Smith, Lobendahn returning to USC
Linebacker Cameron Smith and offensive tackle Toa Lobendahn announced Wednesday that they would return to USC for their senior football seasons.
In the two weeks since the Trojans’ 2017 season ended with a Cotton Bowl loss to Ohio State, quarterback Sam Darnold, tailback Ronald Jones II and receiver Deontay Burnett all said they were leaving school to declare for the NFL draft.
Smith, USC’s leading tackler the last two seasons, was expected to follow, especially after a big Cotton Bowl performance in which he had 10 stops. But the All-Pac-12 selection, a team captain, ended that speculation in an Instagram post.
“I’m honored to wear this cardinal and gold for one more year,” he wrote.
Lobendahn made his announcement on Twitter. He joins tackle Chuma Edoga as the second draft-eligible lineman to take USC over the NFL.
USC’s spring semester began Monday, although players have until Monday to declare for the draft. One underclassman who hasn’t announced his intention is junior defensive lineman Rasheem Green, a likely second-round pick if he chooses the NFL.
Scott Frost, the former University of Central Florida coach and new Nebraska boss, received the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award. first competitive match in six months and a key tune-up event for next week’s Australian Open, in Melbourne.
In a story in Vogue’s February issue and posted Wednesday on Vogue.com, Serena Williams said she developed small blood clots in her lungs while in the hospital after giving birth to Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. in September.
According to the article, the tennis superstar “spent the first six weeks of motherhood unable to get out of bed.”
Texas sophomore guard Andrew Jones has leukemia and started treatment, the school announced.
Jones led the team in scoring with a 15-point average before breaking his wrist in December. He played sparingly in his return in late December after complaining of low energy and was sent for tests.
Minnesota basketball standout Reggie Lynch “categorically denies” allegations of sexual misconduct lodged against him by two women, his lawyer said.
The university’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action office recommended Lynch’s expulsion Jan. 3 after finding him responsible for sexual misconduct in an alleged assault off campus April 7, 2016.
Suspended Louisville freshman Brian Bowen Jr. has signed to play at South Carolina. Bowen was held out of practices and games after Louisville announced it was being investigated as part of a federal corruption probe of bribery in college basketball that led to the firing of coach Rick Pitino.
The Chicago Blackhawks acquired winger Anthony Duclair from the Arizona Coyotes in a fourplayer trade.
Chicago also got defenseman Adam Clendening in the move that seeks to shake up a perennial contender fighting to maintain a playoff position. The NHL-worst Coyotes received winger Richard Panik and minor leaguer Laurent Dauphin.
The Dodgers’ 2018 season opener against the San Francisco Giants has been scheduled for 4 p.m. March 29. It is among four games ESPN is televising that day.
Two persons familiar with the negotiations say free-agent outfielder Jay Bruce is set to return to the New York Mets after agreeing to a $39-million, three-year deal.
The New York Yankees are expanding netting to protect seats behind each dugout and for five sections down both foul lines, a decision announced after several fans were injured last year . ... Slugger Khris Davis and the Oakland Athletics agreed to a $10.5-million, oneyear contract . ... Closer Cody Allen and the Cleveland Indians have reached agreement on a $10,575,000, one-year contract.