Gene Frenette | Saturday sports menu: Jaguars at Heinz Field, Coughlin omission, Open golf

When the Pittsburgh Steelers announced a venue name change this week from Heinz Field to the weird-sounding Acrisure Stadium, it had to be a sentimental loss for Jaguars' fans as well.

Despite the Jaguars’ spotty record the past two decades, no Steelers’ opponent had better success at Heinz Field. While it’s a small sample size, the Jaguars were 5-2 during the 21 seasons that a pair of ketchup bottles flanked the scoreboard in the Steelers’ house.

The Jaguars’ .714 win percentage is better than anybody, with the New England Patriots being the only other team to have a winning record (6-3) at Heinz.

Pittsburgh beat the Jaguars 20-7 in their Heinz debut in 2001, and also lost 17-13 in 2011 when quarterback Blaine Gabbert completed just 12 of 26 passes for 109 yards.

But in all other matchups at Heinz, the Jaguars were like kryptonite for future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben had a sterling 93-21 record at Heinz, but was a pedestrian 1-4 against the Jaguars on his home field. Considering the Patriots are the only other opponent with a winning record (4-3) against Roethlisberger at Heinz, that’s pretty remarkable.

Among the Jaguars’ conquests at Heinz are two of the most iconic victories in franchise history, both in the playoffs. They won 31-29 in a 2007 AFC wild-card game on a last-second field goal by Josh Scobee, then prevailed in a 45-42 shootout in a 2017 AFC divisional game.

The Jaguars, the only NFL team to win twice (2007, ‘17) in the same season at Heinz Field, are scheduled to play the Steelers in 2023 at Acrisure Stadium. Maybe they should bring along a Heinz ketchup bottle and keep it on their bench for good luck. . . .

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Coughlin omission embarrassing

When the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 12-person committee announced its 29 semifinalists last week in the coach/contributor category, it was a glaring omission that two-time Super Bowl championship coach Tom Coughlin wasn’t on the list.

According to HOF spokesman Rich Desrosiers, the reason Coughlin — he coached the Jaguars from 1995-2002 and made four playoff appearances — wasn’t among the semifinalists is because nobody nominated him for consideration. The PFHOF requires that all candidates for the seniors and coach/contributor category receive at least two nominations.

Since Coughlin became eligible in 2021, he has yet to be nominated. Anyone wishing to nominate him for the 2024 Hall of Fame class can begin submitting his name to the Hall immediately. Since former Las Vegas Raiders coach and two-time SB champion Tom Flores recently made the HOF with a less impressive resume, Coughlin’s chances of being enshrined appear to be solid, providing he gets nominated. . . .

Tiger short game still missing

The recurring theme for Tiger Woods is that a combination of injury recovery, being 46-years-old and competitive rust is making it close to impossible for him to play well with any consistency.

After shooting a third-round 79 at the PGA Championship in May before withdrawing, his opening-round 78 Thursday in the Open at St. Andrews in his first tournament back validated the struggle it’s become to recapture anything close to normal form. He shot 75 Friday to finish 9-over-par, well off the cut of even-par.

More than anywhere else, Woods’ decline is most evident around the greens. His chipping has been shaky, and arguably the best putter in history wasn’t able to get a feel for the St. Andrews greens.

For the last couple years, Tiger isn’t nearly as automatic from inside 8 feet as he used to be. He had 35 putts on Thursday and 36 on Friday, lipping out a 4-foot birdie putt at the final hole. Woods, who said afterwards he’s not sure if he can physically play another Open at St. Andrews, gave himself few legitimate birdie chances over 36 holes, despite conditions being ripe for scoring.

Until Tiger can get healthy enough to play around 8-10 tournaments a year, his chances of being a weekend contender outside of the Masters – the one venue where his experience and course knowledge plays more in his favor – may be gone forever.

LIV nightmare looms

Despite the Royal & Ancient’s huge statement of excluding LIV czar Greg Norman from its 150-year anniversary celebration of the Open and giving the proverbial cold shoulder in various ways to LIV defectors, it might have to sweat out a potential PR nightmare.

One LIV golfer, Dustin Johnson, was temporarily atop the leaderboard after shooting 67 on Friday to get to 9-under-par, though he was soon passed by The Players champion and Australian Cam Smith, who moved in front at 13-under heading to the weekend after shooting 64. Talor Gooch, another LIV defector, is also in the top 10 at 7-under.

The prospect of Johnson getting one step closer to a career Grand Slam by lifting the claret jug on Sunday, much to Norman’s delight, would be terribly awkward for the R&A and PGA Tour. . . . 

Golden Bear last hurrah

If you didn’t catch 82-year-old Jack Nicklaus getting emotional Tuesday at the Open after becoming only the third person – joining Benjamin Franklin and Bobby Jones – to receive an honorary citizenship of St. Andrews, it might have been the most poignant moment of his stupendous career.

Nicklaus has won every meaningful golf tournament and received as many honors outside the game as anybody, but this felt different for one reason: it might well be the last big golf highlight of his life.

The Golden Bear’s love for St. Andrews, where he won two of his three Open championships, is well documented. To be honored this way at the home of golf, in its 150th Open, was a fitting end to what is likely his final visit to the sport’s ultimate cathedral. . . .

College football movement odds

For the next few months, oddsmaker Bovada is giving bettors a chance to wager on which schools are most likely to bolt for the SEC or Big Ten Conference. While the numbers fluctuate on a daily basis, the current top choices to join the SEC are Clemson (+180), Miami (+235), Florida State (+250) and Louisville (+500). Bovada’s odds on joining the Big Ten are led by Notre Dame (+135), Oregon (+190) and Stanford (+650). . . .

Jumbo Shrimp bats cool off at home

If the Jumbo Shrimp (46-41 entering Friday’s game at Syracuse) want to emerge from a six-pack of contenders to win the International League East division, their offense needs to get in gear when playing at home. Jacksonville’s Triple-A team is hitting a measly .234 with a .380 slugging percentage at 121 Financial Ballpark, compared to a .276 batting average and .483 SP on the road. Only 41 of the Shrimp’s 118 home runs have come at home.

Of the Shrimp’s 57 remaining games, 30 are in Jacksonville. If they expect to reach the postseason (the only avenue is to win the division), then Daren Brown’s ballclub must get the bats in gear at 121 Financial Ballpark. The Shrimp are getting solid production from first baseman Lewin Diaz (.262, 18 HR, 62 RBI), second baseman Charles Leblanc (.298, 13 HR, 43 RBI) and outfielder JJ Bleday (.221, 19 HR, 48 RBI), but need more consistency up and down the lineup. . . .

One last summer break

With the Jaguars set to report for training camp on July 24, I’ll be taking one more offseason vacation next week. The column will resume on July 27.

gfrenette@jacksonville.com: (904) 359-4540 

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Heinz Field like second home for Jaguars, Tom Coughlin, Open golf