Good afternoon from Canadian Press Sports!
Advisories will hit the wire around 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. ET on weekdays and will also be sent to editors by email. The AP sports digest will be sent out around 3 p.m. On weekends and holidays, the advisories will move at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. If you'd like to be added to the email list (or removed) please contact Curtis Withers at curtis.withers@thecanadianpress.com. All Times Eastern.
Here are our top stories:
BASEBALL:
Jays take on Rays in afternoon rubber match
BBA-Rays-Blue-Jays
TORONTO - The red-hot Toronto Blue Jays were cooled by the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday night. They look to rebound in the afternoon rubber match as the playoff push intensifies. PHOTOS. Developing from 3:07 ET p.m. start.
---
HOCKEY:
OHL to require vaccine proof starting next week
HKO-OHL-Vaccine-Policy
Toronto, , -- The Ontario Hockey League will now require proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 for entry into all 17 of its facilities across the province starting Sept. 22. Words: 163, Photos: 1
--
Oilers' Holloway (wrist) out at least three months
HKN-Oilers-Holloway
Edmonton, , -- Edmonton Oilers prospect Dylan Holloway will be out at least three months following wrist surgery. Words: 168, Photos: 1
---
SOCCER:
TFC asks for answers after controversial no-goal call
SOC-MLS-Toronto-Controversy
TORONTO — Toronto FC GM Ali Curtis worked the phones Wednesday, trying to get an explanation for a disallowed goal in his club's controversial 1-0 loss to Inter Miami the night before. 500 words. By Neil Davidson. Expected by 6 p.m. ET.
---
MMA:
T.J. Laramie to fight on UFC 268 undercard
MMA-UFC-Canadians
Canadian featherweight T.J. (The Truth) Laramie will fight American Melsik (The Gun) Baghdasaryan on the undercard of UFC 268 on Nov. 6 at Madison Square Garden. Words: 259, Photos: 1
---
RUGBY:
Rugby 7s star Justin Douglas the latest to retire
RGU-Canada-Sevens-Douglas
Canadian speedster Justin Douglas has joined rugby sevens teammates Nate Hirayama, Connor Braid and Conor Trainor in calling it quits in the wake of the recent Tokyo Olympics. By Neil Davidson. Words: 511, Photos: 1
--
FROM AP:
All times EDT
TOP STORIES
DOCTOR-SEXUAL ASSAULT-FBI
WASHINGTON — Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles tells Congress through tears that the FBI and gymnastics officials turned a “blind eye” to USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse of her and hundreds of other women. Biles told the Senate Judiciary Committee that “enough is enough” as she and three other U.S. gymnasts spoke in stark emotional terms about the lasting toll Nassar’s crimes have taken on their lives. By Mary Clare Jalonick, Will Graves and Michael Balsamo. SENT: 1,130 words, photos, video planned.
FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS
The Big Ten has five games against ranked nonconference opponents on Saturday, including No. 22 Auburn visiting No. 10 Penn State. It’s a rare regular-season game between the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference on campus. By College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo. SENT: 1,050 words, photos.
FBN--PRO PICKS-WEEK 2
Opening week of the NFL season often includes upsets (Steelers, Dolphins), over-the-top achievements (Raiders, Eagles) and underwhelming performances (Packers, Titans). Finding the correct ones is a major challenge for prognosticators. Thus, a rugged start for Pro Picks. Time to rally beginning with Thursday night’s not particularly stellar matchup between the New York Giants and the Washington Football Team. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. SENT: 720 words, photos, graphic by 4 p.m. With Giants-Washington preview story (sent).
FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Sitting out the preseason did nothing to slow the starts to the season for guys like Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson and Dak Prescott. For guys like Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Tannehill and Matt Ryan there appeared to be some rust. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. SENT: 860 words, photos.
FBC--T25-NEBRASKA-OKLAHOMA-BLACK PLAYERS
NORMAN, Okla. — Half a century ago, the Nebraska-Oklahoma rivalry provided a grand stage for the best Black college football players while the South dragged its feet on integration. Nebraska and Oklahoma dominated with star athletes most schools in the South wouldn’t even recruit. Nebraska and Oklahoma won two Associated Press national titles each between 1970 and 1975, with Black athletes playing critical roles. The history is back in the spotlight this week as the two schools play each other again 50 years after their famous ’Game of the Century.” By Cliff Brunt. SENT: 980 words, photos.
NOTABLE
FBC--USC-WILLIAMS TAKES OVER
LOS ANGELES — Relationships have been Donte Williams’ stock in trade, his ability to connect with recruits and their families making him one of the most sought-after assistant coaches in the Pac-12. After the firing of coach Clay Helton, Williams will try to use those same bonds to salvage Southern California’s season, and perhaps leave athletic director Mike Bohn with a difficult decision to make as the West Coast’s historic college football power searches for a new leader. SENT: 760 words, photos. With separate on Jaguars coach Urban Meyer saying ‘no chance’ he lands at USC (sent).
FBN--CHIEFS-REID
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Good luck getting Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid to ruminate on the fact that he’s nearing NFL history, just one win away from becoming the first to reach 100 with two different franchises. Reid is closing in on the No. 5 spot in career wins as the Chiefs prepare to visit Baltimore on Sunday night. And with a win, he’ll have 100 with the Chiefs to go with 140 that he racked up over 14 seasons leading the Eagles. By Dave Skretta. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 5 p.m.
FBN--PATRIOTS-PROTECTING MAC
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Dolphins tried their best to force Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones into poor decisions in last week’s opener, causing him to fumble on New England’s opening drive and blitzing him 21 times. That's put the Patriots' offensive line in the spotlight as they prepare to visit a Jets team expected to be just as aggressive under new coach Robert Saleh. By Kyle Hightower. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos by 6 p.m.
BBN--CARDINALS-METS
NEW YORK — Jon Lester pitches for the playoff-hopeful St. Louis Cardinals against Pete Alonso and the New York Mets in the finale of a three-game series. Rookie right-hander Tylor Megill is on the mound for the Mets. By Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts 7:10 p.m.
BBN--DIAMONDBACKS-DODGERS
LOS ANGELES — A day after the Dodgers became the second team in the majors to clinch a postseason berth, Julio Urías goes for his major league-leading 18th win when Los Angeles faces the Arizona Diamondbacks in the series finale. By Beth Harris. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts 10 p.m.
SOC--MAN UNITED-CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ERRORS
BERN, Switzerland — Missing out on the Champions League knockout rounds for a third straight season is unthinkable with Cristiano Ronaldo back at Manchester United. Yet the same kind of problems carried over from last season’s failed campaign to the one that started badly Tuesday in Switzerland. Errors in defense plus lapses of discipline led to an ill-timed red card and contributed to a 2-1 loss at unheralded Young Boys. By Graham Dunbar. SENT: 520 words, photos.
FBC--SEC-GETTING DEFENSIVE
Southeastern Conference defenses are stealing the show for some of the top contenders at times after a season when the league championship game featured stratospheric offensive stats. By John Zenor. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
FBC--ACC-POWER 5 CHALLENGE
Teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference have some work to do when they step up in competition and play programs from other Power Five leagues. By Hank Kurz Jr. SENT: 660 words, photos.
___
Wednesday Time Schedule (EDT)
MLB
Miami at Washington, 1:05 p.m.
Milwaukee at Detroit, 1:10 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Toronto, 3:07 p.m.
Boston at Seattle, 4:10 p.m.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 6:35 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia, 7:05 p.m.
N.Y. Yankees at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m.
St. Louis at N.Y. Mets, 7:10 p.m.
Colorado at Atlanta, 7:20 p.m.
Cleveland at Minnesota, 7:40 p.m.
Houston at Texas, 8:05 p.m.
LA Angels at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 p.m.
Oakland at Kansas City, 8:10 p.m.
San Diego at San Francisco, 9:45 p.m.
Arizona at LA Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.
WNBA
New York at Connecticut, 7 p.m.
MLS
Cincinnati at Atlanta, 7 p.m.
CF Montréal at Orlando City, 7:30 p.m.
Chicago at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Minnesota at Sporting Kansas City, 8:30 p.m.
Los Angeles FC at Austin FC, 9 p.m.
Colorado at Portland, 10 p.m.
Houston at LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.
The Canadian Press