Pitt Notebook: Defensive Backs Shine Despite Dismal Start

Kevin Stevens doesn’t have to ride shotgun on the Valeri Nichushkin train, mind you. But he’d love it if Avalanche fans saved him a seat. “It’s always great to see someone thrive when you know what he’s been through,” the former Pittsburgh Penguins great texted me Sunday after Nichushkin’s first career NHL hat trick helped the Avs stomp Winnipeg 5-1.

MEXICO CITY — Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros had a very successful stay in Mexico City. Tucker, Jose Altuve and Jeremy Peña each hit a solo homer, helping Framber Valdez and the Astros beat the Colorado Rockies 8-2 on Sunday. Tucker and Yainer Diaz each drove in two runs as Houston swept the two-game series at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium. “The plan was to use the series as a springboard looking forward,” Astros manager Joe Espada said.

The Colorado Avalanche beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-1 in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday afternoon, April 28, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver. Related Articles Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche stars, led by Cale Makar’s incredible solo goal, stomp out the Jets again in Game 4 Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche-Jets Game 4 Quick Hits: Casey Mittelstadt is the new Nazem Kadri, and the Avs might hoist another Stanley Cup because of it Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche vs.

Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray is listed as questionable for Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a left calf strain, according to the team’s injury report Sunday. Murray was seen nursing his calf early in the fourth quarter of Game 4 on Saturday night, but he did not leave the game.

Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders during the CU Spring football game on April 27, 2024.(Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer) Rain made for a soggy Colorado spring football game on Saturday, but it certainly didn’t dampen the mood among the recruits who were visiting. On Sunday, three recruits who visited the Boulder campus this weekend announced their verbal commitments to the Buffs, including brothers Brandon and Colton Hood and offensive line transfer Zack Owens from Clemson. All three were once teammates at Eagles Landing Christian Academy in McDonough, Ga., and now will be teammates at CU, where they’ll play for head coach Deion Sanders. Colton Hood is a cornerback who will join the Buffs as a transfer from Auburn.

The Broncos may or may not have a shot at drafting CU’s Shedeur Sanders in 2025. But they are bringing one of the most celebrated college quarterbacks in the state over to Dove Valley for a closer look. Mines QB John Matocha, the NCAA’s all-time leader in total touchdowns, received an invite to the Broncos’ rookie mini-camp next month, his former school announced in a news release Sunday morning. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Matocha, winner of the Harlon Hill Award — Division II football’s Heisman — in 2022, led the Orediggers to the NCAA Division II national championship game each of the last two seasons, throwing for 162 touchdowns and running for 28 more as a four-year starter.