Jan. 1- Jan. 7, 2021 Vol. 19, Issue 19 www.sportspagdfw.com FREE 2 January 1, 2020 - January 7, 2020 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 19 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 19 | January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 3 Jan. 1, 2020 - Jan. 7, 2021 AROUND THE AREA Vol. 19, Issue 19 LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST sportspagedfw.com Established 2002 The DFW Region shows its football chops

Cover Photo: 4 AROUND THE AREA in Arlington, Texas and the New Year’s the Athletic Association. Day Playoff Semifinal at “We're fortunate because we have been 5 RANGER REPORT The Game Presented by Capital doing this for so long, and when our BY DIC HUMPHREY One between Alabama and Notre Dame friends at the Tournament of Roses 6 GOLF, ETC also at AT&T . Already this Committee and the Rose Bowl asked, we BY TOM WARD month, AT&T Stadium has provided the were just glad we could help because we TOP 1O STORIES ON stage for the Big 12 Championship as well have a great venue and a team that can PGATOUR.COM IN 2020 as the Cowboys games that have led really take on the responsibility of pulling 7 BY PGATOUR.COM the NFL in attendance. off two games within 45 hours, which has SMU REPORT “We are so pleased and proud that never been done before.” 8 BY DIC HUMPHREY By National Football Foundation AT&T Stadium will, within a matter of All 12 of the Texas State High School footballfoundation.com four weeks, play host to the Big 12 Championship games have or will take 9 NOTES BY BO CARTER Multiple college bowl and high school Championship Game, two place at AT&T Stadium. Next door at games taking place at local DFW venues games, the Cotton Bowl, the Rose Bowl Globe Life Park, the former COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS AND 12 NOTES while following COVID-19 protocols. and the Texas State High School stadium, 18 regular season and 30 BY BO CARTER The Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex, Championship Football games, said Jerry playoff games at the high school level have 16 NFL WEEK 17 a national epicenter for football, will uti- Jones, a member of the NFF Board and the been or will be played. The high school BY MIKE MCFEE lize its venues during December and president & general manager of the Dallas games will showcase some of the top talent January to host five college bowl games Cowboys Football Club. “If you love foot- in the nation with more than 40 of the AUTO REVIEW and numerous high school year-end state ball, it doesn’t get any better than that. players having already signed national let- 17 BY KBB.COM championships, showcasing the region as a This was what we had in mind when this ters of intent to play at a Football Bowl 18 THE TICKET WINDOW powerhouse for highlighting the best at the venue was built. The goal was to create a Subdivision school next season. The venue college and high school levels. home and a hub for the very best competi- also hosted the tilt between Abilene RESTAURANT REVIEW “DFW has an incredible set of facilities tion the sport has to offer at every level Christian and Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 19 BY RICHARD POLLAK while also being home to numerous nation- right here in North Texas.” 24, and the new Texas Rangers stadium, al organizations at the center of promoting The , which will Globe Life Field, will host the Air Force our great game,” said National Football staged the 85th edition of the game on and Army game next season. Foundation (NFF) President & CEO Steve Dec. 30, has followed the protocols that Other venues throughout the region have Hatchell. “In a year that has seen unprece- have been established in the region to pro- or will be put to use during the period. The dented challenges, the DFW community tect the health and safety of both the fans was played Dec. 24 at has stepped forward to overcome the and athletes. The effort includes complete Toyota Stadium in Frisco with Hawai'i Follow us on obstacles to host these games while ensur- bubbles at the team hotels with security at notching a 28-14 win over Houston. The ing the health and safety of the players and every door to prohibit entry by anybody Serve Pro was Twitter & Facebook those in the stands. With five bowl games not involved with the game. The Rose played Dec. 26 at SMU’s Ford Stadium and 10 teams coming into the area, it’s will follow two days later on with Louisiana claiming a 31-24 victory twitter.com/sportspagedfw exciting and lots of fun.” Jan. 1. against UTSA. The Lockheed Martin In the months of December and January, “We have taken some very stringent will be played Dec. facebook.com/sportspageweek- DFW continues to host numerous football steps, and we're very fortunate to have 31 between Tulsa and Mississippi State at games at every level, including tonight’s AT&T Stadium and the Jones family as TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Publisher Contact Us Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between partners who we have been able to watch Worth. Sports Page Publishing Group, Main Number (214) 683-1469 LLC P.O. Box 820813 Oklahoma and at AT&T Stadium all year long,” said Bry Patton, chairman of [email protected] Dallas, Tx. 75382 www.sportspagedfw.com NCAA - Top 25 Coaches (Week 6) AP Dic Humphrey, Tom Ward, Bo WEEKLY CALENDAR Carter, Richard Pollak, Robert 1. Gonzaga 1. Gonzaga Cortinez. James McAnally 2. Baylor 2. Baylor 3. Villanova 3. Kansas JANUARY JANUARY JANUARY JANUARY JANUARY JANUARY JANUARY 4. Kansas 4. Villenova 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 5. Houston 5. Houston FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 6. Tennessee 6. Wisconsin To advertise in The Sports Page Weekly 7. Wisconsin 7. Tennessee Dallas 8. West Virginia 8. Texas at call the contacts above or 214.683.1469 N.Y Giants 9. Texas 9. West Virginia Noon / FOX For editorial comments/suggestions, 10. Creighton 10. Iowa e-mail [email protected] 11. Iowa 11. Creighton SMU SMU Follow us on Twitter@sportspagedfw 12. Missouri 12. Missouri vs vs 13. Rutgers 13. Texas Tech Houston Cincinnati 6:00 / 1310am 6:00 / 1310am Copyright 2016 Sports Page Weekly, Inc. All rights reserved. The Sports 14. Texas Tech 14. Rutgers Page Weekly is published every week on Thursdays. Views expressed in The Sports Page Weekly are not necessarily the opinion of The Sports Page 15. Michigan 15. Illinois TCU TCU Weekly, its staff or advertisers. The Sports Page Weekly does not knowing- 16. Illinois 16. Michigan at at ly accept false or misleading editorial content or advertising, nor is The 17. Oregon 17. Michigan State K-State Kansas Sports Page Weekly responsible for the content or claims of any advertising 1:00 / ESPNU 9:00 / ESPN or editorial in this publication. No content (articles, photographs, graphics) in 18. Michigan State 18. Florida State The Sports Page Weekly may be used for reproduction without permission from the publisher. 19. Florida State 19. Northwestern Mavs Dallas Dallas Dallas 20. Xavier 20. Duke vs at at at The SportsPage Weekly is available free of charge, limited to one copy per Heat Chicago Houston Denver reader. Additional copies of The SportsPage Weekly may be purchased for 21. Ohio State 21. Oregon 6:00 / FSSW 7:00 / FSSW 7:00 / FSSW 1:00 / FSSW $1.00, payable at The SportsPage Weekly’s office in advance. The 22. Northwestern 22. Minnesota SportsPage Weekly may be distributed only by The SportsPage Weekly’s authorized independent contractors or The SportsPage Weekly’s authorized 23. State 23. Virginia distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of The 24. Virginia 24. Virginia Tech SportsPage Weekly, take more than one copy of each SportsPage Weekly issue. 25. Minnesota 25. Ohio State

4 January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 19 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com RANGERS WITH DIC HUMPHREY The Rangers front office staying busy season salary of $5-$6 million as an arbi- playoff games than the regular season. tration eligible player this year and more Maybe the offensive ineptitude during the for 2022. Moving Gallo now would help regular season was attributable to the reduce the payroll. Rangers, not the ballpark. Gallo came up to the big leagues in There is no question that Gallo has 2015, playing 36 games. It was immedi- become a fan favorite. He is the best play- ately obvious that he was a three outcome er the Rangers have drafted and developed offensive player. He usually walked, struck since Jon Daniels took over as General out or hit a home run. He has almost as Manager. However, he is a Scott Boras many career home runs as singles Ð 120 to client. Boras usually pushes his clients to 122. Gallo’s best season was 2019 when go to free agency. They rarely re-sign with he made the All-Star team. He hit .275 the team they broke into the Majors with. with 20 home runs and drove in 46 before One exception though, is Elvis Andrus with the All-Star break. That added up to a the Rangers. Andrus told Boras he wanted 1.060 OPS! Injuries limited him to just to stay with the Rangers, and Boras worked nine games after the All-Star break. out a deal that kept him here. The question on Gallo is how attractive Daniels said this week in an interview is he to another team? He undoubtedly has with Norm Hitzges that the two most likely the physical talent to be a super star and scenarios with Gallo are to sign him to a may be perceived as a big guy that can hit long term contract or trade him for a ball a long way, but he is a lot more....he prospects. In the end, there are two ques- is a tremendous athlete. He has good tions the Rangers need to answer. Can or speed. He is a smart baseball player. He should the Rangers work out a long term The rumor continues to surface that the Rangers are talking to other teams about dealing has a terrific throwing arm. The Rangers contract with Gallo? If the answer is no, groomed him in the minor leagues to be a what can they get in a trade for him? third baseman and has also played first Answering questions like these are why Gibson. That leaves one spot in the rota- base, where he was a plus defender. The Jon Daniels and Chris Young make the big tion open for a host of up and coming Rangers looked at him at all three outfield bucks! pitchers in the Rangers’ minor league sys- positions before settling on right field in NOTABLE: tem. 2020. All Gallo did defensively was win ¥ The Rangers announced the hiring of This week, the Rangers announced the the Gold Glove Award for fielding excel- Mike Franco as the Major League Mental signing of six players to minor league con- lence. Skills Coach. Franco has previously tracts. Utility player In reality then, he has not put together a worked in a similar capacity for the Dallas was the only one of the six to receive an great, complete season. This past year, he Mavericks and Texas Legends. Also, AAA invitation to spring training with the Major played 57 games and hit just .181 and strength and conditioning coach Al League club. Culberson has played eight BY DIC HUMPHREY spoke early and often about the new Globe Sandoval has been promoted to the Major seasons in the Majors and has seen action [email protected] Life Field “playing big”. Thirty Ranger League Assistant Strength and at all four infield positions as well as left MEMBER: USBWA home games and three post-season series is Conditioning coach. He has been with the and right field. He also has made four not enough history to make judgements as Ranger organization for four years. pitching appearances. The 31 year-old has The last couple of weeks were generally to how the field will play. It is probably ¥ Emily Jones will again be part of the a career batting average of .249 with 23 slow in with the safe to say that it will not be the hitters Rangers’ 2021 television coverage. She home runs and 111 RBIs in eight seasons. holidays, but not so in the Rangers’ front haven that Globe Life Ballpark was, but it signed a contract for next season, her He has a reasonable chance to make the office. Texas in its unending pursuit of is too early to pronounce it a pitcher eighth as a Texas Rangers’ employee and Rangers opening day roster. pitching added a likely starting pitcher to friendly ballpark. her 17th covering the team. Before Christmas, the Rangers the 2021 rotation. There was a lot more offense in the The Rangers signed Kohei Arihara, who announced that the New York Mets have has pitched for the Nippon Ham Fighters sent pitcher Ryder Ryan to the Rangers as since 2015. Arihara signed a two year deal the “player to be named later” in the trade for the relatively modest price of $6.2 mil- of infielder Todd Frazier to the Mets last lion in salary. The Rangers are also obli- August. Ryder was with the Mets in spring gated to pay the Ham Fighters $1.24 mil- training last season and performed in the lion (20% of the contract value) for the fall instructional league but was not on the posting fee which brings the total cost to Mets’ 60 Man player pool for the 2020 sea- the Rangers to $7.44 million plus Arihara son. Ryder was an infielder at North can make an additional $50,000 each year Carolina before getting drafted by the in incentives. Arihara has a below average Baseball Club. The Tribe turned fastball but has tremendous control. He him into a pitcher. had an outstanding season in 2019 with a The rumor continues to surface that the 15-8 record and 2.46 ERA but slipped to 8- Rangers are talking to other teams about 9, 3.46 this season pitching 132.2 innings. dealing Joey Gallo. With Lance Lynn back He is viewed as an “innings eater”, which in St. Louis, Gallo is the most attractive would be a big boost to the Rangers if he trade piece in the Rangers’ arsenal. He is performs similarly to his Japanese record. under contractual control for two more sea- At this point Arihara slots in as the num- sons. Will the Rangers be a contender in ber three or four starter along with Dane 2021 or 2022? Doubtful. Plus, he will not Dunning and behind and Kyle be cheap. He is expected to receive a full

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 19 | January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 5 MISC TOM WARD Puerto Vallarta Memories: Part2

yards. I would set up as close as I could to the tree line to make swings. There was very little room for error....if I pulled the ball left even slightly it would end up out- side of the driving range into the high weeds. In the beginning, I spent a lot of time picking up balls in those weeds. It was frustrating, but I persevered overtime rectifying the issue. I had finally learned to TOM WARD rein in the swing flaw that crept up at inap- [email protected] propriate times which had cost me a few It was now 1981, and I’ve been in tournament wins in the past. Vallarta for over a month. As a new year Next, I needed to hit the ball with a arrived, friends would come to visit, like lower burrowing type of trajectory so the my cousin Jim from Chicago, as well as wind wouldn’t affect the ball flight. Having two friends from my college golf team. plenty of spare time, this became a real I got to know most of the people at the positive thing.... it forced me to be more Flamingos Club on a first name basis and creative. they all treated me good. I even learned a The neighbor’s beach house on the right lot of new cuss words in Spanish from the side was owned by an American from caddies. Texas who had a Mexican business partner. Perhaps, the most important person that They rarely came down or had anyone use I befriended during my time in Vallarta was the property so I called him and ask if I Dr. Irma Gittelson and her son Cedric. It’s could use his property to practice? He gave always good to know a local doctor in case me the okay which was great because he of an emergency and she was a lovely per- had 150 yards of private beach front sand son whose friendship I cherish to this day. all walled in. Now, I had my own private From an entertainment standpoint, sand box to experiment and play in. watching this middle aged man come to the I took some long palm branches and house periodically picking coconuts off the rigged up a high jump bar....similar to what palm trees was fascinating. I was mesmer- one would see at a track meet...and placed ized watching him shimmy up the palm a long stick on top, about neck level high. trees with ease barefooted, plucking I would hit choked downed mid- irons in coconuts. After he left, I tried on many the sand across the yard and lower the bar occasions to replicate his feat to no avail. each time I achieved a degree of success in My golf game was really coming keeping the trajectory lower with each around. In the past, while in college, I club. The key was not to hit the bar on the never had time to work on my game follow-through. Eventually, I had the bar lowered to just because of classes, studying and playing on decided to hike up to the top of the water- and I fell down a few feet into a natural below my groin area and was able to keep the golf team. I played even less as an fall and check out the view. Walking up pool of water which was about 4 feet deep. the ball flight low even with the higher assistant pro at my first job in Chicago (a into the jungle I found a dirt path that led I hit my left shoulder hard on some rocks lofted clubs. private country club.) I always played my to a big stream that was flowing down during the fall. I was dazed from the sud- My sand wedge game was always good, best golf in the summer while home from from the mountains. I waded carefully into den dunking, then a real panic came over but practicing hours a day took it to a new school. I would compete in tournaments the shallow water (I was wearing flip- me when realizing that I was about to be level and led to exciting new discoveries. around Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky and flops) and made my way closer to the edge pulled over the edge of the waterfall. Every day after practicing I couldn’t wait won a few of them. Being in Mexico with of the falls. The view was breathtaking To be continued.. to get to the golf course and try it out on great weather was the perfect scenario to overlooking the bay. I yelled at the group Tom Ward can be contacted at www.tee- the course. My scores and ball-striking improve on areas of my game that needed below who were waving back. Suddenly, timewithtom.com were improving quickly from the first days work. Every day the high was around 85 my foot slipped on the slick mossy rocks degrees with no humidity and in the I arrived as I was now averaging 70, or two evening it was in the mid-60’s. under par. Growing up in Ohio, I learned to hit the A week later, I put it all together shoot- ball hard and high because that’s what Jack ing 64 while playing with some of the Nicklaus did. I could always hit the ball a members from Seattle. I learned later in the long way off the tee, but my accuracy at clubhouse restaurant from Fidel(head pro) times was sporadic. Whenever I struggled that I broke the course record. it was usually a big pull or a hook off the Finally, after a lot of hard work, things tee. I needed to eliminate that shot espe- were trending in the right direction that is cially under pressure. until the day I was almost killed. Some of The windy conditions at Los Flamingos the members of the golf club invited me to golf club forced an adjustment to my ball- a place called ‘Yelapa’ which was only striking. I devised a game plan to counter- accessible by boat. After arriving we sat on act this issue. the beach and had fresh seafood then On the left side of the driving range walked up to the waterfall. They wanted to were a line of tall palm trees that went to hang out there to get some sun. Not being a the end of the range which was about 250 sit still kind of guy I went exploring. I

6 January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 19 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com GOLF PGA TOUR Top 10 most read stories of 2020

phones caught Hal Sutton saying that to of all the famous people he’s met through either his ball or the golf gods on the 18th his son, it was a pair of guided tours of the hole as he won THE PLAYERS USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Houston Championship in 2000. But what ever hap- that impacted him the most. pened to the right club, the 6-iron he used 9. The of Monday qualifiers to set up his tournament-clinching par? The Honda Classic Monday qualifier Where is it? And which of Sutton’s clubs has the deepest field of any PGA TOUR now lives in a time capsule? Monday qualifier, so it’s beyond special to 7. Collin Morikawa has a golf IQ beyond get through. In 2019, for example, the his years Honda’s Monday sprint featured 24 players Collin Morikawa became golf’s newest with at least one TOUR win. In 2020, there young superstar when he drove the par-4 were 13 different TOUR winners in the 16th hole at TPC Harding Park on the way Monday field with a combined 23 to winning the PGA Championship last European Tour and 41 Korn Ferry Tour summer. But what really sets him apart is 10. The brotherhood of the slump his head. The man who recruited him to Which player was so lost he resorted to Cal said he never once saw Morikawa pull hitting shots blindfolded on a driving range the wrong club, while a former rival in Dubai? Which one consulted a book by remarked, “There are no holes in his game a Major League pitcher who had been Ð at all.” felled by the throwing yips? This story 8. The fabulous dad life of Mike Thomas explains why slump-busting is a team In a lengthy interview with PGA- effort (wives, coaches, psychologists) and TOUR.com, Mike Thomas explains what it why the victors are sometimes was like raising golf-obsessed Justin; “the guys that can muster through it the explains why it’s so vitally important to longest.” make it fun for kid golfers; and details why

By Cameron Morfit finals. PGATOUR.COM Follow 3. Tiger’s (arguably) greatest shot ever What were you reading in 2020? Grant Waite had already reached the According to the metrics, it was a par-5 18th green in two; now Tiger Woods diverse lineup of stories that was by turns had to do the same if he wanted to assure predictable (two of the top three stories himself a birdie and a one-shot victory at featured Tiger Woods) and unpredictable (a the 2000 RBC Canadian Open. Between feature about Rory McIlroy’s reading his ball and the pin: 218 yards, a row of habits). There was triumph (the astounding bushes and a gaping water hazard. The lie: comeback of Brendon Todd, among others) wet sand. What happened next was jaw- and tragedy (the courage of Camilo dropping even for longtime caddie Steve Villegas, wife Maria, and their foundation Williams. Mia’s Miracles). 4. Rory McIlroy gets a good read Here are the 10 most read stories of the “I spend enough time around a lot of year on PGATOUR.COM. The full story is impressive people,” Rory McIlroy said in archived and can be read on the website. an interview at the WGC-Mexico 1. My first time playing with Tiger Championship, “and one of the common Woods denominators, always, is that they read a One player nearly drove off the road lot.” Here, McIlroy details how he has upon learning that he would be playing his improved his life by reading and in particu- first round with Tiger Woods, whose leg- lar by embracing stoicism, which says to endary exploits attracted so many TOUR temper the big reaction and take the long pros to golf in the first place. A future Hall view. of Famer recalled, “I’ve never said ‘good 5. The healing has begun shot’ as much in my life … as I did that Doctors couldn’t save their daughter day.” And yet a third player was so awed Mia, who died of cancer last summer, but by Woods he reconsidered turning pro. Camilo and wife Maria Villegas are turning 2. How MJ became a golfer tragedy into something more hopeful and In this deep dive into the golf obsession purposeful. They renamed their foundation of the most famous basketball player of all Mia’s Miracles, which will keep their time, you’ll learn the name Buzz Peterson; daughter’s memory alive as it supports meet the man who taught Michael Jordan families battling pediatric cancer in the how to play (hint: it wasn’t Davis Love and Colombia. III); and find out why Jordan’s future in the 6. Whatever happened to the right club game was so tied to North Carolina’s loss today? to Indiana in the 1984 East Regional semi- “Be the right club today.” The micro-

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 19 | January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 7 COLLEGES SMU REPORT SMU men’s basketball off to a 6-0 start

returns home for three games starting Not to be forgotten is new recruit Sunday night against the University of Preston Stone. Stone led his Parish Houston Cougars that come to town with a Episcopal team to the state championship 7-1 record and ranked fifth in the nation in for the second straight year in TAPPS both major polls. The start time is 6:00 Division I. Along the way, he set the PM (Central), and the game will be tele- greater Dallas area high school record for vised on ESPN2. passing yards, finishing his high school The one area where the Mustangs did not career with 13,207 yards. Former Ennis fare well against Temple was rebounding. High School star Graham Harrell, who Temple grabbed 43 to 38 for SMU. “I went on to a storied career at Texas Tech, thought our rebounding was awful. That’s was the previous area leader with 12,532 what kept them in the game,” Jankovich yards. Stone’s yardage total ranks him said. He knows this has to improve to beat fourth in Texas high school history. He the Cougars Sunday night. “They’re the threw 35 passes this season and best offensive rebounding team in the finished his career second in the D/FW nation.” area. Harrell still holds that record with FOOTBALL: 167 touchdown passes in his high school career. Shortly before Christmas, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine announced the All-Texas team for the 2020 season. Seven Mustangs were honored. Buechele was the first team , and offensive lineman Hayden Howerton also made the first team. Chris Naggar was the first team place kicker. The second team had Ulysses Bentley, IV as one of the The Mustangs are 6-0 on the season and 2-0 in American Athletic Conference play running backs, Rashee Rice as one of the wide receivers, Kylen Granson at , BY DIC HUMPHREY SMU in nine tries on the road against and offensive lineman Jaylon Thomas. [email protected] Temple, and the first road win against the NOTABLE: Shane Buechele has decided to go to the NFL Owls since the 2016-2017 season. - The SMU Women’s basketball team The 2020 portion of SMU’s Men’s bas- “Obviously, we didn’t have the fans abruptly cancelled the rest of their season ketball season came to a close with a 79-71 to deal with,” SMU Head Basketball Coach The quarterback situation came into because of Coronavirus concerns. The sur- win over the Temple Owls Wednesday Tim Jankovich said afterward. He looked at focus as the year came to a close. Shane prise announcement came last Tuesday afternoon at the Liacouras Center in the first half as a lot of missed opportuni- Buechele wasted no time in making a deci- after the Mustangs had played just six Philadelphia. Playing for the first time in ties. “We had the chance to break it open.” sion on his future. He’s going to the NFL. games this season. Every player on the two weeks in this already disjointed sea- Yor Anei continues to draw attention in That left the SMU quarterback cupboard team opted out. SMU son, the Mustangs were sloppy at the just his second game as a Mustang. He bare as Buechele’s back-up this season Ð Rick Hart said in a published statement, start, but they got big games from newcom- blocked five shots, which tied the SMU Terrance Gipson Ð left the program before “…we support them, as we have supported ers Darius McNeill and Yor Anei. That pair record for blocks in an AAC game. He has the season ended. the choices of our other student athletes in combined to score 31 points as SMU took eight blocks on the season. He also scored It didn’t take Sonny Dykes all sports whether they have elected to a 39-19 lead in bench scoring for the major 14 points in 23 minutes. “He’s elite,” long to re-stock. Tanner Mordecai, who compete or to opt out. Our priority is their difference in the game. The Mustangs go to Jankovich said about Anei’s shot played at Oklahoma this season, is transfer- health, safety, and wellbeing.” 6-0 on the season and 2-0 in American blocking ability. “He erased a lot of our ring to SMU. He entered the transfer portal ? Shane Buechele was named a Second Athletic Conference play. Temple falls to defensive mistakes. He’s a fantastic addi- on Sunday, December 20, and was a free Team Senior CLASS Award All-American 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the AAC. tion to our team.” agent for just two days before committing as voted by a nationwide vote of Division I Temple opened the scoring with the McNeill led the Mustangs with 17 to the Mustangs. He has been with the FBS football coaches, national media, and first six points of the game. SMU later put points in 28 minutes. He’s obviously get- Sooners for three years, one as a red shirt, fans. CLASS is the acronym for together a 9-0 run to lead 13-9. Temple ting into the flow of Jankovich’s offense but since the 2020 season doesn’t count Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for again put together a 5-0 run to take a 14-13 after sitting out last year as a transfer and toward eligibility, he has three years of eli- Staying in School. lead, but SMU bounced back with a 14-2 missing a significant amount of practice gibility remaining. He was rated as a four - Kendric Davis made this week’s AAC run to lead by 11 points at 27-16, their time this fall with an injury. Kendric Davis star recruit coming out of Midway High Weekly Honor Roll for his performance in largest lead of the game. has been the Mustangs’ leading scorer this School in Waco and has completed 50 of SMU’s 70-55 conference opening win over Temple rallied however to cut the lead to year. He finished with 13 points, while 70 passes playing as a backup to Jalen East Carolina. He scored 17 points in five points at halftime. Temple came out grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out a Hurts and Spencer Rattler in Norman. that game and recorded six assists. He strong in the second half and took a one game high five assists. He committed just “SMU’s just a really good spot. It made came into the Temple game as the second point lead at 47-46 with 14 minutes left in one turnover. Emmanuel Bandoumel was a lot of sense for me,” he told the Dallas leading scorer in the American Athletic regulation. That proved to be the Owls’ last the Mustangs’ other double digit scorer Morning News’ Sam Blum. Mordecai also Conference. It was the third time that lead of the game, as the Mustangs went on with 13 points. Ethan Chargois led the noted the success of Buechele at SMU Davis has made the Weekly Honor Roll an 8-0 run to capture the lead they Ponies with nine rebounds. after transferring. He will be enrolling for this season. would not give up. SMU is tied with Wichita State at 2-0 the spring semester at SMU, but it is - Coach Jankovich had no further update Winning in Philadelphia has been prob- atop the AAC conference standings. The unclear at this point if he will be eligible on the Tyson Jolly situation. “Just the lematic for SMU since joining the AAC. Mustangs at 6-0 are the only AAC team next fall or if he will sit out a year as a same. He’s not practicing with us, but he’s Wednesday’s game was just the third for that has not lost this season. SMU now transfer. doing well.”

8 January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 19 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com COLLEGES COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS 2020 College Football Playoff Notes

four consecutive years in the CFP - in the 2019: 25-11/12; 24-11/19;25-11/26;21-12/3 semifinals in 2017 and for the overall title 2020: 20-12/8; ++-12/15 after the 2015, '16 and '18 seasons. Arizona (8) - Cincinnati of the American Athletic 2014: 12-10/28; 19-11/4; 14-11/11; 15- Conference became the first non-Power 11/18; 11-11/25; 7-12/2; 10-12/7 Five Conference entry in the initial rank- 2017: 22-10/31 ings on Nov. 24, 2020, in seventh position Arizona State (7) Ð a school CFP record. 2014: 14-10/28; 9-11/4; 6-11/11; 13-11/18; - BYU, Coastal Carolina, Indiana, 13-11/25; 17-12/2; 15-12/7 Louisiana, San Jose State, and Tulsa all Arkansas (1) gained their first CFP rankings in the 2016: 25-11/8 seven-year history in 2020. There are now Auburn (27) 2014: 74 of the current 130 schools in NCAA 3-10/28; 3-11/4; 9-11/11; 14-11/18; 15- FBS with at least one appearance in these 11/25; 19-12/2; 19-12/7 rankings. 2016: 9-11/1; 9-11/8; 15-11/15; 13-11/22; - Of the top 10 teams in CFP standings’ 14-11/29; 14-12/4 appearances from 2014-20, there are 4 2017: 14-10/31; 10-11/7; 6-11/14; 6-11/21; SEC, 2 ACC, 2 Big Ten, 1 Big 12, and 1 2-11/28; 7-12/3 By Bo Carter Florida State (13), and LSU (2019) each Pac-12 school represented. 2018: 24-11/6 were undefeated BCS of CFP titlists. All - There have been three schools appear- 2019: 11-11/5; 12-11/12; 15-11/19; 15- In the BCS era (1998-2013), there were four 2017 CFP semifinalists had at least ing in each of the first 42 2014-20 CFP 11/16; 11-12/3; 12-12/8 30 undefeated teams in the final BCS one loss, and three of the 2018 and ’19 standings. They are Alabama, Clemson and 2020: 22-11/24 Standings. From 2014-20 in the last CFP semifinalists entered the postseason Ohio State. No school appeared in all 125 Baylor (20) 2014: Top 25s, there were 18 additional teams. unbeaten. Clemson (15-0) through the BCS standings from 1998-2013. Texas had 13-10/28; 12-11/4; 7-11/11; 7-11/18; 7- Clemson, LSU and Ohio State all were 13- 2018 season was the first CFP champ to go the most Top 15/25 showings with 104 dur- 11/25; 6-12/2; 5-12/7 0 in the final 2019 CFP standings. undefeated after downing then-14-0 ing 16 seasons in the BCS rankings. 2015: 6-11/3; 6-11/10; 10-11/17; 7-11/24; Alabama, Notre Dame and UCF closed Alabama in the ’18 title game. LSU (15-0) - 2020 is the first time in CFP or Bowl 12-12/1; 17-12/6 their ’18 regular seasons with 13-0 records duplicated that feat in ’19. Championship Series annals that 10 teams 2016: 17-11/1 as well. Only UCF emerged at 12-0 and the - Most NCAA FBS football champi- entered the first week of the rankings with 2019: 12-11/5; 13-11/12; 14-11/19; 9- lone undefeated team prior to bowl selec- onships all-time by respective conferences undefeated overall records due to COVID- 11/26; 7-12/3; 7-12/8 tions among the FBS in ’17, and the - American: UCF 4; ACC: Clemson 20; 19 circumstances. Boise State (20) Knights carried a 25-game winning streak Big Ten: Michigan 42; Big 12: Oklahoma - The five sets of CFP rankings for the 2014: 23-11/25; 22-12/2; 20-12/7 into the post-2018 bowl campaign before 14; Conference USA: 2 by six teams Ð last: 2020 season are the fewest in either CFP or 2016: 24-11/1; 22-11/8; 20-11/15; 19- falling to LSU. UAB; MAC: Toledo 11; MWC: Boise State BCS history because of the limited season 11/22 1998: Tennessee, Tulane 4; Pac-12: USC 39; SEC: Alabama 28; Sun and Dec. 20 selection Sunday. The previ- 2017: 25-11/24; 23-11/21; 25-12/3 1999: Florida State, Virginia Tech Belt: Arkansas State, Troy 6. ous few rankings’ weeks were six from the 2018: 25-11/13; 23-11/20; 22-11/27; 25- 2000: Oklahoma - Alabama (23 times), Clemson (eight), 2015-19 seasons. In 2014 there were seven 12/2 2001: (Fla.) LSU (three), Mississippi State (three), rankings from Oct. 28-Dec. 7. 2019: 22-11/5; 21-11/12; 20-11/19; 20- 2002: Miami (Fla.), Ohio State Ohio State (three), and Georgia (two) are - There have been 10 undefeated BCS or 11/19; 19-12/3; 19-12/8 2003: None the only six schools to hold down the No. 1 CFP champions in the combined first 22 Boston College (3) 2004: Auburn, Oklahoma, USC, Utah position in the first seven seasons of CFP seasons of the championships. Tennessee 2018: 22-10/30; 17-11/6; 20-11/13 2005: Southern , Texas standings. (’98 season) and LSU (2019) are the first BYU (5) 2006: Boise State, Ohio State - Alabama also holds the BCS/CFP and most recent unbeaten national champs. 2020: 14-11/24; 13-12/1; 18-12/8; 17- 2007: Hawai’i record for consecutive weeks in either In the final 2020 BCS rankings there were 12/15; 16-12/20 2008: Boise State, Utah standings with 90 (48 BCS, 42 CFP) from five undefeated schools. Cincinnati (12) 2009: Alabama, Boise State, Cincinnati, 2008-Dec. 8, 2020. Next is Clemson with All-Time College Football Playoff 2018: 24-11/13 TCU, Texas (record five teams) an active streak of 66 from 2011-20 (24 Rankings Appearances (Oct. 28, 2014- 2019: 20-11/5; 17-11/12; 19-11/19; 19- 2010: Auburn, Oregon, TCU BCS, 42 CFP). Dec. 20, 2020) 11/26; 20-12/3; 21-12/8 2011: LSU - Clemson and Alabama occupied a com- 42 Standings - Best All-Time Rankings in 2020: 7-11/24; 7-12/1; 8-12/8; 9-12/15; 8- 2012: Notre Dame (Note: 12-0 Ohio State bined 13 appearances among the first five Bold Ð 74 teams Ranked All-Time 12/20 was ineligible for standings) years (24 teams selected) in the CFP semi- Alabama (42) Clemson (42) 2013: Florida State finals. 2014: 6-10/28; 5-11/4; 5-11/11; 1-11/18; 1- 2014: 21-10/28; 21-11/4; 19-11/11; 22- College Football Playoff Era: - The next four sites for the CFP champi- 11/25; 1-12/2; 1-12/7 11/18; 12-11/25; 18-12/2; 17-12/7 2014: Florida State, Oregon onship contests are 2021 season - Hard 2015: 4-11/3; 2-11/10; 2-11/17; 2-11/24; 2- 2015: 1-11/3; 1-11/10; 1-11/17; 1-11/24; 1- 2015: Clemson, Iowa Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla,; 12/1; 2-12/6 12/1; 1-12/6 2016: Alabama, Western Michigan 2022 - , 2016: 1-11/1; 1-11/8; 1-11/15; 1-11/22; 1- 2016: 2-11/1; 2-11/8; 4-11/15; 4-11/22; 3- 2017: UCF 2023 - SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.; 11/29; 1-12/4 11/29; 2-12/4 2018: Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame 2024 - NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas. 2017: 2-10/31; 2-11/7; 1-11/14; 1-11/21; 5- 2017: 4-10/31; 4-11/7; 2-11/14; 3-11/21; 1- 2019: Clemson, LSU, Ohio State - Four different conference teams have 11/28; 4-12/3 11/28; 1-12/3 2020: (five teams) Alabama (11-0), Ohio captured the CFP in its first six seasons - 2018: 1-10/30; 1-11/6; 1-11/13; 1-11/20; 1- 2018: 2-10/30; 2-11/6; 2-11/13; 2-11/20; 2- State (6-0), Cincinnati (9-0), Coastal Ohio State (Big Ten) in 2014, Alabama 11/27; 1-12/2 11/27; 2-12/2 Carolina (11-0), and San Jose State (7-0). (Southeastern) in 2015, 17, Clemson 2019: 3-11/5; 5-11-12; 5-11/19; 5-11/26; 2019: 5-11/5; 3-11/12; 3-11/19; 3-11/26; 3- - Tennessee (’98 season), Florida State (Atlantic Coast) in '16, '18, and LSU (SEC) 12-12/3; 13-12/8 12/3; 3-12/8 (99), Oklahoma (00), Miami (Fla.) (01), in 2019. Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma, 2020: 1-11/24; 1-12/1; 1-12/8; 1-12/15; 1- 2020: 3-11/24; 3-12/1; 3-12/8; 3-12/15; 2- Southern California (04 Ð later vacated), and Georgia were the four semifinalists in 12/20 12/20 Texas (05), Alabama (09), Auburn (10), 2017, and Alabama and Clemson met in Appalachian State (6) (continued on page 6

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 19 | January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 9 Coastal Carolina (5): 2019: 16-11/5; 24-11/12 Navy (12) 11/22; 10-11/29; 12-12/4 2020: 20-11/24; 18-12/1; 13-12/8; 12- Kentucky (6) 2015: 20-11/10; 16-11/17; 15-11/24; 23- 2017: 11-10/31; 15-11/7; 12-11/14; 19- 12/15; 12-12/20 2018: 9-10/30; 11-11/6; 17-11/13; 15- 12/1; 21-12/6 11/21; 19-11/28; 19-12/3 Colorado (8) 11/20; 15-11/27; 14-12/2 2016: 25-11/22; 19-11/29; 25-12/4 2019: 23-11/5; 22-11/12; 21-11/19; 21- 2016: 15-11/1; 12-11/8; 10-11/15; 9-11/22; Louisiana (4) 2019: 24-11/5; 23-11/12; 24-12/3; 23-12/8 11/26; 25-12/3; 25-12/8 8-11/29; 10-12/4 2020: 25-12/1; 19-12/8; 19-12/15;19-12/20 NC State (10) 2017: 20-10/31; 23-11/7; 19- 2020: 23-11/24; 15-12/1; 22-12/8; 10- 2020: 21-12/8; 25-12/15 Louisville (11) 11/14; 24-11/28; 24-12/3 12/15; 21-12/15; 21-12/20 Duke (3) 2014: 25-10/28; 24-11/18; 22-11/25; 21- 2018: 21-10/30; 14-11/6 Ole Miss (12) 2014: 24-10/28; 22-11/4; 21-11/11 12/2; 21-12/7 2020: 23-12/8; 22-12/15; 23-12/20 2014: 4-10/28; 11-11/4; 10-11/11; 8-11/18; East Carolina (1) 2016: 7-11/1; 6-11/8; 5-11/15; 11-11/22; Nebraska (8) 19-11/25; 12-12/2; 9-12/7 2014: 23-10/28 13-11/29; 13-12/4 2014: 15-2014; 13-11/4; 16-11/11;23-11/18 2015: 18-11/3; 22-11/17; 18-11/24; 13- Florida (29) LSU (33) 2016: 10-11/1; 19-11/8; 18-11/15;16-11/22 12/1; 12-12/6 2015: 10-11/3; 11-11/10; 8-11/17; 12- 2014: 19-10/28; 16-11/4; 17-11/11; 24- North Carolina (12) Oregon (20) 2014: 5-10/28; 4-11/4; 2- 11/24; 18-12/1; 19-12/6 12/2; 23-12/7 2015: 24-11/10;17-11/17;14-11/24;10-12/1; 11/11; 2-11/18; 2-11/25; 2-12/2; 2-12/7 2016: 11-11/1; 23-11/15; 15-11/22; 15- 2015: 2-11/3; 9-11/10; 15-11/17; 21-12/1; 10-12/6 2015: 23-11/17; 17-11/24; 16-12/1;15-12/6 11/29; 17-12/4 20-12/6 2016: 21-11/1; 17-11/8 2019: 7-11/5; 6-11/12; 6-11/19; 14-11/26; 2018: 11-10/30; 15-11/6; 13-11/13; 11- 2016: 13-11/1; 24-11/8; 16-11/15; 21- 2020: 19-11/24; 17-12/1; 17-12/8; 15- 13-12/3; 6-12/8 11/20; 9-11/27; 10-12/2 11/29; 20-12/4 12/15; 13-12/20 2020: 15-11/24; 23-12/1; 25-12/20 2019: 10-11/5; 11-11/12; 11-11/19; 11- 2017: 19-10/31; 24-11/7; 20-11/14; 18- Northwestern (20) Penn State (24) 11/26; 9-12/3; 9-12/8 11/21; 17-11/28; 17-12/3 2015: 21-11/3; 18-11/10; 20-11/17; 16- 2016: 12-11/1; 10-11/8; 8-11/15; 7-11/22; 2020: 6-11/24; 6-12/1; 6-12/8; 7-12/15; 7- 2018: 3-10/30; 7-11/6; 7-11/13; 7-11/20; 11/24; 14-12/1; 13-12/6 7-11/29; 5-12/4 12/20 10-11/27; 11-12/2 2017: 25-11/7; 23-11/14; 22-11/21; 21- 2017: 7-10/31; 14-11/7; 10-11/14; 10- Florida State (19) 2019: 2-11/5; 1-11/12; 1-11/19; 2-11/26; 2- 11/28; 21-12/3 11/21; 9-11/28; 9-12/3 2014: 2-10/28; 2-11/4; 3-11/11; 3-11/18; 3- 12/3; 1-12/8 2018: 22-11/13; 19-11/20;21-11/27;22-12/2 2018: 14-10/30; 20-11/6; 14-11/13; 12- 11/25; 4-12/2; 3-12/7 Marshall (3) 2020: 8-11/24; 14-12/1; 14-12/8; 14-12/15; 11/20; 12-11/27; 12-12/2 2015: 16-11/3; 16-11/10; 14-11/17; 14- 2014: 24-11/25 14-12/20 2019: 4-11/5; 9-11/12; 8-11/19; 10-11/26; 11/24; 9-12/1; 9-12/6 2020: 21-11/24; 21-12/1 Notre Dame (33) 10-12/3; 10-12/8 2016: 22-11/1; 18-11/8; 17-11/15; 14- Memphis (15) 2014: 10-10/28; 10-11/4; 18-11/11 Pittsburgh (3) 11/22; 12-11/29; 11-12/4 2015: 13-11/3; 21-11/10; 21-11/17 2015: 5-11/3; 4-11/10; 4-11/17; 6-11/24; 8- 2016: 25-11/29; 23-12/4 Fresno State (5) 2017: 23-10/31; 22-11/7; 21-11/14; 20- 12/1; 8-12/6 2018: 24-11/20 2017: 25-11/28 11/21; 20-11/28; 20-12/3 2017: 3-10/31; 3-11/7; 8-11/14; 8-11/21; San Jose State (2) 2018: 23-10/30; 23-11/6; 25-11/27;21-12/2 2019: 21-11/5; 18-11/12; 18-11/19; 18- 15-11/28; 14-12/3 2020: 24-12/15; 22-12/20 Georgia (30) 11/26; 17-12/3; 17-12/8 2018: 4-10/30; 3-11/6; 3-11/13; 3-11/20; 3- SMU (2) 2014: 11-10/28; 20-11/4; 15-11/11; 10- Miami (Fla.) (11) 11/27; 3-12/2 2019: 25-11/5; 25-11/19 11/18; 9-11/25; 14-12/2; 13-12/7 2017: 10-10/31; 7-11/7; 3-11/14; 2-11/21; 2019: 15-11/5; 16-11/12; 16-11/19; 16- South Carolina (1) 2017: 1-10/31; 1-11/7; 7-11/14; 7-11/21; 6- 7-11/28; 10-12/3 11/26; 15-12/3; 15-12/8 2017: 24-11/21 11/28; 3-12/3 2020: 10-11/24; 10-12/1; 10-12/8; 18- 2020: 2-11/24; 2-12/1; 2-12/8; 2-12/15; 4- Southern California (26) 2018: 6-10/30; 5-11/6; 5-11/13; 5-11/20; 4- 12/15; 18-12/20 12/20; 4-12/20 2014: 19-11/18; 25-12/3; 24-12/7 11/27; 5-12/2 Michigan (25) Ohio State (42) 2015: 24-11/17; 20-12/1; 25-12/6 2019: 6-11/5; 4-11/12; 4-11/19; 4-11/26; 4- 2015: 17-11/3; 14-11/10; 12-11/17; 10- 2014: 16-10/28; 14-11/4; 8-11/11; 6-11/18; 2016: 20-11/8; 13-11/15; 12-11/22; 11- 12/3; 5-12/8 11/24; 14-12/1; 14-12/6 6-11/25; 5-12/2; 4-12/7 11/29; 9-12/4 2020: 9-11/24; 8-12/1; 9-12/8; 8-12/15; 9- 2016: 3-11/1; 3-11/8; 3-11/15; 3-11/22; 5- 2015: 3-11/3; 3-11/10; 3-11/17; 8-11/24; 6- 2017: 17-10/31; 11-11/7; 14-11/14; 11- 12/20 11/29; 6-12/4 12/1; 7-12/6 11/21; 10-11/28; 8-12/3 (6) 2017: 24-11/24 2016: 6-11/1; 5-11/8; 2-11/15; 2-11/22; 2- 2019: 23-11/19; 22-11/26; 22-12/3;22-12/8 2014: 24-11/4; 22-11/11; 18-11/18; 16- 2018: 5-10/30; 4-11/6; 4-11/13; 4-11/20; 7- 11/29; 3-12/4 2020: 18-11/24; 20-12/1; 15-12/8; 13- 11/25; 11-12/2; 12-12/7 11/27; 7-12/2 2017: 6-10/31; 13-11/7; 9-11/14; 9-11/21; 12/15; 17-12-20 Houston (8) 2019: 14-11/5; 15-11/12; 13-11/19; 13- 8-11/28; 5-12/3 Stanford (15) 2015: 25-11/3; 24-11/10; 19-11/17; 19- 11/26; 14-12/3; 14-12/8 2018: 10-10/30; 10-11/6; 10-11/13; 10- 2015: 11-11/3; 7-11/10; 11-11/17; 9-11/24; 11/24; 19-12/1; 18-12/6 Michigan State (20) 11/20; 6-11/27; 6-12/2 7-12/1; 6-12/6 2016: 20-11/22; 24-11/29 2014: 8-10/28; 8-11/4; 12-11/11; 11-11/18; 2019: 1-11/5; 2-11/12; 2-11/19; 1-11/26; 1- 2016: 24-11/18; 24-11/22;18-11/29;18-12/4 Indiana (5) 10-11/25; 8-12/2; 8-12/7 12/3; 2-12/8 2017: 21-10/31; 22-11/14; 21-11/21; 12- 2020: 12-11/24; 12-12/1; 12-12/8; 11- 2015: 7-11/3; 13-11/10; 9-11/17; 5-11/24; 2020: 4-11/24; 4-12/1; 4-12/8; 4-12/15; 3- 11/28; 13-12/3 12/15; 11-12/20 5-12/1; 3-12/6 12/20 Syracuse (6) Iowa (20) 2017: 24-10/31; 12-11/7; 17-11/14; 16- Oklahoma (40) 2018: 19-10/30; 13-11/6; 12-11/13; 20- 2015: 9-11/3; 6-11/10; 5-11/17; 4-11/24; 4- 11/21; 16-11/28; 16-12/3 2014: 18-10/28; 15-11/4; 21-11/18; 20- 11/20; 20-11/27; 20-12/2 12/1; 5-12/6 2018: 18-11/6 11/25; 20-12/2 TCU (19) 2017: 20-11/7 Minnesota (10) 2015: 15-11/3; 12-11/10; 7-11/17; 3-11/24; 2014: 7-10/28; 6-11/4; 4-11/11; 5-11/18; 5- 2018: 16-10/30; 21-11/6 2014: 25-11/11; 25-11/18;25-11/25;25-12/7 3-12/1; 4-12/6 11/25; 3-12/2; 6-12/7 2019: 18-11/5; 20-11/12; 17-11/19; 17- 2019: 17-11/5; 8-11/12; 10-11/19; 8-11/26; 2016: 14-11/1; 11-11/8; 9-11/15; 8-11/22; 2015: 8-11/3; 15-11/10; 18-11/17; 19- 11/26; 16-12/3; 16-12/8 18-12/3; 18-12/8 9-11/29; 7-12/4 11/24; 11-12/1; 11-12/6 2020: 24-11/24; 19-12/1; 16-12/8; 16- Mississippi State (22) 2017: 5-10/31; 5-11/7; 4-11/14; 4-11/21; 3- 2017: 8-10/31; 6-11/7; 12-11/14; 12-11/21; 12/15; 15-12/20 2014: 1-10/28; 1-11-4; 1-11/11; 4-11/18; 4- 11/28; 2-12-3 11-11/28; 15-12/3 Iowa State (15) 11/25; 10-12/2; 7-12/7 2018: 7-10/30’ 6-11/6; 6-11/13; 6-11/20; 5- Temple (6) 2017: 15-10/31; 21-11/7 2015: 20-11/3; 17-11/10; 21-11/24 11/27; 4-12/2 2015: 22-11/3; 22-11/10; 25-11/24’ 22- 2018: 24-10/30; 22-11/6; 16-11/13; 25- 2017: 16-10/31; 16-11/7; 16-11/14; 14- 2019: 9-11/5; 10-11/12; 9-11/19; 7-11/26; 12/1; 24-12/6 11/20; 23-11/27; 24-12/2 11/21; 23-11/28; 23-12/3 6-12/3; 4-12/8 2016: 24-12/4 2019: 22-11/19; 23-11/26 2018: 18-10/30; 16-11/6; 21-11/13; 18- 2020: 11-11/24; 11-12/1; 11-12/8; 10- Tennessee (6) 2020: 13-11/24; 9-12/1; 7-12/8; 6-12/15; 11/20; 18-11/27; 18-12/2 12/15; 6-12/20 2015: 25-12/1; 23-12/6 10-12/20 Missouri (7) Oklahoma State (29) 2016: 19-11/15; 17-11/22;22-11/29;21-12/4 Kansas State (9) 2014: 20-11/18; 17-11/25; 16-12/2;16-12/7 2015: 14-11/3; 8-11/10; 6-11/17; 11-11/24; Texas (12) 2014: 9-10/28; 7-11/4; 13-11/11; 12-11/18; 2018: 24-11/27; 23-12/2 17-12/1; 16-12/6 2018: 17-10/30; 19-11/6; 15-11/13; 14- 12-11/25; 9-12/2; 11-12/7 2020: 25-12/8 2016: 18-11/1; 13-11/8; 11-11/15; 10- 11/20; 14-11/27; 15-12/2

10 January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 19 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com CFP Times Ranked by Conference Top Schools By Total CFP Appearance (Through Dec. 20 Ð 42 Total Rankings) (2014-Dec. 20, 2020 - 42 rankings) (There Have Been 32 Different Teams Ranked in 2020) - Alabama Ð 42 - Clemson Ð 42 - AAC Ð 71 - Ohio State Ð 42 - ACC Ð 1455 - Oklahoma Ð 40 - Big Ten - 200 - LSU Ð 33 - Big 12 Ð 157 - Notre Dame Ð 32 - C-USA - 3 - Georgia Ð 30 - Independent Ð 33 - Utah Ð 30 - MAC - 8 - Florida Ð 29 - MWC - 30 - Oklahoma State Ð 29 2019: 19-11/12 2017: 25-10/31; 19-11/7; 14-11/14; 13- - Pac-12 - 157 - Wisconsin Ð 28 2020: 17-11/24; 20-12/8; 20-12/15; 20- 11/21; 18-11/28; 18-12/3 - SEC Ð 228 - Auburn Ð 27 12/20 2018: 8-10/30; 8-11/6; 8-11/13; 8-11/20; - Sun Belt Ð 14 - Southern California Ð 26 Texas A&M (14) 13-11/27; 13-12/2 - Michigan Ð 25 2014: 24-11/11 Western Michigan (6) - Penn State - 24 2014-20 CFP Seasons 2015: 19-11/3 2016: 23-11/1; 21-11/8; 21-11/15; 21- - Mississippi State Ð 22 Total of 74 teams from 10 FBS conferences 2016: 4-11/1; 8-11/8; 25-11/15 11/22; 17-11/29; 15-12/4 - Baylor - 20 - Boise State - 20 2018: 20-10/30; 22-11/20; 19-11/27; 19- West Virginia (15) - AAC Ð 7 12/2 2014: 20-10/28; 23-11/4 - Iowa Ð 20 - ACC - 14 - Michigan State Ð 20 2020: 5-11/24; 5-12/1; 5-12/8; 5-12/15; 5- 2016: 20-11/1; 16-11/8; 14-11/15; 18- - Big Ten - 10 12/20 11/22; 16-11/29; 16-12/4 - Northwestern - 20 - Big 12 Ð 8 - Oregon Ð 20 Toledo (2) 2018: 13-10/30; 9-11/6; 9-11/13; 12-11/20; - C-USA Ð 1 2015: 24-11/3; 24-11/24 16-11/27; 16-12/2 - Florida State Ð 19 - Indep. Ð 3 - TCU Ð 19 Tulsa (5) Wisconsin (28) - MAC Ð 2 2020: 25-11/24; 24-12/1; 24-12/8; 23- 2014: 25-11/4; 20-11/11; 16-11/18; 14- - Washington Ð 18 - MWC Ð 3 - Washington State Ð 17 12/15; 24-12/20 11/25; 13-12/2; 18-12/7 - Pac-12 Ð 10 UCF (12) 2015: 25-11/10; 25-11/17 - Iowa State - 15 - SEC Ð 13 - Memphis - 15 2017: 18-10/31; 18-11/7; 15-11/14; 15- 2016: 8-11/1; 7-11/8; 7-11/15; 6-11/22; 6- - Sun Belt - 3 11/21; 14-11/28; 12-12/3 11/29; 8-12/4 - Stanford Ð 15 2018: 12-10/30; 12-11/6; 11-11/13; 9- 2017: 9-10/31; 8-11/7; 5-11/14; 5-11/21; 4- 11/20; 8-11/27; 8-12/2 11/28; 6-12/3 UCLA (10) 2019: 13-11/5; 14-11/12; 12-11/19; 12- 2014: 22-10/28; 18-11/4; 11-11/11; 9- 11/26; 8-12/3; 8-12/8 11/18; 8-11/25; 15-12/2; 14-12/7 2020: 16-11/24; 16-12/1 2015: 23-11/3; 19-11/10; 22-11/24 Utah (30) 2014: 17-10/28; 17-11/4; 23- All-Time Teams and Dates at No. 1 11/11;17-11/18;25-11/25; 23-12/2; 22-12/7 (Through Dec. 20, 2020) 2015: 12-11/3; 10-11/10; 13-11/17; 23- (Six Teams 42 Times) 11/24; 24-12/1; 22-12/6 Alabama (23) 2016: 16-11/1; 15-11/8; 12-11/15; 22- - 2014 Ð Nov. 18-25, Dec. 2-7 11/22; 20-11/29; 19-12/4 - 2016 Ð Nov. 1-29, Dec. 4 - 2017 Ð Nov. 14-21 2018: 15-10/30; 19-11/13; 17-11/20; 17- - 2018 Ð Oct. 30-Dec. 2 11/27; 17-12/2 - 2020 Ð Nov. 24-Dec. 20 2019: 8-11/5; 7-11/12; 7-11/19; 6-11/26; 5- Clemson (8) 12/3; 11-12/8 - 2015 Ð Nov. 3-24; Dec. 1-6 Utah State (2) - 2017 Ð Nov. 28-Dec. 3 2018: 23-11/13; 21-11/20 Mississippi State (3) Virginia (3) - 2014 Ð Oct. 28; Nov. 4-11 2018: 25-10/30 LSU (3) 2019: 23-12/3; 24-12/8 - 2019 Ð Nov. 12-19, Dec. 8 Virginia Tech (9) Ohio State (3) 2016: 19-11/1; 14-11/8; 23-11/29; 22-12/4 - 2019-Nov. 5, Nov. 26-Dec. 3 2017: 13-10/31; 17-11/7; 25-11/21; 22- Georgia (2) 11/28; 22-12/3 - 2017 Ð Oct. 31-Nov. 7 2019: 24-11/26 Wake Forest (1) Consecutive Weeks in CFP and BCS 2019: 19-11/5 Rankings (Through Dec. 20, 2020) Washington (19) All-Time BCS and CFP Standings 2016: 5-11/1; 4-11/8; 6-11/15; 5-11/22; 4- Streaks 11/29; 4-12/4 - Alabama 90 (2008-20, 48 BCS, 42 2017: 12-10/31; 9-11/7; 18-11/14; 17- CFP) 11/21; 13-11/28; 11-12/3 - Clemson 66 (2011-20, 24 BCS, 42 2018: 25-11/6; 18-11/13; 16-11/20; 11- CFP) 11/27; 9-12/2 - Southern California 65 (2002-2009, all 2020: 22-12/1; ++-12/15 BCS) Washington State (17) - Texas 56 (2003-2010, all BCS) 2015: 20-11/14 - Ohio State 50 (2013-20, 8 BCS, 42 2016: 25-11/1; 23-11/8; 22-11/15; 23- CFP) 11/22 - Georgia 48 (2002-08, all BCS)

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 19 | January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 11 COLLEGES WITH BO CARTER College Football News and Notes

Cozza, New Haven, Conn. bonus plus two incentive pay raises... Happy birthdays to NFF College Hall …Though Utah did elect to attend a post- of Fame members Dec. 30 Mel Renfro (a 2020 bowl, Utes head coach Kyle spry 79), (a spry 74), Dr. Joe Whittingham remains among the best in Micchia, , Jan. 1 (1901) Don all-time postseason winning percentage at Nehlen (a spry 84), Pierce Holt, Derrick .846 with a 11-3 mark…Colorado head Thomas, Jan. 2 Darrin Nelson… coach Karl Dorrell was chosen as Pac-12 Air Force and Navy will meet in football Conference Coach of the Year…Georgia on Sept. 2021 Ð the 20-year anniversary of State head coach Shawn Elliott and the events of Sept. 11, 2001…Southern Louisiana head coach are Miss will play at Ohio State for the first being offered bonus clause salary updates time in 2024 UNLV will trek to Michigan after their recent bowl victories...Oklahoma in 2023 and has a new series with North Alex Grinch has had Texas in 2022 and ’26…Central his share of “How the Grinch Stole Washington and Eastern Washington will Christmas” correlations to the famed story meet in a single outing in 2021…North by Dr. Suess…Interesting juxtaposition: Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central Memphis Tigers head coach Ryan have signed to play a 10-game series... Silverfield is a graduate of football-swim- ....Tulane was seeking its school-record ming-baseball-famous The Bolles School third consecutive bowl victory but fell short in Jacksonville, Fla., while 2020 Tulsa Zaven Collins became the first Golden Hurricane to win the FWAA Bronko Nagurski Award last week. against Nevada in the Famous Idaho Potato opposing QB Nick Bowl in Boise…Brigham Young finished Tronti of Florida Atlantic finished high Osmanski, Providence, R.I.; (1924) Warren its 11-game regular season while allowing school at Ponta Vedra (Fla.) High School Amling, Pana, Ill.; Dec. 30 (1896) Homer a stingy 14.6 points per game…Georgia some seven miles away near the former Norton, Birmingham, Ala.; (1941) Mel Southern was leading NCAA with 26 take- PGA world headquarters…Arizona State Renfro, Houston, Texas; (1946) Barry aways (including four in the R+L Carriers head coach Herm Edwards told ESPN’s Alvarez, Langeloth, Pa.; (1966) Dr. Joe ) through games of Dec. Jeremy Schaap that having more Black col- Micchia, Sharon, Pa.; (1972) Kerry Collins, 23…Memphis’ 2020 senior class set a lege coaches working with Lebanon, Pa.; Dec. 31 (1875) Charles school record with 38 victories since 2017 and skill position players or as offensive Rinehart, Uniontown, N.J.; Dec. 31 (1918) to top the 2017 senior class’ previous mark coordinators will increase their chances of Ray Graves, Knoxville, Tenn.; (1928) of 37 wins…Georgia State played in its being hired as head coaches…Area media Hugh McElhenny, , Calif.; fourth bowl game since 2015 (2-2 record) have two leading candidates for the vacant (1932) Don James, Massillon, Ohio; Jan. 1 and captured four pf its last five games to Boise State head coaching position as (1901) Century Milstead, Rock Island, Ill.; BO CARTER close 2020 at 6-4 overall…Arkansas and Oregon defensive coordinator (1901) Frank Sundstrom, Middleton, N.Y.; [email protected] TCU will meet for just the third time since and Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator (1925) Jack Cloud, Britton, Okla.; (1927) 1991 in the 15th annual Mercari Texas Kellen Moore with an anticipated hire in , Dallas, Texas; (1936) Don Two finalists for the 2020 William V. Bowl in Houston Thursday. early January…Marshall head coach Doc Nehlen, Canton, Ohio; (1940) Mike Campbell Trophy¨ Presented by Mazda UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor tested Holliday and MU AD Mike Hamrick are McKeever, Cheyenne, Wyo.; (1962) Pierce among the 12 chosen will each receive an positive with no major symptoms for set to hold negotiations to work on Holt, Marlin, Texas; (1967) Derrick $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as mem- COVID-19 and was quarantined for the Holliday’s contract as he finishes his 11th Thomas, Miami, Fla.; Jan. 2 (1890) Vince bers of the 2020 NFF National Scholar- SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at SMU’s season with the Thundering Herd…From Pazzetti, Wellesley, Mass.; (1912) Tony Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Ford Stadium in Dallas against Louisiana ESPN and statistician deluxe Barry Allen, Blazine, Canton, Ill.; (1930) Bob Williams, Investments and are playing in post-2020 last Saturday. Former Arkansas star and there have been 61 different head coaches Cumberland, Md.; (1959) Darrin Nelson, bowl games. They are Sam Ehlinger, Texas Roadrunners associate head coach and at schools during Sacramento, Calif.; Jan. 4 (1898) Jess QB, Valero ; and Brady White, offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. was ’s 14-year tenure at Alabama Neely, Smyrna, Tenn.; (1898) Jack Memphis QB, Montgomery (Ala.) Bowl. acting head coach for UTSA’s second bowl …Army West Point head coach Todd Harding, Avoca, Pa.; (1925) Johnny The winner will be announced in 2021. tussle in history…Aquinas (Mich.) College Monken spoke of the AutoZone Liberty Lujack, Connellsville, Pa. Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins became volleyball student-athlete Chloe Mitchell Bowl's willingness to pair the Black Notable anniversary death dates for the first Golden Hurricane to win the cov- has 2.6 million social media followers and Knights with West Virginia in that contest Hall of Famers are Dec. 29 (1915) Tom eted FWAA Bronko Nagurski Award last helped found the names, images and like- after the Radiance Technologies ndepen- Shevlin, Minneapolis, Minn.; (2016) week. nesses’ site Playbook, which has made her dence Bowl was cancelled…Louisiana LaVell Edwards, Provo, Utah; Dec. 30 Vanderbilt athletics donated the No. 32 the first NAIA student-athlete to reap per- Tech had coach will seek his (2004) Bob Ferguson, Columbus, Ohio; jersey and uniform worn by Power Five sonal profits under newly-enacted NAIA 150th career head caching victory in 2021 Dec. 31 (1967) Bishop Frank Juhan, conference trendsetting kicker Sarah Fuller NIL legislation. when the Bulldogs open the season at Sewanee, Tenn.; (1992) Bill Spears, to the NFF College Hall of Fame in Auburn named former Boise State head Virginia Tech…Memphis special teams Harriman, Tenn.; Jan. 1 (1991) Edgar Atlanta. Fuller has enrolled at North Texas coach as its new head coach Pete Lembo will be moving to the Miller, Annapolis, Md.; Jan. 2 (1977) Dale and the anticipated graduate transfer goalie coach…Arizona hired Jedd Fisch as its same post at South Carolina and will be Van Sickel, Newport Beach, Calif.; (1999) for the Mean Green’s women’s soccer team new head coach…Former Salem, Samford, associate head coach for the Gamecocks Raymond “Rags” Matthews, Ft. Worth, in 2021. Auburn, North Alabama, and Akron head …Texas Tech has added former TCU Texas; (2019) George Welsh, NFF College Hall of Fame Facts coach has accepted his sixth offensive coordinator and Tech quarterback Charlottesville, Va.; Jan. 3 (1954) Gus Some notable birthdates in NFF college head coaching assignment at standout Sonny Cumbie as its new offen- Dorais, Birmingham, Mich.; (2003) Sid College Hall of Fame annals in the Dec. Louisiana-Monroe…San Jose State is in sive coordinator and quarterback coach... Gillman, Carlsbad, Calif.; Jan. 4 (1943) 29-Jan. 4 time period are Dec. 29 (1909) the final phases of extending the contract …Former FIU OC Rich Skorsky is seeking Bill Edwards, New York, N.Y.; (2000) Tom William Grinnell, Boston, Mass.; (1911) of head coach …Nevada a new assignment for the ’21 Fears, Palm Desert, Calif.; (2013) Pete Tay Brown, Compton, Calif.; (1915) Bill head coach received a bowl season….Baylor offensive coordinator Elliott, Canton, Ohio; (2018) Carmen

12 January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 19 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com and passing game coordinator istrator Laura Lageman is retiring Sidney Wells, OL Colby Ragland and WR Bowl in Birmingham, Ala., and the Jorge Munoz will not return to the program Thursday after 31 years at the school. She Austin Watkins Jr….Southeastern Radiance Technologies in 2021…Michigan defensive coordinator took pride in helping to achieve 20 consec- Conference superlative awards on the also were postponed until post-2021 along Don Brown is leaving the staff…Clemson’s utive semesters where CofC student-ath- All-SEC teams included with the TransPerfect in Brent Venables, UAB’s Bill Clark and letes had composite grade point averages of Nick Saban of Alabama as Coach of the Nashville, Tenn., because of a COVID-19 Louisiana’s Billy Napier reportedly were 3.0 (4.0 scale)…Texas executive senior Year, WR DeVonta Smith of Alabama as outbreak on the Missouri squad and staff among the finalists for the Auburn head associate AD for external affairs Drew SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Alabama …There are now 27 bowl games on the full coaching job...LSU has released defensive Martin was interviewed with Sports CB Patrick Surtain as Defensive Player of slate after 15 cancellations in post-2020 coordinator and former Nebraska and Creatives Podcast about how the the Year, and Auburn RB Tank Bigsby as …Army West Point replaced Tennessee Youngstown State head coach Bo Pelini, Longhorns are using analytics and fast- 2020 Newcomer of the Year…San Jose (racked by COVID-19 challenges) as West defensive line coach Bill Johnson, safeties track marketing techniques in 2020-21. State football celebrated its first Mountain Virginia’s opponent in the AutoZone coach Bill Busch, and passing game coor- Martin began his fulltime career in athlet- West Conference championship after fans …Brigham Young played in dinator Scott Linehan…Appalachian State ics after working as a student assistant in Tweeted back and forth about the final out- its 38th all-time bowl game in the head coach received three athletics at Mississippi State as a media come of the title outing with Boise State on Roofclaim.com and is performance bonuses for guiding the relations intern with current NFF presi- social media days before the teams played.. 16-21-1 with 15 postseason treks in the last Mountaineers to a tri- dent/CEO Steve Hatchell and NFF corre- …Administrators of the Sun Belt 16 seasons…Presale of tickets for the relo- umph over North Texas. spondent Bo Carter at the championship tussle and com- cated Rose Bowl presented by Capital One Hometowns of more 2020 college head Conference in 1997…LEAD1 is working missioner Keith Gill recalled plans from College Football semifinal between coaches Ð Southern Illinois: Nick Hill, on a white paper to help diversify leader- November to allow the highest team in the Alabama and Ohio State in Arlington, DuQuoin, Ill.; USF: , Aracdia, ship in college athletics with Northern College Football Playoff rankings (in this Texas, were made available on a limited Fla.; SMU: Sonny Dykes, Big Spring, Illinois AD Sean Frazier and Wyoming case, No. 12 Coastal Carolina) to be con- basis last midweek…Appalachian State has Texas; Southern (Baton Rouge): Dawson senior associate AD/senior woman admin- sidered for a CFP berth in case of a tie or won six consecutive bowl games in six sea- Odums, Shelby, N.C.; Southern Miss: Will istrator Dr. China Jude co-chairing five the SBC title game not being contested... sons since 2015…Marshall just played in Hall, Amory, Miss. subcommittees on such topics as hiring, …Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee its seventh bowl in eight seasons in the Illinois State tabbed Utah deputy direc- retention, advancement, training, educa- had five players on the 2020 All- Camellia Bowl and has gone bowling eight tor of athletics for internal operations/COO tion, and mentorships…Kennesaw State Conference USA Freshman Team, and times in 10 campaigns under head coach Kyle Brennan as its new AD. Retiring AD senior associate AD Scott Whitlock is retir- some of those players who made 2020 Doc Holliday who was selected as 2020 Larry Lyons is spending time in the posi- ing after 36 years in KSU athletics.... national headlines were LT's OT Dakota Conference USA Coach of the Year…Iowa tion during the transition to assist Brennan …Former Indiana AD Fred Glass talked White and LBs Tyler Grubbs and Maki AD and College Football Playoff selection …Ohio State AD and 2007 NFF John about the 6-1 Hoosiers not being included Carabin as well as Blue Raiders yearling chair spoke about the 2020 sea- Toner Award recipient Gene Smith support- among the New Year's Six Bowls and what standouts OG Dorian Hinton, OT Steven son and CFP challenges due to COVID-19 ed Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren for the reasons might have been…Austin Peay Losoya, DB Quincy Riley, and KR-WR scheduling. CFP committee members fin- Warren's handling of the multiple chal- selected former Indiana State Provost Dr. Jaylin Lane...SEC commissioner Greg ishing their tenures this year are Florida lenges of the 2020 football season…Iowa Michael Licari as its new president.... Sankey is expected to give his opinions AD Scott Stricklin, Oklahoma AD and State AD Jamie Pollard addressed the pos- ....Virginia Tech associate AD for market- during the offseason on the College NFF Board member Joe Castiglione, sibility of College Football Playoff selec- ing and fan development Lauren Belisle Football Playoff to the CFP Oversight Georgia Tech AD , NFF tions following the NCAA March has accepted a post as senior associate AD Committee and related groups…Boise College Hall of Fame member Ronnie Lott Madness¨ model and bids' process for fan experience and sales at Vanderbilt State has been looking at some possible of USC, and retired famed head coach Ken …Colorado AD Rick George professed his …Florida State men’s basketball coach and revenue enhancements if the Broncos were Hatfield. Barta also spoke of the possibili- thoughts on the multiple challenges of the administrator Leonard Hamilton told media to move to the American Athletic ties for Cincinnati and BYU as Group of season, the Buffaloes 4-0 start and the Pac- that more medical professionals and virus Conference, which currently has 11 foot- Five conference contenders for one of the 12 Conference’s canny shuffling of games experts might be needed to pinpoint the ball-playing members. The AAC also has four CFP berths…Iowa had to pause team when COVID-19 outbreaks forced multiple direction of NCAA sports and to outline been purporting a Power Six conference activities for five days prior to its appear- postponements and cancellations..Outgoing additional plans for the 2021 NCAA Men’s recognition for its gridiron participants. ance in the TransPerfect in the Music City Georgia AD Greg McGarity reminisced Basketball Championship in March and Another media outlet noted that North Bowl…College Football Playoff executive about challenges with NCAA names, April in the Indianapolis, Ind., area..... Dakota State might make a move from director Bill Hancock told ESPN that post- images and likenesses’ legislation, transfer …Minnesota Board of Regents chair powerhouse NCAA FCS to FBS as a new ponements of any of the three CFP contests rules, financial issues, and COVID-19 in Kendall J. Powell penned an editorial about member of the are on the table in case of COVID-19 chal- his final year as AD…Nebraska AD Bill the tough divisions to eliminate the Golden to replace the Broncos. CBS Sports colum- lenges…The Chick-fil-a has Moos mentioned “moving the dial” with Gophers varsity sports programs from 25 nist Dennis Dodd noted that the American tabbed University Fancards as the official numerous ambitious projects before his to 22 in 2021-22 because of COVID-19 is considering Boise State as a football- Gift Mastercard provider for the 2021 clas- existing contract ends Dec. 31, 2022.... financial challenges. Powell also observed only future member…Big South sic…In a span of eight days from Dec. 24- …Purdue AD told the that 80-plus NCAA Division I programs Conference ADs approved a schedule with Jan. 1, 2021, the Dallas-Fort Worth area is media about the moving target of the 2020- had to be negated due to economic condi- 50 total games and 40 conference-only hosting five bowl bouts, including the sec- 21 Boilermakers athletics’ budget and how tions…Oregon athletics has advertised an contest…The Big East Conference will ond Rose Bowl presented by Capital One the is working to max- associate AD for communications’ posi- play a 28-game conference baseball sched- to be played outside Pasadena, Calif., since imize its fiscal year proceeds to respective tion…Wake Forest has posted a senior ule with a maximum of 28 non-loop the first Rose Bowl in 1902. Capacity at members and changing revenue estimates associate AD for compliance and adminis- games…Network television Nielsen AT&T Stadium for Wednesday’s Goodyear …Northwestern deputy director for admin- tration post for 2021…Holy Cross athletics Ratings varied because of all the December Cotton Bowl and the Rose Bowl presented istration and policy/senior woman adminis- has an opening for an assistant director of FBS conference football championships by Capital One is expected to be 17,815 trator Janna Blais is taking over as interim media relations…Texas Tech athletics is moved back from 7-14 days, and pre-title …South Carolina and Vanderbilt remain as AD for new ACC commissioner Jim seeking a program director for social tussles’ promotions were limited by the the only two Southeastern Conference Phillips …Louisville AD Vince Tyra and media…Stanford athletics has a position new time frames…The Metro Atlantic members still awaiting invitations to the head coach Scott Satterfield gave Cardinals available for assistant director for technical Athletic Conference added Concordia Goodyear Cotton Bowl. Both their teams’ head men’s basketball coach Chris Mack a operations. (Ore.) AD Lauren Eads as interim deputy helmets are represented in a special display celebratory papering at his home after UL The 2020 All-Conference USA team commissioner from Jan. 19-June 30. at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl office on downed Kentucky last Saturday in men’s features numerous Marshall and UAB The presented by level five of Arlington’s AT&T Stadium basketball. Kentucky’s men’s hoops’ team standouts from the two league champi- Northrop Gruman scheduled for Dec. 28 in …Since the College Football Playoff began is working to overcome a 1-6 start for its onship finalists. Some of these stars are Annapolis, Md., had to be cancelled due to the Group of Six New Year’s Day (approxi- fewest wins through seven games since the Marshall LB Tavante Beckett, DE Darius the lack of available teams and no Atlantic mate) Bowls in post-2014, the Group of 1926-27 season…College of Charleston Hodge and punt return standout Talik Coast Conference contracted opponent Five Conferences have posted a 3-3 record senior associate AD/senior woman admin- Keaton along with UAB stalwarts OL available…The TicketSmarter Birmingham (continued on page 14)

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 19 | January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 13 …Liberty’s 37-34 single overtime victory Georgia Tech and Lou Hedley of Miami High School broke the Dallas-Fort Worth dispense bonus funds for head and assistant over previously-undefeated Coastal (Fla.)…2020 Rimington Trophy finalists Metroplex high school career passing coaches if their teams' bowls were can- Carolina broke a streak of 66 consecutive are Landon Dickerson of Alabama, Tyler record with 13,207 yards. Former Texas celled by COVID-19. Public records indi- bowl games without an overtime during the Linderbaum of Iowa and Josh Myers of Tech and NFL performer Graham Harrell cated that Alabama's coaching staff has FBC Mortgage in Orlando. It Ohio State…Finalists for the 2020 Earl of Ennis held the previous mark for the $1.5 million in possible incentives for mak- was 41st overtime contest since the NCAA Campbell Tyler Rose Award are Jaelon region with 12,532 yards. ing the College Football Playoff again initiated the extra-period rule during the Darden, North Texas, WR; D’Eriq King, 2019 NFF William V. Campbell¨ while Ohio State's football staff has a pro- post-1995 bowl campaign. Miami (Fla.); Sincere McCormick, UTSA, Trophy recipient of Oregon jected $3 million contracted for bowl BYU quarterback threw RB; Kellen Mond, Texas A&M, QB; and and the NFL set a bonus pay…Barnes and Noble Education for 425 yards and three TDs and rushed for Kyle Trask, Florida, QB…LSU DL Siaki NFL rookie record with his 28th touch- has partnered with Fanatics and Lids to sell two others in the “alphabet” (BYU vs. Ika will transfer to Baylor for the 2021 down pass this year…NFF College Hall of merchandise for college football and other UCF) Boca Raton Bowl…RB Camerun campaign…Former Duke safety Marquis Famer and North Carolina head coach sports in 770 bookstores nationwide... Peoples rushed for a school-record 317 Waters is moving to Texas Tech in ’21. is very familiar with his …Santa Clara County health officials and yards and five TDs in Appalachian State’s Tech 2020 starting safety Thomas Leggett Capital One opponent Texas San Jose State football are checking into inaugural Myrtle Beach Bowl triumph over has decided to pass on his extra year of eli- A&M. Brown faced the Aggies 14 times protocols used by SJSU prior to its appear- North Texas…North Texas travelled to the gibility next autumn…Florida TE Kyle with a 10-4 record from 1998-2011 and is ance in the against Ball Myrtle Beach Bowl with just one healthy Pitts will sit out the 2020 Goodyear Cotton the last Longhorns head coach to down the State…Adidas has inked a new contract quarterback Ð Jason Bean Ð but managed Bowl to concentrate on the 2021 NFL Aggies 27-25 in 2011 before they discon- with Fear of God, a lifestyle and sports 28 points in its loss to Appalachian State.. Draft…Former Baylor QB Charlie Brewer tinued their 118-game series…The NFL brand owned by designer Lorenzo. The …Texas A&M RBs Isaiah Spiller and is transferring to Utah for the ’21 season reactivated five-year vet- new branch will be known as Fear of God Ainais Smith figure big in postseason for …TCU Trevon Moehrig is eran wideout Chris Moore of Cincinnati Athletics…Louisville athletics and Yum! the No. 5 Aggies with a combined 1,379 one of the finalists for the 2020 Jim Thorpe Bearcats fame.....Former XFL Brands hope to continue the $16 million, rushing yards during the regular campaign Trophy…Texas A&M TE Jalen Wydermyer Commissioner, NCAA executive and West 11-year ’ agreement for the …Conference USA Players of the Year is one of three finalists for the John Virginia AD Oliver Luck is working with Yum! Brands Arena if outside NCAA chal- were North Texas WR Jaelon Darden Mackey Tight End Award, and Texas QB former XFL board members and executives lenges do not intervene…Bucknell athletics (Most Valuable Player), UTSA RB Sincere Sam Ehlinger is a finalist for the Wuerffel on final settlements of accounts. extended its marketing and apparel agree- McCormick (Offensive Player), Marshall Trophy for community service. Ehlinger Hawai’i athletics is working to replace ments with adidas through June 2026 LB Tavante Beckett (Defensive Player), also told sports media last week that he is historic in with a …DePaul athletics has inaugurated the UTSA punter Lucas Dean (Special Teams weighing two main options for a possible 35,000-seat nearer campus and has Mikan Society to honor top donors and Player), Marshall QB Grant Wells return for an additional senior season next received a $350 million commitment from potential major contributors in memory of (Freshman of the Year), and Louisiana Tech fall…Former Oklahoma reserve QB Tanner the state of Hawai’i to develop the new late DePaul Naismith Basketball Hall of QB Luke Anthony (Newcomer of the Mordeci has transferred to SMU for 2021 football facility and the surrounding area. Fame member George Mikan…Both of Year)…TexAgs.com speculated on Texas …New Mexico Bowl Outstanding Completion is projected in late 2023 or New Mexico State's basketball programs A&M’s 2021 season prowess under pro- Offensive Player Clayton Turner trans- early 2024…Famed SDDCU Jack Murphy opened the season in Grand Canyon facili- jected redshirt freshman starting QB ferred to Hawai’i from Jacksonville U. Stadium in San Diego, Calif., is being ties in Phoenix, Ariz….Duke’s women’s Haynes King…Florida defenders LB James when the Dolphins dropped football for razed after 53 years of operation for col- basketball team has decided to end its sea- Houston IV and DB Kaiir Elam and UF financial reasons. Turner had a 75-yard lege and NFL games along with Major son due to COVID-19 and related health QB Kyle Trask were featured in the Gators pass reception, eight-yard TD run and he League Baseball and hundreds of other concerns…Facebook director of sports first trip to the 2020 Goodyear Cotton first kickoff return for a touchdown in 15 events. The late Bob Murphy, brother of partnerships Peter Hutton relayed how col- Bowl …Oklahoma DL Isaiah Thomas, New Mexico Bowls with a 92-yard sortie. fabled news and sports editor Jack Murphy, lege football and Instagram have worked OLB Nik Bonitto, DE Ronnie Perkins, and The game was played at Toyota Stadium in broadcast college football games and the together to add new product adoption in DB Tre Norwood were highlighted in Frisco, Texas, because of COVID-19 MLB New York Mets for several years spite of COVID-19 challenges…Los pregame confabs for the 85th annual restrictions in New Mexico…Hawai’i QB …Several Coastal Carolina students and Angeles (Calif.) County has adopted the Goodyear Cotton Bowl…Finalists for the Chevan Cordeiro finished as the Rainbows season ticket holders cheered on fellow new Centers for Disease Control guidelines 2020 Lou Groza National Place-Kicker leading rusher this season with 483 net member Appalachian to lower COVID-19 quarantine periods Award are Jose Borregales, Miami (Fla.); yards and seven and also State in its win during the inaugural Myrtle from 14 to 10 days…Iowa recently had Jake Oldroyd, BYU; and Will Reichard, passed for 2,083 yards and 14 TDs with Beach Bowl at CCU’s stadium in Conway, resumed football activities after five days Alabama…Charlie Mendes was named just six …Nevada QB Carson S.C….At least 33 schools in all NCAA and off to COVID-19 precautions, and then its Special Teams Player of the Year for Strong paced the Wolf Pack to a victory NAIA divisions, including the entire Ivy TransPerfect Music City Bowl contest with Rice…Some of the 2020 players declaring over Tulane in the Famous Idaho Bowl League, have paused men’s or women’s Missouri was cancelled. The Athletic men- for the 2021 NFL Draft and missing bowl with five TD passes and ended the year basketball activities over the last eight tioned the Big Ten and Pac-12 games or collegiate offseason workouts CB with 2,856 aerial yards and 27 TDs as the days…Montana athletics has projected its Conferences' continued allegiance and sup- Paulson Adebo of Stanford, OG Jack 2020 Mountain West Conference Player of 2021 scholarship amount at $1.96 million Ð port to the Rose Bowl presented by Capital Anderson of Texas Tech, OT Calvin Ashley the Year…Texas offensive line starters slightly less than the $1.97 tally for schol- One and the tradition of teams from these of Florida A&M, WR Tutu Atwell of Denzel Okafor and Tope Imade are return- arships in fiscal year 2019 of $1.97 mil- conferences going almost annually since Louisville, WR Jhamon Ausbon of Texas ing for the ’21 season along with TE Cade lion. Administrators attributed this savings the 1946 season. The Athletic also explored A&M, RB Rakeem Boyd of Arkansas, and Brewer and Brenden because of an extra year of eligibility for the possibilities of assistant coaches in safety Brady Breeze of Oregon. They are Schooler …Florida QB Kyle Trask and LB seniors and good management of remain- football and women’s basketball with top among the 100-plus undergrads and seniors James Houston IV reflected on not playing ing grants-in-aid for 2021-22 freshmen and credentials to become college head coaches declaring for the 2021 draft after 118 col- at AT&T Stadium in 2017 when the Gators transfers…Iowa football was praised for in both sports. Some of the top possibilities lege players came out for the 2019 selec- faced Michigan and their excitement about working through diversity and inclusion came from Florida State, Indiana, tions, and 115 collegians finished their UF’s first trip to the Goodyear Cotton challenges in the offseason to finish 6-2 Creighton, Syracuse, UConn, Louisville, careers early by declaring for the ’20 NFL Bowl against Oklahoma Wednesday night and gain an invitation to play Missouri in Texas, Tennessee, Wake Forest, Texas Draft…North Texas WR Austin …Alabama nabbed yet another nationally the TransPerfect Music City Bowl in A&M, North Carolina, and Ohunmakin had a career-best seven recep- stellar signee last week in Nashville, Tenn….FBS public-school col- Oregon…Athlon Sports calculated 136 tions for 131 yards in the Myrtle Beach Garland (Texas) Lakeview Centennial High lege head coaches have the option to games out of a total of 542 contests in Bowl…Finalists for the FWAA Outland School’s Camar Wheaton…Houston was receive just under $3.2 million in bowl 2020 on all FBS schedules were postponed Trophy are OT Liam Eichenberg of Notre missing 15-plus student-athletes because of bonuses, according to USA Today research, (42 tilts) or cancelled (94 contests)…The Dame, OT Alex Leatherwood of Alabama midterm grade matters and COVID-19 after 2020-21 bowls, but several coaches Oregon Consulting Group conducted a and Iowa DT Daviyon Nixon…Finalists for related challenges for the New Mexico have opted to decline this compensation study that showed no direct correlation the 2020 Ray Guy Award are Jake Bowl last week…SMU 2021 QB signee because of COVID-19 financial challenges. between sanitized public gyms and weight Camarda of Georgia, Pressley Harvin of Preston Stone of Dallas Parish Episcopal Several schools also are discussing how to training facilities and COVID19 spread...

14 January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 19 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com ESPN noted that the Big Ten 's 2020 persons of Tom Allen, Indiana; Brent Return to Competition Task Force Medical Brennan, San José State; Matt Campbell, Subcommittee's updated COVID-19 proto- Iowa State; , Coastal cols based on CDC guidelines in recent Carolina; Karl Dorrell, Colorado; Luke weeks…The SEC was commended by the Fickell, Cincinnati; Nick Saban, Alabama; Shreveport (La.) Times for losing only two Kalani Sitake, BYU; and , games due to COVID-19 conditions. The Clemson…Mitch Blankespoor of conference noted it made sure to start the Wilmington, Aaron Gaberman of Sacred season Sept. 26 after a previous spike in Heart, Roy Allen of Florida Southwestern COVID-19 due to Labor Day gatherings… State, Kevin Maloney of Jones (Miss.), and Forbes magazine investigated College Candice Kelm of McLennan (Texas) were Football Playoff payouts from public featured subjects and opinion makers in the records and discovered that Notre Dame CoSIDA Open Forum online newsletter and Clemson will receive approximately $6 …Arizona, Colorado State, Dartmouth, million apiece from the Atlantic Coast Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisville, LSU, Conference and team participants’ shares. Michigan State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, The publication also broke down estimated and UCLA are working with NCAA payouts for the Power Five and Group of enforcement and compliance officials con- Five conferences for the three CFP encoun- cerning possible issues and probes at their ters…Business sources revealed financial respective schools…CBS Sports and other challenges for ESPN due to the cancella- news agencies are reporting that the NCAA tion of 14 of the previously scheduled 42 will confirm in coming days all its 2021 NCAA FBS bowls. The network hopes to men’s basketball championship rounds in recoup some of the setbacks from future the Indianapolis, Ind., area in March and contracts and additions of bowls at Fenway early April. Park in Boston and the Los Angeles Bowl 2020-21 College Football Playoff Bowl at SoFi Stadium in post-2021…ESPN Schedule with New Year’s Six Games wrote about the National Collegiate (All Games Televised by ESPN) Hockey Conference’s playing bubble in the Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 (CFP Semifinals) Ð Omaha, Neb., area for matches from Dec. Rose Bowl presented by Capital One 1-21 and the success in limiting COVID-19 CFP Semifinal outbreaks…The Athletic carved out an Alabama vs. Notre Dame, inspiring story about what student-athletes, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Tx. 4 p.m. coaches and administrators had to undergo Allstate behind the scenes with frequent COVID-19 Clemson vs. Ohio State tests, personal isolation, missing seeing Mercedes-Benz Stadium family and friends on weekends and holi- New Orleans, La., 7:45 p.m. days, intrigue leading up to game post- Monday, Jan. 11 - ponements and cancellations, and trying to CFP Championship, semifinal winners, find some sort of routines among classes, practice and game days… Miami, Fla., 8 p.m. wondered aloud why all 11 new college Friday, Jan. 1 Ð head football FBS coaching hires were Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, Anglos and how many Black and Latino Cincinnati vs. Georgia head coaches were interviewed or under Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 12:30 p strong consideration…AthletcDirectorU Saturday, Jan. 2 - editorialized about diversity and inclusion PlayStation opportunities and challenges in football Iowa State vs. Oregon and college basketball. , Glendale, Ariz., 4 p The FWAA released its nine finalists Capital One Orange Bowl for the coveted FWAA Eddie Robinson North Carolina vs. Texas A&M National Coach of the Year Award in the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Fla., 8 p.m.

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 19 | January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 15 NFL NFL Picks and Predictions: Week 17

which is a little eye-popping considering against a shaky Jaguars'run defense. the Steelers won the first meeting 38-7. Jacksonville has the No. 1 pick locked up, Which Cleveland players will be out so the future of this AFC South rivalry is because of COVID-19? Will the Steelers sit much brighter. Philip Riversplays a clean their starters or try to eliminate their AFC game. North rivals? This is a game we would stay Pick:Colts 31, Jaguars 20 away from because of those variables, but- there is no better time for the Browns to Tennessee (10-5) at Houston (4-11) break throughthan now. Sunday, 3:25 / CBS Pick: Browns 26, Steelers 23 Line: Titans -7.5 / 56.5 The Titans still control their playoff des- Baltimore (10-5) at Cincinnati (4-10-1) tiny, and they will need a win against the Sunday, 12:00 / CBS rival Texans to get there. Houston ranks Line: Ravens -12 / 44.5 31st in run defense, and Derrick Henry The Ravens need this one to keep their needs 223 yards to get to 2,000 rushing playoff hopes alive, androokie J.K. yards for the season. It's not impossible. Dobbins has offered a spark in the running Pick:Tennessee 31, Houston 23 game to compliment . Cincinnati has not folded the last two (7-8) at Denver (5-10) weeks and is capable of being a spoiler. Sunday, 3:25 / CBS Jackson just won't let it happen. Line: Raiders -2.5 /51 Pick: Ravens 34, Bengals 21 The Broncos have won one of their last five games,and the Raiders have lost three Miami (10-5) at Buffalo (12-3) straight games. leads Las By Mike McFee hands Atlanta its 10th one-score loss of the Sunday, 12:00 / CBS Vegasto a .500 record in Jon Gruden's third In our picks and predictions for Week 17 season. Line: Bills -3 / 43 season, and that will increase expectations of the 2020 NFL season, the Browns final- Pick:Buccaneers 31, Falcons 24 Miami needs a win to get in the play- for 2021. ly return to the AFC playoffs by getting offs, and this could be every bit the thriller Pick:Raiders 28, Broncos 21 past Pittsburgh and Green Bay knocks the Dallas (6-9) at NY Giants (5-10) the 31-28 shootout in Week 2 was between rival Bears out in the NFC North. Sunday, 12:00 / FOX the teams.The Dolphins pull the first real LA Chargers (6-9) at Kansas City (14-1) Six playoff spots are still open heading Line: Cowboys -1.5 / 44.5 upset of the day, and TuaTagovailoaenjoys Sunday, 3:25 / FOX into the final week of the NFL regular sea- The winner in the NFC East clash will his first signature victory. Line: Chargers -3.5 / 44 son. put pressure on Washington to win in the Pick:Dolphins 28, Bills 24 The Chiefs have little incentive to play The AFC wild-card race and NFC home- prime-time spot. The Cowboys have aver- starters in this game, and that makes it field advantage race are among the big aged 36 points per game the last three Seattle (11-4) at San Francisco (6-9) tough to go against the Chargers and rook- storylines heading into the final week. weeks. The Giants have struggled to score. Sunday, 3:25 / FOX ie quarterback Justin Herbert Ð who com- There are four games between teams with putsDallas on the cusp of a Line: Seahawks -6.5 / 46 pletes a record-setting season in stylewith a winning records, and those are some of the playoff berth. Will they get a little help? The Seahawks won the first meeting 37- fourth straight victory. more-interesting pieces of the puzzle. Pick:Cowboys 30, Giants 20 27, but theymustbe careful here. C.J. Pick:Chargers 29, Chiefs 24 Pittsburgh and Cleveland meet at 1 p.m. Beathard threw three TD passes last week, with the Browns looking to clinch their NY Jets (5-9) at New England (8-6) and Jeff Wilson and George Kittle can give Green Bay (12-3) at Chicago (8-7) first playoff berth since 2002. Miami also Sunday, 12:00 / CBS Seattle's defense problems. Sunday, 3:25 / FOX is looking to make the AFC playoffs with Line: Patriots -3 / 39.5 delivers a clutch drive, however, and that Line: Packers -5.5 / 51.5 rookie , but they need to The opening line has dropped 5.5 points; puts the pressure on the Packers and Saints In the first meeting on Nov. 29, the beat rival Buffalo to get there. a nod to the improvement from the Jets the in the afternoon window. Packers jumped out to a 27-3 lead in the In the NFC, Arizona and Los Angeles last two weeks. The Patriots offense has Pick: Seahawks 28, 49ers 25 first half, but Mitchell Trubisky found meet in a huge NFC West showdown; one slumped down the stretch, and Bill something in the second half of a 41-25 could miss with a thumb injury. Belichick has an interesting offseason com- Arizona (8-7) at LA Rams (9-6) loss. He's been hot ever since and the Chicago is trying to sneak into the NFC ing. New Englandcloses with a victory. Sunday, 3:25 / CBS offense is clicking. The problem? Aaron playoffs too, but Green Bay is looking for Pick:Patriots 23, Jets 13 Line: Cardinals -3 / 40.5 Rodgers and the Packers are clicking too, home-field advantage with MVP candidate The Rams are favored now, but this line and they need this win for home-field . Minesota (6-9) at Detroit (5-10) could shift dramatically if Jared Goff advantage. Trubisky is 1-5 against Green Week 17 should be fantastic as a result, Sunday, 12:00 / FOX (thumb) is unable to play. is Bay.The Packers pull through in the fourth and it's one last chance to improve our Line: Vikings -6.5 / 54 the Rams'backup, and Los Angeles faces quarter, but it will be close. straight-up picks record: Detroit has little incentive to play the task of keeping up with . Pick:Packers 33, Bears 26 ¥ Last Week: 11-5 here. Dalvin Cook is a The Cardinals have their own issues, but ¥ Season: 116-7 little too far behind Derrick Henry for the Murray does enough to scratch out a victo- New Orleans (10-4) at Carolina (11-3) rushing title, but he still closes out the ry. Sunday, 3:25 / FOX Atlanta (4-11) at Tampa Bay (10-5) Lions with a big performance. Pick:Cardinals 24, Rams 19 Line: Saints -6.5 / 47.5 Sunday, 12:00 / FOX Pick:Vikings 30, Lions 23 The Saints still have a shot at home-field Line: Bucs -6.5 / 50.5 Jacksonville (1-14) at Indianapolis (10-5) advantage with a little help. Alvin Kamara averages 311.3 passing Pittsburgh (11-3) at Cleveland (11-3) Sunday, 3:25 / CBS had 148 total yards in the first meeting, and yards with eight TDs and no interceptions Sunday, 12:00 / CBS Line: Colts -14 / 10.5 he will be the difference on the road in yet in his last three games. He's warming up in Line: Browns -9 / 42 The Colts are in a must-win situation, and another one-score loss for the Panthers. time for the playoff run, and Tampa Bay The line has jumped up 3.5 points, they will rely on rookie Jonathan Taylor Pick:Saints 30, Panthers 23

16 January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 19 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com AUTO VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS VW Atlas midsize-crossover SUV

is available in the S. Apart from all-wheel drive and the V6 engine (both of which are standard in SEL Premium), the only other main options are a trailer package for the first three trims with the V6, panoramic sunroof (available in the upper two SE variants) and 2nd-row captain’s chairs. The first two trims are ineligible for that last feature. To see which equipment goes where, check our Trims/Features section below. The basic engine in the VW Atlas is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit mak- ing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the only configuration. The alternative is a 3.6-liter V6 generat- ing 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, and can drive either the front wheels or all four (AWD) with the 4Motion setup, which has modes for various treach- erous conditions. The Atlas also has on- road driving modes of Eco, Normal and Sport. Both engines connect to an 8-speed By Matt Degen vehicle VW sells in the United States, so is big on the inside yet capable of fitting automatic transmission. even this option is hardly a powerhouse. within a regular garage. The rear-passenger 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 The Volkswagen Atlas is a midsize- But it can come with all-wheel drive doors are generously sized and open wide 235 horsepower @ 4,500 rpm crossover SUV with three rows of seating. (AWD), a system that includes Snow and for easy entries and exits. And we like the 258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm In its usual form, it has accommodation for Off-road modes. large cargo-area aperture, especially when EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/24 seven. An optional pair of captain’s chairs Eight inches of ground clearance means it’s accessed by the hands-free power tail- mpg for the second row brings that down to six. the Atlas can cope with a rural trail, but not gate. Touches like these illustrate the detail 3.6-liter V6 Volkswagen designed and developed the the really rough stuff. Volkswagen has gone into when consider- 276 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm Atlas especially for North America, and Yes, a third seating row is good enough ing the needs of its potential customers. 266 lb-ft of torque @ 2,750 rpm builds it in the company’s factory in to warrant a special mention. The way the The standard wheel is an 18-inch alloy, EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 Chattanooga, Tennessee. second row slides forward to make the going up to 21 inches on the highest trim. mpg (FWD), 16/22 mpg (AWD) The Atlas is therefore a specialized seats behind so easily accessible is just one The R-Line variants have their own cos- The S trim is the lowest of the seven machine that still has to have a broad aspect. Passengers will also find plenty of metic additions. Atlas trim levels, with a Manufacturer’s appeal. And it succeeds with family-friend- headroom and decent legroom, with space The good news is that the Atlas in Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $31,545. ly space and costs, smart ergonomics, under the second row to place their feet. entry-level S trim comes with a lot of stan- Add the $1,020 destination charge to make decent-quality materials, and a pleasant Even if the Atlas isn’t exactly breathtak- dard equipment that includes a few $32,565. driving experience with standard driver ing, there’s still some VW spirit to be advanced driver aids. Other attractions Aim for the SE trim at least, from aids. found. Clicking the driving modes over to include rain-sensing wipers, automatic $35,715, although a good balance of price As with almost anything that looks like Sport sharpens up the steering and throttle LED headlights, heated side mirrors, roof and equipment is the SE w/Technology for an SUV, though, this is a hotly contested responses, and raises the transmission shift rails, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smart- $38,065 (front-wheel drive). The SEL arena. Principal rivals like the Honda Pilot, points. It even works with the adaptive phone integration, and Wi-Fi. comes in at $41,815, while the SEL Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer have cruise control engaged. Safety makes a substantial contribution Premium (with the V6, all-wheel drive and been joined recently by the excellent Kia Because the Atlas is aimed at American with six airbags, automatic post-collision almost everything else as standard) is Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Let’s not buyers, there are 17 cup holders. However, braking, and VW’s Intelligent Crash $50,215. Adding the 2nd-row captain’s forget the Chevrolet Traverse, either. At the cabin still mixes simplicity with class. Response System, which cuts the fuel sup- chairs would be $695. Where they’re least the Atlas is strong enough to be in the The high-quality plastics help in this ply, unlocks the doors and turns on the haz- optional, the V6 is $1,400 and all-wheel game, rather than being left on the side- regard. ard lights in the event of a crash. drive is an extra $1,800. lines. The second row can fold and slide for- The not-so-good news is that there’s These figures are similar to the Ford The Atlas has a comfortable ride quality ward even when child seats are fitted, only a 6.5-inch infotainment touch screen Explorer, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride and approaching that of a luxury vehicle, yet enabling accommodation for seven occu- and one USB port. Hyundai Palisade. The Chevrolet Traverse still displays control and composure when pants, or six if the optional 2nd-row cap- To bring even more features into a new starts with a lower price, while a new-for- the corners come along. That’s the tain’s chairs are selected. Volkswagen Atlas means heading for high- 2020 Toyota Highlander costs more. European influence in a vehicle designed In versions of the Atlas without the cap- er trims. For example, parking sensors Check out KBB.com’s Fair Purchase and built for Americans. tain’s chairs, the rearmost two rows of aren’t available until the mid-range SE Price to see what other buyers in your area The basic 4-cylinder engine (paired seats can fold to create a flat load-space w/Tech R-Line model, while the hands-free are paying for their new Atlas. The Pilot only with front-wheel drive) is adequate for floor. Behind the third row is a still-gener- power tailgate comes in the SEL model. and Highlander outperform the Atlas in suburban duties, but anyone planning ous 20.6 cubic feet of cargo area, which Those looking to spend more can always terms of resale values. Although the VW longer drives might want to consider the expands to an impressive maximum of 96.8 order the panoramic sunroof, 20-inch or SUV has a transferrable 6-year/72,000- V6. Then again, the Atlas is not light cubic feet. 21-inch alloy wheels, and 2nd-row cap- mile bumper-to-bumper warranty in its (around 4,500 pounds) and it’s the largest Clever packaging means the VW Atlas tain’s chairs. The V6 with all-wheel drive favor.

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 19 | January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 17 TICKET WINDOW

18 January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 19 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com FOOD REVIEW By RICHARD POLLAK Dessert: The last course is worth the wait

nemon and nutmeg, then baked to perfec- tion. The Dessert world as we know it is based around Chocolate. Here another fam- ily celebration would not be complete without a Chocolate Ganache Cake. The

By Richard Pollak The Traveling Gourmet [email protected] The Caramel Cake at Nick & Sams One of the best homemade dessets is Bread pudding This was suppose to be my last arti- and toffee bits. Truly, the best way to end cle, my last review, the end, the finish but Croissant and Donuts will be the next great a family celebration. now that I've come to dessert how can i invention. The number #1 Dessert is New York stop now? Every home cook makes bread pudding. Style Cheesecake. So airy to make even I Norma’s Coconut Cream Pie Made of stale bread and milk or cream, can make it but why try. Go instead to eggs, butter and array of spices such as cin- Junior's in New York where their world mad design of Chocolate drippings and fresh home made whipped cream. There is a whole day just to celebrate Pies and Norma's takes the cake with it's 14 varieties from berries to chocolate and even peanut butter. Outstanding! Finally, its my birthday and to celebrate a huge four pound rainbow birthday cake for my Luau themed celebration. With two layers, one of chocolate macadamia nuts and the second Vanilla Passion fruit, the

A Smoothie makes for a refreshing dessert

Dessert can be as smooth and refresh- ing as this Mango Smoothie! You don't Junior’s famous Cheesecake have to go exotic or extravagant for Dessert. But, today, pastry Chefs in the back of the kitchen are now becoming famous Cheesecake is ordered even before celebrities. the Entrees! One of the great landmarks in Los Angeles is the giant Donut. Many a simple meal can end with a Donut or Pasteries. The variety and creativity is outlandish as the newly invented Cronut, a combination

Dessert treats can be had at Globe Life Park

Texas Snow Balls are a unique treat only found at Globe Life Park. Shredded brisket rolled into balls, dipped in funnel cake batter and deep fried, then coated in powdered sugar. We shouldn't run right to the celebration Dessert but when it is so magnificently pre- sented as here at Nick & Sams why not! The Caramel Cake is crowned with vanilla Ice Cream and drizzled with more caramel

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 19 | January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 19 20 January 1, 2021 - January 7, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 19 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com