Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.
For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.
The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.
——————————
UPCOMING
——————————
FBC--SEC THIS WEEK
DESCRIPTION: No. 8 Alabama, fresh off wins against Georgia and Vanderbilt, faces a tough challenge against Missouri on Saturday. No. 14 Missouri remains undefeated and boasts a high-powered offense, averaging a conference-best 547.6 yards per game. Meanwhile, Texas and Oklahoma meet in the Red River Rivalry. Texas aims to recover from a recent upset, while Oklahoma deals with quarterback uncertainty. By Maura Carey, 550 words.
UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text
___
FBC--ACC THIS WEEK
DESCRIPTION: N.C. State’s visit to No. 16 Notre Dame and Pittsburgh’s trip to No. 25 Florida State headline the Atlantic Coast Conference’s weekly slate. By Aaron Beard. UPCOMING: 500 words and photos by 6 a.m.
UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text
___
TEN--WUHAN OPEN
DESCRIPTION: Play continues at the Wuhan Open WTA 1000 with Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff among the players entered in the 56-draw event.
UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
FBC--BIG 12 THIS WEEK
DESCRIPTION: No. 18 BYU is 5-0 for the second year in a row, but has never started 6-0 in back-to-back seasons. BYU’s 9-0 start last year included a win over Arizona, where the Cougars play Saturday night. Also Saturday, No. 21 Arizona State goes to Utah. The defending Big 12 champion Sun Devils have won both of conference games on field goals by Jesus Gomez. By Stephen Hawkins. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 7:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
BKW--T25-WOMEN’S POLL AT 50
DESCRIPTION: The Top 25 poll has served as a roadmap to everyone engaging with women’s college basketball as the sport continues to grow in popularity. It wasn’t always the behemoth with storied programs like UConn, South Carolina and USC dominating. A half-century ago, tiny Immaculata won the first three national titles and then Delta State three-peated before the likes of Louisiana Tech, Old Dominion and Rutgers started a slow trend of bigger programs becoming the backbone of a fledgling sport the nation is still learning to appreciate. The Top 25 was there, six years before the first NCAA Tournament, as a roadmap to it all. The upcoming season will be the 50th with the rankings setting the table.
UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 8:00 a.m. EDT, DigitalPlans, Text, Photo, Interactive, Alternate Headlines, Audio, Graphic
___
FBC--UNDEFEATED MEAN GREEN
DESCRIPTION: DENTON, Texas — The last time North Texas was undefeated this deep into a season was 1959. The team then was still known as the Eagles, and it was nearly a decade before “Mean” Joe Greene would be the school’s only consensus All-American. The Mean Green are now 5-0 with a redshirt freshman quarterback who never started a varsity game in high school and a roster with 50 new transfers. By Stephen Hawkins. 700 words.
UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 8:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
TEN--SHANGHAI MASTERS
DESCRIPTION: Seventh-seeded Alex de Minaur became the third player this season to win 50 tour-level games by defeating Nuno Borges 7-5, 6-2 at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday.
SENT: By 10/09/2025 9:00 a.m. EDT, Text
___
FBC--T25-OKLAHOMA-VENABLES REBOUNDS
DESCRIPTION: NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma coach Brent Venables has turned things around after a tough season last year. The Sooners are now ranked sixth and are in the College Football Playoff hunt. They have the nation’s best defense in several categories. Venables is calling the defensive plays this season, and the team has allowed just 36 points through five games. Oklahoma leads the nation in total defense, surrendering only 193 yards per game. On offense, the Sooners brought in new talent, including quarterback John Mateer, who has impressed despite a recent injury. Venables praises the team’s chemistry and determination. By Cliff Brunt. UPCOMING: 700 words, with photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 1:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
BBO--POSTSEASON-
FORMATS: Text
1. WITH: BBO--ALDS-MARINERS-TIGERS
2. DESCRIPTION: SEATTLE— The Seattle Mariners are hoping home field is an advantage against Detroit in Game 5 of their AL Division Series after splitting two games on the road. By Andrew Destin. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos. Game starts at 1:40 p.m. or 5:08 EDT.
3. UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 1:00 p.m. EDT
4. WITH: BBO--NLDS-PHILLIES-DODGERS
5. DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — Tyler Glasnow starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who try to close out their NL Division Series against Cristopher Sanchez and the Philadelphia Phillies. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Begins 6 p.m. ET.
6. UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 9:00 p.m. EDT
___
FBN--LIONS-CHIEFS PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Lions have won four straight since a season-opening loss to Green Bay. But running that streak to five will be a tough task. They head to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday night to face the Kansas City Chiefs. By Dave Skretta. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 3 p.m. CT.
UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 1:13 p.m. EDT, Text
___
FBN BEARS COMMANDERS PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: There are plenty of story lines tied to the matchup between the Commanders and the Bears on Monday night, including the Hail Mary that ended the teams’ game a year ago, the QB showdown between Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams, and Washington’s pursuit of current Chicago coach Ben Johnson before hiring Dan Quinn. Nothing might matter as much as what happens when the Commanders run the ball. By Howard Fendrich. 700 words. AP Photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
BKN--COACH DAME
DESCRIPTION: At one point after Damian Lillard returned to the Portland Trail Blazers, he was chatting with coach Chauncey Billups about what his role with the team would be this season as he recovered from an Achilles injury. Billups had joked that Lillard would be the “highest paid assistant coach in the league” but the nine-time All-Star expressed concern that he didn’t want to overstep his bounds with the guidance of the young players. “And I’m saying, Dame, you’re Dame. You’re OK, bro. Just be you,” Billups laughed. By Anne M. Peterson. Upcoming: 600 words and photos.
UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
BKC--BIG TEN-MEDIA DAYS
DESCRIPTION: ROSEMONT, Ill. – The list of new coaches in the Big Ten this season includes Indiana’s Darian DeVries, Iowa’s Ben McCollum, Maryland’s Buzz Williams and Minnesota’s Niko Medved. They’re looking to replicate the success of Michigan’s Dusty May, who led the Wolverines to a Sweet 16 berth in his debut season last year. By Rich Rovito. UPCOMING: 600 words, with photos, expected by 6 p.m.
UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 7:28 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
___
GLF--LPGA SHANGHAI
DESCRIPTION: First round of the LPGA Shanghai tournament in China, the first of five consecutive weeks of tournaments in Asia.
UPCOMING: By 10/09/2025 5:00 a.m. EDT, Text
——————————
NEW AND DEVELOPING
——————————
HKN--OILERS-DRAISAITL-400 GOALS
Leon Draisaitl scores his 400th NHL goal in the Oilers’ opening shootout loss to the Flames
SUMMARY: Leon Draisaitl scored his 400th NHL goal in the Edmonton Oilers’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night in the regular-season opener for both team. Playing his 791st regular-season game, Draisaitl gave the Oilers a 3-0 lead at 8:32 of the second period. He tapped in David Tomasek’s cross-crease feed, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also assisting. Draisaitl also had an assist to push his points total to 958. The 29-year-old German star is the 111th player in NHL history to score 400 goals. Draisaitl was the only Edmonton player to score in the eight-round shootout.
WORDS: 119 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 1:41 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e691ced2d34303d64845508571b80665&mediaType=text
___
BBO--ALDS-BLUE JAYS-YANKEES
Blue Jays beat Yankees 5-2 in Game 4 to reach first ALCS since 2016
SUMMARY: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer each drove in a run, and eight Toronto pitchers shut down the New York Yankees in a 5-2 victory that sent the Blue Jays to the American League Championship Series for the first time in nine years. Nathan Lukes provided a two-run single and Addison Barger had three of Toronto’s 12 hits as the pesky Blue Jays bounced right back after blowing a five-run lead in Tuesday night’s loss at Yankee Stadium. AL East champion Toronto took the best-of-five Division Series 3-1 and will host Game 1 in the best-of-seven ALCS on Sunday against the Tigers or Mariners. Those teams are set to decide their playoff series Friday in Game 5 at Seattle.
WORDS: 1099 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 1:35 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:febd0ed46ff70572255f6a1721cbc80b&mediaType=text
___
BBO--YANKEES ELIMINATED
Aaron Judge remains without World Series ring as Yankees’ title drought reaches 16 years
SUMMARY: Aaron Judge’s impressive season wasn’t enough to end the New York Yankees’ championship drought. The Yankees lost to Toronto in the AL Division Series, marking their 16th consecutive season without a title. Judge hit .500 in the postseason but couldn’t carry the team to victory. Despite winning his first AL batting title and being on a Hall of Fame track, Judge remains without postseason success. The Yankees’ bullpen and rotation faltered against Toronto, and the team faces potential roster changes. Gerrit Cole, recovering from Tommy John surgery, expects to return by May, but the Yankees need a bullpen rebuild.
WORDS: 930 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 1:13 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c185ae85e92e6e10ca493e2eca988a35&mediaType=text
___
BBO--NLDS-PHILLIES-DODGERS
Kyle Schwarber hits two homers to lift Phillies over Dodgers 8-2 and avoid sweep in NLDS
SUMMARY: Kyle Schwarber homered twice, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to an 8-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of their NL Division Series. The Phillies avoided a sweep with the win on Wednesday night. Schwarber’s first homer cleared the right-field pavilion, the first allowed by the Dodgers in these playoffs. The Phillies add five more runs in the eighth inning, including a solo shot by J.T. Realmuto and a two-run drive by Schwarber. Clayton Kershaw struggled in his first postseason relief appearance since 2019. The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman went hitless, while Mookie Betts tripled and singled in four at-bats.
WORDS: 665 - MOVED: 10/09/2025 1:10 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8e1f65908457ae5df4901468bf389d5f&mediaType=text
___
BKL--WNBA-FINALS
Wilson hits last-second jumper to lift Aces over Mercury 90-88 for a 3-0 lead in the WNBA Finals
SUMMARY: A’ja Wilson made a turnaround jumper with 0.3 seconds left, capping a stellar 34-point night and lifting the Las Vegas Aces over the Phoenix Mercury 90-88 in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday for a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Aces are one victory away from winning their third title in four seasons. Game 4 is on Friday in Phoenix. Las Vegas looked like it had a comfortable 76-59 lead entering the fourth quarter, but DeWanna Bonner made two free throws with 1:01 left to tie it at 88. That set up Wilson’s heroics in the final seconds.
WORDS: 776 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 11:56 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2fd45580e52554c82255b0235b351067&mediaType=text
___
BKN--BUCKS-ANTETOKOUNMPO
Antetokounmpo says he’s ‘locked in’ with Bucks while noting possibility he could change his mind
SUMMARY: Giannis Antetokounmpo reaffirmed that he’s “locked in” with the Milwaukee Bucks while acknowledging the possibility that could eventually change depending on how things develop over the next several months. The two-time MVP said that “I’ve always wanted to be in Milwaukee, always wanted to represent the city, as long as we have the opportunity to win.” He added that “now if in six, seven months I change my mind, that’s human, too. ”
WORDS: 384 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 11:32 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:02b6ea539a82afbc35a8c37218d9e017&mediaType=text
___
CAR--NHRA-STEWART RACING HIS WIFE
Tony Stewart jokes about sleeping on the couch if he wins drag race against wife Leah Pruett
SUMMARY: Tony Stewart jokes that he made sure the new couch he and his wife bought was one he could sleep on comfortably if he wins a drag race against her. They will be competing against each other in NHRA races next season. That is when Leah Pruett gets back in her seat for Tony Stewart Racing. Her NASCAR Hall of Fame husband has filled that seat since she stepped aside ahead of the 2024 season to focus on starting a family and the birth of their son later that year. Stewart says his wife talked him into driving a Top Fuel dragster for Elite Motorsports.
WORDS: 559 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 11:20 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:03dbe11234619c3d879c38a463b82d42&mediaType=text
___
FBN--BROWNS-JAGUARS TRADE
Jaguars and Browns trade starting cornerbacks, AP source says
SUMMARY: A person familiar with negotiations says Jacksonville and Cleveland have swapped starting cornerbacks, with Tyson Campbell going to the Browns and Greg Newsome heading to the Jaguars. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been formally announced. ESPN and NFL Network first reported the swap. The teams also exchanged late-round draft picks in 2026, with Jacksonville getting a sixth-rounder from Cleveland and the Browns getting a seventh-rounder from the Jaguars.
WORDS: 181 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 10:46 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:05ed70893e68dbd9eba7952aede0a0f5&mediaType=text
___
HKN--BRUINS-CAPITALS
Pastrnak has a 3-point night in the Bruins’ 3-1 victory over Ovechkin and the Capitals
SUMMARY: David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists and Jeremy Swayman made 35 saves to lift the Boston Bruins to a 3-1 win over Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Pastrnak scored in the second period and Elias Lindholm added a goal with 12:19 remaining in the third — just 38 seconds after Tom Wilson had tied the game at 1 for Washington. Morgan Geekie scored into an empty net with 57.1 seconds remaining. The Bruins made Marco Sturm a winner in his first game as coach, killing off all five of Washington’s power plays.
WORDS: 324 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 10:42 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2be61ffd9bbb3896b9b6a16361aca5b1&mediaType=text
___
BBO--NLDS-BREWERS-CUBS
Cubs use 4-run 1st inning to top the Brewers 4-3 and avoid NL Division Series sweep
SUMMARY: Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a tiebreaking two-run single and the Chicago Cubs avoided a sweep by holding off the Milwaukee Brewers for a 4-3 victory in Game 3 of their NL Division Series. Crow-Armstrong’s two-out swing was part of a four-run first inning for Chicago — continuing a wild trend. Michael Busch kicked off the rally by becoming the first player in major league history with multiple leadoff homers in a single postseason series. The matchup of NL Central rivals is the first postseason series in which both teams scored in the first in each of the first three games. Jake Bauers rallied Milwaukee with an RBI single in the fourth and a leadoff drive in the seventh.
WORDS: 803 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 9:49 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3f9a4f32c0b5a3631e1833747190f14c&mediaType=text
___
BBO--ALDS-MARINERS-TIGERS
Tigers rally to beat Mariners 9-3 and force decisive Game 5 in AL Division Series
SUMMARY: Riley Greene and Javier Báez homered in a four-run sixth inning and the Detroit Tigers kept their season alive with a 9-3 win over the Seattle Mariners in Game 4 of the American League Division Series. The Tigers forced a Game 5 by winning at Comerica Park for the first time in more than a month. They went 0-8 after Tarik Skubal’s 6-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 6, including Seattle’s 8-4 win on Tuesday. The series decider will be on Friday in Seattle, with Skubal facing George Kirby.
WORDS: 620 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 7:32 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2b6b5a85e77da69dbe60c0e0f93b2f63&mediaType=text
___
SOC--ARGENTINA-PUERTO RICO
Soccer match between Argentina, Puerto Rico moved from Chicago to Florida amid immigration crackdown
SUMMARY: A soccer match between Argentina and Puerto Rico, initially set for next week in Chicago, has been moved to Florida. Chicago Park District spokesman Luca Serra confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the match won’t be played in Chicago. The friendly match was supposed to be played on Oct. 13 at Soldier Field in Chicago but will be moved to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. An Argentine Football Association executive confirmed the move to the AP and said it was because of the situation in Chicago, where President Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard to quell protests against the immigration crackdown. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the relocation had not been publicly announced.
WORDS: 282 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 7:06 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c0c10e0ee105b7fb1ff090f22c5becb8&mediaType=text
___
HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-EICHEL
Vegas and Jack Eichel agree on an 8-year, $108 million contract extension
SUMMARY: Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights have agreed to terms on an eight-year contract extension worth $108 million. Eichel will count $13.5 million against the salary cap from the time the new contract kicks in for the 2026-27 season through 2034. The soon-to-be 29-year-old center is the latest high-profile player to re-up with his team rather than test free agency next summer. Eichel set career highs last season with 66 assists and 94 points.
WORDS: 375 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 6:56 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:91b14efe4033aca0007c97e7fd3cd876&mediaType=text
___
FBN--BEARS-TYRIQUE STEVENSON
Bears’ Tyrique Stevenson set to return to Washington year after embarrassing loss
SUMMARY: Tyrique Stevenson says he’s ready to return to the scene of one of the most embarrassing moments in NFL history Monday night when the Chicago Bears visit Washington. Last year, the Chicago cornerback had his back turned to the field, then rushed in and tipped Jayden Daniels’ 52-yard desperation pass to Noah Brown for a winning touchdown. Said Stevenson: “Just use it as motivation to come out and stay focused on all tasks and definitely, definitely learn to wait until the clock hits double-zeroes. Just use that as a learning curve to mature and be the cornerback that this team needs.”
WORDS: 746 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 6:41 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a32ae6b4ee5f7882dce2e099b9bb0ed9&mediaType=text
___
ENT--MUSIC-BAD BUNNY STREAMS
Bad Bunny’s music streams soar since 2026 Super Bowl halftime show news
SUMMARY: Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny’s music catalog has seen a jump in streams since his 2026 Super Bowl halftime performance was announced last week. That’s according to the industry data and analytics company Luminate. They found that Latin music is primarily consumed via streaming. And Bad Bunny saw a 26% increase in on-demand streams in the United States when comparing the week before the announcement to the week that followed. That’s a bump of nearly 50 million streams. He earned 173 million streams from Sept. 19 to 27. After the announcement, it jumped to 218.5 million streams from Sept. 28 to Oct. 6.
WORDS: 408 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 5:24 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c7ab405d51032ae3e56614d1a1158a2a&mediaType=text
___
FBN--PRO PICKS-WEEK 6
Pro Picks: Chiefs will beat the Lions in a marquee matchup that still could be a Super Bowl preview
SUMMARY: A Lions-Chiefs matchup was considered a potential Super Bowl preview when the schedule came out. It still could be considering the state of the AFC. Jared Goff leads a dynamic Lions offense against Patrick Mahomes and the inconsistent Chiefs on Sunday night in Kansas City in one of the biggest games in Week 6. Detroit rebounded from a lopsided loss to Green Bay in Week 1 to win four in a row. The Chiefs were on the right track with two straight wins after opening 0-2 but gave up a final-minute score to lose to Jacksonville on Monday night.
WORDS: 1476 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 4:23 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fb45d5d7d19c04a044811d6145bfe46c&mediaType=text
___
BKN--NBA-CHINA
NBA returns to China for 1st time since a rift distanced it from one of the sport’s largest fanbases
SUMMARY: The NBA is returning to China with preseason games between the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns in Macao. This marks the league’s first games in China since 2019. The NBA had faced tensions with China after a tweet by Daryl Morey supported Hong Kong protesters, leading to a break in relations. NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum emphasizes the importance of connecting with China’s large fanbase. Despite ongoing trade tensions, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlights sports’ role in building community. The games are seen as a positive step in rekindling the NBA’s relationship with Chinese fans.
WORDS: 1013 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 4:06 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9f828e27720824d9d48206cbfc8db54b&mediaType=text
___
FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS
College football picks: Playing 3 time zones away just part of deal, Moore says no excuses allowed
WORDS: 1228 - MOVED: 10/08/2025 1:56 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:317d3d8557be52793fbb87999b898aed&mediaType=text
___
