(This story was updated to add photos.) PEKIN — A.J. Jones delivered a knockout shot with one hand tied behind his back Friday in a heavyweight battle between two Mid-Illini Conference teams trying to establish themselves as elite contenders. Washington got off the ropes from a halftime deficit and ground out a 19-9 comeback victory over Pekin at Memorial Stadium …

Lenoir, 49ers prepping as if injury-riddled Rams at full strength originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area SANTA CLARA — The 49ers’ defense will face an injury-ravaged Los Angeles Rams team on Sunday at SoFi Stadium, but Deommodore Lenoir is preparing as if the NFC West rival is at full strength. The defensive back spoke to NBC Sports Bay Area …

The Purdue football team is coming off a blowout loss to Notre Dame as it heads to Corvallis to take on Oregon State in a nonconference matchup. Purdue is 1-1 on the season. Will the Boilermakers get back into the win column, or will Oregon State get a win at home? Watch Purdue vs Oregon State live on Fubo (free …

Steelers first-round pick Troy Fautanu got the start at right tackle in last week’s win over the Broncos, but he may not be available for this Sunday’s game against the Chargers. Fautanu left Friday’s practice after suffering what fellow tackle Broderick Jones called a “little tweak.” Jones didn’t specify the nature of the injury, but Fautanu dealt with an MCL …

SOUTH BEND — The Riley at Washington football game Friday night included a little bit of everything. Some good, some bad and unfortunately some ugly too. More: Penn football open NIC play by downing Riley The Northern Indiana Conference between heated rivals in the end included the Wildcats hanging on for a tough 27-20 win over the Panthers at Everwise …

Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson will return to action this week. Ferguson, who missed the Week 2 loss to the Saints with an injury to his medial collateral ligament, had a full practice Friday after limited practices Wednesday and Thursday. He does not have an injury designation for Sunday’s game against the Ravens. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and cornerback …

PEORIA — Brotherly love has a bit of a different meaning for Benjamin and Brady Mullens. Benjamin, the Peoria Notre Dame senior quarterback, and Brady, the junior center, have unbelievable chemistry on the football field. These two have put in so many reps that no one would be able to tell this is the first year playing their respective positions. …

The Ravens had several starters on their injury report this week, but head coach John Harbaugh said that most of them were on track to play against the Cowboys and their final injury report of the week sends the same message. Safety Kyle Hamilton (back), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), and linebacker Kyle Van Noy (eye, groin) don’t have injury …

Some football games just have it all. Quarterbacks putting up numbers you’d see in a video game, running backs carrying the load in crunch time, defenses making big plays, big-man touchdowns, and special teams trickery. Friday night’s shootout at the Teepee had all of that and more, and Venice came out on top with a 54-51 win over Cocoa in …

The 0-2 Colts made a significant addition to their injury report on Friday. Pittman did not practice as the team closed out their on-field preparations for the Bears and he is listed as questionable to play on Sunday. The Colts list back and calf injuries as the reason why he did not take participate in the workout. Head coach Shane …

IBERIA — The Golden Knights took it to the defending champions of the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference. In a Week 5 high school football game Friday night, Northmor romped to a 41-6 home victory over Danville. Northmor quarterback A.J. Bower put up 321 passing yards on 14 of 18 completions, throwing for five touchdowns and one interception. Cowin Becker was …

The Seahawks are unlikely to have running back Kenneth Walker for the second consecutive week. Seattle is listing Walker (oblique) as doubtful for the contest. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Walker has not practiced since suffering the injury in the Week 1 win over the Broncos. He rushed 20 times for 103 yards with a touchdown in …

It’s only fitting that Auburndale and Bartow would have a competitive game down to the wire, especially since current Auburndale starting quarterback Amari Turner played for Bartow just a year ago. Up 18-16 with 14 seconds left, freshman defensive end Carmello Harden, who had a defensive touchdown last game, sacked Turner, who was banged up on the play. This sealed …

Rome Odunze offers clear explanation of father’s Twitter bashing of Dan Orlovsky originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze has already learned that the NFL is a different beast. His father, James, has now learned the same lesson. On Wednesday night, James Odunze took to X and posted a clip of …

CHOCTAW — Here are three takeaways from Class 6A-I second-ranked Bixby’s 55-27 win over Class 6A-II No. 3 Choctaw on Friday night at Bill Jensen Field. More: What drives Capitol Hill, U.S. Grant football coaches even as losses pile up? Bixby 55, Choctaw 27 Player of the game: Carson Kirby. The Bixby junior quarterback had a great night while leading …