A crucial advantage from 2024 USF blowout still appears to be in place for the Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes went to Tampa last year and had a first half with the South Florida Bulls that was, at times, a bit frustrating from the perspective of the Hurricanes.
The Bulls, led by returning QB Byrum Brown, engineered some first half drives to take the lead over Miami twice. They put together four first half drives of 7+ plays and had a touchdown on another drive.
But the second half was a different story. Miami put together scoring drives of 10 and 12 plays, imposing their will on the Bulls and showing its superior talent and depth. The Bulls were simply outclassed by the Canes’ roster top to bottom, as the Hurricanes outscored the Bulls 28-0 in the final two quarters to win going away 50-15.
There’s no doubt that, with a subpar effort from Miami, that the Bulls are capable of winning this game. It’s hard to be anything but impressed with Brown, who should have his moments on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. WR Keshaun Singleton has been awesome for South Florida, with touchdowns in each of his first two games, including a 66-yard touchdown against the Gators last week.
USF’s defense also looks substantially better than it did a year ago. Against two teams who were ranked at the time in Boise State and Florida, they’ve allowed a grand total of 23 combined points. I don’t care, that’s very impressive. Both teams moved the ball decently (378 yards for Boise State and 355 yards for Florida), but the Bulls were good at keeping both offenses out of the end zone.
But when I think about Saturday evening, my mind keeps going back to the second half of the game last year, and cross referencing that with what I’ve seen so far this year. Miami is moving defenders as well as anyone up front in this early 2025 season, and I don’t see the horses from South Florida to stop that for four quarters. I don’t think they have the depth to hang for an entire game.
I made my pick of 33-20 Miami on Monday, but I think that Miami has a tremendous opportunity on Saturday at home to pick up a win over a team with a good a chance of appearing in the final College Football Playoff rankings, and doing it in impressive fashion.
We’ll find out soon enough if my hunch is right, as toe meets leather in less than 24 hours from now. Go Canes!
Royals vs Phillies Game 148 Gamethread
The vibes are down. The Royals are 4-6 in their last 10 games and just dropped three games of four to the competing Guardians. The Royals need a miracle winning streak to pull back into the playoff picture now that they have multiple teams to leapfrog and the Mariners have won six games in a row. It will not be easy tonight.
The 74-73 Royals start a series in Philadelphia against the 87-60 Phillies. They’re coming in kind of limping. Witt has dealt with some back issues, multiple pitchers are on the IL, and they’ve nearly dropped to .500. The Phillies, on the other hand, are 8-2 in their last 10 games and are on a four-game winning streak. Their run different of +124 is third in MLB. They are a good team.
The Phillies will send Walker Buehler to the mound tonight to make his first start as a Phillie. The 31-year-old has had a rough go this season in Boston. His last MLB action this season was August 24th, in which he gave up two runs in 2.1 innings of relief. He made one start in AAA for Philly and gave up one run in three innings. You have to go back to August 19th for his last MLB start, in which he lasted only four innings. He’s not striking many guys out and he’s having control problems. This is a prime game to get the offense going.
They need it so badly. Over the past 14 days, the Royals are dead last in wRC+. They have barely been able to score any runs at all the past few games. They need an opposing starter to come in and just get whacked.
For their part, the Royals will send Biceps Lorenzen to start. He was last seen starting against the Twins this past Sunday, a game which I attended in person and sat through three hours of whining children to watch the Royals get blasted. Lorenzen has been kind of dependable, in a way – he’ll get through roughly five innings and give up roughly three-to-four runs. It’s not great for this version of the Royals offense, but I’d probably rather have Lorenzen than Buehler on the mound for my team.
The game starts at 5:45pm US Central time, being an east coast game. You can watch on FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City or listen on the Royals Radio Network.
Lineups:
https://www.royalsreview.com/2025-royals-gamethreads/87431/royals-vs-phillies-game-148-gamethread
Game #148: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Nationals
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Nationals, September 12, 2025, 6:45 p.m. ET
Location: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet
The Pittsburgh Pirates are facing off against the NL East rival Washington Nationals in a three-game series in the nation’s capital.
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https://www.bucsdugout.com/game-thread/46406/game-148-pittsburgh-pirates-vs-washington-nationals
Jordan Love taking hard hits on TNF impressed mic'd-up Micah Parsons
It wasn’t long ago that Micah Parsons, perhaps the most feared pass rusher in the NFC, was trying to sack Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love.
Now, the two are teammates after the Dallas Cowboys shipped the four-time Pro Bowler to the Packers, who in turn made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history ahead of the 2025 season.
Green Bay entered the 2025 season with hopes of contending for a Super Bowl, and so far, so good. The Packers are 2-0 to start the season, dominating Detroit in Week 1 before taking down another NFC playoff team from a year ago, the Washington Commanders, on Thursday night.
It seems Love and Parsons are already building some rapport as the two biggest stars on the team. After Love took off and ran for a big gain on third and nine Thursday night, a mic’d-up Parsons praised his quarterback for taking the hit to pick up the first down instead of opting to slide.
“You took what I said last week personal,” Parsons, who apparently advised Love to power through hits, told him. “Hey, that’s what I like to see, baby.”
.@MicahhParsons11 had to show @jordan3love some love after that hit 🤝
(via @NFLFilms) pic.twitter.com/iuS7hwlnXT
— NFL (@NFL) September 12, 2025
The Packers certainly look like something of a juggernaut through two games, with Parsons totaling half a sack and pressuring Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels a team-high eight times in the win. Parsons also had a sack in the Week 1 win over the Lions.
Love hasn’t been too shabby himself. Through two games, he has 480 passing yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions while posting a 120 quarterback rating.
Green Bay looks like the clear favorite in the NFC North, and it seems its blockbuster preseason addition is already rubbing off on the rest of the team.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Packers’ Micah Parsons had mic’d-up praise for Jordan Love
NKY high school football scores, highlights and more from Week 4 | Live updates
The season keeps rolling by as teams across Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana prepare for week 4 of high school football.
Cooper will be looking to continue its success against Campbell County after knocking off Ryle a week ago. Highlands looks to remain undefeated as the Bluebirds hit the road to face Boyle County. Holy Cross hopes to continue its best season this century as it hosts Holmes. Beechwood looks to protect the second-longest winning streak in the state as the Tigers host Simon Kenton.
Check back often as we continually update throughout the night with live scoring and news updates. Once games conclude, be sure to stick around for box scores and game recaps.
Look back on week 3 results
Before kickoff on week 4, take a look back on all the action from Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana high school football in week 3.
Watch video highlights from week 3 games in Cincinnati
Week 4 schedule
Kentucky
Aiken at Lloyd Memorial
Boone County at Walton-Verona
Bracken County at Bishop Brossart
Campbell County at Cooper (7:30 p.m.)
Christian Academy-Louisville at Ryle (7:30 p.m.)
Dixie Heights at Covington Catholic
Grant County at Scott
Highlands at Boyle County (7:30 p.m.)
Holmes at Holy Cross
Ludlow at Dayton
Newport Central Catholic at Conner
Simon Kenton at Beechwood (7:30 p.m.)
St. Henry at Bellevue
Taylor County at Newport (7:30 p.m.)
Southeast Indiana
East Central at Franklin County
Lawrenceburg at Greensburg
Richmond at South Dearborn
Get statewide Kentucky and Indiana high school football scores from Scorestream
Watch games on the NFHS Network
Through Sept. 7, Enquirer readers can receive a 25% discount code on an annual pass for the NFHS Network. Click here to get the code, see which local schools broadcast games and how to find a broadcast schedule.
Which football games are streaming in Kentucky?
Which football games are streaming in Indiana?
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Northern Kentucky, Indiana high school football week 4 live updates
Steelers vs Seahawks: Nick Herbig to play vs Seattle
Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New York Jets without key backup edge defender Nick Herbig. Herbig missed the game with a hamstring injury and left the Steelers with just rookie Jack Sawyer to back up Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt. This week the Steelers are welcoming the Seattle Seahawks to Pittsburgh and could have Herbig back.
Herbig spoke to the media on Friday and indicated he feels good and he’s ready to go. This was followed up later in the day with the team’s official game status report for Sunday and Herbig didn’t have an injury designation. This means the Steelers will have their full arsenal of pass rushers. Pittsburgh was only able to sack New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields once last week but should have an easier time against Sam Darnold this week.
#Steelers LB Nick Herbig said he’s planning to play in Week 2 against the #Seahawks.
“I feel good. I’m ready to go. … I’m very optimistic about it.” pic.twitter.com/xWaWPXLzyI
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) September 12, 2025
Herbig finished 2024 with 5.5 sacks and has 8.5 sacks in his first two seasons. Herbig was the Steelers fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers vs Seahawks: Nick Herbig to play vs Seattle
MLB playoffs 2025: Where do the Mets, Giants, Rangers, Mariners and Reds stand as the wild-card races heat up?
With five series left to play in the 2025 MLB regular season, the wild-card races in both leagues are about as close as they’ve been all year.
In the American League, the Mariners and Astros are in a battle for the AL West title or the third AL wild card, with the surging Rangers nipping at their heels. Over in the National League, a recent skid by the Mets has made things interesting, with the Giants and Reds suddenly just 1.5 games out of the postseason picture.
With every game feeling like a high-stakes endeavor for these squads, let’s take a look at where they stand going into the weekend.
New York Mets
Record: 76-71 (1.5 games ahead in NL wild card)
Remaining schedule: 3 vs. TEX, 3 vs. SD, 3 vs. WSH, 3 at CHC, 3 at MIA
Playoff odds: 78.1%
It’s panic time in Queens. After months of comfortably holding a playoff spot, the Mets have had a disastrous week that included being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies. Suddenly, instead of contending for the NL East title, New York is in danger of falling out of the NL wild-card picture entirely.
Things have been trending down for the Mets in the second half. New York is 21-29 since the All-Star break, which ranks fourth-worst in MLB. Their starting pitching has underwhelmed after a strong start, leading the team to rely on three rookie starters in Nolan McClean, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sprouts to try to carry them to the postseason.
Making matters worse, if the Mets are going to return to the playoffs, they’ll have to work for it, as their remaining schedule is no walk in the park. They face the Rangers, who are coming off a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, for three games this weekend and then play three against the San Diego Padres next week.
One bit of good news: Superstar Juan Soto has been a man on a mission over the past month, and after a slow start to his career in Queens, he looks like the version of Soto we’ve seen for the past seven years. But Soto can’t do this on his own; he’ll need the rest of New York’s offense to get going if they are to have any chance of fending off their wild-card competition.
Cincinnati Reds
Record: 74-72 (1.5 games back in NL wild card)
Remaining schedule: 3 at ATH, 3 at STL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. PIT, 3 at MIL
Playoff odds: 12.5%
When the Reds hired Terry Francona to be their manager last offseason, the hope was that they’d be playing in games that matter down the stretch. And with 16 games to go, that’s exactly what they’re doing. It took a while for them to find some consistent offense to go with their strong starting pitching, but now that they’re hitting their stride and getting some good fortune with the Mets’ slide, the Reds have given themselves a shot.
One of the most interesting things about the Reds’ run in September is that the face of the franchise, Elly De La Cruz, has not been the driving force. And while the Reds’ star shortstop will be needed to get to October, one of the team’s biggest issues over the past two years was being too reliant on De La Cruz to carry them. So it’s a positive development that as they’ve gotten back in the NL wild-card race, it has been Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte and Ke’Bryan Hayes providing the spark.
That said, if the Reds reach the postseason, it will be because their starting pitching carried them there. Hunter Greene has been one of the best starters in baseball in 2025, and over the past month, he has been joined by Brady Singer, Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo, who are logging their best stretch as a rotation at the perfect time.
San Francisco Giants
Record: 74-72 (1.5 games back in NL wild card)
Remaining schedule: 3 vs. LAD, 3 at ARI, 4 at LAD, 3 vs. STL, 3 vs. COL
Playoff odds: 7.9%
San Francisco has been one of the hottest teams in baseball over the past month. After being extremely mediocre for four-and-a-half months, they look like a team that is jelling just in time. The Giants are 13-4 over their past 17 games entering Friday, and as a result, they have a great opportunity to sneak into the postseason.
The Giants’ offense was surprisingly stagnant after the acquisition of slugger Rafael Devers, but that offense has become a driving force behind their recent success. Devers, along with shortstop Willy Adames and center fielder Jung Hoo Lee, has been extremely productive. Devers and Adames each have an OPS over .900 over the past 30 games. And the offense has gotten a spark from rookie outfielder Drew Gilbert.
San Francisco will have to not only catch the Mets but also fend off the Reds to get to October. That’s a tall order, considering they have to get through two more series against the Dodgers, who are fighting for the NL West title and postseason seeding as well.
Seattle Mariners
Record: 79-68 (tied for AL West lead, 2 games ahead in AL wild card)
Remaining schedule: 3 vs. LAA, 3 at KC, 3 at HOU, 3 vs. COL, 3 vs. LAD
Playoff odds: 92.3%
It wouldn’t be a normal season without a second-half surge from the Seattle Mariners, who have started to make a habit of this. Seattle had been fighting to stay in postseason position through a poor August and rough start to September. But after multiple extra-innings victories this week and a poor showing by the Houston Astros in Toronto, the Mariners not only have stabilized but also are now tied atop the AL West.
Seattle has 15 games left to play over the next two-and-a-half weeks, but none of them will be as important as the three-game set against the Astros next weekend in Houston. That series will very likely decide which team wins the division and which settles for the third wild card. But in a quirk of the postseason bracket, they will very likely be playing each other in the wild-card round either way.
Seattle’s starting pitching is usually what carries them to success, but it hasn’t been as strong this year as we’ve come to expect. If the Mariners have any hope of not just holding on to the third wild card but also overtaking the Astros and winning the AL West, their talented rotation quartet of Bryan Woo, Luis Castillo, George Kirby and Logan Gilbert will have to be the best versions of themselves. If they can do that, Seattle could be in line to win its first division title since 2001.
Texas Rangers
Record: 77-70 (2 games back in AL wild card)
Remaining schedule: 3 at NYM, 3 at HOU, 3 vs. MIA, 3 vs. MIN, 3 at CLE
Playoff odds: 27.0%
No Marcus Semien. No Corey Seager. No Adolis Garcia. No problem for the 2025 Rangers.
It seems impossible that the Rangers could be having this much success without their two highest paid and best players, but that’s exactly where they are. Similar to many of the teams above, the Rangers did not resemble anything close to a playoff team through the first half of this season. But unlike the teams above, this is still a team in a championship window after winning the World Series in 2023.
And thanks to a group of young players who have been dubbed “The Little Rascals,” Texas has a fighting chance to get back to the postseason after missing out on the October fun last year.
Coming off a sweep of the Brewers, their next six games will likely shape how Texas’ season turns out. This weekend, the Rangers visit a desperate Mets team fighting to save its playoff hopes before heading to Houston for three games against a reeling Astros team trying to fend off the Mariners. A strong showing by Texas in those two series could put a new team in the playoff picture for the first time since July 11.
Michael van Gerwen picks up huge win in thrilling match against Wessel Nijman
Michael van Gerwen picks up huge win in thrilling match against Wessel Nijman
originally appeared on The Sporting News
There are only a few occasions each year that the Netherlands get to host a PDC tournament.
One of those tournaments started on Friday, as the World Series of Darts began in Amsterdam.
Coincidentally, there were a couple of full Dutch matches on Day 1, but the Wessel Nijman/Michael van Gerwen match was by far the match of the night.
Van Gerwen picks up huge win over Nijman, advances to second round
Michael van Gerwen has had very few times in his career where he could just as easily drop a game as he could win it.
That’s become the new reality for MVG at times in 2025.
After dealing with some physical/personal issues, he returned from a short break from darts earlier this year, but couldn’t quite find the rhythm in his game that he was looking for.
Last weekend, we finally saw a glimpse of MVG rediscovering his vintage form, as he averaged 112.73 in a 6-0 win over Mike De Decker on the Euro Tour.
The consistency has been an issue, though, because the next game he averaged just 89.76, in a loss to Josh Rock.
Van Gerwen was back on the right track with a positive and gritty performance in the first round of the WSoD Finals, beating Wessel Nijman 6-5 in a thriller, requiring him to hit some do-or-die darts.
MORE: When does Luke Littler play at first round of 2025 PDC World Series of Darts Finals?
Both players played excellently, and what won’t be talked about as much is that Nijman lost despite playing nearly a perfect game.
Nijman was 5/6 on doubles, with his only miss on a double coming in a leg when he could have clinched the game if he had hit the double.
The clutchest part of the game by MVG was when he trailed 4-3. He was on throw, but needed to complete a 132 checkout to avoid losing the leg, which would have given Nijman the darts and potentially a 5-3 lead.
In vintage MVG fashion, he nailed the 132 with all the pressure on him, hitting 25-T19-BULL for a checkout that lifted the roof in Amsterdam.
MORE: 2025 World Series of Darts Finals: Draw, schedule, prize money and format explained
He went on to go down 5-4, but was given a chance to force a final leg, which he took and went on to win.
He immediately ran down the stage after his match to hug his daughter, who was in attendance.
The emotion MVG displayed on stage during Friday’s game showed how much the win meant to him after struggling for the past several months.
Michael will now face Rob Cross on Saturday in a second-round match, as he looks to extend his tournament campaign in his home country
MORE DARTS/WORLD SERIES OF DARTS ARTICLES:
2025 PDC World Series of Darts Finals qualifiers announcedBest PDC players not playing at 2025 World Series of Darts FinalsWhat PDC darts events/tournaments are happening in September?Every darts player who’s qualified for the 2026 PDC World Championship so farPredicting the PDC 2026 Premier League of Darts lineup
Derry's Lynch hopes win puts 'smiles back on faces'
Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch said he hopes his players “put smiles back on faces” in Friday’s thrilling 4-3 win over Bohemians after the club failed to progress in the Northern Ireland Football Fund.
Derry – along with north west neighbours Institute, Coleraine, and Limavady United – did not receive a share of the £36.2m announced by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on Thursday.
The Candystripes put their disappointment aside to fend off Bohs in a helter-skelter seven-goal thriller at Dalymount Park.
“I’m delighted for every single person in that team, delighted for everyone involved in the football club, it was a difficult day for us yesterday,” said Lynch.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to put some smiles back on faces tonight.”
However, while Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins said the “north west has been shafted again” in response to the funding announcement, Lynch was not keen to be drawn further on his position.
“I don’t think my reaction or my opinion really matters,” added the former Larne manager.
“This is something the club’s now dealing with. They’re probably going to issue a statement at some stage and I’ll leave it in the hands of the powers-that-be. It’s probably above my pay grade.”
NI Football Fund: ‘North west has been shafted again’
When asked if he shares Higgins’ frustration in relation regarding north-west clubs, Lynch said: “This is not my position. I think anyone’s that involved in the north west is hugely frustrated and rightly so.
“But I have to leave this is in the hands of the football club and let the football club come out with the statement they’re going to make. I 100% back and support everything this football club does.”
Regarding his side’s performance in Dublin on Friday, Lynch said he is “proud and privileged” to lead a squad that carved out a hugely dramatic win despite being twice pegged back in the second half before losing Ronan Boyce to a red card.
“Forget about tactics or individual players or anything like that, I’m proud and privileged to be part of a group that did what they did,” he said.
“If you’re looking for character and desire and hunger, that’s what you show.”
Paul Allen's estate enters a formal agreement to sell Trail Blazers to group led by Tom Dundon
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Paul Allen’s estate has formally reached an agreement to sell the Portland Trail Blazers to a group of investors led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon.
Dundon announced a tentative deal last month to buy the team and keep it in Portland. The Allen estate announced Friday that it had “entered a formal sales agreement” with the group. Terms were not disclosed.
Dundon’s group includes Portland-based Sheel Tyle, the co-founder of investment firm Collective Global; Marc Zahr, co-president of Blue Owl Capital; and the Cherng Family Trust, the family office and investment firm of the co-founders of Panda Express.
The NBA Board of Governors has to ratify any final purchase agreement. ESPN previously reported the deal was for $4 billion. In March, the Boston Celtics sold for $6.1 billion.
The Blazers sale is expected to close by the end of this year.
Dundon, 53, bought a stake in the Hurricanes in 2017 and became the majority owner in 2018. He is chairman and managing partner of the Dallas-based firm Dundon Capital Partners.
Allen’s estate announced in May that it had begun the process of selling the Trail Blazers. The billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, who died in 2018 at age 65 from complications of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, originally bought the Blazers in 1988 for $70 million.
Allen also owned the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and was a co-owner of Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders.
Since his death, Allen’s sister, Jody Allen, has served as chair of both the Blazers and Seahawks and is a trustee of the Paul G. Allen Trust. Paul Allen stipulated in his will the eventual sale of his teams, with the proceeds to be given to philanthropic endeavors.
The estate has not announced plans for the sale of the Seahawks or the 25% stake in the Sounders.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/paul-allens-estate-enters-formal-214015644.html
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