ABC News – Breaking News, Latest News, Headlines & Videos (2023)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The chippiness between Buffalo Bills receiver Stefon Diggs and Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander began when both players ran out of the tunnel at the same time for pregame warm-ups. But how it ended? Well, that depends on who you ask."I don't give a f--- who started it, I finished it. I got the win," Diggs said after the Bills defeated the Packers 27-17 on Sunday Night Football. "I don't deal with moral victories. I don't deal with one-on-one battles because it's not a one-on-one game. ... It's a team effort, and I got a dub. I feel like at the end of the day there are no moral victories."Alexander offered a different perspective."Nah, I don't either," Alexander said when asked who started the verbal exchange. "I finished it."The trash talk seemingly began when Diggs was spotted running sideways and yelling at Alexander on their way out of the tunnel. Their feud continued as the teams filed back to their...

3 hours ago

LOS ANGELES -- Coming into Sunday as the NBA's last winless team at 0-5, the Los Angeles Lakersfinally broke through with a 121-110 decisionover the Denver Nuggets, giving first-year coach Darvin Ham the first victory on his résumé."Tonight, we needed to prove something to ourselves," Ham said afterward. "Not to the world. Not to the media. We had to prove it to ourselves, and I felt great about how we responded."Ham's postgame news conference was delayed to accommodate a wardrobe change. His players baptized Ham's first win by giving him a water bottle and ice bucket drenching."Very nice little bath," said Lakers big man Anthony Davis, who returned from a one-game absence because of lower back tightness to put up 23 points and 15 rebounds. "There's not more we can ask for from a coach. ... We deserve it, he deserves it, and it was good to get him his first win as a head coach."He made a speech, and it was like, 'All right, Coach, we don't...

October 31

DETROIT -- The Golden State Warriors suffered their second straight loss and third on the road Sunday night, falling to the Detroit Pistons 128-114 to drop to 3-4 on the season.Just one week into the season, the Warriors have been plagued by the same issues through all of their games: transition defense, lack of ball movement and too much fouling.The Warriors have been consistent with their message -- that it will take them some time to get settled with their new personnel and rotation, especially as players such as Klay Thompson regain full conditioning. They aren't panicked.However, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he hasn't felt a sense of urgency from his team to address its issues, and therein lies the bigger problem."It takes a little time," Kerr said. "We'll get there. I am very confident in that. But our guys need to come together and there needs to be a sense of purpose. We have to figure out what that means."Guard Jordan...

October 30

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers were putting together their red zone plan on Thursday night when the yell came from coach Kyle Shanahan's office.To nobody in particular, Shanahan posed a simple question: Can Christian McCaffrey, the team's recently acquired star running back, throw the football at all? The question was initially met with silence, but a few moments later Shanahan received a text from tight ends coach Brian Fleury.The text was a video from Dec. 17, 2018, with McCaffrey tossing a 50-yard touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints. Satisfied with Fleury's answer, Shanahan went about adding a McCaffrey pass to the game plan for Sunday's 31-14 victory against the Los Angeles Rams.Little did Shanahan know that it would become the signature play on a historic day for McCaffrey.Without do-it-all receiver Deebo Samuel, McCaffrey offered the Niners the ultimate in versatile performances, as he threw for,...

October 30

Michigan State suspended four football players Sunday for their involvement in an altercation in the tunnel at Michigan Stadium on Saturday night after the team's loss to Michigan.Coach Mel Tucker announced linebacker Tank Brown, cornerback Khary Crump, safety Angelo Grose and defensive end Zion Young have been suspended effective immediately after reviewing what Tucker called disturbing electronic evidence of the incident.The four will remain suspended until all investigations are completed.Tucker didn't rule discipline for additional student-athletes going forward."We are currently working with law enforcement, Michigan State and Michigan campus leadership, and the Big Ten Conference to further evaluate the events in Ann Arbor," Tucker said in a statement. "Including, but not limited to, additional student-athlete participation in the altercation and contributing factors."The four suspensions came after video surfaced from the...

October 30

SEATTLE -- Geno Smith threw two more touchdown passes in the Seattle Seahawks' 27-13 win over the New York Giants on Sunday, then passed up an opportunity to throw it back in the face of his former team.Smith was asked whether he feels any vindication or any sense of revenge in beating the Giants considering how he was treated during his lone season with them in 2017, when he took over for Eli Manning late in the year only for the team to reverse course one week later and reinsert Manning as their starter.Smith said "not at all" and instead took the opportunity to show his gratitude to Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese, at the time the Giants head coach and general manager, respectively."I'm happy to be here in Seattle," Smith said. "I spent one year with the Giants. That year to me was like a blur and my life has moved on from them. I don't have any remorse towards anyone there. In fact, to me, this game was for Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese. They...

October 30

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers were putting together their red zone plan on Thursday night when the yell came from coach Kyle Shanahan's office.To nobody in particular, Shanahan posed a simple question: Can Christian McCaffrey, the team's recently acquired star running back, throw the football at all? The question was initially met with silence, but a few moments later Shanahan received a text from tight ends coach Brian Fleury.The text was a video from Dec. 17, 2018, with McCaffrey tossing a 50-yard touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints. Satisfied with Fleury's answer, Shanahan went about adding a McCaffrey pass to the game plan for Sunday's 31-14 victory against the Los Angeles Rams.Little did Shanahan know that it would become the signature play on a history-making day for McCaffrey.Without do-it-all receiver Deebo Samuel, McCaffrey offered the Niners the ultimate in versatile performances, as he threw...

October 30

HOUSTON -- Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry continued his dominance against the Houston Texans in a 17-10 winSunday and in doing so tied a record held by O.J. Simpson and Adrian Peterson.Henry carried the ball 32 times for 219 yards and two touchdowns. He has now rushed for 200 or more yards in six games, tying him with Simpson and Peterson for the most career 200-yard rushing performances.It was also Henry's fourth consecutive 200-yard rushing game against the Texans, setting a record for the most such games against a single team in NFL history.Henry's second score of the day gave him 75 touchdowns for his career, breaking a tie with Eddie George for the most TDs scored in Titans/Oilers franchise history. Henry reached that mark in 93 games, with George doing so in 128.Henry was the one toting the football, but he was sure to point to the offensive line as the reason for his success."I give all the credit to them," Henry said....

October 30

MINNEAPOLIS -- Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt said his celebration following his second sack in Arizona's 34-26 loss to Minnesota on Sunday was a tribute to former Vikings pass-rusher Jared Allen -- who was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor at halftime -- and not an insult.Watt broke out Allen's roping-a-calf routine after his second sack of Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, which camearound the 5:15 mark of the fourth quarter. Watt started with his own touch: rocking the baby, which was a tribute to his newborn son, Koa. Then Watt mimicked Allen's post-sack celebration, in which he pretends like he's roping a calf and puts his hands in the air like a cowboy does after throwing the lasso.As soon as Watt finished, the fans booed."I also want to clear up -- clearly the fans here misinterpreted my Jared Allen tribute," Watt said in front of his locker after the game. "Jared Allen's one of my favorite players of all time,...

October 30

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers were putting together their red zone plan on Thursday night when the yell came from coach Kyle Shanahan's office.To nobody in particular, Shanahan posed a simple question: Can Christian McCaffrey, the team's recently acquired star running back, throw the football at all? The question was initially met with silence, but a few moments later Shanahan received a text from tight ends coach Brian Fleury.The text was a video from Dec. 17, 2018, with McCaffrey tossing a 50-yard touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints. Satisfied with Fleury's answer, Shanahan went about adding a McCaffrey pass to the game plan for Sunday's 31-14 victory against the Los Angeles Rams.Little did Shanahan know that it would become the signature play on a history-making day for McCaffrey.Without do-it-all receiver Deebo Samuel, McCaffrey offered the Niners the ultimate in versatile performances, as he threw...

October 30

NEW ORLEANS -- First-year Raiderscoach Josh McDaniels, fresh from a lengthy postgame meeting with team owner Mark Davis after Las Vegas' first shutout loss in nearly eight years, was only five words into his media conference when the room went dark.Someone had leaned on a light switch.The lights going out was a perfect metaphor for the Raiders' showing in the 24-0 defeat to the Saints. And McDaniels took the blame."I apologize to Raider Nation for that performance and, again, I own that," McDaniels said. "That's my responsibility."If you're going to point a finger, point it at me. Obviously, I need to do a better job of getting us ready on game day."The Raiders, listless and lifeless, fell to 2-5 on the season, and back into last place in the AFC West after winning two of three games, including a seeming get-right 38-20 blowout of the Houston Texans last week.But Las Vegas' offense, which looked so in sync a week earlier, was discombobulated by a...

October 30

MINNEAPOLIS -- Never underestimate a revenge game for Patrick Peterson.The Minnesota Vikings cornerback was primed for Sunday's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, for whom he played the first 10 years of his career. And Peterson let them know all about it -- during and after the Vikings' 34-26 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium.Peterson broke up three passes, mocked Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray during a midgame dance and afterward made clear he still resents the way his time ended in Arizona."I'm still waiting on [general manager] Steve Keim to call me," said Peterson, who departed the Cardinals after the 2020 season. "Still haven't talked to him."Peterson also revealed that he routinely found disparaging emails from fans printed out and left on his chair during his final seasons in the Cardinals locker room. According to Peterson, the emails were addressed to team ownership, with messages that ranged from his age to his tackling...

October 30

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- It didn't take new San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffreylong to carve out a piece of history on his new team.On a day when the Niners beat the NFC West division rival Los Angeles Rams without do-it-all receiver Deebo Samuel, McCaffrey offered the ultimate in versatile performances. McCaffrey threw for, ran for and caught a touchdown in San Francisco's 31-14 victory as the Niners moved to 4-4.With his 1-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, McCaffrey became the first player since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2005 to throw for, run for and catch a touchdown in the same game. He's the fourth player since the 1970 merger to complete the trifecta.It's the eighth straight regular-season win for the Niners against the Rams but McCaffrey's first taste of the rivalry. He fit right in, having a hand in 183 yards from scrimmage, including 94 yards rushing and 55 receiving on 27 touches.McCaffrey got his big...

October 30

ATLANTA -- Rashaan Evans shook his head, almost still in disbelief. In some ways, he still was in disbelief.The Atlanta Falcons linebacker has been playing football for a long time -- five years in the NFL, four at Alabama and high school before that. What happened Sunday, he never had experienced.After a topsy-turvy game that saw six scores in the last quarter and then overtime -- not to mention a critical missed extra point and missed field goal -- in an eventual 37-34 Falcons win over the Carolina Panthers, Evans said he was physically and mentally drained. And in first place in the NFC South -- the only team (4-4) in the division to be at .500 or better."I'm going to sleep for like three days," Evans said. "For real."He will sleep happy, though.The Falcons seemingly had this game won and then lost and then won again. Twice.In regulation, Atlanta held a six-point lead (34-28) after a Younghoe Koo field goal with 36 seconds...

October 30

The Kansas City Royals have hired Matt Quatraro as their new manager, the team announced Sunday.Quatraro has been a longtime member of the Tampa Bay Rays organization, most recently serving as their bench coach, a job he took in October 2018. He replaces the fired Mike Matheny.The 48-year-old Quatraro was an eighth-round draft pick of the Rays in 1996 and went on to play seven minor league seasons, mostly at catcher, with the organization.After wrapping up his playing career, he served as a coach in Tampa Bay's farm system before joining Terry Francona's staff in Cleveland as assistant hitting coach in 2014. He then returned to the Rays in 2018 as their bench coach.Kansas City fired Matheny following a disappointing 65-97 season. He was 165-219 in his three seasons leading the team.The Royals had eyed 2022 as a turnaround campaign, but they were plagued by poor pitching, struggles from young position players and a lackluster group of veterans and finished...

October 30

The Kansas City Royals have hired Matt Quatraro as their new manager, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Sunday.Quatraro has been a longtime member of the Tampa Bay Rays organization, most recently serving as their bench coach, a job he took in October 2018. He replaces the fired Mike Matheny.

October 30

ATLANTA -- They came streaming off the sideline and surrounded Younghoe Koo. After a wild, somewhat improbable game Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the reliable Atlanta Falconskicker did what the franchise had made him one of the NFL's highest-paid kickers to do.Win games.Koo made a 41-yard field goal in overtime to give Atlanta a 37-34 win over the Carolina Panthers, helping the franchise to a one-game lead in the NFC South where only the Falcons are at .500. Everyone else is below.This game, well, the Falcons had this won and then lost and then won again. Twice.In regulation, Atlanta held a six-point lead after a Koo field goal with 36 seconds left set the score at 34-28. Then a 62-yard Hail Mary touchdown from Carolina quarterback PJ Walkerto receiver DJ Moore with 12 seconds left appeared to give the Panthers the win.But Moore removed his helmet, leading to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, pushing the extra point attempt...

October 30

ATLANTA - They came streaming off the sidelines and surrounded Younghoe Koo. After a wild, somewhat improbable game Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the reliable Atlanta Falconskicker had done what the franchise had made him one of the NFL's highest-paid kickers to do.Win games.Koo made a 41-yard field goal in overtime to give Atlanta a 37-34 win over the Carolina Panthers, giving the franchise a one-game lead in the NFC South where only the Falcons are at .500. Everyone else is below.This game, well, the Falcons had this won and then lost and then won again. Twice.In regulation, Atlanta held a six-point lead after a Younghoe Koo field goal with 36 seconds left, 34-28. Then a 62-yard Hail Mary touchdown from Carolina quarterback PJ Walkerto receiver DJ Moore with 12 seconds left appeared to give the Panthers the win.But Moore removed his helmet, leading to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, pushing the extra point attempt back 15...

October 30

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Bill Belichick moved into sole possession of second place on the all-time wins list as the visiting New England Patriots defeated the New York Jets 22-17 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.Belichick now has 325 wins (regular season and postseason), with Sunday's game breaking a tie with Hall of Famer George Halas, the longtime Chicago Bears coach (40 years). Don Shula holds the all-time mark with 347 victories.Belichick downplayed the milestone, crediting players and saying: "Maybe we'll talk about that when it's over, add them up at the end."However, Patriots ownerRobert Kraft presented Belichick with a game ball for his achievement.In addition, quarterback Mac Jones opened his postgame news conference by saying: "Congratulations to Coach Belichick on his accomplishment. Obviously he's done a great job here and it's a blessing to play for him. Obviously we don't do the whole individual awards, but that's a big...

October 30

DETROIT -- One of the greatest players in NFL history is receiving his flowers in a major way. An 8-foot bronze statue of Detroit Lions great Barry Sanders will be unveiled outside Ford Field ahead of the 2023 NFL season.He will become the first player in franchise history to be immortalized outside of the arena."I can't believe the jokes have already started among my teammates about the height of the statue. Can you believe that?" Sanders joked. "Thank you so much to the Detroit Lions and the entire Ford family. I'm truly honored and humbled by this, but I've got to say I'm truly blessed to play here in front of these amazing fans in this great city since 1989."The news was announced during the halftime ceremony of Sunday's Lions homecoming game against the Miami Dolphins by his former teammate Chris Spielman, who is now the franchise's special assistant to president/CEO and chairperson."Never more beloved by Lions fans, never more deserving of a monument...

October 30

LONDON -- After a week in London filled with questions about Denver Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett's future and what was wrong with Russell Wilson, Hackett felt it was time to look into his quarterback's eyes.After the Broncos' offense, which entered Sunday last in the league in scoring, opened the game with a lackluster three-and-out, Wilson ended the team's second possession by throwing an interception on just his second pass attempt of the day."First quarter, that was a hot start,'' Hackett said, tongue firmly planted in cheek, after the Broncos' 21-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. "We come out and go three and out and we throw a pick on the second [pass] play. That comes to that pressing, to people wanting to make things happen instead of operating and not trying to do too much."I talked with Russell, told him to take a breath, breathe, just do what he does. And as we kind of came into this game ... we were able to...

October 30

LOS ANGELES -- With a noon local tip on the West Coast, the New Orleans Pelicans started out Sunday's game against the LA Clippers a little slow. After an 18-point first quarter, things started to pick up.Boosted by the return to the lineup of forward Zion Williamson, the Pelicans picked up the pace for a 112-91 victory over the Clippers on Sunday afternoon."I think based on the Central time zone; we were waking up from our nap," Pelicans guard CJ McCollum joked after the win. "We got some stops and were able to get and run. It made the game easier."Williamson was back in the lineup after missing the past two games with a right posterior hip and lower back contusion from a fall he took Oct. 23 against the Utah Jazz. Williamson missed the final eight minutes of regulation and overtime in that game.He was back in form against the Clippers, scoring 21 points to go along with 12 rebounds and seven assists, one off his career high."Glad to...

October 30

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jaguars, University of Florida and University of Georgia strongly condemned an antisemitic message projected onto one of the giant videoboards at TIAA Bank Field on Saturday as well as antisemitic banners displayed on a Jacksonville overpass on Friday.The message at the stadium appeared after Florida and Georgia played their annual game at TIAA Bank Field on Saturday. The message displayed on the backside of one of the TIAA Bank Field videoboards read, "Kanye was right about the Jews." That was in reference to recent tweets and antisemitic comments made recently by musician/producer/designer Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.According to WJXT TV-4 in Jacksonville, there also were two banners displayed on an overpass near Interstate 10 on Friday that read "End Jewish Supremacy in America" and "Honk if you know it's the Jews."The schools released a joint statement on Sunday morning."We strongly condemn the antisemitic...

October 30

The Big 12 is on the cusp of extending its current television contract with ESPN and Fox, according to ESPN sources.The league is in the final stages of putting together a six-year, $2.28 billion contract extension that includes a sizable pay bump for schools. The new contract, which takes hold starting in 2025, includes ESPN owning more than 60 percent of the inventory and Fox adding a sizable portion of college basketball.The contract's near completion was first reported by the Sports Business Journal.The deal projects for the Big 12 to make a sharp increase in media revenue per school, despite Oklahoma and Texas not being in the league after the 2024 season.A source said that the league is expected to agree to a grant of rights with its 12 members for the length of the deal.The overall value of the Big 12's media deal is expected to increase from $220 million annually to $380 million. That's an average increase in media-only revenue per school from $22 million to $31.7...

October 30

The Big 12 is on the cusp of extending its current television contract with ESPN and Fox, according to ESPN sources.The league is in the final stages of putting together a six-year, $2.8 billion contract extension that includes a sizable pay bump for schools. The new contract, which takes hold starting in 2025, includes ESPN owning more than 60-percent of the inventory and Fox adding a sizable portion of college basketball.The contract's near completion was first reported by the Sports Business Journal.The deal projects for the Big 12 to make a sharp increase in pure media revenue per school, despite Oklahoma and Texas not being in the league after the 2024 season.A source said that the league is expected to agree to a grant of rights with its 12 members for the length of the deal.The overall value of the Big 12's media deal is expected to increase to $380 million annually from $220. That's an average increase in media-only revenue per school to $31.6 million from $22...

October 30

HOUSTON -- The Philadelphia Phillies will give pitcher Ranger Suarez an extra day of rest after he threw in relief in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday and instead turn to righty Noah Syndergaard to start Game 3.The Houston Astros will counter with veteran Lance McCullers Jr.as the series shifts to Philadelphia on Monday. The Phillies and Astros split the first two games of the series in Houston. Syndergaard, 30, has appeared in two postseason contests this October, including one shortened start. He has pitched a total of 5.1 innings, giving up just a run on three hits.McCullers has made two playoff starts, allowing three earned runs over 11 innings."I'm really excited," McCullers said after Game 2 on Saturday. "[The Phillies] came in here and did what they were supposed to, and they got the split, 1-1, so it's going to be up to us to go into their park and play three on the road and play good baseball."McCullers missed the World...

October 30

The Los Angeles Rams are not planning to part ways with Cam Akers if they are unable to trade the third-year running back, sources told ESPN.The Rams would find a trade partner for Akers in a perfect world, according to sources, but they also recognize that he can still help them this season.Therefore, if Akers is not dealt before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, he is expected to return to the Rams and play for them again this season, sources said.Akers has been away from the team for the past two weeks as the Rams have explored trade possibilities. He will miss his second straight game Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers because of what the team officially lists as personal reasons.Rams coach Sean McVay said earlier this month that Akers returning to the team is not "off the table" but acknowledged at the time that the "best option for all parties" would be a trade.Akers, 23, has rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown on 51 carries. After he...

October 30

The Cleveland Browns are willing to grant running back Kareem Hunt's trade request, sources told ESPN.Hunt, who is in the final year of his contract and is seeking a new deal, asked to be traded by the Browns this past August, but the team initially declined his request.The Browns, however, are just 2-5 entering their "Monday Night Football" matchup with the rival Cincinnati Bengals and would rather receive compensation for Hunt via a trade rather than lose him in free agency, according to sources.Sources told ESPN the Browns would like to receive a fourth-round draft pick in any trade involving Hunt -- or compensation that would be better than the compensatory pick they would receive in 2024.Hunt, 27, has rushed for 263 yards and three touchdowns while also hauling in 15 receptions for 87 yards and a score this season, his fourth with the Browns.

October 30

Of all the teams that are considering trades, the one that seems the most likely to make one before Tuesday's deadline is the Denver Broncos.The Broncos have heard from multiple teams interested in trading for star outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, sources told ESPN.One team even has been willing to trade its first-round draft pick, along with other compensation, in exchange for Chubb, according to sources.Although they are fielding trade inquiries on Chubb, the Broncos do not plan to trade Jerry Jeudy or KJ Hamler despite getting calls on the third-year wide receivers, according to sources familiar with the team's thinking.The Broncos, who play Sunday in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, instead want to use Jeudy and Hamler to revive their struggling offense, the sources told ESPN. Denver could ultimately still trade one of the receivers by Tuesday, but it only would be for what the team believed to be a strong offer, according...

October 30

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros rolled through the initial portion of these playoffs like world-beaters. Upsets pervaded the field, knocking off dominant teams in Los Angeles and Atlanta and New York. But the Astros -- a 106-win juggernaut in their own right -- won each of their first seven games, vaulting themselves into their fourth World Series appearance in six years. They met a Philadelphia Phillies team that won 19 fewer games than them during the regular season, representing the second-largest margin between World Series opponents in baseball history.The Astros were widely expected to cruise.Then they dropped Game 1 on Friday night -- at home, with a five-run lead on the scoreboard and their ace on the mound."It was a punch in the face," Astros center fielder Chas McCormick said. "Maybe we needed it."Their response seemed to validate that belief.The Astros matched up against the most dominant pitcher of this postseason and came out swinging...

October 30

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Nobody has stopped Tennessee'srecord-setting offense all season, and now, heading into a potential top-three showdown with Georgia, the Vols' defense is showing all the signs of peaking at just the right time.The No. 3 Vols smothered No. 19 Kentuckyin a 44-6 victory on Saturday night at Neyland Stadium, a game that saw Tennessee hold Kentucky scoreless for the final three quarters of the game. The Vols hounded projected first-round draft pick Will Levis into three interceptions and sacked him four times.Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, who is making a strong case for the Heisman Trophy and threw three more touchdown passes against the Wildcats, said he is not the least bit surprised to see the defense playing at an elevated level."I see the defensive guys putting in extra work, whether it's getting on the Jugs [gun], which you can see these guys making great plays on the ball and coming out and playing with...

October 30

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros rolled through the initial portion of these playoffs like world-beaters. Upsets pervaded the field, knocking off dominant teams in Los Angeles and Atlanta and Queens, N.Y., but the Astros - a 106-win juggernaut in their own right - won each of their first seven games, vaulting themselves into their fourth World Series appearance in six years. They met a Philadelphia Phillies team that won 19 fewer games than them during the regular season, representing the second-largest margin between World Series opponents in baseball history.The Astros were widely expected to cruise.Then they dropped Game 1 on Friday night -- at home, with a five-run lead on the scoreboard and their ace on the mound."It was a punch in the face," Astros center fielder Chas McCormick said. "Maybe we needed it."Their response seemed to validate that belief.The Astros matched up against the most dominant pitcher of this postseason and came out swinging...

October 30

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jake Paul's inexplicable boxing résumé now includes a win over one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.Paul, the YouTube-star-turned-prizefighter, beat former longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva by unanimous decision (77-74, 78-73, 78-73) Saturday night at Desert Diamond Arena. The bout was very competitive, but Paul pulled away late and sealed the victory by dropping Silva in the eighth round with a right hand.Paul described beating Silva, someone he was a big fan of as a kid, as "surreal.""He was my idol growing up," Paul said. "He inspired me to be great."This was the toughest matchup so far for Paul, the 25-year-old social media maven. Silva is 47 years old, but he had solid boxing performances, including a win over former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., after leaving the UFC in 2020.Paul (6-0) now owns victories over three UFC fighters: Silva, former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (two wins, including...

October 30

NEW YORK -- Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving said Saturday night that he does not believe he did anything wrong in promoting an antisemitic film and book on his social media accounts.Speaking for the first time since he posted about a movie called "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America," Irving made it clear he was not going to "stand down" on what he believed in despite Nets owner Joe Tsai and the NBA both releasing statements condemning Irving's decision."I'm not here to argue over a person or a culture or a religion and what they believe," Irving said after the Nets 125-116 loss to the Indiana Pacers. "Nah, this is what's here. It's on a public platform. Did I do anything illegal? Did I hurt anybody? Did I harm anybody? Am I going out and saying that I hate one specific group of people? So out of all of the judgment that people got for me posting, without talking to me, and then I respect what Joe [Tsai] said, but there has a lot to do with not ego...

October 30

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jake Paul's inexplicable boxing résumé now includes a win over one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.Paul, the YouTube-star-turned-prizefighter, beat former longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva by unanimous decision (77-74, 78-73, 78-73) Saturday night here at Desert Diamond Arena. The bout was very competitive, but Paul pulled away late and sealed the victory by dropping Silva in the eighth round with a right hand.Paul described beating Silva, someone he was a big fan of as a kid, as "surreal.""He was my idol growing up," Paul said. "He inspired me to be great."This was the toughest matchup so far for Paul, the 25-year-old social media maven. Silva is 47 years old but had solid boxing performances, including a win over former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., after leaving the UFC in 2020.Paul (6-0) now owns victories over three UFC fighters: Silva, former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (two wins, including...

October 30

INDIANAPOLIS -- Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay have not had any contact since Irsay made pointed comments about Snyder at the league meetings earlier this month, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday.It could make for an awkward visit when their teams play in Indianapolis at 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday. Snyder will attend the game and sit in the visitor's owners box, provided by Irsay."I only run into owners if it's really coincidental," Irsay told the Washington Post. "Most of us don't see each other unless we happen to be passing each other on the field or somewhere at the same time. It has nothing to do with Dan Snyder. If I was playing the Ravens, I wouldn't know if [owner] Steve Bisciotti was going."A Commanders spokesperson, meanwhile, issued a brief statement addressing Irsay's recent references to Snyder."It's unfortunate that Mr. Irsay continues to behave in a way that clearly is in violation of...

October 30

Vasiliy Lomachenko scored a unanimous-decision victory over Jamaine Ortiz in a fight that was far tougher than expected for him Saturday night at New York's Hulu Theater at MSG.The win sets Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KO) up for a potential meeting next year with undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney.Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KO), a major underdog, was in control over the first half of the 135-pound bout on the strength of his athleticism, superior size and jab, but Lomachenko rallied down the stretch to win a tightly contested bout.The judges scored it 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111.Lomachenko, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and former three-division champion, was fighting for the first time in 10 months. The 34-year-old former pound-for-pound king agreed to a deal to travel to Australia for a June fight with then-lightweight champion George Kambosos but elected to remain in war-torn Ukraine with his family.In Lomachenko's place, Haney struck a deal for two fights with Kambosos in...

October 30

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michiganathletic director Warde Manuel said police are investigating what coach Jim Harbaugh called an assault on two of his players in the tunnel after Michigan's 29-7 win over Michigan Stateon Saturday.Video on social media from the Detroit News showed Michigan State players gathered around Michigan defensive back Ja'Den McBurrowsthrowing punches and kicks."What happened after the game is completely unacceptable. I've talked to the commissioner, he's looking into it," Manuel said. "The police are also looking into it, because they've seen the video and they're addressing it. We will leave it in their hands, but this is not how we should interact after a game."This is not the way another team should grab a player and do what they did, it's completely and utterly unacceptable. We will let the Big Ten and law enforcement handle it, but this is not what a rivalry should be about."Harbaugh said two players were assaulted...

October 30

NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets held a players-only meeting after Saturday night's 125-116 loss to the Indiana Pacers. It was the Nets' fourth straight loss and dropped them to 1-5 this season."It was a disaster," Nets coach Steve Nash said of the loss. "How else do you say it? I didn't see the will, didn't see the desire, or the connectivity necessary to get stops and get rebounds. ... We just got to make a bigger commitment and it's got to mean more and we got to care more."The Nets looked lifeless at times as the undermanned Pacers, playing on the second night of a back-to-back, outworked and outhustled them. The Nets have struggled to find consistency this season."It was a s---ty night," Nets star forward Kevin Durant said. "Excuse my language, it was a bad night. ... We're pissed. We enjoy basketball. We like to win, though, so of course when we lose the games it's going to be a somber mood in the locker room. But it will change once we start...

October 30

English featherweight Arnold Allen picked up the biggest win of his career on Saturday, although it didn't come in a manner he wanted.Allen (19-1) picked up his 10th consecutive UFC win inside the Apex in Las Vegas, defeating Calvin Kattar (23-7) via second-round TKO. The 145-pound contest, which headlined UFC Fight Night, extended Allen's overall win streak to 12. He signed with the UFC in 2015 on a two-fight winning streak.Allen, 28, looked fantastic in the opening round, but the finish was still an unfortunate one. In the first round, Kattar appeared to suffer an injury to his right leg when he landed awkwardly after a flying knee attempt. He came out for the second round, but quickly fell to the floor after Allen threw a leg kick.Afterward, Allen noted that featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovskiwas looking for fighters "to make a statement.""That's never a TKO by injury," Allen said. "I can't really ask for a title shot off this."The scene...

October 29

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Kirby Smart is pretty sure late Georgia coach Vince Dooley was looking down on the No. 1 Bulldogs on Saturday and probably enjoyed the first half -- but not so much the second -- in a 42-20 victory over the rival Florida Gators.Dooley, who guided the Bulldogs to a national championship in 1980, died on Friday at his home in Athens, Georgia. He was 90."To the Dooleys back home in Athens, I know they are together," Smart said. "It meant a lot for us to win that game for them. All that Vince has meant to our university and such an ambassador of our program and really all of college football. ... He has meant so much to us and in honor of him and their family, it was special. It was a tough time for that to happen."After taking a 28-3 lead at the half, a multitude of Georgia errors allowed the Gators to cut the deficit to only eight points after Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson threw a 78-yard touchdown to ...

October 29

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Oregonextended its winning streak to seven games and quarterback Bo Nix's performance put him in select company in the Ducks' 42-24 win over Cal.The Auburntransfer became just the third FBS quarterback in the past 10 years to throw for at least 400 yards (412), throw three touchdowns and rush for three scores in the same game, joining Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins (2018) and Iowa State's Brock Purdy(2019). Oregon added 174 yards on the ground to pile up 586 yards.Despite the big numbers, No. 8 Oregon came away wanting more."Bo did a good job today, but I think if you ask Bo right now, he'd say he can perform better," Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. "And I think our entire team probably feels that way. Bo's been really consistent and really good player all year. I think that he'll come away from his performance saying he wants to do better than he did."Lanning was right. Nix echoed the...

October 29

The San Antonio Spurs' release of guard Joshua Primo -- the No. 12 pick in the 2021 NBA draft -- stemmed from multiple alleged instances of him exposing himself to women, sources told ESPN on Saturday.The decision to release Primo on Friday night was sudden and shocking, and it spoke to the severity of the issues surrounding the promising 19-year old player.The team had recently picked up the $4.3 million 2023-24 option on Primo's contract, signifying a level of confidence in his future with the franchise.Also on Saturday, attorney Tony Buzbee told ESPN he has been retained by a woman who worked for the Spurs and has alleged Primo exposed himself to her. Buzbee represented multiple women in the sexual misconduct lawsuits against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.Many NBA teams remain intrigued with Primo's talent and potential, but are searching for a more complete understanding of the situation as they weigh the possibility...

October 29

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Ohio Statedefensive end J.T. Tuimoloau had already produced an incredible performance, easily the best of his college career. But the sophomore had one more magic moment to deliver.With 2 minutes, 47 seconds left and Ohio State leading Penn State37-24, Tuimoloau pushed offensive lineman Bryce Effner to the turf, leaped, caught Sean Clifford's pass and then strolled into the end zone."The play happens and I just blacked out," Tuimoloau said.The pick-six capped one of the best single-game performances in Ohio State history and one of the best nationally, as the second-ranked Buckeyes rallied to beat No. 13 Penn State 44-31. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Tuimoloau became one of three FBS players in the past 15 seasons to record two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception and a touchdown in a single game, joining Appalachian State'sDemetrius Taylor (2019 at ...

October 29

PITTSBURGH -- T.J. Watt isn't back ... yet.The Pittsburgh Steelers opted not to activate the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's matchup against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles.His 21-day practice window opened earlier this week. Speaking Friday for the first time since he tore his pectoral muscle in the Week 1 win against the Cincinnati Bengals, Watt was vague on his potential availability."I was a [practice] participant today, so I mean, just going about my business, doing what I'm asked, seeing how my body responds to the activity," Watt said Friday. "I feel very encouraged with where I'm at right now."Watt also had minor arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this month to repair a lingering preseason injury."I've had muscle pulls before, and you feel some sort of pop in a snap and immediately know it's not good," Watt said of the pec injury. "It's just a matter of how bad it was, and it just...

October 29

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who missed a second straight day of practice Saturday because of a stomach bug, has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.Rookie quarterback Malik Willis took the majority of the first-team snaps in practice this week and will get his first NFL start against the Texans. The Titans also called up quarterback Logan Woodside from the practice squad on Saturday.Tannehill had started 49 consecutive games for the Titans, a franchise record for quarterbacks.He was already dealing with an ankle sprain suffered in the fourth quarter of last week's win vs. the Indianapolis Colts. He was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday before missing Friday's practice and Saturday's walkthrough.Willis was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2022 draft."Being prepared is probably my best bet," Willis said Friday." You have to prepare like you're...

October 29

Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado is remaining in St. Louis as he won't opt out of his contract, a source confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.Arenado, 31, has five years and $144 million left on his deal, a nine-year, $275 million contract he signed in 2019 with the Colorado Rockies.Arenado was traded to the Cardinals before the 2021 season after spending eight years with the Rockies, and Colorado is paying $31 million of the deal. Arenado is set to make a base salary of $35 million next season on the contract that runs through the 2027 season.The contract contained two opt-outs, with the second one coming after the 2022 season. Arenado has informed the Cardinals he won't use the opt-out to become a free agent, which was first reported by The Athletic.Arenado hit .293 with 30 home runs, 42 doubles and a .891 OPS this season. He is likely to finish in the top five in National League MVP voting along with teammate Paul Goldschmidt, who is signed through...

October 29

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase will not be placed on injured reserve, coach Zac Taylor said Saturday.According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Chase is expected to miss between four-to-six weeks with a hip injury.Taylor's comments on Saturday leave the window open for Chase to return at the beginning of that timetable. The fourth-year coach said the timing, which includes the team's Week 10 bye, went into the decision not to place Chase on injured reserve this week."The overall prognosis of how it could play out factors into that," Taylor said.Following the team's Week 6 win over the New Orleans Saints, Chase was listed with a hip injury throughout the week at practice. In the team's Week 7 victory against the Atlanta Falcons, Chase slowed at the end of a route and walked to the locker room in the closing minutes of the first half. Chase finished the game and downplayed the issue after the game."I'm good though," Chase said.However,...

October 29

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers will take on the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles without kicker Chris Boswell on Sunday.The Steelers downgraded K Chris Boswell (right groin) to out after Saturday's walkthrough. Boswell first appeared on the injury report following Friday's practice and was initially listed as questionable.The Steelers signed free agent kicker Nick Scibaand elevated him to the active roster before the 4 p.m. deadline Saturday, the team announced.Sciba, an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest, spent training camp with the Steelers before being released in late August. Sciba connected on 80 of 89 field goals in college, and in his senior year hit 23 of 25 attempts. He also holds the NCAA record for consecutive field goals made with 34, and he never missed a PAT in college.Boswell, who signed a four-year, $20 million extension during training camp, is 12-of-16 on field goal attempts and 9-of-9 on extra point...

October 29

Mississippi State athletic director John Cohen is in talks to become the next AD at Auburn, sources told ESPN. A deal has yet to be finalized but could happen in the near future.Cohen is in his seventh year as the athletic director at Mississippi State, and his move would be a rare in-conference change for an athletic director. He would replace Allen Greene, who negotiated a departure from Auburn in August as his contract was set to expire in the upcoming months.Auburn's potential hire of an athletic director from within the SEC is a distinct move for a school where athletic leaders have often competed with board members and boosters for power. Cohen is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and was Mississippi State's baseball coach from 2009 to 2016.Cohen has a lot of familiarity with the SEC in his career, as he spent time as an assistant coach at Florida (2002-03) and as the head coach at Kentucky (2004-08). He took over at Mississippi State as the athletic director from Scott...

October 29