Sports

New pass interference rules and reviews lead to lots of confusion

Published on Fri, 11/08/2019 - 3:20pm
Article Image Alt Text

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When the yellow flag flew for defensive pass interference on Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes in a recent game, coach Mike Zimmer immediately contested the call.

His newfound right to seek a replay, however, went unexercised. The email Zimmer received earlier in the day from the NFL, containing current statistics on the experimental penalty reviews, had already dashed that hope.

“They haven’t overturned any, so I said, ‘Screw it,’” Zimmer said after Minnesota beat Washington on Oct. 24.

No. 3 Ohio State sits star DE Chase Young

Published on Fri, 11/08/2019 - 3:18pm

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — No. 3 Ohio State announced Friday it will not play star defensive end Chase Young against Maryland this weekend amid concerns he violated NCAA rules by taking a loan last year from someone he describes as a “family friend.”

The surprising move was disclosed in the team’s status report and depth chart for Saturday’s game. Ohio State said only that Young was being held out because of a “possible NCAA issue from last year” the athletic department is “looking into.” The school did not elaborate or say how long he might be out.

SPORTS SHORTS

Published on Fri, 11/08/2019 - 3:17pm

Police to seek hazing-related charges for 3 football players

WARREN, Mich. (AP) — Three football players at a Catholic high school in suburban Detroit should face charges after an investigation found some players were subjected to hazing involving a broomstick, police said.

The investigation began last week after all-boys De La Salle Collegiate said it would forfeit a playoff game and end the football season due to hazing incidents. The school had won two consecutive state championships.

NBA: Leonard not healthy, so Clippers allowed to rest him

Published on Thu, 11/07/2019 - 3:41pm
Article Image Alt Text

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard isn’t healthy three weeks into the season, according to the NBA, which says that as a result the Los Angeles Clippers can rest their new superstar.

He was on the bench against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks for a national TV game Wednesday night, the first half of a back-to-back for the Clippers. They host Portland on Thursday night, and coach Doc Rivers said Leonard would play.

Mitchell scores 24, Jazz outlast 76ers for win

Published on Thu, 11/07/2019 - 3:40pm
Article Image Alt Text

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Rebounding became a primary focus for the Utah Jazz after they struggled on the boards in two straight losses. It turned into an area of strength against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Donovan Mitchell had 24 points and eight assists as the Jazz beat Philadelphia 106-104 on Wednesday night thanks in large part to their effort on the glass. Utah had a 50-42 edge in rebounds over the Sixers, who were sixth in the NBA in rebounding through their first six games.

Da Silva scores 21 to lead Stanford past Montana

Published on Thu, 11/07/2019 - 3:39pm

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Stanford junior Oscar da Silva claimed it was an easy adjustment and the Cardinal made it look easy, recovering from a poor first half to win going away.

da Silva scored 21 points and Stanford beat Montana 73-62 in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday night. The Cardinal were up 30-28 at halftime.

“We started sloppy,” said the junior forward, who also grabbed four rebounds and blocked a shot. “We had a good game plan and found our rhythm. We played together and got back to what we came here to do.”

LSU, ‘Bama loaded with playmaking wide receivers

Published on Thu, 11/07/2019 - 3:38pm

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Forget the Heisman, maybe quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa can settle the question of who has the better wide receivers.

No. 1 LSU’s Burrow and No. 2 Alabama’s Tagovailoa both could make a strong case going into Saturday’s game.

It’s Jerry Jeudy vs. Justin Jefferson. DeVonta Smith against Ja’Marr Chase. Henry Ruggs III and Terrace Marshall Jr.

In other words, it’s two of the best collections of receivers in college football with Heisman Trophy-caliber quarterbacks throwing to them.

Yellow flags, red flags, black eyes for NFL’s 100th season

Published on Thu, 11/07/2019 - 3:38pm

The NFL’s 100th season has not been worth celebrating even if the history of the league is.

Several teams are tanking, penalties are wrecking the flow of games, some of the biggest stars have been sidelined, the new pass interference rule appears to have been adapted only to quiet the uproar that started after last season’s NFC championship game and even though ratings are up, it all looks like one big mess on TV.

Russians fight over doping data breach

Published on Thu, 11/07/2019 - 3:37pm
Article Image Alt Text

KATOWICE, Poland (AP) — For years, Russian leaders portrayed pursuit of the doping scandal that has paralyzed the country’s Olympic aspirations as a mission driven by political interests in the West. On Thursday, fissures erupted between their own countrymen, ratcheting up the tension in advance of a decision that could determine the country’s fate for next summer’s Tokyo Games.

Harden scores 36, Rockets rout Warriors

Published on Thu, 11/07/2019 - 3:35pm
Article Image Alt Text

HOUSTON (AP) — Despite an entirely different lineup of Golden State Warriors, James Harden was still out for blood Wednesday night.

Harden had 36 points and 13 assists and the Houston Rockets routed Golden State 129-112, sending the short-handed Warriors to their sixth loss in eight games this season.

Less than six months ago, a vastly different roster of Warriors ended another Houston playoff run for the third time in four seasons.