Sports
NC State beats North Carolina for fourth straight time
Nov 30, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Tylee Craft (13) scores a touchdown as North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Devon Marshall (16) and linebacker Sean Brown (0) defend in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images CJ Bailey threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns as visiting North Carolina State reached bowl eligibility by beating Atlantic Coast Conference rival North Carolina for the fourth consecutive season 35-30 on Saturday in Chapel Hill.
Bailey, a true freshman, completed 14 of 20 passes and also rushed for 54 yards on 14 carries. Hollywood Smothers paced the rushing attack with 83 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, while also picking up 34 receiving yards on three catches for the Wolfpack (6-6, 3-5 ACC).
Jacolby Criswell threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-33 passing for the Tar Heels (6-6, 3-5 ACC). Omarion Hampton totaled 253 yards of total offense and two touchdowns on 26 touches.
The Wolfpack are assured of a non-losing regular-season record for the 10th time in 12 seasons under coach Dave Doeren.
The loss marked the final regular-season game for the Tar Heels under Mack Brown, who is in his sixth season of his second stint leading the program. It remains unclear if Brown will coach North Carolina in its bowl game.
With 1:51 left to play, Hampton snagged a short shovel pass from Criswell, knifed through the teeth of the defense, outran five defenders and dragged another into the end zone, covering 47 yards. His 40th career touchdown leaves him third in program history — and the extra point gave North Carolina a one-point advantage.
But NC State quickly responded, driving 75 yards in just six plays and 86 seconds. The drive was highlighted by Bailey connecting with Noah Rogers, covered by two defenders, for 44 yards. Smothers capped the possession with a 2-yard scamper.
The Wolfpack scored on all six of their possessions in the second half. For the game, they led in time of possession by about 11 minutes.
After the game, several players from both sides were involved in a fight on the field.
The Tar Heels played the majority of the game without one of their top pass rushers, Kaimon Rucker — who has six sacks and an interception this season — after he was hit by an NC State player away from the action on a play in the first quarter.
Rucker had to be carted off the field and did not return. The team said he suffered a lower body injury.
The Wolfpack got on the board first thanks to a 2-yard touchdown run by Smothers. The score was set up by Wolfpack edge rusher Davin Vann, who took possession back for NC State with a strip sack. Vann picked up his sixth force fumble of the season after entering the weekend leading FBS.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: RB David Montgomery 'wants out' of Detroit
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) looks on before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Lions running back David Montgomery “wants out” of Detroit after three seasons, ESPN reported on Sunday.
Montgomery, however, immediately appeared to refute the report on X, posting: “Damn, Dmo told you that?”
The ESPN report claims the Lions would want “a decent Day 3 pick (possibly a fifth-rounder)” in the 2026 NFL Draft in return for Montgomery, who turns 29 in June and is owed $6 million next season.
The report follows general manager Brad Holmes’ remarks after the season about Montgomery being unhappy with his playing time in 2025. Sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, Montgomery rushed for a career-low 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (no starts).
“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because I’ve got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said of Montgomery in January. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skillset can be utilized, and so yeah would love for it to be here, but if it can’t be here then you’d just love to see where could work out best for him.”
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Holmes said the situation with Montgomery is “fluid.” He signed a two-year extension during the 2024 season that runs through the end of the 2027 campaign.
“Yeah, I have been in touch with David’s agent, and his representation,” Holmes revealed. “Obviously, we love David, he’s a great player, we love to have him, you know, kind of want to put last year in the rear view, and just move forward. But, obviously, a player has to want to be at a certain place as well. The conversations are still fluid, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Montgomery has rushed for 2,506 yards and 33 touchdowns in 45 games (28 starts) in three seasons with Detroit (2023-25). He has 76 catches for 650 yards in that span.
He began his career with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, who drafted him in the third round in 2019. Montgomery rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 scores in 60 games (51 starts) with the Bears (2019-22).
–Field Level Media
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
