Sports

Couturier a healthy scratch for first time in career

Published

2 years ago

March 21, 2024

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ESPN News Services

Mar 19, 2024, 10:38 PM ET

PHILADELPHIA — Captain Sean Couturier, a 13-veteran of the Philadelphia Flyers, was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career on Tuesday night, missing out on a 4-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Flyers coach John Tortorella — who has never been afraid to sit star players in any of his career stops, including in Philadelphia last season with former forward Kevin Hayes — scratched Couturier, 31, who was named team captain in mid-February.

After the team’s morning skate on Tuesday, Couturier expressed his displeasure with what he called limited communication from his coach, who is in his second season with the Flyers.

“I’ve been putting the work in for a while,” said Couturier, who has 11 goals and 36 points this season. “I’ve been struggling, but I’ve been working on my game, and it’s frustrating the way I’ve been treated around here lately. But it is what it is.

“I control what I can control. … I’m going to move on. It doesn’t matter what I think. I’ve got to leave my ego aside. Hopefully, I can get back into [the lineup] soon.”

Tortorella spoke swiftly and succinctly during his postgame news conference when the lineup decisions came up.

“As I told you, I’m putting the players out on the ice to win a particular game,” he said. “These were the 20 that we decided to go with.”

When pressed further, he passed on Couturier questions.

“I’m not talking on Sean. I’m not debating with you,” the coach said. “I’m not conversing with it. It’s between Sean and I. So, just talk to me about the game, guys.”

Without the captain, Owen Tippett scored 19 seconds into the game and added an assist, and Morgan Frost had a goal and an assist as the Flyers hung on at home.

Travis Sanheim and Scott Laughton also scored for the Flyers, and Samuel Ersson, who was pulled in two of his previous three starts, made 27 saves, including a stop of Bobby McMann on a short-handed breakaway in the second period.

“Our team played good tonight,” Tortorella added, when finally asked about other players.

The Flyers had lost three of four entering the game and allowed 19 goals in their three losses. The win pushed them three points ahead of the Washington Capitals for the third playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division.

“No one gave us a chance at all to start the year. … I think we’ve exceeded everyone’s expectations so far,” Frost said on NBC Sports Philadelphia’s postgame show when assessing the Flyers’ playoff chances. “It’s about excitement and trying to prove people wrong and get in the playoffs.”

Facing a three-goal deficit at the start of the third period, Toronto tried to mount a comeback. William Nylander scored on a power play, and Tyler Bertuzzi and John Tavares added goals.

But Ersson made several big saves in the final 10 minutes, and Laughton’s score with seven minutes left restored a two-goal advantage and helped ice the win.

Ilya Samsonov had 24 saves for Toronto, which had its three-game point streak halted.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sports

Tampa named host city for 2029 CFP title game

Published

8 hours ago

October 29, 2025

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Tampa named host city for 2029 CFP title game

Tampa will host the College Football Playoff national championship game at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 22, 2029, the CFP announced Wednesday.

Tampa will become the fourth city to host the CFP title game for a second time, joining Atlanta, New Orleans and Miami Gardens, Fla.

“We are excited to bring the College Football Playoff National Championship back to Tampa Bay in 2029,” CFP executive director Rich Clark said in a news release. “The city has established itself as an exceptional host for world-class sporting events, and its vibrant downtown, beautiful waterfront, and proven commitment to excellence make it an ideal setting for college football’s greatest night. We look forward to partnering with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and local leaders to deliver a national championship experience worthy of college football’s biggest stage.”

The 2029 game will be the 15th national championship game in the CFP era, which went into effect following the 2014 college football season.

Miami will host the next national championship game on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium, a game that will feature the winners of the Fiesta and Peach bowls, which will host the semifinals.

The 2027 site will be Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, followed by the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in 2028.

Sports

Sources: Cincy leading rusher Pryor out vs. Utah

Published

8 hours ago

October 29, 2025

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Sources: Cincy leading rusher Pryor out vs. Utah

Cincinnati senior running back Evan Pryor will be officially listed as out with an ankle injury on the Big 12 availability report for the game at No. 24 Utah on Saturday, per sources.

There’s hope Pryor can return for No. 17 Cincinnati’s Nov. 15 game at home against Arizona, per sources.

Pryor suffered the ankle injury against Baylor last week. Pryor, an Ohio State transfer, is the leading rusher for the Bearcats with 478 yards, and he averages 7.2 yards per carry.

Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield said earlier this week that Pryor was expected to be out this week.

At Utah on Saturday night, Cincinnati is expected to lean on Wisconsin transfer Tawee Walker, who has 466 yards and averages 5.2 yards per carry.

Cincinnati has a bye after the game at Utah.

Sports

Just like old times? Orgeron talks LSU return

Published

8 hours ago

October 29, 2025

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Just like old times? Orgeron talks LSU return

Oct 29, 2025, 01:07 PM ET

LSU football has a high-profile coaching vacancy, and a familiar face has thrown his hat into the ring.

Ed Orgeron, who was ousted by LSU less than two years after coaching the Tigers to a national championship, said he “would love” to return to the school as Brian Kelly’s replacement.

LSU fired Kelly in stunning fashion Sunday, citing the “high hopes” that the program failed to reach under his leadership and announcing that a “national search” was underway for the Tigers’ new coach.

Three days later, during an interview Wednesday with ESPN’s “UnSportsmanLike,” Orgeron was asked whether he wanted his old job back.

“I’d love to,” Orgeron responded. “Are you kidding me? Hey, I’m one phone call away. I just gotta get in my truck; I could be there today.”

One of the top coaches currently linked to the LSU job is Ole Miss‘ Lane Kiffin, who also worked with Orgeron at USC.

Orgeron, who has been out of coaching since leaving LSU in 2021, was asked Wednesday if he would consider returning to the program as an assistant under Kiffin.

“Yeah, I’d consider it,” he said. “I love LSU. I still got my home in Baton Rouge. I loved when I was coaching for Coach Miles being the defensive line coach. I love the Tigers, and if I’m getting back into coaching, for sure I’d consider it. No doubt.”

Orgeron’s tenure as LSU’s head coach ended after the 2021 season in what he described as a mutual decision between himself and the school. He went 51-20 in his six years at LSU, highlighted by the Tigers’ 15-0 run in a 2019 season punctuated by an NCAA championship.

Orgeron, who grew up rooting for the Tigers in nearby Larose, Louisiana, said LSU’s next head coach must embrace being a part of the state’s culture — something he says Kelly never did.

“I think that’s one of the things — whether it’s true or not — the look from the outside, Brian Kelly never embraced the state of Louisiana,” he said. “When you get those guys on your side, it’s very powerful. I think getting everybody to pull in the same direction, like Pete Carroll did, like we did, one team, one heartbeat, is gonna be the key for the next coach.”