Three days before his junior season begins, Drew Allar seemed looser and freer than he did at any point last season. His Penn State teammates have noticed the change in him and the way he carries himself. “He’s more comfortable, confident, mature and vocal,” center Nick Dawkins said. “I love to see it. His confidence and maturity are the easiest …

Troy Reeder, who takes over as the Rams starting middle linebacker, keeps an eye on quarterback Matthew Stafford during practice. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Troy Reeder left the Rams’ facility, returned home to see his wife and son and enjoyed dinner with the family. It was a “nice normal” evening, Reeder said Wednesday. Much had changed for the …

HILLSDALE COUNTY — 8-player football programs are back on the gridiron this weekend as the season gets underway for MHSAA high school football. More: Reading football seniors are ready to take down rivals in pursuit of a Big 8 crown in 2024 Teams will be playing Thursday and Friday nights. Athletes and coaches had a chance to discuss their teams …

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson parlayed “pole position” into the starting job. The race apparently was closer than expected, with Justin Fields performing well enough in preseason games and practice to make coach Mike Tomlin strategize about his options. Ultimately, Wilson makes sense, for now. He has the experience. He has thrived on a roster with a strong defense and a …

Photo: Isaiah Hole Michigan football is just days away from taking the field for the first time since winning the national championship over Washington in Houston last season and the team will look quite different. With battles at quarterback, along the offensive line, and at cornerback, there are massive shoes to fill, but not a ton of huge holes. Fresno …

Caleb Williams’ NFL education will face early under-the-radar test with Bears originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has passed every early checkpoint in the Bears’ meticulous development plan. Williams struggled during parts of training camp but showed an ability to learn from his mistakes, adjust, and improve quickly. The summer was filled …

In May 2016, the athletic directors of Colorado and North Dakota State signed an agreement for a football game between their programs to be played on a Saturday some eight-plus years later. Accordingly, CU would pay NDSU $700,000 to come to Folsom Field. Instead, the Buffalos and Bison will finally meet in a nationally televised prime-time game on Thursday, so …

The Giants placed inside linebacker Dyontae Johnson on injured reserve Wednesday. Johnson injured his ankle in the preseason opener against the Lions. The undrafted free agent will miss the first four games before becoming eligible to return to the active roster. The Giants filled his roster spot by signing linebacker Curtis Bolton, who was released by the Dolphins on Tuesday. …

It is Year 2 of Prime Time in Colorado. Coach Deion Sanders enters his 2nd season with a game Thursday night against FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. Heisman candidate Shedeur Sanders returns under center for the Buffaloes along with Uber-Athlete Travis Hunter and a host of highly skilled wideouts. Sanders’ efforts to bolster the entire roster but especially the trenches …

Tom Brady might be having buyer’s remorse about agreeing to purchase a piece of the Raiders. If not, Fox might be having buyer’s remorse about agreeing to pay Brady $37.5 million per year to call games. According to Seth Wickersham of ESPN.com, if/when Brady’s purchase of a portion of the Raiders is approved, severe restrictions on his access to all …

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham looks on as players leave the field after warmups before an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) | Lindsey Wasson, Associated Press This article was first published in the Ute Insiders newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each Wednesday night. For the …

NFL: San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders Packers’ backfield is shaken up The Packers threw us a curveball when they placed AJ Dillon on season-ending injured reserve. Marshawn Lloyd has missed much of the offseason with various injuries, the latest of which is a hamstring problem that could sideline him for Week 1. Emmanuel Wilson is set to back …

Aug. 28—Late afternoon heats into one of those blistering triple-digit early evenings in Eastern Washington. Carrying smoke from a wildfire, the breeze feels like an acetylene torch. It’s mid-July in Cheney, and those with sense are at a lake or within arm’s reach of unlimited cold beverages. But in a small, windowless office on the Eastern Washington campus, Aaron Best …

The Falcons are sending third quarterback Taylor Heinicke to the Chargers for a conditional sixth-round pick, Dianna Russini of TheAthletic.com reports. The Chargers needed a No. 2 quarterback behind Justin Herbert, who missed time in training camp with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot. The Chargers kept Easton Stick, who went 25-of-55 for 303 yards with one touchdown …

Aug. 28—MORGANTOWN — Manny Diaz’s stint as Penn State’s defensive coordinator wasn’t very long, but it certainly was impactful. Last season, the Nittany Lions’ defense ranked second in the country in points per game (14), yards per game (256.6) and yards per play (4.0). PSU’s defense led the nation in rushing yards per game (75) and yards per rush (2.2). …