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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees looks on after the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Yankee Stadium on September 10, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees reacts after his fly ball was interfered with by fans during the sixth inning in game three of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on October 07, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 12: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees calls to the bullpen during the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on August 12, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) Getty

The New York Yankees are heating up in conversations about Anthony Volpe.

The headlining question is whether or not he should stay in New York.

As grueling as waiting can be, one MLB insider isn’t banking on getting an answer anytime soon.

MLB Insider Expects Yankees To Play the Waiting Game

GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees reacts after his fly ball was interfered with by fans during the sixth inning in game three of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on October 07, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)

Phillip Martinez of SNY released his payroll analysis for New York on Oct. 17.

In this analysis, he revealed his thought process on 25-year-old Volpe.

“Volpe has one more year of arbitration after this one, but based on how his 2026 went, the Yankees will likely wait before exploring an extension,” he wrote. “But he’d be a prime candidate if he takes the second base job and keeps it in 2027.”

If he can compete for the second base job and show consistency in his success, this could play out quite well for both parties down the road.

But that’s his one condition — play second base, and play it well.

His 2026 stat sheet won’t cut it. Between recovery, inconsistency, and having been demoted to Triple-A, his season was anything but flawless.

“Now, with Chisholm unlikely to return, Volpe has a chance to stay at second base,” Bryan Hoch of MLB.com noted on Oct. 16. “He has an influential supporter in his corner — Judge spoke highly of Volpe’s character and grit after the ALDS loss, saying, “If we were going to go win a World Series, we needed Anthony Volpe on the team.”

Volpe’s situation has been stirring up frustration for fans, but we are likely far away from any type of decision right now.

Yankees Are Facing a Long & Exhausting Offseason

GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 12: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees calls to the bullpen during the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on August 12, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

New York has several players set for free agency this year.

Of those impending free agents, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Trent Grisham, David Bednar and Paul Goldschmidt stand out most.

Not only could the Yankees be on the cusp of losing such valuable veterans, but skipper Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman are facing heat.

Then, add on the hectic nature of hot stove season, and New York is in for a chaotic next couple of months.

They’re not alone — every ballclub is going through similar motions.

New York had a dreadful ending to its 2026 run in the postseason, and the organization will do anything to avoid being in a similar position in years to come.

But will they make the necessary moves to make a deeper run?

Whether or not this means extending Volpe when the time comes, the franchise has heavy decisions to make.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post New York Yankees Could Delay Anthony Volpe Decision Until 2027 Breakout appeared first on HEAVY.

College football is unpredictable and delightful, which is why we live for what happens on Saturdays. And Week 7 absolutely delivered, with five (!) top-10 teams losing on the same day.
 
Each Sunday, I’ll publish my biggest takeaways from the college football weekend. I’ll highlight the most interesting storylines, track College Football Playoff contenders and specifically shout out individual and team performances that deserve the spotlight.
 

1. Maybe there are no elite teams in college football this year?

I don’t think there’s any other possible takeaway after a weekend that saw five of the top eight teams in college football fall. And Miami nearly lost to rival Florida State in double overtime! There appear to be a lot of very good college football teams that have flaws that can be exploited. No one is infallible. There are no unbeaten SEC teams left. UCLA (!) is the last undefeated team in the Big Ten. This season isn’t going according to anyone’s plan, with the teams that looked dominant against inferior competition struggling when  a team with comparable talent lines up across the field. Or maybe they just succumbed to the SEC’s game of musical chairs. Or perhaps their big-name quarterback no-showed.
 
The college football environment is flatter than it’s ever been before in the NIL and transfer portal age. Talent is dispersed more widely. If Alabama and Georgia can’t stockpile talent like they used to, then more teams have good players who can beat teams with other good players. It’s very fun but also chaotic. And it seems like it’s one of those years in this beautiful, insane sport.
 

2. Gunner Stockton is more unreliable than we thought he was.

I’ve never thought Georgia’s starting quarterback was one of the best in the sport. But I figured he was reliably consistent, someone who wasn’t going to cost his team games. That is no longer how I feel about Stockton! His three turnovers against Auburn — in particular, the last-minute fumble — put the Bulldogs in a precarious-to-terrible position. I know that Georgia had an emotional (and physically taxing) win over Alabama a week ago, so Auburn was catching the Dawgs in prime letdown position. But Georgia is supposed to be unflappable. Supposed to be ultra-reliable on defense, and supposed to be putting the team in good positions offensively. What Stockton did to cost his team was both out of character and genuinely shocking. And it’s a red flag.
 

3. Notre Dame probably should just win out to make the College Football Playoff. Unless it wants a few sleepless nights.

The Irish are in basically the same spot as last year. Their season comes down to two games, and they’ve got to win at least one, you’d think. Notre Dame could certainly use a win worthy of propping up a CFP-worthy resume! To avoid the stress of the bubble, Notre Dame should just beat Miami on Nov. 7. Then, there’s no ifs, ands or buts. Because, otherwise, it’s a 10-2 record with two losses to the two best teams on the schedule — and you’ve got to hope you stay ranked in the top 12 of the CFP rankings. It’s probably best to avoid that stress (and subjectivity) and finish 11-1.
 

4. BYU’s big win was perhaps even bigger for the Big 12 conference.

And the league knows it.
 

5. Ohio State and Indiana both have legit defenses. But what about their quarterbacks?

Ohio State starting quarterback Julian Sayin will probably be out for “several weeks,” Ryan Day said after the Buckeyes hung on to beat the Hoosiers on Saturday. The last time we saw Sayin on the broadcast, he was on the sidelines with his right arm in a sling. Josh Hoover played through a shoulder injury sustained midway through the game as well. But even before they got hurt, neither quarterback really starred in a game mostly defined by the defenses. Sayin and Hoover both missed wide-open receivers, and Sayin’s touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith was only successful because, well, it’s Jeremiah. He adjusted and made the play on the ball.
 
Even Hoover’s would-be game-winning throw to Nick Marsh should have been a lot simpler — if he got the ball out quicker. That final Indiana play is going to be one that keeps Curt Cignetti up at night; he said after the game it’s “a hard one to swallow.” Have we ever had this many questions about a QB who has an 18-0 TD-to-INT ratio?
 
Ohio State and Indiana both appear to have championship-caliber defenses. But due to health concerns (with Sayin) and performance concerns (with both when healthy on Saturday), it’s worth wondering what to expect from the quarterback position in big moments going forward.
 

6. Texas is having a no-good, very-bad time.

Two weeks ago, the Longhorns were ranked No. 1 in the nation — thanks entirely to that dramatic fourth-quarter comeback against Ohio State. But they didn’t look like the best team in the country. And now they’ve suffered two bad losses back-to-back. The Longhorn offense remains confounding and unimpressive, which puts more pressure on Steve Sarkisian to potentially give up playcalling. Texas has to do something.
 
Saturday’s loss to Florida was the Longhorns’ biggest blown lead at home against an unranked opponent since 1965. Against one of the worst pass defenses in the country, Arch Manning and co. accounted for just one passing touchdown and 173 total passing yards (and Manning fumbled with less than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter).
 
There is far too much talent on this offense — at least on paper — for this unit to be so ineffective. And now the season feels like it’s slipping away, with two losses already and games against Ole Miss, Missouri and LSU to go.  
 

7. Everything’s coming up JMU — again.

Earlier this week, I wrote about the former James Madison football coaches and what they’re doing at Indiana and UCLA. But how about the current head coach? Billy Napier’s Dukes are 7-0 and the clear favorites to win the Sun Belt. Could JMU get to the College Football Playoff for a second consecutive year? The eventual Pac-12 champion will have something to say about that, but it’ll be something worth tracking.

Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) and Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) celebrate an awarded empty-net goal during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

LAS VEGAS - The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-2, in an NHL game at T-Mobile Arena on October 17, 2026, and The Sporting Tribune's Paige Kuwata was there to capture the following images.

Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) and Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) celebrate an awarded empty-net goal during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Paige Kuwata - The Sporting Tribune

Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) and Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) celebrate an awarded empty-net goal during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas Golden Knights center Raphael Lavoie (36) fights off Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Paige Kuwata - The Sporting Tribune

Vegas Golden Knights center Raphael Lavoie (36) fights off Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) picks up the puck in the defensive zone during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Paige Kuwata - The Sporting Tribune

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) picks up the puck in the defensive zone during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas Golden Knights center Raphael Lavoie (36) attempts to score a goal against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov (1) during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Paige Kuwata - The Sporting Tribune

Vegas Golden Knights center Raphael Lavoie (36) attempts to score a goal against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov (1) during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) fights for the puck behind the net during an NHL game against the Vegas Golden Knights on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Paige Kuwata - The Sporting Tribune

Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) fights for the puck behind the net during an NHL game against the Vegas Golden Knights on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) blocks a shot from Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Paige Kuwata - The Sporting Tribune

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) blocks a shot from Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) rims the puck around the boards during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Paige Kuwata - The Sporting Tribune

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) rims the puck around the boards during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates a power play goal during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Paige Kuwata - The Sporting Tribune

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) celebrates a power play goal during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) battle for the puck during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Paige Kuwata - The Sporting Tribune

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) battle for the puck during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Vegas Golden Knights center Marc Gatcomb (17) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Connor Dewar (19) battle for the puck during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Paige Kuwata - The Sporting Tribune

Vegas Golden Knights center Marc Gatcomb (17) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Connor Dewar (19) battle for the puck during an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 17, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Gabriel Pirani scored the equalizer for Los Angeles in a four-goal first half to help the Galaxy earn a 2-2 draw with San Diego FC on Saturday night.

Los Angeles (10-11-10) jumped in front in the 4th minute when Sergi Roberto set up João Klauss for his ninth goal in 14 appearances this season.

Anders Dreyer pulled San Diego (8-12-10) even in the 10th minute when he scored on a penalty kick. Dreyer's 13th goal of the season came after Cédric Bakambu was fouled by LA keeper JT Marcinkowski.

The Galaxy regained the lead seven minutes later when Erik Thommy used assists from Harbor Miller and Marco Reus to score for the second time this season.

Pirani netted the equalizer in the 39th minute to cap the scoring. It was the midfielder's fourth goal in 10 matches this season.

Marcinkowski finished with five saves for the Galaxy, who have gone 4-2-2 since the start of September.

Pablo Sisniega saved seven shots in his second start this season for San Diego, which beat the Galaxy 3-1 at home to close out August but haven't won since — going 0-4-4.

Up next

San Diego: Hosts Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

Los Angeles: At Los Angeles FC on Oct. 26.

___

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

WATERTOWN — It took the program with the most success in the history of sanctioned South Dakota Class AA boys soccer to curtail Watertown's bid for its first-ever state championship.

Top-seeded Sioux Falls Lincoln (13-1-2) used a penalty-kick goal with 5:46 remaining in regulation to tie the game at 1-1 before eventually prevailing 2-1 after a penalty-kicks shootout on Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Allen Mitchell Athletic Complex.

The title was the sixth overall, and fourth in a row, for the Patriots since South Dakota sanctioned high school soccer in 2012. They earned with a gutsy effort that included a clutch save by senior goalie Opland Sonnichsen in the shootout.

"We've practice this (shootouts) the last month," Sonnichsen, a two-year starter in net, said. "I trust our offense, so I knew that one save would be enough."

In state high school playoff soccer, if the two teams are tied after regulation there is an overtime period that is divided into two 10-minute sessions. If the match is still tied after overtime, it goes to a shootout where each team selects five players to kick again the other's team goalie. The team take turns alternating shots. It keeps going to additional shooters until some team snaps the deadlock.

The first four shooters for each team — Carson Schlaht, Isaac Thorson, Roger Carranza and Matthew Bertsch for Watertown and Miles Rolfing, Charles Krueger, Holden Hilmoe and Grant Oleson — each made their shots before Sonnichsen stopped the scoring bid of Watertown's Xane Fligge. Marlo Gerling then fired his shot past Watertown goalie Owen Muller and the Patriots' celebration followed.

"I had a little hint, but it's really a big-guessing game when it comes to PKs ... a little luck on the dive," Sonnichsen said.

Lincoln spoiled the ending it what otherwise has been the most successful season in Watertown soccer history, not just the Arrows' history as a sanctioned AA team that started in 2014 but also to the program's many years of fielding a team in club soccer that dates back to 1999.

Watertown has spent years trying to play catchup against Sioux Falls and others that got a much-earlier start in the sport. Until Saturday, no Watertown team had never played for a state championship (club or high school, regardless of class).

The 2026 Arrows, a group that includes 16 seniors, put itself in the school's record books by compiling the most wins (16-1-1) and also the program's first Eastern South Dakota Conference title.

Watertown was less than six minutes away away from adding the state title to its resume thanks to Roger Carranza's goal just over seven minutes into the second half on Saturday. For Carranza, it was his 23rd goal of the season — a program record.

"I told the guys that we can't hang our heads about anything," Watertown coach Jesse Hauck said. "We figured it'd come down to the way it did. I'm so proud of this group, so happy for this group. I feel bad for the seniors, I really do, but there's nothing to hang our heads about."

Hauck, whose uncle Steve helped formed the Watertown Youth Soccer Association in the 1990s and served as the head coach for the first three Watertown high school boys soccer teams, said nobody was to blame.

"One shot, one miss or one this or that. You can say "what-if" leading up to that or whatever but I can't point a finger," he said. "We did everything we could. Sometimes it bounces your way and sometimes it doesn't. That's how the game is, unfortunately."

Carranza earned Offensive Player of the Game honors and Lincoln's Oleson earned Defensive Player of the Game honors.

In the end, Lincoln added another championship to its rich history. Watertown hopes that Saturday and the 2026 season will be a springboard to more opportunities.

"To see where our numbers are, I'm happy where everything is for Watertown soccer, not just on the school side but also on the club side," Hauck said. "There's going to be teams coming. We have too many good kids coming up, too many good coaches and too much motivation. Hopefully this just keeps driving that growth just to get back to this point again.

Here's more on Saturday's other championship games:

Class AA Girls

Second-seeded Harrisburg (16-0-2) captured its fifth-straight state title with a somewhat dominant performance in a 2-0 win over top-seeded Pierre (14-2-1). The two teams battled to a 0-0 draw in September.

In the rematch, Harrisburg set the tone from the start and fired more than 20 shots before Pierre even notched its first shot in the final two minutes of the match.

Despite the pressure, Harrisburg didn't find the net until Bria Miller scored on a penalty kick with 14:12 remaining in the second half. Rylee Gallagher added a second goal with 6:22 left.

Gallagher was selected as the Offensive Player of the Game and teammate Aubrey Zink the Defensive Player of the Game.

Pierre goalkeeper Emlyn Swanson shattered the championship record for most saves. Jillian Barkus of O'Gorman set the old record with 11 in 2015.

2026 SOCCER PLAYOFFS: Watertown edges SF Jefferson in state semis, gets six all-conference players

Class A Boys

Top-seeded James Valley Christian capped a perfect 16-0 season by winning a second-straight championship with a 4-0 victory over third-seeded Hot Springs (9-2-4).

Isaac Fast, who was selected as the Offensive Player of the Game, scored two goals and Gavin Waldner and Skylar Thielbar each added one to lead the Vikings. JVC led 2-0 at halftime and added two more goals in the second half.

JVC's Keeghan Hood earned Defensive Player of the Game honors.

Hot Springs wasn't able to score but did have a closer battle with JVC than the 8-1 loss they suffered in August. The Bison were playing in the championship game for the first time.

Class A Girls

Second-seeded Dakota Valley (14-1-1) earned some revenge with a 2-1 win on penalty kicks against two-time defending champion and top-seeded Sioux Falls Christian (11-3-1). The title was the first for the Panthers.

SFC beat Dakota Valley in a shootout to win last year's championship and it wasn't a surprise that the two teams had a similar ending this year. It was the third meeting this season between the two teams. SFC won the first 2-1 and the two teams battled to a 0-0 draw in the second.

The two teams also didn't score in the first half of Saturday's game. Victoria Gassen's goal with 27:11 in regulation gave SFC the lead. Dakota Valley tied the game just over 10 minutes later on a goal by Mallory Riibe.

Neither team scored the rest of the second half or in either of the two 10-minute periods for overtime. Dakota Valley goalkeeper Emma Honner stole the show in the shootout, stopping three Sioux Falls Christian shots in a row to lift the Panthers.

SFC's Maci Connell opened the shootout with a goal. Dakota Valley's Ava Squier answered to even the battle. Two saves by Honner, countered by successful shots by DV's Isabel Bradshaw and Raegan Kauffman left SFC needed to make its final two shots and stop the final two shots by DV.

Honner settled the matter by stopping another SFC shot. She was named the Defensive Player of the Game. Gassen was the Offensive Player of the Game.

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Harrisburg, SF Christian & James Valley Christian also win state titles

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Curt Cignetti of the Indiana Hoosiers and head coach Kalen Deboer of the Alabama Crimson Tide embrace after the game in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) GettyKNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 17: Kalen DeBoer of the Alabama Crimson Tide talks with staff while his team warms up before their game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Camden Hall/Getty Images) Getty

The Alabama Crimson Tide are facing a difficult reality following Saturday’s 26-10 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers, and head coach Kalen DeBoer made it clear that things are about to become considerably more demanding.

Alabama entered the season with championship expectations, but consecutive losses to Georgia and Tennessee have left the Crimson Tide at 5-2 and facing serious questions about their College Football Playoff hopes.

Following the defeat in Knoxville, DeBoer was asked what message he delivered to his players in the locker room. His response offered a revealing look at how he plans to handle the team’s struggles.

Rather than questioning his players’ effort, DeBoer emphasized that Alabama must embrace an even greater level of discomfort if it hopes to turn its season around.

Kalen DeBoer Warns Alabama Players Things Will Get Uncomfortable

“I just said it’s going to be really uncomfortable,” DeBoer said following the loss.

The Alabama coach explained that he wasn’t necessarily disappointed with his team’s preparation leading into the Tennessee matchup.

“It’s not like I didn’t feel like they practiced,” DeBoer said. “We had a lot of motivation to come back and have a great week and prepare for this game.”

However, the preparation didn’t translate into the result Alabama desperately needed.

“But moving forward, it’s going to be another level of uncomfortable,” DeBoer added.

The message comes at a particularly difficult time for Alabama, which has now lost consecutive regular-season games for the first time since 2007. Tennessee’s defense held the Crimson Tide to just 10 points, including a scoreless second half. The performance only intensified the pressure surrounding DeBoer and his program.

GettyKNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 17: Kalen DeBoer of the Alabama Crimson Tide talks with staff while his team warms up before their game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Camden Hall/Getty Images)

Still, the Alabama head coach doesn’t believe his players have stopped competing. He saw his players strapped to the very end. DeBoer saw that look in their eyes.

Alabama Coach Still Believes Crimson Tide Can Respond

DeBoer acknowledged that his players understand the pressure surrounding the program, particularly those who have experienced difficult stretches in previous seasons. He emphasized the importance of concentrating on one opponent rather than becoming overwhelmed by the larger implications of Alabama’s losses.

The coach also defended his players’ determination, explaining that he saw a team continuing to fight until the final moments against Tennessee.

“I thought just looking at the guys in the eyes and stuff; they were scraping until the end,” DeBoer said.

That effort gives him confidence Alabama can still respond, even as its margin for error continues to shrink. DeBoer told his players he believes they have the ability to overcome their struggles, but he also understands that belief alone won’t produce victories.

The Crimson Tide must improve their execution, eliminate costly mistakes and find greater consistency offensively. Their next opportunity comes October 24 against Texas A&M, a matchup that could have significant implications for Alabama’s postseason ambitions.

For DeBoer, the message is straightforward. Alabama’s season isn’t over, but returning to championship-level football will require a response that goes beyond simply practicing hard. The uncomfortable part begins now.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer Delivers Ominous Warning After Tennessee Loss appeared first on HEAVY.

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Viliami Teu ran for 156 yards and two touchdowns and San Jose State beat UTEP 24-11 on Saturday night.

Daniel Rolovich threw for 193 yards and a touchdown. Carson Clark had 104 yards receiving on five catches and a touchdown for the Spartans (4-3, 2-1 Mountain West).

Rolovich threw an 11-yard touchdown to Clark to end a nine-play, 80-yard drive that lasted 4:13 for a 7-0 lead with 7:59 left in the first quarter.

To start the third, Teu ran it in from the 2 to end a five-play, 75-yard drive that made it 14-0. Teu broke it open almost eight minutes later with a 67-yard scoring dash that made it 21-0.

The Miners' (0-6, 1-3) lone touchdown occurred when Nik Henry ran it in from the 8 with 10:52 left in the fourth. Jaden Smith completed the two-point conversion with a pass to Cash Cheeks for the final margin.

Raymond Moore III threw for 195 yards for UTEP.

Up next

San Jose State: Stays on the road to face Nevada on Saturday.

UTEP: Travels to North Dakota State on Oct. 31 after a bye week.

___

Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here. Visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here.

PROVO, UT - OCTOBER 17: Members of the Brigham Young Cougars student body shout as CJ Carr #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish steps to the line during the second half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s funny when you see true catholic guilt from the Notre Dame fanbase, and after Notre Dame’s 28-24 loss to BYU — it’s something other than funny.

It’s annoying.

Two things can be true at the same time. Hell, THREE THINGS can be true at the same time. So let’s state clearly what those “things” might be.

Notre Dame played like crap in the first half and made too many mistake throughout the game to win.

The last play of the game should have had a flag thrown for defensive pass interference as it was as blatantly obvious as it gets.

pic.twitter.com/NfKTV5E5uC

— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) October 18, 2026

The last play of the game shouldn’t have been the last play of the game because THERE WAS ONE SECOND LEFT ON THE CLOCK WHEN THE BALL HIT THE GROUND.

pic.twitter.com/i1tBX8rauv

— Mathematically Eliminated (@Matheliminated) October 18, 2026

The arguments about not leaving the game in the hands of the refs from the guilted ones will point to that first true thing as the end all and be all, which supercedes any other reasoning. And you know what? They aren’t wrong. So, for the sake of sanity, we will just forget one of the worst no-call DPI’s I’ve seen in quite some time, and scratch it from our things… of which we still have two.

Some might say that Notre Dame deserved to lose. Well — maybe they did, but they deserved to lose in a game that went the full 60 minutes.

It’s not anywhere close to “making an excuse” to say that there was one second left on the clock and Notre Dame got screwed out of having one more chance to score from the 6 yard line. And to think… we already saw this kind of crazy stuff this year with the Michigan and Western Michigan game.

Notre Dame’s offensive gameplan and execution was poor. Notre Dame’s defensive gameplan and execution was also poor. Ultimately, the defense got its act together for the most part in the second half, but the damage was already done. The offense never seemed to fully get it together. Notre Dame deserved to lose, but did they deserve to be cheated out of a final play?

No, of course not. It’s why even those that don’t really care for Notre Dame are looking at this game and saying… there should have been one second still on the clock bruh. So, yeah, we can take the DPI out of it entirely, and we’re still sitting here with one second left on the clock which would have allowed one more play from the 6 yard line for the Irish.

Notre Dame (or any team) should never leave the fate of the game in the refs hands, but when the officials actually steal away one last chance — that’s on them and they deserve the any and all criticism and amonishment. It was a travesty of justice and home cooking you would have seen back in the balck and white television days.

I thought we moved forward in life and left the stealing of games in the past, but I guess not.

I thought this Notre Dame team was different than those in the recent past that had all the potential to not lose games like this, but I guess not.

Two things can be true at the same time. Notre Dame had the ending of this game stolen from them, and Notre Dame did everything possible to make sure it could happen.

What time is confession?

Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Notre Dame fans up in arms after controversial PI no-call ends BYU game appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Coach Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish fell to 6-1 with a controversial 28-24 road loss to BYU that included an outrageously good catch by Marcus Gilbert. BYU survived a late Fighting Irish surge to secure the victory, but a controversial no-call on an alleged pass interference remained fresh in the minds of many after the game.

A BYU defender, Evan Johnson, appeared to wrap his hands around Notre Dame star Jaden Greathouse for an extended period of time in a replay shared by reporter Ari Meirov. Johnson then appeared to take down Greathouse before he could make a play on the ball, as part of a series of occurrences that had fans feeling livid.

I have no idea how this isn't DPI, but BYU has defeated No. 2 Notre Dame: pic.twitter.com/x62SqOyd2U

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— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 18, 2026

“Because they have to put Miami number one Ari,” one fan said about the Hurricanes.

“The refs just want to get out of there,” another said.

“It is DPI,” another said.

Others thought a second was left on the clock. Many showed pictures of the scoreboard after the final play and BYU’s four-point win.

1 second left. pic.twitter.com/qkVkfPSra4

— Dave B (@DaveNJ1010) October 18, 2026

“Couple bad calls hurt ND. But it was a poorly reffed game overall,” another added.

Notre Dame’s loss was its first of the season, and included a Leonard Miller concussion scare. The Fighting Irish recovered from a slow start to outgain the Cougars by a slim margin, led by 261 passing yards from CJ Carr, 125 of them to his long-time preferred target Greathouse. Jonaz Walton and Nolan James Jr. added rushing touchdowns for Freeman’s team, which will now need to lick its wounds in time for a Halloween game at Navy.

The Fighting Irish’s schedule has been widely panned for being too easy, but BYU showed the difficulty of the test before Notre Dame in Week 7. A game against the likely new number one-ranked team, Miami, is scheduled for November 7, as the Fighting Irish will seek to regain their former dominance.

Related: Will Stein makes history not seen at Kentucky in over 100 years

Related: BYU HC Kalani Sitake’s 2-word reaction to beating Notre Dame will have fans hyped

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Shedeur Sanders has several reasons to consider a fresh start outside the Cleveland Browns. He has yet to start a game this season, and with Deshaun Watson playing well enough to remain the starter for now, Sanders’ path to playing time remains unclear.

The young quarterback recently hired an agent for the first time in his NFL career, fueling speculation about a potential trade.

However, one NFL insider believes the trade rumors may be premature, explaining why Cleveland might be in no rush to move Sanders.

Jonathan Jones Casts Doubt on Shedeur Sanders’ Trade Rumors

Writing for The Athletic, Jones pointed to general manager Andrew Berry’s investment in Sanders and his belief in the young quarterback as reasons Cleveland may be reluctant to trade him.

Jones also suggested that Sanders’ decision to hire Adie von Gontard of Young Money APAA Sports in October does not necessarily signal a desire to leave Cleveland. Instead, the move could be about planning for his future beyond the 2026 season.

“If Sanders is seeking a trade, that might be difficult. (Andrew) Berry is said to have a great affection for Sanders, whom he took a chance on 18 months ago while the rest of the NFL passed over him several times,” Jones wrote.

Berry selected Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after several quarterback-needy teams passed on the Colorado product, who had entered the draft with first-round expectations.

His fall to Day 3 gives Cleveland reason to keep evaluating his potential, especially with two more seasons of team control remaining after 2026.

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Sanders’ inexpensive rookie contract also makes him an affordable backup who could develop into a starting option, giving the Browns little incentive to trade him now.

The Browns have, however, struggled offensively this season, ranking No. 25 in the league with a PFN Offense Impact Score%20assigns,red%20zone%20and%20third%20downs.) of 71.2. The unit has relied heavily on Watson’s late-game heroics while battling inconsistency, a rebuilding offensive line, and a sluggish running game.

Watson currently holds the starting job under coach Todd Monken, but his contract expires after the 2026 season, and injuries remain a concern. Keeping Sanders would give Cleveland another option if Watson misses time or leaves in free agency.

PREDICT THE NFL SEASON:PFN’s Free NFL Playoff Predictor

The Browns have Dillon Gabriel, whom they selected in the 2025 draft, but he has yet to establish himself as a reliable NFL starter. With both young quarterbacks still developing, Cleveland may prefer to keep Sanders rather than make a decision on his future too soon.

Jones acknowledged that plans could change as the deadline approaches, but he still considers a trade unlikely.

“Anything can happen over the next few weeks, but the Browns dealing Sanders by the deadline would be a stunner.”

Still, trade rumors continue to swirl, with the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, and Arizona Cardinals emerging as potential landing spots for the 24-year-old. Each team could view him as a backup option or a potential solution to an unsettled quarterback situation.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

The BYU Cougars did more than knock off a powerhouse Saturday night. Kalani Sitake's team made a statement to the entire college football world. They belong in the national championship conversation.

With a dramatic 28-24 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 8 BYU delivered one of the biggest wins in program history, improved to 6-0 and proved it has the talent to compete with the nation's elite.

Quarterback Bear Bachmeier was the driving force behind the unforgettable performance. He accounted for all four touchdowns, combining passing with physical running and even catching a touchdown pass. When the game was on the line, Bachmeier delivered time and time again. He led a 55-yard drive that ended with a six-yard touchdown connection to Walker Lyons with 1:47 remaining. That was the moment BYU needed.

The Cougars still had to survive one final Notre Dame possession, and their defense answered the challenge. After the Fighting Irish marched into the red zone, BYU held tight on the final play, sending the LaVell Edwards Stadium crowd into a frenzy. The significance of this win extends beyond one Saturday night.

Notre Dame entered the matchup ranked second nationally and riding a 16-game winning streak. BYU not only ended that run but also earned its highest-ranked victory since defeating No. 1 Miami in 1990.

The Cougars showed they could withstand adversity, too. After building a 21-10 halftime lead, BYU watched Notre Dame rally to make a comeback in the fourth quarter. Special teams mistakes and a costly interception threatened to derail the night, but Bachmeier and the defense responded when it mattered most. That resilience could prove crucial as the season enters the second half. 

BYU's undefeated start is no longer an encouraging story. With a signature victory over a national title contender, the Cougars have established themselves as a legitimate factor in the broader College Football Playoff discussion. Their performance also arrived amid a chaotic weekend that saw five of the AP Top 8 teams lose.

One victory does not guarantee a playoff berth or establish BYU as a championship favorite. The Cougars must continue winning and demonstrate that their performance can be sustained against quality competition. However, the burden of proof has changed. BYU has earned national attention and a place at the table.

We'll see where BYU will be ranked on Sunday. Don't be surprised if the Cougars jump up into the top two of the AP Top 25 Poll.  

EUGENE, OREGON - OCTOBER 17: Anthony Colandrea #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers leads the team out of the tunnel before their game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s hard to tell at times.

So here’s how I’m grading it. 1) Rob Aurich is mixing the potions and the Blackshirts are flying around making it happen, and pressuring Brock Thomas into looking like a walk-on. And 2) The Huskers offense, while dealing with a lot of speed on the other side of the ball, has felt like they were close to popping explosive plays a few times. Yes, very few, but still.

And then they finally did three times, the last with 4 seconds left in the half when Anthony Colandrea found Kwazi Gilmer in the back of the end zone for the game’s only score and the current 7-0 lead. It had to survive a review, and yes Gilmer’s foot did appear to touch for a quick drag and the score, and when it did, the Ducks faithful erupted in protest.

Would I have felt the same if the situations were reversed? Yes, and here’s why – his foot did appear to shift ever so slightly at the toes or balls of his feet. And if I imagined it, I still would call TD if it was a Duck foot on the call because it simply seemed to be the epitome of nowhere near definitive enough to overturn.

You don’t have to believe me, but I swear I’m being honest in the assessment. And how about the the 31-yard completion to Gilmer on 3rd and 22 followed shortly by a Colandrea 17-yard scamper out of bounds to give them a chance and time for that crack at the end zone.

Besides that?

Let me check my notes: punt, punt, punt, punt…(counting on fingers)…yep, 13 total. Traded turnovers…check.

And not much else.

The second half is coming up. Huskers have the ball – can they finish. Pound that coffee and find out, y’all.

Houston high school football scoreboard (Staff illustration)

The Week 8 Houston-area and statewide Texas high school football scores from Saturday's games as compiled by the Associated Press.

Houston area

Cypress Ranch 42, Cypress Park 0
Fort Bend Chargers 66, Longview East Texas Christian 16
Goose Creek Memorial 28, New Caney 21
Heights 13, Hastings 9
Langham Creek 52, Cypress Ridge 13
Westfield 37, Aldine Davis 7

Statewide scores

Dallas Kimball 24, Dallas Carter 6
Laredo Alexander 28, SA Southwest 21
SA Johnson 62, SA Northside Clark 21
San Antonio Harlan 22, Sotomayor 19

SubscribeThere’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.

This article originally published at Texas high school football: Saturday's scores from Week 8.

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Playing in front of an empty Sun Bowl on Saturday night, UTEP football hosted a conference matchup against San Jose State, desperately looking to end a four-game losing streak and stop the bleeding on a season rapidly slipping away.

Instead, the Miners fell 24-11 at home, dropping to 1-6 on the year and 0-3 in Mountain West Conference play.

On the very first play of the game, quarterback EJ Colson Jr. — returning from injury — connected with Kam Thomas for an explosive 64-yard gain, pushing the Miners deep into Spartan territory. However, UTEP stalled in the red zone. Hoping to get at least three points out of the promising drive, Carlos Arreola missed a 37-yard field goal, leaving the game scoreless.

San Jose State capitalized on the ensuing drive. Daniel Rolovich found Carson Clark for an 11-yard touchdown pass, giving the Spartans a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Things went from bad to worse for the Miners in the second quarter. San Jose State brought heavy pressure and got to the quarterback for a sack, resulting in an injury that forced Colson to leave the game. The Spartans carried a 7-0 lead into halftime.

The Spartans put the game out of reach in the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns to take a 21-3 lead. The Miners finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough as they fell 24-11.

The Miners will now head into a bye week searching for answers.

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