Three Oregon Ducks were named to ESPN.com’s preseason All-American Team, tying Alabama for the school with the most representatives. Sophomore Marcus Mariota was named as the quarterback, junior De’Anthony Thomas was chosen as the return man and junior Ifo Ekpre-Olomu  was Oregon’s representative at cornerback. Other Pac-12 players named to the preseason All-American team are Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, USC receiver Marqise Lee, Stanford guard David Yankey, Arizona State defensive tackle Will Sutton and UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr.

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In related Pac-12 news, new California Golden Bears head football coach Sonny Dykes has named true freshman Jared Goff as the starting quarterback for this coming season. Goff was competing against redshirt freshman Zach Kline and junior Austin Hinder. Goff will open the season at home against No. 22 Northwestern and then head to Columbus two weeks later to take on the second ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

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In his ninth season as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, Charlie Manuel was fired Friday, and was quickly replaced by Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg. Manuel’s Phillies finished every season with a winning record and made two World Series appearances in 2008 and 2009, winning the title in 2008. The Phillies are 53-67 this season, fourth place in the National League East.