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Jan. 8 - Jan. 14, 2021 Vol. 19, Issue 20 www.sportspagdfw.com FREE 2 January 8, 2020 - January 14, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 20 | January 8, 2021 - January 14, 2021 3 Jan. 8, 2020 - Jan. 14, 2021 AROUND THE AREA Vol. 19, Issue 20 LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST sportspagedfw.com Established 2002 More games postponed for the ponies Cover Photo: 4 AROUND THE AREA Bassmaster Classic has been the premier in sportfishing. Recent Classics 5 RANGER REPORT held in Birmingham, Ala., and Knoxville, BY DIC HUMPHREY Tenn., have drawn record-breaking crowds 6 GOLF, ETC of 122,814 and 153,809 fans respectively BY TOM WARD to Classic Week events, including the SENTRY TOURNAMENT OF Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo. CHAMPIONS Three Additional Big 12 WBB Games At least 12 new products were launched 7 BY PGATOUR.COM Postponed Bassmaster Classic And Outdoors Expo during the 2020 Outdoors Expo, which is NFL WILD CARD PREDICTIONS IRVING, - In accordance with Moved To June 2021 recognized as fishing’s biggest consumer 8 BY MIKE MCFEE women’s Due to the ongoing public health emer- show and annually draws 200 exhibitors SMU REPORT game interruption guidelines, the Kansas at gency and associated limits on large gath- ranging from major international brands to 9 BY DIC HUMPHREY Oklahoma State (Saturday, Jan. 9), Kansas erings, B.A.S.S. officials announced this local retailers. NATIONAL State at Baylor (Sunday, Jan. 10) and TCU week that the Academy Sports + Outdoors The success of the Expo is a major con- 10 CHAMPIONSHIP at Kansas State (Thursday, Jan. 14) con- BY MIKE MCFEE Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk and tributing factor to the Classic’s overall eco- tests have been postponed. Additionally, Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo origi- nomic impact which generated a windfall COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS AND the UConn at Baylor non-conference game 12 NOTES nally scheduled for late March would be of $35.9 million according to 2020 host BY BO CARTER on Thursday, Jan. 7 has been canceled. moved to June 11-13, 2021. community Birmingham, Ala. K-State’s matchups against Oklahoma 15 2020 IN MEMORIUM “It’s our hope that this delay will allow “Hosting the Bassmaster Classic later this BY NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION (Jan. 2) and West Virginia (Jan. 5) were us to alleviate many of the challenges — spring will bring jobs and much-needed previously postponed. KU’s matchups with including any potential capacity restric- business to our local economy,” said Jason AUTO REVIEW West Virginia (Jan. 2) and Iowa State (Jan. tions and travel complications — related to Sands, Director of the Fort Worth Sports 17 BY KBB.COM 6) were previously postponed. hosting both the tournament and Outdoors Commission. “We are looking forward to 18 THE TICKET WINDOW The Big 12 will work with Conference Expo in the current pandemic environ- hosting anglers and the thousands of out- programs to reschedule the games for later ment,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. door enthusiasts and Bassmaster fans this RESTAURANT REVIEW in the season. The SMU home game versus “We look forward to seeing thousands world-class sporting event attracts.” 19 BY RICHARD POLLAK Temple will now be played MONDAY at 2 of fans, along with our partners and indus- The move from early spring tournament at (moved from Sunday). try friends, at the 51st Bassmaster Classic. to June is a throwback to previous events. All tickets for the game will be valid “Our team will be working with the Fort From its inaugural outing in 1971 until on the rescheduled date. Digital tickets will Worth Sports Commission and Visit Fort 1983, the Bassmaster Classic was held in update automatically. Worth to make this historic trip to Texas an the fall. The of Bass Fishing Follow us on The AAC has announced changes to incredible and memorable event.” became a summer event in 1984 but shift- two more men’s basketball games. The B.A.S.S. Chairman Chase Anderson ed to February and March in 2006, the first Twitter & Facebook game between UCF and Tulsa scheduled emphasized the importance of cooperation season of the Bassmaster Elite Series. for Jan. 9 has been postponed due to con- with the city of Fort Worth. “We are so The Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake, twitter.com/sportspagedfw tact tracing of the student-athletes at UCF. appreciative of Fort Worth officials and our which was originally scheduled for June Rescheduling information is TBD. hosts at Visit Fort Worth for working with 10-13, will instead be held on the facebook.com/sportspageweek- In addition, the Temple and SMU game us during these unprecedented times to Florence, Ala., fishery March 18-21. scheduled for Jan. 10 has been moved to reschedule this exciting event and ensure For more information, visit Publisher Contact Us Monday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. The game will we have an outstanding Classic.” Bassmaster.com. 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4 January 8, 2020 - January 14, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com RANGERS WITH DIC HUMPHREY Off season trade activity heating up

player because they could not afford to those appearances was a starting assign- keep him and have usually done well in ment. these trades. Pitcher Art Warren was designated for Carrasco was a player they received in assignment and found a new home with the trade of Cliff Lee a few years ago. Cincinnati. The Rangers traded him They received two players (Rosario and Wednesday to the Reds for cash considera- Gimenez) that will likely be on their roster tions. this year, and they received two prospects The Rangers also announced a signifi- with high ceilings. cant change on the business side of the Cleveland is a club that was especially organization. Neil Leibman has been financially distressed from having no fans named President of business operations. at games in 2020. Cleveland is not a big Liebman is one of the largest shareholders TV market, so the income from ticket sales in the Rangers’ ownership group after Ray and concessions is especially precious to Davis and Bob Simpson. He has been the the franchise. This trade also reduces their chairman of the ownership committee since payroll significantly for the 2021 season, in 2013 and has been the Chief Operating addition to adding four promising players. Officer since 2018. RANGERS NEWS Major League sent a memo to While the off season market slowly minor league owners indicating that the creeps along, the continue start of the AA and A league seasons to be one of the busiest teams in baseball. would be pushed back. Minor League Cleveland traded Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets This week started Tuesday with the camps for those teams will open after the acquisition of outfielder Carl Chester. Major League camps have departed their infielders Andres Gimenez and Amed Chester became the player to be named sites. This to allow for Rosario. later in the December 10 trade with Tampa more social distancing. Rosario was projected to be the Mets’ Bay that also brought the Rangers first NOTABLE: shortstop last year, but Gimenez ended up basemen Nate Lowe and Jake Guenther. ¥ Joey Gallo was interviewed Thursday with the job and hit .263 in 49 games as a Chester is 25 and was originally drafted by on 105.3 FM, the Fan, which is the flag- rookie in 2020. He is highly regarded both the Rays in 2017’s 12th round of the ama- ship station broadcasting Ranger games. offensively and defensively. Josh Wolf, a teur draft. He played at the University of He said that he worked on both Ranger pitcher from Houston, and outfielder Isaiah Miami and split time between Class High management and David Dahl to bring Dahl Greene were the two minor league A Charlotte and AA Montgomery in 2019. to the Rangers after he was non-tendered He has hit .284 with 13 home runs and 145 by Colorado. Dahl was taken 10th in the BY DIC HUMPHREY prospects Cleveland received. MLB [email protected] Pipeline ranked Wolf as the number nine RBIs in 306 minor league games over the same draft Gallo was selected 39th (2012) MEMBER: USBWA prospect in the Mets’ farm system and 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons. Chester was and made the All-Star Greene the 10th. Wolf was drafted in the assigned to AA Frisco. team in 2019. He is projected to be the The off season market has been slower second round of the 2019 draft out of St. The Rangers also signed free agent Rangers’ left fielder this year. than expected, but this week a big name Thomas High School. He saw action in pitcher Drew Anderson to a minor league ¥ Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano was player finally found a new home. The just five games in 2019 and was on the contract with an invitation to Major League posted by the Yomiuri Giants and entered Cleveland Baseball Team traded perhaps Mets’ alternate site squad in 2020 but did Spring Training. He made one Major serious negotiations with the San Diego the best shortstop in baseball Ð Francisco not see action in the Major Leagues. League appearance in 2020 with the Padres. Ultimately though, the 31 year-old Lindor Ð to the New York Mets. Starting Greene was taken in the second round of White Sox. He has pitched in 10 returned to Yomiuri on a four-year, $40 pitcher Carlos Carrasco also went to the last year’s amateur draft. Major League games total since the begin- million deal. Mets, and the pair brought back four play- The Mets, now under new ownership, ning of 2017, having also pitched for ers, two infielders with Major League wanted to make a splash this off season. Philadelphia as well as Chicago. One of experience and two minor league prospects The additions of Lindor and Carrasco cer- ranked among the top 10 in the Mets’ farm tainly qualify. Lindor is on the short list of system. MLB players that are considered the best Lindor will be a free agent after the player in baseball not named Mike Trout. 2021 season, and contract talks between He had an off season in 2020’s abbreviated Cleveland and Lindor’s representatives version of a baseball season, but from have defined the situation. The Cleveland 2017-2019, he hit .278 and averaged 34 Baseball Club simply cannot afford to keep home runs per year. He is just 27, so will him. The return Cleveland realized in this most certainly get a monstrous contract by deal is far better than playing the season the start of the 2022 season if not sooner. with Lindor and seeing him leave in free Carrasco is 33 and is a solid addition to agency next off season with just draft the Mets’ starting rotation. He has a career choice compensation. record of 88-73 with a 3.77 ERA in 11 Mets’ general manager Jared Porter told years and is especially admired in MLB.com’s Antony DiComo, “It’s one of Cleveland as a cancer survivor. He is the hardest things in baseball to get Ð a signed for 2021 and 2022 with a team shortstop, super-star player in his prime, a option for 2023. charismatic personality, a guy who makes Cleveland’s management is good at his teammates better.” making these type of deals. Unfortunately, Cleveland received Major League they have had several similar situations where they were forced to trade a good

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 20 | January 8, 2021 - January 14, 2021 5 MISC TOM WARD Puerto Vallart Memories: Part 3

my shoulder. I continued to experiment with numerous ways of taking pressure off the left shoulder and re-adjusted my back- swing to make it more of a one piece take- away. This worked but sacrificed distance. It was a temporary fix, nothing more than a band-aid solution that I hoped would suf- fice. I was depressed because all the hard TOM WARD work was in jeopardy because of my fool- [email protected] ishness. I took a big risk leaving the U.S. When we last left off I was about to go to prepare in Mexico and having it like off a huge waterfall. My survival instincts this would be devastating. kicked in as I managed to spread my legs, I was getting more sociable in my spare using them as a brace against the rocks, to time. The neighbors who lived on the left keep me from plunging to my death. I side were a lovely older couple from noticed long leafy vines hanging down Southern . They would periodi- from some tall trees shading the area and cally invite me over for dinner and to play grabbed them with my right arm. I swung cards with some of their friends. over to the side to get away from the rush- One evening, there was one older man ing water that was pulsating over me and (that had an oxygen tank) there named this gave me a momentary respite from the John. John told some funny and interesting ordeal. I was able to re-group my thoughts stories about the movie industry. I figured and looked for a way out of this nightmare. he must have worked in films. It was point- I didn’t have to climb up very far, ed out the next day that he was the famous maybe a few feet, but the rocks were slip- movie director, John Huston. I got to visit pery with moss. By being in the corner, I with Huston again when he came over to was able to avoid the oncoming rush of play cards the following week. I found out water but the thin vines kept breaking off. I about his important connection to Vallarta could see gaps in the rocks where I could because of a film he directed there back in put my hands and feet. I grabed a handful 1963 called “Night of the Iguana” that of vines for support and inched my way helped elevate the town’s status globally. upward. I slipped a few times and scrapped The movie starred Richard Burton, Ava my legs and elbows, but was finally able to Gardner and Deborah Kerr. Also, I got to extract myself out of this watery prison. know the American consulate who helped Once out, I looked back at what just me with my visa. His name was Phil Ober. happened and it gave me chills. While Phil was an actor that was once married to making my way back down, I was so angry Vivian Vance (Ethel of I Love Lucy). He at for letting such a foolish thing happen, starred in a lot of movies and TV shows almost losing my life over a reckless move. back in the 1950’s and 60’s. I wasn’t going to tell my companions I was fortunate, through my golf con- what happened because it was embarrass- nections, to meet a number of people who ing. Suddenly, shame was overtaken by spent their winters in Vallarta that resulted into the clubhouse grill area and found me up on the offer to give him a golf les- immense pain in my left shoulder. I think in some good home cooked meals. One Richard Burton sitting with three other son. Next week: The finale. the endorphins wore off from all the excite- evening I went to a beautiful casa in an people sipping drinks. With his booming Tom Ward can be contacted at www.tee- ment as it felt like it was separated, but area called Conchas Chinas. Not much voice he stood up and said we would take timewithtom.com kept quite and rejoined my guests. They mingling occurred because I was there for noticed all the cuts and abrasions and the food. There was a voice in the back- asked what happened. I told them it was ground that was very distinct and couldn’t the result of a fall into some bushes while be ignored. Finally, the friends who invited exiting the stream. me for dinner introduced me to the familiar Once back in town I went to the local voice. As we walked up, I could hear them pharmacy to get antibiotics and bandages. taalking about golf. When he turned The next day I went to the doctor and around I recognized him immediatly, it was found out the shoulder was separated. actor Richard Burton. He told everyone Fortunately, it didn’t require surgery, just that he was from Wales and people there needed to ice it down. He prescribed some played a lot of golf. He said he played anti-inflammatory painkillers and suggest- some, but he wasn’t very good at it. My ed that I get it looked at upon returning to host told him that I was a golf pro. While the states to get it looked at, however, time thinking of something to say, I offered to would be the greatest healer. give him some pointers and he responded Time wasn’t on my side as I was a cou- with a sheepish smile and said thanks for ple of weeks away from heading back to the offer. the U.S. I decided not play any golf for the The following day, I was on the putting next two weeks and just work on chipping green when Fidel (head pro) advised that and putting. At least that didn’t aggravate some people were looking for me. I walked

6 January 8, 2020 - January 14, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com GOLF PGA TOUR Sentry Tournament of Champions

finished second again in 2020… No golfer lead going into the 72nd hole but made a since Geoff Ogilvy (2009-10) has won the bogey on the par five to drop into a three- Sentry Tournament of Champions in back- way tie. Patrick Reed, who zipped up the to-back years, although Schauffele came leaderboard in the final round thanks to a close in 2020… Thomas is looking to build sizzling 7-under 66 (the round of the day) off the momentum from his year-end victo- made it through two holes of the playoff ry alongside his father Mike at the PNC with Thomas but eventually lost to the for- Championship in mid-December… Golfers mer FedExCup champion, who birdied the who did not find the winner’s circle in par-5 18th on the third extra hole to Reed’s 2019-20 but are in the field include Rookie par. Patrick Cantlay, Rickie Fowler, and of the Year Scottie Scheffler, the highest Joaquin Niemann rounded out the top five. finisher in last season’s FedExCup (fifth) without a win… Eight of the top 10 golfers in the world will be in the field. HOW TO FOLLOW 72-HOLE RECORD: 261, Ernie Els (2003) Television: Thursday-Friday 6-10 p.m. ET 18-HOLE RECORD: 62, K.J. Choi (3rd (Golf Channel); Saturday 6-10 p.m. ET round, 2003), Graeme McDowell (4th (Golf Channel); Sunday, 4-6 p.m. ET round, 2011), Jason Day (4th round, 2015), (NBC), 6-8 p.m. ET (Golf Channel) Chris Kirk (4th round, 2015), Xander Radio: Thursday-Friday, 4Ð10 p.m. ET; Schauffele (4th round, 2019). Saturday, 5Ð10 p.m. ET; Sunday, 3Ð8 p.m. LAST TIME: On the hunt for his second ET. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and straight Sentry victory, Xander Schauffele PGATOUR.com/liveaudio) eventually fell just short in a playoff to Note: The weekend TV windows could change based on NFL windows. Justin Thomas, who won for the second time at Kapalua. Thomas had a one-shot

Justin Thomas wins in playoff at Sentry

By Adam Stanley golfers who earned a spot via the TOUR PGATOUR.COM Follow Championship was Xander Schauffele, winner of the 2019 Sentry Tournament of The holiday season is now complete, Champions. Schauffele fell just short in his and the 2021 portion of the PGA TOUR title defense last year, losing in that playoff season is set to begin in its traditional trop- that also included former Sentry winner ical locale. Patrick Reed… There are seven first-timers The Sentry Tournament of Champions playing in the Sentry Tournament of will kick off the new year once again, but Champions this year… Forty-two of the 45 with a unique field. Because of the reduced eligible golfers are making the trip to the number of events in 2020 due to the Tournament of Champions, with just Rory COVID-19 pandemic, all qualifiers for last McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton, and Jim Herman year’s TOUR Championship also are eligi- not teeing it up. ble to tee it up in Maui. Dustin Johnson, FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 500 points the reigning FedExCup champion, high- COURSE: Plantation Course at Kapalua lights the field in his first appearance since Resort, 7,596 yards, par 73 (yardage sub- winning the Masters. ject to change). Opened in 1991, the FIELD NOTES: Johnson, a two-time Plantation Course at Kapalua has long been winner of the Sentry Tournament of ranked as the top course in Hawaii. It was Champions, looks to keep his momentum the first Ben Crenshaw/Bill Coore design going in the new year. Johnson ended 2020 to open. The duo has now, of course, gone by finishing no worse than T6 in his final on to become one of golf’s most sought- seven events, including three wins and after design teams, and the pair did an three runners-up. … Sergio Garcia returns expansive renovation in 2019. The course to the Sentry Tournament of Champions features dramatic ocean views, wide fair- after his first TOUR victory since the 2017 ways, and big-time elevation changes. Masters. Garcia, an 11-time TOUR winner, STORYLINES: The last four winners of won the Sentry Tournament of Champions the Sentry Tournament of Champions went in 2002 but hasn’t teed it up at Kapalua on to finish in the top five of the FedExCup since 2006… Justin Thomas looks to standings at season’s end, proving that a defend his Tournament of Champions title hot start at the beginning of the calendar after winning in a three-man playoff a year year is paramount to season-end success. ago… Twenty-eight golfers qualified for Justin Thomas finished second in the the 2021 event via their TOUR victories FedExCup standings in 2017. Dustin last season. An additional 17 golfers earned Johnson finished fourth in 2018 after win- a spot in Hawaii via their appearance at the ning in Kapalua. Xander Schauffele fin- TOUR Championship… One of those ished second in 2019, while Justin Thomas

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 20 | January 8, 2021 - January 14, 2021 7 NFL NFL Wild card picks and predictions

that allows just 20.6 points per game, and it Trubisky is making his second playoff could get interesting if they stop the run. start. The Saints are optimistic Alvin is a feel-good story in his first Kamara will return from the COVID-19 playoff start since career-threatening leg list, and Drew Brees is coming off a three- injury. The line has jumped 1.5 points; a TD performance in Week 17. nod to the confidence in Brady and the learns from last year’s wild-card loss to Bucs. Minnesota and returns to the divisional Pick: Buccaneers 28, Washington 21 . Pick: Saints 31, Bears 21 Baltimore (11-5) at Tennessee (11-5) Sunday, 12:05 / ESPN Cleveland (11-5) at Pittsburgh (12-4) Line: Ravens -3 / 55 Sunday, 7:15 / NBC We flip-flopped on this one for obvious Line: Steelers -6 / 47.5 reasons. The Titans beat the Ravens in last The Browns beat the Steelers 26-24, year’s playoff and won a 30-24 overtime and this is the first matchup between the thriller this season. Baltimore found its teams since the 2003 AFC Wild Card groove on offense after the 47-42 shootout thriller. Expect a similar game to break out. against Cleveland, and Lamar Jackson was Cleveland leads at halftime behind a pair the difference. He finally wins his first of Nick Chubb TDs. plays playoff start in thrilling fashion. his best game to date at Heinz Field, much Pick: Ravens 36, Titans 31 better than the last visit. The Steelers rally in the second half, however, and Ben Chicago (8-8) at New Orleans (12-4) Roethlisberger Ð who is 24-2-1 against the Sunday, 3:40 / CBS Browns Ð leads the way in the second half. Line: Saints -9.5 / 47 Cleveland has a chance to tie late, but the The Bears backed into the playoffs after Steelers come up with the stop this time. losing to the Packers, and Mitchell Pick: Steelers 31, Browns 26

By Mike McFee The Bills covered the spread in eight NFL playoff picks, predictions for wild- straight games to close the season, part of a card games: Steelers survive Browns six-game winning streak that makes them scare; Ravens, Buccaneers roll one of the NFL's hottest teams. The Colts It's an NFL wild-card weekend like have a top-10 defense and is none other. an experience playoff , but they The 2021 NFL playoffs feature six were 1-4 against the other AFC playoff wild-card matchups over a two-day stretch teams this season. Buffalo wins its first that should produce an overload of excite- playoff game since 1995 with another ment for NFL fans. strong performance from Josh Allen. and Buffalo open the play- Pick: Bills 34, Colts 23 off at 12:05 p.m. on Saturday. and Seattle will meet for the third L.A Rams (10-6) at Seattle (12-4) time in the 3:40 p.m. slot, which sets up a Saturday, 3:40 / FOX prime-time matchup between Tampa Bay Line: Seahawks -3.5 / 42.5 and Washington at 7:15 p.m. If Jared Goff (thumb) can't go, then Sunday's schedule features another John Wolford will make his first career tripleheader. Baltimore and Tennessee meet playoff start against the rival Seahawks. in a rematch of last year's AFC divisional Seattle's offense has been hit-or-miss with playoff game at 12:05 p.m. Chicago faces the last few weeks, but the New Orleans at 3:40 p.m. Cleveland defense is allowing just 12.5 points per makes its first playoff appearances since game through a four-game win streak. 2003 against the rival Steelers at 7:15 p.m. Wilson gets Seattle back in the NFC divi- Sporting News wrapped up the regular sea- sional round. It's hard to pick the Rams Ð son with another solid week in our straight- who have the league's top-scoring defense up picks. We like the favorites this week- (18.5) Ð if Goff cannot go. end, but we know anything can happen. Pick: Seahawks 27, Rams 16 ¥ Last Week: 13-3, .812 ¥ Regular season: 129-75, .632 Tampa Bay (11-5) at Washington (7-9) With that in mind, below are our picks Saturday, 7:15 / NBC and predictions for the wild card games: Line: Bucs -8.5 / 45 Tampa Bay averaged 37 ppg. in four Indianapolis (11-5) at Buffalo (13-3) straight victories to close the season; a Saturday, 12:05 / CBS remarkable stretch under . Line: Bills -6.5 / 51.5 leads a Washington defense

8 January 8, 2020 - January 14, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com COLLEGES SMU REPORT Bearcats win eighth straight over Ponies

scheduled to be played Sunday afternoon, will be played on two courts at Lucas Oil but was moved to Monday presumably for Stadium, , Hinkle COVID-19 considerations. The Owls Fieldhouse, Farmers Coliseum, record is 1-2 for the season and 0-2 in in West Lafayette, and American play. Game Simon Skjot Assembly Hall in time is 2:00 PM Central/3:00 PM Eastern, Bloomington. and it will be televised on ESPN+. NOTABLE: Other News • SMU’s players did not come out to the On the national front, the NCAA court for the National Anthem, a rarity, and announced this week that the NCAA they admitted the events on Wednesday in Tournament will be played entirely in the Washington, DC was the reason. state of Indiana with most of the games in Indianapolis. There is no word yet as to AAC Standings whether fans will be allowed to attend. The hosts will be Indiana University, Team Conf. Overall Purdue University, Butler University, Ball Houston 4-1 9-1 State University, Indiana University-Purdue Cincinnati outscored SMU 20-6 over the final six minutes to win 76-69 Tulsa 4-1 7-3 University in Indianapolis (IUPUI) as well Witchita State 2-1 6-3 as the . Those schools will BY: Dic Humphrey it over five times and the Mustangs six. Memphis 2-1 6-4 lend their facilities and staff to assist with SMU 2-2 6-2 MEMBER: Basketball Both teams shot about the same Ð 45.9% tournament operations. Writers Association for Cincinnati and 45.2% for SMU. The South Florida 2-3 6-5 Marriott Properties, an official NCAA East Carolina 1-2 7-2 Mustangs though really suffered at the free corporate partner, will house most of the UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas Ð The throw line and the three point arc. SMU Tulane 1-2 6-2 participating teams. Teams will be housed UCF 1-2 3-3 SMU Mustangs Men’s basketball team let shot 23.8% on their three point attempts in dedicated hotel floors with physically a golden opportunity to beat the Cincinnati making just five in the game to 10 for Cincinnatti 1-3 3-6 distanced meeting and dining rooms. Temple 0-2 1-2 Bearcats slip away Thursday night in Cincinnati. Both teams made the same Secure transportation between hotels and Moody Coliseum. Cincinnati outscored number of baskets, but the five extra threes competition sites will be provided. Games SMU 20-6 over the final six minutes of the the Bearcats made added to two more free game to overcome a seven point SMU lead throws made accounted for the seven point and win 76-69. The win ended a five game differential. losing streak for the Bearcats but was their Kendric Davis set a new career high eighth straight win over the Mustangs with 14 assists, which is a new AAC encompassing four seasons. Cincinnati is record. Those assists coupled with 14 3-6 on the season and 1-3 in American points made it a double-double. Feron Athletic Conference play. SMU dropped to Hunt led the Mustangs with 10 rebounds 6-2 and 2-2. but scored just nine points to barely miss Cincinnati scored first and held an 8-6 his third double-double in four games. lead in the first four minutes. They never Emmanuel Bandoumel with 12 points and led again until 2:41 remained in the game. Darius McNeill with 10 were the other The Mustangs led by as many as nine Mustangs scoring in double digits. Five points in the first half, led five at halftime, Bearcats scored in double digits including led for more than 32 minutes, and twice led Jeremiah Davenport making his first start by eight points in the second half. It was a of the year with a game high 18 points. game that looked well in hand for SMU In many ways, this is the most disap- until those final six minutes. pointing loss since became Mustang center Yor Anei put it suc- the . Cincinnati is not the domi- cinctly after the game, “We were in a posi- nant team they were when Mick Cronin tion where we should have won the game.” was the head coach. They are scrambling SMU head basketball coach looked as to learn new coach John Brannen’s system. as I have ever seen him after the The Mustangs clearly have more talent, game. “That was a very frustrating game,” and for most of the game, they looked like he said. “I thought we made so many men- they were just a run away from putting tal errors, so many poor decisions and took away the game. There were simply too really, really, really poor shots. I didn’t many possessions with ill-advised three like what I saw. I felt like we allowed it. point shots taken too early in the shot We made it happen for them. (I’m) incred- clock. ibly disappointed.” He did not want to take The Mustangs next play next Monday anything away from Cincinnati, but admit- afternoon in a re-match with the Temple ted, “We deserved to lose.” Owls. SMU beat Temple 79-71 on It was a sloppy game throughout. December 30. The Owls have not played a Cincinnati had 10 turnovers in the first half game since that home loss to SMU. The to keep SMU in front. SMU was close Owls games on January 2 against Memphis behind with eight first half turnovers keep- and January 6 against Tulane were post- ing Cincinnati in the game. It tightened up poned due to a positive COVID-19 case on in the second half with the Bearcats turning the Temple team. This game was originally

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 20 | January 8, 2021 - January 14, 2021 9 COLLEGES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Matchups are similar in this one

click faster than it has all year. over Notre Dame. Jones didn’t force anything against By the way, the Ohio State 42-35 win Notre Dame. His job was to not take over Alabama in the 2015 College Football chances or give the Irish any easy opportu- Playoff has NOTHING to do with anything nities in a game the Tide had in hand right that’s about to happen. out of the gate. He’s going to have to press Don’t get hung up on Ohio State hold- a bit more against the Buckeyes. ing Clemson to 44 rushing yards. The The Florida game is important. The Tigers and struggled a bit Gators were able to keep pressing Bama all year to get the ground game rolling. with the deep passes to the NFL-caliber When and if Alabama wants to pound away receivers, and Ohio State should be able to with , it will. do the same. The Tide got into a track Alabama hasn’t faced anyone who’s meet, and Florida really did have a chance running like Trey Sermon. Texas A&M to win if the defense wasn’t so completely can run, and Georgia could pound a bit, but miserable. Sermon has been otherworldly over the last Florida showed potential flaws in two games for the Buckeyes. Alabama.....defensively. So did Ole Miss. Alabama has an under-appreciated pass However, there hasn’t been so much as a rush, but Clemson came into the Sugar speed bump for this Bama offense all year. Bowl averaging four sacks per game Ð the Note: I almost just typed that Ohio State most in the Dabo Swinney era Ð and it did- will have to outscore Alabama. I apologize n’t matter all that much against an Ohio for the flirtation with disaster. As a warn- State offensive line that was close to flaw- ing, that I was even thinking the phrase less. shows how things might not be working I know, the By Mike McFee up against Clemson is a whole different right. needs to expand. I know, I want there to be [email protected] animal. Here’s the freaky part about this a way for everyone to have a shot to play It’s going to be really, really hard for matchup. can hit 22-of-28 into the tournament, too. However, at the Alabama (12-0) vs Ohio State (7-0) Ohio State to keep that same intensity and passes for 385 yards and six touchdowns end of the day, no sport takes the fluke fac- Monday, January 11 energy through January 11th. While every- against Bama Ð just like he did against tor out of its championship better than col- 7:00 / ESPN one says the national championship is and Clemson Ð and it still might not be enough. lege football. Hard Rock Stadium was the goal, beating Clemson was the Honestly, I’m torn. I’ll need this entire You can’t your way into this Miami Gardens, Florida thing after the way last season ended. layoff to try figuring out if the Clemson game. You can’t get hot from three and get Line: Tide -8 / 75.5 This is written before Indiana plays Ole win was the be-all-end-all for Ohio State, into the Final Four, you can’t be one of 14 It’s really sort of weird that it’s Miss in the Outback. It shouldn’t be this or if that’s a sign that this is the hot team at teams in an any-given-Sunday NFL that Alabama vs Ohio State for the College way, but if Indiana wins big Ð the Rebels the right time. finds the right magic, and you can’t get Football Playoff National championship, pushed Bama a bit earlier in the year Ð Alabama always does this. It always here because of a hot pitcher or goalie who and yet it seems sort of … fresh? watch for the Ohio State love to start gush- looks and plays in a business-like fashion stands on his head. There’s no such thing These are hardly two Little Engine That ing. Wisconsin and Northwestern took care in the CFP semifinals, going 5-0 in them as a cheap or questionable College Football Could programs, but Ohio State hasn’t of their respective bowl games Ð maybe the since losing to Ohio State in the 2015 ver- Playoff national champion. been in the national championship since Big Ten starts to get more respect. sion. But … As always, I reserve the right to change the end of the 2014 season, and Alabama In terms of motivation, watch what hap- No one saw the 44-16 clunker in the my mind at least five different times and didn’t make the CFP last year and got pens on Heisman night this Tuesday. It’ll 2018 season CFP National Championship ways over the next week-plus. This is the destroyed by Clemson the year before in be DeVonta Smith or winning coming. However, Alabama needed a knee-jerk, off-the-cuff, cliché-riddled first- Santa Clara. Nothing against Clemson, but it, and Justin Fields might find that extra minor miracle to get out of the SEC thought prediction. the idea of Tide vs. Tigers yet again just little bit of juice that seemed to take him to Championship alive against Georgia, and it Ohio State has the right mix. didn’t seem to have a whole lot of national another level against Clemson. turned the machine off in the 45-34 Orange I really don’t like feeding into the narra- sizzle. This will. How bad is he hurt? That didn’t look Bowl win over and tive, but yeah, considering there was next- Just a guess … won’t be like any old shot Fields took to the midsec- Oklahoma. There were signs that not to-no real lag time between the conference talking about how Ohio State only played tion/ribs, but he was able to play through it everything was running right. championships and the playoff, only play- seven games and might be the 11th best and be more than fine. The 2017 Bama team was the 4 seed ing seven games really might matter. Even team in college football. The seven-game Lost in the amazing performance by and came into the national championship more than that, several Buckeyes didn’t season, though, might be a thing. It Ohio State was and the roaring after a dominant win over even play that many games. shouldn’t be Ð personally, I think it was far 400 yards he bombed away for. They most- Clemson. The 2016 team was a bit off in This is one fresh team. more negative for the Buckeye squad that ly came in comeback/desperation mode, the 24-7 win over Washington in the Peach, However, Alabama doesn’t look at all didn’t jell until it arrived in New Orleans Ð but he also spread the ball around a ton. and then lost to Clemson. The 2015 team like it’s dragging. The offense isn’t going but that looked like one fresh team against Mac Jones will need to use all of his was humming in a blowout over Michigan to slow down, but to keep going back to Clemson. It looked and played way, way options Ð and will have to use Najee Harris State and then got past Clemson. What the SEC Championship, Ohio State right faster. even more as a receiver Ð after the does any of this mean? now might have a wee bit of a defense to Totally anecdotal and in a for-what-it’s- Buckeyes spend the next ten days figuring Alabama has struggled in SEC go along with Florida’s passing game. worth sort of way, the Alabama people I out how to stop DeVonta Smith. Championships before and went on to win Everything in my being goes against pick- know Ð not with the team, but close to it Ð Ohio State only came up with two the national title. In the CFP era, when ing against Alabama in a national champi- are a bit spooked. Clemson was the devil sacks against Clemson, but it provided a there’s been something off in the semis, it onship game Ð and again, this might they knew and expected. They knew Bama whole lot of pressure on Lawrence and bat- has lost the national championship. When change after doing a far deeper dive Ð but was better than this Tiger team, and they tered him around a bit. The Alabama line it rips through the semis, it wins the title. …Ohio State wins it. still think Bama is better than Ohio State. won’t let the Buckeyes get to Jones all that There was hardly anything more than a Pick: Ohio State 45, Alabama 41 However, the Buckeye team that showed often, but everything will have to go a half- yawn in the go-through-the-motions win

10 January 8, 2020 - January 14, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com Top 10 schools with most championships 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1964, 1966, The first college football national cham- 1973, 1977, 1988 pionship was awarded almost 150 years Notre Dame’s nine championships in the ago, in 1869. poll era are the second-most out of all That season was eight days long and teams. You can thank coach consisted of exactly two games: Princeton for four of those, but Leahy also won two at Rutgers (which Rutgers won), and titles as a player for the Irish under anoth- Rutgers at Princeton (which Princeton er famous coach - Knute Rockne. won). Later, the Billingsley Report and the T2. Princeton — 15 National Championship Foundation named Championships: 1869, 1870, 1872, 1873, Yale the first national champion, while in 1878, 1879, 1880, 1885, 1889, 1893, 1933, college football historian Parke H. 1896, 1903, 1906, 1911, 1922 Davis concluded that both Rutgers and Princeton claims 28 national champi- Yale were co-champions. onships, though only 15 are recognized by Since that year, 186 national champions the NCAA. None of them came in the poll have been named, with some years seeing era, but there’s no denying the Tigers’ two or even three teams crowned. ridiculous run in the late 19th century, In that span, only 44 teams can claim a when they won championships in 11 of 28 college football championship. years, including four in five years from Here, are the 10 teams who have more 1869 to 1873. than five titles to their names: T2. Alabama — 15 10. Minnesota — 6 Championships: 1925, 1926, 1930, 1961, Championships: 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1964, 1965, 1978, 1979, 1992, 2009, 1941, 1960 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 Football was slightly different when Alabama can claim the most NCAA Minnesota won its first national title in titles in the poll era, with only three of its 1934. The Golden Gophers averaged 325 15 coming prior. With the 15thtitle — a yards per game that year — 295 of which win in the College Football Playoff in came on the ground. 2017, coach Nick Saban tied the legendary 9. Oklahoma — 7 with five championships rec- Championships: 1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, ognized by the NCAA. That was Saban’s 1975, 1985, 2000 fifth in nine years. The Sooners won a trio of titles each 1. Yale — 18 under and . Championships: 1874, 1876, 1877, 1880, Oklahoma leads all FBS programs with 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, 1887, four different 100-win coaches in school 1888, 1891, 1892, 1894, 1900, 1907, history. 1909, 1927 T8. Ohio State — 8 Yale football has one of the most Championships: 1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, impressive resumes in the sport, with two 1968, 1970, 2002, 2014 of the first three Heisman winners, 100 Ohio State officially formed a football All-Americans, 28 Hall of Fame inductees, team in 1890, but the Buckeyes wouldn’t and 18 national championships recognized win a national championship until 1942. by the NCAA — the most all time. That year, after losing dozens of players who left to fight in World War II, Ohio College Football Playoff History State went 9-1, its only loss coming (1999-2020) against No. 6 Wisconsin. CFP era T8. Harvard — 8 Year Winner Score Loser Championships: 1875, 1890, 1898, 1899, 2020 LSU 42-25 Clemson 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919 2019 Clemson 44-16 Alabama Harvard is approaching the 100th 2018 Alabama 26-23 Georgia anniversary of its most recent champi- 2017 Clemson 35-31 Alabama onship, giving it the longest title drought 2016 Alabama 45-40 Clemson of any team on this list. 2015 Ohio State 42-20 Oregon T6. Southern California — 9 BCS era Championships: 1931, 1932, 1962, 1967, Year Winner Score Loser 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003, 2004 2014 Florida State 34-31 Auburn No USC coach was more successful 2013 Alabama 42-14 N. Dame 2012 Alabama 21-0 LSU than John McKay, who in 16 years at the 2011 Auburn 22-19 Oregon helm, led the Trojans to four national 2010 Alabama 37-21 Texas championships between 1960 and 1975. 2009 Florida 24-14 Oklahoma T6. Michigan — 9 2008 LSU 38-24 Ohio State Championships: 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 2007 Florida 41-14 Ohio State 1918, 1923, 1933, 1948, 1997 2006 Texas 41-38 USC Michigan famously holds the record 2005 USC* 55-19 Oklahoma for the most wins in college football histo- 2004 LSU 21-14 Oklahoma ry, so it naturally follows that the 2003 Ohio State 31-24 Miami 2002 Miami 37-14 Nebraska Wolverines have a few titles to their name. 2001 Oklahoma 13-2 Florida St. Surprisingly, they only have two in the 2000 Florida State 46-29 Va. Tech poll era (since 1936). 1999 Tennessee 23-16 Florida St. 4. Notre Dame — 13 *-Vacated Championships: 1919, 1924, 1929, 1930,

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2020 Associated Press College Football Spani, Satanta, Kan.; Jan. 10 (1892) Alex Player of the Year Ð the first wide receiver Weyand, Jersey City, N.J.; (1909) Harvey to capture the honor since AP inaugurated Jablonsky, Clayton, Mo.; (1921) John the award in 1998. The Tavener, Newark, Ohio; Jan. 11 (1895) will be denoted and presented on ESPN Paddy Driscoll, Evanston, Ill.; (1973) Dave virtually on Jan. 5. Dickenson, Great Falls, Montana. Alabama WR DeVonta Smith and Tulsa Notable anniversary death dates for LB headline the 2020 Hall of Famers are Jan. 5 (1975) Claude AFCA/FBS Coaches’ All-America teams “Monk” Simons, New Orleans, La.; Jan. 7 revealed by the Coaches (1979) , Coral Gables, Fla.; Association in the AFCA’s 76th annual A- (1990) Bronko Nagurski, International A selections for all five college football Falls, Minn.; Jan. 8 (1977) Steve Suhey, divisions. State College, Pa.; Jan. 9 (1945) Roland The 76th annual FWAA Goodyear Young, Tokyo, Japan; Jan. 10 (2006) Dave Cotton Bowl All-America team was high- Brown, Lubbock, Texas; (2007) Ray Beck, lighted by Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, Rome, Ga.; (2019) , Miami, Fla. Clemson RB Travis Etienne, Ohio State Happy birthdays to NFF College Hall OG (a repeat selection with of Fame members Jan. 5 Tracy Ham, Jan. 6 Etienne from the 2019 FWAA dream (a spry 84), Frank Loria, team), Notre Dame OL , Charles Haley, Jan. 7 (1884) Albert LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and safety Exendine, Bartlesville, Okla.; (1930) Eddie Kyle Hamilton along with kicker Jose LeBaron, San Rafael, Calif.; Jan. 8 (1909) Borregales of Miami (Fla.) and Ben Ticknor, Canton, Mass.; (1922) Steve Pressley Harvin III of Georgia Tech. Suhey, Janesville, N.Y.; (1927) George College football notes’ meister and Taliaferro, Gates, Tenn.; (1959) Mark CoSIDA Hall of Fame member Dave Plati Herrmann, Cincinnati, Ohio; Jan. 9 (1916) Three-time All-America halfback passed away January 1 at the age of 78 of Colorado asked this question and gave Brud Holland, Auburn, N.Y.; (1956) Ken the answers: Want yards and points? The MacAfee, Portland, Ore.; (1956) Gary Goodyear Cotton Bowl the last two years Spani, Satanta, Kan.; Jan. 10 (1892) Alex in rushing in 1971. He graduated from has had the most combined yards by both Weyand, Jersey City, N.J.; (1909) Harvey Syracuse University majoring in history teams: 2,276 (the equivalent of 1.3 miles of Jablonsky, Clayton, Mo.; (1921) John and religion. While playing professionally, offense). In the 2019 game Penn State Tavener, Newark, Ohio; Jan. 11 (1895) he added a master's in judicial administra- defeated Memphis 53-39 but was outgained Paddy Driscoll, Evanston, Ill.; (1973) Dave tion. He worked three years as an NBC by the Tigers 542-529 (1,071 total yards, Dickenson, Great Falls, Montana. broadcaster, then joined Ford Motor Co. the two-team high of the ’19-20 bowl sea- Florida A&M, which opted out of 2020 and set up dealerships in Colorado and son). On Dec. 30 Oklahoma bested Florida fall and 2021 spring football, denoted its California. Little made his home in Denver 55-20 with the Sooners rolling up 684 first three contests in September as Sept. 5, and was involved in many charitable yards on offense to Florida’s 521 -the Jackson State (at Miami Lakes, Fla., Hard groups. In 1970, he was in a group of ath- 1,205 combined yards the high through 16 Rock Stadium); Sept. 11, Fort Valley State; letes who visited American troops in bowls in ’20-21. and Sept. 18, at USF…Tulsa will host BO CARTER Vietnam. Among the many citations he NFF College Hall of Fame Facts Duquesne in 2024…The 2020 Mississippi [email protected] received were these: 1973 Brian Piccolo Some notable birthdates in NFF State-Tulane FB series game has been post- Award, 1974 Whizzer White Award, 1979 College Hall of Fame annals in the Jan. 5- poned until 2030…Indiana and will NFF College Hall of Fame member Walter Camp Foundation Man of the Year, 11 time period are Jan. 5 (1891) Hube play a two-game series in 2021 and ’22... Floyd Little, a three-time All-America half- and the 1992 NCAA Silver Anniversary Wagner, Monaca, Pa.; (1892) John Beckett, …Houston and UTSA will compete in a back for Syracuse from 1964-1966, passed Award. He wore the famed No. 44 at Eight Mile, Ore.; (1910) , 2022 and ’23 home-and-home rivalry... away Jan. 1 in Las Vegas, Nevada at 78. Syracuse and is so far the first and only of Gonvick, Minn.; (1919) Al Blozis, Garfield …Oklahoma State has played in a school- He was a patriotic infant born on July 4, 1,248 NFF College Hall of Fame members N.J.; (1921) , New York best 15 consecutive bowl games under 1942. Little stood 5-11, weighed 195 to pass away in Nevada in the city of Las City; (1924) Arnold Tucker, Miami, Fla.; head coach Mike Gundy and is 10-5 over pounds and was a 9.6 sprinter in track. His Vegas. (1938) E.J. Holub, Schulenburg, Texas; that span. O-State all-time has improved to longest runs were punt returns - in 1964, Though Florida and Oklahoma were (1926) Buddy Young, Chicago, Ill.; (1965) 20-11-0 in all-time bowls for a .645 win- 90 yards against UCLA, 71 against Penn unable to visit area children’s hospitals for Tracy Ham, Gainesville, Fla.; Jan. 6 (1910) ning percentage…Alabama led the nation State; in 1965, 95 against Pittsburgh, 91 the 36th consecutive year during 85th Doyt Perry, Croton, Ohio; (1913) John with six first team selections on the against Penn State. He scored five touch- annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl activities Weller, , Ga.; (1937) Lou Holtz, Associated Press All-America squad... downs against Kansas in 1964. In rushing, because of COVID-19 protocols, the bowls Follansbee, W.Va.; (1947) Frank Loria, …Wisconsin advanced to 17-15-0 after its his best games were Jan. 1, 1967, 216 title sponsor, Goodyear, continued to sup- Clarksburg, W.Va.; (1964) Charles Haley, 32nd bowl appearance in a 42-28 win over yards in the against Tennessee; port Dallas’ Scottish Rite for Children and Lynchburg, Va.; Jan. 7 (1884) Albert Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. in 1965, 196 against West Virginia; in Children’s Health Hospitals with a $20,000 Exendine, Bartlesville, Okla.; (1930) Eddie The Badgers have captured six of their last 1966, 193 against Florida State. In 30 regu- donation and special in-game tribute for LeBaron, San Rafael, Calif.; Jan. 8 (1909) seven bowl outings since 2014. lar- season games he scored 46 touch- pediatric patients and hardworking health- Ben Ticknor, Canton, Mass.; (1922) Steve Paul Tyson, the great-grandson of NFF downs, averaged 5.4 yards a try on rushing care heroes at these hospitals. Suhey, Janesville, N.Y.; (1927) George College Hall of Fame member Paul “Bear” plays, 20 yards on punt returns, 29 on kick- The four finalists for the 2020 Heisman Taliaferro, Gates, Tenn.; (1959) Mark Bryant, was suited up at quarterback on off returns. He caught 50 passes and threw Trophy are Alabama’s DeVonta Smith and Herrmann, Cincinnati, Ohio; Jan. 9 (1916) and cheered on teammates from the side- one touchdown pass. Little played with the Mac Jones, Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Brud Holland, Auburn, N.Y.; (1956) Ken lines in Alabama’s first present- 1967-75 and led the pros and Florida’s Kyle Trask. Smith was the MacAfee, Portland, Ore.; (1956) Gary ed by Capital One appearance at Arlington,

12 January 8, 2020 - January 14, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com Texas, Jan. 1. His great-grandfather caught be $4.2 million and then $4.3 million in head coach , and former for coaches, student-athletes and game offi- a pass from fellow NFF College Hall of 2023 via Texas public records…Ball State Louisiana Tech and Tennessee head coach cials were reviewed and saluted for timeli- Fame member QB of head coach Mike Neu accepted his bowl Derek Dooley in his past administrative ness and correct results by a national inter- Alabama in a 29-13 win over Stanford in bonus for guiding the Cardinals to their ini- assignments…Saint Joseph's (Pa.) AD Jill net outlet. the – one of ‘Bama’s tial postseason triumph…Alabama offen- Bodensteiner and former UC Davis AD The Peach Bowl and Chick-fil-A have seven appearances in the Pasadena, Calif., sive coordinator captured Kevin Blue related about the state-of-the- renewed their 25-year corporate sponsor- bowl location where he Crimson Tide is 5- the coveted Assistant Coach art data collection in college athletics and ship Ð one of the longest-running in college 1-1 in postseason all-time…Michigan of the Year Award…Clemson offensive how that affects daily decision making... bowl annals…The College Football Playoff Stadium hosted a large COVID-19 vaccina- coordinator Tony Elliott had to miss the …Baylor senior associate AD for football had contingency plans, along with moving tion location for area Michigan Medicine Tigers CFP semifinal bout with Ohio due operations Austin Thomas appears to be the Rose Bowl presented by Capital One to health care workers and other frontline to a positive COVID-19 exam…Former headed back to LSU to replace retiring AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in the responders…Famed “Candy Bomber” 1948 Arizona and Texas A&M strength and con- Tigers assistant AD for football operations event one of the four teams had COVID-19 U.S. Berlin Airlift (Operation Vittles) Air ditioning coach Brian Johnson has accept- Sam Nader who is leaving LSU after 46 challenges. Jan. 11 was the semifinal back- Force pilot Hal Halvorsen was remembered ed the same position at Arkansas State... years with the gridiron staff in various up date with the CFP title game contin- in a recent video for his helping to obtain …Wisconsin and Oklahoma State players capacities…Some recent position opening gency on Jan. 18. In the event that both 21 million pounds of candy via U.S. mili- pulled out anticipated Gatorade (or other posted on theD1Ticker.com sire are general games needed to be rescheduled, the Rose tary planes for starving children in materials) baths for winning head coaches manager for Playfly Sports Properties at Bowl presented by Capital One would have Germany after West Berlin was blockaded Paul Chryst and Mike Gundy, respectively, Oakland U., director of athletics at West kicked on Jan. 11 and the Allstate Sugar by land in 1948. Halvorsen was assistant but instead revealed ice water (not mayon- Georgia, assistant AD for sports medicine Bowl on Jan. 12…The top three teams in dean of Student Life at BYU from 1976-86 naise) and Cheez-Its filled celebratory bowl at Regis (Colo.), and leadership annual giv- NCAA FBS bowl history by winning per- and remains a big fan of the Cougars at the victories’ buckets…Minnesota head coach ing officer at the University of San centage are Utah at .739 (17-6-0), Ole Miss age of 100. PJ Fleck has come up in conversations for Francisco …Illinois State is advertising for at .658 (25-13-0) and Oklahoma State at Ole Miss head coach possible NFL head coaching positions. a graduate assistant in its athletic commu- .645 (20-11-0)…The Mercari Texas Bowl received a contract extension with automat- Hometowns of more 2021 college head nications’ office…Oregon women’s basket- between TCU and Arkansas was cancelled ic raises through the 2023 season…Former coaches Ð Southwestern (Kan.): Brad ball head coach Kelly Lee Graves had his due to COVID-19 upsurges in the TCU Texas head coach now is 5-0 Griffin, Nickerson, Kan.; Southwestern contract extended through 2028-29. program…Oklahoma scored a school- in bowls at Houston and UT over the last (Texas): Joe Austin, Des Moines, Iowa; The rivalry between Conference USA record 55 points and had a Goodyear six seasons and guided UH into the 2016 Springfield: Mike Cerasuolo, Northboro, and teams in football Cotton Bowl record 684 yards of total Las Vegas Bowl but did not coach the Mass.; Stanford: David Shaw, San Diego, was explored by the Denton (Texas) offense in a 55-20 victory over SEC run- team. Herman left the Longhorns program Calif.; Syracuse: Dino Babers, Honolulu, Record -Chronicle newspaper. nerup Florida in the 2020 Goodyear Cotton Jan. 2 and has been replaced by former Hawai’i. was a former SBC member that matriculat- Bowl. It was OU’s 54th bowl bout since Washington and USC head coach Steve Boise State named former Baylor asso- ed to C-USA in 2013…The Horizon the 1938 Capital One Orange Bowl..... Sarkisian…Iowa head coach ciate AD Jeremiah Dickey as its new direc- League is taking steps to make sure that all ..Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz accidentally spoke of enjoying continuing into his 23rd tor of athletics last Saturday…Miami (Fla.) games officials are tested on time and cor- dropped and shattered the glass/acrylic season at UI in 2021 and how his 2020 director of athletics Blake James related rectly for COVID-19 conditions…The Big Duke’s Mayo Bowl trophy in Charlotte in squad overcame numerous obstacles to that it may take several weeks to tally the 12 Conference has captured the prestigious the locker room after the Badgers downed advance to bowl eligibility…Iowa State final financial effects of COVID-19 on ESPN Bowl Challenge Cup competition Wake Forest, and bowl officials immediate- AD Jamie Pollard mentioned the longest- 2020-21 football budgets because of mone- for post-2021 bowls with a 5-0 record and ly ordered a replacement…During last tenured NCAA FBS head coaches and their tary factors in bowl and television payouts 1.000 winning percentage while the Mid- week’s Valero Alamo Bowl in , schools with Ferentz atop the list…Ohio …Northwestern interim AD Janna Blais America Conference always was 2-0 in the game attendants cited 10 ticketholders for State head coach Ryan Day sought to ana- has been tasked to make sure NFF Hall of postseason but played in fewer bowls. failure to wear masks in accordance with lyze last week before the CFP semifinals Fame player and ultra-successful Wildcats …Conference USA won the ESPN Bowl Texas state COVID-19 protocols…Ball Clemson's innate defensive ability of antic- head coach stays put at his Challenge for top winning percentages by a State broke into the win column after seven ipating certain plays from the opposi- alma mater…Former BYU AD and head circuit in post-2018 (4-2, .667), post-2014 previous bowl tries going back to the 1989 tion…New South Carolina head coach men’s basketball coach Dave Rose suffered (4-1, .800), post-2012 (4-1, .800), and post- California Bowl with a 34-13 victory in the is keeping previous offen- a stroke and was hospitalized in stable con- 2011 (4-1, .800, co-champ, tied with Mid- over Mountain West sive coordinator on his staff. dition last weekend…The Idaho Press American Conference. C-USA and the Conference winner and then-7-0 San Jose Former Vanderbilt head coach Derek noted that Santa Clara AD Renee have the most State…The Tournament of Roses paid the Mason has interviewed for the Gamecocks Baumgartner was a leading candidate for ESPN Bowl Challenge awards with four City of Pasadena $2 million to let the Rose ’s post…Florida head the Boise State AD position. Inside sources each since competition began in 2002...The Bowl presented by Capital One to be used coach reverberated about the are relating that BSU plans to hire the AD revealed its remaining for the College Football Playoff semifinal hospitality shown to the Gators student- (and the Idaho university did just that last men's and women's basketball telecasts last game in Arlington, Texas. ABC-TV had a athletes and staff during UF’s first visit to Saturday) prior to filling its football head week...The Ohio Valley Conference is mak- two-hour presentation with interviews, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl last week.... coaching vacancy. The current Boise State ing contingency plans for its winter and entertainer Sheryl Crow and highlights …Appalachian State AD search also included internal candidate summer postseason championships based from Tournament of Roses Parades going and quarterback coach Tony Petersen is BSU senior associate AD and football chief on how much of a full schedule each back to the early 20th Century. The going to Illinois as offensive coordinator.. of staff Greg Larrondo…Towson AD Tim school has completed…Mid-American Tournament of Roses and Pasadena are in …Texas A&M head coach Leonard, who is from Treasure Falls, Idaho Conference administrators and coaches the midst of a 30-year licensing agreement waived his bowl berth bonus from athletics was not a finalist for the Boise State AD’s related the helpful nature of twice-monthly for the Rose Bowlª trademark. to help ease the 2020-21 department’s opening…Auburn AD diversity, equality and inclusion Zoom Alabama’s DeVonta Smith had 20 deficit …Clemson head coach Dabo emailed key Tigers supporters and alumni meetings had created a new atmosphere of receiving touchdowns in 2020 to help the Swinney was given kudos for his sixth con- with hopes for a better 2021 season and unity throughout the circuit…Conference Crimson Tide become the first school in secutive appearance in the College Football pulling together under new head coach USA will use divisional standings to deter- FBS annals to post two players with 20 Playoff Ð the only head coach with this …UCLA AD Martin Jarmond mine eight-team seeding in both its men’s TDs receiving and 20 rushing TDs by RB accomplishment…The Athletic reviewed expressed his support for head coach Chip and women’s basketball championship Najee Harris in the same campaign…Ohio the hiring process for Missouri head coach Kelly and the direction of the Bruins pro- tourneys…Iona athletics is observing the State QB Justin Fields fired for six TD Eli Drinkwitz when he accepted the posi- gram…Georgia’s former senior deputy AD latest 10-day isolation protocols for passes against Clemson to lead the tion prior to the ’20 season after a success- is officially interim AD for the COVID-19 in New York State and trying to Buckeyes into the CFP title contest against ful career at Appalachian State…Houston Bulldogs and remembered working with link them with the longer, 14-day quaran- Alabama Monday…Tulsa LB and 2020 head coach received his current Texas A&M head coach Jimbo tine requirements from the Metro Atlantic FWAA Bronko Nagurski Award winner 2021 raise and new salary of $4 million Fisher, Michigan State head coach Mel Athletic Conference…The COVID-19 test- Zaven Collins decided not to play in the annually starting Jan. 1. Next year it will Tucker, former Florida and South Carolina ing procedures of the Pac-12 Conference (continued on page 14)

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 20 | January 8, 2021 - January 14, 2021 13 Lockheed Martin responsibility with at 93 available due to COVID-19 and opt outs... the Allstate Sugar Bowl from his home against Mississippi State to prepare for the …Former Colorado State and Nebraska …Tennessee State athletics is re-branding near Nashville. ESPN's Greg McElroy, 2021 NFL Draft…Notre Dame LB quarterback Patrick O’Brien is taking his its logo and several other areas with an who starred at Alabama and played at Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has captured talents to Washington for the ’21 campaign assist from contracted apparel and market- AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas during the 2020 Award…Former …Texas A&M added 2021 signees defen- ing sponsor Nike…Texas Woman’s U. has his high school career in Southlake, Texas, Tennessee QB JT Shrout will transfer to sive end Elijah Jeudy and safety Jardin emailed volunteer worker forms to help at also analyzed the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Colorado in ’21 and have three seasons of Gilbert to its heady recruiting haul.... the TWU Student Union in 2021. The from his home after a positive COVID-19 eligibility remaining…Colorado’s leading …Vanderbilt and North Texas women's director of the Student Union in Denton, test last midweek…The Extra Points web- WR La’Vontae Shenault did not play in the soccer and football student-athlete Sarah Texas, is former North Texas athletics site extolled the surprising seasons by Valero Alamo Bowl against Texas after a Fuller praised her teammates for accepting assistant AD David Sweeten…SMU’s Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Liberty, suspension…Colorado QB Sam Noyer her after she was called into emergency women’s basketball team has ended its BYU, Louisiana, and San Jose State and began his career as a defensive back with kicking duty. Fuller also gave the squad a 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 con- the futures of these programs…Sports the Buffaloes and then switched fulltime to stirring pep talk about hanging in during cerns…There are 43 men’s and women’s Business Journal reflected on the NFL’s QB prior to the 2020 season. He saw activ- halftime of one of Vandy’s later games. She basketball teams affected by COVID-19 usage of streaming services for 2020 and ity as both a DB and QB during the 2018 did her part in trying, but the Commodores pauses, quarantining or ending their sea- ’21 games and how ESPN+ and other out- and ’18 campaigns…Oklahoma State QB went 0-9 against rugged SEC opponents in sons as of Jan. 3 in all five NCAA and lets have streamed college football contests Spencer Sanders copped Cheez-It Bowl their first winless campaign in 126 years of NAIA divisions…Florida’s injured men’s through the years…Yahoo Sports' Pete MVP honors with a 27-for-40 passing day football. basketball player Keyontae Johnson is Thamel examined famed college head and four TD flips as well as 12 rushing NFF College Hall of Fame coaches assisting the team as a student coach after coaches with possibilities of heading NFL attempts for 50 yards. He spent earlier por- R.C. Slocum of Texas A&M and active collapsing last month at a UF-Florida State teams. Among the candidates per Thamel tions of the ’20 season on the injury list. head coach of North Carolina game… NFP Sports and Entertainment are multiple-team head coach and Fox Three of Sanders’ TD passes went to fresh- spoke of their longtime friendship and Group Insurance estimates that policies Sports commentator Urban Meyer, Iowa man WR Brennan Presley who ended with cogent advice they had given to one anoth- protecting college football and other athlet- State's Matt Campbell, Florida's Dan six total catches for 119 yards. Presley has er during parts of the last three decades.. ics’ programs may have a 25-50 percent Mullen, Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald one reception in the Cowboys first 10 ... Some executives of the NFL and possibly higher increase per event in (NFF College Hall of Fame player), games…Ole Miss QB Matt Corral passed Jacksonville Jaguars have indicated that 2021 because of the extended COVID-19 Oklahoma's (who was eligi- 342 yards and two TDs to pace the Rebels former BCS and CFP championship head pandemic…Iowa State recruiters divulged ble for a $225,000 season performance to their 25th bowl win in history over coach Urban Meyer might be a major in a communication about how if a bonus), Stanford's David Shaw, and Penn Indiana of the Big Ten... …Texas A&M RB desire for the Jags as 2021 head coach prospective student-athlete was not totally State's James Franklin to the list ....Athletic Devon Achane earned MVP honors in the …Former UCLA men’s basketball student- with ISU in the recruiting process, the DirectorU and Carousel Analytics analyzed Capital One Orange Bowl by rushing for athlete and NBA standout Baron Davis and Cyclones move onto to others more experience levels for head coaches and 140 yards on 12 carries with a 76-yard TD music artist Master P have made a reported desirous of attending…Montana athletics minorities with a survey of 1,358 head jaunt to help the Aggies down North offer of $2.4 billion to purchase Reebok was rewarded for several recent men's bas- coaches with a combined 8,379 years as Carolina…Colorado RB Jarek Broussard is …The NFL is seeking to expand its regular ketball matchups through game guarantees head coaches in college athletics…Sports the first Buffalo to rush for 100-plus yards season to 17 games in 2021 and will short- and hopes to keep pursuing those avenues Business Journal opined about multiple in four consecutive skirmishes in ’20 with en the preseason by at least 2-3 games with against NCAA FBS gridiron opponents... anticipated changes in football season tick- the Buffs. He had a personal-high 301 one week and the Super Bowl moving …The Baseline Club at Minnesota et policies in 2021 after COVID-19 uncer- yards rushing against Arizona…Texas to the second week in February 2022... requested a meeting with the university's tainties…Sports Illustrated mentioned the sports the only two in NCAA ....Former Vanderbilt standout and NFL Board of Regents for solutions to keep the sometimes-tricky situations where football FBS history to pass for 11,000 career yards LB Zach Cunningham was men's and women's tennis teams afloat eco- student-athletes were injured during the and rush for 1,500 yards. 2020 senior Sam featured in a recent Tweet about his ability nomically and back on the courts Real- 2020 season and wanted to visit on the Ehlinger followed UT great Colt McCoy to respond to third down-and-short yardage Response's online meetings and chat rooms field afterward with parents or family with this unique statistical line. Ehlinger situations…The NFL’s updated numbers of have been flooded with COVID-10 related members who may or may not have been also was named Big 12 Conference 2020 most college player by alma mater during questions and requests for advice about on hand due to COVID-19 crowd restric- co-Football Student-Athlete of the Year the 2020-21 campaign are Alabama, 66; protocols and prevention of the disease's tions…The Wall Street Journal opined that with Iowa State’s Kene Nwangwu…Iowa Ohio State, 54; LSU, 49; Florida, 42; spread in college athletics…Michigan Gov. with the advent of at least three vaccines State All-America RB has a Georgia, 38; Miami (Fla.), 36; Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer signed the state’s against COVID-19, the pandemic might be strong connection to Nebraska football. His 36; Penn State, 36; Clemson, 34; and names, images and likenesses’ bill, which closer to ending in spring 2021 than sum- stepfather is former Nebraska RB Jeff Notre Dame, 34…Former Boise State QB will go into effect Dec. 31, 2022, for col- mer 2021 as many have forecast with a Smith and cousins are former NU greats standout and NFL offen- lege student-athletes and remuneration.. hopeful rejuvenation of crowds at athletics’ RB Roger Craig and WB Curtis sive coordinator Kellen Moore received a …Several athletic trainers and medical events…Sports Illustrated highlighted the Craig…Texas backup QB Casey Thompson contract extension from the Cowboys and experts have requested cardiac MRIs for all important roles of football and basketball who starred in the Longhorns Valero Bowl took his name out of consideration for the student-athletes who have tested positive directors of operations and chiefs of staff in win over Colorado in the Valero Alamo BSU head coaching post…Becky Hammon for COVID-19…Louisiana athletics has this COVID-19-racked year - especially in Bowl. Thompson is the son of former became the first women to serve as head released an update for its Let's Geaux the areas of testing, traveling and on-the- Oklahoma and Central State (Ohio) QB coach in a NBA game when San Antonio Ragin’ Cajuns strategic plan with 27 key spot scheduling…Yahoo Sports became the Charles Thompson and brother of Spurs head coach was objectives, 15 of which already have been latest to support an expanded, eight-team Oklahoma WR .... ejected in the second quarter of a game satisfied…North Texas’ men’s basketball College Football Playoff. The publication …Stanford WR Simi Fehoko will skip his with the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 30. played a first-ever game with 1963 NCAA also pointed out that traditional powers and senior season in ’21 and enter the 2021 Missouri has received an anonymous champion Loyola (Chicago) as a replace- previous mythical national champions such NFL Draft…Some additional, notable $10 million donation for its proposed ment for COVID-19-affected UAB squad.. as Florida, Florida State, Miami (Fla.), players who have declared early for the ’21 indoor football practice facility…Florida’s …Connecticut basketball season ticket Texas, USC, Texas A&M, Auburn, NFL Draft are Tay Gowan, CB, UCF; three losses in 2020 SEC games, including holders have donated $1.9 million of their Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn State, UCLA, Thomas Graham Jr., CB, Oregon; Adrian the championship against Alabama, came ticket packages in 2020-21 to help alleviate Virginia Tech, and Tennessee could return Hardy, WR, Louisiana Tech; Javian by a scant, 12 points. The Gators also with- the Huskies budget deficit. to prominence with the expansion and new Hawkins, RB, Louisville; Kylin Hill, RB, out four receivers who accounted for 174 Stadium’s Jeff Goodman, ESPN analyst NCAA rules for immediate, one-time Mississippi State; Anthony Hines, LB, catches and 34 touchdowns in ’20 when Robbie Hummel and ESPN’s Jeff Borzello transfers…ESPN+ is increasing its annual Texas A&M; Jevon Holland, safety, they met Oklahoma in the Goodyear discussed several pertinent topics, includ- subscription price from $49.99 to $59.99 Oregon; , CB, South Carolina; Cotton Bowl. These included players opt- ing the pandemic and its effect on college staring Jan. 8…Sportico spoke about San and , RB, Oklahoma State ing out and COVID-19 contact tracing sports and how colleges replace head Jose State’s “miracle” season, Mountain …Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond tied the challenges. The Gators also entered the coaching legends…ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit West Conference championship and 7-0 Aggies career record for touchdown GCB with 60 scholarship student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19 and called record prior to the Arizona Bowl…The

14 January 8, 2020 - January 14, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com New York Times editorialized that men’s, women’s basketball and other winter sports should be paused as COVID-19 cases con- 2020 NFF In Memoriam tinue to accelerate… Alden Global Capital is looking to purchase more than its current * Fred Dean 32 percent share of national media giant 2009 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee Tribune Publishing Co…The New York Louisiana Tech University Times Magazine published an insider’s Feb. 24, 1952 Ð Oct. 14, 2020 look at the ’s decision * Arthur J. Decio and carryout of the 2020 football outing. 2000 NFF Distinguished American Award The FWAA and Capital One Orange Skyline Corporation Chairman Bowl named Midwestern State assistant DePaul University coach Alex Charlton as the winner of the Oct. 19, 1930 Ð Nov. 6, 2020 2020 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA King Dixon Courage Award. Charlton was a football Athletics Director analyst at MSU but joined the front lines of University of South Carolina the pandemic as a COVID-19 response Dec. 28, 1936 Ð July 6, 2020 team nurse in New York City. In March, * Rickey Dixon Charlton became a graduate assistant at 2019 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee Midwestern State after he attended Kansas where he was as a student assistant for the Dec. 26, 1966 Ð Aug. 1, 2020 Jayhawks and stayed on after his 2013 Chris Dufresne graduation while serving as a player per- Los Angeles Times Sports Writer sonnel assistant and a graduate assistant. By National Football Foundation NFF Board Member www.footballfoundation.com Prominent Attorney California State University, Fullerton He then enrolled in nursing school at April 11, 1958 Ð May 25, 2020 UMKC in 2015 and assisted with several Penn State University The National Football Foundation * programs in the Dec. 30, 1933 Ð Oct. 21, 2020 remembers those who paved the way in 2005 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee Kansas City area. During spring football Edward Aschoff college football Head Football Coach Ð East Carolina, training in Wichita Falls, Texas, he left to ESPN College Football Reporter The National Football Foundation Wyoming, Auburn move to work as a nurse in New York, Dec. 24, 1985 Ð Dec. 24, 2019 (NFF) & College Hall of Fame remem- Athletics Director Ð Auburn which was experiencing nearly 5,000 coro- Jim Bartko bered today those who passed away since Nov. 6, 1939 Ð June 1, 2020 navirus cases a day at the height of the Athletics Director December 2019 and played a role in * pandemic. Charlton stayed until June when Fresno State improving the game of college football for 2003 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee cases had fallen to approximately 1,000 May 13, 1965 Ð March 16, 2020 future generations. Head Football Coach Ð Southern daily, returned home briefly to Kansas and Bill Belknap “It is always important at this time of Methodist, North Texas, Iowa has returned to MSU, which will play foot- Athletics Director Ð Idaho, Wichita State year to reflect on those who have left us,” Athletics Director Ð SMU, North Texas ball again in spring 2021…The late Beano Commissioner Ð said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. Feb. 28, 1929 Ð Dec. 17, 2019 Cook of Pittsburgh and ABC Sports, Anne March 18, 1939 Ð July 17, 2020 “Part of the mission of the National Phyllis George Abicht of St. Cloud State, Norm Carlson of Ed Biles Football Foundation is to shine a light on Sports Television Pioneer Florida, Barry Beal of The College of New Head Football Coach the good in the game and to preserve its June 25, 1949 Ð May 14, 2020 Jersey, and Ray Fink of Northwest (Wash.) Xavier University history. We lost some great ones in 2020, Glenna Goodacre were featured subjects and opinion makers Oct. 18, 1931 Ð April 5, 2020 and our thoughts and prayers are with their Renowned Sculptor in the CoSIDA Open Forum online news- John Blake families, friends and universities. We will Aug. 28, 1939 Ð April 13, 2020 letter …American U., Arizona, Clemson, Head Football Coach work hard to ensure that their contributions * W. C. Gorden Iowa, Kansas, Louisville, LSU, Michigan University of Oklahoma are not forgotten. 2008 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee State, Texas Tech, and UCLA are working March 6, 1961 Ð July 23, 2020 “We would be remiss if we did not pay Head Football Coach, Athletics Director with NCAA enforcement and compliance Morgan Burke special tribute to former NFF Board Jackson State University officials concerning possible issues and Athletics Director Members Jesse Arnelle and Gene Corrigan, June 30, 1930 Ð Oct. 23, 2020 probes at their respective schools…The Purdue University who for nearly a quarter of a century NCAA marketing department has filed a Dec. 17, 1951 Ð June 15, 2020 served as chairman of the NFF Honors Longtime ABC Sports College Football trademark for Mask Madness and will open * Marino Casem Court, which annually selects the College Broadcaster a public relations campaign to urge the 2003 College Football Hall of Fame Football Hall of Fame Class. We also want Former Utah Football Player continued use of face masks to help pre- Inductee to remember Jimmie McDowell, the long- Dec. 27, 1936 Ð June 1, 2020 vent the spread of COVID-19…Orlando's 1998 NFF Outstanding Contribution to time NFF Executive Director who served Sid Hartman Disney Campus appears to be the locale for Amateur Football Award the organization for more than 25 years. Legendary Sports Journalist the resumed NBA G League in a bubble Head Football Coach Ð Alabama State, They all left the NFF and the world a bet- March 15, 1920 Ð Oct. 18, 2020 atmosphere with opening games set for Alcorn State, Southern ter place, and they will truly be missed.” * Paul Hornung Feb. 8…Arizona's self-imposed NCAA Athletics Director Ð Alcorn State, Southern Click here to view a special “In 1985 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee penalties for men's basketball were exam- June 23, 1934 Ð April 25, 2020 Memoriam” video honoring those listed ined by dozens of national news agencies * Gene Corrigan below who passed since Dec. 10, 2019 Dec. 23, 1935 Ð Nov. 13, 2020 last week…Actress Lori Laughlin was NFF Board Member when the college community last gathered * Tom Jernstedt released from incarceration in California NFF Honors Court Chairman at the 62nd NFF Annual Awards Dinner. 2010 NFF Legacy Award on Dec. 28 after serving two months and 1996 NFF Gold Medal NCAA Executive paying a $150,000 fine for college admis- NCAA President Head Football Coach Nov. 24, 1944 Ð Sept. 5, 2020 sions’ fraud at Southern California. ACC Commissioner Wyoming, Texas, Purdue Jim Jones Former Jacksonville State head coach Athletics Director Ð Washington and Lee March 17, 1938 Ð Dec. 7, 2020 Athletics Director (winningest in school history with 97 vic- (VA), Virginia, Notre Dame LaDell Andersen Ohio State University tories) and Alabama’s oldest living letter- April 14, 1928 Ð Jan. 24, 2020 Athletics Director June 23, 1936 Ð April 22, 2020 man as a football standout from 1940-42 Dick Coury Utah State University T. Jones Don Salls passed away in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Head Football Coach Oct. 25, 1929 Ð Dec. 29, 2019 Athletics Director on Jan. 2. He was 101. Cal State Fullerton H. Jesse Arnelle Sept. 29, 1929 Ð Aug. 15, 2020 Texas Tech University Jan. 10, 1931 Ð Sept. 15, 2020

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 20 | January 8, 2021 - January 14, 2021 15 John Kasser Head Football Coach, Athletics Director Athletics Director Florida A&M University California, UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach Aug. 6, 1947 Ð June 7, 2020 State Joe Roberson c. 1937 Ð April 30, 2020 Athletics Director Phil Krueger University of Michigan Head Football Coach Sept. 22, 1935 Ð Jan. 13, 2020 Fresno State, Utah State * Bob Robertson Oct. 6, 1929 Ð June 22, 2020 2004 NFF Schenkel Award Jim Lambright Voice of the Washington State Cougars Head Football Coach March 14, 1929 Ð Sept. 6, 2020 University of Washington Pepper Rodgers April 26, 1942 Ð March 29, 2020 Head Football Coach Roy Lester Kansas, UCLA, Georgia Tech Head Football Coach Oct. 8, 1931 Ð May 14, 2020 University of Maryland * Oct. 3, 1923 Ð May 3, 2020 1977 College Football Hall of Fame * Inductee Ð University of Kansas 1987 College Football Hall of Fame Athletics Director Ð Southern Illinois, Inductee Ð University of Tennessee Tennessee State Head Football Coach Ð Iowa State, May 30, 1943 Ð Sept. 23, 2020 Pittsburgh, Tennessee * Jack Scarbath May 21, 1935 Ð June 3, 2020 1983 College Football Hall of Fame Frank Maloney Inductee Head Football Coach University of Maryland Syracuse University Aug. 12, 1930 Ð Dec. 6, 2020 Sept. 26, 1940 Ð March 30, 2020 * Jimmie McDowell 2011 College Football Hall of Fame Former NFF Executive Director Inductee Sports Writer 2000 FWAA Bert McGrane Award July 20, 1945 Ð Nov. 19, 2020 March 26, 1926 Ð March 5, 2020 Chuck Shelton Charlie Moore Head Football Coach Athletics Director Drake, Utah State, Pacific (CA) Cornell University Aug. 16, 1935 Ð Feb. 13, 2020 Aug. 12, 1929 Ð Oct. 8, 2020 Don Shula Merritt Norvell Legendary NFL Coach Athletics Director John Carroll University (OH) Michigan State University Jan. 4, 1930 Ð May 4, 2020 c. 1941 Ð Oct. 19, 2020 Dick Tamburo Murray Olderman Athletics Director Sports Cartoonist and Writer Texas Tech, Arizona State, Missouri 1991 FWAA Bert McGrane Award Feb. 6, 1930 Ð Feb. 24, 2020 March 27, 1922 Ð June 10, 2020 Dick Trachok * Herb Orvis Head Football Coach, Athletics Director 2016 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee University of Nevada University of Colorado Dec. 27, 1925 Ð Aug. 2, 2020 October 17, 1946 Ð August 14, 2020 David Walker Athletics Director Head Football Coach University of Louisiana Alabama, Arkansas State Sept. 3, 1950 Ð Dec. 31, 2019 Dec. 6, 1941 Ð Dec. 9, 2020 Head Football Coach Head Football Coach, Athletics Director Missouri, Vanderbilt Michigan State University Jan. 20, 1943 Ð March 22, 2020 July 16, 1934 Ð Jan. 7, 2020 * Gov. William Winter Seaver Peters 1983 NFF Outstanding Contribution to Athletics Director Amateur Football Award Dartmouth College 58th Governor of Mississippi Aug. 10, 1932 Ð Feb. 23, 2020 NFF Central Mississippi Chapter President * Loyd Phillips Feb. 21, 1923 Ð Dec. 18, 2020 1992 College Football Hall of Fame Sam Wyche Inductee Head Football Coach Indiana University May 2, 1945 Ð Dec. 27, 2020 Jan. 5, 1945 Ð Jan. 2, 2020 * Bob Reade * 1998 College Football Hall of Fame 2001 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee Inductee Head Football Coach Head Football Coach Augustana College (IL) Dec. 26, 1927 Ð Aug. 12, 2020 July 22, 1932 Ð July 5, 2020 * College Football Hall of Fame inductee Ken Riley or NFF Award recipient

16 January 8, 2020 - January 14, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com AUTO REVIEW MERCEDES BENZ G CLASS The desirability of G-Class holds strong

add a back-to-basics feel, and even though the new G550 is a larger vehicle, it doesn’t look that much bigger. A high-mounted tubular grille guard, unique to the G550, adds to the rugged look. Mercedes-Benz G-Class standard twin- turbo V8, 9-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system with three locking differentials aren’t enough, consider that the Mercedes-Benz G550 is also equipped with LED head- lights and taillights, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a sunroof and a handy 360-degree camera that helps a bunch when parking the G in tight lots. Also standard: Brake Assist, Lane Keep Assist and Dynamic Select with five driv- ing modes (Slippery, Individual, Comfort, Sport and Sport +). The G550 is available with a $12,200 Exclusive Interior Package that includes diamond-stitched Nappa leather, a Designo headliner and front seats with active bol- sters and built-in massagers. You can also get a $3,470 AMG kit that includes AMG body styling, flared wheel arches, a sport exhaust and brake calipers emblazoned with the words “Mercedes-Benz.” If you’re looking for a blacked-out G550, the $1,990 Night Package should satisfy with exterior mirrors, spare tire cover, grille, brush guard and wheels all done in black, plus black- tinted headlights and directional signals. The Mercedes-Benz G550 is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that produces 416 There’s an all-new Mercedes-Benz G- speeds, firms up nicely on the highway, meet driver preference. horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. That’s Class, available as a G550 and an AMG where there’s none of the wander you The Mercedes-Benz G-Class Interior good for a 0-60-mph sprint of 5.6 seconds. G63, the latter a substantially more power- might expect from such a large truck. Even Luxury has been heightened considerably Of note, the powerplant is a bit unusual in ful model that we cover elsewhere. While though the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a in the 2019 G550, thanks largely to the use that its turbochargers are atop the engine, the rugged new 2019 G550 retains a boxy high-riding vehicle, body roll is kept in of top-quality leather and attractive wood in the vee of the aluminum block as profile and looks much the same as before, check by its well-damped suspension with veneers. We’re glad Mercedes retained the opposed to outside of it. One transmission Mercedes says only three parts are carry- anti-roll bars. The flat-plane glass wind- prominent grab bar for the front passenger, is available, a 9-speed automatic that occa- over: the door handles, spare-tire cover and shield, so much a part of the G’s character, and we also like how the traditional instru- sionally skips ratios for added efficiency headlight washers. More significant, this makes it easy to see the road ahead, and ments have been replaced by an attractive during acceleration. go-anywhere Mercedes SUV, still built in the prominent fenders, topped by large and easy-to-read digital screen. The dash- 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 Graz, Austria, has a stronger and all-new directional signals, help the driver sense board, with four prominent circular air 416 horsepower @ 5,250 rpm body-on-frame chassis with independent the front corners of the G550. One down- vents, also features a push-button starter 450 lb-ft of torque @ 6,175 rpm front suspension replacing the former G’s side of driving such a blocky-shaped vehi- and an integral analog clock, this last item EPA city/highway fuel economy:13/17 mpg live front axle. Three locking differentials cle on the highway is a fair amount of wind adding a touch of traditional ambience. The The Mercedes-Benz G550, which takes (center, rear, front) ensure that the new G noise. Off-road, the G550 unquestionably new G550 is 2.8 inches longer and rides on 100 hours to hand-assemble at the factory can still tackle legitimately tough terrain. is one of the most capable SUVs. With a wheelbase also increased by 2.8 in. As a in Austria, has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Moreover, the new G550 has lost about three locking differentials, excellent power result, Mercedes has found nearly six inch- Retail Price (MSRP) of $124,500, plus a 375 pounds, thanks to revised materials and stout suspension, it makes light work es more rear legroom than before, plus an destination charge of $995. Ordered with and a lighter body. Much of the new body of tough trails and climbs that would be extra 1.5 inches up front. There’s also 4.8 several options such as the Exclusive is steel, but the fenders, hood and doors are impossible in a crossover SUV. inches more shoulder room inside the new Interior Package, a G550 can touch aluminum. Varied competitors include the Three locking differentials via three G. All this extra space is much appreciated, $150,000. Take note: That exceeds the base Land Rover Range Rover, the Jeep buttons on the dash, the G550’s center, rear as is a new rear bench seat that folds and price of the almighty 577-horsepower Wrangler, the Lexus LX 570 and the and front differentials can be locked, but splits 60/40. Mercedes-AMG G63, which starts at Toyota Land Cruiser. only in that order. This gives the G550 an The Mercedes-Benz G-Class exterior $147,500. Rest easy, though, because the The Mercedes-Benz G550 cruises com- ability to climb hills like a mountain goat. has succeeded with the look of the new desirability of a G-Class (and therefore its fortably down the highway, with plenty of The dynamic select drive system has five G550. This new Mercedes SUV remains as resale value) holds strong and steady over power for easy passing. At light throttle, modes: Slippery, Individual, Comfort, boxy and upright as ever, still military in time. Before buying, check the KBB.com the 9-speed automatic shifts smoothly. Sport and Sport+. Basically, the response appearance and not mistaken for any other Fair Purchase Price to see what others in With more throttle, the shifts get crisper. of the G550’s engine, transmission, steer- vehicle. Items such as the flat glass, your area are paying for their new truck. Electric-assist steering, light at parking-lot ing and stability control can be tailored to exposed door hinges and external spare tire

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 20 | January 8, 2021 - January 14, 2021 17 TICKET WINDOW

18 January 8, 2020 - January 14, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com FOOD REVIEW By RICHARD POLLAK Shabu Shabu: A boiling pot of soup bliss

begins with a Hot Pot full of freshly cut The Chicken, Green Mussels and Veggies and Tofu to cultivate the broth. Berkshire Pork come in three sizes. You There are a choice of 5 dipping Sauces to can add an additional Vegetarian platter accompany the process as well as Rice. with one of their three Noodles (Udon, The Sesame Peanut Goma, Citrus Ramen or Maloney). With so many com- Ponzu, Garlic Teriyaki, Rayu Oil and ponents to this meal everything goes into Ichimi Pepper condiments are both tradi- the pool and with expert guidance, add the By Richard Pollak tional yet experimental to the taste and remaining veggies to the Hot Pot of Soup The Traveling Gourmet range from smooth to robust to hot as hell! to complete the ultimate bowl of bliss. [email protected]

Shabu Shabu is a totally unique dining Extremely thin sliced Meats make for extremely fast cooking experience...one that I have never encoun- tered before. I was actually mesmerized by The protein is the start but certainly not what was in front of me. a solo act as Veggies play an important role Two giant hot pots of boiling bliss in the flavoring. preparing to be invaded by the freshest ingredients. A compliment of dipping sauces awaited along with the thinnest slices of prime protein on the planet.

Kimberly guided us through the Yoshi Shabu Shabu After mastering the art of the Hot Pot the soup is ready process

When dining at Yoshi Shabu Shabu, one And the hardest decion of all is dessert of their token staff members will expertly with a choice of a hard decision of Nom guide you through the preparation and Nom Ice Cream Bars with flavors ranging cooking process. Once the hot pot is pre- Rice topped with protein along with vegetables from Coffee Oreo to Fruity Pebbles for the pared, from one of their six signature base kids. broths, its time to enjoy. You can choose from a traditional Kombu Seaweed, very spicy Capsaicin, soybean paste Miso, Tsuyu seasoned Soy Sauce, Tonkotsu is a rich and creamy pork broth and Sukiyaki which is sweet and savory with an Egg (which was expertly held back to add a rich glow to the final bowl of noodle soup.) Traditional Japanese starters are elevated at Yoshi Shabu Shabu

A wide variety of Starters from the familiar Gyoza Dumplings, Edamame, Green Beans and a House Salad compete with a very unique Seaweed Salad or Gyudon Beef Ribeye, Karaage Chicken and Oyakodon Chicken which comes on top of a bowl of Rice or Noodles. Yoshi Shabu Shabu also offers Ramune Japanese Soda available in three flavors; Original, Melon and Strawberry. Japanese The Seafood is fresh and prepares quickly in the Hot Pot children love the challenge of popping the top of the bottle to the Soda. A task that I didn't accomplish on my own The Seafood is fresh and prepares quick- After the Starters, the main experience ly in the pot. A beautiful presentation of Shrimp, Scallops and Salmon are all ready to dive into the pool. If you are a master of Chopsticks they are available or you can simply plunge these sea morsels or use the custom scoop. Do not over cook the pro- teins. The New York Strip, Prime Beef Ribeye, Choice Ribeye come in seven sizes from a small with four pieces to Godzilla with 36 slices. The Wagyu Beef Ribeye is the most marbled and flavorfull on the menu. It's the The meal begins with an overflowing bowlof fresh cut veg- art of the quick dip that is so extreme! gies and Tofu

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 20 | January 8, 2021 - January 14, 2021 19 20 January 8, 2020 - January 14, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 20 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com