“If it looks like a sure thing in sports.... - CBS Sports” plus 4 more |
- If it looks like a sure thing in sports.... - CBS Sports
- Paterson orders $500 million is state spending cuts - Poughkeepsie Journal
- 8 months left on Ohio 161/37 - Newark Advocate
- UConn Football vs. Pittsburgh Game Notes - University of Connecticut
- Coalition pushes for per-mile tax on drivers - Asheville Citizen-Times
| If it looks like a sure thing in sports.... - CBS Sports Posted: 06 Oct 2009 10:46 AM PDT ...sometimes the opposite happens. Which is why they play the games, not decide them on paper, right? OK, so let's see, the Twins have homefield, momentum, a more veteran pitcher starting, and the best hitter in the A.L. Tigers have to travel to a place they have had little success in, limped badly down the stretch, have a rookie starting for them, and their best hitter is in a major slump. Done deal, right? Twins have about a 100 percent chance of grabbing the W and finishing one of the more remarkable comebacks in sports history, right? IN the immortal words of Lee Corso...NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND. Forgotten in this is that the Tigers have been in first place for ALL BUT FOUR DAYS since May 10. If the Twins were truly their superiors, then why did it take them so long to catch up? Also, last time I checked they had the same number of wins, which means they are fairly evenly matched no matter what anyone says. Lastly, who is going to be under more pressure...the team EXPECTED, nay, GUARANTEED of winning, or the team that everyone has already written off? If this game were in Detroit, I actually think it would put more pressure on the Tigers, but going on the road is going to give them the "us against the world" mentality that has allowed some teams to pull off historic wins when no one gave them a chance. So, while I'm certainly not guaranteeing a Tiger win, I think those guaranteeing a Twins victory should perhaps slow their roll. Go Porcello, and go Tigers....you have the chance to wipe away the past month of struggles with one big W. Just do it. |
| Paterson orders $500 million is state spending cuts - Poughkeepsie Journal Posted: 06 Oct 2009 10:32 AM PDT ALBANY Gov. David Paterson today ordered state agencies to cut operating expenses by 11 percent, or $500 million, in the current fiscal year. The move comes as the state grapples with a $3 billion mid-year budget gap in the fiscal year, which runs until March 31. Last year, facing a similar mid-year budget gap, Paterson implemented a 10 percent cut. Although the order doesnt directly affect jobs, Paterson recommended that agencies continue to pursue not filling jobs through attrition and severance packages. While agencies have already taken significant action to reduce spending since I took office, further cuts are necessary given the states persistent fiscal difficulties, he said in a statement. Paterson said the cuts must come from non-personal service budgets, such as funding for travel, printing, vehicles and equipment.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 8 months left on Ohio 161/37 - Newark Advocate Posted: 06 Oct 2009 09:56 AM PDT NEWARK -- Drivers must contend with one final winter of orange barrels and 45 mph speed limit signs while driving between Newark and Columbus. The 12.6-mile Ohio 161/37 relocation and widening project continues, so close to finished drivers can salivate at the thought of traveling 65 mph the entire way. Yet, about half the trip remains slower than before the construction started in 2006. The first phase was completed last year, but the remainder won't be completed until May. After more than a decade of discussion, debate and planning for the widened state route, and more than three years of construction, beginning near the Licking-Franklin county line, the dream still eludes commuters. When construction began in June 2006 on the four-lane, limited-access expressway, the entire project was to be completed by late 2008. Weather, however, has delayed the work several times. "There's a lot of factors that go into weather (delays)," said Ohio Department of Transportation District 5 spokeswoman Kate Stickle. "When it comes, what we're doing at the time and the amount." The May 2010 completion date has not been changed for more than a year, but even that date is not set in stone, despite Licking County falling well below average rainfall for the year. "The weeks right now are crucial," Stickle said. "The most recent rains (in the last couple of weeks), the dirt was saturated and another rain can really hurt progress. "There's a lot of dirt moving and excavating involved. To do it properly, there's rules and regulations. You have to get air into the dirt and dry out the dirt." The project suffered two-month and five-month weather delays during 2006. More delays because of rain came in 2007 and in 2008, pushing the date back two years. "That's how important it is to get as much work (as possible) completed during good weather," Stickle said. "The last rains impacted the project more than any other rain." Cold, in addition to rain, delays road projects. Certain temperatures are required for asphalt to be laid, with different standards for the base, middle layer and surface; and another minimum temperature for bridge decks. As long as the second half of the project is not completed, the speed limit will be 45 mph because it's a construction zone, Stickle said. Just last week, a Newark man was killed in a three-vehicle crash on Ohio 37 in the area still under construction. Kent Mallett can be reached at (740) 328-8545 or kmallett@newarkadvocate.com. |
| UConn Football vs. Pittsburgh Game Notes - University of Connecticut Posted: 06 Oct 2009 10:32 AM PDT Oct. 6, 2009
STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut football team will head down to Pittsburgh for their BIG EAST opener against the Panthers at Heinz Field on Saturday, October 10 at 3:30 p.m. The game will be broadcasted live on ABC Regional Television. CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Randy Edsall He has compiled a 60-61 career record and is in his 11th season at UConn, including wins in 50 of UConn's last 81 games dating back to the ninth game of the 2002 season. He has a 52-37 (.584) mark through the first 89 games of UConn's tenure at the FBS (Division I-A) level. Saturday's game against Pittsburgh will be the 123rd of his UConn career --the most of any coach in UConn history. He topped the mark of 121 set by J.O. Christian (1934-49). Immediately prior to becoming UConn's head coach in 1998, Edsall served as defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech in 1998 under George O'Leary. Edsall began his coaching career at his alma mater, Syracuse, from 1980-1990, working under Frank Maloney and Dick MacPherson in a variety of capacities. Edsall moved on to Boston College where he coached defensive backs under Tom Coughlin from 1991-93 before following Coughlin to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, staying on the First Coast through the 1997 season. Edsall is a native of Glen Rock, Pa., and graduated from Susquehannock High School. He was inducted into the York Area Sports Hall of Fame. PITTSBURGH HEAD COACH DAVE WANNSTEDT He was on the Pittsburgh coaching staff from 1975-78 and also made stops at Oklahoma State (1979-82), USC (1983-85) and Miami (1986-88) before joining the Dallas Cowboys staff from 1989-92. Wannstedt is a 1974 Pittsburgh graduate and was captain of its 1973 Feista Bowl team. RADIO & TV COVERAGE TV COVERAGE In addition to the markets that will see the UConn vs. Pittsburgh game on ABC, markets that are selected to see the Wisconsin vs. Ohio State game on ABC, will receive the UConn vs. Pittsburgh game on ESPN. Mike Patrick is on play-by-play with Craig James on color and Heather Cox on the sidelines. Scott Matthews is the producer while Patrick McManus is the director. RADIO COVERAGE The UConn Football Radio Network also includes WILI 1400-AM in Willimantic, WLIS 1420-AM in Old Saybrook and WMRD-1150 AM in Middletown. UConn football games are also broadcast over the internet at WTIC.com. SERIES NOTES HUSKIES VS. PITTSBURGH ALL-TIME Last season, Pittsburgh beat UConn by a 34-10 score on December 6 at Rentschler Field. The game was tied 3-3 at halftime, but the Panthers scored three touchdowns and a field goal in the third quarter to take control of the game. The Huskies committed five turnovers in the second half. The game featured two of the nation's top rushers in 2008 as Brown ran for 189 yards and Pittsburgh's LeSean McCoy had 95, including a 47-yard TD run in the third quarter. On Sept. 30, 2004, UConn claimed its first ever BIG EAST win with a 29-17 victory over Pittsburgh at Rentschler Field before a national television audience on a Thursday night. Cornell Brockington ran for 185 yards and Dan Orlovsky threw for 237 more. On Nov. 12, 2005, UConn lost 24-0 at Heinz Field. The Huskies outgained Pitt, 299-192, but were undone by three interceptions thrown by Matt Bonislawski and a blocked field goal returned for a Pitt touchdown by Josh Lay. On Nov. 11, 2006, UConn downed Pitt, 46-45 in double overtime, in a thrilling game where Pitt led 31-17 with 12 minutes to play and the Huskies on their own two yard line. But, D.J. Hernandez led UConn back to tie the game on a touchdown pass to tight end Dan Murray with 0:03 left in regulation and on to victory by running in the game-winning two-point conversion in the second overtime period. UCONN AND PITTSBURGH CONN-ECTIONS UCONN AND BIG EAST OPENERS In other BIG EAST openers, UConn won at home vs. Syracuse in 2005, lost at South Florida in 2006, won at Pittsburgh in 2007 and won at Louisville in 2008. UCONN AND NFL STADIUMS UConn defeated Toledo, 39-10, on Dec. 27, 2004 at Ford Field (home of the Detroit Lions) in the Motor City Bowl. UConn lost to South Florida in 2001 and 2006 at Raymond James Stadium, lost the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (home of the Carolina Panthers) and have split a pair of games at Pittsburgh (Heinz Field) in 2005 and '07 Connecticut also split a pair of games against Yale in 1973-74 at the Yale Bowl, which was serving as a temporary home of the New York Giants during the reconstruction of Yankee Stadium. RENTSCHLER GAMEDAY SQUAD NOTES EDSALL HAS LONGEVITY AT UCONN Edsall has now coached 122 games - the most by any UConn coach in history. He broke the record of 121 set by J.O. Christian (1934-49) earlier this season against Rhode Island. Edsall is the fourth coach to lead the Huskies into 100 career games, joining Christian (121), Tom Jackson (119 from 1983-93) and Robert Ingalls (106 from 1952-63). Edsall's 61 career wins is third in UConn history behind Christian with 66 and Jackson with 62. 1,000 AND COUNTING HOT ON THE ROAD IN SEPTEMBER HUSKIES HAVE GONE BOWL-ING HUSKIES ON WATCH LISTS Senior Tailback Andre Dixon (New Brunswick, N.J.) * Doak Walker Award Candidate HUSKIES MAKE NATIONAL POLLS UConn earned its first national rankings in 2007 as it appeared in four AP polls: 16 on Oct. 28, 16 on Nov. 14, 25 on Nov. 11 and 20 on Nov. 18. It also appeared in three USA Today polls: 20 on Oct. 28, 16 on Nov. 4 and 21 on Nov. 18. UCONN VS. RANKED TEAMS FASTEST FROM DIVISION I-AA TO THE POLLS UCONN FOOTBALL A LEADER IN ACADEMICS UConn was the top BIG EAST team in the NCAA's Graduation Success Rate (GSR) survey of last October as it graduated 77 percent of incoming freshman enrolled from 1998-2001 using the NCAA's formula. The UConn football program also had the highest NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) for African-American student-athletes among all state universities that participated in a bowl game following the 2008 season. Last year, the program was honored by the American Football Coaches Association for its graduation of student-athletes as part of its Academic Achievement Award program. This recognition was the fourth time in the past six years that the UConn program has been honored. UConn was also recognized by the AFCA in 2003, '05 and '07. HUSKIES VS. THE BIG EAST TWO BIG EAST ROAD WINS IS A SEASON HIGH HUSKIES ON THE ROAD SINCE 2002 HUSKIES VS. NON-CONFERENCE FOES SINCE 2002 UConn has posted the following records in non-conference games: 6-6 (2002), 9-3 (2003), 4-1 (2004), 3-1 (2005), 3-2 (2006), 4-1 (2007), 4-1 (2008), 3-1 (2009). HUSKIES IN TEAM NCAA STATISTICS In addition, Jordan Todman is 22nd in the country in rushing yards per game at 99.00 while Andre Dixon is 30th at 92.00. UConn is the only school to have two rushers in the top 30. Robert McClain is tied for sixth, and first in the BIG EAST, in interceptions with 0.75 per game. Desi Cullen is tied for 18th in punting, and first in the BIG EAST, at 43.90 yards. Lindsey Witten is second in sacks at 2.00 per game. Lawrence Wilson is tied for 17th in tackles. TOUGH SLATE IN 2009 FOR HUSKIES HUSKIES IN THE NFL Fullback Deon Anderson is in his third year with the Dallas Cowboys. UConn currently has two second-year players on NFL rosters: offensive lineman Donald Thomas with the Miami Dolphins - a 2008 sixth round draft and defensive back Tyvon Branch of the Oakland Raiders - a fourth round pick. Danny Lansanah is on the practice squad for the Dolphins after being a free agent signee of the Green Bay Packers in 2008 and was placed on the 53-man roster in early October `08; UConn's five NFL Rookies are: Donald Brown, a running back who was UConn's first All-American in the BCS era and the Huskies' first NFL First Round Draft Pick. He's with the Indianapolis Colts. There are three Huskies who were picked in the second round: Darius Butler with the New England Patriots, William Beatty with the New York Giants and Cody Brown with the Arizona Cardinals. Brown has already suffered a season-ending wrist injury. Julius Williams signed a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars last spring and made the team. Tyler Lorenzen also signed a free agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars and after being cut by the team has been picked up the New Orleans Saints and is on their practice squad. Former UConn players released in 2009 are: Linebacker Alfred Fincher was in his second year with the Washington Redskins after playing his first three years with New Orleans; Fincher has since signed with the New York Sentinels of the United Football League. Also cut were `09 free agent signees: Keith Gray with the Carolina Panthers and Dahna Deleston by the Chicago Bears. HUSKIES IN THE CFL Taylor played in the Grey Cup final last year and was named the CFL Special Team Player of the Week earlier this season. SCOUT TEAM PLAYER OF THE WEEK In recognition of their often-overlooked hard work, those players earn a spot on the Husky travel squad and the dress list for that week's game. OHIO NORTH CAROLINA BAYLOR RHODE ISLAND GAME BALLS OHIO BAYLOR RHODE ISLAND ACTIVE CAREER LEADERS: HUSKIES ON THE REBOUND BALL CONTROL IS THE KEY UConn also holds a 18-5 advantage over its opponents in the number of 90-yard and over drives since becoming a I-A program. HUSKIES DOMINATING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL CONNECTICUT'S FOUR CAPTAINS OFFENSE NOTES TODMAN AND DIXON ARE RUSHING DUO However, the Huskies have seemed to not miss a beat in the rushing game as UConn is the only school in the nation with two of the top 30 rushers in the country Sophomore Jordan Todman was impressive last year as a true freshman with 296 rushing yards and three TDs. Todman had an outstanding opening night against Ohio with 157 yards on 25 carries with a TD. The 157 yards was a career high and the first 100-yard rushing game of his career. For his efforts, Todman was named to the weekly BIG EAST Honor Roll. Todman was again UConn's leading rusher for North Carolina with 66 yards on 18 carries with a TD. He had 21 carries for 103 yards in the win over Baylor for his second career 100-yard game. Todman currently has 396 yards of rushing on the season (avg. of 99.0 per game) to lead the team. Senior Andre Dixon rushed for 100 yards in the opening win over Ohio on 19 carries. He had a terrific game at Baylor when he had 149 yards on 31 carries for three touchdowns. The three rushing touchdowns doubled his career total to six and were also the first rushing TDs of his collegiate career since 2007. Dixon was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for his efforts agaisnt Baylor. Dixon now has 368 yards of rushing in 2009 -- an average of 92.0 per game. He rushed for 828 yards as a sophomore in 2007 and had three TDs to earn second team All-BIG EAST honors. The Ohio game for Dixon was the most rushing yards in a single-game since he went for 167 in a win over South Florida on Oct. 27, 2007. Dixon now has six career 100-yard rushing games. The Ohio and Baylor performances marked the first time UConn had two 100-yard rushers in a game since Brown and D.J. Hernandez did it in an overtime win vs. Pittsburgh on Nov. 11, 2006. YOUNG GUYS MAKE RECEPTIONS IN DEBUT Senior Andre Dixon had two for 26 yards -- while redshirt freshman Ryan Griffin had two for 20 and true freshman Dwayne Difton had two for seven. Against Baylor, redshirt sophomore Isiah Moore had a career high four receptions for 76 yards and is now the leading Husky receiver on the season with seven grabs for 107 yards. In the Rhode Island win, sophomore Michael Smith stepped up and made a career-high eight receptions for 82 yards. FRAZER BACK ON INJURED LIST IN 2009 Frazer was 11 of 24 in the air with two TDs and three interceptions in the opening night win over Ohio. The two TD passes match his entire number for all of 2008 as the Huskies had a total of five last year. Frazer started the North Carolina and Rutgers games in 2007 for the Huskies at quarterback before suffering a head injury. He originally attended Notre Dame in 2006 and did not play for the Fighting Irish. He sat out 2007 as a transfer at UConn and finally returned to the playing field against Louisville. He was eight of 15 in the air for 90 yards and a touchdown -- despite not having played in an organized football game since his high school senior year of 2005 in Mechanicsburg, Pa. He had his best passing numbers vs. Rutgers with 236 yards and a touchdown. Frazer was injured in the loss to North Carolina and missed the Baylor game. He had his best passing numbers vs. Rutgers with 236 yards and a touchdown. Frazer began the 2009 season as UConn's starting QB and led the Huskies to a win at Ohio. He was injured in the loss to North Carolina and missed the Baylor and Rhode Island games. ENDRES EXPERIECED AT QB Endres was 18 of 42 in the air for 196 yards and did not throw an interception. He also started the West Virginia game and was 17 of 37 for 166 yards. Endres was called into action on Sept. 12 against North Carolina as Frazer was injured and was three-for-seven in the air for 30 yards. He made his third career start on Saturday vs. Baylor and was an effective 12 of 23 for 147 yards and his fourth start against Rhode Island, where he was 23 for 30 for 289 yards and two TDs. DEFENSE NOTES DEFENSE AMONG THE NATION'S BEST WITTEN SECOND IN NATION IN SACKS For his efforts, Witten was named the BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Witten had four sacks for a loss of 22 yards in the game vs. North Carolina on Sept. 12 and a sack in the win vs. Rhode Island. He is second in the country in sacks per game with 2.0. He was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll after the North Carolina game. JOSEPH STARTS RIGHT AWAY Tailback Terry Caulley and fullback Deon Anderson both started the season-opener as true freshmen in 2005. Joseph became the first player to start the opening game as a true freshman on defense in the UConn FBS era - since 2002. Joseph was a January 2009 enrollee and had eight tackles in his second career game on Saturday vs. North Carolina. The defensive end spot on the left side is an inexperienced one as freshman Trevardo Williams is behind Joseph. Williams, also a Janaury 2009 enrollee, made four tackles in his collegiate debut vs. Ohio with a sack and had a tackle vs. UNC. LUTRUS LEADS THE WAY He had 12 tackles vs. Temple and was named to the BIG EAST weekly honor roll. Lutrus also led UConn in tackles in the win vs. Virginia with six and had 10 tackles and 2.5 for a loss in the win over Baylor. He led UConn with nine tackles in the win over Cincinnati. Lutrus led the Huskies with 14 tackles vs. Syracuse. As a redshirt freshman in 2007, he make an immediate impact at the strongside linebacker post. He was third on the squad with 107 tackles, eight of which were for a loss. He also had four interceptions on the year, returning two for TDs to tie both UConn's season and career records. Lutrus' four INTS in `07 tied for the most in the nation by a linebacker. McCLAIN HAS SEVENTH CAREER INTERCEPTION He was the leading tackler in the win over Buffalo in the International Bowl with eight stops and 3.5 tackles for a loss. McClain has six tackles vs. UNC with his first interception of the season and seventh of his career. SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES TEGGART ALREADY IN RECORD BOOK Teggart was a two-time BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week -- earning the honor after the Cincinnati and Syracuse games. He made the first 11 field goal attempts of his collegiate career and the 11-straight is already the longest streak in school history. Matt Nuzie made 10-straight in 2004. Teggart is the first kicker in school history to successfully convert his first 11 field goal attempts. In addition, he is also a perfect 11-for-11 in extra point attempts. CULLEN HANDLES PUNTING DUTIES He solidified his role as the team's starting punter and kickoff specialist in 2007 and received a game ball in his first collegiate game -- a win over Duke. He also earned a game ball in 2008 in the wins over Virginia and Louisville and last week vs. Baylor. JASPER THE RETURNER STADIUM/ATTENDANCE NOTES RENTSCHLER FIELD A HOT TICKET UConn sold 28,000 season tickets in 2008 and sold its entire allotment of student season tickets at 4,700. The opening game against Hofstra saw over 5,000 Husky students attend the game. These figures are staggering sums considering that the entire 2001 season ticket base was around 4,000. In 2002, the number reached 11,300 in the final season of Memorial Stadium. The burgeoning season ticket base more than doubled to 24,000 for the inaugural season at Rentschler Field and rose to 28,000 a year later in 2004. UConn reached an all-time high of 32,000 season tickets in 2005. SELLOUTS THE NORM UConn has played to 96-percent of capacity all-time in East Hartford, drawing 1,581,291 fans, or an average of 38,568 per game. RENTSCHLER FIELD PROVES FRIENDLY FOR HUSKIES UConn's 3-4 mark at home in 2006 was its only sub-.500 record at Rentschler Field. The seven home wins in 2007 set a school record for a single season which was previously set in 2004. In the process, the Huskies joined the 1993 West Virginia Mountaineers as the only BIG EAST schools to ever post a perfect 7-0 home record. UConn presently stands at 30-11 all-time at Rentschler Field including an 19-4 mark in non-conference games. MICHIGAN, TENNESSEE AMONG THOSE COMING TO RENTSCHLER FIELD IN THE FUTURE
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| Coalition pushes for per-mile tax on drivers - Asheville Citizen-Times Posted: 06 Oct 2009 10:11 AM PDT RALEIGH — A coalition of businesses, community groups and local governments want the General Assembly to change how drivers are taxed. They say the state should move from the gas tax to a tax per mile driven. N.C. Go, in its 2009 report, said legislators should fund transportation with a per-mile tax to make sure people are paying for road upkeep based on how much they use the roads, not the fuel economy of their cars. For example,a 1.25 cents per mile tax would raise $150 from someone who drove 12,000 miles in a year. Gas tax revenues are declining as cars get better mileage. The coalition says the state should also consider taxing based on vehicle weight; turning interstates into toll roads; charging congestion pricing at peak travel times; turning over roads to private companies for fees; and increasing the tax on car sales. The coalition includes groups such as the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Western Carolina Community Action, Greater Haywood Chamber of Commerce and N.C. Association of County Commissioners. Read the report at ncgo.org/elements/PDF/the-good-transportation-state-nc-go.pdf.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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