General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: September 26, 2026, 6:51 AM ET

College Football

Indiana escaped a 29-23 win over Northwestern despite losing starting running back Turbo Richard to injury late in the game. The SEC expressed disappointment over LSU's motion to dismiss a lawsuit, calling the move "deeply disappointing" amid unresolved concerns. Clemson's 2-1 start has raised questions about Dabo Swinney's ability to reverse the program's decline, with Cal up next as a critical test. Oregon's all-white uniforms for the USC trip stood out in Week, drawing praise for subtle design details that elevated the otherwise simple look. Connecticut Sun prevailed 95-81 in their final Connecticut game before relocation to Houston, marking a joyful end to their franchise tenure in the state. Steve Alford is retiring after the upcoming season, closing a 36-year coaching career that included stops at Iowa and New Mexico.

WNBA

The Los Angeles Sparks fired head coach Lynne Roberts after two seasons, signaling a shift in direction for the franchise. Stephanie White is fortifying her Indiana Fever roster amid playoff pressure, balancing star power with internal team strife as she pursues a WNBA title. The 2026 WNBA playoff schedule was released, with the first round opening Sunday and the semifinals tipping off in October. ESPN's NBA Rank 2026 countdown has concluded, but debates continue over the top player projections and what league executives think about the three-player battle for No. 1. Moussa Kamissoko committed to Syracuse as a five-star forward, becoming the first such commitment for head coach Adrian McNamara. The 2027 commit class is expected to impact programs at Syracuse, UConn, Purdue, and Gonzaga, with analysts evaluating how each fit will shape future rosters. Ayla McDowell credited Dawn Staley for refusing to let her hearing loss hinder development, relying on lip-reading and physical cues to succeed under her guidance.

NFL

Bubba Wallace said Toyota remains the favorite to win the NASCAR Cup Series title, though drivers insist they feel no added pressure despite the expectation. Experts have released their best bets for NFL Week, highlighting key matchups like Chiefs vs. Dolphins and offering insights on player props and odds. The Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua card is set for a Friday start in Cardiff, with fan interest building ahead of the highly anticipated heavyweight showdown. Eric Karabell listed fantasy football targets to watch, including Travis Kelce and Davante Adams, who could defy age with strong seasons. September's all-portal team features unexpected standouts who were unlikely stars a month ago, now making significant impacts across positions. Ryan Blaney, sporting a black eye, called his altercation with Zane Hocevar "just a racing thing," downplaying the incident despite visible injury.

Rugby Union

The International team leads the Presidents Cup 7-3 after a dominant Friday foursomes sweep, showcasing a strong fightback on day two. Northampton kicked off their title defence with a 59-26 win over Newcastle, as James Pater and Tommy Freeman each scored hat-tricks. Santiago Carreras produced a terrific try for Bath, the highlight of their win over Harlequins in Premiership Rugby. Warrington Wolves reached their first Super League Grand Final in eight years by edging past Leeds in a tight playoff encounter. Stormers defeated Connacht in the United Rugby Championship opener, while Connacht suffered an opening-night loss in Galway. Dragons drew 19-19 with Benetton in Treviso after late drama, sharing points in their URC opener. Sam Hain shared a 165-run stand with Ed Barnard, helping edge Bears nearer to the County Championship title. The UCI proposed transfer windows, budget caps, and drone use to boost cycling, aiming to modernize the sport's structure and competitiveness. Aoife Wafer is ruled out of Ireland's WXV Global Series match against Japan due to injury, a significant blow to their back row depth.

Combat Sports & Boxing

Javon Walton discussed his transition from boxing to acting, reflecting on his Euphoria role and how his boxing roots influence his performance. Yuki Kurihara, won gold at the Asian Games, becoming the youngest competitor to achieve the feat in eel-powered canoeing. Jamie Chadwick said testing a Formula 1 car is the highlight of her motorsport career, calling it the "top of her bucket list." ChantCollege Football

Indiana escaped a 29-23 win over Northwestern despite losing starting running back Turbo Richard to injury late in the game. The SEC expressed disappointment over LSU's motion to dismiss a lawsuit, calling the move "deeply disappointing" amid unresolved concerns. Clemson's 2-1 start has raised questions about Dabo Swinney's ability to reverse the program's decline, with Cal up next as a critical test. Oregon's all-white uniforms for the USC trip stood out in Week, drawing praise for subtle design details that elevated the otherwise simple look. Connecticut Sun prevailed 95-81 in their final Connecticut game before relocation to Houston, marking a joyful end to their franchise tenure in the state. Steve Alford is retiring after the upcoming season, closing a 36-year coaching career that included stops at Iowa and New Mexico.

WNBA

The Los Angeles Sparks fired head coach Lynne Roberts after two seasons, signaling a shift in direction for the franchise. Stephanie White is fortifying her Indiana Fever roster amid playoff pressure, balancing star power with internal team strife as she pursues a WNBA title. The 2026 WNBA playoff schedule was released, with the first round opening Sunday and the semifinals tipping off in October. ESPN's NBA Rank 2026 countdown has concluded, but debates continue over the top player projections and what league executives think about the three-player battle for No. 1. Moussa Kamissoko committed to Syracuse as a five-star forward, becoming the first such commitment for head coach Adrian McNamara. The 2027 commit class is expected to impact programs at Syracuse, UConn, Purdue, and Gonzaga, with analysts evaluating how each fit will shape future rosters. Ayla McDowell credited Dawn Staley for refusing to let her hearing loss hinder development, relying on lip-reading and physical cues to succeed under her guidance.

NFL

Bubba Wallace said Toyota remains the favorite to win the NASCAR Cup Series title, though drivers insist they feel no added pressure despite the expectation. Experts have released their best bets for NFL Week, highlighting key matchups like Chiefs vs. Dolphins and offering insights on player props and odds. The Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua card is set for a Friday start in Cardiff, with fan interest building ahead of the highly anticipated heavyweight showdown. Eric Karabell listed fantasy football targets to watch, including Travis Kelce and Davante Adams, who could defy age with strong seasons. September's all-portal team features unexpected standouts who were unlikely stars a month ago, now making significant impacts across positions. Ryan Blaney, sporting a black eye, called his altercation with Zane Hocevar "just a racing thing," downplaying the incident despite visible injury.

Rugby Union

The International team leads the Presidents Cup 7-3 after a dominant Friday foursomes sweep, showcasing a strong fightback on day two. Northampton kicked off their title defence with a 59-26 win over Newcastle, as James Pater and Tommy Freeman each scored hat-tricks. Santiago Carreras produced a terrific try for Bath, the highlight of their win over Harlequins in Premiership Rugby. Warrington Wolves reached their first Super League Grand Final in eight years by edging past Leeds in a tight playoff encounter. Stormers defeated Connacht in the United Rugby Championship opener, while Connacht suffered an opening-night loss in Galway. Dragons drew 19-19 with Benetton in Treviso after late drama, sharing points in their URC opener. Sam Hain shared a 165-run stand with Ed Barnard, helping edge Bears nearer to the County Championship title. The UCI proposed transfer windows, budget caps, and drone use to boost cycling, aiming to modernize the sport's structure and competitiveness. Aoife Wafer is ruled out of Ireland's WXV Global Series match against Japan due to injury, a significant blow to their back row depth.

Combat Sports & Boxing

Javon Walton discussed his transition from boxing to acting, reflecting on his Euphoria role and how his boxing roots influence his performance. Yuki Kurihara, won gold at the Asian Games, becoming the youngest competitor to achieve the feat in eel-powered canoeing. Jamie Chadwick said testing a Formula 1 car is the highlight of her motorsport career, calling it the "top of her bucket list." Chantelle Reid, Abdul Burton, and Damar Thomas claimed silver medals after losing in their respective European boxing finals, marking a strong showing for the British trio. George Russell took pole position for Mercedes at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashed out during qualifying. Cyrena Samba-Mayela was suspended for a whereabouts breach, temporarily sidelining the Olympic silver medallist hurdler. Nick Parkinson ranked October's biggest boxing fights, including Canelo Álvarez vs. David Benavidez and Daniel Dubois vs. Lawrence Okolie, highlighting the month's most notable matchups. R360 Rugby faces dissolution after being ordered to address overdue accounts, putting the controversial all-star rugby start-up at risk of shutting down. Wales aims to prove they are no one-hit wonder ahead of their WXV clash with the USA at Cardiff Arms Park, seeking to build on their opening-round victory. Natasha Hunt said England's Red Roses struggle to meet fans' selfie demands as fame grows, making it nearly impossible to satisfy everyone. Kevin Pietersen spoke about his new role as a specialist mentor, discussing Harry Brook's development and his involvement in England's Test setup during the Ashes.