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.

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

—————————

BBO--DODGERS ADVANCE

DESCRIPTION: LOS ANGELES — During the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 10-game rampage to the NL pennant, the defending champs have been the deep, dominant juggernaut that every naysayer has long feared would upset baseball’s competitive balance. They don’t care, and now they’re only four World Series wins away from becoming the sport’s first back-to-back champions in a quarter-century. By Greg Beacham. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

___

BRITAIN ISRAELI SOCCER FANS

DESCRIPTION: Monitoring developments as pressure mounts on police authorities in the English city of Birmingham to reverse a ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer fans attending a Europa League game at Aston Villa next month over security concerns, a decision that drew widespread condemnation.

ON MERITS: By 10/18/2025 5:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text, Video

___

GLF--DP WORLD INDIA CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: NEW DELHI — Tommy Fleetwood leads on 12-under par heading into the third round of the DP World India Championship. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 8:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

___

SOC--SPANISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Barcelona hosts Girona with several players injured including striker Robert Lewandowski but with Lamine Yamal available for limited minutes.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 12:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

___

SOC--GERMAN ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: The first “Klassiker” of the new Bundesliga season sees Bayern Munich aim to stretch its lead as it hosts second-place Borussia Dortmund. In other games, Bayer Leverkusen visits Mainz and Leipzig plays Hamburger SV.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 2:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

___

SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: The Premier League returns after the latest international break, with first-place Arsenal at Fulham and Manchester City hosting Everton. There are seven matches starting with Chelsea playing away to Nottingham Forest. By Steve Douglas. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Will be updated throughout the day.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 2:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

___

___

CAR--F1-US GRAND PRIX

DESCRIPTION: AUSTIN, Texas — Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will start from pole position for Saturday’s sprint race at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix ahead of McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Piastri leads Norris by 22 points in the title chase. Qualifying for Sunday’s main event will follow the sprint race. By Jim Vertuno. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBC--T25-OHIO STATE-WISCONSIN

DESCRIPTION: MADISON, Wis. — No. 1 Ohio State puts a 10-game winning streak on the line when it visits Wisconsin, which has lost its last nine games against Power Four conference schools. By Steve Megargee. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 7:30 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

___

FBC--TEXAS A&M-ARKANSAS

DESCRIPTION: FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — No. 4 Texas A&M visits Arkansas, led by interim coach Bobby Petrino. UPCOMING: 500 words, with photos. Game scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 7:30 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBC--T25-MICHIGAN STATE-INDIANA

DESCRIPTION: BLOOMINGTON, Ind. —- No. 3 Indiana will try to protect the highest ranking in school history when it hosts Michigan State. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 7:30 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBC--T25-MISSISSIPPI-GEORGIA

ESCRIPTION: ATHENS, Ga. — No. 5 Mississippi will try to retain its share of the Southeastern Conference lead when the Rebels visit No. 9 Georgia on Saturday. By Charles Odum. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 7:30 p.m. EDT, DigitalPlans, Text

___

FBC--T25-TEXAS TECH-ARIZONA STATE

DESCRIPTION: TEMPE, Ariz. — No. 7 Texas Tech could be without starting quarter Behren Morton for what could be one of its toughest tests of the season at Arizona State. By John Marshall. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 4 p.m. EDT..

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

SOC--INTER MIAMI-NASHVILLE

DESCRIPTION: NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami visit Nashville SC on Saturday night. Messi scored two goals to beat Nashville in Miami in July. By Jack Williams. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 6 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 9:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

___

FBC--T25-OREGON-RUTGERS

DESCRIPTION: PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Dante Moore and No. 8 Oregon try to bounce back from a loss at home to Indiana against Rutgers. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 10:30 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBC--T25-TENNESSEE-ALABAMA

DESCRIPTION: TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 6 Alabama hosts No. 11 Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference rivalry known as the “Third Saturday in October.” The Vols are trying to win back-to-back games in the series for the first time since 2004.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 11:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

___

FBC--T25-USC-NOTRE DAME

DESCRIPTION: SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 13 Notre Dame gets another chance to beat a ranked team on its home field when it hosts No. 20 Southern California on Saturday. The Fighting Irish have won four straight to climb back into the playoff picture. The Trojans head into this rivalry game with a 5-1 mark. UPCOMING: 500 words, more on merit, with photos. Game scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 11:15 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBC--T25-UTAH-BYU

DESCRIPTION: PROVO, Utah — No. 15 BYU and No. 23 Utah meet as ranked teams in the Holy War for the first time since 2009. By John Coon. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 8 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 11:45 p.m. EDT, Text

___

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

BBO--NLCS-DODGERS-OHTANI PITCHES

Ohtani puts on 2-way Sho for the ages with 3 homers and 10 Ks to lead Dodgers back to World Series

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani hit three home runs and pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning for the Los Angeles Dodgers, putting on a spectacular two-way show in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. With 10 strikeouts on the mound and three homers that traveled a combined 1,342 feet at the plate, Ohtani made history in both of his dual roles for the defending champion Dodgers, who returned to the World Series with a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers that completed a four-game sweep. After striking out three batters in the top of the first, Ohtani hit the first leadoff homer by a pitcher in major league history. He hit a second titanic drive in the fourth and launched a third solo homer in the seventh.

WORDS: 1209 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 1:44 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1622bc3201e482ae505a8c1233f2ca1a&mediaType=text

___

BKL--ACES PARADE

Aces celebrate third WNBA championship in 4 years with parade on Las Vegas Boulevard

SUMMARY: Eight years to the day the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors confirmed the relocation of the San Antonio Stars to Las Vegas, the Aces celebrated their third championship in four years with a parade down the famed Strip. Led by a group of classic low-rider automobiles showing off their hydraulics, five double-deck buses traveled from Tropicana Boulevard down Las Vegas Boulevard, the last one carrying the Aces, who threw streamers and confetti to the thousands of fans who began showing up four hours before the start of the parade. The Aces overcame a 14-14 start to the season and a pair of rugged playoff series before sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the finals.

WORDS: 630 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 1:20 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8a89e266266bb0c121a9fdaf52053104&mediaType=text

___

HKN--MAMMOTH-SCHMALTZ’S HAT TRICK

Schmaltz gets second career hat trick for first three goals of season as Mammoth beat Sharks 6-3

SUMMARY: Nick Schmaltz came into the night scoreless over the Utah Mammoth’s first four games this season. He broke through in a big way Friday night against the San Jose Sharks. Schmaltz had three goals and an assist, and the Mammoth beat the Sharks 6-3 on Friday night for their third win in four games. Schmaltz scored his first 9:39 into the first period as he converted a one-timer off a pass from Logan Cooley on the inside edge of the right circle on a 5-on-3 power play. Schmaltz got his second of the night less than four minutes later as he got a pass from Clayton Keller and turning and firing a shot into the top left corner. He finished off his second career hat trick 54 seconds into third for a 4-2 lead.

WORDS: 439 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 1:03 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3a8007679ffd8a780a9cee834847a672&mediaType=text

___

FBC—T25-NEBRASKA-MINNESOTA

Minnesota beats No. 25 Nebraska 24-6, sacking Dylan Raiola 9 times

SUMMARY: Darius Taylor ran for 148 yards and a touchdown, Drake Lindsey completed 16 of 20 passes for 153 yards and a score and Minnesota sacked quarterback Dylan Raiola a school-record nine times in a 24-6 victory over No. 25 Nebraska on Friday night. The Gophers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) have won six straight against the Cornhuskers (5-2, 2-2). Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck improved to 7-1 against Nebraska, which hasn’t won in Minneapolis since 2015. Raiola completed 17 of 25 passes for 177 yards for the Huskers, who spent part of a short week addressing rumors of coach Matt Rhule’s candidacy for the vacant Penn State job. Anthony Smith and Karter Menz each had 2 1/2 sacks for Minnesota.

WORDS: 708 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 12:55 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8e2e5b7b6433cf57437813d5d3c13335&mediaType=text

___

BBO--NLCS-BREWERS-DODGERS

Shohei Ohtani hits 3 homers, strikes out 10 in Dodgers’ clinching 5-1 NLCS win over Brewers

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani has propelled the Los Angeles Dodgers back to the World Series with a two-way performance for the ages. Ohtani hit three mammoth home runs and pitched scoreless, two-hit ball into the seventh inning, and the Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers out of the NL Championship Series with a 5-1 victory in Game 4. The Dodgers will have a chance to be baseball’s first repeat World Series champions in a quarter-century after this mind-blowing night for the three-time MVP Ohtani.

WORDS: 899 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 12:34 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:788bafb5db45393fb6da457c1a1a0835&mediaType=text

___

FBC--T25-LOUISVILLE-MIAMI

Louisville intercepts 4 of Beck’s passes, tops No. 2 Miami 24-21 to end Hurricanes’ home streak

SUMMARY: Louisville has pulled off a stunning victory against the second-ranked Miami Hurricanes, winning 24-21 on Friday night. Miller Moss threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another score. Louisville intercepted four of Miami star Carson Beck’s passes, the last with the Hurricanes in field-goal range in the final minute. The Cardinals took an early 14-0 lead and never trailed. They also snapped Miami’s 10-game home winning streak. Louisville’s defense held Miami to just 63 rushing yards. The Cardinals had been 0-18 against Top 10 teams in true road games before this win. This victory could propel Louisville into the AP Top 25 rankings Sunday.

WORDS: 771 - MOVED: 10/17/2025 11:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6c0dd4aa546672e14aeac6acaa51fb23&mediaType=text

___

BBO--ALCS-BLUE JAYS-MARINERS

Mariners a win from first World Series, beat Blue Jays behind Suárez’s grand slam for 3-2 ALCS lead

SUMMARY: Eugenio Suárez hit a go-ahead grand slam after Cal Raleigh’s tying drive in a five-run eighth inning, giving the Seattle Mariners a 6-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays and a 3-2 AL Championship Series lead. Suárez also homered in the second inning for Seattle’s first run. The Mariners became the first home team to win in the series and moved within a victory of the first World Series trip for a franchise that started play in 1977. Game 6 is at Toronto on Sunday night.

WORDS: 812 - MOVED: 10/17/2025 11:15 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7aadcf7d0c9e2a74956cfcac9b72d43f&mediaType=text

___

HKN--CAPITALS-OVECHKIN SCORES

Alex Ovechkin’s first goal of the season brings him within 2 of the 900 mark for his career

SUMMARY: Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the season, moving to within two of 900 for his career and helping the Washington Capitals to a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Ovechkin went without a goal in the season’s first four games — not a crisis but a longer dry spell than he had at any time last season. He scored 44 times in 2024-25 and eventually broke Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record with No. 895. Now that number is up to 898.

WORDS: 328 - MOVED: 10/17/2025 11:15 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f879aab044e10824cafc8591834ac32f&mediaType=text

___

HKN--WILD-CAPITALS

Ovechkin scores 898th goal as Capitals top Wild 5-1 for their 4th straight victory

SUMMARY: Alex Ovechkin scored for the first time this season, Dylan Strome added a pair of goals and the Washington Capitals beat the Minnesota Wild 5-1 for their fourth straight victory. Ovechkin’s third-period shot pinged off the left post and in, and the crowd roared its approval when the counter above one corner of the ice was flipped over to 898, his new career total. The NHL career leader in goals also had an assist as part of a dominant showing at home for Washington. Logan Thompson allowed only ex-Capital Marcus Johansson’s tally in the second. That tied the game at 1, but Aliaksei Protas answered 31 seconds later.

WORDS: 362 - MOVED: 10/17/2025 10:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b53bcfb45b19ab230467a24426c4a3b1&mediaType=text

___

BKN--76ERS-EMBIID

Joel Embiid returns to action for 76ers in preseason finale, first game in nearly 8 months

SUMMARY: Joel Embiid started for the Philadelphia 76ers in their preseason finale on Friday night, his first game action in nearly eight months. And he flirted with a triple-double. Embiid — who was limited to 19 games last season because of injuries — finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in 19 minutes in Philadelphia’s 126-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also had three steals, and the 76ers outscored the Wolves by 12 points when Embiid was on the floor. Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said before the game that Embiid would have “fairly short” stints of action and held true to that plan. Embiid didn’t play in the fourth quarter. The 76ers open the regular season at Boston on Wednesday night.

WORDS: 356 - MOVED: 10/17/2025 9:26 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3f7d5b79ca6491673888a2d9c4233a94&mediaType=text

___

FBN--49ERS-QUARTERBACKS

49ers’ Brock Purdy out for third straight game; Mac Jones to start against Falcons

SUMMARY: Quarterback Brock Purdy has been ruled out for his third straight game for the San Francisco 49ers due to a toe injury. Mac Jones will start against the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Kyle Shanahan says tight end George Kittle will return after missing five games with a hamstring injury. Purdy initially hurt his toe in the season opener and will now miss his fifth game in six weeks. Jones, who is 3-1 as a starter, leads the NFL with 313 passing yards per game. The 49ers hope Kittle’s return will boost their running game and provide Jones with another passing option.

WORDS: 498 - MOVED: 10/17/2025 7:08 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:05670efb335410fda4b27c4f57f650e8&mediaType=text

___

FBN--CHIEFS-RICE

Rashee Rice to play first game for Chiefs in more than a year after suspension

SUMMARY: Rashee Rice is set to return to the Kansas City Chiefs after serving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. Rice, the team’s top wide receiver, missed most of last season because of an ACL injury. He has been eagerly anticipating his return, which he says has been 380-something days in the making. Rice spent his suspension time in Florida, staying in shape and watching games with family. Chiefs coach Andy Reid hasn’t confirmed how much Rice will play in Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, left tackle Josh Simmons remains away for personal reasons.

WORDS: 735 - MOVED: 10/17/2025 4:03 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9475202aa5efade7b9a9be140e2c798c&mediaType=text

___

SOC--SPANISH LEAGUE-MIAMI GAME

First protest by La Liga players against Miami game is not televised

SUMMARY: La Liga players have launched protests against the league’s decision to stage a regular season game in Miami. But the first protest was not televised as expected. The television feed of Friday’s game at Oviedo against Espanyol cut to the exterior of the stadium for the first 25 seconds of the game. Hours before Spain’s players union said that players had decided to not start playing for the opening 15 seconds in protest plans to take a game between Barcelona and Villarreal to Miami on Dec. 20.

WORDS: 582 - MOVED: 10/17/2025 3:57 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a276b05213a9ff23d665d2d576a812ce&mediaType=text