Jul. 29Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor said his message to the team before the first practice of training camp was about getting the work in while also "trying to protect your teammates."By the time the Bengals got into team drills Wednesday, July 29, that message was already being put to the test.Just a few minutes after defensive end Shemar Stewart needed to be carted off after hyperextending his left knee on a routine team rep against Cody Ford, a scuffle broke out.A closed fist swung at Ja'Marr Chase after a first-team 11-on-11 rep, and Chase ended up ripping off the helmet of DJ Turner and forcefully rolling it on the ground about 20 yards away. As players from both offense and defense came together in a scrum, Chase came out of it jawing at Jalen Davis.Turner said it was "just competing" and "nothing else to it." Davis liked seeing that kind of chippy behavior on Day 1 and hopes the intensity keeps up throughout camp."I always feel like the energy got to be like that. It got to be like that on both sides of the field. I hope it's a fight every day...to get the energy going. Like I said, we just competing, and that's it."Tee Higgins got right in the middle of the scrum, trying to play peacekeeper, and said he was just trying to protect his "guy." He didn't mind the extra edge on display but didn't want to let it get out of hand.Davis was on the sideline for the next series, while Ja'Sir Taylor jumped in with the first-team defense, but Joe Burrow went right toward Turner on the following two passes, one to Chase and one to Higgins. Burrow smiled when asked about whether it was intentional to target Turner after the scuffle and said "you'll never know."Chase was still talking to Davis as players moved onto the next drill, but they eventually shook hands. Davis said the players still love one another, despite any bad blood that might appear on the field. The defense especially wants to set a different tone this year, as that side of the ball seeks to show the past struggles are in the past.CloseCincinnati Bengals: Burrow still ranks among best QBs in NFL*Facebook*Twitter*WhatsApp*SMS*Email*Print*Copy article link*SaveCincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown among middle tier of NFL running backs*Facebook*Twitter*WhatsApp*SMS*Email*Print*Copy article link*SaveCincinnati Bengals: Receiving corps looking for more production in 2026*Facebook*Twitter*WhatsApp*SMS*Email*Print*Copy article link*SaveCincinnati Bengals: Offensive line looking to continue climb in 2026*Facebook*Twitter*WhatsApp*SMS*Email*Print*Copy article link*SaveCincinnati Bengals: Overhauled defensive line caught attention*Facebook*Twitter*WhatsApp*SMS*Email*Print*Copy article link*SaveCincinnati Bengals: Linebackers expected to make leap in Year 2*Facebook*Twitter*WhatsApp*SMS*Email*Print*Copy article link*SaveCincinnati Bengals: Are the safety concerns a thing of the past?*Facebook*Twitter*WhatsApp*SMS*Email*Print*Copy article link*SaveCincinnati Bengals: Depth improved at cornerback*Facebook*Twitter*WhatsApp*SMS*Email*Print*Copy article link*SaveHow do the Bengals position groups stack up against the rest of the NFL?Laurel Pfahler breaks down the Cincinnati Bengals position groups heading into the 2026 season in this 8-part series.Cincinnati Bengals: Burrow still ranks among best QBs in NFLCincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown among middle tier of NFL running backsCincinnati Bengals: Receiving corps looking for more production in 2026Cincinnati Bengals: Offensive line looking to continue climb in 2026Cincinnati Bengals: Overhauled defensive line caught attentionCincinnati Bengals: Linebackers expected to make leap in Year 2Cincinnati Bengals: Are the safety concerns a thing of the past?Cincinnati Bengals: Depth improved at cornerback"We just want to come out and just have a different mentality, and that's what came out," Davis said.There's a fine line between competitiveness and putting teammates at risk of injury, though. Players didn't feel like anything went overboard Wednesday, and Stewart's injury was just a routine play.Davis, Turner and Dexter Lawrence all said they didn't even realize Stewart had gone down, but were disappointed to hear about it later. He was carted off right before the altercation, and there was no update after practice.Stewart missed nine games in his rookie season due to a pair of injuries last year, and he was hopeful to be able to make a bigger impact in Year 2.The Bengals are anxious to get back on track this season, and that takes everyone being invested, Turner said. That's why he, Dax Hill and Chase Brown are still showing up on time and practicing, despite not having long-term deals in place. All three players are in the final season of their contract, including Hill playing on a fifth-year option.Everyone was at practice on Day 1."In my situation I am right now, I'm just locked into my craft right now," Turner said. "Honestly, we have to win this year, and so me being out there is really important to the team."Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward became the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history for the second time in his career on Tuesday when he signed a two-year, $62.2 million extension, including $52.3 million in guaranteed money. That could help drive up the price for everyone else, but Turner said it was deserved for Ward."That was big," Turner said. "Like I said, Denzel was the top corner, though, so that's not surprising at all.Hill said it wasn't a question whether he would show up or not. He also has an important role to play in the Cincinnati secondary this year.Despite speculation the Bengals might move Hill back inside after drafting Tacario Davis in the third round, they are keeping Hill outside, as he had hoped would be the case."I mean it's kind of just reassuring," Hill said after expressing the importance of staying in one position this spring after moving from safety to nickel to outside in his first four seasons. "I mean, I know I can play the position, so just hearing that, you know, just kind of reassures things."

Jul. 29The Dayton Flyers will play Central Michigan on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at UD Arena, according to a report on Tuesday, July 28, by Alex Rosinski, a sports reporter in Wisconsin.Central Michigan finished 10-21 overall and 6-12 in the Mid-American Conference last season. It has had six losing seasons in the last seven years.Coach Andy Bronkema is entering his second season with the Chippewas, who return one double-digit scorer, junior guard Phat Phat Brooks (11.0 points per game).Dayton leads the series against Central Michigan 4-0. All the games took place at UD Arena between 2001 and 2013.Dayton has won 16 straight games against the MAC since an 84-55 loss to Buffalo at UD Arena in 2011.Dayton's full non-conference schedule has not been announced. It typically plays 13 non-conference games, but it could play as many as 14 this season. The NCAA is allowing teams to play as many as 32 games in the regular season for the first time instead of 31.Dayton will play 18 Atlantic 10 Conference games. It will also play three exhibition games, and two of those opponents are known.Ten of the non-conference regular-season games are known. Dayton will also play two games in the Charleston Classic in November, though the dates and matchups for that event have not been announced.The known games are:Oct. 7: Exhibition vs. Xavier at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason.Oct. 17: Exhibition vs. Notre Dame at UD Arena.Nov. 2: vs. New Jersey Institute of Technology at UD Arena.Nov. 7: vs. Northern Illinois at UD Arena.Nov. 14: vs. Cincinnati at UD Arena.Nov. 17: vs. Central Michigan at UD Arena.Nov. 29: vs. Memphis at site to be announced.Dec. 2: vs. Loyola Maryland at UD Arena.Dec. 5: at Florida State.Dec. 12: vs. South Florida at UD Arena.Dec. 15: vs. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at UD Arena.Dec. 19: at Liberty.

Jul. 29Before the 2026 high school football season kicks off, let's take a look back at what went down last season in the Western Ohio Athletic Conference with an eye on what it could tell us for this fall:Defending championsTri-Village (11-1, 9-0)Game of the year: Tri-County North 27, Mississinawa Valley 20, Week 9One of the few back-and-forth games that took place in the WOAC.TCN jumped out to a 19-0 first half lead with Peyton Fannin scoring a season-best 69-yard touchdown reception.Mississinawa Valley came back with 20 straight points helped by a pair of 75-yard touchdown plays to take the lead in the fourth quarter. TCN got a fourth TD of the night by Fannin to go back ahead where it held on in the final minutes.Performance of the yearTri-Village senior Noah Finkbine stifled Preble Shawnee to the tune of 20 tackles, one sack and three tackles for loss with a fumble recovery on defense, and also caught eight passes for 83 yards on offense as the Patriots won a showdown of the league's top-two teams 40-7 in Week 9.Playoff resultsFour WOAC teams advanced to the postseason and two won at least one game for the sixth consecutive season.Preble Shawnee knocked off league rival Arcanum in the first round of the Division V playoffs. They lost to Region 20 champion Indian Lake in the quarterfinals.Tri-Village defeated Portsmouth West in the D-VI quarterfinals before losing to Region 24 champion Coldwater in the semifinals.Ansonia fell to New Bremen in a first round game.37: A number that defined the seasonThe average margin of victory in the 45 conference games was more than five touchdowns. There were only three games with a margin of victory under 18 points and all of them involved Mississinawa Valley. Domination from the teams at the top of the standings scaled the higher up a team finished, culminating with Tri-Village's 47.1 points per game margin of victory.Biggest question entering 2026Can someone new crack the top-three? Ansonia, Preble Shawnee, and Tri-Village have finished as the top-three teams in the standings for the past four seasons. The only time a different team was able to disrupt the pecking order occurred during the league's inaugural 2021 season when Arcanum got third. The Trojans may be the best candidate to do it again this season. They have the most first (3) and second team (6) all-league performers returning.League leaders2025 All-ohio picks (Underclassmen in bold):Division VFirst Team: Brody Morton, Camden Preble Shawnee, 6-3, 190, sr., QB.Second Team: Caleb Blankenship, Camden Preble Shawnee, 6-2, 180, jr., WR; Cooper Shrout, Camden Preble Shawnee, 6-3, 260, sr., OL.Honorable Mention: Marcus Rayburn, Arcanum, 6-0, 275, sr., OL; Colton Schroeder, Camden Preble Shawnee, 6-2, 180, sr., P.Division VIFirst Team: Trey Sagester, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-3, 170, sr., QB; Griffin Richards, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-0, 175, jr., WR; Dom Black, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-4, 280, jr., OL.; Noah Finkbine, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-1, 190, sr., LB.Honorable Mention: Staley Colston, New Madison Tri-Village, 5-10, 175, so., RB; Luke Vernon, New Paris National Trail, 6-2, 190, sr., OL; Hunter Johnsman, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-3, 210 sr., DL; Landen Moore, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-2, 210, sr., LB; Colt Camacho, New Madison Tri-Village, 6-1, 180, so., DB.Division VIIHonorable Mention: Jacob Schmitmeyer, Ansonia, 5-10, 175. jr., RB; Oden Hoening, Ansonia, 5-11, 200, jr., OL; Lucas Barlow, West Alexandria Twin Valley South, 6-4, 190, jr., OL; Luke Wright, Lewisburg Tri-County North, 6-0, 180, jr., OL; Frank Filbrun, Lewisburg Tri-County North, 5-7, 175, sr., LB.

LEXINGTON Kentucky andKansasrank first and second on college basketball's all-time wins list. With the alumni teams for UK (La Familia) and KU (JHX Hoops) squaring off in a semifinal in the 2026 edition of The Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, July 29, one expected a tussle befitting their status as basketball royalty.Instead, the former Wildcats made the ex-Jayhawks look like an overmatched foe from a mid-major conference.La Familia ran circles around its opponent, cruising to a 78-65 victory at Memorial Coliseum.With the win, La Familia advances to the TBT title game, where it will face either Davis Steel or The Mecca at 1 p.m. Sunday. Wednesday's triumph also made La Familia the champions of the "Alumni Bracket" portion of this year's TBT; Davis Steel, The Mecca and other teams are part of the "Non-Alumni Bracket."A familiar face led the way for the former Cats on Wednesday: Archie Goodwin scored a game-high 28 points.UK great Willie Cauley-Stein scored 10 points he went 5 for 5 from the field and grabbed six rebounds. Billy Preston had 15 points to pace the ex-Jayhawks in the lopsided loss.This story will be updated.Reach Kentucky mens basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball alumni thump Kansas to reach TBT 2026 title game

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Yandy Diaz and Ryan Vilade homered in the first inning and five pitchers combined for a four-hitter as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Texas Rangers 3-0 on Wednesday night.Ian Seymour (7-2) allowed just two hits in 4 2/3 innings of bulk relief behind opener Casey Legumina, who allowed one hit in 1 2/3 innings. Garret Cleavinger pitched out of a seventh-inning jam, and Kevin Kelly struck out the side in the eighth.Bryan Baker converted his 19th consecutive save and 29th overall with a scoreless final inning to close out the ninth shutout this season for AL East-leading Tampa Bay. It was the Rays' third shutout in four games.Texas starter MacKenzie Gore (6-9) allowed three hits and struck out nine in seven innings, retiring 20 of the final 21 batters he faced. The Rangers held the Rays without a hit for the final 7 2/3 innings.Tampa Bay jumped on Gore in the first inning as Diaz led off with a 372-foot, opposite-field shot to right. Jonathan Aranda followed with a double before Vilade hit a two-run homer with one out that struck the D Ring in left field.Seymour allowed a one-out double in the third before retiring 10 consecutive batters.Texas put runners on first and second with one out in the seventh after a double by Jake Burger and walk to Nicky Lopez. But Cleavinger struck out Cam Cauley before Alejandro Osuna bounced out in front of the plate to end the threat.Up nextRays LHP Shane McClanahan (9-6, 3.09 ERA) is scheduled to start the series finale on Thursday against Rangers RHP Cole Winn (5-3, 6.11).___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

La Familia is now one win away from taking home The Basketball Tournaments $2 million grand prize.Behind another sensational performance from Archie Goodwin, who finished with 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting and 5-of-10 from beyond the 3-point line, the Kentucky alumni defeated JHX Hoops (Kansas Alumni), 78-65, on Wednesday night inside a packed Historic Memorial Coliseum to capture the TBT Alumni Championship and advance to Sundays winner-take-all championship game.The atmosphere was electric from the opening tip. Kansas held a slim 8-7 advantage at the first media timeout, but Willie Cauley-Stein quickly established himself in the paint with four points and two rebounds. By the end of the first quarter, La Familia had seized a 15-10 lead after Goodwin buried a fading 3-pointer as time expired.Goodwin continued to take over in the second quarter. He threw down a thunderous dunk following a steal, igniting the Memorial Coliseum crowd as La Familia stretched its lead to double digits. The Wildcats carried a 30-23 advantage into halftime behind Goodwins 10 points, while Cauley-Stein and Sean McNeil each added six.The game turned into a rout during the third quarter.La Familias relentless defense overwhelmed Kansas, outscoring JHX Hoops 21-7 during the period to build a commanding 44-31 lead. The Wildcats forced turnovers, controlled the glass, and fed off the energy of Big Blue Nation throughout the second half.With the Elam Ending target score set at 77, Goodwin put the finishing touches on another remarkable performance. After banking in a deep 3-pointer to begin the start of the Elam Ending, he later knocked down the game-winning basket, sending the home crowd into celebration.The victory crowns La Familia as the TBT Alumni Champions and keeps Kentuckys dream of winning the tournament alive.Now, only one game remains, as La Familia will face either The Mecca or Davis Steel in the TBT Championship Game on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET inside Historic Memorial Coliseum, with the winner taking home the tournaments $2 million prize.Chris Coffey pic.twitter.com/Gpn0ozoI5J Dylan Ballard (@DylanBallard_UK) July 30, 2026Archie Goodwin ends it with a jump shot, finishing with 28 points. @LaFamiliaTBT makes the finals at MemCol Sunday at 1pm vs the winner of The Mecca vs Davis Steel pic.twitter.com/5LUdcYpOY1 Big Blue Insider (@bigblueinsider1) July 30, 2026Go CATS!!!

Countdown to kickoff is back! USC will kick offits 2026 football seasonon August 29 when theTrojanshost San Jose State at the Coliseum. In this series, we will be counting down the days until the season opener by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number.With 31 days to go, today we look at former USC fullback Soma Vainuku.Position:Running backYears played at USC:2011-2015Career highlights:Vainuku originally signed with USC in the class of 2010, but he did not qualify for admission, so he remained in high school for another semester and joined the Trojans in 2011. After redshirting his first season on campus, Vainuku served as the team's starting fullback for the next four years. Although he primarily made his impact as a blocker and on special teams, he still finished his career in Cardinal and Gold with nearly 300 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns.After USC:Vainuku signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent following the 2016 NFL Draft. The following year, he also had a brief stint with the Atlanta Falcons. However, he was released by both teams within a few months of signing, and never appeared in an NFL regular season game.Contact/Follow@TrojansWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage ofUSC Trojansnews, notes and opinion.This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC countdown to kickoff: Recalling Trojans fullback Some Vainuku

1966Mike Lucci of the Detroit Lions has three pass interceptions in a game.Vince LaRocca and Tom Bilan of Summerfield are unanimous choices on All-River Raisin Conference football team.1976New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson voted American Leagues Most Valuable Player.Dundee quarterback John Weyher is unanimous choice on All-Michigan-Ohio Border Conference team.1986Monroe Highs Missy Todd voted Wolverine A Conference Player of the Year in basketball.Larry Markey of Monroe Catholic Central accepts University of Toledo basketball scholarship.1996Lou Holtz resigns as Notre Dame football coach.Albert Belle becomes baseballs richest player by signing five-year, $55 million contract with Chicago White Sox.2006Detroit Lions fall to 2-8 with 17-10 loss to Arizona.Monroes Amanda Thompson to swim for the University of Toledo.2016A key completion by backup quarterback Jared Bronikowski helps Whiteford to victory in state football semifinals.Former SMCC football coach Jack Giarmo to take over at Gibraltar Carlson.2025Aubrey Grosteffon of Bedford and SMCCs Christian Craanen post the best cross country times of the season.Former Detroit Piston Chauncey Billups arrested as part of FBI investigation into rigged card games.This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: SPORTS MEMORIES

Donte Johnson has found a new friend and mentor in a former UFC champion.Ahead of his UFC 330 fight, Johnson (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has linked up with Jamahal Hill in Las Vegas. The two have become close, and it didn't take much time for Johnson to view Hill like family."It was all orchestrated by God," Johnson recently told MMA Junkie Radio. "If I'm being real, he's always been a fighter I've looked up to. He's always been a fighter who I've studied. He's from Wisconsin. I'm from Michigan. There's some type of relativeness there. Ever since I've got to Vegas, he introduced himself. Ever since then, we started kicking it and chopping it up. Yeah, he's been giving me the ins and outs of the game and helping me a lot on my footwork. We talk a lot about the dance of the fight. We talk a lot about footwork. Yeah, he's just been a huge help. "I met his family. I call him a brother. I can call him (and he can) call me if he needs something. I'm super grateful my life has turned out the way it has thus far. To be around Jamahal Hill and be sparring and training with Sean Strickland, all these people, it's like, I haven't even been signed to the UFC a year yet. I love my life and I love Jamahal Hill."Johnson, 27, has become one of Mick Maynard's go-to guys to matchmake over the past eight months. In November, he made his promotional debut with a second-round submission of Sedriques Dumas. He returned in March and went the distance for the first time in his career, earning a split decision nod over Cody Brundage.It was disappointing to lose the "100 percent finish rate" accolade, but Johnson said Hill spit some knowledge to alleviate his concerns."(It bothered me) slightly at first, but I've got to be real with myself, too," Johnson said. "Jamahal Hill... one thing he told me was, 'Hey, if you ever want to hear guys laugh, tell them what you've got planned.' I didn't get the knockout, but we answered a lot of the questions, not only for myself but for the people who know the fight game and for the fans who know a little something about fighting. We answered some of their questions as well. I'm not going to get the finish every time. Do I want to? Yes. But yeah, man, it was a good fight. I learned a lot, and I cannot wait to get back in there Aug. 15."Johnson is excited to fight on a numbered event after consecutive UFC Fight Night appearances. He'll battle MMA LAB veteran Eric McConico (11-4-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC) in a middleweight bout at the Aug. 15 event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia."Exponentially, and it's just going to keep being that way. We're going to keep on getting better because I'm going to keep showing up every day. I'm going to for sure keep on praising my god and giving him all the glory. His promise is his promise. I've just got to show up and do my part. That's the easy part."This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Donte Johnson reveals advice newfound pal Jamahal Hill gave ahead of UFC 330

Roll Mouth Baking Paper Cupcake Liners are widely used in modern food production because their rolled edge design helps support product stability during preparation and heating. They are suitable for cupcakes, muffins, desserts, and many other individual food items. Businesses value this style because it contributes to organized production, convenient handling, and an attractive finished...