(VOR News) – The Pac-12 is pulling institutions from the Mountain West, where poaching nearly wiped them out.

On Thursday, the Pacific-12 Conference of Champions announced that Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Oregon State, and Washington State will join in 2026.

Four of the Mountain West’s top institutions and football programs—including Boise State—have left due to expansion. Because the Pac- is two institutions short of the eight it needs to have in two years to be approved by the NCAA, more adjustments are expected.

Mountain West exit costs and penalties totaling $110 million will likely fall on the Pac-12 and departing institutions.

This is an incredible comeback for a conference that was thought to be dead a year ago when ten of its members left for other leagues after failing to land a big media rights contract that would have allowed former Pac-12 schools like Stanford, Southern California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and others to compete.

“The Pac-12 Conference has been recognised as a leading brand in intercollegiate athletics for over a century,” stated Commissioner Teresa Gould. “We look for innovative and risk-taking developments that will help student-athletes and member schools.

The Pac-12 Conference enters a thrilling new chapter today.

The Pac-12 evaluates prospective new members based on academic and athletic performance, media and brand assessment, dedication to athletic excellence, geography and logistics, and student-athlete culture and welfare.

Pac-12

Oregon State and Washington State are the only teams left in the Pac-12 because of NCAA rules that give them two years to play. Washington State President Kirk Schulz and Oregon State President Jayathi Murthy said hello to their new conference partners in a statement.

Added, “We look forward to their incredibly perceptive contributions during this pivotal period for conference and collegiate athletics.”

Oregon State and Washington State will play six Mountain West teams this season per their schedules. The initial deal extension deadline of September 1st passed.

The Pac-12 agreed to pay millions if it took Mountain West universities.

Oregon and Washington should be able to afford the remaining fees. The institutions have $250 million in assets from the two remaining years of the College Football Playoff agreement, a Rose Bowl contract that expires after 2025, recent NCAA men’s basketball tournament revenue, and Pac-12 Network assets, despite their public denials.

For the current and future academic year, Oregon State and Washington State will be West Coast Conference affiliates for men’s and women’s basketball and other Olympic sports.

Leading the pack

Unless invited by a large conference, Oregon State and Washington State authorities have prioritised Pac-12 maintenance since the breakup.

While the Pac-12 is unlikely to ever again be considered a significant conference like the Big Ten, Southeastern, Atlantic Coast, and Big 12, it is trying to shine, especially in football.

The most notable addition is Boise State, which has had the greatest and most stable football program outside the majors for almost 20 years. Since joining the WAC in 2002, the Broncos have had 16 seasons with 10+ wins.

What a great day to be a Bronco! Boise State sports director Jeramiah Dickey said.

Boise State is finally advancing, but its Conference of Champions roots are barely visible in the Pac-12 it joins.

Three difficult years of conference realignment in collegiate athletics, which began this year and brought the super conference era, ended with the Pac-12’s dissolution.

There are 18 Big Ten coast-to-coast universities. Stanford and California, former Pac-12 teams, are among 17 ACC football teams. Both Big 12 and SEC have 16 schools.

Instead of joining the 12-member Mountain West, the Pac-12 may create a smaller conference.

Keep back

Air Force, UNLV, Nevada, Utah State, New Mexico, Wyoming, San Jose State, Hawaii as a football-only member, and an unclear future will be the Mountain West’s last members.

Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said the MWC board of directors met late Wednesday to discuss future steps.

If they quit, “all members will be held to conference bylaws and policies,” she said. If the Pac-12 admits Mountain West members, the scheduling agreement will apply.

SOURCE: AP

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TORONTO – For the second time in four starts, Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis lost a no-hit bid in the ninth inning to a leadoff homer.

Francisco Lindor connected on a 0-2 fastball Wednesday, launching a no-doubt rocket over the right-field wall to give the New York Mets their first hit and knot the game at one.

Blue Jays Pitcher Bowden Francis Again Loses No-Hit Bid On Leadoff Homer In 9th

Bowden was promptly removed from the game and earned a standing ovation from the Toronto crowd of 29,399. The right-hander walked one, struck out one, and hit two batters with pitches. He threw 111 pitches, including 68 strikes.

Bowden also had a no-hitter going into the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels on August 24, but Taylor Ward homered to start the inning.

Dave Stieb pitched the lone no-hitter in Blue Jays history on September 2, 1990, in Cleveland.

In the sixth inning, New York’s Harrison Bader drove to deep left field against Francis, but Toronto’s Davis Schneider made an excellent catch near the wall.

Lindor then lined out to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base.

Guerrero also collected Jose Iglesias’ soft liner in the fourth, and Brandon Nimmo hit a strong liner to right field in the fifth.

Francis was named AL pitcher of the month for August, finishing 4-1 with a 1.05 ERA. He had 39 strikeouts and four walks in six appearances, five of which were starts.

Blue Jays Pitcher Bowden Francis Again Loses No-Hit Bid On Leadoff Homer In 9th

This season, the major leagues have seen four no-hitters. Last Wednesday, the Chicago Cubs pitched a combined no-hitter against Pittsburgh, following complete-game performances by Houston’s Ronel Blanco against Toronto on April 1, San Diego’s Dylan Cease against Washington on July 25, and San Francisco’s Blake Snell at Cincinnati on August 2.

The Mets have been no-hit eight times. Max Scherzer was the last pitcher to do so, with Washington on October 3, 2015.

SOURCE | AP

BEREA, OHIO – Deshaun Watson’s third season with the Browns is already off to a terrible start after only one game.

In addition to discussing his weak performance in the season opener, Cleveland’s quarterback was questioned Wednesday about new sexual assault charges made against him in a civil case.

On Monday, a woman in Texas accused Watson of sexual assault and violence in October 2020, while he was playing for Houston. Watson claimed he was unaware of the charges until they were made public in the media.

Deshaun Watson Denies Sexual Assault Allegations, Says Lawsuit Was A Surprise. Plans To Play Sunday

“I found out exactly when everyone else found out,” said Watson, who is scheduled to start Sunday in Jacksonville.

According to the lawsuit, the lady, only identified as “Jane Doe,” claims Watson “roughly sexually assaulted” her for several minutes during a dinner date at her flat.

During his weekly media appearance, Watson expressed surprise at the charges, adding that he did not know if the woman’s lawyer had approached his legal representation 10 months ago seeking a resolution, as her attorney, Tony Buzbee says.

“I haven’t heard anything,” Watson stated before practice. “I have not spoken with anyone, so I’m not sure. “I am not aware of that.”

Watson’s entrance on the dais occurred about an hour after his attorney, Rusty Hardin, issued a statement stating that the quarterback “strongly denies” the allegations in the case.

The NFL announced Tuesday that it will investigate the situation to determine whether Watson violated the league’s personal conduct policy.

Watson was suspended for 11 games in 2022, months after the Browns signed him to a fully guaranteed, five-year $230 million contract, and fined $5 million after an independent arbiter investigated allegations of sexual misconduct and assault made against him by more than two dozen women during massage therapy sessions.

Hardin stated that he and Watson are “comfortable that he will eventually be vindicated.” We will be prepared to defend this matter in court at the right moment, but we do not intend to do so in the media. We would ask that folks be patient as the judicial process takes its course.”

Watson did not repeat the same denial, instead relying on Hardin’s statement: “exactly how I’m feeling and what we’re going through this process with.”

As Watson spoke, Buzbee responded on Instagram, stating he had approached Hardin about a settlement.

“We knew this case was the most serious and egregious case brought against Watson to date and our client, who is rightly traumatised by these events, wanted to attempt a private resolution,” Buzbee told the court. “Unfortunately, Watson’s team or maybe his lawyers couldn’t or wouldn’t give this case the attention it was due.”

Buzbee, who has represented the majority of the other women in previous lawsuits, claimed the QB was aware of his client’s allegations.

“Watson was completely aware of this victim and her accusations soon after it occurred,” Buzbee stated, “and Watson was reminded once more when we filed the initial complaint for the other several victims. He is fully aware of what he did. This is a strong case, and now that we have filed, we will pursue it vigorously.”

Buzbee claims he has subsequently been contacted by Hardin and his staff. He also stated that he had heard from NFL counsel “and will respond in due course.”

Watson settled 23 of 24 civil actions before his suspension in 2022. Depending on the league’s findings, the three-time Pro Bowler might be suspended again, but he hasn’t considered any potential punishment.

“My focus is figuring out Jacksonville’s plan on defence and focussing on my craft to be the best quarterback I can be on Sunday for this team,” according to him. “That’s something that the NFL has to do on their time and I have to focus on what’s in front of me right now.”

The new lawsuit is the latest twist in Watson’s turbulent stint with the Browns. Due to his suspension and a significant right shoulder injury in 2023, he has only made 13 starts in three seasons with Cleveland.

In light of the fresh claims, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski stated that he would not consider benching the quarterback this week.

Deshaun Watson Denies Sexual Assault Allegations, Says Lawsuit Was A Surprise. Plans To Play Sunday

“We’ll let due process play out and follow the NFL’s guidelines,” Stefanski said to reporters.

Watson struggled in Cleveland’s season opener, his first game since having surgery in November to repair a fracture in his throwing shoulder. He was cautious, imprecise, and kept the ball for too long, prompting boos from the home fans.

He went 24 of 45 for 169 yards, a touchdown, two interceptions, and a passing rating of 51.1. Watson was sacked six times and hit 17 times as the Cowboys’ defense faced a Browns line that lacked starting tackles.

Afterward, Watson revealed that his father and a close friend had died in the days preceding the game.

“I’m not going to sit up here and make any excuses for anything that’s off the pitch is what’s causing on the pitch,” he claimed. “I just got to be better this week, and I will be better.”

SOURCE | AP