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SMU Mens 2020 Preview

Nov. 20 - Nov. 26, 2020 Vol. 19, Issue 13 www.sportspagdfw.com FREE 2 November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 13 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 13 | November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 3 Nov. 20, 2020 - Nov. 26, 2020 AROUND THE AREA Vol. 19, Issue 13 LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST sportspagedfw.com Established 2002 Big 12 Championship tickets on sale Cover Photo: 4 AROUND THE AREA will now become a dedicated world-class cricketing facility. The redevelopment of 5 NBA REPORT the venue is scheduled to take place BY MIKE MCFEE throughout 2021 before playing host to the 6 TOM’S TIP OF THE WEEK franchise of Major League BY TOM WARD that will launch by 2022, as well as a base for the USA Cricket National team and its MASTERS PREVIEW premier high performance . 7 BY PGATOUR.COM to convert SMU MENS BASKETBALL Airhogs in Grand Prairie 8 PREVIEW 2020 Big 12 Football Championship Tickets Grand Prairie is trying to make the city BY DIC HUMPHREY on Sale Friday a premier destination for cricket fans. The SEC WEEK 9 PREDICTIONS Tickets for the 2020 Dr Pepper Big 12 city council unanimously approved a proj- Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa host BY ROBERT CORTINEZ 10 Football Championship game will go on ect to renovate Airhogs Stadium near Lone 2022 PGA Professional Championship sale Friday, November 20, at 10 a.m. Star Park, north of Interstate 30. The stadi- The PGA of America earlier this week BIG 12 WEEK 12 PREDICTIONS The game will be played Saturday, announced that the Omni Barton Creek 11 BY JOHN MOSS um was home to a baseball December 19 at AT&T Stadium in team for about 10 years. But the team Resort & Spa in Austin will host the PGA Professional Championship presented by AAC WEEK 12 PREDICTIONS Arlington. Due to decreased stadium never really caught on with fans. 12 BY MIKE MCFEE capacity, a limited number of tickets will The plan now is to turn the baseball dia- Cadillac, Club Car and OMEGA, the world’s largest all-professional event, on its NEWS AND be available to the public at price ranges of mond into a Major League Cricket field. 13 NOTES $65, $95, $145 and $195. Grand Prairie will kick in $1.3 million for Fazio Foothills (primary) and Coore- BY BO CARTER Tickets may be purchased online only the project and Major League Cricket will Crenshaw Courses in April of 2022. The 54th PGA Professional Championship NFL WEEK 10 PREDICTIONS via SeatGeek at https://big12.us/2Uogq7Q. spend at least that much to renovate and 15 BY NFL.COM will feature a 312-Member nationwide field Tickets will not be sold through the Big 12 expand the stadium’s current 5,400 seating In 2019, Omni Barton Creek Resort & AUTO REVIEW Conference office or the AT&T Stadium capacity. 17 BY KBB.COM Spa hosted the PGA Cup and the Women’s Ticket Office.” This will be the organization’s first PGA Cup...both won by U.S. Teams....as THE TICKET WINDOW Each participating university will be major cricket stadium in the . 18 well as the Senior PGA Professional allotted approximately 4,500 tickets, which The parent company of MLC, American RESTAURANT REVIEW Championship presented by Cadillac. Omni 19 BY RICHARD POLLAK will become available upon qualification Cricket Enterprises (ACE) -- in coopera- Barton Creek was slated to host the 2020 for the championship and distributed by tion with USA Cricket, the national gov- PGA Professional Championship in April. the respective participants’ ticket office. erning body for cricket in the United States Begun in 1968, the PGA Professional Additionally, 500 student tickets at $50 Follow us on -- has retained the internationally Championship is the showcase event for each will be sold only through the partici- renowned design firm HKS to repurpose PGA Professionals and offers a $675,000 Twitter & Facebook pants’ ticket office. and design what will be just the second purse. The field includes players advancing The championship game will feature professional-level cricket stadium ever twitter.com/sportspagedfw from Sectional Championships, past the two teams that finish the regular season built in the United States. Champions and the top 20 players and ties with the highest winning percentage in One of the best sports performance facebook.com/sportspageweek- from the previous year’s Championship. conference games. The team that finishes facilities in minor league baseball during The low 20 scorers in 2022 at Barton Creek first will be designated as the home team its previous life as the home of the Texas Publisher Contact Us earn a berth in the 2022 PGA Sports Page Publishing Group, Main Number (214) 683-1469 and occupy the South bench. AirHogs, the soon-to-be renamed stadium Championship. LLC P.O. Box 820813 [email protected] , Tx. 75382 www.sportspagedfw.com NCAA Football - Top 25 Coaches (Week of 11/16/20) AP Dic Humphrey, Tom Ward, Bo WEEKLY CALENDAR Carter, Richard Pollak, Robert 1. Alabama 1. Alabama Cortinez. James McAnally 2. Notre Dame 2. Notre Dame 3. Ohio State 3. Ohio State OCTOBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 4. Clemson 4. Clemson 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 5. 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4 November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 13 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com NBA NBA Mavs take Arizona forward in 18th

MAVERICKS SELECT FORWARDS the Defensive All-American teams. AND Bey (6-7, 216) was an early-entry candi- DALLAS— The date to the 2020 NBA Draft following his announced they have selected forward Josh junior season at Colorado. The Green with the 18th overall pick and for- native averaged 13.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, ward Tyrell Terry with the 31st overall pick 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks while in the 2020 NBA Draft. shooting 53.0% (140-364 FG) from the Green (6-6, 210) was an early-entry can- field last season for the Buffaloes. Among didate to this year’s draft after spending conference leaders, the 2019-20 Pac-12 Texas Tech guard Jahmi’us Ramsey went to Sacramento in the second round at No. 43 one season at Arizona. In his lone season Defensive Player of the Year ranked first with the Wildcats, the native of Australia rebounding, fifth in steals, seventh in Four Big 12 Players Selected in NBA from TCU and the first since 1999. started all 30 games he appeared in and blocks and ninth in shooting. Draft The Kings took a second Big 12 player averaged 12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 Last season, Curry averaged 12.4 points, The Big 12 had four players selected in when they selected Texas Tech guard assists and 1.53 steals per game. Green 2.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 64 games in the 2020 NBA Draft, including three in the Jahmi’us Ramsey in the second round at ranked sixth in the PAC-12 in steals last his second stint with the Mavericks. first round to mark the 13th time since No. 43. The Red Raiders have produced a season. Another signee is Gastonia, NC-native inception in 1996-97 that the Conference draft selection in three consecutive years. Terry (6-2, 160) was also an early-entry and guard Nate has produced three or more first round This year's draft is the 23rd time in 24 sea- candidate to this year’s draft after spending Hinton plans to sign with the Dallas picks. sons the Big 12 has had at least one first- one season at Stanford. The Minneapolis Mavericks. The 6-foot-6, 210-lb and 6’9” The chose Iowa State round choice. It marks the 15th consecutive native played 31 games with the Cardinal, wingspan Hinton left the University of guard as the 12th overall year that at least one Big 12 student-athlete averaging 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 Houston early to pursue a professional selection. Haliburton is the 41st Cyclone to has been taken in the NBA Draft lottery as assists and 1.39 steals per game. Terry’s career after finishing among the top five be drafted and is the third-highest pick in one of the top 14 picks. 14.6 ppg ranked second in scoring average leaders in offensive and defensive - school history. His sophomore season was Overall, 77 players have been chosen in amongst freshman in Stanford history. ing in the American Athletic Conference. cut short after 22 games due to a wrist the past 13 drafts. A total of 124 players They have also signed guard/forward “I am honored to have been chosen by injury. from the Big 12 have been selected since and the draft rights to the Dallas Mavericks. I look forward to my Kansas center heard the first league season. , the 36th overall pick in the 2020 new career in Dallas and contributing to his name called as the 27th selection to the KU has registered a total of 34 players NBA Draft, in exchange for guard Seth the team. I’ve got my foot in the door, and . The 2019-20 Big 12 Player of chosen since the Big 12 began play, more Curry. I was hungry but now I’m hungrier. It will the Year is the Jayhawks’ 25th first round than any other league school. The Texas Richardson (6-5, 200) owns career aver- be a true blessing, and I thank the coaching pick and 40th overall since the NBA adopt- Longhorns are next among current mem- ages of 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 staff and administrators for their faith in ed a two round draft in 1989. bers with 20 draftees, followed by Iowa assists and 30.7 minutes in 314 games (243 my ability.” Guard is TCU’s first State with 14, Oklahoma at 10, Oklahoma starts) over five seasons with Miami and Hinton who averaged 10.6 points and NBA draft selection in 21 years as he was State at nine and Baylor with eight. Texas . Last season, as a member of 8.7 rebounds per game as a sophomore chosen as the 30th and final pick in the Tech (7), Kansas State (3), West Virginia the 76ers, Richardson contributed 13.7 with the Cougars, also previously has met first round by the Celtics in a pro- (1) and TCU (1) round out the Big 12 team points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 55 numerous NBA teams. Known for his jected trade to the Memphis Grizzlies. draft totals. games (53 starts). unique playing style, Hinton has many ana- Bane is the 18th player drafted all-time After being drafted by the Heat with the lysts proclaiming that he is the best 40th overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, rebounding guard in the 2020 draft. Big 12 Selections in the 2020 NBA Draft Richardson played four seasons in Miami “We are honored to have our son join before being dealt to Philadelphia as part the Dallas Mavericks. We are looking for- Rd/Pick Player, Position School Team of a four-team deal last summer. The ward to seeing his professional career take- 1/12 Tyrese Haliburton, G Iowa State Sacramento Kings Edmond, Oklahoma, native played four off and watching him continue to keep God 1/27 Udoka Azubuike, C Kansas Utah Jazz years at Tennessee where, following his first,” said Hinton’s parents Dr. Benjamin 1/30 Desmond Bane, G TCU (projected senior season, he was named First Team and Tangela Hinton of Gastonia. trade to Memphis Grizzlies) All-SEC and to the SEC All-Defensive and 2/43 Jahmi’us Ramsey, G Texas Tech Sacramento Kings

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 13 | November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 5 GOLF,ETC TOM WARD Ways to improve scoring

is the only thing that makes contact with the ball, therefore the club face should be aimed toward the target first with your shoulders paralleling the target line. Do not take your stance first. The feet do not hit the ball, so line up with the club face first, and then take your stance as shown in the photograph. The target is not always the center of the fairway or the green. Ball TOM WARD [email protected]

I’ve been fortunate in my 40 plus year career in golf to have studied and worked under some great PGA and PGA Master pros who are all believers in keeping it simple. There is a great saying that I use in my clinics that goes, “Don’t pull up the flowers to see how the roots are doing.” Many time golfers might have some- thing out of whack which can be resolved without tearing the whole swing apart to get to the crux of the issue. It especially flight differs from player to player. If a applies to scoring. player fades the ball, his target would be This week’s tip is about using common left of center of the fairway off the tee. If sense to help lower your scores. Awhile he draws the ball, the target would be right back I joked to a friend who was struggling of center. One good thing to remember is with his game that he must have a 6th to aim and shoot away from trouble. If sense because there were no signs of the there is trouble on the right side, tee on the other five. It turns out he was working too right side of the teeing ground. Do the hard on things that didn’t even pertain to opposite if trouble is on the left side. In his game. Sometimes the way we see the other words, tee the ball on the side where problem is the problem. the trouble is. On your shots from the fair- One way of lowering your scores is to way to the green line up to the center of become aware of how far you hit each club the green. If the ball should fade or draw, in your bag. Club selection is a vitally you are still on the green. By keeping the important component to getting scores to ball in play and avoiding penalties along go down. You could hit a perfect shot with the way will help you cut down strokes on the wrong club and turn an easy par into a your scorecard. bogey, double bogey or worse because you Swing within yourself is another key to hit the wrong club. Knowing the distance having success on the course. I know these you get with each club makes club selec- days golfers seemed obsessed with power tion more accurate. and that can lead to disappointment in the The quickest way to determine these round if you are not careful. Look at what distances is to hit several balls with your 9 happened with Bryson DeChambeau at last iron for example and take the average dis- week’s Masters where he was the favorite tance and add 10-15 yards for your 8 iron. because of his long drives. He ended up Continue this process through all your getting beat in the final round when he was irons. This is an old school method, yet paired with 63 year old Bernhard Langer quick for determining your distance with (2-time Masters Champion) who he out- each club if you don’t have the time to put drove on average by 80 yards. Langer in much practice or you don’t play a lot. played his own game and wasn’t intimidat- Pros and low handicap players will use up ed because that’s a sure way to ruin a to date modern technology to their advan- round by trying to swing harder to keep up tage to gauge their distances with every with a stronger player. Over swinging at club in their bag. the ball will create a loss of accuracy lack Another thing golfers can do to improve of solid contact with the ball and loss of their scoring chances is learn to project to distance. So swing within yourself. Don’t the target. This will not only help with cre- play someone else’s game. ating better accuracy, but encourage your Remember“ human felicity is not pro- body motions to swing the club head to duced by periodic pieces of good fortune and through towards your target. When the that seldom happen, as by the little advan- projection is positive, as it is in your tages that occur every day’”. mind’s eye, on the target it will encourage So go ahead and try these simple tips. the correct body motions. The target is not It’s my way of giving you an advantage where the ball lies, but where you want the over your playing partners. Happy ball to go. It comes down to learning how Thanksgiving everyone! to aim at the intended target. The club face Tom can be contacted at teetimewithtom.com.

6 November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 13 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com GOLF PGA TOUR This week on TOUR: RSM Classic

TOUR title at The RSM Classic in 2019. Simpson was the highest-ranked golfer in the field and appeared to be the man to beat. But Duncan closed with a 25-foot birdie to force a playoff, which he won on the second extra hole. The pair made pars on the first playoff hole but Duncan nailed a 15-footer for birdie, and the win. Duncan had just re-earned his PGA TOUR card via the Finals, but his closing 65 was tied for the round of the day. Sebastian Munoz finished third, Brendon Todd finished fourth, and , , and KH Lee rounded out the top five.

HOW TO FOLLOW Television: Thursday-Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. ET (Golf Channel) PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday-Friday, 9:15 a.m.-4 p.m. ET (Featured Groups) Radio: Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGA- TOUR.com/liveaudio). … Last year’s runner-up (who lost to LAST TIME: topped Webb Duncan in a playoff) Webb Simpson is Simpson in a playoff to win his first PGA back to try to avenge 2019’s loss… Stewart Cink, , Martin Laird, and Brian Gay are winners from the fall who are in the field… Other notable names tee- ing it up at Sea Island including Jason Day, RSM Classic Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and Tyrrell November 19 - November 22, 2020 Hatton. Sea Island Golf Club FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 500 Saint Simmons Island, Georgia FedExCup points. Purse - $6,600,000 COURSE: Sea Island Resort (Seaside), Winners share: $1,188,000 7,005 yards, par 70; Sea Island Resort Defending Champ - Tyler Duncan (Plantation), 7,060 yards, par 72. Yardage subject to change. Tom Fazio redid the By Adam Stanley Seaside Course in 1999, while tournament PGATOUR.COM host Davis Love III and his brother Mark The PGA TOUR heads three hours redesigned the Plantation Course for 2019. south of Augusta for The RSM Classic, the STORYLINES: Davis Thompson, the cel- second-to-last PGA TOUR event of the ebrated amateur, will play on the PGA calendar year. TOUR for the third time this calendar year. Tyler Duncan, coming off his Masters He also played the Puerto Rico Open and debut, will defend his maiden TOUR title the U.S. Open Ð where he led briefly dur- while past FedExCup champions Justin ing the first round. Thompson is the No. 1- Rose, Brandt Snedeker and Henrik Stenson ranked amateur in the world and will play lead the way along with a collection of for the second straight year in Sea Island… major champions and Sea Island residents Per usual, there are plenty of Sea Island all looking to lift the trophy come Sunday. residents teeing it up at The RSM Classic, FIELD NOTES: Plenty of Masters com- all of whom are trying to become the first petitors will hit the road from Augusta to local to actually win the tournament. Kevin Sea Island for The RSM Classic including Kisner won in 2015 but was living in Sea past Masters winners Danny Willett and Island temporarily due to renovations on Zach Johnson… Each of the past seven his home in South Carolina...Five of the 10 winners at Sea Island will look to rekindle RSM Classic winners made the tournament some old magic this week including 2019 their first PGA TOUR victory including winner Duncan, who is hoping to become Duncan in 2019. the first golfer to successfully defend his 72-HOLE RECORD: 260, Kevin Kisner title at The RSM Classic… Davis Love III, (2015) the longtime host of the event, will not 18-HOLE RECORD: 60, Tommy Gainey play in 2020 due to a lingering neck injury (4th round, 2012)

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 13 | November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 7 COLLEGES SMU BASKETBALL SMU Mens Basketball 2020-21 preview

SMU is picked to finish third in the preseason American Athletic Conference poll

would have been invited to the NIT in the other 10 teams in the conference on a ence preview, he is a junior in eligibility likely event that they didn’t win the confer- home and home basis. (The conference is after playing his freshman season at TCU. ence tournament. down to 11 teams with the departure of Tyson Jolly was named to the preseason THE SCHEDULE Connecticut.) All-Conference second team after being The original 2020-2021 schedule has THE ROSTER named to the All-Conference third team been re-formatted because of the There were no seniors on last year’s last season. He started every game last Coronavirus Pandemic. The non-confer- team. All 13 scholarship players were eli- year averaging 14.5 points per game to ence schedule will feature just five games gible to return, and all but one did. Isiaha lead the Mustangs and ranked seventh in BY DIC HUMPHREY at this point, but there is the potential to Mike chose to go pro. He signed with a the conference. He also averaged 6.2 [email protected] add another. The opponents for the other professional team in Germany and was not rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. The MEMBER: USBWA four non-conference games are Texas drafted by an NBA team this week. Once Muskogee, Oklahoma native is a junior in UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas Ð The A&M-Corpus Christi on November 30, Mike’s decision was made known, the eligibility, and he was twice named to the SMU Mustangs’ Men’s basketball team Houston Baptist on December 2, Dayton Mustangs quickly added Yor Anei, a 6’-10” AAC weekly honor roll last season. opens their season next Wednesday, on December 5, and Vanderbilt on forward transferring from Oklahoma State. To the surprise of many, Feron Hunt is November 25 with a non-conference game December 8. The Dayton game will be the Anei is a junior, and SMU has petitioned back. The DeSoto High School alum start- against Sam Houston State at Moody only road game. The four Moody Coliseum the NCAA to make him eligible immedi- ed the first 16 games last season, then Coliseum. This will be the fifth year of games will tip at 7:00 PM. ately. There is no answer to the petition at came off the bench in all but one of the Head Coach ’s tenure lead- The games originally scheduled to be this point. remaining games. There was a fear that he ing the Mustangs. Last year’s team fin- played at Moody Coliseum against Point guard Kendric Davis made the might leave after being shoved to the ished 19-11, which included a 9-9 confer- Evansville and UNLV have been moved to All-Conference third team last season. He bench. He did explore going pro, but ulti- ence record. That season was of course next season. The home and home series missed the first four games of the season mately decided to return. He averaged 11 shortened by the Coronavirus crisis, but the with Arizona State that was scheduled to awaiting word from the NCAA on SMU’s points per game and led the Mustangs in Mustangs’ only path to the NCAA begin this year in Tempe will start next waiver request to allow him to play without rebounding with 6.7 per game. He also led Tournament was winning the post-season year. The game that was supposed to be sitting out a year as a transfer. Davis start- the team and finished third in conference American Athletic Conference Tournament played against Georgia in Moody Coliseum ed every game after becoming eligible with a 55.7% shooting percentage. due to a pitiful non-conference schedule. has been cancelled. averaging 14.2 points and 6.7 assists, and Junior Emmanuel Bandoumel played in They went into the AAC tournament, The American Athletic conference 4.1 rebounds per game nd made the AAC every game and started 18 last season. He which was cancelled less than an hour schedule has not been finalized. It will be weekly honor roll three times, all in weeks averaged 6.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per prior to the tipoff of the first game, as the expanded from 18 to 20 games with a dou- during conference play. Named All- game. Isiah Jasey, a transfer from Texas seven seed. It was doubtful that the team ble round robin format playing each of the Conference first team in this year’s confer- A&M, wasn’t eligible last season until the

8 November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 13 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com first semester ended. He played in 19 announced as Assistant Men’s Head Coach the timing moved back accordingly. With Preseason Honors games, starting 12 and averaged 2.6 points at the University of Texas. He had been his idea, the NCAA Tournament would Preseason Player of the Year and 2.5 rebounds per game. He’s a senior part of the SMU program for the seven pre- become May Madness. There is also talk Caleb Mills, Houston eligibility-wise. Senior Ethan Chargois vious years, the last five as Assistant Head of expanding the NCAA Tournament. The Preseason Rookie of the Year played in 28 games, starting 14 last season. Coach. idea that seems to be gaining traction now MoussaCisse, Memphis He averaged seven points and 3.8 rebounds John Cooper replaced Turner as is to play the NCAA Tournament com- First Team per game. Assistant Head Coach. Cooper has head pletely at one site, much like the NBA did Keith Williams, G, Cincinnati Last season was injury riddled for coaching experience with Tennessee State with its “bubble” in Orlando to complete Jayden Gardner, F, East Carolina Everett Ray, William Douglas, Jahmar and Miami of Ohio. He has won more their season with playoffs. Caleb Mills, G, Houston Young and Darius McBride. Ray played than 100 games as a Division I head coach. As for seating at Moody Coliseum, Kendric Davis, G, SMU 19 games until a knee injury ended his sea- He comes to SMU from Oklahoma State, SMU will social distance around a fourth Brandon Rachal, F, Tulsa son and averaged 2.7 points and 1.8 where he served as an assistant coach and of the seats, like they did for football. Second Team rebounds per game. Douglas suffered from special assistant to the Head Coach. There will be fewer seats available than the Chris Vogt, C, Cincinnati an undisclosed illness such that he played AMERICAN ATHLETIC number of season tickets sold last year, so D.J Jeffries, F, Memphis in only three games. Young and McBride CONFERENCE the likelihood is that the games will be sold Landers Nolly II, G, Memphis ended up red shirting, making McBride the The American Athletic Conference out on a season ticket basis. Alexis Yetna, F, USF only freshman on this year’s team. announced the preseason predictions in a Lastly, the C-19 protocols add a new Tyson Jolly, G, SMU The exciting player that could make a vote of the coaches. SMU was picked layer of considerations. It’s a new world difference maker on this year’s team is third behind Houston with nine first place for coaches. American Athletic Conference Darius McNeil. McNeil transferred from votes and Memphis with two first place THE OUTLOOK 2020-2021 Projected Finish Cal-Berkley after playing two seasons for votes. Cincinnati followed the Mustangs in It all adds up to a better season for the 1. Houston (9) 99 the Bears. The native Houstonian’s request fourth place, and the rest of the conference Mustangs. With just one new player in the 2. Memphis (2) 90 to waive sitting out last season as a transfer was South Florida fifth, Tulsa sixth, program, there is continuity that hasn’t 3. SMU 80 was denied by the NCAA. He was a four- Wichita State seventh, Central Florida always been part of the Jankovich regime. 4. Cincinnati 77 star recruit coming out of high school that eighth, East Carolina ninth, Temple tenth Kendric Davis is clearly one of the best 5. USF 61 averaged 11 points per game as a sopho- and Tulane eleventh. Houston at number point guards in the country, and in today’s 6. Tulsa 50 more, playing in 28 of the Bears’ 31 17 is the only AAC team ranked in the AP game of , point guard is 7. Witchita State 44 games. He’s a 6’-3” guard. pre-season rankings. the most important position. He’s benefits 8. UCF 37 Three players may not be with the There is no question that the conference from a season of running Jankovich’s 9. East Carolina 34 Mustangs when the season opens next is not as strong as it was two years ago. offense under his belt. Isiah Jasey and Yor 10. Temple 18 wednesday. Tyson Jolly has not practiced Besides the loss of Connecticut to the Big Anei give the team size under the basket. 11. Tulane 15 in recent days. Jolly is dealing with a per- East, Wichita State is in turmoil as their Darius McNeil is a talented addition to the First place votes in parenthesis sonal problem, and it is not known if he'll head coach Gregg Marshall parted ways playing rotation. Plus, the conference isn’t be back in time for the season opener. with the program this week. He was under as strong as it was two years ago. The 2019-20 Record: 19-11, 9-9 Also, Yor Anei is dealing with a wrist fire for verbal and physical abuse of play- door is wide open for the Mustangs to Coach: Tim Jankovich infection. He is not expected to be able to ers as well as racist actions. Cincinnati is make a strong bid for post-season play, Coach Record: 90-46 at SMU, 241-163 play until mid-December, but the NCAA looking for an identity after losing Mick assuming the season gets played reason- overall has not responded to his request to waive Cronin to UCLA last year. Central Florida ably to conclusion. Key Departed Players: the one year period to sit out as a transfer was really good two seasons ago, but lost NOTABLE: Isiaha Mike, Forward, 14.0 ppg anyway. Tacko Fall and Aubrey Dawkins. They ¥ This Saturday’s SMU football game CJ White, Guard, 3.5 ppg Darius McBride was in an automobile haven’t been able to replace that pair. against the University of Houston has been Key Returning Players: accident last month. He has a broken hand Temple has also fallen off with Head postponed due to Covid-19 cases among Tyson Jolly, Sr, Guard, 14.5 ppg among other injuries, and will not be able Coach ’s retirement. the Houston players. A make-up date for Kendric Davis, Jr, Guard, 14.2 ppg to play for a few weeks. The predictions for individual awards the game has not been announced. Feron Hunt, Jr, Forward, 11.0 ppg COACHING STAFF had SMU’s Kendric Davis on the pre-sea- ¥ Kendric Davis and Darius McNeil test- Emmanuel Bandoumel, Jr, Guard, 6.3 ppg Head Coach Tim Jankovich is back for son All-Conference first team, and Tyson ed positive for COVID-19 last summer Ethan Chargois, Sr, Forward, 7.0 ppg his fifth year leading the Mustangs. There Jolly on the pre-season All-Conference sec- when both were tested as basketball play- Isiah Jasey, Sr, Forward, 2.8 ppg is no question there is heat on him to per- ond team. Houston’s Caleb Mills was ers could return for voluntary summer Everett Ray, Jr, Forward, 2.7 ppg form...he has been to the post-season just dubbed conference Player of the Year, and workouts June 15. McNeil was asympto- Charles Smith IV, Sophr, Guard, 1.3 ppg once. That was 2016-17, his first season Memphis freshman Moussa Cisse was the matic, but Davis struggled through two Key New Players: after abruptly departed. pre-season Rookie of the Year. weeks to recover. Reportedly, no Mustangs Yor Anei, Jr, F, Transfer, Oklahoma State Jankovich led that team to a conference COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS have tested positive for the Coronavirus Darius McBride, RS Freshman, Guard regular season championship, and they won Some conferences are playing two since last summer. Darius McNeill, Jr, Guard, Transfer, Cal the conference tournament. That punched games back-to-back with opponents to cut the team’s ticket to the NCAA Tournament down on the travel, but the American SMU Mens Basketball where they lost in the first round to Athletic Conference has nixed that idea. 2020-2021 Roster Southern Cal. It was a close game, and Certainly, we have seen in Major League Jankovich has been criticized for his late Baseball, the NFL and in college football 0 Tyson Jolly Guard 6-4, 190 SR-1L Muskogee, OK. game strategy. that games are being cancelled and post- 1 Feron Hunt Forward 6-8, 195 JR-2L DeSoto, Texas It was also a team recruited by Larry poned on a regular basis. (Eleven FBS 2 Darius McNeill Guard 6-3, 185 JR-TR Houston, Texas Brown that included four players that are football games have been postponed or 3 Kendric Davis Guard 5-11,180 JR-1L Houston, Texas currently in the NBA. (The fifth starter, cancelled this weekend alone.) Certainly, 4 Charles Smith IV Guard 6-5, 185 SO-1L , Georgia Jarrey Foster, would likely be in the NBA with the increase in COVID-19 cases 5 Emmanuel Bandoumel Guard 6-4, 180 JR-1L Quebec City, QB also had injuries not ended his playing around the country, it is to be expected that 10 Yor Anei Forward 6-10, 235 JR-TR Overland Park,KS career.) At this point, Brown’s recruits are many Division I games will be cancelled 14 William Douglas Guard 6-5, 193 JR-RS-2L Memphis, TN gone, and the team has not played post-sea- and postponed with the schedule being 21 Jahmar Young Jr. Forward 6-9, 215 SO-1L Oak Cliff, Texas son basketball since. Jankovich has gone adjusted on the fly like we have seen in 22 Isiah Jasey Forward 6-10, 250 SR-1L Killeen, Texas 51-44 overall and 21-33 in conference play those other sports. Indeed, it is likely that 23 Alex Tabor Jr. Guard 6-2, 175 SO-1L Charlotte, NC in the three subsequent seasons with the the problem will be even more than we’ve 24 Everett Ray Forward 6-7, 220 JR-2L Irving, Texas talent he has recruited. seen previously with 357 Division I teams. 25 Ethan Chargois Forward 6-9, 235 SR-3L Tulsa, Oklahoma Jankovich’s top assistant coach K. T. Rick Pitino has suggested that the sea- 33 Darius McBride Guard 6-4, 190 FR-RS Cedar Park, Texas Turner has departed. In September, he was son’s start be delayed until January with

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Kentucky (3-4) at #1 Alabama (6-0) pride and try to finish 8-2, keeping slim Line: Tide -30 / 58.5 hopes alive of returning to the SEC cham- Time/TV: 3:00 / SECN pionship game. Georgia will be heavy The #1 team in the land was off last favorites in thier remaining games, they week after Covid cancelled the Crimson just have to hope Florida stumbles. Tide’s game against LSU. Kentucky eked Pick: Georgia 37 Mississippi St. 10 out a three-point victory over Vanderbilt, 38-35 and enters this game a huge under- Missouri (2-3) at South Carolina (2-5) dog in Tuscaloosa. Alabama has been just Line: Tigers -6 / 54.5 short of perfect on offense with QB Mac Time/TV: 6:30 / SECN Alt Jones running the show, but the defense has South Carolina fired its mediocre HC had uncharacteristic lapses. In week 2, the Will Muschamp in the middle of his fourth Tide defense gave up 48 points to Ole year. Muschamp led the Gamecocks to a Miss. HC Nick Saban will have both his 9-4 record his first year but went 13-19 offense and defense clicking and ready to since then. Mild surprise as most figured go in Tide land. no one in SEC would get fired in Covid Pick: Alabama 45 Kentucky 13 2020. Jim Harbaugh and Michigan are another story. South Carolina also is down Tennessee (2-4) at #23 Auburn (4-2) five defensive starters due injuries or opt Line: Tigers -10 / 49.5 outs after the firing. Whether this whole Kentucky travesl to Tuscaloosa this week to face undefeated andf #1 ranked Alabama Time/TV: 6:00 / ESPN team has “opted” out remains to be seen. The enigma game of the week goes Missouri’s first year HC Eli Drinkwitz will Season Results: Straight 33-10; ATS 31-12 down in the Plains of Auburn with two smell the blood in the water and have his M&M went 4-1 last week, with three of coaches facing distinct and disgruntled fan Tigers ready to chew up the Gamecocks. his games being covid cancelled, bringing bases. The only thing saving Vols HC Pick: Missouri 33 South Carolina 28 his season results to 32-16 -1. His picks Jeremy Pruett from being fired this season this week are: Cincinnati -5; Cincinnati/ is Covid. Auburn HC Gus Malzahn's fan UCF over 63; Ohio St./Indiana over 64; base expects much more than just winning SEC Standings Nevada/ St. over 46.5; records and he needs to get to 7-2 before Wisconsin -6.5; Boise St. -13; closing out the season with Alabama in the Team Conf. Overall Memphis/Stephen Austin under 60.5; Iron Bowl. Tiger QB Bo Nix has not WEST Virginia/Abilene under 61; BYU -45.5 played as well as he did last year, but Vols Alabama 6-0 6-0 QB, Jarett Guarantano is awful. Home ROBERT CORTINEZ Texas A&M 5-1 5-1 #6 Florida (5-1) at Vanderbilt (0-6) team prevails big. [email protected] Auburn 4-2 4-2 Line: Gators -31.5 / 68 Pick: Auburn 37 Tennessee 17 Arkansas 3-4 3-4 Time/TV: 11:00 AM / ESPN Last week’s SEC slate was covid Ole Miss 3-4 3-4 This game is over before it starts. No Miss State (2-4) at #13 Georgia (4-2) depleted to only three games and the only LSU 2-3 2-3 chance for an upset, only question is Line: Bulldogs -25 / 44.5 ranked team playing was #6 Florida, who Mississippi St 2-4 2-4 whether the Commodores cover the line. Time/TV: 6:30 / SECN decimated Arkansas 63-35. Fortunately, EAST Gator QB Kyle Trask threw for 6 TD’s The Battle of the Bulldogs goes down in this week there’s only one cancellation so Florida 5-1 5-1 against the Hogs last week extending his Athens for two teams that are going in far, #5 Texas A&M @ Ole Miss. The Georgia 4-2 4-2 SEC record to six games with four or more vastly different directions. HC Mike Aggies still can’t field enough players to Kentucky 3-4 3-4 TD’s. Betting on a little Florida let down Leach’s Mississippi State Bulldogs are cur- meet the minimum 53 required athletes for Missouri 2-3 2-3 and Vandy HC Derek Mason coaching his rently the worst team in the West division. the second week in a row. Tennessee 2-4 2-4 boys up to cover the line. The high hopes after beating reigning We are less than a week before the ini- S. Carolina 2-5 2-5 Pick: Florida 42 Vanderbilt 17 champs LSU in the opener have been tial 2020 CFP rankings come out next Vanderbilt 0-6 0-6 squashed. Georgia looks to salvage some Tuesday on Nov. 24. The United States of LSU (2-3) at Arkansas (3-4) Covid will continue its fall football march Line: Tigers -2.5 / 66 into herd immunity and our insatiable Time/TV: 11:00 AM / SECN appetite for sports remains sated. The Big The LSU Tigers have been experiencing 10 has the best undefeated conference a horrendous national championship hang- matchups this week as #9 Indiana (4-0) over. HC Ed Ogeron’s team is Covid lucky takes on #3 Ohio St.(3-0) and #10 that the Tigers aren’t 2-5, since Alabama Wisconsin (2-0) takes on #19 Northwestern (6-0) and Florida (5-1) were cancelled or (4-0). postponed due to covid infections. The Big 12 and PAC 12 would need a Arkansas was the SEC’s betting darling, miracle to make the playoffs as both these 6-0 against the line, until being destroyed conferences are mediocre at best. Same last week by the Gators, 63-35. The story for any schools outside the power five Razorbacks have to bounce back at home, as the CFPsl probably have a one loss while the Tigers look to get well on the SEC, Big 10 and ACC school and a two road. loss ACC or SEC team in the final four due Some late week Arkansas Covid infec- to strength of schedule and number of tions have flip-flopped the line from -2 to games. +2.5, but the Piggies still get my nod. Last week results: Straight 3-0; ATS 3-0 Pick: Arkansas 30 LSU 27

10 November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 13 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com COLLEGES BIG 12 GAME DAY REPORT Big 12 football weekend - Week 11 As always, Kansas State does all of the lit- tle things right. The Cyclones might have the best run- ning back in college football Ð at least the potential top back this year. Breece Hall has hit the 100-yard mark in every game, getting over 1,000 yards last week with a 133-yard, two-score day in the win over Baylor. The Cyclones are running well against everyone Ð they lead the Big 12 in rushing Ð and they might have the formula to work against Kansas State. The Wildcats aren’t doing much on third downs and they’re last in the Big 12 in first downs. Iowa State is great at con- trolling the clock, the D is excellent on third downs, and Hall and company should keep things moving. What’s going wrong for Kansas State? The offense had to go against two of the Big 12’s best defenses Ð West Virginia and Oklahoma State Ð and the O stalled. By Jeff Bartl issue with a loss to Texas a few weeks ago. Kansas is WAY overdue for one of its Third downs and moving the chains have Oklahoma State’s defense is going to be a patented big performances out of the blue, been an issue, failing to convert 30% of its #14 Ok State (5-1) at #18 Oklahoma (5-2) problem for Rattler. but the team isn’t showing anything lately chances in three of the last four games, and Line: Sooners -7 / 59.5 He has been better, and he has the look defensively in blowout loss after blowout that’s going to be a killer against this Time/TV: 6:30 PM / ABC of a future superstar, but he hasn’t been loss. Cyclone team. The defense continues to get the job consistent enough. The OU offense has the The Texas D isn’t a brick wall, but it’s Iowa State won’t do anything fancy. Run done. You always have to grade Big 12 pop and explosion to go on a run, but the playing well enough to keep the Jayhawk Hall, control the clock, rely on the D to defenses on a bit of a curve, but the Cowboys will make just enough good offense that hasn’t scored more than 17 keep the Wildcats from going off. Cowboys are doing their part, especially plays on third downs to keep things mov- points in five of the last six games under Pick: Iowa State 30, Kanas State 20 against everyone’s passing game. There ing and make the Sooners press. wraps. was a problem against West Virginia early OSU will come up with the right offen- Pick: Texas 48, Kansas 16 in the season, but no one else has hit the sive mix to go along with a strong defen- Big 12 STANDINGS 200-yard mark through the air against the sive performance to pull off the first win in Kansas State (4-3) at #17 Iowa State (5-2) Team Conf. Overall Cowboy secondary. the Bedlam series since 2014. Line: Cyclones -11 / 46.5 The Cowboys are dominant defensively Pick: Oklahoma State 34, Oklahoma 30 Time/TV: 3:00 PM / FOX Iowa State 5-1 5-2 on third downs, the pass defense has only The Wildcat run defense has been solid. Oklahoma St 4-1 5-1 allowed more than one touchdown pass #22 Texas (5-2) at Kansas (0-7) If you can’t at least slow the Iowa State Kansas State 4-2 4-3 once, and even in the one game that the D Line: Longhorns -29.5 / 61 ground game, you can’t beat Iowa State. Oklahoma 4-2 5-2 allowed a ton of points Ð the 41 against Time/TV: 2:30 PM / ESPN2 K-State has only allowed more than 200 Texas 4-2 5-2 Texas came in a variety of ways Ð it Very, very, very, very, very quietly, rushing yards once, even though they don’t WestVirginia 4-3 5-3 allowed fewer than 300 total yards. Texas is on a three game winning streak get into the backfield on a regular basis. TCU 3-4 3-4 The Oklahoma offense has found its including a terrific victory over Oklahoma The Wildcat passing game has a decent Texas Tech 2-5 3-5 groove. It helps to play Texas Tech and State on the road to stay in the hunt for the downfield game, the special teams continue Baylor 1-5 1-5 Kansas over the last few weeks, but the Big 12 championship. to be solid, and the team should be able to Kansas 0-6 0-7 team with the young starting So how is this happening? The run tilt the field enough to make a difference. needed the tune-ups. defense has been great, the offense has Spencer Rattler might not be running come up with a slew of timely plays, and like Kyler Murray or Jalen Hurts, and he’s the defensive is generating enough tackles still not close to being accurate enough, but for loss to be a bother. Most of all, Texas is he’s hitting on enough key plays now that winning the turnover margin and hasn’t he was missing earlier, and the running turned it over in the last two games – it’s game is helping out with 200 yards or not going to give Kansas a slew of breaks. more in three of the last four games. The Texas offense isn’t exactly clicking. The O is the best in the Big 12 on third The team has a way of playing up or down downs, the team owns the clock, and crazi- to the competition, there isn’t enough of a ly enough for a program that was such a steady running game to be a concern, and defensive nightmare not all that long ago, the passing attack hasn’t hit 200 yards in the run D has been dominant. the last few weeks. Which team wants to step up and be in Kansas is okay at controlling the clock the Big 12 Championship? and slowing things down. If it can speed up A loss for Oklahoma would be a knock- the game and keep Texas from hitting the out blow Ð for all intents and purposes Ð explosive plays, it can keep it close at while an OSU defeat would be a massive home.

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control the clock and slow things down. attack will take over as the game goes on. The O line hasn’t been bad, and now it’s The focus will be on the UC ground time to dominate against a Pirate D that game, but the secondary and pass rush will allowed close to nine yards per carry over win the game. When the defense has to the last two games. come up with a key stop, they will. It’ll be about as entertaining as it gets Pick: Cincinnati 40, UCF 27 between two teams with one win and each on a four-game losing streak. Stephen F Austin (6-3) at Memphis (4-2) Neither team is doing anything defen- Line: Tigers -11 / 51 sively, they both beat USF, and they’re both Time/TV: 11:00 am / ESPN+ looking for something positive against a The Lumberjacks are on fire. After team that the other should beat. The Pirates dropping the first three games on the road have more of an offense, but the Temple to FBS teams, they’ve ripped through their ground game will take over at home in the last six against the FCSers, with Trae Self second half in a close, fun win. and the passing game rolling with a whole Pick: Temple 34, East Carolina 31 slew of big plays. The D is doing its part, holding teams to seven points or fewer in #7 Cincinnati (7-0) at UCF (5-2) each of the last three games and four of the Line: Bearcats -5.5 / 62.5 last six. Time/TV: 2:30 / ESPN The Lumberjack run defense isn’t a The Bearcat running game will get off rock, but it has done a better job of holding the plane in Orlando with 200 rushing up. Now it gets a Tiger ground game that Tulsa gets its third game at home in a row hosting Tulane on Saturday yards, because that’s what it does. all of a sudden stopped, failing to hit 100 Cincinnati and QB Desmond Ridder have yards in either of its last two games after been able to take games over 242 rushing doing a great job in the first month. But … Tulane (5-4) at #25 Tulsa (4-1) the Tulsa O line is playing a bit better. The yards or more in each of the last four Yeah, there’s a difference between beat- Line: Tulsa -6.5 / 53.5 big difference will be turnovers. Tulsa games, and 299 or more in three of the last ing up on the FCS world and beating the Time/TV: Thursday, 6:30 / ESPN gives up the ball, and Tulane rarely does. four. FBS teams. It’s not like SFA was losing to The defense has been terrific. It held the Both teams are playing well, and with the The UCF offense might be devastating, Alabama and Clemson, getting dropped by Oklahoma State offense to just 16 points in way Tulane is playing both teams are even but UC should be able to mitigate that by UTEP, UTSA and SMU. Not only did the the opener, and it was able to hold its own in their effectiveness. Tulsa gets its third doing what it does Ð keep running, get into Lumberjacks lose, but they failed to come in wins over high-powered UCF and SMU game at home in a row, and that will be the backfield, convert on third downs, and within double-digits in any of the three teams, especially against the run. just enough to get by with a slightly more dominate with the pass rush and plays in games and got trucked by SMU 50-7. It kept the SMU passing attack from efficient performance. the backfield. Here’s where the Memphis passing going off, but to beat Tulane it’s mostly Pick: Tulsa 34, Tulane 30 Besides the running game, how does game gets to eat … again. about keeping the dangerous running game Cincinnati slow this UCF machine down? Yeah, the running game hasn’t been from going off. East Carolina (1-6) at Temple (1-5) The run defense has been a rock and the great over the last few weeks, but the The Green Wave are 4-1 when they run Line: Pirates -4 / 57.5 secondary has allowed a grand total of two offense was busy throwing for 437 yards in for over 200 yards, and Tulsa has yet to Time/TV: 11:00 am / ESPN+ touchdown passes and picked off 12 the win over USF to make it four straight allow more than 151. America is just start- The Temple offense has hit a wall. It passes. games with over 300 yards and over 280 in ing to figure out how good LB Zaven wasn’t amazing to start the season, but not The offense has been devastating. all six. Collins is for a defense that’s amazing on it’s not able to do enough to keep up the It might have been a wee bit sluggish Stephen F. Austin will be plucky, and third downs. On the offensive side, here pace at all, failing to hit 30 points in all against Temple, but by its own amazing it’ll put up some points against the comes the Tulsa passing game that should five losses and not getting to 14 points in standards, it only came up with 419 yards. mediocre Memphis defense, but Brady hit the mediocre Green Wave secondary. two of the last three games. It generated 455 yards against Tulsa, and White and the passing game will have this The offense has the balance to give There’s nothing happening down the rocked for well over 600 yards against put away by halftime. Tulsa problems. The Golden Hurricane field, and there isn’t enough pop dealing everyone else. Pick: Memphis 48, Stephen F. Austin 14 defense is outstanding, but Tulane has the with the better American Athletic offenses, As good as the Cincinnati running game ability hit in a variety of ways, throwing especially the good passing teams. has been, and as consistently strong as it for close to 200 yards or more in each of East Carolina might not be winning, but has been overall, now it has to deal with the last five games to go along with a solid before dealing with the Cincinnati defense UCF’s pace, balance, and big play ability. AAC Standings ground game to take the pressure off. the passing attack was on a roll with two SMU, Memphis and Houston all have Team Conf. Overall Tulane is 2-0 when coming up with both straight 300-yard performances. Holton enough offensive weapons to have done a 200 yards rushing and 200 receiving with Ahlers should be able to produce on the whole lot more than it was able to against Cincinnatti 5-0 7-0 the passing of QB Michael Pratt taking the Owl secondary, but …Temple needs to try the Bearcat D, but the Knight attack is at a Tulsa 4-0 4-1 offense up a few notches. This isn’t all that making this simple Ð run the ball, and run whole other level when it comes to its big SMU 4-2 7-2 hard Ð Tulane is 4-0 when it converted some more. The Owl ground game hasn’t play ability. UCF 4-2 5-2 40% or more of its third down chances. been anything special, but it’s coming off a Throw in the defense’s ability to take the Houston 3-2 3-3 Tulsa’s D might be great on third downs, season-high 183 yards in the loss to UCF, ball away Ð UCF leads the AAC with 19 Memphis 3-2 4-2 but it allowed two teams to hit 40% in the and now it’s time to top that against a ECU takeaways Ð and the team has the right mix Navy 3-2 3-4 five games, and UCF converted 39% of its defense that allowed 200 rushing yards or to handle the Cincinnati style. Tulane 2-4 5-4 tries. more five of the seven games and almost Cincinnati is just that good. UCF might Temple 1-5 1-5 Tulsa is playing too well in all phases 300 yards against Cincinnati. have the offensive explosion to get out to a East Carolina 1-5 1-6 and with too much confidence. Both teams For all of Temple’s problems, it’s good hot start and make Cincinnati work for the South Florida 0-6 1-7 are great at getting into the backfield, but enough to match East Carolina’s ability to first time all year, but the Bearcat running

12 November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 13 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com COLLEGES WITH BO CARTER College Football News and Notes

Bluefield (W.Va.) College defensive line- Georgia-Missouri, and Auburn-Mississippi man and military veteran Collin O'Donnell State were postponed last week because of an was selected as the ninth recipient of Armed upsurge of COVID-19 cases at several Forces Merit Award presented by the Football schools …Memphis and Navy had to post- Writers Association of America in a national pone their Nov. 14 game due to the COVID- news conference on Veterans Day Nov. 11 19 upsurge along with Maryland-Ohio State and coordinated by the staff at the Lockheed in the …The Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth,Tx. -UAB encounter also was postponed indefi- O’Donnell, who maintains a 3.4 grade nitely last week along with Georgia Tech- point average, is a captain on the Bluefield Pittsburgh in the ACC…Other games post- football squad. In his first two seasons with poned or cancelled last weekend were the Rams, O’Donnell has 34 total tackles in Coastal Carolina at Troy, Gardner-Webb at 15 games, including 16 unassisted stops with Charlotte…Utah now is scheduled to open 7.5 tackles for losses (19.5 yards), one quar- the season Saturday at Southern California terback sack (seven yards), and two pass after two recent game cancellations.... breakups.He served nobly with the U.S Army ...... California played at UCLA in a rare in the Afghanistan theater and recovered from Sunday encounter on Nov. 15 because both wounds that required seven surgeries on his their opponents had to opt out of previously feet and legs to play college football. slated Saturday tilts…The previously slated Paul Hornung passed away Nov. 13 after a long battle with dementia at the age of 84 The Disney movie “Safety” will premier in UAB at UTEP contest in Conference USA Disney+ on Dec.11. The feature length film was moved first to Midland, Texas, Friday, NFF College Hall of Fame member and chronicles the amazing true story of former Nov. 20, because of COVID-19 conditions in 1956 Heisman Trophy winner Paul Hornung Clemson safety Ray McElrathbey, who over- El Paso, Texas, and then had to be cancelled passed away Nov. 13 after a long battle with came repeated adversity and played football …New Mexico and Nevada moved their tus- dementia in his hometown of Louisville, Ky. and remain in school while helping to rear his sle last Saturday to neutral-site Sam Boyd He was 84. In his three years at Notre Dame then-11-year-old brother Fahmarr with solid Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev….Arkansas State from 1954-56, the team's seasonal record was assistance from his teammates, Clemson and Louisiana-Monroe decided to postpone 9-1, 8-2, 2-8. He alternated at halfback, full- coaches and area families in 2006-07. their game last week until Dec. 12 because of back, and quarterback in 1954. He was the NFF College Hall of Fame Facts COVID-19 outbreaks…If the Alabama at starting quarterback and two-time All- Some notable birthdates in NFF College LSU game cannot be rescheduled, LSU will America selection in 1955-1956. In 1955, he Hall of Fame annals in the Nov. 17-23 time finish the season with just three home con- was fifth in the nation in total offense and period are Nov. 17 (1908) John Cain, tests…California and Arizona State played fifth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. Montgomery, Ala.; (1939) Willie Richardson, last Saturday night on ESPN2 despite some BO CARTER Against Iowa his team trailed 14-7 in the Clarksdale, Miss.; Nov. 18 (1896) Slip COVID-19 and contact tracing issues.... [email protected] fourth quarter. Hornung got off a 23-yard run, Madigan, Ottawa, Ill.; (1934) Paul Wiggin, …Maryland stopped football activities after then a 40-yard touchdown pass to Jim Morse Modesto, Calif.; (1948) Jack Tatum, eight positive COVID-19 testing results The 12 finalists for the 31st annual NFF and place-kicked the extra point to tie the Cherryville, N.C.; (1969) Raghib “Rocket” among UM players over a seven-day period William B. Campbell Trophy¨ Presented by score. With two minutes to play he made a Ismail, Elizabeth, N.J.; Nov. 19 (1947) Mike and had to cancel its Big Ten Conference Mazda were denoted last Thursday in a 26-yard field goal that won the game 17-14. Phipps, Shelbyville, Ind.; (1949) Ahmad game with Ohio State…Florida A&M athlet- national release from NFF headquarters in That year he also had a 57-yard touchdown Rashad (nee’ Bobby Moore), Portland, Ore.; ics will cancel all football, volleyball and Irving, Texas. Each will receive an $18,000 run against SMU. In 1956, he was second in Nov. 20 (1901) Bill Mallory, Memphis,Tenn.; indoor track and field for the 2020-21 aca- postgraduate scholarship as a member of the the nation in total offense, second in kickoff (1970) Trevor Cobb, Houston, Texas; (1971) demic year until August 2021 at the earli- 2020 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class returns, 15th in passing, and 16th in scoring. Chris Bisaillon, Kankakee, Ill.;Nov.21 (1897) est…Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are Presented by Fidelity Investments. Later in He won the Heisman Trophy - the only time Aubrey Devine, Des Moines, Iowa; (1916) meeting for the 115th time since 1900 in the 2020 or early 2021, one member of the class it has been won by a player on a losing team Sid Luckman, Brooklyn, N.Y.;(1964) Thomas Bedlam Series. OU holds a 89-18-7 advan- will be declared the winner of the Campbell - beating out Tommy McDonald and Jerry Everett, Daingerfield, Texas; (1966) Troy tage and takes a five-game series winning Trophy¨ Presented by Mazda and have his Tubbs, Oklahoma; Johnny Majors, Aikman, West Covina, Calif.; Nov. 22 (1946) streak into Saturday’s tussle…West Virginia’s postgraduate scholarship increased to $25k. Tennessee; Jim Brown, Syracuse; John Mel Long, Toledo, Ohio; (1916) Ken -leading defense (10 pass Selected from a record 199 semifinalists Brodie, Stanford; Jim Parker, Ohio State; and Kavanaugh, Little Rock, Ark.; (1930) Dick interceptions) again came to the fore in a 24- nationwide from among all NCAA divisions Joe Walton, Pittsburgh. Hornung joined the Kazmaier, Toledo, Ohio; (1937) Alex Kroll, 6 win over TCU by allowing just two field and the NAIA, the 12 finalists are Tyler and starred as halfback Leechburg, Pa.; (1944) Gene Washington, La goals to the Horned Frogs. The Mountaineers Bradfield, LB, Grand Valley State, 3.99 (all and place kicker 1957-66. He launched a Porte, Texas. equaled last year’s 12-game victory tally with grad point averages based on 4.0 scale), broadcasting career, working on national TV Notable anniversary death dates for Hall their fifth win of ’20 and may be headed for Finance; Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas, 3.42, with Lindsey Nelson on Notre Dame and of Famers are Nov. 17 (2001) Billy Vessels, their 18th bowl berth since the 2000 sea- Marketing; Jack Gibbens, LB, Abilene NFL telecasts and also is a member of the Coral Gables, Fla.; (2006) Bo Schembechler, son…Oklahoma State’s defense started the Christian, 4.00, Accounting & Financial Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ann Arbor, Mich.; Nov. 18 (1977) Davey year by limiting foes to 18 percent on third Management; Ezra Gray, RB, Alabama State, No. 16 nationally Marshall defeated O’Brien, Ft. Worth, Texas; Nov. 19 (1982) down conversions (13-of-72)…Alabama 4.00, Computer Information Systems; Tyriq Middle Tennessee 42-14 on the 50-year com- Ray Morrison, Miami Springs, Fla.; Nov. 20 has held down the No. 1 position in the Harris, DE, Charlotte, 3.68, Biology; Drew memoration date of the Nov. 14 charter jet (2010) Rob Lytle, Fremont, Ohio; Nov. 23 Associated Press national poll in each of Himmelman, OT, Illinois State, 3.82, crash of the 1970 Thundering plane near (2004) Harrison Stafford, Edna, Texas. the last 13 seasons (NCAA record) under Exercise Science; Tyler Howerton, OL, Huntington, W.Va., coming back from a game Happy birthdays to NFF College Hall of head coach Nick Saban, who has coached Hampden- (Va.), 4.00, Physics; at East Carolina. Relatives of the crash vic- Fame members Nov. 18 Raghib “Rocket” ‘Bama for 14 years…FIU and Florida Kekaula Kaniho, DB, Boise State, 3.94, tims made their annual pilgrimage from the Ismail, Nov. 19 Mike Phipps, Ahmad Rashad, Atlantic competed last week in the annual Health Science; Brandon Kennedy, OL, Nov. 20 Trevor Cobb, Chris Bisaillon, Nov. memorial marker for those who perished to Shula Bowl named in memory of late Pro Tennessee, 3.55, Sport Management; 21 Thomas Everett, , Nov. 22 the MU campus stadium for the contest. The Football Hall of Fame coach Don Shula Cameron Kinley, CB, Navy, 3.32, Political crash hit Tuscaloosa, Ala., particularly hard Mel Long (a spry 74), Alex Kroll (a spry 83), who starred at John Carroll (Ohio) colle- Science; Elijah Molden, DB, Washington, as well as four former Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Gene Washington (a spry 76)… giately. 3.56, Communications; Brady White, QB, Druid HS student-athletes with the clashes No. 1 Memphis,3.58, Business. Thundering Hard perished in the mishap. Alabama-LSU, Tennessee-Texas A&M,

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 13 | November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 13 St. Thomas (Minn.) enjoyed its first set of was saluted by the Tulsa World November…The Southeastern Conference 550 yards and six TDs in the Tar Heels win NCAA Division I signees for the 2021-22 newspaper for re-energizing the Golden appears to have opened the door if current over Wake Forest…LB Jeremiah Owusu- academic year on the Nov. 11 early signing Hurricane department of athletics and creat- Liberty and former Ole Miss, Arkansas State Koramoah of Notre Dame had nine tackles, date…The Mississippi State Alumni Assoc. ing new donors’ interest…Utah State AD and Lambuth head coach Hugh Freeze wishes two tackles for losses, a half-sack and fumble has a planned summer trip to historic U.S. John Hartwell spoke of the nationwide search to be available to a SEC school as a head recovery return for a TD as UND ended then- national parks and Western and Southwestern for a new head coach for the Aggies..Belmont coach…The and com- No. 1 Clemson's 36-game regular-season and rustic lodges. Some members of the tours president Dr. Bob Fisher is retiring from the missioner Bernadette McGlade spoke of earned FWAA Bronko Nagurski Award hope to visit nearby college campuses and university after 20 years in that role. The “working” schedules for winter and spring National Defensive Player of the Week laurel football facilities for the first time. The MSU school hopes to fill his position permanently sports with areas to change as COVID-19 …Florida QB Kyle Trask had personal highs Alumni Association also sponsored a special by summer 2021…Former Arizona associate uncertainties continue…Pac-12 Conference for pass attempts (43) and completions (30) Homecoming Weekend Virtual 5-Kilometer AD of facilities and capital projects Steve senior associate commissioner for football in the Gators win over Georgia and netted Fun Race with nationwide competitors and Kozachik has been taken off the Wildcats operations Merton Hanks related the flexibili- SEC Offensive Player of the Week kudos. He prizes for several runners. payroll after nearly 33 working in UA athlet- ty areas that had to be implemented for the later fired for five touchdown passes in the Liberty extended the contract of head ics due to deficit reduction…North Carolina ’20 season…SEC presidents also now are first half of a victory over Arkansas coach Hugh Freeze through the 2026 season Central AD Ingrid Wicker McCree and Texas allowing schools that had to postpone or can- …Arkansas DB Jalen Catalon made 12 tack- …Texas head coach Tom Herman spoke of A&M deputy AD for student-athlete experi- cel games due to the oppositions COVID-19 les, including 10 in the first quarter, along the challenges that COVID-19 and adapting ence/senior woman administrator Kristen situations to play another team that weekend with an interception and forced fumble in the to changing conditions and protocols…Ohio Brown joined Auburn senior associate AD if that opponent meets SEC game and prac- Razorbacks victory against Tennessee...Florida head coach Frank Solich captured his school- /SWA Monique Holland in a recent group tice protocols. Rematches will not be permis- kicker Evan McPherson had three field goals record 113th coaching victory with the discussion of health condition challenges, sible...Tulsa downed SMU last Saturday night against Georgia with long boots of 50 and 51 Bobcats since 2005 after a 24-10 win over budgets, diversity, and inclusion in the cur- to remain undefeated at 4-0 in the American yards…Baylor is hoping that RB John Lovett Akron. Solich has guided OU to 11 of its 13 rent landscape of athletics…Notre Dame AD and move toward a possible championship and WR Tyquan Thompson will return to full all-time bowl appearances…Head coach Tom Jack Swarbrick and Boston College AD Pat matchup with East Division leader Cincinnati speed in coming contests after overcoming Allen of No. 10 nationally Indiana is hoping Kraft conversed about the departure of col- …The Pac-12 Conference was commended injuries…Temple deep snapper Sam Fraley that a leg injury suffered by his son LB lege student bodies after the Thanksgiving for recent television negotiations and the was featured in a Dallas Morning News col- Thomas Allen will not keep him out for the holidays and how the spread of COVID-19 agreement with Quidel for rapid COVID-19 umn about overcoming Guillain-Barre syn- rest of the season. The younger Allen’s injury might subside for the final weeks of the regu- testing procedures…If conference champi- drome to play high school and college foot- was being evaluated early this week..Arkansas lar campaign…Joining the list of Athletic onships were played in the coming week, ball and about his relationship with his late head coach Sam Pittman tested positively for DirectorU's Collegiate Coaching Diversity here are the divisional or Nos. 1 and 2 lead- father and former Carnegie-Mellon defensive COVID-19 last week…Michigan State head Pledge are Massachusetts AD Ryan Bamford, ing teams: American Ð Cincinnati vs. Tulsa; lineman (later award-winning sportswriter) coach Mel Tucker was credited for keeping San Francisco AD Joan McDermott and UT ACC Ð Clemson or Miami (Fla.) vs. Notre the late Gerry Fraley. Sam’s twin brother the success trail going for MSU after previ- Martin's Kurt McGuffin. McGuffin also Dame; Big Ten Ð Indiana vs. Northwestern; Tyson Fraley also starred at Redwood City ously working with the Spartans as an assis- signed a four-year contract extension at UTM Big 12 Ð Iowa State vs. Oklahoma State; (Calif.) Sequoia HS and later played at tant coach when Nick Saban was M-State’s through 2025 earlier this year…Kentucky Conference USA Ð Marshall vs. UAB; MAC Carroll (Mont.) College…The Associated head coach…Florida head coach Dan Mullen women’s basketball head coach Matthew Ð Buffalo or Kent State vs. Central Michigan Press chronicled the history of great spoke of the NCAA extending 2020 dead Mitchell is retiring due to a health condition or Western Michigan; MWC Ð Boise State or Polynesian in the college ranks period recruiting dates and utilizing group and is being replaced by interim head coach San Jose State vs. Nevada; Pac-12 ÐSix teams from Washington State’s Jack “The Throwin’ Zoom calls with prospective student-athletes Kyra Elzy. involved in possible divisional championships Samoan” Thompson to the Tagovailoa broth- …SMU Garrett Riley On Nov. 5 Big Ten Conference presidents SEC Ð Alabama vs. Florida; Sun Belt Ð ers to Heisman Trophy winner Marcus was highlighted in a newspaper story about and chancellors approved the allowance of Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana. Mariota of Oregon to Clemson freshman sen- the Mustangs continued improvement in the two football teams without COVID-19 issues The first national sation D.J. Uiagalelei.Thompson was one of running game and total offense approaches and with games cancelled in the same week rankings will be released on Tuesday, Nov.24 the first inductees into the Polynesian …Multiple Charlotte athletics employees will to play each other…The has can- with the first of five weekly rankings through Football Hall of Fame …Texas receiver Jake be furloughed for 10 days with a timetable of celled its entire winter sports schedule due to CFP and Bowl Selection Sunday, Dec. 20 Smith was saluted for clutch catches such as accepting these layoffs prior to June 30. Head COVID-19 resurgence concerns…The Pac-12 …Athlon Sports has made some additional the winning TD in an overtime victory at coach is among those affected by Conference again has tested football teams bowl projections for post-2020, and they Oklahoma State…SMU regained the services the furloughs…UTSA defensive coordinator and staff within 36 hours of kickoff for home include: Cheez-It Bowl - North Carolina vs. of previously injured DB Bryan Massey and Tyrone Nix missed last Saturday’s win over squads or departure time for visiting teams to Oklahoma State; Citrus Bowl - Wisconsin vs. OL Jaylon Thomas in time for the American UTEP due to being placed on administrative assure safety from COVID-19 surges…SEC Auburn; Cure Bowl - Marshall vs. Louisiana; Athletic Conference West Division headlin- leave from the program. commissioner Greg Sankey spoke about the Duke's Mayo Bowl - NC State vs. ervs.Tulsa last Saturday …Temple QB Hometowns of more 2020 college head critical nature of the next 4-5 weeks of con- Northwestern; and the Famous Idaho Potato Anthony Russo is hopeful of a quick return coaches Ð Oklahoma: Lincoln Riley, ference activity and how postponements may Bowl - Toledo vs. Wyoming…The Goodyear from an injury to start again …Iowa’s RB Muleshoe, Texas; Oklahoma State: Mike affect the East and West Division final stand- is in the process of re-ticketing Shadrick Byrd and LB Yahweh Jeudy have Gundy, Midwest City, Okla.; Old Dominion: ings and conference title test in Atlanta, Ga. priority seat holders for the 85th annual GCB entered the NCAA transfer portal…Kansas Ricky Rahne, Morrison, Colo.; Oregon: SEC executive associate commissioner Mark Dec. 30 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex, State punt return ace Phillip Brooks has led Mario Cristobal, Miami, Fla.; Oregon State: Womack was lauded for his work with com- via Ticketmaster…Though the NCAA the nation most of 2020 with a 25-yard aver- Jonathan Smith, Pasadena, Calif. missioner Sankey on postponements and pos- Competition Committee has ruled all 128 age…QB Breylin Smith of Central Arkansas Longtime NCAA FBS and Division II sible dates to reschedule skirmishes…The NCAA FBS competing schools as eligible for was leading NCAA FCS national individual championship coach at North Alabama has secured a $4.4 mil- postseason bowls, there are 15 teams with the statistics with 1,861 net passing yards for Bobby Wallace was featured in his first-time lion loan from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s prerequisite six wins in an ordinary (not this eight games. UCA has opted to play short- role as director of athletics at West Alabama Main Street Lending Facility to its year) 12-game regular season. Three of these ened spring 2021 slate while going 5-4 …Alabama AD Greg Byrne and Kentucky 2020-21 league resources…The Southern and certain bowl-eligible teams come from the through tilts of Nov. 14 …Jacksonville State AD Mitch Barnhart spoke of the rising star Sun Belt Conferences revealed documents FBS independent ranks Ð BYU, Army West QB Josh Samuel started the week No. 5 status of AD of the Year Scott Stricklin of that emphasized the educational elements of Point and Liberty. nationally in FCS rushing with 251 net yards Florida when all three were on the Kentucky the names, images and likenesses’ compensa- Miami (Fla.) QB D’Eriq King is the latest – tops by a signal caller…SMU receiver athletics staff together…UNLV AD Desiree tion for NCAA student-athletes…The MAAC nominee for the 2020 Capital One Orange Rashee Rice came back from an in-game Reed-Francois spoke to the media about Volleyball Championship will be contested at Bowl-FWAA Courage Award after losing his stomach ailment to star against Temple and being considered for other, similar positions the Albany Capital Center from March 31- father to a heart attack in winter 2020 and had 39 catches for 580 yards and five TDs in at Power Five Conference members and April 3, 2021, after fall postponements…The watching as his mother underwent treatment his first eight games this autumn…SMU wanting to stay the course with the Rebels North Central Hockey Conference will play for breast cancer throughout this calendar defensive tackle once committed to Navy, …Incarnate Word AD Richard Duran updated in a bubble environment in Omaha, Neb., year. King also received laurels as the Earl played at Baylor and Tyler (Texas) College his senior staff with Kenyon Spears as associ- from Dec. 1-20 with 26 total contests and Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player and now the Mustangs where he has been a ate AD for administration and athletics diver- each school playing 10 games…The Mid- of the Week after eclipsing 400 passing yards sound ’20 contributor …Iowa State RB sity, Tony Dollison as associate AD for com- American Conference continues to get solid and 100 rushing yard in the Hurricanes tri- Breece Hall has been riding the momentum pliance, and B.J. Lough to associate AD for ratings and midweek prime attention with a umph over NC State…QB Sam Howell of of a 185-yard rushing showing against athletics/sports medicine…Tulsa interim AD series of Tuesday-Wednesday contests in North Carolina passed for a school-record Kansas for the Big 12- leading Cyclones

14 November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 13 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com …Wake Forest kicker Nick Sciba kicked and Carson (Fort Worth Christian HS) Cross ketball and winter sports program are limited semifinals and championship…The Athletic three field goals for the margin of victory recently competed against each other in a to 25 percent of their facilities’ capacities for penned an extensive story about varying against then-No. 19 Virginia Tech to earn DFW Metrolplex football contest. Chase led home tussles…Connecticut, Yale and Rutgers approaches for contact tracing for COVID-19 national star recognition from the Lou Groza Faith to a narrow 21-20 win as the student- health officials are taking extra precautions by the Big Ten and Pac-12 Conferences National Place-Kicker Award ……SMU WR athletes’ parents sat on both sides of the sta- and increasing general student body testing …WFAA-TV videographers and sports pro- Tyler Page eclipsed his 26 career catches dium during the tussle. The game was for COVID-19 s students prepare to leave ducers/reporters Arnold Payne and Jose Gant over two years with the Mustangs in the first dubbed “The Cross Town Rivalry” by the campus until January after Thanksgiving hol- celebrated their historic, 40-year anniver- eight games this autumn with 32 grabs…Ball schools and family…Chris Nikic, 21, became idays……Arizona athletics will eliminate at saries with the Dallas ABC affiliate after State RB Caleb Huntley had a career-high the first athlete with Down syndrome to com- least 21 fulltime positions and keep 15 open coming to the Big D from a statin in 204 rushing yards and three TDs to lead the plete an Ironman Triathlon of just under 150 positions unfilled to try and reduce a possible Shreveport, La…The Salt Lake (Utah) Cardinals past Eastern Michigan…Central miles in less than 18 hours on Nov. 8 along $45 million deficit in 2020-21…The Save Tribune newspaper will begin publishing Michigan QB Drew Richardson was 13-of-19 with his trainer (who was tethered to Nikic Tribe Swimming initiative had $2.5 million paper editions weekly in 2021…Five inter- passing for 196 yards and two touchdowns as for safety purposes) Chris Grieb. Nikic and in pledges in October and $3.68 million ceptions by two players from Columbus, CMU downed Northern Illinois to advance to Grieb are fans of UCF football where Grieb pledged since September to try to keep Neb., in a 51-13 win by the Huskers over 2-0 in the MAC…Three Butkus Award candi- received his undergraduate degree……Dallas William & Mary’s varsity swimming and div- Kansas State in 1970 were highlighted by date linebackers have been near the top of (Texas) North High School made the state ing programs afloat…The Aggie Athletic football historian Mike Burrows of Denver NCAA FBS interception statistics through playoffs for the first time in 68 years and Foundation board of directors has granted …Sportico researched that U.S. President midseason. Iowa State’s Mike Rose, drew defending Class 4A state champion $500,000 to support coaches and student-ath- Donald Trump and possible President-Elect Syracuse’s Mikel Jones and Appalachian Argyle in the first round last Friday. It ended letes with North Carolina A&T athletics and Joe Biden (a former football student-athlete State’s Brendan Harrington already have the longest playoff drought in Dallas public to add to $500,000 raised in 2019-20…Many at Delaware) purchased 2,801 political adver- three picks apiece…The Davey O’Brien school annals (since 1952 when NDHS made years’ college football and media sponsor tisements from Aug. 17-Nov. 3…More than Quarterback Great 8 recognition for mid-year the semifinals against Lubbock HS). North Mutual of Omaha introduced a new corporate 1,000 staffer members have been laid off at performances includes, among others: Dallas also is the alma mater of former Texas logo for worldwide commercial usage last Warner Media, but Turner Sports was not Florida’s Kyle Trask, Ian Book of Notre A&M All- QB Kevin week… Auburn extended its multi-sport deal affected drastically by the personnel reduc- Dame, Justin Fields of Ohio State, D’Eriq Murray (North Dallas from 1979-81 and with INFLCR for two years…Bowling Green tions ....…Late Georgetown (D.C.) head King of Miami (Fla.), Kellen Mond of Texas A&M from 1983-86) Ð the father of Heisman athletics will not allow general public atten- coach John Thompson Sr. wrote a posthu- A&M, Michael Penix Jr. of Indiana, Kedon Trophy-winning Oklahoma and Texas A&M dance for its winter sports because of mous guest editorial for the Times Slovis of USC, and Carson Strong of Nevada QB Kyler Murray of the NFL Arizona COVID-19 spread precautions…Several about the NCAA’s relationships with its …Standout Miami (Fla.) TE Will Mallory is Cardinals…The Krum (Texas) and Boyd California football student-athletes remained member schools and trying to balance educa- the grandson of late four-university head (Texas) school districts shuttered their school in quarantine last midweek due to COVID-19 tion and profitability…Stadium.com showed coach Bill Mallory (10 bowl appearances) buildings for deep cleaning and to try and contact tracing, and the Arizona State-Cal that out of 250 NCAA Division I schools, and has helped the Hurricanes roll to a 7-1 return to athletics’ competition after recent contest on Nov. 14 had to be cancelled for there are 23 men’s basketball programs cur- start…Omaha (Neb.) Millard South QB TJ COVID-19 cases…2019 Burlsworth Trophy health reasons…Pittsburgh athletics is allow- rently shut down and 65 others that have had Urban has committed to play for Air Force Hunter Renfrow of Clemson topped team ing a maximum of 1,250 fans for men’s and at least 14 days of quarantine or complete starting in 2021 and will report for summer receivers in a NFL Las Vegas Raiders 31-26 women’s basketball contests in the Petersen pauses in activities. drills in ’21…Tulane transfer Oton Jankovic win over the rival Rams Events Center in 2020-21…Between Nov. The FWAA Bronko Nagurski Award via Vanderbilt has received immediate eligi- …Promoted Texas Tech kicker Jonathan 23-June 22, 2021, there are 41 members in scheduled banquet hosted by the Charlotte bility through the NCAA Eligibility Garibay made a 25-yard field goal on the Fort Wayne athletics required to take 15 or (N.C.) Touchdown Club for 2020 has been Committee…The Top 15 Johnny Unitas game’s final play and three other three-point- more furlough days to help alleviate budget cancelled by regional health conditions. The Golden Arm Award final candidates present ers to help the Red Raiders edge Big 12 tightness…Texas Wesleyan has halted all finalists will be announced Dec. 9 and the by A. O. Smith include: Ian Book, Notre opponent Baylor 34-23…Baylor LB Abram winter sports’ activity due to excessive winner denoted on Dec. 22. Notre Dame was Dame; Shane Buechele, SMU; Sam Ehlinger, Smith drew his first start against Tech and COVID-19 positive testing around campus the FWAA Reveal Suits National Team of the Texas; Justin Fields, Ohio State; Feleipe had a Bears-best 13 total tackles. and in athletics…Georgia athletics had three Week after knocking off then-No. 1 Clemson Franks, Arkansas; Mac Jones, Alabama; Texas A&M had to pause live practices different sports’ head coaches test positively …Steven Olveda of Chapman, Bridgette D'Eriq King, Miami (Fla.); Trevor Lawrence, and use virtual Zoom techniques to hold for COVID-19 last week…All 22 NCAA Robles of Richmond, Ron Smith of Clemson; Kellen Mond, Texas A&M; Kenny practices workouts after two positive Division I schools competing in New York Westmont, Alan Cox of the National Football Pickett, Pittsburgh; Brock Purdy, Iowa State; COVID-19 cases. The Aggies were in the State have requested a waiver for visiting Foundation, Tami Cutler of Wichita State Zac Thomas, Appalachian State; Kyle Trask, midst of a two-game road trek to South teams and quarantine periods, so they can were featured subjects and opinion makers in Florida; Brady White, Memphis; and Zach Carolina Nov. 1 and Tennessee host schools in football, men’s and women’s the CoSIDA Open Forum online newsletter Wilson, BYU…Colorado WR Brenden Rice, Saturday…SMU football documented travel- basketball and other winter sports…Arizona …Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, son of NFF College Hall of Fame wideout ing in separate charter planes and vehicles athletics received permission to allow a limit- Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, LSU, Michigan, Jerry Rice of Mississippi Valley State and and special precautions taken to stop the ed number of family members UA student- Michigan State, Penn State, Syracuse, and NFL fame, caught his first touchdown pass to spread of COVID-19 during the athletes and visiting student-athletes to attend UCLA are working with NCAA enforcement help the Buffaloes defeat Stanford 35-32 on season…International House of Pancakes and upcoming UA football skirmishes…A testing and compliance officials concerning possible the road last weekend… several other national restaurant chains mistake affecting Stanford football has been issues and reports at their respective NFF College Hall of Fame coach Mack offered free meals to members of the military resolved, and those tested erroneously are schools…The NCAA FBS Power Five Brown continues to pull rabbits out of hats academies, active U.S. service personnel, and back at full activity levels …UCLA athletics Conferences, consisting of 65 universities, figuratively after another North Carolina service veterans on Veterans Day Nov. noted zero positives after administering 1,322 have sought to form executive committees to comeback win (14-point deficit) 59-53 over 11…New Mexico State athletics attempted to total COVID-19 tests from Nov. 6-13 study the upcoming NCAA names, images Wake Forest in ACC play last week …NFF move its daily operations and basketball ...Clemson athletics had three positive and likenesses’ legislation.…The U.S. College Hall of Fame member LaDanian encounters to El Paso, Texas, or possibly COVID-19 cases with two from student-ath- Olympic Paralympic Committee and USOPC Tomlinson was highlighted with his offseason Arizona because of stringent protocols for letes out of 1,426 tests from Nov. 7-13.... Collegiate Advisory Council have composed charity work and football camps and clinics fan gatherings in New Mexico, but had to Buffalo athletics reported has zero positives a special 34-member subcommittee of lead- he conducts for underserved youngsters in disqualify the options for El Paso, which in the football program out of 3,318 COVID ing figures in all areas of athletics for the the Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas, requested closings for all non-essential busi- 19 antigen tests since Oct. 5…North Texas USOPC College Sports Sustainability Think areas…Former Blinn (Texas) College head nesses through Dec. 1…Duke will start its athletics pledged a renewed effort to promote Tank. NFF John W. Toner Award recipient coach and Cam Newton mentor Brad basketball and winter sports schedules with- diversity, unity and inclusion in football and and Ohio State AD Gene Smith is one of the Franchione was analyst on the webcast of the out fans, including at historic Cameron all sports for the 2020-21 academic and prominent subcommittee members…The Texas Independent 6-Man Championship in Indoor Stadium, and Davidson apparently future years. NCAA Committee To Promote Cultural Baird, Texas, with award-winning play-by- will not allow fans at men’s or women’s CBS Sports expressed some disappoint- Diversity and Equity has been working with play broadcaster Mike McClure…The NFL home basketball tilts…Weber State men’s ment in missing a ratings’ bonanza with the professional leagues to determine some addi- coaches and front office and women’s basketball will hold off on fan Masters national golf telecast followed by tional policies for making sure coaches of provided overnight dinners for election offi- attendance at least until Dec. 31 while Alabama and LSU (postponed) in primetime color are included in the interview process cials counting late ballots in the Pittsburgh Evansville athletics will allow up to 500 in last Saturday …USA Today opined that the for head football and other sports’ coaching area…High school brothers’ quarterbacks attendance at basketball clashes…Florida College Football Playoff should consider a and ADs’ positions. Chase (Grapevine, Texas, Faith Christian HS) State and several Sunshine State college bas- bubble environment for the post-2020 CFP

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 13 | November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 15 NFL NFL Picks and Predictions: Week 11

Jets were going to get that first victory, then this might be the spot. Rookie quarter- back Justin Herbert won't let it happen. Pick: Chargers 31, Jets 23

Miami (6-3) at Denver (3-6) Sunday, 3:05 p.m, CBS Line: Dolphins -3.5 / 45 The Dolphins have the second-longest winning streak in the NFL at five games, and Tua Tagovailoa is playing efficient, mistake-free football. He gives Broncos general manager John Elway another glimpse at what a true franchise quarter- back can do. Pick: Dolphins 27, Broncos 23

Dallas (2-7) at Minnesota (4-5) Sunday, 3:25 p.m, FOX Line: Vikings -7.5 / 46.5 The Cowboys had a bye week to figure out the latest quarterback plan, but the big- ger issue will be slowing down Dalvin By Mike McFee Washington lost by a field goal both times. Philadelphia (3-5-1) at Cleveland (6-3) Cook on the road. Minnesota continues to Week 11 of the NFL season features This will be a showcase for the top two Sunday, 12 p.m, FOX push back into the NFC playoff picture five games between teams with winning picks in last year's draft with Joe Burrow Line: Browns -3.5 / 48 with yet another victory. records. That action starts with the and Chase Young. Burrow leads a last- The Browns have dealt with ugly Pick: Vikings 29, Cowboys 20 "Thursday Night Football" showdown minute victory for Cincinnati. weather in their last two games, but the between the Cardinals and Seahawks — a Pick: Bengals 26, Washington 23 return of Nick Chubb ignited the running Green Bay (7-2) at Indianapolis (6-3) pair of 6-3 teams in the super-competitive game. Chubb and Kareem Hunt works Sunday, 3:25 p.m, FOX NFC West. Atlanta (3-6) at New Orleans (7-2) against the Eagles' 26th-ranked run Line: Colts -2.5 / 51.5 On Sunday, the Titans and Ravens meet Sunday, 12 p.m, FOX defense, even if Carson Wentz — the quar- The Packers opened as the favorites, but in a battle of 6-3 team in the 12 p.m. slot. Line: Saints -4.5 / 51.5 terback Philadelphia traded Cleveland to the line shifted to Indianapolis. Philip The Packers (7-2) and Colts (6-3) square Drew Brees' status will be monitored move up in the 2016 NFL Draft for — Rivers is 1-3 as a starter against the off in the 3:25 p.m. The Sunday Night during the week, and this remains a heated makes it interesting. Packers, but he averages 372 yards per Football matchup features the Chiefs (8-1) NFC South rivalry. The Falcons rank 31st Pick: Browns 24, Eagles 21 game in those contests. Aaron Rodgers and Raiders (6-3), and the Monday Night against the pass. It's another chance for matches that in a fourth-quarter thriller. Football matchup pits the Rams (6-3) Alvin Kamara Ð who has 648 receiving Detroit (4-5) at Carolina (3-7) Pick: Packers 33, Colts 27 against the Buccaneers (7-3). yards this season Ð to shine. New Orleans Sunday, 12 p.m, FOX It's a great schedule and a chance to wins a tight one. Line: Panthers -1.5 / 49 Kansas City (8-1) at Las Vegas (6-3) improve on our NFL pick 'em record. Pick: Saints 31, Falcons 28 Which trend do you take with the Lions? Sunday, 7:20 p.m, NBC ¥ Last Week: 7-7 Detroit is 2-4 ATS as an underdog, but they Line: Chiefs -6.5 / 56.5 ¥ Season: 57-39 Pittsburgh (9-0) at Jacksonville (1--8) are 3-2 S/U in one-score games. Teddy The Chiefs were double-digit favorites With that as the mind, below are our picks Sunday, 12 p.m., CBS Bridgewater's status is uncertain, and we ahead of the Oct. 10 matchup, and the and predictions for Week 11: Line: Steelers -10 / 47.5 will trust the Lions to get back to .500. Raiders sprung a 40-32 upset. Las Vegas is (betting lines as of 11.17.20) The Jaguars are double-digit underdogs Pick: Lions 27, Panthers 24 playing like a playoff team, but the Chiefs for the second straight week, but the differ- learned their lesson. Kansas City won't for- Arizona (6-3) at (6-3) ence will be an aggressive Steelers' Tennessee (6-3) at Baltimore (6-3) get about the running game this time Thursday, 7:20 / CBS defense that will force Jake Luton into Sunday, 12 p.m, CBS around. Line: Seahawks -3 / 58 turnovers. Pittsburgh improves to 10-0 Line: Ravens -6.5 / 49 Pick: Chiefs 34, Raiders 26 The Cardinals won a 37-34 thriller in the behind Ben Roethlisberger Ð who contin- This is the toughest game on the board to first meeting and are coming off an emo- ues to spread the wealth to a talented group pick. The Titans throttled the Ravens in the LA Rams (6-3) at Tampa Bay (7-3) tional Hail Mary victory against the Bills. of receivers. AFC divisional playoffs last season behind Monday, 7:15 p.m, ESPN Russell Wilson needs to clean up the Pick: Steelers 31, Jaguars 19 Derrick Henry, and the Ravens have to Line: Bucs -3.5 / 47.5 turnovers after throwing for seven intercep- answer after a Sunday Night Football flop The Rams have been favored in their tions the last four weeks Ð a stretch that New England (4-5) at Houston (2-7) against the Patriots. Lamar Jackson delivers last six games, so it's rare chance to play includes three losses. Seattle gets the Sunday, 12 p.m, CBS here, but it won't be easy. underdog. Tampa Bay is 5-0 when it rematch, but it's close. Line: Patriots -2.5 / 47.5 Pick: Ravens 26, Titans 23 scores 30 points or more, so Los Angeles' Pick: Seahawks 30, Cardinals 24 Don't look now, but the Patriots have best bet would be if this doesn't turn into a won back-to-back games and could make a NY Jets (0-9) at San Diego (2-7) shootout. Cincinnati (2-6-1) at Washington ((2-7) second-half AFC playoff push. Cam Sunday, 3:05 p.m, CBS Pick: Buccaneers 30, Rams 27 Sunday, 12 p.m, CBS Newton hasn't thrown an interception in Line: Chargers -8.5 / 47 Line: Washington -1.5 / 46.5 three games, and if that trend continues The Chargers are struck in a three-game Alex Smith Ð a former No. 1 pick Ð has New England will stay in the hunt. losing streak, and they have given up 29 back-to-back 300-yard games, but Pick: Patriots 23, Texans 19 points or more in six straight games. If the

16 November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 13 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com AUTO DODGE DAKOTA The seven passenger Dodge Durango

Dodge Durango Engine While many newer midsize SUVs have moved to turbocharged 4-cylinder engines as the base offering, the Dodge Durango starts off with the powerful Pentastar 3.6- liter V6. This engine provides excellent response, can tow up to 6,400 pounds and returns the best fuel economy of the three choices. Up next is one of two Hemi V8s. Standard in the R/T and available on Citadel, the 5.7-liter V8 produces a class- leading 360 horsepower and is the ideal choice for those needing power and per- formance without breaking the bank. Last up is the massive 6.4-liter Hemi V8 offered only in the all-wheel-drive SRT. With 475 horsepower on hand, this engine makes the Durango one of the most power- ful SUVs in its class. By Matt Degen models, the 6-passenger SRT version is SUV that can run with the likes of BMW, All but the SRT Durango are powered still accommodating of people and cargo, Porsche and Audi, at least on the track. by their rear wheels (RWD) with the option In the Dodge Durango SUV, you’ll find but its crazy fast acceleration times, sharp Dodge never shies away from making bold of three different all-wheel-drive (AWD) room for seven passengers, a phalanx of handling and glorious-sounding exhaust statements and we appreciate the numerous systems. V8 models with AWD also feature high-tech infotainment and driver assists, note know no equal from Honda, Nissan or statements made by the Durango, from its a low-range transfer case with a neutral and a set of engine options no Subaru, Toyota. “racetrack”- shaped taillight, to the massive position. An 8-speed automatic transmis- Honda or Toyota can match. As midsize UCONNECT 4 wheel-and-tire combos, to the bold paint sion handles gear changes for all three SUVs go, the Durango is the most Still one of the most complete and colors and graphic decals. The Durango engines. American of the set, offering aggressive easy-to-use infotainment systems around, really is one of a kind. 3.6-liter V6 styling and muscle-car-like performance the Dodge Durango’s Uconnect 4 system Dodge Durango Standard Features 293 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm (single exhaust) with admirable abilities like an 8,600- features a large touch screen, easy-to-fig- The SXT entry-level trim has seating for 295 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm (dual exhaust) pound max tow rating and 8.1 inches of ure-out controls and is Apple CarPlay and five, tri-zone automatic climate control, 18- 260 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm ground clearance. Android Auto compatible. Controls for the inch alloy wheels, V6 engine (with a Sport EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 Unlike the Subaru Ascent and Toyota heated seats and steering wheel, as well as mode to spice up the driving experience), mpg (RWD), 18/25 mpg (AWD) Highlander, the Durango’s advanced driver optional navigation and climate are also load-leveling rear shock absorbers, heated 5.7-liter V8 assists are optional, not standard, although incorporated into the touch screen. side mirrors, keyless entry/ignition, and an 360 horsepower @ 5,150 rpm some buyers might appreciate the ability to Dodge Durango Interior infotainment system that includes AM/FM 390 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm decide for themselves if they want these It’s a pleasant place inside the Durango radio, Bluetooth, auxiliary audio input, six EPA city/highway fuel economy:14/22 mpg features. And while the Durango’s design 7-passenger crossover SUV, with an air speakers and a 7-inch touch screen. 6.4-liter V8 is getting up there in years, it still offers all about it that seems higher in quality than Moving up the Durango’s trim levels 475 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm the things families look for in an SUV, like most rivals, the deluxe Citadel trim in par- brings more equipment, such as auto high 470 lb-ft of torque @ 4,300 rpm comfort, style and safety. Just don’t look ticular. This is the version with heated beams, a power tailgate, sunroof, naviga- EPA city/highway fuel economy:13/19 mpg for stellar resale value. /ventilated front seats and heated 2nd-row tion, Nappa leather seats, and more. The Dodge Durango range kicks off Driving the Dodge Durango seats. Versions with V8 engines receive beefier with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Although the V8 engines in the Most trim levels offer captain’s chairs brakes, while the SRT also has a sport- Price (MSRP) of $30,495, plus a destina- Durango are arguably more newsworthy, to replace the bench in the second row, tuned adaptive suspension. tion charge of $1,495, making a total of the entry-level-yet-refined V6 works well, which also make it easier to access the Dodge Durango Options $31,990 for a rear-drive SXT. An all-wheel delivering 293 horsepower and is capable third row and use booster seats. Cargo Some options are available in the base -drive SXT starts at $34,590. Next are the of towing 6,400 pounds. It’s complemented space when all three rows are in place is Durango SXT for, such as a sunroof, all- GT from $36,140; Citadel from $44,490; by an 8-speed automatic transmission that useful at 17 cubic feet, expanding to 43.3 wheel drive with low-range gearing, roof R/T from $45,490, and the hot-rodded SRT only occasionally “hunts” for the right and then 85.1. The front-passenger seat rails, cosmetic additions, 20-inch alloy from $64,490. gear. also folds down, so the Durango can take wheels, satellite radio, trailer-prep package, It’s easy to spend money on options, but On the other hand, these V8 engines do quite long items. Citadel and SRT versions and rear parking sensors. a V8-powered Durango can still be distinguish the Durango. The 5.7-liter unit may also be specified with headliners of But the higher trims are eligible for obtained in the low-$50,000 range. Decide generates 360 horsepower, for superb simulated suede. more extras, including an 825-watt/19- against the V8 extravagance, though, and acceleration with a resonant rumble and a Dodge Durango Exterior speaker Harman Kardon audio system, 8.4- the Durango V6 is in the same pricing ball- tow rating of 7,400 pounds. The 6.4-liter in Beginning with the most basic Durango inch infotainment system with navigation, park as the Honda Pilot and Ford the SRT trim develops 475 horsepower, SXT, the look is bold, decisive and certain- Blu-ray/DVD rear-seat entertainment sys- Explorer.Check out the Fair Purchase Price good enough to sprint from standstill to 60 ly not easily mistaken for any other mid- tem, adaptive cruise control, forward-colli- on KBB.com to learn what buyers in your mph in a fleeting 4.4 seconds or tow 8,600 size SUV. Move up the line to the GT and sion mitigation, and lane-keeping assis- area are paying for their new Durango SUV. pounds. Ease off the throttle, though, and the look gets a bit meaner, the Citadel tance. Blind-spot monitoring with rear From a resale-value perspective, the every version of the Durango can be quiet more upscale and the R/T looks like a cross-traffic alert is optional throughout the Durango won’t perform as well as a Honda and comfortable. Charger on steroids, offering an SRT-style range. For towing, choose the 220-amp Pilot or Toyota Highlander, is on par with DURANGO SRT hood with a large air scoop. Step into an alternator, heavy-duty engine oil cooler and the Ford Explorer, and, over time, slightly While not as practical as one of the V6 SRT, and you’ll have an American-made Class IV hitch receiver. better than the Chevrolet Traverse.

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 13 | November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 17 TICKET WINDOW

18 November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 13 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com FOOD REVIEW By RICHARD POLLAK Some of the best local places for Steak

Luby's Cafeteria offers a very nice Ribeye steak special. For $12.99 you get a 12oz Ribeye and Baked Potato. A good steak for a decent price.

By Richard Pollak The Traveling Gourmet [email protected] Chicken Fried Ribeye at The Common Table Texas consumes more Beef than any other State in the USA and Steaks account Taking the chicken fried process to the next for almost 25% of all beef sales. With all level is the Chicken Fried Rib Eye at the the various cuts and preparations, options Common Table in Dallas. Fantastic, tender far exceed Ribeye’s and Filets. and full of flavor. You will never find another quite like it. Filet Oscar at Kenny’s Wood Fire Grill

Owner/Executive Chef Samir Dhurandhar has received world acclaim for his Steaks at Nick n Sam's Steakhouse. The prime aged Rib Eye is as good at it gets anywhere in the U.S. The Filet Oscar at Kenny’s Wood Fire Grill in Addison is mouth watering. Fresh Bone in Rib Eye at Knife Nick and Sam’s recognized as one of the best Crab topped off with house made Bernaise on an 8oz Prime Filet is sensational. Jaxx Steakhouse Filet and Crab Chef extraordinaire John Tesar built himself a meat locker with Himalayan Salt to suck moisture out of the beef they serve. Jaxx Steakhouse in Addison has been It is priced by the ounce rather than the serving quality hand cuts steaks since Entree so can be somewhat pricey but out- 1992. The renowned Jaxx Pepper Steak is standing flavor and tenderness is like no the real deal and a must try. other and worth every penny.

Shabu Shabu is thinly sliced Waygu Beef

One of the newest entrance to the Steak scene in Dallas is Yoshi Shabu Shabu, a This is the home of the Steak out... a traditional Japanese restaurant that serves Brazilian Steakhouse, or Churrascaria, that high quality meats that pair with fantastic features endless servings of six varieties of housemade dipping sauces. Along with a flame-grilled beef, from well known Filet variety of protein items such as Chicken, Mignon to the Brazilian cut Pincanha as Pork, Shrimp, Scallops and Salmon, they well as an extravagant salad area with a offer a wide variety of Steaks that include wide array of seasonal chef-crafted items. Prime Beef Rib Eye, New York Srip, and Wagyu Rib Eye. All is thin sliced and cooked with fresh vegetables in a simmer- ing broth at the table. Chicken Fried Steak is a Texas staple, however, not all Checken Fried Steaks are the same. Most are tenderized skirt steak, breaded and fried. Most of the time, these are good with flavor but somewhat chewy. Luby’s Rib Eye Steak and Baked Potato

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 13 | November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 19 20 November 20, 2020 - November 26, 2020 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 13 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com