NFL

Vikings sign TE T.J. Hockenson to four-year, $68.5 million contract extension

This extension resets the market at the tight end position, which is good news for Hockenson. The Vikings, on the other hand, aren’t as fortunate, since Hockenson isn’t even close to being the best player at his position. That doesn’t spell doom, though, as just over $17 million per year isn’t a significant overpay for a good player like Hockenson, especially in wake of him missing time throughout training camp and the preseason. I’m sure Kirk Cousins is happy to have his second-favorite target back in the fold.

Grade: C

NCAAF

ACC invites California, SMU and Stanford

Logic in regards to geography has been tossed to the curb in this latest round of conference realignment, but that doesn’t make the ACC adding three schools west of the Mississippi River — and two from the West Coast — a good idea. For California, SMU and Stanford, though, this is a win, even if strong programs such as Florida State, North Carolina, Clemson and Virginia leave the conference at some point.

Wake Forest 37, Elon 17

For a team in Wake Forest that went 8-5 a season ago, a 20-point victory over Elon doesn’t exactly represent a success. Surely, Dave Clawson is hoping that Mitch Griffis improves over time at the quarterback position. Last night, Griffis threw an interception and recorded a QBR of just 47.7 against the Phoenix.

UCF 56, Kent State 6

UCF did what it needed to do in this contest — exert its force against a much lesser opponent in Kent State. I have concerns about John Rhys Plumlee as a passer, but the Golden Flashes had no answer for him, or UCF in general, as a runner, as he ran for 90 yards on just eight attempts. It might be smart for the Knights to lean on Plumlee’s rushing talents next Saturday when the team travels to Boise State. The two interceptions thrown by Plumlee last night would be much costlier in a matchup versus the upstart Broncos.

Georgia State 42, Rhode Island 35

Georgia State may be looking at an ugly season in the Sun Belt. In this game, the Panthers were outgained by Rhode Island, 520-424. If Georgia State plays at this level against the likes of Coastal Carolina, James Madison and Appalachian State, the final result won’t be a win.

MLB

Tigers 4, Yankees 3

At 33, Giancarlo Stanton has already begun his descent as a player, and it’s possible that his play will only get worse over time. For the Yankees, 2028 can’t come soon enough, because that’s when they’ll finally be able to get Stanton and his contract off the books. In the meantime, New York will owe its designated hitter $118 million from 2024 to 2027, making it imperative that Stanton improves upon his .203/.280/.436 line this season.