Sports – Page 401 – North Platte Post Archive

All-Session Tickets for 2015 Big Ten Women’s and Men’s Basketball Tournaments On Sale Monday, Oct. 20

Posted on October 15, 2014

ROSEMONT, Ill. – All-session tickets for the 2015 Big Ten Women’s and Men’s Basketball Tournaments will go on sale to the general public on Monday, Oct. 20, at Noon CT. The Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament will be held from March 4-8 at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill. The Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament will return to the United Center in Chicago from March 11-15. Both events will feature a five-day format for the first time in conference history.

Lower level tickets for both tournaments may be purchased through the 14 Big Ten university ticket offices, but please contact the schools directly for on-campus sale dates. General public tickets for the women’s event can be purchased through the Sears Centre Arena ticket offices at 1-888-SEARS-TIX (732-7784) or www.searscentre.com. Upper level tickets for the men’s tournament may be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or going towww.unitedcenter.com.

The Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament all-session tickets are available for $70 through January 31, which is a 22 percent discount off the regular price of $90. Fans wishing to purchase all-session tickets within their university’s fan block for their respective team’s games are encouraged to contact their school’s ticket office. The women’s tournament will feature general admission seating, allowing fans to witness the action from the best available seats in Sears Centre Arena.

The Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament all-session tickets for the 100 and 200 levels at the United Center are available for $375 through the Big Ten university ticket offices only. All-session tickets for the 300 level are available for $275 or $200 (depending on seat location) through Ticketmaster or the United Center box office only. Orders will be limited to four all-session tickets.

The men’s tournament will continue to feature a discounted student ticket program. For the 2015 event, students of Big Ten universities will be able to purchase tickets for $20, good for only the session or sessions featuring their school. All students must have a valid student ID for entry. Student section seating will be available in balcony sections and orders will be limited to one ticket per student. Details on the new discounted student ticket program will be sent to the university ticket offices for distribution directly to students.

The 2015 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament will be played at the Sears Centre Arena for the second time in the past three years. The 2015 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament returns to Chicago for the ninth time, including the inaugural event in 1998 and most recently in 2013. For more information on both events, including full brackets, go to bigten.org.

Broncos Promote Shaquil Barrett from Scout Squad

Posted on October 15, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have promoted linebacker Shaquil Barrett from their practice squad to take the roster spot of injured linebacker Danny Trevathan.

The Broncos also signed defensive end Gerald Rivers to their practice squad Wednesday.

Barrett is an undrafted rookie from Colorado State who spent the last six weeks on Denver’s practice squad.

Barrett started 35 of 38 games at CSU, collecting 246 tackles, 18 sacks, 32 1-2 tackles for loss, three interceptions, six pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks.

Trevathan is on recallable IR with a broken bone near his left kneecap. He’s not eligible to return until mid-December.

Rivers, undrafted out of Ole Miss, played in two games for the Rams and Jaguars last season.

Royals’ Guthrie Apologizes for Post-Game T-Shirt

Posted on October 15, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie apologized on Twitter to the Orioles for wearing a T-shirt to his post-game news conference Tuesday night that read, “These O’s Ain’t Royal.”

Guthrie wore the shirt, a twist on the Chris Brown song “Loyal,” after Kansas City beat his former team 2-1 to take a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven AL Championship Series.

The shirt touched off an avalanche of criticism toward Guthrie. Along with offending many Orioles fans, the shirt also ignited controversy across social media platforms because of the vulgar and derogatory nature of the song’s original lyrics.

Guthrie, a prolific user of social media, said in his apology early Wednesday that he did not consider the reaction the shirt might generate and did not intend to offend.

Huskers Return Home for Two Games

Posted on October 15, 2014

After spending two weeks on the road, the Nebraska soccer team (5-7-2) comes home to host a pair of matches at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

The Huskers face Purdue on Friday at 4 p.m., before squaring off against Indiana on Sunday at noon. Both games will be streamed on BTN Plus. The first 200 fans toSunday’s game will receive a free Husker Soccer Scarf.

NU leads the all-time series against both Purdue and Indiana. The Huskers hold a 4-2-0 advantage over the Boilermakers and a 4-1-0 lead over the Hoosiers.

Last Time Out: Huskers Drop 3-1 Decision at Minnesota
Nebraska struck first against Minnesota, but lost by a 3-1 margin after the Gophers scored three unanswered goals on Thursday, Oct. 9 at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.

Sophomore Jaycie Johnson notched her ninth goal of the season in the 31st minute to give NU an early 1-0 lead. Senior Caroline Gray assisted on the goal, as Johnson knocked it in to the top right corner of the goal. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Kelly Schatz earned seven saves in 90 minutes of action to tie her career high.

The Gophers tied the score, 1-1, in the 42nd minute when Josee Stiever scored off an assist from Simone Kolander. Kolander also assisted on Minnesota’s second goal, as Taylor Stainbrook knocked it in to the top right corner of the goal to give the Gophers a 2-1 advantage. In the 68th minute, Stainbrook added her second goal of the game, this time off an assist from Rashida Beal.

Scouting the Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue is 6-8-1 on the season, with a 2-7 record in the Big Ten. The Boilermakers enter Friday’s contest on a six-game losing streak. Before the string of losses, Purdue had defeated Ohio State and Northwestern following a loss to Penn State to start conference play 2-1. The Boilermakers opened the season with a loss to Miami (Ohio) before winning four consecutive games and then tied Youngstown State.

Maddy Williams has led the Purdue offense this season with five goals and five assists. Erika Arkans has four goals this season to go along with one assist. The Boilermakers have used three goalkeepers: Erika Yohn (708 minutes), Jordan Ginther (532) and Maddy Olsen (142).

Scouting the Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana is 5-9-1 this season and holds a 1-7-1 record in conference play. The Hoosiers’ victories came against Indiana State, UC Irvine, George Mason, Dayton and Northwestern. Five of Indiana’s games have gone into overtime, with the Hoosiers holding a 2-2-1 record in those contests.

Jessie Bujouves has led the Hoosier offense with five goals and one assist in 2014. Kayla Smith and Abby Smith each have two goals for IU as well. Sarah Stone has seen the majority of time in net, and holds a 4-9-1 record in more than 1,270 minutes. Katie Greulich has spent nearly 144 minutes as goalkeeper and has one victory.

Huskers Showing Ability to Score Late
Nebraska has scored in the 75th minute or later in eight of its 14 games this season. Jaycie Johnson has scored three times in the 75th minute or later, while Courtney Claassen, Caroline Flynn, Katie Kraeutner, Mayme Conroy and Sydney Miramontez have each added one during that time stretch.

The Huskers failed to score down the stretch against Wisconsin, Illinois, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Michigan and Minnesota, but made late goals in each of their first four games of the season. Overall, NU is 5-2-1 when scoring in the last 15 minutes. The Huskers are 0-5-1 when they don’t.

Schatz Filling Goalkeeper Role
Sophomore Kelly Schatz has started all 14 games at goalkeeper for the Huskers this season, playing more than 1,279 minutes. Schatz has 42 saves and has earned two complete game shutouts. She also contributed to a third NU shutout as she played the first 48 minutes against North Dakota.

Johnson Continues to Produce on Offense
Nebraska’s leading goal scorer Jaycie Johnson has nine goals through 14 games. Johnson scored two goals in each of the first three weekends, managing a pair of scores in both the Marquette and North Dakota matches. She scored once against SMU, DePaul, Maryland, Michigan State and Minnesota. A Lake Winnebago, Mo. native, Johnson has taken 51 shots this season, 33 of which have been on goal.

Huskers Drop Two in Michigan
Nebraska fell to Michigan and Michigan State during a two-game road trip to the Great Lakes State to start October.

Mayme Conroy scored the lone goal for the Huskers against the Wolverines in the eighth minute. Michigan’s Nicky Waldeck responded, though, with a hat trick to lead U-M to a 3-1 triumph.

Against the Spartans, Jaycie Johnson scored in the 83rd minute off a penalty kick, but it came after Michigan State had scored three goals. The goal marked Johnson’s eighth of the season.

Conroy Collects Big Ten Honor
Senior forward Mayme Conroy earned Big Ten Offensive Player-of-the-Week accolades on Monday, Sept. 29, after scoring three goals in two games during the previous week.

Conroy, an Omaha, Neb., native, tallied two goals in Nebraska’s 4-3 overtime triumph over Maryland, including the game winner in the 96th minute. Her first score of the game came in the 22nd minute off an assist from Katie Kraeutner.

On Thursday, Sept. 25, Conroy delivered in the 37th minute against No. 25 Rutgers, helping the Huskers’ to a 1-1 tie at the Nebraska Soccer Field. She took three shots in 105 minutes of action while facing the Scarlet Knights.

Conroy Leads NU to Win, Tie
Nebraska got back to its winning ways on Sunday, Sept. 28 at the Nebraska Soccer Field as the Huskers posted a 4-3 overtime win over Maryland after tying No. 25 Rutgers on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Against the Scarlet Knights, senior Mayme Conroy scored in the 37th minute off a pass from Jourden Casey to tie the game at 1. Neither team scored for the remainder of the game, as goalkeeper Kelly Schatz registered a career-high seven saves.

Conroy scored two goals, including the game winner in the 96th minute, against Maryland in Sunday’s match. Caroline Gray and Jacyie Johnson also scored for the Huskers, and Casey earned two assists.

Huskers Fall to No. 13 Wisconsin, 3-0
Nebraska outshot Wisconsin 10-7 at McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison, Wis., but fell by a 3-0 margin on Saturday, Sept. 20. The Badgers scored goals in the first, 20th and 86th minutes.

Jaycie Johnson (three shots on goal), Caroline Gray (two shots on goal), Mayme Conroy (one shot on goal) and Caroline Flynn (one shot on goal) led Nebraska’s offense.

NU Ties Big Ten Opener, Falls to Illinois
Nebraska opened its Big Ten season with a pair of home matches on Thursday, Sept. 11 and Sunday, Sept. 14. The Huskers tied Northwestern in the first game, 1-1, before dropping a 3-0 decision to Illinois.

Against the Wildcats, Northwestern’s Sami Schrakamp struck first in the 12th minute to put the Wildcats up 1-0. With time winding down in the game, Katie Kraeutner scored off an assist from Jaycie Johnson in the 88th minute to tie the game. Neither team scored in the extra time.

Against the Fighting Illini, the Huskers took six shots but failed to score in a 3-0 setback. Illinois’ Allison Stucky scored in the 40th minute, while Jannelle Flaws added two goals, scoring in the 71st and 80th minute.

NU Responds to 2OT Loss with 4-0 Win
Nebraska went 1-1 at home in its third weekend of play, falling to No. 20 Oklahoma in double overtime on Friday, Sept. 5, before dominating North Dakota by a 4-0 margin onSunday, Sept. 7.

Against the Sooners, Katie Kraeutner scored in the sixth minute to put NU up early, but Oklahoma tied the score 1-1 in the 71st minute with Ayana O’Neal’s goal. Despite Nebraska controlling on offense to start the second overtime, Oklahoma’s defense managed to withstand the pressure and scored in the 107th minute for the win.

On Sunday, the Huskers outshot North Dakota 32-2, as Jaycie Johnson scored twice, and Mayme Conroy and Courtney Claassen each added one goal in the 4-0 win.

Both of Johnson’s goals came in the first three minutes of the second half. Conroy scored NU’s first goal of the game in the ninth minute. Claassen scored off a rebound in the 76th minute for her first career goal. Caroline Flynn recorded two assists.

Huskers Sweep Butler, Marquette
Nebraska took down Butler, 1-0, on Friday, Aug. 29 at the Nebraska Soccer Field before defeating Marquette, 3-2, on Sunday, Aug. 31 at Valley Fields in Milwaukee, Wis.

The Huskers outshot the Bulldogs 17-2, but it wasn’t until Caroline Flynn’s goal in the 83rd minute that NU got on the scoreboard. Flynn scored from 30 yards out to the top left corner of the net from the right side of the field. Goalkeeper Kelly Schatz earned two saves during the shutout.

Against the Golden Eagles, Nebraska trailed 2-0 before scoring three goals in the final 26 minutes en route to a 3-2 triumph. Jaycie Johnson scored twice, making her first goal in the 65th minute before adding the game winner off an assist from Caroline Gray in the 83rd minute. Mayme Conroy added a goal for the Huskers in the 69th minute.

Huskers Split Opening Weekend Games
Nebraska opened the regular season on Friday, Aug. 22 with a 4-0 victory over SMU before falling to DePaul, 2-1, on Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

Against the Mustangs, goalkeeper Kelly Schatz earned a shutout in her first career start at the position. She compiled five saves, four of which came in the second half. Caroline Gray, Caroline Flynn, Jaycie Johnson and Sydney Miramontez each scored for the Huskers in the home opener.

Against the Blue Demons, Johnson scored the lone goal for the Huskers in the 89th minute off an assist from Flynn, but DePaul had already built a 2-0 lead. Elise Wyatt scored for the Blue Demons in the 16th minute before Abby Reed added a goal in the 85th minute.

Final Season at Nebraska Soccer Field
The Huskers are in their 10th and final season at the Nebraska Soccer Field before moving into the Nebraska Soccer and Tennis Complex next season. Since moving to campus in 2005, NU has compiled a 67-27-14 record and has three home games remaining in 2014.

2014 Season Outlook
Nebraska’s 2014 team includes five seniors in Head Coach John Walker’s 21st season at the helm of the school’s soccer program. The Huskers also welcomed back All-Big Ten second-team member Jaycie Johnson, who is a sophomore in 2014 after leading the team with 17 goals last season. The Huskers added 12 newcomers in the offseason in addition to their 12 returning letterwinners from 2013.

Big Red Tip-Off Set for Oct. 29

Posted on October 15, 2014

Lincoln – The Nebraska Athletic Department invites fans to get their first look at the 2014-15 Husker men’s and women’s basketball programs, as the Huskers will host the Big Red Tip-Off at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

The fun and free event will feature scrimmages from both programs. Doors at Pinnacle Bank Arena open at 5:45 p.m. while the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. with introductions of both teams. The Husker women will conduct a 15-minute scrimmage first before halftime festivities take place with a 3-point shooting contest between players from both teams, a dunk contest from the Husker men and a performance by the Scarlets. The Husker men will scrimmage for 15 minutes following halftime while the teams will have combined autograph session on the main concourse at the end of the event until 8:30 p.m. The men’s scrimmage will feature live commentary from Coach Miles, while Sports Nightly will broadcast its show during the 6 p.m. hour from Pinnacle Bank Arena.

The Big Red Tip-Off marks the first opportunity to see the 2014-15 Huskers prior to the first exhibition games for the women (Wayne State on Nov. 2) and men (Southwest Minnesota State on Nov. 6). The Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office will have staff on hand to assist fans in purchasing women’s season tickets, or in answering questions about the men’s basketball waitlist or transferring tickets.

Hopes are high for both teams entering the 2014-15 season, as the Husker men return all five starters from a team that reached the NCAA Tournament, while the Husker women return four starters back from its Big Ten Tournament championship squad.

The Nebraska men have been a preseason top-25 selection by several publications coming off a year where the Huskers went 19-13 and reached the NCAA Tournament. Tim Miles, the reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year, welcomes back all five starters, including All-America candidate Terran Petteway and All-Big Ten performer Shavon Shields. Petteway led the Big Ten in scoring at 18.1 points per game while averaging 4.8 rebounds per game, while Shields averaged 12.8 points and a team-best 5.8 caroms per outing. It marks the first time since 2003-04 and just the third time in the last 15 years that the Huskers returned a pair of double-figure scorers. Forwards Walter Pitchford and David Rivers and guard Tai Webster round out the Husker returning starters. In all, Nebraska welcomes back nine letterwinners who return 81.5 percent of NU’s points and 85.6 percent of its rebounds from last season. The Huskers also welcome a five-member recruiting class including transfers Moses Abraham (Georgetown) and Andrew White III (Kansas), as well as freshmen Jake Hammond, Tarin Smith and B.J. Day.

The Husker women return four starters who all earned All-Big Ten awards in 2014, led by first-team all-conference and honorable-mention All-American Rachel Theriot. The 6-0 point guard fueled Nebraska’s run to the Big Ten Tournament title by earning MVP honors. She is joined by second-team All-Big Ten selections Emily Cady and Tear’a Laudermill and Big Ten All-Defensive Team pick Hailie Sample. The returning Huskers helped Nebraska to a 26-7 overall record that included a 12-4 Big Ten mark in 2014. The Big Red advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finished in the top 25 in the national rankings for the third straight year. The four returning starters along with senior Brandi Jeffery and sophomores Allie Havers and Esther Ramacieri will be joined by the highest-ranked recruiting class in school history in 2014-15. NU’s seven-player group of newcomers give Coach Connie Yori a talented 14-player roster, which matches her second-largest squad in her 13 seasons at Nebraska.

Big Red Tip-Off Event Schedule

5:45 p.m. – Gates open
6:00 p.m. – Sports Nightly Broadcast from Pinnacle Bank Arena
6:30 p.m. – Introductions of both men’s and women’s teams
6:50 p.m. – Women’s scrimmage for 15 minutes
7:05 p.m. – Halftime show (3-point contest, dunk contest, Scarlets performance)
7:25 p.m. – Men’s scrimmage for 15 minutes
7:45 p.m. – Autograph session on concourse until 8:30 p.m. (4 areas of MBB/WBB players)

Wiseman Commits to D-II SMSU

Posted on October 15, 2014October 15, 2014

Mikenzi Wiseman (Photo courtesy of Instagram) — Mikenzi Wiseman (Photo from Instagram)

Mikenzi Wiseman listened to her heart when making her decision on which college to commit to play softball.

The North Platte softball star had two Division I walk-on offers, five Division II offers, and a slew of Division III and NAIA offers, but when she visited the campus of Southwest Minnesota State University and met head coach Jamie Dunn, she felt it was where she was meant to play.

“I knew the second I met Coach Dunn that SMSU is where I wanted to play. I knew Coach Dunn was the kind of coach I wanted to play for.” Wiseman said. “She’s intense, she’s a serious competitor, she was an amazing college player, & I can’t wait to be coached by her.”

Wiseman, unlike most kids heading off to college, didn’t want to remain close to home.

“I had plenty offers from Nebraska, Colorado, & Kansas schools, but my desire was further away. My sister graduated from college in Hollywood, California this past summer. I spent a week with her there before her graduation and loved it, but I didn’t want to go quite that far away from home.”

“Playing NCAA softball isn’t going to allow me time for anything other than softball and academics, so it doesn’t matter if I am an hour away from home or eight hours. I probably won’t be making it home much anyway, so that also influenced my decision when finalizing my choices in colleges.”

Wiseman could be looking at potential playing time next year as a freshman.

“We are in need of a catcher that can come in and make an instant impact by competing for a starting position as a freshman. ” Stated Coach Dunn. “I know that with Kenzi’s work ethic and passion for the game, she can definitely help us behind the plate.”

Nebraska Sets Special Youth Pheasant Hunts

Posted on October 15, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has scheduled special pheasant hunts this weekend for youths 15 and younger.

Rooster pheasants will be released at nine wildlife management areas, which are: Pressey in Custer County; Sherman Reservoir in Sherman County; Oak Valley in Madison County; Branched Oak and Yankee Hill in Lancaster County; Twin Oaks and Hickory Ridge in Johnson County; Wilkinson in Platte County; and Peru Bottoms in Nemaha County.

No registration or special permit is required. Regulations posted at each area will apply to all portions of the designated areas normally open to hunting. All other youth and regular hunting regulations will be in effect.

Adult mentors must be licensed hunters age 19 or older. Adults may harvest one rooster pheasant per day; youths may harvest two a day.

Royals Edge Orioles 2-1 to Take 3-0 Lead in ALCS

Posted on October 14, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Billy Butler drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, and the Royals’ bullpen shut down the Baltimore Orioles the rest of the way for a 2-1 victory Tuesday night that gave Kansas City a commanding 3-0 lead in the AL Championship Series.

Third baseman Mike Moustakas made two marvelous plays as the Royals won their 10th straight postseason game, including all seven this year.

Kansas City will send Jason Vargas to the mound for Game 4 on Wednesday needing just one more win to reach their first World Series since 1985. Miguel Gonzalez will try to help the Orioles stave off elimination.

The game was tied 1-all until the Orioles’ Wei-Yin Chen put runners on the corners in the sixth. Butler followed with his sacrifice fly off reliever Kevin Gausman for the lead.

Winning pitcher Jason Frasor, Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland each pitched a scoreless inning.

Maple Leafs Slip past Avalanche 3-2 in OT

Posted on October 14, 2014

TORONTO (AP) — Phil Kessel scored 34 seconds into overtime and the Toronto Maple Leafs earned a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night.

James van Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul also scored for Toronto. Goaltender James Reimer, who took a delay of game penalty in the third period, made 22 saves to pick up another victory in his second straight start.

Ryan O’Reilly and Matt Duchene scored for Colorado. With a pair of assists, former Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla picked up his first two points with his new team.

Colorado goaltender Semyon Varlamov was sharp in making 37 saves.

Broncos are No. 1 in AP Pro32 Rankings

Posted on October 14, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — As he nears yet another milestone, Peyton Manning has the Denver Broncos back as the top team in the NFL.

Denver received eight first-place votes Tuesday for the AP Pro32 power rankings, which are decided by a 12-member media panel that regularly covers the league.

Manning threw three touchdown passes in a 31-17 win Sunday over the New York Jets and is two touchdown passes shy of Brett Favre’s record of 508 regular-season TD throws. Manning can set the mark Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers.

“Peyton creeps ever closer to Brett Favre’s record of 508 career TDs with three more against the Jets,” Newsday’s Bob Glauber said. “Three to go for another slice of history for the great one.”

San Diego, which moved to 5-1 after rallying past the winless Oakland Raiders 31-28, moved up a spot to No. 2 and received three first-place votes.

The Broncos and Chargers will meet for the first time this season on Thursday, Oct. 23.

“(Philip) Rivers ready for Peyton showdown,” Fox Sports’ John Czarnecki said.

After facing San Diego, Manning will travel to Foxborough, Massachusetts, to take on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on Nov. 2.

“Peyton Manning is bracing for a Murderer’s Row — 49ers, Chargers and Patriots,” Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune said.

The surging Dallas Cowboys (5-1), who have won five in a row and are tied for first in the NFC East with the Philadelphia Eagles, received the other first-place vote.

“The Cowboys not only won in Seattle, but they were the more physical team against the Seahawks,” said Jenny Vrentas of The Monday Morning Quarterback. “Both are rare feats.”

The Eagles stayed in fourth place after their 27-0 rout of division rival New York Giants.

“Philadelphia eased concerns about its offense with a dominant win over its division rival,” ESPN’s Herm Edwards said.

The Seattle Seahawks dropped from No. 1 to No. 5 after their 30-23 loss to the Cowboys. The San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and the Patriots rounded out the top 10.

NBC’s Tony Dungy was impressed with Arizona after its 30-20 win over Washington, which gave the Cardinals (4-1) a half-game lead over the 49ers in the NFC West.

“If (Carson) Palmer can stay healthy, they can make some noise,” he said.

The Patriots have scored 80 points in the past two games and host Rex Ryan’s reeling Jets on Thursday night.

“The Patriots are more than just Tom Brady,” Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News said. “They lead the NFL defensively with seven fumble recoveries and 14 takeaways.”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders and the Jacksonville Jaguars filled the bottom three spots in the poll.