Sports: Lions Win; Tigers in Houston

Lions

The Lions won their pre-season opener, beating the New Jets 23-3 Thursday night at Ford Field.  Matthew Stafford threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate. Stafford played only one possession in Detroit's exhibition opener. He threw for 57 yards, completing his only two pass attempts — both to Tate.  Rookie running back Ameer Abdullah ran for 67 yards — 45 on one play.  Wide receiver Greg Salas caught five passes for 92 yards and a touchdown against his former team. The Lions defense held the Jets to just 123 total yards. Detroit elected to hold out receiver Calvin Johnson and cornerback Rashean Mathis in the game. Caldwell said those moves were a "coach's decision," adding that Mathis is not injured.  Detroit will travel to Washington for their second exhibition game next Thursday.

Green Bay Packers 22, New England Patriots 11.

Tigers

The Tigers were off Thursday and start a three-game series in Houston tonight.  Alfredo Simon pitches against Astros ace Dallas Kuechel. Broadcast time is 7:45 on WBCK.  Justin Verlander will pitch tomorrow and Matt Boyd will get the nod for the Tigers in the series finale on Sunday.   Tigers’ first baseman Miguel Cabrera may make his return to the lineup tonight. Cabrera has been on the disabled list since early July with a calf strain. He took batting and fielding practice and ran the bases during Detroit's series in Kansas City earlier this week. Manager Brad Ausmus said as long as Cabrera says he feels good he may be activated today.

Some injuries might help the Tigers as they play for a wild-card playoff spot.  Los Angeles Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson will have season-ending surgery to remove bone spurs in his ailing left elbow.  Twins pitcher Phil Hughes will be put on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday, due to inflammation in his lower back.

MSU Football

CBS Sports' Jerry Palm released his bowl projection this week and has Michigan State slotted in the Peach Bowl Dec. 31 against Florida State.

The Peach Bowl is one of four selection committee bowl games for 2015-16, and will pit two at-large teams against one another. It would mark the second straight year the Spartans have played in a selection committee bowl, after playing in the Cotton Bowl last season.

The Spartans open the season on September 4^th at WMU, and then host Oregon the following week.

Coyotes

The Battle Creek Coyotes will travel to play the No. 1 Seed, Michiana Thunderhawks, for the MLFA North Conference's Midwest Division Championship Saturday at 4 p.m.

Nascar

Nascar heads to Michigan this weekend for the Pure Michigan 400.

Golf

Dustin Johnson will carry a one-stroke lead into the second round of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.  Johnson carded five birdies and an eagle in a 6-under 66 that puts him one stroke ahead of David Lingmerth. Johnson surged to the top with his eagle on the par-5 16th before closing with back-to-back pars. World number-one Rory McIlroy is one-under after his first round back from an ankle injury. Masters and U.S. Open champ Jordan Spieth is also one-under

Four-time champ Tiger Woods continues his struggles, shooting a 3-over 75. That sets him up to miss the cut in three straight majors for the first time in his career.

Calhoun County Amateur

More than 100 golfers will compete in this weekend’s 38th annual Calhoun County Amateur Golf Championship at Binder Park Golf Course.

The Cal-Am tournament has three age divisions:  49 and younger, a Seniors Division for golfers age 50-69, and the Super Seniors for the over 70 crowd.

Lindsey Venn Injured

Skiing champ Lindsey Venn says she has fractured an ankle bone in a training crash in New Zealand. She's returning to her Vail, Colorado home to have the injury examined further.  It is the latest setback for the 30-year old, who returned from serious leg injuries to set the all-time women's World Cup win record last season. She also won her seventh World Cup downhill title.

Marshall to Play at Albion College

The Marshall Red hawks will play a home game at Albion College’s Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium.   Friday September 25, Marshall will host Jackson’s Lumen Christi Catholic High School in an Interstate 8 Athletic Conference matchup.  The game represents the first Marshall High home football game in Albion since Albion Public Schools and Marshall Public Schools entered into a partnership agreement in summer 2013.