Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate scores two touchdowns in his Chicago homecoming

CHICAGO (AP) — Carnell Tate looked into the stands at Wrigley Field and saw a large group of family members and friends. His father. His grandmother. His sister.

A memorable moment in the middle of an emotional day.

Tate celebrated his Chicago homecoming with two touchdown receptions during No. 2 Ohio State's 31-7 victory over Northwestern on Saturday. The 6-foot-3 sophomore finished with four catches for 52 yards in the Buckeyes' fourth consecutive victory.

It was Tate’s first game in his hometown since his mother, Ashley Griggs, 40, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Chicago in July 2023.

“It was a lot of high emotion and stuff like that, but I had to manage it,” Tate said. “It means a lot to me playing back in my city, especially my first time being back since my freshman year of high school, and especially being able to play in front of all my family and friends.”

Tate grew up in Chicago and played one year at Marist High School — about 25 miles south of Wrigley — before going to IMG Academy in Florida. He had 18 receptions for 264 yards and a touchdown in his freshman season at Ohio State.

Tate said he has never been to a baseball game at the home of the Chicago Cubs. He estimated he had at least 30 supporters in attendance for the matchup with Northwestern — and they were ready to cheer for their favorite player.

“They expected a lot just coming back home. So they wanted me to put on a show,” a grinning Tate said.

It worked out quite nicely for Tate and the Buckeyes.

“Just the way that he's handled himself has just been an example to everybody,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “We care a lot about him and to see him get two touchdown passes in his hometown ... I know it means a lot to him, but it also means a lot to us. Really happy for him today.”

With Ohio State facing a second-and-8 at the Northwestern 25 late in the first half, Will Howard dropped back and lofted the ball in Tate's direction down the sideline. The 6-foot-3 receiver made a diving grab in the end zone for his third TD of the season.

Tate added an 8-yard touchdown reception on Ohio State's first possession of the second half, capping a five-play, 90-yard drive and lifting the Buckeyes to a 28-7 lead. He also made a tough 14-yard catch over the middle that set up the Buckeyes' first TD in the second quarter.

“I don't say it a lot to him, but he's one of my favorite guys on the team,” Howard said. “Just seeing him every single day like, he just lifts my mood. And for him to have the game that he had here in his home city in this stadium, I couldn't be happier.”

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Northwestern defensive back Josh Fussell (13) breaks up a pass intended for Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Wrigley Field on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate State makes a diving touchdown reception as Northwestern defensive back Josh Fussell defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Wrigley Field, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate waves to fans after the team's 31-7 win over Northwestern in an NCAA college football game at Wrigley Field on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate State lays out for a touchdown pass as Northwestern defensive back Josh Fussell defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Wrigley Field on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate State lays out for a touchdown pass as Northwestern defensive back Josh Fussell defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Wrigley Field on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has selected Chris Wright, a campaign donor and fossil fuel executive, to serve as energy secretary in his upcoming, second administration.

CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Wright is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking, a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market.

Wright has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change and could give fossil fuels a boost, including quick action to end a year-long pause on natural gas export approvals by the Biden administration.

Wright also has criticized what he calls a “top-down” approach to climate by liberal and left-wing groups and said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.”

Consideration of Wright to head the administration's energy department won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm.

Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term.

Hamm helped organize an event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in April where Trump reportedly asked industry leaders and lobbyists to donate $1 billion to Trump’s campaign, with the expectation that Trump would curtail environmental regulations if re-elected.

The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. The agency is in charge of maintaining the country’s nuclear weapons, oversees 17 national research laboratories and approves natural gas exports, as well as ensuring environmental cleanup of the nation’s nuclear weapons complex. It also promotes scientific and technological research.

Republican Sen. John Barrasso, who is expected to become chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said Trump promised bold choices for his Cabinet, and Wright’s nomination delivers.

“He’s s an energy innovator who laid the foundation for America’s fracking boom. After four years of America last energy policy, our country is desperate for a secretary (of energy) who understands how important American energy is to our economy and our national security,″ Barrasso said of Wright, adding: “Wright will help ensure America remains committed to an all-of-the-above energy policy that puts American families first.”

Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, a conservative group that supports fossil fuels, said Wright would be “an excellent choice” for Energy secretary. Pyle led Trump’s Energy Department’s transition team in 2016.

Liberty is a major energy industry service provider, with a focus on technology. Wright, who grew up in Colorado, earned undergraduate degree at MIT and did graduate work in electrical engineering at the University of California-Berkeley and MIT. In 1992, he founded Pinnacle Technologies, which helped launch commercial shale gas production through hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

He later served as chairman of Stroud Energy, an early shale gas producer, before founding Liberty Resources in 2010.

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at meeting of the House GOP conference, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)