Special to East County Sports.com
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (8-4-08) — Valhalla High’s
RYAN O’SULLIVAN put together one of the best statistical
lines of any Northwoods Collegiate League (NWL) player
this summer in the Eau Claire Express’ 19-0 destruction
of the Madison Mallards on Sunday (Aug. 3).
It started with a three-run home run in the 1st inning,
O'Sullivan's fourth consecutive game with a homer. He
added three more hits, all doubles, in his next four
at-bats to go with a walk in his other plate appearance.
Overall, O'Sullivan finished 4-for-5 with six RBI and
three runs scored.
O’Sullivan topped off the evening by tossing three
innings and allowing just two hits while striking out
three. O'Sullivan, a 10th round draft pick of the San
Francisco Giants, is an incoming freshman to San Diego
State University.
Clinton Snyder on Bronko Nagurski watch list Award Honors College Football's Top Defensive Player
Clinton Snyder (Stanford courtesy photos)
Special to East County Sports.com
STANFORD (7-7-08) – Former Monte Vista standout
and Stanford outside linebacker CLINTON SNYDER has been
included on the watch list for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski
Award, which goes to the best defensive player in college
football. There are 88 candidates nationwide nominated
for the award, which is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown
Club.
The Football Writers Association of America All-America
Committee selects the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner
from the association's 11-man All-America defensive
team in November. The watch list was developed by the
FWAA All-America committee with the help of schools
and conferences.
Snyder, who earned second team All-Pac-10 Conference
honors last season, ranks as Stanford's active career
leader in tackles (179), sacks (10.0), fumbles forced
(7) and is tied for first in fumbles recovered (3) and
tackles for loss (18). He ranked among the Pac-10 leaders
in virtually every defensive category in 2007, including
fumbles forced, tackles for loss, fumble recoveries,
sacks and tackles.
As a senior at Monte Vista, Snyder was the East County
Sports.com Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. He
was also a first-team tight end in the East County Sports.com
selections.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been presented since
1993 and is awarded in memory of the legendary Nagurski,
a former All-America lineman at Minnesota in 1927-29
who went on to star for the Chicago Bears in the 1930s.
"It's more than a landmark. It's a great step
for us that we need as a program to show people that
we're not the old Stanford," said Snyder, one of
three Cardinal defenders with 10 tackles. "I didn't
know how it would feel. We haven't done this in a long
time."
Under the leadership of former University of San Diego
head coach JIM HARBAUGH, the rebuilding process seemed
headed for a long, bumpy road following embarrassing
Pac-10 Conference losses to UCLA (45-17), Oregon (55-31)
and Arizona State (41-3) -- all at home -- earlier in
the season.
Perhaps playing on the road is the ticket for the Cardinal,
which snapped USC’s 35-game home winning streak.
Oh yeah, the last time the Trojans were toppled in the
Coliseum was at the hands of Stanford in 2001. That
was USC coach Pete Carroll’s first year as the
Trojans' head man.
"It's incredible. We came into this game with
only a win against a WAC team ( San Jose State ), and
we weren't performing like we knew we could," added
the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Snyder, Stanford’s top
returning tackler from a year ago. "This game,
we came out and ground it out, and performed the way
the Stanford Cardinal needs to perform in the future."
The youthful Cardinal committed mistake-after-mistake,
but switching to Tavita Pritchard at quarterback last
week against Arizona State seemed to be the catalyst,
as the offense took giants steps forward while Snyder
& Co. held the line on defense.
"All the little mistakes we were making in the
other games didn't happen," noted Snyder, a redshirt
sophomore. "We got some good breaks on defense
with all the turnovers. It's a game of turnovers. Whoever
wins the turnover battle usually wins the game."
Snyder, the 2004 East County Defensive Player of the
Year who set a Grossmont Conference record of 44 sacks,
went on to say:
"We got those turnovers on defense and helped
the offense out by giving the offense good field position,
and they made good adjustments. They moved the ball
down the field and scored some points for us, and we
came out on top."
Snyder, who made 61 tackles for losses during his Monte
Vista career, came through with several of those key
plays. He forced a fumble which led to a turnover, then
he registered one of three sacks on Trojans quarterback
J.D. Booty late in the 4th quarter which led to Stanford
getting the ball back for its game-winning drive.
The Cardinal offense rebounded with the game-winning
touchdown in the final 2:50. Included was a 4th-down
reception by Richard Sherman to the USC-9, then Pritchard
found Mark Bradford on the left-side of the endzone
with 49 seconds remaining for another 4th-down conversion.
"We said focus and finish, which is what we've
been saying all year,” Snyder said. “Focus
and finish is a big thing for us. That's what we stress,
finishing in the fourth quarter. We went out there and
got a good stop on defense."
USC, ranked No. 1 in one major poll and No. 2 in the
other, had one last chance, but Booty's bomb was intercepted
by Bo McNally.
"Just to see Bo catch that ball and slide down
there knowing that the game is over and we had won the
game is just great," said Snyder, who now has 117
tackles in five games this season. “It's awesome;
it's a dream. This is a great win for the program."
University of the Pacific outfielder
Nick Longmire was named to the Louisville Slugger
Freshmen All-America team. (UOP courtesy photos)
Among the 21 outfielders selected to the prestigious
post-season team, Longmire tied for the top spot in
batting average with a .323 mark.
The outfielder hit .333 in Big West games, and did
not have an error in 54 Big West chances. He also whacked
8 doubles, 3 homers, drove in 28 runs and stole nine
bases.
While at Grossmont High, Longmire was a first-team,
All-East County selection, and a first-team, All-San
Diego Section pick by the San Diego Hall of Champions'
media panel. He was also the SDCIF Division II player
of the year, as selected by the coaches, leading the
Foothillers to the section championship.
As a senior in 2007, Longmire also set Grossmont single
season records for batting average, hits and slugging
percentage, gaining a second-team All-State selection
by CalHiSports.
A.J. Griffin (USD courtesy photo)
Griffin among national finalists among bullpen specialists
A.J. Griffin (circa 2005)
with Grossmont High School. (ECS file photo)
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Griffin helped lead the Toreros
to their second straight West Coast Conference title
in 2008. Recently named to the 2008 Team USA squad along
with SDSU’s STEPHEN STRASBURG, Griffin posted a
USD record 13 saves with a 1-1 record, and a 1.96 ERA
with 49 strikeouts in 46 innings. A unanimous all-conference
selection, Griffin is also USD’s career saves (24)
record-holder.
Griffin, a sophomore, was also named a third-team Louisville
Slugger All-America closer.
Griffin and Strasburg will join Team USA in Keene,
N.H. on June 11 for the first practice. Part of a 25-player
squad, they will participate in an 11-game practice
game schedule against various semiprofessional and club
teams on the East Coast. The final Team USA 22-man roster
will be announced on June 24.
If Griffin fails to be named to the Team USA roster
he plans to pitch in the prestigious Cape Cod League
this summer.
Mazzola earns national honor
Courtesy, Missouri State media relations
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (5-08-08) -- Missouri State senior
first baseman JOSH MAZZOLA has been named the Louisville
Slugger National Player of the Week by Collegiate
Baseball newspaper and the Missouri Valley Conference
Player of the Week for his performances against Arkansas
and Indiana State last week.
Mazzola, a product of Santana High and Grossmont College,
had one of the most prolific offensive weeks in Missouri
State history, slugging six home runs over four games
and driving in 14. He scored eight times, hit .533 (8-15),
collected 26 total bases for a 1.733 slugging percentage
and drew an additional four walks for a .632 on-base
percentage.
Mazzola's monster week began with a 3-for-4 showing
at Arkansas, including a three-run homer that gave the
Bears an early lead. Friday (May 2) at Indiana State,
the senior first baseman homered twice, the first a
grand slam in Missouri State's 11-run fourth inning,
and he added a solo home run on Saturday to get to four
for the week.
On Sunday, the Santee native blasted a three-run shot
in the first inning and a two-run homer in the seventh,
in addition to drawing three walks, in MSU's 21-10 win
over the Sycamores. Eight of his 14 RBIs for the week
came with two outs.
Tristan Phillips
Phillips posts career outing Ex-Foothiller slugs two homers
in one inning
In a career day with the bat, Phillips hit 2 home runs
in the same inning – one of which was a grand slam
– propelling the Panthers (33-3) to 12 runs in
the 6th inning’s manhandling of Dallas.
Phillips, who was 4-for-5 with six RBI and 3 runs scored
in the blowout victory, raised his team-best batting
average to .415 (51-for-123) for the NCAA’s top-ranked
Division III baseball team.
Phillips, who hit his second homer of the season, is
batting .360 this season as Chapman's starting third
baseman. The junior was voted the team's most improved
player last season when he batted .318.
Chapman's Panthers are the 3-time defending NCAA Division
III West Region champs, while Pomona's Sage Hens (26-5)
captured the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference title last season.
The Panthers (28-3) then recorded their first loss
since Feb. 29 in the second ballgame when Pomona-Pitzer
pitcher Tom Church held them to one run and seven hits
for a split of a SCIAC doubleheader.
Marlon Pierce of CS San Bernardino
in CCAC Tournament action. (CSSB courtesy photo)
Pierce selected to play in Collegiate Basketball Invitational
Pierce, who previously played for Helix High and Cuyamaca
College, will compete in front of the pro team reps
and agents from around the country and the world.
Players will be divided into 8 teams of 8 players and
will play three games in the tournament, complete with
a championship game. At the conclusion of the tournament,
the top 20 players will be chosen to compete in an All-Star
Game that is scheduled for a live national television
broadcast on ESPNU (Cox Cable 322) at 5 p.m. PST.
Pierce tabbed for NCAA D-2 All-Star Game
Courtesy, CSSB Media Relations
SAN BERNARDINO (3-21-08) -- Cal State San Bernardino
guard MARLON PIERCE, who helped the Coyotes advance
to the NCAA Division II playoffs, was selected to the
West team for the 3rd annual NABC/NCAA Division II All-Star
game.
The game is slated for Fri., Mar. 28, at the Naismith
Memorial Hall of Fame in Springfield , Mass. , site
of the Division II Elite Eight.
Pierce, who previously played for Helix High and Cuyamaca
College , will join 19 other players in playing on center
court at the Hall of Fame, where he and his teammates
were part of the pre-Elite Eight dinner for the eight
finalists at the 2007 tournament.
CSUSB lost in the 2007 semifinals to Barton College,
80-79. This season, the Coyotes were eliminated in the
opening round in Anchorage, Alaska, last Friday.
The only other CCAA conference player on the West squad
will be Devin Peal of Humboldt State , the CCAA most
valuable player. Players from the Great Lakes , North
Central, South Central and West regions make up the
team.
Pierce was an all-CCAA first team and NABC all-West
Region first team selection this season. He averaged
12.2 points and 3.5 rebounds a game with 118 assists
and 57 steals.
Georgia Tech's Savannah Brown (Ramblin' Wreck courtesy photo)
However, after Brown broke the mark in the 6th inning
against North Carolina State, the hard-luck Yellow Jackets
allowed six runs in the bottom of the inning to get
swept by the Wolf Pack, 6-1 and 9-6.
Despite setting the new record, the team's luck was
so bad, Brown also lined a shot off the kneecap of the
NC State third baseman, only to see the ball ricochet
back to the catcher, who threw Brown out at first base.
Georgia Tech, which was nationally ranked last season,
is now struggling at 17-26 overall, despite Brown ranking
among the Ramblin' Wreck leaders in almost every offensive
category. She set the school's career RBI mark (172)
on Mar. 22, when she drove home four runs against Coastal
Carolina.
Brown, a senior, set the single-season ACC mark with
76 RBI last season. She is also fourth all-time in the
ACC with 40 homers and is among the best defensive players
in school history (.986), even though she plays two
of the tougher positions: catcher and third base.
With Valhalla, Brown was the 2004 East County Player
of the Year, first-team All-CIF (by coaches) and first-team
All-County (by media) while establishing the East County
home run record.
Brown is one of only 24 players selected by "the
worldwide leader," with the selection coming on
the heels of her placement on the USA Softball player
of the year Watch List.
"Savannah has great work ethic and is a natural
team leader," said Georgia Tech head coach Sharon
Perkins. "She's the type of player that makes it
fun to come to practice every day. We are looking forward
to her having another successful season."
Brown stands fifth all-time in Atlantic Coast Conference
history in home runs (37) and sixth in RBI (157). She
holds the school record in putouts (948) and chances
(1061) while ranking third all-time in Tech history
in fielding percentage (.986).
Last season, Brown started 69 games and set a new single-season
ACC record with 76 runs batted in -- the second-highest
total in the nation.
Brown was a 2007 First-Team All-ACC and NFCA All-Southeast
Region pick while ranking sixth in the NCAA with a career-high
20 home runs. That was also the third-best in ACC history,
including a new Tech single-game record by twice slugging
three homers in a game.
She joins Virginia Tech pitcher Angela Tincher as the
only two representatives from the ACC. Tincher was a
first-team pick.
Brown and the 17th-ranked Jackets open up the 2008 season
this weekend at the Georgia State First Pitch Classic
(Live stats for all games can be found via the Gametracker
link at www.ramblinwreck.com).
Dennis, a senior, smacked seven home runs and drove
in 20 runs in six games for the Stars last week. He
batted .652 for the week and also had four doubles to
add to his amazing 1.435 slugging percentage.
For the season, Dennis is hitting .403 with 12 homers
and 41 RBIs. Dennis ranks third national in the NAIA
in home runs and RBIs, and sixth in total bases.
On Wednesday (Feb. 20), the Hurricanes did something
they had not done in 45 years: defeat Duke, as Hurdle posted 13 points in Miami's
96-95 victory over the 5th-ranked Blue Devils.
The last time the Canes
downed Duke was on Dec. 21, 1962, in the first game of the schools' series. And
despite the Blue Devils coming off their first ACC setback of the season, Miami
stood tough by scoring 11 straight points in the first half, then sinking its
foul shots down the stretch.
It was Miami 's first victory over
a Top 5 school since downing No. 2 Connecticut exactly nine years ago on Feb.
20, 1999, as senior forward Dwayne Collins scored a career-high 26 points to help
the Hurricanes win their third ACC game in a row.
Lance
Hurdle vs. North Carolina (Univ. of Miami photo)
But
the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Hurdle who accepted a basketball scholarship to UC Santa
Barbara upon graduating from Helix only to bounce back to San Bernardino Valley
Community College and then find his way to the University of Miami ( Fla. ) of
the Atlantic Coast Conference, makes him special.
Hurdle is doing more
than just playing part time. He is, in fact, nw a starter for the Hurricanes (14-4,
1-3 ACC). The 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard enjoyed his finest outing in south Florida
when he poured in 20 points during the ‘Canes 98-82 loss to No. 5-ranked
and tradition rich North Carolina on Wednesday (Jan. 23).
Hurdle
drained 7-of-10 shots against the Heels (3-for-4 from beyond the arc), finishing
as Miami's leading scorer. That was 7 points more than Hurdle’s previous
high for Miami, despite losing for the first time in 10 home games.
"We
can't get down,'' Hurdle toldreporters after the contest. "It's a long season.
This is nothing. We've just got to keep going.''
Carolina (19-1,
4-1 ACC) was playing its first game since falling for the first time this season
-- an 82-80 home loss to Maryland to lose its No. 1 national ranking,
It was the Eagles' first victory
over a Top 25 opponent since downing Virginia Tech last February. BC (12-4, 3-0
ACC) also downed Miami (14-2, 1-1) for the 13th straight time in the series.
The only other setback for Miami came Dec. 29 against Withrop to snap a
season-opening 12-game winning streak -- one short of the school record.
After a standout career with Helix, including a CIF-San Diego Section Division
I championship and a third-team All-state berth during the 2004-05 season, Hurdle
played one season each at UC Santa Barbara and San Bernardino Valley College before
landing on his feet with the nationally-ranked Canes.
Hurdle is
now the first guard off the bench for Miami , averaging 6.7 points and 1.8 assists
per contest, getting 19.1 minutes of playing time. His 13 points against equaled
a season high, matching his game-high total in a victory over St. John's.
McMillan
went 3-0 in her three starts last week, but her most impressive performance might
have been out of the bullpen.
After defeating Emmanuel College, 3-2, in
the opening game of the doubleheader, McMillan got called on for relief in the
seventh inning of game two with the Lady Warriors leading 7-4 and Lady Lions on
second and third base. McMillan struck out the first batter she faced, but the
runner advanced to first base because the catcher didn’t catch the third
strike cleanly. With the based loaded, McMillan set down the next three runners
on a strikeout and two flyouts to earn her first save of the season.
For
the season, McMillan is 4-1 with the one save. Southern Wesleyan , currently riding
a 4-game winning streak, is 6-4.
Former Monarchs BREANNA McMILLAN
and MELANIE MASSEY are welcoming their move, now playing for Southern Wesleyan
University, which plays in both the NAIA and NCCAA.
The Warriors have
split a pair of doubleheaders in the early going as they prepare for Southern
States Athletic Conference play. Although picked for last place in a coaches'
preseason poll, SWU currently owns the third-best record of the eight schools,
continuing to back strides with their Spring Valley imports.
And
McMillan has been a benefactor. Now serving as one of the Warriors' starting pitchers,
she earned the school's Female Athlete of the Week award for the period ending
Feb. 10. She posted a 1-1 record last week, including an upset victory over Lees-McRae.
This is a welcome relief after playing at Southwestern College as freshmen,
winning just six ballgames all season in finishing dead-last in the Pacific Coast
Conference in 2007.
Sutton, a 6-foot-4, 340-pound tackle for the top
offensive team in the Grossmont Conference in 2004, went on to play his collegiate
freshman season for Graceland College (Iowa) in 2005, helping the Yellowjackets
to their first conference championship in 30 years.
However, when Graceland
assistant coach ADAM CLARK, who recruited Sutton, returned to his alma mater,
he encouraged Sutton to join him for an NAIA program coming off a Top 10 NAIA
national ranking and a MSFA Midwest Division conference championship to earn a
postseason berth.
Clark was recently elevated to defensive coordinator of
St. Ambrose's Fighting Bees, a team where he earned All-America recognition in
2001, later earning both his Bachelor’s and Master's degrees.
Clark
then went to Graceland, helping the school post its best 3-year span record (23-9)
in history. He played linebacker at West Hills High and Grossmont College.
Pierce, a senior point guard out of Cuyamaca Community
College, connected on 12 of 17 shots from the field for the Coyotes (13-3, 6-2
CCAA), including a solid 5-for-6 night from beyond the arc.
It was
a record night for Pierce, who came into the game averaging only 10.9 points per
game.
UCSD (9-4, 6-2 CCAA), coached by former Highlander CHRIS CARLSON,
is now tied for 2nd place with the Coyotes in the 11-team conference. Humboldt
State (12-3, 7-1 CCAA) leads the circuit.
Senior
point guard MARLON PIERCE, a product of Helix High and Cuyamaca College, leads
the CCAA-leading Coyotes against the third-place Tritons coached by another Helix
alum, CHRIS CARLSON.
Pierce is averaging 10.9 points, 4.2 assists and
2.0 steals per game for the Coyotes (13-1, 6-0 CCAA), who are rated No. 5 in the
NCAA Division II rankings.
The Tritons (7-4, 4-2 CCAA) – who do
not offer athletic scholarships unlike the majority of their conference opponents
– are guided by Carlson, who brings an abundance of coaching experience to
the La Jolla based campus.
Carlson played for coach JOHN SINGER and earned
all-league honors in 1986-87 at Helix. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara and
continued his career in positions other than on the court.
Prior to
accepting the UCSD job this season, Carlson spent four seasons as the director
of basketball operations at UCLA under head coach Ben Howland. Before assuming
his duties at UCLA Carlson served in the same capacity at the University of Pittsburgh
in 2002-03. Carlson previously served as an assistant coach at Northern Arizona
University and was an intern for the St. Louis Rams in the public relations department.
Admission prices are $9 general admission and $5 visiting students, seniors
and UCSD Alumni Association members.
Robinson ranks second on the team in scoring (13.0
ppg) and first in rebounding, as the Vaqueras (16-0) are undefeated and ranked
second in the nation by the National Junior College Athletic Association (all
non-California schools). They trail only another 16-0 ballclub in Gulf Coast Community
College (Panama City , Fla.).
The 6-foot-0 freshman is already being
looked at by various NCAA schools, and it doesn't hurt playing for Laursen, who
has guided her program to 21 consecutive (28 overall) Arizona state titles.
Central Arizona also reached the NJCAA Final Four a record 10 times, including
NJCAA national crowns in 1989, 1996 and 2005, as Laursen was inducted into the
association's Hall of Fame last year.
At Mount Miguel, Robinson
helped the Matadors to a sixth and seventh consecutive Grossmont South League
crown, helping the team reach the CIF Southern California regional semifinals
while earning first-team berths on the All-CIF-San Diego Section and All-East
County teams.
A first-team All-West Coast Conference closer and second-team All-America
as a freshman, Griffin posted an overall record of 6-2 with team bests of a 2.70
ERA and 11 saves. The hard-throwing 6-foot-4 Griffin struck out 65 batters and
issued only 23 walks in 34 appearances last season.
Holiday
Bowl highlights. (Slideshows by Chris DeRosier)
Longhorns
sideline gaffe only proves embarrassing, not costly in Holiday win
Despite
an embarrassing and unusual penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct by the stepson
of Texas head coach Mack Brown, then four fumbles by quarterback Colt McCoy, the
17th-ranked Longhorns overcame a seemingly unending series of miscues to down
No. 12 Arizona State, 52-34, at Qualcomm Stadium.
The 86 points made
this the fourth-highest scoring game in the 30-year history of the Holiday Bowl.
With
Texas leading 21-0 in the second quarter, Arizona State was driving when quarterback
Rudy Carpenter was sacked by Longhorns linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy, forcing
a fumble in front of the Texas bench.
In the confusion with both
teams swooping to collect the loose ball, Chris Jessie, Mack's stepson and a member
of the football opertaions staff, stepped onto the field, motioning the ball's
location. It then appeared that Jessie reached down and madecontact with the live
ball. Defensive tackle Roy Miller kept the ball from rolling out of bounds, with
defensive end Aaron Lewis making the recovery.
After review, officials
cancelled the play, ruling that Jessie touched the ball, giving possession back
to the Sun Devils (10-3). Although ASU capped the drive on a Carpenter TD pass,
Texas (10-3) still won despite the blunder in the first-ever meeting between the
schools.
Top:
Utah Utes running back Darrell Mack. Bottom: Other Poinsettia Bowl highlights. (Slideshow
by Chris DeRosier)
"I wanted to
do this for my family, who were in the stands watching me," said Mack, who
hails from nearby Spring Valley and attended Monte Vista High School. "My
family, my friends -- the whole town in general -- so it's a pretty good way to
end the year."
However, there's something about bowl games
held in Qualcomm Stadium which almost always seem to ring true, with terms like
"cliff-hanger" and "fantastic finish." And like its forefather,
the Holiday Bowl, the Poinsettia's third edition also came down to the final seconds.
Despite Navy immediately answering Mack with a late touchdown and the recovery
of an onside kick, Utah 's Joe Dale -- the game's most valuable defensive player
with 12 tackles -- intercepted a pass with 26 seconds remaining to clinch Utah's
dramatic 35-32 victory over the Midshipmen.
For Utah (9-4), it was
the school's seventh consecutive bowl victory since 1999, including a perfect
5-0 record for the Utes graduating class of seniors. Navy (8-5) saw its 4-game
winning streak snapped.
For Mack, who bookended Utah's scoring with
a 5-yard TD run for a 7-0 second-quarter lead before completing a 77-yard night
of rushing with a 1-yard burst into the endzone, the bowl culminated a surprising
season which was originally slated to be his red-shirt season.
COLLEGE
FOOTBALL BOWL SCHEDULE PARTICIPATING EAST COUNTY PLAYERS
Dec.
20 6 pm/ESPN
Poinsettia Bowl San Diego
Utah
(8-4) Darrell Mack (MV)
Navy
(8-4)
Dec. 22 5 pm/ESPN
Las Vegas Bowl
UCLA
(6-6) Joshua Edwards (MV)
BYU
(10-2)
Dec. 28 2 pm/ESPN
Champ
Sports Bowl Orlando
Boston College (10-3) Wes
Davis (SC)
Michigan State (7-5)
Dec.
28 5 pm/ESPN
Emerald Bowl San Francisco
Oregon
State (8-4) Chris Johnson (GC)
Maryland
(6-6)
Dec. 31 10 am/ESPN2
Humanitarian
Bowl Boise, Idaho
Fresno State (8-4) Darren
Newborne (MM) Sharrod Davis (MV)
Georgia
Tech (7-5)
Jan. 1 2 pm/ABC
RoseBowl Pasadena
USC (10-2) Mozique
McCurtis (GC)
Illinois (9-3)
"Being
the first bowl game, everyone was watching, so I'm glad the whole team played
good," noted Mack, who rushed 22 times. "I just tried to be consistent."
Navy quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada passed down the middle to Zerbin
Singleton for 58 yards to cut into the 35-25 lead Mack provided the Utes. But
after the onsides kick recovery, Dale stepped in front of a poor, short pass to
avoid a last-second decision which so many previous bowls this venue has provided.
Dale admits the start of the Utes' success began with Mack back in September.
"Darrell's always been a good back and we needed a solid running game
if we were to be successful on offense -- and he brought it to us when we needed
him," said Dale. "He opens it up for everybody, because you can't stop
both the run and the pass."
While Navy linebackers spied on
Mack, especially in the first half, Utah quarterback Brian Johnson earned offensive
player of the game honors by throwing for 226 yards on 20-for-25 passing. Johnson
threw for one score and ran for another.
Like a typical Holiday
Bowl, this frantic Poinsettia Bowl produced 50 second-half points.
"Just
call this the new Holiday Bowl," said Bruce Binkowski, the bowl's executive
director. "Give us a couple of years and this will really be something."
For the Bruins, then ranked
11th in the nation coached under former Helix High standout KARL DORRELL, it was
another step in a rebuilding process in anticipation to gain a showdown against
USC with a Pac-10 title -- and either a BCS or Rose Bowl berth -- on the line.
Meanwhile, former Monte Vista standout DARRELL MACK thought he would endure
a long season on the bench as a red-shirt for the Utes. However, he was pressed
into emergency duty the previous week and was now thrust into the role of starting
running back.
Indeed, everything was looking rosy for UCLA, while Utah
seemed destined for a long season -- until the Utes dominated every aspect of
the ballgame, ripping the Bruins, 44-6.
READ
ABOUT MACK'S LIFE STORY HERE from
Daily Utah Chronicle
Mack caught a pair of touchdown
passes and ran for another, while quarterback Tommy Grady passed for a career
high in yardage.
Since that meeting on Sept. 15, UCLA fell from grace
and finished 6-6. Instead of a major bowl game, it's a trip to the Las Vegas Bowl
and Dorrell scanning the nation looking for a new coaching gig -- he was recently
in Durham, N.C., to interview for the job at Duke.
As for the 6-foot,
219-pound Mack, he's returning to his hometown to play in the third edition of
the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, meeting another 8-4 team in
Navy. The bowl is set for Thurs., Dec. 20, at Qualcomm Stadium. ESPN will televise
the ballgame, starting at 6 p.m.
Despite not playing in the opener and
then only part-time duty in the second game, Mack became the 9th player in Utah
history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. At 102.5 yards per game
(ranking 30th in the nation), Mack (1,128 yards) earned a second-team berth on
the all-Mountain West Conference team.
For the season, Mack posted six
100-yard rushing games and registered 17 receptions for three additional TDs.
Meanwhile, the Utah defense ranks No. 2 in the nation in pass efficiency defense
(94.5), No. 3 in scoring defense (15.5) and No. 15 in pass defense (189.4).
Those numbers could cause problems for Navy, which is scrambling internally.
Late last week, head coach Paul Johnson left to take over at Georgia Tech, although
athletic director Chet Gladchuk reacted quickly to promote assistant Ken Niumatalolo.
The Midshipmen feature one of the top offenses in the nation, averaging a
tick under 40 points per contest running the option attack. However, the defense
has been almost equally porous, as demonstrated in a 74-62 triumph over North
Texas on Nov. 10 -- the highest-scoring game in the modern era of college football
history.
Navy entered the Poinsettia Bowl on a 4-game winning streak,with
wins over Notre Dame (in triple overtime for the Middies first win over the Irish
in 44 years), North Texas, Northern Illinois and a sixth straight victory over
Army.
Utes coach Kyle Whittingham noted Navy's option offense is similar
to the one run by Air Force, one of Utah's Mountain West rivals. Whittingham played
in the first four Holiday Bowls as either a running back or linebacker for BYU.
Utah currently holds the nation's second-longest bowl win streak at six games
and have the best bowl win percentage in the country (75 percent).
Mountain
notes -- Colorado State named former Mesa College All-America quarterback
Steve Fairchild as its head coach. The Patrick Henry High product had been offensive
coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. Fairchild, 49, played for the Rams in 1979-80,
then was a member of the CSU coaching staff from 1993-2000.
Darrell Mack (Courtesy, UtahUtes.com)
Mack rushes
for 131 vs. SDSU
Darrell Mack
Utah-Louisville Photo
Gallery (Photos 5 & 9 of Mack in action)
Utah-SDSU Photo
Gallery (Photos
2 & 4of Mack in action)
Now Mack ranks among the top
running backs in the Mountain West Conference.
Rushing for more than 100
yards for the third straight outing, Mack finished with 131 yards on the ground
plus a touchdown reception Saturday (Oct. 13), leading the Utes past Mack's hometown
San Diego State Aztecs, 23-7, at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The victory extended
the win streak of Utah (4-3, 1-3 MWC) three, while sending SDSU (3-3, 1-1 MWC)
to its first conference setback.
Mack now has 647 yards this season, moving
within 2 yards of MWC rushing leader Rodney Ferguson of New Mexico. Mack capped
the victory with a 7-yard TD reception late in the third period to put the contest
out of reach.
For the Aztecs, junior linebacker Russell Allen established
a school record with 22 tackles. The Vista High product was the CIF-San Diego
Section defensive player of the year in 2004.Mack
attack triggers Utah surge
The Utes stand at 3-3 at the moment, which includes
victories over Louisville 44-35, Utah State 34-18 and UCLA 44-6.
Mack
has rushed for a team-best 516 yards and 5 touchdowns despite missing the Air
Force game to lead the Utes’ ground attack. The 6-foot, 219-pounder also
caught 2 TD passes and rushed for a third in the triumph over UCLA.
In
his first two collegiate seasons, Mack left his mark, rushing for 320 yards on
82 carries.
Mack, the 2003 East County Sports.com Rookie
of the Year and East County Sports.com 2004 Offensive Player of the Year
as a senior, set the Monte Vista rushing record for a season (2,452 yards on 274
carries) and fell just 47 yards shy of breaking IAN MILLER’s career record
with 4,078 yards on 511 carries. Mack ranks 4th on the all-time Monte Vista career
scoring charts with 252 points.
Utah hosts San Diego State in Saturday's (Oct.
13) Mountain West Conference game. Kickoff is 1 p.m. MT/noon PT.
Entering the
2007 season as the No. 5 ranked returning punter in the nation by The Sports
Network, other scouting services are taking notice of Zeidman. After being
voted to the All-Big Sky Conference second team with a solid 42.7 punting average,
Zeidman is now considered among the top 21 NFL punting prospects by Pro Football
Weekly, placed 9th on the list.
Could a future as a professional
be next?
Zeidman will learn more if the NFL is beckoning when as
he prepares for "Pro Day," a showcase each college holds for NFL scouts
to display its talent. Per NCAA rules, Zeidman is eligible for two such camps
-- one at Idaho State, plus the one at San Diego State, since he resides within
50 miles of the campus.
Both of these tryouts will occur prior to the
NFL draft. Although it's unlikely Zeidman -- or any punter -- will be drafted,
a host of franchises may call Zeidman to walk-on at training camp.
This
past season, Zeidman placed 18 punts inside the 20-yard line, with only five touchbacks.
His long kick was 71 yards, but as a junior in 2006, he established a Bengals
record with an 82 yarder while averaging 43.6 yards.
As a junior,
Zeidman also went 6-for-8 on field goals (3-3 from 40 yards and out).
Such
consistency draws strong interest from pro scouts. And if not the NFL, his experience
in cold weather also makes the Canadian Football League a possibility, too. In
the meantime, Zeidman is completing his studies and expects to graduate in June.
Duffy,
SDSU, down USD
Allison Duffy (SDSU photo)
Courtesy, SDSU Media
Relations SAN DIEGO (12-6-07) – The San Diego State women’s basketball
team won their fourth straight and remained perfect at home following a tough
58-53 victory over rival University of San Diego Wednesday (Dec. 5) at Cox Arena.
The Aztecs (7-1) won for the first time in their last six meetings with the Toreros
(4-4).
“We knew the game was going to have great intensity, you
would hope it always would,” said Aztecs head coach BETH BURNS. “I didn’t
know we were going to open the game with as many nerves as we did, but as I told
them, if you guard people you can weather those kind of storms.
“These
are two teams with mutual respect. I hope (USD) wins their league and goes to
the tournament and I hope they feel the same way.”
SDSU redshirt
freshman ALLISON DUFF (El Capitan HS) led the Aztecs in both scoring and rebounding
with 14 points and six boards. Freshman center Paris Johnson (San Diego HS) and
sophomore guard Quenese Davis both reached double-figures with 10 and 11 points,
respectively. Davis had a game-high seven assists, while classmate Jené
Morris contributed four of the Aztecs’ 13 steals in just 18 minutes of action.
USD’s Sam Child began the game with the hot hand, scoring each of her
team’s first nine points as the Toreros led by four early at 9-5. The visitors
were up by as many as five at 16-11, before the Aztecs came storming back with
an 8-2 run to take their first lead of the night at 19-18. The advantage changed
hands two more times, before SDSU headed into the locker room up four at 29-25.
After a bucket by Torero Kiva Herman to open the second half, SDSU scored
11 unanswered points to build its largest lead of the evening at 40-27. USD would
get to within three points on two occasions, including as late as 39 seconds remaining
and the score 56-53. After securing a critical defensive rebound, Davis made both
of her free-throw shots with 10 seconds left, as the Aztecs claimed the 58-53
win.
San Diego State held USD without a three-point field goal, as the
Toreros were 0-for-4 from beyond the arc, compared to the Aztecs’ 4-for-9
performance, three of which came in the second half. USD is the second SDSU opponent
this season to fail to record a three-pointer, as Southern Utah also went without
a triple.
The Toreros had four players score in double-figures, led by
center Amber Sprague’s 15 points to go with 8 boards. SDSU held USD point
guard Amanda Rego, who led the nation in assists a year ago, to just four assists
and two points both from the free-throw line.
For more on SDSU, visit:
www.goaztecs.com. Mauga
named to first-team Big Sky Conference
The three first-team
selections were the most for Sacramento State since four players earned the honor
in 2000. This season also marked the first time that the Hornets had multiple
first team selections on defense since joining the league in 1996.
Mauga
was key to helping Sacramento State lead the conference by limiting Big Sky foes
to 99.1 rushing yards per game. A two-year starter, Mauga was a second team selection
last season and a first team preseason pick prior to the 2007 season. He led all
defensive linemen on the team with 43 tackles, including 8.0 tackles-for-loss
and 1.0 sacks.
As a dominating tackle for Grossmont College in 2004, Mauga
was the unanimous choice for the Foothill Conference's Defensive Player of the
Year in balloting conducted by the circuit's nine head coaches. The 6-foot-1,
297-pound Mauga earned first-team honors for the second straight season as a Griffin
. He also was named to the JCGrid-Wire first team defense as a sophomore.
This
bullish lineman routinely drew double- and sometimes triple-coverage from Grossmont
opponents. Not many were successful at neutralizing this physical ruffian. Since
he drew so much attention from opposing linemen, Mauga did not rack up record-breaking
statistics, leaving that to his teammates. Mauga's numbers weren't that bad, however,
as he notched 9 sacks and averaged 5 tackles per game.
Kingsmen
finish as SCIAC Co-Champions THOUSAND OAKS (11-11-07) -- The California
Lutheran University football team squandered an opportunity to win the SCIAC title
outright in its final regular season game on Saturday (Nov. 10) with a 38-17 loss
to Redlands. Despite the loss CLU still gained a share of the SCIAC conference
championship. Stories HERE
andHERE.
Boy, bet
those Helix coaches would love to see what Toilolo achieved in Cal Lu’s 45-24
romp over La Verne University in Saturday’s (Sept. 29) Southern California
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener.
Toilolo completed 32 of 39 passes
(better than 82 percent) for 464 yards and 6 touchdowns for the Kingsmen (1-2).
He also rushed for 38 yards in eight carries for a total offensive effort of 502
yards.
As a high school senior, Toilolo’s senior passing totals added
up to 566 yards and 5 TDs. So obviously, his latest outing for the Kingsmen was
by far his finest in organized football.
After three games, Toilolo has
established himself as the Cal Lu starter. His passing totals are 45 completions
in 62 attempts (.726) for 596 yards and 6 TDs.
Included
are SHARROD DAVIS at Fresno State , BRANDYN HARVEY at Villanova, BRETT FISHER
at North Carolina A&T, and JOSHUA EDWARDS at UCLA.
Davis started his
college career at Oregon before returning home to enjoy an All-America honorable
mention campaign at Grossmont College . Since joining the Bulldogs, the defensive
back was the lone community college transfer signed by Fresno State coach Pat
Hill, filling the void at cornerback.
Davis is currently a nickel back
who comes in during 3rd-down situations. He owns 10 tackles. He will be in action
on Nov. 24, as the Bulldogs' game with Kansas State has been moved to ESPN, starting
at 12:30 p.m. PT.
Harvey saw action in all 11 games for the Wildcats as
a freshman in 2006.
This season, the wide receiver ranks third on the
ballclub with 21 receptions and three touchdowns, including a 60-yard bomb for
a score when Harvey caught four balls for 106 yards in a victory over Lehigh.
His best effort came against Richmond (5-135,TD).
Fisher gained the starting
nod at tight end following the transfer of the Aggies' starter from Greensboro
. Handed the job as a sophomore, Fisher was injured in the third game of the season,
making just one reception in his short window of opportunity.
Edwards,
a junior linebacker, is in his first season playing for the Bruins after transferring
from UC Davis. He has appeared in all 10 games, registered 9 tackles (4 solo).
After moving to 5-2 with an upset victory over Cal on Oct. 20, UCLA (now 5-5)
has lost three straight and must defeat either Oregon (Nov. 24) or USC (Dec. 1)
to become bowl eligible. Davis' BCS dream sidetracked
A defensive back for undefeated Boston College, Davis injured his
back in the third game of the season, a 24-10 triumph over nationally ranked Georgia
Tech. According to his father, Davis just resumed classes this morning (Oct. 16)
following successful surgery and will redshirt.
The Eagles (7-0) are currently
ranked third in the initial Bowl Championship Series standings. They lead the
Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 3-0 mark heading into
Saturday's key contest at Coastal Division co-leader Virginia Tech (ESPN, 4:30
p.m. PT). The Hokies are rated 11th in the BCS.
Davis, now a 6-foot-1, 215-pound
sophomore safety, saw action in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2006. At Steele
Canyon, Davis was a two-time All-County and All-East County selection, including
being named East County Sports' Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.
Ballman,
a two-time All-Foothill Conference performer for the Griffins, kept Syracuse pinned
back all contest, punting four times for an average of 46.5 yards. Included was
a long boot of 52 yards, plus another kick of 49 yards which was downed at the
14-yard line. Ballman even made a solo tackle on the game's opening kickoff to
prevent a Syracuse touchdown.
The contest was the first Friday night college
contest in the history of the Carrier Dome, which opened in 1980.
Ballman
was part of Grossmont's 2005 state and national championship team, then averaged
40.8 yards per punt for the Griffins last season.
Mount Miguel High alum Jerica Williams (left) (ECS.com file photo)
Williams,
a 5-8 shooting guard who helped the Matadors to three consecutive Division II
championships, will begin classes at Montezuma Mesa later this month. She will
have three seasons of eligibility with the Aztecs.
“Jerica is a terrific
long-range shooter, and, as both an athlete and a teammate, is an extremely competitive
person,” Aztecs coach BETH BURNS said. “She will have a year to work
on her game, and will hit the ground running in 2008.”
Williams joins
a host of other county talent to join Burns' roster since the coach returned to
SDSU. Included is former El Capitan center ALLISON DUFFY, who shares the honor
as the Grossmont Conference all-time leading scorer, plus two other San Diego
Hall of Champions' players of the year in Paris Johnson (San Diego HS) and Tamika
Lipford (The Bishop's).
Williams averaged 18.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and
5.0 steals per outing to earn CIF player of the year laurels as a junior, also
gaining a first-team all-state Division II pick and a second-team all-state honoree
overall in 2005.
As a senior in 2006, she helped Mount Miguel edge into
the final state rankings, averaging 14.8 points for one of the top defensive ballclubs
(34.9 points allowed average) in California. Williams also rated second in foul
shooting behind Duffy, helping Mount Miguel to the CIF state quarterfinals.
A
two-time team captain, she received first-team all-CIF honors her final two years
and was a three-time first-team selection in the Grossmont South League. In addition,
Williams is a three-time All-East County selection, including a pair of first-team
berths.
"I'm excited about being an Aztec and coming back home to play
in front of my family and the San Diego community,” Williams said. "I've
been familiar with Coach Burns since I was in the ninth grade and I admire how
passionate she is about the game and the coaching staff’s ability to develop
players.”
Williams intends to major in communications with a minor
in sociology.
“I couldn't be more excited to add Jerica Williams at
shooting guard to complement our inside tandem of Paris Johnson at 6-4 and Allison
Duffy at 6-2,” Burns added. “County-wide, we trust that all basketball
fans will be eager to follow the development of these three great San Diego prep
stars.”
EAST COUNTY BASEBALL PRODUCTS CURRENTLY PLAYING AT FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS
The Most Valuable Player Award went to Valhalla
High alum DAVID DENNIS, the junior first baseman from Oklahoma City University.
Dennis posted a .305 batting average in 151 at bats, with 46 hits, 13 doubles,
4 home runs, and 23 RBI.
For the past two summers, Dennis has been a very
important member of the Turks baseball program. He earned respect with his performance
on the field and found his way into the hearts of Turk fans with his big teddy
bear personality off the field. During his two summers in Harrisonburg, he inspired
and taught area Little Leaguers while he worked the Turks baseball camps and gave
individual lessons.
Given the nicknam, "Moose" during his stay
in Harrisonburg, you could hear a"Moose horn" sound at his every at
bat as fans raised their hands to make their "Moose antlers" while they
cheered Dennis on at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The junior first baseman batted 5-for-9 with a pair of
homers, powering the NAIA nationally 4th-ranked Stars to a doubleheader sweep
of Southern Nazarene. For his effort, which included five RBI, Dennis was named
the SAC player of the week. Dennis is now batting .383 this season, with 11 homers
and 52 RBI in 50 contests.
Oklahoma City will return to Southern Nazarene's
Cypert Athletics Complex for the tournament, as the top-seeded Stars (45-9, 18-2
SAC) meet Northwestern Okla. State in the tournament opener at 9 a.m. (CT).
A performer in the San Diego County Senior Showcase all-star game after
graduating from Valhalla, the three-time All-Grossmont South League selection
registered exactly 100 career RBI with the Norsemen, then was an All-Pacific Coast
Conference honoree with San Diego City College.
Dennis was tabbed
All-East County following his senior year in 2002.
