PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The snow-globe conditions for West Virginia’s 41-31 victory over Rutgers on Saturday afternoon provided a fitting backdrop for two Big East programs caught in the disorienting swirl of conference realignment.
The former Rutgers player Eric LeGrand, center, led his teammates onto the field. LeGrand was paralyzed in a game last season.
The Big 12 announced on Friday that West Virginia would join the conference. Its departure, following Pittsburgh and Syracuse out of the Big East, has left that league on unstable footing. Officials from Rutgers, meanwhile, have maintained contact with other conferences.
On Saturday, at least, Rutgers and No. 25 West Virginia were both still angling for positioning in the Big East standings. No. 24 Cincinnati (6-1, 2-0) is in first place.
Playing in a steady snowfall, the Mountaineers (6-2, 2-1) outlasted Rutgers in the fourth quarter, taking the lead for good with 6 minutes 18 seconds left on a 1-yard touchdown scramble by the junior quarterback Geno Smith, who also threw two touchdown passes.
On the ensuing possession, the freshman Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova fumbled the slippery football while trying to pass, effectively ending the game. The Scarlet Knights (5-3, 2-2) have lost 17 straight times against West Virginia.
“It’s a tough one,” Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano said. “It hurts. No excuses.”
About two hours before kickoff, three pick-up trucks, two small utility vehicles and a tractor plowed up and down the field at High Point Solutions Stadium, moving like Zambonis at a hockey rink until strips of artificial turf were revealed from under the snow.
Neither team moved the ball particularly smoothly, but the wet snow contributed to that. There were fumbled snaps, dropped passes and a botched hold on a field-goal attempt. Players also had trouble staying on their feet, requiring them to make cuts with short, careful steps.
“This is as bad of conditions as I’ve ever played in or coached in my whole career,” West Virginia Coach Dana Holgorsen said. “The first half especially because the field was covered in ice and slush.”
The conditions contributed to Nova’s fumble while dropping back to pass in the fourth quarter. It was also continued a troubling trend: Nova has turned the ball over eight times in the past three games.
On Saturday, he threw two interceptions to go with two touchdown passes.
“The ball slipped out of my hand, but I’ve got to have two hands on the ball,” said Nova, who threw for 235 yards but completed only 18 of his 46 passes. “I’ve got to make those plays. I don’t use the excuse that I’m a freshman.”
Leading by 31-28 at the start of the fourth quarter, Rutgers tried a fake field goal after driving to West Virginia’s 11. The Mountaineers’ Darwin Cook broke up the pass from the holder, Patrick Kivlehan, to receiver Brandon Coleman.
That set up West Virginia’s decisive 11-play, 89-yard scoring drive. Smith ended it on fourth-and-goal, attempting to hit Tyler Urban on a slant out of a shotgun formation before rushing to the right corner and diving into the end zone.
“In that situation, you’ve got to go all out,” said Smith, who passed for 218 yards and completed 20 of 31 attempts. “There’s 11 guys out there battling for you, and I wanted to be the guy battling for that touchdown.”
For Rutgers, it was a crushing conclusion to a day that started emotionally. The former defensive tackle Eric LeGrand, paralyzed from the neck down in a game against Army last year, led the team onto the field in his wheelchair. The Rutgers players walked behind him in an arm-in-arm chain.
“It was very emotional and exciting,” Coleman said. “I wish we could have pulled this out for Eric and this program.”
The loss left Rutgers in difficult position, and bolstered the case that West Virginia is the class of the Big East. The Mountaineers, the first ranked opponent the Scarlet Knights faced this season, rebounded from a 49-23 loss to Syracuse last Saturday.
The game was partly overshadowed by the news of West Virginia’s plan to leave the Big East, in part because of the uncertainty about when that will happen. The university has said it intends to join the Big 12 in July 2012, but the Big East does not plan to allow it to leave before its 27-month exit period is over — the same timetable being followed by Pittsburgh and Syracuse, who will both join the Atlantic Coast Conference. That would mean that Mountaineers could not join the Big 12 until January 2014.
The Big East is having its annual meeting of the conference’s presidents and athletic directors on Tuesday in Philadelphia. The meeting will focus on the league’s future in the ever-shifting college sports landscape.
The off-field machinations will play out in due time, but even as falling snow obscured the view Saturday, the Big East gained some clarity about the state of its standings entering the final month of the regular season.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Big 12 Might Admit Louisville, Not West Virginia
West Virginia University athletic officials spent most of Tuesday preparing to leave the Big East Conference for the Big 12. The Mountaineers’ athletic director, Oliver Luck, was so sure of the move that he tipped off Big East colleagues Monday night and told staff members Tuesday.
But everything changed Tuesday evening, as the Big 12 backed off its assurances to West Virginia. Hard lobbying from another candidate from the Big East, Louisville, has created a heated race for the remaining slot in the Big 12 that Missouri is expected to vacate soon. (Missouri is still headed to the Southeastern Conference after it sorts through its exit issues with the Big 12.)
A person with direct knowledge of the situation said it was “too close to call” between West Virginia and Louisville.
Two other people with direct knowledge said that the lobbying of the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, had helped Louisville. His communication with Oklahoma’s president, David Boren, a former senator, and Texas Tech’s chancellor, Kent Hance, a former congressman, played a role in raising Louisville’s fortunes. Hance confirmed that McConnell called him to push Louisville.
Although West Virginia still has a chance to join the Big 12, news of Louisville’s emergence sent a shock through the state.
“If a United States senator has done anything inappropriate or unethical to interfere with a decision that the Big 12 had already made, then I believe that there should be an investigation in the U.S. Senate, and I will fight to get the truth,” Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia, said in a statement. “West Virginians and the American people deserve to know exactly what is going on and whether politics is interfering with our college sports.”
Hance said that he would welcome West Virginia if it were to become the league’s 10th team, but that Manchin’s comments sounded like a politician seeking re-election.
“Mitch McConnell talked about the merits of Louisville and nothing else,” Hance said. “Why shouldn’t he be sticking up for Kentucky? I think the guys from West Virginia got caught flat-footed not sticking up for West Virginia.”
Hance said he understood that West Virginia offered greater television appeal than Louisville, but said that Texas Tech was concerned about travel difficulties.
“The opposition to West Virginia had to do with the distance,” he said. He added, “All this TV stuff is important, but it’s not as important as the student-athlete.”
Senator Jay Rockefeller, Democrat of West Virginia, expressed a sentiment similar to Manchin’s, saying: “The Big 12 picked W.V.U. on the strength of its program, period. Now the media reports that political games may upend that. That’s just flat wrong. I am doing and will do whatever it takes to get us back to the merits.”
Don Stewart, McConnell’s spokesman, declined to comment. Boren did not return an e-mail seeking comment.
The move from the Big East to the Big 12 could be worth about $10 million annually, a number that could fluctuate depending on the caliber of the Big East’s next television deal.
But everything changed Tuesday evening, as the Big 12 backed off its assurances to West Virginia. Hard lobbying from another candidate from the Big East, Louisville, has created a heated race for the remaining slot in the Big 12 that Missouri is expected to vacate soon. (Missouri is still headed to the Southeastern Conference after it sorts through its exit issues with the Big 12.)
A person with direct knowledge of the situation said it was “too close to call” between West Virginia and Louisville.
Two other people with direct knowledge said that the lobbying of the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, had helped Louisville. His communication with Oklahoma’s president, David Boren, a former senator, and Texas Tech’s chancellor, Kent Hance, a former congressman, played a role in raising Louisville’s fortunes. Hance confirmed that McConnell called him to push Louisville.
Although West Virginia still has a chance to join the Big 12, news of Louisville’s emergence sent a shock through the state.
“If a United States senator has done anything inappropriate or unethical to interfere with a decision that the Big 12 had already made, then I believe that there should be an investigation in the U.S. Senate, and I will fight to get the truth,” Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia, said in a statement. “West Virginians and the American people deserve to know exactly what is going on and whether politics is interfering with our college sports.”
Hance said that he would welcome West Virginia if it were to become the league’s 10th team, but that Manchin’s comments sounded like a politician seeking re-election.
“Mitch McConnell talked about the merits of Louisville and nothing else,” Hance said. “Why shouldn’t he be sticking up for Kentucky? I think the guys from West Virginia got caught flat-footed not sticking up for West Virginia.”
Hance said he understood that West Virginia offered greater television appeal than Louisville, but said that Texas Tech was concerned about travel difficulties.
“The opposition to West Virginia had to do with the distance,” he said. He added, “All this TV stuff is important, but it’s not as important as the student-athlete.”
Senator Jay Rockefeller, Democrat of West Virginia, expressed a sentiment similar to Manchin’s, saying: “The Big 12 picked W.V.U. on the strength of its program, period. Now the media reports that political games may upend that. That’s just flat wrong. I am doing and will do whatever it takes to get us back to the merits.”
Don Stewart, McConnell’s spokesman, declined to comment. Boren did not return an e-mail seeking comment.
The move from the Big East to the Big 12 could be worth about $10 million annually, a number that could fluctuate depending on the caliber of the Big East’s next television deal.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Advertise on NYTimes.com Records and Wins for Houston Quarterback
The off-campus garage apartment that Houston quarterback Case Keenum and his wife, Kimberly, share is so modest that it does not have a full number in its mailing
Kirk Cousins of Michigan State after the Spartans defeated Wisconsin.
“We’re always going to remember living at the Half,” Keenum said with a laugh in a phone interview Sunday.
As a 23-year-old sixth-year senior, Keenum has been around long enough to realize that his true freshman teammates were in seventh grade when he graduated from high school. But if Keenum produces a second half of his season to match his first, college football historians will use the Half to refer to what would amount to a record-setting run.
After a blistering performance in a 63-28 victory over Marshall on Saturday, Keenum is poised to take over the passing portion of the N.C.A.A. record book.
He threw for 376 yards and 6 touchdowns against Marshall, breaking the former Hawaii quarterback Timmy Chang’s record for total offense. Keenum has 17,173 yards, eclipsing Chang’s 16,910 from 2000 to 2004.
There are two more records within reach. He needs four touchdown passes to tie the former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell (134). And he needs 801 passing yards to tie Chang’s career mark (17,072).
But more than individual achievements, Keenum has No. 18 Houston looking to become the first Conference USA team to go undefeated in the league since Bobby Petrino’s Louisville team in 2004.
The Cougars are 7-0 over all, and if they can finish the season undefeated they would be the first Conference USA to do so since the 1998 Tulane team led by quarterback Shaun King. (That team had an innovative young offensive coordinator named Rich Rodriguez.)
“The one thing I love about Case is that he shows up when they play big opponents,” King said. “They beat Oklahoma State a few years ago, and I like the fact that he shows up when they play elite teams. Timmy Chang holds a lot of those records, but he was in the right system. Case has really shown up when they’ve played quality opponents.”
Wisconsin and Oklahoma fell from the ranks of the undefeated Saturday night, offering a reminder of how difficult it is to go undefeated in college football.
There are eight undefeated teams left in major college football. And while there are certainly more grueling schedules than the one faced by Houston, Conference USA has often been a vexing league in which to go undefeated. Houston has a chance to finish in the top 10 for the first time since David Klingler’s run-and-shoot team finished No. 10 in 1990.
Houston Coach Kevin Sumlin credited the team’s rallying around Keenum in his return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury as the key to the hot start. He said the Cougars appreciated the records as much as Keenum.
“For us to win, because of our style, it takes protection and guys catching the ball,” Sumlin said by telephone Sunday. “It’s not like you’re chasing a batting title. Football is completely different; people miss that.”
The Cougars run a hurry-up, no-huddle offense in which Keenum jokes that it is his job is to get the ball out of the hands of the slow guy (him) and into the hands of the faster guys. Keenum said their goal was to get as many snaps off as possible. (Sumlin joked that Houston’s only huddles come on the sideline when the defense is on the field.) Keenum said that screens and quick slants doubled as Houston’s running plays, allowing for an efficient and high-energy offense.
It is a system that is working, as Houston leads the nation in passing offense (441.71 yards), scoring offense (49.29 points) and total offense (606.14 yards). Keenum ranks in the top three in passing yards per game, passing efficiency and total offense.
Keenum has the authority to change the play on about half of the Cougars’ snaps. Keenum said he was sharper mentally now after missing a majority of last season with a torn A.C.L. and getting an N.C.A.A. waiver for a sixth year.
Kirk Cousins of Michigan State after the Spartans defeated Wisconsin.
“We’re always going to remember living at the Half,” Keenum said with a laugh in a phone interview Sunday.
As a 23-year-old sixth-year senior, Keenum has been around long enough to realize that his true freshman teammates were in seventh grade when he graduated from high school. But if Keenum produces a second half of his season to match his first, college football historians will use the Half to refer to what would amount to a record-setting run.
After a blistering performance in a 63-28 victory over Marshall on Saturday, Keenum is poised to take over the passing portion of the N.C.A.A. record book.
He threw for 376 yards and 6 touchdowns against Marshall, breaking the former Hawaii quarterback Timmy Chang’s record for total offense. Keenum has 17,173 yards, eclipsing Chang’s 16,910 from 2000 to 2004.
There are two more records within reach. He needs four touchdown passes to tie the former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell (134). And he needs 801 passing yards to tie Chang’s career mark (17,072).
But more than individual achievements, Keenum has No. 18 Houston looking to become the first Conference USA team to go undefeated in the league since Bobby Petrino’s Louisville team in 2004.
The Cougars are 7-0 over all, and if they can finish the season undefeated they would be the first Conference USA to do so since the 1998 Tulane team led by quarterback Shaun King. (That team had an innovative young offensive coordinator named Rich Rodriguez.)
“The one thing I love about Case is that he shows up when they play big opponents,” King said. “They beat Oklahoma State a few years ago, and I like the fact that he shows up when they play elite teams. Timmy Chang holds a lot of those records, but he was in the right system. Case has really shown up when they’ve played quality opponents.”
Wisconsin and Oklahoma fell from the ranks of the undefeated Saturday night, offering a reminder of how difficult it is to go undefeated in college football.
There are eight undefeated teams left in major college football. And while there are certainly more grueling schedules than the one faced by Houston, Conference USA has often been a vexing league in which to go undefeated. Houston has a chance to finish in the top 10 for the first time since David Klingler’s run-and-shoot team finished No. 10 in 1990.
Houston Coach Kevin Sumlin credited the team’s rallying around Keenum in his return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury as the key to the hot start. He said the Cougars appreciated the records as much as Keenum.
“For us to win, because of our style, it takes protection and guys catching the ball,” Sumlin said by telephone Sunday. “It’s not like you’re chasing a batting title. Football is completely different; people miss that.”
The Cougars run a hurry-up, no-huddle offense in which Keenum jokes that it is his job is to get the ball out of the hands of the slow guy (him) and into the hands of the faster guys. Keenum said their goal was to get as many snaps off as possible. (Sumlin joked that Houston’s only huddles come on the sideline when the defense is on the field.) Keenum said that screens and quick slants doubled as Houston’s running plays, allowing for an efficient and high-energy offense.
It is a system that is working, as Houston leads the nation in passing offense (441.71 yards), scoring offense (49.29 points) and total offense (606.14 yards). Keenum ranks in the top three in passing yards per game, passing efficiency and total offense.
Keenum has the authority to change the play on about half of the Cougars’ snaps. Keenum said he was sharper mentally now after missing a majority of last season with a torn A.C.L. and getting an N.C.A.A. waiver for a sixth year.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Miami’s Defense Flexes Its Muscles in Big Victory
Miami's Lamar Burns went with regard to 93 back yards along with a landing since the Hurricanes battered Absolutely no. 20 Atlanta Technology within an The. D. D. online game.
The state of michigan Condition thirty seven, Wisconsin thirty-one: Spartans Obtain Last Emphasize within Trimming Badgers (Oct twenty three, 2011)
Seth Doege as well as Tx Technology Beat Absolutely no. 3 Okla (Oct twenty three, 2011)
Selection interviews, understanding as well as evaluation in the Occasions about the competitors as well as lifestyle associated with university soccer.
Lamar Burns hurried with regard to 93 back yards along with a rating with regard to Ohio (4-3, 2-2 Ocean Coastline Meeting), that received consecutive video games with regard to the very first time this year.
Miami’s protection had been dominating, keeping the actual Yellow-colored Overcoats a lot more than three hundred back yards as well as almost thirty six factors beneath their own period averages getting into the overall game.
Paul Wayne additionally experienced the landing operate with regard to Ohio, that has outdone Atlanta Technology 3 directly occasions with a mixed rating associated with 92-34.
“Everybody discusses the actual The. D. D. competition or even this particular which, ” Ohio Trainer Ing Gold stated. “I’m attempting to train all of them the procedure. The procedure, whenever it requires traction force, is actually exactly what enables you to earn several video games inside a strip. That’s this. ”
Atlanta Technology (6-2, 3-2) arrived to the actual competition averaging 517 back yards a game title. The actual Yellow-colored Overcoats obtained just 211 upon Sunday, their own cheapest complete because the reduction in order to Iowa within the Lemon Dish following the '09 period.
Within it's final thirty-five video games, Atlanta Technology offers hurried for under two hundred back yards just 3 times, just about all from Sunlight Existence Arena — ninety five from Ohio last year, 143 within the Lemon Dish as well as 134 with this 1.
“It’s irritating each time a person shed, ” stated Atlanta Technology quarterback Tevin Wa, that put with regard to 63 back yards as well as went with regard to thirty six much more — the group higher. “All 7 days lengthy we'd a great strategy in the future away and obtain the triumph. It’s irritating personally simply because Personally i think We allow group lower. ”
Wa put to Nicholas about the Yellow-colored Jackets’ very first unpleasant click from the online game, an error which setup Ohio in the Atlanta Technology fouthy-six. It had been two times as pricey for that Yellow-colored Overcoats, along with middle The author Finch heading down using what seemed to be the leg damage. Finch had been carted from the sideline with regard to assessment.
The actual Hurricanes required 12 performs in order to rating through presently there, quarterback Jacory Harris increasing the actual generate having a 13-yard move in order to Phillip Dorsett upon fourth-and-3 in the 39, as well as Wayne capping this having a 2-yard operate for any 7-0 Ohio guide.
Nicholas’ additional large performs within the very first fifty percent incorporated plenty of bustle, and a lot of assist through Atlanta Technology.
“Something we’re performing ain’t correct, ” Atlanta Technology Trainer John Manley stated.
Yellow-colored Overcoats broad recipient Roddy Jones required the message as well as went thirty four back yards along with four min's 9 mere seconds remaining within the very first one fourth, battling Nicholas away a tad too emphatically going back handful of individuals back yards. Jones had been drawn lower through a good unlawful horse-collar deal with, however he or she additionally obtained their fingertips within Nicholas’s nose and mouth mask whilst stiff-arming the actual Ohio security about the perform. The actual fees and penalties counteract, and also the large obtain had been easily wiped aside.
Along with 10: seventeen remaining within the fifty percent, Nicholas once again discovered themself within the correct location in the correct period with regard to Ohio.
Zach Laskey fallen to get a punt with regard to Atlanta Technology, the actual dishonoured golf ball arriving directly from him or her because he or she was in the 9. He or she attempted to seize this like a horde associated with Hurricanes sprinted towards him or her, misplayed this, and may just view since the soccer held starting the finish area. Nicholas jumped onto it simply after dark objective collection for any landing which place Ohio upward, 14-0.
“On which punt, my personal work is actually to get at the actual golf ball, ” Nicholas stated. “It simply therefore occurred the actual golf ball found me personally. ”
Within the very first fifty percent on it's own, Atlanta Technology unsuccessful on the fake-punt try, experienced the actual interception to assist produce 1 Ohio landing after which the actual taken punt go back to provide the Hurricanes 7 much more factors. Nevertheless, along with 1: 02 remaining within the fifty percent, the actual Yellow-colored Overcoats had been inside 14-7.
The 20-play, 92-yard generate obtained Atlanta Technology about the scoreboard. Wa finished just about all 3 associated with their goes by throughout the convention ownership as well as hurried the actual golf ball 9 occasions with regard to twenty two back yards, such as the 1-yard landing dive.
“We in no way strike any kind of large performs, ” Manley stated. “We experienced the daylights of the generate within the 2nd one fourth to obtain in the overall game, after that all of us quit the actual landing. ”
Travis Benjamin went back again the actual following kickoff forty eight back yards, as well as Harris strike Tommy Streeter having a 32-yard obtain upon very first right down to obtain Ohio towards the Atlanta Technology fourteen.
2 performs later on, Burns went in the center for any landing along with twenty five mere seconds remaining within the fifty percent, rebuilding the actual 14-point cushioning as well as obtaining assist from the closing prevent through safeguard Jon Feliciano.
It had been an expensive special event. Feliciano had been harm leaping close to following the rating, departing the overall game having a lower-leg damage. He or she rejoined their teammates about the sideline past due within the 3rd one fourth, upon crutches as well as putting on the strolling trunk upon their remaining ankle joint. A good X-ray had been damaging, however Gold wasn't certain of Feliciano’s standing.
The state of michigan Condition thirty seven, Wisconsin thirty-one: Spartans Obtain Last Emphasize within Trimming Badgers (Oct twenty three, 2011)
Seth Doege as well as Tx Technology Beat Absolutely no. 3 Okla (Oct twenty three, 2011)
Selection interviews, understanding as well as evaluation in the Occasions about the competitors as well as lifestyle associated with university soccer.
Lamar Burns hurried with regard to 93 back yards along with a rating with regard to Ohio (4-3, 2-2 Ocean Coastline Meeting), that received consecutive video games with regard to the very first time this year.
Miami’s protection had been dominating, keeping the actual Yellow-colored Overcoats a lot more than three hundred back yards as well as almost thirty six factors beneath their own period averages getting into the overall game.
Paul Wayne additionally experienced the landing operate with regard to Ohio, that has outdone Atlanta Technology 3 directly occasions with a mixed rating associated with 92-34.
“Everybody discusses the actual The. D. D. competition or even this particular which, ” Ohio Trainer Ing Gold stated. “I’m attempting to train all of them the procedure. The procedure, whenever it requires traction force, is actually exactly what enables you to earn several video games inside a strip. That’s this. ”
Atlanta Technology (6-2, 3-2) arrived to the actual competition averaging 517 back yards a game title. The actual Yellow-colored Overcoats obtained just 211 upon Sunday, their own cheapest complete because the reduction in order to Iowa within the Lemon Dish following the '09 period.
Within it's final thirty-five video games, Atlanta Technology offers hurried for under two hundred back yards just 3 times, just about all from Sunlight Existence Arena — ninety five from Ohio last year, 143 within the Lemon Dish as well as 134 with this 1.
“It’s irritating each time a person shed, ” stated Atlanta Technology quarterback Tevin Wa, that put with regard to 63 back yards as well as went with regard to thirty six much more — the group higher. “All 7 days lengthy we'd a great strategy in the future away and obtain the triumph. It’s irritating personally simply because Personally i think We allow group lower. ”
Wa put to Nicholas about the Yellow-colored Jackets’ very first unpleasant click from the online game, an error which setup Ohio in the Atlanta Technology fouthy-six. It had been two times as pricey for that Yellow-colored Overcoats, along with middle The author Finch heading down using what seemed to be the leg damage. Finch had been carted from the sideline with regard to assessment.
The actual Hurricanes required 12 performs in order to rating through presently there, quarterback Jacory Harris increasing the actual generate having a 13-yard move in order to Phillip Dorsett upon fourth-and-3 in the 39, as well as Wayne capping this having a 2-yard operate for any 7-0 Ohio guide.
Nicholas’ additional large performs within the very first fifty percent incorporated plenty of bustle, and a lot of assist through Atlanta Technology.
“Something we’re performing ain’t correct, ” Atlanta Technology Trainer John Manley stated.
Yellow-colored Overcoats broad recipient Roddy Jones required the message as well as went thirty four back yards along with four min's 9 mere seconds remaining within the very first one fourth, battling Nicholas away a tad too emphatically going back handful of individuals back yards. Jones had been drawn lower through a good unlawful horse-collar deal with, however he or she additionally obtained their fingertips within Nicholas’s nose and mouth mask whilst stiff-arming the actual Ohio security about the perform. The actual fees and penalties counteract, and also the large obtain had been easily wiped aside.
Along with 10: seventeen remaining within the fifty percent, Nicholas once again discovered themself within the correct location in the correct period with regard to Ohio.
Zach Laskey fallen to get a punt with regard to Atlanta Technology, the actual dishonoured golf ball arriving directly from him or her because he or she was in the 9. He or she attempted to seize this like a horde associated with Hurricanes sprinted towards him or her, misplayed this, and may just view since the soccer held starting the finish area. Nicholas jumped onto it simply after dark objective collection for any landing which place Ohio upward, 14-0.
“On which punt, my personal work is actually to get at the actual golf ball, ” Nicholas stated. “It simply therefore occurred the actual golf ball found me personally. ”
Within the very first fifty percent on it's own, Atlanta Technology unsuccessful on the fake-punt try, experienced the actual interception to assist produce 1 Ohio landing after which the actual taken punt go back to provide the Hurricanes 7 much more factors. Nevertheless, along with 1: 02 remaining within the fifty percent, the actual Yellow-colored Overcoats had been inside 14-7.
The 20-play, 92-yard generate obtained Atlanta Technology about the scoreboard. Wa finished just about all 3 associated with their goes by throughout the convention ownership as well as hurried the actual golf ball 9 occasions with regard to twenty two back yards, such as the 1-yard landing dive.
“We in no way strike any kind of large performs, ” Manley stated. “We experienced the daylights of the generate within the 2nd one fourth to obtain in the overall game, after that all of us quit the actual landing. ”
Travis Benjamin went back again the actual following kickoff forty eight back yards, as well as Harris strike Tommy Streeter having a 32-yard obtain upon very first right down to obtain Ohio towards the Atlanta Technology fourteen.
2 performs later on, Burns went in the center for any landing along with twenty five mere seconds remaining within the fifty percent, rebuilding the actual 14-point cushioning as well as obtaining assist from the closing prevent through safeguard Jon Feliciano.
It had been an expensive special event. Feliciano had been harm leaping close to following the rating, departing the overall game having a lower-leg damage. He or she rejoined their teammates about the sideline past due within the 3rd one fourth, upon crutches as well as putting on the strolling trunk upon their remaining ankle joint. A good X-ray had been damaging, however Gold wasn't certain of Feliciano’s standing.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Missouri Moves Closer to Joining SEC
The University of Missouri is heading down a path to join the Southeastern Conference, said a university official with direct knowledge of the situation.
The person said that Missouri’s decision to apply for membership to the SEC was “inevitable and imminent,” although a specific timeframe has yet to be set. Missouri’s Board of Curators will meet on Thursday and Friday at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where the process of withdrawing from the Big 12 and applying to the SEC is expected to begin. Expansion is not listed on the agenda, but there is a private session scheduled Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
After it applies, the person said that Missouri expected “no problems” with gathering enough votes among SEC presidents for it to become a member.
Although the interim Big 12 commissioner, Chuck Neinas, said last week that he expected Missouri to play in the Big 12 still in 2012, it was possible that it could start play in the SEC as early as next year. Missouri would become the SEC’s 14th member; the league added Texas A&M in September. The SEC would prefer 14 members, as scheduling is a much simpler process with two seven-team divisions.
It is expected that the SEC presidents will tie the same caveat about legal entanglements to Missouri’s application that they did to Texas A&M’s. The SEC has made it clear that it wants no part of any legal problems, which held up Texas A&M’s admission for more than a month.
Missouri has emerged as an unlikely linchpin in expansion, considering it has never won a Big 12 title in football. But the futures of the Big 12, the SEC and the Big East were tied to Missouri’s decision.
This news dampens some optimism for the Big East, which appeared to be gaining momentum toward reviving its football fortunes. The exits of Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Texas Christian have the league struggling for survival, and Louisville and West Virginia are considered strong candidates, along with Brigham Young, for Big 12 expansion.
The Big East has made it clear that it would like to add Boise State, Air Force and Navy in football and Central Florida, Southern Methodist and Houston in all sports. The potential problem for the Big East is that it needs stability to remain attractive to potential new members.
Neinas said recently that if Missouri left, the Big 12 would settle at 10 or 12 teams. The Big 12 chairman Burns Hargis, the president of Oklahoma State, said Saturday that he would prefer a 12-team league, but acknowledged that his preference might not matter.
The loss of Missouri would leave Big 12 membership at nine, meaning a likely expansion of one or three universities, prompting more uncertainty and shuffling on the collegiate landscape.
The person said that Missouri’s decision to apply for membership to the SEC was “inevitable and imminent,” although a specific timeframe has yet to be set. Missouri’s Board of Curators will meet on Thursday and Friday at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where the process of withdrawing from the Big 12 and applying to the SEC is expected to begin. Expansion is not listed on the agenda, but there is a private session scheduled Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
After it applies, the person said that Missouri expected “no problems” with gathering enough votes among SEC presidents for it to become a member.
Although the interim Big 12 commissioner, Chuck Neinas, said last week that he expected Missouri to play in the Big 12 still in 2012, it was possible that it could start play in the SEC as early as next year. Missouri would become the SEC’s 14th member; the league added Texas A&M in September. The SEC would prefer 14 members, as scheduling is a much simpler process with two seven-team divisions.
It is expected that the SEC presidents will tie the same caveat about legal entanglements to Missouri’s application that they did to Texas A&M’s. The SEC has made it clear that it wants no part of any legal problems, which held up Texas A&M’s admission for more than a month.
Missouri has emerged as an unlikely linchpin in expansion, considering it has never won a Big 12 title in football. But the futures of the Big 12, the SEC and the Big East were tied to Missouri’s decision.
This news dampens some optimism for the Big East, which appeared to be gaining momentum toward reviving its football fortunes. The exits of Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Texas Christian have the league struggling for survival, and Louisville and West Virginia are considered strong candidates, along with Brigham Young, for Big 12 expansion.
The Big East has made it clear that it would like to add Boise State, Air Force and Navy in football and Central Florida, Southern Methodist and Houston in all sports. The potential problem for the Big East is that it needs stability to remain attractive to potential new members.
Neinas said recently that if Missouri left, the Big 12 would settle at 10 or 12 teams. The Big 12 chairman Burns Hargis, the president of Oklahoma State, said Saturday that he would prefer a 12-team league, but acknowledged that his preference might not matter.
The loss of Missouri would leave Big 12 membership at nine, meaning a likely expansion of one or three universities, prompting more uncertainty and shuffling on the collegiate landscape.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Texas-Texas A&M Rivalry Won't Continue Next Season
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — This Thanksgiving one of college football's oldest and most storied rivalries will be put on indefinite hold when Texas and Texas A&M meet for the last time as Big 12 foes.
The Aggies wanted to continue the series when they left for the Southeastern Conference in July, but the Longhorns told the Aggies that their non-conference schedule is full through 2018.
These schools, separated by just 105 miles, first met in 1894 and have played every year since 1915. It is usually the last regular-season game for both teams and is an event that people in the state and beyond watch as a holiday tradition.
Former A&M star defensive end-linebacker Von Miller, the second overall pick in this year's NFL draft by Denver, was at Kyle Field on Saturday as an honorary captain for the Aggies' game against Baylor. He lamented the loss of the game against Texas as he stood on the field waiting to watch the Aggies play the Bears.
"I think it's a big loss for college football in general," he said. "That was one of the games that a lot of people look forward to watching on Thanksgiving, and it's just unfortunate."
Scores of key moments from the football histories of both schools are tied to the game.
Former Texas A&M coach Paul "Bear" Bryant's 1954 team, which survived his grueling camp in Junction, Texas, played the Longhorns. Texas A&M's only Heisman Trophy winner, John David Crow, was a member of the first Aggie team to beat Texas at Memorial Stadium in 1956. It was against the Aggies in 1998 that the Longhorns' Ricky Williams broke the Division I-A career rushing record in a 26-24 win.
Earl Campbell, who also won the Heisman, had the best game of his Texas career against the Aggies when he ran for 222 yards and three touchdowns, and scored on a 60-yard pass in a 57-28 win by the Longhorns in 1977.
Some, like Texas A&M sophomore Travis Straub, are mad at the Longhorns for not accommodating Texas A&M. Straub is already looking ahead to this year's game against Texas, and he wore a shirt with the date of the game emblazoned on the back in large, maroon block letters on Saturday.
"I just think they need to get over their pride because they can be pretty arrogant sometimes," Straub said. "It's their loss, not ours."
But Texas graduate Anne Finley said it really isn't the Longhorns' fault.
"I blame A&M," Finley said before Texas played Oklahoma State on Saturday. "They're the ones leaving."
Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin, who led the charge for the Aggies to move to the SEC, has been vocal about his desire to continue playing Texas throughout the conference realignment process.
"We're able to accommodate them anytime they want to make that happen," he said of the rivalry. "It's their choice, obviously, if they don't want to do that, and I have to respect that choice, but it will be a loss to both of us and the state of Texas."
Loftin pointed out that most states have key instate rivalry games that take place each season despite conference boundaries.
Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds emailed Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne late last week to tell him the Longhorns couldn't fit A&M into their schedule through 2018.
"What we have right now is a full schedule, but if any future options are available, the decision will not be made by just one person," Dodds said in a statement.
Loftin hopes they can renew the rivalry when Texas has room on its schedule.
"It's open at any time," Loftin said. "There's no doubt in our minds to accommodate this kind of game at any time now or in the future."
One Longhorns fan thinks a new team could take the place of A&M as the team's archrival.
"Down the road we'll probably play the Aggies off and on like we do Arkansas, but it won't be the same," said J.B. Chimene, a Texas alumnus and Austin resident who was taking his son Coby to the game against Oklahoma State. "I think we'll pick up some other rivalry for this century."
One bright spot for some fans of this game is that if the teams eventually meet again, it will likely add to the intensity of the matchup.
"We've been playing those guys over 100 years, so hopefully we'll get to get back at it again. When we do, it will be a huge game," Miller said.
AP Sports Writer Jim Vertuno and AP freelancer Will Anderson contributed to this story from Austin, Texas.
The Aggies wanted to continue the series when they left for the Southeastern Conference in July, but the Longhorns told the Aggies that their non-conference schedule is full through 2018.
These schools, separated by just 105 miles, first met in 1894 and have played every year since 1915. It is usually the last regular-season game for both teams and is an event that people in the state and beyond watch as a holiday tradition.
Former A&M star defensive end-linebacker Von Miller, the second overall pick in this year's NFL draft by Denver, was at Kyle Field on Saturday as an honorary captain for the Aggies' game against Baylor. He lamented the loss of the game against Texas as he stood on the field waiting to watch the Aggies play the Bears.
"I think it's a big loss for college football in general," he said. "That was one of the games that a lot of people look forward to watching on Thanksgiving, and it's just unfortunate."
Scores of key moments from the football histories of both schools are tied to the game.
Former Texas A&M coach Paul "Bear" Bryant's 1954 team, which survived his grueling camp in Junction, Texas, played the Longhorns. Texas A&M's only Heisman Trophy winner, John David Crow, was a member of the first Aggie team to beat Texas at Memorial Stadium in 1956. It was against the Aggies in 1998 that the Longhorns' Ricky Williams broke the Division I-A career rushing record in a 26-24 win.
Earl Campbell, who also won the Heisman, had the best game of his Texas career against the Aggies when he ran for 222 yards and three touchdowns, and scored on a 60-yard pass in a 57-28 win by the Longhorns in 1977.
Some, like Texas A&M sophomore Travis Straub, are mad at the Longhorns for not accommodating Texas A&M. Straub is already looking ahead to this year's game against Texas, and he wore a shirt with the date of the game emblazoned on the back in large, maroon block letters on Saturday.
"I just think they need to get over their pride because they can be pretty arrogant sometimes," Straub said. "It's their loss, not ours."
But Texas graduate Anne Finley said it really isn't the Longhorns' fault.
"I blame A&M," Finley said before Texas played Oklahoma State on Saturday. "They're the ones leaving."
Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin, who led the charge for the Aggies to move to the SEC, has been vocal about his desire to continue playing Texas throughout the conference realignment process.
"We're able to accommodate them anytime they want to make that happen," he said of the rivalry. "It's their choice, obviously, if they don't want to do that, and I have to respect that choice, but it will be a loss to both of us and the state of Texas."
Loftin pointed out that most states have key instate rivalry games that take place each season despite conference boundaries.
Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds emailed Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne late last week to tell him the Longhorns couldn't fit A&M into their schedule through 2018.
"What we have right now is a full schedule, but if any future options are available, the decision will not be made by just one person," Dodds said in a statement.
Loftin hopes they can renew the rivalry when Texas has room on its schedule.
"It's open at any time," Loftin said. "There's no doubt in our minds to accommodate this kind of game at any time now or in the future."
One Longhorns fan thinks a new team could take the place of A&M as the team's archrival.
"Down the road we'll probably play the Aggies off and on like we do Arkansas, but it won't be the same," said J.B. Chimene, a Texas alumnus and Austin resident who was taking his son Coby to the game against Oklahoma State. "I think we'll pick up some other rivalry for this century."
One bright spot for some fans of this game is that if the teams eventually meet again, it will likely add to the intensity of the matchup.
"We've been playing those guys over 100 years, so hopefully we'll get to get back at it again. When we do, it will be a huge game," Miller said.
AP Sports Writer Jim Vertuno and AP freelancer Will Anderson contributed to this story from Austin, Texas.
Monday, October 17, 2011
CFL penalties 8 gamers with regard to on-field occurrences
A good undisciplined weekend break offers price 8 Canadian Soccer Category gamers.
The actual CFL introduced penalties from the gamers Thursday with regard to on-field occurrences within 2 associated with final weekend's video games.
Bodily perform within the Lions' 33-24 conquer the actual Edmonton Eskimos in the re-opening associated with W. D. Location Arena upon Fri led to a number of penalties.
W. D. protective lineman Khalif Mitchell had been disciplined for any helmet-to-helmet strike upon Eskimos' operating back again Jerome Messam.
Messam had been thrown in the online game within the 4th one fourth, as well as consequently fined, with regard to tossing the strike from Lions' protective back again Korey Banking institutions.
Banking institutions had been additionally fined together with teammates Solomon Elimimian, Little bit Kornegay as well as Dante Marsh for his or her functions within the altercation.
Tiger-Cats unpleasant lineman Belton Manley had been punished for any lower-leg mix with an challenger within Hamilton's 27-12 triumph within the Toronto Argonauts upon Sunday.
Argos protective lineman Roublesome Foley had been fined to have an unlawful strike, that resulted in their ejection, for the reason that exact same online game.
The actual CFL doesn't reveal the quantity of participant penalties. The most good the actual category might garnishment towards a person is actually 1 / 2 of a game title check, based on the CFL's group bargaining contract.
The actual CFL introduced penalties from the gamers Thursday with regard to on-field occurrences within 2 associated with final weekend's video games.
Bodily perform within the Lions' 33-24 conquer the actual Edmonton Eskimos in the re-opening associated with W. D. Location Arena upon Fri led to a number of penalties.
W. D. protective lineman Khalif Mitchell had been disciplined for any helmet-to-helmet strike upon Eskimos' operating back again Jerome Messam.
Messam had been thrown in the online game within the 4th one fourth, as well as consequently fined, with regard to tossing the strike from Lions' protective back again Korey Banking institutions.
Banking institutions had been additionally fined together with teammates Solomon Elimimian, Little bit Kornegay as well as Dante Marsh for his or her functions within the altercation.
Tiger-Cats unpleasant lineman Belton Manley had been punished for any lower-leg mix with an challenger within Hamilton's 27-12 triumph within the Toronto Argonauts upon Sunday.
Argos protective lineman Roublesome Foley had been fined to have an unlawful strike, that resulted in their ejection, for the reason that exact same online game.
The actual CFL doesn't reveal the quantity of participant penalties. The most good the actual category might garnishment towards a person is actually 1 / 2 of a game title check, based on the CFL's group bargaining contract.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Tiger-Cats letting fans call 1st play
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are handing it off to their fans.
The Ticats are letting their supporters choose the first play they run Friday night at Ivor Wynne Stadium against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Fans were given a choice of four running and four passing plays listed on the Ticats' website with an explanation from offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones.
Some Ticats players have been skeptical of the promotion. But head coach Marcel
Bellefeuille signed off on it during the off-season.
The Ticats are letting their supporters choose the first play they run Friday night at Ivor Wynne Stadium against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Fans were given a choice of four running and four passing plays listed on the Ticats' website with an explanation from offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones.
Some Ticats players have been skeptical of the promotion. But head coach Marcel
Bellefeuille signed off on it during the off-season.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Tiger-Cats letting fans call 1st play
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are handing it off to their fans.
The Ticats are letting their supporters choose the first play they run Friday night at Ivor Wynne Stadium against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Fans were given a choice of four running and four passing plays listed on the Ticats' website with an explanation from offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones.
Some Ticats players have been skeptical of the promotion. But head coach Marcel Bellefeuille signed off on it during the off-season.
The Ticats are letting their supporters choose the first play they run Friday night at Ivor Wynne Stadium against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Fans were given a choice of four running and four passing plays listed on the Ticats' website with an explanation from offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones.
Some Ticats players have been skeptical of the promotion. But head coach Marcel Bellefeuille signed off on it during the off-season.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Confident Ticats welcome Blue Bombers
Hamilton's Stevie Baggs wants Winnipeg to know that Steeltown's got some swagger, too.
"Here's the deal. I'm going to put it out there," the Tiger-Cats defensive end said only half-jokingly.
"Don't just look at the sacks for this season. Look at the tackles, sacks, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, interceptions, touchdowns, special team tackles. I'm talking about an all-round football player and I'm talking about Shakespeare."
Baggs, or "Shakespeare," was being egged on by Winnipeg media Thursday as the former Blue Bomber tried to make a case for being the best defensive end in the league.
Baggs later suggested with a big smile that reporters do their research and ask other coaches around the league.
The Ticats and the Bombers meet Friday night at Ivor Wynne Stadium with a share of second place in the East Division on the line. Winnipeg comes in with an 8-5 record and a hurting starting quarterback in Buck Pierce, who missed last week's game against Montreal — a 32-26 loss — with sore ribs.
That prompted the question of what goes through Baggs' mind when faced with the prospect of playing against a hurt quarterback.
"Finger-licking good," Baggs responded, continuing the show while licking his fingers in front of the smiling scrum of reporters.
"You don't play this game to hurt anyone," he quickly added. "On a serious note, that's the main thing. We play this game fair. We play it aggressive, but fair and we're not out to hurt anyone."
Pierce was not impressed when those same Winnipeg reporters recounted the story.
"I'm not having my radar set to Stevie Baggs in any aspect at all," he said. I'm going out there to execute my game plan and we're not too worried about him."
And he wasn't surprised by Baggs' self-confidence.
"We expect nothing less of him to say that," he said. "We'll see. I'll give him credit. He's a good player. He's a good defensive end. He gets upfield. He makes plays. But leave it on the field. I think our guys up front, I think we still lead the league in sacks, don't we? So I'd put my vote in for our guys."
"I have so much respect for that defence," Hamilton head coach Marcel Bellefeuille said. "First of all, they rush the passer well. But I think, more importantly, they play at an intensity level that other teams, week in and week out, other teams have a hard time matching it."
Winnipeg's turnover ratio, at a league-leading plus-14, has also been a large reason for their success, he added.
The last time these two teams played was August 26 when Winnipeg beat Hamilton 30-27. But the Bombers have lost four of their last five games, all since Labour Day, and now head into Hamilton hurting. Aside from Pierce, who will start, they've lost all-star running back Fred Reid and linebacker Joe Lobendahn, among others, for the season due to injury.
Bomber head coach Paul LaPolice said getting a win wouldn't just mean putting some space between Winnipeg and Hamilton in the standings. He wants his team to get back on track, despite the injuries.
"The first thing is you try not to make excuses [about the injuries] and then you just say, 'Alright, let's get a game plan to win,"' he said.
Marcus Thigpen moved to slotback in order to make room for Grant, and had two touchdown receptions against Calgary.
"They've got a lot of good speed on the field so you have to make sure you wrap them up and don't let them break tackles," said LaPolice.
Winnipeg has already won the season series against the Ticats, having also won the season opener 24-16 on Canada Day, and that will have playoff implications should the two teams finished tied.
Hamilton took leads into the fourth quarter in both games, and while Ticats such as quarterback Kevin Glenn and receiver Chris Williams have downplayed any suggestion that they seek revenge for letting two victories slip away, Baggs talks a different story.
"Is a pig pork?" he responded when asked if he felt Hamilton "owed" Winnipeg a loss. "Of course, we owe them one. They got two wins on us this season. Is a cow beef? Yeah, we owe them one no question. I mean that's the name of the game, man. To win, and they have two wins. We have zero on them, so we can't let them sweep us.
"It's imperative for us to come out here and just do what the coaches have asked of us and that's pay attention to detail, play physical, run to the ball and everything else will happen."
"Here's the deal. I'm going to put it out there," the Tiger-Cats defensive end said only half-jokingly.
"Don't just look at the sacks for this season. Look at the tackles, sacks, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, interceptions, touchdowns, special team tackles. I'm talking about an all-round football player and I'm talking about Shakespeare."
Baggs, or "Shakespeare," was being egged on by Winnipeg media Thursday as the former Blue Bomber tried to make a case for being the best defensive end in the league.
Baggs later suggested with a big smile that reporters do their research and ask other coaches around the league.
The Ticats and the Bombers meet Friday night at Ivor Wynne Stadium with a share of second place in the East Division on the line. Winnipeg comes in with an 8-5 record and a hurting starting quarterback in Buck Pierce, who missed last week's game against Montreal — a 32-26 loss — with sore ribs.
That prompted the question of what goes through Baggs' mind when faced with the prospect of playing against a hurt quarterback.
"Finger-licking good," Baggs responded, continuing the show while licking his fingers in front of the smiling scrum of reporters.
"You don't play this game to hurt anyone," he quickly added. "On a serious note, that's the main thing. We play this game fair. We play it aggressive, but fair and we're not out to hurt anyone."
Pierce was not impressed when those same Winnipeg reporters recounted the story.
"I'm not having my radar set to Stevie Baggs in any aspect at all," he said. I'm going out there to execute my game plan and we're not too worried about him."
And he wasn't surprised by Baggs' self-confidence.
"We expect nothing less of him to say that," he said. "We'll see. I'll give him credit. He's a good player. He's a good defensive end. He gets upfield. He makes plays. But leave it on the field. I think our guys up front, I think we still lead the league in sacks, don't we? So I'd put my vote in for our guys."
Defence still strong
He has a point. Winnipeg's defence is still a formidable force and continues to be one of the league leaders, especially against the pass, where they lead the CFL in average yards passing allowed per game (236.5) and lowest percentage of pass completions (56.8 per cent). They also have the most interceptions (17) and the most quarterback sacks (41)."I have so much respect for that defence," Hamilton head coach Marcel Bellefeuille said. "First of all, they rush the passer well. But I think, more importantly, they play at an intensity level that other teams, week in and week out, other teams have a hard time matching it."
Winnipeg's turnover ratio, at a league-leading plus-14, has also been a large reason for their success, he added.
The last time these two teams played was August 26 when Winnipeg beat Hamilton 30-27. But the Bombers have lost four of their last five games, all since Labour Day, and now head into Hamilton hurting. Aside from Pierce, who will start, they've lost all-star running back Fred Reid and linebacker Joe Lobendahn, among others, for the season due to injury.
Bomber head coach Paul LaPolice said getting a win wouldn't just mean putting some space between Winnipeg and Hamilton in the standings. He wants his team to get back on track, despite the injuries.
"The first thing is you try not to make excuses [about the injuries] and then you just say, 'Alright, let's get a game plan to win,"' he said.
Tiger-Cats' new backfield
Meanwhile, Hamilton (7-6) has won two straight and has a new backfield tandem — Terry Grant was placed on the roster two games ago to join veteran Avon Cobourne. Grant had one rushing TD and caught another against Calgary in Moncton. Then last week he rushed for 115 yards and one TD against Toronto.Marcus Thigpen moved to slotback in order to make room for Grant, and had two touchdown receptions against Calgary.
"They've got a lot of good speed on the field so you have to make sure you wrap them up and don't let them break tackles," said LaPolice.
Winnipeg has already won the season series against the Ticats, having also won the season opener 24-16 on Canada Day, and that will have playoff implications should the two teams finished tied.
Hamilton took leads into the fourth quarter in both games, and while Ticats such as quarterback Kevin Glenn and receiver Chris Williams have downplayed any suggestion that they seek revenge for letting two victories slip away, Baggs talks a different story.
"Is a pig pork?" he responded when asked if he felt Hamilton "owed" Winnipeg a loss. "Of course, we owe them one. They got two wins on us this season. Is a cow beef? Yeah, we owe them one no question. I mean that's the name of the game, man. To win, and they have two wins. We have zero on them, so we can't let them sweep us.
"It's imperative for us to come out here and just do what the coaches have asked of us and that's pay attention to detail, play physical, run to the ball and everything else will happen."
Thursday, October 6, 2011
CFL fines 8 players for on-field incidents
An undisciplined weekend has cost eight Canadian Football League players.
The CFL announced fines against the players Wednesday for on-field incidents in two of last weekend's games.
Physical play in the Lions' 33-24 win over the Edmonton Eskimos at the re-opening of B.C. Place Stadium on Friday resulted in several fines.
B.C. defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell was punished for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Eskimos' running back Jerome Messam.
Messam was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter, and subsequently fined, for throwing a punch at Lions' defensive back Korey Banks.
Banks was also fined along with teammates Solomon Elimimian, Tad Kornegay and Dante Marsh for their roles in the altercation.
Tiger-Cats offensive lineman Belton Johnson was penalized for a leg whip on an opponent in Hamilton's 27-12 victory over the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday.
Argos defensive lineman Ricky Foley was fined for an illegal hit, which led to his ejection, in that same game.
The CFL does not disclose the amount of player fines. The maximum fine the league may levy against a player is half of a game cheque, according to the CFL's collective bargaining agreement.
The CFL announced fines against the players Wednesday for on-field incidents in two of last weekend's games.
Physical play in the Lions' 33-24 win over the Edmonton Eskimos at the re-opening of B.C. Place Stadium on Friday resulted in several fines.
B.C. defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell was punished for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Eskimos' running back Jerome Messam.
Messam was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter, and subsequently fined, for throwing a punch at Lions' defensive back Korey Banks.
Banks was also fined along with teammates Solomon Elimimian, Tad Kornegay and Dante Marsh for their roles in the altercation.
Tiger-Cats offensive lineman Belton Johnson was penalized for a leg whip on an opponent in Hamilton's 27-12 victory over the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday.
Argos defensive lineman Ricky Foley was fined for an illegal hit, which led to his ejection, in that same game.
The CFL does not disclose the amount of player fines. The maximum fine the league may levy against a player is half of a game cheque, according to the CFL's collective bargaining agreement.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Steelers' Roethlisberger OK for Week Five
Ben Roethlisberger's left foot is good enough to play. James Harrison's right eye is not, and he'll need surgery.
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he expects Roethlisberger to be under centre when his struggling team faces surging Tennessee on Sunday at Heinz Field.
Roethlisberger sprained his left foot in the fourth quarter of a 17-10 loss to Houston. An MRI on Monday revealed no significant damage but Tomlin said his quarterback could be limited early in the week.
However, Harrison will be out indefinitely after fracturing the orbital bone in his right eye. He'll have surgery this week, and there is no timetable for his return.
Lawrence Timmons will start in Harrison's spot at outside linebacker, with veteran Larry Foote replacing Timmons at inside linebacker.
Roethlisberger sprained his left foot in the fourth quarter of a 17-10 loss to Houston. An MRI on Monday revealed no significant damage but Tomlin said his quarterback could be limited early in the week.
However, Harrison will be out indefinitely after fracturing the orbital bone in his right eye. He'll have surgery this week, and there is no timetable for his return.
Lawrence Timmons will start in Harrison's spot at outside linebacker, with veteran Larry Foote replacing Timmons at inside linebacker.
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