Eagles
The season opener and there was excitement. Philadelphia hangs on for a 24 – 22 win over the Washington Commanders. A game that was ultimately decided by the Eagles denying a 2-point conversion attempt by the Commanders.
The game was tight. A small play turned out to be really big when a Washington extra-point was blocked by Javon Carter. That forced the Commanders to go for the two-point conversion at the end in an attempt to tie the game.
Jalen Hurts threw for 203 yards and ran for 45. He had 3 Scoring tosses, 2 to tight end Dallas Goedert. The second one was a 43-yard strike that was ultimately the game-winning score.
It is the 6th straight opening day win for the Eagles.
Phillies
Another critical series for the Phillies who come from a less than successful, so, so series. The upcoming games will feature a trip to Washington. Christopher Sanchez, Zack Wheeler hurl for the Phils. Then it’s a trip to Flushing to play the Mets. These are critical series. Why? The team has reverted to inconsistency, never sure what the hitters or pitchers will or will not do. Mental mistakes are being made. And injuries hit the pitching staff as Jesus Luzardo has shoulder stiffness. A wild card berth is not guaranteed as 3 other teams vie for the postseason. The Nationals and the Mets are teams that the team should beat, but you can never tell. After that the Milwaukee Brewers, one of the best if not the best team in baseball, visit the ballpark.
Elsewhere in baseball the White Sox and the Guardians are in a battle for the American League Central while the Astros and Rangers continue to fight it out for the West.
Penn State vs. Temple
The Nittany Lions came to the Linc to play the Temple Owls, an intrastate contest. There was more white than cherry among the 61,000 plus in attendance. And they saw a battle early. With under two minutes remaining to halftime, Penn State got the ball deep in their own territory. They marched methodically up the field scoring on a touchdown pass from Rocco Becht to Benjamin Brahmer with 8 seconds on the clock to take a 10 – 3 lead. The score turned the game toward the Lions. They blocked a field goal attempt by the Owls, then scored the next 17 points. Penn State wins it 27 – 9.Becht threw for 268 yards and 3 touchdowns. Brahmer caught 2 scoring tosses.
The Temple defense played well battling the entire game. Owls linebacker Curly Ordonez made a game-high 12 tackles, 9 solo, another game best.
Temple plays their first road game next week at Toledo while Penn State hosts Buffalo.
Local College Football
In local activity Villanova played up against an FBS opponent taking a trip to Kentucky to meet the Louisville Cardinals of the ACC. Villanova lost 59 – 13. On the plus side for the Wildcats they scored on their first possession in each of the first three quarters. And they put up the most first half yards against an FBS opponent in the last ten such games. Quarterback Pat McQuaide and running back Ja’briel Mace hooked up on a 65-yard touchdown catch.
But Louisville had more offense than Villanova could handle. The Cardinals gained 635 yards of offense. Villanova goes to New York next weekend to play LIU
Delaware gave a great account of themselves falling at Vanderbilt of the SEC. The Blue Hens led the Commodores 17 – 14 at halftime thanks to a blocked punt and touchdown by Bryson Graves. The first time UD has done that since 2022.
Vanderbilt scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to take control of the game and earn a 35 – 26 victory.
Gavn Moul recorded 10 tackles, while Colin Gallagher had a career-best with 9 stops and 1 and a half sacks. Wide receive Da’Wain Lofton hauled in 4 passes for a collegiate-best 142 yards.
Vanderbilt outgained Delaware by one yard, 339 – 338.
Delaware hosts Coastal Carolina next Saturday.
West Chester fell in double overtime to #14 IUP 27 – 21. Defense and Special Teams carried the Golden Rams. Jack Fry intercepted a pass and returned it 5-yards to the house. Later in the game Bryan Anderson returned a blocked field goal 66-yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 14.
Both teams scored a touchdown on their initial possessions before Indiana ended it.
West Chester goes to Edinboro next week.
The big game in college football was the Ohio State Buckeyes playing at Texas, a matchup if highly ranked teams. The Longhorns trailed, but scored three late touchdowns, the winning score, a Hollywood Smothers 1-yard run coming with 25 seconds left. The 20-point comeback was the largest fourth quarter rally to win against a #1 team.
Texas 24 Ohio State 23.
Texas moves into the top spot in both the AP and Coaches poll.
USA Basketball FIFA Women’s Basketball World Cup
The United States won their fifth consecutive FIFA Women’s Basketball World Cup Championship, and 12th overall, with a 97 – 79 win over France.
The French team led by as many as 14 points in the first half.
Then the Americans turned up the defense winning the third quarter by a 30 – 12 margin. Gabby Willams, France’s leading scorer was held to only one basket in the second half. Jackie Young and the Americans made it very uncomfortable for Williams and her teammates. The USA stole the ball 7 times. This is the first game where France was held under 90 points.
Five Americans scored in double figures; Young, the game MVP, Briana Stewart, Kahleah Cooper, Chelsea Gray, and Caitlin Clark.
Spain finished with the Bronze.
An interesting rivalry is developing between the United States and France on the basketball court. USA won the gold medal over France in the Olympics, now this. The next Olympics is just 2 years away.
Four former UConn players took part in the final. Williams for France, Paige Bueckers, Napheesa Collier, and Stewart for America.
The Honor Roll
All of the schools, colleges, and universities who visibly commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
The Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs who ran for 156 rushing yards on a career-high 29 carries, scoring twice. He also caught the ball 5 times for 30 yards. The Lions defeated the New Orleans Saints 31 – 30 in overtime.
Jesus Luzardo Phillies starter who struck out 12 in first career shutout in a 1 – 0 win over the Braves. And who got that run?
Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies who homered in the 8th for the game-winner.
Over the week Schwarber scored 3 runs, batted in 8 and hit 2 home runs, one of which was a grand slam against Houston.
The Phillies’ designated hitter has a major league leading 44 home runs.
My Sports Desk Player of the Week
USA Women’s team forward Brianna Stewart who was named the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Most Valuable Player. In the final game against France, Stewart carried the team who trailed France by double digits early. Stewart scored a game-high 22 points on 7 of 10 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds, another game-high. She had 4 assists in 30 minutes of play.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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