>>Panthers Hold Off Saints
(Charlotte, NC) — The Panthers built a 23-3 lead and held on for a 23-20 win over the Saints on “Thursday Night Football”. Cam Newton threw for 192 yards and a touchdown to help Carolina improve to 4-and-6. New Orleans is also 4-and-6.
>>Houston Hammers Fifth-Ranked Louisville
(Houston, TX) — Fifth-ranked Louisville’s College Football Playoff hopes are dashed after suffering a 36-10 road loss to Houston. Heisman hopeful Lamar Jackson was held to only 33 yards rushing on 25 carries. Jackson was also sacked 11 times in the loss.
>> Illinois At Home Saturday
(Undated) — Illinois is at home Saturday as they play host to Iowa. The Fighting Illini are 3-and-7 on the season after losing at Wisconsin last weekend.
>>College Basketball Roundup
(Undated) — In area college basketball, Illinois is on its home floor tonight in the State Farm Center hosting the University of Detroit.
>>Cubs’ Bryant Named NL MVP
(New York, NY) — Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is the National League’s Most Valuable Player. A year after being named NL Rookie of the Year, Bryant hit .292 with 39 home runs and 102 RBI this season. The 24-year-old also led the NL with 121 runs scored.
>>Angels’ Trout Wins AL MVP Award
(New York, NY) — Angels outfielder Mike Trout is the American League MVP. The 25-year-old Trout earned the honor for the second time in his career after batting .315 with 29 home runs, 100 RBI and 30 stolen bases this season.
>>Astros Sign Reddick, Acquire McCann
(Houston, TX) — The Astros are giving their lineup a makeover. Houston acquired catcher Brian McCann in a trade with the Yankees yesterday. Multiple reports also say the ‘Stros have signed free-agent outfielder Josh Reddick to a four-year deal.
>>Bulls Get By Jazz
(Salt Lake City, UT) — Jimmy Butler had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Bulls to an 85-77 win over the Jazz in Utah. Dwyane Wade added 18 points for Chicago, which has won the first two on its six-game circus road trip. Chicago’s trek continues tomorrow against the Clippers in LA.
>>Blues Edge Sharks Behind Perron Power-Play Goal
(St. Louis, MO) — David Perron scored a power-play goal late in the second period to lift the Blues to a 3-2 win over the Sharks at Scottrade Center. Jaden Schwartz scored a pair of goals for St. Louis, which got 29 saves in net from Jake Allen. The Blues host the Predators tomorrow night.
>>Colts Host Titans
(Indianapolis, IN) — The Colts look to gain ground in the AFC South as they host the Titans on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indy sits at 4-and-5, while Tennessee is 5-and-5. Houston is in first place at 6-and-3. The Colts have won 15 of the last 16 matchups with the Titans.
>>Bears Battle Giants At MetLife
(East Rutherford, NJ) — The Bears head to the Meadowlands on Sunday to battle the red-hot Giants. The Bears are coming off a 36-10 setback at Tampa Bay that has them at 2-and-7 on the year. The 6-and-3 Giants have won four straight games.
>>Chase Finale At Homestead-Miami
(Homestead, FL) — The Sprint Cup Series championship will be on the line in the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. Joey Logano, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson will vie for the crown. Johnson is going after a record-tying seventh championship.