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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Ohio State defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau had already produced an incredible performance, easily the best of his college career. But the sophomore had one more magic moment to deliver.

With 2 minutes, 47 seconds left and Ohio State leading Penn State 37-24, Tuimoloau pushed offensive lineman Bryce Effner to the turf, leaped, caught Sean Clifford‘s pass and then strolled into the end zone.

“The play happens and I just blacked out,” Tuimoloau said.

The pick-six capped one of the best single-game performances in Ohio State history and one of the best nationally, as the second-ranked Buckeyes rallied to beat No. 13 Penn State 44-31. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Tuimoloau became one of three FBS players in the past 15 seasons to record two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception and a touchdown in a single game, joining Appalachian State‘s Demetrius Taylor (2019 at North Carolina) and UCLA‘s Keisean Lucier-South (2018 at Cal). Tuimoloau pulled in two interceptions on his big day.

A five-star recruit and ESPN’s No. 4 overall prospect in the 2021 class, Tuimoloau entered Saturday with only nine tackles, four for a loss, and one sack — recorded the previous week against Iowa.

“To intercept balls like that as a defensive end and get a defensive score, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that before,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “That’s big time. JTT has put so much hard work into this. He’s an unbelievable player, but he’s a better person, and you can see his talent.

“This was kind of his coming-out party today.”

Senior defensive end Zach Harrison, the beneficiary of Tuimoloau’s tipped pass that led to Clifford’s first interception, saw Tuimoloau had several interceptions in practice leading into the Penn State game. But Tuimoloau saved the best for game day.

“He had two picks, bro, at D-end, and a pick-six,” Harrison said. “I’ve never seen that.”

Tuimoloau said he last recorded an interception as a high school sophomore for Eastside Catholic School against Seattle Prep. His last touchdown also occurred in high school.

He attributed his ball skills to also playing tight end in high school as well as basketball. Tuimoloau had scholarship offers to play basketball from major programs.

“Basketball allowed me to move laterally and be quick enough,” he said.

Day had seen Tuimoloau come close to several sacks this season before getting his first against Iowa. He had 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss last season.

“He’s been getting better every week,” Day said. “He’s wanted it. He’ll probably tell you he’s pressed a little bit at times. He’s wanted to get there. He’s believed in [defensive line coach Larry Johnson], he’s believed in the scheme, and believes in his teammates.”

Ohio State needed the lift from Tuimoloau in a game it trailed at halftime and then with 9:26 to play after an exhausting Penn State series — prolonged by an Ohio State pass interference penalty on third-and-16 and a Buckeyes illegal formation penalty after a missed field goal attempt — ended with a 1-yard Kaytron Allen touchdown. But Ohio State’s offense came alive, driving 75 yards on three plays and scoring on a 41-yard TreVeyon Henderson run.

After Tuimoloau’s strip, sack and recovery of a Clifford fumble, quarterback C.J. Stroud found tight end Cade Stover, who broke three tackles to reach the end zone. Day said Stover’s run reminded him of Binjimen Victor’s 47-yard touchdown against Penn State in 2018.

“Every game has its own story, and this is one that will be told for a while,” Day said. “They believed. We don’t always have to play four quarters. We knew we were going to have to play four quarters today.”

After collecting only 16 points and 263 yards in the first three quarters, Ohio State exploded for 28 points and 189 yards in the fourth. Penn State squandered a lead of five points or more against Ohio State for the third time since 2017.

“We responded today, and that’s why it’s so satisfying,” Day said. “Can we clean things up? Yeah, but that’s football. And you see it every single week. You see games go back and forth. This environment, this is a hard place to play, and it always is, so for us to do that, that locker room was on fire afterwards.”

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Johnson, 2-time Cup winner with Lightning, retires

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Johnson, 2-time Cup winner with Lightning, retires

Tyler Johnson has announced his retirement after playing 13 NHL seasons and winning the Stanley Cup twice with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Johnson called it a career in a lengthy message posted on social media Monday. Johnson had battled injuries in recent years and is set to turn 35 on July 29.

“As a short kid from a small town, I saw my chances of playing in the NHL as very slim,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “But my family — my parents, Ken and Debbie, and my grandparents — believed in me when doubt clouded my mind. Their unwavering faith turned that dream into reality.”

Listed at 5-foot-8 and 191 pounds, Johnson won at just about ever level, capturing the Western Hockey League and Memorial Cup championships in 2008 with his hometown Spokane Chiefs and the Calder Cup championship with Norfolk of the American Hockey League in 2012.

The NHL brought more success, as he skated in 863 regular-season and playoff games since debuting in the league in 2013, putting up 498 points. Johnson was part of the Lightning’s core when they reached the final in 2015 and helped them hoist the Cup back to back in 2020 and ’21.

Johnson finished with Chicago, playing three seasons with the Blackhawks, and Boston, signing with the Bruins early last season following his training camp tryout.

“After a lifetime devoted to hockey, I’m ready for what’s next,” Johnson said. “This moment is bittersweet, but I leave the game with no regrets.”

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‘Gritty’ McBain secures 5-year deal from Mammoth

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'Gritty' McBain secures 5-year deal from Mammoth

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Mammoth re-signed center Jack McBain to a five-year contract worth $21.25 million on Monday.

McBain will count $4.25 million against the salary cap through the 2029-30 NHL season, which was announced a little more than 24 hours since the team elected salary arbitration with the restricted free agent forward.

“He is a big, strong, physical player who competes hard on a nightly basis and brings a gritty toughness to our group,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “Jack is an important part of the championship-caliber team we are building, and we look forward to having him back on our roster for the foreseeable future.”

McBain, 25, is coming off setting a career high with 27 points and playing all 82 games. He was one of six players to skate in every game of the organization’s first season in Salt Lake City.

“Jack’s versatility as a player, his care for his teammates and his demonstrated willingness to do whatever it takes to win, are all critical elements to our future team success,” president of hockey operations Chris Armstrong said.

McBain has 82 points in 241 games with the franchise, which moved to Utah from Arizona. Since debuting in April 2022, he ranks third in the league with 832 hits.

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‘Workhorse’ York nets five-year deal from Flyers

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'Workhorse' York nets five-year deal from Flyers

Cam York and the Philadelphia Flyers agreed to terms Monday on a five-year contract worth $25.75 million, with re-signing the restricted free agent defenseman completing perhaps the team’s last important piece of offseason business.

York, 25, will count $5.15 million against the salary cap through the 2029-30 NHL season. That price could turn out to be a bargain with the upper limit rising from $88 million this past season to $113.5 million by 2027-28.

“Cam has been a workhorse for our team over the last few seasons,” general manager Danny Briere said. “We’re excited by his development and look forward to his continued growth and emergence as a young leader within our group.”

The Flyers are trying to shift from rebuilding to contending, and York was the final player on the roster without a contract. They acquired Trevor Zegras in a trade from Anaheim last month and signed fellow center Christian Dvorak and backup goaltender Dan Vladar on the first day of free agency.

York, the 14th pick in the 2019 draft, has skated nearly 21 minutes a game so far in his pro career, all with Philadelphia. He has 77 points in 235 games for the Flyers, who have not made the playoffs since 2020.

“I believe in this team, and I love the direction we are heading,” York said. “I couldn’t be more excited to continue this journey and build something special together.”

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