TORONTO —The Los Angeles Dodgers won’t say anything publicly and while the bitterness has faded, there still are harsh feelings.

The year was 2021.

Max Scherzer was the best starter on their staff after acquiring him at the trade deadline.

He was going to lead them to their second consecutive World Series title.

Until he didn’t.

Scherzer, who was scheduled to start Game 6 of the 2021 NLCS against Atlanta, instead couldn’t go, saying he needed more time with his tired arm.

Scherzer didn’t pitch that night.

Walker Buehler did.

And the Dodgers’ season ended with Scherzer never having another chance to pitch again in a Dodgers uniform.

Now here comes Scherzer again, this time trying to ruin their opportunity to go back-to-back, pitching Game 3 for the Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium.

Scherzer, who saved the Blue Jays’ season with a strong outing in Game 4 of the ALCS to beat the Seattle Mariners while trailing 2 games to 1, refuses to look at his start as a chance for revenge. He’s not trying to make up for his last World Series start prematurely ending after three innings for the Texas Rangers in 2023. He’s not trying to show teams that they missed out on signing him this past winter or anything else.

“I wouldn’t characterize it like that,’ Scherzer said Saturday before Game 2 of the World Series. “I’m here to compete. I’m here to win. I wouldn’t be looking backwards at all for any motivation. I have plenty of motivation.

“I’m here to win and I’ve got a clubhouse full of guys who want to win, too. So, we’re a great team and that’s the only thing I need to think about.’

Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young winner and two-time World Series champon, was brilliant for the Dodgers after being traded by the Washington Nationals in 2021. He went 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 11 regular-season starts for L.A. and yielded a 2.16 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 16⅔ innings in four appearances during the postseason.

He was scheduled to start Game 6 against Atlanta in the NLCS, but said his arm didn’t feel right, and the Dodgers went with Buehler on short rest.

The Dodgers lost, 4-2, and their season was over.

Scherzer went on to sign a three-year, $130 million free agent contract with the New York Mets.

Buehler made 12 starts in 2022, underwent Tommy John surgery, and was done pitching for two years.

Four years later, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is praising Scherzer’s competitiveness.

“Max, he’s one of one,’ Roberts said. “Great competitor. Don’t want to touch him during outings, don’t want to pat him on the back side. Wants to be the guy. I really enjoyed managing a future Hall of Famer.

“He’s very smart. He’s a baseball player first, then a pitcher. It’s very focused. It’s very intentional. He does a lot of his own homework. He’s very prepared. He asks a lot of questions, a lot of it from the hitter’s perspective, which is really smart.’’

And, oh yeah, he can be intense.

They call him Mad Max for a reason.

When Blue Jays manager John Schneider went to the mound in the fifth inning to possibly take him out of the game against the Mariners, Scherzer shooed him away. He wasn’t coming out of that game until he was good and ready.

So when Schneider informed Scherzer that he would be starting Game 3, it was only natural to wonder whether Scherzer actually told him.

“Great question,’ Schneider said. ‘I told him.’

Yet, Schneider acknowledged, Scherzer actually wanted to know when he was starting during their pennant-clinching celebration in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse.

“He was asking what we were doing after Game 7,’ Schneider said, “and I was like, ‘Max, I’m enjoying a beer, man.’ He’s so regimented and wants to know what he’s doing, and the fact he’s been through this too, I’m listening to his feedback as we go.

“He’s stepped on land mines. He’s dodged land mines in a World Series, in a seven-game series.’’

Now, Scherzer has a chance to become the only pitcher to win at least three Cy Young awards and win three World Series titles with three different teams.

He owes a debt of gratitude, he said, to Blue Jays veteran Chris Bassitt, his former teammate with the New York Mets, who convinced him that the Blue Jays were capable of winning a championship after finishing last in the AL East a year ago.

“He has a really good pulse on what this clubhouse and the team needed,’ Scherzer said. “And we were talking kind of throughout the whole offseason. When things started moving in my direction, it just kind of seemed to all click, that getting back with him would be a great thing for me and that this was a team that could really go somewhere. They just needed to make a few adjustments.

“But he was really kind of the eyes and ears of what this team could be.’

Scherzer, 41, struggled most of the season with injuries (5-5, 5.19 ERA), and after going 0-3 with a 10.20 ERA in September, was left off the AL Division Series postseason roster. He returned in the ALCS, and gave up just three hits and two runs in 5⅔ innings against the Mariners, evening the ALCS with an 8-2 victory.

Now, it’s Mad Max’s turn to be on center stage again, pitching in his fourth World Series and the 32nd postseason game of his career.

“I mean, this is what you play for,’ Scherzer said, “to be able to get to this spot, to get to this moment, to have a shot at it. You just think about, throughout your whole life, all the different things that have unfolded, and just so fortunate to have another crack at this.

“There’s so many great players that have never gotten to a World Series, so many great players where they only have one World Series. With [bench coach] Donnie [Mattingly] on our team, you know, he’s gone his whole career and now this is his first moment. I absolutely respect playing in a World Series, what that means, and absolutely cherish these opportunities. So, when I get a chance to get the ball, man, this means everything.’’

And, really, no matter whether this is Scherzer’s swan song, or he plans to continue pitching, this game could be a beautiful bookend to his Hall of Fame scrapbook.

“That’s what’s awesome about baseball at this stage,’ Scherzer said. “You got the two best teams in the world going at each other, with everybody watching, with all the chips on the table. So, that’s what makes you excited as a ball player, that you get this type of opportunity to play in this type of environment.

“There’s nothing like it.

“There’s nothing like it in the world that can give you this type of adrenaline rush.’

Mississippi just smacked Oklahoma and harpooned the Gators, with a win that helps secure Lane Kiffin. Could he really leave a playoff team?
Lane Kiffin became a renegade when he left Tennessee for USC, but this situation differs, with Ole Miss in playoff hunt.
Trinidad Chambliss delivers star effort in support of his coach.

Mississippi just smacked the Sooners and harpooned the Gators, all in a day’s work.

Florida, how’s Eli Drinkwitz or Jedd Fisch or James Franklin looking? Better than Billy Napier, at least, but I’m afraid Florida’s dream fit Lane Kiffin is going to be tied up with the College Football Playoff.

The No. 8 Rebels have achieved several impressive feats under Kiffin, but this 34-26 takedown of No. 11 Oklahoma ranks as the most momentous, because of what it does in the larger sense to help secure a coach Ole Miss cannot afford to lose.

Kiffin couldn’t possibly flee for Florida and leave behind a team that’s looking like a slam dunk for the College Football Playoff, right?

Only a traitor, a renegade to his core, would leave this plucky squad that could ride into December with a 11-1 record, and surely Kiffin’s not a tr– … OK, so there’s no such thing as a sure thing when it comes to Kiffin. He relishes being a wild card.

Peek at Ole Miss’ November schedule, though. It’s cake. This triumph at Oklahoma charts a course for the Rebels to snag either a playoff bye or at least a first-round home game.

All of which points to Ole Miss’ season continuing into January. That would erect a massive hurdle toward Florida hiring Kiffin, because the Gators probably would want their new coach installed by the time the transfer portal opens on Jan. 2.

The Rebels’ leaky defense remains a liability toward an SEC title or a national championship pursuit. Kiffin probably wishes he could mainline some of Florida’s defenders into his team.

But, so long as Ole Miss hunts in the playoff with at least a sliver of hope for the top prize, it’s difficult to envision Kiffin vamoosing, even if Florida is a perfect fit for a coach who idolized Steve Spurrier and coaches and quips like he’s inspired by the Head Ball Coach.

Ole Miss reaching playoff would help secure Lane Kiffin

If Kiffin brings a national title to Ole Miss, they’ll build him a statue. Heck, they might do that if he just stays and secures the first playoff bid in program history.

If he leaves a playoff team, alert the fire department. Kiffin could be burned in effigy.

This game was not Kiffin’s magnum opus of in-game coaching. The Rebels won somewhat in spite of Kiffin’s decision-making. He got too cute when he inserted backup quarterback Austin Simmons into a red-zone situation. Ole Miss settled for a field goal after Simmons’ consecutive incompletions. Later, in Kiffin’s persistent quest to overthink this, he inserted Simmons for a failed 2-point conversion.

Ole Miss also gifted Oklahoma three points after it botched a 4th-and-1 from its own 25 yard-line.

Not great, Lane.

Trinidad Chambliss had his coach’s back.

Trinidad Chambliss keeps Oklahoma (and Florida) at bay

Chambliss, the Division II transfer quarterback, keeps authoring one of college football’s most remarkable stories. In less than a year, he went from quarterbacking Ferris State to fueling 431 yards of offense against one of the nation’s best defenses.

A human joystick, Chambliss kept wiggling around and keeping plays alive. When Oklahoma stole the lead in the second half, Chambliss struck back with a touchdown toss. Later, he threw a deep dime to Winston Watkins to set up an insurance score.

This victory demanded contributions from all three phases. Lucas Carneiro banged through four field goals for Ole Miss, and Trace Bruckler forced an Oklahoma fumble on a fourth-quarter punt return. As officials tried to sort out who had possession, Kiffin ran onto the field and made the initial signal, waving his hand to correctly indicate Ole Miss had the pigskin. Onward march.

Can Lane Kiffin resist renegade past?

Fifteen years ago, Kiffin donned the black hat and made a traitorous turn out of Tennessee. Sure, he left for his dream job in Southern California, but do you think the Vols fans burning a mattress in the streets cared about that? Kiffin became a renegade that night, and that was after NFL owner Al Davis dubbed Kiffin a “flat-out liar.”

Kiffin tuned up his reputation the past several years. He turned down the Auburn job, and he’s stayed at Mississippi longer than many ever thought he would. He’s found the best rhythm he’s ever had in his career.

Now, here’s Florida with a tempting opportunity to interrupt that course.

Taking that job, though, would demand Kiffin rekindle his past as a renegade. Why reprise that old role, when Kiffin’s Ole Miss tenure nears a crescendo, with the Rebels roaring toward the playoff?

‘Our guys finished,’ Kiffin said after the victory.

Now, Kiffin’s got to finish what he started at Ole Miss.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

The Baltimore Ravens’ 2025 NFL season hasn’t gone to plan. Regarded as one of the top rosters in the NFL, the Ravens were expected to compete in the AFC all season.

After its bye in Week 7, the team sits at 1-5 and last in the AFC North.

The Ravens lost in Week 1 to Buffalo as the Bills made a late push for victory. They got back on track in Week 2 against Cleveland but dropped their next four games, including a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered a hamstring injury in the loss to Kansas City that kept him out of the final two games before the bye.

Baltimore got run over in those two games, losing by a combined score of 61-13. The Ravens have been hit hard by injuries on both sides of the ball, but losing Jackson may loom largest.

Baltimore is back in action in Week 8 at home against the Chicago Bears. Will the Ravens have their franchise quarterback under center for the game? Here’s what we know:

Lamar Jackson injury update

The Ravens will be without their starting quarterback once again in Week 8 against the Bears. Baltimore confirmed Jackson’s status Saturday.

Tyler Huntley will start for the first time this season against Chicago. Baltimore had previously started Cooper Rush but made a QB change in Week 6 in the loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Huntley returned to the Ravens from the Browns after training camp cuts. He went 10 of 15 passing (66.7%) for 68 yards against the Rams.

The Ravens issued another statement later Saturday explaining the change to Jackson’s status:

Ravens QB depth chart

Lamar Jackson (injured)
Tyler Huntley
Cooper Rush

Rush signed with the Ravens during the offseason and started the year as the No. 2 quarterback. Last year he went 4-4 as a starter for the Dallas Cowboys after Dak Prescott’s injury.

Will Smith and Max Muncy broke open Game 2 of the World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Smith and Muncy produced solo home runs against pitcher Kevin Gausman to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead in the game.

The Dodgers managed to increase their lead in the top of the eighth inning. Andy Pages scored after a wild pitch by Blue Jays pitcher Jeff Hoffman and Smith brought in another run on a fielder’s choice play. Smith also had an RBI in the first inning.

Will Smith gives Dodgers lead

Smith sent the ball 404 feet toward left field for a solo home run in the seventh inning to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.

Max Muncy extends Dodgers’ lead

Max Muncy followed up Smith’s solo home run two batters later with one of his own to add on to the Dodgers’ seventh-inning lead. Muncy sent the ball 351 feet toward left field.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning suffered an injury in overtime against Mississippi State.

The injury happened on the first play of the OT period, when Manning scrambled for a first down. Just as Manning was diving toward the ground, he took a solid hit from two Bulldogs defenders and stayed on the ground before team personnel came onto the field to check on him.

Manning was helped off the field and taken into the medical tent as backup Matthew Caldwell took over at signal-caller for the Longhorns.

Luckily, Manning didn’t need to return to the game as, two plays later, Caldwell found Emmett Mosley in the end zone to score on the opening possession. The Longhorns shut down Mississippi State on its first drive of overtime to secure a 45-38 win.

Arch Manning injury update: Status unknown

It’s unknown what type of injury Manning suffered.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said postgame he didn’t have an update on Manning and he would have more information on Monday, Oct. 27.

Manning was instrumental in Texas pulling off a fourth quarter comeback. Texas trailed by 17 points with 10 minutes left in the game. He had a big day with a career-high 346 yards passing and three touchdown passes to one interception. He also had a rushing score.

It was one of Manning’s best performances of what’s been an up-and-down season for the hyped quarterback. The big game against the Bulldogs came after Manning struggled against Kentucky, going 12-for-27 with 132 yards against the Wildcats.

He has thrown for 1,795 yards this season with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions, along with six rushing scores.

Who is Matthew Caldwell? What to know about Texas backup QB

Caldwell came in to deliver the game-winning score for Texas in his biggest moment as a Longhorn.

A 6-foot-4 senior from Auburn, Alabama, Caldwell is in his first season with the Longhorns after spending time at Jacksonville State, Gardner-Webb and Troy. Last season, he threw for a career-high 1,608 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and had five rushing scores. Troy went 3-2 in the final five games as it finished 4-8 on the season.

So far this season, Caldwell has mostly come on in relief for Manning. In five games, he’s 8-for-11 with 86 yards and a touchdown, along with 64 rushing yards on two carries.

As Oregon football looks to pull out a home win against Wisconsin in a downpour at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, the Ducks are playing a man down.

Oregon first-year starting quarterback Dante Moore exited the game in the third quarter, in the Ducks’ first drive of the second half, after taking a nasty hit to the face at the conclusion of a scramble.

Fox Sports’ Josh Sims reported on the broadcast that Moore spent at least 15 minutes in the medical tent on the sidelines being tended to by members of the Oregon medical staff after leaving the game with blood gushing out of his nose. He remains out as walk-on backup quarterback Brock Thomas is in for him.

Moore, a former top-ranked recruit, has led Oregon to a 6-1 overall record and a 3-1 record in Big Ten play in his first season as the Ducks’ starting quarterback. He completed 9 of 15 passes for 86 yards at the time of his exit.

Here’s the latest on Moore’s injury:

Dante Moore injury update

Moore sustained an apparent face injury in the third quarter of Oregon’s Week 9 game against Wisconsin after taking a hit to the helmet.

Fox Sports 1’s cameras showed Moore standing on the sidelines, still in uniform but without a helmet in his hand later in the third quarter in Eugene.

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The Penn State transfer sustained a leg injury in the third quarter of Vanderbilt’s 17-10 win. The injury occurred on a fourth-and-goal quarterback keeper from the Vanderbilt 1-yard line. He was carted off the field with an aircast on his leg after being tended to by members of the Tigers’ medical staff.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz told reporters following the game that Pribula sustained an ankle injury ‘that had to be popped back in’ and that he does not have a timetable for Pribula’s return to the field.

True freshman Matt Zoller entered at quarterback for Pribula. With Pribula out for the forseeable future, Missouri is now down two of its top quarterbacks, as Sam Horn sustained a season-ending fractured tibia injury on his right leg on the first play of the season against Central Arkansas.

Pribula entered Saturday’s top-15 matchup against the Commodores with 1,617 passing yards and 11 touchdown passes through the first seven games of the season, while adding five rushing touchdowns and 210 rushing yards on 67 carries. He finished nine of 14 passing for 68 yards before he exited the game in the third quarter.

Here’s the latest injury updates on Pribula:

Beau Pribula injury updates

Pribula sustained a leg injury at the conclusion of a fourth-down quarterback keeper play.

ESPN sideline reporter Kris Budden reported on the broadcast that Pribula wasn’t visibly showing signs of discomfort as he was brought off the field and into the tunnel, but that he was frustrated and dejected on the field.

Pribula was seen being taken back to the locker room sitting in a wheelchair.

Eli Drinkwitz comments on Beau Pribula injury

Drinkwitz told reporters in Nashville that while Pribula did not break any bones on the play that led to his exit from the game in the third quarter, Pribula could be out for some time.

‘Beau has no broken bones but he did have an ankle injury that had to be popped back in. Don’t have a timetable for his return, but it could be awhile,’ Drinkwitz said in his postgame news conference following Missouri’s loss to Vanderbilt on Oct. 25.

This story has been updated with new information on Beau Pribula’s injury from Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz

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