The last four area football teams left standing saw their seasons come to an end in quarterfinal playoff action last night. The St. Patrick’s Irish couldn’t cope with the speed of Doniphan-Trumbull’s spread offense, as the Cardinals defeated the Irish 35-6 in Doniphan. Sean Keenan’s touchdown pass to Mark Mayfield in the first quarter accounted for the Irish’s lone score. Also in the Class C2 field, a big second quarter led Sutton past Hershey 48-7, ending the Panthers’ surprising playoff run. In class C1, Boone Central/Newman Grove scored 31 straight points in a 38-20 victory over Gothenburg. Preston Franzen and Logan Sheets each scored a rushing touchdown for the Swedes. And in class D1, Medicine Valley sorely missed injured starting quarterback Riley Garey, as they fell to Giltner 66-22.
Category: Sports
AUDIO: Papuchis Praises Penn State QB McGloin
The Husker football team took to the practice field yesterday for two hours as preparations continue for Saturday’s home game against Penn State. The Nittany Lions are something of a surprise with a 6-3 record in the wake of stiff NCAA penalties. First-year head coach Bill O’Brien has assembled a potent offense led by quarterback Matt McGloin. Husker defensive coordinator John Papuchis had high praise for McGloin in his post-practice remarks yesterday. “He fits in really well in what they do,” Papuchis said. “He’s very efficient, very productive, and he’s only thrown three interceptions on the year. He’s careful with the ball and makes good decisions.” Kickoff Saturday is scheduled for 2:30.
To listen to John Papuchis’ post-practice remarks, click play:
Miles Makes Debut as Huskers Take on Midland in Exhibition
The Tim Miles era of Husker men’s basketball begins tonight as the Huskers open their brief exhibition schedule against Midland University at the Devaney Center. One starter and six letterwinners return for the Huskers from last year’s team that finished 12-18 in its inaugural Big Ten campaign. Brandon Ubel, Dylan Talley, and Andre Almeida are the team’s three seniors. At least one freshman, point guard Benny Parker, is expected to start. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:05.
Rockies Hunt For New Manager Down to Weiss, Williams
The Colorado Rockies managerial search is down to two names. Former Rockies player and special assistant to the GM Walt Weiss and current Arizona Diamondbacks bench coach Matt Williams are the last two men under consideration for the vacancy left by Jim Tracy’s resignation last month. Jason Giambi and Tom Runnells have been dropped from consideration. Weiss is said to be the favorite. A decision is likely to come by the middle of next week after Rockies front office personnel meets one final time.
Monday Sports Wrap – Saints Pummel Eagles on MNF
Saints extend Eagles’ woes
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints, trying to regain some semblance of normalcy in the wake of the infamous bounty scandal, got some respectability back with a 28-13 victory over stumbling Philadelphia. Both teams are 3-5.
Drew Brees tossed a pair of TD passes to give him 303 for his career. Brees has now thrown TD passes in 51 straight games, extending his NFL record. Patrick Robinson returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown — the longest interception return in the NFL this season.
The Saints defense allowed more than 400 yards for its eighth straight game. But New Orleans’ defensive line proved better than the Eagles woeful offensive line and sacked Philly QB Michael Vick seven times.
The Eagles had first-and-goal four times and managed only two field goals by Alex Henery.
Colts coach Pagano receives great news
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The doctor for Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano says his leukemia is in remission.
Dr. Larry Cripe tells The Associated Press that Pagano’s white blood cell count was normal and his bone marrow showed no indication of the disease.
Interim coach Bruce Arians says the 5-3 Colts hoped to have Pagano back on the sideline for their regular-season finale Dec. 30. Pagano spoke to his players before and after Sunday’s 23-20 victory over Miami.
Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia Sept. 26.
Chiefs Crennel removes himself as D-coordinator
UNDATED (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel has relieved himself of duties as defensive coordinator.
Crennel had been juggling head coaching and coordinator duties since taking over on an interim basis when Todd Haley was fired last December. Crennel announced Monday that Gary Gibbs would become defensive coordinator and he would spend more time with the entire team.
The 1-7 Chiefs also waived starting cornerback Stanford Routt and signed defensive tackle Shaun Smith.
In other NFL news:
— New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and several of his players are among thousands of New Jersey residents still without power in their homes in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Ryan said Monday as the team returned from its bye week that his home in Summit has yet to get power back. He recognizes he is in the same situation as many others in the area recovering from the hurricane and its aftermath.
— Tennessee owner Bud Adams plans to evaluate everyone from the front office to the coaches to the players over the final seven games after the Titans lost 51-20 to Chicago, the most points allowed since a 59-0 loss to New England in 2009. He told The Tennessean newspaper his Titans were “grossly outcoached and outplayed from start to finish.”
— Oakland Raiders running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson both have high ankle sprains that leave their status in doubt for Sunday’s game against Baltimore.
Allen hits milestone in Heat victory…T-Wolves rally from 22 down
UNDATED (AP) —LeBron James had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Dwyane (dwayn) Wade scored 22 points and the Miami Heat walloped the Phoenix Suns 124-99. The 3-1 Heat are averaging 111.8 points per game to open the NBA season.
Chris Bosh finished with 18 points and Ray Allen had 15 for Miami. Allen became the 24th player in NBA history to eclipse the 23,000-point mark when he made a free throw with 1:01 left in the third quarter.
Shannon Brown led Phoenix with 18 points off the bench.
In other NBA action:
— The New York Knicks are 3-0 for the first time since the 1999-2000 NBA season. Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points and JR Smith had 17 to lead the Knicks to a 110-88 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
__ Minnesota rookie guard Alexey Shved and Chase Budinger led a furious rally from 22 points down, and the Minnesota Timberwolves came back from a 22-point deficit to stun the Brooklyn Nets 107-96.
— Zach Randolph had 16 points and 18 rebounds, Marc Gasol added 22 points and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Utah Jazz 103-94.
— Gary Neal scored 17 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Indiana Pacers 101-79. The 4-0 Spurs set a franchise record for best start to a season.
— O.J. Mayo scored 32 points, his second consecutive 30-point game at home, and the Dallas Mavericks used a fourth-quarter surge for a 114-91 victory over Portland.
— DeMarcus Cousins scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and the Sacramento Kings held off the Golden State Warriors 94-92 to avoid an 0-4 start.
__ The Cleveland Cavaliers posted their first road win of the season by beating the L.A. Clippers, 108-101. Dion Waiters, the rookie out of Syracuse, led the Cavs with 28.
K-State coach Snyder hopes Klein plays vs TCU
UNDATED (AP) — Kansas State coach Bill Snyder is hopeful injured quarterback Collin Klein will be available for next Saturday’s game at TCU.
The Heisman Trophy candidate was hurt during the third quarter of the No. 3 Wildcats’ 44-30 victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday. Snyder did not discuss the nature or severity of the injury, but all indications point toward a possible concussion.
When asked about Klein on Monday, Snyder replied: “Seems fine to me.” And when asked whether he’ll play against the Horned Frogs, Snyder said: “Hope so.”
FOOTBALL: State Quarterfinal Preview
Four area teams take to the gridiron tonight in quarterfinal action in the state football playoffs. In Class C2, both Hershey and St. Patrick’s are still alive. The Irish’s stout defense will meet its greatest challenge to date in the high-flying, high-scoring offense of Doniphan-Trumbull in one C2 western quarterfinal. ESPN Radio 1410 has all the action from Doniphan, with pregame coverage at 5:30 and the kickoff at 6 PM. In the other C2 western quarterfinal, Hershey looks to keep their Cinderella run alive as they visit top-seed Sutton. That game gets underway at 5 PM. In the C1 bracket, Gothenburg’s putting together a magical run of their own. They trek to Albion to battle top-seed Boone Central/Newman Grove at 3 PM. And in Class D2, it’s a battle of unbeatens as Medicine Valley faces Giltner at 3 PM.
Knights Men Open With Victory
The North Platte Community College Knights opened their 2012-2013 season with a 68-51 victory over the Hastings College JV at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. Tim Simmons led three Knights in double figures with 17 points. Ethan Montalvo and Damon Brown added 11 points apiece. The Knights never trailed and led by as many as 19 points in the win. Next up for North Platte is a trip to Garden City, Kansas for the Pepsi Classic this Friday and Saturday.
CROSS COUNTRY: North Platte’s McGuire, Paxton’s Perlinger Earn All-State Honors
North Platte High School junior Wyatt McGuire was named a Class A All-State and all-class Super State runner by the Nebraska Coaches Association. McGuire took first place at the A3 district cross country meet and then placed third at the state meet. He has been a state medalist for three straight years. Paxton senior Garrett Perlinger was named a Class D All-State runner. He placed seventh at the state meet.
Martinez Shares B1G Offensive Player of the Week Honors
Another week, another dramatic comeback, another award for Husker junior quarterback Taylor Martinez. Martinez was named the co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week, the fourth time this season he’s won or shared the honor. Martinez rushed for 205 yards, threw for 160 more, and was responsible for four touchdowns in Nebraska’s 28-24 win at Michigan State on Saturday. He connected with Jamal Turner on the game-winning touchdown pass with six seconds to play. Martinez and his teammates began preparations for this Saturday’s game against Penn State yesterday.
AUDIO: Beck Prepares Husker Offense For Tough Nittany Lion Defense
The Nebraska football team started its week of preparation for Saturday’s showdown against Penn State on Monday. The team practiced in jerseys and helmets for approximately 90 minutes, splitting time between the Hawks Championship Center and outside on the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Field.
Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck addressed the media after practice, and is expecting to see a much different Nittany Lion defense this year with a new coaching staff.
“They have changed up a lot.” Beck said, “They play a much more aggressive style of defense, they do a lot of different things on defense. It is going to create a lot of challenges for us on offense.”
As far as how Penn State has handled adversity this season due to the NCAA sanctions they received this offseason, Beck thinks Head Coach Bill O’Brien has done a terrific job so far coaching Penn State. “I think Coach O’Brien and his guys have a lot of character.” Beck said, “All of their players show that, they are playing together for something.”
Beck also said that he expects to see a lot of man-to-man defense Saturday from the Nittany Lion defense, led by senior linebacker Michael Mauti. Mauti is sixth in total tackles in the Big Ten with 83 total tackles this season, averaging 9.2 tackles a game.
With the emotional game that was played last year in State College, Beck believes that Penn State and Nebraska have a strong bond playing through that game, and will have many more great games in the future.
“You feel a little bit different about the game last year.” Beck said, “Playing in a situation like that, as far teams and rivalries, it’s a different type of rivalry.”
— Gage Peake, Nebraska Sports Information
To listen to Tim Beck’s post-practice remarks, click play.