Hardest call of my life - Gerrard

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Steven Gerrard admitted leaving Liverpool was the toughest decision of his life as he confirmed that his days at Anfield will end this summer.


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Steven Gerrard admitted leaving Liverpool was the toughest decision of his life as he confirmed that his days at Anfield will end this summer.


And the 34-year-old insisted he is going purely because he wants to sample a different way of life before he hangs his boots up — not through any fall-out with the club’s manager or owners.


Gerrard looks certain to end up playing in America after insisting he won’t go anywhere that could result in him having to line up against his boyhood club.


Gerrard said: ‘This has been the toughest decision of my life and one which both me and my family have agonised over for a good deal of time.


‘I am making the announcement now so that the manager and the team are not distracted by stories or speculation about my future.’


Gerrard, who was only offered a contract extension in November, could even return to play for Liverpool, with the club keeping the door open for a loan deal if he does move to the USA.


In a statement on the club’s website, Gerrard added: ‘Liverpool Football Club has been such a huge part of all our lives for so long and saying goodbye is going to be difficult, but I feel it’s something that’s in the best interests of all involved, including my family and the club.


‘I’m going to carry on playing and although I can’t confirm at this stage where that will be, I can say it will be somewhere that means I won’t be playing for a competing club and will not therefore be lining up against Liverpool — that is something I could never contemplate.


‘My decision is completely based on my wish to experience something different and I want to make sure that I have no regrets when my playing career is over.


‘I can’t thank Brendan (Rodgers), the owners and everyone at the club enough for how they’ve handled this and I am leaving on great terms. Also, I would like to thank my team-mates and all the staff for their help and continued support.


‘It is a very special place to be part of. It is my sincere hope and wish that one day I can return to serve Liverpool again, in whatever capacity best helps the club.’


Gerrard’s new challenge will almost certainly mean a move to the MLS.


New York Red Bulls, for whom former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is head of global football, and LA Galaxy are the clubs leading the race.


He would then have the potential to return on a short-term loan, similar to Thierry Henry’s move to Arsenal when he was playing for New York Red Bulls, or the two spells that LA Galaxy striker Landon Donovan had with Everton in 2010 and 2012.


However, Real Sociedad manager David Moyes yesterday said: ‘If he ever wanted to come to play in Spain, he knows he can phone me.’


Liverpool manager Rodgers will face the media this morning ahead of Monday’s trip to AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup.


On the back of Jamie Carragher’s retirement and the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, this is a third huge departure he must tackle in the space of 18 months.


Rodgers had recommended that Gerrard be given a contract extension.


Liverpool’s manager admitted he had an ‘impossible task’ to try to explain how Gerrard had helped him since he arrived at Anfield in 2012 and added: ‘As a leader and as a man, he is probably incomparable to anyone I have ever worked with.


‘He takes professionalism to a new level and the dedication he has to his work is an example to everyone in the game. He has always put the club and team ahead of himself and I think that will ultimately be his legacy.’


Fenway Sports Group — Liverpool’s owners — outlined their hope that Gerrard would return to Anfield. Tom Werner and John W Henry said in a joint statement: ‘Steven will always have a part to play for this club, as and when the time comes that he wishes to return.’– Daily Mail






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Chelsea will bounce back - Terry

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Chelsea will bounce back from their shock 5-3 Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, captain John Terry said.


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London - Chelsea will bounce back from their shock 5-3 Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, captain John Terry said.


The league leaders took an early lead at White Hart Lane, a ground they traditionally enjoy visiting, but Spurs striker Harry Kane scored twice to help inflict a second league defeat of the season on Jose Mourinho's team.


“We're very disappointed to start the New Year with a defeat but we'll move on from this,' Terry told the club website (www.chelseafc.com).


“I thought at times we played some really good football, it just wasn't our day so we'll forget this one and move on very quickly.


“Once we got the goal they were on the back foot but they scored from nothing and were back in the game.”


Terry felt Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty against Spurs which would have put them 2-0 up.


“We should have had a penalty at Southampton and we should have had another one at 1-0,” he said.


“The game's finished then. I've said before it's difficult, sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't and in the last few games we haven't.”


Manchester City moved level on points with Chelsea at the top of the standings with a 3-2 win over Sunderland secured by a late goal from former Stamford Bridge favourite Frank Lampard.


“It's hard to see them claw us back, we were eight points in front and now we're level on points,” Terry said.


“It's disappointing to have lost that lead but we said in the dressing room we'll come together, put a run together and hopefully get a lead again.”


Chelsea host Championship (second tier) side Watford in the FA Cup third round on Sunday before a home game against Newcastle United, the other team to beat them in the league this season. – Reuters






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Pardew named Palace manager

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Alan Pardew has taken charge of Crystal Palace after swapping mid-table Newcastle to a team fighting against Premier League relegation.


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London – Alan Pardew has taken charge of Crystal Palace after swapping mid-table Newcastle to a team fighting against Premier League relegation.


Palace says Pardew signed a 3 ½ year contract to manage the club he played for from 1987 to 1991, filling the void left by Neil Warnock's firing on Saturday.


Pardew had been at Newcastle since 2010 and Palace had to buy him out of a contract that ran until 2020.


Pardew often endured abuse from fans at the north-east club as he coped with limited financial resources under Mike Ashley's ownership. He should receive a fonder reception at Palace, where he is remembered for scoring the goal that took the team to the 1991


FA Cup final, which Manchester United won.


Pardew will take charge of Sunday's FA Cup game against Dover. – Sapa-AP






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Kane slipped through Arsenal’s fingers

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As Harry Kane trains his sights on records set by Tottenham legends such as Gary Lineker, it is hard to imagine he could have played for Arsenal.


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As Harry Kane trains his sights on records set by Tottenham legends such as Gary Lineker, it is hard to imagine he could have played for Arsenal; harder still to think he might have been a goalkeeper, or that Spurs nearly let him go.


Kane has 17 goals this season and is scoring at a rate that puts him on course to be the first Spurs player since Lineker, 23 years ago, to break the 30 barrier. His personal target was amended from 10 to 20 just before Christmas.


‘I always want to progress and hopefully I will do that this year,’ he shrugged with modesty after scoring two, setting up another and winning a penalty in a 5-3 win against Chelsea on Thursday.


More than his goals, his industry and infectious enthusiasm have lifted the club. Mauricio Pochettino has found a prolific striker who covers more than 13km per game and fans have a hero; one of their own, as they sing. Although it might have been different.


Arsenal were the first club to take Kane in when he and Brentford full back Nico Yennaris were spotted at the age of nine playing for Ridgeway Rovers, a junior club in Chingford, Essex, famed for producing David Beckham.


Former Ridgeway coach Dave Bricknell recalls first setting eyes on a young Kane, who also followed Beckham through Chingford Foundation School.


‘I thought I’d found myself the next Pat Jennings,’ said Bricknell, who now scouts for Spurs. ‘In the first training session, there was me and Harry Yennaris, Nico’s dad, putting a side together and I said, “Right, who can play in goal?”.


‘Harry went in and he was unbelievable, not that you’d have known if you saw him in goal for Spurs. Then someone told me he was a striker, so he came out and scored about four goals.’


In October, having already scored a hat-trick, Kane took over in goal when Hugo Lloris was sent off in the Europa League against Asteras Tripolis. He fumbled a free-kick into the net in the last minute, but Tottenham won 5-1 and the episode only enhanced his cult status.


At Arsenal, he sometimes trained with the goalkeepers, but they chose to let him go and he found his way back to Ridgeway Rovers, who also produced Tottenham’s Andros Townsend, Crystal Palace’s Dwight Gayle and Bournemouth’s Charlie Daniels.


‘He was a bit down after Arsenal let him go,’ said Ian Marshall, chairman of Ridgeway. ‘He took a bit of persuading to come back but some of his mates talked him into it and he scored quite a few goals.


‘Tottenham picked him up but then let him go and he found himself at Watford, where he played in a trial game against Spurs and scored two. That’s when Spurs realised they might have made a mistake and asked him to come back.


‘The rest is history. We don’t get anything financially. That’s the way it is at the grass roots. Even 0.1 per cent of Dwight Gayle’s transfer fee to Palace would keep us going for a year. But, as a club, we’re proud. Harry came back to present some prizes for us a couple of years ago. He’s a good, down-to-earth lad.’


This attitude shone through during his loan moves. It is four years this month since his senior debut on loan for Leyton Orient in front of 2,731 on a sodden pitch at Rochdale. He scored five in his first six games for Orient, before a red card slowed his progress.


There were nine goals for Millwall, but he broke a metatarsal at Norwich and Spurs aborted the one-year loan and sent him instead to Leicester, where he was used mostly as a substitute. At this point, 18 months ago, a top-flight career did not seem to beckon.


Most would have predicted a move into the lower leagues, but Tottenham, to their credit, have shown patience with talent like Townsend and Ryan Mason and both Pochettino and his predecessor Tim Sherwood, who knew Kane from the development teams, showed faith.


Kane responded by knuckling down, something those who know him attribute to parents Pat and Kim. He doesn’t drink, trains hard, is devoted to his career and his desire is shown by his surge past Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor.


Soldado cost £26million and had he scored the occasional goal, or had Adebayor not lost his focus, the chance might never have appeared for Kane. But he saw a glimmer and forced his way through, thriving under a manager forced to look beyond reputations.


At first, Pochettino used the 21-year-old mainly in cup competitions, then a little from the bench. A late winner as a substitute at Aston Villa was a significant step. Now, Kane simply has to start, either at centre forward or just behind.


As a boyhood Spurs fan, he idolised Teddy Sheringham and they have similarities. Like Sheringham, Kane has a great appreciation of the game and the movement of others, evident in his assist for Nacer Chadli against Chelsea.


He is strong, good in the air and able to influence the game. He has an instinct; a goal knack. It is not luck. He sees the ball early, which offers the illusion of magnetism when it arrives in his orbit, somewhere near the goal. Top up confidence levels and he will score goals like his second against Chelsea, rolled into the far corner coolly enough for Lineker to compare him to Thierry Henry.


It is impossible not to be heartened by the rise of Kane. Roy Hodgson will be watching closely, aware he is eligible for the Republic of Ireland through a grandfather and has been resisting their advances for some time.


He is determined to play for England. And Kane is one determined young man. Do not bet against it.– Daily Mail






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Van Gaal wary of Cup pitfall

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Louis van Gaal does not need reminding of the potential pitfalls that can await Manchester United against lower-league opposition in the English cups.


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London – Louis van Gaal does not need reminding of the potential pitfalls that can await Manchester United against lower-league opposition in the English cups.


The manager takes the 11-time FA Cup winners to Yeovil in the third round on Sunday barely four months after a humiliating loss to another third-tier team, MK Dons, in the League Cup.


And Yeovil, a south-western town with a population that could fit into United's Old Trafford 76,000-capacity stadium almost twice over, is well known for its football team producing cup giant-killings.


Although some of the biggest scalps happened long ago - memorably in 1949 against then-English power Sunderland - they defined the club as it rose from the non-league to the professional ranks of English football. As a non-league team, Yeovil ousted 20


league sides, according to the FA, though they were routed 8-0 in 1949 by United.


The chance for unlikely revenge has finally come.


“I was over the moon when we were drawn against Manchester United,” Yeovil manager Gary Johnson said. “I was in the house watching the draw with my wife and we both jumped up in the air and high-fived each other.”


As for beating the Premier League's third-place team?


“We'd need a miracle to pull it off,” Johnson said. “But the FA Cup is the FA Cup, that's the beauty of it ... nobody knows what's going to happen.”


Indeed, Yeovil's website has documented United's cup shocks in a “Giants Killed” section - highlighting losses to other third-tier sides: from Bournemouth and Leeds in the 1981 and 2010 third rounds respectively.


“I had the same experience against MK Dons, who are also in League One,” Van Gaal said. “You never know in a cup match, you have to win because you're out if you lose. We have to beat Yeovil but every team in England wants to beat Manchester United so it will be difficult.


“Everything about playing a lower league team will be different - the pitch, the stadium. For the players, it's more difficult to prepare for a match like this, especially after playing so much over Christmas.”


But it's been a grueling period for every team, which is preparing for its fourth game in barely two weeks. Here's a look at some of the other third-round fixtures:


The team standing in the way of holder Arsenal reaching the fourth round is the Hull team it beat in the final in May. Unless Arsenal's defending improves, the trophy could be surrendered on Sunday.


Arsene Wenger is expected to rotate his squad after a 2-0 loss at Southampton on Thursday saw Arsenal drop to sixth in the Premier League.


“We were again haunted by the ghost of what we have seen since the start of the season,” Wenger said of Arsenal's defending at Southampton. “This is not the first time it has happened. We did not defend well enough in the final third, and we paid a heavy price. It is a self-inflicted defeat.”


In a break from their title tussle, leader Chelsea and second-place Manchester City play second-tier teams on Sunday.


City takes on Sheffield Wednesday, while Chelsea is at home to Watford fresh from a 5-2 loss at Tottenham but key players like striker Diego Costa are likely to be rested with the league the priority,


“Obviously we want to try to beat Watford, but at the same time we have to analyze the players' condition and make the right decision for them,” Mourinho said.


Seventh-tier Blyth Spartans, the lowest-ranked team in the draw, is at home to Birmingham of the second-tier on Saturday.


Tony Pulis will take charge of West Bromwich Albion for the first time against Gateshead of the fifth-tier semiprofessional League Conference.


“Obviously West Brom are not having the season they want and there was a bit of unrest there and we were hoping it was going to stay that way for at least another week,” Gateshead manager Gary Mills said. “But now they have a new manager in place which will give everyone a massive lift.”


Crystal Palace is yet to confirm Alan Pardew as Neil Warnock's successor but he has been heavily involved around the club ahead of Saturday's trip to Dover, another Conference club.


“The lawyers are finalizing the contract,” Palace caretaker manager Keith Millen said of Pardew's appointment. “The paperwork is taking longer than expected.” – Sapa-AP






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Sociedad can beat Barca - Moyes

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Real Sociedad coach David Moyes faces his biggest La Liga challenge yet when second-placed Barcelona visit and says his players have shown they are capable of beating the best.


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Barcelona - Real Sociedad coach David Moyes faces his biggest La Liga challenge yet when second-placed Barcelona visit and says his players have shown they are capable of beating the best.


The former Manchester United manager took charge of the relegation-threatened club in November. Since then they have lost only once but also have just one victory from five league matches.


Moyes wants to win a place in Europe next season although Sociedad are down in 14th place, two points off the relegation zone.


The Basque club have proved this season they can rise to the occasion against stronger sides, having beaten Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at home before Moyes took over.


Barca also have a poor record in Sociedad where they have not won in the last four visits. They lost there last season.


“If we can play as well as we did in those two games (against Real and Atletico) we have a good chance of winning,” Moyes told a news conference on Friday.


“We face a very good team who are very competitive but the players have shown they can beat Barcelona and they need to do it again.


“We want to have a great start to the New Year and beat Barca and do all we can to start moving up the table,” said Moyes.


“I know the Barcelona players from when I was in England. I watched them play the 2011 Champions League final against Manchester United at Wembley. They are a great team and (Lionel) Messi is very special but they have household names in all positions.”


While Sociedad have looked more solid at the back in recent games, it has come at a price as they are struggling to create chances going forward.


“We will go out looking to be hard to beat and then when we have the ball we will look to cause Barcelona damage,” said Moyes.


“They are undoubtedly a very good side and we respect that but they have to come to Anoeta and we need to make it difficult for them.” – Reuters






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News sport : Offensive plays by DT James Castleman propel Oklahoma State to Cactus Bowl win against Washington

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The worst season in coach Mike Gundy’s tenure at Oklahoma State ended with a Gatorade bath and a lot of smiles.


Oklahoma State defeated Washington 30-22 in the Cactus Bowl in one of the most improbable bowl victories of the season. The Cowboys earned bowl eligibility with an overtime victory against its rival Oklahoma in the final game of the season and were a touchdown underdog heading into the bowl game.


However, the Oklahoma State offense, spearheaded by defensive tackle James Castleman, helped secure a winning season for the Cowboys.


Castleman scored the first touchdown of the game capping an 11-play, 84-yard opening drive and then salted it away with a 48-yard catch and run late.


He also had four tackles.




Castleman’s run came late in the fourth quarter when the Cowboys needed a first down on third-and-2 from their own 35-yard line with about 3 minutes remaining.


The gutsy playcall got the Cowboys in field goal range, but kicker Ben Grogan shanked the 27-yarder, setting up one final drive for Washington.


However, the Huskies weren’t even able to get into Oklahoma State territory before Kevin Peterson picked off a pass to end the game. Peterson’s interception was one of two for a Cowboys’ defense that has been abused most of this season.


The Cowboys came into the game ranked 95th in total defense and 98th in scoring defense with 32 points per game. But they got a lot of pressure on Miles and limited the Huskies running game to just 101 yards, its lowest output since rushing for 81 against Stanford — the nation’s No. 2 defense — on Sept. 27.


Oklahoma State freshman quarterback Mason Rudolph showed some moxie in just his third collegiate start. Even though he did throw an interception and had a couple other picks disallowed, he exploited the Huskies passing defense with 299 yards and two touchdowns and opened up the running game for Desmond Roland, who had the unenviable job of replacing the Cowboys star running back Tyreek Hill, who was dismissed from the team prior to the bowl game. Roland rushed for a season-high 123 yards.


The win gave the Big 12 Conference it’s second bowl victory this season compared to five losses. The only other bowl win for the conference was TCU’s 42-3 trouncing of Ole Miss in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.


For more Oklahoma State news, visit OStateIllustrated.com.


For more Washington news, visit TheDawgReport.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!


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News sport : Offensive plays by DT James Castleman propels Oklahoma State to Cactus Bowl win against Washington

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The worst season in coach Mike Gundy’s tenure at Oklahoma State ended with a Gatorade bath and a lot of smiles.


Oklahoma State defeated Washington 30-22 in the Cactus Bowl in one of the most improbable bowl victories of the season. The Cowboys earned bowl eligibility with an overtime victory against its rival Oklahoma in the final game of the season and were a touchdown underdog heading into the bowl game.


However, the Oklahoma State offense, spearheaded by defensive tackle James Castleman, helped secure a winning season for the Cowboys.


Castleman scored the first touchdown of the game capping an 11-play, 84-yard opening drive and then salted it away with a 48-yard catch and run late.


He also had four tackles.




Castleman’s run came late in the fourth quarter when the Cowboys needed a first down on third-and-2 from their own 35-yard line with about 3 minutes remaining.


The gutsy playcall got the Cowboys in field goal range, but kicker Ben Grogan shanked the 27-yarder, setting up one final drive for Washington.


However, the Huskies weren’t even able to get into Oklahoma State territory before Kevin Peterson picked off a pass to end the game. Peterson’s interception was one of two for a Cowboys’ defense that has been abused most of this season.


The Cowboys came into the game ranked 95th in total defense and 98th in scoring defense with 32 points per game. But they got a lot of pressure on Miles and limited the Huskies running game to just 101 yards, its lowest output since rushing for 81 against Stanford — the nation’s No. 2 defense — on Sept. 27.


Oklahoma State freshman quarterback Mason Rudolph showed some moxie in just his third collegiate start. Even though he did throw an interception and had a couple other picks disallowed, he exploited the Huskies passing defense with 299 yards and two touchdowns and opened up the running game for Desmond Roland, who had the unenviable job of replacing the Cowboys star running back Tyreek Hill, who was dismissed from the team prior to the bowl game. Roland rushed for a season-high 123 yards.


The win gave the Big 12 Conference it’s second bowl victory this season compared to five losses. The only other bowl win for the conference was TCU’s 42-3 trouncing of Ole Miss in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.


For more Oklahoma State news, visit OStateIllustrated.com.


For more Washington news, visit TheDawgReport.com.


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News sport : UCLA's Jim Mora blows off postgame handshake with K-State's Bill Snyder (Video)

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UCLA coach Jim Mora caused quite the stir following the Bruins 40-35 win against Kansas State in the Alamo Bowl when he more or less blew off the postgame handshake with coach Bill Snyder.



Apparently, Mora was upset that Kansas State took a timeout right before the final play of the game and then a Wildcats player lunged at UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley as he kneeled down on the final play.


However, Mora declined to acknowledge during the postgame press conference that the awkward handshake even took place.



However, not long afterward, Mora took to Twitter to make a comment about defending the safety of his players and his players, in turn, chimed in thanking their coach for his support.




The 75-year-old Snyder looked stunned by the entire interaction, but perhaps it wasn’t some much because of the lack of the handshake, but because of what Mora allegedly said to the nation’s oldest coach (as tweeted by a former K-State security guard).



Ain’t bowl season grand?


For more UCLA news, visit BruinSportsReport.com.


For more Kansas State news, visit GoPowerCat.com.


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News sport : Tony Allen missed four shots on one possession, including an easy lay-up

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Memphis Grizzlies wing Tony Allen is known for many positive qualities, most notably his amazing defense and deserved status as "The Grindfather" in his team's gritty identity. But we also know that Allen has very limited offensive skills. The 11-year vet has posted some impressive shooting percentages in his career, but he hasn't attempted 50 threes in a season since 2007-08 and is attempting his fewest shots per-minute ever so far in 2014-15. Allen remains a very important member of the contending Grizzlies despite it all, but it's probably for the best that he's taking on a more minor role at the offensive end.


Allen showed why this is the case during a single possession of Friday's game vs. the Los Angels Lakers at Staples Center. With a little over five minutes remaining in the second quarter, Allen stole a pass from Ed Davis and got out in transition for what seemed like an easy two points. That's when everything went terribly wrong (video via SB Nation):



For those keeping track at home, that's a botched lay-up with no defender in a position to challenge, a lay-up blocked by Jeremy Lin, another short shot blocked by Jordan Hill, and a fourth and final miss that doesn't count as a shot attempt because Kosta Koufos negated it with offensive interference on the rebound. Allen missed those four shots in a span of 11 seconds.


On the plus side, Allen padded his stats with three offensive rebounds. There's always a silver lining.


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News sport : Florida State player tweets players had cars keyed and tires slashed

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Florida State linebacker Anthony Valdes tweeted that some Florida State players came home to an unwanted surprise after getting back from the Rose Bowl on Friday.



Florida State lost 59-20 to Oregon in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Before the loss, the Seminoles had won 29 straight games.




If cars were keyed and tires were slashed, it's not a guarantee the culprits were Seminole fans angry with the outcome. Misdirection has always been a heavily utilized tactic in fan mayhem.


Last year, the tires on South Florida athletic director Doug Woolard's car were slashed while he was attending a game against UCF. He had to drive home in a courtesy car.


(H/T Deadspin)


For more Florida State news, visit Warchant.com.


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News sport : UCLA holds on for Alamo Bowl victory over Kansas State

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Just hours after Houston pulled off an incredibly improbable comeback against Pitt, Kansas State tried its best to imitate the Cougars. However, the Wildcats came up short.


After UCLA bolted out to a 31-6 lead at halftime, Kansas State pulled within 34-28 with less than five minutes to go in Friday's Valero Alamo Bowl. However, UCLA RB Paul Perkins dashed Kansas State's hopes shortly thereafter with a 67-yard touchdown run that gave the Bruins a two-score lead and an eventual 40-35 win over the Wildcats.


Perkins' touchdown put UCLA up 40-28 with 2:20 remaining. But given the way the second half had unfolded to that point, it was fitting that Kansas State wasn't done. UCLA's 15th (and final) penalty of the night negated an interception and the Wildcats scored with 1:21 remaining to pull within five points.


It was time for an onside kick, which was sweetly executed rabona-style by Kansas State kicker Matthew McCrane. However, Perkins recovered it and UCLA could finally breathe easily.



Kansas State supplied UCLA with two backhoes in the first half to help with the 25-point lead. The Wildcats fumbled and threw an interception in the first half and UCLA converted both turnovers into touchdowns.


In the second half, KSU was much more efficient. Four of the Wildcats' five drives ended in touchdowns and the comeback hopes got a boost with a UCLA fumble immediately after KSU's first touchdown of the half.


The 31-6 deficit that Kansas State faced was the same score that Houston was on the low end of in the fourth quarter of the Armed Forces Bowl against Pitt. From then, the Cougars outscored the Panthers 29-3 for the bigest bowl comeback ever and a 35-34 win. When Kansas State was within six, the thoughts of 35-34 were definitely dancing in our heads.


Perkins finished with 20 carries for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Bruin QB Brett Hundley, playing his last game before he heads to the NFL, was 12-24 passing for 137 yards. He also ran for 96 yards and two first half touchdowns.


For more Kansas State news visit GoPowercat.com.


For more UCLA news visit BruinSportsReport.com.


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News sport : Claude Giroux sustains serious skate cut to back of leg (VIDEO)

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The Philadelphia Flyers could be without the services of Claude Giroux for a while after the captain sustained a significant skate cut to the back of his leg, possibly to his Achilles tendon.


Giroux and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk are going after the puck in the corner boards. As the puck leaves area, Giroux turns to skate after it and Faulk's skate makes contact with the back of Giroux's leg. Here's the video ...


WARNING: IF THIS KIND OF STUFF MAKES YOU SQUIRM, STOP RIGHT HERE.



Giroux attempted to get up right after the blade made contact, but he fell back down on the ice. The referee whistled the play dead as soon as he realized what happened.


As the training staff made it out to the ice, Giroux laid on his belly. He was helped to all fours and his leg was held in a sideways L-shape as they pushed him off the ice. The trainer recognized that the injury was serious enough it required the full medical facilities of the home team's locker room.


WARNING #2: BLOOD ALERT



The Flyers stated they would update Giroux's status after the game.


We'd be hard-pressed not to think of Erik Karlsson's Achilles cut when watching the clip above. This incident is clearly an accident, though. What might be Giroux's saving grace is that the skate sliced the back of the leg instead of a driving downward pressure wound.


Like visors, wearing Kevlar socks as a part of the uniform is optional. There is little difference between the regular socks and those with Kevlar fabric. Why all players don't adopt them as a part of their uniform is beyond me.


(S/T to Dave Lozo)


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Jen Neale is a staff writer for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter!










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News sport : Rajon Rondo receives big cheers in return to Boston (Video)

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The trade of Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics to the Dallas Mavericks several weeks ago marked the end of an era. Rondo had played for the Celtics since he was drafted in June 2006, playing a key role on the 2008 championship team and making four All-Star teams during the franchise's longest sustained run of success since their '80s dynasty. Even if it was time for Rondo and the Celtics to part ways, the break still registered as a meaningful moment in the city's sports history.


Rondo and the Mavericks visited the Celtics at TD Garden on Friday, which allowed everyone in Boston a chance to reflect on his tenure with the club. It started on a very positive note during introductions when the crowd gave him a very positive ovation:



That warm welcome turned out to be a precursor to a more formal tribute to Rondo between the first and second quarters. That's when tfhe TD Garden video board played this highlight tape of his most memorable moments in green:



Oddly enough, Boston's appreciation of Rondo occurred as he was taking it to the Celtics with an uncharacteristic scoring output, including this three-pointer right before the first-quarter horn:



The pass-first point guard — averaging just 9.3 ppg on 41.2 percent shooting from the field — opened by making his first seven shots for 18 points (including the Mavs' first 10). Yet Rondo has a tendency to play his best when the most attention is on him, and he also often surprises observers by doing things they've never seen from him before. In that way, his play Friday was both unexpected and classic Rondo.


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Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at efreeman_ysports@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







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News sport : Tennessee dominates Iowa 45-28 in TaxSlayer Bowl

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Tennessee's Jalen Hurd runs into the end zone to score during the first half of the TaxSlayer Bowl NCAA college football game against Iowa, Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Bob Self) If the TaxSlayer Bowl is any indication, Tennessee’s future is bright.


The Vols, led by a slew of underclassmen, dominated from the start in a 45-28 win over Iowa in Jacksonville. Freshman running back Jalen Hurd set the tone with two touchdown runs in the first quarter and then sophomore quarterback Josh Dobbs and the Vols’ defense took the reins from there.


The Vols came out with a purpose by feeding the 6-foot-3, 221-pound Hurd early and often. Hurd reeled off runs of 25 yards and 12 yards before scoring from three yards out on Tennessee’s first drive. After Iowa turned it over on downs, Hurd, who finished with 122 yards on 16 carries, broke off runs of 15 and 29 yards, the latter of which reached the end zone to give the Vols an early 14-0 lead.


The offensive success continued on Tennessee's next drive when senior running back Marlin Lane hit Vic Wharton on a 49-yard halfback pass, increasing the lead to 21-0.


Dobbs, who completed 16-of-21 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown while running for 76 yards, scoring the first of his two rushing touchdowns early in the second from eight yards out to give the Vols a 28-0 lead.


Iowa did manage to get on the board via a Mark Weisman touchdown run before halftime, but the Vols added a fifth score of the half on a Dobbs 19-yard pass to Von Pearson to give Tennessee a commanding 35-7 lead at the break.


Dobbs scored on the ground again midway through the third, expanding the lead to 42-7. From then on out, the Vols were able to milk the clock on offense while the defense put a halt to Iowa’s efforts to get back in the game.


The Hawkeyes were able add two touchdowns in garbage time, but it was too little too late and the Vols held on for the win.


The win gives Tennessee (7-6) its seventh win of the season, clinches the program’s first winning season since 2009 and first bowl win since the 2008 Outback Bowl.


For Iowa (7-6), the loss marks the end of another underwhelming season for a stagnant program in what was Kirk Ferentz’s 16th season at the helm. The Hawkeyes haven’t won more than eight games since 2009 and haven’t won a bowl game since the 2010 Insight Bowl.


With Iowa’s loss, the Big Ten is now 5-5 this bowl season. Tennessee improves the SEC’s mark to 6-5.


For more Tennessee news, visit VolQuest.com.


For more Iowa news, visit HawkeyeReport.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!







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