The #4 ranked Miami Hurricanes beat the Florida Gators 26-7, in their rivalry game. The Gators continue their freefall this season.
#17 Texas Tech beat the #16 Utah Utes, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, 34-10, in a turnover prone game.
#24 Notre Dame finally got a win, beating Purdue 56-30.
#19 Indiana Hoosiers absolutely beat the snot out of #9 Illinois Fighting Illini, 63-10.
In a great Saturday night game, #11 Oklahoma Sooners got a big conference win, over #23 Auburn Tigers, 24-17.
The Clemson Tigers and Wisconsin Badgers continue to fall apart, with losses to unranked opponents, Syracuse and Maryland.
With so many performances to choose from, here are your Week 4 college football helmet stickers.
1) Indiana Hoosiers.
There was no better team performance in Week 4, then Indiana. The college football spotlight was on Bloomington, IN with a primetime game on NBC, and the Hoosiers put their best foot forward. The offense couldn’t be stopped, and the defense was a stonewall, not allowing the Illini to get anything going. Great win for the team and the program.
2) Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Hoosiers.
The 6’5″ junior transfer quarterback shone the brightest in the biggest game of his career to date. He went 21 of 23 (91.3%), for 267 yards, and 5 TDs, with a 260.0 RTG, and 96.3 QBR. He didn’t make any mistakes and kept the ball out of harm’s way. That’s exactly what he needs to do, if they’re going to keep winning as conference play ramps up.
3) Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo Bulls.
The 6’3″, 240 lbs senior was all over the field, and just wreaking havoc all game long, in a 21-17 loss. He finished the game with 12 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
– by Sean McKenzie
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Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.
Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, indystar, and ubbulls.
Is #25 USC for real??? We’ll find out as they take on an undefeated and scrappy Michigan State.
The last time we saw Oklahoma State on the field, they lost 69-3 to the Oregon Ducks. Can they bounce back against a woeful Tulsa team on Friday night?
We have the Iron Skillet Game this week, as undefeated TCU takes on their bitter rival SMU.
Will the #4 ranked Miami Hurricanes send the Florida Gators back home to Gainsville with their 3rd straight loss?
I went 2-1 last week, and I am 5-1 for the season.
So here are the 3 games you should watch this week.
1) #9 Illinois Fighting Illini at #19 Indiana Hoosiers. Game is Saturday night, at 7:30 PM (EST) on NBC.
I am so happy to see that NBC is doing the right thing and putting this game in primetime. 2 teams that are historically mid to bad, are having back-to-back good seasons. It’s nice to see them rewarded.
The Fighting Illini are led by QB Luke Altmyer has gone 56 of 79, for 709 yards, with 8 TDs and 0 INTs, but it’s been the running game that has really stolen the show. Junior Kaden Feagin has 50 carries for 222 yards and 3 TDs. He’s a 250 lb hammer that wears a defense down with his physical style of running.
The defense is led by senior LB Gabe Jacas, who leads the team in sacks (3.5) and forced fumbles (2). They are gap sound, and they make opposing teams earn every yard.
The Hoosiers offense is led by QB Fernado Mendoza. The Cal transfer has come in a really taken control of the offense, going 55 of 76, for 708 yards, with 9 TDs and 0 INTs. The running game has shown up so far this season, with 3 players (Kaelon Black, Lee Beebe Jr, and Roman Hemby) each already running for over 200 yards rushing a piece.
The defense is active on every level. They show a lot of movement up front and with the linebackers, trying to confuse the quarterback and disguise schemes. This had led to 4 INTs already this season.
Prediction – Illinois pulls away late to get a 31-24 win on the road.
2) #22 Auburn Tigers at #11 Oklahoma Sooners. Game is Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM (EST) on ABC.
Are either of these two teams for real? Especially after such dismal seasons last year. Both teams are 3-0 coming into their SEC conference openers. Of course, everyone is talking about Auburn coming back to Norman, OK after transferring out in the offseason.
Yes, Arnold was brought into Auburn to “fix” the passing game. He’s gone 48 of 69, for 501 yards, with 4 TDs and 0 INTs, but it’s been his running ability that has sparked the offense (35 carries, 192 yards, 4 TDs). Being teamed with leading rusher, junior HB Jeremiah Cobb (46 carries, for 314 yards, and 4 TDs) has turned the Tigers into a running team.
They have a very active secondary, as 3 of their Top 5 tacklers are defensive backs. Senior defensive end Keyron Crawford leads the team in sacks (3), interceptions (1) and forced fumbles (1).
The Sooners are led by transfer QB John Mateer and his gun slinging, gritty, hardnosed mentality. He’s 71 of 105, for 944 yards, with 5 TDs but he’s thrown 3 INTs. He’s ran the ball 33 times, for 161 yards, and 4 TDs. Can he keep this pace in the SEC?
This is a Brent Venables team, which means the defense is sound. Their Top 4 tacklers are all linebackers, and they make you earn every yard, and every score. They’ve been much more physical so far this season, than last season.
Prediction – Something is telling me that Auburn pulls the upset. Mateer throws a late game INT, and the Tigers get out of Norman with a big 28-24 win.
Arkansas Razorbacks at Memphis Tigers. Game is Saturday afternoon, at Noon (12:00 PM, EST) on ABC.
Not expecting this, were you? This is a dangerous trap game for the Razorbacks, who are coming off a hard fought, disappointing loss last week.
Arkansas is led by senior QB Taylen Green, and he is so fun to watch. He’s completed 63 of 92 passes, for 866 yards, with 11 TDs and 2 INTs. He also leads the team in rushing with 32 carries, for 307 yards, with 2 TDs. He’s a dynamic dual threat quarterback.
The defense flies around with that “SEC speed” that they like to brag about. Their back seven causes havoc with that speed, and the defensive line doesn’t get out of position, which allows them to cause said havoc.
This is not the high-flying Memphis offense that we’ve all come to expect. This Tigers offense is running the football. Senior QB Brendon Lewis is 55 of 75, for 608 yards, with only 2 TDs and 1 INT. He’s also 2nd on the team with 190 yards rushing, with 2 TDs. Junior HB Sutton Smith has 247 yards, on 41 carries, with 4 TDs.
They may not be an “SEC team” but the Memphis defense has the speed to match. They already have 8 players that have 10+ tackles, and their 10 sacks and pressure have led to 4 INTs this season. Senior linebacker Sam Brumfield leads the Tigers in both tackles (17) and sacks (3).
Prediction – Arkansas is mad and will not fall victim to this trap game. Razorbacks win 42-28.
They are the only team with two, Top 25 wins so far this season. If a Power 4 school had won at Boise State and at Florida, in back-to-back weeks, the mainstream sports media would be heaping praise on them.
Since they weren’t “ranked” before the season started, they’re being ignored, and given a “courtesy ranking” by the clowns at ESPN and the AP.
I omitted the Texas Longhorns, because their offense is struggling. Yes, Arch Manning threw for 4 TD’s, but 3 of those were on busted coverages and most of his passes, were under 4 yards.
BOLO – Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Texas A&M Aggies, and Vanderbilt Commodores.
Week 2 of the college football season has come and gone.
While it was chalk for most of the games, there were a few good games and some upsets.
The University of Findlay Oilers (Division 3) upset #17 University of Indianapolis Greyhounds, 38-35. (Fan hat on) Congratulations to Head Coach Kory Allen and the Oilers. Go Oilers!!! (Fan hat off)
#18 Oklahoma beat #15 Michigan 24-13.
#11 Illinois woke up in the 2nd half to be Duke 45-19.
#8 Clemson didn’t even get off the bus until halftime. They were down 16-0 at halftime, before coming back to win 27-16.
The CyHawk Trophy game down to a 50+ yard field goal for the 2nd straight year; and again, it was the #16 Iowa State Cyclones coming away with the victory, 16-13 over the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Without further ado, here are your Week 2 college football helmet stickers.
1) University of South Florida Bulls.
Coming off a big win against (then ranked #25) Boise State, for the 2nd straight week, the Bulls were on the road in a hostile environment. AND once again, they pull off the upset. Beating the #13 Florida Gators, in Gainsville, 18-16.
QB Byrum Browns went 23 of 36, for 263 yards, and 1 TD, but it was the kicking game that showed out for the win.
Kicker Nico Gramatica hit FG’s of 38, 25, and the game winner of 20 yards, with no time left on the clock.
2) Julin Sayin, Quarterback, Ohio State.
After outplaying the overhyped Arch Manning in Week 1, the sophomore followed it up going 18 of 19, for 306 yards, with 4 TDs and 1 INT.
He showed off his accuracy, ball placement, ability to adjust presnap, and ability to scan and read the defense.
He’s stepping in and showing that the spotlight and expectations are not too much for him.
3) Jadon Pearson, Linebacker, Fresno State.
I watched quite a bit of this game on the CW Network, and Pearson was absolutely everywhere. In the backfield, getting sideline to sideline in a flash, making tackles downfield, filling the gap on blitz packages, he did it all against Oregon State.
Finishing the game with a big 16 tackles, many on third downs to get the Beaver offense off the field.
Who would you give a helmet sticker to? Drop a comment.
On Tuesday, NFL owners voted unanimously 32-0, in favor of letting league players “try out” for flag football at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angelos, California.
What we know so far about flag football at the Olympics,
There will be 6 teams (USA included).
It will be a 5 on 5 format. (5 on offense and 5 on defense).
Each team will have a roster of 10 players. (That means it will be a 2 deep roster).
Only 1 player from each team can try out. (Example: QB Jalen Hurts and HB Saquon Barkley from the Philadelphia Eagles, both cannot try out).
While this is an exciting development, the LA 2028 Games are still years away. A lot can happen in the time. Players playing college football right now could end up on the roster.
Personally, I don’t think flag football should be an Olympic sport.
They’re trying to attract “younger viewers”, and flag football is gaining popularity in youth sports and college campuses. So, I understand the reasoning behind the decision.
That being said, of course I’m going to watch it. It’s football.
NBA PLAYOFFS.
The #1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the #6 seeded Minnesota Timberwolves 114-88 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Timberwolves had a 48-44 lead at the half, behind PF Julius Randle’s 20 points.
The break completely changed the momentum of the game, as the Thunder, led by PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, scored 20 of his team-leading 31 points in the 2nd half.
OKC scored 32 points in the 3rd quarter and 38 in the fourth quarter to get the important win at home. They now led the series 1-0. Full game highlights below.
Game 2 is Thursday night, in Oklahoma City, at 8:30 PM, on ESPN.
NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS.
The A3 Florida Panthers went into Charlotte, North Carolina and got a big win against the A2 Carolina Hurricanes 5-2, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Panthers special teams were on displayed, as they got powerplay goals by C Carter Verhaeghe in the 1st period, and C Sam Bennett in the 3rd period.
There was a stretch where Florida did not have a single shot for 15 minutes in the 2nd period. Carolina just dominated the puck. They had their chances, but Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was just a brick wall. He stopped 31 of 33 total shots he faced. Full game highlights below.
Game 2 is Thursday night, in Charlotte, at 8:00 PM (EST) on TNT, truTV, and Max.
MLB SCORES.
The Chicago Cubs put a beatdown on the Miami Marlins 14-1.
The Red Sox get their 2nd straight win over the New York Mets 2-0.
The Detroit Tigers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4.
The lowly Colorado Rockies continue to struggle as they lose to the Philadelphia Phillies 7-4.
The Los Angelos Dodgers get the win over the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3.
The New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 5-2.
OTHER NEWS.
The Ottawa Charge defeated the Minnesota Frost in Game 1 of the PWHL (Professional Women’s Hockey League) Walter Cup Finals, 2-1 in overtime.
Charge F Emily Clark scored the game winner at 2:47 into the OT period, beating Frost goalie Nicole Hensley just over the goalie stick. Full game highlights below.
Game 2 is Thursday night, in Ottawa, at 7:00 PM (EST) on TSN and RDS in Canada and FanDuel Sports North and PWHL YouTube channel in America.
– by Sean McKenzie
Follow me on X (Twitter) @JoeAmerican6771 and @allsportsfancom.
Stats and information courtesy of…..ESPN, NFL, Olympics, NBA, NHL, MLB, PWHL.
Pictures and videos courtesy of…..wallpapercave, Olympics, and YouTube.
Cleveland Browns 5th round quarterback Shedeur Sanders has signed his rookie contract.
It is a 4-year, $4.6 million dollar deal. with a $447,380 signing bonus.
I’m not going to talk about his “slide” in the draft. I’ve already done an article on that, plus we all know that story, it’s been beaten to death.
I’m “on the record” with my prediction that Sanders will be QB2 when the season starts.
The San Francisco 49ers have made LB Fred Warner the highest paid “off ball” linebacker in the NFL.
They came to terms on a 3-year, $63 million dollar contract extension, with $56 million dollars guaranteed. This new deal keeps Warner the red and gold through the 2029 season.
The linebacker had 131 total tackles, 1 sack, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 INTs last season, all of which earned him his 4th All-Pro appearance and 3rd straight.
NHL NEWS.
Veteran NHL referee Chris Rooney received stitches Sunday night after taking a high stick to the face by Panthers Defenseman Niko Mikkola, during the 2nd period of the Maple Leafs/Panthers pivotal Game 7.
Medical personnel from both teams attended to him, and a stretcher was brought out; however, he refused and skated off the rink under his own power.
Rooney hopes to return to resume duties during these Stanley Cup Playoffs.
MLB SCORES.
Guardians\Twins game was suspended in the 4th inning due to rain. Twins were up 2-1. Game resumes tonight at 6:10 PM (EST).
Marlins beat the Cubs 8-7.
Reds win 7-1 over the Pirates.
Red Sox beat the Mets 3-1.
Diamondbacks get the win over the Dodgers 9-5.
The Cardinals beat the surging Tigers 11-4.
Question of the day – What is your favorite sport to watch?
– by Sean McKenzie
Stats and information courtesy of…..ESPN, NFL, NHL, MLB.
Photos courtesy of…..wallpapercave, profootballnetwork, PFF, and SI.
Quarterback Derek Carr has decided to retire, after 11 seasons in the NFL. The former Raiders and Saints QB attended Fresno State and was the 36th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He finishes his career throwing for 41,245 yards, with 257 TDs and 112 INTs.
Rookie mini camps were held over the weekend. Jaguars #2 pick WR/CB Travis Hunter took snaps on the offensive side of the ball. HC Liam Coen said that Hunter will get defensive reps next week. Browns #5 pick DT Mason Graham made headlines after he was caught vomiting on the field. HC Kevin Stefanski blew it off saying that he simply ate too much.
MMA NEWS.
Jack Della Maddalena (18-2) defeated Belal Muhammad (24-4) to become the new UFC Welterweight Champion, in an absolute slugfest. The judges gave Jack the UD win with scores of 48-47 (x2) and 49-46. Jack has now won 18 straight fights. His last lost coming way back in 2016.
Some things just seem to stay the same. Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1) defended her Women’s Flyweight Championship for a record 10th time, defeating Manon Fiorot (12-2) by UD. 48-47 (x3).
Featherweight legend Jose Aldo (32-10), retired in the octagon after losing to Aiemann Zahabi (13-2).
Former Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor Belfort will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame later this year.
Belfort (26-14) burst onto the scene when he won the UFC Heavyweight Tournament back in 1997, at only 19 years of age.
In 2013, his legal use of testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) became a worldwide sports controversy. The Nevada State Athletic Commission later banned TRT, from competition without medical proof of necessity.
He holds career wins against legends Randy Couture, Wanderlei Silva, Rich Franklin, Luke Rockhold, Michael Bisping, and Dan Henderson.
NBA Playoffs.
The #4 seeded Indiana Pacers defeated the #1 seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 129-109, to take a 3-1 series lead.
PF Pascal Siakam led the team with 21 points. C Myles Turner had 7 rebounds, and PG T.J. McConnell had 8 assists.
Game 6 is Tuesday night, in Cleveland at 7:00 PM (EST) on TNT, truTV, and Max.
The #1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the #4 seeded Denver Nuggets 92-87, to tie the series at 2-2.
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 25 points and 6 assists. C Isaiah Hartenstein had 14 rebounds to lead the team.
Game 5 is also on Tuesday night, in Oklahoma City, at 9:30 PM (EST) on TNT, truTV, and Max.
NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS.
The A3 and defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, defeated the A1 Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0, to tie the series at 2-2.
Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky got his 5th career playoff shutout, stopping all 23 shots attempted.
Tempers flared at the end of the game, when Maple Leafs C Max Domi (Pussycat Max, as I call him), landed his latest in a long career of cheap shots, this time on Panthers C Aleksander Barkov.
Game 5 is Wednesday night, in Toronto, at 7:00 PM (EST) on ESPN.
The C2 Dallas Stars defeated the C1 Winnepeg Jets 5-2, to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Stars RW Mikko Rantanen continues his incredible playoff run with another 3 points (1G/2A). Full game highlights below.
Game 4 is Tuesday night, in Dallas, at 8:00 PM (EST) on ESPN.
MLB NEWS.
Phillies beat the Guardians 3-0.
In a battle of division leaders, the Mets beat the Cubs 6-2.
League leading Dodgers beat the Diamondbacks 8-1.
Surprising Tigers lose to the Rangers 6-1.
The Rockies actually win a game!!! Beating the Padres 9-3.
OTHER NEWS.
Congratulations to my Aunt Chris’ as her Toledo Walleye defeated my Fort Wayne Komets 4 games to 2 and advance to the Western Conference Finals in the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Question of the day – Did your favorite team make the playoffs?
– by Sean McKenzie
Stats and information courtesy of…..ESPN, NFL, NHL, MLB, ECHL, NBA, bleacherreport, UFC.
Pictures and video courtesy of…..wallpapercave, UFC, ECHL, bleacherreport, and YouTube.
For the 2nd time in 2 games, the #3 seeded New York Knicks overcome a 20-point deficit to beat the defending NBA Champion and #2 seeded Boston Celtics. The 91-90 victory last night, gives them a big 2-0 series lead going back home to Madison Square Garden.
The odds now heavily favor the Knicks, as 85.7% of teams who win the first 2 games on the road, end up taking the best of seven series.
SG Josh Hart led the team in points with 23, but it was C Karl Anthony-Towns with his team leading 17 rebounds. Dominating the glass and not allowing those pesky second chance shots by Boston. PG Jalen Brunson led with 7 assists. Check out the final seconds of the game below.
Game 3 is in New York, Saturday afternoon, at 3:30 PM (EST) on ABC.
The #1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder laid a 43-point butt whipping on the #4 seeded Denver Nuggets with a 149-106 victory at home.
The Thunder set an NBA record, scoring 87 points in the first half alone. The shots just weren’t falling for the Nuggets last night, and the Thunder made 56.2% of their shots, including 44.4% from beyond the arch. Full game highlights of the record-breaking night below.
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 34 points and assists with 8. PF Chet Holmgren had 11 rebounds.
It was a big win for the Thunder as the series is now tied 1-1, going to Denver.
Game 3 is Friday night, in Denver, at 10:00 PM (EST) on ESPN.
Golden State Warriors superstar PG Stephen Curry has Grade 1 left hamstring strain, is slated to miss at least 2 games, if not more.
Hamstring injuries are hard to recover from, as they can linger for weeks or months.
NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS AND NEWS.
The A1 Toronto Maple Leafs take a big 2-0 series lead over the defending Stanley Cup Champion and A3 Florida Panthers with a 4-3 victory at home. Full game highlights below.
Both teams got power play goals by Barkov (FLA) and Pacioretty (TOR) in the 1st period. Goals by Nylander and Domi, gave Toronto a 3-2 lead after 2 periods of play. Lundell scored at 5:33 of the 3rd to tie it at 3-3. Only 17 seconds later, Mitch Marner scored the eventual game winner at 5:50.
Game 3 is Friday night, in Sunrise, FL, at 7:00 PM (EST) on TNT, truTV, and Max.
The C2 Dallas Stars steal Game 1 in Winnepeg from the C1 Winnepeg Jets with a 3-2 win, to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
All 5 goals were scored in a wild and crazy 2nd period. Led by Stars RW Mikko Rantanen, who got his 2nd straight hat-trick. See all 3 goals below.
Game 2 is Friday night, in Winnepeg, at 9:30 PM (EST) on TNT, truTV, and Max.
The Utah Hockey Club in the NHL, now officially has a nickname and logo.
They will be called, the Utah Mammoth.
It was a 13-month process, and they had over 850,000 ballots cast by fans to come up with the name and logo.
It went through 4 rounds of “community voting” and this is the winner.
MLB SCORES AND NEWS.
The Guardians beat the Nationals 8-6.
The Yankees get the 4-3 win over the Padres in extra innings.
The Dodgers lay a beat down on the Marlins 10-1.
The Pittsburgh Pirates lose their 7th straight game to the streaking St. Louis Cardinals 5-0.
OTHER NEWS.
My Aunt Chris’ Toledo Walleye defeated my Fort Wayne Komets in double overtime, to get the 3-2 win, and tie the series at 2-2 in the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs. Game highlights below.
Game 5 is tonight, in Fort Wayne, IN. Puck drops at 7:35 PM (EST)
Get out and support your local pro and semi-pro teams.
– by Sean McKenzie
Stats and information courtesy of…..ESPN, NBA, NHL, MLB.
Pictures and videos courtesy of…..YouTube, myhighplains, and the ChicagoSunTimes.
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