Sports transactions
Tennessee wide receiver JaVonta Payton, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of Missouri defensive back Martez Manuel, left, and Allie Green IV, center, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Tennessee-South Carolina pits pair of SEC's new coaches

By Al Lesar Oct. 07, 2021 09:31 AM EDT

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman looks to pass against Louisville during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Pitt's Pickett emerging in ACC's next wave of NFL-ready QBs

By Charles Odum Oct. 06, 2021 01:38 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, file photo, Alabama linebacker Henry To'oTo'o (10) plays against Miami during an NCAA college football game, in Atlanta. No. 1 Alabama filled a need for playmaking speed with wide receiver Jameson Williams and defensive leadership with linebacker Henry To’oTo’o. Those offseason pickups have already paid dividends. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Alabama, Ole Miss defenders don't want repeat of shootout

By John Zenor Oct. 01, 2021 11:33 AM EDT

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Sep. 30, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Oct. 1 1903 — The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Pilgrims 7-3 in the first World Series game. Jimmy Sebring hits the first Series homer...

FILE - Northwestern football players gather during practice at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside campus in Kenosha, Wisc., in this Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, file photo. College football players and some other athletes in revenue-generating sports are employees of their schools, the National Labor Relations Board’s top lawyer said in a memo Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, that would allow the players to unionize and otherwise negotiate over their working conditions. The nine-page NLRB memo revisited a case involving Northwestern University football players who were thwarted from forming a union when the board said that taking their side “would not promote stability in labor relations.”(AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File)
EXPLAINER: NLRB memo says college athletes are employees

By Jimmy Golen Sep. 30, 2021 02:41 AM EDT

Georgia Southern coach Chad Lunsford watches his team during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Georgia Southern fires coach Chad Lunsford after 1-3 start

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 26, 2021 08:25 PM EDT

Miami head coach Manny Diaz runs onto the field with his players before an NCAA college football game against Central Connecticut State, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami piles up school-record 739 yards, beats CCSU 69-0

By Tim Reynolds Sep. 25, 2021 04:51 PM EDT

Venezia's Gianluca Busio kicks the ball during the Serie A soccer match between Venezia and Spezia, at the Pier Luigi Penzo stadium in Venice, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. Italian soccer team Venezia is back in the top division for the first time since 2002. And it has tapped Major League Soccer to recruit young Americans in its bid to stay afloat in Serie A. Nineteen-year-old Gianluca Busio arrived in Venice from Sporting Kansas City and 20-year-old Tanner Tessmann from FC Dallas. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)
Venezia makes waves with American imports to Italian league

By Ken Maguire Sep. 24, 2021 12:38 PM EDT

Washington State defensive lineman Amir Mujahid (48) and defensive back Armani Marsh (8) tackle Southern California wide receiver Drake London (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Freshman QB Dart leads USC over Washington State 45-14

By Nicholas K. Geranios Sep. 19, 2021 09:28 AM EDT

Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal instructs his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Pac-12 has 3 undefeated teams, lowest among Power 5 leagues

By Pat Graham Sep. 14, 2021 08:21 PM EDT

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell speaks with quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) prior to an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Analysis: USC coaching search casts shadow over season

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 14, 2021 02:31 AM EDT

Southern California head coach Clay Helton walks on the sideline during an NCAA college football game against San Jose State Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
USC fires Clay Helton 2 games into 7th season in charge

By Greg Beacham Sep. 13, 2021 05:25 PM EDT

Southern California has fired football coach Clay Helton 2 games into his seventh season in charge.

Sep. 13, 2021 05:18 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California has fired football coach Clay Helton 2 games into his seventh season in charge. ...

Ball State quarterback Drew Plitt (9) passes against Penn State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Clifford leads No. 11 Penn State over Ball State 44-13

By Travis Johnson Sep. 11, 2021 07:36 PM EDT

Dale Earnhardt Jr., holds his daughter Isla, 3, during driver introductions before the NASCAR Xfinity auto race in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Mets, Yankees and more pay tribute on 9/11 20th anniversary

By Noah Trister And Jake Seiner Sep. 11, 2021 05:20 PM EDT

Nebraska fans do the wave as the Huskers play against Fordham during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Nebraska will play another 'guessing game' against Buffalo

By Eric Olson Sep. 09, 2021 11:58 AM EDT

Connecticut quaterback Steven Krajewski looks for a receiver during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Fresno State in Fresno, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
Purdue to face reeling UConn and its new coach, quarterback

By Pat Eaton-Robb Sep. 09, 2021 09:44 AM EDT

FILE - In this April 13, 2021, file photo, New Tennessee State University NCAA college football coach Eddie George smiles during a news conference in Nashville, Tenn.. George is one of several high-profile former pro athletes to take on athletic programs at black colleges and universities at a time when the country seems more than ready. (George Walker/The Tennessean via AP, File)
Eddie George, other former All-Pros, making impact at HBCUs

By Teresa M. Walker Sep. 09, 2021 02:35 AM EDT

Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal (73) places the leather helmet from the "Old Leather Helmet Torphy" on head coach Nick Saban's head after they defeated Miami in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Column: College football survives 1st week of player pay

By Tim Dahlberg Sep. 06, 2021 03:47 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2019, file photo, Northwestern quarterback Hunter Johnson (15) runs the against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill. Northwestern hopes to get some payback against Michigan State. The Wildcats will have their opportunity Friday night when they open at home against the Spartans in what they hope kicks off a run toward their third Big Ten West championship in four years. (AP Photo/David Banks, File)
Northwestern seeks payback against Michigan State in opener

By Andrew Seligman Sep. 02, 2021 04:08 PM EDT