The showdown between Penn State and Ohio State has a connection to Downingtown West

Here we go again, Nittany Lions fans.

No. 3 Penn State again faces the Ohio State Buckeyes as a major hurdle on the way to Big Ten dominance. (The Oregon Ducks could get down the line, but that’s a story for another day.) The Ohio State game is the one that trips up the Lions almost every year, and Penn State will face off against State College on Saturday with questions about Drew Allar’s knee.

This meeting will have a distinct Chester County flavor. Downingtown West graduate Will Howard, the Buckeyes’ quarterback, has told his story about how Penn State overlooked him in the recruitment process.

On the other side of the field is Penn State starting tackle Drew Shelton, who happens to be Howard’s former teammate at Downingtown West. “It was exciting to see what (Howard) was able to do during his college career, and he is an outstanding football player,” Shelton said. “It will be fun to see him on Saturday.”

May the best Whippet win.

– Jim Zwaan, @phillysport, [email protected].

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Eagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, a seventh-round pick last year, is getting more playing time this season and is making the most of it. He says the culture developing in the defensive line has helped.

Rookie receiver Ainias Smith made his debut after starting the season on injured reserve, and he also appreciated his teammates supporting him during that time. which followed a difficult training camp.

LeSean McCoy will join the Eagles Hall of Fame on Sunday. We run past his top 10 moments as Eagle.

The Eagles play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. Join Eagles reporters Olivia Reiner and EJ Smith as they break down the hottest storylines surrounding the team on Playday Centrallive from Lincoln Financial Field.

The 76ers were expected to compete with the best teams in the NBA after a summer highlighted by the signing of Paul George that brought together a formidable Big Three that included Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. But with George and Embiid suffering injuries early in the season, they are now among the worst teams in the NBA in some statistical categories. The Inquirer’s Keith Pompey dives into their battle despite a gentle schedule and Maxey’s greatest efforts.

John Tortorella hasn’t minced words about the Flyers’ backup goaltender, Ivan Fedotov. “Ivan had a few matches. We were not satisfied with his play,” the coach said. So the Flyers will go with 22-year-old Aleksei Kolosov behind number 1 goaltender Sam Ersson. The 27-year-old Fedotov has struggled to find his feet, allowing four or more goals in each of his three starts.

“I’m not sure where it’s all going to go as the grand plan as we continue to move forward here because we also have to think about the Fed to buy it some time,” Tortorella said. “But right now my whole focus is on the hockey team trying to get traction the beginning of the year.”

The Flyers continued to find their footing on Thursday night, winning their second straight game, this time against the St. Louis Blues. Bobby Brink scored the goal to take the lead late in the third period.

Juan Soto says he’s keeping his options open as he enters free agency following the Yankees’ loss to the Dodgers in the World Series. The Yankees and Mets are expected to be two of his top suitors, but the 26-year-old outfielder says each team has “the same opportunity.” to land him.

Worth a look

Photos of Philly fans

Here are our Philly fan photos for this week as part of our Friday lineup. To keep this feature going, we need to continue submitting Philly sports-themed photos. Submit your photos here for a chance to be featured.

The schedule

What you say about great receivers

We asked you: Is AJ Brown the greatest Eagles wide receiver of all time? Among your comments:

In 1977, Keith Krepfle had 19.6 years, slightly better than Brown this year! – Estep N.

As a youngster, I was 13 when the Eagles won the championship in 1960. It seems you forgot one celebrity from the list you mentioned: Tommy McDonald. He was also a friend after he moved away from my younger brother, who also passed away. I loved Tommy because of the way a ‘little man’ played: he was tackled and immediately jumped up. –Vern L.

When you look at the stats of those who played most of their careers with the Eagles (Quick, Carmichael, Jackson), the one who wins hands down is Mike Quick. Of the others, they only played two- to four-year careers in Philly, so they don’t qualify. If Brown adds another six to seven Eagles seasons, he could match or surpass Quick’s stellar career, but that’s very much dependent on salary demands and avoiding major injuries. – Johannes W.

Yes! The difficulty of the catches, the speed he possesses and the toughness. AJ Brown IS the best Eagles receiver of all time. –Virgil K.

You’re clearly missing one of the Eagles’ best wide receivers ever, if not the best: Tommy McDonald. This diminutive 5′ 9″ 175 Lb Hall of Famer averaged 17 yards per catch during his career and back then DB was allowed to be much more physical than he is today. … I remember Tommy doing a diagonal pattern over the middle and getting crushed by a 230-pound weight and standing up and smiling like, did you really hit me? To me, he was the best WR I ever saw. –Vince M.

Alshon Jeffrey, Irving Fryar, and TO didn’t play long enough with the Eagles to be considered the best Eagle WR. Cris Carter probably has the best stats, but all he did was catch touchdown passes! His best years were in Minnesota, so we can’t go with him. DeSean Jackson was by far the most exciting and Mike Quick had some great years. Harold Carmichael was great in his day and played almost his entire career with the Birds. At 6 feet tall he was also imposing. I’m going with Carmichael for the best Eagle wideout. –Bart S.

You forgot Tommy McDonald. He could catch anything thrown at him. Tuff as nails and fast. He played in an era where the run game was more important than the passing game. But he could put on a show. Oh yeah, he’s in the HOF. –Joe T

… My favorite of those mentioned is Harold Carmichael, and DeSean was certainly the most exciting. I never liked Terrell because I always thought of him as a cowboy. Of those before the time of these recipients, Tommy McDonald was my all-time favorite. –Everett S.

What about Tommy McDonald? AJ is great, but it’s not even close when you look at an entire career. – Robby M.

While AJ is certainly worth taking part in conservation efforts, there can be no sure winner. The era in which each played must be a consideration. As the oldest, I think Tommy McDonald should be on the list! – Dave S.

Don’t forget Tommy McDonald. He had none of the physical attributes of most of the receivers you mentioned, and size-wise he was another DeVonta Smith. He’s running for an Eagles championship and was at least as tough as all the people you mentioned. –Joe R.

In early October, the Eagles were a mess and licking their wounds after a humiliating loss. As they enter the third month of the season, the team is playing with legitimate momentum, having won three in a row following its best win in more than a year. How much hope should their latest performance inspire in fans (and themselves)? Do we have a clearer picture of the Eagles’ identity? Jeff McLane weighs in. Listen here.

We put together today’s newsletter using reports from Devin Jackson, Avery Hill, Jeff Neiburg, Olivia Reiner, Jeff McLane, Lochlahn March, Keith Pompey, Jackie Spiegel, Ariel Simpson and Jonathan Tannenwald.

By submitting your written, visual and/or audio contributions, you agree to those of The Inquirer Terms of Useincluding the grant of rights in Article 10.

I wonder if Doug Pederson will try to play a Jacksonville Special against the Eagles on Sunday. However, the Jags have been anything but special this season. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you in Monday’s Sports Daily. –Jim