Thomas hits grand slam off Skubal, Guardians down Tigers 7-3 to reach AL Championship Series
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Lane Thomas hit a grand slam off Tarik Skubal and Cleveland beat the Detroit Tigers 7-3 in Game 5 of their AL Division Series, moving the Guardians into another postseason matchup against the Yankees. Cleveland will meet New York in the ALCS, setting up another playoff series between two teams that have crossed paths six previous times in October. Game 1 is Monday in the Bronx. Thomas finished with five RBIs for the Guardians, who weren't expected to contend this season. But they won the tough AL Central under first-year manager Stephen Vogt and Cleveland still has a chance to end a World Series title drought stretching to 1948.
Ewers returns as No. 1 Texas beats No. 18 Oklahoma 34-3 in 1st Red River Rivalry game as SEC members
DALLAS (AP) -- Quinn Ewers returned from injury to lead No. 1 Texas to a 34-3 win over 18th-ranked Oklahoma, throwing for 199 yards and the go-ahead touchdown and running for another score in the teams' first Red River Rivalry matchup as Southeastern Conference members. Quintrevion Wisner ran for 118 yards and a touchdown for the Longhorns and his fumble at the end of another long run was recovered in the end zone by teammate Silas Bolden for a TD. Texas improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the SEC. The Sooners are 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the conference.
No. 4 Penn State rallies back to beat USC 33-30 in overtime on TE Tyler Warren's record day
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- No. 4 Penn State rallied from a 14-point deficit in the second half for a 33-30 overtime victory over Southern California. Tyler Warren caught 17 passes to tie the FBS single-game record for tight ends, and Ryan Barker hit a 36-yard field goal to end it after the Nittany Lions' defense held USC scoreless in OT. Drew Allar passed for a career-high 391 yards and two touchdowns despite three interceptions for Penn State, which didn't lead in the final 49 minutes of regulation. Quentin Joyner scored two TDs for the Trojans, who have lost three of four.
No. 7 Alabama overcomes botched recovery of an onside kick to beat South Carolina 27-25
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama held off South Carolina 27-25 after allowing the Gamecocks a chance at handing the Crimson Tide its second straight SEC loss by botching an onside-kick recovery. LaNorris Sellers hit Nyck Harbor for a 31-yard touchdown with 43 seconds left, but the Gamecocks failed to convert on their two-point attempt. They recovered the ensuing onside kick, but Sellers' desperation heave toward the end zone with 13 seconds remaining was intercepted at the goal line by Domani Jackson. The Crimson Tide narrowly avoided another upset Saturday after losing to Vanderbilt last week.
Beck passes for 459 yards and 3 TDs as No. 5 Georgia holds off Van Buren, Mississippi State 41-31
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- Carson Beck passed for a career-high 459 yards with three touchdowns and No. 5 Georgia withstood Mississippi State's second-half comeback bid for a 41-31 win. Georgia improved to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the Southeastern Conference. Georgia played at times as if it were looking ahead to next week's visit to No. 1 Texas but had enough offense for its 28th consecutive home win. Georgia led 34-10 early in the second half before freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. led the visiting Bulldogs to two straight touchdown drives. Van Buren threw for 306 yards with three touchdowns.
'Big Spender' is the theme music for MLB final four as high-payroll Mets, Yankees, Dodgers reach LCS
NEW YORK (AP) -- "Big Spender" is the theme music for baseball's final four. The New York Mets, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are in the League Championship Series with the sport's top three payrolls, joined by Cleveland at No. 23. The Mets-Dodgers National League Championship Series starting Sunday and the Yankees-Guardians American League matchup beginning Monday feature some of baseball's biggest stars in Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and, Francisco Lindor. The Mets have the top payroll of $332 million, followed by the Yankees at $311 million and the Dodgers at $266 million. The Guardians are at $109 million.
Holding a Super Bowl outside the US is a possibility, NFL Commissioner Goodell says
LONDON (AP) -- The NFL's aggressive international growth plan could include holding a Super Bowl outside the United States for the first time. Commissioner Roger Goodell in the past has shot down the idea but he said Saturday at a fan forum in London that it's a possibility. He says, "It wouldn't surprise me at all if that happens one day." Goodell floated the idea as he outlined a plan that could include playing 16 international games every year if the regular season expands to 18 games. He adds that he has "no doubt" that Ireland will host a game soon. He named Rio de Janeiro as a likely new host.
Breanna Stewart and the Liberty look to bounce back and even WNBA Finals series against the Lynx
NEW YORK (AP) -- Breanna Stewart and her New York Liberty teammates were confident they can rebound from the Game 1 collapse that put them down a game to Minnesota in the WNBA Finals. Stewart said she watched the free throw she missed at the end of regulation which would have won the game for New York a few times to see if anything was off with her form. She came to the conclusion it wasn't and that sometimes shots just don't fall. The two-time MVP and her teammates will need to be at their best on Sunday when they face the Lynx in Game 2 of the best-of-five series.
Matt McCarty takes lead at Black Desert in his 2nd PGA Tour start
IVINS, Utah (AP) -- Matt McCarty took a two-stroke lead into the final round in his second PGA Tour start, shooting a 7-under 64 on Saturday in the inaugural Black Desert Championship. A three-time winner this season on the Korn Ferry Tour to earn an instant promotion to the PGA Tour, McCarty had a 19-under 194 total at Black Desert Resort in the tour's first event in Utah in 61 years. On a breezier, but still low-scoring afternoon on the Tom Weiskopf design carved out of an ancient black lava field, McCarty played a five-hole stretch on the front nine in 6 under -- highlighted by an eagle chip-in on the par-5 seventh. Second-round leader Stephan Jaeger was two strokes back with Joe Highsmith, Kevin Streelman and Harris English.
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers is off the injury report and fine to play Monday night vs. Bills
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- Aaron Rodgers is off the New York Jets' injury report and will be back under center Monday night against the Buffalo Bills. The quarterback was a full participant Saturday after being limited Thursday and Friday while dealing with a sprained ankle. The defense will be without nickel cornerback Michael Carter II, who injured his back in pregame warmups last week. Linebacker C.J. Mosley could make his return after missing the last three games with a toe injury. Right tackle Morgan Moses could also be back after missing two games with a knee injury.