Football – Page 21 – North Platte Post Archive

Manning Intends to Return for 18th Season in 2015

Posted on December 24, 2014December 25, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Peyton Manning says he plans to return to the Denver Broncos in 2015 for his 18th NFL season.

Manning was asked during his weekly news conference Wednesday if there was a set of circumstances that would lead him to retire.

He replied: “I have not thought about those circumstances at all. So, I certainly plan on being back, if the Broncos will have me. But at this point, I’m kind of thinking about Oakland.”

Manning, 38, said he knows talk turns to the coaching carousel this time of year and “I get to fall into that category because maybe I’m closer to the same age as some of the coaches. But yeah, I have no plans along those lines. I’m enjoying playing.”

Huskers Continue Preparation for Trojan Offense

Posted on December 24, 2014December 25, 2014

Chula Vista, Calif. – After a late afternoon practice on Tuesday, the Nebraska football team was on the field turf at DeVore Stadium at 10 a.m. on Wednesday for its second of four practices at Southwestern College prior to Saturday’s Holiday Bowl against USC on ESPN.

The Huskers practiced in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts under clear skies and temperatures in the low 70’s.

Defensive coordinator John Papuchis met with the media following Wednesday’s practice and discussed the challenge on Saturday of stopping USC’s prolific offense. USC Head Coach Steve Sarkisian’s offense is led by quarterback Cody Kessler, who ranks fourth nationally this season with 36 passing touchdowns and ranks 11^th nationally in passing yards with 292.1 yards per game.

“It helps on some level, we have a bit or familiarity with Coach Sarkisian’s offense,” Papuchis said. “I’m sure they’re going to have a unique plan this time though.”

The Huskers will be working with a linebacker unit that is banged up and will need contributions from players who may see an expanded role on Saturday.

“We’re a bit thin at linebacker right now,” Papuchis said. “We can’t go get any free agents. We’re preparing all hands on deck to be ready. (Josh) Banderas will play, Austin Williams may play, and we’re one snap away from Chris Weber and Marcus Newby being on the field.

Following this morning’s practice, the Huskers are headed to the San Diego Zoo.

TCU’s Gary Patterson Wins AP Coach of the Year

Posted on December 24, 2014

TCU’s Gary Patterson is The Associated Press college football coach of the year.

Patterson is just the second two-time winner of the AP coach of the year, joining Nick Saban (2003 with LSU and 2008 with Alabama). The AP coach of the year has been awarded since 1998. Patterson, in his 14th season at TCU, was coach of the year in 2009.

Patterson received 27 of 54 votes from the AP poll media panel. Urban Meyer of Ohio State was the runner-up with 14 votes. Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen received six votes. Alabama’s Nick Saban and Arizona’s Rich Rodriguez drew two votes each. Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher, Baylor’s Art Briles and Memphis’ Justin Fuente had one each.

Patterson guided the sixth-ranked Horned Frogs to an 11-1 record after going 4-8 in 2013.

Huskers Arrive in San Diego

Posted on December 23, 2014

Chula Vista, Calif. – Following an early-morning flight from Lincoln to San Diego, the Nebraska football team practiced at DeVore Stadium for the first time on Tuesdayafternoon. The Huskers will hold three more practices in at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, Calif., in preparation of Saturday’s Holiday Bowl against USC at 7 p.m. (CT)on ESPN.

The Huskers practiced in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts for roughly two hours under clear skies and temperatures in the mid 70’s. Interim Head Coach Barney Cotton met with the media and was happy with the Huskers first practice on the West Coast.

“It was a long day for these guys,” Cotton said. “I think it was good though, we worked out some kinks.”

Cotton said he hopes the team enjoys the trip to San Diego, but stays focused on Saturday’s game.

“We just talked about it just now,” Cotton said. “This trip is a reward, but it’s also a business trip.

Saturday’s game will be the final game for 13 seniors, including I-back Ameer Abdullah, who was bothered earlier this season by an injury.

“I think Ameer is pretty close,” Cotton said. “He’s moving around like his old self, much better than he was towards the end of the (regular) season.”

The Huskers will return to DeVore Stadium tomorrow morning for practice before heading to the San Diego Zoo.

Broncos Have League-High 9 Players Selected for Pro Bowl

Posted on December 23, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — The AFC West champion Denver Broncos led the NFL with nine players selected for the Pro Bowl on Tuesday.

Quarterback Peyton Manning was picked for the 14th time. Joining Manning from the Broncos will be Ryan Clady, Chris Harris, Von Miller, Aqib Talib, Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, T.J. Ward and DeMarcus Ware.

The NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys were second with six selections for the Jan. 25 game in Glendale, Arizona, site of the Super Bowl.

Tony Romo will be going for the fourth time. Dez Bryant, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, DeMarco Murray and Tyron Smith were also honored.

For the second consecutive season, players will be selected without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players.

Hall of Famers Cris Carter and Michael Irvin will serve as alumni team captains for their Pro Bowl teams.

Lions’ Raiola Loses Appeal, 1-Game Suspension Upheld

Posted on December 23, 2014

DETROIT (AP) — Lions center Dominic Raiola lost his appeal of a one-game suspension for stepping on Chicago Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson.

Appeals officer Derrick Brooks, the Hall of Fame linebacker appointed by the NFL and the players’ union, upheld the suspension Tuesday.

The punishment was handed down Monday by Merton Hanks, the NFL’s vice president of football operations. The league said this was Raiola’s sixth rules violation related to player safety since 2010.

Raiola stepped on Ferguson’s right ankle Sunday while the Chicago lineman was on the ground early in the third quarter. Raiola said after the game it was not intentional, and that he talked to Ferguson and apologized.

Raiola has been with the Lions for his entire 14-year career, playing every game of every season except 2008.

Detroit plays at Green Bay on Sunday for the NFC North title.

NFL Moves 2 Games to Late Sunday Afternoon

Posted on December 23, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — The division-deciding games at Green Bay and Atlanta will be played late Sunday afternoon.

The NFL moved the Lions-Packers game for the NFC North to 4:25 p.m. EST. It also put the Panthers-Falcons game in that time slot, but switched networks for that showdown for the NFC South crown to CBS. Detroit-Green Bay will be on Fox.

The prime-time game is Cincinnati at Pittsburgh to decide the AFC North.

Jacksonville at Houston has been moved from late afternoon to 1 p.m. EST for the final day of the regular season.

Oregon’s Marcus Mariota: AP Player of Year

Posted on December 23, 2014

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota is The Associated Press college football player of the year.

Mariota won the AP vote in the same landslide fashion he won the Heisman Trophy. He received 49 of the 54 votes submitted by the AP Top 25 media panel. Alabama receiver Amari Cooper received three votes.

Wisconsin running back and Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston each received one vote.

Mariota is the first Oregon player to win AP player of the year, which was first awarded in 1998, and the eighth quarterback to win it in the last nine years.

Oregon will face Florida State and last year’s Heisman winner and AP player of the years, Jameis Winston, in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl.

Bengals Blow Lead but Beat Broncos to Clinch Playoff Berth

Posted on December 23, 2014

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals have clinched an AFC playoff berth by rallying in the fourth quarter of a 37-28 triumph over the Denver Broncos.

Dre Kirkpatrick grabbed two of Peyton Manning’s four interceptions and sealed the victory by returning the first for a 30-yard touchdown with 2:41 left. It came about five minutes after Mike Nugent put the Bengals back on top with a 23-yard field goal.

Jeremy Hill sparked the Bengals’ offense with 147 yards on 22 carries. Hill scored Cincinnati’s first touchdown on an 85-yard run in the first quarter, 23 seconds after Aqib Talib (ah-KEEB tah-LEEB’) brought back an Andy Dalton interception 33 yards for a score.

Cincinnati watched a 27-14 lead evaporate while Manning hit Emmanuel Sanders for a pair of third-quarter touchdowns. Manning was 28 of 44 for 311 yards as the 11-4 Broncos failed to wrap up a first-round bye.

The Bengals are 10-4-1 and will play the Steelers in Pittsburgh for the AFC North title on Sunday.

Lions’ Raiola Suspended 1 Game for Stomping on Opponent

Posted on December 22, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola has been suspended for one game after he stomped on Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson on Sunday.

The punishment was handed down by Merton Hanks, the NFL’s Vice President of Football Operations, comes following Raiola’s sixth rules violation related to player safety.

The Lions play the Green Bay Packers in the season finale Sunday with the NFC North division title at stake. Raiola can appeal the suspension, but until then he cannot attend team meetings, practices nor have any contact other than that related to offsite medical care.