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October 12 -- October 18, 2026
Issue No. 663
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The moment you doubt whether
you can fly, you cease forever
to be able to do it.
-- Bat-girl
Barbara Joan Gordon, January, 1967
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Note: Most photos in each issue are linked to Facebook albums produced by our talented photographers. To enjoy additional photos, simply click on a photograph or on the link provided at the end of each report. New albums, contributor essays and Sports Today issues are continually posted to: www.ultimatesportsguide.net
Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Contents
Games
Cal Bears 25, Virginia Tech Hokies 20
San Francisco 49ers 32, Seattle Seahawks 29
Features & Commentary
Commissioner Proposes 154-Game Season, by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
Hardly Trivial, by T. Buff
Michelle Quan, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Opposing Offensive Strategies & Quandaries, by Carl Macki
SJSU Women's Basketball -- Coach Jonas Chatterton, by Briannah McGee
The End of an Era, by Carl Macki
What's in an NFL Name in 2026?, by Andy Dolich
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San Francisco 49ers 32, Seattle Seahawks 29
Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Sunday, October 11, 2026
It was what fans expected: a Bonafide Slugfest road game. The 49ers delivered the knockout blow on a 32-29 Eddy Pineiro FG with 1:56 left. On offense, standouts for San Francsico included WR Mike Evans and of course, Brock Purdy, under constant pressure, but with ample guile to handle it. The Defense, with many not-exactly household names, came through in the clutch. A sack by #53, Jaden Dugger, a Rookie LB out of Louisiana, sacked Seattle QB Darnold which led to an interception by Renardo Green and a subsequent Purdy to Mike Evans TD.
#55, Sebastian Valdez, a 301-pound DT had a key sack and safety Malik Mustapha, #6, had a strong game with some potent tackles. Fred Warner's fumble recovery led to a TD by CMC and after Greenlaw was disqualified for an alleged late hit, #93, Gracen Halton, the 293-pound rookie DT out of Oklahoma, had another strong game and his counterpart, #92, DT Osa Odighizuwa squashed Darnold as the 49ers took a 14-13 halftime lead. Halton recovered a fumble but when Pineiro missed a FG and Deebo fumbled as he was hurt, Seattle took as 26-21 lead. The combined turnovers were the most in the NFL over the last nine years. Brock twice connected to Mike Evans, who shined all game, and then to Brandin Cooks, a WR in his 13th season, for the TD. A 2-point conversion made it 29-26, 49ers, but a Seattle FG tied the game at 29. Pineiro was clutch at :47 to stifle the crowd and seal a 32-29 49er victory. Evans had seven catches for 113 yards. Mustapha and Green teamed up to make sure Seattle's desperation pass was, indeed, out of bounds. Purdy finished with a QBR of 92.5, and Darnold a 64 QBR. San Francisco is now 5-0 and is one tough, determined and innovative team.
Watch All The Action Here!
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks | Week 5, NFL 2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1hjRUzIduc
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.cce-mcle.com/aboutus
mcle@msn.com
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Opposing Offensive Strategies
& Quandaries
Have An Opinion?
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49ers Skipper Kyle Shanahan and Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson make fascinating subjects for a study in contrast and comparison because few coaches better demonstrate how a shared offensive foundation can produce
strikingly different systems.
Both speak much of the same offensive language:
pre-snap motion, play-action deception and a
running game designed to make every call
strengthen the next.
Shanahan favors disciplined outside-zone structure,
bootlegs and clearly defined quarterback reads;
Johnson counters with a broader running menu,
rotating backs, inventive personnel packages
and greater freedom to adapt.
Their methods differ—but both aim to keep defenses
reacting instead of thinking.
-- Afterword --
The Bears Lose Their Cool, Yet I Keep Faith
Packers 31, Bears 7
I thought the moment of silence for the late Bears coach Mike Ditka might bring something home worth toasting—like “Let’s win one for the Gipper!” I came away admiring a sixteen-play touchdown drive and wondering whether five turnovers count as a charitable donation in the name of the man who gave them their only Super Bowl win.
Caleb Williams was hurt, so second-stringer Tyson Bagent carried our hopes through the first half. Two interceptions later, he handed them to Case Keenum, who took the mission too gravely, like a man accepting a casserole at a funeral.
The change of quarterback changed little. Chicago crossed midfield again but arrived somewhere and went nowhere at the same time.
Once, just once, it all came together: seventy-six yards over sixteen plays, with D’Andre Swift carrying the last twelve into the end zone. It was football I recognized—a small smidgen of hope on a hapless afternoon. Naturally, I put my cautious optimism on a ledge. Because I realized Green Bay had other plans.
Jordan Love threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns, finding Christian Watson and Matthew Golden with a reliability I would gladly accept from Muni. Christian Watson reached the end zone twice. MarShawn Lloyd ran in two more. The Packers committed no turnovers, unaware that I expected them to go tit-for-tat.
Austin Booker deserved his due. His two sacks in three plays were a bright flash of defiance, and holding the Packers to seventy rush yards was a genuine accomplishment. But Green Bay still amassed 428 yards, while our offense kept giving the ball back before the defense could catch its breath.
The Bears had won three of the previous four meetings, which is how a man begins to suspect the gloomy weather has changed for the better. It has. One wretched afternoon does not settle the matter. Still, 31–7 has a way of shutting down any argument to the contrary.
What stings most is how quickly the contest became a vigil, with all of us waiting for it to end. Missing Caleb mattered, and five giveaways made a comeback impossible.
Still, I will carry my hopes back next week, a little dented, for the gents in navy and orange.
Conceived and illustrated by Carl Macki. Comments?
Write: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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Golden State Valkyries 87 (OT)
Las Vegas Aces 77
Michelob ULTRA Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Friday, October 9, 2026
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Veronica Burton Reflects on Valkyries Advancing to the WNBA Finals
LISTEN HERE!
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Cal Bears 25
Virginia Tech Hokies 20
Databricks Field at Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Saturday, October 10, 2026
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What a Homecoming! Beautiful skies with the distant screams of jets overhead was only matched by the crowd cheering for the Golden Bears who waited until the fourth quarter to take the lead from the Virginia Tech Hokies. Cal then gave the lead away with 1:15 to go before running back Ashten Emory broke into the end zone with :08 to go for a 25-20 victory. Cal's next game is Wake Forest under the lights on Saturday,
October 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Above, midway through the first quarter new Travers Family Head Coach Tosh Lupoi takes to the air to plead for an intentional grounding call which would never come.
The University of California Golden Bears played host to the Virginia Tech University Hokies in an ACC Conference game at Databricks Field at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on
Saturday afternoon, October 10. 2026
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Early in the second quarter redshirt senior wide receiver Jordan King (#4) just gets his toes in while making a catch along
the sidelines.
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Delivering a punishing hit to the defender in the fourth quarter, sophomore Ashten Emory (#20) takes the ball down
to the four-yard line.
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Late in the fourth quarter and making an improbable catch deep in the end zone, transfer Carson Perry-Smith (#17) hangs onto the ball before going horizontal and giving Cal the lead for the
first time in the game,
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On his 19th rushing effort, Ashten Emory (#20) would sweep left and drive himself over the goal line for his second touchdown, giving the Golden Bears the lead 25-20 with
only 8 seconds remaining.
To view a photo album, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net
Photos and captions by Ron Sellers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RghobpAfwg
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What’s in an NFL Name in 2026?
by Andy Dolich
During a recent gap in doing anything worthwhile I decided
to scroll through the rosters of every team in the NFL and make a list of First Names and Last Names that aren’t connected.
These names seemed well suited for those who take to the
NFL Gridiron during constant contact.
Yes, I was bored. Please let me know who I left out.
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Budda
Bam
Hunter
Divine
Cash
Princely
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Amen
Juice
Rock
Sauce
Greedy
Major
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Chase
Kool-Aid
Tank
Sincere
Dallas
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Sweat
Rush
Tampa
Large
Battle
Pride
Anger
Downs
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Speed
Bentley
Hopper
Smack
Strong
Clowny
Harsh
Husky
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Fields
Pounds
Cleveland
Slaughter
World
Sheriff
Duck
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* * *
Andy Dolich operates Dolich & Associates, a sports consultancy, in Los Altos. A local resident, Dolich has more than 50 years of experience as an executive in professional sports, working with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and hockey and soccer teams. Dolich is also the co-author of Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. For earlier articles by Andy Dolich published in Sports Today! click HERE.
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Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is proposing a reduced regular season schedule from 162 games to
154 games starting in 2029
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Commissioner Proposes 154
Game Season
by Amaury Pi Gonzalez
Commissioner’s Proposal -- The 154-game schedule allows for a standard weekly off-day (primarily Mondays) to benefit player health. Starting in the 2029 season. It creates a new national broadcast window to showcase top teams and players.
A shorter regular season improves October baseball with fewer weekday afternoon games, a longer best-of-seven Division Series (expanded from best-of-five), and more prime-time viewing. Allowing top seeds to pick their opponents in the first two rounds creates compelling storylines and intensifies rivalries.
Players Union Statement Players stated they are reviewing the scheduling and playoff format proposals and will respond at the bargaining table. The union criticized the league for making all its proposals contingent on a salary cap, which it views as a system that “guts player rights and compensation,” along with other anti-player measures.
An owners lockout looms, but at least the Commissioner made a proposal, which gives fans some hope. How much? We will soon find out.
NOTE: The longest work stoppage in Major League Baseball (MLB) history was the 1994–1995 MLB strike, which lasted 232 days (from August 12, 1994, to April 2, 1995).
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# # #
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
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Women of Rodeo
Cow Palace -- San Francisco, CA
Monday, October 5, 2026
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Cow Palace sends Two Women Rodeo Athletes to the Premier Women’s Rodeo Championship in Ft. Worth Texas, May 13-16, 2027
“Women of Rodeo” competition at the Grand National Rodeo qualified two women for the Premier Women’s Rodeo World Championship
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — October 5, 2026 — The competition was fierce at the 4th Annual “Women of Rodeo” competition at the Cow Palace on Saturday night.
As part of the partnership, the unique “Women of Rodeo” competition at the Grand National Rodeo became a PWR partnership exemption event for the Premier Women’s Rodeo World Championship, which takes place May 13-16, 2027. at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.
www.cowpalace.com
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Women First Responders were recognized at the opening ceremonies of the 4th annual Women of Rodeo
at the Cow Palace.
| Cow Palace CEO, Dr. Allison Keaney, presents the championship barrel racing bracelet to Madison Comozzi. | Madison Comozzi turns the barrel on her way to a winning 15.14 time and a ticket to the Premier Women’s Rodeo Championship in May. | |
Karri Jones wins the Women of Rodeo Breakaway and punches her ticket to the Premiere Women's Rodeo Championship
in Fort Worth.
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Diablo Ladies drill team perform for the 4th Annual Women
of Rodeo at the Cow Palace.
| Brittany Miller bronc rider hangs on to defend her championship title but just misses the buzzer. | | |
A program is only as strong as the belief behind it. At San Jose State, head coach Jonas Chatterton is building a team around that idea, bringing together a new roster, international talent and a winning pedigree to give the Spartans something to believe in.
“Dare to be great,” is the message Chatterton has emphasized this season.
After more than two decades coaching Division I basketball, he has seen what it takes to build a winning program. Now, he hopes to bring that experience to San Jose State.
Chatterton spent 10 seasons as an associate head coach at Oregon State, helping the Beavers reach the Final Four in 2016, multiple Elite Eights and three consecutive Pac-12 regular-season championships from 2015-17. Most recently, he helped Oklahoma reach the Sweet 16. His teams have compiled a 501-237 record throughout his coaching career.
That resume provides a foundation for a Spartans program looking to establish itself among the Mountain West’s best.
“We’re much more talented and deep than we were last year,” Chatterton said. “I think we have a chance to be in the upper half of the conference.”
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Gabriela Pato (#32) is a 6-4 forward sophomore from Vigo, Spain. Career honors include 2026 Academic All-Mountain West and Mountain West Scholar Athlete (2025-26). Pato is pictured above on December 7, 2025 against Cal.
Photo by Darren Yamashita.
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A rebuilt roster featuring international recruits and experienced transfers gives SJSU a fresh opportunity. Chatterton traveled to Europe during the summer to watch players compete, believing their experience fits his vision of a fast-paced offense built on spacing and ball movement.
But building a contender requires more than talent. Assistant coach Jordan Loera, who helped Eastern Washington win a Big Sky championship and reached the WBIT final with BYU, said the team spent five weeks together over the summer developing chemistry and establishing standards.
“You don’t have to be best friends, just respect each other,” Loera said.
That culture has resonated with sophomore transfer Isa Hämäläinen, who previously played at Colorado and in Luxembourg. Recovering from an injury suffered in May, Hämäläinen said the support she has received has strengthened her belief in the coaching staff and her teammates.
“I’ve never gotten so much trust and belief from a coach,” Hämäläinen said.
Chatterton’s ambitions extend beyond one successful season. He wants SJSU competing among the conference’s top three programs and becoming a consistent postseason contender. Just as importantly, he wants players to see the Spartans as a program worth joining and fans to feel connected to its growth.
The roster is new, and the results remain to be seen. But with an experienced coach, a developing team culture and a clear vision, SJSU has reasons to believe.
For Chatterton, greatness begins with refusing to put a ceiling on what the Spartans can become.
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# # #
Briannah McGee is a fourth year Journalism student from San Jose State. As an aspiring Sports Broadcaster she love telling the stories of the people in the jerseys as someone who’s spent most of her life in one. Every time she writes is an opportunity for other women in the industry to believe in themselves and their place in the sports world. You can find more of Briannah's content
@brionthebeatsports on Instagram.”
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The End of an Era --
by Carl Macki
Few men have left a greater mark on the Chicago Bears than Mike Ditka. He didn't simply play football or coach it. He helped redefine the game and restored the pride of one of its most storied franchises.
As a player, Ditka was a revolutionary. One of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, he helped create the modern position, transforming the tight end from primarily a blocker into a dangerous offensive weapon. He brought toughness, athleticism, and an unmistakable ferocity to every play.
But his greatest achievement came when he returned to Chicago as head coach in 1982. He inherited a proud franchise that had lost its way and transformed it into one of the most formidable teams in NFL history.
The legendary 1984–85 Bears were more than a football team. They were a cultural phenomenon. With Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, and the devastating defense masterminded by Buddy Ryan, Ditka created a team that combined extraordinary talent with an almost frightening intensity.
The 1985 Bears finished 15–1 and demolished the New England Patriots 46–10 in Super Bowl XX. They didn't merely win a championship. They became part of American folklore.
Ditka was their unmistakable leader: stubborn, explosive, demanding, sometimes outrageous, but utterly devoted to the Bears. He embodied Chicago itself—tough, working-class, proud, and unwilling to back down.
And that legacy casts a long shadow over the upcoming confrontation with the Green Bay Packers, Chicago's oldest and fiercest rival. Every Bears–Packers game carries the weight of more than a century of football history. Ditka's legacy adds another dimension: the memory of a time when Chicago didn't simply compete with its rivals. It intimidated them.
Whatever happens on the field, the spirit of those extraordinary Bears remains a standard against which every Chicago team is measured.
Mike Ditka didn't just bring a championship back to Chicago. He gave the Bears back their identity. Now that identity has run dry. And a new era in Chicago has begun.
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# # #
Carl Macki is a writer, poet, graphic artist, and thinker, open to new ideas and ways of building a better world by developing our human potential. He sees sports and athletics as an integral part of that pursuit, and can be reached at (415) 323-9187 (cell/text).
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San Francisco Giants president of business operations Buster Posey at the 2014 Championship Reunion Ceremony on
August 10, 2024. Photo by Darren Yamashita.
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4 pressing offseason questions
for the Giants
This story was excerpted from Maria Guardado’s Giants Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
By Maria Guardado
SAN FRANCISCO -- For the ninth time in the last 10 seasons, the Giants will be stuck watching postseason baseball at home.
Their hopes of playing into October faded quickly during their disappointing 97-loss campaign this year, a grim reality that wasn’t lost on president of baseball operations Buster Posey.
"This is kind of off-topic, but I was just sitting here thinking about it," Posey said during the club’s end-of-season press conference last week. "I guess this is more for our fans than anything else -- as excited as we were about how well some of our young guys played, I just want to say it out loud: We don't have blinders on that the wins and losses were still not there with that group.”
The onus for building a better roster will now fall on Posey, general manager Zack Minasian and manager Tony Vitello, setting the stage for another consequential offseason for the Giants.
Here are four questions the group will have to address this winter:
continued...
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The five biggest questions facing the A's this offseason
by Martín Gallegos
This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos' Athletics Beat
newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe
to get it regularly in your inbox.
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On the surface, the 2026 season was a failure for the Athletics.
Entering Spring Training with serious playoff aspirations as they looked to build off momentum generated at the end of ‘25, the A’s instead went out and finished with a record of 64-98 – 12 fewer wins than the previous year – for yet another year near the bottom of the American League West.
The full story of the ‘26 A’s, though, can’t be told without the slew of injuries that defined their season. Five players who largely make up the core of this club – Brent Rooker, Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers, Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson – combined to miss 368 games.
Meanwhile, Opening Day starter Luis Severino went down with a right shoulder strain on May 30 and went on to miss the remainder of the season.
Through those injuries, the A’s were able to get a look at some of their top prospects at the big league level earlier than expected, such as Henry Bolte and Gage Jump, both of whom are now expected to be impact players on the 2027 club. But to achieve that goal of playoff contention, it’s going to take more than just getting players healthy again.
continued....
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The Oakland Ballers are joining the Long Beach Coast In the
2026 Fall League. Ulsan, South Korea.
October 8, 2026
Oakland Ballers contingent to
play in 2026 KBO Fall League
in Ulsan, South Korea
Don Wakamatsu will come out of managerial retirement to lead the team, joined by veteran international coach John McLaren.
The Long Beach Coast have been invited to the 2026 KBO Fall League in Ulsan, South Korea from October 15–31, and they are bringing a contingent of past and present Oakland Ballers greats with them. This will be the first American team ever to play in the KBO Fall League.
The roster will include current and former players from the Pioneer Baseball League. And from the Ballers side, there are a lot of familiar names in the mix.
That Ballers group includes:
Ren Abe-Arias, SP, Oakland Ballers
Tremayne Cobb Jr., SS, Oakland Ballers
Esai Santos, UTIL, Oakland Ballers
Jeter Ybarra, 1B, Oakland Ballers
Logan Johnstone, OF, Oakland Ballers
James Colyer, P, Winnipeg Goldeyes
Luke Short, SP, Cleburne Railroaders
Adam Bogosian, P, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
Conner Richardson, P, Cleburne Railroaders
A full roster and schedule can be found HERE.
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49ers Sign DL Fehoko Jr. to
Practice Squad
Oct 06, 2026 at 01:42 PM
The San Francisco 49ers announced they have signed DL Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the team's practice squad.
Fehoko Jr. (6-4, 267) was originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (129th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. Throughout his two-year NFL career, he has spent time with the Cowboys (2023-24), Washington Commanders (2025), Indianapolis Colts (2025-26) and San Francisco 49ers (2026). In 2026, Fehoko Jr. signed to the 49ers practice squad on September 23 and was promoted to the team's active roster on September 26 where he appeared in one game before being waived on October 3.
A 26-year-old native of Mountain View, CA, Fehoko Jr. attended San Jose State University for five seasons (2018-22) where he appeared in 48 games and registered 191 tackles, 46.0 tackles for loss, 23.0 sacks, 14 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
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Warriors Sign Guard Brandin Podziemski to Contract Extension
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October 10, 2026 5:08 PM PDT
The Golden State Warriors have signed guard Brandin Podziemski to a contract extension, it was announced Saturday. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.
"We’re thrilled to get an extension done with Brandin prior to the deadline,” said Warriors General Manager Mike Dunleavy. "Brandin has continued to improve and expand his game since he entered the league as a mid-first round pick, and we think his upward trajectory will only continue. He’s a durable, skilled, two-way player that makes our team better each time he takes the court.”
Podziemski, 23, averaged a career-high 13.8 points on a career-best 45.5% shooting from the field, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.08 steals and 28.5 minutes in 82 games (43 starts) last season with the Warriors. He was the only Golden State player to appear in all 82 games and one of just 18 players in the NBA to accomplish the feat. Podziemski scored in double figures 62 times, including 16 games with 20-or-more points and one 30-point performance.
Over the final 22 games of the season (all starts), Podziemski averaged 18.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 31.7 minutes per game.
Overall, Podziemski owns career averages of 11.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.00 steals and 27.4 minutes in 220 games (104 starts) over three seasons with Golden State. Originally selected by the Warriors with the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Podziemski earned 2023-24 NBA All-Rookie First Team honors, becoming the 19th player in franchise history to receive the recognition.
continued...
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By Max Miller
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
October 10, 2026
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SAN JOSE -- Connor McDavid and Vasily Podkolzin extended their season-opening point streaks to five games for the Edmonton Oilers in their fourth straight win, 3-1 against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Saturday.
Podkolzin, Mattias Ekholm and Alex Formenton scored, and McDavid had an assist for the Oilers (4-0-1), who have a five-game point streak to start the season. Tristan Jarry made 19 saves.
"I just liked that we stayed patient,” Edmonton coach Mike Babcock said. “We stuck with the plan. Their coach did a real good job and their guys were organized. I thought we had to do it the hard way."
Macklin Celebrini scored in his return after missing two games due to a lower-body injury, and Yaroslav Askarov made 17 saves for the Sharks (3-2-0).
"I didn't have any major issues with our start,” San Jose coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “I thought maybe could have created a little bit more, but I didn't mind our start. We made one mistake and it was in the back of our net."
Ekholm put the Oilers up 1-0 at 12:37 of the first period. Isaac Howard worked the puck off the right boards and passed to Ekholm at the point, and his slap shot beat a screened Askarov over the glove.
continued...
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MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 1, Colorado Rapids 1
Earl Edwards Jr.’s nine saves, Dave Romney’s second-half goal preserve point and extend unbeaten streak to seven; San Jose remains fourth in West, continues road trip at Real Salt Lake
next Wednesday, Oct. 14
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — Earl Edwards Jr.’s nine saves and Dave Romney’s second-half goal propelled the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park to extend their unbeaten streak to seven league matches and remain fourth in the Western Conference table.
The Earthquakes appeared to open the scoring in minute 13 when Ronaldo Vieira fed Preston Judd with a through ball from the left touchline into the left half-space and the forward slotted it past Colorado goalkeeper Nicolas Defreitas-Hansen. But a VAR review deemed Judd offside and the goal was annulled. The hosts took advantage of the reprieve in the 27th minute when Donovan Phillip skied above the scrum and headed home a corner kick inswinger service from Paxten Aaronson to make it 1-0 for Colorado.
After intermission, the Quakes began to push the ball up the field and were rewarded when Paul Marie was fouled outside the box in the right half-space. In minute 57, Timo Werner pinged the subsequent free kick to the back post for Vieira, who headed it across goal for Dave Romney. The defender placed a pinpoint volley through traffic into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
In minute 82, Judd had the ball in the box and made two defenders slide when he cut it back to his left foot, but Defreitas-Hansen made a kick-save to keep the game tied. The Rapids answered in the 86th minute when a Wayne Frederick header hit the post and was cleared off the line. Seconds later, Colorado continued to assail the net and Darren Yapi had a chance at point-blank range but Earl Edwards Jr. extended to deny him for his ninth save of the match. Late in stoppage time, Beau Leroux connected in the box with Ousseni Bouda for what appeared to be the game-winning goal, but the flag was up for offside. The Black and Blue had one last opportunity when Jamar Ricketts drew a foul at the edge of the box, but Eduard Löwen’s curler was just wide of the far post and the teams shared the points.
The full “Quakes Replay” of tonight’s match is scheduled to air Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m. PT on KTVU Plus . For highlights, analysis and features, fans can also watch the new half-hour magazine show “Quakes Exclusive,” which will next air on Friday, Oct. 16, on KTVU Plus at 8 p.m. PT and KTVU FOX 2 at 8:30 p.m. PT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rhEcjSGih0
continued...
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Roots Play to Dramatic 0-0 Draw Versus San Antonio FC in Final Match at Oakland Coliseum
October 3, 2026
Despite an action packed 90 minutes in Roots’ final match at the Oakland Coliseum, Roots played visiting San Antonio FC to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night.
Neither side were able to take control in the early going, with the battle remaining mostly in the midfield and both offenses struggling to create any dangerous looks on goal.
This changed in the 21st minute when Wolfgang Prentice nearly buried inside the low right post with a rocket of a shot from outside the penalty area which required a diving save from the San Antonio keeper to keep the match level.
Following this opportunity, Roots continued to build their attack, looking like the more organized club for the remainder of the first half, but failing to capitalize as the first frame ended still scoreless.
Roots continued their pressure in the second half, and made the San Antonio backline sweat on multiple occasions.
San Antonio, however, looked as if they would take the lead in the 77th minute after they were awarded a penalty kick when Bertin Jacquesson was deemed to have made too much contact inside his own box.
But as he has done time and time again in recent months, goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh made what could turn out to be a season salvaging save on the attempt as Roots cleared the rebound to keep the match scoreless.
Despite continued pressure, Roots failed to score in regulation time. They were instead rewarded with a penalty kick of their own at the beginning of stoppage time when Wolfgang Prentice was fouled from behind as he was exiting the penalty area.
Peter Wilson lined up to take the try from the spot, but it was not to be as Joseph Batrouni made the save on the shot and San Antonio cleared the ball from danger to reach the final whistle content to split the points with Oakland.
With favorable results around the league earlier in the day, Roots still remain alive in the playoff race, but the single point awarded on the night means they will be chasing near perfection in their last two matches if they hope to climb to the 8th place playoff line before seasons end.
Their next opportunity to climb the table will come next Saturday October, 17th on the road as Roots head to Oklahoma to face FC Tulsa at 5 PM PT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVn32TrCNQI
continued...
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CATCH US AT HOME
NEXT SUNDAY
The second-to-last home match for the season will give Bay FC a chance to showcase how the team has grown throughout the season, and they'll do so against a tough Portland squad that beat Bay 2-0 back in May.
MATCH DETAILS
| | Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | |
MLB pitchers Jon Rauch and Sean Hjelle...
have the honor of being tied for a vital stat of less stature than most baseball stats. Any wild guesses?
Is there someone out there who really knows the
answer without looking?
answer below
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|
Michelle Quan -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
| |
There was an ice skate rink in Redwood City that was celebrating an event and their special guest was Olympic skating champion Michelle Kwan. I was there for the event and got the chance to meet and get an autographed photo of Michelle. She was very nice and chatted with her many fans.
Michelle won a silver medal in the 1998 Olympics and a bronze
in the 2002 Olympics. She is a 5-time world champion and
a 9-time US champion.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
| |
A Remarkable Journey to Enjoy --
Simply Click for New Adventures
www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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|
Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 205: The Era Of Paying For Performance While
Swearing Not To
| | |
by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
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On December 12, a handful of players will sit in a New York ballroom waiting to hear one name, and David Ubben and Matt Baker reported this week in The Athletic that at least one of them may have a six-figure contractual payout riding on the announcement. Will Hall of GamePoint Capital, which insures athletic departments against incentive payouts, told them that "more than half of the top quarterbacks probably have them." The Heisman Trophy Trust, for its part, said it has no issue with the practice and that those decisions belong to schools, sponsors, and athletes.
I can confirm the clause exists, because I have negotiated one. But after going back through the revenue-share and NIL license agreements I have reviewed and redlined since the House settlement took effect, I came away convinced that the Heisman bonus is the least interesting incentive in the stack. The real story is how schools justify paying for performance while their own templates swear they are not, how much money athletes lose to sloppy drafting, and how the incentive schools care about most has to do with whether the player is still on the sideline for the bowl game.
Every example below comes from an agreement I worked on. Player names and school names are withheld.
continued...
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Uncork The Fun: NASCAR Returns to Wine Country July 10-11, 2027
SONOMA, Calif. (August 26, 2026) – NASCAR racing returns to Sonoma Raceway July 10-11, 2027, bringing the roar of the NASCAR Cup Series to Northern California for a summer weekend of high-speed action, spectacular scenery and the unmistakable flavor of wine country.
Set among the rolling hills and vineyards of Sonoma Valley, the NASCAR weekend will feature two days of racing and entertainment, highlighted by the 38th running of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, July 11 and the 5th running of the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 NASCAR O’Reilly Series race on Saturday, July 10.
Coming just one week after the Fourth of July, the 2027 NASCAR weekend offers fans the perfect opportunity to extend their summer holiday with a getaway to Sonoma. With long summer days, great weather, world-class wineries, outstanding restaurants and some of the most picturesque scenery in motorsports, there’s no better time to experience NASCAR in wine country.
“There’s simply nothing like NASCAR in Sonoma, and moving our weekend into the heart of summer makes the experience even more special,” said Brian Flynn, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sonoma Raceway. “Fans can spend the Fourth of July with family and friends, then make their way to Wine Country for an incredible weekend of racing, food, wine and everything that makes Sonoma such a special destination.”
continued...
| | Courtois Wins Sixth Consecutive Title at the 2026 World Sailing Women’s Match Racing World Championship | |
San Francisco Bay may have a reputation as a stern teacher, but skipper Pauline Courtois (FRA) and her Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team proved to be quick studies at the 2026 World Sailing Women’s Match Racing World Championship (30 September to 4 October), hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club. Courtois and crew Maëlenn Lemaitre, Louise Acker and Laurane Mettraux, representing France’s Club de Voile Saint-Aubin Elbeuf, battled 11 teams across a range of conditions to win a historic sixth consecutive world-championship title. The invitation-only regatta was raced in J/22s and brought 12 of the world’s best all-women match-racing teams together to compete in what proved to be a match-racing masterclass.
Impressively, Courtois and crew won 19 of the 20 matches that they sailed.
"St. Francis Yacht Club would like to congratulate Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team on their world-championship title,” said Susan Ruhne, StFYC’s 2026 Commodore. “The Bay delivered varied conditions over four days of racing, and StFYC’s Cityfront racecourse gave spectators the best stadium-style viewing experience possible.”
continued...
| | Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | | |
Jon Rauch & Sean Hjelle
Both are head and shoulders above
the rest at 6'11".
This link will take you to a Baseball Digest article
about height in MLB. This youtube video
will take you to the Top-10 tallest
players in MLB history.
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Carson Perry-Smith caught a 3-yard touchdown
pass late in the fourth quarter.
Bears Pull Out Gutsy Victory Over Virginia Tech
Emory's Late TD, Sydney's Pass Break-Up Lifts Cal
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By: Cal Athletics
BERKELEY –Ashten Emory scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds remaining and safety Cam Sydney broke up a pass on the game's final play, helping the California football team polish off a gutsy 25-20 victory over visiting Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon at Databricks Field at California Memorial Stadium.
Emory's rough-and-tumble scoring run to give the Golden Bears (3-3, 2-1 ACC) the lead for good capped an efficient 57-second drive engineered by backup quarterback Jackson Brousseau, who helped Cal cover 75 yards on six plays. The Hokies, who were a last-second missed field goal away last week from entering Saturday's game undefeated, quickly drove down field to the Bears' 7-yard line, but Sydney broke up a pass intended for tight end Luke Reynolds in the end zone as time expired.
continued...
Photo by: Brianna Ali/Cal Athletics
| |
Stanford Falls to No. 3 Notre Dame in South Bend
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Freshman Jonaz Walton scored on a 97-yard run — the third longest offensive play in Notre Dame Stadium history — and finished with 181 yards as the No. 3 Fighting Irish defeated Stanford 58-7 on Saturday.
Walton’s 181 yards are the most by a Notre Dame running back this season. Walton also scored on a 40-yard run.
Notre Dame (6-0), which extended its overall winning streak to 16 games, also was led by C.J. Carr, who finished with 14-of-20 passing for 181 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed five times for 41 yards.
continued...
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Brajovic Wins in Doubles and Singles to Wrap Up ITA Regional Championships
PALO ALTO, Calif. — Katarina Brajovic won in both doubles and singles to conclude the San José State women’s tennis team’s time at the ITA Regional Championships on Saturday at Stanford.
- Brajovic defeated Portland’s Kennedy Harris in singles, 6-0, 6-2, shutting her opponent out in the first set.
-
Soledad Fayos Capilla won in straight sets over Eastern Washington’s Veronika Gayevyk, 6-4, 6-2.
-
Emma Fantousis dominated Oregon’s Bridget Mihulka, 6-3, 6-0.
continued...
| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | | |
So. Gabriel Benitez
SWIM | Gaels Battle Gauchos in First Ever Dual Meet
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Saint Mary's swim team went down to Southern California this weekend to battle with UC Santa Barbara in its first ever dual meet in program history. The Gaels fell on both sides of the two-day event, W: L, 69-226 | M: L, 98-198, but walked away with five event winners, including sweeps in the 200 Breaststroke and 200 IM to highlight the weekend.
continued...
| |
Dons Fall in Close Road Loss
DENVER, Colo. -- The University of San Francisco men's soccer team battled back in the second half but ultimately fell to Denver, 2-1, Saturday afternoon at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
With the loss, the Dons moved to 4-5-4 overall and 0-1-3 in West Coast Conference play.
Denver opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Erik Collins converted a penalty kick to give the Pioneers an early 1-0 advantage. The home side maintained its lead throughout the opening half, outshooting San Francisco 8-2 through the first 45 minutes.
The Pioneers extended their advantage in the 57th minute when Tyler Schommer found the back of the net off an assist from Collins, giving Denver a 2-0 lead.
Photo: Christina Leung
continued...
| | Men's Soccer Tallies a Goal in Each Half and Blanks LMU 2-0 | | |
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara men's soccer tallied a goal in each half by Niv Berkovitz and Diego Jalleau, while goalkeeper Jackson Ozburn recorded a shutout in the 2-0 win over LMU on Saturday night to earn their first West Coast Conference victory of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
-
Berkovitz gave Santa Clara a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute off assists from Jalleau and Moises Almontes. It was his second goal of the season, heading in a cross from Jalleau.
continued...
| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Early Offense Powers
Pacific to 2-1 Road Victory
Over Saint Mary's
| | |
MORAGA, Calif. – Behind a pair of first-half goals from Massimo Erfani and Josephat Yangyuoru, the Pacific men's soccer program continued its strong start to West Coast Conference play with a 2-1 road victory over Saint Mary's on Saturday afternoon at Saint Mary's Stadium.
The Tigers (3-7-3, 2-0-1 WCC) struck twice in the opening 29 minutes to establish an early advantage and held off a second-half push from the Gaels (2-7-4, 0-3-1 WCC) to secure their second consecutive victory and remain unbeaten through their first three conference matches.
continued...
| |
Hot UC Davis Team Travels To
New Mexico
DAVIS, Calif. — A hot UC Davis (4-7-2, 2-2-0 MW) team that swept Wyoming and Grand Canyon in its most recent homestand heads back to the road to play at New Mexico (5-4-2, 2-2-0 MW) on Sunday, Oct. 11 (Noon {PT). The match will be streamed live on MW+ with live stats available via Stat Broadcast. Tickets can be purchased online or on gameday at UNM Soccer Complex.
UC Davis has arguably played its best soccer of the season in its last two matches after sweeping a two-match Mountain West homestand against Wyoming and Grand Canyon in its first two matches of October. The Aggies captured their first-ever Mountain West win in their first Mountain West conference home match on Oct. 2 by knocking off a Wyoming team that had a six-match win streak coming into the contest by a score of 3-2 then dealt Grand Canyon a 3-0 defeat on Oct. 7.
continued...
| | |
Cal State University East
Bay Pioneers
| |
Pioneers Bounce Back
with Four-Set Victory Over
UC Merced
MERCED, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay women's volleyball team returned to the win column Saturday evening, defeating UC Merced 3-1 at Greg and Cathie Hostetler Court. The Pioneers took the opening two sets before closing out the Bobcats in four, improving to 7-9 overall and 5-3 in CCAA play.
East Bay established an early advantage with a 25-17 victory in the opening set. The Pioneers recorded 12 kills while hitting .209, holding UC Merced to a .000 hitting percentage to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
continued...
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Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent."
Center for Continuing Education, Monterey, CA is a State Bar of California MCLE approved Provider, #8450
https://www.cce-mcle.com/
| | |
Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, October 12, through
Sunday, October 18, 2026
| | |
Monday, October 12
Tuesday, October 13
Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers, 7 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Boston Bruins, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, October 14
Thursday, October 15
San Jose Sharks @ Nashville Predators, 5 p.m.
Friday, October 16
Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 7 p.m.
Sacramento Kings @ San Antonio Spurs, 5 p.m.
Saturday October 17
San Jose Sharks @ Detroit Red Wings, 4 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC @ FC Tulsa, 5 p.m.
Cal Bears vs. Wake Forest Demons, 7:30 p.m.
Stanford Cardinal vs. Elon Phoenix, 4:30 p.m.
San Jose State Spartans @ UTEP Miners, 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 18
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Buffalo Bills, 1:25 p.m.
Bay FC vs. Portland Thorns FC, 2 p.m.
| | |
Publisher: Christopher Weills
Associate Publisher: Ann Cooke
Marketing Director: Robert Moselle
Sales: Ayiko Konopaski
Contributors: Lydia Chain, Steve Chain, Harvey Cohen, Andy Dolich, Pete Elman, Rob Flammia, Bruce Macgowan, Robert Moselle, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young. Dave Newhouse (dec.)
Software Engineer / Sports Today! Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Technology Advisors: Silas Everett, Gaurav Chaulagain
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired), Elliott Smith (dec.)
Advisor: Arif Khatib
Artist: Carl Macki
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
| | |
FIELD OF PLAY
For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.
To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/
| | LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office. | | The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983. | | |
The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle, Esq., is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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