SPORTS HEADLINES

Seahawks pick off Drake Maye 3 times to beat Patriots 13-10 in Super Bowl rematch

SEATTLE (AP) — Backup quarterback Drew Lock led two late scoring drives and the Seattle Seahawks intercepted Drake Maye three times in the fourth quarter to overcome an early injury to starter Sam Darnold and beat the New England Patriots 13-10 in a Super Bowl rematch. The Seahawks were held to just a field goal through three quarters as Lock and the offense struggled to move the ball after Darnold injured his hip on the opening drive. But the costly interceptions by last season’s MVP runner-up turned the tide and made sure that the banner-raising night would end in happy fashion for the boisterous home crowd.

A sudden IL stint for Shohei Ohtani, and an unprecedented Double-A call-up to fill his spot

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is headed to the 15-day injured list with right arm discomfort, leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers without the four-time MVP. Manager Dave Roberts announced the move late Wednesday, saying it was the right decision after consulting with doctors and training staff. Ohtani isn’t expected back until the Dodgers host the San Diego Padres beginning Sept. 22. While the Dodgers are back East, Ohtani will remain in Los Angeles and resume hitting after a brief rest. In an unprecedented move, the Dodgers will call up 21-year-old top outfield prospect Josue De Paula from Double-A Tulsa to fill Ohtani’s roster spot. He’ll make his major league debut Friday as the designated hitter at Miami.

Rivals Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark having ‘fun’ playing together for US and not against each other

BERLIN (AP) — Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark’s interactions are a subplot of the women’s FIBA World Cup, the WNBA season and if you spend enough time on social media, a divided country. Clark and Reese continue to insist their relationship on the court is fine. Both players are intense and animated competitors, and their fan bases’ are fiercely loyal. On much of social media you’re either for Reese or for Clark. It has that feel of Duke or Carolina. Bird or Magic, Hatfield or McCoy. Both Clark and Reese say they are having “fun” playing together. Clark said many of the stories about their relationship are “false takes,” saying she loves the fiery competitiveness that she and Reese share.

Coco Gauff rallies to reach the US Open semifinals against new women’s No. 1 Elena Rybakina

NEW YORK (AP) — Coco Gauff fought off a couple match points in a tiebreaker and beat Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 to set up a U.S. Open semifinal matchup against new No. 1 Elena Rybakina. Gauff overcame a horrible start to give herself a chance at a second U.S. Open title. She won the tournament in 2023, when she had to overcome a similar rough beginning against Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Andreeva, the French Open champion, won the first seven points and took the first set in 26 minutes. Rybakina edged Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, guaranteeing she will become No. 1 in the WTA rankings.

Across the US, ‘Friday night lights’ provide a sense of community — and, for some, a way out

ALIQUIPPA, Pa. (AP) — Like many high schools across the country, Aliquippa football games are a cherished tradition, connecting the community’s past and present. The Western Pennsylvania town comes together on Friday nights during the fall to support the home team. This tradition is part of a broader American experience where high school sports foster community spirit and personal growth. Despite changes over the years, the essence of teamwork and connection remains strong. For many, sports offer a path to college and new opportunities, while also preserving a sense of belonging and pride in their roots.

Hockey player and coach-turned-broadcaster Barry Melrose dies at age 70

Barry Melrose, a hockey player-turned-coach who led the Los Angeles Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final before going on to a long career in broadcasting the sport, has died. He was 70. ESPN announced Melrose’s death Wednesday after his wife informed the network. Melrose stepped away from the role in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. From Kelvington, Saskatchewan, the hard-nosed defenseman played over 300 games in the NHL after nearly 200 in the World Hockey Association.

No. 1 Zverev reaches US Open semifinals and will face Khachanov after Blockx’s injuries

NEW YORK (AP) — Alexander Zverev’s rocky road to start the U.S. Open turned into smooth sailing to the semifinals. The No. 1 seed beat Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 on Wednesday night, putting him into the final four of every Grand Slam tournament this season. The French Open champion and Wimbledon runner-up will play Friday against Karen Khachanov, while Americans Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe meet in the other semifinal. Zverev became the first men’s No. 1 seed to play five-set matches in each of the first two rounds of a major in the Open era, which began in 1968. But he won his last three matches in straight sets.

Sam Darnold suffers hip injury on Seahawks’ opening drive. Fracture ruled out but more tests needed

SEATTLE (AP) — Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury that knocked him out of Seattle’s season opener against the New England Patriots, a potentially significant blow to the Super Bowl champions’ title defense. Coach Mike Macdonald said Darnold didn’t break any bones while adding that more tests were needed. Darnold was sacked on Seattle’s first series by Dre’Mont Jones, and the quarterback’s right leg appeared to take the brunt of the impact as Jones drove him to the turf. Darnold limped off the field, was examined in the sideline medical tent and then limped to the locker room.

SEC not expected to vote on LSU’s membership this week, AP source says

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Southeastern Conference is no longer expected to vote on whether to expel LSU from the league on Thursday. That’s according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the SEC has not released a public statement about canceling the planned vote. Thursday’s meeting is not open to the public and is being held by video conference.  LSU President Wade Rousse sent a letter, obtained by the AP, to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey stating that the league’s claims in a federal lawsuit it filed against LSU are now “moot” because first-year Tigers coach Lane Kiffin had complied with a conference ban on rostering players who had previously signed contracts with NFL teams.

Late nights at the US Open add a new wild wrinkle with 3:33 a.m. finish to Shelton-Alcaraz thriller

NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Shelton’s five-set thriller to beat reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in the U.S. Open quarterfinals ended at 3:33 a.m. Wednesday. That added to the list of early-morning finishes that had already stirred frustration and concerns about the schedule at the Grand Slam event. The tournament had already set a record with three post-2 a.m. finishes over the first six days. Shelton’s second-round win ended at 2:07 a.m. Then came the quarterfinal match against Alcaraz, with Arthur Ashe Stadium roughly a third full when it finally ended.