Category: Sports

All the top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s newspapers…

THE SUN

Barcelona vice president Eduard Romeu believes it would be “economically viable” for the club to secure Lionel Messi’s return on a free transfer next summer.

Arsenal will make a further approach for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz in January, but at a significantly lower price with their target’s contract winding down.

Chelsea are unlikely to have a sporting director in place in time for the World Cup with a number of candidates remaining of interest as Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali’s search continues.

Al-Hilal president Fahad ben Nafel claims Cristiano Ronaldo was open to a move to the Saudi club over the summer but a £210m deal, including a £25m fee to Manchester United, was scuppered by a transfer ban.

Former Everton player Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is among thousands of Russians to be called up by Vladimir Putin to fight on the Ukraine frontline.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and his fiancée Perrie Edwards were left shaken after a terrifying burglary at their £3.5m home in Cheshire earlier this week.

DAILY MAIL

Bill Foley’s £150m takeover of Bournemouth could be completed in the next week and he could be in charge by the end of October once he passes the Premier League’s ownership tests.

Everton forward Anthony Gordon is one of a number of young players who could gatecrash England’s World Cup squad with good performances over the next few weeks.

Tottenham will have to pay around £31m for Dejan Kulusevski at the end of the season if they finish in the Champions League positions with the obligation becoming an option if they fail to make the top four.

England’s World Cup kit manufacturer Nike are under growing pressure to follow Hummel’s example and make a stand against Qatar’s human rights record.

Antonio Cassano believes Cristiano Ronaldo would be better off retiring than trying to extend his top-flight career, with the risk that the latter days of it will be spent mainly on the bench for club and country.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Chelsea are ready to join a long line of Premier League clubs in making an attempt to sign Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham.

Long-time Football League player Ryan Cresswell has opened up on his dependency on sleeping tablets during his time in the professional game and says the crisis has hit the sport “at all levels”.

Newcastle United are still paying more than £100,000 a week to players, including the likes of Dwight Gayle and Isaac Hayden, who are no longer with the club because of loan moves.

Yorkshire are subject of a High Court claim from former England physio Wayne Morton over the details about his dismissal and a string of shocking accusations made against him during Lord Patel’s purge of the club.

THE TIMES

Ibrahima Konate is closing on a return to the Liverpool squad after two months out with a knee injury.

DAILY EXPRESS

Manchester United could make a move for Napoli winger Hirving Lozano in January but it might depend on them moving one of their current players who occupy a similar position.

Chelsea will have the chance to re-sign striker Tammy Abraham from AS Roma next summer thanks to a “discreet” buy-back clause that activates in 2023.

DAILY MIRROR

Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro has accused Portugal fans of “spitting on the plate they eat from” after fierce criticism of his performances for the national team and calls for him to be dropped.

EVENING STANDARD

Tottenham are ready to make a move for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak as the long-term successor for Hugo Lloris, although they will likely face competition from Manchester United.

DAILY RECORD

Rangers were one of the teams in attendance on a busy Tuesday night for scouts in Velje, where Denmark’s U21 side faced their Croatian counterparts in front of representatives from almost 40 clubs.

St Johnstone are worried about David Wotherspoon’s return to first-team action after he was hurt in a bounce game at Falkirk – Wotherspoon has been out with a knee injury for nearly a year.

KATY, Texas — In a commitment that caught recruiting fans and analysts off guard, Katy (Texas) Paetow five-star defensive lineman David Hicks Jr. announced his commitment to Texas A&M over Oklahoma on Wednesday afternoon in a ceremony at his high school.

Conversations were had with both coaching staffs in the waning hours, but his discussion with Texas A&M was the one that was good enough to put the Aggies over the edge.

“They were just telling me that I was a priority and how the depth chart looks,” Hicks said. “Just showing me how they’ll use me and how they need me there.”

His relationship with defensive line coach Elijah Robinson is one that stretches back to his time in middle school, and it was a big reason why he will take his talents to College Station.

“Me and Coach E are really close,” he said. “I always went back and visited on June 1 as soon as the dead period was over. Me and him have a really good relationship, it’s like an uncle and nephew.”

That early relationship also helped Texas A&M see Hicks develop as a person and as a player throughout his time in high school.

“It was really important because I’m really big on relationships,” he said. “I’ve been tight with them since eighth grade so they’ve seen me develop into the player that I am now.”

Defensive analyst Tony Jerod-Eddie and defensive ends coach Terry Price also played a big role as they continue the family atmosphere that was built with Hicks and his family.

“Coach E, Coach Tony and Coach Price are really great coaches,” he said. “I feel like they can develop me in all aspects of life, even as a man. They’re right down the street from the house. I’ll be able to stay close to home and close to my city.”

The element of surprise was possibly the hardest thing for Hicks during his recruitment, as he felt a lot of people expected him to be a Sooner all the way up until his announcement.

“I got predicted to Oklahoma and I didn’t want to get predicted again, so I just tried to keep it quiet,” he said.

Looking back, Hicks is grateful for his journey up to this point and is looking forward to what he can do in College Station.

“It was a really fun ride, this whole recruiting process,” he said. “I remember getting my first FBS offer from SMU. I remember being in camps in eighth grade and those were moments that really started everything. I’m just glad I am where I am now.”

At 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, Hicks is the No. 13 ranked recruit in the country for the class of 2023, according to Rivals. He is the No. 1 strongside defensive end in the country and the No. 3 recruit from the state of Texas.

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Adam Gorney
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Rivals.com

National Recruiting Director

Daryus Dixson was one of many Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei players who visited Oklahoma last weekend.Like the rest of them, the 2025 four-star cornerback had a great time and took complete notice o…

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THE STORYLINE  

*****

LOCAL REACTION  

*****

NATIONAL REACTION  

No. 23 Texas A&M were the victims of a huge upset at home to Appalachian State two weeks ago, but on Saturday, they took down No. 10 Arkansas at AT&T Stadium, 23-21.

A wild turnover proved to be a huge difference for the win.

Arkansas was mere inches away from taking a two-touchdown lead in the second quarter. Instead, KJ Jefferson fumbled at the goal line and it was recovered by Tyreek Chappell who ran it back to the 18-yard line. But just as he was getting tackled, he handed it off to Demani Richardson who took it the rest of the 82 yards for a touchdown with 3:11 left in the half. 

The Arkansas defense was able to force the Aggies to try a 53-yard field goal that missed wide left, giving the Razorbacks a chance to take the lead at their own 36 with 6:30 left. On 3rd and 6, Jefferson found Matt Landers for a gain of 19, followed by rushes of 11 and 10 yards by Raheim Sanders and Jefferson, respectively, to get to the opposing 21. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

But two plays later, a bad snap pushed them back to the 25. On 4th and 13, Cam Little came on for a 42-yard field goal to give Arkansas the lead, but he doinked it off the top of the right upright. A&M was able to knee out the clock for the win.

NO. 5 CLEMSON SURVIVES COMEBACK AGAINST NO. 21 WAKE FOREST IN DOUBLE OVERTIME

A&M got the ball at the half, and drove 70 yards on six plays, including a 26-yard catch by Donovan Greene. Devon Achane ran it in for a nine-yard score, and the PAT gave the Aggies a 20-14 lead.

After Arkansas went three-and-out, the Aggies had a long, steady drive, and a 32-yard catch by Ainias Smith put them inside the red zone, but they wouldn’t go further and had to settle for a field goal. They did, however, give them a 23-14 lead with 3:48 left in the third.

After both teams exchanged punts, the Razorbacks’ 13-play drive was capped off by a Jefferson nine-yard rushing touchdown, cutting their deficit to two points with 10:05 to go.

Achane had 159 rushing yards on 19 carries, one of them for a score, while Max Johnson completed 11 of his 21 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown.

Jefferson only threw for 171 yards, but ran for another 105 as the team’s leading rusher. Warren Thompson had two catches for 57 yards and a touchdown, while Jadon Haselwood had 56 yards on five catches.

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Texas A&M will visit Mississippi State next Saturday, while Arkansas will host Alabama.

There are painful losses and then there are losses that make you question everything. 

For fans of the Missouri Tigers, Saturday was as painful a loss as you’ll see in college football.

Missouri had two chances to beat Auburn on Saturday and blew both opportunities, losing to Auburn 17-14. 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 4 PREVIEW: FLORIDA HEADS TO KNOXVILLE, WISCONSIN VISITS OHIO STATE AT THE ‘SHOE’

With three seconds left in the fourth quarter and the game tied at 14-14, Missouri lined up for a 26-yard field goal attempt. Kicker Harrison Mevis went wide-right, sending the game into overtime. 

On the first possession of overtime, Auburn gained just three yards – on an offside penalty by Missouri on the first field goal attempt – settling for a 39-yard field goal from kicker Anders Carlson.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Missouri took the field for their overtime possession with a chance to either send the game to a second overtime with a field goal or win on a touchdown. 

ILLINOIS MOVES TO 3-1 ON THE SEASON, BEST START SINCE 2015

Missouri got neither. 

On second down, running back Nathaniel Peat ripped off a 19-yard run before fumbling into the end zone as he reached for the goal line. Auburn recovered in the end zone, winning the game and moving to 3-1 on the season. 

“It’s crazy,” Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe said after the game. “I’ve never won a game like that.”

“It’s a game of inches,” he continued. “It’s a testament to the fact that you have to play to the very end. I’m proud of our guys.”

It’s a bounce-back win for Bryan Harsin and Auburn after losing to Penn State at home last week. 

“When it came down to overtime, that’s football,” Harsin said after the game. “You have to make one more play than the other team. We were able to do that today.”

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“You don’t give up,” Harsin continued. “You play every play, and that was the message this week. You play every single play, and that’s exactly what we did. And the result went in our favor this week.”

It’s not going to get any easier for Missouri, who will welcome No. 1 Georgia to Columbia in Week 5. 

Nathaniel Hackett made the mistake of letting a game fall on Brandon McManus and a 64-yard field goal rather than a 4th and 5 for Russell Wilson and was booed by his own fans in his home debut after a delay of game.

It’s been an early struggle for the Denver Broncos’ first-year head coach, so he decided to bring in some extra help.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Hackett has hired former Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg as senior assistant to help him with gameday decisions, reports 9News in Denver.

The hiring was finalized on Friday night, meaning Rosburg will be in the booth for Sunday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. He’ll be wearing a headset, which will allow him to communicate directly with Hackett regarding decisions and operations during the game.

Rosburg had spent the week observing the Broncos’ practices before he was hired.

BRONCOS’ NATHANIEL HACKETT REGRETS KICKING 64-YARD FIELD GOAL: ‘WE DEFINITELY SHOULD’VE GONE FOR IT’

The Broncos have committed 25 penalties this year, and it would be more had Hackett not burned some timeouts here and there to save himself from losing yards.

Shortly after Sunday’s Week 2 game against the Houston Texans, Hackett had reached out to general manager George Paton to request hiring a veteran coach who had experience in gameday management – Paton was given the OK by CEO Greg Penner.

Rosburg helped John Harbaugh with game-management operations from 2008 to 2018.

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Both the Broncos and 49ers are 1-1. Tomorrow’s game in Denver is the Sunday night matchup.

The Green Bay Packers are set to get a huge boost to their offensive line on Sunday.

First-team All Pro offensive tackle David Bakhtiari will make his season debut this weekend against the Buccaneers in Tampa.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

In honor of his return, several members of the Packers donned Bakhtiari t-shirts entering their plane for Tampa.

Bakhtiari has had lingering knee issues since he tore his ACL in a practice leading up to Week 17 in 2020. He played in just one regular season game – the Packers’ final one – last year. He did not play in the NFC Divisional Round matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Bakhtiari signed a four-year deal worth $105.5 million in November 2020 shortly before he was named to the All-Pro first team for the second time in his career, making him the richest offensive lineman in NFL history.

BRONCOS HEAD COACH NATHANIEL HACKETT HIRES ASSISTANT TO HELP WITH GAMEDAY DECISIONS: REPORT

The 30-year-old (he turns 31 on Friday) was drafted by the Packers out of the University of Colorado in the fourth round. He signed a four-year extension just after Week 1 of the 2016 season, his first extension with the team.

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Bakhtiari has undergone three surgeries on his knee, the final one coming before OTAs this offseason. It’s been a long road, but Aaron Rodgers and Co. now have as much help as they can ask for.  

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Trey Wolff kicked a 20-yard field goal in overtime, lifting Texas Tech over No. 22 Texas 37-34 after the Red Raiders overcame a two-touchdown deficit in the second half but let a lead slip away in the final seconds Saturday.

Texas’ Bijan Robinson fumbled on the first play of overtime, and Donovan Smith led the Red Raiders to the 1-yard line before Wolff’s winning kick in the Big 12 opener for both teams.

Fans of Texas Tech (3-1, 1-0) thought they had their first home win over Texas since Michael Crabtree’s last-second catch 14 years ago when Wolff kicked a 45-yarder for a 34-31 lead with 21 seconds left in regulation.

The Longhorns had other ideas.

Hudson Card’s 28-yard pass to Tarique Milton got the Longhorns (2-2, 0-1) close with six seconds remaining, and they picked up another 10 yards on a quick pass with two seconds to go. Will Stone’s 48-yard kick as time expired forced overtime.

Robinson’s 40-yard scoring run in the third quarter gave Texas a 31-17 lead, but the Red Raiders responded with their third TD drive of at least 10 plays.

Smith kept the tying drive alive with a cutback run for 5 yards on fourth-and-4 before his 19-yard scoring pass to Baylor Cupp for a 31-31 tie midway through the fourth quarter. The Red Raiders converted six of eight fourth-down tries.

The Red Raiders beat the Longhorns in a Big 12 opener for the first time in six tries and ended a six-game home losing streak. Fans stormed the field after that 2008 victory, and did it again Saturday after Wolff’s winner.

It might be Texas’ last trip to Lubbock depending on whether the Longhorns leave early for the Southeastern Conference in 2024. The schools are talking about continuing a rivalry that has been played for 63 consecutive seasons.

For the Longhorns, the loss was reminiscent of the first three games in a six-game losing streak that soured coach Steve Sarkisian’s Texas debut last season. They had double-digit leads in all three losses.

Still limping at times because of the high ankle sprain sustained after starter Quinn Ewers sprained a clavicle against No. 1 Alabama, Card threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns with Ewers watching in uniform on the Texas sideline.

Robinson had 101 yards and two TDs before the crippling mistake from the Heisman Trophy hopeful to start overtime.

Smith threw for 331 yards and two touchdowns, with Myles Price catching a career-high 13 passes for 98 yards, including a 5-yarder on fourth-and-3 on the way to what the Red Raiders thought would be Wolff’s winning kick in regulation.

THE TAKEAWAY

Texas: This was Sarkisian’s chance to build some momentum for the program two weeks after a one-point loss at home to then-No. 1 Alabama. Now the Longhorns will have to try again in two weeks against their biggest rival, No. 6 Oklahoma.

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders stayed mostly with high-percentage throws on methodical drives with Smith after the sophomore threw five interceptions in the previous two games. He didn’t throw any picks in 56 attempts Saturday, completing 38 for an average of 8.7 yards per completion.

UP NEXT

Texas: Hosts West Virginia next Saturday.

Texas Tech: The only back-to-back road games of the season starts at Kansas State next Saturday.

It took two overtimes to do it, but No. 5 Clemson held off a comeback from No. 21 Wake Forest on the road, taking home a 51-45 victory.

It was Clemson’s 14th consecutive win over the Demon Deacons.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Wake Forest got the ball first in overtime, and on 3rd and 3 from the eight-yard line, Sam Hartman threw his sixth touchdown of the day, this one to A.T. Perry, to give Wake a 45-38 lead. Needing a touchdown to keep the game alive, DJ Uiagalelei found Beaux Collins for a 25-yard score on 3rd and 10, and the PAT kept the game alive.

On the Tigers’ 3rd and 6 in double OT, Uiagalelei connected with Davis Allen for a 21-yard score, his second of the day. The two-point conversion pass was batted down at the line, keeping it a six-point lead for Clemson. Wake’s Justice Ellison was tackled for no gain, and Sam Hartman’s pass was also tipped at the line. Hartman scrambled for four yards, and Wake Forest faced a 4th and 6. Hartman went for the end zone, but his pass was broken up, giving Clemson the win.

Wake Forest fell to an early 14-0 deficit in favor of the Tigers, but two defensive pass interference penalties moved the Deacons upfield quickly, and they got a 36-yard touchdown from Hartman to Jahmal Banks to cut the Clemson lead in half.

After a Clemson field goal, Hartman and Banks again took advantage of two Clemson penalties, and they connected for another score, making it 17-14 late in the second quarter, but Clemson was able to tack on another field goal just before the half.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 4 PREVIEW: FLORIDA HEADS TO KNOXVILLE, WISCONSIN VISITS OHIO STATE AT THE ‘SHOE’

The first play out of the half was a Hartman run for 25 yards to get the Deacons past midfield. After he was sacked back to the 50, he found Justice Ellison for a 22-yard gain, and then his next pass went for a 28-yard touchdown to Donavon Greene. The ensuing PAT gave Wake their first lead of the day.

The Deacons then forced a three-and-out, and Hartman completed his first three passes of his next drive. From the Tigers’ 19, Hartman found tight end Blake Whitehart for a touchdown, and Wake Forest led 28-20 with 7:47 to go in the third.

Trailing for the first time all day, Uiagalelei marched down the field, including a 23-yard rush on 3rd and 2 from Clemson’s 33 and a 28-yard leaping catch by Collins that put the Tigers inside the five. Uiagalelei found Allen for a five-yard score, and he found Collins for the game-tying two-point conversion.

Wake was past midfield quickly, and Greene caught a 25-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone, giving Wake a 35-28 lead.

On 3rd and 9 from their own 26, Uiagalelei launched a deep ball for Joseph Ngata, whose leaping 46-yard catch put the Tigers at the Wake Forest 28 for the start of the fourth quarter. Seven plays later, Will Shipley evaded tackles and dove for a one-yard touchdown, knotting the game at 35 with 11:16 to go.

UTAH STUDENT ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY THREATENING TO CAUSE ‘MASS DESTRUCTION’ IF FOOTBALL TEAM LOST

Hartman remained unfazed, though. A 46-yard catch and throw to Banks put Wake inside the red zone, but Clemson held them to a field goal.

A healthy kick return started Clemson’s next drive at their own 48, but after a sack, they faced a 3rd and 12 from the opposing 43. They only gained eight, but a clutch 52-yard field goal tied it up with 4:01 to go.

Uiagalelei completed 26 of his 41 passes for 371 yards and five touchdowns. Three Clemson receivers finished with at least 60 receiving yards (Ngata – 84, Jake Briningstool – 72, and Collins – 60), while Shipley had 20 carries for 104 yards and a score.

Hartman was just as good as Uiagalelei, throwing six touchdowns on 20-of-29 passing for 337 yards. Banks and Greene each caught two touchdowns, while the former finished with 141 receiving yards on six grabs.

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Clemson will host No. 12 N.C. State next week, while Wake Forest will head to Florida State.

Months after being informed by then Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant that a misuse of state welfare funds could be illegal, Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre “continued to press” for them.

Favre sought out fundin for a $6 million volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi and wanted to request an additional $3.8 million for programs at the facility. Favre’s daughter played volleyball at the school.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Bryant had texted Favre that “Use of these funds [is] tightly controlled” and “Any improper use could result in violation of Federal Law. Auditors are currently reviewing the use of these funds,” according to a court filing.

However, despite Bryant laying down the law, the former Green Bay Packer was “not taking No for an answer” while giving the former governor a slight guilt trip.

“We obviously need your help big time and time is working against us,” Favre wrote. “And we feel that your name is the perfect choice for this facility and we are not taking No for an answer! You are a Southern Miss Alumni, and folks need to know you are also a supporter of the University.”

Bryant responded, “We are going to get there. This was a great meeting. But we have to follow the law. I am to[o] old for Federal Prison.”

BILLS’ MICAH HYDE TO MISS REST OF NFL SEASON WITH NECK INJURY, PLACED ON IR: REPORT

Favre asked the former governor to push current Gov. Tate Reeves, whom Favre had also spoken with himself. Then-president of the school Rodney Bennett had also told Bryant that he told Favre “not to do the things he’s doing to seek funding from state agencies and the legislature.”

“As you know, IHL [Mississippi’s higher education system] has a process of how we request and get approval for projects and what he’s doing is outside those guidelines,” Bennett wrote in a text. “I will see, for the ‘umpteenth time’ if we can get him to stand down. The bottom line is he personally guaranteed the project, and on his word and handshake we proceeded. It’s time for him to pay up — it really is just that simple.”

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Favre is among the defendants in the state’s civil lawsuit over misspent welfare funds – at least $77 million were misspent or stolen, and it’s the largest case of public fraud in the state’s history. Six people were arrested in February 2020, and the person who secured the funding for Favre’s project plead guilty.

Football is simply better during the fall months and Week 4 of the college football season happens to land on the first Saturday of autumn. 

Couple that with a phenomenal slate of college games, and there are zero reasons for fans of the game to leave the couch for anything other than a quick mow of the lawn on Saturday. 

The conference schedule is in full swing, and we have four high-quality matchups in the Big Ten, SEC, and ACC. 

UTAH STUDENT ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY THREATENING TO CAUSE ;MASS DESTRUCTION’ IF FOOTBALL TEAM LOST

Let’s take a look at a few games to be aware of Saturday as the college football season kicks off Week 4.

No. 21 Wake Forest vs No. 5 Clemson – 12:00 p.m. ET, ABC

The Demon Deacons have become nationally relevant, winning the ACC Atlantic division and reaching the 2021 ACC title game in head coach Dave Clawson’s eighth season in Winston-Salem. 

Yet, it has been 13 years since Wake Forest defeated Clemson, 0-8 with Clawson leading the program. 

Even in a wildly successful season, and a down year for Clemson, Wake Forest still could not beat the Tigers, losing 48-27 on the road.  

WAKE FOREST’S SAM HARTMAN CLEARED TO PLAY AGAINST VANDERBILT AFTER ‘RARE’ BLOOD CLOT CONDITION 

“The bottom line is we haven’t played well against them,” Clawson said. “So I just want to go out Saturday and I want our team to play at the level that we’re capable of.”

It’s the first ranked matchup between the two schools since 1950 as both enter the game undefeated. 

Clemson has remained high in the rankings without a quality win, and we still are unsure of just how good they are. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei has looked better after a difficult first season as the starter, throwing for five touchdowns and just one interception. However, Clemson’s first three opponents are a combined 4-5, with Wake Forest being the first real test of the season for the Tigers. 

“We still don’t know what they are,” ESPN college football host Matt Barrie said. “We know they’ve got a great defense. We know that. We know they’ve got Will Shipley, a really good running back. Joseph Ngata’s [Clemson wide receiver] played pretty well over the first couple of weeks. We just still don’t know about the quarterback yet.”

DABO SWEENEY, CLEMSON AGREE TO NEW 10-YEAR CONTRACT TO BECOME SECOND-HIGHEST PAID COACH IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

“DJ Uiagalelei has done enough to be good, but is he doing enough, has he grown enough to make Clemson hang around that top four College Football Playoff conversation? At least for now, they’re undefeated, they’re ranked fifth.”

Wake Forest is led by quarterback Sam Hartman, who missed the first game of the season recovering from a blood clot, and has thrown for seven touchdowns and two interceptions in two games. 

“They’re the Atlantic Division champs,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “And they know what that looks like it, and they’re confident in that.”

No. 11 Tennessee vs No. 20 Florida – 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS

It has been six years since Tennessee last beat Florida, but this appears to be a different Vols team than college football fans have seen in past years. 

Tennessee is 3-0 for the first time since 2016, and they are doing it with one of the more high-powered offenses in the country. 

NCAA HANDS LSU FOOTBALL 1-YEAR PROBATION FOR FORMER COACH’S RECRUITING VIOLATION

The Vols are averaging 553.7 yards per game – third most in the country – and scoring 52.0 points per game, good for fourth in the nation. With quarterback Hendon Hooker under center, the Vols are averaging 371.3 yards per game in the air. Hooker has thrown six touchdowns with zero interceptions, including a 27-42 game for 325 yards and two touchdowns against then-No. 17 Pittsburgh. 

However, Hooker wants more, with an eye on breaking the run of losses to the Gators. 

“I haven’t played to my standards yet, but we’ve been winning ballgames and that’s the total end story that I’m looking for, is are we winning?” Hooker said “It doesn’t matter how I play or how somebody else plays if we’re winning.”

Florida will visit Neyland Stadium in Billy Napier’s first year as head coach as he’ll head into the rivalry as 10.5-point underdogs, according to Fox Bet. 

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For the Gators, another loss in the SEC – Florida lost to Kentucky in Week 2 – would be a tough hole to dig out of in the SEC East. They will be counting on quarterback Anthony Richardson, who has struggled since Florida’s win over the then-No. 7 Utah Utes. 

“Frankly, if Florida doesn’t up their quarterback play, it’s not going to be good enough against the competition they’re going to face in this game (against Tennessee) or maybe the rest of their schedule,” CBS analyst Gary Danielson said, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Richardson, who rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns against Utah, has gained just 28 yards on the ground since and has thrown four interceptions without a passing touchdown on the season. 

FLORIDA’S TURNOVERS PROVE COSTLY AGAINST KENTUCKY IN SEC TOP 25 BATTLE

The rivalry between the Vols and the Gators will be renewed Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, with Tennessee hoping to break the streak of Florida dominance, who have won 16 of the last 17 meetings between the schools. 

“Probably 30 seconds after I arrived on campus,” second-year Tennessee head coach Josh Huepel said when asked when he learned of the rivalry. “This is one of the ballgames that this fan base and our players point to.”

No. 23 Texas A&M vs No. 10 Arkansas – 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN

Arkansas found a way to survive becoming a victim of an FCS school in Week 3, beating Missouri State after being down 10 in the fourth quarter. Texas A&M was not able to survive their upset in Week 2, losing to an unranked Appalachian State team before beating No. 13 Miami in Week 3. 

The Razorbacks are looking to start the season 4-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1988-1999 and 2-0 in SEC play for the first time since 2006. 

Texas A&M’s defense is stingy, ninth in the nation in points allowed per game (8.7). The Aggies are allowing just 301 yards per game but have allowed 154.3 yards per game on the ground. 

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Enter Arkansas and running back Raheim Sanders, who are 10th in the country in rushing yards per game with 243.7. Sanders is the leading rusher in the SEC with three consecutive 100-yard games to start the season. 

Quarterback KJ Jefferson has rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns while throwing for six touchdowns in Arkansas first three games. 

Defensively, the Razorbacks’ secondary had been atrocious, dead last in the FBS in passing yards allowed per game (353.0). 

“Well, we have to get better, both of them, really. But obviously there’s a little bit more urgency of covering people,” Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said, according to the Fayetteville Flyer. “Now we can live with guys getting good throws. We can’t live with guys wide open. … Somebody is going to beat us. They need to beat us with us attempting to cover the guy.”

The problem for Texas A&M is that they are not exactly lighting it up with their passing attack, averaging just 208 yards per game through the air, 99th in the nation. 

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The Aggies made a change at quarterback against Miami, starting LSU transfer Max Johnson in place of Haynes King. 

“I think offensively moved the ball much better, had some really nice opening drives of both halves,” Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher said this week about his offense against Miami. “Could have finished a couple of drives, got stuck at the 40 there a couple times which we think we can get ironed out.” 

Arkansas is looking to win its second game in a row against Texas A&M after snapping a nine-game losing streak last season. 

Saturday’s game will be played at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. 

No. 3 Ohio State vs Wisconsin – 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

The Buckeyes, despite starting the year as the No. 2 team in the country, have remained somewhat under the radar. 

After beating then-No. 5 Notre Dame in Week 1, Ohio State soundly beat Arkansas State and Toledo. The win over the Fighting Irish no longer looks as impressive after Notre Dame lost to Marshall to drop to 0-2 on the season and needed a fourth quarter comeback to beat Cal. 

However, Wisconsin presents a Big Ten test, and a different level of competition. 

“Big Ten play is more challenging, it’s more physical up front, no disrespect (to other conferences),” Buckeyes offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said the other day.

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“When you get into Big Ten play, it’s a line-of-scrimmage league, it’s a tough league,” he said. “It wears on you week after week after week. We’re starting with a big challenge with a great line-of-scrimmage team on both sides coming up when Wisconsin walks into the ‘Shoe.”

Ohio State’s offense really got going against Toledo, gaining 763 yards and scoring 77 points behind five touchdowns from Heisman-hopeful quarterback C.J. Stroud. The offensive explosion puts Ohio State as the top offensive team in the country, averaging 563.3 yards per game.

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Wisconsin’s defense will look to slow down the high-powered unit with a defense that has allowed just 246 yards through its first three games, good for 11th in the country. 

“I can say this for a lot of guys — you dream about games like this,” Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig said. 

The Badgers are led by second year quarterback Graham Mertz and are 2-1 after being upset by Washington State in Week 2. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde will miss the rest of the 2022 NFL regular season due to a neck injury, Hyde’s agent announced Saturday. 

Hyde, who appeared in both the Bills’ first two games this season, did not practice this week as Buffalo prepped for Sunday’s game with the Miami Dolphins. 

“Unfortunately client Micah Hyde will be put on IR today due to his recent neck injury,” Hyde’s agent said in a tweet. “Fortunately, we expect a healthy return for #23 in 2023.”

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Hyde suffered the injury during Buffalo’s 41-7 win over the Tennessee Titans Monday night and did not return to the game. 

“[Hyde and cornerback Dane Jackson, who is also dealing with a neck injury] both seem to be moving around or walking around or in the building here,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said Friday, according to ESPN. 

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“And they’re in there going about their business, trying to improve each and every day. Obviously not going to make this game. Other than that, I don’t have anything else for you at this point. We’re just going to work with them on their cadence and their timing at this point.”

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It’s a big blow for the Buffalo defense, which is second in the NFL in passing yards allowed through the first two weeks. 

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Hyde is a 10-year veteran and has been with the Bills since the 2015 season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2017 and has amassed 14 interceptions and 261 solo tackles in his six years in Buffalo. 

Lakers star LeBron James is one of the best, and arguably the best, basketball player of all time.

But that’s not stopping him from continuing to explore his future in other sports.

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James was once a star football player in high school, having even been recruited by the University of Notre Dame. His 1,160 receiving yards in his junior year are still the second-most in the school’s history.

He even considered playing in the NFL during the NBA lockout in 2011, and was offered contracts by the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks.

With his basketball career on its back end, he might be seriously considering taking his talents elsewhere.

“Do I have college eligibility if I went to play another sport besides basketball? How does that rule work?” he tweeted on Saturday.

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James went straight from high school to the NBA. Because he’s a professional basketball player, he cannot go back to school to play that sport.

But according to the NCAA Division I manual, “a professional athlete in one sport may represent a member institution in a different sport and may receive institutional financial assistance in the second sport.”

In 2021, J.R. Smith, a former teammate of James, enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University and joined the golf team. He was named the school’s Academic Athlete of the Year, receiving a 4.0 GPA. He is on the roster for the golf season, as well.

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For now, James is signed through the 2024-25 season, but perhaps he’ll seek an NFL deal after that.