Sports
Middle Tennessee standing in way of 4-0 start for Duke
Aug 30, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) goes to throw the ball against the Elon Phoenix during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images Duke aims to finish nonconference play with an unblemished record when it visits Middle Tennessee State for a Saturday afternoon clash in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
The Blue Devils (3-0) also eye their second consecutive 4-0 start and momentum heading into a Sept. 28 tilt against rival North Carolina in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener.
But first up are the Blue Raiders (1-2), who, like Duke, are led by a first-year head coach.
Despite this being the second head coaching stints for both Middle Tennessee’s Derek Mason and Duke’s Manny Diaz, they have never faced each other from opposing sidelines. Diaz was an assistant at Middle Tennessee nearly two decades ago, serving as the defensive coordinator there from 2006-09.
While Duke is coming off its third straight win after a 26-21 victory over UConn last weekend, MTSU hopes to bounce back from a 49-21 loss to Western Kentucky that Mason put on himself and no one else.
“At the end of the day, I don’t blame players, I blame me,” Mason said. “My shoulders are big enough. What we will do as a staff and as a team is hold each other accountable. Because that’s where the winning gets done.”
Middle Tennessee’s issues have shown up on defense, where it ranks 129th out of 133 FBS teams with 42 points allowed per game. Even in its lone win against FCS side Tennessee Tech, the Blue Raiders allowed 25 points.
Duke hasn’t had a problem finding the end zone, especially in crucial moments. Each of the Blue Devils’ past two wins — against UConn at home and on the road against Northwestern — required late-game comebacks.
“A lot that we have to improve on, but it’s always more fun to improve when you’re winning than when you’re not winning,” Diaz said. “(Undefeated) and eventually, going into league play where you know you’re going to be in tough games, you know you’re going to be in close games.
“What they have learned through these last couple of weeks is going to really bode well as we get further down into our season.”
The Blue Devils have been powered on offense by Texas transfer Maalik Murphy, who has thrown for 801 yards with eight touchdowns and leads all ACC quarterbacks in pass attempts with 122.
MTSU has a strong passing attack as well, led by Nicholas Vattiato who threw for 456 yards and three TDs against Western Kentucky.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Braves activate OF Ronald Acuna Jr. from injured list
Jul 4, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) during batting practice before a game against the New York Mets at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves reinstated star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday’s series opener against the host New York Mets.
The five-time All-Star is batting .251 with seven homers, 22 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 53 games during an injury-plagued campaign.
Acuna, 28, has not played with the Braves since June 9 due to a left hamstring strain, the same injury that kept him out for more than two weeks in May.
The 2023 National League MVP, Acuna is a career .287 hitter with 193 homers, 481 RBIs and 220 steals in 870 games since making his debut with Atlanta in 2018.
The Braves optioned outfielder Brewer Hicklen, 30, to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. He batted .368 (7-for-19) with four doubles and three RBIs in eight games.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Nashville SC acquire Senegalese M Famara Camara
Sep 18, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; General view of the MLS PRO logo on the side of a match ball in the match between Nashville SC and Chicago Fire at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Casey Gower-Imagn Images Nashville SC acquired midfielder Famara Camara from Norwegian side Ranheim Fotball on Monday.
The 21-year-old Senegal native is signed through June 2029 with an option through June 2030. He will occupy an international roster slot.
Camara recorded one goal and two assists in 39 appearances across all competitions with Ranheim from 2025-26.
Locking down the midfield for the long haul ?? pic.twitter.com/n1rsC6J2Ab
— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) July 27, 2026
“Famara is a talented midfielder who has the ability to impact games on both sides of the ball,” Nashville president of soccer operations and general manager Mike Jacobs said. “He will join a talented midfield corps here in Nashville and complement that group really well.”
Midway through the season, Nashville (12-2-3) leads the MLS Supporters’ Shield race with 39 points.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: NBA to max out LeBron James, 76ers' national TV games
May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Fans itching to watch LeBron James play in his new Philadelphia uniform should get plenty of opportunities this season as the 76ers are expected to get the NBA’s maximum of 34 national game telecasts/streams, Front Office Sports reported Monday.
That would more than double the 14 national games the Sixers were featured in last season, when the team led by Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey finished in a disappointing seventh place in the Eastern Conference at 45-37.
Now that the 41-year-old James has signed a two-year, $8 million contract to play in Philly, viewers can expect to see him featured prominently during tentpole league events like opening week and Christmas Day’s five-game slate.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said on July 16 he was awaiting James’ decision before finalizing the schedule for the telecasts/streams across Disney’s ABC/ESPN, NBCUniversal’s NBC Sports/Peacock, and Amazon’s Prime Video. The league receives input from these partners before making the final schedule.
Four teams received the maximum 34 national games last season: the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks, who play in the league’s biggest market; the Los Angeles Lakers in the No. 2 market; the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder; and four-time champion Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors.
–Field Level Media
Braves activate OF Ronald Acuna Jr. from injured list
Nashville SC acquire Senegalese M Famara Camara
