Month: December 2016

MetLife Stadium’s biggest challenge met last weekend

This Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 photo provided by MetLife Stadium shows the field at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The biggest challenges at the New Jersey Meadowlands last weekend probably didn’t belong to the Giants and Jets. Instead, it was the folks charged with getting MetLife Stadium ready for a Saturday night Dolphins-Jets game and an early afternoon Lions-Giants contest the next day.

Kadri scores 2 goals, Maple Leafs blank Avalanche 6-0

Nazem Kadri scored twice, Frederik Andersen stopped 38 shots for his first shutout this season and the Toronto Maple Leafs routed the last-place Colorado Avalanche 6-0 on Thursday night. Auston Matthews scored his team-leading 16th goal to get the Maple Leafs started in the first period.

Bills still stung by memories of last loss to Dolphins

In this Aug. 1, 2016 file photo, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry runs with the football during practice at NFL football training camp, in Davie, Fla. . The Dolphins will play the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, Dec. 24. less FILE – In this Aug. 1, 2016 file photo, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry runs with the football during practice at NFL football training camp, in Davie, Fla.

Philly Triumphs: Eagles soar over Giants in 24-19 victory

Malcolm Jenkins had the second two-interception game of his eight-year career, returning one for a touchdown, and the Philadelphia Eagles snapped a five-game slide by beating the Giants 24-19 on Thursday night. The loss handed Dallas the NFC East title – and home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

Cubs won it all just in time for many long-time fans

In this Nov. 4, 2016 photo provided by the Strobel Family, Cubs fan Helen Weithman, celebrates the Chicago Cubs World Series victory at her home in Glen Ellyn, Ill. A lifelong Cubs fan Weithman, 98, who according to family was slipping away until the Cubs made it to The World Series, “She really came alive when it started and they had the Cubs games on,” said the daughter, Kathleen Strobel.

Chiefs offense clams up, shuts down in second half of games

It seems that everybody has a theory as to why the Kansas City Chiefs offense shuts down in the second half of games, even the star tight end who wishes he could do something to stop it. “Other than play-calling, I couldn’t really tell you,” Travis Kelce said after the latest slowdown, one that cost the Chiefs dearly in a 19-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans last Sunday.

Past and present

Alex Eisen/MDN Minot’s Corey Hooker stands over Legacy’s Maverick Martin in a 120-pound match of a West Region dual on Thursday in Minot. Hooker won by major decision, 16-8.

Former QB Holieway admires Alabama true freshman QB Hurts

Jamelle Holieway dazzled the college football world as a true freshman who mastered Oklahoma’s dynamic wishbone attack and led the Sooners to the 1985 national championship. The 5-foot-11 field general stepped in after Troy Aikman went down with a broken leg during a loss to Miami early in the season, and the Sooners didn’t miss a beat after that game.

White nationalists raise millions with tax-exempt charities

The federal government has allowed four groups at the forefront of the white nationalist movement to register as charities and raise more than $7.8 million in tax-deductible donations over the past decade, according to an Associated Press review. Already emboldened by Donald Trump’s popularity, group leaders say they hope the president-elect’s victory helps them raise even more money and gives them a larger platform for spreading their ideology.

Texans – Bengals Preview: A Window into 2017

With the Ravens’ win over the Eagles this past Sunday, the outcome of Bengals-Steelers game was moot for playoff purposes. The Bengals will not be playing in the postseason for the first time in six years as well as for the first time in Andy Dalton ‘s career.

Tulsa wins opener in Diamond Head Classic

Pat Birt made six 3-pointers and scored a season-high 20 points to lead Tulsa to a 74-51 victory over Stephen F. Austin on Thursday in the opening game of the Diamond Head Classic. Jaleel Wheeler added 12 points and Will Magnay 11 for the Golden Hurricane , who shot 50 per cent and were 11 of 21 from the arc in winning for the third time in four games.

Captain Dolmio looking good for Gore Cup

Gore Cup contender Captain Dolmio with some of his owners, from left, David Rance, Matt Brinsdon, Gus Osborne and Matt Breen. He trains two horses there and on Tuesday, one of them, Captain Dolmio, will probably start favourite in the Gore Cup.

Bowl veteran Frank Solich leads Ohio vs. Troy, Neal Brown

In this Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 file photo, Ohio head coach Frank Solich looks on during the third quarter of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl NCAA college football game against East Carolina in St. Petersburg, Fla. For Solich, it will be his 13th bowl game as head man at Ohio and Nebraska, not to mention his tenure as a Cornhuskers player and assistant coach.

Beloved Golden State Warriors fan ‘Sweetie’ dies at 107

A 107-year-old Northern California woman who gained fame very late in life as an avid and gregarious fan of the Golden State Warriors died Thursday. Helen Brooks was better known as “Sweetie” and became a media darling last year after The Mercury News of San Jose wrote about her decades-long dedication to the team that eventually won the NBA championship in 2015.

Best of 2016: North Shore athletes hit top speed

West Vancouver’s Georgia Simmerling joins teammates Allison Beveridge, Jasmin Glaesser and Kirsti Lay in racing to bronze in track cycling team pursuit at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Multi-sport star Simmerling headlines our look back at the top North Shore sports stories of the year.

Report: Goran Dragic open to being traded from the Miami Heat

The Miami Heat aren’t the team Goran Dragic envisioned he would be joining when he came to South Beach two years ago. When Goran Dragic forced his way out of the Phoenix Suns organization two years ago and was traded to the Miami Heat, he thought he was joining a team on the verge of contending in the Eastern Conference.

From DUI arrest to Super Bowl Champion?

NFL Widereceiver Michael Floyd was cut from the Arizona Cardinals after being arrested for driving under the influence. He was picked up by the New England Patriots who have a 30% chance of winning Super Bowl 51 according to fivethirtyeight.com.

Jay Ajayia s production declining as teams try to stop him

Just a month ago, Jay Ajayi was on pace to produce one of the NFL’s three highest per-carry rushing averages this decade. Ajayi’s production has declined appreciably in the past month – he hasn’t topped 61 yards rushing in any of the past four games – but coach Adam Gase and offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen dispute any suggestion that Ajayi is remotely to blame for this.

Merry Christmas fishing

There are always a few guys who think fishing is the perfect way to spend Christmas Day, and if you’re one of them, then the best spot will be on San Pablo Bay in the Sturgeon Triangle . Keith Fraser at Loch Lomond Bait Shop in San Rafael says that there will be excellent minus tides starting Christmas Day and running through Dec. 31. Sturgeon become very active feeders during minus tides after rains bring freshwater into the Bay.

Menlo’s Paine puts the hurt on Northern New Mexico

John Paine scored 14 points, including the go-ahead layup midway through the second half, and the Menlo College men’s basketball team beat Northern New Mexico, 67-64, at Kailua, Hawaii on Wednesday in the Big Island Classic. The Oaks return to conference action on Tuesday, Jan. 3 with a home game against William Jessup.

Will Steelers’ O-line hold up against Ravens’ D?

NFL Network analyst and former Pro Bowl center Shaun O’Hara selects offensive line units to watch heading into the week, breaking down what’s on the line for each group, potential matchups and other significant factors. Following each week’s games, O’Hara will select a Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Week.

Troy, Ohio meet in Dollar General Bowl

Troy is seeking its first 10-win season since moving up to the FBS level in 2001. The Bobcats have become postseason regulars under coach Frank Solich but are still trying to improve on a 2-7 bowl record that includes two straight losses.