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"Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success." ~ Source Unknown
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!! Widespread failures in Bears' 'elimination' loss.
By John Mullin
To their credit at least, none of the Bears were pointing any fingers, publicly or privately, at Robbie Gould, whose 47-yard field goal try in overtime went wide right.
Nor were there any questioning, implied or explicit, of coach Marc Trestman’s decision to try that kick on second down rather than attempt to edge closer by running another play or two.
There shouldn’t have been any. There was enough blame to go around in the Bears’ 23-20 overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings. More than enough.
“I am not sure what to take from this game,” said defensive end Julius Peppers, a reaction eloquent in its simplicity.
Because of the NFC North standings situation, the game amounted to a virtual playoff “elimination” game. After Detroit put down Green Bay on Thanksgiving, this defeat left the Bears 6-6 and effectively two full games behind the Detroit Lions (7-5) because of tiebreakers, with four to play.
And all four of the remaining games are ones involving difficult conditions as well as some of the teams: Monday night Dec. 9 against Dallas in Soldier Field plus game 16 against the Packers in Chicago, possibly with Aaron Rodgers back; and games at Cleveland and at Philadelphia in between.
Indeed, if the outcome of Sunday’s game were not enough on its own, the fact that it came with the players treating it like a playoff game and still losing was worse, particularly against a team 2-8-1 coming in.
“It is a playoff game,” safety Chris Conte said. “At this point every game’s a playoff game. We tried to approach it like that and we’ve got to win all these games to have a chance to make the playoffs.”
Statistical so-what’s
The Bears’ offense piled up 480 yards, most this season, and got a franchise-record 249 of those from Alshon Jeffery’s 12 receptions, two for touchdowns.
And it was also that offense that was amassing yardage but also was 2-for-11 on third downs, was forced to punt four times with the ball in Minnesota’s half of the field, and sustained none of eight second-half possessions longer than 3:37.
The Bears are 0-5 in games when Jeffery goes for more than 100 receiving yards.
The Bears are 2-4 in games when the offense nets 400 yards. The lost this game despite Jeffery’s yardage and touchdowns (the Bears’ only two), Matt Forte rushing for 120 yards, keeping Adrian Peterson out of the end zone and sacking Minnesota quarterbacks five times.
“I don’t know where it all breaks down,” said quarterback Josh McCown. “All I know is that I will look at my performance and see.”
Peterson yardage not decisive
The Vikings have lost three times to the Bears with Adrian Peterson running for more than 100 yards. They were within a Robbie Gould missed field goal of losing this one despite Peterson carrying 35 times for 211 yards.
The Bears went with nine defensive linemen active for the game for the first time. If they had been allowed to play all nine at once, it might have helped.
“I looked at the [Bears’] side and those guys kind of looked winded,” Peterson said. “Conditioning plays a big part because once you get tired, you start making mental mistakes and start slacking behind and it can cost you the game.”
That seemed to sum it up. With the offense unable to stay on the field longer than a 3:32 possession in the second half, the Bears blew a 10-point lead in the game’s final 8 minutes.
The Vikings had none of their first-half possessions last longer than five plays. Including two (nine and seven plays) in overtime, five of their seven after halftime lasted at least seven and the other two went five.
“We just didn’t get off the field fast enough in the second half and that started hurting us,” said defensive end Corey Wootton.
Holding the Minnesota Vikings to 17 points should have been enough. And that’s what the Vikings would have finished with without a tying field goal that came after a fourth-and-11 conversion from their own 8-yard line. A 20-yard completion sustained a possession that ended with Blair Walsh tying the game at 20-20 from 30 yards with less than a minute to play.
Devin Hester returned the Minnesota kickoff 57 yards to midfield, only to have the offense take a sack and two-yard gain before trying a 66-yard field goal that came up short.
As have the Bears have since their 3-0 start.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks close out Circus Trip in style.
By Tracey Myers
Hawks win, Hawks win!!!
The Chicago Blackhawks were probably down to a quarter tank on Saturday night, with the first six games of the road trip in but finishing with a back-to-back.
They played like a team refreshed from a week-long respite.
Niklas Hjalmarsson got the eventual game-winner in the first period and Antti Raanta collected his second victory in as many starts as the Blackhawks beat the Phoenix Coyotes 5-2 at Jobing.com Arena. The Blackhawks wrapped up their Circus Trip with an impressive 6-1-0 record, their only blemish coming in Colorado.
The Blackhawks could see the road trip’s end in sight, and accordingly they left it all out there. Their start was tremendous, as they ripped the Coyotes for three goals in the first 11 minutes, 4 seconds of the game. Hjalmarsson capped it with his third of the season, which staked the Blackhawks to a 3-0 lead at the time.
“Great start. It could’ve been our best period to start a game all year,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “I loved the energy, loved the pace. We certainly had the whole flow in the second period and we were great third as well.”
Even Patrick Kane, who finished with a 5-on-3 power-play goal and an assist, was surprised at the team’s start.
“Coming into Phoenix on a back to back, a 6 o’ clock game, I think we were expecting a different start,” he said. “It was nice to get the power plays off the bat and get one there, we got a break on the second and took off from there. I think everyone was surprised with how well we were skating, how good we felt out there.”
Duncan Keith added two more assists, and has at least one in seven consecutive games. Marian Hossa had an empty-net goal and an assist. Andrew Shaw and Brandon Bollig also scored for the Blackhawks.
On the other side, Raanta was once again cool and collected in the Blackhawks’ net.
The 24-year-old Finn stopped 31-of-33 and says he feels better with every opportunity.
“Of course you want to always win the games and want to play as good as possible and help the team. Today the team was helping me a lot, blocking shots and playing great,” he said. “Phoenix didn’t have so many chances in the third, so thanks to the team, too.”
The Blackhawks had their sketchiest moments in the second period, when the Coyotes started gaining momentum and the Blackhawks took too many penalties. Rob Klinkhammer, formerly of the Blackhawks’ system, scored his fifth of the season and Martin Hanzal scored a power-play goal to cut Chicago’s lead to 3-2.
But the Blackhawks’ third period was much like their first, with plenty of zone time and scoring opportunities. Bollig converted one of them, his third of the season, to give the Blackhawks breathing room and a 4-2 edge. He and third liners Marcus Kruger and Ben Smith, who got the primary and secondary assists on that goal, continued their strong road trip.
“We feel great,” Bollig said. “The more games we play together, the more comfortable we are with each other. You can feel safer knowing (your linemate) is going to be where you think he is and you can play your game without fear that you’ll turn it over or have a weak spot on the ice.”
The Blackhawks didn’t show many weak spots through this Circus Trip. They saved the best for last. Perhaps they just went for it energy-wise, knowing they were heading home after tonight’s game. Perhaps they’re just hitting their stride. Either way, the Blackhawks are rolling and looking very much like they did last season.
Quenneville said the team wanted to push for that final victory of the road trip to truly deem it a success. That, they did.
“It’s certainly been a positive start to the season and it was a great road trip,” Quenneville said. “We’re very happy in all aspects of our team game. We can touch on everything. Probably the only sore spot is the PK, and that’s getting better. Other than that, we’re very happy.”
Blackhawks' Circus Trip by the numbers.
By Tracey Myers
Stick a fork in it: the circus trip is done.
The Chicago Blackhawks couldn’t have asked for a better trip, either – OK, they could have gone 7-0-0 but come on. Heading home 6-1-0, especially with the final two games back to back, made the Blackhawks a happy bunch. And they put up some nice numbers in the process.
So while we wait for our redeye flight home, let’s look at the circus trip, By the Numbers:
7,316 – Total miles the Blackhawks traveled during the trip (give or take 10).
218 – Combined shots the Blackhawks took in the seven games, an average of 31.14 per game
24 – Goals the Blackhawks scored in the seven games.
15 – Goals the Blackhawks allowed in those seven games, and five of those were in the trip opener vs. Colorado.
9 – Assists for defenseman Duncan Keith; he recorded at least one in each game of the trip.
9 – Total points for the Blackhawks’ fourth liners Brandon Bollig, Marcus Kruger and Ben Smith.
4 – Goals for Andrew Shaw in these past seven games; he had four goals through his first 21 games.
3 – Time zones in which the Blackhawks played on this excursion: started in Mountain Time, went back to Central, on to Pacific, back to Mountain for two, back to Central for one and finished in Mountain.
2.16 – Goals-against average for Antti Raanta in three games, including his two starts/victories.
Just another Chicago Bulls Session… Bulls finish Circus Trip on sour note in loss to Cavs.
By Mark Strotman
The annual “Circus Trip” ended on a downer Saturday night, as the Bulls' (7-8) comeback effort went to waste, when a trio of potentially game-tying point-blank putbacks were missed, leading to a 97-93 defeat at the hands of the Cavaliers (5-12) at Quicken Loans Arena.
After a 9-0 Cavs start to the contest, the Bulls had to play from behind at the outset of the game. The interior tandem of oft-injured center Andrew Bynum (20 points, 10 rebounds) and emerging power forward Tristan Thompson (14 points, 14 rebounds) combined with All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving (19 points, six assists) to help Cleveland build an early cushion.
Behind the outside marksmanship of veteran floor general Kirk Hinrich (12 points), passing of All-Star small forward Luol Deng (27 points, 11 assists) and scoring of the power-forward duo of Carlos Boozer (12 points, seven rebounds) and backup Taj Gibson (18 points), the Bulls gradually inched their way back into the contest, cutting to a 27-25 game by closing the opening period on a 9-0 run.
Gibson, coming off a career-high night in the team’s last game, and Deng, who switched his focus from distributing to scoring, carried the offensive load in the second quarter, helping the Bulls temporarily seize the lead. But second-year guard Dion Waiters (20 points), the subject of recent trade rumors, came off the bench, and along with veteran reserves Jarrett Jack and Anderson Varejao, kept the Cavs in the tight-knit affair. At the intermission the Bulls trailed, 56-51, largely a product of allowing 59-percent shooting from the field.
After the break, the Cavs opened up a double-digit lead, going on a 10-2 run, as Bynum continued to be a force in the paint on both ends of the floor. Rookie swingman Tony Snell (18 points) made some positive contributions in the third quarter, but with Thompson remaining active on the inside and guards Irving and Waiters doing damage from the outside, the Bulls couldn’t make significant inroads and heading into the final stanza, the visitors faced a 77-66 deficit.
Deng, Gibson and Snell sparked the Bulls early in the fourth period, as the rookie seemingly gained confidence as the game progressed, keying a 7-0 run to make the contest competitive again midway through the frame. A Snell layup with 3:59 remaining gave the Bulls their first lead of the second half, 88-87, after being down by as many as 15 points in the previous quarter.
But the Cavs solved the Bulls’ smothering defense in the period, going on an 8-0 run before a Deng triple made it a four-point contest with 1:21 left. A Boozer layup with under a minute left, making it a 95-93 affair, was sandwiched by a Cleveland shot-clock violation and Bynum missing on the block, leading to a Bulls timeout with 17.4 seconds on the clock.
Deng missed a runner and Noah failed to convert two point-blank putbacks, followed by Boozer missing a layup of his own and then fouling Thompson after he finally corralled the defensive rebound with nine seconds remaining. Thompson hit both attempts from the charity stripe to seal the deal, foiling the Bulls’ bid to win a seventh straight game in Cleveland.
Major League Baseball releases its annual drug test report.
By Craig Calcaterra
The annual public report from the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program’s Independent Program Administrator has been released by Major League Baseball. The stats:
- There were 5,391 total drug tests. 4,022 were urine samples, 1,369 were blood samples;
- There were eight positive tests resulting in discipline. All were for stimulants. Seven of the stimulant tests were for Adderall. One for Methylhexaneamine. I guess that means that there are no more steroids in baseball. Yay!
- There were 13 “non-analytical positives.” That’s baseball code for “Biogenesis dudes.”
- There were 122 therapeutic use exemptions for otherwise banned drugs. 119 of them were for ADD drugs like Adderall. Three were three for hypogonadism. A couple of years ago here was only one for hypogonadism, so that’s on the uptick. On the bright side, two years ago there was a therapeutic use exemption for narcolepsy and now there is none. So the narcoleptic either got better or retired.
119 of roughly 1,200 major leaguers on 40-man rosters puts the ADD rate at nearly 10%. Back that number down a little bit for the various guys that shuffle in and out of 400-man rosters and you figure that baseball players have ADD diagnosis at around twice the level of that in the normal population.
Are baseball players more likely to have ADD than the rest of the adult population? Are they just more likely to be diagnosed that way? Or are therapeutic use exemptions for ADD drugs a means of getting something ballplayers have always found beneficial — stimulants — in a legal way?
Rory McIlroy proves Tiger Woods right, stuns Adam Scott at Aussie Open to end year-long drought.
By Emily Kay
Rory McIlroy buries a birdie putt on the final hole of the Australian Open to halt Adam Scott’s victory parade and put an end to his own 12 months of winless frustration.
Tiger Woods saw first-hand a month ago what Adam Scott witnessed Sunday at the Australian Open: Rory McIlroy’s got game.
Woods, a loser to McIlroy in an exhibition event in China in October, predicted his friend would earn a victory before the end of the year. The two-time major champion did just that with a birdie on the final hole (highlights here) at Royal Sydney to keep the U.S. Masters winner from capturing the Australian Triple Crown and himself from going 0-for-2013.
"I thought, worst-case scenario, I'd have a putt for a playoff and then all of a sudden I have a putt for the win. I didn't want to go extra holes," McIlroy told reporters after posting a final-round 6-under 66 to get to 18-under for the week, one shot clear of Scott.
"All I focused on in the putt was my routine," he said after ending his year-long title drought with a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th green. "I didn't do anything differently. I didn't think about whether it was to win the Australian Open or whether it was to get the first win this year."
McIlroy, who changed golf gear and weathered issues with his golf swing after a sensational 2012 season, has dealt with several off-course distractions as well over the past season. The former world No. 1 put all that behind him by shocking home-country favorite Scott, who was on his way to adding the Aussie Open to his nation’s PGA and Masters titles.
McIlroy has claimed for some time that his game was on track and has proved it with two recent top-10 finishes (a T6 at last month’s WGC-HSBC Champions followed by a T5 in Dubai) since failing to qualify for the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship in Sepember. Just ask Tiger.
"He is playing better and swinging a lot better. You can see that some of the stuff he and his coach are working on are starting to come together," Woods said after bowing, 68-67, to McIlroy in the meaningless tourney at Mission Hills. "He's starting to put together a few good rounds, now he just has to make a few more putts. I can definitely see him winning sometime this year because his game has come around."
McIlroy will use his Australian Open win as impetus for a strong 2014 but first he’ll take his new-found confidence to Tiger’s tourney. With the onus of a no-win season off his back, the 24-year-old from Northern Ireland will tee it up next week at Woods’ Northwestern Mutual World Challenge along with the host, defending champ and countryman Graeme McDowell, reigning PGA champion Jason Dufner, and 14 other top players.
"It’s been a frustrating year, but I’ve worked hard, it’s been a process and trying to get back to winning golf tournaments again," McIlroy, sounding a theme familiar to Tiger-watchers, conceded Sunday. "It was nice to be able to do it today."
NASCAR awards 2013: Best driver, best and worst races, biggest underachiever and more.
By Jordan Bianchi
A look back at the 2013 NASCAR season with awards handed out in a variety of categories.
The best, the worst, the overachievers, the underachievers and everything in between are all here. So without further ado, let's take a look back the 2013 NASCAR season by handing out some hardware and recognizing who did what.
Driver of the Year
The best driver in a given year doesn't always win the championship and the champion isn't always the best driver. This season, however, Jimmie Johnson was both.
En route to a sixth series title, Johnson earned six victories and could have easily had more were it not for mistakes at Dover, Kentucky, Indianapolis and Charlotte. Nevertheless, his dominance was omnipresent. He led all drivers in top-10s (24), laps led (1,985), average finish (10.7) and tied Kyle Busch for most top-fives (16).
Others deserving mention: Kenseth; Kevin Harvick; Kurt Busch.
Story of the Year
Story of the Year
The year began with the announcement that the two contenders for Rookie of the Year were dating then concluded with Johnson further cementing his place among NASCAR immortality.
More than anything, though, 2013 will be remembered for the events which transpired at and followed the regular season finale at Richmond. As the decision by Michael Waltrip Racing to manipulate the running order had far-reaching consequences.
The immediate aftermath saw NASCAR impose record fines, and take the unprecedented step of excluding Martin Truex Jr. from the Chase and inserting, first, Ryan Newman and then later, Gordon. It also caused NASCAR CEO Brian France to issue a decree that henceforth all drivers must give 100 percent at all times, with the sanctioning body taking steps to curb team orders.
The fallout lingered for weeks. Longtime sponsor NAPA withdrew its support of MWR, putting the future of the team in doubt. And when it was all said and done, the team was forced to contract from three full-time cars to two, with a seemingly permanent black cloud now hovering over the entire organization.
Others deserving mention: Johnson wins sixth championship; Danica Patrick embarks on rookie campaign; Injuries sidelines Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart; Kenseth thrives in first season with new team; Generation-6 car.
Best Race
Best Race
Martinsville was supposed to be where Kenseth stubbed his toe, and where Johnson asserted control of the championship. Instead, the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 represented a seismic shift in the opposite direction, as Kenseth took it to Johnson on his best track. Kenseth led the most laps and finished second, with Johnson being scored in fifth. The result placed the two into a deadlock atop the standings with just three races to go.
And more than just the jousting between the two contenders, Martinsville also featured a classic short track duel. In the closing laps Gordon hunted down Kenseth, and after a terrific side-by-side battle, Gordon worked his way into the lead and went on to win his first race of the season.
Others deserving mention: Toyota Owners 400 (Richmond); Irwin Tools Night Race (Bristol); Aaron's 499 (Talladega).
Worst Race
Worst Race
Devoid of much passing and hampered by a Goodyear tire that proved problematic, the AAA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway is a race few will look back on with fondness. It didn't help that the winner was never in doubt, as Johnson smacked down the competition leading 76 percent of all laps and winning by a 4.3-second margin.
Others deserving mention: Hollywood Casino 400 (Kansas); Party in the Poconos 400 (Pocono); Brickyard 400 (Indianapolis).
Biggest Overachiever
Biggest Overachiever
In an era of big-buck, multi-car organizations driving for a single-car team is supposed to be a disadvantage. But if there is one thing Kurt Busch proved in 2013, it's that a determined, talented wheelman can prosper with a small, underfunded team. No, he didn't win a race, but Busch came close several times. More importantly, he became the first driver to ever make the Chase without a teammate. It was an inspired effort from all involved.
Others deserving mention: David Ragan.
Biggest Underachiever
Biggest Underachiever
Heading into the season it was unfair to expect Brad Keselowski to repeat as champion. But it wasn't unreasonable to think the reigning Cup would easily qualify for the Chase and win his share of races. And on this account he did neither.
Others deserving mention: Hamlin; Danica Patrick; Marcos Ambrose; Clint Bowyer.
Crew Chief of the Year
Crew Chief of the Year
Although Kenseth gets the bulk of the accolades for transforming the 20 team from an also-ran to contender status, don't overlook the contributions of his crew chief, Jason Ratcliff. Paired together in Kenseth's first season at Joe Gibbs Racing, Ratcliff guided his driver to a series-best seven victories and nearly the Cup championship.
His efforts were most noticeable at New Hampshire and Martinsville, two tracks where Kenseth had long struggled before joining JGR. For the first time in 28 career starts Kenseth went to Victory Lane at New Hampshire. Five weeks later at Martinsville he led a race-high 202 laps en route to a second-place finish. Both races were paramount to Kenseth keeping pace with Johnson, and underscores why the unheralded Ratcliff is deserving of this honor.
Others deserving mention: Chad Knaus; Gil Martin.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Manchester United: Rooney double spoils two Spurs leads.
By Kyle Bonn
Tottenham shook their goal-scoring struggles to twice take the lead, but they could not shake the visitors as a double by Wayne Rooney gave Manchester United a share of the spoils at White Hart Lane by a 2-2 score line.
Both sides began early working their right offensive flanks. Shinji Kagawa for United and Lennon for Spurs saw the most work in their respective midfields in the first 10 minutes.
The game’s first shot didn’t come until the 11th minute, when Lennon popped off a low effort comfortably saved by De Gea.
The opener for Spurs didn’t come from open play, but they’ll certainly take it. After a late challenge by Jonny Evans on Paulinho on the edge of the penalty area, Kyle Walker bagged the goal in the 18th minute as he cannoned a low free-kick below the United wall and past De Gea.
Just before, Everton goalkeeper and guest NBC commentator Tim Howard had urged De Gea to trust his wall and cover the far end of the goal, but his wall got it wrong as they all jumped above the low blast by Walker and it tucked in for a home lead.
It’s the first Premier League goal of the season for the defender, and his first for Spurs since April 2012 against Blackburn. It also ended a goal drought for Spurs of 298 minutes.
Spurs began to press harder after scoring, pinning the United attack further back and developing more chances. They had one on the break for Roberto Soldado in the 30th minute, but the struggling Spurs striker wasted the chance by firing well over.
In was a shocking turn of events, a counter-attack stunned Spurs and drew United level. Phil Jones worked down the right and put in a beautiful cross from the right side just over Rooney’s head. The ball took a bit of a fortunate bounce off Walker’s foot and fell right to Rooney, who took and finished.
Nothing changed at the halftime break for United, as they continued to press the right flank with Valencia and asking questions of out-of-position defender Jan Vertonghen.
The two sides played a bit of cat-and-mouse in the start of the second half, but Spurs got a piece of brilliant work from Sandro to give them the lead. The Brazilian, being a bit outshone in the match by his midfield partner and countryman Paulinho, would not be outdone with a wonder goal in the 55th minute.
Sandro cut through some space in the Manchester United midfield, and with the defense tracking back, he worked towards the box, surprisingly cut back, and teed himself up for a brilliant drive into the top corner for a 2-1 lead.
But it would not be for Spurs once again, as referee Mike Dean straight away down the other end gave a penalty as sweeper-keeper Hugo Lloris took down Danny Welbeck on the left edge of the box. It was a soft foul, but Lloris missed the ball and definitely caught Welbeck’s back foot with his hands.
Rooney drilled the penalty straight down the middle past a disheartened Lloris for his second equalizer of the match.
Surprisingly, Andre Villas-Boas decided to remove the incisive Aaron Lennon around 65 minutes for Andros Townsend, while leaving the relatively invisible Nacer Chadli in on the other wing.
Spurs came inches from another lead as Kyle Walker continued to work the right wing, launching in a slicing cross in the 78th minute just barely out of reach of Andros Townsend, who was all alone in front of the United goal.
Both sides were asking questions of the opposition defense as the clock ticked into extra time, but there was no winner on the cards.
It’s a quality result for both sides, all things considered. United stay unbeaten in seven games, and Tottenham kick some of their goal scoring woes to get back on track in front of goal.
United and Spurs remain in eighth and ninth respectively in the Premier League table with their points.
GOALS:
Tottenham Hotspur – Walker 18′; Sandro 54′
Manchester United – Rooney 32′, 57′ (pen)
LINEUPS:
Tottenham Hotspur – Lloris; Walker, Vertonghen, Chiriches, Dawson; Paulinho, Sandro; Lennon (Townsend, 65′), Dembele, Chadli (Sigurdsson, 85′); Soldado (Defoe, 72′).
Manchester United – De Gea; Evra, Vidic, Smalling, Evans; Jones, Cleverley; Welbeck (Hernandez, 73′), Kagawa (Young, 84′), Valencia (Nani, 84′); Rooney.
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica NCAAFB Opinion: There were several great games on "Rivalry Saturday" but Michigan Vs. Ohio State and Alabama Vs. Auburn were outstanding and their game ending finishes just enhanced the excitement and the spirit of college football. They were truly a treat to watch.
Auburn defeats Alabama, clinches SEC title game berth on another miracle play.
By Graham Watson
Auburn is a team of destiny.
It’s a clichéd statement used to explain a team’s improbable run to a championship, but there is no other way to describe how Auburn now finds itself in the SEC title game and one step away from potentially playing for a BCS national championship after a come-from-behind 34-28 win over top-ranked Alabama on Saturday.
For the second consecutive game, Auburn had a miracle play in the final seconds of the game to snatch a victory away from its opponent. Two weeks ago, it was a deflected Hail Mary for the game-winning touchdown. On Saturday, tied with rival Alabama as time expired, it was a 100-yard return (unofficially 109 yards) by Chris Davis off a missed 57-yard field goal.
What's more: It wasn’t even a play Auburn wanted.
Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon stepped out of bounds as time expired, but a review of the clock showed one second remaining, giving Alabama a chance for either a Hail Mary or a long field goal.
Of course, Auburn protested and fans booed, but it was the plan of the football gods to once again smile on the Tigers and give them an opportunity for victory. When the kick came up short, Davis had a open lane up the sideline. All he had to do was outrace some offensive linemen and he was in the clear. It couldn’t have been a more perfect situation for Auburn.
So now, the team that had already orchestrated the most incredible one-year turnaround in SEC history has a chance to complete one of the most amazing turnarounds in college football history.
And the team that faces Auburn in either game won’t just be facing the Tigers, but also some unknown force that is making this a dream season for Auburn.
Ohio State stays unbeaten after Michigan two-point try fails and Buckeyes win 42-41.
By Nick Bromberg
Don't fault Brady Hoke for this one.
The Michigan coach held up two fingers when his Wolverines scored a touchdown with 32 seconds left to cut Ohio State's lead to 42-41. The signal for the two-point conversion for the win instead of the extra point to tie required no hesitation. You could tell this was a decision Hoke had contemplated as his team marched down the field or maybe even taken a poll on, according to Columbus Dispatch columnist Rob Oller.
Hoke asked seniors during timeout if they wanted to go for two. Every one said yes.
And it was the right call. However, the pass that Devin Gardner threw wasn't the right one as he threw it into double coverage. It was almost an interception. But interception or incompletion, it didn't matter. No. 3 Ohio State's undefeated season was preserved after it recovered the ensuing onside kick.
Michigan had trouble stopping Ohio State's running game all day. The Buckeyes had 393 yards on the ground; 226 of those courtesy of Carlos Hyde's 27 carries. That likely played strongly into Hoke's decision to go for the win at home. He had a (hobbled) quarterback who had thrown for 451 yards and just threw his fourth touchdown pass.
Ohio State read that first option perfectly. (Though don't fault Gardner either. Robbed of his mobility after a twisted ankle, his passing performance was the main reason Michigan stayed right with OSU.)
Now, a week after it closed the gap on No. 2 Florida State in the BCS Standings, the debate about Ohio State's worthiness for the national championship remains, even though this is win No. 24 in a row. Fair or not, a soft conference and schedule will do that to you. As will over 600 yards by an offense that could best be described as "stagnant" over the past month.
Yes, this is a rivalry game -- that was evident with the three ejections and double-bird show in the second quarter -- and the Buckeyes hadn't won by more than 11 points in Ann Arbor since 1961. And they still haven't. Even more importantly, they were the focus of Saturday's early slate -- it was a chance for Ohio State to make a statement about its championship legitimacy with a decisive win. This was not a decisive win, and one not befitting of the third-best team in the country, according to Michigan tackle Taylor Lewan.
It gets another chance for that decisive victory next week against Michigan State, the other team up north, in the Big 10 title game. But sorry Buckeye fans, the debate about your team is going to continue for at least another week.
Week 14 NCAA BCS Football Standings.
By Graham Watson
UAB upsets No. 16 North Carolina, 63-59.
By JOHN ZENOR (AP Sports Writer)
Jerod Haase didn't look like a guy celebrating his biggest win as a head coach.
Haase's UAB Blazers held off Williams and No. 16 North Carolina for a 63-59 victory on Sunday. Chad Frazier scored 25 points and the Blazers (6-2) made three free throws over the final 6.6 seconds to preserve the upset for their first win over a ranked team in four years.
''This is the definition of bittersweet,'' said Haase, who played and coached under Williams. ''It's a big win for us. I was proud of our guys, but for coach Williams to come here and bring North Carolina, that's pretty special.
''I hated having to go shake his hand, but it's a special deal,'' Haase added.
It didn't come easily.
Jordan Swing hit two free throws and Robert Williams made 1 of 2 to help the Blazers hold on after losing most of a 14-point second half lead.
Marcus Paige missed two contested 3-pointers in one late possession and the Tar Heels (4-2) fouled Swing, who gave the Blazers a 62-57 lead.
The Tar Heels were coming off a win over No. 9 Louisville to end the defending champions' 21-game winning streak, but Roy Williams couldn't beat his protege this time Haase played for Williams at Kansas and spent 13 years on his staff for his alma mater and the Tar Heels. His old boss called him ''one of the Top-5 competitors I've ever coached.''
''Jerod Haase is one of the nicest young men I've ever known in my life and he's one of the best competitors I've ever known in my life,'' Roy Williams said. ''He had his team competing a heck of a lot harder today than I got my team competing.''
It was UAB's first win over a ranked team since beating No. 20 Butler in 2009, and it came against one of college basketball's most storied programs.
J.P. Tokoto led North Carolina with a career-high 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Paige had 13 points but made just 6 of 16 shots and missed all six 3-point attempts after scoring a career-high 32 against Louisville.
Nobody else picked up the slack in perimeter shooting for the Tar Heels, who made 1 of 12 attempts from beyond the arc.
''I just felt like they seemed to get every loose ball and so many second-shot opportunities,'' Roy Williams said. ''They shot 30.6 percent and still won the game because of the rebounding battle. To me, it's the most important factor in the game of basketball.''
Frazier, a Charlotte native, made 12 of 14 free throws and hit three 3-pointers in five attempts for UAB.
''Everybody from back home is texting me right now,'' he said, sporting a Charlotte Bobcats T-shirt. ''It feels good to get the win. I always dreamed about playing Carolina.''
Rod Rucker added 11 points while Fahro Alihodzic had 13 rebounds and eight points.
UAB also made 22 of 28 from the line.
UAB led 39-25 early in the second half before a long field goal drought helped North Carolina come back.
"We knew that they were going to come back,'' Haase said. ''I told the guys at halftime that I'd been in that locker room too many times. I knew they were going to come out fighting and scrapping and clawing, and our guys did the same thing.''
Alihodzic snapped a 7:24 stretch without a made shot for UAB when he banked one in for a 54-48 edge with 3:27 left.
North Carolina had chances late but couldn't convert.
Paige scored on a drive, was fouled and hit the free throw to cut UAB's lead to 58-57 with 41 seconds to play.
Five seconds later, Frazier answered with two foul shots and North Carolina called time out.
Paige got a second chance after missing a 3-pointer from the top of the key but came up well short launching another attempt over Robert Williams and Alihodzic.
The Blazers put it away on the line.
''We knew they were going to Paige,'' Robert Williams said. ''I told (Alihodzic) I'm going to hold him and if I need help, help me. They had my back on that play. That's how we sealed the deal.''
Stage set for Champion's Week in Las Vegas.
By NASCAR Staff Report
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards have proven the adage that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas ... for at least five years.
Whatever stock-car racing spin one places on the old saying, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week kicks off Tuesday for its fifth installment in the desert, marking a major milestone of celebration in Las Vegas. Four days of glitz and fan-friendly activity with the 13 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup postseason drivers is scheduled, culminating Friday with the feting of six-time champion Jimmie Johnson at the Wynn Las Vegas.
"Las Vegas has been home to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards for five years, and each year it grows bigger, better and more entertaining for our fans," Steve Phelps, NASCAR chief marketing officer, said in May when the dates for the annual banquet were announced. "Undoubtedly, this milestone Champion's Week will continue -- and heighten -- that tradition."
Coverage of the awards takes place Friday from 9 p.m. to midnight ET on FOX Sports 2 and NASCAR.com. Radio coverage on MRN affiliates and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET.
Plenty of build-up and insider-style access -- with many events free to the public -- is scheduled before the black-tie and evening gown gala:
Whatever stock-car racing spin one places on the old saying, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Week kicks off Tuesday for its fifth installment in the desert, marking a major milestone of celebration in Las Vegas. Four days of glitz and fan-friendly activity with the 13 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup postseason drivers is scheduled, culminating Friday with the feting of six-time champion Jimmie Johnson at the Wynn Las Vegas.
"Las Vegas has been home to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards for five years, and each year it grows bigger, better and more entertaining for our fans," Steve Phelps, NASCAR chief marketing officer, said in May when the dates for the annual banquet were announced. "Undoubtedly, this milestone Champion's Week will continue -- and heighten -- that tradition."
Coverage of the awards takes place Friday from 9 p.m. to midnight ET on FOX Sports 2 and NASCAR.com. Radio coverage on MRN affiliates and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET.
Plenty of build-up and insider-style access -- with many events free to the public -- is scheduled before the black-tie and evening gown gala:
Tuesday -- "NASCAR Live" with Eli Gold will host Johnson in an hour long, audience-participation radio show from 7-8 p.m. ET (4-5 p.m. PT) at the Wynn Sports Book. The Motorsports Marketing Forum presented by SportsBusiness Daily/Global/Journal also kicks off for the first of two days, providing a comprehensive look at the business of the NASCAR industry.
Wednesday -- The red carpet will be out for all 13 Chase drivers in the Fanfest presented by Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a free event also in its fifth year. Beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT) at the Fremont Street Experience, the drivers will engage in a game-show style face-off with a prize of two tickets to the Friday night awards banquet available for fans. The day will also include a reception for this year's four finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award at the Wynn from 7:30-8:30 p.m. ET (4:30-5:30 p.m. PT). Fan voting continues for the honor until 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday.
Thursday -- One of the busiest days of the week in Vegas begins with the annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon (2 p.m.-5:30 p.m. ET, video live streamed at NASCAR.com) in the Encore Ballroom at the Wynn. The awards ceremonies are followed by NASCAR Victory Lap at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT), when the top 10 Chase drivers will offer a taste of the race-day experience with burnouts and a rumbling drive down Las Vegas Boulevard. NASCAR After the Lap presented by Ford and Coca-Cola concludes the day at the Palms Hotel & Casino Hotel with an offbeat, unfiltered roundtable involving every Chase driver. Fans can watch NASCAR Victory Lap and NASCAR After the Lap live on NASCAR.com.
Friday -- Johnson and the rest of the top 10 drivers in the final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings will be honored, marking the official close of the 2013 season. Drivers, celebrities and other special guests will all walk the red carpet before the celebration begins.
Wednesday -- The red carpet will be out for all 13 Chase drivers in the Fanfest presented by Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a free event also in its fifth year. Beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT) at the Fremont Street Experience, the drivers will engage in a game-show style face-off with a prize of two tickets to the Friday night awards banquet available for fans. The day will also include a reception for this year's four finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award at the Wynn from 7:30-8:30 p.m. ET (4:30-5:30 p.m. PT). Fan voting continues for the honor until 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday.
Thursday -- One of the busiest days of the week in Vegas begins with the annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon (2 p.m.-5:30 p.m. ET, video live streamed at NASCAR.com) in the Encore Ballroom at the Wynn. The awards ceremonies are followed by NASCAR Victory Lap at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT), when the top 10 Chase drivers will offer a taste of the race-day experience with burnouts and a rumbling drive down Las Vegas Boulevard. NASCAR After the Lap presented by Ford and Coca-Cola concludes the day at the Palms Hotel & Casino Hotel with an offbeat, unfiltered roundtable involving every Chase driver. Fans can watch NASCAR Victory Lap and NASCAR After the Lap live on NASCAR.com.
Friday -- Johnson and the rest of the top 10 drivers in the final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings will be honored, marking the official close of the 2013 season. Drivers, celebrities and other special guests will all walk the red carpet before the celebration begins.
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