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Jack Martin’s last-play FG vaults Houston over Utah

NCAA Football: Utah at HoustonOct 26, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Utah Utes tight end Brant Kuithe (80) runs with the ball after a reception as Houston Cougars linebacker Michael Batton (44) attempts to make a tackle during the second quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Jack Martin’s 43-yard field goal on the game’s final play lifted Houston over visiting Utah 17-14 on Saturday in a Big 12 Conference defensive battle.

Houston (3-5, 2-3 Big 12) beat the preseason conference favorites despite amassing only 289 yards of total offense, including just 61 through the air. Zeon Chriss hit on 6 of his 13 throws for two scores and one interception and J’Marion Burnette had 81 of Houston’s 228 rushing yards.

The game was tied at 14 when Houston’s A.J Haulcy intercepted Utah backup quarterback Brandon Rose at the Cougars 46 with 1:55 to play. The Cougars ran eight straight times and converted one third down to set the table for Martin’s kick, which split the uprights and gave Houston its second win in its past three contests.

The Utes (4-4, 1-4) got 171 passing yards from Isaac Wilson with Brant Kuithe racking up 113 yards and a TD on five catches. Utah has dropped four straight games.

Utah struck first, cashing in on its opening possession with a 71-yard TD pass from Wilson to Kuithe. Houston answered with a 21-yard scoring toss from Chriss to Stephon Johnson with 11:54 to play in the second quarter.

Utah had the chance to regain the lead midway through the second but Cole Becker missed a 46-yard field goal at the end of a 13-play, 7:34 drive. Becker missed again when he was short on a 52-yard attempt with five seconds left until halftime.

The Cougars moved to the Utah 1-yard line on their opening possession of the third quarter but were stopped on fourth down when Burnette was tackled in the backfield by Landon Barton.

Utah went back in front when Micah Bernard burst up the middle for a 14-yard touchdown with 5:01 to play in the third. The score came three plays and less than a minute after Johnathan Hall intercepted Chriss and returned the pick 24 yards.

Houston tied the game at 14 as Chriss hit Joseph Manjack IV on a 28-yard slant route with 8:29 left to cap a 10-play, 85-yard march.

–Field Level Media

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Right-handers for Giants, Brewers out to cap successful July with win

Jul 22, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA;  San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp (65) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn ImagesJul 22, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp (65) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

A pair of young right-handers attempting to complete an unbeaten month of July will go head-to-head Tuesday night when Logan Henderson and the Milwaukee Brewers take on Landen Roupp and the host San Francisco Giants in the continuation of a three-game series.

The Giants opened the set with a 3-0 victory Monday, getting brilliant pitching from Tyler Mahle and a two-run homer from Grant McCray.

Roupp (7-8, 3.93 ERA) will attempt to successfully follow in Mahle’s footsteps as he looks to continue the form that led to a fast start this season before a two-month slump.

The 27-year-old began the season 5-1 through the end of April, but then started 11 consecutive losses, seven of which went on his record, in May and June.

The third-year major-leaguer has regained his winning form in July, however, going 2-0 with wins against the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. He took a no-decision against the Kansas City Royals in a 5-4 win last Wednesday. He has allowed just three runs and nine hits in 21 innings.

Roupp’s earlier skid reached its greatest depth when he suffered through his worst outing of the season in a 16-2 loss at Milwaukee on June 1, charged with eight runs in four innings. The loss ran his career record against the Brewers to 0-2 with a 7.16 ERA in five games, including three starts.

Jackson Chourio’s two-run double and Brice Turang’s two-RBI triple, hit consecutively, were the big blows against Roupp in the earlier head-to-head in Milwaukee.

Henderson (4-1, 3.05) has had a similar month. Like Roupp, he is 2-0 with a no-decision in July. The Brewers have won all three Henderson starts, games against the St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins and New York Mets.

In just his second major-league season, the 24-year-old Henderson went winless in his first three starts in 2026 before going unbeaten in his past five. He has allowed just six runs and 11 hits in 15 1/3 innings in July.

His July starts followed almost a six-week layoff due to back soreness. But he watched closely, especially the games of hard-throwing staff ace Jacob Misiorowski, who clearly inspires him.

“It never gets old, and he’s taking it up a notch every start,” Henderson told reporters recently. “I feel privileged to have a front-row seat every game.”

Henderson never has faced the Giants.

One player Henderson definitely won’t see will be Giants slugger Casey Schmitt, who strained his right knee rounding first base after a hit in the second inning of the opener and had to be removed from the game.

The Giants announced after the game that Schmitt, whose hit raised his average to .271, would undergo an MRI on Tuesday.

San Francisco manager Tony Vitello said after the game that he feared Schmitt could miss “significant” time.

“He’s a little bummed out. He loves to play every day,” Vitello told reporters after the win. “Scary moment for him. He was really struggling just to move around. Heart’s got to go out to him and you hope for the best.”

– Field Level Media

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French legend Zinedine Zidane to coach national team

Jul 26, 2024; Paris, FRANCE;  Zinedine Zidane during the Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games along the Seine River. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-Imagn ImagesJul 26, 2024; Paris, FRANCE; Zinedine Zidane during the Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games along the Seine River. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-Imagn Images

Zinedine Zidane, who led France to the 1998 World Cup championship, has been named the next coach of the French men’s national team.

He replaces Didier Deschamps, 57, who had been at the helm since 2012. Deschamps said in January 2025 that he intended to retire at the end of the 2026 World Cup, in which France lost 6-4 to England in the third-place match.

The deal with Zidane, announced Tuesday, is for four years, and he officially will begin his job on Aug. 1. His staff is expected to be revealed in September.

Zidane, 54, entered coaching after his playing days, and his Real Madrid teams won three consecutive Champions Leagues finals (2016-18) and two LaLiga titles.

He resigned from his job in Madrid five years ago and has not coached since, long projected as the successor to Deschamps.

“For me it’s a continuity, a dream,” Zidane said. “I had some offers during the five years I was away to take charge of a club but I turned them all down for the France team. It was the only thing I wanted to do.”

And Zidane said he is ready to get to work.

“I have so many emotions, I am ready for the challenge,” he said. “That’s what motivates me.

“Today I have the opportunity to be in charge of this team and I will give everything so that this team can win.”

Zidane will make his coaching debut with the national team on Sept. 25, when he leads France against Turkey in their first match of this UEFA Nations League schedule.

–Field Level Media

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Luca Van Assche beats Alexander Blockx in Portugal for first title

Jul 31, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Luca Van Assche (FRA) hits a forehand against Andrey Rublev (not pictured) on day five of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesJul 31, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Luca Van Assche (FRA) hits a forehand against Andrey Rublev (not pictured) on day five of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Luca Van Assche of France secured his first ATP title when he posted a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Belgium’s Alexander Blockx on Sunday in the Estoril Open final in Portugal.

Van Assche, 22, converted 8 of 13 break points and overcame eight double faults to win in two hours and 24 minutes on the clay surface. He is the ATP’s 10th first-time winner this year.

Blockx, 21, had seven aces and seven double faults while playing in his first title match. He rallied from a 3-0 hole in the third set to tie it 5-5 before Van Assche closed it out by winning two straight games.

The championship match was the first between players born in 2004 or later.

–Field Level Media

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