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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AP Sports Extra: NFL Season Preview

A paginated preview of the upcoming NFL season, which starts Sept. 9, is available in AP Newsroom by searching for “Sports Extra” or “SE” under the Graphics tab. The pages takes a quick look at how many quarterbacks are trying to make a comeback this season as well as all the coaches with new teams and the salary boost for some NFL running backs. Please contact Barry Bedlan at bbedlan@ap.org with any questions.

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UPCOMING

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FBC--CLEMSON-VIZZINA

DESCRIPTION: Clemson’s new starting quarterback Christopher Vizzina brings an old-school vibe to college football. He grew up in an Italian household in Birmingham, Alabama, and prefers Frank Sinatra over hip-hop or rap. Vizzina has spent three years at Clemson, waiting for his chance to start, rather than transferring. Coach Dabo Swinney announced he will start Saturday’s season opener against LSU. Vizzina is excited to finally realize his college dream. Clemson is looking to rebound from a disappointing season last year, and Swinney is focused on regrouping and improving. By Steve Reed. 450 words.

UPCOMING: By 09/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--OHIO-NEBRASKA-SOLICH

DESCRIPTION: LINCOLN, Neb. -- Frank Solich is claiming neutrality for the Ohio-Nebraska season opener in Lincoln on Saturday. Solich spent all or part of five decades as a player, assistant and head coach at Nebraska before he went on to become the Mid-American Conference’s all-time wins leader over 16 years at Ohio. Solich will be guest of honor at the game. By College Football Writer Eric Olson. 550 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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BBO--ASTROS-ALVAREZ

DESCRIPTION: HOUSTON — Yordan Alvarez is one of baseball’s biggest stars: the frontrunner for AL MVP with a strong chance of becoming baseball’s first Triple Crown winner since Miguel Cabrera in 2012. Comfortable as the Cuban-born slugger looks driving in runs for the Houston Astros, his real happy place isn’t the batter’s box. It’s the driver’s seat of his family’s RV. “People don’t recognize me, that’s the good thing,” he told The Associated Press. UPCOMING: 1150 words. Photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/04/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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FBC--LOST RIVALRIES

DESCRIPTION: Nearly 50 Division I football programs have changed conference affiliation in the past two years alone, leaving behind rivalries and dealing a blow to the familiar stability most alumni associate with their alma mater. The chase for dollars carries intangible costs to the brand. The Apple Cup this year will be played in the first week of September, an example of a rivalry that still exists but feels much different than it did for more than a century. By Andrew Destin. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/04/2026 9:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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TEN--US OPEN COVERAGE

TEN--US OPEN-INFLUENCERS

DESCRIPTION: After influencers interrupted Naomi Osaka’s opening match at the U.S. Open, their presence and tennis etiquette have become a hot topic at the Grand Slam tournament. A chair umpire admonished a group of influencers who were recording a video in the middle of a point Monday night. Another was using a bright ring light to take photos. The next day, video screens featured a message asking fans to refrain from the use of flash photography or other lighting. Players expressed mixed feelings about influencers, given the chance to bring a new audience to the sport but also with the risk of them being a distraction. By Stephen Whyno and Brian Mahoney. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/04/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT

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TEN--US OPEN

DESCRIPTION: Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka headline the day session, with Serena and Venus Williams making their return to the U.S. Open in doubles at night. By Brian Mahoney. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 09/04/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT

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FBC--UTEP-OKLAHOMA

DESCRIPTION: UTEP plays No. 10 Oklahoma at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. By Tim Willert 450 words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 09/04/2026 11:20 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--MIAMI (FL)-STANFORD

DESCRIPTION: Miami (FL) plays Stanford at Stanford Stadium. By Josh Dubow. words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 09/04/2026 11:55 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBC--T25-FRESNO STATE-USC

DESCRIPTION: Fresno State plays USC at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. By Greg Beacham. 150 words, more on merit.

UPCOMING: By 09/04/2026 11:55 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--CARDINALS-DODGERS

Teoscar Hernández delivers a dramatic 9th-inning walk-off double as Dodgers top Cardinals

SUMMARY: Teoscar Hernández hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the ninth inning, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers over the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2. With one out, Tommy Edman singled and stole second, and Mookie Betts walked, setting up Hernández. Riley O’Brien blew his sixth save of the season. The Dodgers were hitless with eight other runners in scoring position before Hernández’s hit. Shohei Ohtani got the night off to rest. St. Louis led 2-0 with RBI singles from Joshua Báez and Ramón Urías.

WORDS: 282 - MOVED: 09/04/2026 1:24 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0bd161c333a06ed959581852fd2b04f4&mediaType=text

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FBC--COLORADO-GEORGIA TECH

Colorado QB Julian Lewis leads touchdown drive with 42 seconds left in 14-13 win over Georgia Tech

SUMMARY: Colorado freshman quarterback Julian Lewis hit tight end Charlie Williams for a 20-yard touchdown with 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter lifting the Buffaloes to a last-minute, 14-13 win against Georgia Tech in a season opener. The Yellow Jackets had a chance to win when quarterback Alberto Mendoza hit receiver Dalen Penson for a 42-yard gain, putting them in field goal range. But Boo Carter blocked Aidan Birr’s 45-yard attempt, and the Buffaloes celebrated their victory. Lewis finished the night 14-of-27 for 124 yards and a touchdown.

WORDS: 664 - MOVED: 09/04/2026 1:23 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:87583ac6d1cccd1f0ebf3ed373b570e2&mediaType=text

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FBC--NCAA ELIGIBILITY

Louisiana judge rules against NCAA, clearing path for former NFL players to join LSU roster

SUMMARY: LSU coach Lane Kiffin’s chances of fielding former NFL players improved Thursday night when a Louisiana judge issued a preliminary injunction against the NCAA in a high-profile eligibility case. East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden issued his ruling the night before LSU was due to submit its 105-man roster to the Southeastern Conference, which last week announced heavy potential punishment for teams that bring in ex-pros. The ruling clears the way for LSU to list some former NFL players on its roster. How many games they might be eligible to play remains to be seen.

WORDS: 1440 - MOVED: 09/04/2026 12:47 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ff59236793bdefab677ceb728599aa84&mediaType=text

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BKL--WCUP-THINGS TO KNOW

A 30-game win streak for US on the line at the FIBA women’s World Cup with France and others waiting

SUMMARY: The women’s FIBA World Cup begins with the U.S. in search of a fifth consecutive championship. The Americans have won 30 straight games in the tournament, dating back to their loss to Russia in the semifinals of the 2006 contest. There has been a youth movement with this year’s team with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers making their debuts Friday in the event.

WORDS: 660 - MOVED: 09/04/2026 12:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:05b84abe7f948a23ff593e2850bdd606&mediaType=text

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BKL--WCUP-CHINA-HEIGHT

Duo standing 7-foot-3 and 6-10 will have teams looking up to China at women’s FIBA World Cup

SUMMARY: Opponents will be looking up to China during the women’s FIBA World Cup, starting with the the United States. The Americans and everyone else will have to navigate around and over China’s 19-year-old Zhang Ziyu, who stands 7-foot-3. The U.S. team is already familiar with 6-10 Han Xu from her WNBA games with the New York Liberty. If that wasn’t enough, they were to be joined by fellow 6-7 center Li Yueru, another WNBA player with the Dallas Wings. But she posted on social media Wednesday that her passport was lost in the mail and she won’t be able to compete. China opens its campaign against the four-time defending champion Americans in Berlin on Friday.

WORDS: 592 - MOVED: 09/04/2026 12:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1e7cac2fab443782db1df1ad256e7060&mediaType=text

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BBO--RED SOX-RUTSCHMAN

Adley Rutschman returns to Camden Yards — and homers twice for the Red Sox

SUMMARY: Adley Rutschman homered twice in his return to Camden Yards, hitting solo shots in the first and sixth innings for Boston in a 6-5 win at Baltimore. Rutschman received a standing ovation from the crowd — and from the Baltimore dugout — when he came to the plate with two outs in the first. Then he slugged a 1-1 pitch from Brandon Young over the wall in right field. It was the All-Star catcher’s 10th homer of the season and second since being traded from the Orioles to the Red Sox in early August. Then, with Boston down 3-1 in the sixth, he hit another ball to nearly the same spot.

WORDS: 536 - MOVED: 09/03/2026 11:10 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3d56425095d7e3367bff93e2538814ea&mediaType=text

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TEN--US OPEN

Eala, Osaka and Gauff advance, while No. 3 Auger-Aliassime falls at the US Open

SUMMARY: Alex Eala and her fans are headed to the weekend at the U.S. Open, along with two-time champion Naomi Osaka and 2023 winner Coco Gauff. So is Madison Keys — just barely — but not No. 3 Felix Auger-Aliassime, who became the highest-seeded player knocked out of the tournament thus far. Osaka recovered after a mid-match lapse to advance to the third round with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 victory over Katerina Siniakova on Thursday, before Eala beat Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-1, 6-4. Doubles play also began, though Serena and Venus Williams won’t play their first-round match until Friday night against Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint, who beat Serena in singles play at Wimbledon this summer.

WORDS: 827 - MOVED: 09/03/2026 10:38 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e7a26a12322de65982ec5fede088eb6c&mediaType=text

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BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI

Shohei Ohtani gets a night off as his biceps and neck issues linger

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani is taking a day off after appearing physically uncomfortable at the plate. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts texted Ohtani after Wednesday’s 8-6 loss to St. Louis, telling him he wouldn’t start in the series finale. Ohtani had told trainers that his right biceps and neck were bothering him. Roberts says Ohtani’s symptoms haven’t improved, and while a stint on the injured list is unlikely, it isn’t impossible. Ohtani’s health is day to day, with his status for Friday’s series opener against the Washington Nationals uncertain. The Dodgers want him healthy by October, when the playoffs start.

WORDS: 406 - MOVED: 09/03/2026 8:34 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:367ff1c1be3a824bb9fe49ab7c11407f&mediaType=text

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FBN--MARK SANCHEZ-STABBING

Ex-Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez plans guilty plea to charges stemming from fight outside hotel

SUMMARY: Former Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez plans to plead guilty rather than go forward with a trial next week stemming from an October 2025 fight with a truck driver outside an Indianapolis hotel. The motion on Thursday asks Marion County Superior Court to schedule a hearing for Sanchez to plead guilty and be sentenced. Online records didn’t indicate which charges Sanchez plans to plead guilty to. Sanchez faces a felony battery charge and three misdemeanor charges for what prosecutors have said was a fight over parking. The ex-NFL quarterback’s jury trial had been set to start Tuesday. Sanchez was let go by Fox Sports in November.

WORDS: 461 - MOVED: 09/03/2026 7:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6d139f2995f1f4a003855a5b966fe380&mediaType=text

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FBC--NORTH CAROLINA-LOMBARDI

Michael Lombardi resigns as North Carolina football GM amid school investigation

SUMMARY: North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi has resigned after ending up on paid administrative leave as the subject of a school investigation. The school announced Lombardi’s resignation Thursday and said it would continue its ongoing probe. The school has not released specifics of the investigation since placing Lombardi on leave in late July. Lombardi was an immediate hire of Bill Belichick as the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach of the NFL’s New England Patriots made the transition to college coaching with the Tar Heels. UNC opened the year by beating TCU in Dublin, Ireland.

WORDS: 533 - MOVED: 09/03/2026 6:24 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b1093e4cbd5fc6177bcc5359d3ee576f&mediaType=text

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SOC--FIFA-UEFA

FIFA accuses European body UEFA of ‘smear campaign’ in filing related to World Cup sell-off plan

SUMMARY: FIFA has accused European soccer body UEFA of a “smear campaign” in a court filing. Thursday’s motion was related to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and other competitions. Last week, lawyers for UEFA filed requests for discovery of evidence in three U.S. courts. UEFA has said in court documents that it is preparing a criminal complaint against Infantino in Swiss courts for possible financial mismanagement. FIFA says in its filing that UEFA’s legal pleadings “are little more than press releases in further support of UEFA’s smear campaign.”

WORDS: 481 - MOVED: 09/03/2026 6:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:32200e4e3d7874f66bb99025a2c7e36e&mediaType=text

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BKN--ROCKETS-THOMPSON

Rockets lock up Amen Thompson with a reported 5-year, $208M extension through 2032

SUMMARY: The Houston Rockets have signed Amen Thompson to a contract extension. The team didn’t release terms when it announced the deal, but multiple reports said it was a five-year, $208 million extension that would keep Thompson in Houston until 2032. The fourth pick in the 2023 draft, Thompson started 79 games last season and averaged 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.51 steals a game. He joined Luka Doncic as the only players in league history to average at least 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and 1.5 steals a game.

WORDS: 269 - MOVED: 09/03/2026 3:53 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:33201b6df627fcdc147882c50255c880&mediaType=text

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FBN--RUSSINI-THE ATHLETIC

Athletic’s review of former NFL reporter Dianna Russini concludes she didn’t comply with standards

SUMMARY: An investigation by The Athletic has concluded that former NFL reporter Dianna Russini violated the company’s standards because of her relationship with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel that led to her resignation in April. The report drew no conclusions about the nature of Russini’s relationship with Vrabel, who took accountability for his actions without ever addressing photos released of the coach and the reporter at an Arizona resort. He stepped away from the team on the third day of the NFL draft to begin counseling and returned soon afterward.

WORDS: 557 - MOVED: 09/03/2026 2:37 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d904f700ebb7d0a86b954b07370cfb69&mediaType=text

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BKO--NCAA-ELIGIBILITY

NCAA eligibility court fights are focused on football. Basketball lurks with its own uncertainties

SUMMARY: The eligibility fights taking place in courts across the country are taking place with college basketball weeks away from starting preseason practices. Much of the focus has been on college football with that season starting last week. But basketball is roughly two months from opening night with preseason practices officially starting later this month. Most of the questions deal with lawsuits tied to the NCAA’s move to a new five-year, age-based eligibility model. That has hundreds of players who completed four-year careers in the spring seeking to play a fifth season.

WORDS: 1144 - MOVED: 09/03/2026 2:18 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:84ffd7efedf24cc0b4bff3be90eee59e&mediaType=text