By JOHN FINERAN Associated Press SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Coach Brian Kelly knows his No. 9 Fighting Irish need to improve in several areas. A difficult season opener on the road was all the proof he needed. Notre Dame blew an 18-point lead at Florida State on Sunday night before regrouping ...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — One thing that was apparent watching the Patriots offense last season was the lack of dependable pass catching options quarterback Cam Newton had at his disposal. It was a point of emphasis in the offseason, one that coach Bill Belichick sought to improve with the ...

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Mac Jones era in New England has begun. The Patriots released Cam Newton on Tuesday, clearing the way for the rookie to open the season as New England's quarterback, according to a person with knowledge of the move. The person ...

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — With trips to the Super Bowl still in their recent memories, the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers made the decision this offseason that they needed more dynamic quarterback play to remain contenders in the long ...

By PETE IACOBELLI AP Sports Writer COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — One-time South Carolina graduate assistant Zeb Noland will be the Gamecocks' starting quarterback when they open the season against Eastern Illinois this week. Noland was listed first on South Carolina's depth chart released Tuesday. ...

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer This usually is the time of year that Mississippi alumnus Sid Seal is putting the final plans in place for the pregame tailgate parties he has organized for the last two decades. Ole Miss bills itself as the school that offers "the most iconic tailgating in ...

SANTA CRUZ DE BEZANA, Spain (AP) — Fabio Jakobsen celebrated his 25th birthday with his third stage win at this year's Spanish Vuelta on Tuesday, with Odd Christian Eiking holding on to the overall lead. Jakobsen prevailed along with his Deceuninck-Quick Step teammates through the twisty ...

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer Major League Baseball is ending a 70-year relationship with trading card company Topps after signing a new partnership with a rival company. The loss of the MLB partnership immediately scuttled a deal announced earlier this year that would have made ...

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer Most of the top college football players who opted out of the 2020 season because of the pandemic decided to leave school and launch pro careers. Players who sat out the entire 2020 season and were drafted in the first round include Cincinnati Bengals wide ...

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cam Newton resumed his habit of tossing the ball to fans after New England scored touchdowns. It's his way of showing appreciation to fans, especially after a season where most were forced to stay home. "Hopefully, there will be a lot of ...