Lions Secure Exciting Overtime Victory Against Rams Fueled by Jameson Williams' Breakout Performance

 

**DETROIT** — The Detroit Lions kicked off their season with a hard-fought victory over the Los Angeles Rams, showcasing a balanced offensive attack that combined effective ground game with key aerial plays, reminiscent of their NFC wild-card matchup.

David Montgomery's 1-yard touchdown run in overtime secured a 26-20 triumph against the Rams, led by Matthew Stafford, on Sunday night.

“Early in the season, many games hinge on who makes fewer mistakes,” stated Lions coach Dan Campbell. “We made one less than they did.”

Despite losing a two-touchdown advantage in the third quarter, the Lions managed to tie the game with Jake Bates' 32-yard field goal in the final minute of regulation.

Winning the coin toss, Detroit capitalized on their possession, gaining at least 9 yards on their first four plays in overtime, setting the stage for Montgomery's decisive score.

The Rams had a chance to derail Detroit's season opener when Stafford connected with Cooper Kupp for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 4:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell short in making crucial plays.

Los Angeles battled valiantly, even after losing Pro Bowl receiver Puka Nacua and two linemen from their already depleted offensive line.

“I’m really proud of this group,” Rams coach Sean McVay remarked. "We had numerous players step up after injuries."

The Lions initially held a 17-3 lead in the third quarter, following a 52-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Jameson Williams.

“We practiced that double move all week, and he executed it perfectly,” Goff noted.

However, Detroit's lead diminished as Stafford effectively maneuvered against their defense, and Goff threw an interception early in the fourth quarter.

John Johnson picked off Goff’s pass at the Rams' 20-yard line, thwarting a potential field goal attempt that could have restored a seven-point lead.

Stafford capitalized on this opportunity, orchestrating a 10-play, 80-yard drive culminating in the touchdown pass to Kupp. Late in the fourth, however, he struggled to maintain possession, resulting in a punt that gave Goff another chance from his own 31 with 2:11 left.

“I had a chance to win it,” Stafford reflected. “Every game has plays you wish you could have back.”

The Lions reached the Rams' 14-yard line but settled for Bates’ field goal, sending the game into overtime.

McVay defended his decision-making in the second quarter, opting to go for it instead of attempting a 40-yard field goal while the game was tied at 3. The gamble backfired when Stafford's pass intended for Kupp fell incomplete.

“We came here to be aggressive, and I wouldn’t change that decision,” McVay asserted.

Stafford completed 34 of 49 passes for 317 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. He took several hits but continued to make plays despite the pressure.

“Give Matt Stafford credit; he played exceptionally well despite the hits,” Campbell praised.

Kupp matched his career high with 14 receptions, accumulating 110 yards. Goff finished 18 of 28 for 217 yards, with one touchdown and an interception. Williams tied his career high with five catches, notching a personal best of 121 yards.

“I’m proud of him,” Campbell said. “He has room to grow, but he made some significant plays.”

Montgomery carried the ball 17 times for 91 yards, while Jahmyr Gibbs added 40 yards on 11 carries, with both running backs scoring touchdowns.

**Injuries**

**Rams:** Nacua (knee) was injured in the first half after making four catches for 35 yards and did not return. LT Joe Noteboom (ankle) was carted off in the second quarter, and LG Steve Avila (knee) also went down later.

McVay did not provide updates on the injured players post-game.

**Lions:** DT D.J. Reader (leg) and S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) were inactive.

**Up Next**

**Rams:** They will remain on the road to face Arizona next Sunday.

**Lions:** They will host Tampa Bay next Sunday in a rematch of their divisional playoff game, which Detroit won 31-23.

The suspect in a mass shooting in southern Kentucky is currently at large and is considered armed and dangerous.

 UPDATE: The suspect in a mass shooting on the interstate in Laurel County is currently at large and is considered armed and dangerous.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are searching for 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch from Woodbine, KY. He is described as 5′10″ tall and weighing 154 pounds. Authorities advise against approaching him.

Laurel County Sheriff John Root reports that deputies were called to a gunshot victim incident around 5:30 p.m. Saturday on I-75 near exit 49.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered that nine vehicles had been shot into in both northbound and southbound lanes, with five individuals found to be seriously injured.

London Mayor Randall Weddle informed WKYT that the five victims are stable, with three being airlifted from St. Joseph London for further treatment.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, identified as a person of interest in the shooting. Authorities have deemed him armed and dangerous.

Mayor Weddle stated that authorities are searching for Couch in a rural area of Laurel County and are confident he will be apprehended soon.

Lexington police have deployed their helicopter to assist in the search efforts.

Officials want to reassure residents that they are safe tonight due to the presence of multiple police agencies in the area. However, they advise everyone to remain vigilant and stay home.

Those in the vicinity are urged to follow instructions from law enforcement, fire department personnel, and road signs regarding detours.

KY 909 and U.S. 25 in Laurel County remain closed, along with both ramps at exit 49.

Paris 2024 Paralympic Games 28 August - 8 September

 

 First gold medals in sitting volleyball at Paris 2024.

The men’s sitting volleyball final is a must-see event on day nine, featuring powerhouse Iran against Bosnia and Herzegovina as they aim for their third consecutive gold medal. Morteza Mehrzadselakjani, the tallest participant in the tournament, is determined to lead his team to another victory.

"We can't predict the final outcome of the competition, but we must give our best effort as we prepare to face Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Iranian player Sadegh Bigdeli.

"We'll see what unfolds, but our goal is to become champions." Earlier in the day, Germany and Egypt will compete in the bronze medal match.

Finalists determined in wheelchair basketball.

For wheelchair basketball enthusiasts, day nine is significant as the teams for the women's final will be determined. The men’s semifinals occurred on day eight, with Great Britain and the USA securing their spots in the finals.

The women’s semifinals are scheduled for the afternoon of day nine. The first match will feature China against the USA, followed by a showdown between Canada and the defending Paralympic champions, the Netherlands.

Can Diede de Groot successfully defend her women’s singles title?

Diede de Groot, having lost only two singles matches since Tokyo 2020, aims to defend her women’s singles gold at the renowned Roland-Garros Stadium. She will compete against second-seeded Yui Kamiji of Japan, who defeated her in July of this year.

The Netherlands’ de Groot and Aniek van Koot secured silver in the women’s doubles, finishing behind Kamiji and Manami Tanaka on September 5. Will de Groot find redemption in the singles competition?

Northern Illinois shocks Notre Dame with a last-second field goal.

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Kanon Woodill delivered a 35-yard field goal with just 31 seconds remaining, and Cade Haberman blocked a 62-yard attempt as time expired, leading Northern Illinois to a stunning 16-14 victory over No. 5 Notre Dame on Saturday.

Haberman's block of Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter’s long-range attempt allowed the ecstatic Huskies to secure their first nonconference win against a ranked opponent since their 19-16 upset of No. 21 Alabama in 2003.

This marked the Huskies' first win over a top-10 team and the first triumph by a Mid-American Conference team against an AP top-five opponent, breaking a 0-51 streak for the MAC against such teams.

Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock was visibly emotional following the thrilling outcome.

"We didn't rely on luck," Hammock stated. "That was our mantra. We just needed to perform at our best. It wasn't our cleanest game, but we played hard for all four quarters and remained united. They collaborated, had faith in each other, and made enough plays to win.

"This victory is transformative for our program, similar to when we defeated Alabama back in 2003."

Hammock expressed confidence that his Huskies matched up well against Notre Dame.

"I believe we were bigger than they anticipated," Hammock remarked. "In my view, we’re not your standard MAC team. Our offensive and defensive lines are substantial, and we play with physicality. I didn’t see it as a mismatch in that regard."

The Fighting Irish, who were 28.5-point favorites according to ESPN BET, saw their odds shift dramatically. After starting the day at 16-1 to win the national championship, those odds sank to 75-1 following the defeat.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman reflected on the disappointment of the loss, especially after an impressive road victory over then-No. 20 Texas A&M.

"It's our responsibility as coaches to ensure the players are prepared," Freeman said. "You can go from the highest highs to the lowest lows in just two weeks, but it's on us to take ownership of this situation. Both coaches and players need to accept responsibility and work on improvements."

Notre Dame (1-1) appeared poised to create some distance from Northern Illinois (2-0) while leading 14-13 in the fourth quarter. After a punt, the Fighting Irish regained possession with 7:49 remaining and advanced from their own 25-yard line to the Northern Illinois 49.

Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard attempted a deep pass intended for Kris Mitchell, but Amariyun Knighten intercepted it and returned the ball 33 yards to the midfield mark with 5:55 left on the clock.

"It was a completely bad read," Leonard admitted regarding the interception. "The single high safety was attached to the inside post. I thought he wouldn’t stay attached. Bad eyes, bad feet, bad ball — that's what led to the pick. I take full responsibility."

The Huskies managed to control the clock and moved to the Notre Dame 19, setting up Woodill's field goal. A crucial moment during the drive was a fourth-and-2 conversion, with quarterback Ethan Hampton rushing for 3 yards to the Notre Dame 28.

Hampton, who completed 10 of 19 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown, set up the winning field goal by Woodill, who made three field goals in total that day.

"It's incredible," Hampton said of the triumph. "It's something I'll cherish forever. I’ve been a Huskie fan my whole life, and playing here has been a dream come true for me."

Notre Dame opened the scoring as Leonard evaded defenders for an 11-yard touchdown run with 8:28 remaining in the first quarter. 

Northern Illinois quickly responded, needing just five plays for Antario Brown to haul in an 83-yard touchdown pass from Hampton, breaking free between two defensive backs.

Woodill then added two field goals from 42 and 21 yards, giving the Huskies a 13-7 lead at halftime. Notre Dame had an opportunity to cut the deficit to 13-10 just before the break, but Haberman blocked a 48-yard attempt by Jeter.

Woodill started the second half with a miss on a 53-yard field goal attempt, allowing Notre Dame to capitalize. Jeremiya Love broke free for a 34-yard touchdown run, leaping over a defender on his way to the end zone. Jeter’s extra point put Notre Dame ahead 14-13 with 8:34 left in the third quarter.

Leonard ended the game with 20 completions on 32 attempts for 163 yards and two interceptions.

Jordan Love sustained an injury in the closing moments of the game as the Eagles triumphed over the Packers in the inaugural NFL matchup held in South America.

 

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love was unable to complete Friday's season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles due to an apparent lower left leg injury sustained with just 6 seconds remaining in a 34-29 defeat in São Paulo.

Love required assistance to reach the sideline, and although he seemed to move a bit better while walking to the locker room post-game, he still relied on head athletic trainer Nate Weir and running back Josh Jacobs to help support him under each arm.

Coach Matt LaFleur faced questions about Love's condition during the postgame press conference and replied, "I don't know," on two occasions.

Love did not address reporters following the game.

"We know what kind of person he is and how he approaches everything," said wide receiver Christian Watson. "Whatever it is, I have faith that he'll overcome it. We're going to get through this together."

Love was attempting to lead the Packers on a final drive when, after a 33-yard completion to Jayden Reed that brought the Packers to their 49-yard line, he dropped back to pass. He was struck by two Eagles defenders—defensive tackle Jalen Carter and outside linebacker Josh Sweat—and appeared to twist his leg as he fell, managing to flip the ball to Jacobs just before hitting the ground.

Malik Willis, who was traded to the Packers from the Titans last week, took the last two snaps, resulting in an incompletion and a sack. The only other quarterback currently signed with the Packers is Sean Clifford, last year's backup, who was released last month in final cuts but re-signed to the practice squad.

This injury occurred in Love's first regular-season game since he signed a four-year, $220 million contract on July 26, making him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. He had only played three snaps in the preseason opener and did not participate in the last two exhibition games.

"He's the franchise right there," defensive lineman Kenny Clark commented. "Hopefully, he can be back next week and everything will be alright."

Love completed 17 of 34 passes for 260 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.

"Kansas City triumphs in a thrilling matchup against Baltimore, marking the start of the NFL season and the Chiefs' pursuit of a Super Bowl three-peat."

 

"The NFL’s 105th season has kicked off, along with the Kansas City Chiefs' ambitious pursuit of a historic Super Bowl three-peat, and they did so in thrilling style.

In front of an excited Arrowhead Stadium crowd—including Taylor Swift—the Chiefs unveiled their championship banner, securing a nail-biting 27-20 victory against the Baltimore Ravens in a game that was decided on the final play.

Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes shattered the franchise record for all-time passing yards, surpassing Len Dawson. Meanwhile, rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who set the NFL combine 40-yard dash record at 4.21 seconds, contributed with both a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.

This matchup was a rematch of last season’s AFC championship game, showcasing Super Bowl LVIII MVP Mahomes against reigning league MVP Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Chiefs initially controlled the game, leading 13-10 at halftime and extending their advantage to 20-10 in the third quarter.

However, the Ravens fought back in the final quarter, with Jackson completing a 49-yard pass to tight end Isaiah Likely, narrowing the gap to 20-17. But Mahomes, displaying his trademark quick response, connected with Worthy for a 35-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 27-17. Worthy had previously sprinted 21 yards for a touchdown on an end-around during his first touch in the NFL."

The biggest catch of the night may have come from Patrick Mahomes himself. With under three minutes remaining and the Chiefs leading by seven, Mahomes had a third-down pass deflected by Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson. However, he managed to fend off two defenders and make the catch, preventing a turnover.

The Chiefs were forced to punt, giving Jackson and the Ravens one final chance. Without timeouts, Jackson connected with wide receiver Rashod Bateman for a 38-yard gain, moving them to first-and-goal. However, incomplete passes to tight end Isaiah Likely and wide receiver Zay Flowers led to a critical third-and-goal with just five seconds left.

On the last play of the game, Jackson threw to Likely in the back of the end zone for what appeared to be a touchdown, which would have given the Ravens a chance to either tie with an extra point or win with a two-point conversion. But after a review of the play, it was determined that Likely had a toe out of bounds, ruling it an incomplete pass and allowing the Chiefs to escape with a narrow victory.

“Obviously, it was nerve-wracking,” Mahomes told NBC. “It’s a game of inches, that’s what they say. That’s a great football team, and to come out here and get a win at Arrowhead, it’s a way to start off the season.”

This moment allowed Mahomes to celebrate his new milestone in Chiefs history. His record-breaking accomplishment happened on a familiar play—on third-and-12, under pressure, he scrambled and connected with his long-time target, tight end Travis Kelce, for a 23-yard gain in the second quarter.

Mahomes entered the game just 84 yards shy of surpassing Len Dawson for the franchise record. He completed 20 of 28 passes for 291 yards and a touchdown, while also throwing one interception. Jackson finished 26 of 41 for 273 yards and one touchdown.

After the game, Jackson expressed his disbelief over the final ruling: “I thought it was a touchdown,” he remarked about the last play. “I still think it was a touchdown.”

The kickoff for the season opener was slightly delayed by 20 minutes due to a thunderstorm over Arrowhead Stadium, prompting event activities to be postponed. Fans were asked to leave their seats for safety, and players cleared the field. Once the rain passed, a rainbow appeared in the distance, signaling the start of an exhilarating NFL season.

"Atlanta Rap Icon Rich Homie Quan Has Died at 33: Here’s What We Know"

 "The Fulton County Medical Examiner confirmed the Atlanta rapper's death on Thursday afternoon."

"Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan has passed away at the age of 33, as confirmed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's office to 11Alive on Thursday.

The cause of death has not yet been disclosed. The medical examiner's office reported that they were informed of his passing by Grady Memorial Hospital on Thursday."

"11Alive has reported that Atlanta Police responded to a medical emergency at a residence on Hamden Forest Drive SW in Atlanta on Thursday shortly after 11:20 a.m. Records indicate that the home is associated with the rapper, whose real name is Dequantes Devontay Lamar. 911 calls obtained by 11Alive reveal that first responders were dispatched to the location after a man was discovered unconscious on the couch by his girlfriend.

Born in Atlanta, Rich Homie Quan gained prominence in the early 2010s, achieving mainstream success with his 2013 hit single "Type of Way." His 2015 track "Flex" reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100.

As a member of the music collective Rich Gang, Rich Homie Quan produced several hits during the 2010s as a solo artist. He was recognized for his "melodic flow and catchy hooks," according to entertainment magazine Variety."

"He was born on October 4, 1990, according to the medical examiner's office. In 2011, he began producing trap music and collaborated with fellow Atlanta artists like Young Thug and 2 Chainz, as well as other prominent rappers such as Gucci Mane, Trinidad James, and YG, as reported by Variety.

Variety noted, 'He was considered part of a rising generation of rappers who delivered songs with intense emotion and fiery passion that permeated each release.'

Quan was the eldest of three siblings, as stated by Rolling Stone.

The medical examiner's office indicated that an autopsy related to his death is scheduled to be conducted on Friday."