CS&T/AllsportsAmerica Monday Sports News Update, 09/04/2017.

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"As we celebrate Labor Day, we honor the men and women who fought tirelessly for workers' rights, which are so critical to our strong and successful labor force." ~ Elizabeth Esty, The U.S. Representative for Connecticut's 5th District

"Sports Quote of the Day"

"Nothing good comes in life or athletics unless a lot of hard work has preceded the effort. Only temporary success is achieved by taking short cuts." ~ Roger Staubach, U.S. Naval Academy Graduate, Retired NFL Quarterback and Heisman Trophy Winner

TRENDING: Chicago Bears Team Roster. (09/03/2017, 5:30PM, CST); What Mark Sanchez’s inclusion on Bears’ 53-man roster means for Mitch Trubisky. (See the football section for Bears news and NFL updates).

TRENDING: Blackhawks announce 2017 Training Camp schedule. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).

TRENDING: Bulls make trade for Quincy Pondexter official. (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates).

TRENDING: Cubs shut down as win streak ends at 6; Sunday best: Lucas Giolito's latest gem puts future on display in middle of White Sox rebuild. (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).

TRENDING: Thomas shares lead; Spieth 2 back; DJ 3 back; Lewis wins for Houston, donates $195K check. (See the golf section for PGA news and tournament updates).

TRENDING: Denny Hamlin caps impressive comeback from pit error to capture Southern 500; Denny Hamlin earns fifth Xfinity Series win at Darlington with last-lap pass; Austin Cindric wins first career Truck Series race after last-lap spin of Kaz Grala. (See the NASCAR section for NASCAR news and racing updates).

TRENDING: In beating Montreal, Fire get most important win of the season; USA 0-2 Costa Rica: USMNT face-plants vs. Ticos… again. (See the soccer section for Fire news and worldwide soccer updates).

TRENDING: College Football Week 1 scores and recaps. (See the NCAAFB section for college football news and updates).

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Chicago Bears Team Roster. (09/03/2017, 5:30PM, CST)

sbnation.com/bears

The Chicago Bears have successfully pared away 37 off of their 90 man off-season roster, and they are now at the NFL mandated 53 players. Odds are pretty good it’ll change at some point, with waiver claims (the Bears are third), free agents and injuries, but for now, these are your 2017 Chicago Bears.

Active Roster

Quarterbacks (3)

Mike Glennon, Mitchell Trubisky, Marc Sanchez

Runningbacks (5)

Jordan Howard, Tarik Cohen, Benny Cunningham, Michael Burton (FB), Taquan Mizzell

Wide Receivers (6)

Kevin White, Kendall Wright, Markus Wheaton, Deonte Thompson, Josh Bellamy, Tre McBride

Tight Ends (4)

Dion Sims, Zach Miller, Adam Shaheen, Daniel Brown

Offensive Line (8)

Bobby Massie, Josh Sitton, Cody Whitehair, Kyle Long, Charles Leno Jr., Hroniss Grasu, Tom Compton, Bradley Sowell

Special Teams (3)

Patrick O’Donnell, Connor Barth, Andrew DePaola

Defensive Line (5)

Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Jonathan Bullard, Roy Robertson-Harris, Mitch Unrein

Inside Linebackers (4)

Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman, Nick Kwiatkoski, Christian Jones

Outside Linebackers (4)

Leonard Floyd, Willie Young, Sam Acho, Pernell McPhee

Safeties (5)

Quintin Demps, Eddie Jackson, Adrian Amos, Deiondre' Hall, Deon Bush

Cornerbacks (6)

Prince Amukamara, Marcus Cooper, Cre’Von LeBlanc, Bryce Callahan, Kyle Fuller, Sherrick McManis

The Bears also placed the following players on injured reserve.

OLB Lamarr Houston, RB Ka’Deem Carey, OL Jordan Morgan, WR Cameron Meredith, S Chris Prosinski, Connor Shaw

What Mark Sanchez’s inclusion on Bears’ 53-man roster means for Mitch Trubisky.

By JJ Stankevitz

(Photo/AP)

Mark Sanchez's lack of preseason play --- he only quarterbacked three series in four games --- didn't turn out to be a sign the veteran would be cut when rosters were reduced to 53 on Saturday.

The Bears will move forward with three quarterbacks on their Week 1, with Sanchez likely serving as an emergency backup while Mitchell Trubisky continues to develop behind the scenes at Halas Hall. Sanchez, with 72 career starts and six more in the playoffs, will also lend some veteran leadership to a quarterback room with only 18 starts between its other two players (all of which belong to Mike Glennon).

“Mark’s been one of those mentors for me,” Trubisky said. “He just has so much knowledge being in the league for nine years now, he’s seen so many defenses and knows how to come into a new team how to study a new playbook. This playbook is new to him and me since I just got here as well, so he’s giving me tips about how to remember things, pick them up faster, how to study film on a weekly basis and really just how to carry yourself in the huddle. He helps me a lot with situational scenarios throughout the game, just always knowing what’s going on in the back of your mind, stuff like that. So he’s been awesome.”

Said Glennon in mid-August: “He's kind of the guy that when things are slouching a little bit at practice he kind of picks you up and makes you get back on track. He has a ton of experience in the NFL. He's good in the meetings. … He's been a great addition for the quarterback room.”

In keeping Sanchez, the Bears can control when Trubisky makes his regular season debut — i.e., they won’t have to insert him into a game in case something happens to Glennon because he’s the only other active quarterback on the sidelines. While Trubisky sped up his development timeline during training camp, the Bears will remain cautious with their second overall pick. When he makes his debut, it’ll be under the best possible conditions the Bears can manage.

Trubisky, too, could be among the inactive players on gameday if the Bears don’t plan to use him with Sanchez as the backup. Having Sanchez on the roster may not change when Trubisky makes his first start — if the Bears believe he gives them a better chance to win, he’ll play. But it does mean Trubisky won’t be the team’s backup, at least to begin the season.

“Mark’s a great teammate,” coach John Fox said. “He’s been tremendous for both our younger quarterbacks. He’s got the most experience of that room. So I think he brings a lot to the table as far as helping the other quarterbacks.”

Where the Bears’ receivers stand after cut-down day.

By JJ Stankevitz

(Photo/AP)

The Bears will, for now, move forward with five receivers on their initial 53-man roster: Kevin White, Kendall Wright, Markus Wheaton, Joshua Bellamy and Deonte Thompson. Victor Cruz and Tanner Gentry were the most notable cuts from this group.

White, Wright and Wheaton were all locks, while a key special teamer in Bellamy was always likely to be included in this group. Thompson had a productive preseason, which included that 109-yard return of a missed field goal against Arizona.

But this just the initial group, one that could change by the time the Bears return to practice on Monday at Halas Hall. The Bears, with third priority on the waiver wire (behind Cleveland and San Francisco) are likely to be active in seeking out another receiver, which could be why only five receivers made the initial roster.

The reality, though, is that if the Bears have a No. 1 target for Mike Glennon and/or Mitch Trubisky, that player is already on the roster. White will have the most pressure to produce, and even if that isn’t up to the expectations set on him when the Bears drafted him seventh overall in 2015, he needs to show more than previously has. White caught four passes for 32 yards this preseason, and had 19 catches for 187 yards in four games last year.

“He’s a great player and I think in talking to him he understands how good he can be, it’s just a matter of putting that work in out here on the practice field to reap those benefits,” Cruz said on Tuesday before being released over the weekend. “Obviously he’s been up and down with injuries, so this is the year where he has to take over and be the guy that they drafted him to be. I think he’s ready for that and I think he’s conscious of the pressure that’s on him and he’s relishing it.”

Wright has the trust of offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains — who coached him in Tennessee — and converted a trio of third downs last weekend against the Titans on that opening 96-yard scoring drive Glennon engineered. He’s four years removed from that 94-catch, 1,079-yard season, but his production will need to be better than the 29 catches and 416 yards he had last year in Nashville.

The speedy Wheaton has the ability to stretch opposing defenses, but he’s barely practiced in the last month due to an appendectomy and a fractured finger. He’ll need to quickly develop a connection with Glennon — who’s been inconsistent on deep throws — if he’s ready or Week 1. 

It might be unfair to expect a lot out of the rest of this group: Thompson set career highs in receptions and yards last year, but that was with 22 catches and 249 yards, while Bellamy has had similar numbers the last two years to what Thompson did last year.

So this is the biggest question facing the Bears heading into the 2017 season: Can someone step up to fill the void left by Meredith’s injury? Outside help would be nice to add depth, but it’s unlikely a Josh Sitton-sized gift will come the Bears’ way in early September. If the answer to the question is yes, it’ll be because of an internal improvement.

“I feel like I’ve got to step it up a little more,” White said. “Everybody’s got to take their game to another level.”

Roy Robertson-Harris goes from intriguing prospect to potential impact player on Bears’ defensive line.

By JJ Stankevitz

(Photo/AP)

The evaluation on Roy Robertson-Harris when he came out of UTEP centered on his 6-foot-7 frame and fast-twitch athleticism, but not his college production. That's because there wasn’t much production of which to speak: Despite his size and athletic advantages, he only totaled 10 1/2 sacks over his four years in El Paso. 

Robertson-Harris had potential, but it was clear he’d need some time to begin to realize it. After landing on the Bears’ reserve/non-football illness list last year, Robertson-Harris put on more weight — he’s listed at 294 pounds, about 40 pounds heavier than he was in college — and was moved to defensive end, where he flourished during training camp. 

And with that flourish came not only a roster spot, but the possibility of a significant role in a Bears front seven that looked imposing during preseason play. 

“He put on a little weight in the offseason, still came in with that explosion, that twitch and that raw athleticism that you want up there,” linebacker Danny Trevathan said. “I’ve been pleased with him, I’m excited for him.

“… He’s a playmaker, he’s a guy that plays quick with that twitch and he loves the game of football. You can’t coach that.”

That Robertson-Harris earned a spot on the Bears’ roster is a testament to not only his own personal growth, but the Bears’ scouting department and player development. His strong preseason, too, likely helped make Jaye Howard expendable when rosters were reduced to 53 on Saturday. 

Robertson-Harris’ arrow is pointing up, and he has a chance to be one of the better finds this organization has had in the last few years. 

How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks announce 2017 Training Camp schedule.

By Chicago Blackhawks Media Relations / chicagoblackhawks.com

(Photo/chicagoblackhawks.com)

The Chicago Blackhawks today announced their schedule for 2017 Training Camp that will begin Friday, September 15 with a practice at the United Center at 10 a.m. The following day, the Blackhawks will host the annual Training Camp Festival at the United Center with a scrimmage beginning at 11 a.m. Click here for a detailed training camp schedule.

Please note that all practice times and locations are subject to change. All practices outside of the United Center are open to the public.

The Blackhawks will play six preseason contests -- all of which will be carried on television for the third straight year. One Blackhawks preseason game will be broadcast on CSN Chicago (September 30 vs. Boston), in addition to three games (September 19 at Columbus, September 23 vs. Columbus and September 28 at Detroit) on CSN Plus and two contests on WGN-TV (September 21 vs. Detroit and September 25 at Boston). WGN Radio AM-720 will air all six of the team's preseason tilts. The 2017-18 regular season will open on Thursday, October 5 at the United Center when the Blackhawks host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:30 p.m.

The Blackhawks will travel to the University of Notre Dame for a portion of training camp from Sunday, September 24, through Thursday, September 28. Practices at Notre Dame will be held at Compton Family Ice Arena on campus.

Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Bulls make trade for Quincy Pondexter official.

By CSN Staff

(Photo/AP)

Quincy Pondexter is officially a Chicago Bull.

After a trade between the Bulls and the New Orleans Pelicans was reported Thursday, the deal was announced Friday. Pondexter comes to Chicago along with New Orleans' second-round pick in next year's draft, while the Bulls sent away the draft rights to Ater Majok.

Pondexter was a first-round pick of the Oklahoma City Thunder back in 2010. The former Washington Husky spent his first five NBA seasons with the New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies and Pelicans, averaging 5.3 points and 2.0 rebounds over 279 games.

Pondexter missed the entirety of the past two seasons recovering from knee surgery. He last played in a game on April 25, 2015, a playoff game against the Golden State Warriors.

Cubs shut down as win streak ends at 6.

By Carrie Muskat and Mark Bowman

In his first Major League start, rookie lefty Max Fried combined with four Braves relievers to end the Cubs' winning streak at six games. The lefty scattered four hits, including a solo homer by Ian Happ, over five innings in the Braves' 5-1 victory over the Cubs on Sunday at Wrigley Field.

With the loss and the Brewers' win over the Nationals on Sunday, the Cubs' lead in the National League Central is 3 1/2 games. Chicago had outscored its opponents, 49-19, in the six games before Sunday.

"With the short looks we had [at Fried], I didn't really know what to expect," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "But you can see what everybody was talking about. He was real efficient and made pitches when he had to and allowed himself to stay out there and get that win."

Fried, 23, the Braves' No. 10 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, missed most of 2014 and all of '15 with Tommy John surgery. He had made four relief appearances before this start. The lefty not only kept the Cubs in check, but helped himself on defense, including a play in the fifth when he fielded Jason Heyward's comebacker and was able to make an off-balance throw to second to get Happ.

Happ did launch a Fried fastball 419 feet (per Statcast™) to left in the second for his 21st home run, which tied the game at 1.

Rio Ruiz hit an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run single in the ninth for the Braves, who avoided being shut out in the seven-game season series with the win. Ruiz's career-high three-RBI performance was aided by fellow rookie Dansby Swanson, who singled in the fourth and doubled in the ninth to leave him with a .400 batting average and a 1.063 OPS over his past 19 games.

"It's definitely nice to be a part of," Ruiz said. "We just have to continue to get going. This was a good series for a lot of the rookies."

Mike Montgomery gave up three runs over five innings and took the loss, but the bright spot for the Cubs' pitching came in the sixth, when Dillon Maples made his Major League debut. The right-hander, who has battled injuries and considered quitting one year ago, walked one and struck out Ruiz to end the inning.

Maples got the ball from the strikeout and planned on giving it to his mother.

"He did a really wonderful job and I mentioned that he got out some really good hitters and his response to me was, 'It was just me and the catcher,' which I loved," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "I thought that was outstanding. I hope he never loses that perspective or concept."

Said Maples: "The buildup was something I never experienced before but as far as being out there, it was the same. ... Now it's just about feeling like you belong out there."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Good timing: Freddie Freeman doubled to open the Braves' fourth and moved up when Matt Kemp flied out to right. Nick Markakis then walked, and Swanson and Ruiz each followed with RBI singles to go ahead, 3-1.

Freeman says his previously fractured left wrist has been feeling weak, but he notched multihit performances in the final two games of the series and has six extra-base hits in his past 25 at-bats.

Baez banged up, but OK: Javier Baez slid head-first into second base trying to steal in the Chicago second, colliding with second baseman Ozzie Albies. Baez appeared to be shaken up but stayed in the game defensively to start the Braves third. But he only lasted one batter and then was pulled. Baez, who has been starting at short since Addison Russell was injured Aug. 3, experienced blurred vision and was taken to a Chicago hospital to be examined. The initial examination was positive, and he was not expected to miss much time.

"He's pretty important," Maddon said of Baez. "Hopefully, it'll be minor and he'll be back [Monday] and we won't have to [worry] over all of it. He's very important to us right now, I cannot deny that."

QUOTABLE

"We've played great all week. We've done so many things well all week. There's no way a loss and not winning a four-game series will drag me down. I got my Coach [Mike] Ditka jersey ready. We're planning on going to get some wings tonight as a staff. There's a lot to look forward to." -- Maddon

"That thing just keeps breaking. I know that's hard to get a hold of because it has a lot of break and it keeps breaking. It's nice when a guy has a knack for that because it's a huge weapon for him." -- Snitker on Fried, who recorded four swings and misses and three called strikes on the 15 curveballs he threw

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Montgomery took the loss, his first since July 6, snapping a four-game winning streak. He has a 1.88 ERA in his past four starts.

With his 21st home run, Happ ranks fifth all-time among Cubs rookies, passing Tyler Colvin, who hit 20 in 2010.

SWANSON HEATING UP

Swanson has eight multihit performances in his past 19 games. He totaled just 13 over the 95 games played before he was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on July 26.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

With one out in the Cubs' second, Baez walked and tried to steal second during Happ's at-bat. Baez was called out, but the Cubs challenged the ruling. After a review, the call stood.

WHAT'S NEXT

Braves: R.A. Dickey will take the mound when Atlanta returns to SunTrust Park to open a three-game Interleague series against the Rangers on Monday at 7:35 p.m. ET. Dickey threw a season-high 121 pitches as he limited the Phillies to one run over eight innings Wednesday.

Cubs: Jake Arrieta, named the NL Pitcher of the Month for August, will face the Pirates in his first September start Monday to open a four-game set. The right-hander led the Majors in August in ERA. He's 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA in his last four starts. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT at PNC Park.

Cubs weighing the possibility of keeping six-man rotation intact for stretch run. 

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/USA TODAY)

The Cubs' offense has been fun to watch lately, but the team's 32-16 record since the All-Star Break has more to do with the starting rotation than the group of hitters Joe Maddon writes out on the lineup card each day.

Jake Arrieta is rolling, Kyle Hendricks and Jon Lester are now both healthy and off the disabled list and John Lackey has rediscovered the fountain of youth, the Cubs have been able to right the ship even if Jose Quintana hasn't lived up to his pedigree since the mid-July trade.

Mike Montgomery has also been a huge factor in the rotation, rattling off back-to-back quality starts in Lester's stead before taking the loss Sunday after allowing three runs in five innings to the Atlanta Braves.

The question now is whether or not the Cubs keep Montgomery in the rotation after Lester's return Saturday.

Joe Maddon said before Montgomery's start Sunday the Cubs haven't yet made a determination on rolling with a six-man rotation, but they will know within a day or two so they can communicate with Montgomery and let him prepare for either another start in six days or a move back to the bullpen.

"It's possible [to stick with a six-man rotation]," Maddon said. "We're still trying to go step-by-step with this thing. We're trying to look at the big picture — every team we're playing and now that we have an extra guy, you can manipulate things a little bit. So that's what we're working on moving forward. He may get another start."

Maddon shot down the idea of performance having any impact on Montgomery's rotation life, acknowledging one start is way too small a sample size.

"Those are the conversations we're having," Cubs GM Jed Hoyer said. "First of all, [Montgomery's] earned being a member of the starting rotation and we have to decide are there times we're going to go with six? Are there times we're going to go back to five and really make some decisions based on our schedule, based on rest?

"Right now, we're playing a stretch of 20 in a row, so giving guys an extra day of rest makes a lot of sense. How we'll proceed going forward, I'm not sure. We really will go rotation turn by rotation turn and make those decisions, but as far as what he's done, I think he's earned that and he's really pitched well for us."

The Cubs haven't released anything official yet beyond the rotation for the four-game series with the Pirates in Pittsburgh this week:

Monday — Jake Arrieta

Tuesday — Kyle Hendricks

Wednesday — Jose Quintana

Thursday — Jon Lester

Maddon did, however, indicate Lackey would be in line to start Friday to kick off the Milwaukee Brewers series at Wrigley Field.

That turn through the rotation gives Arrieta, Quintana and Lackey an extra day of rest while Hendricks and Lester remain on a five-day rotation to build up arm strength and stamina after missing time with injuries.

The Cubs have kept careful watch over their starters all year after they pitched into November last fall. With their eyes on another deep postseason run, Maddon has yet to push any of the team's veteran starting pitchers much beyond the 100-pitch mark. That — coupled with time off on the disabled list for Hendricks, Lester and Lackey — the Cubs feel good about the state of the rotation in the season's final month.

Maddon admitted Lester's two-plus weeks off could actually be a blessing in disguise.

"Once you know it's not really anything bad and you know he's gonna be back relatively soon, then you look at that positive side," Maddon said. "Plus you have Mike Montgomery to fill in, so that also helps with that, too.

"Kyle Hendricks earlier went through the same thing and look at him right now and then also look at the number of innings pitched he had to this point, too. Good stuff.

"You never want injuries, but it's a long year and if you have the appropriate guys to fill in the gaps and guys get rest, then here we come this time of year and all of the sudden, everybody's well and healthy and somewhat rested."

When the Cubs have moved to six-man rotations in the recent past, pitchers like Lester, Lackey and Arrieta have balked at the decisions, preferring to remain on a five-day rotation as veteran creatures of habit.

But Lester seemed resigned to the thought of keeping Montgomery in the starting fold.

"I just work here," Lester said Saturday, echoing the exact sentiment Lackey stated after Friday's start." I don't know. At the end of the day, they're gonna make decisions that they feel are necessary for this ballclub. No matter what you say, negative or positive, it doesn't really matter.

"Just tell me when I'm pitching next and I'll go out there and pitch. That's all I can do. In the grand scheme of things, everybody in that clubhouse just works here. If people above us make decisions then that's what you do. They're above us for a reason. They make educated decisions and they have reasons behind those decisions."

"You just pitch when you're told. That's kinda how I look at it."

Montgomery is no stranger to this purgatory type of situation. He's spent plenty of time — especially in a Cubs uniform — bouncing back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen.

Moving forward, regardless of role, he knows the preparation is still the same.

"It's getting late in the year, so just be smart, get the proper rest and really rebuild the legs and get everything ready for the stretch run," Montgomery said after Sunday's start. "I don't know what I'm gonna be doing the rest of the year, but just put a plan together and stay at that top performance level. That's gonna be the focus from here on out."

Breathe easy: Cubs get good news on Javy Baez after head injury. 

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/USA TODAY)

The Cubs can now breathe easy after Javy Baez appears to have avoided any serious injury with his head/eye.

Baez was forced out of Sunday's game after a scary collision at second base. He was picked off by Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried in the second inning and as Baez slid headfirst into second base, his face slammed into Ozzie Albies' knee.

Baez initially stayed in the game and went out to the field for the beginning of the third, but after one hitter, the dynamic shortstop summoned to the Cubs dugout and removed himself from the game.

The young shortstop was complaining of blurred vision in his eye in that third inning, but that subsided shortly after he came out of the game. He will stay in Chicago Sunday evening for further evaluation at Northwestern, but the plan after that is for him to hop on a plane Monday morning to fly to Pittsburgh and the Cubs hope he can be ready for that afternoon's game. Baez was never entered into concussion protocol.
With Addison Russell suffering a setback and not guaranteed to return in 2017, Javy Baez might be the team's most indispensable player.

Beyond Baez, the Cubs' shortstop depth is awfully thin with 36-year-old Ben Zobrist and journeyman infielder Mike Freeman the only two options. Russell suffered a setback last week on his foot injury and will be out at least three more weeks, casting some serious doubt on if he will be able to return with enough time before the postseason begins.

Joe Maddon said prior to Sunday's game he is looking for a spot to give Baez a rest to keep him fresh down the stretch. But Baez has been showing his #ElMago routine on a daily basis either in the field, on the bases or at the plate, so it's been hard to get him out of the lineup.

"He's pretty important," Maddon said after Sunday's 5-1 loss. "He's been playing so well. You could feel the difference, obviously. But hopefully like we're talking about right now, it's gonna be minor and hopefully he'll be back tomorrow and we won't have to Jones — or Baez — over all that other stuff. Yeah, he's very important to us right now. I cannot deny that."

That decision was been made for Maddon and Co., however, as Baez played just over two innings in Sunday's game. Moving forward, Maddon said the team will be cautious with Baez and if there's any doubt, he will not be in Monday's lineup. Either way, Maddon acknowledged the possible need for the Cubs to get Zobrist some more action at shortstop to give Baez a breather down the stretch.

Besides the injury, the Cubs were upset Baez was still ruled out on the play at second base, even after a review. Both Maddon and Anthony Rizzo were incredulous the "out" call on the field was not overturned. Ian Happ hit a homer two pitches later for the Cubs' only run of the ballgame.

Despite the head injuries — Baez also avoided major injury on a collision with Jason Heyward in April — and a past history of hand issues, Maddon has "no issues" with Baez continuing to slide headfirst.

Riding another hot streak, Jake Arrieta named NL Pitcher of the Month. 

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/USA TODAY)

Jake Arrieta isn't quite making history the way he did in the second half of 2015, but the Cubs pitcher has been on another incredible roll.

Major League Baseball awarded Arrieta the National League Pitcher of the Month honor Sunday morning after he went 4-1 with a 1.21 ERA in six August starts, striking out 37 batters in 37.1 innings.

Arrieta had a superhuman stretch in the second half of 2015, setting an MLB record with an 0.75 ERA as he went 12-1 and only allowed 78 baserunners in 107.1 innings to key the Cubs' surge into the playoffs. He also beat out Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke for the NL Cy Young Award and was named Pitcher of the Month in both August and September that season.

This season, Arrieta has a 1.59 ERA in the second half and is 6-1 with a 0.97 WHIP. But he's having the same effect on his team as the Cubs have found their rhythm since the All-Star Break and look poised to make another run into October.

Arrieta, meanwhile, has succeeded in shutting up doubters as he has risen above a dip in velocity and found his consistency as he gears up for what he hopes will be a monster contract in free agency this winter.

On the season as a whole, the 31-year-old Arrieta is 14-8 with a 3.36 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 27 starts. The Cubs are not utilizing him like they did in 2015, however, when he ran into a wall in the NLDS and NLCS. After back-to-back deep postseason runs, Joe Maddon is thinking big picture and taking out Arrieta earlier in ballgames, as he's only surpassed 100 pitches six times in 27 starts.

Arrieta will also get an extra day in between outings with Mike Montgomery staying in the rotation for another start Sunday against the Atlanta Braves.

Corey Kluber, whom the Cubs faced three times in the World Series last fall, won the AL Pitcher of the Month award after winning five games with 54 strikeouts and a 1.96 ERA in August.

WHITE SOX: Sunday best: Lucas Giolito's latest gem puts future on display in middle of White Sox rebuild.

By Vinnie Duber

(Photo/USA TODAY)

Fans playing along with the White Sox waiting game had reason to smile for a second straight Sunday.

Lucas Giolito turned in his second consecutive stellar outing, silencing the visiting Tampa Bay Rays and taking the next step in his quest to be a part of the White Sox rotation of the future.

It’s going to be a crowded field, one would figure. Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez and Giolito are already at the big league level, with Michael Kopech, Alec Hansen and Dane Dunning taking turns dazzling in the minor leagues. But Giolito, at least through his first three games in a White Sox uniform, has stated his case for being as strong a candidate as any to earn a spot on that future starting staff.

Sunday, he shut down the Rays’ lineup, holding them to one run on three hits over seven innings. This after he tossed seven shutout frames against the Detroit Tigers a week earlier. Combine the last two outings with his first, when he allowed four runs in six innings against the Minnesota Twins, and Giolito has a 2.25 ERA in his first three trips to the mound since joining the White Sox.

“He threw very, very well,” manager Rick Renteria said. “Riding his fastball, using his changeup really effectively, breaking ball mixed in. I though he attacked hitters, just went right after them. They were taking some very uncomfortable swings, it seemed like, so there must be obviously some deception to his delivery.

“The ball comes out of his hand pretty good, and it’s getting on top of those hitters. The 91, 92 looks like 95, 96 probably to them. He did a very, very nice job. Very, very nice job.”

This isn’t Giolito’s first taste of big league ball, mind you. He had a rocky go of things last season with the Washington Nationals, making one start in June, two in July and one in August before a pair of September relief appearances. All in all he posted a 6.75 ERA over 21.1 innings.

At 20 innings with the White Sox over the past few weeks, he’s faring much better, perhaps a credit to the South Siders’ place in the standings. The last-place season is allowing Giolito — and plenty of other young players, for that matter — to focus on improving and developing and not worrying about a roster spot.

“Knowing that I’m here and I’m not going anywhere and I get to work on what I need to work on and go out and compete every fifth day without having to worry about ‘Am I going to be sent down? Am I going to perform well enough?’ Just going out there and competing and giving it my all every time, it’s much more relaxed,” Giolito said. “I’m really enjoying it so far.”

Of course, that setup is also allowing the White Sox to get a look at a guy who could wind up in that rotation of the future.

While Kopech dominates the minors and Hansen and Dunning take turns racking up big strikeout totals, Giolito, Lopez and even the slightly more experienced Rodon can continue their own developments at the big league level and earn experience against big league lineups.

Giolito can count Sunday as a solid step forward. He struck out 10 Rays batters in the White Sox 6-2 win.

“Just continuing to feel comfortable out there throwing any pitch in any count,” he said. “I think that’s pretty important at this level, being able to throw that slider behind or throw a changeup behind, keep guys off balance. Just going out there and working and feeling like I can get my best stuff out there every time. Feeling really good.”

“He looked just as composed as he did his last outing,” Renteria said. “It’s like anything, as you continue to trust the stuff that you have and you’re able to command it and you’re seeing that you’re getting big league hitters out, good big league hitters, I think it’s just a matter of continuing to maintain his approach and the consistency with which he’s delivering the pitch to the plate. And now it’s just time. Time will start to tell us who he is or isn’t. Right now, thankfully, it’s a pretty good start for him.”

That’s one thing the White Sox are currently blessed with, time. And Giolito and the others will figure to get plenty of it to prove whether or not they belong in the franchise’s long-term plans. Ever since the White Sox acquired Giolito in the Adam Eaton trade this past offseason, he’s figured to be in those plans. Now he’s proving it.

It might be a last-place season on the South Side, but the future is already happening.

“You always want to win. That’s my goal every time I go out there: I want to give the team a chance to win, put up as many zeroes as possible,” Giolito said, who now has two wins in his last two outings. “But having all the young talent starting to work together and build up together, it’s really fun. And I’m looking forward to the future a lot.”

Wanting to keep mom happy, Jose Abreu returns to lineup — and keeps providing example for young White Sox. 

By Vinnie Duber

(Photo/USA TODAY)

Jose Abreu is back in the White Sox lineup because it’s important that he plays every day.

Why is it so important?

“Because my mom is not happy when I’m not playing.”

Good answer.

Abreu’s return won’t end up meaning much, considering this team entered Sunday with the worst record in the American League. But the slugger’s pleading with manager Rick Renteria to play during his three-game absence while nursing an elbow injury shows far more about what he means to this White Sox team and White Sox teams of the future.

“I was begging him to be in the lineup and he finally believed me,” Abreu said through an interpreter on Sunday.

“It’s difficult for me to be on the bench with the team, and I’m passing through this moment. I’m here to play,” he continued. “I come every day to play and to help the team win games. But it’s difficult sometimes. You probably aren’t 100 percent, but you have to keep grinding.

“I want to thank Ricky because he had patience with me. I went there the last three days and I was begging him and (telling him) that I was fine to play. But he said no. He said no, that he had to take care of me. He was doing his job and I want to let you know and to let him, too, that he’s a very special person for all of us and for me, of course. But right now, the most important thing is that I’m playing today.”

Though it might look like Abreu finally wore his manager down, instead it seems that Abreu’s elbow finally looked good enough for him to get back in the lineup. He was the team’s designated hitter Sunday, meaning he’ll get at least one more day off from playing the field.

“I don’t know if today was much of an argument,” Renteria said. “Today was more we saw him doing what he needed to do in order for us to be convinced he was capable of getting back into the lineup. So, kind of easy decision.”

The back and forth between Abreu and Renteria might not have resulted in much, just a lineup tweak in the final month of a last-place season. But it’s yet another example of the attitude that Abreu brings every day, an attitude that the White Sox young players — the guys who will make up that dream lineup of the future — would be wise to emulate.

Abreu has already expressed his goals of being a mentor to his countrymen in the White Sox organization, specifically Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert. But his presence as a veteran who goes about his work the right way and produces at a remarkable level could be invaluable to every one of these highly touted White Sox prospects when they all finally reach the South Side.

“That desire for him to want to play yesterday and the day before, truly commendable,” Renteria said.

Ultimately, Abreu’s contract situation will determine whether he’s still playing for the White Sox two or three seasons from now, when the franchise is expected to be a contender with all its assets finally reaching the major league level.

But certainly the White Sox should want to keep him around, if only to impart nuggets of wisdom like the one about making sure his mom gets to see him play every day.

For Abreu’s part, he’s always spoke of how much he wants to continue to be a part of this organization, and he’s making the most of the franchise’s current situation and rebuilding plan. In addition to putting up another incredible season swinging the bat — he was slashing .301/.355/.537 with 26 homers and 80 RBIs entering Sunday’s game — he said he’s getting a boost from the young players. Moncada’s locker is right next to his in the clubhouse, and as the big-name prospects keep trickling to the South Side, Abreu said he’s impressed more and more.

“First and foremost, I think we that we have to talk about their talent. They are a very, very good, talented group of young kids,” he said. “They’re coming here every day trying to do their best. They like to work hard, they have a lot of energy, and I’m just glad to be part of them and I’m glad I am in an organization that allows me to be part of this process, too.

“I think we all have to be patient with them because they are young but they have a lot of talent. We all know that for them it’s a learning process. Sometimes it’s not going to be a straight line in that process. But something that I’m glad for is to be around their personalities. They have a lot of energy, and they’re having fun. For us as veterans, that’s something you can get energized being around with those young players.”

Ideally, Abreu will still be anchoring the White Sox lineup as the kids keep coming up and keep developing, meaning the energy flow will keep on coming, keeping him young in the process. He shows no signs of slowing down at 30., and if his bat can stay as consistent as it’s been through the first four seasons of his major league career, there’s a good chance he’ll be around to lead all the youngsters on a contending White Sox team.

And he can show them the way, that it’s always a good idea to keep your mom happy.

White Sox confident with Carlos Rodon leading young rotation: 'The sky is the limit'.

By Paul Roumeliotis

(Photo/allthe2048.com)

The White Sox had high expectations for Carlos Rodon when they drafted him with the third overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft.

The NC State product had the qualifications and make-up to be a No. 1 starter, but it would have been difficult to emerge as the ace in a rotation that already featured Chris Sale and Jose Quintana.

But since Rick Hahn & Co. hit the full rebuild button last offseason, Rodon’s time to become “the guy” has arrived.

In the midst of his third season in the majors, the 24-year-old southpaw went from being a mid-rotation player — behind Sale and Quintana — to being the leader of a young pitching core.

The White Sox have all the faith in the world that Rodon can be a top guy in the organization.

“I think he’s got a quality arm that I believe, if he stays within himself, can be an impactful guy as part of the next group of pitchers that are joining us,” said manager Rick Renteria.

Though Rodon's outing on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays was cut short after four innings due to a lengthy rain delay, he improved from his previous one against the Detroit Tigers a week ago, where he allowed five earned runs in five innings.

Rodon held the Rays to one run on two hits and recorded four strikeouts while walking three.

“He’s been working his butt off up here, really focusing in on what he needs to do to get ahead of hitters, finding that strike zone and the walk numbers are going down,” catcher Kevan Smith said. “But even if he does walk a guy he’s got to learn that that’s just part of the game. He’s got to learn to minimize that stuff.”

Prior to that game against the Tigers, he had a 2.25 ERA with 37 strikeouts in those previous five starts. Consistency is the biggest key to being a reliable ace, and he’s slowly improving in that area.

“The one word that comes to my mind is just dominant on the mound,” Smith said. "When he stays confident, when he stays with his keys, he’s almost unhittable sometimes. It’s exciting to see and he’s only going to get better. He just needs to keep rolling with that confidence, rolling with the success. The sky is the limit for that guy and it’s exciting.”

Those words sound fairly similar to what Sale said about his former teammate last month when the White Sox visited the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, saying Rodon “could be as good as anyone.”

Rodon’s season was off to a rough start after he missed the first three months of the season with bursitis in his left biceps. Even when he returned, he struggled with his command at times. But he has settled down nicely since then and he’s showing exactly why he can become the team’s future ace.

It’s hard to imagine a scenario where the White Sox re-sign Derek Holland when his contract expires at the end of the season, along with James Shields after 2018. Miguel Gonzalez is also out of the mix after he was dealt before the waiver trade deadline.

The rotation continues to thin out on paper, but the opportunities are becoming more available for the future youngsters to take control. And we're getting a glimpse of it already.

Reynaldo Lopez returned from the disabled list on Friday and had a solid outing after rebounding from a pair of early mistakes. Carson Fulmer picked up his first career victory on Saturday in relief of Rodon. Lucas Giolito will also have his chance in Sunday’s series finale.

“I like the direction the White Sox are going with,” Smith said. “I love that they’re getting them up here to start getting some experience. We can start working together regardless of this month (and) how it goes. With wins or losses, obviously nobody likes to lose but we’re here to develop.”

“It’s just fun to work with these guys knowing the potential and the futures they have here and just looking forward to the years in the future where you see that guy who’s pitching today and you have a solid chance of winning like you saw with (Sale) up there, or (Gonzalez), or Quintana. It’s definitely exciting.”

Golf: I got a club for that..... Thomas shares lead; Spieth 2 back; DJ 3 back.

By Associated Press

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

PGA champion Justin Thomas made three long birdies on a long, wet TPC Boston for a tournament-best 63, giving him a share of the lead with Marc Leishman going into a Labor Day finish in the Dell Technologies Championship.

Leishman also played bogey-free Sunday and had three straight birdies on the back nine for a 65.

They were at 12-under 201 with no room for error on a leaderboard that was packed with some of golf's best players.

Paul Casey, who played in the final group last year at TPC Boston, shot 67 and was one shot behind. Jordan Spieth birdied his last two holes and was among those two shots back.

Not to be forgotten was Dustin Johnson, who birdied four of his last five holes and was three behind.

The stars are once again aligning in the playoffs.

By Rex Hoggard

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

A decade in, it’s not as though the PGA Tour’s postseason needs validation, at least not to those who pull the strings in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

In May, FedEx re-upped to sponsor the season-long race with a new 10-year deal, and the circuit is well downrange with a plan to condense the season and playoffs in order to finish before football overtakes the sporting landscape.

But in the event a refresher was necessary, Sunday at the Dell Technologies Championship was a testament to what playoff golf can do for the game for those not already lost to the first weekend of meaningful football.

Last week, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth dueled down the stretch at the playoff opener on Long Island, with DJ taking the title in overtime.

This week is shaping up to be a similar clash of the game’s biggest and brightest.

Justin Thomas, who closed the major championship season with a victory at the PGA Championship, moved into the lead with an 8-under 63, cruising past second-round leader Jon Rahm and into a familiar position.

What’s next? Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler squaring off at the BMW Championship in two weeks? Mickelson and Rahm head-to-head at the finale? The possibilities are endless.

This is nothing new to 2017. The list of champions at the TPC Boston stop includes Fowler, Mickelson and Rory McIlroy (twice).

While playoff golf has never been a perfect fit for a game that counts the majors above all else, consider Sunday’s third-round leaderboard at TPC Boston. Labor Day will feature a cast that includes Thomas, world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, No. 2 Jordan Spieth, Fowler and Mickelson all within five strokes of the lead. And as we learned last week at The Northern Trust, when Spieth squandered the same margin, five shots is akin to a dead heat in the postseason.

“I just think that we treat these four events and Atlanta as a major,” Thomas said. “We are trying to be peaking at this time. We are trying to be peaking come Atlanta. We try to take time off before the majors. I took a week off before the playoffs to try to get my game ready to get rested and kind of get going.”

To Thomas’ point, perhaps postseason events wouldn’t hold the same zeal if they were regularly won by little-known players. But that hasn’t happened.

“Look at the winners of these playoff events. Last year, Rory [McIlroy] won here. You see these names, just the names that have won many times, come through and win in these style of events or major championship-type events,” Spieth said. “There is a heightened something to these playoff events that bring out certain champions, for the most part.”

That trend doesn’t appear to be in danger of ending this year.

Thomas – who would likely secure the Tour’s Player of the Year Award with a victory on Monday for his fifth title this season – will begin the final round tied with Marc Leishman at 12 under par. They're followed by Paul Casey a stroke back. From there, it’s a who’s who of Tour winners this season, with Johnson tied for seventh with Rahm.

Another made-for-the-highlight-reel shootout among the game’s biggest names isn’t guaranteed. Rookie Grayson Murray is tied at 10 under with third-year Tour player Adam Hadwin. Patrick Cantlay, who returned to the circuit this season after being slowed in recent years by a back injury, is at 8 under and could crash what is poised to be a heavyweight title bout.

But there’s no denying the stars are aligned, just as they were last week when Spieth and Johnson set out in the day’s final group.

“It's going to be a throw-down tomorrow,” said Spieth, who climbed into contention with a third-round 66. “It's going to be a completely different style of golf than we saw last week on Sunday.”

Although the names remain largely the same, this week’s venue, even with the controversial redesign of the 12th hole, is not Glen Oaks, the monster that hosted last week’s playoff opener.

Even Sunday’s blustery conditions that included periodic downpours and swirling winds, did little to slow scoring, with just one player (Rahm) within the top 10 failing to break 70.

“The scores were great today,” said Casey, who finished fifth last week in New York. “With the rain we had, it probably sets up for a complete shootout tomorrow with a soft golf course, which could be fun.”

Thomas made the most of the softer course, posting a playoff record 12 threes on Day 3 on his way to the week’s best round despite not making birdie on any of TPC Boston’s three par 5s.

“It's crazy to think I did that and parred all the par 5s. Played them even par,” Thomas said. “That's a little bit of a bummer, if I could somehow have a downside to the day.”

Although his ball-striking was solid on Sunday (16 of 18 greens in regulation), it was Thomas’ putter that allowed him to move into a share of the lead. He rolled in three putts of 25 feet or more, including a 49-footer at the 12th to record one of just six birdies on the hole Sunday. Thomas needed just 26 putts in total.

He’ll likely need a similar performance on Monday to hold off the star-studded pack that looms, but then history has proven that’s simply playoff golf.

Lewis wins for Houston, donates $195K check.

By Randall Mell

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

Birdies never meant so much to Stacy Lewis.

Every shot she hit at a flagstick Sunday, every putt she poured in at the Cambia Portland Classic did more than take her a step closer to the trophy at Columbia Edgewater Country Club.

They led to a dramatic victory that brought the promise of more help to the people suffering in her Houston hometown.

Lewis played brilliant, inspired golf breaking through to end her three-year winless spell. She won her 12th LPGA title for those suffering from the epic rainfall and deadly flooding that destroyed so many homes and businesses in Houston.

Lewis won after announcing before the tournament started that she was going to donate her winnings in Portland to the Hurricane Harvey relief effort.

Golf fans rallied behind her, cheering Lewis’ run at the $195,000 first-place check.

“We are going to be able to help people rebuild houses and get their homes back,” Lewis said. “That’s more important than any win.”

Lewis took a three-shot lead into Sunday and then held off a strong final-round charge by In Gee Chun. Lewis closed with a 3-under-par 69, finishing at 20 under for a one-shot victory over Chun (66). Lewis closed out with a two-putt par at the last.

In the end, Lewis was treated to some pleasant surprises. KPMG, one of her sponsors, announced it was going to match Lewis’ winnings in the relief effort. Also, Marathon Petroleum, yet another Lewis’ sponsor, informed her that it will be adding $1 million to her donation.

When Lewis walked off the green, her husband, Gerrod Chadwell, surprised her. He flew into Portland for the final round. She didn’t know he was there until he came out to hug her after that last putt fell.

Lewis’ family moved to suburban Houston when she was 11 years old. She grew up in The Woodlands. She and Chadwell bought a house in northeast Houston about a year-and-a-half ago.

It was spared from the ravages of the hurricane. So was her parents’ home, but she said the stories coming out of Houston moved her. She announced the day before the tournament started that she would donate her winnings from the week to the relief effort.

“When I said that, I had the goal of winning the tournament,” Lewis said. “You have to get a lot of things right, to go your way.”

Lewis said Saturday that she felt an unusual calmness as she played for Houston. She said Sunday she relinquished control to a higher power.

“Just kind of handed over control and said, `Take me, take me to the finish line. Let me know what happens, God,’” Lewis said. “It was just amazing how when you let go of the control like that how great you can play.”

Lewis was at the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open last week when forecasts grew dire in her hometown. She stayed in close contact with Chadwell, who was back at their home. He is the University of Houston women’s golf coach. Lewis followed his struggles from afar as he worked to help his players when the campus shut down. He moved the team to he and Stacy’s home, and then he kayaked with the men’s golf coach into the team facility at the flooded Golf Club of Houston, where they salvaged clubs and office equipment.

“I was fine until Gerrod showed up, and then I started crying,” Lewis said. “Just to have him here, and have him support me, the last two and a half, three years ... It's been really frustrating at times.”

Lewis, 32, has endured some frustration trying to collect her 12th LPGA title. Since winning the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in June of 2014, she had gone 82 starts without a win. She played well in that run, stacking up 12 second-place finishes and winning more than $4 million, but she couldn’t break through to win until finding some special motivation in Portland.

“I’m excited to kind of get that monkey off my back and know I can do it, that I can hit the shots I need to and hit the putts when I need to,” Lewis said. “It’s nice to see yourself do that again.”

Lewis reigned as the Rolex world No. 1 for 25 weeks over portions of the 2013 and ’14 seasons. She was twice the LPGA’s Rolex Player of the Year, but that didn’t make her winless spell any easier. Lewis said her husband helped her deal with it.

“You go through all the emotions of finishing second when sometimes it's your fault and sometimes it's not, and things just don't seem to ever go your way and you get really frustrated at times,” Lewis said. “Gerrod went through all of that with me, and it was probably as hard on him as it was on me. So just to have him here and get to share the win with him was pretty special.”

McCarron wins fourth Champions title of the year.

By Associated Press

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

Scott McCarron won the Shaw Charity Classic on Sunday for his fourth PGA Tour Champions title of the season.

McCarron closed with a 3-under 67 to beat Miguel Angel Jimenez by a stroke at Canyon Meadows. McCarron opened with rounds of 63 and 64 to take a two-stroke lead into the final round.

The 52-year-old McCarron matched Bernhard Langer for the season victory lead and earned $352,500 to pull closer to the idle German star in the Charles Schwab Cup season standings.

McCarron has six victories in the last two seasons on the 50-and-over tour. The three-time PGA Tour winner won the Allianz Championship in February, the major Senior Players Championship in July and the Dick's Sporting Goods Open two weeks ago.

McCarron finished at 16-under 194. He had an eagle for the third straight day, this time on the par-5 11th after accomplishing the feat the on the par-5 18th in the first two rounds.

Jimenez birdied the 18th for a 66.

Scott Dunlap (67), Todd Hamilton (67) and Kevin Sutherland (68) tied for third at 13 under.

Nick Faldo followed his second-round 64 with a 73 to tie for 21st at 6 under.

Porteous wins second Euro Tour title at Czech Masters.

By Associated Press

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

Haydn Porteous shot a 3-under 69 Sunday to win the Czech Masters by two strokes for his second European Tour title.

Starting two shots behind overnight leader Lee Slattery, the 23-year-old South African birdied six holes in the final round - together with three bogeys - to close at 13-under 275 at the Albatross Golf Resort near Prague.

''To get my second European Tour win under the belt just feels amazing,'' Porteous said.

Porteous won the Joburg Open last year but was struggling since. Last week's top 10 finish at the Made In Denmark event was his first of the season.

''It's been a really torrid time through the last eight, nine months and I've really started doing the right things and slowly but surely the golf has got a little bit better,'' Porteous said.

Second-place Slattery shot a 73 for the Englishman's worst round in the tournament.

In a tight contest, Porteous birdied the first two holes to erase Slattery's lead after the third round, and surged ahead outright for the first time with a birdie on the par-5 No. 9. But Porteous fell back with two straight bogeys on the 10th and 11th, allowing Slattery to return to the top with a birdie on No. 13.

On the par-3 16th, Porteous produced a superb tee shot on the way to another birdie, holding off Slattery who also birdied the hole.

After recording the best final round of 67, another Englishman Tom Lewis was tied for third with Pontus Widegren of Sweden, one shot behind Slattery.

England's James Morrison (70) and Eddie Pepperell (68), Swede Oscar Lengden (68) and Australian Jason Scrivener (69) were tied for fifth on 8 under.

Englishman Lee Westwood had the only eagle of the day on the par-5 12th in his best round (68) to be tied for ninth.

The Czech event marked the beginning of a year-long qualification process for an automatic spot on Europe's team for the 2018 Ryder Cup.

NASCAR: Denny Hamlin caps impressive comeback from pit error to capture Southern 500.

By Nate Ryan

(Photo/www.victoriaadvocate.com)

Denny Hamlin rebounded from a major mistake, taking the lead from Martin Truex Jr. with two laps remaining and hanging on to sweep the weekend at Darlington Raceway.

It was Hamlin’s second 500-mile win at the 1.366-mile oval and his first on Labor Day weekend. He won Friday’s Xfinity race at Darlington from the pole position.

Hamlin had been in control of the race before he missed the pits while leading under green on Lap 315 of 367. He made up a nearly 20-second deficit on the lead over the final 52 laps in his No. 11 Toyota.

“Drove our ass off,” Hamlin told NBCSN’s Rutledge Wood after his second victory of the season and 31st of his career. “That’s as hard as I can drive.”

Kyle Busch finished second, followed by Kurt Busch, Austin Dillon and Erik Jones.

Trying to defend his 2016 Southern 500 win, Truex nearly made it a sweep of his own after winning the first two stages, but he smacked the while leading on Lap 365 with a flat right-front tire after trying to stretch it on worn rubber after making his final pit stop under green with 62 laps remaining.

The Furniture Row Racing driver finished eighth and clinched the regular-season points championship, ensuring he will have at least 52 playoff points for the 10-race title run that closes the season.

Stage 1: Truex nips Larson for win.

Stage 2: Truex captures 17^th stage victory of the season.

Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch 1-2 in NASCAR Cup points after Darlington.

By Jerry Bonkowski

(Photo/inusanews.com)

Martin Truex Jr. continues to maintain a commanding lead in the NASCAR Cup standings.

Truex, who won both stages of Sunday’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, has a 107-point lead over Kyle Busch.

In so doing, Truex clinches the NASCAR Cup regular-season title.

Kyle Larson is third (-116 points) followed by Kevin Harvick (-133) and Sunday’s race winner, Denny Hamlin, is fifth in the standings (-190).

Just one race remains in the 26-race regular season: this Saturday at Richmond Raceway.

Click here for the post-Darlington NASCAR Cup standings.

Denny Hamlin earns fifth Xfinity Series win at Darlington with last-lap pass.

By Daniel McFadin

(Photo/frontstretch.com)

Denny Hamlin won the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 with a last-lap pass of Joey Logano in Turn 4 in an overtime finish.

Logano had passed Hamlin going into Turn 3 before Hamlin went back beneath Logano through Turn 4.

It is Hamlin’s fifth Xfinity Series win at Darlington Raceway. All five have come from the pole.

“Just a really good restart, got through Turns 1 and 2 really good,” Hamlin told NBCSN at the start-finish line. “Great run by the 22 (Logano) getting back to me on the last lap. I think that was a throwback to Dale Earnhardt there in (Turns) 3 and 4.”

Hamlin led 33 laps. He took the lead on the overtime finish, pulling ahead of Logano.

“We definitely didn’t have the best handling car the beginning of the race,” Hamlin told NBCSN in victory lane. “We got it better there at the end. I actually was hating it that that caution came out because I thought I could run down (Harvick). We made it a little more exciting.”

The victory is the second of the year for Hamlin and the 17th of his Xfinity career. The race went 148 laps, one more than scheduled.

Kevin Harvick had been leading in the closing laps until Dakoda Armstrong spun with 10 laps to go in the original distance. That set up pit stops where Harvick lost the lead to Logano, who led a race-high 58 laps.

The overtime finish was set up by a crash involving Elliott Sadler on the ensuing restart.

“It would have been more fun if the caution didn’t come out, that would have been more fun for me,” Logano told NBCSN. “Denny had a great restart, went through the gearbox and motored me down into Turn 1 and had position on me. … (On the last lap) was able to get underneath him off of Turn 2. He knew my play. I knew what his play was going to be as soon as the spotter yelled ‘clear.’ I thought ‘that’s way too early in the corner to be clear.’ ”

Completing the top five were Harvick, Erik Jones and William Byron.

STAGE 1 WINNER: Kevin Harvick

STAGE 2 WINNER: Kevin Harvick

WHO HAD A GOOD DAY: Harvick led 54 laps before losing the lead during pit stops following Armstrong’s caution. His finish is his best at Darlington in 15 starts … Byron finished fifth in his first Darlington start after bouncing back from having to pit a second time under yellow on Lap 94 for a loose lug nut … Brandon Brown finished 20th in his first Darlington start after running in the top 15 for much of the race … Jeremy Clements finished 21st in the first race since wining at Road America.

WHO HAD A BAD DAY: Matt Tifft spun and crashed into the inside wall as the field completed Lap 1 after he made contact with Ross Chastain. He finished last with his second DNF of the season … Spencer Gallagher spun on Lap 99 after being tapped from behind by Ben Kennedy. He finished 34th … Elliott Sadler, the defending race winner, was in the top five all day until he hit the outside wall on the frontstretch with five to go in the original distance after being turned by Erik Jones. It resulted in his third DNF of the year. He finished 33rd.

NOTABLE: Cole Custer, Daniel Hemric and Brennan Poole all clinched a spot in the playoffs on point. … Hamlin’s five wins breaks a tie with Jeff Burton and Harry Gant for second most at Darlington. Mark Martin has eight.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I was six, seven, eight car lengths ahead and that’s when you pray for no caution and then you see in the mirror there’s just smoke and everything. I’m like, ‘Please, don’t hit that hard.’” – Joey Logano on the caution the set of the overtime finish.

WHAT’S NEXT: Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond Raceway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 8 on NBCSN.

Four spots remain in the Xfinity playoffs as three more clinch berths on points at Darlington.

By Nate Ryan

(Photo/nbcsports.com)

Cole Custer (ninth), Daniel Hemric (18th) and Brennan Poole (sixth) clinched Xfinity Series playoff berths Saturday with top-2o finishes at Darlington Raceway.

Elliott Sadler missed the chance to clinch the regular-season Xfinity points title but maintained a sizable margin despite finishing 33rd in a late crash Saturday.

Sadler leads JR Motorsports teammate William Byron by 91 points in the standings with two races remaining in the regular season at Richmond International Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway.

The seven-race playoffs will begin with a 12-driver field in the Sept. 23 race at Kentucky Speedway. Sadler already had clinched a berth on points. William Byron, Justin Allgaier, Ryan Reed and Jeremy Clements have clinched playoffs spots with wins, leaving four berths open.

Click here for the Xfinity points standings after Darlington Raceway.

Austin Cindric wins first career Truck Series race after last-lap spin of Kaz Grala.

By Daniel McFadin

(Photo/Getty Images)

Austin Cindric spun leader Kaz Grala on the last lap and went on to win the Camping World Truck Series race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

The first Truck Series win for Cindric came the day after he turned 19. Cindric started the final stage in 16th after being penalized for leaving his pit box with a gas can during Stage 2.

Cindric won from the pole position to give Brad Keselowksi Racing its first win of the season.

“I got to acknowledge what I did to Kaz in Turn 5, everyone’s seen this race many years past, and everybody knows it’s going to come down to contact (if) the second guy is close to the first,” Cindric told Fox Sports 1, going on to detail their own past together. “I raced with Kaz growing up, he drove my (Bandolero). It was the first car he ever drove. I know his family. I know they’re not going to be overly excited about it. But he already had a win (at Daytona), so I didn’t feel too bad about doing something to make it happen.”

Cindric was complimentary of how Grala drove the final nine laps of the race.

“He did an awesome job on the tires he was on,” Cindric said. “He put me into that box. He was doing a hell of a job on old tires trying to stay out in front of me. That’s kind of the last resort I had.

The win comes for Cindric in his 21st start and a few weeks after Brad Keselowski Racing announced it would not compete in the Truck Series after this year.

Grala, who drives for GMS Racing, called Cindric’s action a “dump and run.”

“He just got to us and ran us over,” Grala told FS1. “I don’t think he even braked for Turn 5. Honestly, I know he’s a great road course race and I had a lot of respect for that. I lost some right there. I wouldn’t race someone like that. Especially with as much as he had on the line. That was too dirty to me. I can’t get behind that at all.”

Cindric finished ahead of Noah Gragson, Grala, Justin Haley and Ryan Truex.

STAGE 1 WINNER: Austin Cindric

STAGE 2 WINNER: Ryan Truex

WHO HAD A GOOD DAY: Truex led 10 laps and earned his fifth top five of the season … Parker Kligerman led two laps under caution and finished eighth for his fourth top 10 in six starts this season … Austin Wayne Self finished ninth for his second top 10 of the season.

WHO HAD A BAD DAY: Christopher Bell lost an engine during the restart with 20 to go. He finished 26th. … Matt Crafton stalled on the track during the caution for Bell. He finished 25th … John Hunter Nemechek spun on his own in Turn 1 with five laps left and backed into the outside wall. He finished 20th.

NEXT: Chicagoland 225 at Chicagoland Speedway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 15 on Fox Sports 1.

Austin Cindric latest to qualify for Truck playoffs with win.

By Daniel McFadin

(Photo/Getty Images)

With his win in Sunday at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Austin Cindric became the latest driver to qualify for the Camping World Truck Series playoffs.

He is the sixth driver to qualify for the playoffs through a win this season. Only eight drivers will compete for the title.

Click here for the points standings.

SOCCER: In beating Montreal, Fire get most important win of the season.

By Dan Santaromita

(Photo/USA TODAY)

As the Fire's losing streak continued, the chasing playoff pack got closer and closer in the standings.

The Fire entered Saturday’s match in Montreal in fourth place in the Eastern Conference and only five points ahead of the Impact, currently in seventh place, and Montreal had a game in hand. Simply earning a draw on the road to prevent a close playoff rival from gaining ground would have been a very positive result for the Fire. The 1-0 win they got? That’s the most important one of the season so far.

Bastian Schweinsteiger came up with the goal less than 10 minutes after Montreal’s Deian Boldor was given a red card, which required video review. Matt Polster, who made his first appearance since Aug. 12, had the assist on the play.

“It’s massive for us to get back into the flow of things and get back on that right path of winning and trying to hit (our) stride in the playoffs,” Polster said on the CSN+ broadcast.

It wasn't a pretty performance. The Fire's issues in the attack were still present with just two shots on target, but the defense held up, even surviving an 80th minute shot off the post by Ignacio Piatti.

The Fire ended a four-game losing streak, leaped ahead of Columbus to take over third place again and are now eight points above the playoff line. Another big one is at Toyota Park next week when the fifth-place New York Red Bulls come to town, but, for now, the Fire are back in the win column and have some separation above the teams below them.

This is the third road win of the year for the Fire and it is the best team the Fire have beaten away from home.

Polster wasn’t the only player to return. Brandon Vincent came on as a sub in the 89th minute to replace a cramping Patrick Doody. Vincent hadn’t played since July 5.

David Accam missed the match with an ankle injury. Accam has been nursing a hip injury in recent weeks and has been leaving training early in an effort to ease the workload on his body.

With no Accam, Dax McCarty (national team duty), Joao Meira and Vincent still only coming off the bench, the Fire delivered three points against an also shorthanded Montreal team which was missing six players due to international call-ups.

The Fire still may not catch New York City FC, which is three points ahead of the Fire with a game in hand, for second place and a first-round bye. At least now, the Fire’s playoff spot once again appears secure and a home playoff game in the first round is more likely than it was before tonight.

USA 0-2 Costa Rica: USMNT face-plants vs. Ticos… again.

By Andy Edwards

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Bruce Arena’s honeymoon is over.

It lasted exactly four 2018 World Cup qualifiers, as the old-boss-turned-new-boss helped the U.S. national team out of a deep hole following the firing of Jurgen Klinsmann, before suffering his first defeat (this time around) in the Hexagonal at the hands of Costa Rica, the side which routed the USMNT 4-0 last November, on Friday.

With only three games still to play, Arena’s men sit third in the Hex, now six points behind Costa Rica, and as many as nine behind Mexico (pending their result versus Panama). A victory would have pulled the USMNT level for second. In short, it’s a disastrous result, particularly given the level to which the Yanks controlled the vast majority of the game.

The USMNT was denied its clearest chance of the opening half-hour, when Jozy Altidore was taken down inside the penalty area by Kendall Waston, but the referee was unmoved by the American pleas and waved for play to continue. It was a clear penalty, and a monumental let-off for Los Ticos.

Right on the half-hour mark, Costa Rica made the Yanks pay for their failure to turn spells of possession dominance into a goal. Marco Ureña found 30 yards of empty space between Tim Ream and Geoff Cameron, and the San Jose Earthquakes striker twisted and turned the former as he dribbled into the penalty area, worked the ball onto his right foot and beat Tim Howard far post.

Christian Pulisic was denied by Keylor Navas, in unbelievable fashion, in the 67th minute. Clint Dempsey‘s free kick pinballed around the penalty area and fell to Michael Bradley, who played the ball into space for Pulisic’s left-footed strike. The ball deflected off a defender, wrong-footing Navas in the worst way, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper was spectacular in his reaction, throwing his right hand in the air to palm the ball onto his foot and clear his lines.

With nine minutes left in regular time, Costa Rica landed the knockout punch. David Guzman strolled through the heart of midfield and played Ureña, who had acres of space himself, behind Ream and Cameron, and Howard could do nothing to deny him one-on-one.

The USMNT travels to San Pedro Sula next, for a matchup with Honduras, the side with which they’re tied for third place, on Tuesday.

CONCACAF WCQ: Mexico qualify; Honduras draw level with USMNT.

By Andy Edwards

(AP Photo/Christian Palma)

A roundup of all of Friday’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers in North and Central America and the Caribbean…

USA 0-2 Costa Rica

For the first time since 1958, the U.S. national team has lost two home games during the same cycle of WCQ. Marco Ureña scored both goals for Los Ticos, Tim Ream and Geoff Cameron endured nightmare evenings at center back, Bruce Arena stranded Michael Bradley on a midfield island, and the honeymoon period is over for Arena and Co., just like that. Tuesday’s matchup with Honduras just became the biggest game of the last three years.

Mexico 1-0 Panama

Oh, the difference four years can make. An entire World Cup cycle ago, Mexico were seconds from failing to qualify for the inter-continental playoffs, let alone the finals tournament in Brazil itself. Only the miracle of all miracles rescued El Tri from the ultimate embarrassment of missing the World Cup as one of CONCACAF’s two giants.

Fast forward 47 months, and Juan Carlos Osorio’s Mexico is the first from the region to qualify for next summer’s tournament in Russia, with three games of the Hexagonal still to play. Friday’s 1-0 victory over Panama which puts Mexico on 17 points, coupled with the USMNT’s loss, means El Tri have clinched a top-three place.

Hirving Lozano scored the game’s only goal, a 53rd-minute header.

Trinidad and Tobago 1-2 Honduras

Los Catrachos have risen from the dead, thanks to the rare road win in CONCACAF. Alexander Lopez scored the game’s opening goal in the 7th minute, and Houston Dynamo winger Alberth Elis tacked on what would turn out to be the game-winning goal just 10 minutes later.

Honduras held on, in desperate fashion, after Alvin Jones was sent off in the 58th minute, reducing T&T to 10 minute for the final half-hour. Seattle Sounders left back Joevin Jones converted from the penalty spot in the 67th minute, but that’s as close as the Soca Warriors would get. With the victory, Honduras are level with the USMNT, for third place (automatic qualification), on eight points, trailing only on goal differential. Those very sides will face off Tuesday evening in San Pedro Sula.

Updated CONCACAF WCQ standings

1. Mexico — 17 points, +8 GD
2. Costa Rica — 14 points, +7 GD
3. USA — 8 points, +1 GD
4. Honduras — 8 points, -7 GD
5. Panama — 7 points, -1 GD
6. Trinidad and Tobago — 3 points, -8 GD

UEFA Qualifying Wrap: France held by Luxembourg as Group A gets interesting.

By Kyle Bonn

(Photo/Associated Press)

Croatia 1-0 Kosovo

After the match on Saturday was called off just 22 minutes in thanks to an unplayable pitch following torrential rain, the game was resumed on Sunday. Real Madrid star Luka Modric fed a free-kick into the box in the 74th minute, and Dynamo Kiev defender Domagoj Vida was there to head it home and give Croatia a narrow victory under dubious circumstances.

Netherlands 3-1 Bulgaria

The Netherlands bounced back from their brutal defeat to France as Davy Propper poached a pair of goals against Bulgaria, with Arjen Robben adding one more. Propper touched home Daley Blind‘s low rifled cross just seven minutes in, and while that was it for a while, Blind fed Robben in the 67th minute from almost exactly the same spot at the left edge of the box. Bulgaria responded just two minutes later through Georgi Kostadinov, but Propper bagged his second to put the game away with 10 minutes to go, heading to the far post off a cross by Spartak Moscow winger Quincy Promes.

The three points is critical for the Netherlands, especially considering the other results around Group A that keep them alive. Robben’s goal was his 34th for country, moving him ahead of Johan Cruyff on the Netherlands scoring charts.

France 0-0 Luxembourg

Easily the most stunning result of the day, a full-strength France squad was held at home by Group A basement-dwellers Luxembourg in a result that not only keeps the Netherlands alive, but also releases France’s chokehold on Group A, leaving them just one point in front of Sweden and four ahead of the Netherlands.

France held 74% possession and mustered 34 shots, nine of them on target, but they couldn’t find a way through goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert. Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe, and Antoine Griezmann all started the game for France, and Alexandre Lacazette played a half-hour off the bench, but none of them had any answers.

Greece 1-2 Belgium

A wild finish at Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens saw three total goals pour in across a four-minute span, the decider scored by Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku as Belgium became the first European country to confirm qualification to the 2018 World Cup.

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen scored a fabulous strike from distance in the 70th minute, but the Spurs man lost Portuguese-born midfielder Zeca who flicked home a cross just two minutes after the opener, just the third goal Belgium has conceded all qualifying. With it all kicking off, Lukaku took a cross from Thomas Meunier and deposited a glancing header inside the far post.

Belarus 0-4 Sweden

Sweden took care of business as they went on the road and torched Belarus 4-0. Emil Forsberg scored the opener in the 18th minute and assisted the second, to Christoffer Nyman. Marcus Berg added a third just before halftime and Andreas Granqvist finished off the scoresheet with a late penalty.

Gibraltar 0-4 Bosnia and Herzegovina

With Belgium clinching Group H, that leaves four other countries to fight for the playoff spot, and Bosnia & Herzegovina took control with a comprehensive victory over point-less Gibraltar. Edin Dzeko scored a pair while Kenan Kodro and Senad Lulic each added one of their own. Bosnia & Herzegovina jumped Greece with the win into the playoff spot, with 14 points to Greece’s 13 and Cyprus’s 10. Estonia remains mathematically alive with eight points.

Hungary 0-1 Portugal

A red card to Hungary’s Tamas Priskin for elbowing Pepe in the face a half-hour in saw Portugal grab a man advantage, and Andre Silva provided the breakthrough heading in Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross minutes after the halftime break. The win allows Portugal to keep pace with perfect Switzerland, just three points back with the two teams set to meet in the final match of the group stage.

Latvia 0-3 Switzerland

Switzerland remained perfect in the group stage, picking up their eighth win in as many tries with a comprehensive victory over Latvia. An own-goal put Switzerland ahead nine minutes in, and while Blerim Dzemaili missed a penalty past the half-hour mark, he made amends just after halftime for a 2-0 lead, and Ricardo Rodriguez wrapped things up from the spot before an hour had gone by.

Faroe Islands 1-0 Andorra

These two sides have already been eliminated, but the Faroe Islands picked up their second win of qualification thanks to a goal by Norwegian top-flight winger Gilli Sorensen in the 31st minute.

Estonia 1-0 Cyprus

Estonia kept its hopes barely alive and dented those of Cyprus in dramatic fashion, with a stoppage-time half-volley from Fulham youth product Mattias Kait two minutes past the 90.

UEFA qualifying wrap: Spain tops Italy, Woodburn paces Wales.

By Matt Reed

(Photo/Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Ben Woodburn‘s debut for Wales was probably everything he could have ever hoped for, and much more.

The Liverpool youngster helped Wales to a 1-0 win over Austria on Saturday, as the 17-year-old scored a tremendous strike from distance with 16 minutes remaining in regulation. The victory puts Wales two points behind Ireland for second place in Group D, with three matches remaining in the Road to Russia.

Meanwhile, the day’s most high-profile matchup came when Spain met Italy, however, it was the Spanish that came away victorious. Isco’s first-half brace and a late finish from Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata helped La Furia Roja to a comfortable 3-0 win over Italy, and all but ensured Spain’s place in the top two in Group G.

Group I remains completely up for grabs after the day’s action, as four teams sit within three points of one another at the top of the group. Ukraine, Croatia, Iceland and Turkey are all still in the running for a place in Russia next summer, while Finland and Kosovo’s hopes are all but dashed.

Here’s a look at all the results from around European qualifying on Saturday.

Group D

Georgia 1-1 Republic of Ireland

Serbia 3-0 Moldova

Wales 1-0 Austria

Group G

Albania 2-0 Liechtenstein

Israel 0-1 Macedonia

Spain 3-0 Italy

Group I

Finland 1-0 Iceland

Ukraine 2-0 Turkey

Croatia vs. Kosovo (Abandoned)

NCAAFB: Howard's win over UNLV is biggest upset vs. spread in college football history.

By Nick Bromberg

Caylin Newton, Cam’s younger brother, had three touchdowns. (Photo/Getty)

Unless you were up late Saturday night, you missed a gambling upset of epic proportions.

FCS-level Howard, a 45-point underdog, took down UNLV 43-40 in Las Vegas. It’s the largest upset vs. the spread in college football history and the first win over an FBS opponent in Howard’s history.

Before Saturday night, Stanford’s upset of USC in 2007 was the biggest spread upset in college football. The Jim Harbaugh-coached Cardinal were 40-point underdogs entering the game. And while Howard’s upset is still notable, it is worth noting that spreads aren’t always given on games between FCS and FBS opponents.

If you had bet Howard to win straight up, you could have gotten rich too.

While UNLV isn’t a powerhouse, it made some sense why Howard — now coached by former Virginia coach Mike London — was such a big underdog. The Bison are 2-19 over the past two seasons at college football’s second level and were outscored 104-27 in games vs. Maryland and Rutgers a year ago. Remember, Rutgers was outscored 224-0 to Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State in 2016. Howard also lost 76-0 to Boston College in 2015.

Howard quarterback Caylin Newton had a big game. Caylin, the younger brother of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, had 21 carries for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He also was 15-of-26 passing for 140 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

The Bison weren’t the only big underdog to win Saturday night either. Liberty, a team making the transition to college football’s top level in 2018, beat Baylor 48-45. Liberty closed as 33.5-point underdogs.

No 2016 repeat: Two late Clayton Thorson QB sneaks give Northwestern season-opening comeback win. 

By Vinnie Duber

(Photo/USA TODAY)

There was no repeat of 2016 for Northwestern on Saturday — though you wouldn't have been blamed if you were worried about that sort of thing happening.

With the Wildcats down 10 to visiting Nevada at halftime in the season-opener, there were flashes of last season's nightmarish start, the back-to-back losses to Western Michigan and Illinois State in the campaign's first two games.

Though it surely took long enough, Northwestern showed up late against Nevada, Clayton Thorson scoring a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns on quarterback sneaks to send the Cats to a 31-20 win in the opener at Ryan Field.

Thorson had himself a day, passing for a career-high 352 yards and tossing two touchdown passes. He also rushed in for the go-ahead score in the final five and a half minutes, adding a second touchdown carry a few minutes later to seal the win.

Northwestern had some glaring miscues in the first half, missing a field goal and fumbling in the red zone. In the third quarter, a drive that reached inside the 10-yard line ended only in a field goal. The inability to finish off drives kept Nevada in front. Thorson's second touchdown pass of the day tied the game at 17 in the third quarter, but after the Cats' defense came away with a goal-line interception, Thorson pitched an ugly pick of his own, setting up a field goal that put Nevada back in front 20-17.

But Thorson and the Cats followed with an 11-play, 75-yard drive that went all the way to fourth and goal on the 1-yard line, where Pat Fitzgerald elected to go for it instead of tying the game with a field goal. Thorson kept it and plunged in to give the Cats their first lead since the first quarter.

The Northwestern defense — which allowed only three points after halftime — forced a turnover on downs on the ensuing possession, stonewalling the Nevada quarterback on fourth down. A bold Thorson deep ball on third down set the Cats up on the doorstep again, and Thorson capped the scoring with his fourth total touchdown of the game.

It certainly wasn't a pretty win, as the folks in the desert projected Northwestern to win by more than three touchdowns. But avoiding a start like last year's will go a long way in a season of high hopes for the Cats.

Mike Dudek returns as Illini's biggest playmaker in ugly win over Ball State.

By Vinnie Duber

(Photo/USA TODAY)

Finally, Mike Dudek was back on the field Saturday.

The guy who had such a fantastic freshman season for the Fighting Illini back in 2014 missed each of the past two seasons with ACL tears. Saturday, he made his return to college football action, and he picked up right where he left off three years ago: as his team's biggest playmaker.

Yes, if it wasn't for Dudek's fourth-quarter punt return, it's likely Illinois would've started Year 2 of the Lovie Smith Era with an embarrassing loss to Ball State.

But instead, Dudek followed up a couple awful Illini miscues — not being able to capitalize on an interception and then throwing an interception themselves — with a 52-yard return of a Ball State punt to set up what ended up as the game-winning touchdown drive.

The Illini trailed 21-16 after an abysmal third quarter in which the Cardinals marched through the Illini defense for a pair of touchdowns. Things didn't get much better until Dudek's punt return, which set up a go-ahead touchdown rush by freshman Mike Epstein — who had himself an impressive debut game, rushing for 54 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just 11 carries. Quarterback Chayce Crouch rushed in for a successful two-point conversion, putting the Illini up 24-21.

The Illinois defense, which looked awful much of the afternoon, came up with a couple big plays on Ball State's final drive, including a sack that pushed the Cardinals way back and forced a 54-yard field-goal try, which was blocked as time expired.

The Illini obviously have a lot to improve if they want to compete against Big Ten teams. The defense and offensive line looked particularly poor, and that was against a Ball State team that went 1-7 in the MAC last season.

But Epstein was a bright spot. So too was Dudek, who in addition to that punt return caught the Illini's first touchdown pass in impressive fashion.

College Football Week 1 scores and recaps

NCAA

FINAL Colorado State 58, Oregon State 27 | Box score

FINAL BYU 17, Portland State 6 | Box score

FINAL  Hawai’ 38, UMass 35 | Live updates

FINAL.  No. 19 South Florida 42, San José State 22 | Box score

FINAL. No.14 Stanford 62, Rice 7 | Box score

FINAL: UCF 61, Florida International 17 | Live updates

FINAL: Minnesota 17, Buffalo 7 | Box score

FINAL: UConn 27, Holy Cross 20 | Box score

FINAL: Utah 37, North Dakota 16 | Box score

FINAL: Oklahoma State 59, Tulsa 24 | Box score

FINAL: Arkansas 49, Florida A&M 7 | Box score

FINAL: Ohio State 49, Indiana 21 | Box score

FINAL: Memphis 37, Louisiana Monroe 29 | Box score

FINAL: Idaho 28, Sacramento State 6: | Box score

FINAL Arizona State 37, New Mexico State 31, | Box score

FINAL: Army 57, Fordham 6,  | Box score

FINAL: Colorado 17,. Colorado State 3|  Box score

FINAL: Navy 42, Florida Atlantic 19 | Box score

FINAL: Washington 30, Rutgers 14 | Box score

FINAL:Wisconsin 59, Utah State 10 | Box score

FINAL: Boston College 23, Northern Illinois 20 | Box score

FINAL: Penn State 52, Akron 0 | Box score

FINAL: Illinois 24, Ball State 21 |Box score

FINAL: Michigan State 35, Bowling Green 10 |Box score

FINAL: Clemson 56, Kent State 3 | Box score

FINAL: Maryland 51, Texas 41 | Box score

FINAL: Missouri 72, Missouri State 42 | Box score

FINAL: Iowa 24, Wyoming 3 |Box score

FINAL: California 35, North Carolina 30 | Box score

FINAL: Miami 41, Bethune Cookman 13 | Box score

FINAL: Oregon State 35, Portland State 32 | Box score

FINAL: South Carolina 35, NC State 28 (Charlotte) | Box score

FINAL: Michigan 33, Florida 17 |Box score

FINAL: Northwestern 31, Nevada 20 |Box score

FINAL: Notre Dame 49, Temple 16 | Box score

FINAL: Oklahoma 56, UTEP 7 |Box score

FINAL: Boise State 24, Troy 13 |Box score

FINAL: Mississippi State 49, Charleston Southern 0 | Box score

FINAL: Texas Tech 56, Eastern Washington 10 |Box score

FINAL: Kentucky 24, Southern Miss 17 | Box score

FINAL: USC 49, Western Michigan 31 | Box score

FINAL: Georgia 31, Appalachian State 10 |Box score

FINAL: Kansas State 55, Central Arkansas 19|Box score

FINAL: Liberty 48, Baylor 45 | Box score

FINAL: Kansas 38, SEMO 16 | Box score

FINAL: Auburn 41, Georgia Southern 7 | Box score

FINAL: Louisville 35, Purdue 28 (Indianapolis) | Box score

FINAL: Ole Miss 47, South Alabama 27 | Box score

FINAL: Alabama 24, Florida State 7 (Atlanta) | Box score

FINAL: Nebraska 43, Arkansas State 36 | Box score

FINAL: TCU 63, Jackson State 0 | Box score

FINAL: Iowa State 42, Northern Iowa 24 | Box score

FINAL:Vanderbilt 28, Middle Tennessee 6  | Box score

FINAL: Oregon 77, Southern Utah 21 | Box score

FINAL: LSU 27, BYU 0 | Box score

FINAL: Washington State 31, Montana State 0 | Box score

NCAABKB: College Basketball is better than college football. (Taken from SBNation/com College Basketball Fanpost).

By Brad D

Photo/Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports)

I’m likely not telling you anything you don’t already know here.

It’s that time of year again. South of the Mason-Dixon line, grown men stuck in a prolonged testosterone infused adolescence will now spend hours every Saturday chanting “SEC” as if it is a magical incantation that can keep the 21st century at bay. Farther north, brisk fall afternoons will be filled with the sound of cracking pads, Brent Musberger, and the smell of tailgate food. There’s a certain nostalgia that comes with college football season that stirs something in even the most fervent non-supporters. At the very least, college football ushers in the fall and the best weather of the year.

But it still doesn’t compare to college basketball. All of the overhyping, ESPN travelling, and constant media bombardment can’t cover over one simple fact: college basketball is a better product than college football.

Action

The average college basketball game lasts two hours and 12 minutes from opening tip to the final buzzer. In that time, you are guaranteed at least 40 minutes of something happening, not to mention the clock stoppages in which scoring still happens. Somewhere around 50 minutes ends up being either full court action or scoring plays.

College football games, on the other hand, average three hours and 24 minutes. How much action is packed into that time? Around 11 minutes. That means that over three hours of the average football game is dead. A marathon four hour and four minute Alabama game last year managed to rack up just 16 minutes of actual action. If you tune into a football broadcast, you’re spending nearly three times as much time watching commercials as you are watching play.*

Injuries

We were all emotionally impacted on some level when Edmond Sumner slammed to the floor against Villanova. That play changed the course of an entire season and remains vivid in the memory of anyone who saw it. The same can be said of Kevin Ware’s horrific leg injury in the NCAA tournament. Part of the reason these stick in the mind is the relative paucity of truly devastating injuries in college basketball.

In the latest five year study from the NCAA, 11 college football players died. 23 more suffered “non-fatal direct catastrophic injuries.” Three of those were catastrophic spinal cord injuries. In the last three years, college football teams have reported 501 concussions. That’s a lot, but it doesn’t account for the fact that sixty teams have failed to publicly disclose even one concussion in that time span. Based on that data, that tells us that over 1,000 concussions have been caused by college football in the last three years. That’s just in NCAA DI.**

Athleticism

I’m not going to sit here and tell you that football players aren’t incredible athletes. If you’ve seen the Odell Beckham Jr catch, you would know that claim is absurd. Consider for a moment though, that the athleticism on display in football is very focused. Offensive linemen are incredibly strong, but they aren’t about to hurdle anyone or run a 4.5 40 yard dash. Receivers aren’t about to body someone up unless they absolutely must.

In basketball, everyone does everything. RaShid Gaston may have to toss a 270 behemoth to the side for a rebound before racing the length of the floor to catch a pass above the rim and dunk it. His reward for this? Another 94 foot sprint to get back in defensive position. Quentin Goodin has to have the speed to outrun anyone else on the floor but also be able to propel himself a shocking 44 inches off the ground from a standstill. No one walks onto a college basketball floor that isn’t a premier and incredibly well rounded athlete.

If you love college football, I’m not going to talk you out of it. Even I, not a football man, turn on the games to listen at work at night. The college football playoff pales in comparison to March Madness, but it’s an exciting event nonetheless. So, by all means, enjoy the games. Cheer against the SEC at all times, and hope for the Buckeyes to lose in every way possibly imaginable. (Greg Oden, #neverforget). Just remember as you watch college football that you are dining on hamburger, the steak is waiting when the calendar flips fully into November.

*Data from the Wall Street Journal and Sports Observer

**Data from the NCAA and Al Jazeera

US Open Tennis 2017 Results: Maria Sharapova Loses, Venus Williams Advances.

By Joseph Zucker

(Photo/Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

It wasn't the first time Mother Nature intervened at the 2017 U.S. Open, limiting much of Sunday's early action to the matches under the roof inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Denis Shapovalov, the 18-year-old Canadian who has dazzled the New York City crowd, was set to get the action underway against Pablo Carreno Busta, while 2006 U.S. Open champion Maria Sharapova and Sloane Stephens took to the court as well in separate round-of-16 clashes.

Below is an overview of how Sunday afternoon unfolded.

Men's Results

(12) Pablo Carreno Busta def. Denis Shapovalov; 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3)

(29) Diego Schwartzman def. (16) Lucas Pouille; 7-6(3), 7-5, 2-6, 6-2

Women's Results

Sloane Stephens def. (30) Julia Goerges; 6-3, 3-6, 6-1

(16) Anastasija Sevastova def. Maria Sharapova; 5-7, 6-4, 6-2

(9) Venus Williams def. Carla Suarez Navarro; 6-3, 3-6, 6-1

Day 7 Recap

No player's stock has risen more than Shapovalov's over the course of the U.S. Open, but his inexperience may have cost him against Carreno Busta, as the 25-year-old won three tiebreakers to advance to the quarterfinals.

Time and again, Shapovalov was unable to put Carreno Busta away. He had a 5-2 lead as well as three set points in the first set before dropping it 2-7 in the tiebreak. He then jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third set before Carreno Busta reeled off three straight games of his own to tie the set and eventually clinch the match.

Shapovalov committed 55 unforced errors, 36 more than in his second-round victory over eighth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The reliance on his volley game also may have been counterproductive for Shapovalov. He won just 61 percent of his points at the net and committed five unforced errors on attempted volleys. Carreno Busta, on the other hand, had a 73 percent conversion rate at the net, and two of his 25 winners were passing shots.

While Carreno Busta only had one ace throughout the entire match, he sealed the victory with an inch-perfect serve to Shapovalov's forehand.

On This Date in Sports History: Today is Monday, September 04, 2017.

Memoriesofhistory.com

1949 - The longest pro tennis match in history was played when Pancho Gonzales and Ted Schroeder played 67 games in five sets. The record was broken in 2010.

1953 - The New York Yankees became the first baseball team to win five consecutive American League championships.

1972 - Swimmer Mark Spitz captured his seventh Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter medley relay event at Munich, Germany. Spitz was the first Olympian to win seven gold medals. World records were set in his seven events.

1993 - Jim Abbott, pitcher for the New York Yankees, pitched a no-hitter. Abbott had been born without a right hand.

2002 - The Oakland Athletics won their AL-record 20th straight game. The A's gave up an 11-run lead during the game and then won the game on a Scott Hatteberg home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. The game hosted the largest crowd (55,528) ever for a regular season game at the Coliseum.

2002 - St. Louis manager Tony La Russa got his 1,905th major league win. He tied Casey Stengal for eighth place.

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