ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- New Michigan football offensive coordinator Jason Beck says it's too early to evaluate the offense at this juncture, given that the Wolverines are just one fall camp practice down. But, after spring ball and summer conditioning and all, it's not surprising that the run game appears to be the strength on that side of the ball.While Jordan Marshall is the starter at tailback, there's a lot of excitement surrounding true freshman running back Savion Hiter, the top-rated player at the position in his recruiting class. The former five-star has a lot of hype, and Beck notes, he should."There's been a lot of buzz around Savion and deservedly so," Beck said."And a lot of times you can get the buzz in the recruitment, but he showed up here and is what stands out.He has talent. When you meet him and see him, he's an impressive-looking kid physically."But what stands out about Savion is he just works so hard all the time.Like there's no such thing as not full speed with that kid. I mean, it's just full-speed effort all the time.And so he just, he makes a splash from day one because he's in his way in there.He's not like dipping the toe in and taking one step in the pool. He just cannonballs in, and it's full go.And my experience is when you have freshmen like that, that are that way, they have a chance to play early.Where some freshmen are, they got to find themselves and how this whole college football thing works."So he's been, yeah, been impressive."Hiter being a freshman is only as much of an impediment as he'll let it be, given that he's been around since the winter semester in Ann Arbor. But others who have come early, or even late, have a chance to see the field early and often.Beck notes that just because a player is a late arrival doesn't mean that he isn't going to be an instant impact player. Take new Michigan wide receiver JJ Buchanan -- he was a summer arrival as a true freshman for Utah last year, and he was a starter from day one. Thus, there is one player who Beck sees as a potential player in that regard, while also noting some other first-year Wolverines who could see the field early."Otherwise, other freshmen that are standing out in the receiver room, there's some competition going on there," Beck said."Travis Johnson, Salesi Moa, Pile was out. He's been working, but he's a little more limited today.But those guys stand out as they could have a chance to play this year."Mason Bonner and a couple of our O-linemen just showed up this summer. So we're still trying to get our first look at those guys.So it's really early to tell with them.But JJ (Buchanan) was that way at Utah for us.He showed up in the summer and didn't work with him until fall camp.That was the first time we saw him.And he just made some plays early on and started at UCLA, first game, at the Rose Bowl, Week 1, started.So that can happen.But if you show up, mindset, aggressive, making plays, then there's a place for you on the field."Michigan is one practice down with a month to go until the September 5 season opener against Western Michigan at The Big House.This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Freshman Savion Hiter turning heads at Michigan

The global Neurosurgery & Spine Robots Market, part of the Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals industry, is set for exceptional growth as hospitals increasingly adopt robotic-assisted surgical systems to improve procedural accuracy, reduce complications, and enhance clinical outcomes. According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the market is projected to grow from USD 881.0 million in 2026 to...

Small businesses need technology that supports productivity, collaboration, and flexibility without adding unnecessary complexity. As more organizations adopt hybrid and remote work models, cloud-based productivity tools have become essential for staying connected and competitive. Businesses need secure access to emails, documents, calendars, and collaboration platforms from virtually anywhere,...

NEW YORK (AP) Longtime college basketball announcer Dick Vitale says he is making positive strides after announcing in April that he had been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time.The 87-year-old Vitale said on social media Wednesday that recent blood tests came back very good and that the immunotherapy treatments that he has been receiving are very effective in wiping out the cancer.Vitale was first diagnosed with cancer in 2021, when he revealed that he had melanoma. He also was diagnosed with lymphoma and, after being declared cancer-free, learned in 2023 that he had vocal cord cancer. The following year, Vitale was diagnosed with lymph node cancer, and he underwent surgery to help treat it.The mainstay of ESPN college basketball broadcasts received the Jimmy V Award for perseverance in 2022. The award is named for late college basketball coach Jim Valvano, a close friend of Vitale, who died in 1993 from adenocarcinoma. Vitale has also worked for years to raise money for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, which Valvano helped to found before his death.Vitale appeared on ESPN a few times last season but has made no announcements about the upcoming season.___AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

The Pittsburgh Pirates are cutting ties with veteran designated hitter Marcell Ozuna as they gear up for a playoff push.A person with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press that the club is releasing the 35-year-old following a nightmarish stretch in which the three-time All Star could never seem to get on track. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the move was not yet official.The Pirates, who entered Wednesday 3 1/2 games behind Arizona for the National League's third wild-card spot, are planning to promote outfielder Ronny Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis to take Ozuna's roster spot.Pittsburgh signed Ozuna to a one-year deal worth $12 million in February, a rare free agency splurge for the budget-conscious Pirates. The team hoped Ozuna would help balance out a left-handed heavy lineup. Instead, Ozuna started slow and never found the form that helped him hit 296 homers during previous stops in Miami, Atlanta and St. Louis.Ozuna hit just .203 with 8 home runs and 29 RBIs in 70 games with Pittsburgh and had seen his playing opportunities cut significantly in recent weeks thanks to the emergence of rookie Esmerlyn Valdez. Ozuna was scheduled to make $10.5 million this year, with mutual option of $16 million in 2027 with a $1.5 million buyout.The decision comes on the heels of a trade deadline in which Pittsburgh, seeking to end a decade-long playoff drought, fortified its leaky bullpen with a series of moves, including acquiring prominent reliever Luke Weaver from the New York Mets.While manager Don Kelly and general manager Ben Cherington defended Ozuna repeatedly, with Cherington expressing confidence the underlying metrics showed Ozuna was close to turning it around and Kelly praising Ozuna's influence on the club's Latin players. But with a chance to play meaningful baseball into September on the line, the team opted to move on.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Switzerland international Sow arrives for Genoa medical after 4m agreementSwitzerland international Djibril Sow has arrived in Italy this evening and will undergo his Genoa medical on Thursday, reportedly joining from Sevilla for 4m.It was a surprise when last night reports circulated that a deal had been done to bring Sow to Genoa.According to Il Secolo XIX newspaper, the speed of the operation was because there is a 4m release clause in his contract with Sevilla, and the Grifone simply agreed to activate it.Sow lands for Genoa movePersonal terms were also relatively easy to shake hands on, and the player landed in Italy this evening along with his family.He will rest up tonight and then begin the medical tests to complete the transfer on Thursday morning.KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI JULY 11: Djibril Sow #15 of Switzerland runs with the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)Sow is 29 years old and has 56 senior caps for Switzerland, participating in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.His previous clubs include FC Zurich, Borussia Monchengladbach, Young Boys and Eintracht Frankfurt, until his 10m move to Sevilla in the summer of 2023.

SPRINGFIELD Casey Woods was unsure of himself during his first day of fall camp on Wednesday, August. 5. The first-year Missouri State head football coach said it himself.Hes the new kid on the block. He didnt want to be overbearing to his assistant coaches, but he wanted to lend a hand at any opportunity. When comparing his time as a coordinator to being the main man, Woods shared a joke.I find myself not knowing what to do, he laughed. Making the rounds during the early part of practice is unique and fun. I want people to say that, That was the best college football practice that Ive ever seen. It wasnt that today. But I think we have the makings of a pretty good team.The first day of practice is always exciting. Football is back, but reality quickly set in at Plaster Stadium: work must be completed to accomplish goals.Missouri State football: Meet Thad Wells, Missouri State coach Casey Woods' artificial intelligence guruMissouri States energy levels were not to the standard that Woods and his staff demanded.Woods explained that some players were hesitant to go full tilt. First day jitters, you may say.After a strong conversation halfway through practice, Woods explained that things quickly improved.I think everyone came out here; I dont know if cautious is the word, but just feeling it out, Woods said. This is not a feel-it-out sport. Lets get out there and run into something.The starting quarterback position continues to be a hot topic. Transfer quarterbacks Henry Belin and Skyler Locklear are competing for the starting role. Belin held a majority of the snaps with the first team on Wednesday, but that didn't indicate any advantage that he holds over Locklear.We have to watch the throws. We have to watch the execution of the individual plays, Woods said. I think there is an overall feel of how the ball is moving and how the players play when these players are in the game around them. I think we have two good ones.Missouri State football: Beat reporters reveal their 2026 Conference USA football preseason rankingsDay 1 of Missouri State football in the books:-Sneaky good team-Great team depth-1st practice lacked intensity at times All this and more @springfieldNLpic.twitter.com/Kz6Sr1BKSA Liam (@liamkeating7) August 5, 2026After practice, tight end Jeron Askren was named to the 2026 John Mackey Award Preseason Watchlist. The Mackey Award honors the top tight end in the nation at the conclusion of the season.Askren made 11 starts last year at the position. He is one of 43 players on the list and is the lone player from Conference USA.Hes one of the players that Woods is relying on to be a leader during camp, especially when things get difficult. Along with Askren, there are many others Woods is looking to help hold the team accountable.(Jared) Bird Lloyd is our most vocal leader. He is continuing to embrace and step into that role, Woods said. We are still pulling out J.J. ONeal, Caden Wiest and some of those guys that have been here and know what winning looks like.Woods ended by saying that the faster the team names a quarterback, the more comfortable that player can be leading Missouri State into its Week 1 game against Texas A&M on Sept. 5.Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.comThis article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Breaking down Missouri State football's first day of fall camp

Newcastle have appointed former Al-Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach in succession to Eddie Howe (Abdel Ghani BASHIR)Newcastle have appointed Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach following Eddie Howe's departure, the English Premier League club announced Wednesday.The 38-year-old Jaissle, a former Germany Under-21 international, was previously in charge of Saudi side Al-Ahli but has no prior experience of managing a top-flight club."It is an incredible honour to become head coach of Newcastle United," said Jaissle."This is one of the biggest clubs in European football, with a unique history, identity and supporter base, and I am excited to experience that passion and connection first-hand."When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice. The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be. I have followed the club's journey closely in recent years and the progress that has been made is clear for everyone to see."Jaissle was forced to end his playing career due to injury at the age of 25.His first managerial job came with Austrian side Liefering, whom he led to a second-placed finish in the second tier, the club's joint best-ever position.Jaissle took charge at Red Bull Salzburg in 2021, winning successive Austrian titles as well as the Austrian Cup.Jaissle joined Al-Ahli in 2023 and led them to AFC Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026.Although not a high-profile manager, he is well-known to Newcastle's majority owner, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, which bought a controlling share in four Pro League clubs, including Al-Ahli, in 2023.Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson said: "Matthias is one of the most exciting and highly regarded young coaches in football and I'm thrilled to welcome him to Newcastle United."We have conducted a thorough process, and he has emerged as the clear candidate for the role. He possesses all the qualities we were looking for."- 'Believe in the project' -Jaissle has a tough task ahead of him given the way Howe, in his five years at Newcastle, revitalised a club that had struggled for decades.Howe replaced Steve Bruce in November 2021 and won the League Cup in March 2025 -- beating Liverpool in the final to clinch the northeast side's first major trophy since 1969.The former Bournemouth boss also led Newcastle to Champions League qualification in 2023 and 2025.But hampered by star striker Alexander Isak's protracted move to Liverpool, the Englishman came under pressure as the Magpies finished 12th in the Premier League last season, with 17 defeats in their 38 games.Newcastle reached the Champions League last 16 but were hammered 8-3 on aggregate by Barcelona.The club have since been depleted by the close-season departures of Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and England forward Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, with Howe reportedly frustrated at losing several of his best players in order that Newcastle could comply with Premier League profit and sustainability rules.Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes is also set to leave St James' Park after reports earlier Wednesday that Premier League champions Arsenal had agreed a 75 million ($101 million) deal to sign the Brazil midfielder.The Magpies begin the 2026/27 Premier League season at home to Liverpool on August 23, with an upbeat Jaissle insisting: "I am incredibly excited about the future."I fully and unreservedly believe in this project, the ambition and the direction the club is taking. There is a clear vision, strong leadership and an exceptional platform to build on."jdg/ea

  The global Machine Glazed Paper Market is projected to witness robust growth as food packaging manufacturers, converters, and industrial packaging companies increasingly adopt high-performance paper materials for wrapping, printing, and barrier packaging applications. According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the market is expected to grow from USD 4.4 billion in...