The Rock Chalkboard

Kansas baseball lands new commitment from pitcher Izack Tiger
Over the weekend Fitzgerald and staff secured the verbal commitment of 2023 right-handed JUCO pitcher Izack Tiger, a 6-2, 175-pound Oklahoma native currently at Butler Community College after his official visit on campus.

KU football running backs shine in season-opening win
When the KU football offense took the field for the first time in 2022, the Jayhawks went into a bit of a unique formation. For much of the preseason, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki talked about his desire to find creative ways to use KU’s strong group of running backs. On the first play from scrimmage, Kotelnicki did just that, deploying a trio of running backs in Devin Neal, Ky Thomas and Torry Locklin around Jalon Daniels. Thomas got the first carry and didn’t gain a yard, but it was a sign of what was to come from the KU offense on Friday and, potentially, the season. The Jayhawks are going to rely on their running back depth.

Jalon Daniels, Lance Leipold break down QB's performance vs. Tennessee Tech
On the first day of KU football’s preseason camp, Lance Leipold came out and stated that he expected Jalon Daniels to be KU’s starting quarterback. It was a change from the norm that a KU coach did such a thing, as quarterback battles have been a part of every KU camp for the last half decade. Throughout camp, Leipold didn’t waiver and maintained that Daniels was on track to earn the job. And when Daniels took the field for the first time in 2022 on Friday night in KU's 56-10 win over Tennessee Tech, he showed why Leipold put his trust in him from day one.

Sunday Snap Judgments and Big 12 Rankings
The 2022 has begun. Every team in the league has now played a game and why not overreact to what we saw in Week One? Just like we have each of the last few seasons, we'll give a weekly breakdown of what we watched across the league. We'll talk The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly before getting to our Actually Accomplished Rankings. Take a look below, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Podcast: Reacting to KU football's blowout win over Tennessee Tech
Kansas football started year two of the Lance Leipold era on the right foot on Friday night, defeating FCS team Tennessee State 56-10. The 46-point margin of victory serves as KU’s largest margin of victory since KU defeated Rhode Island 55-6 back in 2016. KU led wire to wire during the contest and never looked threatened. On this episode of the podcast, Kevin Flaherty joins the show as we react to KU's strong performance.

Bits o Chalk

NFL quarterback projections for 2022 - Best matchups, fantasy stars, stat leaders for all 272 games, plus an MVP top three
Have you ever wanted to know exactly how the NFL season -- and MVP race -- would shake out before Week 1 even began? Well, now you've got your wish for 2022. We asked ESPN fantasy football guru Mike Clay to crunch the numbers and project the passing lines for every quarterback matchup of the season. Yes, all 272 games. We have yards, touchdowns, passer rating and more, highlighting the most anticipated matchups along the way. Clay also gives you fantasy tips for all 18 weeks, concluding with the top performers of the season. Dig in; you might learn something.

Florida State spoils Brian Kelly's LSU coaching debut - 'The reality is we've got some learning to do'
After rallying from 14 points down in the fourth quarter Sunday night against Florida State -- and needing only an extra point to send the game into overtime -- the Tigers saw their comeback bid come to an abrupt halt when Seminoles defensive back Shyheim Brown blocked Damian Ramos' kick to secure the 24-23 victory for Florida State.

Minnesota Twins catcher Gary Sanchez narrowly misses major injury awaiting pitching change
"I had a few minutes to go and ask a couple questions about that pitcher," Sanchez said through an interpreter. "I saw his bat was on his shoulder just standing there in the on-deck circle and so I went back to the dugout and I didn't notice he was swinging."

Dustin Johnson makes eagle putt in playoff to win LIV Boston event, his first victory in 19 months
BOLTON, Mass. -- Dustin Johnson gave LIV Golf its first big moment on Sunday when he made a 35-foot eagle putt on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the LIV Golf Invitational-Boston for his first victory in 19 months.

Eraser Dust

Liz Truss vows tax cuts after winning vote to be next British PM | Reuters
LONDON, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Liz Truss will become Britain's next prime minister after winning a leadership race for the governing Conservative Party on Monday, vowing to press ahead with promised tax cuts and action to tackle a deepening energy and cost of living crisis.

Canada mass stabbing: What we know about the Saskatchewan attack that left 10 dead and 15 injured | CNN
The suspects, identified by police as Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson, are believed to be traveling in a black Nissan Rogue with Saskatchewan license plate 119 MPI, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said, noting it’s unclear whether the pair may have changed vehicles.

The first hurricane of the season arrived late, but don't let your guard down : NPR
"No tropical cyclones formed in the basin during August," as the National Hurricane Center said in its monthly recap. "This is quite unusual and is the first time that has occurred since 1997, and is only the third time that has happened since 1950."

Liam Gallagher Opens Taylor Hawkins Tribute Show in London - SPIN
This is the first time the Foo Fighters have performed onstage without Hawkins, who died suddenly at age 50 in March. Tonight’s show will boast a multitude of big names saluting Hawkins’ life and musical legacy, including Alanis Morissette, Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, Miley Cyrus, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic, Wolfgang Van Halen, Hawkins’ son Shane.

Brendan Fraser Cries as 'The Whale' Lands Huge Venice Standing Ovation - Variety
“The Whale” marks another buzzy Venice premiere for Aronofsky, who has a rich history with the prestigious festival. While he stumbled at his first Venice with the premiere of “The Fountain,” he bounced back in 2008 when “The Wrestler” won the Golden Lion. “Black Swan” was one of the big hits of the 2010 Venice Film Festival (and won Mila Kunis an emerging actor prize), while “mother!” was all anyone could talk about at the 2017 fest.

Kalispell man dies in crash Friday | Daily Inter Lake
Alcohol is suspected to be a cause of the crash and the Somers man was taken to Logan Health to have his blood drawn. Troopers said the Somers man was wearing his seat belt and the Kalispell man was wearing his helmet.

Annual Birds of Prey Festival soars to Kalispell | KECI
The family-friendly event features a variety of speakers, photographers and story-tellers to help people learn about raptors.

Bigfork Playhouse announces auditions for 'Annie Jr.' | KECI
Auditions are on Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m. for second and third grades, 5 to 6:30 p.m. for fourth through seventh grades and 6:30 to 8 p.m. for eighth through 12th grades.