Florida baseball coach Kevin O'Sullivan is getting a clearer picture of what his roster could look like as the games begin to count.
The Gators continued their unbeaten fall exhibition schedule Wednesday with a 7-4 win over the Ontario Blue Jays, with Nic Partridge delivering a three-hit night and Florida's bullpen stringing together seven consecutive scoreless innings. The performance gave O'Sullivan another opportunity to move players around defensively and evaluate a pitching staff that he believes has made significant progress.
O'Sullivan spoke with the press immediately following the exhibition about Partridge's breakout fall, Florida's defensive versatility, its emerging bullpen options and the development of several young pitchers.
Here's everything O'Sullivan had to say, with quotes transcribed from Gators Online's YouTube coverage.
I think they all did. Honestly, I think Brady (Snow)'s back was bothering him just a little bit, and I think he kind of tweaked something and didn't say anything. So I thought he threw good. I thought they all threw good.

#thought

Angel Reese being praised for her performance during the 2026 WNBA Finals doesn't sit well with one Los Angeles Clippers fan.
The Atlanta Dream survived the win-or-go-home Game 6 against the Golden State Valkyries in the 2026 WNBA Finals.
Star forward Angel Reese contributed 15 points to the 80-69 win, but she had a somewhat off-shooting night.
Despite that, many have praised Reese for her overall performance in the series and want her to win the Finals MVP if the Dream seal the deal in Game 7.
One X user, 'Jacobtheclipper' doesn't share the same enthusiasm about Reese's WNBA Finals performance as others.

#finals #WNBA #angeles

Borussia Mönchengladbach are in talks to extend Wael Mohya's contract beyond 2028.
According to Sky Germany, the club's management want to reward the 17-year-old's development. In doing so, Mohya will reportedly double his salary which will see him earn around €2m per year.
Mohya has been a star of this Gladbach side in 2026/27, having featured in all nine matches across all competitions this season, while registering a goal and ****** ist in the Foals' Matchday 7 victory over VfB Stuttgart, their first win of the season.
Praising Mohya's performance against Stuttgart, Head of Sport Rouven Schröder said: "The way he dribbles forward, the audacity with which he sets up the goal … Hats off! […] very happy that Wael showed what he's capable of."
Gladbach head coach Alexander Blessin also praised the club's rising star. "He's a very young guy who's open and laughs, he doesn't care too much about pressure," expressed Blessin, who lauded Mohya's attacking abilities. "His ability to relieve pressure in one-on-one situations is crucial."

#stuttgart #year #season

Angelique S. Chengelis, Connor Earegood, John Niyo, and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News predict the outcome of Saturday's Michigan-Rutgers game at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey (12:30 p.m., Big Ten Network/94.7 FM).
▶ Angelique S. Chengelis: Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has always been tied to defense, but the Scarlet Knights have struggled defensively this season and ranks 128th in scoring. That could make this the "get-right" game for Michigan's offense, which is sorely in need of a confidence-building performance, especially from the run game and offensive line. Michigan's No. 3-ranked defense likely won't have the challenge it was expecting now that Rutgers QB Dylan Lonergan has been ruled out. He left last week's game at Northwestern in the first quarter because of a hit to the head and backup AJ Surace has struggled with six touchdowns against five interceptions this season. Michigan's defensive backs were expected to have their hands full facing 6-foot-6 receiver KJ Duff, but he is "doubtful" for the game, according to the Big Ten availability report. Pick: Michigan, 31-10
▶ Connor Earegood: Rejoice, Jason Beck. You're going to save your job this week. This Michigan offense may be wasting one of the nation's best defenses, but it will get an important tune-up against Rutgers. You know, the Rutgers team that lost to UMass, which is 1-3 in Mid-American Conference play. Oh, Rutgahs. Its availability report suggests some key starters will not play. Its starting QB is hurt, its star receiver is doubtful. A one-read quarterback could probably pick its defense apart at full strength. That's a good opponent for a true freshman in Tommy Carr to face in his second career start, after the **** er of the unknown wore off last week and showed you that maybe, just maybe, it isn't the guy under center who's the problem but rather the guy calling his plays. If Beck takes some inspiration from the Michigan Stadium videoboard and runs the ball between the tackles from time to time, Michigan should roll to an easy win. If it's another stinker, it will make for an interesting crowd in next week's rivalry game. Pick: Michigan, 34-7
▶ John Niyo: If Rutgers can't cure Michigan's offensive woes, nothing will. Greg Schiano's days appear numbered in Piscataway, and the statistical numbers make it obvious why: Rutgers ranks 128th nationally in scoring defense and has given up 161 points in four Big Ten games thus far. Of course, that's more points than the Wolverines have scored in seven games this season. But this defense should be the cure Michigan's inefficient run game needs, and no matter who's playing quarterback, there'll be opportunities to create explosive plays in the pass game. In four Big Ten games, Rutgers already has given up 15 plays of 30-plus yards. Pick: Michigan, 34-16
▶ Bob Wojnowski: There's no such thing as a breather for the Wolverines, with six of their seven games decided on the final possession. Last week's OT loss to Indiana wa

Former Texas A&M football players delivered several notable performances in Week 7 of the NFL season, including a breakout game from Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion and a career milestone for Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Cashius Howell.
Concepcion recorded career highs with eight receptions for 129 yards in Cleveland's 27-24 victory over the Tennessee **** ans. He also added 23 rushing yards on three carries, for 152 total yards from scrimmage. His performance earned him a nomination for the NFL's Rookie of the Week award.
The former Aggie became the first Browns rookie wide receiver since 2016 to surpass 100 receiving yards in a game. His 129 yards also ranked eighth in franchise history for a rookie in a single game. Over seven games, Concepcion has caught 30 passes for 315 yards, establishing himself as an emerging weapon in Cleveland's offense.
Howell also had a memorable afternoon in Cincinnati's 35-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The rookie defensive end recorded his first career NFL sack, bringing down quarterback Tyler Huntley for a four-yard loss on Baltimore's opening second-half drive.
The play helped force a punt as Cincinnati rallied from a 13-0 halftime deficit and scored 35 unanswered points to win. Howell, a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, recorded 11.5 sacks in his final season at Texas A&M before moving to the professional level.

#howell #recorded #Browns

Cam Buffington has been the most consistent producer for Iowa's defense this season. He was rewarded for that consistency on Wednesday.
Buffington was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which is given annually to the most impactful linebacker in college football. The third-year from Winfield, Iowa, joins 14 other players as semifinalists for the award named after Hall of Fame linebacker **** Butkus.
Buffington has 62 total tackles and two sacks for the Hawkeyes this season. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound linebacker is tied with Northwestern's Braydon Brus for the most total tackles in the Big Ten this season. He's come up huge numerous times for Phil Parker's defense, including a 15-tackle performance in a tight win over Iowa State.
Buffington is the leader of a defense that's given up the eighth-fewest points (14.3) and 14th-fewest yards (281.3) per game among all FBS teams this season. Iowa's defense has been elite, and Buffington is a massive part of it.
If he wins the Butkus Award, Buffington would join Jack Campbell as the only Hawkeyes to ever take home the hardware. Finalists for the Butkus Award will be announced on Nov. 20. The winner will be announced in early December.

#season #iowa

The 2026 season might have been a struggle for the North Hunterdon High School football team, but last weekend's victory over neighborhood rival Voorhees in the 51st annual Milk Can Game is a good way to go into the offseason on a supremely positive note.
Senior Matt Esposito led the way in the 21-18 victory, which increased the Lions all-time lead in the series to 36-14-1 and gave them their first victory of the season. Esposito rushed 27 times for 193 yards and the three touchdowns, including two in the second half. He also pitched in five tackles on defense, plus an interception.
The senior finishes with 916 yards and nine scores for the season, plus a receiving touchdown, while recording 36 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble in the Lions' defensive secondary.
"Matt had a tremendous year and was an instrumental piece to the team," North Hunterdon coach CJ Robinson said. "He brings the effort, attitude, and toughness on Friday nights. His performance last week is a great reflection of the work and commitment he's put in this year. To see him play at that level and help lead our team to a win was special. We were fortunate to have had him as part of our program."
Simeon Pincus has covered NJ sports since 1997. He can be reached at SPincusGannettNJ.com. Follow him on Twitter SimeonPincus

#team #hunterdon #matt

Novak Djokovic's hopes of making a record 19th appearance at the ATP Finals have been dented by a surprise defeat against Jan-Lennard Struff at the Swiss Indoors in Basel.
Playing in the tournament for the first time in 15 years, the 39-year-old lost 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 7-6 (7-5) - the first time he has been beaten by Struff in nine meetings.
"I knew I needed to go for it. There was only one way to play it. So, I was very, very happy," said the world number 27.
"I knew I had to play my best tennis to have a chance. The last eight times he beat me very, very easily. So, I'm very, very happy and pleased with the performance."
The year's top-eight performers qualify for the ATP event in Turin and this result leaves Djokovic - the men's game's record 24-time Grand Slam winner - 11th in the standings.

#time #first #play #eight

Braves predicted to sign $85M ex-Cubs Gold Glove finalist with power bat after career-best season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves won the NL East last season and nearly reached 100 wins, which was a great accomplishment. However, the beginning of the season was plagued by injuries and a suspension.
The Braves signed Jurickson Profar two offseasons ago, but the move has been nothing but detrimental. In fact, he has missed 243 games due to suspensions, including a year-long suspension in 2026.
"Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary," ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote.
Heading into the offseason, one of the biggest questions for Atlanta will be how it addresses left field.

#season #sporting

Panthers most to blame for Thursday Night Football loss to Packers appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Carolina Panthers had enough opportunities to make Thursday night interesting. Too bad they spent too much of the game making life difficult for themselves. Their defense generated some timely stops, and Chuba Hubbard delivered a productive performance. Bryce Young even produced a late touchdown to keep hope alive. None of it was enough, though. A six-sack nightmare, an inconsistent quarterback performance, and communication problems in the secondary combined to doom Carolina in a 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Carolina's offensive front deserves the biggest share of the blame for this loss. Green Bay brought consistent pressure and sacked Young six times. They repeatedly disrupted the timing of an offense that needed to establish some rhythm. The Panthers could not reliably protect the pocket. That turned too many passing situations into survival exercises.
The damage went beyond the sack total. Every time Young had to escape pressure, Carolina's receivers had less time to complete their routes and find open ****** e. The Packers could attack aggressively, knowing their rushers had a good chance of reaching the quarterback. That allowed Green Bay to dictate the terms of the matchup.

#packers #young #clutchpoints #blame

DETROIT — There was a lot going on Thursday in Detroit.
Let's start where it ended: The Chicago Blackhawks lost to the Red Wings 4-1 at Little Caesars Arena in their ugliest performance of the season.
The Hawks fell to 0-5 on the road and 4-9-0 overall and cap their two-game trip against the 9-4-1 Boston Bruins on Saturday in a Halloween matinee. It was their fifth straight game scoring two goals or fewer.
But the chaos of the day started hours earlier when Red Wings coach Todd McLellan announced that center Dylan Larkin would not play.
Larkin had told the Red Wings he no longer wanted to play for the organization and reiterated his trade demand. The team suspended him without pay Thursday, costing him $41,000 per day in salary and drawing ire from Red Wings fans who already were upset with the former captain.

#detroit #thursday #play

Jürgen Klopp will announce his Germany squad on Thursday, November 5th, for the national team's final two UEFA Nations League group-stage matches of the year per iMiaSanMia.
Germany faces a trip to Belgrade to take on Serbia on November 13th before returning home to Berlin for a highly anticipated clash against the Netherlands on November 16th. Both fixtures will provide Klopp with another opportunity to evaluate his options as he continues shaping the national team in his first year in charge.
There will be plenty of intrigue surrounding Klopp's selections, particularly as Germany looks to finish the group stage strongly. Will the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager stick with the players who have featured in his previous camps, or will he introduce some fresh faces for the final international break of 2026? Certainly, he will have to take fewer players than he called up in September.
The squad announcement will also offer a clearer picture of Klopp's preferred core of players moving forward, with competition for starting places still wide open in several positions.
Germany has two important tests ahead, and Klopp will want to see his team deliver consistent performances against challenging opposition.

#germany #klopp #november #year

LaMelo Ball and Jonathan **** inga seemed to be having a go at Rudy Gobert during the Minnesota Timberwolves' game against the Golden State Warriors.
The Wolves went into the game without Anthony Edwards, and unsurprisingly, they didn't look like their usual selves. They suffered a 119-114 defeat in the end.
Gobert came under a lot of criticism for his performance, and Ball and **** inga seemingly yelling at him made it an even bigger story.
However, the Frenchman has now claimed that no such thing happened between him and his two teammates.
It really was a frustrating night for the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Golden State Warriors.

#timberwolves #state #game

The Golden State Warriors seem to have landed a gem with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Yaxel Lendeborg has put his name among some of the greatest rookies of all-time with his first-week performance.
After an 0-3 start, the Warriors have won back-to-back games and Lendeborg has filled his role tremendously.
Yes, he's playing alongside a guy named Stephen Curry, who's been unstoppable the past two games − his 44-point night following a perfect shooting night. Still, Curry can't do it alone and with injuries to Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody, Golden State needs players to step up. Lendeborg has so far.
The 24-year-old rookie has averaged 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.0 ***** ists over his first five games.

#first

Cameron Boozer sets a historic triple-double record to beat LeBron James originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Memphis Grizzlies have been the surprise story of the 2026-27 NBA season, mostly because of Ty Jerome's fantastic run as the top scorer, leading them to a 5-0 record with their latest win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.
Jerome was pulled back down to earth after averaging 29.8 points and 6.5 **** ists per game for the Grizzlies. Thankfully for Memphis, they still had other phenomenal talents like Cameron Boozer, who was definitely the standout in the win against Portland.
Boozer had the best performance of the night because he was all over the court. He posted the first triple-double of his career by getting 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 **** ists in only 28 minutes.
It was such an impressive performance because he was playing against some talented defenders like Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara. Boozer also showcased why he was seen as one of the most NBA-ready prospects with his poise.

#cameron #memphis

Carolina Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan had six receptions for 58 yards against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8. He was targeted a team-high 11 times in the loss.
SOURCE: USA TODAY
Why It Matters: With Bryce Young under duress on Thursday night, the passing game was primarily quick hitters with the hope that the wideouts could break a tackle or two and make a big play. It rarely worked out that way, however, and as a result McMillan averaged just 9.7 yards per catch. It was his third largely disappointing performance in his last five games and second in a row. We all saw what this passing attack could look like early this season, so McMillan's upside remains substantial, but the Panthers need to figure out a way to keep Young upright so he can take more downfield shots. While it's too soon to downgrade McMillan below WR2 status, his recent production has not been on that level.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tetairoa McMillan leads Carolina in receiving on Thursday night

#mcmillan

The Green Bay Packers are 5-3 after beating the Carolina Panthers by a 27-19 final score on "Thursday Night Football" from Lambeau Field. There were **** ps along the way, especially early and late, but the Packers got three touchdown passes from Jordan Love and six sacks from Jonathan Gannon's defense to power what ended up being a winning performance.
Highlighting the good, the bad and the ugly coming out of Thursday night's win:
Jordan Love during the first three quarters, the adversity defense, and the pass-rush: Love was on fire for the first 45 minutes, completing 26 of his first 33 passes for 262 yards and three scores. He threw a pick early in the fourth quarter, starting a disappointing finish for the offense overall, but the Packers quarterback was terrific for most of the contest, playing on time from the pocket and consistently finding completions. Jonathan Gannon's defense was dominant at times, allowing only three points off three Packers turnovers, and the only three points came after the fumbled opening kickoff that gave the Panthers the ball in field goal range. It took a few crazy conversions for the Panthers to score a touchdown in the second half. The Packers were dominant up front, sacking Bryce Young six times and consistently disrupting the pocket.
The start, and most of the finish: How did the Packers open the game? By fumbling away the opening kickoff, dropping three first-quarter passes and committing a pre-snap penalty. The turnover spotted the Panthers three early points. To Green Bay's credit, the first quarter ended with the Packers leading. During most of the second and third quarters, the Packers were in complete control, leading 20-10 at the half and 27-13 with a chance to dagger the Panthers to start the fourth quarter. But Jordan Love threw a pick on the second play of the fourth, turning the game sharply, and the Panthers eventually scored on a 70-yard drive and had the ball down one score with a chance to tie the game. What should have been a comfortable, two- or three-score win ended up being a nail biter because the Packers made costly mistakes and couldn't run the ball. One more bad: Trey Smack missed an extra point, so the kicking worries continue to linger. The lost point mattered because it kept the Panthers within one score in the fourth quarter.
The run game. The Packers returned Aaron Banks to the lineup at left guard, and Josh Jacobs got a full workload against the NFL's worst run defense entering Week 8, but it wasn't nearly enough to awaken Green Bay's dormant run game. Jacobs turned 21 rushes into only 39 yards, and 18 of the Packers' 66 rushing yards came on a well-executed Savion Williams gadget play. The 25 designed runs to running backs gained all of 48 yards. Jacobs didn't have a run longer than six yards. It's possible the Packers run game just isn't going to happen in 2026. This is a historically bad start -- the Packers are just the 14th team since 1935 to rush for fewer than 500 yards

EJ Gibson was given two options with three seconds left in the game. Catch or run.
In the dying seconds of Ensworth football's game against Montgomery Bell Academy on Oct. 29, junior quarterback Isaiah Hasselbeck located junior tight end Champ Banks to pull within a point of the lead.
Going for the win on a 2-point conversion, Gibson gave his teammates a simple answer.
"Trust me, Give me the ball and I'm going to knock it in," the senior running back said.
The game winning conversion was the cherry on top of 200 rushing yard performance as Ensworth (5-5, 3-2 Division II-AAA East) stunned Montgomery Bell Academy (8-2, 3-2 Division II-AAA East) in a 15-14 victory.

#gibson #going

Chicago Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill did not hide his frustration after Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. He called the performance a major step backward, criticizing his players' effort, skating and attention to detail.
The Blackhawks entered the game looking to build consistency. Instead, they struggled defensively and allowed Detroit to control the game, despite captain Connor Bedard's early goal.
"We had just way too many guys that wasn't close, not enough good," Blashill told NHL reporters.
MORE: Blackhawks coach reveals why Connor Bedard stays on ice in big moments
Final: Detroit 4, Chicago 1

#Chicago

After being down by 17 points, the Carolina Panthers have been it interesting on Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers. On fourth down, Bryce Young connected with wide receiver Jalen ***** er, who took it to the house for a 26-yard touchdown.
However, Young's pass attempt on the two-point conversion was incomplete, leaving the score at 27-19 in favor of the Green Bay Packers. Their two drives in the fourth quarter have ended in an interception and a punt. The Packers also have a total of three turnovers in this game.
Here is a look at ***** er's touchdown to make it a one-score game, courtesy of the NFL's official social media:
Green Bay's defense has been able to contain Carolina's top receiver, Tetairoa McMillan, for the most part. He currently has five receptions for 50 yards. Running back Chuba Hubbard has been the best player on the Panthers' offense with 118 total yards and a touchdown. Young's touchdown pass to ***** er was his first of the night. It was also ***** er's first touchdown since his two-touchdown performance against the Chicago Bears in the season opener.
Carolina's offense forced the Packers to punt on their next drive, giving the Panthers back the ball with over four and a half minutes left in the game and all three timeouts.

#game

Josh Reaume endured a challenging afternoon in Friday's Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway, finishing 22nd after starting 33rd. The Team Reaume driver gained 11 positions during the event and briefly led one lap in his No. 22 Ford.
Reaume began the race near the rear of the field, facing the challenge of advancing through a competitive 36-truck lineup. However, the unpredictable drafting conditions provided several opportunities for competitors to gain positions as the running order constantly changed.
The first major accident occurred on Lap 17, collecting eight trucks and forcing NASCAR to temporarily stop the race. Reaume avoided elimination in that incident and continued battling for track position as the event progressed. His Ford also remained competitive during the second stage, when multiple drivers experienced tire problems and varying pit strategies reshuffled the field.
Reaume eventually moved into the lead for one lap, providing a notable moment during his afternoon. The final stage featured additional accidents and an overtime finish, but Reaume could not remain on the lead lap. He ultimately completed 82 laps and finished 22nd, four laps behind winner Sammy Smith.
The performance earned Reaume 15 points and represented an improvement of 11 positions from his original starting spot.

#Event #field

Clay Greenfield delivered a solid performance in Friday's Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway, finishing 15th in his No. 95 Chevrolet. The GK Racing driver qualified 21st and gained six positions during an event featuring multiple major accidents and an overtime finish.
Greenfield entered the race hoping to capitalize on the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing. The opening stage featured intense drafting competition, with several drivers exchanging positions while attempting to maintain momentum. Greenfield remained competitive through the first segment and avoided the eight-truck accident that occurred on Lap 17.
The incident eliminated numerous drivers and temporarily interrupted the race, but Greenfield continued battling for track position. His Chevrolet remained in competition throughout the second stage as several other trucks encountered tire problems and mechanical issues.
The final stage featured another major accident on Lap 57, followed by a late caution that forced the event into overtime. Greenfield avoided the race-ending damage that affected several competitors and maintained his position on the lead lap. He ultimately finished 15th, completing all 86 laps and earning 22 points.
The performance represented a positive afternoon for Greenfield, who gained six positions from his qualifying effort and completed the entire race against a competitive Truck Series field.

#greenfield #positions #several #chevrolet

Frankie Muniz delivered an encouraging performance during Friday's Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway, finishing 12th after starting 31st. The Team Reaume driver gained 19 positions during an afternoon filled with major accidents and unpredictable drafting conditions.
Muniz began the race near the rear of the field, facing the challenge of working through a competitive 36-truck lineup. His No. 33 Ford remained in competition during the opening stage while several drivers encountered significant problems. The first major accident occurred on Lap 17, eliminating multiple competitors and dramatically reshaping the running order.
Muniz avoided involvement in the incident and continued improving his position as the race progressed. Another accident on Lap 57 eliminated additional trucks, creating opportunities for drivers who had remained out of trouble. Muniz continued competing through the final stage and stayed on the lead lap as the field prepared for an overtime finish.
He ultimately crossed the finish line 12th, completing all 86 laps and finishing 10.163 seconds behind winner Sammy Smith. The result earned Muniz 25 points and represented an important performance during his 2026 Truck Series campaign.
His ability to advance through the field and complete the demanding superspeedway event provided a positive result for Team Reaume.

#muniz #field

Brenden Queen delivered an impressive seventh-place finish in Friday's Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway, recording the highest finish among the race's rookie competitors. The Kaulig Racing driver started 36th and gained 29 positions during an event filled with major accidents and unpredictable drafting conditions.
Queen began the afternoon at the rear of the field but steadily worked forward as the race progressed. His No. 12 Ram demonstrated competitive speed during the middle stages, allowing him to challenge established Truck Series contenders. Queen secured the final stage point in Stage 2 by finishing 10th, providing an early boost to his afternoon.
He remained competitive during the final stage, briefly battling among the leading trucks as Tanner Gray and others exchanged positions. Queen avoided the severe damage that eliminated multiple competitors and maintained a strong position heading into overtime. He ultimately finished seventh, just 0.277 seconds behind winner Sammy Smith.
The result earned Queen 31 points and represented an important performance during his rookie campaign. Queen remains 15th in the overall NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings with 472 points, sitting just three behind Justin Haley.
Although he missed the championship Chase, Queen will attempt to continue improving his position at Martinsville and Homestead-Miami.

#truck #seventh #finish #afternoon

Landen Lewis produced one of the strongest recovery performances in Friday's Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway, finishing sixth after starting 30th. The Niece Motorsports driver overcame a difficult qualifying effort and advanced 24 positions during the chaotic 86-lap event.
Lewis initially faced the challenge of working through a competitive field while navigating the changing drafting lanes. However, his No. 45 Chevrolet demonstrated impressive speed during the middle stages, allowing him to move toward the front. Lewis finished sixth in Stage 2, earning five additional points while establishing himself among the contenders.
He continued running competitively during the final stage, briefly leading the outside drafting lane as Tanner Gray challenged from the inside. The race's changing circumstances provided opportunities to gain positions, and Lewis avoided the accidents that eliminated several other drivers.
When the event entered overtime, Lewis remained among the leading competitors and positioned himself to capitalize on the final-lap battle. He ultimately finished sixth, just 0.272 seconds behind winner Sammy Smith. The result earned Lewis 36 points and marked another impressive performance during his part-time Truck Series campaign.
His ability to advance from 30th to sixth demonstrated the strength of his Chevrolet and his ability to compete in superspeedway racing.

#lewis #changing #drafting

Sammy Smith delivered a memorable performance in Friday's Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway, securing his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory in dramatic fashion. The Spire Motorsports driver started second, led a race-high 21 laps and emerged victorious following a chaotic overtime finish.
Smith established himself as a contender immediately, taking the lead for the first time on Lap 2. He remained competitive throughout the afternoon while battling several championship contenders and navigating multiple accidents.
The decisive moment came during overtime when Smith restarted on the inside of the front row alongside Layne Riggs. He received a strong push from Ty Majeski and remained near the front as the leaders battled for position. Smith ultimately gained the necessary momentum coming through the tri-oval and surged ahead of a four-wide battle for second place.
His No. 7 Chevrolet crossed the finish line just 0.091 seconds ahead of Tyler Ankrum, with teammate Austin Green finishing third. The victory came just hours after Smith announced plans to compete full time in the Truck Series in 2027.
It marked his first victory in 11 career Truck Series starts and provided an impressive preview of his upcoming full-time campaign.

#victory #time #second

Tyler Ankrum nearly captured his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory of the 2026 season during Friday's Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway. The McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver started seventh and finished second after an intense four-wide battle approaching the checkered flag.
Ankrum remained competitive throughout the afternoon, navigating the shifting drafting lanes while several championship contenders experienced significant problems. His No. 18 Chevrolet stayed among the leading group during the final stage, giving him an opportunity to challenge for the victory when the race entered overtime.
Ankrum restarted among the front-running trucks and maintained enough momentum to reach the finish line alongside Austin Green, Ty Majeski and Kaden Honeycutt. Although Sammy Smith secured the victory by 0.091 seconds, Ankrum narrowly defeated Green for second place by just 0.002 seconds.
The runner-up finish marked Ankrum's seventh top-10 result of the season and fourth career top-10 finish at Talladega. He also earned 35 points, providing an important boost to his championship total. Ankrum remains ninth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Chase standings with 2,157 points, trailing championship leader Honeycutt by 214 markers.
Although his championship chances have ended, Ankrum will look to build on his strong Talladega performance at Martinsville and Homestead-Miami.

#ankrum #championship #victory #craftsman

Layne Riggs remained firmly in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship contention Friday, finishing eighth in the Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway. The Front Row Motorsports driver started ninth, led six laps and competed near the front throughout much of the afternoon. Riggs demonstrated impressive speed early, finishing fifth in Stage 1 before improving to second in Stage 2.
His No. 34 Ford continued running among the leaders during the final stage, allowing him to challenge Kaden Honeycutt and several other championship contenders. Riggs appeared positioned for a potential victory when he restarted on the outside of the front row alongside Sammy Smith in overtime.
He received a push from Honeycutt, but the outside lane struggled to maintain momentum against the inside line. As Ty Majeski moved ahead of Riggs, Honeycutt eventually found an opportunity to pass his championship rival. Riggs slipped backward during the final-lap battle and finished eighth, earning 44 points through his finishing position and stage performances.
He remains second in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Chase standings with 2,328 points. However, Riggs now trails Honeycutt by 43 points with only Martinsville and Homestead-Miami remaining. Riggs will need to outscore his rival significantly to keep his championship hopes alive.
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Layne Riggs needs major run at Martinsville for 2026 Chase standings

#championship #points #nascar #craftsman

Why Padres must find way to re-sign Michael King after declining player option appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The San Diego Padres cannot afford to let Michael King walk in free agency. After declining his player option, the right-hander is preparing to test his value on the open market following another strong season. While that decision makes sense for King, the Padres must make every effort to bring him back.
King has become one of the most important players in San Diego since arriving in the Juan Soto trade. Over three seasons with the organization, he has established himself as one of the National League's top right-handed starters while becoming a fan favorite through his postseason performances.
The Padres have plenty of reasons to prioritize a reunion. More importantly, their current rotation outlook makes keeping King even more urgent.
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Viking Motorsports is keeping two familiar names in the building for 2027!
Anthony Alfredo and Parker Retzlaff are set to return to the organization for the upcoming NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season, giving the team some continuity as it prepares for another year of competition.
With the 2027 season getting closer, teams are beginning to put their plans together, and Viking Motorsports has made it clear that Alfredo and Retzlaff remain part of its future.
Both drivers will return as the organization continues building its lineup, giving the team an opportunity to carry its existing experience into another season. Keeping familiar faces around can be an important step for a team looking to build consistency and improve its performance from year to year.
For Alfredo and Retzlaff, the return also provides another opportunity to make their mark in one of NASCAR's most competitive national series. With the new season on the horizon, both drivers will be looking to make the most of their opportunities and help Viking Motorsports continue moving forward.

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