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UFL to introduce four-point field goal in rule change overhaul

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United Football League games will look noticeably different once the 2026 season kicks off. 

The spring football league announced several rule revisions for its upcoming season, including a new twist on field goals. Any team that makes a field goal of at least 60 yards will receive four points instead of the traditional three.

“We want to create an exciting game. We want good flow. We want big plays. We want to promote scoring,” UFL head of officiating Dean Blandino told USA Today Sports.

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A Columbus Aviators UFL football before an introductory press conference at Historic Crew Stadium Oct. 9, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/UFL/Getty Images)

Other notable changes center around punting restrictions. Teams will be barred from punting “anywhere inside the 50-yard line,” the UFL said, except after the two-minute warning in either half.

The past couple of seasons in the NFL saw an uptick in field goal tries from beyond the 60-yard mark. Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, who played spring football in the USFL from 2022-23, connected on a 64-yard field goal last season.

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The UFL logo on an end zone pylon during the second half of the UFL game between the DC Defenders and the San Antonio Brahmas at Audi Field April 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.  (Scott Taetsch/UFL/Getty Images)

“Kicking a 65-yard field goal is a lot harder than one from 35,” Blandino added, according to ESPN. “Why should they count the same? So, it promotes excitement. Those are really, really exciting plays, whether it’s an end to half or end of game, and it’s also going to change the strategy of the game as well.”

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Other changes in the rules overhaul included a ban of the tush push. The short-yardage play was nearly banned by NFL team owners in 2025.

UFL logo on the field

The UFL logo on the field before a game between the Memphis Showboats and the San Antonio Brahmas at Alamodome May 16, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. (Tim Heitman/UFL/Getty Images)

Kickers will begin kicking off the ball from the 30-yard line during the 2026 season.

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UFL players have already reported to training camp. The 2026 season kicks off March 27 on FOX.

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Conor Benn’s first Zuffa Boxing fight official as Briton is paired with Regis Prograis

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Conor Benn will fight Regis Prograis on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov, it has been confirmed.

The bout will be Benn’s first under the Zuffa Boxing banner, after he made a shock switch from Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom last week. It was confirmed on Wednesday that Benn’s contract is a one-fight deal, which is reported to be worth $15m.

Although Zuffa’s main broadcast partner is Paramount+, Benn’s upcoming contest will stream live on Netflix, which is especially surprising in light of his one-fight contract.

Benn’s split from Hearn has dominated headlines in the boxing world since it was announced on Friday, with numerous layers making it a captivating development.

Firstly, Matchroom had worked with Benn for the entirety of the Briton’s 10-year professional career, even during a three-year saga in which he could not box on home soil after failing two drug tests. Hearn even said he lent the 29-year-old “hundreds of thousands of pounds” during the episode. Secondly, Zuffa Boxing is headed up by UFC president Dana White, a rival of Hearn. White even launched a scathing tirade at Hearn just a few days before Benn joined Zuffa Boxing.

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And Benn’s first fight with Zuffa will take place on 11 April, as he boxes in the co-main event before Fury’s return against Makhmudov.

The event will take place at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Benn fought bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr twice in 2025. Benn lost the first fight on points in April, marking his first pro defeat, but he won the rematch in November.

Those bouts took place at middleweight, but Benn is a natural welterweight, and it’s in that division that he will box Prograis.

Conor Benn (left) floored Chris Eubank Jr in November, en route to avenging a loss against his rival

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Conor Benn (left) floored Chris Eubank Jr in November, en route to avenging a loss against his rival (Getty Images)

Prograis, 37, is a former two-time world champion, having previously held the WBA and WBC super-lightweight titles. The American (30-3, 24 knockouts) will therefore move up in weight to face Benn (24-1, 14 KOs).

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Benn had called out numerous American fighters in recent months, particularly Shakur Stevenson and Ryan Garcia. Now he finds himself paired with a US boxer, though not one of the expected names.

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“11 April can’t come soon enough,” Benn said in a press release. “Returning to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium again, where I made history against Eubank Jr, means everything to me. My last fight there showed the world exactly who I am and what I’m about. Fighting on the biggest stages, in the biggest shows, I fear no one! I’m fully locked in and ready to deliver another statement performance.”

Prograis added: “Last time I fought in London, Conor Benn was on my undercard, so this is a full-circle moment for me. But this circle will close with me teaching him a lesson on 11 April. He’s not fighting some weight-drained super-middleweight. I am in shape and will bring home this victory.”

Regis Prograis is a former two-time world champion at super-lightweight

Regis Prograis is a former two-time world champion at super-lightweight (Getty)

Benn’s move to Zuffa Boxing is curious in that he has long expressed a desire to fight for the WBC welterweight title, which Garcia took from Mario Barrios on Saturday, yet Zuffa has said it plans to move away from the traditional belt system.

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Zuffa is even introducing its own titles, with Jai Opetaia fighting Brandon Glanton for the inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight belt on 8 March; it is unclear whether Opetaia’s IBF strap will be on the line.

In any case, even since signing with Zuffa, Benn has called for a clash with Garcia, while Stevenson holds the WBO welterweight belt.

The main event on 11 April will see former heavyweight champion Fury end his fifth retirement, as he takes on Russia’s Makhmudov. Although Fury still seems to be contracted to Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, which usually airs its fights on DAZN, the upcoming event will stream live on Netflix.

The event is being organised by Zuffa Boxing’s co-owners Sela and TKO, and Queensberry’s exact involvement is unclear. This week, The Telegraph reported that Warren is claiming $1bn in lost income from TKO and Sela.

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McLaughlin: Is the Oregon-Oregon State Rivalry Dead?

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Pac-12 logoOregon and Oregon State are reportedly not going to play until at least 2028.

Reports indicate the Beavers wanted to play the game less than the Ducks—it’s hard to blame them.

On today’s episode of Locked On Ducks, Spencer McLaughlin discusses Oregon’s 2026 expectations and how high they should be for Duck fans.

Is “natty or bust” the right mindset?

Oregon Ducks LogoSpencer dives into 2026 true freshman Dutch Horisk, who hails from the same school as Matayo Uiagalelei.

Can he find his way into the DL rotation in 2026?

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00:00 Oregon vs. Oregon State Value
04:12 Oregon’s Matchup Benefits
06:51 Oregon State-Oregon Rivalry Uncertain
12:16 Oregon: Natty or Bust?
15:49 Dan Lanning: Top Coach Spotlight
26:37 Freshman Path to Oregon’s Trenches

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Vikings Chat with Defender at Scouting Combine

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Aug 31, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart (19) reacts after tackling Georgia Bulldogs running back Branson Robinson (not pictured) during the first quarter of the 2024 Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings continued their pre-draft evaluations at the Scouting Combine, reportedly meeting with a defensive prospect who fits a clear roster need in the trenches.

The decision-makers met with Clemson defensive tackle Demonte Capehart, the player announced at the Combine. He’s scheduled to fly off the board on Day 3 of the NFL Draft in a couple of months.

Capehart spent six years at Clemson and appeared in 57 games with the ACC program. In those appearances, he logged 72 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. He can provide strength and power in the middle of the defensive front.

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In a recent report, Draft Huddle summarized his skill set, “DeMonte Capehart is a large, experienced interior defensive tackle with strong anchor ability, rotational experience, and a power-driven play style developed within Clemson’s defensive line system. He wins with size, strength, and gap discipline rather than elite explosiveness or pass-rush production. While his limited statistical output and pass-rush ceiling cap his overall upside, his durability, frame, and interior toughness provide a reliable floor as a rotational NFL defensive tackle in a multi-front defensive scheme.”

demonte capehart
Clemson defensive linemen, top to bottom, Cade Denhoff (44), Vic Burley (45) DeMonte Capehart (19), and defensive end Jahiem Lawson (15) play Troy during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, September 6, 2025.

According to PFF, Capehart produced an elite run-stopping rate of 8.6%. His play in the ground game is undoubtedly his best attribute.

And that’s where the Vikings enter the conversation. The defense led by defensive magician Brian Flores lacks some oomph in that area.

Last season, Flores coordinated one of the league’s elite units, but the ground game left some room for improvement. The Vikings ranked 9th in run DVOA and 14th in rush EPA. Sure, that’s not bad by any means, but it didn’t quite match the success against the pass.

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There were also a couple of alarming games in which opponents ran over them with little resistance. Contests against the Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Green Bay Packers come to mind when backup-caliber runners (Kimani Vidal, Kenneth Gainwell, and Emmanuel Wilson) were unstoppable.

Minnesota’s defensive line room still includes the two expensive veterans the franchise added a year ago. There’s a decent chance that one of Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen won’t be on the team when the Draft kicks off, however. Too enticing are the potential salary-cap savings for a team in the red.

Vikings defenders agains the new York Giants in 2025
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (61) reacts with linebacker Eric Wilson (55) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Scheduled to become an exclusive rights free agent, Jalen Redmond is widely expected to return for another year after his breakout campaign. Behind that top trio, the Vikings employ 2024 and 2025 draftees Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, who have played rotational roles.

Pre-draft meetings at the Combine do not automatically signal strong draft interest, but they are a key part of a team’s evaluation process. Franchises typically use these conversations to gauge football IQ, personality, and scheme fit as much as on-field production. For a veteran college player like Capehart, who has extensive experience in a high-level defensive system at Clemson, those interviews can be especially important.

The Vikings, in particular, have shown a willingness in recent drafts to target interior defenders on Day 3 who can contribute early while developing into more consistent contributors over time.

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Adding another Day 3 pick could complete the room, especially if that guy can perform against the run. Capehart fits that profile and could be on Minnesota’s list of intriguing players. He is expected to perform well at the Combine to boost his stock.

Editor’s Note: Information from PFFOver The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.

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Janik Eckardt is a German sports nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings to be his … More about Janik Eckardt

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IS SHE IN HERE RIGHT NOW?”- Nick Fuentes reacts to Candace Owens claiming she can “astral project

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Nick Fuentes reacted publicly on X after Candace Owens claimed Charlie Kirk had a “third eye” and said they had discussed astral projection.

Owens made the remarks during a livestream on February 5, 2026, titled An Open Letter to Erika Kirk. In the broadcast, she discussed conversations she said she had with Kirk about supernatural experiences, including what she described as his “third eye,” sleep paralysis, and astral projection.

After clips from the livestream circulated online, Fuentes responded later that month. On February 25, 2026, the fan-run X account Fuentes Updates posted a summary of his reaction. The post stated:

“Once Candace Owens said she can astral project, Nick started getting freaked out 😳 ‘IS SHE IN HERE RIGHT NOW???’”

The quoted remark was presented as Fuentes’ immediate response to Owens’ claim that she could astral project. No additional written explanation was included in the post cited. His reaction focused specifically on her assertion about astral projection rather than the broader set of claims discussed in the livestream.

Candace Owen’s YouTube podcast served as the backdrop to the exchange. During that episode, she described past discussions with Charlie Kirk that she said involved paranormal and metaphysical topics.

Those comments drew attention on social media in the weeks that followed, including the February 25, 2026, post referencing Fuentes’ reaction.

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Candace Owens’ claims about a “third eye” and astral projection

In the February 5, 2026, livestream titled An Open Letter to Erika Kirk, Owens detailed conversations she said she had with Kirk regarding what she described as unusual childhood experiences and metaphysical subjects.

She stated:

“Charlie and I spoke a lot about his third eye. That’s why that sentence caught my attention in the article. He spoke about the street lamps that would go off when he would run, about the special school that he had to go to.”

Candace Owens added that they discussed the testing they both underwent during childhood. Owens further said:

“We spoke about the fact that we could both astral project. You know all of this, of course, you have his phone.”

She also referenced sleep paralysis and similar experiences, stating:

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“When we learned that not everybody does that naturally. Sleep paralysis, you name it. We had conversations about it.”

Third eye must mean something totally different

In addition to her livestream statements, Candace Owens had previously made similar remarks in an earlier podcast episode published on October 8, 2025. In that episode, she described what she called a vivid dream involving Kirk, stating that he appeared to her and told her he had been betrayed. She said:

“I had a vivid dream this weekend and Charlie came to me and he told me that he was betrayed.”

Candace Ownes further added:

“You don’t have to believe that, but I do believe that… I also felt in the dream that it is soon going to be revealed… that there is nothing and no one that is going to stop the truth from coming out and it is going to have international consequences.”

She concluded that statement by adding:

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“Take that to the bank. Quote me on that. Women tend to have a stronger intuition about people, I would say.”

Charlie Kirk’s passing on September 10, 2025, marked a widely noted moment within conservative political media. Since then, public discussion surrounding his life and work has continued, with Candace Owens’ recent claims and the reaction that followed becoming part of that broader conversation.


Stay tuned for more updates.