Reuters U.S. Sports Schedule at 2 PM EDT on Tuesday, Aug. 26
Aug. 26 (Reuters) - Reuters U.S. sports schedule at 2 PM ET on Tuesday: - - - - The duty editor is Steve Ginsburg, 202-898-8427 - - - - TENNIS Federer and Serena spice up Day Two at U.S. Open NEW YORK - Two-time defending champion Serena Williams, top seed, and men's second seed Roger Federer, each winner of 17 grand-slam singles titles, headline Day Two of U.S. Open tennis championships at Flushing Meadows. (TENNIS-OPEN/ (TV, PIX), expect first lead 1900 GMT/3 PM ET, by Larry Fine and Steve Keating, 600 words) - - - - NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Harvard's Hodges among small-school NFL prospects Harvard defensive end Zach Hodges is up for challenge of being one of just few dozen "small school" prospects expected to be drafted in 2015 and, with his Ivy School degree to fall back on, doesn't worry about getting overlooked. NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler looks at chances of Hodges and other top prospects who might get overlooked because of size of their college football program. (FBC-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, by Dane Brugler, 1,300 words) Buccaneers acquire Mankins, solve OG issues With issues on interior offensive line, Tampa Bay Buccaneers make bold move to acquire six-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Logan Mankins from New England Patriots for draft pick and tight end Tim Wright. (FBN-BUCCANEERS-NEWS, expect by 1915 GMT/3.15 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 400 words) Dez Bryant: No contract talks once season begins Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant looks for new contract, but if he does not get one by start of the regular season, he will put discussions on hold. He is in final year of his rookie deal. (FBN-COWBOYS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 315 words) Bears keep Clausen as backup LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Chicago Bears' decision to cut quarterback Jordan Palmer and keep Jimmy Clausen as backup surprises no one after Clausen displays better arm and more mobility throughout exhibition season. (FBN-BEARS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 488 words) Washington: DE Hatcher better friend than foe ASHBURN, Va. - Defensive end Jason Hatcher impresses some Washington teammates he once depressed. Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, for one, thinks addition of Hatcher is key this year for Washington. (FBN-REDSKINS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, by David Elfin, 590 words) Tracking latest roster moves Latest moves as teams trim their rosters to 75 before Tuesday's 2000 GMT/4 PM ET deadline. (FBN-NEWS, expect by 2000 GMT/6 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 450 words) NFL Roundup Latest news and notes from around league. (FBN-NOTEBOOK, expect by 2200 GMT/6 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 450 words) - - - - COLLLEGE FOOTBALL Alabama QB picture split in two Nick Saban lists co-starters for Saturday's meeting with West Virginia, and reasons for this approach are many. (FBC-ALABAMA-NEWS, expect by 2300 GMT/7 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 400 words) Minus Miller, Meyer confidently steers Ohio State into opener COLUMBUS, Ohio - Pretty ready is how coach Urban Meyer describes his Ohio State team, which hits Baltimore to tackle Navy this week with first-time starter behind center. (FBC-OHIOSTATE-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, by Doug Bean, 430 words) Southern Cal's Shaw a hero off the field Southern California starting cornerback Josh Shaw is not expected to play in season opener -- he is out indefinitely -- for all right reasons. In one of more remarkable stories of offseason, Shaw suffers two ankle sprains while jumping from second-story balcony onto concrete to rescue his 7-year nephew, who was in distress in pool. Shaw's nephew cannot swim. (FBC-SOUTHERNCAL-NEWS, expect by 2115 GMT/5.15 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 420 words) New stars could emerge for South Carolina, A&M COLUMBIA, S.C. - First-ever meeting between South Carolina and Texas A&M, now permanent crossover opponents in Southeastern Conference, will not have Johnny Manziel or Jadeveon Clowney. That sets stage for new stars to emerge. (FBC-SOUTHCAROLINA-TEXASAM-NEWS, expect by 2215 GMT/6.15 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, by Chris Dearing, 500 words) Arizona State focused on ground game Sure, Arizona State averaged 39.7 points per game last season. But head coach Todd Graham thinks big, and shares his "ain't seen nothing yet" mindset with anyone willing to listen. (FBC-ARIZONASTATE-NEWS, expect by 2230 GMT/6.30 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 440 words) Arkansas' Allen situation: Inspiration or distraction? For Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema, it was dreaded 4 a.m. phone call -- but with twist. Early Monday, quarterback Brandon Allen called second-year coach with some news. Allen's Chevy Avalanche was on fire, second time in past nine months it has apparently been targeted. It was egged last November after overtime loss to Mississippi State. (FBC-ARKANSAS-NEWS, expect by 2000 GMT/4 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 438 words) In with the new: Kentucky turns to Towles Patrick Towles won four-man derby to be starting quarterback and will be behind center when Kentucky opens season against Tennessee-Martin. Will victories follow? (FBC-KENTUCKY-NEWS, expect by 2000 GMT/4 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 428 words) Mississippi State accepts risk vs. Southern Miss Mississippi State embraces facing its in-state brethren. Saturday's opener against Southern Miss raises stakes for the Bulldogs. (FBC-MISSISSIPPISTATE-NEWS, expect by 2000 GMT/4 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 412 words) Missouri looking for more after 12-2 campaign COLUMBIA, Mo. - Seven starters return, but little star power is back for Missouri. At least, that is outside perception. Coach Gary Pinkel's message to doubters: Bring it. (FBC-MISSOURI-NEWS, expect by 2000 GMT/4 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 477 words) - - - - MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Cubs to unveil top prospect Soler One of talented young players in well-stocked Chicago Cubs' farm system is expected to be called up to big leagues for Wednesday's game at Cincinnati. (BBO-CUBS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 250 words) Cards party with Yadi ready to return PITTSBURGH - Despite falling back in National League Central, there is cause for rejoicing under Gateway Arch: Yadier Molina might be back in St. Louis Cardinals' lineup by end of week, much sooner than originally expected. (BBO-CARDINALS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, by John Perrotto, 350 words) MLB denies Rays' request Major League Baseball denies formal protest filed by Tampa Bay Rays regarding their Aug. 23 game against Blue Jays in Toronto. (BBO-RAYS-BLUEJAYS-NEWS, moved, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) THE SPORTS XCHANGE covers all MLB games. Key matchups highlighted below: Cardinals at Pirates PITTSBURGH - Middle meeting of three-game series matches hard-throwing right-hander Lance Lynn of St. Louis Cardinals against Gerrit Cole for Pittsburgh Pirates. (BBO-PIRATES-CARDINALS-WRITETHRU, expect after 2305 GMT/7.05 PM ET first pitch, The Sports Xchange, by John Perrotto, 400-word first lead, 800-word write-through) Rays at Orioles BALTIMORE - Rolling for Rays, right-hander Alex Cobb gets his shot at division-leading Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, where he goes for his 10th victory of season. Baltimore counters with 13-game winner Wei-Yin Chen. (BBO-ORIOLES-RAYS-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, expect first version after 2305 GMT/7.05 PM ET first pitch, The Sports Xchange, by Jeff Seidel, 400-word first lead, 800-word write-through) - - - - NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Timberwolves plot winning course with new crew MINNEAPOLIS - Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young are introduced by Minnesota Timberwolves at State Fair, and there is no question franchise landed a few prize-winners in Kevin Love deal. (BKN-TIMBERWOLVES-COLUMN, expect by 2030 GMT/4.30 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, by Dan Myers, 800 words) Sixers: Another step back? PHILADELPHIA - General manager Sam Hinkie trades away one of team's lone remaining building blocks, power forward Thaddeus Young, but keeps his focus for turning around one of league's worst teams. (BKN-76ERS-NEWS, expect by 2030 GMT/4.30 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, by Josh Verlin, 500 words) Hawks re-sign F Scott Mike Scott is back with Atlanta Hawks, agreeing to terms of new deal. (BKN-HAWKS-NEWS, expect by 2030 GMT/4.30 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, by Dan Myers, 800 words) NBA Roundup Latest moves and news from NBA. (BKN-NOTEBOOK, expect by 2300 GMT/6 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - - - WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Dream vs. Sky ATLANTA - Atlanta Dream look to close out their playoff series with Chicago Sky. (BKW-DREAM-SKY-FIRSTLEDE-WRITETHRU, expect after 2330 GMT/7.30 PM ET scheduled tipoff, The Sports Xchange, by Stan Awtrey, 400-word first lead, 700-word write-through) - - - - NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE NHL Roundup Latest moves and news from NHL. (HKN-NOTEBOOK, expect by 2200 GMT/6 PM ET, The Sports Xchange, 350 words) - - - - NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS Roundups of off-field developments in major North American professional sports leagues. (Expect by 0000 GMT/8 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words)
