er eight innings. Once in the precarious position of losing his spot in the rotation, Fiers has rebounded to goo 1-0 with a 2. J

Southern Mississippi has a long, proud tradition of being a mid-major program that can be trouble for foes from bigger conferences. Gus Williams Jersey .But its been a while since the Golden Eagles have knocked off a team from the Southeastern Conference. Southern Miss will try to snap a 13-game losing streak against SEC foes when it travels to face Kentucky on Saturday.First-year coach Jay Hopson said the game is a great opportunity, but also cautions against making too much out of the seasons first weekend.I always like to say, `We count our poker chips out at the end, Hopson said. Every team in America wants to win the first game because thats the only game this week, but the reality is its a long season.Thats true, but theres little doubt that this SEC game is a little more winnable than most for the Golden Eagles. Southern Miss is coming off a resurgent 9-5 season where it won the C-USA Western Division before losing to Western Kentucky for the league championship.Senior quarterback Nick Mullens -- who threw for 4,476 yards and 38 touchdowns last season -- returns to run the offense while several experienced players return on defense.Kentucky is trying to bounce back from a disappointing 5-7 season. Southern Miss last SEC win was a 21-0 victory over Alabama in 2000.Southern Miss might have had a better opportunity to win on Saturday if it hadnt had to deal with a coaching transition during the offseason. Todd Monken surprisingly left after his third season to become the offensive coordinator with the NFLs Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so the Golden Eagles turned to Jay Hopson, who led Alcorn State to back-to-back SWAC titles before coming to Hattiesburg.Monken had an offensive background while Hopsons first love is defense. But players and coaches have insisted the transition has been smooth.Hopsons defensive background might be useful in a game against a SEC opponent. The 47-year-old played in college at Ole Miss and has also been an assistant in the league, so hes familiar with leagues physical reputation.Its going to be a hard nose, tough football game, Hopson said. Its kind of coach speak, but its true. We know weve got our plate full.At least one Southern Miss coach should have plenty of motivation to win Saturdays game. Shannon Dawson -- who was Kentuckys offensive coordinator for one season in 2015 before being fired -- is now the offensive coordinator for the Golden Eagles.-----Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP Jack Sikma Jersey . 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. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Jersey . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. https://www.cheapthunder.com/1591h-chris...ey-thunder.html . -- About a third of the way through the regular season, the Washington Wizards are at . HOUSTON -- After earning at worst a series split with a 3-1 victory Wednesday night, the Toronto Blue Jays enter the series finale against the Houston Astros almost as concerned with the start theyll get the following day.Left-hander J.A. Happ (14-3, 3.16 ERA) starts the series finale for the Blue Jays (61-47). Happ is 3-1 with a 3.50 ERA in six starts against the Astros, for whom he went 18-28 with a 4.84 ERA over parts of three seasons following his trade from the Phillies on July 29, 2010.Left-hander Francisco Liriano (6-11, 5.46 ERA) follows Happ in the rotation, making his first start with the Blue Jays on Friday night in Kansas City against the Royals. Liriano and two prospects joined the organization Monday following a trade deadline deal with the Pirates.Liriano has scuffled this season as he led the majors with 69 walks prior to the trade. But the Blue Jays are confident that Liriano can be reborn, in part because he will be reunited with former Pirates catcher Russell Martin.I think you just need to watch him and let him go out and pitch before you jump the gun, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. Hes back with Russ. Let him pitch. Theres nothing worse than trying to pinpoint something in someones mind before you see him.He may go out there and shine like theres nothing to it.Right-hander Mike Fiers (7-4, 4.42 ERA) starts the series finale for the Astros. Fiers has appeared in just two games (one start) against the Blue Jays in his career, going 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA over eight innings. Once in the precarious position of losing his spot in the rotation, Fiers has rebounded to goo 1-0 with a 2. Jim McIlvaine Jersey. .03 ERA over his last two starts.Like the Blue Jays, the Astros (56-51) have one eye on their weekend rotation. With right-hander Lance McCullers landing on the 15-day disabled list with a mild elbow sprain, rookie right-hander Joe Musgrove makes his first career start against the Rangers on Sunday.Musgrove excelled in his major league debut on Tuesday night, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings of relief with eight strikeouts, matching the major league record for strikeouts in relief in a major league debut. Musgrove arrived from Triple-A Fresno on Sunday poised to start in place of right-hander Doug Fister (paternity list) on Monday night.Instead, opportunity knocked one day later and Musgrove validated the trust the organization showed with his promotion.We thought he could handle it which is why we were going to give him an opportunity if Fister was gone, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. We really like this guy. Hes got a lot of charisma; hes got a lot of polish to him. Even to be able to come in and warm up in front of a full crowd and both teams waiting and the umpire sort of pushing the action, its not easy. His maturity came through with rave reviews.He made some really good hitters look uncomfortable and I think thats a good sign. Hes going to have a big test with his first start against the Rangers but I think the way hes handled this season, the way hes matured over the year is why we gave him the opportunity on the front end. ' ' '