Sports
No. 5 Georgia, Auburn look to rebound in SEC clash
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) leaves the field after a loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images Both No. 5 Georgia and visiting Auburn find themselves in uncharted territory ahead of their Southeastern Conference matchup in Athens, Ga., on Saturday afternoon.
Georgia (3-1, 1-1 SEC) is coming off its first regular-season loss since Nov. 7, 2020, as the Bulldogs fell 41-34 to then-No. 4 Alabama last weekend.
After rallying from a 28-0 deficit, Georgia lost on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Alabama’s Jalen Milroe with 2:18 left, snapping the Bulldogs’ school-record 42 game regular-season winning streak and SEC-record 28-game conference unbeaten string.
Although the poor start to the game left a sour taste for Georgia and coach Kirby Smart, there’s no time to wallow in self-pity ahead of Saturday’s 2024 edition of the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.”
“I’m certainly proud of the resiliency we showed (to come back), but as proud as I am of that, I’m just as disappointed of the start,” Smart said. “But we’ve got to get ready for Auburn, who’s a really, really good football team. … Obviously the record may not indicate it, but the record doesn’t speak for what that team is.”
Georgia hopes to see more consistency from quarterback Carson Beck, who battled back from a forgettable start against Alabama. Beck passed for 439 yards and three touchdowns but threw three interceptions and lost a fumble on the first drive of the fourth quarter.
“That first half, we played terrible,” Beck said. “I don’t think we need to watch the film to go see that we didn’t play our best. That starts with me. I’ve got to be better.”
As for Auburn, the Tigers (2-3, 0-2) are off to their worst start through five games since 2012, when they began 1-4 and finished 3-9 overall and 0-8 in the SEC.
Most recently, Auburn lost 27-21 to then-No. 21 Oklahoma despite holding an 11-point, fourth-quarter lead and outgaining the Sooners 482-291.
Auburn has had a glaring turnover problem this season: Payton Thorne and Hank Brown have combined to throw nine interceptions.
The recurring issue reared its head last weekend as Thorne threw a pick-six to Oklahoma’s Kip Lewis, who gave the Sooners the eventual game-winning score with 4:06 left.
“Saturday hurt,” Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. “It hurt our kids, our staff, and I’m sure it hurt our incredible fans, who have been marvelous over our five straight home games to open the season. … Our fans have done their part, which makes not being 5-0 very hard to swallow. We’re judged on results, and it’s my responsibility to bring results to this program that restore its glory.”
A bright spot for Freeze and the Tigers has been the defense, which has allowed an average of just 18.8 points per contest. The unit will be put to the test Saturday against a Bulldogs offense coming off a 519-yard output against the Crimson Tide.
“There are many positives to build from,” Freeze said. “We’ve done some really, really good things that I hope can carry over as we get ready for a top-ranked team in Georgia. We certainly can’t let the hurt and sting of losing a game that you felt like you should have won last too long.”
–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
Sports
CJ Abrams, Foster Griffin spark Nationals over D-backs
Jul 25, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) hits a two RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images CJ Abrams had three hits including a home run, Foster Griffin pitched into the seventh inning and the Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 on Saturday in Washington.
Abrams tied the game with a two-run double in the third and hit his 25th home run in the fifth, giving him a major-league-leading 79 RBIs. He also singled and stole his 17th base.
Griffin (12-2), a free agent at the end of the season, may have been making his final start for Washington with the trade deadline approaching. Griffin, who struck out two and walked one, allowed three runs on six hits after giving up one or zero earned runs in eight straight starts.
Clayton Beeter pitched 1-2-3 ninth for his ninth save.
Gabriel Moreno had a two-run single for Arizona, which had won four straight, and Tim Tawa had two hits and a run.
Rookie Mitch Bratt (0-1) gave up five runs on seven hits over five innings in his fourth start. He struck out three and walked five.
An error by second baseman Ketel Marte gave the Nationals runners on first and second with one out in the second, but Bratt retired Nasim Nunez and Keibert Ruiz.
The D-backs struck for two runs in the third. Ryan Waldschmidt led off with a single and Corbin Carroll was hit by a pitch. Geraldo Perdomo bunted the runners over and Moreno followed with a two-run single.
Washington answered with a four-run rally in the bottom half. Curtis Mead walked with one out and Andres Chaparro doubled him to third. Abrams lined a double to center and the game was tied. After Abrams was out trying to steal third, Dylan Crews walked. Jacob Young singled and Daylen Lile tripled into the right field corner and the Nationals led 4-2.
Abrams made it 5-2 when he homered to right-center leading off the fifth.
In the seventh, Tawa doubled with two outs and scored on a single by James McCann. Eddy Yean came on and retired pinch hitter Max Kepler to end the inning.
–Field Level Media
ATP roundup: Quentin Halys blasts 17 aces, wins Generali Open for first crown
Sean McVay says Aaron Donald still weighing Rams comeback
