Tulane barely survived its Thursday, Oct. 9 showdown against East Carolina, winning 26-19 in a messy game from the Green Wave.

Although Tulane moves to 5-1 on the season and 2-0 in the American Conference, head coach Jon Sumrall — a popular name with regard to Power Four coaching vacancies — was more than a little displeased with the Green Wave’s showing in his postgame interview.

After the game, Sumrall didn’t make Tulane run wind sprints a la Fran Brown. But he hoarsely expressed his discontent with the down-to-the-wire finish.

‘We’re a really sloppy football team that finds ways to win games,’ Sumrall told ESPN on the field after the game. ‘And I’m gonna lose my mind because we’re so immature. We’ve gotta grow up fast. I’m glad we won. I’m not happy with how we played.’

Indeed, Tulane made its life difficult at every turn. Despite Jake Retzlaff’s arguable best game of the season, Tulane saw East Carolina go 10-of-19 on third down, and the Green Wave got penalized 11 times for 96 yards. A fourth-quarter fumble also nearly did Tulane in after going down 16-12 in the second half.

Even on the final series, Tulane put East Carolina in Hail Mary territory with two pass interference calls.

Sumrall himself isn’t without culpability. With Tulane on the East Carolina 4-yard line with 35 seconds left, the Green Wave scored (with the Pirates’ blessing), giving East Carolina the ball one last time instead of setting up kicker Patrick Durkin, who has not missed this season, for a potential walk-off field goal.

As Tulane continues to play with playoff aspirations that were reinforced with the win, it will need to tighten up. Memphis, South Florida, and North Texas are all legitimate contenders in the American Conference (Tulane only plays Memphis this year out of that group), while James Madison and Old Dominion loom in the Sun Belt and Boise State looks on from the Mountain West.

For the time being, however, Tulane lives to fight another day.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Philadelphia Eagles ran the tush push four consecutive times in the second quarter of their “Thursday Night Football” matchup against the New York Giants on Oct. 9. 

For a total of three yards – and a touchdown, at least. 

Quarterback Jalen Hurts hardly crossed the plane of the goal line on his fourth attempt, which was actually a second-down rush. Philadelphia first broke out the patented play on third-and-1 from the 3-yard line, and the Giants successfully stood Hurts up for no gain.

He picked up (a generously-spotted) two yards to convert the fourth-down try, and he was once again stonewalled on first-and-goal. The Eagles finally scored on the next play.

On one of the replays shown on the video board at MetLife Stadium to incite the home crowd, the slow-motion shot showed right guard Tyler Steen moving prior to the snap.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll was none too pleased on the sideline. 

In Week 3, the Eagles appeared to false start on the signature play vs. the Los Angeles Rams, a trend that carried over from Week 2.

A league memo circulated between Week 2 and 3 to officials informed the refs to call the play with more scrutiny for the rest of the season.

The Eagles trailed the Giants 20-17 at halftime. 

PHOENIX — No matter how old and accomplished you are, your parents are always going to see you as their child.

A’ja Wilson said Thursday that her parents, Roscoe and Eva, have been living with her for the past two months while watching her and the Las Vegas Aces chase a third title in four years. And while the four-time MVP loves having them with her, being under the same roof as her parents again takes some adjusting to.

Even if it’s her roof now.

‘I have a chef and they’re still like, `Make sure she gets her vegetables!’ I’m like, `OK. Yes. We’re good,” Wilson said, the exasperation of a teenager creeping into her voice.

‘They’re still on East Coast time, so they’re up at like 5 a.m. over in my house. I hear pots clinking and clinking and I’m like, `What is going on?” she said. ‘But yeah, they’re still my parents. They’re still making sure that my bed’s made, making sure I do my chores even though I have all those things taken care of.’

Roscoe and Eva Wilson still live in South Carolina, where Wilson grew up and went to college. But now that they’re retired, they can spend long stretches on the road to cheer on their daughter. They were at the Aces’ practice facility when WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told Wilson she’d won her fourth MVP award. Roscoe Wilson and Las Vegas owner Mark Davis even sported pink wigs for the occasion, a tribute to the initial colorway of her signature A’One shoe.

They also were in the stands when Las Vegas closed out its first-round series against the Seattle Storm, and a photo of the three of them after the game captures her parents’ love and pride.

‘The emotion behind the picture is something I want to get framed and put in my house because my parents have been on this journey, obviously, for a long, long time,’ Wilson said. ‘Their support, it’s unwavering. It’s unconditional love that I need at this time.’

Even if they do sometimes still treat her like a kid.

‘No, they never change,’ Wilson said with a smile. ‘And that’s what I love the most about ’em.’

The Pro Bowl could be headed to Super Bowl markets.

The NFL is in planning stages of moving the Pro Bowl Games to the Super Bowl market each year, a person close to the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan isn’t finalized.

The Sports Business Journal was first to report the news.

“We’ve been working closely with ESPN, the player community, and our partners on a reimagined Pro Bowl Games for this season,” a league spokesperson said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. “We’ll share more in the coming weeks, but our focus is a best-in-class all-star event that celebrates the league’s top players, deepens fan engagement, and spotlights flag football – especially in light of confirming player participation in the LA28 Olympic Games.”

The relocation of the Pro Bowl could come as soon as this year. San Francisco is the host city for this season’s Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8.

Player and fan interest surrounding the Pro Bowl have waned. This would mark the second big change to the Pro Bowl in three years. Traditional tackle football was replaced with a skills challenge and flag football contest in 2023.

The Pro Bowl is normally a week before the Super Bowl at a different market. Hawaii’s Aloha Stadium was the Pro Bowl venue from 1980-2009. Orlando’s hosted six of the past eight Pro Bowls.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

Banana Ball is expanding.

The Banana Ball Championship League, home of the Savannah Bananas, has added two more baseball teams as it gears up for the league’s inaugural 2026 season.

In a televised announcement on Oct. 9, the league revealed its two new teams: the Loco Beach Coconuts and Indianapolis Clowns. They also announced their 2026 schedule, including game dates, cities and venues.

The Savannah Bananas, which began as an exhibition team based in Savannah, Georgia, had already expanded into four baseball teams: the Bananas, the Party Animals, Texas Tailgaters and Firefighters. The players are known for their unique spin on the game, from fan participation to dance routines.

All six teams will compete in the Banana Ball Championship League for its inaugural season in 2026, according to a press release.

Savannah Bananas launches Loco Beach Coconuts, Indianapolis Clowns

The two new Savannah Bananas teams are the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns.

Mark Crocco will be the Coconuts’ head coach. Shane Victorino, a former MLB World Series Champion, will also hold the new role of primetime coach.

“We plan to bring Loco Beach to fans all over the country,’ Jesse Cole, the creator of Banana Ball, said in a statement. ‘The beach theme will extend from the parking lot to the dugout, and everywhere in between.”

The Indianapolis Clowns will be head-coached by Errick Fox. Former World Series Champion Ryan Howard will be the team’s primetime coach.

The Clowns are named after a team from the Negro League, a league of all-Black baseball players in the 1920s.

“Banana Ball is all about energy, entertainment, flipping the script — and you know what? That’s exactly what the Negro Leagues brought to the game from day one. Flash. Innovation. Community and an unconditional love for the game. They were rockstars before the world called ballplayers that,’ Fox said in a statement.

What to know about the Banana Ball Championship League

The Banana Ball Championship League will begin with a preseason called the Banana Ball Open running from Feb. 26 to April 12, 2026. The regular season will span 50 games from April to September.

The top three teams will compete against the winner of the Banana Ball Open to see who moves on to the first-ever Banana Bowl on Oct. 10, 2026, according to a press release.

See Savannah Bananas 2026 kickoff schedule

The Banana Ball kickoff event will take place Feb. 26-28 in Tallahassee, Florida, with three straight days of games.

The Banana Ball kickoff event schedule:

Feb. 26 – Loco Beach Coconuts v. Firefighters @ Dick Howser Stadium
Feb. 27 – Indianapolis Clowns v. Party Animals @ Dick Howser Stadium
Feb. 28 – Texas Tailgaters v. Savannah Bananas @ Doak Campbell Stadium

Banana Ball Championship League full schedule

In addition to the new teams, the league also revealed its 2026 season schedule. The league will reach 75 stadiums across 45 states, it said.

Here’s a look at the 2026 Banana Ball Championship League schedule:

How to get Savannah Bananas tickets

The team uses a lottery system for tickets. Fans can enter the lottery online now through Oct. 31. The date you join does not affect chances of being drawn.

Fans who enter the lottery are put into a random drawing held before the game, and if drawn, can purchase official tickets.

Some third-party platforms like StubHub and Ticketmaster may also have tickets available, but the team cautions fans that tickets sold on resale sites are often fraudulent.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com. 

Chris Jones says his effort on the deciding play of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 31-28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday wasn’t what it appeared.

With the Jaguars facing a first-and-goal from the Chiefs’ 1-yard line with less than a minute, quarterback Trevor Lawrence stumbled to the ground after right guard Patrick Mekari stepped on his foot. Before being touched, however, Lawrence got back on his feet and then took off to his left, breaking a tackle and then diving into the end zone for the go-ahead score.

Jones was sharply criticized after the game for not pursuing Lawrence, with the star defensive tackle merely drifting toward the action as it unfolded.

Speaking for the first time since the play, Jones said in a news conference Thursday that he assumed Lawrence hitting the ground would result in the play being ruled over shortly after.

‘It’s a teaching point for me, a little adversity,’ Jones said. ‘I can’t think the play is over, you know what I mean? It’s a learning lesson. I thought it was over – I thought we had him down, so I kind of stopped and was about to celebrate and then realized he wasn’t down. The teaching lesson for me is don’t stop.’

Jones added he didn’t feel compelled to address the matter with teammates.

‘They understand I didn’t quit,’ Jones said. ‘It was just one of those instances where I thought he was down, and I thought we was about to get him down again. … They understand it won’t happen again.’

Patrick Mahomes gave Jones his full support when asked Wednesday about the play.

‘I believe in Chris Jones no matter what, man,’ Mahomes said in his weekly interview with on 96.5 The Fan. ‘He’s done so much for this team and for this organization, being a leader. And I think people don’t even understand how much of a leader he is on this team.

‘But he’s a guy that’s kind of made us go throughout my career, and I know in big moments he’s gonna make big plays. And so people always look back and see stuff after losses and stuff like that, and they judge that stuff. But I judge the guy, the character he brings into the building every single day.’

All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter. Check out the latest edition: The ultimate guide to NFL Week 6.

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have not used closer Tanner Scott this postseason, no longer trusting him to pitch in crucial situations, removed him from their postseason roster Thursday before Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Dodgers received permission from MLB to take him off their roster and replace him with left-handed reliever Justin Wrobleski.

Scott, who received a four-year, $72 million free agent contract, is now ineligible to pitch for the Dodgers until the World Series, if the Dodgers advance.

Scott, who had warmed only briefly in their NL wild card series against the Cincinnati Reds, underwent an “abscess incision’ in his lower body, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts calling it a minor procedure.

“I don’t know a whole lot about it, to be quite honest with you,’ Roberts said. “But I do know that he’s recovering well. And it took place [Wednesday] night. That’s kind of where we’re at.’

Scott complained of discomfort on Tuesday night at the Dodgers’ workout at Dodger Stadium, and was not at the ballpark at any time Wednesday.

“I think there was kind of signs in the evening of the workout,’ Roberts said. “I think that’s where it first kind of came to light for us ….I don’t think we knew exactly the extent of it. I didn’t even see him. I think that was more doctor-driven.’

If the Dodgers were aware that Scott would need to undergo a medical procedure, they would have made a formal request to MLB to remove him from the roster before Game 3. It would have avoided needing three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw to pitch two innings Wednesday, in which he gave up six hits and five runs (four earned).

Scott, who blew eight saves during the season and lost his job this postseason to rookie Roki Sasaki, could still return to the roster if the Dodgers reach the World Series, Roberts insisted. Yet, considering Scott’s struggles and now having a layoff, he likely has thrown his last pitch of 2025.

Scott’s absence doesn’t change Roberts’ faith in his bullpen, which has turned to starters Emmet Sheehan and Sasaki to pitch in relief in key situations. The Dodgers’ traditional relievers have gotten only 12 outs in the first three games against the Phillies.

“Very confident in the bullpen,’ Roberts said. “I feel that everyone in the pen is available. I think, confident in the veterans that we have to set the tone, very confident that we’re prepared for [Thursday]. You’ll see our best.’’

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

Banana Ball is expanding.

The Banana Ball Championship League, home of the Savannah Bananas, has added two more baseball teams as it gears up for the league’s inaugural 2026 season.

In a televised announcement on Oct. 9, the league’s two new teams were revealed: the Loco Beach Coconuts and Indianapolis Clowns. They also announced their 2026 schedule, including game dates, cities and venues.

The Savannah Bananas, which began as an exhibition team based in Savannah, Georgia, had already expanded into four baseball teams: the Bananas, the Party Animals, Texas Tailgaters and Firefighters. The players are known for their unique spin on the game, from fan participation to dance routines.

All six teams will compete in the Banana Ball Championship League for its inaugural season in 2026, according to a press release.

Savannah Bananas launches Loco Beach Coconuts, Indianapolis Clowns

The two new Savannah Bananas teams are the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns.

Mark Crocco will be the Coconuts’ head coach. Shane Victorino, a former MLB World Series Champion, will also hold the new role of primetime coach.

“We plan to bring Loco Beach to fans all over the country,’ Jesse Cole, the creator of Banana Ball, said in a statement. ‘The beach theme will extend from the parking lot to the dugout, and everywhere in between.”

The Indianapolis Clowns will be head coached by Errick Fox. Former World Series Champion Ryan Howard will be the teams’ primetime coach.

The Clowns are named after a team from the Negro League, a league of all-Black baseball players in the 1920s.

“Banana Ball is all about energy, entertainment, flipping the script — and you know what? That’s exactly what the Negro Leagues brought to the game from day one. Flash. Innovation. Community and an unconditional love for the game. They were rockstars before the world called ballplayers that,’ Fox said in a statement.

What to know about the Banana Ball Championship League

The Banana Ball Championship League will begin with a preseason called the Banana Ball Open running from Feb. 26 to April 12, 2026. The regular season will span 50 games from April to September.

The top three teams will compete against the winner of the Banana Ball Open to see who moves onto the first ever Banana Bowl on Oct. 10, 2026, according to a press release.

See Savannah Bananas 2026 kickoff schedule

The Banana Ball kickoff event will take place Feb. 26-28 in Tallahassee, Florida, with three straight days of games. Throughout the entire 2026 season, the league will reach 75 stadiums across 45 states, the team said.

The Banana Ball kickoff event schedule is:

Feb. 26 – Loco Beach Coconuts v. Firefighters @ Dick Howser Stadium
Feb. 27 – Indianapolis Clowns v. Party Animals @ Dick Howser Stadium
Feb. 28 – Texas Tailgaters v. Savannah Bananas @ Doak Campbell Stadium

How to get Savannah Bananas tickets

The team uses a lottery system for tickets. Fans can enter the lottery online now through Oct. 31. The date you join does not affect chances of being drawn.

Fans who enter the lottery are put into a random drawing held before the game, and if drawn, can purchase official tickets.

Some third-party platforms like StubHub and Ticketmaster may also have tickets available, but the team cautions fans that tickets sold on resale sites are often fraudulent.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com. 

Mike Greenwell, 62, spent his entire 12-year MLB career as a member of the Boston Red Sox. He was a two-time All-Star and finished as American League MVP runner-up in 1988.

On Thursday, October 9, the former pro, nicknamed ‘The Gator’ passed away from a battle with thyroid cancer.

His death was announced on the Lee County Government Facebook page around 2 p.m. local time. Greenwell, a lifelong Lee County resident, had served as the District 5 commissioner in the county since being appointed to the position by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022.

The post wrote, ‘It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Commissioner Mike Greenwell, a lifelong Lee County resident.’ It continued, ‘He was a strong advocate for the people and businesses of Lee County and will be remembered for seeking meaningful solutions to the challenges his community faced.’

‘The Boston Red Sox mourn the loss of Mike Greenwell,’ the team stated in a release Thursday. ‘A member of the Red Sox Hall of Fame Class of 2008, he spent his entire 12-year Major League playing career with the Red Sox (1985-96).’

The team also provided quotes from several former teammates.

“Greenwell was one of my favorites,’ Hall of Famer Joe Morgan stated, ‘He didn’t start out great, but he worked hard and became a very good left fielder. He was fun to be around, happy-go-lucky. We’ll all miss him greatly.”

“Mike was a wonderful ballplayer who always played hard,’ Dwight Evans, who played with Greenwell from 1985-1991, said. ‘He was deeply involved in the Fort Myers community and gave so much of himself to others. You always wanted to be around him — I truly enjoyed my time with him. He was a gamer in every sense of the word, and he will be deeply missed.”

Mike Greenwell MLB stats

Greenwell was a strong hitter throughout his MLB career, slashing .303/.368/.463 for his career. He also tallied 130 career home runs and 726 RBI.

Greenwell’s post-MLB life

Greenwell had a very short stint in the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan, but was forced into retirement after just seven games due to a fractured foot.

When he returned to the United States, he picked up stock car racing at New Smyrna Speedway, even winning the 2000 Speedweeks track championship. He ultimately gave up racing in 2010.

Greenwell was appointed as Lee County’s District 5 commissioner by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022, following the death of then-commissioner Franklin Mann. Greenwell won his re-election campaign in 2024.

Greenwell’s family

Greenwell is survived by his wife, Tracy, and his two sons: Bo and Garrett.