NFL Expands Thursday Night Football

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February 3, 2016

11 October 2015: Denver Broncos quarterback (18) Peyton Manning standing tall in the pocket during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, CA. The Broncos won 16-10.(Photograph by Jevone Moore / Full Image 360)

NFL EXPANDS THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

CBS RETAINS RIGHTS; WILL BROADCAST FIVE THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAMES

NBC ADDED AS THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PARTNER; WILL BROADCAST FIVE GAMES

NFL NETWORK TO EXCLUSIVELY TELEVISE EIGHT REGULAR SEASON GAMES; WILL SIMULCAST ENTIRE THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

FEB. 1, 2016: NEW YORK – The National Football League will expand Thursday Night Football in 2016 and 2017, continuing its partnership with CBS while also adding NBC as a partner, it was announced today by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Leslie Moonves, President and CEO, CBS Corp., and Steve Burke, CEO, NBC Universal.

Both CBS and NBC will broadcast five Thursday Night Football games, growing the package to 10 broadcast games in 2016 and 2017 from eight in 2014 and 2015. All Thursday Night Football broadcast games will continue to be simulcast on NFL Network. NFL Network will also exclusively televise an eight-game schedule of regular season games comprised of Thursday Night Football, late-season games on Saturday, and additional games to be determined.

Both CBS and NBC will produce Thursday Night Football with their lead broadcasters and production teams, and both will contribute to the production ofThursday Night Football exclusively on NFL Network. CBS and NFL Network will televise the first half of the Thursday Night Football schedule with NBC and NFL Network televising the second half.

The NFL is in active discussions with prospective digital partners for OTT streaming rights to Thursday Night Football. A deal announcement is expected in the near future.

“We are continuing to make Thursday Night Football bigger and better. CBS has played an integral role over the last two seasons in helping build Thursdays as a night for NFL football, and we’re excited to have them on board again,” said Commissioner Goodell. “At the same time, we’re thrilled to add NBC to the Thursday Night Football mix, a trusted partner with a proven track record of success broadcasting NFL football in primetime, and look forward to expanding with a digital partner for what will be a unique tri-cast on broadcast, cable, and digital platforms.”

“Our mission when we first put games on Thursday nights in 2006 was to work strategically to make Thursdays a night for NFL football in the mold of what Monday and Sunday nights mean to millions of fans across the country,” said Robert Kraft, Chairman of the NFL’s Broadcast Committee. “We’ve made great strides since that point, and growing the base of games with CBS, now with NBC, and soon with digital streaming will only help us solidify this night in the consciousness of NFL fans here and globally.”

“The CBS Corporation and the CBS Television Network are extremely pleased to continue our successful partnership with the NFL on Thursday nights,” said Moonves. “Thursday Night Football has provided extremely valuable programming and a powerful promotional platform to help launch CBS’s primetime schedule, contributing to our standing as the perennial Number One and most-watched network. Broadcasting the first half of the Thursday Night Football schedule is a terrific way to jump start the 2016-17 television season. We look forward to another great year of the NFL on CBS on both Thursdays and Sundays.”

“The NFL has the most powerful programming on television, and we are delighted to expand our primetime schedule to 24 regular season games,” said Burke. “Thursday Night Football is an important addition to NBC’s #1 ranked primetime lineup, and the perfect complement to our award winning Sunday Night Football broadcast. The NFL is a terrific partner, and we could not be more pleased about expanding our relationship.”

Thursday Night Football started in 2006 with an eight game schedule exclusively on NFL Network. By 2012, Thursday Night Football had grown to a 13-game schedule exclusively on NFL Network, where it remained through the 2013 season. For both the 2014 and 2015 seasons, CBS partnered with NFL Network to present an expanded 16-game Thursday Night Football schedule.

For the 16 games of the 2015 schedule, Thursday Night Football on CBS and NFL Network (and over-the-air stations) averaged a 7.9 HH rating and 13.0M viewers, up +59% and +61% respectively from 2013 when the games were solely on NFL Network. The 2015 season was the most-watched and highest-rated Thursday Night Football season ever.

Super Bowl 50 Preview

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Press Release

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February 2, 2016

SUPER BOWL 50: CAROLINA PANTHERS VS. DENVER BRONCOS

Two teams. One game. It all comes down to this.

On Sunday, February 7, the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos will meet in Super Bowl 50 (6:30 PM ET, CBS) at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

For the third consecutive season, the game will feature the No. 1 seed in each conference.

“It means so much to us to get to the Super Bowl,” says Broncos cornerback CHRIS HARRIS, JR. “We put in so much work this whole offseason and during the season. I’m just so proud of our team. We stuck together all year. We stayed together as a team and that’s all that matters.”

Super Bowl 50 will pit the NFL’s top-scoring team – Carolina (500 points, 31.3 points per game) – against the league’s top defense – Denver (283.1 total net yards per game).

“We’re a complete team,” says Panthers wide receiver COREY BROWN. “We play as a team. It’s not about one person. It’s not about two people. If one guy goes down, the next man steps up. We are a complete team.”

Denver advanced to the Super Bowl by defeating New England 20-18. Carolina defeated Arizona 49-15 to earn its second ever trip to the Super Bowl. The AFC and NFC Championship Games averaged 49.7 million viewers, up eight percent from last year and topping the 45 million mark for the third consecutive year.

The NFC Championship Game between Carolina and Arizona earned 45.7 million viewers and the AFC Championship Game between Denver and New England garnered 53.3 million viewers, the second-most watched AFC Championship Game ever (New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh, January 23, 2011, 54.8 million viewers).

The Panthers advanced to the Super Bowl for the second time in franchise history (Super Bowl XXXVIII, 2003 season) with a 49-15 win over Arizona at Bank of America Stadium. With the victory, Carolina capped off a perfect season at home, winning all eight regular-season games and both playoff contests.

“Our fans have been awesome all year,” says Panthers linebacker LUKE KUECHLY. “There’s a sense of community in the whole Charlotte area and throughout the Carolinas. Panthers fans have been awesome to us and I’m proud to be here and happy to be a Carolina Panther.”

Carolina led the NFL in scoring with 500 points during the regular season and has scored a league-best 80 points in the postseason. The team’s 49 points in the NFC Championship Game are the second-most by a team to gain a berth in the Super Bowl (Buffalo, 51 points, 1990 season).

“We came out and had a pretty successful game,” says Panthers quarterback CAM NEWTON. “But I know there are a lot of people who feel just like me – we’re not done yet.”

Newton passed for 335 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for two scores in the NFC Championship Game victory. He is the first player in NFL history to pass for at least 300 yards and rush for multiple touchdowns in a playoff game. Newton led the NFL during the regular season with 45 total touchdowns (35 passing, 10 rushing) and became the first player in league history to pass for at least 30 touchdowns and rush for at least 10 touchdowns in the same season.

“It’s been fun watching Cam because every year he’s improved,” says Carolina center RYAN KALIL. “We knew from the get-go when he got here and broke all those NFL rookie records that we had someone special. Watching him grow each and every year, it’s been incredible. This has been a big year for him.”

In the win over Arizona, the Panthers forced seven turnovers. During the regular season, Carolina led the NFL with 39 takeaways, 24 interceptions and a +20 turnover differential. That dominance has continued into the postseason as the Panthers lead the league with nine takeaways, six interceptions and a +8 turnover differential. Kuechly, one of Carolina’s Pro Bowl linebackers, has recorded an interception-return touchdown in each of the team’s playoff games this season and is the only player in NFL history to have an INT-TD in consecutive games in a single postseason.

“This was a great team performance and this is who we are,” says Panthers linebacker THOMAS DAVIS. “This is what we’re capable of and we came out and played together as a group. We can truly dominate football games. We just have to be ready to play week in and week out.”

Carolina head coach RON RIVERA, who has guided the team to the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, is aiming to become thefourth person to win a Super Bowl as both a player and a head coach (MIKE DITKA, TONY DUNGY and TOM FLORES). Rivera was a linebacker for the 1985 Chicago Bears, which is the last team to win at least 15 regular-season games and also win the Super Bowl in the same season, something the Panthers hope to accomplish this year.

“We have talked a lot about what our goal is,” says Rivera. “We are a step away. We are going to have to play a very good football team. They have a Hall of Fame quarterback and a lot of playmakers. This is a team we will have to get ready and prepare for.”

That Hall of Fame quarterback – PEYTON MANNING – and that team – the Denver Broncos – will be waiting. The Broncos advanced to their eighth Super Bowl, tied for the most in NFL history (Dallas, New England, Pittsburgh), by defeating New England 20-18 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

“The victory in the AFC Championship Game was a great example of what this entire season has been like,” says Manning. “It hasn’t been easy. It’s been a lot of different people stepping up and doing their part at different times. That was a unique football game but everybody did their part and it truly was a team game.”

Manning threw two touchdown passes – both to tight end OWEN DANIELS – in the win. The veteran quarterback has now guided both the Indianapolis Colts and the Broncos to multiple Super Bowls and Manning is the first quarterback in NFL history to lead two different franchises to multiple Super Bowls.

“I’ve tried to take it one week at a time all season long,” says Manning about returning to the Super Bowl. “I’ve tried to stay in the moment and take it one week at a time. I’m taking it one week at a time and trying to stay patient. Staying patient in these past two playoff games has served our team well and it’s definitely served me well.”

Manning, who won Super Bowl XLI with the Colts, can become the first starting quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl with two different franchises. He has 13 career postseason victories and with a win in Super Bowl 50, he will tie Pro Football Hall of Famers JOHN ELWAYand TERRY BRADSHAW for the third-most playoff wins in NFL history by a starting quarterback.

“I’m so proud of him,” says Broncos head coach GARY KUBIAK about Manning. “He worked really hard to get back. This football team believes he’s going to get the job done. He’s done a tremendous job leading this football team.”

Denver’s defense, which topped the NFL with 52 sacks during the regular season, recorded four sacks and two interceptions in the AFC Championship Game. Linebacker VON MILLER had 2.5 sacks and an interception in the victory over New England, becoming the first player in more than 20 years to record at least 2.5 sacks and an interception in a playoff game.

“We’re back,” says Miller about the team’s second Super Bowl appearance in the past three seasons. “It feels great. I wanted to get back here.”

Kubiak became the first head coach to earn a Super Bowl berth in his first season with a team since JIM CALDWELL accomplished the feat with Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in 2009. Kubiak is attempting to become only the fourth head coach to win a Super Bowl in his first season with a new club (DON MC CAFFREY, GEORGE SEIFERT, JON GRUDEN).

“One thing we’ve done all year long is we just grind as a football team,” says Kubiak. “We played our tails off all year long and we’ve found ways to win the close ones.”

Kubiak, who played for the Broncos (1983-1991), is the first person to appear in a Super Bowl with the same team as both a player and a head coach.

“It means the world to me to come back to my football home,” says Kubiak about advancing to the Super Bowl with the Broncos. “I’m just so proud to be part of this organization and this football team.”

2015 WILD CARD WEEKEND RESULTS (JANUARY 9-10)

(Home Team in Caps)

Saturday, January 9	Sunday, January 10
Kansas City 30, HOUSTON 0	Seattle10, MINNESOTA 9
Pittsburgh 18, CINCINNATI 16	Green Bay 35, WASHINGTON 18

2015 DIVISIONAL WEEKEND RESULTS (JANUARY 16-17)

(Home Team in Caps)

Saturday, January 16	Sunday, January 17
NEW ENGLAND 27, Kansas City 20	CAROLINA 31, Seattle 24
ARIZONA 26, Green Bay 20 (OT)	DENVER 23, Pittsburgh 16

2015 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WEEKEND SCHEDULE (JANUARY 24)

Sunday, January 24

DENVER 20, New England 18

CAROLINA 40, Arizona 15

2016 PRO BOWL (JANUARY 31)

Sunday, January 31

TEAM IRVIN 49, Team Rice 27

SUPER BOWL 50 (FEBRUARY 7)

Sunday, February 7

Super Bowl 50, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California 6:30 PM ET (CBS)

Snedeker Wins The Farmers Insurance Open

By

Jevone Moore

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February 1, 2016

Day 2 action on the South Course in the second round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

San Diego, CA – Nothing was able to stop Brandt Snedeker from winning the 2016 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Snedeker had the luxury of waiting in the clubhouse for the field to finish their round a whole day later. K.J. Choi finally finished his final round one shot short after countless weather delays that lead to a Monday finish.

Snedeker finished his final round at 1:40 p.m. PT Sunday (3-under 69) and posted a 6-under 282. He began the final round trailing by six strokes at 3-under par. Snedeker was the only player in the field to shoot under par in the final round which was key to his victory.

Due to inclement weather Sunday, play was suspended from 8:46 a.m. until 10 a.m. Play was suspended for a second time at 10:39 a.m., while a brief line of showers passed through. Players were held in nearby vans. Play resumed at 11 a.m. Play was again suspended at 1:57 p.m., before ultimately being called for the day. The scheduled restart time of 8 a.m. Monday was pushed back until 10 a.m., as crews continued to remove debris from the course. The final-round scoring average was 77.901 which was +5.90 on the South course where all golfers played after the cut.

A total of 49 players returned Monday morning to complete their final round before leaving out for their next destination to play. The field started out Thursday with 156 players playing on the North & South Courses.

This marks just the second Monday finish of the Farmers Insurance Open. In 2013, Tiger Woods claimed his seventh title in the event on a Monday (due to dense fog over the weekend).

Final Leaderboard

Brandt Snedeker 73-70-70-69—282 (-6)

K.J. Choi 68-67-72-76—283 (-5)

Kevin Streelman 69-69-72-74—284 (-4)

With the win, Snedeker jumps from No. 12 in the FedExCup standings to No. 2 with 1,013 points. It took 458 points to qualify for the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup in 2014-15, 554 to qualify for Deutsche Bank Championship, 692 for BMW Championship and 1,062 for the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. Snedeker won the 2012 FedExCup title the same year of his first Farmers Insurance Open crown.

SCFA Announces Changes for 2016 Season

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Press Release

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January 31, 2016

SMC 4x Champs web — Coach G Lindheim and Players from 2014 Roster. Photo by Jevone Moore

Oct 17, 2015: SMC Corsairs Brock Raggio (14) handing off to Martaveous Holliday (6) during a WLAC Wildcats game at West LA College in Culver City, Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image 360)

SCFA Announces Division, League Changes for 2016 Season

The Southern California Football Association has announced changes to its divisions and leagues for next upcoming two-year cycle, beginning with the 2016 fall season.

Appeals from Allan Hancock College, Citrus College, Pasadena City College, and Santa Ana College to move down from the National Division to the American Division were unanimously approved by the SCFA Competition Committee.

Also in another unanimous vote, Santa Monica College was moved up from the American Division and placed in the National Division’s Northern League.

The SCFA will now be comprised of three, six-team leagues in the National Division (Northern, Central, and Southern).

In the American Division, the Mountain and Pacific Leagues have been reduced to six teams while a newly formed Metro League will be comprised of seven teams.

“The action taken today by the Competition Committee stays consistent with our goal, which is to bring uniformity, strength and competitive balance to Southern California community college football,” said SCFA Commissioner Jim Sartoris. “In making some changes to our league structure, the SCFA continues to evolve in order to meet the needs of our membership and to provide healthy competition, as well as competitive challenges for our student-athletes.”

The new league formats, beginning with the 2016 season are below:

NATIONAL DIVISION

Northern League Central League Southern League

Bakersfield Chaffey Fullerton

Canyons El Camino Golden West

Cerritos Long Beach Grossmont

Moorpark LA Harbor Orange Coast

Santa Monica Mt. San Antonio Palomar

Ventura Riverside Saddleback

AMERICAN DIVISION

Metro League Mountain League Pacific League

East Los Angeles Desert Allan Hancock

ECC Compton Mt. San Jacinto Antelope Valley

Glendale San Bernardino Valley Citrus

LA Southwest San Diego Mesa LA Pierce

Pasadena Southwestern LA Valley

Santa Ana Victor Valley Santa Barbara

West LA

With its division structure and league alignments in place, a new two-year schedule can now be developed.

Trojans Upset Pac-12 #1 Washington

By

Suga Brown-Faal

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January 31, 2016

Washington Huskies guard Andrew Andrews (12) getting trapped in the lane during the college basketball game between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

USC Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) on soft floater during the college basketball game between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Los Angeles, CA – The Trojans hosted the University of Washington today at the Galen Center. Where they not so politely told the Huskies to take their brooms back up the coast because sweeping the east side of Los Angeles wasn’t going down with the final score of today’s rumble USC 98 UW 88.

The Huskies walked into the Galen Center tied for first in the conference and fresh off a sweep of UCLA… A feat they hadn’t performed since 2010–11 season. The Huskies had every intent on dealing the USC Trojans the same fate. But the over 6000 fans were extremely happy to see the Trojans put two fingers in the air and say “No! No! No! Not in our house!” USC has yet to take a loss this season on their home court.

Washington Huskies guard Dejounte Murray (5) on jumper in the lane during the college basketball game between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

The Trojans were about the business of winning almost immediately as they started their attack on the Huskies. With a mind blowing five players in double digits Bennie Boatwright with 15 points, the fire starter Nikola Jovanovic with 28 points, Katin Reinhardt with 11 points, Jordan McLaughlin with 21 points and Elijah Stewart with 10 points. The Trojans did their homework and focused on what went wrong at the last match up with UW. Coach Enfield’s solution switching to a zone in the second to slow down the pace allowing the Trojans to maintain the lead they work so hard for in the first.

USC Trojans forward Darion Clark (0) with a dunk in first half during the college basketball game between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Washington Huskies forward Malik Dime (10) throwing down a dunk in second half during the college basketball game between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

The Huskies took the Trojans resistance very personal. A frustrated Andrew Andrews got hit for 3 fouls back to back against Jordan McLaughlin with only 46 seconds remaining in the game, one of them being called flagrant after giving Jordan a hard elbow to his freshly healed nose. Ouch! To add to the Huskies frustration level was the fact that they were stuck in an arctic freeze from the 3 point zone in the first having hit a dismal 14%.

USC gets a week off to prepare for round two of the crosstown rivalry against UCLA scheduled to take place February 4 at the Galen Center. The Trojans will have brooms on standby.

NCAA College Basketball game action during the college basketball game between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Washington Huskies forward Dominic Green (22) on a jumper in first half of NCAA College Basketball during the college basketball game between the Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Farmers Insurance Open 2016: Big Names Miss Cut

By

Jevone Moore

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January 29, 2016

Brian Davis on 11th at the South Course in the second round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Gary Woodland on 12th at the South Course in the second round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

San Diego, CA – Who will be around for the weekend, who’s in lead now at Farmers Insurance Open? The two new leaders in the clubhouse at 9 under par Gary Woodland 67 and K.J. Choi 67. They both moved up 7 spots from yesterday. In third place making 31 spots move is Dustin Johnson who shot 66 on day two and sits only one shot off the lead.

The cut line was 1 under par if wanted to stay around for the weekend. Of the big names who won’t be around is 2015 Farmers Insurance Open Champion Jason Day who finished 2 over par after 2 rounds. If you saw him you could tell he needed to be in bed fighting a tough cold but being the reigning champ Day stepped up. Hometown hero Phil Mickelson will be getting couple unwanted days off, “I just was not mentally focused, I had good round going at first.” The stylish golfer for the youth to adore Rickie Fowler could overcome his slow start from day 1. Fowler just coming off win last week Abu Dhabi, I guess we can chalk it jet lag.

Rickie Fowler on 12th at the South Course in the second round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360) — Rickie Fowler on 12th

Jason Day on 12th at the South Course in the second round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360) — Jason Day on 12th

Choi was on the shorter North Course for second round and is first driving accuracy 75%. He had 7 birdies on the day, spoke about what’s coming, “I heard that tomorrow and the weekend is going to be very windy and rainy, so I hope to improve on the driving and be more stable on the putting.”

Gary Woodland on 13th at the South Course in the second round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360) — Gary Woodland on 13th

Si Woo Kim on 8th at the South Course in the second round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360) — Si Woo Kim on 8th

Woodland had almost won here at Torrey two years ago if it wasn’t for bad shot on the 17th hole, so who knows what will be in store for weekend. He spoke on how his game translates at Farmers Insurance Open, “But I like this golf course. This golf course suits me really well. A lot of holes go left-to-right. So I can sit like I can just hit driver and hit as hard as I want and keep the ball in play.”

The Farmers Insurance Open is due to have some heavy winds and the possibility of rain for bad weather.

Andrew Loupe on 15th at the South Course in the second round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360) — Andrew Loupe on 15th

Tom Hoge teeing off on 15th at the South Course in the second round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360) — Tom Hoge on 15

The Trojans Defend Home Court

By

Suga Brown-Faal

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January 28, 2016

USC Julian Jacobs looking to go by WSU Ike Iroegbu defending during second half of the Washington State vs USC game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Michael Ewing/fi360 News)

Chimezie Metu throwing down a dunk in the 2nd half of Washington State vs USC game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Michael Ewing/fi360 News)

Los Angeles, CA – Coach Enfield asked the Wizard what do Trojans need to do to beat those Cougars? And Wizard said ” have your boys click there cardinal red hightops three times and say there’s no place like home.” And with that magical advice the Trojans beat the Cougars with a final score USC 81 WSU 71. Okay maybe they also had to throw in tons of elbow grease with those high tops.

Tonight marks the 119th all-time meeting between Washington State and USC, as the Trojans hold a 72-48 advantage in the series. USC won the first meeting between these two teams in PAC-12 opener on January 1 in Pullman Washington.

Point Guard Julian Jacobs surveying the floor during first half of the Washington State vs USC game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Michael Ewing/fi360 News)

After the two losses USC sustained against Oregon and Oregon State the Cougars were hoping the Trojans unlucky losing streak would hold out long enough for them to get their much needed win. Washington state being a worthy opponent would get no such break today.

The Trojans Jordan McLaughlin appeared to be still recovering from being under the weather, looked like he was missing his normal radiant confidence, but with aid of USC’s talent field bench and spirit rich fans that would be more than enough energy to subsidize the missing fury that would be needed to nail that elusive “W”.

The double take brothers Chimezie Metu and Nikola Jovanovic put on a mind blowing show with their mad rebounding skills and ability to convert them into very effective fast-break points. This must be why USC is ranked first place in the PAC-12 for rebounds.

Elijah Stewart with a floater in the lane during second half of the Washington State vs USC game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Michael Ewing/fi360 News)

Katin Reinhardt and Elijah Stewart showed that the win would go to the team with the most consistency on the basic fundamentals. With both men shooting 100% from the free-throw line tonight I bet Washington State is thinking lesson learned.

I must not fail to mention the director of assist Julian Jacobs with 9 assist for tonight giving him first place ranking in the league.

The Cougars played strong competitive ball tonight. The lead changed hands 14 times. Josh Hawkinson, Ike Iroegbu and Que Johnson all had double digits. It just wasn’t enough to get it done.

Ike Iroegbu trying to get pass USC defender to the hoop during first half of the Washington State vs USC game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Michael Ewing/fi360 News)

The Trojans next game on January 30 will be against Washington. USC is looking to make a payback for the win that was stolen from them on their last matchup on January 3rd.

Farmers Insurance Open 2016 Has Two #1’s

By

Jevone Moore

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January 28, 2016

South Course in the First round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Harold Varner III hitting on 10th fairway North Course in the First round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

San Diego, CA – After the first day of play at Farmers Insurance Open 2016 we have two leaders who both shot six under par. Scott Brown 66 was on the tougher South Course Torrey Pines where the final day will be held. While no small feat Andrew Loupe 66 played the North Course Torrey Pines along with five other golfers who are all tied for third just one shot off lead. Harold Varner III shot 67 having great day on the links, and he went to East Carolina University.

The field will all sort itself out after today when the whole field will have played both course at Torrey Pines here at the Farmers Insurance Open. The San Diego native Phil Mickelson shot 69 on the South which has him tied for 15th with 19 other golfers and his playing partner Jimmy Walker. 2015 Farmers Insurance Open Champion Jason Day almost didn’t make it first tee after missing pro-am Wednesday due to bad flu like cold. Just as Champ does you get right up and defend your crown, Jason was able to finish with even par 72.

Andrew Loupe on 9th hole North Course in the First round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Phil Mickelson on the South Course in the First round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Jason Day 2015 Farmers Open Champion driving on the 4th tee North Course in the First round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Varner today had an eagle with 3 birdies spoke about first day, “Yeah, the eagle was pretty good. So just playing solid. Just didn’t play well last week, so this course sets up pretty well for me.” He will be able to test game tee off Friday at 9:50 on South Course. This young player will have chance to play late on Saturday if had another good round.

Rickie Fowler hitting off tee on 11th tee North Course in the First round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

The leader Loupe had booked eagles for the round, ” Quite the day. That doesn’t happen very often. Fortunately, I was just able to hit the fairway on both those par-5s..” He’s iron play was solid playing on the shorter North hitting 15/18, 83% of greens in regulation. While Co-leader Brown gutted out way through the course 13/18, 72% greens.

This field of golfers were able to make good mark on Torrey Pines courses having 12 players below 70 on South, compared to 21 players on the North. The Farmers Insurance Open is looking for more great golf on Friday.

Ryo Ishikawa on 5th hole North Course in the First round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Patrick Reed hitting off 12th tee North Course in the First round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

Hideki Matsuyama hitting second shot from fairway on 11th tee North Course in the First round action of PGA Golf during the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)

EX-USC ALL-AMERICAN & NFL STAR KENECHI UDEZE NAMED TROJAN DEFENSIVE LINE COACH

By

Press Release

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January 27, 2016

USCvsUTAH102415-20 Photo by Jordon Kelly / Jordon Kelly Photography

LOS ANGELES – Former USC All-American defensive end Kenechi Udeze, a first round NFL Draft pick and 4-year NFL starter whose inspirational story saw him overcome cancer that ended his playing days and led to a career in coaching, has been named USC’s defensive line coach, Trojan head coach Clay Helton announced today (Jan. 26).

“There are times in your career when you meet someone and just know that they are going to be a superstar in the profession,” said Helton. “Kenechi is that person. I was blown away by his attention to detail with technique and fundamentals in our recent bowl game preparation and in the interview process. His knowledge of the game is something that is going to be critical to the development of our young defensive line. Kenechi is a Trojan to the core and his passion for USC is felt by all.”

Udeze, 32, spent the 2015 season as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at USC. He also assisted in the Trojan football office and for 3 weeks leading up to the Holiday Bowl he served as the team’s defensive line coach.

Prior to USC’s 2015 season, he served an NFL minority coaching fellowship with the Buffalo Bills during their fall camp and pre-season, working with the defensive line.

He began his coaching career as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Washington for 3 years (2009-11), where he also worked with the defensive line. The Huskies played in the 2010 Holiday Bowl and 2011 Alamo Bowl.

In 2012, he was the assistant defensive line coach with the Seattle Seahawks as the team advanced to the NFC playoffs, then in 2013 he was with the Minnesota Vikings during fall camp and the pre-season as part of an NFL minority coaching fellowship (he was involved with the defensive line).

He was the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Pittsburgh in 2014, helping with the defensive line (the Panthers played in the Armed Forces Bowl).

Udeze was a 3-year (2001-03) starting defensive end at USC, recording 135 tackles, 51 tackles for loss, 28 sacks, an NCAA record-tying 14 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries in his career.

As a junior in 2003 on USC’s national championship team, he was a consensus All-American first teamer (Troy’s first All-American first team defensive end since Tim Ryan in 1989), as well as a Hendricks Award finalist, the Washington D.C. Pigskin Club National Defensive Player of the Year, an All-Pac-10 first team selection and USC’s Defensive Lineman of the Year. That season, he led the nation in sacks (1.3), was fourth in tackles for loss (2.0) and was ninth in forced fumbles (0.4), the only player in the nation in the Top 9 in each of those categories. His 26 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in 2003 were the most by a Trojan defensive lineman since Ryan in 1989 and he was the first Trojan with double digits in sacks since 1992 (Willie McGinest). He also had 56 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery (for a touchdown), 3 deflections and a blocked field goal in 2003.

After redshirting in 2000, Udeze was a Freshman All-American second team pick in 2001 when he had 35 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, a fumble recovery, 3 forced fumbles and a deflection as USC played in the Las Vegas Bowl. As a sophomore in 2002, he made All-Pac-10 second team and was USC’s Defensive Lineman of the Year when he had 44 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, a school record 6 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception and a blocked field goal (the Trojans won the 2003 Orange Bowl and finished ranked fourth nationally).

He declared for the NFL Draft after his 2003 junior season and was a first round selection (20^th overall pick) by the Vikings in 2004. He started 47 of 51 games in his 4 years (2004-07) with the Vikings, compiling 117 tackles, 11 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 forced fumbles.

As a rookie in 2004, he recorded 36 tackles, 5 sacks, a forced fumble and a deflection while starting 15 games for the Vikings playoff squad. He suffered a knee cartilage injury in the third game of 2005, sidelining him for the season after 2 starts. He started 15 times in 2006, getting 29 tackles, then had 47 tackles, 5 sacks a deflection and forced fumble with another 15 starts in 2007.

He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (a blood cancer) in 2008 and placed on injured reserve that season. He received chemotherapy treatments and had a bone marrow transplant from his brother. He was the Vikings’ recipient of the 2008 NFL Ed Block Courage Award, as voted by his teammates. After attempting to return to the playing field in 2009 but struggling with peripheral neuropathy in his feet as a result of chemotherapy, Udeze retired from the NFL that summer. His leukemia is in remission.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from USC in 2010.

He was a prep All-American lineman at Verbum Dei High in Los Angeles (Calif.), where he also was a shot putter on the track team.

He was born on March 5, 1983. His first name means “God’s love will always be with me” in Nigerian. His nickname as a USC player was “BKU,” which stood for Big Kenechi Udeze (he enrolled at USC weighing 375 pounds, but left at 275). He has been involved with charities that raise money for cancer research. He has a daughter, Bailey, 8.

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ROSE BOWL VICTORY CAPS SUCCESSFUL PAC-12 SEASON

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Press Release

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January 27, 2016

NCAA 2016: 102nd Rose Bowl Presented by Northwestern Mutual

College Football game action during the 102nd Rose Bowl Game Stanford Cardinals vs Iowa Hawkeyes 2016. (Photo by Jevone Moore/fi360 News)

POSTSEASON YIELDS SIX WINS: The Pac-12 sent a record 10 teams into the postseason and produced a 6-4 bowl record. The six bowl wins tie for most in Pac-12 history. The Pac-12 champion STANFORD Cardinal capped the Pac-12’s postseason with a convincing 45-16 win over Iowa in the Rose Bowl Game behind another stunning performance from Christian McCaffrey. All the AP Player of the Year did was post a Rose Bowl Game record 378 all-purpose yards that included 172 rushing yards, 105 receiving yards and 101 return yards that featured a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown.

PAC-12 FCG: STANFORD kept the Pac-12 North Division perfect at 5-0 in the Pac-12 Football Championship Game with its 41-22 victory over USC. While the Trojans were the fourth different Pac-12 South Division champion to appear in the Conference’s fifth championship game, they could not overcome Stanford’s McCaffrey. The sophomore running back earned MVP honors after he posted 461 all-purpose yards – 207 rushing, 144 receiving, 149 return yards – and scored two touchdowns. For good measure, he connected with QB Kevin Hogan with an 11-yard TD pass. McCaffrey and Hogan each rushed for a touchdown, threw for a touchdown and caught a touchdown.

POLLING: The polls were a revolving door for Pac-12 teams in 2015 as nine different Pac-12 teams appeared in the polls during the 2015 season, with five different Pac-12 teams having been ranked in the AP Top 10 … Over the last two seasons, 10 different Pac-12 teams have been ranked among the AP Top 25, while six different Conference teams have been ranked among the Top 10.

NATIONAL INDIVIDUAL HONORS: STANFORD’s Christian McCaffrey, who was the Heisman Trophy runner up, was recognized as the AP Player of the Year. He also earned the Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player, while teammate Joshua Garnett won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman. UCLA’s Ka’imi Fairbairn was tabbed the Groza Award winner as the nation’s top kicker and UTAH’s Tom Hackett defended his status as the nation’s top punter by earning his second straight Ray Guy Award … Garnett and Hackett were tabbed unanimous All-America, while McCaffrey and Fairbairn were consensus selections.

GARNETT, BUCKNER TABBED MORRIS TROPHY WINNERS: STANFORD OG Joshua Garnett and OREGON DE DeForest Buckner were named the Morris Trophy winners. The Morris Trophy is given annually to the most outstanding offensive and defensive linemen in the Pac-12 Conference. What makes the award unique is the selection procedure, in which the league’s starting offensive linemen vote for the defensive winner and vice versa. It is truly a players’ award. The Morris Trophy is sponsored by the Washington Athletic Club, Anthony’s Restaurants, Athletic Awards and the Morris Trophy Foundation. It was created by Traci (Morris) Drake in 1980 and named after her father, G. Patrick Morris.

FBS ALL-PURPOSE YARDAGE MARK FALLS: STANFORD sophomore RB Christian McCaffrey led the FBS with 276 all-purpose yards per game, more than 70 yards over the next player (Tyler Ervin, San Jose State, 202.85 ypg). He set the FBS record with 3,864 all-purpose yards, bettering by more than 600 yards the previous record held by Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders (3,250 yards in 1988) … His school-record 461 all-purpose yards posted against USC in the Pac-12 Football Championship Game was the top mark in the FBS this season … McCaffrey has rushed for 100 or more yards in 11 games. His 3,864 all-purpose yardage breakdown is as follows: 2,019 rushing, 645 receiving, 1,070 kick return, 130 punt return … Since 1978, only four other Conference players have averaged 200 or more all-purpose yards per game – USC’s Marcus Allen in 1981 (232.6 avg), Stanford’s Glyn Milburn in 1990 (202.0 avg), USC’s Reggie Bush in 2005 (222.3 avg) and USC’s Marqise Lee in 2012 (206.4 avg). Coincidentally, Milburn’s teammate in 1990 was Ed McCaffrey (father of Christian), who had 61 receptions for 917 yards and a Conference-leading 91.7 receiving yards per game that season … In addition to McCaffrey, the Pac-12 boasts OREGON’s Royce Freeman (5th, 168.0 ypg) and UTAH’s Devontae Booker (8th, 157.90 ypg) among the FBS top ten all-purpose leaders.

SUPER BOWL 50: The Pac-12 will be well represented in Super Bowl 50 with 16 former players on the rosters for either the Denver Broncos or the Carolina Panthers. In addition, Carolina Head Coach Ron Rivera is a former California linebacker, an All-Pac-10 performer. The rosters:

Denver Broncos: QB Brock Osweiler, ASU; RB C.J. Anderson, CAL; WR Kyle Williams, ASU; C Sam Brenner, UTAH; OT Tyler Polumbus, COLO; S Omar Bolden, ASU; SS T.J. Ward, ORE.

Carolina Panthers: QB Derek Anderson, OSU; RB Jonathan Stewart, ORE; TE Ed Dickson, ORE; C Ryan Kalil, USC; OT Nate Chandler, UCLA; OT Mike Remmers, OSU; DT Dwan Edwards, OSU; DT Star Lotulelei, UTAH; CB Shaq Thompson, WASH.