Five years ago, the UFC’s event in Mexico City, headlined by Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens, was a disaster, culminating in Rodriguez poking Stephens in the eye, ending the fight early. The night saw disappointing performances, including a draw between Askar Askarov and Brandon Moreno, and Alexa Grasso losing to Carla Esparza. At UFC 306 in Las Vegas, Dana White acknowledged the uncontrollable nature of fights despite high production value. Valentina Shevchenko reclaimed her title, and the event featured immersive Mexican-themed experiences, including a Dia De Los Muertos setting for the Ribovics vs. Zellhuber bout.
Read more at: https://sports.yahoo.com/everything-went-according-to-plan-at-ufc-306-at-sphere–except-the-fights-themselves-171933756.html
The Chicago Bears, led by No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, face the Houston Texans in Week 2. Despite winning their opener, the Bears’ offense struggled, with Williams completing just 13-of-29 passes for 93 yards. The Texans, who had a strong offensive showing in Week 1, saw C.J. Stroud throw for 234 yards and two touchdowns, while Joe Mixon rushed for 159 yards and a score. Mixon, however, left the game against the Bears with a lower-leg injury. The game is being held at NRG Stadium and broadcast on NBC.
Read more at: https://sports.yahoo.com/live/bears-vs-texans-sunday-night-football-live-updates-score-highlights-how-to-watch-232015730.html
Week 2 of the NFL season features exciting matchups, including Bengals QB Joe Burrow facing Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, and a Sunday Night Football game with Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams against the Texans. Highlights include Joe Mixon’s 16-yard run, Nico Collins’ 28-yard touchdown, and Khalil Herbert’s Bears touchdown. Top plays of the day feature Cam Taylor-Britt’s one-handed interception, Aidan Hutchinson’s fifth sack, Marvin Harrison Jr.’s first-career touchdown, and Justin Jefferson’s 97-yard touchdown.
Read more at: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10135230-nfl-highlights-2024-live-tracking-top-plays-box-scores-from-week-2-sunday-results
The Los Angeles Chargers, known for their frequent one-score games, had a rare stress-free Sunday, defeating the Carolina Panthers 26-3. This marks a shift under coach Jim Harbaugh, with the Chargers starting 2-0 for the first time since 2012. Defensive starters even rested during the final Panthers drive. Safety Derwin James Jr. noted, “We’re just trying to change the narrative around here.”
Read more at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5769748/2024/09/15/chargers-panthers-blowout-jim-harbaugh-running-game/
Week 2 of the NFL season saw the Buffalo Bills dominate the Miami Dolphins, with Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa exiting due to a concussion. On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Detroit Lions, and the New Orleans Saints overpowered the Dallas Cowboys. Packers QB Malik Willis led Green Bay to their first win, while the Lamar Jackson-led Baltimore Ravens lost to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders’ offense, led by Gardner Minshew and Davante Adams, rallied to win despite a weak running game. NFL Nation reporters provide insights and reactions for each game.
Read more at: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41275907/nfl-week-2-2024-questions-takeaways-lessons-stats-recap-every-game
The New Orleans Saints stunned the NFL by defeating the Dallas Cowboys 44-19 in Dallas. Projected to struggle this season, the Saints are now 2-0. The game was a rout from the start, with Alvin Kamara scoring four touchdowns and Derek Carr achieving a perfect passer rating through three quarters. Carr’s only blemish was a fourth-quarter interception, but the Cowboys failed to capitalize, with Dak Prescott throwing two interceptions and the team turning the ball over on downs twice in the fourth quarter.
Read more at: https://sports.yahoo.com/saints-alvin-kamara-blitz-cowboys-in-biggest-stunner-of-the-nfl-season-195632303.html
Georgia, previously ranked No. 1, narrowly defeated Kentucky 13-12 with a decisive touchdown by Branson Robinson in the fourth quarter. Head coach Kirby Smart praised the team’s resilience. Texas, previously ranked No. 3, won 56-7 against UTSA despite losing starting quarterback Quinn Ewers to an oblique strain. Backup Arch Manning stepped in, scoring five touchdowns and showcasing the depth of Texas’ quarterback options. Head coach Steve Sarkisian expressed confidence in Manning’s preparedness and performance.
Read more at: https://247sports.com/longformarticle/college-football-coaches-poll-top-25-rankings-see-georgia-hold-no-1-after-upset-scare-entering-week-4-236168922/
Shedeur Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes defeated the Colorado State Rams on Saturday night. After the game, Sanders confronted Colorado State quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, accusing him of talking trash on Instagram. Sanders said, “You were talking s— on Instagram. We handled our business. You can’t f— with me.” Fowler-Nicolosi had previously commented on last year’s game, suggesting the Buffaloes underestimated the Rams despite being 27.5-point favorites.
Read more at: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/colorados-shedeur-sanders-refuses-shake-hands-colorado-state-qb-you-cant-f-me
An injury to Quinn Ewers led to Arch Manning’s debut at Texas, where he threw for four touchdowns and ran for another, leading the No. 2 Longhorns to a 56-7 win over UTSA. Manning, from a famous football family, took over in the second quarter and quickly impressed with a 19-yard TD pass and a 67-yard sprint for another score. He finished with 223 yards on 9 of 12 passing. Manning’s performance suggests he could live up to the hype, and Texas may develop him as a starter if Ewers is out for long. Texas faces Louisiana-Monroe next, then Mississippi State.
Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/15/arch-manning-nephew-of-eli-and-peyton-scores-five-tds-in-dominant-texas-win
The image of Florida State coach Mike Norvell frozen in shock and anger over the Seminoles’ College Football Playoff snub last December marked a turning point. Before that, the Seminoles were poised for a national championship, with their brand and tradition revitalized. However, the exclusion of 13-0 Florida State, without injured quarterback Jordan Travis, in favor of SEC champion Alabama, was seen as logical by some but sparked outrage among Florida State’s fan base and athletics director. They treated the snub as a conspiracy, unfairly targeting ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit and ACC commissioner Jim Phillips.
Read more at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/columnist/dan-wolken/2024/09/15/florida-state-college-football-week-3-misery-index/75233766007/