Former catcher Jesus Montero, who played parts of five MLB seasons with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, died at the age of 35, the Yankees confirmed on Sunday.

Montero, who made his debut with the Yankees in 2011 as a rising young prospect, was involved in an automobile accident in his native Venezuela, according to local reports.

He played in just 18 games with the Yankees in 2011 before being sent to the Mariners in a deal that brought right-hander Michael Pineda to New York.

‘The Mariners were saddened to learn today of the passing of former Mariners player Jesus Montero,’ the Mariners said in a statement. ‘Our hearts go out to his family, friends and loved ones.’

Montero, who played his last MLB game in 2015, finished his career as a .253 hitter with 28 home runs and 104 RBIs over 226 games. He notched career highs in homers (15) and RBIs (63) for the Mariners over 135 games in 2012, his only full season in the majors.

A quartet of top-10 ranked teams are set to fall when the US LBM Coaches Poll releases on Sunday, Oct. 19.

No. 2 Miami was upset by Louisville 24-21 on Friday, Oct. 17, and No. 10 LSU went to Nashville and fell to No. 18 Vanderbilt 31-24. No. 5 Ole Miss, which fell to No. 7 Georgia 43-35 on the road, is also set to fall just a few spots in the rankings, along with No. 8 Texas Tech, which lost to Arizona State 26-22.

Georgia Tech will likely find itself in the top-10 of the Coaches Poll after its 7-0 start, as the Yellow Jackets defeated Duke 27-18 on the road in Week 8. No. 13 Oklahoma could also jump back into the top 10 after a slew of losses by other teams.

No. 6 Alabama also picked up its fourth consecutive ranked win after dismantling Tennessee 37-20 at home.

Here’s a look at the updated polls after Week 8 of the college football season.

College football rankings

US LBM Coaches Poll

First-place votes in parentheses.

1. Ohio State (65)
2. Indiana
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Oregon
7. Georgia Tech
8. Ole Miss
9. Miami
10. BYU
11. Oklahoma
12. Vanderbilt
13. Notre Dame
14. Missouri
15. Texas Tech
16. Virginia
17. Tennessee
18. Texas
19. LSU
20. USF
21. Cincinnati
22. Louisville
23. Illinois
24. Michigan
25. Arizona State

Schools dropped out: No. 20 Memphis, No. 21 USC, No. 22 Utah;

Others receiving votes: Navy 59; USC 52; Utah 51; Tulane 45; Houston 34; Iowa 17; James Madison 9; Iowa State 9; San Diego State 4; North Texas 4; Washington 3; UNLV 3; SMU 3; Memphis 3; TCU 2; Pittsburgh 2; Boise State 2; Northwestern 1;

AP Top 25 poll

First-place votes in parentheses.

1. Ohio State (60)
2. Indiana (6)
3. Texas A&M
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Oregon
7. Georgia Tech
8. Ole Miss
9. Miami
10. Vanderbilt
11. BYU
12. Notre Dame
13. Oklahoma
14. Texas Tech
15. Missouri
16. Virginia
17. Tennessee
18. South Florida
19. Louisville
20. LSU
21. Cincinnati
22. Texas
23. Illinois
24. Arizona State
25. Michigan

Others receiving votes: USC 97, Utah 40, Tulane 37, Houston 34, Navy 28, San Diego St. 7, James Madison 6, Boise St. 4, TCU 2, Minnesota 1.

Doug Martin, a two-time Pro Bowl running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who played seven seasons in the NFL, died Saturday, according to his family. He was 36.

“It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning,’ Martin’s family said in a statement, per Fox Sports and The Tampa Bay Times. ‘Cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time.’

A first-round pick out of Boise State in 2012, Martin stormed onto the NFL scene as a rookie by recording 1,926 yards from scrimmage, a total that at the time trailed only Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James for the most in league history by a first-year player.

After two down seasons, he enjoyed a resurgence with the Buccaneers in 2015, when he finished second in the NFL in rushing with 1,402 yards. That performance would earn him an All-Pro nod and his second Pro Bowl nod.

Martin signed a five-year, $35.75 million contract the following offseason to remain with Tampa Bay. But the team released him in 2018 after he failed to reach 450 yards in either of his two seasons with the franchise following the deal.

He joined the Oakland Raiders in 2019 and took over as the lead option when Marshawn Lynch was injured, starting nine games and recording 723 rushing yards. After re-signing with the team in 2019, however, he was later released from injured reserve with a settlement and would not play in the NFL again.

‘We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of Doug Martin,’ the Buccaneers said in a statement Sunday. ‘From his record-setting rookie season in 2012 to his multiple Pro Bowl selections during his six seasons as a Buccaneer, Doug made a lasting impact on our franchise. He was a fan favorite during his time in Tampa Bay and was honored as one of the Top 50 Buccaneers of all time for his numerous achievements. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and everyone whom Doug touched throughout his life.’

Listed at 5-9 and 223 pounds, he earned the nickname ‘Muscle Hamster’ for his compact frame and powerful running style. But Martin actively pushed back against the nickname, making it clear he preferred ‘Dougernaut’ instead.

‘The name ‘Muscle Hamster’ is the worst nickname possibly ever given to somebody,’ Martin told USA TODAY Sports in 2015. ‘I hope it changes, and I hope that I play to a level where my nickname changes. That’s what my goals are.’

Chase Briscoe will race for his first NASCAR Cup Series championship after winning the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, Oct. 19.

Briscoe shot to the lead in his No. 19 Toyota in the final lap of overtime in the YellaWood 500 and held off Front Row Motorsports’ Todd Gilliland and Ty Gibbs – who were both seeking their first career Cup Series victories – at the checkered flag.

Briscoe’s win in the second race of the Round of 8 assured him of a spot in the Championship Race in just his first season at Joe Gibbs Racing. He joins JGR teammate Denny Hamlin in the final four, leaving the remaining two title hopefuls to be decided at Martinsville Speedway next weekend.

‘I don’t know what’s more unbelievable – the fact that we’re going to the Championship 4 or that I won a superspeedway race,’ Briscoe said. ‘What an amazing day.

‘I can’t thank Ty Gibbs enough. He was an incredible teammate there at the end. Honestly, it was just so selfless. He could’ve easily tried to make a move to try and win the race and he pushed me to the win.’

When the green flag flew for the two-lap overtime shootout, it appeared a Hendrick Motorsports car would capture the win at NASCAR’s largest track. Playoff drivers William Byron and Kyle Larson led the field and battled side-by-side before Larson pulled in front of his teammate. But then Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet ran out of gas, forcing Byron to check up. As Bryon tried to regather his No. 24 Chevy to battle for the win, he was hit from behind in the tri-oval by Carson Hocevar, sending Byron spinning all the way out of the top 20.

“Certainly, a finish would have helped us be a little bit closer on the points side of things,” said Byron, who ultimately finished 25th. “We just lost control of the race. We just couldn’t get the pushes going the way we needed to on the bottom lane.”

Larson finished 26th, one spot behind Byron.

Briscoe took advantage of the Hendrick drivers’ misfortune for his third win of the season and the fifth of his Cup career. His teammate Christopher Bell also finished in the top 10, putting JGR in position to possibly send three drivers to the Championship 4 in two weeks at Phoenix Raceway.

Meanwhile, another championship hopeful from Hendrick Motorsports was knocked out of the race before Stage 1 ended. Chase Elliott was caught up in a multicar crash with a handful of laps remaining in the opening stage, with his No. 9 Chevy suffering major damage that could not be repaired. He now faces a must-win situation at Martinsville to make the Championship 4.

Team Penske’s Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney looked strong for much of the race, but the playoff drivers were forced to pit for fuel before overtime began, taking them out of contention. Logano finished 16th and Blaney 23rd.

Updated NASCAR playoff standings

With just one race remaining before the NASCAR Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 2, here are the updated playoff standings following the YellaWood 500:

1. Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing … Clinched berth in Championship 4
2. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing … Clinched berth in Championship 4
3. Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing … +37 points
4. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports … +36
5. William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports … -36 points
6. Joey Logano, Team Penske … -38
7. Ryan Blaney, Team Penske … -47
8. Chase, Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports … -62

NASCAR Talladadega extended highlights

Chase Briscoe wins at Talladega to make NASCAR Championship 4

Chase Briscoe drove his No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to the front of the pack in overtime and outdueled Todd Gilliland and Ty Gibbs to win the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. With the win, Briscoe clinched a spot in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship race, joining his JGR teammate Denny Hamlin, who won last weekend at Las Vegas.

Chris Buescher brings out caution, sends race to overtime

Chris Buescher got hit from behind while leading and swerved in front of the field and into the inside wall to bring out the caution in the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Buescher was leading William Byron, who got shoved from behind by Carson Hocevar and into Buescher to send the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford across the track.

Team Penske playoff drivers Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney were forced to come down pit road because neither had enough fuel to complete overtime.

Talladega playoff race: Lap 150 update

Reigning series champion Joey Logano leads the field with 38 laps to go in the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Logano is getting a strong push from Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney, a fellow playoff driver. Ross Chastain, Michael McDowell and Brad Keselowski also race in the top five.

Chase Briscoe wins Stage 2 of Talladega playoff race

Playoff drivers took four of the top five spots in Stage 2, with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe winning the second segment over Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson. Carson Hocevar finished third, the only non-playoff driver in the top three. Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron finished fourth, followed by JGR’s Christopher Bell. Ty Gibbs, Ryan Blaney, Todd Gilliland, John Hunter Nemechek and Alex Bowman rounded out the top 10.

Talladega playoff race: Lap 90 update

Hendrick Motorsports drivers have not made much of an impact through 90 laps of the Yellawood 500, whether by strategy to ride in the back for the first half of the race or because their Chevrolets are not as fast as other cars in the field.

Meanwhile, the Team Penske Fords of Joey Logano and Ryan Penske have been able to drive through the field and are back near the front of the pack – the only playoff drivers currently in the Top 10.

Ty Gibbs wins Stage 1 of Talladega playoff race

Ty Gibbs edged fellow Toyota driver Tyler Reddick by a nose to win the opening stage of the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. John Hunter Nemechek finished third, followed by playoff driver Ryan Blaney in fourth and Bubba Wallace in fifth. Joey Logano, seeking his second consecutive series championshp, finished sixth, with Zane Smith, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar and playoff driver Christopher Bell rounding out the Top 10.

Chase Elliott knocked out of Talladega race

Chase Elliott’s day at Talladega ended before Stage 1 after his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet suffered catastrophic damage during a multicar crash on Lap 53. Elliott now heads to next week’s playoff race at Martinsville Speeday at a huge points disadvantage and could be facing a must-win situation to make the championship race in two weeks.

Big crash takes out a number of cars, including Elliott

Erik Jones pushed leader Noah Gragson, trying to propel him forward on the outside in Turn 3, but the contact turned Gragson into inside lane leader AJ Allmendinger, triggering a multicar wreck on Lap 53. A number of cars suffered massive damage, with Allmendinger having to be helped out of the car and into the safety crew vehicle transporting him to the infield care center.

Playoff driver Chase Elliott was among the drivers involved, with his No. 9 car suffering big damage. Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Justin Haley and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. also got collected in the incident.

Cars make green flag pit stops in Stage 1

Drivers began green-flag pit stops during Stage 1 of the YellaWood 500, coming in for fuel starting with about 20 laps to go. Three drivers were penalized for speeding: Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain and playoff driver Chase Briscoe. All three had to come back down pit road to serve pass-thru penalties.

NASCAR Talladega race: Lap 20 update

Drivers had immediately made the race three-wide when the green flag flew, but after 20 laps, the race has settled down to two packs driving two-wide. Kyle Busch leads with Shane van Gisbergen, Justin Haley, Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, Josh Berry and Chase Briscoe rounding out the top 7.

Green flag waves for NASCAR playoff race at Talladega

Michael McDowell and Chase Briscoe lead the field as the green flag waves for the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. The opening stage is 60 laps.

When is the green flag for NASCAR playoff race at Talladega?

The green flag for the YellaWood 500 is expected to drop at 2:28 p.m. ET (1:28 p.m. local), per Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass after some track drying earlier today.

What time does the NASCAR playoff race at Talladega start?

The YellaWood 500 is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama.

What TV channel is the NASCAR playoff race at Talladega?

The YellaWood 500 will be broadcast on NBC, the home of the Cup Series’ final three races of the season. Pre-race coverage will start at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR playoff race at Talladega?

Yes, the YellaWood 500 will be streamed on Peacock, Sling TV and Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream the NASCAR race at Talladega on Fubo

Who is on the pole for NASCAR playoff race at Talladega?

Michael McDowell won the pole for today’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega. Playoff driver Chase Briscoe will start alongside on the front row.

How many laps is the NASCAR playoff race at Talladega?

The YellaWood 500 is 188 laps around the 2.66-mile track for a total of 500.08 miles. The race will have three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 60 laps; Stage 2: 60 laps; Stage 3: 68 laps.

NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings

Here’s how things look as the playoff field hits the second race in the Round of 8. The bottom four drivers will be eliminated after Martinsville.

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Kyle Larson (+4)
3. Christopher Bell (+19)
4. Chase Briscoe (+24)
5. William Byron (+39)
6. Chase Elliott (+47)
7. Joey Logano (+48)
8. Ryan Blaney (+55)

Who won the NASCAR playoff race at Talladega last year?

Last year’s YellaWood 500 featured one of the closest finishes of the year. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. earned his lone win of the season by 0.006 seconds over Brad Keselowski. The No. 47 Chevrolet driver ended his win drought on a superspeedway after previously winning the 2023 Daytona 500. William Byron’s push on the final lap got Stenhouse Jr. ahead of Keselowski to cause a bit of chaos in the Round of 12. Stenhouse Jr. led a total of 19 laps in a race affected by a massive wreck with five laps remaining. With 28 cars involved, it was the biggest Cup Series wreck since 2002. Keselowski, Byron, Kyle Larson and Erik Jones rounded out the top five runners.

What is the lineup for the YellaWood 500 at Talladega?

1. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
2. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
3. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
4. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
5. Ryan Preece, No. 60 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
6. Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
7. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
8. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
9. Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota
10. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
11. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
12. Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford
13. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
14. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
15. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
16. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
17. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
18. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
19. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
20. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
21. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
22. Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
23. Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford 
24. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
25. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
26. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
27. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford 
28. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
29. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
30. Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
31. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
32. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
33. Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
34. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
35. Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
36. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
37. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
38. Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet
39. BJ McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
40. Casey Mears, No. 66 Garage 66 Ford

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AI-assisted summary
• Lane Kiffin is considered an ideal candidate to coach the Florida Gators due to his entertaining personality and offensive coaching style.
• Despite past interest, Kiffin may no longer desire the Florida job as he has found success and stability at Ole Miss.
• Kiffin has transformed Ole Miss into a College Football Playoff contender, a status Florida currently lacks.

There once was a time when Lane Kiffin would have crawl-stroked through a canal full of alligators to become Florida’s football coach. He’s suited to the job.

Southern California once ranked as Kiffin’s “dream job,” but coaching the Gators would be the dream fit of program and personality.

Florida fans don’t just want to win. They want to be entertained. Steve Spurrier, with his Fun ‘N’ Gun offense and his epic zingers, spoiled them that way.

Kiffin idolized Spurrier, and, shoot, they both look good in a visor.

Since Spurrier left the Gators sideline, Florida’s been in this never-ending quest to replace him. Urban Meyer answered the bell for a spell, but the Head Ball Coach remains the gold standard in Gainesville.

With Spurrier retired, who’s more entertaining in this era of college football than Kiffin? He’s one part troll, one part “Portal King,” and another part offensive genius.

Kiffin’s the ideal candidate for Florida, after the Gators fired Billy Napier. He could breathe an instant turnaround into a languishing program.

Kiffin’s career is soaring at Mississippi. His Rebels are College Football Playoff contenders, even after a loss at Georgia. That playoff pursuit would complicate Kiffin’s exit, and it further incentivizes him to stay put. But, you’d be kidding yourself if you think he’s never cast a wistful eye at floundering Florida and fancied how he could do that job so much better than it’s been done these past several seasons.

Nowadays, Kiffin wouldn’t need to swim through gator-infested waters to coach Florida. He might only need to answer his phone.

The question I’m wondering: Does Kiffin still want this job? I’m not so sure he does. I’m not so sure he should.

The salty truth of the matter is, Florida needs Kiffin a whole lot more than he needs the Gators.

Lane Kiffin makes Ole Miss into what Florida should be

Kiffin’s winning at a rate and with a consistency level he’s never before experienced. He’s toned down his hijinks, and he’s found peace and stability in Oxford. He’s built Ole Miss into what Florida should be. He’s pumping out good quarterbacks.

Before he arrived at Ole Miss, Kiffin’s career had been anything but a smooth ride.

He became persona non-grata with Al Davis and the Raiders. He became a traitor to Tennessee. He got fired from Southern California in an office off the LAX tarmac. He subjected himself to Nick Saban’s butt-chewings.

The turbulence leveled out at Ole Miss.

Maybe, it’s the wisdom of age. Maybe, it’s all that hot yoga he does. Maybe, it was his decision to get sober. Maybe, it’s those rocking chairs Kiffin placed on his front porch to signify his acceptance and embrace of Mississippi’s slower pace of life. Maybe, it’s how he’s reunited with his family. Maybe, it was the death of his dad, Monte, and hearing from people far and wide about Monte’s impact on their life, which forced Kiffin to ponder his desire for his own legacy.

Whatever the case, Kiffin appears to be living his best life. He calls this his quest to be the higher version of himself, and it’s coinciding with the highest version of Kiffin’s coaching career.

Lane Kiffin: ‘I look at life completely different.’

Before the season, Kiffin and I talked at length about what he wants out of life, and how his desires have changed.

“The earlier version of me was like, ‘I want a statue’” Kiffin told me in April. “I wouldn’t have said that publicly, but it was like, ‘I want to win enough where they build a statue of you.’ Like, at Alabama, there are statues of the coaches. That means you made it in life.”

“I don’t even think that way anymore,” he continued. “Now, I just want to be a really good neighbor, dad, brother, coworker, boss. I look at life completely different, and a lot of that had to do with growth and my personal growth — losing my dad, seeing his legacy. He’s someone who had both those, championships and treated people (well), and just realizing which one is a lot more important.”

I’m wondering whether a guy who says all that would swim through an alligator-filled canal to get to Florida. I wonder whether this visor-wearing coach still wants to coach Florida at all, when he’s found so much rhythm and success and adoration at Ole Miss.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.