Everything we know from Washington’s latest loss. Washington falls to 2-6 on the season.
The Denver Broncos defeated the Washington Football Team, 17-10, on Sunday in a battle of struggling teams. It was a close game throughout, with Washington’s defense playing its best game of the year, but in the end, offensive struggles killed any chance of Washington ending its three-game losing streak.
Washington’s defense held the Broncos to 273 total yards, and for the second straight week, finished the game with more yards than its opponent. Yet, red-zone issues held Washington to just 10 points in each game.
Washington falls to 2-6 on the season after its fourth consecutive loss.
Here’s everything we know from Washington’s latest loss.
The Houston Rockets (1-5) play against the Los Angeles Lakers (3-3) at STAPLES Center Game Time: 10:30 PM EDT on Sunday October 31, 2021 Houston Rockets 85, Los Angeles Lakers 95 (Final) What’s the buzz on Twitter? Dave McMenamin @ mcten New story: …
The Houston Rockets (1-5) play against the Los Angeles Lakers (3-3) at STAPLES Center
Game Time: 10:30 PM EDT on Sunday October 31, 2021
Houston Rockets 85, Los Angeles Lakers 95 (Final)
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Dave McMenamin @mcten
New story: Seven games into his Laker tenure, Carmelo Anthony says it’s working because of a willingness to adapt that he says is misunderstood es.pn/3CD48Nx – 3:50 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Quick @LockedOnLakers video reaction to the Lakers’ 95-85 win over the Rockets. Wasn’t always pretty, but there were some good aspects, especially the improved turnover count, and the defense. @LockedOnNBAPods @LockedOnLakers pic.twitter.com/GiNwQHhBca – 3:12 AM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Anthony Davis on Lakers’ improved defense (1/2): “I think our communication was very on point tonight which helped us with a lot of our coverages where we usually have some struggles…” – 2:41 AM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
LeBron on Carmelo strong play as of late: “You know, it’s definitely big for us. Especially having some of our other playmakers out, having two of our snipers out, as far as Wayne, and TA. So, Melo definitely stepped it up from the perimeter, for our perimeter shooting.” – 2:36 AM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Carmelo Anthony on being a Laker (1/3): “It was all about me being able to adapt. New environment, new situation, new players. What makes it easier for myself is that fact that I have the minds that I have on the team. The fact that we can be honest with one another…” – 2:34 AM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Carmelo played with Kenyon Martin Sr. with the Nuggets, hit a three over Kenyon Martin Jr tonight.
Asked by @Dan Woike, says: KJ is someone who used to run around the house when we was in Denver. … It’s special for me to see that, to see where he’s at now. – 1:58 AM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Melo on why the Lakers have been a good fit for him so far: I think people don’t really understand me. I think there’s a misconception about me out there that I don’t adapt to situations. But I easily adapt. – 1:55 AM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
Silas on Jalen Green’s play: “I’ve coached a whole bunch of rookies in my career… You can’t take the first 6 games of the season and judge at all what he can be and how the season is going to be for him.” – 1:11 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Vogel on the wide open looks ‘Melo (5 more made 3’s) is getting, often alongside some combo of LeBron/Russ/AD drawing attention:
“We always try to put him on the back side (of the defense).” – 1:10 AM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
Silas on if playing in the Staples Center shell-shocked the Rockets: “It’s very possible that that could have contributed to some of our uneven play… We clean up the free throws, we clean up the turnovers, and it’s a whole different ball game.” – 1:08 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Vogel said he and his coaching staff had been discussing some different personnel groupings, and tonight “Seemed like a good opportunity to look at” the AD-at-the-5 group. They loved how that group closed the previous game. – 1:07 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Frank Vogel says he wanted to experiment and see what a starting group with Anthony Davis at center would look like. He likes the combo of Kent Bazemore and Avery Bradley together defensively. – 1:06 AM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Frank Vogel said the Lakers decided yesterday to play smaller. He liked the look of Bazemore and Bradley out to guard on the perimeter. – 1:06 AM
Bill Oram @billoram
Frank Vogel said the Lakers decided yesterday to go small against the roster. Wanted to test out the “roster flexibility” of this team, he said. – 1:05 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LAL improve to 4-3 on the young season with a 95-85 win over Houston, in which their biggest lead was 28. Rockets scored 31 in the 4th, qualifying as garbage time, after LAL held them to 15, 20 and 19 points apiece in the first three quarters. – 12:58 AM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Lakers over the Rockets 95-85…
-Carmelo 23pts 4blks 2stls
-Russ 20pts 9ast 8rebs
-AD 16pts 13rebs
-LBJ 15pts 8ast 7rebs 4stls
Next Game vs Houston again on Tuesday…Post Game Show Coming up Next… @ESPNLosAngeles – 12:57 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Final: Lakers 95, Rockets 85
The Lakers improve to 4-3, crossing the .500 mark for the first time this season. Carmelo Anthony had 23 points, 4 blocks (!!) and 2 steals. The Lakers were a team-best +25 with Russell Westbrook on the floor.
Up next: vs. Houston again on Tuesday. – 12:55 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Melo is shooting a career-high 50.0% and 52.2% from three this season.
He’s averaging 16.7 PPG, the highest since his last Knicks season in 2016-17. pic.twitter.com/Stutk5I4mu – 12:54 AM
Chad Ford @chadfordinsider
Top Rookie on Sunday
Alperen Sengun, 11 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl
Tough night for other top rookies … – 12:54 AM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Lakers beat Houston 95-85 to get over .500 for the first time all season at 4-3. Melo 23p on 5-of-8 3s 4b 2s; Russ 20p 9a 8r; AD 16p 13r; LeBron 15p on 6-of-19 shooting 8a 7r 4s. – 12:54 AM
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler #Rockets (1-5) lose to Lakers, 95-85 to open their 5 game west coast road trip. Next up – they’ll face the Lakers again on Tuesday night. – 12:54 AM
Cayleigh Griffin @cayleighgriffin
Tough one in Staples tonight. Defense looked good, but too many turnovers, and too many missed free throws.
Another shot at these Lakers on Tuesday right back here. – 12:53 AM
Bill Oram @billoram
Carmelo Anthony checks out with 23 points and, even more impressively, a career-high tying four blocks and two steals. Per Lakers PR, he hasn’t had those defensive stats in a game since his rookie year: 12/2/03. – 12:41 AM
Kelly Iko @KellyIkoNBA
Perfect display of how KPJ can play under control while pushing the pace. Lovely lob to K.J Martin sneaking behind the defense — Rockets down 88-77 with 3:58 to go. – 12:41 AM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Melo checks out with 23 points, but also four blocks and two steals. Only other game he’s had four swats and at least two steals, per Lakers PR, was Dec. 2, 2003. – 12:41 AM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Rockets were on a 13-0 run before a Westbrook drive. With a Martin drive, Rockets within 13. Crazy thing, as much as they have looked overmatched, they are 15 of 28 from the line and still sorta, kinda in it. – 12:40 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Carmelo Anthony has at least 4 blocks and 2 steals for the first time since Dec. 2, 2003, his rookie year, in a 115-103 win against LeBron’s Cleveland Cavs (he had 4 blocks and 3 steals). – 12:39 AM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Rockets making another little run, from down 28 to within 15 with 6:20 left. LeBron 0 for 5 on 3s, keeping door slightly ajar. Rally strong minutes for Sengun, by the way. – 12:36 AM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Lakers’ lead down to 15 points and they call a timeout. I’m guessing no one needs to say it but – 12:35 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Per Basketball-reference, Carmelo Anthony, who has four blocks tonight, has tied that mark in three other seasons. One more would be a new career-high. AK – 12:35 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Third quarter: Lakers 75, Rockets 54
Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook each have 16 points. The Lakers are a team-best +22 w/ Russ on the floor. The Rockets have 23 turnovers — 14 have been Laker steals — leading to 32 Laker points. LA is +19 with Anthony Davis at the 5. – 12:21 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
After allowing an 8-1 Rockets run to start the 3rd Q, LAL put the clamps back on, and wound up with a 21-19 edge in the period to take a 75-54 lead into the 4th Q.
Houston has 25 turnovers already, which is … a ton. Denver ranks 30th in the NBA with 18.8 per game. – 12:20 AM
Bill Oram @billoram
The Rockets nearly have half as many turnovers (25) as they have points (54) through three quarters. The Lakers are gonna win this one, folks. – 12:18 AM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Rockets up to 10 turnovers in nine second-half minutes, nine in the past 5 1/2 minutes since cutting lead to 11. They have 24 turnovers in the game. Franchise record is 34. – 12:14 AM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
-Sengun checks into the game-
Rockets go on a run
-Sengun sits-
Lakers go on a run
Wash. Rinse. Repeat. – 12:12 AM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
I don’t think the Lakers need to worry about coughing up a double-digit lead tonight as they did to OKC. – 12:09 AM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
The Lakers are only shooting 40 percent tonight; the blowout is by virtue of the Rockets hitting only three 3-pointers. – 12:08 AM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
20 turnovers now for the Rockets. Looked like they were about to make this a single digit game for a second.
Back to 17. – 12:07 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
The Lakers are like the Yoda to the Rockets’ Luke Skywalker, teaching them the ancient secrets of turning the ball over. AK – 12:07 AM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Rockets cut a lead that reached 24 to 11, then committed turnovers on four-consecutive possessions. Lakers up 17. Rockets up to 20 turnovers 4 1/2 minutes into the second half. – 12:05 AM
Bill Oram @billoram
Lakers announce tonight’s attendance is 16,448. That’s well below the typical sellout of 18,997. – 12:02 AM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Jalen Green with his first bucket, beats Davis off the dribble. Rockets on a 10-1 run to close the first half and start the second, cut lead to 14. Trailed by as much as 24 with 2 1/2 left in second quarter. – 12:00 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Halfitme: Lakers 54, Rockets 35
Carmelo Anthony leads LA with 14 points. Russell Westbrook has 12 points and 5 assists. The Lakers have 7 steals and 6 blocks. Houston is shooting 30% and is 3 of 18 (16.7%) from beyond the arc. LA is +15 without DJ/Dwight at center. – 11:42 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Lakers many, Rockets few at half. OK, it’s 54-35. Rockets 3 of 18 on 3s. Shot 20 % against the Jazz on Thursday. LeBron, Melo toying with them. – 11:41 PM
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler #Rockets trail Lakers 54-35 at the half. Ex-Rockets Carmelo, Westbrook & Avery Bradley have 28 pts. Ex-Rockets Ariza & Howard are OUT w/ injury. – 11:40 PM
John Hollinger @johnhollinger
73% of the Lakers’ 2021-22 season highlight film content will come from the first half of this Houston game tonight. – 11:39 PM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
At the half, Lakers up 54-35 on the Rockets…
-Carmelo 14pts off the bench
-Russ 12pts 5ast
-Lebron 7pts 6ast 2stls
-AD 6pts 8rebs
-Bazemore 7pts @ESPNLosAngeles – 11:39 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
LeBron wanted continuation after he was fouled for a wild and-1 lay-up, but the officials didn’t give it to him.
Lakers up 54-35 at the half. – 11:39 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LAL take a 54-35 lead into halftime here after a dominant first half against the young Rockets, holding Houston to 30% FG’s and forcing 14 TO’s. – 11:38 PM
Bill Oram @billoram
When LeBron eventually passes Kareem just know that tonight’s refs lied about the two points he just scored. – 11:38 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Rockets have made one shot in the past five minutes. They are 9 of 31, 2 of 13 on 3s. Also have 14 turnovers with thee minutes left in the half. Lakers seem to be enjoying themselves. – 11:32 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
A 5-0 run from Westbrook, who scored at the rim, then hit his 2nd corner 3 of the night, has LAL up 50–28. That forced HOU’s time out with 3:11 left in the 2nd Q. – 11:30 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Russ has hit both of his attempts on corner threes tonight, tapping the top of his head after for emphasis. Lakers are 8 for 15 from deep tonight, leading Houston 50-28. – 11:30 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
over/under on LeBron mentions that he’s aging “like wine” in postgame: 1.5 – 11:26 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
With buddy @Drake sitting courtside, @LeBron James went for a pair of crowd-pleasing plays, first an explosive reverse dunk, then an and-1 J over Sengun.
LAL lead 45-26 after their latest run. – 11:24 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
In a battle between one of the youngest rosters in the league and the oldest, the Lakers are making age look good tonight. – 11:24 PM
Sopan Deb @SopanDeb
the move that lebron just pulled – even tho he missed the jumper – was absurd and if he made it would’ve been one of the best highlights of the season – 11:19 PM
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
Carmelo Anthony off the Lakers bench has a game-high 14 points, he’s made 4-5 3’s, #Rockets trail 36-21 early in the 2ndQ – 11:17 PM
Cayleigh Griffin @cayleighgriffin
KJ Martin told me some of his earliest NBA memories were attending his dad’s practices with Denver, and being around Carmelo Anthony.
Well, KJ just fouled Melo, on the made 3. – 11:17 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Melo with 14 in seven minutes. Lakers lead by 15. Those things are not unrelated. Anthony was fouled by K.J. Martin, son of one of his former teammates. – 11:17 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
‘Melo’s already up to 15 points in his 7 minutes, drilling his 4th 3, plus the foul (missed FT).
LAL lead 36-21. – 11:16 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Carmelo is off to a very hot start. He’s 4-for-5 from beyond the 3-point line and leads all scorers with 14 points in 6 minutes and 36 seconds. – 11:16 PM
Kelly Iko @KellyIkoNBA
Jalen Green checks back in. That felt like a long stretch he was off the floor. – 11:16 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Gordon with a 3-pointer in the first minute of the second quarter, Rockets first field goal away from the rim. – 11:13 PM
Bill Oram @billoram
Carmelo Anthony entered tonight shooting 50 percent from 3 and is already 3-of-4. – 11:12 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Melo starting to find his stride in LA. 3-4 from deep in the first quarter. – 11:12 PM
Cayleigh Griffin @cayleighgriffin
The Rockets had 8 turnovers, leading to 13 Lakers points in that first quarter. Houston is 0-4 from 3. LA is 6-11. – 11:09 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LAL hold a 27-15 lead after 12 minutes, despite shooting just 41.7% as a team.
They did shoot well from 3, thanks to ‘Melo (3 for 4) and Bazemore (2 for 3), and held HOU to just 5 of 18 FG’s (27.8%), forcing 8 TO’s to their 3. – 11:09 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Lakers 27, Rockets 15 after 1. Rockets went entire quarter without making a jump shot. They are 5 of 18, 0 for 4 on 3s, with 8 turnovers. Melo with 9, hit 3 of 4 treys. – 11:09 PM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Carmelo already with three 3’s (9pts in 4 minutes)…Lakers up 27-15 at the end of Q1 – 11:08 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Every time Melo does Melo things, I can’t help but wonder what a LeBron-Melo tandem would’ve been like with them as the focal duo earlier in their career both with their role and salary – 11:07 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Carmelo has 3 triples now, the third straight quarter at Staples Center in which he’s hit 3 (3rd and 4th Q vs. Cleveland).
LAL lead 27-13. – 11:07 PM
Kelly Iko @KellyIkoNBA
Houston just can’t get much going in the halfcourt. Lakers are there at every turn. 4-13, 0-3 on threes. 10 points in the quarter with 2 minutes to go. – 11:04 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
‘Melo hit all 6 of his 3’s in the second half last game to lead LAL to a win over Cleveland. Tonight, he drilled a 3 off his first touch of the ball, amidst a quick run that has LAL up 21-10. – 11:00 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Brisk start for the Lakers, up 21-10 after nine minutes on the inexperienced Rockets.
Not sure if the Lakers are going to literally mention “Thunder” in the huddles tonight, but I’m sure they’ll get reminders to keep their feet on the gas. – 11:00 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Early-season takeaway: A Melo shot has replaced the Alex Caruso energy as something that gets the Lakers fans at Staples Center most hyped – 10:58 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Rockets open 2 for 10 with 5 TO’s against LAL’s small ball group.
Lakers lead still at 13-5 after a few missed open shots on the other end, at the 5-minute mark of the 1st Q. – 10:55 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Rockets turnover issues are back. Have five in six minutes. Not getting good looks either. That could be a bit of an issue. – 10:53 PM
Kelly Iko @KellyIkoNBA
Lakers physical defense a problem early for Houston, swarming and collapsing in the paint. Three turnovers in the opening 5 minutes. Early 13-5 lead for LA. – 10:50 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Green picks up his second foul in 4 1/2 minutes. Gordon to check in. Lakers already up 13-5, unless you believe the scoreboard which has the Rockets in front. – 10:49 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Lots of open shots here with the small ball group, as LeBron finds Bazemore in the opposite corner for a 3 that put LAL up 13-5, with 5 minutes in the books. – 10:48 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I’d like to believe that DJ genuinely couldn’t make it out of October as a starter on merit.
I actually believe Vogel is just not comfortable playing DJ more than 10-12 total minutes, and separating him from AD makes it easier to get 48 total center minutes between the two. – 10:35 PM
Kelly Iko @KellyIkoNBA
Rockets-Lakers tonight should be a blur. They are first and second in pace, respectively. – 10:31 PM
Mike Bresnahan @Mike_Bresnahan
Anthony Davis will start at center for the Lakers tonight against Houston. LeBron James (ankle soreness) will also play.
Dwight Howard will not be available because of a sore neck. – 10:22 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Dwight Howard won’t play tonight due to neck stiffness, which Frank Vogel earlier cited as a possibility.
Expect DeAndre Jordan to slot into Dwight’s backup C role, with AD starting at the five. – 10:20 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Lakers have LeBron James playing tonight. Avery Bradley starting, while DeAndre Jordan out of the starting rotation – 10:04 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Rockets starters: Tate, Wood, Theis, Green, Porter Jr.
Lakers: Bazemore, James, Davis, Bradley, Westbrook.
Change for the Lakers with Bradley, who played 17 games with the Rockets last season, starting and Davis at center. Jordan had been starting. – 10:03 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
The Lakers have changed the starting lineup: Anthony Davis starts at center, while Avery Bradley slides in at guard in place of DeAndre Jordan. – 10:01 PM
Bill Oram @billoram
The Lakers are going small tonight. Avery Bradley moves into the starting lineup in place of DeAndre Jordan. – 10:00 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Lakers starters:
Russell Westbrook
Avery Bradley
Kent Bazemore
LeBron James
Anthony Davis
This is the first game AD will start at the 5. – 10:00 PM
Kyle Goon @kylegoon
Dwight Howard is coming out for his on-court warm up. Frank Vogel said earlier he would be a game time decision. – 9:34 PM
Bill Oram @billoram
Even though the Lakers rank near the bottom of the league in defensive rating through six games, Houston coach Stephen Silas said he’s still “deathly afraid of their defense.” Cites their size, length and experience. – 9:08 PM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
KJ Martin will fill in for Danuel House over the next two games:
“We obviously want to play as fast as possible. He’s one of the guys who can really run the floor.” – 9:03 PM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
Stephen Silas believes Kevin Porter Jr will play tonight but he hasn’t tested the ankle yet. – 9:01 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Frank Vogel says LeBron James (right ankle) and Dwight Howard (neck soreness) will both be game-time decisions against the Rockets tonight. – 8:47 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Lakers coach Frank Vogel said LeBron James will be a game-time decision again for tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets. – 8:46 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Frank Vogel says LeBron James will again be a game-time decision tonight. – 8:46 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
The Lakers have five players that played for the Rockets prior to this season. The Rockets have nine (including House who is out.) Also, both have one coach named John Lucas who played for the Rockets. – 8:35 PM
Dwain Price @DwainPrice
It’s a final: @Dallas Mavericks 105, Kings 99. Luka had 23-8-10, Tim had 16 pts, Dorian had 13-6, Dwight had 12-8, Frank scored 12 pts. Mavs are 4-2 and will host Miami on Tuesday. – 5:48 PM
Rockets head coach Stephen Silas wants his team to answer the physical challenge of the Lakers this week — or play fast enough to avoid it.
Growing up, my friends and I would go to the park and play basketball against men, who were at least 10 years older than we were. They would bully us on offense and defense, often while using their strength and experience against us. Ultimately, we were never victorious and would usually leave the court with our egos and bodies bruised.
As the young Houston Rockets (1-4) prepare to take on the veteran-led Los Angeles Lakers (3-3) in consecutive road games on Sunday and Tuesday, they should be aware that they are taking on a team that will use their experience as well as their bodies to try and push them around.
Los Angeles is led by one of the greatest players of all-time in LeBron James. Standing at 6-foot-9 and weighing in at 250 pounds, James has the basketball intelligence to bully his way to whatever spot he wants on the court. That is a lot of pressure defensively on Houston’s young players, such as forwards Jae’Sean Tate and Christian Wood.
“They are going to try to beat us up on the glass,” said Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. “They are going to attack the paint, like they do in transition. They are a big physical team, and the way big, physical teams affect you is by imposing that on their opponents.”
When James is not imposing his will towards the basket, he finds other physical players like Anthony Davis and Carmelo Anthony, who can be hard to stop in the paint with their size and huge frames. Add in point guard Russell Westbrook to the mix, and you have a recipe for disaster for the Rockets when it comes to stopping the Lakers.
Silas knows that his team has a big task on hand, but he believes that there is one way the Rockets can combat the physicality. “They are going to try to be as physical as possible with us, and we are going to have to meet that challenge and find ways to either handle it, or play fast enough to where we don’t have to deal with it,” Houston’s second-year head coach said in comments prior to Sunday’s tipoff.
Penn State will have the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten men’s soccer tournament after clinching regular-season title
For the first time since 2013, Penn State has a men’s soccer Big Ten championship. The Nittany Lions clinched the Big Ten’s regular-season championship and the top seed in the upcoming Big Ten men’s soccer tournament with a victory over the Wisconsin Badgers on Sunday afternoon.
Senior Seth Kuhn scored two goals in the win for the Nittany Lions. After scoring a goal early in the match, Kuhn gave Penn State some late breathing room with his second goal of the game with just under 10 minutes to play in regulation time.
“This was a well-earned championship that required us to show our resiliency, our determination, and our commitment to achieving our goals,” Penn State head coach Jeff Cook said in his postgame comments. “We look forward to the upcoming Big Ten Tournament at Jeffrey Field, but can enjoy this Big Ten championship for a few days now.”
Congratulations to @PennStateMSOC which captured the outright #B1G title this afternoon, along with the top seed for the conference tournament that kicks off November 7! pic.twitter.com/5ZFtAD6QPj
The Big Ten tournament will begin on Sunday, November 7 with Penn State getting home-field advantage as the top seed. We’ll have more coverage of the men’s soccer tournament later this week.
Following a sluggish first half, Cooper Rush and Cedrick Wilson broke it open with a 73-yard touchdown to start the second half.
The Cowboys’ offense looked all but dead in the first half. Quarterback Cooper Rush was thrust into a big moment as the starter in primetime and had a tough miss on an interception in a first half where he totaled just 110 passing yards.
The first drive of the second half was all offensive coordinator Kellen Moore could ask for. 73 yards and a score for wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, whose legend continues to build as a clutch performer in Dallas. Wilson put Vikings safety in a spin cycle after the catch, on his way to a game-tying score.
Rush and Wilson are familiar with each other as they spent plenty of time together on the scout team for the Cowboys and they were perfectly in sync on the score. Dallas has tied the game up at 10-10 and it’s back to square one in Minnesota.
For the Vikings, some bad news: Hunter is out for the rest of the game.
Vikings DE Danielle Hunter suffered a shoulder injury during the Week 8 game against the Cowboys.
The team originally announced that Hunter was questionable to return. Since then, Minnesota has downgraded Hunter to out.
Given Hunter’s presence in the pass rush, he will be greatly missed. He has six sacks and 10 QB hits this year. Expect Everson Griffen to still play on the opposite edge rusher spot.
D.J. Wonnum will likely be taking more reps in Hunter’s absence. Minnesota traded Stephen Weatherly to Denver before the trade deadline. In hindsight, the Vikings could have used Weatherly for this game.
Danielle Hunter has been downgraded to OUT with a shoulder injury. #DALvsMIN
DE Patrick Jones II is also out for the Week 8 game. Outside of Wonnum and Griffen, the Vikings have DE Kenny Willekes as well. The Vikings elevated Willekes from the practice squad to the active roster for the matchup against the Cowboys.
Hunter suffered a neck injury that left him out for all of the 2020 season.
Bears rookie Justin Fields describes how his improbable 22-yard touchdown run came to fruition.
The Chicago Bears lost their third straight game in a 33-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. But there was a silver lining in rookie quarterback Justin Fields’ impressive performance.
Fields looked the part of a franchise quarterback against the 49ers, where he made plays with his arm and legs, which included a beautiful touchdown pass to Jesse James and Fields’ first 100-yard rushing game.
But perhaps his most impressive feat — and the one that showcased why the Bears traded up for him in the NFL draft — was an improbable 22-yard touchdown run on fourth down.
Trailing seven points early in the fourth quarter, Fields marched his team down to the San Francisco 22-yard line. When faced with a fourth-and-1, Fields turned what should’ve been a turnover on downs into a magical 22-yard touchdown run.
“It’s just all instincts right there,” Fields said. “Just try and make the play on fourth-and-1 and just get the first down.”
Fields, being the leader that he is, shared the credit with his teammates for helping the play come to fruition.
“It shows that you know they want to win,” Fields said. “It’s just effort at that point. I mean, because that wasn’t planned that wasn’t part of the play, but that just shows you what kind of guys those are and that they’re not going to stop until the whistle blows.”
While it’s difficult to see the bright side in a loss, it certainly helps when your rookie quarterback is coming of age right before your eyes.
Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks says he was frustrated and a bit hurt when the team traded running back Mark Ingram to the New Orleans Saints.
Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks lost his cool earlier in the week.
The former New Orleans Saints 2014 first-round pick was obviously upset that the Texans had traded running back Mark Ingram, who he was teammates with in New Orleans for his first three NFL seasons, back to the Saints.
Cooks addressed the matter after the Texans’ 38-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8 on Sunday at NRG Stadium and stated that he was simply frustrated.
“I mean, it’s tough,” said Cooks. “You talk about a guy I came into the league with, one of my best friends. A guy that’s a huge leader in the locker (room). So, I’d be sitting up here lying to say it didn’t hurt, and it was frustrating.”
What helped Cooks was having a conversation with coach David Culley, who may have indicated to the receiver that the Texans were doing it to help the roster down the road by acquiring draft picks.
“Talking with Coach about it, I understood what they were doing,” Cooks said. “But I’m human, and I love that dude. He helped me lead men in this locker room. It was frustrating, but at the same time, got to let it go and keep on pushing on.”
The Saints were able to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday at the Caesars Superdome, evening both teams’ records at 5-2.
“I’m happy for him,” Cooks said. “He got a chance to go break that record, that all-time rushing leader. So, yeah, I’ve just got to keep on pushing.”
Houston falls to 1-7 on the season. The Texans go on the road next week when they face the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
The voters in the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll are giving Penn Stat a bit of the benefit of the doubt for some recent results. After watching Penn State put up a respectable fight on the road against Ohio State, voters clearly felt the Nittany Lions are a far better team when quarterback Sean Clifford is healthy.
As such, the updated AP Top 25 after Week 9 of the college football season saw Penn State hang on to a spot in the poll this week despite suffering a third consecutive loss in conference play over the last four weeks. Penn Statw fell to No. 22 in the AP Top 25 this week, dropping only two spots after their most recent loss to Ohio State on Saturday night.
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Ohio State is no longer the highest-ranked Big Ten team, however. That honor now belongs to Michigan State. The Spartans jumped up form No. 8 to No. 5 this week after its win over Michigan. The Wovleriens fell from No. 6 to No. 9, while Ohio State was bumped down from No. 5 to No. 6 to make room for the Spartans in the top five.
The only other Big Ten team in the AP Top 25 this week in addition to Penn State, Michigan State, Ohio State , and Michigan is Iowa. The Hawkeyes are No. 19 this week after dropping 10 spots following its decided loss to Wisconsin.
Here is how the AP Top 25 looks after Week 9, with first-place votes noted where applicable.
Georgia (63)
Cincinnati
Alabama
Oklahoma
Michigan State
Ohio State
Oregon
Notre Dame
Michigan
Wake Forest
Oklahoma State
Auburn
Texas A&M
Baylor
Ole Miss
UTSA
BYU
Kentucky
Iowa
Houston
Coastal Carolina
Penn State
SMU
Louisiana-Lafayette
Fresno State
Others receiving votes:
Pittsburgh, North Carolina State, Wisconsin, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Minnesota, San Diego State, Appalachian State, Utah, Iowa State, Nevada
Three striaght losses proved to not be enough t knock Penn State from the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll. A day after the Ohio State Buckeyes handed Penn State its third consecutive loss for a dreadful 1-3 October, the voters in te coaches poll felt Penn State looked worthy of still being considered among the 25 best teams in the country.
Penn State did fall six spots from their ranking last week in the coaches poll, but Penn State comes in at No. 23 in this week’s USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll. Ohio State remained at No. 5 in the coaches poll this week after their victory over Penn State on Saturdya night and no real reason to change anything in the top four spots above them.
Michigan State moved up one spot to No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll after their victory over Michigan. The Wolverines dropped to No. 10 in this week’s poll, down four spots from the previous week. Iowa fell six spots down to No. 16 after their one-sided loss to Wisconsin, giving the Hawkeyes back-to-back losses since their victory over Penn State earlier in October.
A look at the full coaches poll after this week’s slate of games.
Full USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll:
Rank
Team
Record
Points
Change
1
Georgia
8-0
1,600 (64)
–
2
Cincinnati
8-0
1,460
–
3
Alabama
7-1
1,453
–
4
Oklahoma
9-0
1,423
–
5
Ohio State
7-1
1,336
–
6
Michigan State
8-0
1,325
+1
7
Oregon
7-1
1,198
+1
8
Notre Dame
7-1
1,095
+3
9
Wake Forest
8-0
1,051
+4
10
Michigan
7-1
1,050
-4
11
Oklahoma State
7-1
922
+4
12
Texas A&M
6-2
910
+2
13
Baylor
7-1
815
+5
14
Auburn
6-2
802
+7
15
Ole Miss
6-2
680
-6
16
Iowa
6-2
512
-6
17
Kentucky
6-2
497
-5
18
Texas-San Antonio
8-0
401
+4
19
Houston
7-1
349
+10
20
BYU
7-2
310
+6
21
Coastal Carolina
7-1
301
+3
22
NC State
6-2
265
+3
23
Penn State
5-3
215
-6
24
SMU
7-1
192
-8
25
Pittsburgh
6-2
162
-6
Dropped from the rankings:
No. 20 San Diego State; No. 23 Iowa State
Others receiving votes:
UL Lafayette 156; Fresno State 73; San Diego State 65; Arkansas 65; Minnesota 29; Wisconsin 26; Mississippi State 20; Utah 10; Appalachian State 10; Air Force 9; Liberty 4; Iowa State 4; Clemson 4; Arizona State 1.
