getting to opposing quarterbacks last season, when the Packers went 11-7 and lost to Philadelphia in the NFC wild-card round. The Packers had 45 sacks last season to tie for eighth place in the NFL, but more than half of those sacks came in just four games. In seven of their 17 games, the Packers had no more than one sack. Green Bay ranked 16th in pressure rate, which calculates the number of hurries, knockdowns and sacks for each team divided by an opponent’s drop-back attempts. Now, the Packers add one of the game’s elite pass rushers while the Cowboys lose their best player because of a power struggle with Jones. Even with Parsons, who missed four games because of injury last season, Dallas finished 28th in defense and the team went 7-10. The Cowboys have a healthy Dak Prescott returning but this is a devastating blow for the defense. The Packers haven’t had anyone get 12 sacks in a season since Za’Darius Smith had 12½ in 2020. The Cowboys are receiving two first-round picks and veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark for Parsons, a person with knowledge of the details told the AP. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams haven’t released the terms. The 26-year-old Parsons has 52 1/2 sacks, recording at least 12 in each of his four seasons while making the Pro Bowl each year.

2025-08-28 18:00:19.51

The US Open, known for its lively atmosphere, is facing a new distraction: the pervasive smell of marijuana. Players like Casper Ruud have openly criticized the odor, calling it the "worst thing about New York." Court 17 has even earned the nickname "hash court" due to the frequent smell of cannabis. While the USTA maintains a no-smoking policy within the grounds, the legalization of recreational marijuana in New York in 2021, coupled with the proximity to Corona Park where smoking is permitted, has made the smell unavoidable. Players have complained for years, with Nick Kyrgios, Maria Sakkari, and Alexander Zverev among those expressing frustration. The USTA claims to be vigilant in enforcing its rules but acknowledges the difficulty in controlling what happens outside the grounds. Fans, however, seem largely unconcerned, viewing the smell as a normal part of New York City life. The situation highlights a clash between the image of tennis and the realities of a city embracing legal marijuana.

2025-08-27 06:44:55.743

NEW YORK (AP) — Iga Swiatek is trying to do something no woman has done since Serena Williams in 2012: win the U.S. Open and Wimbledon in the same season. Jannik Sinner is trying to do something no man has done since Roger Federer in 2008: repeat as U.S. Open champion. By the looks of things on Tuesday in Arthur Ashe Stadium as the now-three-day first round wrapped up, the two players who triumphed at the All England Club last month — and who both served short doping-related bans last year — look ready to contend again in New York. And how. The second-seeded Swiatek was up first in the U.S. Open’s main arena and needed merely an hour to dismiss Emiliana Arango of Colombia 6-1, 6-2. No. 1 Sinner then took only 39 minutes more to finish off his 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Vit Kopriva of the Czech Republic. “Obviously, every year is different,” said Sinner, sporting the white arm sleeve he began wearing after hurting his elbow in a fall during Wimbledon. “You come here starting this tournament, hopefully, the best possible way — which I did.” He certainly showed no signs of the virus that forced him to quit in the first set of the Cincinnati Open final against his biggest rival, No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, last week. RELATED STORIES Coco Gauff’s 1st match with a new serve coach at the US Open is a struggle but also a win Everything comes up roses for Naomi Osaka in sparkly red look for US Open win Venus Williams will compete in women’s doubles at the US Open with 2021 finalist Leylah Fernandez Either Sinner or Alcaraz, who have combined to win the past seven major titles, can own the top ATP ranking after these 15 days. Similarly, Swiatek, Coco Gauff or No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion, can leave New York atop the WTA. On Tuesday, Sinner saved both break points he faced and won 33 of 40 first-serve points. Swiatek was even more dominant, not only never facing a break point but never even being taken to deuce in any of her eight service games, while accumulating a 26-5 edge in winners. There was a time when some folks, perhaps swayed by Swiatek’s dominance on the French Open’s red clay, thought she couldn’t succeed on the speedier surfaces of hard and grass courts. That certainly was not the case, as her championships at Wimbledon in July and at the U.S. Open in 2022 make obvious. Ten women have split the past 11 trophies in New York; only Naomi Osaka, in 2018 and 2020, won more than one in that span. And Williams, with three in a row from 2012 to 2014, was the last woman to leave as the champion in consecutive years. As for the men, no one has collected two in a row at the U.S. Open since Federer’s five straight titles from 2004 to 2008, before he lost in the 2009 final to Juan Martin del Potro. Sinner was asked why that might be. “We are heading towards end of the season, so some players, they are tired. Some players, they are feeling different. Many things can change. It’s also the last big trophy of the year. ... I always say that the future is unpredictable,” he said. “So I don’t know what’s going to happen this time.” What else happened at the US Open on Tuesday? Seeded winners included 2023 U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff, No. 8 Amanda Anisimova, No. 18 Beatriz Haddad Maia, No. 23 Naomi Osaka and No. 27 Marta Kostyuk among the women, and No. 3 Alexander Zverev, No. 10 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 19 Francisco Cerundolo, No. 23 Alexander Bublik — who eliminated 2014 champion Marin Cilic — and No. 27 Denis Shapovalov among the men. Gauff defeated Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5, and Zverev was a 6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-4 winner against Alejandro Tabilo in a match that ended a little before 1 a.m. Who is scheduled to play Wednesday at Flushing Meadows? Sabalenka, Alcaraz, 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic and 2024 U.S. Open runner-up Jessica Pegula are on the Day 4 schedule as the second round begins. ___ More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

2025-08-24 00:00:33.941

LONDON (AP) — Viktor Gyokeres scored his first Arsenal goals on a day of intent from the Premier League team, before and during its 5-0 thrashing of Leeds on Saturday. The statement victory was preceded by the unveiling of new signing Eberechi Eze, whose move from Crystal Palace was confirmed as Gunners fans were taking their seats at the Emirates Stadium. The England international got a great reception when he was presented to the crowd in the moments before kickoff. Jurrien Timber opened the scoring after 34 minutes from a corner for set-piece specialist Arsenal before Bukayo Saka doubled the home side’s advantage on the stroke of halftime. Gyokeres bounced back from missing an easy chance in the opening period to score on his home debut three minutes into the second half, powering into the Leeds penalty area before sending a low right-footed shot past Lucas Perri. Saka and Martin Odegaard were both forced off with injuries but spirits were raised again when Timber landed his brace shortly before the hour mark. Max Dowman, aged 15 years and 235 days, delivered an impressive second-half cameo from the bench when he became the second youngest player — after Ethan Nwaneri — to represent Arsenal. And the teenager capped an eye-catching display by winning a penalty for his side in stoppage time which Gyokeres duly converted. Tottenham continued its flying start to the Premier League season under new coach Thomas Frank as Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha secured an impressive 2-0 victory at Manchester City. It was an afternoon to forget for City goalkeeper James Trafford. Spurs scored four without reply at City last season and this time celebrated a 2-0 triumph as on-loan Palhinha capitalized on a mistake by home debutant Trafford shortly after Johnson had opened the scoring. Tottenham deserve the plaudits but much of the post-match analysis will surround goalkeeper Trafford, who returned to the Etihad Stadium this summer in a 27-million-pound ($36.5 million) move from Burnley. Johnson’s opener was hard to prevent but Trafford could have been sent off for a clumsy challenge on Mohammed Kudus before his huge error allowed Palhinha to score in first-half stoppage time. Ederson, back from illness, watched from the bench as speculation about his future and City’s potential move for Paris Saint-Germain star Gianluigi Donnarumma rumbles on. In a difficult day for the home side, recent signing Rayan Ait-Nouri was injured and had to be replaced by Nathan Ake midway through the first half. Shortly afterward Tottenham found the net. Pape Matar Sarr’s flicked header put through Richarlison, who burst free and sent across a low ball for Johnson to slam home. Initially ruled out for offside against the Brazil international, the goal was eventually awarded and the VAR’s review sparked wild celebrations in the away end. City spiraled from that point, with Trafford foolishly passing short in his own box to Nico Gonzalez, who had Sarr on his back. The ball went loose to Richarlison and then reached Palhinha to drive home Spurs’ second. Dango Ouattara scored on his debut to give Brentford a 1-0 win over Aston Villa. It took Ouattara, who joined from Bournemouth last week, just 12 minutes to make his mark as a goal kick from Caoimhín Kelleher was nodded on by Igor Thiago. Ouattara’s initial attempt was saved by Emiliano Martinez but the Burkina Faso winger fired in the rebound. Bournemouth also picked up its first points of the season with a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton, which played almost the entire second half with 10 men after defender Toti was sent off for pushing over Bournemouth forward Evanilson. Marcus Tavernier scored the only goal in the fourth minute. Jaidon Anthony set up the opener for Josh Cullen and scored the other goal himself as Burnley beat fellow promoted team Sunderland 2-0 for its first points back in the top flight.