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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GLF--PGA BAYCURRENT

DESCRIPTION: Third-round play at the PGA Tour event in Japan.

UPCOMING: By 10/10/2026 4:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--EAGLES-LONDON-PHILLY PUB

DESCRIPTION: South Philly meets London in dive bar Passyunk Avenue that’s a hit with Eagles fans from UK and US. By Ken Maguire. Upcoming: 750 words; photos

UPCOMING: By 10/10/2026 4:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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CAR F1 SINGAPORE GP FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX

DESCRIPTION: A sprint race and qualifying at the Singapore Grand Prix, the 17th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

UPCOMING: By 10/10/2026 10:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBC--T25-TEXAS-OKLAHOMA

DESCRIPTION: No. 1 Texas heads into the Red River rivalry game looking to beat Oklahoma for the third season in a row, something the Longhorns haven’t done since 1997-99. Both are coming off open dates, with the Sooners’ last game a four-touchdown loss at No. 2 Georgia. By Stephen Hawkins. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/10/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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CAR--NASCAR-CHARLOTTE PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Kyle Larson looks to maintain his lead in the Chase for the Cup Series Championship heads to Charlotte for the next playoff race. By Steve Reed. 700 words, photos. With CAR--NASCAR-Charlotte Qualifying. 300 words.

UPCOMING: By 10/10/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY

DESCRIPTION: It might be soggy. It might be windy. And it might be one of the best games of the year.: Week 6 of the college football season arrived with a marquee showdown in the Southeastern Conference: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 6 Alabama on a Saturday night in Tuscaloosa shadowed by the arrival of a hurricane along the Gulf Coast. There are other big games to watch, too. By Maura Carey. Text, photos. Developing through the day.

UPCOMING: By 10/10/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text, DigitalPlans

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BBO--ALDS-WHITE SOX-GUARDIANS

DESCRIPTION: CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians host the Chicago White Sox in the fifth and deciding game of their AL Division Series. The winner advances to face the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. By Joe Reedy. 700 words, photos. Game starts at 7:30 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 10/10/2026 11:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--T25-GEORGIA-ALABAMA

DESCRIPTION: TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 6 Alabama and second-ranked Georgia meet for the eighth time in seven years in an early SEC showdown that could have playoff implications. By Henry Sklar.

UPCOMING: By 10/10/2026 11:59 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text, DigitalPlans

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBC--T25-IOWA-WASHINGTON

Kamari Moulton runs for career-best 208 yards and 2 TDs as No. 20 Iowa beats Washington, 41-24

SUMMARY: Kamari Moulton ran for a career-high 208 yards on 26 carries and the Iowa defense held Washington to minus-3 yards rushing as the 20th-ranked Hawkeyes rolled to a 41-24 victory. Jeremy Hecklinski, starting in place of injured Hawkeyes quarterback Hank Brown, threw for 202 yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-19 passing. Moulton averaged 8 yards per carry and scored twice against a struggling Huskies defense. Iowa bolted to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter as Caden Buhr nailed field goals of 51 and 27 yards, and Moulton scored on a 56-yard touchdown run. Hecklinski connected with tight end DJ Vonnahme twice in the second quarter for touchdown passes of 20 and 27 yards to make it 27-0.

WORDS: 440 - MOVED: 10/10/2026 1:07 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8d5952021c323247bf72ed679dd70daa&mediaType=text

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HKN--RANGERS-SHESTERKIN

Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin helped off ice with leg injury after awkward fall against Capitals

SUMMARY: New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin has been helped off the ice with a right leg injury after an awkward fall into his own net against the Washington Capitals. Shesterkin came well out of his crease to challenge a shooter midway through the second period Friday night and fell as he scrambled back to the net. The 30-year-old Russian jammed his right skate into the right post as he slid back into the crease and collapsed into the net in pain. Shesterkin stayed down for several minutes holding his right knee as he received medical attention. He did not put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the ice by teammates.

WORDS: 528 - MOVED: 10/10/2026 12:41 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1e9118b8ba1eab110d91465e50c53cee&mediaType=text

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BKL--VALKYRIES-ACES

Valkyries secure WNBA Finals spot with OT win over the Aces, face the Dream next

SUMMARY: Kayla Thornton scored 18 points and the second-year Golden State Valkyries became the quickest expansion team to reach the WNBA Finals, sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 87-77 in overtime Friday night in Game 3. The second-seeded Valkyries will have home-court advantage and will host No. 4 Atlanta beginning Oct. 17. The Dream swept New York earlier in the night, and now teams are 22-0 in playoff history when leading a series 2-0. Las Vegas, which was seeded third, had won three of the past four championships. A’ja Wilson, honored before night’s game for winning an unprecedented fifth MVP, scored 21 points, but on 6-for-19 shooting for the Aces.

WORDS: 316 - MOVED: 10/10/2026 12:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:109cce9399dc7155ca745a3ba20f7a5d&mediaType=text

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BKL--DREAM-LIBERTY

Reese, Howard help the Dream sweep Liberty and advance to WNBA Finals for first time since 2013

SUMMARY: Angel Reese scored 22 points, Rhyne Howard added 21 and the Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 85-83 on Friday night to advance to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013. The fourth-seeded Dream completed the three-game sweep of the Liberty and haven’t lost in the postseason this season. They will face Golden State, which swept Las Vegas, in the WNBA Finals beginning Saturday, Oct. 17. The Dream hadn’t reached the semifinals since 2018 before this season. Now they’ll try to win the franchise’s first championship with four more wins.

WORDS: 769 - MOVED: 10/10/2026 12:02 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f6b6fead092770582051825aff3faaf8&mediaType=text

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HKN--BLUE JACKETS-TALBOT

Blue Jackets’ Cam Talbot sets NHL record by winning with 9th different team

SUMMARY: Cam Talbot has become the first NHL goalie to win a game with nine different teams by stopping 20 shots in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 3-2 shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. In his first season with Columbus, Talbot stopped all three of Chicago’s shots in the shootout to surpass the previous record set by Curtis McElhinney, Sean Burke and Ron Tugnutt. Talbot, in his 13th NHL season, has won games with the New York Rangers, Edmonton, Philadelphia, Calgary, Minnesota, Ottawa, Detroit and the Los Angeles Kings.

WORDS: 102 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 10:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cbeadfd9f36dcc3ffe7b44fe43b6a466&mediaType=text

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FBN--OBIT-DITKA-REACTION

Mike Ditka tributes pour in from President Trump, former President Obama, Chicago and the NFL

SUMMARY: Mike Ditka, known as “Iron Mike,” has died at 86. Ditka revolutionized the tight end position and became the iconic coach of the Chicago Bears, leading them to a Super Bowl victory. Tributes have poured in from across the sports world. The Bears praised his immeasurable impact on the organization. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell highlighted Ditka’s intensity and authenticity. The New Orleans Saints remembered his time as their head coach. ESPN colleagues recalled his larger-than-life presence. Ditka’s legacy as a player, coach and ambassador for football will be cherished for generations.

WORDS: 1478 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 10:19 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:517b206dcd1a08d8b21437cb768fd2fa&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-CHARLOTTE-BUSCH REMEMBERED

Kyle Busch’s 11-year-old son highlights his father’s ‘celebration of life’ ceremony with burnout

SUMMARY: The NASCAR community and over 10,000 fans have celebrated the life of Kyle Busch at Charlotte Motor Speedway. His widow, Samantha Busch, shared memories during an emotional speech. Their 11-year-old son, Brexton, stole the show with a burnout in his father’s car. Samantha emphasized that Kyle’s legacy continues through young racers and shared lessons. Busch died unexpectedly in May at 41. His brother, Kurt, and other drivers shared stories and memories. The event featured som of Busch’s iconic cars and a performance by Cole Swindell. The NASCAR Hall of Fame has also unveiled an exhibit honoring Busch’s 25-year career.

WORDS: 924 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 10:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b88a417f42f7551548bdbdb77532ee17&mediaType=text

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LT--MEXICO-SURFERS-TRIAL

Judge convicts 3 Mexicans in the killings of 2 Australian brothers and American friend on surf trip

SUMMARY: A local judge has found three Mexicans guilty of murdering two Australian brothers and their American friend in Baja California. The trial concluded Friday with Judge Raúl Hernández ruling that Jesús Gerardo García, Irineo Francisco “N,” and Ángel Jesús “N” were responsible for the April 2024 killings. The victims, Callum and Jake Robinson and Carter Redd Rhoad, were reported missing shortly after arriving to surf. Their bodies were found in a well. The defendants, in custody for over two years, were also found guilty of armed robbery and carjacking. The judge will announce their sentences soon.

WORDS: 497 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 8:32 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d87f5241b1908866dabb67d1d6f5c339&mediaType=text

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BBO--NLCS-DODGERS

Dodgers turn to Tarik Skubal for NLCS Game 1 opener vs Brewers; Yoshinobu Yamamoto set for Game 2

SUMMARY: Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has chosen his starting pitchers for the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Tarik Skubal will start Game 1 on Sunday. Skubal also started Game 1 of the NL Division Series, pitching six dominant innings in a 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves. He allowed one run and two hits, striking out seven. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, last year’s World Series MVP, will start Game 2 on Monday. Yamamoto started Game 3 of the NLDS, striking out 10 over seven innings while allowing one run and four hits.

WORDS: 286 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 8:29 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b6ed87578af29070852000a6f5e27d3e&mediaType=text

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BBO--NLCS-DODGERS-SLUMPING OHTANI

Shohei Ohtani’s bat has gone quiet, but the Dodgers keep winning for now

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani is struggling at the plate, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are feeling it in the postseason. He went 2 for 13 with a .154 average in the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. Manager Dave Roberts has stuck by the two-way superstar, believing Ohtani’s bat will break out eventually. Some of his slump is due to injuries that limited Ohtani to 139 games in the regular season. He admits he’s not 100% healthy and plans to dig into his biceps and knee issues in the offseason. The Dodgers open the NL Championship Series on Sunday at Milwaukee. Last year, Ohtani was MVP of the NLCS, when the Dodgers swept the Brewers in four games on their way to a second straight World Series title.

WORDS: 704 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 7:56 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:604d8259195c9b3226cec4d16f304b7a&mediaType=text

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FBN--RAMS-DONALD-GARRETT

Aaron Donald thinks he’ll play for Rams vs Bills after a short injury setback in his comeback

SUMMARY: Aaron Donald’s back is feeling much better after a week of rest and treatment, and he plans to play for the Rams against the Buffalo Bills after he missed Los Angeles’ previous game. His dream pairing with Myles Garrett still does not appear to be in the Rams’ immediate future, however. Donald’s first injury setback during his comeback from a 2 1/2-year retirement does not appear to be serious, the 10-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle said Friday after he went through a full practice at the Rams’ training complex with no setbacks. But the Rams haven’t indicated when Garrett could be ready to return from knee surgery.

WORDS: 634 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 7:44 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f3910344937d4b0f8c33dadcddcee9e0&mediaType=text

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BBO--ALDS-WHITE SOX-GUARDIANS

Guardians ace Gavin Williams to start vs Sean Burke and White Sox in winner-take-all ALDS Game 5

SUMMARY: Gavin Williams will start for the Cleveland Guardians against the Chicago White Sox in the deciding Game 5 of their AL Division Series on Saturday night. Williams entered in the ninth inning Thursday night and got the final three outs, helping Cleveland to a 9-5 win that evened the best-of-five playoff at two games apiece. He threw 18 pitches, allowing one hit and striking out one. Williams, who led the AL with 248 strikeouts this season, is ready for the challenge. He struck out 11 in his Game 2 start. Sean Burke will start for Chicago, having performed well against Cleveland this year. The winner advances to the American League Championship Series. Home field hasn’t mattered much, as the road team has won all four games.

WORDS: 876 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 7:23 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:eba45873d731ecc4435a69a8b1319533&mediaType=text

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BKL--LIBERTY MOVING ON

Breanna Stewart: Liberty moving on after confusion over timeout in Game 2 OT loss

SUMMARY: Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty are moving on from Game 2 and the confusion of whether they had a timeout in the waning seconds of overtime. Stewart knows that it won’t do any good to dwell on what happened since Friday night’s game is a must-win for the Liberty. The confusion came in the final seconds of OT when New York trailed by one and Angel Reese was at the foul line. Stewart asked the officials whether the team had their reset timeout remaining. Stewart said the official answered no. In a postgame pool report, the head official contradicted that, saying New York did have their timeout.

WORDS: 635 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 7:22 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7a3f240c77b599eebb10472f2837e176&mediaType=text

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BBO--ALCS-RAYS WAIT

Rays wait for ALCS opponent after winning 101 games playing any brand of baseball needed to win

SUMMARY: The Tampa Bays Rays showed they can play any brand of baseball during a sweep of the New York Yankees. They mixed power from likely and unlikely sources and their usual small-ball style along with dominant pitching, excellent fielding and strong fundamentals. That was the formula that led to 98 wins in the regular season, three more against the Yankees and has the Rays waiting for their opponent in the AL Championship Series. Tampa Bay faces either the Cleveland Guardians or Chicago White Sox. Game 5 of that series is Saturday night.

WORDS: 650 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 6:20 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7002d726dca1e47068746859f6de646a&mediaType=text

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FBN--OBIT-DITKA

Mike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, dies at 86

SUMMARY: Mike Ditka, who personified the toughness and grit of Chicago in a Hall of Fame career as a player and coach of the Bears and the leader of arguably the most dominant team in NFL history, has died. He was 86. Nicknamed “Iron Mike” as a player, Ditka helped revolutionize the tight end position. He was the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He moved to the sidelines and took over as Chicago’s coach. His 1985 team featured one of the game’s most dominant defenses ever. After retiring as a coach, Ditka became a restaurateur and TV personality.

WORDS: 1931 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 5:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:74ce49079f324ca0a9fa8e61857783fb&mediaType=text

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FBN--ON FOOTBALL-EAGLES’ WOES

Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts are facing their toughest test with the Eagles

SUMMARY: Injuries are piling up for the Philadelphia Eagles. Key starters are gone. A new offensive coordinator is off to a rough start. The head coach is hearing more criticism. It’s a familiar story the Eagles hope has a similar ending. It was at this point of the NFL season two years ago that the notoriously tough Philly fans were chanting “Fire Nick” at coach Nick Sirianni during a lackluster win over the Browns that improved Philadelphia’s record to 3-2. Sirianni screamed and gestured at them toward the end of the game and was mocked nationally by television analysts and hot-take artists who said he deserved to lose his job.

WORDS: 1013 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 4:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1f493b9f8d390385621387eebbe31e85&mediaType=text

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SOC--US WOMEN-HAYES

US coach Emma Hayes is looking to reframe women’s soccer through a female lens

SUMMARY: U.S. soccer coach Emma Hayes loves winning but she has even loftier ambitions for the national team and women’s soccer overall. Hayes wants to fundamentally reframe the entire women’s soccer ecosystem, which she laments is just the men’s game applied to women. Instead, she suggests a holistic approach through a female lens, looking at how athletes are managed and trained across all levels of the sport. She recently hosted the “herLENS” conference for some 300 people from across the sport at U.S. Soccer’s new headquarters in Georgia. Among the topics were keeping young girls in the game, the impact of menstruation and hormones on performance, and training practices designed for women.

WORDS: 855 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 4:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0c14485d1f9ee2d5de3adebaaeb4307d&mediaType=text

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BBO--ALDS-GUARDIANS-WHITE SOX

José Ramírez homers as the Guardians beat the White Sox 9-5 to force a decisive Game 5 in ALDS

SUMMARY: José Ramírez homered and drove in three runs, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Chicago White Sox 9-5 to send their AL Division Series to a winner-take-all Game 5. Pinch-hitter Patrick Bailey also went deep and Game 2 starter Gavin Williams got the last three outs as the Guardians won for the second consecutive day in Chicago after beginning their postseason with two straight losses at home. Jo Adell hit a two-run single to cap a six-run sixth inning for the AL Central champions. Cleveland is looking to become the first major league team to come back from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five playoff series since the 2017 New York Yankees accomplished the feat against, well, Cleveland. Game 5 is back in Cleveland on Saturday night.

WORDS: 947 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 2:16 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e0210e68ca08e3780cc3d34dc4714224&mediaType=text

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BBO--NLCS-BREWERS-MITCHELL

Brewers’ Garrett Mitchell showcasing what he can do when healthy after missing last year’s playoffs

SUMMARY: Garrett Mitchell couldn’t participate in the Milwaukee Brewers’ playoff run last year as he recovered from shoulder surgery. Mitchell finally has stayed healthy for a full season this year and is playing a vital role in the Brewers’ push for their first World Series title. Mitchell created an indelible moment in Brewers history in the eighth inning of the clinching Game 4 victory of the NL Division Series on Wednesday by catching a fly ball from Manny Machado at the center-field wall before it could reach the seats and become a tying homer.

WORDS: 732 - MOVED: 10/09/2026 1:58 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e46b1154a3f78a35e6c2e2e729a5cc72&mediaType=text