Tucker Sargent's Sports Blog

AHSAA Super Six Live: Class 3A Madison Academy vs. Handley

2011-12-01T09:27:00.000-08:00

Looks like a great day for high school football in Tuscaloosa.

Madison Academy, from Madison, Ala., represents the north, while Handley, from Roanoke, Ala., represents the south.

By the looks of things, MadAcad should have a speed advantage, but Handley's a lot bigger.

UPDATE 1:36: Handley's Duran Zachary receives the Class 3A State Championship MVP award.

UPDATE 1:30: Final stats: Total yards Handley 268, Madison Academy 324. Rush yards Handley 268, Madison Academy 188. Pass yards Handley 0, Madison Academy 136. Third down conversions Handley 8-14, Madison Academy 3-10. Handley wins it 20-14.

UPDATE 1:28: Olive drops back on the final play, is pressured, throws off his back foot and the pass is caught at the endzone by Kerryon Johnson, but he is out of bounds. Game over. Handley wins the 2011 Class 3A State Championship 20-14. It's the school's first since 1955. Handley didn't lead until they went ahead with under a minute left.

UPDATE 1:27: Screen pass to Kerryon Johnson gets the ball down to the 13. 5 seconds to go, and MadAcad takes its final timeout. One play left here for the Mustangs to try to tie it. They're down 20-14.

UPDATE 1:26: With false start penalty, MadAcad drops back to the Handley 22.

UPDATE 1:26: On 2nd down, Madison Academy completes a long pass to the Handley 17. 1st and 10 now with 18 seconds left in the game.

UPDATE 1:24: Handley squib kicks it to the MadAcad 45, where the 'Stangs will take over, down 20-14 with 41 seconds left.

UPDATE 1:22: TOUCHDOWN TIGERS! What a thriller here today. A fullback belly play over the right guard gives Handley the lead now, 19-14, and it kicks the extra point to go up 20-14. ANOTHER questionable call by Mike Battles of Handley. Why not go for two there to give your team a 7-point lead? 42 seconds remain for MadAcad.

UPDATE 1:21: Aquarius Hunter gets down near the goalline on 2nd and Goal. It's 3rd and Goal now inside the 1-yard line. MadAcad coach Eric Cohu calls a timeout. MadAcad leads 14-13 with 45 seconds left.

UPDATE 1:20: DeJuan Berry takes it for another Handley 1st down. This time it's 1st and Goal at the MadAcad 9.

UPDATE 1:19: 2nd and 8, Aquarius Hunter takes it to the MadAcad 24. On 3rd down, Tigers pick up the 1st down to the MadAcad 19.

UPDATE 1:18: 1st down for Handley on three straight run plays. 2:43 left. Tigers at the MadAcad 30.

UPDATE 1:17: Onside kick is recovered by the Tigers' DeJuan Clark. If Handley wins this one should he get the game ball? 3:31 left. Handley ball, down 14-13.

UPDATE 1:16: Handley will onside kick it here.

UPDATE 1:14: MadAcad stops Handley's two-point conversion attempt. Still 14-13 'Stangs now with 3:53 to go in the game.

UPDATE 1:12: Duran Zachery rumbles up the middle, takes it 25 yards to the endzone for the Handley touchdown. It's 14-13 now. Another scratch-your-head move now by Handley. It uses its second timeout. The Tigers will go for it here.

UPDATE 1:11: Quay Hunter takes it four yards around the right end from the Wildcat to bring up 3rd and 6 for Handley.

UPDATE 1:10: Another questionable move by Handley coach Mike Battles concerning timeouts. He takes one after an incomplete pass on 1st down.

UPDATE 1:07: Olive's pass incomplete to bring up 4th down for MadAcad. The 'Stangs will punt from their own endzone. Handley returns it to the MadAcad 31-yard line.
4:37 left in this one, and the Tigers are still down 14-7.

UPDATE 1:07: MadAcad runs it two straight times for minimal gains. It's 3rd and 8 at the MadAcad 7.

UPDATE 1:04: Handley runs a toss to the left and is stopped just short of the 1st down. MadAcad takes over at its own 5 up 14-7 with 6:11 left in the 4th.

UPDATE 1:03: Handley picks up three yards on 3rd and 6. It's 4th and 3 now for Handley, and you know the Tigers will go for it here, down 14-7 with 6:18 left in the 4th.

UPDATE 1:01: 3rd and 6 coming up for Handley at the MadAcad 8.

UPDATE 1:00: Aquarius Hunter takes it over the right side on 3rd and 4 and picks up the first down to the MadAcad 14.

UPDATE 12:58: Another Handley first down to the MadAcad 25. 9 minutes left to play. MadAcad leads 14-7.

UPDATE 12:57: Handley finally turning it on with the ground game. Quay Hunter picks up another first down to the MadAcad 37.

UPDATE 12:55: Handley picks up a first down on the ground. Now the Tigers are driving. They're at their own 45. Note: MadAcad linebacker Taylor Ziak goes down with injury on the play.

UPDATE 12:52: MadAcad fakes the reverse, Hunter Olive keeps it and runs around left end but steps out short of the 1st down. Handley takes over now, down 14-7 at its own 35.

UPDATE 12:51: Coach Eric Cohu of Madison Academy takes a timeout. They've had success on 4th down today, but we'll see what happens in a moment.

UPDATE 12:50: 3rd and 3 for MadAcad, pass complete to Nick Haas over the left side, but it's out of bounds. 4th and 3 and MadAcad will go for it here.

UPDATE 12:47: We're heading to the 4th quarter. MadAcad leads Handley 14-7. 2nd and 13 coming up for MadAcad at the Handley 43 after a false start penalty on 1st down.

UPDATE 12:45: Play action pass by Hunter Olive complete to Nick Haas to the Handley 40 for another 1st down. 25 seconds left in 3rd.

UPDATE 12:44: MadAcad picks up a first down over its own 40. Driving now, 1:47 left in 3rd quarter. MadAcad up 14-7.

UPDATE 12:41: Another three and out for Handley. Not looking good for the Tigers. They punt again, down 14-7.

UPDATE 12:35: Lead run off left tackle to Kerryon Johnson, spins and takes off for 24 yards for the MadAcad touchdown. It's 14-7 Mustangs with 5:33 left in the 3rd.

UPDATE 12:34: 3rd and 1 now for MadAcad at the Handley 24.

UPDATE 12:33: MadAcad didn't have to go for it after all. An offsides penalty by Handley gives the 'Stangs a 1st down at the Handley 33.

UPDATE 12:31: Kerryon Johnson takes it up the middle. He's just short of the first down, and the chains came out and said so. MadAcad will go for it on 4th and short at the Handley 38. We're still tied at 7 with 7:32 left in the 3rd.

UPDATE 12:30: Hunter Olive pass complete to Marcus Sease to the Handley 40. 3rd and 3.

UPDATE 12:29: Kyle Jackson takes it up the middle on 2nd and 13, bounces to the right side and runs 40 yards to the Handley 47. 1st and 10 for the 'Stangs.

UPDATE 12:27: Not a good start for MadAcad on offense to start the second half, either. False start on Marcus Sease puts the ball at the MadAcad 9. 1st and 15.

UPDATE 12:25: Handley goes three and out. Will punt from its own 45. Good punt sends MadAcad's Kerryon Johnson all the way back to his own 14, where he'll fair catch it.

UPDATE 12:23: The second half is underway. Handley's Aquarius Hunter returns the opening kick outside the Handley 35.

UPDATE 12:08: Time of possession is about as close as you can get. Handley's had it for 12:05. MadAcad's had the ball for 11:55. Both teams have one turnover. They were both inside the final minute of the first half.

UPDATE 12:07: Some halftime statistics: Total Yards Handley 108, MadAcad 142. Rush yards Handley 108, MadAcad 89. Pass yards Handley 0, MadAcad 53.

UPDATE 11:59: Handley downs the ball to take it to the half. We're tied at 7 at halftime. Crazy finish to the first half. You have to question why Handley didn't use any of its timeouts on its potential scoring drive there near the end. Some stats coming soon.

UPDATE 11:58: Hunter Olive passes deep downfield to Nicholas Haas. It's complete to set up a 1st and Goal with 5 seconds left, but Haas fumbles. Handley recovers.

UPDATE 11:57: Just the third pass of the day for the Tigers is intercepted by none other than Kerryon Johnson for the Mustangs. He runs it back to the Handley 40. We're at 39 seconds.

UPDATE 11:55: Handley still has all three timeouts left, but we're under 60 seconds and the clock is still ticking.

UPDATE 11:55: Handley has a 1st down to their own 47. The ground and pound game might not enable them to score before the half. We're inside 2 minutes now.

UPDATE 11:53: Hunter Olive drops back to pass, can't find anyone, dances around and is sacked. Handley takes over at their own 29 with 3:14 left in the 2nd quarter. We're still tied at 7.

UPDATE 11:52: MadAcad slant pass incomplete over the left side. Brings up 4th and 7 at the Handley 29. They'll go for it.

UPDATE 11:51: 3rd and 7 for MadAcad at the Handley 29.

UPDATE 11:50: Marcus Sease takes the handoff for MadAcad over the left side, rumbles 39 yards for a 1st down to the Handley 35. It took three Tigers to take him down, by the way.

UPDATE 11:49: Rekick turns out in Handley's favor. Ball bounces inside MadAcad 20. 1st and 10 for the 'Stangs.

UPDATE 11:47: We have a kick catch interference on Handley. The Tigers will punt again.

UPDATE 11:45: It worked earlier, but fullback dive comes up short this time. Handley sends on punt team with 5:30 left in 2nd. We're still tied at 7.

UPDATE 11:45: 3rd and 4 or 5 for Handley near midfield. They need the MadAcad 47 to convert.

UPDATE 11:44: Handley goes deep down field but pass is incomplete. However, a flag was thrown on MadAcad for pass interference. Brings up 1st and 10 for Tigers at own 46.

UPDATE 11:39: MadAcad's Hunter Olive sacked for a 10-yard loss on 3rd and 6. Mustangs will punt. We're still tied 7-7 with 8:30 left in the 2nd.

UPDATE 11:38: Madison Academy's scoring drive on its first possession went 12 plays; Handley's tying drive went 11.

UPDATE 11:36: Handley goes to Duran Zachary up the middle for a 2-yard touchdown run. We're tied at 7 with 10:22 left in the 2nd.

UPDATE 11:34: 3rd and 6 for the Tigers at the MadAcad 8. Toss sweep to the left gives Handley a 1st and Goal at the 2.

UPDATE 11:31: Handley goes to the fullback, bursts through for a huge first down to end first quarter. MadAcad still up 7-0.

UPDATE 11:30: Handley pass incomplete; MadAcad quarterback/safety Hunter Olive jarred the ball loose. Brings up 4th and 4 for Handley with one second left in the first quarter.

UPDATE 11:29: Handley driving down the field at the MadAcad 30. 3rd and 4.

UPDATE 11:26: MadAcad held to three and out; they'll punt. Still up 7-0.

UPDATE 11:23: Handley held to three and out after a critical holding on the Tigers' first drive. Punting back to MadAcad.

UPDATE 11:15: MadAcad got the ball first and marched down the field on a 12-play drive capped off by an 11-yard toss sweep run by freshman Kerryon Johnson. 'Stangs up 7-0.

SEC West 1-2-3 in BCS Standings; Tony Stewart beats Carl Edwards, wins Sprint Cup Championship by Virtue of Tiebreaker

2011-11-20T18:14:00.000-08:00

"Upset Saturday" allowed several teams on the outside looking in to move closer to a shot at playing for the BCS Championship Game. The new standings are as follows:

RK	TEAM	RECORD
1	LSU	11-0
2	Alabama	10-1
3	Arkansas	10-1
4	Oklahoma State	10-1
5	Virginia Tech	10-1
6	Stanford	10-1
7	Boise State	9-1
8	Houston	11-0
9	Oklahoma	8-2
10	Oregon	9-2
11	Kansas State	9-2
12	South Carolina	9-2
13	Georgia	9-2
14	Michigan State	9-2
15	Michigan	9-2
16	Wisconsin	9-2
17	Clemson	9-2
18	Baylor	7-3
19	Penn State	9-2
20	TCU	9-2
21	Nebraska	8-3
22	Notre Dame	8-3
23	Georgia Tech	8-3
24	Auburn	7-4
25	Texas	6-4

In racing news, Tony Stewart closed out the 2011 season by winning Sunday night's rain-delayed NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Carl Edwards, who entered the final race with a four point lead over Stewart, finished 2nd. The final points standings were tied at 2,403, so the points championship went to Tony Stewart in a tiebreaker decided by most wins (Stewart: 5; Edwards 1). Ironically, all five of Stewart's wins came in the final ten races.

Can you say domination? The SEC can

2011-11-20T13:54:00.000-08:00


USC upset No.4 Oregon Saturday with a 38-35 win on the road. But the upsets didn't stop there, Iowa State beat No. 2 Oklahoma State Friday, setting up Saturdays' chaotic mess. Aside from Oregon losing to USC, NC State beat No. 7 Clemson, and No. 22 Baylor beat No. 5 Oklahoma. (Photo by Steve Dykes / Getty Images)

Wow, what an exciting weekend in college football. The schools that "had no chance," from Iowa State to USC, proved all doubters wrong, winning on the big stage (in several locations) in what's come to be known as "Upset Saturday" in college football. But on a good note for the SEC, the losses leave yet another mark on an historic resume for the conference. Check this out:

LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas are likely to hold the first three spots in the BCS, respectively. This is the first time since 1971 that the top three teams have been from one conference. However, this marks the first time the big three have been from the same division in the history of college football.

The new and updated BCS rankings, updated to reflect the losses of those ranked near the top, will be released tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN's weekly BCS Countdown Show presented by Vizio.

Tucker's Pick 'Em 2011: College Football Previews and Score Predictions for Week 12, Plus Alabama High School Playoff Games of the Week

2011-11-19T16:46:00.000-08:00

Lane Kiffin and USC quarterback Matt Barkley look
to upset Oregon Saturday in the Tucker's Pick 'Em
Game of the Week for Week 12. (AP Photo / Jack Dempsey)

Alabama took care of business at Mississippi State last weekend, but Auburn and Troy fell to Georgia and North Texas, respectively. This week the Tide and Tigers both face teams from the FCS as they prepare for the Iron Bowl next Saturday in Auburn. Troy plays the winless Florida Atlantic Owls as the Trojans look to put win No. 3 up on the board for the 2011 season.

In high school football, it's Week 3 of the playoffs in the state of Alabama, which means it's the quarterfinals Friday night. It's do or die on the high school gridiron, and for the rest of the season I'll bring you the game of the week in each classification!

Here goes Week 12:

SCROLL DOWN FOR COLLEGE GAMES
SCROLL DOWN FOR COLLEGE GAMES
SCROLL DOWN FOR COLLEGE GAMES

High School AHSAA State Playoffs Games of the Week; Quarterfinals (6-1 last week; 70-14 this season)

6A
Hoover (11-1) at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (12-0)
Fri., Nov. 18, 2011 at 7 PM: Roy Johnson, Jr. Stadium
The Hoover Bucs held off a Bob Jones rally last week in Madison to beat the Patriots 26-17 and set up this match against another group of Patriots this week in Tuscaloosa. Hoover is 3-0 all-time in games played against Hillcrest, but they've never played in Tuscaloosa.

Bucs advance to the semifinals:

Hoover 34, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 21. (ACTUAL SCORE: HOOVER 21, HILLCREST 14)

5A
Hueytown (12-0) at Saint Paul’s (11-1), Mobile
Fri., Nov. 18, 2011 at 7 PM: E.E. Delaney Field
The Hueytown Golden Gophers, who average 44.7 points per game this season, travel south to Mobile for this 5A quarterfinal tilt against the Saint Paul's Saints. This one should be a dandy; Saint Paul's is 3-3 all-time in home quarterfinal contests, while Hueytown is 1-1 on the road in the third round.

Who wins the first-ever meeting between the Gophers and the Saints?

Hueytown 30, Saint Paul's 24. (ACTUAL SCORE: HUEYTOWN 39, SAINT PAUL'S 13)

4A
Jackson (12-0) at Bibb County (12-0), Centreville
Fri., Nov. 18, 2011 at 7 PM: Choctaw Stadium
Both offenses in this one are scoring more than 44 points a game (Jackson 44.7 and Bibb County 45.4) as they get set to square off in Centreville. But the edge here must go to the visiting Jackson Aggies. Their defense only gives up 9.3 points a game compared to the Bibb County Choctaw's 13.7, and they've actually played an away game in the third round before (granted, it was in 1994, when the Aggies knocked off Smiths Station 27-18).

As for the Choctaws, this is the first quarterfinal game they've ever hosted:

Jackson 40, Bibb County 20. (ACTUAL SCORE: JACKSON 49, BIBB COUNTY 28)

3A
Handley (12-0) at Washington County (10-2), Chatom
Fri., Nov. 18, 2011 at 7 PM: Jordan Wilcox Stadium
Handley makes the 272-mile trek northeast to Washington County for the first-ever meeting between the Tigers and the Bulldogs. The visiting Tigers are undefeated and looking to move to 13-0, and if history means anything, they'll do so Friday night in Chatom. Handley is 31-22 all-time in playoff appearances, while Washington County is a less-than-impressive 14-19. In third round games, the Tigers are 4-4, while the Bulldogs are 1-2.

Tigers move on:

Handley 34, Washington County 17. (ACTUAL SCORE: HANDLEY 26, WASHINGTON COUNTY 7)

2A
Elba (12-0) at Flomaton (11-1)
Fri., Nov. 18, 2011 at 7 PM: Hurricane Field
The fact that this game takes place at Hurricane Field is certainly fitting; this one could be the best game of the week in all classifications. Elba averages 53 points a game, while Flomaton is putting up 43.2 points per contest this season. Both defenses are stellar as well; the visiting Tigers give up 11.9 points a game, while the home-standing Hurricanes allow just 9.8 points per contest. Hurricane Field has never been host to a quarterfinal game, but it picked a good one here.

Hold on, spectators!

Elba 36, Flomaton 33. (ACTUAL SCORE: ELBA 33 FLOMATON 23)

1A
Maplesville (12-0) at Linden (11-1)
Fri., Nov. 18, 2011 at 7 PM: Linden Field
The Maplesville Red Devils and Linden Patriots might have something to say about that 2A game that I just called a thriller. The Red Devils enter this one averaging 46.8 points per game while giving up just 6.2, while the Patriots put up 42.3 points a game and allow just 5.7. Linden's one loss this season is deceiving; the Patriots fell at 5A Gulf Shores in Week 7 of the regular season 20-14.

To make this match-up even more appealing, Maplesville and Linden have met 6 times in the past. The series record? 3-3, including a 45-13 win for Linden in last year's quarterfinal round:

Linden 24, Maplesville 21. (ACTUAL SCORE: LINDEN 21, MAPLESVILLE 7)

College (8-4 last week; 95-24 this season)

ALL RANKINGS REFLECT LATEST BCS POLL AND ALL TIMES ARE LISTED IN CST

Kentucky (4-6, 1-5) at No. 14 Georgia (8-2, 6-1)
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 11 AM: SEC NETWORK
The struggling Wildcats travel south to play the 'Dawgs between the hedges Saturday, and a victory by the home team will capture the SEC East Division Championship for Georgia. The Bulldogs have either won or shared five Eastern Division titles since the league started its current divisional format in 1992, but they haven't been to the SEC Championship Game since 2007.

It has turned into such a charming 2011 season for Mark Richt, head coach of the 'Dawgs, who started out this season on the hot seat:

Georgia 38, Kentucky 12.

No. 16 Nebraska (8-2, 4-2) at No. 18 Michigan (8-2, 4-2)
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 11 AM: ESPN
Nebraska travels to Ann Arbor Saturday for the first time since 1962, but the Cornhuskers have met Michigan's Wolverines seven times in this rivalry's history. The "Black Shirts," as Nebraska's defensive unit is infamously known, face stiff competition for this meeting; they'll be up against Denard Robinson and the fast-paced Wolverine offense in this Big Ten Conference Legends Division showdown.

But Michigan's defense isn't bad, either. The Wolverines allow just 15.5 points per game, good for 2nd in the Big Ten and 5th in the nation.

Go Blue:

Michigan 27, Nebraska 24.

Samford (6-4, 4-4) at No. 24 Auburn (6-4, 4-3)
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 12 PM: PPV/ESPN3.COM
Former Auburn Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Pat Sullivan returns to the Plains for Homecoming Saturday, but he'll be on the opposite sideline from the one he stood on between 1969-1971 — as head coach. Sullivan, who took over at the small Birmingham college in 2006, will be honored for his collegiate achievements prior to kickoff along with several of his teammates from his Heisman season at Auburn.

It'll be a bittersweet homecoming for the 61-year old; in 26 games against the Tigers, Samford is 0-25-1:

Auburn 43, Samford 13.

Georgia Southern (9-1, 7-1) at No. 3 Alabama (9-1, 6-1)
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 1 PM: PPV/ESPN3.COM
Alabama hosts the FCS's No. 3 team Saturday for the last home game of the 2011 season, looking for a big win to set up next Saturday's Iron Bowl in Auburn. The Georgia Southern Eagles spent six weeks atop the FCS polls earlier this season before suffering their only loss of the year at Appalachian State. Yes, that's the same App State that knocked off Michigan a few years ago in the "Big House." Do you smell upset?

I don't:

Alabama 45, Georgia Southern 6.

Southern Methodist (6-4, 4-2) at No. 11 Houston (10-0, 6-0)
**ESPN COLLEGE GAMEDAY**
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 2:30 PM: FSN
ESPN's College Gameday makes its first trip to the University of Houston campus Saturday to showcase one of the nation's three remaining undefeated teams, the Houston Cougars. The 'Cougs have one of the best passing attacks in the nation, led by senior Case Keenum.

The quarterback has broken several records during his long tenure at the Texas school, and this season he has the Cougars averaging 54.7 points per game (first in the nation).

Houston coach Kevin Sumlin is 3-0 all-time against SMU, including a 38-15 win over the Mustangs last season:

Houston 44, SMU 27.

Mississippi State (5-5, 1-5) at No. 6 Arkansas (9-1, 5-1)
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 2:30 PM: CBS
Arkansas leaves its Fayetteville campus to play host to Mississippi State in Little Rock Saturday, with the 'Hogs still 'technically' alive for a shot at the BCS National Championship Game. Arkansas is looking to complete its first undefeated season at home since the 1999 season, but Mississippi State will hope to play spoiler in this one. I foresee a struggle for the Razorbacks, but they're not ranked No. 6 for no reason.

Bobby Petrino, believe it or not, boasts the highest career November winning percentage among SEC coaches (.793):

Arkansas 33, Mississippi State 21.

No. 7 Clemson (9-1, 6-1) at North Carolina State (5-5, 2-4)
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 2:30 PM: ABC
This series dates all the way back to 1899, when the Clemson Tigers, playing in just the 16th game in the school's history, shutout the Wolfpack 24-0 in a game played in Rock Hill, SC. This Saturday's game should be a lot closer, however, if recent history means anything.

Nine of the last 14 meetings between the Tigers and the Wolfpack have been decided by eight points or less, including last year's 14-13 Clemson win in Death Valley:

Clemson 31, North Carolina State 24.

No. 21 Penn State (8-2, 5-1) at Ohio State (6-4, 3-3)
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 2:30 PM: ESPN/ABC
The Penn State child abuse sex scandal continues to evolve this week, and the school's football program has undoubtedly had its focus stripped as the Nittany Lions travel west to Columbus to face the Buckeyes. Ohio State has struggled with off the field issues of its own all season, but no illegal jersey sales or any other actions the university has been accused of could measure up to what went down in Happy Valley during Jerry Sandusky's time as a coach there.

A season that started out promising for Penn State has been turned upside down:

Ohio State 20, Penn State 15.

Florida Atlantic (0-9, 0-6) at Troy (2-7, 1-4)
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 2:30 PM: TROY ISP SPORTS NETWORK
The Trojans dropped their homecoming game to North Texas last week 38-33, but they stay home this Saturday to host winless FAU within the confines of Veterans' Memorial Stadium. The only time FAU beat the Trojans was at Troy in the final game of the 2007 regular season, when the Owls knocked off the Trojans 38-32 to earn a berth in the New Orleans Bowl as the Sun Belt Champ.

Not this time:

Troy 31, Florida Atlantic 20.

No. 1 LSU (10-0, 6-0) at Ole Miss (2-8, 0-6)
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 6 PM: ESPN
The Bengal Tigers travel to Oxford Saturday for what has recently become known as "The Magnolia Bowl." It's the fourth straight year the two schools will play for The Magnolia Bowl, which was a joint creation by the two schools' student governments.

Ole Miss was already hurting on offense this season, and it doesn't help that the Rebels' starting quarterback and leading rusher will be suspended for Saturday's contest:

LSU 41, Ole Miss 8.

Vanderbilt (5-5, 2-5) at Tennessee (4-6, 0-6)
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 6 PM: ESPNU
Vanderbilt has looked impressive this season under first-year head coach James Franklin, but Saturday the Commodores travel to Knoxville to face the Tennessee Volunteers, who are looking for their first SEC win this season.

If they're going to beat anyone, it should be Vandy. The Vols have won 27 of their last 28 games against the Commodores, and they've won 16 of their last 17 over the 'Dores in Knoxville since 1977.

I'm counting on UT coach Derek Dooley to get the job done at home under the lights:

Tennessee 24, Vanderbilt 21.

Virginia (7-3, 4-2) at No. 25 Florida State (7-3, 5-2)
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 6:30 PM: ESPN2
The Jefferson-Eppes Trophy links Virginia and Florida State through Virginia's founding father and U.S. President Thomas Jefferson and his grandson, Francis Eppes VII. Eppes was the three-time mayor of Tallahassee and long-time president of the Board of Education of the Seminary West of the Suwanee —the institutional forerunner of Florida State University. The trophy was first presented in 1995 when the Cavaliers handed FSU's Seminoles — who were ranked No. 2 at the time — their first ACC defeat (33-28), but the 'Noles have hoisted the trophy after 11 of the 12 meetings since then.

To add to that, FSU has never lost to Virginia in Tallahassee (8-0):

Florida State 31, Virginia 17.

***TUCKER'S PICK 'EM GAME OF THE WEEK***
USC (8-2, 5-2) at No. 4 Oregon (9-1, 7-0)
Sat., Nov. 19, 2011 at 7 PM: ABC
The USC Trojans, led by coach Lane Kiffin, aren't eligible for postseason play this season due to NCAA disciplinary actions, but none of those rulings have anything to do with their game Saturday night at Oregon. LaMichael James leads the Ducks' fast, high-scoring offense, but Kiffin told Scout.com's Whitney Blaine that his Trojans won't focus only on James.

"It's about their scheme," said the USC coach. "If you start worrying about the players and who is where and everything you'll have no chance of lining up because they play so fast. You've got to get lined up based off their scheme and where they're at and then play your assignments regardless of who has the ball."

USC will provide an exciting matchup early, but I don't see the Trojans derailing the Duck Train.

As a result of Boise State's loss to TCU last week, Oregon now owns the longest home winning streak in the FBS at 21 games:

Oregon 43, USC 26.

Tucker Sargent is a senior at Troy University in his home state of Alabama. "Tucker's Pick 'Em" started in 2009 on Facebook, with 10 games of interest being picked each week. Opinions are not meant to offend anyone. Follow Tucker on Twitter here.

College World Series: South Carolina Wins Second Straight Baseball Championship

2011-06-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

South Carolina beat Florida 5-2 Tuesday night in Game 2 of the best-of-three College World Series Finals in Omaha to clinch its second straight national championship.

After winning Game 1 in 11 innings Monday night, the Gamecocks needed only 9 Tuesday.

South Carolina (55-14) got to work in the third inning, taking a 3-0 lead that they would not relinquish.

Trey Wingo's sacrifice fly gave South Carolina a 1-0 lead before more costly Florida fielding errors allowed Evan Marzilli and Jackie Bradley, Jr. to cross the plate for the defending national champions later in the inning to give the Gamecocks a 3-0 lead.

Florida (53-19) looked as if it might make a comeback in the next inning after Mike Zunino's single home run to left field, but the Gators would be unable to erase the deficit.

Peter Mooney's insurance home run in the sixth gave South Carolina a 4-1 lead and all but erased any hope for a Florida comeback.

Josh Adams' RBI single in the eighth made it 4-2, but the Gamecocks would increase their lead to three again later in the inning off Wingo's RBI single.

South Carolina pitcher Michael Roth, called the team's anchor by several teammates, struck out 6 Gators in 7.2 innings in the championship-clinching win.

"We battled, that's all I can say," said Roth. "We’re just a bunch of Average Joes. We love each other and love the game."

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College World Series Scores: South Carolina Beats Florida 2-1 in Game One of Finals

2011-06-27T20:51:00.000-07:00

The South Carolina baseball team is one win away from its second straight national championship.

Back-to-back throwing errors by Florida allowed Christian Walker to score in the top of the 11th to break a 1-1 tie and give defending national champion South Carolina the go-ahead run in a 2-1 win over the Gators Monday night in game one of the best-of-three College World Series Finals.

Game two between the Southeastern Conference rivals is Tuesday night.

The defenses shined in the first two innings, but in the third, Florida (53-18) chalked up the first run of the evening.

After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Tyler Thompson scored on a sacrifice fly by Cody Dent to give the Gators a 1-0 advantage.

The bats remained cold due to near picture-perfect pitching by both staffs until the eighth inning, when South Carolina (53-14) finally found some magic of its own.

With two outs, Scott Wingo's RBI single to center tied the score at one. The hit also sent Gator starting pitcher Hudson Randall, who struck out six Gamecocks in eight innings, to the Florida dugout.

The Gators would load the bases in the bottom of the ninth with one out, but a double play by South Carolina sent the game to extra innings.

In the bottom of the 11th, Walker stole second, then advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Another throwing error by the center fielder allowed Walker to score.

Game two from Omaha's TD Ameritrade Park starts Tuesday night at 8 ET on ESPN.

For the original article on Bleacher Report, click here or follow him on Twitter below.
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South Carolina Baseball Beats Virginia 3-2, Advance to CWS Finals to Face UF

2011-06-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

South Carolina's Adrian Morales, right, is tagged out at home plate by Virginia catcher John Hicks, in the fourth inning of an NCAA College World Series baseball game in Omaha, Neb., Friday, June 24, 2011. South Carolina's Peter Mooney flied out in the play and Morales was tagged out at home for the double play. (AP Photo/Eric Francis)

Virginia's comeback effort came up short Friday night at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha as defending national champion South Carolina beat the Cavaliers 3-2 in 13 innings to eliminate them from the College World Series and set up an all-SEC CWS Finals next week. Florida advanced to the finals with a 6-4 win over Vanderbilt Friday afternoon.

With runners at first and second, South Carolina's Adam Matthews reached home in the 13th inning on a throwing error by Virginia pitcher Cody Winiarski to break a 2-2 tie and lift the Gamecocks over the Cavaliers in a game that lasted more than 4.5 hours.

Virginia (56-12) started the scoring in the second inning when Kenny Swab's sacrifice ground-out sent Steven Proscia home to give one-seeded Virginia the 1-0 lead.

Playing with an unknown illness, Virginia pitcher Danny Hultzen struck out eight of his first nine batters before leaving the game after three innings.

Freshman Kyle Crockett, undefeated on the season, relieved Hultzen and struck out his first batter.

But South Carolina (53-14) wasted no time taking advantage of the young pitcher soon after.

Christian Walker doubled on the next at bat, then Jackie Bradley, Jr. hit an infield single to put South Carolina runners on first and second.

Crockett hit Adrian Morales later in the inning to load the bases before Brady Thomas sent Walker and Bradley, Jr. home on a deep double to left-center to give the Gamecocks a 2-1 lead heading into the fifth.

The Gamecocks held their lead until the eighth, when the Cavaliers mounted their comeback.

Virginia's John Hicks reached on a fielding error by Gamecock shortstop Peter Mooney that allowed Chris Taylor to score, tying the game at 2.

With the bases loaded and one out for the Gamecocks in the bottom of the eighth, Cavalier closer Branden Kline, who threw 107 pitches on the night, struck out Bradley, Jr. and Morales to send the game to the ninth still tied.

The Cavaliers loaded the bases in the 10th, 12th, and 13th innings but were unable to produce any runs.

The first game of the 2011 CWS best-of-three finals starts Monday night at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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Florida Gators Beat Vanderbilt 6-4, Clinch Spot in 2011 CWS Finals

2011-06-24T15:43:00.000-07:00


Vanderbilt's Tony Kemp, bottom, is caught stealing by Florida first baseman Preston Tucker (25) following a rundown between first and second base in the third inning of an NCAA College World Series baseball game in Omaha, Neb., Friday, June 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Eric Francis)

The University of Florida baseball team has advanced to the 2011 College World Series Finals.

Florida (53-17) held on to beat Vanderbilt 6-4 in a CWS rematch between the two teams. The Gators beat the Commodores 3-1 on Tuesday.

But the win didn't come easy for the second-seeded Gators, who will play either South Carolina or Virginia in next week's best-of-three finals series.

Vanderbilt (54-12) started the scoring in the first inning when Aaron Westlake homered to right field.

The Gators tied the game at one in the third on Preston Tucker's sacrifice ground-out.

Florida would add three more runs to its lead in the fourth inning.

Josh Adams and Tyler Thompson came across the plate on Nolan Fontana's RBI single.

Daniel Pigot scored on a fielder's choice later in the inning to make the score 4-1.

Vanderbilt mounted a comeback in the seventh and eighth innings, tying the game at four.

Mike Yastrzemski scored off Connor Harrell's RBI single to make the score 4-2 before Florida's bullpen almost cost the Gators a berth in the finals.

With the bases loaded, Vanderbilt's Tony Kemp walked to make the score 4-3.

In the eighth inning with the bases again loaded, Florida's Austin Maddox hit batter Conrag Greggor to force the tying run.

But the Gators bounced back in the bottom of the eighth thanks to Tucker's RBI single that drove in Pigott to regain the lead.

Cody Dent added another run later in the inning thanks to a wild pitch to close out the scoring.

The first game of the 2011 College World Series best-of-three finals airs Monday night at 8 ET on ESPN.

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College World Series: Cal Bears Eliminated by Virginia Cavaliers

2011-06-23T20:25:00.000-07:00

Virginia's David Coleman (9) avoids the tag by California catcher Chadd Krist (27) at home plate on a single by Keith Werman in the sixth inning of an NCAA College World Series elimination baseball game in Omaha, Neb., Thursday, June 23, 2011. Photo: Ted Kirk / AP

The Cal Bears baseball team was California dreaming in Omaha for the last week and a half, but the remarkable run has ended.

Virginia (56-11) beat Cal 8-1 Thursday night to advance to face South Carolina tomorrow night in a series that could contain this year's national champion.

After it was announced at the start of this season that the baseball program would be cut in 2012 for budgetary reasons, the players banded together and begged for support for the program.

ESPN aired a clip of several Bears taking part in a hip hop music video put together by the players several months ago, complete with rhymes sending out musical messages of "SOS" for the program's future.

The supporters listened, or watched the baseball team advance through the NCAA Tournament this season, donating $9.7 million towards the program through philanthropic efforts.

Thursday night's game failed to showcase the true luster of the players in what has been a tumultuous season filled with adversity.

The start of the night seemed to foreshadow woes to come for the Bears, when the first pitch of the game hit Virginia's Chris Taylor.

The Cavaliers gained the initial lead in the third inning when Jared King scored on a wild pitch by Cal's Dixon Anderson.

Keith Werman made it 2-0 later in the inning off a sacrifice-fly.

The Cavaliers perhaps put the game out of reach in the sixth inning, scoring adding four runs to its lead.

Kenny Swab scored on a fielding error before Werman sent David Coleman home with a single to make it 4-0.

Werman crossed the plate for the second time of the night off a double by Chris Taylor to make it 5-0 before John Barr's single sent Taylor home to give the Cavs a 6-0 lead.

More errors haunted Cal in the eighth inning, allowing Virginia two more unearned runs to round out the Cavs' scoring.

Cal (38-23) managed just one run in the elimination game, coming in the eighth inning when Darrel Matthews came home on a single by Tony Renda.

Virginia's Tyler Wilson (10-0) took home the win to remain undefeated, while Anderson took home the loss.

The Cavaliers will send overall No. 2 draft pick Danny Hultzen to the mound to face South Carolina Friday night as they look to avenge a 7-1 loss to the Gamecocks just two days ago. -TS

College World Series: Vanderbilt Eliminates North Carolina with 5-1 Win

2011-06-23T19:23:00.000-07:00

Photo Courtesy AP Photo / Nati Harnik

The Vanderbilt baseball team continued its dream season Wednesday night by eliminating North Carolina with a 5-1 win to set up a match with SEC foe Florida on Friday.

Competing in the program's first-ever College World Series, Vanderbilt (54-11) beat North Carolina (51-16) for the second time in the 2011 edition of the CWS to advance.

The Commodores dropped the Tar Heels to the loser's bracket in the opening game in Omaha last week with a 7-3 victory, and a second loss for the Tar Heels eliminated them Wednesday night in front of a large crowd at TD Ameritrade Park.

As if North Carolina's exit wasn't hard enough to swallow for the Carolina Blue-clad fanbase, a few post-elimination statistics provided insult to injury.

The Tar Heels, whom many thought would make a run to the championship series, left 34 runners on base in its three CWS games and were just 7-39 with runners in scoring position.

Vanderbilt got off to a quick start in the bottom of the first inning when Tony Kemp tripled to deep right center.

Anthony Gomez's sacrifice pop-fly sent Kemp home to give the Commodores a 1-0 lead.

Mike Yastrzemski singled to right center in the bottom of the third and stole second base before Conrad Gregor walked, leaving runners at first and second.

Connor Harrell then belted a three-run homer to left field to give Vanderbilt a 4-0 lead.

The Commodores' Curt Casali brought the crowd from Nashville to its feet with a single home run to left field in the next inning to close out Vanderbilt's scoring.

Despite threatening a comeback in the fifth inning, North Carolina managed just one run, and it would be its only run all night.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the fifth, senior Tar Heel Ben Bunting grounded out to first, but not before freshman Brian Holberton tagged and scored from third to wipe the goose egg off the scoreboard for the Tar Heels.

Vandy's Taylor Hill (6-1) picked up the win, while North Carolina's Greg Holt (7-2), who left the game in the third inning after Casali's home run made it 5-0, took home the loss.

The Commodores face SEC foe Florida (52-17) Friday afternoon for the second time in this year's CWS, hoping to avenge a 3-1 loss to the Gators yesterday.

Vanderbilt must beat Florida twice to advance to next week's best-of-three finals series. -TS

Auburn Quarterback Cam Newton Wins Heisman Memorial Trophy, Despite Critics

2010-12-14T23:47:00.000-08:00

A speechless Cameron Newton stood behind a podium next to the Heisman Memorial Trophy Saturday night at New York's Best Buy Theater.

His Heisman Memorial Trophy.

Newton thanked his "supporting cast" of his parents, coaches, teammates, fans, and even the troops fighting overseas in an emotional acceptance speech that featured several pauses and a continuous ear-to-ear smile the nation has grown to expect from the happy-go-lucky player this season.

"Oh my God," said Newton. "It's amazing what God can do in a person's life. Who would have ever thought a guy from College Park, Ga. would win an award this prestigious?" he added, cheesing.

In a year that saw the highest of the ups and the lowest of the downs for the Auburn junior, the 6'6", 250-pound quarterback ignored the controversy swirling around his name and ran away from the competition on the field to win the school's third Heisman Trophy over candidates Andrew Luck from Stanford, LaMichael James from Oregon, and Kellen Moore from Boise State.

Newton's untouchable year was filled with "Oh no he didn't" moments—as one ESPN analyst dubbed them Saturday—that featured the college football phenom dipping, dunking, and often running over opponents en route to 1,409 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.

But his talents didn't stop there.

He also led the nation in passing efficiency, completing 165 of his 246 passes for 2,589 yards and 28 touchdowns to lead his team to an SEC Western Divisional Title and ultimately a 56-17 win over South Carolina last week in the SEC Championship Game.

The NCAA ruled Newton eligible during the week leading up to the SEC Championship Game after finding no proof that the quarterback knew of father Cecil Newton's attempts to shop him around to other schools.
The elder Newton was given "limited access" to the university's athletic programs and opted out on attending the Heisman Trophy presentation in New York.

"For all of my fifty years of life, coupled with 25 years of marriage, I have made an exhausting attempt to be a good husband, father and generally a good person of integrity," said Newton's father in a statement released earlier this week. "The past 60 days have caused all that my family worked to accomplish to come into question. So that my son can receive all the honors and congratulations that he has worked so hard to accomplish and without distraction, I have decided not to be in attendance at the Heisman ceremony, as it will perhaps rob Cam and the event of a sacred moment."

Newton maintains that he did nothing wrong and says he loves his father and looks up to him now just as he has his whole life. He also said he was disappointed his father decided not to attend the ceremony.

"I'd be lying to you if I didn't say I'm somewhat hurt," he said. "But that’s a decision that he made."

Newton will lead his undefeated Auburn Tigers into the BCS National Championship Game in Glendale, Ariz. on January 10th to face the Oregon Ducks.

One more victory, coupled with his Davey O'Brien, Maxwell, Walter Camp and Heisman Memorial Trophies resting beneath his Christmas tree in College Park, Ga., would give the Auburn quarterback a very Merry Christmas.

Heisman Hopeful Cameron Newton Looks To Keep Auburn Rolling At Mississippi State

2010-09-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

Auburn's Cameron Newton (2) eludes Arkansas State's
Jeremy Gibson (96) in Auburn Saturday night.

Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton is a humble player.

After his debut eye-opening performance in Auburn's season opening 52-26 win over Arkansas State Saturday, in which he broke an all-time Auburn record for rushing yards in a single game by a quarterback with 171 and two touchdowns, a reporter asked the junior if he had heard the news.

"No, sir, I didn't," Newton said, smiling. "It's really big, but it's on to the next one. Of course I'm happy with the accolade, but I feel that I didn't play the best game I could have played. I've just got to watch film tomorrow and make due to my mistakes."

Equally impressive to Newton's ground attack were his stats through the air.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder completed 9 of 14 passes for 186 yards and 3 touchdowns, bringing his total TD count in the game to five.

Perhaps his most impressive play came midway through the second quarter.

Dropping back to pass on a 2nd-and-5, Newton sidestepped Arkansas State's Najel Byrd's blitz attempt. He then stepped forward and slipped from Jeremy Gibson's grasp before spinning to the left and finding open field.

But he wasn't done yet.

Byrd again tried to stop him but was instead left standing in his shoes. Newton then juked Gregory McCall and cut back across the field to the right en route to a 16-yard gain.

Arkansas State head coach Steve Roberts was more than impressed by the Tiger quarterback's athletic ability.

"I don't know if I have seen an individual performance better than Cam Newton," said the Red Wolves' coach. "He is the best player I have ever seen live. He made a huge difference in the ball game tonight. He is hard to bring down."

Newton continued to impress on the ground later in the second quarter with a 71-yard touchdown run in which he was untouched.

A Passer, Too
His passes throughout the night were near perfect also, especially on the deep balls.

The JUCO transfer dropped in a perfect pass to receiver Quindarius Carr on a 48-yard touchdown bomb and also connected with tailback Mario Fannin on touchdown passes of 36 and 38 yards, respectively.

In all, the junior accounted for 357 of Auburn's total 608 offensive yards Saturday against the Red Wolves.

SEC Schedule Begins Thursday
With Arkansas State in the past, Newton will be strapping up against an SEC opponent the next time Auburn takes the field.

But he says as long as the team continues buying into what the coaching staff asks of them, only good things will come of the approaching tough schedule.

"Coach (Gus) Malzahn has the bar raised so high for us, and you know, the sky's the limit," beamed Newton. "And that just goes to show you what we're capable of doing."

Auburn travels to Starkville, Miss. Thursday to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-0, 0-0 SEC). Kickoff time is set for 7:30 PM ET at Davis-Wade Stadium and the game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Original article can be found on Bleacher Report here.

Kurt Busch Hangs On To Win $1 Million In NASCAR's All-Star Race at Charlotte

2010-05-22T22:29:00.001-07:00

The old saying goes, "If you ain't first, you're last."

That statement certainly held true Saturday night, as Kurt Busch won NASCAR's All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, cashing in on a grand prize of $1 Million.

Capitalizing on a tangle between race leader Denny Hamlin and younger brother Kyle Busch on lap 93 of 100, the elder Busch blasted his "Blue Deuce" from fifth to first and never looked back, avoiding two late cautions and holding off a late-charging Martin Truex, Jr. for the victory.

As Busch crossed the finish line for his first career All-Star race win, younger brother Kyle sat waiting at Hamlin's hauler.

Battling for the lead on lap 93, Kyle Busch tried to squeeze by teammate Denny Hamlin on the outside, but ran out of room, slamming the outside wall and dropping from 2nd to 5th.

Busch accused Hamlin of "cutting him off," and didn't mind letting his team and a national television audience know it.

"Somebody better keep me away from Denny Hamlin," Kyle Busch screamed over the team's radio transmitter. "I swear to God, I am going to kill [him]. All his ... fault. I had this race won! It was won!"

He later blew a tire and bounced off the wall in the tri-oval, collecting Kasey Kahne in the accident, before driving his mangled M&M's Toyota into the garage and straight to Hamlin's hauler.

Kyle Busch, Hamlin, and team owner Joe Gibbs would later have a private meeting to discuss the incident in the team's hauler, with all parties coming away "cooled down."

But the fireworks in the pits had nothing to do with the fireworks over Victory Lane, as Kurt Busch celebrated his first win of the season.

"Man, this car was a rocket ship at the end," said Busch. "This is huge. This is one of the big marquee events. We were able to dodge the wrecks and, ultimately, we had the fastest car when it counted."

Hamlin led the field after a 10-minute break and mandatory pit stops, followed by Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson, but the altercation between Hamlin and [Kyle] Busch allowed [Kurt] Busch to squeak by for the lead and ultimately, the victory.

Busch's win made the evening extra special for team owner Roger Penske, whose IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves qualified first earlier in the day for next week's running of the Indianapolis 500.

Original article can be found at http://bleacherreport.com/articles/395666-kurt-busch-hangs-on-to-win-1-million-in-nascar-all-star-race

NASCAR Heads To Dover: Jeff Gordon Still Seeking First Win of 2010

2010-05-13T04:44:00.000-07:00

As the NASCAR circuit rolls into Dover, Delaware this weekend, Jeff Gordon is still patiently licking his chops for a win.

The four-time Sprint Cup Champion, winless in his last 39 starts, has every reason to be eager.

He's seen win after win slip away this year in the closing moments, all while leading more laps (709, to be exact) than any other driver and recording four top three finishes.

And what does Gordon have to say about those statistics?

"I've been doing this long enough to know they don't give out trophies for leading any lap other than the last one," said Gordon. "We're leading laps, a bunch of laps, at a lot of different types of tracks. I think our team is really on top of our game."

The all-important win could finally come this weekend at a track where Gordon has had plenty of success over his 19-year Sprint Cup Series career.

But the "Monster Mile," as the racing world has come to know Dover International Speedway, hasn't been so nice to Gordon as of late.

It's been nine years since the NASCAR star has visited Dover's victory lane, a June 2001 win in which Gordon dominated, leading 381 of 400 laps.

Since that win, Gordon has posted an average finish of 14.8 at Dover, with a disappointing four DNFs.

However, Gordon didn't seem to remember his recent bad luck at the Delaware track in his comments following last Saturday night's Showtime Southern 500 at Darlington, a race that Gordon seemed to have in his back pocket before falling late to finish 4th.

"This team is doing the job we need to do to get in to victory lane," Gordon said. "Right now, we are knocking on that door. We are leading laps, we are running up front. We are having a lot of fun, that is for sure. It has been a while since this No. 24 car has run like this. I can't wait to get to Dover."

FOX's television coverage of The Autism Speaks 400 from Dover, Del. begins Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. ET.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/391575-nascar-heads-to-dover-jeff-gordon-still-seeking-first-win-of-2010

NBA's LeBron James to Change Jersey Number

2010-03-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

LeBron James, NBA's poster-child, wants to change his jersey number.

James filed paperwork with the NBA Monday to begin the process, according to multiple sources.

Currently, it's hard for one to see any type of NBA advertisement and not see the star's face.

What you also see is his jersey, and since 2003, it's been adorned with the number 23.

It's a magical number, based on the sole fact that one of the most recognizable names in sports made it famous.

Michael Jordan, who some say will be surpassed in legendary status by James, made the number famous during his career at the University of North Carolina and with the Chicago Bulls.

Since Jordan's retirement from the Bulls in 1998, a new face has graced the digits, and he's nicknamed "King James" for a reason.

The 25-year-old phenomenon blasted into the NBA straight out of high school as the No. 1 pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and has become perhaps the biggest name in sports since his arrival.

He won the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award and was named to the All-Rookie First Team in 2004.

The name "LeBron" can be heard all over basketball courts around America, as he's gained notoriety by being named to the NBA All-First Team three times, NBA All-Star six times, and the NBA's Scoring Champion in 2008, among other awards..

So it looks like he's heading down Jordan's path to success with the two and three on his chest, so why the change?

Last November, James said the NBA should retire the No. 23, making reference to Jordan's brilliant career.

Nothing having been done, he's now decided to "get the ball rolling" on the process, and wants to change his number to six.

The No. 6 happens to be his TEAM USA Olympic jersey number, and he's had success with it already.

The Ohio native already has two Olympic medals while donning the number, a bronze in 2004 and the ultimately prized gold in '08.

But does the change constitute controversy? Well, maybe so, but not anytime soon.

The number happens to be that worn by Bill Russell, an 11-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics in the 1950s and 60s.

Someone in the future may feel it's necessary to retire the No. 6 as well, but only time will tell.

It's safe to say that the odds of it will probably be raised by James's future performances.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/356596-nbas-lebron-james-to-change-jersey-number-change-questioned-by-some

Jimmie Johnson Cashes In With Win at Vegas: Is He NASCAR's Best Ever?

2010-03-01T01:39:00.000-08:00

As the warm afternoon sun faded in Las Vegas Sunday, Jimmie Johnson basked in is 49th career victory after holding off Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon to win the Shelby American.

Johnson's late blast past teammate Jeff Gordon was enough to seal the victory, as Gordon fell past Harvick and the laps ran out on any attempt by Harvick for a winning pass.

The win marks the second straight for Johnson, picking up his Vegas win a week after he won the Auto Club 500 last Sunday in his home state of California.

Johnson's day was short of spectacular, riding mostly in teammate Jeff Gordon's shadow before dashing past Gordon with 16 to go.

Gordon, who led 219 of 267 laps, fell back to third due to an unlucky gamble on pit road.

In late race pit stops, Gordon's crew chief Steve Letarte opted for a two tire stop while Chad Knuas called for four on Johnson's Chevrolet.

The move proved crucial, as Johnson was finally able to creep past his counterpart as his tires gave out late.

"Well, you know, if we won the race we'd look like geniuses, Steve would have," Gordon said. "The fact that we lost the race, now Chad looks like a genius. That's how it goes sometimes. When you're leading, that's the toughest position to be in, to make that call."

As Johnson could be seen celebrating another victory, in a lets just say "less than excited" manner, one has to raise the question.

"Is Jimmie Johnson the best NASCAR driver in history?"

Well, he's well on his way to becoming that, and the numbers speak for themselves.

Aside from his four straight Sprint Cup titles, the 34-year-old California native has also proven is worth in other areas of the stat book.

Johnson moved into 11th in all-time wins Sunday, just one win away from Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett's equal marks of 50.

His 23 poles place him 27th all-time in Sprint Cup Series pole wins, and he has won at all but five of the 22 tracks on the Sprint Cup circuit.

Another stat to ponder: "Superman," as teammate Mark Martin refers to Johnson, has won 17% of his 294 starts since his rookie 2001 season.

Lets keep going, shall we?

Sunday's win gave Johnson his 15th victory at 1.5 mile tracks, a new NASCAR record.

OK, it's obvious he's the real deal and that owner Rick Hendrick now has a new Golden Boy.

The boos can easily be heard at NASCAR tracks across America, eerily similar to those heard during Darrell Waltrip's dominant 1980s and Gordon's annihilation of the 90s.

With what looks to be plenty of years ahead for Johnson, the record keepers better pull out those jumbo-sized erasers.

This racing phenomenon is on the fast track to rewriting history.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/354221-jimmie-johnson-cashes-in-with-win-at-vegas-is-he-nascars-best-ever

Danica Patrick to make first NASCAR start Saturday in Daytona

2010-02-11T07:54:00.000-08:00

Ah, Daytona.

Where the sun shines, the lazy beaches roll, and the NASCAR engines roar twice a year when the boys and girls come to town.

Hold on, boys and girls?

Well, girl anyway.

Danica Patrick will make her first NASCAR Nationwide Series start Saturday when her Godaddy.com Chevrolet rolls onto the high banks of Daytona.

The go-ahead decision to participate in Saturday's race came Monday after her impressive performance in last weekend's ARCA Series race.

Patrick fell to last place in the race after a spin on lap 54 but managed to fight her way back through the pack to finish sixth.

The spunky 27-year-old from Roscoe, Illinois showed what she had in the comeback, dashing up, down, left, and right for positions before the checkered flag halted her efforts.

"I was goin' side by side with people," said Patrick after the race, smiling ear to ear.

"The GoDaddy car doesn't look very pretty, but it was fun."

Saturday's ARCA race was the most-watched ever, with an increase of over 87 percent from last year.

Four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon said he believes this weekend's Nationwide race will be no different.

"I'm as excited as anybody else to watch," he said. "It's exciting."

Daytona expects a ten percent attendance increase for Saturday's Nationwide race, a jump that's unprecedented over the last decade.

But the female phenomenon hasn't made it this far without criticism from some of NASCAR's greats.

Seven-time Cup champion and NASCAR owner Richard Petty doesn't believe Patrick's move to a stock car career will prove successful.

"I just don't think it's a sport for women," said Petty. "And so far, it's proven out. It's really not. It's good for them to come in. It gives us a lot of publicity, it gives them publicity."

"But as far as being a real true racer, making a living out of it, it's kind of tough."

Patrick will try to continue proving "The King" wrong this weekend, hoping to continue her success despite a huge jump in competition level.

The DRIVE4COPD 300 will be televised live Saturday on ESPN2. Coverage from Daytona begins at 1 PM ET.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/343473-danica-patrick-to-make-first-nascar-start-saturday-in-daytona

Colts, Jets Preview: AFC Championship Game Sunday

2010-01-18T15:25:00.000-08:00

When the Colts meet the Jets in Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon, it'll be a whole new ball game.

Colts' head coach Jim Caldwell sat most of his starters before the conclusion of their game against the Jets on Dec. 27 to protect his players from injuries that could cost them a loss in the playoffs.

The Jets would go on to hand the Colts their first lost of the season, outscoring the men in blue 29-15.

Surely the critics and fans that blasted Caldwell for his December decision regret their comments now.

Reason?

The "rested" Colts will face the Jets again in this weekend's AFC Championship game, and this time, the winner goes to Super Bowl XLIV.

While America watched rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets upset San Diego Saturday, the Colts were already licking their lips in Indianapolis.

After a loss to the Jets, that at the time cost them a perfect 16-0 record earlier this season, one would believe that Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning and the Colts have all kinds of revenge built up and are more than ready to release it.

The Colts are hot, coming off a 20-3 home win over the surprising Baltimore Ravens in their AFC Divisional Playoff game last weekend.

Meanwhile, the Jets are also on fire, winning four straight, including their victory over the Colts last month.

Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, who completed 12 of 15 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown in the Jets' Wildcard playoff win over the Bengals earlier this month, had another stellar performance yesterday in his win over the favored San Diego Chargers. The USC product completed 12 of 23 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown in his return to the Golden State.

If the Colts' can shut down Sanchez's passing attack, the Jets will be forced to rely on their running game.

They ran for 169 yards in yesterday's win over San Diego, with a chunk of those coming on Shonn Greene's 53-yard dash into the endzone to nail the coffin shut on the Chargers' season.

The Jets' running game matches up well with the Colts' passing attack, led by Manning.

Manning blasted the Ravens' defense in their AFC Divisional Playoff victory Saturday, completing 30 of 44 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns in yet another clutch performance.

In summary, it's safe to say lots of points will be scored in this one.

Whichever team walks on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday with the best defensive gameplan will head to sunny Miami to take on the NFC champion in two weeks.

On an interesting note, the home team of the AFC Championship has won three straight.

And if Manning plays up to his potential, the Colts should bring that streak to four.

The AFC Championship game kicks off Sunday from Indianapolis at 3:00 PM ET and will be televised nationally by CBS.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/328471-colts-jets-preview-afc-championship-sunday-in-indy

Mark Sanchez and his Jets fly past Chargers: NYJ to face Indy for AFC Title

2010-01-17T18:36:00.000-08:00

Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez and the visiting New York Jets upset the San Diego Chargers 17-14 Sunday afternoon in the AFC Divisional Playoff game in front of a crowd of 69,458 at Qualcomm Stadium.

San Diego (13-4) started the day's scoring with a 13-yard touchdown strike from Philip Rivers to Kris Wilson early in the second quarter.

A defensive struggle ensued, with the teams trading possessions and heading into the locker room with the Chargers up 7-0.

New York (10-7) drove 31 yards on their first possession of the second half but were held to a field goal as Jay Feely nailed a 46-yarder to bring the deficit to four.

The rest of the third quarter was nothing short of a pick fest. Mark Sanchez was intercepted by San Diego's Quentin Jammer before Rivers threw it right back to the Jets' Darrelle Revis.

Following a Jets punt that pinned the Chargers at their own two yard line, Rivers again threw an interception.
This one proved costly, as Dustin Keller eventually reeled in a two yard pass from Sanchez as the fourth quarter started to put the Jets on top 10-7.

After a San Diego punt, Jets tailback Shonn Greene blasted the Chargers for a 53-yard touchdown run to extend the New York lead to 17-7.

The Chargers would drive to the Jets' 22-yard line before Nate Kaeding missed his third field goal of the day.
Prior to the game, Kaeding had made 20 straight field goals and 67 straight from inside the 40.

San Diego would finally manage a touchdown with 2:20 remaining, as Philip Rivers scampered in for one yard to bring the Chargers back to within three.

But the onside kick attempt failed, and the Jets made history. The win marks the first time the Jets have won two postseason games since 1982.

New York will travel to Indianapolis next week to take on the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship.

Indianapolis (15-2) advanced to the AFC Championship with a decisive 20-3 win over the Ravens on Saturday.

The two teams collided earlier this season, with the Jets taking a 29-15 victory over the Colts in a controversial game in which Colts head coach Jim Caldwell sat most of his starters to rest them for the playoffs.

The difference in that game and next weekend's?

The winner of this one goes to the Super Bowl.

Young Sanchez will face the task of leading his hot squadron of Jets into Indy's Lucas Oil Stadium—one of the National Football League's toughest venues for visiting opponents.

The AFC Championship kicks off Sunday, Jan. 24 at 3:00 PM ET and will be televised nationally by CBS.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/327941-sanchez-jets-bolt-past-chargers-nyj-to-face-indy-for-afc-title

Lane Kiffin a Perfect Fit for USC

2010-01-17T11:08:00.000-08:00

The old saying goes, "Home is where the heart is."

Lane Kiffin proved just that Tuesday evening with the announcement of his fast-lane bolt out of Knoxville for Los Angeles.

The truth is, Kiffin is a perfect fit for USC—a university nestled in a town filled with movie stars and unnecessary drama.

Returning to California, a state where he attended Fresno State University, coached at USC as an offensive coordinator, and held the head coaching job for the Oakland Raiders, it's safe to say that Kiffin is now finally "back home."

In a drama filled one-year stint at the University of Tennessee, Kiffin's pretty boy image never really set well with the Volunteer faithful, and neither did his antics.

Most, if not all, of the spotlight the 34-year-old coach brought to Rocky Top was negative, as the country watched him violate recruiting rule after recruiting rule and even make the comment that he was proud of the attention he and the school were garnering.

Even rapper Lil Wayne inserted a lyric about Kiffin into one of his latest tracks on his new mix-tape No Ceilings , saying he would "...talk (insert expletive) like Lane Kiffin."

Kiffin responded in a Twitter update that thanked the rapper for "boosting our street cred."

The bad-boy persona he brought to Tennessee also affected the Southeastern Conference.

The SEC, a conference accustomed to having older, proven coaches in place at its 12 member institutions, also dealt with the consequences of Kiffin's actions during the past year, as every headline that popped up outside the southeastern United States seemed to include something along the lines of, "More Drama in the SEC. What's next?"

It's easy to understand the pain Tennessee fans are feeling today after being betrayed.

But isn't that what actors and imposters do? Really, think about it.

Kiffin never had intentions on staying at Tennessee for a long-term period.

The Knoxville school was just a mere stepping stone for a man that will now live just a few blocks from Hollywood.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/325295-kiffin-a-perfect-fit-for-usc

Former Auburn Quarterback Dameyune Craig Lands Job as FSU Quarterbacks Coach

2010-01-17T00:33:00.000-08:00

Former Auburn quarterback Dameyune Craig has been hired by Jimbo Fisher to serve as Florida State's next quarterbacks coach.

Craig played quarterback under head coach Terry Bowden at Auburn from 1993-1997.

He started his junior and senior seasons on the Plains, leading the Tigers to an Independence Bowl victory over Army and a Peach Bowl victory over Clemson.

In Craig's final season, Auburn won 10 games and the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference, but fell short to highly favored Tennessee 30-29 in the SEC championship game.

Before his record-breaking career as a quarterback at Auburn, he won two state championships at Mattie T. Blount High School in his hometown of Mobile, Ala.

He sat two years behind starter Patrick Nix at Auburn but eventually won the MVP of the annual A-Day game and then the starting job.

Upon graduation from Auburn, Craig played in mostly a back-up role for the Carolina Panthers from 1998-2001. He then fell off the depth charts and was traded among three other professional teams in 2002 before calling it quits for his playing career.

Craig has since coached in both the college and professional ranks, including stints at LSU, Miami, Tuskegee, and most recently at South Alabama, in various roles.

The 35-year-old father of two will recruit the Mobile area, as a huge portion of Florida State's players come from the southwest Alabama and northwest Florida belt.

In his other coaching jobs, he's quickly made a name for himself as one of the country's most prolific recruiters.

The coach joins new FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher's staff—a hire that's unique.

Fisher was Craig's offensive coordinator during his career at Auburn, a fact Craig commented on during a recent interview with the Mobile Press-Register .

"Coach Fisher has been a major part of my life from the moment I met him," Craig said. "He coached me at Auburn, but he even recruited me when he was at Samford, but they didn't think they could (sign) me. So when he went to Auburn (as an assistant coach), I was the first person he called.

"It's going to be exciting to learn football from him, and being a part of his staff...I'll get a chance to learn from one of the best, if not the best, offensive minds in the country.

"That's exciting. I'll get a chance to work with him and learn from him. I'll be able to get under his wing and become a better coach. It's a great situation for me."

The hire adds to a staff that looks poised and highly capable of bringing FSU back to the top of the college football ranks.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/327008-former-auburn-quarterback-dameyune-craig-lands-fsu-job