Sports

Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Legendary Mexican pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, who won Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award honors and a World Series in 1981 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has died, the team announced. He was 63. The Dodgers said the man who inspired the fan fueled "Fernandomania" movement died Tuesday in Los Angeles. They did not provide a cause of death. "On behalf...

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 21, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) – University of Utah football head coach Kyle Whittingham on Monday announced the promotion of Mike Bajakian from senior offensive analyst and quarterback coach to interim offensive coordinator. Bajakian replaces Andy Ludwig, who announced his departure from the role Sunday. "Andy Ludwig, on his own volition, has decided to step down as the...

Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Ten people were shot, one fatally, following a homecoming parade at Tennessee State University on Saturday, officials said. Three were children. A 24-year-old man was killed when two rival groups started shooting at each other at about 5:10 pm ET, Nashville police said. "We can tell from the shell casings that there were gunshots from one side of...

Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Pete Rose, who recorded an MLB-record 4,256 hits but was more known for his betting banishment from baseball, has died, the Cincinnati Reds announced Monday. He was 83. Rose's cause of death was not immediately known. The three-time World Series champion and 1973 National League MVP spent 19 of his 24 seasons with the Reds. Rose, a Cincinnati native, also...

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Sept. 28, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) -- The mood at Rice-Eccles Stadium for much of 10th-ranked Utah's late-night showdown with Arizona matched the Utes' black uniforms. Utah squandered several opportunities to score points early, and aside from a brief fourth-quarter rally, there wasn't much for the 52,898 fans -- most of whom also were decked out in...

WACO, Texas, Sept. 28, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) -- No. 22 BYU built a big lead early and came up with a clutch interception late to escape with a 34-28 victory over Baylor on Saturday afternoon. Junior safety Crew Wakley picked off Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson along the sideline at McLane Stadium in the game's final minute to help the Cougars...

Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Matthew Sluka, the starting quarterback of the undefeated UNLV Rebels, will leave the team because of alleged unfilled "commitments" made to him for coming to the school. Sluka made the announcement Tuesday night on Instagram and X. The senior quarterback, who transferred to UNLV earlier this year from Holy Cross, completed 43.8% of his throws for 318...

LOGAN, Utah, Sept. 24, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) -- Utah State is headed to the new-look Pac-12 Conference in 2026. USU officials announced plans Tuesday to join the rebuilding athletic conference beginning July 1, 2026, leaving the Mountain West along with Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State. The Pac-12 also will include longtime members Washington State and Oregon...

Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Football legend Brett Favre has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he revealed during a congressional hearing Tuesday in Washington. Favre made the announcement in front of the House Ways and Means Committee while speaking about his potential misuse of taxpayer funds. The legendary quarterback has been accused of using political connections to redirect public money to himself and the University of Southern...

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Eugene "Mercury" Morris, a three-time Pro Bowl running back and two-time Super Bowl champion, including the Miami Dolphins' undefeated 1972 NFL season, died Saturday night at 77, his family said Sunday morning. "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Eugene 'Mercury' Morris, legendary Miami Dolphins running back and cherished member of the NFL family,...

PROVO, Utah, Sept. 21, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) -- BYU scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams on its way to an improbable but resounding 38-9 victory over No. 13 Kansas State late Saturday night. The Cougars shook off a sluggish start and a 6-0 deficit to outscore the visiting Wildcats 38-3 the rest of the way -- including touchdowns...

STILLWATER, Oklahoma, Sept. 21, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) -- Micah Bernard rushed for a career-high 182 yards and Brant Kuithe scored two touchdowns as the 12th-ranked University of Utah held off a late rally to defeat No. 14 Oklahoma State 22-19 Saturday in its Big 12 Conference debut. Utah (4-0 overall, 1-0 Big 12) led 22-3 following Kuithe's second touchdown of...

LOGAN, Utah, Sept. 14, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Freshman Isaac Wilson won the battle of current and former Utah backup quarterbacks, outdueling Utah State's Bryson Barnes in a 38-21 victory Saturday. With starting quarterback Cam Rising sidelined with a hand injury, Wilson made his first start and completed 20 of 33 passes for a career-high 239 yards and three touchdowns...

Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar has signed on to headline the NFL's Super Bowl LIX halftime show in February. "Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I'll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one," Lamar, 37, said in a statement Sunday. The professional football game is to be played at The Caesars...