Quantcast
Channel: Tampabay.com: Sports
Viewing all 18574 articles
Browse latest View live

Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano defends strategy against New York Giants kneel down

0
0

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 17, 2012

TAMPA — Having already proven his team will fight to the finish, Greg Schiano didn't back down from a raging dispute that became the talk of the NFL Monday.

It seemed everybody wanted to weigh in about the Bucs coach's decision to order his defense to attack Giants quarterback Eli Manning, trying to cause a fumble, as Manning prepared to take a knee with five seconds left in New York's 41-34 win.

Schiano, who coached 11 seasons at Rutgers University, said his Scarlet Knights team caused a fumble four times in the past five seasons using that technique during kneel downs at the end of games.

"To me it's a clean, hard, tough finish-the-game play,'' he said. "Some people disagree with that. That's certainly what makes the world go round. Everybody has opinions. But I don't have any remorse or regret.

"It's clean, hard football. It was no sneak attack. We were down, ready to go and that's how we do it all the time. If you've studied any tape of us, that's how we do it."

Schiano got a stern rebuke from Giants coach Tom Coughlin when they met at midfield after the game. Manning, who passed for a career-high 510 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions, called the play a ''cheap shot.''

The controversy overshadowed a remarkable game in which the Bucs blew a 27-14 lead in the third quarter. Manning's last six completions produced 221 yards and two touchdowns.

While the Bucs defense allowed a franchise-record 604 yards, it was the minus-1 Manning absorbed by taking a knee to end the game that provided fodder for analysts nationally.

Among those defending Schiano were former Bears coach Mike Ditka, Vikings receiver Cris Carter, Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski and former Jets and Chiefs coach Herm Edwards, the hero of the original "Miracle in the Meadowlands."

Schiano also had detractors. Former Ravens coach Brian Billick said the first-year NFL coach "went all Jersey Shore on us." Former 49ers coach Steve Mariucci and former Vikings coach Denny Green also seemed to disagree with the decision.

"I have thoughts, but it's not pertinent to me right now, and it's not something that you're going to see us do," Chargers coach Norv Turner said.

Meanwhile, Ditka and Jaworski said Coughlin's postgame lecture was inappropriate.

"Hey, you've got pads and a helmet on, the game's not over. Play," Ditka said. "Tom is wrong about this, no matter what he says. He's wrong. You never go out with the intent of hurting anybody, but you do try to get the ball back."

Jaworski, whose Eagles team beat the Giants when Edwards returned a fumble 26 yards for a touchdown on a botched attempt to run out the clock in 1978, agreed with Schiano.

"Oh, there's no doubt that Tom Coughlin owes Greg Schiano an apology for the way he reacted after the game," Jaworski said. "I will give you a real life example of why. Remember the Miracle in the Meadowlands with (Giants quarterback) Joe Pisarcik?"

In that game, the Eagles trailed 17-12 with no timeouts. "Our situation in '78 was this: The Giants actually ran a play and then they turned around the next play and kneeled on it," Edwards said. "A skirmish occurred. We kind of knocked the center over, knocked Joe Pisarcik over.

"Once the skirmish started, when they kneeled on the ball, they get back in the huddle, they run another running play," Edwards said. (Center Jim) Clack is nervous because the 40-second clock is running down and he hikes the ball before Joe is ready. Joe gets the ball, the timing of the run is off, (running back Larry) Csonka comes through the line, it hits off his hip and I'm going, 'If I can get this ball off the bounce I can score.' "

The NFL said Monday the Bucs' play was legal, but it would determine whether any players should be disciplined for the ensuing scuffle. Giants center David Baas appeared to throw three punches.

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, whose team hosts Tampa Bay Sunday, did not sound wary of the Bucs' tactics.

"Certainly, there's a style of football they're trying to implement down there in Tampa and feel like that's in some ways indicative of how they want to play, how they're going to handle an end-of-the-game situation," Garrett said.

By the end of Monday, Schiano appeared ready to turn the page.

"This is not going to be the topic of conversation because we had a football game that we should've won and we didn't and that's what I'm most frustrated with right now," he said.


Why Greg Schiano was right to have Tampa Bay Buccaneers play to the bitter end

0
0

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 17, 2012

Giants coach Tom Coughlin has won more Super Bowls than Bucs coach Greg Schiano has won NFL games. That would suggest Coughlin knows more about this NFL business than Schiano. And when it comes to putting together game plans, motivating players and winning trophies, I'll take Coughlin over the Bucs' rookie coach.

But when it comes to the most controversial 1-yard loss in NFL history, I'm siding with Schiano.

In case you missed it, the Giants were in victory formation Sunday, needing a snap and an Eli Manning kneel down to close out a 41-34 victory over the Bucs. The Bucs blasted at the Giants line and knocked over Manning in trying to create a fumble. They created a firestorm instead: a controversy that had the entire NFL buzzing on Monday.

Coughlin chewed out Schiano for what he thought was a dangerous bush-league move that could've injured someone. Schiano fired back that his team plays until the final gun.

So who was right? Who was wrong? The answers likely depend on your allegiances. But here's why Schiano was in the right.

1. You cannot guarantee the Bucs could not have won

What are the odds that the Bucs would've jarred the ball loose? What are the odds that the Bucs would've recovered the ball? What the odds that the Bucs would have scored after the fumble?

What were the odds that all three of those things would happen? One in a thousand? One in a million? One in a billion? The point is, they would have been one in something.

Snaps are bobbled all the time, a fumble was possible, miracles do happen. The Bucs could have had the ball near the Giants 30, certainly an easy throw to the end zone.

Unless you can say with absolute, positive certainty that the Bucs had a zero percent chance of scoring (which no one can), how can you fault them for trying?

2. The Bucs were trying to win

If the Bucs trailed by more than one score than the Giants would have every right to be upset. But the Bucs weren't being poor sports or trying to injure anyone or looking to send a message. They had one purpose: create a fumble to get the ball in an attempt to tie the score, then win the game. Isn't that the point of pro football?

3. The clock, not the Giants, should signal the end of the game

The Giants seemed bothered that the Bucs didn't respect that they were victory formation. Let me get this right: The Giants were ready for the game to be over, so the Bucs had to stop playing, too? Excuse me, but who put the Giants in charge of when the game should end? Isn't that what the clock is for? Just because the Giants were in victory formation doesn't mean the Bucs should automatically have to be in surrender formation.

Final analysis

Schiano points out that there was nothing illegal about what the Bucs did. There was no penalty. The NFL isn't looking into it. No written rule was broken.

And here's the problem with unwritten rules: they aren't written. How can you interpret something that isn't there? But I do know I like Schiano's argument that he's trying to win more than Coughlin's argument that teams just aren't supposed to do what the Bucs did.

Sunday's final play now leaves Schiano's Bucs open to having teams do the same thing to them. It leaves them open to an opponent running up the score by throwing a pass out of victory formation. It risks one of their own linemen or quarterback Josh Freeman getting hurt. As long as Schiano is okay with that, no one should have a problem with his actions.

Quite frankly, I'm surprised more teams don't try what the Bucs did.

In the end, how can you fault Schiano that the other team quit playing before the Bucs did in a seven-point game? How can you fault Schiano that the other team quit playing before the game was officially over? Most of all, how can you fault Schiano for trying to win, no matter how improbable that victory might have been?

Tom Jones can be reached at tjones@tampabay.com and can be heard from 6 to 9 a.m. weekdays on WDAE-620.

tom jones' two cents

Blitzing Tampa Bay Buccaneers took risks against New York Giants

0
0

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 17, 2012

TAMPA — After standing his ground on ordering his defense to attack the Giants on a clock-killing kneel down, Bucs coach Greg Schiano was similarly unapologetic for some of the defensive risks Tampa Bay took in Sunday's gut-wrenching loss on Sunday.

Some of the most critical plays the Giants made in their 41-34 victory came when the Bucs blitzed two-time Super Bowl MVP QB Eli Manning. He made the Bucs pay, throwing over the top and setting a career-high with 510 passing yards, second most in Giants history. The Bucs allowed a club-record 604 yards.

"Here's the deal," Schiano said. "If you look at us, we're more non-blitz than blitz. And we never do it without a deep middle safety. So there is someone over the top all the time. There's not two. There's one. Some of those balls (thrown) outside the numbers, it's hard for that guy to get there.

"We're not a blitz-heavy team. But, yeah, we're going to mix it up. That's who we are."

The Bucs didn't employ blitzes throughout the game. But when they did, they often turned into memorable plays. When CB Eric Wright blitzed, leaving S Ronde Barber to single cover WR Victor Cruz, the Giants scored on an 80-yard pass down the sideline.

Manning had 51 pass attempts and was not sacked, and the blitzes by the Bucs rarely caused him to even adjust. Why didn't the blitzes work?

"I thought Eli did a great job of directing protections," Schiano said. "And on a couple of them, he threw it before we got there. It's not (that) they were blocked. They came free. But he got rid of it and they made plays on the back end. Sometimes you get there and it's great."

MOVING ON: Schiano took no issue with WR Mike Williams' overturned 29-yard catch, a play on which replay negated a completion that would have put the ball at the Giants' 16-yard line with 12 seconds remaining. The Bucs trailed by seven and had a timeout to spare.

The play was initially ruled a catch but overturned on replay because Williams did not maintain control long enough despite getting two feet in bounds.

"I understand the rule," Schiano said. "There is some ambiguity to the rule itself. That's the essence of the rule. Whether that's good or bad. … I don't know if you can have a concrete rule in something like that. I think that's why it has to be that way."

Schiano cautioned against making too big a deal of one play in a game filled with critical ones.

"There's no one play in that game that decided it," he said. "When you have a game of that nature, there are so many different points where this could've turned it, that could've turned it."

FREEMAN'S REGRET: After avoiding any turnovers in the season opener, a 16-10 victory against Carolina on Sept. 9, QB Josh Freeman threw two interceptions against the Giants, the second on a frantic last-second play.

On the first, Freeman made a poor decision under pressure, throwing over the middle off his back foot to WR Sammie Stroughter. He didn't need to see film to know the extent of his mistake.

"I thought, 'I have to get rid of the ball,' " Freeman said. "Obviously, the appropriate thing to do in that situation would be to take a sack or try to run and get as much as you can. Definitely a bonehead play. I have to avoid those at all costs."

NUMBER OF THE DAY: 221— Yards accumulated on Manning's final six completions.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3377. View his blog at tampabay.com/blogs/bucs. Follow him on Twitter at @BucsBeat.

Former Cy Carpenter to return to Cards Friday

0
0

Times wires
Monday, September 17, 2012

LOS ANGELES — Chris Carpenter's season-long journey back to the majors will finally end this week.

After a successful bullpen session over the weekend, the Cardinals ace will make his first start of the season Friday against the Cubs.

"I'm looking forward to getting back out there. I'm excited to get back out there," the right-hander told the St. Louis Post Dispatch. "I've put in a lot of hard work to get this done. It wasn't expected and I'm just fortunate to have the opportunity to pitch again."

Carpenter recovered well from Saturday's 90-pitch simulated game in the bullpen, manager Mike Matheny said.

Carpenter, who hasn't pitched since Game 7 of the 2011 World Series, had surgery in July to correct thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition that compressed nerves which led to weakness and numbness in parts of his body. The surgery, which entailed the removal of one of Carpenter's ribs, was supposed to be season-ending and, given his age (37), possibly career-ending.

Carpenter urged the club to give him an opportunity to prove that he could contribute this season as well as next. Saturday marked his fourth simulation against hitters.

"I feel good," said Carpenter, the 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner. "No problems."

CONCERN FOR KERSHAW: Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw could be out until mid May if he needs surgery on his right hip, the Los Angeles Times reported. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner was scratched from his start Sunday because of hip pain and is scheduled to receive a second opinion today.

MARLINS REST SLUGGER: RF Giancarlo Stanton was not in Miami's starting lineup against the Braves, getting a day to rest what he and the team described as a strained muscle in his side. Stanton pointed to his right side when describing the injury, and manager Ozzie Guillen described it as an oblique strain, though the team's official announcement was that Stanton had "left intercostal soreness."

OBITUARY: Tom Saffell, a former major-league outfielder and longtime Gulf Coast Rookie League president, died last week in Sarasota. He was 91. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune said he developed pneumonia after having surgery for a broken hip sustained in a fall.

BRAVES: C Brian McCann, who has been limited to pinch-hitting duties since tweaking his right hamstring Sept. 12, won't return to the starting lineup for at least a couple more days, MLB.com reported.

METS: 1B Ike Davis will platoon with Lucas Duda for the rest of the season, with Duda getting the bulk of the at-bats against left-handers, manager Terry Collins said.

NATIONALS: 2B Danny Espinosa will be out for at least three games with left shoulder pain and was scheduled for an MRI exam. Espinosa, who has played with pain for the past week, went 0-for-11 with nine strikeouts during the Braves' three-game weekend sweep.

PHILLIES: All-Star 2B Chase Utley could see time at third base this season, manager Charlie Manuel told CSNPhilly.com. "We could," Manuel said. "It depends on where we are. The next week will tell us where we are, probably. … We're going to run out of season pretty soon."

PIRATES: RH reliever Evan Meek, an All-Star in 2010, passed through waivers a week after being designated for assignment and was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis.

RANGERS: Injured RHP Colby Lewis agreed to a one-year contract extension. Lewis, who could have been a free agent after this season, was 6-6 with a 3.43 ERA in 16 starts before surgery in July to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow. … LHP Scott Feldman was pulled from the starting rotation and replaced by rookie LHP Martin Perez.

TIGERS: C Alex Avila was out of the lineup after a day after he collided with 1B Prince Fielder while chasing a foul ball.

Tampa Bay Rays' Sam Fuld feels better, will sit out a few games with hamstring injury

0
0

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 17, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — OF Sam Fuld was "pretty encouraged" with how his strained right hamstring felt Monday, one day after the injury forced him to leave in the fifth inning in a loss to the Yankees.

But while Fuld said an MRI exam Monday revealed just a moderate strain, both he and the Rays were unsure when he'd be able to return to game action.

"We can't just push him back out there," manager Joe Maddon said. "We want to get him well and utilize him in the playoffs."

Fuld, who has never had a hamstring injury, said a meeting Monday night with specialist Dr. Doug Carlan would give him a better idea on his timetable, but he was limited to getting treatment during the day.

Fuld had tweaked the hamstring in Friday's game in New York but said he tried to play through it, hoping it'd go away. However, when he was trying to reach first on a grounder hit to 2B Robinson Cano on Sunday, he pushed too hard.

"I knew it was kind of going to potentially be an issue," Fuld said. "That's sort of why I was maybe not running 100 percent down the line. I saw Cano bobble that ball and my instincts just told me to turn it up a notch, and my body didn't agree with that."

LONGO WATCH: 3B Evan Longoria was out of the lineup Monday for the first time since Aug. 20, with Maddon saying he felt a little "heavy-legged" after playing every game on the road trip. But Maddon said Longoria was available to pinch-hit and play defense Monday and is expected to play the rest of the Red Sox series.

LATE GATE: Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine may have caused a stir earlier this month when he said Maddon got to the ballpark "every day at 4 o'clock," but there was little noise about the matter in Monday's first meeting between the teams since.

Maddon said he hadn't personally received an apology or explanation from Valentine but believed "it's not necessary," adding he had forgotten about it until it was brought up recently.

"I thought it was kind of humorous and I had fun with it," Maddon said. "I get so locked into what we're doing, that stuff is so superfluous and doesn't matter."

And, for the record, Maddon said he arrived at 3:03 p.m. Monday, three minutes later than the goal he set Sunday. "I'm playing catchup," he said with a smile.

IN THE SWING: INF Sean Rodriguez was cleared to hit Monday by Carlan, with an X-ray revealing his fractured right hand had healed just enough.

Rodriguez took some swings in soft toss, and during batting practice in the cage, admitting there was some expected sorneess; since getting activated from the disabled list Saturday, he had been relegated to pinch-running/defensive duties.

But Rodriguez got a chance to pinch-hit in the seventh inning Monday, striking out.

Rodriguez had a rough day in the field, picking up two errors on the same play in the eighth, bobbling a grounder by Daniel Nava and throwing the ball into the stands.

Maddon said Rodriguez could get a start in the near future.

WAITING GAME: RHP Jeff Niemann (rotator cuff inflammation) said he hasn't thrown off a mound since suffering the injury in his Sept.  1 start and isn't sure when he will.

Niemann maintains he's feeling good, but though Maddon had said there was a chance he would pitch this season, it appears that may not happen.

"I'm still hopeful, of course," Niemann said. "But we're realistic, too. Every day that goes by is another day, we're running out of days."

MISCELLANY: Radio man Dave Wills, who missed the last road trip due to his mother's health, was back in the booth for Monday's series opener with the Red Sox, saying things have improved.

FSU Seminoles earn weekly honors

0
0

Times staff, wires
Monday, September 17, 2012

Two Seminoles were named ACC players of the week on Monday for their efforts in Saturday's 52-0 win over Wake Forest.

Senior RB Chris Thompson, who was also named a national player of the week by the College Football Performance Awards, claimed offensive back of the week for his nine-carry, 197-yard, two-touchdown performance. The outing also was his first against Wake Forest since breaking his back against the Demon Deacons last year.

The ACC also named DE Cornellius "Tank" Carradine defensive lineman of the week. He had 2.5 tackles for loss, both sacks. His 12 total tackles leads the team.

Sophomore punt returner Rashad Greene was named a College Football Performance Award national player of the week after his 60-yard punt return for a touchdown. DE Bjoern Werner, the nation's sack leader, took home honorable mention in the same awards.

Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

USF: Spun around

TAMPA — With less than two minutes remaining and USF trailing Rutgers 16-13 on Thursday night, the Bulls defense had largely held RB Jawan Jamison in check, limiting him to 101 yards on 36 carries, less than 3 yards per rush. But Jamison broke the game open with a 41-yard touchdown that included a spin move that left S Mark Joyce going in the wrong direction.

Sunday night, Joyce was asked about the touchdown and how hard it was to watch the spin move as the Bulls looked back on Rutgers' 23-13 victory in the teams' Big East opener.

"It was rough," Joyce said. "I know I can do better than that. It really stuck with me. It's going to motivate me to do better, to get better every day, to make sure it never happens again."

Joyce said he liked what he saw from the defense in Sunday's practice, with players putting the loss behind them and preparing for a prolific offense at Ball State on Saturday.

"The whole team was focused on what's next," Joyce said. "We know we could have done a better job last Thursday, but it's over with, so we have to grow from that. I think our team came out mature, focused on practice and getting ready for Saturday."

Ball State has averaged 472 yards of total offense in its three games. That's a major upgrade from the Cardinals team that USF beat 37-7 in Tampa last season, when Ball State had 225 yards of offense and didn't score until the fourth quarter.

"They've improved a lot," Joyce said. "It was tough last year. It wasn't a cakewalk when we played them, so we know we have to come prepared."

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

UM: Fighting injury bug

CORAL GABLES — The injury news was mixed for Miami.

Coach Al Golden had no updates on the status of starting middle LB Denzel Perryman, but he said he was happy to see a few other banged up players on the practice field.

WR Allen Hurns was back after missing Saturday's game against Bethune-Cookman with a head injury. S Vaughn Telemaque was also out Saturday and saw limited practice time Monday. Freshman LB Raphael Kirby was back jogging after suffering a lower leg injury in August that required crutches for a few weeks.

"We're getting closer," Golden said. "He won't be ready for Saturday, but we are getting closer."

But long snapper Sean McNally is out for the season after suffering a "lower extremity" injury.

Sun Sentinel

UCF: Mizzou time set

Kickoff time for the Sept. 29 home game against SEC newcomer Missouri was set for noon and the game will air on FSN. The Knights (2-1) have a bye this week.

Times staff

Braves 7, Marlins 5

0
0

Times wires
Monday, September 17, 2012

Braves 7, Marlins 5

MIAMI — Dan Uggla hit a three-run homer in the first inning, Martin Prado tied a career best with four hits and Atlanta moved five back of the Nationals in the NL East. Tim Hudson allowed a season-high 10 hits but beat Miami for the fifth straight time.

UCF files appeal of football penalty

0
0

Times wires
Monday, September 17, 2012

ORLANDO — Central Florida officially filed its appeal of a one-year NCAA postseason ban in football, following sanctions levied against it for major recruiting violations.

School officials announced the submission Monday, a month after telling the NCAA of its intent. A 2011 investigation found the programs were involved with runners for sports agents and paying cash to recruits.

UCF was hit with one-year postseason bans for football and men's basketball plus a $50,000 fine, adding two years to UCF's previously proposed three years' probation, reduction of basketball scholarships, the vacating of basketball victories and limits of football recruiting visit days.

The school, headed to the Big East in 2013, accepted all other penalties except the football postseason ban.

ORANGE BOWL: ESPN.com reported that the Miami postseason game was near a deal to include Notre Dame, the ACC and either the Big Ten or SEC. The bowl now matches the ACC champ against an at-large BCS team.

LSU: The team had to cancel practice after the campus was cleared for the day following a bomb threat which had been called in. No bomb was found and nobody was hurt.

MISSOURI: Quarterback James Franklin says there's a 90 percent chance he'll start this week at South Carolina. Franklin sat out last week's victory over Arizona State with inflammation in his right shoulder.

NEBRASKA: Coach Bo Pelini says he has a clean bill of health and that he left Saturday's game against Arkansas State because he and team doctors were concerned a case of heartburn and his sense of feeling disoriented might be signs of a serious medical problem. Pelini said a series of tests were negative. Also, running back Rex Burkhead, who has missed two games with a sprained ligament in his left knee, is expected to play Saturday against Idaho State.

SOUTH CAROLINA: The SEC suspended free safety D.J. Swearinger one game for Saturday's hit on a defenseless UAB receiver. A personal foul was called.

TENNESSEE: Sophomore free safety Brian Randolph, the Vols' leading tackler, tore his ACL during Saturday's loss to Florida and is out for the season, coach Derek Dooley said.

UTAH: Strong safety Brian Blechen is expected to start in Saturday's Pac-12 opener at Arizona State after serving a three-game suspension for violating undisclosed team rules.

WISCONSIN: Three students were charged in an attack on Badgers' running back Montee Ball. Wendell Venerable, Robert Wilks and Deonte Wilson, all 21, appeared in Dane County Circuit Court where a judge continued their signature bonds. Ball was attacked Aug. 1 in Madison.

BASKETBALL: Texas Tech coach Billy Gillispie said doctors have ordered him to avoid any stress for 30 days in an effort to bring his blood pressure down. In a text to AP, Gillispie confirmed he'd been treated for kidney problems and abnormal headaches last week at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. … Michigan State freshman forward Kenny Kaminski will miss four to six months after right shoulder surgery.


Sports in brief

0
0

Times wires
Monday, September 17, 2012

boxing

pacquiao sets DEC. 8 rematch with marquez

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Three compelling fights in the past eight years still haven't resolved the rivalry between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. So they're stepping in the ring for a fourth bout Dec. 8 in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao and Marquez fought to a draw in 2004, and Pacquiao won by decision in '08 and last year. Marquez, 39, and many fans believe he won all three fights; Pacquiao, 33, says he clearly won the past two.

"I want to erase the doubt of the last three fights," Pacquiao said. "There's so many people still asking if I won the fights. I think to myself, 'Something is wrong. I have to do it again.' … I want to make this fight short. I want to knock him out."

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told ESPN.com he is guaranteeing Pacquiao $23 million for the fight.

autos

Crew chief Eury Jr. out at JR Motorsports

JR Motorsports parted ways Monday with crew chief Tony Eury Jr., 10 days after his father was ousted as competition director. Eury Jr. was crew chief for Danica Patrick and is a partial owner of the Nationwide Series team.

"I had hoped he would be here for a long time, but as we've discussed the direction of JR Motorsports moving forward, it was clear our differences in ideas were too vast to overcome," said Dale Earnhardt Jr., one of four owners of the team.

JR Motorsports on Sept. 7 released Tony Eury Sr. as competition director.

golf

Love: Ryder Cup will look like a major

U.S. captain Davis Love III wanted Medinah set up to favor the Americans next week in the Ryder Cup, and he kept to a simple philosophy.

The rough is down. The speed of the greens is up.

"It's going to look like a major championship because Medinah is a big, old golf course, with big trees and obviously big tents," Love said. "It's going to look like a major, but it's going to play probably easier than a major. That benefits our team. We're a long-hitting, freewheeling, fun-to-watch team. And I think it's going to be fun to watch."

Play begins Sept. 28 at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club.

et cetera

Horses: Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. asked New York's top court to overturn his 10-year ban by the state Racing and Wagering Board, citing civil rights issues. Dutrow, who trained Big Brown to Derby and Preakness wins in 2008, was refused a license to race in Kentucky last year.

WNBA: Maya Moore made five her six 3-pointers in the third to tie Diana Taurasi's WNBA record for 3s in a quarter and had a career-high 29 points in host Minnesota's 86-79 victory over Indiana.

Tennis: Tampa's James Blake beat wild card Albano Olivetti 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) despite giving up 19 aces in the first round of the Moselle Open in Metz, France. Blake won 86 percent of points on first serve.

Times wires

Tampa Bay Rays: Fans encourage Rays after rough road trip; Joe Maddon gets behind Bucs coach's controversial call

0
0

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 17, 2012

Rays vs. Red Sox

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Tickets: $17-275, available at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team Tampa store; $3 surcharge within 5 hours of game time.

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Jeremy Hellickson (8-10, 3.22)

RED SOX: LH Felix Doubront (10-9, 5.11)

On Hellickson: Has allowed one run or fewer in four of his past six starts, including five shutout innings last week in Baltimore. Is 3-2 with a 4.29 ERA in eight career starts against the Red Sox.

On Doubront: Hasn't won since July 18, spanning eight starts, six of which he has allowed four runs or more. Is 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA in six career appearances (three starts) against the Rays.

Key matchups

Rays VS. DOUBRONT

Jeff Keppinger 3-for-5

Evan Longoria 2-for-4

Ben Zobrist 2-for-9

RED SOX VS. HELLICKSON

Mike Aviles 2-for-10

Dustin Pedroia 5-for-20, HR

Jarrod Saltalamacchia 6-for-15, HR

On deck

Wednesday: vs. Red Sox, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Chris Archer (0-3, 3.22); Red Sox — Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-5, 7.14)

Thursday: vs. Red Sox, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (18-5, 2.54); Red Sox — Clay Buchholz (11-6, 4.33)

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Special support

The Rays appreciated the nearly dozen fans who greeted them at the airport Sunday night when they returned from a 1-5 road trip. Manager Joe Maddon said some had signs that read, "162 Strong." "It's outstanding," Maddon said.

AL East

Team W L Pct. GB

New York 83 63 .568—

Baltimore83 64 .5651/2

Tampa Bay 78 69 .531 51/2

Toronto 66 79 .455 16½

Boston 67 81 .45317

AL race for wild cards

Team W L Pct. GB

Oakland 84 62 .575—

Baltimore 83 64 .565—

Los Angeles 80 67 .544 3

Tampa Bay 78 69 .531 5

Detroit 77 69 .527 51/2

Top two wild cards make postseason; GB is games behind second wild card

Quote of the day

"Play hard to the last whistle, the last out in the game. You never know what's going to happen."

Manager Joe Maddon, on Bucs coach Greg Schiano's call to try to disrupt the Giants' final knee-down play Sunday

Replacement officials draw more ire

0
0

Times wires
Monday, September 17, 2012

One official was pulled from duty because he's a fan. Another negated a touchdown without throwing a penalty flag. Others had difficulty with basic rules.

Upon further review, Week 2 was poor for the NFL's replacement officials.

Coaches and players around the league are speaking out against the fill-in officials following a slew of questionable calls in Sunday's games.

Some players are even joking about dipping into their pockets to settle the contract dispute and get the regular officials back.

"I don't know what they're arguing about, but I got a couple of (million) on it, so let's try to make it work," Redskins defensive back DeAngelo Hall joked Monday. "I'm sure the locker room could pot up some cash and try to help the cause out."

And the league is reviewing the behavior of its replacement officials on social-media websites after replacing a crew member assigned to call the Saints' game Sunday because photos on Facebook showed him wearing the team's gear.

Monday's Falcons-Broncos game in Atlanta was delayed for six minutes as officials tried to determine their course after a fumble and a pileup.

Goodell vs. Vilma

NEW YORK — The league presented Jonathan Vilma and his attorney with a sworn statement from former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams saying the linebacker placed a $10,000 bounty on Brett Favre.

Vilma met with commissioner Roger Goodell about his suspension, which has been temporarily lifted. Attorney Peter Ginsberg said they were given an affidavit.

"What Gregg Williams said in his most recent affidavit is the same falsity he has previously provided," Ginsberg said.

Williams is now with St. Louis, but is suspended indefinitely.

BEARS: Matt Forte didn't practice, but jogged off the field. Coach coach Lovie Smith said it's premature to speculate whether the running back will play Sunday but that his sprained right ankle is not a serious injury.

BROWNS: Tight end Alex Smith was briefly hospitalized with a concussion after Sunday's loss in Cincinnati. The team said the former Buc is day to day.

CHARGERS: Running back Ryan Mathews is expected to return after missing the first two games with a broken collarbone.

CHIEFS: Running back Jamaal Charles dinged up the same knee that needed reconstructive surgery last season during Sunday's 35-17 loss at Buffalo. Charles tore his left ACL in Week 2 of 2011.

EAGLES: Center Jason Kelce is out at least four weeks with a torn right knee ligament, and could face season-ending surgery.

GIANTS: An MRI exam showed guard/tackle David Diehl hurt the MCL in his right knee against the Bucs; his status was unknown.

JAGUARS: Coach Mike Mularkey said he expects quarterback Blaine Gabbert to play Sunday at Indianapolis. Gabbert injured a glute muscle in Sunday's loss to Houston. Tests revealed no significant damage.

JETS: Coach Rex Ryan said he's unsure if star cornerback Darrelle Revis (concussion) will play next week at Miami. Revis missed Sunday's loss at Pittsburgh.

PATRIOTS: Coach Bill Belichick says he doesn't know how long tight end Aaron Hernandez will be out with a right ankle injury. ESPN.com reported that Hernandez would likely not return until at least October.

RAMS: Offensive tackle Rodger Saffold will be out at least a month with a right knee injury.

REDSKINS: Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Orakpo and defensive end Adam Carriker are out for the season with injuries. Coach Mike Shanahan said Orakpo suffered another tear of the pectoral muscle near his left shoulder in Sunday's loss to the Rams. Orakpo had surgery on the same shoulder after last season. Carriker tore the quad tendon at the base of his right knee.

Falcons 27, Broncos 21

0
0

Times wires
Monday, September 17, 2012

ATLANTA — Matt Ryan threw his 100th career touchdown pass, Roddy White had 102 yards receiving and the Falcons defeated the Broncos and error-prone quarterback Peyton Manning 27-21 on Monday night.

Atlanta took advantage of three interceptions by Manning in the first quarter, on his first eight passes, and took a 20-0 lead. Manning brought the Broncos back with two fourth-quarter scoring drives, but it wasn't enough to make up for his awful start.

The only other time he has been intercepted three times in a first quarter was with the Colts in a 2007 game at San Diego.

Ryan was much more efficient, going 24-of-36 for 219 yards. He hit Tony Gonzalez for a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter, then went to White on a 4-yard score in the third.

Ryan guided the Falcons on a 64-yard drive, hooking up with White on consecutive passes of 21 and 20 yards, then went to White on a 4-yarder for the touchdown for a 27-7 lead.

The Broncos trailed 20-0 before Manning hit Demaryius Thomas on a 17-yard TD with 6 seconds left in the first half.

Denver closed the margin on Willis McGahee's two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter. After the last one, with 3:29 left, the Falcons ran off the rest of the clock.

A day after the Bucs' game-ending controversy against the Giants, Atlanta finished with two kneel downs without incident.

A week after Manning won his Denver debut with a home victory over Pittsburgh, the Broncos had turnovers on four on their first five possessions.

Manning was picked three times on his first eight attempts.

It was an uncharacteristic prime time start for Manning, who came in with an 11-3 career record on Mondays.

On the game's third play from scrimmage, Manning threw into triple coverage to Jacob Tamme, but strong safety William Moore stepped in front of the tight end for an interception.

Moore ran down the left sideline 33 yards before Orlando Franklin tackled him at the 1.

Tampa Bay Rays lose 5-2 to Boston Red Sox

0
0

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 17, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Right-hander Alex Cobb appeared headed for a special night Monday, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the Red Sox.

But, in what has become a familiar refrain for the reeling Rays, it ended in frustration, a 5-2 loss to Boston in front of 11,722 that delivered another big blow to their dwindling playoff hopes.

Tampa Bay, having lost seven of its past 10, fell to five games behind the Orioles for the second AL wild-card spot with just 15 to go. The Rays (78-69) are running short on time — and answers.

"It's just not happening," centerfielder B.J. Upton said. "I don't know what to say about it. We're just not winning, that's the bottom line."

Like Sunday's loss in New York, this one was sloppy at times, with three errors and a passed ball. It was also marred by a short, heated dugout exchange after the top of the sixth between Cobb and catcher Jose Molina, with Sun Sports cameras showing pitching coach Jim Hickey separating the two.

Cobb said he still doesn't know what the argument was about, other than it had nothing to do with Molina's passed ball in the sixth. But Cobb made it clear he did not instigate it — "I wouldn't approach a teammate in the dugout like that" — and believes the two players will move past the incident. Molina declined to comment as he walked past reporters in the quiet clubhouse.

"We're both professionals, those kinds of blowups happen throughout the course of the year," Cobb said. "And they have. Put it behind you, you don't need to be best friends with somebody to go out and work together."

Cobb cruised until the sixth, when he hit a batter and allowed a two-run homer by Jacoby Ellsbury on a 3-and-1 fastball. Cobb said the incident with Molina didn't affect him when the two returned to their positions in the seventh, though he was pulled after allowing the first two hitters to reach base.

Reliever Burke Badenhop came in and got Ryan Lavarnway to hit a potential double-play grounder up the middle. But Ben Zobrist bobbled it, allowing the Red Sox to load the bases with two outs and leading to pinch-hitter Mauro Gomez's two-run single.

"(Cobb) had really good stuff," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's going to get a loss for that game tonight, but you look at how well he pitched and it's the same old refrain …

"We're just not hitting."

The Rays mustered five hits against starter Aaron Cook, who had lost six straight starts with a 6.00 ERA in that span.

"We have to do better offensively," Maddon said. "We are running out of time to do that."

As for the argument, Maddon said he spoke to the two afterward and everything is fine. He said such incidents are often "overblown" and can actually "be a good thing," citing the highly publicized spat between ex-Rays righty Matt Garza and catcher Dioner Navarro several years ago.

"Boys will be boys on occasion," Maddon said. "And it's fine right now."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.

Sports on TV/radio for Sept. 18

0
0

Times sports staff
Tuesday, September 18, 2012

TODAY

Baseball

Red Sox at Rays, 7 p.m., Sun Sports; 620-AM

Braves at Marlins, 7 p.m., FSN

Dodgers at Nationals, 7 p.m., MLB

Triple-A championship: Pawtucket vs. Reno, 7 p.m., NBCSN

Rangers at Angels, 10 p.m., MLB

High school volleyball

Mitchell at River Ridge, 7 p.m., BHSN

Soccer

UEFA Champions League: Manchester City at Real Madrid, 2:30 p.m., FSC

UEFA Champions League: RSC Anderlecht at AC Milan, 2:30 p.m., FSN

Mexican: Altamira at Neza, 5 p.m., ESPND

CONCACAF Champions League: Real Salt Lake at Tauro FC, 8 p.m., FSC

Mexican: Len at Monarcas, 10 p.m., ESPND

WNBA

New York at San Antonio, 8 p.m., ESPN2

TV: NBCSN: NBC Sports Network; FSN: Fox Sports Network; FSC: Fox Soccer Channel; BHSN: Bright House Sports Network.

Florida Gators fans fuel smashmouth style against LSU

0
0

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 6, 2012

GAINESVILLE — Saturday afternoon at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium had the distinct feel of the days when the Gators were winning championships not so long ago.

And even though the 14-6 victory over LSU didn't come with a ton of points, coach Will Muschamp knows the win was significant, not just for the Gators but for getting fans on the bandwagon. Asked if the win changed fans' perceptions of him and whether he's the right guy, Muschamp said the day wasn't about him.

"I don't really worry about me. I've got a bunch of friends out there," he said. "I think it's important for our fans that we come in the Swamp and play well. We need to win at our place. And our fans deserve that. And they haven't really gotten any exciting wins maybe, based on their perception of who is good. I'm very happy for our fans. It was alive in there tonight. There's no question our fans made a difference in that football game, and they energized our football team. We've got the greatest fans in the world, and I mean that. I've been in a bunch of arenas … and (Saturday) was as fine as any I've ever been in. That's a credit to our fans for hanging in there."

For Muschamp, who has consistently said he wants a dominating rushing game and a team that controls both lines of scrimmage, this was that kind of victory.

"That was typical 1980-SEC right there," he said.

JENKINS RETURNS, LEAVES: Junior LB Jelani Jenkins' heralded return from a broken thumb ultimately wasn't what the Gators had hoped for. Jenkins had missed 2½ games and was cleared to play with a cast, but he was injured with 4:04 left in the first half. "It's a hamstring," Muschamp said. "From what I was told by (the training staff), we expect him back in two to three days."

UNSUNG HERO: The Florida defense was outstanding, and senior RB Mike Gillislee had a career-high 34 carries for 146 yards and two 12-yard touchdowns, but the player who might have gone most overlooked was sophomore Kyle Christy. He pinned LSU inside the 10-yard line on three of his four punts in the first half, including a season­long 61-yarder in the first quarter. He also had punts of 51, 53 and 57 yards. He has 15 50-yard punts in his career. His four 50-plus-yarders were a career-high for a single game.

FACING THE MUSIC: LSU's first regular-season loss in 18 games has the Tigers searching for answers.

"There's something different about this team that we need to get fixed in a hurry," RB Spencer Ware said. "That's what we're still trying to figure out."

LSU has scored one touchdown in eight quarters of SEC play. "I think our football team's sick," coach Les Miles said, describing his team's postgame emotions.

SURGERY FOR POWELL: Florida LB Ronald Powell had another knee surgery to repair damage he sustained while rehabilitating several weeks ago. The junior had an ACL injury during spring practice and hoped to return this season, but he will now redshirt.


UF14, LSU6

0
0


Saturday, October 6, 2012

More online: tampabay.com/blogs/gators

Who: Bowling Green

RESULT: UF 27-14

RECORDS: UF 1-0, 0-0 SEC;

Murray State 0-1, 0-0 MAC



Who: Texas A&M

RESULT: FSU 20-17

RECORDS: UF 2-0, 1-0 SEC;

Texas A&M 0-1, 0-1 SEC



Who: Tennessee

RESULT: UF 37-20

RECORDS: UF 3-0, 2-0 SEC;

Tennessee 2-1, 0-1 SEC



Who: Kentucky

RESULT: UF 38-0

RECORDS: UF 4-0, 3-0 SEC;

Kentucky 1-3, 0-1 SEC



Who: LSU

RESULT: UF 14-6

RECORDS: UF 5-0, 4-0 SEC;

LSU 5-1, 1-1 SEC



Who: Vandy

Where: Dudley Field, Nashville

When: 6 Saturday

TV: ESPNU

Radio: 620-AM

Who: South Carolina

Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

When: TBA

TV: TBA

Radio: 620-AM

Who: Georgia

Where: Gator Bowl, Jacksonville (neutral)

When: 3:30 p.m

TV: Ch. 10

Radio: 620-AM

Who: Missouri

Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

When: TBA

TV: TBA

Radio: 620-AM

Who: La.-Lafayette

Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

When: TBA

TV: TBA

Radio: 620-AM

Who: Jacksonville State

Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

When: TBA

TV: TBA

Radio: 620-AM

Who: FSU

Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee

When: TBA

TV: TBA

Radio: 620-AM

Tigers 3, Athletics 1

0
0

Times wires
Saturday, October 6, 2012

DETROIT — Justin Verlander threw a fastball that caught a bit too much of the plate, allowing Oakland's Coco Crisp to lead off the game with a home run.

For the first few innings, Verlander labored, his pitch count rising while his control deserted him. But the Athletics could manage only that one run, missing their best chance of the night to break through against Detroit's hard-throwing ace.

Verlander held Oakland scoreless after his early slip, and Alex Avila homered in the fifth inning to lift the Tigers over the A's 3-1 Saturday night in the opener of their best-of-five AL Division Series. Verlander matched his postseason high with 11 strikeouts.

"Early on was kind of a bit of a battle for me," Verlander said. "Just kind of found my rhythm a little bit and was able to hit my spots better, and I started throwing my breaking ball for strikes a little bit better, too."

As usual, he seemed stronger in the later innings, striking out the side in the sixth and the first two hitters of the seventh.

"Early on, didn't have great control of any of my pitches," he said. "But I was able to get myself out of jams that I created."

Game 2 is today, then the series shifts to the West Coast.

"It's always important to get Game 1. The way it is now, obviously, it's nice starting here but to play the last three games in Oakland is definitely tough," Avila said. "Every game's important, but it felt real good to get one out of the way."

It was Detroit's second victory in its past seven post­season series openers. The Tigers lost Game 1 to the Yankees in the ALDS last year before winning in five.

After winning their final six games to take the West Division, the A's made their presence felt right away in Detroit. The home crowd at Comerica Park greeted Verlander with a roar and a sea of twirling white towels when he headed to the mound to start the game, but Crisp was unfazed and pulled Verlander's two-strike pitch just inside the rightfield pole.

"He made a mistake to the first batter of the game, and then he didn't make another one all night," A's first baseman Brandon Moss said, exaggerating only slightly.

A's rookie starter Jarrod Parker looked sharp early but allowed the go-ahead run in the third because of a fielding mishap. With two out and a man on second, Quintin Berry chopped a soft grounder to the right side. Parker came off the mound to field it, but with the speedy Berry hustling to first, Parker lost control of the ball while scooping at it with his glove for an error that allowed Omar Infante to score.

That was enough for Verlander, who was done after 121 pitches and his fourth career postseason win. He walked four.

"We battled him hard, but it doesn't even seem to matter how many pitches that guy throws," Oakland outfielder Josh Reddick said. "He just keeps coming after you with all of those pitches."

2012 Team 2012 Vs. Opp.

Team Pitcher Time W-L ERA Rec. W-L IP ERA

Oakland Milone (L) 12:0713-10 3.74 20-11 1-0 11.2 3.09

Detroit Fister (R) today10-10 3.45 13-13 0-1 6.0 1.50

Hillsborough: Sunday morning quarterback

0
0

By Joel Anderson and Joey Knight, Times Staff Writers
Saturday, October 6, 2012

Super 7

1. Armwood (5-1): On a night when so much goes wrong, the Hawks still find a way. That's what good teams do.

2. Plant (4-1): Neither lightning, nor rain, nor a new starting quarterback could keep the Panthers from winning again.

3. Robinson (5-0): This week's opponent, Bye, was the only one not to surrender a defensive touchdown to the Knights.

4. Durant (5-0): Cougars snap a three-game skid against crosstown foe Plant City with a 22-7 victory.

5. Wharton (3-2): A two-hour storm delay and two early turnovers doomed the Wildcats against Plant.

6. Hillsborough (5-0): One more triumph, and the Terriers clinch their 20th consecutive winning season under coach Earl Garcia.

7. Berkeley Prep (6-0): At least one Buccaneers offense in this town is prospering.

In the conversation: Gaither (3-1), Sickles (3-2), Tampa Bay Tech (3-2), Tampa Catholic (5-1)

Unprecedented

If this isn't unprecedented, it has to be pretty close. Newsome's 35-13 win Friday against Brandon represented a 56-point swing in the series in a one-year span. Last season, the Eagles stunned the Wolves 34-0 in Brandon.

Unsung

Guys we should've appreciated more:

DE Eric Bennett, East Bay. While teammate Chris Greene was running roughshod on Riverview's defense (169 yards), this 6-foot-2 junior had a fumble recovery and one of the Indians' three sacks.

ATH Andy Embody, Carrollwood Day. The county's most unappreciated player, according to CDS coach Lane McLaughlin, Embody posted 70 rushing yards, 100-plus receiving yards, five tackles, an interception and a 35-yard punting average against Canterbury.

DB Tony Valdez, Sickles. The Gryphons senior had a fourth-quarter fumble recovery at Armwood and converted a fake punt on fourth and 2 with a 5-yard run. Honorable mention goes to Gryphons FB Jared O'Donoghue. Now we know who creates those running lanes for Ray Ray McCloud.

Audibles

"He's the one person, besides Deuce (Gruden), that is my least favorite guy to go up against in practice." — Andy Embody, Carrollwood Day WR, on LB Max Frankel, whose two tackles for losses against Canterbury included one that knocked the quarterback out of the game

"I've coached under the Thorntons, and with these two schools being so close together, there's always going to be a little bit of hatred between the players." — Frank LaRosa, East Bay coach, after the Indians' 33-14 win against Riverview, coached by his former Indians colleagues Michael and Brian Thornton

"The bottom line is we lost, but we're not out of it. It's the same circumstances as last year, but this is a different ballclub. We have to fix a few things to get back to the playoffs and get back to the second round and face these guys again." — Bob Henriquez, Tampa Catholic coach, after his team's 27-7 loss at Clearwater Central Catholic

By the numbers

1 Tampa Catholic play from scrimmage that went for longer than 10 yards against CCC

2 Consecutive weeks that Jefferson has taken a 21-0 lead on an opponent, and lost

3 Consecutive shutouts posted by Jesuit's defense

13 Consecutive scoreless quarters posted by Jesuit's defense

19 Consecutive regular-season wins for Berkeley Prep, which remains the longest current streak in Hillsborough County

What a rush

Friday was an unusually good night for ball carriers. Here are several of the more prolific ones (all in winning efforts):

Chris Atkins, Durant

27 carries, 133 yards, one TD vs. Plant City

Reggie Brown, Jesuit

Nine carries, 164 yards, three TDs vs. Lennard

Chris Greene, East Bay

Nine carries, 169 yards, two TDs vs. Riverview

Jamarlon Hamilton, Durant

19 carries, 127 yards, one TD vs. Plant City

DeAndre James, Blake

20 carries, 156 yards, two TDs vs. Middleton

Xavier Johnson, Chamberlain

17 carries, 160 yards, one TD vs. Freedom

Chris Williams, Berkeley Prep

19 carries, 196 yards, three TDs vs. St. Petersburg Catholic

Will Worth, Newsome

23 carries, 173 yards, two TDs vs. Brandon

No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish routs Miami Hurricanes

0
0

Times wires
Saturday, October 6, 2012

CHICAGO — Miami might be better than anyone expected, but the Hurricanes proved Saturday night they're not ready for prime time.

Facing No. 9 Notre Dame before a national television audience and a packed house at Soldier Field, Miami suffered an embarrassing 41-3 defeat to snap a three-game win streak.

Notre Dame entered the game ranked No. 95 in total offense but had its way against a Miami defense that has proved inept all season long.

The Irish turned a 13-3 halftime lead into a rout by steamrolling the Hurricanes in the third quarter, scoring on each of their three possessions while piling up 197 rushing yards on 19 carries. Notre Dame threw twice in the quarter and completed both.

Cierre Wood and George Atkinson each rushed for more than 100 yards, giving Notre Dame a pair of 100-yard rushers for the first time since 2002. The Irish finished with 376 rushing yards, their most in a game since 2000.

Notre Dame, which hasn't trailed all season, didn't have much trouble throwing the ball, either. Redshirt freshman Everett Golson, who began the game on the bench, was 17-of-22 for 186 yards and added 51 rushing yards before leaving after three quarters.

"No excuses," UM coach Al Golden said. "We lost our poise at times. We didn't play well in this environment. That's my fault. We have to get it fixed."

For Miami's defense, getting pushed around is nothing new. UM went in ranked near the bottom in virtually every important defensive category and was coming off one of the worst performances in school history, allowing North Carolina State to pile up 664 yards of total offense last week.

In their past three games, the Hurricanes have given up more than 1,500 yards. UM has yet to hold a Division I foe to fewer than 32 points.

"I really don't know what it is," middle linebacker Denzel Perryman said. "I don't know what's going on in guys' heads mentally. I don't know if it was the cold weather getting to them or just (mental mistakes) on the field."

While UM's defense was dreadful Saturday, the normally high-powered offense wasn't much better.

Facing a Notre Dame defense that has allowed only 39 points in five games, UM struggled mightily on the ground and through the air.

Stephen Morris completed 18 of 35 passes for only 201 yards but didn't get much help from his teammates. UM receivers dropped at least six passes while the running game generated 81 yards. Miami was also penalized nine times for 76 yards.

Notre Dame has gone 12 consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown and has not permitted a rushing score all season.

"They're not ranked No. 9 for no reason," receiver Phillip Dorsett said. "They took it to us."

No. 3 Florida State Seminoles shocked 17-16 by N.C. State

0
0

Times wires
Saturday, October 6, 2012

RALEIGH, N.C. — Mike Glennon found Bryan Underwood for a 2-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 16 seconds left, helping North Carolina State rally to beat third-ranked Florida State 17-16 on Saturday night.

Battling a loud, rowdy crowd and some of their own worst second-half play of the season, the Seminoles were unable to stave off a second-half comeback.

The Seminoles (5-1, 2-1 ACC) appeared poised to strengthen their grip on the Atlantic Division, leading 16-0 at halftime behind a dominating defensive performance. But the Wolfpack (4-2, 1-1) inched closer after halftime before coming up with a game-turning blocked punt by Mike Rose with 2:27 left, giving the ball back to Glennon at the FSU 43 with a chance to complete a stunning comeback.

Glennon marched the Wolfpack down the field and completed two fourth-down passes inside the 15, the second when he found Underwood alone over the middle to tie the score. The Wolfpack took the lead on the ensuing point-after kick.

The Wolfpack has split its past 12 meetings against the Seminoles — and FSU vacated one of its six victories in that span.

FSU drove near midfield in the final seconds, but the Wolfpack defense knocked down EJ Manuel's desperation heave near the goal line to end it.

The play sent the Wolfpack players spilling onto the field in celebration, capping a stunning turn considering how overmatched they looked overmatched in the first half.

N.C. State never led until Glennon's late pass and Niklas Sade's PAT. N.C. State had just 68 yards and four first downs in the first half, with the Seminoles using a short touchdown pass from Manuel and three field goals from Dustin Hopkins to silence a rowdy home crowd.

But the FSU team that was in such control going into the locker room isn't the one that came out for the second half.

Chris Thompson ran for 115 of his 141 yards in the first half for the Seminoles, while Manuel threw for 218 yards with an interception. Florida State managed just 122 yards after halftime and squandered all three of their timeouts, which proved crucial once the Wolfpack finally pushed in front.

It marked the second straight year the Wolfpack had beaten a highly ranked division rival here. Last season, the Wolfpack upset No. 7 Clemson 37-13 for the program's first win against a top-10 team under Tom O'Brien.

This game marked the first time a top-five team had come to Carter-Finley Stadium since 1998. And just as in that game, unranked N.C. State upset the Seminoles, who were ranked No. 2 at the time.

The win also changed the race in the ACC's Atlantic Division. The Seminoles had already beaten Clemson at home, so a win at N.C. State would've given the preseason league favorite victories against the two teams projected to be their biggest challengers for the Atlantic Division crown.

As for N.C. State, the Wolfpack knew this was probably their last chance to stay in the division race.

Glennon threw for 259 yards on 30-for-55 passing with two touchdowns, the first being a 24-yard scoring pass to Shadrach Thornton that brought the Wolfpack within 16-10 with 13:47 to play. Then, after Rose's blocked punt, Glennon calmly moved N.C. State into striking range with a 12-yard pass to Quintin Payton on fourth-and-10 that gave N.C. State a first-and-goal at the 2 with 1:07 left on a drive that ended with Underwood alone in the middle of the field, a step or two into the end zone.

FSU's fall in the AP and coaches' polls this morning might not be too precipitous. No. 4 LSU and No. 5 Georgia also lost Saturday. But their games were against top-10 teams. N.C. State was unranked.

Viewing all 18574 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images