LARRY LAGE Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh holds a press conference during training camp for the NFL football team Thursday, July 17, 2025, in El Segundo, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Big Ten suggests to NCAA that Michigan has been punished enough for sign-stealing, AP sources say

July 21, 2025

Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti sent a letter to the NCAA Committee on Infractions suggesting that Michigan’s football program should not face more sanctions stemming from a sign-stealing scheme, according to two people familiar with the situation. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because no one is authorized to comment on an ongoing NCAA investigation. Big Ten Deputy Commissioner Diane Dietz says Petitti’s letter was shared during last month’s hearing because he was unable to attend while recovering from hip surgery. ESPN was first to report some details of Petitti’s letter.

FILE - Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson runs a drill during an NFL football practice in Allen Park, Mich., May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, file)

Call it a comeback! Hutchinson, McCaffrey, Prescott, McCarthy aiming to bounce back from injuries

July 21, 2025

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson appeared to practice without any limitiations on Sunday morning, when Detroit kicked off training camp with its first practice. The only difference was a black sleeve that covered and supported much of his surgically repaired left leg. Hutchinson says he doesn’t think anybody in the game of football will ever be as grateful when I come back in that first game. San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott and Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy may beg to differ.

FILE - Detroit Lions defensive end Levi Onwuzurike waits for the snap of the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Detroit, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/David Dermer, file)

Lions DL Levi Onwuzurike out for season after ACL surgery, setback for team with ailing Alim McNeill

July 20, 2025

Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike is out for the season after having knee surgery, a setback for a franchise that was counting on him to fill in for Alim McNeill. Lions coach Dan Campbell made the announcement on Sunday morning, just before his team had the NFL’s first training camp practice of the year. Onwuzurike started 11 games last season, including Detroit’s loss to Washington in the divisional round. His playing time increased when McNeill had a season-ending knee injury in December. McNeill is out indefinitely. Rookie defensive tackle Tyleik Williams has a chance to play a significant role.

Aldrich Potgieter, of South Africa, celebrates after his winning putt in a playoff during the final round of the Rocket Classic golf tournament at Detroit Golf Club, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Aldrich Potgieter wins Rocket Classic on 5th playoff hole, outlasting Max Greyserman and Chris Kirk

June 29, 2025

Aldrich Potgieter made an 18-foot putt for birdie on the fifth playoff hole, outlasting Max Greyserman to win the Rocket Classic on Sunday. It was the longest playoff of the season on the PGA Tour. The 20-year-old from South Africa is the youngest player on the tour and its biggest hitter. He became the ninth player to win for the first time this season. Chris Kirk was eliminated from contention after failing to make a 4-foot putt on the second hole after pushing a 9-foot putt past the cup on the first extra hole with a chance to win the tournament. Potgieter, two strokes ahead entering the round, closed with a 3-under 69, and Greyserman and Kirk each shot 67.

Aldrich Potgieter, of South Africa, putts on the eighth hole during the first round of the Rocket Classic golf tournament at the Detroit Golf Club, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Aldrich Potgieter, PGA Tour’s youngest player and biggest hitter, leads Rocket Classic by 2 strokes

June 28, 2025

Aldrich Potgieter had five straight birdies to surge into the third-round lead and finished with a 7-under 65 on Saturday for a two-shot edge. The 20-year-old rookie started the week averaging 326.6 yards off the tee, several yards longer than Rory McIlroy. The PGA Tour’s youngest player will be shooting for his first win on the tour Sunday. Max Greyserman, Jake Knapp, Mark Hubbard, Andrew Putnam and Chris Kirk were two shots back. Fifth-ranked Collin Morikawa shot a 68 to start the final round four shots back, hoping to rally for his first win since 2023.

Andrew Putnam hits from the ninth tee during the first round of the Rocket Classic golf tournament at the Detroit Golf Club, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Knapp makes PGA Tour history at Rocket Classic, trails 2nd-round leaders Kirk, Knowles and Putnam

June 27, 2025

Jake Knapp has pulled off a feat no one else has in PGA Tour history. Knapp shot an 11-under 61 on Friday to break a Rocket Classic record that stood for less than a day, becoming the first on the tour to break 60 and shoot a 61 or lower in the same season. That still wasn’t enough to put him in the top six, entering the weekend at Detroit Golf Club. Chris Kirk, Philip Knowles and Andrew Putnam share the second-round lead at 14 under after consecutive rounds in the mid-60s.

Aldrich Potgieter, of South Africa, hits from the ninth tee during the first round of the Rocket Classic golf tournament at the Detroit Golf Club, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Kevin Roy and Aldrich Potgieter shoot Rocket Classic-record 62s to share 1st-round lead

June 26, 2025

Kevin Roy and Aldrich Potgieter each shot 10-under 62 on Thursday to break the Rocket Classic record and share the first-round lead. Detroit Golf Club has been one of the easiest courses since the PGA Tour made it an annual stop in 2019. A pair of Korn Ferry graduates took full advantage. Potgieter, the 20-year-old South African who grew up in Australia, started at No. 10 and set a tournament record with a 7-under 29 on the back nine. He added three birdies on his back nine and caught the left edge on a 12-foot putt on his final hole. Potgieter and Roy each had an eagle and eight birdies in bogey-free rounds. Min Woo Lee, Max Greyserman and Mark Hubbard were a stroke back.

Detroit Prowl's Toya Shinaul, from left to right, Kelly Bernadyn, Sydney Hebel, Jasmine Hamilton and Allie Gorcyca walk out for the coin toss at the start of an AWFL women's football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Women’s tackle football gives female athletes opportunities in a game dominated by men

June 20, 2025

Women have been playing tackle football for decades, mostly under the radar. Two leagues have raised their profile enough to have women competing for championships on ESPN2 in high-end venues. The Women’s National Football Conference will have its title game on the network for the first time. The game will be broadcast live on Saturday from the Dallas Cowboys’ Ford Center, a roughly 12,000-seat venue in Frisco, Texas. The Women’s Football Alliance will be back on the network for its championship game on July 26 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, where MVP jerseys from previous title games are on display.

Denny Hamlin wins at Michigan for his 3rd NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season

June 8, 2025

Denny Hamlin outlasted the competition at Michigan, winning his third NASCAR Cup Series race this season and the 57th of his career. Hamlin went low to pass William Byron on the 197th of 200 laps and pulled away from the pack in the No. 11 Toyota. The 44-year-old was prepared to leave to join his fiancée, Jordan Fish, who is due to give birth to their third child, a boy. Hamlin said he would skip next week’s race in Mexico City if necessary to witness the birth. Chris Buescher finished second, followed by Ty Gibbs, Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson.

Denny Hamlin waits to be introduced before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Hamlin undeterred by ruling siding with NASCAR in lawsuit filed by Jordan-owned 23XI and Front Row

June 7, 2025

Denny Hamlin says he is unfazed that a three-judge federal appellate panel vacated an injunction that required NASCAR to recognize 23XI, which he owns with Michael Jordan, and Front Row as chartered teams as part of an antitrust lawsuit. NASCAR’s FireKeepers 400 is Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. Hamlin says Jordan feels the same way. NASCAR has not commented on the latest ruling. 23XI and Front Row sued NASCAR late last year after refusing to sign new agreements on charter renewals. They asked for a temporary injunction that would recognize them as chartered teams for this season.

LARRY LAGE Sports Writer.