http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3777137
NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans' Chris Paul set an NBA record with a steal in his 106th straight regular-season game Wednesday night.
Paul broke Alvin Robertson's mark set between November 1985 and December 1986. Robertson was playing for San Antonio when he set the previous mark of 105, which Paul tied Tuesday night in Memphis.
Paul
Paul broke the record when he stole the ball from San Antonio's Tony Parker with 3:43 left in the second quarter. The crowd immediately recognized the record and stood in applause.
"It's just something that he does. He has great anticipation and the biggest thing is he's always around that ball somewhere, a lot like Alvin when he played," said Hornets coach Byron Scott, who was playing for the Los Angeles Lakers when Robertson set the previous record. "Chris is the same way. Guys think they got layups and then all of a sudden, here he comes. So, that's an amazing record."
Michael Jordan had the third-longest streak in that category, swiping the ball in 77 consecutive regular-season games from March of 1988 to March of 1989.
Paul's streak began on April 13, 2007, when the Hornets, still displaced by Hurricane Katrina, hosted the Denver Nuggets in Oklahoma City. It nearly came to an end last Jan. 23, when he didn't make his first steal in a game against Portland until 3:12 remained in the fourth quarter.
"He's been such a good player, offensively, and when that happens, I think most fans and people recognize that about players," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said before the game. "They look at what people score, but very few players get credit for what they do at the other end of the floor also, especially if they're good offensively. So [the streak] brings attention to what he does at the other end of the floor and I think that's great because he deserves credit for it."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Friday, December 19, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Paterno to stay another three seasons - not bad for 112 years old
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8950644/Paterno-agrees-to-three-year-extension-at-Penn-St.
Penn State coach Joe Paterno has a new three-year contract extension to go along with his new hip.
Read more at... Want the latest from Penn State? Check out FightOnState.com on the Scout network for breaking news, notes, recruiting rumblings and more.
The Hall of Famer and winningest coach in major college football history has agreed to deal that runs through the 2011 season. JoePa turns 82 on Dec. 21.
The extension was first reported by FightOnState.com.
The agreement will provide "for the opportunity of Coach Joe Paterno leading the football program through the 2011 season," the statement said. JoePa turns 82 on Sunday.
"It was also agreed that the parties might reevaluate their circumstances and alter the arrangement by either shortening or extending its length as necessary," the statement said.
The agreement ends months of speculation about Paterno's future since his current deal had expired following this season. University president Graham Spanier and Paterno had announced in the spring that Paterno didn't need something in writing to stay on a job he's had a record 43 years.
Yet contract questions still dogged both sides until Nov. 22, when Paterno said after the Big Ten title-clinching win over Michigan State that he planned to return in 2009.
He had hip replacement surgery the next day. Back on his feet and easing back into his coaching routine, Paterno told reporters last week that he wasn't worried about getting an extension done before the No. 6 Nittany Lions play No. 5 Southern California in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
College Bowl Pick'em
Make your picks today! Pick the winners of 27 Bowl Games
Free, customizable and easy to play!
Compete in private or public groups
"If we can work out something that they are comfortable with and I'm comfortable with before the bowl, fine," Paterno said. "I just get tired of recruits asking me, 'How long are you going to be there? But most of them are fine."
Terms of the extension were not announced.
Records released by the State Employees Retirement System last year put his 2007 salary at about $512,000. The state data did not reflect other sources of compensation such as bonuses or outside income.
As for his health, Paterno has said he is feeling fine and that rehab is going well. He's eager to get back to the sideline, where he hasn't coached from since late September.
Paterno stayed vague about how much longer he thought he could coach.
"There's no reason for me not to think that I can go for a while," he said. "Now how long is a while? I don't know."
Counting Paterno's 16 seasons as a Penn State assistant before taking the head-coaching job in 1966, the 2009 campaign would be JoePa's 60th year on the Nittany Lion coaching staff.
Also Tuesday, Penn State sophomore Aaron Maybin was selected a first-team AP All-American. The defensive end is fourth in the nation with 12 sacks.
Center A.Q. Shipley was picked to the second team, while guard Rich Ohrnberger and receiver and return man Derrick Williams were named to the third team.
Local Sports Report
UK sucks. It looks like the third season in a row that all top-25 teams will run wild against them – and I’m stating this as a UK fan. I look for U of L to pound them by at least 18. UK is a three man team, Meeks, Paterson and Liggins. It takes a team to win games, not three players.
U of L has been very up and down, even though their record shows nearly all wins. One day they look like a top 3 team. Other times they look like a top 20-30 team. This has been typical for them the past few years; start out slow, the play good toward the end of conference play.
IU thanks. I mean, at least one area team looks worst than UK. I look for IU to win around 13 games all season. I know what a low total. But mark it down. IU will finish the season below .500.
WKU – Since beating U of L these boys have looked sharp. I look for them to finish 11-5 in conference play and making the tourney once again. However, I don’t see them pulling off upsets and making the Elite 8 once again.
U of L has been very up and down, even though their record shows nearly all wins. One day they look like a top 3 team. Other times they look like a top 20-30 team. This has been typical for them the past few years; start out slow, the play good toward the end of conference play.
IU thanks. I mean, at least one area team looks worst than UK. I look for IU to win around 13 games all season. I know what a low total. But mark it down. IU will finish the season below .500.
WKU – Since beating U of L these boys have looked sharp. I look for them to finish 11-5 in conference play and making the tourney once again. However, I don’t see them pulling off upsets and making the Elite 8 once again.
U of L fans; crybabies
U of L fans are the biggest band wagon jumpers among sports fan. Nothing they do ever seem to not amuse me. Three years ago all U of L fans did was brag about how they “up and coming” or the future “elite team” in college football. This was based on a 12-1 season beating up on the Major Conference known as the Big East; a conference weak compared to the likes of the SEC, Pac-10, Big 12 and Big 10.
U of L fans seem to enjoy forgetting the past. This is not the first time in history they had one great season to only turn around and go back to a .500 or less team. They did this during the 1980 and 1990’s. Funny how U of L fans never recall the bad seasons they’ve had.
If we are going to judge teams by one good season as “up and coming”, then we should get ready to fear Ball State and Utah. I wonder are their fans as insane as U of L fans? Or do they have more common sense? My guess is no fan base is as fake as U of L fans.
Since this future “elite” team has gone 6-6 and 5-7 the past two seasons, their fan base wants their coach fired. And why? Do you truly believe U of L was on the brink of being a top 10 team year after year? Going 9 and 3 in the Big East is laughable to fan bases of the SEC and other elite conferences. Going 9 and 3 in the Big East simply means you beat up on a basketball conference beating such bad football programs such as UConn, Rutgers and Syracuse.
U of L fans should stick to the truth. Maybe move to division two if you wanna be ranked in the top 10 yearly. Hey wait, I am pretty sure back during the 1970 and 1980’s you all almost made that move. After years of bad football in the weak Metro Conference and only 4,000-7,000 fans showing up in your old 35,000 seat arena, you all almost gave up playing division one football. Maybe you crybabies should do that now.
My guess for next year is 3-9. Kiss the bowl bid for next year goodbye. Kiss the dreams of a Big East Championship goodbye. And oh yeah, please kiss the dream of being Elite goodbye. Stick to basketball. At least you all are good at something. Well I take back; you all are also good at making us Kentucky and SEC fans laugh hearing you all call yourself “up and coming” in football.
Monday, December 15, 2008
NCAA Men's Basketball top 25
1. North Carolina (72) 9-0 1,800 1
Last Week: Def. Oral Roberts 100-84 (12/13)
This Week: 12/18 vs. Evansville (7-1), 12/20 at Valparaiso (3-6) Tickets
2. Connecticut 8-0 1,715 2
Last Week: No Games Played
This Week: Def. Stony Brook 91-57 (12/15), 12/20 at Gonzaga (7-1) Tickets
3. Pittsburgh 10-0 1,646 3
Last Week: Def. UMBC 91-56 (12/13)
This Week: 12/17 vs. Siena (5-3), 12/21 at Florida State (10-1) Tickets
4. Oklahoma 10-0 1,585 5
Last Week: Def. Maine 78-52 (12/10), Def. Utah 70-52 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 vs. Virginia Commonwealth (6-3) Tickets
5. Texas 8-1 1,473 6
Last Week: Def. Villanova 67-58 (12/9), Def. Texas State 81-73 (12/13)
This Week: Def. Texas Southern 88-72 (12/16), 12/20 vs. Michigan State (6-2) Tickets
6. Duke 8-1 1,347 7
Last Week: No Games Played
This Week: 12/17 vs. North Carolina-Asheville (4-5), 12/20 vs. Xavier (9-0) Tickets
7. Xavier 9-0 1,233 10
Last Week: Def. Ohio 78-56 (12/10), Def. Cincinnati 76-66 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 at Duke (8-1) Tickets
8. Gonzaga 7-1 1,225 4
Last Week: Def. Washington State 74-52 (12/10), Lost to Arizona 69-64 (12/14)
This Week: 12/18 vs. Texas Southern (0-9), 12/20 vs. Connecticut (9-0) Tickets
9. Louisville 6-1 1,176 9
Last Week: Def. Lamar 78-56 (12/8), Def. Austin Peay 94-75 (12/13)
This Week: 12/18 vs. Mississippi (7-3), 12/20 at Minnesota (9-0) Tickets
10. Wake Forest 9-0 1,101 11
Last Week: Def. Wright State 66-53 (12/14)
This Week: 12/19 at Richmond (5-4) Tickets
11. Syracuse 9-0 1,005 13
Last Week: Def. Long Beach State 79-55 (12/13)
This Week: Lost to Cleveland State 72-69 (12/15), 12/17 vs. Canisius (3-6), 12/20 at Memphis (5-2) Tickets
12. Notre Dame 7-2 992 12
Last Week: Def. Boston University 74-67 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 vs. Delaware State (2-12) Tickets
13. Purdue 8-2 765 14
Last Week: Def. Ball State 68-39 (12/9), Def. Indiana State 76-62 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 vs. Davidson (8-1) Tickets
14. UCLA 6-2 756 16
Last Week: Def. DePaul 72-54 (12/13)
This Week: 12/17 vs. Loyola Marymount (0-10), 12/20 vs. Mercer (6-3) Tickets
15. Georgetown 7-1 750 19
Last Week: Def. Savannah State 100-38 (12/8), Def. Memphis 79-70 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 vs. Mount St. Mary's (3-6) Tickets
16. Tennessee 6-2 683 8
Last Week: Lost to Temple 88-72 (12/13)
This Week: Def. Marquette 80-68 (12/16), 12/20 vs. Belmont (3-3) Tickets
17. Ohio State 6-0 576 21
Last Week: Def. Butler 54-51 (12/13)
This Week: 12/17 vs. Jacksonville (2-5), 12/20 vs. Iona (4-5) Tickets
18. Villanova 10-1 571 15
Last Week: Lost to Texas 67-58 (12/9), Def. Saint Joseph's 59-56 (12/11), Def. La Salle 70-59 (12/14)
This Week: No games scheduled. Tickets
19. Michigan State 6-2 506 18
Last Week: Def. Alcorn State 118-60 (12/13)
This Week: 12/17 vs. Citadel (5-5), 12/20 at Texas (9-1) Tickets
20. Arizona State 8-1 431 20
Last Week: Def. IUPUI 59-58 (12/14)
This Week: 12/20 vs. Brigham Young (10-0) Tickets
21. Baylor 8-1 420 22
Last Week: Def. Prairie View A&M 90-63 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 vs. Texas-Arlington (4-4) Tickets
22. Davidson 8-1 398 23
Last Week: Def. West Virginia 68-65 (12/9), Def. Chattanooga 100-95 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 at Purdue (8-2) Tickets
23. Memphis 5-2 350 17
Last Week: Lost to Georgetown 79-70 (12/13)
This Week: 12/17 vs. Arkansas-Little Rock (7-2), 12/20 vs. Syracuse (9-1) Tickets
24. Marquette 8-1 240 24
Last Week: Def. IPFW 69-50 (12/13)
This Week: Lost to Tennessee 80-68 (12/16), 12/19 vs. Western Carolina (5-2) Tickets
25. Clemson 10-0 196 NR
Last Week: Def. South Carolina State 90-63 (12/13)
This Week: Def. North Florida 76-36 (12/16), 12/21 at Miami (FL) (7-2) Tickets
Others Receiving Votes
Michigan 132, Miami (FL) 64, Missouri 44, Brigham Young 37, Butler 23, Dayton 23, Florida State 21, LSU 21, Illinois 15, Kansas 15, Wisconsin 15, Maryland 10, Arizona 10, Florida 8, Northwestern 7, Texas A&M 6, Saint Mary's 3, Temple 2, Minnesota 2, Navy 1, West Virginia 1.
Dropped From Rankings
Kansas 25.
Taken from www.espn.com
Last Week: Def. Oral Roberts 100-84 (12/13)
This Week: 12/18 vs. Evansville (7-1), 12/20 at Valparaiso (3-6) Tickets
2. Connecticut 8-0 1,715 2
Last Week: No Games Played
This Week: Def. Stony Brook 91-57 (12/15), 12/20 at Gonzaga (7-1) Tickets
3. Pittsburgh 10-0 1,646 3
Last Week: Def. UMBC 91-56 (12/13)
This Week: 12/17 vs. Siena (5-3), 12/21 at Florida State (10-1) Tickets
4. Oklahoma 10-0 1,585 5
Last Week: Def. Maine 78-52 (12/10), Def. Utah 70-52 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 vs. Virginia Commonwealth (6-3) Tickets
5. Texas 8-1 1,473 6
Last Week: Def. Villanova 67-58 (12/9), Def. Texas State 81-73 (12/13)
This Week: Def. Texas Southern 88-72 (12/16), 12/20 vs. Michigan State (6-2) Tickets
6. Duke 8-1 1,347 7
Last Week: No Games Played
This Week: 12/17 vs. North Carolina-Asheville (4-5), 12/20 vs. Xavier (9-0) Tickets
7. Xavier 9-0 1,233 10
Last Week: Def. Ohio 78-56 (12/10), Def. Cincinnati 76-66 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 at Duke (8-1) Tickets
8. Gonzaga 7-1 1,225 4
Last Week: Def. Washington State 74-52 (12/10), Lost to Arizona 69-64 (12/14)
This Week: 12/18 vs. Texas Southern (0-9), 12/20 vs. Connecticut (9-0) Tickets
9. Louisville 6-1 1,176 9
Last Week: Def. Lamar 78-56 (12/8), Def. Austin Peay 94-75 (12/13)
This Week: 12/18 vs. Mississippi (7-3), 12/20 at Minnesota (9-0) Tickets
10. Wake Forest 9-0 1,101 11
Last Week: Def. Wright State 66-53 (12/14)
This Week: 12/19 at Richmond (5-4) Tickets
11. Syracuse 9-0 1,005 13
Last Week: Def. Long Beach State 79-55 (12/13)
This Week: Lost to Cleveland State 72-69 (12/15), 12/17 vs. Canisius (3-6), 12/20 at Memphis (5-2) Tickets
12. Notre Dame 7-2 992 12
Last Week: Def. Boston University 74-67 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 vs. Delaware State (2-12) Tickets
13. Purdue 8-2 765 14
Last Week: Def. Ball State 68-39 (12/9), Def. Indiana State 76-62 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 vs. Davidson (8-1) Tickets
14. UCLA 6-2 756 16
Last Week: Def. DePaul 72-54 (12/13)
This Week: 12/17 vs. Loyola Marymount (0-10), 12/20 vs. Mercer (6-3) Tickets
15. Georgetown 7-1 750 19
Last Week: Def. Savannah State 100-38 (12/8), Def. Memphis 79-70 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 vs. Mount St. Mary's (3-6) Tickets
16. Tennessee 6-2 683 8
Last Week: Lost to Temple 88-72 (12/13)
This Week: Def. Marquette 80-68 (12/16), 12/20 vs. Belmont (3-3) Tickets
17. Ohio State 6-0 576 21
Last Week: Def. Butler 54-51 (12/13)
This Week: 12/17 vs. Jacksonville (2-5), 12/20 vs. Iona (4-5) Tickets
18. Villanova 10-1 571 15
Last Week: Lost to Texas 67-58 (12/9), Def. Saint Joseph's 59-56 (12/11), Def. La Salle 70-59 (12/14)
This Week: No games scheduled. Tickets
19. Michigan State 6-2 506 18
Last Week: Def. Alcorn State 118-60 (12/13)
This Week: 12/17 vs. Citadel (5-5), 12/20 at Texas (9-1) Tickets
20. Arizona State 8-1 431 20
Last Week: Def. IUPUI 59-58 (12/14)
This Week: 12/20 vs. Brigham Young (10-0) Tickets
21. Baylor 8-1 420 22
Last Week: Def. Prairie View A&M 90-63 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 vs. Texas-Arlington (4-4) Tickets
22. Davidson 8-1 398 23
Last Week: Def. West Virginia 68-65 (12/9), Def. Chattanooga 100-95 (12/13)
This Week: 12/20 at Purdue (8-2) Tickets
23. Memphis 5-2 350 17
Last Week: Lost to Georgetown 79-70 (12/13)
This Week: 12/17 vs. Arkansas-Little Rock (7-2), 12/20 vs. Syracuse (9-1) Tickets
24. Marquette 8-1 240 24
Last Week: Def. IPFW 69-50 (12/13)
This Week: Lost to Tennessee 80-68 (12/16), 12/19 vs. Western Carolina (5-2) Tickets
25. Clemson 10-0 196 NR
Last Week: Def. South Carolina State 90-63 (12/13)
This Week: Def. North Florida 76-36 (12/16), 12/21 at Miami (FL) (7-2) Tickets
Others Receiving Votes
Michigan 132, Miami (FL) 64, Missouri 44, Brigham Young 37, Butler 23, Dayton 23, Florida State 21, LSU 21, Illinois 15, Kansas 15, Wisconsin 15, Maryland 10, Arizona 10, Florida 8, Northwestern 7, Texas A&M 6, Saint Mary's 3, Temple 2, Minnesota 2, Navy 1, West Virginia 1.
Dropped From Rankings
Kansas 25.
Taken from www.espn.com
I feel the pain of U of L fans
You know, if U of L fans weren’t band wagon jumpers, I’d truly feel bad for them. U of L had three good years of football. They 9-3, 10-2 and 12-1, winning the BCS Orange Bowl. The last two seasons have seen them go 6-6 and 5-7. And they don’t play in a power conference such as the SEC or Big 12; meaning their record looks even worst on paper.
As a Kentucky Wildcat fan, I feel their pain. UK is the best basketball program in history with the best tradition. The last three years UK has been average at best. We have let teams like Florida and Tennessee (traditional football programs) dominate us in SEC basketball. This for UK fans is never acceptable. Sure you lose a game to them every now and then but not have losing streaks against these football schools.
I am 26 and have been a life long UK fan. My dad is 75 and has been the same. These last 3 or 4 years have been the worst era of UK basketball either one of us can recall. I was 8 watching UK being put on probation. Sutton’s last year UK went 13-19, their first losing season in 75 years or so. They then went 15-15, 23-7 and 27-7, losing to Duke by a last second shot. The very next year UK made the Final Four. Not only that, they stayed a top ten program for years to come.
Look at North Carolina, Duke and Kansas. Those power houses have remained top 5, top 10 and top 15 teams as we speak. Even U of L has rebuilt from the mess that Crum left, becoming a good to great team the past 5 years, making one Final Four and just missing another.
People say UK fans are to tough. How so? We’ve been tough since the 1920’s. And what were the results? It was a program with the most wins, 7 National Titles, 1 NIT (when it was a real tourney), and SEC titles that are almost countless. I don’t think the fans are to blame. Sure, we may be strict and hard, but we’re also the most loyal. Studies show that per 100 household, UK fans ranked number 1 in watching games. And by the way, who packs that 24,000 seat arena weekly? So I don’t want to hear that we “ask too much”. All we want is a program worth watching.
I made myself a promise. If UK misses or loses in the first round of the tourney this year I will boycott all their games the following season. No, I won’t jump on another team’s band wagon. I just refuse to watch a boring product play. If I wanna watch a team lose in basketball, I’ll become an IU fan (sorry, had to through that one in).
So U of L fans, don’t feel bad about your football team. How do you think us lifelong UK fans feel about our beloved basketball team? I can’t speak for them all, but I get sick in the stomach. I am embarrassed to watch. To be honest, they totally suck. If we can put up with two worthless seasons of our coach, so can you.
As a Kentucky Wildcat fan, I feel their pain. UK is the best basketball program in history with the best tradition. The last three years UK has been average at best. We have let teams like Florida and Tennessee (traditional football programs) dominate us in SEC basketball. This for UK fans is never acceptable. Sure you lose a game to them every now and then but not have losing streaks against these football schools.
I am 26 and have been a life long UK fan. My dad is 75 and has been the same. These last 3 or 4 years have been the worst era of UK basketball either one of us can recall. I was 8 watching UK being put on probation. Sutton’s last year UK went 13-19, their first losing season in 75 years or so. They then went 15-15, 23-7 and 27-7, losing to Duke by a last second shot. The very next year UK made the Final Four. Not only that, they stayed a top ten program for years to come.
Look at North Carolina, Duke and Kansas. Those power houses have remained top 5, top 10 and top 15 teams as we speak. Even U of L has rebuilt from the mess that Crum left, becoming a good to great team the past 5 years, making one Final Four and just missing another.
People say UK fans are to tough. How so? We’ve been tough since the 1920’s. And what were the results? It was a program with the most wins, 7 National Titles, 1 NIT (when it was a real tourney), and SEC titles that are almost countless. I don’t think the fans are to blame. Sure, we may be strict and hard, but we’re also the most loyal. Studies show that per 100 household, UK fans ranked number 1 in watching games. And by the way, who packs that 24,000 seat arena weekly? So I don’t want to hear that we “ask too much”. All we want is a program worth watching.
I made myself a promise. If UK misses or loses in the first round of the tourney this year I will boycott all their games the following season. No, I won’t jump on another team’s band wagon. I just refuse to watch a boring product play. If I wanna watch a team lose in basketball, I’ll become an IU fan (sorry, had to through that one in).
So U of L fans, don’t feel bad about your football team. How do you think us lifelong UK fans feel about our beloved basketball team? I can’t speak for them all, but I get sick in the stomach. I am embarrassed to watch. To be honest, they totally suck. If we can put up with two worthless seasons of our coach, so can you.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Bradford wins Heisman
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/sports/ncaafootball/14heisman.html?em
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford arrived in Norman three years ago with modest hype and low expectations. The Sooners’ coaches acknowledged that they had recruited him for depth behind Rhett Bomar, who had been the country’s top quarterback prospect.
But Bradford’s rise from relative obscurity to national pre-eminence was sealed Saturday night when he won the Heisman Trophy, which is given annually to the country’s most outstanding college football player.
Bradford, a redshirt sophomore, seemed giddy and overwhelmed as he hugged his parents and his coach, Bob Stoops, and shook hands with a row of former Heisman winners.
“I was definitely surprised,” Bradford said. “I think it was everything I imagined. It’s going to take a few weeks for it to sink in.”
His victory did not come without a dash of drama. Bradford edged Texas quarterback Colt McCoy in the voting, 1,726 to 1,604, in the closest finish since Eric Crouch beat Rex Grossman by 62 points in 2001.
In a sign of how top-heavy the balloting was, McCoy’s second-place total was high enough to have won four of the past eight Heismans.
“Now I know what it’s like for those people on ‘American Idol,’ ” McCoy said. “My heart was pounding. What a great experience.”
The third-place finisher, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, received more first-place votes than Bradford (309-300), becoming the first third-place finisher to do so since 1956. That did not seem to matter to Tebow, who last season became the first sophomore to win the Heisman.
“You lose, you lose,” he said with a smile. When told he had been left off 154 of the 904 ballots, Tebow added, “Either they love us or they hate us — that’s Florida.”
In leading No. 2 Oklahoma (12-1) to the Bowl Championship Series title game against Tebow and the Gators, Bradford orchestrated the highest-scoring season in college football’s modern era. The Sooners scored 702 points, the first modern team to break the 700 mark. They finished with a flourish, scoring more than 60 points in each of their final five games.
Bradford led the nation with 48 touchdown passes and threw only 6 interceptions. He finished with an average of 14.78 yards a completion.
“It’s as good of an offense as I’ve ever seen on video,” Florida Coach Urban Meyer said of Oklahoma.
Bradford is the fifth Sooner to win the Heisman, joining Billy Vessels (1952), Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978) and Jason White (2003). Only Southern California, Ohio State and Notre Dame have had more Heisman winners; each university has had seven.
Bradford will also hold a place in Heisman history in that he became the first American Indian to win the trophy since Jim Plunkett of Stanford in 1970. Bradford is one-sixteenth Cherokee and has become a role model in Oklahoma, a state with a rich American Indian heritage.
“I feel like that’s another blessing God gave me,” Bradford said. “He’s given me a great platform within the Cherokee Nation.”
Bradford’s victory set up a thick subplot in the title game Jan. 8. He will square off with Tebow, who led the No. 1 Gators to their second national title game in the past three seasons.
The last time two Heisman winners played for the national title came at the end of the 2004 season, when Southern California and Matt Leinart (the 2004 winner) blew out White and Oklahoma, 55-19, in the B.C.S. title game.
Tebow said he was looking forward to the opportunity to beat Bradford on the field.
“We still get to play on Jan. 8 and decide something a little bit bigger,” Tebow said.
He added that Bradford’s Heisman victory had already provided some motivation for the Gators’ defense.
“I think so,” Tebow said when asked if his defense would be eager to face Bradford. “They’re a little bit excited. I already got quite a few texts from some guys.”
It was an odd year in the Heisman voting in that none of the three finalists were seniors, the first time that has happened in the award’s 74-year history. There is a chance that all three players could return next season.
“Hopefully, we’ll be here again,” said McCoy, who has said he will return to Texas.
In a bitter twist to what has been a tough few weeks for Texas fans, the Sooners beat the Longhorns again. Texas defeated Oklahoma, 45-35, on a neutral field earlier this season. But Oklahoma won the Big 12 South and a spot in the conference championship game because of a tie breaker that used the B.C.S. rankings over the teams’ head-to-head result.
Not only did the Big 12 championship game give Oklahoma an avenue to the B.C.S. title game, it also gave Bradford a final platform to impress Heisman voters.
“I feel like having the opportunity to play in the Big 12 championship, things would have been a little bit different,” McCoy said.
But Bradford’s winning the Heisman was another example of how it has been a good year to be a Sooner. On Jan. 8, he will have a chance to extend that success into 2009. It will be a chance for an overlooked player from Oklahoma City to write another improbable chapter in his rapid ascent to the top of college football.
“There weren’t a whole bunch of people recruiting him,” Stoops said of Bradford, who was considered a three-star prospect. “So much for those guys giving out the stars.”
Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford arrived in Norman three years ago with modest hype and low expectations. The Sooners’ coaches acknowledged that they had recruited him for depth behind Rhett Bomar, who had been the country’s top quarterback prospect.
But Bradford’s rise from relative obscurity to national pre-eminence was sealed Saturday night when he won the Heisman Trophy, which is given annually to the country’s most outstanding college football player.
Bradford, a redshirt sophomore, seemed giddy and overwhelmed as he hugged his parents and his coach, Bob Stoops, and shook hands with a row of former Heisman winners.
“I was definitely surprised,” Bradford said. “I think it was everything I imagined. It’s going to take a few weeks for it to sink in.”
His victory did not come without a dash of drama. Bradford edged Texas quarterback Colt McCoy in the voting, 1,726 to 1,604, in the closest finish since Eric Crouch beat Rex Grossman by 62 points in 2001.
In a sign of how top-heavy the balloting was, McCoy’s second-place total was high enough to have won four of the past eight Heismans.
“Now I know what it’s like for those people on ‘American Idol,’ ” McCoy said. “My heart was pounding. What a great experience.”
The third-place finisher, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, received more first-place votes than Bradford (309-300), becoming the first third-place finisher to do so since 1956. That did not seem to matter to Tebow, who last season became the first sophomore to win the Heisman.
“You lose, you lose,” he said with a smile. When told he had been left off 154 of the 904 ballots, Tebow added, “Either they love us or they hate us — that’s Florida.”
In leading No. 2 Oklahoma (12-1) to the Bowl Championship Series title game against Tebow and the Gators, Bradford orchestrated the highest-scoring season in college football’s modern era. The Sooners scored 702 points, the first modern team to break the 700 mark. They finished with a flourish, scoring more than 60 points in each of their final five games.
Bradford led the nation with 48 touchdown passes and threw only 6 interceptions. He finished with an average of 14.78 yards a completion.
“It’s as good of an offense as I’ve ever seen on video,” Florida Coach Urban Meyer said of Oklahoma.
Bradford is the fifth Sooner to win the Heisman, joining Billy Vessels (1952), Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978) and Jason White (2003). Only Southern California, Ohio State and Notre Dame have had more Heisman winners; each university has had seven.
Bradford will also hold a place in Heisman history in that he became the first American Indian to win the trophy since Jim Plunkett of Stanford in 1970. Bradford is one-sixteenth Cherokee and has become a role model in Oklahoma, a state with a rich American Indian heritage.
“I feel like that’s another blessing God gave me,” Bradford said. “He’s given me a great platform within the Cherokee Nation.”
Bradford’s victory set up a thick subplot in the title game Jan. 8. He will square off with Tebow, who led the No. 1 Gators to their second national title game in the past three seasons.
The last time two Heisman winners played for the national title came at the end of the 2004 season, when Southern California and Matt Leinart (the 2004 winner) blew out White and Oklahoma, 55-19, in the B.C.S. title game.
Tebow said he was looking forward to the opportunity to beat Bradford on the field.
“We still get to play on Jan. 8 and decide something a little bit bigger,” Tebow said.
He added that Bradford’s Heisman victory had already provided some motivation for the Gators’ defense.
“I think so,” Tebow said when asked if his defense would be eager to face Bradford. “They’re a little bit excited. I already got quite a few texts from some guys.”
It was an odd year in the Heisman voting in that none of the three finalists were seniors, the first time that has happened in the award’s 74-year history. There is a chance that all three players could return next season.
“Hopefully, we’ll be here again,” said McCoy, who has said he will return to Texas.
In a bitter twist to what has been a tough few weeks for Texas fans, the Sooners beat the Longhorns again. Texas defeated Oklahoma, 45-35, on a neutral field earlier this season. But Oklahoma won the Big 12 South and a spot in the conference championship game because of a tie breaker that used the B.C.S. rankings over the teams’ head-to-head result.
Not only did the Big 12 championship game give Oklahoma an avenue to the B.C.S. title game, it also gave Bradford a final platform to impress Heisman voters.
“I feel like having the opportunity to play in the Big 12 championship, things would have been a little bit different,” McCoy said.
But Bradford’s winning the Heisman was another example of how it has been a good year to be a Sooner. On Jan. 8, he will have a chance to extend that success into 2009. It will be a chance for an overlooked player from Oklahoma City to write another improbable chapter in his rapid ascent to the top of college football.
“There weren’t a whole bunch of people recruiting him,” Stoops said of Bradford, who was considered a three-star prospect. “So much for those guys giving out the stars.”
Auburn hires new Football coach
http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2008/12/auburn_ready_to_announce_chizi.html
Auburn has hired Gene Chizik as its new football coach, according to people familiar with the university's search.
Chizik has called assistant coaches from other schools to compile his new coaching staff, said someone familiar with the situation.
Chizik has been Iowa State's head coach the last two seasons. He compiled a 5-19 record there.
He was Auburn's defensive coordinator from 2002-04. He was the defensive coordinator at Texas the two years after that.
Chizik's 2004 Auburn defense led the nation in the fewest points allowed, just 11.3 points per game. He left Auburn to become the defensive coordinator at Texas. He was named Iowa State's head coach two seasons ago. He has a 5-19 record with the Cyclones.
The Birmingham News has reported Auburn has also interviewed Tulsa coach Todd Graham, Ball State coach Brady Hoke, Louisiana Tech's Derek Dooley, Buffalo coach Turner Gill, Georgia assistant Rodney Garner and University of Miami offensive coordinator Patrick Nix.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
