Fever's Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell just accomplished something the WNBA hasn't seen in 15 years originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.For the first time since 2011, a WNBA backcourt duo has swept Player of the Month awards in consecutive months.That duo is Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever.Caitlin Clark Player of the Month in JuneKelsey Mitchell Player of the Month in JulyThe first backcourt duo to be named Player of the Month in consecutive months since 2011. pic.twitter.com/KVlO70k15h Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) August 5, 2026After Clark was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for June, Mitchell on Wednesday was named Player of the Month for July, as the All-Star guards continue to sizzle for the East's best team.MORE:Sophie Cunningham takes issue with WNBA reporters who cover 'everything except basketball'The Fever has won nine of the past 12 games, but Mitchell has been playing at an MVP-caliber level for longer.Over her past 14 games, Mitchell is averaging 27.6 points on 52.4 percent shooting -- which includes a 50.5 percent mark from 3-point range.Kelsey Mitchell last 14 games:27.6 PPG52.4% FG50.5% 3PT88.0% FTDropped 37 today vs. the Lynx.( via @WomensHoops_USA)pic.twitter.com/QNCGW652Cs Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) August 2, 2026Since a 45-point explosion against the Seattle Storm on July 17, Clark has been able to elevate her game to a new level as she plays arguably the best basketball of her three-year career.In the past six games, Clark is averaging 27.7 points and 9.2 assists. That stretch includes a 26-10-10 triple-double against the Portland Fire on July 31.With a backcourt this productive, it is little wonder why the Fever is on course to have the most efficient offense in WNBA history.Clark and Mitchell will give Indiana a chance against any team in the playoffs if they continue to play at this level.More WNBA news:Mystics' Shakira Austin is healthy at last and powering Washington's playoff pushCaitlin Clark fans furious over WNBA ranking that puts Paige Bueckers aheadAces surge up new WNBA power ranking as A'ja Wilson continues to dominateFever lose Damiris Dantas for rest of 2026 season after knee surgery

OU football's season opener changing from Saturday to Friday specially benefitted one group of fans: local students.Norman Public Schools announced classes will be cancelled on Friday, Sept. 4, due to expected disruptions affecting bus routes, staff travel, and the ability of families to access schools and district offices safely. Norman is expected to see significant traffic congestion and potential road closures on game day.Because of the schedule change, the last day of school for NPS students will now be Friday, May 21.In-person classes at the University of Oklahoma have also been cancelled in preparation for the game and to accommodate traffic, parking, and safety measures that accompany game day. Classes in other campuses or online will continue as scheduled.Only essential workers should report to the Norman campus and follow their game day schedules. The remaining employees should not have remote work and eligible employees will receive administrative leave, the university said on an email sent to students, faculty and staff.With the off-day on Friday, both NPS and OU students will have a four-day weekend, as Labor Day will be celebrated on the following Monday.OU also cancelled classes in 2024, when the Sooners' opener was also played on a Friday.The Sooners, led by quarterback John Mateer, will open the 2026 season against UT-El Paso at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4. OU will then head to Ann Arbor to face 2023 national champions Michigan before heading back home for a final non-conference game against New Mexico.The OU Norman campus and Norman Public Schools will resume normal operations on Tuesday, Sept. 8, following the holiday.Isa Almeida is a trending reporter for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Isa? She can be reached at ialmeida@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at@ialmeidasports. Support Isa's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Norman, OU cancel classes on day of Sooners' football opener

Patriots trade idea with Kayshon Boutte from ESPN would be a mistake originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The New England Patriots made one of the biggest moves of the NFL offseason, acquiring AJ Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and more. They also signed Romeo Doubs in free agency.Getting Brown for Drake Maye was a great decision, but now, the Patriots are facing a tricky question: Do they keep this current WR room together, or do they trade from this group to add more draft capital?ESPN's Seth Walder proposed a trade idea that would send WR Kayson Boutte to the Washington Commanders in exchange for draft capital. While adding more draft picks would be nice, this trade idea with Boutte would be a mistake.Patriots trade idea sending Kayson Boutte to Commanders would be a mistake"Commanders receive: WR Kayson Boutte. Patriots receive: 2027 fifth-round pick," Walder proposed. "That said, if I were New England, I would be inclined to keep Boutte."Walder's trade idea sending Buotte to the Commanders likely wouldn't work now that Washington has agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent WR Stefon Diggs.But another team could step up as the franchise in the Commanders' place as a trade destination for Boutte this offseason.It doesn't matter what team emerges as a Boutte suitor; there should be no reason for the Patriots to trade away their young wide receiver. He's only 24 years old, and while a free agent after this season, is someone who provides a lot of upside for this offense.For as good as Brown and Doubs are, they've both had injury issues in the past, and having good WR depth is a key for a Super Bowl-caliber team like the Patriots.MORE:Deebo Samuel is back! 49ers pull off stunning reunionBoutte is a key depth piece and would be a massive loss if he were dealt this offseason. Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, and DeMario Douglas have had their moments, but they don't compare to Boutte when it comes to upside in the pass game.Trading Boutte for just a fifth-round pick would be a bad decision. He might not be worth more than that as a rental to other teams, but to the Patriots, he should be viewed more as worth a fourth-round pick.But, even if a team came calling offering a fourth-rounder for Boutte, the value that he provides both as depth and as a WR with chemistry with Maye makes him someone the Patriots really shouldn't trade away.Trading Boutte would be a mistake, just as this trade idea from Walder would be. Unless the Patriots were to receive a third-round pick, moving on from someone like Boutte would be a major risk not worth taking in a contending year for the Patriots.More NFL news:Deion Sanders has words with Browns' Todd Monken about Shedeur SandersBo Nix, Broncos draw bold claim from NFL analystBengals training camp fight: Why JaMarr Chase threw helmet in scuffle at practiceChris Olave contract details: Saints give massive extension to star WR with history of injuriesBen Johnson responds to Liam Coens pointed Caleb Williams comment

PHILADELPHIA The Eagles are slowly introducing defensive tackle Uar Bernard and edge rusher Joshua Weru, two international players new to American football, to their first NFL training camp. This spring, Philadelphia spent a seventh-round pick on Bernard and signed Weru as an undrafted free agent. Bernard, from Nigeria, and Weru, from Kenya, are not ready to play in games. At this stage, they are learning the basics of football. The Eagles want to protect their two young international players and their teammates during practice because their inexperience could create situations where someone gets hurt.Its hard because theres a health part of that, too, where you dont want them in there against, say, your number one offense or even with your number one defense because youre never quite sure whats going to happen, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said before Wednesdays practice.Fangio considers that risk every time Bernard and Weru are on the field. MORE BY CAYDEN STEELEEagles coach sees big turnaround from star he called out for being out of shape: Much better Aug. 5, 2026, 3:31 p.m.Underrated Eagles player left New York behind and found himself again: Im still that guyAug. 5, 2026, 6:00 a.m.Its not easy, Fangio said. We are invested in their development, but not at the detriment of our team.Over the next few years, Fangio and the Eagles staff will try to develop Bernard and Weru into NFL-caliber players. Its going to take a long while, Fangio said. You guys can get off that topic. Theyre light years away.Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The start of training camp sparks hope for the fan bases of all 32 NFL teams, especially those who missed the playoffs the year prior. But even as the NFL sees plenty of turnover on a year-to-year basis, only a handful of teams that missed the postseason the year prior make the playoffs the next season. Which teams will be a part of that group this year? FOX Sports' Colin Cowherd predicted which five non-playoff teams from last season are most likely to make the postseason in 2026 on a recent edition of "The Herd," as one of the 18 teams that missed the playoffs last year looked to replicate what the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots did in 2025. After star quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15 last season, the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Now, with a healthy Mahomes, a new offensive weapon in Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III and the addition of top-10 pick Mansoor Delane, Cowherd believes the Chiefs are able to make their way back into the playoff picture. "Andy Reid. 27 seasons. Never had back-to-back losing seasons," Cowherd said. "They have two huge needs, corner (Delane) and running back (Walker). They have addressed both with elite players. They were 1-9 in one-score games. "I do believe, when Mahomes has protection and a semi-solid run game, hes a playoff quarterback. Kansas City is back in." The New Orleans Saints finished their 2025 campaign on a high note under first-year coach Kellen Moore, when rookie quarterback Tyler Shough led the team to four wins in the final five games. So, the Saints added around Shough over the offseason. They signed Jacksonville Jaguars standout Travis Etienne, adding him to a running back room with Alvin Kamara. They also used a top-10 pick on Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and signed one of the top interior offensive linemen available in free agency, David Edwards. With all of those additions, Shough surging and a relatively uncompetitive NFC South, Cowherd is expecting the Saints to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021. "Very winnable division. Its noisy in Tampa. Tyler Shough [he] won four of their last five games last year. They went heavy with wide receiver, tight end and running back in the offseason," Cowherd said. "So they are building an offense around him and they got money to spend. Travis Etienne will shore up that running game, which was lousy last year. Their defense was top 10. "This is not a firepower, offensive division. Tyler Shough played well late. He led all rookies in completion percentage, passing yards and passer rating. Tyler Shough was kind of the surprise quarterback in the league." A new head coach in John Harbaugh and second-year Jaxson Dart could be the keys to the New York Giants earning a playoff spot. The Giants are getting Malik Nabers back after the star wide receiver's second season was cut short due to an ACL tear. New York also loaded up in the draft. It selected Ohio State star linebacker Arvell Reese with the fifth overall pick before nabbing Miami (Fla.) offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa with the 10th overall pick. Those additions, plus some potential luck, lead Cowherd to think that the Giants will make the postseason as a wild-card team. "The last two years, the Giants were 2-15 in one-score games. Last year, they were 1-7. Nobody was close to that bad," Cowherd said. "They have Dart, who was pretty good as a rookie. [Cam] Skattebo is back. They've added pieces on the offensive line. Arvell Reese, Malachi Fields, Notre Dame wide receiver, Francis Mauigoa, who was solid from Miami. So I love their draft class. I dont think this is an 11, 12-win team. I think they sneak in as a wild card. Cowherd also has Harbaugh's old team on this list. The Baltimore Ravens brought in Jesse Minter to replace Harbaugh after going 8-9 last season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Like the Lions, the Ravens bring back the majority of their nucleus that helped them become one of the AFC's top teams earlier in the decade. Now, they just have to hope quarterback Lamar Jackson can remain healthy for a full season after missing four games last year. "They have an easy schedule in the first seven weeks with a rookie head coach, first-time playcaller and a lot of moving parts. Its kind of a soft opening for the Baltimore Ravens," Cowherd said. "Also, theyve never missed back-to-back seasons since Lamar Jackson was their quarterback Jesse Minter is going to be a great first-year head coach. They dont have everything buttoned up, I think they make their way in." The Detroit Lions enter the 2026 season with one of the easiest schedules in the NFL. Going by combined opponents' winning percentage from the 2025 season, the Lions have the sixth-easiest slate in the league, which could be enough to turn things around after a 9-8 year. Detroit also returns the majority of its nucleus that helped it win the NFC North in back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024. Jared Goff has remained productive, and he still has high-level playmakers around him like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs. The Lions are shuffling some things around along the offensive line and defense in 2026. However, Cowherd isn't too concerned about the changes Detroit is making along the edges. "They face [one of the easiest schedules] in the NFL. New England had it last year. How did that work out last year? Made it to the Super Bowl," Cowherd said. "Detroit has upgraded. Theyre already good at running back, wide receiver, quarterback, O-line; theyve shuffled in some players. Panay Sewell goes to left tackle, Blake Miller, the rookie, their top pick, goes to right tackle. "This is a winning team. They had the most injured defense the last two years. Theyve had bad injury luck. I think with a new OC, I think its kind of an offense in a mediocre defensive division where I think theyll eat. The Lions are back in the playoffs."

The PGA Tour rolls through Greensboro for the regular season finale

Brett Ballard, the basketball coach at Division II Washburn, was hurt in a car accident in Kansas

Why Jeremiyah Love isn't playing vs. Panthers with Cardinals' RB depth chart in flux originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Cardinals fans will get their first look at Carson Beck in an NFL uniform in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game, but those hoping to see Jeremiyah Love will have to wait.Love won't play against the Panthers, coach Mike LaFleur announced Wednesday, ruling out the No. 3 pick ahead of the team's preseason opener.The decision comes not long after the Cardinals listed Tyler Allgeier as their No. 1 running back on their first depth chart of training camp.Here's what you need to know about Love's absence against Carolina.MORE:Meet the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame classWhy Jeremiyah Love isn't playing vs. PanthersThe Cardinals are expected to sit key starters in the Hall of Fame Game, including quarterback Jacoby Brissett. While the team has been reluctant to name Love a starter, his absence isn't injury-related and might be the best sign yet that Arizona does indeed have big plans for the rookie out of Notre Dame this season.LaFleur didn't say who would start at running back on Thursday night. If Allgeier plays while key starters sit, it could be a sign that Love is set to be the Cardinals' No. 1 running back entering the season. If Allgeier sits as well, it could be an indication that Arizona sees both Love and Allgeier as key pieces of its backfield that aren't worth risking in a meaningless game.The Cardinals haven't ruled Love out of any other preseason games, so he could still get some game action this summer.MORE:Where is the NFL Hall of Fame game played?Is Jeremiyah Love injured?Love isn't dealing with an injury, by all indications. It's common for teams to rest key starters in preseason games, particularly with the Cardinals having an extra preseason game on their schedule.While rookies don't often sit out in the preseason, Love is expected to be a major part of the Cardinals' offense and will still have other opportunities to see game action this summer if Arizona wants to get a better look at him.MORE:When does the 2026 NFL season start?Cardinals projected RB depth chartRankRB1Jeremiyah Love2Tyler Allgeier3James Conner4Trey Benson5Zonovan Knight6Corey KinerThe Cardinals' The="" #AZCardinals="" release="" their="" first="" depth="" chart="" of="" 2026:="" >pic.twitter.com/k59CFDDdoB="" Darren="" Urban="" (@Cardschatter)="" >August="" 2,="" 2026=""

Not everybody was a fan of the Atlanta Falcons taking Avieon Terrell in the second round. Terrell is admittedly undersized for an NFL cornerback, and questions were immediately raised about whether or not his game would translate well to the next level.That remains to be seen, but there have been positive flashes so far at Terrell's first pro training camp. Today the rookie cornerback intercepted a pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, making a diving pick for a highlight reel play.AV incoming @nationwide_avpic.twitter.com/xJLHWco0tG Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 5, 2026This is both a good clip and a bad one as far as the Falcons are concerned. Terrell's ball skills are one of the big positive attributes that made him a Day 2 pick in the first place - and something his older brother A.J. Terrell admits he does better than him.On the other hand, it's admittedly difficult to see what Tagovailoa had intended with this throw, but from this angle at least it appears to be a poorly thrown ball and questionable decision. However, that's what practice is for.Turnovers had never been a huge problem for Tua before last season in Miami, when he threw a career-high 15 interceptions to go with 20 touchdown passes. Around the NFL, only Geno Smith threw more picks (17) in 2025.This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons rookie Avieon Terrell picks off Tua Tagovailoa in practice

While the Big Ten may not have the most teams in the preseason US LBM coaches poll, they still are represented well. The conference which has produced the last three national champions has eight teams o the preseason poll, including the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes return two of the country's most talked about players in Heisman finalist Julian Sayin and all-world receiver Jeremiah Smith.Joining the Buckeyes in the top 10 are the 2nd ranked Oregon Ducks, who return QB Dante Moore after he could have entered the draft and the 6th ranked defending champion Indiana Hoosiers, now with TCU transfer Josh Hoover at the helm of the offense. However, the depth of the Big Ten is further shown in the rest of the top 25 and also contains some dark horses to look out for in the conference.The 14th ranked USC Trojans are trying to break into the CFP for the first time under Lincoln Riley and are trusting in the growth of QB Jayden Maiava to get them over the line. And Penn State fans are rejoicing after the Nittany Lions were ranked 17th in an offseason where their preseason projections were all over the place. With one of the Big Ten's most favorable schedules, who's to say the Blue and White won't be in the conference conversation?The Michigan Wolverines under new head coach Kyle Whittingham are right above them at 16, with the Nittany Lions game in Ann Arbor one of the Big Ten's marquee matchups. However, lurking just behind them are the 19th ranked Washington Huskies, a popular dark horse pick after the return of QB Demond Williams Jr.Rounding out the Big Ten's contingency are the 22nd ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, who are always pesky and field one of the nation's best defenses seemingly every year.Penn State, despite their easy slate, do have three ranked games as things stand, facing Michigan, USC, and Washington. Two of those come on the road, so wins in both could play into a potential CFP case. Still, the headliner of the bunch could be a potential White Out matchup against the Trojans on October 10.The conference with the most teams in the poll is the SEC with nine representatives. 3rd ranked defending SEC champ Georgia and 4th ranked Texas lead the pack for them.Here is the full preseason US LBM coaches poll: RankTeamRecordPTS1stPrevChgHi/Lo1Ohio State Buckeyes0-0174138NR-1/12Oregon Ducks0-016376NR-2/23Georgia Bulldogs0-015917NR-3/34Texas Longhorns0-015442NR-4/45Notre Dame Fighting Irish0-015245NR-5/56Indiana Hoosiers0-0152214NR-6/67Miami (FL) Hurricanes0-014090NR-7/78Texas A&M Aggies0-011740NR-8/89Oklahoma Sooners0-011040NR-9/910Ole Miss Rebels0-010960NR-10/1011Alabama Crimson Tide0-010500NR-11/1112Texas Tech Red Raiders0-010340NR-12/1213LSU Tigers0-09510NR-13/1314USC Trojans0-08380NR-14/1415BYU Cougars0-07810NR-15/1516Michigan Wolverines0-07190NR-16/1617Penn State Nittany Lions0-04630NR-17/1718Tennessee Volunteers0-04280NR-18/1819Washington Huskies0-04060NR-19/1920SMU Mustangs0-03780NR-20/2021Utah Utes0-03130NR-21/2122Iowa Hawkeyes0-02910NR-22/2223Clemson Tigers0-02350NR-23/2324Houston Cougars0-01940NR-24/2425Missouri TigersFollow Nittany Lions Wire on X and Facebook.This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Where do Big Ten teams rank in latest preseason coaches poll?