Category: News

Ex-Cardinals QBs Kurt Warner, Josh McCowns sons to face off

Good day. Ready to feel a bit dated? If you are of the “I remember Y2K” age, then boy do we have a story for you.

Out in the AAC this Saturday, Rice’s E.J. Warner will quarterback opposite UTSA’s Owen McCown. Indeed, they are the sons of ex-Cardinals quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Josh McCown, who split starts during Arizona’s 2005 season.

E.J. Warner, a Phoenix Brophy College Prep product, is in his first season at Rice after two years at Temple where he surpassed the 3,000-yard passing mark each season. He’s thrown for 955 yards, seven touchdowns and six picks in 2024.

Owen McCown, who went to high school in Texas, is in his second season with the Roadrunners after starting his college career at Colorado. He’s passed for 1,054 yards, seven touchdowns and two picks so far, completing 62% of his passes this year.

The two sons of the former Cardinals quarterbacks appeared to be headed on a collision course to play against one another in early October 2023.

Warner was starting for Temple, and McCown got his first start of the season a week prior against Tennessee. But injured UTSA starting quarterback Frank Harris returned from injury to spoil the meeting of the ex-Cardinals’ sons.

The possibility is back on Saturday with a 4 p.m. MST kickoff on ESPN+.

How’d Kurt Warner and Josh McCown split the 2005 season for the Arizona Cardinals?

Arizona under coach Dennis Green took a flier on Warner, who with the New York Giants had lost his starting job the season prior to then-rookie Eli Manning. Warner won the starting quarterback job over McCown, who had been on the Cardinals since 2002 after being drafted in the third round.

McCown had been in a turnstyle of a quarterback situation the year prior with Shaun King and John Navarre also getting opportunities, but Arizona recognized he would provide solid backup insurance despite Warner joining the team.

A minor groin injury to Warner opened the door for McCown to start midway through the season, and McCown handled himself well before Warner was re-inserted. He got hurt again, this time with a knee injury, and McCown finished out the season.

The Cardinals went 5-11 that season.

Arizona went 2-8 in Warner’s starts as he finished with 2,713 yards and 11 touchdowns to nine interceptions.

McCown’s record as a starter was 3-3 as he threw for 1,836 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 picks.

Their careers obviously went different places. Warner eventually found his MVP-type form in Arizona after another injury-plagued season in 2006, pushing the Cardinals to Super Bowl XLIII in 2009 and playing another year after that. He now resides in a TV analyst role.

McCown never became a star, yet he stayed in the NFL through the 2020 season with one year (2010) playing for the Hartford Colonials mixed in.

He got back into the NFL as a quarterback coach last year with the Carolina Panthers and is now coaching the surprising Minnesota Vikings led by quarterback Sam Darnold.



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Cam Rising to start for Utah vs. Arizona State, per report

The No. 16 Utah Utes will welcome starting quarterback Cam Rising back Friday against the Arizona State Sun Devils, reports Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.

Rising, a seventh-year senior, played in the first two games of the year before missing the past three outings with a dislocated finger and cut on his throwing hand.

The Utes (4-1) have left the possibility of Rising’s return on the table before each of those outings, making opponents gameplan for two quarterbacks.

Backup Isaac Wilson, the brother of Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson, has replaced Rising since the injury. Wilson went 68-of-122 for 830 yards, six touchdowns and seven picks over five games.

Wilson had his worst game before Utah’s bye two weeks ago against the Arizona Wildcats. He went 20-of-40 for 280 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Cam Rising’s return from injury indeed changes Arizona State’s approach

ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Thursday that Utah’s success begins with its rushing attack controlling possession and setting up the passing game. But Dillingham also couldn’t deny that Rising’s potential availability could change things for the Sun Devils.

“He just brings a veteran leadership,” Dillingham said before knowing Rising’s status. “Like, you’re probably not going to pressure and rattle Cam Rising. He’s seen all the pressures. He knows where to throw hot. He knows how to get it out. He knows when you’re bluffing from one side and you bring it from the other because of the mannerisms from the pressure back.

“You’re probably not going to play the gotcha game with Cam Rising on the field,” Dillingham added. “You’re going to have to go challenge them and beat them … whereas you may play a little more, hey, can we show a younger quarterback different pictures that he maybe hasn’t seen yet in a live setting.”

Rising didn’t play his first two college seasons at Texas (redshirt) and then Utah (transfer year). He also missed all of last season with a knee injury.

Rising has thrown for 5,918 yards, 53 touchdowns and just 14 picks over his four years of game action.

This year against Southern Utah and Baylor, he completed 18 of 29 passes for 254 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.

Arizona State hosts Utah in Tempe with a 7:30 p.m. MST kickoff. Tune to the Arizona Sports app, ESPN 620 AM and 98.7 HD-2.



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Arizona State wearing maroon uniforms for blackout vs. Utah

Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham has played the role of head football coach but also hype man since he arrived.

His “Activate the Valley” call for fans to give the football program a jolt has been answered through a 4-1 start, and the Sun Devils again have an opportunity on national television to stand out with a 7:30 p.m. MST Friday kickoff against the Utah Utes.

The theme night tone is set, and it’s a dark one.

ASU is asking fans to wear all black, though the team will be wearing a maroon jersey combination.

The Sun Devils are coming off a home win against Kansas that saw a strong 54,639 in attendance despite a tied record of 107 degrees at kickoff in Tempe.

“That crowd was a game-changing crowd,” Dillingham told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Thursday. “Even at the end of the game, (former ASU quarterback) Jake Plummer waits 45 minutes to talk to me after my press conference to say, ‘Man, the energy in this place just feels different. That’s what it’s supposed to feel like. I haven’t felt that in years. … I think that just goes to the ‘Activate the Valley’ call. This can be really, really fun to go watch Sun Devil football games.

“Let’s sell this place out, let’s get a crowd. Let’s make it loud. It’s a blackout even though we’re wearing maroon jerseys. It is what it is. I can’t help you, I didn’t know about it either.”

For fans bothered by a tidbit of inconsistency, ASU athletic director Graham Rossini explained the blackout game without black uniforms.

“Apologies for the confusion. I’ll own this one – we prioritized the gold (uniform) strategy uniform this fall and didn’t have enough time to pull off a black one once game themes were set,” Rossini wrote on X. “We could have been more clear when themes were posted. That’s on me.

“But we’re still asking fans to wear black – such a cool scene in the stadium for night games!” he added. “Come join us and pour some more energy into this incredible team of Sun Devils!”

Utah is wearing white uniforms vs. Arizona State

The Utes are leaning into the villain role this week.

They will wear white jerseys, pants and helmets with red lettering and numbering.



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WR Chris Moore released by Arizona Cardinals

Chris Moore will be released by the Arizona Cardinals as fellow receiver Zay Jones is eligible to return from suspension, the team said Wednesday.

The 31-year-old Moore has appeared in 27 offensive snaps for Arizona through five games, the fifth-most on the team among its receivers.

The Cardinals are soon expected to have Jones available. A commissioner’s exemption reportedly makes him eligible to practice this week coming off a five-game suspension for personal conduct, but the team has yet to formally activate and add Jones to the 53-man roster.

Arizona’s receiver room this season has been led by rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. (279 yards) and second-year pro Michael Wilson (216).

After that, slot receiver Greg Dortch has recorded 138 yards but done that damage in 55% of the available offensive snaps. The offense has used a heavy dose of tight ends Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins and Tip Reiman to limit the opportunities available for a third receiver.

Moore and fellow veteran Zach Pascal have each received fewer than 10% of the offensive snaps, but the latter has an edge to remain on the roster as a trusted special teams player. Pascal has appeared in 77 plays in that phase.

Chris Moore’s resume before joining and being released by the Cardinals

Moore spent his first four-plus NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, where he racked up 511 yards and four touchdowns.

From there, a two-year run in Houston produced his best season yet, a 548-yard campaign in 2022.

He spent last season with the Tennessee Titans, where he put up 424 receiving yards on just 22 catches, an explosive 19.3 yards per reception.

Zay Jones’ return could reshape Arizona Cardinals’ WR room

Entering the season, Jones figured to challenge for meaningful playing time with his versatility and recent production.

He is two years removed from his best season, an 823-yard, five-touchdown effort in 16 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 29-year-old recorded 321 yards on 34 catches in just nine games last season as he battled knee and hamstring injuries.

Jones was arrested in November for domestic battery, leading to his suspension by the NFL. The charges were dropped in March after authorities reviewed evidence.

Jones got into a custody argument with the mother of his child in mid-November and left fingernail scratches on her neck, according to police.

The woman told deputies she was visiting Jones and his family when Jones got upset because she was taking their child back to Orlando. Police observed “several small scratches” on the woman’s neck that were “consistent with marks from a fingernail,” according to the report.

The woman provided a written statement, and Jones was arrested. He spent the night in the Duval County Jail and was released the following day on a $2,503 bond.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.



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Utah Hockey Club, Dylan Guenther win 1st game in Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY – During a night of many firsts, the Utah Hockey Club put on a show during its inaugural home opener to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-2. With loads of production from the team’s top forwards, including Dylan Guenther, who netted the first goal in franchise history, the club got off to a fast start with a victory in their new home.

While the team formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes looked good in most areas in their season opener, there were obvious issues in their own zone with trying to clear the puck.

At times, skaters struggled to make the right passes, failed to put enough on it to get it out or simply did not look where they were sending it. That gave the Blackhawks extra opportunities and nearly cost Utah late in the game, which forced goaltender Connor Ingram to make some phenomenal bail-out saves.

“I think that’s what this team needs to learn now,” Ingram said. “Learn to win games and close them out so. I think that’s a good learning step for us. Obviously, there’s a couple chances that didn’t go our way there. But that’s learning, and I think you’ll take that. You take the two points out of it, you learn from it and you move on.”

However, it is important to recognize that half of the defensemen were playing their first regular season game with team. With time, they should be able to adjust and clean up those mistakes.

Dylan Guenther scores first goal in Utah Hockey Club history

It was business per usual for the Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther and Jack McBain line as they orchestrated some of the best chances and offensive zone possessions that Utah had all night.

Guenther, the Coyotes’ ninth overall pick in 2021 who signed an eight-year contract extension this offseason, picked up where he left off during the preseason and found the back of the net to record the first goal in franchise history.

After a beautifully orchestrated breakout from their own zone, Cooley dumped it off to Michael Kesselring, who fed Guenther near the slot, and he buried it on a quick one-timer.

That’s the type of execution the club wants to see from that line. Creativity and speed from Cooley, crashing the net, elite positioning from Guenther and goals.

“We have a little bit of everything on that line,” Cooley said. “We’ve got speed, we’ve got a guy that can shoot the puck. Obviously with McBain he can create space for us. He’s always in front of the net and when you have a guy always in the net it creates more room for shooting and seeing passes.”

McBain also got involved later in the first period as the trio was able to set up inside the Blackhawks zone and create another dangerous opportunity. After some more patience, Cooley fired one on net that McBain tipped off the crossbar after battling for a great position in front of the net.

Don’t forget about the vets

In addition to their young guns, the Utah Hockey Club’s veterans were busy against Chicago.

Forwards Clayton Keller, Barrett Hayton and Nick Schmaltz along with Mikhail Sergachev and Sean Durzi on the blue line is constructed to simply create problems for opposing teams.

A season ago, Keller and Schmaltz unsurprisingly led the team in overall points. Keller’s awareness, quickness, playmaking and wicked shot are what make him a four time All-Star and are also what helped him get on the scoring sheet against Chicago.

As for the rest of the group, their abilities we’re on display when Hayton tipped in a blast from Sergachev during the second period. With more suffocating pressure, the group worked the puck well throughout the offensive zone, which allowed Sergachev to tee one up from the point. Hayton made sure to get a stick on it.

When that top line can set up inside the offensive zone, opposing teams struggle to keep up and scoring opportunities are aplenty.

“We talked a lot out there throughout the game, looking for different plays, and it’s only going to get better,” Keller said. “It’s good to build some chemistry. We always had a guy at the net, we were making the right place and not forcing it. So that’s just a glimpse of what’s to come.”

This story originally appeared on KSLSports.com.

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Cardinals elevate Charlie Heck, Will Hernandez lands on IR

The Arizona Cardinals announced Tuesday offensive lineman Charlie Heck was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster as a corresponding move to right guard Will Hernandez landing on injured reserve.

Heck is in his fifth season and first with the Cardinals. He allowed two pressures on 11 snaps at right tackle in the Cardinals’ Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions while filling in for Kelvin Beachum, according to PFF.

Hernandez suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over the San Francisco 49ers. He joins right tackle Jonah Williams on IR, who suffered his own knee injury in Week 1.

Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said Tuesday his approach won’t change much despite losing the right side of the line.

“Certainly we’re always going to adjust to who’s out there and what the matchup is each week. That’s as much as who we have as (it is) who they have across from them,” Petzing said. “I don’t see a major change in who we are or our philosophies on offense.”

Backup Trystan Colon replaced Hernandez against the 49ers on Sunday and held up without allowing a pressure allowed over 20 snaps after Hernandez went down.

Behind Colon, offensive line depth includes Jon Gaines II and rookie Isaiah Adams. While Gaines has not seen the field this season, Adams played six snaps at right guard without allowing a pressure in the Week 2 win over the Los Angeles Rams.



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Arizona DB Treydan Stukes out for year with injury

Arizona football defensive back Treydan Stukes will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury suffered against the Utah Utes on Sept. 28, reports the Arizona Daily Star’s Justin Spears.

Stukes appeared in four games in 2024 and could redshirt to play a sixth season.

Head coach Brent Brennan in his Monday press conference did not speak about his injured players, per his policy.

Stukes did not play last week in a loss to Texas Tech at home and was not listed on the depth chart to play this Saturday at No. 14 BYU.

Stukes, listed as a STAR backer who plays a cover role in the slot, has been replaced by sophomore Genesis Smith and senior Owen Goss over the past two games.

A fifth-year senior from Litchfield Park, Ariz., Stukes has made 154 tackles across his career at Arizona. Last season, he had a career-best 55 tackles and seven passes defensed to go with a pick.

This year, Stukes posted 18 tackles with two passes defensed and an interception.

How is Arizona football’s DB room impacted by Treydan Stukes’ injury?

The loss shakes up an experienced defensive back room led by potential NFL Draft pick Tarcario Davis at cornerback and Gunner Maldonado at safety.

Maldonado was hurt against Texas Tech and could miss more time himself. Smith moved to safety with Goss moving into the slot at points.

In place of Stukes and Maldonado, Smith has flashed.

He has 17 tackles this season but has made plays in coverage the past two weeks with more time on the job.

He recorded an interception to help a 23-10 upset of Utah and then recorded four tackles and two passes defensed in the Wildcats’ 28-22 loss to Texas Tech this past weekend.

Goss, who is listed on the official depth chart at backup positions at STAR and safety, is in line to receive more snaps if Maldonado is out. The Colgate transfer has 11 tackles, plus a sack and forced fumble this season with Arizona.



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ASU football preparing for both Utah QBs, Rising and Wilson

TEMPE — With uncertainty surrounding Utah’s quarterback situation, Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham said on Monday his team needs to be ready for both potential starters ahead of Friday’s home game.

Utah starter Cam Rising, who entered the year as a popular Heisman pick, injured his finger in a Week 2 win over Baylor. A few game-time decisions later, Rising has yet to make his return.

Instead it’s been Isaac Wilson, a true freshman who Dillingham said was a top recruiting target for the Sun Devils out of Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon High, where he was a top-300 prospect and top-20 quarterback.

Wilson has now played three full games after playing the second half of the first two games, the first against Southern Utah because the game was in hand and later against Baylor following Rising’s injury in the first half.

He has thrown for over 200 yards in all three full games but has one touchdown and two interceptions in each of his last two games.

Rising, however, completed 18 of his 29 passes on the season for 346 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions over the two halves.

“Without any other input, we’re all following the recommendations from the doctors,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham told reporters Monday. “We’ll see what happens this week but there’s a chance, I can tell you that, it’s still early in the week. We’ll cross our fingers and hope for the best, as is Cam.”

Utah is coming off a bye week, but Steve Bartle of KSL Sports suggested the time off didn’t provide clarity on Rising’s situation.

Whittingham gave credence to this when he said there may come a point where Wilson becomes the starter the rest of the way, depending on how long Rising’s ailment lasts and how long Utah is in contention for the Big 12.

“We’re preparing to play Cam and Isaac,” Dillingham said of how he attacks a situation this murky. “Whoever we play we play, but more importantly, we’re preparing to play us. We have to be the best versions of us on (Friday) and that’s cliché and corny, but it’s the absolute truth.”

The difference in the potential quarterback matchup is dramatic.

If Rising plays, he’s certainly the best quarterback ASU has faced this season. If Wilson plays, he’s the youngest quarterback ASU has faced and the only true freshman.

KSL Sports contributed to this story.



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Cardinals’ Zay Jones serves suspension, receives roster exemption

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones has served his five-game suspension, and the NFL granted him a one-game roster exemption as he works his way back onto the field, according to multiple reports.

The NFL suspended Jones, who signed with the Cardinals this past offseason, for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Jones will not count toward Arizona’s 53-man roster until the exemption is lifted. It expires next Monday after the Cardinals take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Cardinals could place Jones back on the active roster ahead of Sunday’s game, but they would need to make a corresponding roster move.

Jones is eligible to practice with the team in the meantime.

Last year, in nine games played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones reeled in 34 catches on 64 targets for 321 yards and two touchdowns. He set career highs in 2022 with 82 catches and 823 yards.

The 6-foot-2 receiver has spent most of his career lined up on the outside, but he has slot experience to move around.

Arizona only has three wide receivers with a catch this season: Second-year pro Michael Wilson pulled 19 catches through five weeks, rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. has 17 receptions and slot receiver Greg Dortch grabbed 16.

Tight end Trey McBride leads the Cardinals with 20 receptions, even though he missed Week 4 with a concussion.

Jones signed a one-year deal worth up to a reported $4.25 million with its many incentives. His cap hit is $1.7 million.

Why was Zay Jones suspended?

The NFL suspended Jones on Aug. 23, just ahead of roster cutdown day, for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Jones was arrested and booked into jail for domestic battery after an incident involving the mother of his child in November.

Misdemeanor charges were dropped in March by the Florida state attorney’s office.



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Lakers’ LeBron James plays alongside son Bronny vs. Suns

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James just turned 20, and he celebrated it by playing alongside his father, LeBron James, when the Lakers faced the Phoenix Suns in a preseason game on Sunday.

They took the court together at the start of the second period. In 13 minutes of action, Bronny — and LeBron for that matter — totaled four turnovers and missed a three-point shot. LeBron shot 8-for-12 with 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 16 minutes as the Lakers fell to the Suns 118-114.

Bronny played in his first NBA preseason game on Friday in the Lakers’ 124-107 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, recording two points after missing his first five shots before making a layup with 56.9 seconds to play all while his father didn’t suit up. However, the now 20-year-old blocked three shots while recording one rebound and one assist in 16 minutes of action.

The Lakers drafted Bronny James with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, taking him out of USC after one season where he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games with the Trojans.

The two mark the first ever father-son duo on an NBA team.



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