NFL-SCHEDULE
Bengals look to stay unbeaten
CINCINNATI (AP) β In the NFL this evening the 7-0 Bengals are playing host to in-state rival Cleveland. The Browns are limping into the Queen City with a record of 2-6, having lost five of their last six outings. The game marks the return of Johnny Manziel (man-ZEHL’) behind center as the second-year quarterback is getting the start because Josh McCown is injured. Manziel had a terrible NFL debut last season in Cleveland when the Bengals chased him around the field, knocked him around and did his signature “money-rubbing” gesture to rub it in during a 30-0 win.
The seven straight wins match the Bengals’ record for a season. They won the last seven during the 1970 season, and their opener the next year for an eight-game streak that is the club record.
T25-SCHEDULECOLLEGE FOOTBALL
Baylor looks to keep pace with top teams
UNDATED (AP) β There are two Top-25 games this evening with No. 2 Baylor leading the way. The Bears, who are 7-0, are on the road for a game with Kansas State. Three years ago when they met the Wildcats were unbeaten and barreling toward the national title game. It was Baylor however, which had lost four straight and five of six, that ran the Wildcats right out of town.
Now, Kansas State is the underwhelming team, losers of four in a row. And the second-ranked Bears are unbeaten and pointed toward college football’s playoff.
On paper it looks like a blowout as Baylor is the nation’s highest-scoring team at 61.1 points per game. The Bears are facing a defense that allowed 50-plus points in back-to-back home losses to TCU and Oklahoma.
In tonights other game 24th-ranked Mississippi State is at Missouri. State is averaging 35.1 points and quarterback Dak Prescott is the winningest active quarterback in the SEC with a 20-8 overall record as a starter.
NBA-SCHEDULE
Five game card tonight
UNDATED (AP) β The Chicago Bulls were humiliated in their last game, a 130-105 defeat to previously winless Charlotte. Tonight the 3-2 Bulls are playing host to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who also carry a 3-2 mark into the game. The Chicago defense will be tested again as the Thunder come in averaging 114.2 points a game. They lost to unbeaten Toronto last night at home 103-98.
Two 3-2 clubs are squaring off in Portland tonight as the Blazers entertain Memphis. For the Grizzlies this is the third of five road games.
The Mavericks have won 14 straight home games against the Hornets and tonight they go for No. 15.
In other games Miami is at Minnesota and Utah is in Denver to play the Nuggets.
NHL-SCHEDULE
Canadiens go for No. 12
UNDATED (AP) β Montreal continues to have the most wins in the NHL with 11. Tonight the Canadiens are on home ice to face a team they beat three times last season, the Islanders.
Colorado starts a stretch of playing 12 of 15 games on the road tonight. The Avs are in Glendale, Arizona, to face the Coyotes, who are back on the ice for the first time in five days.
Winnipeg is putting a four-game Eastern Conference road trip to an end tonight with a game in Ottawa. The Senators have won three of their last four.
A year ago Washington blanked Boston in all three of the games they played. Tonight the Caps are playing host to the Bruins in the first of three games this season.
Two teams going in the wrong direction are facing off tonight in Calgary as the Flames face the Flyers. Philadelphia is 0-4-1 in its last five games while the Flames in their last six are 1-4-1.
The Blue Jackets are enjoying some success with their new coach. Since John Tortorella took over the Jackets are 3-3 and tonight face the Kings in L.A.
The rest of the card has Tampa Bay at Buffalo, Nashville at Minnesota and Florida at San Jose.
NHL-BLACKHAWKS
Kane cleared
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) β Prosecutors in Buffalo say Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks will not face criminal charges after being accused of raping a woman in his home over the summer. Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita says a three-month investigation found that physical and forensic evidence tend to contradict the accuser’s claim. He says he will not present the case to a grand jury for possible charges.
NASCAR-KENSETH
Hearing taking place today
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Matt Kenseth is getting his hearing today into the two-race suspension handed down to him by NASCAR. Kenseth delivered payback last Sunday after being spun by Joey Logano three races ago. On Sunday, he deliberately crashed into Logano, who was leading at Martinsville Speedway. Logano likely was going to win and earn an automatic berth in the final four of NASCAR’s playoffs.
PGA-HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP
Grace leads the wya
SHANGHAI (AP) β South Africa’s Branden Grace has the lead after the opening round of the HSBC Championship in China. He completed the first round at 9-under 63, one shot in front of three players. Thirty players are at 68 or better, a group that included Jordan Spieth (speeth), defending champion Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy, who finally made it to the course after battling food poisoning all week.
CHAMPIONS TOUR
End of season event
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) β The first round of the Champions Tour Charles Schwab Cup Championship is being contested today in Scottsdale, Arizona. The top 30 on the money list qualified for the season-ending tournament.
Colin (KAH’-lihn) Montgomerie leads the three-man season race for the Charles Schwab Cup, 39 points ahead of Jeff Maggert and 66 in front of Bernhard Langer (LAHN’-gur). The Cup winner will receive a $1 million annuity, the runner-up a $500,000 annuity, and the third-place finisher a $300,000 annuity.
