Sports

By BOB SUTTON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Martin Necas had a goal and two assists and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 in the season opener for both teams. Seth Jarvis, Brady Skjei and Andrei Svechnikov also scored for the Hurricanes, who’ve won four consecutive opening games. Patrick Laine had

By GAVIN GOOD Associated Press Bret Bielema suddenly has No. 24 Illinois looking like a Big Ten West contender in his second year since replacing Lovie Smith as the Illini’s coach. They’re ranked for the first time since 2011. They beat Iowa and Wisconsin in the same season for the first time since 1989, and

By TOM CANAVAN AP Sports Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Quarterback Daniel Jones isn’t thinking about asking the New York Giants for a new contract despite having a good start to the season in what is a make-or-break year for him. The Giants didn’t pick up the fifth-year option on Jones’ rookie contract earlier

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — Barcelona was saved from Champions League elimination by Robert Lewandowski’s late goals. It was an instant classic at Camp Nou as Barcelona drew 3-3 with Inter Milan which is still favored to advance to the round of 16. Atlético Madrid is also on the brink of

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott appeared at ease in addressing questions about the team’s most recent visit to Kansas City to play the Chiefs. It was an outcome dubbed as ’13 Seconds,’ representing how much time was left in regulation when Buffalo squandered a

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Keenan Allen returned to the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice field on Wednesday, raising optimism that the wide receiver might be able to return for Monday night’s game against the Denver Broncos. Allen has missed the past four games because of a hamstring injury he

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t practice Wednesday, but expects to play Sunday after hurting his thumb on an unsuccessful desperation pass attempt that ended their loss to the New York Giants in London. The Packers host the New York Jets on Sunday.

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — For the third straight week, who will be the Patriots’ starting quarterback is an open question. Mac Jones returned to the practice field as New England began preparing for its matchup with Cleveland. But he was listed as a limited participant as he continues to

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer Defensive players around the NFL are frustrated about roughing-the-passer penalties, questioning what constitutes a legal hit and wondering how far referees will go to protect quarterbacks. Two disputed calls in Week 5 — one involving Tom Brady — sparked outrage among players, coaches and fans, prompting many to

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — Second-seeded Matteo Berrettini crashed out of the Firenze Open in the second round. Berrettini seemed on the verge of victory when the Italian went up 5-2 in the third set but Roberto Carballes Baena reeled off five games in a row to win 5-7, 7-6 (5), 7-5 and silence the passionate

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Borussia Dortmund says a 17-year-old player was racially abused by the opposition in two consecutive UEFA Youth League games against Sevilla. Dortmund says Guinean midfielder Abdoulaye Kamara faced racist abuse in a game in Spain last week and was then subjected to monkey chants on Tuesday in the return fixture in

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Alex Bowman will miss the next three NASCAR races with a concussion he suffered last month in a crash in NASCAR’s new Next Gen car. Bowman has already missed the past two races. He will miss this weekend at Las Vegas, then sit out at

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark described recent discussions with television partners ESPN and Fox as “meaningful” as the conference looks into the possibility of striking a media rights deal almost two years before the current contract expires. “So (the conference) is not a

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams have not given up on re-signing Odell Beckham Jr., even if the injured receiver was decidedly unimpressed by their initial attempts to do so. Rams coach Sean McVay responded confidently to questions about tweets from Beckham regarding his early contract

LONDON (AP) — Son Heung-min scored twice as Tottenham came from behind and then survived a late fightback to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2. Harry Kane also scored to help Tottenham move atop Group D — one point clear of both Marseille and Sporting Lisbon — with two rounds remaining. But the England captain’s penalty miss

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguin stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are ready to join some elite company. The trio will begin their 17th season as teammates when Pittsburgh opens play against Arizona. That will tie them with former New York Yankee stars Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera

By PETE IACOBELLI AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips thinks its time to expand the NCAA Tournament. He’s not sure about how many teams or how to make it work within the framework of March Madness. But he’s hopeful that more programs can get in the Big Dance sooner rather

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Mo Salah has scored the fastest-ever hat trick in Champions League history in Liverpool’s 7-1 rout of Rangers. The Egyptian came on in the second half with his team leading 3-1 and proceeded to fire a stunning treble in just six minutes, 12 seconds to set a new benchmark in the

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Two wins in two matches have given a much-needed boost to Marseille’s chances of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League. Marseille eased to a 2-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday after the Portuguese side had two players sent off. Sporting also had a player sent off in last

By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore’s Devin Duvernay was an All-Pro last season when he ranked in the top 10 in both punt return average and kickoff return average. This season he’s emerged as one of the Ravens’ top receivers. He’s playing an important role after Marquise Brown was

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Robert Lewandowski has scored in stoppage time to keep Barcelona barely alive in the Champions League. Lewandowski’s last-gasp header helped the Catalan club salvage a 3-3 draw with Inter Milan after the visitors had taken the lead through Robin Gosens in the 89th. A loss would have meant elimination for Barcelona

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis has finalized an extension keeping coach Penny Hardaway under contract through April 2028. Wednesday’s announcement updates a memo of understanding agreed to in December 2020. The announcement comes two weeks after the NCAA put Memphis on three years of probation with a public reprimand and a fine. The NCAA declined

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Tony Stewart says he isn’t talking about NASCAR while his team is still appealing $200,000 in fines and allegations that Stewart-Haas manipulated the finish of the last playoff race. Stewart-Haas did drop its appeal of earlier penalties against Kevin Harvick and his crew chief

LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) — Two goals for Mehdi Taremi from the penalty spot and superb goalkeeping from Diogo Costa lifted Porto to a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. That strengthened the Portuguese team’s bid to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage and left Leverkusen last in Group B. It was Xabi Alonso’s first game

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Flyers are facing low expectations this season. The Flyers finished with a 25-46-11 record and were last in the Metropolitan Division. They hired John Tortorella as their coach. The Flyers hope the veteran can lead a rebuilding process as the franchise chases its first

NEW YORK (AP) — Defending Major League Soccer champion New York City is shifting its postseason opener from one second home to another. Unable to use its regular home venue of Yankee Stadium because of the baseball postseason, NYC rescheduled its Oct. 17 match against Miami to the Mets’ Citi Field. The game originally had

By BRANDON GDULA numberFire The arrow continues to point up for Geno Smith. Smith and the Seattle Seahawks will face the Arizona Cardinals in one of the most fantasy-friendly matchups of the weekend. He’s a streaming option for sure — and might be more than that for the rest of the season. Raheem Mostert’s fantasy

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Last week the Indianapolis Colts made wholesale changes to their offensive line. They’re hoping it ends their offensive woes. After settling for four field goals in an overtime win, the NFL’s lowest-scoring team will try to break out of its funk Sunday in a rematch with

By MARK GILLISPIE Associated Press CLEVELAND (AP) — Authorities say two anglers accused of stuffing fish with lead weights and fillets in an attempt to win thousands of dollars in an Ohio fishing tournament have been indicted on charges of attempted grand theft and other counts. Forty-two-year-old Jacob Runyan, of Broadview Heights, Ohio, and 35-year-old

By KEN RITTER Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — More than a year will have passed since the incident before a judge hears evidence alleging former Las Vegas Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs III caused a fatal crash while driving drunk at 156 mph in November 2021. The judge has set a  preliminary hearing date for

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Veteran defenseman Anton Stralman has parlayed his training camp tryout into a contract with the Boston Bruins. Stralman signed for $1 million for this season. The 36-year-old Swede won’t be able to play until the team gets his work visa situation figured out. He’ll miss the

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Astros starters Framber Valdez and Luis Garcia look like naturals on the mound, even in the hairiest of situations. A lot of work to make it seem that easy — at the ballpark and, as it turns out, at the barber shop. Both pitchers completed their

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The banged-up Chiefs could be missing two more defensive starters and a key contributor in the secondary when they face the Bills on Sunday. They already were without suspended linebacker Willie Gay Jr. and now could be missing cornerback Rashad Fenton to a hamstring

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles have claimed outfielder Jake Cave off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and designated right-hander Jake Reed for assignment. The 29-year-old Cave spent his first five major league seasons with the Twins. He played in 54 games last season, hitting .213 with five home runs and 20 RBIs. Baltimore claimed

By LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — The pickleball craze is getting the Stephen Colbert treatment for charity. Colbert will host CBS’ “Pickled,” described as a sports-comedy special featuring a celebrity pickleball tournament. Among the players: Dierks Bentley, Will Ferrell, Emma Watson, Daniel Dae Kim and Sugar Ray Leonard. Colbert will join

ATLANTA (AP) — The start of Wednesday’s Game 2 of the NL Division Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves is being delayed by rain. Major League Baseball is now projecting a start time of 7:30 p.m. Eastern time, nearly 3 hours after the original schedule for first pitch. Philadelphia won the opener of

NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had another starring performance with a goal and an assist to help Napoli beat Ajax 4-2 and reach the last 16 of the Champions League with two matches to spare. Napoli was in firm control and 2-0 up within 16 minutes thanks to goals from Hirving Lozano and Giacomo

NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA player Ben Gordon is facing assault charges for allegedly punching his son at a New York airport. The alleged assault occurred Monday evening at LaGuardia Airport. The Queens district attorney’s office says witnesses saw Gordon yell at his son and punch him several times in the face after the

By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago quarterback Justin Fields finally showed signs of progress by delivering his best performance this season, and the Bears staged a big comeback, only to come up short in the closing minutes. They hope those promising steps continue when they host the struggling Washington

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer The International Skating Union has awarded the 2025 world figure skating championships to Boston, giving the U.S. the opportunity to host the last worlds before the Winter Olympics the following year in Milan. It will be the second time Boston plays host to worlds after welcoming sellout crowds to

By DORIAN COLBERT RosterWatch Our best bets this week combine some new players with the usual stars. These are the strongest candidates to score a touchdown in Week 6.

By The Associated Press West Virginia and Baylor meet on a Thursday night looking to regain some momentum. Both teams are coming off bye weeks that followed losses. Baylor fell at home to eighth-ranked Oklahoma State on Oct. 1, while West Virginia lost at Texas. Baylor can hardly afford another loss in its bid to

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for another start from quarterback Cooper Rush in an NFC East showdown with undefeated Philadelphia as Dak Prescott’s recovery from a broken thumb continues. Coach Mike McCarthy says Prescott was set for light throwing at the end of practice

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White has been cleared to practice for the first time since injuring his left knee 11 months ago. Coach Sean McDermott has already ruled out White from playing against Kansas City on Sunday in saying the team is going to ease

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer Carson Wentz takes enough hits on and off the field that short rest is just another obstacle. Fresh off his coach running him over figuratively, Wentz leads the Washington Commanders against the Chicago Bears on Thursday night with each team trying to snap a losing streak. Commanders coach

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan has left the United Kingdom and is returning to the United States after having a visa issue resolved. Gillan, who was born in Scotland, departed from London on Wednesday and is expected back in the U.S. for practice on Thursday. Gillan was forced to

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Pistons center Marvin Bagley III is expected to be out of the lineup for three to four weeks with an injured right knee. Bagley was hurt Tuesday night in a preseason game against Oklahoma and an MRI showed a sprained knee ligament and bone bruise. The 6-foot-11 Bagley signed a three-year,

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Former Georgia coach Vince Dooley has been released from a hospital after being treated for COVID-19. Georgia says the 90-year-old Dooley was released from an Athens-area hospital on Monday, two days after he was admitted. The school says he was treated for a “mild case” of COVID-19. Dooley said in a

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed guard John Miller and promoted defensive tackle Corey Peters from the practice squad to the active roster. Miller fills left guard Ben Bartch’s roster spot. Bartch was placed on injured reserve with a dislocated left knee, and coach Doug Pederson says he’s done for the season.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky coach John Calipari says on social media that consensus national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe will have a “minor” 15-minute procedure to “clean some things up” in his knee. Calipari did not specify in a Twitter post on Tuesday which knee will be treated. The school did not have

By ALANIS THAMES AP Sports Writer MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity. He will not play Sunday against the Vikings. Tagovailoa has been in the concussion protocol since Sept. 29 when he took a hit against the Cincinnati Bengals and had to be

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres continued locking up their young core of players by signing defenseman Mattias Samuelsson to a seven-year, $30 million contract. The 22-year-old Samuelsson established himself as one of the team’s top blueliners in his second NHL season last year. He finished with 10 assists in 42 games after missing

By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres have signed coach Don Granato to a two-year contract extension, rewarding him for the team’s improvement in his first full season. Granato had two years left on his existing contract and is now locked up through the 2025-26 season. He will make

MONACO (AP) — Olympic discus finalist Kamalpreet Kaur of India has been banned for three years for doping with an anabolic steroid. Track and field’s Athletics Integrity Unit says Kaur had one year cut from the standard four-year ban after she admitted the violation and accepted her sanction. Kaur will be allowed to keep her

DUBLIN (AP) — The coach of Ireland’s women’s soccer team has apologized after her players sang a pro-IRA chant in the locker room after qualifying for the World Cup for the first time. Video footage of the chant circulated on social media after the 1-0 victory over Scotland in the playoffs at Hampden Park on

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer The financial crisis gripping English rugby has deepened after Wasps said it was likely to enter into administration because of its debts. It comes a week after fellow top-flight club Worcester Warriors was placed in compulsory liquidation as it is pursued for unpaid tax. Both teams would be automatically

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo will defend himself against an improper conduct charge brought by the English Football Association. The Manchester United forward was charged following an incident with a supporter after a game against Everton in April. Footage caught on camera appeared to show Ronaldo knocking a

By ERIC WILLEMSEN Associated Press Mikaela Shiffrin is preparing for what could be her busiest Alpine ski racing season ever. It might also become her fastest. The American is coming off a season that included Olympic disappointment but also her fourth overall World Cup title. She is now eager to add more speed events to

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway have launched their bid to co-host the Women’s European Championship in 2025. The Nordic nations submitted their application to UEFA and say they want to organize the “largest European Championship on the women’s side ever” with 800,000 tickets available for sale. Each of the four countries would

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer The NFC East has gone from laughing stock to juggernaut in less than two years. Led by the league’s lone undefeated team Philadelphia and surprising 4-1 starts by the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, the NFC East has three teams with at least four wins in the

By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Trea Turner homered and doubled as the Los Angeles Dodgers started fast and held off the San Diego Padres 5-3 in their NL Division Series opener. The Dodgers raced to an early 5-0 lead and appeared to be on their way to another blowout of

By JANIE McCAULEY AP Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Draymond Green has been fined but won’t be suspended by the Golden State Warriors for a violent punch to the face of teammate Jordan Poole last week.Coach Steve Kerr said after a preseason win against Portland that Green would return to practice Thursday then play

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mark Stone scored the tiebreaking goal with 24.9 seconds to play, and the Vegas Golden Knights punctuated coach Bruce Cassidy’s debut with a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. After Arthur Kaliyev tied it for the Kings with 7:02 left, Chandler Stephenson controlled a

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole dreamed of this moment growing up in California, winning a postseason game in pinstripes at Yankee Stadium. Harrison Bader had a similar fantasy while sitting in the first base seats as a 15-year-old and watching New York’s last championship team. They combined to

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — South American soccer leaders have given their backing to Gianni Infantino’s bid for re-election as FIFA president as they prepare a four-nation bid to host the 2030 World Cup. Infantino took part in a CONMEBOL council meeting on Tuesday that involved the leaders of the 10 associations. He will seek his

By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Josh Donaldson went into a home run trot too soon, and his latest failure to hustle turned into an embarrassing out in the playoffs. Leading off the fifth inning for the New York Yankees in their Division Series opener Tuesday night, Donaldson sent an opposite-field

By VIN A. CHERWOO AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Mika Zibanejad scored twice, including a tiebreaking power-play goal in the third period, and the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 in the season opener. Barclay Goodrow also scored and reigning Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin stopped 26 shots to help

By IAN HARRISON Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — Masai Ujiri believes his Toronto Raptors are building toward something big. They’re just not all the way there yet. The 2019 NBA champions haven’t been past the second round of the playoffs since beating the Golden State Warriors for their first NBA title. Nevertheless, team president Ujiri

By PATRICK DONNELLY Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Purdue had a sudden end to last season with a loss in the Sweet 16 to St. Peter’s. The Boilermakers were ranked in the AP top 10 from wire to wire and a No. 3 seed for the NCAA Tournament but had little to show for it

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez wrecked all of Seattle’s carefully crafted strategy with one colossal swing. The Mariners came to the postseason with a plan. Down to their last out, the October-tested Houston Astros weren’t so easily outmatched. Alvarez smashed a game-ending, three-run homer with two outs in the

NEW YORK (AP) — As is traditional in the fall, NBC’s Sunday night football telecast dominated the weekly television rankings, in this case a game between Cincinnati and Baltimore. Pro football programming held down the top five places in the Nielsen company’s list, and CBS’ telecast of the Texas A&M-Alabama game in college football on

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta United quickly established itself as one of Major League Soccer’s flagship franchises. That’s why the last three seasons have been such a downer. United appears to be starting over after missing the playoffs for the second time in three years. An injury-plagued season ended this

By ERIC OLSON AP College Football Writer Adrian Martinez is getting that winning feel at Kansas State after four losing seasons at Nebraska. Martinez is the Big 12’s top first-year transfer at midseason in voting by Associated Press writers. K-State is 5-1 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 play with Martinez at quarterback. TCU quarterback