The NHL season is more than a month old and there have been two trades plus extensions signed by Jake Oettinger, Alexis Lafreniere, Linus Ullmark and others.

Other top players also remain eligible for extensions, including Igor Shesterkin, Mikko Rantanen, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, Brock Boeser.

There will be more trades as teams build toward a Stanley Cup run or make moves for their long-term future. Here are key dates to watch: the holiday roster freeze in December, the league’s break for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February and the trade deadline in early March.

Follow along here this season for signings, trades, transactions and other news from the NHL:

Nov. 9: Penguins recall veteran goalie Tristan Jarry from minors

The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled two-time All-Star goalie Tristan Jarry from his conditioning stint in the American Hockey League. Jarry was loaned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Oct. 26 after recording a 5.37 goals-against average and .836 save percentage. His AHL numbers were 2.16, .926.

The Penguins didn’t send down a goalie, meaning they’ll go with three for the moment: Alex Nedeljkovic, rookie Joel Blomqvist and Jarry. Blomqvist wouldn’t need to go through waivers. The Penguins don’t play again until Monday.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, sent forward Matt Nieto to the AHL on a conditioning loan.

Nov. 8: Kraken acquire Daniel Sprong from Canucks

The Seattle Kraken landed one of their former players in exchange for future considerations. The Kraken have struggled to score this season and Sprong had 21 goals for them two seasons ago. The forward has scored double-digit goals five times.

Nov. 8: Kings’ Tanner Jeannot suspended for illegal check to head

Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot was suspended for three games for an illegal check to the head that injured the Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser. The NHL Department of Player Safety said Jeannot’s first-period hit made Boeser’s head the principal point of contact and was avoidable. Boeser left the game and didn’t return. Jeannot will forfeit $41,640.63 in pay in the first suspension of his career. He had been fined earlier in his career for an infraction.

Nov. 7: Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov to be healthy scratch

Coach John Tortorella called the move ‘part of the process.’

‘With young guys, they can watch games, too, as far as development,’ he told reporters. ‘It’s trying to help them.’

Michkov, 19, has 10 points in 13 games and a minus-8 rating and was NHL rookie of the month in October. He had just one point in his last five games and his ice time dropped in the last four.

Nov. 4: Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini ready to return from injury

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, is ready to return to action after aggravating an injury in the season opener, according to NHL.com.

He took part in practice Monday on the top line with Tyler Toffoli and Mikael Granlund and is looking to play his second game season Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Celebrini said he reinjured his hip on his first shift of the opener but played the full game and had a goal and assist.

He has missed 12 games. The Sharks opened the season 0-7-2 but are 3-1 in their last four games.

Also: The Colorado Avalanche said Valeri Nichushkin has been cleared to practice with the team. The suspended forward remains in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHL Players’ Association Player Assistance Program and would have to be cleared to play. … St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg will be out four to six weeks with a lower-body injury. He needed help getting off the ice Saturday after he was checked by the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner. … The Boston Bruins signed forward Tyler Johnson to a one-year, $775,000 contract. He won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning and spent the last three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nov. 2: Islanders’ Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech go on injured list

New York Islanders No. 1 center Mathew Barzal was placed on long-term injured reserve with an unspecified upper-body injury. He’ll be out four to six weeks. He had 80 points in 80 games last season but had been limited to five points in 10 games this season as the Islanders have struggled to score.

Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech also will be out four to six weeks after being hit in the face by a puck. He went on the injured list.

Oct. 30: Sharks acquire Timothy Liljegren from Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs get defenseman Matt Benning, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder. Liljegren, 25, had been limited to one game in Toronto this season, and the Maple Leafs recently committed to blue-liner Jake McCabe with a five-year extension. But Liljegren should fit in well in San Jose, which is building around younger players. Benning, 30, and Liljegren are signed through 2025-26.

This is the second day with an NHL trade after none previously since the season opened in North America.

OILERS: Connor McDavid out with ankle injury

Oct. 29: Utah acquires defenseman Olli Maatta from Red Wings

The Utah Hockey Club gives up a third-round pick as it addresses a desperate need for a veteran defenseman. Sean Durzi and John Marino are out long-term after surgery. Utah has been leaking goals during a four-game losing streak, including blowing a 4-1 lead late in the third period against the previously winless San Jose Sharks. Maatta is solid defensively and has nearly 700 games of NHL experience.

Oct. 28: Maple Leafs sign Jake McCabe to five-year extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Jake McCabe to a five-year extension with an annual average value of $4.51 million. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports there is some deferred money in the deal. McCabe, 31, had been acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in a February 2023 trade and ranks fourth on the team in average ice time this season. He has three assists in nine games and a team-best plus-6 rating.

Also: The New York Rangers recalled rugged forward Matt Rempe from the American Hockey League after he played two games there. The Rangers play the Washington Capitals on Tuesday in what has become a feisty rivalry.

Oct. 26: Penguins send goalie Tristan Jarry to minors

The Pittsburgh Penguins sent two-time All-Star goaltender Tristan Jarry to their American Hockey League affiliate on a conditioning loan after his early season struggles. He had been sent home from the Penguins’ road trip to work on his game after recording a 5.47 goals-against average and .836 save percentage in three games. He was pulled from his last start on Oct. 16 and gave up six goals in the opener.

Jarry is in the second season of a five-year contract that carries a $5.375 million cap hit. Rookie Joel Blomqvist has had the most starts in the Penguins net this season and Alex Nedeljkovic recently returned from an injury.

Also: The New York Islanders signed rugged forward Matt Martin for the rest of the season. He had been to camp on a tryout agreement after spending 13 of his 15 seasons with the Islanders. … The Calgary Flames activated forward Yegor Sharangovich from the injured list. The team’s top goal scorer last season had yet to play this season.

Oct. 25: Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere gets seven-year extension

The New York Rangers and Alexis Lafreniere have agreed to a seven-year extension as he builds on last season’s breakthrough. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick will average $7.45 million in the deal, according to lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. That’s up from this year’s $2.325 million cap hit. Lafreniere, 23, broke through with 28 goals and 57 points last season and added eight goals and 14 points in the playoffs. He is averaging a point a game this season through seven games and scored his fourth goal of the season on Thursday. He is signed through 2031-32.

Also: The Rangers have sent fan favorite Matt Rempe to the American Hockey League to get him more playing time. The 6-7 forward made a name for himself last season with his epic fights and big hits, one that led to a four-game suspension. But he has played only two games this season.

Oct. 24: Golden Knights’ Shea Theodore signs for seven years

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore will average $7.425 million in the extension, which kicks in next season and runs through 2031-32. Getting him signed now is important after the Golden Knights lost Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and others from their 2023 Stanley Cup team to free agency during the summer.

Theodore, 29, is the franchise’s top-scoring defenseman with 296 points and has opened this season with seven points in six games. Vegas’ top three defensemen (also Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin) are signed through at least 2026-27.

Oct. 24: Devils’ Brett Pesce, Luke Hughes returning from injury

The New Jersey Devils will get two players back on their defense when Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes make their season debuts Thursday at the Detroit Red Wings.

Pesce, signed as a free agent, has recovered from surgery for a broken leg. Hughes hurt his shoulder in September. He was a finalist for the Calder Trophy last season, leading all rookies with 21 power-play assists and 25 power-play points.

Their return comes at a good time because the Devils have yielded 14 goals over their last two games.

Also: New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair (lower body) will miss four to six weeks, a blow to the 2023-24 playoff team that ranks 30th in scoring this season. … The Los Angeles activated goalie Darcy Kuemper from the injured list. Pheonix Copley was loaned to the AHL’s Ontario Reign. … The Colorado Avalanche loaned goalie Kaapo Kahkonen to the AHL’s Colorado Eagles on a conditioning assignment. He was claimed off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets earlier this season.

Oct. 23: Utah’s Sean Durzi, John Marino out long-term after surgery

The Utah Hockey Club, who beefed up their defense in the offseason, will be without two key blueliners long-term after they had surgery.

Sean Durzi, who was injured in an Oct. 15 game, will miss four to six months after shoulder surgery. John Marino, who has yet to play this season, is out three to four months after back surgery.

Utah added defensemen Mikhail Sergachev, Marino and Ian Cole in the offseason. Durzi, acquired last season when the team was in Arizona, signed a four-year, $24 million contract during the summer.

In other injury news, St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas has a fractured ankle and will be evaluated in six weeks.

Oct. 22: Panthers give coach Paul Maurice contract extension

Maurice, who joined the Panthers in 2022-23, went to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season and won it last year. His 29 playoff wins are a franchise record.

He has 98 regular-season wins with Florida and his 873 career wins rank fourth all time in NHL history.

Also: The Blues signed forward Jake Neighbours to a two-year, $7.5 million contract extension.

Oct. 17: Stars’ Jake Oettinger signs eight-year contract extension

The Dallas Stars signed goalie Jake Oettinger to an eight-year, $66 million contract extension that kicks in next season. The $8.25 million cap hit matches the deals recently signed by the Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman and Senators’ Linus Ullmark.

Oettinger has led the Stars to the Western Conference final the past two seasons.

Oct. 14: Matthew Tkachuk’s illness to keep him out a week

Already down one star, the Panthers will be without another one.

Coach Paul Maurice said Matthew Tkachuk’s illness will keep him out more than a week. The team is targeting an Oct. 22 return.

Tkachuk missed Saturday’s game. So did captain Aleksander Barkov, who injured his leg in the second game of the season and is expected to miss two to three weeks.

Oct. 12: Aleksander Barkov, Macklin Celebrini are injured

The NHL season is young, but two prominent players are already out with injuries.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov will miss two to three weeks after crashing leg first into the boards while trying to prevent an empty net goal on Thursday. His stick had broken but he couldn’t stop Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle from scoring. The time frame should allow Barkov to participate in the two Global Series games against the Dallas Stars in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 1-2. Barkov is the first Finnish NHL captain to win the Stanley Cup. He won the Selke Trophy last season for the second time as top defensive forward.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks placed No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Coach Ryan Warsofsky said Celebrini is week-to-week. He had been dealing with an injury in training camp but played in this week’s season opener, scoring a goal and an assist.

Oct. 11: Avalanche claim goalie Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers

In a busy day for goalie transactions, the Colorado Avalanche claimed Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. Colorado lost 8-4 in the opener, with Alexandar Georgiev giving up five goals and backup Justus Annunen giving up two goals on four shots. The Avalanche are Kahkonen’s fourth team in a year. He split time last season between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils.

In other moves, the Minnesota Wild called up Jesper Wallstedt, their goalie of future, who will join Game 1 winner Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury. The Nashville Predators sent down Matt Murray, who backed up Scott Wedgewood on Thursday with injured No. 1 goalie Juuse Saros unable to play.

Oct. 10: Hurricanes-Lightning game postponed because of Milton

Saturday’s game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning has been postponed as the Tampa Bay area recovers from Hurricane Milton. The league said a makeup date would be announced as soon as it can be confirmed.

The Lightning are playing their season opener in Carolina on Friday. Saturday’s game was to be the start of a three-game homestand (also Tuesday and Thursday).

Amalie Arena got through the storm fine, though Tropicana Field, home of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida, suffered major damage to its roof.

Oct. 10: Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner has surgery

Jenner had shoulder surgery to repair an injury he suffered during training camp and could miss up to six months.

‘Our hope is he can return before the end of the season,’ said Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Waddell. ‘His loss will be felt by our club, but we have a strong leadership group in place and players will be given an opportunity to take on greater roles on and off the ice.’

Boone, who finished second on the Blue Jackets last season with 22 goals and is the franchise leader in games played, has been the team’s captain since 2021-22.

Oct. 9: Linus Ullmark, Joey Daccord get contract extensions

Ullmark, who won the Vezina Trophy with the Bruins in 2022-03, was traded to the Ottawa Senators this offseason so Boston had the room to re-sign Swayman. Ullmark will get four years, $33 million from the Senators and have the same $8.25 million cap as Swayman.

Meanwhile, Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord received a five-year, $25 million extension. He filled in for Philipp Grubauer after that goalie’s injury last season and got the NHL’s first shutout in the Winter Classic. Both contracts will take effect next season.

Oct. 8: Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin turns down extension offer

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes posted on social media Tuesday that the New York Rangers offered Shesterkin an eight-year, $88 million contract, with an $11 million average annual value that would have eclipsed Carey Price’s high-water mark of $10.5 million. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed those numbers to lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network.

It’s not a huge surprise that the 28-year-old Russian would reject it on the eve of New York’s season-opener in Pittsburgh. Another person familiar with the situation recently indicated the two sides have been far apart in negotiations, and that the chances of striking a deal before the start of the new season weren’t looking very promising. That could always change if Rangers team president Chris Drury decides to up the ante, but Shesterkin seems content to bet on himself and wait it out. – Vincent Z. Mercogliano, lohud.com

Also: The defending champion Florida Panthers announced after their opening victory that forward Carter Verhaeghe had agreed to an eight-year extension. It’s worth a reported $56 million.

Alabama moves back into College Football Playoff bracket projection of USA TODAY Sports heading into Saturday’s crucial SEC matchup with LSU while Brigham Young takes over as the top team in the Big 12 after losses by Iowa State and Kansas State.

The Crimson Tide already have two losses. But with a win in hand against Georgia and the chance to add a victory against the Tigers, Alabama is in position to earn an at-large playoff bid by closing things out with an unbeaten November.

BYU takes over as the Big 12 representative after an upset-heavy weekend featuring the league’s best teams. In addition to Kansas State falling to Houston for its second loss, Iowa State lost to Texas Tech after failing to make a late defensive stand.

These unexpected losses increase the possibility the Big 12 is eventually a one-bid conference.

That’s great news for the Big Ten and SEC, which continue to dominate our bracket. The two leagues also dominated Tuesday night’s debut playoff rankings, with 12 of the top 25 teams.

WEEKEND FORECAST: SEC clashes top Week 11 picks for all Top 25 games

College Football Playoff bracket projection

Indiana makes the bracket for the first time this season. The Hoosiers also trailed for the first time on the year this past Saturday, falling behind 10-0 to Michigan State. All Indiana did from there was score the next 47 points to post yet another blowout in Big Ten play.

The Hoosiers are in position to reach the Big Ten championship game with a win at Ohio State later this month. Easier said than done, of course; the Buckeyes have won 28 games in a row in the series.

But this offense gives them a chance. Behind new coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana leads the Big Ten in yards per game and is a hair behind Ohio State in yards per play. The Hoosiers also rank second nationally in scoring at 46.6 points per game.

The big question leading into the matchup with the Buckeyes is whether Indiana can get in at 11-1 and in a tie for third in the Big Ten. On one hand, the offensive metrics and eye test will clearly favor the Hoosiers. The playoff selection committee will also admire that the one loss came to OSU, which would at a minimum be playing for the Big Ten crown.

The issue will be a weak strength of schedule and a poor quality of wins. As of now, IU has two wins against teams with a winning record, Nebraska and Washington, with the chance to add two more against the Buckeyes and Michigan. There’s no guarantee that the Cornhuskers, Huskies and Wolverines get to six wins, though.

Four teams to watch

Tulane

It was a very good weekend for the Green Wave. For one, Tulane cruised past Charlotte to move to 7-2 overall and a perfect 5-0 in the American Athletic. Also, Navy and Memphis both lost, paving Tulane’s path to the AAC championship game. They need help in the Mountain West to knock out Boise State, but the Green Wave are taking care of business on their end.

Texas Tech

If not for giving away a 34-21 lead in the fourth quarter of an eventual 35-34 loss to TCU two weeks ago, Texas Tech would be 5-1 in Big 12 play and in sole possession of second place behind BYU. As it stands, the Red Raiders are still a threat to play for the conference championship. Beating Colorado on Saturday would give them tiebreakers against two of the main contenders atop the league standings.

Mississippi

Saturday’s 63-31 win at Arkansas was a reminder of how good this team can be. With losses to Kentucky and LSU already in hand, both by a field goal, the Rebels’ chances hinge on Saturday’s matchup with Georgia. While there is an avenue to reach the SEC championship game, the odds are so low and unfeasible that any playoff hopes travel the at-large route. Beating the Bulldogs would make that realistic.

Minnesota

Minnesota isn’t in the playoff mix but the Gophers have a chance to play spoiler by beating Penn State on Nov. 23, which would knock out the Nittany Lions and make things easier for Indiana. Minnesota would also move into the mix for a major-bowl bid. Winners of four in a row and one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten, the Gophers could’ve been a serious playoff contender had they not handed over winnable games against North Carolina (19-17) and Michigan (27-24).

Florida men’s basketball coach Todd Golden has been accused of sexual harassment and stalking women, according to a report from the Gainesville Sun and other media outlets.

A Title IX complaint regarding Golden’s conduct was initiated on Sept. 27. He was accused in that complaint of conduct that potentially violated the school’s Gender Equity Policy. The Gainesville Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network, obtained a copy of the complaint.

The Alligator, Florida’s student publication, was first to report the complaint in a story published Friday.

Golden, 39, is in his third season with Florida, after spending the previous three years at San Francisco.

Golden is accused of sexual exploitation, sexual harassment and stalking, which occurred over the course of a year, according to the Title IX complaint. The sexual harassment claims included ‘unwanted sexual advances on Instagram, requesting sexual favors, sending photos and videos of his genitalia while traveling for UF and various occasions of stalking.’

In response to questions about the Title IX complaint, university spokesperson Cynthia Roldan Hernandez released a statement to the Gainesville Sun, “In order to comply with federal law, the university cannot comment on or confirm any Title IX inquiries, complaints, or investigations.”

The Alligator said it spoke to two women, both former students, who corroborated the details in the Title IX complaint. The complaint was sent anonymously to the Gainesville Sun and other local media outlets.

Under Golden, the Gators were 24-12 season last season, when they were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Florida, which has started this season 2-0, is scheduled to play Grambling State on Monday.

This file has been updated to correctly identify Georgia’s loss to Alabama.

Week 11 of the college football season features a highly anticipated matchup between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi.

The No. 2 Bulldogs are currently riding a four-game winning streak, showcasing their momentum after their only loss of the season to the Alabama Crimson Tide. They recently secured a 34-20 victory over the Florida Gators, with quarterback, Carson Beck, leading the charge. Despite facing challenges in getting the offense started and throwing three interceptions, Beck tallied 309 passing yards and two touchdowns in the win.

On the other hand, No. 12 Ole Miss, fueled by its recent 63-31 victory over Arkansas, is determined to avoid another loss after suffering two closely contested defeats to Kentucky and LSU. Quarterback Jaxson Dart was the standout player in Week 10 for the Rebels, setting school records for passing yards with 515 and throwing six touchdown passes against Arkansas – a single-game record.

Both teams are eager to maintain their College Football Playoff hopes. Another loss could drastically affect their rankings and their chances of making it to the playoffs. The stakes are high, and every play in this upcoming game will be crucial.

USA TODAY Sports will have live updates, scores and highlights throughout the game. Follow along for all the action.

When is Georgia vs. Ole Miss game?

The kickoff for Saturday’s game between No. 2 Georgia and No. 12 Ole Miss is 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. local) from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.

How to watch Georgia vs. Ole Miss game

The Week 11 game between No. 2 Georgia and No. 12 Ole Miss will be broadcast on ABC. The game can also be streamed on ESPN+.

Catch Georgia vs. Ole Miss and more college football with ESPN+

College football Week 11 schedule, Top 25

Here are the kickoff times and TV info for Top 25 teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll. (All times are Eastern): 

Florida Gators at No. 5 Texas Longhorns, ABC, noon
No. 4 Miami Hurricanes at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, ESPN, noon
Purdue Boilermakers at No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes, FOX, noon
No 19 Army Black Knights at North Texas Mean Green, ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs at No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels, ABC, 3:30 p.m.
No. 19 Iowa State Cyclones at Kansas Jayhawks, FS1, 3:30 p.m.
No. 17 Clemson Tigers at Virginia Tech Hokies, ESPN, 3:30 p.m.
Michigan Wolverines at No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers, CBS, 3:30 p.m.
No. 24 Colorado Buffaloes at Texas Tech Red Raiders, FOX, 4 p.m.
South Carolina Gamecocks at No. 25 Vanderbilt Commodores, SEC Network, 4:15 p.m.
Mississippi State Bulldogs at No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers, ESPN, 7 p.m.
Maryland Terrapins at No1 Oregon Ducks, Big Ten Network, 7 p.m.
No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 13 LSU Tigers, ABC, 7:30 p.m.
Florida State Seminoles at No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, NBC/Peacock, 7:30 p.m.
Oklahoma Sooners at No. 22 Missouri Tigers, SEC Network, 7:45 p.m.
Nevada Wolf Pack at No. 14 Boise State Broncos, FOX, 8 p.m.
Virginia Cavaliers at No. 23 Pittsburgh Panthers, ACC Network, 8 p.m.
Washington Huskies at No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions, Peacock, 8 p.m.
No. 9 BYU Cougars at Utah Utes, ESPN, 10:15 p.m.
Utah State Aggies at No. 20 Washington State Cougars, CW, 10:30 p.m.

College football picks Week 11

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ expert picks for all of Saturday’s ranked Week 11 games. 

Ohio State vs. Penn State odds, line

The Georgia Bulldogs are the favorites to defeat the Ole Miss Rebels in Saturday’s college football matchup, according to the BetMGM college football odds. Looking to wager? Check out the top college football betting apps in 2024 offering the top NCAA football betting promos and bonuses in 2024. 

Spread: Georgia (-3) 
Moneyline: Georgia (-135); Ole Miss (+115) 
Over/under: 54.5 

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

A Title IX complaint filed against the University of Oregon last December got more specific this week when new documents filed by the plaintiffs allege, among other complaints, that a senior Oregon athletics administrator threatened to cancel the 2021 beach volleyball season if players kept complaining about their circumstances. 

The suit was filed in December 2023 by 32 female student athletes from the university (26 beach volleyball players and six rowers), and alleges that UO has failed to ‘provide athletic treatment and benefits, financial aid, and participation opportunities to female students that are equal to the unparalleled athletic treatment and benefits, financial aid, and participation opportunities that it provides to male students,’ according this week’s filing.

The suit was filed after an investigation by The Oregonian/Oregonlive.com that revealed numerous inequities between beach volleyball and other school-sponsored sports, most glaringly that the beach volleyball team does not have its own facility and is forced to practice at a public park; restrooms at that park are frequently locked and unavailable to the athletes because of community drug usage problems. 

On Thursday, the plaintiffs filed a series of documents in response to Oregon’s motions in July for partial summary judgment, judgment on the pleadings and dismissal for lack of jurisdiction. Included in the filings are declarations from two of the plaintiffs, Ashley Schroeder and Josie Cole, who both played beach volleyball. The declarations are made under penalty of perjury. 

In her declaration, Schroeder writes that the team “made complaints to the Senior Women’s Administrator, Lisa Peterson, and to our coaches about the lack of a decent playing facility, the lack of athletic financial aid, and the conditions we were made to play in, among other things” during the 2020-2021 school year. 

Schroeder said the team had “at least two compliance meetings with Senior Women’s Administrator Peterson. She told us repeatedly that it was a unique season because of COVID and that all the benefits that we had been promised were put on hold until the pandemic was over. Administrator Peterson downplayed or ignored our reports of being denied basic support, gear, facilities, equipment, and financial aid. She told us that we were lucky to be playing and that if we continued to complain, the season would be cancelled.” 

Schroeder said she and her teammates “took this threat seriously.” 

The team’s 2020 season — like others in spring sports around the country — ended early due to the pandemic. During the 2020-21 school year, many fall and winter sports schedules were affected.

In her declaration, Cole wrote that anytime athletes took their concerns to administrators Peterson was “full of excuses. She would blame COVID and warned that the season could get cancelled again. She promised that things would change, but instead they kept getting worse.”

Peterson left UO in September 2022 for a job at the Pac-12. She now works for the Big 12 as vice president of Olympic competition. Oregon’s beach volleyball played 19 matches in 2021. Reached on Friday by USA TODAY Sports, Peterson vehemently denied Schroeder’s and Cole’s allegations.

Schroeder also recalled in her declaration a meeting in fall 2023 with Valerie Johnson, Oregon’s new Senior Woman Administrator who came to practice to speak with the team. Schroeder wrote that Johnson “had an almost scolding tone and said that Title IX does not require equality in sports. She demanded that individual players ‘raise your hand if you are really interested in this Title IX stuff.’ … it felt almost threatening, as though she was trying to identify and single out who the troublemakers were.”

Friday afternoon, Oregon athletics department Jimmy Stanton said in an email: ‘Like other claims alleged in the Complaint, the statements alleged … are false and UO denies them.  Ms. Peterson and Ms. Johnson are and have always been stalwart Title IX champions.  Our previously filed Answer outlines UO’s denials of plaintiffs’ allegations.  We will address the new allegations in the court proceedings as well.’

According to the case’s current scheduling order, Oregon has until Dec. 9 to file replies to the plaintiffs’ responses.

A 2022 USA TODAY investigation found that 50 years after Congress passed Title IX, dozens of schools across the country, including at some of the biggest and most successful athletic departments, appear to remain in violation of the federal law. Often, there is little to no consequence for schools out of compliance with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and most substantive punishments come as the result of civil litigation.

This story was updated to add new information.

It’s all down to a final four.

After nine playoff races – including three elimination races – Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick have come through a 16-driver playoff field to reach the NASCAR Championship Race.

These four drivers, representing three different race teams and three different manufacturers, will each seek to have the best finish in the final race of the season and be crowned the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series champion.

The NASCAR Championship Race will be held Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, with a start time around 3 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local). NBC will broadcast the race.

While each of the final four aims to win Sunday’s race, taking the checkered flag isn’t necessary to win the championship. The goal is simply to beat the other three contenders, while navigating a full field of drivers who will also be trying to win the season’s final race.

But before we get to the race, get to know the four championship contenders:

BEST BETS: These sportsbooks and sports betting sites stand above the rest 

Ryan Blaney

Born: Dec. 31, 1993. Age: 30.

Car: No. 12 Ford. Team: Team Penske

Blaney’s odds to win from BetMGM

(Through Thursday evening)

Race: +310
Championship: +175

2024 NASCAR Cup Series stats

Wins: 3
Top 5 finishes: 11
Top 10 finishes: 17

Career NASCAR Cup Series stats

First race: May 10, 2014
Full-time seasons: 9
Wins: 13
Top 5 finishes: 80
Top 10 finishes: 148

Results at Phoenix Raceway

Races: 17
Wins: 0
Top 5 finishes: 8
Top 10 finishes: 12

Championships: 1

Blaney made the Championship 4 for the first time in 2023 and finished second in the season finale at Phoenix behind race winner Ross Chastain, who had already been eliminated from title contention.

Blaney bested Kyle Larson, William Byron and Christopher Bell to win his first Cup Series championship.

William Byron

Born: Nov. 29, 1997. Age: 26.

Car: No. 24 Chevrolet. Team: Hendrick Motorsports

Byron’s odds to win from BetMGM

(Through Thursday evening)

Race: +475
Championship: +275

2024 NASCAR Cup Series stats

Wins: 3
Top 5 finishes: 12
Top 10 finishes: 20

Career NASCAR Cup Series stats

First race: Feb. 18, 2018
Full-time seasons: 7
Wins: 13
Top 5 finishes: 53
Top 10 finishes: 103

Results at Phoenix Raceway

Races: 13
Wins: 1
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 7

Championships: 0

Byron made the NASCAR Championship Race for the first time in 2023 and finished fourth behind race winner Ross Chastain, who was no longer a playoff driver; 2023 series champion Ryan Blaney, who finished second in the race to win the season title; and 2021 series champion Kyle Larson, who finished third in the race.

Byron ended the 2023 season ranked third in the final standings behind Blaney and Larson.

Joey Logano

Born: May 24, 1990. Age: 34.

Car: No. 22 Ford. Team: Team Penske

Logano’s odds to win from BetMGM

(Through Thursday evening)

Race: +600
Championship: +325

2024 NASCAR Cup Series stats

Wins: 3
Top 5 finishes: 6
Top 10 finishes: 12

Career NASCAR Cup Series stats

First race: Sept. 14, 2008
Full-time seasons: 16
Wins: 35
Top 5 finishes: 166
Top 10 finishes: 286

Results at Phoenix Raceway

Races: 31
Wins: 3
Top 5 finishes: 8
Top 10 finishes: 16

Championships: 2

Logano won NASCAR Cup Series championships in 2018 and 2022.

In 2018 he won the NASCAR Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, besting the other three championship contenders: Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch. In 2022, Logano won the Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway, outdueling Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott.

Tyler Reddick

Born: Jan. 11, 1996. Age: 28.

Car: No. 45 Toyota. Team: 23XI Racing

Reddick’s odds to win from BetMGM

(Through Thursday evening)

Race: +700
Championship: +325

2024 NASCAR Cup Series stats

Wins: 3
Top 5 finishes: 12
Top 10 finishes: 20

Career NASCAR Cup Series stats

First race: Feb. 17, 2019
Full-time seasons: 5
Wins: 8
Top 5 finishes: 38
Top 10 finishes: 77

Results at Phoenix Raceway

Races: 9
Wins: 0
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 3

Championships: 0

Reddick won the regular-season points battle this season and now has made the Championship 4 for the first time. In addition to trying to win his first Cup title as a driver, Reddick is hoping to capture a first championship for 23XI Racing, which is co-owned by Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin.

Reddick ended last season ranked sixth in the final standings, the best finish of his Cup career.