AI-assisted summary
• Colorado coach Deion Sanders wants to settle on one starting quarterback instead of rotating players.
• Sophomore Ryan Staub unexpectedly outplayed the top two quarterbacks in a recent win against Delaware.
• Sanders has not officially confirmed who will start the next game, but Staub has been taking first-team reps.

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders declined to confirm that sophomore Ryan Staub will start at quarterback in his team’s next game Friday night Houston but he also said he doesn’t want to play “musical chairs” with his three top quarterback candidates and instead wants to settle on one.

Sanders then referenced the game of roulette and his former jersey No. 21.

“That’s the goal,” Sanders said Tuesday, Sept. 9. “I don’t want to play musical chairs with quarterbacks. Why would I want to come to the game and do that? To spin the darn wheel and it lands on, you know, I mean, I wasn’t good at roulette… I would put everything on 21 black any day. You better believe that. Hey, I don’t want to put them on three numbers, man. I want one thing. Yeah, one thing and hopefully we get to that point.”

Sanders’ quarterback situation got an unexpected jolt last week in a 31-7 win against Delaware. Colorado (1-1) previously brought in two quarterbacks to replace Sanders’ son, Shedeur, who is now with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. Both of those quarterbacks were listed as the top two quarterbacks on the depth chart before the first two games – Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and celebrated freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis.

But then Deion Sanders pulled a surprise in the second quarter against Delaware. He inserted a third quarterback into the game, Staub, who outplayed the other two with three touchdown drives in four possessions. He also gave the team an energy injection that the other two didn’t match.

This week, Staub was seen working with the first-team offensive line in a video posted Monday by Deion Sanders Jr.

“Staub has been doing a phenomenal job doing and getting a majority of the reps,” Sanders said. “But I haven’t made that assessment and decision yet.”

What is the situation with Deion Sanders’ three quarterbacks?

Each has a different set of skills and history, which adds to the delicate nature of trying to keep them all happy with only one ball to share between them:

∎ Salter led Liberty to a 13-1 season in 2023 and is in his final year of college eligibility. He started the first two games of this season for Colorado, including a 27-20 loss at home against Georgia Tech in the season opener. He led his team to a touchdown and a field goal on its first two drives against Delaware, but in his first game he also missed key throws and was tentative at times with his feet. Deion Sanders said after the opener he wanted him to be more of the dual-threat quarterback he was at Liberty.

∎ Lewis, the heralded freshman from Carrollton, Georgia, is more of a traditional drop-back passer. At age 17, he also has played the least of the three quarterbacks. He played three series in his team’s win against Delaware and completed 2 of 4 passes for 8 yards. He needs more development than the other two quarterbacks, but there’s also pressure to keep him involved for fear that he might transfer out if he’s not getting enough attention.

∎ Then there’s Staub, a redshirt sophomore who was the backup quarterback in 2023 and 2024 behind starter Shedeur Sanders. He started the final game of 2023, after Shedeur fractured his back. He played well in that 23-17 loss at Utah but barely played again until Saturday against Delaware, when he came in the game with 45 seconds left in the first half. The Buffaloes led at the time, 10-7. By the time he left the game in second half after playing four series, the Buffs led 31-7. He electrified the team by throwing two touchdown passes of 21 and 71 yards.

Staub is the hot hand, but playing him extensively risks making the other two unhappy, both of whom have business agents to help drum up income for their name, image and likeness (NIL).

‘He (Staub) took advantage of his opportunities, and that’s something that Coach Prime preaches all the time,” Colorado running back Simeon Price said. “And that goes for every single one of us. When your number is called, you go out there and show out.”

Shedeur Sanders called Ryan Staub after game

Deion Sanders said his son Shedeur called Staub after the Delaware game. He labeled Staub ‘the ultimate teammate’ and ‘ultimate character guy.’

‘First of all, you gotta understand, Staub is a lovable dude, man,’ Deion Sanders said. ‘Like everybody who’s played here previously have reached out to him and and congratulated him. … He’s always been a standup guy. No matter who’s starting, he’s always been there in support.’

One thing that Deion Sanders said was important for quarterbacks was to go ‘off-script’ when a play breaks down and make ‘three plays on his own’ per game.

‘A quarterback has to make at least three plays a game for us to be successful,’ Sanders said.

Staub showed that kind of moxie against Delaware. Now it looks like he’ll get another chance Friday night at Houston.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

The Green Bay Packers came out swinging in Week 1 to take a dominant win over the two-time defending NFC North champion Detroit Lions.

While the offense had a strong start to the season, they were missing one piece in the wide receiving corps: Christian Watson.

The former second-round pick is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the regular season finale against Chicago last season. Still, the franchise opted to sign Watson to a one-year extension worth $13.25 million, per multiple reports.

Watson is still weeks away from a return to the field but the Packers are banking on a solid return.

Green Bay selected Watson in the second round, No. 34 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State. Watson had 611 receiving yards and a career-best nine total touchdowns in his rookie season, but he has since struggled to stay healthy in Green Bay.

Watson dealt with a nagging hamstring injury to start the 2023 season. Ultimately, he played in just nine games, tallying 422 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his sophomore season.

He was inactive for two games in 2024 before his ACL tear in Week 18. In 15 games of action, Watson had 29 receptions, 620 yards and a career-low two touchdowns.

This is the final year of Watson’s rookie contract and he was set to hit free agency after the season. This deal keeps him with the Packers at a low cost: $13.25 million puts him on par with fellow 2022 draftee Khalil Shakir’s average annual value (AAV), per OverTheCap.

Packers WR depth chart

Even with Watson out, the Packers are well-stocked at the wide receiver position. The franchise selected Matthew Golden with its first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and has multiple young players at the position.

Here’s how things look entering Week 2:

• Romeo Doubs
• Matthew Golden
• Jayden Reed
• Savion Williams
• Malik Heath
• Dontayvion Wicks

Green Bay also has wide receivers Mecole Hardman, Will Sheppard and Isaiah Neyor signed to the practice squad.

University of Illinois athletics is a tide of momentum, with its football program rising to No. 9 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll ahead of Week 3.

The positives continued on Tuesday, Sept. 9 with the school announcing a $100 million donation from Larry Gies, an Illinois alum. The school will rename the Fighting Illini’s football stadium to ‘Gies Memorial Stadium’ after the gift.

Gies is a longtime Illinois donor, as the university’s business school is also named after him following a $150 million donation in 2017. It’s the largest athletics gift ever to the school and one of the biggest in college athletics history, according to the announcement.

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Gies said the donation is in honor of his father, Larry Gies Sr., a U.S. Army veteran.

‘This gift is about honoring my father, a true patriot, and every brave soul who has worn or will wear the uniform to defend our country,’ Gies said in the announcement. ‘With this investment, we can ensure that this stadium continues to be a place where their sacrifices will never be forgotten—and a shining light for every American who protects our freedom in the future.’

Illinois football coach Bret Bielema and men’s basketball coach Brad Underwood shared their thoughts on the gift.

‘Larry’s love and support for Illinois is greatly appreciated,’ Bielema said. ‘He has a special ability to impact the lives of young people, not only through his philanthropy but also by establishing meaningful relationships that extend outside of our campus and athletics. Our football program feels the results of his leadership on a daily basis by understanding our emphasis on famILLy and building sustainable success. We would not be where we are today without his influence.’

Underwood added: ‘Larry is a tremendous supporter of our program, our department, and our University. The passion he has for his alma mater shines through in every conversation we have and every game he is sitting courtside cheering us on. Larry’s loyalty and championship-level commitment is extraordinary, and the impact he’s made will be felt by everyone associated with Fighting Illini Athletics for generations to come.’

Under Bielema, Illinois won a program-high 10 wins last season after beating South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl. The men’s basketball program is the winningest team in Big Ten play during the last six years, and the women’s basketball team has reached the NCAA Tournament in two of coach Shauna Green’s first three seasons.

Gies is the founder and CEO of Madison Industries, one of the largest privately held companies in the world.

• Alex Zendejas and Folarin Balogun scored goals for the USMNT in the 2-0 win.
• The U.S. desperately needed a positive outcome on Tuesday night after a humbling 2-0 defeat against South Korea on Saturday.
• The USMNT’s next matches come against Ecuador (Oct. 10) and Australia (Oct. 14).

Mauricio Pochettino and the U.S. men’s national soccer team got the bounce-back performance it desperately needed.

The USMNT defeated Japan, 2-0, on Tuesday, Sept. 9 in Columbus, Ohio, on goals from Alex Zendejas and Folarin Balogun. The victory came three days after a humbling 2-0 defeat against South Korea in Harrison, New Jersey.

Zendejas opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a spectacular volley off a long pass from teammate Max Arfsten, who was playing in the home stadium of his club team, the Columbus Crew. Balogun doubled the U.S. lead in the 64th minute with a nifty goal of his own as Pochettino’s squad earned a much-needed victory against a Japan side that already has qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

While Tuesday’s game was just a friendly, the USMNT needed a positive outcome after some disappointing performances — the team has endured six defeats in 2025. Even with Tuesday night’s win, Pochettino’s record with the USMNT is a less than stellar 10-1-7 since taking over as coach in September 2024. Pochettino has precious little time to turn around what has been an underperforming national team squad before next summer’s World Cup.

The USMNT’s next two matches (both friendlies) come in the next FIFA international match window in October. The U.S. will play Ecuador in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 10 before playing Australia in Colorado on Oct. 14.

USMNT vs. Japan highlights

USMNT 2, Japan 0: Folarin Balogun rewarded to excellent finish

Folarin Balogun netted his sixth career goal for the U.S. in the 64th minute with a terrific finish that got past Japan goalkeeper Keisuke Osako.

Balogun’s left-footed shot from the left side of the box came after an assist from Christian Pulisic.

The U.S. has been cruising in this one, with Japan unable to mount a significant threat to score.

Halftime: Alex Zendejas’ goal the difference at intermission

Alex Zendejas’ goal in the 30th minute remains the only tally of Tuesday night’s friendly so far.

The USMNT had eight shot attempts with five on target, compared to four shots on goal on seven attempts for Japan.

The U.S. enjoyed a 62%-to-38% advantage in possession as the team aims to end a two-game losing streak.

USMNT 1, Japan 0: Alex Zendejas nets his first international goal since 2023

The USA and Japan went a half hour of play before Alex Zendejas finally tallied the game’s first goal in the 30th minute. For Zendejas, it was his second goal for the USMNT and first since March 2023 when he scored in a 7-1 rout of Grenada in Concacaf Nations League play.

Max Arfsten earned the assist with a cross to Zendejas, who slammed home the goal on the long volley from the Columbus Crew player.

The USMNT had enjoyed the possession advantage against Japan through the game’s first 30 minutes, and it paid off with a brilliant strike.

How to watch USMNT vs. Japan: Time, TV, streaming

• Date: Tuesday, Sept. 9
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Lower.com Field (Columbus, Ohio)
• TV channel: TNT (English); Telemundo, Universo (Spanish)
• Streaming: Max, Sling TV (English); Peacock (Spanish)

Stream USMNT vs. Japan on Sling TV

USMNT starting 11 vs. Japan

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino has tabbed four different starters from his lineup for Saturday’s 2-0 loss to South Korea.

Defender Chris Richards, midfielder Cristian Roldan, and forwards Folarin Balogun and Alex Zendejas get the start Tuesday night. All four came on as substitutions on Saturday.

Sebastian Berhalter, Sergiño Dest, Diego Luna and Josh Sargent each started on Saturday, but will open this game on the bench.

For Christian Pulisic, this will be his 80th career USMNT cap. Max Arfsten makes the start in the home stadium of his club team, the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer.

Japan starting 11 vs. USMNT

The Samurai Blue currently are on a 13-match unbeaten streak that dates back to February 2024. 

In the most recent matchup against the U.S., Japan prevailed 2-0 in a 2022 World Cup tune-up match in Düsseldorf. Germany.

Japan was the first team (non-host nation) to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

USMNT roster for September friendlies

• Goalkeepers (3): Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena/Italy)
• Defenders (8): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Noahkai Banks (FC Augsburg/Germany), Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps/Canada), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands), Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/England)
• Midfielders (7): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/England), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/Canada), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Sean Zawadski (Columbus Crew)
• Forwards (6): Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco/France), Damion Downs (Southampton/England), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/Italy), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/England), Tim Weah (Marseille/France), Alex Zendejas (Club América/Mexico)

Japan roster for USMNT friendly

• Goalkeepers (3): Zion Suzuki (Parma/Italy), Keisuke Ōsako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers)
• Defenders (7): Yūto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Kō Itakura (Ajax/Netherlands), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre/France), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord/Netherlands), Hayato Araki (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Hiroki Sekine (Reims/France), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen/Germany)
• Midfielders (11): Wataru Endo (Liverpool/England), Takumi Minamino (Monaco/France), Junya Itō (Genk/Belgium), Ritsu Dōan (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad/Spain), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion/England), Kaishu Sano (Mainz 05/Germany), Joel Chima Fujita (FC St. Pauli/Germany), Henry Heroki Mochizuki (Machida Zelvia), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace/England), Kodai Sano (NEC Nijmegen/Netherlands)
• Forwards (6): Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord/Netherlands), Daizen Maeda (Celtic/Scotland), Mao Hosoya (Kashiwa Reysol), Kōki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen/Netherlands), Shūto Machino (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Germany), Yuito Suzuki (SC Freiburg/Germany)

USMNT’s Alex Freeman is the son of Super Bowl winner Antonio Freeman

Alex Freeman, a 21-year-old defender who plays professionally for Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer, is the son of former NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman.

Antonio Freeman spent eight of his nine NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers, helping the team win Super Bowl XXXI. In that victory, Freeman had an 81-yard touchdown reception.

Alex Freeman, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, signed a homegrown deal with Orlando City in 2022. He made his debut with the team on April 29, 2023 during a win over the LA Galaxy. Alex Freeman made his USMNT debut as a starter in the team’s 2-1 defeat against Turkey on June 7, and earned his ninth national team cap with a start against Japan.

USMNT to face Portugal in March friendly, per reports

The U.S. men’s national team is set to face Portugal in a March friendly, according to multiple reports.

Fox Sports reported that the USMNT-Portugal match would take place at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The 71,000-seat venue could also potentially host a match against Belgium, though Washington, D.C. and other locations are also being considered. — Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire

Mauricio Pochettino frustrated with Tim Weah’s position at Marseille

Mauricio Pochettino has expressed frustration with the amount of fullback Tim Weah has played early in his time at Marseille.

Weah has alternated between fullback and winger during the past few years of his club career, taking him from Lille to Juventus and now back to France with Marseiile.

Mauricio Pochettino: Results won’t matter until the World Cup

HARRISON, N.J. — Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed the need to win friendlies leading up to the World Cup, saying that results will only matter when the tournament kicks off next summer.

The U.S. men’s national team fell 2-0 against South Korea on Saturday, Sept. 6, as goals from Son Heung-min and Lee Dong-gyeon in the first half settled the match at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Pochettino has now lost seven of 17 games during his tenure as USMNT head coach, particularly struggling against high-quality sides.

In 2025 alone, the USMNT has lost to Panama, Canada, Türkiye, Switzerland, Mexico and South Korea. — Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire

USMNT 2025 schedule and results

• Jan. 20 (friendly) — United States 3, Venezuela 1
• Jan. 22 (friendly) — United States 3, Costa Rica 0
• March 20 (Concacaf Nations League) — Panama 1, United States 0
• March 23 (Concacaf Nations League third-place match) — Canada 2, United States 1
• June 7 (friendly) — Türkiye 2, United States 1
• June 10 (friendly) — Switzerland 4, United States 0
• June 15 (Concacaf Gold Cup) — United States 5, Trinidad and Tobago 0
• June 19 (Concacaf Gold Cup) — United States 1, Saudi Arabia 0
• June 22 (Concacaf Gold Cup) — United States 2, Haiti 1
• June 29 (Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal) — United States 2, Costa Rica 2 (U.S. won penalty shootout, 4-3)
• July 2 (Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal) — United States 2, Guatemala 1
• July 6 (Concacaf Gold Cup final) — Mexico 2, United States 1
• Sept. 6 (friendly) — South Korea 2, United States 0
• Sept. 9 (friendly) — United States vs. Japan, 7:30 p.m. ET (Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio)
• Oct. 10 (friendly) — United States vs. Ecuador, 8:30 p.m. ET (Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas)
• Oct. 14 (friendly) — United States vs. Australia, 9 p.m. ET (Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado)

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

A new development has been made in the case regarding former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. The 24-year-old, who was found guilty of sexually abusing a minor earlier this year, was detained by police in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday and promptly admitted to a mental health clinic, The Associated Press reports.

According to reports, Franco was only detained and admitted to the mental health facility due to requests from his family. Franco wound up admitted to a private clinic in Baní, Franco’s hometown.

Franco has had several run-ins with the law since being suspended from Major League Baseball. Six months after being arrested in November 2024 for illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19, the Rays put him on their restricted list, which cut off pay he had been receiving. According to the report, Franco’s failure to report to the Rays in early 2025 played the largest role in that decision. Franco would have needed a new visa to do so.

Franco’s criminal history

Franco first started being investigated for sexual abuse of a minor in August 2023. He was arrested in 2024 after evidence of his relationship with a girl who was 14 years old at the time came out. It was also revealed that he’d sent the girl’s mother thousands of dollars to consent to their relationship.

Franco was arrested again later that year for illegally carrying a modded firearm.

Although Franco has not been arrested since, he had an incident recently where he claimed $16,000 had been stolen from him. Although Franco’s attorney later claimed this was all just a confusing mess and the money had been returned, Franco contradicted his attorney’s statement, doubling down that the money had in fact been stolen.

Does Franco have a future in MLB?

It is currently unknown what Franco’s future in MLB will be, if any. Franco has claimed that he is still training for an eventual return.

Franco signed an 11-year, $182 million contract in 2021. He played in parts of both the 2022 and 2023 seasons before his legal issues. He was one of the best offensive shortstops in baseball when he was healthy.