Penn State has been “very, very forthcoming” as the NCAA looks into the sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the school since November, association …
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Orange Bowl continues to taunt Darwin Cook over its bruised mascot
January 11th, 2012 by admin
It looks like Obie the Orange Bowl mascot was not OK after being tackled by West Virginia safety Darwin Cook after Cook’s 99-yard fumble recovery during the Orange Bowl.
The Orange Bowl Twitter feed posted a photo Tuesday of poor Obie being released from the hospital with several bandages, crutches and a missing tooth (which, I personally think is a nice touch). Obie, who is conveniently standing in front of an ambulance, is also holding a sign that reads, “Not Cool @D_Cook25,” which is a reference to Cook’s Twitter handle.
Apparently a video is soon to follow. Oh yeah, we’ll have that, too, in an effort to help the Orange Bowl to milk this for all it can.
The injuries seemed to manifest a little late since the game was last Thursday, but I hope Cook has retained good legal representation in case Obie has an ambulance chaser of her own. Oh, that’s right, if you didn’t hear, Obie is actually a female, a little bit of information Cook didn’t find out until after the game. And Cook was profusely apologetic for taking the poor, unsuspecting Orange out. Unfortunately, apologies don’t heal bruised fruit.
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Graham Watson is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow her @Yahoo_Graham
How the SEC continues to reign over college football
January 5th, 2012 by adminLSU-Alabama matchup assures Southeastern Conference of an unprecedented sixth consecutive national championship
Debriefing: Patience, please, while Tennessee continues its coming of age
August 14th, 2011 by adminThe least you should know about the 2011 Volunteers. Part of SEC Week.
• Caution: Sophomores at work. As intriguing as it must have been to watch a bunch of freshmen play a major role in pulling a 2-6 season from the brink of oblivion last November, but the big-picture equation heading into the fall is the same: The Vols are still one of the greenest teams in America. Coming out of the spring, the starting quarterback, starting fullback, two starting wide receivers, four of five starting offensive linemen, three starting defensive linemen and at least one (and potentially as many as three) regular members of the secondary were freshmen or sophomores. Only four seniors are penciled in as starters on either side of the ball, fewest in the country outside of Auburn.
At least some of the young ‘uns have played, and under the circumstances, some of them played pretty well. But prior to the soul-crushing loss to North Carolina in the bowl game, the late-season turnaround that got them there came via wins over Memphis, Ole Mis, Vanderbilt and Kentucky — teams that combined to go 13-32 against everyone else. How the kids will fare against the likes of Florida, Georgia, LSU, Alabama, South Carolina and Arkansas is still a mystery.
• Somebody’s gotta do it. Of course, some areas are greener than others: When All-SEC defensive tackle Malik Jackson sprained his knee last week, the defense was left with zero returning starters among the front seven for the majority of preseason practice. Already, the only other returning starter, veteran linebacker, Herman Lathers was expected to miss at least half the season after breaking an ankle in June, and the new middle linebacker, Austin Johnson, was arrested a little more than a month later for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. (Charges against him were later dropped.) Defensive tackle Montori Hughes was dismissed from the team in June.
In fact, even after Jackson’s return to the lineup, the most experienced D-lineman will still be fifth-year senior Ben Martin, a former five-star recruit who started 11 games in 2009 and was only beginning to scratch the surface of his potential when he went down with a season-ending Achilles injury almost as soon as the first whistle blew in preseason camp last year. In February, he injured the other Achilles, holding him out of spring practice. His first practice back last week was the first Martin has finished since Derek Dooley took over as head coach, and his presence in the lineup would be a significant boost for a unit that needs it.
• Frontin’. Most of the optimism down the stretch was generated by the true freshman quarterback, Tyler Bray, who wrested the starting job from Matt Simms on the last weekend of October, averaged 35 passes passes per game in his five starts, went well over 300 yards passing in four of them and connected on multiple touchdown passes in all five. (He also came within a second against North Carolina of winning all five.) Two of his targets, fellow freshmen Da’Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter, are big, hyped targets — Rivals ranked both among the top 100 incoming players in the entire 2010 — who averaged 21.5 yards per catch with nine touchdowns. As sophomores, their downfield prowess may be the envy of the conference.
There was considerably less enthusiasm for the youth movement on the offensive line, where four different true/redshirt freshmen combined for 31 starts and two inexperienced sophomores, Zach Fulton and Darin Gooch, added 19 more. Subsequently, the Vols not only finished dead last in the SEC in yards per game and per carry on the ground, but also allowed more sacks than any other team in the conference by a fairly wide margin. At various points, Simms and Bray were dropped six times apiece by Florida and South Carolina, five times by UAB and LSU, four times by Georgia and North Carolina, and so on. Bray should be safer behind a vastly more experienced front this time around, but not necessarily to the point that he’s actually “safe.”
• Vols of a certain age. As young as the rest of the team is, it’s almost a shame Dooley can’t purchase some kind of “Experience Credit” that would allow him to transfer some of the overabundance of experience in the secondary to another position. Six different guys in the defensive backfield — Janzen Jackson, Prentiss Waggner, Marsalis Teague, Art Evans, Eric Gordon and Brent Brewer — have all spent at least half a season as a regular starter, and Jackson and Waggner give the Tennesse its best chance (along with Malik Jackson) of actually getting a name or two on the all-conference team at the end of the year. Jackson was the only Vol who made the cut in 2010, but he also spent most of the offseason away from the team, casting his long-term reliability — if not his sky-high potential — in some doubt.
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Matt Hinton is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
NCAA letter to Ohio State says investigation continues
August 11th, 2011 by adminThe NCAA investigation of Ohio State’s football program may not be over this week.
Will Goggans’ beard continues to amuse and amaze at Troy
July 11th, 2011 by adminPart of Mid-Major Week.
Will Goggans was just trying to have some fun.
Last June, Troy’s punter looked in the mirror and pictured himself with a long flowing beard. So he decided to grow one. By December it was seven and a half inches long, bleached blonde and a college football phenomenon.
“I’ve always been kind of weird with what I do with my hair,” Goggans said. “I had a mullet for like a month and a half the year before the beard. I’ve always had long facial hair and I’ve cut it into just a mustache and I’ve had some fun with it. And then I decided to grow out the full beard.
“I had no idea it would catch on the way it did. I did it and I was just thinking people were going to look at me a little weird when I was on the streets and stuff, but I had no idea that it would have that kind of success just pop culture-wise. It was ridiculous what people were saying after the game. I had no idea it was going to be like that.”
Thanks to the beard, Goggans had the best punting season of his career averaging 42.2 yards per kick to place second in the Sun Belt Conference and 37th nationally. Prior to last season, Goggans’ punting average had never cracked 40 yards per kick.
“I had the best year of my career last year and I attribute that to the beard,” Goggans said. “The beard is my muse.”
Despite the love of the beard, Goggans had to shave it in the spring because it was just too hot.
“I figured I’d just shave it off and just look like a normal human being for a couple months,” he said.
But he immediately regretted it and decided to grow it back in May, a full month earlier than he started growing it a year ago, in hopes of achieving the perfect ZZ Top look before he graduates from Troy.
“With this being my last year, I figured I should have a little bit of fun while I can because once I get out of college, where else am I going to be able to have a beard like that?” Goggan said.
But growing the beard is just the beginning. Goggans is considering using different colors in the beard throughout the season. He’s contemplating red, white and blue for September and pink in October for breast cancer awareness. He said at the very least, he’d bring back the (above) bleached look around Christmas time.
But for now, it’s all about grooming and maintaining the look for optimum growth. He’s careful not to get food in the beard. He washes it with Old Spice shampoo and conditions with Head and Shoulders. He also combs the beard out every day to keep it from getting too fluffy.
As for how the ladies feel about his facial hair, Goggans said it’s a crapshoot.
“The women either loved it or they hated it,” Goggans said. “Some came up to me, ran their fingers through it and loved it. Other girls were just like, ‘Yeah, you’re going to have to shave it.’ And, ‘Stand at a certain distance when you talk to me.’ It was a love or hate thing.”
But the guys in the locker room and the fans love it, and Goggans said he aims to please. He’s hoping the beard will propel him to his best season ever and perhaps give him an opportunity to take his talents — and his beard — to a bigger stage.
“I’m doing this for the fun of it and I hope people will have fun with me.”
Graham Watson is a regular contributor Dr. Saturday. Follow her on Twitter @Yahoo_Graham
Golfer Jack Nicklaus continues to defend Jim Tressel
June 1st, 2011 by admin
Several coaches, players and even fans have defended former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel in the wake of his resignation Monday, but none have been as outspoken as famed golfer and Ohio State legend Jack Nicklaus.
While speaking Tuesday before the Memorial, the annual golf tournament he hosts in Dublin, Ohio, Nicklaus said Tressel was a "good man" and acknowledged that he felt bad for him.
Tressel resigned as the head coach at Ohio State on Monday after allegations surfaced that he lied to the NCAA to cover up players selling their memorabilia to tattoo parlor owner Edward Rife. Since Tressel’s resignation, other stories have surfaced about allegations relating to quarterback Terrelle Pryor and a car dealership and Tressel’s sordid past of turning a blind eye to his player’s misdeeds.
Nicklaus defended some of Tressel’s actions, but said the cover-up was what got him in trouble.
"Well, my take on it is that it was no different than a father trying to protect his son, and if I had one of my kids that did what I thought was a fairly insignificant thing, I’d probably say, you know, Hey, we’re not going to worry too much about that. We’re going to try to just forget that.
"Well, obviously the cover‑up was far worse than the act. And once you got the cover‑up, it became a situation where Jim had to say some things that turned out to be that weren’t exactly truthful. And so that’s where he got himself in trouble.
"I think unfortunately it’s a situation they got caught in, and that’s where they are. What’s going to happen, I don’t know beyond this point. The NCAA, it’s more in their hands. … Once one of these things happens, by the time they get through digging they’re going to find whether somebody had a hangnail someplace or not, whether somebody replaced it improperly."
Nicklaus also pointed a finger at the NCAA for perhaps being too harsh for something as insignificant as players wanting to get tattoos and using their own merchandise to purchase them.
"How could you possibly control what some kids do? It was a fairly innocent act. You want to get a tattoo? You’re going to get a tattoo. Is that a big deal? Maybe to those kids it was. Maybe it’s the NCAA’s fault. Maybe the only way to pay for those tattoos was to do what they did. Is that a big deal? Probably not. It was theirs."
This isn’t the first time Nicklaus has supported Tressel. He did so a month ago when he claimed that Tressel wasn’t alone in his indiscretions and that his bosses Gene Smith and E. Gordon Gee had to know about them as well.
Spurrier continues to prop open a door for Stephen Garcia’s return
May 30th, 2011 by admin
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier continues to have a change of heart when it comes to quarterback Stephen Garcia.
In the past couple weeks, Spurrier’s comments toward Garcia have become softer and on Wednesday, during a Gamecock Club Fan Fest stop at Darlington Raceway, Spurrier continued to praise Garcia for taking the right steps to get back on the team.
This after Spurrier had given up hope on his starting quarterback three months ago.
"It seems like he’s changed his ways," Spurrier said. "I hope the university lets him back on the team."
Garcia was suspended in April for drinking before an SEC-mandated violence prevention seminar. He also mouthed off during the meeting. Garcia has had several alcohol-related issues. During his first season with the team, Garcia had three alcohol-related arrests. Last March, he was nearly kicked off the team for an incident during the team’s bowl week that allegedly involved alcohol and females.
After the incident in April, Spurrier was about at the end of his rope.
But since that suspension, Garcia has been working hard to get back into the good graces of his teammates and coaches. On May 7, Garcia graduated with a degree in sociology and shortly afterward he met with Spurrier to get the process of returning to the team in motion.
Garcia is expected to be reinstated early next week and could start working out with the team as early as Wednesday. However, Garcia will likely be placed on probation while he continues to meet the requirements the university set forth for his reinstatement. One of those requirements includes a school-mandated alcohol abuse treatment program.
If Garcia isn’t reinstated, the backups are plenty but there’s not a lot of experience. Sophomore Connor Shaw seems to be the heir apparent and has some game experience, but has yet to start a game and was often thrust into bad situations after Garcia was pulled. He does have a good arm, but has struggled with accuracy, especially when pressured.
Dylan Thompson had a nice spring game, but he’s not ready to be thrust into the SEC fire and Andrew Clifford hasn’t had an opportunity to show whether he could handle the reins of the team.
Garcia has played in 35 games since 2008, including every game in the past two years. More importantly, he’s the Gamecocks best chance if they hope to challenge for an SEC title.
Headlinin’: Brady Hoke continues to awe Michigan with his awe of Michigan
April 19th, 2011 by admin
Making the morning rounds.
• Hey, I remember this guy. Escalating his campaign to absolve the stain of the heathen reign of Rich Rodriguez, Michigan coach Brady Hoke welcomed more than 200 former Wolverines back to campus over the weekend to reintroduce Michigan Stadium to the throbbing glow of Michigan Tradition for the spring game. Players who played under Hoke during his eight seasons as a Lloyd Carr assistant continued to oblige the family theme:
• Former tight end Bennie Joppru: "It’s a feeling that’s indescribable — it was missing the past couple years. I know the guy that’s here. I know the direction we’re in."
• Former wide receiver Braylon Edwards: "(Hoke’s message) was just more about the tradition. He appreciates the alums and he wants to get us involved and educate the players who play here now. It’s sad to say, a lot of them don’t know the tradition at Michigan. Back in the day, the former players knew the tradition."
• Former receiver Ron Bellamy: "The guys are excited a Michigan man is back on the throne. Some of us have been back to some of the practices, and it feels like a Bo Schembechler, Lloyd Carr atmosphere. … The practice tempo is faster, the kids are physical. That’s the only way it’s going to get better."
• Former running back Mike Hart, who didn’t play under Hoke or Rodriguez: "Everybody kind of knows coach Hoke because he was around—coached a lot of guys. I think that’s why they feel that way. I think it’s always been a welcome-back atmosphere, I think guys just chose not to come back. … I can’t tell you why, but I think it’s because he didn’t value the tradition like coach Hoke does. Rich Rod let you come back, but he never really valued the tradition of Michigan. Coach Hoke is all about tradition."
Indeed. And to prove it further, the AP notes that Hoke makes a point of enthusiastically drilling the team every day on the number of years Michigan has been playing football (132), the number of Big Ten championships Michigan has won (42) and "the team to beat" (Ohio — that is, Ohio State). "We do that all the time, when we break down as a group whether it’s a workout or we’re out on the field," said defensive tackle Mike Martin. "It’s a big part of our program." [Associated Press, Detroit News, [ESPN], Detroit Free Press]
• Meanwhile, in Buckeye country. To the south, Columbus Dispatch beat writer Ken Gordon breaks down the limited scrimmage numbers to date and concludes that redshirt freshman Taylor Graham is hot on the heels of senior Joe Bauserman to open as Ohio State’s starting quarterback during Terrelle Pryor’s five-game suspension this fall, largely because Graham hasn’t turned the ball over in nine possessions. Hyped true freshman Braxton Miller has had the fewest reps of the four candidates, and while he has "obvious talent," he’s "not fully in command yet, mentally." [Columbus Dispatch]
Elsewhere in high profile quarterback duels, the Birmingham News’ Kevin Scarbinsky speculates on the chances that A.J. McCarron and Phillip Sims will split time this fall as Alabama’s starting quarterback, which wouldn’t be so bad as long as they don’t screw everything up. [Birmingham News]
• The Rap Sheet. Oregon quarterback Dustin Haines — wait, you know Dustin, don’t you?
There he is, in his familiar role as bearer of those crazy sideline placards Oregon used last year to signal in plays. Anyway, Dustin Haines has been suspended indefinitely after being charged with excessive noise, interfering with a police officer and resisting arrest early Saturday morning. Police said Haines "became hostile and scuffled with officers" in the incident, which included a noise citation for former Duck running back Brandon Thurston; Haines, a Eugene native, was taken to a local jail and posted bond later on Saturday. Naturally, he gets his own sign. [The Oregonian]
• Attention trolls! Here’s President Obama congratulating the Air Force football team at the White House Monday for capturing the Commander In Chief’s Trophy with wins over Army and Navy last year:
To quote a YouTube commenter, "OK EVERYBODY, READY? OK START YOUR FLAME WARS…NOW. TROLOLOLOLOLO…" [Associated Press]
Quickly… Both Texas A&M and Missouri sprang for rings to commemorate division championships. … Bob Stoops would rather play on Thanksgiving weekend, if it’s all the same. … Gary Patterson is the most outstanding citizen in Fort Worth. … Jack Nicklaus defends Jim Tressel. … Ryan Mallett blasts Albert Breer. … The Iowa-Illinois football rivalry is given its last rites. … The Pac-12 hires a former NFL exec to plan and direct its championship game. … Auburn players sing the praises of holographic patches. … At home with Cam Newton and his prized keepsakes. … Alabama inadvertently disses the "American Caesar." … And Mark Emmert will not be meeting you in public.
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Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
Neuheisel continues UCLA staff makeover (AP)
February 11th, 2011 by adminUCLA coach Rick Neuheisel has hired Jim Mastro of Nevada to coach the Bruins’ tight ends and F-backs, and he also fired Todd Howard, who coached the defensive line for five seasons. Neuheisel announced the moves on Thursday, continuing an offseason staff makeover. Mastro coached the Wolf Pack’s running backs for 11 seasons, building one of the top running attacks in the country.
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