News

Alcorn State rallies for 35-28 SWAC win over Mississippi Valley

LORMAN, Mississippi (AP) — Arnold Walker rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, leading Alcorn State to a comeback win over Mississippi Valley State 35-28 Saturday in the conference opener for both teams.

Down 21-13 in the fourth quarter, Alcorn State’s (2-1, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) Terrence Green recovered a fumble at the MVSU 17-yard line. Walker carried three straight times for a Brave’s touchdown and John Gibbs, Jr. connected with Tavoris Doss on a two-point conversion… […]

News

Rodman returning to North Korea, with others

By BRIAN MAHONEY

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Dennis Rodman is going back to North Korea, and bringing a team of former NBA players with him.

Days after returning from his second trip to visit Kim Jong Un — in which he said he became the first foreigner to hold the leader’s newborn daughter — Rodman announced plans Monday to stage two exhibition games in North Korea in January.

The first will be Jan. 8 — Kim’s birthday — with another to follow two days later.

Rodman’s friendship with the autocratic leader has been criticized — and led to a couple of testy exchanges during his Manhattan news conference. But Rodman insists Kim is a good person,… […]

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Serena Williams overcomes wind, strong opponent to beat Victoria Azarenka for 5th US Open win

NEW YORK (AP) — Fussing with her skirt and flubbing her shots, Serena Williams was troubled in the U.S. Open final by the swirling air and the strong play of Victoria Azarenka.

After one miss, Williams declared, “I can’t play in this wind.” After blowing a big second-set lead, Williams chucked her racket toward the sideline, and it bounced back onto the court.

In the end, Williams pulled herself together, as she usually does when it matters the most. Facing her only test of the past two weeks, the No. 1-seeded Williams overcame No. 2 Azarenka 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-1 on Sunday… […]

News

NFL stadium falls leave 1 fan dead, 2 hurt

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Falls by fans at stadiums in San Francisco and Indianapolis during NFL season openers have left one man dead and two other people injured, authorities said.

At the 49ers’ game against the Packers at Candlestick Park Sunday, a man fell to his death from an elevated pedestrian walkway.

The death came just after kickoff in the San Francisco’s 34-28 win over Green Bay, police said, and multiple witnesses reported the man appeared to be intoxicated before he fell to a sidewalk… […]

News

Defense helps New Orleans Saints beat Atlanta Falcons 23-17

NEW ORLEANS — Sean Payton’s return to the sideline is one game old and already the Saints are celebrating a dramatic victory over a presumed title contender.

They’re alone in first place, too.

Drew Brees passed for 357 yards and two scores, Roman Harper intercepted Matt Ryan’s tipped fourth-down pass in the end zone, and New Orleans held on for a 23-17 victory over the Falcons on Sunday.

“I was hoping our defense would pull one out, and man, did they ever,” Brees said… […]

News

Dak Prescott leads Mississippi State to 51-7 thumping of Alcorn State

STARKVILLE, Miss. – (AP) — Dak Prescott spent the second half of his debut as Mississippi State’s starting quarterback standing on the sidelines, giving out high-fives and laughing with teammates.

He was so good during the first half, he wasn’t needed on the field.

The sophomore threw for 174 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a touchdown as the Bulldogs built a huge halftime and breezed past Alcorn State 51-7 on Saturday afternoon.

“We got in a rhythm, we were comfortable and everybody did a good job,” Prescott said. “Everybody did their 1/11th out there.”

Mississippi State (1-1) didn’t use several regular starters, including quarterback Tyler Russell, who suffered a concussion in the Bulldogs’ season-opening loss to Oklahoma State… […]

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New Orleans Saints’ roster loaded with fresh faces headed into season-opener with Atlanta

METAIRIE, Louisiana – (AP) — New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton seems likely to open the regular season by throwing a dose of youth and inexperience at the visiting Atlanta Falcons.

As of Monday, 10 rookies — six of them undrafted — and three other players who have yet to be on the field for a regular season snap were on the Saints’ 53-man roster.

Some of those players may not be active on Sunday, but the Saints will need several of them to suit up.

Asked if he found it unusual to head into Week 1 with zero regular season experience on more than one-fifth of the roster, Payton said, “We don’t pay much attention to that, really.”…. […]

Local Sports

Freeze says Mississippi freshmen will contribute

Mississippi’s celebrated freshman class won’t be standing on the sidelines for long.

Second-year coach Hugh Freeze said the team’s most highly rated recruits – like defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, receiver Laquon Treadwell and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil – have played well during the first two weeks of preseason camp and will contribute immediately when the Rebels open the season against Vanderbilt on Aug. 29.

The trio of five-star prospects will be surrounded by other young faces. Freeze expects around 10 freshmen to make their debut against the Commodores.

Freeze said it’s “certainly a challenge” to make sure all the freshmen are ready to contribute. He said the coaching staff is trying to make sure it doesn’t ask the young players to do too much. […]

Local Sports

Ole Miss QB feels healthy as practice begins

Donte Moncrief isn’t concerned about Mississippi quarterback Bo Wallace’s surgically repaired right shoulder.

Thrilled might be the better term.

“I see an arm that’s gotten stronger,” said Moncrief, who led the Rebels in catches and receiving yards last season. “The fade routes look good. The dig routes look good. He’s got more power with his arm and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do with it in games.” […]