Sports Brief: Week of Sept. 23 – Oct. 1

Within the last week, the sporting world has continued to provide “unprecedented results” and “shocking upsets.”

LeBron James played in his first official game as a Los Angeles Laker, Christian Yelich’s Triple Crown chance was extended and the Americans fell short in the Ryder Cup.

NBA Preseason

Sunday kicked off the NBA preseason, giving insights to the potential success or failure this year’s offseason made by each team’s front office.

The new-look Lakers featured James and company, which briefly highlighted the hype surrounding the “blockbuster” deal despite the three-time world champion only playing for 15 minutes.

The Spurs got to see Demar Derozan in action after sending Kawhi Leonard to Toronto. Derozan only played for 18 minutes but “looked in mid-season form offensively.”

MLB: Game 163

Four teams—Dodger-Rockies and Cubs-Brewers—have finished out the normal 162-game MLB season tied within their respective divisions. This called for two unprecedented 163rd games to decide which team will claim the spot as division leader and which will take the spot in the Wild Card matchup.

The Dodgers took an early lead against the Rockies in their one-game, extended regular season, mini playoff game in the third inning. Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy both launched a long ball each leading Los Angeles to a 5-2 win.

The Milwaukee Brewers 12-hit barrage overpowered the Chicago Cubs as they won 3-1. Brewers’ outfielder Christian Yelich, given this extra regular-season game, had the chance to steal the Triple Crown. Despite getting three hits in four plate appearances, Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, NL leader in home runs, and Cubs infielder Javier Baez, NL leader in RBIs, were able to keep their spots at the top of their respective categories, preventing Yelich to claim the crown.

The Rockies and Cubs will now play each other in a one-game playoff in which the winner will advance to play the Brewers. The Dodgers, after their win, will play the Braves in one ALDS matchup.

OU cruises past Baylor

The No. 7 University of Oklahoma football program continues their undefeated streak, winning 66-33 against Baylor University in Norman, OK last Saturday.

Despite missing the first drive due to disciplinary reasons, Kyler Murray threw for 432 yards and six touchdowns with one rushing touchdown. This tied Baker Mayfield’s school record for the most touchdowns accounted for with seven.

Three other Oklahoma players—Marquise Brown, CeeDee Lamb and Kennedy Brooks— contributed more than 100-yards as well.

Charlie Brewer, the Baylor quarterback, threw for 400 yards and two touchdowns. Denzel Mims had 11 catches for 114 yards and Jalen Hurd had nine catches for 104 yards for the Bears.

Despite Baylor’s ability to score, Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray continues to lead the defense with remarkably high numbers. After 28 tackles last week, Murray tallied another team high 17 tackles against Baylor.

Oklahoma moves to 2-0 in conference play and will take on the University of Texas next Saturday.

OSU beats Kansas

No. 25 Oklahoma State University moves to 4-1 on the year after beating the University of Kansas 48-28 last Saturday.

Oklahoma State quarterback Taylor Cornelius threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns against the Jayhawk defense. Justice Hill ran for 189 yards on 31 carries and scored one touchdown to add onto the offensive display.

A “bright light” in the Kansas loss was quarterback Carter Stanley, who threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s game.

Oklahoma State is now 1-1 in conference and will take on Iowa State in another conference matchup next Saturday.

In the background of the Oklahoma State win, news of Clemson University’s ex-senior quarterback Kelly Bryant has Cowboy fans excited the once three-star recruit may choose to take his talents to Stillwater. However, with recent injury of No. 1 recruit Trevor Lawrence, Bryant’s destination is still up in the air.

Top-10 CFB teams fall

The No. 9 Penn State Nittany Lions fell short to the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes 27-26 last Saturday. The Buckeyes move up to No. 3 in the AP Poll while the Lions fall to No. 14.

Additionally, No. 8 Notre Dame was able to pick up the upset against No. 7 Stanford, winning 38-17. Stanford drops to No. 14 and the Fighting Irish climb to No. 6 in this week’s ranking.

Ryder Cup

Headlining the Ryder Cup, Francesco Molinari went an unprecedented 5-0 in the competition, making him the first European player to do so since the current format was configured in 1979. The American team fell short 17.5-10.5, losing and giving up the Ryder Cup back to their European counterparts.

The Americans have not won a Ryder Cup match in Europe since 1993.