ST. LOUIS — The Michigan Panthers defeated the DC Defenders badly in their lone matchup of the 2025 UFL regular season.

The Defenders returned the favor in a 58-34 UFL championship game drubbing of the Panthers.

Jordan Ta’amu’s MVP performance fueled the Defenders. DC’s quarterback set a UFL record with 390 passing yards and had five total touchdowns during the contest. That included a 73-yard strike to receiver Ty Scott, in which Ta’amu demonstrated pinpoint accuracy and hit his receiver in stride.

Michigan’s offense had issues dealing with Blake Williams’ attacking defense but nearly broke through late. They were able to execute the UFL’s onside kick alternative, a fourth-and-12 attempt from their 28-yard line, twice and cut DC’s lead to 18 in the later stages of the fourth quarter.

However, Kiondre Thomas broke up a pass intended for Cole Hikutini to break Michigan’s streak. That allowed Defenders receiver Chris Rowland to score on a 19-yard scamper and put the game out of reach.

The victory put a bow on Shannon Harris’ first season as Defenders coach, a job he took on six days before the season opener after Reggie Barlow’s departure to take an opening at Tennessee State.

DC Defenders win 2025 UFL championship

The Defenders were able to stop the Panthers on a fourth-and-3 with 1:38 left in regulation. Michigan has just one timeout remaining, so DC will be able to run out the clock and win the 2025 UFL championship.

DC Defenders vs. Michigan Panthers UFL championship game highlights

Chris Rowland notches 19-yard TD run to re-extend Defenders lead to three scores

The Defenders were able to chew some clock with running plays and Rowland found the end zone after an 19-yard scamper. They couldn’t get the 1-point conversion, but DC’s lead is 24 with 3:33 left in regulation. Defenders 58, Panthers 34

Defenders stop Panthers fourth-and-12 attempt

After twice allowing Michigan to notch fourth-down conversions, DC finally gets a stop. Kiondre Thomas undercut Bryce Perkins’ pass to Cole Hikutini, who briefly appeared to be open before Thomas flashed in front of him. DC will now have a chance to run some clock and rest its defense while nursing an 18-point lead.

B.T. Potter makes 49-yard field goal to make it two-score game

Michigan wasn’t able to get into the end zone after their second conversion, so they attempted a 49-yard field goal. Potter’s kick was true and cut DC’s lead to 18, which is a two-score game in the UFL thanks to the league’s 3-point conversion. Defenders 52, Panthers 34

Michigan converts second consecutive fourth-and-12 to keep ball

Once again, the Panthers have managed to execute their onside kick alternative to perfection. Bryce Perkins scrambled away from pressure and found Malik Turner for 15-yard gain. This will be Michigan’s third consecutive possession, and they have held the ball for 5:29 of consecutive game time – and counting.

Malik Turner gets third TD as Panthers cut lead to 21

The Panthers made the Defenders pay for allowing them to convert the fourth-and-7. Bryce Perkins found Turner, who made a nice catch amid tight coverage for his third score of the game. Michigan couldn’t punch in a 2-point conversion, but they have cut DC’s lead to 21 with 9:57 left in regulation. Defenders 52, Panthers 31

Panthers convert fourth-and-7 to keep ball

In the UFL, teams are allowed to attempt a fourth-and-12 conversion from their 28-yard line instead of an onside kick. Michigan’s attempt became a fourth-and-7 attempt after DC jumped offside, and Bryce Perkins found Devin Ross for a 22-yard gain.

That will allow Michigan to keep the ball and try to further cut into DC’s 27-point lead.

Panthers score: Malik Turner notches second TD

The Panthers are on the board for the first time in the second half. Bryce Perkins found Turner open over the middle of the field and he managed to make his way into the end zone for a 26-yard score. The Panthers’ 2-point attempt was slightly behind the receiver, so Michigan’s deficit remains 27. Defenders 52, Panthers 25

Defenders set single-game scoring record after Briley Moore scores

Jordan Ta’amu once again had a wide-open receiver, as Moore broke away from his defender to notch a 1-yard touchdown. The score pushed the Defenders over 50 points, making them the first team in UFL history to reach that plateau.

Moore was whistled for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play, which moved the try back to the 17-yard line. A holding penalty on Michigan then moved the try to the 12-yard line. The Defenders couldn’t convert but now lead by 33 with 14:56 left in the fourth quarter. Defenders 52, Panthers 19

End of third quarter: Defenders in control with 46-19 lead

The Defenders are closing in on a championship as they continue to pull away from the Panthers in the second half. DC outscored Michigan 9-0 in the third quarter and will be on the goal line again to open the fourth quarter.

Jordan Ta’amu has set a single-game UFL passing record while another DC score would give Shannon Harris’ team the record for the most points scored in a UFL game.

Jordan Ta’amu sets UFL single-game passing yards record

Ta’amu hit Seth Williams for a 45-yard gain with just about three minutes remaining in the third quarter. That gave him 388 passing yards for the game, good for the most in a single game in the UFL’s two-season history.

Score update: Deon Jackson scampers for second TD

DC continues to pour it on. Jackson found a seam behind the left side of the offensive line and ran untouched into the end zone for a 19-yard score. The Defenders went for a 1-point conversion, but Abram Smith couldn’t get it. DC’s lead has now ballooned to 27, and they are threatening the record for most points scored in a UFL game. Defenders 46, Panthers 19

Bryce Perkins intercepted by Kiondre Thomas

Michigan’s first drive of the second half was not as successful as DC’s. Perkins was desperately trying to keep a play alive after scrambling left out of the pocket and then back to his right. He ultimately threw the ball downfield but sailed it directly to Thomas. The defensive back returned it to Michigan’s 31-yard line, once again putting DC in scoring range.

Defenders score: Matt McCrane makes 38-yard field goal to open second half

The Defenders continue to score every time they touch the ball. They couldn’t turn the opening possession of the second half into a touchdown, but McCrane came on to put a 38-yard field goal through the uprights to give DC a three-score lead. Defenders 40, Panthers 19

Jordan Ta’amu halftime stats

Ta’amu is on his way to a potential MVP performance at halftime. Below is a look at his statline from the first half:

Comp./Att.: 16 of 20 (80%)
Passing yards: 320
Passing TDs: 3
Interceptions: 0
Passer rating: 158.3
Carries: 4
Rushing yards: 10
Rushing TDs: 1

Who are The Black Moods?

The UFL booked The Black Moods to perform their halftime show in 2025. They are a rock band comprised of guitarist Josh Kennedy – who is originally from Wheaton, Missouri – bassist Brendan McBride and drummer Chico Diaz.

Kennedy also performed an instrumental version of the National Anthem at the UFL championship game.

Halftime score: Defenders hold 37-19 lead over Panthers

The 2024 UFL championship game was all about the Birmingham Stallions’ defense. This year, DC and Michigan are trading offensive haymakers, as they notched a combined 56 points in the first half.

Jordan Ta’amu has been the game’s star so far. The Defenders quarterback has completed 16 of 20 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns, demonstrating pinpoint downfield accuracy throughout the game.

The Panthers offense has also been solid, with UFL MVP Bryce Perkins completing 8 of 13 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns, but Blake Williams’ defense managed to pressure him at times in the second quarter. Those stops helped DC notch 25 unanswered points, and 31 total in the second quarter, to bring an 18-point lead into the half.

Jordan Ta’amu hits Ty Scott for 73-yard TD

The Defenders and Panthers continue to trade 70-plus-yard scores. This time, Ta’amu found Scott behind the defense and hit the 6-1 receiver in stride for the score. The Defenders couldn’t make the 2-point conversion, so DC’s lead will remain 18, which is a two-score game in the UFL. Defenders 37, Panthers 19

Bryce Perkins finds Malik Turner for 71-yard touchdown

The Panthers finally ended the Defenders’ run of 25 consecutive points. Perkins scrambled away from pressure and managed to find Turner open after his defender broke off him in an effort to contain the mobile quarterback. Turner then ran through DC’s defense and powered through a tackle near the goal-line to score.

DC used its super challenge to attempt to negate the score, but the play was upheld. Michigan could not convert the 3-point conversion, ensuring DC’s lead would remain two scores. Defenders 31, Panthers 19

Deon Jackson punches in 5-yard Defenders TD run

The Defenders continue to pour it on offensively. Jackson ran for a 5-yard touchdown before Fred Kaiss broke out the ‘Philly Special’ on the ensuing 2-point conversion. Wide receiver Jaydon Mickens’ pass to quarterback Jordan Ta’amu was on the mark, and DC has now scored 25 unanswered points.

Defenders force Panthers to punt for second consecutive possession

The Defenders forced Bryce Perkins into three consecutive incompletions after the Panthers started the drive with a first-and-15 following a too many men in the huddle penalty. As a result, Michigan was forced to punt, and DC will take over at its 45-yard line.

Jordan Ta’amu powers through Michigan defense for fourth-and-1 TD

The Defenders got to the 1-yard line on a third-down run but couldn’t pound it in. Ta’amu kept the ball off play-action and had to power his way through a couple of Michigan defenders to get the ball over the goal line.

Ta’amu then found Briley Moore for the 2-point conversion to give DC a double-digit lead with 7:13 remaining in the first half. Defenders 23, Panthers 13

Michigan fumbles kickoff return, DC gets goal-to-go opportunity

On the kickoff following the Defenders’ touchdown, DC’s special teams made a big play, stripping the ball out of the hands of Panthers returner Xavier Malone. Willie Drew Jr. was able to jump on it and set DC up with a goal-to-go opportunity from the 7-yard line.

Defenders take first lead on 19-yard Cornell Powell TD reception

The Defenders once again moved down the field with relatively little resistance from the Panthers. This time, Jordan Ta’amu found Powell open in the end zone. He managed to make the catch and get both of his feet down before going out of bounds.

DC wasn’t able to complete their 2-point conversion pass, but they still have their first lead of the game with 9:24 left in the second quarter. Defenders 15, Panthers 13

Defenders sack leads to first punt of the game

The Panthers went three-and-out following DC’s field goal. Bryce Perkins attempted to scramble away from pressure on a third-and-4 but was brought down for a 3-yard loss by Malik Fisher.

The Defenders will get the ball back and can take their first lead of the game with a score.

Score update: DC settles for field goal after goal-to-go stall-out

The Defenders couldn’t turn Jaydon Mickens’ explosive play into a touchdown. They opted to kick a field goal on fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line and veteran Matt McCrane knocked it through with ease to cut Michigan’s lead to four. Panthers 13, Defenders 9

End of first quarter: Panthers lead 13-6 but Defenders are driving

The UFL championship game is off to a roaring start, as the Defenders and Panthers combined for a whopping 310 yards and 19 points in the first quarter. Michigan has the early lead but DC will open the second quarter with a second-and-goal play.

Jordan Ta’amu has been the game’s early star, as DC’s quarterback has completed 7 of 9 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Bryce Perkins has performed well for Michigan, racking up 84 yards and a touchdown while completing 6 of 7 passes. Nate McCrary (3 carries, 40 yards) has Michigan’s other score.

Defenders’ Jaydon Mickens makes 66-yard reception

Just one play after Cornell Powell’s 70-yard touchdown was wiped out, the Defenders had another massive passing play. This time, Jordan Ta’amu found Mickens open down the middle of the field for a big gain. DC now has a goal-to-go opportunity.

Defenders 70-yard TD called back by penalty

It appeared Jordan Ta’amu and the Defenders had answered immediately again after Cornell Powell had a 70-yard catch-and-run score. However, a member of the offense was illegally downfield, wiping out the score and moving DC back 5 yards.

Panthers score: Bryce Perkins finds Siaosi Mariner for 38-yard TD

Michigan got DC’s defense to bite on a play-action pass after methodically marching down the field. Perkins found Mariner wide open downfield as a result.

Once again, the Panthers went for one. This time, they passed, and Perkins was able to find Mariner to put Michigan up 7. Panthers 13, Defenders 6

Jordan Ta’amu feathers 26-yard TD pass to Jaydon Mickens

The Defenders punched back against the Panthers and scored on their first drive of the game. On a third-and-10, Ta’amu faded back to pass and lofted a pass to Mickens, streaking down the middle of the field and toward the end zone. The 31-year-old receiver had a step on his defender and caught the pass with ease.

DC tried to go for 2 after the score, but Ta’amu couldn’t find anyone open on a bootleg. The teams are tied with 5:12 remaining in the first quarter. Defenders 6, Panthers 6

Panthers open scoring with 35-yard Nate McCrary TD run

The Panthers get on the board first. McCrary, the team’s backup running back, found a lane on the left side of the defense and scampered untouched into the end zone.

Michigan wasn’t able to punch in the ensuing 1-point conversion attempt, but the Panthers have a lead early in the first quarter. Panthers 6, Defenders 0

DC Defenders win coin toss

The Defenders elected to defer, so the Panthers will begin the game with the ball. The game is officially set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Who is home team for UFL championship game?

The Panthers are serving as the home team for the UFL championship game, which is being played at a neutral site in St. Louis. Michigan is wearing white because of its designation while DC is wearing red.

Michigan Panthers inactives

The following Michigan players will not be active for the 2025 UFL championship game: 

CB Keni-H Lovely 
RB Matthew Colburn 
LB Andrew Parker 
DE Kenny Willekes 
OT Keith Russell 
OT Brian Dooley 
TE Jalen Wydermyer 

DC Defenders inactives

The following DC players will not be active for the 2025 UFL championship game: 

S Tayler Hawkins
WR Javon Antonio 
DE Davin Bellamy 
CB Kelvin Joseph 
RB Darius Hagans 
LB Brian Abraham 
TE Ben Bresnahan 

Who is the Michigan Panthers QB?

Bryce Perkins is the starting quarterback for the Panthers. The 28-year-old went undrafted out of Virginia in 2020 but landed with the Los Angeles Rams. He spent three years in Sean McVay’s organization and was a part of the Super Bowl 56-winning squad. 

Perkins played sparingly during his first UFL season in 2024 but was named the UFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2025. He completed 69% of his passes for 1,342 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions in seven games while adding 269 yards and five scores on the ground.

Who is the DC Defenders QB?

Jordan Ta’amu is the starting quarterback for the Defenders. The 27-year-old has been a spring-league staple, playing five consecutive seasons dating back to the 2020 XFL campaign. 

Ta’amu was one of the league’s most prolific passers in 2025, completing 54.4% of his passes for 2,153 yards, a league-best 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also ran for 178 yards and two scores across nine games. 

Who is the Michigan Panthers coach?

Mike Nolan is in his third season as Michigan’s coach. The 66-year-old who coached the San Francisco 49ers from 2005-08 came out of retirement to lead the Panthers and has posted a 17-13 record across three seasons. 

Nolan led the Panthers to their first championship game appearance since the 2022 USFL reboot and earned his first-ever win over the three-time reigning champion Birmingham Stallions in the conference championship game. 

Who is the DC Defenders coach?

Shannon Harris is coaching the Defenders in 2025. He was named the team’s interim coach six days before the season after Reggie Barlow took the coaching job at Tennessee State.  

Harris led the Defenders to a 6-4 record and an upset win over the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL conference championship game. 

UFL championship game start time

Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) 

The Michigan Panthers vs. DC Defenders UFL championship game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 14 at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. 

UFL championship game TV channel

TV: ABC 

ABC will broadcast the UFL championship game in 2025. Joe Tessitore (play-by-play) and Jordan Rodgers (analyst) will be on the call while Sam Acho and Tom Luginbill report from the sidelines. 

Erin Dolan will also be a part of ABC’s broadcast as a betting analyst. 

UFL championship game live stream

Stream: Fubo | ESPN+ 

Football fans hoping to catch the UFL championship game will be able to watch it on Fubo, which comes with a free trial, or on ESPN’s proprietary streaming service, ESPN+.

Where is the UFL championship game 2025?

Venue: The Dome at America’s Center 
Location: St. Louis, Missouri 

For the second consecutive season, St. Louis will host the UFL championship game. The contest will be played at The Dome at America’s Center, the home of the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks. 

The Dome has been open since 1995 and has a seating capacity of 67,277.

UFL championship game odds

The Panthers are favored to beat the Defenders in the 2025 UFL championship game, according to BetMGM.  Here is a look at the spread, moneyline and point total for the contest:

Spread: Panthers (-3.5) 
Moneyline: Panthers (-185) | Defenders (+150) 
Over/under: 50.5

What is the UFL?

The UFL is a spring football league that was created in 2024. The league formed after the USFL and XFL merged from two, separate eight-team leagues that competed head-to-head in the 2023 season into one eight-team league. 

Like its predecessors, the UFL operates with a 10-week regular season and a two-week postseason. The season begins on March 28 and will complete play with its championship game on June 14.

What does UFL stand for?

UFL stands for ‘United Football League.’ It was a familiar name chosen by the USFL and XFL after their merger, as another spring league with the United Football League moniker operated from 2009-12. 

This iteration of the UFL has no relation to that league or the spring football league that ran from 1961-64.

Who owns the UFL?

The UFL is a joint venture between Fox Sports, RedBird Capital Partners, Dany Garcia and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Fox Sports, which originally invested in the USFL, owns 50% of the league; the other 50% is shared by the other three partners, according to Fox Sports’ website. 

Garcia and Johnson were previously co-owners of the XFL; Garcia served as the chair of the league.

UFL teams 2025

The UFL fielded eight teams during the 2025 season. They are separated into two divisions, the USFL and XFL divisions, and are as follows: 

USFL division

Birmingham Stallions 
Houston Roughnecks 
Memphis Showboats 
Michigan Panthers 

XFL division

Arlington Renegades 
DC Defenders 
San Antonio Brahmas 
St. Louis Battlehawks 

These teams are the same eight that participated in the first UFL season. There were no relocations nor was there any expansion ahead of the 2025 campaign.

How much are UFL players paid?

UFL players have a minimum salary of $62,005 for the 2025 season, a 12.7% increase from the previous year. They will also get a small raise for the 2026 campaign, per the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) reached earlier this season. 

Below is a look at the league’s minimum salary by year since 2024: 

2024: $55,000 
2025: $62,005 
2026: $64,000

Who won the 2024 UFL championship game?

The Birmingham Stallions won the 2024 UFL championship game. They beat the San Antonio Brahmas 25-0, marking their third consecutive spring-league title.

The dust has settled after moving day at the 2025 U.S. Open.

American Sam Burns (-3) sits atop the leaderboard following the third round of play on Saturday at Oakmont Country Club, which has proven to be a challenge as only four golfers are currently under par. Adam Scott (-2), J.J. Spaun (-2), Viktor Hovland (-1) and Carols Ortiz (E) rounds out the top five.

U.S. Open leaderboard

1. Sam Burns: -4 (F)
T2. J.J. Spaun: -3 (F)
T2. Adam Scott: -3 (F)
4. Viktor Hovland: -1 (F)
5. Carlos Ortiz: E (F)
T6. Thriston Lawrence: +1 (F)
T6. Tyrrell Hatton: +1 (F)
8. Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen: +2 (F)
T9. Robert MacIntyre: +3 (F)
T9. Cameron Young: +3 (F)

Adam Scott into the co-lead

Adam Scott is climbing up the leaderboard. The Australian golfer birdied three of the past five holes to move into the co-lead at 3-under on the day. He’s carded four total birdes in the third round and one bogey. Scott, who turns age 45 next month, looks to become one of the oldest players to win the U.S. Open. Hale Irwin became the oldest champion when he won the 1990 U.S. Open while aged 45 years and 15 days.

Sam Burns takes solo lead

Sam Burns is alone at the top. Burns took sole possession of the lead at the 2025 U.S. Open after sinking a birdie on hole No. 13, marking his second birdie of the third round. He saved par on hole No. 14 to maintain his one-stroke lead over J.J. Spaun through 14 holes.

Ben Griffin gets back to even

After scoring two-over on the front nine, Ben Griffin notched birdied on two of three holes to get his score back to even and into a tie for fourth place.

Carlos Ortiz cards 3-under third round

A bogey on No. 18 was Carlos Ortiz’s only blemish to an otherwise splendid third round at the U.S. Open. Ortiz finished the day with a 3-under, which puts him at even heading into Sunday’s final round.

In addition to the bogey, Ortiz had four birdies and pars on the other 13 holes. He enters the clubhouse three strokes behind J.J. Spaun and Sam Burns, who currently share the lead.

Tyrrell Hatton making late charge

Tyrell Hatton is back to even at the U.S. Open after putting up three birdies over his past four holes. Hatton is 3-under for the day.

Carlos Ortiz surging in third round

Carlos Ortiz went into the clubhouse after Friday’s second round at 3 over par, but he’s in the thick of contention after a sizzling third round at Oakmont.

Ortiz has made four birdies and 10 pars to move to 1-under after 14 holes. He’s in third place, just two strokes behind co-leaders J.J. Spaun and Sam Burns.

JJ Spaun tied for US Open lead

J.J. Spaun drained the first birdie on No. 1 of the day and got himself into a tie for the lead with Sam Burns.

Last group on the course trying to maintain momentum

Sam Burns (-3) and J.J. Spaun (-2) took their tee shots for the third round, as two of three golfers who are currently under par. Viktor Hovland began the day two shots back and bogeyed his first hole of the day, while J.J. Spaun took a share of the lead with a birdie on his first hole.

Two-time champ tees off for third round

Brooks Koepka, the 2017 and 2018 U.S. Open champion, began his third round at 2-over tied for ninth as the final five groups get set for their rounds with the last group starting at 3:35 p.m. Koepka started off on the par 4, 487-yard first hole and missed for a 10-foot par putt to start his day to push him back to 3-over.

2025 U.S. Open prize money, purse

The $21.5 million total purse is the same as it was last year, and the winner will also take home the same amount that Bryson DeChambeau did when he won at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024.

1st: $4,300,000
2nd: $2,322,000
3rd: $1,459,284
4th: $1,023,014
5th: $852,073
6th: $755,520
7th: $681,131
8th: $610,034
9th: $552,103
10th: $507,118
11th: $462,792
12th: $427,901
13th: $398,716
14th: $367,995
15th: $341,663
16th: $319,719
17th: $302,164
18th: $284,609
19th: $267,054
20th: $249,499
21st: $234,358 
22nd: $219,217
23rd: $204,515
24th: $190,910
25th: $179,060
26th: $168,966
27th: $161,286
28th: $154,483
29th: $147,900
30th: $141,317
31st: $134,734
32nd: $128,151
33rd: $121,567
34th: $115,643
35th: $110,815
36th: $105,987
37th: $101,379
38th: $96,991
39th: $92,602
40th: $88,213
41st: $83,824
42nd: $79,436
43rd: $75,047
44th: $70,658
45th: $66,269
46th: $62,320
47th: $58,370
48th: $54,639
49th: $52,445
50th: $50,251
51st: $48,934
52nd: $47,837
53rd: $46,959
54th: $46,520
55th: $46,081
56th: $45,642
57th: $45,203
58th: $44,765
59th: $44,326
60th: $43,887
61st: $43,448
62nd: $43,009
63rd: $42,570
64th: $42,131
65th: $41,692
66th: $41,254

Slow starts defining third round

If golfers are expecting to get off to a fast start in the third round, the first two holes haven’t been cooperative.

The first two holes have produced only three birdies for the more-than-30 golfers that have taken the course on Saturday, and the first hole, a par 4, 487-yard hole, hasn’t recorded a single birdie. The back nine isn’t much better with one birdie carded on the 10th hole.

Future U.S. Open sites

2026: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club – Southampton, New York (June 18-21)
2027: Pebble Beach Golf Links – Pebble Beach, California (June 17-20)
2028: Winged Foot Golf Club – Mamaroneck, New York (June 15-18)
2029: Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (Course No. 2) – Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina (June 14-17)
2030: Merion Golf Club – Ardmore, Pennsylvania (June 13-16)
2031: Riviera Country Club- Pacific Palisades, California (June 12-15)
2032: Pebble Beach Golf Links – Pebble Beach, California (June 17-20)
2033: Oakmont Country Club – Oakmont, Pennsylvania (June 16-19)
2034: Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course) – Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (June 15-18)
2035: Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (Course No. 2) – Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina (June 14-17)

Rough start for golfers in third round

As the third round commences, those who are already on the golf course are having a tough time posting positive scores, with a light rain soaking the course. Almost two hours into the round, only two golfers are under par, with very few birdies. Brian Harmon got a birdie at the par-five four to improve to 6-over and Matthew Fitzpatrick has the same score after his 31-foot birdie putt on 600-yard par-five fourth hole.

Rory McIlroy, who won this tournament in 2011 and finished second in 2023 and 2024, has begun his third round and sits at 6-over through 36 holes.

Third round underway at Oakmont

Sam Burns is the 36-hole leader at the U.S. Open after the second round was completed early Saturday morning and is only one of five players who are above par heading into the weekend.

The third round is underway with golfers who barely made the cut line at 7-over par, starting with Philip Barbaree, Jr. and Cam Davis being among nine golfers set to tee off before 10 a.m. ET.

U.S. Open 2025 live leaderboard

1. Sam Burns: -3 (F)
2. J.J. Spaun: -2 (F)
3. Viktor Hovland: -1 (F)
T4. Adam Scott: E (F)
T4. Ben Griffin: E (F)
T6. Victor Perez: +1 (F)
T6. Thriston Lawrence: +1 (through 17)
T8. Russell Henley +2 (F)
T8. Brooks Koepka +2 (F)
T8. Si Woo Kim: +2 (F)
T8. Thomas Detry: +2 (F)

Click here to see the complete U.S. Open leaderboard

When will U.S. Open second round finish today?

Thirteen golfers were still on the course when the second round was suspended for inclement weather. All 13 had completed at least 16 holes, and each will pick up exactly where they left off on Saturday, June 14, beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET.

South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, who is tied for sixth on the leaderboard at +1, is among the golfers that still need to complete the second round. Two other golfers – Chris Gotterup (+5 through 17) and Philip Barbaree Jr. (+6 through 16) are hovering around the projected cut line of +7.

Where to watch the U.S. Open: TV channel, streaming Saturday

The 2025 U.S. Open is being broadcast by NBC and USA Network, with the two networks splitting coverage for the third and final rounds. All rounds of the U.S. Open will be live streamed on Peacock, usopen.com, the USGA app and Fubo, which offers a free trial. Peacock will also broadcast U.S. Open All-Access, its whip-around style offering, for every round.

Third round: Saturday, June 14

10 a.m.-Noon ET on USA Network, Fubo
Noon-8 p.m. ET on NBC, Fubo

Watch the U.S. Open on Fubo (free trial)

US Open 2025 Saturday tee times, groups for Round 3

Tee times for the third round have been set. Here’s the complete schedule, pairings, with all players teeing off from the No. 1 tee:

All times Eastern; (a) amateur

9:12 a.m. – Philip Barbaree, Jr.
9:23 a.m. – Cam Davis, Brian Harman
9:34 a.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick, Andrew Novak
9:45 a.m. – Harris English, Hideki Matsuyama
9:56 a.m. – James Nicholas, Laurie Canter
10:07 a.m. – Ryan McCormick, Patrick Reed
10:18 a.m. – Ryan Gerard, Niklas Norgaard
10:34 a.m. – Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele
10:45 a.m. – Jordan Smith, Justin Hastings (a)
10:56 a.m. – Tony Finau, Marc Leishman
11:07 a.m. – Michael Kim, Corey Conners
11:18 a.m. – J.T. Poston, Matt Wallace
11:29 a.m. – Chris Gotterup, Johnny Keefer
11:40 a.m. – Maverick McNealy, Tom Kim
11:56 a.m. – Mackenzie Hughes, Matthieu Pavon
12:07 p.m. – Sungjae Im, Jordan Spieth
12:18 p.m. – Ryan Fox, Robert MacIntyre
12:29 p.m. – Taylor Pendrith, Trevor Cone
12:40 p.m. – Rasmus Højgaard, Aaron Rai
12:51 p.m. – Daniel Berger, Jhonattan Vegas
1:02 p.m. – Cameron Young, Scottie Scheffler
1:18 p.m. – Collin Morikawa, Denny McCarthy
1:29 p.m. – Jon Rahm, Nick Taylor
1:40 p.m. – Sam Stevens, Keegan Bradley
1:51 p.m. – Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Carlos Ortiz
2:02 p.m. – Chris Kirk, Jason Day
2:13 p.m. – Tyrrell Hatton, Christiaan Bezuidenhout
2:24 p.m. – Adam Schenk, Max Greyserman
2:40 p.m. – Emiliano Grillo, Thomas Detry
2:51 p.m. – Si Woo Kim, Brooks Koepka
3:02 p.m. – Russell Henley, Thriston Lawrence
3:13 p.m. – Victor Perez, Ben Griffin
3:24 p.m. – Adam Scott, Viktor Hovland
3:35 p.m. – J.J. Spaun, Sam Burns

What is the weather forecast today for US Open Round 3 at Oakmont?

It could be a frustrating day for both competitors and fans if the weather forecast holds, which calls for a 100% chance of precipitation. The Weather Channel is projecting rain in the morning at Oakmont then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. The day will begin with temperatures in the high 60s before reaching a high of 75 degrees. Humidity is expected to be around 90%.

US Open odds: Favorites at Oakmont

All odds via BetMGM as of evening of Friday, June 13

1) Sam Burns: +360
2) Viktor Hovland: +550
3) J.J. Spaun: +750
4) Scottie Scheffler: +800
5) Ben Griffin: +1200
6) Adam Scott: +1400
7) Brooks Koepka: +1800
9) Jon Rah : +2500
10) Russell Henley +3000

For the first time since 1998, the series is racing outside the U.S. with a stop at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. The circuit is one of the most prestigious in Mexico, and the country’s home of racing for Formula 1 as well as Formula E.

It is the second road course race of the year. It’ll be a tough challenge for the drivers due to the high elevation of Mexico City. At 7,349 feet above sea level, the air is thin enough to strain both the cars and drivers as they power through the 15-corner track layout.

This is the first time NASCAR is racing internationally in a points-paying event since 1958. But it’s not an entirely unfamiliar track to some of the drivers on the 2025 grid. The Xfinity Series raced at the circuit for four years in the 2000s, and reigning race winner Denny Hamlin took the checkered flag in one of those events.

Hamlin secured himself a top seed in NASCAR’s first in-season challenge with his win at Michigan International Speedway on June 8. The 32-driver field will have another chance to move up or down the bracket in Mexico City, which marks the second of three seeding races. They’ll have one more chance at Pocono Raceway on June 22.

NASCAR IN-SEASON CHALLENGE: What you need to know about the new tournament

But the immediate focus is navigating the circuit in Mexico. Here’s all the information you need to get ready for the historic race in Mexico City on June 15.

What time does the NASCAR Cup race at Mexico City start?

The Viva Mexico 250 is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. ET Sunday at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.

What TV channel is the NASCAR Cup race at Mexico City on?

The Viva Mexico 250 is the latest race on the calendar to be broadcast exclusively on Prime Video, meaning there is no national TV coverage for the race. This is the fourth week in a row on the streaming service and there will be one more NASCAR race exclusively shown on Prime Video. Pre-race coverage will start at 2 p.m. ET.

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR Cup race at Mexico City?

Yes, the Viva Mexico 250 will be streamed on Prime Video.

How many laps is the NASCAR Cup race at Mexico City?

The Viva Mexico 250 is 100 laps around the 2.429-mile track for a total of 242.9 miles. The race will have three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 20 laps; Stage 2: 25 laps; Stage 3: 55 laps.

Who won the NASCAR Cup race at Mexico City last year?

As this is the first Cup Series race in Mexico City, there was no winner last season. NASCAR’s second tier Xfinity Series ran four races at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez from 2005 to 2008. Kyle Busch won the most recent race there in 2008 following wins by Juan Pablo Montoya (2007), Hamlin (2006) and Martin Truex Jr. (2005).

What is the lineup for the Viva Mexico 250 at Mexico City?

(Car number in parentheses)

(88) Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet
(60) Ryan Preece, Ford
(1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet
(54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
(71) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet
(5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet
(34) Todd Gilliland, Ford
(16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet
(22) Joey Logano, Ford
(99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet
(8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
(9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet
(21) Josh Berry, Ford
(43) Erik Jones, Toyota
(35) Riley Herbst, Toyota
(17) Chris Buescher, Ford
(7) Justin Haley, Chevrolet
(12) Ryan Blaney, Ford
(19) Chase Briscoe, Toyota
(2) Austin Cindric, Ford
(3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
(45) Tyler Reddick, Toyota
(77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
(38) Zane Smith, Ford
(23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota
(41) Cole Custer, Ford
(24) William Byron, Chevrolet
(10) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet
(48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet
(6) Brad Keselowski, Ford
(20) Christopher Bell, Toyota
(42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
(47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
(51) Cody Ware, Ford
(4) Noah Gragson, Ford
(11) Ryan Truex, Toyota
(78) Katherine Legge, Chevrolet

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OMAHA, NE ― Dave Van Horn has built Arkansas into one of college baseball’s best powerhouses. Under Van Horn, the Razorbacks have made the NCAA tournament 21 times with eight College World Series appearances. Van Horn himself has been named SEC Coach of the Year three times.

But there’s one accolade still missing: a national championship. And the route to that feat got a lot harder with Arkansas’ 4-1 loss to LSU on June 14 in its Men’s College World Series opener at Charles Schwab Field to drop to the losers’ bracket. The Razorbacks will face Murray State in an elimination game June 16.

Arkansas is one of the best programs nationally to never win a national title. Entering 2025, its 11 trips to Omaha without a title were fourth in the country after Florida State (24), North Carolina (12) and Clemson (12).

But Clemson hasn’t made it to Omaha since 2010, and Florida State and North Carolina have been in and out of relevance. Arkansas has made five of the last 10 College World Series; meanwhile, in that span, Florida State has gone three times, North Carolina twice and Clemson not at all.

The Razorbacks’ road to the title will be a long and difficult one. They’ll need to win four games in four days to even advance to the championship series, then two of their final three should they stave off elimination. In the last 25 tournaments, 22 champions won their first game.

Van Horn should be familiar with one of the teams that didn’t, though — 2018 Oregon State, the team that beat Arkansas in the championship series after three Razorbacks failed to catch what would’ve been a championship-clinching pop-up.

Since then, the postseason has been full of heartbreak. The 2019 team went to Omaha but lost two one-run games to get eliminated. The 2021 team was the No. 1 national seed and heavy title favorite but dropped a home super regional to NC State. The 2023 and 2024 teams both lost home regionals as national seeds. Only the 2022 team — the only Arkansas team since 2016 to not host a regional — did well in Omaha, making it to the semifinals.

‘We need to move on from this one and get over it and not think too far down the road,’ Van Horn said. ‘We’ve just got to take care of business on Monday. We need to play good Monday because if we don’t there’s no Tuesday. … These guys, they’ve come back and won games. They’ve done some great things this year. So that’s what I told them. We’ve got a bullpen full of pitchers. We’ve got a bunch of hitters that can hit. They didn’t have a good night. We need to move on and get ready for Monday.’

Van Horn will face some tricky decisions with his pitching. He said the likely starter for the elimination game was Gage Wood. After that, he could turn to Landon Beidelschies, Aiden Jimenez or Colin Fisher. Starter Zach Root, who lasted just 1⅔ innings and threw 38 pitches, could return as soon as Tuesday. But relief ace Gabe Gaeckle, who pitched a career-high six innings out of the bullpen, likely won’t be available until at least the semifinals, if Arkansas makes it that far.

In theory, if anyone has the pitching and offensive depth to make a run through the losers’ bracket, it’s the Razorbacks. Arkansas ranks top-15 nationally in on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), home runs and ERA. While Root has been a solid arm, the Razorbacks have thrived all season without a true ace to the level of LSU’s Kade Anderson, who threw seven innings of one-run ball in the opener. Instead, Arkansas has the sort of reliable relief options that every team longs for. And its starting lineup for the opener featured seven players with double-digit home runs.

‘No one here is worried,’ outfielder Charles Davalan said. ‘We’ll try to be ready by Monday and play hard.’

The Razorbacks have won four games in four or fewer days once this season, when they swept Washington State on opening weekend. But the College World Series is an entirely different challenge, and it’s one Van Horn will need to solve for the first time to finally get the monkey off his back.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

ST. LOUIS — The UFL named Michigan Panthers quarterback Bryce Perkins its MVP for the 2025 season on its social media channels at 1:49 p.m. local time on Friday.

It didn’t take long for DC Defenders tight end Briley Moore to reach out to his quarterback, Jordan Ta’amu, who Moore believed ‘was a lock’ to win the distinguished honor.

At 2:51 p.m. local time, Moore sent a text to his quarterback. The 27-year-old shared the message verbatim in a news conference following the Defenders’ 58-34 win over the Panthers in the 2025 UFL championship game.

‘I can’t wait either at all,’ Moore read. ‘But when you’re holding up that trophy on stage tomorrow night, I’m gonna be chanting MVP.’

That’s exactly what happened. The entire Defenders team serenaded its quarterback after Ta’amu put together a record-breaking performance in the championship game.

Ta’amu completed 21 of 28 passes for a league-record 390 yards while logging five total touchdowns in DC’s rout. Despite being a part of the action, Moore could hardly believe what his quarterback had achieved.

‘I mean, this stat line is insane,’ Moore said, while glancing over a stat sheet from Saturday’s game. ‘But that’s just him. After getting that news (he didn’t win MVP) 24 hours ago, he didn’t flinch. He didn’t try to do too much. He didn’t let him affect him, and he just balled out.’

Moore believes one of the reasons Ta’amu progressed so much in 2025 — a season during which he led the league in passing touchdowns with 17 — was that the quarterback was playing ‘with a different confidence.’

Ta’amu explained his confidence stemmed from the trust he has in his teammates, who he said motivated him after he finished behind Perkins in the regular-season MVP voting.

‘Just having that brotherhood behind me meant a lot,’ Ta’amu said when he explained how he felt about Moore’s pregame message to him.

While Ta’amu praised Perkins as a ‘great quarterback’ who deserved to be the MVP, he acknowledged that his missing out on the award fueled him and the entire Defenders team.

‘It just gave us a big chip on our shoulder to go out there and play hard,’ Ta’amu said about the championship game.

The Defenders were able to do that, thanks in no small part to their offense. DC scored on its opening 10 possessions and set a UFL record for points scored in a game with 58.

Moore was among those happy DC exacted revenge on Michigan, both for the team’s sake and for Ta’amu’s.

‘I feel like I didn’t do enough throughout the season to get him that MVP,’ Moore said. ‘So, this game was a little personal.’

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Kamaru Usman was aware of the noise surrounding him about whether he would still be able to compete in the octagon at a high level at the age of 38.

Usman went the distance against Joaquin Buckley in a five-round welterweight bout in the UFC Fight Night main event at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

The former Welterweight Champion earned the unanimous decision, breaking his three-fight losing streak and getting back in the win column. It was his first fight back since battling Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023, which expanded Usman’s losing streak.

Buckley has won nine of his last 12 fights and had his six-fight winning streak snapped on Saturday evening.

Kamaru Usman def. Joaquin Buckley

Kamaru Usman delivered an elbow that caused a cut over Joaquin Buckley’s right eye in the first round of the welterweight fight. Usman continued to take control of the fight through the first three rounds, getting Buckley on the ground.

While Usman held his ground throughout the fight, Buckley had an aggressive approach in the fifth and final round by attempting several uppercut attempts to knock out Usman.

His attempts were unsuccessful and Usman won the fight by unanimous decision. The Nigerian-American became emotional after hearing his name called as the winner.

Usman had not competed in the octagon since losing to Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event of UFC 294 on Oct 21, 2023.

‘I needed to get that monkey off my back,’ Usman said after the fight.

Rose Namajunas def. Miranda Maverick

Rose Namajunas applied the pressure on Miranda Maverick in the third round to earn her third victory in her last four flyweight fights. The unanimous decision win enables Namajunas to press forward on her journey to chase for another championship.

Edmen Shahbazyan def. Andre Petroski

Edmen Shahbazyan pulled out the middleweight victory over Andre Petroski by unanimous decision after the fight went the distance. Shahbazyan displayed a strong level of striking while picking up his second consecutive victory.

Raoni Barcelos def. Cody Garbrandt

Raoni Barcelos had been asking for a fight with Cody Garbrandt since 2020 and lived up to that challenge. Barcelos earned his third straight victory after picking up a unanimous decision victory over Garbrandt. The Bantamweight improves to 20-5.

Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Cody Brundage

The middleweight fight between Mansur Abdul-Malik and Cody Brundage became the second fight of the night to see an unusual ending. Abdul-Malik and Brundage butted heads as they picked up the pace in the opening 36 seconds of the third round.

Abdul-Malik overwhelmed Brundage quickly after the headbutt and the fight was stopped. After the replay, the headbutt was ruled accidental and the fight was left in the hands of the decisions, where Abdul-Malik was named the winner by unanimous decision.

Oumar Sy def. Alonzo Menifield

Light heavyweight Oumar Sy continued to prove that being an underdog on this card isn’t a bad thing. He earned a unanimous decision victory while handing Alonzo Menifield his first professional loss.

Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato result

An unusual ending to the fight after the light heavyweight bout between Paul Craig and Rodolfo Bellato. Craig threw a hard upkick while on his back that caught Bellato on the chin and knocked him out cold briefly. He wakes up shaken and confused about what happened. The kick was ruled as accidental, resulting in a no contest.

Michael Chiesa def. Court McGee

Blood was drawn earlier from the face of Court McGee after he bumped heads with Michael Chiesa in the first round of the Welterweight fight. McGee also delivered an accidental low blow with a kick to Chiesa’s groin area. Chiesa was tabbed as the winner by unanimous decision after the fight went the distance.

Malcolm Wellmaker def. Kris Moutinho

Bantamweight Malcolm Wellmaker proved why he was one of the heaviest favorites on the card, making quick work of Kris Moutinho in the first round. Wellmaker’s victory in his home state helps improve his record to 10-0.

Jose Ochoa def. Cody Durden

Jose Ochoa came out fast in the second round to put away Cody Durden. Ochoa earned his first UFC victory after the flyweight landed an uppercut that rattled Durden and sent him stumbling back before Ochoa used a quick combo to drop his opponent.

Ricky Simon def. Cameron Smotherman

Ricky Simon earned a unanimous decision victory against Cameron Smotherman in the Bantamweight fight.

Smotherman attempted to rally near the end of the fight by landing some big strikes, but it wasn’t enough to put away Simon in the third.

Phil Rowe def. Ange Loosa

While fans weren’t thrilled with the slow start to the fight in the first round, the pace picked up in the second round with both Phil Rowe and Ange Loosa exchanging strikes.

Loosa produced a series of successful strikes that rattled Rowe in the final seconds before time expired in the round.

Rowe rallied in the third round to bloody the face of Loosa, who lost his mouthpiece in the process. Loosa was on pace to win the fight, having won the first two rounds, but the fight was stopped after Loosa was unable to continue in the third.

Jamey-Lyn Horth def. Vanessa Demopoulos

Jamey-Lyn Horth was dominant throughout the Women’s Flyweight fight against Vanessa Demopoulos. With Horth mounded on top in the third round, she delivered strike combinations to Demopoulos’ body and face. The fight went to a decision, but there was never a doubt that Horth won the fight.

How to watch UFC Fight Night: Usman vs. Buckley time, TV

Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Time: 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta, Georgia)
Streaming: 

Main Card: ESPN, ESPN+; 10 p.m. ET
Prelims: ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET

Watch UFC Fight Night with ESPN+

Predictions for Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley

Sports Illustrated: Usman

Drew Beaupre writes: ‘It may turn out that the 38-year-old Usman just physically can’t compete with top welterweights anymore, but even with Buckley’s current momentum, I’m still going to side with the former champion to snap his three-fight losing skid.’

Action Network: Usman

Sean Zerillo writes: ‘I don’t project an edge on Buckley to win by KO/TKO (projected +166, listed +163), so you are lessening your edge by including both outcomes compared to Usman by decision. Still, that prop does encompass the majority of outcomes for this contest. Lastly, make sure to target Usman in the live betting market anytime after Round 1, particularly if he has not wrestled to that point in the fight.’

MMA Fighting: Buckley

Alexander K. Lee writes: ‘Usman and Buckley will have plenty of physical, gnarly clashes in a fight that is a battle of wills as much as skill. You have to imagine Usman’s focus will be on taking Buckley down, though he’ll have plenty of well-earned confidence in his standup as well. I’d just be concerned for Usman there with Buckley likely beating him to the punch more often than not. I’m leaning Buckley, mainly because Usman’s time off has me concerned and I’m not convinced he can neutralize enough of Buckley’s offense to throw him off his game. Buckley wins a competitive five-rounder.’

Full card, odds for Kamaru Usman vs. Joaquin Buckley

*All odds via BetMGM

Main Card:

Kamaru Usman (+120) vs. Joaquin Buckley (-260); Welterweight
Rose Namajunas (-235) vs. Miranda Maverick (+190); Women’s flyweight
Edmen Shahbazyan (-160) vs. Andre Petroski (+135); Middleweight
Cody Garbrandt (+205) vs. Raoni Barcelos (-255); Bantamweight
Mansur Abdul-Malik (-1100) vs. Cody Brundage (+650); Middleweight
Alonzo Menifield (+450) vs. Oumar Sy (-700); Light heavyweight

Prelims:

Paul Craig (+280) vs. Rodolfo Bellato (-370): Light Heavyweight
Michael Chiesa (-370) vs. Court McGee (+280): Welterweight
Malcolm Wellmaker (-2500) vs. Kris Moutinho (+900): Bantamweight
Cody Durden (+175) vs. Jose Ochoa (-210): Flyweight
Ricky Simon (-450) vs. Cameron Smotherman (+325): Bantamweight
Phil Rowe (+130) vs. Ange Loosa (-155): Welterweight
Jamey-Lyn Horth (-700) vs. Vanessa Demopoulos: Women’s Flyweight

In Caitlin Clark’s first game back from injury for the Indiana Fever, she delivered an impressive performance that helped hand the New York Liberty their first loss of the season.

Clark, who was sidelined for five games due to a quad strain, shone with 32 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, tying her career high in the 102-88 victory. This marks Clark’s fifth career game with 30 or more points. Kelsey Mitchell, a key player in the Fever’s offense, also delivered an impressive performance in the crucial win against the Liberty, scoring 22 points. Lexie Hull, a rising star in the team, added 14 points to the team’s success.

Despite the loss, Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty in scoring with 34 points, while Breanna Stewart contributed 24 points. However, their efforts fell short. The Liberty, which was previously on a nine-game winning streak, unfortunately saw it come to an end at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Caitlin Clark highlights

Final score: Fever 102, Liberty 88

The Indiana Fever defeated the New York Liberty, giving them their first loss of the season with a score of 102-88.

End of third quarter score: Fever 80, Liberty 71

The Indiana Fever maintain an 80-71 lead over the New York Liberty as they enter the fourth quarter. Caitlin Clark is having an outstanding game, contributing 32 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. For the Liberty, Sabrina Ionescu is the leading scorer with 28 points.

Indiana goes on a 19-0 run to extend the lead

The Indiana Fever has taken a commanding 72-59 lead after a 17-0 run against the New York Liberty. Caitlin Clark has dazzled for the Fever with 32 points with 3:28 left in the third quarter.

End of second quarter score: Fever 53, Liberty 50

The Indiana Fever have taken a 53-50 lead into halftime after an impressive performance by Caitlin Clark. Clark had her best first-half performance of her WNBA career, scoring 25 points in the first half, including six three-pointers.

Clark with 20 points halfway through the 2Q

Caitlin Clark has contributed 20 of the team’s 41 points in her first game back after a quad strain that had sidelined her for 18 days and caused her to miss five games.

Caitlin Clark connects on back-to-back threes from deep

Caitlin Clark appeared to be back in form after hitting consecutive three-pointers in the first quarter, giving Indiana the much-needed boost to reduce the Liberty’s lead to two points.

End of first quarter score: Liberty 26, Fever 24

The New York Liberty have taken a slim early lead of 26-24 against the Indiana Fever. Sabrina Ionescu is leading the Liberty in scoring with seven points, while Nyara Sabally has contributed six points. The Fever’s Caitlin Clark is back on the court after spending 19 days recovering from an injury and has recorded 14 points in the first quarter.

What time is Fever vs. Liberty?

The WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the New York Liberty — which will count in both the regular season standings and in the Commissioner’s Cup — is set for a 3 p.m. ET tip-off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

How to watch Fever vs. Liberty  WNBA game: TV, stream

Time: 3 p.m. ET/ Noon PT
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Indiana)
TV: ABC
Stream: ESPN+

Caitlin Clark injury update: Will Fever star play today?

Yes. The Fever announced Clark will play in Indiana’s matchup against the New York Liberty following a five-game absence due to a left quad injury.

Clark is sure she suffered the left quad strain during the Fever’s loss to the Liberty on May 24 — where she recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists — but she can’t pinpoint a specific play that caused her injury. She only knows that it happened early on in the contest.

“Obviously, adrenaline covers up a lot of stuff when you’re in the heat of battle,” Clark said on Thursday. “And after the game, I had some pain, and then we got an MRI, and that kind of gave me the result that I didn’t want to see. But, you know, those types of things don’t lie.”

USA TODAY Sports’ Cydney Henderson has more on Caitlin Clark’s recent injury and return.

Indiana Fevers starting lineup

The starting lineup for the Indiana Fever against the New York Liberty consists of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard, and Aliyah Boston.

New York Liberty starting lineup

The starting lineup for the New York Liberty against the Indiana Fever consists of Natasha Cloud, Sabrina Ionescu, Kennedy Burke, Breanna Steward and Nyara Sabally.

Minnesota’s world was turned upside down early Saturday morning with the news that state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their home, and State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times in what Gov. Tim Walz called a ‘politically motivated assassination.’

A manhunt for the suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, has ensued in the aftermath. Residents of the Brooklyn Park, Minnesota area were sheltering in place while the search continued. That order has since been lifted after police said there was reason to believe the suspect was no longer in the area.

Many have come out to denounce the act, including the Minnesota-area sports teams. The Minnesota Vikings released a statement, condemning the actions that took place:

‘As Minnesotans and a team that cares deeply about our state, we are shocked and saddened by the targeted overnight attacks that took the lives of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and seriously injured State Senator Jon Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

‘Our organization has worked closely with both legislators and appreciated their duties as civil servants. Speaker Emerita Hortman was a friend of the Vikings for more than 15 years and a tremendous state leader who worked tirelessly to make Minnesota a better place for all residents. She was a mother, a wife and a friend who genuinely cared about people and relationships. Our prayers are with the Hortman family as they grieve this tragedy and with all government officials who are mourning the loss of a colleague and friend. We hope for fast and full recoveries for Senator Hoffman and Yvette and safety for all members of law enforcement who continue to search for those responsible.

‘These senseless acts should have no place in our communities, our state or our society. We must all unequivocally condemn political violence, reject hateful division, and deliberately work toward mutual respect, compassion and unity.’

Police are still looking for the suspected shooter.

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Players cannot pick and choose which games they will be available for, United States coach Mauricio Pochettino said after forward Christian Pulisic skipped the Concacaf Gold Cup but offered to play in a pair of friendlies.

Pulisic, who played 50 games for AC Milan in the recently concluded season, said he would miss the Gold Cup to rest and recover, with former U.S. stalwarts Landon Donovan and Alexi Lalas among those who criticized the decision.

In an interview with the CBS Sports podcast on June 12, Pulisic said he had asked to play in friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland, but was not involved in those matches because Pochettino wanted a consistent squad heading into the Gold Cup.

Asked about Pulisic’s comments, Pochettino told reporters on Saturday: ‘Players (do) not need to understand or not understand. Players need to listen and to stick with our plan. They cannot dictate the plan.

‘Because if not, OK, we invert — we swap the position (coach and player), no ? That is obvious. The most important thing is that we explain why we decided not to include (him) in the two friendly games.

‘And then if you have some problems, no, that is not my problem to understand… I am the head coach. I am not a mannequin.’

The U.S. suffered defeats in both of their friendly matches, losing 2-1 to Turkey and 4-0 at home against Switzerland.

They will look to snap a four-game losing run when they begin their Gold Cup campaign with a match against Trinidad and Tobago in San Jose, California, later on Sunday, June 15.

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