Breaking News

Sports Columns

Season brightens PSU’s future

PASADENA, Calif. — The significance of Monday’s decisive Rose Bowl victory wasn’t lost on Nick Singleton. Meeting reporters under the bleachers in a sprinkling rain, the Nittany Lions’ star freshman running back, whose electric 87-yard touchdown was one of the key plays in the 35-21 win over Utah, saw the game for what it was: A statement on Penn State’s immediate future. “A win like that means a lot going into next year,” Singleton, who rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries, said. “Hopefully we’ll rank up a little higher, but it means a lot ...

New year on PGA Tour more mysterious than ever

KAPALUA, Hawaii — One moment the splash of a humpback whale’s tail pierced the Pacific blue below the Plantation Course at Kapalua. Before long, as players began lining up for practice rounds, a brief shower sent everyone seeking cover. It was a fitting start to a new year on the PGA Tour, where circumstances can change with little notice. As for what to expect in 2023 — the short answer is anything — check in with Scottie Scheffler and what he would have wanted going into last year. “One win would have been nice,” Scheffler said with a laugh. “When you’ve got zero, ...

Clifford writes great last chapter

PASADENA, Calif. — Sean Clifford saved his best for last. The Nittany Lions’ senior quarterback endured an up-and-down six-year career, especially in big games, but he was outstanding in leading a 35-21 victory over Pac-12 champion Utah in the Rose Bowl on Monday. Clifford completed ...

Nittany Lions see Rose Bowl as springboard to bigger things

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com LOS ANGELES — Center Juice Scruggs is leaving the Nittany Lions after today’s Rose Bowl. But he has a prediction about his teammates on his way out. “I’m calling it now,” he said during Rose Bowl preparations against Utah (5 p.m., ESPN). “I think they’re going to reach the playoffs next year.” For that to happen, a reasonable starting point would be beating a respected Utah team that is the Pac-12 champion for two straight years. Though the Lions must replace Scruggs, their top tight end in Brenton Strange, leading ...

Added game keeps teams in NFL playoff race

With two weeks remaining in the NFL season, only eight teams have been eliminated from the playoff race. That’s why the league added a 17th game and a third wild-card team last year, plus the revenue gained by another game. More teams are still playing to get in the tournament or trying to secure a higher seed with one more game to help them earn it. Eleven teams have already clinched a playoff berth, including four division titles, leaving five spots open. Both No. 1 seeds are up for grabs with four NFC teams and three AFC teams vying for a bye a home-field advantage throughout ...

Game clock has expired for Texas coach

In my experience, it’s a rare man who wakes up at age 49 and starts beating up women. Chances are, then, that this wasn’t University of Texas basketball coach Chris Beard’s first rodeo. It’s just that nobody’s ever called the cops before. Or if they did, the cops quietly tiptoed away. Men who hit women tend to be multiple offenders. Especially men who throttle and bite them, as Beard is alleged to have done. There are crime scene photos and a written affidavit testifying to that. The coach has been charged with a third-degree felony. In the sports world, athletes and ...