Los Angeles, CA (December 10TH, 2015) – The Arena Football League (AFL) announced today their 2016 league schedule, which features the LA KISS playing each team twice throughout the season. The LA KISS will kick off the regular season, on Saturday, April 2nd against the Jacksonville Sharks at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
“I am very excited about how the team is shaping up this year, and we plan to compete for a championship this year” said Joe Windham, CEO of LA KISS. “The fans have been great and showing a lot of support. We can’t wait to show them how great LA KISS Football can be.”
The new version of the AFL schedule consists of eight teams playing each other at least twice. The AFL American Conference will consist of the Jacksonville Sharks, Orlando Predators, Philadelphia Soul and Tampa Bay Storm. While the AFL National Conference, will feature the Arizona Rattlers, Portland Thunder, Cleveland Gladiators and LA KISS.
The AFL postseason, will feature three rounds of play, concluding with ArenaBowl XXIX the weekend of August 26th. The champions of the American and National Conference will be seeded 1 and 2, followed by the teams with the highest to lowest record, being seeded 3-8. The top four seeds will host first round postseason games, and then the two highest remaining seeds will host the semi-final rounds, the following weekend. The top remaining seed from the semi-final round will then host ArenaBowl XXIX.
Maintaining the momentum from the second half of last season, LA KISS have made several acquisitions on both sides of the ball to bolster the roster, in addition to hiring a new Head Coach for the 2016 season. “This is going to be a GAME CHANGING year for the LA KISS” said Omarr Smith, Head Coach of LA KISS. “The 2016 schedule provides us with many challenges but we embrace each and every one of them. Each team in the league has an abundance of talented players which will in turn provide a great product and competitive football week in and week out. We look forward to a great 2016 campaign and showcasing a NEW and EXCITING brand of football to the LA KISS fans.”
The LA KISS still have limited number of Family4Packs available! This exclusive package offers LA KISS fans, 4 season tickets for $270* ($67.50 per seat*), along with all of the season ticket holder amenities:
Paul Stanley custom designed draw string bag
Commemorative pin
LA KISS branded lanyard and ticket sleeve
Custom designed STH book of tickets
50 will be autographed by Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley
10% Off LA KISS merchandise in the team store
Mini LA KISS football
Discount at participating partners
STH Bring A Friend Nights
Early entry at all home games
First right of refusal for your playoff seats
No ticket goes unused program
Access to account manager
For more information about the LA KISS Family4Pack or single game tickets, please visit LAKISSFootball.com or call 714-462-KISS (5477).
ABOUT LA KISS FOOTBALL:
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, two of the greatest showmen of all time, brought pro football to Los Angeles with the formation of LA KISS Football. In just one year, LA KISS has become a phenomenon by taking the KISS mentality and applying it to a sports team. LA KISS represents the fusion of entertainment and sports like no other brand and delivers an all-encompassing in-game experience that is second to none. LA KISS ownership combines over 40 years of success in both entertainment, sports and business. The leadership team looks to challenge and redefine the term “sports entertainment” by applying the KISS mindset to everything they do. For more information, visit lakissfootball.com or follow the team on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
47th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS Press Conference Red Carpet on Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Marsai Martain & Miles Brown at the 47th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS Press Conference Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA (December 8, 2015) – The nominees for the 47th NAACP Image Awards were announced today during a press conference from The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, CA. The categories and nominees were announced by Guillermo Díaz (Scandal), Tika Sumpter (The Haves and the Have Nots), Danielle Nicolet (Born Again Virgin), Marsai Martin (Black-ish), and Miles Brown (Black-ish). In addition, the event was live streamed and special commentary was provided by Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight).
The NAACP Image Awards celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. Winners will be announced during the two-hour star-studded event, which will broadcast LIVE on TV ONE on Friday, February 5, 2016 at 9pm/8c as a two-hour special. A one-hour pre-show will air live from the red carpet at 8pm/7c.
Tika Sumpter (L), Danielle Nicolet (C), Nischelle Turner (R) at the 47th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS Press Conference Red Carpet on Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
“The Image Awards celebrates individuals who model principles of hard work, perseverance, and community empowerment and with the announcement of this year’s nominees the NAACP continues to spotlight the achievements of those in our community,” stated Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. “We have enjoyed a great collaboration with TV One and look forward to working with them again this year to create a memorable evening of entertainment.”
“The NAACP Image Awards has become more than just a ceremony, but an institution for artists and social justice warriors of color to be recognized and celebrated,” stated Cornell William Brooks, President and CEO, NAACP. “As the Image Awards continues to grow and evolve, the principles of social justice will remain at its core.”
Cornell William Brooks President and CEO, NAACP speaking at the 47th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS Press Conference on Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 2015. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
ABC and BET lead the nominees in the TV categories with 28 and 13 nominations respectively, followed by FOX with 12. In the recording category, Columbia Records leads with 10 nominations, followed by RCA with 9 nominations and BMG with 6 nominations. Warner Brothers leads with 6 nominations, while Universal Pictures and Netflix both received 5 nominations in the motion picture categories.
The 47th NAACP Image Awards is sponsored by AT&T, Bank of America, Chrysler-UAW, FedEx, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Hyundai Motors of America, Southwest Airlines and Wells Fargo.
For all information and latest news, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at http://www.naacpimageawards.net.
• “Driving the King” – Ravi Howard (HarperCollins/Harper)
• “Ghost Summer: Stories” – Tananarive Due (Prime Books)
• “Mama’s Boy” – ReShonda Tate Billingsley (Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster)
• “Stand Your Ground” – Victoria Christopher Murrary (Touchstone)
• “Under the Udala Trees” – Chinelo Okparanta (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
• “50 Billion Dollar Boss: African American Women Sharing Stories of Success in Entrepreneurship and Leadership” – Kathey Porter (Author), Andrea Hoffman (Author), (Palgrave Macmillan)
• “Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America” – Jill Leovy (Spiegel & Grau)
“SHOWDOWN: Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination That Changed America” – Wil Haygood (Alfred A. Knopf)
• “Spectacle: The Astonishing Life of Ota Benga” – Pamela Newkirk
(HarperCollins/Amistad)
• “The Light of the World” – Elizabeth Alexander (Grand Central Publishing)
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
• “Between The World and Me” – Ta-Nehisi Coates (Spiegel & Grau)
• “The Fishermen” – Chigozie Obioma (Little, Brown & Company)
• “The Star Side of Bird Hill” – Naomi Jackson (Penguin Press)
• “The Turner House” – Angela Flournoy (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
• “The Wind In The Reeds: A Storm, A Play And The City That Could Not Be Broken” – Wendell Pierce (Author), Rod Dreher (Author), (Riverhead Books)
Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Auto-Biography
• “After the Dance: My Life with Marvin Gaye” – Jan Gaye (Author), David Ritz (With), (HarperCollins/Amistad)
• “Between The World and Me” – Ta-Nehisi Coates (Spiegel & Grau)
• “One Righteous Man: Samuel Battle and the Shattering of the Color Line in New York” – Arthur Browne (Beacon Press)
• “Power Forward: My Presidential Education” – Reggie Love (Simon & Schuster)
• “Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person” – Shonda Rhimes (Simon & Schuster)
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
• “Big Words to Little Me: Tips and Advice for the Younger Self” – Sakina Ibrahim
(Author), Jessie Lee (With), (Createspace (Self published))
“Free Your Mind: An African American Guide to Meditation and Freedom” – Cortez R. Rainey (CreateSpace)
“Keep Calm… It’s Just Real Estate: Your No-Stress Guide To Buying A Home” – Egypt Sherrod (Perseus/Running Press)
• “Soul Food Love: Healthy Recipes Inspired by One Hundred Years of Cooking in a Black Family” – Alice Randall (Author), Caroline Randall Williams (Author), (Clarkson Potter)
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
“Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude” – Ross Gay (University of Pittsburgh Press)
“How to Be Drawn” – Terrance Hayes (Penguin Books / Penguin Random House)
“Reconnaissance” – Carl Phillips (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
“Redbone” – Mahogany L. Browne (Willow Books)
“Wild Hundreds” – Nate Marshall (University of Pittsburgh Press)
Outstanding Literary Work – Children
• “Chasing Freedom: The Life Journeys of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony, Inspired by Historical Facts” – Nikki Grimes (Author), Michele Wood (Illustrator), (Orchard Books / Scholastic)
• “Gordon Parks How the Photographer Captured Black and White America” – Carole Boston Weatherford (Author), Jamey Christoph (Illustrator), (Albert Whitman & Company)
“Granddaddy’s Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box” – Michael S. Bandy (Author), Eric Stein (Author), James E. Ransome (Illustrator), (Candlewick Press)
• “If You Plant a Seed” – Kadir Nelson (Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins
Publishers)
“New Shoes” – Susan Lynn Meyer (Author), Eric Velasquez (Illustrator), (Holiday House)
Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
“Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound” – Andrea Davis Pinkney (Roaring Brook Press)
“Stella By Starlight” – Sharon Draper (Simon & Schuster)
“You Are Wonderfully Made: 12 Life-Changing Principles for Teen Girls to Embrace” – Gwen Richardson (Author), Sylvia Daye Richardson (Author), (Cushcity Communications)
“Dreamcatcher” (Rise Films, Green Acres Films & Vixen Films in association with Impact Partners and Artemis Rising Foundation)
“In My Fathers House” (Break Thru Films)
“The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” (PBS Distribution/Firelight Films)
“What Happened, Miss Simone?” (A Radical Media Production in Association with Moxie Firecracker for Netflix)
Outstanding Documentary – (Television)
• “August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand” (PBS)
• “Belief” (OWN)
• “Kareem: Minority of One” (HBO)
• “Light Girls” (OWN)
• “Muhammad Ali: The Peoples Champ” (BET)
WRITING
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
• Alan Yang, Aziz Ansari – “Master of None” – Parents (Netflix)
• Jennie Snyder Urman – “Jane The Virgin” – Chapter Twenty-Three (The CW)
• Jill Soloway – “Transparent” – Kina Hora (Amazon Video)
• Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Jay Martel, Ian Roberts, Rebecca Drysdale, Colton Dunn, Phil Augusta Jackson, Alex Rubens, Charlie Sanders, Rich Talarico – “Key & Peele” – Y’all Ready For This? (Comedy Central)
• Kenya M. Barris – “black-ish” – The Word (ABC)
Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
Erika Green Swafford, Doug Stockstill – “How to Get Away with Murder” – Mama’s Here Now (ABC)
John Ridley – “American Crime” – Episode 1 (ABC)
LaToya Morgan – “TURN: Washingtons Spies” – False Flag (AMC)
Lee Daniels, Danny Strong – “Empire” – Pilot (FOX)
Mara Brock Akil, Jameal Turner, Keli Goff – “Being Mary Jane” – Sparrow (BET)
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture – (Television)
• Dee Rees – “Bessie” (HBO)
• Lawrence Hill, Clement Virgo – “The Book of Negroes” (BET)
• Michael S. Bandy, Eric Stein – “White Water” (TV One)
• Nzingha Stewart – “With this Ring” (Lifetime)
• Shem Bitterman – “Whitney” (Lifetime)
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film)
Andrea Berloff, Jonathan Herman – “Straight Outta Compton” (Universal Pictures)
Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois, Grant Thompson – “McFarland USA” (Walt Disney Pictures)
Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley – “Inside Out” (Disney/Pixar)
Nov 16, 2015 USC forward Nikola Javanovic getting into the paint during the Monmouth Hawks vs USC Tojans Men's basketball game at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Los Angeles, CA – USC Trojans men’s basketball team hosted the Idaho Vandals at the Galen Center. The Trojans managed to pull off a win over the Idaho Vandals 74 – 55, sending Idaho back to their bone chilling cold with nothing more then a hot potato souvenirs that read “The Trojans came, they saw and they smashed us.”
In spite of the Trojans sluggish start, they were able to put up some solid numbers. There were four players in double digits (Bennie Boatwright at 17, Nikola Jovanovic at 11 points, Julian Jacobs at 11 points and Katin Reinhart at 17 points). They were also shooting three point shots at a rate of 42.9%. In addition to that about 60% of their scored points were made in the 2nd half of the game. This speaks volumes about the conversation Head Coach Andy Enfield had with them at the half.
Idaho had good intentions. They set the tempo of the game in the 1st half. They had 21 rebounds. At one point they had an 8 point lead over USC. The reason the Vandals went home with a loss was purely do to them being a young team, errors like…several shot clock violations, traveling calls and bad passes. They really had no answer for the Trojan gear change that they made coming out of the half time.
Now we were all surprise to see USC’s Jordan McLaughlin throwing caution to the wind giving it his all out on the court after breaking his nose in the game against Xavier on November 27th. He is on his second face mask in his quest to find one that won’t distort his depth perception and peripheral vision.
The Trojans will have the next 6 days off the hit books for finals, make face mask tweaks, rest and reflect on how their efforts have them having one of the best season starts since 2006-07 seasons.
Dec 6: NFL Second half game action Kansas City Cheifs vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Dec 6: NFL Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Josh Mauga (90) & defensive back Tyvon Branch (27) smashing wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) in the First half game action Kansas City Cheifs vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Oakland, Ca – The tight battle of AFC West foes for second place behind Denver now has the Kansas City with a two game lead. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Oakland Raiders 34-20 in Oakland. The Raiders defense kept them in game even with the fans disapproval in offensive play calling.
It was anybody’s game until midway through the fourth quarter when Chiefs Alex Smith found Jeremy Maclin on receiver screen for a touchdown. Maclin had just scored on this identical play four minutes before untouched both times. Head Coach Andy Reid and play caller saw a gap in Raiders scheme and exploited it at the right time. These were quarterback Alex Smith only throwing touchdowns of the game for 162 yards. Smith did find a whole and walked in for a rushing touchdown when Raiders were in man coverage with no spy .
Dec 6: NFLKansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) back to pass in the Second half game action Kansas City Cheifs vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The Raiders on paper looked like they should have one this game by racking up more yards but even with the yards to much inconsistent offense. The Raiders never attacked down the field, their longest reception of the game was a Michael Crabtree 25 yard catch. The most costly plays of the game were by Oakland Derek Carr’s three interceptions that lead to 14 points. You can only put one on Carr which came when Crabtree slipped out his break and feel down while the pass came through with no look pass that was intercepted rookie Marcus Peters.
Neither team seemed to want to seize the game by having special teams woes. Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski had a field goal and an extra point hit upright and failed right along with the momentum. It must have been something in the air due to heavy air that gave some rain during the game, Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos even missed one at 26-20 with 7:57 left fourth quarter.
Dec 6: NFL First half game action Kansas City Cheifs vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
We all know defense wins championships but even a great defense can’t continue to shine and hold a team back when they have to get on field deep in their own territory like it was in today contest for the Raiders. Today’s win allows Kansas City to keep close in the race for a wild card spot for the playoffs and the road to Super Bowl 50. The Raiders now are almost mathematical out the running but they have four games left in the regular season.
Dec 6: NFL Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) on his way to a touchdown in the Second half game action Kansas City Cheifs vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Dec 6: NFL Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) on a Second half run during game action Kansas City Cheifs vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Dec 6: NFL Oakland Raiders running back Roy Helu (26)on big run in the Second half during game action Kansas City Cheifs vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Dec 6: NFL Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29)celebrating after deflecting a pass in the Second half game action Kansas City Cheifs vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Dec 6: NFL Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) coming down with a catch in the First half game action Kansas City Cheifs vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Dec 6: NFL First half game action Kansas City Cheifs vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Dec 6: NFL Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) in the First half game action Kansas City Cheifs vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Dec 6: NFL Oakland Raiders free safety Charles Woodson coming on the field for the first half game action Kansas City Cheifs vs Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Dec 5: Post game action in Pac-12 2015 Football Championship at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
PAC-12 SENDS RECORD 10 TEAMS TO BOWL GAMES
CONFERENCE CHAMPION STANFORD HEADS TO ROSE BOWL
SAN FRANCISCO — Pac-12 Champion STANFORD (11-2) earned its third Rose Bowl Game appearance in four years after a 41-22 victory over USC in the Pac-12 Football Championship Game. The No. 6 Cardinal will face No. 5 Iowa (12-1) in the College Football Playoff’s New Year’s Six Bowl on Fri, Jan. 1, 2016.
Stanford will be making its 15th Rose Bowl Game appearance, second most among all Pac-12 teams, and is one of a Pac-12 record 10 teams to participate in college football’s postseason.
No. 15 OREGON (9-3), which finished second to Stanford in the Pac-12 North Division, was selected to play in the Valero Alamo Bowl where it will meet No. 11 TCU (10-2) from the Big 12 Conference on Sat., Jan. 2, 2016. The Ducks will be making their second trip to the Alamo Bowl and 11th consecutive bowl appearance.
The Holiday Bowl will pit No. 25 USC (8-5) vs. Wisconsin (9-3) on Wed., Dec. 30. It’s a repeat trip for USC as the Trojans defeated Nebraska, 45-42 in last year’s Holiday Bowl game. USC is second among all FBS teams with 33 bowl victories.
UCLA (8-4) has been selected to play in the Foster Farms Bowl opposite the Big Ten’s Nebraska (5-7) on Sat., Dec. 26. It’s the second appearance for the Bruins in the San Francisco Bay Area bowl game, having appeared in the 2011 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
The three remaining Pac-12 contracted bowls chose their Pac-12 participant based on order of final Conference standings. The Hyundai Sun Bowl selected WASHINGTON STATE (8-4) to face Miami (8-4) of the ACC on Sat., Dec. 26. The Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl will match UTAH (9-3) with independent BYU (9-3) on Sat., Dec. 19. The Motel 6 Cactus Bowl slots ARIZONA STATE (6-6) opposite the Big 12 Conference’s West Virginia (7-5) on Sat., Jan. 2.
The Pac-12 had three additional bowl eligible teams and agreements were made with the following bowls – The Gildan New Mexico Bowl, the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl, and the Lockhead Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
The New Mexico Bowl picked ARIZONA (6-6) to oppose New Mexico (7-5) on Sat., Dec. 19; The Heart of Dallas Bowl matched WASHINGTON (6-6) against Southern Miss (9-4) on Tues., Dec. 26; The Armed Forces Bowl selected California (7-5) to play Air Force (9-3) on Tues., Dec. 29.
The Pac-12 places eight or more teams into bowl games for the fourth consecutive season.
The 2015-16 Pac-12 Bowl Schedule:
Date
BowlGame
Local/Pacific Time
TV
Sat., Dec. 19
Gildan New Mexico Bowl – Albuquerque, N.M. (University Stadium)
New Mexico (7-5) vs. ARIZONA (6-6)
12 p.m. MT/11 a.m. PT
ESPN
Sat., Dec. 19
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl – Las Vegas, Nev. (Sam Boyd Stadium)
BYU (9-3) vs. No. 22 UTAH (8-4)
12:30 p.m. PT
ABC
Sat., Dec. 26
Hyundai Sun Bowl – El Paso, Texas (Sun Bowl)
Miami (8-4) vs. WASHINGTON STATE (8-4)
12 noon MT/11 a.m. PT
CBS
Sat., Dec. 26
Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl – Dallas, Texas (Cotton Bowl)
Southern Miss (9-4) vs. WASHINGTON (6-6)
1:20 p.m. CT/11:20 a.m. PT
ESPN
Sat., Dec. 26
Foster Farms Bowl – Santa Clara, Calif. (Levi’s Stadium)
Nebraska (5-7) vs. UCLA (8-4)
6:15 p.m. PT
ESPN
Tues., Dec. 29
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl – Ft. Worth, Texas (Amon G. Carter Stadium)
Air Force (9-3) vs. CALIFORNIA (7-5)
1 p.m. CT/11 a.m. PT
ESPN
Wed., Dec. 30
Holiday Bowl – San Diego, Calif. (Qualcomm Stadium)
Wisconsin (9-3) vs. No. 25 USC (8-5)
7:30 p.m. PT
ESPN
Fri., Jan. 1
Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual – Pasadena, Calif. (Rose Bowl)
No. 5 Iowa (12-1) vs. No. 6 STANFORD (11-2)
2 p.m. PT
ESPN
Sat., Jan. 2
Valero Alamo Bowl – San Antonio, Texas (Alamodome)
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)
Dec 5: Post game action in Pac-12 2015 Football Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Santa Clara, Ca – The Stage was ready for a Champion to arise at Levi’s Stadium for 2015 College Football Championship, that McCaffrey University! Stanford defeated USC 41-22 in grand finally of the conference. Just like so many other teams before the Trojans they just couldn’t stop Christian McCaffrey who had 461 All Purpose yards (207 Rushing, 11 Passing, 105 Receiving, 62 yards Special Teams)
It’s hard to game plan for a big player but when it’s someone like McCaffrey who ran, caught, & passed a Touchdown. Now the pressure will turn to Heisman Voters who will be inviting him to New York, will this super Sophomore dawn the trophy? After today’s performance he broke Barry Sanders single season all purpose yards record.
Dec 5: Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) running away from USC during 2015 Football Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
The teams battle and took each other best shot, Stanford had to earn this win because The Trojans defense gave a valiant effort. With their offense struggling they just couldn’t keep pace with the Cardinals. Coach Clay Helton stuck with his identity of running the ball, his backs combined for 210 yards on the ground. Justin Davis was the featured back who had 17 carries for 105 yards while Ronald Jones had 6 carries for 51 yards and touchdown.
Dec 5: USC Trojans Quarterback Cody Kessler (6) finding the endzone after the pocket broke down during the 2015 Football Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Both quarterbacks are 5th year seniors leading their teams which is very rare in this day in age. Stanford’s Kevin Hogan an efficient night competing 9-12 pass for 144 yards and touchdown. While USC Cody Kessler threw twice as much with 22-37 for 187 yards with a touchdown. Kessler need to throw more trying to catch up but his receivers just were not focused dropping balls all night. Stanford defensive back stepped up and matched JuJu Smith-Schuster intensity with aggressive tight coverage. At one point one of Cardinals took 15 yard horse collar penalty that was more like a body slam. Smith-Schuster was held to 87 yards on 11 catches and never had that big highlight catch that the Trojans have become accustomed too.
Before the game today the PAC-12 celebrated its Century team that was unveiled this week, a few of the greats were in attendance like UCLA JJ Stokes, USC Reggie Bush yes a loop hole allowed him to attended a USC game, Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott, Stanford QB’s John Elway & Jim Plunkett too name a few. The Commissioner Larry Scott spoke about the strength of the PAC with 10 of 12 teams being bowl eligible this year. The Pac-12 Champion will always have great strength of schedule because they all play 9 game conference schedule and play in Championship game after that. So making a case to be in CFP (College Football Playoff) will always be backed with on the field proof.
Dec 5: Few of All Century Team getting ready for group picture of Trojans Pac-12 2015 Football Championship at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
After the game Stanford was all smiles and celebrated a great accomplishment of being the Champions and had no cares about what would happen tomorrow in selection Sunday. No matter what happens at the very least the Cardinals led by Coach David Shaw will be back in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl or be picked by CFP. Shaw spoke about his star during on field postgame celebration, “To my left here is the best player in the nation, I don’t know if that’s even a question. There’s nobody in the nation doing what he’s been doing. It’s not even a debate.”
Nov 28: Georgia verbal Recruit Jacob Eason shown during live game action in second half of WIAA Skyline vs Lake Stevens Semi-Finals WA Playoffs game.(Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Los Angeles, Ca – What is a verbal commit … do you follow a coach? That is a tough question for a high school kid to answer even with the support of a strong family. All student athletes thrive with a #D1Bound mentality to get a verbal offer from a college. It’s really a big deal for a recruit to get a visit from the head coach of a college. That coach is face of the school but no one knows for how long; some get fired, hired or just retire.
Each year the coaching carousel spins with changes and no school is immune to their coach making a change. For this fact each student athlete needs to make a choice for a school that’s going to fit on and off the field. Can’t pick a school just for a coach or just for football only because I haven’t seen anyone with a crystal ball, even Back to Future movie was wrong with the Chicago Cubs winning world series in 2015.
Right now the Georgia Bulldogs just lost their coach Mark Richt to the University of Miami. No one even had a hint at the start of this season that Richt might make a move. Five Star Quarterback recruit Jacob Eason of the Lake Stevens Vikings (6’6, 215 SR.) now has a big decision to make…. to stay a Bulldog, be a Hurricanes, or open the field to everyone. Time will tell was Eason committed to school, coach or opportunity to start as a true freshman. There are so many side stories with the options on the table, the Canes already have young hot shot at QB Brad Kaaya who only sophomore who had the starting job from day one.
Oct 8: USC Coach Sarkisian with Jalen Greene during pregame of the Washington vs USC at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Let’s take look at past situations most coaches like their personal recruits verses the previous regime kids. There are always exceptions to the rule because some are the kids their wanted out high school but lost out when selected a different college choice. It is a easier road if you haven’t signed a letter of intent because you can check the temperature of both schools and make a choice. After you sign or already enrolled the choice to leave is a big gamble. Few years back USC previous coach Steve Sarkisian was recruiting local prep star Jalen Greene of Serra High School (Gardena, Ca) to Washington Huskies. Before signing day Sarkisian got the job at USC and Greene followed, was it to play for Sark or USC and get to stay in his backyard to be a student athlete. As it stands now Sark is out and Greens made a position change to wide receiver to increase his playing time sooner verses later.
Nov 14: Troy Williams (3) QB Santa Monica College during Pierce vs SMC game at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, Ca. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
A riskier move but for Troy Williams wasn’t hard at all because he bet on himself. Williams was a Sophomore QB at University of Washington with a new head coach coming in Chris Petersen from Bosie State. Williams transferred to a Junior College in Santa Monica (SMC) and lead the team to 11-0 record and American Pacific Conference Championship. Along the way he was offered a scholarship back to top Pac-12 school being the Utah Utes. It doesn’t always work out but for Williams it’s going as he dreamed.
Oct 8: Washington QB Browning (3) taking a shotgun snap during of the Washington vs USC at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Full Image 360)
Meanwhile back at Washington the first QB recruit Jake Browning played in, and started, 11 of 12 games in 2015 as a true freshman, he was first ever to start a season opener at quarterback, as he took the opening snaps at Boise State. So Petersen got his prize recruit and will continue to run with his guy under center for the next few years.
So what do we know from past behavior it is anybody guess, you have to make a decision that will make you happy in the end not a coach. If you are fortunate enough to have you coach leave or come before signing day you have more options as player. Once you are enrolled in a school you moves a little more risky but Dreams do come true……
SAN FRANCISCO—Record-setting backs highlight the 2015 All-Pac-12 football team. WASHINGTON STATE’s Luke Falk and CALIFORNIA’s Jared Goff share first team honors after the two quarterbacks set school marks for touchdown passes in a season – Falk with 36, Goff with 37. The two were just the eighth and ninth quarterbacks in Pac-12 history to throw for more than 4,000 yards in a season – Falk with 4,266 and Goff with 4,252. STANFORD running back Christian McCaffrey set a Pac-12 record with 3,305 all-purpose yards and is just the third player in FBS history to post more than 3,000 all-purpose yards in a single season. UTAH punter Tom Hackett has earned first-team honors for the third straight year, while USC linebacker Su’a Cravens earns first team honors for the second time. The Pac-12 Player of the Year honors and Coach of the Year will be unveiled Tuesday night by the Pac-12 Networks on Inside Pac-12 Football that airs at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET.
2015 ALL-PAC-12 CONFERENCE FOOTBALL TEAM
First Team Offense
Second Team Offense
QB
Luke Falk, So., Washington State
QB
Kevin Hogan, Sr., Stanford
QB
Jared Goff, Jr., California
RB
Royce Freeman, So., Oregon
RB
Devontae Booker, Sr., Utah
RB
Christian McCaffrey, So., Stanford
RB
Paul Perkins, Jr., UCLA
WR
Kenny Lawler, Jr., California
WR
Bralon Addison, Jr.. Oregon
WR
Gabe Marks, Jr., Washington State
WR
Darren Carrington, So., Oregon
WR
JuJu Smith-Schuster, So., USC
WR
Nelson Spruce, Sr., Colorado
TE
Austin Hooper, Jr., Stanford
TE
Thomas Duarte, Jr., UCLA
OL
Zach Banner, Jr., USC
OL
Jake Brendel, Sr., UCLA
OL
Joe Dahl, Sr., Washington State
OL
J.J. Dielman, Jr., Utah
OL
Joshua Garnett, Sr., Stanford
OL
Conor McDermott, Jr., UCLA
OL
Tyler Johnstone, Sr, Oregon
OL
Christian Westerman, Sr., Arizona State
OL
Kyle Murphy, Sr., Stanford
OL
Chad Wheeler, Jr., USC
First Team Defense
Second Team Defense
DL
DeForest Buckner, Sr., Oregon
DL
Darryl Paulo, Sr., Washington State
DL
Kenny Clark, Jr., UCLA
DL
Delvon Simmons, Sr., USC
DL
Lowell Lotulelei, So., Utah
DL
Taniela Tupou, Sr., Washington
DL
Aziz Shittu, Sr., Stanford
DL
Destiny Vaeao, Sr., Washington State
DL
Antwaun Woods, Sr., USC
LB
Su’a Cravens, Jr., USC (2)
LB
Travis Feeney, Sr., Washington
LB
Blake Martinez, Sr., Stanford
LB
Deon Hollins, Jr., UCLA
LB
Gionni Paul, Sr., Utah
LB
Jared Norris, Sr., Utah
DB
Budda Baker, So., Washington
DB
Chidobe Awuzie, Jr., Colorado
DB
Adoree’ Jackson, So., USC
DB
Randall Goforth, Jr., UCLA
DB
Sidney Jones, So., Washington
DB
Ronnie Harris, Sr., Stanford
DB
Marcus Williams, So., Utah
DB
Jaleel Wadood, So., UCLA
First Team Specialists
Second Team Specialists
PK
Aidan Schneider, So., Oregon
PK
Ka’imi Fairbairn, Sr., UCLA
P
Tom Hackett, Sr., Utah (3)
P
Drew Riggleman, Sr., Arizona
RS
Christian McCaffrey, So., Stanford
RS
Adoree’ Jackson, So., USC
AP/ST
Charles Nelson, So., Oregon
AP/ST
Soma Vainuku, Sr., USC
AP/ST=All-Purpose/Special Teams Player (not a kicker or returner)RS=Return Specialist
(2) Two-time first team selection
(3) Three-time first team selection
PAC-12 ALL-CONFERENCE HONORABLE MENTION
ARIZONA: DL Reggie Gilbert, Sr.; DB Will Parks, Sr.; PK Casey Skowron, Sr.
ARIZONA STATE: DB Lloyd Carrington, Sr.; LB Salamo Fiso, Jr.; LB Antonio Longino, Sr.; DB Jordan Simone, Sr.; DL Tashon Smallwood, So.; OL Vi Teofilo, Sr.
CALIFORNIA: TE Stephen Anderson, Sr.; OL Chris Borrayo, Jr.; DL Kyle Kragen, Sr.; DB Stefan McClure, Sr.; LB Hardy Nickerson, Jr.; WR Bryce Treggs, Sr.
COLORADO: TE Sean Irwin, Jr.; SS Tedric Thompson, Jr.
OREGON: QB Vernon Adams Jr., Sr.; DL Alex Balducci, Sr.; OL Matt Hegarty, Sr.; DB Tyree Robinson, So.
OREGON STATE: RS Victor Bolden, Jr.; OL Josh Mitchell, Sr.; DL Kyle Peko, Sr.; P Nick Porebski, So.; OL Isaac Seumalo, Jr.
STANFORD: LB Kevin Anderson, Sr.; OL Johnny Caspers, Sr.; FB Daniel Marx, So.; DL Brennan Scarlett, Sr.; OL Graham Shuler, Sr.; DL Solomon Thomas, So.; PK Conrad Ukropina, Sr.
UCLA: WR Jordan Payton, Sr.; DB Marcus Rios, Jr.; LB Aaron Wallace, Sr.
UTAH: OL Isaac Asiata, Jr.; RS Britain Covey, Fr.; DL Jason Fanaika, Sr.; PK Andy Phillips, Jr.
WASHINGTON: DL Greg Gaines, Fr.; RB Myles Gaskin, Fr.; DB Kevin King, Jr.; LB Cory Littleton, Sr.; TE Joshua Perkins, Sr.; LB Azeem Victor, So.
WASHINGTON STATE: DB Shalom Luani, Jr.; OL Cole Madison, So.; DL Hercules Mata’afa, Fr.; LB Peyton Pelluer, So.; OL Riley Sorenson, Jr.; WR Dom Williams, Sr.
ALL-CONFERENCE NOTES…
• All-Conference honors are voted on by the Pac-12 Head Coaches.
• The All-Conference offensive team usually consists of 11 players (1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 5 OL). However, there was a tie at quarterback for the first team, and for wide receiver for both first and second team.
• The All-Conference defensive team usually consists of 11 players (4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB). However, there was a tie at defensive lineman for the first team. Hence, five defensive linemen listed on first team.
• USC’s Su’a Cravens is a first team selection for the second time, but this time as a linebacker. He was a first team defensive back in 2014.
• Utah’s Tom Hackett is the third punter to earn first team honors three times as he joins Arizona State’s Mike Black (1980-82) and California’s Bryan Anger (2009-11).
• Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey is a double honoree, earning first team honors on offense (RB) and special teams (RS). As is USC’s Adoree’ Jackson with first team honors on defense (DB) and second team honors on special teams (FS).
• First team honors by class: 10 seniors, 7 juniors, 11 sophomores.
• Second team honors by class: 16 seniors, 8 juniors, 3 sophomores.
Dec 1: MBB SDSU Dakarai Allen (4) driving on LBSU Travis Hammonds (24) during San Diego State vs. Long Beach State game action at the Walter Pyramid. (Photo by William Johnson/fi360 News)
Long Beach, Ca – After trailing by 13 in the first half, Long Beach State battled back to take a 56-55 lead with seven minutes to play, but a hot streak from Trey Kell stopped as San Diego State held on to win 76-72.
Trey Kell scored 13 points with a career-high four 3-pointers, Skylar Spencer (Price High School) set a Mountain West Conference record for blocked shots for the San Diego Aztecs. Spencer blocked the 245th shot of his career, eclipsing Wyoming’s Justin Williams who blocked 244 shots from 2004-06. Spencer’s mark ranks fifth nationally among active players.
Senior Nick Faust led the Beach with 20 points, while Gabe Levin added 12 points and 10 rebounds, recording the first double-double of the season for Long Beach State (3-4). Kell led the way in scoring for San Diego State (5-3) with 13 points, coming off of four second half 3-pointers.
“That’s the first thing Coach (Steve) Fisher brings up after a loss,” guard Trey Kell said, “that we’re one of the best in the country after a loss.”
The Aztecs showed they will be a team that need to play full game to beat, so better bring your A game. They will face San Diego this Sunday Dec. 6th at 2pm Petco Park.
Then Cal State University of Long Beach (CSULB) will travel to Fort Collins, CO to face Colorado State on Dec 3rd.
Nov 27: USC Freshman Iman Marshall breaking up a potential TD catch during UCLA vs USC game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Photo by William Johnson/fi360 News)
SAN FRANCISCO – Quarterback Jared Goff of CALIFORNIA, cornerback Iman Marshall of USC and place kicker Conrad Ukropina of STANFORD have been named offensive, defensive and special teams Pac-12 Players of the Week in football.
Goff, a junior quarterback from Novato, Calif., led Cal to a 48-46 home win over Arizona State on Saturday on senior night. He broke his own single-season school record with 542 passing yards going 30-of-51 and tossed five touchdown passes. Cal scored on each of its last six possessions with Goff throwing four touchdown passes in that span. Goff’s performance broke the Golden Bears’ single-season record for passing yards (4,252), touchdown passes (37) and total offense (4,260). Cal was trailing 24-3 in the second quarter and recorded its biggest comeback victory since rallying for 21 points against Air Force in 2007. This is Goff’s second Conference weekly honor this season.
Marshall, a freshman cornerback from Long Beach, Calif., led the Trojan defense in USC’s 40-21 win over UCLA to secure the South Division title and earn a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Marshall had two interceptions, the first of which set up a USC touchdown, and snapped UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen’s school-record streak of 246 throwing attempts without an interception. Marshall additionally recorded four tackles and two pass breakups. For the year, the starting rookie has 56 tackles, three interceptions and five deflections.
Ukropina, a senior placekicker from Pasadena, Calif., went 5-for-5 on extra point attempts in No. 7 Stanford’s win over No. 4 Notre Dame. After quarterback Kevin Hogan connected a 27-yard pass to Devon Cajuste, Ukropina hit his only field goal attempt of the game, a game-winning 45-yard field goal as time expired.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Devin Lucien, ASU; Bralon Addison, ORE; Ryan Niall, OSU; Hogan, STAN; Paul Perkins, Jr.; Justin Davis, USC; Joe Williams, Jr., Utah; Myles Gaskin, WASH; Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Blake Martinez, STAN; Aaron Wallace, UCLA; Viliseni Fauonuku, UTAH; Sidney Jones, WASH; Also nominated for Special Teams Player of the Week: Zane Gonzalez, ASU; Matt Anderson, CAL; Victor Bolden, OSU; Adoree’ Jackson, USC; Tom Hackett, UTAH.
“This is going to be a GAME CHANGING year for the LA KISS” said Omarr Smith, Head Coach of LA KISS. “The 2016 schedule provides us with many challenges but we embrace each and every one of them. Each team in the league has an abundance of talented players which will in turn provide a great product and competitive football week in and week out. We look forward to a great 2016 campaign and showcasing a NEW and EXCITING brand of football to the LA KISS fans.”
