close

briefs

3 min read

Pitt gets transfer

QB George

Former Illinois quarterback Jeff George Jr. has transferred from Michigan to Pittsburgh.

Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said Monday that George has enrolled at the school and joined the team. Narduzzi says it is not immediately clear if the son of former NFL quarterback Jeff George will be eligible to play this season.

George played in 11 games for Illinois in 2016 and 2017, throwing for 1,743 yards, 11 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He left the Illini as a graduate transfer in the spring and chose Michigan after visiting with the Panthers. George practiced with the Wolverines during training camp.

Pitt is set at starting quarterback, with sophomore Kenny Pickett to make his second college start when the Panthers host Albany on Saturday.

At The Meadows

Jim Pantaleano collected six wins for as many trainers Monday at The Meadows. He scored for conditioners Scott Betts, Paul Kennedy, Christen Pantaleano, Richard Perfido, Justin Pirillo and Todd Rooney. Also enjoying a big day was Dan Rawlings, who piloted three winners on the 13-race card.

In Monday’s $18,000 Preferred Handicap Trot, Call For Justice was refreshed by a 29.1 second-quarter breather and rolled to his third straight victory – and fifth in the last seven. Call For Justice reached the point from post 6 in 28.1, well within his comfort zone. But when Dave Palone slowed things down the second panel, the 6-year-old son of Justice Hall-Mika’s Mazurka was well nigh uncatchable. He downed the pocket-sitting PL Jericho by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:53.3, with Classic Banker a ground-saving third.

Ron Burke trains Call For Justice, who now boasts $535,067 in career earnings, for Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Manziel misses practice

Johnny Manziel missed another practice Wednesday and will almost certainly miss his second game in a row for the Montreal Alouettes because of a concussion.

The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner was placed in concussion protocol last week, days after being hit hard at the goal line Aug. 11 in a loss at Ottawa. Montreal (1-8) has a walkthrough Thursday before hosting the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night.

Antonio Pipkin took first-team reps Wednesday and is expected to start.

Alouettes coach Mike Sherman expressed hope that Manziel could return to the field Thursday.

“He’s doing better every day,” Sherman said. “I texted him last night (and) he said he felt great. Every day, there’s an improvement. Hopefully, tomorrow there’s significant improvement and we go from there.”

President praises Woods, Brown

President Donald Trump Monday praised two African-American athletes after they recently defended him in public.

Trump’s public praise comes amid his continued disapproval of NFL players, most of them African-American, who kneel during the national anthem to protest police treatment of black men. It also follows his recent criticism of NBA star LeBron James.

Tiger Woods, a friend and sometime golf partner of Trump, called Sunday for respect for the office of the president.

Asked how he’d respond to people who are intrigued by his “friendly relationship” with Trump, Woods told reporters: “He’s the president of the United States and you have to respect the office. And no matter who’s in the office, you may like, dislike personality or the politics, but we all must respect the office.”

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $3.75/week.

Subscribe Today