Sports

Running Rangers

Published on Fri, 09/03/2021 - 2:12pm
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US draws 0-0 at El Salvador in World Cup qualifying opener

Published on Fri, 09/03/2021 - 2:11pm
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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — American players and the entire U.S. soccer community waited 1,424 days for this moment. Neither a triumph nor another tumble, the night showed problems mixed among promise.

“First reaction is disappointed,” defender Tim Ream said after a 0-0 draw at El Salvador on Thursday night in the opener of pandemic-delayed World Cup qualifying.

NFL returns social justice helmet decals, end zone stencils

Published on Thu, 09/02/2021 - 4:04pm
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(AP) -— NFL players can wear social justice messages on their helmets again this season and “It Takes All of Us” and “End Racism” will be stenciled in end zones for the second straight year as part of the league’s Inspire Change platform.

The league will also bring back the “Say Their Stories” initiative and for the first time, each team will highlight its social justice work during a regular-season home game in Weeks 17 and 18.

New-look US opens World Cup qualifying, 4 years after flop

Published on Thu, 09/02/2021 - 4:02pm
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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — They landed on a charter flight, just three veterans of the devastating defeat four years earlier along with 20 fresh faces and a new coaching staff.

Christian Pulisic and Zack Steffen were left behind.

Ohio State opens at Minnesota, backs new QB in ‘big moments’

Published on Wed, 09/01/2021 - 4:49pm
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ohio State has a new quarterback this fall, just like several other national title contenders.

For the fourth-ranked Buckeyes, this turnover — from NFL first-round draft pick Justin Fields to C.J. Stroud — could be as unsubtle as anywhere in the country. Stroud has yet to attempt a college pass, a scenario the program has not experienced since 1952.

His teammates, however, saw all they needed to see over the last month in practice from the 6-foot-3, 215-pound second-year freshman.

ACC teams hope vaccinations reduce COVID-19 setbacks in ‘21

Published on Wed, 09/01/2021 - 4:48pm

(AP) — North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren remembers the stress attached to every round of COVID-19 testing for his football program last season. 

Concern remains about the ongoing pandemic, though Doeren and his Atlantic Coast Conference peers are counting on high vaccination rates to minimize risks of illnesses or lineup-depleting contact tracing. That has meant teams working through the offseason’s final weeks toward an 85% threshold of vaccinated players, coaches and staffers to allow an easing of mitigation steps such as social distancing at team meals or traveling. 

Osaka wins US Open return, hopes to ‘believe more in myself’

Published on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 3:46pm
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NEW YORK (AP) — Here’s the realization Naomi Osaka came to, gradually and only recently: If other people think a lot of her, she probably should, too.

Alexy nearly flawless in debut as Rangers beat Rockies 4-3

Published on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 3:46pm

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A.J. Alexy won his major league debut pitching one-hit ball through five shutout innings while DJ Peters, Leody Taveras and Nick Solak homered in consecutive innings as the Texas Rangers hung on to beat the Colorado Rockies 4-3 on Monday.

Alexy (1-0) allowed only a second-inning double to C.J. Cron. The 23-year-old who was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock earlier in the day struck out four and walked three throwing 81 pitches. Alexy helped himself in the fifth following a leadoff walk to Raimel Tapia by picking him off first base for the second out.

Rangers steamrolled by Locomotives in varsity’s return to McLeod

Published on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 4:00pm
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After two years of absence, Park High School Varsity football was back at McLeod Field Saturday night, suffering a 47-0 loss to the Laurel Locomotives. 

Fans showed out well on the night, with an enthusiastic student section leading cheers. Even the osprey who built a nest atop one of the stadium lights — shut down for the birds’ safety — contributed to the din, letting out cries from their nest. 

Dolphins coach: Team wants players with ‘high character’

Published on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 3:56pm
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MIAMI (AP) — As speculation swirled Monday regarding the Miami Dolphins’ interest in embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson, coach Brian Flores said the team wants players with “high character.”

The Dolphins have declined to confirm or deny reports they have engaged in trade talks to acquire Watson, the Houston Texans’ star who has been accused of sexual assault and harassment in lawsuits filed by 22 women.