AP Sports Digest

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.

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UPCOMING

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FBC--T25-OHIO STATE-ILLINOIS

DESCRIPTION: CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — No. 1 Ohio State faces No. 17 Illinois, with the Illini attempted to beat a top-ranked team for the first time since 2007. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at noon EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/11/2025 3:45 p.m. EDT, Text, DigitalPlans

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FBC--T25-ALABAMA-MISSOURI

DESCRIPTION: COLUMBIA, Mo. — Alabama plays Missouri at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. By Dave Skretta. UIPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at noon EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/11/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--T25-OKLAHOMA-TEXAS

DESCRIPTION: DALLAS — Sixth-ranked Oklahoma could get back quarterback John Mateer for the Red River rivalry game against Arch Manning and Texas. By Stephen Hawkins. 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start 3:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/11/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text, DigitalPlans, Photo

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FBC--T25-INDIANA-OREGON

DESCRIPTION: EUGENE, Ore. — Seventh-ranked Indiana plays third-ranked Oregon at Autzen Stadium. By Anne M. Peterson. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/11/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text, DigitalPlans

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HKN--RANGERS-PENGUINS

DESCRIPTION: PITTSBURGH — Former Penguins coach Mike Sullivan returns to Pittsburgh on Saturday night when the New York Rangers visit PPG Paints Arena. Sullivan won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins before exiting last spring. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 7 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/11/2025 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBC—T25-FLORIDA-TEXAS A&M

DESCRIPTION: COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The fifth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies look to improve to 6-0 when they host the Florida Gators, who are coming off an upset of then-No. 9 Texas last week. By Kristie Rieken. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 7 p.m. EDT

UPCOMING: By 10/11/2025 10:45 p.m. EDT, Text

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BBO--NLDS-BREWERS-CUBS

DESCRIPTION: MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Cubs face the Milwaukee Brewers in a winner-take-all Game 5 for a spot against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. By Steve Megargee. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 8:08 p.m. EDT.

SENT: By 10/11/2025 11:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--STARS-AVALANCHE

DESCRIPTION: DENVER — Defenseman Brent Burns is slated to play in his 1,500th career NHL game Saturday night when the Colorado Avalanche host the Dallas Stars. By Mike Kelly. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game time is 9 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/11/2025 11:45 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--ALDS-TIGERS-MARINERS

Polanco hits winning single in the 15th inning as the Mariners beat the Tigers to advance to ALCS

SUMMARY: Jorge Polanco hit a game-ending single in the 15th inning, and the Seattle Mariners advanced to the AL Championship Series by outlasting the Detroit Tigers for a 3-2 victory in the longest winner-take-all postseason game in baseball history. With one out and the bases loaded, Polanco drove in J.P. Crawford with a liner to right off Tommy Kahnle. Crawford hit a leadoff single, Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch and Julio Rodríguez was intentionally walked before Polanco’s big swing on the 472nd pitch of the epic game.

WORDS: 287 - MOVED: 10/11/2025 1:34 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:483df1fa26a6bb4fa01c4c2ba8742340&mediaType=text

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FBC--T25-SOUTH FLORIDA-NORTH TEXAS

No. 24 South Florida scores 4 TDs in a 3 1/2-minute span and hands North Texas its 1st loss

SUMMARY: Byrum Brown accounted for five touchdowns, Jhalyn Shuler returned a fumble 34 yards for South Florida’s fourth TD in span of 3 1/2 minutes and the 24th-ranked Bulls beat North Texas 63-36. It was the first loss this season for the 5-1 Mean Green. The 5-1 Bulls overcame three first-quarter turnovers and tied the game at 21-all with 2 seconds left before halftime. They then scored had three quick scores after the break, and two of those TDs coming off North Texas turnovers. The Mean Green hadn’t gone this deep into a season without a loss since a 5-0 start in 1959.

WORDS: 757 - MOVED: 10/11/2025 1:31 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c5c898c3455299a4121453d6df9053e0&mediaType=text

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BBO--ALDS-TIGERS-SKUBAL

Tigers ace Tarik Skubal turns in a dominant performance in Game 5 loss to Mariners

SUMMARY: Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal turned in a dominant performance Friday night in the first six innings of Game 5 of the AL Division Series in a game that ended hours later with the Seattle Mariners winning 3-2 in 15 innings. Skubal stepped up with Detroit trying for the franchise’s first appearance in the AL Championship Series since 2013. He struck out 13 while allowing one run and two hits in what turned out to be the longest winner-take-all postseason game by innings. Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for the Tigers in the sixth, and Leo Rivas responded with a pinch-hit RBI single for the Mariners in the seventh. Jorge Polanco ended it with an RBI single in the 15th.

WORDS: 398 - MOVED: 10/11/2025 1:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3a8737bdc0d3d439b9e5e035ac4769c4&mediaType=text

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BKL--WNBA FINALS-TIBBETTS EJECTED

Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts ejected from WNBA Finals Game 4 after heated argument

SUMMARY: Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts was ejected from Game 4 of the WNBA Finals after receiving two quick technical fouls in the third quarter against the Las Vegas Aces. Tibbetts was arguing a foul call against Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani when he got in the face of referee Gina Cross, who almost immediately called two quick technicals. Tibbetts reacted in disbelief before being escorted from the court. Earlier in this year’s WNBA playoffs, Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was ejected in Game 3 of the semifinals for arguing after star player Napheesa Collier was injured. Reeve was suspended for the next game.

WORDS: 426 - MOVED: 10/11/2025 12:44 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:555e8d47402d52fd1818b122d40bb2ee&mediaType=text

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BKL--WNBA FINALS

Wilson scores 31 and Aces win 3rd WNBA title in 4 seasons, beating Mercury 97-86 for 4-game sweep

SUMMARY: A’ja Wilson scored 31 points, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young both added 18 and the Las Vegas Aces beat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, sweeping their way to a third championship in four seasons. The Aces needed just four games to end the first best-of-seven finals in league history. It was another offensive onslaught from Las Vegas, which scored 54 points in the first half and averaged more than 90 points per game in the series. Wilson finished 7 of 21 shooting from the field, but made 17 of 19 free throws.

WORDS: 691 - MOVED: 10/11/2025 12:17 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:84c5472133aecf0d091d380583f4d018&mediaType=text

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BKL--ACES-DYNASTY

Led by A’ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces have become a WNBA dynasty

SUMMARY: A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces are in rarified air. The franchise won its third WNBA championship in four seasons, completing a sweep of Phoenix in the best-of-seven Finals on Friday night. Only Houston has done better over a four-season span, winning the first four titles in WNBA history from 1997-2000. Wilson became the first player to win the regular-season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP in the same season. Whether Las Vegas can keep its run going depends a lot on how the negotiations for the new collective bargaining agreement go. Most of the Aces are free agents.

WORDS: 539 - MOVED: 10/10/2025 11:53 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b28dd83b948c419cdaca15489c2a0a41&mediaType=text

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SOC--ECUADOR-US

Balogun’s second-half goal gives US a 1-1 tie against Ecuador in friendly

SUMMARY: Folarin Balogun scores in the 71st minute, helping the United States secure a 1-1 tie against Ecuador in a friendly. Enner Valencia scored in the first half for Ecuador. Balogun’s goal is his seventh in 20 international appearances. The 16th-ranked Americans have one win in their last nine games against top 25 opponents since March 2024. They play Australia on Tuesday in Colorado. Ecuador, ranked 24th, extended its team-record unbeaten streak to 12 games. American star Christian Pulisic didn’t start due to a sore ankle but entered in the 73rd minute.

WORDS: 546 - MOVED: 10/10/2025 11:51 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a63ac8025a24eab6ca826b8cc3820f58&mediaType=text

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BBO--ANGELS-PUJOLS

Albert Pujols has met with the Angels about their managerial opening, AP source says

SUMMARY: Albert Pujols has met with the Los Angeles Angels about returning to their dugout as their next manager, a person with knowledge of the meeting told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Angels aren’t publicly discussing their search for a successor to Ron Washington, who wasn’t brought back after two seasons. Pujols met with general manager Perry Minasian in St. Louis, and the iconic slugger appears to be the current front-runner to take over the Angels in what would be his first in-season major league coaching job of any kind.

WORDS: 641 - MOVED: 10/10/2025 9:34 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7b495e60b2c905a004953f771e961bfe&mediaType=text

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BBO--NLDS-CUBS-BREWERS-PREVIEW

Don’t check in late for Cubs-Brewers NLDS decider. This series is all about the first inning

SUMMARY: Working as a starting pitcher in the NL Division Series between the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers has been one tough job. Twenty-one of the 35 runs in the series have been scored in the first inning. The series concludes on Saturday night with a winner-take-all Game 5 to determine which of these NL Central rivals will face the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. Neither team has announced its Game 5 starting pitcher yet.

WORDS: 788 - MOVED: 10/10/2025 8:29 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:576963a23c71375c3a86b9b47568c60d&mediaType=text

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FBN--RAVENS-INJURIES

Lamar Jackson ruled out again for the Ravens because of a hamstring injury

SUMMARY: Lamar Jackson will miss a second straight game for the Baltimore Ravens because of his hamstring injury. The Ravens officially ruled Jackson out Friday, which was no surprise after he did not practice this week. Jackson was hurt in a loss at Kansas City two weekends ago. Cooper Rush started at quarterback in last week’s loss to Houston. Baltimore did have some good news on its lengthy injury report. Safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and tackle Ronnie Stanley were full participants in Friday’s practice and are expected to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

WORDS: 134 - MOVED: 10/10/2025 7:05 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4aec40b9fc265093ce09411ac32fb41d&mediaType=text

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BKC--OBIT-SISTER JEAN

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, Loyola Chicago’s beloved chaplain, dies at 106

SUMMARY: Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the beloved chaplain for Loyola Chicago’s men’s basketball team, has died at 106. The university announced her death on Thursday night. She became an international celebrity during the team’s 2018 Final Four run and there was even a bobblehead of her likeness. Health issues led her to step down in August, but she remained an adviser. Loyola President Mark C. Reed praised her as a source of wisdom and grace for over 60 years. Sister Jean published a memoir in 2023 sharing life lessons.

WORDS: 1182 - MOVED: 10/10/2025 6:04 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c62b012d44463744202ddc20fcdd2bf6&mediaType=text

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US--CHICAGO MARATHON-IMMIGRATION FEARS

Immigration crackdown stirs unease ahead of this weekend’s Chicago Marathon

SUMMARY: Questions have been swirling for weeks over whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents might target the Chicago Marathon. The race, which happens Sunday, draws thousands of runners from around the world and is a major tourism draw for the Windy City. Reflecting the unease about this year’s event, organizers sent an email to participants Wednesday that referred to an immigration “Know Your Rights” page on the city’s website. An ICE spokeswoman, though, said rumors that agents will be at the race are false. Amar Shah, a 31-year-old participant, said that even though he was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, he’s worried that his Indian heritage could make him vulnerable.

WORDS: 922 - MOVED: 10/10/2025 5:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d51b744d459078a5475a57111bbc93b1&mediaType=text

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FBN--GIANTS-DART-CONCUSSION PROTOCOL

NFL is reviewing how concussion protocol was followed for Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart

SUMMARY: The NFL has initiated a review of the concussion protocol used for New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart on Thursday night in the team’s game against Philadelphia. Cameras caught coach Brian Daboll looking into the injury tent while Dart was being evaluated. Daboll admitted he was impatient and apologized to the Giants’ head physician for being in the wrong. The league’s chief medical officer said in a preseason media tour of medical facilities that only specific personnel are allowed in the tent during evaluations.

WORDS: 653 - MOVED: 10/10/2025 3:33 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:22185291857fe0a6a82ead38e53707e2&mediaType=text

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FBN--BROWNS-SANDERS BACKUP

Shedeur Sanders promoted to Browns backup QB, will be behind rookie Dillon Gabriel against Steelers

SUMMARY: Shedeur Sanders will back up Dillon Gabriel on Sunday in Pittsburgh, meaning the Browns will face the rival Steelers with two rookie quarterbacks. Sanders has been inactive for Cleveland’s first five games as the Browns develop him. But they think he’s ready to be their No. 2 despite not appearing in a regular-season game. Sanders’ promotion came in the aftermath of the Browns trading Joe Flacco this week. Coach Kevin Stefanski announced his decision following Friday’s practice, adding that he has confidence Sanders is ready for the promotion.

WORDS: 637 - MOVED: 10/10/2025 2:59 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b81526c568ab4f3810f1b1d8a254e107&mediaType=text

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BBO--PHILLIES-WHAT’S NEXT

Phillies face an uncertain future following their 4th straight playoff exit

SUMMARY: The Philadelphia Phillies face a challenging offseason after their playoff exit against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Key players like Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Ranger Suárez are free agents. Manager Rob Thomson’s future is uncertain despite leading the team to four playoff berths. The Phillies haven’t won a championship since 2008 and that could influence decisions about Thomson and the roster. Nick Castellanos and José Alvarado’s futures are also in question. The team’s high payroll hasn’t translated into postseason success, and changes may be needed to break the cycle of playoff disappointments.

WORDS: 1104 - MOVED: 10/10/2025 1:46 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:87967c9505c88b516232c4a40a7e079e&mediaType=text