PISCATAWAY, NJ - AUGUST 28: Kwabena Asamoah #69 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the game against the Ohio Bobcats on August 28, 2025 at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesRutgers offensive lineman Kwabena Asamoah was one of the three player representatives that the Scarlet Knights sent to Big Ten media days to speak on behalf of the program. He was joined by wide receiver KJ Duff and running back Antwan Raymond, who largely spoke about their decision to return to Rutgers. Asamoahs line of questioning was a little bit different, with his first major question revolving around the leadership he will bring to the Rutgers offensive line room this season. With graduations and the transfer portal, Asamoah, who was named an All-American by ESPN last season, is the only returning starter on the Rutgers offensive line who played all 12 games at the same position. For me, it puts me in a position to, like you said, be a leader. Thats an honor to me personally. When I came in as a young 17 year old there were guys on the team that helped me become the player I am today, so I am just blessed, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to do the same for others, said Asamoah when asked about what his experience means to him as he becomes a leader on the offensive line. He was also asked about the relationship between the offensive line, the offensive line coach Jim Turner, and Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano. With our new coach, Coach Turner and Coach Schiano, I feel like they are on the same page, and coach Ciarrocca as well, I feel like they are all on the same page with how they want the offensive line to play and how they want the offense to operate, so you know with coach Turner coming in, we have been working hard at being violent, being passionate, you know playing hard every single down, so I am really excited for what this year holds, said Asamoah. Rutgers offensive line room is one of the more promising areas on the team, even with the attrition the group has faced this offseason. The tackle room has a lot of depth that we saw last season due to all the injuries. The prospect pipeline has been adding promising high school talent for a few years now. Asamoah will play a pivotal role in bringing all of that together as a sort of elder statesman in the room, all while continuing to show the individual dominance he has shown in the past.

Tennessee State football practice is under way with a battle for the starting quarterback position between returning starter Byron McNair and two transfers Daylin Lee from Winston-Salem State and Marcelis Tate from South Florida.Second-year coach Reggie Barlow said no one is ahead of the others as the Tigers prepare for their season opener on Aug. 29 against Jackson Statein theJohn Merritt Classicat Vanderbilt.All three quarterbacks worked with the first unit at practice on July 31. Barlow said he hasn't ruled out giving freshman Justin Patton from McCalla, Alabama, a shot at the job if none of the older players take the reins."Daylin's experience speaks for itself; he had a real good command (at Winston-Salem State)," Barlow said. "Tate, for a young guy, he looks like an older guy, but he's only played one year. He's a good player. And, of course, we've got Byron, and then there's Justin (Patton), a freshman who's a good football player. He was here in the spring as an early enrollee."It is a similar situation to what Barlow faced at TSU last year when three quarterbacks were locked in a battle for the starting assignment among Jonathan Palmer, Caleb McCreary and McNair. Palmer earned the starting position at the start of the season before McNair unseated him in the third game. Palmer returned as the starter later in the season.The hope is that one quarterback will emerge above the others in the preseason."It's a good group, and we like what we've seen so far," Barlow said. "But you always want one guy to step up."McNair completed 153 of 244 passes for 1,588 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions in 2025. Lee was a three-year starter at Winston-Salem State who had 5,616 career passing yards and 55 touchdowns.Reggie Barlow happy with TSU's offseason conditioningBarlow said he was pleased with the condition his players showed up for in preseason drills. Barlow hired Carlton Harris to take over the strength and conditioning coaching position in the offseason. Harris was on Barlow's staff when Barlow was coach of the D.C. Defenders in the UFL."Coach Harris and his staff did a really good job this summer with the guys when they could be here, making sure that they had the training stuff that they needed. And then, of course, when we were able to have summer access and getting the guys here, guys came in in pretty good shape," Barlow said. "So we are excited about that."Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee State football opens practice with 3 QBs competing for starting job

The global Paper Bags Market is witnessing steady expansion as retailers, foodservice operators, and industrial packers increasingly adopt recyclable fiber-based packaging solutions. According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the market is projected to grow from USD 7.1 billion in 2026 to USD 10.9 billion by 2036, registering a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast...

With its superstar striker Erling Haaland and its fans doing the Viking Row in the stands, Norway was one of the better storylines at the 2026 World Cup. The team reached the quarterfinals after last appearing at the tournament in 1998. Spurred by Haaland's goalscoring prowess, Norway finished second in Group I with wins over Iraq (3-1) and Senegal (3-2) before losing to France 4-1. In the round of 32, a 1-0 win over the Ivory Coast was followed by a 2-1 win over five-time champions Brazil in the round of 16. England would defeat the Norwegians in a sweltering quarterfinals match in Miami, 2-1. So what's next for Norway's top players after the 2026 World Cup? He became the breakout star at the tournament, scoring seven goals in five appearances and carrying Norway to the first World Cup quarterfinal in the nations history. Haaland put the team on his back throughout its remarkable run, firmly announcing himself on the biggest stage in international football. He's already considered one of the best players in the world, having scored 162 goals across all competitions in his four seasons at Manchester City. He's won the Champions League and multiple Premier League titles already. Don't expect him to slow down anytime soon. At the World Cup, served as Norways main creative outlet during its historic run to the quarterfinals. Odegaard provided the perfect complement to Haaland, growing into the tournament and becoming increasingly influential as Norway progressed. He finished the competition with three assists. The summer capped off a memorable first part of the year for Odegaard, who serves as captain for Arsenal. He helped the Gunners win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final, narrowly losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties. Arsenal should be squarely in the mix for more silverware this season. Nusa is the future of Norway's left flank and impressed during the summer with his creativity and flair on the wing. He scored in the win over the Ivory Coast in the round of 32. And while he was benched for the game against England in the quarterfinal, his spark nearly won it coming on as a substitute. He is a rising star in the German Bundesliga with RB Leipzig but expect teams in the Premier League to keep tabs on him moving forward. Another reason why the future is bright for Norway. He took Antonio Nusa's starting spot, scored the opener against England, set up both of Haaland's goals against Brazil in the round of 16 win. He is a super-sub no more. Currently at Portuguese powerhouse Benfica, it fees like a Premier League move is almost a formality.

Port Vale have continued their recruitment drive before the start of the new season with the signings of defenders Aaron McGowan and Lewis Montsma on one-year deals.McGowan, 30, has been on trial at Vale Park following the end of his contract with Tranmere Rovers this summer.He played under Vale boss Jon Brady at Northampton Town and helped the Cobblers win promotion to League One in the 2022-23 season.Dutchman Montsma joins Vale following the expiration of his contract with Dundee this summer.The 28-year-old started his senior career with Dordrecht in the Netherlands and moved to Lincoln City in July 2020. He made 108 appearances for the Imps, scoring 11 goals, before joining Dundee on a six-month deal in February.All the latest Port Vale newsAll done deals in July 2026

Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty ImagesWELCOME TO ST. ANDREWS!!! The historic home of Birmingham City in Englands second city is the site of Barcelonas first match of preseason as Hansi Flicks side take on one of English footballs historic clubs who are currently playing in the Championship.Several of Baras big stars are still on vacation after the World Cup, so well see plenty of young La Masia prospects hoping to make their mark as well as a possible debut for new signing Karim Adeyemi. This should be fun, and youre welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action.Vamos!LINEUPSBARCELONA pic.twitter.com/3SzdMx899M FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 31, 2026Starting XI: Szczesny; Espart, Christensen, Martn, Jofre; Casad, Bernal; Adeyemi, Tunkara, Kluivert; Abdelkarim (4-2-3-1)Substitutes: Yaakobishvili (GK), Rodrguez (GK), Fort, Balde, Araujo, Corts, Pesquer, Guille, Toni, Farias, Tommy, Goren, Diarra, Fermn, Raphinha, Roony, Gonzlez, GistauBIRMINGHAM CITY Our starting XI to take on @FCBarcelona. pic.twitter.com/HoSyxY5gac Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 31, 2026MATCH INFOCompetition/Round: 2026 Preseason, Match 1Date/Time: Friday, July 31, 2026, 8.45pm CET/WAT (Barcelona), 7.45pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 2.45pm ET, 11.45am PT (USA), 12.15am IST (India, Saturday)Venue:St. Andrews @ Knighthead Park, Birmingham, EnglandHOW TO WATCHThis match is available worldwide only on Barcelonas YouTube channel. Requires subscription.Matchday Thread RulesWe dont have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads:Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game,watch the swearing. Its just unnecessary. Also,dont discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do it will be warned,and those who post links will be instantly banned. Finally,be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we dont need to offend one another.Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARA!

While the Warriors have re-signed a handful of contributors from last year's 37-win squad, Golden State has yet to bring in a new free agent. However, Warriors insider Anthony Slater recently revealed that Golden State had another offseason target in mind apart from LeBron James.According to Slater, the Warriors "looked at" Rui Hachimura. Hachimura, a seven-year veteran between the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers, has career averages of 12.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.6 steals. Hachimura's 3-point shooting has been quite impressive as well, knocking down 44.3% of attempts from beyond the arc last season. Hachimura has a career 3-point percentage of 39.4% and has shot 41% or better from long range in four of the last five seasons.That said, Hachimura never seemed close to joining the Warriors, inking a two-year $28 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers instead.This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Report: Warriors 'looked at' $14 million free agent

Chelsea Are Set To Sign This Experienced Midfielder On A Two-Year Deal: Good Option For Alonso?In a recent post on X, respected journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that Chelsea are set to sign former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson on a two-year deal. It has been stated that the Blues will secure the services of the English talent on a free transfer this week.Hendersons Important Role at Brentford Last SeasonHenderson enjoyed a good run of form at the English club in the previous campaign as he put in a string of influential displays for them in the Premier League. The England international scored once and grabbed three assists in 34 matches for Brentford last season in all competitions.The 36-year-old is currently one of the most experienced central midfielders in the Premier League. Hence, Chelsea would do well to sign him on a short-term contract this summer.Henderson is currently a free agent after being released by Brentford recently. Hence, the Blues would be able to sign him on a free transfer this off-season.MEXICO CITY, MEXICO JULY 04: Jordan Henderson #14 of England speaks to the media during a press conference ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Mexico and England on July 04, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)Will Henderson Be A Good Option For Chelsea Boss Xabi Alonso?Henderson has a wealth of experience at the highest level and can do a little bit of everything at the centre of the park. He usually works hard for his team off the ball and has got the eye to play some decisive passes inside the opponents half.The English talent is an energetic runner with the ball and can strike it with power and precision from long range. Henderson mainly plays as a defensive midfielder but can also function as a box-to-box midfielder or a right-sided wide player if asked to do so. He has already proven himself in the Premier League and wont take much time to adjust to life at Chelsea.We can expect Henderson to bring more experience and leadership to Xabi Alonsos squad. He is good enough to fight for a regular first-team place at Stamford Bridge next season.At 36, Henderson might still have a couple of good years left in him to play at his best. The English midfield ace will also help Chelsea compete across all fronts in the upcoming campaign. Thus, he could prove to be a decent option for the Blues in the short term.

[Getty Images]England's Acelya Toprak overcame India's Yamini Mourya in the women's -57kg judo final to win the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.In an exhausting bout that went to golden score and lasted almost seven minutes, Toprak eventually forced Mourya into a third shido to claim victory.The 28-year-old had won silver in 2022 but managed to go one better this time around in Glasgow. "My last Commonwealth Games went exactly the same way. In the final it was two shidos each, we were into four-and-a-half minutes of extra time and I made that one misstep, over-stretched and got caught," Toprak told BBC Sport. "So I'm very happy that this time I didn't do that, because that's shattering, that hurts."All you're thinking about is get up and go again, get up and go again, and then after I was like 'I like a golden score in the finals, don't I?'"You're exhausted, someone's trying to throw you on your head for eight minutes and you've just got to get up and go again."It was an excellent night for England's judo athletes with all five who were in medal contention winning their matches.Lele Nairne, who was beaten by Toprak in the women's -57kg semi-final, won bronze by ippon with an emphatic throw to the mat to defeat Ghanaian 17-year-old Frema Agyei within just 28 seconds."I love throwing people like that," Nairne, 28, said after her victory."I love it. It's a bittersweet symphony. Birmingham [2022] was tragic, I lost to a good friend in the bronze medal match, so I wanted to redeem myself."I wanted a medal, I wanted a gold, but just to get a medal, I'm absolutely over the moon."Tatum Keen - Nairne's training partner at Bradley Stoke Judo Club in Bristol - also won bronze in the women's -52kg category.And in the men's judo, 20-year-old Charlie Ayre and Michael Fryer, 26, claimed bronze in their respective -60kg and -66kg events.

According to the latest report published by Data Bridge Market Research, the Endocarditis Drug Market The global Endocarditis Drug Market was valued at USD 2.85 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 4.75 billion by 2032. During the forecast period of 2025 to 2032, the market is likely to grow at a CAGR of 6.7%, primarily driven by increasing incidence of infectious...