Month: September 2022

Jordan Mims punched it in from the one-yard line to help the Fresno State Bulldogs take a 7-0 lead over the Cal Poly Mustangs.

New York reportedly put together a significant offer in its pursuit of the three-time NBA All-Star.

From the moment Jazz general manager Justin Zanik refuted his statement that Donovan Mitchell was untouchable in a potential trade in July, discussions surrounding the Knicks’ interest in putting together a trade package for Mitchell began to heat up.

However, following the news that Utah traded Mitchell to the Cavaliers for three unprotected first-round draft picks (2025, ’27 and ’29) and two pick swaps (’26 and ’28) on Thursday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Knicks put together a notable initial offer before center Mitchell Robinson signed his four-year, $60 million deal on July 1. The Knicks’ package included RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Robinson and three unprotected first-round picks, per Wojnarowski. However, the Jazz declined the offer, leading to Robinson signing his deal.

Even in its earliest negotiations that began nearly two months ago, New York made it clear that it had no interest in including guard RJ Barrett in the deal in pursuit of Mitchell. However, Wojnarowski reported that Utah and New York “inched closer” in a trade for Mitchell on Sunday night into Monday that included Barrett and Quentin Grimes. However, the Knicks were reluctant, per Wojnarowski.

In their attempt to still acquire Mitchell, the Knicks reportedly pitched guard Immanuel Quickley as a replacement option for Grimes. However, Utah requested three unprotected first-round picks in the deal and New York only wanted to do a “third first-round selection that included top-five protections”, according to Wojnarowski. Had the Knicks agreed to the Jazz’s trade provisions, the deal would have included Milwaukee’s 2025 first-round pick, two second-round selections, two pick swaps and two expiring contracts from a third team, according to Wojnarowski.

In the end, the Knicks’ attempt to acquire Mitchell came to and end on Tuesday and Barrett signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension to remain in New York. As Barrett secured his future in the Big Apple, Cavaliers president of operations Koby Altman had been discussing a trade for Mitchell late last week but the two teams failed to reach an agreement, per Wojnarowski. But Altman reportedly reached out again on Tuesday morning and initiated the talks for the possible trade. Two days later, Cleveland secured the deal. 

While the Jazz were communicating with the Cavaliers, the Knicks still felt that they had solid chance to acquire Mitchell due to his connection to the New York area. But, according to Wojnarowski, Utah did not engage in talks with New York this week.

More NBA Coverage:

• The Knicks Should Be Glad They Didn’t Win the Donovan Mitchell Sweepstakes
• Rapper J. Cole Featured on NBA 2K23 Cover
• Jeanie Buss Says Westbrook Was Lakers’ ‘Best Player Last Year’

Daniel Richardson connects with Jalen McGaughy for a 54-yard touchdown. Central Michigan Chippewas trail the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 44-58.

Rookie Spencer Strider set an Atlanta Braves’ franchise record, racking up 16 strikeouts and allowing just two hits over eight innings against the Colorado Rockies.

Check out this squirrel who is on the loose at the New Mexico State Aggies and Minnesota Golden Gophers game.

The Alabama coach wants his team to focus on one game at a time instead of looking ahead at the schedule.

Alabama coach Nick Saban brought back his infamous metaphor on Thursday night while discussing the upcoming college football season.

Alabama faces Utah State on Saturday for its first 2022 season game, yet the focus of questions Saban answers are on the team’s Week 2 game against Texas.

The 70-year-old refers to this outside media noise as “rat poison,” because the questions on games far in the future and other outside narratives distract his team from the upcoming game. He brought his famous phrase back while speaking on the Hey Coach and the Nick Saban Show on Thursday.

“I think the rat poison this year … it’s worse than ever,” Saban said, via AL.com’s Mike Rodak. “I’ve had more people ask me about how we’re going to do against Texas this week than how we’re going to do against Utah State.”

The national championship runners-up want to focus one game at a time and not get too far ahead of themselves. Apparently this year, the focus on the Week 2 game is a big problem, based on Saban’s quote.

Despite what Saban wants for his team and his fans to focus on, fans seem to be more excited about Alabama facing Texas with its new quarterback in Quinn Ewers. Additionally, Saban will face his former assistant Steve Sarkisian, who now works as the Longhorns’ head coach.

More CFB Coverage:

• Coastal Carolina’s McCall Will Appear on NASCAR Driver’s Car
• The Pressure’s on at Ohio State. That’s How Ryan Day Likes It.
• Sleeper Class of 2023 QB Recruits Worth a Late Look
• Bama Central: Oatis, Prentice Get Opportunity to Perform as True Freshmen in Season Opener 

For more Alabama coverage, go to Bama Central. 

The sister duo won 14 Grand Slam titles together throughout their careers, along with three Olympic gold medals.

Serena and Venus Williams’s doubles career together is likely over after they lost to the Czech doubles team of Linda Nosková and Lucie Hradecká 7–6(5), 6–4 on Thursday during the U.S. Open.

The Williams sisters brought a primetime night match to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time thanks to Serena’s retirement farewell tour. The 23-time Grand Slam champion plans to “evolve” away from tennis sometime after the U.S. Open.

The first set highlighted a back and forth battle between the two doubles teams as they brought the set to a tiebreak. The Williams sisters kept it close, but then dropped the set.

They quickly got down in the second set by losing the first three games. They were able to bring the set to a 4–4 tie before the Czech team won the last two games to seal the victory.

The duo has 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together throughout their careers. They won their first doubles major title in 1999 at the U.S. Open, the same event and year that Serena captured her first singles major title.

On top of that, the sisters have 22 doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals for the doubles tournament.

The younger Williams sister’s tennis career isn’t quite over yet. She will return to Arthur Ashe on Friday night to play in the third round of the singles draw against Australian Ajla Tomljanović. Williams beat Danka Kovinić in straight sets in round one, and then she upset the World No. 2 Anett Kontaveit in three sets on Wednesday night.

The older Williams sister hasn’t announced any plans of a retirement yet. She told the media after her first round singles loss on Tuesday that she was “just focused on doubles” at that point and not thinking of retirement.

More Tennis Coverage:

• Nick Kyrgios Fined for Unsportsmanlike Conduct at U.S. Open
• Ukraine’s Kostyuk on Why She Refused to Shake Azarenka’s Hand
• Kontaveit Instagram Post Goes Viral After Loss to Serena Williams

Daily Cover: Predicting All 272 Games of the 2022 NFL Season 

Oklahoma State Cowboys’ QB Spencer Sanders scored his sixth TD of the game after connecting with Bryson Green on a seven-yard TD pass.