News sport : Oklahoma State AD: Gundy doesn't want to play tough non-con opponents

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder and football coach Mike Gundy clearly have a difference in non-conference scheduling opinion.


Holder made the separate philosophies apparent in an interview with the Oklahoman's Berry Tramel.



“My football coach doesn’t want to play anybody any good, definitely, but jiminy Christmas, we looked pretty good against Florida State,” Holder said of the 2014 season opener, which the Cowboys lost 37-31. “Until we beat OU, that was the highlight of our season.”



The topic of scheduling is big because of the way Baylor was treated throughout the College Football Playoff rankings because of its porous non-conference schedule. The Bears played Buffalo, SMU and Northwestern State outside of the Big 12. Baylor ended up fifth and outside the playoff in the final standings while TCU, the team Baylor beat for its only loss of the season, was dropped to sixth when the head-to-head matchup between the teams came into play.


Holder said it was important for Big 12 teams to schedule good teams outside of the conference. The game against Florida State was in Dallas and Oklahoma State hung with the Seminoles throughout the game. Thanks to the win over Oklahoma in the last game of the season, Oklahoma State finished the season 6-6 and is going to the Cactus Bowl.


In 2015, however, the Cowboys don't have any major conference opponents scheduled. It's the first year since 2006, when OSU played Missouri State, Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic and Houston, that the Cowboys haven't played a team from a Power Five conference outside of the Big 12.



“I’m stuck with that one,” Holder said. “It’s so cost-prohibitive (to get out of contracts). It’s over a million dollars. It’s problematic now. And you hate to leave somebody high and dry this late.”




But Holder said he was adamant with his fellow athletic directors.




“It’s not about bowl eligibility anymore,” Holder said he told them. “Guys, we can control that nonconference schedule. As a group, we’ve got to decide if we’re going to schedule for bowl eligibility or we’re going to schedule to win a national championship. And everyone in this room directly affects this league.”



For more Oklahoma State news, visit OStateIllustrated.com.


- - - - - - -


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 Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1zS8GLg
Read More

News sport : Arian Foster throws his first NFL touchdown pass

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Running back Arian Foster has done everything else for the Houston Texans' offense this year, so why not ask him to throw a touchdown pass?


Foster, who has more than 1,000 yards rushing this season, the fourth time he has reached that mark, had never thrown an NFL pass in his career. His first one was right on the money.


Foster ran to his right, drew the Baltimore Ravens defense in, and lofted a pass to C.J. Fiedorowicz in the end zone for the score. Foster had his first career passing touchdown, and the rookie Fiedorowicz had his first NFL touchdown catch. That gave Houston a surprising 16-0 lead.



Considering that the Texans have gone through four quarterbacks this season, maybe they can do worse than have Foster keep throwing it every now and then.


- - - - - - -


Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1zlu3Wu
Read More

News sport : Raiders player donates game check to four-year-old heart patient

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,



You know, there are people involved in the NFL who use their vast powers and resources for good. Here's one of those stories. Fox Sports' Jay Glazer connected the Oakland Raiders with the family of four-year-old Ava Urerra of Las Vegas. Ava has a heart condition that Glazer says is like having "half a heart." The result was pretty magnificent.


The Raiders offered young Ava, who has undergone 14 different procedures on her heart, the opportunity to "captain" the team, and gave her signed gear and toys throughout a visit with the team. Offensive lineman Menelik Watson, so touched by Ava's condition, donated his entire game check, $18,000, to help with the expenses of Ava's family.


"Sir, I would like to make sure Ava has the greatest holiday," Watson told Ava's father, according to Glazer. "Here is my game check."


It's not a small gesture, particularly from a second-year player who's in a profession whose careers can be measured in just a handful of years. NFL players are paid in 17 installments over the course of the year, not 52, so Watson just donated almost six percent of his entire salary. Great gestures all the way around.


____

Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter.



And keep up with Jay over on Facebook, too.







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1x0ehgj
Read More

News sport : Jets fan wears incredibly depressing 'Dying Inside' jersey to MetLife Stadium

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

By all accounts, New Yorkers only filled half of MetLife Stadium for Sunday's tilt against the New England Patriots, but the Jets probably would have preferred one fan who did show up had stayed home.


Probably not too pleased with his last-place team's 3-11 record this season, a Jets fan wore a jersey with the phrase "dying inside" written on the back — naturally above the No. 69 to keep it ultra classy.


Jets fans have found creative ways to voice their frustration all year, raising thousands to post a billboard in favor of firing general manager John Idzik, flying a "rebuilding since 1969" banner above the stadium and sending depressing Christmas cards reading, "We hope your team does not disappoint you these holidays."


Chasing the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans for the league's worst record and the No. 1 overall pick, the Jets rewarded this fan by taking a 10-7 lead against the rival Patriots into halftime. Dying inside, indeed.






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1sXvKry
Read More

News sport : Johnny Manziel knocked out of game; Hoyer in for Browns

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Johnny Manziel's second NFL start hasn't gone a lot better than his first.


Manziel was crushed on a quarterback sweep late in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers by Luke Kuechly and Colin Jones and was knocked out of the game after a 1-yard loss.


Brian Hoyer replaced Manziel at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.


Manziel had a towel hung over his head as he went into the locker room. He was listed as questionable to return with a hamstring injury.



Before he left, Manziel completed 3-of-8 passes for 32 yards and ran twice for 3 yards.


- - - - - - -


Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1sXvKYD
Read More

News sport : Here's your chance to watch the Kyle Field implosion (Video)

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,


Earlier in the week we told you about Texas A&M's scheduled implosion of Kyle Field on Sunday morning. And now you have the opportunity to see what looks like a slow-motion collaps of a LEGO building. With explosions, of course.


A&M is renovating its football stadium and the implosion was to the west side of the stadium. The $450 million total stadium renovation project is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the 2015 season.


- - - - - - -


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 Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1wbV1IW
Read More

News sport : Panthers' Cam Newton looks blessed before first play vs. Browns

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

It's not a miracle that Cam Newton is playing Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.


But it might be a miracle he's alive.


Newton is less than two weeks removed from a frightening car crash that caused him to miss last week's game after he suffered a tranverse process injury in his back.


It could have been a lot worse. Newton appeared to acknowledge that fact as he took the field against the Browns.



Now, Newton apparently does this before every game. But you'd have to think Sunday's prayer might have had a little additional meaning.


- - - - - - -


Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1zRFLHp
Read More

News sport : Jets' Nick Mangold wears NYPD hat

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

This has been the season of protest in the NFL, with players expressing support for the protesters in Ferguson, Mo.; frustration with the death by asphyxiation of Eric Garner in New York; and a call for justice in the deaths of two Ohio individuals at the hands of police. On the morning after two police officers were gunned down while in their police car in Brooklyn, Nick Mangold of the New York Jets offered his own support, wearing an NYPD hat.


A Jets blogger snapped this photo of Mangold early Sunday morning:



New York City-area teams have a long history of connection with the NYPD. Players from the Yankees and Mets wore NYPD caps in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, and Mangold's support is now part of that long-running tradition.


Many fans and police unions expressed disappointment with the players who took stances in support of victims. However, neither the NFL nor the individual teams punished the players involved in the protests. Clearly, the NFL has a situation on its hands now where players are feeling the freedom to express points of view across the political spectrum without fear of being fined or disciplined.


____

Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter.



And keep up with Jay over on Facebook, too.







from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1AUcIB4
Read More

News sport : Miami Beach Bowl: BYU will have a challenge against Memphis' defense

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Miami Beach Bowl

BYU (8-4) vs. Memphis (9-3)

Miami

Dec 22, 2014


Both Memphis and BYU could be considered success stories this season considering the obstacles they’ve overcome to get into this bowl game.


Memphis had not had a winning season since 2007 and had not been to a bowl game since 2008. In fact, the Tigers were 4-31 in the three years prior to coach Justin Fuente taking over, and this season, the Tigers finished in the three-way tie for the American Athletic Conference title.


BYU had a stellar start to the season before star quarterback Taysom Hill suffered a season-ending knee injury during the fifth game of the year. The Cougars stumbled a bit as they tried to get their footing with new quarterback Christian Stewart, but managed to finish the regular season on a four-game winning streak.


This contest is a classic strong offense versus strong defense matchup. BYU is 19th in the country in scoring offense with 36.2 points per game and averages 463.4 yards per game. Memphis is fifth in the country allowing just 17.1 points per game. Only UCLA scored more than 28 points on the Tigers this season and only two teams in the past six games managed 20 points.


BYU has not faced a defense this strong all season and it especially hasn’t faced a defense this good during its winning streak. The key for BYU will be for special teams and perhaps some turnovers to put the Cougars in good field position. It also will have to get its running game going to allow Stewart to keep Memphis off balance with the pass.


Memphis will lean on linebacker Tank Jakes, who leads the team in sacks and tackles, defensively, but don't discount the Memphis offense. Running back Brandon Hayes leads the team with 900 yards and five touchdowns. Memphis averages 34.7 points per game, but the competition in the AAC wasn’t exactly some of the toughest in the country.


If Memphis wins, it will finish with 10 wins for the first time in program history. It’s only had nine wins two other times.


BYU hasn’t had a nine-win season since winning 10 games in 2011.


Vegas odds: Memphis (-1.5)


FUN FACT


While BYU is playing in its 10th consecutive bowl game, no Memphis player has ever played in a bowl game and only one player, receiver Keiwone Malone, has ever been to one. Malone was redshirting with Alabama when it beat Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl at the end of the 2010 season.


PREDICTIONS


Graham: What’s the old adage, defense win championships? Well, it also wins bowl games and that’s what’s going to happen here. Memphis’ defense is really good, just ask Ole Miss’ Bo Wallace. BYU hasn’t seen a defense this multiple or talented and it’s going to have a hard time keeping up. Memphis 28, BYU 13.


Nick: This is a game where the better quarterback determines the outcome. The better QB is Memphis' Paxton Lynch. Ten wins happen for the Tigers, and Justin Fuente becomes an even hotter commodity. Memphis 23, BYU 17.


Sam: BYU, with Christian Stewart filling in for an injured Taysom Hill at quarterback, played pretty well down the stretch, but it was mostly against bad teams. Stewart hasn't seen a defense as good as Memphis, and the Tigers will force a few second half turnovers and pull out a win. Memphis 27, BYU 20.






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1CjIECS
Read More

News sport : Throwing Darts: Patriot games at the Meadowlands

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

Here's the plan for this week, all numbers against the Yahoo Pro Football Pick'Em Line: Patriots -10, Broncos -3, Oakland +5.5, Houston +5, Redskins +7.5 (released Saturday).


Can't see the Patriots taking the Jets lightly given what's at stake (they're protecting the No. 1 seed in the AFC). The first meeting was close, to the point that this is almost a revenge spot (consider how the Pats crushed Miami in the rematch). And surely Geno Smith will be good for a couple of turnovers. Lay the wood.


[Join FanDuel.com's $2M Week 16 fantasy league: $25 to enter; top 17,475 teams paid]


When's the last time Marvin Lewis and Andy Dalton came through in a big prime-time spot? I know Peyton Manning doesn't look sharp right now, but Julius Thomas is back, C.J. Anderson is a horse, and the Broncos defense is one of the underreported stories of the second half..


We'll fade the Bills after last week's surprise upset victory, a game that was more fluky than the final score indicated. Oakland hasn't packed it in: its last two home games were victories over the Chiefs and Niners.


Case Keenum has shown occasional flashes as a starter – recall his turn at KC last year. It sounds like DeAndre Hopkins will go, and he'll find space against this leaky Baltimore secondary (so will Andre Johnson). Texans hang around.


Last Week: 3-2


This Week: 1-0


Season: 37-38-1






from Yahoo Sports http://ift.tt/1z974ZC
Read More

England ‘had best 2018 WC bid’

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

England’s failed 2018 WC host bid “was by far the strongest”, a Fifa official said on Sunday.


|||

London –


“How could England have only got two votes? It was a big surprise,” Mayne-Nicholls was quoted as saying in The Sunday Times.


The 53-year-old, a former Chilean football federation president, was chairman of a Fifa group tasked with assessing the strength and feasibility of the various bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals.


Having visited all 11 countries bidding, Mayne-Nicholls concluded that England had the best infrastructure and public involvement, crucial facets of any successful bid.


The bid, however, received just two votes from a possible 22 with Russia winning the right to host the 2018 tournament. Qatar secured the 2022 Cup.


“England were on the top. They had the best concept, the best infrastructure and the people were very much involved,” said Mayne-Nicholls.


“I was there and I saw the faces of Prince William and (David) Beckham, and they were shocked. It’s like when you are a first division team and you play a third division team and you lose by five goals.”


Mayne-Nicholls has previously raised concerns about Qatar, whose bid was the only one labelled as high risk by the evaluation committee due to the searing heat.


He again questioned the logistical issues raised by hosting the tournament in one city and said the transport and infrastructure would not be able to cope with the deluge of fans flocking to the tournament.


“It is a real possibility that lots of people cannot get to the games,” Mayne-Nicholls.


On Friday, Fifa president Sepp Blatter announced the world body would publish, “in an appropriate form”, a 430-page report compiled by former ethics investigator Michael Garcia which explored claims of bribery in the bidding process.


Mayne-Nicholls said last month he would decide in the New Year whether to stand for Fifa presidency against Blatter. Fifa rules prevent campaigning before Jan. 29 with the election set for May 29. – Reuters






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1GJ7RGH
Read More

Phiri praises FS Stars' saviour

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Kinnah Phiri has praised his top scorer after the FS Stars secured a relegation battle victory on Saturday.


|||

Johannesburg – Free State Stars coach Kinnah Phiri praised joint top Premier League scorer Moeketsi Sekola after his team secured a priceless 3-1 victory in the relegation battle against Platinum Stars, at Bethlehem’s Goble Park on Saturday afternoon.


Phiri, himself a prolific scorer for Malawi with 36 goals in 30


international matches, stressed the importance of having a player in the team who can put the ball into the back of the net.


Sekola was recently selected for the Bafana Bafana squad by coach Shakes Mashaba. His two goals against Platinum Stars elevated him to the top of the Premier League scoring chart.


Languishing in second-bottom place in the PSL log for most of the current season, the three points gained against Platinum Stars lifted Free State Stars out of the immediate danger zone.


Platinum Stars have however slipped to an alarming second bottom position in the log table.


The defeat continued a slump for Platinum Stars, who have now won only one of their last six League matches, joining the teams with relegation concerns after building a reputation of being one of the toughest PSL teams to beat over the past two highly successful seasons.


After Platinum Stars had neutralised Togolese international midfielder Camaldine Abraw’s scintillating 32nd minute opening goal for Free State Stars from a powerful angled shot from the edge of the penalty area via a precise Robert Ng’ambi header 10 minutes after half-time, Sekola made his presence felt with his dynamic brace of goals.


Sekola took advantage of a Sydney Masana pass to make the score 2-1 in the 63rd minute. He then virtually assured victory for the Free State team 12 minutes later when he burst through the Platinum Stars defence to make the score 3-1.


The victory was Free State Stars’ first in four games and added to a long-standing reputation that they are a difficult team to beat for any side in the PSL at compact Goble Park. – Sapa






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1zKXYoO
Read More

SA back among CAF club elite

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

SA clubs are back among the elite for the 2015 CAF competitions.


|||

Johannesburg – South African clubs are back among the elite for the 2015 CAF competitions with two entrants each in the Champions League and Confederation Cup.


League winners Mamelodi Sundowns and runners-up Kaizer Chiefs will discover their fates on Monday when the preliminary, first and second-round draws are made in Cairo.


Former African champions Orlando Pirates, and Wits University, are the South African qualifiers for the second-tier Confederation Cup.


Pirates lifted the African Champions Cup – forerunner to the Champions League – in 1995 and Chiefs won the now defunct African Cup Winners Cup six years later.


The leading 12 countries on merit are permitted two clubs each in both annual competitions with other nations restricted to one


Tunisia, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan, Algeria, Mali, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville and Angola complete the elite.


South Africa dropped out of the top 12 in 2011 after poor results the previous year with Pirates suffering a humiliating Champions League loss to minnows Gaborone United of Botswana.


The Bucs flopped again in the preliminary round the following year after losing heavily at home against Angolans Recreativo Libolo.


But the Soweto-based Bucs were responsible for getting South Africa back among the elite by finishing runners-up to Egyptians Al-Ahly in the 2013 Champions League.


That unexpected achievement earned the country 20 points and 11th place on the merit table while Ghana dropped out.


Of the 46 CAF club title winners since competitive football was introduced 50 years ago, 24 have qualified for the 2015 draws.


Algerians Entente Setif, who won the 2014 Champions League final on away goals from Congolese V Club, are among seven winners of the competition who have qualified.


The others are Congolese TP Mazembe, Ahly, Ghanaians Asante Kotoko, Moroccans Raja Casablanca, Nigerians Enyimba and Tunisians Esperance.


Ahly this month won a record-extending 19th CAF title by lifting the Confederation Cup for the first time with a fortunate away-goal final victory over Ivorians Sewe Sport.


Kaizer Chiefs, Congolese AC Leopards, Kenyans Gor Mahia, Malians Stade Malien, Sudanese El-Merrikh and Tunisians CS Sfaxien are Champions League entrants who have won other CAF competitions.


Former title-holders Moroccans FUS Rabat and Tunisians Etoile Sahel have qualified for the Confederation Cup Ä the African equivalent of the Europa League.


They will be joined by nine winners of CAF competitions, including Pirates, V Club, Algerians Mouloudia Alger, Congolese CARA, Egyptians Zamalek, Ivorians ASEC, Guineas Horoya, Tunisians Club Africain and Zambians Power Dynamos.


The preliminary, first and second-round draws for both competitions are regionally based to reduce travel costs as prize money only applies to the group phases.


Champions League winners receive $1.5 million (1.2 million euros) and runners-up $1 million while $660 000 goes to the Confederation Cup winners and $455 000 to the runners-up.


Both competitions start mid-February just one week after the completion of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Equatorial Guinea. – Sapa-AFP






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1CiI8Fe
Read More

Pitso plays the diplomatic game

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Pitso Mosimane put on his diplomatic face after his team’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ajax on Saturday.


|||

Johannesburg – Head coach Pitso Mosimane remained diplomatic on Saturday night, despite showing some frustration after his Mamelodi Sundowns outfit secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ajax Cape Town in Atteridgeville.


Sundowns stretched their unbeaten run to 13 straight league matches, climbing to second place in the Premiership standings.


They remained 15 points behind runaway leaders Kaizer Chiefs, and while third-placed Wits were set to face University of Pretoria on Sunday with a chance of closing the gap on Downs, the Brazilians held a game in hand over Amakhosi and the Students heading into the mid-season break.


Mosimane seemed frustrated by the match, but insisted on “staying positive”, claiming he did not want to be fined by the Premier Soccer League for speaking out.


“We nipped it at the end, which shows character,” he said.


“Obviously we could have done much better in terms of converting the chances.


“My team plays forward and we make opportunities to score, but I'm just happy with the result.”


The hosts dominated the first half, taking the lead in the 25th minute when captain Alje Schut connected with a curling free kick from Teko Modise and hit the back of the net with a well-placed header.


The visitors, however, made an impact up front after the interval and were almost immediately rewarded when Tashreeq Morris pounced on a loose ball from a corner and buried the equaliser.


With six minutes left, Kuda Mahachi delivered a fine cross and Modise climbed high at the far post to bang in a header and bag the win.


Ajax lost ground on the teams who were locked in a desperate attempt to close the gap on Chiefs, stretching their winless streak to six straight league matches as they settled into a tight mid-table battle.


“I thought we did well under the circumstances. We fought well,” said Ajax coach Roger de Sa.


“We gave a soft goal away through lack of marking, which was very immature and naive, but after that I thought we showed good character against a quality team.


“We took the game to them, and if a couple of decisions had gone our way we probably would have had more out of the game.” – Sapa






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1sWgfA3
Read More

Papic ecstatic as City soars

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Polokwane coach Kosta Papic has praised his team following their stunning rise into the top half of the log.


|||

Johannesburg – Polokwane City have stunned their opponents, according to head coach Kosta Papic, who lauded his players for their consistent performances after lifting themselves into the top half of the Premiership standings.


Having narrowly escaped relegation in their maiden Premiership campaign last season, Polokwane rose to sixth place in the table with a 2-1 win over Maritzburg United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.


Maritzburg settled in seventh place in the log, though Chippa United had an opportunity to leapfrog both teams with a win over SuperSport United on Sunday, ahead of the seven-week mid-season break.


“We are comfortable now in the log, which nobody expected from us at the beginning of the season,” Papic said.


“Everybody saw us in the relegation zone and we’ve surprised everybody, maybe not with our performance today, but we’ve really done our job.”


The hosts took the lead seven minutes before the half-time interval when Cole Alexander did well to control the ball just inside the area and bury a thunderous strike that left Maritzburg keeper Shu-Aib Walters stranded.


With 18 minutes left in the second period, Mohammed Anas found the equaliser when he turned in the centre of the box to hit the back of the net.


In the dying stages, however, Puleng Tlolane ran onto a through ball and, facing Walters in a one-on-one situation, he kept his strike low to bang in the winner.


Maritzburg coach Steve Komphela believed his side deserved at least a point from the match after putting up a solid fight in the second stanza.


“It’s frustrating, but I don’t know whether there’s a rule in football that if a match is not meant to be won it shall never be won. That’s what happened here today,” Komphela said.


“There was a stage in the first half, before they even scored their goal, when we had five clear-cut chances, but we committed schoolboy errors.


“We stayed compact in the second half, and we looked much better and had better chances, but as they always say, if you don’t take your chances you’ll never win football matches.” – Sapa






from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1zQkOMQ
Read More