Thanksgiving Revisited

Because my parents hate big city living, during my holiday break I had no access to internet. Therefore I was unable to update the blog. So I thought I would write some things that caught my eye in the world of sports during the break.

ARKANSAS STATE DEFEATS NORTH TEXAS


In an article from the Jonesboro Sun, Matt Robertson wrote, "ASU’s Marcus Brown intercepted UNT quarterback Giovanni Vizza with under a minute to play to ensure the win after North Texas had driven across midfield. Arkansas State (6-5 overall 4-2 SBC) will face Troy this Saturday" to decide who will go to the New Orleans Bowl on December 21. "UNT running back Cam Montgomery, who had 121 yards and two TDs, ripped off scoring runs of 26 and 29 yards on the Mean Green’s first two possessions of the second half to give North Texas a 28-24 lead," the article said.

ODD CAREER MOVE


I was up late one night and I flipped it to ESPN News. I was surprised to see former WWE 'heel' and commentator Jonathan Coachmen on ESPN. It just seems odd that a guy who used to "wrestle" with people named Hornswoggle is now doing highlights for the most trusted source for sporting news. Sure it was four in the morning but if the check said ESPN I wouldn't complain.

END OF A CAREER

Sylvester Croom was hired at Mississippi State five years ago and it was the first time that the SEC had hired an black man as a head coach. Croom resigned from MSU not 24 hours after losing to Ole Miss 45-0 on Saturday. Croom finished 21-38 at Mississippi State.

ARKANSAS DEFEATS LSU


I only caught the last three seconds. But that was more than enough. I watched as the LSU kicker shank the field goal with the clock running out. 31-30. You'd think U of A had won the national championship. Arkansas is still 5-7. There is no doubt that it was a good come back win and Casey Dick was player of the game after only playing a half. But it was still painful to watch. LSU should have won.

Ark St 28 FAU 14 FINAL

Although most of Arnold's yards came during "garbage" time, Arnold picked up his third 1,000 yard season during the 28-14 win over FAU on Saturday. Arnold is the first player in ASU history to have three 1,000 yard seasons.

ASU's first four home crowds of the 2008 season all rank among the top 10 in ASU Stadium history. It is the first time in ASU history that the football team played four home games each in front of 20,000 or more spectators during the same season. The combined crowds for ASU's first three games this season (94, 680) is the largest for any four games played at ASU Stadium.

However, the attendance for the game against FAU on Saturday was 10,845 was the lowest on the season.

Junior quarterback Corey Leonard finished 19 of 27 for 280 yards with three touchdowns. Junior running back Reggie Arnold rushed for 150 yards. He has 3,022 yards in his career with two games remaining.

Corey Leonard rushed for 45 yards on 14 carries and Derek Lawson rushed for 22 on five carries.

Junior wide receiver Brandon Thompkins finished with 98 yards on six catches with one touchdown. His 98 yards leaves with one yard short of becoming the 12th player in ASU history to record 1,000 career receiving yards. With Thompkins needs seven more receptions to take over 10th place for the most receptions in ASU history.

A.J. Carrington led the defense with 6 tackles while Van Dolah had five unassisted tackles.

Arkansas State gets back to .500 (5-5, 3-2) with the 28-14 win over FAU, who drops to 5-6 and 3-3 in the Sun Belt.
Troy needs to defeat Louisiana-Lafayette to claim sole possession of 1st place in the Sun Belt. That game begins at 6 p.m. Both Lafayette and Troy are 4-1 in the Sun Belt.

Check www.asuherald.com later for the complete story plus pictures.

Ark St 28 FAU 14 9:24 4th

FAU got a little frost bite when they traveled to Jonesboro. And it was no 0-0 tie going into overtime. It was dropped passes by FAU.

Open tackling for ASU has definitely approved over the course of the bye week. At the end of the third quarter, Evan Van Dolah leads all Red Wolf defenders with five tackles, all unassisted.

There is nine minutes left in the game and ASU is up two touchdowns.

Arkansas State has the ball on the 48 yard line after a nice run by junior running back Reggie Arnold. A gain of 18 yards. He has 93 yards on the ground as of right now.

Ball is on the 44 after a run by junior quarterback Corey Leonard.

Ark St 28 FAU 14 4th quarter

NOTES

Corey Leonard is 17-24-1 with 271 yards and two touchdowns at the end of the third quarter.

Brandon Thompkins leads all receivers with 98 yards on six catches. J. Mclennan hs 57 yards on four catches.

Reggie Arnold has 73 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown.

ASU SCORES TO START THE 4TH QUARTER

A touchdown pass by Corey Leonard after a fake reverse puts the Red Wolves up by two touchdowns. Brandon Thompkins came behind Corey and sold the fake run. Leonard then threw it to J.T. Jordan for a two yard touchdown pass.

There is still plenty of time left in the game however and lately ASU has had problems holding on to their fourth quarter leads.

Ark St 21 FAU 14 6:32 3rd

No one saw the option coming. Not even anybody in the press box. Three calls were made (1) run up the middle, (2) PA rollout, (3) fake run up the middle and lob over the middle. But no body was right. An option to the right side and a pitch to Arnold put the Red Wolves 21-14 late in the third quarter.

The drive took 3:03 on six plays for 41 yards.

FAU has the ball on ASU's 48 yard line with a 1st and 10. A throw by quarterback Rusty Smith was little high but apparently dropped. It looked like a good catch until it was called incomplete. Good try by the FAU wide receiver. Break for ASU.

3rd and 3 on the 41 for FAU.

Ark St 14, FAU 14 11:06 3rd

Why do you choose to fake a punt on 4th and one? I have no idea but that's what ASU decided to do early in the third quarter.

Shrable's pass was complete but they lost yards on the play. A late hit set FAU back. A three and out and ASU will get the ball back.

ASU has the ball on the FAU's 48 yard line after a 38 yard punt.

ASU 14 FAU 14 10:33 in the 3rd quarter.

Leonard's pass intercepted on the first play of the new possession. FAU ball on their own 33 yard line.

Ark St 14, FAU 14 HALF (NOTES)

Corey Leonard 13-17 212 yards 2 TDs

Jahbari McLennan leads all receivers with 57 yards on four catches. Trevor Gillot has 52 yards on 2 catches with one touchdown. Brandon Thompkins had 45 yards on three catches. Kevin Jones has 19 yards on two catches.

FAU

Rusty Smith 11-26 140 yards and one touchdown

Dilvory Edgecomb has 28 yards on three touches. Charles Pierre has 24 yards on eight carries.

Cortez Gent has 25 yards on three catches. Rob Housler has 11 yards on two catches with a touchdown.

MUST NEED WIN

If ASU wants any hope for a good season, even a SBC championship, ASU needs to beat FAU today. Which means the defense needs to make key stops either early or late in the fourth quarter. During their three game skid, ASU has had problems in the fourth quarter. Against FIU, ASU had a two possession lead late but gave up two quick scores to lose 22-21. It comes down to the fourth quarter. THAT is the most important quarter for any game.

The BLACK OUT failed in my opinion.

Ark St 14, FAU 14 HALF

FAU ties the game 14-14 after a three yard touchdown pass just before half time. A drive that took 7 plays on 73 yards. Quarterback Rusty Smith found Rob Housler for a two yard touchdown to tie the game.

The first half ends with a 14-14 tie.

SCORES FROM THE SUN BELT:

Middle Tenn 17 North Texas 13 0:18 1st

Ark St 14, FAU 7 8:19 2nd

After making his first 15 field goals, junior kicker Josh Arauco has now missed two field goals today. His second miss came with just over 8 minutes left in the second quarter. It was too short. However, they were difficult kicks. His second was a 40 yard attempt into the wind. His first miss was a 33 yard field goal that missed wide left.

6:37 left in the second quarter

FAU has the ball on the their 41 yard line with a 2nd and 9 to go. Pass complete to Wilks for a passing first down. Gain of 19 yards on the play. Ball spotted on the ASU 40 yard line.

5:32 left in the second quarter

Ark St 14, FAU 7 14:49 2nd

ASU quarterback Corey Leonard is 8-11 for 120 yards and a touchdown after a quarter of play.

However the rushing game has been shut down by FAU. Leonard leads ASU with 13 rushing yards. On four attempts, junior running back Reggie Arnold has three yards.

Brandon Thompkins lead all receivers with 45 yards on three catches.

Early in the second quarter, ASU tight end Trevor Gillot caught a touchdown pass from Leonard to give the Red Wolves a 14-7 lead. Although the running game has been nearly non-existence during the game, the passing game has more than made up for it.

Defense is doing good as well. It helps that FAU receivers can't catch the ball. Maybe the cold weather is causing problems for this Flordia team. When the temperature is 50 degrees or less, FAU is 0-3.

ASU 7 FAU 7 2:17 1st quarter

A wide open Brandon Thompkins on fourth down and ASU ties the game 7 - 7 with 2:17 left in the first quarter.

It was a good catch by Thompkins because Leonard almost over threw him. I guess the pressure and shock of him being that wide open caused Leonard to almost over throw him. Cause there was no one near him!

A 58 yard drive by ASU took five plays and two minutes.

FAU Senior center Nick Paris left the game with an injury.

FAU 7 Ark St 0 5:28 1st quarter

FAU scored on its first drive to take a 7-0 lead. Charles Pierre got the score on a 2-yard run with 10:57 left in the 1st quarter. On ASU's first drive, Josh Arauco missed his first field goal of the season after a nice offensive series by the Red Wolves.

ASU was 3 of 4 on third down during the drive.

ASU just intercepted the ball and returned it to the 10 yard line for a 1st down. Jennings made the 46 yard return for ASU. Good defense by ASU keeps the game to a one possession game. But a clipping call on ASU returns the ball to the 42 yard line.

The "black-out" turned out well all things considering. There are about 8,000 fans here and for the most part they are wearing black.

ASU just got a first down on a nice pass completion by Leonard.

"Black-Out" is overdone

Is anyone else as sick of "black-outs," or "white-outs" as I am?

I have no problem with school spirit. In fact, I encourage it. But a "black-out" is done by everybody. Georgia did a "black-out" earlier this season when they played Alabama. They were blown out by Alabama at home on "black out" night. Middle Tennessee did a "black - out" this season too. Do we really want to copy our Sun Belt foe? I know I don't.

The other problem with our "black-out" is the fact the game is at 2 p.m. Kinda hard to "black-out" the sun. Plus it is extremely cold. It is a lot to ask for everybody's winter coats to be black. It is going to be more of a spotted "black-out."

Georgia Tech did a "white-out" during Thursday's game at home on ESPN. Check out the article that was written the day after the scheduled "white-out" day. Where our fans be any better? Probably not. It is a lot to ask of Arkansas State fans.

Plus hunting season has started. There is no way we have 20,000 fans this time. It's a sad fact. Hunting is more important than ASU football.

GO STATE

Ark St v FAU: FINAL HOME GAME

Arkansas State plays its fifth Sun Belt Conference game and final home game of the season Saturday when it hosts Florida Atlantic for Senior day. The Red Wolves will try to snap a three-game skid and get to .500.

The Red Wolves have a home record of 3-1 on the season while Florida Atlantic has a 2-4 road record. After dropping five of its first six games, the Owls have won their last four games, including a 40-29 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette last weekend.

The Red Wolves and Owls have met just three times since their first meeting in 2005, which ASU won 3-0 in overtime at ASU Stadium. However, the Owls have won the last two seasons to take a 2-1 advantage in the series.

Fans were encouraged to "black-out" the stadium for the final home game against FAU. ASU is asking for fans to wear anything black to show their support for the team and seniors that will be playing in their last game at ASU stadium. They want to finish the season strong and show off the great fan support of this season.

ASU will have 16 seniors take the field Saturday for their final game at ASU stadium. ASU's 2008 seniors are:

DEFENSE: Dominique Williams (DB), Brian Flagg (DE), Anthony Harris (DE), Page Fill (DL), Ben Owens (LB)

OFFENSE: Mark Clemons (OL), Brandon Ciaramitaro (OL), Zach Eichenberger (OL), Matt Mandich (OL), Sean Marshall (OL), Travis Hewitt (QB), Vernon Catlin (TE), David Johnson (TE), Kevin Jones (WR), Richard Neal (WR)

SPECIAL TEAMS: Brett Shrable (P)

Ark St 55 Murray State 47 Final

ASU improves to 2-1 after defeating Murray State on Wednesday night. Donald Boone led the Red Wolves with 16 points and five rebounds. Senior forward Shawn Morgan scored 15 points with eight rebounds.

ASU will have to hit the road for three straight games so the win over Murray State is a huge momentum booster for the Red Wolves.

After shooting 26 percent from the floor in the first half, ASU shot 47 percent from the floor in the second half. It was a big offensive turn around for the Red Wolves.

ASU made 18 free throws which compared to Murray State's 6 is a huge difference. It just might be the game. Holding the Racers to 19 points in the second half is probably another key difference in the game.

Ark St 51 Murray State 43

With just under four minutes left in the game, ASU has a four point advantage.

Shawn Morgan just made a nice little up and in lay up to increase the lead to six.

I think the key difference for this game is the free throw chances. ASU has been to line at least 18 times while Murray State has only shot three free throws. That is nearly a 12 point margin.

Another big difference is the 42 percent from the floor in the second half. A complete turn around from the first half.

WIth under 3 minutes left, ASU needs to continue be dominant under neath the glass. Morgan has proved to be a dominant force underneath. He has 15 points for the Red Wolves. Boone has 16.

Ark St 41 Murray State 40

ASU takes their second lead of the game after Morgan puts in from underneath thanks to a nice pass.

With less than 7:52 left in the game ASU has a one point lead.

It's the slimmest of margins but can ASU hold on for their second win of the season?

I think if they do then that it will be big for ASU since they lost to the Racers last year in Kentucky.

Boone still leads all ASU players with 11 points.

Murray State 36 Ark St 34

Never give up on your Red Wolves.

Mike Lance has come through with a big rebound to help ASU keep possession to try to tie the game. A free thrown by Bryant cut the lead down to two. But he missed the second but an offensive rebound has really helped out ASU.

Shawn Morgan has eight points and Donald Boone has 11 points.

Bryant at the line and he makes the first one. Misses the second but another offensive rebound keeps it alive for ASU.

Down by one. ASU could take their first lead of the game with a basket here.

ASU is in the bonus with 11 minutes left to play.

Murray State 34 Ark St 27

THAT'S GOAL TENDING! I am almost positive that Morgan's blocked lay-up was goal tending but the referees missed it. Meanwhile while ASU's fans are trying to argue the call, Murray State has scored four quick points.

A two point basket by Brown and the lead is cut to five.

Defense ASU!

Back to seven after a put back by the Racers.

Murray State 28 Arkansas State 23 Halftime

A little bit of a run put on by ASU cut the lead to three. But a late basket by Murray State and the Racers jump back by to five.

Considering ASU shot 26 percent in the first half, only being down by five is not too bad. Murray State is shooting 48 percent. Murray State forward Danero Thomas leads all scorers with 12.

Shawn Morgan is 2-2 from the floor and 2-2 from the line for six points. But Boone leads the Red Wolves with nine points.

Murray State has never won at the Convocation Center in three attempts. Could tonight be the night? Not if the Red Wolves have anything to say about it.

Final Media Time Out

Murray State 24 ASU 17

Daniel Boone has made four free throws and a three pointer to lead the Red Wolves with nine points. Boone who Coach Brady said earlier this year not to expect much from is doing what he can to get his team back in this game.

Morgan made his first basket of the night. A nice little up and under.

The Red Wolves have made five baskets tonight. Horrible shooting but decent defense has kept the game close. It is going to take an offensive turn around if the Red Wolves want to win this game.

Still a half to play though.

Murray State 14 ASU 7 10:18

Daniel Bryant came off the bench and hit a three pointer to cut the lead to five. ASU's other points came from a three pointer by P.J. Keaton.

ASU has played well defensively but is struggling offensive. Senior forward Shawn Morgan has yet to touch the ball on offense. Morgan leads the team with 11 points per game. Get him the ball.

Michael Lance has also shot the ball but it rimmed out.

A three pointer by Murray State increases their lead to 8.

Daniel Boone went to the free throw line and made one of two shots.

Offense needs to step it up.

Murray State 6 ASU 0 15:39

Back to back shot clock violations and a turnover has kept ASU off the score board.

Two threes by Murray State and the Racers have a 6 point lead early in the first half.

ASU is having problems with Murray State's man defense.

Ark St v Murray State (On-Tap)

GAME NOTES

Murray State leads the all-time series against the Red Wolves 19-8 with the two team teams first meeting coming during the 1935-36 season. Their last meeting came last season at Murray State with the Racers winning 81-67. The last game the two teams playing the Convocation Center was in 1996-97 season when ASU won 70-69.

The Red Wolves are 1-1 after defeating Lyon College 88-46 Monday. Senior Shawn Morgan leads the Red Wolves with 11.0 ppg while connecting on 80% of his shots. Junior reserve Donald Boone has come off the bench to average 10.5 points and 2.0 rebounds.

The Red Wolves have racked up seven blocks so far this season through two games. Junior Eric McKinney leads the Red Wolves with three blocks, which ties him for seventh in the Sun Belt category. Morgan has two blocks on the year.

Arkansas State v Murray State

At 1-1 the ASU Men's basketball team is scheduled to take on Murray State tonight at the Convocation Center beginning at 7 p.m. Be sure to check out Sports Related for live blog notes from the game if you can't make it.

Also check out Thursday's issue of The Herald for a feature story on Shawn Morgan by Matt Whitworth. Also we will have game stories from Monday's blow out win against Lyon College and tonight's game against Murray State.

Remember ASU will take on FAU for the final home of the season this Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. We need this win if we want any chance of winning the Sun Belt Conference.

Dreams do come true...

Video proof that an average joe can beat a post-Wizards era Michael Jordan. It just takes a little English.

John Rogers beat Jordan in game of one-on-one during the legend's high end "Flight School" in Las Vegas.

Best Sports Page for Non-Daily

This is probably one of the best design for sports pages that I have seen. I really like how it breaks down how every pitch is thrown. It shows how their pitchers do it and what MLB player throws the same pitch. It's a very unique way of doing a baseball preview.

Visit The Orion online.

Still Can't Win on the Road

The Arkansas State Football team lost to FIU on Saturday by a score of 22-21. For some reason ASU has a problem winning on the road. I thought our road blues were settled when we defeated Texas A&M earlier this fall but it's ugly head has resurfaced once again.

I got to give credit to FIU though. The play to give them the go-ahead touchdown was pretty impressive. Here is Matt Robertson's description of the play from the article in Saturday's Jonesboro Sun:

Hilton took a handoff from quarterback Paul McCall, dropped the football and had to reverse his field to pick it up as it bounced in the opposite direction. Running wildly to his left and under heavy ASU defensive pressure, Hilton launched a rocket to Mertile all alone in the end zone. Rivest’s point-after put the Golden Panthers up by the slimmest of margins.

Where was the defense on this play? Number one rule about protecting a lead late in the game. NEVER LET A MAN GET BEHIND YOU. Mertile was wide open down field. Number two rule: expect the unexpected.

I do not know enough of the English language to describe how angry I am that we loss this game. We just blew pretty much any chance we had of winning the Sun Belt.

ASU needs to grow some balls and start firing people who are unable to do their job. Period.

McCain on Monday Night Football

Obama on Monday Night Football

Obama is President

So I know that this blog is supposed to be strictly sports. However I figure on a day like today I must comment on the election.

First, I just want to say that I did not register to vote. So maybe my opinion does not matter. I have to right to complain about either candidate. But this isn't about McCain or Obama. This is about their supporters.

As soon as Obama was elected president, Facebook was littered with status changes. Some people have it in their heads that electing Obama will some how start the end of the world. Seriously people? Are we that ignorant?

"Obama is the Antichrist," seems to be the consensus.

Wow. That is a serious accusation. How can we be so narrow-minded? Mainly supposed "Christians." We aren't supposed to vote for him because his party supports abortions. But John McCain is OK even though he still wants to send men and women to Iraq?

With people threatening to leave the U.S., I think the best status of the night was from a friend of mine who is currently serving in Iraq. He said, "If you want to leave so bad, Iraq is nice. I will gladly switch with you."

I really think we are in good hands with Obama. I think he knows what is best for this country. I think he realizes it is time for a change.

On the plus side, if Facebook's counter is correct over 5 million people that are on Facebook did vote. I was not one of those people.

No good at home

The Red Wolves have never had problems at home. No matter what sport it is (besides soccer) home has always fair better at home. Until now.

The Arkansas State Red Wolves volleyball team is struggling at home as of late. They have now lost three games in a row at home. It started at Denver, North Texas and now UALR.

Freshman middle blocker Cayla Fielder led ASU with eight kills in the match, sophomore outside hitter Kristen Catalane added seven kills while senior outside hitter Mafo Joelle and sophomore middle hitter Christin Baker each added six kills. Junior defensive specialist Heather Bowman had 10 digs and sophomore setter Laura Bennett led both teams with 29 assists.

With the win, UALR improved to 23-6 on the season and 12-4 in SBC West play and avenged last week’s 3-2 Red Wolves victory in Little Rock. Arkansas State fell to 20-10 on the year and 9-7 in league play with the loss.

“UALR played very driven tonight and came up here to do a job, and they did,” ASU head coach Craig Cummings told Sports Information. “My hat is off to Coach (Van) Compton for getting her team ready to play. We’ve got a few days off before we go to North Texas next week, and we can get back our competitiveness and the attitude that is required to be successful.”

Arkansas State is off until next week, when the Red Wolves hit the road for the final two matches of the regular season. ASU travels to North Texas Nov. 14 before closing out the regular season at Denver Nov. 16. With their nine conference wins, the Red Wolves have secured a berth in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, scheduled for Nov. 20-22 in Miami, Fla.

On the road, however, the volleyball team is a totally different team on the road. They defeated New Orleans, Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe on the road in back-to-back games. At the time New Orleans had not lost at home. So why is this team is so much better on the road? Home is just not so sweet for this team.