Wednesday, September 30, 2009

USF Football Could win the Big East Title and More

Way back in July, I wrote a blog entitled "USF Football to Finish 10-2;, Will win the big East Title". That seems like a very real possibility after their impressive upset victory in Tallahassee over the Seminoles. Should they keep playing the way they're playing, could they actually jockey for a National Title Game berth?

It seems very far fetched. The Bulls certainly have a great chance to win the Big East Title outright. The schedule the rest of the way is favorable. Their only real tough obstacles are #10 Cincinnati, which is in Tampa, West Virginia, also a home game, and a home game against the Hurricanes of Miami. The game against Miami will be the toughest. The Hurricanes are better than they showed in Blacksburg last Saturday. However, the Bulls have the confidence necessary to win since they were able to beat in-state traditional power house Florida St. at Doke/Campbell Stadium.

If they take care of business against Syracuse this Saturday, along with Rutgers, UCONN, Pittsburgh and Louisville, and come up with big wins against Cinci, Miami and West Virginia, the Bulls will have beaten 4 top 25 teams and will have a very serious argument to play for the National Championship. What a quagmire the BCS will be in trying to decide between several top teams who the two teams will be.

However, there is a lot of football to be played. South Florida, when last they were in a similar position, were ranked #2 in the country after beating Auburn on the plains and fell the very next week. Can they handle the pressure of not slipping up. they are 4-0 right now going into Saturday's game at Syracuse in the Empire State, a game the Bulls should win over Greg Paulus and the Orange. They will need to abuse the Cuse, or a taming of the Toros by the Orange is entirely possible. We shall see.

"There Are Things Bigger Than Sport". Two Student-Athletes Win NCAA Sportsmanship Award

In today's society, looking out for number one seems to be paramount. In the arena of sport, this is no exception. Athletes want all the glory for themselves and many times want it at the expense of their team. However, once in a while there are examples of extraordinary selflessness and sacrifice. Two student-athletes, Anthony Dicarlo and Aleksandra M and Aleksandra Mackiewicz, are examples of putting their respective teams first.

Dicarlo, a Senior Wrestler at Div. lll Anderson College in Anderson, SC, and Mackiewicz, a Fencer at Brown University in Rhode Island, were recipients of the NCAA Sportsmanship Award this week. The award goes to student-athletes who have exemplified one or more ideals such as honesty, responsibility, fairness, civility and respect in the competitive environment of intercollegiate athletics.

Dicarlo was asked by Anderson Wrestling Coach Dock Kelly to fill in for an injured teammate. Dicarlo was in the 141 pound weight class and he would be wrestling in a dual meet against Central Missouri St. against an opponent in the 157 lb. weight class. Whether or not Anderson won the dual meet would depend on Dicarlo's performance. He got off to a slow start but came on real strong near the end of the match. With 1 minute left in the Dicarlo's match, all he needed was another take down to ensure victory for himself and the Anderson squad, but the CMU wrestler suffered an eye injury making him easy prey for Dicarlo. However, Anthony Dicarlo decided not to attack and the match ended with the CMU wrestler winning the match and CMU winning the dual meet 20-15.

"If a guy steps on the mat, he’s there to wrestle, so it’s almost an insult if you chose not to wrestle hard", said Dicarlo. "But, in certain situations, when it’s just common courtesy, if he’s motioning to call injury time, it doesn't make any sense to blast him.” Coach Dock Kelly wasn't surprised by his pupil's actions. "Anthony is a competitor to the core,” said Kelly.
"If he can’t succeed the right way, then he doesn’t want the success. I’m grateful for the sport of wrestling because it gave the world an opportunity to see a young man like Anthony DiCarlo.” Kelly compared coaching Dicarlo like seeing Halley's Comet; a once in a lifetime event.
"There are bigger things than sport and one of them is respect for the person", said Dicarlo. “That transcends not just sport, but winning and losing. I try to conduct myself with that mindset not just in sports, but period.”

The other recipient of the NCAA Sportsmanship Award, a female, was Aleksandra Mackiewicz, who is a Sophomore Fencer at Brown University, a Div. l Ivey League school in Rhode Island. Before she began her Sophomore Fencing season, she asked the coach about her chances of earning a berth in the NCAA Regional Competition. She was one of four fencers specialized in the saber, but only three were allowed to compete in the competition. The coach told her that the stronger fencer would compete. All four of the fencers, including Mackiewicz, qualified for the NCAA Regionals, but Mackiewicz was chosen over Sr. Fencer Charlotte Rose. Both had produced excellent results throughout the year, but Mackiewicz got the nod.

Although excited about her opportunity, Mackiewicz didn't feel right about the situation. She felt that Rose, a Senior, deserved the chance to compete in the NCAA Regionals, She had waited her turn patiently, but had never had a chance to compete in the NCAA Regionals. She persuaded the coaches to allow Rose to compete in her place and they agreed. “Coach announced it to the team and I think Charlotte was really surprised,” said Mackiewicz. “She got up and hugged me. I think the whole team was happy with the decision.”

Mackiewicz said she struggled with the decision, but believes she did the right thing. "I’m not going to regret my decision because I felt like I was going to have more respect for myself and my teammates and my coaches,” said Mackiewicz. "In the end, I think it was what was going to be more meaningful to me.”

Charlotte Rose was overwhelmed with gratitude for her teammates actions. "I don’t know how often something like what [Aleksandra] did happens, but I definitely think that her selfless sacrificing of her spot really does speak for itself. This is the epitome of putting the team and teammates before oneself, which I believe to be the essence of a great athlete.” It is very nice and refreshing to hear of stories like this. Student-athletes showing selflessness, sportsmanship and sacrifice for the good for their teammates and opponents alike. More on this story can be found by going to the official website of the NCAA: www.ncaa.org.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Former Brookwood Soccer Star Excells for ETSU

Gwinnett County, located on the northeast side of Atlanta, is arguably Georgia's hot bed for High School Soccer. Theo Yang, currently a starting midfielder for the East Tennessee St. Men's Soccer Team, was among the many great college-bound high school soccer players from Gwinnett.

Yang was a standout player at Brookwood High School in Snellville, GA. While at Brookwood, Yang helped lead the Broncos to the State Semifinals in 2008 and was named to the Gwinnett Daily Post "Super Six" list, a list which contains Atlanta's top 6 college-bound high school soccer players. Yang also excelled at the Club level,. He played for the Concorde Fire U18 Academy team, and also competed for the Georgia 91 ODP Team and was a member of the Region 1 Pool in 2004/5 and Region III Pool in 2007.

Theo Yang has started 6 games as a Freshman for the ETSU Pirates. He tallied an assist in a tough 2-1 OT loss to then #2 ranked North Carolina. It will be exciting to follow this young man's career at ETSU. Yang is another of the many great college-bound high school student-athletes coming out of Gwinnett County near Atlanta, GA.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Ratlers Bite Tigers in Atlanta

One of the more unknown but fiercest rivalries in all of College Football took place in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta last Saturday as the Ratlers of Florida A&M University defeated the Tigers of Tennessee St. 31-12 in the 21st annual Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic.

Much of the national hoopla surrounding FAMU is on All-American Sr. Defensive End and Punt Returner LeRoy Vann, who got the attention of ESPN and Sports Illustrated with his four punt returns for touchdowns in the past two weeks. In Saturday's game, however, FAMU Red Shirt Sr. QB Curtis Pulley was the man of the hour. Pulley led the Ratlers to the 31-12 as he completed 24 of 34 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns, earning Pulley the Classic MVP for the second year in a row.

The Ratlers are now 4-0 and broke into the FCS (formerly Div. 1-AA) top 25. After their bye week this Saturday, the Ratlers will face Jacory Harris and the Miami Hurricanes October 10 before returning to MEAC play the following week against S. Carolina St. in Orangeburg, SC.

The game between FAMU and TSU is one of a few rivalry games between predominately African-American universities. One of the other huge annual rivalries is between two Louisiana schools: Grambling St. and Southern University, who play in the annual Bayou Classic in New Orleans in early December.

LeRoy Vann has surely caught the eyes of NFL scouts as has Pulley, a transfer from Kentucky and backup to former All-SEC performer Andre Woodson, who is now in the NFL.

While they probably don't have enough athletes to hang with the Canes, the Ratlers are playing well enough to make a run for the MEAC Title and an FCS playoff berth. As for Tenessee St., they drop to 1-3 and begin OVC play as they host SE Missouri St. this Saturday. More information on this article can be found by going to www.famu.edu/athletics and www.tsutigers.com.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Hawkeyes Have Realistic Shot at Playing for National Title

Those who saw the Iowa Hawkeyes score 21 unanswered points in a spectacular come from behind victory over Penn St. at Happy Valley should have no doubts in their minds that Iowa (4-0, 2-0 in the Big 10) is among the elite teams and has a shot at playing for the National Championship should they run the table.

The Hawkeye Defense, led by Jr. DE Adrian Clayborn and Jr. LB Pat Angerer, spear headed the comeback starting in the second quarter. QB Ricky Stanzi didn't have a great day passing (11-26 for 135 yards and 2 INTs), but RB Adam Robinson led the Iowa ground attack with 19 caries for 88 yards.

The schedule, at least on paper, is in Iowa's favor. Arkansas St. next Saturday at Kinnick Stadium should be a win, then the Hawks host an inconsistent Michigan squad. I predict a win there as well. Two tough road games at Wisconsin and Michigan St. follow. After that, a home games against Indiana and Northwestern. If the Hawkeyes are playing as good as they are now, those should be wins. Should the Hawks be undefeated at this point, a pivotal match up at the Horseshoe in Columbus is key. The Hawkeyes finish with the Golden Gophers at home, and that game (again, at least on paper) should be a win.

Wisconsin, Michigan St. and Ohio St. are the three biggest obstacles the Hawkeyes face. all three of those games are on the road. Iowa, however, has proven they can win on the road against top notch opponents. Should they continue their excellent play and run the table, and things work in their favor with the other teams in the top 5, Iowa has a very realistic shot at playing for the National Title. In the mean time, lets not get ahead of ourselves. Arkansas St., like N. Iowa did three weeks ago, will come to Kinnick to play.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Gabbert, Kappernick and Harris On Their Way to Possible Stellar Pro Careers

Three of the top quarterbacks in College Football will showcase their talents this weekend and several weekends to come. Actually, two of them squared off against each other Friday Night 25 September when Missouri traveled to Reno, NV to take on the Nevada Wolfpack.

Mizzou Soph. QB Blaine Gabbert threw for 414 and three touchdowns en route to a 31-21 win over Nevada in a nationally televised game on ESPN. Gabbert was quick, elusive and able to throw on the run. He particularly found his favorite wide receiver Damario Alexander nine times for 170 yards and one TD. this guy is just a Sophomore, yet if he continues to have performances like this and his team is in contention for the Big X11 Title, he is a Heisman Trophy candidate just like his predecessor Chase Daniel, who is now with the New Orleans Saints on their Practice Squad.

His opposite Friday Night was no less impressive. Jr. QB Colin Kapernick has shown that he can light it up in the passing department as well as rush the football. In the loss to the Tigers, Kapernick was 17-28 for 146 yards and one touchdown. He has rushed the ball 30 times this season for 122 yards and 1 touchdown this year. His team is 0-3, but has played three tough teams in Notre Dame, Colorado St. and Missouri. The WAC doesn't get any easier for them as #8 Boisie St. looms later in the season. so far this year, Kapernick has completed 54 of 89 passes for 546 yards and two touchdowns. The one glaring problem: 4 interceptions.

In spite of all this, Kapernick has the quickness, pocket presence and arm strength NFL scouts look for, as does Gabbert of Mizzou. Kapernick has been named to the watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award; the award given to the nation's top quarterback. In 2008, he emerged as one of the top QBs in the country and was named All-WAC Second Team by Phil Steele's College Football Preview. He currently has a pass efficiency rating of 110.63. If he were starting for a team in a BCS conference and the team was winning, he would also be on the Heisman watch.

The third of these quarterbacks mentioned in this blog is the most well-known because of who he plays for. Jacory Harris starts for "The U", The Miami Hurricanes. He has already put up outstanding numbers after just two games against Florida St. and Georgia Tech. Many, myself included, say that because of him and his surrounding cast, The U is back. Miami was consistently in the top 5 in the late 80s and early 90s under Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson and won at least two national championships. Current Head Coach Randy Shannon was a key defensive player on those Miami teams. After a period of mediocrity in the late 90s, the Canes reemerged to win a national championship in 2001 and nearly duplicated the feat in 02 when they lost in OT to Ohio St., all of this under former Head Coach Larry Cocker. However, the U slipped back down to mediocrity. As a result, Cocker was fired and former Miami standout Randy Shannon was hired. He brought in Jacory Harris out of Miami-Northwestern HS, where Harris led his team to a Florida State Championship.

Harris, only a Sophomore, has already dazzled fans and pro scouts alike. He threw for 386 yards in the Hurricanes opening win over Florida St., including a 40 yard pass to Travis Benjamen in double coverage leading to a crucial made field goal. Against Georgia Tech, Harris was 20 for 25 for 270 yards and three TDs en route to a 33-17 wrecking of the ramblin reck. Before the Tech game, Harris said that the Hurricanes offense couldn't be stopped. He backed it up against the Jackets, and if he can back it up against Virginia Tech on Saturday and later against Oklahoma and the rest of the ACC, Harris will be holding the Heisman Trophy and the U will celebrate another national title.

The three QBS mentioned in this blog: Blaine Gabbert (Soph. Mizzou), Colin Kapernick (Jr. Nevada) and Jacory Harris (Soph. Miami) all have the talent, in my opinion. to have stellar pro careers. Lets hope, for their sakes, that their potential is realized.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Lane Kiffin is "Lame Kickin"

It appears that Tennessee Head Coach Lane Kiffin is a big fan of moral victories. His Vols went down tot eh swamp and lost to Meyer, Tebo and the Gators 23-13 last Saturday. He seemed pleased with the way his team played. That's fine, but championships are not won on style or effort, although those are a big part of it. Championships are decided by wins and losses.

Lane Kiffin's excuse for a moral victory was lame, and he left the swamp "kickin and screamin" that he and the Vols, though in his mind they lost the battle, they would win the war. Lane, let me tell you something. The battle and the war are THE SAME!! A loss on the scoreboard is not a victory, but a loss. You and your team got your heads handed to you by a team you motivated by your false accusations and silly comments last Spring. Your team is now 1-2 with your only win against Bluegrass Sisters of the Poor, otherwise known as Western Kentucky. you lost at home to a half-way decent UCLA team, and you've tasted your first of many SEC defeats at the hands of the Gators. Victories are won on the field and when the scoreboard is at 00:00 after 4 quarters (barring OT), not on the fact that you held your opponent in check or had the right game plan. Until you get all of this in your head, you are "Lame Kickin".

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Wegert Finishes 18th at IPFW Invitational

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog about a remarkable student-athlete from Grace College in Winona Lake, IN named Marijean Wegert. Wegert if a Junior on the Grace College Women's Cross Country Team. What makes this young lady a really tough competitor is that she runs in a way very few runners do: barefooted.

Wegert finished 13th overall in the NAIA National Meet last November. This year, she's gotten off to a good start by finishing 18th at the IPFW Invitational this past Saturday. As a team, the Lady Lancers finished in 4th place out of 5 teams. We here at College Sports will continue to follow the career of "Shoeless Marijean" as she and the rest of the Lady Lancers from Grace College try to win an NAIA National Championship. For more information on this story, you can check out the article entitled "Fast Feet Without Shoes: Cross Country Runner Runs Barefooted" at kgussports.blogspot.com.

Dyer Getting it Done for the U-Dogs

From time to time here at College Sports, we want to highlight student-athletes from a certain part of the country, Gwinnett County (GA), who are making their mark on college athletics around the nation. One of those student-athletes is Junior WR Rolando Dyer of Union College in Barbourville, KY.

Two weeks ago, Dyer, a former standout wide receiver at Central Gwinnett High School, led the Union Bulldogs in receptions with 4 catches for 73 yards in Union's 57-7 opening win over University of Virginia-Wise. Dyer was not able to duplicate that performance the following week against Southeastern Louisiana. The NCAA Div. l-AA opponent drubbed the U-Dogs 69-20. Dyer and his Union Bulldog mates will try to get back on the winning track when they host Faulkner College this Saturday. Congratulations to Junior WR Rolando Dyer, one of Gwinnett County's many successful college student-athletes.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Urban Meyer Having Lunch Saturday, Not with Lane Kiffin, on Lane Kiffin

Lane Kiffin is so excited about beating Florida in the Swamp and singing Rocky Top Saturday Night. The only "Rocky" will be a Rocky Mop. Florida will mop up Rocky Bottom and Lane Kiffin and his Orange will head back to Knoxville with Old Smoky's tail between his legs.

Jonathan Crompton is not ready for SEC Football, let alone Major Div 1 Football. This will be one of Kiffin's many "growing pains". Tebo and the boys will rout the Vols and will not be hungry afterwards because they will have feasted on the Big Orange. Florida has asked their fans to ware blue at the game. I can see why because they won't need the extra orange. They'll be eating enough of it on the field.

Crompton is like former Tennessee and Georgia Tech QB A.J. Suggs: not ready for Major Div. 1 Football. This is not a criticism of Crompton as a person, not at all. He's more suited for football up the road from Knoxville, i.e. Carson-Newman.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Give The Other Team Credit

I was listening to Chuck Oliver and Matt Chernov on Sports Radio 680 The Fan yesterday and they were talking and taking calls about why the UGA Defense isn't better than it is. Oliver, a former high school football coach, believes that the talent on the Bulldog Squad is there, but the coaching is lacking.

Georgia is 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the SEC after their opening season defeat at Oklahoma St. and their win this past Saturday against SEC rival South Carolina. The Georgia Defense played well against the Cowboys even though they gave up 24 points, but not so well in a 41-37 win over the Gamecocks. Georgia fans have been all over the back of UGA Defensive Coordinator Willie Martinez for the Defense sub-par performance a year ago. Not much seems to have changed.

Could it be that the other teams offenses have gotten better? they've had all Summer to prepare for Georgia, and they've recruited players with the talent to go toe to toe against teams like Georgia. When our teams to play as well as we would like, even when they win, we tend to blame them for their mistakes instead of giving credit to the opponent.
South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia is improving. Lets give credit to the Gamecocks for giving Georgia all they could handle. Some Georgia fans think the talent isn't as good and that Richt isn't recruiting the best players. Others say the talent is there but the coaching isn't as good as it use to be. I say give the opponents credit for finding ways to compete and win. Most of Georgia's opponents, especially SEC opponents, have the same type of talent if not better talent. Let's stop blaming the Georgia players and coaches for their so-called mistakes and give credit to their opponents for playing well and, at times, winning against the Dogs.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Billingsley Wins 500th Career Victory

Here at College Sports, we want to celebrate milestones. Many student-athletes have reached various milestones and so have coaches. Saint Ambrose University Volleyball Coach Bruce Billingsley won his 500th career victory as he guided SAU to a 3 games to 0 shutout over Midland Lutheran at the SAU Early Bird Tournament a couple of weeks ago.

The win give Billingsley 303 wins at Saint Ambrose, an NAIA school in Davenport, IA. He began his stint at Saint Ambrose back in 1997. Since then, Billingsley has won 268 matches as the Women's Head Coach as well as 35 wins as Head of the Men's VB program giving him a total of 303 while at SAU. He began hsi college coaching career at Marycrest University, where he won nearly 200 matches while coaching both the Men's and Women's teams.

The score of the Midland Lutheran match was 25-18, 25-21, 25-23 giving him the milestone win. The Queen Bees defeated Robert Morris (ILL.) and Trinity Christian (ILL.) before losing their final match against Upper Iowa. The Queen Bees have actually won four out of their last six matches since Billingsley's milestone victory, giving the Saint Ambrose Coach a lifetime total of 504 wins. SAU takes on Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, IA on Tues, Sept. 15. More information can be obtained by going to www.sau.edu.volleyball.

Big Time Praise Comes With Big Time Criticism

Georgia starting QB Joe Cox said he doesn't care what those who never have played a down of football say about him. Really? Perhaps he's not being honest. One thing is for sure. Cox, along with every player who signed out of high school to play for a big time Div. 1 school, did so because they wanted to be in the "Big Time."

When things go well, it's great to be in the spotlight. If you're a starting QB at a big time program and you're playing well and your team is winning, you're the hero. It feels great! That's why many of these players come to places like Georgia, Florida St., Alabama and USC. However, when things don't go your way, or you're not playing well and your team is under performing, criticism, a lot of it, comes your way, especially if you are the starting quarterback.

At big time programs, big time praise comes with big time criticism. You cant have it both ways. I'm sure Cox, along with every other starting quarterback at major programs, knows this principle. I'm sure that he tried his best at Stillwater last Saturday in the loss to Oklahoma St. One of his receivers dropped an open pass which would have given the Dawgs a first down in OSU territory. That play wasn't his fault. The quarterback, whether this is right or wrong, is given god-like status at these big time schools. To whom much is given (full-ride scholarship, free tuition, fame, girls, etc.), much is expected.

I'm not mad at Joe Cox. He was suffering from the flu. Again, he and the Dawgs tried their best. They just didn't make the plays they needed to make. This is his first year as the Georgia starting QB. If criticism really bothers him, he needs to get use to it. At places like Georgia, where the passion is intense, he will get criticism if he performs poorly. The critics have already spoken (I'm not one of them). How he handles criticism will show how good his Senior leadership is. If he's not really bothered by it as he says he isn't, that's great. But if he is, he's got to get over it. It's part of the territory. At big time schools like UGA, big time praise comes with big time criticism.

Division 1-A and 1-AA Should Reunite

This past Saturday witnessed 2 Div. l-AA (now called Playoff Subdivision) teams upset Bowl Subdivision teams, albeit the two losing teams were ACC bottom feeders Duke and Virginia. They both lost to Richmond and William & Mary respectively. There was very nearly a third upset when Iowa had to block not one but two field goal attempts by N. Iowa, a Playoff Subdivision opponent, to escape with a 17-16 victory.

The most famous take down of a Div. 1-A opponent by a l-AA team was Appalachia State's 34-31 upset win over Michigan in the Big House two years ago. What is my point in all of this? My point is that the top Playoff Subdivision teams can not only hang with but beat most Bowl Subdivision teams. Why was there ever a split in Div. 1 Football back in, I believe, 1978? I think both divisions should reunite. There have been more and more examples of Div. 1-AA teams not only holding their own but beating big time schools. I know it doesn't happen most of the time, but it seems more and more frequent of late.

Now, if this were to happen, you would have to create more bowl games for bowl eligible schools, and perhaps 1 or 2 more BCS bowls. These former Playoff Subdivision schools would get more money for their programs by playing in bowl games (money is what it's all about, right?).
Bottom line, I really don't see the point in having a Playoff Division and a Bowl Division. Just go ahead and reunite into Division 1 Football.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Canes / Noles Rivalry Is Back to Greatness

The game between Florida St. and Miami last night was a fantastic game. It was reminiscent of the great games back in the late 80s and early 90s. It went down to the wire like it should, with the Hurricanes defeating the Seminoles 38-34 with an FSU receiver being unable to hold on to what would have been a Christian Ponder winning touchdown pass for the Noles.

This game had everything you would expect in an FSU-Miami rivalry: big plays by both the offenses and defenses of both teams. Also, what would a Florida St.-Miami game be without a mistake by an FSU kicker. Noles Freshman Kicker Dustin Hopkins hit a 52 yard field goal near the end of the first half to give the Seminoles a 10-7 lead at halftime. However, he shanked an extra point and almost missed another one. The second one hit the right upright and bounced through, but that first missed PAT came back to haunt the Noles as they had to score a touchdown with 9 seconds left in the game because they were 4 points down, not 3.

Both teams have a chance to win the ACC Title. The road will be hard with the likes of Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Clemson and a resurgent North Carolina team. The ACC had a bad weekend with Duke and Virginia losing to Div l-AA opponents Richmond and William & Mary, and NC St. not able to score a touchdown in a loss to South Carolina. Virginia Tech losing in a hard fought game to Alabama is disappointing for the conference, but understandable.

Both FSU and Miami have shown the nation that the rivalry is back where it should be: having national championship implications. It should be exciting to see if at the end of the year, one or both of these two in-state rivals is in the running for the ACC Title and more.

BCS Means "Beauty Contest Schools"

This past Saturday, we saw another example of how the non-BCS schools can go toe to toe with the BCS schools and win. BYU, out of the non-BCS Mountain West Conference, defeated Oklahoma of the BCS Big 12 Conference. It is said that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Those in the BCS view their schools as more beautiful than the schools of the "non-BCS." All BCS means is "Beauty Contest Schools."

Many Oklahoma fans and BCS proponents will say BYU capitalized on the injury to 2008 Heisman Trophy Winner Sam Bradford and his subsequent departure from the game as the reason why the Cougars won. Rubbish! Injuries ar apart of football, and BYU came to play and play they did. The Cougars shouldn't be penalized because Bradford was injured and couldn't play most of the game. If BYU runs the table (and it's a shame they have to do that just to get into the BCS), they should play for the National Championship. I don't think they will though, since Utah and a solid Colorado St. team await the Cougars. Maybe I'm wrong, but all of that is beside the point.

Conferences like the Big 12, the SEC, the Big 10, and even the Big East have what I call "tradition-laden programs." These schools like Oklahoma, Ohio St., Alabama and USC have rich traditions in college football. All four of the schools just mentioned have won national titles. These conferences have been around for a long, long time. If they have 1 or 2 losses, they are still seen as better than an undefeated BYU or Utah from a relatively new comers in the Mountain West and Western Athletic Conference, in which Boisie St. is a member. Even is a Boisie St., Utah, or BYU beat a BCS team like Oklahoma or USC and go undefeated, a team like Florida who goes 11-1 and wins the SEC with just 1 loss to someone like Ole Miss or Georgia will get the invite to play for the National Championship because they are "Florida". Perception, to the BCS, its member schools and supporters, is reality.

It looks as if they only way to solve this problem of special treatment to the big name conferences and schools is for Congress to get involved. That is something that really ought not happen. Congress and the President have more important issues to deal with such as health care and the down economy. But they may be forced to act to insure a more equitable playing field and an end to the spoils system of college football.

Woeful Start for Cavaliers in 09

Will someone please give Virginia Head Coach Al Groh a wet towell to sit on because his back side is on fire after a 26-14 loss to Playoff Subdivision opponent William & Mary to open the 2009 season. Groh is on the hot seat.

The Cavaliers committed seven turnovers including an interception by W&R Defensive Back B.W. Webb who ran it back 50 yards for a touchdown with 2:39 left in the game. It was one of 3 interceptions Webb had on the day for the Tribe. Virginia used all three of their QBs to try and muster something with their new spread offense. Unfortunately, the only spreading they were doing was spreading the ball around to the William & Mary Defense, who forced seven turnovers.

W&M Redshirt Senior R.J. Archer was the most effective of all QBs on the field. The Charlottesville native was 23 of 45 for 184 yards and one interception. He also rushed for 46 yards on 9 carries. UVA Sr. Quarterback Vic Hall started the game and delivered right away for Virginia. He completed a 3 yard pass on the Cavs first play from scrimmage, and two plays later, Hall ran 34 yards for a touchdown to give Virginia an early 7-0 lead. However, Archer and the Tribe struck right back as he hit Rob Varno for a 5 yard TD pass to tie the game at 7.

Cavalier Sr. QB Jameel Sewell drove Virginia for a go ahead touchdown as he completed all 5 of his passes for 45 yards and rushed for 35 yards. However, it was all William & Mary after that as the Tribe Kicker Brian Pate connected on 2 of 5 field goal attempts in the second quarter alone to make the score 14-13 Virginia at the half. However, three Cavs turnovers allowed to connect on a 20 yarder after Vic Hall's muff with 5:35 in the third and a 24 yarder with 3:50 remaining in the game after Jr. QB Marc Verica's fumble. Then their was back breaking interception run back for a touchdown by Webb to seal the deal for the Tribe. This was the first time since 1986 that Virginia has lost to a Playoff Subdivision (formerly Div. l-AA team) team. Ironically, it was the Tribe of William & Mary who defeated the Cavs back in 1986 41-37. It was the Tribe's first win over a Bowl Subdivision team since a 1998 win over Temple.

Last Saturday was a bad day for the ACC, especially for Virginia and Duke, who both lost to Playoff Subdivision teams. The Blue Devils were beaten by Subdivision National Champions Richmond. The lower division almost made it three wins as Iowa had to block not one, but two field goals to hold off N. Iowa 17-16. Virginia hosts TCU next week and then travels to Southern Miss before starting ACC play against North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The Cavs had better get their offense sorted out quickly, or it will be a very long year if not a winless year. If they cant beat William & Mary, there's no way they can win against the better teams in the ACC or the two solid C-USA opponents in Southern Miss and TCU. I thought at first that the Tribe, along with Big 10 seller dweller Indiana were easy wins for the Cavaliers and that they should upgrade their non-conference schedule. Well, I was very wrong. The quarterback situation is a mess. They need to stick with one guy and go with him. The W&M looked as if Virginia was treating it as a pre-season game. Please! Put a wet towell on Coach Groh's hot seat, two wet towells! the seat is gonna get hotter!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Broncos Experience "Blount Force Trauma."

The main story about this particular blog should be that Boisie State Defense turned the Oregon high-powered Duck offense into a lame duck offense. The Ducks couldn't even muster a first down in the entire first half. They only had a total of 14 yards on offense. The BSU offense pretty much had their way with the lame ducks as they went on to a 19-8 victory in their home opener. No. 14 Oregon was the highest ranked team to visit the blue turf.

However, the most "exciting" event in the ball game came after the game. Oregon Sr. RB LeGarrette Blount sucker punched a Boisie St. player in the face just below the chin after the player tapped him on the shoulder in a "taunting" way (or so Blount thought). After that, Blount was teased by some BSU fans and he went ballistic, having to be restrained by Oregon coaches as they hauled him off to the locker room.

In the last blog, I said that a symbolic handshake before the game is not a good idea since emotions are high and the players, at least some of them, don't have the discipline and maturity to control their mouths and emotions. Both teams did handle the pre-game hand shake well. It's a miracle since Blount said before the game that Oregon owed BSU a "butt woopin" (probably something more unprintable than that). Those comments, of course, are going to be used as locker room fodder by the other team. Their was a butt woopin, only Oregon was the recipient for the second straight year.

Jason Smith, the host of ESPN Radio's All Night With Jason Smith, thinks Blount should be suspended for the rest of the season and not just the next game or two. Blount has behaved badly before. He was kicked out of practice on one occasion after unruly behavior. He should certainly be suspended for at least the next two games. The NCAA will probably suspend him for even more games.

What is very interesting is the different perspectives of both the Oregon and Boisie State radio networks. Oregon broadcaster Jerry Allen made it sound like the Boisie State players were taunting Blount and Blount "responded". He went on to say that the BSU players were taunting but then cooler heads prevailed and Blount just "didn't like it".
On the other hand, the Boisie State broadcasters saw it as yours truly saw it happen on national television. The Boisie State player tapped blount on iether the shoulder or helmet and Blount punched the player just below the chin. People, including broadcasters, will call it the way THEY WANT to see it.

Should Blount be suspended for the rest of the season, possibly. He was suspended at one time, but over the Summer, had grown in his maturity according to new Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly. Kelly spoke too soon. What a way to start the college football season.

Lobo Men's Soccer Team Shuts Out Billikens in St. Louis

If there was any doubt that the New Mexico Lobos Men's Soccer team is a top 25 team, they put it to rest last Tuesday night as they began their season by an eye=opening 3-0 win over No. 21 ranked St. Louis University on their home field.

Seniors Simon Ejdemyr, Justin Davis and P.J. Wilson scored the three goals for the Lobos. Lobo Goal Keeper Justin Fite didn't have to do too much work, as he tallied four saves on the night. "Saint Louis is a good team, a very tradition-rich team," UNM Head Coach Jeremy Fishbein said. "We're really proud of our boys. Anytime you go up against a Top-25 team, beat them by three goals, and shut them out at their place, it's a pretty great way to start the season."

The Lobos came out firing in the first half as they out shot the Billikens 15-9. New Mexico may very well be a national force in Div. l College Soccer. Even though they were pre-season games, the Lobos knocked off No. 16 ranked Tulsa 3-2, an defeated both Oral Roberts and Colorado State-Pueblo by the score of 2-0. They are on a role already, and they've only played 1 game in the regular season. If there aren't any injuries to key people, the Lobos should make it to the NCAA Tournament. They take on San Francisco Saturday
Sept. 5 in their home opener. Top 20 powers Indiana and Notre Dame await, along with two other top 25 teams in UC Davis and Cal. The Lobos have already proven they can beat the caliber of a top 25 team. THEY ARE a top 25 team. They should be fun to follow.

Organized Pre-game Handshake Is Not a Good Idea

Just recently, the College Football Coaches Association suggested, not mandated, that teams before a game have an organized handshake. The intention is wonderful, but in practicality, it will not work.

In the past, we have seen too many examples of when teams meet up together before the start of the game, a fight breaks out. Someone opens their mouth to trash talk, or some player bumps into a player from the other team either accidentally or on purpose, the fist-a-cuffs begin and all you know what breaks loose. Oklahoma St. Head Football Coach Mike Gundy said yesterday on a radio interview that if something like that happened, he didn't know how it would be broken up.

I don't think it's a good idea because emotions are very high and these young men do not yet have the discipline and the maturity to control their mouths and emotions. Before the game, they are getting ready to play ball, not make nice with the other team. Do the handshakes after the game, like they do in the NHL Playoffs. Remember what happened with Notre Dame in the late 80s. They had fights in the tunnel leading out to the field with at least three teams, and the Irish were coached by the tough disciplinarian Lou Holtz. Shake hands after the game, not before.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Shorter's Tamar Watson a "Walking Miracle"

From time to time on College Sports, we highlight those student-athletes who have overcome all odds to excel at their sport. Perhaps no other student-athlete exemplifies overcoming all odds then Shorter's Tamar Watson. It's a miracle she is even walking, let alone playing soccer for the Lady Hawks.

Watson was in her native country of Trinidad during the Christmas break. Watson and her best friend Giselle Salandy were driving on the outskirts of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad's capital city, when they were involved in a horrible automobile accident which killed Salandy and seriously wounded Watson. both femurs in Watson's legs were shattered in the accident, and doctors feared she would never walk normally again.

"It was the hardest and most difficult days of my life," said Watson. "I was thinking I'd never walk normally again and I'd never play again and knowing that Giselle was not here any more - it was hard." Doctors inserted two steel rods into each of Watson's femurs. They said that in time, her injuries would heal, but that she would never walk normally again.

However, through Tamar Watson's faith in God and her own determination, she defied the odds and is looking forward for her final year wearing a Shorter uniform. She also believes that Giselle Salandy would want her to persevere and never give up. "Giselle and I worked hard to get where we were despite the problems we had growing up," Watson said of her best friend Salandy, a world-class boxer. "What keeps me going is that I know she'd tell me to get up, work hard and keep going."

Watson was confined to a wheelchair for 5 months, but after that, she had had enough. "I'd get up and take a few steps on my own," Watson said. "I wasn't supposed to and the doctors were upset about it." After weeks of taking those initial steps, Watson took bigger and bigger ones until she was rehabbing twice a day and doing more work on her own. She added the pool, beach and the gym to her rehab. Watson said it was exhausting for her, but it eased the stress as well.

As a result of God's healing hand and her hard work in rehab, Watson returned to Shorter for the Fall semester. Lady Hawks Head Coach Josh Severns was amazed at how far she had come. "We had talked about her coming back, finishing at Shorter and being a part of the team," Severns said. "But we had no idea of just how far she has come. I know T's attitude. She is very determined and has a lot of passion about what she does. "I know it was tough on her, but she has focused on getting back on the field."

Right now, Watson is on the sidelines cheering her teammates, but she is determined to get back on the field. During the 2008 season, Watson scored 8 goals and had an assist. Shorter Athletic Director Josh Tucker is hopeful that Watson will be able to play before her career at Shorter is over. "Primarily we are working on regaining full range of motion in both of her knees which have stiffened due to the large amount of scarring in the quads from the initial injuries, the surgeries and general inactivity," Tucker said. "At this point maybe, and I'm just guessing, she'll be practicing again with the team around mid-October." Tucker went on to say that regardless of when Watson will be able to play again, it is simply a miracle she is even walking around.

Tamar Watson is extremely thankful to God and to her Shorter family. She feels she wants to give back to Shorter for all that they have done for her. "The Lord definitely has a plan for my life," Watson said. "He wants me to do what is right and now I'm starting to find out what it is." During the aftermath of the accident, Coach Severns, her teammates and the Shorter community called her and sent cards and gift baskets. "I know I have to give something back to Shorter because they have been so good to me," Watson said. A Business Administration major at Shorter, the Senior forward knows that God has much more in store for her and she is ready to do his will. "All of this, what I'm doing, is purpose driven. I know that God has a plan for me," Watson said. "There is a greater things for me to do and I want to find out what they are."

May of us from day to day may feel sorry for ourselves due to whatever trials we may have to deal with, most of them trivial compared to that of Tamar Watson. Her story is one of the most inspiring examples of faith in God, hard work and perseverance, and love and support from the Shorter community. If and when Watson takes the field again for the Lady Hawks, it will be a great day indeed. The fact that she overcame a terrible car crash which killed her best friend and regained the ability to walk is truly a miracle indeed. More on this story can be found at the Shorter athletic website www.goshorterhawks.cstv.com

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

I Love The Blue Turf

One of the many great traditions of college football will begin again this Thursday Night as Boisie St. hosts Oregon on the blue turf. The Broncos are an exciting team to watch. They have toppled traditional powers like Oklahoma. Last year, they upset Oregon in Eugene.

The best thing about watching Boisie St. Football is that blue artificial turf. It's different, obviously, as all other high school, college and pro teams play on something green. It comes through nicely on my LCD 32 inch TV. I wonder if Tennessee would ever think of going to an orange turf. Boy would that be interesting to see.

Boisie St. had the longest home winning streak in the nation until Boston College upset them in the Humanitarian Bowl a couple of years ago. I wonder if the "Smurf Turf" as some call it, distracted the opposing teams and threw their concentration off just a bit. Here's an interesting fact: The NCAA told BSU that they had to get rid of the blue turf and go green. However, the Idaho Legislature past a law that the blue turf has to stay. Sorry NCAA, Lex Rex (Law is king)!

To me, Boisie St. is still that Cinderella team that upsets the big boys. That's one reason I like watching them. I want to see them in a BCS bowl again beating the likes of Ohio St. or Florida. When they defeated Oklahoma in that classic 43-42 overtime win in the Tostitoes Fiesta Bowl a couple of years ago, followed by Broncos RB Ian Johnson proposing to his cheerleader fiance on national television, it capped off a perfect 13-0 season. I wanted them to play undefeated Ohio St. for a chance to really win it all, but the good old boys at the BCS and the university presidents wouldn't let it happen. I actually think they would have given the Buckeyes a run for their money. Stay true blue, BSU! I love that blue turf.