Irish look to rebound after OT Texas thriller
Notre Dame and Texas seemed to pack a season’s worth of thrills into a game that ultimately took two overtimes to decide on Sunday.
And while the Longhorns emerged with a 50-47 victory after Tyrone Swoopes’ successful six-yard TD run, Irish coach Brian Kelly saw enough positives to at least take some sting out of the season-opening setback.
“We work too hard and we sacrificed too much to feel good in any way,” Kelly said following Sunday’s loss. “Having said that, I’m proud of the resiliency they showed on the road down 17 points in the second half. That’s something that we can really build on. It takes character and it takes a group of kids that built a strong belief that they can win regardless of the circumstances.”
Highlights with implications as the season progresses included:
— A fast start against Texas, including a six-play, 78-yard drive on the game’s opening drive and a 7-0 Notre Dame lead;
— Five touchdown passes from quarterback DeShone Kizer, who apparently settled the question whether he or Malik Zaire deserve the starting nod;
— A rally from a 17-point halftime deficit to claim a late lead;
— A defense that held Texas to a net 16 yards on 13 plays over four consecutive second half possessions.
Marlins activate Stanton from DL
Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday, a little over three weeks removed from sustaining a Grade 3 left groin strain.
Manager Don Mattingly announced the move prior to the Marlins’ game against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.
“He’s basically a bat off the bench right now, and he will continue to rehab,” Mattingly said of the three-time All-Star. “We feel like he will continue to get better and better. We’ll see if he will be able to get back on the field or not to play the outfield and things like that.”
Stanton sustained his injury on Aug. 13 while attempting to stretch a single into a double in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox. He was placed on the disabled list the following day and was initially expected to be sidelined up to six weeks.
Stanton is batting .244 with 25 homers and 70 RBIs in 103 games for the Marlins, who entered Tuesday’s contest five games in back of the St. Louis Cardinals for the second National League wild card.
Kings sign G Cousins
The Sacramento Kings signed guard Isaiah Cousins to a contract on Tuesday.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the team, but The Vertical cited league sources saying that it was a partially guaranteed one-year contract.
Cousins was selected in the second round (59th overall) of the 2016 NBA draft.
The 6-foot-5 Cousins recorded career bests per game in points (12.6), assists (4.5) and steals (1.4) during his senior season with Oklahoma. He averaged 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists in 137 career contests over four seasons with the Sooners.
Ravens re-sign Forsett
The Baltimore Ravens re-signed running back Justin Forsett two days after he was cut in a move that could save the team money.
Forsett was originally set to make $3 million this season. Financial terms of his new deal have not been announced.
Forsett, who made the Pro Bowl in 2014, will rejoin what has become a crowded group of Baltimore runners that includes Terrance West, Javorius (Buck) Allen and rookie Kenneth Dixon who is currently injured.