(Santa Clara, CA) — Nick Mullens threw three touchdowns in his first NFL start as the 49ers routed the Raiders 34-3 in Santa Clara. Mullens started in place of the injured C.J. Beathard. San Francisco sacked Derek Carr seven times and improved to 2-and-7. The lowly Raiders managed just a first-quarter field goal and los their fourth straight to fall to 1-and-7.
>>49ers Cheerleader Kneels During Anthem
(Santa Clara, CA) — An unidentified 49ers cheerleader was kneeling during the national anthem before last night’s game. Multiple pictures of a lone cheerleader down on one knee circulated the internet. Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is still jobless after becoming the first player to kneel during the anthem in 2016. He’s currently suing the league.
(Orchard Park, NY) — The Bears travel to Buffalo on Sunday to play the Bills. Chicago leads the NFC North at 4-and-3 after beating the Jets last Sunday. The Bills are 2-and-6 after losing to the Patriots Monday night. Outside linebacker Khalil Mack and wide receiver Allen Robinson sat out practice for a second straight day yesterday as they continue to recover from injuries that kept them out of the Jets victory. It is unclear if both will play against Buffalo.
(St. Louis, MO) — Oskar Sundqvist scored twice to help the Blues beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 at the Enterprise Center. It was his first multi-goal game in the NHL. Vladimir Tarasenko, Colton Parayko and Tyler Bozak also lit the lamp for St. Louis, which improved to 4-4-and-3. The Blues are back home tomorrow night to take on the Wild.
(Edmonton, Alberta) — The Oilers scored twice in the second and third periods in a 4-0 shutout of the Blackhawks in Edmonton. Chicago has now lost four in-a-row. Duncan Keith skated in his 1,009th game with the Hawks, moving past Bob Murray for the fifth-most games played in franchise history. Chicago travels to Calgary tomorrow night.
(Champaign, IL) — The Illinois men’s basketball team hosts Division three Illinois Wesleyan tonight in its lone exhibition game. The Illini begin the regular season next Thursday at home against Evansville. Illinois is looking to improve on last season when it finished 14-and-18.
>>Fox Records Triple-Double, Kings Crush Hawks
(Atlanta, GA) — De’Aaron Fox posted his first career triple-double as the Kings crushed the Hawks 146-115 in Atlanta. Fox finished with 31 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds for Sacramento, which won its fifth straight game. He shot 9-of-13 from the field as the Kings improved to 6-and-3. Atlanta dropped its fourth in-a-row to fall to 2-and-6.
>>Cavaliers’ Smith Requests Trade, Could Face Fine
(Cleveland, OH) — Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith is making it known he wants to be traded. He confirmed the news when asked by a reporter yesterday. Smith is no longer in the plans for the struggling Cavaliers, who are just 1-and-7. There is a chance Smith could be fined for his public trade request, which is not allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.
(Champaign, IL) — Illinois football is ready to play Minnesota tomorrow in Champaign. The Illini are 3-and-5 overall and 1-and-4 in the Big Ten. The Gophers are 4-and-4 and 1-and-4 in conference play. Illinois is looking to get back on track after losing three in a row by a combined 95 points.
>>Kershaw Contract Decision Today
(Los Angeles, CA) — Los Angeles Dodgers ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw must decide if he will opt out of his contract by today. The two sides extended the deadline to today. Kershaw still has two years and 65-million-dollars on his current contract, but can become a free agent if he opts out. The 30-year-old lefty went 9-and-5 this year with 155 strikeouts in 26 starts.