w Page 3 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Michael Jordan tells court he 'wasn't afraid' of NASCAR
Michael Jeffrey Jordan, as he cordially introduced himself to the federal courtroom in Charlotte on Friday, admitted it was his competitive side and novelty within the sport that emboldened a push for 23XI Racing to "challenge" NASCAR over what he perceived were violations of antitrust rules. ,Jorda...

Merab Dvalishvili heavily favored in UFC 323 rematch with Petr Yan
LAS VEGAS -- UFC 323, the promotion's final numbered event on the 2025 calendar, will be held in a familiar place at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, headlined by a pair of title fights in which the champion enters as a decisive favorite against the challenger.,The main event features bantamweight belt h...

No. 24 USC puts strong inside-outside combo up against Washington
No. 24 Southern California will strive to remain unbeaten when it returns home to Los Angeles to face Big Ten Conference counterpart Washington on Saturday.,USC (8-0, 1-0 Big Ten) is coming off its second straight win with standout guard Rodney Rice sidelined due to a shoulder injury. The Trojans ou...

CEO Zak Brown: McLaren will use team order if championship is on line
McLaren Racing has made a point of treating its drivers fairly to give them every opportunity to win the Drivers championship. ,However, that may not be the case for Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris - two drivers fighting for the top spot -- at this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, according to McLaren...

World Cup draw takeaways: England, Croatia reunite in Group of Death
After months of anticipation, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw on Friday gave us a much clearer picture of how next summer's tournament -- the first staged with a record 48 teams -- will play out.,There still is the business of six qualification spots, four coming from Europe and two more from FIFA's in...

Lakers without LeBron James, Luka Doncic vs. Celtics
Already down Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Boston Celtics on Friday night without LeBron James.,The Lakers ruled James out with sciatica, the same issue that has limited him to just six of the team's 21 games this season. He also is dealing with a left foot injury.,Doncic is in Slove...

President Donald Trump awarded inaugural FIFA peace prize
President Donald Trump has been angling for a peace prize and FIFA delivered during Friday's 2026 World Cup draw in Washington.,The soccer governing body announced during the event that Trump was being awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.,"This is truly one of the great honors of my life," Trump ...

Panthers’ confidence teeters ahead of Blue Jackets game
It's unusual to hear that the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion is lacking in belief.,But that's currently the situation for the Florida Panthers, who have lost four consecutive games and their last five at home.,The Panthers, who fell 2-1 in overtime to visiting Nashville on Thursday night, wi...

Nets seek better fourth quarter vs. last-place Pelicans
While a fourth-quarter collapse leading to a loss may improve draft lottery odds, it did not cure the immediate sting and disappointment Brooklyn Nets coach Jordi Fernandez and his players felt Thursday night.,Fernandez and the Nets hope to feel better about things Saturday when they host the NBA-wo...

No. 1 WR Chris Henry Jr. says he will sign with Ohio State
Chris Henry Jr., the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2026 recruiting class, said Friday he remains committed to Ohio State and will sign his national letter of intent with the Buckeyes.,Henry had been pledged to the Buckeyes since July 28, 2023, but Oregon and Southern California made strong last-minute ...

Sliding NC State eager to apply brakes in game vs. UNC Asheville
North Carolina State is in a difficult position and in desperate need of a good result.,The next chance in what might be termed a rehabilitation stage for the Wolfpack comes against UNC Asheville on Saturday afternoon in Raleigh, N.C.,NC State (5-3) has lost three of four games since last playing at...

Marquette hopes to threaten Wisconsin's spotless home record
Wisconsin will be looking to maintain its perfect home record when the Badgers host in-state rival Marquette in a nonconference matchup on Saturday in Madison, Wis.,Wisconsin (6-2) improved to 5-0 at home with an efficient 85-73 victory over Northwestern on Wednesday in the Big Ten Conference opener...

Bears WR Rome Odunze (foot) out vs. Packers
Chicago Bears top wide receiver Rome Odunze has been ruled out of Sunday's pivotal NFC North showdown against the host Green Bay Packers with a foot injury.,Odunze, who did not participate in practice throughout the week, will miss his first game of the season.,DJ Moore, rookie Luther Burden III and...

Miami embracing monster mentality ahead of clash vs. Southern Miss
First-year head coach Jai Lucas is aware that his Miami club is not what he calls the "prettiest team" in the nation.,But the Hurricanes (7-2) are a tall and rugged bunch, which is why he bought a "Jason" mask and gives it out after wins to his player of the game.,"We're this big, physical monster,"...

Bengals WR Tee Higgins clears protocol, set to face Bills
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins cleared concussion protocol and will be available to play on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., head coach Zac Taylor announced Friday.,Higgins was injured when his head landed hard on the turf in Cincinnati's 26-20 loss to the visiti...

Pesky Aston Villa vie to continue ascent vs. Arsenal
Premier League leaders Arsenal will face yet another potential statement match when they visit a third-place Aston Villa side led by former Gunners manager Unai Emery in Saturday's early kickoff.,With the exception of Wednesday's 2-0 win over Brentford, Arsenal's recent schedule has been a gauntlet ...

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice, set to face Steelers
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned to practice on Friday and will be under center when Baltimore hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday with first place in the AFC North on the line.,Jackson confirmed that he was stepped on during practice on Wednesday, leading to him being limited in that s...

USMNT draws Australia, Paraguay as World Cup opponents
The United States men's national team will oppose Australia and Paraguay in Group D action at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.,The fourth team in Group D will be the winner of an upcoming European playoff between Turkey, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo.,Friday's World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washingt...

Fresh off another OT loss, BC bids to bounce back vs. New Haven
Boston College will be looking to avoid another disappointing result when it hosts New Haven on Saturday afternoon in Chestnut Hill, Mass.,The Eagles (4-5) are coming off Wednesday's 78-69 overtime loss to LSU. Boston College came up short despite having a four-point lead with a minute remaining in ...

No. 1 WR Ohio State Chris Henry Jr. says he will sign with Ohio State
Chris Henry Jr., the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2026 recruiting class, said Friday he remains committed to Ohio State and will sign his national letter of intent with the Buckeyes.,Henry had been pledged to the Buckeyes since July 28, 2023, but Oregon and Southern California made strong last-minute ...