Rangers manager Derek McInnes: "In the four games we've had, there's been some good moments, but it's not been good enough and certainly not a strong enough 90-minute performance.He describes the lead up to the goal conceded tonight as "madness"."It is not a lack of bodies," he adds. "It is a lack of intelligence and a lack of doing the right thing."Once they equalised, it is so difficult because the players lose confidence, the situation becomes a bit desperate and I thought we just lost all of our composure after that."It is not great to watch. My team go from some good highs in the first half to being as poor as we were in the second half and you have to say we didn't do enough."We huffed and puffed and even when we threw [Emmanuel] Fernandez up, we still don't make the right decisions."We should be winning this game. Jagiellonia are a decent team with some good players and I think they're well coached, but Rangers at their best should be winning this."We have work to do to get ready for a cup tie against St Mirren on Sunday."

The last time Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders addressed the media in Cleveland, he got frustrated with a question and short with the reporter who asked it. This week, he apologized for that.Sanders came out to talk to the media and started by saying he meant no disrespect with the way he addressed them last time.How's everybody doing? Good, good. First, I want to apologize for how things was last time I came up here before y'll, Sanders said before taking any questions. I dislike when its a lot of separation. When something gets between the team and people get painted a certain way and all this different type of stuff. So thats where I get frustrated, and I shut down. Because it just doesnt help us win."Sanders had previously become upset with a question about his quarterback competition with Deshaun Watson, declining to answer it by saying, "Next question. I answered this question 1,000 times." At his more recent press conference, he explained that he was trying not to say anything that might suggest the quarterback competition is dividing the team."I feel drained when I express myself to people and places and cameras when its not received and taken the right way, or like were trying to divide the team or anything like that. That's where I was trying to preserve my energy from going in depth with a lot of things," Sanders said.It's to Sanders' credit that he wants to do better in his interactions with the media. And it's the kind of thing that will easily be forgotten, especially if Sanders plays and plays well.

CHEBOYGAN Following three days at Lake Louise in Boyne Falls, the Cheboygan Chiefs werelooking forward to their first home practice of the new campaign. However, at3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13,the Cheboygan players received some unfortunate,devastating news. INLAND LAKES SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN: Inland Lakes football faces a new 2026 challenge in Bridge AllianceINLAND LAKES FOOTBALL PRACTICE: Inland Lakes football wants to 'make them believe,' have big 2026Brought in for a team meeting, Cheboygans players were informed by head coach Bill Nesbitt and his staff that the program had to cancelthe 2026 campaign because of low numbers and concerns for student safety. Because of injuries, Cheboygans varsity team saw its number of players shrink to 13, which made it a huge health risk to play an entire 11-player football season. But while players and coaches knew cancellation was possible, they opted to go to team camp in Lake Louise, where they had three productive, team-bonding days, according to Nesbitt. We knew we had low numbers, but we thought we had enough numbers to still have a season, Nesbitt said. We had a plan of what we were going to do schematically with low numbers, but we had a really good camp, football-wise and team building. I really felt for the seniors. I love them and I love all the kids.But once Thursday hit, and with numbers not improving, the program pulledthe plug on 2026just weeks before their season opener at Sault Ste. Marie at the end of August. It was very difficult (to tell the players), Nesbitt said. Our theme this year was growth requires challenge, and its amazing to me the challenges we were faced with before the season even started, and we already talked about them. Talking to (the players) was one more example to us of how we have options through this challenge that we can either grow or not, but thats a challenge were faced with, and we talked about the characteristics and the things that we call our Big Ten principles of life and of football are put the test, and thats what you can refer back to when youre facing with these obstacles, and that was kind of the message.For Nesbitt, he said he and his staff did everything in their power to keep the season alive. For me, Ive always put the kids health and safety and well-being and their personal development and their collective football family development first, Nesbitt said. Even in this worse situation were faced with, up until the last minute we still did what we could. We went to camp, and we worked on things that we thought were important.One of the reasons why Cheboygans numbers were low stems from other levels such as the junior varsity program, which forfeited four or five games a year ago. We knew for the last couple of years that the group of current junior and sophomore numbers have been low since elementary school, in participation, Nesbitt said. "As a coach, you prepare for the worst scenario, and thats why you go through all those game situations, but thats also why you hope and expect the best, so we prepared to have low numbers but to have a season. Its totally unchartered."Instead of having an opportunity to play under the Friday night lights, Cheboygans players and coaches will have to consider other options, which include perhaps helping the junior varsity team, which will play this fall, or volunteering for the Junior Chiefs. Of course, theres the option of playing another sport. Itll be a strange time this fall, but for Nesbitt, hes going to do his best to stay connected with his varsity players as well as doing his part at other levels of Cheboygan football. One of the things we posed to the varsity kids and these werethings we threw as options for themwas maybe lets get together and pick a date and well go down and watch Luke Munger at Northwood once or twice, Nesbitt said. If they want to, this is our chance, and well look at dates, and whatever Fridays they want, lets go watch another local team or another team theyve wanted to see, as a fan. If we cant play and fight together, maybe we can just enjoy games together. Thats one of the options we have.Check back with the Daily Tribune for updates on this developing story. Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDTThis article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan High School varsity football program cancels 2026 season

Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) waits to be introduced on Sept. 19, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix.Diana Taurasi was given the moniker the White Mamba for a reason by Kobe Bryant. Its because greatness recognizes greatness.There is no doubt that Diana Taurasi is currently the best womens basketball player in the history of the game. You dont even have to look at her stats to confirm it. Just turn to her trophy case, which is packed tighter than a dad driving a Mini Cooper for his kids school carpool. It is home to three NCAA championships, two NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player awards, WNBA Rookie of the Year, three WNBA championships, one regular-season MVP, two WNBA Finals MVPs and six yes six gold medals. And thats the CliffsNotes version.To argue her place in the pantheon of the game would be at best an act of futility and at worst just plain crazy. The question in the Valley becomes, is she simply the greatest athlete in Phoenix sports history?The only answer is Diana TaurasiSome will argue Charles Barkley but and this is coming from an admitted Sir Charles homer he only won a MVP and a Western Conference championship while lasting just four seasons in the Valley before asking out. Sure, his time was special and provided memories that will forever be ingrained in our brains, but he lacked the longevity and all-encompassing success required to be the greatest.Steve Nash had the longevity between his two stints in the Valley and collected more hardware at least personally than Barkley with his back-to-back MVPs, but he never got further than the Western Conference Finals. Its hard to put him at the top of the mountain because of it.Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner falls under the Barkley category great player, great guy and great memories, but the time spent in the Valley was limited and so was the long-term success.Jake Plummers senior season at ASU was magical, but it was one year and ended in crushing defeat at the hands of David Boston and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Not worthy of the distinction of greatest of all time.The Arizona Diamondbacks boast the states only other championship in a major pro sport, with Luis Gonzalez leading the way. He, like Plummer, had one extremely magical season. The problem was, he didnt sustain it over a long period of time, nor did he win the individual accolades.Randy Johnson was another major reason for that Diamondbacks championship. His resume is impressive. The World Series championship, Co-MVP of the World Series, five All-Star game appearances, four Cy Young Awards, and a perfect game in 8 seasons. While his accolades and accomplishments speak for themselves, he only helped lead Arizona to three playoff appearances and had a 5-3 post season record. While the 2001 run was probably the best singular playoff run and his World Series heroics are legendary, its not enough to be No. 1 all-time. Larry Fitzgerald can see the summit of the mountain. His career spanned 17 seasons, all in the Valley. His numbers make him undoubtedly one of the best wide receivers in NFL history and if you consider the QBs he played with, maybe the best while having the most success the Cardinals franchise ever had in the desert. Hes a Hall of Famer but he never won an MVP, never won a Super Bowl or NCAA championship, and never ranked higher than No. 7 in the NFLs Top 100 list. Larry is a legend by every standard, but is he the GOAT?There is one athlete that checks all the boxes with longevity, individual accolades, championships and an intense passion for Phoenix. Thats right, Diana Taurasi and her signature bun have been a mainstay in Phoenix for over two decades. Shes won three championships, a multitude of awards, has the most points in league history, and her silhouette is even the leagues logo. All of this while being the heart and soul of the franchise the entire time.On Sunday Diana Taurasi goes into the Mercury Ring of Honor. Over her 20 year career we all had the privilege to witness greatness at the highest level from an athlete who changed her sport and the lives of young female athletes forever. The Phoenix Mercury havent been the same without her, but the league, the Valley and basketball havent been the same because of her.Great may recognize great, but its time for the Valley as a whole to recognize just what Diana Taurasi has meant, because shes going to the rafters for eternity.

NORMAN Former SMU guard B.J. Edwards has committed to Oklahoma, The Oklahoman confirmed, giving the Sooners a major piece for the 2026-27 season. Edwards was recently granted a fifth year of eligibility through a court ruling in Tennessee. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he started the Mustangs' first 28 games last season before missing the rest of the season due to injury. Edwards averaged 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists last season and was the only player nationally with three games of 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals.While awaiting a court ruling in Tennessee, Edwards signed a contract with the Sacramento Kings and played in the NBA Summer League, where he averaged 2.4 points in five games. Coincidentally, the Sooners were left out of the NCAA Tournament for SMU, which was adamant Edwards would be available if the Mustangs were selected. Edwards ultimately didn't play in SMU's loss to Miami (Ohio) in the First Four.Edwards played three seasons with the Mustangs after spending his freshman year at Tennessee. A Knoxville native, he scored 2,240 total points at Knoxville Catholic High School.Edwards will join an OU squad that returns double-figures scorersXzayvier Brown andDerrion Reid and is aiming to get back to the NCAA Tournament in coach Porter Moser's sixth season.Colton Sulleycovers theOklahoma Soonersfor The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached atcsulley@oklahoman.comor on X/Twitter at@colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU men's basketball lands fifth-year SMU transfer B.J. Edwards

HEYWORTH, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) -- There's a preseason buzz with Heyworth Hornets.Heyworth brings back eight offensive starters and seven on defense from a team that won just the second playoff game in school history last fall. And that's making the players excited for the 2026 season."My freshman year we made the playoffs for the first time in a decade. We got knocked out in the first round," said senior lineman Jarrd Fulcher. "The feeling of winning a playoff game is like nothing else."Heyworth went 7-2 in the regular season last year. Then went on the road and beat Princeville in a first-round playoff game, giving the school its first postseason win since 2009.Fulcher is a key returner on the offensive and defensive lines. Running back Braydon Laesch, who rushed for over 1,200 yards and scored 22 touchdowns last year, figures to be a key part of the offense again.Versatile two-way player Caleb Troha also returns for the Hornets who have made the playoffs eight times in school history. But Heyworth has been a postseason team in two of the last three seasons which has the program moving forward in the tough Heart of Central Illinois Conference, which sent eight teams to the playoffs in 2025."We all expect to win. Our fans expect us to win," said Laesch. "Bringing it for them, doing it for them, it's what pushes us every day."Heyworth opens the season at Shelbyville on Aug. 21.Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.

Which of the USA's World Cup stars could build on the summer's momentum, and who needs to get back on track?

The Dallas Cowboys having high expectations isn't anything new, but maybe this is the year they can meet those expectations. After predicting every game on the Cowboys' schedule, "First Things First" co-host Danny Parkins believes that Dallas will finish the season 11-6. Parkins envisions the Cowboys starting the year strong, going 5-1 as he thinks they'll pick up wins against the New York Giants and Washington Commanders before upsetting the Baltimore Ravens. "I think they are going to continue to have a ton of success against the Giants and Washington," Parkins said. On Baltimore, he added, "I just don't know that Baltimore is ready to win a shootout. I am not as optimistic on Baltimore's offense as I am on their defense, and I think their defense will be better later in the year than early." As for the games the Cowboys will lose, Parkins sees them falling to the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams. However, Parkins also believes Dallas will win one of its matchups against Philadelphia and take down the Green Bay Packers (who could have former Cowboys star Micah Parsons healthy for that game) and the Jacksonville Jaguars. "Dak Prescott is a more reliable commodity than Trevor Lawrence," Parkins said, explaining why he likes the Cowboys to take down the defending AFC South champion Jaguars late in the year. "Overall, an 11-6 season." Dallas isn't projected to win 11 games in 2026, so Parkins' prediction is certainly on the optimistic side for the Cowboys. Most oddsmakers have the Cowboys' win total at 9.5, with over 9.5 wins sitting at +105 at DraftKings Sportsbook. But the Cowboys were favored in 11 games on the look-ahead lines. While Parkins and some others might be feeling bullish about the Cowboys, our Ben Arthur isn't. He predicted Dallas to go 6-11 when the schedule was released in May. "It helps that the NFC East isnt as threatening as it was a year ago at this time. But their non-division schedule is brutal," Arthur wrote. "Expectations are high in Dallas, but it wouldnt be surprising to see it take a step back." However, the start of training camp could help spark some more hope in Dallas. The Cowboys made sweeping changes to their defense this offseason, poaching Christian Parker from the Eagles and making him their defensive coordinator. Dallas also has eight new starters on defense, including safety Caleb Downs, edge rusher Rashan Gary and cornerback Kobie Durant. With those changes in place, our Eric D. Williams believes that the Cowboys might have a defense suited to help their offense after finishing last in points allowed last season. "Every day we come out here, we want to compete at a high level and do your one-eleventh," Durant told Williams following a recent Cowboys practice. "And its on display every day we come out here. High energy, everybody doing their part and bringing what we do in the classroom and make it come to life on the field." If the Cowboys' defense is better than it was last year, maybe they'll make the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Dallas went 7-9-1 in 2025, with Dak Prescott and the offense doing much of the heavy lifting.

The former LSU quarterback is reportedly upset his No. 5 jersey was reissued while Joe Burrow's No. 9 remains untouched in Baton Rouge

The Oregon Ducks are exploring their options at quarterback in the 2028 class, looking to one of the best passers in Texas as the recruiting cycle heats up.The Ducks will host four-star quarterback Tristin Gaines on Oct. 10 in Eugene when Oregon plays UCLA. Gaines is the No. 8 quarterback in the class and No. 86 overall. While the Ducks have been linked closely to Josiah Boyd, the No. 2 quarterback in the 2028 class, Gaines has become an important option as well.Gaines told Rivals' Sam Spiegelman (subscription required) that Oregon is recruiting him the hardest right now, leading Spiegelman to declare the Ducks as the new leader in the race. Gaines also has visits to Texas Tech and Michigan set for the fall.Oregon has also been viewed as the leader for Boyd, who will visit for the Ducks' Friday night contest against Portland State on Sept. 18. The Ducks will likely pursue both Boyd and Gaines, especially with more than a year until either is set to sign with a program. Oregon also holds a commitment from 2027 quarterback Will Mencl.NEW: A new leader has emerged for 2028 4-star QB Tristin Gaines, @samspiegs reportsGaines is expected to have a busy fall exploring contenders.Intel: https://t.co/VP8LF2rgh2pic.twitter.com/hFXHcdjtqv Rivals (@Rivals) August 13, 2026Gaines visited Eugene in the offseason and even received a visit from Oregon quarterbacks coach Koa Ka'ai. Since he is in constant contact with the coaching staff, Gaines is emerging as a bigger priority in the class, and he could visit multiple times this season.The signal-caller from Waller, Texas, is a dual-threat under center, passing for 2,016 yards and 22 touchdowns as a sophomore while rushing for 542 yards and nine more scores. Gaines is also a star on the baseball diamond, winning a pair of gold medals with USA Baseball.Oregon's schedule for game day visits in the 2028 class is beginning to fill up. Gaines will be in Eugene alongside fellow Oregon targets in the 2028 class, including four-star receiver Jayce Halasz and five-star edge rusher Kameron McGee.Contact/Follow@Ducks_Wireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon gaining traction as 'new leader' for 2028 QB Tristin Gaines