RRooaadd ttoo tthhee CCoolllleeggee WWoorrlldd SSeerriieess bbeeggiinnss

June 4 - June 10, 2021 Vol. 19, Issue 41 www.sportspagdfw.com FREE 2 June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 41 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on @sportspagdfw.com Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 41 | June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 3 June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 AROUND THE AREA Vol. 19, Issue 41 LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST sportspagedfw.com Established 2002 SMU's Goodwin named All-American Cover Photo: AROUND THE AREA Peter Fountain, North Carolina ranked freshman and concluded the year as 4 Nick Gabrelcik, North Florida a member of the All-Big 12 Team and a RANGERS REPORT Noah Goodwin, SMU WGCA Honorable Mention All-American. 5 BY DIC HUMPHREY Ryan Hall, South Carolina She set a program record for par-5 scoring , ETC John Pak, Florida State with a mark of 4.66, and her overall scor- 6 BY TOM WARD Turk Pettit, Clemson ing average of 71.85 (0.12 to par) is the THE Davis Thompson, Georgia fifth-lowest all-time by a Cowgirl golfer. 7 BY PGATOUR.COM NORMAN, Okla. - SMU's Noah Tatematsu recorded 20 rounds at par or BEFORE AND AFTER MUIRFIELD Goodwin was named a First Team All- better, which is the third-best clip in school 8 COURSE RENOVATION American, the Golf Coaches Association of history, and her 118 birdies are the sixth- BY PGATOUR.COM America announced Tuesday. He is the most. The rookie won the ICON Invitational PHATOUR UNIVERSITY 2021 second SMU player to be named a First after carding back-to-back rounds of 66, 9 CLASS BY PGATOUR.COM Team All-American, joining Bryson and her 14-under 202 at that event is the DeChambeau (2015). fourth-best 54-hole score by a Cowgirl. COLLOGE ROAD TO 10 THE Goodwin set the SMU record with a Big 12 Women’s Golf Awards Unveiled Tatematsu earned All-Big 12 Championship BY NCAA.COM 70.00 scoring average in the 2021 season, Oklahoma State swept the Big 12 Team honors after a T8 finish. NEWS AND earning AAC Golfer of the Year honors and women’s golf individual awards after win- In his second season in Stillwater, NOTES was an All-Central Region selection. He is ning the 2021 Big 12 Championship and Robertson led Oklahoma State to its 10th 14 BY BO CARTER a finalist for both the Nicklaus Award and placing second at the NCAA Big 12 Championship in record-breaking NCBWA BASEBALL POLL the Haskins Award, after a season where he Championships. Maja Stark earned Golfer fashion. The Cowgirls set three tournament BY NCBWA.COM 17 posted five top-five finishes in eight events. of the Year, Rina Tatematsu claimed team records over the three rounds, includ- It is Goodwin's third All-America selec- Freshman of the Year and Greg Robertson ing their final tally at 34-under par to win THE TICKET WINDOW 18 tion, after receiving honorable mention was voted Coach of the Year. the title by 16 strokes. Six of the seven honors in 2019 and a Second Team nod in Stark ended her sophomore season as lowest single-season scoring averages in AUTO REVIEW 19 BY KBB.COM 2020. He is the first three-time All- the Big 12’s highest ranked individual in OSU golf history have come this season. American in the history of the SMU men's both GolfStat and Golfweek/Sagarin rat- The team average score of 286.74 (-0.21) golf program. His teammate, Mac ings with a 49-2 record against top-100 to par is a program best and ranks fourth Meissner, can also earn a third All- competition. The two-time event winner nationally. American nod if he is later named to the recorded a stroke average of 70.48 (-1.42 The All-Big 12 Women’s Golf Team Second Team, Third Team or as an to par) to set a school record. She regis- was determined by an average of the sea- Honorable Mention. tered more birdies (139) and rounds of par son’s final Golfstat and Golfweek/Sagarin Follow us on Goodwin and the Mustangs tied for 17th or better (22) than any player in program national rankings. OSU’s Isabella Fierro at the NCAA Championship. Goodwin history. Her par-3 (2.99) and par-4 (3.99) joined Stark and Tatematsu on the team. Twitter & Facebook won the 2021 NCAA Stillwater Regional scoring averages also set school records. Baylor had two selections in Gurleen Kaur as an individual, shooting -15. Stark was the runner-up at the Big 12 and Britta Snyder while Hannah Screen twitter.com/sportspagedfw 2021 NCAA Division I First Team Championship and tied for 12th at the represented Oklahoma. Texas earned four Ludvig Åberg, Texas Tech NCAA Championships. In addition to her selections with Sophie Guo, Agathe facebook.com/sportspageweek- Sam Bennett, Texas A&M Conference honors, Stark was named a Laisne, Kaitlyn Papp and Sara Kouskova. Eugenio Chacarra, Oklahoma State Women’s Golf Coaches Association Texas Tech’s Gala Dumez was named All- Publisher Contact Us Pierceson Coody, Texas (WGCA) First Team All-American. Big 12 after claiming medalist honors at Sports Page Publishing Group, Main Number (214) 683-1469 LLC P.O. Box 820813 Alex Fitzpatrick, Wake Forest Tatematsu is the Big 12’s highest- the Big 12 Championship. [email protected] Dallas, Tx. 75382 www.sportspagedfw.com NCAA BASEBALL - Top 25 Coaches (Week 14) Baseball America Dic Humphrey, Tom Ward, Bo WEEKLY CALENDAR Carter, Richard Pollak, Robert 1. Arkansas 1. Arkansas Cortinez. James McAnally 2. Tennessee 2. Vanderbilt 3. Vanderbilt 3. Tennessee JUNE JUNE JUNE JUNE JUNE JUNE JUNE 4. Texas 4. Notre Dame 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5. Arizona 5. Texas FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 6. Notre Dame 6. Arizona State To advertise in The Sports Page Weekly 7. Texas Tech 7. Stanford Mavs Mavs 8. Mississippi State 8. Mississippi State vs at call the contacts above or 214.683.1469 L.A Clippers L.A Clippers 9. Stanford 9. Texas Tech 7:30 / BSSW 7:30 / BSSW For editorial comments/suggestions, 10. TCU 10. Ole Miss e-mail [email protected] 11. Ole Miss 11. TCU Roughriders Roughriders Roughriders Roughriders Roughriders RRoughriders Follow us on Twitter@sportspagedfw 12. Oregon 12. Florida vs vs vs vs vs vs 13. Florida 13. Oregon Amarillo Amarillo Amarillo NW Arkansas NW Arkansas NW Arkansas 7:05 7:05 6:05 7:05 7:05 7:05 Copyright 2016 Sports Page Weekly, Inc. All rights reserved. The Sports 14. East Carolina 14. Old Dominion 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. Old Dominion 15. UC Irvine NEXTGAME Weekly, its staff or advertisers. The Sports Page Weekly does not knowing- 16. UC Irvine 16. NC State June 19 ly accept false or misleading editorial content or advertising, nor is The 17. NC State 17. East Carolina vs Sports Page Weekly responsible for the content or claims of any advertising Minnesota or editorial in this publication. No content (articles, photographs, graphics) in 18. Louisiana Tech 18. Florida State The Sports Page Weekly may be used for reproduction without permission from the publisher. 19. Nebraska 19. Nebraska Rangers Rangers Rangers Rangers Rangers 20. Southern Miss 20. Louisiana Tech vs vs vs vs vs The SportsPage Weekly is available free of charge, limited to one copy per Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Giants Giants reader. Additional copies of The SportsPage Weekly may be purchased for 21. UCLA 21. UCLA 7:05 / BSSW 3:05 / BSSW 1:35 / BSSW 7:05 / BSSW 1:05 / BSSW $1.00, payable at The SportsPage Weekly’s office in advance. The 22. Gonzaga 22. Oklahoma State SportsPage Weekly may be distributed only by The SportsPage Weekly’s Americans Americans Americans Americans authorized independent contractors or The SportsPage Weekly’s authorized 23. Oklahoma State 23. Southern Miss vs vs vs vs distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of The 24. Florida State 24. Duke Rush Rush TBA SportsPage Weekly, take more than one copy of each SportsPage Weekly TBA issue. 25. Charlotte 25. Charlotte 7:05 7:05

4 June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 41 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com RANGERS WITH DIC HUMPHREY The Rangers offensive woes continue

ghost runner and gave the Rockies a 3-2 win. It was the second time this season that a Ranger loss ended with the winning run scoring on a wild pitch. Martin is 0-2 with the loss, while Colorado reliever Mychal Givens evened his record at 2-2 with the win. Texas is back home this weekend for three games with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays arrive in Arlington as one of the hottest teams in baseball having won seven of their last 10 games. Their record is 36- 22, best in the American League and good enough to lead the A. L. East, the best divi- sion in baseball by two games over the Red Sox. The start times for the games are 7:05 PM on Friday, 3:05 PM on Saturday and 1:35 PM on Sunday. For Texas, Kyle Gibson (3-0) will be activated from the injured list to start Friday against Josh Fleming (5-3). Hyeon-Jong Yang moves to the bullpen with Gibson back in the rota- tion. Kolby Allard (1-1) starts Saturday against Rich Hill (4-2), and Dane Dunning (2-4) faces Tyler Glasnow (4-2) on Sunday. NOTABLE: ¥ Adolis Garza was named the Rangers’ Player of the Month for May. He was a unanimous selection by the local beat writ- ers. He was also selected as the American League Rookie of the Month for May and The Rangers have now lost 15 consecutive road games finished second to Marcus Semien for A. L. Player of the Month. Garza hit .312 base. Khris Davis followed a walk to Joey two runs on six hits over 4-1/3rd innings. with 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in May. Gallo with a home run to put the Rangers Davis pinch hit in the eighth inning and ¥ Dane Dunning had not taken an at-bat on the scoreboard in the seventh inning. It homered to tie the game at two. Neither in a game since high school before was Davis’s second home run of the series. team scored in the ninth inning sending the Tuesday night. With no designated hitter Texas added four more runs in the ninth game to overtime. Texas did not score in in National League parks, he batted inning, which included a two-run home run the tenth or eleventh inning. In the bottom Tuesday and singled his first time at the from Jose Trevino. The ninth inning runs of the 11th, a Rockies’ groundout moved plate. He struck out in his second at bat to made the final score look closer than the the ghost runner to third base. Brett Martin make his career batting average .500. game ever was. was on the mound and threw a wild pitch BY DIC HUMPHREY Mike Foltynewicz was the victim of the in the dirt that catcher Jonah Heim was not [email protected] Rockies batsmen. Colorado knocked him able to handle. The wild pitch scored the MEMBER: USBWA around for five runs in 3-2/3rds innings. Wes Benjamin and Brett de Geus pitched The Texas Rangers continue to set the final four innings to give up the final records for futility. Thursday afternoon in six runs. Denver, the routed Texas Foltynewicz is 1-6 with the loss. 11-6 to complete a three game sweep that Rockies’ starter Austin Gomber is 4-5 with cemented the Rangers’ second straight win- the win. less road trip. The Rangers have now lost The series opening game on Tuesday 15 consecutive road games and are 4-18 in was similar to the Seattle series. The 22 games since pushing their record to .500 pitching effort was more than adequate to at 18-18 on May 9. They are solidly in last win a game, but the offense again fizzled. place in the American League West, 11 Dane Dunning started, and as usual, he games out of first place and four games gave up a first inning run. After retiring behind fourth place Los Angeles. the first two batters he gave up a double The Rangers looked like a road weary and two singles to put Colorado up 1-0. team wanting to go home Thursday after- The Rangers tied the game in the noon. The Rockies began the hit parade fourth. A leadoff walk to Nate Lowe was with a run in the second inning and contin- followed by a single and a throwing error ued throughout the game. After six that allowed Lowe to score. The Rockies innings, Colorado led 9-0 and the Rangers’ re-took the lead an inning later when a two offense had not advanced a runner past first out single scored a run and chased Dunning from the mound. He allowed the

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 41 | June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 5 GOLF, ETC. WITH TOM WARD Tom’s Book Review

TOM WARD [email protected]

Book Review: Playing Through Your Golden Years Authors Brad Chambers and Larry Gavrich have laid out an extensive game plan for how seniors can enjoy the game of golf in their later years. Acting as your guides, the authors did a terrific job in their new book Playing Through Your Golden Years: A Senior’s Golfing Guide. It will answer the custom- ary five Ws — Who (to play with), What (to do to stay in shape to play your best), When (to play), Where (to live and play) and Why (it all matters for an enjoyable retirement). And they throw in a number of “How’s” (e.g. how to play golf 12 months a year) with the goal of helping you man- ting includes getting the correct club head, age your way to, through and beyond the grip, length, lie and loft and perhaps the golf course. most important component, the proper Throughout the book, the authors dis- shaft flex. pensed a lot of common sense advice with The authors, left no stone unturned in the assistance of some PGA professionals. their quest to provide information that will I really appreciated that they discussed help assist senior golfers in all aspects of important issues that pertain to the game the game on and off the course. They write such as distance. As a golf professional and about matters such as the short game, put- instructor for over four decades, this really ting, fitness, travel, retirement communities resonated with me because it’s an issue and much more. I’ve addressed a lot to senior golfers. As seniors,( yes, I’m one too) we are When we get older, we start to lose playing our own back nine of life, and this those precious yards off the tee which can book which is chock full of information is be humbling. However, to make up for loss ideal in helping formulate your own per- of distance, they (authors) talk about other sonal game plan on how to proceed for- areas of your game that can help to offset ward. yardage loss from shorter tee shots. One of To learn more about the authors and those is becoming a better course manager, their background check out Brad Chambers and self- manager and having a good strat- at ShootingYourAge.com. His first book egy so you can properly attack the course. was, Think Better, Play Smarter, and They use some good examples of two Manage Your Way to Better Golf Score. top-notch PGA & LPGA Tour players who Larry Gavrich’s book, Glorious Back aren’t considered long off the tee by tour Nine, came out last year. standards, yet both have had successful You can learn more about his projects at careers. Another great example they GolfCommunityReviews.com and touched on was knowing how far you hit OffTheBeatenCartPath.com. The book is each club in your bag. 130 pages, with color photographs at the Chapter 3 examines golf clubs and beginning of each chapter. You can order which ones are the right ones for each indi- your copy today in the Kindle version at vidual. This chapter is one that I wish www.amazon.com. Anyone can download golfers of any age would take an especially the kindle app for free from either the close look at when it comes to deciding Apple store or Amazon. what type of clubs and shafts you need to Tom Ward can be contacted at www.tee- play to your potential. timewithtom.com I commend, both Chambers and Gavrich for their attention to detail on this particular topic. Their emphasis on club fit-

6 June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 41 | www.sportspaged- GOLF PGA TOUR This Week: The Memorial Tournament

Memorial, it’s a fine opportunity for someone to make a big-time jump. 72-HOLE RECORD: 268, Tom Lehman (1994) 18-HOLE RECORD: 61, John Huston (2nd round, 1996) LAST YEAR: Despite shooting 75 in the final round, Jon Rahm captured the 2020 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide and in the process got to No. 1 in the world. Rahm had an eight- shot lead as he made the turn Sunday in 2020, but he came home in 5-over 41. The highlight for Rahm came on the par- 3 16th as he flopped in a pitch for birdie and unleashed a big fist pump… until it was revealed the ball moved slightly when he placed his wedge behind it, and he was assessed a two-shot penalty. It was no matter, however, as he notched his fifth TOUR title. Rahm’s 9-under 279 was good for a three-shot victory over Ryan Palmer. It was the highest winning score at Memorial since Woods shot the same number in 2012. Rahm and Palmer paired to win the Zurich Jon Rahm, whose victory pushed the young Spaniard to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time, is back to defend Classic of a year earlier. Matthew Fitzpatrick finished 5 under up … Other past winners at Jack’s Place ed during the final round of last year’s and alone in third place; his 68 was the who will be in the field include Patrick Memorial Tournament. Turf was being only sub-70 score in the final round. Cantlay, Jason Dufner, William McGirt lifted as the leaders were on the back Matt Wallace and and, of course, Rahm. Overall there are nine. Changes included irrigation work, member Jason Day rounded out the top six former Memorial winners in the the addition of a PrecisionAire system, five. Only nine players finished under field… and Rory rebuilt fairway and greenside bunkers, par. Tiger Woods, in his first start back McIlroy, a pair of past FedExCup and reconstruction of the greens, over 140 after the COVID-19 break, finished T40. PLAYERS champions, head to Muirfield trees added in various spots (for exam- looking for their first titles at the ple, the fairway width on No.13 was The Memorial Tournament Memorial … Tyler Strafaci and Joe reduced), plus resurfaced tee boxes. The HOW TO FOLLOW June 3 - June 6, 2021 Long earned spots in the field after win- course can also play up to 100 yards Television: Thursday-Friday, 3 p.m.-7 Muirfield Village Golf Club ning last year’s U.S. Amateur and British longer now. p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday, 12:30 Dublin, Amateur, respectively. Pepperdine alum STORYLINES: What will a renovated p.m.-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Purse - 9,300,000 Sahith Theegala is in the field as last Muirfield Village look like? Last year, (CBS). Sunday, 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Winners share: $1,674,000 year’s Award winner, the course played the toughest it had in (Golf Channel), 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m. (CBS). 2020 Winner - Jon Rahm given to the top player in college golf … more than 40 years as the crew let the PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday-Friday 7:15 a.m.-7 p.m. (Featured Groups). Sponsor exemptions include Ryder Cup golf course get firm and fast before By Adam Stanley Saturday, 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m. (Featured captain Padraig Harrington, who is com- being torn up for the renovation. The PGATOUR.COM Groups), 3 p.m.-6 p.m. (Featured Holes). ing off a fourth-place finish at the PGA renovations will challenge the players in Sunday, 7:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Featured Champion- ship; fellow major champi- a new way … Rahm is looking to A stout field led by the top five in the Groups), 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m. (Featured ons Vijay Singh and Danny Willett; and become the first man to defend his title FedExCup standings will all head to Holes). Bo Hoag who, like Nicklaus himself, at the Memorial since Tiger Woods in Jack Nicklaus’ renovated Muirfield Radio: Thursday-Friday, 12 p.m.-6:30 played golf at Ohio State and has a deep 2001 (that was actually Woods’ third Village for the Memorial Tournament p.m ET. Saturday-Sunday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. connection to the Golden Bear. consecutive title) … Seven of the top-10 presented by Nationwide. ET. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and FEDEXCUP: Winner gets 550 golfers in the world will be teeing it up PGATOUR.com/liveaudio). Jon Rahm, whose victory pushed the FedExCup points. at the Memorial… A limited number of TOURCast: Get shot-by-shot info in real young Spaniard to the top of the Official COURSE: Muirfield Village Golf Club, spectators will be allowed to attend. The time with shot tracks and video with World Golf Ranking for the first time, is par 72, 7,543 yards. The House That tournament is also taking the unprece- TOURCast. back to defend. The Memorial was the Jack Built hosted two consecutive PGA dented step of offering COVID-19 vacci- TOUR Pulse: Get the PGA TOUR app to first of two wins last season, marking TOUR events in 2020 prior to getting a nations to on-site spectators June 4-6… utilize TOUR Pulse, which provides users Rahm’s first multi-win campaign on renovation ( beat Justin With the Memorial Day weekend in the the ability to experience a mix of content, TOUR. Thomas in a playoff to win the Workday rear-view mirror, the FedExCup race is such as video highlights, written hole sum- FIELD NOTES: Bryson DeChambeau, Charity Open in the week preceding the heating up. And with 550 FedExCup maries and stat graphics on every player who leads the FedExCup standings and after every hole they complete. Memorial). The renovation efforts start- points available to the winner at the won the 2018 Memorial, will be teeing it

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 41 | June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 7 Before and after course renovations

Best round of the day by two. ... Last bogey-free round by a winner was 2016 (William McGirt). ...Second win on TOUR at age 27. ..Won in his third start at MVGC and followed up solo fourth in 2018...70.13 scoring average here. ... Did not lead at any point prior to Sunday. ... T11 or better in most every major stat category. ... T3 PGA Championship previous start; T3 RBC and T9 Masters two event before PGA Championship. Notables in the field this week: Adam Scott (2nd) played in the final group, shot 68 and lost by two. ... Kevin Streelman (4th) closed with 66, tied for the second best round of the day. ... Marc Leishman (5th) cashed his biggest check and is currently on a streak of 10 straight here entering 2021. ... Only debut winner outside of the inaugural event, 2014 cham- pion Hideki Matsuyama (6th), cashed his third top 10 in six starts. ... 2017 victor Jason Dufner (T7) picked up his second top 10 in his last three starts here. ... Jordan Matt Fitzpatrick (3rd) shot 68 on Sunday Spieth (T7) opened with 66 to trail by one after 18 holes. ...Emiliano Grillo (T9) made By Mike Glasscott won't be of any help plus it's hard to get (69, T-best). ... Only third player to win by 415 feet of putts to lead the field. ... Billy PGATOUR.COM them really slick in such an early part of three shots or more in 16 years. ... Picks up Horschel (T9) only made six bogeys and The memories of the Memorial development. Yes, they can be firm and his fourth tour win at age 25. ... Moved to was T4 GIR. ..Defending champion Bryson Tournament presented by Nationwide will slow. No. 1 OWGR after the victory. ... Fourth DeChambeau (T22) stormed home with 66. be just that as Jack Nicklaus and his design With 68 bunkers and 13 holes with consecutive season on TOUR with a victo- ... KH Lee (T37) and Troy Merritt (T17) team completed a major renovation at water in play, this week screams out for ry. ... Wins in just his second start here shared the 36-hole lead. ... Cut was 1-over. Muirfield Village Golf Club after the con- ball-strikers. Any advantage for the putters (MC, 2017). ...Entered the week with noth- ... Only five rounds ABOVE par for the top clusion of the event last July. from prior knowledge on the greens is out ing better than T27 after the restart in June. 21 players. ... 11 bogey-free rounds. ... The 46th edition played only at MVGC the window. Contenders this week will find Notables in the field this week: 72.081 scoring average. in Dublin, Ohio, will present 18 rebuilt and greens, take advantage of the Par-5 holes Matt Fitzpatrick (3rd) shot 68 on 2018: Bryson DeChambeau (-15, 273) regrassed greens with almost all enduring and hole enough putts to save pars. We're Sunday, one of the THREE ROUNDS in Won the first ever three-man playoff in contour changes. 007 Bentgrass remains all excited to see the changes but with the 60s for the entire weekend. ...Columbus event history. ... Kyle Stanley (not entered) the choice of grass again, but the locations Nicklaus design elements some things native Jason Day (T4) was one of seven was knocked out on the first playoff hole. of many have shifted deeper from their never change. Finding fairways and greens who posted 66, tying the low round of the ... Defeated Byeong-Hun An on the third original positions or closer to water penalty will be challenging and there are no week. ... Matt Wallace (T4) posted all four playoff hole with birdie. ..Became the third areas. Precision Air systems were also built gimmes on the greens as putting tends to rounds at par or better and was the only youngest winner at age 24 at the event. ... into the complexes. become more difficult inside 10 feet. member of that club. ... Mackenzie Hughes Playoff was forced after he three putted the In addition to the greens, all fairways Last year two events were played at (T6) ranked T4 in total putting. ... Henrik final hole for 71. ... Led by one after 54 were regrassed and added better draining Muirfield in back-to-back weeks. Collin Norlander (T6) hit the top 10 in his first holes, his first 54-hole lead on TOUR. options. New tee boxes added over 100 Morikawa won the duel with Justin visit. ... Tony Finau (8th) led after 18 holes ...Three back after 36 and T16 after 18. ... yards to the scorecard and every bunker Thomas in the Workday Charity Open and co-led after 36 holes before 73-78 on Won in his second attempt after T38 on was rebuilt with some strategically moved. before Jon Rahm thrived in impossible the weekend. ... Luke List (T10) picked up debut. ... Entered the week T42 Colonial Old trees were removed and 80 new ones conditions to win the Memorial. The his best paycheck in his fourth consecutive and T37 Masters were his last two events. planted to prepare for the future and chal- greens for the Memorial ran two feet faster start. ... Xinjun Zhang (T10) was one of Notables in the field this week: lenge the present. Fairways didn't expand than Workday. Plus the course, which was just 12 players to post Even or better. ... Byeong-Hun An (P2) was the only play- as just 24 acres are available. being ripped up as the leaders turned to the Defending champion Patrick Cantlay (T32) er to post four rounds in the 60s. ... Patrick Also helping protect par is four inches back nine on Sunday, was baked out and opened 70-70 but stumbled on the weekend Cantlay (4th) played in the final group and of Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass and fescue lightning fast as all of the changes were when the conditions deteriorated. ... 75.959 shot 71 and missed the playoff by a shot. ... to catch errant shots. New closely mown beginning to take place. I'm more interest- final round average was the highest non- Joaquin Niemann (T6) made a splash on areas appear around selected greens to add ed in the actual Memorial event but it all major scoring in four years on TOUR....Cut debut as he co-led the field with Hideki more options and make players think. The needs to be taken with a grain of salt. was 3-over. ... Field was 132 (COVID- Matsuyama (T13) after 18 holes and Kyle milkshakes in the clubhouse will remain On the line this week is a $9.3 million 19).....Only five bogey-free rounds for the Stanley after 36. ... Rickie Fowler (T8) the same and so will the date on the TOUR prize pool ($1.674 million to the winner week. ... Only three players made LESS backed up T2 in 2017 and added T14 in calendar but that's about it. plus 550 FedExCup points) and a three THAN 10 bogeys. ...74.007 average for the 2019 before MC last year. ... Rory McIlroy Stretching to 7,543 yards and playing as year exemption on TOUR.. week. (T8) used the low round of the week, 64, Par-72, the new grass on the fairways, Recent Winners and Notables 2019: Patrick Cantlay (-19, 269) on Saturday to jump into contention. ... approach areas and greens should be quite 2020: Jon Rahm (-9, 279) Signed for a bogey-free 64 on Sunday Patrick Rodgers (T8) led the field with firm as they haven't had a year to grow in. Led by four after 54 holes and won eas- to win by two shots. ... Lowest winning over 410 feet of putts made. ... Defending At only 5,000 square feet on average, they ily by three shots. ... Final round 75 in 96 score by a champion at MVGC. ... Missed champion Jason Dufner (MC) didn't see the weren't easy to hit in the first place. The degree heat with 30 mph wind gusts. ...One tying Tom Lehman's tournament record by weekend. ... Only Tiger Woods and Hideki putting surfaces will also be cause for con- of seven players to break 70 in Round 1. ... a shot as he posted all four rounds in the Matsuyama are younger winners here. ... cern. Greens books from previous events One of two players to break 70 in Round 3 60s. ... Trailed by four entering Sunday. ... Cut was Even. ... 14 bogey-free rounds. ...

8 June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 41 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com PGA TOUR University Class of 2021

AAC Championship 9. Trevor Werbylo (Arizona) ¥ Named to the All-Pac-12 First Team ¥ Posted 16 career top-10s and one victory ¥ Finished with a 71.44 average, including the 70.04 in 2019-20, the second-lowest in program history 10. Jonathan Brightwell (Oklahoma) ¥ Paced the team with five top-fives this season as a transfer from UNC-Greensboro ¥ Was a three-time All-Southern Conference Selection and the 2017 SoCon Freshman of the Year ¥ Member of the 2020 USA Palmer Cup Team 11. Angus Flanagan (Minnesota) ¥ Named to the All-Big Ten First Team twice and the GCAA Third Team in 2019- 2020 ¥ Four victories and 12 top-10s as a Golden Gopher ¥ Posted a 2-1-1 record as a member of the 2021 GB&I Walker Cup Team ¥ Won the 2021 Genesis Invitational From L-R: John Pak, Davis Thompson, Autin Eckroat, Chun An Yu, Garett Reband. (Courtesy of PGA TOUR University) Collegiate Showcase to earn a spot in the Genesis Invitational 12. Puwit Anupansuebsai (San Diego St) John Pak headlines the 15 players in the L&J Golf Championship at Jennings behind only Jon Rahm (2012-13) ¥ Posted finishes of T2-T2-Win-Win in the PGA TOUR University Class of 2021 Mill Country Club in Watkinsville, Georgia 5. Garett Reband (Oklahoma) four tournaments before the NCAA (June 23-26). ¥ As a Sooner, posted 25 top-20s, 16 top- Championship By Chris Richards 1. John Pak (Florida State) 10s, eight top-fives and two wins, includ- ¥ Started the calendar year No. 53 in the PGATOUR.COM ¥ Finished with eight victories, tied with ing the 2021 Men’s NIT, and was a two- PGA TOUR University Ranking The 15 players in the inaugural PGA Nolan Henke for most in Florida St history time All-American ¥ Will represent Team at TOUR University class have been set, and ¥ Competed on two victorious U.S. Walker ¥ Entering the NCAA Championship, the 2021 Palmer Cup Florida State’s John Pak maintained the Cup teams (2019, 2021) owned the lowest scoring average (71.30) 13. Alex Schaake (Iowa) spot he’s held all season and finished No. 1 ¥ Was low amateur at2020 U.S. Open (T51) and score versus par (-0.17) in school history ¥ Two-time Big Ten Player of the Year in the final ranking. He is joined in the top- ¥ Earned the Michael Carter Award, which ¥ Member of the 2020 USA Palmer Cup (2019, 2021) and the only Hawkeye to earn five by Davis Thompson (Georgia), Austin is presented to the 2020 Arnold Palmer Team all-conference postseason honors four times Eckroat (Oklahoma State), Chun An Yu Cup participant that best represents the 6. Quade Cummins (Oklahoma) ¥ Three-time PING All-Midwest selection (Arizona State) and Garett Reband qualities and ideals of sportsmanship, ¥ As a Sooner, posted 31 top-20 finishes, ¥ One of two players to win the Nebraska (Oklahoma). College golf’s top-five seniors integrity and upholding of the game 22 top-10s and 10 top-fives, and was a Amateur Championship four consecutive will be exempt into all remaining open, 2. Davis Thompson (Georgia) three-time All-American years (2016-19) full-field events in 2021. ¥ Named SEC Golfer of the Year in 2021 ¥ Finished career as the school record hold- 14. Benjamin Shipp (NC State) Players finishing 6th-15th receive and was First Team All-SEC twice (2020, er for par or better rounds, birdies per ¥ Tallied five collegiate victories, including Forme Tour membership, and those 10 2021) round and low round (62) two during his senior season players are: Quade Cummins (Oklahoma), ¥ His win at the Tallahassee Regional was ¥ Member of 2019 and 2020 USA Palmer ¥ Two-time All-ACC honors selection Michael Feagles (Illinois), McClure his second of the season and fourth of his Cup Teams ¥ Selected to the 2021 USA Palmer Cup Team Meissner (SMU), Trevor Werbylo career 7. Michael Feagles (Illinois) 15. Jovan Rebula (Auburn) (Arizona), Jonathan Brightwell ¥ Posted a 1-2-1 record at 2021 Walker Cup ¥ Posted seven top-five finishes as a senior, ¥ Two-time All-SEC First Team selection (Oklahoma), Angus Flanagan (Minnesota), ¥ Member of the 2020 USA Palmer Cup including his second career victory, and (2019, 2020) Puwit Anupansuebsai (San Diego State), Team closed his career with a fourth-place finish ¥ In 2019, became the fifth Auburn Tiger to Alex Schaake (Iowa), Benjamin Shipp (NC 3. Austin Eckroat (Oklahoma State) at the NCAA Championship win the SEC individual crown State) and Jovan Rebula (Auburn). ¥ Carded two wins and 26 top-20s during ¥ Five-time First Team All-Big Ten selec- ¥ Member of 2018 and 2019 International The PGA TOUR University Ranking was his career in Stillwater tion and five-time PING All-Midwest Region Palmer Cup Teams finalized after the conclusion of stroke play ¥ Three-time All-Central Region and All- ¥ Finished with the fourth-best scoring NCAA Championship Points Distribution at the NCAA Championship. Eight of the selection average in school history (71.80), and his For the calculation of the final PGA TOUR top-15 players advanced to Monday’s ¥ Named second-team All-American as a 70.55 average as a senior is the lowest sin- University Ranking, the NCAA final?? round at Grayhawk Golf Club, and junior in 2019-20 gle-season average in school history Championship’s Power will be determined five finished in the top-15: Feagles (4th/-4), ¥ Finished 12th at the 2020 Mayakoba Golf 8. McClure Meissner (SMU) by the Week 20/May 26 World Amateur Pak (5th/-3), Brightwell (T6/-2), Cummins Classic presented by UNIFIN ¥ Leaves SMU third on the Mustangs' Golf Ranking. According to WAGR, the (T6/-2) and Yu (T13/+2). 4. Chun An Yu (Arizona State) career list in scoring average (71.41) and individual NCAA Champion will receive The top-five PGA TOUR University ¥ Three wins and four runner-up finishes as fifth in par-or-better rounds (65) approximately 24.76 points. Players who players will be eligible for Korn Ferry Tour a Sun Devil ¥ Holds four of the top-10 single-season made the cut received points for 1st events starting with the BMW Charity Pro- ¥ Named a GCAA First Team All- scoring average marks in SMU history, through 84th place, and players who Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation American in 2019 including his 71.46 this season, which missed the cut received points for 85th (June 10-13). The next 10 players will be ¥ Posted the second-best scoring average ranks seventh through 156th place (in order of 54-hole eligible for Forme Tour events starting with by a freshman (71.61) in Sun Devil history, ¥ Won two tournaments, including the 2019 score).

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 41 | June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 9 COLLEGES NCAA BASEBALL Road to the begins

seasons in program history, hitting .351 with a college baseball-best 29 doubles and 10 home runs. UConn — The Huskies are headed to their third consecutive NCAA tournament after defeating Xavier in the Big East championship. But this was the first time UConn won both the regular season and tournament conference titles. While UConn has some players with pop, keep your eyes on Kyler Fedko, who hit .411 with 13 dou- bles, 13 home runs and an impressive 1.192 OPS. DBU — The Patriots had one of the more memorable plays of the past week when Cole Moore launched himself over the first base wall in DBU's thrilling victo- ry to win the Missouri Valley tournament. The Patriots locked up their seventh- straight trip to the tournament by scoring five runs in the 11th to defeat Indiana State. DBU is going to the tournament while Moore is still going viral. Duke — The Blue Devils entered the ACC tournament as the ninth seed and walked out winners of their first ACC title Arkansas locked up its first SEC tourney title to become just the third team in SEC history to win both the regular-season and tournament title in 60 years. It was Duke's fourth ACC title, but first since the tournament era began in 2021 College World Series: Selections, duo of freshmen bats in Jacob Berry and the tournament for the third season in a 1973. The Blue Devils are scorching hot schedule, scores, live updates Daniel Susac. Berry hit a walk-off double row, despite losing the Big South tourney and haven't lost since May 8, entering the in the finale — his program-record 36th to Presbyterian. Zach Neto was one of the tournament on a 12-game winning streak. By NCAA.COM extra base hit by a freshman — to get the more underrated two-way stars this season, East Carolina* — Though the Pirates Over the past several weeks, we have Wildcats to 40 wins, the first time they've so it will be interesting to see what kind of dropped a 2-1 ballgame to South Florida in taken a close look at some players and reached the mark since 2007. They enter impact he makes in his tournament debut. the AAC championship, ECU is one of 16 teams to watch down the stretch. Now the the tournament the No. 5 national seed. The freshman went 4-0 in 11 appearances regional hosts for the fourth time in pro- conference championships are decided, the Arizona State — The Sun Devils behind a 3.43 ERA and also hit .414 with gram history. It was just another year for field is set and we can finally turn our were swept by UCLA to close out the sea- 16 doubles and 10 home runs to go along the Pirates, who topped the 40-win plateau attention to the final 64 teams left in the son, but get a chance to redeem themselves with 12 stolen bases playing all over the for the 16th time in program history. college baseball season as the Road to in regionals, the 41st time Arizona State diamond. Connor Norby is one of the best in college Omaha gets underway. has earned a postseason bid. Ethan Long Central Connecticut — It was a typi- baseball this season, hitting .424 with 15 Of the 64 teams in the bracket, 24 of was one of the most prolific freshmen in cal situation for the Northeast Conference. doubles, 15 home runs and 15 stolen bases. the teams made the tournament by winning the nation, leading the team with a .340 Bryant and the Blue Devils faced off in the Fairfield — The Stags were the last unde- their conference championships. The SEC average, 16 home runs, 53 RBI and a .725 championship, and Central Connecticut feated team of the season, beginning the lead the way with nine teams in the brack- slugging percentage. walked away with the title for the third year on a 28-0 run. This is just the second et, six of which are national seeds. The Arkansas* — The OmaHogs are the time in four years. What would you say if I appearance for the Stags in the NCAA ACC was right behind with eight teams in national No. 1 seed, winners of 46 games told you the Blue Devils leading hitter was tournament, last making it in 2016. the bracket, while the Pac-12 and Big 12 and the SEC tournament. In one of the Dave Matthews? The senior hit .297 lead- Fairfield's pitching staff leads DI with a have the second-most national seeds with most dominating seasons in recent history, ing the team in doubles (13), home runs (7) 2.75 ERA, which helped the Stags win 37 three apiece. Arkansas locked up its first SEC tourney and stolen bases (13). games on the season, a new program Before first pitch gets underway, let's title to become just the third team in SEC Central Michigan — The Chippewas record. And speaking of records, the Stags' take a quick look at each team trying to history to win both the regular-season and enter the tournament with a lot of momen- current 92.5 winning percentage is the best reach the 2021 College World Series. tournament title. The Hogs are looking to tum, winners of their last eight games in DI history. The field of 64 (in alphabetical order; make their third-straight trip to Omaha, and including the season-ending sweep of Florida* — The Gators are hosting *indicates host No. 1 seed or national seed) having Kevin Kopps to close out games is Toledo to lock up the Mid-American. That their 17th regional — and are Alabama — Despite ending the season a tremendous advantage. is their second MAC title in a row, heading 15 seed — but it's the first ever at the new with back-to-back top-25 losses in the SEC Army — May as well just rename the to the tournament in 2019 as well. The last Florida Ballpark. It's also their 13th con- tournament, the Crimson Tide is still danc- Patriot League to Army's League. The time Central Michigan went to the tourna- secutive regional appearance. The Gators ing. The Tide were off to a scorching hot Black Knights earned their third-straight ment in back-to-back years was 1994-95. made six College World Series appearances 16-1 start to the 2020 season, well on their Patriot championship and 10th overall — It's been a long time coming. in the last decade, so they are looking to way to their first NCAA regional since the most since the league's inception in Charlotte — The 49ers were one of start this one off on the right foot. Watch 2014. The wait is now officially over. If the 1991. How's this for timing: Army's senior our surprise teams of 2021 and although out for the intriguing freshmen duo of Tide are in close ballgames, they have an righty Ray Bartoli tossed his first career they lost both of their C-USA tournament Sterlin Thompson and Nathan Hickey. edge with Chase Lee in the bullpen. He complete-game victory in the Black games, they are back in the NCAA post- They combined to hit .312 with 14 home has seven wins and seven saves this year. Knights' 6-1 victory over Lehigh in the season for the first time since 2011. Austin runs and 75 RBIs while each got on base at Arizona* — The Pac-12 champs were championship game. Knight has been a name we've mentioned a over a .400 lick. an offensive juggernaut in 2021, led by a Campbell — The Camels are back in lot this year and is having one of the best (continued on page 11)

10 June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 41 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com Dallas Baptist will be headed to the tournament for seventh-straight time Florida State is making its 43rd straight trip to the NCAA tournament

Florida State — What's a college base- become a legitimate ace to watch. finish is the best in program history, which on . Allen enters the tourney on an ball tournament without the Seminoles? Jacksonville — The Dolphins are easi- is impressive considering the Terps were 18-game hitting streak. Florida State is making its 43rd straight ly the most surprising team to be in the just 6-9 coming out of April. NC State — The Wolfpack have a trip to the NCAA tournament, but the first 64-team field. Jacksonville began the sea- McNeese — The Cowboys repeated as nice little regional streak going, having one without Mike Martin, Sr. leading the son 0-8 and finished the season a mere 16- Southland champs this year, earning their now made the bracket in each year since way. Now it's Junior's turn to see if they 32 with three ASUN regular-season victo- second straight trip to the bracket. It was a the 2010 season. This year's team has a can muster up that Seminole magic and ries. But the Dolphins went 5-1 in the season like no other for the Pokes, who had rather interesting lineup with four hitters return to Omaha for the second straight ASUN tournament stunning Liberty not to navigate Hurricane Laura and a national — Jonny Butler, Tyler McDonough, Terrell time. Slugger Matheu Nelson tied for the once, but twice including a 7-3 victory to pandemic to get to this year's bracket. An Tatum and Luca Tresh — combining for 49 college baseball lead in homers with 22 if lock up their 16th trip to the NCAA post- 0-3 start to the season wasn't ideal, but they home runs. Butler has been the guy to you're looking for an impact player to season. ended strong, sweeping through the watch this season, hitting .388 with 11 watch. Liberty — The Flames play on even Southland bracket. It just feels like they doubles, 12 home runs and 14 RBIs. Georgia Tech — The Yellow Jackets though they dropped the ASUN champi- have some more story left to tell. Nebraska — There is no shortage of fell in the ACC semifinals to NC State, but onship game. It is the second consecutive (FL) — The Hurricanes opened storylines here. The Cornhuskers weren't still had a strong season finding themselves trip to the postseason for Liberty. Trevor the season in Gainesville and that's where even in the top six of the Big Ten presea- in the top 25 for most of the year. As Delaite leads the way on the mound with they will open the 2021 tournament. In son rankings, and lo and behold, here they always, Catcher U had a promising star an 11-1 record and a 1.98 ERA while between the Hurricanes won 32 games, are, Big Ten champs and in the tournament behind the plate. Freshman backstop Kevin Aaron Anderson led the team in hitting adding to their legacy, which is currently once again. Where did they land you ask? Parada led the team with a .328 average with a .370 average. the third- best winning percentage in the Why, in Arkansas' regional, of course. and .552 slugging percentage to go along Louisiana Tech* — The Bulldogs are history of college baseball. Miami — Arkansas is coached by , with 20 doubles and seven home runs. a host team for the first time in program which made the tournament every year who led Nebraska to back-to-back College Gonzaga — The Bulldogs locked up history, earning the No. 16 national seed. from 1973-2016 — will be making its 48th World Series in 2001-02. This should be a their auto-bid to the tournament by defeat- It's the ninth appearance for Louisiana trip to the regionals, which is also third- good one to watch as the Huskers come in ing San Diego to win the West Coast Tech and the first since 2016. The Bulldogs most in history. Just another season in hot taking two of three from Michigan to Conference on Thursday but enter the have a balanced offense with six regular Coral Gables. close out the season. tourney on a bit of a low after dropping the players hitting better than .315. Hunter Michigan — It's been a while, so Nevada — Let's welcome the Wolf next two games. This is the Zags' eighth Wells leads the way, hitting .366 with 16 here's a reminder that the Wolverines are Pack back to the NCAA tournament, as the appearance and first since 2018. Alek doubles and 11 home runs. the defending runners-up after their Mountain West champs are making their Jacob has been one of the better , LSU — Let the Farewell thrilling run to the finals in 2019. That was first appearance since 2000. Nevada closed solid in both the starting rotation and out of Tour begin. Mainieri, who has the most a veteran team, and a mere two years later, out the season winning 15 straight confer- the bullpen with seven wins and three saves. wins among active coaches and led LSU to most of those faces are gone. That magical ence games en route to a 25-win season. Grand Canyon — What a win for the the national championship in 2009, team helped Michigan return to the College Leading the way was Dillan Shrum, who is Lopes. Freshman Tyler Wilson hit the go- announced his retirement last week. World Series for the first time since 1984. scorching hot amid a 13-game hitting ahead, championship-deciding RBI single Flashback to 2019 when the coach with the The Wolverines are hoping to make back- streak in which he's had at least three hits in the top of the ninth to capture the first- most wins in college baseball history to-back trips to Omaha, just like those in seven of those games. ever WAC tourney title. It was also head announced his retirement. That season, an 1983-84 teams did. NJIT — Congratulations Highlander coach 's 300th career win unlikely Florida State team got skipper Mississippi State* — The Diamond baseball. Celebrating the first-ever NCAA to secure Grand Canyon's first trip to the Mike Martin, Sr. all the way to Omaha. It Dawgs are back in the postseason, this time tournament in program history will be NCAA tournament. will be fun to watch if LSU can do the as the No. 7 national seed. Mississippi short-lived as they now must prepare to Indiana State — The Sycamores are same. State has made the super regionals in each face off against college baseball's No. 1 making their second straight trip to the Maryland — The Terrapins, who fin- year since 2016 and have made back-to- team. How's that for the first postseason tournament and third since 2014. Indiana ished .500 in 2019 and 24-30 the year back trips to Omaha and the College World game for the America East champs? NJIT State surprised last time around, winning a prior, are back in the bracket for the first Series. Of course, the Mayor of Starkville, is on a nine-game winning streak to reach pair of games in the Nashville Regional time since 2017. Maryland finished 28-16, Jake Mangum, has moved on to the pros, the 26-win mark, both of which are pro- before losing to Vanderbilt. Geremy all in Big Ten play, and took the season but Tanner Allen is looking to keep up col gram records. Guerrero has come out of nowhere to series against Michigan. Its second-place lege baseball's all-time hit leader barrage (continued on page 12)

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 41 | June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 11 The Longhorns are making their 60th tournament appearance and are hosting a regional for the 28th time Texas Tech is heading back to the tournament for the fourth time in five seasons

Norfolk State — Another team making Notre Dame* — The surprise season in 2019. Oregon saw a 10-game improve- State, a team it played in both of its previ- their first-ever tournament appearance, the keeps going for the Fighting Irish, who are ment, firing off 37 wins including a four- ous two NCAA tournament appearances. MEAC champs caught fire at the right hosting a regional tournament for the first game sweep of tournament-bound UC Southern — The 20-28 Jaguars are time. The Spartans won their last four time since 2004 as the No. 10 national Santa Barbara and two series wins against SWAC champs and are heading back to the games, including all three in the MEAC seed. This is quite a turnaround for a team home state rival Oregon State. The No. 14 tournament for the second season in a row. tournament and enter the NCAA bracket that finished 24-30 in their last full season. national seed is hosting for the first time Not bad for a nine-win team in 2018, with a 25-26 record. Alsander Womack, It is the 22nd appearance all-time for Notre since 2013, which was the second of con- wouldn't you say? Like Samford, it took who hit .358 on the season, sent Norfolk Dame as they look to get back to Omaha secutive seasons as a host. some late-game dramatics as Southern State to the postseason with a walk-off sin- for the first time since 2002. That same Oregon State — The Beavers are scored three runs in the top of the ninth in gle in the 11th inning of the MEAC title year, Notre Dame was a host school. making their fourth straight appearance in the deciding 7-6 victory over Jackson State game. Oklahoma State — Ho hum, the the NCAA tournament and were the 2018 in the SWAC finals. Northeastern — There's little surprise Cowboys are in the bracket. It has become national champs. It is the 20th all-time Southeast Missouri State — It was a here as the Huskies dominated the CAA all almost the norm, this being their 46th over- appearance for Oregon State after posting a strong season for the Redhawks, who fin- season, posting a 20-3 mark in conference all appearance and eighth in a row. 34-22 record this season. Jake Mulholland ished as both the regular-season and tour- play. A pair of dramatic home runs led the Oklahoma State finished the season fourth and Kevin Abel are two veteran pieces nament champions in the OVC. That Huskies to the Colonial Athletic tourna- in the Big 12 but secured its spot in the from that national champion team, with locked up their fourth NCAA tournament ment title and a spot in this year's NCAA bracket by defeating Texas to face TCU in Abel pitching the memorable complete berth and first in five years. Keep your eye bracket. Ben Malgeri tied the game with the title game. Justin Campbell has game shutout in the clinching victory. on Tyler Wilbur at the place (.389, six his second home run of the day — his sec- been one of the premier freshmen all sea- Presbyterian — The Blue Hose are home runs, 49 RBI) at the plate and Dylan ond straight multi-homer game — in the son, so keep an eye on how he performs in the Big South champs for the first time in Dodd (9-1, 2.78 ERA, 113 ) on ninth before Max Viera walked it off in the his first tournament. program history, entering the tournament the mound. tenth. Old Dominion* — And boom goes with a mere 22-21 record. They get to play South Alabama — It was surprising to North Carolina — The Tar Heels the dynamite. The Conference USA the defending champs in their debut. see this is the Jaguars first trip to the tour- waited with bated breath after finishing 27- champs were one of the most explosive Zacchaeus Rasberry, the Big South tourna- nament since 2017. They had become 25 overall and 18-18 in the ACC. But here offenses in college baseball this season, ment MVP, is the name to watch on somewhat a regular over the years, this they are, back in the tournament for a launching a season-best 101 home runs. offense. He hit .314 and led the team with being their 28th all-time appearance. But fourth consecutive season. North Carolina Kyle Battle led the way with 18, but there 10 home runs and 38 RBI to go along with the Sun Belt tourney champs are back in opens against UCLA, who sent UNC home were eight regular starters that had at least 11 stolen bases. the NCAA postseason with Ethan Wilson from the College World Series last time the seven home runs. This is the first NCAA Rider — The Broncs are back in the tour- leading the way. The star outfielder is hit- two faced in the postseason. Fun fact: UNC postseason appearance since 2014 and the nament for the first time since 2010, mak- ting .319 with 12 doubles and eight home has the second-most wins of the 2000s first time ODU is a No. 1 seed in its ing their 14th appearance all-time. They runs. with 888, trailing only Florida State over region, seeded No. 11 nationally. slugged their way to the Metro Atlantic South Carolina* — The Gamecocks that span. Ole Miss* — The Rebels enter the championship, blasting five home runs in are hosting a regional despite coming in as North Dakota State — The Bison tournament as the No. 12 national seed and the 7-2 victory over Fairfield to earn the the No. 2 seed in that part of the bracket. have won four FCS national championships will host its tenth regional in program his- automatic bid. The previous time a No. 1 seed had to trav- since the last time their baseball brethren tory. Ole Miss was bounced from the SEC Samford — It's always fun when you el to its regional host was in 2010, when made the NCAA DI baseball champi- tournament by Arkansas but still posted an earn your spot in the bracket on a walk-off Florida State traveled to the Norfolk onship. The Summit tournament champions impressive 41-win season. Jacob Gonzalez home run. That's exactly what Samford did Regional. While this is rare, it is a big are back in the bracket behind a program- and Kevin Graham lead the way in both in the Southern Conference tournament. advantage to South Carolina with Founders record 41-win season. Bennett Hostetler average and home runs for the Rebels Towns King launched the game-tying two- Park not only being one of the nicest stadi- and Jake Malec lead the way on offense offense. run bomb which was followed by Max ums in baseball, but one of the toughest to while Cade Feeney and Evan Sankey lead Oregon* — The Ducks are another Pinto's two-run dinger in a dramatic four- play in as well. the rotation. surprise team of 2021 after finishing 27-29 run ninth. Samford now plays Mississippi (continued on page 13)

12 June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 41 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com them to the NCAA tournament for the lem? Rocker is still there. fourth consecutive season. It is the 24th all- Virginia — The Cavaliers are back in time appearance for UCLA as well, half of the postseason, and this marks the 17th those coming under current straight season that the ACC has been rep- . JT Schwartz is an absolute resented by at least six schools. The Hoos monster at the plate, hitting .405 this saw a 14-year run in the tournament end in season. 2017 — which included the 2015 national UC Santa Barbara — The Gauchos championship — and are looking to start are becoming pretty much a lock for the the streak anew this year. Andrew Abbott bracket, now making their fifth appearance has been a beast on the mound thus far. in the past eight seasons. They open VCU — A mere 16-14 on April 11, against Oklahoma State — a team they've VCU caught fire and has yet to relent, win- faced twice before, most recently in the ners of 21 games in a row, including the 2016 College World Series. UCSB is one Atlantic 10 title game. It's the first NCAA of the hottest teams in the land amid an postseason appearance since 2015 for VCU eight-game winning streak in which its and riding the nation's longest winning outscored its opponents by 56 runs. streak is a good way to enter the tourna- Vanderbilt* — The defending champs ment. Keep your eyes on Tyler Locklear, enter the tournament as the No. 4 national who's hitting .344 with 16 home runs this seed and are hosting a regional for the year. eighth time in program history. The Wright State — The Horizon champs Commodores open against the Blue Hose, have one of the most dangerous lineups in a team that current skipper the tournament. The Raiders lead college once coached, for a nice little storyline. baseball with a .342 average, 2.74 doubles The 2019 national championship run was per game, a .578 slugging percentage and fueled by a big freshman breakout star in .451 on-base percentage all adding up to Kumar Rocker. This season, we may see the top scoring team in the division, aver- Vanderbilt enters the tournament as the No. 4 national seed and are hosting a regional for the eighth time the same from Jack Leiter. The only prob- aging a whopping 10.6 runs per game.

South Florida — The Bulls are the Tennessee has one of the toughest first- American Athletic champions, ending the round matchups against No. 4-seeded College Baseball National Champions season by winning six of their last seven Wright State's offense. That's where 1947-2020 games. It was the first time in 26 years and Tennessee's pitching should come into 2020 Cancelled 1983 *Texas (66-14) over Alabama not many saw it coming: USF was predict- play: the Vols put up a 3.44 ERA and 1.15 2019 Vanderbilt (59-12) over Michigan 1982 *Miami (Fla.) (55-17-1) over ed to finish last in the AAC. There is some WHIP this season. 2018 Oregon St (55-12-1) over Arkansas Wichita St pop in this lineup, with three players — led Texas* — This is 60. The Longhorns 2017 Florida (52-19) over LSU 1981 Arizona State (55-13) over Ok.State by Roberto Peña's 12 — with double-digit are making their 60th tournament appear- 2016 Coastal Carolina (55-18) over 1980 Arizona (45-21-1) over Hawaii home runs. ance and are hosting a regional for the 28th Arizona 1979 Cal St. Fullerton (60-14-1) over Southern Missouri — Southern Miss time in program history, which is well 2015 Virginia (44-24) over Vanderbilt Arkansas can rest easy after dropping back-to-back more than the next closest team (Stanford 2014 Vanderbilt (51-21) over Virginia 1978 *USC (54-9) over Arizona State heartbreakers to Louisiana Tech in the C- at 19). Texas is the first program to the 60 2013 *UCLA (49-17) over Mississippi St 1977 Arizona St (57-12) over S. Carolina USA tournament. Each loss was by a mere mark, with Florida State close behind at 2012 *Arizona (48-17) over S. Carolina 1976 Arizona (56-17) over E. Michigan run, so let's not take anything away from 58. This season, Texas reeled off 42 wins 2011 *South Carolina (55-14) over Florida 1975 Texas (59-6) over South Carolina the Golden Eagles, who are making their en route to the No. 2 national seed. Ty 2010 South Carolina (54-16) over UCLA 1974 USC (50-20) over Miami (Fla.) 17th appearance in the bracket. Another Madden (6-4, 2.66 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 2009 LSU (56-17) over Texas 1973 *USC (51-11) over Arizona State team with plenty of pop, Reed Trimble 103 strikeouts) leads one of the best pitch- 2008 Fresno State (47-31) over Georgia 1972 USC (47-13-1) Arizona State leads the way with 14 home runs. ing staffs in the nation. 2007 *Oregon St. (49-18) over N.Carolina 1971 USC (46-11) over Southern Illinois Stanford* — The Cardinal earned the Texas Tech* — The Red Raiders are 2006 Oregon St. (50-16) over N Carolina 1970 USC (45-13) over Florida State No. 9 national seed and will host an NCAA heading back to the tournament for the 2005 *Texas (56-16) over Florida 1969 Arizona State (56-11) over Tulsa regional for the 19th time. Stanford, mak- fourth time in five seasons, this time as the 2004 Cal St. Fullerton (47-22) over Texas 1968 *USC (43-12-1) over S. Illinois ing its 35th tournament appearance, is quite No. 8 national seed. It is the fifth consecu- 2003 Rice (58-12) over Stanford 1967 Arizona State (53-12) over successful at Sunken Diamond in the post- tive season that Texas Tech is hosting, the 2002 *Texas (57-15) over South Carolina 1966 Ohio State (27-6-1) over Ok. State season, racking up a 69-19 record in games only team in the current field that can boast 2001 *Miami (Fla.) (53-12) over Stanford 1965 Arizona State (54-8) over Ohio St. played on its home turf. It's an interesting such a feat. Much like their 2019 run to the 2000 *LSU (52-17) over Stanford 1964 Minnesota (31-12) over Missouri region this year, with Stanford having College World Series, the Red Raiders 1999 *Miami (Fla.) (50-13) over FloridaSt 1963 USC (35-10) over Arizona familiarity with UC Irvine, taking three of open against Army. That team was led by 1998 USC (49-17) over Arizona State 1962 Michigan (34-15) over Santa Clara four from the Anteaters earlier this season. Josh Jung, while this one is led by his 1997 *LSU (57-13) over Alabama 1961 *USC (36-7) over Oklahoma State TCU* — The Big 12 champs are back younger brother Jace who has become one 1996 *LSU (52-15) over Miami (Fla.) 1960 Minnesota (34-7-1) over USC in the tournament once again, the 15th time of the most exciting players in college 1995 *Cal St. Fullerton (57-9) over USC 1959 Oklahoma State (27-5) over Arizona in the past 17 seasons, highlighted by a baseball. 1994 *Oklahoma (50-17) over Georgia Tech 1958 USC (29-3) over Missouri four-year run that ended in Omaha (2014- UC Irvine — The Big West tourna- 1993 LSU (53-17-1) over Wichita State 1957 *California (35-10) over Penn State 2017). The Horned Frogs are the No. 6 ment winners are back in the tournament 1992 *Pepperdine (48-11-1) over C.S 1956 Minnesota (37-9) over Arizona national seed hosting their eighth regional for the first time in seven years. And they Fullerton 1955 Wake Forest (29-7) over W. Michigan after becoming the first team since 2011 to come in with easily one of the most fun 1991 *LSU (55-18) over Withita State 1954 Missouri (22-4) over Rollins win both the regular season and Big 12 mascots in college baseball: the Anteaters. 1990 Georgia (52-19) over Oklahoma St 1953 Michigan (21-9) over Texas tournament titles. UC Irvine got to the bracket by locking up 1989 Wichita State (68-16) over Texas 1952 Holy Cross (21-3) over Missouri Tennessee* — The Vols come in as the its first Big West tournament title since 1988 Stanford (46-23) over Arizona State 1951 *Oklahoma (19-9) over Tennessee No. 3 national seed, hosting their first 2009. Michael Frias and Nick Pinto lead a 1987 Stanford (53-17) over Oklahoma St 1950 Texas (27-6) over Washington State regional since 2005. Tony Vitello has done sneakily good pitching staff. 1986 Arizona (49-19) over Florida State 1949 *Texas (23-7) over Wake Forest wonders recently, turning the Vols into a UCLA — The Bruins finished with 35 1985 Miami (Fla.) (64-16) over Texas 1948 USC (26-4) over Yale nightmare of a team for opposing coaches. wins in the stacked Pac-12, which gets 1984 Cal St. Fullerton (66-20) over Texas 1947 * California (31-10) over Yale

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 41 | June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 13 COLLEGES WITH BO CARTER College Football News and Notes

Dye, Auburn, Ala.; June 2 (1943) Nile its new director of athletics to succeed the Kinnick, Over the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of retiring Lee Moon…Princeton director of Paria in combat; June 3(2020) John Majors athletics Mollie Marcoux Samaan has been Knoxville, Tenn.; June 4 (2005) Banks named commissioner for the Ladies McFadden, Ormond Beach, Fla.; (2015) Professional Golf Association in Daytona Wayne Harris, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Beach, Fla.…Wisconsin appears to be nar- Happy birthdays to NFF College Hall rowing down the interviewees’ pool to of Fame members June 2 Jeff Siemon, June replace retiring AD and NFF College Hall 3 Matt Stinchcomb, June 5 Torry Holt, of Fame coach . Topping the June 6 Rueben Mayes, June 7 Terrell list are Northern Illinois AD Sean Frazier, Buckley… Colgate AD Dr. Nicki Webber Moore, Florida Atlantic and UCF will play a Wisconsin Deputy AD Chris McIntosh, and two-game series in 2022 and ’25…Auburn Ball State AD Beth Goetz…Oregon AD and Ball State will meet in a single skir- Rob Mullens related how Ducks athletics mish in 2025…Georgia State and Wake have worked closely with the UO Forest have scheduled back-to-back tussles Foundation to alleviate some of the finan- NFF College HOF standout J.D. Roberts of passed away May 25 in Oklahoma City. He was 88 in 2029 and ’30 at both campus sites.... cial burdens caused nationwide by the ....North Carolina A&T and North Carolina COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21…Former athletes and three coaches in the NFF Central will play a two-game series in Stetson director of strength and condition- College Hall of Fame with NFF Board 2022 and ’27…The scheduled Saturday, ing Mark Wateska is the new AD at Doane member Roger Staubach one of the most Sept. 18, Illinois-Maryland Big Ten (Neb.)...Louisville selected Laura Clemente noted members of this sterling group. Conference tussle has been moved to Sept. as associate AD for strategy and innovation Lomas Brown of Florida is the latest in 17 for a national telecast on a network and …Arkansas State added Thomas Boeh a special NFF feature series saluted on the airtime to be determined…North Dakota from Ohio U. as its deputy AD…Georgia Footballfoundation.org website for his State has added four opponents to its future AD Josh Brooks is doing everything in his 2020 NFF College Hall of Fame induction. football schedules Ð East Tennessee State power, according to multiple publications, The has been in 2024 and ’26, St. Thomas (Minn.) in to supply funding and resources to promoting free vaccinations to prevent 2025, Austin Peay in 2026, and Central Bulldogs varsity sports affected by COVID-19 at such events as last week’s Arkansas (rescheduled from the 2025 COVID-19 financial pressures…Virginia SEC Baseball Championship in Hoover, season to ’26). Tech AD Whit Babcock is working to Ala., though the Jefferson County Coe athletics is hosting the Steve Staker improve internet connections at Lane BO CARTER Department of Health. Several other col- Golf Invitational to help raise funds for the Stadium, increasing coaches’ compensation [email protected] lege circuits and departments of athletics Kohawks football program where Staker and hoping to decrease the department’s have featured similar free clinical events to was a 50-year fixture. Staker’s son Tyler $15 million shortfall in 2020-21 due to NFF College Hall of Fame standout help raise COVID-19 vaccination aware- Staker is in his sixth year as head coach at COVID-19 issues… Ohio State AD and J.D. Roberts of Oklahoma Ð who drafted ness and public health. Coe after succeeding his father. 2006 NFF John V. Toner Award recipient NFF Chairman Archie Manning in 1971 NFF College Hall of Fame Facts New Presbyterian head coach Kevin Gene Smith is confident that the College while Roberts was head coach of the NFL Some notable birthdates in NFF Kelley was featured in Yahoo Sports for Football Playoff is in position to enlarge its New Orleans Saints Ð passed away from College Hall of Fame annals in the June 1- bringing somewhat unorthodox coaching field and will expand in upcoming sea- natural causes May 25 in Oklahoma City, 7 period are June 1 (1901) Edgar Miller, methods from the high school to college sons…San Jose State tabbed chief financial Okla. He was 88. Roberts starred at Dallas Canton, Ohio; (1916) Ki Aldrich, Rogers, coaching ranks…CBS Sports columnist officer and vice president for administra- Jesuit HS and then at Oklahoma as a line- Texas; (1930) Carmen Cozza, Parma, Ohio; Dennis Dodd interviewed a number of FBS tion and finance Charlie Faas as interim man from 1950-53 while winning the 1953 (1933) Alan Ameche, Kenosha, Wis.; June head coaches about how such nuances as AD…St. Bonaventure AD Tim Kinney will Outland Trophy and receiving consensus 2 (1895) Homer Hazel, Piffard, N.Y.; the names, images and likenesses’ legisla- be exiting his post Monday or Tuesday in All-America laurels that same season. The (1909) , Point tion and loosening of NCAA transfer rules New York…New Nebraska rifle head coach Sooners star later was as a successful col- Pleasant, W.Va.; (1950) Jeff Siemon, will impact college football this autumn. Mindy Miles was saluted for her sports- lege assistant coach after serving in and Rochester, Minn.; June 3 (1959) Sam Featured were comments by Cincinnati manship efforts when she was a student- playing football for the U.S. Marine Corps Mills, Neptune, N.J.; (1977) Matt head coach Luke Fickell and North athlete at TCU and called a penalty on her- before becoming Saints head coach from Stinchcomb, Atlanta, Ga.; June 4 (1870) Carolina head coach and NFF College Hall self when a gun accidentally fired during 1970-72. He was in the oil and gas busi- George Sanford, Ashland, N.Y.; (1876) of Fame member along with 2016 NCAA Championship competition. ness in Oklahoma City for several years Mike Donahue, County Kerry, Ireland; Utah State AD John Hartwell…Michigan She later won the NCAA 20-15-16 and published a popular autobiography. (1891) Bob McWhorter, Athens, Ga.; has extended offensive coordinator Josh National Sportsmanship Award…Nebraska Navy will retire the jersey No. 48 worn (1908) Skip McCain, Enville, Okla.; June 5 Gattis with a new contract through the AD Bill Moos noted that the Huskers have by NFF College Hall of Fame star Chet (1976) Torry Holt, Gibsonville, N.C.; June 2022 campaign with a solid compensation passed 90 percent water mark for football Moeller during ceremonies Oct. 2 in 6 (1879) Jimmy Johnson (Carlisle, boost…Former Haltom City (Texas) HS season ticket renewals and sees full houses Annapolis, Md., when the Midshipmen Northeastern), Edgerton, Wis.; (1901) defensive coordinator David Munoz was again at Memorial Stadium-Dr. Tom host UCF. Walter Koppisch, Pendleton, N.Y.; (1919) named head coach at Irving (Texas) HS. Osborne Field…North Alabama adminis- U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris Darold Jenkins, Pettis County, Mo.; (1963) Hometowns of more 2021 college head trators praised the work of outgoing AD became the first woman to address U.S. Rueben Mayes, North Battleford, coaches Ð Clemson: , Mark Linder and pointed to recent success Naval Academy commencement in Saskatchewan, Canada; June 7 (1932) Bob Birmingham, Ala.; Coast Guard: Bill stories such as South Alabama, Annapolis, Md., in the 150-year history of Reade, Monticello, Iowa; (1971) Terrell George, Baltimore, Md.; Coe: Tyler Staker, Jacksonville State, Troy and others for the the Academy. The live graduation after Buckley, Pascagoula, Miss. Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Colby: Jack Cosgrove, Lions transition from NCAA Division II to 2020 was held virtually also included the Notable anniversary death dates for Sharon, Mass.; Colgate: Dan Hunt, DI. Trustees also are working with the uni- tradition flyover by the popular Navy Blue Hall of Famers are June 1 (1963) Century Springfield, Mass. versity to help expand historic Tom Braly Angels jet brigade. Navy sports 19 student- Milstead, Pleasantville, N.Y.; (2020) Pat North Florida selected Nick Morrow as Stadium on campus…Texas A&M AD

14 June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 41 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com Ross Bjork has begun a nationwide search Noto as head baseball coach…The San Jones of Alabama, QB Justin Fields of in the first two days of postseason, and to replace Aggies head baseball coach Rob Francisco Dons named Chris Brown head Ohio State, QB Zach Wilson of BYU, QB three postseason clashes have dates and Childress Ð just the third A&M head coach men’s soccer coach…Gardner-Webb added Trey Lance of North Dakota State, CB kickoff times to be determined. The first in 62 years since Tom Chandler from 1959- Eric Plunkett as head volleyball coach... Jaycee Horn of South Carolina, and Florida two days of bowl season include: 84 and Mark Johnson from 1985-2005... …Georgia Southern men’s tennis head TE Kyle Pitts…UNLV transfer defensive - Friday, Dec. 17 noon …Former South Carolina president Dr. coach Sander Koning has left the program back Greg Francis has moved to the North ESPN, Nassau Harris Pastides has come out of retirement …LSU swimming head coach Dave Geyer Texas program for 2021…Former LSU QB - Friday, Dec. 17 6 p.m. to serve as USC’s interim president has completed his tenure with the Tigers TJ Finley is headed to Auburn to play.... ESPN2, Orlando, Fla...... Fresno State hired Camden Stockton as after 11 years. Swimming and diving co- …Texas A&M grad transfer WR Camron - Saturday, Dec. 18 RoofClaim.com Boca associate AD for development…Tarleton head coach Doug Shaffer will be retained Buckley will compete for Indiana in ’21.... Raton Bowl 11 a.m. ESPN, Boca Raton,Fl. State selected former Wyoming head coach as Tigers’ diving coach… Michigan State …Young Auburn wide receivers will be a - Saturday, Dec. 18 Cricket Celebration Pete Cuadrado as the TexAnns first added director of cross country and track key for an improved Tigers performance in Bowl noon ABC, Atlanta, Ga. women's soccer head coach…Texas Tech and field Lisa Breznau on a fulltime basis ’21 behind sophomore Kobe Hudson, sen- - Saturday, Dec. 18 head baseball coach has …Missouri has named Mark Hankins as ior Shedrick Jackson, soph Ze’Vian 2:15 p.m. ESPN, Albuquerque, N.M. gained a rolling group of seven-year con- men’s golf co-head coach with 2020-21 Capers, and highly-touted freshman Hal - Saturday, Dec. 18 Radiance Technologies tract extensions Ð essentially a lifetime MU head coach Mark Leroux retires. (not related to Elvis) Presley…Iowa stu- 3:30 p.m. ABC, contract…Castleton men’s hockey head Hankins will succeed the 17-year veteran dent-athlete Jordan Bohannon is improving Shreveport, La. coach Bill Silengo will leave the program when he leaves this post…San Diego State after suffering a head injury May 22..Some - Saturday, Dec. 18 Lendingtree Bowl 5:45 June 4…Rice president Dr. David Leebron women’s golf head coach Leslie Spalding of the leading Academic All-Conference p.m. ESPN Mobile, Ala. will retire after 18 years as the university’s is retiring after 10 seasons…Oregon State USA classroom-playing field standouts - Saturday, Dec. 18 Los Angeles Bowl CEO in June 2022…Former Southern Miss women’s head soccer coach Matt Kagan is named to the spring league teams were 7:30 p.m. ABC, Los Angeles publicist and award-winning NFL Dallas leaving the program, and interim head David McCabe of Charlotte, Kyle Steven - Saturday, Dec. 18 R&L Carriers New Cowboys media maven Joe Trahan is now coach Nick Stirrett is replacing him..... Casey of FIU, Mitchell Hartigan of Florida Orleans Bowl 9:15 p.m. ESPN, New director of media relations and corporate ...... College Baseball Hall of Fame head Atlantic, and Jonathan Fincher and Steele Orleans, La. communications for the Cowboys…Florida coach Paul Mainieri of LSU will retire at Netterville, both of Louisiana Tech... The Goodyear Cotton Bowl and its tick- named Tony Amato head women’s soccer the end of the ’21 season following 15 …Overtime Elite has added brothers Amen eting partners have a special link to make coach…North Carolina tabbed Sam Miller years with the Tigers and 1,500-plus all- and Ausar Thompson of Ft. Lauderdale, ticket purchases for the 2021 GCB as director of scouting and video opera- time coaching victories at St. Thomas Fla., with 2021-22 contracts…Baylor’s National semifinal tions and Sean Sullivan as director of play- (Fla.), Air Force, Notre Dame, and LSU... DiDi Richards and Texas’ Asjia O’Neal are contest at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, er personnel, development and recruiting …Kentucky head men’s basketball coach among the finalists for the Honda Dec. 31…Amy Scott just celebrated her operations…New Mexico athletics chose John Calipari spoke about how the NBA G Inspiration Award for courage and college eight-year anniversary as ticket manager Brady Ovrick as assist AD for ticketing... League and Overtime Elite League are now athletics’ accomplishments…Gonzaga for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, and she has …Rice head baseball coach Matt Bragga solid competition high school recruits the standout Drew Timme will return for his been instrumental to the bowl’s transition has completed his term of service with the Wildcats and many others are trying to sign junior season with the Bulldogs. to SeatGeek for GCB ticket operations... Owls…Iowa tabbed Nathan Mundt as the …Lake Superior (Wis.) State AD Dr. Conference USA has memorialized the …The 2021 Soccer Gold Cup also is com- Hawkeyes new swimming and diving head David Paitson will relocate in August as an late assistant commissioner Russ Anderson ing to the GCB’s locale AT&T Stadium on coach…Utah State added former Oregon assistant professor of sport management at with the Russell D. Anderson MVP Trophy Saturday, July 10, as Mexico will host a assistant coach Manny Martins as its new the University of …Northern at the Air Force Reserve Conference USA winner of the International Prelims 9 women’s soccer head coach…Houston Colorado president and Big Sky Championship in Ruston, LaThe Mid- Group Stage Matches. Baptist chose Chris Dodd as Huskies Conference President’s Council chair Dr. American Conference chose former BDO Oregon State's renovation of historic women’s soccer head coach…Tennessee Andy Feinstein has been appointed to a USA assurance services senior manager Reser Stadium is scheduled to cost $324.5 head baseball coach Tony Vitello may be two-year term on the NCAA Division Mike Vuraich as associate commissioner million, which the university is allowing working with administrators on restructur- Board of Directors… Playfly and Auburn and chief financial officer starting Tuesday athletics to pay back to various loan enti- ing his current contract, which runs athletics named Auburn Sports Properties …The Mountain West chose former NCAA ties over a 50-years-or-less period..Michael through 2024…Utah head baseball head general manager Ben Harling to a fulltime coordinator of men’s basketball champi- Jordan and the Jordan Brand donated $1 coach retired after last position…Former Missouri men’s basket- onships and Kansas student-athlete Niko million to Morehouse in Atlanta for jour- weekend’s series with Southern California ball director of athletics performance Roberts as the loop’s associate commis- nalism and related programs…Texas A&M after 18 years at the Utes helm…Central Nicodemus Christopher is starting his own sioner of men’s and women’s basketball.. will allow 100 percent capacity at all 2021 Arkansas head baseball coach Allen Gum conditioning, nutrition and performance …The Big 12 Conference provided a first- home football games. This will help offset has retired and has been replaced by for- private company in the Denver area. ever digital game program for the Phillips a projected setback of $36 million from mer assistant head coach Nick Harlan.... PFF.com has rated the Top 10 defensive 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship at COVID-19 issues in 2020-21 while the …Florida State officially named former back standouts returning for this season Oklahoma City, Okla., last week...Charlotte Southeastern Conference assisted in cover- Harvard vice provost for research Dr. with Derek Stingley Jr. of LSU, Ahmad head baseball coach Robert Woodard was ing $23 million of that expense with its Richard K. McCullough…Kansas State Gardner of Cincinnati, Eli Ricks of LSU, named the 2021 Keith LeClair Conference annual disbursements…Questex has inau- president Dr. Richard Myers is finishing Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson (son of NFF USA Coach of the Year…Texas head coach gurated the New XLIVE application to his tenure in December…UCLA tabbed College Hall of Fame RB LaDanian was selected as Big 12 expand experiential footprints for live former Kellogg's associate director of cor- Tomlinson of TCU) of TCU, Tykee Smith Conference Coach of the Year…The Big sports events and entertainment…Southern porate communications Christopher of , Kyle Hamilton of Notre Sky Conference is the latest circuit to over- (Baton Rouge) upset Southwestern Athletic Markley as senior associate AD for com- Dame, Josh Jobe of Alabama, Kaiir Elam turn its intraconference transfer policy... Conference regular-season champ and tra- munications…Women’s basketball head of Florida, Trent McDuffie of Washington, …The Big 12 also is dispensing $34.5 mil- ditional power Jackson State in the SWAC coach Brenda Frese had her contract and Brandon Joseph of Northwestern lion per member school for the 2020-21 postseason championship on a spectacular, extended through the 2027-28 season... among the stalwarts…Some additional academic term despite cancellation of bas- late-innings’ catch. The Jaguars also …Charleston Southern tabbed Stephanie NCAA portal transfers of note for ’21 foot- ketball and spring sports championships secured their record, 28th SWAC regular- Stoglin-Reed as associate women’s basket- ball are wide receivers Michael Jefferson from March-May 2020…ESPN and Fox or postseason diamond title and automatic ball head coach and Ashley Jones as assis- from Arkansas State to Louisiana, Cade Sports are waiting a bit longer to begin bid to the NCAA Division I Regionals... tant coach…Dayton men’s basketball Johnson of South Dakota State, Jonathan negotiations with the Big 12 for television …Jacksonville State athletics has partnered selected Ricardo Greer as associate head Johnson from East Carolina to Richmond, agreements, which expire in 2025. with Peak Sports Management for multi- coach, Brett Comer as director of basket- Grant Lake of Louisiana Tech, and Tyrese The NCAA has approved a record 44 media marketing and promotions…BYU ball operations and Sean Damaska as video Mack from Utah State to Nevada…Sports postseason bowls for 2021-22 with the athletics now is working with BDB coordinator…Vanderbilt named Leah Illustrated spoke of the college accomplish- College Football Playoff championship cul- Collegiate Solutions to help add to the Dusterhoft women’s basketball director of ments of recent NFL draftees All-America minating the slate on Monday, Jan. 10, in Cougars’ national and regional corporate creative content…Wagner added Craig QB of Clemson, QB Mac Indianapolis. There are eight bowl tussles (continued on page 16)

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 41 | June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 15 sponsorships…Loyola (Ill.) Chicago is IMG College selected former Publicis DesRoches appeared on the @1Q Leadership newsletter and magazine…Arizona State, partnering with The Aspire Group for Media vice president of content and part- podcast to discuss the duties regarding ath- Cincinnati, Iowa, Kansas, La Salle, remote services for season ticketing... nerships Daniel Wittenberg as vice presi- letics for a university provost and Louisville, Michigan State, Tennessee, and …Houston athletics is working with help- dent of branded content…Altius Sports DesRoches’ previous experience as the fac- Virginia are working with NCAA enforce- ing to obtain more private funding to help Partners tapped Courtney Brunious as the ulty athletics representative at Georgia ment and compliance officials concerning alleviate such sums as a $75.1 million company’s new chief operating officer.... Tech…Learfield IMG College and Tappit possible issues and probes at their respec- stipend provided from university funds for …Robert Morris athletics is having to drop have joined together in multiyear partner- tive schools…U.S. Soccer has completed a the Cougars in fiscal year 2019…Ohio its men’s and women’s ice hockey pro- ship for cashless and touchless mobile 20-year agreement with Soccer United State legislators are working on a possible grams teams as part of a some belt-tighten- technology solutions for football fans and Marketing and will move commercial bill to promulgate names, images and like- ing and strategic planning movements... to increase consumer engagement and rights, sponsorship and media in-house nesses’ compensation for student-athletes …New Mexico officials have allocated game-day communications…The San Jose starting in 2023…The NBA and NFL have in the state with a possible effective date of $12,517,252 of federal Covid relief funds (Calif.) Mercury News newspaper took joined college athletics in designating vac- July 1…Toyota North America has pledged to Lobos athletics. mailbag questions from readers, and vari- cinated fan sections and media members an additional $5 million for 2021 U.S. Five college head coaches have produced ous topics were the 850 live events on the for summer and fall events…Last week Olympians and Paralympians in agreement 203 future college or professional football Pac-12 Networks, up-and-down the stand- was the 52-year anniversary (May 1969) of with the Olympic and head coaches in research by Delbert Reed ings’ improvement in Pac-12 football and ABC-TV’s contract with the NFL to air Paralympic Committees…Ohio State ath- of the Paul W. “Bear” Bryant Museum in some of the unknown qualities of new Pac- Monday Night Football starting in Sept. letics is utilizing Opendorse to administer Tuscaloosa, Ala. They are NFF College 12 commissioner George Kliavkoff…The 1970…The College Basketball Field of 68 its names, images and likenesses’ compen- Hall of Fame mentors, Athletic also addressed the NCAA men’s noted there was no need for national alarm sation updates and resource program for produced a NCAA-record 66 future college basketball and football transfer rules and for colleges with the upsurge of Overtime student-athletes through the Eugene D. or NFL head coaches while Paul W. “Bear” the relative success of these immediate Elite and the NBA G League, which are Smith Leadership Institute…UConn athlet- Bryant had 56. tutored 30 transfers at their next assignments…USA accepting high school-age student-athletes ics broke ground on its new on-campus while Knute Rockne is next at 28, and Today examined the impact on college ath- into the immediate pro ranks…Michigan hockey arena last week…The 2021 College Frank Thomas guided 23 future head letics and campus activism after the pass- athletics is working with NCAA Legends Classic originally scheduled at the coaches. Research is ongoing for ing of George Floyd…247Sports Director Championship officials to avoid future late Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the 2K Tennessee coaching great and fellow Hall of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong addressed road competition, which caused the Classic originally scheduled for Madison of Famer Gen. Bob Neyland who may have expectations about the upcoming live Wolverines softball team to arrive back Square Garden are moving to the aided 20-30 future head football coaches.. recruiting period for football in June... from a trip at Seattle, Wash., at 4:30 a.m. Prudential Center in Newark, N.J….Ole …The Athletic featured NFF College Hall …Former University of Louisville trustee (EDT). Oregon and Texas also played a Miss and Revel XP have contracted with of Fame coaches (and in Spurrier’s case Ð Jonathan Blue from Blue Entertainment NCAA Austin Regional title game that the company to serve as its official fan players) Steve Spurrier, Sports Television spoke about challenges ended on May 24 at 1:16 a.m because of experience provider and Dyehard Fan (also 2006 co-Gold Medal recipient) and ahead in several areas for college football weather delays…The Black College Nines Supply for official UM merchandise part- John Cooper about current college recruit- and basketball and possible solutions HBCU Large School World Series sched- ner…Michigan athletics will use complete ing practices, new transfer rules, facilities, nationally…The New York Times still may uled for May 28-30 at the Hank Aaron mobile ticketing for the 2021-22 academic and football finances…Former Auburn AD be assessing the purchase of The Athletic, Academy in Jackson, Miss., had to be can- year…Tarleton State athletics is installing and award-winning publicist David Housel and there are media reports that the Times celled because of COVID-19 protocols. Hellas Matrix Turf for playing surfaces at is releasing a new booth The Back Booth at has interviewed former employees in The Former Iowa and NFL Green Bay major sports complexes with new Ephesus Chappy’s with a special national release at Athletic’s business and human resources’ Packers head coach Jerry Burns passed LED Lighting system at all locations... Chappy’s Restaurant in Auburn, Ala., June departments for additional information… away May 13 in Iowa City, Iowa. He was …Southern Utah's aviation program and 15..Former Colorado football and Olympic CBS Sports wrote that a number of Group 94…Cincinnati women's soccer student- Thunderbirds athletics broke the Guinness standout Jeremy Bloom is hosting a docu- of Five and mid-major programs are re- athlete Abby Sidloski passed away May 22 Book of World Records’ drop a football of mentary program about the history of the considering possible large scheduling mon- at East Fork (Ohio) State Park in a drown- 660 feet to Rob Gronkowski prior to NCAA and student-athletes..College etary guarantees with Power Five confer- ing incident. She was 21…Joe Beckwith, Arizona’s spring game with an authenticat- Basketball HOF player, former U.S. ences for football and basketball contracts son of late longtime Auburn athletics busi- ed 880-foot drop to Southern Utah senior Representative and LEAD1 CEO Tom for more competitive contests in upcoming ness manager Bill Beckwith, passed away associate AD for internal relations Jeff McMillen of Maryland professed his opin- seasons…Former ESPN broadcaster Adnan after a battle with colon cancer May 22. Tukuafu, who wore the SUU mascot Thor's ion on how the names, images and like- Virk has left the WWE broadcast team.... Joe Beckwith played for the 1985 World togs and had a large contingent of area nesses’ legislation, collegiate financial aid …The San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News Champion and was 66 news media on hand…Grand Island, Neb., and personal technology will coincide as newspaper opined about how the NFL’s …Dr. Robert Kuhne, a student-athlete at introduced plans for a $15 million high the time nears for statewide NIL laws to upcoming streaming service with Amazon Oklahoma from 1951-55 and four-sport school, college and youth sports complex begin…Former Alabama great and Pro could have a future positive impact on Pac- standout at McKinney HS, passed away near Interstate 80…Nebraska athletics is Football Hall of Fame QB Joe Namath has 12 Conference football telecasts and May 21 in Richardson, Texas. He was 87 bringing back the Big Red Blitz series of been featured on a series of advertisements streaming accounts…College football poll- and one of the first obstetricians located in alumni meetings starting June 16 in the for Social Security supplements…One of ster and marketer for several NFF College Richardson in the late 1950s…Former cities of Alliance, Broken Bow, Chadron, the new members of the Nebraska Sports Hall of Fame coaches Andy Curtin cele- Elizabeth City (N.C.) Northeastern HS Columbus, David City, Fremont, Grand Hall of Fame is Tim Higgins, brother of brated his three-year anniversary at New head coach Eric McDaniels passed away Island, Hastings, Holdrege, Imperial, NCAA Final Four¨ college basketball offi- Happiness LLC real estate investment...Ted May 19 in Elizabeth City. He was 60. The Kearney, Lexington, Loup City, Norfolk, cial John Higgins. Gangi and Collegepressbox.com introduced National Football Foundation & College North Platte, Ogallala, Scottsbluff, South Home Team Sports president Craig some previews of newly-designed websites Hall of Fame continues to work as a key Sioux City, Valentine, and West Point... Sloan reported that the Big Ten Network for the FWAA, USBWA and NCBWA..The entity Preserving the Past, Promoting the …The Toyota Research Institute is working now has the second-highest sports cable Field of 68 podcast had an explanation from Present, Preparing the Future, and with colleges and automakers to advance ratings behind ESPN’s family of networks. experts on the use of search firms and the Protecting the Game Through Programs hybrid and all-electric vehicles for courtesy …The Mississippi Today online newspaper hiring and firing process for college coaches. and Initiatives that Support 765 Colleges & autos for college administrators in coming observed how younger professionals are The FWAA, NCBWA and USBWA are Universities, 81,000-plus College Football years…German-Jamaican Dustin Brown playing leading roles in administration, having their website home pages and con- Players, 15,810 High Schools, and Over has joined the Slinger Bag Ambassador athletics and public affairs at public univer- tent redeveloped by CollegePressBox.com.. 1.04 Million Players. Team…Chicago-based IEG senior director sities such as Southern Miss, Mississippi …Colby Wilson of Austin Peay, Sean NFF corporate partners include Delta Air of analytics Dan Kolzak looked at areas State and Ole Miss…ESPN radio host and Ellenby of Maryland, Jason Corriher of Lines, Fidelity Investments, Goodyear, where college departments of athletics may game analyst Dan Dakich has delivered Marshall, Aaron Gaberman of Sacred Jostens, the New York Athletic Club, the be leaving money on the table and the food for DoorDash as a driver in Heart, and Steve Dombroski of St. John’s Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the areas where in-house operations might take Indianapolis to keep life’s lessons in per- (N.Y.) were featured subjects and opinion Sports Business Journal. Follow us on the place of fee-based brokers…Learfield spective…Rice provost Dr. Reginald makers in the CoSIDA Open Forum online Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

16 June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 41 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com COLLEGES NCAA BASEBALL Arkansas remains No.1 in NCBWA Division I Poll

SEC Champion Arkansas Remains No. 1 Georgia Tech (29-23), Grand Canyon (39- in NCBWA Division I Poll For Eighth 19-1), Indiana State (30-19), Jackson State Week in a Row (32-9), Kansas State (34-23), Liberty (39- Southeastern Conference postseason 14), Louisville (28-22), Maryland (28-16), champ (first in school history) Arkansas is Miami (Fla.) (32-19), Michigan (27-17), No. 1 for the 2021-high 11th week and sea- Nevada (25-18), Northeastern (36-10), son-best eighth week in a row this spring. Oregon State (34-22), San Diego (32-12), SEC schools - Arkansas, Florida, Ole UC Santa Barbara (39-18), VCU (37-14). Miss and Vanderbilt Ð also have topped Dropped Out each of the NCBWA Top 30 polls in ’21. Miami (Fla.) (29). All 16 NCAA Regional hosts appear in By Conference this week’s poll, along with the possible Pac-12 6, SEC 6, ACC 4, Big 12 4, C-USA team hosts for eight NCAA Super Regionals, 4, AAC 1, Big Ten 1, Big West 1, MAAC to determine the field for the 74th NCAA 1, Missouri Valley 1, West Coast 1. Division I Baseball World Series in No. 1 Schools by Week: Omaha, Nebraska, on June 19-30. The Preseason (Florida); Feb. 23 (Ole Miss); CWS was cancelled in ’20 due to COVID- March 1-15, April 12-May 31 (Arkansas); 19, and Vanderbilt won the last national March 22-April 5 (Vanderbilt). title in 2019 at TD Ameritrade Stadium. NCBWA BASEBALL - Top 25 This week’s poll also includes several (Games played through 5/31/21) alterations in the NCBWA Top 30 survey. 1. Arkansas Tennessee moved up one position to No. 3 2. Texas from 4, Arizona is No. 5 after holding 3. Tennessee down 7 on May 24, TCU climbed eight 4. Vanderbilt places from No. 14 to 6 after winning the 5. Arizona Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship, and Ole 6. TCU Miss rose from No. 10 to 8. Oregon 7. Texas Tech remained at No. 9 this week. 8. Ole Miss This is the next-to-last NCBWA 9. Oregon Division I poll before the NCAA World 10. Notre Dame Series. There will be another poll on June 7 11. Stanford and then a postseason survey the day after 12. Mississippi State the 2021 DI champion is crowned. 13. Florida There have been 14 conferences (a sea- 14. Old Dominion son-high 11 for two weeks in succession) 15. East Carolina represented in the first 16 standings of 16. UC Irvine 2021, and there were 15 different confer- 17. Louisiana Tech ences included in the COVID-19 abbreviat- 18. UCLA ed NCBWA polls in 2020. 19. Oklahoma State The 2021 poll voters come from among 20. Nebraska 33 college baseball writers and related 21. South Carolina media persons from throughout the nation. 22. Southern Miss The ’21 season features 302 NCAA 23. NC State Division I baseball-playing schools and for 24. Charlotte more information or to join the NCBWA 25. Florida State please go to www.ncbwa.com. 26. Gonzaga Also Receiving Votes (Alphabetically) 27. Duke Baylor (31-20), California (29-26), 28. Arizona State California Baptist (40-16), Central 29. Dallas Baptist Michigan (39-16), Connecticut (33-17), 30. Fairfield

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 41 | June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 17 AUTO FORD EXPLORER The most popular SUV ever sold in the U.S

with its available V6, with either rear- or not been released yet, but using prices as a all-wheel drive. rough guide, the Highlander starts about The base, 2-wheel-drive Honda Pilot $2K less than the Explorer, and the LX is $31,450 (plus $1,045 destination), Highlander tops out just shy of $50,000, while the Explorer’s starting price is about nearly $10K below the top-spec Explorer. $1,000 higher. The Pilot Elite is the fanci- Ford Explorer vs. Kia Telluride est trim level at Honda and is priced at Impressive new offerings, both. The Kia $48,020, about $10,000 less than the Telluride, a front-drive-based unibody Explorer Platinum. SUV, has just one engine, a proven 3.8-liter Ford Explorer vs. Toyota Highlander V6 with 291 horsepower. The Telluride’s a Like the Explorer, the Toyota couple inches shorter than the Explorer, Highlander has been redesigned for, and with a wheelbase five inches shorter than not all of the new specs are available. But the Ford. From the inside, the Kia feels the Highlander isn’t quite as extensively very roomy, thanks to its boxy shape and changed, so there are several comparisons an upright windshield that’s not unlike that that can be drawn. The new Highlander is of the Ford Flex. Max tow rating of the Kia slightly larger than before, but it still is Telluride is 5,000 pounds. smaller than the Explorer. The Toyota’s Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee By Andy Bornhop All versions of the Traverse are powered wheelbase is 9.3 inches shorter than the Like the new Explorer, the Jeep Grand by a 3.6-liter V6, while the Explorer’s Explorer’s, and the vehicle is about 4 inch- Cherokee is a unibody SUV with a longitu- While the Ford Explorer isn’t as signifi- mainstay engine is a 2.3-liter turbo four. es shorter in length. Here again, the differ- dinal powertrain. But the Jeep is 9 inches cant to the automaker’s bottom line as the The Chevy’s V6 makes 310 horsepower ence can be seen primarily in the cargo shorter overall than the Ford, with a wheel- almighty F-150 pickup truck, it’s an impor- versus 300 for the Ford 2.3L, but the hold, where the Explorer has a 2-cubic-foot base that’s down by about 5 inches. The tant player nonetheless. Look around; Traverse’s 266 lb-ft of torque trails the advantage with all seats upright, a 7-cubic- Jeep seats a max of five in two rows; the Explorers are everywhere. Consider this: Explorer’s 310 lb-ft. The Traverse does not foot advantage behind the second row, and new Explorer accommodates seven in its The Ford Explorer is the most popular offer more powerful engine options to approximately 10 cubic feet more space three rows. Both of these SUVs have SUV ever sold in the U.S., with all-time compare with the Explorer’s 365-hp or with all seats folded. Whereas the Explorer diverse powertrains, the Grand Cherokee’s sales rapidly approaching the 8 million. 410-hp turbo V6s. The maximum trailer- seats six in a 2-2-2 configuration (with the ranging from a 3.6-liter V6 and a diesel V6 And sales of this perennially popular three- tow rating for the Traverse V6 is 5,000 base model offering 2-3-2 seating), the to a 6.4-liter pushrod V8 and a super- row midsize SUV undoubtedly will be pounds. The non-hybrid Explorer tows up Highlander’s 3-passenger third row allows charged 6.2-liter V8 in the super sporty helped by the all-new 2020 Ford Explorer, to 5,300 pounds with the 2.3-liter or 5,600 seating for seven with captain’s chairs or Trackhawk. Besides the base turbo 2.3-liter which is arriving at dealerships right now. with the turbo V6. eight with a 2nd-row bench. 4-cylinder, it is available with a twin-turbo Like the outgoing model, the 2020 Ford The starting price of the base 2-wheel- All versions of the Highlander (except 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 (365 or 400 hp) and Explorer is a unibody design featuring a drive Chevrolet Traverse is $31,125, which for the Hybrid) are powered by a 3.5-liter a hybrid powertrain featuring a 3.3-liter V6 chassis made of sheet-metal stampings is some $2,000 less than the entry-level V6 with 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of and an electric motor. welded together to form the main structure Explorer. The top-spec Traverse is the High torque. Despite the Toyota’s larger engine, Ford Explorer Pricing of the vehicle. Whereas the old model was Country AWD, priced at $54,395—that’s its output is less than the Ford 2.3-liter The base Explorer, starts with a MSRP based on the front-drive unibody chassis of about $5K less than the Explorer Platinum. turbo four’s 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft, of $32,765, plus a $1,095 destination fee. the Taurus sedan, the 2020 Ford Explorer’s 2020 Ford Explorer vs. Honda Pilot and the Explorer further offers more pow- An XLT, better equipped and also fitted new chassis has rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Compared to the Honda Pilot, the erful turbo V6 options. The V6 Highlander’s with the 2.3, starts at $36,675. The priciest architecture with a longitudinal engine and Explorer rides on a 9.1-inch longer wheel- maximum tow rating is 5,000 pounds, ver- 2.3-liter Explorer, the opulently equipped transmission. As such, this new 2020 base but is only 2.3 inches longer overall, sus 5,300 for the Explorer 4-cylinder and Limited model, starts at $48,130. Explorer represents a return to this model’s and the vehicles are nearly identical in 5,600 for the Explorer V6. Toyota, like It’s a big jump to the V6 Explorers. The rear-drive roots, but without the truck-like width and height. Cargo volume and 3rd- Ford, offers a hybrid powertrain, and is one sporty ST starts at $54,740, while the flag- body-on-frame construction. row-seat space are also very close. Honda of the only other models in the segment to ship Platinum model begins at $58,250. Ford Explorer vs. Chevrolet Traverse rates the Pilot’s 3rd-row seat for three pas- do so. Unlike the Explorer, however, the The new Explorer Hybrid, based on the The Ford Explorer is smaller than the sengers, which means that most versions of Highlander Hybrid uses a 4-cylinder gaso- Limited trim, begins at $53,375 and tops Chevy Traverse, which is one of the largest the Pilot are 8-passenger vehicles, while line engine rather than a V6, and total out- out at about $61,000 when fully optioned. vehicles in the segment. Compared to the the top-trim levels equipped with captain’s put is 240 horsepower compared to the A 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, one of Traverse, the Explorer’s wheelbase is near- chairs can seat seven. The Explorer’s third Explorer Hybrid’s 318 horsepower. While the Explorer Hybrid’s main competitors, ly 2 inches shorter and the Ford is 5.5 inch- row accommodates two, and all Explorer EPA fuel-economy ratings are still to come starts at $37,320, a price that can climb to es shorter overall. That translates primarily trims save the base model have captain’s for the new Highlander Hybrid, City/High- about $50,000 when you order a Highlander into reduced cargo space: With all seats in chairs, so the Explorer seats six or, at best, way/ Combined mpg numbers for the Hybrid Limited Platinum model. Interestingly, place, the Explorer’s cargo capacity is seven. Explorer have come in at 27/29/28 for the Toyota’s destination fee is also $1,095. nearly 5 cubic feet less than the Chevy’s. All versions of the Honda Pilot use a rear-drive version and 23/26/25 in all- The lower-end Explorers are priced in With the third row folded, or with all seats 3.5-liter V6 making 280 horsepower and wheel-drive form. We expect the Highlander line with other 3-row midsize SUVs, but folded, the Traverse has about 10 cubic feet 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a 6- hybrid to return significantly better mileage the Limited and V6 models are getting into more cargo space than the Ford. speed or a 9-speed automatic. Both those than the Explorer at the expense of some luxury-brand territory. As always, check Additionally, Chevy provides seat belts for output figures are below those of the performance. Toyota is estimating 34 mpg the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see three (small) passengers in the third row, Explorer’s smaller standard engine, a 2.3- combined, which is outstanding for this what others in your area are paying for meaning the Traverse can seat up to eight liter turbo four that musters 300 horsepow- class. Another hybrid difference is that their new Ford Explorer. As far as resale passengers, or seven with 2nd-row cap- er and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Pilot’s max- Ford offers the Explorer Hybrid in a single value goes, it’s still early to calculate. tain’s chairs. The Explorer third row seats imum tow rating with all-wheel drive is trim level but Toyota offers the Highlander Historically, however, while Ford Explorers just two, so maximum passenger count is 5,000 pounds, while front-drive models can Hybrid in multiple trim levels. can’t hang with the resale-value leaders, seven with the 2nd-row bench or six with tow 3,500 pounds. The Explorer with its Pricing for the Toyota Highlander has they do hold a strong 2nd-tier status. captain’s chairs. 2.3-liter can tow 5,300 pounds, and 5,600

18 June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 41 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com TICKET WINDOW

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 41 | June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 19 20 June 4, 2021 - June 10, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 41 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com