Jacksonville State Gamecocks guard Malcolm Drumwright (21)getting doubled teamed during Jacksonville State vs Loyola Marymount Men's Basketball in the first half at the Gersten Pavilion on Dec. 18th, 2015. (Photo by Michael Ewing/fi360 News)
Loyola Marymount Lions forward Adom Jacko (4) on moster dunk in the Jacksonville State vs Loyola Marymount Men’s Basketball in the Second half at the Gersten Pavilion on Dec. 18th, 2015. (Photo by Michael Ewing/fi360 News)
Los Angeles, Ca – The LMU Lions have a powerful one two punch behind Steven Hanley and Adom Jacko in their impressive 77-60 victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The pair both scored 21 points each in their own fashion from in the paint or from the perimeter.
The Lions shot 45% from the field for the game and just kept the right pressure on the Gamecocks to keep a safe lead. The Gamecocks kept fighting till the end by starting to pick up their defense full court once the game was under 4 minutes of play. The Lions would not let them scratch into their double digit lead. The Lions game plan to contest every shot and limit Malcolm Drumwright from having good looks at the basket worked limiting him to 16 points that still lead his team.
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks traveled over 2,000 miles to try and get their first road win in early part of their non conference schedule. Head coach James Green now in his 8th season as leader of the Gamecocks. The School football team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Ohio Valley Conference as well and is currently the #1 seed facing Sam Houston State in semi-final match-up this Saturday Dec 19th.
Loyola Marymount Lions forward Adom Jacko (4) on the tight defense on Jacksonville State Gamecocks guard Jared Hamilton (13) during Jacksonville State vs Loyola Marymount Men’s Basketball in the first half at the Gersten Pavilion on Dec. 18th, 2015. (Photo by Michael Ewing/fi360 News)
Adom Jacko looked to ignite the home fans with a dunk that shook the rim and gave the Loins the lead back 4-3 with 16:11 on clock in first half. Jacko was able to take advantage down in the paint most of night against Gamecocks 3 guards 2 forwards set. The only thing that slowed Jacko down after having 6 points and 4 rebounds was a second touch foul that sent him to the bench with 12 minutes left in the first half.
The Lions as a whole finally began to break loose in first half with a 13 point lead with 5:46 left in half after a huge three pointer by Steven Haney Jr. The offense began to make key shots late in the shot clock behind smart guard play and facilitating the ball movement.
To end the half both teams exchanged three point baskets starting with Steven Haney with :43, then Gamecocks answered right back with DelFincko Bogan three pointer at :34. LMU took a 35-22 lead in at halftime with a lot of confidence after shooting 43% from the field and 40% from downtown.
Jacko and Haney were subbed out for the final time with just under two minutes of play left and the game securely in hand. The Lion moved on with the victory and their record to 7-4 on the season.
Next up the LMU Lions will travel to play Portland on Monday Dec 21st. Jacksonville State will return home to host Northern Colorado on Monday Dec 21st in Alabama.
Dec 5: Asst USC Coach Tee Martin Pac-12 2015 Football Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
LOS ANGELES—USC wide receivers coach Tee Martin has been promoted to offensive coordinator, new Trojan head coach Clay Helton announced today (Dec. 18).
“I am fortunate to have been around many good coaches throughout my career, but I have never been around a coach quite as complete as Tee Martin,” said Helton. “He has a unique ability to lead, organize, recruit, teach, game plan and call plays. In the second half of this season, Tee took on a greater coordinating role in game planning and play calling and I was very impressed with the job he did. I am beyond confident in his ability to lead our offense to new heights.”
Martin, 37, is in his fourth season (2012-15) at USC. In addition to coaching the wide receivers since his arrival at Troy (he will continue in that role), he added the pass game coordinator duties in 2014.
The 2015 Trojan offense currently is averaging 449.6 total yards and 34.9 points a game. It is in the nation’s Top 25 in completion percentage, passing efficiency and first downs. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, earned All-American second team and All-Pac-12 first team honors while catching 85 passes for 1,389 yards and 10 TDs, and he ranks in the Top 20 nationally in receiving yards, receiving TDs and receptions.
Earlier in 2015, Martin was named among the nation’s Top 10 recruiters by Sports Illustrated and Sporting News, as well as the Pac-12 Recruiter of the Year by Rivals.com.
In 2014 under Martin, wide receiver Nelson Agholor made All-American first team and All-Pac-12 first team while catching 104 passes (third most in USC history) and he was a NFL draft first round selection, while Smith-Schuster was a Freshman All-American first teamer. USC was 15th nationally in passing offense. He was named the 2014 Scout.com Pac-12 Recruiter of the Year.
USC NFL Pro Day 2014 M. Lee showing off his hands during field drills. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
In 2013, wide receiver Marqise Lee became USC’s career receiving yardage leader and was an NFL second round pick.
In 2012, Lee won the Biletnikoff Award and was an All-American first teamer, plus he was a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and Hornung Award and was the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year as he set Pac-12 season records for receptions (112) and receiving yards (1,680) while leading the Pac-12 in receptions, receiving yards, all-purpose yards and kickoff returns. Wide receiver Robert Woods was a second round pick in the 2013 NFL draft.
Before coming to USC, Martin was the wide receivers coach at Kentucky for 2 years (2010-11). He also served as the passing game coordinator in 2011. In 2010, Wildcat wide receiver Randall Cobb was an All-American first teamer and NFL second round selection, while wide receiver Chris Matthews tied for the Southeastern Conference lead in touchdown catches.
Martin began his coaching career as the passing game coordinator at Morehouse College in 2006, when the Maroon Tigers had the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s top-ranked rushing, passing and total offense.
He then was the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach at North Cobb High in Kennesaw (Ga.) in 2007, helping the Warriors to a 10-1 record in the Class AAAAA ranks, and the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at North Atlanta (Ga.) High in 2008.
He spent 2009 as the quarterbacks coach at New Mexico.
Martin was a 4-year (1996-99) letterman quarterback at Tennessee. After serving as Peyton Manning’s backup his first 2 years, he led the Volunteers to a 13-0 record in 1998, capped by the national championship following a Fiesta Bowl win over Florida State. He led Tennessee to another trip to the Fiesta Bowl in 1999 and was named All-SEC first team. He set NCAA game (23 versus South Carolina) and season (24) records for consecutive completions in 1998.
He was selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, beginning a 6-year pro career. After 2 seasons (2000-01) with the Steelers, he went to NFL Europe in 2002, when he led the Rhein Fire to a league-best 7-3 record and a berth in the World Bowl. He returned to the NFL with the Oakland Raiders in 2003, then moved to the Canadian Football League and spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
He and his wife, Toya, have 2 sons, Kaden, 11, and Cannon, 3, and 15-year-old twins, daughter A’Yadra and son Amari.
Pac-12 Men's Basketball USC Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4)USC Trojans vs Yale Bulldogs first half game action at the Galen Center on Dec. 13th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
USC Jordan McLaughlin throwing down on a fast break in Pac-12 Men’s Basketball game action at the Galen Center on Dec. 13th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Jordan McLaughlin
Los Angeles, CA – The USC Trojans men’s basketball team hosted the Cal Poly Mustangs at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California.
The Trojans new alias will official be The Horse Whispers because they tamed those Cal Poly Mustangs into defeat with a final score USC 101 Cal Poly 82.
I’m sure when the Mustangs stepped out on the pine they felt very confident that this game would be theirs with Jordan McLaughlin on the mend from a broken nose and a sidelined Julian Jacobs for his tendinitis. They had no clue of that they were due to receive a savage beating from the Trojans bench.
The Trojans really mixed up the recipe tonight severing fresh hot stunning defense was the flavor of the day. And it fair to say the offense didn’t look to bad either. We had our usual cast of charters out there giving the crowd a show Bennie Boatwright with 10 points, Katin Reinhardt with a phenomenal 29 points, now this is where you would normally see Jordan name with some astronomical double digit amount but tonight he was the orchestrator, get that ball up the court to make room for Chimezie Metu 16 points, Julian Jacobs 10 points, and Darion Clark 10 points, to spread their wings and fly.
In addition to Julian returning to the court he came off of the injured list to get a all time career high in assist a grand total of 13. That makes for great team ball and one can totally see why the Trojans had 6 players in double digits.
Now the Mustangs did a little bucking and kicking of their own with 5 players in double digits Brain Bennett for 10 points, David Nwaba for 15 points, Taylor Sutlive for 13 points, Luke Meikle for 13 points and Zach Gordon for 11 points. The Mustangs even managed to pull off 11 steals, but those efforts would be futile as they could never seem to get the upper hand on those Trojans
With this game in the win column for USC they can focus on their up coming meeting with SIUE (Southern Illinois-Edwardsville) on December 21. This will be the first match-up for these two schools so the Trojans seriously need to prepare for the unknown.
Sumahrie Collections Fashion Show at Dancer 4 Life LA Dec. 12th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Sumahrie Collections Fashion Show at Dancer 4 Life LA Dec. 12th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Inglewood, CA – Today was the unveiling of Mahriama “Mahri” Suma 2016/17 Spring Summer Sumahhrie Collection. Mahri has had some pieces of her previous collections in fashion shows in the past, but those fashion shows showcased her and several other designers. This show was her first exclusive fashion show. It was a intimate lively affair.
Sumahhrie Collection was a absolute reflection of Mahri’s West African roots and her California lifestyle. Western coordinates, party wear, and resort wear all done in traditional West African wax prints and dashiki fabric. With bold shades of pink, electric blues, and yellows against chocolates, olive greens burnt oranges and cranberry. The resort wear was given a real organic feel with crochet skirts, halters and dresses all of which were hand done by Mahri herself. With texture of rayon and cotton, all of which were embellished with either carved wood button and or wooden beads.
Sumahrie Collections Fashion Show at Dancer 4 Life LA Dec. 12th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Sumahrie Collections Fashion Show at Dancer 4 Life LA Dec. 12th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
This collection also stood out to me because there was no typical size 0 on this runway. When I asked Mahri what size woman is she designing for she said she was her own original fit model at a size 8, and she wants her collection to be worn by real women so she has he designs cut to fit a size 8 through 14.
There were also exotic accessories in the collection like African print quilted patchwork clutch purses, stacked bangles wrapped in wax fabric, Kente fabric neck ties, infinity scarves, mixed fabric backpacks and messenger bags.
Sumahrie Collections Fashion Show at Dancer 4 Life LA Dec. 12th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Sumahrie Collections Fashion Show at Dancer 4 Life LA Dec. 12th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
As Mahri prides herself on being a family person she wanted to include fashions in the collection that her son, nieces and nephews could wear, so the collection had little jumps suit and short sets all done with that African flavor for little girls and a few dashiki print button down dress shirt that were actual modeled on the runway by her teenage son.
Sumahrie Collections Fashion Show at Dancer 4 Life LA Dec. 12th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Sumahrie Collections Fashion Show at Dancer 4 Life LA Dec. 12th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
If you’re looking for unique eclectic fashions then the Sumahrie Collection is for you. These pieces will be available for the public early 2016. I look forward to seeing where this collection goes next.
Stanford Christian MaCaffrey finding little day light during Stanford vs USC game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday September 19th, 2015. (Photo by Jordon Kelly / fi360 News)
NATIONAL HONORS: STANFORD’s Christian McCaffrey 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.
PAC-12 FCG: The STANFORD Cardinal 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 Christian 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.
BOWL ELIGIBLE: The Pac-12 has a record 10 bowl eligible teams. In terms of percentage of membership achieving bowl eligibility, the Pac-12 leads all other conferences:
Pac-12 (10 of 12)
83.30%
SEC (10 of 14)
71.40%
Big 12 (7 of 10)
70.00%
American (8 of 12)
66.70%
ACC (9 of 14)
64.30%
Mountain West (7 of 12)
58.30%
Big Ten (8 of 14)
57.10%
MAC (7 of 13)
53.80%
CUSA (5 of 13)
38.50%
Sunbelt (4 of 11)
36.40%
FBS ALL-PURPOSE YARDAGE MARK FALLS: STANFORD sophomore RB Christian McCaffrey, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, leads the FBS with 268.92 all-purpose yards per game, nearly 70 yards over the next player (Tyler Ervin, San Jose State, 200.83 ypg). He set the FBS record with 3,496 all-purpose yards, bettering 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 is the top mark in the FBS this season … McCaffrey has rushed for 100 or more yards in 10 games. His 3,461 all-purpose yardage breakdown is as follows: 1,847 rushing, 540 receiving, 1,042 kick return, 67 punt return … Since 1978, only four other Conference players have averaged 200 or more all-purpose yards per game for an entire season – 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 (6th, 169.25 ypg) and UTAH’s Devontae Booker (9th, 157.90 ypg) among the FBS all-purpose leaders.
POLL WATCHING: The polls have been a revolving door for Pac-12 teams this season as nine different Pac-12 teams have appeared in the polls this season, with five different Pac-12 teams this season have 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.
YOUTH WILL BE SERVED: Underclassmen were making their mark in the Pac-12 this season. Take a look at the league statistics and you’ll see sophomores leading in several categories:
Rushing:
1. Royce Freeman, ORE, 142.2 avg; 2. Christian McCaffrey, STAN 136.7 avg
Nov 14, 2015 UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambling for a late 4th quarter touchdown during second half of Washington State vs UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca(Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
While they might not be leading any statistical category, several freshmen had standout seasons this year. UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen threw for a UCLA freshmen record 3,350 yards and 20 TDs, WASHINGTON trotted out a freshman QB in Jake Browning and a freshman RB in Myles Gaskin. Browning threw for a Washington freshman record 2,671 yards and 16 TDs, while Gaskin rolled up a Husky freshman record 1,121 rushing yards and 10 TDs … Defensively, USC freshman LB Cameron Smith led the Trojans with 78 tackles (7.8 avg) before a season-ending injury. ARIZONA STATE freshman DB Kareem Orr recorded a league-best five interceptions.
AIR PAC-12: WASHINGTON STATE’s Luke Falk and CALIFORNIA’s Jared Goff become the eighth and ninth players in Pac-12 history to throw for more than 4,000 yards. For the third time in the last five seasons, two quarterbacks have thrown for more than 4,000 yards in the same season.
2011 Nick Foles, Arizona (4,329) and Brock Osweiler, Arizona State (4,036)
2013 Sean Mannion, Oregon State (4,662) and Connor Halliday, Washington State (4,597)
2015 Luke Falk, Washington State (4,266) and Jared Goff, California (4,252)
DALLAS (FWAA) – The 2015 AutoNation FWAA All-America Team was announced on Monday by the Football Writers Association of America. The 26-man first team is led by the Southeastern Conference with seven selections. Alabama running back Derrick Henry, the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award and Doak Walker Award winner, is one of four players from the second-ranked Crimson Tide on the first team and leads a parade of 24 players from the Power Five conferences.
This season, AutoNation is the title sponsor of the FWAA team, in conjunction with its season-long presentation of weekly FWAA national players and teams of the week, for which it made donations to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in each recipient’s name. For the fourth straight season, the announcement of the team, the second-longest continuously-published team in major college football, will be featured on SiriusXM Radio’s “College Football Nation.” A two-hour special hosted by Mark Packer and Matt Leinart airs today at 5 p.m. ET.
Since 1945, the FWAA All-America Team has been among the five teams used to formulate the NCAA’s annual consensus All-America team, which will be announced Thursday. Since the 2002 season, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation have joined the FWAA as the five designated selectors by the NCAA.
Also representing the 2015 AutoNation FWAA All-America Team from Alabama, which is in the College Football Playoff at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, are defensive lineman and Outland Trophy finalist A’Shawn Robinson, linebacker Reggie Ragland and center Ryan Kelly, the Rimington Trophy winner. Tide defensive back Eddie Jackson was selected to the second team.
There are two repeat first-team selections from the 2014 FWAA team: Baylor offensive tackle Spencer Drango, an Outland Trophy finalist, and Utah punter Tom Hackett, the Ray Guy Award winner for a second straight season. Three other teams – top-ranked Clemson, Baylor and Rose Bowl-bound Stanford – had two players each on the first team.
Stanford’s twosome on the first team are Outland-winning guard Joshua Garnett and sophomore kick returner Christian McCaffrey, a Heisman finalist. Baylor’s other first-team pick was wide receiver Corey Coleman, the Biletnikoff Award winner. Clemson’s teammates include defensive end Shaq Lawson and quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Davey O’Brien Award winner and a Heisman finalist who will lead the No. 1 Tigers against No. 4 Oklahoma in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner as the FWAA’s national defensive player of the year, is the Owls’ first, first-team defensive All-American and was one of two players on the first team from a Group of Five league, the American Athletic Conference. The other selection is from the Mid-American Conference, Northern Illinois defensive back Shawun Lurry.
The FWAA’s All-America Committee selected this 72nd annual team based on nominations from the entire membership. “In our 75th year as an organization, the task of picking an All-America team remains among the most pleasant we tackle,” said Lee Barfknecht of the Omaha World-Herald, the 2015 FWAA President. “Honoring the best of the best in football and the best of the best among young people is worth celebrating. Our All-America Committee worked hard and prepared well to come up with a team well worth the attention it will receive.”
This is just the third season in the modern era (post-1950) that the FWAA has named a second team. Notre Dame had four players on the two teams (three on the second team). Michigan State and Oregon also each had three second-team selections. Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun and Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey were selected to the second team for a second straight season. Duke defensive back Jeremy Cash, who was a second-team selection in 2014, made the first team this season.
There were 13 seniors, seven juniors and six sophomores selected to the first team. The conference breakdown for those players is as follows: SEC (7), Big Ten (5), ACC (4), Pac-12 (4), Big 12 (3), American Athletic (1), Mid-American (1) and Independents (1).
2015 AUTONATION FWAA ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson (6-2, 207, So., Gainesville, Ga.) RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State (5-11, 202, So. , Miami, Fla.) RB Leonard Fournette, LSU (6-1, 230, So., New Orleans, La.) RB Derrick Henry, Alabama (6-3, 242, Jr., Yulee, Fla.) WR Corey Coleman, Baylor (5-11 , 190, Jr., Richardson, Texas) WR Josh Doctson, TCU (6-4, 195, Sr., Mansfield, Texas) OL Spencer Drango, Baylor (6-6, 320, Sr., Cedar Park, Texas) OL Joshua Garnett, Stanford (6-5, 321, Sr., Puyallup, Wash.) OL Jason Spriggs, Indiana (6-7, 305, Sr., Elkhart, Ind.) OL Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame (6-6, 315, Sr., Las Vegas, Nev.) C Ryan Kelly, Alabama (6-5, 297, Sr., West Chester, Ohio)
DEFENSE DL Myles Garrett, Texas A&M (6-5, 262, So., Arlington, Texas) DL Shaq Lawson, Clemson (6-3, 270, Jr., Central, S.C.) DL Carl Nassib, Penn State (6-7, 272, Sr. , West Chester, Pa.) DL A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama (6-4, 312, Jr., Fort Worth, Texas) LB Tyler Matakevich, Temple (6-1, 232, Sr., Stratford, Conn.) LB Reggie Ragland, Alabama (6-2, 252, Sr., Madison, Ala.) LB Joe Schobert, Wisconsin (6-2, 236, Sr., Waukesha, Wis.) DB Jeremy Cash, Duke (6-2, 210, Sr., Miami, Fla.) DB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida (5-11, 199, Jr., Tampa, Fla.) DB Desmond King, Iowa (5-11, 200, Jr., Detroit, Mich.) DB Shawun Lurry, Northern Illinois (5-8, 178, So., West Palm Beach, Fla.)
SPECIALISTS K Ka’imi Fairbairn, UCLA (6-0, 190, Sr., Kailua, Hawaii) P Tom Hackett, Utah (5-11, 195, Sr., Melbourne, Australia) KR Christian McCaffrey, Stanford (6-0, 201, So., Castle Rock, Colo.) PR William Likely, Maryland (5-7, 175, Jr., Belle Glade, Fla.)
Dec 5: Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) 2015 Football Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
2015 AUTONATION FWAA ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM Offense: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma; RB Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State; RB Royce Freeman, Oregon; WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame; WR Roger Lewis, Bowling Green; WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC; OL Jack Conklin, Michigan State; OL Taylor Decker, Ohio State; OL Tyler Johnstone, Oregon; OL Landon Turner, North Carolina; C Jack Allen, Michigan State. Defense: DL Andrew Billings, Baylor; DL DeForest Buckner, Oregon; DL Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State; DL; Sheldon Day, Notre Dame; LB Kentrell Brothers, Missouri; LB Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame; LB Eric Striker, Oklahoma; DB Eddie Jackson, Alabama; DB Jourdan Lewis, Michigan; DB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State; DB Darian Thompson, Boise State. Specialists: K Jaden Oberkrom, TCU; P Michael Carrizosa, San José State; KR Evan Berry, Tennessee; PR Cameron Sutton, Tennessee.
The FWAA All-America Team was first selected in 1944, three years after the organization was formed. The FWAA’s inaugural team included Army’s Heisman Trophy tandem of Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Georgia Tech’s Frank Broyles, who later became Arkansas’ head football coach and athletic director.
Over the years, the FWAA team has highlighted all the game’s great players in several media forums. From 1946-70, LOOK magazine published the FWAA team and brought players and selected writers to New York City for a celebration. During that 25-year period, the FWAA team was introduced on national television shows by such noted hosts as Bob Hope, Steve Allen and Perry Como.
After LOOK folded, the FWAA started a long association with NCAA Films (later known as NCAA Productions), which produced a 30-minute television program. The team was part of ABC-TV’s 1981 College Football Series. From 1983-90, the team was introduced on either ABC or ESPN. In 2002 and ‘03, the All-America team was honored with a banquet at the Citrus Bowl.
The same bowl, now the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, also was a sponsor when the team was featured on ABC and ESPN from different locations on Disney properties from 2004-07. From 2008-10, the team had been the subject of a one-hour ESPN special.
For seven decades the FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee, which represents all the regions in the country. From that All-America team, the FWAA also selects the Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman) and also the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (best defensive player).
Some of the true greats of the writing profession have helped to select this team over the years: Grantland Rice, Bert McGrane, Blackie Sherrod, Furman Bisher, Pat Harmon, Fred Russell, Edwin Pope, Murray Olderman, Paul Zimmerman – and the list goes on and on. The FWAA All-America team is steeped in tradition and history and is selected by a writers’ group with those same attributes.
Celebrating its 75th season, the Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization, consists of more than 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com or 214-870-6516.
Nov 29: NFL QB Ben Roethlisberger calling our signals during Pittsburgh Steelers vs Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle Washington. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Nov 29: Head Coach Mike Tomlin during the first half action Pittsburgh Steelers vs Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle Washington. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Steelers coaches Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin have combined to make NFL history.
Since 1969 the Steelers have had only three head coaches, and thanks to the incredible coaching of those men the Steelers made history today.
With the victory over the Bengals, Coach Mike Tomlin now has 90 career wins. He joins Hall of Fame Coach Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher as the third coach in Steelers history to reach 90 regular season wins, and the Steelers are the first franchise in NFL history to have three different head coaches reach that 90 win milestone.
“We certainly have been fortunate to have three men like Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “The fact that each of them had that kind of success is great to see, it’s something we strive for. Stability is something that provides a foundation for everything you do.
“I think our whole organization is geared to support the coach, support the football operation in a way that allows it to be successful.”
Noll, who coached from 1969-1991, tallied 193 career regular season wins, while Cowher had 149 wins, coaching from 1992-2006. Tomlin, who took over in 2007, has kept the winning tradition alive.
All three coaches also led their teams to Super Bowl victories – Noll (Super Bowl IX, X, XIII, XIV), Cowher (Super Bowl XL), and Tomlin (Super Bowl XLIII).
“We have been fortunate to have three great men like that leading the team,” said Rooney. “That is where it starts. It’s a tribute not just to them, but I am sure they would also point to the fact that they had a lot of great people around them to help achieve that success.”
Additional Note: Mike Tomlin became the first head coach in Steelers history to win 90 games in his first nine years. Tomlin also is the ninth head coach in NFL history to win 90 games in his first nine years as head coach, joining Mike Ditka, Joe Gibbs, Dennis Green, Mike Holmgren, John Madden, Mike McCarthy, George Seifert and Don Shula. Tomlin is also the third head coach in NFL history to win eight games in each of his first nine years with the same team (Green with Minnesota and Madden with Oakland).
Adoree' Jackson showing his back. Photo by Jordon Kelly
USC Trojans Adoree Jackson flying high on punt return during Arkansas State vs USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sept 5th, 2015.( Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360News)
–ADOREE’ JACKSON NAMED USC’S MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
LOS ANGELES–USC sophomore cornerback-wide receiver-returner Adoree’ Jackson was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2015 Pac-12 South Division champion and Holiday Bowl-bound Trojan football team at the annual awards banquet Sunday (Dec. 13) at USC’s Tutor Campus Center Ballroom.
Jackson, an All-Pac-12 first teamer in 2015 and a finalist for the Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player, had 31 tackles and an interception for a TD on defense, 24 receptions with 2 touchdowns on offense and 23 punt returns for a 10.9 average with 2 TDs and 29 kickoff returns for a 22.9 average on special teams.
USC Linebacker Su’a Cravens on interceptions during Arkansas State vs USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sept 5th, 2015. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360News)
Senior center Max Tuerk, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the middle of the 2015 season, was named USC’s Most Inspirational Player. Junior offensive tackle Zach Banner was USC’s Offensive Lineman of the Year, senior defensive tackles Antwaun Woods and Delvon Simmons were the Defensive Linemen of the Year, sophomore wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was the Offensive Perimeter Player of the Year, junior outside linebacker Su’a Cravens repeated as the Defensive Perimeter Player of the Year and senior fullback Soma Vainuku was the Special Teams Player of the Year. Senior quarterback Cody Kessler won the Trojan Way Leadership Award for the second consecutive year.
USC quarterback Kody Kessler (6) finding the end zone with his legs during 2015 Football Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Ca. on Dec 5th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
A complete list of the 2015 awards:
Most Valuable Player: cornerback-wide receiver-returner Adoree’ Jackson
Most Inspirational Player: center Max Tuerk
Trojan Way Leadership Award: quarterback Cody Kessler
Trojan Commitment Award: tailback Tre Madden, fullback Jahleel Pinner
Linemen of the Year: offensive tackle Zach Banner (offense), defensive tackle Antwaun Woods, defensive tackle Delvon Simmons (defense)
Perimeter Players of the Year: wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (offense), outside linebacker Su’a Cravens (defense)
Special Teams Player of the Year: fullback Soma Vainuku
Service Team Players of the Year: quarterback Sam Darnold (offense), outside linebacker Don Hill, inside linebacker Joel Foy (defense)
Jack Oakie “Rise and Shine” Award (year’s longest run): tailback Ronald Jones II (74 yards vs. Arizona)
Player of the Game Vs. UCLA: tailback Justin Davis
Howard Jones/Football Alumni Club Academic Award (overall academic achievement): wide receiver Robby Kolanz
Bob Chandler Award (underclassman with outstanding athletic ability, academic achievement and character): quarterback Max Browne
John McKay Award (underclassman with the most competitive spirit): inside linebacker Cameron Smith
Joe Collins Walk-on Award: inside linebacker Reuben Peters
Chris Carlisle Courage Award: inside linebacker Lamar Dawson
Community Service Award: safety John Plattenburg
Lifters Award: fullback Soma Vainuku, tailback Tre Madden (offense), defensive tackle Cody Temple, outside linebacker Don Hill, defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (defense)
Captains: quarterback Cody Kessler, center Max Tuerk, outside linebacker Su’a Cravens, defensive tackle Antwaun Woods, inside linebacker Anthony Sarao
Yale Bulldogs guard Makai Mason (11) getting a fast start on USC Trojans guard Jordan McLaughlin (11) during Pac-12 Men's Basketball USC Trojans vs Yale Bulldogs in the second half of game action at the Galen Center on Dec. 13th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Pac-12 Men’s Basketball USC Trojans vs Yale Bulldogs Freshman USC Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) on spin move in the first half game action at the Galen Center on Dec. 13th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Los Angeles, Ca – The Trojans made sure the Bulldogs felt the USC rain by raining on their hopes of leaving Los Angeles with a win. The Trojan made it perfectly clear that there was to be a change in the forecast by beating Yale … final score USC 68 Yale 56.
From the initial start of the game it looked like it was going to anyone’s game. The pace was real up tempo from both teams. There was intense ball movement, with a lot of team communication going on. Unfortunately for Yale they didn’t see the gray clouds looming in their future. USC went into their trusty war chest of secret weapons and came out with their height hefty line up. Scoring most of their points in the paint because Yale had no answer for the supersized line up. The Bulldogs literally had no blocks for the entire game.
USC Trojans forward Darion Clark (0) showing off his hand time over Yale Bulldogs forward Justin Sears (22) in the first half of the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball USC Trojans vs Yale Bulldogs at the Galen Center on Dec. 13th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Now by no means did Yale lay down and take this beating they managed to have 3 players in double digits, the always energetic Justin Sears with 14 point, their everywhere man Makai Mason with 18 point and Jack Montague with 10 points.
The additional issue for Yale was that Jordan McLaughlin and he and his latest face mask had finally become BFFs. Looking at almost in pre broken nose form. Jordan had 14 points, 2 steals, 4 assist and at the line he hit 3 out of 5. With improvement like that Cal Poly should be highly concerned about their match up with the Trojans on the 17th.
USC Trojans guard Jordan McLaughlin (11) looking for space in the lane during second half in the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball USC Trojans vs Yale Bulldogs game action at the Galen Center on Dec. 13th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Naturally this win for the Trojans was a team effort and nothing brought that to light more then see Darion Clark out there demanding the Bulldogs respect his hustle, height and physical presence, with 7 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal. Clark was a starter last year but when Head Coach Andy Enfield decided to make some tweaks to the team’s recipe that left Clark as a bench player. But to Coach Enfield’s credit Darion Clark’s shot percentage is up over last years to prove there is method to the madness. Clark credits this change for making him a better team player.
So if McLaughlin was the grey cloud and Clark the thunder then Bennie Boatwright (with 17 points) and Katin Reinhardt (with 14 points) must have been the rain. We mustn’t forget the lightning that was Malik Marquetti with 4 steals.
USC Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) shooting over Yale Bulldogs forward Brandon Sherrod (35) during the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball USC Trojans vs Yale Bulldogs in the second half game action at the Galen Center on Dec. 13th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The Trojans and the Bulldogs last and only meet up was in 1988 where the Trojans issued them a merciless lost. Needless to say I think Yale will be more happy not to see USC for another 17 years after this loss.
