Ohio
Oregon Football Entering Big Ten as Biggest Challenge to Ohio State
One of the Big Ten Conference’s premiere programs is already looking at the Ducks as their biggest threat.
Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA officially become members of the Big Ten next week. While this topic has been discussed widely over the past few months, the focus is now on matchups and marquee games on everyone’s schedule. Without question, much of the conversation has centered on the Oregon Ducks as many believe they will battle the Ohio State Buckeyes for a conference championship and perhaps a spot in the expanded college playoffs.
Eleven Warriors, an Ohio State fans website, featuring Dan Hope and Andy Anders, spent time recently evaluating the Buckeyes’ challenges in 2024 given the expansion of the league to 18 teams. Not surprisingly, Oregon was rated as the biggest threat to Ohio State. Right from the start, Hope acknowledges the talented team that coach Dan Lanning has put together.
“(Oregon) could have the Big Ten’s best offense,” Hope said. “Dillon Gabriel coming in there from Oklahoma, he might be the Big Ten’s best quarterback. They’ve got a great backup as well in former five-star recruit Dante Moore who transferred in from UCLA.”
Hope doesn’t stop there as he highlighted Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson who may form the best 1-2 punch in the country at wide receiver: a stout running game featuring Jordan James and Noah Whittington, and a solid defense.
Anders goes on to talk a little more about coach Lanning and what he brings to the table, specifically when it comes to recruiting and adding additional talent to a team already recognized as a top-five team in the country.
“Dan Lanning is, I think, one of the best coaches in the sport,” Anders said. “I’m really high on what he can accomplish at Oregon and what this team can accomplish.”
When it comes to the game itself, Oregon has advantages in two areas that are weaknesses on the Ohio State side of the ball—quarterback and offensive line.
“Oregon is probably going to be the best team in the conference in both of those areas,” Hope said. “So those are two key advantages that Oregon has over Ohio State as well as the fact that Oregon is going to be hosting Ohio State in that regular season matchup.”
Osu21ore Bjp 27 / Barbara J. Perenic via Imagn Content
Of course, we are still about four months away from the game in Autzen Stadium and a great deal can change in that time. Regardless, this shapes up to be a massive game for both teams.
“I continue to circle that Ohio State-Oregon game as maybe the game of the year in the conference,” Hope said. “I think there is a very good chance that Ohio State-Oregon game on October 12 is going to end up being a Big Ten championship game preview.”
October 12 is a date all Ducks fans have circled on their calendar. There is no doubt they will provide an unforgettable atmosphere for a game that could very well live up to its hype.
Stay up to date on all things Oregon Ducks by visiting Oregon Ducks on SI daily and following Oregon Ducks on SI on Facebook and X.
Ohio
New mail-in ballot deadline as Ohio changes impact primary election
When’s Ohio’s 2026 primary election? Date, candidates, changes to know
See which candidates are conditionally qualified for Ohio’s 2026 primary ballot and key election deadlines.
Ohio’s primary election season has begun – Election Day is May 5. Ohio’s candidates are vying for spots on the ballot for the November midterm elections.
That’s nothing new, but Ohio made significant changes to mail-in voting that voters need to know about.
What has changed with Ohio’s mail-in ballots?
Voting through a mail-in ballot? There are some changes voters should know.
Signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine in December 2025, Senate Bill 293 requires absentee ballots to arrive by the close of polls to be counted, with an exception for military and overseas voters.
Any mail-in or absentee ballots must now be received before or on Election Day by 7:30 p.m. in order to be counted. There is no longer a 4-day grace period after Election Day.
The primary election is May 5, and the general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
So, when should you send your mail-in ballot in Ohio? The sooner the better. The U.S. Postal Service does not necessarily postmark your mail the day it is received unless you specifically request it. So, you ballot may not make it to a postal processing center until the day after you drop it in a mailbox.
When does Ohio early voting start? Key dates for early, absentee, mail-in votes
The primary election will be held May 5, 2026, according to this year’s voting schedule.
Early in‑person voting began on April 7, including the Saturday and Sunday before Election Day. Absentee voting by mail also began on April 7.
On Election Day, May 5, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by your local board of elections by 7:30 p.m., per the voting schedule.
Ohio voter registration deadlines for 2026 elections
Ohioans must register or update their voter registration no later than 30 days before an election. The registration deadline for the May 5 primary was April 6, 2026.
Here are the upcoming voter registration deadlines in 2026:
- April 6, 2026, for the May 5, 2026, primary and special election
- October 5, 2026, for the November 3, 2026, general election
If you register or update your information after the deadline, the changes will apply for the next election.
Ohio
Mary Lucille Young, Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Mrs. Mary Lucille Young, 74, of Youngstown, departed this life on Friday, April 10, 2026 at her residence where God welcomed her home.
Mary, affectionately known as “Mary Lou” and “Tang”, was born March 8, 1952 in Youngstown, a daughter of Lawrence and Ada Mae Alexander Hamilton Young.
She was a proud 1971 graduate of South High School.
Mary was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.
She attended Louis Weinberger Hill Beauty School, and was accepted as a model with Barbizon Modeling Agency.
Mary worked and retired from Youngstown Sheet and Tube.
She enjoyed looking her best, dancing, shopping, casinos and decorating her home. Mary was strong, bold and took no mess. She was loved by many people.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her pride and joy, two daughters, Adalatesha Bright and Richlynn Bright; two sons, Ja-Juan Young and Dr. Ty-Juan Bright all of Youngstown; five grandchildren; two sisters, Cynthia (Floyd) Davis, Janet (Steve) Gardner both of Youngstown; and a host of family and friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Michael Lamar Young; three brothers, Isaiah, Edward, Lorenzo Young.
Private services were held at the L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Lucille Young, please visit our floral store.
Ohio
NWSL announces expansion to Columbus, Ohio
The NWSL is once again expanding, this time the league is heading to Ohio where Columbus NWSL 2028 will take the field. Of course, Columbus NWSL 2028 is a placeholder for now and the the new team will unveil its name, crest, and uniform to build an identity around as it approaches its first season.
News of the club was announced yesterday, though this has been in the works for some time, in a press conference. Team owners, the Haslam Sports Group (HSG), Nationwide and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards, spoke about what they hope the club will bring to Columbus and women’s soccer more broadly.
“Our family is thrilled to help bring an NWSL team to Columbus and further invest in Ohio, with the honor of bringing the 18th team into the league,” said Haslam Sports Group Managing Partner Whitney Haslam Johnson. “We believe in the power of women’s sports and are humbled to be part of the number one women’s soccer league in the world.”
Nationwide insurance has been a corporate partner in both NWSL and MLS for years and now joins an ownership group deepening those ties. “Today’s announcement is about inspiring young athletes across Central Ohio, elevating women’s professional sports and reminding the world that Columbus is a first-class sports city,” said Kirt Walker, Nationwide Chief Executive Officer. “As Nationwide marks 100 years, this is a powerful way to celebrate our milestone with the community that has been our home from the very beginning.”
The Edwards family has deep roots in the Columbus soccer scene with Dr. Pete Edwards serving as team doctor for the Crew in 1996 and the family joining the team’s ownership in 2019 during the Save The Crew effort. “Columbus is very important to our family. For over 30 years, we’ve supported the Columbus Crew and MLS. We’ve seen how a men’s professional soccer team has brought people together and created a positive impact in our community. It’s truly special to now welcome an NWSL club and the incredible women athletes who will also uplift our city on and off the pitch,” said Dr. Christine Edwards. “We’re very excited to partner with Haslam Sports Group and Nationwide for NWSL Columbus 2028, and we can’t wait to share even more memorable moments with fans, especially during the Club’s first game at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.”
The NWSL has continued its expansion with the announcement and the team will join Atlanta in its inaugural season in two years.
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