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Maryland readies for undefeated FCS foe Villanova

NCAA Football: Maryland at VirginiaSep 14, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) talks with Terrapins head coach Michael Locksley (R) during a timeout against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Coming off its best half of the season, inconsistent Maryland hopes to build on the positive when it hosts Villanova on Saturday in College Park, Md.

The Terrapins (2-1) are flying high after rallying in the second half to hand old Atlantic Coast Conference rival Virginia its first loss, 27-13 on Saturday.

Maryland is prepared to meet a feisty Villanova (3-0), which is coming off an appearance in last year’s FCS quarterfinals.

“I don’t expect Villanova to come in here as an FCS team and be big eyed,” Maryland coach Mike Locksley said.

In Week 2, Maryland came under fire after it surrendered 10 points in the final five minutes of a 27-24 loss at home to underdog Michigan State.

The negative swirl followed the Terrapins to Charlottesville as they trailed 13-7 after an uninspired first half. But Maryland outscored Virginia 20-0 over the remainder of the game.

Billy Edwards Jr. threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Kai Felton, who finished with nine receptions for 117 yards.

Maryland’s defense rose to the occasion behind Big Ten defensive player of the week Dante Trader Jr., who had 11 tackles and an interception. After halftime, the Cavaliers didn’t cross midfield until their final desperation drive died at the Terrapins’ 28.

“That was a tough, gritty win for us,” Locksley said. “We found out a lot about ourselves. We found out the importance of staying in the moment, not playing to a scoreboard.”

Villanova, which is coming off a 14-13 win over Towson, is energized by the chance to play at Maryland.

“It’s a bigger stage,” Villanova coach Matt Ferrante said. “A lot of our guys within our program, and all the teams in the (Coastal Athletic Association), think they can play on that bigger stage.”

Villanova has lost nine straight times to Maryland, with the most recent meeting coming in 2007.

The Wildcats have a ground-heavy attack with rushes (100) outnumbering passing attempts (70).

Three-year starting quarterback Connor Watkins “is the guy that makes their offense go,” Locksley said, mentioning Watkins’ ability to execute zone read plays and run-pass options. On the season, Watkins has thrown for 453 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Isaiah Ragland, who rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown against Towson, averages 7.3 yards per carry, while backup David Avit averages 6.0 yards per attempt for Villanova.

Avit’s brother, Ezekiel Avit, plays wideout for Maryland.

Maryland has won 14 straight non-conference games, which is the second-longest streak in the FBS, behind Georgia’s run of 24 in a row.

– Field Level Media

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Adam Sandler officiates Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift wedding in New York

May 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce react during game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn ImagesMay 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce react during game three of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

The celebrity wedding of the decade took place on Friday when Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce married pop superstar Taylor Swift at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The officiant was actor Adam Sandler, a friend of the couple.

The best man was Travis Kelce’s brother, Jason Kelce, a former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center. Taylor Swift’s brother, Austin Swift, was her “man of honor,” according to a press release from Swift’s representatives, who noted that the ceremony featured no bridesmaids nor groomsmen.

The video boards outside the arena read “JUST&T MARRIED!” following the ceremony, which reportedly was attended by around 1,000 guests.

According to People, among those believed to have been at the nuptials were Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper, Ed Sheeran, Miranda Lambert, Hugh Grant, Zoe Kravitz, Jason Sudeikis, Jimmy Fallon, Tommy Hilfiger and Selena Gomez.

The couple got engaged in August 2025, and news recently broke that they would be taking over the home venue of the newly crowned NBA champion New York Knicks for the wedding.

–Field Level Media

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Daylen Lile, Luis Garcia Jr. homer twice as Nationals top Pirates

Jul 3, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (2) celebrates with shortstop CJ Abrams (5) after hitting a home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn ImagesJul 3, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (2) celebrates with shortstop CJ Abrams (5) after hitting a home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

Luis Garcia Jr. and Daylen Lile each belted two home runs to lead the Washington Nationals to a 9-5 home win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

Lile also doubled and drove in four runs and Garcia had three RBIs. Jose Tena hit a two-run homer and James Wood had a double, a triple and scored a run for Washington.

Bryan Reynolds doubled, homered and drove in two runs while Esmerlyn Valdez was 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI for the Pirates.

With one out in the first, Garcia lined his 17th homer of the season to right field.

An inning later, Lile hit a solo shot to center, giving the Nationals a 2-0 lead.

In the third, Reynolds homered with two outs on a 2-0 count to trim the Nationals’ lead to 2-1.

Washington answered in the bottom of the inning, extending its lead to 5-1. Wood led off with a triple into the right field corner and scored on Tena’s two-run bomb.

CJ Abrams followed with a single, and after Dylan Crews lined out, stole second. Lile’s RBI double knocked in Abrams.

Jake Mangum’s two-out liner in the fourth knocked off Washington starter Foster Griffin’s glove. But second baseman Nasim Nunez charged in, barehanded the ball and threw out Mangum with a sidearm toss to first.

The Pirates loaded the bases in the seventh. After Jared Triolo doubled with two outs and stole third, Konnor Griffin and Brandon Lowe drew walks off reliever Justin Lawrence. The Nationals brought in Clayton Beeter from the bullpen, and he struck out Reynolds to escape the jam.

In the bottom of the seventh, Garcia made it 7-1 with his 18th homer of the season, a two-run blast to right.

Lile stretched Washington’s lead to 9-1 with his second homer of the game, a two-run blast in the eighth.

Lowe, Reynolds, Valdez and Nick Gonzales each drove in a run with doubles in the ninth for Pittsburgh.

Griffin (9-2) allowed one run on four hits while walking one and fanning two in five innings for Washington.

Pirates starter Mitch Keller (6-6) yielded five runs on eight hits over six innings. He walked none and struck out one.

–Field Level Media

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Trevor Rogers, Tyler Wells bookend Orioles' shutout win over Reds

Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Bassallo (29) and designated hitter Adley Rutschman (35) celebrate after Bassallo scores a homer in the third inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Friday, July 3, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Bassallo (29) and designated hitter Adley Rutschman (35) celebrate after Bassallo scores a homer in the third inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, Friday, July 3, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati.

Trevor Rogers threw five shutout innings and Samuel Basallo hit a two-run homer as the Baltimore Orioles knocked off the host Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday.

Rogers (6-7) allowed just two hits. Although he issued five walks while striking out four, the left-hander still pitched well enough to register his third win in as many starts.

Tyler Wells retired the Reds in order in the ninth to earn his first save since 2023. He was called upon after the Orioles placed closer Ryan Helsley on the 15-day injured list due to elbow discomfort he experienced while warming up on Wednesday.

Basallo, a 21-year-old rookie catcher, hit his 13th homer of the season with two outs in the third inning off Reds starter Brady Singer (3-8). However, Rogers already had all the support he needed before throwing his first pitch.

Gunnar Henderson, who walked to start the game, moved to second on Taylor Ward’s one-out single. Henderson stole third as Pete Alonso struck out. Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson threw wildly in an attempt to get an inning-ending double play, and Henderson scampered home with an unearned run as the ball went to the outfield.

Singer also lasted five innings, and he endured a bout of wildness, much like his counterpart. He only allowed three hits and struck out six, but the right-hander also walked five as two of the three runs he allowed were earned.

Three relief pitchers, Caleb Ferguson, Chase Petty and Julian Garcia, teamed to retire the last 11 Orioles, giving the Reds a chance for a rally.

Cincinnati had several opportunities to avoid its seventh shutout loss of the season. The Reds stranded 10 runners, the 15th time in 2026 they have left at least 10 on the basepaths. They left two runners on in the first, third, fifth and sixth innings and finished 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

All four of the Reds’ hits were singles.

After Rogers exited, Rico Garcia allowed a hit and a walk in two innings, and Yennier Cano followed with a one-hit inning.

The Orioles took the opener of a three-game set for their second win in a row. The Reds lost for the fifth time in six games.

–Field Level Media

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