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CFB Week 4 Previews: Mid-American Conference

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CFB Week 4 Previews: Mid-American Conference

Saturday, September 25
Bowling Green (1-2) at Minnesota (2-1) | Noon (ESPNU)
Bowling Green returns to the road to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers of the Big Ten Conference…LB Darren Anders is one of two players in the nation this season with 25+ tackles (29), one interception, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and one sack. Utah’s Devin Lloyd is the other player. Anders currently ranks No. 17 in the nation and No. 2 in the MAC with 9.7 tackles per game…QB Matt McDonald is No. 14 in the nation and No. 2 in the MAC in completion percentage. He also ranks No. 1 in the MAC in completions per game (23.33), passing yards (716) and passing yards per game (238.7). McDonald is 3rd in the MAC in total offense (231.3).

Miami (1-2) at Army (3-0) | Noon (CBS Sports Network)
Miami concludes its non-conference schedule this Saturday with a trip to face the Army Black Knights. Led by a strong rushing attack and key defensive plays, the RedHawks downed Long Island 42-7 for their first win of the season. Miami out-gained LIU 523-216 and held a 229-39 advantage on the ground. While the defense did not force a turnover, they did have 11 tackles for loss and held LIU to just 1.0 yard per carry on the ground.

FIU (1-2) at Central Michigan (1-2) | Noon (ESPN+)
Central Michigan hosts FIU for its final road non-conference game of the season. In CMU’s last home game, the squad tallied a shutout against Robert Morris, its first since a 37-0 victory over UMass in 2013. CMU dominated the game, holding RMU to three first downs, 109 total yards (13 passing, 96 rushing) and 1-12 on third down…The Chippewas have been strong with their third-down defense this season, allowing opponents to convert just 8 of 34 opportunities (24%). That leads the Mid-American Conference and ranks sixth in the nation.

Ohio (0-3) at Northwestern (1-2) | Noon (BTN)
Ohio continues their three-game road trip on Saturday, Sept. 25 when they Bobcats head to Evanston, Ill. for a matchup with Big Ten opponent, Northwestern. Ohio is 0-3 to start the season for the first time since 2008, in a year in which they started the season 0-4 following their last matchup with Northwestern. Overall, the Bobcats are averaging 16.3 points per game to go along with 301.0 total yards per game…O’Shaan Allison leads on the ground with 167 yards, while DeMontre Tuggle adds 122 yards and one touchdown…Quarterback Kurtis Rourke is 40-of-70 with 416 yards, three touchdowns and one interceptions. While, Tyler Walton leads the receivers with 14 catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

*Toledo (1-2) at Ball State (1-2) | 2:00 pm (ESPN+)
Toledo is coming off a 22-6 home loss to Colorado State on Sept. 18. Toledo’s defense held CSU’s offense out of the end zone but five Ram field goals and a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown was enough for the win. The Rockets rank first in the MAC in total defense (347.7) and second in scoring defense (21.3). Bryant Koback has 2,824 career rushing yards, eighth on Toledo’s all-time list. He needs 296 yards to pass Jalen Parmele (3,119 from 2004- 07) for No. 7 on the list. Ball State lost at Wyoming last Saturday, 45-12. Despite trailing in the all-time series 24-21-1, the Cardinals have won the last two duels vs. Toledo, including last season’s 27-24 win at the Glass Bowl. In MAC play alone, QB Drew Plitt has thrown for 3,992 yards with 31 touchdowns compared to 14 interceptions while completing 64.2 percent of his passes through 17 games under center in league action.

Texas St. (1-2) at Eastern Michigan (2-1) | 2:00 pm (ESPN+)
Eastern Michigan will close out its 2021 non-conference schedule when it welcomes Texas State University to “The Factory” Saturday, Sept. 25, for the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Eagles are 2-1 after putting together an impressive 42-28 road victory over Massachusetts Saturday, Sept. 18. The Eagles dominated on the offensive side of the ball, amassing better than 500 yards en route to their best point total of the young season. Although EMU has never played Texas State, it does have plenty of experience against Sun Belt Conference opponents. Eastern holds a 5-7-1 record against teams in the Sun Belt, earning wins over Arkansas State (1976), Coastal Carolina (2019), Louisiana-Lafayette (2006), and Louisiana-Monroe (1970 & 1975), with its last matchup against a Sun Belt member coming in the 2019 season-opener, at Coastal Carolina, Aug. 31. EMU won that game, 30-23.

San Jose St. (2-1) at Western Michigan (2-1) | 2:00 pm (ESPN+)
This is the first meeting between Western Michigan and San Jose State University. WMU has never beaten a team from the Mountain West Conference. Western Michigan defeated Pittsburgh, 44-41, on the road in front of 40,581 fans at Heinz Field on Saturday afternoon. The win is the first over a Power 5 conference team for head coach Tim Lester. The Broncos put up 510 yards of offense on Pitt in the win. Western Michigan turned the ball over zero times in the win over the Panthers. The Broncos have given up the ball zero times in two of the three games so far this season. Sophomore wide receiver Corey Crooms had a career-high eight receptions in the win over Pittsburgh. He also recorded a career-high 161 yards receiving and his second touchdown reception of the season.

Maine (1-2) at Northern Illinois (1-2) | 2:30 pm (ESPN3)
NIU puts a wrap on its 2021 non-conference schedule when the Huskies welcome the Black Bears of Maine to Huskie Stadium. The Huskies and Maine meet for the first time, the second non-conference debut opponent for NIU this season; NIU also plays a current Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) team for the first time. The Huskie offense has already proven to be more potent than the 2020 version; NIU’s six rushing TDs this year are one less than the seven totaled in six games in 2020 and NIU’s 190.3 rushing yards per game are 63 more per game than the Huskies had a year ago. While Harrison Waylee’s consecutive 100-yard rushing game streak was snapped at four by Michigan, the freshman from Iowa continues to lead the MAC and rank in the top 12 in the country in rushing yards (119.0/game). Waylee ran for
a career high 179 yards versus Wyoming, the highest total by a Huskie since 2016.

Kent State (1-2) at Maryland (3-0) | 3:30 pm (BTN)
Kent State is coming off a hard-fought 30-7 loss at Iowa. Keshunn Abram had a career day for the Flashes, grabbing six passes for 138 yards and a score. Kent State finished third last year in rushing yards per game averaging 283. This season, they rushed for 494 against VMI and 226 against Texas A & M, the most allowed by the Aggies in nearly two years even after tough sledding against Iowa, the Flashes still rank 9th in rushing in the FBS, averaging 266 yards per game.

Buffalo (1-2) at Old Dominion (1-2) | 6:00 pm (ESPN+)
This is the first meeting between Buffalo and Old Dominion. Buffalo is coming off a hard-fought 28-25 loss to #16 Coastal Carolina last Saturday. The Bulls lead the MAC in scoring offense (32.3) and scoring defense (21.0). Defensive end Taylor Riggins led the Bulls with seven tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Through three games this season, the Bulls have run more plays and won the time of possession against each opponent. The Bulls ran 28 more plays than Wagner, 22 more plays than Nebraska and seven more plays than Coastal Carolina.

Akron (1-2) at No. 10 Ohio State (2-1) | 7:30 pm (BTN)
The University of Akron football team returns to the road this week traveling down I-71 for an in-state showdown with No. 10 Ohio State. Akron football team captured its first win of the 2021 season as redshirt sophomore QB DJ Irons led the way with 432 yards of total offense and four touchdowns en route to a 35-14 win over Bryant at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field on Saturday. Akron generated 514 yards of total offense as Irons collected 296 passing yards and a team-high 136 yards rushing. Irons completed 19-of-23 passes with three touchdowns. Akron limited Bryant to just 146 yards of total offense, 117 yards passing and 29 yards
rushing. Redshirt junior LB Bubba Arslanianled the Zips with 12 total tackles.

Game Preview: Bears Host South Dakota on Family Weekend

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9/21/2021 | Football

#18 Missouri State Bears (1-1) vs. South Dakota (2-1)

Date and Time   Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 | 7:05 p.m. (Central)

Location               Robert W. Plaster Stadium (17,500) | Springfield, Mo.

Promotion          Family Weekend

 

Up Next               Missouri State begins a two-game road swing on October 2 at Illinois State (1 p.m.)

 

First and Ten

Missouri State will open its 37th season in the Missouri Valley Football Conference on Saturday (7 p.m.) when the Bears entertain South Dakota at Robert W. Plaster Stadium (ESPN3) on Family Weekend. MSU is 17-19 all-time in Valley openers, including two wins in a row and a 30-24 win at Western Illinois in last year’s MVFC lid lifter.

 

Missouri State’s 43-34 win over UCA in the home opener (9/11/21) included offensive, defensive and special teams touchdowns for the Bears. It marked the first time MoState has achieved that feat since its 27-24 win last season at South Dakota (3/13/21) in Vermillion.

 

Damoriea Vick (Oklahoma City, Okla.) is 3 receiving yards from eclipsing the program’s career top 10 in that category. He is already No. 7 on MSU’s career receptions list (118) and is the program’s active leader in both consecutive starts (33) and consecutive games with a pass reception (19). Vick is also just 17 receiving yards away from 1,500 in his career.

 

Missouri State is ranked No. 18 in this week’s STATS Perform FCS and AFCA Top 25 polls. It marks the 9th straight week the Bears have been ranked in the STATS Perform FCS Top 25, dating back to 3/30/21.

 

Cornerback Montrae Braswell (Avon Park, Fla.) was named the MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week on 9/12/21 after his 96-yard kickoff return for a TD in the 4th quarter against UCA. He currently leads the MVFC and ranks 2nd nationally in KO return average (35.8). After last season’s 27-24 MSU win at South Dakota, Braswell earned MVFC Defensive Player of the Week honors when he scored a pair of TDs in Vermillion. His 36-yard pick-six was MSU’s first interception return for a TD since 2016 (Robert Thomas), while his 100-yard kickoff return matched the longest in program history. Braswell also had 6 solo tackles in the win.

MSU’s offense ranks high among all FCS programs in several categories, including 7th in turnover margin (+2.0), 19th in time of possession (33:53), and 37th in scoring (29.5).

 

Xavier Lane (WR, Montgomery, Ala.) earned MVFC Offensive Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week honors after the Bears week 2 win over UCA. In the win, he racked up 148 yards on 9 pass receptions, the most receiving yards by a Bears wideout since 2018. The transfer from Western Kentucky’s biggest catch of the day was a 26-yard catch and run to the end zone with 29 seconds left in the game to give the Bears the lead for good. Lane currently ranks 2nd in the MVFC in both receptions per game (8.5) and receiving yards per game (113.0). He enters the week ranked 4th nationally in receptions per game and 7th in receiving yards per game.

The Missouri State defense ranks 12th nationally in fewest rushing yards per game (87.5).

 

Bears punter, Grant Burkett (So., Joplin, Mo.) is tops in the MVFC and 2nd nationally in punting average (50.8), while helping the Bears lead the nation in net punting (48.3). Last year, he had a 43.0 average, which ranked 13th nationally and 3rd in the MVFC while earning All-MVFC honorable mention distinction.

For his career, Jason Shelley is 196-for-358 (.547) for 2,087 yards and 10 TD. With a pair of 200-yard passing games to open his MSU career, he ranks 31st nationally in both total offense (259.5) and passing (233.0).

 

Co-captain Titus Wall (S, Plano, Texas) reached 200 career tackles (44 games) in MSU’s week 2 win over Central Arkansas … Classmate Tyler Lovelace (LB, Lee’s Summit, Mo.) also reached a milestone in the UCA game with his 150th career stop (40 games).

 

All-MVFC kicker Jose Pizano (Lehi, Utah) shares the FCS national lead in field goals per game (3.0), ranks 11th in scoring average (11.5), and 19th in FG accuracy (.857) on 6-of-7 attempts. He has converted 6 straight FG attempts this season and is 24-of-24 on extra points in his MSU career.

 

Missouri State enters Saturday’s game riding a 3-game home win streak, the program’s longest since it reeled off 3 home wins in a row from 9/6/18 to 9/27/18. The club’s last 4-game home win streak came in 2010.

 

Tylar Wiltz (LB, Plano, Tex.) is coming off his first career interception, a 45-yard, walk-off “pick six” against UCA.

 

Coach Bobby Petrino

Bobby Petrino is in his second season as Missouri State’s head football coach after joining the Bears program on January 16, 2020. He is currently 125-62 (.668) in his 16th season as a head coach and is 6-6 at Missouri State, including a 5-2 ledger in the spring of 2021. As Bears head coach, Petrino is 3-4 on the road, and 3-2 at Plaster Stadium. He is 1-0 all-time against South Dakota.

 

During the 2020-21 season, Petrino helped lead the Bears to a 5-1 mark in Missouri Valley Football Conference play to earn a share of the MVFC regular-season title. His efforts not only landed him the prestigious Bruce Craddock MVFC Coach of the Year Award, but also led the Bears to their first NCAA FCS playoff appearance in 30 years.

 

ESPN recently named Petrino to its list of the top 100 college football coaches of the last 50 years, placing Petrino No. 77 on the list.

Petrino previously served as head coach in two stints at Louisville as well as Arkansas and Western Kentucky. He spent 14 seasons at the FBS level and led his programs to 11 bowl appearances with seven teams ranked in the top 25 at season’s end.

 

The Helena, Mont., native is in his 33rd year of collegiate coaching overall, having guided his programs to AP top-six final rankings three times (2004, 2006, 2011) and directing some of the nation’s top offensive programs along the way. His clubs have finished in the top five nationally in scoring offense three times, while his 2004 club at Louisville led the country in scoring (49.8 ppg). He has developed 34 NFL Draft selections during his illustrious career, including four in the first round, and Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson.

 

Petrino and his wife Becky have four children: Kelsey, Nick, Bobby and Katie – and six grandchildren. Nick Petrino is Missouri State’s offensive coordinator, while sons-in-law Ryan Beard (defensive coordinator) and L.D. Scott (defensive line) are also on the MSU coaching staff this season. See pp. 19-21 for complete career stats/bio.

 

Series History

The Bears and Coyotes are fairly-recent Valley rivals, playing seven times since South Dakota joined the MVFC in 2012. USD leads the series, 4-3, with Missouri State escaping Vermillion with a 27-24 victory in the most-recent matchup in March. MSU is 2-1 at Plaster Stadium all-time against the Coyotes.

In the most-recent games between the squads, Missouri State got touchdowns from its offense, defense and special teams and racked up six sacks in the second half to pull out a thrilling 27-24 road win. Jose Pizano’s 28-yard field goal with 7:51 remaining in the contest proved to be the game-winner, capping a nine-play, 42-yard scoring drive that included a 26-yard completion from Matt Struck to Damoriea Vick on third down that carried the Bears to the USD 24. Pizano’s kick came on the heels of a monumental blocked field goal by Eric Johnson who came up the middle and got a hand on a 44-yard attempt by USD’s Mason Lorber to kill a potential go-ahead drive by the Coyotes and give the ball back to MSU near midfield with 12:21 to play. Jeremiah Wilson carried 14 times for 58 yards, and Tobias Little tallied 52 yards on 13 carries to lead the Bears who finished the afternoon with 158 ground yards on 40 attempts. Wilson tied the game, 24-24, with 3:41 to go in the third quarter with a six-yard TD run. The score capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive for MSU that include a fourth-down conversion pass from Jaden Johnson to Little and a 24-yard strike to Vick into the red zone. Wilson then carried three straight times to tie it up.

Yankees roster moves

MLB Editor
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Yankees roster moves

Following Tuesday’s game, the Yankees optioned OF Estevan Florial to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

 

Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees returned from rehab and reinstated RHP Domingo Germán (#55) from the 10-day injured list.

 

Additionally, RHP Jameson Taillon commences a rehab assignment today with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Blue Jays roster moves

MLB Editor
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Blue Jays roster moves

The Toronto Blue Jays have placed INF Breyvic Valera on the COVID-related injured list. INF Kevin Smith has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and will be active for today’s game.

Split-T Management Signs 13-Time National Champion Trinidad Vargas

Fight Editor
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Split-T Management Signs 13-Time National Champion Trinidad Vargas

NEW YORK – Split-T Management has announced the signing of amateur standout Trinidad Vargas.

 

Vargas, of Dallas, Texas, has an incredible amateur resume that culminated with a record of 198-12 and won 13 National Championships.

 

“I feel that signing with Split-T Management will open doors for me. I know they will do the job for me and I am comfortable with them,” said Vargas.

 

The 18-year-old Vargas started boxing at age 6 and had his first fight at age 8.

 

“My father was an amateur boxer and he was my backbone to the sport. He took me to a gym, and when he started teaching me the sport, I fell in love with it,” said Vargas

 

That spawned the aforementioned amateur career that saw him become a 6x Junior Golden Gloves National Champion, Silver Gloves National Champion; 2017 Junior Open Champion; 2017 Western Regional Champion; 2017 Eastern Regional Champion; 2018 USA Junior Boxer of the Year; 2018 Junior Olympics Champion for which he won the Male Boxer of the Tournament; 2018 Eastern Regional Champion and Western Regional Champion.

 

Vargas’ great-grandfather was a professional boxer. In his spare-time, Vargas has an interest in cars, in particular JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars. He lists Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao as his favorite fighters and is also a fan of Canelo Alvarez and Gervonta Davis.

 

He is trained by his father Nick Vargas and will debut as a super flyweight in the professional ranks.

Columbus Crew Prepares To Face LIGA MX Side Cruz Azul In 2021 Campeones Cup Next Wednesday At Lower.com Field

MLS Editor
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Columbus Crew Prepares To Face LIGA MX Side Cruz Azul In 2021 Campeones Cup Next Wednesday At Lower.com Field

COLUMBUS — Columbus Crew is set to host Liga MX side Cruz Azul for the 2021 Campeones Cup match at Lower.com Field one week from today on Wednesday, September 29 [8:00 p.m. ET / ESPN2, Univision and TUDN]. Campeones Cup is the annual matchup between the reigning MLS and Liga MX champions, with this year’s match being the third edition of the contest as both sides battle for the Campeones Cup trophy.

The midweek contest marks an exciting evening downtown around the Arena District and Astor Park with the Crew’s neighbors the Columbus Blue Jackets and Columbus Clippers also hosting games that evening. As such, all fans planning to attend the Campeones Cup match are encouraged to arrive early and can guarantee parking spots by pre-purchasing parking passes via arenadistrictparking.com. Additional matchday parking now includes the new Kilbourne Garage at Neil & I-670. Supporters planning on parking at the Front Street and Chestnut Garages and marching to the match are advised that they can arrive faster by taking the South 3rd Street Exit off I-670. Tickets for the title match on September 29 are available at the following link: https://bit.ly/3iBpovw.

The Crew qualified for the 2021 Campeones Cup by virtue of winning the 2020 MLS Cup, defeating Seattle Sounders FC 3-0 (December 12) – the largest margin of victory in MLS Cup history. The September 29 contest marks the Club’s first appearance in Campeones Cup. Should the Black & Gold win against Cruz Azul, they would win their first-ever international trophy. Representing LIGA MX, Deportivo Cruz Azul earned a spot in the Campeones Cup after defeating Club Leon and winning its third Campeon de Campeones match – the contest between the winners of LIGA MX’s Apertura and Clausura regular seasons, in which Cruz Azul had won the 2021 Clausura title.

Alouettes Wednesday Injury report

CFL Editor
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Alouettes Wednesday Injury report

Montreal, – The following is the Montreal Alouettes injury report for Wednesday, September 22, 2021:

 

Dante Absher (WR), hip, limited participation

 

Mario Alford (WR), ankle, did not participate

 

Cameron Artis-Payne, (RB), healthy scratch, full participation

 

Quan Bray, (WR), healthy scratch, full participation

 

David Foucault, (OL), healthy scratch, full participation

 

Najee Murray, (DB), healthy scratch, full participation

 

Samuel Thomassin, (OL), hand, limited participation

 

Michael Wakefield (DL), healthy scratch, full participation

 

Tre Watson (LB), hip, limited participation

CFL Preview: Redblacks, Ti-Cats kick off Week 8 in the Nation’s Capitol

CFL Editor
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CFL Preview: Redblacks, Ti-Cats kick off Week 8 in the Nation’s Capitol

OTTAWA — After a short week, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be back in action on Wednesday as they travel to the nation’s capital to take on the Ottawa REDBLACKS in an East Division battle.

 

Hamilton enters Week 8 with barely a moment to catch their breath after a 23-17 win in Week 7 over the Calgary Stampeders at home last Friday.

 

As the Ticats prepare for Wednesday’s nights matchup, head coach Orlondo Steinauer acknowledges the challenge of playing on short week but clarified that his team has been aware of the coming week and has been staying ready.

 

“They are going to be more rested; they’ve had a chance to study us longer,” said Steinauer of playing Ottawa on a short week. “We’ve known about this, the schedule has been out, we knew exactly what time it was.”

 

DAVID WATFORD GETS THE START ONCE AGAINST FOR THE TICATS THIS WEEK AS THEY TAKE ON OTTAWA (MICHAEL P. HALL/CFL.CA)

 

The Tabbies enter the new week still without quarterbacks Dane Evans and Jeremiah Masoli, who continue to manage injuries. The team has recently signed Jalen Morton as an extra measure of security.

 

Morton played college football in Texas with Prairie View A&M. In his time competing as a Panther, the young quarterback completed 345 of his 652 passing attempts, throwing for 4,945 yards and 40 touchdowns, adding another 705 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing.

 

However, despite Morton peaking some intrigue, Steinauer was quick to note that the signee would be unavailable for Hamilton for the time being and that David Watford would remain the team’s starting quarterback.

 

“There’s so much that goes into playing the toughest position on the football field that I was impressed with,” said Steinauer of Watford. “Outside of just the tangible numbers at the end of the game.”

 

Against the Stampeders, Watford played nearly perfect football when considering what the offensive scheming asked him to do. Hamilton’s game plan was clear, rely on consistent ground gains and throw the ball enough to ensure the defence stays honest.

 

Hamilton’s Week 7 matchup against Calgary is the most they’ve leaned on the ground game this season. Running the ball 30 times between five different ball carriers and collecting 116 rushing yards.

 

The Ticats pivot completed 19 of his 22 passing attempts for 149 passing yards, while adding another 35 with his legs on 10 carries. Watford put together an efficient passing game and most importantly helped leverage a win for the Black and Gold.

 

Hamilton will be looking for more of the same from Watford as they enter Week 8 and his teammates’ confidence in the quarterback remains high.

 

“He has our full confidence and honestly we’re just trying to go out there and give the quarterback time to do his thing,’ said offensive linemen Darius Ciraco of Watford. “He went out and balled out last week and we came out with a W.”

 

The REDBLACKS will be emerging from a bye week and will be looking to rebound on Wednesday night against the Ticats after a tough 45-13 loss to the BC Lions in Week 6.

 

Ottawa has had to battle through adversity this season as they have lost their last four games and haven’t notched a win since Week 1. Despite the slow start to the season, they have remained resilient. The recent play of their offence and the contribution of their young wide receivers is a definite silver lining for the team.

 

Ottawa been more aggressive with their downfield passing schemes through the last two weeks, stressing opposing defences and threatening to score at times when putting the ball in the air.

 

Dominique Davis took over quarterbacking duties with the REDBLACKS offence in Week 5 and has played admirably as the teams’ signal caller through his first two games. Davis has thrown for 624 yards and three touchdowns, completing 53 of 84 passing attempts.

 

The veteran quarterback has also helped to provide an aspect of versatility to Paul LaPolice’s offensive play calling. Davis has carried the ball 15 times, totalling 64 yards and a touchdown.

 

Ottawa has also seen the breakout of two pass-catchers that have helped to provide a boost to Davis and the REDBLACKS passing attack.

 

 

DOMINIQUE DAVIS IS LEADING THE CHARGE FOR THE REDBLACKS THIS WEEK AS THEY LOOK FOR THEIR SECOND WIN OF 2021 (THE CANADIAN PRESS)

 

Fourth year receiver Nate Behar and rookie wideout Ryan Davis have exploded in the Ottawa passing attack. Through the first five games, Davis has been the most targeted player on the offence, seeing 34 passes come his way. The budding star has turned 25 catches for 221 yards and a touchdown.

 

Additionally, Behar has emerged as a reliable set of hands for REDBLACKS quarterbacks. Behar is second to Davis in team targets with 31 and has seen a recent uptake in opportunities. Through his last three games, the former Carleton Raven has seen 25 targets come his way.

 

While the REDBLACKS have had their struggles early in the season, they show a lot of offensive promise and could be poised to breakout at any moment. Hamilton star, Simoni Lawrence knows his defensive unit can’t get complacent.

 

“You can’t take any team in the CFL for granted,” said Lawrence. “Things can change for teams faster than you know.”

 

Highlighted by the electric play of Lawrence, the defensive unit for the Black and Gold has been one of the most exciting aspects of the teams play through the start of the 2021 season.

 

Lawrence’s second interception return for a touchdown in Week 7 against Calgary tied him for the team lead in touchdowns. Yes, both offensively and defensively, the linebacker sits atop the Ticats depth chart in touchdowns scored.

 

As a unit, the Hamilton defence has held teams to under 20 points per game, their 112 total points surrendered and 18.7 allowed average is the third fewest in the league.

 

In addition to holding points off the board, they have shown an impressive ability to hold opposing offences off the field. The Ticats surrender the second-fewest yards in the league and hold teams to an average of 5.7 yards per play. They particularly shine in second down situations, allowing teams to convert just 41 per cent of the time.

 

The secret to the Hamilton success? Communication and relying on your teammates, according to Lawrence.

 

“It’s a lot of communication, we’re talking better together, we’re seeing things faster,” said Lawrence of the defence. “We’re trusting each other, and we know we’re going to be where we need to be.”

 

The REDBLACKS offensive staff will have their hands full in Wednesday night’s matchup against one of the league’s best defences. Davis and his supporting cast will need to play near perfect football against the Tabbies as they hope to deliver a win in the nation’s capital.

 

Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET and can be watched on TSN, RDS and ESPN+ or can be followed along on CFL.ca’s Game Tracker.

Preview: Arkansas State Red Wolves at Tulsa Golden Hurricane

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Preview: Arkansas State Red Wolves at Tulsa Golden Hurricane

GAME 4: Arkansas State (1-2) at Tulsa (0-3)

Sept. 25, 2021 | H.A. Chapman Stadium

Tulsa, Okla. | 4:00 p.m. (CT)

Radio: EAB Red Wolves Sports Network (107.9 FM, flagship)

Matt Stolz (pxp), Phillip Butterfield (analyst), Brad Bobo (sideline)

Television: ESPN+

 

ON TAP:  Arkansas State remains on the road for the second consecutive week to close out its non-conference schedule with a 4:00 p.m. game Saturday against American Athletic Conference member Tulsa.  The contest will be appear on ESPN+, and every A-State football game can be heard live on 107.9 FM in the Northeast Arkansas area.  The live broadcast can also be accessed on the official A-State Athletics web site (AStateRedWolves.com).

 

THE PRINCIPALS:  Arkansas State is in the midst of its first three-game road swing where each contest is being played on consecutive Saturdays for the first time since 2004.  The Red Wolves will conclude the non-conference portion of their regular-season schedule this weekend, but remain on the road next week as well to face Georgia Southern in their Sun Belt Conference opener.  They enter the contest with a 1-2 record, while Tulsa will bring an 0-3 mark into the contest after most recently falling 41-20 at Ohio State last week.

 

HEAD COACH BUTCH JONES:  Butch Jones was announced as the Red Wolves’ 31st all-time head football coach on December 12, 2020.  Jones not only brought 11 years of head-coaching experience at the NCAA FBS level with him to Jonesboro after previous stops leading the football programs at Tennessee (2013-17), Cincinnati (2010-12) and Central Michigan (2007-09), but he also spent the last three seasons (2018-20) working as part of Nick Saban’s staff at national-power Alabama.  During Jones’ first 11 seasons serving as a head coach, his teams combined to win four conference championships, played in eight bowl games and finished ranked in the AP Top 25 five times.  He has coached a combined 77 all-conference honorees and 27 NFL Draft picks.

 

DEBUT GAMES:  Butch Jones is A-State’s 31st all-time head coach, but became just the 11th to claim a victory in his first ever game at the school.  Each of the two head coaches (Blake Anderson and Bryan Harsin) immediately preceding Jones won their initial games, but Harsin in 2013 was actually the first to do so since Larry Lacewell in 1979,  snapping a streak of seven head coaches to drop their debuts.  A-State’s head coaches to win their first game at the school include Jones (2021), Anderson (2014), Harsin, Lacewell, Bill Davidson (1971), Gene Harlow (1955), Glen Harmeson (1954), Bill Adams (1939), Jack Dale (1931), Bill Stanley (1924) and Clint Young (1913).  Among the same group, Davidson was the last to win his first two games in 1971.

 

FAMILY TIES:  Research indicates that Butch Jones is one of nine FBS head coaches in the nation with a son currently playing at an FBS institution.  Adam Jones, one of Jones’ three sons, is currently a redshirt freshman wide receiver for the Red Wolves after transferring from Central Michigan to A-State after Jones accepted the Red Wolves’ head coaching position.  Jones’ oldest son, Alex, is also in his first season in an offensive quality control position for the Red Wolves.  His youngest son, Andrew, is a member of the freshman football team at Valley View in Jonesboro.

 

THE ARKANSAS STATE – TULSA SERIES:  Arkansas State and Tulsa are set to meet for the first time since 2018, although the two squads were scheduled to face each other in Jonesboro last year before the game was canceled.  The Red Wolves will now face the Golden Hurricane for the sixth time in school history, holding a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series that dates back to 1978.  A-State claimed a 29-20 road victory in the 2018 game and has won three of the last four meetings between the two schools.

 

A-STATE/TULSA SERIES

 

2018, A-State @ Tulsa (W, 29-20)

 

2003, A-State @ Tulsa (L, 54-7)

 

2002, Tulsa @ A-State (W, 21-19)

 

1981, Tulsa @ A-State (W, 31-7)

 

1978, A-State @ Tulsa (L, 21-20)

 

 

 

A-STATE vs AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE:  Arkansas State is set to play a member of the American Athletic Conference for the second time this year and eighth time since the league’s inaugural season in 2013, including each of the last six seasons.  While the Red Wolves hold an all-time 2-5 record versus AAC opponents, two of those five setbacks were decided by seven points or less.

 

A-STATE VS THE AAC

 

2021 vs Memphis (L, 55-50)

 

2020 at Memphis (L, 37-24)

 

2019 vs SMU (L, 37-30)

 

2018 at Tulsa (W, 29-20)

 

2017 at SMU (L, 44-21)

 

2016 vs UCF (W, 31-13 at the  Cure Bowl)

 

2013 at Memphis (L, 31-7)

 

 

 

ON THIS DATE:  Dating back to the 1926 season, Arkansas State holds an 8-5 record when playing on Sept. 25.  The Red Wolves have played on the date twice during this century, falling 35-28 at Troy in 2010 and defeating ULM 28-21 at home in 2004.  They claimed four consecutive wins in games played on Sept. 25 from 1948-71.

 

OKLAHOMA RED WOLVES:  Arkansas State has five players on its roster from the state of Oklahoma, including four who are listed on its current depth chart. The list includes Dahu Green (Oklahoma City), Jeff Foreman (Oklahoma City), Austin Woods (Claremore), Andre Harris Jr. (Oklahoma City) and Justin Dutton (Guthrie). The Red Wolves’ roster also includes Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College transfer Quinton Lee.

 

THE FIRST FIVE:  While Arkansas State began its 2021 campaign with back-to-back home games for the first time since 1987, it is now in the midst of playing three consecutive Saturdays on the road for the first time since 2004. The Red Wolves also played three road games in a row in 2020, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2008, but none of them on three consecutive Saturdays.

 

AN A-STATE VICTORY WOULD …:  move its all-time record versus Tulsa to 4-2 and give it two straight wins against the Golden Hurricane . . . improve its record against American Athletic Conference members to 3-5 . . . snap a five-game skid in road contests . . . give it a .500 or better non-conference record for the fourth consecutive season.

 

OFFENSIVE OUTBURST:  Not only did A-State set the school record for passing yards (582) versus Memphis, they also broke the school record for first downs in a game with 35.  The Red Wolves finished the contest with 98 plays, the second most in school history, and 680 yards of total offense for the fourth most ever by an A-State team.  Wide receiver Jeff Foreman finished the outing with a career-best eight receptions for 198 yards, which were the sixth most in school history for a single game.  Foreman has posted at least 100 receiving yards in four of the Red Wolves’ last six games, dating back to last season.  Additionally, Te’Vailance Hunt caught nine passes covering 123 yards, giving A-State three receivers this year with at least 100 receiving yards in a game. Corey Rucker had 138 yards against UCA.

 

RUNNING BACK RECEPTIONS:  Running back Lincoln Pare has already caught 11 passes for 109 yards this season, which is 24 more yards than he had for all of last season as a true freshman.  He’s ranked fourth on the team in both categories and his 11 catches are only one shy of the 12 total he had entering the year.  Pare finished the Washington game with seven catches for 69 yards — both career highs.

 

ON THE RETURN:  A-State running back Johnnie Lang Jr. posted three punt returns for 44 yards against UCA, surpassing the team’s 11 total punt return yards for all of last season.  Lang averaged 14.7 yards per attempt with a long return covering 29 yards.  A-State didn’t attempt a punt return versus Memphis.  However, Lang had two more returns for 13 yards against Washington to bring his season total to 57 yards for an 11.4 average per attempt.

 

ON THE RETURN (PART II):  Running back Alan Lamar posted six kickoff returns for 113 yards against Memphis, marking the first time an A-State player eclipsed 100 return yards since Roshauud Paul posted 126 against Appalachian State last season — a span of seven games.  Paul’s total marked the only time last season an A-State player went over 100 yards in kickoff returns.  Lamar’s six returns tied the seventh most in school history for a single game.  Lamar already has 10 returns for 174 yards on the season.

 

WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE:  A-State won or tied the turnover battle in each of its first three games this season, posting two interceptions against UCA, two fumble recoveries against Memphis and two picks and a fumble recovery against Washington.  The Red Wolves have posted multiple turnovers in three consecutive games for the first time since 2016.  The Red Wolves are currently tied for 13th in the nation in turnovers gained (7).

 

PICK IT OFF:  Arkansas State has posted four interceptions this season, which is just two shy of its six total for all of last year.  All four interceptions have come by different players, including Samy Johnson, EJ Alexander, Jeffmario Brown and Leon Jones.  Johnson now has three career interceptions, while the other three players have posted their first pick this year as a member of the A-State football team.

 

THREE IN A ROW:  Senior safety EJ Alexander has posted at least one turnover gained in all three games this season, including an interception versus UCA and a fumble recovery against both Memphis and Washington.  He added a forced fumble against the Huskies and also finished A-State’s most recent outing with a career-tying 10 tackles.

 

DISRUPTING THE BACKFIELD:  Junior defensive end Kivon Bennett has made an immediate impact on the A-State defense his first season with the program, already posting 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.  The Tennessee transfer has recorded 1.0 or more TFL and at least a half sack in each of A-State’s first three games.  He is currently ranked third and tied for seventh in the Sun Belt Conference for TFL and sacks, respectively.

 

STOPPING THE RUN:  A-State’s defense allowed just 42 rushing yards to UCA, which were its fewest allowed in a game since limiting New Mexico State to 35 yards on Oct. 28, 2017.  The Red Wolves finished their season opener versus the Bears with 6.0 tackles for loss of 21 yards.  Three of those came from defensive end Kivon Bennett, matching his career high originally set at Tennessee.

 

EXPERIENCE UP FRONT:  Arkansas State entered the season with nine different offensive linemen who had combined to start 149 career games at the FBS level, which was the fourth most in the nation behind only Minnesota (180), Miami (159) and Michigan State (151).  Including players who have started at least one FCS game, the Red Wolves had 10 o-linemen who combined for 157 career starts, which was also the fourth most in the nation behind Illinois (193), Minnesota (180) and Miami (159).

 

RUCKER HONORED:  Wide receiver Corey Rucker was named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 6 after recording nine receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns against UCA.  He was also named the league’s offensive player of the week following the Red Wolves’ 2020 season finale.  Over his last four games played, he has recorded 26 receptions for 567 yards and eight touchdowns — he has at least one TD reception in three of those four outings.

 

HOME SWEET HOME:  Arkansas State has strung together 16 consecutive years (2005-20) with a winning record at Centennial Bank Stadium dating back to 2005.  The Red Wolves are now 72-20 (.783 winning percentage) when playing at home since the 2005 season.  A-State’s actual on-field record all-time at Centennial Bank Stadium is 164-83-1 since it opened in 1974.

 

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS:  The Arkansas State football team was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference’s West Division in the league’s preseason coaches poll.  The Red Wolves received one first-place vote and 38 points, 11 fewer than a Louisiana team that picked up nine first-place votes.  A-State checks in as the West Division No. 2 pick for the third consecutive season in the poll.  The Red Wolves return six starters on offense and nine on defense from last year’s squad.

 

PRESEASON ACCOLADES:  Between Athlon Sports, Phil Steele’s, College Football News and Pro Football Focus, 13 different A-State players have received preseason All-Sun Belt Conference recognition.  The A-State players who have been recognized include defensive end TW Ayers, defensive lineman Kivon Bennett, linebacker Caleb Bonner, safety Antonio Fletcher, wide receiver Jeff Foreman, wide receiver Dahu Green, kicker Blake Grupe, defensive lineman Terry Hampton, offensive lineman Andre Harris Jr., quarterback Layne Hatcher, running back Marcel Murray, wide receiver Corey Rucker and tight end Reed Tyler.

 

A LOOK BACK:  A-State’s first spring camp under HC Butch Jones wrapped up April 17 with its spring game at Centennial Bank Stadium.  There were several spring-camp team awards presented as the football staff chose five individuals who maintained consistent success on the field, in the weight room and in the classroom.  The players recognized for “consistency in performance” were wide receiver Corey Rucker (offense), linebacker Caleb Bonner (defense) and kicker Blake Grupe (special teams).  Senior safety EJ Alexander was awarded the “Pack Performance Award” for his consistent performance in the weight room.  Defensive back Taylon Doss was issued the 4-6/A to B” award for his performance on special teams in the secondary.

 

IT’S GOOD:  Junior kicker Blake Grupe was responsible for a career-high 14 points during Arkansas State’s game against Memphis as he connected on all three of his field goal attempts and made 5-of-5 extra points.  The Sedalia, Mo., native’s 14 points tied the seventh most in school history and were just three shy of tying the fifth most in Sun Belt Conference history.  His three field goals made tied the most of his career, and he was successful on a 48-yard attempt that was the longest of his career.  He has already made six field goals this season, giving him 50 for his career that stand as the third most in school history.  He has run his career points-scored total to 290, which gives him the fourth most points by kicking in Sun Belt history.

 

INSIDE THE 20:  Ryan Hanson has posted at least three punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line every game this year, including a career-high four against Washington last week.  His 10 total punts inside the 20 leads the Sun Belt Conference.  Additionally, his 42.3 average per punt is almost a full two yards per attempt better than his 40.3 average a year ago.

CFL Top Performers – Week 7

CFL Editor
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CFL Top Performers – Week 7

Alford, Lawrence and Reilly named CFL Top Performers

TORONTO – DeAundre Alford, Simoni Lawrence and Michael Reilly were named the CFL Top Performers of the Week for Week 7 of the CFL’s 2021 season.

The three players were chosen by a panel of judges made up of former CFL players Matt Dunigan and Duane Forde of TSN, as well as Pierre Vercheval of RDS, who independently send their selections to the CFL head office.

DB | DEAUNDRE ALFORD | WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

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It was a night of CFL firsts for Winnipeg defensive back DeAundre Alford: a first interception, a first touchdown and a first forced fumble. He would go on to add another interception, as well as his 28th and 29th defensive tackles of the season as the Blue Bombers claimed a 37-22 win over Edmonton.

Alford registered his first-career interception in the third quarter when he jumped a route and returned the ball 20-yards for the pick-six to give Winnipeg a 21-16 lead. With time winding down, he picked off another Taylor Cornelius pass and returned it three yards.

The Tusculum College alum has now played in seven career CFL games.

LB | SIMONI LAWRENCE | HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

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Simoni Lawrence racked up eight tackles, a pass knockdown, an interception and a touchdown in the Tiger-Cats’ 23-17 win over the Stampeders at Tim Hortons Field.

Midway through the third, Lawrence snatched a bobbled ball and returned it 15-yards for his second pick-six of the year to help the Tiger-Cats retake the lead 15-10.

This season, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher has 37 tackles, two interceptions, two interception return touchdowns and a sack.

QB | MICHAEL REILLY | BC LIONS

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Michael Reilly eclipsed the 300-yard mark for the third consecutive week and his two touchdown passes sent the Lions to a 27-18 road victory over Montreal. Reilly completed 21 of 25 passes (84 per cent) for 309 yards and he rushed for 33 yards.

Early in the second quarter, Reilly connected with Lucky Whitehead for a 75-yard touchdown, putting the visitors ahead 13-3. With Montreal mounting a late-game comeback, Reilly’s pinpoint pass to Keon Hatcher stretched a slim two-point lead into a 23-15 advantage.

This is Reilly’s fourth top performer honour of the year (Weeks 2, 6 and 7, and the month of August). The Central Washington product has completed 75.6 per cent of his passes for 1,601 yards. He sits third in the CFL with eight touchdown passes and is tied for the league-lead in rushing TDs by a quarterback with three.

Fans’ Choice of the Week!

Stefen Banks won Week 6 of Fans’ Choice of the Week and collected 10 bonus points.

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