Sports
Chargers only produce field goals and defense allows last-second loss to Cardinals
Jim Harbaugh paced the sideline with his hands on his hips. He kicked impatiently at the grass at State Farm Field as the Arizona Cardinals ran the clock down. The Chargers head coach had no other answers.
The Chargers’ top-ranked defense folded in the most critical moment and the offense never arrived, losing 17-15 to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday as the Cardinals on a last-second field goal.
“It was a game of a lot of near misses,” Harbaugh said, “or close calls.”
The Chargers (3-3) were plagued by both. While quarterback Justin Herbert threw for a season-best 349 yards on 27-of-39 passing, the offense sputtered with dropped passes and an anemic running game.
Kicker Cameron Dicker was the most reliable weapon, hitting all five of his attempts, including a 40-yarder with 1:55 remaining that put the Chargers up by one.
They just needed their defense that was allowing the fewest points per game to make a final stop.
Instead, an unnecessary roughness penalty on rookie cornerback Cam Hart moved the Cardinals (3-4) to their 45-yard line.
After catching a short pass, Cardinals running back James Conner ran through two tackles on the next play, stretching what should have been a modest gain into a 33-yard back-breaker.
Chad Ryland kicked the game-winning field goal five plays later.
Hart’s penalty was “devastating,” safety Derwin James Jr. said, as Hart’s made glancing helmet-to-helmet contact with Marvin Harrison Jr., turning a would-be third down into an automatic first.
But after the Chargers gave up 16 fourth-quarter points to the Denver Broncos last week and let Conner run through their defense for 101 yards rushing Monday, James didn’t use the penalty as an excuse for a defense that hasn’t fulfilled its mission to play winning football.
The Chargers’ Justin Herbert (10) is sacked the Cardinals’ Ben Stille (90).
(Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)
“We need these types of games,” James said. “We need to win these types of games to position ourselves where we want to be at the end of the season.”
The primetime game was a prime opportunity for the Chargers to solidify their standing with the struggling New Orleans Saints (2-5) and Cleveland Browns (1-6) next on their schedule.
But no game will be easy with such an inconsistent offense.
While hoping to make the running game part of their identity under Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the Chargers were held to just 59 yards rushing in 22 carries Monday against the team that ranked 28th in the NFL in rushing defense.
Already the third-worst red-zone offense in the NFL, the Chargers had to settle for a field goal on their only trip inside the 20-yard line Monday.
They have scored just one touchdown in their last four red-zone attempts and haven’t scored a touchdown in the second half since their season-opening win against the Las Vegas Raiders.
“I thought we did a lot of good things, but we got to score points in the red zone,” Herbert said. “That’s the biggest takeaway from tonight’s game. We got an amazing kicker, but we got to do a better job for our defense, for our special teams.”
With receivers Quentin Johnston (ankle), Derius Davis (hamstring) and D.J. Chark Jr. (groin) out, the Chargers were searching for any offensive weapon to complement Herbert. He completed passes to nine receivers, including a game-high eight catches to tight end Will Dissly for 81 yards, but not all were ready to catch the passes Herbert was lacing through tight windows.
Arizona’s Chad Ryland kicks a 32-yard field goal as time expires to lift the Cardinals to a 17-15 win over the Chargers on Monday night.
(Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)
Ladd McConkey, one of Herbert’s most reliable players, had two drops in the first half as the Chargers trailed 7-6. Tight end Stone Smartt snagged a pass for 31 yards in the third quarter, moving the Chargers into Cardinals territory, but the drive stalled when Smartt and fellow tight end Will Dissly dropped passes on consecutive plays.
Receiver Jalen Reagor, who was promoted from the practice squad Monday in part to serve as a punt returner for the injured Davis, was three yards away from his first touchdown since 2022 when Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V chopped the ball free on the Chargers’ first offensive drive.
The ball bounced inside the pylon and out of the end zone to give possession to the Cardinals. After his 42-yard reception ended with the Cardinals offense on the field, Reagor, a 2020 first-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, grasped the sides of his helmet with both hands in disbelief.
It was the second fumble the Chargers lost in the first two drives. Chargers defensive lineman Teair Tart intercepted a tipped pass on the Cardinals’ first offensive drive, but Conner stripped the ball on Tart’s return attempt and Arizona recovered.
Conner, a bruising 233-pound running back, humbled the Chargers defense that was among the most sure-handed tackling teams in the league. Quarterback Kyler Murray threw for 145 yards and one touchdown and ran for a 44-yard score on the second play of the fourth quarter.
Watching Ryland’s game-winning kick on the big screen in the stadium, Murray subtly pumped his fist as the crowd erupted.
Sports
Golf star records lowest round in LPGA major history with astounding performance at Evian Championship
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There are good days on the golf course, and then there is what Haeran Ryu just did on Saturday.
Ryu, 25, recorded the lowest round in LPGA major history on Saturday with an 11-under 60 at the Evian Championship. With the South Korean golfer’s historic round, she holds a three-stroke lead.
Ryu’s round comes just two weeks after winning her first major at the Women’s PGA Championship. On the 18th hole, Ryu left a 30-foot eagle putt a few inches short, and instead settled for a birdie.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea reacts on the 18th green after the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
She said after the round that she had no idea what she had done until she counted up her scorecard.
“But after the putt and I counted my score with my caddie,” she said. “Oh my God, it’s 11-under par today. It was so amazing. My caddie says, ‘Yep.’ I’m so happy right now.”
If Ryu had made the eagle putt on the 18th hole, she would have been just the second player to shoot a 59 in LPGA history.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea celebrates a birdie on the 15th green during the third round of The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 11, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Her 60 broke the record for the lowest round in an LPGA major by one shot. Leona Maguire and Jeungeun Lee6 in 2021, and Hyo Joo Kim in 2014, each shot 61 at the Evian Championship, which was designated as an LPGA major in 2013.
The lowest round in a men’s major is 62, which is shared by four players — Branden Grace at Royal Birkdale in the 2017 British Open, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler in the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and Schauffele and Shane Lowry in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.
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Haeran Ryu of South Korea and Lottie Woad of England interact after their round on the 18th green during the third round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, on July 11, 2026. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Ryu hopes her historic third round can help propel her to a second major win in three weeks.
“That is amazing, amazing dream,” Ryu said. “So I just want that one to come true, but we have one more day.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Taylor Crabb is no stranger to South California beaches. The Long Beach State alum returns home this weekend to compete in AVP League matches.
It marks the first time AVP will compete in Long Beach since 2020 and allows players to compete at the 2028 Olympics beach volleyball venue.
Crabb, 34, made his AVP debut in 2013 with his brother, Trevor, and advanced from the qualifier in Manhattan Beach before finishing 25th in his first tournament.
After years of competing with various different partners, Taylor Crabb and Andy Benesh have delivered the top performances this AVP season.
The following interview with Crabb has been edited for clarity and length.
Are you excited to compete in this weekend’s event at Long Beach?
Crabb: Very excited. A lot of my college teammates and part of the school have reached out, saying that they’re gonna come. So I’m excited to get a chance to play in front of them again.
When was the last time you were in Long Beach?
Crabb: I always try to go down there for alumni events or any big games they have. I went to UCLA against Long Beach last year, when it was No. 1 versus No. 2, so I always try to get down there and support them.
You missed out on the chance to compete in the 2020 Olympics because of COVID-19 restrictions and chose not to pursue a spot at the 2024 Olympics. Are you fired up to try to compete in the 2028 Olympics, knowing that Long Beach will host the competition?
Crabb: Yeah, it’s definitely an exciting time having the Olympics in Long Beach, and we kind of get to break it in this weekend. As you said, Tokyo didn’t go the way I wanted, but I’m going full force now. I have a great partner in Andy Benesh, who obviously went to the Paris Olympics, and if it weren’t for the Olympics being in Long Beach, and me getting a partner like Andy, I’m not even sure I’d be going for it, but because of those two things, I want to make the most of it.
You mentioned that if it wasn’t for a partner like Andy, you wouldn’t be going for it. What do you mean by that?
Crabb: I didn’t feel motivated by playing in all the international events, but now, I think, sitting out kind of lit the fire under me, and I’m really motivated now.
You’ve had different partners throughout your time. What other motivation does Andy give you?
Crabb: He’s been, in my mind, the top blocker for the U.S. the last four or five years. Seeing the professionalism he brings every day to practice, on and off the court, while traveling and when showing up to tournaments, it rubs off on you and that’s really motivating to see. And I just want to make him proud.
Why do you love volleyball?
Crabb: A lot of reasons, but it’s just a feeling I have when I’m out there on the court. It feels natural. It feels like home. I was born into a volleyball family. I had a volleyball in my hands my entire life, so I’ve always just enjoyed it.
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CM Punk appeared on “Friday Night SmackDown” ready to take on any challenger that was ready to step to him after winning the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn.
Punk entered the ring in Oklahoma City and called back to the “Monday Night Raw” after WrestleMania 42 when he told Cody Rhodes he’d be ready to deliver if a championship opportunity fell “out of the sky.”
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Cody Rhodes and CM Punk face off during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
“When championship opportunities fall out of the sky, CM Punk catches them,” he said.
Punk named potential SmackDown superstars he’d think might come for the title, including Gunther, Finn Balor, Royce Keys, Damian Priest and Trick Williams. He even said that Zayn could come back around and get his rematch if he wanted. He didn’t mention Rhodes’ name, but the “American Nightmare” came out uncalled and marched his way down to the ring.
“I don’t think you and I can run away from each other anymore,” Punk told Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes looks on during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images)
Rhodes agreed and mentioned that Punk would want a match with him, just “say when.” It was a quick retort from Punk, who said, “when.” SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, who was in the ring for the segment, booked the match for SummerSlam.
Punk will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, which takes place Aug. 1 and 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
First, however, Punk and Rhodes will be involved in a tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in New York City next week. Aldis made the match after Gunther demanded that Aldis put him in a match against Punk. Gunther was hoping it would be for the championship. Instead, Gunther will tag with Zayn.
Gunther didn’t take too kindly to that and attacked Aldis. Rhodes came back out to break up the calamity. He wanted to take on Gunther after the show went off air but Gunther walked away.
Gunther makes his entrance during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)
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Punk definitely has his hands full as he moves to SmackDown to become a fighting champion.
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