Sports
No. 10 Penn State to work on 'focus' vs. Kent State
Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) runs the ball for a touchdown during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images No. 10 Penn State returns to play Saturday, when it welcomes Kent State to State College, Pa., after each side faced their fair share of struggles the last time they stepped onto the field.
Penn State (2-0) earned a victory on Sept. 7, but one that felt far too close from a top-10 Big Ten side against unranked Bowling Green out of the Mid-American Conference. In the first two quarters, Bowling Green had 286 yards of total offense to 236 for Penn State as the Nittany Lions trailed 24-20 at the half.
Penn State scored the first 14 points of the second half to earn a 34-27 victory as Nicholas Singleton (119) and Kaytron Allen (101) each rushed for 100 yards. But future opponents were exposed to a path forward against the Nittany Lions.
Missed tackles and the wide-open style of play in the first half raised concerns for Penn State head coach James Franklin with how his defense was able to communicate throughout the opening two quarters.
“We were trying to rely specifically on the headset communication and at home that can be a little bit more challenging with the linebacker trying to verbally communicate to all 11 guys on the field,” Franklin said.
Kent State (0-3) was walloped Saturday at Tennessee, falling behind 65-0 at halftime before losing 71-0.
Playing against an opponent that is clearly overmatched this weekend, Penn State will get a chance to work on the shortcomings it showed in the first half against Bowling Green.
“The challenge is ultimately about us and our focus on Penn State and us getting better and developing and playing up to our standard week in and week out,” Franklin said. “(It) is easier said than done.”
It will be far easier than the situation Kent State is up against.
The Golden Flashes’ injury issues at running back increased Saturday, only adding to the woe felt after the humiliating defeat.
Starter Gavin Garcia already was lost for the season before the schedule even began with a knee injury. Against then-No. 7 Tennessee, running backs Curtis Douglas and Ky Thomas also sustained knee injuries after they combined to gain 25 yards on 11 carries.
“The way it’s going, you’re going to have to utilize that whole room and even maybe bring a guy into that room from another position,” Kent State head coach Kenni Burns said.
Even when taking into account what Bowling Green was able to expose with Penn State, Burns knows his team has a tall task ahead against a team that is likely to run the ball at his team all day.
On defense Saturday, the Golden Flashes were helpless as the Volunteers scored points on each of their first 11 drives. Tennessee delivered a program-record 37 points in the first quarter and piled up 740 yards of total offense against an overwhelmed Kent State defense.
“Like Tennessee, you’re not going to find very many weaknesses anywhere,” Burns said about Penn State. “I thought (Bowling Green) did a good job with some of the formational stuff to create confusion. But I think, like any good coaching staff, (Penn State is) going to make adjustments. They’re coming off the bye week. They’re going to know how to fix these things and grow. But they’re exceptional.”
Penn State is 31-3 all-time against MAC programs and earned a 63-10 victory over Kent State the last time the programs met in 2018.
–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
