Sports
Buccaneers Edge Jets 29-27 on McLaughlin’s Walk-Off Field Goal, Move to 3-0
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0) stayed perfect on the season with a thrilling 29-27 victory over the New York Jets at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. Kicker Chase McLaughlin drilled a 36-yard walk-off field goal to secure the win, making Tampa Bay 3-0 for the first time since 2005 and just the fifth time in franchise history. In each of their previous four 3-0 starts, the Buccaneers went on to make the playoffs.
Historic Clutch Start to the Season
The Buccaneers continued their remarkable streak of late-game heroics, becoming the first team since the NFL merger in 1970 to record a game-winning score in the final minute of regulation in each of their first three games of a season. Tampa Bay is also just the third team in league history—joining the 1994 Giants and 2017 Steelers—to string together three straight games with a go-ahead score in the final minute.
Dominant Defense Shines Again
The Buccaneers’ defense once again proved suffocating. They held the Jets to just 99 rushing yards, marking their 11th straight game of holding opponents under 100 yards on the ground. The defense also came up big on key downs, limiting New York to 3-of-11 (27%) on third down and just 1-of-3 (33.3%) on fourth down. Tampa Bay’s pass rush delivered a season-high four sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and nine tackles for loss. Cornerback Jamel Dean added a highlight play, intercepting Tyrod Taylor and returning it 55 yards for a touchdown—the Bucs’ first pick-six since 2023.
Mayfield, Offense Deliver Under Pressure
Quarterback Baker Mayfield stayed sharp, completing 19-of-29 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown, finishing with a 101.7 passer rating and adding 44 rushing yards. Through three games, Mayfield has thrown six touchdowns with no interceptions, joining Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as the only quarterbacks with at least five TDs and zero picks this season. Rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka led the way with six receptions for 85 yards, while Sterling Shepard chipped in 80 yards, and Mike Evans recorded four catches—including his 106th career touchdown, now ninth-most in NFL history.
McLaughlin Seals the Victory
Chase McLaughlin’s right leg was the difference, as he went 5-for-6 on field goals, including makes from 28, 33, 36, 54, and 55 yards. His two makes from 50+ yards pushed his career efficiency on long-distance kicks to 82.9%—the second-best mark in NFL history (min. 40 attempts). McLaughlin’s game-winner capped off a final drive led by Mayfield, who completed two key passes for 47 yards to set up the decisive kick.
Tampa Bay now sits atop the NFC South at 3-0 and will look to continue its historic run next week when they travel for their Week 4 matchup.
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J Willie David, III | Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
NEW YORK CITY, NY (FNN SPORTS) – LIV Golf plans to begin winding down operations Monday, Nov. 9, following five years and more than $5 billion in spending.
Attorney Matthew Williams outlined the league’s plans during a bankruptcy court hearing Thursday, Nov. 5, in New Jersey. The process includes selling its remaining assets.
“We believe the wind down path is the best path,” Williams told the court.
LIV Golf confirmed the decision after a proposed restructuring deal fell through. The league said it will continue considering alternatives during the shutdown process.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — On Monday November 2, at the Yuengling Center, the South Florida women’s basketball team opened with a successful debut undernew head coach Kristy Curry.
The Bulls established control early with a 9–0 opening run, taking a 27–12 lead after the first quarter. Furman narrowed the margin before halftime, but South Florida maintained a 46–32 advantage heading into the break.
A dominant third quarter proved decisive, as USF outscored Furman 23–9 to extend its lead to 69–41 entering the fourth.
Balanced Scoring Leads the Bulls
Stefanie Ingram led South Florida with 15 points, followed by Hannah Kohn with 13 and Kendall Puryear with 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Bulls placed six players in double figures, shot 51.6 percent from the field and controlled the boards with a 48–25 rebounding advantage.
A Winning Debut for Kristy Curry
The victory marked Curry’s first win leading South Florida after arriving from Alabama.
Ahead of the season opener, Curry expressed confidence in the program’s potential:
“I’m so excited to be here. I truly think the sky’s the limit at USF.”
— Kristy Curry, USF Head Coach, in pregame remarks published by USF Athletics.
South Florida (1–0) will face Belmont on Friday, November 6, in Nashville, Tennessee.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Bulls overcome early deficit behind defensive touchdowns and a record-tying performance from C.J. Hicks.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The University of South Florida (USF) secured its sixth victory of the season Saturday, October 31, defeating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 30–10 at Raymond James Stadium. The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 6–2 overall and 2–2 in American Conference play, making the program bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.
Defense Turns the Game Around
UAB opened the game with a 10–0 first-quarter lead, but South Florida responded with 30 unanswered points, highlighted by two defensive touchdowns.
Defensive end C.J. Hicks delivered one of the game’s most significant performances, recording four sacks to tie the USF single-game record. Two of those sacks forced fumbles that resulted in touchdowns.
Late in the second quarter, Hicks forced a fumble by UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, allowing USF defender Asani Redwood to recover the football and return it six yards for a touchdown. The play gave South Florida a 17–10 halftime lead.
Asani Redwood and UAB #71 UAB defensive lineman #71 attempts to tackle USF’s Asani Redwood during the October 31, 2026, matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Hicks created another scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, forcing a second fumble that linebacker Grayson Howard recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown, extending USF’s lead to 27–10.
South Florida’s defense finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, limiting UAB to just 177 total offensive yards, including 17 rushing yards.
Offensive Adjustments Provide Momentum
Following an injury to starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., sophomore Luke Kromenhoek entered the game and helped shift momentum in South Florida’s favor.
Luke Kromenhoek (#17) USF quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) carries the football while facing pressure from a UAB defender during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory at Raymond James Stadium on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Kromenhoek finished with a career-high 92 rushing yards, including a 42-yard run that helped establish the Bulls’ offensive rhythm.
Running back Jason Collins Jr. added a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 10–10.
Kicker Nico Gramatica contributed three field goals, connecting from 31, 30 and 33 yards to help secure the victory.
Bowl Eligibility Marks Another Program Milestone
With its sixth win, South Florida secured bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season, matching the second-longest such streak in program history.
The accomplishment allows USF to qualify for postseason bowl consideration, although an official bowl invitation and destination have yet to be determined.
The victory also kept the Bulls competitive in the American Conference standings, with four regular-season games remaining following the UAB matchup.
Looking Ahead
USF will return to conference competition Friday, November 6, traveling to face East Carolina as the Bulls continue their pursuit of a stronger conference finish and a postseason bowl invitation.
Final Score: USF 30, UAB 10
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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