AP National Sports

By JOHN RABY AP Sports Writer HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Marshall and UAB are poised to lead the way again in Conference USA. UAB defeated the Thundering Herd in the league football championship game last season on Marshall’s home field. The Blazers revived their program in 2017 and have won the championship in two of

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Vanderbilt will turn an outdoor practice field into a new indoor facility, and the university’s plan to upgrade athletics will use part of Vanderbilt Stadium’s north end zone for basketball. The university released an aerial map of the first improvements under the Vandy United fundraising plan announced in March along with

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn defensive coordinator Derek Mason says he has tested positive for COVID-19, like head coach Bryan Harsin. Mason said in a Twitter post that he is fully vaccinated and has recovered. He is urging others to get the shots. Harsin has declined to reveal whether he has been vaccinated. Mason says

By W.G. RAMIREZ Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — Cornerback Nate Hobbs has emerged as a pleasant surprise out of the Las Vegas Raiders’ 2021 draft class. The fifth-round pick out of Illinois has been making what Raiders coach Jon Gruden labels impact plays since training camp opened. During the Raiders’ 20-7 win over Seattle,

By PAT EATON-ROBB AP Sports Writer College athletes have been able to cash in on their celebrity since July 1. Some worry what effect the money might have on team chemistry.  UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma supports the change. He also says fans should not be surprised when some athletes transfer because they are

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Elena Delle Donne and Chiney Ogwumike will have a major impact on the Washington Mystics and Los Angeles Sparks playoff chances now that they’re back on the basketball court. The two finally returned after long layoffs due to injuries. Delle Donne missed nearly two years

TURIN, Italy (AP) — Juventus will likely be without Aaron Ramsey for several weeks after the midfielder injured his right thigh. That also ruled him out of international duty with Wales. Ramsey was forced off in the 59th minute of Juve’s 2-2 draw at Udinese in its Serie A opener on Sunday. Juventus says Ramsey

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Browns defensive end Takk McKinley has returned to the team after leaving training camp last month for personal reasons. McKinley took part in the early walkthrough portion of practice on Tuesday before he was spotted heading into the training facility as the Browns began stretching.

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer Oregon coach Mario Cristobal wants his players to have the mindset that they’re the hunters, not the hunted, as they enter a new season. The outside expectations for the 11th-ranked Ducks are quite high, however. The Ducks are predicted to win their third straight Pac-12 championship. Oregon could also

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Former Arizona Cardinals first-round pick Josh Rosen has signed with the Atlanta Falcons and will compete to open the season as the backup quarterback. Rosen replaces AJ McCarron, who was placed on injured reserve. The Falcons said Sunday an MRI showed McCarron suffered an ACL injury to his right knee

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — The chief executive officer of a California liquor distribution company has agreed to plead guilty in the college admissions bribery scheme less than a month before she was scheduled to face trial, according to court records filed Tuesday. Marci Palatella will be the 33rd parent to

By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer The English and Spanish leagues are backing their clubs to not release players to play for South American countries in World Cup qualifying next week. The standoff highlights the escalating backlash FIFA is facing over its decision to overlook coronavirus-related quarantine requirements and concerns of clubs and leagues

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension with wide receiver Robby Anderson, according to a person familiar with the situation. The deal includes $20.5 million in guaranteed money. The Panthers increased Anderson’s 2021 salary from $8 million to $12.5 million.

By GENE CHAMBERLAIN Associated Press LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears will start rookie quarterback Justin Fields in the preseason finale Saturday at Tennessee against the Titans. Although Fields is starting that game, he still is regarded as the Bears’ backup to veteran Andy Dalton for the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles

RINCÓN DE LA VICTORIA, Spain (AP) — Michael Storer has won his second stage in this year’s Spanish Vuelta and Primoz Roglic fell in the final descent and lost the overall lead to Odd Christian Eiking. Roglic quickly got back on his bike but he and the other top contenders couldn’t keep up with the

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick says he expects Cam Newton to return to the field this week for the second day of joint practices with the Giants after the quarterback missed a second day of practice because of a misunderstanding of COVID-19 testing rules.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Empoli midfielder Nedim Bajrami and the Albanian soccer federation are challenging FIFA rules on how players can switch national teams. Their appeal has been heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The court says the hearing was held remotely by video link. No target date was set for a verdict.

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Receivers Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis are among four Buffalo Bills players who must spend at least five days away from the team facility after having close contact with a trainer who tested positive. The two other players placed in the NFL’s five-day reentry

By The Associated Press The PGA Tour heads to the Baltimore area for the first time in nearly 60 years. The BMW Championship has a long history of moving around. This year it goes to Caves Valley. Only the top 70 from the FedEx Cup standings advanced. The BMW Championship determines the top 30 who

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer The Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten and Pac-12 are forming an alliance to work together on the future of college athletics and scheduling. Conference officials have been discussing the idea for weeks. The move comes less than a month after the Southeastern Conference invited Texas and Oklahoma