Morning Wrap: Navy Wins Crappily Played Poinsettia Bowl

((ht: espn.com))

If you live on the east coast and aren't a Navy fan and watched the Poinsettia Bowl game Tuesday, you have no life.

The bowl game, featuring the Midshipmen and San Diego State was perhaps one of the worst bowl games of the year.

The reason: Seven turnovers and a missed game winning field goal attempt.

Navy won the game 17-16 on an Austin Grebe 24-yard field goal with 1:20 left in the game.

But it wasn't over until the Aztecs Donnie Hageman missed a 34-yarder with :20 to go.

Navy coach Ken Niumatololo said later "I have no idea how we won the game.

The two teams combined for less than 600 yards total offense, the quarterbacks for both teams threw a combined 34 passes, completing 14 of them.

ESPN.com gives us the high/low lights:

Morning Wrap: SDSU Fwd Polee Collapses On Court During Game

((ht: foxsports.com))

A scary few minutes Tuesday night in San Diego when San Diego State forward Dwayne Polee II passed out face first on the court during the Aztecs game with UC Riverside.

Polee had just missed a layup early in the 1st half of the game and as he turned to run back down the court, he fell and landed in front of the bench.

Paramedics were at the gym and immediately got Polee hooked up to an EKG machine. After a couple seconds of grogginess, his eyes opened.

According to reports, he didn't require oxygen or any other treatment, but he was wheeled off the court and taken to a nearby hospital for observation and tests.

The Aztecs, initially stunned and shocked at what happened eventually recovered and beat Riverside handily, 67-33.

FoxSports.com gives us video and game highlights:

DEVELOPING: Tony Gwynn Passes At 54

After a prolonged battle with cancer of the salivary gland, 8-time batting champ Tony Gwynn has died at the age of 54. He had battled it in 2009 and again in 2012 when it recurred.

He was equal to Honus Wagner in batting titles and finished with 3,141 career hits (18th all-time) and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 with Cal Ripken, Junior.

The head coach of the San Diego State baseball program had taken a leave of absence from the program to fight the disease in recent months.

And, to tell you a quick story on how tremendous a physical athlete Gwynn was, he was once taken in for an eye test since people often wondered how a career .338 hitter could pick up the ball so well and so quickly out of a pitcher's hand.

The initial eye test came back with vision that was 20/10- meaning that he could pick up objects clearly at twenty feet that others could at only ten feet in front of them. A retest was demanded since the first round of results weren't believed.

The second test came back 20/8.

Here's a piece the Aztecs had done on them by ESPN's "Outside The Lines" group after Gwynn survived round one back in 2011. Tom Friend reports for OTL
((HT: goaztecs.com))

SDSU Play-by Play Voice Ted Leitner's Melt Down During Mountain West Tournament Broadcast

Ted Leitner is an institution on the San Diego sports scene.  Leitner calls San Diego State basketball and the Aztecs were playing New Mexico in the Mountain West Tournament final and lost to the Lobos 64-58 and during the broadcast Leitner lost his mind

It seems security in Las Vegas was concerned about his suitcase.

Take a listen.



Now that's a great listen.

Aztecs RB Leaves Combine Because "God Told Him To..."

((HT: SDSU/Mountain West/youtube))

San Diego State RB Adam Muema was heading to Indianapolis like every other running back who was looking for a professional career

Here's part of what he did in his final season at SDSU


Muema ran for 1,244 yards and 15 TDs, but he stopped short of appearing for the NFL because "God told him to..."

Michael Gelken of the San Diego Union-Tribune caught up with the running back who claims he speaks to his God through numbers:

"(God) told me to sit down, be quiet, and enjoy the peace."

Muema can still work out in front of NFL personnel at the SDSU Pro Day and believes that he should play for the Seattle Seahawks...

Wyoming Causes Another Court Storming

((HT: WyoAthletics))
Upsetting San Diego State will do that...

Riley Grabau had 17 points and we now know where Larry Nance's son is playing hoops...

Larry Nance, Junior added 14 to lead to the 68-62 upset of 5th-ranked San Diego State. It is the Cowboys (15-9, 6-5 Mountain West Conference) first upset of a top-five opponent since 1998- breaking a 20-game winning streak for the Aztecs (21-2, 10-1 Mountain West Conference) at the same time...


The Pokes by led by as many as 16 in the second half... after a 1-for-7 start from the field early in the game...

“I am so proud of the guys on this team,” Wyoming head coach Larry Shyatt said postgame. “I told them after the Vegas game the other day that there may not be many people who will tell you the truth, but I’m going to tell you the truth, ‘You’re a heck of a team. You compete. You’ve been in five last possession games this year, and won three of those. You’re winners and somewhere there is a rainbow coming.’ I didn’t know it was coming tonight, but thank heaven it did.”

Worst Onside Kick Ever... At Least, This Year, Anyway...

((HT: ESPN))

It was a long day for the Buffalo Bulls in the bowl game in Idaho on the blue turf...

How long was it...???

This was an attempt at an onside kick down 42-17 in the 4th quarter...


See what we mean...???

Go Aztecs! Baseball Plays Game In Halloween Costumes

((HT: GoAztecs.com))

According to the Aztecs, this is an annual thing...

Players dress up in Halloween costumes and people vote on who looks the best...

This year's winner: The Jamaican Bobsled team...

C.J. Saylor was up front with a bat in his hands, with Tyler Sapp, Mark Seyler, Danny Sheehan and Cody Thompson along for the ride.

The prize for best costume was to be a 2014 Corvette Stingray. But, because of NCAA restrictions, the Jamaicans instead were given warm applause.

Other costumes were an App Store, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and Facebook apps, along with Charger Girl, a blonde bombshell, a lifeguard, Captain America, and Captain Underwear...

The Red team beat the Black Team 5-3...
Here's your highlights...

OSG's College Football Crystal Ball For Week 2

#2 Oregon at Virginia

I’m racking my brain to figure out what was the biggest game ever played at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville and boom it came to me, when the Wahoos defeated Florida State in 1995 to end FSU’s ACC winning streak.

Oregon rarely crosses over the big rocks (Rocky Mtn’s) much less go as far east and the Ducks are travelling.  You have to go back to 1970 when Oregon played at West Point since the Ducks have travelled this far east. 

Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich come away impressed with the Virginia Defense.

They dominated BYU [defensively], which doesn’t happen very much.” Helfrich said in his weekly teleconference.

That may be the case last week but Virginia defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta loves a challenge and this is a biggie.

“…obviously this is one of the best college football teams in the country, and we happen to have the chance to play them here in Charlottesville.”

Yes Virginia you do but Oregon will be way too much to handle.

Oregon 42, Virginia 17

San Diego State at #3 Ohio State

The Aztecs were defeated by Eastern Illinois last Saturday.  What kind of chance do they have against the Buckeyes.

The Ohio State University 48, SDSU 3

South Carolina State at #4 Clemson

Do you think the Tigers will have a let down.

 “I know everybody looks at the schedule and thinks that it’s SC State versus Clemson.”  Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said.  “It’s an FCS team, but if you think that way then you get beat. I think there were eight FCS teams that beat FBS opponents last Saturday.”

Clemson fans, don’t worry.

Clemson 58, SC State 10

San Jose State at #5 Stanford

This was a close game last year with the Cardinal winning 20-17.  The Spartans defeated Sacramento State 24-0 for a confidence boost before heading the The Farm. 

Saturday is Stanford’s season opener. 

 “That’s [San Jose State] a good team,”  Stanford head coach David Shaw said.

The Spartans have won eight straight, that streak ends.

Stanford 34, San Jose State 24

Sam Houston State at Texas A&M

Raise your hand if you are over Johnny Manziel………. That’s what I thought. 

College Football’s spoiled brat will play again at Kyle Field to dismantle the Sam Houston defense.

“They are a tremendously talented team led by a Heisman Trophy winner.”  Sam Houston State head coach Willie Fritz said.  “But playing in front of a crowd of more than 88,000 again will be a great experience for our players and good exposure for Sam Houston State.”

Enjoy the experience Bearkats

Texas A&M 49, Sam Houston State 10 

More to come, stay tuned.

This Flew Under The Radar Screen, Eastern Illinois Upsets San Diego State

With all the FCS school stunners Saturday over the FBS big boys this one out west kind of flew under the radar screen.

Eastern Illinois defeated San Diego State Saturday night 40-19.

Let's just say head coach Rocky Long was not pleased.

See for yourself.




Here's the highlights from the game (It's all good San Diego State plays that's why it's very short.)




Of course the Panthers are thrilled.

“Obviously I’m really happy for the players." Eastern Illinois head coach Dino Babers said. "We just found a way to hang in there. The ball kind of bounced our way.”

EIU out gained SDSU 533 total yards to 440.

What kill San Diego State was turnovers, the Aztecs committed five of them.

And Now, San Diego State Is Leaving The Big East

((HT: Mark Blaudschun))

The Jersey Guy himself is reporting that come July 1, 2013 San Diego State is returning to the Mountain West Conference as a full-time member- without having to pay an exit fee.

See, they worked it into their contract that if Boise got to leave, they could too without opening their wallet...

Good work for them... as the MWC expands back to 12...

As of right now, the Big East is going back to 10 teams (temporarily): Connecticut, Temple, Rutgers, South Florida, Cincinnati, Memphis, Louisville, Central Florida, SMU and Houston.

Louisville and Rutgers stay for 2013 but leave the conference for the ACC and Big Ten in 2014. Tulane and East Carolina replace them. Navy is also scheduled to join the Big East in 2015.

For now...

And the HQ is still confused with basketball season coming up as the conference goes from 18 to 11 when the Catholic 7 exits and takes others from other conferences with them to create their own basketball-only group...

More when we know more...

WOW! Awesome Pass to Yourself Dunk

((ht: cbssports.com))

Whoa! Really, that's about the best way to describe an absolutely incredible dunk by Jamaal Franklin of San Diego State.

Franklin flies down court on a Fast Break against Fresno State, tosses the ball off the backboard, then catches it and throws it down for the dunk.

Nice...

Oh, by the way, The Aztecs won Wednesday nights game, 65-62.

DEVELOPING: Boise Staying In Mountain West (UPDATED With $$$ Details)

((HT: Brett McMurphy))

And, because of that, San Diego State won't have to pay an exit fee if they decide to leave the Big East Conference and return west themselves...

Until we have more info on this whole thing, here's highlights from Boise State's win over Washington in Las Vegas...
((HT: KTVB-TV))
McMurphy also says that Boise will still have to pay their $10-million exit fee. Maybe, they can go halfsies with the Aztecs... We have more from the Mountain West their own selves... MWC Commish Craig Thompson, in Hawai'i for the Diamond Head Classic, told Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union-Tribune when asked about SDSU: “It’s not by any particular design that we haven’t talked to San Diego State,” Thompson said. “Maybe it’s a cat and mouse kind of deal. Boise State has been more active in this. It’s not obstinance on anyone’s part. Whenever it’s time, if it’s time, it will happen … I would have no issue talking with San Diego State if something were to develop. “To be honest, we’re just trying to figure all this out. Schools have their reasons for leaving for the Big East. Maybe they’re still valid today, maybe they’re not. But I think some schools – maybe not only Boise State – are re-evaluating that decision.” And, according to Brian Murphy at the Idaho Statesman and his Twitter: Boise State will remain in Mountain West. League will guarantee the rights to Boise State home FB games that are sold as separate package.

Boise Back To Mountain West...???

That's the conventional wisdom, and for them, it would make the most sense...

The dissolving of the Big East Conference in basketball with the planned exit of the so-called "Catholic 7" is creating some discord with the inbound football-playing schools- and now it looks like Boise State is thinking about jumping back to where they were.


Why...???

Under the new post-season system, the Mountain West has as much stroke as the Big East does. The Big East's TV deal is in a large amount of doubt and discussion since it would take place starting in 2014- the season in which a lot of the schools are looking to leave, relocate, and/or not hang out with the Big East anymore.

Evidence of concern is hyah...thanks, KIVI-TV in Boise...

At the same time, it appears that the Big east is reaching out to UNLV and Fresno State to join if the western additions turn into abstentions. The idea of them joining seems somewhat far-fetched since there doesn't seem to be any kind of added benefit. San Diego State is still in play since they haven't decided to go back to where they were or not at present.

Meanwhile, when was the last time you heard about Boise and Washington squaring off in a defensive battle in Las Vegas...???
((HT: KBOI-TV))

How 'Bout A Do-Over...??? Boise, San Diego, and BYU Looking At Mountain West...???

Not that this is a surprise...

But Brett McMurphy over at the four-letter is saying those three- currently in the Big East and an independent for football are looking at the Mountain West Conference for a home now...

When the new alignment that the Big East came out with (two divisions really spread apart), the HQ could see completely and totally why...

Add to that the idea that the Bee-Cee-Ess commissioners voted that the highest-rated non Power Conference would have the same weight as the Big East champ and you can see why it would be a lot cheaper and geographically desirable for them to stay out west.

For BYU, they would have to leave their deal with ESPN on the table. For the other two, there would have to be an exit fee- supposedly $10-million- that would be challenged in court, certainly...

Brian Murphy caught up with Boise AD Mark Coyle after their Senior Day game for his piece in the Idaho Statesman:

“In the 11 months I’ve been here, we’ve talked about how all of us are trying to make long-term decisions with a shifting foundation. That foundation continues to shift for all programs, not just Boise State,” Coyle said. “I think that’s one of the challenging aspects of this job across the country for all ADs. You’re trying to make long-term decisions on a shifting landscape.”

Oh, did we mention that the Big East's TV deal is in play now that ESPN let the negotiating window pass...???

Here's Coyle talking about the move to the Big East back when that happened...
((HT: KTVB-TV))

OSG Buzzer Beater: Frankin's Last Second Heroics Lift Aztecs Over Runnin' Rebels

San Diego State guard Jamaal Franklin put up 24 points including going 8-8 at the free throw line and with 10 rebounds had is second double-double in a row, third overall this season.

What Franklin did at the end of the game was big time. He drove drown the lane and knocked down a lay up to beat the buzzer and put San Diego State on top for good defeating UNLV 69-67.

Here's the highlights from SDSU. (Thanks goaztecs.com/NBC Sports Network)



"We ran a good play," Franklin said after the game.. "My jump shot hadn't been falling so I had to get to the rim. I was going to try to draw a foul. Anthony Marshall stepped up and tried to take a charge but I just sidestepped and got a basket."

Even UNLV head coach Dave Rice had to tip his hat to Jamaal Franklin seizing the moment.

"I think the first thing is to give a lot of credit to Jamaal Franklin," Rice said. "That is a heck of a hard shot. We were just a little bit late on the exchange and he made a hard shot."

Very classy by coach Rice.

San Diego State is now 15-2 and 1-0 in the Mountain West

UNLV falls to 16-3 on the year, 0-1 in the MWC.

BREAKING: Big East Adds Some For 2013

According to Brett McMurphy and his Twitter account:

Sources tell @CBSSports Big East will add Boise, San Diego St, Houston, UCF, SMU Wednesday. Will join league in 2013...

Interesting...

More when we know more...