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September 15 -- September 21, 2025
Issue No. 607
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Big Mac Attack:
49ers @ New Orleans Saints
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The 49ers started poorly in all areas and looked unprepared.
However, New Orleans had a case of the Moody Blues and missed a FG, wide right. A pass to Ricky Pearsall jump-started the offense for QB Mac Jones (in for the injured Brock Purdy) and he hit tight end Luke Farrell for a TD (his career-first). Moody's replacement, Eddy Piniero, missed the extra point ( 6-0, SF), end of 1st Q. but he would later make amends with a 44-yard FG: (9-0). The Saints started to click and scored on a 12-play drive, (9-7). With good clock management, SF passed and ran for a late score for a (16-7) halftime lead. Key tackles by Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune fueled the defense.
Jones was sacked in the 3rd Q. which allowed a Spencer Rattler to Rashid Shaheed TD (16-14). The Niners began an inclusive strategy with contributions from multiple players, veterans and rookies. Piniero hit a 44-yard FG (19-14) and SF had a successful challenge on a Fred Warner play after Rattler had hit on 13 straight passes. Big Mac started to get hot with passes to Jake Tonges, CMC and a 42-yard TD to Jauan Jennings (26-14). NO came back with a pass to Chris Olave and a TD to Devaughn Vele (26-21) with 6:18 left. After a 49er punt, Kamara was engulfed by big #93, Kalia Davis, and a Nick Bosa sack forced a punt. The 49ers did little and punted to the NO 6. The Saints looked dangerous after a series of passes, but with 1:03 left, on fourth and 2, #47 Bryce Huff clobbered Rattler and despite all their injuries, the 49ers had a well-earned 26-21 victory.
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Sorry, Fats!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM7eJqleHTQ
Fats Domino, Ain't That A Shame
San Francisco 49ers vs New Orleans Saints Game Highlights |
2025 NFL Season Week 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyx_u1kpxZ8 (16:26)
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
https://www.cce-mcle.com/aboutus
Marketing Director, Sports Today
* * *
Favorable Future Ahead!
Just want to check in from the South Side of Chicago to report that despite a .384 winning percentage, the Pale Hose (legit White Sox nickname) have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games! A major improvement from last season. Is a .500 2026 a dream too far?
We'll find out.
Chris
Chicago, IL
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Contents
Games
Athletics 7, Cincinnati Reds 4
Bay FC 1, Orlando Pride 1
Cal Bears 27, Minnesota Golden Gophers 14
Oakland Ballers 1, Ogden Raptors 2
Oakland Roots SC 3, Charleston Battery 3
San Jose Earthquakes 2, LAFC 4
Stanford Cardinal 30, Boston College Eagles 20
Features & Commentary
Burton Had A Winning Perspective, by Dave Newhouse
Giants Falter vs. Their Rival, by Bruce Macgowan
Martina Navratilova, from the Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
Newsletter, Image, Likeness, by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Organizations
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A's
Bay Area Falcons
Bay Area Panthers
Bay FC
Cal Bears
Cal State University East Bay
Golden State Valkyries
Golden State Warriors
Oakland Ballers
Oakland Roots SC
Oakland Soul SC
Oakland Spiders
Saint Mary's College Gaels
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco Giants
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San Francisco Nighthawks
San Francisco Unicorns
San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose State Spartans
Santa Clara Broncos
SF City
Sonoma Raceway
St. Francis Yacht Club
Stanford Cardinal
UC Davis Aggies
University of Pacific Tigers
USF Dons
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna
Seca
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Sports Today's
Weekend Highlights!
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Giants Falter
vs.
Their Rival
by Bruce Macgowan
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The powers that be in Major League Baseball, namely the owners and commissioner Rob Manfred love it. But for the players, the managers and fans? These last two weeks of the regular season will be a time of high anxiety.
With just two weeks left, more than half (16 to be exact) of the 30 MLB teams are still in contention for the post season tournament and a chance to play in the coveted World Series.
If you happen to be a fan of the San Francisco Giants, you’re keeping your fingers crossed. To be sure, the Giants have given their fans a rush in 2025; a rollercoaster ride that has never been boring.
Unfortunately, the dreaded Dodgers came into balmy San Francisco this past weekend and did what they expected to do. After squeezing out just one run on four hits Friday, the best offense in baseball ripped San Francisco pitching to shreds in the final two games of a critical three game series, banging out 35 hits and pouring 23 runs across the plate in an impressive display that Giants’ fans are unfortunately used to seeing.
It was troubling that San Francisco’s two All-Star pitchers failed early as the Giants got lousy performances from both Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. Both All-Stars gave Los Angeles too many opportunities by walking too many batters.
To say that the Giants have been a streaky team this year might be an understatement. Consistency hasn’t been their forte and they need to break some of the bad habits that cropped up over the weekend. Mistakes and bad breaks characterized their abysmal play much of the summer and fans got a painful reminder of it again vs. Los Angeles.
The good news for San Francisco is that there are 13 games left as of Monday, including the last six at home against two of the league’s worst; the young St. Louis Cardinals and the awful Colorado Rockies.
But the slate of seven games this week; three at Phoenix against the D-Backs followed by four against the dreaded Dodgers in Los Angeles, will probably decide the Giants fate.
The Mets finally emerged from hibernation after losing eight in a row by cooling off the red-hot Rangers on Sunday. New York has three games at home this week against San Diego, then three more with the visiting Nationals, one of the worst teams in the National League. Then the Mets finish with three at Wrigley Field against the Cubs, and then a season-ending three games at Miami.
The Giants need their big run producers, Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, Matt Chapman and Jung Hoo Lee, to immediately start putting together some good at-bats. All four of those guys failed to get big hits when needed vs. Los Angeles and unless they start stinging the ball again, the Giants will probably fall off the cliff.
Los Angeles has arguably the best lineup in baseball headlined by Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Good luck putting the clamps on them and the rest of an excellent Los Angeles supporting cast later this week. With their two All-Star aces coming off shaky outings, it’s asking a lot of 42-year-old Justin Verlander and a couple of rookies to come through in pressure-packed games. But this is the big leagues, so it’s win or go home to face a long, cold winter of discontent.
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Long-time Bay Area sportscaster Bruce Macgowan has been recording his 45 years of broadcast experience for a forthcoming book to be published shortly. For earlier articles by Magowan published in
Sports Today, click HERE.
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Athletics 7
Cincinnati Reds 4
Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, CA
Sunday, September 14, 2025
| Athletics rookie sensation Nick Kurtz hit his 32nd home run of the season as the A's completed a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 7-4 victory at Sutter Health Park on Sunday, September 14th. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | Starting pitcher Luis Morales went the minimum five innings to improve his record to 4-1. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | Center fielder Colby Thomas gestures while rounding the bases after hitting a home run in the fourth inning, part of a 3-for-4 day at the plate. Photo and caption by Darren Yamashita. | |
Athletics center fielder Lawrence Butler (4) catches a fly ball to end the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Sutter Health Park To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and caption
by Darren Yamashita.
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Cal Bears 27
Minnesota Golden Gophers 14
Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Saturday, September 13, 2025
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Week Three, Prime Time. Two undefeated programs, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, representing the Big 10, and the host University of California Golden Bears from the ACC squared off under the lights at Memorial Stadium on Saturday evening, September 13 in Berkeley. Early in the first quarter Cal freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (#3) delivered a pass to his crossing tight end Jeffrey Johnson (#86) to keep the drive alive.
Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.
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Fifth-year starting wide receiver and game co-captain, Trond Grizzell (#7) scampered up the sideline to be tackled at the three-yard line, racking up 22 yards on the catch-and-run.
Photo and caption by Ron Sellers.
| Late in the first quarter, the defense made its presence known, as outside linebacker Ryan McCulloch (#43) swated a pass at the line of scrimmage. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | Making the catch of the game, Jaiven Plummer (#84) takes to the air to square his body to the incoming 51-yard pass early in the second quarter. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | Stopping the play at the one-yard line, Harrison Taggart (#7) delivered a shot, knocking back the running back in the second quarter. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | Cal redshirt sophomore tight end Mason Mini (#85) deflects a hit at the goal line and drives into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter. Photo and caption by Ron Sellers. | |
Celebrating in mid-air, quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (#3) and wide receiver Jordan King (#4) enjoy a post-touchdown moment in the closing minutes of the game. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and caption
by Ron Sellers.
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Stanford Cardinal 30
Boston College Eagles 20
Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA
Saturday, September 13, 2025
| Stanford Cardinal senior tight end Sam Roush (#86) takes a pass 69-yards and a touchdown in the second quarter. Stanford over Boston College, 30–20, in an ACC football game at Stanford Stadium, Stanford University on Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025 in Stanford, California. Photo and caption by Alex Ho. | Stanford Cardinal senior cornerback Collin Wright (#6) returns an interception for a 19-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Photo and caption by Alex Ho. | Stanford Cardinal linebackers Wilfredo Aybar (#14) and Sam Mattingly (#51) celebrates with senior Ernest Cooper (#44) after Cooper’s sack in the third quarter. Photo and caption by Alex Ho. | Stanford Cardinal red-shirt junior safety Jay Green (#5) leaps to recover a Boston College goal line fumble in the third quarter. Photo and caption by Alex Ho. | |
Stanford Cardinal sophomore running back Micah Ford (#20) races for a 75-yard gain in the third quarter. Photo and
caption by Alex Ho.
| The Cardinal celebrate their first victory of the season. Stanford over Boston College 30–20 in an ACC football game at Stanford Stadium, Stanford University on Sunday, Sep 14, 2025 in Stanford, California. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Photo and caption by Alex Ho. | | |
John Burton flexes his influential muscles for California
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Burton Had
A Winning
Perspective
by Dave Newhouse
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The death of San Francisco congressman John Burton was a blow to the downtrodden he championed throughout his political career. But there was a phase of his combative personality that even his most ardent supporters didn’t know about.
He was quite the athlete in his youth.
Burton, who died at 92 of natural causes Sept. 7, was an all-league basketball player at San Francisco State University. Not only that, the 6-foot-4 Burton scored 20 points against Bill Russell and the NCAA champion University of San Francisco Dons.
If the general public didn’t know this, how did I find out? By blind luck, I guess. I needed a foreword writer for my 2015 book, Founding 49ers, which covered the franchise’s early non-Super Bowl existence. On a chance, I phoned Burton, a San Franciscan since 1941, he disclosed, five years before the 49ers played their first game. He then spoke about his athletic background.
We met in his San Francisco office when he was chairman of the California Democratic Party, and I couldn’t have picked anyone better to chart the 49ers’ mostly struggling, pre-Bill Walsh, history.
“But I didn’t look at the 49ers making us into a major-league city,” he said for the book. “I mean, there were Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia….those were major-league cities. San Francisco has its charm, like Jeanette MacDonald singing San Francisco in a movie. San Francisco has Nob Hill, the Barbary Coast, the Tenderloin. We’re a good, nice city.”
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Burton was a champion of the needy and overlooked
throughout his life
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He looked at the 49ers' early years with a similar cautionary tone.
“The 49ers started in 1946, but they didn’t change the town any more than the baseball Giants did when they moved from New York in 1958,” he continued. “I mean, everyone was excited about the 49ers, because it gave us a real professional football team. But what really changed the town was World War II — the war changed everything! Having the 49ers here gave you something to do on Sunday.”
As a Lincoln High School student, he got into 49er games for free as an usher. While at San Francisco State, he’d get into games “by slipping an usher a buck.” He also was a fan of wagering, betting on football games and horse racing.
Burton’s father, Thomas, was a family doctor who went from house-to-house. John Burton went to law school instead, and then became a champion of the needy, looking out for them throughout his legal career.
His earliest 49er heroes were quarterback Frankie Albert and halfback Hugh McElhenny.
“You had to like Albert with the way he ran the bootleg and quick-kicked,” recalled Burton. “Then the 49ers picked up Y.A. Tittle in 1951. I don’t know how Albert took that, because the All-America Football Conference took guys who were local draws. Albert went to Stanford, while Tittle went to Louisiana State University. But Albert dinked passes, whereas Tittle could throw deep.”
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Congressional basketball game (undated) Back row L-R: Bill Cohen (D-Maine), John Burton (D-Calif), Tom Railsback (D-Ill), coach Silvio Conte (R-Mass), Jim Lloyd (D-Calif.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss), George Miller (D-Calif.); Front row L-R: Bill Burlison (D-Mo.) Don Bonker (D-Wash) Marty Russo (D-Ill) Ron Mottl
(D-Ohio) (Photo: Roll Call)
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The 49ers began in the All-America Football Conference in ’46, then were accepted into the National Football League in 1950 after the AAFC disbanded. Albert went to Canada after the 1952 season, McElhenny’s NFL debut, then retired a year later.
“He’d run sideways, and he was smart,” Burton said of McElhenny. “A short screen pass to McElhenny and off he went. But the 49er I liked the best was Riley Matheson, a linebacker in 1948 whose nickname was ‘Rattlesnake.’ He was really good; even Bill Walsh remembered the Rattlesnake.”
The 49ers mostly were unmemorable before Walsh, who ended a 30-year non-NFL playoff run in 1980, the Niners’ first Super Bowl championship.
“Eddie DeBartolo, who turned the team into a dynasty by hiring Walsh, is like a guy I grew up with in North Beach,” said Burton, without elaborating. "Then I sat in Eddie’s booth watching ’The Catch’ when the 49ers finally beat Dallas and went to their first Super Bowl. (Former 49er quarterback John) Brodie was in the booth with tears in his eyes. He was an emotional guy.”
Burton admitted leaving Congress because of an alcohol and drug addiction. “I’m clean now,” he said in 2015. “The 49ers have left San Francisco — a total screwup. Their leaving is saving me money. It’s business, so I get it….But I don’t think the 49ers leaving San Francisco will be the end of the city. I just assumed that the 49ers would always be here."
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Dave Newhouse's journalism career spans more than half a century, including 45 years at the Oakland Tribune before his retirement in November 2011. Newhouse is the author of 19 books. His most recent book, Goodbye, Oakland, is available in bookstores and from Triumph Books. Dave grew up in Menlo Park, graduated from San Jose State, and has radio and television experience, in addition to his work as an award-winning sportswriter and columnist. For earlier articles by Dave published in Sports Today, click HERE.
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This is a great chance to increase the visibility for your business among thousands of Bay Area readers who trust and enjoy our content each week.
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Logan Webb struck out five on Saturday night, but was roughed up for a season-high-matching six runs over four-plus innings, resulting in a stinging 13-7 loss to the first-place
Dodgers at Oracle Park
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Webb scuffles vs. LA, Giants miss opportunity to grab Wild Card spot
by Maria Guardado
SAN FRANCISCO -- The door was wide open for the Giants to seize control of their own playoff destiny.
The free-falling Mets lost their eighth consecutive game, falling to Bruce Bochy’s Rangers earlier on Saturday night, meaning a win would move the Giants into sole possession of the third National League Wild Card spot for the first time since the morning of July 12.
But just as they appeared poised to take another step forward, they had the door slammed in their faces by their archrivals.
The Giants saw an early three-run lead slip away after ace right-hander Logan Webb was roughed up for a season-high-matching six runs over four-plus innings, resulting in a stinging 13-7 loss to the first-place Dodgers at Oracle Park.
continued...
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Athletics Nick Kurtz is rewriting the record book
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A's speechless after Kurtz's 493-foot HR -- MLB's longest since 2023
Theo DeRosa
WEST SACRAMENTO -- The Athletics are running out of vocabulary to describe Nick Kurtz's rookie season.
And after Kurtz’s latest jaw-dropping feat, that might just be a problem.
The slugging first baseman truly outdid himself in the eighth inning of Saturday’s 11-5 win over the Reds, crushing a titanic grand slam over the center-field batter’s eye at Sutter Health Park. The ball came off Kurtz’s bat at 114.6 mph and traveled a Statcast-projected 493 feet -- the longest home run hit in MLB in more than two years.
continued...
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SPT 60 — Super Bowl 60:
The Game Behind the Game
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Quarter: Fall
Duration: 7 weeks
Date(s): Sep 25-Nov 30
Class Meeting Day: Thursdays
Class Meeting Time: 6:00-7:30 pm (PT)
Please Note: No class on Oct. 16 and Oct. 23
Tuition: $430
Refund Deadline: Sep 27
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Unit(s): 1
Status: Open
Instructor(s): Andy Dolich
Location: Online
Class Recording Available: Yes
Grade Restriction: No Letter Grade
See syllabus for details (subject to change)
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In February 2026, the Super Bowl returns to Silicon Valley, a spectacle that blends sports, business, media, and technology on a global stage. This course examines the history of the Super Bowl and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the most-watched single-day event in American sports is planned,
promoted, and produced.
Each week, students will hear from football insiders and industry leaders, examining everything from team analytics and player development to broadcast strategy and brand partnerships. We’ll explore how the NFL, the Bay Area Host Committee, and the 49ers are preparing for Super Bowl LX, and how each Super Bowl reflects shifting media habits, global audiences,
and regional impact.
Guest speakers, including iconic players and executives, will illuminate the event’s evolution on and off the field. Together, we’ll unpack the decisions behind $8 million ad buys, security coordination, tech-driven fan experiences, and more. Whether you're a fan, strategist, or cultural observer, this course offers a unique perspective on the Super Bowl as a lens into American ambition,
spectacle, and identity.
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Guest Speakers Include:
Pat Gallagher, Executive Vice President of the
San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee
Al Guido, President of the San Francisco 49ers
and CEO of Elevate
Zaileen Janmohamed, President and CEO of the
Bay Area Host Committee
Matt Maiocco, San Francisco 49ers Beat Reporter
for NBC Sports Bay Area
Scott Ostler, Sports Columnist at the
San Francisco Chronicle
Brent Schoeb, Chief Revenue Officer and Marketing Officer of the San Francisco 49ers
Keena Turner, Vice President and Senior Advisor to the
General Manager of the San Francisco 49ers;
Four-time 49ers Super Bowl Player
Please note: Speakers may be subject to change.
While this course takes a broad view of the Super Bowl, the guest speakers’ expertise reflects their strong ties to Bay Area
teams and the region.
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* * *
ANDY DOLICH
President, Dolich Consulting
Andy Dolich has held executive positions in MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL with the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, and Washington Capitals. He is a co-author of Goodbye, Oakland: Winning, Wanderlust, and a Sports Town's Fight for Survival with Dave Newhouse, 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes, and LOL, Loss of Logo: What's Your Next Move? He is also the co-host of the podcast Life in the Front Office and a columnist for the Ultimate Sports Guide.
To Enroll: continuingstudies.stanford.edu
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"Join us for Great Food, Great Beer and a Great Time."
We are located one block from the Moscone Convention Center, only a short walk from many of downtown San Francisco's familiar hotels, attractions, and diverse businesses. Open Monday through Thursday 4pm. Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12pm. Come by and raise a glass with us. Sláinte!
www.thechieftain.com
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Ogden Forces Decisive Game Three in Oakland’s 2-1 Loss
Series Tied Up At 1-1
By Tyler Petersen
OAKLAND, Calif. – Despite allowing just two runs in the game, it was the Ballers who were on the wrong end of a pitchers' duel in Game 2.
Luke Short dealt, striking out nine batters in 6.1 innings pitched, but one mistake, a two-run home run to Christian Hall in the seventh, left him on the hook for the loss Friday night.
Oakland could get very little across the board against Ogden starter Cole Stasio and his bullpen compatriots. Only five singles in the game from the Oakland offense was what they could muster against the five Ogden arms.
The Ballers did strike first again with a Danny Harris RBI single in the fourth inning which scored Lou Helmig. But that was the first and last of the scoring.
Oakland's bullpen was nearly perfect for the final 2.2 innings, with James Colyer and Adam Bogosian combining for no hits, no runs, and a pair of strikeouts.
continued...
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San Jose Earthquakes 2
LAFC 4
Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Saturday, September 13, 2025
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Earthquakes 2, LAFC 4
San Jose falls behind early as comeback bid falls short in front of club-record crowd of 50,978 fans; Quakes return to PayPal Park Sept. 20 vs. St. Louis CITY SC
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes fell to LAFC 4-2 on Saturday at Levi’s® Stadium in Major League Soccer regular-season play in front of 50,978 fans, breaking the all-time club standalone attendance record set in 2019.
The visitors struck first with three goals in the initial 12 minutes. Son Heung-min opened the scoring in the first minute, finishing off a feed from Artem Smoliakov. Denis Bouanga then added a brace in the ninth and 12th minutes to triple LAFC’s advantage.
San Jose finally answered the bell in the 18th minute when Cristian “Chicho” Arango slalomed through multiple defenders and pushed the ball ahead to Preston Judd for the finish to make it 3-1 before the half’s conclusion.
After intermission, the Quakes pushed for a comeback but Bouanga added an insurance goal in the 87th minute for LAFC. San Jose scored off an own goal in the 90th minute by Sergi Palencia that originated from a Benji Kikanović cross to serve as the final margin, 4-2.
The Black and Blue now return to PayPal Park Saturday, Sept. 20, to face St. Louis CITY SC. Kickoff will take place at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast globally via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as via local radio on 107.7 FM The Bone (English) and KZSF 1370 AM La Kaliente (Spanish).
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Oakland Roots SC 3
Charleston Battery 3
Patriots Point Soccer Stadium, Charleston, SC
Saturday, September 13, 2025
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Roots End Battery’s Ten Game Home Winning Streak in 3-3 Road Draw
It was an offensive showdown at Patriots Point in South Carolina on Saturday night, as Oakland Roots were able to earn a point against one of the top teams in the USL Championship, playing to a 3-3 draw to end Charleston Battery’s 10-game home winning streak after ninety minutes.
Charleston was eager to flex their league-leading offense from the outset, as their high press led to a few dangerous opportunities early on, but Roots’ goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh flashed the gloves with matching saves to keep the game scoreless through 20 minutes.
The Battery opened the scoring in the 26th minutes when Nathan Dossantos worked the ball to the back line left of the box before playing a chip pass to the far post where Cal Jennings was waiting all alone to elevate for a header across the face of the goal, finding the back of the net to make it 0-1 Charleston.
The home team nearly doubled their lead in the 35th minute when a header from inside the box was destined for the twine only to be cleared over the crossbar at the last second by a heroic header from Oakland’s Neveal Hackshaw.
Momentum stayed mostly with Charleston for the remainder of the frame, but a clumsy play on the backline led to an added time penalty kick opportunity for Oakland, which EJ Johnson deposited from the spot to level the match at 1-1 just before the halftime whistle.
continued...
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Bay FC 1
Orlando Pride 1
Inter&Co. Stadium, Orlando, FL
Saturday, September 13, 2025
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Match Recap: Bay FC Splits the Points with Orlando Pride in 1-1 Draw
Orlando, Florida (September 13, 2025) — Bay FC snapped its four-match losing streak Saturday, playing to a 1-1 draw at Orlando Pride at Inter&Co. Stadium. An eventful first half saw Bay FC score first, taking a 1-0 advantage into the intermission. Orlando knotted things at one with 20 minutes remaining, and the scoreline would hold to send each club back with a point.
“It was an exciting game that could’ve gone either way today,” said Head Coach Albertin Montoya. “We have a lot to be proud of coming and playing in Orlando, the first point we’ve had against Orlando. I thought our players showed a lot of fight, played really well and created some good opportunities. The energy and mentality was exactly what we asked of them.”
Bay FC dominated the opening moments, keeping possession almost exclusively in Orlando’s half throughout the first ten minutes. Forward Rachel Hill came close to an opening score just five minutes in, only getting denied by a diving save in the fifth minute. Bay FC continued to apply pressure, with Hill again nearly putting one through just a few moments later after forward Racheal Kundananji centered a ball into the box from a long run.
An eventful sequence near the end of the first half saw a score by each team get called back. Threatening in Bay FC’s attacking third, service from the left flank was tapped in by Orlando, but the offside flag negated the score. Bay FC attempted to quickly restart play and scored on the ensuing turn, with goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz sending a long ball to Kundananji in a footrace toward goal. Kundananji beat the opposing keeper one-on-one and put the ball over the line, but the score was disallowed as the referee crew called for a video review to confirm the decision on the other end.
continued...
| | Hardly Trivial by T. Buff | |
Gambling Is On My Mind
This week I picked four teams on a card to win and for the second time my favored Patriots cost me the card.
Last week I took the Pats over the Raiders and lost.
This week I took Miami over the Pats and lost.
With that said, I got to thinking about gambling in sports and wondered how bad it was in football. My question is: Who were the first two NFL players
suspended for gambling?
Hint: The event was in the early 1960s before the AFL/NFL merger -- answer below.
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Martina Navratilova -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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Martina Navratilova was one of the most dominant tennis players in the 1980s. After she retired in 2006 she did a meet-and-greet and I was there. She was signing this photo for all the fans that showed up. I also asked her to sign my tennis ball
and she gladly did so.
As a singles player she has nine Wimbledon wins, four U.S. Open wins. As a doubles player she has seven Wimbledon wins and nine U.S. Open wins. In 1983 she had 86 wins, one loss.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 149: The SCORE Act Needs Surgery, Not Speed
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
The political theater on Capitol Hill this week surrounding the SCORE Act has been fascinating to watch unfold. With reports that House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and other House Republicans and NCAA/conference lobbyists have been pushing hard to ensure they have enough votes to pass the bill, and the SCORE Act receiving the necessary votes to advance out of committees and eligible for debate on the House floor in the near future, we're witnessing the culmination of years of strategic positioning by the NCAA and power conferences.
President Trump's recent executive order on college sports has added another layer of urgency to the conversation, with the administration clearly wanting comprehensive college sports legislation on the president's desk. But speed shouldn't trump substance here, and the current version of the SCORE Act has fundamental flaws that, in my humble opinion, Congress must address before rushing to a vote.
Just yesterday, we learned that this bill, which was supposed to head to the House floor for a vote next week, is slowing down a bit, which is a good thing. Apparently, there's "growing concern" that there's not enough votes to pass it in the House, which means it certainly has no shot in its current form in the Senate.
The pushback we're seeing isn't just partisan politics. Several House Republicans, including Rep. Chip Roy (R., Texas) and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R., Texas), criticized the SCORE Act on social media, suggesting that even within the GOP, there are concerns about handing the NCAA a legislative victory without proper scrutiny.
continued...
| | Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff | | |
Alex Karras,
Detroit Lions, 1963
Many will recognize Karras' name not from his NFL playing days, but from his days as an actor. He starred as Mongo in Blazing Saddles and had major roles in the 1980s sitcom Webster and 1982 movie musical Victor/Victoria.
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Paul Hornung, Green
Bay Packers, 1963
The 1961 NFL MVP, was banned from the league for a year after then-commissioner Pete Rozelle revealed Hornung had bet "up to $500" on NFL games,
per ESPN
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Baseball Can Learn Something From This
Both Karrass and Hornung are members of the NFL Hall of Fame. Their foibles are not forgotten but forgiven enough to be recognized for their prowess on the field.
I found it interesting that Hornung is, in the eyes of one writer, the least deserving person in that Hall of Fame.
The comments at the top of the photos come from
this great Sporting News piece listing NFL players suspended for gambling.
Go Patriots!
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Pretre Wins Second Consecutive Race For Bears
Tau Sets Personal Best To Place Second On Women's Side
CERES – California junior Justin Pretre won his second consecutive race Saturday night, capturing the Kim Duyst Invitational with a personal-best time of 23:14.3 at River Oaks Golf Course.
Pretre, who won the title at the USF Invitational last month, was one of two Golden Bears to finish in the top 10. Senior Caden Carney placed ninth with a mark of 23.53.9.
Cal finished in second place as a team behind UC Davis.
On the women's side, junior Sophie Tau set a personal best and finished in second place with a time of 20:34.1 as the Bears placed sixth in the team standings. Sophomore Sarah Perkins was Cal's next-best finisher in 15th place (21:29.8).
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Photo: Al Sermeno
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Comeback Cardinal
No. 8 Stanford scored two goals in the final ten minutes in a thrilling 3-2 win over Syracuse
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - No. 8 Stanford scored twice in the final ten minutes to erase a late deficit and earn a resilient 3-2 victory over Syracuse on Saturday evening.
The Cardinal (6-1-0) picks up its first conference win of the season in the first-ever meeting between the two sides, while Syracuse (2-3-2) still searches for its first home win of the season after surrendering a late lead.
“Tonight was just an exhilarating game of soccer,” said Jeremy Gunn, the Knowles Family Director of Men’s Soccer. “I think a lot of teams would fold after the circumstances we faced tonight, but it was remarkable to see how strong our players looked and how determined they were to get back into the game.”
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Fantousis Goes Undefeated on Day Three of Battle in the Bay Classic
SAN FRANCISCO– Emma Fantousis picked up wins in both singles and doubles to lead San José State women's tennis on day three of the Battle in the Bay Classic at the California Tennis Club on Saturday.
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Soledad Fayos Capilla and Fantousis earned a 6-2 victory in the C-Semifinals over UCSB’s Emma Tutoveanu and Raphaelle Leroux.
- Fantousis added a singles win, edging Arizona's Haylee Conway, 6-4, 0-6, 7-6 (10-7)
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Duru Durgun battled through a tight three-set win in the singles C-Quarterfinals, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (10-7), against Colorado's Emma Bubalo before falling to No. 5 ASU's Vivian Ovrootsky, 6-2, 6-0
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MXC | Gaels Impress at Kim Duyst Invitational, Finish in Fourth
CERES, Calif. — The Saint Mary's Men's Cross Country team finished 4th out of a total of 17 teams at the Kim Duyst Invitational, with four Gaels finishing inside the top 20 of a 210 runner field.
Leading the way was Zane Jackson, who crossed the line in 6th place with a personal best time of 23:36.7. Senior Oisin Spillane followed with his own personal record of 24:10.3 to finish 12th overall. Spillane made his Saint Mary's debut in the race after transferring in from Tulsa
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San Francisco Falls to Utah Tech in Tournament Finale
BOISE, Idaho – The University of San Francisco concluded the Boise State Invitational on Saturday morning, falling to Utah Tech, 3-0, at Bronco Gym.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
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Despite a solid serving performance in the opening frame, San Francisco dropped the first set, 25-22. The Dons recorded five service aces throughout the frame, with Crystal Galaviz and Emilija Arsic combining for four.
- Utah Tech took advantage at the start of the second set, jumping out to an 11-5 lead following a 4-0 scoring run. The Trailblazers continued to dominate throughout the remainder of the frame, winning four of the final five points to pull out the 25-19 victory.
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Broncos Sweep the Bulldogs to Conclude Bulldog Invitational
FRESNO, Calif. - Santa Clara women's volleyball encountered little resistance Friday night, sweeping the Fresno State Bulldogs at the Save Mart Center. Layla Truitt and Selin Aslayan led the way with 12 kills each, while Truitt hit an astounding .706, the first Bronco to hit over .700 since Jensen Cunningham hit .706 vs. Stony Brook on Sept. 3, 2016.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
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Fresno State (2-4) scored the first three points of set one, but the Broncos responded scoring five out of six points capped off by a kill from Layla Truitt to tie the set at nine. The Broncos kept it rolling, scoring seven of the last eight points including six in a row to take set one off a kill from Selin Aslayan, 25-18.
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Pacific Unable to Complete Comeback Bid Against Eastern Washington
RENO, Nev. – Graduate Olivia Keller and sophomore Alyson Cox had career days against Eastern Washington, but Pacific volleyball was unable to pull out the five-set (25-14, 13-25, 23-25, 25-18, 8-15) thriller Saturday morning at the Virginia Street Gym.
Keller put up the first 20-kill effort of her career, leading all players with 21 kills on 46 attempts (21-7-46, .304 hitting percentage). In addition to her 21 kills, she contributed a service ace, three block assists and seven digs. On the weekend, the graduate had the best two-game stretch of her Tigers (4-4) career, totaling 38 kills on 88 attempts and an efficient .307 hitting percentage.
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Czapinski Sets A Career-High In Three-Set Sweep Over Utah State
Score: UC Davis 3, Utah State 0
Set Scores: (25-19, 25-12, 25-23)
Location: Stanford, Calif. (Maples Pavilion)
Records: UC Davis 3-3, Utah State 1-6
The short story: 13 kills and a career-high four total blocks from Breeze Czapinski led UC Davis volleyball to a three-set win over the Utah State Aggies on Saturday, Sept. 13.
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| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
Pioneers Come Back in Second Half for 3-1 Win on Saturday at FPU
FRESNO, Calif. — Saturday evening at Ramirez Field, Cal State East Bay men's soccer rallied from a first-half deficit to earn a 3-1 non-conference road victory over Fresno Pacific. Sophomore Alejandro Zarate led the way with a brace and an assist, and Julian Valle had a goal and an assist.
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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/
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2025/26 Schedules
San Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas Raiders
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, September 15, through
Sunday, September 21, 2025
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Monday, September 15
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 7 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m.
Tuesday, September 16
San Francisco Giants @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m.
Athletics @ Boston Red Sox, 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, September 17
San Francisco Giants @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 12:40 p.m.
Athletics @ Boston Red Sox, 3:45 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx, 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 18
San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Athletics @ Boston Red Sox, 10:35 a.m.
Friday, September 19
San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Athletics @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 3:40 p.m.
Saturday, September 20
San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Athletics @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 3:40 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC vs. FC Tulsa, 7 p.m.
Cal Bears @ San Diego State, 7:30 p.m.
Stanford Cardinal @ Virginia Cavaliers, 4:30 p.m.
San Jose State Spartans vs. Idaho Vandals, 2 p.m.
Sunday, September 21
San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1:25 p.m.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Washington Commanders, 10 a.m.
San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Athletics @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 10:35 a.m.
Bay FC vs. Gotham FC, 5:30 p.m.
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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, Dave Newhouse, Howard Pearlstein, Amaury Pi-Gonzalez, T. Buff, Shelia Young
Software Engineer / Sports Today Editor: Medhavee Upadhyaya
Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired)
Advisor: Arif Khatib
Artist: Carl Macki
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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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. | | More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented. | | The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author). | | To Order: $10 hardcover, $7 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | | |
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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