SPORTS HEADLINES

Mockery emanates from Ole Miss’ Grove on the day of Lane Kiffin’s return to campus with LSU

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Ole Miss’ Grove is teeming with football fans — many in a mocking mood — as LSU coach Lane Kiffin returns to Mississippi for the first time since leaving last fall for their border-state rival. Fans had all day to express their feelings before Saturday night’s game between the No. 7 Tigers and eighth-ranked Rebels. Kiffin was booed heartily when he appeared on a large video screen for a TV interview. Members of the crowd held up signs making fun of the coach they hailed as a hero just one year ago when the Rebels beat LSU. Law enforcement officials in Mississippi have pledged the largest security presence ever for a football game in the state.

A top-10 showdown with edge: Lane Kiffin gets a taste of what’s to come before LSU-Ole Miss game

Lane Kiffin was wildly booed long before he arrived at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for the LSU-Ole Miss game. Kiffin appeared remotely on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” and Mississippi fans still angry about how he left Oxford for Baton Rouge late last season greeted him with a chorus of expletive-laced chants. It was a clear sign of what Kiffin and the Tigers should expect when they play at Ole Miss later Saturday. Kiffin says: “I really appreciate you guys gaslighting them with this.” It was the latest in a growing buildup for the first top-10 matchup between No. 7 LSU and eight-ranked Ole Miss since 1962.

Arsenal loses for first time in Premier League title defense as Tottenham’s struggles continue

Arsenal slumped to a first loss of its Premier League title defense and it was a heavy one at Brighton. The champions’ 3-0 defeat at Amex Stadium came somewhat out of nowhere after four straight wins. Conceding the third goal from a corner — typically an area of strength for Arsenal — summed up an unusually sloppy performance from Mikel Arteta’s team. Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas scored in the first half with shots from outside the penalty area, before Chema Andres completed the win with a header at the back post from Gross’ corner. Big-spending Tottenham is still without a win this season after losing 3-2 against Aston Villa. Newcastle, Everton and Coventry also won.

McIlroy produces big finish with eagle at No. 18 to move into contention at BMW PGA Championship

VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) — Rory McIlroy hit a 4-iron from 230 yards to inside 2 feet and holed the eagle putt to finish off a 3-under 69 and move into contention to win the BMW PGA Championship for the second time. The No. 2-ranked McIlroy’s birdie-eagle finish on the closing par 5s left him on 11-under par after the third round. That’s two strokes off the lead held by Manuel Elvira and Filippo Cello on a crowded leaderboard. There are 15 players within three shots of the lead but McIlroy’s name stands out. McIlroy says “I feel like I’ve given myself a real opportunity tomorrow.” McIlroy won the European tour’s flagship event in 2014.

Shelton loses again in Davis Cup as Czechs defeat US to reach Final 8. Zverev wins for Germany

The Czech Republic beat the United States to reach the Davis Cup Final 8 after U.S. Open finalist Ben Shelton and Learner Tien both lost their singles matches. Jakub Mensik beat Shelton 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to level the best-of-five series at 2-2 before Jiri Lehecka sent a roaring Prague crowd into raptures by beating Tien 6-3, 7-5 in the deciding singles. Elsewhere Alexander Zverev gave Germany the lead over Croatia by beating Matej Dodig 6-4, 7-6 (3), before Dino Prizmic leveled the series with a 6-4, 6-3 win against Daniel Altmaier.

Puka Nacua questionable, Aaron Donald set to play for Rams on Monday night against Giants

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is questionable to play Monday night against the New York Giants because of a groin injury. Nacua didn’t practice Saturday, sidelined for the second straight day with an injury coach Sean McVay said isn’t related to a core muscle injury the fourth-year standout sustained during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys in August. McVay did confirm that three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald is set to play after the lineman ended his retirement last month.

Atlanta Braves clinch 8th playoff berth in 9 years with victory over Astros

HOUSTON (AP) — The Atlanta Braves are back in the playoffs after missing out last season. The first-place Braves beat the Houston Astros 6-2 to punch their ticket to the postseason for the eighth time in nine years. They clinched at least a National League wild card and reduced their magic number to three for winning the NL East. Michael Harris II, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson each hit a two-run homer for the Braves. Atlanta is trying to hold off the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East title and could wrap up the division crown as soon as Sunday. Atlanta’s win Friday night coupled with Philadelphia’s 6-3 loss to the Mets gave the Braves a five-game lead over the Phillies with eight to play.

The Asian Games are open with more athletes than the Summer Olympics and some unfamiliar sports

NAGOYA, Japan (AP) — The opening ceremony of the Asian Games has marked the official start of the 16-day event. But Saturday’s official opening was not really the beginning. Facing a packed schedule, competition in basketball started on September 10. The semifinals in men’s basketball were on Friday. Soccer has been going on for almost as long. The Summer Olympics typically start a few days early, but this multi-sport event pushes the envelope. The Asian Games feature at least 11,000 athletes. The 2024 Summer Olympics had 10,700. The last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023 had about 12,000 athletes and this could match it.

Avs 41-year-old defenseman Brent Burns trimmed the beard, not the ambition, as he enters 23rd season

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns is gearing up for his 23rd NHL season with a fresh look after trimming his bushy beard. The 41-year-old remains the vibrant character known as “Burnsy,” still chasing his first Stanley Cup title. He has played 1,007 consecutive regular-season games and is 57 games away from tying Phil Kessel’s all-time ironman streak. Burns signed another one-year deal with the Avalanche and is focused on the present, enjoying the grind and camaraderie of the game. He had 12 goals and 23 assists last season as he averaged nearly 19 minutes of ice time per game.

Mensah sets ACC consecutive-completions marks, defense rises in 4th as No. 5 Miami tops Wake Forest

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Darian Mensah connected on his first 24 passes on the way to setting Atlantic Coast Conference records for consecutive completions, and fifth-ranked Miami’s defense came up with four straight fourth-quarter stops to beat Wake Forest 33-20 on Friday night. Mensah completed 30 of 34 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. He helped the Hurricanes take a 31-7 lead midway through the third quarter. The defense stepped up when the offense slowed, including a late interception. Gio Lopez threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns to lead Wake Forest.