Sports
Villanova looks to avenge loss vs. reeling Creighton
Jan 7, 2026; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Devin Askew (5) shoots the ball against Creighton Bluejays guard Ty Davis (9) in the second half at William B. Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images Villanova’s season of redemption has incurred few blemishes, and the Wildcats have the opportunity to remedy one of them Saturday afternoon when they take on Creighton in Omaha, Neb.
First-year coach Kevin Willard has Villanova on the cusp of its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2022, when Jay Wright’s swan song concluded with his fourth Final Four appearance.
After three subpar seasons compared to Wright’s program standards, the Wildcats (19-5, 10-3 Big East) are back on track, having won four straight games.
Tyler Perkins, who leads the team in scoring, had 22 points and eight rebounds and Acaden Lewis added 15 points and five assists as Villanova knocked off visiting Marquette 77-74 on Tuesday.
“The growth has been fun to watch. It’s a great group to be around. They work hard, bring a great attitude. To put ourselves with 10 wins and three losses in Big East play is not me,” Willard said. ” … I think we’ve matured a lot. Acaden is playing like one of the best point guards in the country.
After making just three starts and averaging 6.3 points last season, Perkins has emerged for Villanova, especially during the Big East portion of the schedule. He is averaging 13.5 points, 15.8 in conference play and 18.0 over the last eight games.
The Wildcats are 5-1 away from home in conference play, with their only true road losses coming against Top-10 foes in Michigan and UConn. But the Bluejays (13-12, 7-7) have been a thorn in Villanova’s side lately.
Creighton has won four straight in the series, including a 76-72 triumph at Villanova last month. Austin Swartz led the way in that game for the Bluejays with 20 points, followed by Josh Dix and Blake Harper with 17 points apiece.
However, the team is reeling late, dropping six of nine games since that victory. Last time out, Creighton had a 72-71 setback at DePaul on Wednesday. Swartz led the Bluejays, who saw their 23-game win streak against the Blue Demons come to an end, with 15 points.
“Just really unfortunate, because we shot the ball well,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. “We did some good things well, but free-throw block-out, second-chance points, at the rim, it’s kind of a broken record. It’s been our weakness all season long.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Anthony Alfredo disqualified from Daytona 500 after car inspection
Feb 11, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Anthony Alfredo (62) during qualifying for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Anthony Alfredo will not drive in the Daytona 500 on Sunday after being disqualified because of a technical violation with his No. 62 car.
NASCAR officials announced the decision late Thursday after the qualifying race in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Alfredo, 26, was in tears after qualifying for the Daytona 500, then heartbroken a bit later when he was told he had been disqualified following the post-race inspection.
“I was on top of the world, and now it feels like I’m at the bottom of it,” Alfredo told The Athletic. “It feels like I’m drowning.”
NASCAR officials said they found, upon inspection, a loose transaxle cooling hose and an improperly attached driver cooling hose.
“These parts have to be fastened properly,” NASCAR Cup Series director Brad Moran said. “Unfortunately, this one piece wasn’t on the right side, and there was also another hose disconnected for driver cooling.”
The No. 62 car is owned by Beard Motorsports, which issued a statement Friday morning.
“We are proud of our team and the work they put into this NASCAR program,” the statement began.
“Our intent is to make races, contend for wins and race with integrity. We will review what happened and work to make sure we do not have these issues in the future. We are heartbroken for our entire team, our wonderful partners and Anthony and his sweet family.”
With Alfredo’s disqualification, driver B.J. McLeod was elevated to the Daytona 500 field.
Alfredo finished 24th in the Xfinity Series — now called the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series — in 2025. In limited NASCAR Cup Series appearances since 2021, he has two top-10 finishes.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Blue Jays, Astros swap outfielders Joey Loperfido and Jesus Sanchez
Oct 23, 2025; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joey Loperfido (10) answers a question during media day before game one of the World Series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images The Astros and Blue Jays exchanged outfielders on Friday, with Houston acquiring Joey Loperfido from Toronto for Jesus Sanchez.
This is a return to Houston for Loperfido, who was a seventh-round pick by the Astros in the 2021 MLB Draft. He hit .333 with four home runs, 14 RBIs and an .879 OPS in 41 regular-season games for Toronto in 2025.
In 91 games at Triple-A Buffalo, Loperfido batted .264 with seven homers and 44 RBIs.
The 26-year-old was traded from Houston to Toronto in July 2024, along with pitcher Jake Bloss and infielder Will Wagner, for pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. Before the trade he appeared in 38 games with the Astros in 2024, his first season in the major leagues, batting .236 with two home runs and 16 RBIs.
Sanchez, 28, appeared in 134 games between the Miami Marlins and the Astros in 2025, combining to slash .237/.304/.395 with 14 home runs, 48 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.
Sanchez is a career .239 hitter with 73 home runs and 238 RBIs in 580 games with the Astros (2020-25) and Marlins.
–Field Level Media
Sports
NFL: Team report cards must go after grievance ruling
Jan 25, 2026; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft before the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images An NFL memo sent Friday morning informed all teams that the players association no longer can distribute its annual report cards, which rank the franchises on everything from the locker room to the owner to the treatment of families.
That is the result of a grievance filed by the league against the NFL Players Association, according to the memo.
“We are pleased to report that the NFL prevailed in the grievance filed against the NFL Players Association, challenging its practice of creating and publicizing annual ‘Team Report Cards’,” the memo said. “The arbitrator held that the publication of Report Cards disparaging NFL clubs and individuals violates the Collective Bargaining Agreement and issued an Order prohibiting the NFLPA from publishing or publicly disclosing the results of future player Report Cards.”
The 2025 report was the third produced by the NFLPA. The association did not issue a comment in response Friday morning.
The survey was designed to improve overall working conditions for the players but also to give them the information they need when considering factors to help them make career decisions, such as free agency.
Teams were given letter grades in 11 categories that concerned ownership, coaching, strength and conditioning programs, as well as areas such as travel, locker room facilities, nutrition and treatment of player families.
Last year, the Miami Dolphins ranked first overall out of the 32 teams, with No. 1 votes in seven of the categories. Owner Stephen Ross was the highest-graded owner. He received an A-plus rating, as did head coach Mike McDaniel, who was fired after the conclusion of the season.
Coming in at No. 2 were the Minnesota Vikings, who ranked first in treatment of families and locker room. Head coach Kevin O’Connell and the owners, the Wilf family, ranked third overall.
In last place were the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals were dinged, especially, for their facilities, but players also said the team needed an upgraded food and dining area. Coach Jonathan Gannon received an A grade from players — the only A on the Arizona report card — while ownership ranked No. 30 overall with a D-minus grade.
Gannon also was fired at the end of the season.
Coming in No. 31 were the New England Patriots. After the 2024 survey, owner Robert Kraft made improvements, such as investing $50 million in a new facility next to the stadium, currently under construction, and improving services for family members.
Still, Kraft –whose teams have won six Super Bowl games — ranked only No. 30 among team owners with a D.
The Patriots, under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, won the AFC title in 2025 but lost to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX last weekend.
–Field Level Media
Anthony Alfredo disqualified from Daytona 500 after car inspection
Blue Jays, Astros swap outfielders Joey Loperfido and Jesus Sanchez
