Shivers, just like that we’re into the fourth week of October, and the sports world is really heating up. The Northern Hemisphere has delivered some superb performances over the past few days.
That means, once again, we’re diving headfirst into the action and looking back on some of the standout moments from the past week in sport.
After a few hours of umming and arring, I’ve managed to narrow it down to my top three moments.
Louisville Stun The “U”
We head over to the sensational world of college football once again in this series, and it’s truly just because of the high-octane environment the sport provides. There are so many expectations, and the lifestyle-type followings make every moment feel slightly more amplified.
This weekend, the big moment in the country came when unranked Louisville went into Hard Rock Stadium to take on Miami, better known as “The U”. Miami have been a wagon this season, going undefeated through the first half of the year and looking to be on a tear towards the ACC title game.
They hit a bump in the road, though, as former discarded USC Trojan gunslinger Miller Moss and his future NFL wide receiver Chris Bell were ready to take it to the high-pedigree Miami defence. And while those two were able to do their thing, putting 24 points on Miami. However, it was the abysmal play of former five-star quarterback Carson Beck and the outstanding performance of Louisville’s defence that really turned the game.
Louisville, as a road underdog, managed to force four interceptions from a seasoned veteran quarterback who had been on national title-winning sides at Georgia.
This win made Louisville only the second team in their programme’s history to beat an AP top-two side, a feat that dates back almost 100 years.
A Kiwi Wins His Maiden Bathurst 1000
The Bathurst 1000 is one of the greatest races in motorsport around the world, and boy, did this year’s edition deliver some of the most memorable action in recent times. Kiwi Matt Payne, who made a move for the lead that ended up being unsuccessful, dropped back into third with under 10 laps remaining.
However, with about five laps to go, the car in second made a move for the lead, which saw the race leader fall back to third. Payne then capitalised, making a move on both cars, while James Golding picked up a five-second penalty.
From there, Payne had to hold his position, which he managed to do for four laps, until Golding passed him once again. But although Golding crossed the finish line first, the five-second penalty meant Matt Payne and his partner Garth Tander secured victory at the 2025 Bathurst 1000.
The victory will go down in history for its rain, late twists and turns, and seven safety cars.
The Kiwis Win Their Opening Match Of The Pacific Championship
The first game of the Pacific Championships was an absolute ripper, with the Kiwis coming away with a narrowly fought win over Samoa, who turned up and put everything on display. The Kiwis got off to a strong start thanks to teenage sensation Casey McLean, who scored his fifth and sixth tries for the Kiwis in just his second game for his country.
For his first try, he showed a sharp turn of pace with an overlap. However, it was the second that was truly special. With some late footwork, he managed to split the gap between two Samoan defenders and power over for his second try.
Samoa then came flying back into the contest, scoring back-to-back tries in the space of eight minutes to tie the game. But a spark of magic from Kiwis halfback Dylan Brown put Matthew Timoko over the line just on the stroke of half-time.
After 23 minutes of back-and-forth play, Jamayne Isaako added two more points for the Kiwis, which was quickly answered by a game-tying try from Samoa with just eight minutes remaining.
Once again, heading into the dying embers, newly awarded 14-million-dollar halfback Dylan Brown managed to secure the ball off a kick for the Kiwis and tumble over the line for what would be the game-winning try with only minutes left on the clock.
The level of play on display was outstanding, and the hope is the rest of the competition will live up to this standard.