Sports
Turnovers Prove Costly, Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers Fall to Falcons 31-26
Published
2 years agoon
By
Willie DavidTAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell 31-26 to the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium despite a powerful offensive display, generating 432 total yards. This marks Tampa Bay’s fourth game this season with 400+ offensive yards, tying them for the most in the NFC. However, despite their offensive firepower, turnovers and late-game slips cost the Buccaneers.
“Our offense is firing on all cylinders, but we’ve got to tighten up when it counts,” said Head Coach Todd Bowles postgame. “We can’t afford to let opportunities slip like we did today.”
Key moments from Sunday’s clash included:
- QB Baker Mayfield’s career-high completions: Mayfield completed 37 of 50 passes (74%) for 330 yards and three touchdowns, his fourth straight game with at least three passing touchdowns. “We’re connecting well downfield,” Mayfield commented. “But we need to eliminate turnovers if we want to win big games.”
- TE Cade Otton’s record-breaking day: Otton finished with a career-high nine catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns. This marks the second consecutive week Otton set a personal record in receptions.
- Rookie RB Bucky Irving’s versatility: Irving amassed 84 scrimmage yards with nine missed tackles forced, showcasing his dynamic impact in both the run and pass game. “He’s explosive and hard to bring down,” Bowles praised.
- Defensive leader K.J. Britt: Britt led the defense with 10 tackles, while DL C.J. Brewer recorded two sacks and two tackles for loss, stepping up in a career-best performance.
Despite the defeat, Tampa Bay’s stats are among the league’s elite:
- Top-ranked third-down conversions: Tampa Bay leads the NFL with a 52.5% conversion rate on third downs.
- Leader in passing yards: With 2,068 passing yards, the Bucs are first in the league for the 2024 season.
- Mayfield’s league-best touchdown count: Mayfield ranks first in total touchdowns (23) and completions (202), leading the NFL’s passing leaders.
Sports
LIV Golf to begin winding down operations Nov. 9 after five years, $5 billion spent
Published
8 hours agoon
November 7, 2026By
FNN SPORTSNEW 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.
Basketball
USF Women’s Basketball Opens Season With 80–54 Victory Over Furman
Published
2 days agoon
November 5, 2026By
NISEY LOU S.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.
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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.
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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
Central Florida News
USF Defeats UAB 30–10, Secures Fourth Consecutive Bowl-Eligible Season
Published
4 days agoon
November 3, 2026By
NISEY LOU S.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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