Florida Sports Wire

  By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire (Photo Courtesy 49ers /  Dylan Goodman The Jaguars’ 3-1 start can mainly be attributed to their defense that has a league-leading 12 turnovers this season. Under new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, the Jags’ defense has found new life. Through their first four games, there have been plenty of contributors. Linebacker Devin Lloyd, who is off to a great start, had two picks against the 49ers last Sunday. On offense, though, there is one player who has outshined the others. And it is not Trevor Lawrence, whose game picked up after a slow start in his first three. Travis Etienne. And he is the path to finally fulfill his potential. The 26-year-old tailback is having a banner year as the third-leading rusher in the game with 394 yards and an average of 98.5 per game. His 48-yard touchdown scamper against San Francisco was a key to victory and part of his 124-yard afternoon. Etienne has averaged 6.1 yards on his 65 carries. ...

By Jaxsportsday.com TAMPA - Tampa Bay fell to the Philadelphia Eagles, 31-25, to suffer their first defeat on the season.  Bucs' QB Baker Mayfield completed 22-of-40 passes for 289 yards and two passing touchdowns compared to one interception. With his 289 passing yards, Mayfield surpassed Steve DeBerg (9,439) for the eighth-most passing yards in franchise history. Mayfield’s two passing touchdowns on the day came on a 77-yard completion to WR Emeka Egbuka and a 72-yard completion to RB Bucky Irving, marking the first time in Mayfield’s career that he’s thrown multiple TD passes of 70-or-more yards in a single game. Despite the loss, Tampa Bay remains in first place in the NFC South and has held at least a share of first place in 62 of the last 76 weeks. The loss marks just the second in Tampa Bay’s last eight games against the Eagles, dating back to 2015 season. Tampa Bay's Chase McLaughlin went 3-for-3 on field goal tries on the day, converting from 42, 58, and 65 yards out....

By Mike Bonts, Florida Sports Wire TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Nashville Predators 4-1 on Saturday night at Benchmark International Arena. Mitchell Chaffee scored the eventual game-winning goal, coming on the power play at 4:27 of the second period to give the Lightning a 2-0 lead. Chaffee’s goal was his second of the preseason Tampa Bay is now 4-0-0 in the preseason with three games left before the start of the regular season. The last time the Lightning opened the preseason 4-0-0 was the 2013-14 preseason. They have never opened a preseason with a 5-0-0 record. Ozzy Wiesblatt scored the lone Nashville goal. Wiesblatt tipped in a Fedor Svechkov shot into the twine in his first preseason game  Darren Raddysh scored the game-opening goal at 5:34 of the first period, marking his first goal of the preseason…He also picked up an assist on Hagel’s power-play marker...He rated +2 and led Bolts skaters for time on ice (22:20). Raddysh led all Lightning skaters for po...

Photo Courtesy Las Vegas Review-Journal Alex Wright,  Las Vegas Review-Journal LAS VEGAS - Jacob Berry's   walk-off two-run home run to right-center field, and the Jumbo Shrimp defeated Las Vegas 8-7 to win the Triple-A title in front of a sellout crowd at Las Vegas Ballpark. “Sometimes it works — it worked out a lot today — and sometimes it doesn’t,” Aviators manager Fran Riordan said. “It’s just a shame. My heart hurts for the 28 players and the organization and the 10,000 fans that showed up and really were outstanding, especially in the ninth inning.” Las Vegas (85-68), the PCL champion, gave its crowd plenty to cheer for in the ninth. Trailing 6-2, the Aviators got a leadoff single from Daniel Susac and pinch hitter Luke Mann followed with a walk. Denzel Clarke singled to score Susac and a Nick Martini groundout brought home Mann to cut the deficit to 6-4. That brought up Bryan Lavastida who swung at the first pitch he saw and crushed a three-run homer to the pool in righ...

By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire For the first time in three seasons, the Jaguars’ defense has gained respectability. (See the offensive issue down below.) They’ll head into San Francisco late Sunday afternoon allowing 17 points per game, which is the league’s fifth best. Their 292 total yards is the 10 th best overall, 209.3 passing (17 th ) and a paltry 82 rushing (fourth). First=year coordinator Anthony Campanile has the Jags among the league’s elite, and they’ll playing like it. Granted, they’ve faced three losing teams, but the Jags’ defense is looking confident and composed. The unit will get a major test facing the 49ers, who likely will be without tight end George Kittle and quarterback Brock Purdy, and they’ll likely be reunited with former teammate Mac Jones, who has done his share to help them to a 3-0 record. Still, the signs point to the defense to have another stellar day. Overcoming the Texans’ jinx last week should have been enough to keep them over the t...

JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp evened the ILCS with a 6-4 win over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Wednesday night.  Tied at two, Jacksonville (1-1) took the lead in the bottom of the third and never looked back. With two outs, Kemp Alderman (1) and Matthew Etzel (1) crushed back-to-back homers giving the Jumbo Shrimp a 4-2 lead. The Jumbo Shrimp added to their advantage in the bottom of the fourth. Jared Serna led off with a single and stole second. Three batters later, Victor Mesa Jr. drove in Serna with a base hit, extending the advantage to 5-2. The RailRiders (1-1) closed the gap in the top of the sixth. With one out, Andre Velazquez singled and Jorbit Vivas (1) clobbered a two-run homer, cutting the deficit to one, 5-4. Jacksonville padded their lead in the bottom of the eighth. Etzel started the frame with a double and stole third. Two batters later, Etzel scored on a wild pitch giving the Jumbo Shrimp a 6-4 lead. Jacksonville and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre co...

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have reduced their training camp roster by 10 today, Vice President and General Manager Julien BriseBois announced today. Tampa Bay now has 53 players remaining on the team’s roster. The following players have been assigned:  Player/ Assigned to Baldwin, Everett/ Saint John (QMJHL) Czata, Ethan/ Niagara (OHL) Foster, Aiden/ Prince George (WHL) Golicic, Jan/ Gatineau (QMJHL) Heil, Caleb/ Madison (USHL) Mignosa, Marco/ Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) O’Reilly, Sam/ London (OHL) Pitre, Kaden/ Flint (OHL) Spada, Grant/ Guelph (OHL) Additionally, Maddox Labre was released from the training camp roster and will report to Victoriaville (QMJHL).

JACKSONVILLE - Despite Robby Snelling’s eight strike outs, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp fell 5-4 in 10 innings to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in game one of the International League Championship Series at VyStar Ballpark. Locked in a four to four tie game, Scranton/Wilkes Barre (1-0) started the 10th inning with Andrew Velazquez as a zombie runner at second. In the ensuing at bat, J.C. Escarra whacked an RBI double to score Velazquez, making it 5-4. The Jumbo Shrimp (0-1) scored first in the third inning as Jack Winkler singled on a ground ball to start the frame. In the next at bat, Victor Mesa Jr. smacked an RBI double scoring Winkler.  Two batters later, Joe Mack doubled plating Mesa Jr., giving Jacksonville the early 2-0 lead. The RailRiders responded in the fourth. With one out, Spencer Jones was hit by a pitch then Jose Rojas singled, putting runners at first and second.  One batter later, T.J. Rumfield (1) swatted a three-run home run to take the lead, making...

  ORLANDO – The UCF Athletics community is deeply saddened to announce the passing of offensive line coach Shawn Clark. Coach Clark, 50, passed away Sunday evening at a local hospital unexpectedly, with his wife, Jonelle, by his side. He was admitted on Tuesday, Sept. 9, after experiencing a medical emergency and remained in stable condition before passing away last night. “Shawn was so much more than a coach. He was a remarkable man, husband, and father who cared deeply about his players and staff,” said UCF head coach Scott Frost. “The reaction of our players and coaches to the news this morning is a testament to Shawn’s character and the impact he had on every life that he touched. He was loved. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jonelle, and children, Giana and Braxton. We are here to support them and will continue to keep them in our hearts and prayers.” A veteran coach with more than two decades of experience, Coach Clark joined UCF in December 2024 following a succ...

CORAL GABLES - Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. has been named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for the second time this season following his dominant performance in the Hurricanes’ 26-7 victory over Florida on Sept. 20 at Hard Rock Stadium. Bain anchored a Miami defense that limited the Gators to just 141 total yards, their fewest in a game since 1999. Florida also failed to reach 10 points for the first time since 2022, scored 10 or fewer in consecutive games for the first time since 1989, and went 0-for-13 on third down, marking its worst third-down performance since 1998. Bain turned in one of the best outings of his career. The Miami native totaled 10 quarterback pressures, seven tackles, one tackle for loss and 0.5 sacks, earning a stellar 93.8 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade. Hiss constant presence in the backfield fueled a defensive effort that resulted in three sacks, seven tackles for loss and one interception, while holding Florida to just seven points. Behind Bain an...

TALLAHASSEE – Redshirt freshman wide receiver Micahi Danzy earned ACC Player of the Week honors Monday after his breakout performance Saturday vs. Kent State. Danzy, from Tallahassee, was named ACC Rookie of the Week after recording 176 total yards on just three touches in FSU’s 66-10 win over the Golden Flashes. For the season, Danzy is averaging 33.2 yards on nine touches. On three consecutive drives in the first quarter, Danzy had highlight-worthy plays. Danzy caught a 47-yard pass deep over the middle between two defenders that began an FSU touchdown drive and followed that up with a 65-yard catch-and-run that set up another FSU touchdown. The two catches were the longest of Danzy’s career. The following drive, Danzy scored on a 64-yard run, his third of the season and longest career rush. Danzy became the first player in Florida State history with a 60-yard run and 60-yard reception in the same game. Danzy’s 112 receiving yards were a career high, his first 100-yard receiving gam...

PHOTO BY JAMES BRADY/Florida Sports Wire A look at seven statistical highlights from games played during the early games Sunday, Sept. 21, the third week of the 2025 season. With two games remaining in Week 3, eight games were within one score in the fourth quarter and seven games were decided by one score (eight points or fewer), all by teams – Cleveland, Jacksonville, the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Tampa Bay – that recorded the game-winning score in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter. The seven games with a game-winning score in the final three minutes of regulation or in overtime ties for the most such games in a single week since 1970 (most recently: Week 15, 2022). Tampa Bay is the first team in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to record a game-winning score in the final minute of the fourth quarterback in each of its first three games of a season. The Buccaneers are also the third team since 1970 to record a game-winning score in t...

PHOTO BY JIM BRADY/Florida Sports Wire By JEFF MOELLER, Florida Sports Wire   Maybe it was a sign. In the final five minutes, there was a collective sigh at EverBank Stadium Sunday and likely if you were watching at home. In a 10-10 game, Houston had the ball, and they were driving into Jacksonville territory for a potential game-winning score. It had all the making of another game that would slip away from the Jaguars, especially after it happened to them last week in Cincinnati. The season – and any thought of a postseason – was on the brink with a defeat that would leave them at 0-3. And this was Houston, who made Everbank Stadium their own Disneyworld with seven straight victories there. However, the Jags got a reprieve from what can save them this season –their defense. Tyson Campbell forced a fumble and Devin Lloyd recovered, and the Jags had a life again. Trevor Lawrence, who threw a costly interception that led to Houston’s tying score and had a mediocre afternoon despite s...

NORFOLK, V.A. – Jack Winkler reached base twice, but the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp fell in the regular season finale to the Norfolk Tides, 4-1, Sunday from Harbor Park. Norfolk opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. Reed Trimble singled to begin the inning. Three batters later, Ryan Noda walked. With runners at first and second, Silas Ardoin smacked an RBI single, making it 1-0. Terrin Vavra laced an RBI single, extending the Tides lead to 2-0. Jacksonville responded in the top of the fourth. With one out, Winkler singled and stole second. One batter later, Bennett Hostetler blooped an RBI single, cutting the Shrimp’s deficit in half, 2-1. The Tides extended their lead in the sixth. Noda was hit by a pitch and Ardoin walked to start the frame. Both runners advanced to second and third on a sacrifice bunt. With two runners in scoring position, Noda scored from third on an RBI groundout from Jud Fabian, making it 3-1. Leading by two in the eighth, Gary Sánchez walked and Noda wa...

  By JEFF MOELLER, Florida Sports Wire Heading into the game, you had a feeling about a loss at Cincinnati.  It was the Bengals’ home opener, and quarterback Joe Borrow didn’t play well, as his team just slipped past the Colts in the season opener. Then..maybe luck would be on the Jags’ side, and a 2-0 start wasn’t out of question. Trevor Lawrence looked sharp and effective, marching his team down the field on their opening drive for a score. Burrow would leave the game with a toe injury, and the Jags had a 17-10 halftime lead.  But then, it was the same old Jaguars that ended in a 31-27 loss. They have the ability and potential, but they can’t get over the hump. It was the same old factor of not capitalizing in the movement and failing to put a team away.  Stay focused. The penalties, dropped passes, and mental mistakes result from a lack of focus and attention to detail. Lawrence’s first quarter  red zone interception proved to be costly, keeping the Bengals i...

  By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire JACKSONVILLE - It began with all the signs of bad afternoon. The national anthem could not be heard over the public address system, but the crowd began to sing the lyrics. A scoreboard sign trying to get the fans to chant “defense” was spelled “defence” – a British spelling maybe foretelling more Jags’ games across the pond. However, it was soon corrected. Then we had the thunderstorm delay – rumored to be the first in Jags’ history – that only yielded some rain sprinkles. It appeared the Jags would have a long day in the season and home opener. However, it resulted in one of the better Jags’ games in recent years as well as one of their better season openers in a 26-10 rout of Carolina. This was an afternoon when the Jags were effective and efficient with the fanfare. They didn’t need Travis Hunter to make any highlight plays on both sides of the ball. A new optimistic feeling has emerged under new head coach Liam Coen after an insecure feel...

JACKSONVILLE – Thanks to a strong start from Robby Snelling and clutch hitting, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp defeated the Memphis Redbirds, 5-2, Tuesday night at VyStar Ballpark. Down 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Jacksonville (82-57, 35-29) took the lead. With two outs on the board, Griffin Conine double on a sharp line drive. The following at bat, Joe Mack (16) cracked a two-run shot, giving the Jumbo Shrimp a 2-1 lead. The Jumbo Shrimp added an insurance run in the fifth. Matthew Etzel and Nathan Martorella started the inning with back-to-back singles. With runners at the corners, Etzel scored on a sacrifice fly from Johnny Olmstead, making it 3-1. Jacksonville padded their lead in the sixth. Jared Serna began the inning with a walk. He stole second, advancing to third on a fielder’s choice. With a runner at third, Mack popped a sacrifice fly, extending the Shrimp’s lead. With the bases empty, Kemp Alderman singled and advanced to second on a pass ball. One batter later, ...

  By Mike Bonts, Jacksonville SportsDay JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida Sports Wire)— The Carolina Panthers’ own mistakes on offense hurt them in a 26-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL regular season opener. Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw his 70th career touchdown pass on a six-yard completion to tight end Hunter Long. Lawrence also recorded 19 completions. Carolina QB Bryce Young threw an interception and fumbled in the first half, turnovers that led to 10 Jaguars points. Carolina trailed 10-3 prior to the 76-minute delay because of lightning in the Jacksonville area. Following the weather delay, Travis Etienne Jr. popped a 71-yard run. Three runs later, the Jaguars were in the end zone with a 17-3 lead. Etienne Jr. registered 143 rushing yards. Brian Thomas Jr. also ran for a six-yard score for Jacksonville. The only points for the visitors were on a 48-yard field goal by rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, until Young hit Chuba Hubbard for a touchdown pass i...

JACKSONVILLE -  Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp left-hander Robby Snelling has been named the International League Pitcher of the Month for the month of August, Minor League Baseball announced Thursday. Snelling is the first Jumbo Shrimp player to earn a monthly honor during the 2025 campaign. After starting the season with Double-A Pensacola, Snelling was promoted to Triple-A Jacksonville on July 10 and made three starts that month. During the month of August, the lefty made five starts, totaling 30.0 innings.  He allowed just five runs (three earned) posting a 0.90 ERA and a 3-1 record. Among those five starts, he had two scoreless outings and struck out 38 against just nine walks. Opponents hit just .189 against Snelling. A native of Reno, N.V, the 21-year-old pitcher is in his first full season with the Marlins organization. He was selected in the first round (39th overall) by the San Diego Padres.  During his first professional season, he spent time with Low-A Lake Elsinor...

  JACKSONVILLE – IRONMAN, the global leader in long-distance triathlon, announced today the addition of a new full-distance IRONMAN® triathlon in northeastern Florida to the global circuit. The inaugural edition of the IRONMAN Jacksonville triathlon is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, with a swim, bike, and run course that will take athletes through downtown Jacksonville passing into Duval and Nassau Counties. Located in northeastern Florida, Jacksonville offers a unique blend of warm Florida weather and welcoming southern culture that makes it the perfect venue for a new early season IRONMAN event in North America. General registration for the new event opens on Sept. 22, 2025, at www.ironman.com/races/im-jacksonville. “Jacksonville’s southern charm, welcoming community, and beautiful weather offer the perfect location to bring a new IRONMAN event early in the year,” said Todd Fitzgerald, Regional Director for IRONMAN. “As one of the largest cities by land area ...

  TALLAHASSEE – The No. 14 Florida State football team defeated East Texas A&M 77-3 on Saturday afternoon at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles (2-0) scored a touchdown on their first 10 drives, a first in program history. Florida State scored 77 points for the first time since defeating Delaware State 77-6 in 2017. FSU also tied the program record for its largest margin of victory at 74 points and tied the school record for touchdowns scored in a game with 11.  The Seminoles' 416 yards of offense in the first half is the highest first-half total by any team nationally this season. Florida State ended the game with 729 total yards, its most since totaling 771 against Clemson in 2000. Wide receiver Duce Robinson set single-game career-highs with five receptions, 173 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. His 160 receiving yards in the first quarter broke an FSU record. Running back Gavin Sawchuk found the end zone three times in the first half, totaling 88 yards of offense...

  MIAMI GARDENS. – Playing on a short week after an emotional victory, the Miami Hurricanes returned to Hard Rock Stadium and delivered just the performance they needed. The fifth-ranked Canes were ruthlessly efficient on offense, stingy on defense and controlled the game from start to finish, defeating Bethune-Cookman 45-3 before a crowd of 60,617. Miami improved to 2-0, while BCU fell to 0-2. The Canes racked up 543 yards, averaging 8.4 yards per play and scoring on all five of their red zone trips. Quarterback Carson Beck completed 22 of 24 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns. He completed his first 15 passes, setting a school record for consecutive completions in a single game; Vinny Testaverde held the previous mark, completing 14 straight passes against Oklahoma in 1986. Both scoring strikes were to wide receiver CJ Daniels, who hauled in five passes for 73 yards. Fellow wideout Malachi Toney paced Miami with six receptions for 80 yards. Running back Mark Fletcher rushed...