Deadspin | Alabama QB Ty Simpson sustained cracked rib in Rose Bowl loss

Deadspin | Alabama QB Ty Simpson sustained cracked rib in Rose Bowl loss

Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) runs against Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Aiden Fisher (4) in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson said he cracked a rib in the first half of the Crimson Tide’s 38-3 College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena, Calif., on Thursday.

The hit came when Simpson was drilled by Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds while scrambling for a first down late in the second quarter, a run that ended in a fumble recovered by the Hoosiers.

“Felt like I had a good thing going on that drive when I got hit,” Simpson said. “It kind of changed the momentum for sure. … The competitor in me wanted to make sure I got the first down. Got more than the first down, and then should have been smart and just got down.”

Simpson said an X-ray at halftime confirmed the injury. He returned to start the second half but quickly opted to yield to backup Austin Mack after one series.

“I made an executive decision and thought (about) what gave us the best chance to win,” Simpson said. “I thought Austin being 100% could help us win.”

Simpson finished 12 of 16 for 67 yards. Mack, a sophomore, went 11 of 16 for 103 yards and led the Crimson Tide to their only points with a third-quarter field goal.

“(Simpson) went out there and tried to battle, and that’s who he is,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “There’s no way he let us down.”

Simpson finished his junior season completing 305 of 473 passes (64.5%) for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions while guiding Alabama to an 11-4 record.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Ben Griffin, Andrew Novak have fond memories entering Zurich defense  Apr 27, 2025; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Ben Griffin, left, celebrates with teammate Andrew Novak after winning on the 18th hole during the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images   Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak had the honor of experiencing a golf rarity at last year’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans.  They each earned their first PGA Tour wins simultaneously in the team-based event.  Twelve months later, the pair reunites at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La. this week with fond memories of last year’s one-stroke victory over Danish brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard.  “In golf, you really don’t get to do (win) much. Unless you’re Scottie (Scheffler) or Rory (McIlroy) or one of those lucky freaks, you don’t win that much,” Novak said at the pair’s Tuesday press conference. “I hadn’t won since before COVID on the Korn Ferry Tour. So just the fact that I got to go lift a trophy and be a winner for that week was pretty special, because I had done multiple years of not doing that.”  Novak, 31, and Griffin, 29, turned pro in 2017 and 2018, respectively. They credit their extensive friendship dating back to playing junior golf together as natives of the North Carolina Research Triangle with what makes their partnership work.  “We (have) just played a lot of golf together. We know each other’s games really well,” Griffin said of their chemistry. “It’s not like we’re just a random team that kind of comes about, and you kind of have expectations of the other guy and maybe there’s a little bit of added pressure because you want to hit perfect shots for your partner.”  Coming off their dual debut PGA win, Griffin found more success the rest of the season than Novak. He followed with his first solo tour win less than a month later at the Charles Schwab Challenge and also won the World Wide Technology Championship, finishing 10th in the FedEx Cup rankings.   “Just built a lot of confidence,” Griffin said of how he carried over the momentum of his Zurich win. “… I knew I was starting to play some really good golf and just wanted to keep playing as many events as I possibly can. Just felt that confident in my game, and I just wanted (to) keep giving myself chances.  “Didn’t take long to win again, and a lot of it was kind of being freed up from finally winning on tour and having the job security and not really thinking about a whole lot except trying to compete against the best in the world and try to beat them.”  Novak hasn’t won again on tour in the 12 months since, but he carries better recent form into this week’s event. He’s coming off a T16 in last week’s RBC Heritage and has three top-20 finishes as well as a top-10 this season.  Griffin has made eight of 11 cuts this season but is still looking for his first top-10 finish and has just one top-20 in his first event of the season back in January.  Novak admitted he arrived at this week’s event with a different vibe after last year’s Zurich success.  “I do think walking into the clubhouse today and pulling in and registering, it does feel a little bit different. Just a little bit more confidence coming in here,” Novak said. “… It is a nice little different vibe. A little bit of extra confidence coming into this week. It’s still a golf tournament. We’re going to have to go out. We don’t win just because we show up. We’re going to have to play well. I think vibes are good.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Ben #Griffin #Andrew #Novak #fond #memories #entering #Zurich #defenseApr 27, 2025; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Ben Griffin, left, celebrates with teammate Andrew Novak after winning on the 18th hole during the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak had the honor of experiencing a golf rarity at last year’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

They each earned their first PGA Tour wins simultaneously in the team-based event.

Twelve months later, the pair reunites at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La. this week with fond memories of last year’s one-stroke victory over Danish brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard.

“In golf, you really don’t get to do (win) much. Unless you’re Scottie (Scheffler) or Rory (McIlroy) or one of those lucky freaks, you don’t win that much,” Novak said at the pair’s Tuesday press conference. “I hadn’t won since before COVID on the Korn Ferry Tour. So just the fact that I got to go lift a trophy and be a winner for that week was pretty special, because I had done multiple years of not doing that.”

Novak, 31, and Griffin, 29, turned pro in 2017 and 2018, respectively. They credit their extensive friendship dating back to playing junior golf together as natives of the North Carolina Research Triangle with what makes their partnership work.

“We (have) just played a lot of golf together. We know each other’s games really well,” Griffin said of their chemistry. “It’s not like we’re just a random team that kind of comes about, and you kind of have expectations of the other guy and maybe there’s a little bit of added pressure because you want to hit perfect shots for your partner.”


Coming off their dual debut PGA win, Griffin found more success the rest of the season than Novak. He followed with his first solo tour win less than a month later at the Charles Schwab Challenge and also won the World Wide Technology Championship, finishing 10th in the FedEx Cup rankings.

“Just built a lot of confidence,” Griffin said of how he carried over the momentum of his Zurich win. “… I knew I was starting to play some really good golf and just wanted to keep playing as many events as I possibly can. Just felt that confident in my game, and I just wanted (to) keep giving myself chances.

“Didn’t take long to win again, and a lot of it was kind of being freed up from finally winning on tour and having the job security and not really thinking about a whole lot except trying to compete against the best in the world and try to beat them.”

Novak hasn’t won again on tour in the 12 months since, but he carries better recent form into this week’s event. He’s coming off a T16 in last week’s RBC Heritage and has three top-20 finishes as well as a top-10 this season.

Griffin has made eight of 11 cuts this season but is still looking for his first top-10 finish and has just one top-20 in his first event of the season back in January.

Novak admitted he arrived at this week’s event with a different vibe after last year’s Zurich success.

“I do think walking into the clubhouse today and pulling in and registering, it does feel a little bit different. Just a little bit more confidence coming in here,” Novak said. “… It is a nice little different vibe. A little bit of extra confidence coming into this week. It’s still a golf tournament. We’re going to have to go out. We don’t win just because we show up. We’re going to have to play well. I think vibes are good.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Ben #Griffin #Andrew #Novak #fond #memories #entering #Zurich #defense">Deadspin | Ben Griffin, Andrew Novak have fond memories entering Zurich defense  Apr 27, 2025; Avondale, Louisiana, USA; Ben Griffin, left, celebrates with teammate Andrew Novak after winning on the 18th hole during the final round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images   Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak had the honor of experiencing a golf rarity at last year’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans.  They each earned their first PGA Tour wins simultaneously in the team-based event.  Twelve months later, the pair reunites at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La. this week with fond memories of last year’s one-stroke victory over Danish brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard.  “In golf, you really don’t get to do (win) much. Unless you’re Scottie (Scheffler) or Rory (McIlroy) or one of those lucky freaks, you don’t win that much,” Novak said at the pair’s Tuesday press conference. “I hadn’t won since before COVID on the Korn Ferry Tour. So just the fact that I got to go lift a trophy and be a winner for that week was pretty special, because I had done multiple years of not doing that.”  Novak, 31, and Griffin, 29, turned pro in 2017 and 2018, respectively. They credit their extensive friendship dating back to playing junior golf together as natives of the North Carolina Research Triangle with what makes their partnership work.  “We (have) just played a lot of golf together. We know each other’s games really well,” Griffin said of their chemistry. “It’s not like we’re just a random team that kind of comes about, and you kind of have expectations of the other guy and maybe there’s a little bit of added pressure because you want to hit perfect shots for your partner.”  Coming off their dual debut PGA win, Griffin found more success the rest of the season than Novak. He followed with his first solo tour win less than a month later at the Charles Schwab Challenge and also won the World Wide Technology Championship, finishing 10th in the FedEx Cup rankings.   “Just built a lot of confidence,” Griffin said of how he carried over the momentum of his Zurich win. “… I knew I was starting to play some really good golf and just wanted to keep playing as many events as I possibly can. Just felt that confident in my game, and I just wanted (to) keep giving myself chances.  “Didn’t take long to win again, and a lot of it was kind of being freed up from finally winning on tour and having the job security and not really thinking about a whole lot except trying to compete against the best in the world and try to beat them.”  Novak hasn’t won again on tour in the 12 months since, but he carries better recent form into this week’s event. He’s coming off a T16 in last week’s RBC Heritage and has three top-20 finishes as well as a top-10 this season.  Griffin has made eight of 11 cuts this season but is still looking for his first top-10 finish and has just one top-20 in his first event of the season back in January.  Novak admitted he arrived at this week’s event with a different vibe after last year’s Zurich success.  “I do think walking into the clubhouse today and pulling in and registering, it does feel a little bit different. Just a little bit more confidence coming in here,” Novak said. “… It is a nice little different vibe. A little bit of extra confidence coming into this week. It’s still a golf tournament. We’re going to have to go out. We don’t win just because we show up. We’re going to have to play well. I think vibes are good.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Ben #Griffin #Andrew #Novak #fond #memories #entering #Zurich #defense

Deadspin | NWSL awards expansion franchise to Columbus  May 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images   The NWSL awarded an expansion franchise to Columbus on Tuesday, making the Ohio capital home to the league’s 18th member starting in 2028.  The team is owned by the Haslam Sports Group, the Columbus-based Nationwide insurance company and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards.  “As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, expanding to Columbus is a natural next step. This is a city with a rich soccer tradition, a proven track record of support at the highest level, and an ownership group making meaningful, long-term investments in women’s sports, said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman. “We’re excited to bring the world’s most competitive women’s soccer league to Columbus and to see this community embrace the game in a new way.”  Two new NWSL clubs debuted this season with Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC. Atlanta was awarded a franchise last November and will join the league along with Columbus in 2028.  Haslam Sports Group also owns the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and MLS’ Columbus Crew and has a stake in the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.   “Our family is thrilled to help bring an NWSL team to Columbus and further invest in Ohio, with the honor of bringing the 18th team into the league,” HSG managing partner Whitney Haslam Johnson said. “We believe in the power of women’s sports and are humbled to be part of the number one women’s soccer league in the world. Sports are one of today’s greatest unifiers and are incredible for their communities. The NWSL will have a significant impact on Columbus within and beyond sports, now and for future generations.”  The Columbus squad will wait to choose an official team name, colors and crest in conjunction with the input from fans across Ohio.   The team will play at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, the 20,000-seat home to the Crew. The U.S. Women’s National Team has hosted 13 matches there, compiling a 10-1-2 record including a win in the 2024 SheBelieves Cup final.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #NWSL #awards #expansion #franchise #ColumbusMay 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

The NWSL awarded an expansion franchise to Columbus on Tuesday, making the Ohio capital home to the league’s 18th member starting in 2028.

The team is owned by the Haslam Sports Group, the Columbus-based Nationwide insurance company and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards.

“As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, expanding to Columbus is a natural next step. This is a city with a rich soccer tradition, a proven track record of support at the highest level, and an ownership group making meaningful, long-term investments in women’s sports, said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman. “We’re excited to bring the world’s most competitive women’s soccer league to Columbus and to see this community embrace the game in a new way.”

Two new NWSL clubs debuted this season with Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC. Atlanta was awarded a franchise last November and will join the league along with Columbus in 2028.


Haslam Sports Group also owns the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and MLS’ Columbus Crew and has a stake in the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.

“Our family is thrilled to help bring an NWSL team to Columbus and further invest in Ohio, with the honor of bringing the 18th team into the league,” HSG managing partner Whitney Haslam Johnson said. “We believe in the power of women’s sports and are humbled to be part of the number one women’s soccer league in the world. Sports are one of today’s greatest unifiers and are incredible for their communities. The NWSL will have a significant impact on Columbus within and beyond sports, now and for future generations.”

The Columbus squad will wait to choose an official team name, colors and crest in conjunction with the input from fans across Ohio.

The team will play at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, the 20,000-seat home to the Crew. The U.S. Women’s National Team has hosted 13 matches there, compiling a 10-1-2 record including a win in the 2024 SheBelieves Cup final.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NWSL #awards #expansion #franchise #Columbus">Deadspin | NWSL awards expansion franchise to Columbus  May 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images   The NWSL awarded an expansion franchise to Columbus on Tuesday, making the Ohio capital home to the league’s 18th member starting in 2028.  The team is owned by the Haslam Sports Group, the Columbus-based Nationwide insurance company and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards.  “As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, expanding to Columbus is a natural next step. This is a city with a rich soccer tradition, a proven track record of support at the highest level, and an ownership group making meaningful, long-term investments in women’s sports, said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman. “We’re excited to bring the world’s most competitive women’s soccer league to Columbus and to see this community embrace the game in a new way.”  Two new NWSL clubs debuted this season with Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC. Atlanta was awarded a franchise last November and will join the league along with Columbus in 2028.  Haslam Sports Group also owns the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and MLS’ Columbus Crew and has a stake in the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.   “Our family is thrilled to help bring an NWSL team to Columbus and further invest in Ohio, with the honor of bringing the 18th team into the league,” HSG managing partner Whitney Haslam Johnson said. “We believe in the power of women’s sports and are humbled to be part of the number one women’s soccer league in the world. Sports are one of today’s greatest unifiers and are incredible for their communities. The NWSL will have a significant impact on Columbus within and beyond sports, now and for future generations.”  The Columbus squad will wait to choose an official team name, colors and crest in conjunction with the input from fans across Ohio.   The team will play at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, the 20,000-seat home to the Crew. The U.S. Women’s National Team has hosted 13 matches there, compiling a 10-1-2 record including a win in the 2024 SheBelieves Cup final.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #NWSL #awards #expansion #franchise #Columbus

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