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. …
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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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The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.
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UPCOMING
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US-WWE-ESPN
DESCRIPTION: WWE’s partnership with ESPN begins Saturday with Wrestlepalooza from Indianapolis. The biggest question from fans though isn’t what the result will be in the mixed tag team match when World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch take on CM Punk and AJ Lee? It is if they will be able to see it without paying extra? By Joe Reedy. 650 words, file photos
UPCOMING: By 09/19/2025 2:30 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBC--T25-PENN ST-HEALTHY ROJAS
DESCRIPTION: STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Tony Rojas played in Abdul Carter’s shadow last season, and he did so while hurt. Now, Penn State’s top linebacker is healthy and shepherding the rest of the No. 2 Nittany Lions (3-0) as they learn coordinator Jim Knowles’ new defense. By Travis Johnson. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 09/19/2025 3:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text
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BKL--SURPRISING FEVER
DESCRIPTION: INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Fever finally got their chance to celebrate Thursday night in Atlanta. Caitlin Clark, dressed again in street clothes, rushed onto the court to hug teammates. The tone in coach Stephanie White’s voice changed during the first two questions of her postgame news conference. And three-time All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell recounted how she made it here, to the WNBA semifinals, for the first time in her eight-year career. By Michael Marot. UPCOMING: 700 words, with photos by 4 p.m. ET.
UPCOMING: By 09/19/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBC--WITHERING RIVALRIES
DESCRIPTION: There’s still nostalgia for the Pacific Northwest’s former Pac-12 rivalries, even if the realities of college football mean that the gap between the teams is growing wider.This weekend Washington visits Washington State in the 117th Apple Cup, and Oregon State visits Oregon in a rivalry that dates back to 1894. By Anne M. Peterson. Upcoming:700 words and photos.
UPCOMING: By 09/19/2025 6:23 p.m. EDT, Text
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SOC--NWSL ROUNDUP
DESCRIPTION: The Orlando Pride hosts the North Carolina Courage, the Chicago Stars visit the Houston Dash and the Utah Royals host Racing Louisville in the National Women’s Soccer League on Friday night. By Theo Lloyd-Hughes.
UPCOMING: By 09/19/2025 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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BBO--GIANTS-DODGERS
DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw makes the final regular-season start of his 18-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers against Robbie Ray and the San Francisco Giants. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Begins 10 p.m. ET.
UPCOMING: By 09/19/2025 10:10 p.m. EDT, Text
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BBO--NATIONALS-METS
DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- Touted rookie Brandon Sproat is scheduled to make his third major league start for the New York Mets as they try to maintain their thin lead for the final National League wild card when they host the Washington Nationals.
UPCOMING: By 09/19/2025 10:10 p.m. EDT, Text
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FBC--IOWA-RUTGERS
DESCRIPTION: PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Iowa (2-1) visits Rutgers (3-0) in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
UPCOMING: By 09/19/2025 11:30 p.m. EDT, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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FBC--COLORADO-RALPHIE’S RETURN
Colorado to debut new live buffalo mascot against Wyoming
SUMMARY: Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes have introduced a new live mascot. She’s a 700-pound bison officially known as Ralphie VII. The 1-year-old bison will debut Saturday night against Wyoming at Folsom Field. She replaces Ralphie VI, who retired before the season due to a lack of enthusiasm for running. Taylor Stratton, director of the Ralphie Live Mascot Program, expressed excitement about the new addition. Ralphie VII was gifted by the Beauprez Family. She will receive a unique nickname after her first run. The live buffalo mascot tradition has been a part of the University of Colorado for 58 years.
WORDS: 316 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 1:36 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6e0d19598e9199589f903cc1d95eed93&mediaType=text
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OLY--MILAN-CORTINA 2026-RUSSIA
IOC confirms Russians competing as neutrals at Milan-Cortina Games and no talks on Israel
SUMMARY: The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that Russian athletes will compete as Individual Neutral Athletes at next year’s Milan-Cortina Winter Games. This decision follows the same approach used at the Paris Games. IOC president Kirsty Coventry says nothing has changed from Paris. Restrictions remain for Russian athletes in the military or those supporting the invasion of Ukraine. The IOC clarified that it has never discussed banning Israel from the Games. The Milan-Cortina Games will take place in northern Italy from Feb. 6-22. Security concerns are heightened due to recent pro-Palestinian protests.
WORDS: 548 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 1:30 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0354abdafa33694cb823309cd7415ba0&mediaType=text
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BBO--DODGERS-KERSHAW
Dodgers great Clayton Kershaw to pitch his last regular-season game
SUMMARY: Clayton Kershaw pitches the final regular-season game of his 18-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. The 37-year-old Kershaw announced his decision to retire at the season’s end. He will be surrounded by teammates, family and fans. Kershaw has won three Cy Young Awards and two World Series championships. The Dodgers’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot is six, and they face the San Francisco Giants. Kershaw acknowledges the importance of the game for both teams. Despite a dip in velocity, his competitive spirit remains strong.
WORDS: 315 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 1:24 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1eac3e90c970edcd3a1ebe9221a6fec8&mediaType=text
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GLF--RYDER CUP-GUIDE
Ryder Cup: How to watch, what’s at stake, betting odds
SUMMARY: Get ready for the biggest spectacle in golf when the Ryder Cup is staged at Bethpage Black in New York. The Americans have world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler as they try to win back the 17-inch gold trophy from Europe. Luke Donald returns as the successful European captain from a victory in 2023 outside Rome. There are 28 matches over three days and NBC platforms will be on the air from start to finish. The Americans are listed as the favorites. They haven’t lost at home since 2012 at Medinah. Europe has had the upper hand in the series since 1985.
WORDS: 1130 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 1:09 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:52b2078765a7f8737b7d596271aaa7cb&mediaType=text
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FBN--COMMANDERS-DANIELS
Commanders’ Jayden Daniels will not play against the Raiders on Sunday
SUMMARY: Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will miss Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders because of an injured left knee. Daniels was unable to fully participate in practice on Friday after also missing work with his teammates on Wednesday and Thursday. Washington coach Dan Quinn said the reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year won’t play this week. Marcus Mariota will replace Daniels in the lineup and make his first start since 2022 with the Atlanta Falcons.
WORDS: 354 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 12:44 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d249c643977d42e650ab9959f67c85da&mediaType=text
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ATH--WORLDS-THE GIFT OF LIFE
New US sprint star Melissa Jefferson-Wooden helped save her dad’s life when she was 17
SUMMARY: American sprinter Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has a gold medal from the world championships. Two of them, in fact. Her biggest win of all might be that her father, Melvin, was on hand in Tokyo to watch her. The country’s brightest new sprint star donated stem cells from her bone marrow in 2018 to help her dad overcome a potentially deadly sickness in which the marrow doesn’t produce enough white blood cells to enrich the immune system. With her dad and mom and aunts and uncles on hand, she became the first woman to do the 100-200 sprint double at the worlds since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in 2013.
WORDS: 487 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 12:36 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:02a487c0bfcadf6fba5ff14ebf17527a&mediaType=text
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ATH--WORLDS-BENJAMIN
Benjamin wins 400 hurdles, is disqualified, then given worlds gold medal
SUMMARY: The history books will say U.S. runner Rai Benjamin won the 400-meter hurdles at the world championships in a season-best 46.52 seconds in Tokyo, a year after his Paris Olympic gold. They’ll also say Alison dos Santos of Brazil took silver and Abderrahman Samba of Qatar the bronze. But the numbers won’t reveal a confusing night in Tokyo’s National Stadium where Benjamin was disqualified and quicky reinstated. Femke Bol of the Netherlands won her second straight world title in the women’s 400 hurdles. The silver went to American Jasmine Jones and bronze for Slovakia’s Emma Zapletalova.
WORDS: 504 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 12:20 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4fd995cfc65f4b7264c7cb8c9f2531ad&mediaType=text
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ATH--WORLDS-DAY 7
Lyles wins his fourth 200-meter world title. Jefferson-Wooden completes a sprint sweep
SUMMARY: Noah Lyles pulled ahead of Kenny Bednarek heading into the straightaway then held him off down the stretch to capture his fourth title in a much-awaited 200 meters at world championships. Lyles finished in 19.52 seconds for a .06-second margin over Bednarek who led at the halfway point, fell behind by a few steps but was closing the gap over the final footsteps. Lyles matched Usain Bolt with four titles at the world championships. Minutes later, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden completed the first women’s 100-200 double at worlds since Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, winning in 21.68 seconds — a .46-second margin over surprise silver medalist Amy Hunt of Britain.
WORDS: 1089 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 12:08 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b8142b7e9a766bf12915ed2b37fa4848&mediaType=text
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GLF--RYDER CUP-YOUNG
RYDER CUP ’25: For Cameron Young, a New York homecoming in the works for 12 years
SUMMARY: Cameron Young was a high school junior when it was announced the Ryder Cup was going to Bethpage Black in 2025. Thus began a 12-year dream that has come to fruition. The New York native is coming home to play in his first Ryder Cup. Young has a photo of him watching the U.S. Open at Bethpage when he was 5. He was the first amateur to win the New York State Open in 2017 when he broke the course record. Young is the son of the longtime pro at Sleepy Hollow. His mother ran a women’s tour in Florida.
WORDS: 1169 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 11:46 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:93043382ced89da4ec5ee9f14b3ef685&mediaType=text
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BKC--FLORIDA-VERNON MAXWELL
Florida restores Vernon Maxwell’s college stats, making him the program’s leading scorer again
SUMMARY: Florida has formally restored basketball great Vernon Maxwell’s final two years of college statistics. The move once again makes him the program’s all-time leading scorer. The 60-year-old Maxwell will celebrate the turnabout with friends, family and former teammates during a program reunion this weekend. Maxwell scored 2,450 points during his four seasons at Florida in the late 1980s. But he also was the focus of an NCAA investigation that ultimately placed the Gators on unsanctioned probation. Florida was forced to vacate three NCAA Tournament victories in which Maxwell participated. Then-Florida AD Bill Arnsparger stripped Maxwell’s stats from the record books for those two years.
WORDS: 368 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 10:58 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7d6ea1d8d358c471343a9c02fdf8d0a5&mediaType=text
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BKN--HEAT-HERRO
Miami Heat All-Star Tyler Herro needs surgery and will miss the start of training camp
SUMMARY: Tyler Herro is undergoing surgery to address a foot and ankle issue. This means the Miami Heat will be without their leading returning scorer when training camp begins later this month. Herro is expected to be out for several weeks, with a more precise return plan to be determined during rehabilitation. The issue had been troubling him throughout offseason training. Herro is coming off his best season, averaging 23.9 points and making the All-Star team for the first time.
WORDS: 352 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 10:51 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:71dc7043fe7a7d0444cbd0ab36d3a95a&mediaType=text
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SKI--WCUP-SAFETY CONCERNS
Italian skier’s death prompts early safety debate before the Milan-Cortina Olympic season starts
SUMMARY: It’s usually not until December or January and after several crashes that the debate over safety in World Cup skiing becomes an annual topic. Not this season. The death of Italian skier Matteo Franzoso this week following a crash in preseason training in Chile has resurfaced concerns over how to limit risks in the high-speed sport more than a month before the racing even starts. The debate also comes less than five months before the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Franzoso became the third rising Italian skier to die in less than a year.
WORDS: 992 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 10:35 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:22b265b41af16278571f864cbf962c40&mediaType=text
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FBN--ON FOOTBALL-CHIEFS’ RUN
It’s premature to count out Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs: Analysis
SUMMARY: Tom Brady was finished. Bill Belichick couldn’t coach anymore. The New England Patriots’ run of dominance had ended. Those were the premature headlines and hot takes after the “We’re on to Cincinnati” game 11 years ago. Now, it’s the Chiefs hearing similar questions. The Chiefs are in an unfamiliar position at 0-2 for the first time since that 2014 season, the last time they didn’t win a division title. The offense is struggling and their decade of reign over the AFC West is in a precarious position. Like Belichick and Brady when they faced criticism in 2014, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are 3-2 in Super Bowls together.
WORDS: 959 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 10:33 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cca1a7874d49bd45a611f945bdb49907&mediaType=text
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SOC--CHELSEA-MARESCA
Maresca says his fisherman father has tougher workday than Chelsea castoffs Sterling and Disasi
SUMMARY: Enzo Maresca’s dad would take Raheem Sterling’s training hours any day of the week. The Chelsea manager cited his father’s grueling workdays as a fisherman to put into perspective the difficulties facing players Sterling and Axel Disasi who have been isolated from the first team. He says “My father is 75 years old and for 50 years he has been (a) fisherman, working from 2 o’clock in the morning until 10 o’clock in the morning.” Earlier this week, Sterling posted a photo on his Instagram account showing the club’s empty training grounds and listed the time as 8:21 p.m. Chelsea plays at Manchester United on Saturday.
WORDS: 427 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 10:22 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:671a67727a917fe18be2c50ef75358c5&mediaType=text
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SOC--SPANISH PREVIEW
Mbappé’s Real Madrid hosts unbeaten Espanyol with La Liga lead at stake
WORDS: 511 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 7:40 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:83190b24550df2d33a31a90f2edb7a56&mediaType=text
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SOC--WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-DRAW
Women’s Champions League: Titleholder Arsenal to play Lyonnes, Bayern, Madrid in new league format
SUMMARY: Titleholder Arsenal will start its Women’s Champions League defense with games against record eight-time winner OL Lyonnes, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the new league-phase format. The expanded 18-team draw in the format used by the men’s Champions League was made Friday. Barcelona, which reached the past five finals and won three, got a slate of six opponents including Chelsea and Bayern Munich. Champions League debutant Manchester United will have a tricky first campaign with OL Lyonnes, Wolfsburg, PSG and Juventus among its opponents. The 54-game league phase starts Oct. 7 and ends Dec. 17.
WORDS: 295 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 7:20 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6a077091f4c311bb660eac32e02350e3&mediaType=text
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ATH--WORLDS-MCLAUGHLIN-LEVRONE DOUBLE
McLaughlin-Levrone says hurdles-400 double is possible. But would she want to do it?
SUMMARY: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone holds the world record in the 400-meter hurdles and took a giant step closer to setting it in the 400 flat at world championships. Would she ever consider racing in both if the schedule allowed? She acknowledged there’s been a lot of talk about doubles but says it’s not a matter of whether it would be possible, but whether she would want to do it. Olympic oganizers in years past have adjusted schedules on the track program to give greats like Michael Johnson and Allyson Felix a chance to double in their best races.
WORDS: 349 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 6:27 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b63361f41d87700aa6fd6cda18399be1&mediaType=text
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SOC--BARCELONA-STADIUM
Barcelona to play PSG at the Olympic Stadium in Champions League as Camp Nou still not ready
SUMMARY: Barcelona says its upcoming Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain will be played at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, its home for the previous two seasons. Barcelona had hoped to return to a newly renovated Camp Nou at the start of this season but delays in construction have forced it to play elsewhere. Barcelona is returning to the 55,000-seat Olympic Stadium after it had been forced to face Valencia in its first home game of the Spanish league season at its tiny 6,000-seat Estadi Johan Cruyff. European champion PSG will visit Barcelona on October 1 in the second round of matches in the league phase of the Champions League.
WORDS: 210 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 6:07 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3fa5561d0d6e9cd1f616079ac30d66bc&mediaType=text
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KERSHAW-KOPITAR RETIREMENTS
Hollywood endings: LA icons Clayton Kershaw, Anze Kopitar announce impending retirements on same day
SUMMARY: When Clayton Kershaw and Anze Kopitar announced their impending retirements two hours apart Thursday, the Los Angeles sports world was forever changed in an afternoon. The timing was pure coincidence for the Dodgers’ enduring ace and the Kings’ longtime captain, and their decisions were relatively unsurprising. These two 21st-century LA icons still created an epochal sports day in their adopted town. Kopitar said the timing was “kind of funny,” but he was also grateful for Kershaw to take some of the spotlight away from him.
WORDS: 1031 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7f4e1fa9770a38eb6e65c5f6a4399158&mediaType=text
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SOC--ARSENAL-BOARD
Arsenal makes sweeping boardroom changes to inject ‘fresh thinking’ for trophy pursuit
SUMMARY: Arsenal has announced the surprise departure of vice chairman Tim Lewis as part of a major reshuffle of the club’s board to inject “fresh thinking and energy” in its pursuit of trophies. Arsenal hasn’t won any major silverware since 2020 and just spent approximately 250 million pounds ($335 million) on new players to strengthen the squad. The 62-year-old Lewis played a key role alongside manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta in overseeing that spending spree. Lewis has advised Arsenal’s ownership, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, since 2007 and was the vice chair for the past 2 1/2 years having joined the board in 2020. In the reshuffle, managing director Richard Garlick has taken up the role of CEO.
WORDS: 265 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 5:35 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b71ee86e7c7a74d5b5dfac413a0a64d9&mediaType=text
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FBN--DOLPHINS-LOSE AGAIN
No moral victories in losing, says coach McDaniel after Dolphins drop to 0-3 in 31-21 loss to Bills
SUMMARY: Better performance. Similar outcome. Seeking to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2019, and driven to change the narrative regarding coach Mike McDaniel’s job security, the Miami Dolphins came up short in a 31-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Critical late-game errors cost once again cost the Dolphins in losing for the 14th time in 15 meetings to their AFC East nemesis, and at a Bills stadium where they’ve dropped 10 straight dating to 2017, including playoffs. McDaniel refused to accept any moral victories by saying the performance wasn’t good enough. The outcome was decided with three minutes left when Tua Tagovailoa’s pass was intercepted by linebacker Terrel Bernard.
WORDS: 675 - MOVED: 09/19/2025 2:09 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7113b6d1d4e92bcb0866b10ae3fcd5fe&mediaType=text
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MOVING TOMORROW
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—FBC--T25-Poll Preview
—College football
—ATH--Worlds-Day 8