Football – Page 34 – North Platte Post Archive

Gordon Sets Rush Record, Wisconsin Routs Nebraska

Posted on November 15, 2014

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Melvin Gordon rushed for a major college-record 408 yards and four touchdowns and No. 22 Wisconsin overcame three early turnovers to take control of the Big Ten West division with a 59-24 win Saturday over No. 11 Nebraska.

Gordon eclipsed the single-game mark held since 1999 by TCU’s LaDainian Tomlinson by two yards, setting the new standard on a 26-yard touchdown run on the final play of the third quarter and his last carry of the game.

Outdueling Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah in a matchup of star running backs, Gordon overcame two fumbles to help the Badgers (8-2, 5-1, CFP No. 20) roar past the Cornhuskers (8-2, 4-2, CFP No. 16) with 49 unanswered points.

The star junior torched what had been a staunch Nebraska defense on 25 carries and delivered an emphatic statement in the Heisman Trophy race.

Abdullah finished with 69 yards on 18 attempts.

Gordon Sets NCAA Single-Game Rush Record

Posted on November 15, 2014

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon ran for 408 yards through three quarters Saturday against Nebraska, to break LaDanian Tomlinson’s single-game major college football rushing record with 15 minutes still to go.

Gordon set the mark on a 26-yard touchdown on the final play of the third quarter to give the 22nd-ranked Badgers a 52-17 lead on the 11th-ranked Cornhuskers.

It was Gordon’s fourth touchdown run of the night. He had 25 carries.

Gordon did not re-enter the game when Wisconsin started its first series of the fourth quarter.

The record had stood since Nov. 20, 1999, when Tomlinson had 406 yards on 43 carries for TCU against UTEP.

AP Source: Chiefs Sign DE Bailey to Extension

Posted on November 15, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A person familiar with the situation says the Kansas City Chiefs have signed defensive end Allen Bailey to a four-year, $25 million contract extension.

Bailey is guaranteed $15 million and will receive a $10 million signing bonus, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Chiefs had not announced the deal.

Pro Football Talk was the first to report the extension.

The 25-year-old Bailey has had a breakout season for the Chiefs, starting all nine games and establishing a career-high four sacks. He’s helped the Chiefs deal with season-ending injuries to two starters and still become one of the NFL’s best defenses.

Bailey, a former third-round pick, was due to become a free agent after this season.

Broncos O-Line Continues to be a Concern

Posted on November 14, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The scuffling and shuffling along Denver’s offensive line may not be over.

Offensive coordinator Adam Gase said he’ll stick with the same five starters from his retooled line when the Broncos (7-2) visit St. Louis (3-6) on Sunday.

That lineup isn’t written in indelible ink, however.

Left to right, that line is: Ryan Clady, Orlando Franklin, Will Montgomery, Manny Ramirez and Louis Vasquez

Ramirez and Vasquez are playing out of position after sliding one spot over last week at Oakland to make room for Montgomery at center. Clady (groin) and Franklin (knee) are ailing but will play Sunday.

Huskers Ready to Go for Showdown with Badgers

Posted on November 13, 2014

Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska football team held a 45-minute walk-through on Thursday inside the Hawks Championship Center in preparation for its showdown against Wisconsin on Saturday. Head Coach Bo Pelini spoke to the media after practice.

“We’ll finish up our preparation tomorrow,” Pelini said. “I thought we had a good week and we’ll be ready to go.”

Pelini added that I-back Ameer Abdullah’s status is the same that it has been and said, “I’d expect him to play.” He also said that he didn’t prepare I-backs Imani Cross and Terrell Newby any differently this week.

Pelini also talked about Wisconsin’s backup I-back Corey Clement.

“He’s a really good back,” Pelini said. “I think both their backs are good. They play good around them too. Their offensive line is good. Their receivers block. It’s a good scheme.”

Pelini said that linebacker Marcus Newby is out for the game, but said the rest of the team is healthy, including tight end Cethan Carter.

“He’s had a good week,” Pelini said. “He’s healthy. He’s looking good. He’s confident in what he’s doing, so I feel good about it.”

Pelini added that the team is ready for the environment of Camp Randall Stadium.

“We’ve been in tough environments before,” Pelini said. “I think our guys will respond fine. I think our guys are looking forward to playing. It’s a fun environment. (They have) great fans. It will be loud. Our kids are looking forward to it.”

The Huskers and Badgers are set to battle on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. at 2:30 p.m. (CT) on ABC.

Broncos put Nate Irving on IR, Claim Rookie Davis

Posted on November 13, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have placed middle linebacker Nate Irving on season-ending injured reserve and claimed rookie linebacker Todd Davis off waivers from the New Orleans Saints.

Irving was having the best season of his four-year career when he tore his right MCL at New England on Nov. 2. His timeline for returning to the field was four to six weeks.

With fellow linebacker Danny Trevathan (leg) already designated to return next month, the Broncos had to put Irving on season-ending IR on Thursday.

Irving finished the season with 44 tackles, including six for a loss, and a sack. He was replaced by Steven Johnson in the starting lineup.

Davis, from Sacramento State, was a special teams player for the Saints.

NLFPA Pushes for Bargaining on Conduct Policy

Posted on November 13, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL players’ union is pushing for collective bargaining with the league on the personal conduct policy.

In a memo sent to each NFLPA player representative and executive board member, and obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday, the union cites “the NFL’s mismanagement” of several incidents, including the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson cases. The memo claims the league has “inconsistencies that have led to the lack of credibility and damage to our brand.”

The union believes the league has not complied with terms of the CBA reached in 2011 in regard to personal conduct discipline. The memo mentions “imposed superficial changes to the adjudication process,” apparently referring to Commissioner Roger Goodell installing stronger punishment for first-time offenders of the policy.

Goodell announced in August a stiffer penalty for players involved with domestic violence, with a six-game minimum.

In College, Field Goals Aren’t a Sure Thing

Posted on November 12, 2014November 12, 2014

Whenever an NFL kicker attempts a field goal from inside 50 yards these days, success seems inevitable.

That isn’t the case in college.

Just two weeks ago, Duke beat Pittsburgh 51-48 in overtime after Chris Blewitt missed a 26-yard field goal that would have won the game for the Panthers. On that same day, Utah’s Andy Phillips missed a 37-yard attempt in overtime as the Utes fell 19-16 to Arizona State.

While NFL field-goal accuracy has improved from 81.3 percent in 2009 to 85.4 percent this season, according to STATS LLC, college kickers aren’t improving at a similar rate. STATS research shows Football Bowl Subdivision kickers are making 72.8 percent of their field-goal attempts this year, virtually unchanged from 72.9 percent in 2009.

Denver Broncos Cozy yet Uncomfortable at Same Time

Posted on November 12, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — With impeccable timing, the Denver Broncos christened their sparkling new indoor practice facility Wednesday with the temperature minus-2.

This was also good preparation for the Broncos’ visit to the climate-controlled Edward Jones Dome on Sunday in St. Louis.

Yet, while they may have gotten out of the cold blast that’s freezing the Rocky Mountains, they can’t escape this uncomfortable truth: it’s November and their offensive line is still a mess.

After changing three-fifths of their O-line last week, the Broncos brought in Richie Incognito for a workout this week. Although they didn’t sign him, they left open that possibility.

Their front line has been unable to get the ground game going and has allowed a trio of sacks on three-man rushes.

Neb’s Abdullah Goes Through Practice in Knee Brace

Posted on November 11, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Running back Ameer Abdullah made it through 11th-ranked Nebraska’s practice wearing a brace on his left knee, a positive sign for the Cornhuskers as they prepare for Saturday’s key Big Ten West game at No. 22 Wisconsin.

The three-time 1,000-yard rusher left the Nov. 1 game against Purdue in the first quarter with a sprained and bruised his knee. The Huskers didn’t play last week.

Offensive coordinator Tim Beck said Abdullah participated in all drills Tuesday and “looked pretty good.”

Abdullah declined interviews after practice.