Sports
Lagging Kentucky offense expects challenge from Ohio
Kentucky’s Brock Vandagriff runs for a first down against Georgia’s Chaz Chambliss Saturday night.Sept. 14, 2024
The question will be obvious for Kentucky going into a home contest against Ohio on Saturday in Lexington.
How will the Wildcats respond to such a crushing defeat against the then-No. 1 team in the nation?
The Wildcats were oh-so-close to earning a victory over Georgia last weekend in what possibly would have been the biggest win in program history.
But following the 13-12 loss, Kentucky (1-2) has to pick up the pieces somehow and move on following consecutive Southeastern Conference losses at home. Kentucky lost in Week 2 to South Carolina.
The biggest issue for the Wildcats the past two weeks has been their offense.
Quarterback Brock Vandagriff is 29-for-55 passing for 313 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. All three TD passes came in the season-opening 31-0 win against Southern Mississippi.
Kentucky only managed 183 yards of total offense in a 31-6 loss to the Gamecocks on Sept. 7 and 284 against the Bulldogs.
The Wildcats didn’t score a touchdown in either of those games, so coach Mark Stoops is headed back to the offensive drawing board.
Stoops said the challenge of doing so against Ohio’s defense will be bigger than people realize.
“Defensively, they are very, very tough,” Stoops said. “They play very hard and they mix things up front. They play both four-down and three-down. They make you earn every yard. It goes back to what I always say: it’s about us. Just like last week, it’s about us and our preparation and what we do to put ourselves in a position to win.”
Ohio (2-1) arrives after back-to-back home wins over South Alabama and Morgan State, which followed a 38-22 season-opening loss at Syracuse.
The Bobcats have a potent rushing attack led by Anthony Tyus III, who rushed for 203 yards against Syracuse and already has 367 yards and four touchdowns on the season.
Ohio coach Tim Albin said running the ball will be tougher against a Kentucky defense that he praised.
“They’re big everywhere and physical,” Albin said. “Their defense, I don’t see a weakness. We’re going to have huge matchup problems.”
–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
