Florida Sports Wire

By Dave Montrose   FORT MYERS - The banner went up. And then it was back to work. The Florida Everblades celebrated their 2022 Kelly Cup championship on Saturday night with a banner-raising ceremony before beating the Jacksonville Icemen 2-0 in their 2022-23 home opener. For the ceremony, John McCarron and Nathan Perkovich, two players from the championship squad that retired in the offseason, brought out the Kelly Cup trophy and put it on a table set up at one end of the ice. After some words from president and general manager Craig Brush, the current players who were on that team gathered around as the banner slowly rose to the rafters between the U.S. and Canadian flags. "I was happy for all the players and fans just to kind of relive it a little bit," Everblades coach Brad Ralph said. "I thought the team did a great job with all the videos and presentation. It was a nice way to start this season off and remember all the great memories from last year." It

By Aric DiLalla Lead writer/Broncos.com LONDON — When General Manager George Paton met the media this week, he said the Broncos were still learning how to win. At least for one week, in front of a record-setting crowd at Wembley Stadium, the Broncos showed signs they're getting closer to finding that elusive formula. Latavius Murray scored a go-ahead touchdown with 1:43 to play, and K'Waun Williams' interception and a strong defensive performance did the rest as Denver rallied from a 10-0 deficit to earn a 21-17 win over the Jaguars and improve to 3-5 on the season. The Broncos' trip to London did not solve all of their woes, as the offense continued to struggle early and the defense allowed Travis Etienne Jr. to rush for more than 150 yards. In a change from previous weeks, though, the Broncos made the plays that winners make. After they surrendered a 14-10 lead late in the fourth quarter, QB Russell Wilson found KJ Hamler for a 47-yard pass on the go-ahea

  ATHENS, Ga, –   Vince Dooley, a 1994 College Football Hall of Fame inductee and the legendary coach at Georgia from 1964-1988, passed away Oct. 28, He was 90. Vince Dooley’s fame spreads across two states. Growing up in Mobile, Alabama, he attended Auburn University; was captain of the football team; and was an Auburn assistant coach for eight years. In December 1963, at age 32, Dooley moved to the University of Georgia. There, he was sometimes head football coach, sometimes director of athletics, sometimes both. He performed at the top level everywhere. No wonder, then, that he has been elected to both the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. The winningest football coach in Georgia history, Coach Dooley amassed a 201-77-10 record during his 25 seasons leading the Bulldog program. His teams appeared in 20 bowls, claimed six SEC titles and the 1980 national championship. He was named NCAA National Coach of the Year by every major poll in 1980, and he was n

By Jeff Moeller A year ago, there were big hopes for Travis Etienne. He and Trevor Lawernce were going to be the Jaguars’ new one-two offensive punch. They already had a tight link from their days at Clemson. Etienne was the Jags’ second first-round pick in 2021 with Lawrence. He was viewed as a steal in most football circles, and one who could make an immediate impact. Unfortunately, like most of his teammates, Etienne’s optimistic outlook suddenly soured. He suffered a season-ending foot injury in the preseason. It was just one sign in many that cast a dark shadow over the Jags’ season. A year later, everyone waited in anticipation to see what Etienne would do this season. The preseason vibes were strong, and the Jags realized they had their breakaway back to complement workhorse James Robinson. Seven weeks into the season, those hopes for Etienne have become a reality. He is now the Jags’ lead back with the trading of Robinson to the Jets a few days back. The Robinson trade should r

(SportsDay photo by Nancy Beecher/Florida Sports Wire)   JACKSONVILLE (Florida Sports Wire)  – New York quarterback Daniel Jones lunged over from the one with 5:31 to play as the Giants (6-1) came from behind to defeat Jacksonville (2-5) 23-17 Sunday afternoon. A Saquon Barkley 11-yard run, aided by a pass interference and too many men on the field call in the 79-yard winning drive, put the ball on the one. Barkley ran for 110 yards. Jones was 19 of 30 passing for 202 yards. He rushed for 107. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence dove from the one-yard line to give Jacksonville a17-13 lead with 11:45 to play in the third quarter.  The TD drive was highlighted by a 49-yard run by Travis Etienne.  Etienne ran for 114 yards. Lawrence was 22 of 43 passing for 310 yards. Christian Kirk caught seven passes for 96 yards.  With 3:26 to play in the first half New York drove 65 yards following an Etienne fumble. Graham Gano connected on a 32-yard field goal. His third field goal of the game, a 34-yarder,

By Jeff Moeller SportsDay Columnist The loss in Philadelphia hurt and left a stinging sensation. You can blame some of it one the rain. But the Jags’ defense couldn’t slow nor stop the Eagles’ running game.  The home loss against Houston left everyone a little numb and the second-guessing began. How good is this team? The latest loss in Indianapolis left everyone in shock. How could the Jags allow it to slip away? This time, the Jaguars’ pass defense couldn’t stop the Indianapolis passing game from which quarterback Matt Ryan 42 of 58 attempts for 398 yards, the 32-yard game winner with 17 seconds left. Defensive back Shaquill Griffin can be blamed for falling down on his single coverage on the play, but it wasn’t one person’s fault. That was a further reminder of how growth pains can be frustrating. The Jags once had a 14-3 lead and appeared ready to open up the game..but they didn’t. Ouch. They haven’t learned how to finish consistently. We’re at the half-full, half-empty stage. Now

(Florida Sports Wire) – For the first-time since 2019, the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs return to Homestead-Miami Speedway for this Sunday’s Dixie Vodka 400 at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90). Team Penske’s Joey Logano is the first driver to earn a spot in the Championship 4 Round with his victory last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, leaving three positions still up for grabs but only two chances left to secure them. This season (2022) will be the 17th year Homestead-Miami Speedway has hosted a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race (2004-2019, 2022). The 2022 season marks the first-time the second race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 has been hosted by Homestead-Miami Speedway (Race No. 34 of the season and eighth of the postseason). Homestead-Miami Speedway (2022) is the fourth different track to host the eighth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; joining Phoenix Raceway (one race: 2004), Texas Motor Speedway (16 races: 2005-2020), and Kans

By Jacob Lynn @TBLightning Leading on the back of a pair of Steven Stamkos power play tallies, the Lightning allowed three unanswered Philadelphia goals over the final 21 minutes of play and fell 3-2 in their home opener at AMALIE Arena on Tuesday. It was smooth sailing for Tampa Bay through most of the first two periods. The Bolts led 2-0 courtesy of Stamkos’ fifth and sixth goals of the season, but Scott Laughton got the Flyers on the board late in the second when he pounced on a juicy rebound. Philadelphia quickly knotted the game at two at 1:06 of the third on a James van Reimsdyk power play goal before Noah Cates scored the eventual game-winner with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation. The loss drops Tampa Bay to 1-3-0 on the season. After opening the year against four-straight Metropolitan Division opponents, the Bolts get their first Atlantic Division matchup on Friday when they travel to Sunrise to face the Panthers.

MONTRÉAL (Florida Sports Wire) –   No. 7 Orlando City SC fell 2-0 to No. 2 CF Montréal on Sunday evening, with the loss knocking the Lions out of play in the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs. The defeat brings one of Orlando’s most successful seasons to a close, with the team securing its first hardware of its MLS era earlier in the year, when they lifted the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy. The Lions had a handful of chances in the first half, but each opportunity went just over the frame and after a feisty first half, the two sides entered the locker rooms even. However, it was the home side who broke through in the second 45, with Ismaël Koné netting the game-winner in the 68th minute before Djordje Mihailovic added the insurance with a stoppage-time penalty goal. Midfielder Júnior Urso recorded his 100th appearance across all competitions for the Lions with his start, with all coming in an Orlando kit.

Three teams each overcame a 10-point deficit and recorded a game-winning touchdown within the final two minutes of regulation in Week 6: The CINCINNATI BENGALS overcame a 10-point deficit to defeat New Orleans, 30-26, as quarterback JOE BURROW connected with wide receiver JA’MARR CHASE for a game-winning 60-yard touchdown with 1:57 remaining. It marked the first game-winning touchdown of 60-or-more yards within the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime since Week 14, 2018 (KENYAN DRAKE – 69-yard touchdown). The INDIANAPOLIS COLTS overcame an 11-point deficit to defeat Jacksonville, 34-27, as quarterback MATT RYAN found wide receiver ALEC PIERCE for a game-winning 32-yard touchdown with 17 seconds remaining, Pierce’s first career touchdown. The NEW YORK GIANTS overcame a 10-point deficit to defeat Baltimore, 24-20, as running back SAQUON BARKLEY rushed for the game-winning touchdown with 1:43 remaining.  The Giants, who also overcame second-half deficits of 10-or-more points to

 By  JJ Stankevitz Colts.com Writer Maybe one of these weeks the Colts won’t need Matt Ryan to lead a fourth-quarter comeback to earn a victory. But while they have one of the most prolific, reliable late-game playmakers in NFL history – in a parity-fueled league where one-score games are the norm – it sure pays to have Matty Ice on your side, right? Ryan put an exclamation point on the 37th game winning drive (fourth all-time) and 44th fourth quarter comeback (sixth all-time) of his career on Sunday with a 32-yard touchdown strike to rookie wide receiver Alec Pierce with 23 seconds left, netting the Colts a 34-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. “I say it every week, he’s unflappable,” head coach Frank Reich said. “He wants the ball in his hands. He’s at his best, makes his best throws, his best decisions. He’s done that for 15 years. I mean, there’s something – there’s something wired in his DNA that’s just different in that way.” The Colts were in a

( SportsDay Photo by Nancy Beecher/FSW) By  Jeff Moeller After the game, I thought about it being the “Curse of the Texans.” Houston’s shocking 16-3 victory over the Jaguars at TIAA Field marked their ninth straight victory in the series and their 16th in the last 18 contests between the two.  This was supposed to be an easy “W” for the Jags over the previous winless Texans. The confidence level about them had begun to build toward a crescendo despite their loss at Philadelphia the previous week.  Despite their youth, the Jags had arrived. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the defense looked like the real thing. But we are often deceived by youth, especially in football. I,too, among many others were  initially easily deceived as to how a 3-14 team from a year ago can match their win total five games into the next season. The transformation is not yet complete.  Their loss to Houston hasn’t derailed the process..it has just slowed it down. Yes, like I have said, there is plenty of improv

(SportsDay photo by Jim Brady) JACKSONVILLE (SportsTicker) – Steve Stricker earned his 11th PGA TOUR Champions title Sunday at the Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS presented by Circle K, carding a three-round total of 14 under at Timuquana CC for a two-stroke victory over Monday qualifier Harrison Frazar. After losing 25 pounds this past winter due to a self-described “mystery ailment,” Stricker has seen his game round into peak form over the last few months.  The Wisconsin native has won back-to-back PGA TOUR Champions starts, with three victories in his last four starts. Stricker, 55, recorded 46 consecutive bogey-free holes at firm and fast Timuquana CC until a bogey on the closing hole Sunday. With the win, Stricker moves to No. 3 on the Charles Schwab Cup standings as he prepares to fly home to Wisconsin, where his daughter Izzy will compete in a high school state tournament beginning Monday. Tournament host Jim Furyk played in the final group Sunday and finished solo third, thr

By Mike Bonts TAMPA - Tampa Bay picked up its only victory of the preseason in its final game after downing the Florida Panthers 5-2 at AMALIE Arena on Saturday. The Lightning never trailed. Vladislav Namestnikov's hat trick proved to be the difference in the contest.. Nikita Kucherov netted the game's opening goal, wiring a shot from the right circle into the back of the net on a power play to provide the Lightning a 1-0 lead at 3:51.  Florida tied the game 1-1 at 5:15 on a goal from Rudolfs Balcers. Tampa Bay retook the lead for good 2-1 at 12:15 after Namestnikov scored the first of his two first-period goals. Namestnikov netted a second goal in the first period, scoring on the power play with 46 seconds to go in the opening frame. The Lightning added to their lead early in the second period, Namestnikov completing his hat trick after scoring his third goal of the game at 7:30 of the middle frame. Florida got a goal back at 8:45 of the second after Aleksi Heponiemi scored t

Photo by Nancy Beecher/Florida Sports Wire By Mike Bonts JACKSONVILLE (Florida Sports Wire) - The Jaguars hosted winless AFC South rival Houston Sunday at TIAA Bank Field. The Texans (1-3-1) are no longer winless. They beat the Jaguars (2-3) 13-6. Houston running back Dameon Pierce scored a one-yard touchdown with 3:11 to play. Pierce ran for 99 yards on 26 carries. He also had three catches for 14 yards. On a third and 20, rookie Travon Walker threw quarterback David Mills to the ground and with 7:20 to play resulting an unnecessary roughness call. It gave new life for a stagnant Houston offense, leading to Pierce’s score. Mills was 16 of 24 passing for 140 yards. Tied heading into the final quarter. Both clubs had relied on field goals for any points. The Texans’ Ka'imi Fairbairn (50,51) and the Jaguars’ Riley Patterson (26,45) accounted for the scoring in the first half. Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence was 25 of 46 passing for 289 yards with two interceptions. Running back Trav

By Jeff Moeller Trevor Lawrence couldn’t have had a worse game at a worse time. Lawrence and his team were riding the crest of the wave with two impressive wins, the latter in an unexpected, dominant stand against the Chargers. Against Philadelphia last week, Lawrence lost four fumbles and threw an interception. He did throw for a pair of scores with 174 yards. His receivers dropped five passes, and the league’s number one-ranked run defense allowed 210 yards rushing and four touchdowns. As for Lawrence’s turnovers against Philadelphia, you have to turn back a few pages to find a similar situation. As for this year, it was an anomaly. Heading into Sunday’s game against Houston at TIAA Field, Lawrence is at one of the pivotal points in his two-year career. He needs to guide his team (2-2) to a victory – really a convincing one – over a winless team (0-3-1). Good teams win the game they are supposed to win. If they’re facing a winless team, they need to put their foot on their necks. The

By Jeff Moeller This one hurt. Heading into the Eagles’ game, the Jaguars were on top of the Florida world and part of the football world.  They arguably had played their best overall football over the past two games. Were they ready for the big time? With the Jags, it is about character at this point. Trevor Lawernce played like he was the best football prospect in years that everyone expected. Head coach Doug Pederson arrived with the coaching pedigree Jags’ fans anticipated when Urban Meyer came on board last season. Offense, defense and special teams. It all was seemingly coming together at the right time, and Jaguar fans began to think about the possibilities of being an AFC South contender. Realistically, maybe it was too early, but it was a time to enjoy the moment, Those feelings intensified in the opening quarter In Philadelphia Sunday. The Jags were crisp, clean, and intense as they built a 14-0 lead in a driving rain.  Andre Cisco’s electrifying 59-yard pick six would help s