NHL – National Hockey League
Last Night
Florida Panthers 2, Detroit Red Wings 0
Panthers 2, Red Wings 0 – Bobrovsky gets shutout, Lorentz scores first goal for Florida in 2-0 win over Wings
Sergei Bobrovsky made 22 saves for his 39th career shutout, Steven Lorentz scored his first goal for Florida and the Panthers silenced the Detroit Red Wings 2-0. Lorentz, who was acquired in an offseason trade with San Jose, scored with 52 seconds left in the second period with an assist from Niko Mikkola. Anton Lundell provided insurance with an empty-net goal with 1:12 remaining, also his first of the season. Bobrovsky now has a 25-6-1 career record against the Red Wings, including four shutouts.
NHL – Player killed by skate to the neck reignites hockey’s debate over protective gear
The death of American hockey player Adam Johnson from a cut to the neck in England has reignited the debate over skate blade safety. The tragedy has made many in the NHL and at other levels think differently about cut-resistant neck protection. Recent incidents of players being sliced in the wrist or through an Achilles tendon have brought some changes. But mandating neck, wrist or leg protection is easier said than done even in a sport played at high speeds with razor blades attached to players’ feet. It comes with resistance, much like masks, helmets, visors and other protective gear that took time to implement.
NCAAFB – College Football – Week 10
Saturday
Nebraska at Michigan State, 12:00 p.m. Superhits 103.7 Cosy-FM 10:30
(15) Notre Dame at Clemson, 12:00 p.m.
Purdue at (3) Michigan, 7:30 p.m. News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM 6:30
NCAAFB – Big Ten coaches push for league to discipline Michigan for sign-stealing
There is mounting pressure on Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti to discipline Michigan and coach Jim Harbaugh for a sign-stealing scheme. Pettiti heard from frustrated and angry Big Ten coaches during a video call Wednesday, according to two people with knowledge of the meeting. The NCAA is investigating Michigan for impermissible in-person scouting. A Michigan staffer is alleged to have sent people to future opponents’ games for the purpose of video recording signals. The NCAA’s enforcement process is slow moving, but Big Ten bylaws provide the commissioner leeway to act on competitive integrity issues.
NCAAFB – Nebraska plays MSU on the road, win away from being bowl eligible
The surging Nebraska Cornhuskers play the reeling Michigan State Spartans on the road Saturday. Nebraska has a shot to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2016 and to at least keep a share of first place in the Big Ten West Division. Michigan State desperately needs a win after losing six straight games since former coach Mel Tucker was suspended and later fired. Nebraska’s run game against Michigan State’s defense may be pivotal. Nebraska leads the Big Ten in rushing. The Spartans are a top-50 run defense and have held four of five conference opponents under 140 yards.
NCAAFB – Michigan resumes play after bye and hosts Purdue amid NCAA investigation
No. 2 Michigan hosts Purdue on Saturday night amid the NCAA’s sign-stealing investigation that has been looming over the program for two weeks. The Wolverines are aiming to earn a third straight Big Ten title for the first time since winning five in a row from 1988 to 1992 and their first national championship since 1997. The Boilermakers won the West Division last year, but under first-year coach Ryan Walters they’re in danger of being eliminated from bowl contention after losing three straight and five of six games.
NCAAFB – Notre Dame plays Clemson in one-time showcase, now undercard
No. 12 Notre Dame looked like a heavyweight fight with College Football Playoff implications on the line when the schedule came out. Now, it appears neither team will make college football’s final four without lots of help when the team’s meet Saturday. The two-loss Irish will need complete chaos to advance this season, while the Tigers lost their chance in the season’s first month and stagger into the game at 4-4. Clemson last lost four games in a season in 2010 when it went 6-7.
NFL – National Football League – Week 9
Last Night
Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Tennessee Titans 16
Steelers 20, Titans 16 – Pickett hits Johnson for late touchdown as the Steelers slip past Levis, Titans 20-16
Kenny Pickett threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson with 4:02 remaining and the Pittsburgh Steelers slipped past the Tennesee Titans 20-16. The Steelers (5-3) bounced back from a dismal loss to Jacksonville by doing what they’ve done fairly regularly this season: hung around long enough to pull it out in the end. Four of Pittsburgh’s five wins have come on games they trailed entering the fourth quarter. Pickett threw for 190 yards and the winning score. Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis passed for 262 yards but his heave to the end zone with 6 seconds remaining was picked off as Tennessee fell to 3-5.
Sunday
Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints, 1:00 p.m.
Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers, 4:05 p.m.
Detroit Lions (bye week)
NFL – Inconsistent Saints aim to extend struggling Bears’ long Superdome skid
The inconsistent New Orleans Saints are trying to string two victories together for the first time since Week 2 while extending the visiting Chicago Bears’ three-decade Superdome skid. The Bears are 2-6 and are without injured starting quarterback Justin Fields and they visit a stadium where they haven’t beaten the Saints since 1991. The Bears did however win a road game against the Saints in 2005 when the Saints played four home games in Baton Rouge because of Hurricane Katrina. The Bears will start undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent at quarterback for a third straight game. Saints veteran QB Derek Carr has passed for more than 300 yards in three straight games and passed for two touchdowns last week.
NFL – Bears sign DT Billings to two-year contract extension
The Chicago Bears have locked up defensive tackle Andrew Billings for the next two seasons. The team announced a two-year contract extension for the NFL veteran that will keep him there through 2025. Billings joined the team as a free agent in March. He’s started eight games and had 14 tackles and three stops behind the line of scrimmage. General manager Ryan Poles said Billings professionalism, dependability and toughness are characteristics the team wants in the organization.
NFL – NFC North-leading Lions head into the bye with their best record in nearly a decade
The NFC North-leading Detroit Lions have their best record since 2014, putting them in a position to win a division title for the first time in three decades. Detroit is 6-2 and went into its bye with a bounce-back win against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night after a humbling rout at Baltimore. The Lions are hopeful starting running back David Montgomery and first-string offensive linemen Frank Ragnow and Jonah Jackson will be back in the lineup when they travel to play Nov. 12 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
NBA – National Basketball Association
Last Night
New Orleans Pelicans 125, Detroit Pistons 116
Pelicans 125, Pistons 116 – CJ McCollum scores 33 points to lead short-handed Pelicans past Pistons, 125-116
CJ McCollum scored 33 points and the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans beat the Detroit Pistons 125-116 on Thursday with both teams playing for the second straight night. New Orleans was playing without starting power forward Zion Williamson and starting wing Brandon Ingram, who are also two of their top scorers. Williamson, who has been injury prone during his first four NBA seasons, was given the night off. Ingram missed his third straight game with right knee tendinitis. Cade Cunningham had 22 points and 11 assists for Detroit.
Tonight
Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers, 7:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls, 8:00 p.m.
MLB – White Sox hire Paul Janish as director of player development
The Chicago White Sox have hired former big league infielder Paul Janish as director of player development. The club announced the hire Thursday. Janish takes over for Chris Getz, who was named a senior vice president and general manager this summer. Janish played 473 major league games over nine seasons with Cincinnati, Atlanta and Baltimore. He spent the past six years on the baseball staff of his alma mater Rice, where he served as associate head coach the last two years.
MLB – Atlanta OF Ronald Acuña Jr. voted player of the year by fellow major leaguers
Atlanta right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was voted player of the year and the National League’s outstanding player by fellow major leaguers in the annual Players Choice Awards of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Los Angeles Angels designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani was voted the American League’s outstanding player. Acuña became the first player with 40 homers and 70 stolen bases in a season, hitting .337 with 41 homers, 106 RBIs and 73 stolen bases. No player previously had 40 homers and 50 steals in a season.
NCAAMBB – Knight’s 1984 Olympic team showed his scouting matched his tactical skills
Bob Knight’s scouting eye proved every bit as good as his tactical genius when he put together the 1984 U.S. Olympic team. Sure, he cut two Hall of Famers who never won an NBA championship, Charles Barkley and John Stockton. He also kept three others and saw the greatness in Michael Jordan before just about anyone else. As early as that summer, Knight was calling Jordan, a six-time NBA champion, the greatest player he’d ever seen.
MCCAA – Michigan Community College Athletic Ass
Yesterday
Women’s Volleyball – NJCAA District Tournament at Port Huron
Lake Michigan College 3, Jackson College 1
Grand Rapids Community College 3, Lake Michigan College 1
Muskegon Community College 3, Southwestern Michigan College 2
Today
Women’s Volleyball – NJCAA District Tournament at Port Huron
Macomb Community College vs. Southwestern Michigan College, 11:00 a.m.
Lake Michigan College vs. TBA, 3:00 p.m.
ECHL – ECHL Hockey League
Tonight
Indy Fuel at Kalamazoo Wings, 7:00 p.m.
Reading Nailers at Toledo Walleye, 7:00 p.m.
MHSAA – High School Sports
Last Night
Volleyball – District Finals
Division 1 at Mattawan
Mattawan 3, Zeeland East 0
Division 2 at Berrien Springs
Lakeshore 3, South Haven 1
Division 2 at Otsego
Otsego 3, Plainwell 0
Division 2 at Paw Paw
Edwardsburg 3, Three Rivers 1
Division 3 at Coloma
Watervliet 3, Bangor 0
Division 3 at Saugatuck
Muskegon West Michigan Christian 3, Saugatuck 0
Division 3 at Union City
Bronson 3, Centreville 0
Division 3 at Kalamazoo Christian
Kalamazoo Christian 3, Schoolcraft 0
Division 3 at Brandywine
Buchanan 3, Bridgman 1
Division 4 at Mendon
Mendon 3, Colon 0
Division 4 at Marcellus
Howardsville Chr. 3, Watervliet Grace Christian 0
Tonight
Football – 11 Player District Finals
Division 3 – Region 2 – District 1
Lakeshore (6-4) at Parma Western (9-1), 7:00 p.m. 97.5 Y-Country 6:45
Division 4 – Region 2 – District 1
Paw Paw (9-1) at Niles (9-1), 7:00 p.m.
Division 5 – Region 2 – District 2
Berrien Springs (6-3) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (9-1), 7:00 p.m.
Division 8 – Region 3 – District 1
White Pigeon (10-0) at Saugatuck (8-2), 7:00 p.m.
Football – 8-Player Regional Finals
Division 1 – Region 4
Gobles (8-2) at Martin (8-2), 7:00 p.m.
Volleyball – District Finals
Division 1 at Harper Creek
Coldwater vs. Harper Creek, 6:00 p.m.
Division 1 at Gull Lake
Portage Northern vs. Gull Lake, 6:00 p.m.
Division 1 at Harper Creek
Coldwater vs. Harper Creek, 6:00 p.m.
Division 4 at Our Lady of the Lake
Our Lady of the Lake vs. River Valley, 6:00 p.m.
Girls Swimming and Diving
SMAC Conference Championships at Portage Central, 12:00 p.m.
St. Joseph, Bridgman/Lakeshore, Mattawan, Portage Central, Portage Northern, Mattawan, Kalamazoo Central, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, Battle Creek Central Battle Creek Lakeview, Gull Lake
Saturday
Football – 11 Player District Finals
Division 6 – Region 3 – District 1
Buchanan (7-3) at Constantine (9-1), 1:00 p.m.
Division 7 – Region 2 – District 1
Lawton (9-1) at North Muskegon (10-0), 1:00 p.m.
Girls Swimming and Diving
SMAC Conference Championships at Portage Central, 12:00 p.m.
St. Joseph, Bridgman/Lakeshore, Mattawan, Portage Central, Portage Northern, Mattawan, Kalamazoo Central, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, Battle Creek Central Battle Creek Lakeview, Gull Lake
