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Vice President Kamala Harris entered the final stretch of the 2024 race for the White House with a large fundraising advantage over former President Trump, new federal filings show.

Harris hauled in nearly $190 million in fundraising for her 2024 campaign in August, more than quadrupling the $44.5 million that Trump’s team reported bringing into his principal campaign account last month — this according to figures from the Federal Election Commission made public on Friday.

The Harris campaign also vastly outspent the Trump campaign last month, as it dished out roughly $174 million. Much of those expenditures went to creating and running ads, as the campaign aimed to familiarize Americans with Harris after she replaced President Biden on the Democrats’ 2024 ticket two months ago.

The Trump campaign, by comparison, listed just $61 million in expenditures, with most of the spending going toward media buys.

But despite the Harris spending spree, the vice president’s campaign entered September with $235 million cash-on-hand, far ahead of the $135 million Trump’s coffers, according to the FEC filings.

The latest cash figures are another sign of the vice president’s surge in fundraising since becoming her party’s standard-bearer.

Both the Harris and Trump campaigns use a slew of affiliated fundraising committees to haul in cash, and those panels file their reports on a different schedule.

The Harris campaign announced earlier this month that they and their allied committees hauled in $361 million in August — nearly triple the $130 million reported raised by the Trump campaign and its aligned committees.

The vice president’s team also touted that Harris hauled in $47 million from nearly 600,000 donors in the 24 hours after her first and potentially only debate with Trump, which took place earlier this month in Philadelphia.

When asked about the fundraising deficit, Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley told Fox News Digital in the debate spin room earlier this month that ‘the Democrats have a ton of money. The Democrats always have a ton of money.’

However, he emphasized that ‘we absolutely have the resources that we need to get our message out to all the voters that we’re talking to and feel very comfortable that we’re going to be able to see this campaign through and we’re going to win on November 5.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

The heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois on Saturday is scheduled for 12 rounds. The chances of it going that far are remote.

Almost 90 percent of the boxers’ combined 54 fights have ended by knockout. That includes each of them getting KO’d, too.

Plenty is at stake for the sluggers.

Joshua (28-3 with 25 KOs) and Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs) will battle for Dubois’ IBF heavyweight title and a likely shot against the winner of the Dec. 21 fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. Improbably enough.

In 2022, Joshua was counted out – figuratively, at least – after back-to-back losses to Usyk. He has since won four consecutive bouts, but the caliber of competition is questionable.

In his last fight, Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion, knocked out Francis Ngannou, the former UFC champion who was in only his second pro boxing match. Dubois got knocked out by Usyk in 2023. Since then, he’s won back-to-back fights, victories over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic – by knockout, of course.

Keep up with USA TODAY Sports for live updates and highlights from the main card throughout the day.

Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois fight date 

The fight will take place Saturday at Wembley Stadium in London.

Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois time 

Their fight is expected to start at about 6 p.m. ET. The main card will begin at 11 a.m. ET.

How to watch Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois 

Fans can purchase the fight on DAZN. 

How much is it to purchase Joshua vs. Dubois fight? 

The Joshua-Dubois fight will cost $19.99 through DAZN.

How tall is Anthony Joshua?

Joshua is 6 feet, 6 inches tall. 

Anthony Joshua weight 

Joshua weighs 252 pounds. 

How tall is Daniel Dubois?

Dubois is 6 feet, 5 inches tall. 

Daniel Dubois weight

Dubois weighs 248 pounds. 

Anthony Joshua record 

Joshua is 28-3 with 25 KOs. 

Daniel Dubois record 

Dubois is 21-2 with 20 KOs. 

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It’s elimination night at Bristol Motor Speedway. Four drivers will be sent packing from championship contention following the Bass Pro Shops Night Race – the final race of the first round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

Sixteen drivers qualified for the playoffs with hopes of winning the 2024 championship, but by the end of Saturday night, that number will be reduced to 12, with the bottom four drivers in the playoff standings eliminated.

One driver who will not have to sweat elimination Saturday night is Joey Logano, who earned an automatic berth to the second round by winning the opening playoff race at Atlanta Motor Speedway two weeks ago. Non-playoff driver Chris Buescher kept the other 15 title contenders out of victory lane last weekend with a win at Watkins Glen International.

Bristol could provide a lot of relief to Denny Hamlin, who has endured a rough playoffs so far. Hamlin, who won at Bristol in March and took the checkered flag at last year’s Bristol Night Race, currently sits 13th, six points below the cutline to advance. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver should bring a great deal of confidence to the Tennessee short track, however, having won the night race three times in his career.

Who will celebrate in victory lane this Saturday night, and who will see their championship dreams come to an end? Here is everything you need to know to get ready for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race:

What time does the NASCAR playoff race at Bristol start?

The Bass Pro Shops Night Race starts at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee.

What TV channel is the NASCAR playoff race at Bristol on?

USA Network is broadcasting the Bass Pro Shops Night Race and has a pre-race show beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR playoff race at Bristol?

The Bass Pro Shops Night Race can be live streamed on the NBC Sports website and the NBC Sports app. The race is also available to stream on Fubo.

How many laps is the NASCAR playoff race at Bristol?

The Bass Pro Shops Night Race is 500 laps around the 0.533-mile track for a total of 266.5 miles. The race will feature three segments (laps per stage) – Stage 1: 125 laps; Stage 2: 125 laps; Stage 3: 250 laps.

Who won the most recent NASCAR Cup races at Bristol?

Hamlin started third and led 163 laps, including the final 17, before topping teammate Martin Truex Jr. by 1.083 seconds on March 17, 2024.

And one year ago, Hamlin started second and led 142 laps, including the final 135, before pulling away from Kyle Larson in the playoff elimination race on Sept. 16, 2023.

What are the driver standings heading into the NASCAR playoff race at Bristol?

x-clinched spot in second round. Through two playoff races; the bottom four drivers after the Bass Pro Shops Night Race will be eliminated.

Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,089
Austin Cindric, Team Penske … 2,086
x-Joey Logano, Team Penske … 2,084
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,084
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing … 2,079
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing … 2,073
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,073
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske … 2,072
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,069
William Bryon, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,068
Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing … 2,049
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,049
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,043
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing … 2,037
Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,035
Harrison Burton, Wood Brothers Racing … 2,029

What is the lineup for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol?

Car number in parentheses; (P)=playoff driver

1. (48) Alex Bowman (P), Chevrolet

2. (5) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet

3. (24) William Byron (P), Chevrolet

4. (19) Martin Truex Jr. (P), Toyota

5. (14) Chase Briscoe (P), Ford

6. (20) Christopher Bell (P), Toyota

7. (77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet

8. (11) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota

9. (7) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet

10. (9) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet

11. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota

12. (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet

13. (54) Ty Gibbs (P), Toyota

14. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford

15. (45) Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota

16. (10) Noah Gragson, Ford

17. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford

18. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford

19. (16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet

20. (22) Joey Logano (P), Ford

21. (31) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet

22. (12) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford

23. (6) Brad Keselowski (P), Ford

24. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford

25. (4) Josh Berry, Ford

26. (51) Justin Haley, Ford

27. (2) Austin Cindric (P), Ford

28. (42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota

29. (8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet

30. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet

31. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet

32. (43) Erik Jones, Toyota

33. (71) Zane Smith, Chevrolet

34. (21) Harrison Burton (P), Ford

35. (99) Daniel Suarez (P), Chevrolet

36. (15) Kaz Grala, Ford

37. (66) Josh Bilicki, Ford

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NASCAR holds its third race of the Cup Series playoffs – and its first elimination race of 2024 – Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET, USA Network).

The 16-driver playoff field will be reduced to 12 following the Bass Pro Shops Night Race; the bottom four drivers in the playoff standings will be eliminated from championship contention.

But, the rest of the top five features some surprises. Three drivers who entered the playoffs below the top nine are now among the leaders. Austin Cindric sits second in the standings after starting the playoffs ranked 10th; Alex Bowman enters Bristol ranked fourth after starting 12th; and Daniel Suarez sits fifth after starting 11th.

There are also big surprises currently below the cutline. Denny Hamlin, who was one of the championship favorites most of the season, enters Saturday night’s race six points below the cutline. And two former Cup Series champions – Martin Truex Jr. (2017) and Brad Keselowski (2012) – currently sit below the top 12.

NASCAR playoff standings heading into Bristol

x-clinched spot in second round. Through two races; the bottom four drivers after the Bass Pro Shops Night Race will be eliminated.

Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,089
Austin Cindric, Team Penske … 2,086
x-Joey Logano, Team Penske … 2,084
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,084
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing … 2,079
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing … 2,073
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,073
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske … 2,072
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,069
William Bryon, Hendrick Motorsports … 2,068
Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing … 2,049
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,049
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,043
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing … 2,037
Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing … 2,035
Harrison Burton, Wood Brothers Racing … 2,029

What is the full schedule for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs? 

Here is the schedule with dates, tracks, times and TV for each of the 10 races of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs (All times Eastern) 

Sunday, Sept. 8: Atlanta Motor Speedway. Winner: Joey Logano 
Sunday, Sept. 15: Watkins Glen International. Winner: Chris Buescher 
Saturday, Sept. 21: Bristol Motor Speedway, USA, 7:30 p.m. 
Sunday, Sept. 29: Kansas Speedway, USA, 3 p.m. 
Sunday, Oct. 6: Talladega Superspeedway, NBC, 2 p.m. 
Sunday, Oct. 13: Charlotte Roval, NBC, 2 p.m. 
Sunday, Oct. 20: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m. 
Sunday, Oct. 27: Homestead-Miami Speedway, NBC, 2:30 p.m. 
Sunday, Nov. 3: Martinsville Speedway, NBC, 2 p.m. 
Sunday, Nov. 10: Phoenix Raceway, NBC, 3 p.m. 

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has embraced the difficult assignment of following in the footsteps of seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. Mayfield kept Tampa in contention in his first season and is off to a hot start in 2024.

Despite his recent success, Mayfield has done things his way, not Brady’s way. The 29-year-old quarterback appeared on the ‘Casa De Klub podcast’ earlier this week and spoke about the aforementioned ‘culture’ that Brady left behind in Tampa.

Baker Mayfield suggests Tom Brady ‘stressed out’ team

On the podcast, Mayfield said, ‘The building was a little bit different with Tom in there. Obviously, playing-wise, Tom is different. He had everybody dialed in, high-strung environment, so I think everybody was pretty stressed out.’

Mayfield went on to say, ‘You hear some of the stories about if he didn’t like a certain play call and he didn’t like it throughout the week and they still call it in the game, there might have been a throwaway on purpose or throwing it at the running back or receiver’s feet. There were a lot of mind games going on.’

All things Buccaneers: Latest Tampa Bay Buccaneers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

The Buccaneers are a rejuvenated team, and it shows every week. When Brady retired, there were concerns the team would lose relevance, but Mayfield has made that impossible. On the podcast, Mayfield added, ‘Front office guys and Coach Bowles were all saying, just be yourself. That’s all we want you to be.’

Though it’s unproven that Brady intentionally threw passes at the feet of his wide receivers, there were enough instances – particularly in Brady’s final season – to make one speculate. At that point, Brady was two years older than offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.

Brady has moved on to the next phase of his career in the broadcast booth. Some NFL fans eagerly await to hear if Brady will respond to Mayfield’s comments.

Winning is familiar territory for the Buccaneers. The culture instilled in Tampa Bay when Brady joined the team has continued since his retirement. The Bucs are the only NFC team that have reached the playoffs in the past four seasons and are coming off their third consecutive NFC South title. Last postseason, Mayfield led Tampa Bay to an upset over the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round to give them their sixth playoff win over the past four seasons. Only the Kansas City Chiefs have more over this span.

Mayfield is a former No. 1 overall pick coming off his best season in the NFL, and only Derek Carr of the New Orleans Saints has a better QBR through the first two weeks in 2024. Mayfield was drafted in 2018 by the Cleveland Browns, and when he signed with Tampa Bay before 2023, it marked his fourth team in three years. The Bucs signed him for a bargain, and he went out and posted a career-high 4,044 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns.

Mayfield has brought a new authentic energy to the franchise that didn’t exist even when Brady was leading the team. Baker’s teammates have commented on his relatability compared to Brady. He is often seen publicly with his teammates, which Brady could never do because of his celebrity status.

When Mayfield signed with Tampa Bay before the 2023 season, he adamantly recognized Brady as the greatest. On an episode of NFL Now, Mayfield said, ‘He’s the greatest quarterback to ever play the game, and he deserves that recognition. I’m going to be myself, and Tom was himself. I respect everything he did, and obviously people around here have worked with him, so I’m going to try and pick their brain about how he did it, how he operated and certain things that were the difference-makers and who he is.’

He continued, ‘I’m excited about it. Those are big shoes to fill, but I’m just going to try and wear my own.’ One year later, Mayfield has delivered and has done so wearing his own shoes.

Mayfield was rewarded this offseason by signing a three-year, $100 million contract with Tampa Bay and appears to be the leader at the helm of another playoff hunt for the Buccaneers.

Baker Mayfield 2024 stats (through Week 2)

474 passing yards (11th)
5 passing touchdowns (tied 1st)
1 interception (tied 19th)
68.8 QBR (6th)

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Christian Pulisic is in the form of his life, in the prime of his career, and in danger of winning nothing beyond individual accolades.

That the U.S. men’s national team star has become the best player on a middling national team isn’t a surprise. It’s been happening since a teenage Pulisic was the lone standout in the USMNT’s disastrous 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The real surprise is that the same scenario is playing out at club level — at one of European soccer’s most venerable institutions, no less.

Pulisic joined AC Milan last summer with his club career at rock bottom after falling out of favor at Chelsea. Just over a year later, not one Serie A player has topped Pulisic’s 30 goal contributions (18 goals, 12 assists) since the start of last season.

The problem? As Pulisic’s individual stock has soared, Milan has collectively looked like a shadow of its former self. The 2021-22 Italian champion did finish second in Serie A last season, but ended the season 19 points behind first-place Inter.

One season after reaching the Champions League semifinal, Milan crashed out at the group stage last season, and was then bounced by Roma in the Europa League quarterfinal.

This season, Pulisic’s individual performances and those of his teammates have diverged even more. As the forward has put together an outstanding start to the campaign, Milan has won just one of five.

This week’s Champions League opener against Liverpool was the textbook representation of how 2024-25 has gone so far: Pulisic scored a brilliant goal three minutes in, then Milan collapsed in a 3-1 defeat that could have been much more lopsided.

New head coach Paulo Fonseca appears to be a dead man walking, with the Italian media swarming and possible replacements already being lined up by club officials.

Milan has been far too easy to play through. It has conceded six goals on five expected goals, both middle of the pack in Serie A. In its game against Liverpool, Arne Slot’s side ran riot to the tune of an expected goals difference of 3.1 to 0.6.

The team’s attack, led by Pulisic, has been better, with nine goals on 7.5 expected goals both in the league’s top three. But if the club can’t solve its leaky defense, it will face another trophy-less campaign.

USMNT suffering along with Milan

Just like Milan, the USMNT is also at a low ebb as it welcomes Mauricio Pochettino to the fold.

The 2022 World Cup was more promising than performative, but there was the sense that the team was on the upswing. But after crashing out at the Copa América group stage this summer, the USMNT is on a run of one win in seven. At this stage, avoiding embarrassment at the 2026 World Cup on home soil may be a more realistic goal than a deep run.

Over the past couple years, there have been a few candidates who have threatened Pulisic’s mantle as the Team’s Most Important Player. But the likes of Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna — who have both been sporadically bestowed with that title — have suffered massive setbacks recently through injuries and lack of club minutes. Sergiño Dest is injured, Folarin Balogun has hit a rut at the club level, and Weston McKennie had a rough Copa América.

The only USMNT player consistently at Pulisic’s level of late is Antonee Robinson, who can only do so much as a left back. With exactly two players consistently excelling in Europe’s top leagues, Pochettino has his work cut out for him.

‘We really have to pick it up a level,’ a frustrated Pulisic said after a draw against New Zealand earlier this month (a game in which he scored the only USMNT goal). ‘I mean everyone that’s a part of this. It feels pretty low right now, but I know there’s better times ahead.’

Pulisic is doing his part but unless his teammates — for club and country — heed his message, then the 26-year-old’s prime will be remembered for individual brilliance amid a morass of team underperformance.

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Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates isn’t opposed to talking trash to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce about his famous pop star girlfriend, Taylor Swift.

Bates was a guest on ‘The Pacman Jones Show’ podcast on Friday, and the two-time NFL All-Pro said Taylor Swift smack talk isn’t out of bounds.

‘I don’t listen to much Taylor Swift, but obviously you got to have respect for what she’s done in her career. And then with Travis [Kelce], you got to have some type of respect with him,’ Bates said with a smile. ‘But once that clock ticks and we’re in between those lines. I see red sometimes and might say some crazy stuff to him, it may involve Taylor, in may not. It’s just part of the game, talking your little smack.”

The Falcons host the Chiefs on Sunday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Bates and the Falcons are coming off a comeback win against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. The 2023 Pro Bowler produced a game-high 12 tackles and one interception in the victory.  

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Bates has enjoyed some success in his career against Kansas City. Bates, who played his first five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, is 3-2 (including playoffs) against the Chiefs. He helped Cincinnati beat Kansas City in the 2021 AFC Championship game to advance to Super Bowl 56.

The Falcons signed Bates during 2023 free agency. The 27-year-old defensive back is regarded as one of the best cover safeties in the NFL and is expected to be matched against Kelce plenty on Sunday. He enters Week 3 second on the team in tackles with 18 and has the club’s lone interception.

Kelce has four catches and 39 receiving yards through two games. However, his stats were outstanding when Taylor Swift was in attendance last season.

Sunday night’s contest figures to be close. Every game the Falcons and Chiefs have played thus far this season has been decided by one score. There might be a little trash-talking as well.

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It’s more than a year into the Lionel Messi experience in Major League Soccer, and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham is still in awe of the club’s acquisition of the Argentine World Cup champion.

Beckham – who joined the MLS in 2007 after a storied career in Europe – said there was one thing in particular Messi was looking for when he decided to join Inter Miami in July 2023.

‘All he was interested in is a place where his family could come enjoy and have a great life. That was really important for Leo,” Beckham said, speaking at Stella Artois’ ‘Let’s Do Dinner’ event in New York on Thursday. “I mean, from day one, from the moment he put his foot down in Miami, it’s been a dream, honestly.

“To be able to say that we’ve signed the world’s greatest ever player to ever play the game. Everybody’s got their opinion on who they think is the best player of all time – whether it be Diego Maradona, Pele, all of these great players.’

“But to say that we have in the MLS, in Miami, the greatest player to play the game, it’s just like a dream, you know? It’s a dream every time that I’m there,’ Beckham continued. ‘If I go for the whole of the summer, which I went for four weeks this summer, I go into training every single day because, personally, I can’t believe we’ve got Leo. Secondly, I just want to watch what he does. And that’s a special thing for us.”

Beckham will attend Saturday’s match as Messi and Inter Miami face New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. It will be Messi’s third game after returning from a right ankle injury he sustained during the Copa America final, which Argentina won July 11.

Messi’s addition to MLS has been a resounding success for him, Inter Miami and the league. Messi owns the No. 1 MLS jersey sold for the second consecutive year and Inter Miami sits atop the MLS standings as favorites to win the Supporters’ Shield for the league’s best record in 2024.

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Luke Altmyer’s fourth touchdown pass of the night, a 4-yarder to Pat Bryant in overtime, led Illinois to a 31-24 win over No. 22 Nebraska on Friday in Lincoln.

Illinois (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) started overtime with a 21-yard run by Kaden Feagin. Altmyer then connected with Bryant into the right corner of the end zone.

Nebraska (3-1, 0-1) began its overtime drive with a false-start penalty, and matters only grew worse for the Cornhuskers. Dylan Raiola took two sacks, completed a pass, then was sacked on fourth-and-29 to end the game.

Altmyer completed 21 of 27 passes for 215 yards. Bryant caught two touchdown passes among his five catches for 74 yards. Tanner Arkin and offensive lineman Brandon Henderson each had a red-zone TD reception, and Feagin led the Fighting Illini with 69 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Raiola wound up 23 of 35 for 284 yards with three touchdowns passes and one interception. Isaiah Neyor had four receptions for 90 yards and two scores, and Jahmal Banks hauled in seven passes for 81 yards. Dante Dowdell ran 20 times for 72 yards.

Both teams had chances to break a tie late in the fourth quarter.

The Cornhuskers’ Ceyair Wright forced a fumble while sacking Altmyer with 8:24 remaining, and teammate Mikai Gbayor recovered at the Nebraska 38. The ensuing drive ended when Nebraska kicker John Hohl missed wide right on a 39-yard field-goal attempt.

The Fighting Illini were aided by a key play in the second quarter that was first called a Cornhuskers touchdown on the field. After a review, Torrie Cox Jr. had his arm between Neyor and the ball and stripped the ball away in the end zone, keeping possession with the lone interception for either team on the night.

Nebraska senior defensive back Tommi Hill left the game in the first half because of an apparent head injury.

It was a historic game for Nebraska despite the loss, as it was the school’s NCAA-record 400th straight sellout.

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The Philadelphia Phillies clinched a postseason berth for the third straight season by beating the Mets 12-2 on Friday night in New York.

All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm led the Phillies with four hits and four RBI as they broke open a tie game with six runs in the fourth inning and cruised from there.

But the Phillies (92-62) have bigger goals ahead, such as winning their first NL East title since 2011. That could happen as soon as Saturday with another win over the Mets. If not, they can do it Sunday against the Mets.

The last two seasons, the Phillies made the postseason as one of the three wild card teams.

In 2022, the Phillies reached the World Series, losing in six games to the Houston Astros. In 2023, the Phillies lost in Game 7 of the NLCS to the Arizona Diamondbacks, dropping both Games 6 and 7 at Citizens Bank Park.

All things Phillies: Latest Philadelphia Phillies news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

The Phillies are hoping to win their first World Series since 2008, and just the third in 141 years of existence.

When does MLB postseason begin?

The regular season ends Sunday, Sept. 29, and the Wild Card Series in both leagues are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 1 and continue through Thursday, Oct. 3, if necessary.

The openers of all four Division Series are scheduled to begin on Saturday, Oct. 5. Potential Game 5s would be on Friday, Oct. 11 in the NL and Saturday, Oct. 12 in the AL.

Who can the Phillies play in the postseason?

For the Phillies, the ideal scenario is finishing with the best record in baseball, which would guarantee home-field advantage as long as they’re in the postseason, including the World Series.

If the Phillies finish with the best or second-best record in the National League, they’ll get a bye for the best-of-3 Wild Card Series. If they’re the No. 1 seed, they’ll face the NL team with the worst record in the best-of-5 NLDS beginning Oct. 5.

If the playoffs started today, the Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers would have wildcard byes. The Mets would be the No. 6 seed and face the NL Central winners Milwaukee Brewers, the No. 3 seed. The other two wildcard teams − the No. 4 San Diego Padres and No. 5 Diamondbacks − would play each other.

What other magic numbers are left for the Phillies?

The Phillies still have two important magic numbers, following Friday night’s win:

The magic number to clinch the NL East is 2. The team to follow in this scenario is the New York Mets. The Phillies will clinch their first NL East title since 2011 with one more win over the Mets. The Mets host the Phillies at 4:05 p.m. Saturday and 7:10 p.m. Sunday.
The magic number to clinch the best record in the National League is 9. The team to follow in this scenario is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers played the Colorado Rockies on Friday. The Dodgers (91-62) were tied with the Phillies in the race for the best record. The Phillies own the playoff tiebreaker over the Dodgers by winning the season series 5-1.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl, on Threads and Instagram @martinfrank1.

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