Sports
SEC fines Arkansas, Vanderbilt for field storming
Vanderbilt fans celebrates after knocking off the Alabama Crimson Tide 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. The Southeastern Conference announced on Sunday that it will fine both Vanderbilt University and the University of Arkansas for “violations of the league’s access to competition area policy,” or in layman’s terms, for not preventing fans from storming the field Saturday.
Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-1 SEC) scored the biggest upset in school history, taking down a No. 1 team in Alabama for the first time ever, 40-35. Meanwhile, Arkansas (4-2, 2-1) also recorded a top-five upset (its first in 15 years) by defeating then-No. 4 Tennessee 19-14 in Fayetteville, Ark.
In the wake of both upsets, as is customary in big wins, fans charged the field to celebrate with their teams. In Vanderbilt’s case, the fans took down the goalpost and carried it out of the stadium, eventually depositing it in the Cumberland River in downtown Nashville.
After fans took to the field in Arkansas, Volunteers defensive lineman Omari Thomas was attempting to exit but was seen on video shoving a male fan into a female and both fell to the ground.
Thomas apologized on Sunday.
“I apologize for my actions during the chaotic postgame scene,” Thomas wrote on social media. “Even though we got run into multiple times by fans while trying to exit the field, that doesn’t condone my actions or define my character. I sincerely apologize. I wish Arkansas and their fans all the best.”
I apologize for my actions during the chaotic postgame scene. Even though we got run into multiple times by fans while trying to exit the field, that doesn’t condone my actions or define my character. I sincerely apologize. I wish Arkansas and their fans all the best. Big O
— Omari “Big O” Thomas?? (@901_sxvxge) October 6, 2024
Per policy that was revised in 2023, Vanderbilt received a fine of $100,000 as a first-time offender. Arkansas was levied a $250,000 penalty for its second offense. The Razorbacks’ first offense was last November during men’s basketball season when fans stormed the court following an 80-75 victory over No. 9 Duke.
For conference games, the fines are paid to the opposing institutions.
Alabama dropped to No. 7 after the loss. Tennessee fell to No. 8.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Kyle Larson holds off Justin Allgaier for thrilling Texas win
May 2, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; JR Motorsports driver Kyle Larson (88) celebrates in victory lane with the trophy after he wins the 2026 Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images FORT WORTH, Texas — During the final caution of Saturday’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 at Texas Motor Speedway crew chief Andrew Overstreet radioed an encouraging message to pole winner Justin Allgaier.
“Nothing stops a hungry gator,” said Overstreet, referencing Allgaier’s Little Gator nickname. “Not even the so-called ‘Greatest of All-Time.'”
But Kyle Larson, the G.O.A.T Overstreet referenced, proved too much for Allgaier during a 17-lap green-flag run to the finish. Though Allgaier caught Larson in the closing circuits, he couldn’t find a way past his JR Motorsports teammate, who won his second NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts event in four starts this season.
“I really didn’t think I had a chance there with Justin behind me,” said Larson, who beat Allgaier to the finish line by 0.293 seconds. “He was really good, catching me there on that long run after the (earlier) green-flag stop (on Lap 145 of 200).
“Thanks to him for racing me clean… that was a great little run to the end there.”
The victory was Larson’s second straight at Texas and third overall and the 18th in the series of his career.
Though Allgaier matched his best finish at Texas and increased his series lead to 121 points over second-place Sheldon Creed, the disappointment was etched in the face of the runner-up.
“Without contact, I don’t know if there was any way to get around him, and I tried everything I could possibly try and just unfortunately came up short,” said Allgaier, a three-time winner this season.
Larson was first off pit road under caution for Rajah Caruth’s crash off Turn 2 on Lap 179. Allgaier was third behind Brandon Jones and lined up behind Larson in the bottom lane for the Lap184 restart.
Allgaier quickly cleared Jones and took off in pursuit of Larson, using the top lane to gain time on his teammate. Though Allgaier got to Larson’s bumper in the closing laps, he was stymied in his efforts to pass for the win.
Sam Mayer finished third, one spot ahead of rookie Brent Crews, who collected a $100,000 bonus as the highest-finishing eligible Dash 4 Cash driver. It was the first such payout for Crews in the final Dash 4 Cash event of the season.
The race was punctuated by seven cautions (for 36 laps), the first of which was a bifurcated five-car wreck on the opening lap.
Hendrick Motorsports driver Corey Day entered the race fourth in the series standings and exited the event after a hard crash into the Turn 2 wall on Lap 1.
Larson led a race-high 93 laps, followed by Allgaier (54), who won the first 45-lap stage wire-to-wire. Connor Zilisch won Stage 2 before fading to 21st in the final segment.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race — Andy’s Frozen Custard 340
Texas Motor Speedway
Fort Worth, Texas
Saturday, May 2, 2026
1. (3) Kyle Larson(i), Chevrolet, 200.
2. (1) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 200.
3. (17) Sam Mayer, Chevrolet, 200.
4. (5) Brent Crews #, Toyota, 200.
5. (10) Parker Retzlaff, Chevrolet, 200.
6. (11) Sheldon Creed, Chevrolet, 200.
7. (7) Austin Hill, Chevrolet, 200.
8. (2) Brandon Jones, Toyota, 200.
9. (21) Jesse Love, Chevrolet, 200.
10. (8) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 200.
11. (14) Carson Kvapil, Chevrolet, 200.
12. (18) Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 200.
13. (15) Sammy Smith, Chevrolet, 200.
14. (9) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, 200.
15. (16) William Sawalich, Toyota, 200.
16. (22) Dean Thompson, Toyota, 200.
17. (28) Patrick Staropoli #, Chevrolet, 200.
18. (26) Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 200.
19. (37) Lavar Scott #, Chevrolet, 200.
20. (27) Brennan Poole, Chevrolet, 200.
21. (4) Connor Zilisch(i), Chevrolet, 199.
22. (24) Harrison Burton, Toyota, 199.
23. (20) Austin Dillon(i), Chevrolet, 199.
24. (38) Ryan Ellis, Chevrolet, 199.
25. (29) Blaine Perkins, Chevrolet, 199.
26. (25) Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 199.
27. (33) Josh Bilicki, Chevrolet, 198.
28. (36) Joey Gase, Chevrolet, 198.
29. (35) David Starr, Chevrolet, 197.
30. (23) Kyle Sieg, Chevrolet, 196.
31. (32) Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, 194.
32. (30) Mason Maggio, Chevrolet, 189.
33. (12) Taylor Gray, Toyota, 188.
34. (13) Rajah Caruth, Chevrolet, Accident, 180.
35. (19) Austin Green, Chevrolet, Accident, 17.
36. (34) Brad Perez, Chevrolet, Accident, 17.
37. (6) Corey Day, Chevrolet, DVP, 1.
38. (31) Dawson Cram, Chevrolet, Engine, 1.
–Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service
Sports
Bruins D Charlie McAvoy offered hearing in wake of slashing incident
May 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; As Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) skates away, Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) smiles at teammates after scoring during the first period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy could be facing a lengthy suspension to start the 2026-27 season after the NHL announced Saturday it has offered an in-person hearing with its Department of Player Safety to the 28-year-old.
The date of the hearing is still to be determined. Any discipline would be served next season due to Boston’s season being over.
McAvoy received a major penalty for slashing and a game misconduct in Boston’s 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first-round. That setback on Friday eliminated the Bruins from the postseason.
The incident with 1:31 left in the third period occurred after Buffalo’s Zach Benson tripped McAvoy as the two chased after a loose puck. McAvoy got up and charged toward Benson and swung his stick like a baseball bat at Benson.
After the game, McAvoy wasn’t concerned about a possible suspension.
“I don’t play another game until September,” McAvoy said. “Can’t imagine it really matters much.”
If a suspension might be six games or longer, the NHL offers the player an in-person meeting. The player can decline the in-person methods and conduct it by phone. Suspension of five games or less are typically handled via phone.
McAvoy scored a career-high 61 points and had 11 goals in 69 games this season. He had two assists in the series against Buffalo.
Overall, McAvoy has 71 goals and 361 points in 573 games over nine seasons with the Bruins. He has six goals and 50 points in 97 career playoff games.
McAvoy was a member of Team USA as it won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics earlier this year. It was the USA’s first men’s Olympic gold since the historic performance at Lake Placid in 1980.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Guardians hit three HRs, pile up 14 runs to beat Athletics
May 2, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) high fives shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) after hitting a solo home run against the Athletics during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images Light-hitting backup catcher Austin Hedges smacked two doubles and his first homer of the year to pace the visiting Cleveland Guardians to a 14-6 victory over the Athletics on Saturday afternoon in West Sacramento, Calif.
David Fry and Kyle Manzardo also went deep for the Guardians, who bashed 14 hits to set up a chance for the three-game sweep on Sunday. Starter Slade Cecconi (1-4) allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Shea Langeliers had a banner day for the A’s, hitting his team-high ninth and 10th home runs of the season. Starter Jacob Lopez (2-2) gave up six runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.
The Athletics took a 2-0 lead on the first of Langeliers’ long balls, a two-run shot off Cecconi in the first.
Hedges responded with a solo shot in the third before the Athletics answered with a run in the fourth on a Jeff McNeil RBI single.
Hedges started the Guardians’ four-run rally in the fifth with a double. He scored on Steven Kwan’s bloop single, Angel Martinez followed with another single and then Jose Ramirez’s double scored Kwan and Martinez to give Cleveland its first lead. Rhys Hoskins’ sacrifice fly pushed the score to 5-3.
After Langeliers and Fry traded solo shots, McNeil got his second RBI of the game with a sac fly in the sixth and the A’s threatened to tie or take the lead with runners on the corners. Hedges came up with the defensive play of the game to end the inning, a perfectly executed back-pick of Lawrence Butler at first base.
Cleveland poured it on in the later innings. In the seventh, Fry drew a bases-loaded walk and Travis Bazzana knocked in two with a single up the middle. It was the perfect time for Bazzana’s first major league hit after he was 0-for-12 at the plate to begin his career.
Manzardo added on with a pinch-hit three-run homer in the eighth. Colin Holderman gave up an RBI single to Nick Kurtz in the bottom of the inning, but he forced Langeliers to pop out to leave the bases loaded.
Cleveland plated two more in the ninth to complete the blowout win.
Kurtz went 2-for-5, but failed to walk to end his streak of 20 games with at least one free pass. That shares second on the all-time list with Barry Bonds (2002-03). The Detroit Tigers’ Roy Cullenbine set the record with 22 straight games in 1947.
–Field Level Media
