The Rock Chalkboard

Why Jayson Gilliom 'doesn’t seem like a freshman' to Kansas teammates
“You don’t see a lot of freshmen coming in here not really worried about what people think of you, just doing what is asked of you,” Pesek-Hickson continued. “I think that stands out even more now because we have a staff that demands that out of us.”

Recruiting notebook: New offers out for KU basketball, football
The Jayhawks also extended an offer to recent 2022 Syracuse decommitment Kamari Lands. Lands, a 6-8 forward, made the announcement that he would be re-opening his recruitment on Saturday.

Freshman roundup: The nation's best players in preseason camps
Dozens of true freshmen across the country will contribute this season -- and some will become overnight superstars -- but who will they be? We did our best to gauge the country last week with the release of 247Sports' Preseason True Freshman All-American Team. To follow up, we utilized our elaborate network of on-the-ground reporters to discover which newcomers have stepped up in recent days. The results include the usual 4- and 5-star former prospects and a few unfamiliar names you should learn before the season kicks off.

Bits o Chalk

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Bills' future in Buffalo - 'I think a new stadium is what's needed'
"You've got to think long-term here," Goodell said. "This has been going on for decades, and it's time to get a new stadium done that we can make sure the Bills are here and successful for many, many decades going forward.

New Orleans Saints' Jameis Winston throws for 123 yards, 2 TDs on 9-of-10 passing in first quarter of preseason showcase
Winston completed 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards and two deep touchdown throws that ended with spectacular catches by wide receiver Marquez Callaway against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Caesars Superdome -- all in the first quarter of a 23-21 victory.

The incredible story of Ray Caldwell, the MLB pitcher who survived a lightning strike to finish a game
ON AUG. 24, 1919, Ray Caldwell puts on a Cleveland uniform for the first time. The weather is brutally hot but clear -- for now -- and none of the 20,000 or so fans at League Park has any idea that they're about to see something that defies belief. A story of desperation, terror, survival and redemption, all channeling through Caldwell over the next two hours.

Sources - ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12 alliance announcement to focus on 'common values'
Tuesday's alliance announcement will not include widespread football scheduling principles among the three leagues, sources said, as many game contracts are set for several years out. There is also a desire to see what a potential expanded CFP model looks like before adopting new scheduling strategies.

Big Ten, ACC, Pac-12 alliance to combat SEC's influence expected to be announced Tuesday - CBSSports.com
The Big Ten, ACC and Pac-12 are expected to formally announce their long-awaited alliance on Tuesday afternoon, sources close to the situation tell CBS Sports. The agreement between the three conferences will focus on NCAA governance and college football scheduling, but the leagues also plan to get on the same page regarding future College Football Playoff expansion.

Eraser Dust

A Family’s Passion Brings Professional Baseball to the Flathead Valley - Flathead Beacon
“I’m particularly excited to have the Pioneer League in that part of the world, in the Flathead,” Shapiro said. “It’s one of the most beautiful places you can find in this country, and for the people of the community, and the visitors, they’re going to have this wonderful summertime family-oriented entertainment option.”

The incredible story of Ray Caldwell, the MLB pitcher who survived a lightning strike to finish a game
ON AUG. 24, 1919, Ray Caldwell puts on a Cleveland uniform for the first time. The weather is brutally hot but clear -- for now -- and none of the 20,000 or so fans at League Park has any idea that they're about to see something that defies belief. A story of desperation, terror, survival and redemption, all channeling through Caldwell over the next two hours.

Big Ten, ACC, Pac-12 alliance to combat SEC's influence expected to be announced Tuesday - CBSSports.com
The Big Ten, ACC and Pac-12 are expected to formally announce their long-awaited alliance on Tuesday afternoon, sources close to the situation tell CBS Sports. The agreement between the three conferences will focus on NCAA governance and college football scheduling, but the leagues also plan to get on the same page regarding future College Football Playoff expansion.

CIA Director William Burns held secret meeting in Kabul with Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar - The Washington Post
President Biden dispatched his top spy amid a frantic effort to evacuate people from Kabul ahead of an Aug. 31 deadline.

National Guard will be deployed across Kentucky to help overwhelmed hospitals. Health care workers high-fived when they heard the news - CNN
(CNN)Kentucky hospital officials high-fived one another during a news conference Monday as they learned multiple National Guard teams would be deployed to hospitals across the state dealing with rising Covid-19 cases and hospital staffing shortages.

Glacier Grown Hemp - Flathead Beacon
“I couldn’t find the product I was looking for, so I said, ‘I think I can grow this myself and make it,'” Sorensen said. “I wanted a raw product and almost all CBD products that you’ll find on the market nationwide is a CBD isolate.”

Kalispell council to develop Parkline Trail design standards | Daily Inter Lake
The design standards are the next step in the long-running process of completing the trail. Construction got started this summer, after a series of negotiations with the BNSF Railway Co., downtown businesses that depend on rail service, and local economic development authorities.

Question of the Day

The best closing lines in film: Iron Man, Blade Runner, and more
This week’s question comes from assistant editor Laura Adamczyk:

What is your favorite last line in a movie?

(I had this one saved for a few days and thought it had said favorite line in a movie. Comment with your favorite line if you don’t have a favorite last line)