Sunday 31 October 2010

UFL - Sunday`s results

Army Fritz and Macziol 8 - 0 Sunken Garden United
Navy FC 3 - 0 Lions FC
Loyola Agila Futbol Club 0 - 1 Union FC
Manila Sudanese Club 1 - 1 Pasargad
Nomads FC 2 - 1 Japan FC
Global Smartmatic 2 - 0 Dolphins FC
Stallions 5 - 0 Inter Manila

Golden's Halloween costume only scary to foes

You know Al Golden has reached iconic status in Philadelphia when the winning costume during the third-quarter Halloween Contest was a Temple student dressed up as Al Golden.
I thought I saw Al cast a "you've-got-to-be-kidding-me" glance and a smile at the kid when he was announced the winner, so it looks like Al took it in good fun. I was rather impressed that Golden took time during the game to realize what was happening.
It all dates back to the day when Golden's mom told him wearing a sweatshirt on the sidelines made him look sloppy.
So Alfred has worn the same outfit for every game since the beginning of last year.
Tan pants. White shirt. Cherry tie.
The look has become as Temple as Bear Bryant's Hound's Tooth Hat is Alabama or Jim Tressel's Sweater Vest is Ohio State.
I must admiit I will give the kid who won (and I'm sorry that I can't find his name on the internet) major props for creativity.
Actually, two young men were weaing the Golden costume, both roommates.
I personally don't care what Al wears as long as he keeps piling up the wins.
With the 30-0 win over Akron on Saturday, Temple tied a school-record with 10 straight home wins. The defense recorded its second-straight shutout for the first time since 1971.
Pretty impressive, too (and thanks for blitzing, Mark D'Onofrio).
If the Owls get to consecutive home win No. 11, against Ohio in a Tuesday night game, it will likely mean the Owls will clinch the MAC East title, something they were unable to do last year.
In fact, now I hope he wears the Cherry tie and the white shirt because it's become a good-luck charm.
It's not a particularly scary outfit, unless you happen to be on the other side of Lincoln Financial Field wearing some other uniform.
Let's do our best to keep that outfit and the man wearing it here for a long, long time.
Becoming Iconic (with a capital I) in the World Class city of Philadelphia is a good way to start.

Sunday after JMU--Oct 31st, 2010

Matty V. stated the win boosts UMass' chances for post season. He also mentions 5-10 170 pd Antione Tharpe's big hit in the third quarter.

Matty's three stars from the James Madison game. He looks at UMass' post season chances after the big win at JMU.

The NewLeader.com said UMass sank struggling James Madison.

MassLive.com says UMass mounted a 2nd half comeback.

DNRonline stated UMass rallied.

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Strength-of-schedule update:

William & Mary threw a major scare into North Carolina.

Holy Cross had a bye.

Denard Robinson set a Big Ten rushing record in a 31-41 loss to Penn State. Watched that one. It was a pretty good game.

Stony Brook ran its Big South record to 3-0 with a 41-21 win over Charleston Southern.

Towson lost to Rhode Island, which is quietly have a pretty good season by Ram standards.

Richmond lost to Villanova 28-7.

UNH had a bye.

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Former UMass QB Spencer Whipple threw two INT's in six attempts in his first appearance for the Miami Hurricanes.

Saturday 30 October 2010

UMass Football Returns 21-14 over JMU

Our plans to travel to Harrisonburg, Va fell through, but UMass football didn't. After wandering in the wilderness for six quarters, UMass football returned.

Matty V will have a tough time picking three heroes in this game.

Kyle Havens was 15-19-163 yards and 2 TD's. If I'm reading the box score right, Kyle had one incompletion in the second half. Nice receiving games by Dan Sheeran, Julian Talley and Andrew Kervis.

The UMass running game returned with Jonathan Hernandez racking up 137 yards with a 4.9 yards/carry against the tough Duke defense.

Anthony Nelson had a scintillating 52 yard punt return.

The defense shut JMU out in the second half. Tyler Holmes had a big sack.

No mistakes on special teams. Caleb Violette was 2 for 2 on field goals.

Great effort by coaches and players. UMass write-up here.

The JMU website has video of the post game press conference as well as audio interviews from both the UMass and JMU sides.

Enjoy the win everyone!

Baguio Football - 11-a side football fires off

LOCAL football squads are set to test the mettle of each other for the Melvin Jones Futbol 11-a side festival at the Melvin Jones football field.


The two day tournament which starts Saturday and ends Sunday will be an open division competition and is open to all football teams free of charge.


However, participating teams who wish to join the tournament must have at least three volunteer referees during each game.

Interested teams may confirm attendance at the venue with games starting at 9 in the morning.

Despite the lack of support and a grass- root development program, Baguio�s love for football is starting to catch-up, thanks to foreigners studying in the Summer Capital and some locals who have embraced the sport.

Sun Star Baguio

Special football squad fails to join Dili tourney

DESPITE efforts to bring the Special Olympics national soccer to Dili, Timor Leste, the team missed the chance to represent the country.


The special Olympic football squad is supposed to see action in the Oct. 26 to 31 Special Olympics soccer tournament with other teams from 18 Asian countries seeing action in the tournament.

An airfare worth P610,000 will surely sent the team to East Timor, however, the group only came through with P33,150 from kind hearted donors plus while the city council has pledged P100,000.

More Sun Star Baguio

AFC Women`s U16 - The wonderful soccer journey

DR. HENRY Joan Dimaandal swears that hearing the Philippine anthem being played before an international soccer game really touches one's heart. He felt something special when his daughter, 14-year-old Kyrhen Angela Dimaandal, and the rest of the Philippine team stood side by side for the pre-game ceremonies during the recent AFC Under-16 Women's Championship qualifier in Manila.


Not only Dr. Dimaandal. All of the kids playing for the RP team and their parents experienced that remarkable feeling for there was indeed a great sense of nationalism when one plays for flag and country.

This was just a soccer tournament alright, but the players from the host nation were simply exuberant for they have competed in a bigger stage and can proudly tell their friends and relatives that they had not only played but represented the country well.

The Philippines, mentored by Letecia Bautista, finished third in the qualifier against the best in the region on two wins and two losses. The girls beat Timor Leste and Singapore and bowed to Guam and eventual winner Vietnam. Not bad for a team that was formed only two weeks before the tournament.


Six of the players came from Davao City. Aside from Dimaandal, those who represented the country were Erika Lorraine Turtur, Noreen Kim Maligad, Sheinna April Chavez, Alyssa Marie Ang and Janna Raizel Barcemo, the youngest among them at 12.


Dr. Dimaandal said all the girls were fielded in the tournament, with Turtur playing for the entire four matches as goalkeeper without substitution. Dimaandal had a goal while Barcemo scored two goals in the East Timor game, even giving the Philippine team its first goal in the tournament with her 10th minute strike.


The six Davao girls were named to the RP team after a series of tryouts conducted by Philippine Football Federation (PFF) officials. And based on their credentials, these kids really have skills.


Dimaandal, Maligad, Ang and Turtur had competed in the prestigious Gothia World Youth Cup in Sweden in 2008. Barcemo, before playing in the AFC qualifier, also represented Team Philippines in the U-13 soccer tournament in Vietnam last July.


Now that the tournament has culminated, the girls are back in Davao and immediately took care of their studies after missing school for two weeks.


In no time, these kids will be back in the field to showcase their talents once again for there's more football matches to be played.

Sun Star Davao

The Man Who Saved Temple's season



ARob in action against UCLA last year.


I would be remiss if I let this day go by without thanking Adrian Robinson, who I shall refer to as The Man Who Saved Temple's season.
Think about it.
Had not ARob blocked an extra point against Bowling Green, there would be no MAC championship to play for and (maybe) the very best Temple could hope for was a repeat of the 9-3 season of a year ago.
Not what I, or probably you, was expecting or hoping for this season.
So thanks, ARob, and keep on making plays.

Game Day--James Madison Oct 30, 2010


Matty Vautour says today's game between UMass and JMU is a CAA Showdown.

Matty V's Vs Matty G's Week #9 football picks.

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CSN's Terrance Thomas Jr. on the CAA's race for eight.

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"Bando", as in members --- currently and forever-- of the UMass Marching Band is now officially in the Webster on-line dictionary.

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The CAA's Game Day page is here.

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Big East schools thought UNH's Matt Evans was too small.

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A FCS fan loaded data from the division into this football simulation. You can run single games or a 25 game series. It is an excellent time waster.

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William & Mary's Greg Paulus returns to UNC today. The game is on ESPN3 BTW.

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All right, I'm sick of losing. Let's Go UMass!! Beat the Dukes!

EVFC, Don Bosco win bootfest crown

EXECUTIVE Village Football Club lady booters and Don Bosco Technical Institute-Victorias grabbed the Talisay City Executive Village Football Club Invitational Festival of Football 2010 title after defeating their respective opponents Friday at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College-Talisay football pitch.


The Bosconians stunned the Ateneans, who led the eliminations in the 13-under boys with a clean record, including a victory over DBTI (4-0), after defeating them at the penalty, 4-3.

Both squads held scoreless at the end of the regulation after they showcased great defenses at both ends, denying every aggressive attacks and possible goal attempts.


The Ateneans, earlier disappointed host-Talisay Selection by posting a 4-0 record while DBTI gave Kabankalan City FC a wide 14-0 advantage.


On the other hand, host-squad finished third overall after beating Central Philippine University, 3-2 at the penalty after ended scoreless in the regulation.


Meanwhile, co-host EVFC outplayed Miriam College-Manila, 2-0 to bag the crown in the ladies� 18-under.

EVFC has controlled the game�s tempo all throughout the contest despite Miriam�s several goal attempts.

The co-host squad has earlier defeated Miriam in the elimination in a thrilling battle, 4-3.

Talisay Section, on the other hand, failed to avenge earlier loss against Bacolod Molasses after they bowed, 3-2.


In the closing ceremony, sponsors Mayor Eric Saratan and EVFC president Rafael Lizares Jr. pledged to continue support this event particularly in the grassroots where future national standouts hail.

Sun Star Bacolod

Limpag: Azkals show their grit

WAS ready to write off the Philippine team�s campaign in the Suzuki Cup when, as recently as two months ago, I learned the team still had no coach.


The funds mess that the PFF has found itself in, which has resulted to the CFA filing a case of falsification of public documents against the PFF president, also made me wonder if the morale of the RP team has been affected.

I shouldn�t have doubted the squad, thanks to Dan Palami and Simon McMenemy.

While the PFF president was making palami with the perks of his office, Palami, the team manager who�s bankrolling the team, had the Azkals train seriously for the Suzuki Cup qualifiers, not that rushed two-week training the team usually has.


They went to Leyte and when they got McMenemy, had a series of friendlies with Taiwanese teams.


The team�s fighting attitude, so different from the let�s-not-lose-by-much of the past, showed in their 2-2 draw against Laos.

After getting down 2-0, this team, unlike those of yesteryears, fought back.

I saw a clip of that game in YouTube and it makes you proud to be a Pinoy football fan.

After Phil Younghusband (Yep, it�s a weird name but there are Butts and a Buffon in the World Cup) equalized with a penalty in the 74th minute, you could clearly hear one of the Fil-Brits scream:

�WE NEED ONE MORE GUYS!!!�

They got it in the 94th minute. Yep, four minutes past full time.

Showing they were ready to take a gamble, Neil Etheridge, the goalkeeper, took the free kick, just before the halfcourt line.

Etheridge, the former England U16 keeper who�s riding the bench for Fulham FC in the Premier League, connected with James Younghusband, who headed past the Laos keeper for the equalizer.

After that game, the Philippines held Cambodia, 0-0, while Laos beat Timor Leste, 6-1, to take the first qualifier�s spot.

McMenemy credited the team spirit and their hard work for the past 10 months, which was made possible under Palami.

He told affsuzukicup.com. �When I arrived in the Philippines in August, the team�s preparations for the Suzuki Cup were already well under way� what I found was a group of good players who play together but not necessarily for each other. We had to work hard to get the team to gel�But the effort that they put in during the last few days was fantastic and they fully deserved to advance in the competition.�


The last time the Azkals advanced, they got hammered in the finals, losing to Thailand, 4-0, with captain Ali Borromeo getting injured. They also got hammered by Malaysia, 4-0, and a clip of that match was shown on CNN after a striker scored a wonderful bicycle shot.

But in their last game, when they had nothing to gain, they thwarted Myanmar�s dream of a semifinal spot by holding them to a 0-0 draw.

This early, I am upbeat of the RP team�s chances, even if it is in Group A with Vietnam, Singapore and Myanmar. A semifinal spot is unlikely but not impossible.

And I also like McMenemy�s attitude.

�Once we get to the final rounds, every game will be tough. But the tougher the opponents, the more I think the boys can rise to the occasion.�
Now that�s the Azkal spirit.


P.S. What the team achieved in Laos makes you wonder what the boys�or RP football�could achieve had we had a president who is really concerned about the sport, doesn�t it? (Why, you think I could resist letting this one go?)

(www.football.cebunetwork.com)

Sun Star Cebu

Friday 29 October 2010

Leyte Football - Richard & Richard 7-a-side Football Festival



Footbal festival on October 30 and 31 at the Leyte Provincial Sports Complex in Tacloban City.

Ladies division , men`s open and 17 & under.

Top teams from Cebu, Maasin , Baybay, Ormoc and Borongan

More Leytesamardaily.net

Friday before JMU-- Oct 29th, 2010

JMU finally has its UMass game notes up.

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College Football performance has added UMass senior Anthony Nelson to its FCS Wide Receiver of the Year list.

I can't get the NCAA stats to load this morning, but Anthony leads the CAA in catches-per-game with 47-610 6.71 AVE. He also leads the league with 87.1 yards/game. Projecting those totals out to the end of the season would rank him 9th in single season total receiving yards and tie him with Kerry Taylor at 4th with 74 single season receptions.

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MassLive says UMass and JMU are in survival mode.

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Matty Vautour says the Minutemen are trying to recover the early season attitude.

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The Nova Blog ( I didn't know they had one), comments on UMass' looking into I-A Football.

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Georgia State is committed to the CAA for at least six years.

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FAn House says the CAA has become the SEC of FCS. Relevant quote:"If you go Maine all the way down to Virginia, if you're not a Big East player, regionally, the next-best conference is the CAA."

The CAA blogger has the weekly roundup. I think the facts got a little scrambled in the paragraph on the big TV audience for the Colonial Classic.
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Andrew Gaddess previews Week #9 in FCS and predicts, among other things, a 21-10 victory for the Dukes.

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Last week the Presbyterian Blue Hose snapped the longest losing streak in FCS football.

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Thursday 28 October 2010

Cebu Futsal - 2010 Sykes Futsal Tournament














One-day company Futsal festival. Dubbed as 2010 Sykes FutSal Tournament, it will be held in CitiSports Gym (near Ayala and Marriott Hotel) this Sunday, October 31, 2010.

Cebu Football

Unigames - Local booters bid goodbye in UniGames bootfest

DEFENDING champion West Negros University Mustangs were joined by University of St. La Salle Stingers and University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Rams who finally ended their campaigns in the 15th University Games in Dumaguete last night.

WNU bowed to 2009 PRISAA tormentor San Beda College in a heartbreaking loss, 1-0 in the their quarterfinal match while the Stingers, No.2 in Bracket B, also lost to University of the Philippines, 1-0 at Silliman ballfield.

The Rams were also eliminated earlier by De La Salle University due to goal difference despite ended their match in a draw.


On the other hand, at Perdices stadium, Central Philippines University backed by nine Koreans on its lineup and topped bracket C lost to DLSU, 1-0 while De La Salle School-College of St. Benilde also beat Dipolog Medical Center College Foundation, Inc., 1-0 ending the chances of all provincial schools� teams to dominate the said sports disciplines.

Today�s crossover semifinals will be a tossup between UP against SBC in the first game followed by DLSU going up against DLS School-College of St. Benilde.


The winners will dispute this year�s 15th University Games football title, while the losers will vie for third place.

Sun Star Bacolod

It was a team effort: McMenemy

VIENTIANE: Philippines coach Simon McMenemy feels that the building of strong team unity was the key factor in his side's successful campaign in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 qualifying competition in Vientiane.

The Philippines 18-man squad for the qualifiers was a disparate one that included talented locals like Ian Araneta and Emelio Caligdong and foreign-born players of Filipino extraction including goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, skipper Alexander Borromeo and the Younghusband brothers, James and Philip.

But the 10 locals and eight foreign-born players pulled together to book their spot in the group stage after a series of battling performances including a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against hosts Laos and a hard-fought goalless stalemate with Cambodia.

"When I arrived in the Philippines in August, the team's preparations for the Suzuki Cup were already well under way and they were taking this qualifying tournament very seriously," McMenemy said.

"But what I found was a group of good players who play together but not necessarily for each other. We had to work hard to get the team to gel together because we had a number of local players and a number of players who had flown in from all around the world.

"But the effort that they put in during the last few days was fantastic and they fully deserved to advance in the competition."

McMenemy, himself, may have no links to the country but the Englishman already feels as one with the players, who doused him with a bucket of water after their final game against Cambodia.

"It's difficult not to feel strongly for the Filipinos. They have such an infectious culture," said the 32-year-old.

"Qualifying for the group stage is a big thing for these guys and I'm delighted that all the hard work that they put in over the past 10 months has paid off."

McMenemy, who took charge of the Philippines team just two months ago, was slightly miffed though at seeing his side miss out on first place in the qualifiers.

"The team put in a lot of hard work preparing for the tournament and after playing three games in five days, you could see that they were tired at the end of the goalless draw against Cambodia.

"On that measure, I was pleased with the result. But I'm a bit of a perfectionist so there's slight air of disappointment that we just missed out on first place.

"I feel that we are a better team than our two draws would suggest. Of course we achieved our main target of qualification but missing out on first place after scoring a goal less than Laos just took a bit of the shine off of our achievement."

While qualification has been secured, McMenemy does not want his side to simply make up the numbers when the tournament proper kicks off in December.

They have been placed in Group B in Hanoi alongside defending champions Vietnam, Myanmar and three-time winners Singapore, who they will meet in their opening game on December 2.

Having never beaten any of their group opponents in their previous AFF Suzuki Cup outings, Philippines will be the distinct underdogs in their section. But McMenemy insists that his side can make an impression after their successful qualifying campaign.

"Once we get to the final rounds, every game will be tough. But the tougher the opponents, the more I think the boys can rise to the occasion," he said.

"It will be a great experience to savour especially playing the defending champions on their home ground but we are not just intending to show up. We will be preparing the team as well as we can and we intend to watch our opponents a fair amount over the next few weeks in the build-up to the tournament.

"It is quite difficult to plan against teams with great facilities and a great pool of talented players to choose from. But we will be doing everything we can to get some good results in the group stage."

affsuzukicup.com

Unigames - USC GIRLS MAKE FOOTBALL SEMIS

Grabbing the headline are the USC football belles who became the only players from Visayas and Mindanao to advance to the semifinal round following their, 2-1 bashing of Xavier University. They will face UP today at 3 pm. The other semis pairing features top-ranked De La Salle University vs Ateneo.

Loi Mejias scored USC�s first goal in the 21st minute before Renee Songalia added another for a, 2-0 lead. Xavier closed in with a goal at the 75th minute and scrambled late to get the equalizing goal but failed as USC marched to the Final Four.

Cebu Daily News

Davao Football - PARTY FOR A CAUSE

The Tambayan Center for Children's Rights will hold "Party for a Cause" on Friday, October 29, 2010. It will be held at the Molave Sports Pub Resto(Jacinto St.), 7:00pm. This is a benefit dinner to help raise funds for the Boys and Girls Teams, who will participate in the "1st Football For Good Championship" in La Salle, Greenhills, San Juan Metro Manila on December 17 - 22. Tickets are PHP700. Please try and come out and show your support.

Davao FA

Recruiting 2011-Camren Williams


UMass has offered to Camren Williams 6-1 198 pd WR/Athlete from Easton MA/Catholic Memorial.

ESPN article with news of UMass' offer here.

His Scout.com page here.

Williams also holds offers from Penn State, UConn and Wake Forest.

WV Football Squads to UniGames Quarterfinals

By Cyrus M. Garde

DUMAGUETE CITY- Four Western Visayas football squads have advanced to the quarterfinals starting today in the 15th University Games football tournament held here in separate venues.

Two Bacolod universities football squads, University (WNU) of St. La Salle (USLS) and defending champion West Negros University are facing separate quarterfinalists starting at 8AM today at Silliman Ballfield here.

USLS Stingers, the No. 2 team in Bracket C will face University of the Philippines, the bracket A topnotch at 8AM, while West Negros University will renew its encounter with San Beda College when they met in the National PRISAA at Naga City in 2009 where SBC defeated the defending champion in the final encounter. Last February 2010 where the 1st National SCUAA-PRISAA was held in Manila, WNU reclaimed the title in the absence of SBC.

This will be the match of two former National football coaches, former RP team player Norman "Nonoy" Fegidero and Aris Caslib.

Negros Daily Bulletin

Thrusday before JMU---Oct 28th, 2010

The UMass Daily Collegian says Anthony Nelson is filling some big shoes.

The Collegian also looks at the Mintemen's preparation for James Madison.

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The Colonial Clash drew a record CAA TV audience.

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Newsday says former Minutemen James Ihedigbo is a player no one wants to play against.

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The Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed Jeremy Horne to their practice squad.

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TSN's Craig Haley says this week's UMass-JMU game is a playoff elimination game for one of the squads.

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UConn fans are unhappy with HC Randy Edsell.

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A Notre Dame student assistant was killed when a scissors lift he was using to film the Irish's practice toppled in a wind storm.

Wednesday 27 October 2010

MAC Blogger Roundtable: Week 9


Matt Falcone proves that when you go to Temple, you get to meet Super Bowl winning coaches. Matt was a special teams' star in 2009 from the great town of Palmerton, Pa. (Home of the Blue Ridge Country Club and not far from the Bowmanstown Diner.) I had the good fortune of meeting his Mom at the UConn game. Hurry back, Matt.

Let's Go Rockets (Toledo) is hosting this week's MAC Roundtable Question and Answer session:

1. What has been the biggest surprise for your MAC team this season? Can be good or bad, player or team?

TFF: Matt Brown taking carries away from My Main Man Bernard Pierce. I don't like it, but I have to give the little guy credit for producing (except against Penn State). I really feel Matt is best suited as a third-down back and a slotback (and emergency backup) and Bernard should get his 20-25 carries. I hope the offense evolves that way because Penn State had no shot at stopping BP before he broke his ankle. When Brown replaced him, the Nits had no problem with Brown. A steady diet of Bernard Pierce gives quarterback Mike Gerardi more wide-open play-action options.

2. Hypothetical: your team has been selected to play in a bowl game -- from which MAC-tied bowl would you like to receive an invite ?
TFF: I would say GMAC (whoops GoDaddy.com) because at least Mobile, Ala. has a chance of having a 65-degree day in Jan. (Yeah, I know it was 35 degrees at last year's GMAC game but I froze my ass off in sub-11 wind chill in D.C.)

3. In your bowl game answer from above -- what opponent (any) would you like to face and why ?
TFF: Easy. Penn State. Mike Gerardi at QB AT LEAST evens the playing field vs. Penn State and that would be a huge statement win for the program, like UCLA should have been last year. I ust hope PSU gets to six wins. (I know that's more likely in Detroit than Mobile, so I'd go to Detroit for that matchup if I have to ....)
4. Only a few weeks remain in this season, what has to happen in the remaining games for your team to finish on an upswing / maintain / save the season / etc. ?
TFF: No injuries at the RB or QB positions especially.
5. Rank the teams in the order you expect to see them at the close of the season.

1. Temple
2. NIU
3. Ohio
4. Western Michigan
5. Ohio
6. Central Michigan
7. Kent State
8. Miami
9. Bowling Green
10. Ball State
11. Buffalo
12. Eastern Michigan
13. Akron

WNU beats UNO-R in UniGames football

After losing its NOPSSCEA crown, the West Negros University collegiate football team made sure that University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos will not duplicate the feat at the University Games by turning back the Recoletos boys, 1-0, yesterday at the Julio Sy/ Felomino Cimafranca field in Silliman University, Dumaguete.

Regaining some of its lost pride against the Unorians was not easy for the Wesnecans as both teams played good defense in a scoreless first half of the game.

Determined to preserve their UniGames title, WNU played more aggressively in the second half and registered three close attempts before Alfie Sibuha�s finally connected from 30 yards in the 60th minute from a cross pass escaped the clutches of UNO-R�s keeper.

Lemuel Unabia tried to make it 2-0 for the WNU side but his center kick failed to go in.

While he is happy with the win, WNU coach and former national team mentor Norman Fegidero said they are in a different competition and they are trying to put the NOPSSCEA loss behind them.

Surpassing the test against UNO-R primed the Wesnecans for their next match, presumably against the De La Salle University which was playing against Xavier University as of press deadline.

Meanwhile, coach Freddie �Nene� Lazarita and his University of St. La Salle team blew away University of Northern Philippines, 20-0.

The La Sallians will face next Central Phillippine University, whose Korean-national reinforced team routed UNP, 12-0 in an earlier match-up.

UNO-R, on the other hand, will play against Xavier University tomorrow to remain in contention for the crown.

Former National PRISAA champion San Beda College, mentored by former national coach Aris Caslib, will meet College of St. Benilde, in tomorrow�s 3 p.m. game.

Quarterfinal games are scheduled on October 28 with the semifinals to be played the next day. Championship game is set on October 30, 10 a.m. at the Perdices Coliseum.*NAB

Visayan Daily Star

Villaflor: Azkals 2.0

GIVEN up for dead many months ago, the Philippine Men�s National Team wrote its resurrection story and advanced to the AFF Suzuki Cup, Southeast Asia�s premier tournament slated this December.

A point against Cambodia last Tuesday was enough for the Philippines to secure its spot in Vietnam along with host nation Laos, which took the top spot in the qualifying tournament that was decided on goal difference.

The results of the qualification, however, were cause for both celebration and concern.

Azkals to us fans, the Philippines dumped doormats Timor, 5-0, with an Ian Araneta hat trick in the first match, drew the hosts 2-2 in a feisty comeback punctuated with a James Younghusband goal deep into injury time, and held desperate but dangerous Cambodia, 0-0, in the last game.


The result of the first match was expected, since the Azkals were facing a team ranked nearly 50 places lower. The game produced a thing of beauty: the lone second half goal triggered by 20 uninterrupted two-touch passes, save for the final run that unleashed the decisive cross for Araneta�s hat trick off James� headed pass.


The whole sequence on the 57th minute provided a glimpse of a team�s capacity to mesmerize opponents. But as for beautiful goals, that was it. The Philippine team would score only twice in the scrappiest of ways after that, and it came at the expense of the host nation, which lost a 2-0 half-time lead to settle for a draw.

Scrappy the result against Laos might be, the match revealed character and maturity from the Azkals. It did so against Chinese Taipei in an invitational tourney early this month and repeated the feat against the host nation last Sunday: on the brink of losing, the Azkals clawed for an equalizer until the dying seconds and got one.

The result, of course, made life easier for Coach Simon McMenemy. A draw against Cambodia, which needed a win or an improbable loss by Laos to Timor to advance, would suffice, and most likely McMenemy�s game plan was to carry a defensive mindset, keep errors to a minimum, and stick to counter attacks.


Still delirious from the results of the first two games, the fans wanted that, too, and then some. But what we saw during the last game against Cambodia forced us to come to terms with the truth: the Philippine team is far from becoming the dominant force we imagined it to be.


In its last game, the Philippines allowed Cambodia to harass its defense with an excess of chances. Cambodia was a goal post or a crossbar away from scoring. The Azkals, on the other hand, wasted its counter attacks with absent-minded positioning, a laggardly pace, and terrible finishing. The �better� Azkals team, perhaps the imagined one, would have finished off the Cambodians with ease. Instead, the mediocre version was lucky to get away with a draw.


When it heads for the finals of the biennial tournament in the first week of December, the Philippine team will find itself playing on a different level of football against co-host and defending champion Vietnam, Singapore and Myanmar.


In the last AFF Suzuki Cup, powerhouses Vietnam, co-hosts Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia crushed the much weaker qualifying teams (Laos and Cambodia) by four-, five- even six-goal margins. This time, the Philippines faces a similar thrashing.


Among fans and pundits, this is no time for foolish optimism, as the team�s real chances of making an impact are slim. Then again, stranger things have happened in football. Let�s just hope the Philippine team that would show up this December tournament is not the version that plodded against Cambodia but the one that mesmerizes, the one that hungers for goals, the one that claws its way against the toughest of odds, the one we love to imagine.


(nsvillaflor@gmail.com)

Sun Star Cebu

Aboitiz Cup - Crazy Horse win

Crazy Horse opened its title-retention bid with a 4-0 routing of DBUFC in last weekend's resumption of the 13th Aboitiz Football Cup at the Aboitiz Sportsfield along the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City.

The Men's League defending champions spent the whole match picking holes on the DBUFC's defense and never conceded a single goal to their opponents.

In the other match, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) opened the tournament with a 12-1 annihilation of the DB Magone FC.

In the Men's Cup, the USPF Alumni continued to wreak havoc against its opponents by surviving Xantos FC, 2-1.

The University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R), on the other hand, had a successful opening match against DBUFC 1, whom they devastated 10-2.

In the Players 8, the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) 1 , further extended its winning streak with a 4-2 edging of the Bright Academy.

DBTC 2, on the other hand, slowly climbed up the ranks with a 5-0 blanking of DBTC 3 while DBTC 4 executed a 9-0 routing of DBTC A.

The last match in the division saw DBTC C squeaking past DBTC B, 2-1.

In the Players 10, DBTC E continued to chalk up points with another win, this time against DBTC B, 8-1.

DBTC A slumped further in the bottom rung with another loss against DBTC D, 5-2, while Giuseppe FC enjoyed a 5-0 annihilation of Subangdaku Football Club (SFC).

Rounding up the winners in the division was Cebu International School (CIS) who edged Bright Academy, 3-1.

In the Boys 12, DBTC 1 and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) padded their leads after winning their weekend assignments.

DBTC 1 shamed SJSM-3BROS, 17-0, while SHS-AdC dumped DBTC 2, 6-1.

In the Boys 14, MTI pads its winning points with an impressive 18-0 victory over the Don Bosco (DB) Boys Home while the DBTC 1 edged SHS-AdC, 2-1.

In the Girls 17, St. Theresa's College avenged its opening loss against SHS-AdC as their second meeting ended in a 1-all draw. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON

Cebu Daily News

Wednesday before JMU --Oct 27th, 2010

UMass has its game notes for JMU up. Html version here and .pdf here.

CBS3.com has the Week #8 UMass preview here.

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The CAA has its weekly press release here.

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Andrew Gaddess of the Sports Network speculates on brain injury and wonders if it will be the end of football as we know it.

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A Michigan blogger and HS football coach looks at motivation. Link from the Maize & Brew blog.

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James Madison hopes there was growth in defeat.

Mickey Matthews says the mood at JMU is still good.

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Fan till the end:

Last words of Jeffery Landrigan before he was executed:"Boomer Sooner."

October 24 Round-up: Pasargard Make Dramatic UFL Entrance

by Josue Jamlang

The Alabang Country Club was abuzz once again on Sunday afternoon, as the United Football League held three exciting matches. It was a day of mixed fortunes for the new clubs, while the resident First Division teams Loyola ATR KimEng and Green Archers Orient Freight proved why they are in the country�s elite competition.

Pasargard provided the perfect platform for an entertaining afternoon, triumphing over the usually solid Laos FC in extremely dramatic fashion. It started off great for the Iranian side, who were leading 2-0 at half-time despite having to play most of the period with only ten men.


Although in an unfamiliar position, coach Jovanie Villagracia�s team talk at the interval proved to be effective, as Laos came back strong in the second half. Facing a two-goal deficit, the determined side picked up the pace and made it difficult for Pasargard to enjoy any sort of prolonged possession of the ball. Their pressure paid immediate dividends, as they clawed their way even, before going ahead 3-2 with less than a quarter of the game to go. While it seemed Laos had completed a dramatic turnaround, the Iranians had other ideas, as they pressed forward and capitalized on some shoddy defending to equalize. Minutes later, with the game just about to end, Pasargard breached the Laos defense one last time, announcing their arrival to the LBC-UFL Cup with an incredible comeback.


Loyola ATR KimEng then comfortably dispatched of Mama Africa in the second game at 3pm, strolling to a 4-2 win despite being far from their best. Green Archers Orient Freight, who played simultaneously, marked their debut under the reign of new coach Jose Ramon Garcia in promising fashion, defeating new club Inter Manila 1-0 in a tight and cagey affair.


The United Football League is in full swing on Halloween, with four games taking place at the Alabang Country Club, and three at the Nomads Sports Club. Global Smartmatic will be making their long-awaited debut, while the always competitive Armed Forces clubs Navy and Army Fritz and Macziol will also be kicking off their respective campaigns. Meanwhile, Loyola ATR KimEng will test their 100% record when they lock horns with the mighty Union. Plenty of action is in store for everyone on October 31, so don�t miss out! Check the www.footballalliance.ph website for complete fixtures. This is the UFL. It�s OUR Game!

UNIGAMES - USC booters recover

AFTER losing its opener to De La Salle University (DLSU), the University of San Carlos (USC) bounced back impressively by beating hometown team Silliman University (SU), 5-0, in the 2010 University Games in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.


Rosetone Barinan fueled the offense of USC and finished a goal shy of a hat-trick following a scoreless performance by USC against DLSU, 7-0.

Nica Trebol scored the first goal of USC in the match and in the tournament, in the 13th minute.


Kim Arcenas added another in the 44th to end the first half of action with a 2-0 advantage.

The halftime break didn�t cool off the sizzling offensive onslaught by USC as Barinan scored back-to-back goals in the 50th and 55th minutes.

Loi Mejias added the icing on the cake with a strike in the 74th.

With the victory, USC has a huge probability of reaching the semi-finals if it defeats Xavier University (XU) today, because the latter drew with SU, 0-0, last Monday.

DLSU is at the top of Group A with three points from an unbeaten slate, trailed by USC also with three from a win and a loss. XU and SU sit at the bottom with a point each.

Sun Star Cebu

RP booters 2nd in Laos, head for Vietnam in Suzuki Cup

MANILA, Philippines � The Philippines will be heading to Hanoi, Vietnam in December after winding up second to host Laos in the Suzuki Cup qualifying tournament at the National Stadium, Vientiane, Tuesday night.

The RP booters were edged out by Laos, 6-1. The victory gave Laos the top spot in the 4-nation meet.

The second-placing has given the nationals a ticket to Group B with defending champion Vietnam, Singapore and Myanmar.

On the other hand, Laos will be bracketed in Group A with Thailand, host Indonesia and Malaysia. Some football observers believe this group is much stronger than Vietnam�s.

In their first match, the Filipino players were held to a scoreless draw by Cambodia by the difference of a solitary goal.

Thank you, mentors

Forward Ian Araneta, who had a hat-trick of headers in the 5-0 lacing of Timor Leste last Friday, noted that the team�s improved form was due to the system installed by former English coach Des Bulpin, who resigned last July.

�We owe a lot to coach Des and, of course, the management which has been very supportive to our needs,� he said.

Taking over the coaching helm is Bulpin�s compatriot, Simon McMenemy, who is on a 2-month trial.

Araneta also acknowledged national team manager Dan Palami, who has been bankrolling the team since it began training in December last year.

�There�s hardly been a management team that�s been this supportive in my years with the national team and we wouldn�t have qualified if not for the help of coach Des and Palami,� he said.

Heads up

RP co-skippers Aly Borromeo and Chieffy Caligdong said they were optimistic of a better showing this time in the December 2 to 9 tournament.

Borromeo provided sterling backline defense with Rob Gier, and was also a consistent threat on set plays.

Meanwhile Caligdong, who bucked a groin injury in the match against the Cambodians, said they should be cautious for the event.
�We need to prepare better to stand a chance,� he said.

The RP side will be reinforced by Filipino-German midfielder Stephan Schrock, who plays in the Bundesliga Second Division, in the Hanoi meet.

However, the team might miss goalie mainstay Neil Etheridge because of his commitments to his club Fulham in the English Premier League.

abs-cbn news

AFF Suzuki Cup finals in Vietnam

2. December Philippines - Singapore , 17.00 at My Dinh Stadium , Hanoi

5. December Vietnam - Philippines , 19.30 at My Dinh Stadium , Hanoi

8. December Philippines - Myanmar , 19.30 at Hang Day Stadium , Hanoi

affsuzukicup.com

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Philippines - Cambodia




Video number 2 (better) affsuzukicup

PHILIPPINES SQUEEZE THROUGH TO FINAL ROUND

VIENTIANE (26 Oct 2010) � The Philippines today secured their place in the final rounds of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 in December after sharing points with Cambodia in their last qualifying match at the National Sports Complex Stadium here.

Despite the draw, the Filipinos finished ahead of Cambodia on better goal difference, thus confirming their berth in the finals. Philippines and Cambodia have five points each after today�s 0-0 draw.

At this stage, Philippines top the standings but the outcome of the Laos-Timor Leste game later will alter the final positions.

Laos have two points and need to defeat Timor Leste by at least three goals to ensure they finish second in the standings and make the final cut. If they win by a margin of five goals or more, Laos will finish as the champions here with the Philippines ending second.
Cambodia are in with a long shot.

They have to pray that Laos are not able to score enough goals to qualify. While Cambodia were hoping for the best, the Philippines were celebrating in their dressing room and would quickly forgotten the seven bookings they received today.

�They threw everything they had even the kitchen sink,� quipped Simon McMenemy, the chief coach of the Philippines after the match.

�We showed in this qualifying competition that we will not go down without a fight and that is the quality which we will bring to the final round.�

There was only one option left to both teams, win to ensure a place in the AFF Suzuki Cup final rounds in December. And so it was hardly surprising that both sides were aggressively pushing hard to score.

Cambodia�s bench dropped in despair when Sun Sophana�s freekick was tipped over by Neil Etheridge.
It was disappointment again when Keo Sokngon�s shot from the left edge of the box hit the post. Two minutes later, it was the turn of the Philippines bench to despair when Philip Younghusband�s shot was cleared away by a defender.

Cambodia simply could not believe their luck when in the 34th minute, a brilliant shot from Sun Sophana hit the underside of the crossbar and was quickly shoved out by the keeper. San Narith pounced on the rebound but Neil managed to grab it.

Neil had in fact been at the centre of attention as he had been spot on throughout the first half to clear away all the crosses arriving into the box.

The second half saw loads of action and aggression on the pitch as both sides desperately tried to break the duck. The Filipino strikers Ian Araneta and Philip Younghusband, along with his brother James, were constantly harassing the Cambodian defence but were simply unable to make it through.

In the dying minutes,Philip could have sealed it but his shot found the bar. But the draw proved to be good enough for the Philippines to qualify for the final round for the second time since 2006.

�We played well today even though we did not win,� said Lee Tae Hon, the chief coach of Cambodia.
�It is disappointing not to qualify but we will develop these players for the next competition.�

TEAMS

Philippines: Neil Etheridge (GK), Robert Gier, Anton Del Rosario, Roel Gener, James Younghusband, Manuel Gelito Ott, Philip Younghusband, Alexander Borromeo (cpt), Ian Araneta (Yanti 87th), David Basa (emilio, 51st), Ray Jonsson
Subs: Eduard Sacapano (GK), Yanti Armentia Barsales, Emelio Caligdong, Mark Ferrer, Nestorio Margase, Joebel Bermejo
Suspended:Jason De Jong
Coach: Simon Alexander McMenemy
Scorers:
Yellow: Anton (28th), David (33rd), Manuel (66th), Ian (78th), Ray (82nd), Neil (83rd), Alexander (85th)
Red:

Cambodia: Ouk Mic (GK, cpt), Lay Raksmey, Tieng Tiny, Sok Rithy, Khim Borey (Phourng 83rd), San Narith, Kouch Sokumpheak, Khoun Laboravy (Nuth 75th), Keo Sokngon (Tum Saray 64th), Sun Sophana, Pheak Rady
Subs: Peng Bunchay (GK), Sok Rithy, Tum Saray, Phourng Soksana, Eang Piseth, Nuth Sinoun, Pheak Rady
Coach: Lee Tae Hon
Scorers:
Yellow: Khim (34th), Sun Sophana (53rd)
Red:

aseanfootball.org

Recruiting 2011--Paul-Michael Barrows


UMass is interested in Paul-Michael Barrows a 6-3 245 pd TE from Cheshire Academy in CT.

Barrows is a rivals three-star player.

Relevant quote from Rivals:"Delaware has been involved, too, and the Blue Hens were the first team to offer Barrows in the last week or so. UMass is also starting to show increased interest, a welcome sign for Barrows. "Delaware offered me about (six) days ago and I've been talking heavily to UMass so from what it sounds like I think UMass will offer me," Barrows said. "So far, Delaware has offered me a full scholarship."

Barrows holds an offer from the Hens. Also drawing interest from UConn, Penn State and Tulane.

Special thanks to the blog reader who sent me the head's up on Barrows!

Tuesday before JMU--October 26th, 2010

MassLive.com says UMass needs to restore balance to the offense.

Matty Vautour states there are ways to make the "Classic" even classier.

The American Chronicle says last Saturday was a big miss for UMass.

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The UNH student newspaper says there were more UNH fans at the game than UMass.

They also say the victory went beyond the scoreboard and the Cats were razor sharp.

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The Loss moved UMass to #18 in the FCS Coaches poll. William & Mary, Villanova, Delaware and UNh were #5,#6,#7 and #9 respectively.

UMass was also #18 in The Sports Network Poll. William & Mary received two first place votes.

JMU fell to #15.

Appalachian State was an overwhelming #1, said TSN.

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New Hampshire, Land of Excitement: You'll be happy to know Scribbles the horse is feeling better.

AFF Suzuki Cup - Final Standings

Final standings in AFF Suzuki Cup :

Team MP W D L GF GA Pts

Laos 3 1 2 0 8 3 5
Philippines 3 1 2 0 7 2 5
Cambodia 3 1 2 0 4 2 5
Timor Leste 3 0 0 3 1 15 0

Laos win qualifiers , Philippines second in group . Both qualified for finals :

Group A :
Indonesia (host), Thailand , Laos and Malaysia

Group B :

Vietnam (host) , Singapore , Myanmar and Philippines

Monday 25 October 2010

AFF Suzuki Cup : Philippines vs Cambodia , 0-0 FT ! Philippines qualify for AFF Suzuki Cup finals !

AFF Suzuki Cup today :

Philippines - Cambodia , 4 pm ( 5 pm Philippines)

Laos - Timor Leste , 6.30 pm (8.30 pm Philippines)

Livestream : www.bet365.com (need to register)and http://www.fromsport.com/

Livescores : www.futbol24.com and www.spbolive.com

Cambodia news , visit Cambodian football blog or Kingdom of Football

Philippines qualify with a draw or a win against Cambodia !

Good luck !

Update from Cedelf Tupas in Laos :

GK Neil Etheridge
DF David Basa, Aly Borromeo, Rob Gier, Anton del Rosario
MF Rey Jonnson, Roel Gener, Manny Ott, James Younghusband
FW Phil Younghusband, Ian Araneta

Chieffy Caligdong hasn't fully recovered from the groin injury he suffered against Laos yet and might come in as substitute. De Jong is suspended after picking up his second yellow against Laos.

Preview - Philippines v Cambodia

VIENTIANE: Philippines may only require a point on Tuesday against Cambodia to progress to the group stage of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010, but coach Simon McMenemy insists that his side will not be approaching their final qualifying match with a defensive mindset.

James Younghusband's last-ditch equaliser in a 2-2 draw with hosts Laos on Sunday sent the Pinoys back to the top of the qualification group, ahead of Cambodia on goal difference. With the top two progressing to the group stage, they need only to avoid defeat at the National Sports Complex in Vientiane to advance.

McMenemy, however, does not want to allow his charges to sit on their advantage.

Said the Englishman: "It was a crucial goal at the end of the match against Laos. We deserved it and in the bigger picture, it made a significant difference for what we need in our final game in order to qualify for the group stage.

"However, we do intend to go into the game with Cambodia looking for a draw. We want to win."

While disappointed with his side's first-half performance against Laos, McMenemy was pleased with the grit and determination that his players showed in battling back from a two-goal deficit.

"I felt that we were deserving of a point and you can see a lot of improvement in the players. In the past, Philippines footballers have been criticised for not showing too much passion. If the team was losing by two goals, they were unlikely to come back from that position.

"But we have been working on our team spirit and the players showed after half-time that they were not prepared to lie down and fought until the very end. I'm very pleased with the passion and endeavour that they showed.

Emelio Caligdong was stretchered off after taking a kick to the inside of his thigh in the first half but McMenemy believes that he should be ready for Tuesday's match.

"He's feeling very sore right now but we will put him his paces in training and he should be okay," McMenemy explained. "He's like rubber so he should bounce back quickly."

Cambodia have lost their last two AFF Suzuki Cup meetings with Philippines, going down 0-1 in Bacolod in the 2007 qualifiers and 2-3 in the Phnom Penh two years ago.

And despite his side's morale-boosting 4-2 victory over Timor Leste on Sunday, coach Lee Tae-hon acknowledged that it will be a much harder task to break down the well-built and well-drilled Filipinos.

"Philippines have a good team and they are also strong physically," said the South Korean.

"However, we have a determined side who want to win. I will prepare them as well as possible and I have strong confidence that they can get past this qualifying round."

The winners of the match will top the qualifying group regardless of the result of Tuesday's later game between Laos and Timor Leste.

aseanfootball.org

AFF Suzuki Cup : Cambodia - Timor Leste

Monday before JMU--Oct25th, 2010

Matty Vautour reports that the Colonial Clash organizer was very pleased with the results and the event could continue past the original two year contract. The Blog agrees. The Colonial Clash was clearly one of the top FCS events of 2010. It is highly likely that the Clash will outdraw the 2010 FCS National Championship game.

The only thing wrong with the game is we didn't win it.

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Matty looks at UMass' chances to make the playoffs after Saturday's whipping.

He has three stars from the UNH game. I thought Ke'Mon Bailey had an excellent game, same as Matty.

Matty also says the Minutemen are looking to avoid another collapse.

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The UMass Daily Collegian looks at the UNH game and the recent struggles of the offense.

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The Boston Globe looks at the different paths between UMass and UConn football. We've been over this a thousand times. You get what you pay for.

This might be a good place to mention a new blog by Big Dan. He's a UMass guy stuck in New York and he has an open letter to the UMass President.

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The Kansas City Chiefs have released Jeremy Horne.

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The Sports Network has a couple of CAA stories about William & Mary topping Delaware and Villanova is coping without Matt Szczur.

They also looks at various teams in FCS who have turned their seasons around.

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Keepers College football ratings drops UMass to #20 after the loss to UNH.

He has JMU by less than a point over UMass.

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Meanwhile, Boston College lost their fifth straight game.

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A blog reader was kind enough to send me some recruiting news, but I'm under some time constraints this morning and it will have to wait until tomorrow.

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AFF Suzuki Cup : Laos - Philippines

AFF Suzuki Cup - Standings

Standings in AFF Suzuki Cup after two matches :

Team MP W D L GF GA Pts
Philippines 2 1 1 0 7 2 4
Cambodia 2 1 1 0 4 2 4
Laos 2 0 2 0 2 2 2
Timor Leste 2 0 0 2 2 9 0

Matches Tuesday :

Philippines - Cambodia at 4 pm (5 pm Philippines)
Laos - Timor Leste at 6.30 pm (7.30 pm Philippines)

Philippines qualify with a win or draw against Cambodia
Cambodia qualify with a win.
Laos qualify with a win against Timor Leste.

Both Cambodia and Philippines qualify if Laos dont win against Timor Leste.

Both matches tomorrow can be seen at www.bet365.com

Sunday 24 October 2010

Talisay City-EVFC invitational bootfest slated Oct. 27-29

Aimed to provide another avenue for grassroots development in football while in the midst of school breaks, the Talisay City-Executive Village Football Club Invitational Festival of Football 2010 is set to kick off on October 27, 2010 at Carlos Hilado Memorial State College-Talisay football pitch.


This 11-aside tourney will be brawled in two categories: Under-18 ladies and Under-13 boys and will follow the Asian Football Confederation format.

Among the teams expected to suit up in the tournament are Manila-based teams Ateneo de Manila and Miriam College-Manila while Central Visayas teams confirmed are Cebu Football Association and Antoniese Football Club of Dumaguete.

Also joining the competition is Central Philippine University in Iloilo and local squads from the Kabankalan City Football Club, Bago City FC, Victorias-Don Bosco Technical Institute, St. John�s Football Club, EFVC, Bacolod Molasses and host-Talisay squad.

Bacolod Molasses, headed by Larry Lituana and Melky Benedicto, consist of standouts from Celta de Victorias Football Club, Domingo Lacson National High School, Bacolod City National High School and Negros Occidental National High School.

This competition is a continuous joint-effort of the City of Talisay under Mayor Eric Saratan and EVFC headed by its president Rafael Lizares Jr. (Jerome S. Galunan Jr.)

Sun Star Bacolod

AFC U-16 women - Davao girls shine in RP win

TWO girl booters from Davao City grabbed international spotlight when they came through with impressive performances for the Philippines in the AFC Under-16 Women's Championship Qualifying Round (Group A) at the University of Makati football field.


The pride of Davao, Janna Raizel Barcemo and Kyrhen Dimaandal, accounted for three of the seven goals as the country crushed Timor-Leste, 7-0, for its first win in the tournament.

Barcemo, only 12 years old but full of soccer skills, scored two goals and actually authored the first goal for Team Philippines in the competition when she struck in the 10th minute.

The early goal coming from the young Barcemo sparked wild celebration from among Filipino supporters and set the tone for a Philippine romp. Barcemo scored her second goal in the 22nd.

Dimaandal, another talented star in the making, scored the country's last goal in the 80th minute.

It was a big win for the RP team as it opened the event with a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Guam.

The Davao Football Association (DFA) could not help but expressed elatiom on the performance of the Davao youngsters.

"They are really doing great. We very much appreciate the support of their parents. Because of them the kids were able to join the national team and make not only Davao but our country proud," DFA secretary general said.

Aside from Barcemo and Dimaandal, four more players from Davao are in the RP line-up. They are Noreen Kim Maligad, Alyssa Marie Ang, Erika Lorraine Turtur and Sheinna April Chavez.

According to Dimaandal's father, Dr. Henry Dimaandal, her daughter and Maligad sustained suffered minor injuries and were doubtful for the Vietnam match. (CRAM)

Sun Star Davao

YOUNGHUSBANDS PROPEL PHILIPPINES TO THE TOP













VIENTIANE (24 Oct 2010) � Philippines battled back from a two-goal deficit to hold hosts Laos in a gripping encounter at the National Sports Complex Stadium here tonight. With time on the scoreboard up, James Younghusband rose high to nod in the equaliser to keep alive his team�s hopes of advancing to the final rounds of the prestigious AFF Suzuki Cup 2010.

Laos had taken a two-goal lead at the break with superb strikes from Soukaphone Vongchiengkham and Kanyala Sysomvang in the 29th and 41st minutes. But the Philippines had other plans and clawed their way back into contention with a penalty from Philip Younghusband in the 76th minute. That goal provided the fuel that was needed to fire up the Filipinos. And in deep in extratime, the older Younghusband notched the second goal.

The Philippines, top of the standing with four points, still have a tough journey to the final rounds as they now have to beat Cambodia, who earlier today defeated Timor Leste 4-2. Laos, currently third in the standings, have an easy tie against Timor Leste in their last match on Tuesday.

The two final matches will be a thrill as Cambodia and Philippines try to outdo each other while Laos will attempt to score more than two goals to ensure they make it through.

�We were a little over-confident at the start. As such, in the first half we put ourselves in a very difficult position,� said Simon McMenemy, the chief coach of Philippines. �But were a lot better in the second half and the penalty turned the game for us.�

Philippines fielded the same players they did against Timor Leste two days ago but their hopes that the winning lineup would deliver the goals failed miserably in the first half. Despite the obvious difference in physique, the Laos players kept the ball low and used their speed to their advantage.

In the 19th minute, Laos were celebrating after Soukaphone forced in the opener during a scramble in front of goal. Philippines keeper Neil Etherige protested that the ball had not crossed the line but the referee ruled otherwise.

The goal fired up the Laos players and they went hunting for more goals. With the 2,000 over fans cheering them on, the home boys almost doubled the score in the 33rd minute but Kanyala�s shot found the side-netting.

Kanyala was leaping in joy in the 41st minute as his thundering drive screamed into the top corner beyond the reach of the Filipino keeper. In the dying minutes, goalscorers, Soukaphone and Kanyala, had brilliant chances but were just off the mark.

�It was always going to be tough and hard and for all the pressure they put on us, I felt that we coped well,� added David Booth, the chief coach of Laos.
�But the penalty turned the game against us and that was the turning point which led to the draw.�

TEAMS

Philippines: Neil Etheridge (GK), Robert Gier, Anton Del Rosario, James Younghusband, Manuel Gelito Ott, Philip Younghusband, Alexander Borromeo (cpt), Emelio Calidong (David 32nd), Jason De Jong, Ian Araneta, Ray Jonsson
Subs: Eduard Sacapano (GK), Roel Gener, Yanti Armentia Barsales, Mark Ferrer, Nestorio Margase, Joebel Bermejo, David Basa
Coach: Simon Alexander McMenemy
Scorers: Philip Younghusband (76th � pen), James Younghusband (94th)
Yellow: Jason De Jong (16th), Neil (30th), James (42nd), Manuel (60th), Anton (90th)


Laos: Sengphachan Bounthisanh (GK), Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya, Kitsada (c), Ketsada Souksavanh, Lamnao Singtao (Khampeng 90th), Kanlaya Sysomvang, Keoviengphet Lithideth, Kaysone Soukhavong, Konekham Inthammavong (Phatthana 67th), Kovanh Namthavixay, Soukaphone Vongchiengkham (Visay 83rd),
Subs: Seng Athit Somvang (GK), Visay Phapouvaninh, Manolom Phomsouvanh, Viengsavanh Sayyaboun, Khamla Pinkeo, Phatthana Syvilay, Khampeng Sayavutthi

Coach: David Booth
Scorers: Soukaphone (29th), Kanyala (41st)
Yellow: Kanyala (18th), Konekham (61st), Kitsada (75th), Saynakhonevieng (77th)

aseanfootball.org

Sunday after UNH--Oct 24th, 2010

Matty Vautour details UMass' mistakes.

The Boston Globe said the Wildcats were the class of the clash.

The Boston Herald said it was a big miss for UMass.

ESPN says UNH got a big win.

The Worcester Telegram said UMass was humbled.

WEEI.com said UNH ran away with the Clash.

Mass Live said UMass was overrun. They also said UMass' playoff hopes are sliding to the edge.

The Nashua Telegram said the Colonial Clash drew a record 32,848.

The Union leader said it was no close shave.

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Strength of schedule status:

William & Mary, who has been on a tear, extended their run with a win over #2 Delaware.

Holy Cross put themselves back in the Patriot League championship hunt with a win over Colgate.

Michigan had a bye.

Stony Brook beat Coastal Carolina 38-28.

Richmond dominated Towson 28-6.

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Saturday 23 October 2010

UMass drubbed by UNH 39-13


I didn't feel as bad about this one because we were never in it.

For the second game in a row, UMass just was flat and unfocused. We had a turnover and two penalties in the first four special teams situations. In fact, special teams were terrible all night, as we had a penalty on a field goal attempt that moved the ball out range as well as two bizarre on-side kick attempts.

On the on-side kicks, UNH nearly scored both times as they simply fielded the ball and ran untouched through the UMass kicking team for big gains.

I don't think we used a tactical timeout all game as we struggled to get plays in or set the defense. Despite using all those timeouts, we had two substitution penalties and at least two delay-of-game penalties.

The defense didn't play that badly. UMass forced UNH to punt six times, but the Wildcats were 6-for-6 in the red zone.

Everybody needs to tighten up the mental errors or this is going to be a long season,

UMass' writeup here.

New Hampshire's writeup here.

More tomorrow.

Well, the Colonial Classic was a success!


Almost 33,000 fans showed up to see the first ever Colonial Classic. That's the largest ever crowd to see a CAA league game.

Great turnout by both fan bases. We almost beat the Boston College-Maryland game in Boston.

The attendance was large enough to create a Patriots-level traffic jam as it took us an hour to move a mile away from the stadium.

Missing Link is the perfect description



Mike Gerardi (14) cheers on Peanut Joseph as a bench player during last year's UB game. Now he will take a more active role in the winning.


"I saw every play of the Temple vs. Penn State game and the only thing Temple needed to win that game was better quaterback play. I really think if Mike Gerardi played that game, they would have beaten Penn State."
_ Doug Graber, on ESPN Plus telecast
The dictionary has two definitions for the term "missing link."
I hadn't heard it since I used to play full court noon-time basketball at the Doylestown YMCA about 20 years ago.
We'd always call this wild guy the missing link. He was bald, big, had a beard (kind of looked like Brian Wilson of the Giants) and was muscle-bound and would camp underneath the basket and get all the rebounds.
I haven't really heard the term "missing link" again until Saturday.
The announcers on the TV during Temple's 42-0 win at Buffalo, Michael Reghi and Doug Graber, kept referring to quarterback Mike Gerardi as Temple's missing link.
I don't think he's bald, big or particularly muscle-bound so I had to page through my Merriam-Webster Dictionary to see what they were talking about.

It gives two definitions and I like the second one best:
  1.  A theoretical primate postulated to bridge the evolutionary gap between the anthropoid apes and humans. Not in scientific use.
  2.  Something lacking that is needed to complete a series.

Something lacking that is needed to complete a series.


That pretty much describes Mike Gerardi to me and what he means to Temple's football team.

Too many series have been left on the field and, to me, the position mostly at fault was the quarterback one.

Too many interceptions.
Too many fumbles.
Too many overthrows.
Too many left plays on the field.
Not anymore.
Gerardi threw a pair of interceptions that could be forgiven today because both were right near the hands of the wide receivers and both came after Gerardi demonstrated an ability to make positive plays with the ball.
This team has so many weapons and now, for the first time all year, I feel confident that they can be used properly.
Something had been missing all year until now.
Missing link?
If your talking about the second definition of that term, I think that's the perfect description for Mike Gerardi.

AFF Suzuki Cup - Laos vs Philippines 2-2 FT !!

AFF Suzuki Cup Sunday :

Cambodia - Timor Leste , 4 pm Laos times (5 pm Philippines) 4-2

Philippines - Laos , 6.30 pm (7.30 pm Philippines)

Livestream : www.bet365.com , (need to register but you dont have to pay) bet365.com showing both matches

Other possible livestreams : myp2eu.com, atdhe.net or rajangan.net

Livescores : futbol24.com and spbolive.com

Good luck !

AFC U-16 Women - RP XI Faces Singapore

MANILA, Philippines � The Philippines hopes to end its campaign with a bang when it battles Singapore this Sunday at the close of the AFC Under-16 Women's Championship 2011 Qualifying Round 1 (Group A) at the ULTRA football field.

Toting similar 2-1 records, the vastly improving Nationals and the Singaporeans collide at 3 p.m. with the winner emerging third place in the five-team tournament.

Powerhouse Vietnam and Guam dispute the pennant when they clash at 9 a.m. Both teams sport identical 3-0 marks in the event serving as a follow-up to the country�s successful staging of the AFC Under-19 Women's Championship Group A Qualifiers last month.

The game between Philippines and Singapore will be shown on pinoysportsidols.com.

Manila Bulletin

Game Day UNH---Oct 23rd, 2010

Matty V says UMass is ready to bounce back. He also states UMass has a wide-eyed walk-through at Gillette. Matty Vautour and Matt Goldstein pick the winners in week #8.

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The UMass website has some video and quotes of Friday's walk-through at Gillette Stadium.

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The Boston Herald says UMass-UNH on a big stage.

The Worcester Telegram says local players Bob Blanchflower, Andrew Kervis and Jonathan Hernandez are playing in the big time.

The Laconia Citizen says UMass-UNH are ready for a historic clash.

The Enterprise news says Brockton's Darren Thellen has settled in at safety for UMass.

NESN.com says UMass and UNH are thrilled to be playing at Gillette Stadium.

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UNH LB Matt Evans is the leading tackler in the CAA.

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UNH suspended football player Jerome Wilkins has been receiving support. Wilkins has been released under a $50K bail.

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CAA Game Day is is here. Reminder: Delaware -William & Mary is on Comcast Sports New England at 12:00 Noon.

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UPDATE: From the Gillette Stadium:

1. Driving Directions To Gillette Stadium. For driving instructions to the stadium go to:

Gillette stadium directions.

2. Tailgating. All parking lots except those directly adjacent to the retail stores and the movie theatre are open for tailgating. Tailgating is permitted AFTER 12:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to use the numbers on the light poles to assist in locating friends during the tailgating period.

3. Parking.

a. Fans arriving from I-495 (South) will park in the South lots of Gillette Stadium. These lots are on both sides of Route 1.

b. Fans arriving from I-95 (Boston) will park in the North lots of Gillette Stadium. These lots are on both sides of Route 1.

c. Fans with parking passes for either the West Club or East Club Lots will enter at P8 (from I-495) or P1 (from I-95).

d. All spectator buses will park on the stadium side of Route 1 by entering either P8 (from the South) or P6 (from the North). UMass buses will park in Lot 20 by entering P8. UNH buses will park in Lot 22 by entering either P1 or P6.

e. Post-game. There is to be no post-game tailgating in the parking lots.

4. Entertainment.

a. The band Changes In Lattitudes will play on the Patriot Place Plaza stage beginning at 11:30 a.m.

b. The UMass Minuteman Band will conduct a pep rally on the Patriot Place Plaza at 1:30 p.m.

c. The UNH band will conduct a pep rally at Bar Louie at 1:30 p.m.

5. Stadium Gates. The stadium gates will open at 2 p.m. for the 3:30 p.m. kick-off. It is strongly recommended that fans do NOT wait until 3:30 p.m. to enter the stadium as lines will be long. Fans are encouraged to enter the stadium early.

6. Ticket Office. The Gillette Stadium Ticket Office will open at 11 a.m. The Ticket Office is located in the Patriot Place Plaza near the ProShop and CBS Scene.

7. Patriot Place. All of the retail and restaurants through-out Patriot Place will be open for business on game day. For more information go to www.patriot-place.com.

Phil Buttafuoco
Gillette Stadium