Category: Saturday Sports Slam

Under weight of family tragedy, LSU coach crafts big win

Under weight of family tragedy, LSU coach crafts big win
By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer
LSU offensive guru Steve Ensminger had far more than football on his mind at the Peach Bowl. Ensminger learned before the game his daughter-in-law had been killed in a plane crash in Louisiana. The plane was bound for Atlanta and his son’s wife, Carley McCord, planned to attend the game. Ensminger managed to gather himself to call the game of his career as the Tigers beat No. 4 Oklahoma 63-28 in the playoff semifinal.  Before the Tigers head to New Orleans to play in the national championship game, Ensminger will seek comfort from family and friends in Baton Rouge.

Burrow throws 7 TDs, LSU routs Oklahoma 63-28

Breathtaking: Burrow throws 7 TDs, LSU routs Oklahoma 63-28
By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer
Joe Burrow turned in the greatest performance yet in his Heisman Trophy season, throwing for seven touchdowns and 493 yards as No. 1 LSU romped to a breathtaking 63-28 victory over No. 4 Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl semifinal. The unbeaten Tigers now head to the national football championship game against either No. 3 Clemson. They are certainly clicking on all cylinders, having dismantled the Sooners with a first half for the ages. Burrow tied the record for any college bowl game with his seven TDs — all before halftime. Justin Jefferson had four TD catches.

Clutch Clemson: No. 3 Tigers beat No. 2 Ohio State 29-23

Clutch Clemson: No. 3 Tigers beat No. 2 Ohio State 29-23
By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer
Trevor Lawrence connected with Travis Etienne on a 34-yard touchdown with 1:49 left in the fourth quarter and No. 3 Clemson beat No. 2 Ohio State 29-23 Saturday night at the Fiesta Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff championship game. The Tigers went 94 yards on four plays in 1:18, with Lawrence completing all three of his passes and mixing in an 11-yard run. The sophomore quarterback who has never lost a college start passed for 259 yards and two scores and ran for a career-high 107 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown late in the first half. Clemson sealed it by intercepting Justin Fields’ pass into the end one with 37 seconds left.

Galchenyuk scores, Penguins thump ailing Predators 5-2

Galchenyuk scores, Penguins thump ailing Predators 5-2
JIM DIAMOND Associated Press
Alex Galchenyuk scored his third goal of the season, Tristan Jarry made 30 saves and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Nashville Predators 5-2. Dominik Simon, Teddy Blueger, Bryan Rust and Juuso Riikola also scored for the Penguins, who have won five of six. Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne was pulled after allowing three goals on six shots. Juuse Saros stopped 17 of 19 shots in relief. Nashville defenseman Dan Hamhuis left in the first period after Galchenyuk’s wrist shot hit him in the face. Hamhuis hurried off the ice and down the tunnel, and the game was delayed while his blood was cleaned off the ice.

Rookie Bush making Steelers’ heavy investment in him pay off

Rookie Bush making Steelers’ heavy investment in him pay off
Devin Bush is well aware the Pittsburgh Steelers took the unusual for them step of trading up 10 spots in the draft to take him in April. But the inside linebacker from Michigan has developed into the closest thing to Ryan Shazier they have had since Shazier last played before suffering a spinal injury in December 2017. The early returns have been solid. Through 15 games Bush already has the most tackles (97) by a Steelers rookie. He’s played 82% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps and ranks second on the team in tackles.

Misery in Ohio: Browns, Bengals end woeful seasons together

Misery in Ohio: Browns, Bengals end woeful seasons together
By JOE KAY AP Sports Writer
Yet another dismal season of professional football in Ohio wraps up within the state’s borders — a most appropriate finish for two franchise with more big questions down the road. The Browns and Bengals get together at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday in what will likely be a final “Battle of Ohio” for some of the main participants. The Browns regressed in Freddie Kitchens’ first season as head coach, leading to questions about whether he’ll return. It will be Andy Dalton’s last start as the Bengals’ franchise quarterback. The one-win Bengals are expected to take a quarterback in the draft.

Simone Soars: Biles named 2019 AP Female Athlete of the Year

Simone Soars: Biles named 2019 AP Female Athlete of the Year
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
Gymnast Simone Biles is the 2019 AP Female Athlete of the Year. The reigning world and Olympic champion edged U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe for the honor in a vote among AP member sports editors and AP beat writers. The 22-year-old is the first gymnast to win the award twice and the first to do it in a non-Olympic year. She was named the Athlete of the Year in 2016 after winning four gold medals at the Rio Olympics. Biles is preparing for the 2020 Games in Tokyo and says she’s eager to finish her career with a flourish.

Steelers seek playoff berth vs Ravens, who own No. 1 seed

Steelers seek playoff berth vs Ravens, who own No. 1 seed
By The Associated Press undefined
The Baltimore Ravens have already wrapped up the top seed in the AFC playoffs. So they’ll be resting several key players Sunday in a game the Pittsburgh Steelers desperately need to win to keep their postseason hopes alive. Though the Steelers can still qualify with a loss their best shot at making the playoffs is if they beat Baltimore and Tennessee loses to Houston. Robert Griffin III will start at quarterback for the Ravens in place of Lamar Jackson, the catalyst of the highest-scoring team in the NFL.

“No Excuses”: Aliquippa Coach Mike Warfield Addresses 4A Classification, Quips’ Offseason

“We’ve just got to keep doing our thing.”

These were the words of Aliquippa head coach Mike Warfield, who in a phone interview with Matt Drzik and Greg Benedetti on the Saturday Sports Slam, responded to the recent news about Aliquippa football being forced to play up to 4A by the WPIAL & PIAA.

Warfield, while acknowledging certain aspects of the ruling that he doesn’t agree with, made it clear that his team has “no excuses” and will continue to focus on the plan put in place to succeed every year. He touted the leadership being presented by his coaching staff, and praising the work ethic of his kids year in and year out.

The Quips’ head coach also spoke about his team’s offseason plans, his thoughts on the remainder of the WPIAL & PIAA football playoffs, and his hopes on the continued upward swing of success by his student-athletes off the field.

To listen to the full interview, click on the player below!

Nascar Legend Junior Johnson, “The Last American Hero,” dies at 88

Junior Johnson, “The Last American Hero,” dies at 88
JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
NASCAR Hall of Famer Junior Johnson has died at 88. His death was announced Friday by NASCAR. Johnson honed his driving skills as a moonshine runner in North Carolina before he began competing in NASCAR. He won 50 races as a driver and 132 as a car owner. He was also immortalized as “The Last American Hero” by author Tom Wolfe in a 1965 article for Esquire. Johnson was an inaugural member of NASCAR’s Hall of Fame.