Tuesday, October 14, 2014
UCLA still unable to practice at Pauley Pavilion
Sports books remove FSU-Notre Dame line
Sports books remove FSU-Notre Dame line
Fisher confident Winston not paid for autographs
SEC releases complete 2015 football schedule
Purdue showing progress in year two under Darrell Hazell
It was a surprise to many when Purdue battled back against eighth-ranked Michigan State to pull within seven points during the fourth quarter Saturday, but not to head coach Darrell Hazell.
The Boilermakers even regained possession with three minutes to go with the chance to tie things up. Things didn’t work out for coach Hazell’s squad as Michigan State won 45-31, but battling back from a 38-17 deficit against one of the nation’s top teams showed how far Hazell’s team has come in just his second season at the helm.
Last season was rough. One win (a 20-14 decision over FCS Indiana State), 11 losses and a 10-game losing streak to end the year. This season has been different. It’s nothing miraculous – a 3-4 record through seven games – but it’s progress, and Hazell can see changes across the board.
“I don't think there's any one thing (that’s different),” Hazell said. “I think there's a combination of things. I think you got a better leading class, with the seniors, and even the juniors. I think that they've all made a commitment to each other.
“I think that's part of it, and I think because we are having a little bit – it's not nearly the amount of success we're going to have or we'd like to have at this point in time, I think that they feed off of that, and they realize that they can have a lot more success even in the weeks to come here.”
Buying into what Hazell and his coaching staff are preaching is one thing – it’s a part of the transition process when there's a coaching change at any program – but camaraderie and chemistry among the players is just as much of a factor in the ongoing turnaround for the program in Hazell’s eyes.
“I think it matters in those tough ball games,” Hazell said. “Those guys that hang out with each other usually fight for each other just a little bit harder in those tough situations. I think chemistry is maybe underrated and you can't have enough of it.”
Of course, once a team starts to get a few wins under its belt – that always brightens things up too.
“Winning solves a lot of things. It really does. It brings teams together. It makes you work a little bit harder,” Hazell said. “There’s a correlation between wins and a lot of other things, just as losing and so many other things. We have the right mindset in our locker room right now. The guys really believe. They’re starting to trust each other more and more each week, and their work ethic has been phenomenal.”
That work ethic Hazell speaks of is what shows up in the fourth quarter against a team like Michigan State. It’s what helps a team go on the road and beat Illinois for Hazell’s first Big Ten win, and it’s what helps keep things close against Notre Dame for three quarters.
The next step could be pulling out a big win that no one expects. Could it come Saturday on the road against the current leader in the Big Ten West, 5-1 Minnesota?
“I think this is a big game for us, as all of them are, but this is a huge game. We gotta come up there and play our best football game of the season,” Hazell said. “I like our chances. We'll match up well with them.”
For more Purdue news, visit GoldandBlack.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Purdue showing progress in year two under Darrell Hazell
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Illinois to honor Red Grange with gray uniforms against Minnesota (Photo)
Illinois is celebrating the 90th anniversary of Red Grange's performance against Michigan with gray uniforms on October 25.
The Illini's "Gray Ghost" uniforms are in honor of the Galloping Ghost, who scored six total touchdowns against Michigan on October 18, 1924. In the first 12 minutes, Grange scored on a kickoff return and three long runs.
90 yrs after running wild on Homecoming, @IlliniFootball to honor Grange w “Gray Ghost” unis > http://t.co/ftW6dg1OlM http://ift.tt/1r5utqq
— Illinois Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) October 14, 2014
More Gray Ghost uniform detail. #Illini http://ift.tt/1r5dOU3
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 14, 2014
Here's a closer look at the helmet. The logo and stripes are chrome decals.
Gray Ghost helmet for Oct. 25 game. #Illini http://ift.tt/1sOpBeU
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 14, 2014
Grange's No. 77 is retired at Illinois and he's a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
While gray can be a drab color, it's a cool way of honoring Grange's game, which was the dedication game of Illinois' Memorial Stadium. We just hope the gray doesn't become a dark gray or black when the players start to sweat. The two-tone sweatbox look on some lighter-colored Nike jerseys is not a good look.
And at least the game won't be played on Eastern Michigan's gray field. The Eagles went with gray uniforms against Buffalo on Saturday. That was too much gray to handle.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Illinois to honor Red Grange with gray uniforms against Minnesota (Photo)
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Air Force's Breast Cancer Awareness helmets have pink lightning bolts (Photo)
Several college football programs have made tweaks to their uniforms in October to bring awareness to Breast Cancer Awareness Month and now it’s Air Force’s turn.
The football team’s official Twitter site posted the helmets the team plans to wear for this weekend’s game against New Mexico and they’re pretty sweet.
In honor of #BreastCancerAwareness, we will wear these helmets with the pink bolt & stripe against @NewMexicoFB! http://ift.tt/1u1CQFj
— Air Force Football (@AFFootball) October 14, 2014
Perhaps it’s the combination of pink and royal blue that make these so appealing, but these are some of the sharper pink-inspired helmets we’ve seen so far. And, more importantly, they are a good way to draw attention to a good cause.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Air Force's Breast Cancer Awareness helmets have pink lightning bolts (Photo)
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Former Texas QB David Ash working with the Longhorns' baseball team
Former Texas quarterback David Ash might have given up football, but he hasn’t given up his desire to be a collegiate athlete for the Longhorns.
According to a Texas spokesperson, Ash has thrown a few bullpen sessions with the Texas pitching coach Skip Johnson. The sessions are in their preliminary stages and Ash has not officially joined the team.
Ash decided to end his football career last month after suffering concussion symptoms following a hit in the season opener against North Texas. Ash missed part of last season while dealing with concussion symptoms as well.
Trying to make the Longhorns baseball program would be quite the feat considering it played in the final four of the College World Series and Ash did not play baseball in high school. This year’s Texas baseball team is expected to be a contender for the national title.
Still, Ash does have a strong arm and if he can tweak his mechanics a bit, might be an asset for the team as a relief pitcher.
For more Texas news, visit Orangebloods.com.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Former Texas QB David Ash working with the Longhorns' baseball team
Tinder Date At McDonald’s Ended In Stabbing
Career of Boise State WR Matt Miller likely over due to ankle injury
The career of one of the best wide receivers in Boise State history could come to a premature end.
Broncos head coach Bryan Harsin said Sunday that fifth-year senior Matt Miller – the program’s all-time leader in receptions – could miss the remainder of the season after he underwent surgery Monday to fix a ligament in his ankle. The injury occurred when Miller made a catch during the second quarter of BSU’s loss at Air Force on September 27.
According to the Idaho Statesman, making the decision to have the surgery was not easy, but doctors did not expect his ankle to heal to the point where he would be able to return at any point this season.
“Unless he’s an incredible healer, he’ll be out the rest of the season,” Harsin said. “He’s going to move on and play football again (as a pro). It was hard. I said, ‘Just do it.’ I said, ‘Get it done, because you’re going to have a chance to play again.’
“He wants to play. He wants to play with his teammates, but it’s not going to happen. He’s not going to be in good enough shape.”
In addition to his record-setting reception total (244), Miller came just 15 yards short of breaking Titus Young’s record for career receiving yards. Miller finished with 3,049 yards, while Young gained 3,063 yards during his time at Boise from 2007 to 2010.
Additionally, Miller, a team captain, is third in program history with 29 touchdown receptions.
After redshirting in 2010, Miller caught 62 passes for 679 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011, 66 passes for 769 yards and five touchdowns in 2012 and 88 passes for 1,140 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior in 2013.
In five games in 2014, the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Miller caught 28 passes for 461 yards and three touchdowns.
Broncos offensive coordinator Mike Sanford said the injury lingered throughout the season.
"Matt Miller is one of the toughest human beings I've ever been around in this game," Sanford said. "This whole year, including spring ball, including fall camp and including the first five games he was in for – he would never say anything about it, but I think he was playing well below 100 percent in terms of being healthy. When they had a chance to really go in and look at everything after he did sustain his lower-leg injury, it was a pretty significant injury.”
Harsin said Miller hopes to rehab the ankle with the goal of being healthy for the NFL Scouting Combine in February and the school’s pro day in March. Harsin thinks Miller has a great shot to succeed in the pros.
“He’s a guy who can play at that level and he’s proven that, and he needs to get himself prepared for that,” Harsin said.
In Miller’s absence, sophomore Thomas Sperbeck will start at the “X” receiver spot. The 4-2 Broncos host Fresno State at home Friday night.
For more Boise State news, visit Blue-Turf.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Career of Boise State WR Matt Miller likely over due to ankle injury
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SEC commissioner Mike Slive announces retirement
SEC commissioner Mike Slive announced plans to retire next year amid health concerns.
Slive, who has been the conference commissioner for 13 years, said he is currently undergoing treatment for a recurrence of prostate cancer, which was first diagnosed in the late 1990s.
Slive’s official last day is July 31, 2015.
"I have been blessed in more ways than I can count and I will have as much passion for this job on my last day as I did on my first," Slive said in a statement released by the SEC. "I consider my health situation a temporary detour in a remarkable road that has allowed me to meet amazing people, experience incredible events and celebrate historic victories. I will relish my final year in this position and look forward to being the biggest fan of the SEC for many years to come."
Slive’s cancer was discovered during a surgical procedure on his back last August. He said his prognosis is good and that he plans to carry out his duties as commissioner for the remainder of the year while he battles the disease.
Slive will serve as a consultant for the conference for four years following his retirement.
During Slive’s tenure, the SEC has become the most dominant football conference in the country. It has won eight national titles, including seven in a row, during his tenure. He was instrumental in helping form the College Football Playoff and, with the addition of the SEC Network, the SEC has become one of the most profitable conferences in the country.
The SEC will begin a search for Slive’s replacement immediately.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - SEC commissioner Mike Slive announces retirement
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Oregon to wear 1994 throwback uniforms against Washington (Photos)
To honor a play that is considered to be a turning point in the history of Oregon football, the Ducks will wear 1994 throwback uniforms Saturday at home against Washington for the 20th anniversary of the play known as “The Pick.”
One play can change everything. Here is Saturday's uniform honoring "The Pick" #GoDucks http://ift.tt/1EUt0hb
— Oregon Football (@WinTheDay) October 14, 2014
Be more than just a game changer. The @WinTheDay ‘The Pick’ Collection: http://t.co/P7bJhO8cmU http://ift.tt/1sD5cZS
— Nike Football (@usnikefootball) October 14, 2014
The play – a 95-yard interception returned for a touchdown by freshman cornerback Kenny Wheaton on October 22, 1994 – sealed an upset victory over No. 9 Washington.
The Ducks were 4-3 at the time and the win over the Huskies was the second of a six-game winning streak that clinched the program’s first conference championship since 1957. Since then, the Ducks have had just one losing season en route to five more conference championships and 10 bowl wins.
Andy McNamara, Oregon’s assistant athletic director for communications, teased the uniforms on Monday. With the Ducks wearing different uniforms on numerous occasions throughout the season, it seemed like a real possibility that the team would go with the throwback look.
Must be the 20th anniversary of #ThePick or something #GoDucks http://ift.tt/1qVYYPz
— Andy McNamara (@McNamaraUO) October 13, 2014
With the 5-1 Huskies coming into Autzen Stadium to face the ninth-ranked Ducks (also 5-1), it will be awesome to see the team wear these classic uniforms.
For more Oregon news, visit DuckSportsAuthority.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Oregon to wear 1994 throwback uniforms against Washington (Photos)
WR Daniels done at Notre Dame, DL eyes return
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Notre Dame WR DaVaris Daniels leaving school, DE Ishaq Williams hopes to return in 2015
Two of the five Notre Dame players involved in the school’s academic fraud investigation will not play for the team this season.
Senior wide receiver DaVaris Daniels will leave the school and pursue other options, while defensive end Ishaq Williams hopes to return to the Fighting Irish in 2015.
Daniels’ father, 15-year NFL veteran Phillip Daniels, wrote on Twitter that his son is “done at Notre Dame and will weigh his options for the future.”
Finally after over 4 months my son got an answer! He is done at Notre Dame and will weigh his options for the future! #HeIsNDNoMore
— Phillip Daniels (@PhillipDaniels) October 14, 2014
Good luck to the rest of the players at ND and we wish you much success. Thanks to the fans for your support and the parents for their love!
— Phillip Daniels (@PhillipDaniels) October 14, 2014
Daniels also took to Twitter to thank his supporters and say that he would not transfer. If he does not transfer to another school, declaring for the NFL Draft seems like the most likely option for Daniels moving forward.
Thanks to everyone who supported, I appreciate it and now it's time to strap up for bigger things!
— Toot Daddy Fresh™ (@DaVarisDaniels) October 14, 2014
Not looking to transfer. ND was my team. ND is where my heart was. Unfortunately my time here is done, ready for my future.
— Toot Daddy Fresh™ (@DaVarisDaniels) October 14, 2014
The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Daniels was the team’s leading returning receiver coming into the 2014 season. In total in his Notre Dame career, Daniels caught 80 passes for 1,235 yards and seven touchdowns.
In Williams’ case, ND head coach Brian Kelly said Tuesday he had a conversation with the senior and Williams told him that he’d like to return to the team next season. Williams has played in 35 games in his career, making 45 total tackles, six tackles for loss and one sack.
Kelly also said that junior defensive back KeiVarae Russell, another player involved in the investigation, would like to return to the team next season, too.
NBC Sports reported last week that Russell would not play for the remainder of the season but planned to return in 2015.
According to Irish Illustrated, Williams and Russell will not be allowed to stay at the school this semester as part of their punishment, but they can re-enroll at a later time.
Kelly says KeiVarae Russell and Ishaq Williams have told him they both would like to return to the team next season.
— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) October 14, 2014
Kelly says that Ishaq Williams and KeiVarae Russell won’t be allowed to stay at the school this semester.
— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) October 14, 2014
It is not entirely clear what ruling was handed down to Daniels and Williams, but multiple outlets reported last week that all five players – Daniels, Williams and Russell, along with linebacker Kendall Moore and safety Eilar Hardy – would not play for the team this season.
The school said earlier in the month that it would not publically reveal the results of the players’ honor code hearings, but it would send its findings to the NCAA. However, the school said the five players could reveal the results of their hearings if they chose to do so.
All five players have been withheld from practice and meetings since mid-August, though they have been allowed inside the team facility during the investigation.
Even without the players –three of whom (Williams, Russell and Daniels) were listed as starters in preseason camp – the Fighting Irish are 6-0 and ranked No. 5 in the country. The team faces its biggest challenge of the season Saturday in a road contest with No. 2 Florida State.
For more Notre Dame news, visit IrishIllustrated.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Notre Dame WR DaVaris Daniels leaving school, DE Ishaq Williams hopes to return in 2015