SPORTS digest

Patriots sign QB Hoyer as Brady’s backup

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.

Tom Brady didn’t go without a backup for long.

The Patriots signed former 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer on Wednesday to fill the role, a day after Hoyer was released by San Francisco following its acquisition of Jimmy Garoppolo in a trade with New England.

Hoyer began his career as Brady’s backup in New England in 2009, and has spent time with seven NFL teams during his nine-year career.

He started the first six games this season for the 49ers before being benched for C.J. Beathard. Hoyer now returns to back up a quarterback in Brady that has been one of the most durable signal callers in the league during his career.

Hoyer, 32, has played in 55 games with 37 starts and has completed 833 of 1,404 passes for 9,853 yards with 48 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.

New SoCal stadium among future CFP sites

The College Football Playoff says the national championship game will be held in Miami Gardens, Florida, Indianapolis, Inglewood, California, and Houston from 2021 through 2024.

College Football Playoff Executive Director Bill Hancock announced the four future sites on Wednesday.

Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens will host the 2021 title game, after the 2020 season. Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis will be the first cold-weather site for the championship in 2022.

The new stadium in Southern California that will be the home of two NFL teams will be the site of the 2023 national title game followed the next year by NRG Stadium in Houston.

CMU rallies past rival WMU in 88th meeting

KALAMAZOO, Mich.

Shane Morris threw a 77-yard touchdown pass to Corey Willis with 2:37 remaining, and Central Michigan rallied to beat defending Mid-American Conference champion Western Michigan 35-28 on a rainy Wednesday night to win the Cannon Trophy in the 88th meeting.

At halftime, Central Michigan (5-4, 2-3) only had two first downs and trailed 21-7 after being outgained 269-82.

Western Michigan’s Jarvion Franklin fumbled early in the fourth quarter and Jonathan Ward pulled Central Michigan to 28-21 on a 29-yard touchdown run. CMU blocked a punt on Western Michigan’s next possession and Ward’s 35-yard run on first down set up Eric Cooper’s touchdown grab in the end zone to tie it at 28 with 5:50 left.

Central Michigan’s squib kick bounced off a WMU player and the Chippewas recovered it before going three-and-out. CMU got the ball back with 2:47 left at its 23 and Willis scored one play later on Morris’ deep throw. Western Michigan turned it over on downs near midfield and Ward ran for a first down to run out the clock.

Franklin became the career touchdown leader for Western Michigan (5-4, 3-2). He was untouched on a 47-yard scoring run on the first possession of the game to break a program record with his 53rd career touchdown.

Franklin rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns for his fourth straight 100-yard game for Western Michigan (5-3, 3-1). He topped the century mark after just eight first-quarter carries.

Struthers-Perry football tickets on sale

STRUTHERS

Advance tickets for the Division IV regional quarterfinal football game between Struthers and Perry are on sale until 1 p.m. Friday at the Struthers City Schools Board Office, Struthers High School and Rip’s Cafe.

Advance tickets are $8. All tickets will be $9 at the gate Friday night in Perry.

Youngstown Baseball Old Timers meeting set

The Youngstown Baseball Old Timers will conduct a general meeting at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 2:30pm at the pavilion at Kramer Field on Bears Den Road.

Staff and wire reports