Sports
Middle Tennessee standing in way of 4-0 start for Duke
Aug 30, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) goes to throw the ball against the Elon Phoenix during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images Duke aims to finish nonconference play with an unblemished record when it visits Middle Tennessee State for a Saturday afternoon clash in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
The Blue Devils (3-0) also eye their second consecutive 4-0 start and momentum heading into a Sept. 28 tilt against rival North Carolina in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener.
But first up are the Blue Raiders (1-2), who, like Duke, are led by a first-year head coach.
Despite this being the second head coaching stints for both Middle Tennessee’s Derek Mason and Duke’s Manny Diaz, they have never faced each other from opposing sidelines. Diaz was an assistant at Middle Tennessee nearly two decades ago, serving as the defensive coordinator there from 2006-09.
While Duke is coming off its third straight win after a 26-21 victory over UConn last weekend, MTSU hopes to bounce back from a 49-21 loss to Western Kentucky that Mason put on himself and no one else.
“At the end of the day, I don’t blame players, I blame me,” Mason said. “My shoulders are big enough. What we will do as a staff and as a team is hold each other accountable. Because that’s where the winning gets done.”
Middle Tennessee’s issues have shown up on defense, where it ranks 129th out of 133 FBS teams with 42 points allowed per game. Even in its lone win against FCS side Tennessee Tech, the Blue Raiders allowed 25 points.
Duke hasn’t had a problem finding the end zone, especially in crucial moments. Each of the Blue Devils’ past two wins — against UConn at home and on the road against Northwestern — required late-game comebacks.
“A lot that we have to improve on, but it’s always more fun to improve when you’re winning than when you’re not winning,” Diaz said. “(Undefeated) and eventually, going into league play where you know you’re going to be in tough games, you know you’re going to be in close games.
“What they have learned through these last couple of weeks is going to really bode well as we get further down into our season.”
The Blue Devils have been powered on offense by Texas transfer Maalik Murphy, who has thrown for 801 yards with eight touchdowns and leads all ACC quarterbacks in pass attempts with 122.
MTSU has a strong passing attack as well, led by Nicholas Vattiato who threw for 456 yards and three TDs against Western Kentucky.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Ryan Preece returning to RFK Racing in 2027
May 3, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Roush Fenway Keselowski driver Ryan Preece (60) is introduced before the start of the 2026 Wurth 400 cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Ryan Preece will remain behind the wheel of RFK Racing’s No. 60 Ford during the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Team co-owner Brad Keselowski confirmed the decision Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, saying RFK exercised an option in Preece’s multiyear contract several months ago.
“We’re going to continue to keep him as a part of the family for a while,” Keselowski said.
Preece joined RFK Racing in 2025 after spending two seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing. He narrowly missed the playoffs in his first year with the team but had his best Cup campaign, earning three top-five finishes and finishing 18th in the final standings.
The 35-year-old Connecticut native is again 18th in points entering Sunday’s Brickyard 400. He has four top-10 finishes through the first 21 races of the season as he continues pursuing his first career Cup Series playoff berth.
Preece has made 243 Cup Series starts over nine seasons, earning two poles and 33 top-10 finishes. He is still looking for his first points-paying win at NASCAR’s top level.
–Field Level Media
Sports
ATP roundup: Quentin Halys blasts 17 aces, wins Generali Open for first crown
Mar 24, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Quentin Halys (FRA) hits a forehand against Alexander Zverev (GER) (not pictured) on day eight of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Frenchman Quentin Halys delivered 17 aces and earned his first career title with a solid 6-4, 7-6 (6) victory over defending champion Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in the Generali Open final at Kitzbuhel, Austria on Saturday.
Halys, 29, turned pro in 2012 and had played in just other ATP final — losing to Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the 2024 Swiss Open. Halys won 86.8% of his first-serve points (33 of 38) and didn’t face a single break point.
Top-seeded Bublik led 6-5 in the second-set tiebreaker but couldn’t convert a set point. Halys then scored two more points to finish the match.
Bublik had six aces and saved 5 of 6 break points. He hadn’t lost a set this week prior to the title match and was looking for his 10th career ATP crown.
Estoril Open
Fourth-seeded Alexander Blockx of Belgium rallied for a 5-7, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (5) victory over second-seeded Luciano Darderi of Italy in the semifinals at Portugal to reach the first ATP final of his career.
Blockx, 21, recorded eight aces and saved 8 of 14 break points while sliding past Darderi. In the third-set tiebreaker, Darderi scored the first four points before Blockx turned things around and won seven of eight to close the match.
Blockx will face Luca Van Assche, who posted a 6-4, 7-5 victory over fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston. Van Assche won the final two games to close out the match in straight sets.
The final will also be the first for the 22-year-old Van Assche. The win over Gaston came in his first ATP semifinal.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Sean McVay says Aaron Donald still weighing Rams comeback
Former Pittsburgh Panther and retired NFL defensive tackle Aaron Donald waves to the crowd while walking out onto the field during his jersey number retirement ceremony during halftime of the Pittsburgh Panthers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on November 15, 2025. Aaron Donald is undergoing an NFL-level training program as he considers ending his retirement, but Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said no decision has been made.
McVay provided an update Saturday as Rams players reported for training camp, explaining that Donald is following a demanding and carefully structured routine similar to the one he used during his playing career.
The process is intended to show the 35-year-old whether his body can withstand the physical demands of another season after two years away from the game.
McVay said he genuinely does not know which direction Donald will choose. The Rams, however, are prepared to explore a reunion if the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year decides he is ready.
“If he feels good, then you guys know he’s going to be ready to rock,” McVay said.
Donald retired in March 2024 after spending all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Rams. He recorded 111 sacks, earned eight first-team All-Pro selections and was named to the Pro Bowl in every season of his career.
The possibility of a comeback emerged after Los Angeles began considering a trade for star pass rusher Myles Garrett. McVay contacted Donald for his opinion of Garrett, and the conversation eventually shifted toward whether Donald might be interested in playing alongside him.
The Rams acquired Garrett in June, adding the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to a defense that now could become even more imposing if Donald returns.
“But this is his decision,” McVay said. “He’s earned the right to be able to do it on his terms. And that’s why I think you guys are seeing us take this approach. But I did not ever really think this would be something, but I’m not going to sit here and act like I’m not excited about the possibility of it.”
Donald last played during the 2023 season, finishing with eight sacks and 53 tackles while earning another first-team All-Pro selection.
McVay initially thought Donald was done for good, as the defensive tackle said he felt fulfilled after retirement. However, his stance has shifted enough for Donald to consider testing himself physically again, though McVay made clear that walking away once more would be fully respected.
“He doesn’t owe us anything,” McVay said.
–Field Level Media
Ryan Preece returning to RFK Racing in 2027
ATP roundup: Quentin Halys blasts 17 aces, wins Generali Open for first crown
