Sports
Big 12 notebook: K-State's Collin Klein begins HC tenure at alma mater
Jul 8, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; Kansas State head coach Collin Klein speaks to reporters during Big 12 Conference Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images As a former Heisman Trophy candidate and Big 12 champion at his new (old) school, Collin Klein would seem to be ideally suited for success as a first-year head coach at Kansas State this fall.
However, at Big 12 media days in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday, Klein was quick to acknowledge the advantages familiarity with the program will afford him … while also understanding that those advantages won’t matter without proper work and execution.
It’s the message he is selling to recruits.
“I tell recruits it’s going to be hard,” Klein said. “I tell them it’s a badge of honor to wear that Powercat. I tell them that the most valuable things in life you’re going to have to pay the most for. We’re going to make that price really freaking high to play at Kansas State.”
Klein is one of four new head coaches to take over in the Big 12 this fall, joining Iowa State’s Jimmy Rogers (formerly of Washington State), Oklahoma State’s Eric Morris (formerly of North Texas) and Utah’s Morgan Scalley.
Scalley, like Klein, is a first-time head coach taking over at his alma mater.
“I don’t think even as much as you walk yourself through it mentally, you really even understand until your boots are on the ground and you’re in it,” Klein said.
In addition to familiarity with the school and the area, Klein also has a previously established relationship with his returning quarterback. As an offensive assistant with Kansas State, Klein recruited Avery Johnson before taking over as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M for the 2024 season.
Johnson is excited to rekindle the relationship on the field.
“Everybody has a newfound energy,” Johnson said. “We’ve all been super grateful for Coach Klein to come back, and I think we’re all excited for the season.”
–Scalley focused on maintaining Utah standard
Scalley relayed a story about once recruiting Klein when he was a graduate assistant at Utah, noting that Klein somehow left Salt Lake City without an offer despite arriving dressed for success.
“He showed up on campus in a suit and tie,” Scalley said, relating that to the quality of individuals roaming the sidelines in the Big 12. “So much respect for the coaches in this league. Really good coaches, good men, and it is a competitive league.”
Despite the challenge, Scalley is focused on maintaining the standard of excellence set by his predecessor, Kyle Whittingham, who recorded 18 winning records over 22 seasons.
“It is a responsibility I do not take lightly,” Scalley said. “There’s something to be said about continuity and believing in a staff and creating a culture.”
–Beginning the healing process
Yahoo Sports reported on a recent meeting between league leaders and leadership at Texas Tech following the contentious fight between the sides over quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility.
Sorsby ultimately gave up his fight to play for the Red Raiders over the controversy regarding his admission to gambling around $90,000 on college and professional sports.
Described as “productive, but not over,” the talks revolved around the league’s ability to field competitive teams within the current college football environment.
Texas Tech board chair Cody Campbell told Yahoo, “We want to find a way to get all other Big 12 schools to elevate themselves. Everybody needs to do some version of what we’ve done. That’s the path forward for this conference. A rising tide lifts all boats. People not on board with that and those that want everyone worse so they can be relatively better, we’ll have a problem with those institutions.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Joey Bart, Braves win after Pirates lift Jared Jones (6 perfect IP)
Jul 8, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Grant Holmes (66) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Joey Bart’s eighth-inning two-run home run against his former team put the Atlanta Braves on course for a 3-0 victory over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.
Bart’s blast to left-center field off Pirates reliever Dennis Santana (2-4) scored Mike Yastrzemski, who hit a two-out double to start the rally. The homer broke a scoreless tie and helped the Braves snap their three-game losing skid and Pittsburgh’s three-game winning streak.
Bart, who spent the previous two seasons with the Pirates and played 21 games this season for Pittsburgh, joined the Braves on June 18 after being traded for pitcher Hunter Stratton.
Bart’s eventual game-winner came after the Pirates got a stellar outing from Jared Jones, who exited after six perfect innings.
It was Jones’ longest and best start since returning on May 29 from right UCL surgery. It was the first time he exited a start after not allowing a single baserunner. Jones struck out eight of the 18 batters he faced, and Pittsburgh pitchers recorded 13 strikeouts overall.
Due to a strict pitch count, Jones was lifted after 77 pitches. The Pirates’ bid for a combined perfect game ended when Ozzie Albies roped a one-out single to left field in the seventh off reliever Mason Montgomery.
Atlanta tacked on another run in the ninth on an RBI single by Drake Baldwin off Isaac Mattson. Baldwin’s two-out hit scored Michael Harris II, who had hit a leadoff double.
Braves starter Grant Holmes wasn’t perfect like Jones, but he kept Atlanta even on the scoreboard after throwing five shutout innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out five.
The Braves’ bullpen completed the shutout behind Didier Fuentes, Dylan Dodd (1-0), Dylan Lee and Raisel Iglesias, who walked Nick Gonzales with two outs in the ninth but then struck out Marcell Ozuna to finish off his 18th save.
Pirates hitters struck out 11 times and were held to four hits, all of which were singles.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jonathan Aranda drives in 3 as Rays blank Yankees
Jul 8, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda (8) hits an rbi double against the New York Yankees in the third inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Tampa Bay’s Jonathan Aranda drove in all three runs as the American League East-leading Rays won for the second time in their four-game series with the New York Yankees, blanking them 3-0 on Wednesday night in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Aranda went 2-for-3 with a double and raised his RBI total to 61 by knocking in single runs in the third, fifth and seventh innings. Yandy Diaz was 4-for-4 with a double and a run.
Over 6 1/3 innings and 85 pitches, starter Shane McClanahan (8-5) kept the Yankees scoreless on four hits with five strikeouts and no walks.
Reliever Bryan Baker closed out the club’s sixth shutout with three strikeouts in the ninth for his 25thsave in 28 chances.
Jasson Dominguez went 2-for-4, but the Yankees were shut out for the sixth time.
Gerrit Cole (3-4) started for New York and went 6 1/3 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits. He struck out six and walked one.
McClanahan’s glove work kept it scoreless in the second when Max Schuemann’s sacrifice bunt attempt went to the pitcher, who fielded and tossed it with his glove to catcher Nick Fortes to get Dominguez at home.
In the third after Diaz doubled off the left field wall, Aranda lined a single to right to plate Diaz and advance himself to second on the throw home. However, Cole retired Junior Caminero and Cedric Mullins to keep it 1-0.
The Rays tallied again in the fifth after Fortes’ one-out single and Diaz’s third hit. Aranda then doubled into the right-center gap to send Fortes in for another run.
However, just as McClanahan did in the second, Cole was able to get out of it when Jose Caballero threw out Diaz at the plate on a grounder with the infield in. The pitcher then fanned Mullins for the final out.
New York manager Aaron Boone and bench coach Brad Ausmus were ejected the next frame by home plate umpire Doug Eddings after Caballero was caught stealing following a bunt single, but the visitors were denied because they were late with their challenge.
Cole Sulser struck out Anthony Volpe and forced a foulout by pinch hitter Trent Grisham to snuff the Yankees in the seventh.
Aranda’s sacrifice fly in the bottom half scored Taylor Walls, and Baker notched the save by fanning the side in the ninth after Ben Rice’s leadoff single.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Janelle Salaun's career night lifts Valkyries past Tempo
Jul 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Valkyries guard Janelle Salaun (13) looks for a passing option as Toronto Tempo guard Laura Juskaite (2) defends in the first half at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Reserve Janelle Salaun scored a career-best 26 points that included three 3-pointers late in game Wednesday night and the Golden State Valkyries defeated the host Toronto Tempo 83-75.
Reserve Kaitlyn Chen added 16 points for the Valkyries (16-7), who have won a franchise-best six consecutive games in their second season.
Kayla Thornton scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Golden State, who are 3-0 on a five-game road trip. Salaun finished 7 of 10 from the floor, including 5 of 6 from long range, and was 7 of 9 at the free-throw line.
Isabelle Harrison scored a career-best 24 points and added eight rebounds for the Tempo (9-12), who have lost three in a row. Marina Mabrey added 11 points while Julie Allemand and Maria Conde each scored nine points.
The Tempo overcame a 13-point deficit to lead by 59-57 entering the fourth quarter. Chen scored the first four points of the fourth to propel a 12-0 run that gave Golden State a 10-point lead with 7:01 to play.
Harrison’s driving layup cut the Valkyries’ lead to six, 71-65 with 3:33 remaining. Salaun hit two consecutive 3-pointers to increase the lead to 12 with 1:47 to play. After Harrison’s layup, Salaun made another 3-pointer to ice the game with 1:16 left.
The Valkyries shot 2-for-13 from the field in the first quarter and trailed 17-11.
Golden State opened the second on a 10-0 surge capped by Chen’s steal and layup to lead by four with 6:43 to play before halftime. Thornton hit a 3-pointer with 3:03 remaining to bump the lead to 10 as the Valkyries’ strong defense began to make its presence felt. Thornton added an 11-footer to increase the margin to 12. Golden State led 41-31 at halftime.
Thornton opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer. The Tempo turned up their defense and responded with a 17-2 run capped by Allemand’s 19-footer to take a 48-46 lead with 4:17 to go in the third. Kia Nurse completed the third-quarter scoring with a 3-pointer that gave Toronto a 59-57 lead.
Toronto center Nyara Sabally left the game in the first quarter with a left knee injury and did not return. She had two points in about seven minutes.
Golden State guard Gabby Williams left with a back contusion in the second half. She had seven points in 18 minutes.
–Field Level Media
Joey Bart, Braves win after Pirates lift Jared Jones (6 perfect IP)
Jonathan Aranda drives in 3 as Rays blank Yankees
