Alabama-Mississippi State: Post-game recap

The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated SEC West rival, Mississippi State with a final score of 38 – 7 to advance their record to 9-1 on the season. With Tua Tagovailoa being carted off the field and taken away in an ambulance, Mac Jones stepped in and …

The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated SEC West rival, Mississippi State with a final score of 38 – 7 to advance their record to 9-1 on the season.

With Tua Tagovailoa being carted off the field and taken away in an ambulance, Mac Jones stepped in and kept the offense alive, but didn’t live up to the hype left behind by Tagovailoa.

Jones completed 7 of 11 pass attempts for 94 yards and no touchdowns.

Overall, the offense didn’t add any notable stats in the second half without Tagovailoa.

The only points scored in the half was a 22-yard field goal from Joseph Bulovas.

The defense stayed strong throughout the entire game, only allowing a lone touchdown early in the first quarter.

Next week the Crimson Tide will welcome Western Carolina into Bryant Denny Stadium, a game that will mean more now that Nick Saban will have to readjust on both sides of the ball to account for injuries.

 

Big Housed: Hapless Michigan State pummeled by Michigan

Michigan State loses to Michigan.

Paul Bunyan is staying in Ann Arbor.

Wins over Michigan built Mark Dantonio’s Michigan State football program. Perhaps it’s right that a thudding loss to Michigan will be the punctuation on Danonio’s final chapter.

After playing for their season for about seven minutes, Michigan State reverted to their previous form, the one that led to them entering today’s game with a 4-5 record. Michigan countered an early Max Rosenthal touchdown catch and the Wolverines were off and running.

A 98-yard touchdown drive followed.

Then a field goal drive.

Then another touchdown drive.

The refs could have ended the game right there. Unfortunately for the Spartans they didn’t.

Michigan State managed a field goal to draw closer at 24-10.  They needed six. On the ensuing drive the Spartans forced Michigan into a 3rd-and-20. It was a small crack opened in the door of hope. Michigan slammed it shut with a sweat-free conversion. A gain of 27 and the route was back on.

It doesn’t matter what the final score was. It’s irrelevant. (Michigan won by a S— ton). Statistics don’t matter. (Shea Patterson became the first Michigan quarterback to ever pass for 300 yards on MSU and Ronnie Bell turned the game into a track meet).

It’s not about the numbers. It’s about the message.

In many ways this game was a microcosm of what has happened at Michigan State the last few years. Too few playmakers. Too few fresh ideas. Not enough energy or enthusiasm. After a decade plus of domination, the bill was eventually going to come due. It had to. Programs with the prestige and pocketbooks of Michigan don’t stay down long. And when it comes to getting back at Michigan State, Michigan was absolutely dying to get back up.

At one point in the fourth quarter Michigan defensive back Lavert Hill intercepted a Brian Lewerke pass. Receiver Cody White went to tackle Hill and was stiff-armed into the Wolverine sideline. Then, instead of continuing to advance the ball upfield, Hill stepped out of bounds to literally flex on White. It was a statement.

“I don’t need these yards. I need you to know I own you.”

Hate to the point of stupidity. It used to drive MSU football. Now it’s on the other sideline.

The attitude Michigan State used to rise to their once-elite status was nowhere to be found. Former players felt it.

Those two were far from the only ones. Former defensive tackle Lawrence Thomas tweeted, “Where is the [EXPLETIVE] pride???”

It wasn’t on the Michigan State sideline that’s for sure. Michigan laid the big hits. Michigan made the big plays. Michigan got a taunting penalty up two touchdowns. Hell, Michigan even ran a trick play. In a rivalry that has been dominated by conversations of who the “little brother” is, there was no debate who was bigger and meaner in Ann Arbor this afternoon. The script has flipped in this rivalry, there’s no doubt about that.

Michigan State was its usually sloppy self on offense. With a chance to get back into the game to start the fourth quarter, AJ Arcuri false started on 4th and one. Dantonio elected to then punt. That punt would never truly leave Jake Hartbarger’s foot, because it was blocked by Khaleke Hudson. One play later Nico Collins was dancing in the end zone and on MSU’s grave.

A self-inflicted mistake quickly compounded by poor football. That’s the new identity of Michigan State football.

Tempers flared late, as they always do in this game. Instead of looking the part of the bully laughing off a rival’s frustration, Michigan State looked foolish and cheap. Taking dirty shots because they couldn’t win on the field. Jacob Panasiuk was ejected for one such hit in the fourth quarter. That used to be Michigan in this rivalry. Not anymore.

Up 37-7, with 2:33 left in the game, Michigan wasn’t ready for the game to end. With their starters still in, the Wolverines were throwing deep for another touchdown. In their eyes, the Spartans hadn’t been beaten down enough. Ten plus years of frustration, all coming out over the span of 60 minutes of football. The bullied had yet again become the bully.

Mark Dantonio has a lot of questions to answer after this game and season. He’ll have to come up with some pretty good responses if he wants to try and scrape back any of the fans’ good will his program has been hemorrhaging for years.

In 2007 when Michigan running back Mike Hart unwittingly flipped the rivalry on its head with two little words, Mark Dantonio’s response was simple and tough.

“Pride comes before the fall.”

It’s the attitude that built his Michigan State program on. And now, more than 12 years later, after years of stagnant offense and no changes, after refusing to fire any of his friends in lieu of hiring outside help, after mastering the college football defense and then refusing to acknowledge it had been figured out, after not cashing in on recruiting, after climbing to the top and assuming it would stay that way just because that’s the way it was, after all of that, it’s that very same attitude that has brought the program back to its knees.

Pride comes before the fall.

Pride came.

The fall is here.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1362]

Final injury report for Chiefs vs. Chargers, Week 11

A look at the final injury report of the week complete with game status designations for the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers have completed their final practice ahead of their Week 11 matchup in Mexico City.

Check out the injury report with game designations for the Chiefs down below:

Player Injury Designation*
QB Patrick Mahomes Knee –
DT Derrick Nnadi Elbow –
DT Chris Jones Groin –
CB Kendall Fuller Thumb Questionable
LT Eric Fisher Groin –
LT Cam Erving Ankle –
RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Ankle –
DE Frank Clark Neck –
WR Sammy Watkins Groin –
RT Mitchell Schwartz Knee –
TE Blake Bell Ankle Out
DE Emmanuel Ogbah Pectoral Out
DE Alex Okafor Ankle Out
RB Damien Williams NIR Questionable

* Out = Won’t play | Doubtful = Unlikely to play | Questionable = Possible to play

Nothing too out of the ordinary for the Chiefs here. Andy Reid expected Bell, Okafor and Ogbah to all be ruled out for this week’s game. Damien Williams is expected to join the team and travel to Mexico City, but the questionable designation suggests there remains a possibility that he doesn’t.

Kendall Fuller did participate in practice this week but was downgraded to a limited participant, so his questionable status suggests a setback or that the team may not be entirely comfortable with how he’s catching the ball in his return from injury.

The big story for Kansas City is the two starters along the offensive that will return for this game. Eric Fisher and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will be back in action. It’ll be the first time that Fisher has played since Week 2 of the 2019 season. Mitchell Schwartz is also expected to play after being limited in practice all week. That’s going to be a massive boost for the Chiefs going into an important AFC West showdown.

Check out the injury report with game Chargers for the Titans down below:

Player Injury Designation*
LB Denzel Perryman Knee –
DT Justin Jones Shoulder –
OG Dan Feeney Shoulder –
S Roderic Teamer Groin Questionable
DT Cortez Broughton Illness –
WR Geremy Davis Hamstring Doubtful
OT Russel Okung Groin Doubtful
OT Sam Tevi Knee Out
RB Justin Jackson Calf Doubtful
LC Cole Mazza Illness Questionable
LB Thomas Davis NIR –
OT Trey Pipkins Toe –
LB Drue Tranquil Calf Questionable

* Out = Won’t play | Doubtful = Unlikely to play | Questionable = Possible to play

The Chargers only ruled out Sam Tevi, who had knee surgery recently. Their other starting offensive tackle, Russel Okung, was downgraded to doubtful on Sunday. That makes him an unlikely candidate to play on Monday night.

After returning to practice in a full capacity, Roderic Teamer is still getting the questionable designation. He’s been doing a good job filling in for Derwin James, who is currently on injured reserve.

Two backups are listed as doubtful in Justin Jackson and Geremy Davis. Long snapper Cole Mazza is still dealing with an illness, that’ll be an interesting one to watch.

Linebacker Drue Tranquil was a late add to the injury report with a calf injury. He originally had no game status but was downgraded to questionable on Sunday. He’s their most athletic at the position, so this is also one to keep an eye on.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for any changes or late additions to the injury report.

Chargers in attendance to scout Florida vs. Missouri

The Los Angeles Chargers were one of several teams in attendance for the matchup between the Florida Gators and Missouri Tigers.

The Los Angeles Chargers were one of several teams in attendance for the matchup between the Florida Gators and Missouri Tigers.

There are a few players worthy of scouting attention in this game.

Florida

WR Van Jefferson

Jefferson, the 6-foot-1 and 215 pound wideout, isn’t the fastest player but he is a technician at route running, he has strong hands and takes a physical approach to win 50/50 situations.

Other notables:

RB Lamical Perine

DE Jabari Zuniga

DE Jonathan Greenard

LB David Reese

CB CJ Henderson

Missouri

CB DeMarkus Acy

The 6-foot-2 and 195 pounder is a long and well-built cornerback who flashes ball skills, reactive athleticism and zone cover ability to be a solid option in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s system.

Other notables:

QB Kelly Bryant

TE Albert Okwuegbunam

DT Jordan Elliott

[lawrence-related id=30625,30606,30605,30596]

Where will Tiger Wood play next?

Where will Tiger Wood play next? He’s in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Dec. 4-7. That we knew. And after picking himself, Captain Tiger will play in the Presidents Cup in Australia Dec. 12-15. His likely 2020 debut will come at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego in late January. He will serve as host at the Genesis, so we know we’ll see him in Los Angeles in mid-February. He’ll probably skip the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. But there’s a good bet he’ll play in the WGC-Mexico Championship in Mexico City in late February. After that, he’s likely to play the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship. Of coures, all eyes will be on Augusta National in April. That’s when Tiger Woods will defend his Masters title while also seeking a sixth green jacket.

Where will Tiger Wood play next? He’s in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Dec. 4-7. That we knew. And after picking himself, Captain Tiger will play in the Presidents Cup in Australia Dec. 12-15. His likely 2020 debut will come at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego in late January. He will serve as host at the Genesis, so we know we’ll see him in Los Angeles in mid-February. He’ll probably skip the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. But there’s a good bet he’ll play in the WGC-Mexico Championship in Mexico City in late February. After that, he’s likely to play the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship. Of coures, all eyes will be on Augusta National in April. That’s when Tiger Woods will defend his Masters title while also seeking a sixth green jacket.

Where will Tiger Wood play next?

Where will Tiger Wood play next? He’s in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Dec. 4-7. That we knew. And after picking himself, Captain Tiger will play in the Presidents Cup in Australia Dec. 12-15. His likely 2020 debut will come at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego in late January. He will serve as host at the Genesis, so we know we’ll see him in Los Angeles in mid-February. He’ll probably skip the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. But there’s a good bet he’ll play in the WGC-Mexico Championship in Mexico City in late February. After that, he’s likely to play the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship. Of coures, all eyes will be on Augusta National in April. That’s when Tiger Woods will defend his Masters title while also seeking a sixth green jacket.

Where will Tiger Wood play next? He’s in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Dec. 4-7. That we knew. And after picking himself, Captain Tiger will play in the Presidents Cup in Australia Dec. 12-15. His likely 2020 debut will come at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego in late January. He will serve as host at the Genesis, so we know we’ll see him in Los Angeles in mid-February. He’ll probably skip the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. But there’s a good bet he’ll play in the WGC-Mexico Championship in Mexico City in late February. After that, he’s likely to play the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship. Of coures, all eyes will be on Augusta National in April. That’s when Tiger Woods will defend his Masters title while also seeking a sixth green jacket.

Russell Henley assessed 8 penalty shots in oddball ruling at Mayakoba

Russell Henley had to add eight penalty shots to his score in Round 2 of the Mayakoba Classic when he found an unexpected ball in his bag.

The Rules of Golf continue to flummox players on every level.

During Saturday’s second round of the Mayakoba Golf Classic, Russell Henley became the latest player to face the consequences of a rules violation, and with some level of surprise. Henley was assessed eight penalty shots when he discovered a different model of golf ball in his bag than what he usually uses, and the rules committee and Henley assumed that he must have used that ball at some point during his round.

According to PGA Tour Communications, Henley was signing golf balls for fans when he noticed that one of the balls in his golf bag was a slightly different model than the kind of ball he uses. According to the statement, which was posted to Twitter, Henley didn’t know how that got in his bag. Henley self-reported his possible violation to the rules officials onsite.

Tour pros typically keep new, unused balls in one pocket in their bags, then place used balls into another pocket after they are taken out of play. Henley apparently found the different model of ball in his used-ball pocket, leading himself and the committee to assume he had unwittingly used it at some point during the round.

The PGA Tour uses a one-ball rule, which means players can only use one specific brand and model of ball during a round. The penalty for using a different model is two strokes per hole that the ball is used, maximum of eight strokes.

Mayakoba: Leaderboard | Photos | Tournament updates

This one-ball rule typically is used only in high levels of competition and does not apply to most everyday amateurs out for a round of golf. Recreational amateurs can carry as many brands or models as they like and use a different brand or model on every hole, if they choose. There are other rules about substituting a ball during the play of any given hole, such as when a ball is damaged, but recreational players are allowed to change models of ball on each tee before the start of any given hole.

And it’s not against the rules for a Tour player to carry a different brand or model of ball in their bag even when the one-ball rule is in effect. It’s only a penalty if they use that different ball.

That’s where the Henley situation got tricky, because it was an unusual circumstance and he didn’t know how the ball got in his bag. Like the balls he normally uses, it was a Titleist Pro V1x. But it was a slightly different model with one different marking on the ball. Henley told officials there was no doubt he unwittingly must have used the ball at some point in the round.

As per Rule 20-3, which relates to “situations not covered by the Rules,” the committee ruled that Henley must have used the improper ball during his round, and he was assessed a two-stroke penalty on Nos. 9-12. Those eight strokes – which meant he took a double bogey on all four holes – pushed him to a second-round 77.

Henley had opened with 66. The penalty strokes dropped him more than 80 spots on the leaderboard, ultimately depositing him outside the cutline.

Prior to this week, Henley was 4-for-4 in cuts made in the 2020 PGA Tour season.

It’s another rules headline in a month that has been full of them. Most recently, two amateur women representing the U.S. at the Spirit International Amateur were disqualified for a four-ball scoring error. Days before that, much was made of penalties assessed at the LPGA Q-Series for a violation of the advice rule, covered by Rule 10-2a.

Also in the “bizarre” category, European Tour player Eddie Pepperell fired his entire ball supply into a pond beside the fourth green at last week’s Turkish Airlines Open, eventually walking off the course when he ran out of golf balls – which earned him a DQ anyway.

If there’s any bright side, it’s that Henley suffered penalty shots instead of an immediate disqualification.

[opinary poll=”how-much-should-professional-golfers-kno” customer=”golfweek”]

What we know about Tua Tagovailoa’s injury

Find out the latest details on the scary injury suffered by Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa

One of college football’s best players, and one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL draft class, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa may have played his final down for the Crimson Tide.

Despite being ahead 35-7 late in the first half against Mississippi State on Saturday, Tagovailoa was still in the game for Alabama, and suffered a scary injury as two defenders landed on him after he tried to scramble out of the pocket and make a throw.

Bama’s star quarterback had to be carted off the field, and was reportedly screaming in pain:

Tide head coach Nick Saban said at halftime that Tagovailoa was supposed to come out after that series:

Tagovailoa was air-lifted to the hospital, per Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News:

Saban had little information to provide regarding Tagovailoa’s situation at his postgame press conference:

According to Aaron Suttles of The Athletic, Tagovailoa is indeed out for the season:

While many expected the injury to be an aggravation of the ankle injury Tagovailoa had surgery to repair last month, this injury ended up being a new injury to his hip.

The severity of this injury obviously has seismic implications for all involved, from Alabama’s hopes of making another playoff run, from Tagovailoa’s draft stock. Obviously, his long-term health is the most important thing right now, and hopefully he’s able to make a full recovery.

Currently jockeying with LSU quarterback Joe Burrow for the title of next year’s top quarterback prospect, Tagovailoa could face serious concerns about his injury history and durability when NFL teams are evaluating him this offseason.

[vertical-gallery id=609960]

These are the players with more straight double-digit scoring games

1. LeBron James: 940 games 2. Michael Jordan: 866 games 3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 787 games 4. Karl Malone: 575 games 5. Kevin Durant: 562 games 6. Moses Malone: 526 games 7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 508 games 8. Oscar Robertson: 428 games 9. Kevin Garnett: 411 games 10. George Gervin: 406 games 11. James Harden: 353 games 12. Kevin Garnett: 338 games 13. Julius Erving: 319 games 14. Chris Mullin: 301 games 15. Bob McAdoo: 299 games 16. Elgin Baylor: 272 games 17. Hakeem Olajuwon: 258 games 18. Dale Ellis: 255 games 19. Elvin Hayes: 250 games 20. Kevin McHale: 247 games 20. Bob Pettit: 247 games 22. Shaquille O’Neal: 245 games 23. John Havlicek: 243 games 24. Terry Cummings: 239 games 25. Allen Iverson: 237 games

1. LeBron James: 940 games 2. Michael Jordan: 866 games 3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 787 games 4. Karl Malone: 575 games 5. Kevin Durant: 562 games 6. Moses Malone: 526 games 7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 508 games 8. Oscar Robertson: 428 games 9. Kevin Garnett: 411 games 10. George Gervin: 406 games 11. James Harden: 353 games 12. Kevin Garnett: 338 games 13. Julius Erving: 319 games 14. Chris Mullin: 301 games 15. Bob McAdoo: 299 games 16. Elgin Baylor: 272 games 17. Hakeem Olajuwon: 258 games 18. Dale Ellis: 255 games 19. Elvin Hayes: 250 games 20. Kevin McHale: 247 games 20. Bob Pettit: 247 games 22. Shaquille O’Neal: 245 games 23. John Havlicek: 243 games 24. Terry Cummings: 239 games 25. Allen Iverson: 237 games

These are the players with more straight double-digit scoring games

1. LeBron James: 940 games 2. Michael Jordan: 866 games 3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 787 games 4. Karl Malone: 575 games 5. Kevin Durant: 562 games 6. Moses Malone: 526 games 7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 508 games 8. Oscar Robertson: 428 games 9. Kevin Garnett: 411 games 10. George Gervin: 406 games 11. James Harden: 353 games 12. Kevin Garnett: 338 games 13. Julius Erving: 319 games 14. Chris Mullin: 301 games 15. Bob McAdoo: 299 games 16. Elgin Baylor: 272 games 17. Hakeem Olajuwon: 258 games 18. Dale Ellis: 255 games 19. Elvin Hayes: 250 games 20. Kevin McHale: 247 games 20. Bob Pettit: 247 games 22. Shaquille O’Neal: 245 games 23. John Havlicek: 243 games 24. Terry Cummings: 239 games 25. Allen Iverson: 237 games

1. LeBron James: 940 games 2. Michael Jordan: 866 games 3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 787 games 4. Karl Malone: 575 games 5. Kevin Durant: 562 games 6. Moses Malone: 526 games 7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 508 games 8. Oscar Robertson: 428 games 9. Kevin Garnett: 411 games 10. George Gervin: 406 games 11. James Harden: 353 games 12. Kevin Garnett: 338 games 13. Julius Erving: 319 games 14. Chris Mullin: 301 games 15. Bob McAdoo: 299 games 16. Elgin Baylor: 272 games 17. Hakeem Olajuwon: 258 games 18. Dale Ellis: 255 games 19. Elvin Hayes: 250 games 20. Kevin McHale: 247 games 20. Bob Pettit: 247 games 22. Shaquille O’Neal: 245 games 23. John Havlicek: 243 games 24. Terry Cummings: 239 games 25. Allen Iverson: 237 games