SPORTS DIGEST || YSU announces Herb Williams scholarship

YSU announces Herb Williams scholarship

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State’s athletic department announce the Herb Williams Scholarship to enhance the YSU athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Williams — who the scholarship is named for — was a standout wide receiver for the Penguins from 1988 to 1992. He made a critical catch to set up a game-winning field goal against Villanova in the 1991 playoffs. He also had a TD catch in the fourth quarter when YSU rallied to beat Marshall, 25-17 in the 1991 national championship.

YSU mens cross country ranked No. 11

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State’s men’s cross country team is ranked No. 11 in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Great Lakes Region Poll.

The men’s and women’s teams will run on Friday at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational at Notre Dame.

Mooney’s John Simon signs with Patriots

FOXBORO, MASS.

Cardinal Mooney graduate John Simon signed with the New England Patriots on Wednesday. He was cut by the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 1.

Simon is in his sixth season in the NFL after being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round in 2013. He’s spent time with the Ravens, Houston Texans and Colts.

McIlroy says goal is beating U.S.

SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France

Rory McIlroy says the goal for Europe in the Ryder Cup is to beat the Americans, not just Tiger Woods.

McIlroy was paired in the final group with Woods at East Lake when the 14-time major champion won for the first time in more than five years. Woods has been the dominant figure in golf for the better part of two decades, and he created an enormous buzz with his 80th career victory.

This week, Woods is one of 12 players on a U.S. team that has not won the Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993, when Woods was still in high school.

Mental-health trouble sidelines Vikings DE

EAGAN, Minn.

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen remains away from the team indefinitely because of mental health trouble that boiled over the past week.

Coach Mike Zimmer said Tuesday that Griffen will not travel with the Vikings for their game Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Griffen, 30 and a three-time Pro Bowl pick, was held out because of a knee injury Sunday when the Vikings lost to the Buffalo Bills, but he was in no condition to play after a scary series of incidents Saturday.

According to police in Minnetrista, the suburb where he lives, Griffen was acting erratically and making comments about people trying to kill him. He was eventually transported by ambulance to an area hospital for evaluation.

Houston wins U.S. Open Cup

HOUSTON

Mauro Manotas scored twice in the first half to lead the Houston Dynamo to the U.S. Open Cup title, 3-0 over the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night.

Houston qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League.

Monotas scored on a header in the fourth minute, and the Colombian striker connected again in the 25th.

The third score came on Auston Trusty’s own goal in the 65th.

Blue Jackets lose Jones for 4-6 weeks

COLUMBUS

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones will be sidelined four to six weeks with a knee injury.

The team says the 23-year-old Jones sprained his knee during the second period of Tuesday night’s preseason game against Buffalo. An MRI on Wednesday revealed the sprain.

Jones was a valuable contributor last season with 16 goals and 41 assists.

Staff/wire report