Sunday, October 17, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Iowa Takes Advantage Of Michigan Miscues For Big Ten Victory

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 04:48 PM PDT

John Raffel – AHN Sports Correspondent

Ann Arbor, Mi, United States (AHN) – Michigan made a bold comeback effort against Iowa Saturday afternoon but the Hawkeyes were able to pull out a 38-28 Big Ten Conference victory against the Wolverines.

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw three touchdown passes to Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Adam Robinson covered 143 rushing yards and scored two other touchdowns to lift the Hawkeyes Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

Iowa improves to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten and is ranked 14th in the coaches poll. Michigan is 5-2 overall and 1-2 in the Big Ten and ranked 24th in the poll.

“We’re certainly thrilled to get the victory,” said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. “It didn’t come easy. We expected it to be a tough game and it turned out to be. That’s what you expect in conference play on the road, and played a team that’s very talented. We’re thrilled to get the win. I thought our guys played hard. We came out with good energy and good effort, playing hard the full 60 minutes.”

Iowa didn’t have a fumble or interception.

“You’re always hoping to minimize mistakes,” Ferentz said. “That is how we try to play; that’s just the way we are built, but it’s easier said than done. I thought our guys did a good job of protecting the football first and foremost.”

Michigan opened the scoring in the first quarter on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Denard Robinson to Vincent Smith. But by contrast, Michigan had a fumble and threw three interceptions.

“The penalties were ridiculous, especially in the first half,” said Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, whose team had six penalties for 46 yards the first two quarters.

“The turnovers are inexcusable. We’re not good enough to have those things and beat anybody, let alone a good Iowa team.”

Later in the quarter, Stanzi passed 14 yards to Derrell Johnson-Koulianos to tie the game.

In the second quarter, the Hawkeyes claimed the lead on a 31-yard touchdown pass to Johnson-Koulianos from Stanzi and a four-yard scoring run by Adam Robinson.

Trailing 21-7, Michigan appeared ready to cut into the lead but fumbled the ball deep in Hawkeye territory. A Hawkeye interception of a Tate Forcier pass by Micah Hyde led to an 11-yard scoring run by Adam Robinson, giving Iowa a three-touchdown lead. Forcier was in for Robinson, who was injured in the third quarter, left the game and did not return.

Michigan got a touchdown back the fourth quarter on Stefan Hopkins’ two-yard touchdown plunge. But Stanzi passed 19 yards to Johnson-Koulianos for their third touchdown combination of the game.

Michigan wouldn’t go away with Forcier passing 45 yards to Junior Hemingway for the team’s third touchdown. Forcier ran for a three-yard touchdown with more than six minutes to play to make it a 7-point ballgame.

“Why would you quit?” Rodriguez said. “The game is 60 minutes so you’re trained to play for 60 minutes. The guys did that. We just had opportunities in the end and we needed to make stops on defense or make a play on offense and all of the sudden the crowd is back into it and we have a chance to win the game. We just didn’t do that. We have to clean up some things.”

Stanzi drove the Hawkeyes down the field to set up a 30-yard field goal by Mike Meyer with 2:53 to play. Troy Johnson intercepted a Forcier pass moments later to seal the victory for Iowa.

Michigan actually had a 522-383 edge in total yards. Denard Robinson passed for 96 yards but Forcier had 17 completions for 239 yards. Robinson wound up with 105 net rushing yards. Adam Robinson had 143 yards rushing. Stani was 17-of-24 for 248 yards.

“We certainly had some ups and owns, but it was some good learning situations for us,” Ferentz said. “Most importantly, the guys competed and fought hard and we got the victory.”

“Anytime you get a Big 10 win on the road, it’s huge,” said Iowa junior strong safety Tyler Sash.

The game was watched by 112,784 fans at Michigan Stadium.

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Bullpen Bounces Back As Rangers Top Yanks; Even ALCS At 1-1

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 04:48 PM PDT

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Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Arlington, TX, United States (AHN) – Colby Lewis gave up just two runs in 5 2-3 innings and the Rangers bullpen dealt the final 3 1-3 scoreless as Texas evened the American League Championship Series at one game each with a 7-2 win over the New York Yankees Saturday.

Ron Washington’s bullpen redeemed itself after allowing New York a five-run rally in the eighth inning in Game 1. Washington put the ball in the same hands for Game 2, with much different results.

Clay Rapada, Alexi Ogando, Darren Oliver, Darren O’Day and Neftali Feliz combined to allow just a single hit over the final 3 1-3.

Daniel Murphy paced the Rangers offense, going 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Ian Kinsler, Bengie Molina, Michael Young Mitch Moreland each knocked in a run for Texas, which again built a 5-0 lead and staved off the Yanks the rest of the way.

Lance Berkman knocked in a run and Robinson Cano homered for the second-straight game for New York.

Starter Phil Hughes coughed up all seven earned runs in just four innings.

The series shifts to New York Monday for Game 3 at 8 pm ET.

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Fourth-Quarter Touchdowns Lift Auburn Past Arkansas In Slugfest

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 04:48 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Auburn, AL, United States (AHN) – Cam Newton had 25 carries for 189 yards and three touchdowns as the Auburn Tigers put 28 points on the board in the final quarter to seal a 65-43 win in a slugfest with the Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday.

Newton also went 10-for-14 passing for 140 yards and a touchdown in the air, but it was the Tigers running game that stole the show. Four different rushers scored touchdowns, combining for 329 yards on 49 carries.

The Razorbacks outgained Auburn 567-469 and took a 43-37 lead early in the fourth quarter. But three turnovers and an incredible scoring outburst by the Tigers put the game out of reach.

Arkansas Heisman hopeful Ryan Mallett was forced to leave the game with a knee injury after going 10-for-15 for 96 yards and a score. Tyler Wilson went 25-for-34 for 332 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions filling in for the Razorbacks.

Greg Childs had a monster game for the Razorbacks, finishing with nine catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Joe Adams added seven catches for 87 yards and a score.

The Razorbacks (4-2, 1-2 SEC) continue SEC play against the Ole Miss Rebels in Week 8.

The Tigers (7-0, 4-0 SEC) put their unblemished record on the line to face the tough LSU Tigers at home Saturday.

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Crosby Notches Two Goals, Adds Assist As Pens Crush Flyers

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 04:47 PM PDT

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Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Pittsburgh, PA, United States (AHN) – Sidney Crosby assisted on Chris Kunitz’ game-tying score and added two goals of his own as the Pittsburgh Penguins crushed the Philadelphia Flyers 5-1 Saturday.

Danny Briere beat Brent Johnson to give Philadelphia the early 1-0 lead, but the 10-year veteran goalie would be impenetrable for the remainder of the night.

Johnson finished with 29 saves while Mark Letestu and Matt Cooke pour it on with a goal each.

Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 27 shots for Philadelphia (2-2-1), which hosts the Anaheim Mighty Ducks Thursday.

Pittsburgh (3-3-0), sitting first in the Atlantic, hosts the Ottawa Senators Monday.

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Oh, Ricky! Quarterback Coming Up Huge For Hawkeyes

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 04:47 PM PDT

John Raffel – AHN Sports Correspondent

Ann Arbor, MI, United States (AHN) – Ricky Stanzi continues to make the case for being considered one of the finest college quarterbacks in the country not to mention being among the best signal-callers in Iowa Hawkeye history.

Stanzi, a senior, was on the top of his game Saturday before 112,784 fans at Michigan Stadium in leading No. 15-ranked Iowa past Michigan 38-28.

The Hawkeyes improved their record to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten with Stanzi passing 24 times and completing 17 attempts for 248 yards and three touchdowns, all to Derrell Johnson-Koulianos.

Stanzi had no interceptions and was sacked only once.

“Rick’s really been leading our football team in a great fashion and today I thought he played an excellent game,” said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz.

“Coming on the road makes it a little bit tougher for us. This was only our second road game. We didn’t handle things so well the first time around. I thought he did a great job of getting us in and out of plays, making sure we were secured.”

“He did a great job of spreading that ball around, getting it where it had to be,” Ferentz said. “I’m certainly happy for him. All of our seniors have done a really good job.”

“We had a pretty good idea of what they were going to give up,” Stanzi said after the Michigan game. “So we shrunk the playbook down a little bit. We made things easier. We knew communication would be tough. We got the looks we thought we would get. From there we tried to execute as much as we could.”

Stanzi gave Johnson-Koulianos credit for the three touchdown passes they combined for against Michigan. Johnson-Koulianos became Iowa’s all-time leading receiver in terms of yardage.

“He did a tremendous job of getting open. They had tight coverage and great athletes covering the corners. It was huge for him to get open,” Stanzi said. “He did a good job of running his routes. He makes things happen with it. That’s what he’s always done. His first touchdown catch was a tremendous catch.”

Stanzi ranked ninth in single season touchdown passes with 17 and was tied for fourth in career scoring passes with 41. One of his best Big Ten performances was when he was 16-of-22 for 227 yards and a touchdown against Penn State. In a nonleague win over Ball State, he was 19-of-25 for 288 yards.

Stanzi entered the game having completed 82-of-121 passes for 1,226 yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season, with two interceptions. He had tossed at least one touchdown pass in the last 13 games he had played.

Stanzi also entered Saturday’s action ranked first in the Big Ten and third in the nation in passing efficiency at 176.85. He completed 171-of-304 pass attempts for 2,417 yards in 2009 and his season yardage put him 11th best in school history. But his career total of 5,599 passing yards has him sixth and he’s also sixth in career completions with 403, attempts with 83 and total offense with 5,591.

He’s especially been an effective leader in helping Iowa convert on third-down situations.

“That’s huge for any drive, no matter what stage of the game it is, executing on third down,” Stanzi said. “Either you’re going off the field or you’re staying on. Everyone realizes that. We did a good job on executing on lot of those especially late in the game when we needed those.”

As a starter, Stanzi has led the Hawkeyes to a 23-5 record including a 13-2 mark in Kinnick Stadium and an 11-4 record in Big Ten contests.

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McMurray Runs To Win At Charlotte

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 04:47 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Concord, NC, United States (AHN) – Jamie McMurray may not be in The Chase but he’s making the most of it.

McMurray, who won both the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 this season, added to his stellar 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season by winning Saturday night’s Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“We had a really good car there. As those laps were winding down I was thinking about Daytona and why I cry and the power of prayer,” said McMurray. “Thanks to God and everything he’s blessed my family and I with.”

McMurray led 65 of 334 laps and took the lead on a final restart with 20 laps to go to beat Chase contenders Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson across the finish line as six Chasers finished in the top-10.

Johnson maintained the points lead with his fourth consecutive top-10 finish.

“We just never gave up on it tonight, We knew that the track would come to us,” said Johnson. “We did what we needed to tonight and got a great finish out of it.”

Denny Hamlin ran fourth and Greg Biffle was fifth followed by Matt Kenseth, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, David Reutimann and David Ragan.

Chaser Carls Edwards ran 12th and Clint Bowyer finished 17, while the rest of the Chasers had tough days finish-wise.

Jeff Burton ran 20th and was followed by Tony Stewart, while Jeff Gordon was 23rd and Kurt Busch, who has dominated Charlotte as of late, ran a disappointing 30th.

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NASCAR Getting Greener In 2011

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 04:47 PM PDT

Edward Lewis – AHN Sports Reporter

Concord, NC, United States (AHN) – By moving to a new, cleaner fuel, NASCAR is getting greener in 2011.

During the 2011 season, NASCAR will race its three national touring series with Sunoco Green E15 fuel, a 15 percent ethanol blend using American-made ethanol from corn grown by American farmers.

“NASCAR is committed to being an environmental leader, and the sport has taken significant steps over the years toward conservation by introducing measurable, best-in-class initiatives in recycling, alternative energy, and carbon mitigation,” said Brian France, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASCAR.

“The transition to Sunoco Green E15 takes our long-term sustainability strategy to the next level. Sunoco Green E15 is good for racing, good for the environment and good for America. While fueling the same close, door-to-door racing that thrills our fans, American ethanol creates jobs in the United States, helps foster energy independence, and continues the greening of our sport.”

The IZOD IndyCar Series has raced with Ethanol for several seasons, while NASCAR will use the Sunoco Green E15 in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series.

The NASCAR blend is produced in Marcus Hook, Pa., and will come in part from Sunoco’s new ethanol plant in Fulton, N.Y. The new fuel will be pumped directly from tankers at the track instead of from on-site underground storage tanks.

NASCAR team engine builders have been testing the Sunoco Green E15 for several months with positive results.

“We are excited about NASCAR’s announcement today that it will race with Sunoco Green E15 fuel in its three national touring series beginning at Daytona in 2011. We strongly support the use of biofuels by every series in which Chevrolet races,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. Vice President for Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “

Sunoco Green E15 is the latest in a series of NASCAR conservation initiatives.

Drivers, teams, and track operators are working on recycling, land conservation, and adopting alternative energy sources.

“Safe. Green. Smart. Quality. These are the four pillars of Ford Motor Company and it’s our mission that we are committed to on a daily basis,” said Jamie Allison, Director, Ford North America Motorsports.

“The journey toward more environmentally-friendly solutions in the automotive business and motorsports is never-ending and we applaud NASCAR for taking this important step toward an ethanol blend of fuel.”

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Eriksson, Richards Lead Stars To Shootout Win Over Blues

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 04:47 PM PDT

John Tranchina – AHN Sports Correspondent

Dallas, TX, United States (AHN) – Brad Richards, Loui Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro each scored in a shootout to lift the Dallas Stars to a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues Saturday night.

Dallas, which overcame an early 2-0 deficit and was outshot 43-25, remains one of two unbeaten NHL teams with a 4-0-0 record after winning its second shootout of the young season.

The Blues, which opened the season with two straight home wins, have now lost two straight on the road.

Kari Lehtonen was outstanding in goal for Dallas, making 41 saves and stopping two-of-three in the shootout, allowing only Brad Boyes’ attempt.

Eriksson’s shootout tally was initially waved off by the on-ice officials, but a video review showed his deke slid under St. Louis goaltender Ty Conklin and just over the goal line.

Eriksson also notched the game-tying goal with 5:17 left in the second period, receiving a backhand pass from behind the net by Richards and roofing a point-blank wrist shot over Conklin’s shoulder.

James Neal also had a goal and an assist for Dallas, while Richards chipped in with two assists.

Patrik Berglund and Andy McDonald found the back of the net for the Blues.

St. Louis outshot Dallas 14-5 in the third period and had a golden opportunity to regain the lead early when Nicklas Grossman’s delay of game penalty gave them a 5-on-3 power play at 1:07, but were unable to solve Lehtonen.

Seconds after coming out of the penalty box, Grossman was whistled for a high-sticking double-minor, but once again, St. Louis couldn’t capitalize.

It took St. Louis just 3:48 into the opening period to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Berglund connected just 1:11 in, getting a stick on Boyes’ wrist shot to deflect it past Lehtonen.

McDonald then scored on a power play, converting a cross-ice pass from David Backes for an easy tap-in at the left post.

The Stars got one back with two minutes left in the first on Neal’s second goal of the year, a one-timer from the high slot, off a pass from Eriksson, that squeezed through Conklin, who was making his first start of the season.

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Ross Homers Twice As Giants Take NLCS Game 1 From Phils

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 04:47 PM PDT

Kareem Shaker – AHN Sports Reporter

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – Cody Ross hit two solo homers and Tim Lincecum dealt seven innings of three-run ball as the San Francisco Giants took Game 1 of the National League Championship Series 4-3 over the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday.

Ross has been a blessing batting eighth for the Giants in the playoffs. The seven-year veteran journeyman, who came to San Fran on waivers in August, knocked in the winning runs in two of the Giants’ three playoff wins and hit a home run to tie Game 4 of the NLDS.

The New Mexico native did it again in Game 1, getting to the flame throwing Roy Halladay in the third and fifth innings.

In what was billed as a historical pitcher’s duel, neither Lincecum nor Halladay managed to reenact their performances in the Division Series.

Lincecum gave up homers to Carlos Ruiz and Jayson Werth, just the second time this season the reigning Cy Young winner allowed two homers in the same game.

Halladay gave up eight hits Saturday after pitching the second no-hitter in postseason history in Game 1 of the NLDS last week.

Pat Burrell and Juan Uribe each had an RBI for San Fran. Javier Lopez recorded two outs in the eighth and Brian Wilson secured the final four outs for the save.

The series continues with Game 2 Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. Jonathan Sanchez takes the mound for the Giants against the Phils’ Roy Oswalt.

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Stars Remain Unbeaten With Shootout Win Over Blues

Posted: 17 Oct 2010 04:47 PM PDT

John Tranchina – AHN Sports Correspondent

Dallas, TX, United States (AHN) – Brad Richards, Loui Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro each scored in a shootout to lift the Dallas Stars to a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues Saturday night.

Dallas, which overcame an early 2-0 deficit and was outshot 43-25, remains one of two unbeaten NHL teams with a 4-0-0 record.

The Blues, which opened the season with two straight home wins, have now lost two straight on the road.

Kari Lehtonen was outstanding in goal for Dallas, making 41 saves and stopping one-of-two in the shootout, allowing only Brad Boyes’ attempt.

“Sometimes it’s this way,” Lehtonen said. “In the first game of the year, I wasn’t sharp. When one part is not doing well, another part helps out. I was able to make good saves, but the next night it might be another way.”

“He was terrific, he gave us an opportunity to win,” Dallas coach Marc Crawford said of Lehtonen. “He was super all night. He made it look easy because he moved so well. He was making believers of the guys in front of him. They started to dig in a bit more.”

Eriksson’s shootout tally was initially waved off by the on-ice officials, but a video review showed his deke slid under St. Louis goaltender Ty Conklin and just over the goal line.

“No I didn’t [know if it was in], but I saw it laying there on the line afterwards,” Eriksson said. “It was a big one for us, I’ll take that one. I was a little bit lucky there, but that’s how it goes sometimes.”

“I didn’t think it was in initially,” Crawford said. “I wasn’t sure if he pushed it in. On the replay it was evident that the goalie had just misplayed it. It’s great that they have video review and ended up getting that right.”

Dallas won its second shootout of the young season, a nice improvement after it went 5-10 last season before being eliminated from playoff contention.

“That’s something that’s always nice, to win when the game is really on the line,” Lehtonen said of the shootout success. “It’s something we practice a lot. You just try to be as calm and as ready as you can. It’s still a tough situation.”

Eriksson also notched the game-tying goal with 5:17 left in the second period, receiving a backhand pass from behind the net by Richards and roofing a point-blank wrist shot over Conklin’s shoulder.

James Neal also had a goal and an assist for Dallas, while Richards chipped in with two assists.

Patrik Berglund and Andy McDonald found the back of the net for the Blues.

St. Louis outshot Dallas 14-5 in the third period and had a golden opportunity to regain the lead early when Nicklas Grossman’s delay of game penalty gave them a 5-on-3 power play for 1:07, but were unable to solve Lehtonen.

Seconds after coming out of the penalty box, Grossman was whistled for a high-sticking double-minor, but once again, St. Louis couldn’t capitalize.

“We’re not satisfied,” Blues coach Davis Payne said. “I feel that type of performance is worthy of two points. In the third period on the 5-on-3, we didn’t get clean looks. We would have liked to score then.”

It took St. Louis just 3:48 into the opening period to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Berglund connected just 1:11 in, getting a stick on Boyes’ wrist shot to deflect it past Lehtonen.

McDonald then scored on a power play, converting a cross-ice pass from David Backes for an easy tap-in at the left post.

The Stars got one back with two minutes left in the first on Neal’s second goal of the year, a one-timer from the high slot, off a pass from Eriksson, that squeezed through Conklin, who was making his first start of the season.

“The club will enjoy this,” Crawford said. “They’re happy to be 4-0.”

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