Month: September 2022

Coach Jim Stagnitta’s club is “not trying to think too far down the road about what could be” but looks to capture its third title in four seasons.

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The first two seasons of the PLL ended with the same result: a euphoric on-field celebration by Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club, having claimed the league championship. A three-peat, however, was cut short last September as Whipsnakes fell to Chaos Lacrosse Club, in the sport’s biggest game, by five goals.

A year later, as the PLL playoffs begin this weekend with Whipsnakes holding the league’s No. 1 seed, goalie Kyle Bernlohr says he doesn’t use the word dynasty to describe what a title would mean for his organization. 

“Other people outside of our can team can use those buzz words and determine what they want to determine for themselves,” he says.

But Whipsnakes, who earned a bye into the league semis, are eyeing their third title in the four seasons. They would become just the third team in men’s professional outdoor lacrosse history to accomplish the feat, and the first since the PLL debuted in 2019.

Coming into this season, coach Jim Stagnitta says he sought to understand why last year proved to be so challenging (despite reaching the title game, the Whipsnakes went 5–4 and entered the playoffs as the No. 5 seed). A lot of their woes stemmed from complacency.

“Becoming comfortable. Making assumptions that we would be there,” Stagnitta says. “The assumption that it was just gonna happen because we were the Whipsnakes. I felt like it was pretty obvious that was not sustainable or viable.”

Throughout the offseason and into the summer, Stagnitta, instead, pushed for a renewed focus on the short-term and urged his players not to look too far ahead. 

“We’re not trying to think too far down the road about what could be,” Bernlohr says.

The Whipsnakes roster features two of the league’s recent three MVPs, in attackmen Matt Rambo and Zed Williams, but their defense has been instrumental to their recent success. “[It] has been what’s kept us in games and held us there until our offense started to evolve,” Stagnitta says.

Defensemen Matthew Dunn and Tim Muller have been staples of the group’s backline, as have midfielders Jake Bernhardt, Michael Ehrhardt and Ty Warner. Bernlohr, minus a blip at the end of last season that led to him asking not to start to the semifinals in an effort to give his team the best chance to advance, has been a stalwart in goal.

After a 9-1 regular season, they enter the upcoming postseason No. 1 in goals against and No. 1 in defensive efficiency. As important to its stellar year has been the club’s performance in close games. Between 2019-2021, the Whipsnakes went 6–2 in one-goal, regular-season contests. They are 4–0 in one-goal games in 2022, with seven of their wins coming by two scores or fewer.

Throughout this season, Stagnitta has, at times, reminded his group they are just a few goals away from being under .500, or worse. But in tense moments, they have seldom been fazed.

“Everyone’s calm and relaxed,” says Rambo, who finished the 10-game campaign with 32 points.

Adds Stagnitta: “When you’re winning that many one-goal games, it’s not just luck. At some point, there is something to it. They’re comfortable and confident in stressful situations and sometimes we play our best in situations with our backs against the wall.”

While the Whipsnakes offense finished the season in the bottom three of scores entering the postseason, Joseph Nardella remains a force on faceoffs, winning 65% of draws, second-best in the league. Rambo and Williams, while having more muted seasons by their standards, are also still among the sport’s best goal-scorers. Plus, explains Rambo, “I think we’re a little bit hungrier this year because that was our first championship loss.”

The Philadelphia Barrage and Chesapeake Bayhawks both took home three titles in four seasons. But they did so in the MLL, prior to the league’s merger with the PLL ahead of the ’21 campaign. The current consolidation of lacrosse talent makes the sport’s single entity perhaps as strong as its ever been. A third Whipsnakes title, as a result, could prove to be even more historic.

“The standard is always the same,” Bernlohr says. “Our goal is to win it all. We have all the pieces to do it again.” 

Cooper Kupp and Jonathan Taylor are tied at SI Sportsbook for the best odds to win NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

When reviewing the potential winning options to win the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year award, I’m pretty narrow-minded in my choices.

For a player to win, he has to lead his position in multiple categories or help an unexpected team to a playoff season with exceptional success.

NFL Awards Betting: Coach | Comeback Player | Defensive Rookie | Offensive Rookie | Defensive Player

Here are the latest odds at SI Sportsbook and my top choices.

2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Odds

Cooper Kupp (WR, LAR) +800
Jonathan Taylor (RB, IND) +800
Deebo Samuel (WR, SF) +100)
Derrick Henry (RB, TEN) +1000
Davante Adams (WR, LV) +1400
Justin Jefferson (WR, MIN) +1400
Christian McCaffrey (RB, CAR) +1800
Josh Allen (QB, BUF) +1800
Nick Chubb (RB, CLE) +1800
Patrick Mahomes (QB, KC) +1800
Justin Herbert (QB, LAC) +2000
Kyler Murray (QB, ARZ) +2200
Lamar Jackson (QB, BAL) +2200
Aaron Rodgers (QB, GB) +2500
Joe Burrow (QB, CIN) +2500
Travis Kelce (TE, KC) +2800
Dak Prescott (QB, DAL) +3000
Tom Brady (QB, TB) +3000
Trey Lance (QB, SF) +3000
Jalen Hurts (QB, PHI) +3300
Ja’Marr Chase (WR, CIN) +3300
Matthew Stafford (QB, LAR) +3300
Russell Wilson (QB, DEN) +3300
Aaron Jones (RB, GB) +4000
CeeDee Lamb (WR, DAL) +4000
Derek Carr (QB, LV) +4000
Stefon Diggs (WR, BUF) +4000

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RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (+800)

This draft season, there is only one back that has youth on his side who is still on a vertical climb. Jonathan Taylor is a powerful, high-volume runner with the skill set to dominate on all three downs. The Colts will use a second back, but there is no stopping this runaway freight train once the winning plays and weeks come in. He has an excellent chance of leading the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns.

RB Props: Rushing Yds | Rushing TD | Taylor | CMC | Ekeler | Harris

As expected, Taylor is the favorite to win the award with Cooper Kupp.

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QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (+1800)

If the Bills don’t make it to the Super Bowl, it will be a disappointing end to the year for Josh Allen. Buffalo is the SI Sportsbook favorite to win the Super Bowl, and Allen must carry the team on his back.

His ability to make plays in the run game, paired with improving value in the passing game, gives him a high floor and elite ceiling at his position.

QB Props: Passing Yards | Passing TD | Brady | Herbert | Allen

I expect an excellent year, thanks to an exciting pair of lead wideouts in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.

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QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (+2000)

There should be an offensive show in many division matchups in the AFC West. Patrick Mahomes continues to get plenty of respect in fantasy drafts, but his arsenal at wide receiver could disappoint. Justin Herbert has the best combination of receiving talent at running back and wide receiver in their division, and he has just as high of a ceiling as Mahomes.

AFC West Over/Under Wins Total: KC | LV | LAC | DEN | Division Odds

Russell Wilson and Derek Carr will have something to say about winning the AFC West. Herbert will throw the ball early and often, and the Chargers’ defense should do enough to close out more wins. For Herbert to win this award, he must win the division title plus rank at the top of the league in passing yards and touchdowns.

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QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (+2500)

After Week 1 of the regular season, the outlook of Joe Burrow and his receiving corps will be much higher. He has two of the best wideouts in the league with an improved offensive line. If Burrow gets a couple more ticks on the clock to throw the ball, he will destroy defenses with the deep passing game.

AFC North Over/Under Wins Total: CIN | PIT | CLE

Ja’Marr Chase is a complete monster, just waiting to be respected as the league’s top wideout. Tee Higgins would be a clear-cut WR1 but draws WR2 coverage in this offense. There is an excellent chance Burrow will lead the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. His chance of taking home the award would be significantly helped if his success turned into a division title and a deep postseason run.

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WR Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (+33300)

Chase outperformed most experts’ expectations in his rookie season by delivering the fifth-ranked wide receiver season (81/1,455/13). I see a further progression, leading to him being my top-ranked wideout in 2022.

WR Props: Receiving Yards | Receiving TD | Kupp | Jefferson | Adams | Hill

Chase is a generational talent in the realm of Jerry Rice with a Hall of Fame pedigree. He brings more explosiveness than both Kupp and Justin Jefferson, and I expect him to get more targets over the short areas of the field to help add consistency to his week-to-week production.

The Bengals’ star is my top choice to lead the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns. If he pushes for 2,000 receiving yards, he has to be a top consideration in the offensive player of the year award.

OTHER OPTIONS: WR Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (+800); WR Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (+1400); WR Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills (+4000)

BET: Ja’Marr Chase (+3300)

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Check the Latest Odds from SI Sportsbook

More Betting, Fantasy and NFL:
• Week 1 CFB Bets-Thursday
• U.S. Open Men’s Single Odds
• Bengals Over/Under
• SI Fantasy Draft Kit
• Best Ball Mock Draft
• 2023 NFL Mock Draft

The Broncos traded a huge haul to add Wilson this offseason. They committed to him with a new deal through 2028.

Here’s everything you need about Thursday’s West Virginiai-Pittsburgh game, from the point spread, moneyline and total over/under.

The tennis superstar’s answer managed to send the media corps into a fit of laughter.

Serena Williams stunned fans as she pulled off a massive upset 7–6(4), 2–6, 6–2 over No. 2 Anett Kontaveit on Wednesday night. 

She seemed to turn back the clock as she showed flashes of her earlier playing years during the second-round U.S. Open match, reminding the sports world why she is one of the GOATs. The 40-year-old powered through the first set but seemed to falter in the second, resulting in her leaving the floor before the third set began. 

Williams roared back during that final set to secure a spot in the third round as various celebrities came out to see her play at her last U.S. Open. 

During the post-match press conference, Williams was asked about what she does in between sets. The reporter referenced how Novak Djokovic has previously said he splashes water on his face and gives himself “a talking to out-loud,” as the reporter worded it.  

“Yeah, no I just got lighter,” Williams said before chuckling. “Use your imagination, but it wasn’t No. 2.” 

The tennis star started laughing along with the media corps. 

Williams won’t get much rest before her next singles match as she’s set to take the court with her older sister, Venus, on Thursday night in a doubles match. The power duo have accumulated 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together. 

Serena announced her plan to retire, or “evolution” from tennis, prior to this year’s U.S. Open. She has not won a major tournament since the 2017 Australian Open, which she competed in while pregnant with her daughter Olympia. 

More Extra Mustard Coverage:

• Serena Williams’s Response to Post-Match Question Goes Viral
• Father of Player Released By Patriots Has Message for Bill Belichick
• Teen Golfer Registers Two Holes-in-One in 20-Minute Span

Daily Cover: City vs. Country. Steel vs. Coal. … It’s Pitt vs. WVU! 

Tuivasa plans to shake up The Shooey, but oddsmakers favor Ciryl Gane Saturday.

Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrated’s in-depth look at MMA. Every week, this column offers insight and information on the most noteworthy stories in the fight world.

Tai Tuivasa has yet to try French beer. He plans to indulge Saturday following his bout against Ciryl Gane, which headlines UFC Fight Night in Paris.

“I’ve heard there are some great French beers in Paris, and I’m thirsty,” Tuivasa says. “I’m looking forward to trying them after the fight.”

Those alcoholic beverages likely won’t be to celebrate, but rather to console Tuivasa after defeat. His plan to kick off a raucous weekend with a Shooey–a uniquely distinct victory celebration where Tuivasa drinks beer out of a shoe–is unlikely to happen, as he fights an opponent in Gane with a style perfectly engineered to rip apart power punchers.

Gane (10-1), a former interim UFC heavyweight champion, possesses far superior technical ability. He has the capability to swing with Tuivasa (14-3), where it would be anyone’s fight, but it is much more likely that he will smolder Tuivasa’s fire by forcing him to the ground and wearing him out.

Tuivasa’s power gives him a shot in any fight. He has been on a tear in the heavyweight division, winning five in a row–four of those via knockout and the other a TKO. Most recently, Tuivasa turned Derrick Lewis’ lights out in February, dropping Lewis with a vicious elbow and taking his No. 3 ranking.

“I have a lot of respect for Derrick,” Tuivasa says. “He’s ‘The Knockout King’ for a reason, and he earned that nickname. But that fight was everything I expected it to be. It was a great fight, it was entertaining, and I showed I can knock him out, too.”

Unfortunately, for Tuivasa, this isn’t Lewis that he’ll be facing Saturday, and he’s not in Houston, where big fights have been a house of horrors for Lewis. Gane stands as an exponentially more challenging test, the kind that Tuivasa has yet to defeat.

“I know he’s very skillful, and maybe he’s even better than me,” Tuivasa says. “But the moment I wake up, I’m ready. We’ll see who shows up to fight.”

Tuivasa will seek to cause problems by doing what he does best. That means moving forward aggressively, biting down on his mouthguard and attacking. No heavyweight is untouchable, and Tuivasa has a chance if he can land his shots.

“One punch can put anyone’s lights out,” Tuivasa says. “That goes for me, too. If I dink him, I sink him. That’s the plan.”

As unlikely as it is that Tuivasa will emerge victorious, uncertainty and unpredictability are sewn into the UFC’s fabric. Remarkably, if Tuivasa lands a shot and knocks out Gane, then he will likely have punched his ticket into a heavyweight title bout. His next opponent would be unknown, as it could be reigning champ Francis Ngannou, who is still recovering from a knee injury, or an interim title bout against Stipe Miocic or even Jon Jones.

“This fight against Ciryl, it is for the top contender spot,” Tuivasa says. “Whether it’s Francis next, or an interim belt, that’s all politics and not my decision. But the winner of this will get a shot at the belt.

“My main focus is a bigger payday, and all three of those guys are all great fighters, ones that are in the history books. Francis, Stipe, or Jones, I’d love to fight any of them. That’s what I want, to have a crack with the best of the best.”

In an overwhelming fashion, oddsmakers have Gane positioned to win this contest. Tuivasa is quite familiar with being overlooked and under-appreciated, but he will rewrite his narrative the moment he finds a way to put Gane to sleep.

If Tuivasa unveils the first-ever Parisian Shooey Saturday, he will likely attain a shot at UFC gold.

“A title shot, that’s the carrot at the end of the road,” Tuivasa says. “That’s what I’m heading toward, but I’m not overlooking the challenge in front of me on Saturday.”

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Raufeon Stots and Danny Sabatello don’t agree on much, minus this one exception

With all due respect to the five winners from Dana White’s Contender Series Tuesday night, when each victorious fighter earned a UFC contract, there was another impressive performance that took place earlier this week.

This one, however, wasn’t a fight in the cage, but rather a skirmish on the set of The MMA Hour. That was where reporter/on-air personality Ariel Helwani displayed fortitude by standing in between rising Bellator stars Raufeon Stots and Danny Sabatello as they were about to come to blows.

Stots defends his interim bantamweight championship against Sabatello this December at Bellator 289 in the Bantamweight World Grand Prix semifinals. Stots and Sabatello have been on a media tour all week to promote the upcoming bout, and their insults toward one another on The MMA Hour escalated to the point where it started to get physical–until Helwani stepped in to break it up.

“If it wasn’t for Ariel, I would have beat the s— out of Sabatello,” Stots says. “The only thing bringing me back was the respect I have for Ariel.”

Stouts and Sabatello are both phenomenal wrestlers, but they were at odds about practically everything else this week. The lone exception was a mutual respect for Helwani and his gumption to break up their skirmish.

“I didn’t think Ariel was that quick,” Sabatello says. “I was up fast and in Raufeon’s face after he said some stupid s—, but Ariel got in there quickly. I think he expected something was going to happen, and he was right about that. If I’m in a room with that m————, I want to kick his ass. But I was impressed with Ariel’s reflex. He’s quicker than you think.”

The Stots-Sabatello bout adds further excitement to the end of the year for Bellator, and the winner of the World Grand Prix will also earn himself a million-dollar prize. The two bantamweights did outstanding work building interest for their fight, particularly while on the air with Helwani.

“The only reason I stopped before I kicked his ass is because Ariel asked,” Stots says. “That’s his show and I respect that. But come December, there won’t be anyone stopping me from kicking the s— out of Sabatello.”

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The Pick ‘Em Section:

UFC Fight Night heavyweight bout: Ciryl Gane vs. Tai Tuivasa

Pick: Ciryl Gane

UFC Fight Night middleweight bout: Robert Whittaker vs. Marvin Vettori

Pick: Robert Whittaker

UFC Fight Night middleweight bout: Alessio Di Chirico vs. Roman Kopylov

Pick: Alessio Di Chirico

UFC Fight Night lightweight bout: Nasrat Haqparast vs. John Makdessi

Pick: Nasrat Haqparast

UFC Fight Night featherweight bout: Nathaniel Wood vs. Charles Jourdain

Pick: Charles Jourdain

Last week: 3-1

2022 record: 96-58

More MMA Coverage:

• White: ‘Stop Asking Me About Jake Paul’
• White: Gane-Tuivasa Winner Enters UFC’s Heavyweight Title Picture
• Anik Proves Prophetic in the Greatest Knockout Call in UFC History
• Edwards on Knockout Kick to Upset Usman: ‘I Knew He Was Done’

Justin Barrasso can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.

A big opening weekend is on tap for the sport, but who will walk away with a victory?

Week 1 of the 2022 college football season is finally here, and the sport has a great opening weekend on tap.

Five days of games will kick off with the return of the Backyard Brawl on Thursday night as West Virginia and Pitt meet at Heinz Field (7 p.m. ET, ESPN). Purdue will also host Penn State (8 p.m. ET, Fox) that night, while another Big Ten clash will be held Friday night when Illinois travels to Indiana (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).

On Saturday, the headline games include Georgia hosting Oregon (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC), Utah meeting Florida in The Swamp (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) and Notre Dame and Ohio State battling in Columbus (7:30 p.m., ABC). 

With the NFL still a week away from starting, college football will also take center stage Sunday night with Florida State–LSU (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) and Monday night with Clemson–Georgia Tech (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Who will win the above matchups and more? Sports Illustrated’s picks are in for 14 key games.

Week 1 straight-up picks from SI’s experts:

Looking for more preseason college football insights? Be sure to check out SI’s preseason bowl projections, All-American team and most interesting Week 1 matchups.

More College Football Coverage:

• SI Experts Predict the Playoff, Heisman and More
• Week 1 Thursday College Football Odds and Bets
• If Power 5 Became Power 3, Who Would Be in It?