NFL

Ravens sign RB Justice Hill to two-year, $6 million contract extension

I can’t get behind this deal — it’s about $1 million per year too high. The Ravens already have Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell around, so Hill — a fine running back in his own right — would be third in Baltimore’s pecking order at the position. Even with Mitchell currently sidelined, Hill has registered just five carries on the year, gaining 25 yards.

Grade: C-

NCAAF

Stanford 26, Syracuse 24

Welcome to the ACC, Stanford. The Cardinal didn’t enter this season with the highest of expectations, but a win at an upstart Syracuse team isn’t a bad way to kick off conference play. Elic Ayomanor is one of the best receivers in the country, and he dominated this contest, producing seven receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown.

After beating Georgia Tech, Syracuse came into this game roaring with momentum. The Orange never got off the ground, however, as Kyle McCord reverted back into being inconsistent as a passer.

The signal-caller is prone to back-breaking interceptions, and that tendency reared its ugly head last night. McCord, in the second half, proceeded to toss two interceptions, both leading to points for Stanford. It wasn’t all bad for McCord, though, as he finished 27/42 for 339 yards and two touchdowns to go along with the turnovers.

Syracuse has a get-right game next Saturday versus Holy Cross. Jalen Coker is now on the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad and not the Holy Cross roster, so the Orange should be fine in that contest.

Illinois 31, Nebraska 24

Top-20 Illinois? Top-20 Illinois. I can’t say I saw this coming, but the Fighting Illini boast an improving offense and a tough defense capable of giving almost any team in the Big Ten problems.

That improving offense? A big reason for it is Luke Altmyer, who had yet another strong performance, going 21/27 for 215 yards and four touchdowns. Altmyer received his usual help from Pat Bryant, who tallied five receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns.

Too much was going for right for Nebraska, and it’s almost if the Cornhuskers were destined to lose this game. Nebraska fans apparently can’t have nice things.

That’s fine, though, because the 3-1 Cornhuskers have a bright future. Matt Rhule has the program on track for success, and quarterback Dylan Raiola is just a freshman. Give Nebraska a year or two and the Cornhuskers will be a top contender in the Big Ten.

Speaking of Raiola, the freshman finished 23/35 for 284 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The signal-caller could stand to improve his ball security, but he’ll continue guiding the offense to points if he has Isaiah Neyor available. The wide receiver recorded four receptions for 90 yards and two scores last night.

Nebraska travels to Purdue next week, which should be a fairly easy victory for Big Red.

East Carolina CB Shavon Revel out for season with torn ACL

This injury is less about 2-1 East Carolina’s prospects for the rest of the season and more about the 2025 NFL Draft. Revel, reminiscent of Quinyon Mitchell last year, is a top cornerback prospect hailing from a medium-sized school. Even with this setback, I still expect Revel to be a first-round selection come next April.

NBA

76ers sign C Joel Embiid to three-year, $192.9 million contract extension

Any time an NBA franchise signs a superstar like Embiid, it’s a good deal for the team. Embiid isn’t just any superstar, though. The center is the best scorer in the league, as he averaged 34.7 points in just 33.6 minutes per game last season.

Philadelphia, armed with significant salary cap room, remade its roster this offseason, most notably adding Paul George to the fray. The addition of the nine-time All-Star will surely help, but the most important factor for the 76ers is Embiid’s health. The 30-year-old appeared in just 39 games last year — Philadelphia will need more time on the court out of him for the duration of this extension.

Grade: A

Nets sign SG Yongxi Cui to two-way contract

This signing is somewhat perplexing. I didn’t have Cui graded out as a top-100 prospect in this past draft, but perhaps Brooklyn sees something in the China product that I don’t.

Grade: C-