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Sports LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 16, 2014
In Sports Monday:
lubbockonline.com
all your recruiting news On the Web: Get at www.wreckem247.com.
More analysis of Texas Tech and Oklahoma by A-J sports editor Nicholas Talbot.
down to one final race, and NASCAR Inside Sports: It’s will have a new champion. Page B8
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 B1
Brushed aside Raiders just can’t sustain MY VIEW In a season in which Texas Tech has sunk to 3-7, the Red Raiders haven’t been rightly accused much of coming out flat. Think about it. Tech was even with Arkansas at 21-21, up on Oklahoma State 14-7, ahead of Texas Oklahoma 13-10 and had West Virginia down in the fourth quarter 34-20. The Red Raiders Texas Tech traded punches with TCU for a quarter, staying within 24-17. You can deduce from that that Kliff Kingsbury can get the boys fired up. They just can’t sustain. Is that a consequence of young coaches getting their feet wet? A team with too little talent? Some of both? Regardless, emotional fuel lasts only so long, and Big 12 games aren’t a sprint. So on Saturday, what was shaping up as a promising senior day for the Red Raiders came crashing down just like all those games noted above.
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SEE WILLIAMS, page B4
At RedRaiders.com: Video highlights, more photos and commentary.
Red Raiders coverage & more inside TURN OF TIDE: No. 4 Alabama holds off top-ranked Mississippi State. PLAYER OF THE WEEK, quote of the week and more in the Top 25. BIG 12: Froggone it! No. 4 TCU foils Kansas’ upset bid. OKLAHOMA: How the Sooners pulled out their win in Lubbock without QB Knight.
By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor
WOLFFORTH — Hunter Hemmeline’s hands clasped the top of his helmet as he turned his back walked away from the play with six seconds left in the game — but his hands weren’t thrown towards the sky in jubilance.
Shallowater is headed to Garland. The Fillies defeated Denver City 25-21, 24-26, 25-19, 25-19 Saturday to advance to the Class 3A volleyball state tournament in Garland on Thursday. No.9 Shallowater is now 36-7 after the win and Denver City, which was ranked No. 2 in the state coming into the match, finished 35-6. See story, Page B3.
Abilene Christian kicks past SFA NACOGDOCHES — Nick Grau kicked a 31-yard field goal with 5:48 remaining to give Abilene Christian to a 37-35 victory over Stephen F. Austin on Saturday. Abilene Christian (6-6, 4-4 Southland Conference) closed out its first season in the conference with a victory. The Lumberjacks (7-4, 4-3) had a chance to win it, but Jordan Wiggs drove a 27-yard field goal attempt wide left with 1:19 remaining. Wiggs, who is SFA’s all-time point leader, has made 72.9% of his field goal attempts. Grau had a 35-yarder in the first quarter and booted a 26-yard field goal at the end of the first half to give ACU a 26-21 lead.
Across The Nation RB Gordon sets NCAA rush record MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin star running back Melvin Gordon burst through the hole, made a cut and highstepped into the end zone, capping a memorable evening with an NCAA milestone. Gordon rushed for a major college-record 408 yards and four touchdowns and the 22nd-ranked Badgers overcame three early turnovers to take control of the Big Ten West division with a 59-24 win Saturday over No. 11 Nebraska.
ATP Finals: Djokovic vs. Federer for title Zach Long A-j media PHOTOS
Above, Texas Tech’s J.J. Gaines (3) and Pete Robertson (10) hit Oklahoma’s Blake Bell during Saturday’s game in Lubbock. Top, Oklahoma’s Quentin Hayes breaks up a pass intended for Texas Tech’s Jakeem Grant.
The Denver City senior, Denver City it squandered by letting the clock expire. who primarily plays tight In overtime, Denver City end and defensive end, had outlasted Littlefield 28-27 just missed a 23-yard field Saturday in a classic Class goal attempt that would have 3A bi-district matchup at broken a tie game. Hemmeline stopped in his Littlefield Peoples Bank Stadium. “I can make a 50-yarder, tracks when he heard the but I couldn’t make that commotion behind him, and one for some reason,” Hemit wasn’t the Littlefield Wildmeline said. “I felt myself cats sideline celebrating miss. I was hoping it was prematurely that caught his offsides on them. And there attention. Littlefield was ruled offside on was a miscommunication with the play, granting Denver City an- the refs and it kept the clock runother field goal opportunity, which ning.”
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Daniel Paulling, Wreckem247 editor
Around The World
Mustangs need OT to dispatch ’Cats High SchoolS/ Denver City advances to face Brock in area round
Texas Tech has offered a scholarship to three-star wide receiver T.J. Vasher to play football. The Wichita Falls Rider junior is the No. 63 wide receiver and No. 349 player overall, according to 247Sports’ Composite Rating. The Red Raiders are the first team to offer him a football scholarship. The 6-foot-4, 170-pounder also plays basketball and told Horns247’s Colt Barber that he would like to participate in both sports in college but recognizes doing so would be difficult. Vasher holds basketball scholarships from SMU and Tulsa.
See story, Page B6.
B4-5 B6 B7
Tech pursuing Rider wide receiver
Shallowater heading to state finals
DON WILLIAMS
TEXAS TECH: Game highlights, Talbot column, notes, schedule breakdown, talking points and more.
Texas & Region
Want More? SPRINGLAKE EARTH falls to Gruver in the 2-2A playoffs, 41-7. Gruver (9-2) faces Seagraves (10-0) next week. PAGE B3 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL playoff results and schedule. PAGE B8 The Mustangs (8-3) advance to face Brock (10-1) 7:30 p.m. Friday at San Angelo ISD’s stadium. A lengthy discussion between SEE DENVER CITY, page B3
LONDON (AP) — Roger Federer saved four match points on Saturday to ensure the most successful player at the ATP Finals will take on the best player of the season in a mouthwatering final. Federer, a six-time champion, fought for nearly three hours to reach a ninth final in a thrilling 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) win over his Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka. The 17-time Grand Slam champion will face the top-ranked Novak Djokovic on Sunday. Having swept his group imperiously, Federer was the favorite, but met strong resistance from the Australian Open champion, who failed to cope with nerves in the end.
Find It Inside Auto Racing..............................................B8 Broadcast Schedule............................. B2 College Basketball................................. B2 College Football.................................B4-7 College Volleyball..................................B9 High School Basketball....................... B3 High School Football....................... B3, 8 High School Volleyball......................... B3 Outdoors.................................................B10 Pro Basketball.........................................B9 Pro Football.............................................B8 Pro Basketball.......................................B10 Scorecard.................................................. B2
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Broadcast Schedule Time Noon
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 B2
Time Noon Noon 3 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 7:20 p.m. Time Noon Noon Noon Noon 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. Time 1 p.m. Time 1 p.m. 4 p.m. Time 1:30 p.m. Time 2 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Time 6 p.m.
Time Noon Noon Noon 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 7:20 p.m.
TELEVISION TENNIS
Event Network ATP World Tour, Finals, championship ESPN2 PRO FOOTBALL Event Network NFL, Houston at Cleveland CBS NFL, Seattle at Kansas City FOX NFL, Philadelphia at Green Bay FOX CFL, conf. semifinals, Saskatchewan at Edmonton ESPN2 NFL, New England at Indianapolis NBC COLLEGE BASKETBALL Event Network Men, Buffalo at Kentucky ESPNU Men, Mercer at Seton Hall FSN Men, Chattanooga at Wisconsin ESPNEWS Men, Samford at Pittsburgh FSPlus Men, Southeastern Louisiana at Oklahoma FSPlus Men, Hampton at Syracuse ESPNU Men, Chicago St. at Creighton FS1 Men, Robert Morris at North Carolina ESPNU Men, Norfolk State at Virginia FSPlus Men, Alcorn St. at Texas ESPNU COLLEGE SOCCER Event Network Men, Conf. USA final, S. Carolina at Old Dominion FSN PRO GOLF Event Network PGA Tour, OHL Classic, final round TGC LPGA, Lorena Ochoa Invitational, final round(td) TGC SOCCER Event Network UEFA, qualifying for European Champ., Italy vs. Croatia FS1 AUTO RACING Event Network NASCAR, Sprint Cup, Ford EcoBoost 400 ESPN NHRA, Finals, at Pomona, Calif. (td) ESPN2 PRO HOCKEY Event Network NHL, Dallas at Chicago FSN RADIO PRO FOOTBALL
Event NFL, San Francisco at N.Y. Giants NFL, Cincinnati at New Orleans NFL, Denver at St. Louis NFL, Philadelphia at Green Bay NFL, Detroit at Arizona NFL, New England at Indianapolis
Station 104.3 FM 950 AM, 100.7 FM 1340 AM 950 AM, 100.7 FM 104.3 FM 950 AM, 100.7 FM
Note: All sports broadcasts are subject to change and/or blackout
Week In Sports
Today in Sports History
sports 1957 - Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics set an NBA record with 49 rebounds in a 111-89 victory over the Philadelphia Warriors.
Area Small Colleges From staff reports
PLAINVIEW — Blake Woodard threw four touchdown passes and Dawson Myers ran for 118 yards and two TDs as Oklahoma Baptist rolled to a 63-21 win against Wayland Bapitst in the Pioneers’ eason finale Saturday. Oklahoma Baptist (8-3 overall, 3-2 Central States Football League), which scored 34 seconds into the game on Nic Shegog’s 21yard interception return, led 42-0 at halftime and went up 56-0 before Wayland (3-8, 2-3) responded. The Pioneers, who had three first downs at halftime, first got on the board when Brenner Barnett turned a pass from Anthony Campuzano into a 73-yard touchdown in the third quarter. After a failed onside kick, it took OBU six plays to answer Wayland’s TD. The Pioneers then scored all 14 fourth-quarter points, on a 1-yard run by Mikorban Fields followed
Tech Men’s Basketball
Missouri State 7 p.m.
LSU 9:30 p.m.
Tech Women’s Basketball
Texas State 7 p.m.
Arizona 7 p.m. (Next opp. and date TBD)
Texas Tech Soccer Texas Tech Volleyball
Oklahoma 3 p.m.
TCU 7 p.m.
Hillside Freewill 3 p.m.
LCU Men’s Basketball
American Christian 1 p.m.
LCU Women’s Basketball
Shaded boxes indicate home events
Sports Briefly Pat Summit’s son wins coaching debut NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Tyler Summitt won his debut as coach of Louisiana Tech when the Lady Techsters rallied to beat Stephen F. Austin 76-69 on Saturday night. Trailing 62-56 with 5:20 left, the Lady Techsters closed with a 20-7 run to give the 24-year-old coach the victory. He’s now only 1,097 behind his mom, Hall of Famer Pat Summitt.
Peterson skips disciplinary hearing Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson refused to appear Friday at a scheduled disciplinary hearing with the NFL, a league official told ESPN. Peterson and the NFL Players Association also refused to meet at any time in the past week. The NFL also charged that Peterson would not give the league an alternative date for the disciplinary hearing in connection to his child-abuse case in Texas. The scheduled hearing was a different, more significant one than the conference call set for 2 p.m. ET Monday, when Peterson’s grievance relating to remaining on the commissioner’s exempt list will be heard. The Friday meeting was the one that would have been for a disciplinary decision on Peterson’s past and future.
Jose Canseco: My finger fell off Former major league slugger Jose Canseco claims that his surgically
re-attached finger fell off during a recent poker game. Canseco, who underwent the surgery last month after shooting himself in the hand, revealed that his finger fell off in a series of tweets Friday.
Stewart’s 15-year winning streak on line in finale HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Tony Stewart moved slowly through the garage, still hobbled a bit by a lingering limp in his surgically repaired right leg. He’s sluggish on foot, in his car, and stumbling through what will undoubtedly go down as the worst year of his storied career. His 15-year winning streak will likely end in Sunday’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Stewart missed three races after his sprint car struck and killed a young racer in an August accident in New York, and his grief over the incident stayed with him for several months. Add in his struggles with NASCAR’s current rules package, the persistent pain in his leg, and Stewart needs the season to end so he can hit the reset button. “All streaks come to an end at some point,” Stewart said. His streak of winning at least one Cup race a season began with a victory as a rookie Sept. 11, 1999, at Richmond International Raceway. It is tied for fourth-best in NASCAR history. Richard Petty holds the record with 18 straight years. Compiled from staff reports
Contacts Nicholas Talbot, sports editor, Tech baseball and women’s basketball . . . 766-8704 Daniel Paulling, Wreckem247 editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766-8736 Krista Pirtle, Tech men’s basketball, Tech football . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766-8735 Phil Terrigno, high school sports editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766-2166 Don Williams, Tech football, small colleges, MMA, rodeo, golf . . . . . . . . . . . 766-8734 Email: sports@lubbockonline.com l Fax: (806) 766-2180
beat the San Diego Chargers, 11-10. It was the first time in the NFL’s 12,837-game history a game ended with a score of 11-10.
by a 28-yard pass from Payson Bain to Jarod Bargaineer with 3:46 left. Mostly with a pounding ground attack that accounted for 329 yards on 61 carries, the Bison finished with 536 total yards, compared to Wayland’s 288. The Pioneers got 288 yards in the air but just 38 rushing on 28 attempts. Bain completed 12-of-25 passes for 157 yards. Josh Bailey hauled in six passes for 67 yards. Pioneers linebacker Alden Mann was credited with 19 tackles, breaking his own school record. David Hockenberry from New Deal also had 11 tackles and an interception.
Basketball n Tarleton State 65 LCU men 61 STEPHENVILLE — Mo Lee scored 18 points and No. 12 Tarleton State held off Lubbock Christian University 65-61 at the In-Region Challenge. Tarleton (2-0) got 12 points from Davene Carter and 10 from Michael Hardge, son of former Lub-
bock Crickets baseball player Mike Hardge. A.J. Luckey led LCU (0-2) with 14 points, followed by Ridrell Holman, Marcos Schuster and Isaac Cardona with nine apiece andMatthew Alford with eight. n LCU women 65 Colo. School of Mines 62 GOLDEN, Colo. — Haley Fowler from Smyer scored 16 points and Haley Fowler from Shallowater scored 14 as Lubbock Christian University outlasted host Colorado School of Mines 65-62 on the final day of the Tony Corbetta Classic. Kellyn Schneider and Bailey Haist added eight points apiece for LCU (1-1), which rebounded from having its 23-game win streak snapped the night before against UC-Colorado Springs. Schneider and Fowler both had 11 rebounds for LCU. With the exception of one time, the Lady Chaparrals had a single-digit lead for the game’s last 28 minutes. n Abilene Christian 91 Wayland women 64 ABILENE — Alexis Ma-
son scored 19 points and Coronado graduates Lizzy and Suzzy Dimba added 17 and 16, respectively, as Abilene Christian University polished off Wayland Baptist. Suzzy Dimba also gathered 11 rebounds as ACU won its season opener and dropped Wayland to 2-2. Stephanie Afunugo led the Flying Queens with 17 points, followed by Iesha Greer with 12 and LaTericka Anderson with 11.
Volleyball n Wayland Baptist PLAINVIEW — Shahala Hawkins registered 27 kills and No. 20 Wayland Baptist beat Oklahoma Baptist 25-15, 19-25, 2510, 25-16 in the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament championship match. Morgan Seaton and Chelsey Driskill from Frenship added eight kills apiece for Wayland (23-9), which secured the SAC’s automatic berth in the 36-team NAIA tournament.
scorecard
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Iowa State 3:30 p.m.
2008 - The Pittsburgh Steelers rallied to
OBU rolls past Wayland in finale
The week ahead — Nov. 16-22 Texas Tech Football
lubbockonline.com
Sportsline NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Today Favorite Open Today O/U Underdog at Cleveland 3 3 41 Houston at Chicago 4½ 3 46½ Minnesota at Green Bay 4½ 6 55 Philadelphia at Kansas City +1 2 42½ Seattle Atlanta +2½ 1 46½ at Carolina at New Orleans 5½ 7 50½ Cincinnati at Washington 7 7½ 45½ Tampa Bay Denver 8 9½ 51 at St. Louis San Francisco 3 4 44 at N.Y. Giants at San Diego 9 10 44½ Oakland at Arizona 3 1½ 41 Detroit at Indianapolis 2½ 3 58 New England Monday Favorite Open Today O/U Underdog Pittsburgh 5½ 6 47 at Tennessee ——— COLLEGE BASKETBALL — MEN Today Favorite Line Underdog at Kentucky 25 Buffalo at George Mason 1 Princeton UMass 2½ Boston College-x Portland 5 at San Jose St. Charlotte 2½ at Elon at Illinois St. 6 Utah St. at Penn St. 9 Fordham at Missouri 5½ Valparaiso at UC Irvine 11 Pacific George Washington 4 at Rutgers at Arizona 26 CS Northridge at New Mexico 19 Cal St.-Fullerton Mercer at Seton Hall 10 at Miami (Ohio) 15 S. Utah at Pittsburgh 27 Samford at Wisconsin 29 Chattanooga at Toledo 14 N. Arizona at Purdue 23 IUPUI at Wyoming 12 N. Colorado at Stanford 19 South Dakota at Denver 13 Idaho St. x-at Boston ——— NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Today Favorite Open O/U Underdog at New York 1 201½ Denver at Miami 7½ 195½ Milwaukee Houston 6 195½ at Oklahoma City Golden State 8 210½ at L.A. Lakers
ProFootball National Football League AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF PA New England 7 2 0 .778 281 198 Miami 6 4 0 .600 249 180 Buffalo 5 5 0 .500 200 204 N.Y. Jets 2 8 0 .200 174 265 South W L T Pct PF PA Indianapolis 6 3 0 .667 290 211 Houston 4 5 0 .444 206 197 Tennessee 2 7 0 .222 144 223 Jacksonville 1 9 0 .100 158 282 North W L T Pct PF PA Cleveland 6 3 0 .667 209 172 Cincinnati 5 3 1 .611 197 211 Pittsburgh 6 4 0 .600 261 239 Baltimore 6 4 0 .600 261 181 West W L T Pct PF PA Denver 7 2 0 .778 286 202 Kansas City 6 3 0 .667 217 151 San Diego 5 4 0 .556 205 186 Oakland 0 9 0 .000 146 252 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF PA Philadelphia 7 2 0 .778 279 198 Dallas 7 3 0 .700 261 212 N.Y. Giants 3 6 0 .333 195 247 Washington 3 6 0 .333 197 229 South W L T Pct PF PA New Orleans 4 5 0 .444 251 225 Carolina 3 6 1 .350 198 281 Atlanta 3 6 0 .333 219 238 Tampa Bay 1 8 0 .111 167 272 North W L T Pct PF PA Detroit 7 2 0 .778 182 142 Green Bay 6 3 0 .667 277 205 Minnesota 4 5 0 .444 168 199 Chicago 3 6 0 .333 194 277 West W L T Pct PF PA Arizona 8 1 0 .889 223 170 Seattle 6 3 0 .667 240 191 San Francisco 5 4 0 .556 195 202 St. Louis 3 6 0 .333 163 251 Thursday, Nov. 6 Cleveland 24, Cincinnati 3 Sunday’s Results San Francisco 27, New Orleans 24, OT Kansas City 17, Buffalo 13 Detroit 20, Miami 16 Baltimore 21, Tennessee 7 N.Y. Jets 20, Pittsburgh 13 Atlanta 27, Tampa Bay 17 Dallas 31, Jacksonville 17 Denver 41, Oakland 17 Seattle 38, N.Y. Giants 17 Arizona 31, St. Louis 14 Green Bay 55, Chicago 14 Open: Houston, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New England, San Diego, Washington Monday’s Result Philadelphia 45, Carolina 21 Thursday’s Result Miami 22, Buffalo 9 Today’s Games Minnesota at Chicago, noon Seattle at Kansas City, noon Cincinnati at New Orleans, noon
Denver at St. Louis, noon Houston at Cleveland, noon Atlanta at Carolina, noon Tampa Bay at Washington, noon San Francisco at N.Y. Giants, noon Oakland at San Diego, 3:05 p.m. Detroit at Arizona, 3:25 p.m. Philadelphia at Green Bay, 3:25 p.m. New England at Indianapolis, 7:30 p.m. Open: Baltimore, Dallas, Jacksonville, N.Y. Jets Monday’s Game Pittsburgh at Tennessee, 7:30 p.m.
CollegeFootball BIG 12 CONFERENCE Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA TCU 6 1 325 210 9 1 459 231 Baylor 5 1 273 162 8 1 451 189 Kansas State 5 1 199 126 7 2 326 190 Texas 5 3 199 163 6 5 261 231 Oklahoma 4 3 254 219 7 3 388 246 West Virginia 4 3 224 194 6 4 341 264 Okla. State 3 4 149 227 5 5 263 300 Texas Tech 1 6 186 306 3 7 280 416 Kansas 1 6 133 225 3 7 194 304 Iowa State 0 6 149 259 2 7 220 340 Saturday’s Results Oklahoma 42, Texas Tech 30 TCU 34, Kansas 30 Texas 28, Oklahoma State 7 Thursday’s Games Kansas State at West Virginia, 6 p.m. (FS1) Saturday’s Games Texas Tech at Iowa State, 2:30 p.m. (FSN) Kansas at Oklahoma, 11 a.m. (FS1) Oklahoma State at Baylor, 6:30 p.m. (FOX) Thursday, Nov. 27 TCU at Texas, 6:30 p.m. (FS1) Saturday, Nov. 29 Texas Tech vs. Baylor (Arlington) West Virginia at Iowa State Kansas at Kansas State Saturday, Dec. 6 Iowa State at TCU Oklahoma State at Oklahoma Kansas State at Baylor End of regular season
ProBasketball National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Toronto 8 2 .800 — Brooklyn 4 4 .500 3 Boston 3 5 .375 4 New York 2 8 .200 6 Philadelphia 0 9 .000 7½ Southeast Division W L Pct GB Washington 7 2 .778 — Atlanta 5 4 .556 2 Miami 5 4 .556 2 Charlotte 4 5 .444 3 Orlando 4 7 .364 4 Central Division W L Pct GB Chicago 7 3 .700 — Cleveland 5 3 .625 1 Milwaukee 4 5 .444 2½ Indiana 4 7 .364 3½ Detroit 3 7 .300 4 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB Memphis 9 1 .900 — Houston 8 1 .889 ½ Dallas 7 3 .700 2 New Orleans 5 3 .625 3 San Antonio 5 3 .625 3 Northwest Division W L Pct GB Portland 6 3 .667 — Utah 4 7 .364 3 Oklahoma City 3 7 .300 3½ Denver 2 6 .250 3½ Minnesota 2 7 .222 4 Pacific Division W L Pct GB Golden State 6 2 .750 — L.A. Clippers 4 3 .571 1½ 5 4 .556 1½ Sacramento Phoenix 5 4 .556 1½ L.A. Lakers 1 8 .111 5½ Thursday’s Results Memphis 111, Sacramento 110 Chicago 100, Toronto 93 Dallas 123, Philadelphia 70 Golden State 107, Brooklyn 99 Friday’s Results Orlando 101, Milwaukee 85 Denver 108, Indiana 87 Atlanta 114, Miami 103 Cleveland 122, Boston 121 Utah 102, New York 100 New Orleans 139, Minnesota 91 Detroit 96, Oklahoma City 89, OT Houston 88, Philadelphia 87 Charlotte 103, Phoenix 95 San Antonio 93, L.A. Lakers 80 Saturday’s Results Washington 98, Orlando 93 Toronto 111, Utah 93 Cleveland 127, Atlanta 94 Indiana 99, Chicago 90 Memphis 95, Detroit 88 Dallas 131, Minnesota 117 Brooklyn at Portland, 9 p.m. San Antonio at Sacramento, 9 p.m. Phoenix at L.A. Clippers, 9:30 p.m. Charlotte at Golden State, 9:30 p.m. Today’s Games Denver at New York, noon Milwaukee at Miami, 5 p.m. Houston at Oklahoma City, 6 p.m. Golden State at L.A. Lakers, 8:30 p.m. Monday’s Games Dallas at Charlotte, 6 p.m. Denver at Cleveland, 6 p.m.
Orlando at Detroit, 6:30 p.m. Phoenix at Boston, 6:30 p.m. Miami at Brooklyn, 6:30 p.m. Houston at Memphis, 7 p.m. Philadelphia at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m. New Orleans at Portland, 9p.m. Chicago at L.A. Clippers, 9:30 p.m.
ProHockey National Hockey League EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts Montreal 18 13 4 1 27 Tampa Bay 18 12 4 2 26 Boston 19 11 8 0 22 Detroit 16 8 3 5 21 Ottawa 16 8 4 4 20 Toronto 18 9 7 2 20 Florida 14 5 4 5 15 Buffalo 19 4 13 2 10 Metropolitan Division GP W L OT Pts Pittsburgh 16 12 3 1 25 N.Y. Islanders 17 11 6 0 22 N.Y. Rangers 17 7 6 4 18 New Jersey 18 8 8 2 18 Washington 17 7 7 3 17 Philadelphia 16 7 7 2 16 Carolina 16 5 8 3 13 Columbus 17 6 10 1 13 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts St. Louis 17 12 4 1 25 Nashville 17 11 4 2 24 Winnipeg 18 9 7 2 20 Chicago 17 9 7 1 19 Minnesota 16 9 7 0 18 Colorado 19 6 8 5 17 Dallas 17 6 7 4 16 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts Anaheim 18 11 3 4 26 Vancouver 18 12 6 0 24 Calgary 18 10 6 2 22 Los Angeles 18 9 5 4 22 San Jose 19 9 8 2 20 Arizona 17 7 9 1 15 Edmonton 17 6 9 2 14 Thursday’s Results Colorado 4, N.Y. Rangers 3, SO Winnipeg 3, Carolina 1 Montreal 5, Boston 1 San Jose 2, Tampa Bay 1 St. Louis 4, Nashville 3 Minnesota 6, Buffalo 3 Calgary 5, Arizona 3 Ottawa 4, Edmonton 3, OT Dallas 2, Los Angeles 0 Friday’s Results N.Y. Islanders 4, Florida 3, SO Columbus 4, Philadelphia 3 New Jersey 1, Washington 0 Pittsburgh 2, Toronto 1 Detroit 4, Chicago 1 Arizona 5, Vancouver 0 Saturday’s Results Pittsburgh 3, N.Y. Rangers 2, SO Boston 2, Carolina 1 Minnesota 2, Dallas 1 Los Angeles 3, Anaheim 2, OT Buffalo 6, Toronto 2 Montreal 6, Philadelphia 3 Tampa Bay 5, N.Y. Islanders 2 Colorado 3, New Jersey 2 Columbus 2, San Jose 1 Nashville 2, Winnipeg 1 St. Louis 4, Washington 1 Ottawa at Calgary, 10 p.m. Today’s Games San Jose at Carolina, 4 p.m. Winnipeg at Minnesota, 4 p.m. Montreal at Detroit, 6 p.m. Dallas at Chicago, 6 p.m. Florida at Anaheim, 7 p.m. Arizona at Edmonton, 8 p.m.
GF 51 66 51 44 45 56 27 30
GA 46 48 49 38 41 51 35 68
GF 60 54 49 46 50 51 37 44
GA 35 50 53 53 49 53 49 59
GF 49 43 34 45 46 47 47
GA 33 35 38 34 36 61 55
GF 49 53 55 45 54 45 43
GA 40 52 48 40 53 56 58
ProGolf PGA OHL Classic Saturday’s Leading Scores At Mayakoba Resort, El Camaleon Golf Club Playa Del Carmen, Mexico Purse: $6.1 million Yardage: 6,987; Par: 71 Third Round Jason Bohn 66-65-67 — 198 Shawn Stefani 66-65-68 — 199 Charley Hoffman 66-68-67 — 201 Alex Cejka 66-67-68 — 201 Andres Gonzales 69-67-66 — 202 Jerry Kelly 69-66-67 — 202 Danny Lee 66-69-67 — 202 Ken Duke 69-63-70 — 202 Fred Funk 69-65-69 — 203 Oscar Fraustro 68-67-69 — 204 Nicholas Thompson 68-65-71 — 204 Jim Herman 67-69-69 — 205 John Huh 69-67-69 — 205 Carlos Ortiz 67-69-69 — 205 Steve Wheatcroft 65-69-71 — 205 66-68-71 — 205 Brice Garnett Justin Thomas 67-70-69 — 206 Chris Stroud 69-68-69 — 206 John Peterson 69-67-70 — 206 Aaron Baddeley 66-70-70 — 206 Greg Chalmers 68-67-71 — 206 Brendan Steele 68-68-70 — 206 Zachary Blair 70-68-68 — 206 Blayne Barber 66-68-72 — 206 David Hearn 68-65-73 — 206 Jeff Overton 71-66-70 — 207 Russell Knox 69-68-70 — 207 Johnson Wagner 69-68-70 — 207 Patrick Rodgers 67-70-70 — 207 Tony Finau 65-72-70 — 207 Colt Knost 68-70-69 — 207 Kyle Reifers 69-67-71 — 207 Harris English 67-71-69 — 207 Billy Hurley III 67-69-71 — 207
Jason Kokrak 66-69-72 — 207 Chad Collins 66-69-72 — 207 Tim Wilkinson 68-67-72 — 207 Will MacKenzie 65-68-74 — 207 Michael Putnam 66-64-77 — 207 Fabian Gomez 70-66-72 — 208 Robert Streb 67-69-72 — 208 Jhonattan Vegas 68-70-70 — 208 Max Homa 68-71-69 — 208 Scott Piercy 67-69-73 — 209 Ricky Barnes 69-69-71 — 209 Roger Sloan 68-70-71 — 209 Hudson Swafford 65-73-71 — 209 Nick Taylor 71-68-70 — 209 J.J. Henry 70-69-70 — 209 Daniel Summerhays 69-65-75 — 209 Freddie Jacobson 69-70-70 — 209 Scott Brown 71-66-73 — 210 Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano 71-67-72 — 210 John Rollins 71-65-74 — 210 Robert Garrigus 65-73-72 — 210 Alvaro Quiros 71-68-71 — 210 Ben Curtis 71-68-71 — 210 Tom Hoge 70-69-71 — 210 D.A. Points 71-66-74 — 211 Andrew Putnam 68-70-73 — 211 Mark Hubbard 69-66-76 — 211 Pat Perez 66-73-72 — 211 Jay Woodson 72-66-74 — 212 John Merrick 70-69-73 — 212 Scott Langley 69-70-74 — 213 Jason Gore 68-66-79 — 213 Erik Compton 71-68-74 — 213 Daniel Berger 65-74-74 — 213 Sung Joon Park 71-67-76 — 214 Retief Goosen 68-71-75 — 214 Spencer Levin 71-68-75 — 214 Brian Stuard 69-70-75 — 214 Rory Sabbatini 73-66-76 — 215 Patrick Cantlay 71-68-76 — 215 Luke Guthrie 68-71-77 — 216 Derek Fathauer 68-71-77 — 216 ——— LPGA Tour Lorena Ochoa Invitational Saturday’s Scores Club de Golf Mexico; Mexico City Purse: $1 million Yardage: 6,804; Par 72 Third Round a-denotes amateur Christina Kim 65-69-68 — 202 Shanshan Feng 72-67-68 — 207 So Yeon Ryu 70-69-69 — 208 Azahara Munoz 66-71-71 — 208 Pornanong Phatlum 69-68-71 — 208 Inbee Park 70-70-69 — 209 Brittany Lincicome 70-71-69 — 210 Lydia Ko 68-69-74 — 211 Paula Creamer 70-65-76 — 211 Lexi Thompson 70-72-70 — 212 Suzann Pettersen 71-66-75 — 212 Julieta Granada 71-71-71 — 213 Jenny Shin 71-71-71 — 213 Michelle Wie 73-69-71 — 213 Lizette Salas 69-72-72 — 213 Karine Icher 70-73-71 — 214 Gerina Piller 69-70-75 — 214 Angela Stanford 73-73-69 — 215 Morgan Pressel 70-72-73 — 215 Cristie Kerr 76-70-70 — 216 Stacy Lewis 76-70-70 — 216 Anna Nordqvist 71-74-71 — 216 Austin Ernst 71-73-72 — 216 Mo Martin 74-73-70 — 217 a-Gaby Lopez 72-74-71 — 217 Alejandra Llaneza 71-74-72 — 217 Margarita Ramos 75-69-73 — 217 Line Vedel 73-68-76 — 217 Catriona Matthew 72-74-72 — 218 Mi Hyang Lee 72-72-74 — 218 Caroline Masson 76-72-71 — 219 Pernilla Lindberg 75-70-74 — 219 Meena Lee 77-71-73 — 221 Natalie Gulbis 74-71-77 — 222 Brittany Lang 78-70-75 — 223 Juli Inkster 79-71-75 — 225
AutoRacing NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford EcoBoost 400 Lineup for today’s race At Homestead-Miami Speedway Homestead, Fla. Lap length: 1.5 miles (Car number in parentheses) 1. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 180.747 mph; 2. (41) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 180.632; 3. (20) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 180.294; 4. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 179.994; 5. (4) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 179.946; 6. (15) Clint Bowyer, Toyota, 179.593; 7. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 179.48; 8. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 179.348; 9. (22) Joey Logano, Ford, 179.259; 10. (78) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 179.069. 11. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 178.336; 12. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 176.684; 13. (55) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 179.004; 14. (51) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 178.938; 15. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 178.802; 16. (27) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 178.796; 17. (9) Marcos Ambrose, Ford, 178.778; 18. (43) Aric Almirola, Ford, 178.601; 19. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 178.601; 20. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 178.477. 21. (31) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 178.241; 22. (17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 177.959; 23. (5) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 177.778; 24. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 177.678; 25. (47) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 178.23; 26. (21) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 178.136; 27. (42) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 178.13; 28. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 178.024; 29. (13) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 177.69; 30. (33) Brian Scott, Chevrolet, 177.189. 31. (34) David Ragan, Ford, 177.113; 32. (10) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 177.072; 33. (40) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 176.344; 34. (83) J.J. Yeley, Toyota, 176.304; 35. (38) David Gilliland, Ford, 176.056; 36. (36) Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, 175.638; 37. (98) Josh Wise, Chevrolet, owner points; 38. (95) Michael McDowell, Ford, owner points; 39. (7) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, owner points; 40. (32) Blake Koch, Ford, owner points. 41. (23) Alex Bowman, Toyota, owner points; 42. (26) Cole Whitt, Toyota, owner points; 43. (66) Brett Moffitt, Toyota, owner points.
sports
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
B3
Shallowater beats Denver City to advance to state By Brandon McAuliffe
Black Yellow Magenta Cyan
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 B3
FOR A-J Media
Sean Steffen Amarillo Globe-News
Gruver’s Jahir Rodriguez intercepts a pass intended for Springlake-Earth’s Isiah Trevizo Saturday during their Class 2A Division II bidistrict playoff game at Dick Bivins Stadium. Gruver won, 41-7, and advances to play Seagraves.
Gruver outruns Springlake-Earth BY LEE PASSMORE Amarillo Globe-News
AMARILLO — The final statistical numbers from Gruver’s Class 2A Division II bi-district playoff game against Springlake-Earth at Dick Bivins Stadium on Saturday afternoon aren’t the type that necessarily get framed on the wall. But they’ll do fine next to the golden football in the trophy case. Gruver wasn’t overwhelming during the first half against SpringlakeEarth, although the Greyhounds were dominating by most measures. They turned things up in the second half, leaning on their defense and running game to coast to a 41-7 victory. That puts Gruver (9-2) in the area round next week against Seagraves at 5 p.m. at Happy State Bank Field at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. This year the Greyhounds pulled off something that last year’s team, which was unbeaten in the regular season, couldn’t do — win a playoff game. That’s why Gruver coach Terry Felderhoff wasn’t taking the win for granted. “When you’re in the playoffs, you’ve got to make it to the next play, period,” Felderhoff said. “The first half was a little sloppy at times but it’s not just about one or two quarters this time of the season.” Neither offense distinguished itself in the first half, as both teams had multiple turnovers. But Gruver took advantage of its opportunities better, taking a 19-7 halftime lead. Midway through the third quarter, the Greyhounds stopped Springlake-Earth (6-5) on downs, then went on a nine-play, 54-yard scoring drive, capped by a 10-yard run by Dakota Lopez to make it 25-7. It was the first of three straight Gruver possessions that ended in scoring runs. In the fourth
Sean Steffen Amarillo Globe-News
Springlake-Earth receiver Michael DeLeon makes a 9-yard touchdown catch over Gruver’s Jahir Rodriguez Saturday in Amarillo. quarter Blake Wills and Lopez both scored on 21yard runs to make it 38-7 and complete the rout. “We do try to be balanced but we probably run the ball more than we throw,” Felderhoff said. “We run the sweep and it’s all about heart and guts.” Wills and Lopez both went over the century mark, as Wills ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries while Lopez had 103 yards on 13 carries. Despite an attempt at balance, Gruver threw it only three times in the second half. “We prepared for (Springlake-Earth’s) defense to run it,” Wills said. “We’ve always been a running team. We just talked about always working hard and getting the job done.” The Greyhounds picked up 136 of their 207 rushing
yards after halftime. “It was a situation where we could pound it and Blake and I kind of work off each other,” said Lopez, who also caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Dax Haight to open the scoring. “We needed to get together and just be on the same page.” On the kickoff after the first touchdown, Springlake-Earth’s Ethan McLain fumbled and the Greyhounds recovered at the Springlake-Earth 22-yard line, leading to a 1-yard scoring run by Haight for a 12-0 lead. In the second quarter, Gruver took over at the Springlake-Earth 20 after a bad snap on a punt, and Wills scored on a 2-yard run to make it 19-0. Springlake-Earth’s lone score was a 9-yard scoring pass from Elijah Ramon to
Michael DeLeon to make it 19-7 late in the second quarter. Gruver 41, Springlake-Earth 7 Gruver 12 7 6 16 — 41 Springlake-Earth 0 7 0 0 — 7 First Quarter G—Dakota Lopez 4 pass from Dax Haight (pass failed), 7:01 G—Haight 1 run (pass failed), 4:17 Second Quarter G—Blake Wills 2 run (Carson Williams kick), 8:00 S-E—Michael DeLeon 9 pass from Elijah Ramon (Julio Maldonado kick), 3:16 Third Quarter G—Lopez 10 run (kick failed), 2:06 Fourth Quarter G—Wills 21 run (kick blocked), 11:47 G—Lopez 21 run (Williams kick), 8:44 G—Williams FG 28, 1:58 GRU S-E First downs 21 8 Rushing 207 55 Passing 74 94 Total yards 281 149 C-A-I 6-19-2 10-27-2 Punts 2-51.5 2-39.0 Fumbles-lost 0-0 4-3 Penalties-yards 2-20 8-49 RUSHING — Gruver: Wills 19-116, Lopez 13-103, Haight 8-(-26), Williams 1-(-11), Jacob Collier 5-17, Tony Cruz 2-8. Springlake-Earth: Ethan McLain 15-39, Ramon 12-(-5), DeLeon 2-(-3), Zack Riley 1-9, Isiah Trevizo 5-15. PASSING — Gruver: Haight 6-19-2-74. Springlake-Earth: Ramon 10-27-2-94. RECEIVING — Gruver: Lopez 1-4, Anthony Montano 1-40, Williams 4-30. Springlake-Earth: Treylr Jackson 2-5, Trevizo 2-4, DeLeon 5-73, Riley 1-12.
DENVER CITY: Littlefield fumbles in OT FROM page B1 coaches from both sides and the officials took place after the clock expired before Denver City’s second field goal attempt. “The noise, there was so much noise,” Denver City’s Daniel Garcia said. “I wasn’t even kicking it, but I could feel how nervous he was.” In overtime, Denver City’s Saul Gutierrez connected with Aaron Natividad for a 25-yard touchdown pass to take a 28-21 lead. On the Wildcats (6-5) possession, Da’Madrick Moore broke a 22-yard run that Dontra Ewing followed with a 3-yard rushing score before he fumbled on a twopoint conversion attempt that ended the game. Denver City started the season 4-0 before falling to Levelland and Brownfield a combined 78-14 in consecutive losses. “I think when we got 4-0, I think we got a little too confident,” Hemmeline said. “Because last year,
with 10-0, we felt like we could do that again. But then, we had to step up big (after the losses).” Littlefield tied the game at 21 with 1:50 left after a 7-play, 77-yard drive that took nearly three minutes and culminated in a 51-yard Moore rushing touchdown. Moore, who was limping for much of the fourth quarter, and Ewing combined for 293 yards rushing and four touchdowns. McLeroy and Garcia, a running back tandem that was temporarily interrupted this year when Garcia suffered an injury, combined for 250 yards and three scores. On its third possession with the game scoreless in the first quarter, Littlefield was set to attempt a fourth-and-five before two straight false start penalties forced it to punt on a fourth-and-15. The punt pinned the Mustangs on its own 3-yard line. On the next snap, McLeroy
rose through the first line of defenders and cut to the outside for a 97-yard touchdown to put the Mustangs up 7-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Littlefield fumbled the catch and Denver City recovered just inside the 40yard line. It squandered the possession and pinned Littlefield on its own 1-yard line. Wildcats quarterback Bryson Calaway, who attempted two passes all game, fed Moore and Ewing the length of the field before Ewing scored on a 7-yard touchdown run to make the score 7-7 with 2:55 left before the half. McLeroy put Denver City up by a score just before halftime after a 45-yard touchdown run. Garcia gave Denver City a 21-7 lead after an 11-yard touchdown run with seven minutes left in the third quarter. After being stopped on the goal line on three con-
secutive rushing attempts, Ewing got Littlefield to within a score of Denver City, 21-14, after a 1-yard touchdown run. philip.terrigno@lubbockonline.com l 766-2166 Follow Phil on Twitter: @philterrigno Denver City 28, Littlefield 27 Littlefield 0 7 7 7 6 — 27 Denver City 7 7 7 0 7 — 28 First Quarter DEN — McLeroy 97 run (Hemmeline kick) 0:49 Second Quarter LIT — Ewing 7 run (Moron kick) 2:55 DEN — McLeroy 45 run (Hemmeline kick) 1:35 Third Quarter DEN – Garcia 11 run (Hemmeline kick) 7:06 LIT — 1 Ewing run (Moron kick) 0:16 Fourth Quarter LIT — Moore 51 run (Moron kick) 1:50 Overtime DEN — Natividad 25 pass (Hemmeline kick) LIT — Moore 3 run (run fail) LIT DEN First downs 17 18 Rushes-Yards 50-300 28-257 Passing-Yards 2-0 6-104 Comp-Att-Int 2-0-0 6-8-0 Punts 2-39.5 2-32.5 Fumbles-Lost 2-2 1-0 Penalties – Yards 3-20 5-55 RUSHING — LIT: Moore 17-163, Ewing 30-165, Calaway 2-7, Alvarez 1(-2); DEN: Garcia 14-58, McLeroy 10-192, Gutierrez 4-7. PASSING — LIT: Calaway 2-0; DEN: 6-8-0-104. RECEIVING — DEN: Garcia 2-38, McLeroy 3-41, Natividad 1-25. RECORDS — Denver City 8-3, Littlefield 6-5.
ABILENE — For years, the road to the Class 3A volleyball state championship has gone through Abilene Wylie. While the University Interscholastic League renamed all the classifications this year, the result was still the same as Denver City and Shallowater met up for the fifth time this season on Saturday – but it was at Wylie’s Bulldog Gym. After Shallowater won 2-0 during an early season tournament, Denver City took 3-0 and 3-1 wins during District 1-3A play and a third win in a tournament setting to set the stage for a drama-filled Region I-3A final. This time, Shallowater (36-7) would not be denied and after a 25-21, 24-26, 25-19, 25-19 win, the team earned the first state tournament berth in school history. For Shallowater seniors like Bailey Sapieha and Kelsey Bigham, the trip to Garland was motivation enough for the win as opposed to making up for three losses this season. “It hasn’t even sunk in yet (that we are going to state),” Sapieha said after the match. “It didn’t even sink in that we were in the regional tournament. We just pushed as hard as we could and we are going to get back to work Monday and Tuesday.” Added Bigham: “It’s amazing. Just everything running through our heads. I never thought that we would be here making school history and our fans were great. It’s a great feeling.”
Bigham said the three losses were motivation, but they knew they had to play their game and they would win. Shallowater coach Amy Mangum was almost speechless after the match. “It’s amazing and awesome and (going to) state has been our goal since Day 1 and what we wanted,” Mangum said. “These girls have really turned it up the last three weeks in practice since the playoffs started and have improved more in those three weeks than they have all season.” Denver City (34-6), which lost the first two games in a five-set win over Breckenridge in the semifinals, could have been emotionally drained from that match. But coach Megan David didn’t think that was the case. “That wasn’t an issue at all, but it’s just hard to keep beating a team, especially one as good as they are,” David said. “Their goal was to beat us when it counted. They know what we are going to do and we knew what they were going to do.” Instead, David thought that age was more of a deciding factor. “They have a lot of seniors and I’ve got a lot of sophomores and juniors in the back row,” David said. “It’s just experience. I wasn’t real pleased with our girls or our play. I wish we could have gotten more touches on blocks. “I couldn’t have been more proud of our kids, though,” continued David. “It wasn’t our best game and Shallowater had a lot to do with that. I thought they fought hard.”
High School Girls’ Basketball Roundup
Trinity Christian loses in consolation semis From Staff reports
Trinity Christian couldn’t stop the Hands. The sister duo of Rebakah and Hannah Hand combined for 41 points (22 and 19 respectively) as Argyle Liberty Christian defeated Trinity 78-43 in the First Choice Emergency Room Classic consolation semifinals on Saturday. Liberty got off to a 27-12 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, leading 48-18 at the half. Lauren Parker led Trinity with eight points, Breklyn Wentz added seven. ARGYLE LIBERTY 78, TRINITY CHRISTIAN 43 Liberty Christian 27 21 15 15 — 78 Trinity Christian 12 6 18 7 — 43 Individual scorers: Liberty, R. Hand 22, H. Hand 19, Goodson 14, Barber 8, Early 7, Ellig 4, A. Goodson 4; Trinity, Parker 9, Wentz 7, Wheeler 6, Sosebee 6, Cowan 5, Thorne 5, Duncan 4, Hardin 2.
Frenship LEVELLAND — The Lady Tigers lost to Levelland 56-43. Blaire Barker led Frenship with 13 points and Abby Hopper added nine in the loss. LEVELLAND 56, FRENSHIP 43 Frenship 11 13 12 7 — 43 Levelland 9 21 13 13 — 56 Individual scorers: Frenship, Barker 13, Hopper 9, Gaydon 4, Stephens 4, Foster 4, Barnique 3, Ford 3.
Monterey FRISCO — The Lady Plainsmen lost to Frisco Centennial 47-58 in the Silver Consolation Bracket semi finals of the Frisco
Tournament Libby Sloan led Monterey with 9 points. Kinsey Heinrich and Kimberly Stormes added 8 points each. Cooper WALL — Freshman Jacey Hice led Cooper with 13 points in a Cooper loss to Wall Saturday. Payton Gregory added seven points for the Lady Pirates. WALL 51, COOPER 31 Cooper 7 7 5 12 — 31 Wall 11 18 16 8 — 51 Individual scorers: Cooper, Hice 13, P. Gregory 7, Wilson 4, A. Gregory 4, Fuller 3; WALL: M. Chitsey 15, Brest 14, Dierdsdhke 7, B. Chitsey 6, Walling 5, Phillips 4. FRIDAY’S AREA RESULTS Smyer Tournament Saturday’s results MIDLAND CHRISTIAN 28, OLTON 21 Midland Christian 6 2 14 6 — 28 Olton 3 10 2 6 — 21 Individual scorers: Midland Christian, Neatherlin 8; Olton , Carter 13 FORSAN 56, SEGRAVES 34 Forsan 4 15 23 14 — 56 Seagraves 13 13 2 6 — 34 Individual scorers: Forsan, Kemper 14; Seagraves, V. Minjarez 16. MIDLAND CHRISTIAN 56, FORSAN 27 Midland Christian. 10. 19. 7. 20 - 56 Forsan. 6. 7. 9. 5.- 27 Individual scorers: Midland Christian, Mills 15; Forsan McDaniel 8. SMYER 53, VALLEY 48 Smyer 6 8 23 16 — 53 Valley 11 13 15 9 — 48 Individual scorers: Smyer, Murphy 13, Martinez 12, Fowler 10, A. McCullough 5, Lee 5, S. McCullough 4, Tate 2, Ramirez 2; Valley, Wheeler 23, Barrett 10, Buchannan 5, Standlee 5, Alanis 5 SMYER 43, OLTONS 32 Smyer 7 15 9 12 — 43 Olton 5 10 5 12 — 32 Individual scorers: Smyer, Fowler 13, Ramirez 7, S. McCullough 7, Murphy 6, A McCullough 4, Martinez 2, Lee 2, Tate 2; Olton,Sandpval 9, Carter 5, A. Alcorn 5, Perez 5, N Alcorn 3, Guerrero 3, Diaz 2.
B4
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
texas tech football
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Late Sooners
Red Raiders Box Score OKLAHOMA 42, TEXAS TECH 30 Oklahoma Texas Tech
0 7 14 21 — 42 7 7 7 9 — 30
Black Yellow Magenta Cyan
First Quarter TT — Grant 6 pass from Mahomes (Bustin kick), 4:03. Second Quarter Okl — Perine 2 run (Hunnicutt kick), 4:41. TT — Sadler 59 pass from Mahomes (Bustin kick), 3:17. Third Quarter TT — Lauderdale 47 pass from Mahomes (Bustin kick), 13:35. Okl — Perine 64 run (Hunnicutt kick), 12:04. Okl — Neal 3 pass from C.Thomas (Hunnicutt kick), 3:01. Fourth Quarter TT — FG Bustin 27, 14:11. Okl — C.Thomas 4 run (Hunnicutt kick), 10:06. Okl — Ripkowski 1 run (Hunnicutt kick), 5:18. Okl — Perine 11 run (Hunnicutt kick), 1:33. TT — Cantrell 39 pass from Mahomes, :00. A — 59,014.
TEAM STATISTICS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 B4
Okl TT First downs 25 23 Rushes-yards 51-384 24-93 Passing 133 393 Comp-Att-Int 10-20-3 27-50-0 Return Yards 0 42 Punts-Avg. 2-33.0 4-33.3 Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-0 Penalties-Yards 9-67 9-85 Time of Possession 32:40 27:20
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Zach LonG a-J MEDIA
Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine breaks away from Texas Tech’s Keland McElrath during their game on Saturday in Lubbock. Oklahoma won, 42-30.
Tech defense stalls in second half in OU’s win By Daniel Paulling A-J Media
Texas Tech linebacker Sam Eguavoen has experienced four difficult seasons. The senior watched his first head coach, Tommy Tuberville, bolt for Cincinnati in December 2012. He’s had four defensive coordinators. And now he’ll finish his career with a losing season. The final negative was guaranteed by the Red Raiders’ 42-30 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium. The defeat also secured their second losing season in his career. “The whole season has been tough,” Eguavoen said. “The whole four years have been tough with new DCs left and right. It’s really nothing new to me. You just got to keep pushing through the rest of the season. We can’t make it get any uglier. We’ve just got to keep fighting.” The Red Raiders (3-7, 1-6 Big 12) couldn’t keep their hopes of reaching a third consecutive bowl game alive after allowing 35 second-half points to the Sooners (7-3, 4-3 Big 12). The cause: another drastic dropoff in their rush defense’s performance.
After allowing just 68 first-half rushing yards, the Red Raiders gave up 316 second-half rushing yards. The Sooners rushed 20 consecutive plays over a span in the third and fourth quarters. “We haven’t played very well all year in the second half for whatever reason,” Red Raiders coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “I thought they got back to pounding the ball, didn’t turn it over. Had some good schemes that obviously were effective against us.” The Sooners received 213 yards on 25 carries from freshman running back Samaje Perine and 103 yards on eight attempts from quarterback Cody Thomas. The Red Raiders have allowed opponents to rush for 100 yards in a game 11 times this season. “It was missed tackles,” Eguavoen said. “We just weren’t swarming to the ball. Too many people were assuming a tackle was going to be made, so we just relaxed. I felt it towards the end of the third quarter, felt like we were just relaxing. That’s when they opened up on us.” The Sooners needed the rally after the Red Raiders started well. Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw a 6-yard
‘
On senior night, you’d like it to end better. Felt bad for them because I thought they came out with great effort.
’
Kliff Kingsbury Texas Tech head football coach
touchdown pass to Jakeem Grant on the team’s opening drive for a 7-0 lead. The score capped a 16play, 87-yard drive that took 7:05, the longest touchdown drive in terms of distance and time of possession this season. The Red Raiders have scored a touchdown on their opening drive just three times this season. The Sooners responded with a 2-yard touchdown from Perine with 4:19 remaining in the first quarter to even the score at 7. But Mahomes responded with a 59yard touchdown pass to Ian Sadler while avoiding a blitz to give the Red Raiders a 14-7 lead that held
until halftime. Mahomes added a 47-yard touchdown pass to Devin Lauderdale to open the second half and give the Red Raiders a 21-7 lead. Two Oklahoma defensive backs collided on the pass. The Sooners, however, scored 35 of the next 38 points. Mahomes finished 27 of 50 for 393 yards and four touchdowns and a passer rating of 146.4. He was starting in place of quarterback Davis Webb, who hasn’t fully recovered from a left high-ankle sprain suffered Oct. 25 against TCU. Webb was suited up on the sideline. Webb’s replacement added a 39yard touchdown to Dylan Cantrell as time expired. Because the deficit was larger than seven points, the Red Raiders weren’t allowed to attempt a point after kick or 2-point conversation by rule. The late score, though, came too late to give the Red Raiders a chance at a winning season. Eguavoen was one of 20 players honored on senior day. “On senior night, you’d like it to end better,” Kingsbury said. “Felt bad for them because I thought they came out with great effort. That’s pretty much my main concern.”
WILLIAMS: Red Raiders start fast, can’t finish — again FROM page B1 By scoring touchdowns on all five of its second-half possessions, Oklahoma came away with a 42-30 victory at Jones Stadium, a place that once enjoyed a stretch as a house of horrors for Bob Stoops. Sooners running back Samaje Perine was a bull in Tech’s china closet in the second half. Between his jarring runs and Cody Thomas’ deft quarterback keepers, you could easily forget Tech led this thing 21-7 in the third quarter. At halftime, it was 14-7. Tech had gotten in Thomas’ grill and intercepted him three times already. The A-J’s picture-taking ace Zach Long showed me a fantastic photo. Mike Smith was all giddy over one of those interceptions. That’s it, I told Zach. That’s the lead photo. Stay here all night and you won’t get a better shot than that. That tells the story of the game, if this keeps up. The Tech defense just has to keep playing this way. Famous last words. Perine, who’d run for 31 yards at the break, finished with 213. Thomas, who’d carried once for 13 yards, finished with eight for 103. That’s 11 individual 100-yard rushing performances against the Red Raiders this season with two apiece from Arkansas, West Virginia, TCU and now OU. Oklahoma fans who get all over
Zach Long A-J MEDIA
Texas Tech’s Tevin Madison is greeted after an interception against Oklahoma during their game on Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium. OU offensive coordinator Josh Heupel need to cut him some slack. So many play callers figure they have to mix it up, even when
one or two things are working just fine. The Sooners threw it three times in the second half and ran it 33.
Go with what works, right? Against Tech, just keep pounding. Red Raiders safety Keenon Ward didn’t think much of it when Perine got loose the first time, going 64 yards to chop that 21-7 deficit in half. “I didn’t really start to stress about that one,” Ward said. “We let one pop. I felt like it was just one play. It was seven points we were still up at that point, so I wasn’t worried about that one.” On the next series, Thomas decided to keep it for once, bolted for 35 yards and it was if Heupel had discovered a new toy. After that, Thomas had carries for 16, 14, a 4-yard touchdown and 14 again. Ward said the Red Raiders never dreamed he’d be so bold, not a freshman making his first start on the road. “Once he pulled that first one and ran for about (35),” Ward said, “we had to start making adjustments to that. I couldn’t fill as much as I was. I had to start playing contain. That left gaps open, and he took advantage of those gaps.” If not him, someone else probably would have. That’s the way the season has gone. The Red Raiders seem to know how to get up for a game. Finishing one off is something else entirely.
RUSHING — Oklahoma, Perine 25-213, C.Thomas 8-103, Ross 4-27, Ford 8-25, Ripkowski 4-11, K.Young 1-9, Team 1-(minus 4). Texas Tech, Washington 12-56, Stockton 3-27, Mahomes 8-12, Ke.Williams 1-(minus 2). PASSING — Oklahoma, C.Thomas 10-20-3-133. Texas Tech, Mahomes 27-50-0-393. RECEIVING — Oklahoma, Neal 4-57, K.Young 3-48, Ripkowski 2-12, Quick 1-16. Texas Tech, Lauderdale 5-83, Sadler 4-89, Grant 4-51, Cantrell 3-52, Marquez 3-49, Q.White 2-21, Washington 2-15, Stockton 1-12, Pearson 1-11, Ke.Williams 1-7, Batson 1-3.
Twitter quotes “I hope Texas Tech embarrasses OU like they did 3 years ago.” Lauryn Schack @LaurynSchack “The Texas Tech WR might have been waving for the ball but he is also might have been waving goodbye.” #HeGone David Leake @ DavidLeake “The RED raiders finally wear RED and look what’s happening” ChristianShorten @ChrisShor10 “Tech vs. OU is a lot of fun. By far the Red Raiders’ best game of the season, and the Sooners are looking good again after a crappy 1Q.” Matthew R Tynan @Matthew_Tynan “This season has been tough, but if this half is any indication, MY RED RAIDERS ARE BACK #WRECKEM KEEP IT UP” Cord Scorgie @CLScorgie “Texas tech. Please don’t blow it.” #pleasedontblowit #TTUvsOU Alejandro Huerta @ RaiderRojo806 “Texas Tech has to play a full 60 minutes to win #Big12 football games. Oklahoma made changes at half & TTU couldn’t adjust. #OUvsTTU” Clayton M. Billion @ClaytonBillion “Texas Tech couldn’t hold onto a game if they Gorilla Glued it to their palm and wrapped their hand in duck tape.” Nik Nelson @KingNik_16 “Despite losing to OU, Texas Tech’s remarkable 17-game streak of either a negative or even turnover margin came to an end.” Matt Smith @MattSmithCFB
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
B5
Oklahoma 42, Texas Tech 30 Turnover Battle
Run defense struggled in second half
Bowl denied
For the first time since Oct. 5, 2013, Texas Tech won the turnover battle. The three interceptions by the Red Raiders in the first half gave them a 3-0 advantage over Oklahoma. It was the most turnovers in a game since 2012 at Iowa State. It was the first time Texas Tech posted three interceptions in the first half since 2010 against No. 4 Texas. Texas Tech never turned the football over. However, that wasn’t enough to get the win. “When you can’t slow them down in the second half, that’s going to happen,” coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “But the first half, we had some opportunities there to really distance ourselves and just once again didn’t, and we haven’t been a good second half team all year for whatever reason.”
The Texas Tech defense limited Oklahoma to only 68 rushing yards in the first half. It was a different story in the second half as the Sooners rushed for 316 yards to finish with a total of 384 yards on the ground. Oklahoma averaged 7.5 yards per carry. “We haven’t played well all year in the second half for whatever reason,” coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “And they had a good plan. I thought they got back to pounding the ball, didn’t turn it over. (They) had some effective schemes that obviously were effective against us.” Freshman Samaje Perine led the Sooner ground game with 214 yards. He now has 1,000 yards on the season and is the first Sooner running back to do so since DeMarco Murray in 2010.
With only two games left in the regular season – at Iowa State and against Baylor in Arlington – Texas Tech won’t advance to a bowl game this year with a 3-7 record. This is the fifth year in a row the Red Raiders recorded a losing season in conference play. Furthermore, Texas Tech will have a losing season, and miss out on a bowl, for the first time since 2011 when the Red Raiders went 5-7. “I’m just focused on the seniors,” coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “I felt bad for them because I thought they came out with great effort.” Compiled by Krisa Pirtle
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DBs go down Texas Tech lost two starting defensive backs in its 42-30 loss Saturday with cornerback Justis Nelson suffering a head injury and not playing after the first series and strong safety J.J. Gaines leaving with a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter. Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said Nelson was held out for precautionary reasons. Nelson broke up a pass during his one series, his 14th of the season. He came into the game tied for second in the FBS in that category. Freshman Tevin Madison took Nelson’s place at right cornerback and made his first interception and seven tacklesf. Gaines got hurt trying to tackle OU running back Samaje Perine and freshman Derrick Dixon filled in for him. Gaines missed the last seven games of last season with a chipped bone in his left shoulder.
Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws a pass on Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium. The freshman threw four touchdown passes — and had another two called back because of penalties — in the Red Raiders’ 4230 loss to Oklahoma.
Protecting calls
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Time for Tech to focus on Mahomes, youth Jakeem Grant was supposed to run a slant route. But, Oklahoma brought a blitz and forced Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes out of the pocket. The freshman rolled right. Grant broke off his route and followed. The pass was on target and Grant pulled in the ball for a 6-yard touchdown pass that put the Red Raiders up 7-0. The play showed exactly what Mahomes could do and exactly what he could bring to the Texas Tech offense. And if the defense had shown up in the second half, it would have given the Red Raiders exactly what they needed. It didn’t, of course. Oklahoma rushed for 316 yards in the second half and won 42-30 Saturday at Jones Stadium. But, Mahomes’ ability to extend plays helped the Texas Tech offense move down the field on a more consistent basis — even when the touchdowns didn’t always count. A holding call on Le'Raven Clark wiped out 39-yard touchdown pass to Bradley Marquez. It was the second touchdown pass Mahomes had called back. Earlier, he had a 44-yard touchdown pass from Ian Sadler called back after a holding penalty on Alfredo Morales.
NICK TALBOT
MY VIEW If it wasn’t for those two calls, he could have had six touchdown passes to go along with his 393 passing yards. He was also a decent 27 of 50 passing and completed passes to 11 different Texas Tech receivers. “(His mobility) helped a lot,” Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “He created with his feet, kept some things alive under some tough rushes — had two big touchdowns that were called back that I thought he extended to make great throws.” Kingsbury said Davis Webb was not 100 percent. Apparently, his high ankle sprain — that the sophomore quarterback suffered against TCU — is still lingering. And if it lingers for the rest of the season, I wouldn’t be surprised. After the game, Kingsbury didn’t rule out a quarterback competition between Mahomes and Webb. In fact, it seemed like Mahomes may have already won the job. “I have to look at film to really
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Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury celebrates with Ian Sadler after a touchdown. see where Pat’s at,” the Red Raiders coach said. “The big deal to me was protecting the football. That’s something we struggled with all year, and it’s really put us in a hole most of the year. “… So we’ll just have to see how they both look next week.” Texas Tech has been missing something on offense all season even though Davis Webb had several good moments. Heck, he has thrown 24 touchdown passes. But, he also threw 13 interceptions — more than all but five FBS quarterbacks and he has not even played the last 21/2 games.
That’s why Kingsbury is at least considering a change. And it is not a coincidence that that change should be starting a freshman quarterback. Several freshmen made an impact against Oklahoma. Sadler, who should have had two touchdown catches, had four catches for 89 yards and the one score. Tevin Madison, who came in for Justis Nelson (who left the game with an apparent head injury), had a key interception in the first half. In all seven true freshmen and four redshirt freshmen played. That’s a clear sign that Texas Tech, which fell to 3-7 with the loss and is no longer eligible for a bowl game, is already building for the future. “We’re playing a lot of young guys,” Kingsbury said. “They’ve come a long way. It’s been rough at times with some of those youngsters, but I am just proud of them for not shying away from the moment.” Mahomes certainly didn’t shy away. That’s why much like Grant did on the first touchdown play, it is time for Kingsbury and Texas Tech to adjust on the fly. It’s time to start the freshmen and further the Red Raiders’ youth movement. It’s time to start Patrick Mahomes.
Red Raiders’ 2014 season — at a glance OPPONENT
WHEN
WHERE
Central Arkansas Aug. 30 Lubbock The Bears (6-6) defeated Lamar 44-41 in overtime, UTEP Sept. 6 El Paso The Miners (5-4) were up 28-0 on North Texas in the second quarter Arkansas Sept. 20 Lubbock Razorbacks (5-5) plled off the upset of No. 17 LSU, 17-0 Oklahoma State Sept. 27 Stillwater, Okla. The Cowboys (5-5) continued to slide, losing 28-7 to Texas Kansas State Oct. 4 Manhattan, Kan. Wildcats (7-2) enjoyed a bye week, while TCU and OU were tested West Virginia Oct. 11 Lubbock After the Mountaineers (6-4) bye , they play Kansas State
OPPONENT
WHEN
WHERE
Kansas Oct. 18 Lubbock Cummings had 332 yards, but Jayhawks (3-7) couldn’t pull off upset TCU Oct. 25 Fort Worth Frogs (9-1) dad to rally to defeat Kansas 34-30, could hurt playoff shot Texas Nov. 1 Lubbock The Longhorns (6-5) are starting to come around, defeating Cowboys Oklahoma Nov. 15 Lubbock The Sooners (7-3) rallied and defeated Texas Tech 42-30 Iowa State Nov. 22 Ames, Iowa The Cyclones (2-7) give Tech its best shot to win a game Baylor Nov. 29 Arlington The Bears (8-1) had a bye, face reeling Oklahoma State next
Tech had three staff members holding up towels throughout the game to shield its defensive play calls from Oklahoma coaches in the press box. “Obviously, with the situation we had earlier in the year,” Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said, “I’m sure our signals had been passed around. So we’ve changed some up, and they just wanted to make sure.” Kingsbury appeared to allude to former defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt’s departure earlier this season, not the much talked-about presence of former Tech quarterback Baker Mayfield, who transferred to OU and was in the house Saturday. Notably, Tech was shielding only its defensive calls, not the offensive signals. “Yeah, we changed our signals back in the spring,” Kingsbury said. “So that hasn’t been an issue for us. With the defense, we had just heard some things that our signals had been around. So we’ve changed them up and just trying to protect them.” Asked if he felt the defensive calls had been compromised in earlier games, Kingsbury said, “Yes, possibly.”
No excuses Twice on its first offensive series, Tech was flagged for illegal procedure in third-and-short situations. Both times, the Red Raiders had Tyler Scalzi lined up at tight end and at least once the Red Raiders gestured toward the Sooners. “That was I was told was they were simulating a snap count,” Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “But that goes on, and you just have to be focused and sit in there. That’s inexcusable, whether they’re doing it or not.” Scalzi and right tackle Reshod Fortenberry were called for moving before the snap. Tech later scored a touchdown on the 16-play, 87-yard drive.
Against the odds Tech’s Tevin Madison, Sam Eguavoen and Keenon Ward all had first-half interceptions. It was the first time an OU QB had thrown three picks in a half since Landry Jones did it in the first half of the 2010 Oklahoma State game. The Sooners won that game, 47-41.
In brief Texas Tech snapped a 17game streak of not winning the turnovers column, committing none and coming up with three. Tech had been 0-14-3 in that category since last winning the turnovers column in last year’s Big 12 opener at Kansas. … OU WR Sterling Shepard, who’s had a groin injury, didn’t play after the Sooners’ second series. ... Tech’s D.J. Polite-Bray played a snap on defense in the first half, his first since being switched to CB from WR just less than two weeks ago. … Tech tried a sky kickoff, but OU TE Connor Knight kept his poise and made a fair catch. Compiled by Don Williams
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Quote of the Day
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Player of the Week
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Florida coach Will Muschamp , left, and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier greet each other before their game Saturday, won by Spurrier’s Gamecocks in overtime, 23-20.
I’m getting old when you start feeling for the other coach. Steve Spurrier South Carolina coach, after the Gamecocks beat Florida in overtime, 23-20. Florida coach Will Muschamp is on the hot seat.
Associated Press
Melvin Gordon Wisconsin running back New NCAA record 408 rushing yards Saturday against Nebraska (see below)
Top 25 Roundup NO. 8 OHIO STATE 31, MINNESOTA 24
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MINNEAPOLIS — J.T. Barrett threw for three touchdowns and ran for an Ohio State quarterback-record 189 yards and another score, helping the Buckeyes overcome three turnovers and wintry weather. Barrett completed 15 of 25 passes for 200 yards and one interception, another stellar performance for the freshman following last week’s rout of Michigan State. Barrett’s rushing total topped Braxton Miller’s 186 yards against Nebraska on Oct. 6, 2012, and Ohio State stayed on track in pursuit of a place in the College Football Playoff.
NORTHWESTERN 43 NO. 15 Notre Dame 40, OT
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SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Northwestern’s Jack Mitchell kicked a 45-yard field goal with 19 seconds left to force overtime and then kicked a 41-yard field goal for the upset. The Wildcats closed to 40-37 with 4:10 left on a 6-yard touchdown run by quarterback Trevor Siemian and a two-point conversion on a run by Warren Long after Notre Dame (7-3, No. 18 CFP) was called for pass interference. Both teams turned the ball over four times in a sloppy game. Notre Dame’s final turnover occurred with 1:28 when the Irish were trying to run out the clock and the usually reliable Cam McDaniel fumbled at the Northwestern 33-yard line when he was stripped by safety Ibraheim Campbell and it was recovered by linebacker Jimmy Hall. Northwestern (4-6), which had minus-9 yards rushing last week against Michigan, rushed for 263 yards and had 547 yards of total offense, both season highs.
NO. 16 GEORGIA 34, NO. 9 AUBURN 7
Associated Press
Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon catches a pass between Mississippi State defensive backs Jay Hughes, left, and Will Redmond Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alambama won, 25-20.
No. 4 Tide holds off No. 1 Bulldogs By JOHN ZENOR Associated press
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama’s lead had dwindled into dangerous territory against the nation’s top-ranked team. Suddenly, Blake Sims and the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide’s offense roared to life with a downfield march full of clutch plays. The result was a decisive fourth-quarter touchdown that finally provided some comfort in Saturday’s 25-20 victory over No. 1 Mississippi State. “It was one of the greatest drives in Alabama history, probably,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. And it came in one of the biggest games in Mississippi State annals. The Tide (9-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference, No. 5 CFP) reasserted itself as a national title contender with a dominant first half and some clutch play in the fourth quarter. Alabama had been stuck just outside of the top four teams in the Col-
lege Football Playoff rankings but powered its way squarely into the mix. Dak Prescott and the Bulldogs (9-1, 5-1, No. 1 CFP) kept fighting to keep their first-ever reign going for a sixth week. They couldn’t conquer Alabama at raucous Bryant-Denny Stadium, though. “We should feel awful,” Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. “You should have a sickness in your stomach. We should embrace this feeling to make sure that this feeling doesn’t happen again. We’ll feel sick tonight but then we’ll get over it. “Except for being undefeated, every other goal is still ahead of us.” Mississippi State scored early in the fourth to make it a six-point game but Sims and Yeldon answered with a startand-stop march to the end zone. The Bulldogs produced a touchdown with 15 seconds left after a drive took 3 precious minutes off the clock.
“We just ran out of time,” said Prescott, who was intercepted three times. “I just think that it was us. “I can’t turn the ball over like I did.” Alabama recovered the onside kick to secure its seventh straight win in the series between two programs separated by some 85 miles, and considerable gaps in tradition. The Bulldogs fell one win shy of the program-record 13game winning streak but probably remain in the championship hunt. They were the only unbeaten team in the brutal SEC coming into the game, and didn’t go down quietly after trailing 19-3 at halftime. “We just started playing football,” Mullen said. “We started making plays and started scoring.” Down 25-13, Prescott had the Bulldogs driving in the final six minutes, even converting on fourth and 7. Then Landon Collins recorded Alabama’s third interception of the Heisman candidate with 5:01 left.
Sims completed 19 of 31 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown, but made his biggest plays on Alabama’s final touchdown drive. He converted two thirdand-long plays with runs a la Prescott, and delivered on a third with an 8-yard pass to Yeldon. “He kept that drive alive a few times, reaching that thirddown marker,” Alabama center Ryan Kelly said of Sims. Then Yeldon, whose status was unclear all week with an ankle injury, kept the Tide moving with three straight runs, ultimately stepping out of a defender’s grasp to cap it with a 6-yard touchdown. “Probably wasn’t as explosive as normal, but the guy’s a true warrior,” Saban said. “There was no way you were going to keep him out of the game. He wanted to play.” Saban said Alabama’s defense had been tiring by the end of the third quarter, so that six-minute drive game that group some respite.
408: Badgers’ Gordon sets rushing mark By GENARO C. ARMAS Associated press
MADISON, Wis. — Unaware he was close to setting a record, Melvin Gordon took the handoff and did what he does best. Wisconsin’s star running back burst through the hole, made a cut and high-stepped into the end zone, capping a memorable evening with an NCAA milestone. Gordon rushed for a major college-record 408 yards and four touchdowns and the 22ndranked Badgers overcame three early turnovers to take control of the Big Ten West division with a 59-24 win Saturday over No. 11 Nebraska. Gordon eclipsed the singlegame mark held since 1999 by TCU’s LaDainian Tomlinson by two yards, setting the new standard on a 26-yard touchdown run on the final play of the third quarter and his last carry of the game. “Yeah, I didn’t even know I was close to a record like that,” Gordon said. “I was just kind of running away.” Of course. Outdueling Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah in a matchup of top tailbacks, Gordon had two fumbles before he helped the Badgers (8-2, 5-1, CFP No.
Associated Press
Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon (25) breaks away from Nebraska’s Corey Cooper for a 62-yard touchdown run during the Badgers’ 59-24 win on Saturday in Madison, Wis. Gordon rushed for 408 yards, breaking the NCAA single-game record set by TCU’s LaDainian Tomlinson in 1999 — 406 against UTEP. 20) roar past Nebraska (8-2, 4-2, CFP No. 16) with 56 straight points. The star junior torched what had been a staunch Nebraska defense on 25 carries and delivered an emphatic statement in the Heisman Trophy race. “How about this guy? He’s the best of the best,” coach Gary Andersen said. Abdullah finished with 69
yards on 18 attempts in a game billed in part as a footrace between Gordon and Abdullah for Heisman votes. It ended up being Gordon by a landslide. “That kid (Melvin Gordon) bad!! Congrats on breaking the NCAA single game rushing record,” Tomlinson posted on Twitter. The single-game rushing record had stood since Nov.
20, 1999, when Tomlinson had 406 for TCU against UTEP. Gordon’s most entertaining carry might have been the 62-yarder down the sideline, completed after hurdling over lunging safety Corey Cooper around the 35 to get into the clear. “Just the speed of Melvin Gordon is impossible to simulate,” Nebraska defensive coordinator John Papuchis said. Gordon never played a down in the fourth quarter with his team leading by five scores. About the most action he got was when he danced on the field in the snow with his teammates while the song “Jump Around” echoed through the stadium, a Wisconsin tradition before the fourth quarter. “Melvin Gordon! Melvin Gordon,” the crowd roared in the second half. Among other marks set Saturday by Gordon: n The 189 yards in the second quarter broke the school record for most in a quarter. n His 1,909 yards on the season now ranks as fourth-best in school history, with two regular-season games left. n It was Gordon’s fourth 200yard rushing game this season, joining Ron Dayne as the only Badgers to run for at least 200 in a game four times in a season.
ATHENS, Ga. — Nick Chubb shared the spotlight in Todd Gurley’s return, with both backs rushing for more than 100 yards. Georgia (8-2, 6-2, No. 15 CFP) dominated the latest edition in Deep South’s oldest rivalry, handing the Tigers (7-3, 4-3, No. 9 CFP) their second straight loss and finishing off any hopes they had of repeating as Southeastern Conference champions. Gurley returned to Georgia’s backfield after serving a four-game suspension for taking more than $3,000 for autographs. But Chubb, who filled in brilliantly while Gurley was out, kept up his strong play with 144 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Gurley finished with 138 yards and a TD, though he left late in the game after hurting his left knee.
NO. 17 ARIZONA 27, WASHINGTON 26
TUCSON, Ariz. — Casey Skowron kicked a 47yard field goal as time expired to give Arizona a wild victory over Washington. Skowron, who also had an 18-yard touchdown run on a fake field goal, missed a first attempt wide right but the Huskies called timeout just before the kick and he got another try. The kicker gained redemption after missing the go-ahead 36-yarder in the final minute of a loss to USC. Washington (6-5, 2-5 Pac-12) was running out the clock when Tra’Mayne Bondurant knocked the ball out of running back Deontae Cooper’s hands and Derrick Turituri recovered for Arizona (8-2, 5-2, No. 14 CFP) at the Washington 45 with 1:23 to go. The Wildcats moved to the 30 and left it up to Skowron.
NO. 24 GEORGIA TECH 28 NO. 18 CLEMSON 6
ATLANTA — Georgia Tech’s Jamal Golden returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown, and fans rushed the field after the win. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson did not return after a first-quarter knee injury. Cole Stoudt threw three interceptions after replacing Watson, including one Chris Milton returned 62 yards for a touchdown. With the loss by Clemson (7-3, 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), No. 2 Florida State clinched the ACC’s Atlantic Division before playing Miami on Saturday night. Justin Thomas’ 65-yard run set up his 5-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Smelter in the third quarter as Georgia Tech (9-2, 6-2) earned its fourth straight win and kept its hopes alive in the ACC’s Coastal Division.
VIRGINIA TECH 17, NO. 19 DUKE 16.
DURHAM, N.C. — Michael Brewer threw two touchdown passes and Virginia Tech held on for the upset. Brewer was 12 of 23 for 138 yards with touchdowns of 15 yards to Hodges and 10 yards to Isaiah Ford. The Hokies (5-5, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) avoided their first in-season four-game losing streak since 1992 and earned their second road victory over a ranked team this year. Duke (8-2, 4-2) had two late chances to reclaim the lead, but Ross Martin missed a 40-yard field goal with 2:26 left and the Blue Devils were stopped on downs at their 40 with 43 seconds left. Anthony Boone was 18 of 40 for 181 yards with two interceptions and Josh Snead scored the lone touchdown for the mistake-prone Blue Devils, who began the day alone atop the Coastal Division.
NO. 21 MARSHALL 41, RICE 14
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Rakeem Cato threw four touchdown passes, Devon Johnson rushed for 199 yards and a score as Marshall improved to 10-0 for the first time since it finished 13-0 in 1999. The Thundering Herd (6-0 Conference USA) limited Rice to 180 yards and ended the Owls’ sixgame winning streak. Cato had scoring tosses of 2, 25, 30 and 7 yards to give him 117 for his career, surpassing Chad Pennington’s school record of 115 set from 1995-1999.
NO. 25 UTAH 20, STANFORD 17
STANFORD, Calif. — Travis Wilson threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Scott in the second overtime, leading Utah to a win over Stanford. Kaelin Clay caught a 25-yard TD pass on the first play of overtime before the Cardinal came back with the tying score. Jordan Williamson kicked a career-long 51-yard field goal — the same one Stanford passed up late in the fourth quarter — to start the second session, setting the stage for the Utes’ dramatic finish. Associated Press
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Oklahoma’s 2nd half plan works to perfection By Terry Greenberg
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Trailing 14-7 at halftime, Oklahoma knew what it wanted to do in the second half — run the ball and keep Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the pocket. The Sooners did both and won 42-30 Saturday in Lubbock. Freshman running back Samaje Perine ran for 213 yards and three scores, becoming the first OU back to run for more than 1,000 yards in a season since now-Dallas Cowboy DeMarco Murray did it for the Sooners in 2010. When Perine wasn’t punishing Tech defenders by breaking tackles and chewing up chunks of yards, freshman quarterback Cody Thomas hurt Tech with bootleg scrambles. Thomas, starting for injured quarterback Trevor Knight, ran for 103 yards on just eight carries. He deftly faked to Perine or another Sooner back and took off around the end. Sometimes he was so alone even he was surprised. “You don’t always expect it to work out like that, just so wide open, but I’m glad it did,” Thomas said. Sooners coach Bob Stoops said: “(Thomas) made a few excellent reads ... He held one really long and got them to bite. He’s really natural with it and you’d expect that being the athlete he is.” Mahomes led Tech to a 21-7 lead early in the second half, but the Sooners kept the Red Raiders out of the end zone until the final play of the game, when Mahomes hit Dylan Cantrell on a 39-yard touchdown pass. The Tech freshman made a lot of plays with his feet, scrambling free, then hitting receivers. And it could have been worse for the visitors — Tech had two touchdown passes wiped out by holding penalties on drives where they ended up punting. “A lot of plays where we got hurt in the
Oklahoma quarterback Cody Thomas runs during the Sooners’ 42-30 win over Texas Tech on Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium. zach long A-j media
first half were on scrambles and that’s on our front four rushing, they’ve got to do a better job,” said Stoops. “We kept him in the pocket more in the second half.” Stoops said Oklahoma intended to run from the start, but some penalties put his team in more passing situations in the first half. But it really changed in the second half. Thomas threw 17 times in the first half and just three after halftime. Even down two scores, Stoops felt there was still plenty of time to keep the ball on the ground.
“There was so much time left. No one needed to panic and we started to get the defensive stops and that’s a major part of being able to stay with it too,” he said. “We felt if we kept at it, somebody would pop a run and fortunately, Samaje did,” said Stoops, referring to his back’s 64-yard scoring run right after Tech took the 21-7 lead in the third quarter. Thomas said: “The first half didn’t go as planned ... I knew coming into the second half we were going to run the ball a little bit more. We came out on fire in the second half. You could tell there was a
little more passion and we weren’t going to be stopped.” Perine gave credit to his blockers. “Our O-line did a fantastic job, along with our fullbacks and tight ends. They did a great job of opening up the hole. I went through untouched and it was my job from there to get it into the end zone,” he said. A number of times he hit a pile of defenders and bounced off for big gains. “Just keeping my feet moving. And I feel plays like that, when you know it’s looking mucky, you just have to go get what you can get,” he said.
Frogs turn back Jayhawks’ upset bid By DAVE SKRETTA Associated press
Associated Press
Texas running back Johnathan Gray (32) is tackled by Oklahoma State safety Larry Stephens, right, on Saturday in Stillwater, Okla.
Texas beats OSU, is now bowl eligible by JOHN TRANCHINA Associated Press
STILLWATER, Okla. — Tyrone Swoopes completed 24 of 33 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns to lead Texas to a 28-7 victory over Oklahoma State in a Big 12 matchup Saturday night. With its third straight win, Texas (6-5, 5-3) became eligible to participate in a bowl game for fourth consecutive year and the 16th time in the last 17 seasons. Johnathan Gray rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown for the Longhorns. Nick Rose connected on field goals of 34-, 44- and (a career-long) 51-yards. The Texas defense limited the Cowboys to a season-low 192 total yards and forced them into threeand-outs on six of their first eight offensive possessions. Oklahoma State (5-5, 3-4) lost its fourth in a row, all of them by at least 21 points. With road games at No. 6 Baylor next week and rival Oklahoma Dec. 6, the Cowboys’ chances of extending their school-record bowl streak to nine look slim. James Washington scored on an 8-yard shovel pass with 9:08 remaining, allowing Oklahoma State to avoid the shutout.
The Longhorns dominated in just about every aspect of the game, carrying a 22-0 lead into the fourth quarter and more than doubling the Cowboys in total offense and nearly doubling them in time of possession. Texas converted seven of its first eight third-down situations and 11 of 19 overall, while holding Oklahoma State to just 2 of 13 on third down. Texas has now won 24 of 29 games in the all-time series between the schools, although Oklahoma State had won three of the previous four. The Longhorns scored touchdowns on each of their first two possessions, while forcing OSU into two three-and-outs, to take a 13-0 lead late in the first quarter. On 3rd-and-10 from the OSU 19-yard-line, Swoopes lofted a pass to the back right corner of the end zone that John Harris came down with for the first touchdown. A botched snap on the PAT left the Longhorns with an early 6-0 lead. Texas began its next drive on its own 19 and Gray’s 6-yard TD run gave the Longhorns a 13-0 lead — and 138 yards of total offense to OSU’s total of -6 — with 2:33 left in the first quarter.
LAWRENCE, Kan. — TCU coach Gary Patterson spent most of Saturday watching every bounce, blooper and bizarre play go against his team on a frigid afternoon at Kansas. In the end, the fifthranked Horned Frogs did just enough to turn back a spirited upset bid by the Jayhawks and remain in contention for the inaugural college football playoff. “A lot of people would have lost that ballgame,” Patterson said after the 34-30 win. “There wasn’t any style points here other than the fact that we fought back and won the game.” Aaron Green ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns, and Cameron EcholsLuper returned a punt 69 yards for another score to pace the comeback from a 27-17 third-quarter deficit. Trevone Boykin added 330 yards passing and a touchdown as TCU (9-1, 6-1
Associated Press
Kansas wide receiver Rodriguez Coleman (1) is tackled by TCU cornerback Ranthony Texada on Saturday in Lawrence, Kan. TCU defeated Kansas, 34-30. Big 12, No. 4 CFP) avoided what would have been a catastrophic blow to its national title hopes.
The Horned Frogs won their fifth straight, even without top running back B.J. Catalon. And with a
trip to Texas followed by a home game against lowly Iowa State, they may have the easiest road standing between them and the four-team playoff for the national title. Still, even after Chris Hackett’s interception with 3:26 left sealed the victory, the underwhelming performance could cost TCU its spot in the playoff committee’s top four. “We’re not too worried about it,” Boykin said. “It’s not up to us. It’s up to the committee.” Michael Cummings had 332 yards and two touchdowns passing for the Jayhawks (3-7, 1-6), who were trying for their first regular-season win over a top-five team since beating Colorado in 1995. Jimmay Mundine had 137 yards receiving and a touchdown, and Nigel King had 128 yards and a score as the Jayhawks nearly gave a sparse crowd of about 10,000 fans a reason to celebrate.
Associated Press
Texas A&M wide receiver Speedy Noil (2) returns a kickoff as Missouri linebacker Donavin Newsom (25) chases him on Saturday in College Station.
Hansbrough carries Missouri over A&M by KRISTIE RIEKEN Associated press
COLLEGE STATION — Russell Hansbrough ran for a career-high 199 yards and two touchdowns to help Missouri to a 34-27
win over Texas A&M on Saturday night. Missouri (8-2, 5-1 SEC) scored 28 points in the third quarter to erase a seven-point halftime deficit and take a 34-20 lead. The Aggies got within
a touchdown early in the fourth quarter and had a chance to tie it with less than three minutes remaining, but lost a yard on fourth down from the Missouri 1. The Tigers then ran out
the clock to secure their fourth straight win and remain in first place in the SEC East. Kyle Allen threw for 237 yards with three touchdowns and an interception for Texas A&M (7-4, 3-4).
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High School Football Playoffs SECOND-ROUND PLAYOFF SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH PLAINS TEAMS Class 6A Division II Monterey (5-6) vs. San Angelo Central (10-1), 4 p.m. Friday, Midland’s Grande Communications Stadium Frenship (9-2) vs. Abilene High (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday, Lubbock’s Plainscapital Park Lowrey Field Class 5A Division II Cooper (8-3) vs. El Paso Eastlake (8-3), 2 p.m. Saturday, Pecos Class 4A Division I Estacado (9-2) vs. Stephenville (7-3), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Shotwell Stadium in Abilene Levelland (5-6) vs. Abilene Wylie (9-2), 8 p.m. Friday, Midland’s Grande Communications Stadium Seminole (5-6) vs. Graham (9-2), 7 p.m. Friday in Graham Class 3A Division I Muleshoe (8-3) vs. Breckenridge (6-5), 7 p.m. Thursday, Snyder Brownfield (7-4) vs. Wall (10-1), 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Ratliff Stadium in Odessa Shallowater (10-1) vs. Boyd (5-6), 2 p.m. Saturday, Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium Denver City/Littlefield (6-4/7-3)vs. Brock (10-1), TBA
Class 3A Division II Idalou (8-3) vs. Sonora (8-3), TBA Post (8-3) vs. Cisco (11-0), 7 p.m. Friday, Sweetwater Class 2A Division I Abernathy (10-0) vs. Hawley (7-4), 7:30 p.m Friday, Big Spring Class 2A Division II Crosbyton (10-0) vs. Sunray (5-6), 7 p.m. Friday, Canyon’s Kimbrough Memorial Stadium Seagraves (10-0) vs. Gruver (6-4, 8-2), 5 p.m. Saturday, Canyon’s Kimbrough Memorial Stadium ——— REGION I PLAYOFF RESULTS Bi-District CLASS 6A DIVISION I Amarillo Tascosa 31, El Paso Franklin 28 Odessa Permian 31, Arlington Houston 7 Plano West 66, Keller 41 Euless Trinity (9-1) vs. South Grand Prairie (5-5), 8 p.m. Saturday, AT&T Stadium, Arlington Amarillo 41, EP El Dorado 27 Arlington Martin 43, Midland 14 Allen (10-0) vs. Keller Central (6-4), 5 p.m. Saturday, AT&T Stadium, Arlington DeSoto 52, Coppell 35
CLASS 6A DIVISION II Monterey 48, EP Americas 21 San Angelo Central 55, Arlington Bowie 52, 2OT Denton Guyer 59, Plano 28 Southlake Carroll 38, Mansfield 31 Frenship 52, EP Eastwood 21 Abilene 31, Arlington Lamar 13 McKinney Boyd 42, Keller Fossil Ridge 23 Cedar Hill (8-2) vs. Colleyville Heritage (5-5), 2 p.m. Saturday, AT&T Stadium, Arlington CLASS 5A DIVISION I EP Andress 42, EP Bel Air 14 Randall 34, Abilene Cooper 27 WF Rider 35, Grapevine 21 FW Arlington Heights 70, Burleson Centennial 28 EP Del Valle 42, EP Chapin 35 Amarillo Palo Duro 31, Plainview 28 Denton 40, Birdville 33 Aledo 69, FW Trimble Tech 0 CLASS 5A DIVISION II Canutillo 63, EP Ysleta 28 San Angelo Lake View 26, Canyon 21 Azle 73, FW Dunbar 24 Burleson 37, FW South Hills 21 EP Eastlake 41, EP Bowie 7 Cooper 45, Hereford 14
Wichita Falls 17, Lake Dallas 14 Everman 51, FW Wyatt 12 CLASS 4A DIVISION I Estacado 68, Clint Mountain View 7 Stephenville 66, Decatur 64, 4OT Andrews 61, Borger 20 Big Spring 35, Gainesville 17 Abilene Wylie 44, WF Hirschi 0 Levelland 54, Clint 18 Graham 52, Brownwood 11 Seminole 35, Fabens 0 CLASS 4A DIVISION II Vernon 43, Fort Stockton 18 Krum 40, Dallas Lincoln 6 Sweetwater 50, Perryton 13 Bridgeport 35, Ferris 14 Celina 67, Dallas Madison 2 Monahans 54, Bushland 39 Venus 27, Anna 20 Iowa Park 35, Greenwood 20 CLASS 3A DIVISION I Muleshoe 31, Kermit 7 Breckenridge 23, Clyde 16 Shallowater 42, Friona 6 Brady (8-2) vs. Boyd (4-6), (n) Wall 30, Ponder 7 Brownfield 35, Childress 28 Brock 57, Bangs 13 Littlefield (6-4) vs. Denver City (7-3), 7
p.m. Saturday, Frenship CLASS 3A DIVISION II Spearman 48, WF City View 7 Alpine (5-5) vs. Colorado (6-4), 8 p.m. Saturday, Grande Communications Stadium, Midland Cisco 53, Amarillo Highland Park 7 Post 62, San Angelo Grape Creek 21 Coleman 51, Crane 0 Eastland 30, Tulia 6 Sonora 35, Coahoma 18 Idalou 65, Henrietta 13 CLASS 2A DIVISION I Canadian (10-0), bye Windthorst 33, McCamey 12 Ozona (8-2), bye Stratford 47, New Deal 10 Stamford (8-2), bye Wellington 58, Floydada 20 Abernathy (10-0), bye Hawley 40, Christoval 13 CLASS 2A DIVISION II Booker (10-0), bye Quanah 46, Sundown 26 Crosbyton (10-0), bye Sunray 21, Vega 14 Seagraves (10-0), bye Gruver 41, Springlake-Earth 7 Farwell (8-2), bye
Memphis 26, Smyer 12 CLASS 1A DIVISION I Region I Happy 66, Spur 8 Grady 78, Ropes 62 Borden County 75, Anton 44 Valley 78, Nazareth 28 CLASS 1A DIVISION II Region I Follett 46, McLean 0 Whitharral 46, Kress 34 Southland 56, Lazbuddie 8 Groom 56, Lefors 0 Region II Sands 96, Balmorhea 50 Blackwell 52, Rising Star 6 Loraine 70, Blanket 36 Buena Vista 46, Sierra Blanca 20 Region III Guthrie 84, Jayton 34 Chillicothe 58, Forestburg 41 Throckmorton 48, Harrold 2 Lueders-Avoca (5-5) vs. Motley County (6-3), 7 p.m. Saturday, Knox City TAPPS 11-MAN DIVISION III First Round Cedar Hill Trinity 42, Lubbock Christian 7
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 B8
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Houston to give Mallett his first start against Cleveland by TOM WITHERS Associated press
CLEVELAND — From his one season in New England with Ryan Mallett, Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer provided a partial scouting report to his teammates on Houston’s quarterback. “It’s the strongest arm I’ve ever seen — by far,” Hoyer said. On Sunday, Mallett finally gets to show it off in an NFL regular-season game. With Ryan Fitzpatrick struggling and unable to get Houston’s offense moving, first-year Texans coach Bill O’Brien decided during the team’s bye week to switch to Mallett, a former third-round draft pick acquired in an August trade from the Patriots. O’Brien knows Mallett well, having worked with him in New England. Quarterback and coach have been reunited, and O’Brien’s eager to see what Mallett can do in his first career start. Mallett has been patiently waiting for his chance, and now that it has arrived, O’Brien believes the four-year veteran, who has only attempted four career passes, will make the most of the opportunity. “He loves football,” O’Brien said. “Even when he was on the sideline, he was somewhat of a coach kind of trying to tell us what he would see and what things were standing out to him. He just loves being around the team and he’s shown that now as the starter. He’s out there; he’s doing a good job of operating the NASCAR Nationwide-Ford EcoBoost 300 Results
Saturday Lap length: 1.5 miles (Start position in parentheses) 1. (3) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 206 laps, 133.1 rating, 0 points, $77,375. 2. (6) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 206, 120.4, 0, $58,825. 3. (2) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 206, 141.9, 0, $53,725. 4. (5) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 206, 117.5, 0, $37,700. 5. (10) Chris Buescher, Ford, 206, 95.3, 39, $39,025. 6. (15) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 206, 102.6, 38, $31,475. 7. (21) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 206, 93.2, 37, $27,725. 8. (1) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 206, 102, 0, $25,750. 9. (4) Elliott Sadler, Toyota, 206, 106.6, 35, $27,160. 10. (7) Brian Scott, Chevrolet, 206, 85.7, 34, $27,550. 11. (13) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 206, 100, 34, $25,425. 12. (31) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 206, 82.9, 0, $18,825. 13. (20) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 206, 75.1, 32, $24,675. 14. (25) Ross Chastain, Toyota, 206, 59.8, 0, $24,565. 15. (30) T.J. Bell, Dodge, 206, 58.7, 0, $25,055. 16. (17) J.J. Yeley, Toyota, 206, 70, 28, $24,295. 17. (14) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 206, 90.8, 28, $24,110. 18. (24) James Buescher, Toyota, 206, 59, 26, $24,175. 19. (9) Dylan Kwasniewski, Chevrolet, 206, 71.8, 25, $23,965. 20. (19) Dakoda Armstrong, Ford, 206, 59.5, 24, $24,405. 21. (28) Jeffrey Earnhardt, Chevrolet, 206, 53.5, 23, $23,595. 22. (22) Blake Koch, Toyota, 206, 61.7, 23, $23,481. 23. (18) Mike Bliss, Toyota, 206, 62.1, 21, $23,345. 24. (35) Jake Crum, Chevrolet, 206, 46.4, 0, $17,235. 25. (12) Josh Berry, Chevrolet, 206, 72.2, 19, $23,575. 26. (27) Eric McClure, Toyota, 206, 44.7, 18, $22,965. 27. (11) Ryan Reed, Ford, 206, 74.6, 17, $22,855. 28. (33) Ryan Preece, Chevrolet, 206, 48.2, 16, $16,735. 29. (8) Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 205, 74.4, 15, $22,785. 30. (29) David Starr, Chevrolet, 205, 40.2, 14, $22,775.
associated press
Browns’ quarterback Bryan Hoyer (6) will play against the Texans and their backup quarterback Ryan Mallett on Sunday, Both Hoyer and Mallett were previously Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s backup. offense. “We’re all excited to see what he’s going to do on Sunday.” Mallett’s matchup with Hoyer is a reunion of two QBs who cut their teeth as backups under Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The meeting has been aptly dubbed “The Brady Backup Bowl.” Hoyer has the Browns (6-3), who have won five of six, alone in first place in the AFC North. He always believed Mallett would one day have an opportunity at starting. It probably wasn’t going to happen in New England as long as Brady was
around, but now Mallett has a chance to get the Texans (4-5) back in the playoff picture. “It’s good to see him finally get his shot and get a chance to go out and play,” Hoyer said. “I’m excited for him, too, just being a friend and a former teammate. I know, being a quarterback, you always want to get that shot to play. I’m sure he’s excited, and we’ll see how it goes.” Texans defensive star J.J. Watt can attest to Mallett’s rocket arm. “I know when I bat one of his balls I sure feel it,” he said. “I’m obviously
looking forward to seeing what he can do out there.” Along with the HoyerMallett reunion, here are some other things to watch: n Tate’s fate: Browns running back Ben Tate left Houston to step out of Arian Foster’s shadow. Now he’s sharing carries with rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell and he’s not happy about it. Tate, who signed as a free agent with Cleveland in March, had just 10 carries — the fewest of the three backs — in last week’s win over Cincin-
nati. He’s trying to make the most of a situation he didn’t expect. “I couldn’t really tell you why things are happening or what’s going on,” he said. “The only thing I can do is when it’s time to go to work, go to work.” n Wholesome defense: Houston’s defense could be as healthy as it’s been since the opener. Linebacker Brian Cushing is expected back after missing two games with leg issues, and top overall pick Jadeveon Clowney may play for just the third time this season because of surgery and knee is-
sues. n Worst to first: This will be the Browns’ first game since their Nov. 6 win over the Bengals and moving atop the AFC North. Coach Mike Pettine has been pleased with how his players have handled success so far. “It’s been business as usual,” he said. “I thought they came back from the time off in shape. It’s not like guys just went and partied for a long weekend. I thought the way the guys carried themselves around the building. They’re alert. They’re attentive.” n Run, run, run: The Browns and Texans are more committed to their running games than any NFL teams. Cleveland runs the ball a leagueleading 50.9 percent of the time, and Houston is second at 50.5 percent. Conversely, the teams are ranked 28th and 21st, respectively, at stopping the run. n Let it snow: Winter’s early arrival — Sunday’s forecast is for temperatures in the mid-30s and a chance for snow — would seem to give the Browns an edge over the Texans, who play in a dome. After practicing in light snow on Thursday, Browns safety Donte Whitner said Cleveland needs to use the elements as a weapon. “If we go out there and embrace the Cleveland weather, the Cleveland culture and understand that the weather is on our side, especially playing at home, then, it’s easy to go out there and play,” he said. “We have to use the weather to our advantage.”
First time champion to be crowned at Homestead By JENNA FRYER
ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOMESTEAD, Fla. — There was pushing, punching, one ambush in a darkened garage and a bloody brawl. There were thousands of hours spent analyzing the path to the Sprint Cup title as teams tried to adapt to NASCAR’s new championship format. For all the hand-wringing, all the skepticism from loyal fans, all the curiosity about this new Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, NASCAR may have actually gotten it right. There will be a first-time champion Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where the 10-race Chase concludes with a curious final field. Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano and Ryan Newman will race for the title, and the highest-finishing driver will be crowned champion. “I think depending on what happens on Sunday, it has a chance to be one of
the most successful seasons in NASCAR history,” said chairman Brian France. It’s so hyped that even Michael Jordan is expected to be on hand to support Hamlin, a Charlotte Hornets season-ticket holder. NASCAR is absolutely giddy over this new championship system, even though it’s unlikely many people picked this final four in the new, bracket-style Chase. France and his top executives remodeled the entire playoff to put an emphasis on winning and a need to perform at the highest level and take calculated risks when everything is on the line. The result was a 16-driver field — a win in the regular season earned you a spot in the Chase — that raced over a trio of three-race segments. Four drivers were knocked from the field each segment, and a win in any round earned an automatic berth in the next one. Twice in the Chase, a driv-
Associated press
Ryan Newman is the underdog in NASCAR’s championship race.
associated press
Kevin Harvick celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway. Harvick will race in the 2014 finale Nov. 16, in Homestead, Fla. er was backed into a mustwin situation to save his season and delivered: Brad Keselowski’s win at Talladega in the second round, and Harvick’s victory last week at Phoenix that pushed him into the finale. The format has its detractors, though, and many of them are Jeff Gordon fans. He had his best season in years and was nearly perfect in the third round, but Gordon was knocked out of contention last week. He can point to his poor finish at Texas, where he was racing for the win when an aggressive move by Keselowski led to contact, a flat tire, a spin and a 29th-place finish. It was Gordon who angrily confronted Keselowski after the race, leading to a bloody brawl between the drivers and their crews. It was the second post-race skirmish in
a month for Keselowski. But Keselowski and Gordon, who combined to win 10 races this season, are both out of title contention. Instead, Hamlin with one win and Newman, who is winless, worked the system to make the finale. Newman, who will be trying to give car owner Richard Childress his first championship in 20 years, makes no apologies for the way he got to the final. “We’ve gone into every race with the intention of winning it and leading the most laps and winning the pole,” Newman said. “We just haven’t been as successful as some of these other guys. But our consistency has been there.” That doesn’t sit well with fans who question how France could talk about an emphasis on winning, yet a
winless driver is still standing while Gordon, Keselowski, Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. and six-time and defending champion Jimmie Johnson have been relegated to spectators. “I think that wanting to win events has taken on an undeniable importance,” France said. “At the same time, there ought to be room for teams that do it every week and can be consistent.” Newman is the underdog in this format and will start 21st, the lowest of the four contenders. Hamlin, who lost the 2010 championship in the finale, would also be considered a bit of a longshot based on his performance this season. But the Joe Gibbs Racing driver is the defending race winner and the only title contender who has been in this position before.
SPORTS
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
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Tech drops tough three-set battle in Morgantown
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014 B9
From Staff reports
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Texas Tech volleyball battled in two close opening sets, but eventually fell in three straight games to West Virginia on Saturday. Texas Tech (15-10, 3-10) went back-and-forth with West Virginia in the first game, but eventually fell, 30-28. In the second game, Tech fought the Mountaineers to a 17-17 tie, before falling by a score of 25-23. West Virginia (14-13, 4-9) got off to a hot start in the third, taking a 13-5 lead, and never looked back, winning, 25-20. “This is the ultimate team sport, and we need everyone to play to their potential and compete at a high level in every match to be successful,” Texas Tech head coach Don Flora said in a Tech news release. “We made a lot of great plays, but we needed to execute in crunch time. We weren’t able to.” Jenna Allen led the way for the Red Raiders, notching her eighth dou-
ble-double of the season with 12 kills and 11 digs. Bree David turned in eight kills, giving her 990 for her career. With 10 more kills, she will become the ninth Red Raider in history to record 1,000 kills. Lauren Douglass and Mikia Mills combined for 15 kills on 33 swings, with five blocks. Douglass was efficient once again, with her nine kills coming on only 18 swings with just two errors. “Our middles produced today,” Flora said in the release. “They were doing a great job, and when they’re clicking like that we need to make quality plays to get them the ball more.” Emily Ruetter recorded her fourth double-double in five matches, recording 33 assists and a teamleading 14 digs. She now has 21 double-doubles as a Red Raider. Rachel Brummitt record eight digs for the Red Raiders. She now only needs four more to be Tech’s all-time leader for career digs.
Associated press
Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) passes the ball between Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8) and guard Victor Oladipo (5) in the Wizards’ 98-93 win.
associated press
Dallas Mavericks forward Al-Farouq Aminu (7) slam dunks during the first half of Dallas’ 131-117 win over Minnesota on Saturday.
Mavericks ease past road-weary Wolves By SCHUYLER DIXON ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — Monta Ellis scored a season-high 30 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat Minnesota 131-117 Saturday night, handing the road-weary Timberwolves their fifth straight loss to finish a six-game trek that included a stop in Mexico City. Dirk Nowitzki was another of eight players in double figures with 15 as Dallas had a season high in points, two nights after setting a club record with a 53-point win over Philadelphia. The Timberwolves finished a two-week trip covering more than 5,600 air miles on a back-to-back that started with a franchise-worst, 48-point loss in New Orleans. Kevin Martin scored a season-high 34 points for Minnesota, which gets three days off be-
fore starting a four-game homestand. The Timberwolves were also playing their second straight game without starters Ricky Rubio and Thaddeus Young. Rubio is out indefinitely with a sprained left ankle, and Young is away from the team after his mother died. Tyson Chandler had his fourth double-double in the past five games with 12 points and 16 rebounds. Ellis had the first 30point game of the season for the Mavericks. The other double-figure scorers were J.J. Barea (14), Brandan Wright (13), Chandler Parsons (12), Al-Farouq Aminu (10) and Richard Jefferson (10). Chandler also had three blocks, including one on a drive by Gorgui Dieng that he swatted from the rim all the way to the row behind the Dallas bench. Assistant coach and for-
mer player Darrell Armstrong made the catch. Martin kept the game respectable for Minnesota, going 12 of 17 from the field. Shabazz Muhammad made six of seven from the field and scored 18 as the Timberwolves shot 50 percent for the first time this season. The Mavericks steadily pulled away in the second quarter, turning a six-point lead into a 21point edge when Wright followed a miss by Ellis with a dunk for a 5635 lead. Dallas led by as many as 26 in the second half. The Timberwolves gave up more than 100 points for the second night in a row and allowed a road opponent to shoot better than 50 percent for the fifth time in six games. That doesn’t include the visit to Mexico City, which was technically a home game.
___ TIP-INS Timberwolves: Minnesota’s five-game losing streak is a game longer than the worst skid from 2013-14. ... The Timberwolves were away from home for 17 days on a seven-game trip from March 21-April 7, 1998. That trip started with a loss in Dallas but ended with a 4-3 record. Mavericks: G Raymond Felton still hasn’t officially returned from a right ankle sprain sustained in the preseason. His four-game suspension for his conviction on a gun charge in New York won’t start until he’s activated for a game. He said Friday he was getting close. ... Barea was playing his first game against the team he left the Mavericks for as a free agent in 2011 after Dallas won the franchise’s only championship.
Bench players key to Washington’s defeat of Orlando NBA Roundup ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Washington Wizards reserve forward Kris Humphries said the team's bench players have been beating up on the starters lately in practice. On Saturday, they helped beat another team. Humphries scored 16 of the second unit's 48 points, John Wall had 15 points and 10 assists, and the Wizards improved their impressive start with a 98-93 victory over the Orlando Magic. "We joke around that
when the white team, which is the bench team, beats the starters in practice, we carry it over to the game," Humphries said. "You can thank the starters for the way (the bench) has been playing." Nene scored 16 points and reserve Otto Porter added 13 as the Wizards won their third straight and moved to 7-2, their best start since opening 7-1 during the 197475 season. Humphries, who's still recovering from October surgery to repair nerve damage to his right hand, is averaging 11.5 points and 7.3
rebounds over his last four games. "He goes in there and bangs, just plays hard," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. "He isn't afraid to give up his body." Humphries, Porter, and Rasual Butler (10 points) all played key minutes in the fourth quarter. Among the starters, only Wall logged over 30 minutes. "When your second unit's giving you 48, you can give guys rest," Wittman said. "If a group's out there playing well, they're going to stay out there." n Grizzlies 95, Pistons 88
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Marc Gasol scored 23 points, Zach Randolph added 17 points and 22 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Detroit Pistons 95-88 on Saturday night. Mike Conley added 18 points and Courtney Lee had 12 for the Grizzlies, who maintained the best record in the NBA (9-1). Kyle Singler scored 21 points, going 5 of 7 from 3-point range to keep the Pistons close. Greg Monroe had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit, while Brandon Jennings scored 14 points and Josh Smith finished
with 11. Detroit’s starting backcourt struggled, as Jennings and Kentavious CaldwellPope were a combined 7 of 27, with Caldwell-Pope missing 10 of his 11 shots. n Pacers 99, Bulls 90 CHICAGO — A.J. Price, Luis Scola and Solomon Hill all scored 21 points, and the injury-plagued Indiana Pacers beat the Chicago Bulls 99-90 on Saturday night. Chris Copeland added 13 points for the Pacers, who were without six injured players. Jimmy Butler had 32
points for the Bulls, who played without the injured Derrick Rose. The Pacers had lost seven of nine and fell 108-87 to the Nuggets on Friday after trailing by as much as 33. The Bulls had won six of seven. The Pacers shot 7 for 18 from beyond the arc and 48 percent overall. The Bulls shot just 4 for 17 from 3-point range and 42 percent from the field. The Pacers also outrebounded the Bulls 46-34. Hill grabbed 12 rebounds and Scola had 11.
Kuemper’s 27 saves help bring Wild a victory over Stars Associated press
DALLAS — After struggling recently, Minnesota Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper wanted a chance to help the team get a win. He had lost two games in a row. Then he was pulled after giving up two goals on two shots on Thursday. But he came back to make 27 saves in Minnesota’s 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars. “If you want to be the man, then you have to get in there and perform well after a night when things really haven’t gone too well,” Wild coach Mike Yeo said. “So really pleased with that. “The one save that stuck out to me was early in the third period when (Jamie) Benn got that shot off in the slot. That could’ve completely changed the complexion of the game.” Mikael Granlund’s goal came 40 seconds into the third period. Dallas goalie Kari Lehtonen had stopped Charlie Coyle’s shot from the top of
the right circle, but Granlund beat the goalie to the puck to put in the rebound. Kuemper allowed only a second-period goal by Antoine Roussel. “We did a good job defending,” Kuemper said. “Great box-outs allowed me to see it.” Dallas coach Lindy Ruff also noticed Minnesota’s defense. “They must have blocked 30 shots. They did an incredibly good job of being in our shot lane. They got the saves when they needed them and they blocked the shots they needed to block.” The Wild actually had 28 blocks, led by Jared Spurgeon’s seven. Minnesota won its second straight game after a fourgame losing streak. The Wild won for just the second time in the past 21 games in Dallas dating back to 2003. The Stars’ problems at home continued. They have lost six straight (0-4-2) and are 1-4-4 on home ice this season. In all six of those losses, they gave up the win-
ning goal in the third period or overtime. “The last two games have been a lot better when it comes to cleaning up the game,” Ruff said. “These are the type of games we’ll win at home if we keep playing like this.” The Wild tied the game at 1 on Erik Haula’s goal at 15:41 of the second. Dallas dominated the early play. The Wild didn’t have a shot on goal until 9½ minutes into the game, when Jason Zucker attempted to tip in a pass and a rebound of that shot in rapid succession. Lehtonen stopped both shots for the first of his 20 saves. At 5:34 of the second period, the Stars took a 1-0 lead. Vernon Fiddler sent the puck out from behind the net as Roussel skated in front. Roussel’s high shot beat Kuemper. The Wild tied the game at 15:41 of the second after Ryan Carter took the puck away at Minnesota’s blue line to start a 2-on-1 break.
Associated press
Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) and Minnesota Wild left wing Erik Haula (56) go after the puck in Minnesota’s 2-1 victory on Saturday. He passed across to Haula, who shot from the left circle into the right side of the net. Roussel missed a chance for a second goal off the third-period faceoff when his shot went just left of the goal. Instead, the Wild went down the ice and scored what proved to be the win-
ning goal. n NOTES: Stu Bickel, a Minnesota native, made his first appearance for the Wild after being recalled from Iowa of the AHL. He averaged more than 2 penalty minutes per game for the New York Rangers in 2011-12 and ‘12-13, and went off for unsportsmanlike con-
duct at 2:53 of the first period Saturday. ... That was one of just three minor penalties in the game. Neither team scored on the power play. Minnesota has only eight goals in 49 power plays. Ales Hemsky’s assist on Roussel’s goal was only his second assist and second point this season.
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Fishing Report WEST TEXAS LAKE CONDITIONS AUSTIN — Here is the weekly fishing report for selected Texas lakes as compiled for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. (reports for other Texas lakes can be found at txfishing.com): ALAN HENRY: Water stained; 48-55 degrees; 9.65 feet low. Black bass are fair to good on chatterbaits, Texas rigs, jigs and drop shot rigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows and jigs over brush piles. Catfish are good on chartreuse (use Worm-Glo) nightcrawlers. ARROWHEAD: Water off color; 45-52 degrees; 19.68 feet low. One ramp open and few anglers have been on the lake. COLORADO CITY: 22.64 feet low. No report available. FORT PHANTOM HILL: Water clear; 47-55 degrees; 16.95 feet low. Black bass are fair to good on Texas rigs and crankbaits. Crappie are fair to good on live minnows. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers. GREENBELT: 44.91 feet low. No report available. HUBBARD CREEK: Water off color; 48-53 degrees; 29.53 feet low. Black bass are fair to good on shad pattern crankbaits, jigs, Texas rigs and drop shot rigs. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs over deep cover. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers and cut bait. MACKENZIE: 89.96 feet low. No report available. MEREDITH: 78.83 feet low. No report available. NASWORTHY: No report available. OAK CREEK: Water stained; 4753 degrees; 25.04 feet low. Black bass are fair to good on Texas rigs, spinnerbaits and jigs. Crappie are fair on jigs and live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on chartreuse (use Worn-Glo) nightcrawlers. O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 46-51 degrees; 42.24 feet low. Black bass are fair to good on Texas rigs, chatterbaits, jigs and shakyheads. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs shallow. PALO DURO: 56.97 feet low. No report available. POSSUM KINGDOM: Water fairly clear; 48-55 degrees; 15.05 feet low. Black bass are fair on spinnerbaits, drop shot rigs, Texas rigs and medium running shad pattern crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs and Road Runners. Striped bass are fair on live shad and while trolling. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers. SPENCE: 71.65 feet low. No report available. STAMFORD: 16.87 feet low. No report available. SWEETWATER: Water murky; 43-52 degrees; 28.01 feet low. Black bass are fair to good on Texas rigs, chatterbaits and jigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on prepared bait. WHITE RIVER: Water stained; 44-51 degrees; 28.64 feet low. No report available. CENTRAL BASTROP: Water stained; 48-56 degrees. Black bass are very good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and chartreuse Rat-L-Traps. Crappie are good on live minnows and pink/white tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on frozen shrimp and bloodbait. Yellow catfish are fair on live perch. BELTON: Water murky; 49-55 degrees; 12.06 feet low. Black bass are good on watermelon soft plastics and white spinnerbaits. Hybrid striper are fair on white Riversides and Sassy Shad at night under lights. White bass are good on white Riversides and silver/green Sassy Shad at night under lights. Crappie are good on minnows in 10-12 feet. Channel and blue catfish are good on summer sausage, hot dogs, and Owens sausage. Yellow catfish are slow. BROWNWOOD: Water clear; 52-57 degrees; 12.73 feet low. Black bass are fair on June bug worms, buzzbaits, and watermelon red soft plastic worms over brush piles in 8-15 feet. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are fair on Li’l Fishies and crankbaits off lighted docks at night. Crappie are slow. Channel catfish are fair on shrimp and nightcrawlers over baited holes in 12-15 feet. Yellow catfish are slow. BUCHANAN: Water murky; 5156 degrees; 33.67 feet low. Black bass are good on wacky rigged watermelon/purple Whacky Sticks, pumpkin Skip-N-Pop topwaters, and crankbaits in 5-10 feet early. Striped bass are fair on Spoiler Shads and Rat-L-Traps along the river channel near the dam in 25-40 feet at daylight. White bass are fair on Tiny Traps and 2-inch plastic swim baits. Crappie are fair on pink/white or chartreuse tube jigs and live minnows. Channel catfish are good upriver. Yellow and blue catfish are good upriver.
Fishing Times Best times for anglers This table lists top fishing times and days for the coming weeks. For best results, begin fishing one hour before and continue one hour after the times given. Times apply to all time zones (X indicates best days). X-Today 7:35 p.m Monday 8:15 p.m Tuesday 9:00 p.m Wednesday 9:45 p.m Thursday 10:30 p.m. Friday 10:55 a.m Saturday 11:50 a.m Sunday, Nov. 23 1:15 a.m Monday, Nov. 24 2:10 a.m Tuesday, Nov. 25 3:05 a.m Wednesday, Nov. 26 4:05 a.m X-Thursday, Nov. 27 4:55 a.m X-Friday, Nov. 28 5:50 a.m X-Saturday, Nov. 29 6:40 a.m Sunday, Nov. 30 7:35 a.m
7:05 a.m. 7:50 a.m. 8:35 a.m. 9:20 a.m. 10:05 a.m. 11:25 p.m. 12:20 p.m. 12:45 p.m. 1:40 p.m. 2:35 p.m. 3:35 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:20 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 7:05 p.m.
Source: U.S. Naval Observatory data Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
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Exotic animals offer alternative for hunters White-tailed deer remain king among wild game during fall and winter, but there are many other options for hunters now and throughout other seasons, setting the stage for inestimable opportunities no matter what portion of the state you’re hunting. Exotics long have been hunted in Texas, being introduced in past generations at historic locales such as the King Ranch and Y.O. Ranch to add to the bevy of already viable species, typically with huge success. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department records show just how prolific exotics have become in recent decades, going from about a dozen documented species in the 1960s totaling roughly 10,000 animals to more than 90 species numbering in the hundreds of thousands in recent years. While most hunters are familiar with high-fence hunting operations, there remain free-ranging exotics roaming around, which means that you could be much closer to another trophy animal that you may never knew was there. The top things to know about exotics in Texas are that you simply need a hunting license and occasion to head afield – no matter the time of year – though fall, winter and spring offer the best opportunities for hunters already in pursuit of deer, turkeys and other game in season for a specific period of time. In addition to offering superb sources of protein, these animals also can offer challenging hunts, especially when their movements aren’t constricted by game fences. Here’s a glimpse at five exotic species that have become common across much of Texas. n Aoudad: Also known as Bar-
WILL LESCHPER
OUTDOORS
bary sheep, the expert climbers are more suited to the elevated terrain of West Texas, though they also are common inhabitants of the Hill Country. Aoudad are unique sheep that sport horns that spiral outward and then back inward, as well as growths of long hair on their chest, throat and front legs. Large males can exceed 300 pounds and rams and ewes can be found in small conclaves no matter where they call home. The animals were introduced in the 1950s in the Panhandle and have increased their range. The animals found in the Edwards Plateau mostly were stocked on game ranches, but like other exotics they’ve found ways to get through or around fences and seek out new country. Longer shots are common in elevated terrain, but most aoudads taken in the Hill Country are harvested with common deerrifle calibers including the .270 and .30-06. n Axis: This distinctive deer native to India is a staple of exotic game ranches – it’s the most common exotic in the state – and is known as much for its delicious meat as its spotted coat and large antlers. Axis have adapted well to the Hill Country and also have expanded their range to include roughly a quarter of the state. It’s not uncommon for hunters watching a feeder on a low-fence tract to spy these impressive deer as they have moved beyond fence borders for a variety of reasons. Axis typically congregate in
large groups and during the heat of the summer breeding activity is at its peak. During this period males will compete for receptive mates and offer dominant behavior that includes a distinctive bellow. Axis typically are more active during daylight, which differs from white-tailed deer, which can go nocturnal for long periods and decrease sightings by hunters. Trophy axis bucks sport impressive headgear, with three tines on each antler. Their brow tines are dwarfed only by their longer main tines that can curve upward 30 inches or more. n Blackbuck: This Indian antelope – among the smallest of Texas exotics – also is common on game ranches and like the axis sports unique characteristics. Dominant males will turn from a reddish brown to a dark black on their necks, backs and shoulders, and feature long corkscrewshaped horns that can measure as much as 20 inches or more. Like other antelope species, the blackbuck prefers open plainstype areas, making it suited to a swath of territory where it can spy potential threats from long distances, making spot and stalk situations more difficult. Blackbucks are susceptible to cold weather and large winter die-offs have been documented among animal populations better suited to temperate climates. However, they also can prove resilient and are able to cover great distances. Like axis, they have spread from stocked game ranches and have expanded their range across the Edwards Plateau. n Feral hogs: The old joke goes something like this: “If a feral hog sow produces a dozen piglets, 13 survive.” A Texas A&M University report compiled by scientists and biologists found that if left unchecked, the state’s hog tally —
which was averaged at roughly 2.6 million animals — will more than triple in five years. The most glaring figure from the report is the reduction rate necessary to keep the population in check. Roughly 66 percent of the animals must be taken off the range annually to keep their ranks from growing — something that’s never going to happen by any means or methods. The analysis also showed that nearly 80 percent of Texas — approximately 134 million acres — is suitable feral hog habitat. If you’re reading this, the odds are pretty good there’s a feral hog — or 10 — within a square mile. n Nilgai: The massive antelope with Asian origins and dubbed “blue bulls” for their distinctive coats were imported into the King Ranch in South Texas in the 1930s and have thrived on the plains of the brush country. The population has grown from 20 to 30 animals to upward of 60,000, according to TPWD records, and free-ranging animals can roam long distances in search of food sources. Bulls don’t have large antlers – the biggest headgear will be less than a foot long curving off their heads – but the largest of these antelope can exceed 800 pounds, making higher-caliber rifles such as a .338 or .375 vital in bringing down the hefty quarry. Most successful hunts are done safari style and spot and stalk, though the animals provide a challenging hunt due in large part to good eyesight and hearing, and those that have been hunted quickly grow wary of encroachment. Will Leschper’s work has been recognized by the Outdoor Writers Association of America and the Texas Outdoor Writers Association. Visit TexanOutdoors.com for more on Texas hunting and fishing.
Report says wolves may find habitat in Nevada BY HENRY BREAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAS VEGAS — Beyond the mascot of University of Nevada, Reno, the Silver State is not known for wolf packs. But an environmental group believes Nevada could someday be home to wolves, assuming the animals survive to make it here. A Center for Biological Diversity report identifies almost 360,000 square miles of potential gray wolf habitat in the West and Northeast, including roughly 6,000 square miles in scattered patches of Nevada. The Tucson, Ariz.-based group argues that the current gray wolf population could be doubled to about 10,000 by expanding recovery efforts. The report, titled “Making Room for Wolf Recovery: The Case for Maintaining Endangered Species Act Protections for America’s Wolves,” comes as the Obama administration considers removing the gray wolf from the endangered species list, a decision expected by year’s end. The wolf came under federal protection in 1973. Efforts to reintroduce the species to the wild began in central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park in 1994 amid controversy and stiff
Associated Press
A wolf pack stands on a hillside of the Lamar Canyon in Wyoming. A Center for Biological Diversity report identifies almost 360,000 square miles of potential gray wolf habitat in the west and northeast, including roughly 6,000 square miles in Nevada. opposition from ranchers and other residents of the rural West. No one is advocating that wolves should be released into Nevada, which apparently hasn’t had a confirmed wolf sighting since one was killed in Elko County almost a century ago. But the animals could find their way here on their own, and they deserve to be protected if they do, said Amaroq Weiss, Center for Biological Diversity West
Coast wolf organizer and one of the authors of the report. She said that in 56 documented cases over the past 30 years, wolves have dispersed from designated recovery areas into other states, often with disastrous results ending with the wandering animals being shot. “Wolves are desperately trying to make their way to these places that are good for them. It’s a question of
whether we have the political will to let that happen,” Weiss said. The idea is more than hypothetical. In recent weeks, a “wolflike animal” has been repeatedly spotted near the north rim of the Grand Canyon, about 250 miles east of Las Vegas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not yet determined whether the animal is a protected gray wolf or a wolf-dog hybrid, but it
does appear to be wearing a radio collar that no longer works. Some experts believe it’s a gray wolf from the northern Rocky Mountains that it made its way to northern Arizona from Idaho or central Wyoming, the two closest areas where wolves have been caught and collared. Wildlife officials are conducting DNA tests of the animal’s scat to tell if it’s a wolf.
Crews will use equipment to mechanically clear overly dense stands of trees. Smaller diameter trees will be cut and scattered through the area to prevent erosion.
of stream habitat. After reviewing current scientific information about the cutthroat’s populations, genetic diversity and habitat conditions in its historic range in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, the federal agency deemed that the fish is in no danger of extinction. The Rio Grande cutthroat was designated a candidate for listing in 2008, mostly because its habitat had dwindled to 11 percent of what it once was.
eastern Ohio — is the first of a fifth generation of white rhinos to be born outside of Africa. The 10,000-acre park also produced the first fourthgeneration white rhino outside of Africa in 2009. It’s the 16th white rhino born at the Wilds. Dan Beetem, the park’s director of animal management, says the calf is doing well and will spend the winter inside, before moving into the park’s open pastures in the spring. The white rhino population had dwindled, but through conservation efforts the wild population has rebounded to more than 20,000 animals.
for Falconry and Birds of Prey and the Texas Hawking Association, will be celebrating World Falconry Day November 16. GRAND JUNCTION, CO — A large-scale riparian restoration project at the Connected Lakes Section of the James M. Robb Colorado River State Park will enter the revegetation phase beginning Dec.1. Over the course of the month, Colorado Parks and Wildlife personnel will begin seeding and planting native species. BROOKLYN, MI — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says some parts of the state may have fewer fawns and yearlings than usual because of last winter’s bitter weather. Early snowfall may make for difficult hunting in parts of the Upper Peninsula.
Outdoors Briefs State teams up with tribe for restoration project MESCALERO, N.M. — The State Forestry Division has teamed up with the Mescalero Apache Tribe to begin work on a 600-acre watershed restoration project in southern New Mexico. The goal is to thin areas on the reservation to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire and boost the health of the watershed. The work is being funding with state severance tax dollars that were set aside during the last legislative session. In all, $6.2 million was approved for the treatment of thousands of acres in more than a dozen high-priority areas around the state. The Mescalero project is expected to be complete in two years.
Cutthroat trout no longer an endangered species candidate SANTA FE –New Mexico’s state fish, the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, no longer is a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Tuesday. Since 2008, aggressive conservation efforts by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and it’s partners have enhanced or restored pure-strain native cutthroats in 127 streams that are open to public fishing. Rio Grande cutthroats now occupy about 700 miles
White rhino born at Ohio wildlife park CUMBERLAND, Ohio — A white rhino born this week at an Ohio wildlife conservation park holds a special distinction. The male calf born Wednesday at the Wilds — a nonprofit wildlife park in
BRIEFLY ... AUSTIN — Falconry associations worldwide, including members of the International Association
Compiled from wire reports