Sports
After 40-year break, Northwestern meets Washington
Sep 9, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) carries the ball against the University of Texas El Paso Miners at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images Washington will play its first conference game as a member of the Big Ten on Saturday when it hosts Northwestern.
But that wasn’t what all the talk was about in Seattle this week.
Instead, the Huskies (2-1) had to answer questions about last weekend’s 24-19 loss to Washington State in the Apple Cup.
“It’s always crazy when a (game) goes down to a fourth-and-one on the 1 (-yard line) in the fourth quarter with a minute left,” Washington coach Jedd Fisch said. “But I could point to a lot of plays that the game wouldn’t have ever had to get to that, and that’s the unfortunate part of the game.”
The Huskies were stopped on their final offensive play, an option to the short side of the field, as the Cougars won the rivalry game for just the second time in the past 14 meetings.
Fisch took the blame for the play call and vowed to have his team ready for its Big Ten opener.
“Unlike a normal year where (the Apple Cup) is the last game of the year, we play Northwestern … and it’s our job to be ready for that game and never let a team beat us twice,” he said.
Will Rogers III completed 23 of 31 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown, but the Huskies’ offense kept stalling and had to settle for four Grady Gross field goals. Washington was hampered by 16 penalties for 135 yards.
Washington and Northwestern last met on Sept. 8, 1984, a 26-0 home win for the Huskies.
Northwestern (2-1), which will be playing its first road game of the season, is coming off a 31-7 victory against Eastern Illinois. Redshirt sophomore Jack Lausch made his first start at quarterback, overcoming a shaky first half to complete 20 of 31 passes for 227 yards and two TDs. He added 62 yards on seven carries.
“He’s unfazed by what’s going on around him,” Wildcats coach David Braun said of Lausch. “That comes back to a sense of self-confidence. Not ego, not false confidence, but true self-confidence because of his preparation.”
Lausch seems excited by the prospect of playing at Husky Stadium.
“The great part about football is that there’s always something to get better at,” Lausch said. “We’re all about trying to get better ourselves. Just find ways to do that every day, and I think we’ll put ourselves in the best position possible.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Falcons, G Matthew Bergeron agree to 4-year extension
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron (65) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Atlanta Falcons and left guard Matthew Bergeron have agreed to a four-year contract extension through the 2030 season.
The team announced the deal on Saturday but didn’t provide any financial terms. ESPN and NFL Network said the contract is worth $96 million, with $60 million fully guaranteed.
“Matthew is the type of player you build around,” Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said. “He’s establishing himself as one of the top young guards in the NFL, and his toughness, consistency and leadership have made him a cornerstone of our offensive line and the culture we’re building in Atlanta.
“Extending players like Matthew reflects our commitment to investing in the trenches and building a strong foundation for the future.”
Bergeron, 26, is a native of Montreal who played in college at Syracuse. The Falcons selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and Bergeron has played in 49 of 51 possible games — all starts.
With Bergeron teaming with left tackle Jake Matthews, the Falcons led the league in 2025 with 61 first downs from that side of the line. Matthews enters his 13th season as a starting offensive lineman for the team.
Bergeron told AtlantaFalcons.com that staying in Atlanta with the new contract “means the world” to him.
“I’m from Canada, and the second I got to Atlanta everybody welcomed me with open arms,” he said. “Atlanta is a special place for me and my family. And now, I have the resources to give back to a community that has given me so much and changed my life.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
49ers WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) to miss season
Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) stiff arms Tennessee Titans cornerback Marcus Harris (26) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall requires right knee surgery and will miss the 2026 season.
General manager John Lynch confirmed on Saturday that Pearsall needs a procedure to repair a torn PCL.
Pearsall, a 2024 first-round pick, experienced pain and swelling in his knee earlier this week at training camp. He initially sustained the injury in Week 4 last season and wound up appearing in only nine games.
Through his first two seasons, Pearsall has recorded 67 catches for 928 yards and three scores in 20 contests.
The 49ers placed Pearsall, 25, on injured reserve Saturday and also confirmed the signing of wideout Deebo Samuel. Terms were not disclosed but reports earlier in the week said Samuel returns on a one-year deal for $7 million. Samuel will replace Pearsall of the 49ers’ roster.
Samuel, 30, caught 72 passes for 727 yards and five TDs in 16 games last season with the Washington Commanders.
Samuel played for San Francisco from 2019-24, posting 334 receptions for 4,792 yards and 22 TDs in 81 games.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reports: Steelers signing veteran S Rayshawn Jenkins
Oct 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins, multiple outlets reported on Saturday.
Jenkins, 32, recorded 45 tackles and one interception in 17 games (three starts) last season with Cleveland.
He has 562 tackles, 11 interceptions and four forced fumbles in 139 games (92 starts) with the Los Angeles Chargers (2017-20), Jacksonville Jaguars (2021-23), Seattle Seahawks (2024) and Browns.
Jenkins, a fourth-round draft pick by the Chargers in 2017, has scored two defensive touchdowns: a pick-six in 2022 and a 102-yard fumble return in 2024.
Jenkins provides depth in the secondary behind starting safeties DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker, along with fellow veteran newcomer Darnell Savage.
–Field Level Media
Falcons, G Matthew Bergeron agree to 4-year extension
49ers WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) to miss season
