JIM VERTUNO Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) scores a touchdown against Texas on a run during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Vanderbilt rally fell shot as chance for statement road win turns into critical loss for Commodores

November 2, 2025

Vanderbilt’s big rally against Texas fell short in a 34-31 loss that could turn what could have been one of the great seasons in program into just a good one. The Commodores rallied from a 34-10 deficit in the fourth quarter with three unanswered touchdowns on Saturday. Quarterback Diego Pavia led the charge with a rushing touchdown and two passing scores. Despite the effort, an onside kick rolled out of bounds, ending their final chance. Coach Clark Lea praised the team’s grit, but noted they weren’t the hardest-playing team on the field. Vanderbilt, now 7-2 will need help to reach the SEC championship game.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs as he looks to throw against Vanderbilt during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Manning throws 3 touchdowns and No. 20 Texas holds off No. 9 Vanderbilt late for 34-31 win

November 1, 2025

Texas quarterback Arch Manning returned from a concussion to lead the No. 20 Longhorns to a 34-31 victory over No. 9 Vanderbilt. Manning passed for 328 yards and three touchdowns, including a 75-yard pass to Ryan Wingo on the first play. Texas led 34-10 in the fourth quarter before Vanderbilt rallied behind quarterback Diego Pavia. The comeback ended when Vanderbilt’s onside kick rolled out of bounds in the final seconds. Texas extended its winning streak to four games and remains among the SEC leaders.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws against Vanderbilt during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas QB Manning ‘felt good’ all week in concussion protocol and was sharp in win over Vandy

November 1, 2025

Arch Manning returned from a concussion to lead the No. 20 Texas Longhorns to a victory over No. 9 Vanderbilt. He passed for 328 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-31 Texas win. The Longhorns had a 34-10 lead in the fourth quarter before Vanderbilt’s late rally. Manning faced criticism earlier in the season, but Texas has now won four straight games. Coach Steve Sarkisian praised Manning’s progress, noting his improved maturity and decision-making. Manning said he never doubted during the week he’d return to the field

Texas quarterback Arch Manning, center right, runs out of bounds against Mississippi State safety Jahron Manning, center left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh)

Arch Manning is ‘making good progress’ but uncertain to play for No. 20 Texas vs. No. 9 Vanderbilt

October 30, 2025

Texas quarterback Arch Manning is making good progress in practice, coach Steve Sarkisian says. However, his status to return from a concussion in time to play against No. 9 Vanderbilt remains uncertain. Manning has been in concussion protocol since being injured in No. 20 Texas’ win over Mississippi State last week. He returned to practice Wednesday but was listed as questionable. If Manning can’t play, backup Matthew Caldwell will start. Manning has passed for 1,795 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

Mississippi State linebacker Derion Gullette, top, sacks Texas quarterback Arch Manning, bottom, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/James Pugh)

Arch Manning in concussion protocol for No. 20 Texas ahead of game vs. No. 9 Vanderbilt

October 27, 2025

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said quarterback Arch Manning is in concussion protocol and did not practice Monday ahead of the No. 20 Longhorns’ game against No. 9 Vanderbilt. Sarkisian says the team will get an update on Manning’s injury later in the week. Manning was injured at the start of overtime of Texas’ comeback win over Mississippi State. If Manning can’t play, Texas will start graduate transfer Matthew Caldwell against Vanderbilt. He came off the bench to throw the winning touchdown pass against Mississippi State on his only pass attempt of the game.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates on the podium after winning the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Red Bull’s Verstappen chasing perfection as he hunts down McLaren for possible fifth F1 championship

October 20, 2025

Max Verstappen is chasing a fifth Formula 1 championship after a dominant weekend at the United States Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver now anything is possible as he pursues McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Verstappen has trimmed his gap to frontrunner Piastri from 104 points to 40 over four races. There are five races and two sprints left, starting this week at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella warned Verstappen would be a title threat, and few took him seriously then.

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia prepares for the qualification for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)

F1 leader Piastri in poor form and fighting to hold off Norris and Verstappen in title chase

October 19, 2025

Oscar Piastri’s lead in the Formula 1 championship is shrinking after a tough weekend in Texas. At the United States Grand Prix, his teammate Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen gained ground. Verstappen secured his third win in four races, while Norris finished second. Piastri ended up fifth. His once-comfortable lead now feels precarious with five races left. Piastri leads Norris by 14 points and Verstappen by 40. The weekend started poorly with a crash in the sprint race. Verstappen has reduced a 104-point gap to 40 in just four races. Piastri remains optimistic but acknowledges the challenge ahead.

Verstappen wins US Grand Prix and McLaren’s Norris pulls closer to teammate Piastri in F1 title hunt

October 19, 2025

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen raced to his third victory in four races Sunday at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, while McLaren’s Lando Norris took a huge chunk out of teammate Oscar Piastri’s championship lead by finishing second. Piastri was a distant fifth, allowing Norris to pull within 14 points with five grand prix and two sprint races to go. Verstappen is also closing fast with his late-season charge. Verstappen now trails Piastri by 40 points, and Norris by 26, in third place, and has put the McClarens on notice he intends to chase them all the way to the end of the season. Piastri and Norris are trying to win their first career drivers championship. Verstappen is hunting his fifth in a row.

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain crashes during the sprint race at the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto racing in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Verstappen earns easy US Grand Prix sprint win after McLaren title leaders crash out on 1st lap

October 18, 2025

Max Verstappen cruised to victory in the United States Grand Prix sprint race, which saw chaos from the start as McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris crashed out in the first turn. Verstappen’s win pulls him within 55 points of leader Piastri with six grand prix and two sprint races left. McLaren mechanics now face the challenge of repairing both cars for the afternoon qualifying session. Piastri maintains a 22-point lead over Norris.

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Norris held accountable for McLaren’s scrap in Singapore that tightened up F1 title chase

October 16, 2025

McLaren’s scrap in Singapore has been settled. It’s time to get the drivers back to a chasing a Formula 1 championship. Lando Norris said Thursday that the team determined he bore responsibility and consequences for bumping into bumping into teammate Oscar Piastri at the start of the last race in Singapore two weeks ago. Norris would finish ahead of Piastri and cut his teammate’s championship lead to 22 points with six grand prix left on the season. F1 races this week at United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) is hit by UTEP safety Kode Lowe (15) as he scrambles during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas QB Manning says ‘I’ve got to play better’ after another ragged outing for the Longhorns

September 14, 2025

Texas quarterback Arch Manning admits he needs to improve his performance. Manning has been playing below expectations after starting the season as a Heisman Trophy favorite. His struggles began with a season-opening loss at Ohio State and continued during Saturday’s 27-10 win over UTEP. Manning completed just 11 of 25 passes and threw an interception. Manning, a top recruit from a famous football family, says he knows he can do better. Coach Steve Sarkisian believes Manning has high-level potential and aims to help him achieve it.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs from UTEP linebacker Donte Thompson (12) and defensive lineman Ashaad Hall (19) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Manning runs for 2 touchdowns but struggles again in passing game as No. 7 Texas beats UTEP 27-10

September 13, 2025

Arch Manning had two first-half touchdown runs while struggling through another poor passing game in No. 7 Texas’ 27-10 victory over UTEP on Saturday. Manning ran 2 yards for an early touchdown and had a 5-yard scoring run in the final seconds of the half for a 14-3 lead. But he also had 10 straight incompletions, threw an interception in the end zone and was briefly booed by the home crowd in the first half. Manning was 9 of 22 for 97 yards through three quarters with sidearm throws and overthrown receivers before tossing a short touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo early in the fourth. Texas improved to to 2-1, and UTEP fell to 1-2.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) reacts during an NCAA college football practice in Austin, Texas, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas QB Manning says NFL plans not taking shape yet despite grandpa’s prediction of 2026 in Austin

August 19, 2025

There’s so much speculation about Texas quarterback Arch Manning’s future, in the media and even within his own family, that it can be hard for even him to keep up. Manning was asked Tuesday about grandfather Archie Manning’s recent prediction to Texas Monthly that he’ll still be with the Longhorns through the 2026 season. Arch Manning said he doesn’t know where his grandfather got that idea, but he also insisted he’s not making any plans about his pro future right now. Preseason No. 1 Texas opens the season Aug. 30 at No. 3 Ohio State after losing to the Buckeyes in the national playoff semifinals last season.

Richards’ 2nd-half goal lifts US over Saudi Arabia 1-0 and into CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals

June 19, 2025

Defender Chris Richards scored with a flick of the ball off a second-half free kick to lift the United States to a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia, sending the Americans on to the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals. Richards tracked the ball as it flew into the box on a curving free kick from Sebastian Berhalter in the 62nd minute to tap the ball with his left foot past Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aquidi. The win and the 1-1 draw between Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti in Group D’s other match Thursday in Houston, clinched a knockout berth for the Americans.

JIM VERTUNO Sports Writer.