minor league contract with the New York Yankees in Apr

LOS ANGELES -- Notre Dame returns to the Coliseum this weekend to wrap up its worst season in a decade, reeling from new NCAA sanctions and worrying about the storied programs future.No. 12 Southern California has had its share of grim times off the field in recent years, and coach Clay Helton realizes a rivalry game is a chance for a troubled team to clear its head and to focus on football.But with his Trojans (8-3, No. 12 CFP) on a seven-game winning streak, Helton believes USC has the necessary focus to finish its regular season strong in this famed intersectional rivalry with the Fighting Irish (4-7) on Saturday.We had set a goal to be remembered in November, Helton said. Well, we look up and we could have an undefeated October and November. I dont think thats been done here since 2008. ... Theres a lot of pride on the line for us as a team. (Notre Dame) is a team that has a lot of pride. When you talk about the history of football, how can you not talk about this game?USC is coming off a blowout victory over UCLA, its other traditional rival. The Trojans havent swept both rivals since 2011.While USC would advance to the Pac-12 championship game if Utah upsets Colorado later in the day, the Trojans have motivation that goes well beyond the conference title -- including the chance for an unbeaten home season.How many times has the Victory Bell and the Shillelagh been on this campus at the same time? Helton asked, referring to the trophies given to the winner of the Trojans two rivalry games. That rivalry has been going on 100 years, and its less than 20 times. How special is that? How special is it for that group of seniors to be in the Coliseum and we were able to protect our house and win each and every game?Both teams went 1/3 in September, but only USC recovered. While the Trojans ran off seven consecutive wins of increasing impressiveness, Notre Dame lost a series of close games to North Carolina State, Navy and Virginia Tech.The Irish are 15-14 in their last 29 games, but they completed an unbeaten regular season at the Coliseum four years ago. Coach Brian Kellys program hasnt returned to those heights, and this weeks announcement of NCAA sanctions for academic misconduct included an order to vacate that 2012 win over USC.Quarterback DeShone Kizer believes none of those troubles will affect the Irish when they attempt to put a big finish on a lost season.We need to prove ourselves and we need to end on a make, as you would say in basketball, Notre Dame defensive end Isaac Rochell said. So for us its a chance to show our pride and show who we are and beat a good USC team.Here are more things to watch when Notre Dame visits the Coliseum with a losing record for the first time since 1986:DARNOLDS TURN: USC freshman quarterback Sam Darnold is getting his first crack at the Irish. He is the driving force behind the Trojans seven-game winning streak, throwing 22 touchdown passes during that stretch and hurting defenses with his arm strength and creativity. A USC fan since childhood, Darnold relishes the chance to play in the Trojans rivalry games.SLOW FINISHES: If USC can get out to a quick start, the Irish could be in trouble. They have outscored opponents 116-44 in the first quarter this season, but the points have gone down with each passing quarter. The Irish have 93 points in the second quarter, two more than opponents, and 79 points in the third quarter, 12 more than opponents. The Irish have been outscored 74-46 in the fourth quarter and have scored just 23 fourth-quarter points in the past eight games.FAREWELLS: Along with the departing USC seniors, star defensive back Adoree Jackson and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster could be playing their final games as juniors. Both surefire NFL prospects have been steadying influences on the Trojans during the tumult of Steve Sarkisians tenure and the subsequent steadying under Helton.LOSING IRISH: Notre Dame is 6-6 against USC in seasons when the Irish finished with losing records. The Irish are 2-1 in Los Angeles in those losing seasons.RECORD BREAKER: Brian Kelly would set the coaching record for losses at Notre Dame with a loss Saturday. Kelly is 59-30 in seven seasons at Notre Dame, while Lou Holtz was 100-30-2 in 11 seasons.---AP Sports Writer Tom Coyne contributed to this report.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-Top25 Max Scherzer Nationals Jersey . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. Jonny Venters Nationals Jersey . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. https://www.cheapnationals.com/1287r-daniel-hudson-jersey-nationals.html . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. Juan Soto Jersey . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Nationals Jerseys 2019 . U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield in Manhattan agreed that lawyers on both sides could make their formal requests by Nov. 8. A hearing is scheduled for a day earlier. Jordan Siev, a lawyer for Rodriguez, wrote in a joint letter to the judge from lawyers on both sides that MLB lawyers planned to ask that the lawsuit be dismissed. NEW YORK -- Former major league outfielder Nick Swisher says he is stepping away from the game to spend time with his wife and two daughters.In a series of posts to his Twitter account on Saturday, Swisher said he plans to keep training every day and evaluate my options for next season at the appropriate time.The 35-year-old Swisher hasnt appeared in a major league game this season. He was released by Atlanta late in spring training and signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees in April.Swisher and his wife, JoAnna, recently welcomed their second daughter, Sailor Stevie.I dont think we would have signed him if we didnt want to take a look at him, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before New York played at San Diego. We just felt some guys were ahead of him at the time. He was never called and I respect what hhe did.dddddddddddd. He had another baby and hell enjoy that.While the Yankees could have brought up Swisher, they left him in the minors and brought up Chris Parmelee, who then got hurt, and they still didnt bring up Swisher.Swisher is earning $15 million this year under the contract he signed with Cleveland before the 2013 season.Asked what hell remember about Swishers career, Girardi said: Im not so sure that this will be it for him. He was a guy that brought a lot of energy and had some big years for us. Patient hitter that had power.Swisher, the son of former major league catcher Steve Swisher, made his major league debut with Oakland in 2004. He has 245 homers and 803 RBIs in 1,527 games. ' ' '