Yahoo Sports

The Washington Commanders sit at the bottom of the NFC East with a 1-3-1 record after an embarrassing tie with the New York Giants and will face one of the Super Bowl favorites on Monday night. Even so, they still believe they can win the Super Bowl.

“I think the full belief is there. I was talking to the guys, and obviously, you want to go one week at a time and focus on that,” linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson said. “But, 13-3-1 is a weird Super Bowl-winning record, but, s***, we’ll take it. Whatever it takes to get there. So, continues this just one week at a time and focus on San Fran and clean up the self-inflicted wounds on ourselves and I feel we’ll be in good position for sure.”

It may seem crazy to think this team will win the Super Bowl after the first five weeks. But, crazier things have happened. More importantly, Washington is still easily in the mix for the NFC East title. New York is currently first and has the only winning record in the division. The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are 2-4, although the Eagles’ season appears to be in shambles due to injuries.

OPTIMISM STILL HIGH IN COMMANDERS LOCKER ROOM

K'Lavon Chaisson told me today in reference to the Commanders 1-3-1 start - "13-3-1 is a weird Super Bowl winning record, but s*#@ we'll take it."@DCNewsNowpic.twitter.com/AJpV25FFL0

— Alex Flum (@AlexFlumTV) October 15, 2026

Washington has dealt with numerous injuries as well, but at least they have starting quarterback Jayden Daniels back. Getting a win against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night would put the NFL on notice that the Commanders are not going anywhere and are still playoff contenders despite how this season started for them. Washington’s lone win of the season so far is against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, so they are capable of handing the 49ers their first loss of the year.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders LB K'Lavon Chaisson still believes Commanders can win Super Bowl

Following an ugly road loss at Tennessee, did the Alabama Crimson Tide move in ESPN's latest Football Power Index team rankings entering Week 8?

As of Sunday, Oct. 18, Alabama is ranked as the nation's No. 6 team with a FPI rating of 24.2. The No. 6 ranking was the same as this time last week, although the Crimson Tide's FPI rating a week ago after the Georgia loss was 26.6, meaning it dropped after the Tennessee defeat.

ESPN's FPI also now projects Alabama's eventual win-loss record to be 9.2-3.0 with only a 22.4% chance to win out. In terms of the other FPI percentages, Alabama now has a 12.7% chance to win the SEC, as well as 49.4% chance to make the College Football Playoff, which dropped significantly from 82.3% last week before the Tennessee game.

Alabama's chances of winning a national championship also took a significant hit, now sitting at only 4.9%.

Alabama's next game comes at home this upcoming Saturday, Oct. 24, against the Texas A&M Aggies. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Where Alabama sits in ESPN FPI rankings following loss vs. Tennessee

The Denver Broncos have seven players on injured as they approach Week 7 of the 2026 NFL season, but that number could easily change this week.

Four of those players — wide receiver Pat Bryant (ankle), running back Jonah Coleman (ankle), offensive tackle Frank Crum and tight end Caleb Lohner — are on short-term injured reserve, which means they are eligible to return after four games (although Lohner is expected to be out until at least mid-season).

Coleman is eligible to return from IR this week, and outside linebacker Jonah Elliss might be a candidate for IR after he was spotted using a walking boot and crutches over the weekend.

Another player, offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo, is on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He is also eligible to return after four games.

Denver has three players on season-ending IR: center Michael Deiter (quad), defensive end Matt Henningsen (Achilles) and linebacker Levelle Bailey (broken leg). The club cut linebacker Drew Sanders from IR before Week 1.

Broncos on short-term IR

1. OT Frank Crum (leg) [Eligible since Week 5]
2. TE Caleb Lohner (foot) [Eligible since Week 5]
3. RB Jonah Coleman (ankle) [Eligible in Week 7]
4. WR Pat Bryant (ankle) [Eligible in Week 9]

Broncos on season-ending IR

1. C Michael Deiter (quad)
2. DE Matt Henningsen (Achilles)
3. LB Levelle Bailey (broken leg)

Broncos on resersve/PUP list

1. OL Nick Gargiulo (knee) [Eligible since Week 5]

With a 53-man roster and 17-player practice squad, Denver has 78 players under contract this fall.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! 

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos have 7 players on injured reserve going into Week 7

This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN’s Top 30 Pirates prospects.

It was a family reunion for Johan De Los Santos when the Pirates signed him out of the Dominican Republic for $2.25 million in 2025. He joined the same organization as his older brother, Yordany, who ranks 20th on our top 30 prospects list.

The younger De Los Santos shined in his first professional season in 2025. In 44 games in the Dominican Summer League last year, he slashed .353/.451/.460 with nine doubles, three triples, 27 RBI and 34 steals.

De Los Santos began the 2026 season in the Florida Complex League and again played well. He batted .310/.431/.434 with four triples, two doubles, 10 RBI and 26 steals in 31 games. The 18-year-old also played in 21 games with Low-A Bradenton, where he posted a .218/.258/.310 batting line with three doubles, one triple, one home run, nine RBI and 13 steals.

De Los Santos used his speed to combine for 39 stolen bases this season, the third-most for any Pirates’ minor-leaguer. In addition to his above-average speed, he also has an above-average arm.

De Los Santos has split his time up the middle between shortstop and second base. He’s played 47 games at shortstop in his minor-league career with a .940 fielding percentage and 44 at second with a .977 fielding percentage.

De Los Santos hardly strikes out. He’s only gone down on strikes 37 times in 405 career trips to the plate. He’s also drawn 54 walks during that time and has had more walks than strikeouts in each of his first two seasons.

The 5-10, 165-pound De Los Santos focuses on a line drive approach at the plate and possesses keen eye. His frame suggests there won’t be much home run power as he develops.

De Los Santos, who doesn’t turn 19 years old until next July, is still raw but has some appealing traits and looks like one to watch as he develops in the system.

Related Headlines

• Pirates Top Prospects No. 14: Duce Gourson Continues to Ascend
• Pirates Top Prospects No. 15: Lonnie White Jr. Bounces Back in Big Way
• Pirates Top Prospects No. 16: Injury Halts Edgleen Perez’s Encouraging Season

Read more at Pittsburgh Baseball Now

The Daily Slop

Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!

Commanders linksArticles

ESPN

Is Commanders coach Dan Quinn’s job in jeopardy after tie with Giants?

Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn sat at a table deep inside Northwest Stadium, trying to make sense of a moment that made none. A coach known for wearing his hat backward instead wore a look of disbelief.

For the next 10 minutes, he tried to get comfortable. He folded his arms, then put them at his side, then put them back on the table. There was no comfort, not with what he had to address.

He took a quick deep breath after the first two questions, then readied for more. And more would come. There was no getting around what happened: a botched final sequence in his team’s Week 5 matchup with the New York Giants prevented a game-winning field goal attempt on the final play, resulting in a 27-27 tie.

“Feels like a loss,” Quinn said.

Inside the hushed locker room afterward, receiver Terry McLaurin stood against a burgundy cement wall. He looked upset; he looked drained; he looked bewildered. McLaurin, in his eighth season with the franchise, thought he’d seen it all in Washington — but last Sunday brought something new.

“Unacceptable,” McLaurin said.

With 50 seconds remaining in overtime, the Commanders had the ball at the Giants’ 24-yard line with no timeouts. Then, all hell broke loose. They didn’t snap the ball until there were 12 seconds to play. On the play, quarterback Jayden Daniels dropped back to pass and then quickly looked to scramble. He started upfield, then was tackled with nine seconds left. He did not get off the ground for another four seconds and there was little urgency by his teammates.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

The Athletic

The Commanders are on the brink. They’re also in primetime. Get the popcorn

The nature of playing on “Monday Night Football” means that — by the time the pregame show arrives — the developments from the previous Sunday of wall-to-wall pigskin has been parsed and dissected, and all that remains to talk about are the two opponents that night and any recent developments around them.

This particular Monday night, that leaves only the undefeated San Francisco 49ers and the visiting Washington Commanders. The topic, then, has to be what might be the most examined sack-for-no-yards-lost in NFL history: the final play of the Commanders’ confounding 27-27 tie against the New York Giants, in which quarterback Jayden Daniels, with no timeouts, took a snap with a dozen seconds left, was tackled with eight ticks remaining — and never got another snap off.

“Ultimately, it’s on me at the end,” Daniels said last week.

“It’s my responsibility, point blank,” coach Dan Quinn said.

“It falls on me,” offensive coordinator David Blough said.

Whoever takes the largest slice of the blame pie remains open for debate as Washington heads into its MNF kickoff with the 49ers. What’s not up for discussion: Just as the Commanders proved they’re not ready for a nation’s eyes to be on them, they enter a stretch in which four of their next five games stand alone in primetime. Anyone who wants to be watching football will be watching the Commanders, whether they are deserving of that distinction or not.

This is a franchise that has a decidedly tumultuous relationship with primetime football, and one that will spend the next month-and-a-half either proving it is worthy of the country’s attention or fading into oblivion once again. Nothing short of the professional futures of the people who run this team hang in the balance, and football fans who care deeply about or are indifferent to the Commanders will get to examine it all in real time.

In the 10 seasons between 2015 and Daniels’s rookie year of 2024, only nine teams played fewer regular-season primetime games than Washington.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Download the SB Nation app Commanders fans, take command of game day!

Follow the action and share every cheer, question and instant reaction with fellow fans on the SB Nation app.

• Chat live during every game
• Browse with fewer ads
• Seamlessly move between communities
• Enjoy faster commenting and posting

Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.

Riggo’s Rag

Rachaad White’s expanded Commanders role comes with an urgent demand

The Washington Commanders’ rushing attack will be without Jacory Croskey-Merritt for their Monday Night Football showdown against the San Francisco 49ers. He’s dealing with a groin injury, and head coach Dan Quinn had no choice but to rule him out after he missed practice all week.

Though disappointing, especially considering Croskey-Merritt is coming off his most productive game of the season, others have to step up. This means more is required of free-agent signing Rachaad White, who’s not quite met expectations so far.

White was an intriguing addition to the Commanders’ ranks in free agency. He bet on himself with a one-year, $2 million deal, and his previous connection to quarterback Jayden Daniels from their time at Arizona State added another layer of intrigue.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Riggo’s Rag

7 Commanders on the hot seat against the 49ers on Monday Night Football

After a week of intense criticism and ridicule, the Washington Commanders are no doubt looking forward to getting back on the field and righting the wrong from their overtime calamity against the New York Giants.

Unfortunately for head coach Dan Quinn’s squad, the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers are waiting for them on Monday Night Football.

The Niners have been in sensational form to begin the campaign. They are 5-0, despite missing some top stars to injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan is finding ways to win, and they have already beaten the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos this season to cement their status as a real contender.

This will be a difficult proposition for Washington to overcome. At the same time, nobody is expecting anything other than a heavy defeat, which could work in their favor.

They can play with more freedom. They can relax, though there is pressure to put up a fight, at the very least. And after completely botching their chance to win in Week 5, fans will be watching their response closely.

This is no time for half-measures. Everyone must come together, and the Commanders must put in maximum effort before the bye week. And when expectations are low, that’s when this squad tends to do well.

Hopefully, that will be the case at Levi’s Stadium. But these seven Commanders must deliver with the prime-time spotlight shining on them

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

WUSA9

Commanders turn the page after overtime tie ahead of matchup with undefeated 49ers

To read more of this article, https://www.wusa9.com/article/sports/football/commanders-turn-the-page-after-overtime-tie-ahead-matchup-undefeated-49ers-nfl-football/65-fc1982c1-7170-4a89-bb9f-30f040edb12b

The Commanders are moving on from a frustrating overtime tie to the New York Giants as they prepare to face the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.

The Commanders have little time to dwell on last week’s mistakes with a trip to Santa Clara, California, next on the schedule. But players say the loss offered important lessons, particularly about executing in critical moments.

“You could be prepared for a moment, but unless you execute, it doesn’t really mean much,” wide receiver Terry McLaurin said. “What I think showed up is we didn’t execute it.”

McLaurin compared the experience to studying for a test but freezing when it is time to answer the questions.

The Commanders now face a significant challenge against a San Francisco team that has yet to lose this season. Washington’s defense is preparing for an offense that averages 365 total yards per game and features several key playmakers, including quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Mike Evans and tight end George Kittle.

Defenders emphasized the importance of staying disciplined and recognizing offensive formations, particularly with San Francisco’s use of motion and players who can make plays in different situations.

Knowing where the 49ers’ primary targets line up will be critical, while maintaining consistency will be just as important when things go wrong.

“When good things happen, you keep charging them. When bad things happen, keep charging them,” defensive back Amik Robertson said. “That’s just the nature of the game.”

Washington’s offense also faces a challenge against San Francisco’s defense, with linebacker Fred Warner among the players the Commanders must account for.

Receivers stressed the importance of protecting the football while navigating traffic and staying out of third-and-long situations, when the 49ers’ defense can take advantage of predictable passing downs.

Monday’s game also begins a stretch of primetime appearances for Washington. Four of the Commanders’ next five games will be played in front of a national audience.

McLaurin said he enjoys the opportunity to showcase the team on a national stage.

For the Commanders, the immediate focus is on applying the lessons from last week’s tie and executing against one of the league’s toughest opponents.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Sporting News

Dan Quinn replacements: Ranking seven best candidates should Commanders move on from coach

The Washington Commanders went 12-5 in the first season under head coach Dan Quinn in 2024. Since then, ahead of Week 6 of the 2026 NFL regular season, his team has posted a 6-15-1 record, putting his job security in serious jeopardy in Year 3.

Beyond the lack of success in the past two seasons,  the Commanders’ botching of a potential overtime victory over the Giants in Week 5 has made his seat hotter. Quinn will need Washington to show improved results soon to extend his term to four years. 

Should owner Josh Harris want to make another change and hire the 32nd head coach in franchise history, here would be his options, starting with one in-house.

Commanders’ 7 best coaching candidates for 2027

1. David Blough, Commanders offensive coordinator (age: 31)

Would the Commanders follow the Bills‘ example and remove an older defensive-minded coach in Quinn (56) and promote his offensive coordinator? Don’t rule it out, despite Blough, a former journeyman backup, being so young.

Bold offensive-minded hires have worked well for several teams. It’s a good bet Washington pivots from old-school defense to new-school offense with its new leader. Blough should get a chance because of good early work getting Jayden Daniels back on track.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Podcasts & videos

Full Command

BRUTAL EVALUATION OF EVERY COMMANDERS PLAYER! Jayden Daniels WHERE? Sonny Styles ELITE?

Locked on Commanders

Commanders vs 49ers: Washington Needs Zero Turnovers to WinNFC East links

Bleeding Green Nation

Eagles vs. Panthers: The good, the bad, and the ugly

This was over before it started.

By the middle of the fourth quarter on Sunday, that reality finally reached the fans by the show of large sections of empty seats at Lincoln Financial Field.

Get ready for a lot of that in the coming months, because the rest of the Eagles’ 2026 season will be devoted to evaluating who to keep and who to discard after the Eagles fell to the Carolina Panthers, 25-14, at the Linc.

The Eagles are now 2-4—and through, regardless of how bad the NFC East looks.

It was the Eagles’ fourth-straight loss, making it the first time they have lost four-straight games since Doug Peterson’s 4-11-1 season in 2020—and the first four-game losing streak in Nick Sirianni’s tenure.

Going to the Linc are still great ways to fill autumn Sunday afternoons, sans winning.

But after the greatest four-year stretch in Eagles’ history, with the mounting cracks in the wall the Eagles were bound to collapse.

They have.

The Eagles may be expecting Tanner McKee to be the next coming of Nick Foles (or Tom Brady, according to Zack Baun). The problem is this fanbase knows Nick Foles. It watched Nick Foles win a Super Bowl.

Tanner McKee is no Nick Foles.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Big Blue View

3 ‘things I think’ after a Giant flop against the Saints: Is it J.J. McCarthy time?

New York Giants fans overwhelmingly believe J.J. McCarthy should be the team’s quarterback beginning this Sunday against the Houston Texans.

Eighty-one percent of the 751 voters in our poll think McCarthy should replace Jameis Winston as the starter when the Giants face the Houston Texans this Sunday.

Head coach John Harbaugh wasn’t ready to make that decision in his post-game press conference.

“I can’t answer that now,” Harbaugh said. “The game just ended ten minutes ago.

“It’s not even up for discussion or conversation right now. We’ve got to go back and go to work. I have no problem with Jameis whatsoever. I love the way he competes, I love the way he fights, all those kind of things. He was up and down today for sure, but those things will all be decided not ten minutes after a game.”

It is, though, a decision Harbaugh has to make.

When the Giants acquired McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings a few weeks ago for a fifth-round pick, it seemed clear Harbaugh would face this decision at some point. I’m sure he knew that, too. I doubt, though, that anyone expected that choice to have to come now.

Harbaugh put McCarthy into Sunday’s game with the Giants trailing by 24 points and 11:25 remaining. Most likely, he figured that in what seemed like a lost cause, it was a good chance to give McCarthy some snaps running the offense.

McCarthy’s first series ended in an interception on a ball nowhere near intended receiver Malachi Fields.

Then, stuff started to happen.

C.J. Donaldson of New Orleans fumbled. Arvell Reese recovered. McCarthy suddenly started slinging the ball all over the place, throwing for 243 yards in less than a quarter of action. The Giants started scoring, and somehow found themselves with a chance to win the game with :12 left.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Blogging The Boys

Cowboys vs. Packers: 2 winners and 4 losers from the game

The Dallas Cowboys arrived at Lambeau Field needing a response after an ugly loss to Tampa Bay, but another slow offensive performance and unprepared defense left Dallas chasing the game all evening.

Dallas went into halftime down 17-0, with turnovers and penalties repeatedly wasting opportunities leading to Dallas falling to Green Bay 23-13. Here are this week’s winners and losers from the game.

Winner: Dee Winters

Dallas has waited a long time for an interception, and Dee Winters finally delivered one.

Winters read Jordan Love perfectly late in the first quarter, stepped in front of the pass and appeared to return it for a touchdown before replay ruled him down at the Green Bay 42-yard line. Even without the score, it was exactly the type of momentum-changing defensive play Dallas has desperately needed.

The frustrating part was that the offense immediately wasted the opportunity with an interception of its own. That shouldn’t take anything away from Winters. On a defense that was searching for takeaways and impact plays, Winters provided one.

Winner: Quinnen Williams

The Cowboys needed considerably more from their defensive front after weeks of inconsistent pressure, and Quinnen Williams made his presence felt early.

Williams got to Jordan Love for a sack and helped Dallas produce a much more disruptive start up front. Green Bay found success through the air, but its conventional rushing attack has been much less effective. Williams’ sack was one of the Cowboys’ biggest early defensive plays and it was needed to try an inject some optimism in a defense that’s struggled this season.

This is the type of performance Dallas expected when it paid the price to bring Williams into the middle of the defense. The Cowboys need him affecting games rather than simply occupying blockers, the sack showed exactly that.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Upcoming opponent – 49ersHow 49ers QB Brock Purdy mastered the art of layering passes over defenders

For San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and linebacker Fred Warner, training camp has become an annual battleground. It isn’t just about offense versus defense; it’s how they can, individually, win the day against each other.

For Purdy specifically, those chess matches are vital because the middle of the field is fertile but dangerous ground in coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. It requires Purdy to layer the ball to his pass catchers between multiple defenders, the type of precision best achieved through repetition against the best middle linebacker in the game. And he has gotten good enough at it that he can even leave Warner grasping at air.

Early in the 49ers’ 16th training camp practice this August, he completed a pass over Warner’s outstretched arms to wideout Mike Evans for a big gain. But later, Warner broke up similar over-the-middle attempts to wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and running back Kaelon Black. Warner turned and boisterously let Purdy hear about it after both.

As the practice neared its end, Purdy dropped back and saw Warner sink into coverage. Purdy fired it just past Warner’s fingertips and into Deebo Samuel Sr.’s waiting hands. Then, Purdy let it fly toward Warner again — verbally. A loud “F— you, Fred” echoed across the field. Moments later, Warner and Purdy stood behind the huddle laughing, and they later acknowledged how such intense practice moments push the other to be better.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

French ministry rules out postponement of PSG vs Barcelona amid riots

The biggest game of the season is here as Barcelona and PSG lock horns in the UEFA Champions League on match day three of the competition tomorrow night.

Heading into the game, Barcelona are in a superior vein of form but also reeling from an unexpected set of defensive setbacks.

PSG, meanwhile, also enter with some casualties and freshly off a win over Manchester City.

Given that it is a group stage encounter, the stakes are not as high as a usual Champions League game between the two sides would feature.

Yet, there has been a certain degree of worry about the security of the game, for France has been reeling under riots in recent days.

The Ministry’s decision

PSG vs Barcelona will go ahead as planned. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The ongoing riots in France are by no means ordinary, and the social tension has led to clashes between protesters and the police in numerous areas.

There has, in that sense, been a degree of worry about such a massive clash being played amidst such riots and whether there was a need to postpone the fixture.

In fact, a union representative of the French police has asked for the match between PSG and Barcelona to be postponed as well.

Now, however, the French minister of the interior, Laurent Nunez, has confirmed via SPORT that the game will go ahead as planned.

“The postponement for the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barça is not considered for other matches that can be played in the Champions League. The games are not in doubt.”

A dilemma for Flick

Flick has some big decisions to take. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Barcelona had an almost fully fit squad ahead of their game against Real Betis, but the clash at the weekend left the team reeling with defensive setbacks.

Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde are both injured, while Gerard Martin is also suffering from a niggle as matters stand. With PSG and Real Madrid coming up, the setbacks could not have come at a worse time.

The big question for Flick, in that sense, is how to manage the defensive situation and how much to risk at this point in the season.

Playing against PSG and winning, needless to say, would be a massive confidence boost for Barcelona.

The game against Real Madrid, however, is a far more important one to win from a long-term perspective. Flick must thus weigh the positives and the negatives before taking a binding decision.

Pierre Sage to remain Crystal Palace manager, but…

Despite being thrashed 5-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend, Pierre Sage is nevertheless expected to be given more time to prove himself as Crystal Palace manager, according to reports in The Athletic.

Whilst the Eagles’ board are concerned about the club’s situation, particularly their defensive frailty (17 goals conceded after seven Premier League matches), they recognise that the team are not far off the pace in terms of results (14th in the table with seven points).

Sage is therefore expected to lead the London side once again in their matches against Beşiktaş JK on Thursday in the Europa League and against Newcastle United on Sunday in the league.

However, a heavy defeat in Turkey this week could force chairman Steve Parish to reconsider his position; he would not hesitate to part ways with Sage if the team’s performances fail to improve over the coming matches. Highly regarded within the club, particularly by his players, the French manager must now turn things round if he is to avoid seeing his spell in England come to a premature end.

GFFN | Léo Aschi

Leonardo Fornaroli will return to competitive racing in 2027 after McLaren confirmed the Italian as part of their Hypercar driver line-up for the World Endurance Championship. The reigning Formula 2 champion will take part in the British team's new endurance racing project, which includes an appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while retaining his position as a Formula 1 reserve driver.

The announcement gives Fornaroli a new opportunity to race regularly following a year spent working behind the scenes with McLaren's Formula 1 operation. The Italian joined the team's setup after securing the 2025 Formula 2 crown, adding to the Formula 3 championship he won the previous season.

Throughout 2026, Fornaroli contributed to McLaren's Formula 1 programme through simulator work, testing and development duties. He also made appearances in official practice sessions at the Spanish and Hungarian Grands Prix, gaining further experience in Formula 1 machinery. However, he did not contest a full racing championship during the season.

His new commitments will see him balance two different programmes in 2027, continuing to support McLaren's Formula 1 team while preparing for the challenges of endurance racing in the Hypercar category.

Photo: Race Pictures

Photo: Race Pictures

Fornaroli reacts to McLaren's Hypercar announcement

Fornaroli welcomed the chance to take on a new challenge with McLaren, explaining how his existing Formula 1 responsibilities helped create the opportunity to compete in the WEC: "Joining the McLaren Hypercar Team is an incredibly exciting next step in my career and I’m grateful that my role as McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 reserve driver has opened up this incredible opportunity," Fornaroli said.

"I’m delighted to be continuing in that role next year while also taking on this new challenge. To represent McLaren in the FIA World Endurance Championship and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a huge honour, and I am ready to give everything as we take on this new challenge together."

The 2025 Formula 2 champion also highlighted the contribution of McLaren's driver development structure to his career, having progressed through the junior categories before securing his place within the organisation.

"I’d like to thank the McLaren Driver Development Programme for supporting me throughout my journey and for giving me the opportunity to develop my skills on such a competitive and prestigious stage."

Barclay explains why McLaren selected Fornaroli

McLaren Hypercar Team Principal James Barclay believes Fornaroli's performances in Formula 3 and Formula 2 demonstrate his potential to make an impact in endurance racing, despite his limited experience in the discipline.

"Leo is an exceptional talent: winning Formula 3 is a significant achievement, but to follow that by winning Formula 2 as a rookie underlines his natural talent and one of the most exciting drivers in motorsport," Barclay explained.

"His speed, consistency and maturity at such a young age helped him achieve a huge amount in the junior categories and those same attributes make him an exciting addition to our McLaren Hypercar Team."

Barclay also explained that his earlier experience with the Italian played a part in his positive assessment of the signing: "We have a great driver lineup forming, which blends experienced sports car drivers and now young talent for our debut season. I worked with Leo briefly in my previous role and his approach and performance impressed me very much, we both look forward to taking on McLaren’s debut season in the World Endurance Championship together."

Credit: ESPN on ABC

College football’s epidemic of officials not knowing what to do with one second left on the clock added another example on Saturday.

No. 8 BYU defeated No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 on Saturday night, and everyone wanted to talk about whether officials should have called defensive pass interference on the Cougars on the final play.

However, a much more egregious issue involved the clock.

Replays of the final play showed that Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr’s pass to Jaden Greathouse hit the ground with one second left. Under the rules, that should’ve given Notre Dame one more play from BYU’s 8-yard line.

The ABC score bug seemed to back that up, showing one second left after the ball hit the turf. Images of the clocks inside LaVell Edwards Stadium showed the same.

Notre Dame also should’ve had 1 second left for one final play.

Watch the clock here: https://t.co/UEqaEU6txd

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 18, 2026

However, officials didn’t review the time issue, and the game ended. That night, the Big 12 issued a statement confirming the game clock should have had one second left after the first-down incompletion and that the league’s replay center was wrong not to intervene and force a review.

“Following the Big 12’s review of the final play of Saturday’s Notre Dame-BYU game, it was determined that time remained on the clock when the ball hit the ground, and the play was incorrectly cleared by the replay officiating crew,” read the statement. “The Conference will conduct a complete review of its end-of-game officiating process in advance of next week’s games.”

While the game aired on ABC, Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira used strong words about the officiating decisions.

“You have to review it,” Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira told The Athletic. “That had to be reviewed immediately.

“It is embarrassing for all officiating, quite frankly. Everybody gets brought into this, even the NFL and high school officiating, because it is such a ridiculous miss that has nothing to do with judgment. Nothing. I understand missing pass interference. This, especially after what happened six weeks ago (Western Michigan-Michigan), it’s embarrassing. They get one more play.”

NBC’s rules analyst, Terry McAulay, also shared a similar opinion on social media.

“As some have noted, there was indeed :01 on the bug clock when the pass hit the ground (BYU/ND),” McAulay wrote on X. “Replay should have reviewed to determine if the in-stadium clock was at :01 at that point and if so, ND would have had one more play.”

As for ABC’s rules analyst, Matt Austin did discuss whether BYU cornerback Evan Johnson committed defensive pass interference, but announcers Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit didn’t ask him about the clock.

“I think it warranted a flag,” Austin said. “That’s a lot of contact where you’re not playing the ball; you’re just playing the receiver. A lot of contact, grabbing the arm. … I would’ve supported a DPI.”

The post Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira: BYU-Notre Dame ending was ’embarrassing for all officiating’ appeared first on Awful Announcing.

No. 11 Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC) will travel to South Carolina (3-3, 1-3 SEC) on Saturday in Week 8. Kickoff between the Vols and Gamecocks is slated for 3:30 p.m. EDT at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina (ESPN).

Tennessee leads the all-time football series against South Carolina, 29-11-2, dating to Oct. 29, 1903. Josh Heupel is 2-1 against the Gamecocks as Tennessee's head coach.

Saturday will mark Heupel's second game at South Carolina. The Gamecocks defeated Tennessee, 63-38, on Nov. 19, 2022. The two schools last played at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 30, 2023 with the Vols winning, 41-20.

Tennessee also defeated the Gamecocks, 41-20, on Oct. 9, 2021 at Neyland Stadium in Heupel's first season.

Ahead of Saturday's contest in Week 8, Tennessee has a 59.9% chance to win, according to ESPN's Matchup Predictor. Nolan Analytics also projects the Vols to defeat South Carolina, 30-21, at the beginning of game week.

More: Alontae Taylor roster update for Titans at Colts in NFL Week 6

Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee-South Carolina football game initial score prediction Week 8

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JULY 18: (R-L) Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa punches Kamaru Usman of Nigeria in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Paycom Center on July 18, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Dricus Du Plessis is ready for the next chapter of his career, and it involves winning UFC belts in two different weight classes.

Du Plessis won the middleweight belt off Sean Strickland back in January 2024 and defended it twice before dropping it to Khamzat Chimaev in a one-sided grappling contest. We’re just over a year removed from that bad loss, and “Stillknocks” has bounced back with a solid win over Kamaru Usman.

In a new interview with Sias du Plessis (no relation), Dricus discussed getting back on the winning path.

“I think especially after a loss like that, you work so hard to rectify the mistakes that you made,” he said. “And to go back out and go prove that the things you worked on did work, the hard work you put in paid off. It’s incredible. Like I always say, you’re only as good as your last fight, and to be a loser is not in my cards. I don’t like that.”

Du Plessis has big ambitions as he works to get himself back into the No. 1 contender spot at 185 pounds.

“Getting my belt back,” he stated. “I mean, that’s for me. That’s the biggest thing. I wanna get my belt back, and eventually go up to 205 and go test myself there. And I’m certain that I’ll be a champion. I’m big enough for that division, and I’m certain I can be champion in that division as well.”

Du Plessis has always been a big middleweight, and moving up to light heavyweight would take some pressure off his pre-fight cut.

“In pounds, it’s 45 pounds that I’m cutting,” he revealed. “Even more sometimes from where I walk around outside of a camp to fight. It’s ridiculous. It’s crazy. But my team is great. We’ve done this for many years. We we got it down to a science.

“I’m not gonna sit here and say, ‘No, It’s good for you.’ It isn’t. But, I mean, getting punched in the head is also not good for you. So, I made my choices, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Du Plessis says he had some small injuries from the Kamaru Usman fight in July but is ready to go now. He’s definitely at least one solid win away from being back in the top contender’s circle, which isn’t the worst situation given the logjam at the top of 185. As for who, specifically, Dricus wants to fight?

“I want to fight the best possible guy because I want to prove that I am the greatest fighter ever,” Du Plessis declared. “And to do that, you can’t just beat a couple of champions. You need to own your route to that title. Take the tough fights that nobody wants, and I’ve been willing to do that.”

Feb 25, 2025; Dunedin, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter JJ Wetherholt (87) prepares for batting practice before a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Ima… | Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Evan Mazza, Site Editor

For a team that has played in the slimmest of margins over the last several seasons and looks to lay the foundation for championship contention in the near future, the St. Louis Cardinals need to be much more careful with injuries, as they haven’t handled these situations well, especially with key players.

Throughout a 162-game season, nearly every major-league player gets hurt, banged up, or deals with some ailment. For the most part, they play through it, wanting to be on the field for their teams and because they love the game.

To best manage players’ long-term futures, however, teams need honest communication from players, aware decision-makers, and a knowledgeable training staff. Sometimes, playing through an injury isn’t worth it, even if the team is in a playoff race or the player is key to the team’s success. And the Cardinals haven’t benefitted at all from the risky practice. It’s time for the Cardinals’ injury approach to tighten up.

Cardinals Injury Approach Needs to Be More CautiousMasyn Winn Played Through Injuries Last Two Years

Over the last two years, St. Louis shortstop Masyn Winn has dealt with nagging knee and hand injuries, played through them, and eventually landed on the injured list. This past season, Winn was placed on the injured list after fracturing his left thumb, but signs that something was off were evident earlier.

Sep 27, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) awaits his turn at bat against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Winn suffered the injury when he slid into second base against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 19. In select at-bats after the incident, Winn took some awkward swings where he released his full grip on the bat, especially when he fouled the ball to the right side. He didn’t hit the next two games, but he pinch-ran in the series-winning game the following day and served as a defensive replacement in a road loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Then, Winn didn’t play the final two games of the series in Philadelphia, as he took up a roster spot before the team placed him on the IL on August 25, almost a week after he first sustained the injury.

He was activated for the team’s Sept. 8 game against the San Francisco Giants, but was scratched the following day, then later inserted into the starting lineup. Finally, Winn was scratched before a Sept. 26 game against the Milwaukee Brewers, with the team ruling him out for the final two games.

Masyn Winn is officially “injury prone?” @joshjaco98 breaks down Winn’s latest IL stint and why he would be hesitant to give the Gold Glove shortstop an extension and consider him a part of the “young core” going forward.

Full episode: https://t.co/wQ7LDu8CuQ https://t.co/bT0LnhLVFA

— Dealin’ the Cards (@DealinTheCards) August 26, 2026

In 2025, Winn powered through what was discovered to be a torn right meniscus. Like this past season, he was scratched from a couple of games before the Cardinals eventually placed him on the IL. Days before, it was publicly reported that Winn would play through the injury.

Yet to hit consistently at the big-league level, Winn only posted a .641 OPS before the thumb fracture. But after returning, he hit .148 with a .449 OPS in 42 plate appearances. He remains a dynamic defender at shortstop, and optimism persists that the 24-year-old can develop his bat enough to be a cornerstone piece on the team, but he needs to stop playing through injuries for that to happen.

JJ Wetherholt Also Hampered by Injury

Second baseman JJ Wetherholt struggled offensively for most of the second half before landing on the IL with right wrist tendinitis. After sporting a .755 OPS in the first half, Wetherholt logged just a .608 OPS after the All-Star break, the 12th-worst mark among qualified hitters. His power was zapped, as he posted a .301 slugging percentage in the second half, which was six points lower than his on-base percentage.

#STLCards rookie JJ Wetherholt on his return: “I don’t think (pain-free) is like necessarily a goal just with the nature of the injury. But I feel good. I think it’s more going to be workload, trying to not overload the tendon. We’re trying to progressively heal as time goes on.”

— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) September 16, 2026

The 24-year-old looked more comfortable at the plate in his nine games after being reactivated, collecting eight hits in that stretch. But Wetherholt’s only extra-base hit was a double, and he struck out nine times while working just one walk.

As a player the Cardinals invested in, the organization should have been more proactive in identifying Wetherholt’s injury situation and more cautious about playing him when the team had little to play for in the final two weeks of the season.

Jordan Walker Revealed to Have Nursed Hip Pain

After he made his first All-Star team and won the Home Run Derby, Jordan Walker’s second half worried plenty of St. Louis fans. His second-half OPS was more than 200 points lower than his first-half mark, as he fell one homer short of a 30/30 campaign.

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Cardinals President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom confirmed Walker played through hip pain in the final weeks of the regular season. That aligns with the 6-6 outfielder’s severe offensive struggles.

Jordan Walker was playing through hip pain in the closing weeks of the season, Chaim Bloom confirmed (per @dgoold)

From September 13th to the close of the season, Walker slashed .109/.196/.174 (.370 OPS) #STLCards https://t.co/PkPm9iO6BC

— STL Sports Central (@STLSprtsCntrl) September 29, 2026

In his final 20 games of the year, Walker slashed .116/.197/.174 with one homer and double apiece, and a 35.5% strikeout rate. A true breakout for the organization’s former No.1 prospect ended on a sour note, and it was preventable in some ways.

The Last Word

More examples of the mishandling of Cardinals injury situations likely exist, but some of the most recent cases involve some of the major league roster’s most prominent players.

Walker has the potential to be a potent middle-of-the-order bat for St. Louis, as he proved for most of 2026. And the defensive tandem of Winn and Wetherholt up the middle can be one of baseball’s more dynamic duos.

In Winn’s case, the sentiment was that ‘the injury can’t worsen’, which has likely been applied to other incidents. Also, in these instances, the Cardinals give players multiple off-days in a row while they’re unavailable, shortening the team’s bench on game days.

In these scenarios, the Cardinals need to protect their players from themselves, be cautious about injuries, and not kick the can down the road to prevent further injury or keep the ailment from affecting performance.

 

More Cardinals News:

Three Cardinals Named Gold Glove Finalists

Cardinals’ Third Base Options for 2027

Grades for the Cardinals Bullpen in 2026

 

Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

One ESPN analyst claims to have some insight on the biggest story surrounding the Detroit Red Wings.

In an episode of the Frankly Hockey podcast featuring NHL analysts John Buccigross and Frank Seravalli published on Friday, Oct. 16, Buccigross said he had information that indicated the Red Wings will soon be making a blockbuster deal.

"I think there's going to be a trade within seven to 10 days in Detroit," he said.

Seravalli then asked Buccigross to confirm that he was talking about disgruntled star Dylan Larkin, to which Buccigross said yes, "that's coming."

Larkin's trade request became public knowledge on June 4, with the native Michigander having played a big role on the Red Wings since his rookie season in 2015-16. About a month after the news broke, the Red Wings parted ways with longtime general manager Steve Yzerman and named Shawn Horcoff the interim GM on Sept. 15.

Horcoff has stated he has no intention of starting a rebuild, which means any trade for Larkin would likely come with a player of Larkin's caliber in return instead of prospects and draft picks. Larkin is also under contract with the team until the end of the 2030-31 season and the Red Wings are under no obligation to trade him, but many NHL analysts see his $8.7 million average annual value for the next four-plus seasons as a great value, something the Wings could leverage in trade discussions.

Per Buccigross, that stalemate will come to an end soon. But even with the season having already started, the Red Wings still have a few issues to catch up on beyond Larkin's request.

Simon Edvinsson trade rumors

No major updates have emerged regarding Edvinsson, a top-pair defender, over the last few days. The fifth-year player has been in a contract stalemate with the Red Wings and has not played in an NHL game yet this season, spending time in his native Sweden before returning to North America (outside of Detroit) to continue training.

Because Edvinsson, 23, is a restricted free agent, the Red Wings either need to trade him or sign him to a deal before Dec. 1 to keep him eligible to play in the NHL this season. But Horcoff on Wednesday said he has "zero interest" in trading Edvinsson.

"Simon is a player that we're working very, very diligently to sign," Horcoff said. "I think we're open to anything. The details of it we'll still keep to ourselves. But when you're trying to sign a player, you have to be open-minded to all options, and we certainly are."

Edvinsson is scheduled to make $894,167 this season per Spotrac and could see an extension with an AAV north of current Red Wings defender Mortiz Seider's $8.55 million AAV. In Thursday's episode of Frankly Hockey, Buccigross guessed Edvinsson would eventually sign a deal worth a $10 million AAV.

"I know every situation is different, but my guess is seven [years] times 10 [million]. I don't know why that wouldn't get done," Buccigross said. "[Edvinsson] is off to a good start [in his career], and I don't know why he wouldn't take that. I don't know why [Detroit] wouldn't offer it."

OWNER SPEAKS: Chris Ilitch on GM hire: 'Could be at the end of the season'

Right signing, wrong order?

Several hockey analysts have applauded the Red Wings' signing of forward Alex DeBrincat, whose extension Wednesday comes in at seven years and $91 million.

Seravalli, however, was critical of the signing – not because he he thinks DeBrincat isn't worth the money, but because the Red Wings may have attacked their problems in the wrong order with neither the Larkin nor Edvisson situation resolved.

"The DeBrincat signing does not, at least at this juncture, indicate that they are closer to getting a deal done [for Edvinsson] today than they were yesterday," Seravalli said. "If you take [Larkin and Edvinsson] out, what good is Alex DeBrincat locked up for $91 million on a team that isn't close and won't be close to competing? [Lucas] Raymond, Seider and DeBrincat alone aren't enough to do it."

Seravalli said if both Larkin and Edvinsson end up traded, then an un-extended DeBrincat would have been worth more as a potential trade piece than as a member of the Red Wings.

"In my view, it's Edvinsson first, then manage the Larkin trade and then see where your roster is at before deciding whether you want to commit massive term and dollars to a guy who turns 29 in December," Seravalli said.

The Red Wings are 3-3-2 through eight games and are currently tied for last with eight points in the Atlantic Division.

You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.

Need to catch up on the news during your lunch break? Sign up for our Sports Briefing newsletter to get daily summaries of Detroit sports! 

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: ESPN's John Buccigross: Red Wings will trade Dylan Larkin this week

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Byrum Brown #17 of the Auburn Tigers stiff arms safety Rasean Dinkins #14 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the college football game between the Auburn Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs on October 17, 2026, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Good morning, Dawgs. Welcome to life among the once defeated. On the bright side, after the wildest weekend in recent college football memory we have plenty of company.

The Red and Black fall to #5 in the AP poll, which seems fair given what other teams did this weekend. A competitive last second loss in a rivalry game sure beats losing by 16 to Tennessee in a game that wasn’t really that close. As well as getting physically dominated by a 3-2 Florida.

SI’s Dean Legge has a good list of the things Georgia needs to do to get back to winning. As Dean notes, the main answer is to get healthier. This loss turned on turnovers and critical penalties. But Auburn stayed in the game in part thanks to rushing yards earned against a dinged up Bulldog defense. And the Athenians couldn’t rescue control of the game because their own run game faltered in some critical situations, again likely due to injuries to Chauncey Bowens (out indefinitely) and Nate Frazier (playing, but clearly not at 100%).

Georgia may not be quite as invincible as we thought after that Alabama win. But if they can get healthy over the bye they’re also definitely not as bad as that Auburn game would lead one to believe.

On the recruiting trail, the Bulldogs picked up a pledge from Newton County athlete Braylon Miller. Miller had been committed to Liberty and is not among the top 100 prospects in America . Heck, he’s not even among the top 100 in the state of Georgia according to the recruiting services. But Miller has been showing out for Newton this season, most recently on Friday night when he took over the game to lead Newton past powerhouse Grayson.

On a field full of stars @braylon4miller was shining last night for @NewtonFBRecruit. Caught a TD, threw 2 TD passes and had a pick-6 as Newton stays perfect and takes down Grayson. Pleasure to call this one for @GPBsportspic.twitter.com/pYPXN8ynVA

— Cody Chaffins (@CodyChaffins) October 17, 2026

Miller has been making a lot of noise this season, and is one of those late bloomers who will likely rise in the rankings before Signing Day.

Go Dawgs!!!

Sophie Bishop and Mia Parker battle in the rain / | Alison Matthews

Reading Women fought back from 3-1 down at half-time to claim a thrilling 5-3 victory over Chesham United at The Meadow on Sunday.

Chesham made a flying start, with Holly Fitzgerald and Ruby Slade scoring within two minutes of each other to put the hosts 2-0 ahead. Alice Curr pulled one back for the Royals, but United restored their two-goal advantage before the break when Henrietta Cunnison headed home from a corner to make it 3-1 at the break.

The first half was made even worse after an injury to Leah Why, last weekend’s hat-trick hero, who hobbled off with assistance from two members of the Reading coaching team before being taken to hospital for further tests.

Reading bounced back with a determined second half, however. Bethan Poole struck first to give the Royals renewed vigour before Nat Cowell scored twice to complete the turnaround and put Reading in front, before Ellie Luscombe opened her account for the season and added a fifth goal, capping off an impressive turnaround and putting the result beyond doubt.

In the most autumnal of conditions, with torrential rain falling throughout the afternoon, the Royals displayed grit, tenacity and strength of character, fighting back to secure their second consecutive away league win of the season.

Reading faced a Chesham United side adjusting to life in tier five of the football pyramid following their relegation from the National League Division One South East, having endured a difficult 2025/26 campaign, winning just one league match.

It’s been a challenging start to this season for Chesham too, with their only two victories to date coming against Woodley United. They secured a 3-2 league win before recording a 4-1 victory in the FA Cup, only to see their cup run come to an end in the third round qualifying after a 3-2 defeat to Royston Town.

Reading had been due to face Penn & Tylers Green in the Combined Counties Cup midweek, but the fixture took an unexpected turn when the opposition initially sought a postponement, indicating they were not ready to face the Royals (not really sure how that works?)

And even more bizarrely, following further consideration, Penn & Tylers Green decided not to fulfil the fixture, forfeiting the tie and allowing Reading to progress to the second round of the competition.

Following an unexpected seven-day wait between fixtures, Reading manager Ed Jackson-Norris made four changes to the starting XI that had run riot against Sholing last weekend. Curr, Poole, Sophie Bishop and Mia Parker all came into the side.

Sarah Thompson watched from the stands after picking up a knock, while Bogi Tramontini was away on international duty. Poppy Whitburn and a heavily strapped Freya Morgan were included on a strong substitutes bench. Recent signing Macey-Nikiah Walters was included for the first time, while Keren Banduka was named among the substitutes for just the second time.

It was also Bishop’s first return to Chesham after she left the club during the summer to sign for the Royals. The teenage striker added pace, energy and competition to Reading’s front line, alongside goals, netting six times from a total of seven matches. 

Team (3-1-4-1-1): Sophie Butler (GK), Bethan Poole, Lara Moore, Keziah Banduka, Ellie Szekeres (Martha Riley, 70’), Mia Parker (captain) (Freya Morgan, 65’), Ellie Luscombe, Leah Why (Poppy Whitburn, 38’), Sophie Bishop (Macey-Nikiah Walters, 65’), Nat Cowell (Keren Banduka, 70’), Alice Curr

Reading goalscorers: Alice Curr, 27’; Bethan Poole, 48’; Nat Cowell, 52’, 54’; Ellie Luscombe 63’

Chesham United: Holly Fitzgerald, 22’; Ruby Slade, 23’; Henrietta Cunnison, 32’ 

Reading yellow cards: None

Chesham United yellow cards: Victoria Collett, 57’; Mehak Khanna, 75’; Henrietta Cunnison, 81’

First half

Reading started brightly, winning two corners in the opening few minutes and threatening early on. Cowell saw a half-volley fly narrowly wide of the post, before Chesham were forced to clear an effort off the line following another dangerous delivery from a Curr set-piece.

If the sight of fork lightning behind the far stand was a surprise, there were further shocks to come when the hosts opened up a shock two-goal lead halfway through the opening 45 minutes. 

With the heavens well and truly open, Chesham took the lead through Fitzgerald. Emma Bebbington delivered a dangerous free-kick into the Reading penalty area, and after the ball bounced off Royals goalkeeper Butler, Fitzgerald reacted quickest to turn home from close range and make it 1-0.

Reading had barely had time to recover before Chesham doubled their advantage less than a minute later. Butler was unable to hold a cross from the right, allowing Chesham’s number nine, Slade, to pounce on the loose ball and prod home from close range. 2-0.

It was a difficult couple of minutes for Butler, but Royals goalkeeping coach Ryan Robinson will be confident the young shot-stopper can bounce back from. Speaking to us last year, Robinson highlighted the importance of mental strength in the position:

“What’s really impressed me with all of them is their mindset and their mental resilience. I know first and foremost as a goalkeeper that it can be a really difficult place to be.”

With Curr and Why providing width and Cowell and Bishop leading the line, Reading possess a formidable attacking threat capable of troubling any side in the league. It was therefore little surprise when the Royals found a way back into the match. 

Keziah Banduka played a pass out from the back to Bishop, who released Curr down the right. The Royals forward drove into the penalty area, before finishing superbly beyond Chesham goalkeeper Lucy McNamee, giving her no chance and registering her fifth goal of the season to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Just as Reading looked to build on their momentum and push for an equaliser, Chesham struck again. Butler produced an excellent fingertip save to concede the hosts’ second corner of the match, but Reading were unable to deal with the resulting delivery.

Chesham’s number 11, Cunnison, was afforded too much space at the back post for a close-range header, the ball going in off the post. 3-1. 

With half-time approaching and the warmth of the changing rooms beckoning, play was halted for several minutes following a heavy challenge involving Why. Sadly, the incident saw the Reading striker unable to continue, requiring assistance to leave the field before being taken to hospital for further tests.

Everyone will be hoping for positive news on her condition and wishing her a speedy recovery.

Half-time: 1-3

Reading needed a strong second-half response, and that was exactly what they produced in a remarkable turnaround, scoring four goals without reply in a frantic 15-minute spell.

Just three minutes after the restart, Reading pulled one back. Poole scored her second headed goal of the season, with a perfectly executed near-post finish to reduce the deficit and provide the immediate response the team and loyal Royals wanted to see. 2-3. 

Cowell was next on the scoresheet, netting twice in the space of two minutes to turn the game on its head and bring Reading level.

A well worked move began with Szekeres winning possession, following the goalkeeper’s long kick towards Bishop. The ball was worked out to Curr on the right, whose delivery found Cowell in the penalty area. The forward made no mistake from close range, just too strong for the Chesham defence, to level the scores at 3-3.

Cowell’s second was an outstanding solo effort that put Reading ahead for the first time in the match.

Latching onto a long ball forward from Poole, she showed excellent footwork to twist and turn away from two Chesham defenders before unleashing a left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area.

The ball sailed over the goalkeeper and into the net, completing a great turnaround and sending the Royals into a 3-4 lead.

With an hour gone, Luscombe effectively put the result beyond doubt by adding Reading’s fifth. The combative midfielder rose to power home another excellent corner from Curr, who continued her impressive contribution with what I believe was her 10th assist of the season to date, and league-leading tally. 3-5.

With the home side struggling – down to 10 players due to injuries and fatigue, and unable to field a full substitutes bench – Jackson-Norris piled on more pressure. He made his remaining changes to see out a result that was no longer in doubt, Walters making her debut for the Royals after joining from Ascot United. 

Whitburn came closest to extending the lead further when her right-foot rocket of a shot smashed against the upright, the force of her effort temporarily removing the surplus water from the post and net in a spectacular mini-waterfall moment.

Full-time: 3-5

There are two cup fixtures to put in your diary this week:

• Wednesday October 21, KO TBC: Mid-week cup action with a trip to North London to face Enfield Town in the second round of the Isthmian Cup, a new tournament for Reading this season (after receiving a bye in the opening round)
• Sunday October 25, 2pm: The Royals are clocking up more miles on the road with a journey south to play Havant & Waterlooville – top of tier six – in the opening round of the League Cup

See you there!

Other league results

• Farnham Town 5-1 Denham United 
• Oxford City 3-0 Beaconsfield Town
• Southampton Women 0-4 AFC Portchester 
• Winchester City Flyers 5-1 Woodley United 

League standings (top seven teams)

1. Farnham Town: 13 points from five matches
2. AFC Portchester: 13 points from five matches
3. Winchester City Flyers: 12 points from five matches
4. Reading: 10 points from five matches
5. Southampton Women: 10 points from six matches
6. Oxford City: seven points from four matches
7. Denham United: seven points from five matches

Real Madrid left-back Marc Cucurella talked to the press after the team’s convincing 4-1 win over Sevilla in La Liga. The Spanish defender was pleased with the effort.

“I think we played a very good game from the start. We had quite a bit of control and knew when to attack quickly and when to maintain more possession. I think we played a very solid 90 minutes,” he said.

Cucurella was also very happy for Eder Militao, who made his return from injury last night.

“He’s a great player with a lot of personality. He also contributes a lot to the locker room. He’s a very cheerful guy, and I’m very happy to have him back. Now, we have just a few injured players, but little by little, we’re getting there. The important thing is to have everyone available. It’s a very long season. There are many matches, and the more players we have available, the better,” he explained.

Lastly, he previewed the upcoming match against Leipzig in the Champions League.

“Securing a victory against Leipzig would be very important. We know that the Champions League is a special competition. We are very eager to achieve something important, and it’s crucial to get the three points at home and ensure three wins,” he concluded.

The 2026-27 Texas Tech women's basketball team made its first public appearance in an exhibition against Angelo State on Sunday at United Supermarkets arena.

The Lady Raiders, picked 10th in the Big 12 preseason coaches' poll, dressed out nine players as the team navigates multiple injuries.

Here's who started for Tech, along with their stat lines from the 81-40 win.

Texas Tech women's basketball starting lineup vs. Angelo State

Ambrosia Cole, guard — 12 points (4-of-8 shooting); 2 rebounds; 6 assists; 2 steals

Tahys Da Silva, guard — 2 points (0-of-8 shooting, 0-of-5 from 3); 8 rebounds; 4 assists; 5 steals

Jalayah Ingram, guard — 2 points (1-of-7 shooting, 0-3 from 3); 3 rebounds; 5 steals; 1 block

Jalynn Bristow, forward — 26 points (10-of-15 shooting, 3-of-6 from 3); 9 rebounds; 2 assists; 4 steals; 1 block

Stephanie Okechukwu, center — 18 points (8-of-9 shooting); 5 rebounds; 2 blocks

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Who started in Texas Tech women's basketball exhibition? Okechukwu debuts

Penn State football may need a week off as much as anyone in the country.

The Nittany Lions must attempt to retool themselves in light of their disheartening 3-4 start, including the 21-18 meltdown defeat at Michigan — their fourth straight in Big Ten action — to start the Matt Campbell era.

The Lions have lost each of their conference games after beginning Campbell's first season in State College with three decisive, non-conference victories.

Penn State will not play this weekend, their only open date of the 2026 season. Its next game will be on Halloween against the Purdue Boilermakers (2-5, 1-3 Big Ten) in Beaver Stadium.

The Lions, stunningly enough, are in the middle of a four-game Big Ten losing streak for the second straight season. Last year, they lost six straight under fired head coach James Franklin and interim leader Terry Smith before winning at Michigan State.

Now, PSU must try to improve its inept running game and inconsistent defense and finally settle mistake-prone senior quarterback Rocco Becht. Can it possibly 'fix' one of the weakest pass rush attacks in the nation?

Doing those things would be a big step toward regrouping, earning its first Big Ten game and making a push for some type of postseason appearance.

Help could be on the way, at least, with the expected return of injured Lions, such as young edge rusher/linebacker LaVar Arrington II and star receiver Koby Howard, who should team with Chase Sowell to form one of the top wideout combinations in the league and beyond.

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at  fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Is Penn State football, winless in the Big Ten, playing in Week 8?

See the Savannah Bananas unveil a global 2027 tour, Disney film and Banana Ball 360 as fans pack Grayson Stadium for a historic night.

More: Catch the sights as the Savannah Bananas take Banana Ball global

More: Banana Ball goes international for the first time for 2027 World Tour

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Experience the energy of the Savannah Bananas' world tour reveal

SHALLOWATER — During the open week, Cruz Dickson took an interest in barbering — particularly fades and blends. He bought the necessary equipment and found around 10 Shallowater football teammates willing to act as test subjects.

The results of Dickson's clippers garnered mixed reviews, but one thing is certain. Dickson was a buzzkill for Bushland on Friday.

The senior picked off three passes and returned one for a touchdown to lead a swarming secondary in the Mustangs' 49-28 triumph at Todd Field. Conner Shires added two interceptions and his own pick-six as Shallowater (6-1, 1-0) held off Bushland's late rally.

Dickson, who also scored a receiving TD, said the Mustangs' defensive backs take pride in being a team strength.

"We call ourselves, 'No Fly Zone,'" Dickson said. "I think we're one of the better secondaries in (Class) 3A, for sure."

Friday's performance could be used as evidence. Falcons quarterback Parker Hall finished 19-of-37 passing for 246 yards. He threw for a TD and rushed for 52 yards and two scores, but two late interceptions gave away Bushland's momentum after closing a 35-7 gap.

The Falcons got within 35-28 with the ball and 6:17 remaining, but Dickson's takeaway ended the threat. Shires put a bow on the district-opening win with a 74-yard pick-six on Bushland's next drive.

"Not being able to play offense that much, it's great to have that ball in your hand," Shires said. "It's the best feeling you can have as a defender."

Dickson has experience on both sides. The senior was second on the team with 69 receiving yards on three catches, including a 50-yard TD. When he gets the ball on defense, it's a natural transition into scoring mode.

Dickson credited the game plan and Shallowater's defensive linemen creating pressure. Mustangs coach Rodney Vincent figured Dickson was due for a game like Friday.

"Cruz was our leading guy for interceptions last year," Vincent said. "He was one of the top in the state. In non-district, he hadn't had that many, so it was kind of good to see him get going tonight. He's got very good vision and has a knack for the football."

Bushland (6-2, 1-1) also forced five turnovers and scored twice on defense. Falcons coach Josh Reynolds said the problem was an inconsistent rushing attack. The team ran for 180 yards, but 19 carries went for 2 yards or fewer.

"We've been pretty balanced this year in the run and pass and doing a lot of good things," Reynolds said. "I never felt like we got our run game going. In the pass game, I think they just did a good job in their zone coverages taking away some of those windows and forced us into some bad decisions."

Bushland may not be the last victim this season. If Shallowater's backfield can live up to their self-given moniker, plenty others will find the defense hard to crack. The Falcons entered the game averaging 52.9 points.

"I'm really proud of our secondary for trying to get (Bushland) out of what they like to do with all the quick screens and hitches," Vincent said. "But then we held up in the box. Our defensive line and linebackers played really good. (The Falcons) stress you in both of those areas, and I was really proud of our guys for executing our defensive plan."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Shallowater's 'No Fly Zone' lives up to name to ground Bushland