Numbers Game Finishing the Year with 2,066 Yards — Second-Most in NFL History
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
This Day In Sports 2003 — Jamal Lewis becomes the fifth player in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season. He gained 114 yards on 27 carries, Numbers Game finishing the year with 2,066 yards — second-most in NFL history. Antelope Valley Press, Friday, December 28, 2018 C5 Morning rush Steelers’ Smith-Schuster voted team MVP Valley Press news services By DAN SCIFO to break his franchise record for Serena welcomes rule change on players Associated Press TOP PLAYER most passing yards in a season back from pregnancy PITTSBURGH — With stars Pittsburgh and become the sixth NFL quar- ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Serena such as Ben Roethlisberger and Steelers wide terback to reach 5,000 yards in a Williams has welcomed the extra protection given to Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh receiver JuJu season. new mothers when they return to the women’s tennis Steelers wide receiver JuJu Brown, a four-time team tour. Smith-Schuster Smith-Schuster admitted he was (19), seen in MVP, is also enjoying anoth- “It’s great,” the 23-time Grand Slam champion said a little surprised to be voted as er strong season. He leads the on Thursday in quotes published by BBC Sport. “Wom- this Dec. 16 the team’s most valuable player. game against league with 15 touchdowns, is en that are younger can go out there and have kids and tied for seventh with 104 recep- not have to worry about it, and not have to wait until But a breakout second season the Patriots, the twilight of their years to have children.” earned Smith-Schuster the re- was named the tions and ninth with 1,297 re- The WTA rule changes were agreed on this month spect of his teammates and MVP team’s MVP in his ceiving yards. Smith-Schuster said he ap- and are meant to ensure players are not penalized after honors for the 2018 season. second year. preciated the support from his they return from pregnancy or an injury that causes a “I didn’t think that it was Associated Press long absence. going to be me,” Smith-Schus- teammates. The changes were prompted in part by the experi- ter said on Thursday. “With the “He’s learned how to be a pro in both categories for the fewest “You talk about guys who ences of former No. 1 players Williams and Victoria numbers they put up, you would and I think his teammates real- to the mark. have been in the league for 10 Azarenka, both of whom returned to competition after think that it’s always one of those ize that about him. He’s brought Now, he’s 111 yards shy from years-plus,” Smith-Schuster giving birth. guys.” a lot of energy to our group.” a 1,500-yard season and four re- said. “I’m only 22 years old and The WTA announced that players returning to the Smith-Schuster, the Steelers’ Smith-Schuster, a former USC ceptions from becoming the third this is only my second year in the tour may use a special ranking for up to three years second-round pick in 2017, is tied star, enjoyed a dynamic rookie player in team history — joining league. To have their respect, it’s after the birth of a child, and the exemption can be used for fifth in the league with 106 season with 58 receptions for 917 Brown and Hines Ward — with awesome.” for seedings at big events. catches and fourth in the NFL yards and seven touchdowns, but 110 catches in a season. Smith-Schuster said he sought with 1,389 receiving yards, while he’s outdone himself in 2018. Smith-Schuster said the to build a better rapport with Ro- NCAA confirms suspension of Clemson also scoring six touchdowns. Smith-Schuster’s 1,389 yards Steelers MVP award meant ethlisberger entering his second star DT Dexter Lawrence DALLAS — Clemson defensive tackle Dexter The dynamic 22-year-old are the seventh most in sin- more than a Pro Bowl snub earli- season. He wanted to establish a Lawrence will not play against No. 3 Notre Dame in is the youngest NFL player to gle-season team history and his er this month. similar chemistry with Roethlis- the Cotton Bowl after the NCAA confirmed a suspen- reach 100 receptions in a sea- eight 100-yard receiving games “My teammates and people berger that the Super Bowl-win- sion Thursday for a failed test for performance-enhanc- son. He caught 11 passes for 115 — third most in the league in my locker room voted for me,” ning quarterback has shared with ing drugs, possibly ending the talented junior’s college yards last Sunday at New Orle- through Week 16 — are tied for Smith-Schuster said. “It means a Brown for several seasons. career. ans despite battling a groin inju- the second most by a Steeler, lot that they have my back.” “It’s pretty cool that I was a ry sustained in practice. behind Brown, in single-season The 36-year-old Roethlisberg- kid watching (Roethlisberger “He’s been very consistent, team history. er, in his 15th season, is also in and Brown) go at it every week and he’s battled through inju- Smith-Schuster reached the midst of career milestones. and put those numbers up,” ry, on again, off again all year,” 1,500 yards in his 21st game Roethlisberger, who was vot- Smith-Schuster said. “To be part Planner Steelers offensive coordinator and caught his 150th pass in his ed team MVP in 2009, needs 158 of it and to do what they’re doing Randy Fichtner said. 28th, setting a franchise record yards Sunday against Cincinnati is pretty cool.” COMING UP IN THE VALLEY ANTELOPE VALLEY COLLEGE (Junior College Sports) NFL COLLEGE FOOTBALL SPORTS ODDS NHL NBA ■ M. Basketball: Today vs. San Diego Miramar at NATIONAL CONFERENCE FCS Playoffs NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE WESTERN CONFERENCE West Championship Today Pacific Division Pacific Division Cuyamaca Tournament, 1 p.m. W L T Pct PF PA Saturday, Jan. 5 FAVORITE LINE O/U UNDERDOG GP W L OT Pts GF GA W L Pct GB at CHARLOTTE 5 (221) Brooklyn y-L.A. Rams 12 3 0 .800 479 352 At Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas Calgary 38 23 12 3 49 131 104 Golden State 23 13 .639 — ■ W. Basketball: Today at Ventura College Holiday at INDIANA 6½ (205½) Detroit x-Seattle 9 6 0 .600 401 323 North Dakota State (14-0) vs. Eastern San Jose 39 20 12 7 47 128 117 L.A. Clippers 20 14 .588 2 Tournament, 7 p.m. at ORLANDO OFF (OFF) Toronto Vegas 40 21 15 4 46 119 113 San Francisco 4 11 0 .267 310 387 Washington (12-2), 9 a.m. at WASHINGTON 5½ (216½) Chicago L.A. Lakers 20 15 .571 2½ Arizona 3 12 0 .200 201 398 at MIAMI OFF (OFF) Cleveland Ducks 39 19 15 5 43 97 113 Sacramento 19 16 .543 3½ Vancouver 40 18 18 4 40 121 127 East at NEW ORLEANS 4½ (230) Dallas Phoenix 9 26 .257 13½ Bowl Glance Edmonton 37 18 16 3 39 104 115 UNIVERSITY OF ANTELOPE VALLEY (NAIA Sports) Saturday, Dec. 15 at MINNESOTA 9½ (230) Atlanta Southwest Division W L T Pct PF PA Arizona 37 16 19 2 34 94 103 Celebration Bowl at DENVER 3½ (214) San Antonio W L Pct GB ■ M. Basketball: Today at The Master’s, 6 p.m. y-Dallas 9 6 0 .600 303 289 Kings 38 15 20 3 33 88 113 N.C. A&T 24, Alcorn State 22 Oklahoma City 6½ (223) at PHOENIX Houston 19 15 .559 — Philadelphia 8 7 0 .533 343 348 Central Division ■ W. Basketball: Saturday at Dixie State, 2 p.m. Cure Bowl at LA LAKERS OFF (OFF) LA Clippers San Antonio 19 16 .543 ½ Washington 7 8 0 .467 281 335 COLLEGE BASKETBALL GP W L OT Pts GF GA Tulane 41, Louisiana-Lafayette 24 Memphis 18 16 .529 1 N.Y. Giants 5 10 0 .333 334 376 Today Winnipeg 37 24 11 2 50 129 105 New Mexico Bowl Dallas 16 17 .485 2½ South FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG Nashville 38 22 14 2 46 111 97 Utah State 52, North Texas 13 New Orleans 15 20 .429 4½ W L T Pct PF PA at YOUNGSTOWN ST 1½ Detroit Colorado 38 19 13 6 44 130 117 COMING UP IN SOCAL Las Vegas Bowl Northwest Division y-New Orlns 13 2 0 .867 490 320 at ELON 1 Towson Dallas 38 19 16 3 41 101 102 Fresno State 31, Arizona State 20 at N. KENTUCKY 8½ IUPUI Minnesota 36 17 16 3 37 105 104 W L Pct GB CHARGERS (National Football League) Atlanta 6 9 0 .400 380 391 Camellia Bowl at WILLIAM & MARY 7 James Madison St. Louis 35 15 16 4 34 100 115 Denver 21 11 .656 — Carolina 6 9 0 .400 343 368 Georgia Southern 23, Eastern Michigan 21 at HOFSTRA 12 Delaware ■ Sunday at Denver, 1:25 p.m. (CBS) Chicago 40 14 20 6 34 116 147 Oklahoma City 21 12 .636 ½ Tampa Bay 5 10 0 .333 364 430 New Orleans Bowl at WRIGHT ST 6½ Ill.-Chicago EASTERN CONFERENCE Portland 20 15 .571 2½ North Appalachian State 45, Middle Tenness. 13 at NORTHEASTERN 13½ Drexel Atlantic Division Utah 17 19 .472 6 W L T Pct PF PA Tuesday, Dec. 18 at CLEVELAND ST 3 Oakland GP W L OT Pts GF GA Minnesota 16 18 .471 6 y-Chicago 11 4 0 .733 397 273 Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl at TEXAS 19 Texas-Arlington Tampa Bay 38 29 7 2 60 160 111 EASTERN CONFERENCE RAMS (National Football League) Minnesota 8 6 1 .567 350 317 UAB 37, Northern Illinois 13 at AIR FORCE 6½ UC Riverside at LSU 16 Louisiana-Monroe Toronto 37 25 10 2 52 140 103 Atlantic Division Green Bay 6 8 1 .433 376 369 Wednesday, Dec.