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Pavia’s pose, Brohm’s big win: Week 8’s CFB superlatives

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Pavia’s pose, Brohm’s big win: Week 8’s CFB superlatives


Week 8 had everything imaginable in a slate of college football.

There were acrobatic catches, Heisman poses, left-handed completions, successful fake punts and, of course, trolling. Louisville coach Jeff Brohm strengthened his résumé as an underdog, Minnesota‘s conservative punt paid off and California‘s mascot delivered a blow to Bill Belichick and North Carolina.

With the busy schedule, we handed out several nontraditional superlatives for Week 8.

Scariest coach to face while in the AP top 5?: Jeff Brohm

Louisville entered Hard Rock Stadium unranked and with a seven-game losing streak against AP top-5 opponents as undefeated Miami awaited. The No. 2-seeded Hurricanes were double-digit favorites; however, history and the betting market didn’t account for Cardinals coach Jeff Brohm.

Brohm has found unlikely success as an underdog. Before Friday, he had secured three victories as an unranked opponent against an AP top-5 foe. He improved that mark to four after Louisville stunned Miami 24-21. Brohm is 4-4 when facing a top-5 team, with this marking his first such victory with the Cardinals.

Louisville’s schedule doesn’t currently include a similar matchup. But if it all lines up again, Brohm will be back in his element.


Best display of the Heisman pose: Diego Pavia

Vanderbilt defeated LSU at home in a statement win for the program — and Diego Pavia’s Heisman case. Pavia threw for 160 yards and a score, and he added two rushing touchdowns. He’s the second Vanderbilt quarterback over the past 20 seasons with multiple rushing touchdowns against an AP top-10 opponent.

The senior quarterback has 1,409 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions this season. It’s never too early for Pavia to make a push for the Heisman — he entered the game with 150-1 odds to win the award, per ESPN BET — and he made the most of it Saturday.

After scoring a rushing touchdown in the third quarter, Pavia struck the pose.


Best use of their nondominant hand: Dylan Raiola

Minnesota‘s defense stifled Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, sacking the sophomore nine times Friday, the Golden Gophers’ most in a game since 1977. Pressured throughout the game, Raiola had to think creatively to get the ball out at times.

He displayed perfect execution on second-and-6 early in the second quarter. While running a bootleg play-action pass, Golden Gophers linebacker Maverick Baranowski rushed Raiola as he began moving to his right. Raiola then stopped, avoided the sack, moved the ball to his nondominant left hand and delivered a strike to tight end Luke Lindenmeyer for 18 yards.


Least likely to go all-in during a card game: Minnesota

In an era of fourth-down aggressiveness, spearheaded by analytics, Minnesota went back to simpler times against Nebraska.

The Golden Gophers held a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter after forcing a three-and-out. They received the ball at their 38-yard line, gained nearly 10 yards then punted on fourth-and-inches from the 47. (Don’t tell Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell.)

The conservative play call proved to be correct. Minnesota upset Nebraska 24-6.


Every catch matters in a game, and it doesn’t matter how it’s completed. Just ask Tulane wide receiver Shazz Preston and Duke wide receiver Jake Taylor.

Tulane was on the brink of defeat until Jake Retzlaff fired a pass toward Preston. An Army defender deflected the ball, sending it to the end zone, where Preston juggled it then secured the go-ahead touchdown catch.

With the Blue Devils facing a third-and-3 late in the second half against No. 12 Georgia Tech, quarterback Darian Mensah fired a strike toward Taylor.

The ball bounced off Taylor’s hands and helmet in front of him, prompting the wide receiver to tip the ball in the air with his right hand toward the sideline. The ball flew over Georgia Tech defensive back Jon Mitchell as Taylor dove to make the 4-yard grab.


Fake punt of the week: Indiana State

When playing one of the best teams in the FCS, all tricks are on the board — including fake punts.

Indiana State hosted undefeated North Dakota State and made a statement early. Facing a fourth-and-2 deep in their territory, the Sycamores brought out the punting unit. But they didn’t plan to kick.

Punter Harry Traum ran the ball for 18 yards, shifting momentum toward Indiana State. The risk paid dividends as the Sycamores scored a touchdown to end the drive. North Dakota State won 38-7.

Safest job security in America: Cal’s mascot

North Carolina‘s opponents have found ways to troll the program and Bill Belichick this season. California took it to another level during its 21-18 win Friday, and utilized its mascot, Oski the bear.

The Tar Heels seemed headed toward a late lead as they set up in the red zone. Quarterback Gio Lopez found Nathan Leacock for 12 yards, but when Leacock went to cross the goal line for a score, Cal defensive back Brent Austin punched the ball out to gain possession.

The Golden Bears immediately trolled, posting a “statement” from Oski on the jumbotron that read: “I am fully committed to Cal athletics and the program we are building here. Why do you ask?” Below it was a statement from Cal executives that read: “Oski has our full support. No, really, we mean it. Why else would we make this statement?”

The mock quotes were a reference to an Oct. 8 story, in which Belichick put out a statement that he was “fully committed to UNC Football and the program we’re building here.” UNC athletics director added that Belichick has the administration’s “full support.”





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Lions knock Bucs out of first in NFC behind Jahmyr Gibbs’ big night

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Lions knock Bucs out of first in NFC behind Jahmyr Gibbs’ big night


DETROIT — Every time NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders is at a Lions game, Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs says he wants “to show out,” which is exactly what happened Monday night in a 24-9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Gibbs was spectacular, totaling 218 yards and two rushing touchdowns, as the Lions continue to make a case to be the NFL’s best following a loss.

After falling at Kansas City in Week 6, Detroit bounced back with another home win while breaking out their all-black uniforms for the first time this season. Detroit is now 13-4 following a loss since the start of the 2022 campaign, which is the second-best record in NFL over span after the Chiefs (11-2), per ESPN Reference.

Here are the most important things to know from Monday night for both teams:

Detroit Lions (5-2)

Most surprising performance: Despite playing without starting safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (suspension) and cornerback Terrion Arnold (shoulder), Detroit’s defense stepped up, particularly in the secondary while forcing both of the Bucs’ turnovers by halftime. The unit held an explosive Tampa Bay offense to 58 yards through two quarters and 251 for the game with four sacks. Lions cornerback Amik Robertson forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive end Aidan Hutchinson in the second quarter, and cornerback Arthur Maulet ripped the ball away from Bucs tight end Cade Otton for an interception later in the half.

Biggest hole in game plan: Third-down conversions. Detroit went 3-for-13 on third-down attempts. Lions coach Dan Campbell said he wasn’t pleased with their third-down efficiency at halftime.

Stat to know: Gibbs broke free up the middle for the longest run of his NFL career with a 78-yard touchdown with 5:51 left in the first half. Gibbs’ top speed was 22.2 mph, the fastest rushing TD by an offensive ball carrier this season, per Next Gen Stats. He is the only player over the past three seasons to reach 22 mph on a rushing touchdown, and he’s done it twice now, including on a 70-yard touchdown in 2024 versus the Titans during Week 8. — Eric Woodyard

Next game: vs. Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 2)


Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)

With the return of franchise’s scoring leader in Mike Evans (hamstring) and first-round draft pick Emeka Egbuka (hamstring), the stars seemed set to align for Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Motown, especially considering the Lions would be playing without nearly every starter in their secondary.

But that would not be the case, between the gaffes on defense and Evans leaving the game in the second quarter with a concussion and a shoulder injury after colliding with Rock Ya-Sin on a deep pass. The offense struggled to get going, and Mayfield couldn’t connect with the team’s leading receiver in Egbuka — going 4-for-12 for 58 yards while targeting him.

Tampa Bay came into the game with the best record in the NFC, but this loss pulled them back into the pack.

What to make of the quarterback performance: Mayfield looked uncomfortable and out of rhythm throughout the night, completing 28-of-50 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown with one interception, although you can’t pin that one on Mayfield when it was wrestled out of Otton’s hands. The one bright spot was Mayfield slipping the ball past Hutchinson on a screen pass and connecting with rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson on a 22-yard touchdown. Mayfield also fumbled the ball on a sack from Al-Quadin Muhammad and Tyrus Wheat, although it was recovered by Tampa Bay tackle Tristan Wirfs. It wasn’t a typical outing from a signal-caller who had been playing at an MVP level this season.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Just like the Atlanta Falcons and the Houston Texans, the Bucs’ defense surrendered an explosive play and a touchdown on the opening drive. And once again, Tampa Bay looked vulnerable in the flat throughout the game. On the opening drive, the Bucs surrendered a 30-yard reception to Gibbs coming out of the backfield; that was on SirVocea Dennis. They had issues with Gibbs in the flat again on a 24-yard catch then on a 28-yard reception, during which Dennis dove at his ankles, setting a touchdown in the third quarter.

Biggest surprise: The run defense — fifth best in the league in giving up 3.7 yards per carry — surrendered Gibbs’ 78-yard scoring run in the second quarter, and the Lions averaged 5.1 yards per carry and finished with 164 yards. On Gibbs’ play, the Bucs had both interior defensive linemen — Greg Gaines and Elijah Roberts — drop back into coverage with three defensive backs, Jacob Parrish, Tykee Smith and Zyon McCollum, attempting to converge on Gibbs in the backfield. But Gibbs found daylight to add to his huge night once past Roberts and Lavonte David. — Jenna Laine

Next game: at New Orleans Saints (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)



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Klopp refuses to rule out Liverpool return one day

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Klopp refuses to rule out Liverpool return one day


Jürgen Klopp has said a return to manage Liverpool one day is “theoretically possible” but insisted he does not miss coaching.

Klopp left Liverpool after nine successful years in 2024, declaring he was “running out of energy.” He has since joined Red Bull as head of global soccer.

While he has said he does not intend to return to management, the German claimed a return to Liverpool is not impossible.

“I said I will never coach a different team in England. So that means if [Klopp returns] it’s Liverpool,” Klopp told the Diary of a CEO podcast.

“So yeah, theoretically it’s possible. “I love what I do right now, I don’t miss coaching. I don’t. I mean I do coach, just different, not players. And I don’t miss it. I don’t miss standing in the rain two-and-a-half, three hours. I don’t miss going to press conference three times a week, having 10-12 interviews a week. I don’t miss that.

“I don’t miss being in the dressing room in the sense that I don’t have it often enough, I coached 1,080 something games. So, I was in the dressing room very, very often.

“I’m 58, that’s from your perspective, old from the other side, it’s not that old. That means I could make the decision in a few years. I don’t know. [If] I had to make the decision today, I won’t coach again but thank God I don’t have to do that. I can just see what the future brings.”

Klopp also revealed he often had interactions with his replacement Arne Slot, who won the Premier League title last season in his first campaign.

He said Slot was smart not to make a lot of changes initially, and it’s not surprising there are some teething issues after a busy transfer window this summer.

“We had a lot of contact after that; he’s a super good guy. He got the best out of this team, and they became champions in an incredible manner,” Klopp said.

“It’s not about Arne wants to show the world what he can do, it’s about how to get the best out of this team and that’s exactly what he did.

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“Change always has an impact and change always need time. If he keeps the exact same team as las season; Darwin Núñez still there, Luis Díaz still there as an example, they start playing and have problems [people say] ‘we needed change.’

“Now the new guys are there and they are really good players, it’s not working out at the minute. Development needs time, nobody can change that, people need time to adapt to certain things. It’s all good.”



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It’s time for ALCS Game 7! Lineups, live updates as Mariners, Blue Jays clash for World Series spot

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It’s time for ALCS Game 7! Lineups, live updates as Mariners, Blue Jays clash for World Series spot


It’s time for the two greatest words in sports: Game 7!

After six thrilling matchups, the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays are headed to a winner-takes-all showdown Monday night at Rogers Centre — with a World Series trip on the line.

Will Seattle take the final step in reaching the first Fall Classic in franchise history? Or will Toronto ride home-field advantage to its first AL pennant in more than three decades?

We’ve got you covered for all the action with lineups, in-game live updates and takeaways after the final out.

Key links: Game 7 preview, predictions | Bracket

Top moments

LIVE: Follow the game pitch-by-pitch here

Daulton Varsho drives in Toronto’s first run to tie Game 7

Throw nails Naylor to break up to complete inning-ending double play

Josh Naylor‘s single gets the M’s on the board first

Ready to face off! Vlad Jr. arrives at Game 7 in style

Series tied at 3

Game 7 starters: George Kirby vs. Shane Bieber

Lineups

Mariners

1. Julio Rodriguez (R) CF
2. Cal Raleigh (S) C
3. Josh Naylor (L) 1B
4. Jorge Polanco (S) DH
5. Randy Arozarena (R) LF
6. Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B
7. J.P. Crawford (L) SS
8. Leo Rivas (S) 2B
9. Victor Robles (R) RF

Blue Jays

1. George Springer (R) DH
2. Nathan Lukes (L) LF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
4. Alejandro Kirk (R) C
5. Daulton Varsho (L) CF
6. Ernie Clement (R) 3B
7. Addison Barger (L) RF
8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) 2B
9. Andres Gimenez (L) SS





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